Barkskins (2020) s01e03 Episode Script

The Sugared Plum

Previously onBarkskins
He will hunt you down
if you leave.
Then we shall make a game of it.
He has more land
than he can hold.
It is for a filles du roi.
He wants to
fill the Doma with children.
I am to have a wife!
Whoa, whoa.
Please, I mean no harm.
No, no.
Have-have mercy!
Thom!
What are you after?
[grunting]
It is Francis.
He's dead.
Go.
Get the girl.
HAMISH:
The priest?
YVON:
They came for him.
I-I put him down.
[grunts]
Where is he?
Watch over the priest.
I'll find Lafarge. Take this.
I'll be quick without it.


[grunting]

[rooster crowing]
[inhales sharply]
[blood dripping]
-[door opens]
-[bells jingle]
I came to hear your account
of what happened.
It was Gus Lafarge and his boy.
The whole town knows that.
What were they after--
the girl and the priest?
No.
It was a business dispute.
Gus had it out for Francis.
-He came by threatening us both.
-A business dispute?
That is my account, Captain.
I'd like to hear details
of this dispute.
A wobble.
This is Lafarge's
poor craftsmanship.
This mayhem
is on account of a wobble?
The wobble upset Francis.
Gus refused to honor his work.
And that is what happened
last night?
Aye.
All that with the girl
and the priest
from the Iroquois
massacre out
One is not related to the other.
And what would the Hudson Bay
man Goames
say about this if I asked him?
You doubt the words of a widow?
[scoffs]
-Mathilde.
-Hm.
Apologies.
Francis was
He was a particular man.
The town will be made poorer
without him.
And you will
bring Gus Lafarge back
to answer for what
he has done to me?
Of course.
First I must report
these events to Quebec City.
The Intendant De Fer
will not be happy
with what has befallen Wobik
these past weeks.
That is a fierce wobble.
Gus should stick
to bending barrel staves.
If there is more you wish
to tell me, Mathilde,
I would hear it.
No.
That is all I wish to say.
[clears throat]
We'll be wanting to know
what you saw out there, Priest.
Father.
We're here for Brother Clape.
The company I work for needs
to hear what the priest saw.
Father Clape will come with us.
Now step away.
Would you stab a priest?
Depends on the priest,
I suppose.
This is my apple knife, for now.
Brother Clape will be seen to,
and when he finds his tongue
we'll have his story
and bathe him
in the wisdom of the Lord,
so that he may be made
whole again.
[chopping in distance]
[grunting]
Excellent work, Monsieur Sel.
Come with me.
There are more that need to be
pulled from the sky. This way.
I might be of help if you
tell me what you're looking for.
-A span of trees.
-What sort of trees?
Ones that will hold
and reign over the rest.
This is not that, do you agree?
It depends.
Yes.
So much depends.
Yes.
Yes.
This is the place,
I'm sure of it.
You see how these
create a perfect form?
Yes.
Leave them. Clear the rest.
What are we building?
A sky table,
these will be the legs.
-Sky table?
-Yes. I wish to
stride over the trees
and study the clouds
and the smoke from Wobik.
No man in New France
will possess such a view.
I have never heard
of such a thing.
I have invented it.
I have made a sketch.
There is now precedent
for such a thing.
I will start at once.
I have been granted a wife
by decree of the king,
and I wish to complete the table
before we are properly bound.
What of Mari?
Mari is not my wife.
Sir.
TREPAGNY:
Oh. Worry not.
'Tis the Wendat.
Bonjour!
Tell me, Sel, what does a man
such as yourself
think of all day?
Besides the bite
of the ax, I mean.
I think of nothing.
Nonsense. The bird of thought
enters us all.
What vapors fill your mind?
I think sometimes, uh
[clears throat]
of my brother.
He who is dead?
Yes.
This is what families are like.
The ones who have come
and passed from this world
push us to find new fields.
It is the fear
of departing this realm
without leaving a mark.
You must do better
than this dead brother.
You must set a course
for yourself.
I will start with this.
And Mari must not know
a word of this.
Now, I need to be able
to trust you.
You have my word.
Good.
YVON:
There you are.
I do not like them,
but they are good, for now.
BOUCHARD:
Mr. Goames.
Gus Lafarge is dead.
By your hand?
No.
He had the jump on me.
I was done for.
Then a man came out of the woods
and ran him through
with a stake.
What man?
It was dark.
His flesh putrid.
That is all I saw.
You expect me
to believe this tale?
It is the truth.
Lafarge is dead.
Black robes took the priest.
Lafarge's boy took the girl.
There is no need for summary.
My head aches with it.
My men are out
looking for the girl.
She will be found and Gus' boy
will be taken care of.
Just like you took care of what
happened out there on the creek?
[chuckles]
He speaks for you?
I speak for myself.
Mr. Goames, you are a guest
of King Louis of France.
The Hudson Bay Company
has no claim in this territory.
I've been tasked
in finding Mr. Cross,
and I shall see that job through
until I get a proper account.
-How?
-Well, maybe the girl
saw something
during the massacre.
Aye-- the bloody Iroquois.
The very same ones feeding
the crows down by the docks.
They will be back
to collect their dead.
Now, I would remind you
and your savage
that the penalty for stepping
beyond your place is death.
Ask your questions,
find your man Cross-- or not--
and then be gone.

I
I have skill with both
the French and English,
I know their ways,
their customs.
I can help you with your trade
in New France.
[speaking Wyandot]
[soft laughter]
Our village is full.
Goodbye, French.
No
No.
No, please.
No!
HAWAHSTHA':
Do you know how we judge
a true warrior?
If you can outrun my arrow,
we'll know your worth.
Run, French.
MELISSANDE:
Tighter.
[indistinct chatter]
What is the matter, child?
I'm terrified I'm going
to choose wrong.
Not I.
I will have the one
with the most land.
There is more to man
than how much land
they have to their name.
Are they devout?
Are they kind?
Men are not kind.
Not unless they want something.
And then you keep it from them
and drive them mad.
I believe there is good
in all men.
And the task of the woman
is to draw it forth,
to nurture it.
What would you know
of men, Mother?
I'll have you know
I was married
before I took my vows.
I was in love
with the shopkeep's son,
but my father married me
to a widower.
A sheep farmer with fat hands,
who smelled of sheep shit
and brandy.
On my wedding night,
I cried myself to sleep.
He spoke not a word
for three days,
just pointed with his fat hands.
"Food. Bed. Brandy."
Then one night,
there was a terrible storm.
Lightning dropping onto
the sheepfold, bright as day.
We went to gather the flock
into the barn
and a bolt of lightning
struck the oak tree
in the center of the flock,
where my husband stood.
I was on a paved stone
and spared.
But the last thing
I remember seeing
was him pointing at me
in the rain.
Is the lesson
don't marry a sheep farmer?
[tittering]
Dress yourselves.
We must ready the hall
for the dance tonight.
Let us begin our work.
Quickly.
-It's disgusting.
-[scoffs] It could be worse.
SABRINE:
Delphine. Those sacks.
Shovel. Surely you know
what to do with that.
Mm, I've never
used one in my life.
[laughs]
Do not attempt to lie to me
about such a small thing
as a shovel. Now work.
Delphine, gather some flowers
for the garden.
We will touch this place up
to a perfect shine.
I will help her.
Be quick, then.
Soon we will be free
of Mother Sabrine
and make our fortune.
Isn't that why you came here?
My village was small.
There was nothing for me there.
And there will be nothing here
unless you make something.
Or else you never
should have made the journey.
Aren't you afraid
of what awaits us?
I won't wait
for anything, Delphine.
I watched my mother
wait her whole life.
She's still there,
in her chair in the kitchen,
looking out at that dirt yard,
watching the chickens
hunt fleas.
Huh?
-You saw Claudette's lot.
-That is Claudette.
It won't be me.
If you put your mind to it,
you can remake yourself here.
TREPAGNY:
Show me clearly
the one you have chosen for me.
Or speak her name,
that I might know her
upon first sight.
A modest woman free of vanity
whose greatest pleasure
is to please.
One with whom I might ascend
on beams of the light.
Very well.
What are you going to town for?
Business, Mari.
I will wait for you.
Do not.
I will stay at the inn tonight.
And when I return
I will sleep here from now on.
Not in your cabin.
It is our cabin.
Your son sleeps there.
Then it will be
made better for the room.
[laughs]
Come.
And one
And one.
No, no, no, no.
Have you forgotten
everything I taught you?
Again.
[sighs]
I do not want to dance.
Mari, come.
Release me.
Mari.
What have you done?
Clean me up.
I
I cannot return to our house.
I cannot enter it
without thinking
that you will be there
instead of these trees
that surround.
CHARLES:
Sir?
[grunts softly]
I come in respect for the dead,
sir, and in need of help.
Whose man are you?
Monsieur Trepagny bought my
contract and then released me.
You have run off.
Say it.
Yes, I have.
And now you pester me.
The town is there.
They will arrest you
for desertion
or worse, if that fool Trepagny
demands it.
I need only to make it to the
docks for a boat back to France.
Passage to France requires coin.
You plainly have none.
CHARLES:
Excuse me, sir.
My apologies.
Take this for the grave.
Is there no corner
of this godforsaken land
where I can be met with silence?
You hold forth weeds
and you burble empty words.
You defile my departed's grave
with your idiocy.
Sir, whatever you need done,
I will do.
I've learned much
from my time in the woods.
I can see that.
How many men do you know
who can connive
an Indian out of clothes?
They prepared a feast
in my honor,
I gained knowledge
of their ways.
-Get to your point.
-I can be of service to you.
But how, exactly?
-I would like a word, Mr. Cooke.
-[sighs]
Of course.
Your man, Gus Lafarge.
Aye.
What of him?
Gus and his son
ransacked the innkeeper.
His boy Thom took the girl
that we found
at the creek settlement.
What happened at the inn
was a tragedy,
and Captain Bouchard
will see to it and set it right.
I am sure of it.
The captain is nothing but
a belly full of brandy
and not the man
to set anything right.
Gus Lafarge is dead.
I saw his end myself.
Come in. We shall have
a cup of tea and discuss.
Thank you.
Oh, may I?
My wife used
to prepare this for me
every morning.
She said the honey
for the throat.
And lavender
for the eyes.
I think you'll find it
quite soothing.
It's sufficiently hot.
Do not lie, Mr. Goames.
I can see that it pleases you.
Answers would please me more.
Gus Lafarge is dead.
A good result for you,
I suppose.
He leaves behind a wife and son.
I would hardly call that
a good result.
If he's dead, as you say.
He is.
Where's the boy?
Well, how would I know?
Uh, what happened at the inn
was not of my doing.
This is about the creek massacre
and your hand in it.
The Iroquois were the hand--
they were put down.
The Iroquois are easily
guided to savagery.
Mr. Goames, do not take me
for a Frenchman
who harbors secrets.
Now, you came here to look
for your man Cross?
Yes.
And the Company sent you?
-They did.
-Tell me,
who was it who tasked you
with this mission?
The name doesn't matter.
Though I recently parted
from the Company,
yet I have many friends
in her bloody ranks.
The name matters.
What are you getting at, Cooke?
The Company
did not send you here.
If they had, you would know
that what happened by the creek
was your man Cross' idea.
That's right, the massacre.
The gathering and enticing
of the Iroquois.
I don't believe you.
Pardon me, sir,
but I don't believe you.
The Company did not send you.
You're here for some
other purpose.
And what of it?
Cross is married to my sister.
Father to her son.
His correspondence ended.
So I came here to discover
his whereabouts for my sister.
That is the truth.
And yet
Cross is a Company man?
To the bone.
Well, as a Company man yourself,
you should know
that it is their aim
to grab land
where they can
create instability.
And then move in,
and take advantage
of that instability.
Your Cross was sent here
to do that.
You lie.
I'm afraid that I do not.
He contacted me and asked me
to partner with him on this.
And, now, I am afraid
I am left for the bill.
So, you see, Mr. Goames,
we are allies of a sort.
We are no such thing.
Where is Cross?
Well, I don't know,
but he's probably dead.
Well, if he is,
you will be held accountable.
And how, exactly,
will I be held accountable?
This is New France.
Where do you think you are?
And what will the French do
when they find out
that a pack of English
are behind this?
Especially ones with ties
to the Hudson Bay Company.
That, to me,
looks like an act of war.
And they will round up and hang
every British civilian
they can find,
including you.
So, let us finish our tea
like good British subjects.
And then, perhaps, you should
leave through the back door,
and not give
that drunkard Bouchard
too many pieces to put together.
[grunting]
What are you doing?
My job.
Trepagny said this plot
is to be cleared, so
I will clear it.
What for?
A table.
In the sky.
You may ask him about it.
Did he tell you what
his business in town is for?
No.
It is for that woman.
He told you this, I know.
He told me nothing
except to work
and to clear this plot
so he may build his table.
And you do everything he says?
That is my job.
What else?
Nothing.
He's mad.
[chuckles]
Yes.
Yes, perhaps.
He will bring unnatural things
to settle here.
I've seen what he does
to men like you.
You will die in this forest,
Mr. Sel.
Now, tell me.
I have given my word
to serve Monsieur Trepagny,
and I will do so.
Honorably.
And what of me?
Please
Mari
let me finish my work in peace.
[indistinct chatter]
THOM:
Mr. Cooke?
Ah.
There you are, my boy.
Uh, in here.
Come.
Sit.
Are you all right?
You all right?
Did anyone see you?
-No, sir.
-Ah.
Is my father here?
No.
No, he he hasn't returned.
Uh, is something wrong?
I hurt the innkeep's wife.
Stabbed her.
Where is the, um
that little girl?
Uh, Mr. Trepagny showed up.
And the little girl ran off.
I'm truly sorry, Mr. Cooke.
I suppose my father was just
doing this job for you.
No! No.
You are mistaken in that.
[short laugh]
-Do you understand?
-Yes, sir.
-Good.
-Can you help me find my father?
He did not show
at the meeting place
Oh, of course.
Of course, Thom.
But first we must hide you.
You cannot go home after
what happened at the inn.
I will handle it.
Now come with me.
Stay in here
till I take care of this.
Not a peep.
I will be back
with your father in no time.
Yes, sir.
I should report your whereabouts
to Captain Bouchard.
But you won't.
Don't get clever with me.
Clever would be asking about
the boy in the shed.
I am twice as clever to know
that would be a bad thing.
But if a man were to have
a job watching that shed,
might that prove
his worth to you?
It might.
Then I shall watch like a hawk.
Do not double-cross me.
[music playing in distance]
Did you expect a prince?
They're old.
Where does a lady begin?
What are we are supposed to do?
This is our chance
to size up their offer.
The one on the end
is quite taken with you.
He has a kind face
and not so old, I guess.
Go, talk to him.
Remember what to ask.
His land, what sort
of house he keeps.
The men should
step forward first, no?
Mother Sabrine said
it is to be ourchoice.
Go.
-Be bold.
-[knocking]
Men of Wobik
I am watching all of you.
So, mind yourselves!
These women are
the property of Good King Louis.
And it is by his grace
they stand before you,
ready for matrimony
-in the name of New France.
-[man whooping]
Present yourselves.
I believe some wine might help.
[music starts]
-Hi.
-Bonjour.
[indistinct chatter]
That's better.
Wish me luck.
And me, good fortune.
[music stops]
Let the tournament
of love
begin.
Ladies.
I am Claude Trepagny.
No man in this room
has as much land
as I, nor as fine a house,
and my Doma is without equal.
Soon it will eclipse poor Wobik.
Now, let me see.
Ah, yes.
What is your name?
-Isabelle.
-Isabelle, enchanté.
-Enchanté.
-You are very beautiful.
And you?
Charlotte.
It was my mother's name.
Oh.
[giggles]
Magnificent perfume.
Merci.
[giggling]
Trepagny.
Hey, give the ladies some air.
They've likely had enough
of your preening.
I will give them more than air.
Here.
Now, spices
and lumps of sugar
from the Indies,
enough for every lovely
lady here to enjoy
a taste.
Voilà, please.
Help yourselves.
[music starts playing]
Isabelle, where are you from?
My mother is from Paris, sir.
And your father,
what are his holdings?
Um
I see.
Charlotte, from where have
you come to this new land?
Gascony.
-[gasps]
-My father holds an orchard.
Oh, really?
Peach, pear, apple?
-Quince.
-Quince.
Right.
And who is this divine creature?
-Angélique.
-Angélique. Enchanté.
Enchanté.
You have such fine hair.
It shines like the sun.
ANGEÉLIQUE:
Thank you.
Do something.
Well, Trepagny has a letter.
He's entitled to be considered
by the filles.
I shall talk to him
if you won't.
Good Lord, Mother,
you have blocked
my marvelous vision
with your godly face.
You made your ridiculous
entrance, now make your exit.
[scoffs]
Now, if you will excuse me,
I have seen my wife.

[music playing in distance]
TREPAGNY:
Three years it required,
and, uh, months
to clear the stumps,
but now, in every direction,
I have a vista.
And, uh, from the well
to the backdoor is 17 steps.
And then, in the spring,
flocks of yellow butterflies
settle in the garden
and turn everything golden.
You can watch them as you are
doing the laundry
or cooking the supper.
Uh the beasts
of the forest there--
are they shy or bold?
Shy in the daytime,
less so in the night.
But don't worry,
my men and I are very watchful.
Y-Your men, you said?
How many?
Oh. Um
Captain.
The lady here
requires reassurance.
Now, you have toured my Doma
and dined in my château--
has there, uh,
ever been any kind of trouble?
It is a unique place,
that is to be sure.
You see, even the good Captain
agrees it is like Eden, chérie.
Your home is-is not
a cabin or a house,
but a complete château?
[Trepagny sighs]
I fear I misspoke.
I have no château
because I have no wife,
and it is the woman
who makes a house.
We have made
your friend jealous.
We should speak more softly.
Like you, Claude Trepagny
has many rivals here,
some of them sworn
to ruin him with lies.
Maybe it is your boasting
that arouses them.
Truthfully, Delphine,
sometimes I fear it is my hat.
JEROME:
Answer me.
You spoke of Azazel.
[exclaims]
What happened out there,
Father Clape?
Iroquois
and others.
Did they eat the flesh off men?
Answer me.
Please.
Who started the fire?
Who burned our dead?
-[groans]
-It was you!
[grunts]
You saw the devil!
-♪
-[indistinct chatter]
-Monsieur Trepagny.
-Mm-hmm?
My name is
Melissande de Saint Remy,
daughter of Comtede Saint Remy,
Baron de Fontette.
Descended from
the fourth mistress
of the last Valois king.
I, too, am of ancient blood.
Enchanté.
I'm not from the Paris streets
nor the muddy countryside,
-as you can plainly see.
-Yes.
I would like more.
If you are above
filling a lady's cup,
you are not the man for me,
Monsieur Trepagny.
I am not above at all.
Voilà.
You, Monsieur Trepagny,
are anything but common.
You should enjoy
a more complex spirit.
One where the flavor changes
from the moment you taste it
to the moment you swallow.
You need a good wife.
One befitting
a man with your vision.
One who might share that vision
and rise up to greatness.
Yes.
Other girls have assets that
catch the eye now,
but they will fade with time.
Blood, land,
what we make and grow from it
is what will be left
when we're gone.
The realm of Heaven
sits just above the trees.
I have seen birds ascend
and not return.
Bees transformed
into balls of light.
Would you like to see
such a place?
We will see.
Fill another woman's cup
and return to me
with your report.
But
[grunting]
Mr. Cooke!
Come!
Get your man.
-Open the gate.
-[indistinct chatter]
MAN:
[gasps] Oh, God!
Monsieur Lafarge!
BOUCHARD:
Cut him down!
[all murmuring]
Get a ladder.
Hurry!
[crowd gasps]
[indistinct chatter]
I have another job
for you, Mr. Duquet,
one I will pay you famously for.
-What is it?
-Take the boy into the woods.
He must, uh, not return.
Lose him?
No.
You want a job?
I do.
This
is the job on offer.
Do we have a deal?
Yes.
Oh.
Thom, are you all right?
Have you found my father?
We have, Thom.
He's-he's quite fine.
He's fine.
This is my friend, Mr. Duquet.
He will take you to him.
You need to go.
By the back gate, be quick.
Go.
Go, go.

My little fox.
You have come back to me.
[crickets chirping]

Hurry, boy. Your father
is just up the path.
He'll be glad
to see you return safe.
Just a little further.
Come.
How is my father?
He's fine, as will you soon be.
Now, why don't you go in front
so that you'll be
the first to see him.
-He's going to be cross with me.
-No.
I've spoken to him
about this very matter already.
-You have?
-Yes.
All will be fine.
Now, be quick.
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