Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1993) s01e12 Episode Script

[Announcer.]
Previously on Snowy River The McGregor Saga, cousins clash when a love triangle is broken.
Rob, you know how I feel about Victoria, right? What's it, Luke? I asked her to marry me and she said yes.
(loud punch) [Announcer.]
But Rob won't believe it's true until he hears it from Victoria.
You're marrying him? Yes, I am.
Robby, I didn't mean to hurt you.
[Announcer.]
But Oliver won't let his daughter marry a McGregor.
Frank, I'm making it your responsibility, Luke McGregor must not win this election.
[Announcer.]
While Victoria's dreams of grandeur are shattered.
These are the deeds to the house, the mine, and just about everything else he owns.
I'm sorry, my dear, you've obviously been taken in.
But how did you get them.
Luke is bankrupt, my dear, he has nothing and his wife will have nothing.
[Announcer.]
The High Country ballots are in and Colin knows who the winner is.
Well, hello, what brings you up here? I just wanna be the first to pay my respects to the Honorable Matt McGregor, MP.
Yeah? Congratulations.
[Matt.]
Thanks, son.
Congratulations, dad, I knew you'd do it.
[Matt.]
Thank you, sweetie.
[Announcer.]
And Luke finds himself out of politics and all alone.
Victoria, come with me! I have to see her.
She's changed her mind.
She's not gonna marry you after all.
(uplifting orchestral music) (gentle music) Now, where's Rob got to? There he is.
Now then, Danni, you mightn't like her but you gotta remember that Rob does.
Hmm, more for him.
Why are you going to Melbourne? You always say you hate the city.
Well, I've gotta be sworn in as a new member of Parliament.
Dad, you'll be meeting the governor! We're gonna have to get you a dinner suit, new shirts, a new hat, and I'll get you some of that stuff that smells for your hair.
And I'll polish all your shoes.
Danni, this is Parliament, not a fancy dress party.
Unfortunately, it's had me right in the middle of our biggest muster that's coming up.
Why don't you leave the muster to me? I can handle it.
Yep, I think you can too.
(gentle music) I'm telling you, it's not worth the candle, the gold's running out.
The gold's not running out.
Well, then they're stealing it.
How many times do I have to say this, Frank? Nobody's stealing the gold, especially not them.
I trust Chen with my life.
Yeah, well it's not the same as trusting him with your gold.
(loud explosion) The reef's changed directions, that's all.
We're just gonna have to work a little harder to find it.
Like you worked to become a member of Parliament? Like you worked at marrying my sister? Where did that get you? Don't push your luck, Frank.
I won't forget what part you and your father played in that.
Chen, let's go find a load.
We've only scratched the surface so far.
There's more gold than you and I could spend in a lifetime.
I'm not paying you lot to sit on your backsides.
Go on, get over there! (horse hooves clopping) Well, these should be quite serviceable.
Mr.
McGregor, please, when a man is going to dine with the Governor, he does not go looking like a sheep shearer.
Dine with the Governor, Danni, they haven't said.
Well, you might.
Yes.
Now, how about this? - Yeah.
- Thank you very much, but I've got a perfectly good jacket.
Dad, will you please leave this to me? This looks lovely.
Not on your life.
Ah, it suits you, dad.
Oh, yeah? Mmm-Hmm, perfect, we'll take at least two of these.
No, three.
No way.
Luke.
I need a few more tools, Mr.
Fowler.
I didn't bring any cash, but my credit's good, right? No.
Thank you, Mrs.
Fowler.
Thank you, Mr.
McGregor.
You're looking at the future, Frank.
It's a vein for the railway.
And heading straight for the O'Neil place.
Great pity, that.
But her loss is our gain.
Which is more than I can say for the mine.
We could go on searching for the motherload for weeks.
Months.
I think we should pull out, sell our share back to Luke.
Then have him find it again and make us all look like fools? I think it's gone.
The gold is finished.
What does Luke think? What does he know about it? All his Yankee bluster.
I asked you what he thought? He thinks the reef has changed direction and the men have lost it.
Well, I would say that's probably what's happened.
By the way, I've still got him where I want him.
Back to work, Frank.
(bell ringing) All right, that's lunchtime, off you go.
(children murmuring) And what are you two up to? Nothing, mum.
Michael just said you were going to Melbourne about the railway.
I should but I don't know if I can afford the time.
We've got some cows that are about to calf.
Mr.
Kelly and I can look after them.
Mmm, he's very good with calves.
Michael would run a mile to the birthing.
I meant, Mr.
Kelly.
Oh, thanks.
He'd be really offended.
- Michael? - No, Mr.
Kelly.
He'd think you didn't trust him.
Oh, we couldn't have that now, could we? Dad's going down on Thursday's coach to be sworn in.
That'd be something to see.
It'd be like the changing of the guard.
Would you like to see it, Michael? Oh, yeah.
No.
I mean, no, it'd be pretty boring, I suppose.
Why don't you go and have your lunch? Ow, I'd like to see it, That wasn't the plan.
They're supposed to go down without us so they could be alone together.
Why? Michael, do you want your mother to be an old maid all of her life? No.
She's not an old maid.
She's a widow.
I give up.
(cows mooing) (gentle music) [Mr.
Kelly.]
It'll be a nice night, by the look of it.
Yes.
Nothing wrong, I suppose? Something an old mate could help with? I was thinking about the railway.
It'll be the ruination of this country, I reckon.
Still, that's progress.
Can't stand in it's way.
But I'm gonna fight them, Jack.
I'm not letting them take my property.
I don't know what you can do to stop them.
I can try.
I've decided to go to Melbourne.
Well, heaven help them, then.
You'll have to look after the calving.
Yeah, I can manage.
And Michael.
That'd be all right.
It'll just be for a couple of days.
I'll I'll go on Thursday.
You might run into Matt McGregor, perchance.
(sad music) Chen, tea.
Thank you.
Strange people, Australians, can't buy a decent cup of coffee for love or money and they drink this stuff.
We drink tea in China.
You do? Look, I want you to know, I don't agree with Frank about your people stealing the gold.
We know that, Luke, you've shown that you trust us.
So long as you know.
I know.
So what do you think, Chen? You'll find the vein again? If the vein is there, we'll find it.
Good.
'Cause I need the money.
I'm in trouble, Chen.
I borrowed heavily, what with the house and that fool idea of running for Parliament.
And there's the men.
They have families in China and they send their wages back.
Their wages will be paid, you have my promise.
We don't need your promise, Luke, you say you'll pay.
All right, Chen.
Which way? This way is very close to the boundary, so there's no point in finding gold for the next man.
(knocking) Who is it? [Emily.]
It's me.
Emily, I'm just sorting out some decent clothes to take to Melbourne.
What's that? It's a surprise.
Oh, oh, Emily, it's beautiful.
Try it on, I want you to have it.
Emily, I'm going to Melbourne on business.
This dress is, well, it's far too festive.
Kathleen, you deserve a festive gown.
Besides, I'm sure it's not going to be all business in Melbourne? It is beautiful.
Thank you.
I appreciate what you're saying, Oliver, bringing the rail here to Paterson's Ridge would be of enormous benefit to the whole district.
Not in Kathleen O'Neil's eyes, apparently.
She's gonna oppose it.
Well, it is her land they plan to resume.
The smallest holding in the district.
For heaven's sake, what's she got to lose? A pocket handkerchief that should have been part of Bell Morrel in the first place.
You do know what this means to the land holders around here, don't you, Herbert? Bringing the railhead to her property will eliminate days on the road every time we wanna get our cattle to market.
Days of lost customers, lost cattle, lost time and money.
You think I'm gonna let a woman stand in the way of progress? It's up to you.
If she won't walk off, drive her off.
(ominous music) (cows mooing) (chickens clucking) (sad music) Mum? I was just thinking.
Good night, darling.
Good night, mum.
(rooster crowing) (dog barking) Whoa.
Thanks, Mike.
Well, hello.
I made some sandwiches and a cake for you.
You won't get anything until you reach the railhead.
Thank you, Emily, that's very kind of you.
Well, it is going to be a long trip.
I know, I just hope the road's all right.
Well, you're not exactly traveling light.
Mind telling me what you've got in these cases? Well, you just ask your sister.
I packed this one three times and she just packed it up again.
Well, our new member off to Melbourne to be sworn in.
Oliver, come to see me off, have you? Well, I always like to stay on the right side of the rich and powerful.
(chuckles) Unlike some.
But for you, he would be on the coach to Melbourne.
Well, I've done Luke no harm, as you well know.
Watch your back in Melbourne, Matt, it's no town for the unwary.
Unlike Paterson's Ridge? Just remember, this railway is going to be very good for Paterson's Ridge and you are our elected member.
Just make sure you know who's side you're on.
Oh, Herbert.
Oh, Matt, do us proud in Melbourne, eh? Thank you.
(Kathleen murmuring) Good luck, Matt.
Thanks, Doc.
Chet.
Hey, man.
Kathleen.
Hello, Matt.
You're not coming to Melbourne too, are you? Yes, didn't you know? No, (laughs) well this is a pleasant surprise.
Where are you staying? The Coronation Hotel.
What a coincidence, so am I.
Oh, yes, quite a coincidence.
Giddyup, yah, giddyup, yah.
Bye, darling, bye.
Bye! I'm not using you.
Well, the whole town's talking about the fact that you and Luke were gonna get married but your father put a stop to it.
That's not true.
And how do you know about it anyway? Your brother's got a big mouth.
Robby, I can't bear having everyone talk about me like this.
And I'm not using you.
Honestly.
You're the only friend I have left.
The only one I can trust.
A am your friend, and I always will be, I suppose.
It's just that most of my life, I've been in love with you.
I guess that's in the past now.
I see.
I've never been anything to you, other than someone who's always been there.
Someone who always jumps whenever you call or keeps you company whenever you feel like it.
I'm sorry you feel that way, Robby.
Victoria, listen to me.
I'm not blaming you and I'm not complaining about it.
I guess I enjoy it.
It's just too much has happened, too much has changed.
I really wanna put it all behind me.
And that's all you've got to say? (sad music) (lively music) (bell ringing) Your room's ready now, sir.
Ah, good, thank you.
I hope you have a pleasant stay.
Thank you.
I'll take those up.
No, no, no, they boy can manage those, sir.
And congratulations on your election.
Thank you very much.
Now, where were we? I'm sorry, madame, but we have no record of a reservation in that name and what with the swearing in of Parliament, I'm afraid there's nothing available.
Is there a problem here? Well, I wrote for a reservation, but it seems the letter hasn't arrived.
Pardon, ma'am, the lady is a friend of Mr.
McGregor? Yes, we came down together.
Ah, Giles? I think we can move number 17 for Miss O'Neill.
Mrs.
O'Neill.
Mrs.
O'Neill, of course.
Number 17.
Overlooking the park.
And adjoining Mr.
McGregor.
(bell ringing) (gentle music) Victoria, there's no need for you to be moping around here.
You can have your pick of the finest young men in England.
Do you really believe it's another young man I need, father? Perhaps I'm waiting for you to convince me of what I should do.
You're young and inexperienced, there's nothing wrong with emotion.
Or love.
Real or imagined.
But sometimes it isn't appropriate.
You need the rounding and the polishing that only an English society can give you.
I mean, try as you might, nothing grows in this Godforsaken land.
Nothing to compare with an English rose.
And here I will only wither? Yes, you will.
But in England you'll be the most beautiful rose of them all.
In England.
Frank, look, gold! Look, Frank, look at that.
Where? Right there, look.
That's it? That's more gold than we could ever spend? What it is, Frank, is evidence that the load's still there and that we're gonna find it.
(scoffs) You don't catch on, do you? Chen Yung is making sure he keeps his job.
He'll keep finding traces and building up your stupid hopes as long as they keep getting paid.
Wake up, McGregor, one way or another, they're robbing us.
And if you think I'm gonna go on paying them, you're badly mistaken.
Well, pay 'em out of my share, Frank.
You must realize, Mrs.
O'Neill that the calls on the Governor do not allow him to adjudicate on every minor matter in the colony.
This is not a minor matter to me, Mr.
Culcannon.
The Railway Department is planning to resume my land and I intend to put a stop to it.
Ah, I see.
Then you must apply through the normal channels to the Department of Railways.
I've already been to the Department of Railways and the Premier's office.
They won't help me.
I'm afraid I can't help you, either, unless you lodge an application on appointment.
Mr.
Culcannon, I do not have time to play games with the bureaucracy.
I have a cattle property to manage and a son to raise.
Now, I believe it is my right as a citizen to put my case before the Governor.
And I intend to remain in Melbourne until I've seen him.
Then we must make an appointment for you, must we not? May I suggest 11:30 of the AM on the 28th of the month? That's nearly four weeks away.
Precisely.
These compensation matters are very tiresome, we do try to spare the Governor.
Oh, you're talking about my land, my home.
Shall we say the 28th, then? No, we shall not! (gentle music) So, how did it go with the Governor? His secretary refused to let me near him.
These compensation matters are so tiresome.
Kathleen, have you considered what this railhead would mean to Paterson's Ridge? To your friends, your neighbors? Yes, I have.
And I wonder if my friends and neighbors have considered what losing my home will mean to me? Probably not.
Have you? Yes, I have.
And I know what a loss it would be to you.
But now that you're the member of Parliament for the High Country, you have to look at the bigger picture.
What's best for your voters.
Well, you did encourage me to stand.
So I've no one to blame but myself.
And since you are partly responsible, I thought you might like to join me when I'm sworn in.
By the Governor.
(gentle music) Alex Folley's there.
There have been other successful mines sunk there, there, and over there.
How successful? Well, no one's gonna get rich from them.
But Alex Folley's the only one that's struck into the motherload.
Frank's more familiar with it then I am.
The load ran north to south from here to here.
We lost it here.
Well? I shall have to visit the mine and take assay samples from the exploratory drives.
Which will tell us what? It will tell us nothing, but it will indicate a great deal where the load may be and how rich it is.
I can keep this? Yes.
One thing, can this be done at night? It's always night in a mine.
Good.
Tonight then, Frank will show you and Luke is not to know.
He won't now.
(ominous music) Let's just give them time to settle down.
It'll be dark soon.
You don't have a security guard? At the moment we don't have anything to guard.
(ominous music) (tapping) (horses neighing) You're part owner of this mine, right? Yeah.
So why does this partner of yours scare you so much? 'Cause he's a crazy Yank.
He carries a gun and he's likely to shoot before he sees who he's shooting.
Here, put this on my horse.
You can wait at Bell Morell.
(chuckles) Yeah, tuck into that.
What is it? Old family recipe.
Your dad used to call it train smash.
What's in it? Oh, eggs, tomatoes, onions, all sort of mixed up.
You ever seen a train smash? When's mum coming home? (gun cocking) Ah, the American gentlemen, I gather? I guess I don't have to tell you, Mister, that the law allows me to shoot anyone I find stealing from my claim? I'm afraid you have been misinformed.
That's a story that's been put about by miners.
In this country, you shoot anybody, you hang.
Maybe we'll just have to find out who's right? Well, if you're going to shoot anyone, perhaps it should be my employer.
And who might that be? Your partner, Mr.
Blackwood.
Look, I'm a mining engineer, Mr.
McGregor.
And as Mr.
Blackwood's employee, I have every right to be here.
He is, after all, only protecting his investments.
By assaying the gold here? Well, he has a right to know.
It's gonna be hard to make an assay without samples.
You're making my job very difficult, Mr.
McGregor.
If my partner wants to know about the gold, all he has to do is ask.
Now get out.
Good night, sir.
(dramatic music) You sent that man to spy on me, Blackwood.
You may be excused, Victoria.
If you wish.
I'm not very hungry, excuse me.
You're wrong, Luke.
If I'd wanted any information about the mine, I'd have simply asked.
We are, after all, partners.
He said he was working for you.
You're sure he said me or just Mr.
Blackwood? How many Blackwoods are there? The man obviously meant Frank.
Frank usually takes these duties and responsibilities a little too seriously.
Often in a vain attempt to impress me.
Well, it didn't impress me.
I take it you got rid of this chap without his samples? I thought so, but then it occurred to me that saddlebags come in pairs.
Frank! Father? I saw you with a saddlebag this morning.
Bring it here.
(chuckles) Well I Bring it here.
I'm sorry about this, Luke.
I hope you believe me.
Give it to him.
Well, I Give it to him.
Satisfied? You completed the assay? I worked all night.
Pleasure to do business with you, gentlemen.
Breakfast is over.
I want you to get out of the district and don't come back.
Right.
And keep your mouth shut.
(ominous music) Get you to sign a bill of sale.
You're sure in a hurry.
I've done a good deal, don't want you changing your mind.
Wanna buy these horses back, Charlie.
I'm gonna hit the motherload again soon, and I want them back, all right? Look, this is a business and if someone wants 'em, I'll sell 'em.
I thought these fancy horses were your pride and joy? Just shut up and give me the money, Charlie.
(regal orchestral music) Now gentlemen, very still, please.
(camera shutter booms) Kathleen? Matt.
Gentlemen, if you'll excuse us.
I thought you might like to have that chat with the Governor? Yes.
Your Excellency, may I present Kathleen O'Neill of Paterson's Ridge.
Ah, so this is the young lady, McGregor? Your Excellency.
Are all your constituents this handsome? Thank about it, Culcannon, time we took a formal trip to the High Country.
That's very kind of you, Your Excellency.
I wonder if I might have a moment of your time I've already told Mrs.
O'Neill Perhaps if you spoke to my secretary? Mrs.
O'Neill has already spoken to Mr.
Culcannon, sir.
Not to mention, the Department of Railways and the Premier's office.
Yes, I'm sure you understand, McGregor, you must go through channels.
Of course, Your Excellency, but as Mrs.
O'Neill is a constituent, I was under the impression that ever citizen has a right of final appeal to the Queen, through you, of course, sir.
I've already offered her an appointment There, there, I'll be through here in half an hour, madame, perhaps you'll join me for tea? Oh, I'd be delighted, Your Excellency, thank you so much.
You too, McGregor.
[Matt.]
Thank you.
Might as well get to know each other, get the feeling I'll be seeing quite a lot of you.
Well, thank you, Matt, I don't know how to repay you.
Well, I'll think of something.
So you see, dear lady, I would be failing in my duty, were I to allow the High Country to be denied the benefits of government transport, right McGregor? Of course, you would still have the Cob and Co, coaches.
And that's not much good for transporting cattle.
Indeed, so you realize it can only be in the form of a recommendation, but I fancy that if I have a word in the Premier's ear and also the Minister for Railways, I'm sure that rather than alienate our newest member of Parliament, they may be inclined to adopt the compromise he has suggested.
What compromise? I'll leave that for McGregor to explain.
[Culcannon.]
Your Excellency? Dear lady, McGregor, you will, of course, be attending our little dance this evening, to welcome our new members? I trust McGregor won't begrudge me one dance with you, ma'am? Your Excellency.
What compromise? Well, the railway doesn't need all your property.
The line can be brought in along the boundary, with a few acres for cattle yard, shunting, that sort of thing, all well away from the homestead.
You'll hardly know they're there.
And of course, you'll be recompensed.
So I can stay? You can stay and you'll be a wealthy woman.
Oh, you arranged all this? Well, you are one of my voters.
Oh, Matt! Thank you! (gentle music) Thank you.
And Chen, thank you.
Can you afford this? I can afford it, buys me a few more weeks, let's just hope it's enough.
Let's hope.
Thanks.
(sighs) You really must decide what you need on the voyage.
Once the trunks are in the ship's hold, you won't be able to reach them until we get to England Then I'll just have to carry more trunks in my cabin.
I really can't be expected to concern myself with these details.
I hope you're taking everything you need, sister dear.
Or at least enough for a year or two.
I'd hate to think you'd have to hurry back.
I wonder if you'll still be here when I get back, Frank? Or if father will finally had enough of you and sent you packing? You're the one who's being sent packing.
It was just a matter of time before he saw through you.
Could you please pack my pink bonnet, Miss Cavel.
I've already packed it.
Then pack the blue one, please? Oh, yes, of course.
Don't fool yourself, Frank.
Father is sending me to England for a very good reason.
Have you thought about that? What? What reason? To become Mistress of Bell Morrel.
Why else? He's sending you to get rid of you.
You just don't understand, do you Frank? I'll write to you, brother dear, in case you miss me.
(dramatic music) (lively orchestral music) (ominous music) Not a word to my father.
Hyah.
(sighs) You look beautiful.
Why, thank you, Matt.
Shall we go? Matt, Matt? I don't really want to go in there, with all those people.
Well, I'm not that keen on it, either.
But I do wanna dance with you.
(gentle orchestral music) I love you, Kathleen.
I think I always have.
I know.
(dramatic music) (knocking) What do you want? I had to see you.
I have to talk to you.
I came to your house.
We could've talked then, why didn't we? My father was there.
I wanted to come to you, but you know what he's like.
I can't stand up to him.
Luke, all I've ever wanted is to be with you.
What about Rob? What about you and Anita? Look, he's sending me away.
I leave tomorrow, I I just wanted to tell you, I'm so sorry.
I don't wanna do anything to Come in, we'll talk.
(gentle music) Your aunt will meet you at the docks and you're allowance will be paid into the Bank of England in Lester Square.
Daddy, please, I don't wanna go.
I don't want you to go either.
But you must.
It's for the best.
Write to me.
I will.
I will.
Victoria.
You know I have to go.
Goodbye, Luke.
(sad music) [Driver.]
Hyah, hyah.
(gentle music)