McLeod's Daughters (2001–2009): Season 1, Episode 18 - More Than One Way - full transcript

- [Narrator] Previously
on McLeod's Daughters.

- How much room do you need?

- I looked, that door was shut.

- Well I opened it assuming
you'd allow enough room

for a bloke to get in and out of his car.

- What sort of mindless idiot would think

you and I are an item?

- Obviously a mindless idiot like me.

- So much for spending the
night and just talking.

(laughing)

- It's your half of the sheep sales.



- You didn't have to--

- That cafe you wanted.

There's your deposit.

I don't want to hold you back anymore.

(upbeat country music)

(cattle mooing)

- It's looking good, hey?

Blaze isn't too bad either.

When's the company rep
coming to make his selection?

- Tomorrow.

Maybe the next day.

Harry's asked him to stay at Killarney.

- Trying for the home
ground advantage, is he?

Won't help.



You're a better trainer than Alex.

- Speaking of which, are
the lovebirds up yet?

- Tess headed out to milk Madonna at dawn.

Disappeared back to bed
when she'd finished.

- I have to start charging him board.

- Yeah?

- Don't appreciate slackers, that's all.

(sentimental country music)

(smacking)

- Ow.

- You're trying to figure
out what to buy me, huh?

- Nope.

I'm trying to figure out why
Claire wants to get rid of me.

You don't think it's about you?

- (laughing) No way!

We're mates.

- Hmm.

We should get up.

- What for?
- 'Cause people will talk.

You're being very casual about
this campdrafting contract.

Shouldn't you be out
training or something?

- Nah.

I'm primed enough already.

- Claire's been out
training round the clock.

- Is that right?
- Mm-hmm.

- So who are you barracking for?

Me or her?

♪ It'll take some time
to find your heart ♪

♪ And come back home ♪

♪ You could walk for
miles, cross every river ♪

♪ And find you're not alone ♪

♪ 'Cause I'll be there ♪

♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪

♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪

♪ You're not alone ♪

♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪

♪ Oh oh oh oh ♪

♪ 'Cause I'll be there ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

- And suddenly, they're
both acting like they're

mega-movie stars or something.

I mean, like it matters.

- [Meg] Like what matters?

- Oh, Jessica and Emma are entering

the Miss Gungellan Showquest.

It's so sad.

- Oh, it's not sad at all.

I've heard they're lots of fun.

- They're only doing
it to be more popular.

- Oh, and who would want that, eh?

- Me.

- Well, give them a call.

- Ah, great, she's not in yet.

- Have a good sleepin'?

'Cause it doesn't matter if everyone else

did your work for ya?

- Yeah, well I've done the milking.

- Eat outside?

- Yeah, sounds like a plan.

(banging)

- Noisy creatures, aren't they?

(whistling)

- Morning.
- Hi.

(laughing)

You're still bristly.

- Yeah, the power cut out.

You should get your water checked, Claire.

Oh and this came off
the light switch thinga.

- Oh, give it to me, I'll fix it.

- I heard you been training
round the clock, Claire.

(light country music)

Hey Claire.

I've been talking to the
Australian Bloodlines rep.

He's pretty keen to get
his assessments finished.

- What's his name again?

- I don't know.

It's not irregular.

Peter something.

- A bit sneaky having
him stay at Killarney.

- Country hospitality, Claire, that's all.

So do you agree to run the course there?

- Oy.

(keys jingling)

You'll need these.

- Oh you hid them so
I'd stay, did you Tess?

- I'll see you later.

- You betcha, baby.

(laughing)

- Bye
- See ya.

- He's cute, isn't he?

Hey Claire, wait up!

You wanna tell me what the problem is?

(dramatic music)

- Did you have to tell him how many hours

I've been putting into training?

- Does it matter?

- It matters.

He's the competition.

Have you told him yet?

- Told him what?

- That you're going back to the city.

- Could you talk to Alex about not leaving

wet towels on the bathroom floor?

- Sorry.

He's not very well house-trained.

- Not surprising.

Probably been waited on hand
and foot his whole life.

- What makes you say that?

- He's a boy.

Mother's are different with their sons.

Liz has probably spoiled them both rotten.

- [Tess] Unlike you with Jodi.

- Hey mom!

Guess what?

Say hello to the next Miss Gungellan.

- (gasping) You're doing it?
- Yeah.

- You're entering?
- Yeah.

Well, I have to have an interview

to see if they accept my application,

but they will, so yeah.
- That's great!

Oh, good on you.

- You're encouraging her
to enter a beauty contest?

- No, Showquests are not beauty contests.

They're nothing like it.

There's no princing around in cozzies.

It's about community involvement
and charity work and--

- It is?

- Ow, stupid thing!

I'm gonna go talk some sense into Claire.

- You know, darling,
there's a lot of hard work

involved in taking part in the Quest.

- It's not that much.

- Oh no, believe me.

I know.

Runner-up Miss Wagawaga, 1980.

- (laughing) You're kidding?

God, must have been slack year.

- Hey!

(slapping)

- Ow!

- But why can't we do something about it?

- 'Cause I can live with it,

and you won't have to for much longer.

- I never said I wanted to leave.

Not recently, anyway.

- Tess, you wanted this cafe for ages.

I want you to have it, too.

That's why I gave you
enough for the deposit.

It's your dream.

- Yeah, I guess, but I...

- Look.

If this guy from Australian Bloodlines

decides that I'm the
trainer that they want

and give me the contract,
them I'm halfway to my dream.

I can start buying some breeding stock.

In a few years, Drovers Run could be

one of Australia's top studs.

- Fantastic.

And I'm here to help you.

- I don't need your help.

I managed perfectly well
before you came, Tess,

and I will manage when you're gone.

I gotta get going.

- G'day.
- Hi.

- Peter Johnson.

Is Claire about?

- Yep, she should be here somewhere.

Oh, I'm Tess Silverman, Claire's sister.

- G'day.

- Come on through.

Can I help at all?

- Well I'm here representing
Australian Bloodlines.

- Oh, you're the guy, the one

who decides who gets the contract.

- That's me, yeah.

- Yeah, well look no further.

Claire is your man, I mean woman,

I mean trainer.

- What're you doing here?

- Claire, this is--

- Yeah, I know who he is.

Look, whatever you're selling,

we're not interested, so you can get back

in your wagon--
- I'm not selling anything.

- Well if you've come about the money,

you can forget it.

It wasn't my fault, and I'm not paying.

- Did you know that Claire
is a very good rider?

- Better rider than driver, I hope.

- What's that supposed to mean?

You don't need to make this difficult.

- Peter's here from Australian Bloodlines.

- Oh.

You're the assessor.

- Yeah, well now the
introductions are done,

maybe we should move into the house.

- Yeah right-oh.

Did Alex know you were coming?

- We talked on the phone.

They tell me you're
pretty good, Miss McLeod.

- They're right.

- Well I'm grading Alex on Thursday.

You're up Friday, seeing
a guy out west in between.

Are you up for it?

- What do you think?

- I think I'll see you Friday.

- Bye Peter!

- Thanks for the warning.

I just made a complete idiot of myself.

(thudding)

(laughing)

- You set her up!

- Too good an opportunity not to!

- It's not funny, Alex,
she thinks I was in on it.

(laughing)

- I wish I could have seen her face.

- Dirty pull, buster!

(thudding)

- Get away!

I had to do something to
level the playing field.

- Ah, so you're admitting that Claire

is a better trainer than you are?

- No, I'm admitting she's a chick.

Unfair advantage.

Look, all women have to
do is bat their eyelids

and show a bit of
cleavage and they've won.

- What century were you born in?

Women's liberation ring any bells?

- Ahh.

(thudding)

(laughing)

(indistinct talking)

(yelling)

(dramatic music)

- Claire?

Alex, give us a hand!

(groaning)

- Alright, let's get your
jeans off, check it out.

- Oh, get out!

You've done enough damage.

- How is it my fault?

- Just tell him to rack off, will ya, Meg?

- Claire--

- No, I'm okay.

I just want everyone to stop fussing.

Good night.

- Okay, let's take a look.

- I'm alright, it's okay.

- Can you move your knee?

(groaning)

Claire, I think your knee's stuffed.

You're not gonna be riding for a while.

- Just needs a bit of rest.

Blaze is ready, and
I'm not up till Friday.

Plenty of time.

(melancholy music)

- Just slide up there, Crow.

- What's happening?

- I'm gonna borrow the blokes

for a couple of days and some gear.

Get some work done on the place.

- One hell of a night.

You wanna know how good?

- I can live without it.

Just enjoy it while it lasts.

(cattle mooing)

- So, how many councilors have we got?

Eight or nine?

Oh does the mayor count?

- Well, there's Billy Sholes,
Ted Stevross, Midge Brian.

What's the sudden interest
in politics anyways?

- For my interview, local knowledge.

Miss Gungellan Quest, hello?

- Well, ask Claire.

She knows all that stuff.

- It's my first step up the ladder, Beck.

First Miss Gungellan, then a
part in a soapie or something.

Fame, fortune, and the bright city lights.

- Oh, the girl that won last year's

got a part-time job at the local campus.

- So she lacked ambition.

(laughing)

Do you know the last three winners

all went out with Alex Ryan?

- Oh and so has half the district.

- Except me.

- Hey, we expected you home last night.

- Well, didn't want Claire thinking

I was sucking up to the company rep.

- Well forget that, this is business.

- She might have to pull out, Dad.

She's hurt her leg.

- Well that's a shame.

- Jeez, wipe the smile
off your face, will ya?

I like winning, but not like this.

- Nick's inside, packing
up the last of his things.

- Oh, he'll be back as soon
as the novelty wears off.

He only bought the place
to add to the Ryan Empire.

- Ha ha, did he tell you that?

- Well, not in so many words.

(car horn honking)

- Hi!

- Hi.

(soft dramatic music)

- As soon as we get that
quarter horse contract,

I think Claire might see the sense

of merging grows with Killarney.

(sighing)

Soon as one of these young
blokes gets a ring on her finger.

- It'll be Nick, then.

Claire's got more dignity than

to accept her sister's leavings.

- Well, here we are.

- So what are we doing, Tess?

(cattle calling)

- Go wide around the steer, Jo.

- Right.

- And only go at the beast's pace.

She'll only go as fast as you ask her to.

(Jodi sighing)

Steady her back.

- Claire, you're kind of confusing me.

Can I just go through one round by myself.

- Yeah.

Sorry, fair enough.

- Don't need this anymore.

Can you use it?

- Appreciate the offer,

but I'm fine.

Just need to rest it.

- What's happening?

- She's taking Blaze
through her paces for me,

just till the leg's right.

- Be right by Friday?

- Course I'll be right by Friday.

(soft country music)

Hey, how're you enjoying
being a landowner?

- Oh, it's good.

It's brilliant.

I feel like I've got my own
life for once, you know?

- Yeah.

When you gonna let Harry know
it's got nothing to with him?

- When I've got as much
out of him as I can.

Now that's funny.

They left Killarney before me.

- Must have been engine trouble.

(distant laughing)

- Hey Meg, have we got
anymore chocolate biscuits?

- Sorry, somebody finished
them all last night.

- Hm, wish we had some oysters.

- It's tuna mornay for dinner.

- I won't be down, I'm busy.

- Knocking yourself out, I see.

- Actually, the plan is to knock Alex out.

Come tomorrow morning, he'll
be a mere shadow of himself.

- You can't be serious.

- No, I'm deadly serious.

Did you know football
players aren't allowed

to do it the night before a big game?

It lowers their performance.

- Where'd you hear that?

- It's common knowledge.

- You're crazy.

- Yeah, that's what they say

about all the great minds in history.

I've gotta go.

- Country boys are different, you know.

- Rubbish.

Boys are boys.

(distant laughing and playful chattering)

- So all I have to do
is pass this interview

with Mrs. Ryan tomorrow, and that's that.

- You're interview's with Liz Ryan?

- Yeah.

- That's just terrific.

- Why, what's the problem?

- She treats me like the hired help.

- Only if you let her.

- I'm not putting any weight on it.

Feels much better, I reckon
it'll be right by tomorrow.

It's my future, Meg.

I've gotta do this.

- Well there's no need.

I've wiped out the opposition.

- What's she on about?

- I've kneecapped him.

Alex is done for.

There's no way he's
getting out of bed today,

let alone on a horse.

(country music)

(cattle calling)

- I thought you said you'd kneecapped him.

- He's bluffing, gotta be.

Any minute now he'll be out like a light.

(cattle calling)

- Gate.

- I've never seen him so good.

I guess you're not as good
as you think you are, hey?

I'm history, Meg.

It's all over.

- That's it.

Good boy.

Good boy, good work.

- But you're better than him.

We've still got till Friday.

- I'm calling Peter Johnson now.

There's no point in
wasting more time out here.

- No no, wait wait wait, I'm
still working on another plan.

- Well if it's as good as the
last one, I can hardly wait.

- How was I to know Alex is a freak?

- Why don't you just
hold out until Friday?

You never know.

- Hey, where's mum?

- Oh, she's polishing the floor in case

Liz Ryan looks under the rug.

- You never know.

- Well I'm trying to decide

what dress to wear for Mrs. Ryan.

- Well not the mauve one,
it's too sparkly, and the

stripey one, the neckline's too low.

You don't want her
thinking you're the type

to bat your eyelashes
and flash your cleavage.

- I'll give you a hand.

- Thanks.

- Perfect.

(jazzy country music)

(vacuuming)

(vacuuming stops)

- Oh I like that.

Oh what about community service?

- Tell her you're helping
an injured farmer.

- Oh good.

(knocking)

(suspicious music)

- Aren't you going to ask me in, Jodi?

- Of course, but I thought
we were gonna do this

up at the house?

Mum's fixed afternoon tea.

- Oh no, it's nothing formal.

It's just a talk.

Goodness.

So where shall I sit?

Oh, thank you, Becky.

We'll be fine now.

(jazzy country music)

- And the thing is, with rural communities

all over Australia suffering
form government cutbacks--

- Which particular cutbacks
did you have in mind?

- Well, you know, all of them.

- Now, Miss Gungellan is expected to have

some involvement with the community.

- Oh absolutely, and as far as that goes,

you know how Claire's hurt her leg.

Well I'm helping her
out by training Blaze.

- Yes, but that's paid
work, though, isn't it?

She's your employer.

- Well yeah--
- Jodi!

Darling, everything's
ready up at the house.

Are you dressed?

Liz.

Jodi, why didn't you ask Mrs.
Ryan up to the house, dear?

- Because she said
she'd rather do it here.

- No, I love this place.

Reminds me of a little cottage

I used to stay at on the holidays.

- Why don't we go up there now?

I've got some tea brewing,
I've made some scones and--

- Oh, no thanks, I'll pass.

I'm watching the weight.

Anyway, I think I've taken up
quite enough of Jodi's time.

- Are you sure?
- We'll be in touch.

(melancholy music)

(bell ringing)

- No mail for you.

How'd it go?

- Well, it was going really badly,

and then Mum came in and started groveling

and made it worse.

It doesn't matter anyway.

I was only going in it because
of Jessica and Emma, so...

- Yeah well, Miss Gungellan, big deal, eh?

- Exactly.

Who needs it?

- You did what?

- I invited Peter Johnson to dinner.

It's all part of the plan.

Because apart from being a better trainer,

et cetera, et cetera, you've got something

that Alex hasn't got.

(zipping)

- Ta-da!

- What, your cleavage?

- No, our cleavage.

Tonight, we dress to kill.

We shake booty, we bat lashes.

Come coffee and liqueur, the
guy will be putty in our hands.

- Yeah, and then what?

- Well, then we ask for a few more days

until you've gotta ride.

- I don't think he's in
the position to do that.

- It's worth a try, Claire.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

- Once slight flaw in your plan, Tess.

In case you hadn't noticed,

Peter and I don't exactly get along.

- [Tess] Damn it, Claire!

(knocking)

- Hello.

- G'day.

- Come in.

- You've got a power problem.

- Oh, it's mood lighting.

Yeah, we like it like this.

- Right.

- Claire should be down soon.

I'm not quite sure what she's doing.

- Just getting changed for dinner.

Hi Peter.

- Hello.

- Glad you could make it.

Why don't you two go in.

I'll be in in a tick.

- Right.

Well, what can I get you to drink?

Beer, wine, coffee, tea, me?

After you.

(romantic country music)

- Thanks.

- Okay then, two four six eight.

- You know, I have to
say I'm a bit surprised.

Yeah, wondered why anyone would invite

a mindless twit over for dinner.

- Oh, you don't know Claire very well.

She calls me that all the time.

It's kind of like a term of endearment.

- Oh really, like smart aleck or idiot.

- You started it.

- Would you like some more wine, Peter?

- Why did you invite me over for dinner?

- Well it was Tess's idea actually.

She thought you might
have been a nice guy.

- Right then, I'll just get another

bottle of wine, shall I, Claire?

Sorry about the pudding.

- Oh, it's okay.

I like runny pudding.

- Why don't you tell Peter about Calypso.

Go on.

It was Claire's first
horse training experience.

She was only 15.

- 13.

It was a fluke.

- I'd like to hear it.

- Well, she was a gorgeous horse.

Chestnut, a bit temperamental.

Dad and the trainer were
trying to break her in.

They were using ropes.

I hated it.

Told them they were doing it all wrong.

- Oh, that doesn't sound like you.

(laughing)

- Well Dad reckoned I should put my money

where my mouth is, so I did.

Mostly I just kind of ignored her,

and that got her curiosity up.

And gradually, she came
closer and closer and closer,

until finally, she
couldn't bear it anymore

and she nuzzled me.

- Oh, so you won her over with subterfuge.

- Yeah.

Well that and the piece of
apple that was in my hand.

(laughing)

- Coffee, port, anyone?

- Yeah, thanks.

- So I went to bed, and I
heard him drive off about one.

- Ugh, whose idea was the port?

- Didn't hear any protests at the time.

- Good night?

- What'd you talk about
till one in the morning?

- Horses.

He knows his stuff.

- Thought you said he was an idiot.

- Well he's an idiot who knows his stuff.

- Did you ask for a postponement?

- No, I'm gonna be fine.

I'll be fine.

(painful groaning)

- Fine, huh?

(painful groaning)

Could Jodi ride in your place?

- This doesn't work like that.

He's gotta see us working together,

me and Blaze.

- Okay, they're the rules
and he might say no, but

isn't it worth asking?

- I'm sorry about the leg.

Really.

You could've told me last night.

Look, if it was up to me, yes,

but I'm supposed to see how the trainer

and the horse work together.

- Yeah.

Sorry I had to ask.

- Listen Pete.

Given the circumstances, you could be

a bit more flexible, right?

I mean, it's no skin off
my nose if Jodi rides.

- Nor mine, but--

- Leave it, guys.

I understand.

- I guess it's no harm, and I could see

how Blaze responds to another rider.

Let's do it.

- Alright, saddle up kid, you're on.

- Claire, I'm packing it.

- No need, you're doing fine
in the training sessions.

- Yeah, but what if
Blaze tries to compete?

- Well you just be ready
for it and hang on to it.

- You know, it was a spur
of the moment thing, Liz.

Jodi applying for nomination.

She only had a day to
prepare for the interview.

So if you could take
that into consideration.

I mean, she's not taking it lightly.

The contest means a lot to her.

- Well it means a lot to all
the girls who've entered, Meg.

- Oh yeah.

Yes, of course it does.

- We're over by the shouting, I'd say.

- Pity.

They could've done with that contract.

Would have got it, too.

- We'll never know, will we.

- Becky.

- Mr. Ryan.

Jodi's put her name down for
the Miss Gungellan Quest.

- Is that right?

- Of course, Mrs. Ryan has to
accept her nomination first.

Maybe you could put in
a good word for her.

- It's nothing to do with me, Becky.

- Okay, Blaze is on the gates.

I think we're right to go.

Jodi, you ready?

- Ready.

(pleasant country music)

Gate.

- Good.

- Claire's done good work on that horse.

- Yeah, lucky for Alex,
she's not riding it.

- Get away.

- Come off your beast, Jodi!

(horse whinnying)

She's stuffed it.

- Sorry, can I start again?

- Fine.

Take another beast.

- You gotta pace yourself.

Just take it easy.

Let Blaze do the work.

Just go straight to the cow
and stay beside it, okay?

And hold your nerve.

- Yeah.

- Come on.

Help Jodi out, okay?

- For heaven's sake.

- That's better.

(horse whinnying)

Nearly there, Jo.

Stay in tight, no rush.

Well, that's it.

We're out of it.

- Well done.

- Thanks Nick.

- Hi Tess.

- Hi.

- You alright?

- Well Claire, what can I say?
- Yep.

- You want some wine?
- Best not to say

anything, Harry.

- No no no, just bad luck, that's all.

Blaze is a credit to you.

- How long do we have to do this for?

- Oh.

- You know you're still the best-looking

woman in the district, Liz?

You'd win that Showquest, hands down,

if you weren't married.

I heard young Jodi's competing this time.

- Yes, I don't know.

She's very sweet, but not much substance.

- What, after that performance?

Come on.

She's doing alright.

Anyway, she's practically a McLeod.

You remember the grand plan?

- Oh yes.

We'll give you three pigs, two oxen,

one son, an entry in the Quest

in exchange for, oh, Drovers Run?

- Look, it might help ease the pain

of them missing out on that contract.

Go on, where's the harm in it?

It's not as if the kid's likely to win.

- Well then why set her
up for disappointment?

Hm?

(laughing)

Jodi?

Jodi?

(crying)

Is something the matter?

- I'm just disappointed, I guess.

- Oh, well I know you didn't
have much time to prepare.

Still, we need applicants to have

a good general knowledge of the area.

- Oh, the Miss Gungellan thing?

Yeah, no, that's fair enough.

Truth is I only entered it
to make more friends, so...

- You could try again next year.

- No, it's not that.

Getting that contract really
meant a lot to Claire,

and I just wanted to
show her that I could...

- I see.

Yes, well.

That was bad luck.

Here.

- Thanks.

(sniffling)

I'll take it home and wash it.

(laughing)

- Would you like a piece?

- Thanks.

I always eat when I'm upset.

- Me too.

When I'm really upset, I lock myself

in the bedroom with a family-sized block

of chocolate and I eat it all myself.

- Me too.

(laughing)

- Jodi.

You did your best.

Nobody could've done more.

- Harry, could I use a phone
if I call the main office?

- Yeah, go for it.
- Thanks.

- Okay, so now that's all over,

what are we doing tonight?

- Sleeping alone.

I'm very exhausted.

- Hell, I'm not surprised, Tess.

After all the effort you put
into trying to wear me out.

Yeah, I guessed that from the start.

Shoulda told ya.

Wine, women, and songs always energize me.

(laughing)

- You are very unnatural.

- Mm-hmm.

- Time to go.

- Just suits me.

- Everybody, if I could
have your attention please.

I am delighted to announce

that I accept your nomination, Jodi.

You will be competing for
the crown of Miss Gungellan.

- Oh no.
- Oh yes.

Congratulations.

(laughing)

- Congratulations Jodi.
- Very well done.

- Thank you.

Thank you.

(sentimental music)

- All out of plans?

Alex staying again tonight?

- No.

I'm sorry, Claire.

- What for?

- There'll be other contracts one day.

- Yeah sure.

No big deal.

(sighing)

You were brilliant out there today, girl.

We'll show 'em someday, hey.

(car door slamming)

- You ran off before we could talk.

Well, hobbled off, I guess,
would be more to the point.

- Sorry, not much to say.

- Right.

Well, I'm leaving.

Just dropped by to give you this.

I thought you might wanna drink tonight

to celebrate getting that contract.

The training contract.

It's yours.

- But I didn't ride.

- Well, Australian Bloodlines sent me here

to find the best trainer.

You're it.

(laughing)

- I don't believe it.

- Oh now she's calling me a liar.

I could take offense.

(laughing)

Does Harry know?

- He wasn't too pleased.

But anyway, are you gonna
let me give you this?

- Thanks.

You should stay and help us drink it.

- Thanks, but no thanks.

I've gotta hit the road.

You know, get back and
sort the details out.

Congratulations.

- I don't know what to say.

- Well, it's like you said.

Nothing to say.

I'll be in touch.

(thudding)

- Ooh!

That is it, Claire.

Tomorrow I'm gonna call the electrician.

He can come rewire the whole house.

And before you say anything, I am choosing

to put my money back into our property.

Like it or lump it.

- Fair enough.

I just thought you might
want a glass of this.

Yeah, Peter reckoned
Harry was pretty shirty

when I got the contract.

(laughing)

- The cleavage worked!

(laughing)

("Common Ground" by Rebecca Lavelle)

(thunder)