Who would have thought that Canadian history could be so much fun? Blackfly is set in the 18th century fur-trading post of Fort Simpson-Eaton and is a hysterical romp through the backwoods of Canada when the British ruled, the French explored, and beaver was king.
Winter is closing in and Dijon won't be back until spring. Blackfly wants to do something nice for him and Lady Hammond suggests a surprise party; they're all the rage in London! Blackfly takes Dijon for a walk in the woods while the others prepare. They soon get lost but the Chief rescues them and takes them to his hut, deep in the woods. Tempers fray and cabin fever takes over when they’re storm-stayed and miss the party.
When Dijon discovers Entwhistle's wig and boots abandoned in the wilderness everyone but Blackfly believes he's dead. He and Dijon set out to look for Entwhistle and finally discover him alive and well in a native village. They want to take him back to the fort but now he'll only answer to the name Chief Pale Legs and he's more native than the natives! Dijon and Blackfly are flogged and taken prisoner for making fun of him. They manage to escape and return to the fort only to find it's been taken over by the Americans!
The commanders of several forts in the region have been murdered and Boyle fears for his life. In a comedy of errors Boyle thinks that a medicinal recipe Blackfly gave Dijon to cure a boil is actually a death threat. Dijon is arrested and while attempting to set things straight Blackfly manages to free Dijon, but finds himself sentenced to hang instead.
The French and English decide once and for all to settle the question of who is superior by competing in a series of tasks. The final competition is log rolling but Blackfly, once a member of the famous 'Shoutin' Broughton' log rolling family has lost his nerve. Can Lady Hammond help him overcome his fears and save the English from humiliation?
The inhabitants of the fort must put on a good show during the important annual treaty negotiations with the natives. Good food and entertainment are essential. When Blackfly finds that Misty Moon won't be available to do the cooking he turns to Lady Hammond, unfortunately Lady Hammond’s enthusiasm far outweighs her culinary skills. When Blackfly decides she should make a recipe they find in Misty Moon's old cookbook they have no idea they're dishing up a magical brew.
The truth is revealed in this documentary-style episode when the real facts come to light about an explosive incident in the history of Fort Simpson-Eaton... the night a company of American soldiers paid a less than friendly visit!
Every spring the fur trappers make their way to the fort determined to drink and gamble themselves into oblivion. Lady Hammond begs Blackfly to stop Colonel Boyle from gambling with them. Blackfly does as she asks but it's Lady Hammond herself that succumbs to the "Boyle Curse". To save Lady Hammond, now deep in debt to the trappers, Blackfly calls on an old acquaintance, Stateside Bobby, an unsavory gambler. Stateside fleeces the trappers and frees Lady Hammond but what he wants in return may be too much to pay.
The fort is buzzing with excitement over the upcoming lacrosse playoffs between the fort favourites, the Ojibway Eagles, captained by the Chief and the Huron Hornets. Blackfly fancies himself an expert on the game and is miffed when the Chief ignores his advice. When Blackfly inadvertently destroys most of the Hornets team, he and others at the fort take their places. Finally Blackfly will get the chance to show the Chief what a great player he is!
The Company's Chief Factor comes to the fort and MacTavish and Blackfly vie for a promotion. But the Chief Factor has a roving eye and when it lands on Lady Hammond Blackfly and MacTavish are out of luck when hoping to woo Lady Hammond he makes her the boss.
Blackfly is smitten when Lauren, an old flame, arrives at the fort accompanied by her accident-prone son and a charismatic French priest. Blackfly soon falls under Lauren's spell again and even after he discovers she's lied to him about everything he can't resist doing whatever she asks.
The Earl of Pickersaill, a personal favourite of King George, arrives at the fort determined to shoot buffalo. Ignoring the fact that buffalo live two thousand miles west, Boyle sends Blackfly and the Chief hunting with him. The Earl dies after a nasty run in with a moose and Blackfly has to find a way to avoid taking the blame.
Blackfly is awestruck when the great Ben Franklin turns up at the fort. Franklin is charming and even though Boyle has him arrested he mesmerizes everyone at the fort. Blackfly laughs when the Jesuit tells him Franklin practices the dark arts…that is, until he joins him for dinner.
MacTavish mocks Blackfly's poetry but quickly discovers that Lady Hammond longs for a man with a poetic soul. In a fit of pique she dumps the pragmatic MacTavish and announces she'll marry Blackfly. Let the wedding plans begin!
