All language subtitles for S01E04 - Small Revenge

Dr. Franklin is nothing less

than the first mover
and prime conductor,

the inventor and leading
member of a secret cabal

designed for the purposes of keeping
up a spirit of clamor and discontent

in our American colonies!

The good doctor comes before
the king's Privy Council today

as an agent of the
Massachusetts Bay Colony.

He bears a humble petition

from that august assembly seeking
the removal of the royal governor.

For the sake of peace, he says.

I call it a funny sort of peace that
stains the waters of Boston Harbor

with £10,000 of East India tea!

I give you this

scurrilous article in the
pages of the Public Advertiser.

"Rules by Which a Great Empire
May Be Reduced to a Small One."

The article is signed QED.

Quod erat demon strand
um. Thus it is proved.

As you can see,

Dr. Franklin is truly
a man of letters!

These are the ravings of
a true insurrectionist.

I have never advocated
insurrection.

Ha! Ha!

The prime minister knows that I
have served His Majesty's government

here in London with
unwavering zeal.

I put it to you, Dr. Franklin,
that whilst you have sought...

- I have spent a decade trying to explain...
- preferment on the one hand

- the colonies to England...
- with the other you have been conspiring,

- and England to the colonies.
- With rabble-rousers and other scum...

- My only goal has been to preserve...
- to foment rebellion

- that fine and noble china vase...
- I say, to foment rebellion

- the British Empire.
- All for your own personal profit.

I ask the Privy Council to reject the
petition of the Massachusetts Assembly.

Furthermore, I ask that
Dr. Franklin's charter

as agent of the colonies
of Massachusetts,

Pennsylvania, New Jersey
and Georgia be revoked.

The solicitor general's request

is granted.

Whatever you're thinking, saying it
now will only make our fortunes worse.

I'll make their
master a little king.

Victory in Saratoga!
The English surrender!

America wins!

The marquis de Lafayette,
hero of Brandywine!

America wins!

Victory! The English lost
in Saratoga. America won!

- Hold on! Calm down! Calm down!
- Please, sir. Please! Please!

Here. For you. These are
for you. You take these.

Make sure you hand
all of them out!

Everyone has some?
Now spread out! Go!

"MARCH OF THE INSURGENTS"

Are you all right, sir?

Do you need help?

Not at all, my
friend. All is well.

Bravo! What a marvelous
instrument. Bravo!

Yes, it's interesting.

I believe the principle
is Greek in origin.

The Abbé is right.

I merely perfected
the mechanism.

The tone may be
softened or swelled

by the pressure of the finger,

and continued for any length.

The instrument, being well
tuned, never requires adjustment.

I have an instrument
like that of my own.

Well, you must play it
for me sometime, madame.

Perhaps you would like
to play it yourself.

Whatever are you talking about?

Nothing you haven't
thought of, you rascal.

Come sit beside me.

Not there. That's Mark
Antony's seat. Here.

So, now that your country has
won such a glorious victory at...

What is the name of the place?

Saratoga. In the colony
of New York, I believe.

What sort of place is it?

Well, I'm afraid you'd have to
ask Gentleman Johnny Burgoyne.

Though I expect he wished
that he'd never been there.

You're a clever one.

My late husband was a
philosopher, you know.

He believed good and evil were mere
fictions or something of the kind.

But under his wig, he was
bald as a baby's rump.

You are terribly ancient, but
you still have most of your hair.

Perhaps you'd like to fluff it.

Tie it up with a little ribbon.

And I could sit
peacefully on your lap.

With you on my lap, sir,
there'd be very little peace.

What impure thoughts are
running through your head, Abbé?

I, madame?

Only that Dr. Franklin is a
merry man to carry such a burden.

What burden is that,
Monsieur I'Abbé?

Your country's fate, of course.

In that I have some cause
for merriment today.

I should think Versailles must
take note of this victory.

If they do not, Monsieur Cabanis, I've
spilled a great deal of ink in vain.

Tell me something, you old bear.

Is this the sort of nonsense you talk
about with that mopey little teacup?

You mean Madame Brillon?

No. No, we discuss music and books
and delicate matters of the soul.

No wonder you look like a starving
man given a pea for dinner.

Fill in everyone's glasses,
Mr. Cabanis, and let's have a toast.

- To?
- To Saratoga?

To eating a full plate.

Come look at this.

Very skillful, Your Majesty.

Do you enjoy the mechanical
arts, Foreign Minister?

Alas, obligations do
not afford me the time.

What's interesting about locks

is that unless you crack them
open, you've no idea what's inside.

But then you've broken the lock.

Your Majesty, you know of
the victory at Saratoga.

Yes. Rather bloodied
old George's nose, hmm?

There's an opportunity here.

It would be wise to seize
it before it's too late.

You're on about
your alliance again.

I'm certain England is seeking a way out
before it suffers even greater losses.

The Americans may well be
inclined to grant them one.

Then we wouldn't have to
pay for a war, would we?

We'd only be delaying one.

Against an enemy we could have weakened
if we had been bold enough to act.

I don't know.

- Your Majesty means...
- I don't know.

Yes.

- Yes, I may proceed?
- Yes, I don't know.

Did he mean to refuse
you without saying it?

Possibly.

Does he wish you to negotiate

but doesn't want it
known that he said so?

He might.

Is he setting a trap,

expecting that you'll
disobey, and so expose you?

He's not that smart.

Are you sure?

What are the risks?

Disgrace. Exile. Prison.

I think that covers it.

And the rewards?

France wins. The
English lose. And...

You succeed.

What should I do?

Charles, my dear,

you've already decided.

You just want me to
tell you you're right.

I'll have Gérard handle it.

That way there's
someone else to blame.

Well, who would have thought all it
took to make the English appreciate you

was to capture 6,000
of their soldiers?

Stack up the Madeira
so he can see it.

Right.

He's here.

Keep him occupied.

W-Where the devil are you going?

I BECAME FULLY VERSED IN THE
NUANCED ART OF SEXUAL PLEASURE

Temple.

- I know you're in there, boy.
- I'm busy.

I'm coming in.

- What are you doing?
- Reading.

- I don't see any book.
- I finished it.

Then you're not reading.

What do you want?

We have been rather disputatious
with each other of late.

Have we?

Whatever I might instruct,
it is only in the hope

that you have bettered your prospects in
this world after I have passed from it.

You need me to do
something, don't you?

Put on a decent
coat and hurry up.

Monsieur Gérard. Welcome
to our petite hôtel.

The pleasure is mine, Doctor.

A small gesture of
our nation's goodwill.

A nice little Armagnac.

Oh, most thoughtful.

Bancroft, would you...

Of course.

Minister Vergennes wishes to
convey his... Is that cheese?

Stilton. Just arrived this
afternoon from Derbyshire.

Quite extravagant.
How could I refuse?

Now, you really must try this.

I thank you, but English cheese
has never been to my liking.

As you please.

Minister Vergennes
wishes to convey his...

You know, the oddest thing...
I seem to recall you telling me

that His Majesty preferred
that we win our independence

before entering into
any negotiations.

His Majesty, that is to
say, Minister Vergennes...

- I believe you know my secretary.
- Your secre...

I hope you will not object to him
taking the minutes of our interview.

Just so there can be
no misunderstandings.

Of course.

- Master Temple.
- Monsieur.

Anyway, you were saying...
Please, please, please.

The Minister Vergennes...

Before we begin,

I must exact your promise not to
advertise any piece of our discussion.

Nothing remains secret
in Paris for very long.

Nonetheless.

Very well.

And you, Master Temple?

You have my promise.

I suppose I'll go catch
up on the correspondence.

What may France offer
to prevent America

from being seduced by the promise
of a false peace with England?

You are aware that since
my arrival in this country,

I have advocated for a treaty of amity
and commerce, which is not yet concluded?

I am.

Conclude that treaty, and America
will consider closing her ears

to any proposals that do not
guarantee her independence.

Versailles is prepared to offer
you a treaty on those terms.

The necessary documents can
be yours in a matter of days.

At which point we can
discuss the second treaty.

The what?

One that binds our countries
together in a military alliance.

No, no, no, no, no. You are...

You can't put the
plow before the oxen.

We say putting the
cart before the horse.

Say it as you like. This
cannot be a condition.

So, we are to be left to
our own devices after all.

In that case, monsieur, I...

If the question is raising arms in
America's defense, this may be discussed.

Discussed or agreed upon?

An open declaration of war
is out of the question.

England must be the one
to commence hostilities.

Which it will the moment any arrangement
between us is publicly proclaimed.

In either case, the
result is the same.

If you wish to convince His
Majesty that an alliance is...

Is he not already convinced?

As I've said,
friendship, trade...

Are you not authorized
to negotiate?

I am not authorized
to start a war.

But you've already done so.

We are simply determining
how and when it will begin.

I...

I will have to consult
with Minister Vergennes.

Well, by all means, but
I suggest you make haste.

Please take some
cheese with you.

Why aren't you privy to the
negotiations? Does he suspect you?

It was the Frenchman. He
wasn't having any of it.

Can you get your hands
on the boy's notes?

Master Franklin's more
careful than his grandfather.

You're not paid for
excuses. Find a way.

Suppose a treaty is made.

Say a copy in the boy's
hand found its way to London

before it could be
dispatched to America.

And paint him as the Judas goat.

- Well, no. I wasn't think... Actually...
- No, no, no, no. A letter is found.

In it he professes undying loyalty
to his father and the British Crown.

Well, I... He'd never
write such a thing.

I mean, the boy is
obstreperous but he's not...

A traitor?

He doesn't have to write
it. He only has to sign it.

Well, that will
crush the old fellow.

Must he be dishonored
as well as defeated?

It's hardly the worst
that can happen to a man.

Do well to remember that.

- A declaration of war.
- He was quite brazen about it.

He'll have us all carrying
muskets by the time he's done.

What do I answer?

That you will confer with me.

Isn't that what I'm doing now?

Non. Now we're only talking.

We can confer after I've
advised His Majesty.

Monsieur le Comte.

With the greatest respect, I'm
uncertain which master I'm serving.

You are serving me.

We both serve the king.

And we all serve France.

So...

Use your discretion.

Resist his blandishments.

Say nothing you can't
take back. And...

Carry on with the
excellent work.

He's right, of course.

It's war any way you look at it.

Bravo! Bravo!

Thank you.

A little march to brighten the way for
General Burgoyne and his men to prison.

Such an expense for
so modest an audience,

and surely music so
exquisite must be shared.

A performance at the opera to
encourage support for your cause.

That is a splendid notion.

And under which man's
name should it appear?

No man's. It is yours to claim.

The chevalier d'Éon would
stand a better chance.

But since it pleased you so
much, I will teach you the notes.

I fear I would make
a poor student.

You underestimate my patience.

All right.

I was beginning to think you
had forgotten all about us

with all those visitors taking
up so much of your time.

We Americans are new at
making treaties, you see.

Advantage may be taken
of our in cap a cities.

Mi, do, mi.

Beware a Frenchman's promise. Always
demand proof of his sincerity.

I believe you show a gift for
statesmanship, Madame Brillon.

Women, by necessity, are
experts at negotiation.

What terms of alliance should
you and I establish then?

First, there must be peace,

friendship and eternal
love between us.

And the stipulations
to maintain this peace?

That Dr. Franklin
remain in my company

as much and as long
as it pleases me.

And while I am in
this pleasant company?

That you do anything
I want you to do.

Anything I am allowed to do.

Are those terms acceptable?

Well, you ask for a
monopoly on my affections

and leave none for
other agreeable ladies.

Ladies such as the
Washerwoman of Auteuil?

I would naturally
demand reciprocity.

Your terms?

The said Dr. Franklin would go away
from Madame Brillon whenever he pleases,

that he will stay away
as long as he pleases,

and that he will love any other
woman as far as he finds her amiable.

Perhaps you're right. I
cannot teach you after all.

Oh, madame.

I thought that we
were only practicing.

Of course we were.

You are here to win
victory for your country.

Everything else is a pastime.

You are not so to me.

- The hours spent in your company are the...
- Have kept us both amused.

If you wish for more, it
is yours for the asking.

Marriages are kind of an
alliance, are they not?

And the terms are not always
honored by the parties involved.

But they are alliances nonetheless.
Not to be casually broken.

I accept the
conditions you propose

since every treaty
must be a compromise.

Shall we continue?

Quite a crowd. All
mad for America.

Half of them are policemen.
The other half are spies.

Should I tell Simon
to send them off?

I asked him to let them in.

Well. No three
hands in chess, hey?

I'd like you to stay this time.

Dr. Franklin. My thanks
for receiving me again.

I welcome all visitors, Mr. Williams.
You know my colleague, Dr. Bancroft.

Only by reputation.

I assure you he's not nearly
as devilish as they say he is.

May we speak
somewhere in private?

Well, I'd be happy to oblige,

but the last time we did so, I
met with some loss of property.

And I'm rather superstitious.

I thought you wished to
parley, Dr. Franklin.

Indeed I do. Please begin.

Out here?

I find the air bracing.

If a passport could be obtained,

would you be willing to negotiate in
London without any French interference?

Well, my late experience
was less than pleasing.

I am now here among people
that love and respect me.

You're much too wise to mistake
personal flattery with national resolve.

I'm not nearly that wise.

I find it very hard to believe that
anything could ever persuade America

to throw herself into
the arms of France.

On the contrary, Mr. Williams.

America has been forced and
driven into the arms of France.

Can you really afford to put
faith in such a reluctant ally?

Our parliament is prepared to
bestow autonomy on the colonies.

America would have complete
control of its internal affairs.

Autonomy is not independence.

Must we endlessly
quibble over words?

In the end, we are
all Englishmen.

What do you think?

Should we not discuss
that separately?

I see no cause for
circumspection.

We are in a position to press advantage
and put an end to profitless war.

Dr. Bancroft speaks the truth.

The Crown is in a giving vein.

But I am not.

My friend, think
on what he offers.

What he offers is too
little and too late.

If you did not
care to negotiate,

why did you bother
to meet again?

So they would all
see us talking.

Who or what is this Williams?

He claims to represent the
English prime minister.

- What did they discuss?
- It wasn't clear.

Every other man at Passy is a spy.
Doesn't anyone know how to do his job?

I suspect the doctor arranged
the whole affair for our benefit.

Of course he did.

He means for us to respond
in haste and confusion.

Isn't that what we're doing?

Tell Dr. Franklin that France will
guarantee American independence

if war is declared.

But we don't guarantee
that it will.

Should he press the point...

We make guarantees, but we
don't guarantee anything?

Precisely. Now go away.

We know what you're up to.

I have no idea what
you're talking about.

You're not the only
one with informants.

You think you can ransack the treasury
and start a war without us knowing?

Gentlemen, whatever I
do... If I was doing it...

I do with the king's consent.

Then why hasn't he
told us about it?

That seems a question
that answers itself.

You're bluffing.

Am I?

Shall we go see His Majesty and ask
him directly? I'm sure he won't mind.

I hear there's a good little
library in the Bastille.

To keep the prisoners occupied.

Versailles guarantees
America's independence

on the condition of a declaration
of war between France and England.

That is a most welcome point.

Well, I should expect so.

Only, if no war is declared...

I'm sorry?

What is your concern?

If no war is declared, France can
go right on trading with England

while the British army sees
to our utter destruction.

And so you want?

A guarantee.

Of the guarantee?

Yes.

And what form should this
guaranteed guarantee take?

Gold is always persuasive.

How much gold?

Six million livre.

A six million livre loan.

A six million livre gift.

We give you six million
livre and you...

Spend it.

Well, you do want us
to win, don't you?

Write it down, Master Temple.

Come off it, man.

You and I both know what's being
spoken about in the king's carriages.

But what about the
queen's carriages?

It's your intention
then to lie to my face.

"Lie." The most impolitic
word, Mr. Ambassador.

You deny that you're
plotting with the insurgents

to sever England from
her rightful possession?

Again. "Plotting."

Good god, man.

Can't you see that Franklin
is playing us both for fools?

He has no authority to
negotiate with anyone.

Then you should have no cause for
concern, whatever the outcome.

- Pardon, sir, but...
- The king requests your presence.

Right now?

Monsieur Stormont,

I regret I must conclude
our interview prematurely.

Sir. I demand an answer.

We both may have one shortly.

Day by day our little undertakings
creep along, don't they?

And then, all at once...

Splendid bit of
metalwork, Your Majesty.

Count Maurepas and Monsieur
Necker have been chatting with me.

Have they, sire?

A monarchy allying itself with a rebel
army, seeking to overthrow a king.

Where will that notion
lead, once it is set loose?

No man can predict the future.

Certainly not his own.

I rely on the counsel
of my ministers.

If I cannot trust them,
what remedy do I have?

You are the king.

All remedies are yours.

I should like the
people to love me.

But I don't think a republic
is a terribly good idea.

I hope never to see one myself.

Make an alliance
with the Americans.

And teach the rosbifs a
lesson they won't forget.

Pleased with yourselves?

What did you tell him?

That a war could be financed
without raising taxes.

That's all he wanted to hear.

Makes you and me look
good, doesn't it?

Yes?

What are you wearing?

A little bit of revenge.

Who is it?

- It's me, Master Temple.
- Come in.

Yes.

Forgive the interruption.
The work goes well?

Almost finished.

You have a fine hand, young man.

I dare say better than
your grandfather's.

I wouldn't have
disturbed you otherwise,

but Dr. Franklin's
retired for the evening,

and certain dispatches
still require his signature.

I-I was hoping you'd agree
to sign on his behalf.

- Of course.
- Yes. Thank you.

It's all been agreed to then?

Should Congress approve.

Yes.

Now, we do expect a full
account of Versailles tomorrow,

with particular regard
to ladies' necklines.

I will do my best.

"My devotion to my dearest
father, cruelly imprisoned..."

It's a nice touch.

"compels me to denounce all who call
themselves patriots and abhor"...

He abhors it, does he?

"the rebellion they
so unlawfully foment."

Quite the knack for treason.

I suppose you mean
that as a compliment.

Remember, Grandfather.
Never wear the hat...

Carry it under
the arm. Yes. Yes.

I won't embarrass you.

Long live America!

Dr. Franklin, what a pleasure
to meet you for the first time.

Somehow, Count Vergennes, I
feel like we are old friends.

It is customary for visitors
here to wear swords.

However, in your case,
better to forgo it.

If you will please
follow me, gentlemen.

He doesn't look
like an ambassador.

He's not even wearing a wig.

Where is your
sword, Dr. Franklin?

The man who discovered electricity
has now electrified two continents.

Allow Beaumarchais the
privilege to be among the first

to congratulate
America's new ambassador.

I regret the injuries
suffered on our behalf.

All this is no longer necessary,
but the effect is sensational.

The deputy of the United
Colonies of America,

Monsieur Benjamin Franklin.

Your Majesty, permit me to
present Dr. Benjamin Franklin

and his grandson,
William Temple Franklin.

Your Majesty.

Please assure your Congress of
my friendship, Dr. Franklin.

I hope our alliance

will be good for
both our countries.

Your Majesty may rely on
the gratitude of Congress

and her fidelity
to her engagements.

That's that then, I suppose.

May I add, sire?

If all monarchies were governed
by the principles in your heart,

republics would never be formed.

Wasn't I saying
just the same thing?

Bien, docteur, we have both
lied our way into a partnership.

Lied, monsieur? We merely
anticipated a future truth.

The Americans are here!

Don't say too much. She
can be... fouineuse.

A what?

Busybody.

Your Majesty, the
Americans have arrived.

Your Majesty, Dr. Franklin.

Your Majesty.

Tell me, Dr. Franklin,

I play the banker's card
or la carte anglaise?

The English card is never
a wise wager, Your Majesty.

It will be on your head.

You are good for gambling
other's money, yes?

If I do, madame, it is with the
intention of rewarding my benefactor

as well as myself.

And so, make two people happy.

What did he say?

He said spending the king's
money makes two people happy.

You sit here,

and say what cards I play.

If I lose, I make words with my
husband about us make treaty with you.

And if you win?

Maybe I buy you cannon myself.

That is just the
sort of game I like.

Pardon me.

You said just a few people.

Forty, 50...

Do we need to give
them so much to drink?

It's an investment, my dear.

In what?

In America. Now that the agreement's
been signed, they'll all want a piece.

And who will they have to come
to? The man who was there first.

You mean the man who
hasn't been paid yet?

Maybe the king knows a bit more
about this sort of thing than you do.

The world is hearing
your music at last.

The world? My
neighbors, perhaps.

Not that they care who wrote it.

Then you must let them know.

That would not be proper.

If you do not tell people
who you are, then they...

They will decide for themselves.

Madame, I'll turn
you American yet.

Attention!

Your attention, please!

Mesdames et messieurs.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I address you tonight
in two languages.

Because our king
has made official

what we know in our hearts
always to have been true.

That between the
old soul of France

and the youthful
spirit of America,

there is a bond of
friendship and understanding

that nothing can break.

To friendship.

To liberty.

To Franklinity!

As you wish, madame.

I have finally become a noun.

What have you got there?

An empty glass.

Let's get that fixed.

Hey! Over here.

Now bugger off.

Here's to, uh, what you do.

Need to talk.

By all means.

What are your boy's intentions?

You mean Temple?

In regards to what?

My daughter.

Well, he holds her in
the highest regard.

Let's work out the terms then.

Want to get it nailed
down before she's too old.

You are proposing...

Our own alliance. If
you catch my meaning.

Very wise.

So, you're in agreement?

Nothing could make me,
or my grandson, happier.

Let's drink to that.

And Madame Brillon?

What about her?

Does she favor
the union as well?

We won't fuss over that.

What did you say then?

That the time had come
to reach an accord,

and that if they did not,
both nations would suffer.

That's what made them sign?

And then you met the queen.

You're always right at
the center of things.

What will you do next?

This.

My boy!

Mademoiselle.

Grandfather, we...

This has been a day
of glorious alliances.

Mr. Temple was just telling me.

Temple is a splendid boy.

You are a splendid girl.

You make a splendid pair,
and I am gonna take a piss.

You're drunk.

And you, sir, are a damnable
rogue, whoever you may be.

Sweet mercy of Providence.

No, John Adams of Massachusetts.

Mr. Adams, what
are you doing here?

I might ask you
the same question.

I'm pursui...

I have just concluded...

Have you been sent to assist me?

No, sir.

To replace you.