Adaptation

"Adaptation" is the second episode of the second season of Australia S-Unit. Written and directed by Daniel Isaac, it started the season long story arc that was hinted at in the previous episode's final scene, with a revelation that a victim murdered in the Solomos case was still alive. This episode revealed this victim to be Cynthia Solomos, Marcus' girl friend, who was believed killed in action by Roman Duke.

Story
Marcus is sent by Derek to raid a potential drug house. Upon arriving a phone rings at the location and Marcus answers. The unknown caller tells him that he has to do everything he says otherwise he'll kill Cynthia Solomos, Marcus' believed deceased girlfriend.

Derek, a few hours later, calls the commissioner, telling him that Marcus has disappeared. He then sees a news report and believes that a murder victim may have been killed by someone from a previous case.

Marcus, running in the streets, receives another phone call from his mysterious caller. The caller tells him that Cynthia did survive her supposed death and that Marcus will have to follow the caller's instructions if he wants to see her again. He reveals to Marcus that he will have to kill 3 people. Marcus is then told to go to a house at the end of the street where he will find a man named Harry Phelps, who is responsible for the murder and rape of two girls and their father. The caller tells Marcus that he will have to kill him in order to continue.

Marcus enters Harry's house and holds him at gun point, questioning his reasons for killing a father and raping his daughters. Harry pleads he made a mistake. Marcus, not believing him, hands over his gun to Harry, telling him to either take his own life or live with the guilt of his murder. Marcus leaves and Harry kills himself. Marcus receives a phone call from the mysterious caller who hates that Marcus didn't kill Harry. Marcus pleads that he is dead but the caller states that Marcus needed to do it himself and that he has video cameras at all the locations he is giving to Marcus. The caller says he will call later and Marcus flees to the sound of sirens.

Derek receives a phone call of the murder of Harry and goes to the location. On the way he receives a phone call from Carol Stewart, Marcus' step sister, who questions where Marcus is. Derek says to meet him at the lake to talk. At the murder location Derek investigates the body of Harry Phelps and sees Marcus' weapon and notes Marcus was here. Derek sees that Harry had a cheque on him at the time of the murder, with $50,000 from Jackson Grant. Derek then realises that Harry worked for Mr Greene. Derek then leaves the house.

On the way home, Derek receives a phone call from Marcus, who pleads to Derek that he didn't kill Harry and that he took his own life. Derek asks Marcus to return home but Marcus declines, revealing to Derek that he "has to save her." Derek asks who "She" is and Marcus doesn't respond, instead Derek asks if it's Cynthia. Marcus hangs up.

Derek arrives at the city lake to talk to Carol. He reveals to her that Marcus is looking for Cynthia. Derek reveals too that for a few weeks he has known that Cynthia is still alive, being told by Allan Faraday. Carol says that Derek needs to help Marcus, instead of pushing him away, and that Cynthia was a bad influence on him. Derek reveals the reason why he is so hasty toward Marcus is because he is trying to keep him safe, feeling guilt over the death of his old partner, Kale Anderson. Derek leaves, having a moment of rememberance of Kale.

Marcus, alone in an unknown location, receives his next task from his caller. The caller says he is to kill Carol, his step sister. Marcus declines but the caller then reveals to him that Carol gave up Cynthia and Marcus' address to Roman, leading to Roman kidnapping Cynthia. He also reveals that Harry Phelps killed Adrian Solomos, Cynthia's brother, who was going to testify against Roman in court, however due to Harry murdering him, Roman was kept out of prison, leading to Cynthia's death. The caller also reveals that he is trying to help Marcus punish the 3 main people responsible for Cynthia's death. Marcus leaves.

At the lake, Marcus holds Carol at gun point at questions why she gave up him and Cynthia. She apologises but Marcus proceeds to shoot her. A moment of tension passes before Marcus decides to let her go.

Derek, returning home, receives a letter that contains a pair of keys inside.

Marcus, fused with rage and sadness, walks alone. He receives a phone call from the caller who tells him that his final kill, the last responsible for Cynthia's supposed death, is Derek Peterson. Marcus runs back home to kill Derek.

At home, Marcus enters to find Derek asleep on the couch. He takes a steel pipe and strangles Derek. The two proceed into a fist fight, with Marcus gaining the upper hand. Strangling Derek to almost death, Marcus gives up and apologises but also blames Derek for what he's been through. Marcus questions that Derek has known all this time that Cynthia was alive. Derek apologises, offering help to Marcus. Marcus states that he HAS to find Cynthia. Receiving his final phone call, the caller tells Marcus he will never see Cynthia again for failing to kill Derek before hanging up.

Derek calls the station and arranges an interview with the imprisoned Roman Duke, but reveals to Marcus that it won't happen for another 3 weeks. Derek leaves and Marcus sees a letter being slotted through the gap under the front door. Marcus opens the letter and runs outside in rage. He sees a car in the distance and then looks back at what was in the envelope. It reveals a picture of Cynthia. Marcus scrunches up the photo and throws it to the ground.

Reception
Adaptation received critical acclaim from viewers. Viewers went on to call the episode the "best episode of the entire series thus far." Daniel Isaac went on to say he was happy with the reception for the episode claiming he "knew it would be a blast". The continuation of the Marcus/Cynthia story was positively received.