australian television information archive

Coober Pedy’s A Long Way

Episode 3
Written by Dylan River, Tanith Glynn-Maloney and Sophie Miller
Directed by Dylan River

With Robert and Maxine hot on their heels, Robyn discovers Gidge has stowed away in the taxi. But when she tries to abandon him in the desert, the taxi becomes bogged in the sand.

Maxine arrives at the community to recover her stolen taxi. She soon meets Robert, who is angry when he discovers that his son has taken off with Robyn, until Maxine sweet talks him into following them in his caravan.

Meanwhile Robyn is heading to Coober Pedy. Beside herself with grief for Ringer, she discovers Gidge hiding in the back of the vehicle. She tries to abandon him in the desert, only to become bogged in the sand. Gidge tries to help fix the car but only makes things worse. Looking for a spare tyre the duo find a stash of money belonging to Maxine in the taxi’s boot. Just then Robert’s caravan approaches and they hide. Maxine has seen something and stops.

After a narrow escape, Robyn and Gidge are left to fend for themselves in the desert. With water running low and Gidge fearing the worse, Aboriginal men drive up in a ute. Robyn is wary of them, and Gidge tries to defend her, but the men have come to help. They fix the taxi and get them on their way. At Coober Pedy, Robert discovers from some of Maxine’s old friends that she used to be a prostitute. He asks about her services as they wait for Robyn and Gidge, while she plots how to stay on Robyn’s tail.

Cast:

• Noah Taylor as Robert Senior
• Miranda Otto as Maxine
• Will McDonald as Gidge
• Sherry-Lee Watson as Robyn
• William McKenna as Constable Standley
• Natasha Wanganeen as Mary
• Anni Finsterer as Billy
• Kelly Butler as Sugar
• Robin Granites as Red Ochre Men Leader
• Kumunjayi Jampijinpa Brown as Red Ochre Men Leader
• Dwayne Brown as Red Ochre Man
• Farrison Granites as Red Ochre Man
• Morrison Forrester as Red Ochre Man
• Eddie Baroo as Big Pete