Brother Desmond
Episode 3x17, Catch 22 - Flashback 1Desmond's lips move as he reads the bible in a small room. He looks up, stands, and the door opens. A monk comes in with clothing for Desmond.
"God tests our faiths in many ways," the monk says.
Desmond changes into the clothes the monk brought.
The monk continues, "So, as you well know, we have our own test here. A vow of silence that lasts as long as we see fit. This challenges both his patience and his faith. For some, it may last a week. Those we're less sure about, a month. Personally, Desmond, I never thought you'd last. So now I stand corrected. For whatever reason, your path has led you here, and now you're one of us. Welcome, brother."
"Thank you, brother," Desmond says.
Brother Desmond Gets Popped
Episode 3x17, Catch 22 - Flashback 2Desmond and the monk put wine bottles into crates.
"You do realize you are free to talk again, Brother Desmond," the monk says.
"Used to being quiet, I suppose," Desmond says and puts a Moriah Vineyards label on a bottle. "Moriah," he says. "I find the name the brothers have chosen for the wine made here interesting."
"And why is that, brother?"
"On Moriah is where Abraham was asked to kill Isaac. It's not exactly the most festive locale, is it?"
"And yet, God spared Isaac."
"Well, one might argue that God need not have asked Abraham to sacrifice his son in the first place."
"Well then, it wouldn't have been much of test, would it, brother? Perhaps you underestimate the power of sacrifice."
Another monk walks in, followed by a man. "Brother Desmond," the monk says. "I met this man at the gate. Says he needs to have a word with you."
The man walks up and punches Desmond in the nose. Desmond's nose bleeds.
The man crosses himself, then looks at the monk and says, "Sorry, sir."
Desmond, nose bleeding, looks at the monk and says, "Forgive me, brother."
Ruth
Episode 3x17, Catch 22 - Flashback 3Desmond knocks on a door and the man who punched him answers. "Is your sister in?" Desmond asks.
"Leave," he says, "now."
A woman comes up behind him and says, "Let him be, Derek."
Derek walks away and Desmond says, "Hello, Ruth."
Sitting inside, drinking tea or coffee, Ruth says to Desmond, "So you're a monk now?"
"Technically I'm what they call a novice."
"Why are you here, Desmond?"
"Now that my initiation is over, I thought I owed you an explanation."
"Desmond, you can never explain what you did. You left one week before the wedding. Everything was planned, bought, and paid for. You just disappeared."
"I had a calling."
"We dated for six years and the closest you ever came to a religious experience was Celtics winning the cup."
"Yes. I was scared about the wedding. So, I had a few pints too many. I raised my eyes and I asked, 'Am I doing the right thing?' and that's the last thing I remember. When I woke up, I was lying on my back in the street and I looked up and there was this man standing over me, Ruth, and he reached out his hand and he said to me, 'Can I help you, brother?' And the first thing I noticed was the rope tied around his waist and I looked at him and I knew. I knew I was supposed to go with him. I was supposed to leave everything that mattered behind. Sacrifice all of that for a greater calling."
"Well it's a good thing a bloody shepherd didn't help you or you'd be out with the sheep. The next time you want to break up with someone, Des, don't join a monastery. Just tell the girl you're too bloody scared.
Fired
Episode 3x17, Catch 22 - Flashback 4Desmond sings in the monastery as he drinks the monastery's wine. The monk walks in and says, "Brother Desmond, what are you doing?"
"I believe I'm getting pissed on a lovely wine."
"That bottle of our lovely wine fetches over 100 quid. We've only bottled 108 cases this year."
"It's just as well we've taken a vow of poverty, then," Desmond says.
"We've also taken a vow of charity."
"Aye." He takes another swig and puts the bottle in front of the monk.
The monk moves the bottle and says, "Something tells me, Desmond, that you're not cut out to be a monk."
"I've had a tough week," Desmond says. "I'm sorry for the wine. I'll take the penance."
"I'm afraid you're beyond penance, Desmond."
"Brother Desmond."
"Not anymore."
"Are you firing me?"
"I am indeed."
"You can't do that. I heard the call."
"I'm sure you did hear the call, but the Abbey clearly isn't where you were meant to end up. I have little doubt that God has other plans for you, Desmond, bigger plans."
"I'm sure he does," Desmond says sarcastically.
"He does! You've just spent too much time running away to realize what you might be running toward."
"Hey, what am I supposed to do now?"
"Whatever comes next."
