Will (2017) s01e05 Episode Script

1 - This will lead to damnation.
I can't spend the rest of my life making gloves.
We have three children.
That way, greatness lies.
- [Flames whoosh.]
- [Inhales deeply.]
You will not drag me to hell! - What did you see? - I saw nothing.
You were looking in the wrong place.
And where exactly should I have directed my gaze? In here.
- Who are you, slag? - Fooled ya! - What are you doin' dressed like that? - For this! Where is Southwell? The Strand house is safe no more.
Raided today.
Men and women are murdered for what they believe.
You can no longer pretend this is not your fight.
I won't take up your cause.
A match with Keenan would secure all our futures.
Sister, art thou marrying the beer man? I haven't decided yet.
- William Shakespeare.
- Scurry out the back.
I swore I would never endanger your family again, - and I meant it.
- [Exhales.]
You are going to write me a play.
Come, Will.
We know that on the morrow thou wilt deliver what Topcliffe desires.
I will write nothing for that monster.
Defy the Queen's most dangerous man? How? I will find a way.
You have a week.
[Whispers.]
Will? [Normal voice.]
Will? Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.
Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove.
O, no, it is an ever-fixed mark, that looks on tempests and is never shaken.
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom.
The edge of doom? The very edge.
It's tomorrow, isn't it? Let us not ruin perfection with talk of such things.
Have you a play for him? I have something better a plan.
Be serious.
I am seriously in love with thee.
Topcliffe could kill you.
Fear not.
These eyes are far too enamored of thy beauty to risk injury.
I'm happy, Alice Burbage, for the first time in my life, truly happy [Whispers.]
and it is because of thee.
[Lock clicks.]
Your wife's downstairs.
[Bell ringing in distance.]
Oh, no.
Oh! [Giggles.]
Come and get me.
Judy! - Where are you? - [Singsongy.]
I'm here! [Children speak indistinctly.]
Grr! [Gasps.]
What a wonderful surprise.
Pa! Pa! Pa! Pa! We're in London! Hello, my little beasts! But how? Why? Well, John Dowset was coming to London with an empty cart.
Your letters said you missed us, so Wonderful.
You all right? I just woke is all.
Father, where's your room? Uh my room? Up here.
It's good to see you.
- [Door closes.]
- Ah.
Wait! Got you! [Children laughing.]
This room is so small.
It's big enough for one.
[Children speak indistinctly, laugh.]
But come, let me show you the sights of London.
And perhaps we may find some bears.
[Growls.]
[Door creaks.]
Almighty and most merciful father, we have erred.
We have strayed from thy path like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own heart.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
Grant that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life unto the glory of Thy holy name.
- Amen.
- Amen.
It's so wonderful to have you all here.
I hope the journey was not too arduous.
The roads were rather improved this year.
Hmm.
Only last week, I was speaking with Her Majesty, - and she was telling me - Really? The Queen? Don't interrupt your father.
Her Gracious Majesty and your papa are in constant dialogue.
Father, might I make a request? Of course.
Could I live with you, here, when I begin my legal studies? Ah.
The old college can be rather bleak.
I'll consider it.
[Jacket thuds.]
Yay! [Laughs.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
How long do you intend to stay? Do you wish to be rid of us so soon? No.
But I must work, and I have barely room for one.
I see.
Mama! Papa! Hurry! - We want to see the bears! - London! London! Let us show our children some bears.
Come! Let's get some bears.
[Children laugh.]
Who's gonna get eaten by a bear first, eh? Careful.
[Radiohead's "Everything In Its Right Place" playing.]
[Flames whoosh.]
[Cheering.]
Papa! [Exhales sharply.]
[Children shout playfully.]
Come on.
Come on.
[Laughter.]
Ladies and gentlemen! From the forests of Russia, I bring you Boris [Growls.]
the dancing bear! [Growls.]
[Chuckles.]
No charge for Mr.
Shakespeare.
[Spits.]
Ugh! Look at this.
This is The Theatre.
Do you know how to get back? Or shall I get someone to take you? I want to see your theatre.
I want to see the costumes.
Perhaps another time.
Well, why not now? Everyone will be busy, and I've I've got lots of work.
Revisions to make, changes to do.
Well, well.
This must be the Shakespeare family.
Ellen Burbage, this is my wife Anne, Susanne, Hamnet, and Judith.
It is so wonderful to meet you.
They were just headed home.
Oh, nonsense.
You must come and meet everyone.
I don't think it's the sort of place for children.
Actors, you know Tush.
We'll all be on our best behavior.
[Door creaks, laughter.]
[Men grunting.]
- Whoa! - Aah! - Isn't it wonderful? - It's enormous.
It seats 3,000 people.
Oh, my God.
I had no idea.
[Men laugh.]
How lovely.
Will's brought his family.
- Hoo! - Aw.
[Breathing heavily.]
[James speaks indistinctly.]
Oh, aren't you lucky? [Laughs.]
Oh! Where the monsters are! And the birds will sing hey ding-a-ding-ding With a hey-ho, hey-nonny-no Ho! [Laughs.]
Pleasure to meet you, Mistress Shakespeare.
Young Will needs his family around him.
London is too full of temptations for a single man Drinking, gaming, loose women.
Boxman! [Chuckles.]
You were gonna talk me through that weapons list? Oh.
Righto.
No peace for the wicked.
[Sighs deeply.]
Oi, this is my daughter Alice.
Um, so pleased to meet you, Mistress Shakespeare.
Oh, please call me Anne.
Yes, of course.
Anne.
We've all heard so much about you.
And what do you do, Alice? Oh, not not much.
I catalogue our store of plays, uh, keep them in order, write out parts for the actors, scribe for writers, prompt during performances.
These actors are so drunk and dunderheaded, they can barely read their lines, much less remember them.
- Uh, Boxman! - Yeah? I help with the accounts and manage the props and costumes, advise Father which plays to do.
Just boring, everyday things.
Nothing, I'm sure, compared to being a housewife and mother to three children.
Mama, I need to go wee-wee! Ah A minute, darling.
[Chuckles.]
You should take them home.
- Everyone's tired.
- No! She should stay and watch the show.
- I'm not tired! - Enough.
Papa has to work.
I'll get a boy to take you.
Go on.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Alice.
Wait! Why didn't you tell me she was coming? I didn't know.
I swear it! Talk with me, Alice, please.
It hurts so much! You know, I-I-I didn't know it would.
[Crying.]
Now she's real, and I've vanished.
You are more real to me than life itself.
They are my children, and Anne is their mother.
[Sniffles.]
Off you go.
Oi! Who are you? [High-pitched voice.]
Sorry, Ma'am.
Lost my way.
Yeah? Want some honest work? [Laughs.]
[Normal voice.]
It's only rat face.
[Laughs.]
Fooled ya! [Moaning.]
[Grunting.]
Ride, my prince! Ride! Spur thy steed to victory! [Moans.]
Mary? Are you up there? My husband! - [Thud.]
- Aah! Quick! Get out! Go! - [Breathing heavily.]
- [Window creaking.]
[Urinating.]
Thief! That's our dress! [Grunts.]
- Thief! - Aah! [Grunts.]
Steal the tools of our trade, will you? You'll hang for this! Your little brother makes quite the little sister.
I've a client likes something special Girls who are boys dressed as girls.
You get me? He doesn't have any experience in that kind of thing.
No skill, you see.
Well, that's a plus.
[Sniffs.]
He likes them all shy and innocent.
Bit of a struggle.
I'll think on it.
I'm not askin'.
I'm tellin'.
This'll be good for all the family.
Otherwise - [Gasps.]
- You can go starve on the street like all those other poxy, motherless whores.
[Crying softly.]
You're very kind.
I don't imagine he entertains much, does he? Here? Not on my watch.
I run a tight ship.
Mm.
I met the, ah What do you call it? Um Scribe at The Theatre.
Pretty blonde.
[Grunts.]
Alice.
Do you know her? [Sighs.]
I don't have much time for the theatre.
And the only pretty blonde I allow in this house is me.
[Laughs.]
[Indistinct conversations, laughter in distance.]
Richard! Richard! Where is Richard? - Moronic half-wit.
Richard! - Get off me! Attention, family, both blood and thespionic, - I have our thief! - [Thud.]
[Gasps.]
Oh, it's damaged, you filthy little worm! - You'll hang for this! - I didn't steal it! Master Shakespeare give it me.
Tell them how you give it me Master Shakespeare.
See, we know everything about each other, all each other's secrets.
What's he talking about? Well, he's We're related, distantly, on my mother's side.
And he wants to act.
He's really quite good.
And I-I lent him the gown to practice in case the company needed a new apprentice.
I told him not to take it out of the theatre, but [Chuckles.]
he's overenthusiastic.
Yeah.
And I'm a great actor and all.
- [Laughter.]
- But you can't take instructions.
That's why your father threw you out.
Yeah.
I know.
Sorry, coz.
I want nothing more to do with you.
Understand? Oh, that's harsh.
But you're all I've got, coz.
I care not.
Get out.
Hey.
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Don't be so hard on the lad! He was only trying to hone his craft.
Ah! It's a pity others aren't so keen.
- Thank you, kind sir.
- Get out.
- He is family, Will.
- Not anymore.
Billy's almost finished his apprenticeship.
Could this be the new candidate? 'Prentice to a great actor? Correct.
You can read, can't you? Read? Of course, sir.
[Laughs.]
It's settled then! [Cheering.]
- Thank you, sir.
- Hoo-bloody-ray.
- Cannons in five minutes.
- Ooh! Five minutes! - Richard.
- Steal anything, and I'll cut your fingers off.
You can start by polishing my boots and all my buttons.
Okay? Through there.
Ohh! [Women gasp.]
Help, lords! The King is dead! Rear up his body.
Wring him by the nose! [Indistinct conversations.]
Aqua Vitae, ho! Give me some Aqua Vitae, ho.
[Whispers.]
Aqua Vitae.
Where is the mother-swiving Aqua Vitae? - Hey, shitface.
- Oh, piss off! - Don't make me come back there.
- Here.
[Audience shouting indistinctly.]
Cocksucker.
[Liquid swishes.]
[Coughs.]
[Audience gasps.]
He doth revive again! I could tell you what the props are, and you could draw symbols beside the words.
Why would I do that? 'Cause you can't read, can you? I can read.
Hide not thy poison with such sugar'd words! No need to be ashamed.
Ashamed? Catholic scum, you're the one should be ashamed.
Keep your voice down.
- [Unsheathes knife.]
- Or what? Do all your player friends know what you really are? [Breathing shakily.]
Look, I'm trying to help.
Or blood-consuming sighs recall his life I'm not staying here with you bum chums and filthy spiders.
[Exhales sharply.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
[Panting.]
[Unsheathes knife.]
[Sniffles.]
[Sighs deeply.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
[Door creaks.]
How art thou? Fine.
All will be well.
Will it? Yes.
[Indistinct conversations.]
I'm sure you're right.
I Master Shakespeare.
How may I be of service? Mr.
Topcliffe asked me to ensure that you bring the finished play when you visit tomorrow.
I, ah Of course.
It will be ready? Undoubtedly.
He'll be pleased to hear that.
And a word advice be prompt.
Mr.
Topcliffe is not one to be left hanging.
Death is a kindly fate.
Your corpse is in the ground.
Marlowe? You will enter the house of infinite shadow.
- Kit? - [Gasping.]
Come on, Kelly.
Is that all you've got? [Gasps.]
Your ba is in the earth.
Your corpse is in the ground.
You will enter the house of infinite shadow.
My God.
Kit! Kit! You're not welcome, boy.
You will not walk upside down.
[Gasps.]
You will walk upright! Unas is the bull of heaven, who rages in his heart Kit, what are you doing?! Every god, who eats their entrails when they come - I'm working.
Get out! - Their bodies full of magic! I am lord of eternity in the crossing of the sky.
I am not afraid in my limbs, for Hu and Hike call for me, the evil being.
What are you doing?! Shut the window and your mouth on the way out! - Now go! - Like Osiris in the netherworld One day, you'll get yourself killed! - fire! - [Gasps.]
That is rather the point.
[Door latch clacks, door creaking open.]
Do you like what I've done? - [Door closes.]
- My squalid room looks almost homelike.
[Chuckles.]
Someone is still awake.
Yes.
He's been waiting up for you.
What stories has Queen Mab told you since I left? I don't need Queen Mab now.
I write my own stories.
I can read one to you.
I would love that.
[Paper crinkles.]
"The Hero" by Hamnet.
"One day, a big, big terrible dragon "came to a place where a brave boy called Hamnet lived, "called Stratford.
"All the girls were crying, "so Hamnet killed the dragon with his sword "and saved them all, "even the witch who lived in the well.
He was a hero.
The end.
" [Chuckles.]
That's very good.
You can have it, for a play.
Thank you.
Why do you live here? My my work is telling stories, and in London, there are many people to hear them.
One day, I might be good enough at telling stories so that the Queen may hear them.
Grandpa says our Queen is the great Satan.
You must never, ever say that.
Do you hear me? But Grandpa said you You can believe what you want in your heart, but never speak these things aloud.
Do you swear it? Don't forget.
It's very important.
Good night, sweet prince.
[Kisses.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
[Sighs.]
[Whispers.]
I've missed you.
[Kisses.]
And I, you.
But I have work to do.
[Sighs.]
Surely it can wait.
I'm sorry, Anne, but it cannot.
I must work.
You're having sex with that girl.
What? Who? [Whispering.]
I know, Will.
Do you love her? I'm sorry.
Get out.
- Anne - [Whispering.]
Get out.
- Listen to me - Get out.
Go.
Go.
Go! Just [Voice breaks.]
Go.
[Door creaks.]
[Inhales sharply.]
[Dog barking.]
[Birds chirping.]
This cannot continue.
He has three children.
Your future and the future prosperity of this family lie with Keenan.
I will never lie with Keenan because I don't love him.
I talk of life, not love.
What life is there without love? I married for love, and my life is a constant anxiety of debtors and unpaid bills.
Your father is a very difficult man.
And love isn't enough.
It is not.
And you are no longer a child.
And perhaps I am to blame for treating you as such.
But it's time to grow up.
Will has responsibilities, and so do you.
I know it's hard.
I know it hurts.
But promise me you will do what is right.
Yes.
I promise.
I will grow up.
I will do what is right.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary How does your garden grow? Open it.
Father! It's a wheel-lock.
Thank you.
It's new, from Germany.
The beauty of this piece is that it can be loaded and carried, ready to fire in an instant.
Father, it's extraordinary.
It's a mortal sin to take another man's life, unless one is doing the Lord's work.
Yes, Father.
Wesley I would very much like you to live here when you commence your legal studies.
I would also like that, Father.
How does your garden grow? She sings constantly.
We cannot stop her.
With pretty maids all in a row, row, row Beth! Come here at once! This rhyme you sing refers to Bloody Mary.
- [Cocks pistol.]
- Mary was a Catholic.
She was queen before our exalted Elizabeth.
She terrorized and persecuted Protestants like us.
The silver bells and cockle shells those were her instruments of torture.
Now, my sweet girl [Chuckles.]
I know it's frightening, but you are old enough to know the truth.
And Papa is working very hard to ensure that there will never, ever be another Mary, Mary on England's throne.
Mary, Mary, Mary Mary, Mary.
Mary, Mary.
Father, is everything all right? Get Justice Young for me.
"Bring Father Southwell to the secure house "to meet the new father on this 15th.
"Be guided by the light of Mary, Mary our blessed and shining Saint.
" Yes, I thought "Mary, Mary" was merely popish excess, but it points to the rhyme! Mary, Mary! Decode the hidden meaning, and we shall find the location of the safe house and, perhaps, Southwell.
Wondrous sir! Sir, your appointment has arrived.
Leave the play with my man.
There is no play.
No play? Why? Sir, you were correct.
I am nought but a lowly populist.
You want me to place a message in my writing, but I'm capable only of flatulent dogs and mooning lovers.
Forgive me.
I have not the genius to create a work which is both popular and meaningful.
The fault was mine for imagining you could do it without my help.
I'm busy, but I shall call for you anon, and we shall work on it together.
[Paper rustling.]
How blessed and Wait! Your play was full of silly word games.
Perhaps you can help us crack this code.
"Be guided by the light of Mary, Mary our blessed and shining Saint.
" Think.
Catholic! Catholic! Mary, Mary.
Now surely you've heard this rhyme.
I know it not.
Leave us.
Imbecile.
"Blessed and shining.
" The only thing shining in the nursery rhyme is silver.
Shining saint.
Silver saint? Silver saint? "Saint" can be shortened to "S-t.
" Could it be Silver Street? "This 15th" 15 Silver Street.
Get some men.
Well done.
[Grunting.]
[Dog barking.]
[Horse blusters.]
Today is a glorious day, gentlemen! I can smell him.
[Horse whinnies.]
Wesley.
The Queen! [Horse whinnies.]
[Pants.]
It's Will! [Pounds on door.]
We must go.
Now! Search it! Tear it apart! [Panting.]
[Whispers.]
Come on.
[Men shouting indistinctly.]
Lucy, come here! [Men shout indistinctly.]
- Justice Young! - There! [Indistinct conversations.]
[Panting.]
[Grunts.]
[Hollow thuds.]
[Grunts.]
I know the man not.
[Baby fussing.]
Mm, I fear you lie.
No, sir, on my life.
[Panting.]
[Baby continues fussing.]
Hello.
Aren't you pretty? I will answer any question.
Isn't she pretty, Wesley? Yes.
Pretty little daughter of Christ.
Have you taken your communion? I don't know what that is, sir.
[Chuckles.]
You teach them young, hmm, to lie and live in the dark.
Mm.
[Baby crying.]
[Metal clanks.]
[Door creaks.]
[Baby crying.]
[Baby continues crying.]
We we've done nothing! These are illegal works written by the traitor Southwell, and they're in your house.
I've never seen them before, sir.
We haven't lived here [Grunting.]
Please! Please, he's a good man! Someone, please! The truth! For once, the truth! No! No? [Breathing heavily.]
We shall continue this dialogue somewhere more conducive to the truth.
[Panting.]
[Thud.]
[Groans.]
[Coughs.]
[Horse blusters.]
[Horse whinnies.]
God save the Queen.
[Grunting.]
[Hooves clopping.]
[Panting.]
God brought you back to me.
It seems we are destined, cousin.
I saved you because you are family, but now another family's torn apart to keep you safe.
- Does it not weigh upon you? - Of course.
But we must see God's larger plan in all this.
Must we? Or is it only about your plan? Your glory? Your fame? I care not about myself.
I fight for a world where people do not have to hide what is in their soul.
I hear Anne and the children are in town.
I must visit.
No.
You will not endanger my family as you endangered others.
You stay away from them.
[Breathing heavily.]
Are you ready? Yes.
For what? Death.
Ah.
[Inhales sharply.]
Then you shall have it.
Sorry, sis.
This all I got.
- [Coins clink.]
- I lost the dress.
[Exhales.]
It didn't suit ya anyway.
Doll's in one of her moods.
Get scarce for a few days.
[Fabric rustles.]
Oh, here he is.
Where's your lovely gown then? Little shithead's gone and lost it.
No worries, poppet.
I'll get you another, one made just for you.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Will, what are you doing here? Anne knows.
I'm gonna ask her to stay in London.
Why would you do that? I have a duty to my family.
I made a vow.
You coward.
I would give up everything for you.
And I for you.
But this is for my children.
You said that you were happy for the first time in your life.
Would you just throw that all away? I love you with all my heart, but I must do what is right.
Right? "Love does not alter when it alteration finds, "but bears it out, even to the edge of doom.
It is an ever-fixed mark.
" A great poet wrote that.
No.
Just a poor fool groping in the dark.
[Door creaks.]
Alice and I It's over.
I promise.
Please forgive me.
We can be a family again.
It's about more than the girl, Will.
The real reason I came to London is because I've news.
Your father has run his business into the ground, but he's agreed to retire and hand it over to us.
[Sighs.]
I have plans Anne, I cannot make gloves.
I will succeed.
You must believe in me.
I cannot believe in a dream! I am well aware of that.
Well, then accept your responsibilities.
I have been accepting my responsibilities since I was 18 years old! - You ran off to London.
- I send money.
Oh, not enough! Do you have any idea what my life is like in Stratford? Your parents treat me like an unpaid servant.
And if you have so little regard for me, what about your children? I can give them far more in London than I will ever be able to give them in Stratford.
Please, Will, Will, come home.
You made a vow.
We need you.
[Door creaks.]
[Marlowe panting.]
[Dirt sifting.]
No, no, no! No, no, no, no! No! No, no, no! Wait! Wait! I thought you wanted to die? [Gasps.]
Oh, that's right.
For a moment, I forgot.
[Chuckles.]
Bring it on, you motherless, mongrel-swiving bastards! I'm taking notes.
[Bird cries.]
Goodbye, Christopher Marlowe.
[Kisses.]
[Fire crackling.]
Thank you, men of shovels.
Thou hast planted me marvelous well, but I fear what twisted thing may grow.
What are you? What are you? I am a dead thing.
I am a dead thing.
What's it like? Dead? You already know.
Aah! What about your children? Pa! Pa! We're in London! It hurts so much.
No.
So it ends like this, freezing cold, with no one.
[Growls.]
A sad man's death.
An old man who is loathed has this death.
[Growls.]
[Whispers indistinctly.]
"All the girls were crying, "so Hamnet killed the dragon and saved them all.
He was a hero.
" A hero.
[Crying.]
You told me you were married from the start.
I've behaved like a child, but I'm not a child, Will.
Alice, I I must take my family home, to Stratford.
- No, you can't.
- Please.
Don't make this harder than it already is.
We belong together.
I can't make love to you while Anne sits at home, knowing.
I don't need you to make love to me, but I do need you to be by my side while I make this theatre great again.
One day, I will run it.
And you will be my partner, my equal, a marriage of minds and souls.
I will marry Keenan and you will have Anne, and together, we will bear it out, even until the edge of doom.
[Kisses.]
The very edge.
[Birds chirping.]
Resurrected.
[Birds chirping.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
Father? We're leaving.
I hope you enjoyed your stay.
Yes.
I'm sorry if I shamed you.
I think Gray's College may be more suitable accommodations for you.
It will toughen you up, like it did me.
The pistol was a gift, Wesley.
I'm rather busy.
Queen's work.
Goodbye, Father.
[Descending footsteps.]
[Crow caws.]
[Fire crackling.]
[Ragged breathing.]
Mm? So you've come at last.
Oh, my love.
Sorry, my King.
I've been up to my neck in it.
It's all right.
Death never was your thing.
[Chuckles.]
[Kisses.]
[Exhales deeply.]
[Children speak indistinctly, laughing playfully.]
For God's sake, Hamnet, come here, please.
Thank you.
- Grr! - Father! - Where have you been? - We missed you! I must write.
I must stay in London.
And I want us to be a family.
Please.
Stay with me, Anne.
[Sighs.]
[Exhales sharply.]