Episode 1 begins with a 4×4 barreling down a twisty mountain road while at the same time, Sergeant Bruce Harris (Scott Wills) addresses a small gathering of Mount Affinity media and townspeople. As the vehicle and its unidentified driver travel along, Bruce puts an official end to the murder of Ronan Garvey (Simon Mead) and the abduction of Sinead Martin (Rachel Morgan). Although he cannot identify the accused, he assures the people they will stand trial. As the event closes, he also disavows Joy Webb Jones’s (Jessi Williams) allegations of the ‘Goatman’s’ involvement but reminds everyone that Goatman is still an active investigation. Right before

Right before a distraught Theo Richter (Richard Flood) shows up to question Diana Huia (Acushla-Tara Kupe) about the disappearance of Aileen Ryan (Carolyn Bracken), Detective Sergeant Gwenda (Miriama Smith) tells Diana that starting next month, she will be an official member of the Mount Affinity Police Force. Richter immediately calls David (Shashi Rami) while Bruce has Aileen’s signal tracked. By the time Richter learns that Aileen was investigating Frank Pastors (Owen Black), Aileen’s phone has pinged in the middle of nowhere.

Before tracking Aileen’s signal to a remote cabin in the woods, Richter and Diana visit Linda Pastors (Rachel Bock) at home. Linda admits to meeting Aileen and claims that she suspected Frank had killed someone. Linda rides along with them to the cabin where they discover it riddled with bullet holes and the signs of a struggle inside. Diana calls Bruce to send in a team to sweep for further evidence.

Sinead is besieged by reporters and questions as she makes her approach to Collision High Court. She handles most of it in stride until Joy asks why she was spared and Ronan died. Sinead responds with the typical, ‘no comment’ defense and walks away. Things only go downhill from there once she meets Michaela Armstrong (Alison Bruce) and learns that she is going to do everything possible to secure bail for her children Valeria (Ella Gilbert) and Ken Armstrong (Matt Whelan), despite the mistakes they’ve made. The hearing will begin once Ken is brought out but most of it goes by in a delirious blur of emotions and memories for Sinead. She doesn’t come back to reality until she hears the court declare that Ken has withdrawn his request for bail.

Ginge (Poroaki Merritt-McDonald) becomes so stricken by the loss of Jarred (Flynn Mhlhopt) that he physically assaults Buster Huia (Wayne Hapi) and flees on a dirt bike. By this time, the forensics team at the cabin has processed enough of the cabin to learn that one of the bullet holes came from a long-range semiautomatic rifle. This eventually leads them to a 4×4 with slashed tires and a laptop. Shortly after this, the K9 units arrive but without a badge and gun, Richter is put on the sidelines. Diana assures him that she’ll put in the request.

With the hearing over, Judge Hannah Martin (Michelle Fairly) attempts to get Sinead to talk about her experiences but the harder she tries, the further Sinead pushes her away. She becomes so frustrated at one point that she practically tells Hannah to leave her alone.

Bruce shares his and Frank’s troubled history with Richter and Diana as he is processed out of his cell for interrogation. While Richter and Diana question Frank about Aileen’s visit, Bruce goes through Frank’s drawings and makes copies.  Richter loses his cool and ends up attacking Frank once he takes the teasing of Diana’s missing mother a bit far. Frank unexpectedly and abruptly ends the interrogation after seeing the photo of the cabin. He almost looks as if he’s seen a ghost.

Bruce, Richter, and Diana are scouring through Frank’s personal effects when they receive word that the laptop and phone from the cabin are password-protected. Despite this, the phone contains dried blood and the last call appears to have come from David, likely indicating that it is Aileen’s phone.

Doctor Ray Morris (Edwin Wright) is at home to greet Valeria and although she isn’t in the mood to speak with him, she sends Diana a text asking to talk. Diana receives the request right after she and Richter return to further question Linda. The meeting with Linda does not reveal anything new other than the fact that she suspects Frank is capable of murder.

Auntie Wiki (Vanessa Rare) begins her own search for Aileen and tends to Buster’s wounds while Sinead tries to collect Ronan’s personal belongings from Mervin De Leon (Nick Dunbar), only to learn that the police have them. At least that is what he claims, but he is rude and gives the impression that her request is troubling him. This doesn’t sit well with her and she later takes it out on Ginge when he approaches her on the dirt bike. Given that Ginge blames Ranon for Jarred’s death, this is a powder keg just waiting to blow and it does. Despite all this, Ginge eventually offers to help her overcome the kidnapping trauma by taking her to the place her captors held her. When he takes her there much later that day, she asks him to film her while she talks about what happened.

Once Bruce gets Valeria set up for her house arrest, he returns to the station to witness Richter be sworn in as a temporary New Zealand police officer. It’s only seconds later that he’s joining the search party for Aileen, but before he takes off, he receives a call from Hannah. Due to his losing reception, they only get to speak briefly and it’s unclear whether or not he heard her.

Much to her credit, Michaela attempts to liven the mood over dinner with a whimsical rafting story, involving Ken and Valeria. She appears to be successful. At the same time, it’s well into the night and the foot search for Aileen has concluded for the day. Despite that, Richter sets out on his own and ends up following tracks to the edge of a mountain, where he either falls or is pushed. The episode ends with Diana sitting on her front porch burning, what appears to be some very ominous photos.

 

The Gone Review

In my opinion, season 2 got off to a good start but it certainly took the long route. A lot of the scenes could have easily been cut in half and probably been more effective. As far as expanding on the story, the premier was easily successful. It’s going to be intriguing to see where Ginge and Sinead’s relationship goes. The story is somewhat intriguing but I am honestly sick of the cult/ritualistic-inspired content. I will probably continue watching, though. The premiere gets a 5 out of 10.

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