australian television information archive

The Great Horse Race

Episode 1.20
Written by Michael Laurence
Directed by Simon Wincer

When a horse swims ashore on Malo, Aaron, who is celebrating his 10th birthday, wants the horse for himself. The Prime Minister also wants the horse, so Jeremiah brings the matter to the Q who decides to hold a race between this horse, which Aaron has named Quip, and the Prime Ministers horse, Quaga. When the Prime Minister's horse is bested, he is sure it is one of the five children who is riding it and he orders the rider to be arrested. When the identity of the rider is revealed, it is none other that Aaron's sister, Helen.

With: Cornelia Frances as Elizabeth Quinn and introducing "Smart Alec", trained by John Pinnell

Birdman of Tambu

Episode 1.21
Written by Michael Laurence
Directed by Bill Hughes

While giving the United World a thorough cleaning, the kids discover an old parachute. And when Jeremiah reports to kids having overheard the Prime Minister stating his desire to fly, David hatches an idea. With help from the others, he constructs a hang glider. Jeremiah and Helen look on in amazement as David tests the contraption on the beach. Confident of his invention, David readies to take the big leap from atop the cliffs, sure his demonstration would impress the Q people to such a degree they'd finally be free. David takes to the air as his concerned friends look on...
The kids send the Prime Minister a note, promising to show him that they can fly. Intrigued, the Prime Minister attends the demonstration. Having secretly brought his guards, the Prime Minister takes the boys into custody when David lands, and they are thrown into the same prison cell they found themselves in when they first arrived on the island.
Eager to demonstrate his own flying ability in an attempt to seize power from the Q, the Prime Minister attempts to duplicate David's flight from the cliff top. After a brief and exhilarating flight, the glider breaks and he crashes into the ocean below. With everyone's attention on the Prime Minister, Mark rescue's Tony and David.

The Magic Box

Episode 1.22
Written by Ian Coughlan
Script Editor: Michael Laurence
Directed by Bill Hughes

Anna and Su Ying enjoy the simply joy of listing to a music box found on the ship. The kids are surprised to find the old hermit on their ship, he too being drawn to the music box, taking it with him when he flees into the jungle.
Finding the hermit wandering through the village in the middle of the night with the otherworldly music box, the Prime Minister locks him up, confident the hermit can lead him to the children. When Helen reports to her friends that the hermit has been captured, the kids realise they are no longer safe and must find a new hiding place.
The next morning, the Prime Minister releases the hermit and follows him, hoping he will lead him to the children. As the hermit approaches the swamp protecting the kids' camp, David uses the music box, stolen back from the Prime Minister by Jeremiah, to lure the hermit and the trailing Prime Minister away from the kids' hideout.

With: Harry Lawrence as Hermit

The Wizard of Tambu

Episode 1.23
Written by Michael Laurence
Directed by Simon Wincer

When David falls ill, Helen and the others take him to see Quadricorn, the island's apocathary who lives outside the village. He quickly deduces that his illness results from eating poisonous berries and David makes a quick recovery. Quadricorn tells the kids how he was once a well respected man in the village but was forced to leave after Rufus Quad became the Prime Minister and set the people against him. Wanting to help their new friend regain his confidence and the respect of the villagers, the kids arrange a "phenomenal and truly excellent display of magic" using items from their ship.
The Prime Minister mocks the old wizard upon his return to the village but the prospect of the fugitive children helping Quadricorn raises a concern. The Prime Minister and his men keep a close watch on the show but Quadricorn's performance, not entirely aided by the children, is a rousing success.

With: Gerry Duggan as Quadricorn, Cornelia Frances as Elizabeth Quinn

The Slave Horse

Episode 1.24
Written by Michael Laurence
Directed by Bill Hughes

With the Q gone to Malo for ten days, the Prime Minister seizes the opportunity to finally capture the five children, and take ownership of Aaron's horse, Quip, which the Q denied him. Helen brings the horse to the kids camp in the Forbidden Swamp for safekeeping after hearing the Prime Minister's desire to put it to work in the granary turning the millstone. Quip manages to escape and returns to the Quinn's house where he is captured by the Prime Minister's men and is quickly put to work. Jason and Su Ying sneak into the granary in an attempt to free Quip but it is only the early return of the Q that keeps Quip with Aaron.

With: Cornelia Frances as Elizabeth, Norman Yemm as guard, and "Smart Alec" trained by John Pinnell

The Monster of Tambu

Episode 1.25
Written by Michael Laurence
Directed by Howard Rubie

David makes an unusual discovery in the swamp... a WWII era US Army DUKW (Amphibious truck). David and the others are able to repair the vehicle and get it running, and with a little paint, the Monster of Tambu is born! The site of the "monster" alarms the Q who rallies the Prime Minister and all his men to search the jungle for the beast.
When Helen faints at the site of the machine, Jason takes the DUKW for a drive to show her there's nothing to fear. Unable to control the vehicle, he rampages through the jungle, scattering the Prime Minister and his men.
Jason eventually get the vehicle stopped on the beach where TOny and David climb aboard. David takes the DUKW into the sea to escape the Prime Minister and his men. At a safe distance, the kids climb out and wave to the Prime Minister on the shore who is stunned to see the children have "tamed" the monster.

With: Cornelia Frances as Elizabeth, Ron Haddrick as the Q

Return of the Monster

Episode 1.26 - series finale
Written by Michael Laurence
Directed by Howard Rubie

An urgent message from Jason informs the kids that the Prime Minister has arrested the Quinn family after learning they've been helping the fugitive children. Helen, Aaron and their mother are brought before the Q to stand trial on charges of treason and conspiracy. The Q gives the Prime Minister the authority to pass judgement and he finds the Quinns guilty on all charges. The sentence... death.
The kids decide their only option is to lead the villagers in a revolution and overthrow the Prime Minister and the Q. Jason speaks to the assembled villagers, convincing them to support the children and fight for their freedom. With the "monster" at their side, the revolting villagers are lead into the town, driving off the Prime Minister and his remaining men. Realising he's been defeated, the Q keeps his last remaining subjects at his side, resigned to bide his time until the day comes they can regain what has been lost.
As the villagers celebrate their freedom, Jason announces they will next free the prisoners on Malo, the five children will live in the village until they can return home, and he introduces the new mayor of Tambu... Jeremiah.

With: Cornelia Frances as Elizabeth, Ron Haddrick as the Q