Anna, Olivia, this is Matthew Goddard.
Matthew is Douglas' oldest son.
Matt has asked me out to dinner.
Well, I hope you said yes.
Good night.
The accountants have just discovered
that those loans are all owned by Richard.
He can call them in.
He can take Ash Park whenever he wants.
What if Sir Richard was so distracted
that George was able to work quietly
to find another avenue for the mortgages?
I've come with a solution.
It will rely totally on the cooperation of one man.
It's quite a radical proposal
but one that will see Sir Richard distracted
while George sorts out the mortgages.
You run as an independent in the upcoming election.
He'll throw all his energy into the campaign,
and meanwhile, we save Ash Park.
I'm an alcoholic, Carolyn.
Every single facet of my life is structured around
avoiding the things I know will make the bottle sing.
Memories I don't want to face.
How is the old ticker, by the way?
All must be a terrible strain.
I'll run.
Elizabeth deserves to live out her life without this.
He'll be begging for mercy by the time I'm finished with him.
- I'm at your service, Dickie. - He won't know which way's up.
- Excuse me. - Sir Richard is not your mentor.
There you go, love.
He will have a spy in here, watching you both.
You'll let me know
if things start to get on top of you.
I'll let you know.
Synced & corrected by kinglouisxx www.addic7ed.com
The thing about us country folk is we tell it as it is.
- That's right, Jack. - Now, times are changing.
And we want to make sure the changes go our way.
This coal mine the coalition and Labour both went for
looks like the thin end of the wedge to me.
How long before your farms
are all just dirty great holes in the ground?
Smell the air.
How long is it gonna stay fresh
if the likes of Sir Richard Bennett get their way?
They've had it their own way for too long.
You tell 'em, Jack.
Thanks, Frank.
Time to put a rocket up some conservative backsides.
Doctor!
What about "derrieres," Doris? Sound better?
Slightly less uncouth, Doctor.
Call a spade a spade, Doc.
They need a good kick up the bum.
That's what they need.
Good on you, Roy.
And our returned servicemen.
Veterans' benefits need protecting.
The Returned Soldiers' Legal Bureau needs more funding,
not less.
You trust the Canberra pooh-bahs to do it?
- No fear! - No way.
Oh, he mentioned me specifically, did he?
Right.
Oh, he's mates with a boong, eh?
Think about it. Think about it all.
My hero.
Just telling the truth.
You'll chivvy your opponents into addressing health issues
if nothing else.
That's a nice way of saying he thinks I've got Buckley's.
- Oh, you be nice. - Good on you, Jack.
Let's get your bloods checked.
Ah. Superman back to Clark Kent.
Give my love to the city set.
I'll sing your praises.
Well done.
Enough to make you vote against George?
Well, that would be telling.
Thank you, Doctor.
Hello?
How come I have to find out from someone else
that Duncan's got a pet Abo?
We can use that.
I think he's a patient.
I can't know everything.
Well, get out more.
And he slagged me off about the coal mine.
Find out if George picked up on it.
Perhaps you should ask him yourself, Dickie.
I don't want to tip my hand
by showing too much interest, Reggie.
He doesn't know I'm out to expand.
George is so busy.
I hardly see him.
Well, you see his bleeding-heart Jew.
Play the reform card.
See what she'll spill.
I don't want to have to keep coming down there.
Inverness Hospital. Thank you.
I've been remiss!
Oh, in a good cause.
Come with me.
How's our independent candidate going?
Coping with the stresses and strains?
We're managing them together, fighting the good fight.
Good. And Richard Bennett?
Driven to distraction.
So, there he is.
Oh, Mama!
Drop it!
Welcome back to the big smoke.
Oh, thank you darling.
It's all rather romantic.
Grist for your novelistic mill.
Much more Brontë than Bligh.
Douglas would approve.
Tackle! Tackle!
Add her to my rounds.
Tell her about an hour.
Patricia Green's test results.
I've scheduled her in for tomorrow.
Thanks. Regina's asked for a house call.
Real or something to tell?
I guess I'll see.
Wouldn't be surprised if she has come down with something,
the pressure she's under.
What does she do all the time? Just sit there?
Gardens. Reads. Broods, I imagine.
Mm. Enough to drive her nuts again.
I suspect she's swapped one mania for another...
a love of George
for the obsession with balancing the books.
She's a mentally fragile woman.
Ah.
Doris.
Seeing you greeted so warmly at the fete by Mr. Bligh,
we ladies felt that we must offer an open smile ourselves.
So I thought I'd drop off our latest newsletter.
I won't stay.
Others await its contents eagerly.
Thank you.
I-I have a cake just out of the oven.
Tea, perhaps?
Oh?
Oh, that does smell delicious.
Perhaps, uh, just a small refreshment.
Please, sit.
Oh, thank you.
This is too much for me.
How about a slice now...
...and I'll give you some to take home?
Lovely.
I-I just can't dally.
- I'm sure you understand. - Doris...
Indeed. Indeed.
Doris, please come back. I...
Sorry. On my rounds.
Oh Lord.
Oh, Doctor.
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,"
as Reverend Curtis is wont to remind us.
Very good of you to visit, Doctor, I'm sure.
I got a message she's unwell.
Oh. She didn't seem so to me.
You know, she offered me cake.
How could I accept?
I think her poisoning days are over.
Well, others remember poor Miss Davis.
And the whisperings about Sergeant Taylor.
Christian duty.
Mm, mm, mm.
If it is lethal, it's my lack of culinary skill.
Poor old Doris. You know how she is.
I must be going soft. It was nice to see her.
So why am I here?
There was an Aboriginal at your speech, yes?
A patient?
And a friend.
Sir Richard is going to try and use him against you.
What, he's gonna gee up the bigots?
Which I'm sure there's no lack of.
You need to be one step ahead.
Got any ideas?
Over cake?
Why not?
Live dangerously.
That's what I miss.
Sharing a joke.
Thank you.
The opposite sex, you know.
- Let the best one win. - Yes.
Good luck to you and both of you.
Here's your fourth one.
This contraption spells the end of conversation.
It's the same questions over and over.
- But the boxes are different. - We can switch it off.
Oh, my bed and my book are calling me.
Good night, my darlings.
Good night, Mother.
Mother's right. I'd far rather we talked.
I was quite enjoying it.
That's your fourth.
It dulls the edge.
I drank myself to sleep on many a lonely night.
Is that what I'm doing?
I do understand.
You found love.
I did. Eventually, as will you.
I've become brittle.
Men sense it. Matt did.
That's why he instantly preferred Olivia.
Or he may favor English roses.
It's what I've become.
Every man since Gino.
I start feeling close, and then I panic.
When will I have to tell him that I'm sterile,
that any future precludes children?
I dread that look again.
"You cannot breed. I have no need."
Oh, not every man wants children.
The subject always comes up.
Everything's skewed
towards being able to give a man a child.
I've earned myself quite a reputation
going from man to man.
As one who's been there...
any relief this brought me was momentary at best.
But soothing in the moment.
Well, I might take my cue from Grandmother.
Good night.
Just a dash more.
It was totally appropriate.
It's wonderful to laugh so much.
Wow.
That was like wiping out, not knowing which way is up.
I assume that's a compliment.
Oh, from a surfer it is, yeah.
Good.
"Like an English garden on a spring day."
What?
- Perfect. - Oh, good save.
Mm.
All I ask is...
...don't hurt me.
I've been hurt twice.
Terribly.
I know.
And I won't.
Are you sure we're ready for that?
It's something we have to do anyway.
If it sends him into a flurry, it's a bonus.
Yes.
- Hello, Leah. - How's our little man?
- Good as gold. - Thank you for staying on.
- Anything else? - No, that'll be all.
- Good night. - Good night, sir, Mrs. Nordmann.
Good night.
Well, that's hardly parliamentary papers.
"The story of a strange and wonderful marriage."
It's ironic.
Exactly what we're thinking of finally exposing to Inverness.
If you're sure the timing is right.
People will appreciate it.
Richard will be up here like a shot.
Mm.
"Tramp."
There'll be some people who enjoy tossing that around.
"True Romance."
That's how it is.
Yes.
Firstly, can I say that it is an honor
to be standing as member for Inverness.
Before I elaborate on my plans for my next term,
I would like to address an issue directly
that has existed for most of my current term,
which is why my son and my future wife
are joining me up here for... for the first time.
Now, you all know Sarah, and some of you have seen David.
Our circumstances are hardly orthodox,
and for some of you I know they bear the whiff of scandal.
But I love my fiancée and son dearly,
and I lay the truth of it before you.
And, of course, I'm also hoping I can rely
on your vote... 1, George Bligh, this time around.
Good on you, Mr. Bligh!
And now on to policies.
Now, we've all heard a lot about the...
A Sydney number, please.
Sir Richard. Oh. Uh, excuse me.
- Where is he? - Uh, wait. I'll...
Where is he?
Wait. Sir Richard, I have to announce you're here.
Oh, don't worry about it. I can announce myself.
What the hell are you up to?
Looks like someone's been beating the tom-toms.
There was no need to come rushing down.
Oh, great strategy.
"Here I am with my mistress and bastard kid."
If it was as vulgar as that... I'd agree.
It's general knowledge we're to be married,
and most know that David was conceived
long before we knew anything of René.
There's more to be gained than lost by doing it.
- Well, McEwen won't think so. - He's not in the electorate.
He leads the party. You need him. So do I.
He's the only one with any brains on tariffs.
I'm more than happy to justify it to him
as much as I am to you.
I may have won votes with my honesty.
You can't be that naive.
Honest George, man for the masses?
All right.
I'll sniff around, check the peasants aren't revolting.
But no more going off message without checking with me first.
It's an advantage of Jack Duncan being family.
He's not made an issue of it.
Well, you can bet the Labour fella will.
Duncan will be too busy anyway.
Wiping muck off himself.
Regarding?
He's got a few black chooks coming home to roost.
My announcement did the trick.
He's well and truly distracted.
- What, he rang? - He's here, blowing steam.
But he's out to stir up the bigots.
Regina's put me well ahead there.
They won't have a leg to stand on.
I'm glad he's here to see it.
Thanks for coming along, boys.
Up the back.
Come on. Let's go.
Hi, Roy.
Gub. Nat.
Hello. How are you?
All present and correct.
Thank you, fellas. Over the top?
Thank you all for coming!
Good to see you're not all sick of my voice yet.
- Never, Doctor. - Thank you, Doris.
You a boong lover too, Doris?
Taking your Abo mate to Canberra with you, Doc?
Shh!
He'll be given 'em handouts left, right, and center.
Yeah, and your women.
Seems there's a few here
who, uh, don't approve of me being mates with Frank Gibbs.
Yeah. Too right.
Mr. Gibbs is worth ten of you.
I've got a few mates here today.
I'm proud to stand beside them all.
- Good on you, Jack. - Roy.
Gub, Pat, Frank.
The four vets in the district
with the highest awards for valor.
Roy in the first war, Gub, Pat, and Frank in the last.
Now, I'm proud of my service,
but, uh, these four put me in the shade.
Frank and I, we were both prisoners under the Japs.
Different camps, same brutality.
We all suffered the same.
No one cared about your color in there.
We were all there for each other.
Now I want you to applaud these brave blokes, our heroes.
Roy, Gub, Pat, and Frank.
We salute you.
Bullshit!
- Shut your crummy mouth! - I can say whatever I like!
Hip-hip!
Hoorah!
- Hip-hip! - Hoorah!
One more for the doc and Frank for surviving the Japs!
- Hip-hip! - Hoorah!
Yeah, he's still a bloody boong.
He fought for his country, which is more than I can say
- for some of youse. - You calling me a coward?
Show us your medals.
Frank Gibbs fought and suffered for his country.
He's as much my mate as any of these blokes.
Any vote that costs me is a vote I don't want.
Bravo, Doctor!
You think you're bloody smart, don't you?
I think I've got you figured out.
You'll never win.
Maybe, maybe not.
But I'll get people asking the right questions.
No one's gonna listen to you...
About your coal mine, for instance.
Approved, state and federal level.
Ah, for limited development.
Let's make sure it stays limited.
George is too trusting.
That's his problem.
He needs me more than I need him.
Yeah, the man with the power.
Man with the "Sir" before his name.
And a thorn in his side.
Me.
I'll see you sorry for targeting Elizabeth again.
You're joking.
Is that what this is about?
All right. What if I said I'd back off?
Too late.
Right. Gloves off, then.
No. We did that four years ago. I won.
I never lose twice.
Keep your darkie. I'll find something else.
Outside. Now.
I'm expected in theater.
You've got your theater because of me.
You've got your job.
You think you'd keep it if they knew you were a shirt-lifter?
You've got no proof.
Nor did Regina Bligh, and she still got her morphine.
I get what I want
and you can keep sticking your dick wherever you like.
But if I don't...
What do you need?
Yes.
Playing him is a pleasure.
Almost.
What did he say?
He wants me to bad-mouth you at the final rally.
Some old case.
An abortion.
I tried to save a girl after she'd had one, years back.
I was almost charged for not reporting it.
Well, he wants me to rake the muck on it.
He's desperate, dredging that up.
Good.
He threatened you?
The usual.
I'm sorry.
I can handle it.
If he exposes you...
There's nothing to expose. Certainly nothing concrete.
I've been a monk since James left.
Yeah, but it still leaves you vulnerable.
You worry about yourself. I'll worry about me.
Henry.
I regret our scraps.
Especially what I've said on... that subject.
I just... don't see how a man can...
Your inability to comprehend doesn't mean it's wrong.
It just means you're more like Stan O'Rourke
than you'd like to think.
Oh, I-I don't...
It's attitudes like yours that keep laws in place
that facilitate the blackmail of men like me.
But for now, let's concentrate on dragging the bastard down.
The old biddy. The... The gossip.
- Doris Collins. - Get her talking.
Duncan was ahead of us, and I want to know how.
Get all the scuttlebutt you can on him.
Hospital records turn up nothing I didn't know.
Well, he was a drunk. Dig into that.
And his war record.
I'll check my end, too.
You could do more harm than good attacking a hero.
Let's see if he was one first.
Everything you can get.
Yes.
Ash Park, please.
And if you even think of listening in,
I will see Mr. Bligh himself has you charged
for the criminal act it is.
Of course you do. Now put me through.
George, it's me.
I just spent the last hour at the CWA
winning over the fence-sitters.
Aren't you glad you said yes to all this now?
Good to see I haven't misjudged the town.
The look on his face.
Yeah.
With even better to come.
Something's happened.
No. I...
I'm just trying to get my head back into work.
Imagine if we win.
No chance.
Coping?
More than.
Good.
Are you sure you're all right?
It's not getting too much for you?
Fine, as long as you are.
Well, thank you for filling us in.
You're not convinced.
No.
Hello?
I'm in here.
Yes.
You're feeling the pressure?
I'm feeling the hate.
I hate him.
What is this? Tea and sympathy?
Concern. This can't be easy.
From the woman who can't even thank me
for signing the divorce papers.
Touching.
That was unfair.
I understand.
Do you know why I so hate Richard?
He's a mirror.
I see in him what I was to you.
I see what can't be forgiven.
Why I can't hope for a... a future with the family.
Which you can't.
Without it, what do I have?
You must have some idea of what's ahead.
A void.
Then you need to fill it.
With?
I spent three years regaining my sanity,
a year establishing it, months earning your trust,
all to make reparation.
And once that's done...
...there's nothing... but guilt for my crimes.
Milly Davis.
Brian Taylor.
Yes... I did shoot him.
I'm sure you never doubted.
That's what will fill the void.
Guilt for their deaths.
Which means?
Punishment.
Whichever one I deem fit.
Perhaps some cool water.
Then I'd rather be alone.
I see today as a fitting memorial
for my late husband, Douglas,
as we launch this charitable fund in his name.
And it means the world to me that his son, Matthew,
is here with us to share this moment.
We also have with us today some representatives
of the Aboriginal Australian Fellowship.
Please offer them a warm welcome.
As most of you know...
the plight of Aboriginal returned servicemen
and their families
became an area of special interest to Douglas
in his last months.
He expressed in his will
a wish that we might find ways to support them.
And I'm pleased to say that we have taken the first steps
in that direction.
And so I am thrilled to honor Douglas' memory...
...by announcing the Douglas Goddard Veterans' Fund.
And I ask you to open your checkbooks
to help to fill our coffers.
Douglas would be so very, very pleased
to see you all here today.
Thank you.
- Thank you. - Thank you.
Dad was lucky to find her.
We were the lucky ones.
Matthew?
Excuse us.
I'd like you to meet Douglas' son, Matthew.
Nice to meet you.
They're very much an "us."
Head over heels.
Is that a cynical note?
As ill-matched as I was with a farmer,
I worry for her with Aqua Man.
You know he scuba dives?
Oh, yes. Lloyd Bridges. "Sea Hunt."
His path may not be the norm, but he is of this world.
She deserves love.
She does.
So do we.
I'm sorry James hurt you.
Mm.
What a pair.
Covered in scar tissue.
And Sir Richard's intent on adding more.
How so?
Well...
May I join you?
A respite from talking, but a lovely day.
Douglas would be thrilled.
It's gone so well.
Not just with the gathering.
I'm thrilled.
Not prematurely, I hope.
Not.
No.
Anna!
This is Anna. She's a writer.
This is Phillip. He's a lawyer.
- Lovely to meet you. - You too.
We'll leave you to chat.
- Nice talking to you. - You too.
So, Phillip, the law.
Yes. You write?
I do.
You read?
Novels? Never.
Oh.
Anna?
Oh, excuse me. I...
Henry to the rescue.
It was worth a try.
He's a pompous prat.
Oh, dear. I'm turning into one of those mothers.
Maybe just a bit.
Maybe a lot.
I worry for her.
She can look after herself.
Join me on the stage.
No, Anna. We...
- Anna, we can't. - We can!
Can I have your attention, please?
We can.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm so excited.
I just wanted to share my happiness.
I have just been asked to be Mrs. Henry Fox,
and I've just said yes.
Ah!
We're engaged!
You were saying?
I thought he was...
He is.
To the happy couple.
I expected to get it in the neck.
I'm the guy pretending to run for Parliament.
And when will you dispense with your elaborate smoke screen?
When Henry is safe from that monster.
I am sorry if it's caused you...
You may stop apologizing.
How will you explain the separation
when separation it is?
Well, I'll realize that the life of a novelist
and a surgeon's wife are incompatible.
And I may even time it to the release of my book.
You see, it supports my thesis on relationships.
Your very cynical one.
Not now, Grandmother.
Extreme times call for extreme measures.
So I second my honorable opponent's toast.
- The happy couple. - And down with the tyrant.
- Oh, that I can endorse. - Yes.
Well, thank goodness.
Strange family.
Certainly not usual.
I'd better get used to it.
Well, that's the end of my very long day.
I'll say good night to you all.
- Good night, Mother. - Good night.
George, a hand on the stairs, if you wouldn't mind.
Good night.
- Good night. - Good night.
Your thoughts on Olivia and Matthew?
She's well rid of James.
Douglas missed 10 years of Matthew's life
because of their estrangement.
Don't let that happen to you and James.
You can honor Douglas by learning from his mistakes.
James broke my heart.
There's no need to reciprocate.
When you can, heal the rift.
No. I think I can manage these on my own.
- Good night. - Good night.
When all the brouhaha is done.
Brouhaha indeed.
Well, well.
I wouldn't vote for him if I knew.
Quite the A-bomb we've got up our sleeve, huh?
I'll alienate George Bligh if I use it willy-nilly,
never mind how estranged they are.
I hope to God Jack Duncan gives me cause to use it.
It's perfect.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
Finally, the end is in sight.
- To Ash Park. - To Ash Park.
Ready?
I can't wait for it all to be over.
Another hour and we are rid of him.
And by tomorrow night, Jack Duncan, MP.
How many times do I have to say it?
Call it a premonition.
We're going to enjoy Canberra.
All set?
Are you, more to the point?
Primed for detonation.
The last time I felt this exhilarated,
I had a knife in my hand.
As this burgh's least favorite person,
show your support for Dr. Deadhead
and keep away from George.
Good you made an effort.
It's a special day.
Yeah.
A very special day.
As soon as Regina arrives, you kick off.
You reckon she can be trusted?
She's done good so far.
Looks like Doris is doing her bit.
Henry and Anna, eh? I hope the old ducks buy that.
Richard. Nice to see you.
- Mrs. Nordmann. - Sir Richard.
Regina.
Righto! Let's get her rolling!
Here we go.
Now, we'll kick her off by meeting our candidates.
First up, our member for Inverness, Mr. George Bligh!
He knows what he's doing.
I want it clear that Mrs. Bligh is here today as my guest.
Abuse to her in any form is abuse to me.
She has paid her debt.
I hope you respect that, as do Sarah and I.
Thank you, Roy.
Oh, thank you, Mr. Bligh. Well said.
Now let's meet our Labour candidate, Mr. Bob Purvis!
Oh, come on! Give him a round of applause!
And that brings me now...
Roy, would you mind if I did the intro?
Oh. Certainly.
Mr. Henry Fox, ladies and gentlemen,
head of surgery at the hospital.
And it looks like he's got company.
Thank you, Roy.
I'd like to introduce one of the finest men
it's been my privilege to work with.
Now, I'm a Conservative, but I have to say
that I am tempted to go left for this man.
Congratulations to Mr. Fox and Miss Anna!
Oh! It looks like Doris has sniffed you out!
Round of applause for the newly engaged couple!
What is this?
Justice.
George has secured the loans free of you.
You have no hold now.
You're nothing but a paper tiger.
Now please welcome your independent candidate,
Dr. Jack Duncan, likely your next man in Canberra.
Right. So this is the way we're gonna run it.
Each of the candidates will get five minutes to speak,
and then there'll be five minutes questions and answers.
And the way I've worked that out is,
in 45 minutes, we'll be done here
and we'll be back at the pub.
If you can't wait, there's some lovely tea and scones
provided by the CWA, the Cranky Women's Asso...
I mean the Country Women's Association.
Now, tomorrow, ladies and gents, is election day.
Take my advice... vote early, vote often.
Excuse me.
Ladies and gentlemen, good folk of Inverness.
Many of you know me and most know who I am.
I want to add my words to the ones said about candidate here,
a fella who grew up and stayed, a doctor to you all
and a friend to most, I am sure.
But I have one question to ask, and it's an important one.
Do you want your man to be able to stand up for you in Canberra?
- Yeah. - Yeah, yeah.
- You want a man with courage? - Yeah! Course we do, mate.
Do you want one... with balls?
Well, Dr. Duncan can't help you here.
He doesn't have any. Right, Doc?
The Japs cut 'em off in the war.
You want a eunuch in Canberra, ladies and gentlemen,
then you vote Jack Duncan!
Here's the proof, Doc.
No wonder he's an alkie!
Where are you going?
He's got nothing between his legs!
You get your miserable arse out of here.
Get off the stage.
Jack! Jack!
Jack!
- Boo! - Get out of here.
Take your city ways and piss off, mate!
Piss off now!
Regina shouldn't be alone.
Mother?
Find Jack.
Oh, God.
No?
No.
You played me from the get-go.
With pleasure.
I ought to kill you.
And I ought to stomp you like the little grub you are.
I believe you know Mr. Briggs.
I'll give you two seconds to piss off,
and you'd better not be back.
Oh, this isn't over by a long chalk.
I'll destroy all of you.
I'll ruin this whole bloody town!
I'll make sure he's gone.
Nearly there.
Yes.
Oh, God.
Dead?
- You were the first here? - Yeah.
Synced & corrected by kinglouisxx www.addic7ed.com