Original subtitles

I have no idea what you could possibly want. To ask for your forgiveness.

Where can we speak?

This has to stop.

Are you sure? I've never been more certain of anything in my life.

He's not who I thought he was. Or who you wanted him to be.

You are at liberty.

I am not. I don't think she wants a child.

What the deuce do you mean?

The thing that makes you the rightful heir to this company is your ability to

see beyond sentiment.

For all our sakes, I very much urge you to finish that house.

You'd make her a Forsyte? I would. You cannot marry Alexandra.

to err is human to forgive divine little words so

easily said but easily done what does it take

to forgive and forget is this really where you used to live have we ever the

right to expect it and what if any

are the sins for which there can never be absolution.

Come on.

You know how much this means to me?

It's a visit, Dad.

What, just to have you home again?

Oh, dear.

Demands of etiquette.

Your little tricks have a lot to learn.

Well, we're very glad to have you here.

We'll do our best to make you feel at home.

Won't we, Pubby? Question is, where does all this leave Pubby? Bumped down the

ladder of succession?

He was never on it. His family name is Darty.

But in the absence of any named Forsyte offshoot? Absence?

There's a whole array of them.

And should there be any doubt?

Which there is not.

My new will names Joe and June, Joss and Holly, as my

official heirs.

Sorry. Sorry.

I've slept.

Sorry.

Is that what I'm paying you for?

Feel free to add it to the bill. Oh, I shall.

With interest.

Say thank you.

Thank you for having us.

I was hoping to show the children around the house.

Would you like that?

We asked for par, can't we?

We'll be very quick.

I don't see why not.

What's going on?

What did Soames mean? Add it to the bill with interest.

Don't ask.

Irene seemed very off today, and the architect.

What was all that about?

Believe me, Pa, I have everything under control.

Are you sure?

What about the advent of Joe's Bratz?

Potential usurpers.

Doesn't worry you, then, the prospect of a cuckoo in the nest.

Or should I say, two.

Joe's brass.

Can you guarantee they won't turn out to be hostile invaders?

Hostility is not only confined to outsiders, brother, as you well know.

Yes, but you must admit... the risk is very

much increased.

Of course, it's entirely possible that Harry is a perfectly amiable chap who

will not try to threaten the status quo.

True.

But of course, there's no getting around the fact that if I marry Alex, she will

expect me to recognize him as my heir.

And thus the first in line to succession.

Exactly so.

You've had word from Harry?

Not yet.

My love.

To have found you again.

To glimpse even the possibility of a second chance.

It's my heart's dearest wish.

And mine.

But clearly there are implications.

Obligations.

Mine to you.

But also to my family To the firm and to abandon everything that I have built

and sustained for over 30 years. I'd never ask it of you Surely, you know

that Of course

All I want is to fit quietly into your life and to

make you smile again

There you are.

I used to sit in this chair and read stories to June.

How she used to laugh.

Joe and I always thought we'd fill this room with our children's laughter.

And now there are his children.

And if you and he were to resume... I could hold my head up on the mall.

No longer be that specter at the feast.

The abandoned wife.

Joe's become quite feral this past year.

He needs coaxing back into civilized society.

Perhaps even foresight and co.

And the marriage bit? Do you still... Desire him.

Love him, even.

In truth, it would be by far the most convenient option.

Papa, would you be sad if we packed all this away?

It's just, the more I look at it, the more I miss her.

Of course.

We'll all help.

Will you ever go back to where you used to work?

To Forsyth & Co?

Hope not.

Can you keep a secret?

Papa's been invited to exhibit at the Royal Academy.

What's that?

Where all the famous painters get to show their work.

And not so famous? But soon could be. I told you. I said people would see how

good you are.

I'm glad to see you're bearing up after your ordeal today.

Well, we somehow survived.

Then can I hope you'll join us tomorrow?

The grand opening?

Of course you must do what feels right.

But it would mean a lot.

To me, personally.

What's this?

Robin Hill.

I sent Knowles to check on the progress, or lack thereof. And what did Bassini

have to say for himself?

Bassini, of course, was absent.

The workers say he hasn't been there for days.

Well, now you see what he's about.

No intention of finishing the job.

Pinning his hopes on eloping with your wife.

Then he's about to be disappointed.

Mrs. Forsyte.

I was about to call on you.

But you said you were leaving for Europe.

Yes.

Well, when the moment came, I found I still had matters to attend to.

But you wished to see me.

To let you know, I'll be attending the ceremony tomorrow.

Lest my appearance should be inconvenient.

It will not be inconvenient.

Wear white tomorrow.

With your hair down.

And dressed with pearls.

Why? Makes you look angelic.

Which is how I like to think of you.

As an angel?

My own angel.

Pure and untouched.

Except by me.

I confess, I'm a little disappointed.

Your life has taken you so far in a new direction.

As wife, hopefully soon to be mother, it grieves me to see you dwelling on the

past.

Dear friends, Mrs Cole and I would like to thank all of you who, by your kind

donations, have helped to bring about this momentous day.

At the outset, some of us, myself included, were hesitant, inclined to

place ourselves in judgment.

of those unfortunate women in need of our assistance.

But we've come to learn that behind every such woman is a story

of grief, abandonment, loss,

deserving not our scorn, but our compassion.

And today, I personally pay tribute

to one such woman whose life became intimately connected with ours

and whose story exemplifies everything we hope to achieve.

I dedicate this house to her and declare the house of

hope and kindness

Give Frances her due.

You'd never know that Joe had all but ruined her life.

Yet here she is.

Taking everything in her stride.

She's... A credit to the family?

And Joe is not.

I believe that's the general view.

But then, Joe has an artist soul.

And a family where artistry and soul are not esteemed.

I'm sorry you think so.

Go on, have a look. Go on, there.

What you said today was generous.

You didn't have to mention her.

I'm not a monster.

Far from it.

I wonder, would you come with me to meet some of our guests?

It's hardly my forte.

I think you underestimate yourself.

My dear, how are the wedding plans coming along?

I hadn't given them much thought.

That I don't believe.

Freddie talked of nothing else in the lead-up to our wedding.

And rightly so.

A woman truly comes into her own when she becomes a wife.

Well, some of us have higher aspirations.

Indeed we do.

The question is...

How do we know they're actually his?

She said they were, but where's the proof?

Why would she lie?

To secure for them the many advantages of being a foresight.

You have my note?

Which?

I sent it to your house.

My God, why would you do that?

I was desperate. I had to know. Will you come away with me? Phil, whatever you

think exists between us, it's nothing.

You kissed me. Less than a second.

And that's how I know.

There's nothing to know.

I cannot be with you.

Would you excuse me?

Yes.

A word, sir?

This is about June.

Obviously.

You've always been decent to me.

So I'll be honest, I must say... My situation has changed.

In what way?

I have developed feelings for someone other than June.

And does this person reciprocate?

Yes.

That is, she's given me no encouragement, but I know it's only a

matter of time before she leaves her husband.

And your fiancé?

June is a remarkable young woman.

I know that.

And you will not find her equal in all conscience.

I must follow my heart.

I'm sure June will applaud you for your gallantry.

You're right.

I needed to hear him say it.

I know what you must think.

After I gave you my word. If you truly love my son, you'll make no more claim

on him.

I do love him.

Are you sure?

James believed you loved him.

He's mistaken.

You say you came here for your son.

What if he can't be found?

Then at least I'll have found something else.

The man I was forced to give up all those years ago.

And this time I won't be bought off.

What could they be plotting?

Perhaps your father's hoping to press you back into Forsyte and Co.

I wish he would.

And now I know how it feels to be at odds with them.

I've been sounding the alarm of a rant frontier, and if I can't prevail...

You're what?

Resigned? How could I not?

Papa is also grand.

Could we come and stay a while?

She did say we could.

So glad you decided to join us.

I see Lord Carrick over there.

Did he ever donate?

Still mulling. Shall we see if we can persuade him?

Ah, your ladyship.

What a treat.

Yes, it must be.

How are you enjoying the spectacle?

Which in particular?

My son squaring your granddaughter-in-law about the room? Of

course, it must be said.

He's far the better fit.

For what?

Consort to the High Priestess of London society.

Though, in the end, my son will come to his senses and all will be well.

Curious how alike they are.

Far more so than she and Joe.

Or you and I.

Shall we be going?

It's all becoming rather tedious.

Oh, is it? I hadn't noticed.

I think I'll stay a little longer.

As you wish.

I'll see you at home.

I

can't

give Alex up.

I've done it once, and it was the greatest mistake of my life.

Not giving her up now would be an even greater one.

Go to our room remain there till I return Do

you see You see what she's done to him I see what

we've done which is modeled a marriage in which the husband is a dictator What

the values his wife only as an ornament a hostess But ignores her opinions and

expects her to have no ambition beyond that of providing his heirs. Have you

gone mad?

which has left him wholly unprepared for a woman who isn't willing to be simply a

decorative accessory.

Oh, he may be entranced by a woman of spirit, but our example has led him to

think she must be firmly under his control. And the law of the land

supports him!

It may do so, but that will be of little consolation in the end.

How dare you write to my wife? How dare you open her private mail? A married

woman has no private mail.

You are a despicable tyrant.

You have no idea how to value Irene.

Kindly, remove yourself from my rooms before I... What?

Forgive me, but you're in no position to be issuing orders.

I dispute that.

Robin Hill will not be finished in three months.

So you will face me in court, where I will win, hands down.

Your reputation will be in ribbons.

And my wife will never leave me.

You seriously think your threats scare me?

They should.

But because I'm a reasonable man, I have a further proposal.

The perfect solution for us all.

Was it hard to forgive Papa?

I'm not sure that I have, completely.

But you've been so welcoming.

And at the House of Hope opening, you spoke so generously of her.

Of course.

And I meant it.

Though part of me enjoys the victory.

Look how I've recaptured my husband, taken my rival's children.

Revenge is sweet.

And ugly.

And even the smallest glint of it tells me I haven't quite let go.

Of what?

A need to triumph?

A righteous indignation?

Sustaining which, in truth, is really quite exhausting.

But haven't you even the tiniest right to resent him?

Oh, yes.

But in the end, does it really serve me?

I wonder if I could simply forgive him.

But wouldn't that be saying everything he did was fine?

It obviously wasn't fine.

But does it really serve me to keep revisiting it?

And if I stopped, could I simply move on?

You think it's that easy?

No.

But I think it's essential.

Run away with him.

That's preposterous. You don't seriously imagine.

That you'd betray me with that idiot boy.

No.

Not for one moment.

Well, then. But your true betrayal, the real purpose of your visits to Brighton,

that I cannot forgive.

Knowing what it would mean to me to have a son, to carry on the family name.

You would deny me that?

Am I a bad husband?

Have I not given you everything a woman could possibly want? Is that a serious

question?

You tricked me into a marriage. How?

You promised me we'd live in Paris. You lied about the reasons for our return.

You forced me to give up dancing. Because I came to realize you could

never be a dancer and a proper wife.

The two are incompatible.

You would have made us both miserable. I am miserable.

You must allow me to act as I think appropriate.

To know what's best for us. For you. How can you know what's best for me?

You are not me.

No, I am not you.

But you are mine.

Body and soul. You belong to me.

I belong to no one.

Have you forgotten your marriage vows?

With this ring, I thee wed.

Please let go of me.

With my body.

I thee worship.

Take your hand off me.

You are my lawful wedded wife.

You swore to love, honor, and obey, to worship and submit.

You have failed to obey.

You have failed to submit.

Do not require me to.

I do require it.

I require it now that you submit, as a beloved wife should.

to her loving husband.

Well, less than Lunt.

We shall need a new architect.

You seem very quiet.

Last night was an exception.

And you proved a point.

What point?

That you were willing to submit.

As a loving wife should.

I did submit.

And I thank you for it.

But it was not what I wanted.

I'll be home at six.

Perhaps we can take a stroll after dinner.

I wish to break off our engagement.

The fault is mine.

I convinced myself you were something you are not.

I wish you every happiness, but doubt the one you seek will oblige you.

Meaning?

Irene.

In case you're wondering, I forgive you.

I forgive you too.

Oh, and you're welcome to him if you actually do want him.

You once said you'd die for me.

Yes.

All I require is your help.

Take me to a safe place.

where I can gather my thoughts and consider how to extricate myself from my

marriage.

Where are you going? You didn't actually think I'd run away with you.

No.

And I see that now.

It's clarified things for me.

And Soames has made it easier.

How?

Dropped the court case, offered me a substantial sum to leave London.

Cut ties with all four sides.

You especially never return.

Apologies.

I'm not your knight in shining armor.

And if Soames were to learn that, I'd help you. But I'm not leaving him for

you. No, you're leaving him for you.

And that, at least, is some consolation.

I don't know.

Rand frontier gold the goose that laid the literal golden egg

Forsyth syndrome has cornered the market.

So, on that subject,

I must now tender my resignation.

I cannot be part of a firm which profits while turning a blind eye to a process

which is fatal to all who encounter it. My dear Mr Cole,

my man in the round has assured me there's nothing to fear.

And as he's just announced his imminent return to London, Mr. Peregrine himself

can allay any fears you or any here might have.

Is that likely? He'll admit to the hazards of something he's so heavily

invested in? Ah, but you're an artist, nephew.

And your opinions have literally no value in the real world.

A world I'm delighted to be absent from.

My friend... I salute you.

As do I, dear Isaac.

The man has principles.

If you were to return, you might persuade him he is much needed here.

Dad, you understand the children are my priority now.

I need to take time to plan our next move.

Of course, my boy.

You take all the time you need.

Thank you.

June took the children to the park.

How did you... I asked her to.

You know I can actually see the attraction.

This life.

Simplicity. No pressure to conform.

You were such a poor fit for Forsyte and Co.

I'm sorry I tried to make you so.

No, don't be sorry.

You gave me the reason to apply myself.

I learnt discipline.

Rigour. The things that served me as an artist.

And I learnt that not everything is in my control.

All my gift.

And what's in your gift?

A home.

For your children.

And for me.

Would you want it?

It would be a happy solution.

They're like you.

Joss and Ollie.

They're like dad and grandma.

But they'll always be a reminder.

Of my betrayal.

And I deserve more.

Someone who shares my views of what matters most in life.

It's true.

You thrive in a world I dislike.

Which has never known how to value you.

For ten years I tried to mold you.

And I should have simply enjoyed you.

I'll always love you.

And I, you.

And there'll always be a home for you and your children.

But for now... Yes.

I think we both know.

That we should both step away.

Finally, he's back in our midst.

And who knows?

A return to Francis?

Perhaps even Forsyte and co.? And now, how to let Alexandra down

gently.

I'm not sure I can.

But there is another way.

Harry Faulkner has no idea he's my son.

Alexandra does.

But she has no idea where he is.

If he ever contacts me, I shall simply... not tell her.

Forgive me. I couldn't wait to share the news Harry has written.

To you?

Yes. And he's coming to London. And he's agreed to meet with me. Oh, my dear.

I'm so grateful.

And to you, Anne. Had you not written to me? I really don't think this is the

best place for... Oh, I know, but I just couldn't wait to tell you. The thought

of seeing Harry again.

Alex?

How are you, James?

How are you here?

How long have you two been... And who is Harry?

Falconer.

What, our client?

And my son.

And his father.

So, Harry Falconer, our client. You say Grandmama repaid his Ceylon gold losses.

Why would she do that?

Because she's a meddling old fool.

And that lady, his mother?

Her name is Alexandra.

Why was my uncle being so defensive?

Because that lady has a special place in his heart.

And in your father's.

As his first love and the reason he was rushed into marrying me. What? To stop

him disgracing the family by pursuing a common actress.

Pa, is this true? I refuse to dignify such a preposterous suggestion.

Is that why you've never had the decency to talk to me about it?

But then we never do talk.

You hold forth and I listen.

Beware, darling.

It's taken me a long time to come to my senses.

I really hope you learn from your father's mistakes before it's too late.

So, Europe.

When do you actually leave?

If nothing else detains me.

Tomorrow.

Then we should say our farewells.

If you wish.

What I wish is for the subject you raised at Frampton Park to be forgotten.

My proposal.

I'm amazed you had the temerity to broach it, knowing the disgrace into

which it would plunge us both.

We'd be social pariahs.

Your mother would self-combust. I should certainly create a merry blaze.

That... I could cheerfully endure if you would only...

I won't.

Joe and I remain married.

Understood.

However... Yes.

We are spending some time apart.

And if, in the course of that time apart, I should find myself in Venice

on, say, the 12th of August, three o'clock, half-past four a.m.,

and should I choose to order vermouth cocktails for two, might I expect

company?

Do you even need to ask?

It's happened, hasn't it?

She's gone.

No word.

No explanation.

But wherever she

is, I'll find her.

I'll go and bring her back.

And I'll never let her out of my sight again.