Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1993) s01e09 Episode Script

1 (uplifting music) = [Announcer.]
Previously on Snowy River: The McGregor Saga.
Anita and Luke meet for a secret rendezvous.
I don't see why we have to meet like this.
People are talking, perhaps we should see less of each other.
For a while anyway.
Is that what you want? No.
[Announcer.]
Frank and Victoria both want Balmoral, but whose inheritance will it be? When I'm master of Balmoral, there'll nothing in the pond for you.
You'll be master of nothing when father cuts you out of the will.
(scoffs) Why would he? [Announcer.]
Luke stirs up the crowd when he publicly confronts Matt about Langara.
My father always told me that he was half owner of Langara but that he could never prove it.
Well that's because it isn't true.
Anita? Your father told me exactly what he told you.
That's a lie.
[Announcer.]
And someone wants Oliver dead.
(gun bangs) Only that someone is a Blackwood.
I haven't cut you out of my will, yet.
(uplifting music) (relaxed music) Oh Hebert, it's so early and so cold.
Why couldn't we have taken a later coach and ridden in comfort? Because there is no other coach and we must make our deposit in Melbourne before the end of the month.
Anita, please get into the coach.
Victoria.
Morning Hebert.
- Frank.
- Herbert.
- [Anita.]
Good morning Frank.
- Anita.
Victoria, how delightful.
And I thought I wouldn't have anyone to talk to.
You're correct in that assumption Mrs Hargraves.
Have I done anything to offend you? What could you possible do to offend me? We seem to be in for a pleasant journey.
(relaxed music) What you got there Frank, that you're so concerned about? Not gold? Please.
My partner doesn't know.
Well pray no-one else knows.
(tense music) [Luke.]
Check your book again, you're wrong.
I've checked and rechecked Mr McGregor.
You withdrew the usual wages for your staff on Friday, a sum of £200 three days ago.
I know what I've spent.
I also know we took 13 ounces of Gold from the mine over the past two weeks.
Then I suggest you deposit the gold sir.
It would balance your account easily.
It was deposited.
By my partner, Frank Blackwood yesterday.
We haven't seen Mr Blackwood for over a week sir.
Except this morning of course, he was taking the coach to Melbourne.
(relaxed music) Everybody in town heard it.
Your father stole Langara from his brother.
You're a liar Jeff Deverill.
What Miss Hargraves says proves it.
Your fathers a crook.
(groans) (children gasp) You're dead.
(children shouting) (groaning) (children shouting) What happened? (children shouting) Danni, Danni, Jeff.
Stop this, get up Jeff! What's going on? [Matt.]
Gar, they can say what they like, doesn't worry me.
I think you should put a stop to the rumors.
If Paddy proves something never happened.
Here give us a couple of those.
I mean the people that really know me, know I wouldn't steal, especially from my own brother.
As to what anyone else thinks I wouldn't give two pence for.
No ones? Well if you're referring to Anita, I'm not sure what to think.
I mean we were close friends once, and now Now.
She's joined your enemies.
(somber music) No, I can't believe that.
(winces) But, why would they those terrible lies about dad? And why would anyone believe them? I'm afraid Mrs Hargraves has her own reasons Danni, I can only guess what they might be.
And as to why people are so ready to believe your cousin Luke, some people just take pleasure in seeing big men cut down to their own size.
There that should do it.
Thanks Mrs O'Neill.
Danni one more thing.
Yes? If you're fathers big enough to ignore those people, you should too.
Yes, I know.
(adventurous music) Woah.
Oh what the heck is this? Well up.
Good morning gentleman.
Would you mind putting up your hands.
And put the shotgun where I can see it.
Thank you.
You're a bushranger? I'm afraid so.
Harry Roebuck at your service.
Frank, what are we going to do? Just do what I tell you miss, that's usually the way it goes.
Now, everybody out of the coach, please.
Ma'am.
And you miss.
Don't you dare touch me.
Now there are two ways we can do this.
You can hand over your valuables and be on your way with the minimum of fuss.
Or we can do it the hard way.
I'm not carrying any money.
I'm really more interested in any gold you may have hidden in that nice little trunk Frank.
Why don't you get it for me? How did you know I had gold? (gun cocks) Just get it.
And the other one too.
There's nothing in my bag.
Really.
Let's have it Frank.
Would you mind? (tense music) I have nothing of value on me, except my earrings.
I make it a practice never to rob a lady.
Thank you, I'm very grateful.
Splendid.
In the saddlebags, if you please.
(tense music) If you'll excuse me ladies, I must be off.
Gentleman you know the rules.
Shotgun stays where it is until I'm well out of sight, then no one gets hurt, alright.
(dramatic music) (gun bangs) (horse whinnies) I suggest you drop that toy before I'm forced to blow your arm off.
(dramatic music) I won't forget you, I promise.
(dramatic music) (relaxed music) So I just wanted you to know that I'm grateful.
It was nothing Matt.
Danni is a lovely girl, with a very good punch.
Yeah well, with two older brothers she learned fast.
She thought she was doing the right thing, defending her father.
Oh I know.
I also know that she's not my only champion.
Well I didn't punch anyone in the nose.
Yeah but you put a sting in the ears of a few gossips.
I must confess, I rather enjoyed it.
(laughter) They might be talking about us next.
What on Earth would they have to talk about? Not as much as I'd like them too.
(romantic music) Dad? Hmmm.
I'm waiting.
Okay, I'll be with you in a minute.
Well er, I better go.
(romantic music) Thanks again.
Bye Matt.
(relaxed music) (sheep baa) (panting) (heavy breathing) (gun bangs) Bushranger pulled us up out of town! (townspeople chatter) The choice is ours.
We let people like this gentleman bushranger terrorize our community or we take steps to protect ourselves? I'm calling on every man, who can hold a gun or ride a horse to meet me here in two hours.
And when we catch this gentleman bushranger, we'll hang him.
I don't believe I'm hearing this.
People I've known and respected all my life, prepared to just throw aside the law and set off on a man hunt.
To shoot or hang a man without the benefit of a trial.
Six people saw this Harry Roebuck rob the coach.
Six citizens of Patterson's Ridge held at gunpoint in terror of their lives.
While he stripped them of their money and their gold.
My own daughter was one of them.
What father among you would tolerate that? Our own bank manager who had the courage to try to resist, now lives in fear of reprisals.
And this is the man, Matt McGregor would have the law protect.
I don't think he's a killer.
He behaved like a gentleman.
A gentleman's neck stretches as far as any mans.
(crowd murmur in agreement) It's time we left.
I wanna see you all back here in two hours.
Alright.
Hey Frank.
We need to talk.
Just whose gold were you carrying on that coach Frank? (sighs) I was doing it as much for your benefit as for mine.
Oh yeah? Explain to me how skipping off to Melbourne with my gold was for my benefit Frank.
Huh, explain that? I thought I could get a better price for it than what Herbert Elliot could give us.
And then you were gonna spend my money on wine and women, right? No, I swear it.
You had to do it now didn't you.
Just when I'm up to my ears in debt with the bank, and your father.
You know what we're gonna do? We're gonna find Roebuck and we're gonna get back my gold.
Our gold.
(dramatic music) Victoria.
This is none of your concern.
It was my life Frank risked by carrying all that gold.
He should be made to pay.
And just what penalty do you think we should extract from your brother? He should make up every penny that was stolen.
Which you would then give back to Luke McGregor? It was Luke's gold, most of it.
And you think that by doing this, you would purchase the young mans affections? My dear.
He is not worthy of you.
Besides, you seem to have a short memory.
I do recall he has an interest in Mrs Hargraves.
(uplifting music) Ah.
Seems our young Casanova is paying us a visit, right now.
Victoria, it would be better if you left us.
Yes father.
Speaking of Casanova, you aren't becoming interested in Mrs Hargarves yourself by any chance? Just business my dear, just business.
(horse whinnies) Michael.
Where do you think you're going? I was just, I was just gonna Blaze take for some exercise.
She's getting fat.
So will you, if you don't do some work around here.
Have you cleaned out the stable? No mom.
Michael, when you get back.
(uplifting music) Michael, Michael, not So fast.
I don't want another loan, I'm already mortgaged to hill with you and the bank.
You own a gold mine Luke, wealth waiting to be plucked from the ground.
Why worry about a few temporary debts? Plucking wealth from the ground, is a little harder than it sounds Mr Blackwood.
Look thank you for your offer, but I'm gonna get my gold back.
Luke.
You must have a few pressing bills, are they gonna wait while you go running over the country chasing bushrangers? Take the £200.
It will tide you over.
Usual rate of interest of course.
Of course.
[Mr Blackwood.]
Sign them off please.
(dramatic music) (screaming) Alright so you wanna talk business, what business? Well I'd rather not go into here, somewhere a little more private.
Your place? Suit yourself.
You know where to find me.
Just the two of us Matt.
What I have to say is rather confidential.
Whatever you like.
(relaxed music) I've come to make you an offer for Langara.
(laughs) well than you've wasted your time.
As I'm sure you realized before you came.
It may have been true before Mrs Hargraves backed up Luke's claim.
It seems that half the good people of Patterson's Ridge are prepared to accept Mrs Hargraves word over yours.
How can you be sure a judge and jury wouldn't feel the same way? You know what intrigues me Oliver? It's what you'd expect to gain if Luke ended up with half my property.
Your nephew has been somewhat extravagant of late.
He owes me a great deal of money.
Half the value of Langara? I doubt it.
No.
But then there's the other half, the half the bank owns.
The bank holds mortgages over our property, nothing more.
Now as long as I pay the interest, Herbert Elliot will honor our agreement.
But Herbert Elliot has a partner.
I have nothing to fear from Anita.
But her husband may not view your occasional financial worries and lapses in payment, with the same indulgent eye.
Her husband? I have reason to believe that that person may well be myself.
So, save yourself the worry.
Sell to me now.
My offer is a generous one.
You do your worst Oliver.
Now get off my property.
(dramatic music) Matt, what a surprise? I want to know what game you're playing.
I might be able to answer that if I knew what you were talking about? Well first you tell a pack of lies about Alec owning half of Langara.
And now you and Oliver Blackwood.
What about Oliver Blackwood? Oliver told me he's going to marry you.
Don't do it.
Blackwood's not the man for you.
He'd bring you nothing but unhappiness.
How dare you.
How dare you come here and accuse me of lying, of conspiring against you and then having the temerity to warn me, to tell me what I may or may not do.
I was just trying to be a friend.
You were trying to protect your own interests with no thought or consideration for mine.
You were trying to warn me against anything which might endanger your precious Langara.
You do what you want to do.
I've said and done all I can.
(dramatic music) (townsmen chatter) Alright everybody listen up.
We all know it was my gold Harry Roebuck stole, and I want it back.
So I'm offering a reward.
The man who brings back Roebuck and the gold will get a hundred pounds.
(townsmen gasp) But, if anybody decides to get greedy and keep the gold for himself, I'll use the hundred pounds to give them the nicest funeral this towns ever seen.
Let's move out.
(townsmen whooping) Well I better be heading off then, alright.
You won't stay to eat Matt? No, I better get back to Danni.
With that bullet in his leg, Roebuck can't have gone far.
He's not the sort to look for revenge.
Well you never know, he might just think we all owe him something.
Michael, he's still out riding.
When he gets back keep him in the house until Roebuck's found.
See ya Jake.
Yeah.
Bye.
Bye Matt.
(adventurous music) (dramatic music) Looking for easy money boy? (panting) So what are you after? The money or the reward? I don't want anything.
I just heard your horse.
(panting) Take it.
Take what you want.
(adventurous music) Get a hold of yourself Herbert.
I'm not gonna let that maniac kill me in my sleep.
By now he's either being dragged back in chains or he's dead.
Do you think so? Or he's waiting for the dark, just to slip into your room.
Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean it.
Don't you're gonna hurt yourself.
I didn't mean to shoot him.
It was an accident.
It was an accident.
Water.
You're still here? You've lost a lot of blood.
I'll have to get a doctor.
You may as well call the hangman.
Foods all I need and rest.
I don't have any food.
They say you're gonna shoot Mr Elliot.
I've never shot anyone in my life and I never will.
But you're a bushranger, you took their gold.
To my eternal shame, yes.
Why? Because that's what I do.
Because I can no longer be a stockman or a farmer or [Michael.]
But you can.
It only takes one mistake boy, and there's no going home.
What did you do? I'll tell you what, you bring me some food and come back by yourself and I'll tell ya.
You'll tell me why your a bushranger? Yeah.
If you come alone, yes.
I'll be back, alone, I promise.
Good boy.
(somber music) Hello Mrs Bates.
Anita.
I have to talk to you, it's important.
I am not going to get involved in this vendetta of yours.
You have done me enough harm already.
That's the last thing I intended, you have to believe me about that.
And you're wrong to hate Matt.
What you're doing is hopeless.
You'll only hurt yourself.
We can't talk here.
Well when can I see you? Come to the house this evening.
Did you want something Mr McGregor? No thanks.
(somber music) Where's that borough kid off to? Looks like he's got the devil on his tail.
With bushranger's around, he should be at home.
(somber music) It's only me.
I brought some food.
How do you feel? I'm fine.
So what have you got? I got some roast beef and some bread and milk.
Ah good.
You promised to tell me why you're a bushranger.
You don't wanna be bored with my life story, boy.
But you promised.
Yes I did, didn't I.
Well it was a long time ago.
I wasn't much older than you.
Well a bit maybe, 15.
My father owned a small farm, but what with the drought and him not being much of a farmer, I had a younger brother, two little sisters.
Always hungry.
And there was a coach, took passengers and mail to and from Melbourne.
Then what happened? I tried to hold it up (laughs) I suppose I wasn't much of a thief.
Been running ever since.
But what about your brother and your sisters and your father? I don't know.
I never saw them again.
Keep your hands full of food and don't touch the gun.
Rob, Colin! So you brought the hangman after all? No, honestly I didn't bring them.
I'm gonna have to take you back.
I don't think I can ride.
I'm sure you'll manage.
Your friends a hard man reverend.
Please Rob, he's not really bad.
He just made one mistake that's all.
His mistake was coming to Patterson's Ridge.
You can't let them hang him Colin.
What's gonna happen to him? Come on lets get going.
Michael.
Don't worry son, that's just how it goes in my line of work.
Just how it goes.
(somber music) Colin, you can't do it.
We don't have any choice.
You call yourself a Christian, it's not his fault he's a bushranger.
Nobody gave him a chance, he's got a brother and two sisters, they were starving.
We heard what he told you Michael.
But you didn't believe him? You're like all those other people in town, ready to shoot him down or hang him.
Michael, I believed him.
When you two have finished arguing, could you please (dramatic music) Is he alright Colin? Get some water.
That's as far as we go padre.
Harry, no! Tell your friend to throw down the rifle.
Rob.
(dramatic music) Just don't hurt the boy.
No ones gonna hurt the boy.
Help me up padre.
I'm sick and tired of being chased like a dog.
Can we just let him go home? It's been a long time.
Maybe the police will have forgotten about him? No one has ever defended or believed in me the way you do Michael.
I'd give anything to prove you right.
You can't do it Colin.
He's gonna keep stealing until he does kill someone.
We can't let him hang.
Get on your horse.
Thank you Michael.
You won't be needing the gun anymore.
Colin.
No, I don't believe I will.
I may need a prayer or two though padre.
See you Michael.
(somber music) I don't think we should tell anyone about this.
(dramatic music) (gun clicking) I asked you here tonight so we could talk.
Alright we'll talk then.
I want you to come to Melbourne with me and make a legal declaration that you knew about the agreement between my father and my uncle.
I only know what Alec told me.
That doesn't make it true.
Can't you see there's nothing I can do to help you.
I know what it was Anita.
My father told me a thousand times that Langara was his.
That he and Matt were joint owners.
All you have to do is All I have to do is lie.
Is that what you want? No.
That's not what I want.
I can't.
I'm sorry.
You have to go now.
(somber music) Luke? (dramatic music) (horse whinnies) Is there anyone there? Whose there? (gun cocking) (tense music) (door creaking) (gun bangs) (dramatic music) (gasping) Anita (crying) Anita, no! (sobbing) No! (dramatic music) I'm sorry Herbert, but there's nothing I can do.
Anita.
Matt? (somber music) Dad's at Mrs O'Neill's.
Danni I have to get back to my sister.
I'll get him.
She's dying daddy.
(somber music) She's asking for you.
I better go, see you later.
Go tell Luke what's happened.
(door knocking) Doc? Where is she? Matt, I didn't mean to shoot her.
Anita.
Anita it's Matt.
It's alright I'm here.
I don't know why but my life doesn't make it worth much.
Oh yes it is.
The only times I've ever been happy were when I was with you.
Hold me.
(somber music) Anita.
(somber music) Where is she? Get out you're not wanted here.
Luke, she's dead.
Anita's dead Luke.
You were with her? You've taken everything.
Everything I've ever wanted.
Even her.
No, you're wrong.
You're so wrong.
That's Luke's horse isn't it? I'll wait for you.
Luke.
I heard.
I'm sorry.
I know there's nothing I can say.
No.
Would you like me to pray with you? I can't do that.
Not yet.
Colin, would you say something for me? Yes.
(somber music) You weren't at the funeral.
I couldn't say goodbye.
I just couldn't say goodbye.
(somber music) (uplifting music)