Original subtitles

- [Announcer] Previously on Snowy River: The McGregor Saga.

- They told me you were dead.

They told me your ship went down

off the American coast, that no one survived.

- Now that you mention it, I think I have seen you before.

- What's your name, son?

- Michael O'Neil.

- The man you were talking to.

- Yeah.

- He's your father.

- Kathleen is my wife.

- We married for better or worse.

In the eyes of the law they are still my family.

- Where did you draw this water from?

- Emily got it from the creek.

- It's bad.

Even during the bad years, I've never see it this dry.

And there's your answer.

- He's what?

- Well in the eyes of the church you could very well

be living in a sinful relationship with Dad.

- (mumbles)

- Oh, thank you.

- Why did he have to come back

and start making trouble for everyone?

- No, Dan.

- Well, he could have gone on just pretending he was dead.

- That's enough, Danni.

- Is Mum around?

- Michael, breakfast.

- I've already eaten, thanks, Mrs. Tan.

Where is she?

I've got something important to give her from Dad.

- She's not here, Micheal.

She's staying in town for a while.

(slow music)

She asked me to give you this.

Michael.

Michael.

You know it was a difficult thing for your mum to do.

So, how long will you be camping out with your father?

- I don't know.

- Well, if you want to finish breaking that horse in.

- Thanks.

- You all right?

- I'm fine, Matt.

- Everything all right?

- Nah.

Look, you better pick up where we left off yesterday.

See if you can find out where

they're channeling that water to.

Stay undercover.

Don't take any unnecessary risks.

- You going to let him stay with Seamus?

- Well, right now we don't seem to have much of a choice.

(upbeat country music)

- Oh, Michael.

- I got your note.

- And you understand why I've had to move here?

- Because you don't want to do

the wrong thing by Matt, or my father.

- Not so much your father, Michael.

If it wasn't for him there'd be no need...

- He asked me to give you this.

He said it's important.

- It's a bank draft, for 2,000 pounds.

- 2,000?

- Dearest Kathleen.

The first step towards righting the wrong.

I can't accept this.

- He wants you to have it, Mum.

- Michael, your father has put me

in a very difficult situation.

Now I have made decisions

that affect the lives of other people.

- You mean Matt.

- And you, and Rob, and Danni.

Things that can't be undone.

- He's trying to do something good, Mum.

It means a lot to him.

At least say you'll think about the money, please.

(hammer banging)

(coughing)

- I'd offer you a cup of tea, but I understand

the creek water's no longer fit for man nor beast.

The boy's here by his own choice, Matt.

- Oh, and you're not influencing him one way or the other?

- His mother agreed.

- You're splitting up my family, Seamus.

- The boy is here because he wants to be with his father.

- He's here because he's confused.

He doesn't know which way to turn.

- You put yourself in my place, Matt.

What would you do if someone tried to keep you

from seeing your own sons or your daughter?

- I wouldn't have let 'em think

I was dead for all those years.

- Well you said yesterday that law can't rule

on people's feelings or emotions.

And if the law can't rule, can you?

(slow suspenseful music)

- Ah!

- Whoa.

(horse whinnying)

(punching and kicking)

- That's enough.

(groaning)

Well, well, if it isn't our driver from Paterson's Ridge.

- Hardwick.

Stealing water now, huh?

- Stealing's illegal.

And we're all law-abiding around here.

- The town needs that water, you know?

- Well, I wouldn't know about that.

All I know is that water's on private property.

And so, my young friend, are you.

Did you hear the story about curiosity killing the cat?

- No, why don't you tell me about it.

- You could finish up worse off

than that cat, you understand me?

Answer me.

(dramatic music)

- Yeah, I understand you.

- And you just get on your horse and you ride out of here.

And don't you look back.

- I have every reason to hate him,

but he's only following his conscience.

- He's tearing our lives apart.

- Yeah, but he's doing what he thinks is best by his son.

There are times when I almost feel sorry for him.

- He gave Michael this to give to me.

Now I have no intention of accepting his money.

The last thing I want to do is encourage him.

- Then why do you still have it?

- If I'd refused it point blank

I'd have been rejecting Michael, not Seamus.

Oh, I'll return it in my own way and on my own terms.

- I've found him.

It's Hardwick from Blaine's Ravine.

He said I was on private property.

- Harwick?

What's this all about, Matt?

- Well, the creek's been dammed.

It looks like he's responsible.

Look, I'd appreciate it if you kept it out of the paper,

at least until I come up with some answers.

- Matt.

- Hey, you do what you think's best with the money.

You know I trust you.

(slow music)

- It wasn't meant as a bribe, Kathleen.

- You know, the breakdown of our marriage

had nothing to do with money.

- Well the lack of it certainly didn't help.

- If we'd genuinely loved one another

we would have found a way out of our financial problems.

- Are you saying now that you never loved me?

- Seamus, you're twisting my words.

(Seamus laughing)

Yet you find it so amusing now.

- It's just that here we are arguing about money,

and you're nagging, and I'm running,

it's just like old times.

- Your sense of humor always

did leave something to be desired.

- Well, it was enough to keep you and the boy

amused on a winter's night,

while the coal still glowed in the grate.

(slow music)

- The coals have gone out, Seamus.

- Not for Michael they haven't.

- Seamus.

- Look, don't take the money or yourself.

Take if for Michael.

Use it for his schooling, send him to college.

He doesn't have to know that the money's come from me.

Please.

Not for me, for Michael.

- G'day to you, McGregor.

- Kelvin Hardwick.

First you try to get the sole

grazing rights to all the alpine leases.

Then the printing press.

Now this.

- I may not have those leases.

But what I do have, McGregor, are the sole rights

to 1,000 yards of creek frontage, and you're on it.

- Well rights or no rights, you can't cut a town off

from its traditional water supply.

- Well, it's a matter of priorities.

I own those rights, and I'll do

whatever I think fit with the water.

And I'll do whatever's necessary to protect those rights.

- These mountains were settled

by neighbor helping neighbor, town helping town.

- No, the strong survive and the weak perish,

and that's the natural order of things.

- You picked the wrong time

to fight the wrong man, Hardwick.

- When you're ready we'll be waiting. (laughs)

(slow dramatic music)

- You know, I think underneath it all

my parents still care for one another.

I know Dad does, and I'm pretty sure

Mum does too, even though she won't admit it.

- And why won't she admit it?

- Maybe because she doesn't want to hurt Matt's feelings.

- (laughs) Are you saying that Kathleen

loves your father more than she loves Dad?

- Yeah.

- You're wrong, Michael.

- I am not wrong.

I know them both a lot better than you do.

- If you think Kathleen's still in love

with your father, you don't know anything.

Kathleen, we thought you were staying in town.

- Well, I just came back to collect a few things.

- I'd better get going.

- Wait.

Mum, if things work out for Dad and he decides to stay here,

you move back with him, right?

- Michael, when I married Matt I made a commitment to him.

I could never move back with your father.

- But you only got married again

'cause we thought he was dead.

It'll be different, won't it?

- I remarried because I was in love with Matt.

And I'm still in love with him.

- But you left Matt and moved into town.

- Only until we could resolve all this, Michael.

- You're just saying that

'cause you don't want to hurt Matt's feelings.

- No, Micheal.

Now it's important that you understand.

Your father and I could never get back together.

Not ever.

Do you understand?

(slow music)

Michael.

I know how hard this is for you,

but would you just listen to me?

(hooves thundering)

- Hey, Michael.

Hey, you want to give me a hand?

- You shouldn't be doing this?

- What do you think?

Nice porch?

- You shouldn't be doing it.

(hooves thundering)

- Hello.

You must be Miss Kirov.

- Yes, Hannah.

- Danni, Danni McGregor.

Welcome to Paterson's Ridge.

- Thank you.

- Oh, this is for you.

- Oh, there was no need.

My aunt said I would be made to feel welcome.

What is it?

- Your drinking water.

I filtered it myself.

- Water?

- Well, you shouldn't drink the creek water, it's bad.

- Oh, I see.

My aunt warned me that living

in the high country would be different.

- Well, it's not always like this.

It's just the drought.

- Drought?

- Well it's dried up all the creeks.

- But it's so green.

And my aunt said that the drought had broken.

- Well, it has, but the creeks haven't started flowing yet.

- Oh I see.

Until the creeks start flowing, how does one bathe?

- Ah, I guess one doesn't.

- Oh, and how long before the creeks start flowing again?

- Oh, not long.

- Good.

- Dad says about a month.

- One month?

- [Danni] Mm-hm.

(gentle upbeat music)

For bathing.

(laughing)

- Dammed the creek?

Can he do that?

- I'm waiting to hear back from the Surveyor General

for a ruling on the water rights.

- Gather round, gather round and roll up, folks.

'Cause what I've got to say I won't say it twice.

I've got the freshest water

in the Snowy Mountains, and here it comes.

Sixpence a gallon, folks.

It's a bargain in any man's language.

(crowd muttering)

- [Man] Oh, you gotta be joking.

- Sixpence a gallon of water.

It's the best deal you'll find anywhere in the mountains.

- Yeah, well I've got a son who's sick

and you're telling me I have to pay

for the privilege of giving him fresh water.

- The money's just for the freighting, mate.

(crowd muttering)

Come on, step right up, before the price goes up.

Just sixpence a gallon, folks.

- I'll show you what you can do with your water, pal.

(crowd yelling)

- Back George.

Charlie, that's enough now.

- You're not going to let him

get away with it, are you, Matt?

- Now listen.

You get back on that wagon while you're still in one piece.

You tell Hardwick we're not paying for any water.

- You lot are making a big mistake.

By the end of the week the water will be twice as expensive.

That's if you can find someone willing to sell it to ya.

- You've been warned, now move.

- Come on fellas, let's go.

(crowd jeering)

- The least we could have done was taken the water, Matt.

- Water that was ours to start with.

(flute music)

♫ When I was young I had no sense

♫ I bought a fiddle for 18 pence

♫ The only tune that I could play

♫ Was o'er the hill and very far away

♫ So early in the mornin'

♫ So early in the mornin'

♫ So early in the mornin'

♫ Before the break of day

(whistle music)

- It's all right, Michael.

You'll get it soon enough.

You know, your grandfather taught me that tune.

- My grandfather?

- Mm-hm.

And this is his very same whistle.

He lives in Dublin.

- I've got a grandfather?

- I haven't seen him since I was a lad.

- What's his name?

- Michael.

I named you after him.

- I've got a grandfather.

- You should visit him one day.

- Yeah, I'd like that.

- Well, Miss Hale.

Would you care for some tea, or a recital, or both?

- Mr. O'Neil, I've been doing some serious thinking

about the dispute between us, and I've reached a decision.

- And a rather impressive one by the sound of it.

- I'd feel a whole lot happier if you were

to move off the land and into town

until the question of ownership has been settled.

- I see.

- You can't order my father off his own land.

- Michael, this may have been your family's place once.

But until someone shows me a title made out in the name...

- It's all right, Michael.

She's perfectly within her rights, perfectly reasonable.

- Then you'll go?

- Well, like you, I'll give the matter

my most serious attention.

- Well I'd like you off the place

by noon tomorrow, Mr. O'Neil.

- By noon?

- At the very latest.

Sir.

- You're not going.

You can't go.

- Easy, son, I only...

- I'm not going to let you go.

- It's all right, Michael.

(coughing)

(slow dramatic music)

- Dad, you all right?

Dad, Dad.

(slow music)

How are you feeling?

- Better.

- I was going to ride for help

but I didn't want to leave you.

- [Seamus] No need to trouble.

- You scared me.

- Now don't be scared, son.

I'm all right now.

- [Michael] What are you doing?

- The fire needs building up.

- Stay there.

I'll do it.

You're not going to go away again, are you?

Are you?

- I won't be going away, son.

The sky is so blue in the high country.

So brilliantly blindingly blue.

- Will you need a hand unloading all this stuff?

- It will be dark by the time I get home.

I'll leave it til the morning.

Danni can help me if you're not going to be around.

- Thanks.

- You going to spend the night with your dad?

- Yeah.

You know what he told me?

I've got a grandfather.

He lives in Dublin.

That's in Ireland.

I'm going to go and see him one day, Dad and me together.

- Sounds good.

- You don't think I should see him, do you?

- When have I ever said that?

- You didn't have to.

- Look, I'm sorry.

It's just so hard to get used to, you know?

Ever since Mum died I've just watched Dad work so hard

day and night, always putting the family first.

I gave up thinking he was ever going to find anyone else.

Til your mother came along.

I just want him to be happy, Michael.

I think that's what he deserves.

So does your mum.

- Doesn't my dad deserve to be happy too?

- Yeah, yeah, I suppose he does.

- Why does it have to be so hard?

- Because it's the way it is, Michael.

All right, that should be enough.

You can head off if you like.

- He's a good man, Rob.

If you got to know him you're really like him.

- I'm sure I would, Michael.

(gentle music)

- Mind telling me what you're doing, Matt?

- George.

Yes, I'm digging for water.

- What, underground water?

- Yep, have a look.

It needs to be strained and boiled,

but it's there all right.

- It seems to me that wouldn't be such a bad idea at all.

- Ah, be my guest.

The more we have digging the better.

- [Man] That's a great idea.

- There some tools on the lorry

if anyone wants to lend a hand.

- [Man] You take over, come on.

Come on, now all have a go.

- This isn't your idea of a

diversionary tactic by any chance?

Keep their minds off their troubles

while you wait for an answer from Melbourne?

- Well, whatever it is it seems to be working.

- Mr. Gleeson knew all about the dam

when he arrived for work this morning.

Word's getting out.

- I missed you last night.

- I missed you too.

(dramatic music)

- Come on, come on.

Come on, come on.

That's a girl, come on.

Come on, come on, come on.

- I warned you people.

- I know you.

What?

What are?

- What have we got to do to get you people to understand?

That dam is here to stay.

(punching and groaning)

(slow music)

(door knocking)

- Who is it?

Oh, Emily, I didn't realize you were up and about.

- I'm feeling much better.

Look, if this isn't a good time.

- No, it's fine, Emily.

Come in.

- I'd like it very much if you were

to come to dinner tonight, Kathleen.

- Oh, there's no need for that.

- There is.

I know what you must be going through.

To have all this happen when you both seem so happy.

- At the moment I'm more worried about Michael.

- That's why you must come to dinner.

You can't lock yourself away like this.

- I'm not locking myself away.

- Say you'll come, if only for my sake.

- Of course I'll come.

(slow music)

(dramatic music)

- Michael.

Michael.

Michael, no.

- [Michael] This is our house.

(grunting)

(wood smacking)

(gasping)

(hooves thundering)

- [Montana] Watch out, watch out.

Get out of the way.

Come on.

Kathleen.

- Michael.

What happened?

- You'd best send for a doctor.

- [Montana] He was struck on the head by some timber.

- What happened?

- He showed up at the farmhouse.

He started pulling down the framework for the extensions.

- I checked him as best I could on the way in.

I don't think anything's broken.

- Michael.

Michael.

- Matt.

Matt, it's Michael, he's been hurt.

- There Michael.

I'm here.

Come on, darling.

- Matt.

I can't get a response.

- Hey, come on, come on.

He'll be fine.

(slow music)

He'll be okay.

Michael.

Michael, it's Matt.

Michael.

Can you hear me son?

Michael.

Michael?

- You all right?

- I should have known what he was about.

I should have stopped him.

You were right, as you've always been, Kathleen,

from the very beginning.

I should have never come back.

All I've brought you is misery.

For someone who only wanted to set things right,

I've made a huge mess of it.

(slow music)

- But set things right for whom, Seamus?

Me, for Michael?

Or for you?

- There was a time when I thought

all of it amounted to the same thing.

But I see now it doesn't.

- How's Michael?

- Matt's with him.

- Dad, it's Hardwick.

(crowd muttering)

- What's going on?

- You all know me and you know why I'm here.

I warned that McGregor there'd be trouble

if anyone trespassed on that land.

But you didn't listen to me.

Well, this is what happens to trespassers.

(grunting)

- Charlie.

- You can't do this, Hardwick.

- Stay off my property.

- There's no need for this.

(gun firing)

- That's close enough.

- Look, the only way to resolve this

it to talk about it and find a solution.

- You think talking helped Charlie Quinn solve his problems?

(crowd mumbling)

- In the eyes of the law Charlie

was trespassing on private property.

- But that's no reason to have him half killed Matt.

- Yeah, that's right.

- He hasn't got a right to dam the creek either.

(crowd yelling)

(gun firing)

- You can have a share of the water,

provided you're willing to pay for it.

- I've paid for a lot of things in my life,

but I've never had to pay

for something that was mine to begin with.

- Well, if you want a share of the water you'll pay for it.

Or you'll go without.

And anyone caught meddling

with that dam will be shot on sight.

- What are we supposed to do?

Pay, for our own creek water?

- [Man] Pull the dam down.

(crowd yelling)

- Hold on.

- We blow Hardwick and his men

to kingdom come if we have to.

- Just hang on.

Look, you break the law to get what you want

and you're just as guilty as Hardwick

and his men, if not worse.

- We have no choice, Matt.

- There's always a choice.

- Then what is it?

- Either you wait for the issues to be made clear

and you act within the law,

or you go off half-cocked as a mob

and run the risk or serious injury, or even loss of life.

- Now if this dam is proven legal

then all of you will be breaking the law.

Now, in the long run what is that

going to do for your families?

- Now go home, let your tempers cool off, and sleep on it.

We'll meet here tomorrow first light

and put the matter to a vote.

- If we vote to destroy the dam no matter what the cost?

- Then I'll go with the majority decision and ride with you.

(crowd talking)

- You've got til first light, Matt.

- Go home.

- Okay. - First light.

- Let's hope there's some news in the telegraph office

about the legal side of this.

- Yeah well, I wouldn't count on it.

It could take weeks to sort this out.

- They're not going to wait til morning.

We should...

- Then I'll make it my business to see they do.

- Kelvin Hardwick's only interested

in one thing, Matt, and it's not water.

It's money.

He's not going to back down.

- Yes, I'm aware of that.

(slow music)

- They're holding the town to ransom.

- Yeah.

- If you think cooler heads

will prevail in this, you're mistaken.

What are you going to do, Matt?

- Michael.

I'll get some fresh water.

- Thank you.

- Oh Michael.

(slow music)

My boy.

You'll come through this, Michael.

And when you do, I want you to live each day til the full.

And act with honor and the courage of your conviction.

And when you think of me, Michael,

think of me with affection, not with anger or sorrow.

Because I love you, son.

- I'm very sorry.

- No, it's all right.

I was just stepping out for a breath of fresh air.

I'd be obliged if you'd say a prayer for him.

- Of course.

- Thank you.

Where is he going?

- Ah, well he.

- Where's he going?

- He's gone out the dam.

He told me not to say anything.

- He can't do it alone.

- Yeah, well that's what I said to him.

He's got dynamite in the saddle bags.

- He's calling for his father.

- Colin, Custer wants a word with you.

(hooves thundering)

(slow music)

(hooves thundering)

- I'd hold tight to that little bundle if I were you.

- What are you doing here?

- Well I'd ask you the same question,

but I think I know the answer.

- Go back, this is a one man job.

- But who's going to keep an eye out

for Hardwick and his men while you're setting the fuse?

You check the place out yet?

- Yeah, I've checked it out.

- Well, what are we waiting for?

(dramatic music)

(hooves thundering)

- Mr. Hardwick.

It's McGregor.

He's down at the dam with a mate.

They've got dynamite.

- Come on.

- I'm starting to get the feeling

we're not alone out here, Matt.

How much longer?

- Almost there.

- Matt, they're here.

- The fuse is bad.

This'll be a short fuse.

We're going to have to run for it.

(gun firing)

- I'm here and I'm not going back, so save your breath.

(guns firing)

- They think they're getting the range.

(gun firing)

- Okay, run.

Seamus, Seamus.

(dam exploding)

Seamus.

Oh Seamus.

- It's over, Hardwick.

You understand?

You understand?

- We did it.

- Yeah we did it.

- Don't worry, Matt.

If it hadn't been this it would have been the cancer.

(slow music)

The doctors gave me six months.

Seeing you and Kathleen together,

the brightness in her eyes.

(coughing)

- Hey, you save your strength, Seamus.

- Matt, you look after my boy.

You make him a good horse breaker.

- I will, I promise.

- My boy, my boy.

(gentle music)

- [Seamus] You put your left paw up here

and your right paw there.

- Wouldn't you rather keep it?

- You did love him, didn't you, Mum?

- Yes, I loved him.

- Hey, you come visit here whenever you want.

- Thanks.

- Michael.

He was a good man.

He loved you very much.

(slow country music)