australian television information archive

Genesis

Episode 1
Story by Stephen Alix
Teleplay by Stephen Alix & Glenn Norman
Directed by William Fruet

The Battle of Richmond, March 20, 1865: A small group of prisoners escape their Confederate captors and flee in a helium balloon. Rising into the sky, the travellers and their balloon are carried away by strong winds and are soon over open water.

Upon attempting to land, the balloon descends uncontrollably (helped along by a man observing from an island below) forcing the group to climb into the rigging and release the basket in a desperate attempt to remain aloft in hopes of reaching the island before they plunge into the ocean. Struggling to stay aloft, Captain Harding sacrifices himself to the ocean to allow the balloon to slow its descent and reach the island.

Exploring the island for signs of civilisation with Neb, Herbert becomes trapped in a rock pool as the tide comes in and threatens to drown him. Neb manages to rescue Herbert (with unseen help) and the pair locate a cave where they encounter signs of habitation.

Guest starring: Ross Duncan, Matthew Chamberlain, Anthony Scott

Down Under

Episode 2
Story by Stephen Alix
Teleplay by Stephen Alix and Glenn Norman
Directed by William Fruet

Herbert and Neb find Captain Harding alive in the cave but he has no memory of how he got there, only of slipping below the waves after jumping from the balloon.

Reunited, Harding, Spilett and Neb decide to climb to the top of a mountain to get their bearings. Along the way they stop at a pool where Spilett takes a swim only to get attacked by an unseen creature, eventually escaping to the safety of the shore.

Meanwhile, Jack and Herbert go off hunting but Herbert can't bring himself to kill. They come across a cave and inside they find an alter and a gold plate. Taking the plate, they become trapped when the entrance closes. Unable to dig their way out and with hope seemingly vanishing, a green light draws their attention to an underwater exit that leads them back to the sea and the arms of their companions.

Safe Haven

Episode 3
Story by Stephen Alix
Teleplay by Michelle Goodeve
Directed by William Fruet

Following an earthquake, the group decides to seek shelter on higher ground farther inland. When a landslide strikes, Gideon becomes trapped beneath some large boulders.

Harding and Neb set out to find materials to make an explosive change but Neb is overcome by sulfur fumes and must be pulled to safely by Harding. The final item on Cyrus' list turns up seemingly out of thin air allowing him to formulate an explosive to free Gideon.

Traveling on, Neb falls down into a cave complex which becomes the group's new home, christened "Granite House" by Gideon.

While fishing, Neb and Herbert pull an old sea chest out of the ocean. Returning to camp for asistance, Neb is hit by the effects of eating wild berries and loses his sight while atop a dangerous precipice and loses his footing…

White Water

Episode 4
Written by Jim Purdy
Directed by William Fruet

Neb is rescued when a vine is lowered to him, although when Captain Harding and Herbert arrive, both deny being responsible. For Harding, it is another sign that they are not alone on the island.

When the sea chest is brought back to Granite House it is found to contain a wealth of ship building tools and other supplies. Eager to get to work on a new boat, the group set out to look for building materials and come across the remains of their balloon.

Transporting it back down river, their raft overturns in the rapids and washes Pencroft, Gideon, and Neb towards a raging waterfall. When all hands are safely rescued, the castaways return to Granite House to discover their home has been visited while they were away.

Herbert and his father take their new boat out on its maiden voyage but encounter an unknown force at sea that pulls Herbert overboard…

A Death in the Family

Episode 5
Written by Glenn Norman
Directed by Peter Sharp

Jack leaps into the water to rescue his son from the unseen menace and they swim to the safety of the shore where Gideon has found a bottle. Back at Granite House a message is pulled from the bottle — written by a fellow castaway on the island!

Jack, Herbert and Gideon set out on a test voyage in their boat to locate the castaway. They find his well-stocked camp and gather up supplies as no one is in sight. Mr Ayrton soon makes an appearance and Herbert convinces his father to take him back with them.

Meanwhile, Joanne, while out by herself gathering plants, is overcome by Nemo's gas devise and falls unconscous. When Neb goes to search for her, he too is overcome but before he collapses, he sees Nemo approach. Back in Nemo's lair, Nemo posions Neb, making it appear to be from a snake bite.

Harding later finds Neb's body and a memorial service is held, with Harding biding a tearful farewell to his dear friend.

Guest starring: Frank Whitten as Ayrton

Love Thy Neighbour

Episode 6
Written by Glenn Norman
Directed by Peter Sharp

While the castaways grieve for Neb, Nemo revives him and puts him into suspended animation storage.

Joanna attempts to befriend Ayrton and is witness to his gentle nature when he accidentally kills a wild boar that is attacking her.

Harding soon realizes the phantom presence on the island is causing the castaways to turn against one another.

When the Castaway's goats are found slaughtered, Pencroft jumps to the conclusion that Ayrton is responsible and his jealousy leads him to hunt down Ayrton. Pencroft and Gideon chase Ayrton to the top of a cliff where Pencroft gives him a choice: they can return him to his camp, with the promise he'll be shot if he returns... or he can jump. Nemo observes the confrontation from a distance and is prepared to intervene when the others arrive and Harding reveals the goats were sick — whoever killed them saved their lives.

Guest starring: Frank Whitten as Ayrton

All That Glitters

Episode 7
Written by Michelle Goodeve
Directed by Mark Beesley

Captain Cutler and three of his pirate crew come to the island to collect their buried treasure and seek revenge on Ayrton, whose dark past is revealed.

A stand-off eventually ensues between the two sides with Cutler demanding Ayrton in exchange for Gideon and Joanna's lives. Harding is reluctant to hand him over but the murderous tales in Ayrton's diary convinces the group, save Herbert, that he can be sacrificed with little regret.

Prepared to execute Ayrton on the beach before the castaways, Cutler spares Ayrton's life, leaving him in the hands the people who condemned him to die.

His life spared, Ayrton runs off and the others return to Granite House. As further reading of the diary reveals Ayrton's self-imposed penance, an explosion is heard from outside — Cutler's ship has been destroyed.

Guest starring: Frank Whitten as Ayrton, Kevin Wilson as Captain Cutler, John Dybvig as Luke, Lawrence Wharerau as Stevens, Stephen Papps as Smythe

The Price of Vengeance

Episode 8
Written by Michelle Goodeve
Directed by Mark Beesley

While salvaging wreckage from Cutler's destroyed ship with Herbert, Joanna becomes caught in an underwater trap. With the tide coming in, Herbert hurries back to Granite House for help. Pencroft and Harding race to the beach to rescue Joanne but it is Ayrton who arrives and lures away a shark. With Joanna safely back on shore, a gunshot rings out and Herbert collapses.

Leaving Gideon to protect Joanna and the injured Herbert at Granite House, Pencroft, Harding and Ayrton go in search of the surviving pirates. While searching near the lake, Pencroft is hit with a poisoned dart from Cutler and falls, paralysed by the deadly toxin. Ayrton and Harding arrive at the site soon after and find the dart but there is no sign of Pencroft — Nemo has taken the body back to his lair. While Nemo tries fruitlessly to revive Jack, Harding must return to Granite House to inform Joanna of her husband's demise.

When Cutler destroys the castaway's boat, they set a trap for him but Cutler overpowers Joanna and holds her at knife point. Harding talks him down but Nemo intervenes and shoots Cutler who falls from the cliff to his death on the wave-washed rocks below. Amongst the waves, Gideon spots another body — Jack Pencroft. After another funeral service, Harding vows to hunt down the mysterious phantom who has been playing with their lives.

Guest starring: Frank Whitten as Ayrton, Kevin Wilson as Captain Cutler

The Phantom's Lair

Episode 9
Written by Greg McGee
Directed by Chris Bailey

Harding dives into the lake and locates the entrance to Nemo's lair. Against Joanna's wishes he enters but Nemo traps him inside the entranceway and floods the chamber, drowning Captain Harding.

While Joanna and Herbert keep vigil on the shore waiting for Harding's return, Nemo drains the chamber and Harding comes to with the realisation that he has found the so-called phantom.

Harding engages with the unseen phantom who takes Harding to task for his thoughts and deeds. Nemo refloods the chamber with the intent to kill Harding but a pledge of sacrifice gives Harding his freedom.

Back at Granite House, Gideon is awakened by an intruder.

Guest starring: Frank Whitten as Ayrton, Jamie Armstrong as Ovelanui (uncredited)

It Should be an Englishman

Episode 10
Written by Susan Snooks & Scott Barrie
Directed by Chris Bailey

A tribe of native Islanders arrive on the island in search of Nui, a young native girl they believe has special significance. The castaways find the girl, who is on the run and terrified of being returned, but when Herbert is captured, Harding has no choice but to exchange the girl.

The Islanders take Nui to the temple cave where she has been chosen to fight the 'monster' inside. Meanwhile, Harding takes the underwater route into the temple and awaits her arrival. When the cave entrance closes, the pair are able to swim out and are met triumphantly on the beach by the Islanders who praise Nui for slaying the monster.

With the rutual complete, the Islanders leave but refuse to take the 'diseased' castaways with them.

Guest starring: Frank Whitten as Ayrton, Jamie Armstrong as Ovelanui, Grant McFarland, Joe Folau, Mark Nua

No One Rules Me

Episode 11
Written by Peter Sharp
Directed by Peter Sharp

Nemo observes Harding's feelings about Joanna, manifested in romantic dreams, as part of his research into the workings of the human mind. Meanwhile, Harding's deteriorating mental state concerns the others, Joanna is trapped by an earthquake, and Herbert discovers a cryptic note from Ayrton.

Guest starring: Glynnis Paraha as Katira, Jaesen Kanter as Tenewa, Jay Laga'aia as Tenape, Chantelle Bowkett as Mahina

He's Not Heavy

Episode 12
Written by Arthur Baysting
Directed by Peter Sharp

Nemo intercepts a canoe and brings a wise old native woman to the island as a culture clash experience, but finds himself face-to-face with a superior power. Joanna's stand for women's rights has unexpected consequences when she intervenes in a tribal rutual. Nemo faces a health crisis when he is stung by a stonefish.

Guest starring: Glynnis Paraha as Katira, Jaesen Kanter as Tenewa, Jay Laga'aia as Tenape, Chantelle Bowkett as Mahina

Make Yourselves at Home

Episode 13
Written by Glenn Norman
Directed by Chris Bailey

Nemo fulfills a promise to Katira to bring the rest of her people to the island, then watches with glee as the natives take over Granite House and send the castaways into exile. Faced with banishment to a small corner of the island, Gideon is prepared to go to war, but as matter come to a head, Tenewa learns the secret to reading their map, allowing everyone to return home. But as one group leaves the island, another arrives...

Guest starring: Glynnis Paraha as Katira, Jaesen Kanter as Tenewa, Jay Laga'aia as Tenape, Chantelle Bowkett as Mahina

First Impressions are Skin Deep

Episode 14
Story by Sean Ryerson
Written by Sean Ryerson and Stephen Batt
Directed by Ken Girotti

A tattooed native man is dropped off on the island where he is to spend the next thirty days. Nemo leads the man to Granite House where he introduces himself to the castaways, in a perfect upperclass english accent. Peter explains that he is on a spiritual quest but when he returns home, a canoe can be sent back to rescue them.

Gideon is immediately suspicious of Peter, especially with regard to his intentions towards Joanna, while Harding tries to get answers about the exact nature of his spirital quest. Nemo is delighted by the disruptive influence Peter's presence has on the group.

Guest starring: Cliff Curtis as Peter, Robin Kora as Chief, Peter McCauley as Mr Spilett, Carmel McGlone as Mrs Spilett, Daniel Chilton as Gideon age 12, Nicko Vella as Gideon age 5, Nick Gopperth as Nemo's Son

Gideon's Tale

Episode 15
Written by Stephen Batt
Directed by Ken Girotti

Gideon's casual mention that it is his father's birthday causes Herbert to realizes that it is his birthday as well, but he decides to keep it a secret. While panning a party for Joanna's recently missed birthday, Herbert becomes upset because he thinks Joanna has forgotten his. While she prepares a surprise gift for him, Herbert begins to long for a normal life and decides to find a way to leave the island.

Meanwhile, Nemo drugs Gideon and brings him back to his lair where he hypnotises him to study his strained relationship with his father. Nemo is accidentally exposed to the serum he gave to Gideon and as Gideon begins to come around, the tables are turned and the phantom's identitfy is revealed to the journalist.

Guest starring: Robin Kora as Chief, Peter McCauley as Mr Spilett, Carmel McGlone as Mrs Spilett, Daniel Chilton as Gideon age 12, Nicko Vella as Gideon age 5, Nick Gopperth as Nemo's Son

Last Rites of Spring

Episode 16
Written by Glenn Norman
Directed by Christine Parker

When pirates abandon two beautiful young women on the island, Nemo uses the situation to study human mating habits. The women meanwhile, initially seen by Joanna as nothing but cheap opportunists, set their sights on Gideon and Herbert, which encourages the men into a near fatal show of male bravado.

When the pirates return, Herbert is challenged to a duel for the affections of one of the women. Winning will provide a chance to leave the island but losing will mean death for Herbert as well as the other castaways. As always, Nemo plays a role orchestrating events.

Guest starring: Lisa Chappell as Jane Morcombe, Rebekah Mercer as Priscilla Hawthorne, Robert Bruce as Zachary, Joel Tobeck as Jacob

Labours Lost

Episode 17
Written by Barbara March
Directed by Christine Parker

Fallout from Herbert's lost chance to leave the island continues to be an issue between Joanna and Herbert, he insists he was only thinking of getting them all rescued.

After a dream about a baby, Joanna leaves Granite House, headed for Ayrton's cabin in search of some time alone. Overcome with pain, she faints on the way there and is rescued by Nemo. As the others search for her during a raging storm, Nemo takes her to the temple cave, drugs her and questions her. He learns she is pregnant with Jack's baby, but is afraid of childbirth for fear of sharing the same fate as her sister and mother who both died giving birth.

The Visitor

Episode 18
Written by Stephen Batt & Sean Ryerson
Directed by Chris Bailey

When Nemo's hidden view mirror inside Granite House breaks down, he disguises himself as Sebastian Nile, a shipwrecked Englishman, in order to gain admittance into the house to fix the equipment.

After gaining the castaway's confidence, Nemo begins to set them agaisnt one another but his trouble-making forces Harding to the conclusion that their new guest is the phantom. When the time comes to confront Nile, they find him dead at the bottom of a cliff. Nemo however remains alive and well — as is another.

Guest starring: John Cairney as Sebastian Nile

What Are You Afraid Of?

Episode 19
Story by Janine Dickins
Written by Janine Dickins & Sean Ryerson
Directed by Chris Bailey

Harding has lingering doubts about the fate of the phantom and is beginning to lose hope. His gloomy outlook is matched only by the weather but an acknowledgement from Nemo that he is still alive re-invigorates his spirit and encourages him to find the phantom.

Back at Granite House, Herbert is spooked by a large insect and falls into the fire. To treat the burns to his leg, Joanna sends Harding on a quest to retrieve medicinal berries from a rare plant located atop a remote rocky peak.

A lightning strike takes out one of Nemo's hidden view mirrors on that same peak leaving it exposed. Harding discovers the strange device and for the first time, comes face-to-face with the phantom who blinds him with his lantern before quickly retreating.

After the storm, Harding leads the others out onto the beach where they cannot be overheard and tells them he's met the phantom and plans to confront him.

Plan and Attack

Episode 20
Written by Sean Ryerson
Directed by John Laing

Harding believes the time has come to get inside the phantom's lair and confront him — it's their only chance to leave the island. Harding's description of the phantom triggers Gideon and Joanna's memories of their own encounters with him and the group reflect on the events they've experienced since their arrival on the island and the phantom's role in all of them.

To get Harding inside the phantom's lair, the castaways act out an elaborate ruse involving the return of Cutler to lure the phantom outside. As the fictional battle with Cutler rages, Nemo emerges to join the fight allowing Harding to slip in through the secret entrance.

Inside, Harding encounters wonders unknown and finds Nemo's research notes, including his frustration at his inability to destroy the bonds between them despite the adversity he's put them through. Nemo is alerted to Harding's presence in his lair when he sees his security devices being manipulated and hastily returns to his lair where Captain Harding greets him by name.

A Pact With the Devil

Episode 21
Written by Sean Ryerson & Stephen Batt
Directed by John Laing

Nemo reveals to Harding that his need to complete his experiment is greater than his desire to help the castaways off the island, and Harding is forced to cut a deal and agrees to help Nemo complete his work.

Nemo has one final experiment he needs Harding's help with and when it is complete, he promises to take them off the island. Nemo asks Harding to return to the others but keep quiet about all that has happened between them. Nemo's additional condition — he must propose to Joanna.

Guest starring: Henry Asamoah as Neb

Going, Going, ...

Episode 22
Written by Sean Ryerson
Directed by John Laing

Harding carries out his part of the deal with Nemo, and the other castaways are enraged to learn of his interference with their best chance of rescue.

The news fractures the group, with Gideon and Herbert moving into a makeshift hut on the beach while Joanna and Harding remain at Granite House, living as strangers.

Tensions between Gideon and Herbert finally force them to go their seperate ways as well but Harding's growing madness forces Nemo to finally reveal himself to the castaways. He announces the completion of his experiment and promises to take them off the island.

Guest starring: Henry Asamoah as Neb