The Frankenstein Chronicles (2015) s01e03 Episode Script

The Anatomy Act will ensure that medicine in this country is practised only by qualified and accredited professionals.
I think this abomination is the work of someone trying to put a stop to it.
What do you know about the Anatomy Act? It's costing me my livelihood.
Then what would you do to stop it? Murder? Murder? I'm a businessman.
Have a look for yourself.
Incomings and outgoings, it's all in there.
I thought you said we were going to see your nurse.
Her lodging's upstairs.
Pritty gave you something to remember him by.
Now I'll do the same.
Bentley Warburton.
Honourable member for Walthamstow.
I want to know his habits, where he goes, who he knows, who pays him house calls.
Sir Bentley Warburton? A fellow Parliamentarian? And your opponent.
What else did you talk about? Her brother, Lord Hervey.
He runs a hospital of some kind.
In the East End.
Mr Blake said to be sure you received this.
His latest work.
Should you find no use for it, I would be glad to take it from you.
Tell me about Alice.
I saw her, I liked her dress.
But she didn't want to give it up.
Billy forced her.
Next day, he took her away.
Where? They just Go.
Someone's been murdering to undercut our trade.
What if I could find them for you? "The Investigation into the Galvanic Response of Dead Tissue.
"By William Chester D.
Phil Christchurch.
" - Name, please.
- Sir William Chester.
Perhaps you need a maid, sir.
I already have one.
I can cook and sew.
I'll look after you for the time being.
Besides, I need you.
What for? Help lead me to Billy and Alice.
That dress proves he took her.
I got my uses then.
As we all do.
I don't have anything for you, Mr Marlott.
- Do you know that? - Frankenstein? Who doesn't? Me.
Till yesterday.
Tell me about it.
You didn't see the play? Edmund Peake's Performers.
Uh, three or four summers back.
That season's hot ticket, until Parliament shut it down.
Why's that? Blasphemy.
It's about this madman who finds a way to resurrect the corpses I know.
The whole world went twice.
Except you, apparently.
Set off quite a trend for a while.
Trend for what? Mothers giving birth to serpent children, people turning into wolves at midnight, that sort of thing.
Which came first, book or play? Book, of course.
What do you know about the author? Uh, Mary Shelley? One of Byron's crowd.
A rum lot.
You've heard of him, surely? No.
The Vampire Lord? Poet, seducer, - traitor - Traitor? Yeah, speaking up for Boney as I recall.
Don't know much, do you? I fought against Bonaparte at Waterloo.
Know that much.
Your turn now, Mr Marlott.
You said there'd be a story in it for me if I was to help you.
Well, I have.
So let's have it.
I'll let you know, in time.
You promised me a story, Mr Marlott! The gentleman that came in? Where is he? What gentleman? I saw him enter not one minute ago.
Bentley Warburton.
I'm sorry, young man.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Is there another way out of here? Do you see one? How could it be possible? I don't know, sir.
I didn't take my eyes from him.
The one second he was there, the next gone.
People just don't disappear into smoke, Nightingale.
No, sir.
Look, I'll keep on him like a barnacle next time.
Next time? The girl from Cloth Fair's turned up.
Flora.
- Billy's girl? - The same.
It was Billy that took Alice, the butcher's daughter.
It was her dress.
You're to buy Flora a new one.
And bring the old one back as evidence.
Think you can manage it? Oh, and Nightingale, she's an important witness.
Don't lose her.
Yes, sir.
- Kentish Town.
- Front row, sir.
Who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil as I dabbled amongst the unhallowed damps of the grave.
I collected bones from charnel-houses and disturbed, with profane fingers, the tremendous secrets of the human frame.
- Mrs Shelley.
- Mr Marlott.
I take it you've come to bring me Mr Blake's work? Not on this occasion.
May I come in please? I Will be brief.
You find me at work.
I'm a writer.
I know.
You've met my creature.
Indeed.
And was unsettled by it.
Some might say that was its intention.
May I ask how it's originated? It came to me in a nightmare.
Hardly seems possible.
A gentlewoman of letters Proving how little you can tell from outward appearances.
But we can't control our nightmares, can we, Mr Marlott? The science in the story, how did you come upon it? Invented it.
I should've thought that obvious.
- Galvanism? - Galvani was real, of course, but his theories have no such application as they find in my book.
Or certainly not to my knowledge.
And where did you encounter them? Through my husband, Percy.
A surgeon? A poet.
May I speak with him? I'm a widow these last four years.
Oh, my condolences.
The stitching together of corpses? Quite an unusual notion, isn't it? You might call it a parody of the Resurrection.
What brings you here, Mr Marlott? You don't strike me as a man for idle speculation.
- A crime I'm investigating.
- The missing girl, Alice? Yes, and others too.
I still don't see how that relates to my poor creature.
Or indeed to the late Mr Blake's work.
You don't think we're responsible, do you? I don't know what to think yet, Mrs Shelley.
How did you and Mr Blake come to know each other? He was a friend of my mother's, Mary Wollstonecraft.
A novelist like me, until I killed her.
She died at my birth.
I'm sorry.
Don't be.
Any further questions? The title.
Why Prometheus? He stole fire from the gods and moulded human flesh from clay.
Like my Victor, a symbol of rebellion.
For you and Blake both? For all of us who oppose tyranny and oppression.
Tyranny and oppression? Or the laws of God? What would we not do to defeat death, Mr Marlott? Might we not defy God's laws in order to be reunited with those we love? Percy! Percy, there is someone I want you to meet.
Percy, say hello to Mr Marlott.
How do you do, sir? My family, Mr Marlott.
Mother, sister, daughters, husband, all dead.
If you're seeking to understand my nightmares, you probably need look no further than that.
I wonder at your purpose here, Mr Marlott.
People like myself and Mr Blake create things that are strange and uncanny, where men may find themselves reflected.
Sometimes people like yourselves mistakenly come to us when strange and uncanny things happen to them, rather than looking in the mirror and facing what is strange and uncanny in themselves.
Could I be right? I'm sorry to have troubled you.
Good day.
Pack some clothes and your schoolbooks.
We're leaving immediately.
- Why, Mama? - Do as I say.
What would we not do to defeat death, Mr Marlott? Might we not defy God's laws in order to be reunited with those we love? It's all right.
I work for Mr Marlott.
I weren't thieving, honest.
I didn't say you were.
What are you doing? I was trying to put them in order.
Why? My nan used to have cards like 'em.
Tarot.
You put 'em the right way and they can tell you the future.
I'm to buy you a new dress.
Careful, careful.
Thank you, sir.
Joseph.
Shall I throw it away, sir? No.
No, I'll take it.
Bring her back when it's getting tight and I'll put a panel in the sides.
That way she can still wear it when her time gets close.
Why didn't you tell me? I wasn't sure.
Well, you are now.
Does Billy know? He thought I was a virgin.
He was saving me.
For himself? For a gentleman.
But he spoiled the deal.
How? Kept upping the price on him.
Billy didn't know, but the gent he was trying to cheat come and found me in the market one day.
He forced himself on you? He bought me things.
That print of the lost girl I had up on my wall.
One day he gave me a drink.
When I woke he was gone.
And didn't visit you again? Why would he? Or tell you his name? And you didn't tell Billy? He'd have said it was my fault.
I'm going to get rid of it.
No.
No, you'll do no such thing.
What do you care? It's a life.
And what about my life? Who will take me like this? I will.
You can't.
I've got lodgings in Borough.
She can come as my maid.
And when she's due? I'll say it's mine.
I mean it.
I have a better idea.
- Lord Hervey.
- What about him? He runs a hospital of some kind, in the East End.
I've already looked into him and I intend to do so further.
- Lady Hervey.
- Mr Marlott.
Yeah.
How kind of you to call.
Unfortunately, you find me on my way out.
May I walk with you? Mr Marlott will accompany me today, Lloris.
As you wish, My Lady.
A young girl has come to me for protection.
A stray.
I need somewhere to place her.
As a domestic? She's With child.
If left to herself, I fear she may harm it.
How dreadful.
When we spoke before, you mentioned your brother's hospital.
Might there be a place for her there? Until her term is out? You wouldn't play me for a fool, would you, Mr Marlott? I don't follow, My Lady.
Daniel is no favourite of Sir Robert's, as you know.
And you're his agent.
If you were looking for some means to place him under surveillance I've come to you in good faith.
On behalf of this unfortunate creature.
And her child.
As a Christian.
I apologise for doubting you.
It was unworthy.
Will you join me? Inside? Of course.
He'll win the giant fight Because he will have a right to be a pilgrim.
Hobgoblin, nor foul fiend Can daunt his spirit He knows, he at the end Shall life inherit Then fancies fly away He'll fear not what men say He'll labour night and day To be a pilgrim Let us pray.
Dost thou, John, renounce the devil and all his works? Does thou renounce the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow nor be led by them? I renounce them all.
Poor mite.
I baptise thee Katherine in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
To you, gentle Father, we humbly commit this child, so precious in your sight.
Welcome her into your presence where there is no sorrow nor pain, but the fullness of peace and joy with you forever and ever.
Amen.
Mr Marlott? Excuse me.
I know how prayer can prompt unwanted thoughts.
Perhaps, it might help you to share them.
My wife and daughter died on account of my carelessness.
How terrible for you.
Worse for them.
Maybe not.
Come.
We can discuss this girl.
You can't make me go.
You'll do as you're told.
May I have a word, sir? I fear that this ain't right, sir.
She's with child.
This may be putting her in harm's way.
I need a place to keep her safe and a reason to take a closer look at this man and his hospital.
This gives me both.
And what of her safety, sir? I'll judge the place and the man when I see them.
- If I fear for her safety, I won't leave her there.
- Swear it? - What do you mean, do I swear it? - Sorry, sir.
- Good day.
- Ma'am.
What now, sir? Go back to Bow Street.
Tell Forrester you're at his disposal.
I've no further use for you.
Ma'am.
Mr Marlott has told me of your condition.
This place isn't like the other hospitals.
You'll be looked after.
No one will hurt you or do anything against your wishes, and if you don't like it you'll be free to leave.
We promise.
Isn't that so, Mr Marlott? Yes.
I want to withdraw my funds.
Very good, sir.
May I have your account details? I don't have my account book with me, but the manager knows me.
Tom Pritty of Hatton Gardens.
I've banked here 10 years.
Very good, Mr Pritty.
If you'd care to take a seat while we do the formalities.
- I'm in a hurry.
- Be, uh, quick as we can.
Here he is now.
Message for Mr Marlott.
I don't work for him no more.
He's wanted at the bank, urgent.
- Collier's Bank? - The body snatcher turned up.
Why is it taking so long? Sorry, sir.
It's a large amount of coin.
We may not have it all on the premises.
Give me what you got.
I'll send for the balance.
Very well, sir.
I'll just tell my colleague Why are you sweating? Am I, sir? Get out of the way! Out of the way! I hope for your sake, there's a back way out of here.
Move! Get out of the way! Move! Out of the way! How'd you find me? Your account book.
Gave us the name of your bank.
You greedy bastard.
You had to come back for it, didn't you? You can't blame me.
I've got a family to look after Get up.
Get up! Fat lot of good you'll do them at the end of a rope.
- That's a good punch.
- Yeah.
I ain't gonna run again.
I'll find the killers for you, I swear.
So why didn't you? I'm scared of them.
- More than the drop? - Aye.
Maybe.
Come on.
Mittram Abbey.
Our family bought it from the Crown when King Henry dissolved the monasteries.
In the days when we had money.
Appearances can deceive, Mr Marlott.
Daniel's work is funded by what little remains of our inheritance.
The rest comes from charity.
What are you doing here? Don't fret, brother.
I brought you a patient.
Flora.
What's wrong with her? Her guardian wants her safely housed.
Till her confinement.
Peel's man? Here? Mr Marlott wanted to see where she'd be staying.
This is not a hostel.
He's come to us for help, Daniel.
Please.
There is a spare room in the tower.
Thank you, dear brother.
I'll settle her in.
Flora.
Child's yours, I take it.
Would it matter? I noticed your condition when we met.
It's hereditary.
The child is not mine.
Then what's your interest in her? She is an important witness.
I'm from Bow Street.
- I thought you worked for Sir Robert? - I do.
And your decision to bring her here, purely fortuitous, I suppose? No.
I heard about your work from Lady Hervey.
I'm on my rounds.
Come, if you wish.
You can see what I do here.
Why did they forbid you to speak in Parliament? Because I would have exposed them.
As what? Liars.
Hypocrites.
Monsters.
- Sir Robert? - And Sir William.
He was my teacher when I was 17.
You studied surgery? For a term, then abandoned it.
Why? I don't believe one can discover the secrets of life by cutting up the dead.
Or by artificially animating them with electricity.
- You mean galvanism? - Charlatanism.
Mmm.
How long have you had your condition? Several years now, on and off.
Are you treating it? Mercury? That will send you mad before the syphilis does.
I have a natural remedy.
Experimental but promising.
Derived from bread mould I'm not here to discuss my ailment.
As you wish.
Cave baestiam.
"Beware the Beast.
" The monks who ran this place kept a menagerie here.
I use it as a hospice.
She has a tumour.
The surgeons would take a knife to it.
And your method? Using natural remedies to ease her agony.
But you can't cure her? No more can they.
There's very little we can do that nature can't, Mr Marlott.
This one might interest you.
Syphilis.
Tertiary phase.
Shh.
There, there.
Shh, it's all right.
It's all right, it's all right.
Good.
Shh.
Yeah, it's all right.
Good, shh.
You often get these fits in the final stages.
Your treatment didn't work then? Too late in this case.
And in mine? Maybe not.
Though, you might want to act quickly, Mr Marlott.
If Sir Robert's Anatomy Act passes, I shall be forbidden from charging for my practice and have to shut down.
How much do you require for the girl's accommodation? As much as you think it worth.
I'll make provision with Lady Hervey if I may.
I take it then that you're satisfied with our level of care? My thanks to you and Lady Hervey.
I must get back to London.
People like myself and Mr Blake create things that are strange and uncanny, where men may find themselves reflected.
Sometimes people like yourself, mistakenly come to us when strange and uncanny things happen to them, rather than looking in the mirror and facing what is strange and uncanny in themselves.
To you, gentle Father, we humbly entrust this child, so precious in your sight.
Welcome her into your presence, where there is no sorrow nor pain, but the fullness of peace and joy, with you forever and ever.
You missed a bit.
Long way from home, ain't you? Ugh.
Saints preserve us.
At least my goods is warm.
That's what I wanted to talk to you about, warm goods.
Do you remember what you told me? No.
Will three kings help you remember? Five maybe.
The murderer you're looking for, Mr Marlott, - I think I've found a way to get to him.
- How? A pure gatherer.
Edward Barkis.
He says he can set up a meet with him tonight 10:00, at the Fortune of War.
Billy, the Child Catcher? That's my guess.
What reason did you give? Trade, of course.
I said you was a surgeon.
It'll cost ya.
- How much? - Ten guineas.
How do I know he'll deliver? Well, you don't, but it's the best I've got.
- Lock him up.
- My pleasure.
Oi.
Oi, now look here, Mr Marlott.
I done what you asked.
I've got family.
I'm sure they'll survive another night without ya.
And Nightingale, when you've done, come back and see me.
I may have use for you after all.
Yes, sir.
She's gone.
Mrs Shelley? When? Yesterday.
Her and the boy.
Did she say where? Not so much as a fare thee well.
Any idea how long? - Sometime though by the looks of it.
- Why's that? Two trunks.
Big ones.
Obliged.
Milady says you may bring the boy's things around to the servants' entrance.
But quickly, before Lord Shelley returns.
I don't want to stay here, Mama.
I told you.
I have important business to attend to.
You must stay here with your grandparents.
What business? It concerns my book.
And the gentleman that came to call.
You must leave.
Now! Is your book more important than me? Nothing is more important than you.
But it has caused great misery in this world.
And I must make sure it doesn't cause any more.
Great misery indeed.
Thomas.
Our family name brought into disgrace.
Brilliant young lives snuffed out.
What next for your accursed masterpiece I wonder? Thank you for taking Percy in.
I shall lea Before this I was not unacquainted with the more obvious laws of electricity.
On this occasion, a man of great research in natural philosophy was with us, and excited by this catastrophe, he entered on the explanation of a theory which he had formed on the subject of electricity and galvanism, which was at once new and astonishing to me.
- Sir William.
- I took the liberty of acquiring your address from Bow Street.
You called on me while I was away.
Yes, sir.
Thank you.
What was it exactly you wanted to speak to me about? The people who supply you with subjects for dissection, the resurrectionists, I believe they may be the link I need to track down whoever made that thing.
But surely these children were murdered, not resurrected.
Uh, it seems there are resurrectionists who murder, sir.
We've all heard these rumours.
You should speak to my porter Pirkis about such things.
He deals with that sort of thing.
Yes, I already did, sir.
Frankenstein? Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
Do you know it? I've heard of it.
Arrant nonsense by all accounts.
Why? It contains references to galvanism, sir.
Galvanism? Yes, sir.
Do you know much about it? Not my subject, I'm afraid.
But I very much doubt you'll find anything of value in a book like this.
What's your interest? Curiosity, sir.
I attended a lecture on the subject given by your cousin.
Garnet? Yes, he has his idiosyncrasies.
But surely you've no time now for such idleness, given the urgency of your investigations? Well, as it happens, I intend to make an arrest very soon, sir.
Tonight, in fact.
Billy Oates, a man who abducts children.
Someone who could have made that monstrosity? Or supplied whoever did.
Well, I won't keep you then.
Yes.
Thank you for calling, sir.
We're all fighting to the same end.
The book, sir? Oh, I'll show myself out.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
Do you like them? - I was only looking.
- Go ahead.
They're pretty- They do wonders.
Like what? Stop you going blind.
Put you to sleep.
Help you breathe.
Almost anything if you know how.
Is there one for getting rid of babies? Is that what you want? Yes.
I have promised Mr Marlott that I will look after you.
It's not his though, is it? Give it to the parish, it's as good as dead.
I've seen it happen.
It might as well be finished now.
It'll be kinder that way.
Please, help me.
Have you found her? No.
But I know who took her.
I'll bring him in.
When? Tonight.
Smile.
You're meeting a friend.
Mr Marlott, Mr Barkis.
Delighted.
But I'm not here to speak to Mr Barkis.
Where's my man? In the tunnels.
What? That's what I'm to tell you.
Said he'd know.
Do you? Show me.
This is where we keep the goods.
Will Murray.
He's doing well for himself.
Here you are.
- Barkis? - Don't bother me none.
I smell worse every working day.
This goes down the tunnel under the market.
It's how they used to transport the bodies from here to the hospital.
Is that where he is? Well, that's what I was told.
Ugh.
You know the way? Well, I've been down there, but When we get back.
I'd like it now, if you don't mind.
Here.
- The balance when I return.
- If we return.
Look, we don't know who's down there.
Or what.
- We'll be all on our own.
- We'll have each other.
After you.
Go on.