Taboo (2017–…): Season 1, Episode 8 - Episode #1.8 - full transcript

When you first came back,
you told me you loved me.

There is no us.

I'm investigating the sinking
of a sloop called the Cornwallis.

I want you to write
an account naming

Sir Stuart Strange
as the man who organised

the loading with slaves.

For the safe.

You witnessed the division
of the gunpowder

and you heard its destination?

On direct instruction
of James Delaney himself, sir.

We have Delaney, we have Nootka,
we have the China trade.



They will walk you
along a tightrope.

A line between life and death.

I will give you all the information
that you request.

In return, I will need a single
meeting with Sir Stuart Strange.

If your witness is Delaney,

he is being held
in the Tower of London,

charged with treason.

No, I have another witness.

When my ship is ready,
I will send for you.

You don't have a bloody ship!

Brace, I spoke to a witness.

It wasn't James
that killed the girl,

it was the East India Company.

I need to tell James.



- They've got him.
- Where is he?

They took him to the Tower.

- I'm here.
- I have a use for you.

Dear James...

at last, I have found
a way out of the cage

in which I have been living.

Eyes I didn't know
I had were opened.

I saw the limits of my life,

the iron bars around my soul.

At last, I found a way
to slip between them.

I intend to leave society,

leave London,
leave England behind,

travel to a place
where I will be free.

It is a place where, someday,
I hope we will meet and be happy.

In those days,
I always chose boys...

who had the shadow
of death on them.

I thought they would be
less likely to return.

Of course, they do return...

as ghosts.

- Now I'm older--
- How many boys?

How many Company boys did you
send to crew your private ships?

Please, don't believe that I will say
anything to confirm or deny

any action past,
present or future,

in any regard
whatsoever to this business.

But the point is, you see...

You didn't die, did you?

Not even over there,
where everyone dies.

No.

No, I did not.

I was rescued by an African...

who saved me...

and he cured me...

and he showed me to myself.

The things I did in Africa make
your transactions look paltry.

I witnessed and participated
in darkness that you cannot conceive.

And will you be including
that in your account

to the Royal Commission?

No.

Luckily, I'm not being
tried for that today.

Oh.

- They serve good hock to traitors.
- Perhaps you'll be served the same.

I understand you asked poor,
sweet Godfrey...

- to write an account, too.
- Hmm.

I assume you want to make
some sort of a deal?

Is this the extent
of your ambition?

It is in return for my silence,

and for Godfrey
to burn his account.

No.

I can't deliver that.

Then you had better
get used to the taste.

I'm working on this, here.

"When the Cornwallis
left Cabinda

and became the Influence,

it was I, James Delaney,

who stowed the
Jack and Company flags."

Tut, tut, tut.

"An East India ship, renamed,

laden with illegal slaves

and flying the Stars
and Stripes...

at the direct request
of Sir Stuart Strange."

That's treason.

One living witness.

In one hour, I will be interviewed
by the King's private secretary,

three attorneys
and half a dozen clerks.

They will want it in writing.

Hmm?

And at midday,
Godfrey, poor, sweet Godfrey...

he will deliver his own account
to the Royal Commission,

confirming how you concealed

your ownership of this ship

and its cargo...

by committing treason.

So that's one living witness

and one account from
an East India Company clerk,

prepared to give information
heard under a raised hand.

Keep it.

I remember it all.

I need a ship.

You have four hours.

Brace?
I'm going out.

I need to see someone.

From Mr. Delaney.

Mr. Cholmondeley!

Mr. Cholmondeley!

I have a message for you, sir,
from Mr. Delaney.

How the hell did he find me?

Just humour me.
I'm a scientist, so I'm curious.

He sees me in my dreams.

Is that it?

I just deliver messages, sir.

Atticus!

Good boy.

Wilton!

Pettifer!

Ah, fuck it!

Gentlemen, there are things
I need you to do.

Are you going
to teach me, then?

Yeah, go on, go on,
hit the ball.

Swing for it, then.

You're not holding
it tight enough!

Where's the other one?

- Sorry, sir.
- She don't speak, she's in mourning.

Fetch her.

I've had a coach drawn up.

You ladies are going
on a tour of the grounds.

At the point of a bayonet,
if necessary.

Bring her!

Come on!

I want to know where
you're taking us.

In.

Go!

Tell them that I'm not ready.

I need to see a doctor.

Watch him!

Mr. Delaney is in need
of a doctor, sir.

He must be bluffing.

Or has he fallen
off the tightrope?

Well, you go
and bring the doctor, then.

And we can all pray to God that we haven't
completely fried his brain.

Hold up!

Out!
The rest of you, out now!

These gentlemen are actually
here to rescue you.

Atticus?

If it was down to me,
you'd have been dead long ago.

Delaney orders
you shouldn't be harmed.

There's still plenty of cocks
left for you to suck.

The agreement is that you take
the ladies away in the coach

and I walk back to the house
and report that they were kidnapped.

In truth, your beloved child
was killed for a greater purpose.

Isn't that right,
Mr. Pettifer?

There is an agreement in place
between my master and yours.

Indeed there is.

Get in.

Drive on!

A brig called the Good Hope.

It is fitted out for a voyage
to Constantinople

and is set to leave tomorrow
on the ebb.

- Is it yet loaded?
- No.

Draw up papers
to have it diverted.

Have it rowed to Wapping Wall
by a skeleton crew.

It's to be tied up,
with only provisions onboard.

Enough for a crew
of 15 for a...

two-month journey.

- For what reason, sir?
- Hm?

What I mean is,

what is the official reason
I should give in the daybook?

The official reason.
Well, let's see...

"The Good Hope
was taken to Wapping Wall

for an unannounced
inspection of its hull

for short measure of tar,

in case of fraudulent
accounting

by the ship fitters,
Master and Preece."

Hmm?
Put that in the daybook.

And what is the official reason
for sending two Company dray carts

to Bedlam Insane Asylum?

Because this whole
thing is insane.

Because this day is insane,
because Delaney is insane!

Because I am insane!

Just do it.

Should we await
Mr. Pettifer's return?

No, we should not await
Mr. Pettifer's return.

Just fuck off, will you?

Come on, out.

We need to burn this.

Atticus, I want an explanation.

Helga, get in!

Come on!

It's all right.
You've nothing to fear.

What?

Temple was on the foreshore.

He saw James sleeping in the mud
and Winter lay down beside him.

He then saw a man
arrive in a boat.

"Moving like a ghost,"
wasn't he?

It was this ghost that killed
your Winter, as she slept.

The man then got
back in the boat,

Temple followed him
along the foreshore,

where he was met by someone
on the other side.

They were in a carriage,

like the one you
just came out of.

The East India Company?

Is that the truth, little boy?

You know what happens
to little boys that lie, don't you?

I swear, it's the truth.

James is offering
you a new start.

So, James.

Things that go bang.

There.

Things that cause confusion.

His Majesty's representatives
want to know how much longer.

Another half an hour, at least.

I swear to God,
he was beaten half to death

before he yelped, "Enough!"

Why do so many of them
choose to be beaten?

Power.
One told me it's like pissing.

You build up the power
inside your belly

and then you need
to let it out,

and a good thrashing from a Countess
does the trick, apparently.

Full house.

Shall we refer
our opinions to Dr. Gin?

Who on earth is that?

Countess?

I thought you'd be alone.

Well, as you can see, I am not.
What do you want?

Well, I believe we have
an appointment.

My only appointment
is with intoxication.

As you may recall, I represent
a company which produces

products which restore
and enhance female beauty.

And also a certain
feminine product,

which you may prefer
to discuss in private.

I don't recall.

Pixie, perhaps as well as medicine
for your poor, worn-out chuff,

the lady may have something
to repair a faulty memory.

Do you have a beauty product
which would bag me an admiral?

I have a product which would allow
you to accommodate an entire fleet,

without discomfort,
admiral and rear admiral.

My products include
paints and oils,

but in particular powder.

And for those of us who have secrets,
marks, blemishes--

We have ways of
preserving those secrets.

Those who use it
will do almost anything for it,

when their supply is exhausted.

The name of the powder
is Collonade.

And you have samples?

Indeed. Perhaps I could show
you in person how to apply it

for best advantage?

Ladies, I will be back
before the sandwiches.

How dull life
was before Musgrove.

What the fuck are you doing?

Coming to my house
and talking of powder?

I work for James Delaney.

- He's in the Tower.
- Not for long.

He sails today.

And he requires the letter
for safe passage,

the codes for the flags.

And I get the Treaty in return?

No.

You see, there's a letter
which we will send to Solomon Coop,

revealing that you titillate
and intoxicate

on behalf of the Americans.

If I fail to return,
it will be delivered by midday.

James Delaney
also says to tell Collonade

that you do, indeed,
have a leaky ship.

But he's found the leak
and will fix it,

as long as you cooperate.

James?

What are you to him?

I'm Mrs. Delaney.

His wife.

No.

His mother.

♪ Oranges and lemons,
say the bells of St. clements ♪

♪ You owe me five farthings,
say the bells of St. Martin's ♪

♪ When will you pay me,
say the bells of Old Bailey ♪

This just arrived for you, sir.

Thank you.

♪ When I grow rich,
say the bells of Shoreditch ♪

"The whores are freed."

I'm ready.

No, you're not.
I'm not finished.

I'm ready.

Come on!

So, erm, now the witness
is sewn together...

we can begin.

Please confirm that you are
James Keziah Delaney...

of Chamber House,
Wapping Wall, London...

lately accused of conspiring
with the members of the

Secret Society
of Correspondence...

against His Majesty The King.

And you have pledged to give us
the names of the Americans

who conspired with you,
and others unnamed,

to commit acts of treason

within the confines
of the City of London.

Mr. Delaney...

Mr. Delaney, unless you give
up the names of your co-conspirators...

every single stitch they have
just put into your flesh

I will pull out myself
with my fingernails.

Give us the names,
or you will be racked!

I will squash your balls myself
and make you eat the paste.

You promised to give
me those names.

Did I?

I must've lied.

I will tell you
one thing, though.

All the charges of treason
brought against me

by the members
of the East India Company...

they will be dropped...

before midday.

Witnesses vanish.

Testimonies, they burn.

Demands will be met,
and pride will be swallowed.

And when morning
becomes afternoon...

then...

I will become a free man.

How would you know that?

The ravens just told me.

Shit, shit, shit, shit!

So...

This is the last one.
Yes, sir.

I hear the case is altered.

Indeed, Your Majesty.
We have to release Delaney.

♪ Put a feather in his hat... ♪

Psst!

Aye.

It will happen.

On you, Bill, yeah?

Off my streets!

On you.

Brighton, Martinez,
shut the street down,

we're expecting visitors!

Come on, shift it!

Everyone else, you heard the man,
off the streets!

Quickly!

Yes?

From Mr. Delaney.

I'm planning
to journey to heaven, James.

I've realised the truth.

My cage is my flesh,
I can shed it.

The River Thames
will take me to God.

Death is just
the turning of a key in a lock.

Whether God will accept
me is another matter,

perhaps my husband will
have spoken of my betrayal.

Or perhaps my feelings for you,
unforgiveable feelings for you,

will mean the Thames will take
me to a different place.

Whatever my destination,
if you survive your recklessness,

please, keep some part
of my soul inside your own.

James, James!

I have it,
I have the safe passage.

It damn near killed me.

What are you doing?
We should be leaving.

If she were dead,
I would know it.

I would hear her...

and I would feel it...

as if there were a door open
in this very house.

- Oh, James.
- No. No.

If she was in the river...

she would sing to me.

And I would hear her.

Her words are very certain.

How did I not know?

Because the dead don't sing.

If they don't sing,
then how do I hear them?

That is a question to be asked
and answered in America.

Is it not?

Tide's rising.

You've lots of people
waiting for you,

people who have given up
everything for you, James.

The tide ebbs,
she'll still be gone.

The tide won't bring her back.

You know, we could just sit
here in these rotting chairs

in this shitty house

and die, like rats,
like your father.

We ought to go to Nootka.

If anything...

it's a fine day to die at sea.

I have some unfinished business
to take care of. I'll be back.

We'll board together.

Straight to the ship.
Come on, boys, keep going.

Straight through.

Sir?
Excuse me, sir?

- Sir! Sir, you can't just--
- Let me through!

Let him in, let him in.

Mr. Chichester,
how goes your investigation?

This will not stand.

Oh, but it will!
It always does.

Delaney would not
make a deal with you.

The record will show that the EIC
cooperated with your commission

into the sinking of the Influence,
fully and without reservation.

You're an idealist.

Delaney and I are realists.

But the difference
between Delaney and me

is that I always make sure
I have one last ace to play.

Good day,
Mr. Chichester.

I swear...

this will not stand.

Argh...

God! You look like you
need laudanum.

I have an hour. I need to be
on the water by high tide.

- You have a ship?
- Hmm.

This laudanum is diluted
somewhat with burdock,

so you can continue
to function.

But I doubt you'd be able
to steer a ship to America.

You have people with you?

Mr. Delaney, I'm sure that you're
probably expecting me

to hand you your letter
of safe passage.

But, I'm afraid, it isn't
going to be that simple.

Nothing in this war
between cousins is simple.

There's just a small hurdle
that you have to leap over first.

Take a look.

It's a deed of transfer.

Hmm?

Transferring my title
to Nootka Sound

to the East India Company?

And your friend,
Stuart Strange.

When I first met you,

you told me that a sheep
can be meat,

but it can also be wool.

At first, the code eluded me.

But then I realised,
it's not even a code, is it?

You're simply
somebody's meat boy.

You present yourself as an agent
of the free states of America,

like a good little sheep.

But long since, you've been dangled
in front of the King of England...

by the East India Company.

Hmm?

Now you're scrabbling,
desperate.

Pulling your wool
over everybody's eyes.

Possibly even your own.

Does it even matter?

No.

No-one in this city
has only one master.

Pen.

I do.

James, you came back.

You told me you loved me.

My sister.

James.

You shall see me again.

Yes, sir?

Both hands.
Good boy.

Has he bothered to employ anyone
who can actually sail that thing?

No sparks, no flames,
no inflammatory comments.

I'm covered in explosives.

Come on!
Load her up!

Where is Delaney?

Busy.

She is now under the flag
of the Honourable East India,

so you will have no hindrance.

Tell Mr. Delaney he may
have won this small battle,

but justice will be
delivered to him by God.

Kind regards
from Stuart Strange.

Get the body in the river,
get the powder on the ship.

Move! Come on, shift your arse!
Get it loaded now!

Oi!
Get it loaded!

How is your religion
these days, Coop?

My what?

Your religion, your faith.

After many years
in your service,

it is in rags and tatters,
Your Highness.

And have you spoken
about all this with God?

Well, I discuss things...

with my wife, in bed.

Oh.

I talk to God.

I spoke to Him just now.

And what did God say?

Conversations between monarchs
and God are private,

but I will give you
the gist of it.

Due to this
monumental balls-up,

everyone must hang.

East India, Americans,
Irish, French...

- Dogs, cats, rabbits. Why not?
- Your Highness...

- Priests, clerks, fitters...
- There is little doubt in my mind...

that senior directors at the East
India have done a deal with Delaney.

Just fucking kill him!

If he dies, then Nootka goes
to the Americans, as per his will.

Fuck Nootka!

Fuck wills!
Fuck treaties!

I'm the head of fucking state!

And by the command
of His Majesty...

kill him.

Mary, Mary, out of the way!

Where are you keeping everyone?

In there.

Right.

You good?

15 minutes until high tide.

So, charges?

Yeah, yeah, the chemist.

He's a nightmare.

Cole will kill him with his own cock,
if he's not shot today.

- Can't kill him.
- Why?

We need him.

He's a doctor.

Is the powder on the ship?

55 kegs onboard, 15 on the dock
and two in the water.

Right.
Well, when we are 60 and ten,

I need you to take the pilgrims
and put them on the ship

before the ebb.

Where are you going?

To explain the plans.

I don't want you
to tell them the plans.

Besides, you're not coming.

What?

Brace, you have always been my
father's man, in my father's world.

We're headed
to my mother's now.

James, tell me this,
too, is mercy.

I'm an old man,
I would never survive.

Tell me that's the reason.

Brace, you were not
born for freedom.

You wouldn't know
what to do with it.

It would torture you.

Now, go home.

Everything belongs to you now.

The soldiers are here!

Atticus!
Bill!

Right, Robert, get down there,
tell them to hurry up with that cargo.

Quick!

Keep moving, all of you.
Fast!

All right, you lot,
you heard him-- Move!

The soldiers are coming.
Hurry up!

Come on, chop chop, let's go!

Men, regroup!

Tide's about to turn, James.

Go and get them, put them
on the ship now. Move it.

Not yet!

Everybody out! Come on!
Move!

Come on, now.

Move, move!

Get on there, quick.
Come on.

Wait. Leave it!
Leave it!

Helga!

Get in!
Go, go!

Argh!

Bill!
Bill!

Fuck!

How many?

Bill!

Fuck.

Sir.

Aha, my final ace.

Still no word from Wilton
or Pettifer, sir.

Ah. Perhaps they left
early for the weekend.

As will I, I think.

How did this get here?

Some errand boy delivered it,
sir, from a Dr. Dumbarton.

Said you'd be expecting it?

Tea, I think.

- Tea, sir?
- Yes.

All the tea in China,

and a strip of land
at the arse of a pig.

And an end to this
business, at last.

Hello?

Forgive me, the door was open.

I just received a note.

Mr. Delaney said he
had left his account

of the sinking
of the Cornwallis

and the account of the East
India clerk, Godfrey.

It said I would find
it in his room.

Which one is his room?

His room is the attic.

The one looking
out to the river.

Hey.

Justice.

Maria?

Yes.

You always had such
beautiful fingers.

Maria?

Yes?

I'm sorry
for what I did to you.

I'm sorry.

You are forgiven.

Thank you.

- Take the helm.
- Aye aye.

She's a good old girl.

Hmm.

America, then?

No.

Ponta Delgada in the Azores.

I need to see a man
called Collonade.

I thought the gunpowder
was for the Americans.

We are Americans.