The show begins with Miki Anderson (Katherine Langford) arriving in Savage River on a commuter bus. She walks down to the stream and takes a seat on a rock.

Ocean Anderson (Hannah Bickerton) asks Terry Anderson (Cooper Van Grootel) if the cake is for Miki’s birthday. He tells her that it’s a “welcome home cake.” She asks if Miki has a beard like him. After pointing out that he doesn’t have a beard, he says they are fraternal twins, not identical twins.

Deborah Cochrane (Leah Vanderberg) asks Colleen Lang (Jacqueline McKenzie) if she can put a mayoral campaign poster in her window. While hanging up the poster, Colleen appears shocked to see Miki walking past.

Terry opens the door to find Miki standing there. They hug before he introduces her to Ocean. While Ocean has Terry detained, Miki walks to her bedroom. She has a flashback of stuffing items into an old paint can with Jasmine Lang (Molly Grace).

Staring at Deborah’s campaign poster, Max Englert (Richard Piper) tells Hugh Lang (Andrew Gilbert) that he’s surprised they are taking her side. Hugh says some of Deborah’s ideas are good. After describing her ideas as “greenie panic-mongering nonsense,” Max warns him that she’ll force the meatworks to close. Hugh says he believes she supports cleaning it up and helping workers get better pay. As Hugh and Colleen prepare to leave, Max promises to drop by with his own campaign poster.

Ocean spies on Miki as she paints her nails. When Miki says, “Boo,” she takes off running. Colleen stops by to drop off some things for Miki. Hugh suggests they aren’t wanted there. Miki tells them that she’s not accustomed to visitors without special preparation. Colleen tells her that she and Lang forgive her.

Joel Thorpe (Mark Coles Smith) encounters Miki as they leave the Sheriff’s Office. When Joel greets her, she flips him the bird. Sergeant Bill Kirby (Robert Grubb) tells her that she’s required to sign in weekly while under probation. She says her goal is to live a normal life.

Miki enters the store as Ranil Perera (Amesh Edireweera) wires money to Sri Lanka. Miki reminds Taylah Russell (Ayesha Gibson) that they were classmates. Taylah says she’s only a few weeks away from giving birth before realizing who she’s talking to. When Miki suggests they talk sometime, Taylah says, “Uh-huh.” She puts her drink on the counter before leaving.

At Kirby’s Chemist, Miki asks Ivy Pattison (Hattie Hook) if there are any openings. Ivy suggests she speak with Connor Kirby (Bernard Curry). When Connor asks for references and chemist experience, she tells him to forget it. She gets her ears pierced.

Miki informs Terry that she’s going to the pub. He reminds her of it being her first night home. She sarcastically asks when he became an old man. He says when he had a baby and got a job.

Miki gives Hugh a map of where she and Jasmine buried their time capsule. He accuses her of taking his daughter from him before wading the map into a ball. She apologizes. He orders her to leave as Colleen pulls into the driveway.

Miki scolds Simon Englert (James Mackay) for stop his visits at the prison. He tries to speak as returns to the pub. When she bumps into Joel, he sarcastically says her manners are improving before shooting her the bird. She continues on to the restroom to throw up. Sally O’Neill (Sally-Anne Upton) suggests not getting drunk because the guys will think she’s easy. Joel and Miki chat at the bar.

Max shows Simon his mayoral campaign poster. Simon asks how old is it. Max assures him it will work before suggesting they hit up the down. Simon says he has English classes.

Miki and Joel arrive at his place. They are having sex when Joel realizes she’s a  virgin. He immediately stops and apologizes. She tells him that she is no longer a virgin while getting dressed. He offers to take her home but she refuses.

Jamila Bayati (Maia Abbas) is praying when Salim Bayati (Osamah Sami) approaches. After refusing a gift from Salim, she tells him that he turned to alcohol after their son died. She says his behavior is why Allah is angry at them.

Terry asks Miki if she’d like to share his drugs. She questions if he should be doing it. He assures her that it’s under control before asking if her plan’s to get drunk and confront people. She promises to find a job and take care of Ocean. After giving her a phone, he tells her that Lynne Anderson (Nadine Garner) treats Ocean better than she did them. He asks when she plans to see Lynne. She says when will she see me. He suggests applying for a job at Pattison’s Meat after dropping Ocean off the preschool.

Ocean asks Miki what prison is like. She describes it as “starting kindergarten.”

Terry delivers mail to Chandra Pattison (Miranda Anwar) and Wayan Pattison (Benjamin Moore). They discuss the fireworks.

Kevin Pattison (Daniel Henshall) tells Miki that he isn’t hiring. She promises to do jobs that others can’t handle. Sally suggests he let Miki take Laila’s spot. Joel gets a chant going in the cafeteria. He tells her that she can work in gut sorting. Sally escorts her to the locker room. Miki opens Laila’s locker to find her personal photo. Sally tells her that Laila quit after she tired of Kevin. Miki walks in as Sujan Nadesan (Rajan Velu) argues with Kevin about giving Laila’s position away. As Kevin gives her a tour, Nick Healey (Julian Weeks) asks who she plans to kill now. Sally assures her that they will get tired of it. Salim tells the server that he isn’t allowed to eat pork. She says they are sausage. Joel invites Miki to the pub after work. She declines his offer.

Miki drops Laila’s things off at the refugee camp. A lady asks where she is at. Miki denies knowing anything about her whereabouts. She looks over to see Hugh talking to a man.

Lynne tells him that she will stay while he is at his study group. He warns her that she’ll need to talk to Miki at some point. She reminds him that Miki turned away from her.

Chandra asks Kevin why he agreed to hire Miki. He tells her it won’t be their problem once the acquisition is complete.

Miki overhears Hugh promising to take care of something for a co-worker. She’s assisting other workers load a truck when Adam Lang (Jack Kenny) approaches. She immediately exits the area. Hugh accuses Kevin of taking advantage of vulnerable people. Kevin asks his workers if what Max says is true. A male worker tells him that they are charged for electricity. Kevin assures him that everyone pays for electricity.

Nick apologizes to Miki. She assures him that what he said didn’t bother her. He asks if prison is really that bad before offering to buy her a beer. She acknowledges drinking beer. He asks her to follow him back inside to get his bag. He locks her in the freezer before leaving.

Hugh digs up Jasmine’s time capsule.

Jamila suggests they report Laila missing. After showing her condoms, he suggests she ran away with a guy.

Miki utilizes a crowbar to get out of the freezer. A loud noise grabs her attention. Shefor Nick when Hugh’s lifeless body falls on top of her. She rushes home on her bike. She utilizes a water hose to wash some of the blood off her arms. When she enters the house, Lynne comes around the corner. Distraught, she says, “Mum” as the episode comes to an end.

 

Savage River Review

The plot is intriguing enough to draw in viewers. Will they stick around? It’s hardly doubtful. The pilot episode skips the backstory, which is a vital part of the show. With no backstory, viewers are left guessing why Miki went to prison and what happened to her friend, Jasmine.

The plot is deceptive as it has a hidden political agenda. Instead of focusing on Miki, the show goes on a tangent about migrant workers. More in detail, the mistreatment of migrant workers. Viewers are lured in with an interesting plot, then drop bombed at the halfway point.

On the upside, the cinematography and editing are great. It’s just a shame, they didn’t do more with the screenplay. The slow pace is unbearable at times. I question if Miki’s story is enough to keep viewers returning.

The migrant working conditions may apply to developing countries, but most likely not in Australia. Not saying, there aren’t any corrupt businesses willing to hire migrants for unlivable wages, just the odds are minimal.

Not all the locals are thrilled to see Miki. She gets hired at the meatworks to take a missing Laila’s position. Unbeknownst to the workers, Kevin is in the process of selling.

Jamila is concerned for Laila’s safety. Salim discourages her from going to the police by claiming to have found her condoms.

After breaking out of the freezer, Mini is blindsided by Hugh’s lifeless body. Lynne sees her covered in blood.

The episode deserves a 4.5. Get more Savage River recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.