Blackbirding - the South Seas expression for slave-trading of natives - had for all intends and purposes come to a halt a few years before our show takes place. However, several native tribes have recently been decimated of its youngest, strongest citizens. Isabelle accidentally witnesses a blackbirding incident and is captured by natives who believe her to be on cahoots with their enemies. Grief and Mauriti are determined to bring the blackbirders to justice. In Matavai, Trent is still fighting the forces that would keep him from being with the woman he loves. His bishop informs him that his heart could cost him his posting. Trent would rather resign than support such bigotry, but when Tahura learns that their village was among those blackbirded, she longs to return home. Tahura's brother arrives unexpectedly and informs her that with their village decimated, her father needs her - he has forgiven her and will not force her into an unwanted marriage. Afraid to lose her, Trent asks her to marry him, but the draw of being with her own people and the knowledge that loving her could cost him everything he's worked for, forces her to make the painful, but morally right decision to return home. Their parting is bittersweet indeed.
—Anonymous