Murdoch Mysteries (2008–…): Season 11, Episode 16 - Game of Kings - full transcript

Ah!

I'm Detective William
Murdoch, Toronto Constabulary.

- Joshua Jones.
- You said your son saw the incident?

He said he saw something.

I'm not sure if it's real or not.

He's not right in the head.

What's your name, son?

He doesn't talk much.
Except for nonsense.

Tell me what you saw.

I saw the angel of death.

On horseback.



He ran the man through.

- With a lance.
- Now, Ezekiel...

You saw an angel on horseback?

He had wings.

That's why I knew he was an angel.

What did I tell you?

- It's nothing but nonsense.
- It's the truth.

Higgins, make a move.

- There ya go.
- What are you doing?

- Making a move.
- The knight doesn't move like that.

I've told you a million times.

Two spaces and one left or right,
or one space and two left or right.

Honestly, does this go in one
ear and come out the other?

Fine.



- But that's stupid.
- Well, that's the rules.

Morning, gentlemen.

- Ah, the art of war.
- You play, sir?

I did, but I was never very good.

Really, sir? A man of your intelligence?

Plenty bright enough, Crabtree,
just too bloody impatient.

Now get to work, the pair of you.

Does that mean we can
stop playing, then?

Sure.

Checkmate.

Well, the boy may have
spoken nonsense in the past,

but this is the truth.

The victim was run through with a lance.

I would think this to be
a first, even for you two.

I think you might be right.

Perhaps this may help.

- These were in his jacket pocket.
- What are they?

I don't know. I haven't
looked through them.

- Looks to be Russian.
- So a Russian man

was killed by a winged angel
of death in a field in Markham?

So it would seem.

And there was one more thing.

This was found in the
folds of his clothes.

Thank you.

You've certainly been
drinking a lot of that.

It just eases my stomach.

Just move one of those little fellows.

Yeah, perfect. Thank you, Higgins.

- Detective Watts.
- Yes.

Given your facility with language,

- I was hoping you might assist me with this.
- Of course.

That must be some sort of code.

- Well, it's Russian.
- Russian?

You can tell by the Cyrillic alphabet.

Of course you can.

They appear to be travel documents.

A Russian man, aged 37.

His name is Dimitri Gorkhov.

- Say again?
- Dimitri Gorkhov.

You know who this man is, George?

Do I, sir? He's the 10th best
chess player in the world.

At least according to current rankings.

What would he be doing in Toronto?

Well, he must be here for
the tournament, of course.

Sir, the very best in the
world are all assembling

for a grand exhibition
right here in the city.

It won't affect world rankings, but

it's expected to be a harbinger

- of what's to come at the world championships later in...
- Thank you, George.

- We should go...
- Not so fast, Crabtree.

An event of this magnitude should
be attended by a ranking officer.

- Sir?
- Well, all these foreigners.

There may be a need
for British diplomacy.

Grab your coat and hat, Murdoch.

- Thank you.
- All right, Constable, back to the game.

Russians.

Excuse me, sir, Toronto Constabulary.

What can I do for you?

Do you know a man named Dimitri Gorkhov?

Yes. Where is he?

Drunk again, I'll bet.

- I apologize.
- He's dead.

He was found murdered yesterday.

Oh.

I see.

- This is not good news.
- No.

Do you know who might
want to do this to him?

Someone who is...

desperate to win the tournament.

How was he killed?

A witness reports he was
killed by a knight on horseback.

Do you know what this is?

I have no idea.

You'd be well advised
to tell us the truth.

I said I have no idea.

I'll tell you when we're finished.

- Unhand me.
- Sir.

No need to cause an
international incident.

That bugger knows something.

I would tend to agree.

But I'll wager someone
else here does as well.

British diplomacy, sir.

- Excuse me, Toronto Constabulary.
- Yes?

Would you happen to know what this is?

I have never seen it before.

Oh, I see. You're cheating on me.

Very disappointed, George.

- Miss Bloom. You play?
- My father taught me.

Miss Bloom is by far the finest
player I've ever encountered.

Chess is one of our pastimes.

I didn't think he cared
to share it with others.

Let's see you wiggle
out of that, George.

Not one person said a bloody word.

One of them is involved.

You think one of those chess players
is also a knight in shining armour?

That's nothing but a
young boy's imagination.

I'm not so sure about that, sir.

Regardless, I'd wager that
someone at that tournament

- knows something about this.
- We need a man on the inside.

No.

- No?
- No.

Sir, I wouldn't stand a
chance. These are masters.

- I'm a hobbyist at best.
- What about Miss Bloom?

- It's not exactly that sort of mission, Watts.
- Sir.

Miss Bloom is a very good player.

She is. But the tournament
doesn't allow women.

Which is a shame. I honestly think

she would give any of
them a run for their money.

Perhaps she can play them.

Sir?

She's a woman. She can't.

She may be able to.

With some slight modifications...

Yes.

Right then. We'll leave you to it.

Would you care to walk with me?

What about the Detective?

He's working late.

If you don't mind, there are a few
things I would like to finish up first.

Of course not.

I have to say, you've
been doing an excellent job

since you started here.

Thank you.

Night.

_

_

Four stitches, William.

It always surprises me how you
find newer and newer ways to die.

Well, at least I haven't found
one that's successful yet.

We have a child coming, William.
You need to be more careful.

I was simply trying to walk home.

Imagine my surprise when the
report of a bleeding vagrant

in an alleyway turned out to be you.

What happened?

I was attacked by a knight in armour.

- With wings?
- With wings.

- You're bloody lucky.
- I don't think luck had much to do with it, sir.

If he intended to kill me,

he certainly could
have accomplished that.

He was after that crest.

Which narrows down
the field quite a bit.

The only people who knew I
was in possession of that pin

were attendees at the tournament.

All the more reason to get
Crabtree into that game.

That's my intention.

- Careful. It's very delicate.
- Right.

- Now, Miss Bloom has agreed to this?
- Yes, sir.

She's quite excited about it, in fact.

Especially now, what with
Mr. Gorkhov being slain,

and Master Troubetskoy
taking the reigns.

Troubetskoy?

Yes, sir. He was a Master
before his retirement.

The Russians brought him this time

simply to be an advisor to Mr. Gorkhov,

but since his untimely death,

Master Troubetskoy is
returning to the fray.

It's an honour to play
against him, really.

Miss Bloom has studied
his game for years.

There's more to your Miss
Bloom than meets the eye.

There is indeed, sir.

As if what meets the eye
wasn't enough already.

Indeed.

Right. We need to test the range.

Go stand at the front
of the Station House

- and I'll send transmissions.
- Sir.

Murdoch said this would work?

He's confident it will, sir.

I have to say I am getting
quite excited about this.

Sir, I'll be going head to head

against some of the best
chess players in the world.

Remember, Crabtree,

you're there to find out
about the murder. Nothing more.

Yes. Of course.

William,

I have something for you.

Oh. Does it pertain to the case?

Not in the slightest.

Just a reminder as to why
you need to be more careful.

Listen.

This is going to happen!

I hear a heartbeat.

- Is this going to take all bloody day?
- Sir, no.

I can hear his voice.

It's really fast.

- Is that normal?
- Quite.

You have to remember

it's only the size of a plum.

Our child.

Its little heart beating inside
the womb of the woman I love.

- I couldn't be happier.
- What?

Sir!

- Sir!
- Soon I'm not going to be able

- to hide my condition.
- Sir!

- What?
- So until that point,

I'd like to enjoy the secrecy.

So not a word.

- She's pregnant!
- Who?

- Dr. Ogden.
- Really?

- Sir, there's a heartbeat and everything!
- Give me that.

I mean, you can't hear the heartbeat,

but you can hear them
talking about the heartbeat.

- And he never said anything to you about this?
- Sir, no.

- Well, congratulations are in order.
- No, no, sir.

Dr. Ogden said she
wants to keep it quiet.

- Why the bloody hell would she say that?
- I don't know.

Women.

You can never really tell what's
going on inside their heads, can you?

Oftentimes, sir, more than you
think, sir. In my experience.

In your experience?

- Sir!
- Gentlemen.

Faring well?

I am indeed, George.

- Remember, get plenty of rest.
- Yes.

I shall.

- Cheerio.
- Right.

- Be careful.
- Mind your step.

- Thank you for your assistance, Miss Bloom.
- My pleasure.

Right. The draws for the preliminary
match have been announced.

And as host, Canada can
enter whomever they like.

Who do we play first?

Marcel Monet. The French representative.

Oh. Good. I've played him before.

- Miss Bloom?
- By correspondence.

- We can beat him.
- Right.

Are the three of you ready?

As ready as we'll ever be.

Everything you need is in this case.

I have secured a small
suite just off the hall.

You won't be disturbed.

Detective Murdoch.

What made you think to
take this photograph?

I thought it would be
wise to take inventory

of all the cases I have
been assigned to work on.

For my interest, and for
that of others in the future.

Well, it's a good thing you did.

I've also taken it upon myself
to learn about the crest.

And?

It was the Kingdom of
Poland's coat of arms.

Oh.

- Excellent work, Miss Hart.
- Thank you, sir.

It's my desire to impress you.

I find this work quite fascinating.

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

Not too loud!

Now, when Marcel makes a move,

you have to say what it was
out loud, but not too loud,

so I can counter.

Yes, I understand.

Monsieur Crabtree, is it?

Yes. Mr. Monet. Pleasure to meet you.

I must say I recently spent some
time in your wonderful country.

Good for you.

When you lose this match,
perhaps you should go back.

George, don't let him rattle you.

You expect a quick victory then, do you?

We shall see.

Ah, I should have guessed.

Pawn to Queen 4.

Your Knight

to King's Bishop 3.

It is the crest of Poland.

Or rather, the former Poland

before she was carved up
by the Russians and Germans.

Why is an outdated national emblem

the subject of a police inquiry?

It was found on the
person of a murder victim.

- A Pole?
- No, a Russian.

Ah.

That is something.

How did he die?

An eyewitness claims he was
run through with a lance.

I imagine that is not
an everyday occurrence

- in your line of work.
- It is not.

The wielder of the lance
was apparently a knight.

- With wings?
- Yes. How did you know?

These were knights of the Polish nation.

The Husaria.

- The assailant was one of those?
- I doubt it.

The Husaria have not ridden
in nearly two centuries.

So someone was impersonating
a Husarian knight.

Can you fathom any reason

why someone would do
such a thing, Professor?

Well, the Husaria rode to
protect Poland and her honour.

Something we have had precious little of

after we were taken over by Russia.

So, revenge.

I would say...

retribution.

- Perhaps I misjudged you, Mr. Crabtree.
- Really? How's that?

At first I thought you inept,

but you appear almost adept.

Bishop to King Three... zoot alore!

Do you need to speak every move I make?

Helps me think.

- Marcel is a creature of habit.
- Excuse me?

I've played exactly the
same match with him before.

By correspondence.

Queen's Bishop to Queen's Knight Two.

If I'm right, this will
all be over in four moves.

Ezekiel.

I believe you.

I believe you saw what you said you did.

I was attacked by the angel as well.

Then you must be good.

What do you mean?

Because he spared you.

Ezekiel, I wonder if you could help me.

Do you remember anything else
about that day, anything at all?

The angel took something
from the dead man.

- What was it?
- I don't know.

But what would a man have

that an angel would need?

I heard you put Marcel
Monet in his place.

It was a well fought match.

Why is it I have not heard of you?

This is actually my first tournament.

I live in Toronto.

I would have thought
you would be known here.

I'm a bit shy.

Well, you must get over that.

Come, have a drink with us.

What's this?

Vodka.

Come, Mr. Crabtree,

let us offer the
Russian dogs our regrets.

Uh...

I came to offer my condolences

to your fellow countryman, Mr. Gorkhov.

What a tragedy.

It was a most unusual way to die.

You played well today, Mr. Crabtree.

I wish you luck tomorrow.

You are aware you have
drawn Master Troubetskoy?

Yes. I will do what I can.

It will be simple enough task,

he's nothing but old befuddled man.

You watch your tongue.

In fact, it is good thing
Mr. Gorkhov was killed.

It spared him the humiliation of defeat.

All right, gentlemen, that's
enough! There's no need for this!

Your next step will be your last.

Ha, ha, ha! The Szczerbiec.

Does it break your heart
that she's no longer yours?

Are you so sure of that?

Well, uh...

I'll be seeing you all
in the morning, I suppose.

Are you all right, father?

Aha! That's it!

- Sir, that looks like the tattoo.
- It is the Szczerbiec.

- If you say.
- It's the name of the sword.

George, you said you're
playing the Russian Master next?

That's right. And I'm not
sure I fancy our chances.

You need to keep him at the
table as long as you can.

We have to keep eyes on both
the Poles and the Russians.

Right. Sir, one other thing.

The Russians have a couple
of chaps with them who

don't look like they have
much to do with chess.

Mm-hmm. Thank you.

What the hell are you on about, Murdoch?

- The Szczerbiec.
- I know that. But what about it?

It may not be in St. Petersburg.

And why would anyone
give a toss about that?

The Szczerbiec is a coronation
sword of the kingdom of Poland.

It was taken by the
Russians as a spoil of war.

- Still not a toss to be given.
- Sir, there are a number of rumours

that would suggest the Poles furnished
the Russians with an imitation.

- And the real sword?
- Taken to the New World.

To be brought back at the right time.

So I'm to believe that
the sacred sword of Poland

is now residing somewhere in
the heart of Markham, Ontario?

That could very well be the case.

Ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous.

The Russians have the sword. They
took it when they stole our nation.

And the rumours?

Optimistic nonsense. A vain
belief from a destroyed people

that their dignity has not
been completely stripped away.

You seem quite convinced.

I am convinced.

I am a Pole.

I would like nothing
more than to believe

my people still held the Szczerbiec.

But we do not.

So what do you think?

I think the Professor
doth protest too much.

Consider this, sir.

A young boy sees a man dressed
as a Polish Hussar knight

kill another man and
take something from him.

That man is a Russian

whose compatriots have
fought with Polish men,

one of whom wears a Szczerbiec tattoo.

So you think this Russian
found the Szczerbiec,

stole it and then was
killed for his efforts?

- Szczerbiec.
- Sh...

You do, don't ya?

Well, I suppose if I was in
your shoes, and at your age,

I'd indulge in one last
flight of fancy myself.

Let's see how George is getting on.

Mr. Crabtree,

- our patience is waning...
- Yes, I'm thinking.

Your last move was a real doozy. I mean,

Rook to King Four, it's...

I keep going over and over it.

Rook to King Four.

I heard you the first
three times, George.

- Miss Bloom...
- I'm thinking.

King's Bishop

to Kings's Knight Two.

No!

No, King's Bishop

to Queen's Bishop Four.

Had you excited there
for a moment, didn't I?

Doctor Ogden.

Oh, thank you, Miss Hart.

- You seem in fine spirits.
- I am.

Was there something else?

May I ask you a question
of a personal nature?

Of course, although I may not answer.

You are pregnant, are you not?

Well, that is straight to the point.

Why would you say that?

Your demeanour. Your complexion.

I also noticed a slight
change in your figure.

But I suppose most of
all, I sensed your glow.

My glow?

I saw the same in my sister
when she was with child.

Well, Miss Hart, your
observations are correct.

But if possible, I would like
you to keep them to yourself.

You have my word.

Well, that's unexpected.

Pawn to Queen Five.

- George?
- Crabtree?

What are those two doing here?

How are you going on, bugalugs?

I'm trying to think.

That must be quite difficult
considering the distraction.

The simple minded always have
a hard time concentrating.

Ha, ha, ha! Did you hear that, Crabtree?

Did you think I was talking about him?

Oh.

Come on.

- That's curious.
- What's that?

Those two Polish men are leaving.

Why would they leave their
compatriot in the middle of a match?

Obviously they couldn't
handle all the excitement.

- Keep an eye on them.
- Oh, yes.

George, the Russian men you mentioned

with this delegation?

There were.

Where are they?

I'm sorry, my mind was on the match.

Bloody hell, Crabtree. You had one job.

Well, two, actually...

You're only prolonging the
inevitable, Mr. Crabtree.

If you don't mind, Miss,

church isn't over if the
organ's still playing.

- Have you not heard that one?
- No.

Gentlemen.

- Where are they?
- They didn't come back here?

- Do they look like they're back?
- I suppose not.

Did you find anything of use?

- I know they booked passage back home.
- To Poland?

Well, to what once was. Which is curious

considering there is
a revolution going on.

- When are they set to leave?
- Tomorrow.

Anything else?

This is the thing about travel agents.

They not only know where
you are going, but also

where you are coming from.

Excellent. Thank you, Watts.

It doesn't make any sense.

The revolution has got
nothing to do with Poland.

- It's the bloody Bolsheviks.
- Indeed, sir,

but if you are a Polish nationalist,

you can use the chaos to your advantage.

Bring the sword home. Rally the people.

Break apart from Russia.

Well, I guess we know what
George's Russian friends were up to.

Hm. I'd also wager that
if the sword was here,

- then it's long gone.
- I tend to agree.

Sir.

Professor Stanislav.

It seems that the Professor
was less than honest with us.

Ahem.

I think Mr. Crabtree is attempting

to break the Yugoslavian's
record for delay.

Why not? It's the only record
he has a chance to achieve.

All right... I'm almost ready.

Yes, I realize I must make a move.

George, take your Queen's
Rook and move it to...

George?

And what? What? What? What?

Excuse me. A nervous tick. What, what?

Looks like the professor scarpered.

I don't think so.

Sir, look at this.

It would seem the sword has
more than a symbolic use.

Professor by day, Husaria by night.

Are you, uh,

waiting for my father's
expiration to claim victory?

No, it's just

his last move has left
me with a bit of a puzzle.

Oh my word!

Are you the Mr. George Crabtree

I've heard so much about?

Yes. Yes, I am.

Would you mind terribly

if I gave you a great,

big...

We are in the middle of a game.

- Mr. Crabtree...
- Queen's Rook to Queen's One.

Yes, of course.

Forgive me.

I seem to have garnered some admirers.

All right.

The Poles had hidden the
sword here, in Canada.

And that first Russian tried to steal it

and was killed for his efforts.

Just as Stanislav was
killed trying to protect it.

Well, at least we know
where all the players are.

Let us through. Move.

Where are they?

- What are you talking about?
- Your countrymen.

Where are they?

George. The Russians...

- Watts, the Poles.
- Where are they?

George. Watts.

The most curious thing just occurred.

Spit it out, Watts.

A pair of knights just took off
in pursuit of a gang of Russians.

- Which way?
- Down toward the waterfront. Just minutes ago.

- What do you know about all this?
- We're just here to play chess.

- You mean here to cheat at chess.
- You were doing the same.

Throw them both in jail, Crabtree.

Why? We did nothing wrong!

Tell the owner I've
commandeered this animal.

You there. I need that
bike. Toronto police.

Hurry! Hurry!

Whoa.

That is not yours.

You will die by the blade you covet.

- It is almost poetic.
- Stop right there.

Both of you step back
and drop your weapons now.

- This is not your fight.
- This is still Toronto,

and our laws still apply.

You are under arrest for the
murder of Victor Stanislav.

Stanislav was a murderer!

He boasted to me about
killing Master Golahkov!

Give the sword to me.

It belongs to my country.
It will be returned.

It belongs to us. It
was surrendered to us.

And now we have it back.

Well, this is a new one.

Bloody hell, Murdoch. What's going on?

I'm trying to get these
men to listen to reason.

- I take it they won't?
- This sword belongs to the Kingdom of Poland.

The sword is ours.

And you want to fight
your war on Canadian soil?

I want to bring the
sword back to Poland.

I want my people to rally behind
it and reclaim our country.

All right then.

You want a bloody war. Have one.

But they stole the sword from us!

Killed my countrymen! Arrest them.

And your countryman
killed one of theirs.

As I see it, that's even.

Now, you want that precious
sword, fight for it.

- Kill for it.
- We are in the right.

- Arrest them.
- One of them killed my countryman.

Well, then this is
definitely your battle.

Settle it.

Your country is defeated anyway.

And one day the
Bolsheviks will take yours.

You're free to go.

The Russians?

They are as well,

save for the man who
killed Victor Stanislav.

And the Szczerbiec?

A sword will be sent to St. Petersburg,

one bearing a remarkable
resemblance to the Szczerbiec.

But this one is yours.

How do you know I will not
return to Poland with it?

No one will believe you
possess the true one.

But if they do?

Then you will be
responsible for the deaths

of thousands of your countrymen.

I don't believe you to be that man.

Are you sure you did
the right thing, William?

His ticket hasn't been used.

He's staying in Toronto
for the time being.

He may change his mind.

People always seem willing
to die for useless symbols.

He wasn't willing to kill for it.

I very much doubt he would
want others to die for it.

Julia...

Don't look now, but

everyone is staring at us.

- Do you think they know?
- I haven't told anyone.

Nor have I.

Although Miss Hart did
guess that I was with child.

And the Inspector did counsel
me to get plenty of rest.

He told me to take one
last flight of fancy.

- So they know?
- Did Miss Hart tell them?

I very much doubt it.

The microphone.

We were listening to
the baby's heartbeat.

George must have
overheard our conversation.

I see.

Well, I don't much fancy being
stared at for the next five months.

Julia...

Inspector,

I couldn't help but notice
that you and all of the men

were staring at us both.

Is there something you'd like to ask us?

Uh, no...

Constable Crabtree?

What?

- Higgins?
- No, ma'am.

What about you,

Detective Watts? You seem
like a curious fellow.

Well, there is one thing.

- What is that?
- When's the baby coming?

Bloody hell, Watts.

They wanted to keep it a secret.

How could they do that
when everyone clearly knows

- what's going on here?
- How indeed?

Yes, we are very happy to announce

that we are having a baby.

Well, now that the cat's out of the bag,

congratulations to the pair of ya.

Excellent news, sir! Wonderful.

George.

A busy night ahead, Miss Hart?

Yes. I've been speaking
with my anatomy professor.

He's given me permission
to accelerate my studies.

I could be finished within the month.

Why would you want to do that?

You're so young. Enjoy your life.

I already do, thank you.

But I have to do this if I am
to warrant full consideration.

Full consideration for what?

Well... your job.

I assume you'll be taking
leave after you have your child.

Well, I hadn't thought...

Excuse me for being presumptuous...

Well, I suppose I will
need to take some time.

And, who knows, maybe I'll fall
so in love with the little one

I'll never want to come back.

Well, whatever it is that you
decide, I just want to let you know

that I'm more than
able to take your place.

Well,

you did say you weren't
going to work for me forever.

Yes, I did say that, didn't I?

Good night.

Good night, Miss Hart.

Let us out!

Hey! Let us out!

Miss Troubetskoy,

you and your father

will be released first
thing in the morning.

Until then,

after all that's happened,

it would be my honour

if we could see

the two real masters at play.

Miss Bloom, would you join us?

It would be my honour.

And I will enjoy defeating you.

Already engaging in gamesmanship?

- Just letting you know the truth.
- Oh.

- So you can predict the future.
- It seems readily apparent.

- What colour would you like?
- You choose.

What do you say, sir.

Fancy a nip while we watch?

Poyekhali.

Queen's Gambit.

Did you really think I would accept it?

Queen's Gambit.

You know, Troubetskoy,

whoever decided the queen
would be the most powerful piece

was ahead of their time.