01x05 - Black Dog

[bunniefuu]

I need to find my family.

My real family.

Hils!

We have a name.

What is Maggie to you?

She is my grandmother.

I'll tell you everything I know about Tenebrae if you tell me who exactly you are.

Tenebrae is an army of monsters.

We shall all be gods again when you open that jar.

Argh!

(Birdsong)

(Dog growling nearby)

(Dog starts barking)

(Barking continues)

(Growling)

Tammy, stop it! Come on. Leave it alone.

(Grunting)

(Whimpers)

Woman: This is private property!

Ooh. Ah.

Sorry. Er, I didn't mean to bother anyone.

Then leave... now.

It's just I was looking for the old Roman temple.

It's on some of the mediaeval maps and I...

I can't find it. You wouldn't know where it is?

Run.

There is a footpath. There is a public right of way.

You can't just order me around.

Run or die!

Right-o.

(Dog barks)

(She snarls)

(Grunts)

(Whimpering)

(He grunts)

(Snarling)

Tammy!

(Growling)

(He screams)

(Drone of aeroplane engine)

Robert: There was a battle here.

People were k*lled.

They've cleaned shop.

No evidence.

Are you still sure we shouldn't involve the police?

Something happened here last night, Max.

It wasn't just Tenebrae. They're not the only ones involved.

Someone sh*t Dance.

Someone cleared this place out.

We don't know who we can trust.

So we look for our own answers. We do it ourselves.

Before more people I love get hurt.

Come on. Let's go and talk to my grandmother.

(Bell tolling in distance)

Maggie: I haven't felt this alive in years.

Whatever it was you gave me, it's brought my youth back.

He's messing with stuff he doesn't understand.

Just like his grandfather.

He thought the dr*gs made him change.

That Hyde was in the bottle.

But he was wrong.

If not the bottle, then where?

It's in the blood.

Henry was born with it. It was always in him.

It just needed something to bring it out.

And Sir Danvers knew what that was.

What the devil was a senior politician doing mixed up in all this?

I told you, Max. There are larger forces at work here.

Your father thought so, too.

Last time I saw him was during the w*r.

He told me that people might try to find me.

Well, Max found you.

Maybe he could find other members of my family.

I couldn't find any other Jekylls who were close family.

And I looked, believe me. Hils, do you have the family tree there?

Your family were originally called Jezequiel.

Thank you. But look.

Here, at the beginning of the last century, the family split.

You Jekylls went one way and the Jezequiels carried on here.

You're the end of the Jekyll line but...

Renata, Gideon and Brant Jezequiel.

Still alive.

I think we should pay them a visit. Don't you?

(Children playing nearby)

Lily, I said some very cruel things about your mother for which I am more sorry than you can ever imagine.

I hope this doesn't come between us. You're like my port in a storm.

With an ugly, concrete sea wall around it, no doubt.

It's clever how you use your apologies to make things worse.

Yes, I know.

I think I saw a dog leave a little gift back there.

I was rather tempted to put my foot in that, too.

I know that you'd never lie to me, Lily.

I promise I will never lie to you.

How chivalrous.

Please, Lily.

I want us to be together.

He said, right before departing.

Where is it you're off to, anyway?

Oh, it's family business.

I didn't know you had any family.

It's just boring legal stuff to do with the estate.

Well...

Well, goodbye.

Robert?

Here. That should be a bit safer, I think.

You think?

I've filtered it a dozen times. It's the best I can do.

(Horn honks)

There's a sponge bag in the brown suitcase.

Coat, hat and spare boots in the burgundy one.

Come on. Help me get them into the Humber.

Actually, I was thinking we might take this one and travel lighter.

Really? Are you sure?

Yes. Why not?

It'll be fun. Live a little.

Leave them there, Robert.

You know, it goes over 30, if you want it to.

I know that perfectly well, thank you.

Hils...

.. it's important you don't tell anyone where we're going.

Mum's the word. Now don't get him into any more trouble, will you?

Hils!

Don't I get a hug?

Of course.

You keep your distance.

(Engine revs)

Come on! Let's drive.

Wa-ha-hey!

(Jazz music)

Robert: You, er... You do remember what Hils said about going over 30?

Bumpy road. Just being sensible.

What about embracing life for once?

You know, my father, for years and years was dry and dusty and sensible.

Then, suddenly, he decided to embrace life.

Well, embrace my mother, anyway, which is why I'm here.

What changed him?

Your grandfather.

When he... k*lled himself, I think it rather shook my old man up.

Made him decide to er, seize the moment.

And what about you, Max? Is there a woman in your life?

Plenty, thank you.

No. I meant somebody special.

Come on. Seize the moment.

(Chuckles)

(Engine revs)

There!

How's that?

Much better.

(Sign squeaking)

(Chatter)

Ah!

(Chatter stops)

A warm welcome at the hearth.

Mm.

We're just closing.

What? In the middle of the day?

Sir, we're trying to get to the Manor House, the old Jezequiel place, but we can't find a road.

There ain't one.

At least, not one that'd take a fancy car like yours.

(Laughter)

What do you wanna go up there for, anyway?

I'm on family business with Gideon Jezequiel.

Mr Jezequiel d*ed a year ago. There's just his widow now.

Perhaps we should telephone first.

They're not on the telephone up there.

Listen...

It's gonna be dark soon.

Best you head back the way you came.

Is there a problem?

What on earth is this?

Wouldn't want you to come to any harm.

You could stay here, if you must.

Something's k*lling the animals?

I see your pub's called The Black Dog.

Legend round these parts.

We call it Old Shuck.

Story goes, if you see it, you're not long for this world.

Listen, I want to get to that house.

There's a footpath.

But it might not be safe.

Well...

Then, you won't mind if I borrow this.

(Door opens)

(Door closes)

(Chuckles) He was good value, wasn't he?

I imagine anyone passing through gets the same yarn.

"Not safe to be out at night.

Why not rent one of our convenient rooms?" (Laughs)

Rather clever, really.

Probably one lamb got bitten by a fox and he's managed to spin it out into the hound from hell.

(Laughs) Very good.

.. my father found it. Many years ago now. (Chuckles)

Max, Max, here...

We must be getting close.

(Gate hinges squeak)

I expect this is quite the ancestral pile.

The Jezequiels have lived here since the Dark Ages.

The name comes with the house.

Poor old Gideon married into it.

What else did he marry into?

What is it?

What is that?

Whatever did this bit through the bone.

Still believe the Black Dog's just a yarn?

There are monsters, Max.

You know that now.

You've seen them.

Wait for me.

Well, this is rather lovely. I could live here.

(Fluttering wings)

Money really does run in your family, doesn't it, Robert?

Doesn't in mine.

(Sighs)

All right?

Yes, I'm perfectly fine.

Renata Jezequiel?

Good evening. Sorry to drop by unannounced.

The village is that way.

Er, no, we're not lost.

My name's Robert Jekyll.

I think you might be a relative of mine.

I doubt it.

Well, a very distant relative.

What is it you want?

I'm trying to trace my family history and I think... you might be part of it.

I can't help you.

Please. Please.

(Snarling)

A relative?

Well...

.. perhaps you'd better come in.

Well, this is very kind of you.

If you really are family, it's the least I can do.

That's Brant, my son.

This is his room.

Oh, he won't mind?

He's up at Cambridge until the long vacation.

(Footsteps. Max knocks on door)

You have a lovely home.

I'll let you get settled in.

This is a turn-up. Ooh!

Nicer beds than you'd get at a pub. And the company's prettier, too.

Something happened, Max.

The moment I touched her hand, she just... changed her mind about us.

And?

And there was a...

I don't know what. Some kind of... glimpse of something.

I think she probably just got a proper look at me and knew she was onto a good thing.

Did you see her feet?

What?

(Whispers) I don't know what it means.

When I touched his hand, I felt this... energy.

If he's lying... If he's come to thr*aten us...

.. I know what I have to do.

I love you.

I'm so sorry.

(Door squeaking open)

(Door closes)

(Animal cries out in distance)

(Grunts)

(Gurgling)

(Animalistic grunting)

(Snarling)

(Snuffling)

(Gasps and pants)

(Owl hoots)

(Creaking)

Max?

Renata?

Is anyone there?

(Creaking)

(Thudding)

(Snarls)

(Growls)

(Barking)

(Gasps)

(Gasping)

(Panting)

(Sighs)

(Birds squawking)

(Door opens)

(Door closes)

Ah!

Good morning.

You're up early...

.. for a city boy.

(Chuckles)

Isn't it quite cold without shoes?

It's a habit I got into when I was a girl.

I like it.

Feeling connected to the land.

(Thudding)

You probably think it stupid.

No.

"Connected" sounds quite nice, actually.

This place is lovely.

Well, we've been here for centuries.

Somewhat diminished now.

I think it's rather fine.

It's out-of-date. Not in the best repair.

I'm out-of-date and not in the best repair and I'm still rather fine.

(Chuckles)

(Both laugh)

(Clock chiming in distance)

(Thudding outside room)

(Low chatter)

(Max and Renata laugh)

It must be difficult, managing this place by yourself.

We heard that your husband d*ed.

I'm very sorry.

Thank you.

Do you mind my asking what happened?

He had an accident walking in the woods last winter.

He tripped and broke his leg.

It snowed that night and it covered his tracks.

He was dead of exposure before we found him.

I'm very sorry.

Max!

What?

We need to go.

Excuse me.

Is there some kind of hurry?

I was having a perfectly pleasant chat with Renata.

What's got into you?

I don't trust her, not one inch.

What? Why not?

There's something not right here, Max.

Here. I found this.

She said her son Brant was up at Cambridge. He's not. He's missing.

There's a stack of letters from his college to say if he doesn't come back, they're going to give his place away.

Renata left the house. Did you know that? She was gone all night.

A woman in the woods alone, in bare feet.

She's been through a lot.

Perhaps we should just ask her straight out, instead of all this subterfuge.

Do you really not sense anything wrong here?

I don't know.

She hid something from me in the library. A book.

It might be nothing. (Coughs)

Max, are you all right?

(Coughs) Absolutely.

Right. Then let's get some answers.

(Max Rubs car)

Max, it's fine.

But... But...

We brought your stick back.

Thank you.

(Bolts door)

Tell us about the dog.

There is something out there.

I used to be like you, when I first came here.

You think it's all a bit of a laugh.

Pub called The Black Dog.

Tall tales of Old Shuck roaming the woods.

But it's there and everybody knows.

They don't talk about it, mind. They look the other way.

They stay in at nights and they bolt their doors.

I reckon it's been this way for centuries.

There is a secret here in Long Barrow.

And Old Shuck is guarding it.

From sheep?

Look.

Here and here.

They're never found.

"Local historian... Willard Neysmith..."

This is from last week.

Here. Call Brant's college.

Find out if he was just late, or if he's vanished like the rest of these people.

It's the Jezequiels. Gideon weren't one of them.

They buried him in secret.

They've an old chapel up there.

But if you dug him up...

He d*ed of exposure.

There are rumours.

I thought they found his body in the woods.

No.

They found his body in the chapel, torn apart.

I didn't speak to his tutor, but Brant is missing from the college.

I don't like this, Max. Where was Renata going last night?

Why wasn't she frightened of the Black Dog?

Old Shuck, the hell hound?

You don't think it's real?

It's real enough to k*ll Renata's husband.

And maybe her son, too.

The landlord said Gideon was buried here, but all of these graves are ancient.

(Low growl)

Robert.

Edmund Jezequiel.

There's something here.

There are some initials.

W-N.

Willard Neysmith.

The historian who disappeared?

What was he doing out here?

Why come all this way just for a small family chapel?

(Distant barking)

Robert, I heard something.

Don't worry, it's just a hell hound.

I knew it.

You lied from the start.

I know what you want and you're not having it.

And what would that be?

How dare you say you're my family?

Do you think I don't know what you are?

What?

You know I have the power to destroy you.

The landlord told me...

Go!

What are you hiding?

Robert, come on. Come on.

Renata, I promise you. We didn't come here to make trouble.

Let me talk to him.

Too late for that. Run!

If you're very lucky, you may get out alive.

(Chains rattling)

(Liquid dripping)

(Gasps)

(Chatter)

Yes.

Right. Got it.

Yeah. I'll be sure to tell them.

Thank you.

Are you sure this is wise? She told us to leave.

We need to see what's in that book she hid from you.

Where is it?

Under the table.

Here.

Robert, for heaven's sake.

(Creaking)

(Snarling)

(Growls)

Good Lord!

My family album has photographs of me on the beach... on the Isle of Wight.

Recognise this?

There's the house.

Aye.

"Sir Ulrich Jezequiel and his faithful hound."

It looks like creatures and monsters come here all through history.

And when they come... the Black Dog is here to greet them.

Who does this remind you of?

Captain Dance.

But that's impossible. This is hundreds of years old.

Why do you think Renata was hiding this from us?

She is one of them.

She's Tenebrae. She is the Black Dog.

(Panting)

(Growling)

(Twig snaps)

(Screeching)

(Screaming)

Oh, good Lord!

He was on his way to find us. Brant's tutor was concerned for the boy's safety.

Wanted to talk to us about his mother.

Are you all right?

Not really, no.

(Snarling)

Shall we... go back inside?

Why not?

The Jekylls ended up with Hyde.

The Jezequiels with the Black Dog. But it's the same thing. Metamorphosis.

You're saying Renata is a shape-shifter?

Yes.

Maggie was right. It's in the blood.

Do you really think she k*lled her own husband? Her own son?

I have no control over Hyde. God knows what she does when the change is on her.

(Thudding)

What was that?

(Snarling)

Robert, are you sure you want to do that?

What if we need your monster before the night's over?

(Snarling)

Oh, my giddy aunt!

Max. Max...

It can't get in.

Are you sure?

Max. Max, talk to me. Tell me. Why did you never have a girl?

What?

Come on. Talk to me. Take your mind off it.

I saw the way you were with Renata. You clearly want to care for someone.

F-F-Funny. I don't normally talk about it, but... - (Growling)

.. there's something not right with my heart.

Inherited and all that. A bit like you. Well...

(Panting) The doctors say I could go any time.

But they've said that for years.

So it doesn't stop me having fun.

But it rather puts a damper on, well, falling in love.

That's making a promise that you'll be there for someone.

A promise I can't be sure of keeping.

Best not to get into that sort of situation. I've always felt it better all round.

(Snarling)

Come on.

What? Out there?

Neither of us did very well out of our inheritance, did we?

Quite. I'd rather have a stamp collection. Wouldn't you?

I've been living like a bloody invalid all these years, until I met you.

Turns out it's rather fun to put your foot down once in a while.

(Thudding and clattering)

The truth is I haven't felt this alive in... well, ever.

(Silence)

It's stopped.

(Whispers) Hang on.

Where is it?

You should've left when I gave you the chance! (Snarls)

(Gasps)

I really am most terribly sorry.

Was that the right thing to do?

Don't worry.

If she's anything like me, she'll bounce right back.

That's what I'm rather worried about. Now what?

(Groans)

(Fire crackling)

(Grunts)

Don't try to move. I'd rather not hit you again.

But I will if I have to.

You're the Black Dog.

(Wearily) It runs in the family.

Down the years.

Down the... centuries.

Whether you want it or not.

(Snarls)

Beware of the dog!

You do realise I could just change right now.

Are you going to?

I don't want to hurt you.

I don't want to hurt you either.

I'm sorry about all this.

(Giggles)

I mean it.

I like you.

A lot.

Not exactly the best time to come out with it, I do realise, but I like you.

The moment I saw you, actually... and...

Good Lord! This is harder than I thought.

Max...

No, sorry.

It's just...

No practice at this sort of stuff.

You're a good man, Max, but... you don't understand.

What you're asking for, it's... it's not possible.

We could never be together. It's not safe here.

Because of what happened to your husband?

You've k*lled people. I know that. But I don't believe it was your fault.

I don't blame you.

M-Max, no. Stop it, Max.

You can't help what you do when you're changed.

Max, I didn't k*ll Gideon! I haven't k*lled anyone!

It's not me.

It's Brant.

(Tearfully) It's my son.

(Owl hoots)

(Chains rattling)

I don't believe you. I've seen how you are.

I k*ll sheep for him. I k*ll animals and take them to him.

I try to keep him fed so he won't...

So he won't hunt people?

He's my son.

What was I supposed to do?

He has a taste for it and now he lets the beast rule him.

We're supposed to be guardians.

We're supposed to protect this place against monsters.

But he kills for sport, not duty.

Gideon... tried to stop him.

He k*lled your husband. His father.

I've seen the face of the great god Pan.

The Black Dog isn't greeting them. He's keeping them away.

What is it you're guarding? What do they come for?

There's a sword hidden in the chapel.

A w*apon to fight back against the darkness.

We keep it safe until it's needed.

That's our vow. That's what's in our blood.

Robert went to the chapel.

Brant will k*ll him!

(Crunch)

(Crunch)

(Snarling)

(Gasps)

The monsters you're guarding against...

It's Tenebrae, isn't it?

Yes.

We're not with them.

We're fighting them.

(Grunts)

(Gasps)

Robert changes, too, doesn't he? Then, he might just have a chance.

(Growls)

(Grunts)

(Roars)

What are you? Two men in one body?

Should've kept out, monster.

Cave canem. Beware of the dog.

How many men have you k*lled?

Not just men.

Not just k*lled.

Eaten.

(Grunts)

How do we stop Brant?

The soil. Our strength is in the earth.

(Growls)

(Roars)

Get him off the ground, Robert! Don't let him touch the ground!

(Growls)

He's not the enemy! He's like us.

No-one's like me.

(Gasps)

(Growls)

(Snarls)

Argh!

Max!

(She groans)

Max! Max!

(Groaning)

(Max groans)

Max, Max, Max.

(Max gasps)

It's all right, Max. I'm here with you. Hold on. All right? Just...

Just hold on.

I don't think that's gonna cut it, old boy.

Max, stay with us. Come on.

Funny thing...

I've always been scared of living.

Turns out I'm not that scared of dying.

You're not dying.

I always thought it would be my heart.

(Laboured breathing)

It's been a lot of fun, Robert.

Thank you for giving me a s*ab at life.

Tell me, Renata...

.. did we... have a chance?

Max?

Max!

Max.

(Sniffs)

(Birdsong)

Don't worry.

Leave Max to me. I'll organise everything.

Thank you.

This w*r with Tenebrae...

It's been going on a long time, hasn't it?

You should have this. The Jezequiel family book.

It will help in your fight.

Help you understand who you are. Who we are.

What are we?

You know what we are. We're creatures who change.

But you can control it.

You'll learn, Robert. Trust me.

But you have to accept it's part of who you are. Use it well.

Not like Brant.

Why don't you come with me? Help me?

You don't need to be here any more.

Yes, I do.

It's what we've always done. We guard this place.

I can't change who I am any more than you can.

And I'm the only one left now.

If there's ever anything I can do, you know where to find me.

Thank you.

(Energy crackling)

(Thud, then debris settling)

Is it time to bring him in?

I think it is.