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01x06 - Life or Death

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "Midnight at the Pera Palace". Aired: 3 March 2022 – present.*
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Esra, a young orphaned journalist in modern-day Istanbul, is assigned to write an article about the upcoming 130th anniversary of the Pera Palace Hotel.

01x06 - Life or Death

Post by bunniefuu »

Ahmet, stop messing around, dear boy!

The guests will complain!

Where's your mother?

She's always leaving you

to your own devices.

[loud clattering]

Mummy?

[man] Although his internal organs

remain fairly unharmed, they are infected.

He's running a very high fever.

He's unresponsive.

In short, he's in a critical condition.

If he's lucky enough to make it through

the next three days, he might survive.

However, that's unlikely.

[sighs]

- [Reşat] Peride?

- [gasps]

Leyla's safely back home.

Thanks, Reşat.

How is he doing? Is he going to survive?

I don't know.

Leyla said some strange things.

She says that Halit saved her.

Is that true?

Take me to Pera, would you?

We'll talk on the way.

Why would George stoop

to such a disgusting crime, hm?

I don't believe it.

George pretends to be a friend,

but he's the Turks' enemy.

He's greedy for power, you know.

He's got awful plans for us.

He won't leave a single Turk

alive in Istanbul.

He's gonna slaughter everyone,

no matter what side they're on.

And his commanders are unaware of it all?

Yeah.

But you know.

And what?

Reşat, please don't look at me

like I'm mad.

It's true, you fool!

You'll see, Reşat, when the time comes.

Then it'll be too late.

The man who shot Charles was dressed

as a British soldier.

He was hit, too.

By the looks of it,

he was in pretty bad shape.

I assume it's a mere coincidence

that our dear friend Halit

was shot at the exact same time.

That is a lot of coincidences.

That'll be all.

I'll deal with this myself.

Madam Peride. [gasps]

Madam Peride, Halit, how is he?

The infection's worse, I'm afraid.

But can they give him something

Well, if we had antibiotics

Uh, wha what is that?

[door slams]

Ahmet. I've got an idea.

[Ahmet gasping]

Ahmet, what's happened to you?

We need to get you to a hospital!

[Dimitri] They can't do anything

for him at the hospital.

- [Ahmet grunting]

- [Esra] Who the hell are you?

Dimitri Theodorakis.

The Dimitri I told you about.

The one who threw you

into the sewer? But

That's the one.

Who's she?

Well, I'm Peride.

[Dimitri giggles]

We all know you're not her,

if we're being honest.

But she's exactly like you told me, Ahmet.

There's no denying,

you're very much alike.

- When did you two become friends?

- We are not friends.

No, we're not! [chuckles]

- [Ahmet groans]

- When did this happen? And how?

Tonight, on the way here.

[Dimitri] He was gonna give back

what he stole.

He started feeling ill on the way here.

It has happened before, but

[Ahmet] No, never like this.

The decay is setting in quickly.

It doesn't bode well.

What can we do?

First, we need to find the cause.

There has to have been

some kind of new event

- that has put Ahmet's life at risk.

- [breathing shakily]

Halit?

[gasping]

Halit was shot last night.

He's in hospital.

They don't know if he'll make it.

How so?

If there's a connection between those two,

Ahmet's life depends

on the survival of this man.

What do you mean by that?

[Ahmet] It doesn't matter.

What's done is done.

[groans]

Antibiotics are what we need.

Penicillin! Penicillin,

when was it discovered?

The year 1928. I need to travel

to some time after 1928.

With antibiotics,

I'll be able to help Halit to survive,

which means Ahmet would be okay too, yes?

[Dimitri] No, he wouldn't!

A man has to accept his own destiny.

It doesn't matter if he likes it or not.

- You can't mess about with time.

- Why not?

We came together,

so we'll return together.

- [Dimitri and Ahmet sigh]

- Please, we can't let them die!

- All these problems are my fault.

- Listen, lady. It's like Russian roulette.

Every time you go backwards and forwards,

you might be lucky to start with, but

that b*llet will get you in the end.

And you're scarred

with each and every trip you make.

They might be big, might be small,

but the scars never go away.

Halit and Ahmet, they may not even be here

by the time you get back

from trying to save them.

They won't ever have existed.

- But I've got to try!

- [sighs] Peride was just as pig-headed.

Why don't you women ever understand, eh?

That will do, Dimitri. [gasping]

Which room's opening tonight?

Tell me,

or you'll never see those keys again.

Whatever happens, it's all on your head!

Room 311. It will open tonight.

You have to wait till midnight

before you can get back from there.

But you can't be late, either. Understand?

The portal stays open for an hour.

Don't speak to anyone, especially

especially if it's somebody you know.

Come on! What are we waiting for?

- Ahmet, you'll be all right.

- [sighing]

Take care. [sighs]

- [door opens and slams]

- [groans]

[clock chiming]

[rumbling]

[crashing]

[clock chimes fading]

[clock ticking]

TUESDAY, 17 APRIL 1917

[Esra] 1917?

sh*t! [sighs]

[man 1] Stop! Stop!

Halit?

- [Esra] Hey!

- [grunts]

- [man 1] Stop!

- [g*nsh*t]

- [screaming]

- [g*nsh*t]

[man 2] Come on, sir. Inside.

Come inside.

[doorman] Please come in.

[Esra] Psst, hey!

Get in!

[gasping]

You saved my life.

Who are you? Where did you come from?

Who who were those men?

Why are they chasing you?

There's a price on my head in this town.

Nice motor.

This this isn't mine.

[both chuckle]

Yeah, but for a good cause, you have

to be allowed the odd misdemeanour.

You were made for me, weren't you?

We haven't actually met before, have we?

- [horn blares]

- [Esra yelps]

- [crashing]

- [Halit groans]

[birdsong]

[dog barking outside]

[sighing]

[groans]

[sighs]

[sighs]

Uh-uh! What are you doing

out of your room?

You should be resting, my dear.

But how did I get to this place?

What year is it?

Dear, oh, dear!

You must have hit your head very badly.

Halit's doctor will make you feel better

The accident happened just outside.

Halit picked you up and brought you here.

Well, I think you lie down

till a bit later.

- You do that. He'll be here in a minute.

- No, I really must be going now.

Uh, don't go, or else you won't see him.

Where are you running off to?

Halit wanted me to keep you here!

[in Russian] These are family heirlooms.

They're very valuable.

[in Russian]

When did you come to Istanbul?

Just now.

Are you alone?

Where's your family?

How much for these?

[bell rings]

[traders shouting]

[man] Nice onions!

Nice fresh onions!

[screams]

Keep still and you'll be all right.

We just want you to answer our question.

It's Halit that we're after.

- Yeah. Where is he?

- But I don't know him!

[Halit] Looking for me, gentlemen?

[Esra yelps]

- [squeals]

- [grunts]

- Come with me.

- [man grunting]

[trader] Nice fresh fruit!

[grunts] God!

[Halit] Uh, sorry, sorry.

Right, move!

Move! Move!

[trader] Nice fruit. Get your lemons here.

- [ship's horn blares]

- [both panting]

[both laughing]

[sighs]

[chuckles]

Madame Eleni told me you'd gone.

You didn't wait for me?

I didn't want things to get complicated.

What things?

Between us, I mean.

Never mind. [chuckles]

They're gonna get like that

anyway, in time.

- [laughs]

- [seagulls calling]

You truly are a unique lady.

[sighs]

You went through great danger,

for someone you haven't even met.

And all this for a down-and-out.

Those men really want to k*ll you.

You should take care.

[chuckles]

We can't divine our own death.

Destiny. Nothing to be done.

Destiny doesn't work like that.

It can be changed.

At least some part of it.

Hm.

That's why I get into all this trouble.

[sighs]

Change my destiny.

To not become like my father.

Because he believes

people like us have no prospects in life.

It makes you a sinner

to ask for more in life.

[sighs]

But he'll see.

Someone from over there

can make a fortune for themselves too.

He'll see.

[laughs]

You don't understand me.

This might be the best I've ever eaten.

The tuna here is the best in Istanbul,

trust me.

So much better than what we eat nowadays.

[Halit chuckles]

We could've come earlier

if you'd told me you were so hungry.

We were running away

from someone with a g*n.

[both laugh]

Where are you going after we finish?

Pera Palace, I imagine.

You're staying there?

There's another place

I'd like to take you.

It's by the Pera Palace. You'll like it.

All right. Guess I have time for that.

["Ghost Are You There" by Robert Viger]

[Halit] Well? Do you like it?

[Esra] Mm-hm.

I wasn't wrong, was I?

It's great.

I'm going to own this place one day.

[chuckles]

Don't think so?

Course you don't. [scoffs]

Because I'm from the streets.

I'm a Turk.

- Impossible to believe, I know, but

- It's not.

It's possible.

- [song ends]

- [whistling and applause]

- ["Lazy Days in Dixie"]

- Dance with me.

[song ends]

[applause]

[Halit sighs]

[fast drumming]

- [loud bang]

- [cheering and whistling]

["Tom Tom Hop"]

There's a show like this

every night at midnight.

- sh*t, it's midnight. I've got to go!

- Will I see you again?

Of course!

You didn't even tell me your name!

[Dimitri] Why isn't she back yet?

[sighs]

The portal's about to close.

[sighs]

[Ahmet groans]

[Dimitri] Come on

So you lost someone close to you,

like me, right?

[sighs]

At first

I thought I was so fortunate.

[sighs]

I could do whatever I wanted to.

[sighs]

Then I realised the whole thing is cursed.

It's unbearable. [sighs]

Knowing the secret of this hotel

is such a responsibility.

[sighs]

[whimpers]

Take it easy. Leave me some.

[both sigh]

- Why did fate bring us here?

- [sighs]

Do you ever wonder?

And why me?

Never been able to get my head around it.

- [sighs]

- You can't.

It's never made sense,

so why even bother trying?

Mankind understands so little, really.

Huh?

Ahmet?

It's getting worse.

But it hurts less now.

I went back in time. 1917.

- [groans] f*ck.

- Is there another room?

- How can I try again?

- You've already pushed your luck too far.

There's nothing you can do.

Why can't you just understand it?

You have to give up on this now.

You're playing with life

every time you travel.

You're meddling with our destiny!

Oh, I don't want

to be a part of this any more.

[sighs]

How do we knock some sense

into this mad lady?

[groans softly]

This is Ahmet's life we're talking about!

You just don't know anything about this!

You're playing with powers

you can't comprehend.

[Ahmet] He's right, Esra. [sighs]

Things are in disarray as it is.

Don't be ridiculous, Ahmet!

We're fighting a losing battle.

Perhaps we should

just come to terms with it. [sighs]

Just come to terms with it?

I thought we were going

to straighten things out?

[sighing]

I'm going to another room.

Just tell me which room to go to.

Well, now you're in God's hands.

[sighs]

Am I allowed to stay with him?

Yeah. Let me know if anything happens.

[rumbling]

[rumbling fades]

Oh. Pardon, excuse me.

What year is this?

Hello. Someone's been shot.

The wound's infected. Can you help?

I really need antibiotics for him.

[sighs]

[dialling]

Pardon? If you haven't got any,

I'll go somewhere else to get some.

- [siren blaring]

- Have you got any?

- [car draws up]

- [sighs]

Hey! What are you doing?

Let go! Are you mad?

Let go of me!

Let me go! [yells]

I've been here for hours!

Let me out of here!

[panting]

[gasps]

Please let me out of here!

Can somebody let me go?

Oh! You've got to let me out of here.

I haven't done anything wrong.

I haven't done anything! Please!

Don't you understand?

For God's sake! I didn't do anything!

I'm gonna go mad!

Shh! [gasps]

[Esra sighs]

If you don't stop shouting,

it's only going to get worse.

Why?

You're not from around here, are you?

So why are you wearing

that strange outfit?

Were you going to a fancy dress party?

Do you have the time?

Ten.

[whimpers] I need

to get out of this place.

We all need to get out of here.

This station's full up

with Turkish resistance.

Why?

Why do you think?

George the fascist. You know.

He hates all of us Turks

'cause of his mother.

And what's your story?

You don't seem to know

what's going on around here.

Why haven't I seen you before?

Istanbul's big.

There are only a few Turks left here,

and we all know each other.

They locked you in here

deliberately with me,

just so you can get all of our names

and inform on us.

What are you saying?

Well, if you're not a Turk,

then I know what you are. Traitor!

I'm not spying.

I don't know what you mean.

- Traitor.

- What?

- [shouting and g*nf*re]

- Traitor!

[prisoner yelling] Open it! Open it!

Come on!

[prisoner] Let's get out of here.

- [man] Come on!

- [prisoner] Let's go!

[kicks body]

[g*nsh*t]

Check everywhere.

Come on! k*ll all of them!

[man] Psst. Hey!

Spare some change, huh?

Money, money. Money. Huh?

Spare some change? Huh?

Money. Money

[alarm ringing]

[alarm continues ringing]

[panting]

[sighs]

[distant hubbub]

[applause]

[George] I was a young officer

when I first came to Istanbul.

From the moment I laid eyes

on the city, I feel in love with it.

The Hagia Sophia,

the Golden Horn,

the raw energy of the place.

I swore that one day it would be ours.

That we would finally transform

centuries of wasted potential

into a glorious new future.

That dream has been a reality now

for 22 years.

[applause]

Istanbul, the crown jewel

- of the Eastern British Empire!

- [angry yelling]

[g*nshots]

[g*nf*re continues]

[clock ticking]

[door opens]

- [woman]

- [man] Here.

All right, I've got the door. You go.

I'll check

- and let you know.

- [woman] All right.

[gasps]

[gasps]

- Mother?

- Leyla?

- [man outside] Come on!

- [Leyla gasps]

But how is it possible?

They said you were dead.

A miracle.

It's like you haven't even got any older.

- [Leyla's companion] Leyla, come on.

- [man outside] Check every room.

You have to go.

[sighing]

You taught me to believe in miracles.

- [companion] Leyla, hurry!

- [knocking]

[man outside] Open the door!

Are you going to stay here?

Uh I'm going as well.

- Where?

- [banging]

[man outside] This is your last warning.

Open the door!

- Leyla?

- [siren blaring]

Is Mustafa Kemal alive, do you know?

Who's that?

[banging]

[man outisde] Open the door!

[sighs]

[grunts]

[rumbling]

[rumbling fades]

- Dimitri? Dimitri!

- [gasps]

What are you doing here? Where's Ahmet?

He insisted on coming to the hospital.

I had no choice.

He wanted to reconcile with his father

before he died.

- With his father?

- Yeah. [grunts]

[wheezing]

You weren't around, anyway.

This is all for the best.

It doesn't matter if I don't live.

Maybe this time round,

my mother will live longer.

[sighs]

Maybe she'll even be happy.

[Esra] So, how old are you?

[Ahmet] Let's say 47.

But it's complicated.

Born 1920.

I was still young

when I went to '92, but

I decided to stop travelling after that.

Why?

[sighs]

Why do we ever repent?

I got scared.

Scared of what I could do.

Of what I might become.

Of my anger.

Ahmet?

Who's your mother, if Halit's your father?

[sighs]

[baby crying]

[Esra] Sonya?

She's not pregnant yet.

That's why, when Halit was shot,

my life was at risk.

If they don't get together

I'll never be born.

[Sonya] What's wrong with you two?

- Has something happened to Halit?

- No, no. Don't worry.

[Esra] This

This is the medicine I told you about.

Antibiotics.

I gave him his first dose.

Give it to him every day.

You mustn't tell him I brought it for him.

Stay by his side till he's discharged.

He's going to need you, Sonya.

Just leave it to me.

Ahmet. I know who k*lled Peride.

What? How do you know?

Because I saw him.

That man. It's your father, Ahmet.