Home Is Where The Heart Is – McLeod’s Daughters Episode Summary 2.10

Synopsis: Claire McLeod has sunk into a depression so deep that she severs her contract with Australian Bloodlines, and sells Drovers Run to Harry Ryan. Jodi Fountain reaches out to Tess for help, but her calls have gone unheard thanks to Simon who is determined to keep Tess from going back home.

Episode Summary: Comfort Zone, the café that Tess and her friends own is bustling thanks to Tess’ take on comfort food. Simon could not be more pleased. He now has the booming business he’s always wanted, and Tess back home, but Briony is not too sure that Tess considers the city as her home. Meanwhile at Drovers Run, Claire McLeod has sunk into a deep depression. Meg Fountain worried about her condition calls the family doctor who learns that Claire has not been getting any sleep. Claire McLeod breaks into tears realizing that she is suffering from a broken heart. Continue reading...

Becky Howard, the messenger of the news that hurled Claire into a downward spiral, is the last person Claire wants to see. The sight of her brought fury into the woman’s eyes. Claire fires Becky, which is not a surprise for it is the third time Claire had said so that week. Their depressed employer has been taking her anger on everyone. Regrettably, the one person who can make things right is miles away from home. Meg Fountain figures that Tess’ Indonesian dish might help cheer up Claire, while Jodi Fountain has been sending emails to Tess hoping she’ll heed to their cries for help. Tess would have done so if she has seen the e-mails. Unfortunately, Simon has been secretly deleting messages from Drovers Run afraid that Tess would go running back home as she did before.

Tess is clearly missing home such that the mention of sunrise made her talk about how majestic it is over Drovers Run, but her friends are quick to distract her from thinking about home. Luckily, Claire has finally seen the light, and seems to have taken the antidepressant pills the doctor had prescribed. All cleaned up and in a far better mood than she was before, she joins the rest of the women for breakfast. Just as the women see some glint of hope, Claire makes a shocking announcement. She is terminating her contract with Australian Bloodlines, and far worse, she has decided to sell Drovers Run. Although this posed a concern, the women see it as just another one of Claire’s whims similar to her firing Becky, one that will not materialize.

Unfortunately, this is the one whim that Claire is determined to make, and she need not look far for a buyer. Claire speaks with Harry Ryan, one who has been eyeing Drovers Run since time immemorial so obsessed with getting the neighboring farm enough to push one of his sons into marrying a McLeod. Harry Ryan, at first, shows no interest in buying Drovers Run suggesting that he need not pay for it, as he needs only Nick to marry Claire. Clearly not interested with Nick, Claire declares that it will never happen, and threatens to subdivide the farm just so she can sell her property. Harry takes the bait, and agrees to buy Drovers Run.

Claire informs the women of the shocking news, while a concerned Terry informs the Ryan brothers. Alex Ryan, furious about his father’s decision confronts his old man who finds no reason to justify his actions even though it makes it look as if he has taken advantage of a vulnerable, depressed, woman who has temporarily lost her senses. With one task down, Claire goes to finish the other one. Claire bravely calls Peter Johnson only to tell him to take the horses she was tasked to train. As agreed upon, Peter arrives at Drovers Run to take the horses. Seeing that Claire is making a huge mistake, he tries to persuade her to change her mind even telling her that she could ask Australian Bloodlines to assign a different representative to handle her contract. Claire is stubborn to a fault. She and Peter haul the horses to the truck signaling the end of her contract with Australian Bloodlines. Moreover, she hands Peter her written letter of resignation as per the requirements of her contract. Peter is in disbelief that the woman is throwing her life’s dream due to the unfortunate circumstances brought about by their affair. However, Claire believes that seeing Peter will only remind her of the hurt she is suffering from, and prevent her from moving on with her life.

With their own lives at stake, Jodi has resolved to call Tess, but gets Simon instead who lies about Tess being away when the woman is right there at the café. He takes a message, one that he has no plans of relaying to Tess. Jodi is annoyed at having not heard from Tess, and has become more concerned at her fate. Worried that she and her mother would have to live in some dump in Gungellan, she tries to convince Terry to once again woo her mother.

Tess and Briony look at their sales and expenses, and are ecstatic to learn that Comfort Zone has finally earned a profit. Moreover, Tess finally sees one of Jodi’s emails. She learns for the first time that Claire ended her relationship with Peter, and has sunk into a deep depression causing her to make the worst decision of her life; selling Drovers Run. Tess also discovers that Simon has been deleting her e-mails, which explains why she hasn’t run to her sister’s side in her time of need. In an attempt to keep Tess from leaving, Simon has done the opposite. Tess wastes no time to come back home.

Tess drives back home, and the sight of Drovers Run puts a smile on her face. Finding the house empty, she walks over to the corral, and finds her sister still in her pajamas. Claire, in tears, tells her that Peter is married. The woman breaks down, and is at the same time relieved to have found someone to lean on. Claire has kept this to herself not wanting her sister to feel obliged to rush to her side, but Tess wanted to come home regardless of any circumstance.

Unaware that Tess rushed home upon hearing the unfortunate news, the women of Drovers Run could not be any happier to see her back. Tess immediately assumes the role Claire once possessed, and takes command of Drovers Run. Soon she learns that Harry agreed to buy the property. Learning of this, Tess wastes no time to get it back. Speaking to Harry she discovers that no paperwork was ever signed, and therefore there was no sale. Harry wonders what Tess would gain from keeping Drovers Run, and when the young woman steadfastly declares her right as a McLeod, Harry is uncharacteristically impressed. He agrees that Drovers is not up for sale, and it was never sold.

Liz Ryan knowing very well what Harry did to save Drovers Run pleads to Alex to apologize to his father. The only reason Harry agreed to buy the property is to prevent Claire from selling it from someone else. He has no intention of buying Drovers Run knowing very well that Claire is not in her right mind. Expecting the worse from his father, Alex is in disbelief that his father has done a noble thing. This made him think. Alex decides to return to Killarney, and his father welcomes him home.

Tess returns home to deliver the good news that Harry is not buying Drovers Run, and that the property is no longer for sale. Moreover, she managed to get back Jack’s old desk, the one proud Claire used to pay for the fences Harry fixed. All are happy except for Claire. There’s another person who is happy to learn that Tess is back home, Nick Ryan. He rides a horse risking having the muscles on his damaged leg to seize up, and is pleasantly surprised to find Tess at Wilgul. The woman has come to retrieve Madonna, the cow she left in Nick’s care when she left for the city. Nick is delighted that Tess was able to see him back on the saddle, but his display of bravado was lost when he fell dismounting the horse.

Blaze is about to give birth, and Claire has put Tess in charge of the delivery. Instead of stepping up to the plate as she could have easily done, she finds this as an opportunity to bring her sister back to life. Tess rushes to Claire who is still in bed, and feigns not knowing what to do with the horse in labor. Claire is up on her feet shouting orders as she used to do. The sisters watch as Blaze gives birth. Seeing the mare struggle, Tess wonders why her sister has not gone up to the horse to help, but Claire knows what she’s doing. It is best to leave the mare alone. First the feet came out, and soon after the foal. Blaze just gave birth to the first foal of the breeding program. Claire gives Tess the honor of naming the fill, and she names her Phoenix, appropriately so for her birth has helped Claire to rise anew.

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To Have and To Hold – McLeod’s Daughters Episode Summary 2.9

Synopsis: Peter Johnson returns to Drovers Run, and Claire McLeod falls for him once again. Claire’s friends disapprove of her decision to continue the affair, but Claire is unwilling to break it off. Tess is intentionally kept out of the loop about Claire and Peter’s relationship, and also about their café’s financial situation. Meanwhile, Brick pours out his feelings to Becky in a letter.

Episode Summary: Peter Johnson arrives at Drovers Run unaware that Claire McLeod had discovered his secret. Claire confronts him about his marriage, and confirms that Peter is indeed married. Claire ends her relationship with Peter despite his claims of having left his wife. She patches her relationship with Becky after learning that the young woman was telling the truth, and finds out from her that it was Harry Ryan who discovered that Peter is married. She also makes amends with the Ryan brothers, and informs them of her decision to end her affair with Peter. The only person kept out of the loop is Tess McLeod. Claire had decided not to tell her, knowing that her sister will forego her dream to come to her rescue. Little did she know that the café is far from what Tess dreamed it would be for the supposed booming Café Bardot is actually failing. Continue reading...

Later that night, Peter Johnson returns to Drovers Run to try and patch things up with Claire McLeod. He declares his love for Claire, and she falls for him once again. The women of Drovers Run are shocked to learn that Claire had taken Peter back, but does nothing to dissuade her for it is not their place to meddle. Alex Ryan, unaware that Claire had resumed her affair with the married man, attacks Peter only to find out that Peter and Claire are back together. Instead of realizing her bad decision even after learning that Peter also has kids, Claire sees her friends’ reaction as unwelcome, and warns Peter of receiving more cold shoulders from them.

As Claire had foreseen, Peter receives the first of the anticipated cold shoulder from Jodi who brings up his wife and kids during dinner. This, however, does not dissuade Claire from continuing her affair, and is more than willing to fend off her friends for Peter. Tess gives Claire a call at the most inopportune time, and finds that her call is unwelcome. Disappointed at being brushed off, Tess decides to immerse herself into city life, and spend the evening partying. Meanwhile, Claire and Peter continue with the foreplay, and receive another call, but this time it’s not from Tess. Peter’s wife had called to inform him that she is driving all the way from Queensland to Gungellan to discuss matters with him. Claire pretends not to be alarmed by this news.

After a visit to Wilgul, and hearing Alex’ disapproval of her affair, Claire finds the need to ask Meg’s opinion. Meg is surprised that the stubborn, strong-willed, young woman she saw grow up is asking for her advice. After some urging, Meg finally gives her a piece of her mind. She tells Claire that her relationship with Peter is never going to work, and that the road she has taken is a long and painful one.

As Tess is suffering the consequences of partying all night, she receives an unexpected visitor. Nick Ryan is a friendly face, Tess desperately needs to see. Briony immediately senses something between the two, which makes Simon uncomfortable. Tess invites Nick to a night of partying with her friends, and the country boy gets a dose of city life. After a night out in the town, Tess tells Nick to spend the night at the apartment that she and her friends share. Nick tells her that he did not come to the city for his doctor’s appointment, but he had made the trip just to see her. Unfortunately, Tess had already fallen asleep, and did not hear what he had said.

Despite hearing what her friends had to say, Claire still does not break off her affair with Peter, but is having second thoughts. She follows Peter to Gungellan where he is to meet his wife. Claire arrives in Gungellan, and sees Peter with his family. She finally realizes that it is not simply a marriage she is breaking, but it is a family that she is wrecking.

Brick is annoyed at Becky for not reading her letter unaware that the young woman cannot read. Becky asks Jodi to read it to her, but stops her after hearing the first sentence where Brick tells her of being hurt by her betrayal. Later, Becky tells him that the reason she has not read his letter is because she cannot read. Brick reads the letter to her, and Becky learns how much the young man cares for her. Brick is willing to be her friend even if she feels nothing for him. Luckily, Becky likes him the same way he likes her. The two finally goes on a real date. Brick and Becky spend the night lying on the ground looking at the stars.

After days of keeping it a secret from her, Tess finally learns that Café Bardot is on the verge of financial ruin. Tess’ solution is to change the menu to differentiate them from the rest. Café Bardot will now be serving good, hearty, belly-filling food; one that men prefer to eat. It is an insight she learned after spending time in the country. Simon is on-board with the idea, but Briony is not convinced. However, it is a change they have to test for their current situation shows no signs of turning for the better.

Peter returns to Drovers Run, and learns that Claire had followed him to town. Claire wanted to know if she could stand being the reason for breaking up a family. She makes a painful decision, and ends the affair with Peter. Claire confesses to still being in love with him, but seeing her daughters made her realize that Peter needs to be with his family for his daughters who loved him first. Claire sacrifices her love so that his daughters will not lose their father.

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Bridle Waltz – McLeod’s Daughters Episode Summary 2.8

Synopsis: Peter Johnson’s declaration of wanting to spend the rest of his life with Claire McLeod made their marriage inevitable. Having confirmed that Peter is indeed married, Becky Howard’s dilemma of breaking the news to Claire grows. Meanwhile, Tess McLeod accepts the offer of being one of the partners at her friends’ café in the city.

Episode Summary: Peter Johnson asks the women of Drovers Run some help to put together a romantic dinner for Claire McLeod. The Fountains speculate that he will be proposing to Claire that night, which troubles Tess McLeod. During the candlelit dinner, Peter offers Claire a gift concealed in a small box. Claire opens the box, and finds a ruby necklace inside instead of a ring. He, however, does tell her that he wants to spend the rest of his life with her to which Claire confesses to feel the same way about him. Claire becomes slightly concerned when Peter informs her that there are a few things he has to take care off before the two of them can settle down, but the man assures her that there is nothing to worry about. Continue reading...

Anxious about whether the man proposed the women of Drovers Run waste not time to ask Claire as soon as Peter left. Although there was no ring, his statement the previous night made it sound that he will be proposing to her the moment he returns. Learning about the news, Becky becomes even more curious about Peter Johnson. After finding out from Craig Woodland the town where Peter lives, Becky begins her investigation by calling the P. Johnson’s of Roma, Queensland. Soon she learns that Harry Ryan was telling the truth. Peter Johnson is married.

Liz Ryan, missing her boys, drops by Wilgul with the pretense of bringing them food. Liz has come to apologize for keeping the secret that burdened her sons, and to beg them to come home. She does the bidding of Harry Ryan who is too proud to acknowledge his mistake. Aside from his pride, Harry is also a coward. The first one to learn about Peter Johnson’s secret, he passes the responsibility of being the messenger of bad news to Becky Howard. Confirming the rumor, Becky asks Jodi for advice on how to break the news of an affair. Seeing the world to revolve around her, Jodi suspects that Becky has heard of rumors about Craig. Convinced that Craig is cheating on her, Jodi confronts the baffled young man, but learns that he has been going to night school, and not having an affair.

With the prospect of Claire marrying Peter becoming more and more of a reality, Tess finds herself a third wheel, which is why she had accepted to return to the city to help her friends manage their booming café. It is the dream that she always wanted. This news bothers Meg Fountain who promised to keep quiet about it until Tess has everything finalized. Meg is not the only one saddened with the news of Tess leaving, Nick is too. He wonders why the woman feels that she has to move all the way out in the city to avoid being the third wheel. Leaving Madonna at Wilgul, Tess bids farewell to Nick.

As time passes, the harder it becomes for Becky to tell Claire the devastating news about Peter. Asking to speak with her, Claire mistakes the request as a dialogue to ask for a raise, which she gladly gives the young station hand for recognizing Becky’s hard work. Moreover, Claire appears to be preparing herself and Drovers for her inevitable marriage to Peter, and begins tidying up the main house at the possibility of Peter’s family coming for a visit. Unable to keep the burdening secret any longer, Becky bravely breaks the news to Claire who as expected takes it badly.

One of Harry’s calves falls in a mineshaft in Wilgul. Knowing that it is their father’s, Alex finds no desire to rescue the cattle, but Nick sees no reason to let an innocent calf die because of the dispute they have with their father. As a favor to Nick for taking in Madonna, Tess brings the calf to Killarney. Learning that his sons had rescued the calf, Harry drops by Wilgul to personally thank his sons. His modesty, however, is short-lived for he informs Alex and Ryan about the news of Peter being married to which he has someone else to do the dirty job of telling Claire the unfortunate news. Once again, Harry has lost the respect of his sons. He does to them what he did to Becky.

Finding worn, old socks under the bed, Meg is reminded of how she terribly misses Terry. She washes and darns them, and goes over to Killarney as a form of peace offering with the hope of her and Terry getting back together. Regrettably, Meg is embarrassed to learn that the pair of socks belongs to her ex-husband.

Tess, unaware of the news Claire had heard about Peter, continues the road to leaving Drovers. She goes over to her father’s grave to say goodbye, and also to thank her father for giving her the chance to fall in love with Drovers Run, and more importantly for reuniting her with Claire. Clearly, Tess is not ready to leave Drovers, but the turn of events have pushed her aside and away.

Alex and Ryan are put in a situation where they see themselves to have a moral obligation to inform their friend the news that would surely devastate her. Moreover, having grown distrustful of their father, the brothers are unsure whether Harry is telling the truth. At any case, the outcome remains the same. Claire McLeod will never forgive them. True enough, Claire rushes to Wilgul upset, and leaves even more furious upon learning that they knew, but not one of them had the guts to tell her. With the phone number she got from Becky, Claire calls and quickly confirms that Peter Johnson is indeed married.

Still unaware of Claire’s predicament, Tess informs her that she is moving back to the city to fulfill the dream she always wanted – being an owner of a café. Having heard this, Claire loses the opportunity to tell her sister about Peter. Claire does not want to be in the way of her sister’s dreams just as Tess does not to be in the way of her and Peter Johnson. With Tess’ bags all packed and ready to go, Claire had very little time to digest her sister’s leaving. Realizing that she has not given Claire anything, Tess leaves her a crystal that will protect Claire from harm. The sisters tearfully bid farewell to each other. In her old, beat up Volkswagen, Tess waves goodbye to the women of Drovers Run. Nick Ryan on his motorcycle sees her driving away, and goes after her. He calls out to her, but she does not hear him. Tess McLeod turns the corner, and is gone.

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Three’s A Crowd – McLeod’s Daughters Episode Summary 2.7

Synopsis: Claire McLeod and Peter Johnson’s relationship is deepening, and Tess is not loving being the third wheel. She spends more time at Wilgul in an attempt to avoid the lovebirds, and learns that Nick Ryan is willing to put his life in danger to save his ailing farm. Concerned for his safety, Tess reaches out to Alex, and divulges the secret his parents have been hiding for years. Meanwhile, Harry Ryan does a background check on Peter Johnson, and finds information that would devastate Claire McLeod.

Episode Summary: Harry and Alex Ryan is convinced that Peter Johnson made a mistake awarding the training contract to Claire McLeod instead of them as evidenced by the amount of money Australian Bloodlines have to invest in building the stables for the horses when the Ryan’s could have easily covered the cost had they been given the contract. Harry’s concern goes beyond losing the contract, but the growing relationship between Claire and Peter. He anticipates that sooner or later, Peter Johnson will take over Drovers Run. Peter and Claire’s relationship has indeed deepened with him spending the night at Drovers again. Harry Ryan takes the opportunity to get Sergeant Frank Da Costa’s help in running a background check on Peter Johnson. This after the sergeant pays a visit to Killarney to personally hassle Terry Dodge about his unpaid fines. Continue reading...

Tess is beginning to feel uncomfortable around Claire and Peter who seem to be spending more and more time with each other. She personally brings a horse to Wilgul to escape the awkwardness of being the third wheel. Nick Ryan is planning to ride the horse instead of his bike to tend to his farm, a plan that worries Tess knowing his condition.

Jodi Fountain suffers the after effects of his father’s leaving. Furious at giving up the Miss Gungellan crown she had worked hard to achieve, and once again feeling her father’s rejection, Jodi decides to throw away everything her father gave her. Out with the old Jodi who spends most of her days dreaming of seeing the world, and in with the new who uses work to distract her from emotional distress. She turns to Becky to join her pursuit for diversion, but the station hand appears to be beside herself, still lost in thought with the incident at the Gungellan Ball. Having stood up Craig Woodland in her failed plan of leaving Drovers Run with her father, Jodi worries having severed any chance with the young man unaware that he had already put his sights on Becky after making out with her at the ball. This comes as a surprise to Jodi knowing that her friend had Brick as her date. In the end, Craig ends up the loser having lost any chance of going out with either woman.

There seems to be a role reversal at Drovers with Jodi’s willingness to do the farm chores despite the blazing hot sun, while Becky would rather stay inside, and Claire sleeping in to spend more time with Peter, while Tess is up and about managing the farm. Claire’s inattentiveness with other things except Peter peeves Tess. She feels disconnected to her sister as Claire makes more and more decisions about the farm with her boyfriend without consulting her.

With no one else to turn to, Tess seeks Alex’ help to put some sense into Nick, and prevent him from putting his life at risk for his farm. Alex still angry at learning that his brother has gone behind his back, and played him for a fool, refuses to offer help unless his brother personally asks for it. He believes that Nick’s underhanded plan of buying Wilgul is a way to get back at him for the rodeo accident. Fully aware of what truly happened, Tess divulges that Harry could have prevented the accident that had always been in Alex’ conscience. He knew that his underage sons were at the rodeo, but did not do anything about it to teach them a lesson. This fact Tess learned from Liz Ryan. Furious at learning the truth that his father had let him get the brunt of the blame for his brother’s unfortunate fate, Alex dangerously drives back to Killarney, and in his fury punches his father. For years, Alex carried the guilt of almost causing her brother’s death when both his parents knew that his father could have put a stop to it. Despite her pleas, Liz Ryan loses yet another son for she too is guilty having chosen her husband over her son. To Harry’s surprise, his wife too is no longer on his side as Liz leaves Killarney. Alex Ryan arrives at Wilgul looking to see if his brother would have him. Although surprised with his decision, Nick wastes no time to take his brother in requiring little explanation from him. Alex, nonetheless, tells his brother the secret their parents have been keeping from them. Nick is more than ever determined to turn Wilgul into a full functioning, profitable farm to avoid having to return to Killarney. With Alex by his side, he just got a step closer to fulfilling his dream.

Claire McLeod seems to be ready to take her relationship with Peter to the next level as she browses over wedding dresses in a magazine. Meg Fountain sees her, and is reminded of her wedding. Though she does not wish to have Kevin back in her life, she has come to accept all his faults, something she wishes her daughter would learn. Becky Howard sees her looking for her husband’s penknife Jodi had thrown away, and discreetly asks for advice learning that Meg desires getting back with Terry. Unfortunately, Meg believes that there is nothing that can be done to win back a man’s heart. All one can do is wait for their forgiveness. Becky loses hope at mending fences with Brick. She returns the dress and the sandals she borrowed from Tess, and becomes upset when Tess insists on her keeping it for the upcoming dates she’ll be having with Brick. Unable to reveal of the blunder she made, Tess is taken aback by Becky’s sudden burst of anger, but finds no time to speak to the young woman seeing the speeding car of Liz Ryan.

Fully aware of what she has done, it is no surprise to her to find Liz rushing over to Drovers. Although she understands the reasoning behind divulging the secret she hoped Tess would keep to herself, Liz is nonetheless furious at her for wrecking her family apart, and wonders whether she too will spoil the relationship Claire has with Peter. As if putting a finger on to a wound, Liz reminds her what had always been in her mind. Tess does not belong in Drovers Run. Liz Ryan returns to Killarney, and finds her downcast husband worried that he had lost her.

In her time of need, she looks for her sister’s shoulder to cry on, but once again Peter is in the way. The man returns with news of two more clients signing up for Claire’s services. Moreover, he had installed a new sign that officially names Claire McLeod as an official horse trainer for Australian Bloodlines. Claire could not be any happier. Growing more distant from her sister, Tess rings her city friends to check up on their café.

Jodi Fountain brings to Wilgul one of its helpless, lost sheep. She finds good advice about family from an unlikely confidant, Nick Ryan. Jodi is surprised to learn that despite Nick’s resentment towards his devious father, the young man does not ignore the similarities he has with him. In his quest to be a successful businessman, he does not forget to acknowledge that some of his traits and skills came from his father. Having heard this, Jodi returns to the patch where she had thrown her father’s penknife in the hopes of finding it. Luckily, her mother had already found it, and finally gets the opportunity to give her daughter advice. She tells her daughter that one does not have to hate someone if one does not like some of the things they do. Relieved to have inherited her father’s humor, and sense of adventure, Jodi is back to her old self. Her truck overheats on her way to town to buy conditioner for her hair, forgetting to bring along a jug of water with her. Luckily, Craig comes to her rescue, and opens the line to them getting back together.

Harry Ryan receives a call learning that Peter Johnson is married. The Ryan’s have yet another hurtful secret they can choose to divulge. Harry drops by Drovers Run to tell Claire the news, but Peter is in the way. He, however, drops a hint that Peter surely picked up, and was quick to divert the conversation. Though not the best father to his children, Harry truly wants the best for Claire, but the young woman makes it clear that she is already on her way to fulfilling her dream. Becky is at the wrong place at the wrong time. Harry divulges the secret that Peter Johnson has a wife and two kids in Queensland to the young woman instead. He gives Becky the moral dilemma of choosing to break the disheartening news that would surely devastate Claire McLeod.

Being kept in the dark with the legalities of the contract Drovers Run has with Australian Bloodlines, Tess becomes concerned upon hearing that Australian Bloodlines is investing a lot of money to their property. Unable to stand the two lovebirds, Tess pays a visit to the Fountains, and as luck would have it Craig surprises Jodi with an invite to go drinking in town. This gave Tess an opportunity to voice out her concern to Meg, but is disappointed to learn that the housekeeper is the least bit concerned with Claire marrying Peter.

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A Dry Spell – McLeod’s Daughters Episode Summary 2.6

Synopsis: Meg Fountain makes a life-changing decision, and agrees to leave Drovers Run with her husband and daughter. Jodi Fountain plans to leave her mark by winning the Miss Gungellan pageant. All get dressed for the ball when Kevin’s mistake sends the women out having to clean his mess.

Episode Summary: Kevin Fountain is just one of those who are not born to settle down. Meg Fountain is fully aware of this, and has come to accept it. Moreover, she makes a decision that astonished both her husband and daughter. Meg agrees to leave Drovers Run for Whitsundays to give her family a chance for a fresh start. She has her eyes set on the future that she forgot about the one man who cares for her the most, Terry Dodge. Terry finds her and Kevin acting much like husband and wife, and knew at that moment that his relationship with Meg is over.  Continue reading...

While one relationship ends, another starts. Brick Buchanon asks Becky Howard to the Miss Gungellan ball. The young woman is overjoyed that for the first time in her life, she will be attending the ball, and not tending to it. However, realizing that she has no dress to wear puts a damper on her delight.

The excitement of leaving Drovers Run for Whitsundays quickly died down for Meg as reality sets in. Meg informs Claire McLeod of her decision, and the young woman accepts it despite the sadness of losing the housekeeper who was very much a mother to her. Becky Howard, however, is not too welcoming of the idea of losing her best friend. Meanwhile, Tess McLeod tries to dissuade Meg from leaving, but the woman has made up her mind. Meg does not want to make the same mistake she did before. This is her chance to reunite her family once and for all. If there’s anyone who is taking the Fountain’s decision to leave Drovers Run the hardest, it is Terry Dodge. Terry is saddened at Jodi’s leaving, but learning that Meg is going with her is too much for the man to bear. Mixed with anger and grief, the man confronts Kevin, and warns him of what he might do if he, once again, breaks his daughter’s heart.

Without a proper dress for the ball, Becky Howard has made up her mind, and decides to forego the Miss Gungellan ball. Lucky for her, Tess McLeod knows very well the reason for her decision. She finds her the perfect dress to wear, and shoes to match. All prepare for the ball including Claire McLeod. Thanks to Kevin, the hours of dolling up are put to waste when they learn that he had put Urea in the troughs. With the forecast of rain, the feed could prove deadly to their stock. Much to Tess’ dismay, the women of Drovers Run put on their work boots, and work to rid the troughs of Urea. The women return, and a pleasant surprise greeted Claire. Peter Johnson took time off work to bring Claire McLeod to the ball.

Becky Howard is all dressed for the ball waiting for her date to arrive. Brick Buchanon rushes to pick-up Becky when he finds an ailing calf by the fences. The calf has eaten Urea mixed with water in a pail that Kevin had left on the field. The young man in his tuxedo could not bear leaving the calf to die. He brings it back to Killarney, and feeds it vinegar to neutralize the poison. Hours later, the calf is back on its feet. After hours of waiting, an upset Becky drives to town on her own.

Meg Fountain finally arrives to see her daughter win the Miss Gungellan ball. Jessica Carter, Jodi’s toughest competitor presents first with a scripted speech about her charity. Jodi Fountain comes up to the stage last, and brings her wit and charm as she talks about the charity of her choice. The Ryan brothers arrive stag. Alex, as Claire pointed out, always ends up with Miss Gungellan. He, however, seems pleasantly surprised to find her in a dress looking extremely glamorous in the arms of Peter Johnson. An infuriated Becky Howard arrives at the ball to catch the last part of Jodi’s speech, and also to hear the winner of Miss Gungellan. Jodi Fountain wins Miss Gungellan, and all are ecstatic. As Liz Ryan crowns her, Jodi is struck by her conscience. Terry Dodge’s words lit a fire in her, and she for once makes a very mature decision. Jodi Fountain turns down the Miss Gungellan crown. Knowing that she will be miles away, Jodi realizes the unfairness of accepting the crown and the title despite the impossibility of having to fulfill her duties as Miss Gungellan. She chooses her family over the crown.

The pageant is over, but the party has just begun. Alex, as predicted, ends up with Jessica Carter, the winner of Miss Gungellan by default. Tess becomes the target of the young males at the ball. Peter Johnson and Claire McLeod leave the ball early to have Drovers Run all for themselves. This after Peter runs into a man he knew from Brisbane. Brick Buchanon is still nowhere in sight. Still infuriated at having been stood up, Becky Howard returns to her old ways, and makes out with the first man who came her way. Outside the hall, Becky and Craig passionately kiss. The sight of Brick arriving only fueled Becky’s desire to hurt the man by intensely making out with Craig. Becky realizes her mistake after seeing her date all covered with mud. Though still furious, Becky is overcome with guilt, and decides to return home leaving one of her shoes in the mud.

Morning came, reality sets in, and it starts with Meg. After living a fantasy for weeks, Meg realizes that her husband has not change. Kevin Fountain, after so many years, is still the charming irresponsible man she once fell in love with. The bout with the Urea reminded her of how she always ends up having to clean her husband’s mess. Learning that the business plan her husband has been talking about is nothing but a plan, another dream that would fall short, Meg Fountain decides to stay at Drovers Run.

Brick Buchanon confronts Becky Howard whose shame drives her to treat Brick badly when it is the young man who should be upset with her. Her stint with Craig Woodland, and her reputation as the town slut gave Craig the license to go around town speaking of things that Becky would no longer do. Brick knows her better, and is convinced that none of the rumors are true. He came to her return the shoe the young woman left in the mud, and to mend the wrong that happened the night before. Unfortunately, Becky’s shame has turned to pride, and the young woman distances herself away from the good-hearted young man.

Meg Fountain informs the McLeod’s of her decision to stay. The idea of Jodi Fountain going away with her father has not even crossed her mind until Tess brought it up. Not wanting to make the same mistake she did before, Meg has a talk with her daughter in an attempt to dissuade her from leaving with her dad, but this time she gives her a choice. Though her daughter choosing to leave with her dad breaks her heart, Meg accepts it. Learning that only her daughter will come with him on his next adventure, Kevin Fountain begins to have second thoughts especially after seeing that the young woman has not grasped the idea that their adventure will not be a holiday. In the wee hours of the night, Meg finds him packing his bags ready to sneak out on his family once again. Jodi finds her father and mother arguing, and immediately suspects her mother as the cause of his decision to leave. Soon after she realizes that the decision is solely on her father, the man planned to walk out on her without even leaving a note. Kevin Fountain leaves his family behind, and proves himself to be the loser everyone thought him to be.

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Hello Stranger – McLeod’s Daughters Episode Summary 2.5

Synopsis: Meg Fountain’s husband returns to Drovers Run after eighteen years of absence. A rift between mother and daughter emerges when Jodi Fountain learns that her father did not walk out on them. Meanwhile, Harry Ryan uses his power to prevent Nick Ryan from making a sale.

Episode Summary: After eighteen years, Meg Fountain receives an unexpected visit from her husband, Kevin. His daughter, Jodi, all grown up finally meets her father who walked out on them when she was only a year old. However, she learns that the story of her father’s leaving is a lie. It was her mother who decided not to come with her father. Learning that her mother had lied to her, her whole life, a rift emerges between mother and daughter. Meg Fountain found it impractical to sail around the world broke, and with a year old baby. She let her husband go thinking that he would soon realize that what he had left is much more important than his dream. After years of waiting for her husband’s return, Meg sadly realized that the man’s dream is more important than his family. Afraid of having her daughter wait for a father who has no intention of returning to his family, Meg decided to make out a despicable image of her husband, one who had walked out on his family. Continue reading...

Nick Ryan needs to sell his stock, but is having trouble to find a truck to transport his sheep. Knowing the falling-out between brothers after learning that Nick had tricked his family into supporting his farm, Claire McLeod tries to mediate after finding out that Alex has space in his truck. Later, they learn that Harry Ryan, in an act of revenge, has used his authority to prevent his son from renting a truck. Moreover, Harry tries to pit brother against brother. Even Alex finds his father’s actions despicable, but he does nothing about it. Lucky for Nick, he has Claire on his side. Claire McLeod rents a truck for Nick.

Jodi Fountain had always complained about being stuck at Drovers Run for she had dreamed of traveling the world. Learning that her mother had deprived her of that opportunity only fueled her anger towards her. She confides in Becky Howard who is her complete opposite. The young woman has found a home at Drovers Run, and is much content staying there. Tess McLeod can relate to Jodi for she herself was taken away from her father. As a young girl, Tess had waited for her father to come and visit her, and even though her father never did, she still held that dream in her heart.

Seeing her daughter spend time with his father worries Meg. She worries that the more Jodi speaks with her father, the larger the rift between them will grow. Meg confides in Terry who supports her completely. Kevin Fountain is slightly irked at learning that his wife has taken a lover especially since Meg is the reason for his return.

Jodi’s animosity towards Meg continues to grow that Tess finds the need to step in, and pulls the young woman aside. Tess acknowledges Meg’s mistakes, but she tries to let Jodi see that her father is also at fault. The man did leave, and did not return nor made an attempt to contact her after so many years. Knowing the story of how Tess’ mother had hidden Jack’s birthday cards from her, Jodi believes that her father must have done the same thing. She rushes to her house looking for her father’s letters for her, but there were none. Kevin, the good talker he is, makes an excuse of not wanting to be in the way, in case Meg had already remarried. He did, however, make it a point to compliment his wife for their daughter’s good upbringing, and had asked his daughter not to blame her mother for his mistakes.

Harry Ryan arrives at Wilgul in an attempt to have his son beg for his help, and is surprised to hear Nick turn him down. He learns that Nick has found a way to rent a truck through Claire McLeod, and once again uses his power to pull some strings to prevent his son from transporting his sheep. Nick and the McLeod’s get news from the driver that he is disallowed from renting the truck to neither Nick nor Claire leaving Nick no way to make the sale. With Nick in dire need of cash, Claire is struck with an idea. Given that there is no way to transport the sheep to town, she suggests that they bring the town to Wilgul.

Kevin Fountain confronts Terry Dodge. Luckily, Meg and Jodi arrive before their altercation begins. Claire had called for their help to put up fences on Wilgul for tomorrow’s on-farm sale. Kevin wins the first round with Terry being unable to help with the cause given that he works for Harry. An old story of Kevin catching Meg when she fell off a camel seems to have stirred something in his wife. Jodi pushes for more good stories of her mother and father, and Kevin begins to tell the story of the first time they met. Kevin seems to have rekindled Meg’s love for him.

Alex Ryan discovers what his father has done, and confronts him about it. Harry argues that he did it all to preserve Killarney, which he stresses that will be Alex’ property in the future. Nonetheless, Alex drops by at Drovers Run to apologize for Claire’s misfortune although it is not his doing. Moreover, he offers to lend a hand at Wilgul’s on-farm sale.

Kevin Fountain continues to be on the good side of both his wife and daughter after making it known that he will be staying to dance with his daughter at the Miss Gungellan Ball. He once again makes himself a hero when the auctioneer fails to arrive at Wilgul, and he steps in, and does a marvelous job. Moreover, he refuses any payment for his services for it was a job that he was more than happy to do. Nick Ryan made more than enough to pay for his loan, but Harry Ryan will stop at nothing to crush his son’s dreams. He arrives at Wilgul with a bill for Nick’s use of Killarney’s men. Nick though tight in cash uses the little extra money he made to pay his father.

The on-farm sale was a success much of it was because of Kevin’s terrific auctioneer skills. Meg Ryan cannot help but fall for her husband again though she sees right through him with his every hint of staying. Meg never had closure when her husband left, and his return gave them the opportunity to discuss what went wrong. Meg felt that Kevin took her heart away, while Kevin admits to have left his heart behind when he left. With their feelings out in the open, the two rekindles their relationship, and spends the night together.

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The Bore War – McLeod’s Daughters Episode Summary 2.4

Synopsis: With not enough water for both Wilgul and Drovers Run, Claire McLeod and Nick Ryan start a bore war. Claire McLeod needs water for her cattle, while Nick Ryan for his crops. Without any resolution in sight, the two stand to lose their farms. Meanwhile, the heat and water shortage had made Meg Fountain irritable, starting a quarrel of her own with Terry Dodge.

Episode Summary: It’s the middle of summer, and water is scarce. The women of Drovers Run waste no time to fix their water problem, and they do so successfully. Unfortunately, just minutes after they get the water pumping to their tank, Nick Ryan turns on the irrigation system on Wilgul, leaving Drovers Run’s well to run dry.  Continue reading...

In order to conserve water, Claire McLeod imposes on the rule that only one of them may use the shower. This proves problematic given that all of them are to attend Nick Ryan’s housewarming party, but one must do what one has to when water supply is low. Tess McLeod draws the longest stick, and gets her chance to shower after a long, hot, sweaty day working at the farm. Sadly, they learn that there is no water at all.

On their way to Wilgul, the women identify the cause of their water problem. Nick Ryan has taken all the water to irrigate his crops. Claire proposes that Nick only water his crops at night, while she fills the troughs for her cattle during the day. This angers Nick who then proposes that Claire move her cattle some place else. The arrival of Harry and Alex Ryan interrupts their heated argument. Alex’ new girlfriend arrives, which unpleasantly surprises Tess McLeod. Nick Ryan could just not get a break, as Tess becomes upset with him for not giving her a heads up.

In an attempt to reason with Claire, Nick shares with her his big plans for Wilgul, and how all of these depend on the success of his first harvest, but Claire is adamant. The two agree to leave the decision with the water licensing representative. With this behind them, Nick’s party comes to a full swing with Jodi Fountain convincing him to sing and play on the piano.

The women of Drovers Run return home, and decide that they all sleep in the coolest part of the main house. Lying on the floor, perspiring as much as they did before, makes them wonder if they got the right idea. Moreover, learning that snakes are up and about searching for water made Tess choose to sleep on her hot bed instead of the floor.

Given that Claire McLeod and Nick Ryan are sharing the same water source, Melanie, the water-licensing representative arrives to determine if anyone of them is actually detrimentally affected by the water shortage. Seeing that Claire’s hot temper is not helping her case, Tess steps in, in an attempt to coax the woman into ruling in their favor. Melanie pays a visit to Wilgul where Nick Ryan tries to use his charm to gain favor with her, but the woman cannot be swayed. Melanie calls for a meeting between two parties, and provides them with alternative solutions. Unfortunately, the two cannot reach an agreement leaving them to make the decision on their own. Failure to do so would result in the forfeiture of both their water licenses.

The heat, and the lack of water put the women of Drovers Run on edge. Seeing the men of Killarney who have access to unlimited supply of water only accentuates the direness of their situation. Nick Ryan arrives at Drovers Run to discuss their water problem, but the bore war continues when Claire insinuates that she has more to lose given that Nick could always turn to his father for financial help. Nick fights back with the prospect of Claire losing control of her farm to Peter Johnson if the two are to marry, noticing their deepening relationship.

Terry Dodge arrives with some good news, unaware that he had unnerved Meg Fountain after sharing his pet peeves on some of her habits. Meg retaliates by pointing out the man’s habits that annoys her. Dampening his mood, Terry decides not to tell Meg what it is that he won.

Finding no resolution to the bore war with Nick Ryan, Claire McLeod decides to sell some of her stock despite the unprofitable prices. Little did she know that Nick is also planning on letting his crop go, and just count his losses. Seeing that her sister is stubborn enough to sell her cattle instead of resolving the problem with Nick, Tess McLeod takes matters into her own hands. Tess drops by Wilgul, but sees that Nick is nowhere in sight. With the master of the house out, she runs to take a quick shower unaware that Nick had just arrived. Knowing that his brother is as stubborn as Claire, Alex Ryan drops by Drovers Run to speak with Claire who still is upset with Nick’s insinuation that the woman would lose her control over her farm once she marries. Moreover, he enlightens her with the real reason for her stubbornness. Claire McLeod is out to prove herself that she can find success without the help of a man. Tess’ quick shower turns into a long bath that amused Nick Ryan. Surprised at getting caught, Tess with only a towel on tries her best to reason with the man both for the use of his shower, and his feud with Claire. Her argument begins well, but ends up badly when Nick learns that Claire had shared with her the truth about Wilgul. Tess knows that Nick Ryan bought Wilgul in an attempt to get back at Harry for deciding to leave all of Killarney to Alex. Moreover, he purposely left out the detail that he had bought the farm using his own money, and that he lied to his family just so he could get full use of Killarney’s resources.

Tess McLeod returns to Drovers Run, and makes herself the women’s target having bathed at Wilgul. Angered with the woman’s good fortune, Becky Howard hatches up a plan with Jodi Fountain. Becky spends dinner making sure that Tess’ glass is continually replenished with water. Soon, the woman requires the use of the bathroom where she finds a snake. Soon after, a gunshot is heard. The women run upstairs, and find Tess with a shotgun, a broken sink pedestal, and a dead snake. Learning that Becky and Jodi were the ones who put the already dead snake in the bathroom to purposely scare Tess, the two young women, and Tess are left to clean up the mess. Getting the idea from Tess, Becky decides to accept Brick’s offer earlier that day. Becky goes over to Killarney to take a swim in the Ryan’s’ pool, learning from Brick that Harry Ryan is out late that night. Becky goes for a swim, while Brick keeps watch. With them alone, the young man takes the opportunity to ask her out on a date, and the young woman accepts.

Somehow, Tess McLeod convinces her sister to swallow her pride, apologize to Nick Ryan, and finally end the bore war. What the two sisters do not know is that Nick had already made his decision not to irrigate his crops. Regrettably, this angers Harry Ryan who is unaware that the crops are not his. Unable to force his son to turn the water pump back on to save the crops, Harry decides to go against his wishes thinking that it is his crops that Nick refuses to water. Pushed to a corner, Nick Ryan confesses the truth. Wilgul is bought with his own money not his family’s. This infuriates his father, and catches Alex by surprise. Harry orders Alex, and his men to pull out all of Killarney’s equipment out of Wilgul. Claire and Tess McLeod arrive at Wilgul a minute too late. Learning of Nick Ryan’s fate, Claire offers that she sell her stock to help save Nick from financial ruin, but Nick refuses the offer not wanting the young woman to suffer for his misfortune. Learning that Harry has moved everything that is his in Wilgul back to Killarney, including the stock that Nick is gisting for him, Claire is struck with an idea that Nick quickly accepts. Claire McLeod proposes that her cattle graze on Wilgul given that no other stock is at the farm. This way Nick Ryan could take all of the bore water to irrigate his crop without Claire McLeod having to worry about her cattle dying from dehydration at Drovers Run. With their water dispute resolved, the two friends end the bore war.

Meg Fountain and Terry Dodge do the same, and come to grips with each others annoying habits. Itching to know what it is that Terry won, Meg convinces him to finally tell her what it is. In fact, Terry Dodge had brought it to Drovers Run with him. Terry won a spa, something that Meg would have been happy about if not for the dry spell. The only one who is impressed with the prize is Tess McLeod who hatches up a plan to put it to good use. That night, she sneaks into Killarney to steal the water from their pool. Unluckily, Alex Ryan sees her, but is quick to turn a blind eye on the woman’s antic. However, he becomes curious as to why Tess had decided to get back at Harry for Nick. It was then that Alex Ryan learns that Harry had promised his brother half of Killarney, but decided to take it back, leaving Nick with nothing. The following day, Harry wakes up to a half empty pool, while the women of Drover’s Run and Terry spend the day in the spa.

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Desperate Measures – McLeod’s Daughters Episode Summary 2.3

Synopsis: A herd of brumbies made their way out of the national park. Becky Howard approaches the gorgeous, wild horses, but is thrown off her horse after someone fired a shotgun. Claire McLeod is head over heels in love with Peter Johnson, but Tess McLeod could not help but become annoyed at the man who appears to have made himself comfortable at Drovers Run.

Episode Summary: Becky Howard spots a herd of wild horses, and is enticed by their beauty. Slowly she steers her horse toward them when an unidentified man fires his shotgun at the brumbies therefore scaring them including Becky’s horse. Becky is thrown off her horse, and becomes unconscious. Later, she regains consciousness, but her horse is nowhere in sight. Continue reading...

Nick Ryan arrives at Drovers Run to inform Tess McLeod of the brumbies. Tess could not help but look hesitant at his suggestion that she and Alex Ryan work together to catch the wild horses before they create serious damage. Liz Ryan had made Jodi Fountain her special project, and personally picks her up at Drovers Run much to Meg Fountain’s dismay. Liz, set on securing Jodi the Miss Gungellan crown, brings her to Killarney to give the young woman a lesson in etiquette.

Claire McLeod and Peter Johnson are acting like lovebirds. Ever since they got together, the two could not be set apart, and Peter seemed to have rubbed on Claire. This after Claire suggests that the brumbies need to be killed given that they are a menace, and a threat to the breeding program. This comes as a surprise to Tess knowing that Claire had once risked her life for a wild horse.

Becky Howard is still out on a paddock, and has barely any strength to go on when she hears a chopper overhead. Alex Ryan and Brick Buchanon had set off on a search for the brumbies, and had spotted them not far from Becky. The herd comes hastening directly towards Becky who uses all the strength left in her to run to safety. Becky hides behind a tree as the herd passes, but this left her out of Alex’ and Brick’s view. The chopper continues to follow the wild horses, and finds that Tess McLeod had gone after the brumbies in an attempt to usher them back to the national park. Finding her stunt pretty foolish, Alex sets his chopper down to scold his ex-girlfriend.

Becky Howard’s horse arrives at Drovers Run with the rider nowhere in sight. Immediately, the women of Drovers Run know that something is up. The men of Killarney waste no time to aid in the search, and oddly, it was her brother Seany who is the least bit concerned about her. Soon after, Meg Fountain finds her sitting under a tree, dehydrated but unharmed much to Brick’s relief. Unfortunately, it is Alex Ryan who literally sweeps her off her feet, and flies her to Gungellan to get her checked.

Peter Johnson had started to make himself comfortable at Drovers Run, and this irks Tess McLeod. She decides to confront Claire about this who became equally annoyed at her, pointing out that she did not say a peep when Alex spent numerous nights at their house. Becky’s arrival disrupts their argument. The young woman having gone through a thorough check-up was found slightly banged-up from the fall, but free from serious harm. Alone in her quarters, Becky could not help but feel watched. She opens the door only to find her brother about to knock. Seany, though at first could not care less about her sister, had decided to pay her a visit.

Morning came, but the feud between the McLeod sisters continues. Tess McLeod becomes frustrated at Claire for dismissing her idea of foregoing the slaughter of the wild horses. With no one else to turn to, Tess runs to the one person who would give her the time of day to hear her unconventional ideas – Nick Ryan. Tess makes an argument that he would eventually need workhorses, and could save money if he decides to take-in the brumbies. Nick argues that wild horses take a lot of time to tame, and train, but Tess claims to have found a trainer just outside of Adelaide who is willing to train the wild horses. Regrettably, Nick still does not find the idea of turning brumbies into workhorses appealing.

Jodi Fountain continues her classes with Liz Ryan who now teaches her to waltz. Jodi, being the tallest at the boarding school, only learned to lead, and is having trouble remembering the steps meant for women. Liz calls in her son, Nick, to teach Jodi to waltz.

Later, Nick has a change of heart. He tries to convince Alex of Tess’ idea, and gets into a heated argument with his brother. Seany is amused at the brother’s confrontation, but becomes disappointed when none of them gave the other a punch. The young man with a lot to prove picks a fight with Alex. Clearly unmatched against the tall, muscular, Alex, Seany falls into a wheelbarrow following a weak shove from Alex. Seany leaves with nothing but a bruised ego that left Brick thoroughly amused. Soon after, Seany decides to run away taking Alex’ bike with him.

Tess McLeod decides to take matters into her own hands. Lucky for her, Nick Ryan truly had a change of heart, and decided to join in her quest. It did not take them long to catch a couple of brumbies. Nick is pleased to have delighted Tess, but his brother arrives ready to once again steal her heart. Having spent numerous days in Drovers Run, Peter Johnson finally leaves. Claire McLeod has gotten used to spending time with Peter, and proposes that she spend a weekend at his place to which the man quickly agrees to, but then remembers that he would be at Brisbane that weekend. Claire understands, and pays no mind to the forestalled weekend with Peter.

Meg Fountain drops off Becky Howard at the gate. Becky, having agreed to return to the hospital for a follow-up check-up, decides to just hitch a ride with the mailman to town. Cathy Cronin sees her sitting by the gate, and offers to give her a lift. The young woman politely declines, but Cathy beseeches Becky expressing her desire to have a word with her. Becky, guilty of inadvertently turning the Cronin’s lives upside down, hops in her car. Seany, a few yards away, calls out to her, but he could not be heard. Brick Buchanon, worried at Seany’s flight, after some thought decides to go after the young man.

Having to talk with her violator’s wife made for an awkward ride to town. Cathy Cronin begins to rant about having to move out of Gungellan following the discovery of her husband’s indiscretions. Cathy then begins to talk about her 25-year marriage with Brian, and at the same time her driving had picked up some speed. Becky notices the bike that is following them, and is slightly relieved. Unfortunately, the bike runs out of gas, and is now nowhere in sight. Becky begs Cathy to slow her driving, but the unstable woman just continues to rant at her misfortune, upset with the young woman for making her an outcast. Becky then notices the shotgun on the backseat of the car, and realizes that it was her who fired the shotgun she thought was aimed at the brumbies. Becky takes a look behind the car to see if the bike had caught up with them, but it has not. Brick Buchanon sees Seany walking the bike, but before he could scold the young man, Seany informs him that Becky is in trouble.

Becky Howard tries to appease Cathy Cronin who reveals that she knew all along that her husband had been violating women. She is filled with guilt for not saying anything, but Becky informs her that she too is guilty of the same thing. Becky had kept quiet for fear that Brian would take her life. The young woman continues to talk, distracting the woman who had slightly slowed down her driving. Becky pulls up the emergency break, and gets a hold of the shotgun. Brick Buchanon and Seany Howard arrive soon after. Though aware that Seany originally planned to run away, taking the bike with him, Alex was quick to ignore that detail to go with the story of him running after her sister to rescue her from Mrs. Cronin.

Back at Drovers Run, Claire McLeod is head over heels in love with Peter Johnson, and could not stop thinking about him. She finds her boyfriend to be perfect, and confesses to Tess that she had never felt this way before. Claire had seriously fallen in love with Peter Johnson enough to say that he is the one man for her. Becky had found an admirer of her own, unaware that it was Brick Buchanon who left the flowers at her quarters.

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Through the Looking Glass – McLeod’s Daughters Episode Summary 2.2

Synopsis: Tess McLeod and Alex Ryan prepare to spend the night alone together when a baby is left at Alex’s doorstep. His world spirals out of control at the prospect of being the father of a child whose mother’s identity he has yet to find out. Meanwhile, Claire McLeod reluctantly agrees to Peter’s strictly business rule.

Episode Summary: Tess McLeod and Alex Ryan finally have time alone together when a ring at the door disrupts their evening. They find at their doorstep a baby with a note indicating that Alex is the father. Tess is left to take care of the baby as Alex searches for the mother of the child.  Continue reading...

Claire McLeod could not get Peter Johnson off her mind. The man has neither visited nor called after the night at the stables. Claire decides to give the man a call, but instead got his answering machine. Not knowing what to say, Claire leaves a message that is all business. As expected, Peter did not return her call. Meg Fountain suggests that she give the man another call, but this time make it less business-like, and more personal. Claire McLeod, expecting to get his answering machine again, is caught by surprise when Peter answers the phone. Claire, in her shock, hangs up. Fortunately, Peter calls her back right away to inform her of his upcoming visit. Moreover, the man asks if he could spend a night at Drover’s Run.

Morning came, Tess and Alex continue to play house that is just too real for her liking. Having to take care of her boyfriend’s child from a girlfriend he may or may not remember proved too much for Tess. She decides to leave Alex and the baby for Drover’s. Rabbits have infested Drover’s Run, and have made Meg’s veggie patch their target. Furious, Meg decides to take action. The women of Drover’s Run work on getting rid of the rabbits. When at last, Claire and Tess finish filling up the rabbit holes, Claire realizes that her keys had fallen in one. After hours of digging and searching through dirt, filthy and foul-smelling Claire finds the keys and returns to the house only to find Peter Johnson at the gate waiting for her.

All washed up, Claire and Peter start to talk when a frantic Alex Ryan rushes to them for help. The baby is burning with fever, and poor Alex does not know what to do. Fortunately, Meg Fountain, a mother herself, knows exactly what needs to be done. With one crisis averted, Claire and Peter resume their conversation. Peter Johnson who earlier at the phone already seems to have something important to say to Claire starts the conversation. He informs her that the kiss they shared that night at the stables was a mistake. He would like to avoid mixing business with pleasure. Claire, embarrassed for thinking the opposite, pretends to have the same idea in mind.

Meanwhile, Becky Howard who has been silent about the plans to exterminate the rabbits, but clearly is in disagreement with the method decides to create a trap instead of feeding them with poison. Her plan worked, and her trap caught a rabbit at Meg’s veggie patch. Unfortunately, Meg sees her going away with the trapped, but unharmed rabbit, and takes the rabbit from her to cook it for dinner. Later, Meg finds the trap with the rabbit gone. She suspects that Becky had taken it, and she was right. Meg makes her way back to the main house carrying with her the trap and rabbit. Becky pleads with Meg, and reasons with her. Becky, as a child, had a pet rabbit that she took care of from when it was a kitten until one day her father took it from her, and strangled it. Although she knows very well that she could not keep all the rabbits from harm, Becky is content with just saving one. Meg, having heard her story, agrees for her to keep the rabbit with a fair warning that she will get rid of it, the moment it finds its way back to her veggie patch.

Sergeant Da Costa arrives at Killarney with news about the baby’s mother. He identified the mother as Annie Morgan, one that Alex Ryan would not have thought of having a child with. Moreover, he brings news that Alex is not the father of the child. Having bonded with the baby, Alex could not help become disappointed. The woman whom Sergeant Da Costa believes to be suffering from depression thought Alex would be a friend whom she knows would take care of the baby while she takes a breather. She was right. Alex did the unexpected, and acted much like a caring father to the child. The chaos brought about by the baby that was left at his doorstep led both Tess and Alex to a realization that their relationship is not working out the way it should. Tess and Alex calls it quits. The two will remain friends, but not lovers.

Claire McLeod and Peter Johnson have been fending off urges the whole day since the two agreed not to mix business with pleasure. Fate, however, keeps pulling them together with the two of them being left at the dinner table after all the other women decide to have an early evening followed by Peter running into Claire in the bathroom. That was the last straw. The two succumb to the urges that have been brewing the entire day.

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The Drover’s Connection – McLeod’s Daughters Episode Summary 2.1

Synopsis: Tess’ hemp crop has finally grown, and already it is causing trouble. Claire McLeod is infatuated with Peter Johnson, but is left confused when the man runs hot and cold on her. Jodi Fountain smells trouble when Becky Howard receives a surprise visit from her brother.

Episode Summary: Tess McLeod becomes annoyed with Alex Ryan for teasing her about the industrial hemp crops she has been growing, and planning to sell for profit. Though once worried about her sister’s new venture, the love-struck Claire McLeod currently could not care less. Meanwhile, Jodi Fountain continues her mission to teach Becky Howard how to read when Becky receives a surprise visit from her younger brother, Sean.   Continue reading...

Lucky for Becky, Claire is too distracted with Peter Johnson coming over for a visit to be concerned about Sean staying at Drover’s Run. Peter Johnson arrives, and he is in a terrible mood. Seeing Claire training Brave J, he wastes no time criticizing the manner by which she is handling the horse. Claire though caught by surprise with the man’s attitude continues to try and impress Peter who gives her very little acknowledgment for her good work.

Unlike his brother, Nick Ryan goes out of his way to show Tess his support. He starts by helping her determine that the crops she has been growing are legal. Alex Ryan tries to be supportive of his girlfriend, and drops by her farm and notices that kangaroos appear to be damaging her crops. Soon they learn that not only kangaroos are ruining her crops, but also kids who mistook the industrial hemp she has been growing for marijuana.

Sean Howard returns to Gungellan, and already he is in trouble with the police. Becky Howard convinced of her brother’s innocence tries her best to defend his brother. Jodi Fountain who earlier saw Sean in an altercation with another young man tries to make Becky see that her brother is not as innocent as she thinks him to be. Becky is already aware of her brother’s shortcomings, but she truly believes that she could turn him around. Sean running to her for refuge is a sign that she has regained his trust.

Sensing that Peter Johnson is not satisfied with her work on Brave J, Claire McLeod begins to worry. Learning that the horse has contracted some infection only heightens her anxiety. Claire wastes no time to get medication from Greg who unfortunately is too busy to check on the horse. Not wanting to waste any time, and let the infection to spread, Claire rushes over to the farm where the vet is. Just her luck, Peter is also there. Claire, however, receives a pleasant but rather confusing news from Greg. According to him, Peter has been singing praises about her work on Brave J.

Despite the hurdles with the hemp farm, Tess McLeod is still convinced that it will become a success. She truly believes that her putting up a sign explaining that the crops are hemp and not dope would keep away anyone who would mistake it as one. Jodi Fountain, however, is not convinced that this would do the trick. Overhearing Sean arguing with the kid whom Tess and the Ryan brothers caught stealing hemp, Jodi is certain that Becky’s younger brother will do the same. Moreover, she believes that Tess’ hemp farm is the reason for Sean’s visit on Drover’s Run. Jodi suggests that she and Tess camp out at the paddock where they planted the hemp to catch Sean in the act.

Meanwhile, Claire McLeod concerned about Brave J decides to spend the night at the stables to keep an eye on the horse when Peter Johnson arrives. Claire confronts him about his sour attitude toward her, and Peter comes clean. The man confesses that he has been distracted with her after the kiss they shared weeks before. Him being critical of Claire was his attempt of avoiding falling in love with her. Unfortunately, he could not help but fall for Claire, and the two once again kiss. Moreover, Peter offers to keep her company as she stays, and watches over Brave J.

Still camped out at the hemp farm, a rustling sound wakes up both Jodi and Tess. The women shine a light on the culprit, and learn that it is as suspected Becky Howard’s brother. Unfortunately, that is not the only revelation they had that night. The women find dope mixed with the industrial hemp Tess has been growing. So it appears that Sean has been growing dope in Tess’ hemp farm unaware that it would not survive given that nothing grows with hemp. Despite this fact, Tess and Jodi are left with the tedious task of finding all the dope that Sean has planted so they could dispose of them. The women finish extracting the illegal crops, but Jodi is left with the sensitive task of informing her Becky of her brother’s crime. Regrettably, Sean beat her to it, and had concocted a story that would make him innocent of the crime Jodi is about to accuse him. According to Becky, Sean had learned that the kid Tess and the Ryans caught had planted dope in her farm. Not wanting Tess McLeod to get in trouble, he took it upon himself to pull out the crops unaware that the two women have been staking out to catch the culprit. Jodi knows this to be a lie, but says nothing to avoid hurting her friend’s feelings. However, a conversation with her brother exposed him to for who he truly is – a liar and a criminal.

Claire McLeod wakes up at the stable only to find Greg there instead of Peter Johnson. Peter once again confuses Claire having left her without saying a word. In the dark with the events that transpired at Drover’s Run, Claire is caught unaware with the police’s visit. Sergeant Da Costa having come from the city is a much stricter offer than Constable Cook. He arrives at Drover’s Run looking for Sean Howard just as Tess and Jodi are burning the dope he planted in the hemp farm. Tess tries her best to distract the sergeant, but the unmistakable smell of dope did not help her. Caught in the act destroying the illegal crops, Tess and Jodi are in hot water, but the two remain silent as to who planted it there. Becky comes forward admitting to the crime she did not commit. Fully aware of her innocence, Jodi and Tess tell the truth that it is Sean whom they caught the other night, and whom Jodi heard talking to a kid in town about it. Becky becomes upset with Jodi for getting Sean in trouble with the police unaware that her brother is already in trouble with the shady men he was in business with.

Tess’ hemp farm turns out to be a mistake from the very start with the seeds being rained out, the kangaroos damaging it, and kids mixing dope with her crops. They, however, would never have guessed that Becky would destroy all the hemp. The young woman intended to destroy the root cause of the problem without any regard to the money and hard work that Tess put in growing her farm. In a way, Meg Fountain is doing the exact same thing with Terry. After learning of how alcohol has turned Terry into a killer, Meg has made it a point to abstain from drinking to show her support. Moreover, she has been recently giving him special treatment. Terry Dodge finally confronts Meg of her strange behavior, and learns that the woman has found the need to do those things to reassure him that his past does not bother her. Terry informs Meg that she need not go great lengths to show her support, and that he’d rather treat him like everyone else.

Meanwhile, after having a good laugh at learning the fate of Tess’ crops, Alex Ryan tries his best to show his support. Unfortunately, his guilt comes too late. Clearly, Tess is upset with him, and is more pleased with Nick who has helped her with the crops. Alex confides with Claire who unfortunately was left confused by Peter Johnson.

Tess confronts Becky, and discovers that she has been hiding her brother. She calls the police. Alex, however, believes that jail would not do him good. The sergeant arrives, and Alex informs him that he could straighten up the kid and offers that Sean work in Killarney. The sergeant knowing that Alex does community service to help troubled kids agrees, and leaves Sean under Alex’ care. Tess is truly impressed, and Alex is once again on her good side. In addition, Becky is grateful and apologetic to Tess for ruining her crops. She vows to repay her with the little money she earns. Tess forgives her, and though knowing that Becky may not fully repay her is no longer too concerned with her loss.

Meanwhile, Peter Johnson running hot and cold on her continues to bother Claire McLeod. She asks her sister for advice, and learns that the man must be afraid of commitment. Tess McLeod comes to a realization that she too is running hot and cold on Alex Ryan, and worries that she herself is afraid of commitment. Becky too finally realizes that she has found a true friend in Jodi, and she apologizes in her own way for getting upset at her when all Jodi did was protect her.

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