Original subtitles

It's very kind of your friend to entertain us at Dewfield Manor,

Lady Felicia.

Oh, Frances and I go way back, Father.

She's wanting to open up the house for weekend getaways.

Asked if I could bring a few friends and try it out. Oh.

The Dewfield family have a Catholic chapel.

I'm hoping to get an opportunity to have a look.

I'm still not sure whether I should have come.

Why? It's a free stay in a posh mansion.

There's just so much to get done in the new house.

That's what husbands are for.

Plus, we've got the St Mary's lunch for the poor next week.

This sojourn is about forgetting your troubles, Mrs S,

and trust me, Frances Dewfield knows how to entertain.

We are going to have the time of our lives.

Tashi-delek.

Oh! Welcome, travellers.

Are you ready to be enlightened?

Buddhism?

What's Buddhism?

A religious and philosophical tradition

based on the teachings of the Buddha, Miss Palmer.

I discovered it during my trip to the Himalayas.

I have been reborn, darlings.

Is that where you found your new butler?

Oh! No.

I got rid of my live-in staff months ago.

Buddhism preaches self-reliance.

I don't even have a chauffeur any more.

That is my spiritual adviser -

Tenzin Choda.

I found him in Asia.

It's all part of my latest venture.

The Bodhi Tree at Dewfield Manor.

The Bodhi Tree is where the Buddha attained spiritual enlightenment.

I want my guests to be similarly transformed

when they stay here.

Gosh.

I'm so pleased you could make it.

I wasn't sure with Monty and the election.

No, it's been such a bore.

Eden's had him squirrelled away for weeks in Whitehall.

And I am charmed to meet your companions.

You're not one of the Buckinghamshire Palmers, are you?

No.

These are my friends.

This is Brenda, Father Brown's housekeeper.

And this is Isabel Sullivan, his parish secretary. Hi.

Delighted, all!

Right, let me show you to your rooms.

You can get changed...

..and we can begin your journey to Nirvana.

Nirvana?

Changed?

Oh!

Namaste, darlings.

This room looks very different to how I remember it.

This is where we meditate

and where Tenzin leads us in prayers.

He's an actual monk, or lama. Can you believe it?

I am simply a guide.

Oh! He's too modest.

He's managed to convince a Rinpoche from his monastery to come visit us.

A Rinpoche is a high-level lama.

He's coming day after tomorrow to bless the whole retreat

and all of us personally.

I do hope you'll be able to join in.

I would be very interested to witness the ceremony.

So now we've got spectators gawking like we're in a zoo.

We've been over this, Shuggie.

The whole point of The Bodhi Tree is to open people up to our practices.

OUR practices.

Shuggie.

That's Shuggie Gower.

He was Tenzin's apprentice over in Asia.

Unfortunately, the two came as a pair.

I gather you're not a fan? He insists on living in a shabby tent

on my front lawn and will only eat food he's foraged from the garden.

To be honest, Frances,

I'm struggling to understand the appeal of all of this.

Sorry I'm late.

I was meditating and lost track of time.

We are thrilled you could join us.

Bastian gave up everything he owned to follow the path of the Buddha.

I might only have the robes on my back, but I'm rich in other ways.

Such as the love of a good woman.

I can see why you like him.

We actually connect on a very deep spiritual level, Felicia.

Oh.

And this is our contemplation garden.

How pretty. Please sit and we'll have tea.

Tabitha? Lady Felicia, hello.

This is Frances's niece.

I thought you were still at finishing school.

She's just graduated top of her class.

Oh. She's much more sensible than I ever was.

Well, one of us has to be the grown-up.

Oh. What is that?

Oh, I think you might have accidentally added salt

instead of sugar.

Actually, it's po cha or butter tea.

It's a staple of the Tibetan diet.

It's certainly an acquired taste.

It's disgusting. No-one else usually bothers,

but Aunt Frances insists on starting every day with a cup.

It helps me feel closer to the Buddhas.

It's also meant to aid weight loss.

I think I'll stick to Darjeeling.

I like your necklace.

Oh. An early birthday present from Aunt Frances.

She turns 21 tomorrow. Can you believe it?

No?

Little Kitty is all grown up.

I haven't been called that for years.

A childhood nickname.

My father loved word games.

Tabitha, tabby cat,

Kitty.

Who's ready for a sound bath?

I'm sorry, what?

It's like bathing, but in sound instead of water.

It's such fun.

How would you get clean, then?

You don't cleanse your body, Brenda.

You cleanse your mind and your spirit.

Om.

I think I prefer soap and water. Sh!

Not more sound baths?

I rather hope that's the dinner gong, Miss Palmer.

Oh!

Ah! My private meditation chamber.

The dining room is through here. Ah.

All I'm saying is, it's a bit of a coincidence.

Look, if you took it, Tenzin, just tell me.

Maybe we should begin without...

..her.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, Frances, I do hope this is one of your fabulous

pheasant ballotines under there.

Better than that, darling.

Parsnip patties.

Gosh.

I haven't had those since the war.

So no pheasant? Of course not!

Show some respect!

Most Buddhist monks are vegetarian, Lady Felicia.

They don't eat meat.

Not even chicken?

We believe in the principle of ahimsa.

Respecting all living beings, human and animal.

Come on, help yourselves. Tabitha.

Don't worry. I've got some sausages hidden in the kitchen.

I must say, Lady Felicia, your aura is positively glowing.

It has been said.

It must be my bloodline.

This doesn't look too bad.

Do you have any red?

Oh, didn't I mention, darling?

Buddhist monks don't drink alcohol either.

The entire retreat is teetotal.

Oh, goody.

Mr Hawthorne,

how will the blessing work?

Ah, I'll let our resident lama answer that, Father.

Those wishing to receive a personal blessing

will offer the Rinpoche a khatag,

a white scarf symbolising their purity of intent.

And he will present them with a sungku,

a blessed protection cord.

I received this one

in Bhutan many years ago.

It represents my connection to the Buddha.

I never take it off.

Obviously, the food could do with some improvement,

but the sound baths, a real monk?

People would pay good money for this.

That's what we hoped.

However, bookings haven't been as forthcoming as we expected.

Bastian's been visiting various towns

to promote the retreat, but it's been hard.

We were hoping that you would be bringing some more

connected friends with you.

I'm sure bookings will improve

once we receive the blessing of the Rinpoche.

People should not be able to buy spiritual enlightenment.

He does that.

A lot.

Well, I could make a few telephone calls, try and spread the word.

Oh, you really are a marvel.

I think it's time to retire.

Already? But it's still light outside.

This is a retreat, darling. Sleep reharmonises the body.

Besides, we're doing yoga tomorrow.

Oh, no. Looks like trouble in Paradise.

No, thank you.

Oh, don't worry, it's English tea. Oh.

Tashi-delek.

I brewed a new batch of po cha for you overnight, Miss Dewfield.

Oh, Tenzin, you are an angel.

Ooh!

Little bitter, though. More butter next time.

Happy birthday, Kitty.

Thank you, Father.

From an old school friend. Oh.

She's got another year in Switzerland, poor thing.

Oh.

I just telephoned a selection of my favourite magazine

and newspaper editors and convinced them to come up here tomorrow

to write features on The Bodhi Tree. Tomorrow?

Mm. Well, that way they can witness the blessing.

Plus, I'll be here to help sell the place.

Thank you.

Yes. Thank you, Felicia.

Done correctly, yoga can arouse powerful,

primal feelings.

Today we will conduct our practice in pairs.

Lady Felicia, would you mind... Can partner with me.

You can demonstrate with Tabitha.

Of course. Happy birthday to me.

Ah!

I'm sorry, Father.

Oh, don't worry, I'll sit this one out, Mrs Sullivan.

We will begin with a supported tree pose.

Breathe in deeply through the nose... Try and find my hand.

..and out through the mouth.

Let the air fill your stomachs.

And as you breathe out,

chase away any negativity or stress.

You're being awfully touchy about Bastian.

I am fully committed to Monty.

It's not you I'm concerned about.

It's actually pretty easy.

I agree.

And now sit facing your partner.

Clasp hands and lean back.

OK. Right.

Frances, not so hard.

Stop pulling!

Oh.

Oh!

Get off!

Frances told me to move my tent around the back,

and then I saw the police cars.

She was my soulmate.

Isabel, are you all right? Oh, yes. I'm fine.

Unlike poor Frances.

The police sergeant's just left, sir.

Found a rash in the victim's mouth and throat. Could be poisoning.

But we all had the same breakfast.

Except Frances had her special butter tea.

And she complained it was particularly bitter this morning.

Right. Well, Sergeant, you better secure the kitchen and dining area.

Righty-o, sir.

You all right, Inspector?

Yes, fine. Thank you, Father. Oh, he's had some back pain.

We've moved a lot of furniture in the last few weeks.

Perhaps some yogic stretching might help.

Ah. I think given everything that's happened,

I'll pass, thank you, Father.

Who made this tea?

Lama Tenzin Choda.

It's a unique Buddhist recipe.

Well, he wouldn't have hurt her.

He doesn't even eat chicken.

Actually, I did hear him and Frances arguing yesterday.

Sounded like she accused him of stealing.

Oh.

Mr Choda.

Mr Choda, can I ask you about your butter tea?

Mr Ch...

Would you, please?

What are you doing?

I must guide her towards her next rebirth.

Yes, and you can, after you've answered a few questions.

No!

Is that my necklace?

Your early birthday present...

..that you weren't wearing this morning.

I didn't realise.

Well, why does Tenzin have it?

Yes. It's a very good question.

Good luck, Father. He's been like that ever since we brought him in.

I persuaded the Sergeant to let you have this.

I know how important it is to you.

Thank you, Father Brown.

How are you coping?

It's a lot nicer than the cells in Katmandu.

But to miss the blessing,

that will be hard to bear.

Why did the late Miss Dewfield accuse you of stealing?

The retreat's bank account had been depleted.

She was forced to borrow from other funds.

And she thought you had taken the money?

Odd to leap to such a conclusion so quickly.

Unless Miss Dewfield knew something that we do not.

I grew up on the streets of the Kathmandu, Father.

It was hard.

I did many things I am ashamed of.

What changed?

I discovered the teachings of the Buddha.

You might refer to it as,

as a calling.

How did you come by Tabitha Dewfield's necklace?

I spotted it on the floor of the office.

The clasp was broken.

I was going to return it after the yoga.

Please believe me, Father.

I did not steal it.

And I would not kill anyone.

I do believe you, Lama Choda.

And I will do my utmost to find out who did.

Oh, there you are.

I need help picking the floral offerings.

You're not still going ahead with the blessing, are you?

You cannot cancel a Rinpoche.

Nor magazine editors, it would appear.

I've tried telephoning my guests to postpone their visit,

but I can't get through to all of them.

There's still people coming tomorrow?

Ten at least. I shall look such a fool having to turn them away.

No, you won't.

Because we're going to go ahead as planned.

Aunt Frances might not be here, but The Bodhi Tree was her dream.

We have to do it for her.

I'm sorry.

Just think, all those influential people.

He seems to have perked up a bit.

Well, if we're going to do this, we have to do it properly.

It's not just the retreat's reputation that's at stake.

But do we have enough time?

I once pulled together a six-course meal for the Governor of Kenya

with less than an hour's notice.

Entertaining is what I do best.

So you don't think Tenzin did it, Father?

Lama Choda would not break the sacred rules of his religion

nor jeopardise the visit of the Rinpoche.

Poor Tabitha. Talk about a rotten birthday. Mm.

Aunt Frances has a plot here, obviously.

But apparently Tibetan Buddhists prefer a sky burial.

I don't even know what one of those is.

Is that your father's memorial?

He contracted tuberculosis whilst I was away at prep school.

He didn't want to worry me, so by the time I was told

he'd already passed away.

Miss Dewfield, may I ask about your necklace?

Why did you lie about not knowing it was lost?

Father?

The clasp had snapped

as though it had been pulled hard from your neck.

I didn't tell the police.

I was ashamed.

Go on.

Aunt Frances asked me to meet her before breakfast

regarding my trust fund.

Turns out she'd had to "borrow" a chunk of my inheritance

to help finance the retreat.

I accused her of wasting my money on her vanity project,

ripped off my necklace and stormed out.

Did you feel she deserved further punishment?

No!

I may have acted like a petulant child, Father,

but I didn't poison her.

Besides, she promised she'd pay me back once The Bodhi Tree

started making money.

And with her gone, that was not likely to happen.

Can you think of anyone else who might want to hurt Frances?

She'd had a huge fight with Shuggie over his tent,

but that's nothing new.

My aunt could be frustrating,

thoughtless, even.

But she was the only family I had left.

Would it be of comfort if we prayed together?

I'd like that, Father.

Thank you.

Pierre is coming to sort the food

and we need proper linen for the bedrooms.

400 thread count, at least.

I thought this retreat was about embracing the simple life.

Up to a point, Mrs S.

But we can hardly serve the people parsnip patties.

What will they think of me?

They're coming to review The Bodhi Tree, Lady Felicia,

not your hosting skills.

I promised them something special,

and I wanted to live up to their expectations.

Take the floral offerings, for instance.

Why can't we use something like this?

Don't! Foxgloves can leave a nasty rash when they touch the skin.

Really? Hmm.

What can they do if you drink them in a cup of tea?

Digitalis purpurea.

A large enough dose will cause cardiac arrest.

Do you think Tabitha knew that?

Because it sounds like she had a pretty strong motive.

Frances was going to pay her back.

Hmm.

The late Miss Dewfield said that Mr Gower would only eat food

he'd foraged from the garden.

So he'd know which plants are poisonous.

Tabitha said they argued about his tent this morning.

Frances said it would be gone before the Rinpoche arrived.

Were those her exact words?

Erm...

What do you want?

This morning, you implied that Frances Dewfield

wanted your tent moved.

Uh-huh. But she didn't want it moved, did she?

She wanted it gone.

She evicted you.

She said she was sick of my attitude,

so she wanted me off her land by the end of the day.

How did that make you feel?

How do you think?

This was my chance to spend time in the presence of a Rinpoche.

Do you know what this is?

Aye. Dead Man's Bells we called it when we were growing up.

If that had anything to do with offing Frances,

well, that's quite apt, isn't it?

You think I did it.

You clearly have the understanding.

Which I taught to the rest of the group.

Not that anyone appreciated it, like.

Oh, look,

I didn't like Frances.

But trust me,

I have done enough killing to last all my lifetimes.

In the war?

I've tried so hard to atone,

to prove myself worthy.

Well, why would I risk all that for her?

Did you notice anything out of the ordinary at the retreat

in the days preceding Frances Dewfield's death?

No.

Well, I did see Bastian spinning the prayer wheel backwards,

anti-clockwise.

Why is that strange?

Buddhists spin the prayer wheels clockwise

to follow the journey of the sun across the sky.

Yeah. You see, to spin it anti-clockwise

implies wrathful intent.

Thank you for all your help today.

But I'm afraid Inspector Sullivan has just telephoned

with some sad news.

They're charging Tenzin with Aunt Frances's murder?

It turns out he has a long record

of violent robbery and assault.

That was in the past!

He's a changed man now.

I know this is upsetting.

However, let's focus on tomorrow's event.

The future of The Bodhi Tree depends on it.

As does my standing with the great and good.

Shuggie said Bastian had wrathful intent.

Do you think he meant murder?

I'm inclined to think that Mr Hawthorne's widdershins spinning

is due to ignorance, not malfeasance.

For someone who professes so great a faith,

he is very keen to deflect when questioned about specifics.

You think he's lying about being a Buddhist?

Which begs the question...

..why does he need a private meditation room?

Looks like we were wrong, Father.

Perhaps.

Oh, well done!

Hardly the possessions of a humble pilgrim.

Miss Dewfield's chequebook.

She's been unknowingly funding his city jaunts.

What?

I arranged everything

according to Buddhist teachings.

I thought the Rinpoche would prefer a proper chair.

I know the rest of our guests will.

Did you want to serve the champagne and canapes in the garden?

Oh, yes. If you wouldn't mind just... What are you doing?!

This is not a Buddhist blessing.

This is a cheap tourist spectacle.

And I want nothing to do with it.

Oh!

Well, Bastian will now have to greet the Rinpoche instead.

He may not be ordained like Tenzin and Shuggie

but at least he's a Buddhist. Ah.

Lady Felicia, there is something you should know.

Namaste.

Welcome to The Bodhi Tree.

I am Bastian Hawthorne, and I am honoured to be your guide today.

Has anyone ever told you have the most exquisite aura?

Is it positively glowing?

We're thrilled you could all make it.

Tabitha will escort you to the Contemplation Garden

for refreshments.

I just need a moment with Bastian.

Is everything all right?

You just own the robes on your back, do you?

Well...

I can explain. Oh, don't bother.

All those trips you undertook,

you weren't promoting The Bodhi Tree, were you?

You were gallivanting, being a man about town.

Paid for by the late Miss Dewfield.

Well...

I wasn't hurting anyone.

Look at this place.

I didn't think she would even notice.

Except the money ran out, didn't it?

So you bumped her off before she realised you'd taken it.

No.

I would never.

I was simply planning to leave her and...

..move on.

Me?

I'm a happily married woman, thank you very much.

All right.

I went to see Frances in her office that morning

to try and let her down gently,

but she wasn't listening.

She just stared into the fire, ignoring me.

It's the kind of thing I had to put up with.

It was exhausting dealing with her highs, her lows, her nightmares.

Nightmares? Oh, I would have to hold her for hours after one.

She never got to say goodbye to her brother

and would cry about it uncontrollably,

wishing she could have prevented him from dying. God.

I deserved to be paid, having to deal with all that.

Oh, get out of my sight.

Why would she have a fire going in the middle of summer?

Oh, what now?

Go on, then. I know you're dying to say, "I told you so."

No, she isn't. Are you, Mrs S?

Of course not.

Although maybe Shuggie was right, earlier.

Really?

You got so carried away with planning the event,

you forgot its true meaning...

..and made it all about you, again.

Have you actually found anything down there, Father?

Well, whatever Miss Dewfield was burning

has turned to dust and ashes.

I did find this.

Well, that solves everything, doesn't it?!

Sorry.

It's just I have all my guests waiting outside,

and the Rinpoche is due any moment

and I'm going to have to eat humble pie and ask Shuggie to greet them.

Oh, you'll be lucky.

I've just seen him go out the gates with all of his stuff.

What?

Shuggie!

Shuggie!

Lady Felicia?

You can't leave, Shuggie, we need you!

Oh, I know when I'm not wanted.

The universe has made that clear enough.

Oh! Will you stop the car? Stop the car!

I...behaved like a bull in a china shop.

I was so worried about looking like a fool,

I didn't think or...

even respect the importance behind everything.

I'm truly sorry.

Aye, well, I appreciate that.

So, will you return and greet the Rinpoche with me?

Oh...

You can run the whole blessing as you see fit.

Despite breaking multiple Buddhist traditions,

I suppose you're not that bad.

All right, you're on.

But I'm in charge.

Oh, of course.

You know,

I've just had the strangest feeling that we've met before.

Perhaps in a previous life.

Oh.

And white scarves, khata,

will be given to those who wish to receive an individual blessing.

Oh. The scarves. Where are they?

I'll...find them.

They're right behind me.

Welcome to you.

You know I didn't want you here -

bunch of tourists looking for a shortcut to enlightenment.

But, the truth is...

..deep down, we're all the same.

We're scared...or troubled.

We're looking for a place to belong

and I hope you can find that here

at The Bodhi Tree, where...

..we are open to all.

Oh, I thought they could do with some more information.

It's all right, Father, I found them.

I thought it was strange that a school friend would use

your father's nickname for you.

But this is actually from him, isn't it?

With instructions that it be given to you on your coming of age.

Father was always thinking of me.

Even towards the end.

But he didn't go to all that trouble

just to send you a simple birthday greeting.

He wrote you a letter which was attached.

A letter your aunt saw fit to burn.

I presume that it contained information she found mortifying.

A father's last confession to his beloved daughter.

And the truth about how he really died.

It was tuberculosis.

And yet your aunt was haunted at having not said goodbye to him.

Which is odd if she'd nursed him through a long, drawn-out illness.

And she believed that she could have prevented his passing...

..by convincing him not to take his own life.

My father did not commit suicide.

If I examine the burial records,

I think I will find that he was not laid to rest in the family chapel,

but elsewhere, in unconsecrated ground.

Your aunt lied to you.

She told me it was TB.

She even put a plaque in the mausoleum.

And for nine years I have been visiting him

and the whole time she knew he wasn't there.

You've been wearing long sleeves since your aunt died.

I assume you wore gloves to pick the plants,

but they were too short.

And if the police examined your arms,

they would find a rash...

..from the foxgloves.

It was her fault, Father.

The letter explained everything.

Not only what my father was planning to do to himself, but why.

Ant...Anthony wrote to you.

About how you convinced him

to invest in some get-rich-quick scheme

dreamt up by your latest fancy man,

and how you lied...

..assuring him checks and due diligence had been done.

Eduardo promised me they were legitimate Burmese rubies.

How was I to know he was a con man?

Father invested everything - on your word.

He thought the only way he could save the manor, our family,

was by claiming on his life insurance policy.

I didn't realise what he'd planned until...

..until it was too late.

You must have seen how desperate he was,

how worried.

It's all in there.

No!

I hate you!

And I deserve it. It's karma.

Shuggie was always boring us

about which plants were safe and which were dangerous.

And it's like she said -

it was karma.

Do you really believe that, Miss Dewfield?

I'm sure your father felt

that he had no choice other than to sin against God.

But you do.

You can choose to repent and save your soul.

Maybe I don't want to.

Maybe I want to see my father again, no matter where he's ended up.

Are you sure he would want you to join him?

Confess, and seek forgiveness.

Save Lama Choda from the gallows, and yourself from eternal damnation.

It's time for the guest blessing. Where are the scarves? Here.

Oh. Ah.

Thank you.

Don't you need one?

Unfortunately, I have to go.

Where?

Oh, Kitty.

I'm sorry.

Will she hang?

I think, given her age, and the circumstances,

it's likely to be a long prison sentence.

The visit of the Rinpoche last week

brought you good fortune, Lama Choda.

I hear that you are fully booked.

Lady Felicia's friends might have had something to do with it. Oh!

Their articles made this place sound like Nirvana itself.

Ah! Hello. Ah. Inspector!

You're looking much more limber.

He's finally had some treatment on his back, Father.

Oh...I'd say it's more of a form of physiotherapy.

Some rather eccentric moves to exercise the muscles.

He's started doing yoga.

Oh, Mr Gower! You do look dapper.

Ah, thank you. Well, I think my days of

self-flagellating to prove my worth are over.

I'm surprised to hear that The Bodhi Tree is able to continue

with Miss Dewfield imprisoned.

A mysterious benefactor stepped in.

They offered to rent the whole estate from her indefinitely.

Excuse me.

That must cost a fortune.

I wonder who it is.

One of the London guests, I presume.

No, it wasn't!

I've just remembered where I've met you before.

It was a grouse shoot in the Highlands just before the war.

This is Hugh Macintosh-Gower, the Earl of Erving!

Well, yeah, I wanted to forget my past life.

The lands, the title, the money.

Please keep this to yourself.

I would hate it if Tenzin felt beholden to me at all.

Oh, of course. What are friends for?

Speaking of which, I would like to help

with the St Mary's lunch for the poor tomorrow.

Oh, thank you, Lady Felicia.

Well, the more volunteers, the better.

Oh, Pierre will be with you around nine.

Pierre? My chef.

I poached him from the Montmartre. I may have mentioned it.

Once or twice. His duck a la orange is to die for.

Is she serious?

It's usually just bread and soup.

The path to enlightenment is a long and winding road.

Subtitles corrected by DB