Ep 1. Out of the Ashes

As the fourth season of McLeod's Daughters begins, the characters are beginning to adjust to life after the tumultuous events of the previous season. Tess (Bridie Carter) and Claire (Lisa Chappell) have quit Drover's Run and moved to the city, while Jodi (Rachael Carpani) has assumed a leadership role at the farm.

The episode, titled "Out of the Ashes," focuses on the aftermath of a devastating bushfire that has destroyed much of Drovers Run. The fire has left the McLeod sisters reeling, as they struggle to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives.

As the episode begins, Tess returns to the farm to find it in ruins. She's heartbroken at the devastation she sees, but is determined to do what she can to rebuild. Meanwhile, Jodi is also struggling to come to terms with the fire, and is haunted by the memories of the flames and smoke.

As the sisters work to rebuild, they receive help from an unexpected source. Marcus (Michala Banas), who had left Drover's Run at the end of the previous season, returns to offer her assistance. Despite the tensions that had existed between Marcus and the McLeod sisters in the past, she proves to be a valuable ally as they work to rebuild their lives.

As they work to rebuild, the sisters also have to confront the financial realities of their situation. The damage to the farm has left them with a significant debt, and they struggle to find ways to keep the farm afloat. This leads them to consider new ways to generate income, including selling off some of their land.

Throughout the episode, the characters also have to confront their own personal demons. Tess grapples with her feelings for Nick (Myles Pollard), and wonders if she made a mistake leaving Drover's Run. Meanwhile, Jodi has to deal with the trauma of the fire, and struggles to find a way to move forward.

Overall, "Out of the Ashes" sets the stage for what promises to be an intense and emotional season of McLeod's Daughters. The characters face significant challenges, both in terms of rebuilding their lives after the fire, and in terms of confronting their own personal demons. But with the support of each other, they're able to find a way to move forward and begin the process of rebuilding.