La Revolution (2020) s01e01 Episode Script

A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
"HISTORY IS A SET OF LIES AGREED UPON".
[wind whistles]
[birds caw]
[girl, quietly] It is said
that history is written by the winners.
[sombre music plays]
It is forgotten
that it is rewritten over time.
Transformed by books.
Reinvented by those
who didn't live through it.
NO KING NO MASTER
- [gunshot rings out]
- [man grunts]
[gunshot]
[music intensifying]
[gunshot]
- [gunshot]
- [gasps]
[urgent cello music plays]
[horse neighs]
[panting]
[music slowing]
- [sombre string music plays]
- [horse neighs]
[grunts]
No doubt you will convince yourself
what I'm about to tell you is not true.
That it's the nightmare of a child
lost in a chaotic world.
You will tell yourself
there was never any such disease,
that the dead are not reborn.
My name is Madeleine de Montargis,
and this is my testament
and how the century of darkness…
became that of enlightenment.
CHAPTER ONE
THE BEGINNING
MONTARGIS
TWO YEARS PRIOR
[Madeleine] It all began
at the end of the year 1787.
Persistent hunger and poverty had settled
n the French countryside.
But no one could have predicted
what was about to happen.
- [jarring crescendo]
- [gasps]
[exhales]
[water dripping]
[Madeleine] As far as I can recall,
her murder marked the beginning
of everything.
[panicked breathing]
[Madeleine] Her name was Rebecca,
and she had just turned 16.
[snarling sound]
[gasping]
[Madeleine] She was a lower class girl
who dreamed of a fairer world.
A world where everyone would be equal.
A world without tyrants
and people who were enslaved.
[wind whistles faintly]
- [whimpering]
- [squawking]
- [snarling]
- [screams]
- [faint whispering]
- [Rebecca sobbing, panting]
[panicked sobs]
- [gasps]
- [snarl]
[whimpering]
- [squelching]
- [faint whispering voice]
[Madeleine] The history books
have erased Rebecca.
[screams]
[Madeleine] Yet,
just as a mere pebble
can alter the course of a river,
her martyrdom altered everything.
[bird caws]
[ethereal music playing]
[distant voices]
[music building slowly]
[up-tempo harpsichord-music fading in]
- [frenzied music plays]
- [laughter]
[shrieking laughter]
[laughter]
- [distant laughter]
- [music continues in background]
[man] Ah, Countess.
[Countess] Baron.
[distant chatter continues]
It's unlike you to retreat in this way.
It is often said: "Stay away from donkeys,
or you, too, will bray as well".
[chuckles]
I am surprised
not to have seen your uncle.
You are aware he has no taste
for such events.
Unlike your father.
Tell me… of his condition.
He is well, as far as I'm aware.
Really?
Rumours are he's not been in Versailles
for more than a month.
The rumours are false.
He writes often.
How strange.
My sources were confident.
- [distant strings play]
- [muffled chatter and laughter]
[light panting]
[ringing continues urgently]
[gasping breaths]
Madeleine?
[gasping, choking]
- Madeleine? Madeleine?
- [Madeleine gasping]
- [bell continues]
- Calm down. Calm down.
Madeleine! Shh.
This country not only needs bread
but also authority.
Should something happen to your father,
your uncle would claim the title.
I can envisage no greater menace.
[rapid steps approach]
[panting] You should come, Madame.
Right away!
- [Countess] What the matter?
- [woman] Your sister's having another fit!
- [Countess] Madeleine! Madeleine!
- [hyperventilating]
I am here, angel. Calm yourself!
Ophélie?
- [Rebecca screams]
- [ominous music intensifying]
- [screams]
- [sound fades and distorts]
[man] Do you remember your dream?
[exhales raggedly]
It was dark…
I don't know where I was.
[Madeleine exhales audibly]
I saw some lights.
- [claps hands]
- So I approached them.
And there was a door.
A door with a cross.
[shallow, gasping breaths]
Madeleine…
[whispers] Don't be afraid, I'm here.
I didn't want to enter.
But somehow
I was attracted to the interior.
It was dark,
dark as night.
That's when it came into view.
What did she see in that place?
[whispers] Can you tell us?
She doesn't remember.
Well, her condition perplexes me.
- You just said it was a simple nightmare.
- Yes.
Madeleine is unstable.
She belongs in an institution.
Do you mean an asylum?
I-In the absence of your father,
your uncle could demand her internment.
That's his duty.
You may leave here.
- Countess
- You will leave!
[distant horse neighs]
[distant bell rings]
- You will not do that!
- Madeleine must leave.
Sooner or later.
The decision is that simple.
Like the one you made for your wife?
[sombre music playing]
- And also for your son.
- Pay attention, Élise.
You never liked Madeleine's presence.
You're right.
She has no rightful place in this family.
That's not for you to decide.
[music intensifying]
[church bell tolling]
[male voices call out indistinctly]
[horses trotting, neighing]
[rooster crows]
- [man calls out]
- [child yells]
[metal clanging]
[woman] I don't know!
- Why you asking me?
- [boy] County Gazette!
Peasant girl has been murdered!
County Gazette!
Cannibal's been arrested!
Get the County Gazette!
Cannibal's been arrested!
Get the County Gazette!
Peasant girl was found devoured!
County Gazette!
County Gazette!
[fraught violin music fading in]
[door creaks]
[horse snorts]
My Lady.
He's waiting for you downstairs.
[horse neighs]
[distant woman] Leave it out!
- [Élise sighs]
- [door closes]
[water dripping]
[muffled voices]
[rodents chitter]
[grunts softly]
Élise…
I'm grateful to you.
- Ophélie.
- Bonjour, Father.
Why are we here?
For her.
[ominous music building]
- Who is she?
- Her name was Rebecca.
Her father came to see me
and begged for my help.
And also for yours.
[Ophélie] I recognise her.
Her portrait was in the Gazette.
She's the peasant girl found on our land?
Mm.
You shouldn't do that.
My God.
The gendarme said
that a vagabond did this to her.
A foreigner.
- You know him?
- [priest] The man they arrested?
Yes, I took him in when he arrived here.
If I was suspicious of everyone
who came seeking asylum,
my church would be empty.
What do you want from me?
You are aware of the decree
imposed by your uncle.
The mark of the rebels.
Anyone suspected
of being part of the Fraternity
Is not entitled to be buried.
Without your approval,
this woman won't receive any rites.
Why would she do that?
All who bear this mark wish her dead.
Those who bear this mark are the famished.
They do not wish you dead, Countess.
They want a roof over their heads
- and enough food for their
- What you're demanding is impossible.
- They declared war against my family.
- [priest] These people are your people.
Élise, I'm begging you.
Appeal to your compassion.
I have no power over my uncle's decisions.
Au revoir, Father.
[priest]
Anger is brewing in the streets.
Burning her body
will only make things far worse.
Bury her, and it will give you peace.
[sombre music builds]
[coins clink]
You've made the right decision.
See that she's buried with dignity.
[footsteps recede]
[sombre music intensifies]
[Élise] You have nothing to say.
You shouldn't have done that.
Nobody deserves such a fate,
not even enemies.
They wouldn't have spared you, Madame.
You would have been there to protect me.
You have too much faith in them.
And you not enough.
[sighs] 'Cause I know them.
[distant dog barks]
[boy inhales sharply]
[boy gasps, groans]
[boy grunts softly]
Don't worry. It's almost over.
- All right?
- Mm-hm. Mm.
L-Look inside my bag.
There's something in there for you.
Is it true what they say?
You're like us? Got no parents?
That's true.
[church bell tolling]
Perhaps you shouldn't steal from someone
who can run faster than you.
[boy] Thank you.
[uneasy string music plays]
- [metallic thud]
- [men shouting aggressively]
[keys jangle]
So, pretty girl, you want to see the wolf?
[man] Shut up! Move it, you vermin!
Shut up!
Scoundrels! Come on!
Shut up!
Move!
[knocking loudly]
[doctor] The door is open.
[shouting continues]
Anywhere will do, thank you.
COUNTY GAZETTE
I've never seen such apparatus.
They were made for me.
This one here…
is for what?
It's for haemostasis.
- Which, simply put, means
- [woman] To stop the bleeding.
- [doctor] You're replacing Martin, right?
- Yes, this is my second day.
Excuse me if I sound inappropriate, but…
When I see a woman like you
in a place like this, I
When you're a woman, you soon learn
that predators everywhere.
At least here, they're locked up.
Is it true what they say?
What do they say?
That you injected yourself with smallpox…
and then went on
to inject the prisoners.
Have you heard there's a vaccine?
- What, for the cow pox?
- Exactly. The pox that cows catch.
- [glass clinks]
- Well…
It's not harmful to humans.
So if your body is already contaminated
with this vaccine,
- it knows how to react
- [woman] And it protects you?
From the variety that's dangerous?
I understand.
Had you tried it before?
- No.
- [chuckles softly]
Would you like anything else?
Um…
Uh… [clears throat]
- I'm Joseph.
- [woman chuckles softly]
Katell.
[crowd shouting]
- [woman] Cannibal!
- [man] Animal, you are!
[crowd yelling indistinct abuse]
[suspenseful music building]
[prisoners grunting and screaming]
Shut up!
Look at me.
Come on!
You're a pretty one.
You take good care of him.
- [thud]
- [prisoner 1 grunts]
- [thud]
- [prisoner 2 screams]
[man] They're all yours.
Is this him?
The one who killed the peasant girl?
Yes.
Make sure he's confined
with no other person.
You can count on me.
I welcome you to hell.
- [urgent cello music plays]
- [chains rattle]
- [indistinct commotion]
- [men yelling]
[prolonged scream]
- [man cries out]
- [commotion continuing]
- [guard 1] Hurry up!
- [guard 2] Come on!
- [head guard] Don't you dare move!
- [heavy blows]
[guard 1 grunting] Get up!
[head guard]
They arrested him last night.
- What's that? Fetishist!
- [guard 2] I said don't move!
- [blows continue]
- [chuckles] Here…
for your woman.
[guard chuckles]
Do we know where he's from?
It's written on his back.
When a slave disobeys…
his master brands him with an iron.
[guard] Get down!
That's enough. Please leave us.
[scraping sounds]
Careful, doctor.
A dog should be put down
once it's bitten someone.
Alright, that's enough.
- [prisoner grunts]
- [head guard] I said, enough! Enough!
[prisoner panting]
[distant shouting continues]
What name do you go by?
[ominous musical swell]
Have you been sick
during the last six months?
Any pain? Fever?
[ominous music playing faintly]
[Joseph] Hm?
You've been in France for how long?
I'm not trying to trick you, you know.
I'm called Oka.
[ominous musical swell]
[Joseph] Hm.
Joseph Guillotin.
Guillotin?
I knew a man who bore the same name.
A soldier.
It's a name you often hear.
[Oka] His name was Albert.
[ominous music intensifies]
Albert was the name of my brother.
But he died long ago.
Do you believe in fate, doctor?
No.
[echoing] Doctor…
- [door slams]
- …that girl. I didn't kill her.
[chanting in Yoruba]
[voice echoing]
- [rapid thudding sound]
- [Rebecca whimpering]
- [snarling sound]
- [screams]
[jarring crescendo]
[muffled audio]
- [inaudible]
- [gentle piano music plays]
[inaudible]
[normal audio resumes]
[muffled shouting and clinking]
What happened?
He, um…
He attacked me, but…
But what?
[sighs]
Nothing.
[sniffs]
You must rest now.
I shall come back later.
[footsteps recede]
- [sniffs]
- [door closes]
[sighs]
[sniffs]
[sombre music plays]
THE CANNIBAL HAS BEEN ARRESTED
- [indistinct chatter]
- [church bell tolling]
[thud]
Bonjour, Father.
Joseph.
- Did something happen to you?
- I've been thinking.
[priest sighs]
You sheltered Oka, is that right?
[priest] Yes.
- He needed somewhere to stay.
- Did he tell you why he was here?
- Joseph, what are you looking for?
- You haven't answered my question, Father.
[priest sighs] I don't know.
We barely spoke, him and I.
[Joseph inhales and sighs deeply]
[priest] You know…
when I was blessed with Albert and you,
I promised to protect you.
[sighs]
I failed Albert,
but I could never forgive myself
if something happened to you.
[Joseph] Don't say that, Father.
It wasn't your fault.
The Montargis killed my brother,
and you know it.
[string music plays]
[sedate chatter and laughter]
My Lords.
- Countess.
- Baron.
Your presence saves us all, Madame.
Monsieur de Lariboise was boring us
to death again about justice in society.
I was merely informing these gentlemen
that many peasants
are complaining about taxes.
[scoffs] Bad harvest bodes bad mood.
It's always the same.
The more they are starved,
- the more hunger they have to revolt.
- Pull!
Come now, Baron. These rebels
who call themselves the Fraternity
are nothing but a handful of vagrants.
Pull!
[horse neighs]
A pocketful the gendarmerie
still haven't been able to arrest.
How would you suggest
this situation is dealt with?
Open the granaries.
Well, now.
And what else?
Construct housing that's decent.
Suppress taxes
that are no longer relevant.
Perhaps we should abolish our privileges
at the same time. [chuckles]
Perhaps you're not able to hear,
behind the gates of your grand mansion,
the discontented murmur…
but anger is rumbling in the streets.
Forgive me, Countess.
I am in no way denigrating
your keen interest in politics,
- but it's business for me.
- That is right.
What are you saying, exactly?
Put your mind to what women enjoy instead.
Dancing, singing… having fun.
Take for example my girls. [chuckles]
[giggling delicately]
[Élise] I see.
You're right, my Lord Viscount.
Your perspective
is always an insight to us all.
May I?
[stirring music plays]
- Pull!
- [music intensifying]
My Lords.
- [man] Good health.
- [man 2 coughing]
[quiet chatter, laughter]
- [men laugh]
- [coughing continues]
[cat yowling]
I told you you're not welcome here.
I can pay you.
- I don't sell corpses no more.
- That's not what I'm here for.
What is it?
Decoction of poppy.
I promise you paradise if you let me in.
[suspenseful music building]
[sighs]
[music intensifies]
[man] Joseph…
What on earth are you doing here?
- Allow me to explain, professor.
- Get out.
- Please, I need to show you
- I told you to leave.
A man will be hanged
because of the conclusions
in your autopsy.
Of which I am proud.
After what he did,
he deserves to be sent to the gallows.
Except you are mistaken.
I've read your conclusions
regarding the victim's condition
that you gave at the trial.
You failed to mention
that Rebecca put up a fight.
But the prisoner doesn't have
a single scratch or any marks visible.
- [doctor] That proves nothing.
- On the contrary.
It proves that he is innocent.
- In your opinion.
- [Joseph] Aren't you listening?
On the contrary.
I've listened long enough.
Just…
- [doctor] Thank you.
- Thank you.
All I ask is that you go to the tribunal.
Shall I remind you
that one of your theories cost you
your position at the Hôtel-Dieu hospital?
- That's different.
- [doctor] Is it really?
This time, I know I'm right.
[doctor]
That's what you said last time, too.
No, Joseph. Joseph… [inhales deeply]
Hm. As a student, you're brilliant.
An orphan becoming a prodigy of medicine.
You have worked so hard
to climb out of the gutter.
It'd be a shame to return there.
- Is that a threat?
- A promise. If you are obstinate.
[ominous music plays]
- [distant dog barks]
- [clinking sounds]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [horse neighs]
- [doctor] Ahem.
- Speak.
I'm sure it is nothing, but…
I surprised one my students
inside the morgue.
He's contesting the results of my autopsy.
What did he say?
He pretends the man arrested is innocent.
[Oka humming]
[continues humming at a low pitch]
[keys jangle]
[lock opens]
- [keys jangle]
- [footsteps]
[door closes]
[suspenseful music playing]
Someone came to see me.
He told me your innocence is being debated
at the moment.
In the city and this prison.
What troubles me is
I thought we understood each other,
you and me.
[grunts]
Your death was never hypothetical.
Your arrest…
is all part of this lie…
precisely so that questions are not posed.
One day, you can be sure the one you serve
will deal the exact same fate to you.
[chuckles]
This isn't about obedience.
It's because I enjoy it…
passionately…
viscerally.
My father killed 17 of our servants
before he was arrested.
Before he went to the gallows,
he confessed to me
that his only regret
was that he didn't get to kill more.
[blade strikes]
- [squelching sound]
- [Oka groans]
[withdraws blade]
[Oka gasping, choking]
My family was meanwhile disgraced.
My mother remarried and forced me
to forget even the name of my father.
[Oka gasping, choking]
But I don't need a name to remember
that part of him lives inside me.
Shh. Shh.
Shh.
[Oka groaning]
[gasping]
[breathing deeply]
[gasping for breath]
What about the doctor?
[Oka continues gasping]
[door slams]
[muffled commotion]
[running footsteps approaching]
- [Katell] Doctor? Doctor!
- [door opens]
He tried to take his own life.
Move aside. Out of my way.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Oka gasping quietly]
Get me some alcohol. Oka!
- [Oka gasping]
- Oka, look at me!
Oka, it's Joseph. Open your eyes.
- Put pressure on the wound.
- [Oka gasping]
Pass me a needle from my bag.
Oka? Hurry, Katell, he's choking!
Oka! Oka, look at me.
I need the needle, quickly, please.
Thank you.
Just hurry! He's losing too much blood!
Be strong.
- Keep your eyes open.
- Plenty of pressure on the wound.
Take your hand off now.
I'm going to suture the wound.
- Have you done it before?
- No! Remove your hand!
[Oka chokes, gasps]
[music softens]
[distant commotion]
[slow footsteps approach]
- Is he going to survive?
- Mm-hm.
He didn't attempt suicide.
Are you certain?
I went to the morgue.
I saw the body of the victim.
This man wasn't her killer.
This is the isolation area.
No inmate would just have access
to his cell though.
- Do you realise what I'm saying to you?
- Mm-hm.
Bribing a guard is easy, but why?
Why try to kill this man
when he's going to be hanged?
Because someone is trying to protect
the real murderer,
and Oka knows who it is.
Anyway, go and rest.
You were extremely helpful tonight,
Katell. Thank you again.
- Where are you going?
- [Joseph] I need time to think.
[sombre music plays]
HERE LIES ALBERT GUILLOTIN
[Élise] Forgive me.
I didn't know you'd be here.
Madame.
Joseph…
- I understand what you think of me.
- [scoffs]
[Élise]
As I understand how you're feeling.
With respect, I doubt it, Madame.
Albert was dear to me.
And still is, more than you can imagine.
Is that so?
[Élise] You need not scorn my feelings.
He paid with his life
for this fleeting affection.
- You must know I tried to save him.
- [Joseph] Save him?
He was an orphan, you were a countess.
You knew that he had not a hope. So, why?
I loved him.
Loved him?
If that were really true, Madame,
you'd have rejected his love and him.
Albert would have suffered,
but he would still have his life.
I understand your sorrow.
Please acknowledge mine.
If it helps you sleep,
keep putting flowers on his grave.
But do not insult me
by pretending you understand.
[sombre music plays]
[music intensifies]
[horse neighs]
[galloping horses approach]
[horses slow to a stop]
[Élise] No!
- [Albert grunts]
- [Élise] No!
No!
No! No!
No! Let go!
No! No!
Albert! Albert!
[screams] Albert!
[gunshot rings out and echoes]
[melancholy piano music plays]
You don't have to pretend any more.
Not with me.
We'll see.
[muffled, distorted audio]
[sinister music plays]
- [distant glass shatters]
- [man laughs]
- [drunken chatter]
- [music intensifying]
[music intensifying]
[music fades]
- Katell
- Keep quiet.
What does he want from me?
I imagine that you were right.
Someone is protecting the real murderer.
MISSING
[wind whistling]
[choral electronic music plays]
[woman gasping rapidly]
My Lord, no! Please!
[screams] No! No!
[shrill string crescendo]
[fraught violin note sounding]
[resounding thud]
[restless string music plays]
[music intensifies]
[Madeleine] A day will come
when slaves will break free
from their chains,
when the wretched of the Earth will unite
to scream their revolt.
[music softens]
In time, Hell will be full.
And when there is no place left in Hell…
the dead return to Earth.
[melancholy string music plays]