Savage River Season 1 Episode 5 Recap

The episode begins with Miki Anderson (Katherine Langford) being permitted to make two phone calls from jail.

Terry Anderson (Cooper Van Grootel) informs Lynne Anderson (Nadine Garner) that Adam Lang (Jack Kenny) tried to attack Miki before the police took her away. Lynne answers a call to hear Miki say, “Mom.” Miki tells her that she had to speak up. Lynne asks what she told the police. Miki denies telling them anything. Lynne demands she not do anything dumber than she has already done before ending the call. When Terry questions if he can take anymore, she promises to fix it.

Nick Healey (Julian Weeks) and Joel Thorpe (Mark Coles Smith) spy on Chandra Pattison (Miranda Anwar) and Wayan Pattison (Benjamin Moore) having dinner. Kevin Pattison (Daniel Henshall) says he assured Hank Bailey (Amir Rahimzadeh) that the meatworks’ acquisition would go smoothly. Max Englert (Richard Piper) warns him that some of the workers are angry. As Kevin greets Hank and Bryan (Cam Faull), Nick activates fireworks inside the trunk of a nearby vehicle. When the vehicle ignites into flames, Nick and Joel flee on foot.

Deborah Cochrane (Leah Vandenberg) reminds Lynne that her specialty is conveyancing, not criminal. Lynne tells her that she assists the refugees. After saying Deborah is a mayoral candidate, Connor Kirby (Bernard Curry) tells Lynne that the locals viewed Hugh Lang (Andrew S. Gilbert) as a “saint.” Lynne says after losing so much, she questioned if she had a heart to break, but Miki’s arrest shows otherwise.

Laila Bayati (Haya Abbas) warns Salim Bayati (Osamah Sami) to not interfere in her life. Salim assures her that Nick is a “good boy.” Jamila Bayati (Maia Abbas) asks why they’re having a disagreement. Laila tells her that she’ll not marry Nick because Salim wishes it. Salim says Nick will provide her with a home and protection. She reminds him of how he used to order her to stay away from him before leaving. Jamila asks Salim why he’s on edge. He claims Miki had possession of his knife after he forgot it at work. She reminds him of how she told the police that they were together the night Hugh was murdered.

Rachel Kennedy (Virginia Gay) reviews Jasmine Lang’s autopsy record when a notification about Kevin’s car pops up on her phone. She calls to tell Senior Sergeant Bill Kirby (Robert Grubb) that she’ll be in shortly to start Miki’s interrogation. Kirby informs her that Miki’s defense attorney will be Deborah.

Kevin assures Hank and Bryan that the vehicle was nothing more than a prank. Bryan tells him that they have no interest in “community warfare” as they head to their vehicle. He pleads with them to reconsider. Max suggests the acquisition is over. Kevin sarcastically thanks Chandra for telling Terry about the Meatworks. She tells him that she’s sorry. He suggests she run away with her “little boyfriend,” Terry. She says shut up as Rachel pulls into the driveway. He asks if she’s going to arrest Nick for blowing up my vehicle. She asks if he saw Nick do it before scolding him for not telling her about the Meatworks.

Ivy Pattison (Hattie Hook) receives a text that reads, “Thinking of you, can’t wait to see you.” Chandra informs Rachel that they are relocating to Bali. Kevin says Ivy isn’t going with them. Rachel asks if he’s just going to dump her. Kevin says Bali is out of the question with the sale being off. Chandra reminds him of his promise to relocate to Bali. Raising his voice, he says there is no money.

Rachel assures Ivy that she wants them to live together. Ivy tells her that she wants to stay in Savage River, not move to the city. Rachel says she would like to try again. Ivy asks if she would move back to live with her. When Rachel doesn’t respond, Ivy says she figured before walking away. Rachel finds pills in Ivy’s bedroom.

Adam suggests someone else take over Hugh’s eulogy. Colleen Lang (Jacqueline McKenzie) admits she wanted to share Jasmine’s grave before reminding him of Miki’s arrest.

Rachel says she wishes Miki’s argument with Hugh was stronger. Kirby suggests Miki may have killed Hugh in self-defense after he went after her. She tells him that Miki knew no one would believe her story. He assures her that no parents want their child to go to jail. She informs him that Jasmine’s autopsy is missing page 2. He says, “Really” before promising to locate it

Rachel warns Miki that she could be sent back to prison for tampering with evidence. Deborah says the knife found in Miki’s locker hasn’t been confirmed as the murder weapon. Kirby says the knife with a broken tip is likely the murder weapon. She suggests the police would’ve never located the knife if Miki decided to toss it in the river. Rachel asks Miki why she didn’t get rid of it. Miki says the knife could be evidence before assuring them she’s trying to help them find the real killer. Deborah asks if the police have identified the tipster. Miki tells them that she assumed it was Adam. Rachel informs them that the tipster called it in from a payphone in town. Deborah suggests the tipster could be Hugh’s killer. Kirby says the tipster might have saw Miki store the knife in her locker. Deborah says they have nothing but circumstantial evidence and Miki has an alibi.

Kirby suggests holding Miki on a parole violation until they get the forensics report for the knife. Rachel asks why Miki would pull the stunt at the town hall if she killed Hugh. He says no one knows what goes on in her head. She asks if anything was found in the phone booth. He says some partial prints. She reminds him that the tip was texted to his cellphone. He assures her that all the locals have his cellphone. She suggests someone could’ve seen something since the phone booth is on Main Street. He says he’ll get on it. She says, “CCTV” while walking away.

Miki asks if the police have enough evidence to press charges. Deborah tells her that it appears that way. Miki informs her that Hugh was murdered inside the meatworks. Deborah suggests she needs to tell the police. Miki tells her that she won’t talk.

Rachel shows the workers at meatworks a photo of the knife. Dale O’Neill (Sally-Anne Upton) tells her that the meatworks has more knives than “di**s.” Kevin tells Nick that he’s been terminated. Nick asks why. Kevin warns the workers that there will be no expansion or improvements because of Nick’s actions. Irate, he orders everyone back to work.

Rachel tells Kevin that she needs the CCTV footage that may show who put the knife in Miki’s locker. He informs her that the CCTV system was never hooked up. She asks if the workers are aware of it. He tells her that it isn’t a secret. She asks for a log of visitors and workers on the night before the fireworks. He asks what it has to do with the investigation. She informs him of Ivy taking birth control pills. He acknowledges knowing who she hangs out with. She asks what time was the meatworks locked up the night before the fireworks. He says about 9:30pm.

Rachel asks Nick where he was when Kevin’s car was blown up. Nick informs her of Kevin and Hugh’s fight several days before he was killed. She asks what was the fight about. He claims it was related to Kevin’s treatment of the refugees. She reminds him that he claimed to be at the pub on Wednesday night. He validates her statement. She asks if he was at the pub before or after locking Miki in the cooler. He claims to have come back to the meatworks to check on Miki but didn’t go inside. She asks why. He says Kevin was car there. She asks what time was it. He tells her it was about midnight.

Kirby tells Jamila that he needs to check the CCTV footage. He says there is no need for her to stick around.

Terry tells Chandra that he’s sorry about telling Miki about the sale. She assures him that the workers would’ve found out about it eventually. They are kissing when Rachel knocks on the door. Rachel reminds her that she claimed to be with Kevin on Wednesday night. Chandra admits to falling asleep with Wayan and didn’t wake until almost dawn. Rachel asks if Kevin was home. She acknowledges he was sleeping.

Deborah informs Connor and Kirby that the buyers pulled out of the sale. Kirby describes Nick as an “idiot.” She asks if the meatworks will close. Connor asks what’s going on in her mind. She suggests if he can convince Kevin to go with him to the pub later, she may make it work for everyone.

Rachel informs Miki that the knife was utilized to kill Hugh but it was cleaned with a “nucleic acid degrading reagent, DNA buster.” Miki denies having any knowledge of it. Rachel asks if she checks Terry’s credit card statements will it show up. Miki asks if she’s free to go. Rachel drops her off at home to find Terry cleaning “killer” graffiti off the side of his house. Terry tells Miki that her staying there isn’t safe for Ocean Anderson (Hannah Bickerton).

Connor informs Rachel that the pharmacy carries traditional bleach and oxygen bleach when Ivy approaches. Rachel asks if she has a boyfriend, Kaji Perera (Yashith Fernando) or Tim Li (Bill Zeng). Ivy says, “No way.” Rachel reminds her that she’s taking birth control bills. Ivy claims the pills are to control her menstrual pains. Rachel asks if she got the prescription filled there. Ivy claims she got it filled at Family Planning in Bendigo.

Deborah asks if she has considered talking to the police about what happened at the meatworks. Miki says as her lawyer she has to keep it confidential. Dale says she would have left Savage River already if it was her. Miki suggests she’s smarter than her. She runs into Simon Englert (James Mackay) on her way out. He offers her a ride.

During a speech, Deborah suggests the Town of Savage River and the employees acquire the meatworks. Joining her on the stage, Kevin tells her it would take $4 million to buy the meatworks. She says if he paid them better, they would have more money. She tells them if she is elected mayor, she will ensure the council invests money in the deal. Adam assures everyone that she’s just pretending to care while assisting Hugh’s murderer to get released from jail.

Sujan Nadesan (Rajan Velu) informs Lynne that he’s been offered permanent residency in Canada. She sarcastically says having an affair with her or being with his wife in Canada. He informs her that he’s leaving next week.

Miki tells Simon that she may be a monster as everyone thinks. He admits his mind has been on nothing but her since she came back. They kiss until she admits to being unsure after wanting it for so long. She informs him that Jasmine told her that they were sleeping together. He denies the allegations. She says Jasmine said it would make her jealous. He assures her that he didn’t sleep with her. She asks who was it then.

Miki breaks into Colleen’s home. She discovers a heart with the initials “JL+K” inside a heart in a notebook. In a flashback, Jasmine informs Miki that she’s no longer a virgin. She says he suggested they not tell anyone. Miki splashes her with water while demanding she tells her his name. Back to the present, Joel spots Miki wading out into the river. In the flashback, Miki pushes Jasmine down into the water. Jasmine resurfaces before swimming away. Back to the present, Joel jumps into the water as Miki surfaces. He asks if she’s all right. She tells him to forget it.

Connor and Deborah invite Ivy and Kaji over to celebrate Tim’s adoption. Tim breaks down crying.

Joel asks Miki if she’s seeing Simon. She tells him that she isn’t for sure. He informs her that he planned to repair Salim’s knife that she found in her locker. She asks if he believes Salim murdered Hugh. He suggests there is a reason Salim isn’t telling the truth.

Miki asks Salim if he put the knife in her locker. Salim claims he never knew where it was until she held it up at the town hall meeting. Joel asks why he never told the police. He says they must work for the next six months or be sent back to Iraq. Miki asks why he would get terminated for a misplaced knife. Salim admits he and Nick selling meat from the meatworks to consumers in nearby towns. Jamila warns them to never truth Kevin. Salim claims the night before Hugh was killed he witnessed Kevin putting something big in Hugh’s vehicle. Joel suggests they go to the police but Salim refuses.

Joel tells Miki that Kevin is Connor’s best friend and Rachel’s ex-husband. She asks if they are supposed to let him get by with killing Hugh. He warns her that Kevin practically runs Savage River. She asks if he knows Kevin’s age. He says 40ish. She shows him Jasmine’s notebook with the “JL+K” initials.

Laila suggests Hugh deserves Justice. He asks if they deserve justice.

Lynne’s making up a bed for Miki when Sujan emerges from the house. Miki asks if that is when Lynne cuts her off by asking if she wants to stay at her house. Miki smiles while swearing she won’t say anything.

Laila, Salim, and Jamila meet with Rachel.

Simon is cleaning vile graffiti off a door when he notices a CCTV camera. He deletes the footage from the day before of him and Miki. Another clip shows someone standing at the entrance.

Rachel asks someone on the phone what time Kevin’s vehicle left the meatworks. She informs Kirby of Kevin’s burnt car being sent to forensics. He asks why. She asks him to take a statement from Salim. He stops her as she turns to walk away. She says Hugh’s killer is Kevin.

When Rachel arrives at Kevin’s house, he asks if Miki was arrested. She tells him that he needs to go with her to the police station. He asks if it is about his car. She says it’s in regard to Hugh’s murder. Ivy asks what is going on. Rachel threatens to deem the meatworks a crime scene if he refuses to comply. He warns her of there being major trouble if the meatworks is closed. She tells him that he can’t threaten her. He orders her off his property before repeatedly pushing her. She says he’s arrested for killing Hugh.

Simon watches CCTV footage of Miki removing her bloody shirt as the episode comes to an end.

 

Savage River Review

Hugh’s murder investigation gradually unfolds. Lynne convinced Deborah to represent Miki. Reluctantly, Deborah agreed. Miki confided in Deborah about what happened the night Nick locked her in the freezer. Deborah suggested she tell Rachel, but she refused. After the forensics report came back, Rachel was forced to release Miki due to a lack of evidence.

Terry told Miki that she could no longer stay at his place because he was concerned about Ocean’s safety.

Miki confided in Simon about what Jasmine told her at the river. He denied it was him.

Miki broke into Jasmine’s bedroom, where she discovered her notebook. Jasmine made a homemade heart with her and someone’s initials. Jasmine admitted to having sex with a “man.” Miki became upset when she refused to tell her who she was sleeping with. She held her underwater for a short time. Jasmine resurfaced and left. She later came to the conclusion the “K” was for Kevin.

Nick and Joel foiled the sale of the meatworks by blowing up Kevin’s car with fireworks. He is eventually terminated.

Kirby continued to be lackadaisical with the investigation.

Joel told Miki that the knife was Samil’s. When she confronted Samil, he voiced his concern about their work visas being revoked. After Joel and Miki left, Laila convinced him to talk to the police.

Rachel sent Kevin’s car to be inspected by forensics. He became hostile when she asked him to give a statement at the police department. She charged him with Hugh’s murder.

There are still a lot of questions needing answers. Why did Simon delete the surveillance footage of him kissing Miki?

I have a feeling the “K” stands for Kirby. Whether it’s Connor or Bill is another question. The more I think about it, I believe it is Connor. Ivy become extremely anxious when Rachel confronted her about the birth control pills. Is it possible Connor prescribed them to her to ensure she wouldn’t get pregnant. Did you notice Jasmine was alive when she left the river? If this is the case, Connor or Bill may have killed her later. This would explain Bill pressuring Miki to confess to her murder.

The surveillance footage Simon watched appeared to be from the night Miki finds Hugh inside the meatworks.

The episode deserves a 6.8. Get more Savage River recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.