If I'm agreeable, they'll ask Menzies
to add me to our diplomatic staff in Israel.
We met on a ship,
so as we're about to embark on the next phase in our lives...
Christmas here, then Hanukkah, New Year's, then...
The 3rd of January.
So the idea came from Jack, really.
It's in some ways an extension of the women's clinic
and Douglas' refuge.
A place for single women, like Anna and Carolyn,
women who might need somewhere to give birth.
I'd like us to be together.
But if you're up in the big smoke...
You could come up.
And occasionally... this would be my weekender.
Andrew wanted to telephone, but...
I wanted to tell you in person.
It's beautiful.
Happy, happy mother!
There are some blokes that meet up at the clinic.
What they've said to me is tell us what needs fixing,
what you need, and they'll do their best to see it done.
Charity.
It works both ways.
Jack, I can explain!
- Well, so can I. - Please...
You've had one foot out the door ever since we met!
- Please! - That's it!
If she's so miserable, perhaps she should go back.
Without his changing significantly,
what would be the point?
Bad enough the Japs cut my balls off.
The woman I love just did it all over again,
everything rationalized by her standard old accusation
that I am in a rut.
I think you are.
- Enough, all right? - We both have been.
I think you have to do something big, Jack,
or you won't be any good to anyone.
Subtitles by explosiveskull
Can I clear, ma'am?
Oh. Is everyone satisfied?
- I'm stuffed. - David!
That's not very polite.
You've had an elegant sufficiency.
Well, I'm stuffed too, mate.
You're not helping, Mr. Briggs.
Full of tucker, me!
Nor are you.
Such stories to tell my young ladies.
What bounty we've had.
Mind you, I did leave them well provided for.
Well, if that cake's anything to go by.
That's yours, yeah?
It is indeed, Mr. Gibbs.
Um, Bernie Charsley is touch and go.
I should head back and check. Excuse me.
Surely they'll call you if they need you.
Better safe than sorry.
It was a great spread. Thank you.
- Jack? - Merry Christmas.
Jack, I'll see you before I go?
I mean, no rush.
I'm here a few days.
Yeah. Yeah.
Harder knowing they could be here and they aren't
than knowing there's no way.
It's all right. I'll go.
Jack?
Don't be too proud to accept company if it helps.
- Come back when Anna's here. - I appreciate the concern.
- Jack... - I'm right.
Back to your guests.
Oh, I can't think of a jollier Christmas!
Even Andrew... usually such a scrooge!
Oh, don't make him ill after all that food.
He's burning it off!
Bang! Bang! Got you!
Just because I puked every Christmas.
Oh, no need to be so vulgar.
- Martini time. - Oh.
That eggnog was a tad weak.
"Start light" is my motto.
And finish heavy.
As you will.
I have to drive.
Oh. Then wowser you may be.
Gentlemen?
I don't have to drive.
Prudence offered my old room for the night.
And Harry.
You sure?
The sheep can look after themselves for one night.
Two rooms, of course.
But who tiptoes where when I'm abed is not my concern.
Caro? Extra fuel?
Caro?
I'd like to propose a toast
to our marvelous host, Prudence.
You can doubt it?
Our first Ash Park Hanukkah.
How wonderful.
Now, who would like the shamash?
- Me! - Oh!
Isn't it ladies first?
Leah doesn't want it. Do you?
Do you, Leah?
Uh, let me think.
You're teasing.
May anyone participate?
Ah. Perfect timing.
I've never seen Jewish stuff before.
David explained over lunch that it's connected to a miracle.
Yes, that's right. And Hanukkah is our reminder.
- It's the same day as Christmas? - This year.
It's on a lunar cycle.
We're glad you could make it.
Me too.
? Baruch Atta adonai ?
? Eloheinu melekh ha'olam ?
? Asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav ?
? V'tzivanu l'hadlik ner ?
? Shel Hanukkah ?
What did I say?
I don't know. What did you say?
I'm sorry. I... I asked for privacy.
I'm sick of people invading to check up on me.
Well, this little one wanted to see Grandpapa before Ash Park.
Merry first Christmas, little one.
How'd you know I wouldn't still be there?
I telephoned.
They said you'd dashed off.
So you're checking up too?
Daughter's privilege.
You know we would have been here all day if you'd asked.
You're here now.
Aren't you?
How was it?
It was all very dull. Nothing special.
You?
Oh. Don't worry about me.
But I do.
Yeah, you and the rest.
Lot of grog around at Christmas.
You wouldn't.
Took everything I had.
But you didn't.
The firsts without her are hardest.
And the first New Year is next. I'll have to watch it.
- I'll keep an eye on you. - You go wherever you want.
Elaine wants to see in the '60s with Grandpapa,
so we'll all be together.
I'm fine.
It's too early!
Christmas, Hanukkah, and Shabbat.
It's quite enough for one day.
Well, you're not going to bed.
Well, I'm not 6.
How about if I read to you
before I go back to Mrs. Collins?
Bomba the Jungle Boy?
Whatever you like.
Get changed. We'll be in soon.
You should consider pediatric nursing.
You have the touch.
I might.
I can't wait to start proper training.
New decade, new career.
And Sydney.
Thank you.
Oh.
For everything.
Your Aunt Miriam would be so proud.
You think?
I am.
Now, Roy will need extra hands whilst we're away.
Is there anyone at the refuge who might suit?
Especially from the men you've encouraged.
Mr. Briggs would train any you choose.
Well, best check with him first.
Well, there's not an ounce of prejudice in the man.
I mean, look at him with you.
Fine with one doesn't mean fine with all.
I mean, there's a fella who, handled wrong,
uh, he could jack up.
Well, I'm sure Roy would manage if he was briefed.
Perhaps introduce me to him next time I'm at the refuge.
And you must come by the hospital.
It's near completion.
I'm keen that it's not just for white girls.
I need advice on how best to effect that.
Well, you know the aunties. Ask them.
But I like the idea.
I've been thinking about Jack.
Might get a fire going.
You know, we had our best yarns that way.
Sarah's right. He could do with one.
Hm.
Thanks for today.
Oh, it was our pleasure.
And thank you again for the painting.
I will treasure it.
Might be worth a quid or two one day.
Oh. Well, it won't be sold in my lifetime.
I hope you do better with Jack than we have.
I'll give it a go.
Missed this.
I'm glad I dragged you out, then.
Missed just looking at the sparks...
...simply not saying.
Best way to get saying.
I was stuck when I first hit Inverness.
But I left a changed man.
Thanks to you.
Sometimes you got to move to unstick.
First place you think... Where could you go if you could?
To help.
Tell yourself, not me.
Yeah?
Yeah. Yeah.
Then go.
Well, you're bugger-all use to yourself like this.
Well, are ya?
No.
You know, if somebody had have told me last Christmas
that this would be my Christmas this Christmas,
I'd have said they're mad.
Love.
Loss.
Fatherhood... and enough warmth to drown in.
We're all feeling that.
Even though I am worried about the sheep.
You've got competition, Henry.
He's less woolly but way better legs.
Oh, too delicious.
He's for keeping.
I miss him.
Oh, sorry. I miss him so much.
I'm sorry.
Now, Jack... I might leave you to tell them.
You sure?
See you tomorrow.
You've got guts. I'll say that.
So tomorrow we have two candles.
You let them burn for half an hour and stay, sharing company.
It's one of our most joyous celebrations.
Not sure what my news does for the joy.
Frank got me thinking.
Thanks for not giving up.
I thought another voice.
Like you said back when,
your war damage made you scared to settle...
...me to move.
I'll be heading off, uh, not long after you two.
I'll make my way back to the... the place that scares me most.
Might help clear a few things up.
Where are you going?
Back?
To... where it started, where...
...where it happened.
Burma. Um...
Where they did what they did.
You get it.
I've never had the courage.
I wonder if I ever will.
It's very brave, Jack.
Well, it's kill or cure.
Perhaps we have an artist in the family.
You never know.
Thank you for thinking of him.
I couldn't turn up to Christmas without something for the kid.
That's the half-hour.
So you sit every night for a half-hour and just gab?
Yes, while the candles burn.
- This Israel thing. - Mm-hmm?
Uh, the Jews were tossed out, you say.
By the Romans... 135 A.D.
And a man had a dream that they were going back again?
Theodor Herzl, some sixty-odd years ago.
Seemed impossible.
Even some of the Jews called him mad.
There it is, now. Israel.
It happened. Gives a man hope.
How so?
Well, 2,000 years for your mob
and only 200 years for ours.
You found your way out of the oppression,
so maybe there's light at the end of the tunnel for my mob.
Any help I can ever be in Canberra.
And any I can give. We've shown we make a good team.
They're the way, I reckon.
See that they see what's right.
The new generation.
Our best hope.
I made so bold as to prepare a cold collation.
Uh, no need. Thank you.
You barely picked at your food yesterday.
Watching, were you?
And will do, perhaps selfishly.
This hospital is bursting into life.
Mr. Rowe, an excellent surgeon,
has his eye on one of my young ladies, you know.
And your men's group.
None of my earlier fears have been realized.
Told you.
You did.
A whisper tells me that you may be leaving us for a time.
Oh, jungle drums.
Emma and Leah, home with news, shared as interest, not gossip.
Of course.
Uh, I am off for a bit, to clear my head.
Mm-hmm. Well deserved.
May I make an observation, Doctor?
Go for it.
You touch people's lives in ways you will never know.
And if what I hear is true, that will be confirmed tomorrow.
I say no more should it not transpire.
But should it, it will prove your worth to Inverness
more than any words that I can offer.
Enough. Eat.
You're greatly cared for, Doctor.
Uh, Doris.
So are you.
Ah.
Hm!
What on earth prompted it?
Frank Gibbs worked some fireside magic.
He's geed him on.
To?
Examine his past...
I hope towards the end of resolving your futures.
Or his, singular, without me.
Carolyn, Jack wants to find a way back to you.
This is him searching for one.
Returning to that monstrous place helps?
Well, perhaps a form of shock therapy.
And that, given my adopted role of Switzerland
in family matters, is all I'll say.
Anna's thoughts?
Equally diplomatic, equally hopeful.
Have hope.
He's getting more famous all the time.
- Two hits! - I meant to show you yesterday.
- How does it feel? - What?
Your old boyfriend being a star.
Ah.
Are you going to look him up in Sydney?
Why?
- He gave you a friendship ring. - We were kids.
You're not ancient.
Too much has changed.
Church.
Are you going?
I might spare the congregation Elaine's singing.
Yeah.
What Roy's doing for you, it's amazing.
I know.
I always thought that Mum loved him more than me,
but... now I know why she loved him.
Emma!
Coming! Bye.
We're going to stay in touch in the city.
Good. It can be a lonely place.
Do you think I'd be stupid to try and see him?
Larry?
Yes.
I listen to your serial.
I... I know it's about you.
You loved your husband, and you were different,
and that didn't work out.
Works out in the serial. Keep listening.
We could end up the same.
Or not.
One thing I do know is I wouldn't be who I am today
if I hadn't married Gino.
And...
Well, I wouldn't change a thing.
I'm sure Larry would love to see you.
- You think? - Yes.
And if not, you won't spend your life wondering.
We're taking Georgie to Bondi.
Feel like a dip?
Carolyn?
What? Oh.
Miles away.
Would you like to join us?
I have to go over some papers with Delia.
She's coming.
Typical.
Enjoy yourselves.
- You're sure? - Yes.
Livvy.
It's lovely to see you so happy.
Move your tushie. Swim will do you good.
I think you're in the doghouse.
I'll meet you out front.
It's Sunday.
We promised this quote by tomorrow.
Christmastime. They'll cut us some slack.
You are so damned cavalier.
I'm sorry.
I understand.
I'd hung on to a sliver of hope until your collapse.
I accept now I have none.
I am sorry.
You are who you are.
Go to him.
When he returns from Burma, perhaps.
Before. And no "perhaps."
You wanted him to move.
He might return no different.
He must be wondering about your reaction.
Something I haven't shared.
I telephoned him.
- When? - Months back.
The day of the christening.
I told him I could only take you if he let me.
I thought it might stir him to action.
Clearly didn't.
Until now.
It must have contributed.
There was pride and anger in his voice.
You can only be that proud and that angry
when you love that much.
Somewhat akin to your good self.
For God's sake, woman. You said you wanted him to move.
Well, there's still a fair few meetings to go.
It'll take a while to organize.
Going to the middle of the jungle?
I'll bet.
Makes me think I wouldn't mind going to Kokoda one day,
seeing where my boy went.
I thought he went in Europe.
One did. I lost them both.
Ruddy hell.
Not much older than you, either, mate.
I wish the great one had been the war to end all wars.
Be good if ours was.
The way the commies are going, it doesn't seem likely.
Yellow bloody peril.
Good topic for today, maybe... war.
What it takes and... and what it does.
You don't have to.
A promise is a promise.
I'll be here.
Not easy.
After what those fellas have done for us,
it's the least you can do.
I used to sit with my mate Bill.
We kept each other off the booze.
- Poor old Bill. - Why?
He, uh, he hung himself.
Geez.
I can... understand how a bloke might.
Stan.
Asked Sheila what she wants for Christmas, and...
she said this.
Would have been easier buying her something.
Took me a while to get my head around it too, mate.
- I'll get a chair. - Come in.
Not... my idea.
Well, you can bail at any time.
Hope you don't.
I can't promise nothing.
Not asking you to.
You touch people's lives in ways you will never know.
It's a start.
What if I say the wrong things?
Just say what's in your heart.
Oh, I'm so sorry to drag you into it.
Mm.
Oh, pooh to Switzerland.
I've sat on my thoughts for months.
You both need a good kick in the rear.
That wasn't meant to be funny.
"Pooh to Switzerland"?
And a good kick in the rear.
This offers the hope you said you wanted.
You fight.
Mm-hmm.
He will not accept us.
My mama and papa will not.
Only you understand. We cannot tell.
I will not lie for you, but I will champion you.
We'll find a way to see they do accept you.
We had found our ally in Sister Andrews,
but our battle was only just beginning.
Be listening for the next chapter
of "Tender Vines," a Gaynor Dobson production
I couldn't convince them to let Primo speak
with an Australian accent.
To them, Italians all-a speak-a like-a that.
But then everyone else speaks with plums in their mouths.
But that's radio.
Your Sister Andrews reminds me of someone,
but I can't quite work out who.
She's based on a woman we met on a ship coming home.
She changed all our lives.
Not ringing a bell.
I'm serious.
You made us all far better than we might have been.
That's a lovely thing to say.
It's true.
I shudder to think what I might have become.
I'd shut out life.
So it's been a two-way street.
Helping us all find home.
In one form or another.
A place for some, for some a person,
for the lucky, both.
With two notable exceptions.
You could at least have given some warning.
You've made a habit of avoiding me.
You want a divorce, right?
- Not like it's a surprise. - Don't.
Delia warned me she'd take you.
She should never have said that.
She can't.
I don't want her.
And I don't want a divorce.
Then why are you here?
Haven't we trawled over it enough?
We've barely spoken for months.
I'm committed to this hospital.
I am doing good.
It's better than anything else I can do,
and it sure beats running with your pack.
I didn't come here to fight.
I heard what you're doing.
Where you're going.
I'd like to know why.
You care?
Don't.
Of course I care!
Please.
All right.
I was a mess before you came back into my life.
Been an even bigger one since you left.
Loving you helped dull what the war did,
but it's never not there.
It's time I face it head on.
Examine the wounds, abrade the dead tissue.
And you think going back there is the way?
It'll be a hard slog, but going there...
...standing there, feeling... whatever I'll feel...
...it'll force me to really address it.
And I haven't. I just...
...kept pushing it down.
Has it got anything to do with me?
I'm sorry if that sounds self-centered, but... has it?
In even the smallest way?
Might some part of you hope that your journey
somehow... could help get you past your anger at me?
No.
I think it does.
I think you want to see... a way past this as much as I do.
You hope there's at least...
the seed of an answer there.
I'm here to say... that I want to go with you.
If you find the answer... I want to be there.
And if not, I hope that my sharing it
can somehow take the bitterness from our lives.
All I know... is that I love you with all of my heart,
and I can't let you do it alone.
I'll be at Ash Park until New Year's Day.
Can't we try to use this to return to each other somehow?
I don't expect an answer now.
Unless you have one.
No.
You know where to find me.
There's no need to run off, surely?
Well, my job here is done, and whatever's next for Caro,
best I'm out of her personal life.
We will meet strictly for business,
should she wish to continue so.
You have brightened Casa Swanson through more than renovation.
You are a very special woman.
As are you, my dear.
Then it's hi-ho, Silver, and away.
Sadly, without a Tonto.
If I were that way inclined, I'd be after you myself.
And I wouldn't be running.
You're lucky you're not here on a workday.
A cacophony.
When do you see it up and running?
Two more weeks of renovations,
then the installation of beds and equipment.
The staffing, of course, could get under way immediately
if you were to accept my offer.
Oh, I need this.
It does rather take it out of one.
I admire your intentions.
But?
Do I want to settle for this or aim higher?
Thank you.
I don't mean to offend.
You don't.
A large hospital is sniffing around
regarding an administrative role.
Well, can I offer you a perspective
- you may not have considered? - Please.
And I don't mean to offend.
You seem very close to Harry Polson.
Yes.
Not too personal, I trust?
No.
Henry, we live in an uncharitable world.
Your liaisons, whether attached to deep emotion or not,
are seen as sordid and cause for dismissal elsewhere.
You will always have a place here
as long as simple discretion is observed.
Your love will be respected... if love it becomes or indeed is.
It hadn't occurred to me.
And you will help me in certain ways as well.
I rest my case.
I'm, uh, locuming for Jack while he's away.
And then?
Where do I sign?
We will do great things together.
We will.
I shall be quite bereft when Ash Park is vacated.
Intimate as I am with Mrs. Goddard,
I'm even closer to our dear Mrs. Bligh.
Ah, Doctor. We'll see you this evening?
What a set we'll be to bid the old decade adieu, hmm?
Yeah.
He's been like that since Mrs. Duncan arrived.
Ah. That bodes ill.
Oh, well.
Mama.
David, off you go.
Get ready for dinner.
And if you're very good, I'll let you stay up late.
Till 12:00?
- Till you see everyone. - Oh.
- Be a good boy. - I wouldn't push it.
Bet I can.
Why don't you go and prepare too?
There's no rush.
Well, Sarah and I have something to discuss.
- Oh, we do? - Yes.
Well, off you go, then. You be a good boy.
Don't you push it.
It's nothing serious?
Will you shut the door?
I was given these yesterday.
The results of my tests.
It's why I popped home after Christmas.
Happy New Year.
And Elaine says Happy New Year.
Oh, does she?
What a star.
Oh, she's auditioning for "Tender Vines" next week.
I just heard my name called... Star.
Oh!
Happy new decade, Anna.
Happy new decade.
We'll see you soon.
If I'm a star, you're a constellation.
Dear, oh, dear, Andrew Swanson.
You will have to do better than that.
You set the bar high, don't you?
I certainly do.
Thank you.
I thought you were done with complicating your life.
Well, even more with complicating others.
What point in George knowing?
He would cancel this wonderful opportunity in Israel
to hover here, anticipating a death
that will come when it comes.
I may well still be here when you return,
despite this gloomy prognosis.
You've seemed so robust.
I reserve my energies for public display.
Any pain?
Niggles.
I wasn't given long years ago,
so I think the old ticker has done rather well.
Sarah, I watched Douglas fade.
I would rather spare George the same.
And David.
Let him remember Granny as she is.
This is to give George when I'm gone.
If you go.
Evasion doesn't become you.
You're the only one who'll know of this
until it's impossible to conceal.
Promise one thing.
If you're clearly fading and feel that we can reach you,
let us know.
If I'm absolutely sure.
The coward in me...
oh, hopes for an attack in my sleep.
To close one's eyes and simply not wake.
It's hard to imagine a world without you.
Well, it's harder for me.
Do I have your promise?
If it's so important.
It is.
I will miss you.
I'm not talking of Israel.
And I you. I'm sorry.
Well, that's why I'm telling you now.
So that you can be composed by tonight.
And selfishly, so that I can see one pair of eyes at midnight
that knows the truth.
I may well cry.
Well, excuse it as tears of joy.
Dear Sarah.
I love you.
Nearly time, everyone.
Make sure your glasses are charged.
Emma, Leah, special dispensation if you wish.
- Really? - Yes, please.
Well, it's not every night we enter a new decade.
Would you like me to go and check?
No.
Um, excuse me.
What?
Well, we can't do it at midnight in there.
I'm yours.
If you want me.
Totally.
I do.
Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this... this very special night with us.
A whole new decade ahead.
I know I'm excited.
The possibilities.
And here we go.
- You ready? - Mm-hmm.
Ten...
...nine... eight...
seven... six... five...
four... three... two...
one!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Mrs. Bligh.
The happiest ever.
Happy New Year, my sweet girl.
- Happy New Year, Grandmother. - Don't cry.
Happy New Year, dear Sarah.
- Likewise. - Thank you.
Thank you. I'm so glad you're here.
Happy New Year, Mr. Bligh!
My love.
We'll find it.
We will.
- Somehow. - Somehow.
Forever.
? Should auld acquaintance be forgot ?
? And never brought to mind ?
? Should auld acquaintance be forgot ?
? And days of auld lang syne ?
? For auld lang syne, my dear ?
? For auld lang syne ?
? We'll take a cup of kindness yet ?
? For days of auld lang syne ?
You have fun, now. You be good.
Ooh! Oopsy-daisy!
Come on, Daddy! It's time to go!
We met on a ship, you know.
It all began on a ship.
We are the survivors of that voyage, Olivia.
You, soon, the last.
Dear Leah.
Thank you.
My darling boy.
Who guessed so many would love my story.
What a wonderful journey.
Subtitles by explosiveskull