Victoria (2016) s03e02 Episode Script

London Bridge is Falling Down

1 'This is "Masterpiece.
" I have congratulated the new French Republic on their liberation from an odious tyrant.
'Previously, on "Victoria" Do you know why we asked you here? Because I'm an asset to any gathering, ma'am? This country needs more than bluster, it needs change.
Feodora, the queen's half sister.
Didn't know she had a sister.
I don't want to be the stupid king! What a temper.
Working for the queen, and you a Chartist.
Raise the alarm! We must go now! "Victoria," Gloriana Hallelujah Gloriana Hallelujah Gloriana, hallelujah Hallelujah.
Vive la republic! Vive la republic! Is Mama going to die? If she does, you'll be king and you'll have a crown and everybody will curtsy to you, Bertie.
Why do I have to be king? You just do! But you're older than me.
Yes, but you're a boy.
But Mama isn't a boy.
Don't you know anything? It's called primo geniture, Bertie.
They only make a girl queen if they can't find anybody else.
(What are you two doing out of bed?) Come along! Get back! Screaming won't make it come any faster.
Are we safe? Go! I will take care of Victoria.
Go! Please God, don't let Mama die.
I want guards right around the perimeter of the palace.
Everywhere.
Is that understood? Yes, Your Royal Highness.
Good.
One of them was in a comment va dire A swing A swing! By all, that's splendid! Don't you think, Alfred? Mon cher, please, come and join us.
Sir, I-I thought the king would be safer here.
Gambling? At a time like this? Life is a game of chance, maybe I will lose this hand as well.
Sir, the queen is asking for you.
I believe the moment has come.
Thank you.
What are you doing here? As a member of the Privy Council, I am required to attend a royal birth, to make sure it's the genuine article.
(Then why are you playing cards with Louis Philippe?) You know the prince loathes this kind of thing.
Oh, what a courtier you've become, my dear.
Monmouth Albert! The mob has dispersed.
The rioting cannot continue! Our movement will only succeed if we have the support of respectable people.
We must stay within the law.
Do you really think that a few signatures and pretty banners are going to make the prime minister say, "Come in, why don't you? Universal franchise, what a splendid idea"? A revolution without teeth cannot bite.
What's happened to you? Oh, don't look at me like that, Abigail.
I want to be a free man, one worthy of a woman like you.
Oh, hello.
I apologize, Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, but I couldn't keep them away a moment longer.
This one's quite pretty for an infant.
Better than the last one, anyway.
I am glad you're not dead, Mama.
Dear Mama and Papa, we have come to welcome our new baby sister.
Oh! Oh! And how is my little niece? Oh Such a flower.
I wonder what they will call you, my kleine maädchen.
We're going to name her after someone Who has a very special place in this family.
Albert's mother.
Meet Princess Louise.
Hm.
Ja.
What was that? The baby must have come.
Yet another royal mouth to feed when children are starving! Wellington.
Lady Portman.
Duke.
Duke! Is this really necessary? The queen is still weak after her ordeal.
I can assure you, sir, I wouldn't be here unless the necessity was not of the gravest.
The prime minister and Palmerston are also on their way.
Right.
May I congratulate you, ma'am, on behalf of your government, and apologize for intruding at this time.
But our intelligence suggests that hundreds of thousands of Chartists will attempt to deliver their so-called "People's Charter" any day now.
If this gathering were to get out of hand.
They must be contained south of the river.
There have been riots already -- great crowds like this I can't answer for what could happen.
But I understood the Chartists to be a peaceful movement.
Call throwing bricks through your window peaceful? I believe that protest was directed against the French king.
The duke wants to station troops on the bridges.
Cavalry and artillery, ma'am.
Let them know we mean it.
It should never have come to this.
We have failed these people.
Do we have permission to mobilize the troops, ma'am? I I don't think it's necessary.
(Liebes) It is the only way of defending Parliament and the palace, ma'am.
Perhaps you don't quite understand what these Chartists have in mind.
Actually, Lord Palmerston, I have spoken with a Chartist, can you say the same? With respect, ma'am, one conversation doesn't make one an expert.
Please, remember you are speaking to the queen.
Beg your pardon.
I allowed my anxiety to eclipse my good manners.
You must give the order to mobilize the troops, ma'am.
To use soldiers to disrupt a peaceful movement seems to me the height of folly! I cannot, and I will not condone it, and I will not sign the order! Move! Right, everyone get back! Stand back there! What is this? What right do you have to come in here? Did you know anything about the guns? Why? Because I'm Irish? No! Patrick Fitzgerald? I'm arresting you on a charge of treason.
Let him go! Come on.
Let him go! Believe me when I say I never expected to meet a woman like you.
We own a hotel.
You've done it? Without telling me.
The owner's scared stiff of the Chartists, so he agreed to lower the price.
(I wish you'd asked me first.
) And what would you have said if I had? "The queen needs me.
I can't abandon her in her hour of need.
" Special license.
You know I can't be married, I'll have to resign.
You will, yes.
I want to start our real life, Nancy.
Tomorrow, 3:00, St.
Bride's.
I'll be there.
Ah-ah, the queen has only agreed to see her prime minister.
Banished! From the Garden of Eden! Or maybe not.
Rifles? Enough to arm a regiment.
This is not a peaceful protest.
I'm afraid there is no choice, ma'am.
If the Chartists are going to protest, we must put troops on the street.
Klugscheisser.
~ You speak German? French and Italian.
I like to understand who I'm dealing with.
I sometimes I have to remind myself that you're foreign secretary.
And what is diplomacy but a balancing act Prime Minister? ~ ~ Papa calls me his philosopher princess.
Of course, you English were the first people to get rid of your king.
What happened to him? They cut off his head but with an axe.
It took a Frenchman to invent la guillotine.
What's la guillotine? Are they going to cut off your head, Mama? King Louis says that's what they do in France when they have a revolution.
Madame La Guillotine cuts off their heads and then they hold them up by the hair.
It seems His Majesty was rather colorful in his language.
Vicky, Bertie, come here.
Come here.
Do you think I would let anyone hurt Mama? No.
Or any of us for that matter? No.
But do you have a sword, Papa? (Bertie!) Victoria, it's too soon.
You must rest.
Come here.
Come here.
You frightened my children! I gave them a little lesson in French history.
I'm sure they will recover.
No, no, no.
We invited you here against the advice of our ministers, my-my own misgivings, and this is how you repay us.
Your children need to know that life is uncertain, even here in England.
Nothing will happen to my children.
I hope you are right.
Your presence here is a provocation.
Then I must not outstay my welcome.
I have nowhere else to go, but of course that is of no matter.
Such a look of the prince she has, ma'am.
The the seamstress, the Chartist Abigail? Abigail.
Abigail told me the Chartists loved their queen.
She was wrong.
And now I need soldiers to defend me from my own people.
When I was a little girl, I made a promise to myself, Skerrett, that I would be not just a queen, but a great queen, whose reign would be remembered as a glorious one.
Now there are no cheers for me, only for Lord Palmerston.
Why don't they understand he only cares about his own glory? A London crowd would cheer for anyone who gave them free beer.
Forgive me, ma'am, a queen doesn't need to curry favor.
But I want them to love me.
I want them to love me.
Otherwise, what is the point? Thank you.
What will they do to Patrick, Mr.
O'Connor? Well, if he's found guilty of treason they'll hang him.
But he told me he had nothing to do with the guns and I believe him.
Even if he put them there, where would he find the money to buy 500 rifles? So you believe Patrick's innocent? I don't know.
But I do know the government is frightened by the power of the people.
Whoa there! Whoa there! Whoa! Get that stag out the way, man! Trouble ahead, sir.
Gentlemen! Get out! Palmerston! Palmerston! May I be of assistance? Drink.
Thank you.
Are you sure you aren't hurt? I think my bonnet is my only casualty, and my pride, of course, Lord Palmerston.
Well, I like nothing more than ministering to a duchess in distress.
Have there been so many? None more charming than yourself.
Quite a little collection.
Oh.
They're for my son.
He he misses me.
Well, who could blame him? But it is too dangerous to go anywhere today and I would like to know that you're safe.
Get on then! Are you sure this will be necessary, Duke? There troops are on the bridges now, but if the Chartists do get across the river, we must be prepared.
They must know that we will not tolerate insurrection.
Yes, but the Chartists must be allowed to know that their cause is not a hopeless one.
They then need a turnip That is not correct, they-they need a carrot as well as a stick.
Perhaps, but my priority now is to keep the queen safe.
Well, there we are in agreement, Duke.
As soon as the queen can travel, we shall be leaving for Osborne.
And I hope that that French gentleman will be leaving London too.
There we are also in agreement.
He will not be spending one more night at the palace.
He was most kind, and of course when the people saw him, they were ready to help set things straight.
I see.
Please tell him I wish to see him.
Yes, ma'am.
But I thought No, no, I don't like him.
But that doesn't Feo, I don't expect you to understand.
You've never been in my position.
No, it is true.
But I know what it's like to be threatened by a mob, and live in a small country surrounded by enemies.
Langenburg is hardly the same as England.
How would you know? Whose fault is that? You're the one who left! You didn't even come to my wedding.
Did it ever occur to you I couldn't afford it? Well, if you'd asked What, beg money from my little sister? No, I wouldn't expect you to understand.
After all, you have never been in my position.
Would you like a marron glacé, Aunt Feo? You must pardon my appearance, Your Majesty, Lord Alfred said you wanted to see me at once.
I believe, Lord Palmerston, you have quite a following.
I think the people know what I stand for, ma'am.
The guns that were found, do you really think they meant to use them against me? I think it's a possibility.
That's why we're taking every precaution.
Am I really so unpopular? My brother-in-law, Lord Melbourne, used to say that the great British public isn't known for its logic, ma'am.
Lord M? He also said it was the greatest privilege of his life to serve as your prime minister.
Would he have advised me to sign that order? Setting troops against my own people? I think he would have said that your safety is more important than your popularity, ma'am.
Ah, Feo.
I think it is time I went back to Langenburg.
Leave? Now? Why? I hoped so much to be of some use, but I cannot stay where I am not wanted.
Oh, well, I'm not sure Victoria knows exactly what she wants.
She is often volatile after giving birth.
You stay.
Oh! Where is she? She's in the garden.
With Lord Palmerston.
Palmerston? Strange Victoria? Liebes.
My love? Oh You all right? Did Lord Pilgerstein upset you? I keep thinking about the day of my accession.
All those old men looking down at me, frowning, as if as if it was all a dreadful mistake.
And then I went out onto the balcony and I heard it.
I heard the sound of my people cheering.
I knew then what it meant to be a queen.
It's been there, the bass note that anchors all the noise around me.
It's gone.
Albert, it's It's gone.
No, no, no.
You are tired.
Victoria, you are not seeing things correctly.
Albert, those guns were meant to kill me! Which is why we are going to Osborne as soon as you are fit to travel.
No, no, no, Albert, no, they will call me a coward.
All that matters, Victoria, is that you and the children are safe.
I know I am being selfish, but to me you are the note that anchors me to this world.
And I will do anything to keep you safe from harm.
You are far away, ma chère.
I am sorry to disturb you, but I have come to say goodbye.
Do you regret leaving France? Bien sur.
France is the only civilized country in the world.
But I would rather live among savages than meet Madame La Guillotine.
We're going to Osborne in the morning.
And you think that makes you like me? A coward? Listen to me, life is more important than a crown.
Where will you go? Durrant's Hotel.
It is well appointed, I believe.
No -- no, no, no, that will never do.
I'll tell Uncle Leopold to lend you Claremont.
It's out of London and suitable for a king.
Remember, you have your family, ma chère.
Albert says you're thinking of leaving.
Ja.
I think that would be better.
You are You have no room for me.
I was unkind before.
All I want is to help you.
And you know you can always trust me absolutely.
I think perhaps I'm not used to having a sister.
But I don't want you to leave, Feo.
Oh Drina! Ah You have no idea how happy that makes me Then it's settled, you will come to Osborne in the morning.
I must go, I have to make arrangements for my son while I'm in Osborne.
But the streets are not safe.
You must have an escort.
Joseph, please see the Duchess gets home safely.
Lady Portman.
Yes, of course they speak English on the Isle of Wight.
Brodie! I need you to do something for me.
Now.
But Mr.
Penge will kill me.
Please, it's important.
I'm going to take my atlas of the heavens then we can look at the stars together, Papa, can't we? Hm.
That's mine! Ah, Bertie! Bertie! Apologize to your sister.
Sorry.
How he reminds me you at that age, Drina.
While we are in Osborne I think perhaps we shall have to teach you how to behave like a future king.
Bertie doesn't want to be king.
He thinks that I would do it better, and I would, wouldn't I? Excuse me! Are you holding Mr.
Patrick Fitzgerald? There's no one here by that name.
Now could you move away from the station.
Patrick! But what are you doing here? I've-I've been looking everywhere.
I-I thought My name is Inspector Daubeny.
And I assure you I've never seen you before in my life.
What are you talking about? But your finger It's missing.
How perceptive of you.
Now if you'll excuse me.
'I want to be a free man.
'One worthy of a woman like you.
Please don't go away, Mama.
I hate it when you aren't here.
And I hate leaving you too.
But I promise I will write to you every day But I'm not very good at reading.
Your Grace.
You left these in the carriage and I thought they might be of use.
Yes.
Look, William.
I have a present for you.
Now I have enough for a real battle! Ah, Duchess.
No wonder our son is falling behind in his lessons when you insist on indulging him in these childish pastimes.
We were just saying goodbye.
Please don't go away, Mama.
Stop sniveling.
Go to your room.
I think it's an excellent thing you're going to Osborne.
It may be the custom among the grocer classes to mollycoddle their sons, but William will be a duke one day.
You, get the duchess's carriage.
I don't want to be king, Mama.
I know, darling.
Come here.
Do you know what destiny means? It means that there is something in your life you must do.
And my destiny and yours is to rule this country.
(Think of it as a little flame inside you.
) (Nothing can put it out, Bertie.
) Vicky is better at numbers.
It doesn't matter.
Aunt Feo was better at everything than me.
But it is your destiny to be king.
(I think you'll be a great one.
) I'm here.
And I've brought someone to give me away.
Let me not to the marriage of true minds -- Thank you, Brodie.
I, Nancy, take thee Charles I, Nancy, take thee Charles to be my wedded husband.
To have and to hold from this day forward.
With this ring I thee wed.
With my body I thee worship For richer for poorer, in sickness and in health to love, cherish, and to obey till death us do part.
In the presence of God, Charles and Nancy have given their consent, and made their marriage vows to each other.
I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.
I have to speak to the queen.
At once.
I can't just take you in to see the queen.
Why would she want to see you? Where I come from, we speak as we find, so you can believe me when I say this is matter of life and death.
An agent? Why would anyone do such a thing? I think to make it look like the Chartists mean revolution.
And they don't? All we want is the Charter, ma'am.
But if there are soldiers on the streets, and-and cannons on every bridge, then people get to thinking that it's a battle.
But you said the Chartists weren't violent.
If we're attacked we won't run away, ma'am! (You can't talk to the queen like that.
) It's all right, Skerrett.
I don't think you meant to be rude.
No, ma'am.
I know you want what's best for your people, ma'am.
Every day there's a new reason why we cannot leave.
What if she's right, Albert? And the guns were put there by somebody else? Victoria, I know that this distresses you, but who would do such a thing? It makes no sense.
If someone wanted to discredit the Chartists, then Look at the facts! On the one hand we have the story of a seamstress, on the other hand we have rifles.
I think we have to accept the truth, Victoria, however unwelcome it may seem.
My sister has always lived in a world of her own making.
When she was little I think she preferred to talk to her dolls than to me, because they would not answer back.
She wants to see the best in her people.
I cannot fault her for that.
Men will be stationed on every bridge.
We cannot let these ruffians come near Parliament or the palace.
The future of this country lies in your hands.
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! 'You will be traveling in the opposite direction to the Chartists.
The prime minister and the foreign secretary will accompany us to the bridge.
Once you have crossed Waterloo Bridge, we will make sure that no one comes the other way.
My troops have their orders.
The Chartists will not cross the river.
Waterloo Bridge.
I hope that is a good omen, Duke.
I prefer an enemy in uniform, sir.
Why are there so many soldiers? Get away! Go! Let go of me! Stop the carriage.
Albert, stop the carriage! Stop the carriage! I need to get out.
I have changed my mind, Duke.
A woman's prerogative, Ma'am.
The Chartists must be able to present their petition to Parliament.
I think that that is unwise, ma'am.
If we let them over the bridge, there will be no stopping them.
We don't know that, Duke.
But we do, ma'am.
How many rifles were found at Kennington Hall? Was it 400 or was it 500? I assume that rifles are costly items, Duke? I wonder then how Chartists, who are working men, could afford so many? They are desperate men, ma'am.
Or perhaps the rifles were put there by somebody else? What do you think, Lord Palmerston? Are you familiar of the notion of Occam's razor, ma'am? You have two ideas -- one simple, and the other based on a series of unlikely suppositions.
The simple theory is always more likely to be true.
(Victoria, please, let us go.
) You see, I don't find it at all unlikely that the rifles could have been put there by parties anxious to prove the Chartists guilty.
The petition must go ahead.
As you wish, ma'am.
How the devil did she find out? Perhaps you're not the only one with a popular touch, Henry.
Take aim! Prepare to fire! Sergeant.
Let them pass.
Company! Withdraw! London Bridge is falling down Falling down, falling down.
I can't wait to see Mr.
Penge's face when you tell him.
No, not a word.
I don't want anyone to know yet.
Not until the queen is safe.
A honeymoon in the Isle of Wight! Look! Coming, Bertie! Look at this! (Come with me.
) (I want to show you something.
) What is it? It's Hercules, the hero, being held in bondage by Queen Omphale.
So instead of killing lions he is helping her spin.
I bought it so I can lie in the bath and then think of you.
But Osborne is your kingdom, Albert.
Forgive me for disturbing you.
This came.
It's from the duke.
The Chartists delivered their petition without incident.
Then you were right, Liebes.
It seems the English people, are not revolutionary I should have been there, Albert! Excuse me.
I should have been there! She will feel better soon.
I hope so.
We can take care of her together.
'Next time, on "Victoria.
" Engage! Bertie must be disciplined.
Where's your husband, Duchess? She cries out for something you will never give her.
There's your goose well and truly cooked.
Albert, this is an insubordination I cannot ignore.
Your Majesty! "Victoria," next time, on "Masterpiece.
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