Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1993) s02e12 Episode Script

The Recruit

(drum roll) (horns playing) [Man.]
Fire! (applause) Not a lot of choice here, Captain Farrell.
Patience, Clegg.
It's one of the virtues.
Oh, Jimmy, sorry.
Are you going to the display, Rob? We're not gonna lose you to the army, are we? Did you hear that cannon? I reckon it can fire 20 miles.
20 miles, huh? That's some gun.
Just as long as you're on the right end of it.
Yeah.
Right.
(cannon blast) Hello, Jimmy.
Hi, Mrs.
Annie, a delivery for you.
My fabric finally arrived.
Thanks.
Did you see them? Yes, and heard them.
Don't they look grand? Yes they do, but you know, soldiering is more than just colorful uniforms, and fancy riding, Jimmy.
Yeah, I know that.
Bye, Mrs.
O'Neil.
Mr.
Gleason.
Bye, Jimmy.
Do the power of good to watch a troop, going through it's paces.
Don't you think an article on the recruiting squad might only encourage some of the local boys to join? [Annie.]
Not when I've finished with it.
I sincerely trust you won't be saying anything that could embarrass the newspaper.
My newspaper will be saying the truth, Mr.
Gleason.
Which is? That the recruiting for men to fight a British war in a country where we have no business being.
Exactly.
(drum roll) (horn playing) Bad luck, my fried.
But you can always inquire with Sergeant Clegg about the infantry.
(people talking) Anyone else care to test his skill? I was led to believe that the horsemen of the high country were this nation's finest.
Will no one seek to serve Her Majesty, and earn himself some glory? How about you, sir? That's a fine-looking mount there.
Care to test your skill? [Rob.]
Morning, Ms.
Whitney.
Faint heart never won fair lady, sir.
Go on, Rob.
Show the captain what a high-country cattleman can do.
It's not as easy as it seems.
Ever cut out brumbies? No.
Well, that's not as easy as it first looks, either.
(drum roll) (horn playing) (people cheering him on) (applause) You next, Frank? Well, you certainly have a steady hand, and a keen eye.
And you've a fine seat on a horse, too.
Her Majesty's cavalry could use a man like you.
Would I get a commission? I don't see any reason why not.
You're obviously from fine family.
My father's Matt McGregor.
I've heard of him.
And you are? Rob.
Rob McGregor.
Captain Jack Farrell.
The cap's a dashing figure.
Yes.
We should be getting back.
(people talking) Maybe you'd like to inspect the enlistment papers, sir.
I think that's a little premature, Sergeant Clegg.
Untold adventure awaits a young man, if he's man enough.
I've no doubt he is, but I'm sure Mr.
McGregor can make up his own mind, without persuasion.
I better be getting back home.
Perhaps we'll meet again.
No doubt.
Good day, Mr.
McGregor.
Think he'll sign, Captain? Give him time, Clegg.
Give him time.
(bucolic music) (orchestra music) (bucolic music) Took your time with that telegram.
The army's in town.
They're recruiting.
Yeah, and we're out here, working.
Sorry.
Well, that telegram, any reply? Oh, yeah.
When you're finished out here, stable's need knocking out.
I've got work to do.
What does he call this, then? (unintelligible) next week.
Why do you always have to be the understanding one? Private, how do you feel about going to fight in the Sudan? I'll do whatever I'm ordered to do.
But did you know that you were going to war, when you enlisted? Enlisted, that's one word for it.
What are you saying? Are you saying you were forced? Ma'am, anything I can do for you? Not at the moment.
Thank you, Sergeant.
You don't talk to civilians, unless I say so.
Especially not inquisitive young ladies, who work for newspapers.
Understand? Yes, Sergeant Clegg.
Press gangs don't exist anymore, Ruth.
Are outlawed years ago.
So was bank robbing.
That didn't stop Ned Kelly.
Perhaps you misunderstood him.
No, and I didn't misunderstand the sergeant, either.
He doesn't want me talking to the enlisted men.
Then maybe you should talk to the senior officer.
Captain Farrell.
He's trying to get Rob McGregor to enlist.
Rob? He seems interested.
That spectacle they put on was nothing but pure show.
I'm sure Rob recognized it for what it was.
I hope so.
I don't know about the others, though.
Then the sergeant tried to get me to join up.
I think you'd look very dashing in a uniform, Rob.
Don't you, Emily? I'm sure some ladies might think so.
(laughing) What if it was a cannon? Instead of a brass ring dangling from a tree, what if it was a cannon? Well, it was just a bit of fun, Dad.
Well, you can count yourself lucky you got Lingara.
You don't need to join the army.
Oh, I don't know.
What do you say, Colin? Why don't we both join up? Become men of the world.
You can be the army chaplain.
(laughing) I have enough to do here.
Well, you both do.
Starting with that fence in the lower paddock.
Needs fixing before we start losing stock, and you'll have to do without me.
I've got a stack of parliamentary papers I have to read before house sits next week.
And, while I'm away, you can finish branding that hood.
There's plenty here to keep you busy, without galloping all over the countryside, playing soldiers.
(orchestra music) Morning.
What a fine morning it is, for some.
Even army life's not this hard, Rob.
The answer is no.
You haven't heard the question yet.
I'm sure I can guess what it is.
Is the tea hot? And the ocean was like a sheet of glass, as far as a man could see.
Sounds beautiful.
Words don't do it justice.
You had to be there.
You could be there.
My life's here, Jack.
Your life, Rob, or your father's? You're out here bending your back for what? So that everyone can tell your father what a grand property he has? What's in it for you? Well, it will be mine one day.
What? When you're 40? Don't get me wrong, Rob.
Your father's a fine man, and I respect all he's done, but isn't it time you made your own decisions? I'm not saying you should turn your back on Lingara, but five years of your own, surely you deserve that.
Five years.
In the service of the queen, and I can promise you, people, places, and adventures, the likes of which you've only ever dreamed.
You'll come back here satisfied that you've done something for yourself.
Make it sound so easy.
It is easy.
It's not just Lingara.
There's a girl.
Maybe.
(speaking French) There'll be other girls, lots of them.
Not like this one.
Well, I must be getting back to town.
Thank you for the tea.
You're a good salesman, Jack.
Only because I believe in what I sell.
You'll think about what I said? This is getting worse and worse.
Father never had any trouble.
I'm not Father.
That is obvious.
Won't be a moment.
Captain Farrell! Don't tell me you've joined up, Frank.
Don't be ridiculous.
I invited him to lunch at Belmoral.
You've asked me.
I would have thought you'd be pleased.
When? Tomorrow.
You should be in your element, entertaining an army officer.
Very well.
If you've invited him, then I'll invite someone.
That won't be necessary, Victoria.
Who would you least like to see at Belmoral? I'll invite Rob McGregor.
- You'll do nothing of the sort.
- I will.
Then I'll invite the American girl, Ms.
Whitney.
Boys.
(train whistle) [Clegg.]
You should talk to Captain Farrell, Miss.
Yes, but he's not here, and you are.
And besides, I'm much more interested in talking to the private soldier, than the privileged ranks.
Oh, ask your questions, then.
Do you think that every young man should have a stint in the army? It's a great builder of character.
I'm sure you can attest, Sergeant, and am I right in suggesting that the men of the high country haven't exactly been willing recruits? It's a little slow at present, but we have quite some interest.
Perhaps military service should be compulsory.
I was persuaded to join up myself.
Hasn't done me any harm.
Best thing ever happened to me, the army.
So, what you're saying is that some young men should be made to join up, for their own good? You're talking imprisonment.
That sort of thing don't happen no more.
We're only interested in those brave fellows that are willing to serve the queen.
Now, if you'll excuse me, Miss.
Thank you for your time, Sergeant.
Hello, Jimmy.
Hope you're not thinking about joining up.
Sergeant said if I came back, might let me fire a cannon.
There's more to the army than firing cannons.
Sergeant said the army's like a family.
But I thought the town was your family.
Well, everyone's good to me.
Just never had a real family.
(orchestra music) Goodnight, Matt.
Goodnight, Michael.
He's growing fast.
Won't be long before he's leaving home.
You're a comfort.
Matt, all evening, your mind has been somewhere else.
I'm sorry.
It's Rob.
I think I'm losing him, Kathleen.
To the army? He hasn't been the same since they arrived.
I've never seen him so restless.
You can't expect him to wait around until he's middle aged to inherit Lingara.
You can't blame him.
So, what do you think I should do? My mother always said, "Give your children "two lasting things.
" One is roots.
And the other, wings.
You can't hold him back.
I don't want you to take sides in this, all right? I'm not.
I'm facing reality.
I'd better be heading off.
Matt, try and see it from his point of view.
Yeah, thanks for dinner.
Night.
Goodnight.
(crickets chirping) (horn playing) [Clegg.]
Who goes there? Jimmy Wilkes.
Gave me quite a start.
Ah, yes, the young gunner.
Are you a drinking man, Jimmy Wilkes? No, sir.
Well, just a nip at celebrations and that.
Well, you're in luck, me lad.
Tonight, the army's celebrating, and the drinks are on us.
(orchestra music) I knew it.
What? I just came from the camp.
What happened? I was right, Kathleen.
Right about what? About Clegg.
About the army.
They've press ganged him.
Press ganged who? Jimmy Wilkes.
Private Wilkes is not permitted to speak to civilians without permission.
This is outrageous! You forced him to sign.
However, in order to set the record straight.
Private Wilkes, step forward, please.
Now, Private Wilkes, will you kindly tell these ladies whether you signed on of your own free will? That's right, I did.
It's all right, Jimmy.
You can tell us the truth.
But I am.
You want to be in the army? Yes.
Now, if you don't mind, ladies, Private Wilkes has mess duty.
Follow me, Private Wilkes.
Ladies.
He's scared, Kathleen.
You can see it in his eyes.
What are we gonna do? We need to go above Clegg's head.
Captain Farrell, let's go.
I think this requires a different approach.
(orchestra music) [Man.]
I'll take the horse, sir.
Captain Farrell.
[Farrell.]
Good morning.
Matt McGregor.
Of course, Rob's father.
Yes.
Unfortunately, I'm here in an official capacity.
I don't know if you're aware, but I'm a member of parliament for this area.
Yes.
There have been certain allegations about the manner in which you've been conducting your recruitment campaign.
Allegations? What allegations? Well, there've been some suggestions that at least one of your new recruits is here against his will.
Would you be so kind as to tell me the young man's name? Wilkes, Jimmy Wilkes.
Clegg.
Sir.
Bring me the recruitment papers on Wilkes, if you will.
Sir.
Mr.
McGregor, perhaps you can tell me the source of these allegations.
Oh, I don't think that's necessary at this point.
You must understand that it is not uncommon a day or two after having signed on for some of these recruits to experience certain regrets.
I understand what you're saying.
In this case, it would seem the young man may have been coerced into signing his papers.
I can assure you, Mr.
McGregor, that there is no coercion in this unit that I am aware of.
Yes, well, coercion can mean different things to different people.
Yes, it can.
No doubt, you are aware that I've spoken to Rob about a career in the colonial army.
Some people might consider that I am trying to coerce him.
Let me assure you, Mr.
McGregor, Rob will make up his own mind.
It would be wrong for me, or anyone else, for that matter, to attempt to influence him in any way.
I've never stood in the way of any of my children.
Thank you, Sergeant.
His recruitment papers, sir.
These papers are in order, Mr.
McGregor.
Signed and dated.
Yes, but I'd like to see him, if you don't mind.
Clegg.
Private Wilkes! Hello, Jimmy.
Mr.
McGregor.
Well, you surprised us all by joining the army.
Yes, sir.
It was your decision, was it? Yes sir.
No one forced you into it? No, no sir.
Is this your signature, Private Wilkes? It's a bit shaky.
A simple yes or no will suffice, Private.
Yes, sir.
That's my signature.
Do you have any more questions, Mr.
McGregor? No, that's all for the present.
[Farrell.]
You're dismissed, Private Wilkes.
Well, I apologize if I've caused you any inconvenience.
Good day, Captain.
I understand why you did this, Mr.
McGregor.
Do you know anything about these allegations, Clegg? That newspaper woman.
She's trying to stir up trouble.
All our new recruits are volunteers? Such as we have.
We've not been very successful, Captain.
Thank you for the reminder, Sergeant.
Nevertheless, there'll be no coercion while I'm in charge.
Remember that, Sergeant.
Sir.
You'll not last long, boy.
You'll see.
Could he have been intimidated.
Maybe.
He wasn't about to tell me.
All he said was that he wanted to enlist, and the paper's prove he has.
But he's scared of Clegg.
They're all scared of Clegg.
I'm sorry, but the law is the law.
There's nothing more I can do.
The army's not the place for Jimmy.
Well, if it's what he wants.
Would you say the same if it was Rob? (stirring music) You ride very well, Ms.
Blackwood.
Thank you, Captain.
I must say, I was rather surprised, and I hastened when delighted to receive this invitation.
It was Frank's idea, Captain.
I see.
Unfortunately, I'm afraid you don't.
My dear brother, Frank, invited you, in the hope that I would fall madly in love with you, and run away to become an army wife.
Well, let me make it clear from the outset, that my intentions are entirely honorable.
I'm sure they are.
I just thought you'd prefer to know.
Thank you for your frankness.
So, why do you think we were invited? Oh, I don't know.
Probably Victoria's way of getting back at her brother.
Well, if you don't know why we're invited, then why'd you accept? Because Victoria told me you were coming.
Thinking about joining up, aren't you? Well, what would you think about that, if I did? I would think you are making a terrible mistake, but it doesn't have anything to do with me.
It does, you know? Has to be your decision, Rob.
I just feel like I've been living in my father's shadow for a really long time, and I'd like to make my own way, you know? I do know.
I came halfway around the world to make my own way.
I'm not sorry.
And when the sun rose, the desert was empty.
They'd taken all their dead.
It was like the battle had never happened, like it was all a dream.
A dream or a nightmare, Captain Farrell? [Farrell.]
You're right, Ms.
Whitney, war is a nightmare.
And what would you know of wars, Ms.
Whitney? I know what my father and my uncle lived through.
They fought in our American Civil War, and they will never let me forget the suffering that they saw there.
So, you're a pacifist, then? Absolutely.
Well, maybe we can all make some peace.
Is this a battle we haven't heard about, Robbie? Ms.
Blackwood, the Chronicle has taken an exception to our recruiting campaign.
Not the campaign, Captain Farrell, the tactics.
What tactics? Let's just say they're not entirely honorable.
Just because Jack's a soldier, doesn't mean he approves of war.
Well, why carry a weapon, if you don't intend to use it? A newspaper can be a weapon in some people's hands.
Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of democracy.
Well, I'd say you shouldn't start a war with a newspaper, then.
Not bad.
How long you staying in Parison's Ridge, Jack? We strike camp tomorrow.
(birds chirping) For those who may want to come.
Cattle have escaped from the lower paddock.
Through the fence you said you were fixing.
Well, I started working on it yesterday.
Yeah, the cattle got out this morning.
I had something else to do today, something for me.
It's Sunday, all right? You think the cattle care? Working on the land's not a job.
It's a way of life.
We all know that.
You have your day off.
They have Sunday's off in the army.
(rattling) Ms.
Whitney, you gotta help me.
What is it? He's after me.
Clegg.
I told him I don't want to be a soldier.
Sh, it's okay.
Calm down.
The night that you signed the recruitment papers, tell me how he did it.
Jimmy, tell me.
I can't remember.
What do you mean, you can't remember? I was drunk.
He got me drunk.
I wasn't going to join, I wasn't.
Then, this morning, he yelled at me, and he hit me.
Please, help me.
(thunder) I'll get him.
No, that's all right.
Good rain.
Yeah.
We need it, huh? Dad.
Look, I'm not holding you back, Rob.
I think the army's a fine and honorable profession.
In fact, I'd be proud of any son of mine who wanted to make it his career.
But I know I've been a bit tough on you lately.
It's just that I, I can't believe that's what you really want.
That you're gonna leave all this.
Well, all of this is all I know.
I mean, maybe after experiencing another life, I might look at all this differently.
I'd lay odds on it.
(tender music) There's something else.
What? Well, you're my son, and I don't want you to go.
Well, I'm sorry, Dad, but I've already decided.
(thunder) What more can I say then? If you're going to be a soldier, just make sure you're a good one.
Thanks.
Better go and tell the others.
I've made up my mind.
I've decided to join up.
My Rob.
(crying) Not fair.
(tender music) Where is he? I beg your pardon.
Wilkes.
Did he come running to you? Why would he come here? Nobody runs out on the army.
Why would he run away? He just enlisted.
He's an eager and willing recruit, isn't he? Or is there something you're not telling us, Sergeant? I'll give him until the morning to come back.
If he doesn't return by then, he's a deserter, and we still shoot deserters in the army.
You should be safe in here.
Take this.
I'm gonna bring you some food in the morning.
Now, stay here, until I come for you, all right? (orchestra music) Morning, Mr.
Gleason.
Good morning.
Ruth's not here? No, she just scurried off, all very secretive.
Scurried off where? Well, she didn't say, but last seen, she was heading towards the railway station.
Jimmy.
(orchestra music) Rob, and what can I do for you? You can lend me a pen.
Ruth.
Kathleen, it's Jimmy.
He ran away last night.
Clegg got him drunk, he coerced him.
That's how he got him to sign up.
Where is he now? I don't know.
I hid him in the warehouse, but he's not there now, and Clegg's out searching for him with a dog.
Come on.
Wilkes, I see you.
Wilkes, come back here! (barking) There he is! Get Farrell.
Wilkes, come here! I'm very pleased to have you aboard, Rob.
Thanks.
Kathleen.
Kathleen.
Rob, it's Jimmy.
Clegg's chasing him, and now, Ruth's gone after them.
(barking) (tense music) Give him to me now, or he's in trouble.
You're the one who's in trouble.
He's a deserter, and I'm taking him back, anyway.
You are hindering an officer of Her Majesty's Army in the execution of his duty.
Is it your duty to beat helpless young men, and press people into service? Clegg, report, Sergeant.
Sir, this man is a deserter.
What do you have to say for yourself, Private? It's all right, Jimmy.
It's all right.
Tell him how Clegg forced you to enlist.
Tell him how he hit you.
Is this true, lad? Yes, sir.
Go back to the camp.
We'll sort this out there.
No one's going to make you stay in the army, if you don't want to.
Come on.
I shall be reporting you to the commandant as soon as we get back to Bendigo.
You'll be lucky ever to see your stripes again.
None can blame me for doing my job.
And you countersigned all the papers.
Without knowing how those signatures had been obtained.
If it was left to the officer class, nothing would get done in this army.
I run this squad, me, while you're busy prancing about with the local gentry.
Captain, my eye.
You are not fit to clean my boots.
Well done, sir.
You know what happens to an officer who strikes an enlisted man? Get out of my sight, Clegg.
Come on, boy.
Come on, we're leaving.
What do they do to a new officer who hits an NCO? A court marshal, with a certain dishonorable discharge.
That is, if I had accepted your enlistment.
What are you doing? You've just demonstrated what I suspected the first time we met.
You're too independent to be a soldier.
I've made my decision, and I'll accept the consequences.
Look, Rob.
In my own way, I did coerce you.
In some respects, I behaved as badly as Clegg.
Well, you know, you're losing a good officer.
I know, but it seems to me your heart is here.
(drum roll) (horn playing) Aren't you glad you're not going with them? Yeah.
Never really wanted to be a soldier, anyway.
That'll teach you to stay away from hard liquor.
[Farrell Thank You you for your hospitality, Blackwood.
I'm disappointed in you, Farrell, running off like this.
Playing hard never won a fair lady.
They don't come any fainter than yours, Frank.
Victoria.
Safe journey, Captain.
Perhaps we'll meet again under less trying circumstances.
I hope so.
(orchestra music) So, Rob, are you sorry to be staying behind? No, I think Farrell was right.
My heart's here.
(bucolic music)
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