01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

Ah, Mr. Rafferty, sir…
do you think there'll be trouble today?

The man's name is Guinness.

'Course there'll be f*ck' trouble.

Behold the fallen idol.

Today, they bury Benjamin Guinness…

…a brewer of sin and debauchery.

Just as his soul will not enter heaven,

his body shall not pass this gate!

So… Mr. Guinness, let me be
the last living soul on this earth

to put a smile on your face.

That's it.

Dear Lord… ignore the angry voices
beyond the wall,

and remember the great good that he did

and the legacy he left behind.

If ye be Christians,
clear the way for a departing soul,

because his mortal remains are
coming this way in half an hour.

Then these cobbles
must be the road to hell.

And nor will they pass down Bow Lane West,

even if they are dead.

It's gonna be a long f*ck' day.

Okay, boys, hold the line.

And anyway… if we don't stop
his carcass in his tracks…

…the Fenians will.

This funeral parade
for a rich unionist

shall not go unchallenged
this Dublin morning…

…when it's his machines

of the Protestant gentry

that make us Irish suffer

at the hands of the British!

The children Sir Benjamin leaves behind
are weak and divided.

Now is the time for us Fenians

to use that weakness and free Ireland

from the English!

Attention!

Each of you grab a means of persuasion.

It is our solemn duty this day

to ensure our beloved former employer's
path to heaven

is a smooth one.

Remove all obstacles with a firm hand.

If the dragoons draw swords,
fire above them.

Spare the horses!

All horses are Catholic!

Keep pushing.

Say the word "Dublin."

Dublin.

Say the word "iconoclast."

- Iconoclast.
- Yeah, there.

"There" what?

You've been in London so long,

all that champagne has washed
the Irish off your tongue.

Yes.

Now, God help me, I'm back.

- So… you're still never satisfied?
- If it isn't right, what is the point?

Well, what's the point of getting it right

if everyone today
will be unable to see clearly

because of the tears
swimming in their eyes?

And who is that remark aimed at, Arthur?

- Which remark?
- Your sarcastic remark about tears.

It was aimed at all those
who will attend today's event,

as if it were a starting line
of a horse race.

You think the tears
in the cathedral today won't be real?

Mostly not, no.

Mostly for a purpose.
Mostly, anyway, among the workers.

And what about our tears?

I have wept.

Oh, we should have all collected our tears
in a bell jar and measured our grief.

Do you think Benjamin will ever wake up?

Do you think anyone will ever care
if Benjamin wakes up ever again?

Potter.

A note from Mr. Rafferty to say

your father's funeral
has left St. James's Gate

and is proceeding towards the cathedral.

But such is the vast extent of the crowd
of well-wishers on the street,

Mr. Rafferty thinks
the cortege may be delayed.

- Today really is not a day for truth.
- There's an anticipation of trouble?

Those who despise drink and those
who despise the union with England

have lit some small fires.

The Fenians blame him
for cozying up to the British.

Evangelists blame him for everything else.

I'm sure Mr. Rafferty will extinguish
their fires considerately.

Just as Mr. Rafferty often lights fires
in people's hearts.

Mr. Rafferty suggests
that you're all in the cathedral at ten.

Oh, don't worry about Benjamin.

If necessary, we can roll him up
into a ball and bowl him down the aisle.

In the cathedral today,
we must appear united.

Yes. And to appear united,

we must all be conscious.

Arthur, what the f*ck are you doing?

Calm, Benjamin. It's all right.

Calm, Benji… Calm. Easy.

Calm down! Calm down.

Calm down.

f*ck!

You f*cking idiot!

That's not my fault!

f*ck.

Hark. Papa's funeral cortège marching
peacefully towards St. Stephen's Green.

For freedom!

Officer! Get back here and do something!

You lot too!

- God save Ireland!
- Go on. Over there.

Rot in hell!

How dare they.

With Father gone,
the Fenians will be trouble.

Dubliners must see
we are as strong as our father.

Peace comes in small measures.

Every word you say
twists in my gut like a bag of nails.

The twisting in your gut's
poitín and laudanum.

Will you both shush?

Just k*ll each other. Do it.

Get it done.
Father has pistols beside his bed. A duel.

Yes. Why not?

An exchange of musket ba*ls
before the reading of Father's will.

It would reduce the clutter.

Today of all days, we must behave
like a civilized Christian family.

Which we're not.

Which we are.

In our way.

Please.

Arthur.

Spes mea in Deo.

My hope is in God.

And above all,

love is our hope.

We have 20 minutes.

Edward,

you change your shirt.

Benjamin,

change into some clothes
that you haven't slept in.

And, Arthur…

just change.

Let me through!

God save Ireland!

If we are not careful,
these Fenian gentlemen will make us late.

We will no longer suck black porter
from the teats of the English oppressor!

And I hate to be late.

God save Ireland!

f*ck.

Dearly beloved,
we are gathered here today

to mourn the death

of a man who brought peace and prosperity

to the people of Dublin.

If ever there was anyone

who could bring the Protestants
and Catholics of this great city together,

it is this man.

The Protestant man who paid
to have this one-time Catholic cathedral

restored to its current splendor.

A man who treated his workforce
with benevolence,

who forbade the discussion
of religion and politics

within his place of work.

Also, a man of commerce

that has brought wealth
to all layers of society in our city.

He was a man
who cared deeply about this city.

He was the lord mayor of Dublin.

And a member of Parliament
for Dublin City.

And it was in our capital city of London

that he was ultimately
bestowed with the title

of First Baronet of Ashford.

But most of all,

he was a devoted family man.

MY HOPE IS IN GOD

And, of course, our thoughts and prayers

are most of all

with Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness's
four children.

Since their late mother died,

it has been their father
who has raised them.

These heirs to his legacy

will now have the responsibility to match

and better the momentous achievements

of their beloved father.

With God's help,

and with the determination and courage

which they have inherited
from the great man himself,

we have no doubt that the children
of Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness

will rise to the task

and take this
particularly Irish enterprise

to all four corners of God's earth.

Now we will sing the first hymn,

"Immortal, Invisible."

Stand up. Come on.

Hey, come on.

We'll give back to them
what they gave to us.

- You better believe it.
- Will we hit 'em?

We'll hit 'em. We'll hit 'em hard.

You'll get your retribution.

- Sister!
- Oh God.

- Thank God you're safe.
- f*cking hell.

We've just finished a meeting
of the Ladies Committee.

We are preparing a response
to these acts of violence

carried out by men
in the name of the company.

We men have begun
to make preparations as well,

and robust preparations they will be.

And what "robust preparations"
are you talking about?

- You don't see the irony?
- No irony to see.

This tavern only sells stolen Guinness.

Stolen from the cooperage yard
by honest Fenian coopers.

Your thieves are honest.

Yeah.

Honest thieves will open the gates tonight

so that we can light our fires.

And you'll light a fire where?

A million empty barrels…
waiting to be filled.

So you'll burn the cooperage?

For starters.

You don't f*cking think, brother.

What'll they put the beer in

without the barrels?

If you burn their barrels,

they will have their excuse to take you,

and they will string you up.

And you will have half the men in Dublin
pulling down on your legs

to break your stupid f*cking neck

for stopping their daily supply of beer.

Fists and fires have gotten us nowhere.

Think.

Come with me, you bonehead.

We know that Sir Benjamin's death
has given us an opportunity.

Do you have a match?

Not for lighting barrels, you bonehead.

The old man was flawless.

- Give me the f*cking matches.
- I'll give you a light.

But I'm keeping the matches
'cause I don't trust you.

When I say the old man was flawless,
I'm not talking about faults.

I mean secrets.

Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness
had no secrets that could hurt him.

But his children are a different matter.

Maids, cooks, butlers.

The new generation talk in front of them
as if they were made of glass.

The maids talk to me.

And what secrets
have they uncovered?

The old man's children have secrets that'd
burn them out of positions of power faster

than a million burning barrels.

Are you talking about blackmail,
sweet Ellen?

Naturally, I put that to the vote.

Blackmail is not noble, sister.

I feel better burning the barrels.

But we ignoble women
will gather their secrets.

And when the eldest takes
his father's seat in Parliament,

I'll make sure he sees things
from our point of view.

And so it comes to pass

that little Ellen unties
a 700-year-old knot

without a single shot being fired.

All four of them have secrets?

Not all four.

All of them have secrets apart from one.

But I've got an eye on him.

Thank you.

You said today we need to appear united.

So where the f*ck are Ben and Anne?

We're meant to receive condolences
in a line together.

- Thank you.
- I'm so sorry for your loss.

- Thank you.
- There will never be another.

Benjamin went downstairs.

Said he wanted to be alone
with Father's portrait.

With a quart of Jameson's. Where is Anne?

- Please accept our condolences.
- Thank you.

- Sorry for your loss.
- Thank you.

I will wait for him down this alleyway.

Is this wise, madam?

Wisdom is overrated. Go and fetch him.

- Condolences, madam.
- Thank you.

What brings you here, Mrs. Plunket?

I thought there was a family congregation.

There is, but I have business with you.

This is the money to give to your men

for the work they did today
clearing Father's path.

Blood money, but I hope
not too much blood was shed.

You walked through the streets
with £50 in cash?

Seventy.

Arthur has decided to increase your rates.

And I was accompanied.

Yes.

And now your butler is a witness.

Could he not have sent someone
to deliver the money?

I said I would do it.

For what reason?

I wanted you to assure me

that your men did not use
undue force today.

There were no deaths.

Some lessons learned.

I know the limits.

What limits?

Three nights ago,
you and I went beyond all limits.

The other reason I came

was to tell you I have regrets
about what happened.

- Yes, but what's done is done.
- I have begged God's forgiveness.

He will understand.

I pray each morning, I pray each evening,
but sometimes the devil whispers.

- You were blinded by your grief.
- Or a blindfold was removed.

Mrs. Plunket.

Let's at least be honest with each other.

Our consciences put up a very brief fight,

if I recall.

And if the world were to end tomorrow…

we'd do it again.

In this alley.

Like cats.

We are not cats.

But sometimes, Mrs. Plunket,

when you hear them howling at night,

don't you just wish…?

Wish what?

I've worked for your family for 20 years.

And I know

you're all good-hearted, generous people.

But inside every one of yous…

…there is a black,

wild…

wild cat

dying to climb out onto the rooftop

and howl.

Thank your brothers.

I'll go and pay my men.

For reasons I don't quite understand,

you f*ck all just got a pay rise.

Walk me back to my misery, Mr. Potter.

Yes, madam.

Ah, there.
What new adventure has Potter witnessed?

What spice is that in your voice?

Dear husband…

What adventure?

While you've been in London,
Annie has been here in Dublin discovering

that it isn't just the boys
of the Guinness family who are cursed.

We've all been waiting for you.
Where have you been?

Arthur. Edward.

I just wanted to express
my sincere condolences.

- He was a unique man.
- There will never be another.

But we will try our best.

Also, his last will and testament,
when is that being read?

No, Aunt Agnes…

In my grief… I almost forgot
there was even a will to be read.

And a vacant parliamentary seat
to be filled.

I assume, Arthur, you are going to accept
your responsibilities

and become Dublin's MP.

Then you assume a great deal.

Aunt Agnes… the will is being read
tomorrow, but if you haven't been invited,

it's because there is nothing
in it that concerns you.

When the will is read out,
I hope we will discover

that your father knew
his children well enough

to know which of you is Ogma

and which of you is Dagda.

Who the f*ck are Ogma and Dagda?

In Irish mythology,
they are brothers, sons of a god.

One can be trusted.

The other cannot be trusted. Hello.

- Sorry for your loss.
- Thank you.

Thank you so much for coming.

Thank you.

So which are you, brother?

I've been away in London
these past five years.

- I hardly know you anymore.
- Thank you for coming.

Mr. Guinness. Our condolences.

Well… while you've been away,

I've been working at the brewery,

barreling, bottling, and selling beer.

I like to work.

And you think I don't?

I think it's hard to brew beer
wearing white satin gloves.

- I'm so sorry for your loss.
- There will never be another.

And yet tomorrow,
at the reading of the will,

since I am the eldest son,

the brewery in its entirety
will be left to me.

- He was a wonderful man.
- Thank you.

Such a loss.

I know. I know.

Yes.

The weight of it
will be put on your shoulders.

Like Atlas holding up the sky.

I would find that task very tiring.

Of course, as your brother,
I would share that burden.

- A moving service.
- Sir, thank you. Thank you.

Or even take the burden from you.

- One moment, please.
- Yes, of course.

I would buy it from you.

The whole thing.

With what?

With an agreement
to give you 30% of the profits.

For doing nothing?

For representing our interests
in Parliament.

Father was only ill for a few days.

You thought all of this up
in such a brief space of time.

- Death comes to us all.
- And the brewery comes to me.

But you sell it to me.

Against our father's wishes.

In heaven, he'll find peace.

- Thank you
- Gabriel. Thank you.

- 40%.
- Thirty-five.

Deal.

We have no need for lawyers
or accountants, brother.

Our love is our bond.

- He'll be sorely missed.
- Thank you. There will never be another.

Yes?

Gentlemen.

Your uncle,
the Reverend Henry Grattan Guinness,

has requested an audience
with you both in private.

- Oh, f*ck.
- Jesus f*cking Christ.

Lock the door.

Okay, give it to me.

Ben, there's half
of Dublin society upstairs,

and you're asking me
to steal you a p*stol.

Why?

You can go.

I did not bring b*ll*ts.

Wh… Why? Why, why?
Why would you not bring b*ll*ts?

I will not be responsible
for you ending your beautiful life, Ben.

You thought I asked for the g*n
to use on myself.

I'm really not that courageous, Christine.

Then what is it for?

There's a man. A bad man.

Named Bonnie Champion.

He runs exports for the family
but also has sidelines.

Gambling. He operates out of the docks.

I owe him £170.

Anything above 150,

and you go to the bottom
of Dublin harbor wearing irons.

So please fetch me the b*ll*ts,

because they'll come for me.

You don't have £170?

"Money will k*ll you," Arthur said.

Giving me money is like

giving me a loaded revolver.

Ben.

Listen to me,
because I have a serious proposition.

And today is the perfect day for it.

I have an endowment.

I will pay you the £170
on condition that when we marry…

Please. Please don't be a pawn
in their game of families…

On the condition that when we marry…

…the madness stops.

I've spoken to my father.

Your father is dead,
and Arthur won't object.

What do you say?

I say…

I won't let one so sweet
waste her life with one so bitter.

You must understand, Christine.

I am the madness.

f*ck you.

You serve strong spirits
and have music playing at a funeral.

Whose idea was that?

Actually, my father's idea.

I'm sorry, do you not dance, Uncle Henry?

I don't dance on anyone's grave, no.

No. No, you devote yourself to the fight
against Satan in all his forms.

Tell me, how goes the battle?

Well, the Harley College is thriving.

The missionaries we train there
travel across the globe,

spreading the word of God.

And putting Satan to flight.

Actually, perhaps you could fit
your missionaries up

with samples of our porter and have them
spread the good word of Guinness too.

Good idea, especially if they're heading
for the Americas.

- We are considering the Americas.
- We are?

As I understand it, at the moment,

the Americans make their drink
from cactuses.

Cacti.

So you brothers dance at a funeral
and make jokes at the expense of God.

Tell me.

Just how expensive is God these days?

I need an assurance that whoever benefits
from the will tomorrow,

their heart will remain as open
as your father's heart was

when it comes to helping us.

How much did our father give you
per annum?

Your father always gave us
exactly just not quite enough.

Is this family business?

It's God's business.

Then it is my business,
perhaps more so than my brothers'.

Reverend Grattan, speaking for myself,

I have every intention
of using all of my influence

to ensure that the good works and charity

for which the Guinness family is famous
will continue.

And what influence would that be,
sweet Annie?

You think, as a daughter,
I will have none?

"May the sons of the father
be like plants full-grown,

but may the daughters
be like corner pillars

cut for the structure of a palace."

Psalm 144 verse 12, I believe.

Suggesting that it may be I
who will be the cornerstone

for the House of Guinness.

Welcome…

to the Guinness export wharf

and pleasure gardens.

I'm looking for someone
called Bonnie Champion.

If you're looking for work
in one of Mr. Champion's houses,

I'm his gatekeeper.

I get to decide if a girl has

what's required to work his rooms

and greet the men off the ships.

Lift up your skirt,
and let me have a look.

I also get the privilege

of having first go.

First go?

Usually through the bars of this gate.

Ellen Cochrane, Ladies Committee.

Fenian Brotherhood official business.
Take down your f*cking trousers.

No.

You want first go?
Take down your f*cking trousers.

And the f*cking rest.

No.

You don't have what it takes for first go.

So open this f*cking gate
or I'll sh**t it off.

Are you lost, madam,
on this dark night?

Are you looking to improve your fortune?

An associate of yours died today.
You're not wearing a black tie.

The man was no associate of mine.

Too grand for the likes of me.

I simply provide services
for the men who work for him

and the men who work his ships
and locomotives.

But you, now…

I'd have you down as a secretary
in the wharfinger's office.

- If it wasn't for that look in your eye.
- What look is that?

Every Fenian I've ever met
looks down on me from a great height,

like I'm a necessary evil.

I've heard of you, Miss Cochrane.

A dangerous creature. A woman with brains.

I've already paid my taxes
to the Brotherhood.

I'm not looking for taxes.

- What are you looking for, then?
- It's secrets I'm after, Mr. Champion.

Family secrets.

Presently, you pay 10% of all your profits

on the whorehouses and the bookmakers
and the rackets to the Brotherhood.

And on behalf of the Brotherhood,

I am offering you a one-year holiday
from paying any taxes at all.

Get to work, boys.

Quick!

Keep your heads down, boys.
Soak the whole lot.

Let's go. Come on!

Young Benjamin gambles
on the advice of voices in his head.

He hears fairies, spirits.

How much does he owe you?

Enough to send any other man below.

So why not him?

Because his name is Guinness.

Tonight's takings.

Now, I'm a wicked f*ck.
I've fed the fish very, very often.

With men named O'Reilly and O'Leary.

But not Guinness.

You never drown a Guinness.

Because if you did,
there's a Rafferty fella who'd come along

and put you down among the shipwrecks
wrapped in an anchor chain.

Which makes me

curious to know,

what's your business
with these family secrets?

None of your business.

You'll excuse me
if I end this conversation.

There's a storm coming.
It's gonna baptize whoever's out in it.

A storm is coming,

because it's not Benjamin's secrets
that we want.

Our interest, Mr. Champion,

is in the altogether
more interesting secrets

of the oldest brother, Arthur…

…who we believe uses
parts of your business

unrelated to gambling.

Mr. Champion! Come and see!

What?

The cooperage is on fire.

They're asking for our pumps
and our horses.

Haste thee to the water wagon!

f*cking bonehead.

Move those barrels away from the fire!

You men over there!

Roll the empty barrels into the dock
and let them float!

We can fish them out in the morning!

Hey! Who opened the f*cking gate?

I don't know, sir! I was at the mash tuns.

Suddenly, the windows were orange.

Move it! Move!

Hey!

Hey, back in there!

Faster!

Keep moving!

Move them over to the dock! Come on!

Come on!

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

You seen any Fenians here tonight, Bonnie?

Fenians?

No.

Only a wharfinger secretary
who'd lost her way.

And lost her mind.

Get that f*cking hose out!

Now the fun starts.

Keep pumping, lads!

Let's go, men!

Come on! Move those barrels into the dock!

Come on, Benjamin.
I've got you.

And lo and behold,

on the day before the reading of the will,

Benjamin finds that he is a prospect.

She actually loves him.

Or what he used to be.

Or what's left of him.

Or does five years in London
make you unable to believe in love?

Love comes quickly.

Like a riptide.

Then, just as quickly,

it's, "Ah hell, the snoring
and the pimples and the hair."

To hell with it.

That has been your experience?

A multitude of experiences.

Sometimes, you sound Irish again.

Yes.

When I'm sad.

Why are you sad?

Because as of tomorrow morning,

everything becomes real.

Brewing, politics.

You will take father's seat
in the Commons.

That's what everyone says,
so it must be true.

You must.

This is a delicate moment.

I will be with you.

Brother, I know the brewery
like the back of my hand.

And as for politics,

Dubliners vote for the beer,
not the party.

And yet I'm in search of an energy
I'm not sure I have.

I have it.

And I have ideas.

I meant what I said about America.

Population 36 million,



No longer a wilderness.

Two coasts, rich as f*ck,

with a thirsty army in between.

And since the famine,
the East Coast is half Irish.

And I am half consumed
by the flames of hell.

What flames are you talking about?

Arthur.

What flames consume you?

Lady Christine leads Benjamin away
as if he were a frightened puppy.

She will get herself pregnant,
they will marry,

and her entire aristocratic family
will be an expense in my accounts.

He's just pretending
to be bullheaded, Anne.

In truth, it is Arthur

who is the frightened puppy.

Oh, Arthur.

We should all get some sleep.

Tomorrow will be a big day.

Okay, boys!

Let the rain do your work for you.

Maybe the f*ck do have
God on their side, after all.