australian television information archive

The Hostage

Episode 2.01 (14)
Produced: 1994
Written by Leon Saunders
Directed by Peter Fisk

Illegal moonshine is taking over the growing community of Paterson's Ridge. When Colin McGregor preaches restraint, he is threatened by bootlegger Grady Hocking whose sons burn down the church and take Danni hostage while trying to escape the state troopers. She is rescued by Matt and the family while Kathleen keeps the law at bay.

Starring: Andrew Clarke as Matt McGregor, Wendy Hughes as Kathleen O'Neil, Joshua Lucas as Luke McGregor, Brett Climo as Colin McGregor, Guy Pearce as Rob McGregor, Joelene Crnogorac as Danni McGregor, Sheryl Munks as Emily McGregor, Amanda Douge as Victoria Blackwood, Rodney Bell as Frank Blackwood, John Stanton as Oliver Blackwood

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Greg Parker as Herbert Elliott, John Flaus as Ralph Temple

Also: Frank Gallacher as Grady Hocking, Milan Perkins as Greg Hocking, Myles Collins as George Hocking, Stephen Curry as Harry Jarvis, Eric Donnison as Sergeant, Roger Stephen as Signwriter Bridgid Kelly as Pretty Girl

Notes: Sheryl Munks is promoted into the starring cast replacing Reg Evans. Ralph Temple (John Flaus) replaces Mr and Mrs Fowler (Reg Gorman and Maggie King) as the shopkeeper.

The Savage Land

Episode 2.02 (15)
Written by Tony Morphett
Directed by Tim Burstall

When Matt, Luke, and Oliver Blackwood travel to the outback town of Salt Springs to buy cattle, they become stranded in the desert after saving an Aborigine woman arrested for attempted murder by a violent trooper. Meanwhile, Kathleen takes over the town's newspaper.

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil

Also: David Gulpilil as Manulpuy, Lily Sansbury as Namatji, Tim Robertson as Trooper Clarke, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson, Rachel McCully as Doreen [uncredited], Chris Inglis as Jeff "the bully" [uncredited]

Note: the final appearance of Joshua Lucas

The Railroad

Episode 2.03 (16)
Written by Judy Colquhoun
Directed by Alister Hallum

Kathleen transforms the school into a hospital when an illness threatens the children of itinerant railroad workers who townsfolk blame for a diphtheria outbreak. Matt tries to improve the railroad workers' living conditions. Charlotte Holloway arrives with her parents and Frank becomes besotted with her. Meanwhile, Oliver Blackwood is still missing and is assumed dead, Matt asks Kathleen to set a wedding date and Colin and Emily share some good news with the family.

Starring: Andrew Clarke as Matt McGregor, Wendy Hughes as Kathleen O'Neil, Brett Climo as Colin McGregor, Guy Pearce as Rob McGregor, Joelene Crnogorac as Danni McGregor, Sheryl Munks as Emily McGregor, Amanda Douge as Victoria Blackwood, Rodney Bell as Frank Blackwood, John Stanton as Oliver Blackwood

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Kym Wilson as Charlotte Holloway, John Flaus as Ralph Temple

Also: Neil Melville as Fergus Ross, Tamara Saulwick as Fiona Ross, Desiree Munro as Jessie Ross, Jeffrey Walker as Jamie Ross, Colin Moody as Mark Haskins, Abbe Holmes as Mrs. Harris, Jeremy Dridan as Tommy, Greg Stone as Doctor Cameron, John Dicks as Sir John Holloway, Suzy Cato as Lady Catherine Holloway, Chris Sinclair as Railway Ganger, Phil Reilley as Butcher, Anthony Macali as Small Boy, Doug Dew as Telegraph Operator, Jane Thornton as Railway Mother, Naomi Wright as Small Child, George Novak as Heavy 1, Trevor Welsh as Heavy 2, Tim Dipvos as Heavy 3

Fathers and Sons

Episode 2.04 (17)
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Tim Burstall

Rob McGregor is excited about Victoria Blackwood coming home from England but is crushed when she announces her engagement to cavalry officer Hugh Trevalyan. A cad, Hugh has already had a fling with Frank's Charlotte Holloway in England. When caught in the act, Frank whips Hugh and is challenged to a duel. Rob round up brumbies to sell to the army but discovers he has some unlikely competition.

Guest Starring: Dean Stockwell as Professor Julius Waugh

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Kym Wilson as Charlotte Holloway, Greg Parker as Herbert Elliott, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson, John Flaus as Ralph Temple

Also: Jane Badler as Yvonne, Bruce Hughes as Hugh Trevalyan, Julie Nihill as Nora Reilly, Emily-Jane Romig as Lizzie Reilly, Zbych Trofimiuk as Darcy Reilly, Nicholas Jones as Dermott Reilly, Tony Hawkins as Major Sutcliffe, Danny Ellerton as Undertaker

Notes: John Stanton has been removed from the opening credits.

The Manly Art

Episode 2.05 (18)
Written by Tony Morphett
Directed by Peter Fisk

The arrival of a travelling boxing troupe in Paterson's Ridge, led by "Dandy" Jim O'Rourke, has the community, including the McGregors, ready to try their hand. A visiting pianist is suspected of being a con man.

Guest Starring: Dean Stockwell as Professor Julius Waugh

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Greg Parker as Herbert Elliott, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson, John Flaus as Ralph Temple

Also: Jane Badler as Yvonne, John Bach as Dandy Jim O'Rourke, Darren Hedgecock as Boxer, Craig Beeby as Boxer, Alex Kiss as Boxer, Tas James as Boxer, Doug Dew as Fan, Rob Jealous as Fan, Malcolm Sutherland as Giant Man

The Dry Argument

Episode 2.06 (19)
Written by Leon Saunders
Directed by Alister Hallum

A drought causes a flood of hostility between the McGregors and the Blackwoods over a shared boundary creek when Frank changes the course of the stream resulting in the McGregors losing their water supply. Kathleen trusts a mysterious stranger when she hires him to dowse for water.

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Reg Evans as Jack Kelly, John Flaus as Ralph Temple

Also: Geoff Paine as James Duncan, James Patrick as Stacey Duncan, Martin Hopkins as Boundary Rider No. 1, Neil Fletcher as Boundary Rider No. 2

Servant of the People

Episode 2.07 (20)
Written by Ted Roberts
Directed by Paul Moloney

Matt and Kathleen fight a land-grabbing politician's scheme to drive the farmers from the high-country after news breaks that their high-country grazing leases are about to expire. As Matt leads a one-man filibuster in parliament, Kathleen's train to Melbourne is held up by bushrangers with tragic consequences for Colin and Emily. Joanna Walker comes to Paterson's Ridge in search of her father.

Guest Starring: Olivia Newton-John as Joanna Walker

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Greg Parker as Herbert Elliott, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson

Also: George Fairfax as Eric Daley, David Glazebrook as Thompson, Paul Teiwis as Derek, John Raaen as Mr Russell, Jacqui Sundbery as Mrs Russell, Ben Georgiou as Sean, Jeremy Dridan as Tommy, Rachel McCully as Doreen, Stephen Scully as Train Driver, Richie Akers as Train Guard, Charlie Powles as Fireman, Lois Angus as Passenger, Norm Barkell as Passenger, Julie Howard as Passenger

The Search

Episode 2.08 (21)
Written by Judith Colquhoun
Directed by Peter Fish

A trapper wanders into town with news about Joanna's father. Joanna's search rekindles Victoria's search for her own father but she is the victim of a case of mistaken identity by a mysterious stranger trying to prevent Joanna from finding her long-lost father.

Guest Starring: Olivia Newton-John as Joanna Walker

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson

Also: Marshall Napier as Charlie Dunn, Alan Hopgood as Gil Tyson, Clive Hearne as Sid

The Lost Child

Episode 2.09 (22)
Written by Russell Haig
Directed by Alister Hallum

Joanna Walker is determined to find her half-brother and Kathleen O'Neil agrees to accompany her in the search. Meanwhile, Michael, staying at Langara with the McGregors, sells his cockatoo to a tinker to buy a birthday gift for his mother.

Guest Starring: Olivia Newton-John as Joanna Walker

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil

Also: Leo Taylor as Doug Everett, Fiona Thorn as Dorothy, Michael Harris as Tommy, Bridgette Boon as Jenny, Paul Sonkkila as Langer, John Paisley as Blacksmith, Nick Carrafa as Alan Grout

The Foundling

Episode 2.10 (23)
Written by Shane Brennan
Directed by Paul Moloney

While on a fishing trip, Colin and Rob McGregor find a wrecked coach in the river. The only survivors are a young woman, Ruth, and a baby. As there were no other women on the coach the baby is assumed to be hers but she denies it. This further upsets Colin and Emily who are still hurting over the loss of their own child through miscarriage.

Special Guest Star: Tracy Nelson as Ruth

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil

Also: Libby Tanner as Brodie, Abbe Holmes as Storekeeper, Joanne & Georgina Longland as Baby, Chris Goodall as Jed Bannister, Ron Causby as Tom Hayes, Robert Kemp as Man No. 1, Rick Fletcher as Man No. 2, Terry Brittingham as Man No. 3, Julie Day as Woman No. 1, Ray Jones as Passenger

The Long Arm of the Law

Episode 2.11 (24)
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Peter Fisk

Law and Order has finally come to Paterson's Ridge in the guise of Trooper Dengate. Dengate's father is the Chief Commissioner of Police and an old friend of Matt's. Dengate is so by-the-book that soon the jail is full. Ruth, now working for the paper, suspects that his attitude hides a secret anguish and investigates when Frank and Rob are arrested.

Special Guest Star: Tracy Nelson as Ruth

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson

Also: Max Phipps as Commissioner, Rhys Muldoon as Edward Dengate, Daryl Pellizzer as Morgan, Clive Hearne as Mr. Custer, Craig Gillespie as Joe, Geoff Parry as Conroy

The Recruit

Episode 2.12 (25)
Written by Denny Lawrence
Directed by Denny Lawrence

A British army recruitment squad comes to Paterson's Ridge looking for volunteers. With life on the farm a little dull, Rob shows some interest in joining up. Ruth and Kathleen are vehemently opposed and even the recruiting officer can't understand why Rob would want to leave Paterson's Ridge. Meanwhile, Ruth believes the recruitment team may be coercing men into enlisting.

Special Guest Star: Tracy Nelson as Ruth

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson

Also: David Pledger as Jack Farrell, Tom Considine as Sgt. Clegg, Aaron Blabey as Jimmy Wilks, Paul Buckley as Private, George Novak as Local Rider, Cody Harris as Cavalry Rider, Neil Pollock as Cavalry Rider, Roy Edmunds as Cart Driver

The Reilly Gang

Episode 2.13 (26)
Written by Patrick Edgeworth
Directed by Gary Conway

The outlaw Reilly brothers swoop down on Langara while the men are away. When Colin returns from town he is forced to write a cheque for the bushrangers. With the telegraph wires cut, the town is powerless against the bushrangers. Sean Reilly robs the bank and tries to get Kathleen to print a rebuttal of the lies that are being spread about him. Charming though he is, Kathleen refuses to allow her newspaper to be used for that purpose. Sean misinterprets Ruth's interst as personal.

Special Guest Star: Tracy Nelson as Ruth

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Greg Parker as Herbert Elliott

Also: Daniel Rigney as Sean Reilly, Matt Day as Pete Reilly, Anthony Hayes as Zack Reilly, Doug Dew as Mr. Biggins, Jane Thornton as Storekeeper

The Choice

Episode 2.14 (27)
Written by Shane Brennan
Directed by Tim Burstall

Ruth is forced to make a difficult decision after she is offered a position with the Associated Press in America. Ruth's article on the founding father of Paterson's Ridge threatens to unearth a Blackwood family secret.

Special Guest Star: Tracy Nelson as Ruth

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Greg Parker as Herbert Elliott, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson

Also: Chad Tyler as Theodore Knox, Abbe Holmes as Mrs Harris, Clive Hearne as Mr Custer, Martin Hopkins as Foreman, The Sundowners as Band, Max Pentreath as Town Person, Clinton Smith as Conductor

Man and Boy

Episode 2.15 (28)
Written by Jan Sardi
Directed by Denny Lawrence

A young aboriginal boy must choose between his heritage and an education when his father arrives in Paterson's Ridge.

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson

Also: David Ngoombujarra as Ninawunda, Lisa Kinchela as Lizzie Murray, Luke Carroll as Sam Murray, Clive Hearne as Mr. Custer, Nique Needles as Pike, Phil Stammers as Brady, Cody Harris as Stockman #1, Rachel McCully as Doreen, Ben Georgious as Jeremy

Flight of Fancy

Episode 2.16 (29)
Written by Neil Luxmoore
Directed by Dan Burstall

The residents of Paterson's Ridge are given a look into the future when a hot-air balloon crashes. The pilot charms the townspeople — especially Michael, who is inspired to build a glider.

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson

Also: Lewis Fitzgerald as Henry Faulkner, Clive Hearne as Mr. Custer, Abbe Holmes as Mrs. Harris, Simon Thorpe as Blacksmith, John Baird as Local Rider, Cody Harris as Local Rider, Daniel Bowden as Boy No. 1

Code of Ethics

Episode 2.17 (30)
Written by David Phillips
Directed by Tim Burstall

Kathleen's exposure of a government scandal surrounging a new railway line threatens Matt's position as the town's parliamentary representative and puts their relationship to the test.

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson

Also: Tim Elliott as Arnold Rule, Peter Docker as Randall, Clive Hearne as Mr. Custer, Peter McCauley as Higgins, Peter Stratford as Premier, Jon Stephens as Mr. Roper, Bruce Naylor as Clerk, John Forsythe as Usher, Neil Fletcher as Foreman

The Cutting Edge

Episode 2.18 (31)
Written by Patrick Edgeworth
Directed by Denny Lawrence

Matt and Kathleen intervene and devise a plan to save the town's sawmill from bankruptcy.

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson, Greg Parker as Herbert Elliott

Also: David Roberts as John Archer, Jonathan Hardy as Archer Senior Carlton Lamb as Jake Carter, Mark Neal as Harry, Aidan Fennessy as Tim, Ann Burbrook as Mrs. Carter, Jon Stephens as Mr. Perkins, Gabrielle Higgins as Piano Hands, Mick Slocum as Squeeze Box Player, Brett Tucker as Ted, Diana Lee as Mrs Archer

House of Worship

Episode 2.19 (32)
Written by Jan Sardi
Directed by Tim Burstall

The arrival of a family of Russian refugees in Paterson's Ridge creates friction with the locals, just as the completion of Colin's new church is uniting the community. Apart from religious misunderstandings, the main culprit is David, the refugees headstrong seventeen-year-old son.

With: Ben Geurens as Michael O'Neil, Jon Finlayson as James Gleeson, Greg Parker as Herbert Elliott

Special Guest: Henri Szeps as Jacob Berkovich

Also: Jan Friedl as Rivke Berkovich, Adam Fraser as David Berkovich, Esme Melville as Bobbe Berkovich, Kristie Meiss as Sarah Berkovich, Clive Hearne as Mr. Custer, Abbe Holmes as Mrs Harris, Gabrielle Higgins as Piano Hands, Julie Day as Woman No. 1, Michael O'Malley as Woman No. 2