A Place to Call Home (2013–2018): Season 5, Episode 10 - Death Comes as an End - full transcript

Anna, Olivia,
this is Matthew Goddard.

Matthew is Douglas' oldest son.

Matt has asked me out to dinner.

Well, I hope you said yes.

Good night.

The accountants
have just discovered

that those loans
are all owned by Richard.

He can call them in.

He can take Ash Park
whenever he wants.

What if Sir Richard
was so distracted

that George was able
to work quietly



to find another avenue
for the mortgages?

I've come with a solution.

It will rely totally
on the cooperation of one man.

It's quite a radical proposal

but one that will see
Sir Richard distracted

while George sorts out
the mortgages.

You run as an independent
in the upcoming election.

He'll throw all
his energy into the campaign,

and meanwhile, we save Ash Park.

I'm an alcoholic, Carolyn.

Every single facet of my life
is structured around

avoiding the things I know
will make the bottle sing.

Memories I don't want to face.

How is the old ticker,
by the way?



All must be a terrible strain.

I'll run.

Elizabeth deserves to live out
her life without this.

He'll be begging for mercy by
the time I'm finished with him.

- I'm at your service, Dickie.
- He won't know which way's up.

- Excuse me.
- Sir Richard is not your mentor.

There you go, love.

He will have a spy
in here, watching you both.

You'll let me know

if things start to get on top
of you.

I'll let you know.

The thing about us country folk
is we tell it as it is.

- That's right, Jack.
- Now, times are changing.

And we want to make sure
the changes go our way.

This coal mine the coalition
and Labour both went for

looks like the thin end
of the wedge to me.

How long before your farms

are all just dirty great holes
in the ground?

Smell the air.

How long is it gonna stay fresh

if the likes of Sir
Richard Bennett get their way?

They've had it their own way
for too long.

You tell 'em, Jack.

Thanks, Frank.

Time to put a rocket
up some conservative backsides.

Doctor!

What about "derrieres," Doris?
Sound better?

Slightly less uncouth, Doctor.

Call a spade a spade, Doc.

They need a good kick
up the bum.

That's what they need.

Good on you, Roy.

And our returned servicemen.

Veterans' benefits
need protecting.

The Returned Soldiers'
Legal Bureau needs more funding,

not less.

You trust the Canberra pooh-bahs
to do it?

- No fear!
- No way.

Oh, he mentioned me
specifically, did he?

Right.

Oh, he's mates with a boong, eh?

Think about it.
Think about it all.

My hero.

Just telling the truth.

You'll chivvy your opponents
into addressing health issues

if nothing else.

That's a nice way of saying
he thinks I've got Buckley's.

- Oh, you be nice.
- Good on you, Jack.

Let's get your bloods checked.

Ah.
Superman back to Clark Kent.

Give my love to the city set.

I'll sing your praises.

Well done.

Enough to make you vote
against George?

Well, that would be telling.

Thank you, Doctor.

Hello?

How come I have to find out
from someone else

that Duncan's got a pet Abo?

We can use that.

I think he's a patient.

I can't know everything.

Well, get out more.

And he slagged me off
about the coal mine.

Find out if George picked up
on it.

Perhaps you should ask him
yourself, Dickie.

I don't want to tip my hand

by showing too much interest,
Reggie.

He doesn't know
I'm out to expand.

George is so busy.

I hardly see him.

Well, you see
his bleeding-heart Jew.

Play the reform card.

See what she'll spill.

I don't want to have to
keep coming down there.

Inverness Hospital.
Thank you.

I've been remiss!

Oh, in a good cause.

Come with me.

How's our independent candidate
going?

Coping with the stresses
and strains?

We're managing them together,
fighting the good fight.

Good.
And Richard Bennett?

Driven to distraction.

So, there he is.

Oh, Mama!

Drop it!

Welcome back to the big smoke.

Oh, thank you darling.

It's all rather romantic.

Grist for your novelistic mill.

Much more Brontë than Bligh.

Douglas would approve.

Tackle! Tackle!

Add her to my rounds.

Tell her about an hour.

Patricia Green's test results.

I've scheduled her in
for tomorrow.

Thanks.
Regina's asked for a house call.

Real or something to tell?

I guess I'll see.

Wouldn't be surprised if she has
come down with something,

the pressure she's under.

What does she do all the time?
Just sit there?

Gardens. Reads.
Broods, I imagine.

Mm.
Enough to drive her nuts again.

I suspect she's swapped
one mania for another...

a love of George

for the obsession
with balancing the books.

She's a mentally fragile woman.

Ah.

Doris.

Seeing you greeted so warmly
at the fete by Mr. Bligh,

we ladies felt that we must
offer an open smile ourselves.

So I thought I'd drop off
our latest newsletter.

I won't stay.

Others await its contents
eagerly.

Thank you.

I-I have a cake
just out of the oven.

Tea, perhaps?

Oh?

Oh, that does smell delicious.

Perhaps, uh,
just a small refreshment.

Please, sit.

Oh, thank you.

This is too much for me.

How about a slice now...

...and I'll give you some
to take home?

Lovely.

I-I just can't dally.

- I'm sure you understand.
- Doris...

Indeed.
Indeed.

Doris, please come back.
I...

Sorry. On my rounds.

Oh Lord.

Oh, Doctor.

"Let he who is without sin
cast the first stone,"

as Reverend Curtis
is wont to remind us.

Very good of you to visit,
Doctor, I'm sure.

I got a message she's unwell.

Oh.
She didn't seem so to me.

You know, she offered me cake.

How could I accept?

I think her poisoning days
are over.

Well, others remember
poor Miss Davis.

And the whisperings
about Sergeant Taylor.

Christian duty.

Mm, mm, mm.

If it is lethal,
it's my lack of culinary skill.

Poor old Doris.
You know how she is.

I must be going soft.
It was nice to see her.

So why am I here?

There was an Aboriginal
at your speech, yes?

A patient?

And a friend.

Sir Richard is going to try
and use him against you.

What, he's gonna gee up
the bigots?

Which I'm sure
there's no lack of.

You need to be one step ahead.

Got any ideas?

Over cake?

Why not?

Live dangerously.

That's what I miss.

Sharing a joke.

Thank you.

The opposite sex, you know.

- Let the best one win.
- Yes.

Good luck to you
and both of you.

Here's your fourth one.

This contraption spells
the end of conversation.

It's the same questions
over and over.

- But the boxes are different.
- We can switch it off.

Oh, my bed and my book
are calling me.

Good night, my darlings.

Good night, Mother.

Mother's right.
I'd far rather we talked.

I was quite enjoying it.

That's your fourth.

It dulls the edge.

I drank myself to sleep
on many a lonely night.

Is that what I'm doing?

I do understand.

You found love.

I did.
Eventually, as will you.

I've become brittle.

Men sense it.
Matt did.

That's why he instantly
preferred Olivia.

Or he may favor English roses.

It's what I've become.

Every man since Gino.

I start feeling close,
and then I panic.

When will I have to tell him
that I'm sterile,

that any future
precludes children?

I dread that look again.

"You cannot breed.
I have no need."

Oh, not every man
wants children.

The subject always comes up.

Everything's skewed

towards being able to give a man
a child.

I've earned myself
quite a reputation

going from man to man.

As one who's been there...

any relief this brought me
was momentary at best.

But soothing in the moment.

Well, I might take my cue
from Grandmother.

Good night.

Just a dash more.

It was totally appropriate.

It's wonderful to laugh so much.

Wow.

That was like wiping out,
not knowing which way is up.

I assume that's a compliment.

Oh, from a surfer it is, yeah.

Good.

"Like an English garden
on a spring day."

What?

- Perfect.
- Oh, good save.

Mm.

All I ask is...

...don't hurt me.

I've been hurt twice.

Terribly.

I know.

And I won't.

Are you sure we're ready
for that?

It's something
we have to do anyway.

If it sends him into a flurry,
it's a bonus.

Yes.

- Hello, Leah.
- How's our little man?

- Good as gold.
- Thank you for staying on.

- Anything else?
- No, that'll be all.

- Good night.
- Good night, sir, Mrs. Nordmann.

Good night.

Well, that's hardly
parliamentary papers.

"The story of a strange
and wonderful marriage."

It's ironic.

Exactly what we're thinking of
finally exposing to Inverness.

If you're sure the timing
is right.

People will appreciate it.

Richard will be up here
like a shot.

Mm.

"Tramp."

There'll be some people
who enjoy tossing that around.

"True Romance."

That's how it is.

Yes.

Firstly, can I say
that it is an honor

to be standing as member
for Inverness.

Before I elaborate on my plans
for my next term,

I would like to address
an issue directly

that has existed
for most of my current term,

which is why my son
and my future wife

are joining me up here for...
for the first time.

Now, you all know Sarah,
and some of you have seen David.

Our circumstances
are hardly orthodox,

and for some of you I know
they bear the whiff of scandal.

But I love my fiancée
and son dearly,

and I lay the truth of it
before you.

And, of course,
I'm also hoping I can rely

on your vote... 1, George Bligh,
this time around.

Good on you, Mr. Bligh!

And now on to policies.

Now, we've all heard
a lot about the...

A Sydney number, please.

Sir Richard.
Oh. Uh, excuse me.

- Where is he?
- Uh, wait. I'll...

Where is he?

Wait. Sir Richard,
I have to announce you're here.

Oh, don't worry about it.
I can announce myself.

What the hell are you up to?

Looks like someone's
been beating the tom-toms.

There was no need
to come rushing down.

Oh, great strategy.

"Here I am with my mistress
and bastard kid."

If it was as vulgar as that...
I'd agree.

It's general knowledge
we're to be married,

and most know
that David was conceived

long before we knew anything
of René.

There's more to be gained
than lost by doing it.

- Well, McEwen won't think so.
- He's not in the electorate.

He leads the party.
You need him. So do I.

He's the only one
with any brains on tariffs.

I'm more than happy
to justify it to him

as much as I am to you.

I may have won votes
with my honesty.

You can't be that naive.

Honest George,
man for the masses?

All right.

I'll sniff around, check
the peasants aren't revolting.

But no more going off message
without checking with me first.

It's an advantage
of Jack Duncan being family.

He's not made an issue of it.

Well, you can bet
the Labour fella will.

Duncan will be too busy anyway.

Wiping muck off himself.

Regarding?

He's got a few black chooks
coming home to roost.

My announcement did the trick.

He's well and truly distracted.

- What, he rang?
- He's here, blowing steam.

But he's out to stir up
the bigots.

Regina's put me well ahead
there.

They won't have a leg
to stand on.

I'm glad he's here to see it.

Thanks for coming along, boys.

Up the back.

Come on.
Let's go.

Hi, Roy.

Gub.
Nat.

Hello.
How are you?

All present and correct.

Thank you, fellas.
Over the top?

Thank you all for coming!

Good to see you're not all sick
of my voice yet.

- Never, Doctor.
- Thank you, Doris.

You a boong lover too, Doris?

Taking your Abo mate to Canberra
with you, Doc?

Shh!

He'll be given 'em handouts
left, right, and center.

Yeah, and your women.

Seems there's a few here

who, uh, don't approve of me
being mates with Frank Gibbs.

Yeah.
Too right.

Mr. Gibbs is worth ten of you.

I've got a few mates here today.

I'm proud
to stand beside them all.

- Good on you, Jack.
- Roy.

Gub, Pat, Frank.

The four vets in the district

with the highest awards
for valor.

Roy in the first war,
Gub, Pat, and Frank in the last.

Now, I'm proud of my service,

but, uh, these four
put me in the shade.

Frank and I, we were both
prisoners under the Japs.

Different camps, same brutality.

We all suffered the same.

No one cared about your color
in there.

We were all there
for each other.

Now I want you to applaud
these brave blokes, our heroes.

Roy, Gub, Pat, and Frank.

We salute you.

Bullshit!

- Shut your crummy mouth!
- I can say whatever I like!

Hip-hip!

Hoorah!

- Hip-hip!
- Hoorah!

One more for the doc and Frank
for surviving the Japs!

- Hip-hip!
- Hoorah!

Yeah, he's still a bloody boong.

He fought for his country,
which is more than I can say

- for some of youse.
- You calling me a coward?

Show us your medals.

Frank Gibbs fought and suffered
for his country.

He's as much my mate
as any of these blokes.

Any vote that costs me
is a vote I don't want.

Bravo, Doctor!

You think you're bloody smart,
don't you?

I think I've got you
figured out.

You'll never win.

Maybe, maybe not.

But I'll get people asking
the right questions.

No one's gonna listen to you...

About your coal mine,
for instance.

Approved,
state and federal level.

Ah, for limited development.

Let's make sure
it stays limited.

George is too trusting.

That's his problem.

He needs me
more than I need him.

Yeah, the man with the power.

Man with the "Sir"
before his name.

And a thorn in his side.

Me.

I'll see you sorry
for targeting Elizabeth again.

You're joking.

Is that what this is about?

All right.
What if I said I'd back off?

Too late.

Right.
Gloves off, then.

No. We did that four years ago.
I won.

I never lose twice.

Keep your darkie.
I'll find something else.

Outside.
Now.

I'm expected in theater.

You've got your theater
because of me.

You've got your job.

You think you'd keep it if they
knew you were a shirt-lifter?

You've got no proof.

Nor did Regina Bligh,
and she still got her morphine.

I get what I want

and you can keep sticking
your dick wherever you like.

But if I don't...

What do you need?

Yes.

Playing him is a pleasure.

Almost.

What did he say?

He wants me to bad-mouth you
at the final rally.

Some old case.

An abortion.

I tried to save a girl
after she'd had one, years back.

I was almost charged
for not reporting it.

Well, he wants me to rake
the muck on it.

He's desperate,
dredging that up.

Good.

He threatened you?

The usual.

I'm sorry.

I can handle it.

If he exposes you...

There's nothing to expose.
Certainly nothing concrete.

I've been a monk
since James left.

Yeah, but it still leaves you
vulnerable.

You worry about yourself.
I'll worry about me.

Henry.

I regret our scraps.

Especially what I've said
on... that subject.

I just... don't see how a man
can...

Your inability to comprehend
doesn't mean it's wrong.

It just means you're more
like Stan O'Rourke

than you'd like to think.

Oh, I-I don't...

It's attitudes like yours
that keep laws in place

that facilitate the blackmail
of men like me.

But for now, let's concentrate
on dragging the bastard down.

The old biddy.
The... The gossip.

- Doris Collins.
- Get her talking.

Duncan was ahead of us,
and I want to know how.

Get all the scuttlebutt you can
on him.

Hospital records turn up
nothing I didn't know.

Well, he was a drunk.
Dig into that.

And his war record.

I'll check my end, too.

You could do more harm than good
attacking a hero.

Let's see if he was one first.

Everything you can get.

Yes.

Yes.

Ash Park, please.

And if you even think
of listening in,

I will see Mr. Bligh himself
has you charged

for the criminal act it is.

Of course you do.
Now put me through.

George, it's me.

I just spent the last hour
at the CWA

winning over the fence-sitters.

Aren't you glad you said yes
to all this now?

Good to see I haven't misjudged
the town.

The look on his face.

Yeah.

With even better to come.

Something's happened.

No. I...

I'm just trying to get my head
back into work.

Imagine if we win.

No chance.

Coping?

More than.

Good.

Are you sure you're all right?

It's not getting too much
for you?

Fine, as long as you are.

Well, thank you
for filling us in.

You're not convinced.

No.

Hello?

I'm in here.

Yes.

You're feeling the pressure?

I'm feeling the hate.

I hate him.

What is this?
Tea and sympathy?

Concern.
This can't be easy.

From the woman
who can't even thank me

for signing the divorce papers.

Touching.

That was unfair.

I understand.

Do you know why
I so hate Richard?

He's a mirror.

I see in him what I was to you.

I see what can't be forgiven.

Why I can't hope for a...
a future with the family.

Which you can't.

Without it, what do I have?

You must have some idea
of what's ahead.

A void.

Then you need to fill it.

With?

I spent three years
regaining my sanity,

a year establishing it,
months earning your trust,

all to make reparation.

And once that's done...

...there's nothing...
but guilt for my crimes.

Milly Davis.

Brian Taylor.

Yes... I did shoot him.

I'm sure you never doubted.

That's what will fill the void.

Guilt for their deaths.

Which means?

Punishment.

Whichever one I deem fit.

Perhaps some cool water.

Then I'd rather be alone.

I see today
as a fitting memorial

for my late husband, Douglas,

as we launch this charitable
fund in his name.

And it means the world to me
that his son, Matthew,

is here with us
to share this moment.

We also have with us today
some representatives

of the Aboriginal Australian
Fellowship.

Please offer them
a warm welcome.

As most of you know...

the plight of Aboriginal
returned servicemen

and their families

became an area
of special interest to Douglas

in his last months.

He expressed in his will

a wish that we might find ways
to support them.

And I'm pleased to say that we
have taken the first steps

in that direction.

And so I am thrilled
to honor Douglas' memory...

...by announcing the
Douglas Goddard Veterans' Fund.

And I ask you to open
your checkbooks

to help to fill our coffers.

Douglas would be so very,
very pleased

to see you all here today.

Thank you.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

Dad was lucky to find her.

We were the lucky ones.

Matthew?

Excuse us.

I'd like you to meet
Douglas' son, Matthew.

Nice to meet you.

They're very much an "us."

Head over heels.

Is that a cynical note?

As ill-matched as I was
with a farmer,

I worry for her with Aqua Man.

You know he scuba dives?

Oh, yes. Lloyd Bridges.
"Sea Hunt."

His path may not be the
norm, but he is of this world.

She deserves love.

She does.

So do we.

I'm sorry James hurt you.

Mm.

What a pair.

Covered in scar tissue.

And Sir Richard's intent
on adding more.

How so?

Well...

May I join you?

A respite from talking,
but a lovely day.

Douglas would be thrilled.

It's gone so well.

Not just with the gathering.

I'm thrilled.

Not prematurely, I hope.

Not.

No.

Anna!

This is Anna.
She's a writer.

This is Phillip.
He's a lawyer.

- Lovely to meet you.
- You too.

We'll leave you to chat.

- Nice talking to you.
- You too.

So, Phillip, the law.

Yes.
You write?

I do.

You read?

Novels?
Never.

Oh.

Anna?

Oh, excuse me.
I...

Henry to the rescue.

It was worth a try.

He's a pompous prat.

Oh, dear. I'm turning into
one of those mothers.

Maybe just a bit.

Maybe a lot.

I worry for her.

She can look after herself.

Join me on the stage.

No, Anna.
We...

- Anna, we can't.
- We can!

Can I have your attention,
please?

We can.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I'm so excited.

I just wanted to share
my happiness.

I have just been asked
to be Mrs. Henry Fox,

and I've just said yes.

Ah!

We're engaged!

You were saying?

I thought he was...

He is.

To the happy couple.

I expected to get it
in the neck.

I'm the guy pretending to run
for Parliament.

And when will you dispense with
your elaborate smoke screen?

When Henry is safe
from that monster.

I am sorry if it's caused you...

You may stop apologizing.

How will you explain
the separation

when separation it is?

Well, I'll realize
that the life of a novelist

and a surgeon's wife
are incompatible.

And I may even time it
to the release of my book.

You see, it supports my thesis
on relationships.

Your very cynical one.

Not now, Grandmother.

Extreme times
call for extreme measures.

So I second my honorable
opponent's toast.

- The happy couple.
- And down with the tyrant.

- Oh, that I can endorse.
- Yes.

Well, thank goodness.

Strange family.

Certainly not usual.

I'd better get used to it.

Well, that's the end
of my very long day.

I'll say good night to you all.

- Good night, Mother.
- Good night.

George, a hand on the stairs,
if you wouldn't mind.

Good night.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Your thoughts
on Olivia and Matthew?

She's well rid of James.

Douglas missed 10 years
of Matthew's life

because of their estrangement.

Don't let that happen
to you and James.

You can honor Douglas
by learning from his mistakes.

James broke my heart.

There's no need to reciprocate.

When you can, heal the rift.

No. I think I can manage these
on my own.

- Good night.
- Good night.

When all the brouhaha is done.

Brouhaha indeed.

Well, well.

I wouldn't vote for him
if I knew.

Quite the A-bomb
we've got up our sleeve, huh?

I'll alienate George Bligh
if I use it willy-nilly,

never mind how estranged
they are.

I hope to God Jack Duncan
gives me cause to use it.

It's perfect.

- Cheers.
- Cheers.

Finally, the end is in sight.

- To Ash Park.
- To Ash Park.

Ready?

I can't wait for it
all to be over.

Another hour
and we are rid of him.

And by tomorrow night,
Jack Duncan, MP.

How many times
do I have to say it?

Call it a premonition.

We're going to enjoy Canberra.

All set?

Are you, more to the point?

Primed for detonation.

The last time I felt
this exhilarated,

I had a knife in my hand.

As this burgh's least
favorite person,

show your support
for Dr. Deadhead

and keep away from George.

Good you made an effort.

It's a special day.

Yeah.

A very special day.

As soon as Regina arrives,
you kick off.

You reckon she can be trusted?

She's done good so far.

Looks like Doris is doing
her bit.

Henry and Anna, eh?
I hope the old ducks buy that.

Richard.
Nice to see you.

- Mrs. Nordmann.
- Sir Richard.

Regina.

Righto!
Let's get her rolling!

Here we go.

Now, we'll kick her off
by meeting our candidates.

First up, our member for
Inverness, Mr. George Bligh!

He knows what he's doing.

I want it clear that Mrs. Bligh
is here today as my guest.

Abuse to her in any form
is abuse to me.

She has paid her debt.

I hope you respect that,
as do Sarah and I.

Thank you, Roy.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Bligh.
Well said.

Now let's meet our Labour
candidate, Mr. Bob Purvis!

Oh, come on!
Give him a round of applause!

And that brings me now...

Roy, would you mind
if I did the intro?

Oh.
Certainly.

Mr. Henry Fox,
ladies and gentlemen,

head of surgery at the hospital.

And it looks like
he's got company.

Thank you, Roy.

I'd like to introduce
one of the finest men

it's been my privilege
to work with.

Now, I'm a Conservative,
but I have to say

that I am tempted to go left
for this man.

Congratulations to Mr. Fox
and Miss Anna!

Oh! It looks like Doris
has sniffed you out!

Round of applause
for the newly engaged couple!

What is this?

Justice.

George has secured the loans
free of you.

You have no hold now.

You're nothing
but a paper tiger.

Now please welcome
your independent candidate,

Dr. Jack Duncan, likely
your next man in Canberra.

Right. So this is the way
we're gonna run it.

Each of the candidates will get
five minutes to speak,

and then there'll be five
minutes questions and answers.

And the way I've
worked that out is,

in 45 minutes,
we'll be done here

and we'll be back at the pub.

If you can't wait, there's some
lovely tea and scones

provided by the CWA,
the Cranky Women's Asso...

I mean the Country Women's
Association.

Now, tomorrow, ladies and gents,
is election day.

Take my advice...
vote early, vote often.

Excuse me.

Ladies and gentlemen,
good folk of Inverness.

Many of you know me
and most know who I am.

I want to add my words to the
ones said about candidate here,

a fella who grew up and stayed,
a doctor to you all

and a friend to most, I am sure.

But I have one question to ask,
and it's an important one.

Do you want your man to be able
to stand up for you in Canberra?

- Yeah.
- Yeah, yeah.

- You want a man with courage?
- Yeah! Course we do, mate.

Do you want one... with balls?

Well, Dr. Duncan can't help you
here.

He doesn't have any.
Right, Doc?

The Japs cut 'em off in the war.

You want a eunuch in Canberra,
ladies and gentlemen,

then you vote Jack Duncan!

Here's the proof, Doc.

No wonder he's an alkie!

Where are you going?

He's got nothing
between his legs!

You get your miserable arse
out of here.

Get off the stage.

Jack! Jack!

Jack!

- Boo!
- Get out of here.

Take your city ways
and piss off, mate!

Piss off now!

Regina shouldn't be alone.

Mother?

Find Jack.

Oh, God.

No?

No.

You played me from the get-go.

With pleasure.

I ought to kill you.

And I ought to stomp you
like the little grub you are.

I believe you know Mr. Briggs.

I'll give you two seconds
to piss off,

and you'd better not be back.

Oh, this isn't over
by a long chalk.

I'll destroy all of you.

I'll ruin
this whole bloody town!

I'll make sure he's gone.

Nearly there.

Yes.

Oh, God.

Dead?

- You were the first here?
- Yeah.