What Your Heart Says A Place to Call Home

The Jew's job application.

All the information to give me a starting point over there.

-There's no shame in surviving, love.

-It's how I survived.

I used my body.

They used it.

I've come to talk about our daughter.

-Who is she?

-Anna.

I'm planning to propose.

The answer will be no.

-You've made me believe in you.

-Really?

You're engaged.

You think I'm going to let some wop farm boy have her?

The procedure is called a transorbital lobotomy.

It has proven 100% effective in cases such as yours.

-How did it go with Dr Stewart?

-The referral wasn't for me.

George, I'm sorry, I think I've made a terrible mistake.

James said he wanted someone for Olivia.

If I'd have known what it was for I never would have suggested Stewart.

-The man's got a good reputation.

-On women's issues!

But he brings a certain cruelty to men like James.

-Now with Milson involved...

-Sorry, is James undergoing treatment?

Of his own volition.

I know two men who were under Milson's care.

Neither were healed, both are damaged and I've heard of others.

-He never said it would be easy.

-There is no cure, George!

Can we talk? Outside.

You can't dismiss what she's saying.

-Of course she's against it!

-You have to at least see him.

There's nothing wrong with James in her bohemian circles.

-Do you know what's being done to him?

-Milson has assured me...

-Do you know?

-No.

-I have a fair idea.

James is up to it. Her pansy friends weren't.

-It's as simple as that.

-Don't!

Please...

No father could be happy learning his son is like that.

No father should let his child be tortured.

Milson said family concern would hamper his progress.

I'm simply asking you to see him.

They told me not to visit him.

-I should have stood my ground!

-Try to be strong. For James.

I'm worried George may be talked around.

That's why I'm going.

All set.

-Keep an open mind.

-Of course I will.

-I'll need some time alone with James.

-It may not be possible.

We have to make sure it is.

Please.

Please.

Whatever it takes to get to the truth.

Listen to me carefully, James.

Yes.

Your family insist on seeing you, so I'm relying on your strength.

Now answer me this.

Do you wish to see that look of utter disgust

on your father's face again?

No.

Then make him proud of the real man we're making of you, yes?

-Yes.

-Good.

Now, just a mild sedative.

There. Get rid of this, then bring them down.

I'm off.

-Shopping.

-Oh, in this heat?

A necessary evil this time of year.

You still have a few days' grace.

Not if I want a certain somebody in the country

to receive something in time.

You surprise me.

You impress me.

Your determination to persevere with my granddaughter,

despite her behaviour.

I'm no stranger to wild oats. I'd be a hypocrite to begrudge Anna hers.

I was thinking,

a gift in the hand is better than two in the post.

Father's antics do rather rule out a Merry Christmas here.

You'd like to visit.

No battle can be won from a distance.

A country Christmas it is, then.

I wish you could stay.

"You engaged, Miss Anna. Now you live here? Scandalo!"

-When's he going to call me Anna?

-Probably never.

-I should take this off in case we run into someone.

-Here.

I want it announced properly. In the paper.

Mr George Bligh is proud to announce

the engagement of his daughter Anna to Gino Poletti.

Then this will be on your finger forever.

Forever.

CAR APPROACHES

No telling.

Dr Duncan. Gilda must be the most visited patient you've got.

Guess what. I'm making it easier for you.

Making what easier?

I'm moving home, so you can visit me and Auntie Carolyn at the same time.

I saw you at the party. Of course you're interested. Who wouldn't be?

You'd make a nice new uncle.

Anna.

I'm...

Don't worry, I'll put in a good word for you.

-Doctor. My fiancee, Miss Adams.

-Miss Adams. My congratulations.

-Oh, thank you.

-Mrs Bligh.

-How is he?

-He's doing well. Very keen to reassure you.

Oh, my darling!

Let's show him some strength, shall we?

James. How are you, son?

He may be a little slow to respond. A mild sedation.

Is that necessary?

We keep him as comfortable as possible.

Don't we, James? Hm? Look who's here.

Look at your wife. Positively glowing.

So...big.

It's two weeks since you've seen me.

Yes.

How are you finding things, James?

We're very pleased with his progress.

They're not being too rough on you?

I'd rather you didn't discuss his treatment.

Certainly not ask him to make value judgements on it.

-I see.

-This is the very reason we don't encourage visitors.

Um, a neutral topic perhaps. News from home.

Sarah, why don't you tell James about the engagement party

while we discuss the treatment outside.

I'd rather not involve Miss Adams.

-Olivia.

-Of course.

Ash Park's never seen anything like it.

We had all the locals in,

the hokey-pokey on the main lawn, if you can imagine.

Despite appearances, James is making excellent headway.

Roy Briggs even performed a bush ballad.

James...

I know what they're doing to you.

Oh, James.

Yes?

It's not working, is it?

This torment.

You don't have to stay. You can come home.

But if you want to leave you must tell your father.

-He needs to be convinced.

-Please.

-James, listen to me.

-What is being done to you...

-Don't.

-We need to know exactly. Please.

-Don't. No. No.

-You must tell me.

-Don't. Don't!

-So when can he come home?

-Not for some time.

-We don't want to jeopardise progress.

-No!

James!

-What's going on?

-He's in a terrible physical state!

He's being sedated on a regular basis. And look at his arms.

-These bruises are consistent with harsh restraints.

-That's enough!

And there's only one thing that causes this.

A high voltage and lack of care in the application.

-I must ask you to leave. Now.

-Not without James.

I refuse to be lectured to

by a woman who has no knowledge of what is happening.

I'm a nurse. I understand exactly what's happening.

You bring a nurse in the guise of your fiancee to poke and pry?

This is outrageous!

Your ill-informed opinions are not required.

Miss Adams is my fiancee.

George Bligh and a nurse.

Your tone is offensive, Doctor.

-Livvy.

-What I find offensive is you bringing someone in, fiancee or not,

to investigate my methods.

-You have to take him out of here.

-Leave now!

You've undone weeks of work in a moment.

-George, only you can sign him out.

-Mr Bligh!

He's being brutalised!

I refuse to be lectured to by a nurse

who has no idea of what is being done.

I have every idea.

I've had it done to me. I've survived barbarians like you.

-Sarah.

-But...

-Please!

-You've been in a mental hospital?

-What matters now is James.

You can't just say something like that...

You can't ignore... ignore what's going on.

You're too personally involved. It's best you stay here.

If you leave him here, we are finished.

You're upset.

I can't be with a man who'd abandon him to this.

Stop!

I'd like to talk to my son.

Olivia.

I knew you'd see reason.

You don't want a son who spends his life furtively seeking out...

Not a word until I've finished.

James.

When I found out...

..I said some hurtful things that I truly regret.

We love you.

I love you, James, and we will get through this together.

We will.

Do you understand?

Look at me, not him.

Tell me truthfully...

..do you want to stay?

Tell me what your heart says.

This is a sad day for your family, Mr Bligh.

How does this sound?

-What is it?

-My engagement notice.

You're not one to waste time, are you?

I thought I'd save Father the trouble.

I'm happy for you, my darling.

You fought for love and you won. Not everyone is so fortunate.

Look at you, staring dreamily off into the distance.

You're as bad as he is.

-Jack Duncan.

-Oh!

-He blushes whenever he talks about you.

You're imagining things.

He's been acting strangely since you arrived.

Perhaps it's true love.

-This isn't one of your novels.

-Isn't it?

-No!

I'm worried about someone.

-Grandmother?

-No.

It's not for me to tell.

I'll finish this, then.

It really is wonderful.

CAR HORN SOUNDS

They're here.

-How is he?

-Let's get him to bed.

-James! What's wrong with him?

-Later.

-Olivia said the flu. It's not, is it?

-Not now.

-But look at him!

-Anna, please.

-I'll call Dr Duncan.

-Can't you see to him?

-He needs a doctor.

-We can trust Jack.

-All right.

-Livvy...

-I'm here.

You're home.

-Home?

-At Ash Park.

-I've let you down.

-No.

You're safe now.

Thank you.

You and him.

Sh.

You and him got me through.

Your father loves you.

Not him.

Him.

You just rest now.

George... Oh, for goodness' sake, who's been in your ear? Has Miss...

He was doing well.

Oh, if you insist.

We'll speak at home.

Problems?

A storm in a teacup, I'm sure, but I'd best return immediately.

Of course.

And given the circumstances,

I think it prudent to cancel any Christmas plans.

That's a shame.

But rest assured, I am most simpatico to your cause.

-I'll organise a car.

-Thank you.

We're together again.

That's what matters.

He's taking his time.

I'm sure he's just being thorough.

How could you let him be locked up?

He had a mental collapse.

-You almost abandoned him.

-It's not the time, Anna.

No! Someone should have told me.

Why? What could you have done?

Other than not treat him like something disgusting, I'm not sure.

I can't act like it's normal. It's not.

-I just don't understand.

-This isn't helping.

How is he?

He suffered some pretty serious trauma.

Physically, he should recover soon enough.

Mentally?

Not being a psychiatrist, that's harder to say.

You must have some idea.

What I do know of shock therapy suggests its effects pass with time.

-They do.

-Oh, thank God!

I am worried about one thing.

I don't know the first thing about dealing with, um, the other stuff.

His attraction to men.

The time for tiptoeing has passed.

Maybe you should get someone else in.

We need someone we can trust.

You need someone who can understand his condition.

Not my area.

You heal his body. The rest is up to us now.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Mr James, I brought you something to eat.

Um, would you like me to just...

Oh, sir!

Just my wife! Just Livvy!

With our love and support he will get through,

but if word got out he'd carry the shame forever.

It would destroy us.

I hate to ask you to keep things from Gino,

but he'd never understand.

-I'm sorry. Mrs Bligh, he needs you.

-Excuse me.

-James?

-I'm sorry.

-I'm sorry.

-It's all right.

I'm sorry.

What happened? I should get Jack.

-Amy?

-Yes, ma'am?

-No, go!

-James!

-Go!

-I should really clean...

Clean it up later. Get Jack.

-Darling, what's wrong?

-It's just Amy.

It's her. She...

She reminds me of...

Reminds you of who?

The treatment.

I get sick.

-Thoughts.

-Sh-sh-sh.

Sorry.

You and him, you and him will save me.

James, who are you talking about?

She made me think of him.

Harry.

I do hope nothing's too amiss.

-Anything I can do?

-There's not.

-I'll press on with our plans for the Adams woman.

-Thank you.

-And for your hospitality.

-Oh!

-I do hope to be able to reciprocate.

-Yes.

Thank you.

I'm surprised you're still interested in the Bligh minx.

She adds spice to this ridiculous need you have for me to marry.

And if her final choice is the dago?

Don't be absurd.

-Is he settling?

-He's asleep.

I'm sorry for my ultimatum at the hospital.

Never use our relationship again as a threat.

You had shock treatment?

Not here.

You asked what happened during the war.

All you need to know to understand this is...

..it's what came after that made me lose my mind.

I'd survived for Rene.

And when I eventually did get home

no-one knew whether he was alive or dead.

So I waited for the telephone to ring

or for him to step off one of the trains

that brought the survivors back.

The stations were full of people like me, searching the faces.

Scarecrow faces.

But he never came.

The truth did, though, finally.

From a man who'd seen him die.

And I heard this scream, this piercing scream,

and it was mine.

I fell into this darkness.

Oh, Sarah.

I woke in the hospital weeks later,

strapped to a bed, with electricity burning through my brain,

being tortured in the name of normalcy.

I would have said anything to stop you leaving James to that.

Thank you for trusting me.

How is he?

-Dr Duncan's with him again.

-Can I see him?

It might be best left for now.

Anna...

I-I think James formed a...an affection..

..before we left for the city.

Who was it?

Amy's brother.

Oh, Livvy!

It must be why he sought treatment.

He ran from it, and he put himself through all of that...

..for me.

For us.

A little early for that.

I'm girding my loins for Mother's arrival.

Did you ever suspect?

He hid it deep.

You think he should accept what he is, don't you?

Many do.

And what about Livvy? And the baby?

There lies the complication.

Well, at least with them he won't end up old and alone.

If men like him were allowed love, they'd soon find it.

It's society that condemns them to loneliness.

I'm on my soapbox. Sorry.

I'm off.

-I'll see you out.

-No need.

I will.

I almost told her today.

I know what we said.

I won't.

George doesn't need that on top of this.

You're a wonderful man.

Well, yell if you need help with your mother, huh?

KNOCK ON DOOR

Yes?

-May I?

-Of course.

Thank you, George.

Any father would have done the same.

Some. A lot wouldn't.

What now?

-That's up to you.

-And you.

-His collapse came from your disgust.

-Yes.

Sarah has had exposure to this sort of thing. With her help...

And your love.

Our love.

But we have to give him the choice.

I beg your pardon?

We cannot incarcerate him in this life.

Or we're no better than Dr Milson.

But what if he chooses that?

It would break my heart.

But so would living with him as his jailer.

She thinks she can stop it.

Oh! Rispetto.

Amy. Thank you.

Grandmother!

You're here for James? I'm glad.

-How is he?

-He's...

-Is he in his room?

-Yes. Grandmother...

I trust your father stressed the importance

-of this not leaving the family.

-Of course.

The inner family, which does not include your inamorato.

Gino and I are getting married.

Father gave his blessing yesterday. I've moved back until the wedding.

I see.

Hm. One can only imagine your contribution to all of this.

Climb down off your high horse, Mother, please, for once.

There are things you should know before you go up.

James.

Look who it is.

James.

Can you hear me?

Grandmother.

Oh, my poor boy.

You left me.

I thought you wanted to stay the course.

I said, "Help me."

-Help?

-I begged.

And then you left.

You left me.

Forgive me.

I didn't know.

Forgive me.

Oh.

Oh, there you are.

Apparently you've given Anna your blessing.

They're in love. I believe that won't change.

The agreement was a three-month trial.

You were wrong about James and you're wrong about this!

That was uncalled for.

I did let myself be deceived.

And I have to live with the knowledge

that I abandoned him to that.

Anna and Gino, I simply ask one thing -

if I have the right to ask anything of anybody anymore -

that we defer any public announcement until after Christmas.

I'd rather not muddy the festivities with any adverse reactions.

And then?

What will be, will be.

So can that be arranged?

I'll speak with Anna.

Good.

That way we can focus our attentions on James.

Yes.

I was expecting more of a fight.

Anna?

Hm. It's a bed of her own making.

Mildred, I'd like to place a long distance call, please, to Sydney.

Person to person.

Mr Andrew Swanson.

I must admit I was beginning to think something had happened

at Ash Park you were gone so long.

-I stayed for a bite of lunch.

-Everything all right there, I trust?

I knew it!

I saw you and Miss Carolyn at the engagement party.

Enough sparks to start a bushfire!

You need that imagination of yours seen to.

Sister Carvolth's birthday, you said.

If you would be so kind. I feel terrible forgetting the date.

You will keep my asking under your hat, won't you?

I'll do my best.

Falling in the middle of the festive season,

I can never remember whether it's the 27th or the...

-It's the 27th.

-Oh, I thought so.

Wouldn't want her to miss out on your famous pound cake, hm?

If there's anything I should know about the Blighs...

-Bye, Doris.

-Indeed, indeed.

Jack.

Sorry to disturb you.

Um, you haven't got any idea where your employment file is, do you?

No.

It's missing.

-You didn't take it?

-Of course not.

It must be misfiled, then.

Right.

I'll keep looking. Just thought I'd check with you first.

See you tomorrow.

When you hear I'm gone,

don't take solace in the fact.

There's many a slip twixt the cup and the altar.

Shalom.

Hungry?

I'll organise a tray to be brought up.

I'm happy to be home...

..with you and him.

What's wrong?

You keep mentioning...him.

Him. Her.

You mean the baby?

Every night I... I thought of you both.

It kept me going.

James, it's all right.

I can get better with you.

Listen to me.

If you felt that you had no choice...

-..but that side of you, I would try...

-No. No.

As long as I have you.

Him.

Her.

No.

Miss Adams.

My personal file has gone missing from the hospital.

-Is there a reason you mention it?

-Oh, it's on my mind.

Well, you are a woman of mystery, Miss Adams.

Perhaps someone's curiosity got the better of them.

Or perhaps it's simply been mislaid.

Or perhaps this three months trial was you playing for time.

Your nonna, after Christmas she will say yes?

So she says.

-But she has a lot of things on her mind, so that may change.

-Ah.

James is home and he's not well.

Ah, that's no good.

-Gino.

-Yep.

-We'll finish the other field tomorrow.

-Si, Papa.

-What is it?

-What?

-I know when you're hiding something.

-You know I'll never lie to you.

-Of course.

But there's something that I can't tell you.

I just can't.

-Why not?

-I just can't.

So if I can't be honest,

I want to at least be honest about not being honest.

Only you would say something like that.

Just one secret.

Please, just one, and I promise never another.

One.

I love you.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come.

It's that bad.

Elizabeth.

From the look on your face.

Oh, it's nothing to do with that. We've got her on the back foot.

No, this is an idea I've had.

Should I be worried?

Can you get some time off before Christmas?

I'm the boss. Why?

I'm hosting a party in Sydney.

We could kill two birds with one stone.

And what birds might they be?

It would give you some insight that may help you with James.

-What sort of party is this?

-You'll see.

And it will give us a chance to spend some more time together.

Just us.

Right.

No obligation.

Yeah, I'd like that.

Yeah.

Olivia said that you've committed to her and the baby.

It never needs to be spoken of again.

It's like it was all a bad dream.

That's a good way to think of it, yes.

Just like you've woken from a bad dream.

There's the chap.

I didn't want to interrupt.

Fresh air?

I'd hoped never to burden you with this.

But they've forced my hand.

-Who?

-Your mother.

Regina.

Before she left I saw her at the hospital.

She had this smug manner to her.

Jack's just discovered my employment records are missing.

I think they've been taken to guide a search into my past,

and given the Nazi obsession with record-keeping

it's all there to be found.

What could be found?

The full story of what happened to me at Ravensbruck.

To hear it from anyone else would be the end of us.

It may be anyway.