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13 Episodes 1978 - 1978
Episode 1
Tue, Sep 12, 197860 mins
Mary and her boyfriend Michael are harassed by British soldiers while out walking. In response to the troops taking over a nearby farm, Michael and his mates burn down the house which is now being used to store supplies. When the Mulvane family can't pay rent and church tax, the British troops take their cow away as payment. Mary and Michael attempt to retrieve the cow back but are discovered and Michael is shot dead - leaving Mary to stand trial.
Episode 2
The Britannia prepares to leave Ireland with a load of convicts bound for Sydney. Joining them, Lieutenant Greville is traveling to take up a commission in the NSW Corp. His guarded about his reasons, other than it suited him Mary meets the rest of the convicts on board and is immediately chastised by Polly, the self appointed leader of the female prisoners As the vessel proceeds to Sydney Greville takes an interest in Mary. He offers her a chance to sleep in relative luxury but earns the respect of Polly and the others when she refuses his advances and is badly beaten The ship arrives in Rio and word spreads among the convicts that an attempt is to be made to capture the ship. The captain locks the ship down and reduces water rations. The prisoner's health plummets as conditions worsen. Adding to the misery are the punishments for the most minor infractions being handed out reach nightmare levels. The ship now close to Sydney is in an appalling condition. 15 male and one female prisoner have died either as a result of punishment or conditions. The Captain frantically begins to clean the vessel in hopes the Transport commission will consider his actions justified. As word passes among the convicts of their imminent arrival, Mary declares "I am going back (to Ireland) just like the wild geese"
Episode 3
May 1797. The Britania has arrived in Sydney and the convicts begin unloading. The colonial surgeon investigates conditions on the ship and refers the situation to the Governor. Greville gives the women a chilling warning about conditions in the colony, the NSW Corp have the ultimate say over what will happen to the women for the rest of their lives. The women, now ashore and recovering in the colony hospital are waiting for assignment to various gentlemen in the colony. Menwhile the commission finds that although the captain was over zealous in his duties, he was not at a criminal level. Will Price is an innkeeper with a business on the road to Parramatta chooses Polly to work for him. Mary is taken on by Captain Wiltshire to work in the kitchens on his property at Castle Hill. Jonathan Garrett an indentured convict is sent to pick Mary up from Sydney Greville angry he missed his opportunity to snare Mary confronts the couple on the road to Captain Wiltshire's. After the encounter Greville rides ahead and tells the Wiltshire's of Mary's undesirable nature. Mrs. Wiltshire is outraged, and in the absence of her husband decides Mary will be sent back to Sydney in the morning Polly and Will arrive at his inn. Polly is shocked at the primitive conditions, but puts on a brave face and decides to make the best of it Captain Wiltshire arrives and is told of his wife's decision. He immediately suspects Greville's motives and decides to keep Mary on for a trial period
Episode 4
June 1797 Dinny O'Byrne arrives at Castle Hill after being transferred from the Toongabbie prison farm. Mary is told of the change of plans but warned any mistakes and she will be sent back to Sydney. At the inn Polly goes about making changes to the menu etc that have an immediate and positive impact on Wills income. At the house a chance conversation between Mary and Mrs. Wiltshire leads to Mary being promoted to governess after it is discovered Mary's father was a school teacher and she herself is highly educated Excitement grows at the farm over the arrival of new Spanish sheep supplied by McArthur. It is hoped cross breeding the animals could lead to increased wool production and turning the colony into a major trading partner with England Jonathan has a run in with Pike the overseer and ends up striking him. Captain Wiltshire tries to find a way around the issue, but ultimately Jonathan is charged with attacking the overseer and brought before the magistrate. The case goes poorly and Jonathan is sentenced to 75 lashes. On his return to the farm, Mary is distressed to see Jonathan's condition and wonders why she cares so much about him
Episode 5
Time passes in the colony. Jonathon begins to have genuine feelings for Mary, thinking of the future he learns to read and write. Greville expands his empire and is prepared to eliminate anyone how gets in his way
Episode 6
Mary, who had originally planned to return to Ireland, decides to stay in the Colony and marry Jonathan after seeing his house and land.
Episode 7
50 mins
Work on the land is hard and there is talk of an uprising among the convicts and Jonathan, against Mary's will, wants to help them.
Episode 8
The uprising has begun but the convicts are tricked and betrayed. The British troops are too powerful and the uprising fails.
Episode 9
Dinny, although wounded, escapes the slaughter and hides at Jonathan's house. Meanwhile, their old adversary Ensign Greville has taken over the neighbouring farm.
Episode 10
Dinny finds an Aboriginal wife and, as he is a wanted man, has to live rough in the bush with her. Mary gives birth to a son. Dinny is spotted by the military and shot dead.
Episode 11
Crops are bad at Jonathan's farm and the military want to take advantage of this and buy the crops off his farm. Jonathan finally has no choice but to sell. Later he finds out the payment is only given out in rum.
Episode 12
Jonathan and Will, Polly's husband, start their own illegal distillery. But when this is discovered, Will is fiercely punished.
Episode 13
Lieutenant Greville uses Mrs Wiltshire's affection for him to gain power in the Colony. Jonathan is sentenced to six months jail for writing a letter to the Governor exposing the corruption of the overseers after he refuses to do as the new "government" orders. Will is still imprisoned after being turned in for his whiskey making.