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[gentle ambient music]

[relaxed guitar music]

Evening, Gina.

Kristen.

Mike, so nice
to see you. Alone?

Uh, yes.

I didn't think musicals
were your thing.

They're not.

I had a spare ticket.
I made her come.

"The History of Brokenwood,
in Song." This is a must see.

Unless I poke my
eyeballs out first.

Come on, it'll be great.

No Beth?

Ah, no.

You set a date
yet? For the wedding.

Not yet.

But there will be
a date though, right?

Uh, reverend?

Didn't I hear Roger?

Indeed. He's been
on edge all week.

I'll be glad when it's over.

I know the feeling.

Uh, she doesn't like musicals.

Oh, you didn't shed
a tear at Les Mis?

I never saw it.

It's hard to buy a ticket for
something called miserable.

Oh, Mayor Bloom.
Is this a tearjerker?

Well, to be fair,
I haven't seen it.

It's been kept under tight
wraps by the composer,

but I hope not, it's
supposed to be a celebration.

Oh relax, you silly thing.

The costumes are excellent,

and in the end that's
all anyone cares about.

And that there's songs for
everyone to sing along to.

Spoken like a true mayor.

A toast of beautiful music.

And lovely costumes.

[glasses clink]

Cheers.

I'm so excited.

[bell dinging]

[relaxed guitar music]
[patrons chatter]

[Announcer] For
tonight, the part

of the Statue of Liberty will
be played by Terry Weaver.

Enjoy the show.

[audience applauds]

♪ I see a tree, a
tree that is broken ♪

♪ It must be the tree of
which I've heard spoken ♪

♪ The tree is made of wood

♪ The tree is made of wood

♪ This must be, can only be

♪ The place they
call Brokenwood ♪

♪ I see a view, a
quarter acre view ♪

♪ I see a house made
of lumber and screw ♪

♪ It's a house made for
me and made for you ♪

♪ With a door and four
walls, and even a roof ♪

♪ It feels like home

♪ I love it like crazy

♪ Let's settle down

♪ Where no one is lazy

♪ Let's settle down

♪ And the dogs
don't have rabies ♪

♪ Let's settle down

♪ And make us some babies

♪ 'Cause if you could
you really should ♪

♪ Move to Brokenwood

[audience applauds]

♪ I'm Captain James
Cook of HMS Endeavor ♪

♪ I give names to places,
I'm really rather clever ♪

♪ North Island, South Island

♪ Cooks Straight
and Cooks Beach ♪

♪ Cooks Coast, Cooks Street,
Cooks Bay, Cooks Rich ♪

♪ But biggest of them all
is really worth a look ♪

♪ From a thousand feet
high, I call it Mad Cook ♪

♪ Of all the places, the most
good has to be Brokenwood ♪

♪ Blackened and scorched,
lightning left me torched ♪

♪ Struck by a storm in 1623

♪ All hail, I'm the
lightning tree ♪

♪ I'm an icon, I
still stand tall ♪

♪ I stand for all,
for all the trees ♪

[upbeat rhythmic music]

Hell yeah.

[upbeat rhythmic music]

♪ Brokenwood, Brokenwood

♪ Oh so good

♪ They almost named it twice

♪ So long, Brokenwood

♪ Nashville, here I come

♪ With my guitar and a song

♪ About the small
town that I'm from ♪

♪ I'm tired of
small-town thinking ♪

♪ I'm headed to
the city of song ♪

♪ So it's hello to
you, Nashville ♪

♪ Brokenwood, so long

♪ A length of sash for
a window to your soul ♪

♪ A length of sash to pull
on your heart strings ♪

♪ Who will buy my
husband's fine windows ♪

♪ Who will drink my
abundance of milk ♪

♪ We live in a town of
milk, fish, and honey ♪

♪ A town upon which hopes
and dreams were all built ♪

♪ To be young and free
and never grow old ♪

♪ To wander in fields that
are all paved with gold ♪

♪ Where flax and kumara
grows in the sun ♪

♪ Where flax and kumara
grows in the sun ♪

♪ Where flax and kumara
grows in the sun ♪

♪ I'll swap you for blankets
and muskets and barrels of rum ♪

♪ Milk and lumber

♪ Fish and roses
[audience laughs]

♪ Wine and honey,
God and Moses ♪

♪ And if you could,
you really should ♪

♪ And if you'd say
you'd really say ♪

♪ Oh say, oh say you
won't, you'll say ♪

[audience applauds]

♪ Oh say does that star
spangled banner yet wave ♪

♪ O'er the land of the free

♪ And the home of the

[light crashes]

[audience yelling]
[electricity buzzes]

[light thuds]

[audience yelling]

[electricity buzzing]

Back up! Kill the
power! Cut the light!

I can't see anything.

Get the lights back on,
get them on, please.

Come on, lights, we
need some lights.

Get some lights, I
can't see anything.

Lights up.

Help!

[lights click]

[cast member gasps]

[deep tense music]

We know you've all
suffered a terrible loss.

35 Years on the stage,
Broadway to the West End,

and I have never seen
anything like that.

Amateurs.

We are all amateurs.

Speak for yourself.

She means it was an
amateur production.

Amateur is not an
excuse for careless.

The lighting technician
should be shot.

Has she been arrested?

Uh, we appreciate that
emotions are running high.

Uh, I recall you were the
first to Mr. Weaver's aid?

Uh, I was.

Well that's very
brave of you. Uh?

- Vicky.
- Vicky

I tried to pull it off,
but it was so hot, I...

It's okay, honey.

Did you see anything unusual?

For God's sake,
man, Terry had a light

wedged over his
head, he was glowing.

If that's not unusual.

Unusual beforehand.

Ah, I don't think so.

Did anybody else?

To be honest, we
were all running around

like chooks with
our heads cut off.

Or trousers at
least, some of us.

Sue, please. Now
is hardly the time.

Opening night, you know,
it's all pretty crazy.

But what happened to Terry,

it was just a freak
accident, right?

We hope so.

Are you suggesting foul play?

We have to consider
all the angles.

But um, why don't
you take a moment

and then we'll get underway.

Oh my goodness.

[gentle somber music]

Terrence, uh, Mike,
well done on the show.

It was, well, the Statue of
Liberty thing was unexpected.

According to the lighting
technician, when she checked it,

the light had its safety cable
attached to the lighting bar,

designed to prevent
such accidents.

But, clearly it didn't.

Well, she swears she checked it.

Okay, well let's
say she forgot to,

and the light, held here,
somehow dislodged itself and fell.

What are the chances of it
falling directly over his head?

I mean, a little to the
left or to the right

and it would've just
knocked him over.

But, this way [imitates crash].

What was holding it up there?

[Daniel] Power cord, maybe?

Huh.

This X, and I can see several
others, what do they mean?

The technician
said they're a guide

for the actors to
know where to stand.

They glow in the dark.

[Mike] A guide or a
target? What are the chances?

And how?

I mean, it's not like someone
could have waited up there

to drop it on him.

And why?

Well, I mean the
songs were pretty bad.

I've uh, called the
coroner. He's all yours, Gina.

Thank you, Mike.

You know I'm still processing
the fact that Captain Cook

had no trousers.

Did all British explorers
behave this way?

Ah, only the famous ones.

Well, that was uh,
rather harrowing.

Not the celebration
you were hoping for.

Not at all.

You haven't seen Gray have you?

No.

Ah. He left near the end of
the show, he'll be devastated.

[camera shutter clicks]

Yeah, no, I mean, I've always
been a song and dance man.

Just never really had
an outlet to express it.

But now, well,
it's just my luck.

Can you remember where you were

just before Mr.
Weaver was killed?

I was in the wings waiting
to come back on as the tree.

Yeah, but it was pretty
crazy back there.

Um, Todd had lost the tail.

The tail?

The tail to Crab
Shack Jenny's whale.

Frodo.

Stand by, Jason, in six.

Frodo, where's the tail, man?

It's Sue's big reprise.

Dude, I don't know where it is.

Frodo! Find it, go. Go.

Geez, mate, it's gonna look like

she's wearing a giant sperm.

♪ Length of sash for a
window to your soul ♪

♪ A length of sash to
twirl your heartstrings ♪

It was detachable, so we
could get it through the door.

So, did you find
it? Uh, the tail?

Yeah, yeah, it was
lying in the green room.

So, apart from some
last minute prop issues,

did you notice anything
unexpected or unusual?

No.

Are you sure about that?

Yeah.

Okay, thanks.

Oh, unless you
count the Jewish guy

hanging out in the corridor.

- Jewish?
- Mm.

How do you know he was Jewish?

Oh, well, see they
wear particular clothes.

Um, a hat, you know, crazy
curls. The the acidic ones.

Hasidic?

Yeah, I guess.

♪ You know I can
see you, and not ♪

Hey, you can't use
these toilets here.

Use the ones out front.
There's a show on.

Apologies to you, good sir.

Here, let me help you. There.

[audience applauding]

Good guy. Just lost, I guess.

You sure he was
after the toilets?

Why else would he be there?

Sorry, boss. This
guy is insistent.

My god, I've just
heard about Terry.

Is it true?

Yeah, it is.

Oh Frodo, you poor
boy. Did you see it?

I take it you didn't
witness the event?

No, I was outside. I
was trying to find him.

I was trying to stop him
doing God knows what.

Well, exactly. We
know now, don't we?

Him?

Ralph.

Ralph?

Ralph St. John, detective.

He's back in Brokenwood?

Oh, surely you knew.

Yes, he's back and he's
clearly left his mark.

[suspenseful music]

[Daniel] So, who is
this Ralph St. John?

Mr. St. John was convicted
of the murder of a Ben Faulkner

whilst partaking in a local
production of "Hamlet"

seven years ago.

Stop!

Everyone, please.
Really, must you?

Your talking is
very distracting.

Apologies, Ralph.

When I suggested you come,
it wasn't to be disruptive.

That was not my intention.

I appreciate you
being here, I really do.

But please, as a courtesy,
be as quiet as you can.

He was granted parole
just over two weeks ago

and has reportedly been
seen in Brokenwood.

Oh, more than just seen.

Sue, I'm gonna need you
to play the lightning tree

in scene seven.

[laughs] I'm not playing
a tree, Terrence, please.

I could do it.

Frodo, your townsfolk four.
You gotta get the tree on.

I'm getting changed at
that point, I believe.

I think I'm already
singing when the tree is on.

Me too.

Okay, what if it was
like a really big tree,

and I was in the tree?

I shall play the tree.

Remember Timothy, there
are no small parts,

only small actors.

Oh, hi, Ralph.

I mean, Ralph, wow. Hi.

So, Terrence, what
other theatrical jewels

are in need of fulfilling?

But Ralph, you can't sing.

Can't sing?

Out. Come along.

[Ralph grunts]

We warned you about coming here.

There's no way in hell
that Terry will have you

in this show.

[tense music]

He wanted to be in the play.

My god, that is brazen.

Hence, according to Gray
Jenkins, he came in disguise.

♪ Brokenwood, Brokenwood

♪ Oh so good, they
almost named it twice ♪

♪ Brokenwood, so they could,
they almost named it twice ♪

[audience applauds]

Dressed as his
Shylock. Oh, ridiculous.

Shylock?

Mm, from the
"Merchant of Venice."

Shakespeare, a distasteful
work if you ask me.

And you followed him backstage?

Yes. God knows
what he was up to.

And did you confront him?

[sighs] I couldn't find him.

♪ So long, Brokenwood

[Gray] He was
nowhere to be seen.

♪ Guitar and a song about the
small town that I'm from ♪

Hey, have you seen Ralph?

What? We're busy here, mate?

- Stick it on.
- Oh, okay.

Hey, hey, have you seen Ralph?

No.

[Mike] So you never
actually saw Ralph backstage?

[Gray] Oh, look, no.

[Mike] So, how can
you be sure it was him?

I, I kept looking for
him everywhere and, and,

and then eventually
I went outside.

Ralph?

Ralph?

[suspenseful music]

[Mike] And it was Ralph?

Who else could it be?

So we only have
Gray's word on that?

[Mike] Yes, Although Frodo
did see someone earlier

matching the description.

Let me help you. There.

Locate Mr. St. John,
see what he's got to say.

Well, according to this,

he resides at a halfway
house in Telemore Close.

What else do we
know about the victim?

Terrence L.
Weaver, 45 years old.

Local, single,
playwright and composer.

As far as I could make out,

he's written a
whole bunch of stuff

that no one wanted to see,

but he seems well-respected
by his peers.

So, in summary, talented
guy killed by a falling light.

Talent is in the ear of
the beholder, my friend.

That show was bad.

And if the light
didn't kill him,

the reviews probably would've.

But that light didn't
just fall, it was dropped.

[Kristin clears throat]

[gentle acoustic guitar music]

This is a routine case of
electrocution via the cranium.

Of course, it's not very often

I get to witness
the moment of death.

It adds another level of
satisfaction to my work.

And that's it?

There was one curious thing.

Electrical burns?

Not electrical,
friction. A rope burn.

I found fibers in the skin.

Synthetic of some kind,

but not matching the
sheets of his costume.

Could they be historical?

No sign of healing.

They were made within moments,

either before or
after his death.

How wide would you say they are?

Three millimeters.

I will arrange for
you some samples,

but I did think
perhaps as he fell,

he got his arm caught
in his shoelaces.

Shoelaces?

But only if he tied
them with a very big bow.

And trust me, I tried many
times and had no luck.

It's a bit like
that game, Twister.

Would you like to try?

Thanks, Gina.

[gentle acoustic guitar music]

[Gina sighs]

What'd you get up to last night?

Oh, I went to a restaurant.

Oh, yeah? Who with?

No one.

Wait, you went alone?

As a matter of fact, yes.

[chuckles] Since we did
you become Nigel No Mates?

Since I went on a date and...

And, she was a no-show?

So she does have a name.

Go on, spill. Who is she?

Missy.

Missy Torhadorah, that
water quality agent.

Yeah.

First date?

Well so, what's her problem?

She said something
come up last minute.

Seems like bit of a flake.

Dodged a bullet, I reckon.

Hey, Mike, Ralph St. John isn't
at his designated address.

Yeah, the caretaker says
he goes out most days,

but unsure as to where.

No, stuff's all here though.

The type of light used
is the same as this one,

used in this case as a special.

It gives the actor
an ethereal look.

If it was dislodged, it
would've swayed or shunted,

disrupting the light beam.

But it didn't, right?

It fell straight down.

[light clatters]
[electricity buzzes]

[light thuds]

Must be eight kilos at least.

And, it had to be suspended
by something not obvious

to the naked eye of
the lighting technician

when she did her
final, cursory check.

And, affixed
somewhere backstage.

[Daniel] Meaning
only those backstage

could have triggered it.

A sort of Damocles.

What?

The emperor Damocles
was a powerful man,

sat on his throne,
and all the while

the gods had hung a sword
just directly above his head,

suspended only by a
single thread of silk.

And if he ever got above his
station, the sword would fall.

Uh, in this case, not silk.

Uh, Gina has found traces
of a synthetic fiber

and a three millimeter
flesh wound on the victim.

All of this can give rope burns

matching the victim's wound.

But the fibers were
of an earthy color.

So I narrowed it down to
three. Sample A, D, and G.

Mm.

Whichever it is, it had
to be easily released

and then tidied away
in a matter of seconds.

I've got SSG looking
for something

30 meters and no more than
five millimeters wide.

Fishing line.

Nylon has no fiber.

Trout fishing line
does, find braid.

Probably has a 20 kg
breaking strain, at least.

It's near invisible
to the naked eye.

[phone rings]

Light drops, theater goes dark,

it gets reeled up.

Crab Shack Jenny had
a fishing rod, right?

♪ Settle the town of
Crab Shack Jenny's ♪

♪ The best fish in town

Then, there was that
terrible song in the first act

about wooden joineries?

♪ You know I can see you,
and lots of other things ♪

He had a coil of sash cords.
♪ In Brokenwood

And then when he
came back on stage...

Turn the lights up.

Where's the lights? I
can't see anything. Lights.

It was gone.

Sash cord.

Uh, that was Ralph's
probation officer.

We should find him at
the Snake and Tiger.

Drowning his murderous sorrows.

Not drinking.

Trudy Neilson Judy Nielsen
has given him a job there.

[Kristin scoffs]

Yeah, Ralph works here
doing community service.

Community service
here? Please.

He's paying his debt to society.

[patrons murmur]

After a lonely period
of deep reflection,

I've come to understand
that it's my calling

to educate the great unwashed

that language, and only
language can heal and unite.

Yes. Yes, you're right.

This is from his
probation officer.

Mr. St. John's continued
efforts to pursue, share,

and educate society, and the
messages of love, insight,

and compassion found
within a Shakespearean text

will be credited as contributing

to the betterment
of society, wow.

Read it all now.

Lunchtime entertainment.
No harm in it.

Torturous Shakespeare recitations.

I may not give a rats
about these arty-farty types,

but I do care about
second chances.

While, you're a fine
example of that, Trudy.

Thanks.

So I'm happy to extend
that generosity.

See for yourself,
he'll be here at two.

I thought you said lunchtime.

At my busiest.

I may be generous,
but I'm not stupid.

2:00 PM there are bugger all
people he can frighten off.

[relaxed acoustic guitar music]

Champagne, detective?

Tempting.

Oh, go on.

No, no, but, no.

[sighs] Well, don't
mind me. [clears throat]

You and Terrence
Weaver were close.

Oh, we go way back.

Such a bright young thing.

So when he gave him the call
and I just happened to have

a gap in my schedule...

Oh.

How could I refuse?

All right everybody,
let's get started.

Please take a seat.

While we wait for Miss Fontaine,
please study your parts.

Vicky, Settler Janet.

But I thought Sue...

Sue's not here.

Mr. Taylor, you shall play
Chief Pudacko, townsfolk one,

and Mr. Crippen the haberdasher.

Choice.

What's a haberdasher?

He sells menswear.

Ah, okay.

Timothy, you are Settler
John the carpenter,

townsfolk three, and
pirate Nathaniel.

[laughs] Amazing. Uh, thanks.

Roger, townsfolk two,
and Captain James Cook.

Marvelous [laughs],
such an honor.

Frodo, we'll find
something for you.

Right, let us begin with
"A Tree Made of Wood."

Here's your notes.

[piano chord]

♪ I see a tree, a
tree that is broken ♪

♪ Must be the tree of
which I had spoken ♪

♪ A tree is made of

Apologies, my lovelies.
So sorry I'm late.

Here she is. Better
late than never.

Your part, Sue.

Crab Shack Jenny. [laughs]

I understand you've
performed on Broadway.

Well off Broadway, yes.

And the West End.

Around the West End, yes.

You're a fan of
musicals, Mr. Shepherd.

Ah, country music
is more my thing.

You never said what
you thought of the show.

Ah, well I haven't
been to Broadway, so.

You don't need to go to Broadway

to know it was a
dog's breakfast.

Uh, it did seem like it
was trying to cover all bases

of the musical spectrum.

I'm sure Terry would've
been pleased to hear that.

Why?

Terry had a vision.

"Brokenwood" is about
the hopes and dreams

of any small town,
and Crab Shack Jenny...

Sounds like a woman who
has issues with crabs.

No, no, no.

Shipwrecked, nothing
but a fishing rod.

She sets up shop on the beach
to sell her fish-based meals.

Jenny's a survivor.

She's a, a businesswoman.

Sue, you're about to
become a feminist icon.

He could talk
anyone into anything.

Feminist icon?

Mm, that was Terry,

always over promised
and underdelivered.

But his sheer enthusiasm
could be seductive.

Uh, your uh, prop,
the uh, fishing rod,

um, as I recall it
had no line in it.

♪ Cast my line, reel in a car

♪ Take a loaf and a fish,
maybe a crab or a dog ♪

A fishing line on
stage is a hazard.

It gets tangled and the next
minute you're [indistinct].

Yeah, but after the show, the
reel had fishing line on it.

How very observant of you.

That's my job.

I guess I knew
the show was over.

Putting things back together.

I was in a daze, to be honest.

Yeah, during the show
where was the line kept?

In my dressing room.

Uh, we couldn't locate
it at the theater.

It's my own, I thought it
would be a nice personal touch.

I brought it home.

Would you mind if I took
it away to be examined?

Why?

So we can eliminate
it from our inquiries.

What has fishing line got
to do with Terry's death?

Hopefully nothing.

It was my grandfather's.

It was a family heirloom.

I expect it back.

Uh, of course.

And when Terry was
struck by the light,

can you remember where you were?

I was on stage.

Was it offstage? Side
stage? I'm not sure.

It was all about Roger
Plumber's lost trousers.

[sighs] Such amateurs.

[gentle acoustic guitar music]

[Roger] We were debriefing
on what happened last night.

Still in shock.

Once again, my sympathies.

Still, it's, it's good to see
you with your trousers on,

at least.

Don't remind me.
So humiliating.

Don't know, Captain Cook
caught with his pants down.

It's a metaphor for
something, I'm sure.

Lucas please, a man died.

But not because you lost
your pants, I keep telling you.

So it, it wasn't
intentional then?

Oh, good heavens no.

[Roger panting quickly]

[Roger grumbles]

I was changing from townsfolk
two back into James Cook.

It was a very quick turnaround.

[woman sings indistinctly
in background]

Was probably for
blankets and muskets

and barrels of rum, whoo!

Whoo.

♪ How my husband has felt

I got side stage
and then I realized

I'd completely forgotten
my trousers, but...

Oh, my god.

Was a terrible case
of first-night nerves.

So you were on the left
hand side of the stage?

Stage left, yes. With
uh, with Sue and Timothy.

And did you happen to
see anyone lurking around

that perhaps shouldn't
have been there?

Honestly, I couldn't
tell you where anybody was.

It was all about the trousers.

Uh, Vicky, where were you?

I was stage right with
Terry just before he went on.

♪ Wine and honey,
God and Moses ♪

What the hell is
that idiot doing?

Sorry, Roger.

No, he had every right.

Here.

- Oh, thank you.
- Vicky.

Sorry, I've gotta get back.

I have to get
back to work anyway.

Lucas.

Mind if I uh, take a seat?

Uh, should I get a lawyer?

Why?

Just you're a detective and
when you ask me questions,

I can't have feeling that
I've done something wrong.

Have you done something wrong?

I don't think so.

Well then you
should be all good.

Well, firstly, I didn't know
you were into musicals, Todd.

Offered to play Chief
Pudacko in an historical epic.

Wow. Couldn't turn that down.

Right, yeah, the um,
the bald headed eagle man.

Yeah, okay. That part
isn't quite accurate.

But Terry said it didn't matter.

[Terry] Chief Pudacker.

♪ Circling the skies,
I'm a baldheaded eagle ♪

♪ Looking for a place to land

♪ I land for all my people

♪ I land for freedom,
in God we trust ♪

♪ The home of the brave
and that's a must ♪

♪ I'm circling the skies

♪ I'm a bald-headed eagle, ah

That is great. That's great.

I would just go more.

Sorry, Terry, look um,

I was talking to
our cultural advisor

and she said that Chief Pudacker

didn't actually
arrive on an eagle.

It was just a wuaka,
a canoe, you know?

So, maybe we should uh,

It doesn't matter.

Well, it kinda does.

Sure, sure.

Uh, well, we've
gotta think about

our international
audiences, don't we?

What do international audiences
know about New Zealand?

"Lord of the Rings"
and kiwi fruit.

[both chuckle]

So, do you wanna
dress up as an elf?

Oh, no.

Or a big, fury kiwi fruit.

- But.
- But.

The back of a bald-headed eagle,

now that's a
showstopper right there.

From the top.

I just didn't wanna
play an elf, you know?

Mm.

At the beginning
of the performance,

there was an announcement
that Terry Weaver

would be playing the part
of the Statue of Liberty.

Yep.

So, who was meant
to play that part?

Why?

Well, because clearly
it wasn't Terry.

And, as a detective,
I can't help wondering

if whoever was meant
to play that part

would've met the same fate.

Would it be fair to say that
you have a suspicious mind?

More professionally curious.

Okay. Well this
can't come from me.

Well, it's hardly
a secret because I,

I could have asked anyone
else in the cast, right?

True.

Okay.

She was our cultural advisor
and a really great singer.

And this cultural advisor
couldn't play the part because?

She had a bit of a
falling out with Terry.

Walk out on me and you'll
never work in this town again.

And does this
person have a name?

She does.

The Statue of Liberty is
the whole point of the show.

You want it? Hmm.

Why don't you do it yourself?

Go to hell, Missy!

[chair clatters]

[deep tense music]

[Missy scoffs]

Missy?

You know her?

When was this?

Oh no, I can't say anymore.

Todd.

It was the day before yesterday.

[deep tense music]

There's one other
person missing in action.

Missy Torhordor.

The water quality girl.

What?

She had the role of cultural
advisor on the production,

but had a massive falling
out with Terrence Weaver

the day before he died.

So it would be useful
to have her whereabouts

at the time of death.

Come on.

Clearly, she wasn't
at a certain restaurant.

Am I missing something here?

Well, she was meant to
hook up with Chalmers,

but never showed.

It was the first date.
There's no history.

Let me give her a call. May
be a simple explanation.

[Missy] Missy here,
leave a message.

It's Daniel.

I was wondering if you could
give me a call asap. Thanks.

She could be working up
the river, no reception.

Maybe you should
uh, pay her a visit.

I don't know where she lives.

Maybe Sims should
follow this one up.

Oh, seriously.

Let's keep it simple.

[gentle somber music]

[computer keys clicking]

[door clicks shut]

Heraco Flautina,
where it all began.

Quite, although Frodo's
interpretive dance of that tree

is something I cannot now unsee.

[upbeat rhythmic music]

You weren't impressed.

I was surprised.

[sighs] The show was to
mark our bicentenary,

and Terrence Weaver put together
a very convincing pitch.

Think of "Hamilton."

Nice city. My
niece lives there.

The musical.

Oh, right. Yes, of course.

Yes, uh, very
popular, I believe.

"Hamilton," "Brokenwood,"
modern historical epics.

Yes. Am I right in thinking
it might be a bit hip hoppy?

Contemporary, yet classical.

This show has the potential
to travel the world.

I have a letter of interest
here from the agent

in New York.

Mmm. Kudos to you.

David P. Schumann.

That's a very New York
name, isn't it? [chuckles]

One of the best.
And, the budget.

Right.

Now as long as there's
a few catchy tunes

about the history of Brokenwood,
that's all we're after.

Gosh, that's quite a big number.

Well, price is the
council we put on quality.

It's more about
what we can afford.

This show is about New Zealand.

It's about two peoples,
Tunga Definowah and Pachea.

It's also about
darkness and light.

It's about war and peace.

Ultimately, it's a love
story between Settler John

and Settler Janet.

Brokenwood is a love story.

And with your help, I can
bring that love to the world.

Think of the tourism.

Brokenwood, on Broadway.

Well, when you put it like that.

[Terry laughs]

Could I ask how much?

$100,000 of rate payers money.

That sounds like a lot of money

for an amateur
theater production.

The idea of Brokenwood
on Broadway, though.

That ship has well
and truly sailed,

along with those dreadful songs,

none of which were the
slightest bit catchy.

I understand you
appointed a Missy Tourjador

as a cultural advisor.

Yes, I admit to killing two
birds with one stone there.

She was already cast, so
she could sing and advise.

I'm hardly qualified
to be a cultural advisor.

My friend Walter
Elliot recommended you.

Oh, Uncle Walter's a scallywag.

And Todd Taylor said
you were very ofay,

with the whole cultural
whatnot of the area.

Yeah, yeah.

I know my Fhukapapa, but
most Maori around here do.

Well that's what we need.

Bit of Fhukapapa, Kerikeer,
that sort of thing.

Two flat whites.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

You're Missy, right?

Yes.

I'm Vicky Manus.

I'm cast in the
musical with you.

I can hardly wait.
I'll see you tomorrow.

Mm-hmm.

♪ Brokenwood, Brokenwood

♪ So very good

[both laugh]

So excited.

You want a box ticked?

It's to support Mr. Weaver
and his artistic vision,

while ensuring that
the bicultural elements

of Brokenwoods history
are correctly represented.

And is he okay about this?

Absolutely.

Was he?

Well, he seemed to be.

But it was my understanding
that Missy Torhordor

walked out.

Sadly, she and Terry
didn't see eye to eye.

Apparently it was
all very last minute.

Look, there uh, may
be nothing to this,

but she did send me
an email that night.

Now in the cold light of day,

the last part seems
most pertinent.

[suspenseful music]

[knocking on door]

[slow somber music]

[phone rings]

Mike.

Hey. Any luck with
Missy Torhordor?

Uh, there's no one home, no car.

The mail hasn't been cleared.

She sent an email to Neil Bloom

the night before
the show went up.

Quote, "You don't
stop this travesty,

there will be tragic
consequences."

What, do you think she
knew something was afoot?

Maybe, or something
more than that.

[phone beeps]

[suspenseful music]

[Missy] You wanna find ole
Missy here, leave a message.

[phone beeps]

[suspenseful music]

[synth music]

What's the matter,
you dissentious rogues?

Scratching the poor
itch of your opinion?

Make yourselves scarce.

[glasses clink]

Thank you. From Coreolanus.

Well, I'm sure we
all know this one.

[tense music]

Cowards die many times
before their deaths.

The valiant have a taste
of death, but once...

My regulars are drinking
twice as much as usual.

- Seems to be most strange...
- To numb the pain.

[Ralph] Strange fear.

It's great for business

Being the death,
necessary end. Thank you.

[eerie synth music]

Mr. St. John.

St. John, yes.

DC Chalmers, CIB.

A Shakespeare fan, are you?

Do you know a Terrence Weaver?

I uh, yes, I know of him.

He died last evening at the
Brokenwood Playhouse Theater.

So I heard, tragic accident.

Mm.

I would like a chat about
your movements last night.

Well, I was at my residence.

A witness claims to
have seen you outside

at the same theater.

[sighs] As you
are no doubt aware,

I am a man living under a
strict and tedious curfew.

So, your witness is
clearly mistaken.

Well, best to get
you down to the station

to clear things up.

Is this really necessary?

Won't take long. Just a few
questions over a cup of tea.

[scoffs] All right. May
I use the bathroom first?

Yeah.
[phone rings]

Kristin.

Missy Torhordor was making
threats to the mayoral office

the night before Weaver died.

Have you heard from her?

No.

Well, this might be more
serious than initially thought.

Understood.

[deep suspenseful music]

You know, for older men some
things take a little longer.

It's something for you to
look forward to, detective.

♪ When the sun goes down

♪ When the moon comes up

♪ When the sun goes down
and I need your love ♪

♪ But I ain't got you no more
- Mr. St. John?

♪ No, I ain't got you no more

♪ When the sun goes
down on the day I die ♪

♪ My motionless body
will start to cry ♪

♪ Because I ain't got you

♪ Ain't got you no more

[knocks at door]

Hello?

♪ When the sun goes down
and I'm under the dirt ♪

♪ My unbeating heart
- Dammit. Dammit.

♪ Will still hurt
because I ain't got you ♪

That way?
♪ I ain't got you no more

[Kristen] Gray. Hi.

Have you arrested him yet?

Ralph St. John, we're in the
process of speaking with him.

For God's sake, how much
more do you need to know?

He was there.

I see, you don't believe me.

Well, no, we're just following
the process, that's all.

Unbelievable.

And, what can you tell
me about Missy Torhordor?

Oh my god, she's so lovely,
and such a great singer.

She's got the whole
Whitney thing going on.

♪ O'er the land of the free

♪ And the home of the brave

That girl has got some pipes.

She's got showstopper
written all over her.

Yeah, just one tiny question.

What does the American
national anthem

have to do with Brokenwood?

Do I feel some more
cultural advising coming on?

Well.

Everything and nothing,

don't worry your
pretty little face.

Yeah, I'm gonna need a
little bit more than that.

There were French settlers here.

Yeah, so?

The French gifted the
Statue of Liberty to New York.

I know. So?

So, it would've only
been a matter of time

before they gifted us one.

Well, that's crazy.

No. It's aspirational.

[tense music]

Are you suggesting
that she had an attitude

towards Terrence Weaver?

I, I guess she was just
trying to do her job.

But, a few of us had a drink
one night after rehearsals

and she had a really good vet.

Well, face it guys,

the show is complete
and utter rubbish.

The songs are catchy.

Cous, you of all people
know that Chief Pudacker

did not arrive here on the
back of a baldheaded eagle.

Chief Pudacker.

Terry says we have to think
of the international audience.

What about the local audience?

You know the ones
actually paying for it.

Missy, please. It's too
late to change things now.

The show opens in two days.

And you know how
popular Hamilton is?

Terry reckons that this
could be the next Hamilton.

[man laughs]

More like the next Ash Burton.

- Oh, that's a bit...
- Come on.

= You've drunk the
Kool-aid. All of you.

And the next day she walked out.

Do you think that she knew
Terry would take over the role

of the Statue of Liberty?

Well, in a way. It
was kind of her idea.

Well, do you want it? Hm.
Why don't you do it yourself?

Okay.

Thanks, Vicky.

Oh um, does Timothy
still work in excavation?

Mm-hmm. He's out on
Sadler's line today.

Oh, if you're going there,
can you take him something?

His favorite.

[soft mysterious music]

Special delivery.

Steak and cheese.
King of pies.

So it's true love
then, you and Vicky?

We are like Romeo
and Juliet, you know.

Oh, your parents disapprove?

What? No, it's just
love in its purest form.

Ah, okay.

It's just, it didn't
work out so well

for them though, did it?

Right.

True.

Well, like Danny and
Sandy, then. From "Grease?"

Or Tony and Maria from
"West Side Story,"

or Curly and Lori
from "Oklahoma."

You really like musicals.

I love singing.
Vicky loves singing.

We sing all the time.

♪ I see a tree, a
tree that is broken. ♪

♪ It must be the tree of
which I've had spoken. ♪

♪ The tree is made of wood

♪ The tree is made of wood

♪ It must be, can only be, the
place they call Brokenwood ♪

That is very romantic.

I think so.

And, and look at this,

a couple of weeks back I
mentioned it was getting colder,

and she whipped this up for me.

Wow. A, a singer
and a knitter.

[chuckles] You've got it made.

I have, haven't I?

So, we've had reports
that Ralph St. John

was seen lurking around
the backstage area.

Did you see him?

No. Didn't see him.

You didn't see someone
who you might mistake

for an orthodox Jewish man?

What about Missy Torhordor?

Missy, she wouldn't show her
face, walking out like that.

So unprofessional.

But she was angry about the
politics of the show. Right?

Sure, but, there's a time and
a place for that, you know.

Vicky and I have been involved
in Brokenwood operatic

all our lives, and
in all departments.

You go on stage no matter
what. The show must go on.

Ah, thanks, Timothy. Enjoy.

[soft mysterious music]

Check this out.

A script called "Castlewood"

and a script called
"Brokenwood."

Where's Castlewood?

South Dakota.

All the songs are identical,

except for the
names and locations.

The native North
American chief sings,

"I'm flying in on my
bald-headed eagle,

looking for a place to land,
a land for all my people."

So Brokenwood was some
kind of placeholder.

Male or female, do you think?

Uh, hard to say. Unisex.

Weaver wore an earring
though, didn't he?

Hmm.

Huh, here's that letter
from the theatrical agent

in New York.

Dear Mr. Weaver, your
show concept is compelling.

The songs are more
than memorable.

They have the potential
to be classics.

Please submit reviews
and box office reports

as proof of concept,
and we look forward to

bringing the show to New York.

And Weaver made a list of
American towns ending in wood.

It's like he was
planning on creating

some sort of musical franchise.

So he was never
planning on taking

their Brokenwood vision
to the world after all?

And, I imagine some
people would feel very used

if they'd found out about it.

A certain cultural
advisor, for one.

[tense mysterious music]

[Officer At Desk] Senior.

Mr. Jenkins.

Truth.

And this is?

Last night when
Ralph was running away,

something fell from his face.

I went back there this
morning and I found it,

a curly lock of Shylock's hair.

It's proof, you see. His
DNA'll be all over it.

Uh, as will yours.

Oh. Is that the thanks I get?

Uh, we'll look into it.

But if this does
belong to Ralph...

It does. I've seen his
Shylock. Huh, dreadful.

But he wore curls
just like that.

If it does, it places
him at the theater.

But why would he wanna
kill Terrence Weaver?

Professional jealousy. Terry
had talent, Ralph has none.

Terry had an audience,
Ralph has none,

except for a few gin-soaked
barflies at the Snake and Tiger

at 2:00 PM on a wet Wednesday.

I'm not sure that that's enough.

Well, look what he
did to poor, young Ben.

[audience applauding]

[woman screams]

Is there a doctor in the house?

You and I both know
what he is capable of.

The tensions were high the other
day at the Snake and Tiger.

Terry was having lunch.

I wanna talk about names.

[horse whinnies]

One's name is so important.

A horse. A horse. My
kingdom for a horse.

Sue Fontaine,
what a name that is.

What, do I fear myself?

There is none else by.
Get your gloves, Richard.

That is I am I. Is there
a murderer here? No.

Do you mind?

I'm trying to have lunch here
and this, this noise is...

How dare you.

We're at mid-performance.

You've broken the fourth wall
between me and my audience.

What audience?

You're still as diluted
as you ever were.

Now please, have the
courtesy to shut up

and leave us in peace.

[tense music]

[sighs] Sorry about that.

[horse whinnies]

[elephant brays]

[Mike] Who was Terry
having lunch with?

I don't know.

Then, how do you
know all about this?

Oh, Terry told me.

He had to come back to the
theater for a tech run.

But, he didn't say
who was at lunch?

Who cares? The point is
that Ralph was enraged.

When Ralph showed
up at rehearsals

asking to play the tree, you
said, "I've already told you,"

which implies that you
had already seen him.

When was that?

I take it this
conversation is confidential.

Of course.

I can't have Neil
finding out about this.

A couple of weeks back,
it was the anniversary

of Young Ben Faulkner's death,

and I took flowers to his grave.

Alas, poor yoddick.
I knew him, Horacio.

A fellow of infinite jest.

Ralph?

[soft tense music]

Gray Jenkins, long time no see.

What the hell
are you doing here?

Paying my respects.

Well, sharing some of
the beauty of the bard.

Are you insane?
You, you killed him.

It was a regrettable mistake.

A mistake?

Oh, 60-year-old men wearing
skinny jeans is a mistake.

I wasn't well.
Stress, you see?

But, I'm back in the game.

I hear you and Terry Weaver
are working on a show?

You keep the hell
away! You hear me?

You are not welcome anywhere
near any of us, ever!

[Ralph breaths heavily]

[slow somber music]

He hasn't changed, detective.

So much for rehabilitation,
he's a sociopath.

You and I both know it.

[slow tense music]

[slow tense music]

[door bangs]

Leaving so soon, Ralph?
We've only just met.

What was your relationship
with Mr. Weaver?

Our paths barely crossed.

Uh, would you say
you were rivals?

No. He's more a musical man,
I'm classical Shakespeare.

Uh, we understand that you
were intent on getting a role

in Mr. Weaver's show.

If they were short, I
would've been happy to help out.

Even though you were
banned from theaters?

I'm sure a dispensation
could have been arranged.

The show must go
on, as they say.

Why would they be short?

It was merely an offer.

That was firmly rebuked.

Not a chance in hell,
according to a witness.

Gray Jenkins, I presume.

Prone to exaggeration
is all I'll say to that.

But they are short now,
aren't they? A man down.

That seems to have
happened coincidentally,

when a witness saw you
running from the theater.

I think that is highly unlikely.

Does this look familiar to you?

[soft tense music]

Is it yours? Our
witness thinks it is.

It must have fallen
from my makeup bag.

I have an extensive
collection of appendages.

Or it fell from your
head as you were running

from Brokenwood Theater at
9:48 PM on Saturday night.

Unlikely.

I'm not allowed to
frequent the theater,

due to a trifling restraint

that is stated on my
probation conditions.

Fortunately, it's
only temporary.

Did you attend the opening
of "Brokenwood, the Musical?"

Wasn't invited.

Yes or no?

It's a rather obvious trope,
don't you think, Mr. St. John

to portray Shylock
as a Hasidic Jew?

Shakespeare's observations
on the human condition

remain beyond compare.

"Is it to hold as 'twere
the mirror up to nature?"

Well, perhaps you'd
like to do exactly that

in one of our cells,
to help pass the time.

What?

We'll be holding you overnight

while we sort these matters.

[mysterious music]

Let's say Ralph St. John
made his way backstage unseen.

He releases a light, killing
Terry Weaver. He runs off.

He still had to have an
opportunity to rig it.

The lighting technician
last adjusted the light

the evening prior.

Which means the offender
only had some time

on the day of the show to
put their plan into place.

[gentle acoustic guitar music]

♪ Summer's gone,
winter's coming on ♪

♪ I can feel a cold
front blowing ♪

♪ And I don't see
the fall left there ♪

♪ Nothing is black or white

♪ And there is
gray in the light ♪

♪ And everybody's
got their poison ♪

[singer vocalizing softly]

Is my lawyer here?

He has a court appearance.

Message came through
that he'll be here soon.

I wasn't at the
theater, you know.

I, Ralph St. John was
not at the theater.

You have something
you wanna say?

I'll wait for my lawyer.

[slow somber music]

Let's pepper through
some more lemon roses.

More lemon crepe, yes.

And let's bring those
candleabras a little more central.

SSG has found a 30 mil
length under an old armchair

in the green room.

A window sash cord?

Mm. I sent it off for tests.

Sorry about that. Lemon is
very much the color de jure.

Oh, good to know. Mike,
you should take note.

Oh, you're getting married?

Uh, well.

Oh, first time.

[Kristen laughs]

No, no, no, wait. I know your
type, you're a two-timer.

Sorry?

Second time round.

Ah, try fifth. [coughs] Sorry.

Something understated,
but meaningful.

Yeah, we don't
wanna make a fuss.

Oh, spoken like
a man. [laughs]

But, what about the bride to be?

Oh, I can grab my
look book if you like?

Uh, we are actually
here about the musical?

Of course. Sorry.
Should we take a seat?

As the stage manager,

you were in charge of
locking up after rehearsals?

Yes, first to
arrive in the morning,

last to leave at night.

Huh.

The day of opening, you did
a run-through in the morning?

Yes, and we had a
lunch break at 2:00 PM,

and everyone went out
to get food for an hour.

And the place was locked up?

No.

So, someone could have
gained access to the theater

from 2:00 to 3:00 PM?

Well, no, because
I waited outside.

Nice to get a bit of sun.

Watching Frodo practice his
dance steps. He's very good.

So, no one could
have slipped past you?

No chance.

What about Missy Torhordor?

Did you happen to
see her at all?

God, no.

She wouldn't dare show her
face, walking out like that.

Unforgivable.

Okay, uh, thanks for your time.

And even if they did, they
would've been heard by Vicky.

Vicky Marus?

Or at least woken her up.

She wasn't feeling well,

so she stayed in her
dressing room for a nap.

Timothy was so worried.

So I sent him to get
her some chicken soup,

which always works wonders.

It's the celery, you know?

And sure enough, she was good
to go for the show that night.

Well, she had to keep a spew
bucket close by, just in case,

but she was an absolute trooper.

It was the day before we opened

that she started feeling crook.

I reckon it was nerves
too, she gets 'em real bad.

She blamed the food.

You might wanna be
careful with those pies.

Oh no, not from her cafe.

She'd had lunch with Terry
at the Snake and Tiger.

Gave the seafood a swerve.

Why did she have
lunch with Terry?

Oh, it's kind of stupid,
really. You should talk to her.

Timothy's right,
it was pretty stupid.

He wanted me to change my name.

What about,
Victoria De Havilland?

What is wrong with Vicky?

You gotta think about
your name in lights.

Victoria Minelli.
Victoria Dubois.

When this show blows
up, and it will,

this will be your chance.

Why do you think that?

I have an agent in America,

he has the score,
the lyrics, the book.

He says there's a
lot of interests.

- Really?
- Really.

For a show about Brokenwood?

Well, it's a universal story.

It's a love story. And
you, you are the star.

[Vicky laughs]

They've written to me,
Vicky. I have it in writing.

Brokenwood's going to Broadway.

[gentle music]

Broadway?

Broadway.

[both laugh]

Oh, Victoria Dubois.

Now you're talking.

[both laugh]

It's all I ever wanted.

To sing on stage,
professionally, it was my dream.

But, now.

And then what happened?

You know what
happened. He died.

I mean, after lunch.

I went back to rehearsals
and then went home.

Then felt sick.

Do you think it was
something you ate?

I don't know. Maybe.

I gotta get you
right for the show.

The calamari, I think.

And that lasted through
to the following day,

which was opening night?

Yes.

You felt so sick that you
stayed in your dressing room

through the lunch break.

Yeah, I tried to sleep it off.

And Timothy went out and
got you some chicken soup?

Yes.

So you were alone
between 2:00 and 3:00 PM?

No.

No.

Sue was there, meditating
in the dressing room.

She never went for
lunch with everyone.

Be good. Be better. Be great.

[gentle music]

Because?

No one liked her.
Can I say that?

I mean, I know Sue
Fontaine is kind of famous

and everything, but...

[Kristen] But?

She has a real temper.

Crab Shack Jenny. Who the
hell is Crab Shack Jenny?

Sue, we're starting
with a tree made of wood.

Well?

[Sue sighs and chuckles]

You and me, we
will need to talk.

Do you know what it was about?

The part wasn't the biggest.

And she was angry about that?

Oh, that would be
an understatement.

Sorry, I have to get back to it.

[gentle music]

Mike, according to Vicky Manus,

Sue Fontaine was in
the backstage area too.

Moving on, I see.

The "Rolling Cats"
going in Darwin,

so it's time to don the
paws and claws once again.

Uh, quick chat?

I have a cab called.

I'll call you another.

Eh.

[bag thuds]

I understand you meditate.

Yes. Why?

Oh, it was mentioned
in passing, that's all.

Oh. Have done for years.

I zone out for 40 minutes

and feel like I've had
an eight hour sleep.

It was also suggested
that you were quite upset

about playing Crab Shack Jenny.

Vicky Manus has a big mouth.

So it did happen?

When Terry approached me,

he clearly indicated that
I was to play the lead.

Settler Janet?

Yes.

So, what changed?

That's what I wanted to know.

Sue, you're about to
become a feminist icon.

I mean, Crab Shack Jenny,
she has, has balls.

Balls, balls.

You want me to play
a woman with balls,

dressed only in a tattered
sea-soaked blanket?

Screw you, Terry.

So, honey.

[wine dribbles]

Come on.

One scene. I have
one scene, one song.

It's the song. Only
Sue Fontaine can sing it.

Plus,

I want you to sing

"Going to Nashville"
too, that's two songs.

[papers thud]

Plus some chorus work. You've
always loved chorus work.

Starring Sue Fontaine, Terry.
The poster says, "Starring."

Okay, look, when
the music came to me,

I realized that Settler
Janet needed to be more...

Now go on, say it. More?

Younger. She's about
to start a family.

You bastard.

You've done it
again, haven't you?

"Terry, you've done
it again, haven't you?"

What did you mean by that?

Perhaps Young Settler
Janet would be better

to answer that.

[birds chirping]
[gentle music]

[Mike] Is uh, Timothy home?

Not yet. He usually
gets back around six. Why?

Uh, good. I uh, I need to
ask you a delicate question.

Okay.

Terrence Weaver, was
he anything more to you

than the director and
producer of the show?

What do you mean?

Were you and he in some
kind of relationship?

No. Oh my god.

How could you? No.

Sorry, I had to ask.

Why did you have to ask that?

Just trying to make
sense of a few things.

Well, I'm engaged.

Me and Timothy, I wouldn't
do anything to hurt him.

Oh, of course.

Uh, well, that's all.
Thanks for your time.

Oh, did you ever visit
Terrance at his home?

No. Why would I?

Huh. Thanks again.

Vicky Manus is adamant she
was not in a relationship

with Terrence Weaver.

And even if she
was, why kill him?

He was offering her the world.

Although, why New York
was interested in his show

still bugs me.

She could be lying.

True.

And if Timothy Ward
found out about it,

is that a motivation to
get rid of Terrence Weaver?

What did Timothy say
about the sash cord?

Uh, another casualty
in the debacle

that was Dr. Plumber
losing his pants.

You should talk to her.

Timothy, your
song about windows...

A beautiful song, right?

Uh-huh. Yeah.

No, it certainly was interesting

from a carpentry perspective.

So you were singing
about window sash cord,

which was draped
over your shoulder,

but then at the end
when the lights came up,

it wasn't there.

I know, I was
supposed to have it.

♪ Next to the window

♪ The wonderful window

Help me. I'm on in 30 seconds.

[Timothy panting]

[door clatters]

Oh, Roger.

♪ To be young and free
and never grow old. ♪

[hangers clatter]

♪ Where flax and kumara
grows in the sun ♪

♪ Where flax and kumara
grows in the sun ♪

♪ Where flax and kumara
grows in the sun ♪

♪ I'm squatting for blankets
and muskets and barrels of rum ♪

[audience laughs]

Oh, bit late now.

[Timothy sighs]

♪ And lumber, fish and roses

Least I tried.

Uh, Gina has narrowed the
type of chord down to these.

A three millimeter brown
twine, diamond braid,

and a cotton polyester
macrame cord.

Macrame, is that still a thing?

What about wool? Vicky
Manus is a knitter.

She has access to yards of wool.

Uh, Gina discounted wool.

The sample taken from
the victim's skin

was a synthetic blend.

And, wool isn't strong
enough to hold this light.

So we're still looking for
30 meters of one of those.

And, whichever it was,

how did the offender
get it off the stage?

[cellphone dings]

How did they get rid of it?

Dennis Buchanan is on his way.

Hmm.

Well this is an unusual case.

What have you come
up with, Dennis?

An unusual case,
of mistaken identity.

Mr. St. John was
mistaken for someone else?

Quiet. It's as simple as that.

Let's cut to the chase.

Does your client admit
that he was at the theater

on the night in question?

No, I was not.

He was not.

But Mr. Shylock was.

A Mr. Shylock
impersonated by your client.

I don't impersonate, I inhabit.

Indeed. He transforms.

So, who is he right now?

Right. You are?

Ralph.

Ralph St. John.

[Ralph clears throat]
St. John.

So, your client admits that he...

[Ralph clears throat]

This human person
before us, was there.

As I said. A Mr. St. John,
not a Mr. Shylock. Yes.

This is ridi [sighs].

Could we have a word?

Of course.

Sit tight, old chap.
Try not to speak.

If Shylock was there,
Ralph St. John was there.

That's not how
my client sees it.

Because he's as mad as a hatter.

We don't joke about mental
health, Detective Sims,

now, do we?

No, we don't, because
delusions of grandeur

is a serious and
dangerous affliction.

As evidenced by Ralph St.
John's prior conviction.

I played Othello once.

Oh, the reviews were
quite something.

I had to, you know.

Of course those days are...

Thankfully over, Mr. St. John.

Agreed?

Hmm.

If he was there, he was
able to drop the light

on Mr. Weaver's head,
and therefore kill him.

Well, just because he
could doesn't mean he did.

That doesn't mean
he didn't either.

Then why?

My client and Mr. Weaver
barely know each other.

They're got no ax to grind.

And this, this mythical
rope or piece of string

or a thread of fine
silk, whatever.

Where is it?

We've yet to locate it.

You see, it's mythical.

Dennis, we know he was
there. You've said as much.

And, we have a witness,
plus his manky hairpiece.

The real question is how
long he goes back inside for,

unless he decides to cooperate.

Run that by your client.

[Dennis sighs]

[slow somber music]

All right, all
right, I was there.

[Mike] Did you cause the
death of Terrence Weaver?

No, I certainly did not.

Then what were you doing there?

Taking what was rightfully mine.

[Kristen] Terrence
Weaver's life?

No.

[sighs] I made my way
backstage. It wasn't hard.

I know that theater like the
back of my hand, and I just...

♪ Banner yet wave

[Ralph] Stood there.

Why?

I wanted to hear the audience.

The applause.

The energy.

♪ And the home

There's nothing else like it.

♪ Of the

[light crashes]
[patrons yell]

But then I heard a
crash, screams. I ran.

Outside?

Yes. Was at that point
that my curl came detached.

But I kept running.

I did no harm, I assure
you. I held no malice.

That's quite an
elaborate effort to go to

to bask in someone else's glory.

I belong at the
theater, you see.

Without the theater,
I'm nothing.

Even if we accept his,
"I was just hanging out

behind the curtain, getting
my jollies" explanation,

there is another
mitigating factor.

The only window of
opportunity our offender had

to tamper with the light was
between 2:00 and 3:00 PM.

Which is when Ralph
St. John was performing

at the Snake and Tiger.

[Daniel] So, no matter what...

He's not our man.

Mm-hmm.

Which brings us
back to our women.

Sue Fontaine and Vicky Manus.

Or, Missy Torhordor.

[deep mysterious music]

[knocking at door]

Yes?

Hi. Is Missy Torhordor home?

Can I say who's asking?

Detective Kristen
Sims, Brokenwood CIB.

Missy, a policeman is here.

I got this.

[women speak foreign language]

Hi.

Hi. I was just wondering
if you got my card.

I did. I was gonna call
you back and got distracted.

What's up?

I just have a few questions
regarding your whereabouts

the night before last.

Do you mind if I...

No.

No, you don't mind, or?

It's probably best I
come down to the station.

Great. Well, I
can give you a lift.

I'll meet you there.

I'd really rather
give you a lift.

Mom, hold the
fort. Won't be long.

[women speak foreign language]

You live with your mum?

Nope.

You said in an
email to Mayor Bloom

that if he didn't stop the show,

there would be
tragic consequences.

What did you mean by that?

That people would
come to the show

and think our ancestor
Pudacko arrived here

on the back of a bald eagle.

Or that the Statue of Liberty
miraculously made its way

into our local history.

That people are being
sold alternative facts,

when it's hard enough to get
them to know the real ones.

That would be tragic.

But you wrote that, and then
Terrence Weaver was killed.

Coincidence?

Sadly, yes.

So you walked out of the
show the night before opening,

leaving Mr. Weaver no choice
but to take over your role.

The role that took his life.

I wasn't to know that.

But, you wanted
the play stopped.

I did, but more than that,

I wanted it to reflect
some element of the truth.

And you felt
passionately about that.

I wasn't gonna get up
there and look like a fool.

So you walked out.

I did.

I've never done anything
like that before

and I felt really
stink about it.

But, not so stink that you
didn't call up my colleague

and ask him out on a date.

Just got home, saw
Daniel's card on the fridge,

and thought I'd give him
a call, see where he's at.

I thought he could cheer me up.

So you set up a date?

I did.

And then you didn't show.

That is true.

Where were you?

Something came up.
Something personal.

Does this something
involve being at

the Brokenwood Playhouse
Theater around 9:48 PM.

Doubt it.

Are you sure about that?

Yes, and where I was,

I'm not sure that's
any of your business.

Not turning up somewhere,

that's not a very
good alibi, is it?

[tense music]

You stood him up.

Why do you care about that?

He's a colleague.

Oh, so it's personal.

So you're not gonna
tell me where you were?

Nope.

But if I could talk
to DC Chalmers,

I might feel differently.

Well, he's not here right now.

I'll head back home then.

[car humming]

[Mike sighs]

Thank you for the ride.
The show will go on.

Stay outta trouble,
Mr. St. John.

I was never in any.

Your probation officer
may not see it that way.

Seeking applause is not a crime.

At least I wasn't soliciting
young women back to my lair.

What do you mean by that?

Terry Weaver was not a
man of class or distinction,

for that matter.

For me, the theater's always
been about a higher purpose.

For him, it was
about the trappings.

What sort of trappings?

The venal kind. The ship.

[Terry laughs]

Terry, you may not
appreciate my Richard III,

but I have been
practicing my vaudeville.

You'll never be in my show.
Your talents are not required.

More for you then.

They are not required
because you have none.

No talent. Not like Vicky here.

She has talent, real talent.

She was just asking for a bigger
part. Can you believe that?

No. [laughs]

Excuse me.

You don't ask, you don't get.

More power to you, sister.

Let's head back to mine.
I'll show you that letter.

Okay.

[both laugh]

And she agreed to that?

Couldn't get her knickers
off fast enough, I'd say.

Ah, my audience awaits.

This afternoon, King Lear.

I shall be playing
all the parts.

It is the first act only.

Uh, get outta the car, Ralph.

[soft tense music]

[doorbell rings]

[Daniel sighs]

[soft tense music]

Are you gonna come in, or?

[door bangs shut]

You wanted to know where I was.

I had to go to the hospital.

You're unwell.
Sorry to hear that.

Not me.

And I wanted to talk to
you about it over a drink,

a no surprises policy.

Let you know face to face that...

You have a tomighty.

Aye.

And I'm all ready
to go on this date,

and then he starts
projectile vomiting

and running a wicked fever, so.

Why didn't you just say?

Like I said, I wanted to
put it on the table in person,

not just call you up
from the hospital saying,

"Oh, sorry, I'm
covered in spew."

[Daniel laughs]

You might have run
for the hills awol.

Or not.

[gentle music]

Are you a policeman?

Aye. A detective
[speaks foreign language].

This is DC Chalmers, Manaia.

[all speak foreign language]

I went to hospital.

Yeah, so I heard.
You feeling better?

You like Spider Man?

Yeah, he's pretty cool.

Cool, I'm Batman, eh?

If you say so.

I do.

Well, that's settled then.

A powerful man
sits upon the throne.

The sword of Damocles.

[phone rings]

Sims.

The theater agent from
New York, David P. Schumann,

doesn't exist.

Well, he did exist,
but he died in 1953.

The letter was a fake.

So he was well and
truly pulling the wool

over Neil Bloom's eyes, and
needed to impress someone.

Wait, what did you say?

Well, he was trying
to impress someone.

Well, Vicky Manus, no doubt.

No, about the wool.

Mike, I think I know
where the cord is.

The cord and jersey.

Huh. I'd like to talk to
everyone down at the theater.

Make sure Timothy Ward is there.

[Sue] Can we get
this show on the road?

I have a plane to catch.

Hmm, uh, the offender knew
exactly where Terrence Weaver

would be standing,
it was guaranteed.

He was an actor, knew
how to find his light.

Tragically for Terrence,
this phrase would become

all too apt with
regard to his demise.

The chord had to be thin enough

so as not to attract
the attention

of the lighting technician

as she gave the rig
a final once over.

[suspenseful music]

It was macrame cord that
ran back along the bars

and attached to a
point backstage.

But, as the cord was
hastily retrieved,

it left abrasions
on Terry's wrist.

[haunting music]

Well, where's the cord
now? I didn't see any cord.

Does anybody?

No, because it disappeared.
Almost like magic.

What's going on?

Ah, Timothy, thanks for coming.

Why don't you stand over
here by your fiance.

[slow tense music]

Uh, Vicky, when you were
lunching with Terrence Weaver,

you were wearing a pair
of distinctive earrings.

Recognize this?

Oh, that's yours, hun.

The ones I gave you for our
first anniversary. What?

This was found in
Terrence Weaver's apartment.

But you told me that
you'd never been there.

How did they get there, Vicky?

We know how you did it.

I want to know why.

[Timothy] You never said
you went to his place.

[slow tense music]

He wanted to show me a letter.

Oh, my god. They
do want the show.

When people come
to a Broadway show,

they expect big, epic, sexy.

But it's not Broadway,
it's Brokenwood.

What does the letter
say? It will be.

And, the billboard will
say, "By Terry L. Weaver,

and starring Victoria Dubois."

And you'll be there, with me.

You and me, taking
on the world stage.

Oh no, don't do that.

Vicky, come on.

No, I'm engaged.

What? To a digger driver? Sure.

What does that mean?

You can be so much more.

No.

What you mean to
say is yes, Terry.

No.

Yes, I want to go to Broadway.

Don't do this.

Or what?

I'll tell.

Hey.

Don't do this.

Didn't we just
have lunch together?

Who's gonna believe you
weren't on a mission

to get what you want?

You wouldn't do that.

Tell your digger
driver all about us.

No.

If I did, he'd have
good reason to believe it.

[door bangs]

Let me go. Don't.
I don't want this.

So, when my American agent calls

and asks me about the actress
playing Settler Janet,

what am I gonna tell him?

Will I sing your praises,
or will I have to say,

"Oh, little Vicky Manus, she's
nothing. Just a waitress."

So?

What's it gonna be?

You disgust me.

[Terry groans]

[Vicky screams]

One word and I'm on
the phone to Timothy.

Don't think I won't.

[Vicky yells]

[Terry breathes heavily]

[door slams]

How is that fair?

Why should he go to
Broadway when he was

such a despicable person?

Go to hell, Missy!

[chair clatters]

[Missy sighs]

Maybe you should play the part.

I will, and it'll be
a goddamn show stopper.

Move!

[Vicky] He made me feel so sick.

[gentle somber music]

♪ I see a tree

♪ Broken, beauty broken

♪ A tree made of wood

♪ Made of wood

♪ This must be, this can
only be broken wood ♪

♪ I see a view, a
quarter acre view ♪

♪ On this quarter acre view

♪ A house made for
us, feels like home ♪

♪ I love you like crazy

♪ Let's settle down,
love you like crazy ♪

♪ Let's settle down

♪ Let's settle down

♪ Let's settle down

Little Vicky Manus, waitress.

[audience laughs]

What the hell is
that idiot doing?

You're almost on.

♪ Brokenwood

♪ And the home of the

[light clicks]

[light thuds]

[crowd yells]

But then you raced back on
stage, first on the scene.

Don't. Kill the power.
Got to get it off.

[Mike] Not to get to Terry,
but to get to the light.

[Actor] I can't see.

[Vicky] I can't.

- What's going on?
- Got to get this light.

- Terry?
- Put some lights on here.

[Actor] Terry?

Terry?

[Actor] Some lights.

[Mike] So that you
could retrieve the cord.

To quietly dispose of it.

[gentle somber music]

♪ Brokenwood

♪ Brokenwood

[Timothy breathes heavily]

I never meant.

It was supposed
to be an accident.

Just a silly, little accident.

And no one would question.

But now, it's all broken.

♪ Broken

♪ Everything is broken

♪ Everything is broken

♪ And he called me nothing

♪ He called you what

♪ Said I was nothing

♪ How could he say that

Did I mention?

♪ How much I love you

[gentle melancholic music]

[Vicky sniffles]

[hand slaps]

Vicky Manus, you've been
charged with the murder

of Terrence Weaver.

You do not have to say anything,
but anything you do say

will be used as evidence.

[gentle music]

[Kristen sniffles]

[gentle music]

[gentle music]

Well, that is one wedding
that won't be going ahead,

but uh, yours will be, right?

Yep.

But?

There's a small complication.

Well, you don't have
cold feet, do you?

Well, you did say yes though?

Uh.

You said no.

No, I, I didn't say no, but
I couldn't say yes because...

Because?

It's complicated
by the fact that...

You're still married.

Oh my god, you're still married?

No, it's just one
of those loose ends

that never really got tidied up.

Because?

Uh, my ex-wife.

In name only.

Yeah, and in spirit.

Mm, never got round to
signing the paperwork.

Well, how long
has she had it for?

About eight years.

She will sign it though?

Well, of course.

But, she uh, lives in a
valley eight hours south.

She doesn't have a phone and
she lives completely off grid

and uh, she is
traditionally unreliable.

And um, what does
Beth think of this

rather surprising news?

Uh, she flew to Oz
to visit her mother,

and give me time to sort things.

Uh, you are a dark
horse. You know that?

Shall I compare thee
to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely
and more temperate.

Rough winds do shake
the darling buds of May.

Summer's lease hath
all too short a date.

Sometime too hot, the
eye of heaven shines,

and often is his
gold complexion dim.

And every fair from
fair sometime declines.

[relaxed acoustic guitar music]

[relaxed acoustic guitar music]

[relaxed acoustic guitar music]