Banished

Episode 1

Episode #1.1

Wed, Mar 4, 201553 mins

In 1788 British convicts transported to Australia wake to another day in the penal colony. James Freeman stands up to the bullying Marston, who steals food from the other convicts and is upset when Anne Meredith, a woman he has helped, refuses to support his accusation. Elizabeth Quinn is flogged for refusing to name the convict lover with whom she has spent the night, Tommy Barrett, who would be hung if he came forward. Forcing the good-natured Sergeant Timmins to perform the flogging sadistic Major Ross observes that the female prisoners are there as sex objects for the soldiers only - a practice privately opposed by the humane governor Philip. Tommy confesses but is saved from hanging by the intervention of the vicar's kindly wife Mrs Johnson and, though he and Elizabeth have spouses in England, they are married, on condition they never return home. For James, who secretly loves Elizabeth, this is another blow.