The seventh season of the long-running Australian outback drama McLeod's Daughters began airing on 7 February 2007 and concluded on 17 October 2007 with a total of 32 episodes.
Plot
Jodi's world is turned upside down when Matt suddenly reappears, forcing her to choose between Matt and Riley, a decision that could have deadly consequences. Kate returns following a mysterious twist of events. The wild-at-heart Grace Kingston arrives having inherited part of the Drover's Run, and faces the challenge of a reconciliation with her estranged sister, Regan. Alex finally meets his half-brother, Marcus. Tayler struggles to fit in at Drover's Run. Alex attempts to pop the question to Stevie, with a series of disastrous consequences, while Stevie is forced to face her own personal demons.
^Abi Tucker had been listed as recurring previous to being upgraded to main character status
^Matthew Passmore had been listed as recurring previous to being upgraded to main character status
^Whilst removed from the opening credits, Aaron Jeffery was listed as a main in the closing cast block
^While appearing in the opening title sequence, Michala Banas was removed briefly from the closing credit block as her character did not appear in the first six episodes of the season, returned briefly and left for Africa, returning permanently four episodes later
^Whilst not in the opening credits, Doris Younane was listed as a main in the closing cast block
Jodi's new-found happiness is shattered when, totally unannounced, Matt suddenly reappears. With the trial over and free of his assumed identity, he's journeyed back to the place and the girl that have meant so much to him.
172
2
"All the Wrong Places"
Arnie Custo
Michaeley O'Brien & Sarah Duffy
14 February 2007 (2007-02-14)
1.15
A handsome stranger arrives at Drovers looking for Killarney. His name is Marcus Turner. After Regan gives her a second chance, Tayler's attempt to impress the Drover's Run girls goes disastrously wrong.
173
3
"Digging Up the Past"
Richard Jasek
Margaret Wilson
21 February 2007 (2007-02-21)
1.15
When a sale falls through, Matt, who started working for Jim Selkirk, arranges for Jim to buy them. Bringing the sheep in, Jodi discovers an angry rash has developed on her wrists and ankles. When she and Patrick find an injured possum inside the house, Tayler insists on caring for it.
174
4
"Thicker than Water"
Richard Jasek
Jane Allen & Justine Gillmer
28 February 2007 (2007-02-28)
1.17
Riley's estranged father Bill visits Drover's Run. When Marcus phones Nick in Argentina to talk business, it's the last straw for Alex. Meanwhile, Tayler is thrilled that the baby possum has flourished in her care.
175
5
"Reaching Out"
Andrew Prowse
Chris McCourt
7 March 2007 (2007-03-07)
1.21
Jodi is becoming increasingly disturbed about Emma McLeod and the identity of her secret lover. Meanwhile, Alex, angry that Marcus lied to him for so long, is doing his best to not deal with the fact that he and Marcus are brothers.
176
6
"Returned Favour"
Andrew Prowse
Chris Hawkshaw
14 March 2007 (2007-03-14)
1.32
Riley and Matt both declare their love for Jodi, but who will she choose? Stevie risks losing Alex when she helps Marcus with a secret cattle deal. Jodi has an overnight vigil in the National Park with Matt, when her horse Tucker is bitten by a tiger snake.
177
7
"Of Hearts and Hunters"
Richard Jasek
Nick Stevens
21 March 2007 (2007-03-21)
1.32
Jodi faces a gut-wrenching decision when Matt is forced back into witness protection - will she choose love over Drover's Run? It's sibling rivalry gone mad when Marcus and Alex compete to woo Stevie.
178
8
"Climb Every Mountain"
Richard Jasek
Michaeley O'Brien
11 April 2007 (2007-04-11)
1.33
Kate uncovers the shocking truth about the murder of Jodi and Matt. Meg returns for Jodi's funeral with a bizarre secret and Regan receives a surprising legacy from Jodi's will.
179
9
"Sisters Are Doing it for Themselves"
Grant Brown
Margaret Wilson
18 April 2007 (2007-04-18)
1.24
Regan tries to reconcile her wild-at-heart sister, Grace McLeod, after Grace inherits a partial share of Drover's Run. Meanwhile, Riley is seduced by a sexy cowgirl, with disastrous results.
180
10
"The Rules of Engagement"
Grant Brown
Jane Allen
25 April 2007 (2007-04-25)
1.36
Alex's plan to propose to Stevie goes horribly wrong when a series of accidents and disasters threatens to ruin their relationship. Another relationship is tested when Kate and Riley are caught in a game of theft and deception over stray cattle.
181
11
"Bloodlines"
Declan Eames
Jane Allen
2 May 2007 (2007-05-02)
1.24
When sheep rustlers steal Drovers Run's breeding stock, reckless Grace takes the law into her own hands. Impressed by Grace's determination, Regan struggles to persuade her to stay permanently with them at Drover's Run.
182
12
"Warts and All"
Declan Eames
Chris McCourt
9 May 2007 (2007-05-09)
1.18
Bryce resorts to blackmail to force Alex and Stevie into signing a prenuptial agreement. Marcus deals with financial troubles of his own when he buys a racehorse.
183
13
"Conflict of Interests"
Arnie Custo
James Walker
16 May 2007 (2007-05-16)
1.18
Loyalties are tested when Grace forces Regan to choose between her family and her new lover. Meanwhile the women fight to stop Drover’s Run becoming the site of a toxic waste dump!
184
14
"Flesh and Stone"
Arnie Custo
Chris Hawkshaw
30 May 2007 (2007-05-30)
1.28
Grace kidnaps a government official to prevent the toxic dump from going ahead, while Tayler and Patrick use guerrilla tactics of their own to save Drover's Run.
185
15
"All's Fair in Love and War"
Steve Jodrell
Jane Allen
6 June 2007 (2007-06-06)
1.29
Old wounds are opened when Stevie's estranged mother visits Drover's Run and Rose tries to force a reconciliation. Passions are also aroused when Stevie and Alex organize a laser skirmish for their combined bucks and hens party.
186
16
"Ever After"
Steve Jodrell
Margaret Wilson
20 June 2007 (2007-06-20)
1.40
It's Alex and Stevie's wedding day, but will Alex get out of jail in time for the service? Also standing in the couple's way is Alex's sister Ashleigh, who tries to ruin the wedding and take over control of Killarney.
187
17
"Grace Under Fire"
Grant Brown
Sarah Smith
27 June 2007 (2007-06-27)
1.26
With Alex away on his honeymoon, Ashleigh undermines Marcus's authority on Killarney. Ashleigh seduces Patrick, and Tayler is surprised to find herself feeling jealous.
188
18
"Gift Horse"
Arnie Custo
Anthony Ellis
11 July 2007 (2007-07-11)
1.08
Grace is determined to resist Heath's charms -- but for how long? Grace questions her future on Drover's Run when her best friend dies suddenly.
189
19
"Hot Water"
Arnie Custo
James Walker
18 July 2007 (2007-07-18)
1.12
Grace and Kate are taken hostage by a bankrupt farmer. Moira has a premonition that someone will be shot by the gunman – but who will it be?
190
20
"Leaving the Nest"
Declan Eames
Chris Hawkshaw
25 July 2007 (2007-07-25)
1.16
Stevie's daughter Rose suffers a tragic farm accident that will change the lives of everyone on Drover's Run forever. Meanwhile, Grace takes desperate measures to repay her secret loan to Ashleigh.
191
21
"A Spark from Heaven"
Declan Eames
Chris Hawkshaw
1 August 2007 (2007-08-01)
1.21
A guardian angel visits Drover's Run to make the girls' dreams come true. Except for Rose, who returns from the hospital in a wheelchair and is involved in a freak car crash. But was it really an accident?
192
22
"The Courage Within"
Declan Eames
Chris McCourt
8 August 2007 (2007-08-08)
1.07
While the girls investigate a mysterious explosion at the fuel dump, Rose is trapped inside the homestead during a brazen robbery attempt.
193
23
"Divided We Stand"
Richard Jasek
Jane Allen & Tracey Trinder
15 August 2007 (2007-08-15)
1.08
Stevie is forced to leave Drover's Run when Grace accuses her of disloyalty. Riley also makes a dangerous enemy of his own when he rejects Ashleigh's advances.
194
24
"On the Prowl"
Richard Jasek
Margaret Wilson
22 August 2007 (2007-08-22)
1.07
Blinded by love, Kate helps her new beau, Mitch, hide from the police when he is accused of trading stolen army weapons. Meanwhile, a dangerous beast is killing Drover's stock. Is it a wild dog, or something more exotic?
195
25
"Fanning the Flames"
Nick Bufalo
Anthony Ellis
29 August 2007 (2007-08-29)
0.99
Drover's Run and other local farms are the victims of a professional arsonist. Stevie and Grace investigate the attack and uncover a conspiracy to bankrupt local farmers. Could Phil Rakich be responsible?
196
26
"My Enemy, My Friend"
Nick Bufalo
Justine Gillmer
5 September 2007 (2007-09-05)
1.08
When a stud bull on Drovers Run is killed, the girls are convinced someone is trying to bankrupt them. Grace's new friendship with Ashleigh is destroyed when she discovers Ashleigh is the culprit.
197
27
"Knight in Shining Armor"
Grant Brown
Greg Millin
12 September 2007 (2007-09-12)
1.18
Grace is shocked when Heath proposes marriage. Will she accept? The future of Drover's Run hangs in the balance when Ashleigh forces Grace to sell her heritage.
198
28
"The Short Cut"
Grant Brown
Alexa Wyatt
19 September 2007 (2007-09-19)
1.09
While Grace takes drastic action to catch a cattle thief, Ashleigh has to face the impending death of her father. The women of Drover's Run are hit with devastating news of their own when local bank manager Adam Gardiner returns.
199
29
"Seeing is Believing"
Arnie Custo
Jane Allen
26 September 2007 (2007-09-26)
0.94
Kate is convinced she has killed Ashleigh in a hit-and-run accident, but where is the body? Meanwhile, Tayler meets her long-lost mother under bizarre circumstances.
200
30
"Second Chances"
Arnie Custo
Chris Hawkshaw
3 October 2007 (2007-10-03)
1.01
A mysterious stranger forces Grace to reconsider her future with Heath. Is the love of her life being faithful to her? Grace weighs the heavy decision of whether to end their relationship.
201
31
"Mixed Messages"
Richard Jasek
Sarah Duffy
10 October 2007 (2007-10-10)
1.08
Marcus suspects Heath is cheating on Grace. Is jealousy clouding his judgment? Grace continues to question Heath's love for her, until he surprises her with an amazing gift.
202
32
"Silent Night"
Richard Jasek
Chris McCourt
17 October 2007 (2007-10-17)
1.21
It's Christmas Eve, and Alex makes a surprise return from Argentina to visit Stevie. But the happiness is short-lived when Grace, Riley, Tayler and Patrick are involved in a shocking car accident. Who will survive?
Reception
Ratings
On average, the seventh season of McLeod's Daughters was watched by 1.18 million viewers, down 10% and 130,000 viewers from the previous season. It was the 4th most-watched Australian drama of 2007, behind City Homicide, All Saints and Home and Away, respectively,[2] and ranked at #11 for its seventh season.
