McLeod's Daughters season 3

McLeod's Daughters
Season 3
Season 3 DVD
Starring
No. of episodes30
Release
Original networkNine Network
Original release12 February (2003-02-12) –
29 October 2003 (2003-10-29)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 2
Next →
Season 4
List of episodes

The third season of the long-running Australian outback drama McLeod's Daughters began airing on 12 February 2003, and concluded on 29 October 2003, with a total of 30 episodes.

Cast

Regular

Recurring

Guest

Notes

Episodes

Main article: List of McLeod's Daughters episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [1]
451"Fairy Tale, Ending"Karl ZwickyChris McCourt12 February 2003 (2003-02-12)

Claire is home from her stint in hospital, but it's far from easy for the single mum-to-be. She has to face the truth about her baby's father, the lies she and Alex have concocted, the fact that Drover's has stayed afloat without her instruction... and on top of that, Alex is involved in a chopper crash.

First appearance of Brett Tucker as Dave Brewer
462"Better the Devil You Know"Karl ZwickyVicki Madden19 February 2003 (2003-02-19)
Alex and Claire's secret brings one family together and brings another to the brink. Tess and Liz clash over the lie – each with their own family's best interests at heart – while Jodi arrives home with a secret of her own.
473"The Road Home"Bill HughesGiula Sandler26 February 2003 (2003-02-26)
After months of searching, Becky finally finds out what happened to Brick. She and Jodi discover the horrible truth after Becky is led to Brick in a dream.
484"An Affair to Forget"Bill HughesChristina Milligan5 March 2003 (2003-03-05)
It seems Sally is taking advantage of Nick's absence in town by inviting a stranger over to Wilgul. Claire warns Tess against putting her nose in, but she just can't resist.
495"Put to the Test"Richard JasekAlexa Wyatt & Robert Armin12 March 2003 (2003-03-12)
A careless prank on the groom threatens to put a stop to the impending nuptials of Jodi and Alberto. Meanwhile, Claire's expanding waistline is causing her all kinds of problems!
506"The Wedding"Richard JasekJeff Truman19 March 2003 (2003-03-19)
The Wedding Day is here and nearly everything that can go wrong does go wrong. But for one couple, it will be a day to remember- for all the right reasons!
517"Gone to the Dogs"Cath RodenYsabelle Dean2 April 2003 (2003-04-02)
When Becky and Jake are forced to steal a horse, they find new depths to their relationship. Alex is dismayed when Claire starts buying up old nags from the sale yards.
528"The Ghost of Things to Come"Cath RodenDenise Morgan9 April 2003 (2003-04-09)
Claire discovers a hidden treasure which brings back fearful memories of her mother and unleashes the fear that she too will die in childbirth.
539"House of Cards"Karl ZwickyChris McCourt23 April 2003 (2003-04-23)
A thirtieth wedding anniversary is no protection for Liz, when Harry, suspicious about Claire's baby, discovers an even bigger lie.
5410"Three Little Words"Karl ZwickyDave Warner30 April 2003 (2003-04-30)
Alex struggles with the truth about his family as Harry tries to win his son back the only way he knows how. Sally comes to the realisation that her relationship with Nick is going nowhere and she makes a heartbreaking decision.
5511"Repeat Offenders"Bill HughesChris Hawkshaw7 May 2003 (2003-05-07)
An old friend of Tess' makes a visit to Drover's Run, planning to portray the lives of the woman in her next article. Becky and Meg clash over Jake's appointment as Killarney's new overseer.
5612"Sins of the Father"Bill HughesShane Brennan & Giula Sandler14 May 2003 (2003-05-14)
Jake's true identity is revealed after his father and brother turn up wanting him to come home. Whilst weaning Phoenix from Blaze, Claire starts to realise that the lie about her baby isn't right and cannot last.
5713"Jokers to the Right"Cath RodenMargaret Kelly21 May 2003 (2003-05-21)
Sandra Kinsella is back and her meddling brings Alex and Claire to the brink. Will they go their separate ways and end their lie?
5814"Chain Reaction"Cath RodenJeff Truman28 May 2003 (2003-05-28)
After Jodi tears up a chain letter, things start to go wrong at Drover's Run. As Dave shares his grief with Tess, Alex and Claire start to mend their wounds- despite Sandra's presence.
5915"The Awful Truth"Chris Martin-JonesChris McCourt4 June 2003 (2003-06-04)
Harry is back in town and up to his old tricks. Sandra Kinsella's influence continues to spread, but just which Ryan man is she manipulating this time?
6016"Seeing the Light"Chris Martin-JonesYsabelle Dean23 July 2003 (2003-07-23)
The appearance of mysterious Min Min lights over Drover's Run coincides with events that will alter the course of Claire & Tess' life forever.
6117"A Slight Interruption"Karl ZwickyElizabeth Packett30 July 2003 (2003-07-30)
An emu plague interrupts life at Drover's Run. As Claire chooses to battle alone with her baby, Meg gets caught in a crossfire.
6218"Old Beginnings"Karl ZwickyDenise Morgan6 August 2003 (2003-08-06)
Peter returns to Drover's Run during the naming ceremony of his and Claire's baby, leading to a very important decision. Tess and Dave set out on an impulsive trip to the altar, which has an unexpected result.
6319"Where There's Smoke"Ali AliChris Hawkshaw13 August 2003 (2003-08-13)
As Claire discovers more about her new neighbour, Jodi is determined to prove herself at the Fire Service training weekend – but it's going to be far more difficult than she anticipated.
6420"Perfect Match"Ali AliJutta Goetze & Giula Sandler20 August 2003 (2003-08-20)
Jake's ambitions with Storm Cloud threaten his relationships with Becky and Claire. Speed Dating doesn't provide Claire with a match, but an internet ad reveals a rather interesting perfect match.
6521"Let the Best Man Win"Chris Martin-JonesChris Pearce & Alexa Wyatt27 August 2003 (2003-08-27)
Both Nick and Alex practically fall over each other trying to win the affections of a newcomer to the district – but they are both in for a shock as the competition heats up.
6622"Majority Rules"Chris Martin-JonesChris Hawkshaw3 September 2003 (2003-09-03)
Claire is coaxed into running for the Gungellan Farmers Council by Vince, but she won't win if Sandra Kinsella gets her way.
6723"The Ties That Bind"Karl ZwickyDave Warner10 September 2003 (2003-09-10)
When Claire and Alex hit big smoke, a long-lost father is found and a hidden passion is finally ignited. Will Alex finally acknowledge his true feelings?
6824"One Step at a Time"Karl ZwickyChris McCourt17 September 2003 (2003-09-17)
Claire and Alex are still in Melbourne with Charlotte and making plans to extend their stay. At Drover's, Tess discovers a lump on her breast and fearing her mother's fate, tells no one...not even Dave.
6925"Time Frames"Ali AliKatherine Thomson24 September 2003 (2003-09-24)
Tess and Dave reach a crossroads, as her cancer scare reveals that Dave is not completely over grieving his wife Leanne.
7026"Body Language"Ali AliGiula Sandler1 October 2003 (2003-10-01)

Drovers Run hosts the Regional Young Farmer of the Year Award and Becky is surprised to find herself competing with Jake. As the old spark between them returns, Becky is torn between the man she loves and Drover's Run.

Final appearance of Jessica Napier as Becky Howard
7127"To Catch a Thief"Chris Martin-JonesChristina Milligan8 October 2003 (2003-10-08)

Surgery is not the only worry for Tess in this episode, as her fear and worry about cancer is compounded by the unsettling arrival of Claire's old friend, Stevie Hall.

First appearance of Simmone Jade Mackinnon as Stevie Hall
7228"My Noon, My Midnight"Chris Martin-JonesChris Hawkshaw15 October 2003 (2003-10-15)
Joy at Tess' biopsy result soon turns to tragedy, when Claire, Tess and Charlotte are involved in a serious car accident and one sister must make the ultimate sacrifice.
7329"The Long Goodbye"Karl ZwickyDenise Morgan22 October 2003 (2003-10-22)

Tess is struggling with Claire's death and survivor guilt, but a surprise visitor may help when she needs it most.

Final appearance of Lisa Chappell as Claire McLeod
7430"Turbulence"Karl ZwickyLily Taylor & Sarah Smith29 October 2003 (2003-10-29)
Tess is having a hard time getting along with Stevie. But when Charlotte's life is threatened, Tess and Stevie put aside their differences to save her.

Production

The third season of McLeod's Daughters was announced in June 2002, and went into production in September 2002. It was originally commissioned for 26 episodes,[2][3] before being extended to 30 episodes.

The season saw the departure of two of its leading characters – Jessica Napier and Lisa Chappell.[4] Chappell was replaced with actress Simmone Jade Mackinnon in the role of Stevie Hall.[5]

Reception

Ratings

On average, McLeod's Daughters received an audience of 1.50 million, and ranked at #6 for its third season.[6] Episode 28, "My Noon, "My Midnight" was watched by 1,705,000 viewers.[7]

Awards and nominations

The third season of McLeod's Daughters received four wins and six nominations at the 2004 Logie Awards. It also received one nomination at the 2004 AFI Awards.

Wins

Nominations

Home media

Title Release Region Format Ref(s)
McLeod's Daughters: The Complete Third Series 13 April 2005  Australia – R4 DVD [10]
McLeod's Daughters: The Complete Third Season 14 August 2007  USA – R1 DVD [11]
McLeod's Töchter: Die Komplette Dritte Staffel 22 March 2013  Germany – R2 DVD [12]

References

  1. ^ "Series 3". australian television.net. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Nine announces third series". australiantelevision.net. 4 June 2002. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  3. ^ "MCLEOD'S DAUGHTERS SERIES 3". Screen Australia. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  4. ^ Vnuk, Helen (2003). "McLeod's loses a daughter". australiantelevision.net (original article published in TV Week). Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Welcome to Drovers, Stevie". australiantelevision.net (original article published in TV Week). May 2003. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Top 20 drama series and serials (including comedy) shown on television, 1998–2003". Screen Australia. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  7. ^ Mitchell, Thomas (22 August 2021). "Back in the saddle: why McLeod's Daughters is worth rewatching". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Logie Awards 2004". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  9. ^ "AACTA AWARDS 2004". aacta.org. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  10. ^ "McLeod's Daughters Series 3". Booktopia. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  11. ^ "McLeod's Daughters: The Complete Third Season DVD". blu-ray.com. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  12. ^ "McLeods Töchter – Staffel 3 [8 DVDs]". Amazon. Retrieved 26 March 2022.