Black Narcissus (2020) s01e03 Episode Script

[suspenseful music playing]
Sister Clodagh
It's no good, Joseph.
[sighs] I pray Sister Ruth
and Father Roberts
- have found shelter
- But Lemini,
- Lemini, they're already here.
- What do you mean Joseph?
We're keeping them warm.
Sister Briony, thank you.
[Briony] Would you
like a brandy?
[Roberts] Very good. Thank you.
[Briony] Oh, Sister Clodagh,
thank heavens!
[Clodagh] Oh, Father, thank God!
- [Roberts] Sister Clodagh
- Dear Father.
Thank God,
you're safe and sound.
The good Lord
was looking out for me.
And Sister Ruth!
I don't know how she found
the strength to guide me.
God must surely have come
to her assistance.
Bravely done, Sister Ruth.
[Briony] Come and get warm,
Sister Clodagh.
Ah, I'm so sorry you haven't had
a more pleasant start
to your visit.
And you, Sister Adela,
welcome to Mopu.
It's so good
to have you with us at last.
It seems, Sister Clodagh,
the good Father and I
have arrived
not a moment too soon
to bring succor
to the community of St. Faith.
[suspenseful music playing]
- [wind rushing]
- [bells chiming]
- The body of Christ.
- [Clodagh] Amen.
- [Roberts] The body of Christ.
- Amen.
- [Roberts] The body of Christ.
- Amen.
- [Roberts] The body of Christ.
- Amen.
- [Roberts] The body of Christ.
- Amen.
The school is rather
well set up, I think.
[Adela] It's a shame
the children couldn't answer
your questions
about the Creed, Father Roberts.
Well, we must give them time,
Sister Adela.
Rome wasn't built in a day.
- Idolatry.
- [Roberts] Well
in some ways, perhaps.
[clattering]
[Roberts] In many respects,
you do appear
to have created order
from chaos,
but I can begin to understand
why Sister Philippa
felt compelled to leave.
There are distractions, Father,
and there have been
difficulties.
But we are finding our way.
I really think we are, now.
Good. This school
is most impressive.
[nervous laugh]
- [wind rushing]
- [bells chiming]
There's a change in you,
Sister Clodagh. A change?
If you're struggling,
you must tell me.
Sister Ruth, Father.
I hope you can see
she is not well.
I fear her mind is fragile.
She was robust enough to save me
from the elements.
And she fears
for your fragility, Clodagh.
For the spiritual health
of what you're building here
at St Faith's.
- She was very frank with me.
- But that's part of it, Father.
Sister Ruth is determined
to make an enemy of me.
Her soul is troubled.
She is not
an easy personality.
But you must remove the beam
from your own eye, child.
You are only as human
as your sister.
[Clodagh] Yes, Father.
Mother Dorothea has always
warned me about my pride.
Did you heed her warning?
What kind of success will you
have made of this community
if it has no place for
the troubled or the difficult?
It's because Sister Ruth
chafes your soul
that you must embrace her
all the more tightly.
She is your scourge
and your test.
But Father, please,
you must take her back with you
to Darjeeling,
or I fear that something awful
will happen, she's
Enough, Clodagh.
Love Sister Ruth.
Yes, Father.
[clattering]
[indistinct whispering]
[chain rattles]
[baby cry echoing]
[woman's screams echoing]
It is Lent.
Use these weeks
to dedicate yourselves
with new rigor
to the service of our Lord.
We have vowed to do so.
I only pray that all
will now be well at Mopu.
[wind rushing]
[birds tweeting]
[dramatic music playing]
[Clodagh] What do you see?
[wind rushing]
Don't let me fail. I can't fail.
I can't fail.
- There are lumps in it.
- It's full of goodness.
Thy bounty through Christ
our Lord,
- Amen.
- [sisters] Amen.
[dramatic music playing]
- [door closes]
- [Dean] Ah, here you are.
Your priest left the most
extraordinary missive
in my bungalow, Sister Clodagh.
His parting shot, I presume.
[Briony]
Let me get you a bowl, Mr. Dean.
Now, stand down your spoon,
Sister Briony, my belly is full.
I'll wait for you
in your office.
Doesn't look
like it'll take long.
[Adela] That man seems to think
being the General's agent
means he can behave
like a savage.
Mr. Dean's manners
may be rough, Sister,
but his heart's
in the right place.
Yes, Sister Adela,
y you wouldn't think it,
but he's ever so kind.
The devil comes in many
disguises, Sister Blanche.
Took you long enough.
That priest of yours
certainly seems to be
keeping you all on your toes.
[stammering] Really, to speak
like that of a priest
of God's holy church,
it's most disrespectful.
I am not a member
of your church.
And I give respect
to those who earn it.
I presume he discussed this
with you,
building your new chapel?
He's a high-handed
sort of fellow, Father Bob.
It seems entirely reasonable
to me, Mr. Dean.
Father Roberts is asking
if there's a man you trust
to manage the building work,
now that the Mother House
in Canstead wishes us to proceed.
Is this your doing?
Surely it makes sense
to delegate
such a great deal of work.
You have the tea factory,
after all.
Right you are.
If that's what you want.
I'll see what I can do.
- Uh, I'll see you out, Mr. Dean.
- [Dean] I know the way.
- [exhales]
- [goat bleating]
[exhales]
There's something
you could be sorting out.
The Holy Man?
I'm surprised Sister Clodagh
has put up with him there
in that ungodly state.
Uh, I I was given to believe
all of this was
the General's land.
It used to actually belong
to the General's brother.
[horse snorts]
Well, whoever it belongs to,
you must be able to have a word.
I'm afraid the Sunnyasi
is the General's brother.
Krishna Rai, he's called.
He was a great general himself
in his time,
decorated many times over.
Invited to the funeral
of Queen Victoria,
as well as the last couple
of coronations.
After the last war, he decided
the teachings of Buddha
were the only things
he held in any value.
He gave his medals to Toda Rai
along with everything else.
I don't think you'll have
much luck removing him.
[bell tolling]
[wind rushing]
[dramatic music playing]
[in Nepali]
Thank you.
[in Nepali]
[dramatic music playing]
Who's that?
Sister.
I was looking for Angu Ayah.
Have you seen her?
She wasn't in the kitchen.
I don't know where she's got to.
Ah, uh, she likes me
to say goodbye.
She's, uh, very fond of me,
you know.
No matter.
Good day to you, Sister. Sister.
His nibs said
he was looking for Angu.
He is the apple of her eye.
I suppose it isn't surprising.
You can smell that scent he
drenches himself in a mile off.
Black Narcissus.
It's as if coal tar or carbolic
weren't enough
to keep anyone decent.
[water dripping]
[dramatic music playing]
[indistinct Nepali chatter]
[Nepali chatter and laughter]
- [birds tweeting]
- [Clodagh moans]
[moaning]
[man]
Don't you ever cut your hair.
- [flame hissing]
- [inhales sharply]
[whimpers]
[breathing heavily]
o save us.
[all] O Lord,
make haste to help us.
[Clodagh] Glory be to the Father
and to the Son
and to the Holy Ghost,
as it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
[all] Amen.
Are you alright, Sister Clodagh?
The fasting takes its toll.
There would be no point to Lent
without privation, Sister Briony.
We can all do better.
A weakness in one
is a weakness in all.
Tomorrow will be a day
of silence,
as will each Wednesday
until the end of Lent.
Communication will be silent
until matins on Thursday.
This will help us all
to listen without distraction
to our inner conversation
with God.
[ominous music playing]
[Angu] Sister Ruth?
[hushing]
You found the key, huh?
It is beautiful, no, huh?
That belonged to Dhanvi.
She was a concubine here.
She was very lovely, very young.
Srimati Devi
got it in her head
that Dhanvi was the reason
her lover abandoned her.
Is that why Srimati
committed such a mortal sin?
It is not a sin, Sister.
It is karma.
[chest closes]
[door opens]
[wind rushing]
[Dean] Good day to you,
Sister Adela.
Is Clodagh about? Mm.
- Namaste, Dean.
- Namaste.
[Dean speaking Nepali]
[door creaks opens]
[Dean] Good day, Sister.
Oh, good God.
It's like the Mary Celeste.
Well, in that case,
I take it this is not
the right time
to discuss the arrangements
for the new chapel.
Don't bother yourself, Sister.
It's really not that urgent.
Take care with those. I wouldn't
want you to hurt yourself.
[ominous music playing]
[men speaking Nepali]
[Angu and Kanchi
arguing in Nepali]
[Dilip Rai] Angu!
Angu, you must stop!
[Angu yelling in Nepali]
I will punish her, sister.
You see what they were doing?
[Dilip Rai]
Angu Ayah, you must stop!
I knew this girl
was no good, ha!
[breathing heavily]
[suspenseful music playing]
[sobs]
[birds tweeting]
[indistinct whispering]
[Clodagh moans]
- [indistinct whispering]
- [wind rushing]
[footsteps approaching]
Sister Clodagh.
You should go to bed too, no?
I know.
No talking.
No eating, no sleeping.
How are you meant to live?
- [Clodagh sobs]
- Come. Come. Come sit.
- Hmm?
- [sobs]
[Angu] Here.
You take your shoes off, yeah?
Huh? Take your shoes off.
Okay.
[exhales]
How are you meant to serve
your Jesus Christ
with feet cut up like this, huh?
You know, this world
it is just a bubble of froth.
[dramatic music playing]
[bell rings]
Joseph Anthony.
Can you take this
to Mr. Dean please, quickly?
- It's very important.
- Yes, Sister Clodagh.
[woman moaning in Nepali]
- [Blanche] I'm sorry, I don't
- [speaking Nepali]
Joseph, can you help me?
[Joseph]
I always helpful, Lemini.
Okay, follow me. Um,
what is this lady saying?
[speaking Nepali]
She wants medicine
for Om's baby brother, Lemini.
He stopped eating.
[speaking Nepali]
[Joseph] I have to go.
There's, um, uh,
nothing I can do to help.
I'm sorry.
[sobs]
[mumbles]
Oh, Jesus.
Through the most pure heart
of Mary,
I offer thee all my prayers,
works, and suffering
of this day Oh, Jesus.
Through the most pure heart
of Mary
- [bell tolling]
- I offer thee all my prayers,
works, and suffering
of this day
[horse neighs]
Welcome, Excellency.
I hope your journey
was pleasant.
Most pleasant, Sister Clodagh.
This is an unfortunate business
to return to.
I'm very sorry to trouble you
with it, Highness.
Sister? Sister.
I've said what I can, but it may
have fallen on deaf ears.
You know, Sister Clodagh,
that the girl
is of the lowest caste.
Dilip wishes
to say something to you.
Excellency.
[Dilip Rai] Please forgive me,
Superior Sister.
Teaching Sisters.
I am very sorry
I have broken your rules.
I wish to return to you
for my education.
- But really, I don't see how
- The girl must be dismissed.
Kanchi can't be sent back
to the village, Your Excellency.
I'm sorry.
I'm sure Mr. Dean has said
What Mr. Dean has said
is of no consequence.
It is our duty as an order,
to care for the motherless.
There it is.
I must insist
that she stay with us.
Very well.
Summon the girl, please.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Toda Rai] Three strokes.
No. Three strokes
and the girl can stay.
Be a man.
[Kanchi sobs]
[bells chiming]
[Toda Rai] I can see
we are making progress,
Sister Clodagh.
I am glad there is going to be
a new building here.
I am an admirer of all faith.
It brings order to the world.
Today, we have restored order.
I did not like it,
but it had to be done.
You British taught me this.
The girl, Sister Clodagh
Kanchi.
[Toda Rai] She may serve
as a concubine to Dilip
if he chooses.
That might be the best
arrangement all around.
- [horse neighs]
- Hup!
It had to be done, I'm afraid.
For a man who likes so much
to play the rebel,
I've noticed
you're exceedingly inclined
to abiding
by the General's rules.
I suppose it helps
he pays the wages
that buy you your whisky.
- Clodagh.
- Sister Clodagh.
That wasn't right.
None of it was right.
What would you have me do?
You could've spoken up.
At At least tried to save
the poor girl.
I can't even save myself.
That's your creed, Sister,
a belief in salvation.
I lost my faith in all that
a very long time ago.
- It's the way of the world.
- We make the world.
I thought God made it. Oh, I see.
It's easy for you to be here.
All privilege
and no responsibility.
Don't blame me for not being
Jesus Christ, sister. Mr. Dean.
Thank you, Sister Ruth.
[horse neighs]
[ominous music playing]
[chains rattling]
[ominous music playing]
[woman screams]
[Adela] We had regular floggings
in Canton.
It's the only way they learn.
Perhaps if you had spared
the rod occasionally, Sister,
there wouldn't have been
an uprising.
I apologize, Sister Adela.
That was uncalled for.
Sister Blanche, it's your duty
to break your fast.
I'm sorry, Sister Clodagh.
[Clodagh] You said
there's no more news.
The little one was so excited
not to be the youngest
any more.
You must pray for Om
and his little brother, Sister.
The worst may not happen.
Om's such a robust little thing.
Surely, his brother
will be the same.
[Ruth] It's not Om
she's sorry for, it's herself.
She wants to have a baby
of her own. You know it's true.
The way she looks at them,
like she's longing
to take a bite out of them.
She wants to have a baby
more than anything in the world.
- And she never will.
- Sister Ruth. This is inedible.
Sister, you are forbidden
to speak in that way.
The truth, you mean?
The truth is meant to bring us
closer to God, isn't that right?
But we don't allow
the truth here.
You have been unwell.
I thought you were better,
I prayed for it,
but now I see that you aren't.
I don't
I don't want your prayers.
I don't.
You watch me,
but she watches you.
Srimati knows what you are.
This has been a testing day
for all of us, Sister.
- This place is not good for you.
- No, no. No.
You're not sending me away.
Father Roberts
tried to warn you,
and you've taken no notice.
Sending notes to Mr. Dean.
Touching him!
We'll see who gets sent back
to Darjeeling.
Your precious vocation.
It's not a vocation at all.
It's bullying!
And selfishness,
and rotten to its heart!
Mr. Dean sees what you're like.
[laughs]
No wonder he doesn't want you.
Well, you can stop taking that
out on the rest of us.
Bed. It's the fasting,
and the thin air.
She's just not strong enough.
We'll have you right as rain,
Sister Ruth.
It's the thin air,
that's all it is,
and not enough to eat.
Your body is not suited for it.
Srimati sees!
She sees what you refuse to,
you dried-up old bitch!
[indistinct chatter]
- Come on to bed.
- [Ruth grunts]
[Ruth yelps]
[Ruth panting]
[both grunt]
[Briony] Stop it!
This will help you sleep
for a good few hours.
No. [grunting]
Do you like touching me,
Sister Briony?
You like the excuse.
You do, don't you?
The devil is in you, Sister.
[dramatic music playing]
[Clodagh] "And he said,
'Who made thee a prince
and a judge over us?'"
"'Intendest thou to kill me,
as thou killedst the Egyptian?'"
"And Moses feared, and said,
'Surely, this thing is known.'"
"Now when Pharaoh heard
this thing,
he sought to slay Moses."
"But Moses fled
from the face of Pharaoh,
and dwelt in the land
of Midian."
"And he sat down by a well."
Sister Adela.
Is there something
you'd like to say?
I think it's better said
privately. We are a community.
A grievance
that festers infects us all.
[Adela] Very well.
I think Sister Ruth is right.
I think you've fallen
into bad ways with Mr. Dean,
Sister Clodagh.
Y Y Your behavior with him
is not fitting to a religious.
[stammering] I saw it
with with Kanchi.
You looked to him for comfort
instead of your sisters.
I've tried to be charitable.
You are over-familiar with him.
As a man.
It's part of an atmosphere of
licentiousness.
I don't know
what else to call it.
For For you to allow
such familiarity
between Kanchi
and the Young General,
it it's no wonder
they strayed into sin.
I wouldn't be surprised
if you had an inkling
- of what they were up to.
- Sister Adela,
how can you say such things?
Are you denying
that you saw the boy and girl
were becoming close, Sister?
[drums beating]
[Blanche] Oh, God.
Can't you hear? Drums.
It must mean he's dying.
Om's brother is dying.
[Blanche sobbing]
[dramatic music playing]
[mumbled prayer]
[sobs]
[wind rushing]
[liquid bubbling]
[in Nepali]
[women in Nepali]
[Dean in Nepali]
[in Nepali]
[Clodagh] Oh, Sister Blanche.
I had I had to do something.
Om's mother was so desperate.
I I just gave her the oil
to rub on his tummy
to make him more comfortable,
that's all.
Nothing to harm
the poor little soul.
[Dean]
You saw the baby was dying,
you must have known
it was futile.
But it wasn't medicine.
It wasn't, Sister Clodagh.
I swear.
I wouldn't have harmed him
for the world. I know.
Go and bathe your eyes,
Sister Blanche.
Come, Sister Blanche,
we're all
in the good Lord's care.
I'm sorry, Sister Clodagh.
[Dean] A memento of mine
from the war.
It's not been fired
since I left the army, but
I've kept it in working order.
[gun clicks]
Do you know how to use it?
I don't think
it'll be necessary.
Let's hope not.
Do you think the children
will come back after this?
I shouldn't think so.
That's it, then.
I have failed entirely.
You can hardly blame yourself
for Sister Blanche.
Sister Blanche,
Sister Philippa, Sister Ruth.
I should have known.
As soon as we arrived,
and the memories started.
My vocation is hollow, Mr. Dean.
This place makes you see.
Sister Ruth has seen it.
Sister Ruth is no judge
of anything. But it's true.
I didn't enter the order
because I was truly called,
Mr. Dean. It was
It was a man. A boy.
He was just a boy.
They They teach us that desire
belongs to men.
That That we're vessels
for your desire.
But our own desire
I knew it was wrong.
A mortal sin. Out of wedlock.
The church, my parents, but
So they forced you
into the convent? I chose it
after after he'd gone.
Did he die?
He didn't want me, Mr. Dean.
Not as a wife.
He took a boat to America,
to escape the war
and make his way
in the world, and
I joined the order.
I couldn't bear it, you see.
To be just like any other girl
in the village
with a shabby
little story to tell.
- There are worse sins.
- [Clodagh] I know that.
And now I see. Pride.
It blinds you
to all the other sins.
It blinds you to yourself.
Your sweetheart, your boy
If he'd stayed,
and they'd
put a uniform on him
if he'd had been lucky enough
to come back to you
he wouldn't have been the boy
you loved.
You'd have seen that,
whatever promises you'd made.
You'd have chosen someone else.
Someone whole
and clean.
Someone who could hold you.
Anyone trying to get up here
from the valley
has to get by my bungalow.
I'll keep watch
once it starts to get dark.
Thank you.
[ominous music playing]
[Clodagh] Glory be
to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
[Briony] Your supper,
Sister Ruth.
[sisters] As it was
in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Thy word, O Lord,
will endure forever.
[sisters] Thy word, O Lord,
will endure forever.
[Clodagh] Thy truth will last
from age to age.
[sisters] Thy word, O Lord,
will endure forever.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Ghost.
[sisters] Thy word, O Lord,
will endure forever.
[all] Amen.
[ominous music playing]
[indistinct whispering]
[dramatic music playing]
[blows]
[Angu] He was frightened.
It is a bad night, huh?
Too many feelings in the air.
Like the night my lady died.
All her love turned to hate.
Poor creature.
To end her own life in that way.
No, no. She did not want to do
what she did, no.
Oh, no. But the madness
of love was in her.
[Clodagh] I'll finish my rounds.
[ominous music playing]
[Adela] Sister Clodagh?
She's gone.
Sister Ruth left.
[Adela] Come.
We can only pray
she hasn't fallen,
Sister Ruth
is not in her right mind.
If the horse
is still in the stable,
she can't have got far on foot.
It's gonna be a long night,
Sister Clodagh.
I learned how to shoot in China,
if you wish to rest.
Thank you, Sister.
I'll keep vigil
till the Angelus.
Please, try to sleep.
I really can't believe
the villagers
would do us any harm.
I fear this is a wicked place.
You should use this time
to pray.
[birds tweeting]
Sister Ruth.
What's this, a fancy dress show?
I had no other clothes.
I've left the order. I see.
Have you come to ask for a job
at the tea factory?
The world's
a harsh place Sister,
especially if you've never had
to put food in your belly.
I've been waiting for you,
Mr. Dean.
It seems you haven't thought it
through very clearly.
You can't be the first nun
to have second thoughts.
Surely there's some sort
of procedure to follow.
Shouldn't you talk it over
with Sister Clodagh?
Sister Clodagh hates me.
They all do.
They'll try to say that I'm ill.
Tell lies about me.
Why not have a rest?
You've always been so kind to me
Mr. Dean.
Thank you.
No. You mu
You mustn't do that.
No don't do that.
Why not? I love you.
I want to be with you always.
I love you.
I don't expect you
to love me back,
but I'll do whatever
you want. I could stay here.
Keep house for you.
Sister Ruth, I'm gonna
take you back to the convent.
Take me back to the convent
and Sister Clodagh will kill me.
She'll do whatever she can
to keep you from me.
All right. All right, all right.
Listen to me.
I can only help you
if you listen to me.
You want me to stay?
Why don't you rest?
- All right.
- I'll do whatever you want.
What you did with Kanchi.
It's because you love her,
isn't it?
Because you love
Sister Clodagh.
- Ah!
- I don't love anybody.
[Ruth whimpering]
[sighs]
We'll think of something.
Together. Together.
[drums pounding]
[indistinct praying]
[indistinct whispering]
[gasps]
Keep us always mindful
of thy presence and love.
- [gasps]
- [indistinct whispering]
[birds tweeting]
The most pure heart of Mary.
[bell tolling]
[panting]
[both scream]
[Clodagh screams, grunts]
[Ruth panting]
[both grunting, screaming]
[grunts]
[grunts]
[indistinct whispering]
[ominous music playing]
No!
No!
[crying]
[dramatic music playing]
[gasping]
[Briony] Thank you.
Here you go.
[Briony] Just put
that there, please.
Would you give me
a hand, please?
Would somebody help me?
Just help me with that.
Thank you.
Just put it there please.
Goodbye, Joseph Anthony.
Be good.
- [chuckles]
- [Joseph] You also, Lemini.
Goodbye, Angu Ayah.
You should go, madam, no?
Before the sun gets too high
and fries you like
your sausages.
[horse snorts]
[horse neighs]
[horse snorts]
[birds tweeting]
[Dean] Hey. Hold up.
Just a moment Sister Adela.
[horse snorts]
You're travelling light.
Lighter than when you arrived.
I told Angu
she can do as she pleases
with what's left behind.
She's promised to look
after Sister Ruth's grave.
It's the sort of thing Angu's
rather conscientious about.
Another ghost.
You're leaving me
with more than one.
- Better for you to forget it.
- I'll never forget.
Mopu will live in me forever.
Every moment of it.
Do you know
where they'll send you? Not yet.
I shan't be Sister Superior.
Just a part of one
of our communities.
I must follow the will of God.
And if God's will
were for you to stay?
Perhaps not in this life.
The next then.
A better one.
Goodbye, Mr. Dean.
[Briony] God bless you,
dear Mr. Dean, and thank you.
[Dean] Take care, Sister Briony.
God go with you. Mr. Dean.
Katherine. My name was Katherine.
[dramatic music playing]
[thunder rumbles]
[rain pattering]
[thunder rumbling]
[bells chiming]
[theme music playing]