Ep 1. Rum And Gunpowder

Robert Louis Stevenson's tale of a 17th-century castaway is transposed to the 21st century as Crusoe (Philip Winchester) gets shipwrecked on an island for six years, being the sole inhabitant, except for cannibals, animals and his dog. As he scavenges what he can from the wreck, Crusoe is attacked by pirates led by none other than "Long John" Silver (Sam Neill), who intend to plunder everything at sea. Crusoe manages to hide most of his supplies, but his curiosity and desire for information lead him to sneak onto the pirate's ship where he overhears them discussing the whereabouts of a huge stash of buried treasure.

As the episode opens, we see Crusoe and his friend Friday (Tongayi Chirisa) enjoying a meal in a boat and they realize that their supplies are running low. While Crusoe sets out to explore the island looking for food, he spots a ship in the distance which soon runs aground on a nearby reef. Rushing to help, Crusoe manages to save the only surviving crew member, a man named Logan (Sean Bean), and tends to his injuries.

Logan tells Crusoe that the ship was attacked by pirates and that they have been searching for a lost treasure island for months. Crusoe decides to help Logan recover and, in the process, learns of the pirates' plans to attack a Spanish galleon carrying a valuable cargo of rum and gunpowder. Knowing that the Spanish vessel is no match for the pirates, Crusoe puts together a plan to warn the Spanish captain of the impending attack, and sets out in a small boat to find him.

Meanwhile, the pirates' leader, Captain Mendoza (Mía Maestro), discovers that Crusoe has overheard their plans and orders his men to find and kill him. Crusoe manages to evade the pirates and finds the Spanish galleon just in time to warn the captain of the impending attack. The captain is grateful for the warning and asks Crusoe to help them defend the ship against the pirates. Using his knowledge of the island, Crusoe comes up with a plan to rig up sling shots and takes the pirates by surprise.

The battle is long and hard but, with Crusoe's help, the Spanish manage to hold off the pirates and defend the rum and gunpowder. In the aftermath of the battle, Crusoe and the Spanish captain discuss the possibility of working together to find the lost treasure island and split the booty. But Crusoe faces a dilemma when Logan tells him that the treasure they seek belongs to the crew of the ship that was wrecked on the island and to Logan personally.

Rum and Gunpowder is the first episode of Crusoe, which premiered on October 17, 2008. This episode sets the tone for the rest of the series, which blends adventure, drama and suspense in a modern-day retelling of one of the most enduring tales of survival ever told. Featuring a strong cast, stunning scenery and thrilling action scenes, Crusoe is a must-see for anyone who loves adventure tales and epic struggles against the odds.