In 1788 British convicts transported to Australia wake to another day in the penal colony. James Freeman stands up to the bullying Marston, who steals food from the other convicts and is upset when Anne Meredith, a woman he has helped, refuses to support his accusation. Elizabeth Quinn is flogged for refusing to name the convict lover with whom she has spent the night, Tommy Barrett, who would be hung if he came forward. Forcing the good-natured Sergeant Timmins to perform the flogging sadistic Major Ross observes that the female prisoners are there as sex objects for the soldiers only - a practice privately opposed by the humane governor Philip. Tommy confesses but is saved from hanging by the intervention of the vicar's kindly wife Mrs Johnson and, though he and Elizabeth have spouses in England, they are married, on condition they never return home. For James, who secretly loves Elizabeth, this is another blow. Written by don @ minifie-1

Tommy and James kill Marston, weighing down in his body in the sea. James is brought before the governor, who, with no evidence of a body, releases him - to Ross's annoyance - and announces a new policy of equality. Ross is also furious with the governor for allowing Tommy and Elizabeth to marry but is over-ruled. However a grain shortage leading to a reduction in the prisoners' rations provokes protests. Prisoner Kitty McVitie is mutually in love with corporal MacDonald though she is used by Ross for regular sex whilst Anne Meredith, one of a group being taught to read by Mrs Johnson, informs the vicar's wife that she is able to communicate with the dead - in this instance Mrs Johnson's children who died in infancy. Written by don @ minifie-1

Convinced that Marston's corpse has been found and that he will be hung James steals rum from the governor. He is caught by the house-keeper Deborah, who agrees to say nothing provided James scotches gossip about her and the governor. Reverend Johnson warns Anne Meredith not to influence his wife whilst blessing the union of Tommy and the pregnant Elizabeth. He is keen to get the convicts to build a church but the governor refuses, claiming that they are too weak. Letters Molloy, a literate convict who reads the news from home to his fellows, asks Captain Collins to stop his literacy lessons as Letters is protecting the others from home truths by fabricating good news for them and wants to avoid hurting them. As Ross continues to exploit Kitty she tries to drown herself. MacDonald saves her but she stumbles upon Marston's body which is brought ashore, causing James to escape into the jungle. Written by don @ minifie-1

Sergeant Timmins considers it too dangerous to pursue James into the jungle so he claims to have shot him, getting his men to fire their guns. Vicar Johnson makes Anne Meredith tell his wife that she does not have the gift of second sight but Mrs Johnson realizes that this is a lie and goes for a session with Anne, who encourages her to try for a baby with her husband. The Johnsons also expose Ross's sadistic treatment of Kitty as a result of which he appears to be contrite, offering his men to build the Johnsons' church and softening in his attitude towards Kitty. James returns from the jungle after a confrontation with another escapee. He is due to hang but pardoned on condition that he becomes the colony's hangman himself. Written by don @ minifie-1

The other convicts are suspicious that James has returned unpunished, believing he has turned informer. A vote is taken as to his survival, which goes narrowly in his support, thanks to Elizabeth, the deal being that he act as a double agent and inform on the governor. Private Mulrooney dies of a snake bite in the bush and Ross gets Letters Molloy to write to his parents, claiming that he died in an heroic skirmish with natives - whilst telling the convicts the truth to dissuade them from escape attempts. Ross also gives Kitty a gift, making MacDonald jealous. Tommy and James join a card game with some of the soldiers which Tommy wins, causing bumptious Private Buckley to accuse him of cheating and to boast about having had sex with Elizabeth. Written by don @ minifie-1

Tommy Barrett launches a vicious assault on Private Buckley and is sentenced to hang. With food rations being cut Ross urges the governor not to weaken in his decision as he will need military support in case of rebellion. He does not tell him that he has ordered his arrest should he fail to support the sentence. Meanwhile MacDonald suspects that Ross's apparent new-found gentleness is a ploy to come between him and Kitty and Letters is forced to admit to fellow convict Stubbins that he has lied about his wife's infidelity to spare his feelings. For James however the problem is to keep from the other prisoners the fact that he will be the hangman and the target of their revenge. Written by don @ minifie-1

Kitty agrees to live with Ross, to MacDonald's utter desolation, whilst the Reverend Johnson and Captain Collins discover that Anne Meredith has been exploiting the vicar's wife. The prisoners plan to turn their backs on the hanging and the governor decides to use this as an excuse to cut rations though Ross devises a brutal way of making them watch. Tommy, having given James his blessing to marry Elizabeth, is shocked to find out that he will be his executioner but reminds him that he will now be a marked man among the other convicts. Written by don @ minifie-1