Corporal Eric Olseen finds he can’t put the effects of his broken marriage and difficult career behind him when he’s posted to a small town in the Northwest Territories. His emotional problems catch up with him in Lynx River when he goes overboard and attacks a teenaged troublemaker.

Eric tries to establish himself as the force of law in Lynx River arid intervenes in the ongoing dispute between Leon and Rosie. Meanwhile, the Golo family steps up its bootlegging operation to test the new Mountie, making Leon’s problem worse end proving to Eric that he can’t solve Northern problems with Southern solutions.

Eric and Michelle must cope with the chaos when two Department of Transport surveyors arrive to scout for a new road that would link Lynx River to the Liard Highway. The community is rife with divided opinions on the value of ending Lynx River’s isolation. Peter’s angry opposition verges on the illegal, and brings him into conflict with the Mounties. Meanwhile, Al the pilot, returns to rekindle his romance with Sarah. When Sarah turns down his marriage proposal, Al won’t take no for answer. His behaviour becomes erratic and Sarah becomes unnerved as Al plays out the role of spurned lover in front of the whole town.

Teevee and his friends discover the bones of a longlost white hunter. The Golos expropriate the remains as bargaining chips and suggest a trade for the bones of their ancestors back from a southern museum. Eric and Michelle must deal with legalities, bureaucrats and general awkwardness to resolve this “exchange of hostages”. Michelle forces Hannah to tell her about the discovery, alienating Hannah from the other kids. Teevee’s involvement in the incident haunts him, and he tries to make peace with the hunter’s spirit in order to assuage his guilt.

Michelle has to cope with the unexpected arrival of her ex-husband, a no-show in Lynx River since he walked out eight years ago. Louis wins Hannah’s heart for the first time and conquers Michelle all over again...until she learns he wants to take Hannah south for a while. The ensuing tug-of-war alienates Hannah from Michelle, who realizes she’s got to learn to let go. Treaty Days in Lynx River means Eric has to participate in what seems to him to be an archaic and paternalistic ceremony.

Eric is all icy determination when two American helicopter pilots make an emergency landing in Lynx River and sexually assault Teevee’s underage sister. As the mountie locks them up and prepares to press charges, outside forces bring incredible pressures to bear.