In the first episode of the series we meet dashing David Grief (Snow), Captain of The Rattler, and his Polynesian partner, Mauriri Lepau (Naufahu). It's the turn of the 20th century and these two men are adventurous traders working out of beautiful Tahiti. The island they frequent most is Matavai, where Grief's girlfriend, Lavinia (King), runs a tavern that caters to sailors and any number of interesting/infamous visitors. This is also the island where Mauriri's wife and children live. Enter Isabelle Reed (Blakely), a lovely English woman who is accused of murdering her French lover. Grief takes a special interest and tries to prove her innocence.