Previously on A Place To Call Home... Alone and adrift in a big city.
Anna would want me to take you in hand.
Mummy! Mummy! Come see!
Come on! Granny's pretty!
Granny looks great!
- Quick! - Shabbat.
I would be thrilled if you come,
but only if you're truly comfortable with it.
One never knows unless one tries.
Happiness is my enemy.
How do you say you've made my dreams come true
and that terrifies me?
Just like that.
But I have to stop running from us.
No more fear.
I can do it.
I've been thinking.
How would you like it?
Sell?
I've offered it to Harry.
I reckon I can snag him a loan through Missy.
I need to follow through on the new film deal
with Burbank National Pictures.
They're in town.
Just wear a wedding ring at least.
You will be viewed as cheap and your child a bastard.
They need to know sometime.
A community clinic, mine to run, totally independently.
What do you think?
Social medicine's on the rise. Jack may make it work.
Well, that's for me to judge.
It won't.
That stays in this room.
Shove your offer.
Don't add to your woes by making trouble!
For the first time, I think we might not make it.
Goodbye.
Subtitles by explosiveskull
Certainly! Go on!
Yes, they're out there getting his mother's car now.
She'll never marry him.
For seven years, she's been saying she will.
That's why she won't.
She'll never marry anyone.
Mark's just proposed to Julia,
but Jacqueline still holds a torch for him.
There I was thinking my life's in turmoil.
Mama.
Hopefully by this afternoon I'll have some wonderful news.
You're going to be sensible, aren't you?
I'm going to be me.
- Terry. - How are you?
Just over here.
Good. I'm not late.
They're delayed.
It gives us time to prepare.
What on earth?
Four and a half months.
And... no husband?
Not a hint of one.
- You should have said something. - Show and tell.
This is utterly irresponsible.
I think we both need a drink.
You could have at least dressed to conceal.
It'll come out eventually.
When the ink's dry.
Thank God they're late.
Marielle is around the corner.
Buy yourself something capacious quickly.
Why?
Dry martini, olive. Thank you.
And you'd better make hers a double.
It's off if they see you like that.
Why?
- Why? - Yes.
You know as well as I do.
You'll give marvelous interviews looking like that.
And photos?
Miss Anna Bligh?
Look what happened to Bergman with Rossellini,
and she's one of the world's biggest stars.
Hollywood is conservative.
They won't touch an unwed mother with a barge pole.
- Let's see. - Anna...
You're presuming.
I'm prepared to take a risk.
Indulge me.
You're prepared to risk this?
That's what you'll be losing.
- Goodness. - They are keen.
That buys a lot of security for you and your child.
Someone has to draw a line in the sand.
But not today.
What?
- Yes, sir. - Hi.
Looks like we'll see, doesn't it?
They might surprise.
Gentlemen.
The grog's arrived. How many are you expecting?
I'm determined we don't run dry.
So it seems.
You've cleared the budget?
What James doesn't know won't hurt him.
You've been sorely missed.
Look at these.
It puts the "wa-wa" into "boudoir."
You like?
I love.
I'll be touting them around the party.
If you don't get more commissions,
it won't be my fault.
The old pile is coming alive.
And I don't mean me.
Look. Our guest is settling in.
He's an adorable boy. I'll let him know you're here.
How exactly did Henry happen?
He came thinking Elizabeth was still here,
and Prudence harangued him into staying...
at least until after his operation.
The old pile is coming alive.
And you do mean her.
So?
That too-forced smile.
What's beneath?
What could he have said that wouldn't have shattered you?
Anything that indicated a notion of change.
He's being dumped after years of dedication
and his answer is to stay fixed in a different guise.
He could have found a new hospital,
improved his credentials,
even taken a break to consider his options.
But he goes back to the man who's ousting him
and floats a plan
to be little more than a GP-cum-social worker.
He sees it as nobly motivated,
but it just shows how blinkered his horizons are.
Say it to him, not me.
We'd be on the same merry-go- round we've been on for years.
'Round and 'round, settling nothing.
But you've been living with things as they are.
You have this wonderful new job.
What's changed?
I had a glimpse of something new.
I didn't truly realize until then
how... desperately I wanted it,
not just a compromise patch over the wound.
You love him.
Which is why s-saying goodbye broke my heart.
He knows?
I'm too much of a coward.
But I knew as I left Ash Park...
...then it's over.
We'll die with a whimper, not a bang.
It all sounds so bleak.
For me.
But if I do it well enough, I can...
minimize the pain for him.
Having you helps.
Having a friend I can talk to honestly...
...who I know can understand.
I'll need it.
Well, you know what I want.
I'm not blind.
But I will do nothing until I know you're free.
Thank you.
For my own protection perhaps as much as for yours.
Sir? The telephone.
Anna Bligh.
Over there, sir.
Henry, darling!
Thank you.
Come. Commiserate.
Are you sure you need more?
Need? No.
Want? Very much.
Two! Thank you.
One for this gorgeous man who I have treated so poorly.
I just... I wanted to get things out of the way before we spoke,
and, well, out of the way they are.
I've lost a rather large sum of money.
My publisher, too.
Seems I am unseemly in the eyes of Burbank National Pictures.
Grand gestures are not appreciated.
I feel very noble and very depressed.
Start at the start.
How are you? Are you all right?
I was so pleased to hear that Prudence took you in.
You first. And only one more drink.
I'm a bit of a scandal.
A lovable one.
Go.
Well...
You have no intention of marrying?
No.
I see.
You understand the position that puts us in.
Can't my work speak for itself?
Do you have to highlight me in the process?
Maybe not now, but if we pour money into filming
and this gets out...
If you could guarantee you'll be married by then.
I don't see what difference it makes.
The film is the film, and it is adult material.
So are you... unmarried, with a kid.
That's too adult.
This is a woman's picture,
and women are far more judgmental than men.
If we could get some guarantee.
We like your work. We want it.
Come back to us married, the deal stands.
So I show the wedding certificate, you show the check?
That's about it.
That's not why I'm here.
No, my darling.
I'm afraid I... lost my cool.
This is such hypocrisy.
We all know what goes on in Hollywood.
You flaunt stars like two-dollar whores.
But perish the thought a woman makes an adult choice
to raise a child on her own.
- Well, then the heavens fall. - Enough!
I will not marry to satisfy your double standard.
If that sees me out of pocket, fine.
And it certainly does.
I've never seen so many zeroes in my life.
I don't know what you think you're doing.
You're a talented author.
It saddens me to see you implode.
What, that's it?
Well, the other studios will feel exactly the same.
I can't imagine what you think you've achieved.
And... what do you think you've achieved?
At least I know now what my work's worth.
Nothing.
Something.
Everything.
What?
I'll raise our baby, unmarried, head held high.
Thought you'd want the honors.
I like to think she's watching.
I'd say she is.
Now let's see what response this gets.
It's called testing the waters.
Blokes. Talkin'.
Well, stranger things have happened.
Pass them around.
Good afternoon, gentlemen.
I'm chief recruiting officer.
What do you reckon?
She was a pillar of the community, so it's very fitting.
Always say the right thing?
I'll do me darndest for you.
Shouldn't you be at home?
I'm collecting my things.
I could have brought them.
I needed the moment.
I've had bits of myself scattered around
for six years now.
This is David's.
Keep it for the littlies.
Quite a wrench.
I've nursed for my entire adult life.
Must feel strange.
Especially with what you've got planned.
I'd love to be a part of it.
But I need to give Mrs. Bligh a go.
Elizabeth saw it as a job.
Maybe that's the way to approach it, you know?
You're just carrying on working.
I hope it's enough.
Won't know till you try.
I won't.
I want to cry.
Truth?
So do I.
Good boy.
Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam,
...asher kidishanu bimitzvotav vetzivanu,
l'hadlik ner shel Shabbat.
Shabbat shalom.
- Shabbat shalom. - Shabbat shalom.
Yes.
The done thing.
Shabbat shalom.
Yeah?
Doctor, before I head home, may I?
Make it quick.
Indeed.
There was confusion at the CWA.
What might that be?
Our women's clinic... no more.
What does it mean... "men's groups"?
Will this simply encourage them to come together to complain
against whatever comforts you're offering their wives?
Is that what the women are saying?
Well, it was their space.
And it still will be. "Us and them" doesn't help.
We ladies and men are not the same, Doctor.
There is a divide.
There was sanctuary, knowing that the clinic was ours.
Maybe the blokes need some space too.
They have the public bar.
Booze and bombast, Doris.
They might need a place to talk their feelings.
Men don't.
Maybe they should.
Maybe there wouldn't have been a Stan O'Rourke
if he'd had a place to get it off his chest?
Perhaps.
I'll manage it so we can all share.
You think I wouldn't?
If anything, it'll be better.
How?
That was for me to figure.
For now, just accept the fact.
I do.
I shall be your emissary.
I'd appreciate that.
Sleep tight.
Did you like it, Granny?
Yes. I did.
Good night.
Roll over now.
The house is still resting firmly on its foundations.
Sometimes fear needs fearing
more than the things that we fear.
It's a "be fabulous" party.
Delia's not stinting, but it's money well spent.
She's invited the wealthy of your old set
and a smattering of mine.
Needless to say, none would get into Casa Swanson
in the normal run of events.
How will Prudence cope?
She's revealing her inner fag hag.
A monster is born.
We miss you!
Olivia says hello.
Georgie's sleeping. She can't. So we're sitting vigil.
Glad she's there?
She asks if we're happy to have her.
It's wonderful to be here.
Madly!
That's Uncle William. Georgie's won a heart.
I'm sure.
Wish us well for winning some later.
I'm sure you will.
Give my love.
Anna sends her love.
Sounds like Grandmother's car.
Mother's just arrived. She'll want a quick word.
I'll hand you over as soon as she comes in.
Send them safely home.
They'll be spoiled rotten.
She deserves it.
She's earned it.
So all through here is going to be a huge arch, Moroccan style.
There you are.
No Elizabeth?
She's using the rigors of the drive home as her excuse.
It's lucky she's not still living here.
She'd have no choice.
I'm sure.
Where does Delia find such handsome men?
Joint's positively creak with the waiters at my soirees.
I hope you approve.
I shall write to my Andrew and scandalize him.
There you are.
I'm sure you approve.
Gorgeous!
Even before the guests arrive.
Um, I forgot to mention there may be an extra.
- Yes? - He didn't commit.
Do tell.
Harry Polson.
He was good to me when I was low.
Then fling the doors wide.
Excuse me.
Delia, dear!
She's in her element.
Alarmingly.
How's Anna?
Alternating between defiance and deflation.
I left her discussing it with Mother.
Elizabeth's there?
Just now.
I'll be back.
No day of rest?
- Mine soon. - Indeed.
Keeps me at it.
Well, now the paperwork.
You check it over.
If it all makes sense, then, we'll get it started.
You don't have to do this.
- I want to. - I know Sarah wants...
I want to.
Harry... it occurred to me at our wedding
that there you were, bearing witness for a man who...
...I'll admit it, was part of treating you shabbily.
You've shown dignity with James.
You've been a good friend for that alone.
And yes, for Sarah.
She's deeply fond of you.
Means a lot.
I'll put these up in the house.
You get back to it.
Thank you.
All work and no play.
Even God took a break on Sunday.
If you've been sent to fetch me, your trip is wasted.
If you've come for Anna, good. She needs distraction.
Neither.
Well, take her anyway. She's in a funk.
I'm glad you and she are talking.
Well, what did she say?
Well, that you'll be mother and father but not husband and wife.
Not without its challenges, I expect.
The child will be loved.
What's most important.
And protected.
That's not why I'm here.
Well, you're a start.
Just checking.
Come in.
Well, no one's going to open up in front of a copper.
What about the copper opening up?
Nah.
Tough as old boots, me. No need.
Next time.
If there is one.
I'm in it for the long haul.
Does Carolyn know?
No. And ideally, nor should Jack.
You're the one best placed to control it.
Is Mr. Burton normally so unpleasant?
He has the surgeon's conviction of always being right.
In spades.
Sir Richard is fueling it.
Well, he couldn't resist another thrust of the rapier.
Can you talk to the board?
No.
Surely you must be able...
Just weeks ago, I would have sailed in guns ablaze.
But only one person can solve this... Jack.
Everyone's problems their own.
You and Anna too.
Make your choices as best you can
from the information available.
That's all Jack requires... a heads-up.
Not just the outside that's changed.
You inform Jack, and then I'll set the scene.
Hello?
Mr. Burton. Elizabeth Goddard.
Might we meet this afternoon?
He's sound asleep.
The, ride wore him out.
What's all this?
I've been going through the accounts.
Well trained by Mother.
I now have a degree in household management.
- We spend too much, you know. - How so?
Well, we could do with half the staff.
If I'm to be mother and wife, I don't need waiting on,
and I've offered help in the kitchen.
I bet that went down well.
- Yes. - Cook is very protective.
- It's her domain. - My home.
Total commitment.
It's how I am.
I had noticed.
I must say I'm surprised.
Why?
How you're embracing domesticity so fully.
A lot more besides.
I can help with the books,
I can school David if he doesn't settle well at the local,
and I'd like to do more around the property.
- I'm perfectly capable. - I have no doubt.
And we could do more charitably...
possibly a food service for some of the older folks.
And you're thinking of culling staff?
The way you're going, we'll end up hiring.
I want Ash Park to be more than just the house on the hill.
- It's our house on the hill. - But let's bring it to earth.
Let's make it matter.
Anything you want.
As long as you're fulfilled and happy.
I am.
I will be.
I might ask cook about what it would take to do a food service.
I'll make it seem like her idea.
- You're learning! - Ha!
Mildred, that Canberra number again, please.
Thank you.
Agatha, I've been thinking about leftovers.
How so, ma'am?
Well, I hate to see good food going to waste.
Crying shame, I call it.
Perhaps we could put our heads together on it.
No, no. The idea, it appeals.
The, the timing's bad.
Does a refusal now preclude a yes later?
Then you may hear from me.
It depends on my wife.
It could be months.
No, no.
I-I will tell her when...
...if it's right.
Good.
Doesn't everyone look thrilled to be here?
It's such a variety.
I do hope some of my set arrive soon.
There's some now! Hello!
Hello.
So most of these are your old friends?
Still friends, really.
We always look forward to seeing each other.
Such glamorous guests.
Where have these people been all my life?
Who is that exotic creature just arriving?
I'm not sure.
Bill. Bob. Bruce?
A man?
In a fabulous frock.
And the way Delia's gushing, with a house needing attention.
The good thing about a lot of this crowd...
no children to soak up the money.
Perhaps it's best Elizabeth did decline.
I hope your gang won't be too shocked.
Carefully chosen.
I must bring out the cigarettes.
Over there.
They're sharing!
Your education continues.
Henry.
You sent Hollywood packing
and you're worried about a gaggle of homosexuals?
More like my tongue.
I'm likely to fire away again if they start on this.
This could well be the least judgmental reaction we'll get.
Well, at least it's going to be witty.
With queens?
You ready?
As I'll ever be.
Into the fray.
My sweets!
Arriving together.
Public statement?
We won't lie if asked.
It seems an afternoon for honesty.
Prudence?
Her eyes are on approving stalks.
Welcome!
And adieu!
Gorgeous!
- This special smoking. - Yes?
I love it. It's beautiful.
I had a small puff myself.
I think perhaps discretion.
The garden or the Moroccan room.
I'll spread the word. Take over.
Can I leave this to you?
I promised I'd return.
It's delicious.
And you were worried about being the scandal.
It does add perspective.
They're like you were with the Americans.
Well, thumbing their noses at society.
I mean, what harm does it do anyone?
What harm does that?
So priceless.
It glistens all over the place.
Is it an heirloom?
Today Prudence, tomorrow the world.
We can but hope.
We are on welcoming duty.
Welcome! Hello. Welcome.
Delia is through there.
Mervyn Peel and Stephen Black.
Henry!
Overtaxing your hand, naughty boy.
- And, you are? - Anna Bligh.
Not the?
A famous girl, chum. Trust you.
Your book jacket says you're single.
I am.
Feel free to congratulate the father.
Well, is he here?
Point him out.
Slap me down with a feather.
But not...
No.
Well, Fox, you fox.
Too camp!
Mr. Burton. Come in.
This is a courtesy call.
I am aware of your history with the board.
History... past tense.
You're here to talk to the future.
Speak openly.
I'll leave you.
I came to see you.
But this is what you're getting.
Excuse me.
I thought Henry Fox knew what side his bread's buttered on.
You're an unpleasant prick, aren't you?
I think...
You're not used to the direct approach?
That's the trouble with you surgeons,
especially the higher you go.
There's no one to say no.
Well, I am.
- I think... - Shut up and listen.
I could handle you turning a job interview into a coup.
I could just deal with your supercilious manner
when I explained my view of a shared future.
But there is no way I'm standing back and letting you play games
with the patients I've poured my life into.
So you can give credence to my idea,
you can work with me and respect it,
- or you can piss off. - I'm not listening to this.
Give it a proper go...
- and I might... repeat... - might... revise my opinion
you're a self-centered, arrogant bastard.
This is outrageous!
What's outrageous is you swanning in
like some minor Machiavelli,
manipulating my hospital before you've even started.
Any surgeon who puts his ego ahead of his patients
is a shit surgeon in my book.
Have we got a deal?
We certainly have not.
All right.
Then here's how it goes.
I've got an appointment with the board tomorrow.
Elizabeth and Henry are coming,
and we're laying the whole thing out in front of them.
Henry is bringing a talented young colleague
and an offer of both of their skills in lieu of you.
There's no way we're letting you loose on the place.
A second-rate doctor,
a fairy who can't operate, and some ring-in?
And she's yesterday's news.
Are the staff?
Either the board takes the deal or it's a full walkout.
They voted.
Board won't risk that.
Do you want it known you were dropped by a country hospital?
The great Neil Burton, rejected.
I'd retire with my reputation intact.
Well...
...perhaps I misjudged you.
There is fire.
When it comes to my patients.
We perhaps could have worked together.
No hope now.
No.
Do I cancel the board meeting?
Your hick hospital is welcome to stay firmly in the past.
And you're welcome to bugger off.
No wonder you listen to Richard Bennett.
Tell him to enjoy his seat on the board
while he's still got it.
Remind me never to play poker with you.
I have never seen a hand bluffed so well.
Well, now I'd better actually get Henry
and some whiz kid on board
and I'll have myself a hospital and a clinic.
Mine.
Four.
One, two, three, four.
Your turn.
- Three! - Three!
One, two, three.
- Who's winning? - I am!
I'm going to win.
No, you're not.
Cook's just baked a cake. Fresh out of the oven.
Why don't you go and get some?
I have to talk to Mummy.
That didn't take too much prompting.
What is it?
Don't worry.
It's, it's nothing serious.
I'd made a choice not to tell you something,
and I suddenly realized that that was wrong.
I didn't want to throw a spanner in the works.
You're trying so hard here.
But I think you should know.
Yes?
I've been contacted by the Israeli Embassy.
My time in Canberra, your history,
our time on the kibbutz, David.
If I'm agreeable, they'll ask Menzies to add me
to our diplomatic staff in Israel.
They want someone who can see the complexities as they are.
They want you to...
Us.
You too.
You're very much part of it.
Just as you're embracing this.
But it's wrong that we don't decide together.
How long?
Three years at least. They want a commitment.
What about Ash Park?
We'd get in a manager.
Roy's here.
Harry would help, given what we've done.
It would be wonderful for David.
It would.
- I'd love it. - I know.
But I don't want to make a false start here.
The timing's appalling.
Well, we wouldn't have to take off immediately.
So?
A few days ago, yes.
Today...
...I'm not so sure.
Zelda's mumsy has been too dear about us.
We're so lucky when so many get rejected.
"It's better than being left on the shelf."
That's what she said, the darling.
Better Sappho than solo, it seems.
- Who are you expecting? - I know.
He can't keep his eye from the door.
A new fella? Tell.
No.
Just Harry Polson.
Adorable Harry?
You're not stuck on him?
No.
He's not my type.
Says he, madly watching the door.
More like you're not his, if he's a no-show.
You always take it too far.
If all the world were like this.
Stranger, but truer.
He was wondering if I had any ideas for radio serials.
He's a producer.
No judgment, no "you're too scandalous to be employed."
I was thinking "Tender Vines."
You tore it up.
It's all in here.
And I'm ready to face it now, finally.
Good.
You know I love you.
Same.
We will make superlative parents.
Who needs marriage? We're trailblazers.
Brave new world that has such people in it.
I'll go find Prudence and she can show you the plans.
We're hiring Prudence for publicity.
She's been marvelous.
They're nice together.
They'll make it work in their own way.
Like you.
You're managing a good face.
Who wants frowns?
If it all gets too much.
I just might.
Possibly.
You sure you don't want to come?
I am happily ensconced here.
I'll live vicariously through your tales.
Coward.
I can't wait to tell her.
We still make a good team.
I'm getting you back on the board.
Sir Richard wouldn't know what struck him.
No. It depends what I do with this place.
Are we any closer to a decision?
I think so.
One partly inspired by you and partly by Douglas.
When I'm more sure of it myself.
Go.
The thing I dread most... is losing control.
From the minute I entered Ravensbruck, I had none.
And leaving, I vowed never to lose it again.
That is my greatest fear... losing control.
And it's time I faced it.
Evens we stay.
Odds we go.
- No. - Submitting to chance.
- Sarah... - I have to.
I have to.
Are you sure?
And I'm not scared.
Well.
Subtitles by explosiveskull