As the episode begins, the couple’s ute comes to a stop. We jump back and see Lucky (Tim Minchin) speaking with Toby (Daniel Lapaine), Suzie (Ella Scott Lynch), and others. Lucky has apparently met a woman and he is introducing her to his family. She tells the family about her line of work before they tell her about their band. Back in the present, we see that Meg (Milly Alcock) and Lucky have found assistance. They play a game until Meg spots a sign for a lookout. She wants to go but Lucky reminds her that they’re going where she is going. Sure enough, they’re hauled into the lookout and Lucky doesn’t seem thrilled about it.

Meg and Lucky learn the couple towing them intends to stay there for the night. Moments later, Lucky is confronted by a woman who wants to know about the piano. Frankie (Genevieve Hegney) says it is her son’s first big road trip. Her son, Will (Alex Chard), is more interested in his video games though. Lucky tells her that Bunny (Nikki Fort) and Phyliss (Susie Fraser) have been given them a tow. Frankie learns about their vehicle troubles so she yells for Benj (Sam Longley). In return, Benj calls for Big Mike (Steve Rodgers). They agree to help. When the conversation ends, Lucky finds Meg is missing so he goes after her.

She is checking out the overlook. Lucky catches up with her and encourages her to get away from the edge of Australia. They return and go with Frankie and the others. They’re surprised to find out that they’re having a party. Big Mike siphons the fuel out of the ute. Then, the party begins. Lucky spends the night speaking with Frankie about music and bands. Meg sits around the fire by herself. Lucky eventually agrees to play the piano and sing for the group. Meg wants to leave and she tells Lucky seconds later. Since Lucky isn’t willing to leave, Meg tracks down Will who doesn’t want to put down his game. Meg has brought alcohol with her too.

She tells Will that it is water so he takes a swig and spits it out. They begin speaking with Will’s game and Meg’s period before Meg asks if he has any money. Meanwhile, the party continues outside with Lucky playing and singing. Meg isn’t happy about that. They chat about death in Will’s game before she gives him a kiss and he begins crying. Meg comforts Will while Lucky sings to Frankie. Lucky and Frankie decide to have sex. During intercourse, we see flashbacks of Lucky having sex with another woman. It stops when Meg catches them. She tells Will that she wants to go now. She pleads with Lucky but he isn’t going to listen.

He tells her that they’re nothing. They’re just sharing transport. Meg calls her father again but he doesn’t answer. She leaves a message saying it isn’t her dad’s fault. A bit later, Lucky finds a note from Meg causing him to suspect she is going to kill herself. He rushes to the overlook and grabs Meg before she can leap over. She explains she had no intention of jumping from the cliff. He apologizes to her before she walks away. He catches up with her and she calls him names. During their conversation, Lucky finds out that Meg is only 13. That scares and freaks him out.

He is worried that he is going to end up in jail for kidnapping so she says he is selfish. He puts her in the ute and tells her to go to bed. He goes back to Frankie and finds out that Meg molested Will. He ends up drinking wine alone before falling asleep on the ground. Before going to sleep, he watches the video of his mother. She tells him that everyone makes mistakes and he should get over it. When he wakes up in the morning, he finds out that everyone is gone. He screams Meg’s name as the episode ends.

 

Upright Review

I’ve enjoyed Upright but I am starting to get irritated with it. I need the characters to move past this stage and start connecting with each other. I need some emotion. I guess this episode delivered a little bit of this in the very end but it wasn’t enough. We need to get past the annoying banter and straight to the emotions. We need to find out about Lucky’s past mistake and the reason Meg fled home.

We need to see how they’re going to help each other resolve those problems. I wish the show would start zoning in on these things. The episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Previous recaps of Upright can be found on Reel Mockery.