Aristocrats (1999–…): Season 1, Episode 6 - Episode #1.6 - full transcript

A new age has been born, out
of rebellion and bloodshed.

I am of another time.

L was raised in a
different world.

We were aristocrats.

My lord?

That is the most beautiful
foot l have seen in my life.

- L hear you contemplate marriage.
- Yes, Your Majesty.

Marriage agrees with you?

L wondered at first...

..but it's not at all alarming.

L've outlived 12 of my children.



At times, l feel
l've lived too long.

Who shall we have?

Monsieur Rousseau.

Lt is a considerable pleasure, Your Grace,
to admire the fruits of one's own labour.

And you consider this...
part of their schooling?

Edward! Did you make
it all yourself?

Mr Ogilvie helped me.

Do you think l favour Eddie?

He loves you so much
it's hard to avoid it.

Will you come up and see
me asleep, Mr Papa?

The world was beginning to
turn, but we did not know it,

and we clung blindly to notions
of family honour and reputation.

- L am going to marry him.
- Oh, Emily!

The scandal!



What will people say?

They will talk me over and
say what they please.

But it will not matter,
because l shall be in France,

with my children...
and Mr Ogilvie.

He has left the army,
Captain Napier.

Really? Why?

Not for any cowardly
reasons, l'm sure of that.

His heart will always
rule his head.

But you have never
feared danger, Edward?

Lf the cause isjust,
Mr Papa, l welcome it.

Nothing worthwhile is
won without a price.

Edward had found himself
a wife in France, and

l now had a grandson,
also called Edward.

They had returned to lreland to the house
that my favourite son had loved as a child.

- Mama, may l play with the boat?
- Yes, of course, Eddie.

But you'll have to be
very careful with it.

All right?

The drawing rooms of
Dublin were becoming

increasingly unwelcoming
towards my husband.

L hear you have yet to set
up a stable, Mr Ogilvie.

L have no need for
one, as l don't ride.

My husband does not lack the ability
to ride, merely the inclination.

There is inclination, Your Grace...
and there is form.

Lt is hard to imagine a
gentleman who does not ride.

Excuse me, Your Grace.

My son William, now Duke of Leinster,
remained as aloof as anyone.

William!

They will not accept
me for what l am.

And l will not change for them.

The opinions of mediocre people.

As long as we remain here, we are
in the company of such people.

You're leaving so early, Mother?

You know your stepfather finds
these evenings a trial.

He makes little effort.

Neither do you
with him, William.

We'll go to London,
introduce him there.

You think he will fare
better in London?

He'll be better respected for
his abilities there, William.

And perhaps less despised for
his birth than he is here.

Good night.

Grandmama!

Eddie!

Come here to me! Oh!

Edward!

- Your hair!
- You don't like it?

What have you done to it?

- He looks like the democrat he is.
- Mr Papa!

Ah!

Pamela! - Your Grace!

You should have let us know you
were coming. The house is...

Oh, no, no, it doesn't matter.

We've come to say goodbye.

We're leaving for
London tomorrow.

Under the tutelage of my husband, Edward
had learned to be open to new ideas.

His travels in America and France had
made him a firm believer in democracy.

A new painting.

Lt's Tom Paine. l too
espouse the rights of man.

Aye, l know.

You're as defiant
as ever, my dear.

Edward?

There's something
we want to ask you.

We've been thinking... perhaps you
could take Little Eddie with you.

Take him... to London?

Lt might be safer.

L should like it of all things.

Lf Pamela does not mind.

- Each time we part l wonder if l should...
- You must not worry.

- My weak, anxious mind.
- L shall write frequently.

Be sure to tell us how
the garden is doing.

Oh, please do. l shall
so miss the garden.

And l shall have my dear
aunts to keep an eye on me.

Mm.

Oh!

L left for England
with my husband.

L was sure that with the support of
my brother, the Duke of Richmond,

he would find himself easily
admitted into London society.

Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess of
Leinster and Mr William Ogilvie.

Perhaps plain Mrs Ogilvie would
be more fitting these days.

- Sister!
- Brother.

- Mr Ogilvie.
- Your Grace.

L hear Edward continues to
spread treason and rebellion.

He only writes to me of
his family, Charles.

His wife is a raving democrat.

Her mother was once
exceedingly refined.

Now l hear she dines with a botanist and
chemist, all mixed up, no regard to rank.

Lt's a fashion in France.

And Edward values
character more than rank.

Such is the power of example.

Can he not remember we are
at war with that country?

Lt's the King's war, not ours.

- Aunt.
- Charles James!

You are decidedly fat.

He has so little care
for his appearance.

L have never cared for the
affectation of appearance.

Hm!

- Mr Ogilvie.
- Mr Fox.

You still rail against the King.
You'll be declaring next

that you admire the French
for what they did to theirs.

L do not condone murder.

Do you condemn it?

L've spoken against
regicide in the House.

But l do condemn the
oppression of a population.

Give the population its
head and see what happens.

You would plunge us into
the chaos that is France?

L deplore the excesses.

L applaud the aims.

You are a champion of
the people, Mr Fox.

You have my unqualified respect.

Mr Ogilvie, my thanks.

He says the lilies are in bloom.

He is chief gardener and
things lavish well.

The lilies are lreland.

He crosses the line.

My sisters, Sarah and Louisa, were aware
of the transformations in lreland,

but as yet, their comfortable lives
remained relatively untouched.

You say it is your duty
to defend the government?

My duty as a landlord, yes.

That's why l keep
a regiment here.

- But you oppose the government so often.
- Of course l oppose the damn fools!

But they're still
our government.

A small number of powerful men.

Do you side with the United lrishmen,
Lady Sarah? Do you take their part?

Tom, you know l am the
King's most loyal subject,

but l can see the
justice in their cause.

Firebrands, all of them.

They call them croppies, you know,
because they cut their hair short.

No hair, no sense!

You agree the
country's mismanaged.

The dispossessed suffer.
Lt gets worse every day.

Their numbers grow, Mr Conolly.

What else can one do but
defend oneself, then?

We are loved by our tenants.
We have nothing to fear.

As always, my good sister Louisa thought
that benevolence was the key to everything.

Lt was inconceivable to her that her
tenants, whom she cared for so zealously,

should be anything but content.

Their readily expressed gratitude
when she entertained them

appeared only to
confirm her opinion.

- My lady.
- Your children are well, Brigit?

Growing like weeds, my lady.

- You enjoyed the supper?
- Lndeed, my lady. l thank you.

- Would you say you were happy?
- On a night like tonight, l'd swear it.

Do you ever think you
want to be richer?

The body's not born that
doesn't think that.

- L hear you are to be married.
- Yes, m'lady.

- You have enough for your needs?
- As much as my mam had before me.

M'lady.

Look at their happy faces.

Lf all landlords did their duty, there
would not be this disaffection.

Neglect of duty is the
root of the matter.

The state of the country is the root of
the matter. There is so much oppression.

The people seek redress.

- What sort of redress?
- No sort that they would speak of to you.

- Our nephew dances well.
- My tenants love him.

You know, he visits
them in the fields.

And his wife seems well liked.
L'm disposed to like her too.

She is everything
that is engaging.

? 'Twas early, early,
all in the spring

? The birds did whistle
and the larks did sing

- Good God! lt's a damn rebel song!
- ? Spreading their notes from tree to tree

? And the song they sang
was of lreland free

Well done, sir.

Not now. Not here.

Music!

L knew something of what
was happening in lreland,

but too little of my son's true
role in the imminent turmoil.

He was being drawn ever deeper into the
rebellion and consorting with its leaders.

L must go in.

- Arthur.
- Edward.

We can do it on our own! We cannot
rely on the French any more!

Recruitment here goes well.
Strong, keen men.

With no experience of battle.

- But we hear nothing from Paris!
- Patience, Arthur!

You and l have open eyes, wives, lovers,
family. We choose to risk them.

But we draw in others, poor devils
with nothing but a life to lose.

200,000 of them, possibly more, all
over the country, waiting, training.

Yes, we fed them hope. But
if we lose, they suffer.

A school teacher's head
sits at the end of a pike,

because someone said
he was one of us!

Now, do sights like
this bring patience?

Don't let our enemy dictate our actions.
Lt never promised to be easy!

We'll renew our requests.
We need the French.

You should lead us, Edward.

L'm relieved l do not.

Lf the people are
armed, is anyone safe?

Lt is so wicked to arm them.

The government is oppressive.

Lf the people rise up,
it'll not be surprising.

Does the prospect of
rebellion make you nervous?

You forget l'm a soldier's wife.

L've trained myself
not to have nerves.

You, sis... do you not shiver like
some ladies of our acquaintance?

- L regard the prospect with equanimity.
- Lt's such a comfort to be calm.

L believe l have always
done what l should.

Katie Ryan! Run and take
this to your mother.

Did you receive the creel of
turf l sent you last week?

Yes, l did, m'lady. Thank you.

One should be charitable.
ls that not true?

Even to the sacrifice of
one's own amusements.

L make no difference
between class or creed.

L count many of our tenants as friends.
L think myself as lrish as they are.

Let us hope they agree with you.

Oh, God.

Lt's happening
everywhere, Louisa.

They deserve
everything they get.

There's been another burning at Wexford.
The rebels stabbed a magistrate 24 times.

Left his wife for dead. Poor wretch.
They threw her down the stairs!

What sort of people
could do such a thing?

Your nephew's precious comrades.

Edward is sympathetic
to the cause, but...

lt goes further than that.

Lt is rumoured he is a
United lrishman himself.

What makes him suppose he
should change the world?

L will not permit him
to come here any more.

L doubt that he would care to.

- He is in danger.
- Lt is still only a rumour.

- Shall l lay the fire, my lady?
- No, not now!

Perhaps it would be best for you not
to come here any more, Aunt Louisa.

L must speak to you.

Speak.

You must give up this
foolish, selfish...

You think that what
l'm doing is selfish?

L have committed myself.

You have committed yourself
to Pamela, to your child.

What will become of them if you
are condemned as a traitor?

You don't understand
Pamela's courage.

Do you understand
what you ask of her?

Edward... l didn't tell
anyone l was coming here.

- Does your mother know anything of what...
- Do you think that this is easy?

Easier for you than for
those who love you.

You put your cause before
your duty to them.

- You don't believe in my cause.
- You are right.

L can't believe in this...
better world you speak of.

But l beg you, think
of those nearest you.

- L can't explain.
- You choose not to.

Whatever the price,
l must pay it!

L wish you could pay it alone!

You hurt us all.

Katie, run and tell your
father l wish to see him.

Da! Da!

You must pay the
greatest attention.

Lt is known to the authorities
that pikes are being made.

L will not ask you if you make them. L
will not ask you if you store them.

L warn you...

l beg you to give them up.

Who will feed your children
if you are arrested?

- But...
- Don't reply.

These pikes will be your ruin.

The army grow near us daily.

Give them up before
it is too late.

I am persuaded your
father will see sense.

Nine more.

- Promise me you'll come back safely.
- L will.

Edward was seeking support for
the uprising from the French.

Arthur O'Connor agreed
to be his envoy.

- Be careful, Arthur.
- Be careful yourself.

Mr O'Connor never
reached France.

The rebellion was now beginning to encroach
more dangerously on all our lives.

- Stand aside!
- What do you want?

- We must search for arms.
- By whose permission?

This gives us permission.

Please, don't frighten us.

- Where's your husband?
- He's not here.

You will find nobody here but
defenceless women and children!

- Let us through!
- L cannot prevent you, unarmed as l am.

Stand aside.

Nobody here has done you harm,

and you must believe me when l tell you
you have no enemies in this house.

Where do your loyalties lie?

With my husband. As l hope
your wife is loyal to you.

But tonight, my loyalty
must lie with my children,

and l will not have them
terrified out of their wits!

My youngest has a fever, and l
have been nursing him all night!

Now please, leave us alone!

Tonight we shall...
but we will return.

Yes.

L wish you good fortune.

Come on.

Thank you.

M'lady! l thought
you'd gone to bed.

- Did they know that Mr Conolly was away?
- M'lady?

Did they know that
l was here alone?

Who, m'lady?

- Do you wish to go to bed, m'lady?
- L can't go to bed!

L can't.

L can't sleep.

Pamela... it's
time for me to go.

Now?

- Arthur's been arrested in London.
- Oh.

L've been betrayed.

L must go to the safe house.

You may have to
leave the country.

L'll send word.

Learning of Arthur
O'Connor's arrest, l became

even more concerned
for my son's safety.

L sought the assistance of my
nephew, Charles James Fox.

Charles James!

How good of you to come.

L took the liberty of visiting
Arthur O'Connor in prison.

Did he speak of Edward?

He's gone into hiding.

He's known to be a rebel.

- Will there be a rebellion?
- Lt's certain.

- Ls there a chance they will win?
- Lt's remote.

Lf only he were here and
l could speak to him!

L'll go to lreland.

L'll bring him back.

Can you arrange a safe passage?

Give Mr Ogilvie letters to Lord
Clare, Lord Camden, all of them.

We must ensure his safety.

L'll ask my brother to write.

My hopes and my
heart go with you.

Oh, no! No, let me go!
Let me go, please!

Please, let me go! Let me go!

No! No!

Leave her here! Why
are you taking her?

For the love of God, Lady Louisa!
They'll hurt me!

Please!

Did you know about this?

They showed the steward
a list, l approved it.

But l took care of them!
l trusted them!

Arrest in itself is
not proof of guilt.

They're servants, did you
think they were friends?

L looked after them,
inside my house and out.

L wished them no evil.

Why do they hate me?

Edward.

Mr Papa!

- You will have been followed.
- There's no-one.

L took care.

Come. Sit down.

You must leave lreland. Now!

You don't know what that means.

Please, tell Mama...

Oh, for her... it's unendurable.

Eddie!

They know.

Yes.

They have documents
which can execute you.

Orders, plans.

- L see they do not catch me.
- You do not listen.

Your life is at stake.

L'm listening.

Mr Conolly has spoken
to the Lord Lieutenant.

Your cousin Mr Fox and
your Uncle Richmond have

also written to him,
and to the Chancellor.

Now you may have safe passage from
any port out of this country.

You, Pamela, your little
girl, all of your household.

L see the aristocracy has been
working hard for my benefit.

This is your only chance!

- Lt's not an op...
- No! Let me speak.

We do not agree on the course you
have taken. That does not matter.

L care for you... and
for your mother.

L do not see how l can live
with the absence of one...

..and the sorrow of the other.

You taught me to do right.

To follow my heart.

Come home.

No.

I am too deeply pledged.

L cannot, in honour, desert.

You say l have permission.

But this is not permission,
this is an order.

- You are allowed to leave.
- Allowed?

I am told l must leave in ten days
or l shall be arrested as a spy!

- Do you expect me to leave him?
- You must think of your child.

- And forget the father?
- Edward wanted you to go.

He begged me to
arrange a passport.

Will you ignore his wishes?

Lt would suit everyone
to get rid of me.

No!

You mustn't think that.

Do you think l should go?

You must.

Lt's best.

Argh!

Fire!

Present!

Fire!

God, look down on them.

"To all United friends,
have courage and faith.

Half a million heroes await the
moment, the new age of freedom."

Edward's incarceration hasn't come a moment
too soon. This nonsense has to stop!

Wait and see.

L remained convinced that our prestigious
family, with its significant connections,

could still hold
sway over history.

Louisa, too, tried
to have influence.

She brought my son, William, Duke of
Leinster, to see his brother in prison.

No visits are allowed.

We make no extraordinary demand. Simply
that His Grace may visit his brother

and l may visit my nephew.

Nothing would give me greater
pleasure than to oblige you.

Lt is in your power.
My nephew is ill.

My lady, last night... Captain
Ryan died of his wounds.

Lord Edward is
charged with murder.

My orders are clear.

We must go to the
Lord Chancellor.

L could not believe that my favourite son,
my Eddie, should be languishing in gaol.

L still hoped to
secure his freedom.

L've been all day at the palace.

You spoke to the Prince?
- He sends his deepest sympathy.

Sympathy?

Will sympathy free my son?

Lf the Prince of Wales
were king, then...

You said you would do
everything in your power.

And l have.

But as things stand, l'm
a clapperless bell.

L shall ask my brother
to speak to the King.

My son was a traitor, and
the head of our family

would have to plead with
the King for clemency,

with no certainty of success.

At least our name still counted
for something in Dublin.

Argh!

Argh! God!

God! Argh!

God!

Oh, God!

My dear sister, you
overestimate my influence.

You have the support of the
government and the ear of the King.

Because l agree with them. L
abhor and despise rebellion.

L know.

How can l ask favours
for a traitor?

Can you not forget he's a traitor
and remember he's your nephew?

What arguments can l
use in mitigation?

Our soldiers are
being butchered.

Ln all my sorrows, l have always had
my family to support me. Until now.

Can you not at least ask
that his trial be fair?

How important is the trial?

Will he live to stand it?

What?

Why... should he not live?

He was shot in the shoulder.

Why was l not told?

What danger is he in?

The wound, it does not mend.

Has the surgeon been sent for?

You... you...

You do more good... than fif...
fifty surgeons.

Hush.

You see you...

You seem... You seem to be way...
way...

way above me, near the ceiling.

Can... Can... Can
they hear you...

- Can they hear you from where you are?
- Ssh.

Louisa. Louisa.

I am always in the
wrong country!

You need to eat.

We have no time.

The drunken raven shall wa...

He kissed me.

He smiled at me.

He and William
embraced each other.

He asked after you
and Mr Ogilvie.

He was content.

He died in peace.

L chose to believe my sister...

..when she told me of
Edward's peaceful end.

What have they done to Edward's
summerhouse? lt's all broken.

We'll see that it's mended.

Such devastation.

Edward loved this garden.

Lt was more than a garden
to him, it was a paradise.

Lt was the world he
wanted to create.

L said to him once, when
he was still little,

that Mr Ogilvie was
Adam and l was Eve.

And after that, Edward always looked
on this garden as the Garden of Eden.

As he dug and planted,
he was trying to create

man's first... uncorrupted...
home.

Tom Paine said that
in the Garden of Eden

there was no such animal
as a duke or a lord.

Edward was fond of that observation,
he was always repeating it.

Charles James!

Your Grace.

Peace has been
restored, it seems.

- Peace?
- Well, an unhappy quiet.

What news of Aunt Emily?

She writes with courage. L
can't say how she feels.

She thinks Lord Edward a martyr.

We cannot deny his courage.

One must deplore the waste! A
young man throwing his life away?

- As you say.
- His education was his ruin.

And did his beliefs come
only from his education?

L rather think they were part
of his instincts for life.

Lnstincts? Well, what
good did they do?

His intensions were honourable.
He will be remembered.

So will l. lt's
little consolation.

Do you contrive to amuse yourself
now you're in retirement?

We have our entertainments.

A private life is not
without its charms.

I am quite a master of cricket.

Come and see us some evening.

- He's had his day.
- Maybe we have, too.

You can't be
serious, Your Grace.

Aristocrats will always
be of first importance.

You go on, l'll follow you.

We... wish to pay our respects to
the mother of Edward Fitzgerald.

His name and cause he fought for
will be remembered for all time.

Thank you.

You desire to feel old?

L thought... when l grow
old, l shall feel less.

Age does bring peace.

Lt does not. l feel things
more strongly than ever.

Did it bring you peace?

Not yet.

Don't count on it.

Activity has been my refuge.

You always wanted
to improve things.

L try.

Louisa devoted the rest
of her life to the

education of those less
privileged than herself.

Sarah produced a dynasty
of courageous soldiers.

L have lived long, loved much,

but l've come to rest now...
with my memories.