Murdoch Mysteries (2008–…): Season 3, Episode 8 - Future Imperfect - full transcript

These need to go in
the post immediately.

Oh, and do you have a new pen?
This nib's all clogged up.

Ma'am, I understand,
I sympathise, and I want

you to know I'll do everything I can
to get to the bottom of the matter.

I'm a dog owner myself.

Anyway, you take very good care.

What was that about? Oh, sir, seems
the woman's dog has gone missing.

Oh, and you're going to investigate?
Well, I believe it behoves me.

Crabtree, you don't have time to
go chasing after dogs. There are

more pressing matters to hand. Well,
sir, it's not just the one animal.

Several dogs have gone missing
from this woman's neighbourhood.



It's most likely the work
of a dog-napper.

Most likely the bloody things
are in heat and have just run off.

But, sir...
Crabtree, no wasting your time

on wild dog chases. Understood? Sir.

"Dog-napper"! Oh, Detective?
An envelope brought for you

a short while ago.

I couldn't help but notice
there's no return address.

Any other keen observations,
Constable? Actually, yes, sir.

It's scented of lilac.

At least, I believe that's lilac.
Er, my aunt was very...

Yes, your aunt. ..was fond of lilac.

"Dear Sir, you are cordially invited

"to an event that
will change the future

"to be held in High Park this
evening at seven o'clock."



The invitation said nothing
about bringing a guest, William.

It said nothing about
not bringing one, either.

It's rather exciting, attending an
event with no idea as to its purpose.

Or where it's to be held.

Although I suspect we've found it.

CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS
CHATTERING

And you have no idea what this
is all about? None whatsoever.

Father promised something
most astounding.

"Wouldn't miss it for
the world," he said.

Oh, William, I think every professor,

doctor and scientist
in the city is here.

Mm, a who's who of the
intelligentsia. Julia?

Drius! How good to see you! Dr Drius
Algar, Detective William Murdoch.

Pleased to meet you. The same.

It is still Doctor, isn't it?

Only in title. I spend most of
my time these days researching.

Champagne? I'd be delighted.

Detective? No, thank you. Thank you!

Detective?

I see you received my invitation.

Mrs Pendrick! It was you?

And I see you brought a guest.

How wonderful.

Might I ask what
this event is in honour of?

My husband is about
to make matters clear.

Ladies and gentlemen,
might I have your attention?

Good evening, and
thank you all for coming.

For those of you who don't know,
my name is James Pendrick...

Excuse me. ..and for some
time now, a small group

of like-minded individuals has met.

We share a common interest,
the science of eugenics.

Eugenics is the investigation into
the conditions under which men and
women of a high type are produced.

Now, how is this to be achieved?

We know that by mating
only the best with the best,

any species grows stronger. The
principle's plainly seen in nature,

as Mr Charles Darwin has pointed
out in his theory of evolution.

Why, then, might not the same
principle be applied to mankind?

Yes, why not? Hear, hear!

Rip, c'mon! Here, Rip.

Here, Rip.

Hey! Get out of that, you!

Now our humble group is asking
you, the city's leading minds,

to join us in the noble cause
of bettering the human race.

Now, the last thing you want to
do is to hear me prattling on.

So to explain matters further, I
have invited a very special guest,

no less than the great author
and eugenicist Mr HG Wells.

Julia? Standing with
Mr Wells, isn't that...?

My sister, Ruby. Yes.

Rip, c'mon. Hey, come back here!

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
It is my distinct pleasure to...

SCREAMING

Oh, my! Drop it.

George,
we'll need to organise a search

in case there are more appendages.

I'll have the men get some grappling
hooks in the water straightaway.

How unexpected to
find you here, Ruby.

I hoped my arrival would be
a surprise, but it would seem
I've been upstaged.

I thought you were still
travelling around the world
and writing about Harry Houdini.

A fascinating young man,

but it was time to return
to my work with Mr Wells.

Oh, Bertie? Your work. Of course.

Bertie, there's someone I'd like you
to meet. No need for introductions.

Miss Julia Ogden, I presume.

Charmed.

Why, the same!

There you are, Doctor.

The, er, appendage is now all yours.

Of course. If you'll excuse me.

Certainly.

Hello again, Miss Ogden.

Detective Murdoch, please meet
Mr HG Wells. Yes, of course.

It's a pleasure. I am a fan.

As am I of you. Ruby has told
me all about your exploits.

Oh! Has she?

Indeed.

I'm afraid I can't give you an
accurate time of death, William.

The water makes it
impossible to pinpoint.

Could the limb have been taken from
a corpse, say a medical cadaver?

There's very little indication.

It was either taken from someone
very recently deceased or...

..or someone who was still alive.

If that were the case, could
they have survived the procedure?

Not without receiving
medical attention immediately.

Yes, we checked
all of the hospitals.

No-one with this type of injury
was treated.

Then it's very unlikely they lived.

Hm. Can you tell me
anything else about the victim?

A little. A male.

Judging by the size of the
limb, over six feet in height.

The blotchy skin
suggests someone over fifty.

And given the arm hair, a blond.

Hands are smooth.
He want a labourer. Anything else?

Whoever performed the dismemberment
may have had knowledge

of anatomy and surgical technique.

A number of the guests at the
eugenics meeting were doctors

and scientists who no doubt would
have had the necessary training.

I know many of them personally.

I couldn't imagine a single one
committing such a terrible act.

Hm. Yet they must be considered.

Even so, surely they would have
disposed of the limb somewhere
less obvious. True.

It may be a coincidence, it may not.

Thank you, Julia.
I'll begin my investigation

by searching for missing persons
matching your description.

It's intriguing, the notion
of bettering the human race. Hm.

But it's as if we were discussing
a prize stallion breeding a mare.

Not that
that wouldn't be intriguing as well.

Theoretically.

Well, husbandry has been
practised for centuries.

Mm. Yes, it has.

Well, I must be off.

Yes. Good evening.

Good evening.

Er, Detective?

Sir, this is Miss Estelle Malling
and her fiance, Tobias Allan.

Miss Malling. Mr Allan.
How may I be of assistance?

It seems Miss Malling's father,
Linus, has gone missing.

Linus Malling? The barrister?

Yes.
He didn't return home last night.

Estelle, I'm sure there's
a simple explanation.

Miss Malling, could you
describe your father to me?

He's 54, tall, six foot two inches...

Blond?

Why, yes. Do you know something
of his whereabouts, Detective?

Well, I cannot be certain.
I'm afraid it's possible
I have some disturbing news.

Please start from the
beginning, Miss Malling.

I last saw Father yesterday morning
after breakfast when he left for his
office, as he always does.

Was anything troubling him? Nothing.

The only thing bothering him was a
cold. His head was stuffed terribly.

We should have known something was
wrong when he failed to attend
the eugenics meeting.

He'd have never missed the affair.
Oh? Why not?

After all of his years in court,
Linus was a believer in the need

to rid the human race
of criminal behaviour.

And he saw eugenics
as a means to that end?

He felt that could only
be achieved by never allowing
criminals to breed again.

I take it you both
adhere to this belief.

It's only logical.

Did Mr Malling have any enemies?

Oh, there were disgruntled clients.

But that's to be expected with
any lawyer. Any recent arguments?

Now that you mention it, I overheard
Father quarrelling in his study.

With whom?

The head of the Eugenics Society.

James Pendrick, eh? Yes. And given

my suspicion of his involvement
in the art heist and murders...

A suspicion harboured only by you.
Yes, but Mr Pendrick may have...

Yes, yes, yes, orchestrated
the theft for his own benefit.

Murdoch, the man saved your life.

Mm. And in doing so prevented me

from discovering who was actually
behind the Rembrandt affair.

The simple answer is
staring you in the face.

Linus Malling represented
a lot of bad apples.

Most likely one of them didn't
agree with his defence.

Perhaps, but I would venture few
of them had the skills necessary to
dismember the victim. Point taken.

And you must allow it is odd Mr
Pendrick's name would come up again.

Fine. Look into Pendrick as well.

But I'll tell you what's odd.
It's this whole eugenics business.

Pure bloodlines?

We already practised it.

Now, if that's bettering the
human race, I want no part of it.

Hm, matches. Matches...

George? I take it nothing
was found at the pond.

No, not yet, sir, but the
lads still have a ways to go.

Very well. In the meantime, find out
all you can about Linus Malling's

recent cases and see if anyone had
made any threats toward the man.

Sir. Right away.

Oh, Inspector, might I have a word?

It's not the bloody
dog-nappings again?

Well, sir, I've looked into the
matter further, and I've determined
that all the victims... Victims?!

Sir, all the victims are either
pure-breds or with pup. Now...

Crabtree, I don't want you
investigating these dog-nappings.

Is that clear?

Matches, matches... Transparently.

Detective Murdoch!

I am pleased to see the
constabulary has assigned such
a competent officer to the case.

I'll try to be brief, Mr Pendrick.

I understand you had words
last week with Mr Malling.

Linus? Exchanged words?

What has he got to do with matters?

My God!

It was his arm.

I believe so.

Please, answer the question.

Are you suggesting that I had
something to do with this? Yes.

Yes, you are.

Why, this is preposterous.
I would never...

The question remains unanswered.

Very well.

We had a disagreement.

Linus is a...

Linus WAS a real stick-in-the-mud

when it came to matter
regarding science and eugenics.

Science? Do you know what
transformationism is, Detective?

It's the heart of the evolutionary
argument, that a species over many
generations can be modified.

Very good. I'm a firm
believer in transformationism.

I'm also convinced that,
by applying modern science -
surgery, chemistry -

what took nature millions of years
to accomplish, we can achieve
in a single generation.

The means to do so don't exist. Yet.

But it's only a matter of time.

To that end,
I fund many scientific projects.

A better man is within our grasp.

And I take it Mr Malling
disagreed with you.

Linus felt selective breeding
was the only means
of achieving our goal.

So you quarrelled about this.

"Quarrelled"! No, it was merely
a healthy discourse, nothing more.

I would never have harmed Linus.

And I'm to simply take
your word for this?

The criminal act is a blemish

I intend not to perpetuate,
but remove from society.

I share your goal, sir.

I'll see myself out.
Yes, please do.

Detective!

Is this a social call?

I'll leave that to your husband
to explain, Mrs Pendrick.

Mm, how cryptic!

Nevertheless,
I trust you will be attending

our rescheduled eugenics meeting.

I've not been invited.
An oversight on James's part.

No doubt. Well, consider
this a personal invitation.

Then I wouldn't dream of missing it.
Excellent.

No, you heard me correctly.
I'm in need of an adult male brain.

Yes, they're difficult
to find, I understand.

Yes. Why, thank you.

Dr Ogden.
Mr Wells! I didn't hear you.

Oh, there is no need for apologies.

Whatever brings you to
my cheery little office?

I came to personally
invite you to hear my address,
rescheduled for this evening.

Well, thank you, but I'm
afraid I'm rather busy with work.

I would be grateful if you
could find the time to attend.

Well then, I shall be there.
Very good.

Is there something else, Mr Wells?
Yes.

I find you most intriguing, Julia,
your accomplishments astounding.

I see. Well, the most
interesting Ogden is my sister.

Clearly, all of the Ogden
women are of fine stock.

Mr Wells, you're being far too
forward. What would Ruby think?

Oh, she would not mind. She had
no objections to my marriage.

You have a wife?

Second wife, actually.

But let's leave that
for later, shall we?

Later...
Until then.

Ahem.

Detective Murdoch!

Miss Ogden. What brings you here?

Why, you, of course!
Me?

I'm looking for another
piece to write and thought

perhaps an expose on true crime
might interest the public.

Rather dull, I should think.

Not with an intriguing hero.

Miss Ogden... Ruby, please.

Ruby, I must remind you of what
happened when you inserted yourself

in the Houdini case.

I found the affair most titillating.

Yes, I'm sure you did.

Nevertheless, I fear I must decline.

Oh, William... Excuse me, sir.

Er, sir, the men may have
found something at the pond.

Right. Please excuse me.

Of course.

The men were about to give up
when the grappling hooks snagged
something, sir. Good work.

The sacks are very heavy. Weighted
down with rocks, no doubt. Most
likely. Let's have a look, shall we?

What have we here, Detective?

SHE FAINTS, SLUMPS TO GROUND

Thank you.
This should help.

The inspector's private stock.

I'm simply mortified.

Fainting like a schoolgirl! Why,
the things I've seen and done...

Yes, well, perhaps if you had
heeded my request,
none of this would have happened.

There is no need to scold me.

Well,
a scolding is what you deserve.

I specifically asked you not to
insert yourself in any of my cases.

Now, I'm afraid I must insist yet
again that you refrain from
doing so in the future.

Very well.
Good. George, have you anything?

Er, very little, I'm afraid, sir.

The burlap sacks are come into
a dozen greeneries across the city,

and the rocks seem to be
of no evidentiary value.

I see.

Well, I'm off to the morgue.

Good day, Miss Ogden.
Detective.

If it's of any comfort, it still
turns my stomach to see such things.

Crabtree! Sir? The alderman's
foxhound has been snatched.

I thought you were dealing with this.
But, sir... No excuses.

Sort it out once and for all.
Miss Ogden.

Yes, sir.

Not to worry. As usual,
I'm one step ahead of the inspector.

I must bid you good day, Miss Ogden.

Time is of the essence.

I can confirm the remains
are those of Linus Malling.

And the cause of death?

Massive brain injury due to
numerous blows to the head.

Hm. Any defensive wounds?

There was no indication of any other
trauma. He was in perfect health

except for a great deal
of mucus in his nasal passage.

Ah, yes, his daughter mentioned

he was suffering from
a terrible head cold.

Is there something in the mucus?

Yes. I believe it's pollen.
A clue to his final hours?

Perhaps. May I keep this?

Yes, of course.

No-one else is likely to ask! I keep
returning to the Eugenics Society.

So many in attendance had the skills
necessary to dismember a body.

Yes, but for what possible motive?

I'm not sure. But I'll be paying
close attention this evening.

This evening? At Mr Wells' speech?

Yes.
So you know it's been rescheduled.

Er, Mr Wells invited me personally.
And you?

Mrs Pendrick.

I see. Well, good.

Then we can attend with one another.

Yes. Together.

Shouldn't be long now, Higgins.

Are you sure this plan'll work?

Very confident.

How can you be sure the
dog-napper will appear?

Well, we know he steals expecting
dogs from this neighbourhood.

I put up flyers saying that my dog

is expecting pups and I'm
looking to get rid of them.

All we have to do is wait.

The culprit is as good as cuffed.

I don't know about this.

Listen, I think it'd be
best if you went home.

The inspector's been very
mercurial about this investigation.

I don't want you getting
in trouble on my account.

Are you sure?
I'm positive.

Consider the dog.

Through generations of
selected breeding, a cold-blooded
killer now guards its own prey.

Imagine, if the same
can be done for mankind,

what the future might entail.

Sweet mother of...! Miss Ogden!

I'm sorry I frightened you.

That's OK. I was only frightened
because I was very intently focused

on my dog there in that moment.
But of course you were.

Perhaps some of you are
most familiar with my most
recent work, The Time Machine.

APPLAUSE

In it I portray a far-flung future
filled with the most dreadful

remnants of humanity, monstrous
products of Darwinian evolution.

It is a cautionary tale.

The future need not be such.

If we commit to eugenics, we can
control the evolution of mankind.

Why are you here, Miss Ogden?

Ruby, please.

And I'm here because I'm intent on
writing a story about the realities

of police investigation.

No, I suspect you're really here
to get closer to Detective Murdoch.

How could you accuse me of such a
thing? Why, I am cut to the quick!

Well, I'm sorry, Miss Og... Ruby.

But I simply don't believe you.
Hm... Someone in the yard. What?

In the yard!

My plan has worked.

But why isn't your dog awake?
Now, that's a very good question,

one that will be answered
in a while. A while?!

Aren't you going to arrest him?

I want him to lead me to
the rest of the animals.

I guess there's no point
in telling you to stay put. None.

Fair enough.

Stay behind me.

Miss Malling, Mr Allan.

I'm surprised to see you here.

Father would not want the
criminal element dictating our lives.

The Eugenic Society, our wedding,
everything will go ahead as planned.

Very brave of you. Detective, one
thing occurred to us after we left.

It hadn't seemed important -
no raised voices or such.

Anything might help.
About a week ago, a Eugenics
Society member visited Father.

Afterwards, Father seemed a bit...
off.

This Eugenics Society member,
who was he?

It was Dr Algar.

I see.

Thank you. Please excuse me.

CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYS
CHATTERING

Doctor?
I'm so pleased you could make it.

I found your talk most interesting.

I would love to hear your thoughts.
Perhaps over dinner?

Oh! Well... Doctor?

Mr Wells!

I hope I'm not interrupting.
No, not at all.

Your timing is impeccable.

There's an urgent
matter I must attend to.

Oh? Well, we must be off.

Actually, it's work related.

If it's not too much trouble,
I shall leave you in
Mr Wells' capable hands.

No trouble at all, Detective.

I'm most grateful, sir.

Good evening.

WHINING

The missing dogs!

At least a number of them.

The alderman's foxhound.

And yours!

Drugged yet unharmed.

But where's the dog-napper?

Here, there's another room.

My God! What is that?

Dogs.

Or at least...

parts of them.

How horrible!

Is there something
I can help you with?

Detective, I object to the
groundless treatment I am receiving.

Groundless?

Dr Algar, you have been stealing
and experimenting on dogs.

Further, I'm investigating
the murder of a Eugenics Society
member who was expertly dismembered.

You, sir, belong to the same society
and possess expert surgical skills.

What possible reason would
I have to murder Linus?

You and the victim met
shortly before his death.

He was deeply upset by something
that transpired in that meeting.

That is nonsense. Really?

Convince me.
I had no idea the dogs were stolen!

I hired a local to
acquire them for me.

I assumed he was doing so legally.
That's most convenient.

As for my experiments, I really
don't expect you to understand.

I believe they're in the
area of developmental biology,

the study of the embryo
and the growth of unborn organisms.

Perhaps I have misjudged you.

And I you. Imagine being able
to predetermine physical
characteristics in the womb -

athletic ability, intelligence,
height, hair and eye colour,
even gender.

In future, no sickly child need
be brought into this world again.

You believe your
work here to be noble?

It's more than noble.

It's revolutionary.

One day, it will ensure
the very future of mankind.

Detective,
I've answered your questions.

Will you please remove these?

This is outrageous! You have nothing!

I don't consider theft
and animal cruelty "nothing".

What am I to do?
Chat with your neighbour.

Perhaps about dogs.

How'd them coppers
get my name, Doc?

I don't suppose some mangy mutt
gave it to them, now, do I?

MUSIC PLAYS

Your taste in music has gotten
better, Jules. Less stuffy.

Thank you. I think.

You seem well.

Very well.

And Detective Murdoch?
The eternal courtship continues?

Rather than discussing my affairs,
I think we should talk about yours.

Mine? What of them?

There's no easy way to say this, so
I'm just going to come out with it.

I believe Mr Wells is
making advances towards me.

That's just Bertie.

Although his taste is
usually towards the less dowdy.

Ruby, you do know the man is married?

Of course!
And that means nothing to you?

Quite the opposite. I think it
adds a certain frisson to it all.

Oh, Jules, don't be so prudish.

Prudish? I'm not being prudish.

I'm concerned for your heart,
your wellbeing.

For such a seemingly modern woman,
you can be decidedly old-fashioned.

Ruby, you know this will end badly.

I think it would be wise for you
to reconsider your relationship
with Mr Wells.

Thank you for
the unsolicited advice.
I'll be sure to consider it(!)

Dr Algar's right. You've got
nothing on him. Cruelty, theft?

I'm not talking about minor charges.

Look, I don't like the idea
of the bloke going round acting
like he's Dr Frankenstein either,

but there's nothing tying him
to the murder of Linus Malling.

And I'll admit there are
other nagging questions.

Like why would he cut up the body
in a manner that'd
draw attention to himself?

And why was the victim
beaten so brutally?

The killer was filled with rage.

Yet this Algar seems about
as dispassionate as they come.

Do you have anything at all to go on?

There is one thing.

Dr Algar's experiments would
have been rather expensive.

Someone must have been financing him.

And I believe I know
who that individual was.

Of course I funded Dr Algar's work!

Why wouldn't I?

Surely a man with a scientific bent
such as yourself must recognise the
significance of his experiments.

I find them troubling. Troubling?
How? They're for the greater good!

Where's the line
between human and animal?

And what's to stop it
from being crossed?

Ridiculous. No-one would ever
experiment on humans. To suggest
otherwise is scaremongering.

Who's to say that line
hasn't already been crossed?

By Algar?

Or one of his associates.

You are treading
dangerously close to slander.

Please don't make me
report you to your superiors.

If there is a connection between
you and Linus Malling's death,

I will find it, Mr Pendrick.
On that you can count.

Then I have no need to worry.

Excuse me? Detective Crabtree?

Oh, Miss Ogden!
Erm, I'm a constable.

How forgetful of me.

Er, Detective Murdoch's
not in right now. But if...
Actually, I'm here to see you.

To see me? I need to speak
further with you for my article.

Yes, well, I wouldn't want to impede
your writing. No, you wouldn't.

Perhaps later?
Around six in the park?

Yes, certainly.

Miss Ogden, now isn't the time...
Detective.

Actually, sir, she
wasn't here to see you.

Oh!

Oh, well, good.

Er, and your book has arrived.

Mr Wells! Please, please, come in.

I hope I'm not catching you
at too inconvenient a time.

No, not at all. Please, sit down.

What is it that I may do for you?

I am here on behalf of
the Eugenics Society.

For what reason?
They want you as a member, of course.

Me?

I find that hard to believe.
I know what you're thinking, Murdoch.

I had the very same thoughts.

"I'm not worthy.
My stock isn't good enough."

Sir, you know nothing of my stock.

Oh, on the contrary,
I know a great deal about you.

In fact, you were researched
by the Eugenics Society.

Researched? Yes. You and I have very
similar backgrounds, it turns out.

Both born into poverty, held deep
religious beliefs and scientifically
minded, both self-made men.

Mr Wells... Detective,
I'm not asking for an answer.

I'm merely a messenger.
Please consider the Eugenics Society.

Mr Wells, if I may,

you were trained in the
sciences by none other than

Darwin's greatest advocate,
Thomas Huxley, were you not?

I am proud to say yes.

Then perhaps I can
trouble you to confirm that

the specimen on that slide is in
fact the same as the reference?

Of course.

I concur.

Let me guess.

You're here to harass me again.

I am here for the truth, sir.

"The truth"? What the
devil are you talking about?

A pollen sample was recovered
from Linus Malling's body.

It is from the very rare
phantom orchid.

Coincidentally, you have a
specimen right here in your home.

Mr Pendrick, Linus Malling visited
you shortly before his death,

something you failed to mention.
Would you care to explain why?

I am growing tired of defending
my every move to you, Murdoch.

So either arrest me...

Constables, arrest Mr Pendrick.
This is an outrage, Murdoch.

This is a bloody outrage.

Linus called on me the morning
of the eugenics meeting.

For what reason?

To deliver his resignation
to the Eugenics Society.

Resignation? Why?

He felt the gulf between his
selectionist school of thought

and my transformationist
beliefs was too great.

I thought a middle ground
could be found. Linus disagreed.

Mr Pendrick, one thing I am is
an excellent judge of character,

and men of good character
never lie.

However, they are from time
to time less than forthcoming.

Linus was rejecting
the entire notion of eugenics.

But I thought Mr Malling
was a devout believer.

As did I.

So why not simply
tell me this earlier?

Linus left my house alive. I didn't
see how it affected matters.

Again, you are showing less
than good character, sir.

I have had just
about enough of this.

You didn't want it known that a
prominent member of society rejected
your beliefs. That is absurd.

Taken to its logical end, eugenics
will lead to forced sterilisation

and the cruellest
experimentation imaginable.

Detective Murdoch,

the superior man
will be beyond such things.

KNOCK AT DOOR

That is my solicitor.

I suggest you acquaint yourself.

So, they call this Crackerjack?

Yes.

I tried it at the Chicago World's
Fair. It was rather clumpy then.

Well, they seem to have
overcome the clumpiness.

To delicious results, I might add.

I had a look for your writings
on Houdini last year. Did you?

I checked several of the newspapers
and magazines in the library,

but I couldn't find them.

You wouldn't have.

Oh? I write under the nom
de plume Rupert Olssen.

Why?

It's just easier that way.

To be a man?

Yes.

I find that very distressing.

In fact, I find this whole eugenics
affair very distressing. Why?

It would change the
whole world for the better.

Well, I'm simply a man. I'm not
the tallest or the most handsome
or the smartest,

but I consider myself
to be a good man of good character.

I try to do well by others.

I think with perseverance
I could achieve anything I wanted.

And it seems to me that that
opinion would conflict with
the views of the eugenicists.

And you.

I mean, you are one, are you not?

No. My relationship with Mr
Wells is strictly professional.

That's not what I understood.

The situation has changed recently.

I should get back to work.

Please.

I think it's a shame that you
have to write under a man's name.
I think that's a real shame.

CHATTERING

That Pendrick has got a bloody
chilling streak in him.

If you're not up to his standards,
you're no more than a dog to him.

Oh, he's a man like any other,
as capable of murder as the next.

However, I'm less
convinced of his guilt.

You've changed your opinion.

Not about the art thefts.

But I question his involvement in
Mr Malling's murder. Based on...?

For one thing, the manner of death.

Why beat someone to death?
Usually, it's for a personal reason.

Mm. Not some argument over
scientific principles. Agreed.

It may have been embarrassing,
but hardly worth killing over.

Maybe Malling's quitting the
Eugenics Society hurt someone else.

And in a far more personal manner.

Ah, George. Sir?

I'd like us to revisit all of
Mr Malling's journals, logs,
business appointments, everything.

I've been through them
several times.

And I'm sure you did a thorough job.
But let's go over them again,

this time not looking for a suspect.
What?

I'm not sure.
Just anything out of the ordinary.

Excuse me, Doctor. Mr Wells!

I've come to see if you've
considered my dinner invitation.

I have. And...?
And I'm afraid I must decline.

I see.

I confess my disappointment.

Mr Wells, the answer is no.

Of course.

It's been a pleasure, Doctor.

Perhaps we shall meet again.

Perhaps.

Mr Wells?

Had I said yes, was I
simply to be another conquest?

I'll answer with another question.

Were you tempted?
Your silence speaks volumes.

Does it?

You see, Doctor, I sense that
there is something missing...

in your life.

At first I thought it was Murdoch, a
seemingly bland chap at first blush.

He's far from bland!

I've come to realise that.

But there is something missing.

I hope you can address it.

Good day, Doctor.

No disrespect intended, but if
I was as rich as Mr Malling, I'd
have led a more interesting life.

Here's something.

Four weeks ago, Mr Malling
made several trips to City Hall.

Searching the records for something.

I'd have thought a prominent
barrister would have an assistant

to do that sort of thing. Indeed.

Yet he chose to do so himself.

I wonder what he was looking for.

Mr Allan, I'll ask you again,
did you murder Linus Malling?

This is a monstrous accusation
totally without foundation.

Mr Malling had been checking
marriage records at City Hall,

specifically those of your family.

The intelligent work of any father
whose daughter is about to marry.

The diligent work of a eugenicist

checking his future
son-in-law's bloodlines, no?

And what of it?
You failed to achieve his standards.

Rubbish!
Your father died an incurable...

Lies. Your brother was a convicted
thief. You won't defame my family.

Your sister was caught...
There is no need to humiliate me!

Mr Malling demanded you break
off the engagement, didn't he?

I couldn't just give
up and let Estelle go.

So I asked to meet with him
before the eugenics meeting to try
one last time to reason with him!

The next thing I knew,
he was lying on the ground.

You needed to dispose of the body.

I had studied medicine at university,
so I finally put it to good use.

And Dr Algar?
Did you mean to incriminate him?

When suspicions fell on him, I let
matters take their natural course.

The true shame is I believe Mr
Malling had had a change of heart.

He had resigned his
position at the society.

Why would Linus do that?

I believe for Estelle.
He loved her more than anything
in this world, didn't he? He did.

Her happiness superseded
any scientific argument.

Pity he didn't get the
opportunity to tell you.

It wouldn't have mattered, Detective.

I am not fit
for a woman like Estelle.

I'm not fit for any woman.

Hang me.

And put an end to my mongrel blood.

Are you sure you must be off?
I do enjoy your visits.

As do I. However, my next
writing assignment cannot wait.

And what's it to be on? Eugenics.

And the dangers associated with it.

A very worthy subject.

Actually, it'll be the first
piece published under my own name.

Ruby, that's wonderful! Mm.

And Mr Wells?

While Bertie and I share
a special bond, I believe
it is time to move on. Oh!

In fact, there might be
someone else in my future.

Would you care to share?
After all, what are sisters for?

Thank you, but not just yet.

Constable Crabtree.

Ah, Mr Wells.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Mr Wells! I came to say goodbye

and congratulate you on your
investigation. Thank you.

I hope this whole affair hasn't
coloured your opinion of eugenics.

Not in the least.

Eugenics is a matter we
will never see eye to eye on.

That's most unfortunate.
But I respect your opinion.

Goodbye, Detective. Oh,
might I borrow a pencil and paper?

I must write these things down as
they come to me. This whole business

with Dr Algar and the experimentation
on animals has given me an idea,

something perhaps set...

in a desert.

Or perhaps something on the shores
of a remote island. Yes, an island.

With a doctor. Of course, yes.

Mrs Pendrick?

Detective! What brings you here?

To discuss eugenics?

I'm afraid not.

Oh. How disappointing.

But perhaps for the better.

Oh? Given these recent goings-on,
I've revised my opinions.

I suspect your husband
won't take kindly to that.

It has caused some tension.

More than usual, that is. Your
husband is the reason for my visit.

James?

I find his views on eugenics
very disturbing.

Further, given my suspicions
surrounding the recent art theft

and subsequent murders...

It causes me concern. For me?

Surely you're joking, Detective.

Should you have any reason,

do not hesitate to contact me.

Good day, Mrs Pendrick.

Good day, Detective.