All language subtitles for for.love.and.honey.2024.1080p.web.h264-skyfire

(uplifting Mediterranean music)

- I have no doubt you're
wondering what an excavation

of a seventeenth century
Jesuit settlement

in Michigan has
to do with Malta.

(**)

This is Jacques De Beauvoir,

a Jesuit priest who travelled
to New France

in 1630 and
built said settlement.

On his way, he stopped here,
in Malta.

We know this is where he secured
funding for his ambitious
new-world plan.

His diary speaks of a time
he spent in Port Grace,

a place that filled
his soul with reverence
and left behind

tantalizing yet
incomplete references

to the things he saw
and experienced here.

Speaking
of incomplete references,

this box could be the key
to that prosperity

he brought
to the New World.

I'm hopeful I can follow
in his footsteps

and fill in that lost chapter
of his life and...

maybe feel a bit
of that reverence myself.

Thanks, everyone.

(applause)

- That went well.

- I don't know.

The students in Malta
look just as bored

as the students
in Michigan.

- Stop being modest,

you're the most popular
professor

in the archaeology department
for a reason.

I'm sorry I can't stay longer
to help with your research.

- You've done enough
just getting me here.

- You know, the university
will only fund

one research project,
Austen.

I don't need to remind you
the proposal

is due
in a week's time.

- I know.

- And not to pile on
the pressure,

but I just learned
Professor Lewis is retiring.

That means a tenure position
is up for grabs.

You get the funding,
you get tenured.

(deep exhale)
- Yes, you know that's all I've
been working towards.

- Hope it wasn't a mistake
to hang your career

on an isolated reference
in a seventeenth century diary.

- Well, go big or go home,
right?

- I have every faith in you.

I got to go to the airport.

- Alright. Safe travels,
Michael.

(**)

- Hey!

(engine roaring)

Oh my God!

(grunts)
- Are you okay?

I am so sorry.

(breathing heavily)

(soft Mediterranean music)

- Roads are for driving up,
not walking.

- You're the only driver
I've seen on these streets.

- And do you know that because
you live on these streets?

- No.

To be honest, I don't even know
where I am.

They don't believe in street
signs around here.
- Tourists.

- You might want to slow down
a little.

- Excuse me?

- Well, it's just...
you did almost hit me.

How many other innocent
bystanders have you almost
run over?

- None.

I don't know why I started
today, it was a first.

- Is that what they call
local hospitality?

- If you don't want the locals
to run you over,

stay out of our way.

- Okay.
Uh... Thank you.

Be careful.

- The lack of rain this winter
has resulted

in diminished foliage growth
all over the island.

The bees need more food.

- Don't we all?
(laughing)

- I propose we plant
bee-friendly wildflower gardens
throughout Port Grace.

- My niece Luna can help
at the library.
- Great.

(clears throat)

Okay, Mattew, or should
I say mister mayor,

the floor is yours.
- Thank you, Eva.

As you all know, the first
annual Port Grace honey festival

is this weekend and
we need a marquee event.

- Why? We've got the market,
the traditional songs
and the feast.

That's what the village
of Oormi does with their bread
festival and everyone loves it.

- Which is why we need
something unique.

I am determined to put
Port Grace on the map.

- The beekeepers alliance
has more important things
to discuss,

like what to do about
the foreign queen

that has infiltrated
one of our hives.

- I'll bring you a new Maltese
queen as soon as I rescue one,
Livia.

I'm really sorry, I've
got to run, now, though, so...

- Would anyone be willing
to form a festival subcommittee?

Uh?

Eva, please.

- Sorry, Mattew,
I really don't think I can.

- Maybe your sister?

- Chloe? Well... she'll be
at work, I imagine.

- Shall I come by
the apiary later?

Pick your brain about
the marquee event.

- No, I... I just don't think
I'll have time.

- Tomorrow, then. Perfect.
See you then.

(sigh)

(uplifting Mediterranean music)

- And before the meeting,
I almost hit this tourist

who was just walking
in the middle of the road,

and he actually blamed me!

As if I was the one gluing
his face to his phone.

Why are the cute ones always
so dense?

- Are you talking about
yourself again?

Why aren't you wearing your gear
so close to the hives?

- It's fine. Mom did this every
day and she never got stung.

- She got stung all the time.

- What happened with
the promotion?

My sister Chloe,
the new head of marketing.

You didn't get it?

- Really, it's not a big deal.

Anyway, I'm taking the week off.

I thought I could help out
around here.

- Well, I'd love that,
but you should relax,
I've got it covered.

- While you were out,
the international distributor
called about a rush order.

- What?
Do I need to call him back?

- Negotiate a deal, he's in
the office

waiting for your signature.
You can thank my MBA.

- I'd rather thank you,
but I'm the big sister,

I'm supposed to be
the one looking after you.

- We aren't kids anymore,
we should be looking out
for each other.

And I have some thought
about raising the apiary's
profile, like...

theme tours.

- I already have enough
to do

without having to prep
new tours.

(notification)
- Just...
- One sec.

Oh, it's Luna.

"There's bees in the library."
I better go.

- A bee-mergency. Oh!

Can we trademark that?
- Oh, Chloe.

- It's such a good idea!
- No more, Chloe, rein it in.

(chuckling)

- Are you seriously still
driving that junk heap?

- My mother drove that
for years, why shouldn't I?

- I think you just answered
your own question.

(chuckling)

Oh, I never see you anymore,
how are you?

- Oh, busy as a bee.
- Are you joining
the folklore dance

at the festival this weekend?
We could use you.

- I really don't think I can,

and you know I was never
very good.

- I'd argue with you but...

- Hey, while I'm here, how do
you feel about planting

some bee-friendly wildflower
gardens around the library?

Your uncle said I should ask.
- Yes.

We could extend it to
a community planting

that starts here and goes
all the way through town.

- Oh, I love that!
- Well, let's do it.
When can you pencil it in?

- Uh... well, there's
the festival, then,

I've got to prep
for the summer harvest,
bottling and distribution.

I'm supposed to be speaking
at an ecology conference
next week, but it's unlikely.

How's next spring?
(chuckling)

- Ah!

- What was that?

- The reason I called you.

An American archaeology
professor is here.

- Mm-hmm.
- He's guest lecturing
at the university.

Handsome, good job,
no wedding ring.

- What's the catch?

- He's the catch.
- I don't know, Luna.

He'll just be leaving.
- You don't know that,

and you haven't dated
anyone since Eric.
(sigh)

Come on, you deserve
to be happy.

- I am happy.

I hope you haven't called me
here just to play matchmaker.

- Of course not.

Our visiting professor might not
be the most comfortable
around bees.

And I'm also not sure
how they're getting in.

(buzzing)

- Hey, stop it!

- Are you following me?

- You've met?
- We disagremented.

- It's not a word.
- Incidented?

- Still, no.
- Encountered.

- There you go. And no,
we haven't actually met.

I don't know your name.
- Doctor Austen Morgan of North
Dobson University of Michigan,

this is Eva Vella-Calleja,

owner of
Pacifika Grove Apiary,

beekeeper
extraordinaire.

- Ah...

- And the bees in Malta are
protected legally, by the way.

- I'm all for conservation,
but nobody

is getting arrested
for swatting a bee.

- I keep seeing them on
this side of the library,

if that helps.

(buzzing)
- Oh.

Oops. Sorry.

- Is that... why you were racing
around earlier?

Because you were
on a bee-mergency?

(chuckling)
- Well, you'd get along
with my sister.

She also has terrible taste
in puns.

- Look...

I haven't made
a great impression, right?

At first, I spill your flora,
and then,

I attack
your protected fauna.

(chuckling)

- Well, nobody is perfect.

Ah, found it.

Luna, you have
a hole in your window frame.

Have you got any Sellotape?

Oh, great.

Okay. Well, that should
hold it for a few days.

Now to round up
distractors.

- Help.

(clears throat)
Help... help.

- Don't move, stay calm.

It won't hurt you
if you don't hurt it.

- Hum... I'm calm.

Just... you know, I want to be
careful with that, that's a...

that's a 400 year-old census.

When do you plan on releasing
that bee?

That document
is very fragile.

- So is the bee.

- Where are you going?

- To the window where
he came in, do you mind?

Thank you.
I'll release him here and then,

follow him to see if there's
a hive nearby.

- I guess that makes sense.

- Oh. Well, thank you
for your approval.

- How do you know he's a him?

- He's a drone,
there's no stinger.

Alright.

Go on, then.

- Just... how far do you plan
on following this bee?

- Until it reaches
its destination.

- Dare I ask how far a bee
travels back to its hive?

- Depends if that's a scout,
a drone, a forager...

- Just... on average?

- Two kilometres or so,
about a mile, unless...

unless they're looking
for water, then,
you can triple that.

Can you hear that?

(buzzing)

Follow me.

- Really?

- Hello, there.

(buzzing)

How would you like to come home
with me?

Uh...

Well... at least,
you got to see

an authentic Maltese wild hive.

- Great, I can cross that off
my bucket list.
(chuckling)

What now?

- You can have this back on one
condition, no more swatting,

even when the bees aren't
officially protected,
because they should be.

Bee populations are in decline.

- And they're essential
for cross-pollination

which supports
our food supply, yes, I know.

- Well, you still have
to promise.

- I promise not to harm
so much as an antenna

on any bee's head
for the rest of my life.

Thank you.

This part of the wall looks
like it could have belonged

to a different building,
like a feature of some sort.

I know the library was
a hospital

during the time
of the Knights Hospitaller,

but could this have been
a different structure
before then?

- I mean, I'm sure you can find
out...

you know, in the...
in the library,

where
all the information is.

- How odd...

you know, just to have
this wall here

and build onto it.
I wonder why.

- Don't ask me.
This whole island

is old buildings
on top of older buildings.

This is probably Roman
or Punic or Greek

or Phoenician
or just all of the above.

- Now, I'm really glad
I called you.

(chuckling)
- I'll come back later.

It's better to move them
closer to sundown.

(buzzing)
Oh...

- Sorry, reflex.

Good luck with that.
- Mm-hmm.

Don't worry, I'll take you
somewhere

you'll be safe
from the likes of him.

- It's almost closing time,
Doctor Morgan.

- Oh, please, call me Austen.

Is this the only map you have
of the old hospital?

- I'm afraid so. What are you
looking for exactly?

- The wall outside
with the beehive,

I'd like to know
what it used to belong to.

- We know Port Grace
was predominantly a Greek
settlement,

right through
the Roman times and beyond,

but the Knights didn't keep
records of what came before,

only what they built on top.

- And you never had
any excavations done here?

- Port Grace isn't high on the
list of archeological interest.

- Not yet.

(soft music)

(buzzing)

You're still here?
(gasps)

- Give a girl some warning.

- Is that... is that paint?

- Oh, okay. Yeah, sure,
you can take that.

- This can't be.

(chuckling)

(laughing)

This is...

This can't be...

I can't believe this.

(laughing)

Oh, my goodness!

(laughing)

I'm sorry.

It's just...
usually,

I make discoveries
like this inside the library.

(sighs)

This actually might be a lead.

- Oh.

(deep exhale)

- The paint needs
to be analyzed.

Stylistically, the fresco
appears to be Greek,

but the structure
on the bottom looks
to be Roman-designed,

possibly fifth century.

- Well, that's Malta,
little bit of everything.

- Is it valuable?
- A new tourist attraction
for Port Grace?

- Every historical artifact
is valuable.

This is certainly unusual,
definitely attraction-worthy.

- I'll call Heritage Malta
in the morning.

Not that they'll be able
to give us priority,

it'll take a few days
for them to send someone.

- I'd be happy to get a jump
on the analysis.

Of course, I'll put all
the proper protections in place.

- I'll have to verify
your credentials first.

- I'm a professor
at North Dobson
University of Michigan.

I have a PhD in archaeology.

Here's my department
head's contact info,

you can give
them a ring.

You can trust me.

- Not with nationally protected
bees, you can't.

And the stragglers from the hive
I just removed

will be coming back
over the next few days
looking for their queen.

- What do bees have to do
with ancient frescos?

- If it wasn't for the bees, you
wouldn't have found the fresco.

I have to collect
the returning bees.

- Mister mayor, I'm sure
you value a historical find

such as this more than you do
a few stray insects.

(scoffs)

- You'll be able to study
the fresco for now,

but until I verify
your expertise,

you'll be doing so under
Eva's supervision

while she rescues
our equally precious
Port Grace bees.

- I don't need any supervision.
- Yeah, but that doesn't take
all day.

- Perfect. That's settled, then.
(chuckling)

(sighing)

(soft music)

- Hey, there.

- Hi.

What are you doing here?

- Luna sent me to find you.

Remember the fresco?

We don't want to go against
the mayor's wishes, now, do we?

- Luna's always been
a stickler for the rules.

I'm sorry, though,
I've got a tour about to start.

- You have a tour?
For how long?

- It's already waited a
few hundred years,

what's a few more hours?

- Hours?

Will you be free after?
- Yeah, sure.

- Okay, well, then, sign me up.

- Uh... no.
Sorry, it's... full. I...

- Hello. Are here for the tour?
What's your name?

- Hi. Austen.

But... I guess it's full.

- We've always got room
for another bee enthusiast.

Excuse me.

- Well, look at that.

- Hello.

Welcome to Pacifika
Grove Apiary.

- Thank you.

- I hope you'll enjoy
your honeymoon tour.

This is my sister, Eva,
your tour guide.
- Hi.

Chloe, a word.
- Sorry.

- What's a honeymoon tour?
- A theme tour.

We talked about it, remember?

- Yeah, and I said I didn't have
time to prep new tours.

- But I met this couple
on their honeymoon

in the town square,
we got to talking and...

- And now,
I'm doing a honeymoon tour.

- Sorry.

- Hi, everyone. I am Eva.

Welcome to Pacifika
Grove Apiary.

Malta's honey has been prized
all over the world for
thousands of years.

The ancient Greeks came here
and named this island Melita,

or: "Honey sweet."

And as you can tell,
a version of the name stuck.

According to a family legend,
my ancestors

came here after they were given
a prophecy in ancient Greece.

If they cared for the bees
of Melita,

the bees would care for them,
and they would prosper

for generations to come.

And well, I'm here,
so I guess it was true.

(chuckling)

But enough about me,
let's get to the bees.

- So, do bees fall in love?

- Um... yeah, in a way,
they do.

They don't just couple up
with anyone,

they choose their partners based
on mutual understanding and
affection.

- Oh, just like us.

- Everyone can grab a bee suit
in the back of my truck.

(uplifting music)

(inaudible)

Does anyone know where the term
honeymoon comes from?

No?

Well, it was a medieval
tradition for newly weds

to drink honeyed mead for
a full moon, or month,

after they were married.

- I thought that it referred
to the time after marriage
when...

love was sweetest before
it waned like the moon.

- They don't want to hear that,
I'm trying to make it romantic.

- Ancient Egyptians made every
groom promise to provide

their wife with an annual supply
of honey.

- So, I guess you have
some shopping to do.

- The honey is then filtered,
jarred and of course, eaten.

I hope you've enjoyed the tour.
Now, please, go and enjoy some
Pacifika Grove honey.

- Ladies and gents,
come this way.

- Well, this place,
it's impressive.

- Thank you. I think so too.

- You know, I never thought
about how much goes into making
a jar of honey.

- Well, most people don't think
about it...

but I didn't think much about
ancient frescos either.

(chuckling)

You don't want to try any?

- Oh, no, I don't like honey.

- I'm just gonna pretend you
didn't say that.

(camera clicks)

(buzzing)

- Can you please just catch it?

- Are you allergic?
- Not fatally.

My hands blow up like balloons,
it's not pretty.

- You should have said so.

(buzzing)
Ah, hello, there.

Don't worry, little friend,

I'm getting you
back to your queen.

If only all men were like you,
drones,

loyal till death
do you part.

Uh... so, tell me,

What is it about this specific
fresco that's so special to you?

(chuckling)

- Do you really care?

- Yeah, sure. Why not?

- I recently came across a diary
that was written

by a French priest who spent
time here before heading
to the Americas.

The diary referenced a wonder
he had never seen before,

a golden way in Port Grace.

- What's a golden way?
- Well, that's the question.

All he said was that he found
a golden way to never-ending
prosperity,

now hidden from those
who will come after.

There was also a sketch
of some sort of box,

but there was water damage,
so we couldn't make out
what it was.

There was no reference
to what was inside of the box,

but it had to have been
essential to establish
the Jesuit colony.

- So, you're looking
for prosperity?

- No. I'm looking for something
of archeological significance.

It's part of the job.
Find things,

dig them up,
write about them.

- You make it sound
so glamorous.

- I'm an academic,
not a tomb raider.

I came here hoping to prove
the diary entry

was based on something real,
and I think the fresco
might be it.

Gold leaf?

(intriguing music)

Looks like they might be
connected together.

- That's it,
that's your golden way.

- Well, it's certainly hidden
from those who will come after.

But this fresco itself wouldn't
provide never-ending prosperity,

and why are these three
different drawings connected
by the golden way?

What are they meant
to represent?

- Well, the symbols could be
part of some sort of legend.

Or they could be a map of Malta.

(**)

Wait, that... that tower could
be just outside Delimara.

There's been towers like that up
and down the coastline
for centuries.

Many of them have been replaced,
but I just don't know which one
this is exactly.

- And that one on the bottom?

- That has to be the ancient
apiary at Dar id-deheb.

I've been
there many times.

- Or you just see bees
in everything.

- Bees are everything,
ecologically speaking,

but in this case, Dar id-deheb
is Maltese for golden house.

I'm just not sure what the birds
have to do with it, though.

- Okay.

Say you're right,

why draw three
different locations?

Which one is most important?

- Well... that one,
I'm not so sure about.

- The structure looks like
it could be a Roman villa
of some sort.

- Could be.

- Okay. So, you're most certain
about the ancient apiary?

- Yeah, I'd say so.

- Alright.
We start there

and then, we work our way
clockwise to the tower.

- We?

Oh, no.

No, I agreed to watch you stare
at a wall

while I waited
for straggler bees.

I did not agree to ferrying
you around the country

on a wild bee chase!

- It's a wild goose chase.
- Oh, so you admit it?

- Look, I would have realized it
was a map eventually, okay?

But you helped me
get here faster.

I need you.

A local, and you're here.

I will... work around
your schedule.

Please.

- Well, I've... never followed
an ancient map before.

- I can't promise we'll find
anything.

But I can promise
we'll have fun trying.

- Tomorrow, then.

We'll go to the golden house.
Where are you staying?

- The Royal Mariner hotel.
- One of our best customers.

I'll pick you up first thing.
- Then, it's a date.

But not a... not a date, date,
just an outing between
two adults.

- Tomorrow.

- Tomorrow.

(**)

- Good morning, beloved sister.

- Hello. You're up very early
for a vacation day.

- I thought I'd help out
with the books.

- No, you don't have to do that.
You should be relaxing.

- That honeymoon tour went
really well, they loved it.

- It was a good idea.
Sorry if I was hesitant.

- Great, because I have more
theme ideas,

and I think we should start
up the school tours again.

We haven't done them
since Mom...
- Yes, it's on my list.

I just need to get the day
to day a bit more under control.

- Which is why I'm going
to help you.

Then, maybe you can confirm
speaking at the London Ecology
Conference next month.

- That's on pause for now.
- But this is what you love
to do!

Spread awareness, educate.
- I'll get back to it
eventually.

You don't need to worry
about me.

- Oh, the Boutique Hotel
called to confirm
the honey tasting.

- Yes, that's tomorrow.
Today, I'm taking Austen
to Dar id-deheb.

- A date?
- No, it's for his research.

I know I don't really have time,
but for some reason,
I couldn't say no.

- I know the reason.

You should go, have some fun!

And he's cute.
- You think so?

I didn't really notice.
- Mm-hmm.

Have fun!
- Bye!

(uplifting Mediterranean music)

- Eva, good morning.
- Hi.

- Ready to get started?
- Started on what?

- The festival planning,
the marquee event.

- Oh... I don't...

- Eva, you forgot your phone.
- Oh, you're a lifesaver.

- Hi, Chloe.

- Hi, Mattew.

- Our mayor needs help
brainstorming a marquee event

for the honey festival
this weekend.

- I love brainstorming.
What about a pageant,
an art show or a race?

- I like the way you think.
- Oh! How about honey fondue?

- I love it.
- A quiz!

Wildflower crown.

Ping the stinger on the bee.

(chuckling)

(soft Mediterranean music)

- Okay. Alright, Pawlu,
you are a true master.

Rematch tomorrow?

(in Maltese):

- Oh, Pawlu!

(in English): You're
learning Maltese?
- I am.

Pawlu's teaching me
a few things.
- Oh, okay.

(in Maltese):

(in English): Ah. And what do
you think that means?

- "It's a beautiful day."
(chuckling)

- I think you should stick
to the English.

- Is my pronunciation that bad?

Pawlu, come on!

(**)

How much longer till we get
to the golden house?

- Dar id-deheb,
it's not much further.

(clicking)
- Do you hear that?

- No.
- It's coming from under
the hood.

- No, it always
sounds like that.

- Well, it shouldn't normally
sound like that.
- It's fine.

- When's the last time you had
this thing serviced?

- Um...
- Don't say never.

- Okay, I won't say it.

- We're gonna stop at
the next service station.

- No, that's back in Port Grace.
I'll do it later when
I'll drop you off.

- You know, this thing
is pretty beat up.

You ever think about
trading it in?
- No, I don't.

- It'll cost more to fix this
old heap than to get a new one.

- Well, not everything
is about money.

- Well, at the very least,
you should maintain its oil

or else, it'll catch fire.
- It's not gonna catch on fire

if it's low on oil.
Do you know anything about cars?

- My dad is a mechanic,
and yes, it could ignite.

- You're overexaggerating.
- I'm not overexaggerating,

I'm just educating you about
proper car maintenance.

- Oh, well,
consider me educated.
- Okay.

- Can we change the subject?
- As long as you promise
to change your oil.

- Yes, I promise.
Look, we're almost there.

(**)

- I've never seen a structure
like this.

- There's still a few left
on Malta.

- It looks Roman.

It could be 2000 years old,
it's incredible.

- Yeah, it really is.

- You can almost feel
the whispers of the people

who lived here,
who loved here,

who got stung here
all those years ago.
(laughing)

- Well, I didn't take you
for a romantic.

- History is romantic.

It's the same human experience

repeating itself
over and over again.

- You should have been
a philosopher, not
an archeologist.

- I'm more interested
in things than I am people.

- Even though without people,
there'd be no things?

- Now, who's the philosopher?

- There's something special
here.

I have to come and remove hives
every now and then

so the odd tourist
doesn't get stung.

- So...

...the bees come back to
their ancient home?
- Mm-hmm.

- Ah, that's fascinating.

Look at this.

It's an ancient graffiti
of some sort.

- It's a bird.

It's a honeyguide bird, you can
tell by the white circle
under its eye.

These birds were used to guide
our ancestors to ancient
bee colonies.

- So, they built this place
and then,

brought the bees in after,
like a bee farm.

- Exactly.
- Wow.

There must be a reason
why they built it in
this specific place.

- Well, I can tell you they
built it to face the south.

That's best for the bees,
it maximizes sunlight.

- Well, this must be
the right spot,

because it's the same bird
symbol that we saw
on the fresco.

It's just a mystery
as to why it's there.

You know, the fresco
is not the type of map
where X marks the spot.

- Well, obviously.
There's no X on it.

(chuckling)

- The Greeks painted the fresco
and then,

the Knights covered it up
for some reason,

I just don't know what
that reason is.

(laughing)

- What's so funny?
- Just festival ideas.

Mattew wants to dress Pawlu
up in a bee suit.
(laughing)

- Has he been here all day?

- Brainstorming,
you know how it goes.

Oh, and I had
to show him around.

Did you know he's never been
to the apiary before?

- Yes, he has.
- Oh, how did your day playing
tour guide for Austen go?

- He's not on holiday.
(chuckling)

I'm gonna take him to some
of the sites referenced on
the fresco tomorrow.

He thinks it might be some sort
of map.

- A map?

Sorry. A map to what?

- To Malta, but
Austen thinks there's probably
more to it than just that.

- Will you keep me posted?
- Of course.

Do you two need any help
planning?

- Don't worry, sis, I got this.

- Yes, she does.
- Okay.

Good night.
- Night!

- Hi.
- Hi.

- Am I expecting you?

- Uh... no.

But yes. I just figured I'd...

I'd come meet you here so
we can head out

to the next stop on the map.
The tower?

- Delimara.
- Yes, that's the place.

- Okay. Well, that's perfect.
A beekeeper in our association

lives there who I promised
a queen to.

- I was trying to figure out
which tower it was,

but I didn't
have much luck.

It seems like there was
a few places

that fit the spot
on the map.

- Well, we can ask Abraham,
he lives on the coast.

I just have a few things
I need to do here first.

Um... You can come with me
if you'd like...

or I can pick
you up later.

- I'm here. Why don't I just...
tag along?

- Okay, great.

(buzzing)

Good morning, everyone!

It's gonna be another sunny day.

I've just seen a new patch
of wild Saghtar

flowering on the edge of town
you might want to check out.

This is Austen.

You have met him before,

but he has a little bit
of a nervous vibe,

so you probably put him out
of your hive mind.

- Are you seriously
talking to the bees?

- My mom always said:

"If you tell the bees
your secrets,

they'll make
the honey even sweeter."

- Your mom is also a beekeeper?

- Was. She died last year.

- I'm really sorry.

- Yeah, me too.

She ran this place
without a hiccup.

It's very big shoes to fill.

- Well, it looks like
you're doing just fine.

- I'm glad it looks that way.

Now, we shouldn't be talking
about her

in front of the B, E, E, S,
because they miss her too.

Would you like to talk
to them before I put them away?

It's very therapeutic.

- I'm good.

- Okay. Well,
goodbye for now, bees.

I'll tell you
all about it later.

Come on.

- This doesn't look like
a coastal tower.

- I did say I had a couple
of things to do

before we could leave.
This is the second.

(phone ringing)

- I'm just... going to get this.
- Yes.

- Michael.
- Austen!

What's the update?
I haven't heard from you
since I've been back.

- There's been a development.
- Good!

Get the funding application in,
I'll tell the board.

- Uh... no, we're not quite
there yet. I...

still have
to find the location.

- Austen, time is running out.

- I'm on it.

Thanks, Michael.

- I hope so.

- Everything okay?

- I... hope so.
- Great.

You can take this.

Are you coming?

This tasting is going to change
your mind about honey.

(laughing)

- You really took that as
a personal insult, didn't you?

- More like a challenge.

Are you just a savoury
over sweet kind of guy?

- No, neither. The honey I grew
up on, it came in plastic bear.

It was just... too sweet.

- You cannot judge all honey
based on the supermarket
mass-produced kind.

- How old is that one?

- Uh... oh, it's as old as me.

This one was harvested
the year I was born.

- And it's still good?
- The oldest known honey

is 5000 years old
and perfectly edible.

It never goes off.

- I knew about the discovery,

I just never knew anyone ate it
and lived to tell the tale.

- Well, they did,
and don't worry,

I'm not that old,
so you'll be fine.

- Wow, that's... that's honey?

Tastes like caramel.

- Notes of carob and eucalyptus.

Now, try this.
It's the spring harvest.

- It's like eating flowers.
(chuckling)

- And this is autumn.

- It's...

It's citrusy.
Can honey be refreshing?

- Well, the Greeks
didn't include it in ambrosia
for nothing.

- I've been living under
false pretenses my entire life.

I... I feel cheated.
(chuckling)

Okay, I can get that for you.

What drone would leave his queen
in a time of need?

- You'd be surprised.

- Where is the other apron?
- What...

- Well... it's either that
or I keep eating.

- There's one on the crate.

Hi. I'm Eva from Pacifika
Grove Apiary.

Come and try some of our honey.

These are our main honeys
we have here.

(indistinct chatter)
That was fun.

- Even though I mixed up
the spring honey with
the winter?

(chuckling)
- You made up for that
by convincing them

to buy both jars.
- Well, if I can't decide,
then how can they?

- High praise indeed.

- Alright.
- You know you...

can actually
take that off, now?

I mean, it's a look.
- Yeah, yeah.

- Come on.

- Getting it here.
(chuckling)

I know how you can thank me.

- What... did you have in mind?

- Uh...

...you can take me to the tower.

- Yes.
- Yes.

- We should get going... then.
- Okay, let's do that.

- At... at the other...
the other side.

- Other side.
- Yeah.

Sorry. Yeah.

(clicking)

Ooh.

- I'd say you didn't have it
serviced?

(soft Mediterranean music)

I can get used to this.

- Michigan must have
some charms.

- For four months out
of the year, it does.

Big lakes, green forests,
it's just the rest of the year,

everything is frozen
under mountains of snow.

- Ah, snow sounds fun!
- It is...

for a few weeks.

It's just shovelling
your driveway gets
old real fast,

and digging out your car isn't
the same as digging up
ancient ruins.

- Well, I wish someone would
dig up all the ruins.

I'm constantly tripping
over them. It's a hazard.

- You're so spoiled.
(laughing)

You know you have architecture
spanning millennia

from all different cultures
from the Mediterranean.

You know, Malta is practically
a microcosm of Western
civilization?

- Yeah, we know.

Try being 12 years old
and having to memorize

every ruler of this island
for the last 4000 years.

- I would have enjoyed that.

But I thought that you went
to school in England.

- Oh, the accent.
- Yeah.

- My father is British.
My mother was Maltese.

They divorced when I was little
and he moved back to the UK.

- That must have been tough.

- It was normal.

- Did you always know you were
gonna take over the apiary?

- Hmm, always.

Did you always know you'd be
an archeologist?

- I found an arrowhead camping
when I was a kid and
I was hooked.

I love finding a piece
of history that gives you
a window into the past.

- Your lectures must be
fascinating.

- Well, I think so.

Gotta ask my students.

- Ah! Eva.

(in Maltese):

(in English): I brought you
your queen.

- Ah! Grazzi.

- This is Austen.

(in maltese):

(in English): I don't know
how to respond to that.

(chuckling)

- Austen is an archeologist

and he's interested
in seeing the old towers.

- Oh... which one?
The milk tower

and the gold tower
are close by.

- There's a gold tower?

- Well, actually, the gold tower
has been replaced,

but the remnants
are still there.

They're just at the end
of the road.

So, where's your truck?

- It broke down
on the coastal road.

- She ran out of oil.

- Oh, I'm surprised
it hasn't caught on fire.

- Yeah, me too.
- Listen, I'll text my nephew
James, he's a mechanic.

- Okay.
- In the meantime...

why don't you stay for supper?

- It's... it's really kind
of you, but we're...

- I wish we could,
maybe next time.

- Well, James says he'll meet
you by your truck in an hour.

- Perfect.

- Uh... the tower, it's...

- You can't miss it.
- Okay, great.

Thank you. Nice to meet you.
- You too.

- Thank you.
- Ciao.

(soft Mediterranean music)

- A lot of the locations from
the map have gold in their name,

it cannot be a coincidence.

- I agree, but without evidence,

a name is just a name.

I know the Knights Hospitaller
built up towers all
on the coastline

to protect them from
potential invaders, but...

...these remains predate them.

- How can you tell?

- See the dark reflects
on the mortar?

- Uh... yeah.
Isn't that just dirt?

- My guess is volcanic ash.

The Romans used to mix it
with lime

to make a more waterproof mortar
than lime itself.

The technique was lost after
the Roman era

until the early
nineteenth century.

- So, this was built in Roman
times, but the fresco is Greek?

- Well, Greek in style.

But I'm guessing that the fresco
was painted

during the Roman occupation
because this construction
method fits.

- But why is it called
the gold tower?

- Look at this.

Ancient pottery.

I'm guessing this was
a storehouse.

A fortified tower

in the middle of nowhere

next to a harbour,

it's the perfect place
to store your valuables.

- Valuables like gold?

- The Knights did like to amass
a serious amount of wealth,

and they also liked to hide it.

- But how is this place
connected to Dar id-deheb

apart from having
gold in the name?

Oh!

- You're okay.

- We should probably...

get back to the truck.
Abraham's nephew's

probably waiting for us.

- I'll follow you just in case
you forget how to walk again.

(soft music)

- Hi. You must be James.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- You might have a problem
with your oil pan, it's...

completely dry.

- Oh.
- I need to tow the truck back
to my garage to fix it.

You're not going anywhere today.
- Hmm.

- Let me call Chloe,
I'm sure she'll come pick us up.

- Okay.

(line ringing)

- Hi, it's Chloe.
I'm unavailable,

but please,
leave a message...

- Voicemail. Um...

- Well, how about a taxi?
You got a taxi in town?

- There's a bus, but not until
the morning.

(sigh)
- Then, I guess we're spending
the night.

- My uncle has a room.

(together): Two rooms?

- He also has two.

So, who wants to ride Bertha
first?

- I... I'm gonna walk.

- I... will also...
see you back at the house.

- Thanks, James.
- Thank you.

- Happy to help, I guess.

- Well, James knows a lot about
old trucks.

- He's very modest...

for an American.
(chuckling)

He even adjusted
the ignition timing,

so the engine should be
working much smoother.

- Oh, it's fixed?
- Almost.

The oil pan is also all rusted
out, so it needs to be replaced.

- I'll pick one up first thing
in the morning.
- Thank you.

Thank you both.

Now, come and sit down.
Livia has pulled out
all the stops.

- I should probably
get changed first.

- No, no, no, no, you sit.
We're all family here.

- Okay, perfect.

Smells delicious.

What kind of fish is that?

- It's swordfish.
We call it pixxispad.

- Yeah, and try that bragioli.
That's bacon, egg, garlic,

all wrapped in beef and slow
cooked in a lovely wine sauce.

- Wow.

What kind of cheese is that?

- It's sheep's milk cheese,
it's my favourite.

Try it with the salad,
although that's not technically
traditional.

- And this is imqarrun il-forn.

- Mac and cheese?

- Way better than what
you're thinking of.
(chuckling)

(Maltese)

(in English): Oh, the direct
translation is,

"Have a good meal."

- I think this meal will make me
feel very good.

(chuckling)

(He repeats the saying
in Maltese.)

(laughing)

(**)

That was the most incredible
meal I've ever had
in my entire life.

- Grazzi.

- So, you still
haven't told us

why you wanted to visit
those old ruins.

- Well, it's part of an old map
we're following.

- Oh, must be a very old map.

- Do you know why it was called
the gold tower?

- There was never
any actual gold, was there?

- Maybe, maybe not.

You see, this was a notorious
spot for pirates,

right throughout history.

They raided ships going
to Valletta, Gozo, even Sicily.

But then, the Knights built
a settlement here

and they took
over the tower.

- Hmm. So, it's called the gold
tower because the Knights

posted here
stopped the pirate raids?

- More because they took
a share on the pirate's stolen
goods, you know,

valuable commodities from
all over the Mediterranean
supposedly kept in the tower.

- Hey.

Can you believe what Abraham
told us?

- Pirate gold.
(chuckling)

Are we looking for actual gold?

- I mean, it fits with your idea
of a hidden storehouse
at the gold tower.

- Well, if the Knights
did hide gold all over Malta,

then, of course,
they're gonna try to cover up
the map leading to it.

- Uh...

we seem to have an audience.

(chuckling)

- I could go for a walk
after that amazing meal.

- Oh. Uh...

Okay.

- Aren't you coming with me?

- Definitely.

I don't do this enough.

- Moonlight walks with
handsome strangers?

(laughing)

- I mean, this is so exciting!

We're following a real,
genuine treasure map.

- Well, let's not get ahead
of ourselves.

It's a theory until proven, and
there are a lot of questions.

- Like what?
- Like why was the fresco
painted in the first place?

I get the Knights
turned it into a map, but...

what did it originally
represent?

- Does that matter?

The French priest talked about
the golden way,

a never-ending road
to prosperity.

I mean, that is what
you're looking for.

- Thank you...

...for...

...agreeing to ferry me around.

And for not properly maintaining
your vehicle.

(chuckling)

- You're thanking me
for neglecting proper car
maintenance.

- Well, we wouldn't be here
if you didn't.

- Hmm.

- I'm... I'm sorry.

- No, I... it's fine.

Um...

it's getting a bit cold,
I might head back.

- Okay.

Can I... can I walk you?

- Sure.

- I still don't see a proposal
in my inbox, Austen.

Today is the thirteenth,
you've only got two days left.

This tenured position is
slipping through your fingers.

- I'm working on it.

There's a fresco.

- A fresco, that's it?

I don't know if a fresco
will cut it.

- I think it's a map,
but so far,

the landmarks haven't
lead to anything concrete.

- Are you sure you're looking
at it the right way?

- No.

There's a void in the centre,
though,

there's something missing.

- That's odd. Is it damaged?

- I don't know.

I need to get my hands
on an infrared machine,

I just can't find one that would
get here in time.

- Let me call my contacts
at the university, I'll...

I'll get right back to you.
- Alright. Thanks, Michael.

(phone ringing)

- Hi, Chloe.

- Eva, where are you?

We need to set up
the apiary's store
for the festival.

It's tomorrow,
in case you forgot.

- The truck broke down outside
Delimara.

I called you last night,
where were you?

- With the mayor.

Wait, are you still with
doctor archeologist?

- Yes.
- And?

- And we kissed.

- And?

- And nothing.
He's not moving to Malta

and I'm not leaving,
so what's the point?

- Eva.

- What about you? Spending
the evening with Mattew again.

The festival is tomorrow,
shouldn't you be done?

- It's all in the details,
right?

We just have
a lot to discuss.

- Over dinner?
- We all need to eat.

I have to go. Get back here.

Can't put together the booth
by myself.

- Yeah, I'm on my way.

(phone notification)

Good morning.
- Morning.

- I hope you slept well. I mean,
I sure did, why wouldn't I?

Um... James has fixed
the oil pan,

so we are ready to leave if...
you're ready.

- Uh... I have to go
to Marsaxlokk to pick
something up,

so I'll just...
I'll take a taxi.

- Oh, what's in Marsaxlokk?

- An infrared machine
for the fresco.

But I'm... I'm getting a bus.

- Do you not want me
to take you?

- Do you...
do you want to take me?

- Not if you don't mind to.

- I just figured last night...

- Last night was... nothing.
(chuckling)

It was just a kiss. We're both
adults, there's no big deal.

That's getting you
to Marsaxlokk.

(exhales)
- You sure?

- I'm sure.
- Okay.

(whirring)

(bell ringing)

(knocking on door)

We're early. Mind if
we hang out for an hour?

- If you're okay to eat.

- Always.

- Let's go.

This part of Marsaxlokk
has the best cafés.

- I read about this.

The different coloured doors
used to represent the goods
stored inside.

Green for fruits and veggies,
yellow for flour.

- Well, I can tell I won't have
to play tour guide.
(chuckling)

- It's an occupational hazard.

Before I travel somewhere,
I need to know a decent amount
about the history.

- Even on holiday?
- Oh, especially on holiday.

On my honeymoon, I went to Egypt
with my ex-wife.

I organized a trip to pyramids
by dynasty

to see the evolution
of the construction methods.
- Hmm.

You were married?

- Yes, barely.

- How can you be barely married?

- Well, my ex is also
an archeologist.
- Mm-hmm.

- And around a month after
we got married,

she went for a dig in Guatemala

and decided she wanted
to be married to her interpreter
instead.

- I'm sorry.
That must have hurt.

- It took some time.

But you know what?
I'm over it.

- Oh, hey, you're gonna love
this place.

Oh, great.

- Grazzi.

- Grazzi.
- Oh boy.

- These are tal-ghasel,
or honey rings.

- Is anything in Malta
not made from honey?

- No, nothing worth eating.

Especially with
a Maltese coffee.

- Okay.

Wow!
(coughing)

- Too strong?

- You know, I like
a good espresso, it's just...

I don't think I was mentally
prepared for that.

(laughing)
- Sorry.

- So...

your turn.

Last relationship.
- Oh.

Well, uh...

I was married too,
just a little longer

than you were.
It was almost 10 years.

- Really?
- Hmm.

- What happened?

- Well, he's English.

We've met at school here.
His parents were diplomats

and we dated on and off
over our teenage years,

got married straight out
of the university,

then he wanted to move to
England, so I went with him.

- So, you've lived in England?
- Yeah, almost five years.

Then, when my mom got sick,
of course,

I came back to be with her,
and he didn't.

- Right.

No one is as loyal as a drone.

- His life was there.

And as soon as I set foot
back on Maltese soil,

I knew mine was here.

I don't regret it.

Not that it happened
and not that it's over.

- Same with me.

I'm really happy with
where I am right now.

- Oh, what do you think?

- I think I really like honey.

(**)

Thank you.
- You're welcome.

- So, that's
the infrared machine?

God, it's way smaller
than I thought.

- Portable version,

but it should be enough
to show any other paint layers
under the fresco.

- Great. Let's get going,
I'm dying of curiosity.

- Just one snag,
it doesn't have a battery.

- Oh. Well, we'll pick one
up at the store.

- No, no, it's not that type
of battery.

My contact is sending me one
from Palermo,

it'll be at my
BnB tomorrow.

- Oof. That might not happen.

The festival tends
to delay everything.

- But, I... I can't be delayed,
I'm under a tight timeline.

(phone ringing)
- Um... one sec.

Oh, it's my sister.
I better take it.
- Yeah.

- Hey, Chloe. Sorry, I'm later
than I said I'd be, I...

- I asked Pawlu to help set up
the booth when you didn't come
back...

however, he fell.
He's at the hospital.

(dramatic music)

(sighs)

- Hi, Eva. Hi, Austen.
You didn't have to come here.

- Of course, we did. Pawlu,
I'm so sorry. Are you okay?

- It's only a sprain.
I'll be fine.

- Hold on, you...
you speak English?
- Of course.

(chuckling)

- You didn't tell me...
you didn't want to tell me?

- I hope you didn't come out
of your way.

Chloe made it sound
worse than it is.

- Still, it's my fault.
I should have been there.

Can I drive you home?
- No, I'll take him.

You go talk to Chloe.
- God, is she that mad?

- Not mad, upset,
but she blames herself.

- Well, I'll make my way back
to the BnB,

and I'll be sure
to stay off the road.

- Well, let me know when
the battery arrives.

I'll be on the town square
all morning.

- Okay. Well, I'll find you.
- Great.

Oh...

Uh...

- I'll... I'll see you.
- Okay.
- Okay.

(soft music)

Thought I'd find you here.

I bought you these
from Marsaxlokk.

(scoffing)
- Thanks.

(deep exhale)

- Never been here since Mom
died.

Remember how she used to bring
us here every summer before
the harvest.

- To bless the bees
for the year ahead.

I thought we should do it again
this year.

- Hmm, definitely.

I miss Mom.

I don't know how she did this
on her own.

- Well, she had us.

- I'm sorry, Chloe, I haven't
been a very good sister, lately.

- No, Eva, I'm sorry.

I haven't been honest with you.

Remember when you asked about
that promotion at work?
- Hmm.

- I turned it down.

- Why would you do that?

- Things changed after Mom died.

- Yeah, for both of us.

- You inherited the apiary.

But Mom didn't do it all
on her own

and you shouldn't
have to either.

I want to be the one
to help you.

- I know I'm struggling a bit
figuring it all out,

but that's my problem,
I really don't want
to make it yours.

- At least, I got the booth
ready for tomorrow.

- I'm so ready for that,
and for dealing with Mattew.

- Speaking of.

Is it okay if I'm not the booth
much tomorrow?

Mattew asked if I could help
on the festival.

- Oh. Well, of course, then.
(chuckling)

(heartening music)

- Eva.

Your stall is looking
very festive.

- Well, no thanks to me.

What can I do for you,
mister mayor?

- Just checking in
with everyone.

Uh... did your sister say
anything to you...

about me?

- Oh...

just that you'd asked her
to run the festival,
which...

might actually be your job.
(chuckling)

- I was thinking
we'd do that together,

but she seems
to not need me.

- Well, that's Chloe.

Give her a job
and she'll run with it.

You have to try and catch her
on the way.

- Where is the archeologist?
Did he decipher the map?

- He actually thinks it might be
something to do with
hidden pirate gold,

if you can
believe that.

- Gold?
- Hmm.

- In Port Grace?

I should call Heritage Malta
again,

maybe they'll give us
higher priority.

- Oh... well, Mattew, wait.
I'm not sure Austen

is actually finished...
with it.

(soft Mediterranean music)

This is spring and summer honey
from this year

and the other is
from last year.

- Are these handmade?
- Yes, they're pure beeswax,

so they're a natural
air purifier.

Oh, and help yourself
to the seeds.

We want all Maltese bees
to have plenty of food
all around the island.

- Are there any other colours?

- Uh... no, I'm really sorry.
Those are the only colours those
candles come in, actually,

and I can give you change
in euros, if that's alright.
- No problem.

- Perfect.
I'll be right with you.

(in Maltese):

- You have got to learn
a new phrase.

- Telling people
I smell like flowers,

it just doesn't have
the same ring to it.

You know, there's these apps
that translate everything
instantly.

- You knew all along and
you kept saying it?

- Just... I know it'll put
a smile on your face.

Thank you very much.
- Sorry, there you go.

Thank you so much. Enjoy.

- Have a great day.

(uplifting Mediterranean music)

Enjoy.

You're closing?

- Oh, it's time for
the traditional singing

and dancing to start.
There's Luna!

- Man, look at her.

Wow. Are you gonna join her?

- No. I've got two left feet.

Not that that stops them trying
to recruit me every year.

- Thank you.

- To a job well done.

- To a job well done.

Autumn.

That's just so good,
exactly what I needed.

- Thank you for today.

I don't think I could
have got through it
without you.

- Well, I know you don't like
asking for help,

so thank you
for letting me.

- Well, I was desperate, so...

- Sometimes, helping
is a way for people

to show you they care.

- I... I can't believe
I haven't asked you yet.

What's happened
with the fresco?

- Well, it's already waited
a few hundred years,

what's a few hours more?

- Seriously?

- The battery arrived
half an hour ago.

I couldn't abandon you
to all these people.

- That's very sweet,
but I wish you would
have said something,

I would have closed
the booth earlier. Let's go!

- Alright, alright!
(chuckling)

- Okay. Ready?

- Ready.

(beeping)

- A female figure.

- Can you zoom out?

(beeping)

- Three female figures,
in the Greek style.

- Do you know who they are?

- The Thriae.

Greeks nymphs
with the gift of prophecy.

Very few depictions of them
survived at all,

I've never heard
of any outside of Greece.

- It's the Bee Maidens.

They say they were worshipped
and that's why Malta

has such unique honeybees,
my family's story.

- Wait, wait, wait...

The prophecy that inspired
your ancestors

to raise bees was given
to them by the Thriae?

(laughing)

- But why would the Knights
Hospitaller care about
Greek nymphs?

- They didn't, that's why
they painted over them,

but they wanted to keep
the map for themselves.

- What if the golden way has
something to do with bees?

It could be a metaphor
for the ancient source

of Malta's prosperity.

- Excuse me, but this area now
is under the protection

of heritage Malta under
the authority of the Maltese
government.

- Hi, hello. Uh...

I'm Doctor Austen Morgan
of North Dobson University
in Michigan.

- Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you.

The mayor of Port Grace gave us
permission to study the fresco.

- The mayor told us
of your work.

If you have any insights,
we'd appreciate them.

Please, call the office
to set up a meeting.

(scoffs)

- You can't just let them push
you away like that.

- Eva, what I am supposed to do?

It's their jurisdiction.

I'm out of time anyways.

- I don't understand.
(sigh)

- I have until tomorrow
to submit a new proposal
for research funding.

I have to publish a new find
or I'd lose out on tenure.

- But we found the fresco days
ago. What's stopping you?

- It's not just
about the fresco, we need
to know where it leads.

- Well, then,
let's figure it out.

now, we know about
the Bee Maidens,

we think they were worshipped
here, the fresco is...

- Is no closer to showing us its
meaning than what it was before.

I wasted so much time with you.

- I wasted your time?

- Yes, but it...
- No, it's... it's okay.
I... I totally get it.

- Eva.
- It was really fun,

playing Indiana Jane
for a couple of days with you.

Good luck with your proposal.

(sighs)

(uplifting Mediterranean music)

(chuckling)

- There you are. We've been
waiting for you.
- Why?

- To judge the best honey ring.

- What are you talking about?
- It was my idea.

You've brought me that honey
ring from Marsaxlokk
and I thought,

if Mattew wants to feature
Maltese honey at the festival,

what better way than to have
a Maltese traditional
pastry competition

that will draw families
from all over the country
and beyond?

- It's a good idea.
- It's a great idea!

And on such short notice,
we made it work.

- But why should I be
the one to judge it?

- Well, you own Port Grace's
oldest and most successful
apiary,

who knows honey better
than you?

- Chloe does.

You've been trying to tell me
something and I haven't been
listening.

- No, you're busy, I get it.
- No, I've been making it all
about me and my insecurities.

You're just trying to help
because you care.

- I love you, and I love
the apiary too, I just...

I just want to be a part
of your life, Mom's life.

- I want that too.

And let's face it, the way
that Mom did things

isn't exactly working out
for me.

Something needs to change,

and you have a vision
for the apiary.

I mean, the theme tours?

- And the restaurant... and an
international honey competition.

- Wow! Okay!
- And more things.

Too many things.
If you want to hear them.
- I do!

And I want you to feel like
you have a voice in
our family business,

which is why you should be
my partner.

50 percent of the work
for 50 percent of everything.

- Eva, you don't have to.
- No, I do. I need you
to push me!

- And I need you to hold me
back.

- Which is why we should
do it together!

- I accept!
(laughing)

- Well, then, your first job
as apiary co-owner

is to judge
the pastries.

- Ladies, I think we need
to begin.

- Are you sure?
- Very.

And someone needs to stay
on the losers' good side.

- Don't worry,
I'll protect your honour.

You're now one of Port Grace's
most important citizens,

though you already were
important... to me.

- How's the arm?

- Oh, still attached.
(chuckling)

Where is your American
archeologist?

- On the next flight home,
I think.

- Why? What happened?
You two were so cute together.

- We were never together, Luna.

- Maybe not, but I can still be
sorry that it didn't work out.

- Well, it doesn't matter, he
was always leaving eventually.

What did you both think
of the honey-themed festival?

- Oh, I liked it.

Next year, I'm going
to suggest we have a procession

along the old honey road.

- What's the old honey road?

How have I never heard of it?

- For centuries,

all the beekeepers
and the farmers
walked together

from sunrise to sunset,

starting near the ancient apiary

at Dar id-deheb where
they collected the honey.

Then, they travelled down
to the farm feed,

and there was a blessing
for the harvest too.

Afterwards, they followed along
the coast

to the gold tower at Delimara

where the honey was
stored and from there,

shipped to all of Europe.

- The harvest blessing,

like the one my mom used to take
us to in the wildflower grove?

- That's the place. The field
with the old Roman farmhouse.

- I'll... I'll be back.
(laughing)

(phone ringing)

- Michael.
- So, I hear
the Maltese authorities

have gotten word about
a fresco in Port Grace.

- Yeah, yeah, they're...
they're here now.

- Do you have enough
for the proposal?

It's due tomorrow, but I'm not
sure heritage Malta

will welcome an outside team
on this one.

- Well, it's all I got,
so it's gonna have to do.

- Well, I won't say
I'm not disappointed,

but you knew the risk.

- Go big or go home, right?
Guess I'm coming home.

- Well, tenure or no tenure,

you're still a valued member
of this department.

Come see me when you're back.

- I will. Thank you.
I gotta go.

What's going on?
- I figured it out.

The fresco, the map,
the French priest,

the golden way,
it's all to do with bees.

- What?
- The root of the golden way

on the map is Pawlu
called the old honey road.

Look, this field is where
they used to bless the harvest.

I know this location,
my mom used to take Chloe and I

when we were little girls,
and the yellow circle
on the fresco is the sun.

I should have realized.
All apiaries must face south
for the sunlight.

- Okay, where is this field?
And what does it mean?

- I have to show you, come on.

- Eva, about what
I said earlier...

- Apology accepted. Let's go!

There was a procession here.
- The golden way.

- Yeah. The procession followed
down into the valley

where they planted crops
and left an offering
of honey

for a favourable harvest.
- Not protecting pirate gold,

but liquid gold?
- And not just honey,

all the produce from the harbour
which was then shipped
from the harbour.

- This all fits. There's gotta
be something here to confirm

that this is the right location.
- It's just a pile of rocks.

(sigh)
Maybe this was a waste of time.

- What I said earlier,
I didn't mean it.

None of this
has been a waste of time.

- I know.

(buzzing)

you didn't even flinch.
- I flinched on the inside.
(chuckling)

(buzzing)

That bee just went inside
of those rocks.

- How odd...

(groans of effort)

- There's stairs.
- And I think we can both fit
through there, no?

(sigh)
- If only I had
an old school torch.

- And a whip
and a leather fedora?
(chuckling)

- Alright.
Well, want to go first?

- Uh...

you know how you feel
about bees?

That's how I feel about snakes.

- Okay.

Allow me.

- Oh, wait, I've got a lantern
in the truck.

(intriguing music)

I've lived here my entire life,
I had no idea this was here.

- Doesn't look like
there's much here.

(sighing)
- Just a bunch of old broken
clay pots.

Hey, put your light over there.

(gasping)

What is this place?

- It's a shrine dedicated
to the Thriae.

- God, look at
all these baskets.

- Yeah, looks like it was also
a cellar.

They stored goods in
to keep them cool and dry.

- Some of these jars have
their seals still intact.

Are you thinking
what I'm thinking?

- From the decorations,

it looks like it could be
centuries old pottery.

(groan of effort)

(gasping)

- It's honey.

- What are you doing?
(chuckling)

No.
Don't do that.

- Hum! Summer harvest.

It's delicious!

- That's the box.
That's the box from the diary!

What?

- Wait.

It's what they used
for transporting bees.

- So...
it wasn't coins or honey

that the priest brought
to the New World,

it was Maltese bees.
(chuckling)

With the bees, the Michigan
settlers would have flourished.

The bees pollinated the crops!

- And these bees were the golden
way to never-ending prosperity.

(laughing)

We have to go!
You have to write your proposal!

- Let's get out of here.

This is an incredible find,

a once in a lifetime discovery!

- Even though it isn't quite
the gold you expected?

- Nothing in Malta
is what I expected.

I can't believe a Maltese bee
brought to Michigan

400 years ago
has brought me back to Malta.

To you.

- Even though bees all return
to their homes, just like us.

- I wish I didn't have to go.

But I have to submit
my proposal,

then I have my presentation
the next day.

And then...

...who knows?

- Your home is in Michigan,
and mine is here.

I don't have to ask
the Bee Maidens to predict
our future.

But I'm really glad I met you.

(uplifting Mediterranean music)

- Oh, good, you're back.

I just wanted to run a couple
of things past you before Mattew
gets here.

- Before your first weekend away
together to romantic Florence?

- If you need me to stay,
I'll stay.

- No, don't be silly,
go and have fun.

- I intend to, but first,
I confirmed you as a speaker

at the ecological conference
in London next week.

- Can't wait.
- And...

...these came in.

Our new honey jars.
- Oh, Chloe, these are gorgeous!

What a genius idea!

- Of course, you'd say that,
it was yours.
(chuckling)

Oh, and one more thing.
There's someone
talking to the bees.

- What?

Who?

- It's been a month.

Hopefully, she hasn't forgotten
about me already.

- Excuse me!

Can I help you?

- I was a bit nervous,

so I thought I'd take advantage
of your bee therapy.

It worked.

- What are you doing here?

- I thought you'd like to know
that my proposal was accepted.

I got the research funding.

- Congratulations.

I mean, you could have...
texted.

- I know, I could have,

but one of the conditions
for the funding requires me
to be on site liaising

for Heritage Malta during
the time of the excavation,

so I just figured I'd come
tell you in person.

- What about tenure?

- I'm on professional
sabbatical,

so who knows what
the future will bring?

- Well, you have to ask
the Bee Maidens.

- I'll be spending enough time
with them.

- Not all the time, eh?
- No.

No, most of my time will
be spent consulting

with the best beekeeper
in all of Malta,

if she's okay with that.

- Is honey sweet?

- Sometimes floral.

Sometimes citrusy.

(sweet music)

Subtitling: difuze