All language subtitles for Black Narcissus S01E01

Srimati!

Srimati!

Srimati!

Synced & corrected by -robtor-
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God be with you, Sister.

And with you.

God be with you, Sister.

And with you.

God be with you, Sister.

And with you.

God be with you, Sister.

And with you.

Enter.

Sister Clodagh. News from Mopu.

The General hasn't changed
his mind, Reverend Mother?

No, nothing like that, no.

He's still most keen
to donate his palace.

In fact, the General makes it
a condition of his gift

that the mission should travel
to Mopu immediately,

rather than waiting 'til spring.

I suppose it does make sense to...

set up the school and settle ourselves

before the cold weather sets in.

Winter arrives much sooner
in the north than it does here.

I know how very keen you are
to assume the honor

of leading the mission, Sister Clodagh.

Mopu is a wild place.

There isn't even a policeman there.

Just, uh, the General's agent,
a Mr. Dean.

If only Father Roberts wasn't laid low.

Forgive me, Reverend Mother.

If you put your faith in me,

I know I can make
a success of the new convent.

I do so feel I was called
to do God's work there,

to bring education and enlightenment

to such a remote part of the world.

I know I can do it.

"I", Clodagh...

So many I's.

We, Reverend Mother.

I don't think you're ready for it.

I think you'd be lonely.

Lonely? Why would I be lonely?

I'd have the community around me.

And so much work to do.

There's no doubt you've more than proved

your competence here.

It would be a leap of faith.

You will certainly need
to put much faith

in the Sisters who will accompany you.

Sister Briony,
she will be indispensable to you

up there in the mountains.

Will the order really be able
to manage without her?

We'll have to. And, uh, Sister Philippa.

You"ll do well to lean on Philippa.

Not just for the garden or the laundry,

- but for her wisdom.
- Yes, Reverend Mother.

And might we take Sister Blanche?

- For the little ones.
- Ah, Sister Honey, yes, do.

Better honey than vinegar
in such a closed community.

And Sister Ruth.

Like you, God has blessed her
with an abundance of talents.

And St. Helens found her
a very quick study in languages,

and she's experienced in lace work.

Do you wish to express
a reservation, Sister Clodagh?

No, Mother Dorothea. Except...

Sister Ruth seems to wish
so much to be important.

Then you will have
a great deal in common.

May the Lord bless you, child,

and give you strength
to serve Him in your mission.

Amen.

- Thank you, Father.
- This wretched fever.

The convent of St. Faith shall
be pleased to receive you

when you are able to make
the journey, Father.

I expect to see great things.

The youngest Sister Superior
in the order.

I have every confidence you'll succeed

where the Brothers of St. Peter failed.

Did Mother Dorothea not say?

No, Father.

A German order attempted to establish

a school in the palace only last year.

It was not a success.

Perhaps they lacked our experience

with missionary work.

Why did the German
Brothers leave the Palace?

I've been unable to discover the reason.

Okay.

Sisters, get your bed rolls,

we"ll take the shorter route.

Keep going.

Can"t be far.

Oh!

Keep your eyes inwards,
Sisters. It"s just a holy man.

What the local people call a Sunnyasi.

God go with you.

Here we are.

The palace of Mopu.

It's not what we would call
a palace though,

is it, Sister Clodagh?

We could hardly expect the
changing of the guard, Sister.

Hello?

We're the religious sisters
from Darjeeling.

Sister Ruth.

Hello?

Who lit the candles?

Is it really only a year

since the Brothers were here?

This will do splendidly
for our sleeping quarters.

- Welcome, Sisters.
- Namaste.

I am so sorry to give you a fright.

I am Angu, Angu Ayah, the caretaker.

So you must be very tired, no?
You take rest, huh?

Tomorrow for breakfast the General,

he has sent you English sausages.

God bless the General.

Why did the Brothers
of Peter leave so suddenly,

Sister Clodagh?

We are safe in God's hands.

I've always found it hard to sleep,

- my father used to say...
- Sister.

This is not our time
for conversation. God bless you.

Commend your soul to His care
and sleep will come.

God bless you, Sister Clodagh.

Good morning. You must be Mr. Dean.

How do you do?

Sisters.

Sorry, I... I thought
early rising was part of your...

I hope Angu's made you all comfortable?

Most comfortable, thank you.

The General told me to report
to the Sister Superior.

- Sister Clodagh.
- I am she. I am Sister Clodagh.

Clodagh. I was expecting someone more...

Irish.

I see you're admiring
my trophies, Sister.

- Did you shoot those birds?
- I don't shoot anything...

any longer.

Dean.

Come. Come.

We've got sausages.

Sausages, by God.

Have you told the Sisters
about your travels?

The sisters are not interested in me.

Angu Ayah travelled all over Europe

as nurse to Princess Srimati.
She has many a tale to tell.

Princess Srimati?
Is she the General's wife?

His sister.

Did your priest not tell you
about Srimati Dev?

No, we were told very little,
in all the hurry.

She lived here, for a time.

Do you know what
the locals call this place?

The House of Women.

But why?

Surely it was boys that

the Brothers of St. Peter
taught here, Sister Clodagh?

Oh, it's an older name.

The General's father built
this palace for his... ladies.

No nuns in that household I assure you.

Well, from now on
the palace shall be known

as the Convent of St. Faith.

Not as good as I remembered.

- What is, huh?
- Sisters.

Mr. Dean?

You shouldn't have come here, you know.

It's an impossible place for a nunnery.

Difficult perhaps, but nothing
is impossible with God.

Is it our religion
that distresses you, Mr. Dean,

or the fact that we're women?

Both.

Perhaps you should make a list of works.

We'll need to arrange builders for you,

and workers to clear the garden.

Thank you, but the General has already

- put his clerk at our disposal.
- What, Imay?

The man's a rogue, he only got the job

because his family bribed
the General's aide.

He seemed perfectly helpful
on the journey.

In any case, the General
wrote to say that he's sending

another man along, Joseph Anthony.

I understand your main duties
are at the tea factory,

Mr. Dean, so you really needn't
go to any trouble...

Please yourself.

It suits me to have as little
to do with you as possible.

I'm only following the General's orders.

We all rub along perfectly well up here,

Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists.

Your lot, you're like
a row of clocks ticking away,

winding yourselves up
every day with your...

Your little keys,
taking care to sound the hours

in a place where time
doesn't even exist.

Of course time exists,

this is another country,
not another world.

I can see you're rather
sentimental, Mr. Dean.

Like all cynics.

Well, if you change your mind,
Angu knows where to find me.

Pride is a sin, Sister Clodagh.

One of the deadly ones,
if I remember correctly.

The monks lasted five months.

I'll give you until the break
of the next rains.

Dear Mother Dorothea,
by the grace of God

we have begun to settle
into life at the palace of Mopu.

As soon as the General"s clerk

is able to arrange the necessary work,

we intend to open the school

and set a living example
of a Godly life.

So far, we've not
had a chance to be lonely...

and most of us are
adapting well to the thin air.

I give thanks that with each day,

the good Lord smiles on our enterprise.

- What"s the matter?
- Sister Ruth? Oh, dear.

It's all right, Sister.

The poor creature
cannot harm you. Poor thing.

I will bury it.

Is she better now?

Oh, yes, she'll be fine.

It would be Sister Ruth
that finds a dead animal.

I don't mean that uncharitably,
Sister Clodagh,

the poor Sister has been suffering.

You only have to look at her.
They did warn us.

The fatigue, we've all been feeling it.

The stomach disorders,
I'm not so sure about.

How are you, Sister Clodagh? Hmm.

The heart has to work harder,
up this high.

It actually makes it stronger,
in the end.

We really need to sort out
the plumbing, Sister Clodagh.

Yes. Well, I'm afraid
we'll have to hang on

for this Joseph Anthony.

Angu?

Sister Clodagh?

Sister Clodagh,

I found this child
creeping about inside.

I'm sent by General.
Auntie will tell you...

I'm sure he was looking
for whatever he could steal.

It's English he's speaking,
can't you hear?

Auntie, tell them. I'm Joseph Anthony.

- This is Joseph Anthony?
- Oh, yes, madam.

This one, he is the son
of the General's cook.

- How old are you, Joseph Anthony?
- Seven to 11 years old.

I have come to help you
be ready for the General.

The General's paying us a visit?

- Oh, yes, madam.
- When?

Now, Lemini. He's on his way.

It is a pleasure to meet you,
Sister Clodagh.

Welcome, Excellency.

Please.

We can"t thank you
enough for your generous gift.

Oh, it's nothing, nothing at all.

They"re coming, Sisters.

Is that splendid young man
the General's son?

Oh, no, no, no.

That is his nephew,
my Dilip Rai. Srimati Dev's boy.

This will be the classroom.

Indeed.

Progress is a great thing.

Please sit, Excellency.

I was very disappointed
with the Brothers when they said

they were unable to continue
with the school.

So I thought it's only right
to let you women try.

We are most grateful, Excellency,

for your generous hospitality.

It's my pleasure.

Truth to tell...
I never liked this palace.

My father used to allow
some bad goings on here.

And then... my sister.

Srimati Dev.

This house has never been good,
Sister Clodagh.

- I want you to make it good.
- We'll try, Excellency.

But we don't want to change it
more than we can help.

- It's so very beautiful.
- But you must. I want you to.

It is an honor to meet
the Superior Sister.

We are forbidden to touch. Forgive me.

I don't suppose, General,
before you go away,

you could supply us with some workmen

to make the improvements we need.

Oh, you need to talk to Mr. Dean.

He will see to all that sort of thing.

Won't you, Dean?

It would be my pleasure, Highness.

You mustn't believe
all the stories about him,

Dean's an excellent man.

Excuse me...

who is that for?

Sister Clodagh.
It "s from General" s clerk.

I'll take it.

Sister Ruth, your tread is so light.

I'm sorry.

I thought you should have this
note from the General's clerk.

What? Another one.

The idle wretch. God forgive me.

How's your head today, Sister Ruth?

It's still bothering me a little.

Sister Briony gave me a powder,

but it only works for a few hours.

I was wondering,

how would you tell the children
when the school is open?

Angu says the Brothers decided

there was no call for a school here.

And their order has a
great reputation for teaching.

I wouldn't pay Angu much mind, Sister.

No, Sister Clodagh.
But I do have some ideas

- for the lace school.
- Very good.

The community in Darjeeling

never let me do
as much as I was able to,

I've had all sorts of thoughts
about improving our methods.

Yes, I'd be very happy to discuss it

at another time, Sister Ruth.

We do want the older girls to come.

Sister Philippa.
Another note from the clerk.

When is he arriving?

The chill he took from
the journey is still no better.

In fact he's claiming it's worse.

We just can't rely on him to come.

- Very well, Sister Clodagh.
- And do we have a bigger wrench?

I'm not sure.

I suppose it's no
different to calling the doctor.

Mr. Dean.

A letter from Sister Clodagh.

Very important.

Sister Clodagh, the children
are here for the school.

The General must have sent them.

They've come with Mr. Dean.

Welcome to St. Faith's.
There are so many of them.

Well, goodness, the more the merrier.

We're not nearly ready, Sisters.

Well, we shall just have to be,
that's all.

We'll think of something.

We could start with numbers
today, couldn't we?

Everyone, follow me. This way.

- Good morning, Mr. Dean.
- Good morning.

- Thank you for coming.
- My pleasure.

Why don"t you help
Sister Blanche, Sister Ruth?

You sit there. Thank you very much.

Oh, dear. The, um, poor little chap's

had an accident with...
With his drawers.

No, madam. This is for him to shit.

Uh, we don't use that word, Joseph.

Which word to use, please?

We might say "pass a stool".

- A stool, Lemini?
- Yes.

Could you tell them to sit down, please?

They want to know if you have ears.

Of course we have ears.
Ears. Can you say it? Ears.

Ears.

Very good.

There's been high excitement
in the village.

The General has promised them
some great things.

And an anna a lesson.

He's paying the children to come?

I'm not sure we can condone bribery.

That's it? Thank you.

As you said, pride's a sin.

Well, I'm reasonably proficient
in all the other ones.

Pin's brother will be here tomorrow,

to paint the roof.

And if you're really serious
about building a new chapel,

Sister, we should
discuss ways and means.

We'll have to get approval
from the Mother House,

but it"ll be helpful to know
what's possible.

- Why don't you sound Irish?
- I was sent away to school.

I can't tell you what a relief
it"ll be to us,

to have a functioning water closet.

It's a relief to me, Sister,

you have all the usual functions.

I'm afraid we don't have any beer.

- Ah, my jacket.
- Oh.

Dear Reverend Mother,

it is a pleasure to report

the work at St. Faith's proceeds apace.

With the dedication of each
of our sisters,

every day brings progress.

Sister Philippa has great plans
for the garden,

and with the workmen arranged
by Mr. Dean,

is clearing the terrace
for winter vegetables.

Sister Briony is organizing us all,

as you knew she would.
And with the arrival of supplies

from the Mother House in Canstead,

the convent of St. Faith is beginning

- to be worthy of the name.
- ...sleeping quarters.

The room upstairs,
the one that Angu says

belonged to the General's sister.

The key is lost.

- And the Holy Man.
- Sunnyasi?

His presence is unsuitable.

Surely, he could be persuaded
to take his vigil,

whatever it is, further away
from the convent lands.

That might be tricky.

Why?

Sister Clodagh.

During the reading lesson
I noticed this boy is ill,

but he's refusing to go home.

Perhaps it's the penny you want.

I've said to Sister Blanche
we should stop him spreading

his germs to all of us.

But we can't just send him away,
can we, Sister Clodagh?

At least we could give him
something for his rash.

Did he arrive like this, this morning?

How do you know it's just a rash?

You"re not a doctor.

I've told you we shouldn't interfere.

It"s not interfering.
We're here to help.

He could have typhoid, he's
certainly looks filthy enough.

Sisters, enough.

You seem to have forgotten
the rules of religious conduct.

You in particular, Sister Ruth.
You're well aware

we never speak to
another Sister in that way.

Hang on, she might have a point.

Typhoid's no laughing matter.

He'll live.

Never mistake indifference
for acceptance.

None of the villagers will be
indifferent if they think

you're responsible for harming
one of their own.

And if you give them medicine,
and it does go wrong,

then that"s when you will be in danger.

The German brothers
learned that the hard way.

So, Sister Ruth, is it?
You're right. Don't interfere.

Don't worry, Sister Blanche. I'll
deliver him back to his mother...

with a penny in his pocket.

Thank goodness Mr. Dean has arranged

for a line to be put up,

in the wind it will dry in no time. Oh.

Oh, Saints preserve us.

I have not seen myself
since the day I took my vows.

Nor me. I was no oil painting then.

That belongs to Srimati Dev, Sisters.

It is not to be thrown away, huh.

She used to stand in front
of it for so long.

I told her a demon had bewitched her.

You look peaky, Sister Ruth.

Is it your head again?

I'll make you up one of my powders.

No rest for the wicked.

One's eyes adjust, eventually.

Custody of the eyes, you learn it,

as a novice. As part of the rule,

not to look unless you need to.

A sort of modesty?

A way to keep the gaze inward.

And the light here
must make that difficult.

Window catches.

And I've brought you a donation
for your new lace school. Kanchi.

Kanchi.

_

_

_

This is Kanchi.

She'd like to improve herself,
and I know

you're a great believer
in that sort of thing.

_

_

_

_

_

Can you speak English?

- How old are you?
- No one's quite sure.

Her mother's dead and she's
best out of her father's way,

if you know what I mean.

You'd be doing me a great service

taking an interest in her
education, Sister.

Better she's here learning
something useful

than hanging about my bungalow
with nothing to occupy her.

Joseph Anthony, this is Kanchi.

Can you take her
to see Sister Ruth, please?

Yes, Lemini.

Sister Briony.

You rang the bell, Sister Clodagh.

- Oh, yes.
- Angu says the drums

will stop once the poor man dies

and then they'll burn him.

Well, it's the custom.

Nothing, I imagine, compared to
the fire of eternal damnation.

- Mr. Dean is teasing.
- Oh, coffee, Mr. Dean?

Thank you, Sister Briony.

- Sister Clodagh.
- Thank you.

Good God.

You don't believe one scrap
in what we're doing, do you?

Well, I brought you the girl, didn't I?

I can see the strength
of your belief in it.

I quite admire belief.

I just dislike the tendency
to feel that any one belief

happens to be better
than any other. It leads to wars.

What would you teach
the people here, Mr. Dean?

Poverty. Like the Holy Man.

Teach us to expect nothing,
to do with nothing,

for that's all we'll get in this life.

Do you really feel so utterly hopeless?

Not at all.

That's just your particular way
of seeing things.

You know, that veranda needs looking at,

there's woodworm in the posts.

Good day to you.

Don't you ever cut your hair.

Sister Ruth. Are you unwell?

No, I... I can't sleep.

Come along,

let's take you back to your bed.

We can't have you wandering about

burning precious candle wax,

whatever will Sister Briony say?

Someone blew it out.

I felt it, I could feel their breath.

It was the wind, Sister.
Try to quieten your mind.

What if this house
doesn't want us here, Sister?

Sister, you must listen to me.

You've allowed yourself
to become overwrought.

It's the thin air,
playing tricks, that's all.

What you need is a good night's sleep.

I will think of you in my prayers.

- Will you?
- Of course. Of course.

Good night.

Enough of that, you are meant
to be here to work.

Would you explain that to them?

Yes, Lemini.

This is quite a complicated pattern.

You need to pay attention.

Shh!

Be quiet, you stupid girl!

Both of you be quiet.

Will you take care of the cards for me?

I'll be back in a moment.

Is your head bad today, Sister Ruth?

It's better when the sun goes down.

Your handiwork,

I saw the dolls you made
for the fete at Darjeeling,

the altar cloths. You have a gift.

Thank you, Sister Clodagh.
Some of the other Sisters,

it was hard not to think
that they were jealous.

People have always been jealous of me.

Hmm.

Time for Compline.

Sister Ruth...
how are you feeling today?

A little better. Thank you.

I've spoken to Sister Blanche.

She will take over the lace
school from this morning.

I think that having your heart
so set on the school,

on making an impression,
it has overtaxed your strength.

Sister Blanche doesn't know
a thing about lace.

I'm sure the girls have work
they can be getting on with

until you can catch her up properly.

It'll be less of a strain on you.

But it's not a strain.

This isn"t fair, I...

I have no ability with
children, Sister Clodagh.

Sister Blanche loves the babies
and they love her, they're...

- They're boring and tiresome and...
- Sister Ruth.

Mother Dorothea, you know,
was kept at Canstead

for many years before she
was allowed to come to India

to use her gift for languages.

It's part of our service to God,

to serve in those ways
that come less easily to us.

I thought you were different.

None of us is different.

That's what giving our life
to Christ teaches us,

or what we have to learn.
The Rule of Obedience.

Well, that's easy for you, isn't it?

Marvelous Sister Clodagh,

the youngest Sister Superior
in the order, well,

- how you absolutely adore that.
- That's enough.

I've dug out some plans
that I"ve drawn up...

Ah, sorry, Sister,
I didn't realize you were here.

Mr. Dean, you might think to knock.

Sister Ruth, we will continue
this after chapel.

I'm sorry, Sister Clodagh.

Now, I'm no draughtsman, but...

this will at least give you
some ideas for your new chapel.

What's all this doing in the way?

It's for the Srimati Dev,
Sister. Her ghost is hungry.

Well, clear it up at once
or I'll speak to Sister Briony.

She'll have something to say
about wasting milk.

There don't appear to be any walls.

No, just pillars,
but these sections, see?

They give shelter from the wind,

but they still let the air in
and the light.

And straw for the floor.

You'd have to change it regularly,

the birds would nest in the
eaves and mess all over it,

but what's nicer than fresh straw?

It would encourage everyone
to stop and rest.

And you can console yourselves
with the thought that

you would be building a chapel
not just for you,

but for all life, all life.
Which is God.

Of course, the Sunnyasi
has the best spot,

but with this aspect
you'll still get the changes

- of season and... And...
- I did mention, Mr. Dean,

that all of our chapels follow a design

strictly laid out
by the order at Canstead.

Oh, yeah, Canstead Gothic.

Of course, Jesus
didn't grow up in Surrey.

I just thought,

since you were letting more
light in, so to speak.

It's out of the question.

This looks more like
a temple than a church.

Right you are.

How's Kanchi settling in?

Are you sure there isn't
something about her

- that you're dying to ask me?
- You go too far.

You mustn't speak to me
in this familiar way, Mr. Dean.

- It's unacceptable.
- I'll speak how I like.

But I'll thank you not to speak
to me that way,

if you want me to do another
stroke of work for you.

I'm not one of your acolytes.

You really are a Godless man.

No wonder you're so unhappy.

Well, I hardly see you jumping for joy,

for all your close relationship
to God, your husband,

as I believe you regard him.

How dare you speak to me in this way!

The Superior Sister.
Dilip Rai got that right.

You are insufferable.

Sister Clodagh. The scythe.

It's as though it jumped from his hand.

It jumped from his hand.

- Oh, good heavens.
- He needs stitches.

Sterilize a needle,
Sister Briony, quickly.

- No. No. No. Leave him.
- We can"t leave him.

Sister Briony, sterilize a needle.

Sister Ruth, whatever is wrong with you?

Sister Philippa, hold on to
the wound and stop the bleeding.

On to the wound.

That"s right. Good.
Keep your hand on the wound.

Press down.

I need to talk to you.
I... I need you to listen to me.

Sister Briony. A needle, now, go.

Yes. Yes. Sister Blanche.

For God"s sake, Sister,
remember what I told you.

You're putting everyone in danger.

- We don't need your help.
- Sister Clodagh, please.

I saw her face. Sister Clodagh.

I saw her. I saw her. I saw her.

- You"re imagining.
- I saw Srimati.

- Enough.
- I saw her.

You have to believe me.
You have to believe me,

- I saw Srimati.
- Enough now. Stop it.

It has started.