Original subtitles

I've waited 20 years to ask you this. Be my wife. Divorce him. Just as one's

husband demands a divorce, an admirer proposes marriage.

I'm resolved now to embrace my life which awaits me at Robin Hill. God, what

have you done?

I will thrust her from the heart of this family onto the street where she

belongs. We've had some upsetting news.

It's Mrs. Byrne, Louisa. She's very sick. This young man's mother is a

little unwell, but she wants you home.

And so it ends.

The future planned.

The hopes undone.

And yet the world stands still for no one.

And as one future ends, perhaps another

begins.

You've not eaten for days.

I'm not hungry.

I'm sorry, Hannah.

There's no need.

But I am.

We have to let you go. Don't think of it.

Just think of getting to the end of today.

Ready, my dear.

Your mama would be proud today.

Do we think they'll go?

Who? What?

Where?

The funeral of Joe's... Concubine.

Who's going?

No one from this house.

How good of you to grace us with your presence.

Make the most of us, Pa.

We'll be gone before long.

So, the funeral.

Whether or not one sympathizes on a personal level... We have a reputation

to maintain.

At least this house does.

Too true. They were living in sin.

Our side will not be condoning immorality.

Of any kind.

I'm glad you're with her at the end.

I did what I could.

I was little enough.

You made your peace.

That would have meant the world to her.

But now we must do what we can for them.

When Hannah's gone... Hannah's leaving.

Without Louisa, she has no work.

I found her position with another dressmaker.

But we must step in for Joe.

If you'll let us.

I'm so sorry.

For all of it.

You were right not to come, Mater.

As I feared, none of you welcome.

In the cold light of day, you cannot forgive.

Except for June.

It's all such a muddle.

Mistakes were made on both sides. The only question is, how do we proceed from

here? I feel as if we're duty-bound to rally round.

At least I am. Odd sort of request from her, though. Asking you to care for her

children. What was she thinking?

That you and Joe would reconcile?

Well, any attention I might offer is purely for the good of the family.

We can't have it said that we abandoned them in their hour of need.

Foresights are not monsters.

I wonder... Have we not done monstrous things in our time?

And if we have?

I like to think we've tried to make amends.

And we'll continue to do so.

Now, how shall we proceed?

Sir Hugo, welcome.

Contracts await.

I must thank you again for your hospitality at Frampton Park. I trust we

behaved ourselves sufficiently to merit a return.

No doubt my mother will be glad to welcome you. I myself.

My current plans are uncertain.

I see.

I thought perhaps we might be seeing more of you.

I thought so too.

But in the light of your nephew's loss, it's changed circumstances.

I imagine the family have much to consider.

Well.

We will see you at the polo?

Forsyte and Co. versus the Vickery mob?

I'll try to look in.

Good day, gentlemen.

In the light of these changed circumstances, you do see the risk.

Of?

Joe returning to the fold, legitimizing his brat.

A formal recognition of paternity. The boy becomes the Forsyte heir.

And as you are yet to produce one of your own, by ratifying you as chairman

now, we will secure the line of succession for our side, not theirs.

Do you know what's wrong with Phil?

I...

No, why?

Is there something?

I asked him to come to the funeral today.

He declined.

Declined? Said he was needed at Robin Hill.

Since when?

What makes him think that his work, which he hates, is more important than

me, his fiancée?

I honestly can't imagine.

Mr. Forsyte.

The cyanide process.

I wonder, are you fully au fait with how it works?

Broadly aware that cyanide is toxic?

That there's no way to avoid poisoning those who work with it? I am assured by

my contact in the Rand that all possible safety precautions will be taken. And

you trust him?

I beg your pardon?

Given that his role is to make a profit.

Mr. Cole.

If I agonized over the minutiae of every investment we made... But when there are

consequences... Then we deal with them.

As and when that becomes necessary.

Today I watched my son bury the love of his life.

Did you speak?

He refused.

And nor do I blame him.

I punished him for simply doing what I lacked the courage to do.

Follow his heart?

Yes.

But I thought to myself, what a dismal show I've made of my life.

Wrong decisions, wrong choices.

Well, not all of them, surely. No, not all, but the ones that count.

And all in the name of reputation.

of what society might think.

And do you still care what society might think?

Forgive me, I'm intruding.

You are.

And I have no idea what you could possibly want.

To ask for your forgiveness.

For the way we all behaved.

Myself, especially, when I tried to evict Luisa. And since you returned, it

was despicable to try to punish you by making you suffer.

We did suffer.

But we were happy.

Happier than we've ever been.

The fact is both of us have behaved in ways which a year ago neither of us

would have believed possible.

Our lives have been upended.

All that's left are the children.

And we must try to find a way to make their lives a little less grim.

Where would we even begin?

I think it's the last thing he'd contemplate. I agree, but for the

children's sake, I thought it might appeal.

Help take their minds off the loss.

Forgive me.

Do I understand you correctly?

You've invited your estranged husband and his illegitimate children to a high

-profile public event.

I have.

Where all eyes will be upon us, inviting all manner of gossip.

I promised Louisa I'd look after them all.

And if our families are ever to be reconciled, which I assume is what we

wish for... Of course.

Then do we care what society thinks?

No.

I dare say we do not.

Do we expect to see Sir Hugo?

I couldn't say.

We haven't spoken since Frampton Park.

But he knows of Jo's situation?

I believe so.

Forgive me, I must get ready.

What should we do with ourselves today?

Can we go out somewhere?

Anywhere? It's too sad here.

Now there's only us.

There's not only us, though.

There's your family.

My family?

Um, it's difficult. We're not... Don't you want to see them?

You're right.

Anything's better than staying here and being sad.

Come on.

Let's go.

I heartily welcome one and all to the fourth annual Warside Vickery

charity match on this sunny July day.

Arthur Vickery & Co.

will be looking for their first victory.

But taking the field now is the undefeated captain of... Hi.

As I always say, there's no mystery to pedo. It's just croquet on horse with

bigger goals.

Says a man who's never played a chukka in his life.

Is that the architect?

Fraternizing with the foe?

Want me to go over and box his ears?

Is that a useful suggestion?

I hoped I might see you.

And are you?

I wanted to explain.

Would you

excuse me?

Has she no shame, welcoming him back into the fold?

Miss Holly.

Master Joss.

There's some people who'd like to meet you.

Can we, Papa?

Yeah.

I don't know why I agreed to this.

For their sake, I hope.

They shouldn't have to pay for the mistakes of others.

What mistakes?

Mine? For falling into line all those years ago?

I planned a path for you.

Perhaps that was wrong, but I was proud with the way you knuckled down.

I was raised to believe those things matter.

What matters to me is I had the courage of my convictions.

Finally.

Forgive me for being so blind.

This is Grandmama Anne, head of our family.

Your names?

I'm Holly.

I'm Jolyon, but everyone calls me Joss.

And do you know what a foresight is?

A Forsyte is someone who never questions, never contradicts, and never,

ever fails to come up to scratch.

Well remembered.

Shall we step out?

I think the match is about to begin.

Great steal from Soames Forsyte. It looks like he has the beating of Arthur

Vickery. He swings, and he scores!

1-0!

The captain certainly enjoyed that.

He's brought a smile to the faces of his supporters.

They have the lead.

This is still the first of four chuckers.

From the throw-in, Vickery has the ball.

Arthur Vickery is charging to the opposition.

And he scores!

A swift riposte from the Vickery captain.

The scores are level again and it's all to play for.

Halfway point approaches, with neither side giving an inch.

That's a hat-trick for Soames Forsyth, and his team are two ahead.

Arthur Vickery scores again.

Remarkable! With that goal, the teams are neck and neck.

And in the nick of time, there's less than a minute to go in this fourth and

final chuck-out.

There are seconds left.

Oh, my!

Forsyte and Co. win again.

Bravo!

Well played, my boy. Well done, darling.

Well, we certainly put those upstarts in their place.

Well, that's their succession sorted.

More than can be said for some.

Don't know what they're looking so smug about. We have our own heir to the

throne.

And here he is.

Crown Prince Publius Valerius Darty Forsyte.

I'll be damned if I let any of those brats take the Forsyte name. My dear

house. Where can we speak?

The park?

My office? Nowhere.

So, uh, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

What?

At the Lyceum.

Or we could go this week and then dinner.

Can't be done.

Early starts, long days.

So, when will I see you?

Soon.

I don't understand.

We never laugh together anymore. He seems to have no patience with me.

Well, perhaps I should talk to him.

Don't.

He'll think I put you up to it.

Well, I have the right to know his intentions. I'm your father.

Promise you won't leave again?

For you, I'll always be here.

I think we should get back.

My dear,

shall we go?

If you wish.

Well, how it gladdens the heart to see a wife so eager to please.

Well, isn't that our role? To be entirely compliant to our husband's

wishes.

Beast of a day.

Joe parading his misbegotten brat.

That grinning vickery dolt flaunting his pup.

Rubbing our noses in Soames's lack thereof. And here's the thing. If Irene

announced this instant she was expecting, how do we even know it's a

foresight? Oh, well, I think... I believe.

There's nothing to fear on that account.

You don't think it's progressed that far with the architect?

I mean...

I don't think she wants a child.

With anyone.

And is taking steps to ensure it. Ensure? What the deuce do you mean?

I liked it today.

Can we do it again?

You'd really want that.

I like seeing all the fancy folk.

And June was kind to us.

And the other lady.

Which other lady?

You know, your...

Wife? There is a kindness to her when she chooses to show it.

Did you love her?

Yes.

As much as you love Mama?

It's a different kind of love.

Your Mama was my soulmate.

When I lost her the first time, I thought I'd never take pleasure in

anything again.

But did you?

bit by bit each day I became a little less sad and Now

we have to help each other to do the same because no one ever meant as much

to me as she did Except

You

You'll have to be told

I fear so

And as his mother, I could break it gently. No.

No?

It must be done man to man.

Father to son.

But surely... There can be no softening the blow.

He needs to feel the full weight of her betrayal.

an old dog learn new tricks.

Such as?

Finally having the courage of his convictions.

I hope you'll forgive me, but since this is a public place, it might look a

little odd if I kneel at your feet.

Why would you?

To do what I should have done all those years ago.

To ask you to be my wife.

Are you sure this is what you want?

I've never been more certain of anything in my life.

What's going on?

My boy, there's something I must tell you.

Concerning your wife.

Do you think if I asked him, he'd come back?

Philip.

Papa.

Would you want him to?

Wouldn't you?

For now, I would like to not have to think at all.

Yes.

Can we?

May I just sit here, quietly?

And will you brush my hair?

I'm grateful to you, Pa.

You've been most diligent in your investigations.

I'm only sorry that it's come to this.

What will you do? What should I do?

I have absolutely no reason to doubt my wife.

I corresponded with Mrs Herron. She confirmed their trip to Brighton for the

purpose of taking the air and enjoying each other's comfort.

Surely. And as for what you thought you saw in the garden... What I did see... I

myself asked Irene to talk to Bassini.

To try to persuade him to...

expedite the bill. Well, she was certainly expediting something.

Let's be honest, Pa.

You've never admired her.

You think her unworthy.

I do.

I admit it.

And that colours your interpretation of everything.

So I thank you, most sincerely,

for your concern.

But trust me, there is nothing to be seen here.

Nothing whatsoever.

Well, my dear, this House of Hope would never have opened without you.

I claim little credit, an initial donation, a few fundraising soirees, and

it's been a useful distraction.

I see that.

All the more impressive, given that the cause itself is not one that's

particularly close to your heart.

One might even say quite the reverse.

Perhaps once.

And yet one's perspective can change when one gains a better understanding of

what life must really be like for these women.

And their children.

One feels for them.

Wants to give them a second chance.

When do you next see your stepmother?

Um, not for a while yet.

Hmm. I think I'll join you next time.

If you can spare the time.

I shall make the time.

I really feel we've waited long enough.

For what?

The blessing, which has so far eluded us.

Our child.

Let us see if we can't put that to rights.

I fear my days at Forsyte's are numbered.

What do you mean?

Soames is about to ascend the throne.

And?

What's the first thing he'll do?

Dispense with anyone he views as inconvenient.

The cyanide process.

I've raised it once and he's chosen to ignore me.

Shall I let it lie?

You have a child, a home, a family to support.

And you're thinking I should put our livelihoods first?

Are you not thinking that?

Of course I am.

And yet...

June. I want you to tell me the truth.

About? Phil.

Do you think he still loves me?

Why would you doubt it?

How could I not?

Will you go to him?

Tell him I want him to be as he was before.

June, I don't... He admires you.

Respects you.

He'll listen to anything you say.

If you care about me... Of course I care.

Then do this for me.

Please.

Mr. Forsyte, I wonder, could we resume our conversation about Rand Frontier

Gold? Forgive me, may we tackle this later? I have things to attend to.

Rand Frontier, up ten?

As predicted.

Mr. Gold?

Mr.

Forsyte.

When we last spoke of Rand frontier gold, you were clear that you wish to

avoid any discussion of cyanide and its consequences.

Correct.

Is your wife also of that mind?

My wife?

What is she to do? Only that, having been a victim of actual damage caused by

actions taken here. What the devil do you mean?

The Durham mining shares.

Not remotely the same thing. Except that people suffered as a result of decisions

made in this very room. And I believe that your wife... We are not

discussing... ...has a tender heart and would not want you to be complicit in

something which does you and the company no credit.

May I remind you who you're speaking to?

Not Joe, your college drinking pal, but a person who understands that the sole

purpose of this firm is to make a profit.

Yes, I do see who I'm speaking to.

You came.

I knew you would. You feel it too.

I came to ask that you forget everything that has passed between us.

Return to June and show her the love and care that she deserves.

Since you asked me, I will show her my love and care.

By releasing her from our engagement, which I cannot in all conscience

continue. Don't say that.

June is... adorable... but spoiled.

And she doesn't even know it.

She and I are not kindred spirits.

And I know that now.

Because you and I... I love you.

And I see you.

And Soames does not.

Or if he does, it terrifies him.

He would have you be something you're not.

And what would you have me be?

Anything you choose.

Except his.

It comes where I can bear it no longer.

I'll be here.

I swear, I would die for you.

Victims damage sentimental guff.

Attend to me, boy.

The thing that makes you invincible, that makes you the rightful heir to this

company, is your ability to see beyond sentiment.

To make cool-headed decisions.

If marrying a bohemian has turned you soft... You will not insult my wife. I

would advise you to get a grip on yourself and on

your wife, who is taking you for a fool.

My wife is under my control.

This business is under my control.

My life?

Mr Cole.

I need you to prepare me a contract.

Was he persuaded?

Did you make him see sense? He wasn't there.

I left a note.

Forgive me, I've got the most awful headache.

Hope you don't mind.

I was shopping, I saw a few things I thought you might like.

May I?

May I take a seat?

Please do.

Thank you.

What is it?

That's Mama's seat.

Oh!

Please forgive me. I didn't realise.

It's just... we keep expecting her to walk through the door.

Of course.

And this will always be her place.

Which no one can ever fill nor should they attempt to try

But perhaps they could keep a promise

Me too Louisa To take care of

her precious children and their father She asked you that she did

Trusting me to ensure that you're all looked after as true members of the

Forsyte family.

What does that mean?

That when you're ready, you might care to visit the place that your father once

called home.

He's not who I thought he was, Phil.

Or who you wanted him to be.

What did you want?

A rebel?

Yes. Because you wanted to be one?

Wouldn't you?

So you chose the last person your mother would consider suitable.

Yet she gave her consent.

She and Papa didn't even let me defy them.

So...

I don't know.

I just... wish I was anywhere but here.

What is it, my dear?

I don't know.

Perhaps nothing.

Then what is it that you fear?

I don't fear.

I... I think maybe I know.

Feels in love with Irene.

Mater, may I have a word?

I have news.

Of Alexandra.

What of her?

I've seen her.

Thank you for seeing me.

Please.

I wanted to let you know I leave for Dover first thing.

Dover?

I'm taking the family to Italy.

Oh.

I didn't expect... It's very much spur of the moment.

But I felt we'd all benefit from a change of scene.

Help us order our thoughts more clearly.

Mine are certainly in need of that.

Don't mistake me.

Well, there are no other call on my affections.

But even without that, our respective situations.

You are at liberty.

I am not.

And to extricate myself, like it or not, the consequences will be extreme.

I understand.

It must seem an impossible situation.

Certainly feels that way.

And I would not presume to try and influence you.

Hence my departure.

Oh. The others are at the opera.

And you and I have a guest.

Ah.

You said it would just be the two of us. I did.

But since what I have to say pertains to you both...

What I require is a guaranteed date by which my wife and I can take up

residence at Robin Hill.

If you insist.

And to that end, I've had a contract prepared stating

that if the house is not ready within three months... Three?

Then I will take you to court for the recovery of all sums paid, which I

believe are now in excess of £5,000.

£5,000?

An enormous sum.

Yes.

Where our friend will find it, I cannot imagine.

But of course he won't need to.

Because you, my dear, will be able to make him see the value of completing his

task.

For all our sakes.

I very much urge you to finish the house.

She gave me her word that she would never try to see you again.

Well, don't blame her. She just wants to find her son.

I don't blame her. I blame myself for having mentioned Harry in the first

place. I had every right to know he exists.

What do you intend to do?

I intend to marry her.

What can you mean?

I am a widower.

She is a widow. We are both free to do as we please.

You'd make her a foresight?

I would.

Acknowledge Harry as your son? Of course.

Your eldest son?

Yes.

Displacing Joe in favor of someone that you have never met.

You cannot marry Alexandra.

It would tear this family apart.

You know how much this means to me? Doesn't worry you, then. The prospect of

a cuckoo in the nest. Will you come away with me? Phil, whatever you think exists

between us, it's nothing. I do love him. I can't give Alex up. I've done it once,

and it was the greatest mistake of my life. Can I hope you'll join us

tomorrow? The grand opening? It would mean a lot to me, personally.

How dare you write to my wife! You tricked me into a marriage!