BAY OF FIRES
- trekyteky
- Oct 5
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 8
Bay of Fires (2023)
Genre: Crime Drama / Dark ComedyCreators: Marta Dusseldorp, Andrew Knight, Max DannNetwork: ABC Australia
Overview:
Bay of Fires is a unique blend of crime drama and dark comedy that offers a fresh and unconventional take on the witness protection program. Set in the fictional, isolated Tasmanian town of Mystery Bay, the series weaves together suspense, satire, and quirky local color to tell a story of survival, secrecy, and self-discovery.
Plot Summary:
Stella Heikkinen, a high-level executive in Melbourne, is forced into witness protection after her boss is murdered and her life is placed in danger. With her two children in tow, she is relocated under the alias “Dorothy” to the remote town of Mystery Bay—a rundown, suspicious community populated by eccentric and potentially dangerous locals. As Dorothy tries to protect her children and hide her true identity, she discovers that the town harbors its own dark secrets, and escaping danger may be more complicated than she imagined.
Main Characters:
Stella Heikkinen / Dorothy (Marta Dusseldorp):
A tough, resourceful woman thrust into hiding. As Stella transforms into Dorothy, she must navigate motherhood, danger, and the bizarre world of Mystery Bay. Marta Dusseldorp brings both gravitas and vulnerability to the role, anchoring the show with a compelling performance.
Frankie (Toby Leonard Moore):
A local criminal figure with questionable motives. Frankie’s role blurs the lines between antagonist and unlikely ally, adding tension and unpredictability to the plot.
Jeremiah (Stephen Curry):
The town's awkward but determined postman, whose attempts at justice and order often verge on absurd. He serves as both comic relief and a surprising moral compass.
The Townspeople:
A mix of outcasts, criminals, and misfits who each add texture and menace to the setting. Their strange behaviors and hidden motives keep the audience guessing.
Atmosphere & Setting:
The Tasmanian wilderness provides a haunting and isolated backdrop, reinforcing the show’s themes of entrapment and escape.
Tone & Style:
The show’s daring mix of bleak comedy and grim crime drama is one of its most distinctive features. It leans into absurdity without undermining the tension.
Strong Lead Performance:
Marta Dusseldorp shines in a complex role that demands resilience, wit, and emotional
Range.
What Could Be Better:
Clarity of Tone:
The tonal shifts between humor and violence can be jarring, and may not work for every viewer.
Verdict:
Bay of Fires is a bold and unusual show that subverts expectations of the crime genre. With its striking setting, sharp writing, and standout performances—especially from Dusseldorp—it offers a refreshing take on survival and identity in a hostile environment. While not flawless, it's a dark gem worth watching, especially for fans of offbeat Australian television.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Story Summary (With Spoilers):
Stella Heikkinen (played by Marta Dusseldorp), a finance executive for a shady company in Melbourne, narrowly survives an assassination attempt orchestrated by her employer. She enters witness protection and is relocated—under the alias “Dorothy”—to Mystery Bay, a crumbling, sinister Tasmanian town with no clear law, infrastructure, or logic.
But as Stella/Dorothy soon discovers, Mystery Bay is not the sleepy hideaway she was promised. Instead, it’s a community run by criminals, operating like a frontier outpost ruled by intimidation, greed, and long-held secrets.
Character Deep Dive:
Stella Heikkinen / Dorothy
Smart, tough, and used to corporate warfare, Stella is immediately out of her depth. Her struggle to protect her children—Iris (teenage, rebellious) and Otto (young, innocent)—grounds the show emotionally. She transforms from a reluctant fugitive to a cunning survivor.
Frankie Grey (Toby Leonard Moore)
The town’s unofficial crime boss, Frankie runs illegal operations out of the sawmill. Charming but dangerous, he’s both adversary and occasional ally. By the end of the season, his leadership is threatened, setting up a power vacuum.
Jeremiah (Stephen Curry)
The seemingly bumbling postman turns out to be a government agent embedded in the town—revealed in Episode 6. His arc adds a layer of intrigue and comic absurdity.
Thaddeus (Pamela Rabe)
The town’s spiritual leader and moral manipulator. She runs a sort of cultish rehab center that doubles as a front for criminal enterprise. Her eerie, soft-spoken menace adds to the town’s surreal atmosphere.
Episode 1: “The Arrival”
Stella’s life implodes. Her boss is murdered, she escapes a hit, and she’s forced into witness protection. Her relocation to Mystery Bay feels like a setup from the start—it's a lawless wasteland, not a safe house.
Episode 2: “This Is Not What I Ordered”
Stella clashes with the locals. Her cover identity is flimsy, and the townspeople are clearly hiding something. She realizes there are no police, no oversight, and that the locals are hostile toward outsiders.
Episode 3: “Ghosts”
Frankie offers her "protection" in exchange for working in his operations, making it clear she’s being watched. Meanwhile, Iris begins to rebel, craving escape, and Otto struggles with isolation. The town’s economy—largely criminal—is exposed.
Episode 4: “Blood on the Snow”
Stella discovers bodies buried in the forest—victims of town justice. She tries to escape but finds the roads cut off. The feeling of being trapped becomes real.
Episode 5: “The Centre Cannot Hold”
Tensions mount between factions in the town. Frankie’s authority is challenged. Stella uncovers a money laundering operation tied to her old company—meaning Mystery Bay might not be random; it could have been chosen intentionally for her.
Episode 6: “Jeremiah’s Secret”
Jeremiah reveals he’s been working covertly for the federal government, monitoring Mystery Bay’s corruption. He asks for Stella’s help to take the town down—but he’s unstable and being watched.
Episode 7: “No Exit”
Stella tries to contact her handler but finds out the witness protection program has been compromised. She’s on her own. Frankie starts turning on his own crew. Iris is nearly kidnapped by townsfolk trying to leverage Stella’s true identity.
Episode 8: “The Reckoning”
Stella leads a revolt, using Jeremiah’s intel and her own cunning to pit factions against each other. Frankie is seemingly killed (ambiguous), and the town descends into chaos. In the final moments, Stella is offered a deal: stay and take over, or run and be hunted. She chooses to stay—but on her own terms.
Power and Corruption:
Bay of Fires examines how power operates in isolated spaces. Mystery Bay’s moral vacuum turns into a case study on how corruption thrives without oversight.
Motherhood and Identity:
Stella’s dual identity—corporate exec vs. protector—forces her to question her values. Her relationship with Iris, in particular, evolves from strained to fiercely protective.
Satire Meets Noir:
The show’s dark humor cuts through its bleakness. Town meetings resemble twisted sitcoms. Characters like Thaddeus and Jeremiah toe the line between parody and menace.
Marta Dusseldorp's Performance:
Sharp, layered, and believable—her portrayal carries the show.
Location & Atmosphere:
The Tasmanian wilderness is practically a character—harsh, eerie, and isolating.
Inventive Tone:
It’s rare to find a show that balances crime, satire, and absurdist humor so deftly.
At times, the tonal shifts can feel abrupt, especially when jokes follow scenes of brutality.
Verdict:
Bay of Fires is a daring, genre-bending series that refuses to fit neatly into any box. With its unique premise, strong female lead, and atmospheric weirdness, it stands out in the landscape of Australian television. It’s not perfect—but its imperfections are part of its charm.
Darkly funny, unsettling, and richly atmospheric—a must-watch.
Comments