[man on radio] ...surprise is the only tactic Gordon Brown has left.
We'll be going live to Parliament. But first,
more British troops are being deployed to Afghanistan
as part of the biggest joint offensive
since the 2001 invasion.[horn honking]
The British army's death toll has already exceeded
that of Iraq and the Falklands War,
with those wounded and requiring treatment at home
also rising sharply.
Fatalities have--[radio off]
[men shouting in distance]
ID, please.
I just popped into town.
Private Shaw?
Can you tellthe young private who I am?Sorry, ma'am.
Increased securitywith the deployment tonight.
I'm sure the MOD's veryinterested in the colonel'ssupper. [chuckles]
Hey, what are you doing? Wake up, yeah. Do you realize who that was?
Just get some wine.
[bells jingle]Hello.
Do we have any olive oil?
Um-- We have oil.
Oh. Hmm.
I went all the way into town,then forgot it. [chuckles]
Go ahead.Oh, thank you. That's very kind.
Um... All right.Whole new world
for you this time, Lisa,sergeant major's wife.
Congratulations on the promotion.
Thank you very much.
Lots of new responsibilities for you with the wives.
Yeah.I'm sure you've gotlots of ideas up your sleeve.
Oh, yeah.Planning is key.
Okay. Well, thank youfor the advice.
Anytime.
[bells jingle]
[drawer slams]
[man shouting]
[man shouting in distance]
You're not done yet?Grace came over to say goodbye.
Oh, right. Where's she going?To live with her aunt off base
and have a life.
Well, look. There are positivesto being surrounded by people
in the same boat as you.
Mum, please don't.
[man] By the left! Left wheel!
[boy on monitor] Dad![man] He's coming to get him.
[dad roars][boy laughing]
[dad] Hey, come on, Billy. Story time. Come on.
[Billy] Are you going away tomorrow?
[dad] I am. But only for a little bit though, okay?
[Billy] Who's gonna read stories when you're away?
Oh, God. Why are you so clumsy?
Well, maybe this is God's way of telling us to put it in a frame.
No, I like it on the fridge.It'd be better protected under glass.
Yes, and it would befrozen and formal,
and I prefer it where it lives on the fridge
in amongst my postcards and my shopping lists
and all my--
my everyday things.
You know, Jamie always hated that photo.
Said it made him look like an American talk show host.
[chuckles]Well, I like it.
Fine.Fine.
Are you going to be okay when I'm gone?
Mm-- I'll be fine.
Course I will. I mean,it's my fifth tour. [chuckles]
Yeah, but things arecompletely different this time.
Do you know, I thinkI'm going to offer my helpin supporting the wives.
I don't trust that Lisa,you know, the new RSM's wife.
She's very cavalierabout the whole thing.
Well, I'm sure she has a plan.Hmm.
Not that she won't appreciateyour support as well.
[man] Look after Mummy.If she gets upset,give her a hug.
[boy] I will.Okay. Good boy.
This is gonna keep you safewhile I'm away.
Just like mine'llkeep me safe.
Right, kids.
Okay. Remember what we do with this?
Cross it off every day.
Yeah. Until?
Daddy's home.
And we are--
Chuffed.Chuffed.
Chuffed. Yeah.
Mmm. [kisses]
[electricity hums]
[chuckles quietly]
Yeah, I know. [giggles]
[girl laughing]Check out the blast boxers.
Not funny, Red.What? They're Kevlar.
Just protectingthe family jewels,for your pleasure.
Who is she talking to?I don't know.
Better not be talking to those lads.
I was a lad once, remember?Yeah, thanks.
That's really helpful.
Is that my razor?
Are you packing my stuff upagain before I've left?No.
Well, I'm taking this.Why? You're not gonna read it.
Yes, I am.It's about leadership.
Fine. Last time you took War and Peace,
spent your whole time reading Heat magazine
and watching fucking rom-coms, so--
Are you angry?No, I don't give a shit what you read.
I'm just getting ready for another six months as a single mother.
All right.
There. You can forget about me now.
Hey.Oh, just get off.
Get off.
Do you really want me to?
No.
Oh, shit.Oh! Oh!
Yes.[knocking]
Yes. [chuckles]
Well, listen, I gotta go.Yeah. Okay.
I'll speak to you later.Bye-bye. Bye.
You better write to me. And I mean proper letters, not just e-mails.
Come here.
[sighs]
They've stopped doing the jumbo crossword in the newspaper,
so I printed it off the Internet.
No crossword?
I've got to go.
Right.
Oh.
Hi, Kate.Hello, Lisa.
[grunts] I'm late for a meeting with Crooks.
Forgot the clocks went forward.Oh.
Don't worry. The brigadier'sstill in there with him.
Oh, great. Great.
Quite right. I imaginethe spouses are quite anxious.
We all know what to expectthis time around.
Who's your point person?Lisa Lawson is the RSM's wife, sir.
She wasn't too chuffedto get the job,but I think she'll rise to it.
Well, these thingsdon't happen overnight.
And Kate Barclay will help with the pastoral care.
Kate will?Yes, sir. She volunteered.
I think after losing Jamie on the last tour,
she's keen to keep herself occupied.[knocking]
Sorry to interrupt.
Kate.Hello, Jeremy.
Brigadier and I were discussingthe new welfare directives.
Social activities, getting the women on board.
Oh, top brass telling uswhat to do. [laughing]
I think I should leave you to it.
[door closes]Oh.
No, it's all right.
Got it.
Colonel Barclay's wife would like to take a more active role
in supporting the spouses during this deployment.
Oh!
I know it's not customaryfor the colonel's wife
to get her hands dirty,so to speak.
Yeah, exactly. That's my role.
[Kate] No, of course, of course.
So what do you have in storein terms of social activities?
Well, we have our coffee mornings--
Coffee mornings, yeah.
And?
Potluck parties.
Oh, potluck party.
That's when everyonebrings a dish and gets drunk.
[laughs] Of course, we've got my walk on the moors.
With the greatest respect, Kate, most women don't have a mess to drink in.
They can't go into town and get pissed,
so they need somewhere to let off a bit of steam.
Absolutely.Yeah.
Absolutely.
Um, so, anything else?
Why don't we just brainstorm with the women at the next coffee morning?
[chattering]
Go and have a play, Bills.
You can bring whatever cakes you want.
I'll just introduce you to Annie and Helen.
This is Sarah,Private Wheeler's wife.Just marched in yesterday.
Are you settling in all right, yeah?Fine. Yeah.
Except everyone keepsasking me what rank I am.
What the hell is that?
They look like squashed little turds.
[chuckles] I think it's,um, Kate's contribution.
[cup clinking]So, Lisa seems to be running late.
No, no, she's here.
Hey.Oh, I'm sorry. [chuckling]
Would you like to come to the front?No, you're grand.
You don't want to kick things off?
Well, it has kicked off.
What do people do in these coffee mornings?
I think they just... drink coffee.
[clinking]
Sorry, everyone. Hello. Uh--
If you'd all liketo gather round and take a seat.
Come on. There's no need to be shy. Front row's nice and empty. [chuckles]
So, some of you don't know me.
I'm Kate Barclay, Colonel Barclay's wife.
Today, we need to come up with some exciting activities and pursuits
for us to do while our service people are away.
So, shall we start?
Um, Lisa, Lisa, Lisa.
[whispering] Do you think you could write things on the board for me?
Thank you.
So, I thought we could have a formal dinner once a month
to explore all aspects of global cuisine.
Then perhaps the film night could become a film season,
where we could examine the body of an auteur
and would provide an educational aspect
to leisure pursuitsin a nonalcoholic environment.
Nonalcoholic environment.[murmuring]
What-- What's the matter?[Lisa] No. No.
It's just in general,when we watch films,
you know, usuallywe like them to be fun.
[laughing] Well, perhaps we could open the ideas to the room.
Yeah.
Well, we dida book club in Germany.
Book club. Great, great. Super.
What about a footy club?
We had a cracking five-a-sidein Aldershot.
It was something else.[groans]
Football. Yes. Why not?
Start a needlework club.[Kate] Needlework. Right.
Baking or bread making.
Yeah. Yeah, and thenwe could collect alms
for the poor and...do a bit of basket weaving.
I mean, come on. It's alla bit Little Women, isn't it?
Let's just get the strippers in.Oh, yes.
Give rear party soldiersa case of beer and havea Mr. World contest.
Oh, yes, that'll be very entertaining.
But we're actually, right now, we're looking for clubs to join.
Well, what about singing?Singing?
My bridesmaids did "Angels" by Robbie at my wedding.
It was-- It was amazing.
Okay. Um, yeah, super. A choir.
Has anyone had any experienceof running a choir?
Lisa, you're, um, musical. No?
No. My mum used to teach music,
but, I mean,choir's not really my thing.
Right.
Knitting?
Knitting.
Should we have invited Kate? I bet you she can knit.
[groans]This is supposed to take your mind off being upset.
Well, I just-- I wanted to makesomething nice for Liam.
And, you know,I love wool, I love sheep--
Little mistakes give knitting character.
Go on. Let's have a look.
Oh, there you go.Make a lovely-- [clears throat]tea cozy.
Or a toilet roll cover.Yeah, 'cause we all need one of those.
I don't know how you lotcan just make jokes.
I feel sick all the time.
Every time the phone rings,
every time the doorbell goes.
I feel sick. How do you cope?
Do you not talk about it?
Who wants some wine?I'd love some wine.
[chattering, laughing]
Where are your glasses?Got red and white.
In the dishwasher.[man whistles]All right, Frankie?
Give us a smile.[Annie] There you go.
What?
[sighs]
There are some benefitswhen they go away.I grow me pubes.
It's like Sherwood Forestby the time Malc gets home.
[laughing]
And you don'thave to brush your teeth.
You don't have to pretend you like Top Gear.
Today we're gonna be making some tea and taking a look
at the Brexar Glass Kettle.
[woman] And for today only,
if you purchase the Brexar Glass Kettle,
you also get this stunning
five-piece knife set and wooden block.
[man] So clever and so unique. It's the Brexar Glass Kettle.
It takes tea making to a whole new level.
[birds chirping]
[phone buzzing]
Yeah?[Crooks] Hello, Kate.
Comms are down.
No further details at this time.
But they've just got there. Sat phone and Internet on total lockdown.
I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything further.Yeah.
Hello.Hiya.
Is your mum in?
Mum!
So, how was knitting club?
There is no knitting club.Yes, I've heard the joke.
First rule of knitting club:There is no knitting--
No, I mean, they disbanded last night due to impracticalities.
Oh.
They can't knit.Oh.
Right. You better get a move on.You're gonna be late.
Yeah?
Comms are down.
What, already?They're stuck in Green Zone.They gotta tab out.
Right. Do the women know?
A text message has gone out.
Best thing is to keep busy.
[man on TV] ...five possible bypass routes.
We see firsthand for ourselves. While we're filming,
a report comes in about another bombing close to the base.
And the YORKS quick reaction force gets ready to move out.
You all right? They've just been scrambled
because a suicide bomber has detonated a device...
Thank you.
Gonna look good.
[phone buzzing]
Shit. Sorry.
Hello.
No, I've not been in an accident.
[doorbell rings]
Hello.Hi.
I thought I'd pop inand see how you're doing.
Oh. Okay. Thank you. Um-- [chuckles]
Richard and I were also marriedlast minute pre-deployment.
My family all thought I was pregnant. [chuckles]
Just being coy.
[chuckles]
Oh, are you?
No, Liam just wanted meto be next of kin.
You know, comms down doesn't necessarily mean anything.
It's just the men aren't allowedto talk to us and--
The military, they wantto ensure that no falseinformation gets through.
It's very important to keep busy.
Less timeto think about things.
Yeah.
I was actually thinking of decorating.
Hmm. It is a bit depressing,isn't it, the magnolia box?
I was gonna do a signature wall.
And then, you know, pick outthe purple on the other walls.
Yeah. Mmm.
It's a bit signature.
Took Richard and Isix coats of paint
to cover up the mess I madewhen we first marched out.
Oh, God, sorry. That's Liam. He always puts our teddies
into different sexual positionsevery time I leave the room.
It's to make me laugh.He's done it since we were kids.
Well, not kids kids. Since we were 15.
Let's get crackingon these boxes, shall we?
I've got this exercise bike I need to finish.
Okay. Great.[phones ringing]
[sighs]
[sobs]
Comms back on is a good thing.
Yeah. I know. I'm sorry.
Oh!
Come on.
Don't be silly.
Let's get some music onand get cracking, eh?
[Robbie Williams]♪ Offers me protection ♪
♪ A lot of love And affection ♪Sorry.
Thanks.
[choir singing]There we go.
♪ Sunlit from heaven ♪
What have we got here?
Um-- Oh. Okay.
Probably just start with the instructions that were there.
Here you go.Let's have a look.
Um--
♪ Sprung in completeness ♪
♪ Where his feet pass ♪
Give one of those to everyone.There should be enough.
Don't eat them. They're all dry.But I want it.
What are you doing?
Right. Has everyone got a hymn sheet?
Time to liven up this coffee morning.What's happening?
I'm going to give you all a note. And then I'm gonna count to three.
And then we can start. Okay. So--
[plays note repeatedly] ♪ La, la, la, la La, la, la, la, la ♪
One, two, three.
♪ Morning has broken ♪
♪ Like the-- ♪
Yeah. Okay, I'll just--
Everyone, up. Come on, up you get.
I'll start again.
One, two, three.
♪ Morning has broken ♪
[off-key]♪ Like the first morning ♪
♪ Blackbird has spoken ♪
[off-key]♪ Like the first bird ♪
♪ Praise... ♪
Okay, I'll just give you the note again.
♪ La, la, la, la, la, la, la ♪
One, two, three.
♪ Praise for the singing ♪
♪ Praise for the morning ♪
♪ Praise for them springing ♪
♪ Fresh from the word ♪Billy. Sorry.
That's-- That's lovely.
That was lovely.I've gotta run to work. Sorry.
See you. Bye.
I was really enjoying that.
Lisa, wait.Why?
That was like the incantationsof a bunch of witches.
Bit dramatic.No, it's an understatement.
That was--That was horrible.
They need something to focus on.
I think Afghan is enough.
No, besides that. They need--
They need something to work on collectively.
A project. Something that brings them together.
Look, if you think singing"Onward, Christian Soldiers"with a pole up your arse
is what the women need,you're more out of touchthan I thought.
I am simply trying to do my duty as colonel's wife to the best of my ability.
Go ahead.You don't need my permission.
We both know the women won't join if you don't.
I'm quite aware of how they feel about me.
Listen, I know you still wantto be part of the gang,
but, unfortunately, you have a leadership role on this tour,
and that means responsibilities.
[women] ♪ Morning has broken ♪
You may not need the choir, Lisa, but those women do.
♪ Blackbird has spoken ♪
Well, can we at least call ita singing club?
[man] How do people at Flitcroft get involved?
They just turn up.
No auditions.Everyone welcome.
Yeah, so it's like a drop-in.
Well, yeah, and then you commit!
But only if you really want to.
It's not about experience or endless practice at home.
[Kate] Although that would be encouraged.
[man] So it's more about enthusiasm?
[Kate] Well...[Lisa] Yes.
[Kate] I know you're busy,but would you like to...
Just two hours, once a week.Open to all ranks.
Do you watch Songs of Praise?You might enjoy that.
We're forming a choir. Would you like to join?
It's on Thursdays.[man] What kind of songs will you be singing?
[Lisa] Pop music.[Kate] Good old traditional and rousing.
[Lisa] Rock.
[woman] Like Sister Act then?[Lisa] Yes.
Just, you know,without the mafia hit menand the God bit.
All right. I'll have a think.
[man] And it's open to all ranks, right?
Yes, this choir is inclusive.
Yeah, this singing clubis gonna be a lot of fun.
[Kate chuckles] And uplifting.
[laughs] Yeah. And there'll bea few beers afterwards.
[Annie] ♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪
[piano: note]♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪
[piano: higher note]♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪
♪ La ♪That's lovely. You're a soprano.
Little bit flat, but we canwork on that. Who's next?
I thought we didn'thave to audition.This isn't an audition.
I'm just determining your vocal range.
Anyone?
Oh--
No. No.No?
Why don't we start off as-- like, as a group?
Yeah. Okay. Feel free.
Yeah?Yeah, yeah, yeah. Go on.
Um-- All right. Just everyone stand up.
Everyone on your feet.
Yeah.
When you can't sing the note,just sit down.
It's okay. I'll do it.
[plays note]
♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪
[note goes higher]♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪
[same note]♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪
♪ La, la, la, la, la ♪
Wow. Okay. Right.
So everyone who's standing, you're a soprano.
So you just go to your left.
That's your right. My left. Yeah.
And if you're sitting down, you're an alto.
Go to the right.
Ruby, you'remore of a minor tone.
She just means your voiceis really powerful, you know.
Um, imagine you'reLuke Skywalker and you have tolearn to harness the Force.
So where do the minors stand then?
In the back.In the front.
Um, middle?Yeah.
So--So why don't--
Sorry. Go ahead.No, no. Go ahead.
Okay. Um--Uh, thanks very much, Lisa.That's lovely.
So today's practiceis going to focus on somethingcalled count singing.
Now, don't panic.It's a very easy exercise
to help us with pitch and rhythm without having to learn lyrics.
Why don't we just sing a song? Just--
Because this is just how I learnt it at school. So--
♪ One, one, two, one ♪
♪ One, two, three, two, one ♪
♪ One, two, three Four, three, two, one ♪
See? Very easy.All together now.
♪ One, one, two, one ♪
♪ One, two, three Four, three, two, one ♪
♪ One, two, three Four, five-- ♪
No, sorry. No, there's no five.
No five. Start again.
♪ One, one, two Three, two, one ♪
♪ One, two, one One, two, three, four Three, two, one ♪
♪ One, one, two, one ♪
Bang!Ow!
♪ One, two, three, two ♪
♪ Bum-bum, ba-da-da ♪
♪ Bum-bum-bum-bum ♪
Do-- ♪ Bum, bum, ba-dum-bum Ba-bum-ba-bum ♪
Doesn't that remind you of--No.
♪ You were working As a waitress In a cocktail bar ♪
Doesn't it sound--
Shall we just--
♪ When I met you ♪
♪ I picked you up I shook you off ♪
♪ I turned you around ♪
♪ I turned you Into someone new ♪
Come on, the chorus.♪ Don't, Don't Don't you want me? ♪
♪ You know I don't Believe it when I hear That you won't see me ♪
♪ Don't, Don't you want me? ♪
♪ You know I don't Believe it when I hear That you won't see me ♪
♪ It's much too late to find ♪
♪ That you think You've changed your mind ♪
♪ You better change it back Or we will both be sorry ♪
♪ Don't you want me, baby? ♪
♪ Boom, ba-doo-ba-boo ♪
♪ Don't you want me? ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh ♪
♪ Don't you want me, baby? ♪
♪ Ba-da-ba-ba-da ♪♪ Don't you want me? ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh ♪
♪ Don't you want me, baby? ♪
♪ Don't you want me? ♪
♪ Oh-oh-oh ♪
Um, I was just thinkingwe could have a chat abouthow we're gonna approach this.
I wasn't awarewe were approaching anything.
I thought you asked for my help.To mobilize them, yeah.
Listen, I was thinking--Look, the point of choir
isn't to facilitatewhat the wives can already do.
It's not sober karaoke.
Choir needs to be challenging,so that for one hour
they're thinking aboutsomething otherthan their troubles.
Look, we can'tjust muddle through.It needs to be organized.
Something we both knowis not your strong point.
Can I have my pocket money?
What? You've had it.
You know, you could do somethingto earn extra money.
I am not stacking shelves in the NAAFI again.
No, I mean like childmindingfor the singing club.
You could do that.I'm all right, thanks.
Where are you going anyway? I'm about to make dinner.Nowhere.
There is nowhere to go.What you gonna eat?
I might go to the chippy later.Oh, the chippy.
Right. Good job you've got your leathers on and your full face.
For the chippy.
I want change.Bye.
[door opens, closes]
[women singing]
One, two, three, four, one...
Oh, my God.
[rhythmic beats]
[beats stop]
[children laughing,chattering]
Hey, Kate. You're a soprano.Yeah, course you are.
So why don't you take a seatover there beside Annie?
We're not singing Yazoo.
And don't get used to these.I don't want youhiding behind them.
This is only the soprano part.
Yeah. I divided them upinto parts.
And how do we know when to come in?
Because I taught them.They listened and memorized.
Oh. Are you gonna playthat thing without any music?
Yeah. Yeah. I just think,you know, reading musicmakes things a bit stilted.
Oh, not sure Mozart would agree with that.
The Beatles didn't read music,and they did okay.Yeah, okay.
All right. So, we're gonna doexactly what we did earlier.
I'm gonna give youyour starting note.[notes playing]
Three, four.
[vocalizing]
♪ Looking from A window above ♪
♪ It's like a story of love ♪
♪ Can you hear me? ♪
♪ Came back only yesterday ♪
♪ I'm moving further away ♪
♪ Want you near me ♪
Yeah, okay.It was really good. So, what--
May I suggest we take a little bit of time
to learn the parts properly,
so that when we add them all together--
Everyone's lostthe will to live.
Let's just sing it again.Just have one go.
So let's just go again.Okay, fine. Fine. Yeah.
Absolutely.
So, my-- Sorry.
But my right hand will show the tempo.
One, two, three, four. And my left hand
is going to tell you when to come in, like this.
It's like she's guidinga plane in to land.
Finished?Yeah.
Okay.Okay, and--
Let's have a--
One, two, three, four.
[vocalizing]
♪ Looking from A window above ♪
♪ It's like a story of love ♪
♪ Can you hear me? ♪
♪ Came back only yesterday ♪
♪ I'm moving further away ♪
♪ Want you near me ♪
♪ All I needed Was the love you gave ♪
♪ The love you gave ♪
♪ All I needed For another day ♪
♪ Another day ♪
♪ And all I ever knew ♪
♪ Only you ♪
[vocalizing]
We can't see you. There he is. Wave.[man] I can see you, mate.
Say, "Hi, Daddy." Hey, Billy.
Hello, Daddy.
Hey, mate.Hello, Daddy.
How are you?Good.
What you been doing, Billy? You been a good boy for Mummy?
Daddy misses you and mummy a million--Look at Daddy.
We miss you too.Are you there?
Hello?
We've lost you.Hang on. Are you there?
Hello?
Aha.
[man] The Ultimatt Air Bed has a built-in pump,
and it can self-inflate in just three minutes.
Yeah, it's just so efficient.
This bed can support up to 200 kilograms.
And, Suzy, you know what weighs 200 kilograms?
I don't know. You tell me, Larry. This guy.
[Suzy laughs] Oh, my goodness. Is that a gorilla?
Get in here, fella.
It's not a real gorilla. It's actually a man in a gorilla suit.
And he has a weight belt underneath.
Get on. Let's see how it goes. Okay. Go.
Oh. Oh! Look at this guy.
[Suzy] Wow.[bottle rolling]
That is unbelievable.
[Larry] Yeah.
[Frankie] Ow!
I'm struggling because I can't--
Frankie?
Are you all right?
My stuff's all wet.I've got you.
♪ Shout, shout, let it all out Let it all out ♪
♪ Let it all out ♪[phone buzzing]
[phone buzzing continues]
♪ These are the things I can do without, come on ♪
Your mum's not answering.I've left a message, and I'msure she'll be here in a minute.
I'm not drunk.No. I only had one. [whines]
Stop it spinning.
[groans]
Come on.Get you on your side.[murmuring]
There we are. And there'sa basin right here, okay?
Sorry, I didn't see my phone.
Right. [sighs]
I mean, we could leave herand let her sleep it off.
Yeah, maybe.
Are you sure?
Yeah.
I guess they just need to let off a bit of steam sometimes.
Well, apparently, if they seetheir parents drinking,
they're twice as likelyto do it themselves.
[scoffs]
Yeah. Um, I'll let myself out. Thanks.
Bye.Bye.
[door closes]
[man on radio] ...forces attempt to gain control
of insurgent strongholds in the area...
Hello.
Hiya.
Is toast all right?
I'm afraid I don't have anyexciting breakfast cerealsanymore.
[chuckles]
I dried your things out.Thanks.
Did I puke?
[Kate] No.
Hmm. Your house is dead tidy.
Ours always looks likea bomb's gone offwhen Dad's away.
Then I guessyou haven't got anyoneto make it messy though, so--
I suppose keeping it tidygives me something to do.
[Frankie] Hmm.
So you don't think about him?
They think we don't knowwhen people die, but we do.
Like, everyone at schooltalks about it.
They talk about Jamie?They talked about you more.
Is that Jamie's car outside?No, it's mine.
[chuckling]
[chattering]
Ah, hi, Frankie.
Right, are we ready to go to the den and play a game?
Shall we go? Okay, right. I'll see you in a minute.
Oi, what are you doing?You about to take a biscuit?
Go on. Go inside. We're gonna play a game together.
Are you minding kids?Do you wanna go inside?
I asked her. I hope that's okay.They are a bit of a distraction.
She's going to do ittomorrow as well while we gofor the hike on the moors.
Right.
Is that Kate's punishmentfor you getting pissedlast night?
We need to talk about that,by the way.Whatever.
No, I'm serious.Where were you?I was just out.
Frankie!What? You all get pissed all the time
because there's nothing to do.Why shouldn't I?
[Lisa] I said no sheet music.
Right. Everyone up.
Here's your starting note.I'm gonna count us in.Three, four.
♪ Shout, shout Let it all out ♪
♪ These are the things I can do without ♪
♪ Come on ♪Louder.
♪ I'm talking to you ♪
♪ Come on ♪[Lisa] Go on, let rip.
♪ In violent times ♪
♪ You shouldn't Have to sell your soul ♪
That's good.♪ In black and white ♪
♪ They really Really ought to know ♪
Okay, really belt it out this time.
And can we hear the T's, please?
Enunciate. T-T-T.
♪ You shouldn't have to shout Shout, let it all out ♪
[shouting] ♪ These are The things I can do without Come on ♪
Lisa.♪ I'm talking to you Come on ♪
I understandyou want them to be passionate.
But really, it justdoesn't sound very good.But they're having fun.
And it's better that than itsounding joyless and in tune.
I don't think projection is our issue. All the top conductors--
This reminds me of whenmy parents got divorced.
[chattering]
[thunder rumbling]
[woman screams]
[screaming]
[thunder continues rumbling][screaming]
Whoo!
[chattering]
Echo!
[howling]
[laughing, chattering]
Have you got a first aid kitthere, Crooks?
What's the problem?I'm the designated first-aider.
No, it's fine.I just need some plasters.
I'll be the judge of that.There's nothingI didn't see in Iraq.
Oh.
It's for Dawn's nipples.
She forgot to wear a bra,and they're chafing.
Oh.
You'll findsome plasters in there.Yeah.
I'll bring-- Yeah.
[echoing] Ah-ooh!
♪ Da-da ♪Echo!
♪ Da-da, da-da ♪Ah-ooh!
[vocalizing, echoing]
Sounds really nice.
That sounds gorgeous.
[vocalizing continues]Keep going, keep going.
♪ Looking from The window above ♪
♪ It's like a story of love ♪
Go on.Go on.
[louder] ♪ Can you hear me? ♪
♪ Came back only yesterday ♪
♪ I'm moving further away ♪Thank you.
♪ Want you near me ♪
♪ All I needed was The love you gave ♪
♪ The love you gave ♪
♪ All I needed For another day ♪
♪ For another day ♪
♪ And all I ever knew ♪
Ready?♪ Only you ♪
[vocalizing]
♪ Sometimes When I think Of her name ♪
♪ When it's only a game ♪
♪ And I need you ♪[others stop singing]
♪ Listen to the words That you say ♪
Go on, Jess.
[man] Bravo!
[woman] Excellent!
Fifty quid a ticket, mate.
Where were you hiding that?Where were you hiding that?
Course the Welsh girlcan bloody sing.
It's all that yodelingin the valleys.Thank you, kind ramblers.
♪ All of the people Around us they say ♪
I don't know.
Maybe this choir isn't about singing for ourselves.
You know, maybe it's about them being heard.
Are you suggestinga performance?
Yeah, but, you know, nothing fancy.
Just maybe go into town. People round here don't know we exist.
Yeah, but the military don'twant us to be tall poppies.
I don't know what that means, Kate.
It means--It's about appropriateness.
Look, I'm sure between us we can figure out something appropriate.
That's amazing.You mean right in the market,with everyone watching us?
It ticks a box, apparently. The new community covenant
is to break down barriers and engage with the locals.
Can we do Lulu?Well, what about something modern, like Rihanna?
"Africa" by Toto?No, we need "Holding Outfor a Hero." That's a classic.
No, it has to be something serious.
Bonnie Tyler's got really serious hair.
Serious, emotional serious.
"Time After Time," Cyndi Lauper.
I don't thinkI could do a sad song.
You just sing the tune.
Don't think aboutthe meaning of the words.
Can I do a solo?[chattering stops]
[Ruby] I promise I won't lose my nerve.
Mm-hmm. Um--
Or we were actually thinking about...
missus there.
No way.
Go on.[Lisa] What? Why?
No. I can't.
You can.Sorry.
[all chattering]
[Kate] One, two, three, four.
♪ Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick ♪
[Ruby loud, off-key] ♪ And think of you ♪
♪ Caught up in circles ♪
♪ Confusion is nothing new ♪
[loud, monotone] ♪ Secrets stolen ♪
♪ From deep inside ♪
♪ The second hand unwinds ♪
♪ If you're lost You can look And you will find me ♪
♪ Time after time ♪
♪ If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting ♪
♪ Time after time ♪
♪ Sometimes you picture me ♪
♪ I'm walking too far ahead ♪[mutters]
[choir]♪ You're calling to me ♪
♪ I can't hear What you have said ♪
♪ Secrets stolen ♪
♪ From deep inside ♪
♪ The drum beats out of time ♪
♪ If you're lost You can look And you will find me ♪
♪ Time after time ♪
♪ If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting ♪
♪ I will be waiting ♪
♪ Time after time ♪
♪ If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting ♪
♪ I will be waiting ♪
All seems first-rate.Same time next month then.
Let me show youwhat the women have been up tosince your last visit.
♪ I'm walking too far ahead ♪
♪ You're calling to me ♪
♪ I can't hear What you have said ♪
HQ are gonna love this.Fits in perfectlywith the new directives.
You should have heard them on the hike, sir. We were in this tunnel--
Thank you, Captain.My car's waiting.
♪ The drum beats out of time ♪
♪ If you're lost You can look And you will find me ♪
♪ Time after time ♪
♪ If you fall I will catch you ♪
♪ I'll be waiting ♪
♪ Time after time ♪
♪ If you're lost You can look And you will find me ♪
[off-key] ♪ Time after time Time after time ♪
♪ If you fall I will catch you ♪♪ I will be waiting ♪
♪ Time after time ♪
♪ If you're lost You can look And you will find me ♪
♪ Time after time ♪
♪ If you fall I will catch you ♪♪ I will be waiting ♪
[door opens]♪ Time after time ♪
♪ Time after time ♪I need to speak to you all.
Ah, Jesus. Is it about the blow-up doll we sent out to Bastion?
[women chuckling]
She's joking.
Brigadier Grovesheard you rehearsing whenhe was here a few weeks ago,
and he's told the top brass.
You've been invited to singat the Festival of Remembrance.
What?[Kate] What?
The Festival of Remembrance on TV?
The big one?[Crooks] That one.
At the Royal Albert Hall?
[excited murmuring]
[laughing]
Do you know what? I can't wait to tell my mum.
Do you reckon the lads'll beable to see it out in Afghan?
Hope not.Listen, you don't need to worry.
We are gonna be match fit after that market gig.
It's all right for you, Maz.You haven't gotta do a solo.
Well, just see the market as like a dress rehearsal.
And I'll be by your side,like shoulder buddies.
Eh? Eh?
Come on. Cheer up, eh?
You're not helping, Maz.
Is that helping? That not helping you?
[man] Stop the war.Sign the petition.Stop the war. Sign the petition.
Troops out of Afghanistan.Stop the war.Sign the petition.
Stop the bloodshed.Troops out of Afghanistan.
Can I interest you in a leaflet?We don't have the privilege
of being against the war.We're married to it.
[whispers] Stop it.[man] Stop the war.Sign the petition.
Good afternoon, everyone.
We are the Flitcroft Military Wives Choir,
and we'd like to sing for youthis afternoon.
[crowd chattering]
Three, four.[vehicle beeping]
[keyboard playing]
[off-key] ♪ Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick ♪
♪ And think of you ♪
♪ Caught up in circles ♪
♪ Confusion is nothing new ♪[boy] What you waiting for?
[Jess] ♪ You say, "Go slow" ♪[boys laughing]
[off-key] ♪ I fall behind ♪
♪ The second hand unwinds ♪
♪ If you're lost You can look And you will find me ♪
♪ Time after time ♪[truck brushes hissing]
♪ If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting ♪
[off-key] ♪ I will be waiting ♪
♪ Time after time ♪
Go on.
♪ Time after time ♪
[baby crying]
[off-key] ♪ Time after time ♪
We're gonna be laughedout of the Albert Hall.
I don't wanna sing anymore.
I'm not a minor. I'm just shit.
Maybe you could silently mouth the words, like Dawn?
Um, Marilyn.What does your football coachsay to you after a defeat?
Easy. It's all about control.
Exactly.A defense-splitting pass.
Bring it down and knock it through the forwards. Boom.
Look, do you like singing?[all] Yes.
Do you like being in the choir?Yeah, I love it.
Do you think the top brass
would have asked you to sing if you were shit?
[muttering]We just chose the wrong venue.
Yeah, and that was our fault.Yeah, exactly.
So do you wanna give upbecause of that, or work harder
so we really kill it at the Albert Hall?
[muttering] Kill it.[Lisa] Which? Kill it. Right.
So how should we do that, Kate?
Uh, well, we choosea small repertoire.
We practice togetherand at home.
We tweak, we review,we tweak, we review,
until we come togetherlike a shoal of fish.
[cheering]
The best military wives choirin England.
The only military wives choirin England. [chuckles]
[all chattering]
♪ We're singing For England England ♪
♪ We're singing in foreign ♪Come on.
If I'd done that-- Huh?♪ For England ♪
♪ You've got to hold and give But do it at the right time ♪
♪ You can be slow or fast But you must get to the line ♪
[laughs]
Behold our choir.
Dignified, noble, and class.
♪ So catch me if you can 'Cause I'm an England woman ♪
What would your karaoke song be?
Oh, no, karaoke'smy idea of hell.
But if you had to, if you'd no choice?
[Kate] Well, I did do"Tainted Love" once,
but then I drank two bottlesof white wine,
smoked a packet of cigarettesand threw up
in Richard's parents' garden.
Sounds like a good night. So, "Tainted Love"?
No.Come on. I'll do it with you.
Come on. Imagine their little faces.
Why not? No one's gonna remember in the morning. We're doing it.
[male DJ] Get in there,Kiki and Elton. Come on,everyone. This is a classic.
That's a lucky escape.Next one.
♪ Don't go breaking my heart ♪
[woman]♪ I couldn't if I tried ♪
[Crooks] ♪ Oh, honey If I get restless ♪
♪ Baby, you're not that kind ♪
[Crooks]♪ Don't go breaking my heart ♪
[woman]♪ You take The weight off of me ♪Hey, I've got it.
[Crooks] ♪ Oh, honey, knock On my-- knock on my door ♪
[woman]♪ Ooh, I gave you my key ♪
[Crooks] ♪ Oh ♪
[woman] ♪ Ooh-hoo ♪
[Crooks] ♪ Nobody knows it ♪
[woman] ♪ Nobody knows ♪
[song continues, muffled]
[door opens]
Hey.
I wasn't trying to be pushy.No, no, no.
I just needed some air. That's all.
Yeah, well, Kevin's singingwill do that to you.
Jamie and I sang that song together at his 18th.
Oh, fuck.Yeah.
He made me.I was mortified. He, of course,thought it was hilarious.
But then he thought his job on this earth was to keep people laughing.
Yeah, I remember Redsaying that he had a wayof looking at things that--
He would findthe funny in everything.
Yeah.
Even when he was little. Whenever Richard went away,
we'd have this big jar of sweets, and Jamie was allowed
one sweet a day every day of the tour,
and then when the jar was empty, Richard--
[chuckles]Yeah. Frankie did that.
Counting downthe days till the familywas back together again.
You know what Jamie used to say? "Until we laugh again."
[chuckles]Mmm.
That's so sweet.Yeah.
Uh, I don't know how you--
[crowd cheering]Oh.
Right, okay. I'm off.
You don't have to.I'm not gonna make you sing.
Good night.
Hey, Kate.
The Albert Hall, huh?
Not tall poppies anymore.We're bloody sunflowers.
[laughing]
Night.
♪ If you wanna be My lover You gotta, you gotta ♪
♪ You gotta, you gotta Slam, slam, slam, slam ♪
♪ Slam your body down And wind it all around ♪
♪ Ha, ha, ha, ha ♪
[phone vibrating]
Tell me.[Crooks] Comms are down.
Richard's been injured, but he's gonna be okay.
He's in Kabul Hospital.
RAMC will fly him back later today,
transfer him straight to Flitcroft.
Any fatalities?
Handball. You handballed that.
Skills. Go on.
[groans] Gotcha! Ready? Up!
[Maz] Pa-Pass me the ball.
Come on, pass me the ball.
Let's go and get a little biccyor somethin', eh? All right?
Any pink ones?Yeah.
[doorbell rings]
[man] Sarah Cartwright?
[gasps]
Who is her trusted friend?She didn't name anyone.
Says she was waiting to seewho she got close to.
Um, well, Jess is goodat stuff like that. Or Ruby.
[Crooks]She's asked for you, Kate.
Says you've been there yourself.
[water pours]
Okay.
It's fallen over.
Sorry?
Liam's teddy's fallen over.
That doesn't mean anything.
It means something,because what it meanshas happened.
[sniffles]
Here.
Thanks.
Do I have to leavethe base now?
No. No, whenever you're ready.
But don't think about that now.
Okay.
Right. So... shall we give it a go?
Do you think she's read Liam's death letter yet?
I don't think I could read Stu's if it came to it.
I read Malc's...
after the last Afghan tour.
I'd do it again.
It helped me. It said...
all these lovely thingsabout me that he'd neversay to me face.
To be fair, though, he's not gonna not write that, is he?
He's not gonna write a listof things he hates about you.
[chuckling]
Dear Ruby,
wish you'd rinsed the bath outafter you shaved your legs.
Dear Jess, I really wishyou wouldn't wash up the cupsbefore I finished my tea.
I wish you wouldn't do that,to be honest, Jess.It's so annoying.
I just can't bear the thoughtof anyone coming
to give me bad news and the house being a mess.
[Maz] I'm not in the moodfor singing today.
Darling.
This is nothing serious.
You're lucky.
I was stupid.Mm-mmm.
Katy, there's somethingI need to tell you.
No, you don't.
I don't?No.
I know you didn't have to go.
You put yourself forward.
You try and file away
those feelingsabout what happened
on the shelves in your head.
[sighs]
I shouldn't have gone.
[phone buzzing]
Richard, I'm so sorry.I've got so many things to do.I've gotta leave.
I'll call you later.It's the thing I admire aboutyou most, the way you cope.
That is a depressing thingto say, Richard. Are yougonna put that on my gravestone?
I meant I understandhow you feel.Oh, you understand, do you?
What do you understand exactly?Enlighten me.No, I just--
I'm the one who has to answer the phone in the middle of the night,
who had to worry about what state you're gonna come back in.
I'm the one who has to-- who has to look at you in that bed,
and then I have to go out there,
I have to get on with it and do my duty.
I have responsibilities. I can't go round with a wet face.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. My husband's been blown up. Would you like a cup of tea?
I'm so sorry. My husband's got shrapnel in his head. Have some cake."
I've always said you shouldbe paid for what you do.
[phone buzzing]
Lisa, I can't come to practice.I'm at the hospitalwith Richard.
How is he? He's fine.
Okay. Good.
-What's the matter?-Yeah, no. I just wanted to--
let you know that you don't need to worry about the Albert Hall.
The women don't wanna do it anymore.
-It's a bit late for that. -I'm sorry?
It's utterly inappropriateto pull out now.
They feel it would be utterly inappropriate for them to sing.
Lisa, if we pull out now,it will reflect badlyon all of us.
[exhales] Shit.
[sighs]
There'll be a serviceat Camp Bastion.
Then Liam's bodywill be repatriatedon a C-17 aircraft
coming through Wootton Bassett.
After that, you and his parentsare going to have to makesome decisions.
Well, he grew up in care. It's just me and the army.
Um-- And he--Did he ever express any wishes?
No? Okay.
Well, then we have to decidewhat you want.
Whether you wanta cremation or a burial,
um, flowers and a reading.
What did you do?
Oh, um...
James had a willow coffin.
Are they the ones wherethere's no lid and the bodiesare covered with flowers?
You can do,but Jamie needed a lid.
Liam's gonna need a lid as well, isn't he?
[inhales][doorbell rings]
Shall I get that?It's okay.
Right. [clears throat]
Guys.
Oh, come in, come in, come in.
[chattering]
Guys.
Okay.
Sorry, could I-- Could I just play you something?
Um, and ask you a question?
So, I first met Liam
when he was put next to me in English.
He was dead naughty,and I was a bit of a swot.
I think they thoughtI'd sort him out.[chuckling]
Um, but our teacher took uson a trip to York Cathedral,
and there was a choirpracticing this.
You know,Liam hated classical music.He preferred grime.
But-- [chuckling]he did always like this.
["Ave Maria" playing]This one. Um--
And he sat next to meto listen to it,and while it was playing,
he touched my hand.
And I remember nothingabout the rest of the concert.
I was too busythinking about his hand.
Um--
So that is how I'd really liketo feel when I say bye to him.
Um--
You know, I wanna feelhis hand touching mine.
So I'd really,really love it if, um--
if you could sing thisfor me-- well, for him,
at his service.
[choir vocalizing]
♪ Ave ♪
♪ Maria ♪
♪ Maiden mild ♪
♪ Oh, listen ♪
♪ To a maiden's prayer ♪
♪ For thou canst hear ♪
♪ Amid the wild ♪
♪ 'Tis thou ♪
♪ 'Tis thou canst save amid ♪
♪ Despair ♪
[sergeant] Fire![gunshots]
Load![rifles cocking]
Fire![gunshots]
It was a beautiful service.
Thank you.
Kate.
It's been far too long.Mm-hmm.
And I'm really looking forwardto the full choir performance
at the Festival of Remembrance.
Oh, yes, but sadly, we're not going to do it.
What?Yes, the women have decided that it's just too soon.
You're not doing the Albert Hall?
Well--
You sang today, and it was beautiful.
That was just for you.It was personal. It wasn'tfor entertainment.
[Sarah]Guys, make it personal then.
Please don't pull out.
There are gonna beso many people in that room
like me--
and I wanna do this for them,
but I can't do that on my own.
What are we gonna sing?Does it have to be classical?
Don't know.Um--
Maybe we should do "Angels"like at Sarah's wedding?
[groans]It's not really about us though, is it?
We're not gonna find anythingthat's about us, are we?
You know what song I've always really liked?
That Dido one where she goes,"I woke up, my tea's cold,
I've got a hangover, but you've made everything great."
That classic.It's really personal and normal.
♪ My tea's gone cold I'm wondering why ♪Yes.
♪ I got out of bed at all ♪
♪ The morning rain Clouds on my window ♪
♪ And I can't see at all ♪
And then Eminemjumps out and starts rappingabout a psychotic stalker.
Love thatat the Royal Albert Hall.
Maz could do that bit. Bit of rapping.
I forgot about that bit.Get Maz on the rap.
Let's, uh--
Let's just keep thinking, yeah?
Yeah.Yeah.
All right.Night.
Have a good night.
[Jamie laughing on monitor]
-[chatters] -Whoo!
[Jamie] Yeah!
[door opens]
[door closes]
[keys clattering]
Oh, you have a bluey from dad.
Right.
Do you wanna watch a film?
A film.
Oh.
Yeah?
Yeah.What do you fancy?
Uh--
Uh, I will have a look.
Okay.
Rocky?
[snorts, laughs]
What? Are you serious?
Yeah.
Okay. Fine.Yes, yes, yes.
[Maz] That's a good idea, Lisa.
But the thing isall my letters are about QPR.
[chattering, laughing]Mine are far too mucky.
Well, we'll not-- We won'tput any of the dirty bits in.
We'll just, you know,
find bits that represent our feelings and just--
We'll work it into the song.What, just like that?
Well, I'm not expecting usto win a BRIT Award,but how bad can it be?
You've not read what I've written.
It's not gonna be like, "I love you to the moon and back," is it?
I don't wanna puke down meselfin the Albert Hall.
So you don't want me to makeus look like meek little women
pining for our big, brave husbands?
And wives.
What's wrong with saying, "I love you to the moon and back"?
[Lisa] Well, there's nothingwrong with it at all, Jess.
It's just a little bit...Sorry.
[Annie] Kate, Lisa's got an idea for the Albert Hall.[Kate] Oh, good.
Oh, well, I was just thinkingabout what Sarah was saying
about making the song more personal and--
We're gonna write our own songusing bits of our letters.[woman] Yeah.
Yeah, and putting themto Lisa's tune.
Oh.
Play your song for her.Go on, play it.
It's not a song yet. It's just--[women chattering]
It's in the-- You know, it's like a--
It's a tune. You have to imagine the words bit.
[vocalizing]
[vocalizing continues]Actually, do you think wecould talk about this later?
Why don't we talk about it now, because everyone's here?
Really, how realistic is this,given your limitations?
What?You can't read music, can you?
[laughs] What?The Festival of Remembranceis a professional event.
It's not some amateur school choir performance.
We cannot embarrass ourselves,and we cannotlet Flitcroft down.
Do you know what? Forget it! Absolute--
That's-- I mean, it's--Let's go back to the song board.
No, I don't--Come on, listen.
I think we should write our own song.
It's really good, Lisa. Go on.Yeah.
And even if it's not amazing,at least it's ours.
[Maz] Exactly.
Agreed.Yeah.
[woman] Next up, we have the innovative LED color-changing showerhead.
You coming to bed?[computer: sound off]
I'll be up in a minute.
Okay.
[woman] Can you believe that?[man] That's crazy.
And it's only 119.99, plus postage and packaging.
"...and I swear that
I keep no secrets from you."
[Lisa] Okay.[Annie] Embarrassing, that.
Um, Jess, what have you got?
Well, the only bit that couldreally work in this songis about the moon.
Oh, I love the moon.
Go on.[Jess] But it is actuallywhat Stu wrote to me,
so I suppose that's okay.
Um, "At ten o'clock tonight,I'll look at the moon.
That's 1:30 for you."
Uh, and then we look at it...
at the same time, yeah.
That's lovely. Ten o'clock.
Um--Next.
We don't really go for allthat gushy stuff, but, um,
we always recognizethe unsaid, like,
we don't saywhat we're both feeling.
Yeah.[Lisa] What goes unsaid.
[plays chords]
[chattering, faint]
[laughing]
[choir singing, faint]
[singing, faint]
[playing chords][vocalizing]
Frankie, can you just not--
What's the matter with you?
The matter with me is I stillhaven't finished the song yet,
and I-- I just-- I can't fi--
I've run out of bits from the women's letters.
Just make something up.I can't make something up.
I'm padding it out enough as it is.
Frankie, wait. Sorry.
Look through these notes and see if you can find--
I can't.I'm going out, and I'm late.
Late for what?
Getting pissed with rear party soldiers?
I'm actually going outto childmind for your choir,
so that they can try on outfits for tomorrow.
[door opens, closes]
[sighs]
So, Tina?
Uh, Aretha?
Madonna? Cher?
Who am I?Where's Dawn? Dawn!
Dawn. Sorry, Dawn.
So come here. There was a line I thought could be
really good for a contralto.It's there.
Am I a contralto?
Yeah. I think so.
[laughs]Thank you.
There.Thank you.
So there's, um-- there's beensome tweaks to the lyrics.
Don't panic, 'causewe'll rehearse it on the bus.
Whose is that then, "Till we laugh again"?
Is that the new one?
Where's that?At the bottom."Till we laugh again."
I wanted to clear it with you,
but I just ran out of time.There was a gap.
I mean, everyone else has something in, but--
I thought it might help you,you know, to sing about him.
I told you that in confidence.
Not so that you could use my child's words...
to fill a gap in your crass,sentimental ballad.
Mum, have you seen my bag?Just get on the bus, Frankie.
I am. I just--Just get on the bus!
[Kate] I should have known
that you would lose sight of what is important
because you're so obsessedwith your five minutes of fame.
What are you talking about?While you were swanning around
thinking you'rePaul fucking "Mull of Kintyre,"
your annihilated daughter is prowling the streets like a cat on heat.
Before you know it,she's gonna be handing out BJs
or knocked up by some spotty squaddie
who doesn't know his arse from his elbow!
You don't hand them out.
You do them with your mouth.Not that I'd expect youto know that.
You probably tell Richardto keep calm and carry onwhen he's shagging you.
I never claimed to bea good songwriteror even a good mum,
but I am trying.
And all you do is criticizeand belittle me.
But, you know what, maybeI should have known thatbecause you are a coldhearted,
uptight bitch, Kate.
It's no wonder your husband volunteered to go back to the war.
Do you know what?The bloody choir was your idea.Remember?
You gave me that bullshit speechabout the women needing it
and that it would bring them together.
Really, you are the one that needed the choir, Kate.
Because you needed something to do.We all need something to do.
No, we don't, Kate, 'cause we all still have our kids!
[all chattering, murmuring]
Guys, Kate's gone.What?
That's it. I don't know.
Where's she gone?I don't know.
[woman] Kate's gone?
[chattering stops]
Can I borrow your--
[driver] Yeah, sure.
Um...[feedback]
Uh--[feedback]
Sorry about the, um--
Sorry.
Can we drive? Can we go now, please?
[engine starts]
[gasps, sobbing]
[crying]
[exhales]
[crying continues]
Can I get in?
What happened with the choir?
They've gone.
Lisa used something Jamie saidin her song without asking me.
"Until we laugh again."
It's ridiculous. I know it'sjust words. It doesn't matter.
It's not ridiculous at all.
Oh, God, I said some awful things.
I behaved so badly. I've let you down.
No. We're both guilty of that.
[chuckles]
I threw my shoes on the groundlike a two-year-old.
Well, it's no surprise you've come to hide in Shite Rider then, is it?
The carwasn't called Shite Rider.
It was Jamie who was Shite Rider.
The car was called Dave.Dave.
[chuckles]
Is it a panic attack?This is gonna be a disaster.
It's not.I appreciate your optimism,but our last performance was--
Our only proper performance.Was a complete shit storm.
And there wasn't any last-minute changes to the lyrics.
Lisa wasn't spinning out.And we had Kate.
[glove compartment opens]
[clattering]
Let's take him for a spin.
Blow the cobwebs out.
It'll never work.
Try.
Come on, Dave.
[engine cranking]
No.Try again.
Oh.
[cranking]No. Nothing there.
[laughing] Oh. [blows raspberry]
[electronic dance musicon headphones]Hey.
It's nice to get out.[music stops]
I'm sorry.
I know how I've been acting with you.
I know I've been hard on you.
I made so many mistakes when I was young, Frankie.
I just don't want the same for you.
I love you.
When I was looking through those letters to your dad, you know, for the song--
they were all about you.
[music resumes]
Take the strain.Yeah.
Okay, push.I am.
Put your back into it.I am pushing.
That's it.Stop complaining.
I'm injured.Stop being such a martyr.
It hurts. Come on. Top of the hill,
and then gravity will do the rest.
That's it. Let it go.
All right. Come on then. Jump in.
I'm getting in,I'm getting in.
[Richard] Right, we canlet the hill do the work now.
Ready?Yeah.
Okay.
[Kate laughing]
[Richard] Come on. Come on.
Come on. Jiggle it. Jiggle it.
[engine cranking][Richard]Come on, come on!
Come on, Dave.
[engine starts]Whoa-ho!
[Kate] Yay!
[engine revs][Kate] Oh, my God!
Oh.
Well?
Oh, my God.
Annie.
[Annie] Oh, God.
How tall is that?I'm really nervous now.
[woman] Is that like security?[Maz] We're never gonna get in.
Yeah, you're not allowed.
Oh, my God.
Let's just gather together here.[woman] Flitcroft Choir?
You're onstage in 30 for a sound check.All right.
We know where we're going now.Just everyone stick together.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Flitcroft Choir.
[all cheering]
[engine revs]
Katy, I need to ask yousomething.
The airing cupboardhas some new additions.
Yeah, well, I needed something to lean on.
Would you prefer that I drank or gambled?No, no, of course not.
Fair enough, a juicer.A meat slicer'sa bit more tenuous.
But 250 quid on an inflatablebed for a gorilla?
It's not for a gorilla. It's just to illustrate its weight capacity.
Oh. [laughing] Piss off, Richard.
[woman on PA] Flitcroft Choir, please take your positions on the risers
for the camera direction and the sound check.
In position please, ladies.[Lisa] On the--On the podium thing.
Just find our spots.[man] Check the camera crane.
[gasping]
What are you doing?Checking my heart rate.
Okay. Well, you look like you're choking yourself.
[clinking]
Okay, so, we've got three hours.
Okay, we've got three--
Where's-- Where's Jess?
Oh, she's here.
What's the matter with her? Did she faint?No, she's meditating.
She can't lay down properly'cause she's come outin a rash on her arse.
Right.
[chattering]
Will you-- Can you just, like, get into your groups?
Right then, ladies. How are we all--
[Ruby] I'm shitting my pants.
Very good. Carry on.
Sorry, Lisa. There's been a bit of discussion about that lyric change.
We're a bit confused.We're not doing Kate's lyric.
We're just gonna do a repeat of the second part
of the first verse. Okay? It'll be grand. Um--
So let's, uh-- let's, uh--[chattering continues]
Let's start by running up some--
Stop talking. Let's start by running up some scales.
♪ One, one, two, one One, two, three, two, one ♪
♪ One, two, three, four Three, two, one ♪♪ Two, three, four, five-- ♪
Not five.
Start again. Let's just allsing at the same time. Okay?
Let's all do it together. It's fun.
And smiles. Enjoy it.
Maybe-- Maybe you should goand get some air.
Just take five minutes.
It'll be fine.
Yeah. Okay.
Yeah.
All right.
[horns honking]
[man wolf whistles] All right!
Oh, piss off![men laughing]
Can you zip me up? Can you zip me up?
Yeah.
[woman on PA] Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats.
Thank you.
Will all audience members in the Grand Tier please use entrances M to S?
Those with tickets for the Second Tier, use doors A to F.
Thanks.
Good luck. You'll be marvelous.
Kate.
I am so sorry.
No. Jesus, I-I'm sorry.
I'm really, really sorry.
I changed the lyric.No.
No, you didn'thave to do that.
Lisa, your song is beautiful.
And I will be proud to standnext to you and sing it.
Really?
Okay. [laughs]
Right. Are they ready?Yeah.
Uh, no. They didn't wanna go on without you.
Oh.Yeah. It's just after what I said to you earlier,
I think they're actually fucking scared of me now.You've got one hour.
[Lisa] You look gorgeous.I mean, not the boots, but--
[chattering]
Kate!
Oh, my God.[laughing, chattering]
You made it.
That's enough, that's enough.
Quiet, everyone.Please, listen to Lisa.
She has something very important to say.
What?Yeah, come on.
Oh, shit.
Uh--
Um, okay.
Uh-- I don't know.Great music-- it doesn't happen
when things are perfect.
It happens when you care.
I know you all really care.
Have you seen Rocky?
Well, you know, did he win his first fight?
He doesn't. He gets the shit beaten out of him.
In public.
But does he give up and sit around crying?
He does in Rocky III.
[women laughing]
Look, I know it feels a bit much right now,
going out there and doing that,but, Jesus...
if we can survive the last five months...
we can survive five minutes out there.
Yeah.Yeah?
Every successful choir...
is just a bad choir that didn't give up.
Okay, choir. Right, you've gotten minutes to get ready,
and then we are gonna run our song, right,
and then we are gonna run it,
and we are gonna run it, and we are gonna run it,
until we all come together.
Like a shoal of fish.Right.
Exactly. Like that.Yeah.
Come on. Get ready.
Ooh! Ooh, Frankie.
What size feet have you got?
Why?Oh, shit, where's my dress?
[all chattering]
[orchestra plays fanfare][male announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to this year's Festival of Remembrance
from London's Royal Albert Hall,
where the British Legion celebrates the courage
of the men and women of the armed forces and their families
and remembers sacrifices made from the Somme to Helmand Province.
[audience applauding]
Come see.No, thank you. It's like childbirth.
Best to be completely obliviousuntil it's happening.
[announcer] Now some performers you won't have heard of.
They're an often forgotten, but essential part of the fabric of the armed forces
on whom our troops rely.
Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together
for the Flitcroft Military Wives Choir.
[audience applauding]
[applause fades]
[piano playing]
♪ Time drags its feet ♪
♪ Feels like forever ♪
♪ But the longer the wait ♪
♪ The sweeter the kiss ♪
♪ All I really know ♪
♪ Is we're stronger together ♪
♪ If that isn't love ♪
♪ Then I don't know what is ♪
♪ I know you can't say ♪
♪ How you're really feeling ♪
♪ But what goes unsaid ♪
♪ Is what I'm feeling, too ♪
♪ So here we are living ♪
♪ Life through a letter ♪
♪ There's nothing I love more ♪
♪ Than home thoughts From abroad ♪
♪ At ten o'clock tonight ♪
♪ I'll be Looking at the moon ♪
♪ That's 1:30 for you ♪
♪ Will you be up then too? ♪
♪ I know that if It's shining on me ♪
♪ That it shines for you ♪
♪ These simple things ♪
♪ Help me get through ♪
♪ I stand in the storm ♪
♪ Just me and my sails ♪
♪ And hope that it blows me Closer to you ♪
♪ Secrets keep you sick ♪♪ Secrets keep you sane ♪
♪ They stop me From sleeping ♪
♪ I want you to know ♪
♪ I keep no secrets from you ♪
[Ruby] ♪ No secrets from you ♪
♪ You always knew ♪
♪ How to keep The world laughing ♪
♪ Till we laugh again ♪
♪ These home thoughts From abroad ♪
♪ At ten o'clock tonight ♪
♪ I'll be Looking at the moon ♪
♪ That's 1:30 for you ♪
♪ Will you be up then too? ♪
♪ I know that if It's shining on me ♪
♪ That it shines for you ♪
♪ These simple things ♪
♪ Help me get through ♪
[piano ends]
[audience applauding, cheering]
[applauding continues]
[man] Bravo!
[women chattering, squealing]
My hands are still shaking.
[vocalizing] Yeah!
Can we get a bottle of-- two bottles of champagne?
[chattering continues]
Excuse me. Do you thinkI could get your autograph?
I haven't got an autograph.
Just do a symbol, you know,like Prince.
Thank you.
Can I get your autograph, please?Get lost.
Yeah, I don't need your autograph.
'Cause I got your number.
[chattering, whooping]
Are you all right?Yeah, yeah.
I mean, I'm not great,obviously, but I'm all right.
I'm just really gonna miss the choir when I move home.
What do you mean? Your parentsonly live three milesup the road from the base.
Can I stay in the choir?Oh, I'll have to thinkabout that.
Of course you can stay, silly.
Well done.
Well done?Yeah, that was really good.
Oh, my God. Hang on. Just give me a second.
Something I did was "really good"?
All right,don't be weird about it.
Okay. I won't tell anyone you said it.
Just myself. Sometimes.
I think we both deserve this.Yeah.
To the choir.
Group photo, everyone!
All right, everybody in. Everybody.
Okay, everyone say "cheese."
We did it, ladies.
[all shouting]
I felt very proud.[Crooks] Well done, ladies.Well done.
[Lisa] Hey, Crooks.Bye-bye.
How about enhancing
the spousal experience by riding with Richard
so Kate can come with us?
[Maz] Yes, come on!
She's all yours.
[Maz] Yay![all cheering]
She's on the coach! She's on the coach!
Can you take care of that, Captain?Of course, sir.
Welcome to Dave.
[up-tempo music playing]
[Lisa] Is Sarah here? Did she turn up? Oh, she's there.
Oh!
[Kate] We're gonna do the same places as at the Albert Hall.
We'll start with somethingfun and easy.
♪ Everyone can See we're together ♪
♪ As we walk on by ♪♪ Hey ♪
♪ And we fly just Like birds of a feather ♪
♪ I won't tell no lie ♪
♪ All, All of the people Around us they say ♪
♪ "Can they be that close?" ♪
♪ Just let me State for the record ♪
♪ We're giving Love in a family dose ♪
♪ We are family ♪
♪ I got all My sisters with me ♪
♪ We are family ♪
♪ Yeah, we are family ♪
♪ Get up Everybody and sing ♪
♪ Won't you get up and sing? ♪
♪ We are family We are family ♪
♪ I got all My sisters with me ♪
♪ All my sisters with me ♪
♪ We are family ♪
♪ Yeah, we are family ♪
♪ Get up Everybody and sing ♪
♪ Get up and sing ♪
♪ We are family We are family ♪
♪ I got all My sisters with me ♪
♪ All my sisters with me ♪
♪ We are family ♪
♪ Yeah, we are family ♪
♪ Get up Everybody and sing ♪
♪ Get up and sing ♪
♪ We are family We are family ♪
♪ I got all My sisters with me ♪
♪ All my sisters with me ♪
♪ We are family ♪
♪ Yeah, we are family ♪
♪ Get up Everybody and sing ♪
♪ Won't you get up and sing? ♪
♪ We are family ♪
[whooping, cheering, chattering]