Ep 1. Episode 1

Safe Harbour is an Australian drama series that follows a group of friends who set out on a yacht trip that leads to a tragic encounter with a group of asylum seekers. The series explores themes of guilt, trauma, and the complexities of human relationships.

Episode 1 begins with five friends - Ryan, Bree, Damien, Olivia, and Helen - preparing for a sailing trip in the waters near Brisbane. They plan to visit Indonesia and enjoy a fun vacation on their yacht while exploring new horizons. Ryan and Bree are a couple who have planned the trip as a romantic getaway while their friends Damien, Olivia, and Helen are excited to be part of it.

The opening scene shows the five friends having fun on the yacht as they sail towards Indonesia, drinking, laughing, and enjoying the scenic beauty of the ocean. But their happiness is short-lived when they come across a distressed boat full of refugees. The group debates whether to help the refugees, but they eventually decide to maintain their distance and inform the authorities.

However, things take a turn for the worse when they discover a young boy named Ismail hiding on their boat. Ismail appears to be one of the refugees from the distressed boat, and the group has to grapple with the decision of what to do with him. Ryan, who is the captain of the yacht, thinks it's best to turn Ismail over to the authorities, but his friends aren't so sure.

As the group argues over what to do with the boy, tensions begin to rise. They are conflicted about how much they should help the refugees and how much they should prioritize their own safety. Ryan's younger sister, Olivia, who is a humanitarian and a lawyer, is sympathetic to the refugees and wants to offer them more assistance. But Ryan is more cautious, considering the potential legal implications of their involvement with the refugees.

While they are all dealing with the stress of the situation, tensions also arise regarding personal relationships within the group. Damien, who is secretly in love with Bree, is upset that Ryan and Bree's relationship is getting stronger and takes his frustration out by drinking heavily and causing trouble onboard. Meanwhile, Olivia is struggling with a recent breakup and shares her inner turmoil with Ismail, sparking a connection between the two.

As the episode progresses, the group discovers more about Ismail's past and the circumstances that led him to flee his country. They begin to realize the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences of their actions. They are also forced to confront their own prejudices and preconceptions about asylum seekers.

The tension builds as they approach land, and the group has to make a decision about what to do with Ismail. Some members of the group are keen on helping him and giving him a chance at a better life, while others are hesitant to risk their own safety and legal consequences. The episode ends with the group still at sea, with tensions at an all-time high and the fate of Ismail in the balance.

Overall, episode 1 of Safe Harbour sets the stage for the series' exploration of complex ethical issues and the challenges of human relationships in the face of tragedy. The show's strong performances and compelling plot make for a tense and thrilling episode that leaves viewers eager to see what happens next.