The episode unfolds at a grim POW camp, where Dorrigo Evans (Jacob Elordi), with compassion etched on his face, tends to the wounded and ailing soldiers. Japanese soldiers stand in rigid formation, flanking the Australian POWs. Major Nakamura (Sho Kasamatsu), speaking fluent Japanese, informs Dorrigo that the colonel demands the despatch of 100 soldiers to a camp near Pagodas Pass, devastated by heavy casualties. Dorrigo expresses his apprehension about the fragile condition of the POWs undertaking the arduous 100-kilometer journey. Nakamura, with a sneer, suggests they cleanse themselves as the Japanese do. Dorrigo pledges to ensure their compliance, provided he is supplied with soap and water. Nakamura, issuing a harsh command, orders Dorrigo to select 100 soldiers, slapping him abruptly. A soldier retaliates by striking him with the butt of his rifle. Unyielding, Nakamura insists that the soldiers embark on the journey attired in their current garments. Dorrigo, strategic in his choices, picks soldiers who at least possess boots. Chum Fahey (Caelan McCarthy), Rooster MacNeice (Sam Parsonson), Les Whittle (Damian Hempstead), and others, grateful for their reprieve, shake his hand in silent thanks. The Japanese escort the POW soldiers away from the camp, shadows lengthening in the afternoon sun.
Flash forward to the 1980s – Lynette Maison (Essie Davis) gently reminds Dorrigo Evans (Ciaran Hinds), now older and wiser, that he muttered Chum's name in his sleep the previous night. Dorrigo, his eyes reflecting the sorrows of war, reveals that Chum was a young boy who perished during the conflict, extending an invitation for breakfast. Lynette, her voice tinged with regret, admits that their affair was destined to conclude, and his haunted past has left an indelible mark on his soul. Dorrigo, appreciative of her honesty, respectfully asks her to take her leave.
Back at the POW camp, a Japanese soldier rudely awakens the captives from their slumber. Nakamura, unsteady on his feet as he dresses, is rushed to by a concerned soldier. Nakamura, brushing aside the assistance, continues his preparation with determination. Soon after, Colonel Kota (Taki Abe), his voice resonating with defiance, declares the independence of the Japanese military, driving a spike into the railway track. Lifting a sledgehammer high, he roars, "Long live His Majesty," a phrase echoed by those assembled. The Australian POWs are arranged along the railway track, their faces etched with fear and resilience. Nakamura suddenly collapses, his strength ebbing. Dorrigo's gaze is fixed on the fallen Major, while the Japanese are preoccupied with the approaching locomotive, its roar filling the air with a sense of impending doom.
In the 1980s, during a session of the Medical Council, Dr. Steven Hirst (portrayed by Justin Smith) assured Dorrigo that the investigation had cleared him of any wrongdoing during Vera Davis' surgical procedure. Dr. Eve Scott (embodied by Annabel Marshall Roth) further confirmed that no further disciplinary action would be taken, allowing him to continue his medical practice unhindered. Upon returning home later, Dorrigo was surprised to find Ella Evans (played by Heather Mitchell) immersing herself in the pool's tranquility.
Flashing back to Australia, 1946, Ella Evans (Olivia DeJonge) and Dorrigo stood as newlyweds, their union greeted with a room full of applause and a spark of nervous anticipation from Ella. She sought reassurance from Dorrigo, asking him to affirm their future bliss. Amidst the celebration, a man introduced them, and Ella addressed the gathering, sharing her journey through their five-year separation. Earlier, soldiers quaffed beer in a pub before wandering to a nearby store, where they peered through a window at an aquarium teeming with aquatic life. Dorrigo, unable to resist, broke in, and together with his comrades, they transferred the fish to a bucket, marched to the dock, and liberated them into the river's embrace.
In Singapore, also in 1946, within the confines of a POW camp, Sticky (played by Max Berkman), a fellow soldier, entered Choi San Min's cell to find his meal untouched. Sticky meticulously weighed and measured Choi, informing him of his impending execution for his part in Sergeant Frank Gardiner's murder. He detailed the grim procedure, emphasizing the use of a sandbag to steady the rope and prevent it from bouncing. At 7 a.m. within Changi Prison, Choi faced his end in silence, offering no final words. Sticky placed the noose around his neck and a hood over his head. With the hatch opening, Choi plummeted, his neck snapping instantaneously. Meanwhile, in a neighboring cell, Nakamura gazed out the window, lost in what seemed to be a haunting flashback. Walking through the woods, he encountered Kota, who questioned if Lieutenant Fukuhara was a war criminal. Nakamura claimed the lieutenant was in hiding with Chieko in Tokyo. Kota lamented their immense losses, all stemming from the brutal beating of a single prisoner, Gardiner.
In bygone days, Dorrigo bestowed upon Maisie Hendricks (Brenna Harding) the sketchbook belonging to Guy "Rabbit" Hendricks (William Lodder). She recounted to him that she had tied the knot with Rabbit in the enchanting locale of Nica at the tender age of nineteen. With heartfelt gratitude, she expressed how her cherished children had kept her from solitude's cold embrace. She confided in him that her pianist friend believed each room harbored a unique note, and Rabbit had been hers – the melody that now lingered only in silence. Moved by her tale, Dorrigo pledged to remain by her side until her offspring returned home.
Later, nestled in bed with Amy Mulvaney (Odessa Young), Dorrigo unveiled tales of a secluded lighthouse-adorned haven. Amy, intrigued, inquired if they could embark on an adventure to this serene spot. Their tender embrace against the backdrop of the beach painted a picturesque scene of love and longing.
In the 1980s, Dorrigo inquired about Ella's deepest desires, to which she responded that they had been lost in the chaos of war and the shadow of a woman. He beseeched her not to harbor hate towards him, to which she reassured him with a gentle smile, professing that she had never encountered a soul as enveloped in loneliness as he. She recounted Rick's words, asserting that they all bore some responsibility. Dorrigo credited their shared possessions and achievements to her unwavering devotion, acknowledging how she had steadfastly awaited his return amidst life's tumult, yet he had often been absent. He offered heartfelt apologies for his absences.
At a museum, Dorrigo, with a photograph of his youthful self in hand, showcased it to his daughter (Joanne Griffin) and read an excerpt from his novel. His voice wavered as he articulated that only those who had lived through the ordeal could fully comprehend its immense suffering. The audience responded with warm applause. Subsequently, Ella revealed to Dorrigo that Amy had come searching for him at their home, only to find her and their child instead. He dismissed it with a reassuring wave, emphasizing its unimportance.
As he drove home, a haunting flashback of a possible encounter with Amy and her child flashed before his eyes. Their fleeting eye contact was cut short as she melted into the throng. In a moment of distraction, Dorrigo accelerated across an intersection, only to be struck by an oncoming vehicle. His car somersaulted multiple times before coming to an abrupt halt on its side. Dorrigo lay sprawled on the asphalt, amidst the aftermath of the collision. The scene then shifted to a vision of a younger Dorrigo, sitting solitary in the woods, his gaze lifting to meet that of an older version of himself, standing as a sentinel of time and memory.
