Original subtitles

There's been a blackout for 12 hours.

We thought you were all dead.

Your wife's in there.

Something occurred that night.

It seems that you've all fallen pregnant.

Is that a camera? Yeah.

They're filming us!

You don't think that I'm mother material.

The baby has my DNA but not yours.

For two years after the births, we lived a secret life.

We told no-one what we were going through.

Morning!

Good morning.

Our worlds became smaller.

Our worlds became Midwich.

We got used to our lives.

Got used to the rules.

We could see that our children were special.

Not normal for their age.

But we loved them.

And they loved us too.

We told ourselves we were happy,

that everything was all right.

And then one morning, everything changed.

Sunny, what are you doing?

23... 24... 26...

27... 28... 29...

30. I'm coming, ready or not.

Now, where could these little rascals be?

Hm...

Could they be in here?

No. They're not in here.

How about...

Mm.

I wonder if...

Maybe they've gone back downstairs.

Found you! Attack! Get him!

Come here, you!

Come on in.

Welcome. Welcome to your new school. If you'd like to follow me...

So the aim of today is for you

Ready for your start at the school next week.

This is where you children will learn your sciences.

You will conduct experiments in the schoolroom... Wow. I know.

..as well as using our beautiful grounds

to study plant and insect life.

We are currently upgrading our IT with the help of Ward 300.

What do you think, Evie?

I like it.

I thought you would.

This room has been specially designed and tailored

to suit the needs of the children.

It's where they'll have their rest time.

We all know by now they like to take a small sleep

in the middle of the day.

We firmly believe this increases focus and productivity.

Is this also where they can have time reading?

I know they're already really enjoying that.

Yes, that happens after lunch.

Your brother is going to be so jealous.

Please follow me into the reception.

Nath! Pay attention.

Sorry, Uncle Paul.

No, actually, Nathan has stumbled on something very interesting here.

This place was used for children

who were evacuated from Birmingham during the war.

So it's not the first time it's been used for a special purpose.

You can still see the air raid shelters under the school.

OK, now let's gather in the main hall

and we can give the children their uniforms.

Hello.

Is your daddy there?

Charlotte, who is that?

Um... What are you doing here?

She made me come.

Don't forget to pick up your uniforms and sports kits.

Hang on. There.

Morning. Morning.

Hi.

Hi.

Hi, Zoe. Did Mr Clyde give you the tour?

Oh, yeah, he loved it. Centre of attention as usual.

I um... I just wanted to say thank you, actually.

I didn't do anything.

You did. I really struggled at first,

with the whole thing, the experiment and...

Everyone found it difficult. Not everyone.

Look at me, Mummy. You look amazing, baby.

Really suits you. You look amazing.

I think this was a needed gift for Cassie.

She's a natural. I had to...work a bit harder.

Now?

Oh, now, Hannah's all I want in the world.

What was that?

Maybe it was just the bulbs.

That's not just the bulbs.

Is that us?

Who's she?

I don't know.

Charlotte!

What are you doing here? There's a lady with Daddy.

She came in a car. That's her little girl.

Did Daddy say anything else?

He said they needed to talk alone.

Come with me. Come on.

Yeah, this is Haynes. There's something going on down here.

Tilly!

Tilly.

Tilly.

Come on, come on. Tilly, that's enough!

Hannah, you don't know this girl.

Let's go. Come on.

Who's that? She's new to me.

I'll be right back.

Hi, I'm Susannah Zellaby. I'm sorry, I don't know your name.

You have my daughter? Yes, she's just in the car.

Can we talk?

This is just a little misunderstanding.

I'm sure it is. If we can just be left on our own.

You're not from Midwich, are you? No.

I hope you don't mind me asking.

But where you here, the night of the blackout?

Susannah's with the mother.

I'm getting her paperwork sorted.

We'll need accommodation. Don't let her leave.

What do we know about her?

She worked as a consultant on Stewart McClain's council campaign.

How the fuck did we miss her?

Hey, sweetheart.

Hannah, look at me.

Hey. It's OK. Just tell us what happened.

No-one's going to get angry.

How did you know that girl?

We've always known her.

I didn't want to have the baby in the first place.

I went to the clinic but... I couldn't do it.

So then Stewart and I had this agreement.

He'd give me money and I'd bring her up on my own.

And was that easy?

It was fine.

It was tiring, of course, but Sunny's wonderful.

She's never been any trouble.

I'm so glad I kept her. I can't

You must have noticed she's...

Well, she's been growing much more quickly than normal children.

I went to two different doctors

and they both said there was nothing to worry about.

Why did I know nothing about this?

Sorry.

Who's this?

Um... DCI Paul Haynes.

Don't worry, you've done nothing wrong.

But we would like you to stay in

Why? Well, certain procedures we have to go through,

test we need to run on Sunny.

We'll put you up in a hotel.

No, thanks. I think we're better off at home.

I'm sorry, Amrita. It... it's not as simple as that.

This whole thing is a carefully guarded secret.

Not my problem.

Come on, Sunny!

You've met your dad but now it's time to go.

I want to stay here.

Don't be stupid, Sunny.

I want to see the others.

Which others do you mean?

The others.

Hannah, Joe, Connor, Lily-Grace, Mason, Ezra,

Milo, Louis, Olive, Adnan...

Stop that, Sunny. Juliet, Livy, Chuka,

Andrew, Lucy, Flora, Kingston, Jamie, Winston...

We're ready to proceed.

Now, on the screens in front of you are some images.

Evie, would you like to start us off, please?

And choose a picture.

Excellent.

Now, the rest of you, click on the picture Evie chose.

That's impossible.

Excellent. Let's play again.

Sunny, now it's your turn to select a different picture.

What the hell?

Why are we here?

No-one's telling us anything.

Beats me. I texted Paul but no answer.

Who's the mother, anyway? She's from London.

Sarah's beside herself. I reckon she'll kick him out.

How long's it going to be?

It's fine.

Bathroom?

Hi. Who are you?

I'm one of the blackout mums.

Are you the mother of the child from the cricket pitch?

Blackout mum? Is that what you call yourself?

It's kind of a shorthand.

Well, I don't like it. It's weird.

It's a weird situation.

I just want to leave. They won't let me.

I'm Zoe. Amrita. Hi.

What is this place?

It's called Ward 300.

It's for the children. They test them, monitor their development.

Jesus!

Yeah.

I always knew she was different.

What did you feel was special about her?

I don't know.

She had this...hold over me.

Like a spell, you know?

Yeah.

This woman I spoke to said they want us to stay in Midwich,

like permanently. She offered to pay me.

They're paying all of us.

And they're monitoring us all the time.

No-one goes anywhere.

What do you mean?

Well, I haven't left Midwich since Hannah was born.

None of us leave.

I gave up work, I don't see old friends.

Family visits are kept to a minimum.

And we pretend it's a choice but it isn't.

We're slowly cutting ourselves off from the world.

I've... I've told no-one this.

A man came to the house once. Just once.

He said he was a doctor but I don't think he was.

He and Sunny spoke for an hour and he left.

If they knew about me all the time, why didn't they say something?

I shouldn't be here.

Give me your number, please.

Amrita, if you want to leave, you should go, while you can.

I don't understand. How can that be?

I know it's disturbing but the evidence is clear.

If one child learns something, they all know it.

It's a hive mind.

The knowledge transmits without the need for language or expression.

Why didn't we know this before?

Either it hasn't happened before or they hid it.

OK. Thank you so much, everyone.

So, how did he do?

Bloody brilliant, weren't you?

I got them all right, didn't I, Uncle Paul?

Aced it, mate. Now you go home with Mummy and I'll see you later, OK?

OK. All right. Bye.

I need to go back. I have to look after the new mother.

Mum, what's going on?

Look, we're not sure yet.

Some kind of subliminal communication between the children.

Keep that to yourself for now.

Mummy.

Come on.

Come on. Hannah?

What is it?

Evie, why are you wearing that jacket?

You don't start school for another week.

I want to wear it.

That's pretty.

Did Granny tell you, Mummy?

About us?

Yeah. She did, a bit.

I just...hear my friends' thoughts.

That's all.

Does it scare you?

No.

No, of course not.

I love you more than ever, OK?

OK?

"It's a hive mind...hid it."

I got them all right, didn't I, Uncle Paul?

I'm going to see Westcott. Arrange a meeting for Monday.

All the parents. Say nothing till then.

You're fond of him, aren't you?

Yeah. I guess.

And the mother? What's that supposed to mean?

It's OK, I'm not judging you.

Fuck off to London, would you?

What is it? I thought you should have a look at this.

It was earlier today.

Could have just been an accident.

You weren't there. You didn't see her face.

I overheard them talking in Ward 300.

They talked about one mind, like they're all one being.

Just calm down, OK? She's an amazing kid.

Don't go back there.

Hey.

Mummy doesn't love me any more.

What? Of course she does.

No. Only you do.

I'm sorry about keeping you in the hotel.

It's only for a few more days. Sure.

In you go.

Um... I can get there myself.

I've been told to make sure you're OK.

Hi. Hi.

All right?

Uncle Paul, can you play hide and seek?

Not now, Nathan. Just one game, please.

Nathan, you can play with Lily-Grace when Mary-Ann comes round tomorrow.

OK? It doesn't work with Lily-Grace.

It's hide and seek. Of course it works. No, it doesn't.

She'll know where I'm hiding. What do you mean?

You should tell her.

Tell me what?

Hannah, love! Tea's ready!

You all right? Afternoon.

Did you hear about the new girl?

Yeah.

How did they not know about her? Bunch of bloody amateurs.

I heard there may have been a development with the children.

It's got nothing to do with me or you, though, has it?

Joe's in your house.

Let me explain something to you.

See that boy? That's my son.

I'd kill for him, die for him.

I'm getting closer, Joe!

But that one, that's just 30 grand a year tax-free from the government.

He's only here till the money runs out.

Joe, look at me!

Hannah!

Didn't you hear me?

I was playing with my farm.

Come and sit down, then.

We didn't hurt the dog.

Argh!

Argh!

We didn't hurt the dog.

You OK?

Jesus! Quick, quick, hold it here.

Daddy, what happened? Oh, it's OK.

Mummy just hurt herself, that's all.

Listen, I understand this is difficult.

You should have been part of this a long time ago.

I'm scared. I don't know what's going on.

No, none of us do.

Which is why we need you to give us a little bit more time.

Trust me, please.

I'd like some answers.

Amrita, take Sunny to the room. Sarah, can I have a word?

No. I want to talk to her.

It's fine. She has a right to know.

Take Sunny for me, would you? This won't take long.

Yeah. We'll wait in the bar.

Come on.

Would you like a drink, Sunny? Something fizzy?

Uh, a lemonade, please. Certainly.

You all right, Sunny? Who are you looking at?

Mummy.

She's just talking to the lady. She won't be long.

Thanks.

All right, let's sit up here and drink your drink.

So how long have you known the other children, Sunny?

Since always.

So why didn't you come back to be with them before?

I didn't need to. But now I do.

Look, it was three years ago and it was a stupid fling, OK?

Did Stewart know you got pregnant? Yes.

But he never gave a shit about Sunny or me.

So why are you here? It wasn't my choice!

Ha! Bullshit. Listen to me!

Why would I come here? I don't need him or you.

My life is fine. I didn't ask for any of this.

Where's Sunny? I want to go to the room.

Sh-She's by the bar.

Where is she?

Sunny!

Mummy.

Sunny! What are you doing?

Leave her alone!

When were you going to tell me? About the kids?

We're going to tell everyone on Monday.

And I'm just "everyone", am I?

No, of course not. Just a citizen?

Jodie, I've got a lot going on at the moment.

I could do without this.

So sorry

I don't actually have to live here. Do you know that?

I could have moved out ages ago.

The government would have paid for my rent.

But I knew how much

What are you saying?

I'm saying if you don't trust me, then we have a problem.

Of course I trust you.

But there's always going to be things that I can't tell you.

You'd have told Deborah.

What did you say? You heard.

Don't go there, Jodie. Just don't.

I'll call Mary-Ann in the morning

and see if she's got any decent apartments available.

Yeah, you do what you want. I will.

Well, go on, then. I didn't ask for any of this!

Do you understand that? None of it.

Were you fighting?

No.

Come. Come and sit with me. I'm sorry.

What are you looking at? Pictures of you, Mummy.

And that's you, Daddy.

That's amazing!

You close your eyes. Olive, you're going to choose something.

And Evie, you're going to guess what it is.

Come here. No peeking. Right, no peeking.

I have it.

OK, Evie, what has Olive picked?

A hanky.

Hurray!

I thought we agreed

I didn't. Evie told me.

It doesn't have to be like a dirty secret, Mum.

We always knew they were special.

At least I did, anyway.

Did you do it? Yes. Did you get it right?

Sweet dreams.

How does that sound?

Can I get an ice cream? Ice cream?

Yes.

OK. Night-night, my angel girl.

Love you.

The kids are asleep upstairs. Go straight to my office.

Sit down.

I know this sounds crazy. No, go on.

This afternoon, Hannah...

made me hold my hand over a pan of boiling water.

She made me hold it there.

What do you mean? Literally that. I couldn't move.

She wanted to hurt me.

Zoe, why would she want to hurt you?

Because I think she sees me as a threat.

She doesn't trust me.

Hey, sweetie.

We're going home.

They said we could. Come on.

Listen, we don't belong here.

We're going home, OK? Let's go.

It's like she's been lying to me and Sam all this time.

Growing more and more attached to us

and then this new child's arrived and everything's changed.

And it's not just her, it's all of them.

Amrita sensed it too.

Amrita?

Yes, I spoke to her.

And then I overheard you talking, saying that they're all one mind.

Well, we don't know what they are - But you did say that.

I don't trust them. None of them.

Listen, the last few days have been strange, to say the least.

But there have been no incidents for two years.

You don't believe me. That's not what I said.

Sam doesn't believe me, either.

I should go. Please, Zoe, sit down.

I... No, I don't... I shouldn't have come.

Zoe, sit down. I thought you might understand.

I DO understand. No, you don't!

You... You're not seeing it. Any of it.

Zoe, please. Zoe...

Zoe, please. Can -

"This is Zoe Moran. Please leave a message."

Zoe, I'm taking your advice. We're leaving.

Good luck. I'm thinking of you.

If you ever get out of here, call me.

Nathan?

Nathan.

Come on.

Sunny, come here.

Sunny, come on. We're going home.

Sunny. Please.

It's going to be OK.

You don't belong here. You're mine, OK?

Come on! That's enough!

Get in. Now.

I'll wait another five minutes. Yeah.

Hi. Evening, Zoe.

Where have you been?

I just went for a walk.

Well, you can ask her yourself now.

Ask me what?

You were in the restricted area earlier.

Ward 300.

Just wanted to know why.

Oh, I... got lost.

You spoke to the new girl's mother.

Yeah, I just wanted to be friendly.

Did she say anything to you?

Anything you think we ought to know?

No. Nothing.

Amrita's got a lot to cope with.

Please don't do it again.

I'll see myself out.

You didn't tell me you did that. What?

You didn't tell me anything about it.

Cos you didn't want to know.

Charlotte.

Charlotte.

Thanks for coming.

Just that her mother

It's her second helping. She hadn't even fed her.

I...tried to call her.

There was no reply.

Right. Well, I should probably take Sunny to Ward 300 until we find her.

I want to stay here.

Sunny, this isn't your home, is it?

I want to live here. This is where I began.

Excuse me.

Yeah?

There's something you need to see right now.

"Zoe, I'm taking your advice. We're leaving.

Good luck.

I'm thinking of you. If you ever get out of here, call me."

Shh.

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