Penny Dreadful quotes

Victor

If Proteus was any model to go by, she'll pick up language quickly. Even more quickly since I reduced the trauma of the electrical charge. It will come back to her. So too human interaction and, well, perhaps memory.

John Clare

And then?

Victor

I don't know. Proteus was just beginning to regain the memory of his former life, when you killed him.

John Clare

You don't need to remind me of my sins. Just never forget your own.

Victor

And this? Creating another sin?

John Clare

Atoning for your first. All the love and companionship you denied me, visit upon her. She is our future, Creator. Tread carefully.

John Clare

Is it not this, Ms. Ives? The glory of life surmounts the fear of death. Good Christians fear Hellfire, so to avoid it they are kind to their fellow man. Good pagans do not have this fear, so they can be who they are. Good or ill, as their nature dictates. We have no fear of God, so we are accountable to no one but each other.

Vanessa

That's a profound responsibility.

Lily

You haven't told me. What's my name?

Victor

Lily. Your name is Lily. The flower of resurrection and rebirth.

Lily

Why does that make me sad? Why should a flower make me sad. I don't understand. The words come out, but with so little meaning. [cries]

Victor

Shh. Be still. It will take time. But you'll learn. I'll show you what life is.

Lily

Cousin, teach me. I am at your mercy.

Victor

I shall.

Thee and me got nothing to talk about here. You want a salve for your heartache, I can give you that. You want herbs to ease the gout, I can give you that. You want to poison your baby brother, I can give you that and laugh while I do it. But if you think you are touched by the demon then you best walk out that door. Because what I can give you for that, is only knowledge you don't want, little girl!

Why you want to learn the art? [spreading out tarot cards]

Vanessa

To find out what I am.

And if the answer you don't like?

Vanessa

Better to know.

Not really. Look that them. What do they say to you?

Vanessa

[looks down at the cards] Nothing.

[hits Vanessa on the head] I said look at them.

They send their girls to me, but for this very service they despise me. So it is always for those who do for women. Old as I am, I know nothing. Why people in this world hate what is not them. Why they fear all they don't know. Why they hate themselves most of all - for being weak, for being old, for being everything altogether that is not godlike. Which of us can be that? Monsters all, are we not?

Vanessa

Some perhaps more than others.

Is that what you feel?

Vanessa

Yes.

Then it will be true, as long as you feel it so.

[as she goes to her death] Now you watch yourself close, my Little Scorpion. And remember this I speak now, eh? When Lucifer fell, he did not fall alone. They will hunt you until the end of days. [she puts her hand over Vanessa's chest] Be true. [pause] My name is Joan Clayton.

Vanessa

[clothes shopping for Lily] Good morning. Vanessa Ives, pleased to meet you.

Mr. and Mrs. Ives.

Victor

Oh God, no! No, we're not married.

Oh, I see.

Victor

No, it's not like that either.

I assure you, sir, discretion is the watch-cry of my trade.

Vanessa

We'll look around for a bit if we may, my non-husband and I. [they walk away]

Victor

This is worse than I knew it was going to be.

Lily

So, women wear corsets so they don't exert themselves?

Victor

Partly.

Lily

What would be the danger if they did?

Victor

They'd take over the world.

Victor

You know, once I would have thought all of this impossible.

Vanessa

And now?

Victor

I know nothing's impossible. Whatever we can imagine, far worse is true.

Vanessa

And far better.

Victor

You think so?

Vanessa

I choose to.

Malcolm

How do we protect ourselves?

Vanessa

There is lore to ward off witches.

And rituals.

Ethan

And sturdy locks. And a shit load of weapons.

John Clare

Do you like poetry?

Vanessa

All sad people like poetry. Happy people like songs.

Ethan

I believe we make ourselves who we are. The blood is on our hands, not God's.

Vanessa

I wish I were going mad. Then the doctors could lock me away and cut out the madness. Anything to make it end. You know the true path to freedom? Open any vein.

Victor

My cousin and I... it's not without its complications. That's what they call the workings inside of watches. Did you know that? The intricate gears and mechanisms. Complications.

Vanessa

Then enjoy them, doctor. They will tick away no matter what we do.