As the curtains lift on the fifth chapter of "Territory," a haunting flashback unfolds, featuring Emily Lawson (Anna Torv) engaging in a tense conversation with Daniel Lawson (Jake Ryan). Daniel, hinting at selling the station to alleviate their towering debts, Throws a derogatory nickname at Emily before mounting his horse and riding off. In a fit of rage, Emily fires a shot at his steed, prompting Daniel to backtrack and inform her that Graham and she would be absent upon his return. Undeterred, Emily repeats her action, causing the startled horse to buck Daniel off.
Returning to the present, Emily confesses to Eliot that her intentions were merely to frighten Daniel. When she utters what Daniel desires, Eliot reveals it as the cave, a place revered by the indigenous community as the Sorry Place, now under his narrative ownership. He implores Emily to halt the construction of a new road that threatens to pierce through this sacred site. As a condition, Eliot urges her to thwart Sandra's impending visit, promising to safeguard her safety. Doubts flicker in his eyes as he wonders if Emily might also resort to violence against him.
Elsewhere, Uncle Bryce (Hamilton Morris) engages in a discourse with Keeley Redford (Tuuli Narkle), who expresses optimism that Sandra's funds will rejuvenate their homes and foster employment opportunities for the youth. In the Lawson household, Colin Lawson (Robert Taylor) listens intently to Keeley and Sandra Kirby (Sara Wiseman) on television, only to erupt in frustration, shooting his TV screen.
Meanwhile, Graham Lawson (Michael Dorman) finds himself freed from confinement, thanks to Sandra's intervention. She elucidates that Daniel intended to sell Marianne Station to her, but fate intervened before their scheduled meeting. Graham abruptly terminates the call, leaving Sandra hanging.
Susie Lawson (Philippa Northeast) seeks solace in a conversation with Marshall (Sam Corlett), who laments his mistakes that led to harm. Susie urges him to recompose himself, as she stands in dire need of his assistance. Ignoring a call from Lachie, she prepares for Graham's return. Graham storms inside, vowing to purge the alcohol and extricate Marianne from its current quagmire. He envisions mustering the entire property and urges Colin to transfer ownership to him. Colin, steadfast in his refusal, remarks that sometimes, one must bypass the flawed generation. He leads Graham to the shed, reminding him of the land's deep-rooted connection through shared sacrifices.
Graham's frustration boils over, assaulting Colin physically and emotionally, reminding him of past abuses, including an incident where Colin shattered Graham's eardrum. Marshall and Susie intervene, just as Colin rises, embracing Graham amidst their shared pain.
Emily visits Nolan, accompanied by Dezi, cautioning him that Sandra intends to manipulate him. Nolan asserts his autonomy, stating that Sandra will construct while he operates. This alliance, he claims, will entice all stations to reroute their livestock through her venture. Emily warns that Sandra's ultimate goal is to construct a road through Marianne. Nolan counterarguments, brushing it off as Emily's concern.
Graham confides in Susie about his plans to muster and generate enough revenue to fend off the banks. Colin sets a four-day ultimatum for Graham to act.
Upon Emily's return, she discovers Graham's absence and informs Colin that Sandra intends to carve a road through Marianne's land, leveraging her status as a miner to do as she pleases. Colin vows to oppose this plan vigorously. In a confidential moment, Susie reveals to Emily that she orchestrated much of the resistance, suggesting they let the others believe they're in charge while she quietly navigates the situation. Meanwhile, Graham rejoins Marshall, where they bond over their shared Lawson toughness, acknowledging Graham's justified emotions and agreeing that moving forward is the only option.
Rich Petrakis (played by Sam Delich) visits Sharnie Kennedy (Kylah Day) in the hospital, where they rehash Marshall's abandonment of them in their hour of need. Rich apologizes for entangling her in their ordeal and assuages her curiosity about his current associations by revealing his work for Campbell Miller. Skeptical, Sharnie finds it hard to believe, but Rich insists it's strictly professional.
Emily checks in on Marshall, offering assistance while respecting his autonomy. Colin offers Susie a brief but heartfelt commendation for her efforts. Graham, rallying everyone, passionatelyarticulates the importance of their fight to preserve the land. Work commences, and Colin encourages the team, promising to resume the next day. As the day concludes, Graham reassures Emily, who feared he had deserted them, that he returned to champion their cause, dedicating his efforts to their well-being.
Lachie confronts Sandra, blaming her for his strained relationship with Susie and revealing his intentions to date Ethan Hodge. Sandra persists in her belief that she knows best for Lachie. Campbell Miller (Jay Ryan) reaches out to Emily, inquiring about the muster. Emily, apologetic, abruptly ends the call when he probes further. Later, Emily and Graham reflect on their past struggles, with Graham attributing them to fear but affirming his resolution to overcome it. Their intimate encounter concludes with Graham expressing a desire to remain in their secluded haven indefinitely, confessing that Sandra manipulated him into undermining his family out of her desire for Marianne. He credits Sandra's claim that Dan planned to sell the land to her, fueled by Dan's suspicious behavior. Sandra, however, hints at deeper implications surrounding Dan's demise, prompting Emily to reveal something crucial, only for Graham to preemptively disclose his awareness of Campbell Miller's involvement.
Colin shares tales of Tommy Angel and the devil birds with Marshall, while the dawn brings a revelation: Graham's hand trembles, indicating his recovery is ongoing. Work resumes with unwavering determination. Lachie, taking Ethan's advice, decides to pursue Susie directly, recognizing his mother's helplessness in the matter. Graham and his allies uncover disturbances concerning the Quarantine situation, heightening the stakes for their community.
Colin inquiries of Trent about the unfolding situation, his brows furrowed in concern. The officer responds gravely, relaying that they had received a distress call reporting the presence of bovine leucosis on the premises. The station, now under quarantine for an indefinite period of at least two weeks, finds itself in a state of disarray, with the herded cattle confined within pens. Suspicion falls swiftly upon Campbell, whose name is muttered with disdain.
Lachie, eyes gleaming with hope, confides in Susie his earnest desire to rekindle their romance. Susie, however, brushes him off, instructing Ethan to escort Lachie back home. Ethan, mistaking her hesitation for encouragement, urges Lachie to persist, reasoning that her silence is not a refusal. Just then, Campbell enters the scene, defending himself with a plank of righteousness, insisting that he only seeks to uphold the sanctity of their industry.
Emily, her voice tinged with skepticism, inquiries whether Campbell intends to seize their cattle and drain them financially. Colin, frustration evident in his tone, demands that the metaphorical snakes—representing the troubles and suspicion—be removed from his station. Emily, her eyes burning with intent, warns Campbell that once this crisis is over, she will come for him, seeking justice.
Ethan, undeterred by Susie's cool demeanor, pleads with her to heed his words, his heart pounding with desperation. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted by Marshall, who commands Ethan to depart the premises. Emily stands by, a silent observer of their tumultuous exchange, her expression a mix of sorrow and resolution.
Suddenly, a bull, a symbol of the untamed force of nature, charges into the fray, its massive body accidentally impaling Susie in a gruesome and unexpected turn of events, shocking everyone present to their cores.
