A Place to Call Home (2013–2018): Season 5, Episode 9 - All That Lies Ahead - full transcript

You'll be back in the nuthouse
in the snap of a finger

if you're just
stringing me along.

Would you take my hand?
He's watching me.

Yes, of course.

I needed to do that.

To bolster your bona fides
with him.

Yes.

Running a teaching
hospital sounds very attractive.

But we don't want Jack Duncan
anywhere near it.

Think you can find
any skeletons in the closet?

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



He will use you as a conduit
to destroy Jack Duncan.

There you go, love.

She suggested
we have a spy in our midst,

working for Sir Richard.

I suggest that we keep our wits
about us. Especially you.

Sir Richard is out
to ruin the family.

Go through your accounts
with a fine-tooth comb.

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?



We do have someone in our midst
who knows him inside out.

I don't mean to sound offensive,

but I need
your calculating mind.

I've come with a solution.

Please.

It will rely totally
on the cooperation of one man.

Jack Duncan.

She's still
hanging in there, old Ma Bligh.

I can see
her funeral announcement

plain as day in the paper.

Just got to get her there.

Mrs. Goddard?

I'm Douglas's son, Matthew.

You okay?

Do you know that it was here
that I first met your father?

He gave me the most
charming smile as he left.

I just can't comprehend
why he would keep you a secret.

His oldest son.

We went our separate ways
a while ago.

But to never speak of you.

Things got salty.

Dad was stubborn.
He could dig his heels in.

Wonder who he is.

And from what celestial body
did he fall?

Were you close to your brother?

Frankie wasn't just my brother.
He was my best friend.

And he and Dad,
they were like chalk and cheese.

Frankie was always looking
for ways to fly the coop.

So he joined up.

I didn't even know he'd died
until I got back from the war.

It felt like
someone ripped out my insides.

I'm sorry.

Oh, please, don't apologize.

Well, after that,
Dad put all his energy into me.

Wanted me
to take on the business.

But I just wanted to do
my thing,

and he thought I was
shirking responsibility.

Your father had
high expectations.

Oh, he was full of regret.

He was rewriting history.

Suddenly Frankie became
the golden boy.

Well, grief can bring out
the worst in us.

He told me
the wrong son had died.

Well, sometimes we say things
we don't mean.

You never forgave him for it.

Morning, grandmother.

Oh, Anna, Olivia,
this is Matthew Goddard.

Matthew is Douglas' oldest son.

- Oh, I... I didn't know that...
- Please accept our condolences.

Your father was a dear man.

We're so sorry.
We all miss him terribly.

Matthew lives in Hawaii.

My goodness!
Another cosmopolitan.

What do you do in Hawaii?

- I make surfboards.
- Surfboards?

Planks of wood
you ride waves on.

Yes, I know
what surfboards are.

It does look rather dangerous,
surfing.

Only if there's sharks.

I should, uh, hit the road.

It was nice to meet you both.
And you too, Mrs. Goddard.

I appreciate
you taking the time.

Please call me Elizabeth.

I do hope you'll visit again
before you return to Hawaii.

You must.
Come to dinner this evening.

Oh, yes, of course.

Excuse me.
Unless you're already busy.

Sure. Why not?

I'll see you out.

It was lovely
to meet you, Matthew.

My buddies call me Matt.

He's an absolute dish.

David Bligh, you come back here!

You can't catch me!

What have I said
about not listening?

I want to see Daddy.

I know, darling,
but Daddy's in a meeting.

We're forging ahead.

Together.

It's all right, sweetheart.

Come on.

You really think it could work?

It's the perfect sort
of distraction that we're after.

It's simple, strategic.

It focuses Richard
on the subject of his loathing.

Well, we need to think about the
consequences of it not working.

I have, believe me.

He could move on Ash Park
and the mortgages instantly.

It could all be ripped
from us in a heartbeat.

But if it does work, he's out
of our lives once and for all.

We've just got to
get Jack on board.

On board for what?

There's no point
waiting till tonight.

He'll be tired.
Much better now.

Just calm down.

Now, promise me one thing...

You won't badger him
into anything.

This needs to be his decision.

It's to save Ash Park.

As if he's going to
need badgering.

- Will you join us?
- I have things I need to do.

It's on.

Richard Bennett's declared war.

The hospital board's asking me

to hand in all my patient files
dating back five years.

Is there anything in there
he could use against you?

Well, probably.
We've all made mistakes.

The bastard won't be satisfied

until he's seen me
run out of town.

Does Elizabeth hold sway
with the hospital board?

Not as much as she did.

Anyway, I'm not
dumping this in her lap.

We need to stay
one step ahead of him.

Beat him at his own game.

- Are those my patient files?
- Oh, I'm sorry.

The chairman of the board
requested them.

Here.
Give them to me.

Dr. Duncan, I want you to know
that I am privy

to Mr. and Mrs. Briggs'
happy news.

An expectant mother
of older years.

Now, if there is anything
that I should be...

Not now, Doris.

Ooh-ooh!
Mrs. Duncan!

Mrs. Duncan!

Her timing, as always,
impeccable.

Wouldn't you know it?

Mrs. Collins,
how lovely to see you.

Mr. Bligh, Mrs. Duncan.

You won't forget
your application to the CWA?

We're all ashimmer
with anticipation

of your modern mind.

- How could I possibly forget?
- Ah!

Well, it's good to see

that you got out on the right
side of bed this morning,

unlike your dear husband.

Perhaps we should do this later
if he's preoccupied.

Oh, don't be ridiculous.

Whatever's worrying him,
we have the antidote.

Couldn't this have waited
till I got home?

It's what we were talking about
last night.

I think we may have
the perfect solution...

or Regina has, anyway.

It may sound
a little eccentric, but...

It'll only take
10 minutes of your time.

I've got 500 patient case files
to get through

for a hospital board
investigation.

I've got a full list
of patients.

Investigation into what?

Me. My work.

It's a witch hunt.

Richard Bennett
wants me struck off.

Then our timing is excellent.

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.

You'd be a legitimate candidate

running on platforms
that interest you,

that are close to your heart.

And I'd certainly welcome
my constituents

hearing a different
point of view.

Anything, Jack, that diminishes
this man's power

is good for Inverness.

It's perfect, Jack.

He'll throw all his energy
into the campaign.

He'll be in such a lather, he'll
have time for nothing else.

And meanwhile, we save Ash Park.

What do you think?
Isn't it brilliant?

Bennett's out to ruin me,

and now you're suggesting
I paint a bull's-eye on my back

and let him take aim?

A great big bloody red one
so he can't miss?!

Yeah, terrific idea.

You've all got rocks
in your heads.

Jack!

Jack!

Dawnie said to make sure
I thanked you for this.

Well, you did build it.

It's been to a few babies now,
around the traps.

Oh, I reckon.

Ah, I don't want to
stir up any possums,

and you tell me
if it's none of my business.

But did I see Regina driving
out of here this morning?

Yeah, probably.

Long as she's not
causing you any trouble.

No.

Pass me that rope, will you?

'Cause you shaking hands
with her at the fete

was quite a turnup.

Well, she's helping George.
It was something I needed to do.

But all up, you'd be hoping
she'd be moving on,

sooner or later.

Sooner.

I think she might be thinking
something different.

Driven by her place lately?

No, I try to avoid it.

Someone takes that much trouble
with their garden,

they're in it for the long haul.

Let me.

I'll meet you at the car.

I didn't think for a moment
you would say no to this.

It's about family.

Our legacy.

If that bastard takes it
from us, then we have nothing.

You're dumping this in my lap.

You're making
the saving of Ash Park

entirely my responsibility.

But you get something out of it.
You prove yourself to the board.

You get the support of
the community by running.

And that Richard Bennett
is off your back.

- How can you be so sure?
- I am!

We are.

Well, supposing I agree,
how would it look,

me running against
my brother-in-law?

People would assume some sort
of conspiracy, which it is.

Or a rift in the family.

Sooner or later, they'd be right
on both counts.

Politics is a dirty business.

- I don't operate that way.
- It's not real!

It's a ruse to distract him,
that is all.

Well, I'm not gonna be a pawn
in some crazy subterfuge

cooked up by a woman
who's clearly unhinged.

The answer is no.
Can't you see?

Can't you even try
to understand me?

Just for once in your life,

bloody well try to see things
through my eyes.

George and Carolyn have gone to
speak to Jack about your idea.

I think it's a step forward,
don't you?

I hope so.

But you have your reservations.

Come in.

I accept that you're helping
the family against Sir Richard,

that you've returned
for reparation.

- But I'm...
- Always a but.

But I'm concerned about
what happens afterwards,

when all this is over
and your expiation is achieved.

What then?

Are you asking if I'll pick up
my skirts and leave?

Well, frankly, yes.

Perhaps you'll just
have to trust me to do that.

Well, that would be made easier

if you signed George's
final divorce documents,

which I'm sure you
don't realize are overdue.

That would certainly help us
move forward together.

So that's why you're here.

I could take them now,

save you
from having to deliver them.

If you're assuming
that all of this

will lead to some kind of future
with the family...

I'm not.

It will only bring
more unhappiness,

not just to you
but to us all.

Have you read it?

Yes.

Do you think it's authentic?

They say her father
helped write it.

Reads like the work
of a young girl.

I'm not entirely convinced.

I'll see myself out.

Please have the papers
delivered to the house.

♫ Well, it was Saturday ♫

♫ Got my fistful of pay ♫

That's it.

Keep moving.

Like this.

Whoo-hoo!

♫ Well, my feet are aching
like they're on hot coals ♫

Move those feet.

Whoo!

Hands up!

Whoo!

♫ It's rock'n'roll ♫

Put your hands up!

I was there when she
came down the stairs at Malibu.

She was five feet nothing,

she weighed less than
a hundred pounds,

and she was carrying
a surfboard that was so big

one end of it
was dragging in the sand.

I mean, she could barely
get her arm around it.

We were all standing
there watching

because you don't see
too many girl surfers.

And somebody says,

"She looks like a midget to me.
A girl midget."

That's how
she got the name Gidget?

Yeah.

What a terrible thing
to call someone.

Continue, Matthew.

Oh, that's about it, really.

She spent
the rest of that summer

learning how to surf, and...

And her father, he wrote
a story about it, didn't he?

Yeah, and sold the movie rights

to Columbia Pictures
for $50,000.

Oh!

That's what you should do
with your novel.

Don't be silly.

My granddaughter's a writer.

She had a wonderful success
with her last novel.

There's a second one
coming out in December.

Slightly controversial.

Well, all this talk of
sun and surf has me exhausted.

If you'll excuse me, Matthew,
I think it's time I retired.

Sorry, I didn't realize
how late it was.

Oh, it's not.
No, no, stay.

Enjoy yourselves.

I'll take you up, Elizabeth.

I do hope this isn't
the last time that we see you.

There's a case
of your father's things

that you might like
to go through.

I think the solicitor
gave me everything.

Well, I'd like to make sure.

Okay.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night, sweetheart.

Good night, Grandmother.
Sleep well.

Thank you.

You all right, Matthew?

Oh, I just think
me turning up out of the blue

has really rattled
your grandmother.

No, I think you've been
exactly what she needed.

You know, your father
and my grandmother,

they were a great romance.

That's a whole side of him
I never knew.

Like Bogart and Bacall.

Well, to great romances.

For all we know,
he may be on a house call.

Long bloody house call.

He was carrying on
about understanding.

What is there to understand?

God forbid he put himself
on the line,

do something which involves
a bit of risk.

I suspect he feels compromised.

I am going to bed.

I suppose
it's back to the drawing board.

Perhaps Regina has
something else up her sleeve.

Let's work something out
on our own.

I went to see her.
Earlier today.

After all this is over,
however it turns out,

I worry she'll want
her pound of flesh,

and we'll be left
dealing with her.

Again.

Anyway.

Oh, let's forget about her.

Yes?

Just for a moment.

Yes.

There was this one Jap.

One day he gave me
an extra ration of rice.

And I thought,
"Oh, he's not a bad bloke."

And the next day he just
flogged the bejesus out of me.

Stuck me in a box
just for the hell of it.

Mad bastards.

Turns out
there's a lot of them around,

and they aren't just Japs.

When I was a kid, it was easy.

Everyone seemed to know
the difference

between what was right
and what was wrong.

These days, you know,
I wonder if I know anymore.

What a world, eh?

Changing as fast
as it's spinning.

I'd like to step off.
You know, take a breather.

Just look at things
every which way.

Haven't had one of these
in a while.

- Reckon one won't hurt.
- Well, you're the doc.

Listen, Jack,
whatever this is about,

I hope that not talking
about it has helped.

And so tell me, Matt,

have you ever really, truly
encountered a shark?

Man or marine?

You're going.

I want to be up early
to catch the dawn swell.

- He's going surfing.
- I see.

Well, you certainly are devoted.

Addicted, more like it.

Why don't you both
come tomorrow?

At dawn?

Oh, I can pick you up later.
Show you how to hang ten.

I have no idea what that means,
but it sounds like fun.

I don't think so.
I have a little boy.

- How old?
- He's five.

Perfect!
Bring him along.

Really?
Would that be all right?

Why wouldn't it be?

Wonderful.
It's decided, then.

Maybe I'll turn you into our
very own Australian Gidgets.

Good night.

See ya.

Got caught up with Frank.

You smell like smoke.

Oh, we made a fire.

And had a cigarette.

Make me understand.

You have this opportunity to
help the family to fix things.

For God's sake,
we sat around last night,

trying to work out a strategy
to do precisely that,

and you were on board 100%.

What could be more important
than Ash Park?

Us.

I'm trying to protect you.

From what?

Me.

Do you realize
what I grapple with every day?

The constant stress.

I'm an alcoholic, Carolyn.
You don't get better.

It doesn't go away.
You just try and manage it.

It's relentless and exhausting.

Every single facet of my life

is structured around
avoiding the triggers.

The things I know
will make the bottle sing.

Memories I don't want to face.

People's expectations.

What Richard Bennett
did to you.

That I wasn't able
to protect you.

My most important job,
and I couldn't even do that.

You couldn't have
saved me from him.

- It wasn't your fault.
- I should have been able to.

I was in charge.

It was my domain.
I ran things.

And then Henry arrived,

and now I feel like an old man
trying to catch up.

- But you're not.
- What if I am?

It's bad enough as it is.

Add this into the mix,
and I don't know what I'll do.

Which is why I... I take pills.

What pills?

To take the edge off.

But you're just replacing
one addiction with another.

I can still function.

I might lose you,
sticking to the straight path.

But there is nothing surer...

If I go back to the bottle,
I will lose you.

You won't lose me, Jack Duncan.

You won't lose me.

Thanks, Alan.

I spoke to Jack last night.

We had a long discussion
about him running.

Has there been
a change of heart?

I want to ask you, George,
not to raise the subject again.

Jack wants to focus
on the hospital.

Clearly you have
your reasons.

Yes.

As long as you're both
all right.

We are.
Thank you.

All right.

Come on.
Lie down.

That's it.
Legs in.

Legs in.
That's it.

Now you're paddling, paddling,
and the wave comes along,

and you've got to get
onto your knees.

Onto your knees.
That's it.

First time you do it,
you'll be on the water,

so it might be a bit wobbly.

Look at what you've missed.

Standing up.

You should have
told me you had another son.

One foot in front of the other.
That's it.

After everything we shared.

And don't tell me you didn't
know how to be a good father.

You were wonderful with David.

And Georgie.

You made a terrible mistake.

But I'm in no position
to judge you.

Come down and paddle,
Grandmother.

Let's go through it all again.
Lie down.

That's it. Paddle.

Wave comes.
On your knees.

Stupid, wretched pride.

So many precious moments
he's missed.

- Cool, man, you got it.
- Cool, man.

He can still be
part of your life, Lizzie.

It's not too late.

Lie down.

Do you have a minute?

Of course.

What's this?

Portable pacemaker machines.
Do you know about them?

I saw them at a conference
last year.

Transistorized and wearable.

Yeah, save our heart patients

having to plug themselves
into a wall.

We should think about
getting some.

Might even save a few lives.

This is a bit
of a turnaround, isn't it?

Well, Bennett's threats have
pulled me up, made me think.

It seems
I have two alternatives...

let him destroy me, or embrace
the challenge of destroying him.

Facing front
and moving forward, Henry.

Mrs. Bligh.

Hello?

Me? Not Mr. Bligh?

You asked to see me?

I thought it best
I meet you here,

rather than presume to visit you
at your cottage.

Divorce papers.

Signed, sealed, and delivered.

Oh, you see?
That wasn't so hard, was it?

A simple thank-you
would suffice.

For allowing George
what you promised?

You are a hard
and uncompromising woman.

I just don't want to give you
any false hopes.

One day you may come
to regret this moment.

You should know that Jack
isn't prepared to stand.

What?

It's his decision.

No.
No, no, no, no.

Make him change his mind.

Everything... Everything I'm
trying to do for this family,

he can't even do that?

How you can all be
so cavalier about a man

who is out to destroy you
is totally beyond me.

In Flanders fields
the poppies blow

between the crosses,
row on row,

that mark our place,
and in the sky

the larks,
still bravely singing, fly.

Sir, plea... please wait.
I have to tell Mrs. Goddard.

Mrs. Goddard's always happy
to see an old family friend.

- That will be all.
- Yes, ma'am.

Well, well, well. Miss Havisham
amongst the relics.

And even though managed
to marry your man,

he still left you high and dry.

Is there a point to this visit?

I come bearing gifts.

Poor old Dougie Goddard, eh?

So many things I would liked
to have said at his funeral.

Douglas the philanthropist.

Always willing to
jump into the fray

for the sake
of his damaged diggers.

Please leave now.

What's he left you with, eh?

Him stone cold in the ground,
his mongrel dogs defanged,

the crazy lady
down in Inverness.

And me right here.

It's enough
to do an old biddy in.

You have made your point.

How is the old ticker,
by the way?

All must be a terrible strain.

Grandmother?

Thank you, Elizabeth.

I appreciate the offer
of tea and cake,

but tempus fugit and all that.

You don't think she'd feel safer
if we brought her back here?

She didn't even want me
to call you.

You did the right thing.
Thank you, darling.

Grandmother, I could
cancel Matthew if you like.

No, I welcome the distraction.

Mongrel's trying to push her
into a heart attack.

All part of his agenda.

I'd better let George know.

Sir Richard's paid Mother
a visit.

She should be here.

I'll go down tomorrow
and bring her home.

She doesn't want us
to make a fuss.

Jack, perhaps you could
appeal to her?

She does tend to listen to you.

It wouldn't hurt.

I'll run.

As an independent.

But what we talked about
last night.

It's the right thing to do.

I've made up my mind.

It's not about Ash Park anymore.

Elizabeth deserves to live out
her life without this.

Here we are.
You might like to have a look.

I remember this day.

Dad was all set to take us
for a drive in his car,

and he drove so fast that
Frankie was sick everywhere.

Mm, your father
enjoyed his cars.

I did love him.

I know.

It was just
really difficult sometimes.

Love is difficult.

Yes?

That is heartening news, George.

Thank you.

I shall enjoy delivering it
face-to-face.

Is there a big wave?

I think there's gonna be
a big wave!

Oh, no!
And there's another one!

Oh, you're rolling
down the hill!

Oh, no!

Oh, no!
You've got to paddle.

You've got to start paddling!

I was trying really hard not
to let Dad's death affect me.

I guess that's like
going out on the ocean,

thinking you're not
gonna get dumped.

I've learned
that bottling up one's emotions

is a transitory solution.

What one resists
will only persist.

You're a lot like your father.

You have his kindness.

And his eyes.

And of course his smile.

I've been thinking about
staying on here for a bit.

You know the surf scene
here's really cranking up,

and it could be
a market for my boards.

Could even go crazy.

You all right?

It's just
your turn of phrase.

Do all surfing men
speak like that?

I don't know.
I haven't met all of them.

Ah!
Just like Douglas.

Perhaps you should talk to Anna

about getting a dictionary
of translations published.

Ah!
That'd be cool.

There you go again.

There was something else
I wanted to ask you.

There is a certain person
I would like to ask out,

if that's all right with you.

The octopus
is coming to get you!

- Oh!
- There's a big shark coming!

Aaagh!

Ha ha ha ha!

Oh, darling,
did the shark get you?

I'll protect you.
Stay with me.

I was wondering if I could have
a word with you, Olivia.

Of course.

Um, in private.

Ah, darling, you play
with Auntie Anna, all right?

Cool.

How dreadful!
It's all on your back.

Am I disturbing your work?

No, no.
Nothing to disturb here.

Matt has asked me out to dinner.

Well, I hope you said yes.

I feel strange about it.

- Do you mind terribly?
- Why should I mind?

It's just that you were the one
so keen on him.

Well, obviously the feeling's
not mutual.

Perhaps I should have declined.

I don't want things
to be awkward between us.

Are you being
deliberately obtuse?

Olivia, Blind Freddy can see

that Matt's interested in you,
not me.

And to be honest, I'm really...
I'm very fine with that.

There are plenty more fish
in the sea.

Or surfers, as the case may be.

It's just a dinner invitation.

Hardly a proposal.

You're absolutely right.

What the hell does he think
he's playing at?

He intends to run
against George.

It wasn't something I could
tell you over the phone.

The family have had
a dreadful falling-out.

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.

Dr. Duncan farts,
I want to know about it.

Thank you.

Good night.

May I have this dance?

Oh!

You know, this may come
as a complete shock to you,

but I don't think our son
has any rhythm.

I saw him dancing
with Leah and Larry.

That would come
from your side of the family,

because the Blighs are noted for
their ballroom dancing skills.

Well, there's not much
to the Pride of Erin, Mr. Bligh.

It's just one foot
in front of the other.

You know, I'm counting down
the days till you're my wife.

I'm gonna be fine, Caro.

It's the right decision.

It's the bomb you've been trying
to put up me for months.

I wouldn't have described it
quite so elegantly.

I've stopped taking the pills.

That's good news.

But I want you to promise me
something, Doctor.

You'll let me know if things
start to get on top of you.

I'll let you know.

You won't be doing this
on your own.