Victoria (2016) s03e07 Episode Script

1 Hallelujah Gloriana Hallelujah Gloriana, hallelujah Hallelujah.
We can't go on like this.
It's time we made a life together.
How would we do that? Look at this necklace, Sophie.
This should do until I make my fortune.
There are goldmines in California.
America? As far away from Monmouth and Mr.
Penge as possible.
It's perfect! Look, even the veins on the leaf.
It is remarkable.
This looks like a bronze by Cellini, but if you lift it up It's light as a feather! That's because inside it's plaster of Paris.
We dip it in the tank, and just like the rose, it's covered in a thin film of metal.
And yet it looks exactly like the real thing! This electroplating is a chance for great work to be within the reach of the common man.
Dukes and dustmen can both be surrounded by works of art! Ah, Victoria, please.
I do not think you have met Mr.
Cole-- he is my colleague from the Royal Society of Arts and Commerce.
Your Majesty.
I've never met a man with quite so much energy.
If you want steam, get Cole! We have just been discussing the Society's forthcoming exhibition.
Oh! Gold-plated roses.
So this is what you are planning to show? Amongst other wonders, ma'am.
If you had seen how the electroplating bath works, Drina, it is truly remarkable.
Really? Would you like me to give you a demonstration, ma'am? Oh, don't worry.
I don't want to interrupt your work.
Besides, I have my boxes to attend to.
Humiliation! Don Pacifico, a British citizen in Athens, was attacked by a mob.
Because he is a Jew.
The police didn't simply watch it happen they joined in.
We must restore the dignity of Her Majesty's subject.
I agree with what you said in there, Lord Palmerston, but how do you propose to avenge one man's dignity? Send in the Duke of Wellington? If it comes to that.
Good morning, Mama.
Yes, good morning.
Is that me when I was a baby? I hope I grow up and live happily ever after.
Like you and Papa.
Do I need to remind you, Joseph, that I expect footmen to be respectfully dressed at all times? My appearance has always upset you, Mr.
Penge.
Why should today be any different? Joseph! I know you're upset, but promise me you won't give Mr.
Penge any more reason to hate you! There are plenty of reasons to hate me.
But be careful.
In my experience, when people are in love, they forget to keep their wits about them.
Why didn't the police intervene? They were too busy throwing rocks at the poor man and his family along with the rabble.
I thought, as somebody who can't abide religious intolerance, that you may have an opinion on the matter.
Indeed.
We should take action.
I intend to, ma'am, with your blessing.
Whatever is necessary.
I thought it would be best if I explain the situation to Your Majesty and the prince in person.
The prince is too busy, with Mr.
Cole.
Cole! I'm surprised he has the time.
He's always so busy designing teapots.
He and the prince are thick as thieves.
Really? His Royal Highness has a proposition to make to the committee.
I think that our annual exhibition is too parochial.
So, I propose that this year we invite other nations, to send their finest products.
A fair to show the whole world's ingenuity.
With all due respect, Cole, there's a reason we don't invite foreigners.
I don't think Manchester cottons want to be displayed next to French silks.
But we have nothing to be afraid of! What of worth has ever been achieved which did not inspire fear? Imagine if the Egyptians had given into their doubts before they began the Great Pyramid of Giza, or the Greeks the Lighthouse of Alexandria? For an exhibition on the scale you imagine we'd have to build a new hall, and that would cost money we don't have, I'm afraid.
There will be some practicalities to overcome, that I, I cannot deny.
Mm! Mm Ooh! Ah Thank you, Your Grace.
Hm.
I believe my wife's having relations with one of your footmen.
Um I have my suspicions about who it might be.
The man will go to any length to get ahead.
Well, the trouble is, I need evidence.
I can't follow her around the palace myself, so I need somebody trustworthy to do it on my behalf.
Indeed, Your Grace.
May one ask what you intend to do with such evidence? I intend to prosecute the footman for interfering with my property.
And you will need to give evidence in court.
Well, perhaps this will help you overcome any scruples? I had no idea you played so well.
Oh, I've fallen out of practice.
My husband is not so fond of music.
It seems to me your husband is not a man of taste.
No.
When we were first married, Albert used to spend hours watching me at the piano.
I'm sure he would now, if he had more time, ma'am.
I'm not so sure.
Ever since Feodora came, he never smiles at me anymore.
I always used to be able to make him laugh, I used to be his friend, his companion.
Now I feel I'm just his wife.
True love, in in whatever form it finds itself, is just as hard to lose as it is to find.
Please, play some more.
The Greek government, led by that German princeling King Otto, has refused to make reparation for the insult inflicted upon one of our citizens-- Don Pacifico.
We must show that we will not tolerate this flagrant abuse of all international standards of decency.
I have discussed the matter with Her Majesty and she agrees with me.
But what do you propose, sir? Albert.
Prime Minister! Have you heard about Palmerston's latest outrage? He is proposing a naval blockade of Athens.
Did he mention any of this to you, when you spoke with him? He told me about the plight of Don Pacifico and we agreed that something must be done.
He is a British subject.
Palmerston is so persuasive.
You probably didn't understand the implications, Drina.
Victoria, I implore you, stop this man, before his recklessness turns this whole situation into a war.
Do you believe if Palmerston carries out this plan that war is inevitable? I cannot say what Palmerston and his gunboat diplomacy will mean to this country, ma'am.
And I'm afraid I am not the best person to advise you anymore.
But you're the commander-in-chief of the army.
Not for much longer, ma'am.
Duke, does that mean It has been an honor to serve you, ma'am but my time has come.
Duke, this country needs you, now more than ever.
You need a younger man, someone who can keep Lord Palmerston in check.
So you do believe he's putting this country in danger? That is not for me to say.
You are, however, in safe hands with the prince, ma'am.
I am certain that he will give you very good advice.
I believe you have the knave of hearts, Sophie.
How did you know? Oh, I have played many card games in my time.
You need to be careful, for his sake as well as your own.
I wonder if you know what happened to Caroline Norton.
She was accused of having a criminal conversation with Lord Melbourne.
She never saw her fortune or her children again.
Melbourne was lucky to spend his last days in Brocket Hall and not Newgate Prison.
Had he been an ordinary man I very much doubt the jury would have been so lenient.
No question.
It must be in the capital.
Brunel has predicted 15 million bricks for the building.
Yes, well, we are expecting thousands of visitors each day.
We're going to need an open space around the size of Hyde Park! That, Mr.
Cole, is a brilliant suggestion! The nation's greatest park to be destroyed by a huge masonry edifice and polluted by the detritus of society.
We shall have to find a design that is temporary.
But strong enough to house the entire contents of the world's manufacturing? It shall be a feat of engineering such as the world has never seen.
I wonder if the prince has considered where the drunkards shall relieve themselves? Look at these designs for what we might call public conveniences.
Trees that have stood there for centuries will have to be cut down! Surely we can find a design to incorporate them? I think we better open submissions to every architect in the country.
This one looks like a cake.
I think it's a Coburg loaf.
Aren't I right, Papa? I thought the children might like to see some designs for Albert's exhibition.
Perhaps you might also care to take a look, Drina? There you are.
Show it to your mother.
Look, Mama.
I thought the intention was to celebrate Britain's achievements, not to make it look ridiculous.
Yes, well, Palmerston has already seen to that.
He's gone ahead, he's ignored Parliament and sent the gunboats already.
Yes, well, I am due to speak with him in a moment.
It's too late.
Well, you're the one who's planning to humiliate the nation with this giant gingerbread house! Drina! The exhibition will bring together the finest in the arts Come along, children.
Was that really necessary? I think it's time Feodora went home to her own family! Victoria, I can tolerate Bertie not wishing to share with Alfred because he is a child.
You are a 30-year-old women, who has still not learned how to play nicely.
I am not a child, Albert! Well, stop behaving like one.
Your Majesty.
I suppose I do not have to explain to you, why I summoned you here.
These curious bloomer suits that the American ladies are wearing? Well, I give you my word that none shall reach these shores while I am foreign secretary.
Women in pantaloons indeed! Lord Palmerston, I did not give you my blessing to order a naval blockade.
But we did agree, we needed to find justice for Don Pacifico.
Yes, I assumed you would find a peaceful solution.
I didn't think you would send in the navy for the sake of one man.
I do not wish to alarm you, ma'am, but Greece is getting ideas above its station, and is support by Russia, whose armed forces are set to eclipse ours by Christmas.
Then do you think it sensible to provoke Russia like this? It's an overreaction, it will surprise her.
Yes, but the king of Greece is Albert's cousin.
Family are not always friends, ma'am.
Indeed.
Lord Palmerston May I ask you a question? Certainly, ma'am.
If force is not an option with which to surprise your enemy, what other choices are there? You're the Queen of England, and you can't get rid of your enemy by force? To do so would only damage the alliance I want back.
In that case, it might help to turn the enemy into your ally.
What's making you smile, Duchess? It's from William.
He's arriving at the end of the week.
Be careful not to get too excited, my dear.
You've seemed rather frenzied of late.
I do hope that your duties to the queen aren't proving too much for your nerves.
You summoned me? Is someone joining you? You.
Would you be so kind? I know relations between us have been trying.
But we are sisters after all.
I think it's time we put the past behind us.
You believe it's that simple? Perhaps I've not been as generous as I ought to have been.
Our lives are very unequal, after all.
Is there something I can offer you, a token of my goodwill? Something? Anything.
I want my daughter.
Now she's 16, I believe it's time she came to court.
Your daughter? Yeah.
I don't suppose you remember her name.
He knows.
He doesn't frighten me.
You don't know what he's capable of.
He could destroy you, Joseph.
I know that were he to find out about us, he wouldn't want anyone to know.
That's why the Duke at Chatsworth paid me off.
For what? Let me explain.
I understand.
Sophie.
I should have been protecting myself, not you.
Sophie! Why are the newspapers so shortsighted? Can they not see the benefits the exhibition will bring? People are scared of anything ambitious.
And, of course, it is a very costly enterprise.
The costs, they shall be recouped, a thousand times over.
Only if the exhibition's a success, sir.
Which, of course, it will be.
Has any suitable designs come in? None yet that suit our financial situation, sir.
Right.
You've seen what they're saying in papers.
Finally we have an opportunity to Sir Charles! Labouchere! I wonder what matters of trade you have to discuss with the prime minister that do not concern the foreign secretary.
Is it so difficult to believe we've matters to discuss that don't involve you? I thought lying was a basic skill for any prime minister.
And I always thought diplomacy was a basic skill for a foreign secretary, and yet your handling of this affair in Greece has provoked condemnation from both France and Russia.
Good day.
Good day.
Disgrace Emma, you are old friends with Palmerston, are you not? Do you really believe he will survive this? I believe he is a man who enjoys flying too close to the sun.
That's true.
He is resilient.
I wish I could say the same of the prince.
He's working so hard on this exhibition.
He will prove his critics wrong I am sure.
Hmm I hope so.
I wish I could be sure he was doing the right thing.
I couldn't bear for all that effort to go to waste.
No man likes to be told he is wrong, ma'am.
But you could distract him.
If we have 30 countries exhibiting We will need an area of at least 500,00 square feet.
And the problem that we have is it will take years to build something of this scale with all of the stone and brick that has being proposed.
Yes It is imperative we find a design with light material.
So if the building is to begin there and would reach beyond those trees.
Indeed, sir.
Way beyond the trees.
Good afternoon, Your Royal Highness.
Lord Palmerston.
May I ask what you're doing, sir? Ah, marking out the perimeter of the exhibition.
Ah I admire your tenacity.
Yes, well, I have learned not to pay too much heed to public opinion.
Spoken by a man who has never had to rely on it to keep his position.
Well, you don't seem worried about yours, Lord Palmerston, considering the circumstances.
Well, perhaps I should become a novelist instead.
Both professions are just telling stories.
The difference is, novelists are writing fiction, politicians telling lies.
And the similarity is that people will believe any story if it's told well enough.
Good day, sir.
Good day.
Although they are very big shoes, or should I say boots, to fill, I was wondering if you had any thoughts as to your successor.
Mm not an easy role to fill.
Need someone rational, responsible, considered.
It seems to me, Albert has all of those qualities in abundance.
I think it would be a great use of his talents, and perhaps better than the exhibition.
Ah, yes.
In battle, we call that feinting.
Feinting?Distracting the attacker so that they do not enter the fray at a point that could be catastrophic.
If you mean do I want to protect Albert from harm, then yes.
Your Grace.
Why do you call me "Your Grace"? Old habits.
Of going after duchesses? I am not proud of what I've done.
If we run away together, I will get nothing.
We will be penniless.
Caroline Norton's husband took everything away from her when she tried to divorce him.
Perhaps the prospect is no longer so enticing.
Sophie I will be a rich man with you by my side.
At Chatsworth I pretended to love someone.
I wanted to make something of myself.
But all I want is to wake up beside you every morning And not feel as though I am committing a crime.
Albert? Albert.
I have something important to tell you.
Wellington wants you to succeed him as commander-in-chief.
And I agree.
Commander-in-chief? Yes.
Finally a chance, Albert, to show your country you're worthy of their respect.
Well, the exhibition will show them that, will it not? Nothing like this has ever been done before.
Because the crown and commerce are not natural allies, if it is not successful Albert, you know what the papers are saying.
Victoria, this, this is my chance to prove myself.
Do you really think I have the time to be commander-in-chief? Just wanted to do something for you.
Good evening, Your Majesty.
If you have summoned me here to berate me, you needn't have bothered.
I've had quite enough of that today.
Oh Seems you've lost your knack at pleasing the public.
It'll take more than a few unfriendly headlines to get rid of me, ma'am.
I hope so.
Really? Yes.
I find that, despite everything, I value your advice.
I am honored.
Did you succeed in turning an opponent into an ally? Let us say that I've made an advance.
Where have you been? Why are you awake? I spoke to Feodora today.
She's going to bring Heidi over.
Heidi? Her daughter.
I just wanted to do something for my sister.
Albert? Albert? I'm so looking forward to meeting my niece.
Adelheid, you mean.
Yes, Adelheid.
I hope to help Adelheid in any way I can.
Though I don't seem to be good at helping anyone at the moment.
What's she like, Feodora? She's hopeful carefree spirited.
Just like I was at that age; before Mama banished me to Langenburg.
Well, if it's any consolation, Mama always made me feel like she would rather be somewhere else than in my company.
And yet still she made you feel guilty for not showing her enough affection.
Albert thinks I should put my childhood behind me.
Perhaps we both can.
You would think that by now we would have found a design that represented what we are trying to do, but this looks like a mausoleum.
We want to celebrate the union of art and industry, not bury it.
If we don't start building now, we won't be ready in time.
Well, then perhaps our failure to come up with the right design is a sign, Mr.
Cole.
Signs are for the superstitious, sir.
Palmerston.
Russell.
what does it mean to be a citizen of this great nation? What does it mean to be an Englishman? Is it a question of birth? Location? Dress? By none of these criteria could Don Pacifico be called an Englishman, but I believe, that to be a subject of Her Majesty the Queen means so much more than any of these things.
The builders have increased their estimate by £10,000.
Which we do not have.
We could make the building smaller, cut down the number of countries? Then the whole point of the project would be lost.
It is meant to be a greatexhibition.
I think it still will be great, sir, just on a smaller scale.
I think the only thing that is going to be great, Cole will be my humiliation.
The British citizen, like the Roman, in days of old, held himself free from indignity, when he could also say, "Civis Romanus sum;" so also the British subject, shall feel confident that the watchful eye and the strong arm of England, shall protect him from injustice and wrong, in whatever land he may be.
Papa! Papa! We have something to show you.
Look! Here it says, sh-- sh-- sh-- It says shame about your exhibition, Papa.
Children! Leave your father in peace.
Albert.
What is it you wanted to talk to me about? I have been offered the position of commander-in-chief.
Oh! Well, there is no one who would do better.
Well, I think there are many people who could command the army with distinction, but I, I, I am the only man who could bring the exhibition to life.
The exhibition is a dream, a marvelous one, but Do you think it is time that I, uh woke up? Perhaps I should.
So he refused the position of commander-in-chief? That's extraordinary.
I thought he would have leapt at the chance of reorganizing the army.
No, he thought the exhibition more important.
Rather like you putting the defense of Don Pacifico before your career.
Pam! Pam!Pam, sir! I think you overestimate my integrity, ma'am.
Nothing, not even a naval blockade, comes between me and the people.
I knew they'd come round to my way of thinking.
Oh, and besides, we did get to teach the Russians a lesson without even firing a shot.
God save you, Your Majesty.
How did you know they would come round? Every paper was predicting your downfall.
I tend not put too much stock in what the papers say, ma'am.
Your Majesty.
Mr.
Cole.
Is something the matter? I came because there was still one architect I wanted the prince to meet.
But he has informed me that he will be too busy with his duties as commander-in-chief to carry on with the exhibition.
But he turned it down.
That was when he still had faith in the exhibition, ma'am.
But he no longer believes he can win over the public.
It seems to me the public are won over by resolve.
If you believe in something firmly enough, they will too.
I feel responsible, ma'am.
If the prince has been discouraged, Mr.
Cole, youare not to blame.
Excuse me.
I believe ma'am, that the prince, has taken a stroll around the gardens.
Thank you.
William has come home early.
Will you send for my carriage? Remember, Sophie, what I said about America, I meant it.
Of course.
But first I need to see my son.
It's been too long.
Albert! Albert, wait! Albert! I never should have offered you that stupid position.
You were right.
You were right about all of it.
No! No, Albert! I married a dreamer, not a soldier.
What if you married a failure? Then I would be proud to have a husband who was brave enough to fail at something he believed in.
William! William? Mama! William! Hello darling.
Where are you taking him? Mama! What are you doing? My instructions, Duchess.
Mama! William! Come along.
Mama! I'd like to introduce you to Dr.
Shepard and Dr.
Payne from the Sussex Lunatic Asylum.
They're here to examine and certify you as a lunatic.
What other possible explanation could there be for your behavior? Get off! Get off me! Get your hands off me! What are you doing? Get off me! How dare you! You have no right! You have no right to do this! You are mistaken, my dear.
It is my sad duty to protect you from yourself.
Get off! Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, this is Mr.
Paxton, who works for the Duke of Devonshire as head gardener.
The queen felt that given his background, we'd do better meeting in the open air.
What an honor to be here, Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness.
Well, thank you for coming, Mr.
Paxton, but unless you came with a plan for a building that is temporary, will not kill the trees, and can be built within a couple of months, then I really feel we will be wasting your time.
What the prince means, Mr.
Paxton, is it is a challenge.
But Mr.
Cole assures me that if there is any man for the job, it is you.
Thank you, Your Majesty.
Because I rather attribute my own success to yourself.
Or, to be more specific, the Victoria Amazonia lily.
You see, when the duke entrusted me to cultivate the seeds of this exotic flower, it grew so large that I was able to balance my own little girl on it.
Weren't you scared she'd drown? Oh, I assure you it was quite safe.
The plants are surprisingly strong.
Like these lilies, the secret is in the rigidity provided by the radiating ribs connecting with flexible cross-ribs.
The Victoria Amazonia lily grew so large, that I had to design a new greenhouse on a grand scale to fit it; my design was inspired by structure of the leaves themselves.
Was it expensive? Not now that the tax on glass has gone.
And was it easy to build? Ah, it didn't take more than a couple of months.
And can it be taken down? I haven't tried it yet, but, uh it should be easy.
What about the trees? Would they be able to survive inside of it? Oh, Papa, it's a conservatory, it's what it's designed for! Ah, well, in that case, Mr.
Paxton, I, I think these lilies may provide further assistance to your career.
Would you be able to build your, your conservatory on an even larger scale, big enough to house the entire contents of the world's manufacturing? A greenhouse to the gods.
A Crystal Palace.
I remember how ready I felt for my coronation.
Now I see how unprepared I was.
I never doubted you for a moment, ma'am.
I was fortunate to have wise minds who believed in me when when I could not.
I never had a daughter, ma'am, but if I had, I like to think she would have been something like you.
I never had a father.
But I think I know what it feels to lose one.
Stick to your guns, ma'am.
When you reach my age, you will realize there's no point getting sentimental about endings.
Hop, hop, hop, skotch, hop.
Oh, Mama! Children, this is your cousin Adelheid.
Welcome to Buckingham Palace, cousin Adelheid.
Oh, please call me Heidi.
Come, Heidi.
It's your turn.
Oh.
This morning I received yet another report that every anarchist in Europe is intending to come to the Great Exhibition.
And you believe this to be true, Prime Minister? On this particular matter, I agree with the foreign secretary.
We were one of the only nations to prevent revolution.
And you now decide, quite literally, to invite it in.
Shall I begin the process of disinvitation, if such a word exists.
No, I don't think so.
You see, Lord Palmerston, you are not the only man with a vision for this country.
But my husband has vision for a country that leads by curiosity rather than intimidation, competition rather than conflict.
A vision that trusts in the very best part of human nature, not the worst.
You put it so well, ma'am, but the public do not see the exhibition in the same light.
Well, as you know from recent experience, Lord Palmerston, the public can change their mind in an afternoon.
Sounds as if your mind is made up.
It is.
Congratulations on your victory in Parliament, Lord Palmerston.
Your Serene Highness, how kind of you.
You know, I could almost believe we were friends.
But your type don't have friends, only allies.
Can an ally ask for assistance? I have a daughter who is now of a marriageable age.
And you think I may know some eligible young men? Oh, tell me, it wasn't by any chance the queen's idea to invite your daughter? She has been most encouraging.
Oh Thank you.
Only you could have known what to say.
You know me better than anyone.
You know me better than anyone.
That's why you've had enough.
What? I've done everything I can to make you love me again.
I can't turn back time.
What if I loved you in a different way? What kind of different way? Well, it is ten years since we were married.
We have changed.
Perhaps our love has changed.
But of course I love you.
Well, I should think so.
Mm-hmm.
Albert! Albert, give that back! Wadsworth.
I was reading that! Hallelujah Gloriana Hallelujah Gloriana, hallelujah Hallelujah.