Original subtitles

It had been 30 years since my mother was killed by a triffid.

She was trying to understand them.

I've been doing the same ever since.

Hello, I'm Jo Platon, coming to you from the heart of London.

Do triffids always go for the eye?

Dr. Koch, it's me, Bill Mason. What's happening?

This is an emergency broadcast from the BBC.

Most of the people in the world have been struck blind.

There is no government.

These people have every right to live. Over there, man.

I'm Torrance.

Yeah, there's a bit of panic about triffids.

Triffids are carnivorous plants that can move. Their most abundant source of food

is ice.

I've got to get to my father's place in Shunning if we're going to work out how

to deal with them.

We've got to get to Shunning, with or without me.

Mason, you're under arrest.

Being taken up to the heat. It's all Torrance. It's ruined the whole show

now. It was vicious.

He's dead, Charles.

Where do you think

you're going, boys?

I ain't gonna tell you again.

Where you going with your hands, Bison?

Show me your hand!

Show me!

They'll wake up.

The engine's had it.

The weather's getting worse. We're going to have to walk.

Try to find some shelter.

At least the snow won't slow them down.

It's the survival of any weather.

This is Radio Britain calling to you live from London.

Calling all citizens, men, women, and children. If you are sighted, help the

blind.

Come to London.

Here you'll find safety, food, and shelter.

Gathering points have been set up around the M25.

Make your way there, and you'll be safe.

I'm Jo Clayton, and you're not alone.

Get some help.

Where

is

he? Leave me to him.

Here, he's been shot in the shoulder.

Thank you, Father Thomas.

I'll clean the wound and close it, then you'll need some serious rest.

You were lucky your friend brought you here.

I was lucky I found you.

I don't believe in luck.

Mother Superior.

You were meant to come here.

Meant to be cured.

Body and soul.

I hope you will stay.

Here, we're all equal.

When you're better, you'll see clearly.

London will seem like another world.

Who's in charge in London? We don't get any news.

There's no London now, Father Thomas.

It's only us.

If I was going to make a discerning, I had to stop. Regain my strength.

But I knew the Triffids would never rest.

They would continue to hunt us down, find populated places, march towards

London, towards Jewel. Are we winning? Yes.

So my messages are getting through. Absolutely. More people every day. Let

me explain all this. The blue areas, right, we control. The red areas, we

defend. Green is Triffids.

That's an awful lot of greens.

Well, still the safest place in the country.

The important thing is that we survive.

I mean, you're still here. I'm still here.

Yeah, I wish Bill was.

He could have helped us. Yeah, well, Bill's dead, all right?

And you say that Major Coker's too busy running the country.

I mean, what's his plan? The broadcasts were his idea, after all. Well, to be

honest, Major Coker's struggling.

I mean, it's people like you and me that are keeping things going.

I mean, you. You don't blame me. You're bringing them in. That's what they say.

I heard Jo on the radio. I heard her voice. That's why I came.

Have dinner with me.

Dinner? Yeah, just... Just the two of us.

As if everything was just normal? It's the way you survive.

By insisting that everything is normal.

By refusing to give in. Sheer force of will.

That's why these people follow me, because they know I'll never give in.

Following you? Just because the whole world's going crazy doesn't mean you

can't have a little bit of fun.

Well, you know what? That is really sweet of you.

Maybe next time.

Okay?

have they been there?

At least as long as we have.

I don't understand.

Why aren't they hunting?

Food must be getting scarce and there's so much of it in the Abbey.

Yeah, I asked her about that and she said... She?

In Durant, she's the Mother Superior.

She's in charge here.

I want to see her.

Go with peace in your heart, dear Father Thomas.

It's always sad when first-class people have to go.

But he wanted to spread the word.

Father Thomas will find more survivors. He'll begin a new community, a build on

what we've done here.

Why, he's a brave man.

Oh, you're looking much better, Dr. Mason.

Yes, I'm much stronger, thank you. Major Coker tells me you're a Triffid expert.

Why, yes.

The Triffids are there in the country.

Were they always so passive?

First, they were quite troublesome.

I lost many friends.

But then God intervened.

Really?

How did God do that?

He answered our prayers.

When the peaceful nature of our community became clear, the Triffids

returned to the wood and killed no more.

You know, I've been amongst Triffids all my life, and...

I've never known them to behave like that.

We strive to live in harmony with nature.

We intend no harm.

If in content with that.

I was in your cellar.

You know you have a generator down there.

I could get it going for you, get you proper lighting, heating. No, I don't

think so.

It would make things easier.

Come.

Look, look, look, look.

Look at that tower.

Men built that tower long before there was electricity or power tools.

It wasn't easy, but it stands.

I don't want things to be easy.

I want them to be right.

What are you doing?

Leaving. I've got my father's.

I need some help.

The Triffids.

But they're quiet here.

You heard what she said. She may be a little eccentric, but she's figured out

a way to coexist with them. What's that? By being peaceful.

We've both seen what the Triffids can do.

Look, Corker. They've got over 50 beehives out there.

All it takes is warm and weather.

Then the Triffids will be pollinated. And then they'll spoil. And then we'll

have hundreds and thousands of new plants.

Duran and the rest of the world won't stand a chance. If we don't find a way

to defeat the tributes, then human race will become extinct.

Well, I've marked the safe path through the woods, and God willing, it's only a

mile. If you'll get there safe, find a vehicle.

Thank you.

They're building a wall to keep the Triffids out.

Torrance's idea.

But they all fight for Major Cocom. Torrance gives the orders.

Torrance seems to have an awful lot on his plate at the moment.

I mean, why isn't Osmond helping?

You haven't seen that little creep in a while?

He got what he deserved.

We found bits of him up on the heath after the Triffid attack.

Never nothing for the other two.

Nothing?

Coco was all right.

Didn't know the other bloke, though. So they really found nothing of the other

two? Just what Torrance has got in that red box. Some bust-up old MP3 player.

Oh, Troy.

Is Bill Nathan alive?

Is he?

I don't know.

Torrance thinks he might be.

Thank you.

Time for your broadcast, mate.

Okay.

Join me.

in giving thanks and praise to Peggy, who has been chosen,

like Father Thomas and the others,

to go out and build new communities.

Dr. Mason, please, welcome, be seated.

I know all about your new communities.

I found Father Thomas's body in the woods.

Tied.

Sacrificed.

Dr. Mason, do you know anything about beekeeping?

The beehive is a symbol.

Of the perfect, harmonious society.

Each bee has its appropriate place, its own task.

And when the task is done, the bee is replaced, quickly and efficiently.

The hive acts as one, always for the good of the hive.

Not for the good of the queen.

Father Thomas was old. He could do nothing more for our little community.

We cannot accommodate everyone who finds their way to our door. We have to

prioritize. We have to make room.

By feeding the surplus to the Triffids.

The Triffids are also God's creatures.

I did what God wanted me to do. What he told me to do.

Outside these walls is chaos.

Here, everything is customary.

Ceremonial. As long as you do exactly as she says.

As long as you abandon the weak and the helpless.

Believe me, every one of you here will die before she does.

I control the triplets.

Without me, you'll all be overrun.

No one has the right to choose who lives and who dies.

Let him go.

Let him go.

These people trusted you and you betrayed them. If you defy me, you will

be damned.

Three, two, one.

Hello again, whoever you are, wherever you are.

I hope you can hear me.

You can always stay.

Work with us as an equal.

You think it's going to be easy without me?

I don't think they want it to be easy.

They want it to be right.

The Triffids know me.

This community will not survive.

I was thinking today about missed opportunities.

Did you ever know the right thing to do?

And then you hesitate.

And then it was too late.

And he longed for that chance again.

Except yearning won't make it happen.

Keep you company.

So you know Joe is safe and well.

Sometimes you have to act.

Sometimes you have to make that chance happen again.

This is Joe Clayton.

Right here, Britton.

Me?

You take care.

Come back soon, yeah?

Yeah.

I heard your latest broadcast.

Who were you talking to?

My father.

But he's dead, isn't he?

Not to me, he isn't.

For a minute there, I thought you were talking to me.

I was thinking about my dad and how I missed the opportunity to be with him.

How I don't want to make the same mistake with you.

What are you trying to tell me, Jo?

That I've changed my mind.

I want to have dinner with you.

You're just saying that because you're scared.

I am scared, but... I know that you'll protect me.

Better than anyone.

Better than Major Coker.

He's supposed to be running the country, but as far as I can see, you...

You're doing it all for him. And I have been ever since he died.

Just for the tech.

Why didn't you tell me?

I just didn't want to give you any more bad news.

You see, I've been protecting you longer than you know.

So you're the one that's in charge now.

It's a new world, Joan.

You know?

We can be anything we want. We can do anything we want. Look at us.

To dinner?

Yes.

When?

Tonight, after my broadcast.

I forced myself on.

The pollination of the Triffids was inevitable.

Once they spored, any hope of defeating them would be lost. Time was my greatest

enemy.

Calling all citizens.

Sighted and blind, man, woman and child, this is the voice of Britain.

Come to London and lay your burdens down.

Here there is safety, food, and shelter.

Here there is control.

Here there is government, law, and order.

Yes, it might be delivered by the gun or the boot, but you won't get into trouble

as long as you're prepared to fight, as long as you're prepared to die.

Because that's what you're going to have to do. Be prepared to fight and die so

that this so-called government can live in luxury and pretend that it's not

losing the war.

Joe, what are you doing? You're getting us in trouble. The Triffids are here

too. If you've survived this far, don't come to the centre.

Don't listen to me. The voice of Britain is alive.

I am Joe Platon, but I am not the voice of Britain. The voice of Britain is you,

wherever you are.

What? What is going on?

I told you, she might stop talking. If you've survived this far, don't come to

the center.

Don't listen to me.

I told you to watch her.

I saw her start.

She was here.

She's not here now.

And check behind all the seats.

You up here with me?

Any sign of him?

Just tripping.

There's no way I'm going out there.

She doesn't stand a chance.

Come on.

Let's go take the west to the mar.

Come on, boys.

What?

Don't shoot!

What do you want?

Don't come any closer.

I'm not going to hurt you.

But they will.

Who?

Triffids. They'll know you're here.

Yeah, I know Triffids.

I was stung.

Everyone who gets stung dies.

Not everyone.

Come on, Susan.

He's okay.

My name's Imogen.

She's my sister, Susan.

Where are your parents? We don't want to talk about it.

I'm going to this house that I know, which I hope will be safe.

Listen, I need a car.

Do you have any idea where I can get one?

If we help you, you help us.

Yeah.

I can't see the name.

Shining.

Well, I think it's in a very secluded spot.

It's probably not even marked.

Probably.

I haven't actually been there myself.

Who lives there, then?

My father.

in the car.

Stay in the car.

Alice.

Hello, son.

There.

Shining.

So, you're here because of the triffids?

Aye.

And no doubt you want my research, or you can try and stop them.

Come back from there!

Be very, very...

Careful.

Is he really your father?

Yeah. He's scary.

I heard that.

woman and child, this is the voice of Britain.

Come to London and lay your burdens down.

Here there is safety, food, and shelter.

Nothing personal, Joe.

But you do go on.

Two children, Belle.

My, you are a dark horse.

Sorry, this is Susan and Imogen.

I met them on the way here. They agreed to keep me company.

And to look after him.

Thank you for bringing him home.

I was...

I thought that you were... Come along, girls.

It is so good.

It doesn't belong to you.

How did you get this?

From Torrance.

How did those girls find us?

Maybe they were too small.

And Triffids had easier prey.

I promised to look after them.

Just them.

Cool.

I like to ramble on the road that never ends.

Me and Mother Nature are the best of friends.

Folks think that I'm lazy.

I'm just dreaming.

Dreaming.

Just dreaming.

What do you want?

It's not good news, sir.

The latest drift at the port's from the front.

Go away.

So.

So this is what you do with your retirement.

Be busy.

When you devote your life to studying Triffids, they tend to take over.

But it does have its compensations.

Here is how we stop the Triffids.

an entirely new Triffid. One which would generate pollen that sterilizes rather

than fertilizes.

We extract pollen from the male specimen, modify it, fertilize the young

female Triffid with it.

She produces spores with the infertile strain.

Simple. Elgin. But with the same genetic fix that got us in this mess in the

first place. There are always unintended consequences, Bill, to everything we do.

Sooner or later, someone's going to deal with them and make sense of what

happened.

You remind me of your mother.

She was the genuine article, the real thing, a brilliant scientist interested

only in knowledge for its own sake.

Me, my motivation was a wee bit more practical.

Oh, I've had the same picture with me for as long as I can remember.

When that picture was taken, the future looked very bright.

For all three of us.

The world, even.

Yeah.

I mean, look at it.

Mother Nature's finally taken her revenge and reclaiming the planet. No

one intended this, Bill. And now, given the consequences and the price that we

both paid, do you think it was worth it?

Do you?

I can understand why you feel so angry. Angry?

I was a wee boy. My mama just died. My dad, my dad.

He just didn't think to notice me. Too busy saving the world.

No, no, no, you're right.

I never made time for you.

I didn't know how.

Oh, you're so young.

I did try, but... They're your mum.

These Triffids.

I'd run to start sporing any day now.

How far have you got with your plans?

I've got everything I need.

Except a male.

I've been hunting for one in and out of the old Triffid facility, but as of yet,

no luck.

I'll get you a male Triffid.

Good shooting.

Reload. I need the practice.

You don't need your mask.

Yes, I do. And you should too.

Mum and Dad don't.

They're not Mum and Dad.

They're Joe and Bill.

Well, they're Mum and Dad to me.

So that's his plan and you're going along with it? We have to try something

before it's too late.

Great. We've spent our lives trying to avoid the Triffids and then we end up

back in a place that's going to grow them.

Did you consider me and the girls? We're agreeing to go out and sacrifice

yourself. Well, if you've got a better idea, I'd like to hear it.

I suppose Dennis could do it. Last time you and I were looking for a male

Triffid, he came back with you.

The clutch sticks a bit.

Don't go over 50.

And I would like it back exactly as it is.

I didn't agree with my father's plan.

But I wasn't doing it for him.

I was doing it for Joe and the girls.

And for the rest of the world.

Oh, that smells terrible.

She needs to build her strength up if she's going to save mankind.

Susan!

What are you doing here?

I need help.

Don't worry. I can take care of myself.

Yeah.

I've noticed.

You okay?

You're in a lot of trouble with mum again

You did

well

How did you do it?

Yes.

It's got different sounds from the fire morning.

I have a theory that different sounds provoke different emotions.

And the proof?

I try to identify the obvious emotions like fear and hunger, but it's so

complex and I've barely scratched the surface.

Your mother was of the same opinion.

Our biggest fear was that we'd exploit the Triffids without understanding them.

I couldn't persuade her to leave Zaire.

It was more than just oil for her.

She recognized some indications of sensibility.

They could communicate with each other. She was convinced that if we didn't

understand them thoroughly, we might live to regret it.

She wouldn't let go. She just kept pushing and pushing.

In the end, she got too close.

I must have a tear.

Wanted to give you Peace I never had the

Opportunity Or the words

From Zaire

Your mother's recordings Of Triffids

Once we've fertilized the female, maybe we can work on them together.

Maybe together we could crack it.

It's happening.

The Triffids are sporing.

You knew this was going to happen.

Not like this.

Nothing like this.

Got that from one of the farms.

Good boy, Troy.

That'll be all.

What's that say? There's people on the Isle of Wight.

There's more than 200 of them.

And they want people to join them. They've got families, doctors, schools.

Well, there's life, there's hope. At least we have somewhere safe to go once

we release a new breed of triffids.

Oh, talking of which, feeding time.

I'll be up in a minute.

This is good.

This is good.

Come on.

Patience, little one.

Patience.

This is Dr. Ruth Mason.

It's the 16th of September, 11 a.m.

We're one mile outside base camp by the Kazai River Basin.

This is Triffid Recording number 0050.

No. Oh, I'm sorry. No, no!

Your mother was right. Your mother, she was right.

No. I was so sorry.

Don't talk.

Corings from a clifford in Africa.

Wasn't genetically modified.

So that could be the reason that one your dad grew reacted to the sound.

Perhaps he thought it was under attack. I don't know.

Can you start again?

Not time.

There's never enough time.

we can stay here a little longer if you want to there's nothing here for us now

we'll leave for the isle of wight first thing in the morning

Hello? Hello again.

Whoever you are, wherever you are, I hope you can hear me.

I was thinking today about missed opportunities.

Did you ever think it was the right thing to do?

Something's wrong here. Come on.

Maybe out of fear.

Do you long for that chance again?

Except yearning won't make it. Imogen, where's Susan?

Sure.

Nothing's wrong.

Hello, Joseph. Good child.

As you can see, I've come with friends.

Where's Susan?

Where is she?

Susan.

Um, all tied up.

She wouldn't cooperate.

I want you to take her, put her with her sister, and watch her.

Well,

good to see you too, Joe.

It was too much for you, were they, Torrance?

Huh?

We had terrible trouble with the Trevors.

They started using the underground tunnels as sewers.

Not very sporting.

But now, now you're going to help us, Bill.

Good job you didn't die, huh?

So what do we do, eh? How do we stop the triffids?

I don't know.

Well, that is very disappointing.

Because I was relying on you. I said to Troy that. I said, Troy, you know who we

need now to help us with the triffids? It's Dr.

Bill Mason.

You'd better put your thinking cap on. It's too late.

They've already spawned.

We either fight them or we give up.

Or we could go to the Isle of Wight.

I found a message from Major Coker.

Why would you want to go to the Isle of Wight?

You hate the Chippeds.

Do I, Joe?

Yes, you do, because they made you.

I mean, without them, you're nothing. You're nothing but a jumped-up little...

You don't touch her! You don't touch her!

Okay, finger off the trigger.

Stay of execution.

You've got until tomorrow morning to come up with something!

Something to get us all safely out of here and down to the coast.

You do that, that'll be great. If you fail, I take Joe, kill you, and give the

girls to the Triffids. Is it a plan?

Okay.

Yeah, excellent. Okay.

Lock them up!

CCTV and controls for the electric gates if the Triffids attack.

Maybe had this place Triffid-proof, huh?

Bring Mason to me.

The solution to the Triffids is in my mother's recordings. It has to be.

If we can use the sands to communicate with them

somehow, then maybe...

We can control them. We've only got until tomorrow morning.

Can the noise of those men not bring the triffids?

Yeah, well, we have to escape.

We've done it before, and we will do it again.

Torrance is not going to make the same mistake twice.

Joe, we have a much better chance against the triffids than we do against

Torrance.

be the answer.

How? We use my tripper's recordings.

We draw them in en masse as a distraction so we can get out.

Well, it's a brilliant idea, but how are we going to get out surrounded by

hundreds of trippets? Kill us all.

It'll be all right. It'll cause confusion and maybe, maybe it'll give us

a chance to escape.

Mr. Torrance wants to see you.

Okay I

was

up there in the laboratory

Looks like you had a bit of a problem.

Dad don't make it?

Is this your mommy?

She's foxy.

Well, how's your plan getting on?

You'll let me know when you come up with a solution.

You go to a dorm.

Otherwise, I'll reunite you with mommy and daddy.

Where's the device?

I did it.

I put it outside.

Truffids!

Truffids!

They're everywhere!

Hold

on.

Bill, what have you gone and done?

Kite, shoot Mason.

No.

Shoot the girls.

Go, now.

And be ready to put the electric fence on full power. My command.

Everyone.

I've got orders to shoot the girls.

Troy, this isn't you.

Stop it.

There's no way the Torrens can get past the Triffids.

We're leaving.

Come with us.

Are you done? Yeah, I'm done.

All

right.

You'll be okay.

Sir.

Okay. Just wait here. I've got to get something.

Stand by on 11-5.

On my mark. Three.

Two.

One.

Now.

Switching them on now, sir.

Switch it on now.

Switch on the electric fan. No!

It's not working.

Hold the light!

Troy,

you get on this radio and... Nice job.

Next time, pull back to the house.

Look after this for me, Will.

Okay?

Come on.

Come on, quick, come on.

Here's the trait.

Anyone remember this?

Look.

Young love, very sweet.

You're leaving without me.

That's not very nice.

We're making a run for it, Torres.

I mean, look, they're everywhere.

I know.

They're gonna kill us all.

Except you. I'm gonna kill you. Why don't you come with us?

Huh?

What, me?

Well, I'm just a...

Jumped up nobody.

Torrance, come on.

If anyone can get us through an army of triffids, Torrance, it's you. Oh, nice

try, Joe. Come on! Come on!

We're never gonna make it. There are too many of them.

We have to try.

Oh, well, they're already in the courtyard.

Okay, does everyone have goggles? Does everyone have goggles?

Everyone, Joe, take these. No, you take them. Take them, Joe.

What about you, Bill?

Where are they?

Where are they? Where are they?

The mask.

Hang on. Wait, wait, wait, wait.

Wait, let me think.

It's the mask. The mask.

The mask.

Where are they?

And see.

And see.

And see. What's going on?

Okay, it was Imogen. She helped me to remember.

It was the night that my mother died. I remember. I know how we can get through

this.

Trust me.

Do you trust me? You have to trust me. What are you talking about?

You must wear this.

This is Triffid Poynter. No!

It will save us! No! You can't. You'll kill her. It will save her. It will save

us all. Please, trust me.

You have to trust me.

Please.

Please. Okay, okay.

It's all right, sweetheart.

They are coming.

They're tripping.

It's all right, darling.

It's all right. Stay still. Stay still. Stay still.

Ow!

It's okay. It's okay, Nadine. Nadine, it's okay. Ow!

Trust me.

Stay still. Stay still.

Trust, trust, trust.

We must all do this.

Pain will pass.

We are coming.

Trust me.

Everybody walk slow and steady.

Hey, sir.

Hey,

sir.

Here we go.

So we left for our new home, where we found other families, other friends.

The sea was our wall against the Triffids. We cleaned the isle of them,

and our community started to grow again.

Future generations will ask how it happened.

How did the world get swallowed up so quickly?

It was because we had our eyes closed, even when we could see.

Now the news is over on BBC One now and here on BBC HD.

Victoria Wood is having a midlife Christmas.