The Tripods (1984) s01e06 Episode Script
Chateau Ricordeau, France - July 2089 A.D.
(PLAYING CLASSICAL PIANO) You've never seen a tournament before, Will? (SPEAKING FRENCH) -When will your picture be finished? -You must ask Monsieur Guernichet.
Monsieur Guernichet? (SPEAKING FRENCH) (SPEAKING FRENCH) ELOISE: It depends on how much you disturb him, Will.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) It is plain to see you are recovered from your accident, Eloise.
Perhaps a walk in the fresh air will suit you better.
(MEN GRUNTING) (SWORDS CLANKING) -Bravo! -Bravo! What does he think he's playing at? The harder he digs himself in, the harder it's gonna be to let go.
Henry? You have never thought perhaps that Will is in love? In love? You have eyes.
See? Don't be silly.
The romantic English.
He's the big favourite now, all right.
He's even got one of the Count's rings.
Will saved the life of Eloise.
Should the Count not be grateful? Will, what is it? My friends, I should talk to them.
(SIGHS) The Count and the Countess want me to stay here.
What did I say? And you, Will, what do you want? I might stay, just for a while.
You'll have a good life.
-And you'll be capped.
-No.
Of course you will.
You heard what the Count told the Black Guards.
Listen, I won't be capped.
There's plenty of time.
It's just that -Well, I haven't worked it all out yet.
-Summer won't last forever and winter's going to make hard travelling.
-I'll be on my way by then.
-Don't expect us to wait.
I don't! -I'm going to bring Eloise.
-What? I'm going to talk to her when the time's right.
About the Tripods and being free.
I want her to come, too.
-It will be difficult.
-It's out of the question.
It puts us all in danger.
They'll come looking for her.
We are nothing.
You, they might decide to let you go, but her That's why you two should get away when you can.
Eloise and I will follow.
You're letting everyone down.
Ozymandias, the Free Men.
We were two out of dozens to Ozymandias.
Anyway, he's dead.
As for the Free Men, they don't even know we exist.
You've changed.
You've really changed.
-Things are so different here.
-How, Will? Well, at home, all adults were strangers.
All adults were capped.
Here, at home, what's the difference? I never knew it was possible to be capped and happy.
-But they are not free.
-WILL: How does it show? They can do what they like here, isn't that being free? It's that girl.
Her name's Eloise.
We've seen you riding, walking, giggling, holding hands.
What's that to you? It's just that we're not good enough for you now.
-All right, if that's the way you -I say she can't come.
Well, I say she is coming.
She's trapped you better than any Tripod.
Shut up, Henry.
With that silly smile and her dark eyes.
I said shut up.
-Will! Henry! -The first stupid girl you meet.
(WILL GRUNTS) (METALLIC CLANGING) There must be no more! You are foolish.
Both of you.
You draw attention to us now? I suppose you'll run straight to the Count and give us away.
What are you doing here? No, Englishman, I ask what you are doing here at the Chateau Ricordeau? You should know.
You're the one who found me.
I should have left you in the forest.
It is said you are simple voyagers, you and your two friends.
To where do you travel? -Nowhere in particular.
-To travel nowhere makes no sense.
-It's no concern of yours.
-Eloise, she's my concern.
Or so she was until you came.
-The Count says -The Count is an old fool.
Do not think we are all fools here.
Do you like maps, Englishman? -The Count -I repeat, can be fooled.
Do you work at this to gain his favour? Or is there another reason? Maybe you intend to continue your travels to nowhere.
It would be best also that you continue them soon.
-Who are you, Englishman? -You know who I am.
I know who you claim to be.
You and the other Englishmen.
You claimed to cross the sea for France where you claim to have met your French companion.
You claimed to have travelled to the place I found you.
It is all too simple.
It is not possible unless you twist and turn to every village in town.
You fear the Black Guards.
I saw it in your face.
Simple travellers do not show such fear.
There are many questions to be answered.
-I don't have to tell you anything.
-Then I will tell you.
(WILL SIGHS) You bring danger here.
Danger for who? For your friends, for Eloise, for you.
-I'm not frightened of you.
-No? We shall see.
I also have friends, Englishman.
My friends have great anger at the way I am treated.
Do not think your future here is certain.
A chateau has lonely, quiet corridors.
Take care not to walk them alone.
Get out.
Above all, do not feel certain of Eloise.
Benefit from these studies.
Leave while you can.
There will be no pursuit.
If not, accept what you bring upon yourself and on those who you claim to love.
Get out.
Now! (PIANO PLAYING) -ELOISE: What has happened? -Nothing.
-If I asked you to come away with me -Yesterday you talked of this.
I know you love your home, I understand.
It's beautiful.
And I love it too.
Can Sarlat do anything to harm you? -Of course not.
-Are you sure? He would dare nothing to harm anyone in the protection of my father.
You must already know this, Will.
(SIGHING) Yes.
Why do you ask? I just suddenly Well, you were to be married.
He has no one but himself to blame for what has happened.
He is of no account.
I promise you.
It is perhaps your friends who have made you sad.
Are they not happy here? I have many good reasons for staying.
One very good reason.
But they haven't.
If they go, you perhaps wish also to go with them.
-Not without you.
-It is not possible.
But if there was a good reason for going? A good reason.
A reason of honour.
Why is Christophe outside my door? You're important now.
We are all guarded at night.
Who against? It is the custom for those who are to marry, Will.
Tell me more of these honourable reasons.
I can't.
Not yet.
(PLAYING SINGLE KEYS) Henry and Beanpole, can we make them feel more welcome? They're already welcome.
Yes, but I've got a lovely room, wonderful clothes, a horse And you have me, even if the horse comes first.
(SIGHING) -What do you wish? -I don't know.
Something to make them feel closer to us.
More equal.
It is not good for friends to feel different.
We think too much of our own good fortune.
It has been another hot day.
Last year it was very hot.
Madame Lafis fainted.
(COUNT LAUGHING) Do you remember when the school master fainted, Henry? -No.
-Yes, you do.
It was a summer when we had a big harvest and everybody had to help.
Did you help also, Henri? Everybody had to, he just told you.
WILL: It was good fun.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) Have you drunk champagne? No, madame.
Let us drink, to the tournament.
-COUNTESS: The tournament.
-ALL: The tournament.
And now, the marriage.
What marriage? He has not told you? Guillaume is to marry Eloise.
To Guillaume and Eloise.
It must be when they are asleep.
I'll get the food when I'm cleaning the kitchens.
It will be good to be on the way once more.
-You think of Will? -He didn't dare tell us.
It was a surprise, certainly.
We're his friends, or we were.
He should have told us.
You believe he'll never get to White Mountains, Henry? No, he won't follow.
With or without the girl.
Anyway, how would he know where to find us? How would he catch us up? You blame him too much.
We have been safe here.
These people are kind.
To Will they have shown a great friendship.
It is hard for him.
-It's that girl -They are in love.
It is that.
Henry, we are here because we wish to be free.
To make a choice, yes? If Will wishes to be capped, it is his choice.
Well, not for me.
HENRY: You've changed.
-I was trying -HENRY: You've changed.
-I'm going to bring Eloise.
-It's that girl.
I'm going to bring Eloise.
(VOICES ECHOING) (TRIPOD SCREECHING) (GASPS) We go, Beanpole.
Tonight.
I think it is best, yes.
Maybe they're less harmful than we think.
-They kill men.
-You always get accidents.
Accidents? That helps, does it? Trying to convince yourself? You saw Paris, what it must've been like when men lived there.
If the Tripods could beat the people who built Paris, well, what's the point of a few men in some mountains hundreds of kilometres away, kidding themselves they're free? Anyway, we're going tonight.
We need a map and a compass.
-Are you listening, Will? -You'll have them.
You have thought well on this subject? You still mean to follow us with Eloise? Yes.
You haven't thought it out at all.
You're fooling yourself.
You'll stay and be capped and probably give us all away.
It's time for my lesson.
-Remember our map.
-You'll have your map.
(COUNT CHUCKLES) It's time for my lesson.
Not today, Guillaume.
Today I'm far too busy.
The tournament always takes much arranging, but this year a Tripod has arrived.
So this year the tournament will be something special.
May I see your father's maps? May I copy one for practise? That's a good idea.
Yes, my father made the maps, I copied them when a boy.
Now you.
Yes, go to my study, you can work at my desk.
Yes, I will.
But do not work too hard.
Will, I've come to say goodnight.
I've seen little of you today.
Well, um I've been busy.
ELOISE: I also have been busy.
And two hours with Monsieur Guernichet, the picture is finished.
What do you do so late? Nothing special.
You wish to please my father.
It is very good.
You take much trouble, Will.
You will be a great man.
We shall be happy together.
Now I know why you are so busy today and I love you for it.
I bring a gift.
It is for you to remember me when we are not together.
Do you like it, Will? -HENRY: Will? -Yes.
-Have you got it? -Here.
I thought you weren't going to steal.
I just copied the important parts.
-Is it all right? -It is good, yes.
I've marked a way for you in red.
That's the way Eloise and I will follow.
-And what about a compass? -No.
Here's your chart for the stars.
I've marked out how to find north.
Hmm, I understand.
Yes, it will do.
So long as the stars are out.
We know it has not been easy for you, Will.
(WILL SIGHS) -Good luck, then.
-And to you.
Good luck, Henry.
I'm sorry if you think that That's all right.
-We cannot wait for you, Will.
-I know.
You could come now.
Bye, then.
Au revoir.
Will.
I've been looking for you.
What are you doing? Thinking.
What is wrong? Nothing.
Henri and Jean-Paul, they have left? Yes.
I said I'd tell you everything.
And this is the right time because you've got to understand everything now.
Everything's all right, Will.
We're going to be happy together.
You see that out there? The Tripod, yes? Do you know what its purpose is? What it does? Why there are Tripods all over the world? In the south, in mountains there, mountains covered in snow and You're capped.
You did not know, Will? You did not know?
Monsieur Guernichet? (SPEAKING FRENCH) (SPEAKING FRENCH) ELOISE: It depends on how much you disturb him, Will.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) It is plain to see you are recovered from your accident, Eloise.
Perhaps a walk in the fresh air will suit you better.
(MEN GRUNTING) (SWORDS CLANKING) -Bravo! -Bravo! What does he think he's playing at? The harder he digs himself in, the harder it's gonna be to let go.
Henry? You have never thought perhaps that Will is in love? In love? You have eyes.
See? Don't be silly.
The romantic English.
He's the big favourite now, all right.
He's even got one of the Count's rings.
Will saved the life of Eloise.
Should the Count not be grateful? Will, what is it? My friends, I should talk to them.
(SIGHS) The Count and the Countess want me to stay here.
What did I say? And you, Will, what do you want? I might stay, just for a while.
You'll have a good life.
-And you'll be capped.
-No.
Of course you will.
You heard what the Count told the Black Guards.
Listen, I won't be capped.
There's plenty of time.
It's just that -Well, I haven't worked it all out yet.
-Summer won't last forever and winter's going to make hard travelling.
-I'll be on my way by then.
-Don't expect us to wait.
I don't! -I'm going to bring Eloise.
-What? I'm going to talk to her when the time's right.
About the Tripods and being free.
I want her to come, too.
-It will be difficult.
-It's out of the question.
It puts us all in danger.
They'll come looking for her.
We are nothing.
You, they might decide to let you go, but her That's why you two should get away when you can.
Eloise and I will follow.
You're letting everyone down.
Ozymandias, the Free Men.
We were two out of dozens to Ozymandias.
Anyway, he's dead.
As for the Free Men, they don't even know we exist.
You've changed.
You've really changed.
-Things are so different here.
-How, Will? Well, at home, all adults were strangers.
All adults were capped.
Here, at home, what's the difference? I never knew it was possible to be capped and happy.
-But they are not free.
-WILL: How does it show? They can do what they like here, isn't that being free? It's that girl.
Her name's Eloise.
We've seen you riding, walking, giggling, holding hands.
What's that to you? It's just that we're not good enough for you now.
-All right, if that's the way you -I say she can't come.
Well, I say she is coming.
She's trapped you better than any Tripod.
Shut up, Henry.
With that silly smile and her dark eyes.
I said shut up.
-Will! Henry! -The first stupid girl you meet.
(WILL GRUNTS) (METALLIC CLANGING) There must be no more! You are foolish.
Both of you.
You draw attention to us now? I suppose you'll run straight to the Count and give us away.
What are you doing here? No, Englishman, I ask what you are doing here at the Chateau Ricordeau? You should know.
You're the one who found me.
I should have left you in the forest.
It is said you are simple voyagers, you and your two friends.
To where do you travel? -Nowhere in particular.
-To travel nowhere makes no sense.
-It's no concern of yours.
-Eloise, she's my concern.
Or so she was until you came.
-The Count says -The Count is an old fool.
Do not think we are all fools here.
Do you like maps, Englishman? -The Count -I repeat, can be fooled.
Do you work at this to gain his favour? Or is there another reason? Maybe you intend to continue your travels to nowhere.
It would be best also that you continue them soon.
-Who are you, Englishman? -You know who I am.
I know who you claim to be.
You and the other Englishmen.
You claimed to cross the sea for France where you claim to have met your French companion.
You claimed to have travelled to the place I found you.
It is all too simple.
It is not possible unless you twist and turn to every village in town.
You fear the Black Guards.
I saw it in your face.
Simple travellers do not show such fear.
There are many questions to be answered.
-I don't have to tell you anything.
-Then I will tell you.
(WILL SIGHS) You bring danger here.
Danger for who? For your friends, for Eloise, for you.
-I'm not frightened of you.
-No? We shall see.
I also have friends, Englishman.
My friends have great anger at the way I am treated.
Do not think your future here is certain.
A chateau has lonely, quiet corridors.
Take care not to walk them alone.
Get out.
Above all, do not feel certain of Eloise.
Benefit from these studies.
Leave while you can.
There will be no pursuit.
If not, accept what you bring upon yourself and on those who you claim to love.
Get out.
Now! (PIANO PLAYING) -ELOISE: What has happened? -Nothing.
-If I asked you to come away with me -Yesterday you talked of this.
I know you love your home, I understand.
It's beautiful.
And I love it too.
Can Sarlat do anything to harm you? -Of course not.
-Are you sure? He would dare nothing to harm anyone in the protection of my father.
You must already know this, Will.
(SIGHING) Yes.
Why do you ask? I just suddenly Well, you were to be married.
He has no one but himself to blame for what has happened.
He is of no account.
I promise you.
It is perhaps your friends who have made you sad.
Are they not happy here? I have many good reasons for staying.
One very good reason.
But they haven't.
If they go, you perhaps wish also to go with them.
-Not without you.
-It is not possible.
But if there was a good reason for going? A good reason.
A reason of honour.
Why is Christophe outside my door? You're important now.
We are all guarded at night.
Who against? It is the custom for those who are to marry, Will.
Tell me more of these honourable reasons.
I can't.
Not yet.
(PLAYING SINGLE KEYS) Henry and Beanpole, can we make them feel more welcome? They're already welcome.
Yes, but I've got a lovely room, wonderful clothes, a horse And you have me, even if the horse comes first.
(SIGHING) -What do you wish? -I don't know.
Something to make them feel closer to us.
More equal.
It is not good for friends to feel different.
We think too much of our own good fortune.
It has been another hot day.
Last year it was very hot.
Madame Lafis fainted.
(COUNT LAUGHING) Do you remember when the school master fainted, Henry? -No.
-Yes, you do.
It was a summer when we had a big harvest and everybody had to help.
Did you help also, Henri? Everybody had to, he just told you.
WILL: It was good fun.
(SPEAKING FRENCH) Have you drunk champagne? No, madame.
Let us drink, to the tournament.
-COUNTESS: The tournament.
-ALL: The tournament.
And now, the marriage.
What marriage? He has not told you? Guillaume is to marry Eloise.
To Guillaume and Eloise.
It must be when they are asleep.
I'll get the food when I'm cleaning the kitchens.
It will be good to be on the way once more.
-You think of Will? -He didn't dare tell us.
It was a surprise, certainly.
We're his friends, or we were.
He should have told us.
You believe he'll never get to White Mountains, Henry? No, he won't follow.
With or without the girl.
Anyway, how would he know where to find us? How would he catch us up? You blame him too much.
We have been safe here.
These people are kind.
To Will they have shown a great friendship.
It is hard for him.
-It's that girl -They are in love.
It is that.
Henry, we are here because we wish to be free.
To make a choice, yes? If Will wishes to be capped, it is his choice.
Well, not for me.
HENRY: You've changed.
-I was trying -HENRY: You've changed.
-I'm going to bring Eloise.
-It's that girl.
I'm going to bring Eloise.
(VOICES ECHOING) (TRIPOD SCREECHING) (GASPS) We go, Beanpole.
Tonight.
I think it is best, yes.
Maybe they're less harmful than we think.
-They kill men.
-You always get accidents.
Accidents? That helps, does it? Trying to convince yourself? You saw Paris, what it must've been like when men lived there.
If the Tripods could beat the people who built Paris, well, what's the point of a few men in some mountains hundreds of kilometres away, kidding themselves they're free? Anyway, we're going tonight.
We need a map and a compass.
-Are you listening, Will? -You'll have them.
You have thought well on this subject? You still mean to follow us with Eloise? Yes.
You haven't thought it out at all.
You're fooling yourself.
You'll stay and be capped and probably give us all away.
It's time for my lesson.
-Remember our map.
-You'll have your map.
(COUNT CHUCKLES) It's time for my lesson.
Not today, Guillaume.
Today I'm far too busy.
The tournament always takes much arranging, but this year a Tripod has arrived.
So this year the tournament will be something special.
May I see your father's maps? May I copy one for practise? That's a good idea.
Yes, my father made the maps, I copied them when a boy.
Now you.
Yes, go to my study, you can work at my desk.
Yes, I will.
But do not work too hard.
Will, I've come to say goodnight.
I've seen little of you today.
Well, um I've been busy.
ELOISE: I also have been busy.
And two hours with Monsieur Guernichet, the picture is finished.
What do you do so late? Nothing special.
You wish to please my father.
It is very good.
You take much trouble, Will.
You will be a great man.
We shall be happy together.
Now I know why you are so busy today and I love you for it.
I bring a gift.
It is for you to remember me when we are not together.
Do you like it, Will? -HENRY: Will? -Yes.
-Have you got it? -Here.
I thought you weren't going to steal.
I just copied the important parts.
-Is it all right? -It is good, yes.
I've marked a way for you in red.
That's the way Eloise and I will follow.
-And what about a compass? -No.
Here's your chart for the stars.
I've marked out how to find north.
Hmm, I understand.
Yes, it will do.
So long as the stars are out.
We know it has not been easy for you, Will.
(WILL SIGHS) -Good luck, then.
-And to you.
Good luck, Henry.
I'm sorry if you think that That's all right.
-We cannot wait for you, Will.
-I know.
You could come now.
Bye, then.
Au revoir.
Will.
I've been looking for you.
What are you doing? Thinking.
What is wrong? Nothing.
Henri and Jean-Paul, they have left? Yes.
I said I'd tell you everything.
And this is the right time because you've got to understand everything now.
Everything's all right, Will.
We're going to be happy together.
You see that out there? The Tripod, yes? Do you know what its purpose is? What it does? Why there are Tripods all over the world? In the south, in mountains there, mountains covered in snow and You're capped.
You did not know, Will? You did not know?