australian television information archive

The Waterhole

Episode 1.05
Sun, June 24, 2018
525,000 viewers (10th)
Written by Timothy Lee
Directed by Rachel Perkins

As Reese’s murder reverberates through the small town of Patterson, his grieving mother Liz asks to hold her son’s memorial at Black Springs. However when the request is refused by the local Aboriginal Elders, citing that Black Springs is a ‘sorry place’ — Emma is confused. Black Springs is on her family’s land, how can it be a sorry place?

Convinced Marley is not responsible for Reese’s murder, Jay is in a race against time to find the evidence to back up his case before the boy ends up in prison for a crime he did not commit.

And having gone from being the footy hero to the town pariah — Marley is beginning to crack.

Troubled about Black Springs being a sorry place, Emma begins to investigate the history of their family’s property. She uncovers another crime committed at Black Springs long before the murder of Reese; a crime which still reverberates in Patterson; a crime that changes her understanding of who she is and threatens to destroy her relationship with her brother.

With Mary having cleared out, Crystal helps her father find a breakthrough in the case. But it’s too late. Overcome with fear and guilt, Marley breaks bail and runs to see his uncle Larry. He is arrested, and Emma has no option but to send him to prison. Hoping to finally get the truth from the boy, Jay persuades Emma to let him drive Marley to prison. But on the way they are attacked, and are forced to fight for their lives.

Cast:

• Aaron Pedersen as Jay Swan
• Judy Davis as Emma James
• Deborah Mailman as Kerry Thompson
• Wayne Blair as Larry Dime
• Colin Friels as Tony Ballantyne
• Anthony Hayes as Ryan Muller
• John Waters as Travis James
• Tasma Walton as Mary Swan
• Tasia Zalar as Shevorne Shields
• Madeleine Madden as Crystal Swan
• Ernie Dingo as Keith Groves
• Aaron McGrath as Marley Thompson
•  
• Agnes Armstrong as Agnes
• Eddie Baroo as Tyson Zein
• Scott Day as Truck Stop Attendant
• Peter Docker as Luke Roberts
• Dora Griffiths as Dora
• Jan Griffiths as Jan
• Alex Jones as Linda Ballantyne
• Ningali Lawford Wolf as Dot
• Kris Mcquade as Liz Rutherford
• Rohan Mirchandaney as David Sharma
• Jornell Winter as Jornell
• Meyne Wyatt as Cedric Thompson
•  
• Ted Carlton as Mourning Ceremony Man
• Button Jones as Mourning Ceremony Man
• Deon Jamin as Mourning Ceremony Man
• Lyndon Carlton as Mourning Ceremony Man
• Lindsay Paddy as Mourning Ceremony Man
• Marcus Hall as Mourning Ceremony Man
• Clifford Carlton as Mourning Ceremony Man
• Chris Griffiths as Mourning Ceremony Man
• Terrance Carlton as Mourning Ceremony Man
• Quebec as Mourning Ceremony Man
• Tommy Dodd as Mourning Ceremony Man
•  
• Agnes Armstrong as Mourning Ceremony Woman
• Dora Griffiths as Mourning Ceremony Woman
• Peggy Griffiths as Mourning Ceremony Woman
• Jodie Hall as Mourning Ceremony Woman
• Phyllis Ningamarra as Mourning Ceremony Woman
• Minnie Lumai as Mourning Ceremony Woman
• Jan Griffiths as Mourning Ceremony Woman
•  
• Mick Corrigan as Motorbike Rider
• Ian Llambi as Shooter
• Mick Van Moorsel as Driver
• Jason O'Halloran as Marley Stunt Double
• Puven Pather as Jay Driving Double
• Leon Stripp as Jay Driving Double
• Ali Macgregor as Emma Picture Double