Ever one to check out anything that comes from the Land Down Under, I was pretty interested in checking out Koch Vision's new DVD release of "McLeod's Daughters." Like most American TV viewers, I was unfamiliar with the series as its core audience resides in Australia. Amazingly enough, and this just proves how far apart culturally we still are as a world, this particular series has been running for the past 6 seasons, and is still one of the country's top rated nighttime dramas. When the DVD set arrived, I popped in the first disc to acquaint myself with the show and was immediately immersed into the world of the McLeod sisters, Tess (Bridie Carter) and Claire (Lisa Chappell). As the series begins, we learn that the two had not seen each other for 20 years, and are now reunited because of the death of their father.

The girl's mother was the second wife of Jack McLeod (whose first wife died during childbirth) and they separated when Tess was only 5 years old. Having each inherited half of their father's estate, Tess returns with hopes of beginning a new life after the also recent death of their mother.

Unfortunately, the inheritance consists of a huge cattle property known as Drover's Run. But it turns out not to be the cash cow (so to speak) that Tess dreamed of. Instead the land is heavily mortgaged, so together they must work to make the land earn money. However, Claire harbors a lot of resentment for her younger sibling so the two must find some common ground in order to work together. Claire, who is incredibly stubborn, fires all of the properties male workers and replaces them with an all woman workforce (shades of feminism here). Over the course of the first seasons' 22 episodes, the sisters begin to reconcile and create a home.

"McLeod's Daughters" is mostly unheard of here in the states as it premiered back in 2001 on Australia's 'The Nine" TV station. It was originally based off of an earlier film of the same name that was a big hit for the channel. It was a hit right out of the box, and while I understand there have been a lot of changes to the show making it more like a nighttime soap, it was actually the third most watched Australian TV drama in 2002. Admittedly, I found the series to already be a little like a soap opera, but the charm of the characters kept it from being overbearing like a lot of the ones you find on American TV. And I can’t lie by not mentioning the fact that the accents drove me wild.

The DVD from Koch Vision offers up the full 1st season as well as a making of featurette. You'll also find interviews with Producer/Creator Posie Graeme-Evans, Co-Producer Andrew Blaxland and Director Karl Zwicky. But the best of the extra features is the original 1996 TV movie that served as the inspiration for the series. It is included on the last disc, but really should be watched first.

I'm hoping that subsequent releases of the series will prove the rumors of the changes as unfounded. This 1st season is extremely heartwarming in its tone and I'd hate to think that the show might have changed that much over the years. I guess we'll see.

Episodes:
Welcome Home
Ducks on the Pond
Don't Mess with the Girls
Who's the Boss
Taking the Reins
Reality Bites
Pride and Joy
Stir Crazy
Into the Woods
Haunted
Who's a Big Girl Now?
Pandora's Box
Love of My Life
Dirty Pool
If the Boot Fits
Playing to Win
Girls Night Out
More Than One Way
The Italian Stallion
Lover Come Back
Friends Like These
Deep Water

Extras: Original 'McLeod's Daughters' TV Movie, Making of Featurette, Interviews with Producer/Creator Posie Graeme-Evans, Co-Producer Andrew Blaxland and Director Karl Zwicky
Specifications: Widescreen, Dolby Digital
Studio: Koch
Release Date: 10/3/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give McLeod's Daughters: Season 1 a B-.