Marble Hall Murders (2026) s01e01 Episode Script

1
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[children] Tenet, opera, rotas.
Sator, arepo,
tenet, opera, rotas.
Sator, arepo,
tenet, opera, rotas.
Wolfsbane.
Aconitum napellus.
Picked at the time
of the full moon.
Funeral bell
mushrooms, so poisonous
you can't even touch them.
[young boy] Morphine
stolen from Dr Lambert.
Have one teaspoon and
you'll sleep all day.
Have any more and
you'll never wake up.
[older boy] Deadly nightshade.
Magnesium.
Arsenic.
[tense music]
[tense music continues]
We all know what has
to be done to Grandma.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mm-hmm.
Mmm.
And we will do it.
But we must never ever tell.
[thunder crashes]
[dramatic music]
[audience laughter on TV]
Yes, I never thought I would
be a children's author.
You know, I started life
as a church organist.
My father was a deacon
at our local church.
I was looking at
the stained-glass
windows and some of the
figures looked so small.
They inspired me to write
stories about the Tiny People.
The family who want
to help make the
world a better place,
even though they're only
three inches tall.
Or five centimetres,
I should say.
My publishers made
me change that.
[interviewer chuckles]
And Miriam Crace, 300
million copies later
Roland, why are
you watching this?
It's Grandma's last interview.
You said you wanted
something on the screen.
For the party.
Don't call it a party.
It's the 20th anniversary
of my mother's death.
It's not exactly an occasion
for balloons and party hats.
A celebration, then.
Commemoration.
Whatever.
Have the invitations gone out?
Yeah, went out yesterday.
I didn't see the final list.
Well, I thought they'd been
approved, Uncle Jonathan.
Did you invite Eliot?
Yes, of course I did.
Why wouldn't I?
You really want
me to answer that?
Well, you didn't
tell me not to, so
Roland, why is it
that whenever I
leave you to work on your own
initiative, I always regret it?
You know my feelings
about your brother.
I wasn't not gonna invite him.
She was his grandmother too.
Well, let's hope he's busy.
[tense music]
[lock clicking]
[door closes]
[keys jangling]
Hmm.
We going?
I am.
Eliot
Why would you want to go?
You never even met
my grandmother.
And you know how
I feel about her.
So why are you going?
Why shouldn't I?
I helped kill her.
[tense music]
[door buzzer sounds]
[footsteps approaching]
Katie.
- Oh, come here.
- Hello.
Hi.
Come in.
Oh
Go on, then.
What?
You want to know
about me and Andreas.
[sighs] Well, I
I wasn't gonna ask.
It was my fault, not his.
I tried to like
Crete, I really did.
And it's a lovely place,
but not for me.
Not to live in.
Plus, I miss publishing.
What about Andreas?
He was so busy with the hotel,
we hardly saw each other.
He understood.
What will you do now?
Well that's the good news.
I may have been offered a job.
Came through a headhunter,
out of the blue.
Causton Books,
decent-sized independent.
Senior editor.
[chuckles]
How are you?
You missing Suffolk?
Uh, no.
No, not really.
I like Elstree.
And I've started
seeing someone.
[gasps] You didn't tell me.
Well, it's early days, so
- What's his name?
- David.
- Uh-huh.
- He's in finance.
He's two years older than me.
- Single?
- Divorced.
No children.
So when am I gonna meet him?
Oh, well, it's too
soon for all that.
Oh, I forgot.
I've got you something.
Here you are.
[meowing] -Katie, you haven't.
[Katie] His name's Hugo.
Look, it's really kind
of you, but I'm
I'm just not a cat person.
He's four years old.
He's a rescue.
Don't you think
it's a bit cliché?
What are you talking about?
I'm on my own, I know that, but
this tells me I'm on my own.
Just give him a try. -[sighs]
Well, I've committed
to him now.
I can't take him back.
Anyway, at least it means
you won't have any mice.
Perhaps I prefer the mice.
He'll look after
himself, I promise.
No, he won't.
Oh, you think you're special
You're a creature of habit I
know what you're thinking It's
becoming a pattern Looking for
the spotlight Do anything to
make them see All you want
is likes -Not on the chair.
Off.
All the attention Don't
you feel empty Longing for
mentions Looking
for the spotlight Do
anything to make them see Hi.
[phone rings]
You can go through now.
Oh, thanks.
[wistful music]
Atticus Pünd.
It's open.
I buzzed you in.
Right.
- Susan.
- Yes.
Hi.
I'm Matthew Flynn.
- Hi.
- It's great to meet you.
Oh, thanks for
getting in touch.
Not at all.
You come highly recommended.
- Oh.
Come on in.
Thanks.
We have a situation
that needs
How can I put this?
Careful handling.
That's intriguing.
[chuckles] It's a
one-off book, new writer.
Well, relatively new.
But he needs a bit of guidance.
The idea is that you would
work with him, help him.
This wouldn't have anything to
do with Atticus Pünd, would it?
Who
Who told you that?
It's just a premonition.
Well, you're right, it is.
What would you
say if I told you
we were going to publish a new
Atticus Pünd detective story?
[chuckles] Well, since the only
way Alan Conway could write it
would be via a Ouija
board, I assume
you mean a continuation novel.
Exactly.
So who's gonna write it?
Eliot Crace.
Eliot?
You're not serious?
Mm-hmm.
Was it him who recommended me?
No, no, no.
Uh, but he did mention you'd
worked together before.
That's not quite true.
It was Charles Clover who
commissioned him, not me.
The Doctor Gee mysteries.
They didn't do well.
No.
Eliot wasn't a bad writer.
It's just the idea
was the problem.
How would you feel about
working with him again?
[chuckles]
The last time I
saw Eliot, he was
an hour late for the meeting
and he was covered in blood.
He said he'd fallen
off a bus. -[chuckles]
He hadn't washed for a week and
he reeked of cigarette smoke.
Don't prejudge him.
He's married now.
He's settled down. -[sighs]
Well, I suppose
I could meet him.
Let me ask you a question,
Matthew, and be honest.
Why Eliot?
I'd have thought that
would be obvious.
Miriam Crace?
His grandmother was the
most successful writer
this country's ever seen.
The name Crace is a huge brand.
If only 1% of her
fans buy Eliot's book,
it'll be a huge bestseller.
Hmm.
Well, it didn't work last time.
[chuckles] But this
time, it's Atticus Pünd.
[Susan] Hmm.
Eliot.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
That's OK.
Susan Ryeland, Eliot Crace.
Eliot, this is Susan, but of
course you know each other.
Yeah.
Hi, Eliot.
How are you?
I'm fine, yeah.
I'm really good.
It's nice to see you again.
Why don't I leave the
two of you together,
see how you get on.
Give me a call later,
tell me what you think.
Sure.
We are just through here.
[Susan] Oh, right.
I hear you got married.
- Yes.
- Congratulations.
Thank you.
What's her name?
Gillian.
She's a nurse.
Oh, nice.
I couldn't believe it
when Matthew said you
were gonna work on my book.
Well, I haven't necessarily
agreed yet. [chuckles]
Well, you started writing.
These are the
first 10,000 words.
Mm-hmm.
What's the title?
Pünd's Last Case.
It starts straight
after Magpie Murders.
Set in Corfu.
Why Corfu?
My parents used to take
me there on holiday.
[chuckles] Yeah, well
Are you enjoying writing it?
Yeah.
Yeah, I am, but
I'm quite nervous.
Yeah, that's understandable.
I just want it to
be a success, and
it would be so nice if just for
once one thing in my life
went my way for a change,
and this book is
I need to know
if it's any good.
Hmm.
So who else has read it?
No one.
No, just Gillian.
Well, look, why don't I
read what you've written,
take a few notes, and
then we can meet up
again in a day or so's time?
- Does that work for you?
- Yeah.
That'd be brilliant.
Great.
Hmm.
It's only a first draft.
Of course.
Leave it with me.
- Thanks.
- Hmm.
Bye.
Bye!
[sighs]
[gasps] Not on the chair.
Shoo! -[meows]
[sighs]
[intriguing music]
You're not going to read it?
It's all right.
Alan Conway hasn't written it.
[chuckles] You think that
will make any difference?
I need to work.
I have a mortgage on this flat.
It's not easy for someone of
my age to get a full-time job.
You know, I've
written in my book
I wondered when you were
going to mention The Landscape
of Criminal Investigation.
There is something that
exists which I call the
the inevitability of crime.
It's when two people meet.
They may be friends, they may
have the best of intentions,
but there's something in the
chemistry of these people
which, when it comes together,
it takes them to places
that they do not want to go.
To violence.
Even to murder.
And that's you and me?
That is how it
has always proved.
I don't know.
[sighs]
[Eliot] Pünd's Last
Case by Eliot Crace.
Chapter One.
The Greek island of Kerkyra is
known to the world as Corfu,
and it is unique in the beauty
of its olive groves and orange
gardens, its
perfect beaches and
ancient villages
with their cobbled
streets and passageways.
This was the homeland
of Atticus Pünd,
the world's greatest
detective, before his
family emigrated to Germany.
And it was to Kerkyra
that Pünd returned in what
would be the last
months of the illness
that would end his life.
In particular, he
wished to see the
town where his
great-grandfather
had been born.
[moving orchestral music]
[religious singing]
[church bell ringing]
Oh.
[chuckles]
[speaks Greek] -Mmm?
[speaks Greek]
Mmm.
Perfect.
Hmm.
[speaks Greek] -Mmm?
[speaks Greek] -Thank you.
[religious singing continues]
You mustn't tire
yourself, Mother.
Don't fuss me, dear.
Mr Pünd.
[Pünd] Oh. [chuckles] Mmm
[laughs] -Lady Chalfont.
[laughs] -What
brings you to Corfu?
Oh, I'm here for my health.
Oh, would you
believe it, so am I.
Or rather, my my lack of it.
Uh, this is my daughter,
Judith Lyttleton.
Mrs Lyttleton.
It's Dr Lyttleton, actually.
Um, Judith is a
doctor of archaeology,
and she should know a thing or
two about it, hanging around
with an old ruin like me.
Mother.
Oh.
Uh, Mr Pünd is the detective
I've often mentioned to you.
He solved the murder
of George Colindale.
I was a suspect.
On the contrary, Lady
Chalfont, you were
of great assistance to me.
I can't believe I've run
into you, of all people.
Will you have a drink with me?
Mother, we're
expected for lunch.
Nonsense.
Lunch can wait.
[church bell ringing]
The Lord must have answered
my prayers sending you here.
I very much need your advice.
You know I lost my
first husband, Henry,
the sixth Earl Chalfont.
Yes, I read of it.
I'm sorry.
Oh.
He was a good man,
successful, rich.
It's thanks to
him that I'm here.
He bought us our summer home
on Corfu, the Villa Belmar.
So, you are here
for the season?
My last season, Mr Pünd,
or so my doctors assure me.
Oh
No, no, no.
I'm
I'm happy.
I have my family around me.
And my second husband,
Elmer Waysmith.
You did not take his name?
I like my title.
Why would I want to
lose it? -[chuckles]
And how did you meet
Mr Elmer Waysmith?
Well, he's American, but
he has a gallery in London.
He buys and sells Greek
and Roman antiquities.
I was a customer.
He also advised me on my
late husband's collection.
And you are happy together?
Mmm.
We are.
We were, but, um, that's
why I have to see you.
Um, a week ago, when I
was sitting in my bedroom
at the villa, I
overheard something
that shocked me to the core.
Something relating to
your second husband?
Yes.
Mmm.
But, uh, I don't want
to talk about it now.
You must come to the villa.
[car horn blares]
Hello, darling!
Hello, Mama!
Your chauffeur awaits.
I'm afraid that's
my husband, Harry.
We should go.
Uh, but I haven't finished.
You know Maria gets upset
if we're late for lunch,
Mother, and I'm sure Mr
Pünd has things to do.
Will you come for dinner at
the weekend, dear Mr Pünd?
The day after tomorrow.
I do want to talk to you.
- I need your advice.
- [car horn blares]
I'm also here for my
health, Lady Chalfont.
We have the best
chef on the island,
and the villa is beautiful.
Shall we say seven
o'clock? -[car horn blares]
How can I refuse?
Where are you staying?
The Xenia Hotel.
The Xenia.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes, of course.
I shall send a car
for you, although
the roads are terrible.
Uh, Mr Pünd.
Thank you.
I
I love my husband.
But I can't tell
you how much this
has been preying on my mind.
Yeah.
[Harry] Darling. -[cat meows]
[intriguing music]
[cat meows]
What do you want?
You hungry?
[meows]
Um
Tuna, tuna
[meows]
Tuna, tuna
Mmm.
[meows] -[tuts]
No tuna.
[birds chirping]
You've been a long time.
I was writing.
Did you see her?
Yes.
She is reading it.
That's wonderful.
Eliot.
Um, your father's here.
Don't lose your temper
with him, please.
He only wants to talk.
Eliot.
Hello, Pa.
You're looking well.
What are you doing here?
I've come to see you.
Sit down, Eliot.
I'll
I'll make you a coffee.
No, I don't want a coffee.
Thank you.
Why didn't you call?
Well, I
I wanted to, uh
to see the house.
Hmm?
So you just thought
you'd walk in?
Well, it is my
house. [chuckles]
You've not looked after it.
Did you come with
some decorating tips?
No, no, no.
No.
Um, I
I need to talk to you.
It's been two years.
Why now?
I'm afraid I have
some bad news.
Your mother and I have
come to a decision.
We're getting a divorce.
Why is that bad news?
Eliot.
They walked out
on me, Gillian.
They went to America
and they never gave
any of us another thought.
That
That's not true.
You know that.
I
I let you live here.
I
I talk to Roland and
and Julia all the time.
I've tried to
support both of you.
That's not why I'm here.
Well, what, then?
I'm afraid I'm gonna
have to sell the house.
I've already been talking
to estate agents and,
um, the first ones
are coming next week.
[sighs] -Oh.
Is that it, Pa?
You're putting us
out on the street?
Out on the st
No.
Look, I've got
I've got no choice.
Your mom's kept
the house in Miami.
I
I've left my job.
I've nowhere to live.
I
Unless I move in
here with you
- No way.
- Well, I knew you'd say that.
So all I can do
is sell the house
and give you some of the money
to help you set up on your own.
Oh, all of my life,
all my life, all
you've ever done is hurt me.
You and Grandma.
Eliot.
Just when things are
going well for me,
you come back, you
stick the knife
in and you ruin everything.
I've said I'll help you.
No, the only way that
you could help me
is if you'd never been born.
Mmm. -[meows]
Yummy, yummy. -[meows]
[meows]
There.
Happy now?
[sighs] Right.
[Eliot] The morning of
that last day began as it
always began at
the Villa Belmar,
with fresh bread and sunshine.
[speaking Greek]
[Eliot] Breakfast had been
laid for seven on the terrace.
Due to her illness,
Lady Margaret Chalfont
seldom rose before midday.
She would lie in bed, enchanted
by the view, while outside,
her second husband,
Elmer Waysmith,
would read the day's news.
Her eldest son, Jeffrey,
the seventh Earl Chalfont,
who was there with his wife
and son, had no love of Corfu.
Why does Corfu have to
be so hot all the time?
Because it's in
Greece, Jeffrey.
I know where it is, Lola.
I just don't wanna be here.
It is damn hot, definitely.
[boy] I hate it here.
No, Cedric, you don't.
Yes, I do.
I have no friends.
I'm bored.
Why do we have to stay?
Cos that's what
my father wants.
I only want what's
good for Margaret.
She needed to be here,
and you all of you might
be a little more sympathetic.
Her last summer.
We're all here, aren't we?
[Jeffrey sighs]
Look, I
I have to go.
I have a meeting at the hotel.
[Elmer] A hotel?
Really, Harry?
Last time I looked, it
was a concrete skeleton.
It could be anything.
Thanks, Elmer.
Well, I warned you against it.
You didn't listen.
I asked you for help.
You were the one
who didn't listen.
Won't be long.
Be as long as you want, dear.
I'm working on my presentation.
Still going on about your
scratchings in the desert?
The Nazca Lines are one of the
wonders of the world, created
more than 2,000 years ago.
The Peruvian government will
destroy them if we don't raise
money for their protection.
Are they really scratched
in the sand, Aunt Judith?
No, Cedric.
They were drawn with incredible
mathematical precision.
I'm still waiting
for an answer.
Remind me, what
was the question?
The money.
Of course.
Money.
It's all this family
ever talks about.
I'm going out.
Remember, we're having
lunch at Votsalo.
Haven't forgotten, Pa.
One o'clock.
Don't be late.
And, Robert, bring
the catalogue.
I wanna see how
you're getting on.
Why do you always let him
boss you around like that?
Cos he's my father.
I am glad he's not mine.
[footsteps approach]
[Lola clears throat]
Maria, I want my cigarettes.
I left them in
the drawing room.
Yes, sir.
[suspenseful music]
[Eliot] Later that morning,
Harry Lyttleton made his way
towards the hotel that he
was building at Pontikonisi,
close to the main capital.
[suspenseful music]
As Elmer Waysmith had
said, the development
was far from complete.
Hello, Kristos.
Michalis.
Uh, where is everyone?
They've gone home.
Well
Uh
Well
Shouldn't they be working?
They haven't been paid.
We want money.
I've already given you 30%
of what we agreed and
and you haven't done anything.
We bought materials.
Brick, stone, concrete.
We've hired architects
and engineers.
We bought the licence
and we paid the uh
[speaks Greek] -Bribes.
We need more money to continue.
I
I don't have any more money.
I
I've told you, we have
to get it finished.
We need tourists, guests.
You find more
money, Mr Lyttleton.
You make promises.
Now you must keep them.
All right, all right, yes.
I
I may have some
funds coming my way.
We're
We're partners.
We're friends.
You don't have to be so
Greek.
Just give me time.
[tense music]
Yes, this is Jeffrey Chalfont.
Can you hear me?
I can hear you.
What do you mean, it's broken?
It's brand new!
No, no, listen to me.
Listen.
The Ferguson TEP20 is
absolutely top of the range.
There isn't a tractor like it.
That's what you told me.
You're the estate manager!
Deal with it!
That's absolutely
out of the question.
- [Jeffrey continues shouting]
- Italia to Venice I'll let you
know the moment that I land
And you can tell him from me,
I'll be back at the
estate in three weeks and
if it isn't up and
running by then,
there'll be all hell to pay!
- [Lola continues singing]
- Jeepers creeper!
Everything in Italy
is grand Are you going
to make this racket all day?
It's not a racket, Jeffrey.
It's a song, a beautiful song.
"Two Girls In a Gondola."
It will have the
audience on their feet.
Stampeding for the exit.
Why do you have
to be so horrible?
I told you, you can't
go back to the theatre.
Why not?
Because I'm the seventh Earl
Chalfont and you're my wife!
Anyway, what makes you think
they'll give you the part?
They will when they know
I am one of the backers.
I am meeting with
the producers the
moment we are back to London.
Buying your way back in.
I had a career once,
Jeffrey, before I met you.
Remember?
Saint Joan?
You came back to the door three
nights in a row with flowers.
I got the wrong door.
Costas, start over.
[traditional Greek music]
[Elmer] I have good
news for you, Robert.
We've had an offer
for the wine bowl.
Lucas Dorfman rang
me this morning.
Ah.
The calyx krater.
And how much will he pay?
Well, you tell me.
Well, it's a beautiful piece.
It's sixth century
BC, so [sighs]
It's double-handed,
perfect condition. $500?
God.
Five times that.
The calyx krater
is a collaboration
between the potter, Euxitheos,
and the painter, Euphronios.
You have any idea
how rare that is?
It should be in a museum.
Maybe it was.
What do you mean by that?
Well, I mean, it came
from Eric Verner.
Who bought it 30 years ago.
Robert, Eric is my partner.
I buy lots of things from him.
If you don't like my business,
you don't have to stay in it.
Hey, I
I did not
I didn't say that.
This catalogue
you've written
The Parthenon fragments.
I mean, you give me dates,
you give me history,
but there's no enthusiasm.
Hmm?
You
You make 'em sound like rubble.
I mean, isn't that
what they are?
[chuckles]
They come from a building
that represents the
heart of Western civilisation.
To own one of these, Robert,
they're like diamonds.
Mmm.
Do they really mean
so little to you?
Mmm
Pa, I
I work for you cos I
got nothing else to do.
[chuckles]
You work for me because there's
nothing else you can do.
You have no talent
as an artist.
You weren't suited to the law.
You should be grateful
I've taken you on.
I am.
Of course I am.
Well, you can show
it by rewriting this.
[camera shutter clicks]
[clock chiming]
[humming]
[chiming continues]
[tense music]
[kettle whistling]
[knocking]
Hello, Mama.
How are you feeling?
I'm feeling well, thank you.
Dear Jane.
Are you, um,
coming out for tea?
Yes.
Yes, I'd like that.
Let me give you
an arm. -[sighs]
[sighs]
Ah, Mama.
Is Elmer coming?
I don't think so.
I haven't seen him
since breakfast.
Oh.
[Harry sighs]
[bird squawks]
Oh, dear, oh, dear.
We're going to be late.
We're just a few minutes away.
She said four o'clock.
You should have
told me the time.
I did try, Mr Lambrose, but
you were on the telephone.
You should have
interrupted me, Sofia.
Lady Chalfont is a
very important client.
I know.
You have the will?
Of course.
Is Cedric joining us?
I doubt it.
In a world of his
own, that boy.
Where's Lola?
Learning her lines.
Her new play.
Mmm.
[exhales]
It's very hot today.
Oh.
[tense music]
[sighs]
Here we are.
Six minutes late.
We can blame the traffic.
[choking] -Ma?
Mother?
[speaks Greek]
We have an appointment
with Lady Chalfont.
Today?
Four o'clock.
Lady Chalfont say
nothing to me.
You know who I am.
Hector Lambrose.
I'm here on a matter
of some urgency,
as requested by Lady Chalfont.
[Harry] Maria! -[speaks Greek]
Maria! -[speaks Greek]
Oh.
Oh, my God, Mr Lambrose.
Um
You've got to call the police.
And an ambulance.
It's
It's Lady Chalfont.
She's dead.
[phone rings]
Susan.
Elaine.
I know I shouldn't
have rung you,
and I'm probably the last
person you want to hear from,
but I really need
to speak to you.
Can we meet?
[suspenseful music]
[man] Are you going
to turn me in?
You realise they'll
send me to prison.
I'll get life.
I won't come out.
Yes, Charles.
That's what happens
when you commit murder.
I thought you might
make some allowances.
As you yourself
said, we've known
each other for a long time.
It seems I didn't
know you at all.
[classical piano music playing]
Hello, Susan.
Hi, Elaine.
Thank you for coming.
Come in.
You haven't changed
the doorbell.
No, that's Charles playing
his favourite Bach prelude.
You must hear it every day.
Many times.
I'm glad to see you, Susan.
[Charles] I gave you a chance.
No
You should have taken it!
It's been a while.
How did you know I was
back in the country?
Eliot told me.
Eliot Crace?
You're still in
touch with him?
Oh, yes.
We're quite close.
I met him when he was
writing the Doctor Gee books,
all those years ago, and
we've been friends ever since.
He's the reason
I had to see you.
Elaine
I know how difficult it must
be for you being here, but
let me say what I have to say.
Then you can go if you want to
and never speak to me again.
I'll completely understand.
I am so ashamed about
what Charles did.
I make no excuse for him.
He killed Alan Conway, his
number one best-selling author.
And when you found out about
it, he tried to hurt you too.
Hurt me? [chuckles]
He knocked me out and left
me in a burning building.
I'd say he had rather more
on his mind than that.
It makes me sick
to think about it.
But if it's any consolation, he
also took everything from me.
My retirement, my
reputation, my friends.
Everything that mattered.
We both suffered
because of him.
During the trial, you
never reached out to me.
I saw you every day and
you never said a word.
I wasn't allowed to.
You know that.
The lawyers wouldn't
let me come near.
And afterwards?
Afterwards, you went to Crete.
I would never ask
you to forgive
Charles for what he did.
Maybe you can forgive me.
I didn't blame you
for anything, Elaine.
I didn't know he killed Alan.
He never told me.
Do you still see him?
Of course.
I'm still married to him.
I still love him.
I can't help it.
You were together a long time.
Thirty years.
You wanted to talk
about Eliot Crace.
Eliot, yes.
I'm very worried about him.
Has he talked to you
about Marble Hall?
It's where Miriam, his
grandmother, lived.
- Somewhere near Salisbury.
- Devizes.
Charles used to go
there quite often.
He worked on her
last two books.
That's how he met Eliot.
Eliot was only about 12
years old at the time,
but he already had his heart
set on becoming a writer.
Charles helped him.
And his grandmother didn't?
His grandmother destroyed him.
Whatever you may
have heard about her,
Miriam Crace was a monster.
She was cruel.
She was vindictive.
She had the whole
family under her thumb.
And she ruined Eliot's life.
Charles never said anything.
He wasn't allowed to.
They made him sign an NDA.
Anyone who went anywhere
near her had to do the same.
But Eliot told you?
Yes.
I'm worried about him.
You don't know how much
this new book means to him.
He's thrilled you're
gonna be his editor.
No, no, I
I
I haven't agreed to it yet.
Please say you will.
Eliot isn't himself right now.
He's fallen out
with his brother,
Roland, and the two of
them were inseparable
when they were young.
I think it's
because of the book.
Please say you'll do it.
I just need to know that
there's someone on his side.
A murderer takes one life
but destroys so many more.
I've often wondered whether
such a man could ever
be deserving of our sympathy.
I don't care about Charles,
but Elaine and I were friends.
And she's right, none
of this was her fault.
She still loves him.
Well, I think that
does her credit.
Anyway, this isn't
about Charles or Elaine.
It's Eliot that I want to help.
I feel like I owe him.
He failed last time, but I
like what he's written so far.
And if I could just get to
know him a bit better
Of course you can
know him better, but
will you like what you find?
[intriguing music]
[dramatic music]
[owl hoots]
[young Julia] Eliot, come on.
You're gonna be late.
- [young Eliot] I'm trying.
- [father] Eliot, get changed.
You can't let Grandma
see you like that.
[young Eliot] Coming, Father.
[owl hoots]
More wine, Mother?
No.
I know when I've had enough.
I, uh
I spoke to the BBC today.
They want you to
go on Parkinson.
Hmm?
What's Parkinson?
Michael Parkinson.
Twelve million people
watch his show.
Well, I don't, and you're
not in charge yet, Jonathan.
Where's your mother?
I
I told you, she had
business in, um, London.
Her business is to be here.
She's your wife.
She shouldn't be gallivanting
around behind your back.
Is she avoiding you?
Edward, I'm talking to you.
[sighs] No.
You're never together.
Never.
Are those new glasses, Julia?
Yes, Grandma.
They're even worse
than the last ones.
[chuckles] They make you
look like Clark Kent.
He was Superman.
Only when he took them off.
And don't answer back, Roland.
Stop staring, Eliot,
and eat your dinner.
[tense music]
[Roland, Eliot,
Julia] Sator, arepo.
Come on.
Let's go.
Tenet, opera, rotas.
Sator, arepo,
tenet, opera, rotas.
We all know what has
be done to Grandma.
Mm-hmm.
And we will do it.
[thunder crashes]
But we must never ever tell.
[dramatic music]
[thunder crashes]
[grunts]
[gasps]
[grunts]
[gags]
[chokes]
[bell rings]
[groans]
[thunder crashes]
[dramatic music]