Ep 1. Gone

In the first episode of Mystery Road season 1, titled "Gone," Detective Jay Swan returns to his hometown in the Australian Outback to investigate the disappearance of two young farm workers. As he delves deeper into the case, Jay must navigate the complex dynamics of the local community, where tensions run high between the white townspeople and the indigenous population.

The episode opens with Jay driving through the vast, arid landscape of the Outback, his car kicked up dust in its wake. As he approaches the town, he sees a group of indigenous men gathered on the side of the road, and he realizes the situation is more complicated than he initially thought. Upon arriving in town, Jay is met with suspicion and hostility from many of the white residents, including the local police officer, Emma James. But he finds an ally in Mary, an indigenous woman who works at the local pub and has an intricate understanding of the area's history and culture.

Jay starts to investigate the disappearance of the two farm workers, Marley and Reese, who were last seen leaving a bar with a group of white men. But as he interviews witnesses and digs deeper into the case, he discovers a web of deceit and cover-ups that implicates several powerful members of the town, including the mayor and the local mining company. Meanwhile, tensions continue to simmer between the white and indigenous communities, as protests and acts of vandalism escalate in the wake of the disappearance.

As the episode unfolds, we get glimpses into Jay's troubled past and the strained relationships he has with his ex-wife and teenage daughter. We also see the toll that the case is taking on him, as he grapples with the weight of his responsibility and the injustices that he uncovers. The show's cinematography is stunning, with sweeping aerial shots of the rugged terrain and sun-bleached imagery that captures the harshness of the Outback. The score is haunting and atmospheric, with eerie chants and rhythms that add to the sense of unease and mystery.

Overall, "Gone" is a gripping and intense start to the series, setting the stage for a nuanced exploration of race, power, and justice in contemporary Australia. The performances are top-notch, with Aaron Pedersen bringing a quiet intensity and stoicism to the role of Jay Swan, and Judy Davis imbuing the character of Emma James with a simmering anger and frustration. The writing is sharp and nuanced, avoiding easy cliches and presenting complex characters and situations that keep the viewer engaged and invested. Anyone who enjoys gritty crime dramas with a strong sense of place and character should definitely give Mystery Road a watch.