Original subtitles

[music]

>> Uh Reverend Mother, Sister Peter said

you wish to

Reverend?

Mother. Close your mouth, dear. You look

like a goldfish.

Where's your father?

Was he ill?

What's driving me up the wall.

He's convinced he's discovered secret

messages hidden in the back pages of his

chess journal.

Secret messages? He's been obsessing

about them for weeks.

Ignoring his university work, he even

tried to alert MI5.

I'm worried he's losing his marbles.

You must do something.

Yes.

I shall pray for him. Something useful.

Spend time with him.

Get him to stop this ridiculous

behavior.

He's never been the same since you took

the veil.

Well, maybe if he talked to me about it,

he'd understand. Oh, while once in a

generation intellect chose to lock

herself up in a convent.

You two used to be so close.

Very well. I'll come to Oxford.

>> Oh, no need. He's here.

I left him in the car with a book on

astrophysics and the theorems of Bovril.

It's fine. I wound the window down.

This came from a tournament in London

last month. Then this turned up 2 weeks

later from a game in Moscow. Ta-da!

But what do they mean?

Isn't it obvious?

They mean somebody at the British Open

Chess Championship is a Russian spy.

P T R V D E F, Petrov's Defense. No

doubt a code name for some Russian plot.

B O C C, the British Open Chess

Championship. It's on this weekend.

Right, so

so you think that The meet post final.

The spies plan to meet straight after

the tournament.

Well, you've

you've certainly invested a lot of time

into this, Father. It makes perfect

sense. Moves are submitted by players,

then wired to various journals. How

better to get messages in and out of

Russia without the authorities catching

on?

Point taken.

However, the um

with the monkey concept, enough monkeys

is enough typewriters,

suggests that these messages could

simply be down to chance.

Must be thousands of matches each year.

Well, that's what I've been saying. Put

foot

but

could be anything.

Or might like it, nothing at all.

Like that is it?

My wife, my daughter, my own flesh and

blood treating me like a raving lunatic.

Conversely, Claude Shannon estimated

[music] the game tree complexity of

chess at approximately 10 to the power

of 120. So,

even factoring in errors,

well, it's certainly worth looking into.

So, you'll talk to the police?

Yes.

Yes, absolutely.

Ha!

What am I looking at?

Well, it's a chessboard.

Sorry.

So, each square represents a letter or

number. Hypothetically, moves spell out

words using the board as a cipher.

Hypothetically.

Well,

Father was always eccentric. I suspect

he's tilting at windmills, but I

promised to investigate, so investigate

I shall.

I volunteer to help.

You think there's a Russian spy in Great

Slaughter?

No, but I was planning to attend the

tournament anyway.

It's a fascinating game, chess. You

know, I was captain of my school team.

>> Were you really? Of course you were.

Well, in that case, be my guest. Take

Peggy with you and let me know if you

uncover any espionage.

Try not to ruffle any feathers.

You know, we should play a game. Yes.

>> Shouldn't we? Yes.

>> [laughter]

>> YOU'RE ALL RIGHT, FATHER. MARBLES!

>> [music]

>> GREAT!

MIGHT HAVE TO GET MYSELF one of these

contraptions. Vivian's no idea what

she's missing. No, I expect Mother will

be happier on the train.

That's all very cunning.

Let's introduce ourselves.

Pleasure to meet you,

Mr. Call me Malise. Big fan. Studied

your games from Paris. Exemplary use of

the Sicilian Dragon. Um if I could

extricate my father, um I need to

register for the qualifying rounds.

You're playing in the tournament? I've

always admired a woman with brains. Oh,

you'd be amazed how many of us have

them.

I should check in. Just got back from an

all play all in Leningrad. Could use

some shuteye before the opening rounds.

Did you hear that? Leningrad.

Oh, look.

Police reinforcements.

>> [music]

>> There's nothing to worry about. You're

the best in the country. And I intend to

remain so.

I can't have any distractions this

[music] weekend. Understand? Of course,

Anthony.

So, what do you do, Mr.

Boniface? Bonham Crane. I'm the Emeritus

Professor of Mathematical Physics at

Oxford University.

I'm sure she won't be long.

Even the qualifying stages

are incredibly competitive.

Considering the entry fee, wouldn't you

be better finding a nice local club to

play in?

Thank you, but um

I think it'll be awfully good fun.

Checkmate. Sorry.

I'm so sorry. Checkmate.

Terribly sorry. Checkmate.

>> [music]

>> Must have had help from above. Back of

the job. Poppycock. Pure brains. This

young lady was three-time chess champion

at Cambridge University.

Sorry. Couldn't help but overhearing.

A fellow alumnus.

Um congratulations on making the main

draw. Oh,

well, thank you.

Is that Evelyn Thurley?

Rising star of the chess scene.

Let me introduce you.

I'm Jack, by the way.

Evelyn, meet Oh, Sister Boniface and my

father, Professor Bonham Crane. Read

your interview in Chess Magazine. Some

year you're having. I'm clawing my way

up the rankings. He's too modest. In a

couple of days, he'll be British

champion. Stop it, Jack.

And are you playing, too?

No. I'm merely Evelyn's private

secretary. I arrange travel, hotels,

generally keep him out of mischief. And

the small matter of being my trainer.

Jack convinced me I was good enough.

Claimed he could make me a champion in a

year. And here we are. Haven't won it

yet. You will.

Excuse me a moment. Need to double-check

the schedule.

Udachi.

Sorry?

Um he said good luck.

In Russian.

Oh.

Thank you.

Oh, there's Mother.

Lovely to meet you.

Worked in the Great Escape.

Um

table number seven.

I'll find some seats.

There's strong competition here.

Anthony Whitlock, British champion.

Let's hope he's not your first round

opponent, or we're toast.

Whitlock's wife, Nadia. Highest-ranked

female player. Russian expert and my

prime suspect. Who's more likely to be

passing information to the USSR than one

of their own?

Shame about Leningrad.

Humiliating not to win a single game.

>> [snorts]

>> I'd be more concerned about my own

performance.

If I were you, Anthony. Boys.

No doubt you'll meet in the later

rounds.

Then you can compare the size of your

intellects.

Mr. Whitlock, we're about to begin.

Please take your seats. Stop pestering

me, you imbecile.

I should join your mother. Good luck.

Don't lose.

Ladies, gentlemen,

welcome to Montgomery Hall for the first

round of the British Open Chess

Championship. I now declare the main

tournament officially open.

Whites, make your first move.

>> [music]

>> She ceded the center to her opponent.

I Is Is that bad?

>> Disastrous.

>> [music]

>> No,

that's it. She's down four. Wait. I

think she has a plan. Plan to embarrass

herself?

Don't make a scene, Johnny.

>> [music]

>> Checkmate.

You were saying, dear?

Take it from me, never get on the wrong

side of

>> bishop.

I taught her everything she knows.

Well done, sister. Ugh.

Cheers.

>> No.

Cheers.

You were amazing.

>> Oh, thank you, Peggy. Do you play?

Of course.

Love chess. Really?

You never said.

Yeah.

Yeah,

all the

the the moves and the rules and

how the black player and and the white

player get to pinch each other's pieces.

>> Mhm.

No No, but

I I meant that Don't snatch, dear.

Oh, sorry, mother.

Lucky, lucky, lucky. Stronger opponent

would have eaten you alive. Need to

sharpen up. Mhm.

Yes. Well, maybe you could help.

Play some games, give me advice, just

like when I was little.

Don't sabotage the dynamic potential of

your knights by restricting [music]

them to the periphery.

Such fun. Oh, anything to catch this

spy.

After dinner, then.

Nadia didn't look good enough for my

folks, either.

Yes, well, I mean, admittedly, they were

discombobulated by my calling.

Committed atheists. Yes.

Assumed I'd be a

famous scientist like my father or

successful musician like my mother

and sister.

Still,

I'll win them over eventually.

Nadia Whitlock seems like the prime

suspect, but there's also her husband,

naturally.

And Oliver Canning's just back from

Russia.

Evelyn Thurlow is a fascinating

character. Nobody had heard of him a

year ago, and he's since beaten three of

the top 10. Oh.

If only you'd shown such ambition.

You do know your sister is now first

chair.

I'm sure Persephone must be

thrilled. Well, she's always made good

life decisions.

You could have been running MI5 by now.

Instead, you're busy making homemade

wine and singing hymns. There's a little

bit more to the job than that, mother.

Oh, mini-break, Nadia, please.

As a scientist, I was surprised you

opted to bat for the other team.

Theologically speaking. Exactly. And

after all we've taught you to disbelieve

in.

Help.

Anthony, open the door.

Can somebody help me?

Anthony.

He'll be all right. Right.

What's happened?

Anthony's not answering. Um

I heard Nadia calling.

Open the door. Um can we help?

Competitors are trying to sleep.

Something's wrong.

I know it.

Step back.

Uh the federation won't be held

responsible for damages.

>> [music]

[music]

>> Can't leave you for 5 minutes, can I?

So, the main door was locked from the

inside. The key was still in the lock.

Adjoining door into his wife's suite was

also locked from within.

Mr. Whitlock must have suffered a heart

attack or an aneurysm, maybe.

AKA, natural causes.

Which is exactly what the murderer wants

us to think.

Excuse me? Well,

I saw the key in the main door when I

first entered, but I didn't notice the

key in the adjoining door into Mrs.

Whitlock's room until after we inspected

the body. So, you're saying the killer

could have escaped through the adjoining

door, locking it behind them,

and then replace the key later during

the chaos of finding the body?

Exactly.

Giving the impression

the victim died alone.

Fact. Signs of bruising on the victim's

lower face. A hand [clears throat]

clamped over his mouth, perhaps.

And uh

See this pinprick wound and reddening on

the neck? Mhm. Indicates the victim was

forcibly injected.

With what? Oh,

excellent question.

No idea. No.

No.

That must be a coincidence.

Or is it?

See the way these two [music] knights

mirror each other's positions?

This opening's known as Petrov's

Defense. Like in the message.

Thought,

isn't faking natural causes the sort of

trick professional spies go for? Hang

on. We treat this like any other

suspicious death.

Yes, quite right.

So,

look.

Huh.

Looks like maths equations

just on the tea stains.

Probably from the victim's last few

matches. But why hide it in the tea

caddy? Uh

was he paranoid about someone stealing

it to study [music] his tactics?

May I borrow that?

Someone I'd love to take [music] a look.

This murder must be connected to the

secret message. We'll stop Stop

shuffling, Manisha. You're giving me a

headache.

At last.

Think Whitlock found out about the

Russian spy, got himself bumped off.

It's possible. Here, take a look at

this. It belonged to the victim.

Fascinating.

Sweetheart.

What are you doing?

You asked me to help. To dispel his

delusions, not indulge him. You're

beginning to believe him. Well, he might

be onto something. If he's discovered

secret Russian messages, this murder may

be connected. So, if I can identify the

murderer, we might also find his spy.

I give up.

You always were a piece of a part.

Bar me, the pair of you.

I told you everything last night.

Just a few more questions.

So, you and your husband always have

separate bedrooms?

Anthony was preparing for his match with

Evelyn Thurlow tomorrow.

We loved each other very much,

Inspector.

But during a tournament, Anthony never

let anything disturb his concentration.

Even me.

So, Anthony was in his room, and you

you're in the bath.

When I got out, I

went to say good night, and

Anthony's door was locked. He didn't

reply.

He never goes to sleep until 11:00, so

I raised the alarm.

Is there anyone who'd wish your husband

harm?

Except

the tournament director.

Quentin Waterford.

He has a dream problem.

At the last tournament, he fell asleep

when he was [music] supposed to be

officiating.

Anthony lodged a complaint. If it's

upheld, Mr. Waterford could lose his

job.

What about Mr. Canning?

They were great rivals. No.

No.

Oliver and Anthony loved antagonizing

each other, but

underneath, there was great respect.

Will you catch whoever did this,

Inspector?

We'll do everything we can.

My sorry again, for your loss.

Just me, or does the lady protest too

much?

Ah, how'd you get on? Yes,

I'm through to the next round. Oh.

>> [laughter]

>> No.

Oh,

>> [clears throat]

>> any meaning in the lab? Mhm. Um well,

the toxin doesn't match any common

poisons. Chemical composition's quite

unusual. Can you identify it? Well,

absolutely. Just might take a while,

that's all. Anything to help us narrow

down the list of suspects? Well, if I'm

correct, and the murderer left through

the adjoining door then later replaced

the key, that means that they must have

been present when the body was

discovered. Of course. In that case, we

have Nadia Whitlock, the grieving widow.

She'll also inherit the victim's wealth.

Mhm. Oliver Canning, he's Anthony's

long-term rival. And shameless flirt.

Uh.

Evelyn Thorold would Whitlock on he gets

a clear route to the finals. Mhm. And

his friend Jack Denby.

>> Whose livelihood depends on Evelyn's

continued success. And don't forget

Quentin Waterford. Yes, allegedly a

secret alcoholic being investigated by

the British Chess Federation thanks to

our victim.

That's everyone. Perhaps um

we should pass these on to MI5.

You said your father was tilting at

windmills. And hoping to hedge our bets.

All right, I'll get special branch to

send over a list.

Wait,

how could the murderer leave via Mrs.

Whitlock's room? She was in there the

whole time.

She was in the bathroom. Well, still a

big risk to leave via an occupied suite.

You know, perhaps we should talk to her

again. Mhm. It's funny you should say

that.

Still have friends in Russia?

Not anymore.

Why do you ask? No reason.

If you'd had a bath, why were you still

wearing full makeup?

I like to look at my best when I wish my

husband good night.

Yet you weren't wearing your wedding

ring. So it wouldn't tarnish in the

bath?

That must be 18 karat. No more likely to

tarnish than a murderer's likely to an

escape via an occupied hotel room.

That's why the police suspect you're the

killer.

And you?

Do you think I killed my husband?

No.

But I am curious as to where you really

were last night.

That's checkmate, by the way.

With Oliver Canning. No wonder she

played down the rivalry between the two

men.

Didn't want to draw suspicion to her

lover.

We'll speak to him. Even if Canning does

give Nadia an alibi, it doesn't mean

much. The affair means they both had

motive. Mhm.

Oh, and by the way, special branch spoke

to their contacts at MI5. None of our

suspects have ever been on their radar.

So, as suspected, your father is

clutching at straws.

>> [music]

>> It's the professor.

Thank you so much, doctor. You're

welcome.

Father,

are you all right?

>> No, been poisoned by the Russians.

>> Now stop attention seeking. That means

it's nothing. He had a funny turn.

Doctor says that he's been overexerting

himself. Not enough sleep. We need to

talk. You need to rest.

He has been looking at that notebook all

night. You said that you would help. Oh.

I suppose father's enthusiasm always has

been contagious.

I'll speak to him.

Now,

about this whole spy thing. You did it.

You found proof.

Proof? I'm not going mad [music] after

all.

So, we met up a few times.

On passant.

Couldn't resist breaking through Nadia's

icy shell.

It was nothing serious.

Perhaps she felt differently.

Got rid of her husband so she could be

with you.

>> Never.

Nadia and Anthony were a meeting of

minds.

All the other physical stuff,

he was happy to let her run free.

Mrs. Whitlock mentioned the disputes

between her husband and Quentin

Waterford. Waterford.

Now, he's a man who liked to drink, but

well, frankly, it could have been

anyone.

Anthony was always far better at making

enemies than friends.

Take poor Evelyn, for example. What

about him?

Mhm.

Anthony got it into his head

that Evelyn and Jack are more than just

chums.

Seems we're doing battle tomorrow

morning.

Looking forward to it.

>> [laughter]

>> Something funny?

I know your dirty little secret.

Sorry, I I I don't quite I've seen those

looks between you.

I'll prove it. When I do, you'll be

blacklisted from every tournament in the

country.

Hey.

So, he was planning to report them to

the authorities. Anthony was a terrible

loser.

His form's been patchy.

He'd have considered losing to Evelyn an

unbearable humiliation.

If Whitlock found proof Evelyn and Jack

were in a relationship, he would have

ended Evelyn's career.

Got a foolish idea in his head. And he

couldn't prove it cuz it's not true. So,

you and Mr. Denby aren't lo-

lovers.

This about Anthony Whitlock.

Nothing but vicious rumors from a sad

little man who's scared to face Evelyn

in the next round.

Evelyn was with me all evening.

Working on his tactics.

We have to follow up every lead.

Something I need to show you.

>> Not now, sister. We're in the middle of

something. Trust me, you'll want to see

this.

Excuse us.

This notebook is an encoded [music]

diary using the same cipher as messages

hidden in recent chess journals.

Never seen this before.

Then I'll elaborate. The section that my

father's translated describes a chemical

formula along with dosages, results, and

side effects. For example,

Lisowski Cup, San Francisco, 27th July,

2.5 micrograms, improvements in

strategic planning and improvisation.

Side effects, mild nausea. No wonder

your husband was keeping this diary

hidden. It proves that he was using a

drug to aid mental performance. The

formula matches the substance I isolated

from your husband's blood, although

he was then injected with an extremely

high dose. A fatal dose, in fact.

>> This is a fantasy.

>> With access to mind-enhancing drugs, the

Russians could seize the initiative in

science, military technology, space

exploration. This could swing the Cold

War in their favor.

>> But first you had to kill your husband

to cover your tracks. Tell us,

where did he get the formula from?

That's enough.

My husband had no need for such drugs.

He was already a genius.

And we weren't at the Lisowski Cup.

Not his writing.

Nor mine.

Happy to provide samples for comparison.

Whoever wrote this book, it wasn't my

husband.

Well, she's right. They weren't in San

Francisco. Foolish of me. I should have

checked before.

>> Don't apologize. Secret messages,

encoded diary, now we have

mind-enhancing drugs. I never knew chess

could be so exciting.

How do we work out which of our suspects

is the spy?

Right. Cross-check the handwriting

against everyone present when the body

was discovered. Okay, I'll arrange for

samples to be collected.

There you are. You're late. Late?

The semi-final.

If you're not at your table in 2

minutes, I'll have no option but to

disqualify [music] you.

Go, we've got this covered.

Your father not here today?

He's ill.

That's dreadful.

Wish him my best. He's [music] a nice

chap.

You two seem close.

We used to be.

Remember, the queen is the most powerful

of all. She can be a formidable shield

or potent weapon.

She can travel in any direction she

chooses and go as far as she wishes.

With sufficient care, she can achieve

great things.

He believes my

>> [music]

>> vocation to be a waste of my intellect.

Seems to regard it as a personal

betrayal.

You want my advice?

Tell him how [music] you feel before

it's too late.

I'm in the final.

It was touch and go, but

I turned it around. Got this

knickerbocker glory from the restaurant

to celebrate. Thought we could share.

Well, no point wasting it.

Mhm.

I've missed this, you know.

You and me

playing chess.

Long chats about

everything and nothing. [music]

You think I chose God over science,

but it is possible to combine both.

Just ask Sister Mary Celine Fassnauer. I

think you'll find her dissertation on

hypergeometric polynomials rather

entertaining.

My point is

wimple or no wimple,

I'm still your little girl.

Mhm.

Yummy.

Short curly Q and

three continuous strokes on the B.

Pressure, speed, and pen lift consistent

with the written line.

Well, it matches the encoded diary.

Evelyn Thurlough, chemistry degree from

Cambridge University, where he studied

under the country's leading expert in

cognitive enhancement. I spoke to the

department and they were working on a

new drug to alleviate geriatric memory

loss.

>> Mhm. It seems like Thurlough stumbled

across a formula with widespread

cognitive benefits and is now trying to

sell it to the Russians.

>> Well, if he's taking the drug himself,

that would explain his rapid rise in the

chess world.

Jack Denby must be lying to protect him.

Well, it makes sense. Without Thurlough,

Denby's out of a job.

Thurlough is planning to meet a Russian

spy after the tournament. It is our duty

to arrest them both. Unfortunately, the

message in the chess journal doesn't say

where the meeting's taking place.

So, what's the plan? You're due to play

Thurlough in the final later today. Keep

him there long enough for us to search

his room, procure enough evidence, and

hopefully find out the location of the

meeting.

Don't lose too quickly, Roger.

No pressure, then.

Your two finalists, Evelyn Thurlough and

Sister Boniface.

Mr. Thurlough, you may begin.

I heard you like to throw your opponents

off guard. Center grounds overrated.

I prefer to [music] forge my own path.

Such small talk, Evelyn.

Sorry.

Where are the drugs?

>> [music]

[music]

>> Insulin injection.

Sorry, I should have changed [music] my

shirt.

No need to apologize.

Must be horrid.

It's not that bad.

Make poor Jack do [music] the injections

for me. I'm a terrible coward when it

comes to that sort of thing.

But he does all sorts for you.

Like filling out those boring

registration forms.

Why would you say that? [music] You

lied,

didn't you?

You and Jack weren't together when

[music] Anthony Whitlock was murdered.

>> Of course we were.

You've been lying for him.

What are you doing?

If you leave, you'll forfeit the match.

Sorry, but I have to. Wait.

You You don't understand.

Whitlock wanted to destroy me.

How should we celebrate it?

Now I have proof. Withdraw from the

tournament or face the consequences.

Jack went to confront him. Things got

out of hand.

He said it was self-defense.

Jack only went there to protect me. It

was an act of love.

Not like that.

Jack's not like me.

We'll only ever be friends.

Jack's been lying to you.

And he's about to do something

very bad. [music]

Nonsense.

He's probably just gone for a walk. He

loves exploring, always

poring over his silly maps. He is a good

man.

Maps.

Maps. There's nothing else here. We'll

have to follow Thurlough as soon as the

match is over. All right. Let's go.

Apparently, we're too late. While we

were busy watching you, Flynn, the real

culprit got away. But luckily, we know

how to catch him.

Here, pass me that map, will you? The

thing

And that chess book.

Catching liars, eh? Like chess, it's all

about calculating your opponent's next

move.

I thought the messages didn't give a

location. Nor did we.

But then I remembered that after the

second message came a sequence of

numbers. Idiot that I am, I dismissed

them as random moves, but my brilliant

little girl realized they're part of the

message.

Coordinates. Ah.

I favor opening with Petroff's Defense,

don't you?

Selling secrets to commies, Jack?

Just out for a walk.

We thought it was Evelyn that had stolen

his professor's research, but it was

you.

You've been using poor Evelyn as your

guinea pig, haven't you? Mhm? Mixing the

drug with his insulin?

How else would Evelyn have gotten so

much better so quickly? Mhm?

Anthony wasn't going to report you two

for being homosexual.

He was going to report you for cheating.

That's why he stole your notebook.

Hey.

The same notebook he saw you scribbling

on during Evelyn's [music] matches.

You see, he was obsessed with uncovering

the secrets behind Evelyn's success. He

would have known that they weren't real

chess moves and deduced that it was

code.

How much he figured out, we'll never

know.

Either way, he believed he now had

enough leverage to force Evelyn to

withdraw from the tournament. Seeing his

notes, he realized that your plan was at

risk of being exposed.

So, you went to confront him.

Who is it? The manager. Need a word

about your bill.

What the devil are you doing? Give me my

notebook.

Ah.

You're the brains behind the operation.

I thought so. Give it to me.

Why should I?

I'm in the process of deciphering it.

When I've discovered how you're

cheating, I'll have Thurlough banned

from every tournament in the world.

All right. What do you want for it? What

do I want? For your little friend to

withdraw from the tournament. In fact, I

want him to step away from chess

altogether. If he refuses? He'll be

publicly humiliated and banned anyway.

He walks, you return the book.

You'll have to tell me how you did it,

too.

Call it an insurance policy

or I hand it over to the authorities.

Fine.

But it's easier to show you.

>> But you couldn't find the notebook.

Thankfully,

now we have all the evidence we need to

put you behind bars.

How much did he offer you, Jack?

You think this was about getting rich?

He's innocent.

I spent years walking the corridors of

Cambridge, watching the spoiled

offspring of the upper classes revel in

their inherited wealth. This is about

the future.

A war of heart and minds.

With my formula, communists around the

world will outthink and outmaneuver

their capitalist enemies.

I'm arresting you on the suspicion of

[music] the murder of Anthony Whitlock.

You're not obliged to say anything, but

anything you wish to say may be put into

writing and given in evidence.

I'll get it out there somehow.

You're on borrowed time, all of you.

Once MI5 [music] gets involved, I'll

make sure that you and your formula

remain firmly under lock and key.

Enjoy this place while you can. I

suspect your next accommodation won't be

quite so luxurious.

Is it true

you pretended to be my friend to test

out some drug?

>> [snorts]

>> For a while, the world thought you were

special

instead of just another pampered toff.

You should thank me.

Thank you

for finally ridding me of this foolish

infatuation

with you.

Enjoy prison.

Sorry I didn't win the tournament. I'm

the one who should apologize. You're the

finest brain in a generation. Should

have trusted you to find a way to use

your gifts for the greater good. I think

what you could do with MI5.

I'm just saying it's never too late to

change your mind.

Um

>> [clears throat]

>> this is for you. Oh, um

no, but I I forfeited. Thurston's been

disqualified. We can't allow

performance-enhancing chemicals, even if

taken unwittingly. You win by default. I

say Miles, our daughter was the chess

champion. Always said she could be a

grandmaster. Well, it seems

congratulations are in order. Well

played, sister.

You also win a place at the Royal

Invitational at Oxford next month.

Oh, um

actually, I'm retiring from professional

chess. What?

Why?

I prefer a career with a bit more

variety.

This is lovely, though.

Just the ticket for keeping a spare cork

in.

If everyone could smile for the camera.

>> [music]

>> Oh,

I don't know.

Hurry up.

Why don't you join [music] the fun group

over there?

Unbelievable.

Sister Laurence, what is the matter?

There was no meat delivery to feed you

this weekend. I have only this dog food.

Corned beef.

Ugh.

The Reverend [music] Mother here is

torturing me.

I canceled the delivery because you

won't be cooking here this weekend,

Sister Laurence. Why not?

Because I'm taking you all away.

On a trip.

A trip, Reverend Mother?

>> Yes.

I haven't decided where yet, but it will

be

a lot more fun than this, I promise you.

How exciting. She must have had some

good news. Or drunk some very good wine.

It is rather odd, isn't it? If the

Reverend Mother wants to take us for a

weekend away from this place, we ain't

going to stop her.

>> [laughter]

>> He's got the whole world

in his hands. He's got the whole world

in his hands. He's got the whole world

in his hands.

>> [laughter]

>> Oh, it's got me out there.

>> [music]

>> There are stunning views, hillside

walks, and most importantly, a chapel.

Most importantly, a swimming pool.

I can't believe you know the owner,

sister.

Baz has certainly gone up in the world

since I worked for him. Thank the Lord

this place was available. We shall

indeed give a prayer of thanks. But in

the meanwhile, a little explore.

Follow me, sisters. What about the

luggage? It's completely safe. We have

the place entirely to ourselves.

She's being so nice. Yes, I hope she's

not ill. I'm more worried about what

she's got in that thing.

Just look around you, sisters. Or la

vache,

courgette, aubergine,

butternut squash.

>> I knew you'd like it, sister.

You make whatever you like tonight, as

long as it's not too spicy.

And so,

is there a plan for the weekend,

Reverend Mother?

>> Just two days of good, wholesome fun.

>> [music]

[laughter]

>> Can we help you?

We booked this place through Baz. So did

we.

Charity?

Is that you?

Bridie.

I don't believe it.

>> [music]

>> So you work with Charity in Soho? Eh?

At Baz's gentlemen's club.

20 years ago.

I was a bookkeeper.

Bridie and me had so much fun.

We did. Then she turned into Little Miss

Goody Two-Shoes. Were you a bookkeeper

as well, Miss Charity? Uh

no, darling. I was into

customer relations. Oh?

Your friend Vivian has a very lovely

tan, especially given this recent

inclement weather. It's not real. It's

fake. It comes from this. Miles invented

his own fake tan. It's better for your

skin and it never peels. You're such a

clever boy, yeah.

Fantastic.

Baz has double-booked. And he's leaving

us to sort it out.

>> Well, we're not going anywhere. No, we

can't. It's Charity's birthday tomorrow.

Right.

There goes our weekend. Just a moment.

We also have plans.

I'm sure this house is big enough for

all of us. What fun. In that case, you

must all come to my party tomorrow.

We're having it on the roof. Oh, that's

um

that is very kind of you.

All right, sisters. Let's

go to our first activity on the lawn.

Bring sensible shoes.

She looks pretty healthy to me, sister.

Now, sisters,

everyone knows how Sister Anthony enjoys

her sport, but I thought it would be fun

if we all had a go.

>> [crying]

[laughter]

>> To be honest, that is the best bit of

ratatouille I've ever had. Well, with

this garden, I could finally make it

like I do in France.

A round of applause for Sister Laurence.

Oh, mercy.

Sisters,

let us express our gratitude for today.

Dear Lord,

we thank you, almighty God, that We're

playing charades. Come and join us.

Oh, could we, Reverend Mother? We have

wine.

To be fair, it does sound fun.

I see words. Book at the hotel. Oh, but

it's something rude. Stupid hard time.

>> [laughter]

>> LOVE.

FUN.

ALL DONE. Is Mr. Satvik your boyfriend?

Oh, no, darling. I'm happily married.

Satvik's just one of my lovers. little

tiny little We mustn't make fun.

You should have seen what she got up to,

you know, before she saw the light.

I think I need to get some water.

Behave yourself.

Charity.

Please.

Don't say anything about you know. Even

if it was a joke.

Why?

Want to get you into trouble with your

teacher? LADY [laughter] CHATTERLEY'S

LOVER.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, PRIDE?

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.

>> [screaming]

>> THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT. I'LL GO NEXT.

I I must say that I'm impressed with

your fake tan. Hmm, I bet you'd make a

fortune.

>> I won't, sister.

>> Okay. Someone might, though. One word.

Oh,

uh dodgy,

uh shady.

Bent. Seriously, shut your trap, will

you? Ooh, Bridie.

Did we give up humor as well as sex?

Is this the Reginald?

Reverend Mother.

Can I interest you [music] in a Bloody

Mary?

>> [laughter]

>> Uh sisters,

IT'S TIME FOR BED.

NO.

WE WERE JUST HAVING A BIT OF FUN. Two

Bloody Marys. Two Bloody Marys, now.

>> [music]

>> Ooh, morning, girls. We're late for

prayers.

Yes.

Do you think they wear clothes in the

winter?

Oh my god.

Oh god. Um

Uh she's not breathing.

I'm afraid she's dead.

Thank you for bringing me my kit, Peggy.

Don't mention it.

Your fellow uh guests are interesting.

That's one word for them.

What are we looking at? Well,

no sign of physical injury,

apart from

this scratch.

Uh this is husband is a Russell Gray.

He's been in Sardinia the past week. The

Italian [music] police are locating him

to give him the chance.

Hmm, what is it, sister?

An alcoholic beverage with notes of

horseradish.

Horseradish, not your usual tipple.

Sister,

do you think it might be poisoned?

Quite possibly. All right.

Gas chromatography will tell us what it

is. Peggy, I'm going to need you to head

back to the lab again for me. Not a

problem, sister. Any signs of anyone

else in the room?

>> Yes, actually.

I found three different hairs on that

blanket alone.

What? Three? What?

What? What would three of them doing in

the bed together?

Well,

as Sam said, uh

well, interesting.

Oh, I wonder if this document had her

[music] name on it.

Tan Tresor.

Golden tan, completely safe all year

round.

Another fake tanning lotion.

How intriguing.

I'm very sorry about your friend.

Charity was more than a friend. She was

a sexual muse.

Why is she here?

Well, Sister Boniface is our scientific

advisor.

>> But that's a clear conflict of interest.

I also saw the argument Charity

[clears throat] had with that other nun

last night.

Bridie?

Sister Reg.

Well, Charity clearly had some dirt on

her. There's your motive, Inspector. Of

course, we'll look into that.

And what is your occupation, Mr.

Fletcher?

I'm a hedonist inventor.

Hmm.

And you, Miss Ashbrook?

Hairdresser.

And pleasure seeker.

And And you, sir? I'm Dr. Satvik Bose. A

doctor? I have a practice in London

on Windfall Lane.

My weeks are stressful.

This is how I choose to relax.

It beats golf. Oh,

I can imagine.

So, how long had Charity been part of

your um

group?

Six months. I invited her to join.

She was my gift to Miles. She was your

your gift to your boyfriend?

Yes.

Vivian already had me.

You see? But Charity was married. Not

that any of us actually ever met her

husband.

>> She barely mentioned him. Except to joke

about how loaded he was.

>> [laughter]

>> We keep our weekends together entirely

separate from the rest of our lives.

That's the only way it can work.

Miss Ashbrook, might I possibly borrow

that ring?

Why? She doesn't need to explain.

Thank you.

I also need to take hair samples

uh from all of you. What?

May her soul, through the mercy of God,

rest in peace. Amen.

Right, sisters, meet at the front in

half an hour. Don't forget your wellies.

We won't keep you longer than necessary,

Reverend Mother. That's all right,

Inspector. We're not going anywhere till

after the picnic tomorrow.

Uh Sister Reg, may we have a word,

please?

So, I gather that uh Charity was an

acquaintance of yours. Yeah.

We were close.

Then we lost contact.

Charity got upset when I became a nun.

She didn't have much time for God.

>> [snorts]

[clears throat]

>> If you'll excuse us a moment.

So,

I checked Sister Reg's room, as you

requested, and

I found this [music] in the wardrobe.

I'm running the gas chromatography

[music] test as we speak.

It has the same notes of horseradish.

I'm also checking the vial for prints.

>> Thank you, sister.

>> [clears throat]

>> This was found in your wardrobe, sister.

I've never seen it before.

Anyway, how would I know where to get

poison from? I'm no gardener.

So, why did you and Charity argue?

I was worried she was going to get me in

trouble.

Back when I used to do her wages, I'd

sometimes

get the numbers wrong.

You cooked the books.

>> Only to help her.

Look, she was young, and the men there

taking advantage of her.

Stealing her tips.

So, I'd give her extra.

Off the books.

Told her to put it aside for a rainy

day. And you were afraid that she would

tell Reverend Mother.

>> Of course.

What I did is illegal.

But killing people,

I sort of renounced that.

Thank you [music] for collecting the

spectrometer, Peggy.

I didn't mind.

Hey, is uh St. Vincent's being

redecorated? Not that I know of. Why? Uh

just that Lord Sedgewick was showing

this man around the convent. The man had

[music] a tape measure.

How interesting. Any news, sister?

Um

Well,

the chromatography shows the poison to

be aconite,

also known as wolfsbane. I found a plant

behind the swimming pool. Some leaves

have recently been torn off. Right,

well, that's our source, then.

In other news, the vial had no

fingerprints, and Charity's glass had

none but her own. Well, that's good news

for Sister Reginald, but it doesn't give

us much to go on.

>> Well, Sister Reginald did seem to know

that the poison came from a garden. Yes,

I'm putting that down to a lucky guess.

I believe our murderer saw Sister Reg

argue with the victim last night, and

then decided impulsively to frame her.

Oh,

oh, so we can cross off Sister

Reginald's name. Not until we find out

who actually did it, sister. Yes, of

course.

So, Miles is is with Vivian, but then

he's also with Charity. Don't worry,

Felix. I'm still trying to get my head

around it, too.

Bingo.

Embedded [music] in Vivian's ring was a

fragment of human hair. The morphology

and microscopic features match charity.

So?

Charity shared a lot more than her hair

with us.

The root end indicates the hair was

recently pulled from the scalp. After

further examination, I discovered

a clump of hair had been pulled from

Charity's head. Is that all part of your

fun and games?

And the scratch on Charity's face. Fine.

Me and Charity argued yesterday. Why?

Because Miles admitted he'd been seeing

her outside.

In the real world.

They'd broken your rules.

You must have felt betrayed.

I did.

For a moment,

I pulled Charity's hair, hard.

>> [music]

>> Then she apologized and we were fine

again.

That's it?

Can you see why this makes you a

suspect? I had a bad moment.

But the love Miles and I share is

without bounds.

I could sleep with you tonight.

I know you would completely forgive me.

Or her.

Oh,

fish bones. I'm late for charcoal

drawing.

So,

do you think I did it?

No, of course not. And neither does Sam.

Glad to hear it.

I can't believe they're trying to frame

Sister Agnes.

Makes me want to strangle them.

I'd refrain if you possibly can, Sister

Lawrence.

How was the book reading?

Wonderful. We read Three Men in a Boat.

Reverend Mother remembered it was my

favorite.

How thoughtful.

And the bird watching? Sister Jacob's

thing.

Oh, yes, of course.

The Reverend Mother is being curiously

kind.

Something's not right.

Oh,

none of this makes sense.

Why she brought us here.

Why she kept us here despite everything.

Let's just try and enjoy it. I agree.

Get some clothes on

and leave us alone.

Bohemians.

Inspector, what are they like?

Marlowe was nice when I asked it.

Qu'est-ce que c'est, sister? What is it?

Gosh.

It's the same background as the piece I

found up there in Charity's [music]

bedroom.

So, it's a clue.

Possibly.

Care to give [music] me a hand piecing

this thing together, sisters?

What's going on here, sisters? There's a

real life jigsaw, Reverend Mother. It

could help Sister Boniface solve the

case.

Many hands make light work. Come on,

sisters.

Yeah, last two pieces, that we can see

anyway. Yes, thank you, sisters.

Right, sister, let's have a look. No,

we're still missing one piece. I'm sure

we'll get the drift.

Holy Mary, Mother of God. Oh la la.

Well, Charity was always looking for

creative ways to make cash. She hated

being dependent on her husband. I

understood that.

We all did, Miles.

>> [music]

>> Come on, a male strip club.

It's almost sweet. How shocked you are

by this, Inspector. No, I'm all for

equality. It's just I don't believe for

a second that she wouldn't have told you

a lot about it. Or that she would have

torn up her own poster. Please, just

arrest that cockney nun and leave us to

our grief. This is a strange looking

grief.

This is Charity's favorite song.

It's her birthday today and she wouldn't

want us moping around. Which is why

we're going to have her party.

Begone.

Thank you for coming.

It's grief time now.

Well, one of them must know why this

thing was torn up.

What on earth is that?

Oh.

I believe it's what's called a jamming

session.

Reverend Mother's indulging the highly

musical Sister Harold.

Further evidence that the devil has the

best songs.

Spoilsport.

Yes. Yes,

Sister Peter is a fine addition to St.

Joseph's, I promise.

Thank you, Reverend Mother.

Looking for gardening tips, sister?

This was amongst fiction.

And there's [music] a chapter on

dangerous plants.

Might be worth checking for prints.

Charity's husband has been found on

Sardinia.

He's been informed and he's on his way

to the UK.

Poor chap.

Sister,

why the interest in fake tan?

Something Miles said.

Oh, and the results are in.

Colleague,

they share an identical chemical makeup.

Identical? That's unlikely, isn't it?

Miles told me someone [music] else would

be profiting from his invention.

So, Tantra's has stole the formula from

Miles.

Well, there's one way to find out.

Nobody stole my invention.

I just got off the phone to the Patent

Office. Yesterday, they rejected your

fake tan application.

And? Well, it turns out last week

someone applied with the exact same

formula.

Charity.

Must have been a punch in the gut.

So,

what did you do? I told Vivian.

And that's when it came out that I'd

been

seeing Charity. Did you confront

Charity? I didn't want to ruin her

birthday.

>> Oh, come on.

She stole your idea. She was making

money that was rightfully yours. Maybe

even a small fortune.

A small fortune?

With all the fake tans on the market

nowadays, come on. She was making a

couple of quid at most.

She did crazy things.

And that's why I was in love with her.

And

I would give all of my future inventions

to have her back again.

And now onto the weekend and Sister

Francis' favorite activity,

embroidery.

Come, sisters.

Get her

>> [music]

>> out before the picnic. Reverend Mother,

free her from this incarceration.

Sister, quick. We

don't have much time.

What about the guards?

Let's just say she's

been taken care of.

If we hurry, we can still make the

picnic.

Stab exit, sister.

Sister,

sister,

you all right?

Not really.

Any joy, Felix? Right, so I was able to

track down Charity's accountant who told

me exactly how much she earned from

Tantra.

And?

£7 and 8 shillings. Is that all? Damn

it. But here's the thing, Charity

herself was already worth a fortune.

Really? Yes, so it seems that she saved

all of her money during the Soho years

and in 1961, she invested in a betting

shop. Since when gambling has exploded.

Exactly. She now owns a dozen betting

shops. Aha. Clever girl. Mhm. Right, we

need to find out who benefits from

Charity's death.

>> Ah, first if she has a will. Mhm. Okay.

Sister.

I'm not going to lie, sister.

>> [sighs]

>> It's not looking good for sister Reg. I

know.

I keep thinking about that poster.

Right.

So, given the fragment under the couch,

somebody tore it up about here, then

took the pieces over to the window and

scattered them outside. The question is

why? Quite.

The missing piece. Great. Perhaps I

should look at that for

Ah,

thank goodness for that. 72 Windfall

Lane.

>> Windfall Lane? Isn't that [music] where

Dr. Sadwick practices?

Oh, yes.

He's in number 70.

Until Charity showed me the poster

yesterday, I thought next door was going

to be a bar.

Your patients, the judges and

aristocrats, not known for their open

minds. Hard to imagine they'd be happy

to get their bunions removed next door

to a male strip club.

All right.

I asked her not to go ahead with it.

And what did she say?

She just laughed.

I could not persuade her.

So, what did you do?

A male strip club would have been a huge

scandal.

I was confident the government would

prevent it from opening.

So, apart from tearing up that poster

and swearing at her,

I did nothing.

Look, you've already apprehended the

person who did this.

So, please,

leave us alone.

I think he's holding back.

Mind you, I think everyone's holding

back.

Ah.

So, according to Charity's solicitor,

all of her wealth goes to her husband,

Russell. That makes sense.

>> Mhm.

But it doesn't help us free sister

Reginald.

Come on, Felix. Let's go and ask sister

Reginald if there's anything else she

failed to mention.

Poor sister Reginald. She must be so

scared.

Aha.

Let's see. Do you help yourself?

And don't worry.

I hear nuns are really popular in the

nick.

Not even French cheese?

Philistines.

You never peel with fake tan.

What?

Vivian's tan isn't fake, it's real.

Which means she must have been somewhere

very hot recently.

Where is that cheese from, sister?

Italy.

The maggots give it away.

The maggots?

>> Mhm. The Italians [music] get flies to

lay eggs on the curd.

Not even the French will go that far.

Italy.

I wonder.

Tell Sam and Felix [music] to meet me on

the roof.

As quick as you can, sister.

Where?

What are you doing?

I see you were in Sardinia recently

with Charity's husband, Russell.

A client, perhaps, or

maybe he's more than that.

What are you talking about?

Charity had considerable wealth. She was

also,

well,

not entirely faithful.

I surmise that Russell decided to take

drastic action.

But as sole inheritor, he knew that he'd

be the main suspect.

So, he approached you.

How am I doing so [music] far?

You agreed to do the deed this weekend

while Russell was safely away in Italy.

In return, [music] no doubt, for a

significant share of Charity's

inheritance.

I know you're trying to save your

friend,

but really,

this is desperate.

>> [laughter]

>> What's going on?

Miss Marple here reckons I poisoned

Charity.

And that I'm working with Russell.

>> [laughter]

>> Well, we were both with Vivian when

Charity mixed her drink last night.

Exactly. So, she couldn't have poisoned

her.

Gosh.

Careful there, sister.

I wonder.

But then why change her mind? What's she

on about now?

Oh, yes.

Of course.

Your initial plan was to make Charity's

death look like an accidental fall. But

then

>> [music]

>> she invited 15 nuns to her party.

15 potential witnesses.

So, you

changed to poison. [music]

That doesn't really make any sense,

either. Yes. Don't you think we would

have noticed Vivian pushing [music]

Charity off the roof?

Bingo.

>> [music]

>> You were all in on it.

You were all going to say that you saw

Charity slip and fall over the edge.

Why would we all team up to murder

Charity?

Your individual gripes have distracted

[music] us, but I can see now

that you planned Charity's murder for

one simple reason.

Greed.

You all wanted her money.

>> [snorts]

>> Not just a pretty face, [music] then,

sister.

So,

which of you actually poisoned her?

We all did.

>> [bell]

[snorts]

>> Happy birthday, sexy.

21 again.

I love you. Mhm. Love you, too, [music]

darling.

Manhattan,

extra strong. Just the way I like it.

To love.

To love. To love.

Mhm.

What the poor girl. Save your tears,

sister.

Save them for yourselves. Looks like our

first plan won't be wasted [music] after

all.

>> [crying]

>> How dare you?

You let her go or you'll have us to deal

with.

Uh, not so full of yourselves now, are

you?

Everything all in hand, sisters?

I hear bohemians are very popular behind

bars.

I'm curious. Which one of you put the

poison into Charity's drink? Oh, well,

they won't betray each other. Their love

is unbreakable. Mhm. It's a shame given

the years off you can get for

cooperation.

It was Sadwick. What? No, no, no, no. We

were in this together.

>> Well, you were the one that actually put

the poison in [music] her drink. Well,

Miles was going to push her off the

roof. No, I wasn't. Yes, you were.

You were the one who insisted it had to

BE THIS WEEKEND. NO, I DIDN'T.

>> DID.

>> [laughter]

>> SO MUCH FOR THEIR unbreakable [music]

love.

Russell has been arrested off the plane

at Gatwick. Ah, I would have loved to

have seen his face.

Multiple perpetrators.

Gosh. Yes.

It's like Murder on the Orient Express.

Yes, Felix. Yes, it is. Very impressive.

Should we go and get your friends,

sister?

>> [snorts]

[music]

>> Finally.

>> [screaming]

>> Are you sure you won't join us, Reverend

Mother? Quite sure. I'm going to go and

give thanks for our weekend. Meet me out

the front in an hour, ready for the

picnic.

>> [music]

>> Reverend Mother, I meant to tell you

I've had some, well, very exciting ideas

about this Christmas at St. Vincent's. I

would love to discuss them with you. Um

Just enjoy yourself while you're here,

sister.

Huh.

You're early.

Which is ironic given your timekeeping

the last couple of days.

Apologies again for my erratic

attendance, Reverend Mother.

I appreciate how tolerant you've been

with me. Oh, I'm glad you've noticed.

Oh, that's why you didn't tell me off.

The investigation was my treat. I had

actually planned a murder mystery game,

but

seems it wasn't necessary after all.

Thank you.

Reverend Mother,

I believe that you are about to share

some

very bad news with us

about the convent.

I think that's why you brought us here.

Why you insisted on staying on.

And why you've given everyone such a

marvelous time. [music]

Because

it's all about to end.

Nothing gets [music] past you, does it,

sister?

I wanted one last chance for us to be

together.

Happy, thinking only of the present.

Of course, I wasn't counting on

everything else that's happened.

>> [gasps]

>> I won't lie.

The prospect of

sharing these tidings terrifies me.

>> [sighs]

>> There will be shock. [music]

And sadness, of course.

But

there will also [music] be enormous

gratitude

for everything that you've done for us.

I won't say anything to the others.

I know you won't.

>> [music]

>> Reverend Mother,

we wanted to thank you for spoiling us

this weekend.

So, after our embroidery session,

we made you a little gift.

Oh.

Oh, that is the loveliest

thing.

But I don't feel I deserve this.

You see

I have some sad news to share.

>> [sighs]

>> Our family, our happy family,

is to be broken up.

You see,

St. Vincent's

will be sold to a property developer.

They will create

>> [music]

>> homes on the land and and

and turn the the convent into flats.

Soon we will all be dispersed across the

country.

Which is why I [music] wanted this

weekend

for us all to be together one last time.

I don't want [music] to be dispersed.

I want us to stay together.

Is there nothing we can do? Believe me,

I've examined every possibility, but

How about we all hold hands,

sisters?

Whatever happens in the future,

wherever we all end up,

we will [music] always

always

be a family.

Amen.

Amen.

Amen.

>> [music]

>> Mhm.

>> Mhm.

>> Mhm.