(soft vocal music) - [Meg] Previously on McLeod's Daughters.

- You know how the Miss Gungellan ball's in a couple of weeks?

- I think it's definitely too late for you to enter that.

- No, (chuckles) I was just wondering, you can say no if you want.

- Brick, it's a date.

- Jodi, say hello to your father.

- I couldn't take my eyes off you.

You were so beautiful.

I looked across at you, and you looked across at me, and when our eyes met, I knew you were the woman for me.

- Don't you see?

You took my heart.

- Don't you see?

I left mine behind.

(soft flute music) (Jodi laughs) - [Jodi] Dad.

(soft flute music continues) Dinner's up.

- Could you just let Terry know that I called again?

Thanks.

You know, I was thinking, there could be some work going on one of the local properties around here.

- Oh yeah?

- [Meg] Yeah, you should drop in and raise hell, you never know.

- Mom, Dad has his own plans.

(soft music) Amazing plans.

- Up in the Whitsundays.

- The job?

- [Kevin] Running a boat for tourists, being my own boss.

- How wonderful.

When do you start?

- Any time, soon as I like.

- Well, what are we talking about this for now anyway?

You've got your last Miss Gungellan interview to get through, Jodi, and the ball.

- Mom, this is a job for all of us.

We can all go.

- To the Whitsundays?

- Quarter million dollar turnover, nine month season, it's a dream gig, and my new charter boat needs a crew, and if it's a good-looking one.

(Jodi laughs) - Oh, I know, I know.

There are potatoes that need planting urgently, there's compost to ventilate.

- It's a chance for a fresh start, just the three of us.

- I could be first mate, and you could cook.

- We don't want to push you into anything.

- She needs pushing.

- Meg, if this isn't what you want, us.

- No.

I mean, yes, I do.

Let's go.

Let's go.

(Jodi and Meg laughing) (upbeat rock music) ♪ It'll take some time to find your heart ♪ ♪ And come back home ♪ ♪ You could walk for miles, cross every river ♪ ♪ And find you're not alone ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'll be there ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ You're not alone ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'll be there ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ (car engine roars) - I just caught the weather forecast.

They're predicting rain.

- Oh, a shower, finally, yay.

- Well hopefully, we won't have to do this for much longer.

- We don't need that one.

We only use urea when it's real dry.

- If it looks like rain, it's a real bad idea.

- Bad idea, right.

(cow moos) - Looks like we got some more strays.

(cow moos again) So we just give them this loose mix thing, and that makes them want to eat anything?

- Yep.

- Even that dead grass over there?

- Yep.

Did I break?

- All right just dropping off some lost property.

- [Claire] Must've gone looking for a feed.

- [Brick] Yeah, fence is down over the hill.

Fixed it up pretty easy.

- Thanks.

- You down to loose mix?

- Yeah, you too?

- No, we're all right.

- Claire, can you just give me a hand for a sec?

- What?

- Just.

- What?

- B one and B two.

- What?

- Get up.

- Hey.

You still all right for tomorrow night?

- Yeah, you?

- Yeah.

I'll pick you up at 6:00?

- Sounds good.

- All right.

- Okay.

- All right.

- See you there.

(bike engine starts) I've never been to the ball before.

- I've seen you there lots of times.

- Yeah, that's working the bar.

It's a different thing, don't you think?

(acoustic guitar music) - See?

- Oh, yeah.

- [Tess] At least one of us has a date.

Peter caught up with work?

- Yeah.

- Great, we can go together.

- Great.

Put on my good jeans then.

- Please, don't tell me.

- Of course not, it's a ball.

- Does that mean you actually own a dress?

- I'll dig out the old BNS frock.

Don't worry, you won't be embarrassed.

- You decided what you're gonna wear yet, Beck?

- No, not yet.

- My word.

- (laughs) Ta-da.

- Wow.

That Craig, he'd certainly be dirty on me for stealing his date.

- You don't think that waist is too low?

- No, it's perfect.

You've done a terrific job.

She's wonderful.

- Yeah, I am gorgeous, aren't I?

(Meg laughs) Hey, you guys, not in front of the children.

Oh.

(soft string music) Mom.

Mom.

- Terry.

Terry.

I've been leaving messages for you.

- I was on a three-day master.

- Yeah, I know.

I thought you'd call.

We could talk.

We could explain.

I never thought this would happen.

- No?

I could see it coming a mile off.

You could've waited, done the decent thing.

(car engine start) - I never meant to hurt you.

- Bad luck, eh?

(car engine roar) - [Tess] That's nice, looks good.

- Don't you knock?

- Sorry.

What about this one?

Come on, have a look.

Yeah, that's lovely.

- No, I'm not gonna go.

- You have to.

Brick'll be disappointed if you don't go.

- Tough.

Bunch of snobs dressed up like idiots.

I've got much more important things to do here.

I'm gonna do the fences along the river paddock.

You can do Bolt Hill.

(soft flute music) - Cattle aren't eating much.

This mix should sort them out though.

- Kevin can give you a hand tomorrow.

- Yeah, could've done with him this morning.

- We had a few things to go through.

He's been offered a job up north.

It's more than a job, really.

Running a boat 'round the islands.

- Mm-hm.

- He's asked me and Jodi to go with him.

(acoustic guitar music) Help him run the ship, boat.

We're going.

It's really important to Jodi.

- Yeah, if that's what you want to do.

- What are we gonna do without Meg?

- We'll manage.

- You must feel awful.

- Yeah, we'll be down two workers.

- Poor Terry.

- Yeah, it's a bit rough.

- What about you?

Are you okay?

- Course.

- Wow, talk about being scorched by an old flame.

We should be so lucky.

- I'm gonna have to plug that hole.

- Right-on.

Hello, little frog.

Oh.

(laughs) - Must've come looking for a drink.

- Amazing, only bit of water for miles.

Hey, you reckon, if I kiss it, I might get a date for the ball?

- Feel free to give it a shot.

- Oh no.

(laughs) (gasps) - It'll be so unspeakably good.

You can come up for holidays.

- Oh, yeah, all those holidays I get.

- Oh, come on.

Think of all the cute guys, surfies.

- Never met one, never want to.

- Well, I can't wait until I leave here.

- If you hate it here so much, why do you want to be Miss Gungellan?

- Because it'll be so good if I win.

My last memory of this place, I can leave on a high.

Hey, Beck, I'll miss you.

It's gonna be so good.

I can send you postcards and everything.

- Great, at least I can look at the pictures.

- Excited?

- Yeah, I suppose.

There's a lot to organize.

- Yeah.

Of course, Claire's pretending it's all business, but she's really sad about you going.

- Yeah, I never thought I'd leave this place.

Suddenly, there's this adventure.

- Yeah, it's a different kind of adventure.

- Yeah, bit of a challenge for a change.

- Like your life hasn't already been one amazing challenge after another.

You raised a kid on your own, helped keep this place going for years.

When Claire sacked all the men, you took on triple the workload.

- Tess, I had this opportunity once a long time ago, and I had to turn it down.

I've got a second chance.

I think I should take it.

- I'll shut up then.

- Hey, I couldn't possibly need more than one jumper sailing the Whitsundays, could I?

What do you reckon, the blue one?

- Jodi, think about tomorrow, Miss Gungellan.

Have you written your speech yet?

- I don't know, sort of, in my head.

I'm gonna go bag my winter clothes for Vinnie's.

- Let me finish up, sweetness and light.

(Meg laughs) - Well, here's a picture I never thought I'd see.

- People can change if the stakes are high enough.

- Hey, about this boat, I can have a look over the books for you, if you like.

- Oh, no need, Meg.

It's a standard startup, low interest finance, high purchase.

Nothing short of a tsunami could sink this business.

- Are they common in the Whitsundays?

(Kevin laughs) (Meg laughs) - Meg, you've been knocking yourself out for years, you know?

You took all the responsibility for Jodi, and God knows what else.

Let me handle this one.

It's my turn to take care of you.

Everything's under control.

Gonna be like a dream up there.

It'll be fantastic.

- Jode?

Hello.

- Terry, hey.

Look, have you ever seen a more beautiful corsage?

Dad had it sent up all the way from Fisher.

Some guy on a bike had it in Neske.

- Yeah?

- Must've cost a fortune.

- Clearly.

- Look, I'm really sorry about you and Mom.

- Thanks.

- Are you okay?

- Yeah, yeah, she explained things.

- Well, I can't believe I'm going to the Whitsundays.

- [Terry] With your dad, right?

- Yeah.

- I'll miss you.

- Me too.

- You figured out what you're gonna do about tonight?

- Well, if I win, party.

- You know, there's a whole swag of things you're expected to do for next year.

It's hard to be Miss Gungellan in Queensland.

You just can't report in on the phone, can you?

- Right, I didn't really think about that.

- Well, not to worry.

Make sure you write to your mom, right?

What?

- Uh.

- Meg's going too.

- Terry, I'm-- I'm really sorry.

Oh.

(door squeaks) (soft flute music) (door opens) - We might need to nip it in here and there.

- No, it's just perfect.

(Tess laughs) (laughs) - Is it really that bad, you fussy buggers?

(cow moos) Hey.

This'll get you over your eating disorder.

It's like a shot.

(soft orchestral music) Terry.

- [Terry] Kevin.

- Dry out here, isn't it?

- I've seen worse.

- Mate, no hard feelings about Meg.

- Meg can look after herself, but if you do anything to hurt that girl-- - Terry, thanks for keeping an eye on Jodi, you know.

It really is none of your business now, is it?

- Now the other one.

Squint, look down, and kind of to the left.

- Do we need all this?

- If you want to look gorgeous, there's pain and suffering involved.

- Don't you laugh, you're next.

- Yep, I've still got it.

- You know, it'd be quicker with a drenching gun.

- Okay, first, squint, look down, and kind of to the left.

Claire.

- I hope this come off with turps.

- Hey, it's nearly-- Oh, look at you lot.

We should go in about half and hour.

- Oh, okay, I gotta do some checks at the horse sheds.

- Do you want a hand?

- Mm, thanks.

I don't know how I'm gonna get my work boots on with these things.

- Well, have fun trying, and don't mess with your hair.

- [Kevin] Who was the first Australian prime minister?

- [Jodi] Edmund Barton.

- Correct.

Which famous Australian singer?

- Dame Nellie Melba.

It's always Dame Nellie Melba, and she's on the 100-dollar note.

- Correct.

Jodi Fountain, which Tom Hanks film was the biggest disaster you ever saw?

Take your time.

It's multiple choice on this one.

- Dad, stick to the list, would you?

- Hang on a sec.

- [Weatherman] Hot and humid with a chance of showers this evening, a high tomorrow of 34, continuing hot over the weekend.

- Honestly, I reckon the last film Judge Dreadful saw was The Sound of Music.

- You reckon it's gonna rain, Jo?

- Dad, hair's as smooth as.

- No, I don't it will either.

- Jeez, I can't believe she flew all the way to Sydney for a frock.

- Patty Burton said she spent a fortune on it.

Wolf Blitzer's apparent-- Sorry, Claire, cleaning is not Kevin's strong suit.

- Is that him?

- I didn't realize things were that bad.

- They're not.

It's supposed to rain tonight.

Can't risk the urea getting wet.

We're gonna have to go out and clean out all the feed bins.

- Sorry, Claire.

- It's not your fault.

Kevin should've let me know.

- Claire, I just spent hours making you and Becky look-- Why can't this wait until tomorrow?

- Because tomorrow, we'll be cleaning up after dead cattle.

- I thought you said this urea stuff was good for them.

- It is unless it gets wet.

- Why, what happens then?

- The urea reacts with the water and becomes poison.

- Cattle start keeling over before you know it.

- What, and they just drop dead?

- Well, if you get to them soon enough, you can give them a drink of vinegar.

Neutralizes the poison, so they say.

- Claire, we're gonna be late.

We're gonna miss the whole thing.

I'm gonna miss seeing her.

- All right.

Okay, you drop Meg and I off at the southwest paddock, and you go do the trough at Skinny Jim's.

- Claire.

(orchestral music) - You're lucky to have that hair of yours.

It looks magnificent.

- I wish I'd gone first, just get it all over and done with.

- As Forrest Gump taught us, life really is a box of chocolates.

- What a fascinating concept.

Thank you, Jessica.

- Judge Dreadful hasn't smiled since 1954.

- Interesting dress.

- Must be hard to walk with your head suck up your bum like that.

(Jodi laughs) - Miss Jodi Fountain?

- Jodi, nice and tall.

I want you to glide up those stairs.

Remember, the string through the top of the head, lifting, floating.

- Beautiful, she's beautiful.

- I'll have to pop a couple of bottles in the front.

Should be right by time you get-- - Rolls in my hair and driving to-- Hi, Peter.

(Peter chuckles) - You look absolutely beautiful.

- Yeah?

- [Peter] Mm-hm.

- Thanks.

- You should see her in the dress.

- Five minutes.

- Take your time.

(rock music) (soft flute music) (knocks on door) - [Meg] Are you decent?

- Is that supposed to be a trick question?

- Hey, what have you done with Becky?

- Wow.

You look incredible.

Brick is gonna die when he sees you.

- Yeah, if he ever turns up.

- Harry's probably got him polishing the tack.

Come on.

- Don't worry, he'll be here.

- We can leave him a note.

Come with us.

- No, he'll be here, it'll be fine.

- Okay, bye.

- Bye.

(rock music) (soft string music) - Okay.

There we go, come on.

Yeah.

Get it in, yeah.

Come, little girl, come on, come on.

Come on.

Come on, come on, come on.

Good, good little bub.

That a girl.

Good girl.

(phone rings) - You have to.

- Mom, I told you, I don't want to.

- Darling, please.

- Come on, Jodi, how long's it take to zip a zipper?

- When you're ready, Jodi.

Oh.

- Whoa.

- Wow.

- All my money's going on you.

- (laughs) Thanks.

- I'll put this on her.

- Yeah, but try not to crumple it.

Where's your mother?

She'll want to see you.

- Don't know, she should be here right now.

- You know your mom, she'll be fine.

- Oh, Corinne, I need to talk to you.

Come with me.

- [Jodi] Hey, Craig.

- Craig Woodland, heard a lot about you, mate.

How are you?

Jodi saved a whole pile of dances on her card just for you, I made sure.

- Thanks.

You look hot, Jo.

- Thanks.

- You're gonna win.

- (chuckles) Thanks, Craig.

See?

- What if I do win?

You know, with us going away?

- Yeah, we're not going away tonight.

- Yeah, but there's a year worth of duties for Miss Gungellan.

Do you really think it's fair?

- More than fair.

You leave, someone else gets a turn.

You'll be doing someone a favor.

- Terry, hey.

- Terry.

- You look lovely.

- Thanks.

- Crumpling, crumpling.

- Anyway, just wanted to wish you luck.

- Thanks.

- Mom.

- I'm so sorry I'm late.

Oh, you look gorgeous.

- Quick, get the camera, take a photo before I crumple.

- The camera, I forgot the camera.

I forgot the camera.

- Here you go, on me.

- Thanks, Terry.

I'm glad you came.

All right, say Gungellan.

- Gungellan.

(camera clicks) - Where the hell have you been, huh?

- Been cleaning up your mess?

- Eh?

- Later.

Liz, thank you so much for everything you've done.

Remember what I told you.

As far as I'm concerned, you've already won.

- Thanks, Mom.

- All right, everybody out.

We are going to start.

This is it.

Here we go.

Quickly, quickly, quickly, I want everyone out now.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present our next contestant, Miss Jessica Carter.

(audience claps) - [Jessica] Good evening.

Tonight, I would like to tell you about my favorite charity.

- What's up?

- Shh.

- A group of nuns who dedicate their lives to missionary work in the Outback.

The Sisters of the Black Stump work in remote areas of the country, bringing food, clothing, and their own special kind of care and spirit to families in need.

- Wow.

- [Jessica] With your help, I've raised over $2,000, which will go towards-- - [Tess] My dates.

- No, Alex always ends up with Miss Gungellan.

- Wait 'til you see the special buyer's price.

- Like the boobie price.

- Best wishes for the people of Gungellan, who wish you many hours of happy reading.

Thank you all for supporting the sisters and helping me-- - Jeez, Claire.

You screw up all right.

- Put it away, Alex.

- [Jessica] Because without them, there wouldn't be a competition.

Thank you.

(audience claps) - And now, our final contestant--- Claire.

- This evening, from Drover's Run, Miss Jodi Fountain.

(audience claps and cheers) - Thank you.

Today, I'd like to tell you a little bit about my charity for Miss Gungellan.

Surprise, it's called The Young Offenders program, and I picked it mainly because, well, I'm young, and according to my mother, I can also be quite offensive.

(audience laughs) One day, you can do something that doesn't seem like a big deal, but then it can spiral out of control, and the next thing you know, (Tess laughs) you can be in real trouble.

Other people around me who gave me a helping hand, and showed me the right thing to do.

And that's basically what the Young Offenders program does.

It gives kids a chance to get the help they need.

It keeps them out of the courts and out of jail, or in my case, just out of the hairdressers.

I would've raised even more money, but one of the dogs got in, and ate all 50 bars of my chocolate, so now, all we've got is this really fat dog that needs a diet program, a big jar of pimple cream, and I don't know, maybe he needs to be in the Young Offenders program too.

Anyway, thanks for listening.

You've been a great audience.

(audience claps and cheers) - Pello, please.

What are you looking at?

- Now, the moment you've all been waiting for.

The runner-up Miss Gungellan for this year is Miss Jessica Carter.

(audience claps) (Jodi cheers) - Thank you, thank you very much.

- And now, the winner.

The new Miss Gungellan is Jodi Fountain.

(audience claps and cheers) (soft piano music) - No, wait.

- What are you doing?

- I'm sorry, everyone, but I can't be Miss Gungellan.

It wouldn't be right.

I'd really love to accept this honor, but I'm not gonna be around here for too much longer.

I'm going to the Whitsundays to live with my mom and my dad, so I really wouldn't be able to do all the duties that go along with wearing the crown.

Being Miss Gungellan was really important to me, and I'm really sorry to have to give it up.

But having my mom and dad back together is the most important thing.

(audience claps) (thunder cracks) (women chatter) - Congratulations, Jessica.

- Thank you.

(women chatter) - We could've had this talk yesterday, Jodi.

- You know, Liz, sometimes, you don't know what the right decision's going to be until it comes to the crunch.

- Your year on the throne would've been quite something.

- I'm sorry.

- Couldn't be prouder.

Come on, let's party.

(soft rock music) - This is the best night ever.

- For me too.

- Can't wait 'til we head up north.

- Yeah.

- Peter Johnson, right?

- Yeah, that's right.

- Mac Edwards.

We met at the Corridor's Association in Brisbane.

- Claire, Claire McLeod.

- I'll catch you later, mate.

- Nice to meet you.

- Hey, I just had this really intense vision.

- Oh?

- Well, the homestead by Drover's Run, empty, a whole playhouse, deserted, except for me and the most beautiful girl at the ball.

Let's get out of here.

- I'll drive.

- Okay.

(surf rock music) - A pretty full dance card there, Tess.

- Don't suppose you feel like a dance?

- No, thanks.

- Come on.

Come on, watch your step.

- She asked for a spin, eh?

- You up for a dance?

- No, I'm going outside.

Are you coming?

(soft flute music) (car door slams) - Hey.

(chickens cluck) - Hey, sorry I slept in.

- Jodi still sleeping?

- (grunts) Like a baby.

- Good.

We need to talk.

- Mind if I get a cuppa first?

- On the table?

- Look, I know it's a big move, Meg.

- It's not that.

This is your business plan, isn't it?

(soft guitar music) - It's good, read it.

- Have you called them yet?

Have you lined up the sort of money that they're talking about?

No.

- Meg, we've been going so well, just like it used to be, you know?

- That's the problem.

- What we've had in the last couple of weeks, what brought this on?

My little mistake with the urea?

- We could've lost a couple of hundred cattle.

- Yeah, but we didn't.

- Yeah, because I was there to clean up your mess.

Nothing's changed, has it?

You're exactly the same charming, irresponsible bloke who left here 18 years ago.

I'm not going with you.

- Meg.

Meg, don't do this.

We love each other.

- Love's only part of what it takes to ma-- I've been down this road with you before, Kevin.

I know where it ends.

I can't go there again.

- Hey.

You know, I'm supposed to be mad at you.

I brought the calf back.

I didn't think she'd make it last night.

That's why I was late.

- You don't have to make excuses.

- Why would I lie?

- Because that's what guys do to save their ass.

- Is that right?

What did Craig say?

- What's that supposed to mean?

- He's telling everyone he got what he wanted last night.

- Yeah, he was great, a real stud.

- Why do you say stuff like that?

I know you now.

You wouldn't.

You know, you don't have to be on your own all your life.

People have hurt you, Beck, but I never will.

When you're ready to believe it, you give me a call.

- I just couldn't picture this place without you.

- That's what you've decided?

Good.

- Yeah, it's good.

- Besides, otherwise, I'd have to do the cooking, and my apricot chicken, it's just not the same.

- Thanks.

- Jodi's going on her own?

- No, no, no, she'll be staying.

- Oh, I'm surprised she decided.

- I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet.

- She might want to go.

- She can't.

- She's 18.

Kevin's her dad.

- It'd be a disaster.

He's not up to looking after her.

- Maybe she has to figure that out for herself.

- But why do I need to put her through it when I can protect her from it?

- Because otherwise, Kevin'll be this really great guy that you sent away.

(soft string music) - He's got a lot of good qualities.

He's generous, he's funny, he's kind.

- He loves me.

- Of course he does, but he's a drifter.

He always has been.

- Picked that up, Mom.

- So don't you see?

If this Whitsundays thing doesn't work out, it could be off to Uluru in two weeks' time.

- Yeah, I know, but that's what's so great.

Look, I give the Whitsundays six months tops, and after that, who knows?

But that's the adventure.

- It's not a life.

- Yes, it is.

It's the life I've always wanted, and it's with my dad.

- But I still put a hanky under your pillows.

- Oh, hey, it's gonna be okay.

I'll write all the time.

I'll send you postcards.

- You say that now.

- I love you, mom.

It's gonna be okay.

- You'll miss your mom.

- Sure I will, but I've missed you for 18 years.

Besides, I can call her.

She might even come and visit.

- Yeah, I hope so.

Get us a spark plug, spit out your gum.

- We'd be able to stop in at the big ports, you know, like see movies, buy magazines the same month they come out.

- Sometimes.

- Can we have parties on the boat and stuff, you know, like, for my birthday?

- No idea.

- And also, we should establish some ground rules.

You know, I'm gonna be meeting a lot of boys.

- Yeah, and I'll be meeting a lot of you if you're not careful.

- I'm serious, Dad, I'm gonna want to have boyfriends on the boat.

I'm a grown woman.

- Well, that's something else we'll have to see about, isn't it?

- Look, I think we're both adults.

I think we can admit that to each other, and give each other a bit of space.

- Jodi, have you ever been on a yacht?

- Um.

- It's a job.

It's not a holiday, it's a job.

- Sure it is, but it's not just a job, it's our life.

- Yeah, you're right, it is.

- Thought you didn't need to leave for another few days.

- Figured you'd be glad to see me out of here.

- What about Jodi?

- Never been much chop at goodbyes, Meg.

- You were there, Kevin.

You saw her win, and you saw her turn it down in front of everybody for you.

- Meg.

- So you're gonna stay here, and you'll talk to Jodi if I have to nail your nuts to the ground.

- There's no need, I'm here.

What's happened?

Why are you-- - I'm sorry, Jodi.

- What did you say to him?

- No, no, it's me, it's always me.

You're better off staying with your mom.

A girl like you, you got your whole life in front of you.

I had to stand up to facts.

- But we were gonna try, Dad.

We were gonna-- - Good-bye, Jodi.

- You weren't even gonna leave a note.

- See you.

(car engine starts) (rock music) ♪ I've been right ♪ ♪ And I've been wrong ♪ ♪ I've been weak ♪ ♪ And I've been strong ♪ ♪ I've been bought ♪ ♪ And I've been sold ♪ ♪ I've been brave ♪ ♪ And I've been rolled ♪ ♪ But I never ever been like this ♪ ♪ Let me talk, but you cannot hear ♪ ♪ I reach out, but you run away ♪ ♪ Let me talk, but you cannot hear ♪ ♪ I reach out, but you run away ♪ ♪ Don't run away ♪ ♪ I've been alone ♪ ♪ But I've been loved ♪ ♪ I've been detached ♪ (thunder cracks) (electronic music)