The Tripods (1984) s01e03 Episode Script
The English Channel - July, 2089 A.D.
-All well? -No problem, mister.
Landfall within the hour.
-What's that? -You told me to peel them.
I said peel them, boy, not massacre them.
You peel them that thick, we should be starved before we get halfway.
Do we put in to any ports before we reach Africa? Now, how do you think we get our supplies and cargo? With this old tub, we stay as close to the land as we possibly can.
Looks like we're going to land in France first.
We've got to get off this ship.
We'll be lucky to get the chance.
It's not going to be easy.
Hey, country boys.
You're wanted below.
Here's the boys, Captain.
Captain Curtis.
He's Captain Curtis.
We thought We thought we were on the wrong ship.
I'm Curtis.
You've got something for me? Money? That all? -Well, that's all we were given.
-Get back on deck.
But Ozymandias said you'd give us some French money.
On deck, I said.
He said you'd give us some French money.
Come on, Will.
What will we do about food and things? Don't question me, boy.
What you do when you're landed is your affair.
Do you know the dangers I run every time madmen like you cross over? And you ask me for money? Get back on deck, or you'll never even see France.
-It's not right! -Will.
(TRIPOD SCREECHING) Tripods, Captain.
If they're at sea, the Black Guards won't be far behind.
Stay here.
You understand? Stay here.
-From the French side.
-Yeah, travelling fast.
Captain! Follow him in, mister.
And get those boys hidden below.
Come on, out! Vagrants.
Now, very still and dead quiet, or you'll answer to me.
Now, hide yourselves.
Your crew, Captain.
Your entire crew, they're all on deck, yes? Most.
You're bound for Africa.
With 10 landfalls.
Of which the first, I see, is in my port.
-To unload cargo and vagrants.
-Of course.
It would be unfortunate to have trouble so early in such a long voyage, Captain.
-I want no trouble.
-Then do not treat me like a fool.
This handful on deck will not sail a ship like this to Africa.
And you have no authority to take on crew in any French port.
-I have enough.
-You speak of authority.
I have authority to make a thorough search of this ship, Captain.
-A thorough search, yes? -I want no trouble.
My interest is in two runaways, nothing else.
We understand each other? All hands on deck, mister.
There are runaways here.
It may be these runaways are here against their will.
It is not unknown.
I ask now that anyone here against his will step forward.
There is nothing to fear.
No one will be harmed.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) Of course you did not know, Captain.
They asked for a berth.
I was short-crewed.
You are lucky.
I came to seek two runaways, two runaways were found.
I do not trust you, Captain.
I do not want you in my port any longer than necessary.
You will discharge your cargo and take on board the supplies for which you are scheduled.
If you do not leave the port on the next tide, I shall impound this ship.
Good day, Captain.
You heard! -What about the other two? -Take them below.
We're short-handed now.
I don't want to see them again till we're clear of port.
Get the ship ready for sailing, mister.
Then get the vagrants ashore.
-We'll be waiting with fresh supplies.
-Aye-aye, Captain.
Do you think Curtis is gone? -Well, we're together, anyway.
-So were the other two.
What's the use of all this now? Everybody's on deck, yes? Working.
Well, let's see what there is in here.
There must be something.
Quick! -So this is Calais, then? -Must be.
It can't Hey! (SPEAKING FRENCH) Run! (SHOUTING IN FRENCH) Come on! (SPEAKING FRENCH) What's he saying? (SPEAKING FRENCH) (SPEAKING FRENCH) Oh.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) Why are you here? Your boat has parted.
You were on the Orion, yes? (SPEAKING FRENCH) So, not capped? Runaways from England.
You wish to tell me why? We were frightened of being capped.
There is nothing to fear.
You will be capped tomorrow.
The Tripod is here.
It is the law.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) I'm not without sympathy for courage.
In this case it is misguided.
Tomorrow you will understand and even thank me.
I shall see you again in the morning.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) (SPEAKING FRENCH) -I knew we'd be caught.
-We're not capped yet.
-We've got this far.
-What for? (SPEAKING FRENCH) What are those things on his face? I don't know.
-We could rush him.
-The key's in the door.
There is a guard patrolling all the time.
On my face? In French we call them lunettes.
Little moons.
My eyes are weak.
I made them myself.
Eat.
How did you learn to talk like us? I have learnt myself, from books and English sailors that come to stay at the inn.
That's where I live.
The inn.
Drink.
You're You're You're not capped.
Capped? Capped.
My calotte? No.
-Nor us.
-No? Why aren't you capped? You're older than us.
I have 17.
I'm an inventor, as you see.
When I am capped, I will invent no more.
There will be no more mystery.
-No more curiousness.
-Curiosity.
Thank you.
Curiosity.
How have you managed to escape it? By pretending how much I wish the capping.
And then on the day, I'm very ill, they think.
We're meant to be capped tomorrow.
Yes.
Where were you going before you were caught? We've heard of a place in the south.
There are no cappings there.
No Tripods.
The Tripods, they go everywhere, I think.
Maybe not in the mountains.
Yes, there are mountains in the south.
I have heard.
One could hide there.
There are Free Men there.
Uncapped men.
The White Mountains.
-How do you know the way? -I have a map.
We shouldn't trust him.
If we don't, by this time tomorrow we'll be capped.
This map, it is not correct.
This is a place of many Tripods.
It would be better to go like this and then like this.
Hmm.
If If you helped us escape, you can come with us.
I have already decided.
I have waited a long time for somebody like you.
French boys would have been better but But how can you help us? I shall return to the inn.
That door, I shall leave with no key, but open.
-Unlocked? -Unlocked, yes.
This water in the centre here is the only way out.
It leads through tunnels to the beach.
You'll never get past the guards above, so this is the way you must go.
The water is not very deep, but you must keep low because there is always one guard on watch.
You will need one of these and these.
I shall meet you on the beach.
If you are caught, I shall go on alone.
So, please, I shall take the map? You must trust me.
-And what's your name? -My name? I am Jean-Paul.
-Will.
-Henry.
Jean-Paul.
-More like Beanpole.
-Beanpole? Ah, for beans, a stick, eh? Ah, beanpole.
Beanpole? Hey.
(SPEAKING FRENCH)
Landfall within the hour.
-What's that? -You told me to peel them.
I said peel them, boy, not massacre them.
You peel them that thick, we should be starved before we get halfway.
Do we put in to any ports before we reach Africa? Now, how do you think we get our supplies and cargo? With this old tub, we stay as close to the land as we possibly can.
Looks like we're going to land in France first.
We've got to get off this ship.
We'll be lucky to get the chance.
It's not going to be easy.
Hey, country boys.
You're wanted below.
Here's the boys, Captain.
Captain Curtis.
He's Captain Curtis.
We thought We thought we were on the wrong ship.
I'm Curtis.
You've got something for me? Money? That all? -Well, that's all we were given.
-Get back on deck.
But Ozymandias said you'd give us some French money.
On deck, I said.
He said you'd give us some French money.
Come on, Will.
What will we do about food and things? Don't question me, boy.
What you do when you're landed is your affair.
Do you know the dangers I run every time madmen like you cross over? And you ask me for money? Get back on deck, or you'll never even see France.
-It's not right! -Will.
(TRIPOD SCREECHING) Tripods, Captain.
If they're at sea, the Black Guards won't be far behind.
Stay here.
You understand? Stay here.
-From the French side.
-Yeah, travelling fast.
Captain! Follow him in, mister.
And get those boys hidden below.
Come on, out! Vagrants.
Now, very still and dead quiet, or you'll answer to me.
Now, hide yourselves.
Your crew, Captain.
Your entire crew, they're all on deck, yes? Most.
You're bound for Africa.
With 10 landfalls.
Of which the first, I see, is in my port.
-To unload cargo and vagrants.
-Of course.
It would be unfortunate to have trouble so early in such a long voyage, Captain.
-I want no trouble.
-Then do not treat me like a fool.
This handful on deck will not sail a ship like this to Africa.
And you have no authority to take on crew in any French port.
-I have enough.
-You speak of authority.
I have authority to make a thorough search of this ship, Captain.
-A thorough search, yes? -I want no trouble.
My interest is in two runaways, nothing else.
We understand each other? All hands on deck, mister.
There are runaways here.
It may be these runaways are here against their will.
It is not unknown.
I ask now that anyone here against his will step forward.
There is nothing to fear.
No one will be harmed.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) Of course you did not know, Captain.
They asked for a berth.
I was short-crewed.
You are lucky.
I came to seek two runaways, two runaways were found.
I do not trust you, Captain.
I do not want you in my port any longer than necessary.
You will discharge your cargo and take on board the supplies for which you are scheduled.
If you do not leave the port on the next tide, I shall impound this ship.
Good day, Captain.
You heard! -What about the other two? -Take them below.
We're short-handed now.
I don't want to see them again till we're clear of port.
Get the ship ready for sailing, mister.
Then get the vagrants ashore.
-We'll be waiting with fresh supplies.
-Aye-aye, Captain.
Do you think Curtis is gone? -Well, we're together, anyway.
-So were the other two.
What's the use of all this now? Everybody's on deck, yes? Working.
Well, let's see what there is in here.
There must be something.
Quick! -So this is Calais, then? -Must be.
It can't Hey! (SPEAKING FRENCH) Run! (SHOUTING IN FRENCH) Come on! (SPEAKING FRENCH) What's he saying? (SPEAKING FRENCH) (SPEAKING FRENCH) Oh.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) Why are you here? Your boat has parted.
You were on the Orion, yes? (SPEAKING FRENCH) So, not capped? Runaways from England.
You wish to tell me why? We were frightened of being capped.
There is nothing to fear.
You will be capped tomorrow.
The Tripod is here.
It is the law.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) I'm not without sympathy for courage.
In this case it is misguided.
Tomorrow you will understand and even thank me.
I shall see you again in the morning.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) (SPEAKING FRENCH) -I knew we'd be caught.
-We're not capped yet.
-We've got this far.
-What for? (SPEAKING FRENCH) What are those things on his face? I don't know.
-We could rush him.
-The key's in the door.
There is a guard patrolling all the time.
On my face? In French we call them lunettes.
Little moons.
My eyes are weak.
I made them myself.
Eat.
How did you learn to talk like us? I have learnt myself, from books and English sailors that come to stay at the inn.
That's where I live.
The inn.
Drink.
You're You're You're not capped.
Capped? Capped.
My calotte? No.
-Nor us.
-No? Why aren't you capped? You're older than us.
I have 17.
I'm an inventor, as you see.
When I am capped, I will invent no more.
There will be no more mystery.
-No more curiousness.
-Curiosity.
Thank you.
Curiosity.
How have you managed to escape it? By pretending how much I wish the capping.
And then on the day, I'm very ill, they think.
We're meant to be capped tomorrow.
Yes.
Where were you going before you were caught? We've heard of a place in the south.
There are no cappings there.
No Tripods.
The Tripods, they go everywhere, I think.
Maybe not in the mountains.
Yes, there are mountains in the south.
I have heard.
One could hide there.
There are Free Men there.
Uncapped men.
The White Mountains.
-How do you know the way? -I have a map.
We shouldn't trust him.
If we don't, by this time tomorrow we'll be capped.
This map, it is not correct.
This is a place of many Tripods.
It would be better to go like this and then like this.
Hmm.
If If you helped us escape, you can come with us.
I have already decided.
I have waited a long time for somebody like you.
French boys would have been better but But how can you help us? I shall return to the inn.
That door, I shall leave with no key, but open.
-Unlocked? -Unlocked, yes.
This water in the centre here is the only way out.
It leads through tunnels to the beach.
You'll never get past the guards above, so this is the way you must go.
The water is not very deep, but you must keep low because there is always one guard on watch.
You will need one of these and these.
I shall meet you on the beach.
If you are caught, I shall go on alone.
So, please, I shall take the map? You must trust me.
-And what's your name? -My name? I am Jean-Paul.
-Will.
-Henry.
Jean-Paul.
-More like Beanpole.
-Beanpole? Ah, for beans, a stick, eh? Ah, beanpole.
Beanpole? Hey.
(SPEAKING FRENCH)