To new beginnings.
And to our family, if and when.
If and when.
Since 9:47pm we've had a complete blackout.
Anyone trying to get in falls instantly unconscious.
Sir, London's sent someone.
I have a daughter. She's home on her own.
She has health issues.
Mum, where are you?
I need you!
Canter on.
Nice. Doing well.
Whoa!
Hey!
Keep the knees in. Yeah? Tell him you're there.
I'm trying! Are you all right, Ellie?
Ellie!
I love you.
Yeah, it's me. I'm on my way there now.
Arrange a meeting for tomorrow at 2pm.
Let London know.
It was a freak event that took the nation by surprise.
But as the weeks pass, the small
finds itself at last able to return to some semblance of normality.
The huge power surge...
I love you.
Jodie.
What are you doing here?
It's a police matter.
Is it about that Twix I stole from Smith's?
It was 20 years ago and I've eaten it.
It's not about the Twix.
Well, you'd better come in, then.
Look, how long is this going to take?
Because Steve's coming round and I need to tidy up and cook.
Steve?
Yeah, we're giving it another go. Do you want tea?
Why are you giving it another go?
None of your business.
You were a real bastard to me, after the funeral.
I was in grief too. Maybe you didn't notice.
Something's happened.
To do with May 6th.
I'm done talking about that night.
Fucking police interviews, journalists everywhere.
I just want to live my life.
Why are you back with Steve? Any particular reason?
What are you talking about?
You know what I'm talking about.
How the fuck do you know about that?
Jodie, I need you to call Steve.
You need to cancel tonight and we need to talk.
Because this is not what you think it is.
Are you ready yet? Coming!
Yeah.
Sorry. Had to send the edit on Laura's novel.
Thanks for doing this.
Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world.
Take a seat.
We have an appointment at 2pm.
About our pregnancy.
Yes, of course. Um... Go through to D Wing.
Ward 300.
Oh, ignore the signs about rebuilding.
Are you sure this is right?
It's what she said.
Come on, we're late. All right.
You OK? Mm.
Mr Clyde, listen to your girlfriend.
This is not the same as it was in London.
I can feel life growing inside me.
Oh, name, please?
Zoe Moran. We have an appointment with obstetrics at 2pm.
And this is your partner? Yeah, yeah.
We are in the right place, aren't we?
Yes. Just go on through.
What is this?
Please, come in. Take a seat.
Good afternoon, everyone.
My name is Dr Colin McAfferty.
And I am a senior advisor
to the government's Medical Response Council.
And the reason that you're here today
is that DCI Haynes and I need to talk to you about what happened
on the night of Friday May 6th.
We asked you here today, along with a partner or someone that you trust.
Because, as you will recall, our medical teams took extensive tests
from every victim of the Midwich blackout.
Our intention was to check that there were no ongoing health concerns.
And I'm happy to say that there weren't.
But what the tests did show
is that something occurred that night.
It appears that every woman of child-bearing age
who was in the zone...
it seems that you've all fallen pregnant.
We see no sign as yet that your foetus is anything other than normal.
But how this happened, we... we do not yet know.
What do you mean, you don't know?
So you're saying it's... What are you saying?
If I could just finish. Hold on a second.
Are you implying we're all pregnant for the same reason?
Um... We can't say anything with any medical certainty at this time.
We will be conducting more tests after the meeting.
But you are saying something.
You're making assumptions - about my body.
Is this a joke?
It's not a joke. Do you want me to go in?
No. The local touch is better.
This was always going to be the tricky bit.
We're therefore drawn to date of conception
to the night of the blackout.
There must be some mistake. There's no mistake.
Excuse me, this is nothing to do with us.
Please sit down. You can't tell us what to do.
Well, I'm afraid I can.
I know that this is a shock.
But it is vitally important
that what has happened to you does not go outside of this room.
For this reason, we've brought you here together
and before anything else happens,
everyone here must sign the Official Secrets Act.
What?
The blackout event has been classified
a national red level threat.
It could be the result of a hostile attack
from a foreign or a domestic agent.
Do you mean terrorism?
I'm pregnant. How can that be a hostile act?
Some external force, as yet unidentified,
caused a major power cut that night.
And may have also caused you all to conceive.
What about the power surge?
There was a lightning strike. You lied to us.
Let's just stay calm. Was there a lightning strike or not?
Well, was there?
Please. Please sit down.
I went to my GP and he told me my baby was normal.
Is that a camera?
I asked you a question. Is that a camera?
Yeah.
Who's watching us?
Answer the question.
The police have been assigned temporary extrajudicial powers
by the Home Secretary.
They're filming us!
Can they do that? No, they fucking can't!
Calm down, Curtis. Don't tell me what to do!
Can you let us out that door now, please?
You, with me.
What are you talking about?
I'm calling a lawyer.
My phone's not working.
Nor mine.
Have you blocked our phones? What is going on?!
They've blocked our phones. What?!
Yeah. Check your phone. There's no signal.
You can't do that. Rachel, get your things. We're going.
Sam, we're going too. Sorry, but nobody leaves until this is done.
Where did they come from? Sit down.
Jesus Christ. What is this? Just let us out of here. Curtis, sit down.
Could you ask the soldiers to get away from the door?
I have a feeling they're not very helpful.
I... I don't even know who the hell you are.
I'm Susannah Zellaby.
I know Rachel.
It's true. Sit down.
I'm a... a family therapist here in the town.
I'm also the mother of Cassie here, who was in the zone that night.
Five days ago, Cassie found out that she was pregnant.
She swore to me she had no idea how it had happened.
And I didn't believe her.
Since then, a few women have come to me with similar concerns.
And it was then I started to wonder if something strange had happened.
I'll tell you what's happened.
My... my partner and I made love that night in my new home.
And as a result we have a baby coming.
And this is nothing to do with it.
Zoe, yes? Yeah.
Zoe, I would dearly love that to be the case.
But if every woman in this room is pregnant,
regardless of their sexual orientation, sexual experience -
That's not my problem. Sam, let's go.
Uh... I think most of you know me. I'm hard to miss.
But for those that don't, I'm Mary-Ann.
I work at Case estate agents on the High Street.
I asked my friend Sarah to come with me today
because I was scared to come on my own.
I'm pregnant and I haven't had sex with a man for...years.
That can't be true. Trust me.
What about artificial - No.
I don't believe you. That's not helpful.
It's all right, Sarah.
You know, it may not make sense, Zoe, but it is the truth.
Yeah, well, maybe you got drunk and forgot.
Given the sexual desert of my last couple of years, Curtis,
I think that is something I would remember.
What about you, Sarah? Are you pregnant?
I was out of town that night with Charlotte.
Otherwise, I think I might be.
The...same is true for me.
They're here.
Bring them in. Bring them in, please.
There are some younger women coming up with their parents.
They were also in the zone that night,
some of them at a house party on Lichfield Road.
They're in the same situation
but given that they were under 18 when it happened
we thought it important to speak to them individually first.
Come on in. It's OK.
Everyone knows what's going on.
Please.
I really need them to sign this.
Listen, everyone.
DCI Haynes wants us to sign this piece of paper
for our security and our protection.
You don't have to do this.
No-one here can make you sign anything against your will.
You are free to leave and go home.
But one thing we must all accept.
May 6th happened.
And whether we like it or not, we are all in this together now.
So I will be signing, if you wish to join me.
Nora, isn't it? Yeah.
Mary-Ann.
Bet that was one party you wish you hadn't gone to.
What is this for?
It's an NIPT.
We're looking to isolate the foetal DNA from your own.
Why?
At just over seven weeks,
the mother's blood contains small levels of the baby's DNA
which is excreted through the placenta.
But why are you doing this?
We do it for a variety of reasons.
But one thing we do want to do is test for paternal DNA.
Paternal DNA?
We're looking to isolate the foetal DNA.
It's an NIPT.
We're looking to isolate the foetal DNA from your own.
Dr Zellaby.
Sorry. It's a bad habit. I had given up but...
Free country last time I looked.
Well, that's a matter of opinion.
Have you got a moment? Yeah.
I wanted to say... so sorry for your loss.
If there's anything I can do...
Just through here.
Thanks.
Dr Zellaby.
Bernard Westcott, Home Office. How do you do?
Shall we use my office?
We're still locating all of the women affected.
We expect mostly terminations
but we are anticipating a small percentage
may choose to keep the child.
Those women may need psychological support.
I hope you're not asking me to report back on personal consultations.
That would be unethical.
We just want you to help the mothers on their journey.
Like you did today.
And we're willing to pay you to do so.
One of those mothers is my daughter.
Surely that's a positive.
Well, you'll have an insight none of us could possibly share.
Let me be frank, Dr Zellaby.
An entirely unexplained phenomenon has occurred.
We have a responsibility to protect not just the women concerned
but all of us.
We should use every tool at our disposal.
Wouldn't you agree?
Susannah?
Before you go...
There is one thing that came up on your background checks.
May 1999. Your daughter, Cassie.
What about it?
I just wanted to ask you a few questions about that time,
if that's all right?
Maybe this was a bad idea. No.
I need to face it.
Let me show you the room.
Paul.
You should know I'm going to keep the baby.
I think I have to.
Can you understand that?
Well, it's your choice. I know it's my choice.
I'm asking if you understand.
Are you OK?
Honestly... I don't know how to answer that question.
Brought you a tea.
How are you feeling? Is this my free session?
Paid for by the government. No, I'm just asking you how you are.
It's...disturbing and it's OK to say so.
Actually, it all kind of makes sense.
Yeah.
I knew that night had to be for something.
The way that I felt, right after.
I couldn't put it into words.
But now I...
It... it felt like I was visited.
Have you read the pamphlet?
Yeah, I've read it.
Cassie this... this isn't an ordinary situation.
And you have to ask yourself if you are ready for this.
I'm here of course, always, but is that what you want?
To be reliant on me?
Just say it. You want me to get rid of it.
You don't think that I can cope. No, that's not what I said.
That's what you meant, though, isn't it?
You don't think that I'm mother material.
Oh, Cassie, don't.
I get one thing. One thing of my own.
I understand.
And you'll send a letter?
Thank you.
Who was that?
The hospital. They've got the test results.
And?
The baby has my DNA but not yours.
Apparently there's no evidence of paternal DNA of any kind.
The woman said as you're not the father,
you don't have the same legal rights.
So we have to sign something to ascribe those rights to you,
if you want to.
This is bullshit.
I'm with you. It's OK.
I'm getting rid of it. Where's that letter? No!
It's not what we wanted. We wanted OUR child.
Zoe, listen to me. That doctor gave us a less than 1% chance.
That's why we came here. Change of environment...
Yeah, it worked. It worked.
Not... not how I wanted.
But it might be the best chance we get.
So please don't get rid of it.
Please.
For me, it's a matter of my religion.
I'm as disturbed by this as anyone.
But I won't interrupt God's work.
I don't expect everyone to agree.
But for me, it's an article of faith.
No, Sam is being amazing.
He's feeding me huge suppers.
The baby's good. The scan was normal.
No need for amnio or anything like that.
Yes, I am sleeping fine.
It's all fine.
I can't explain it. It's like this weird fucking miracle.
Hello, sweetheart.
Go on, Charlotte.
Oh, my God, you're the Virgin Mary.
Definitely not a virgin.
Who's messaging you?
Uh... It's just someone from the council.
Can we play?
Sure.
Excuse me. Can I help?
No, I know where I'm going.
Miss Stone? We got your call.
Is anyone with you? No.
Anyone coming to pick you up?
Um... Listen, I've...done this before so let's just get it done.
Of course.
Please sit down and wait for your name to be called.
Are you not with anyone?
My mum can't cope. It's too weird for her.
It's too weird for all of us.
Hm.
My mate Sadie tried posting about the whole thing on Facebook.
It got taken down. The police came round.
Yeah.
We're being watched all the time.
I don't want anything to do with it.
If you'd like to take a seat through here.
And wait for your name to be called. OK. Thank you.
Hi.
I didn't know anyone else would be here.
Well, I guess it's more efficient.
Cassandra Stone?
So, Cassie, you've thought about keeping the baby but decided against.
Is that correct? Yeah.
And you've made that decision yourself?
Yeah.
OK, so you'll be taking two pills.
The first will block the main pregnancy hormone
and the second will induce the breakdown of the pregnancy.
Due to the unusual nature of the pregnancy,
we'll administer the pills here and monitor you during the process.
If you can just sign the consent form, we'll get everything ready.
You've thought about having the baby and have decided against.
Is that correct? Yes, that's right.
And you made that decision yourself?
Yes, in consultation with my husband.
Just wait through here, Mrs Saunders.
Sign this consent form and we'll get everything ready.
Thanks.
Sign this consent form and we'll get everything ready.
Thank you.
OK, Miss Stone?
It's happened again.
As you can see, with Kilmorey Avenue you get more garden,
a little less living space.
It's all a matter of taste, Aisha, but I personally think its a peach.
Come any time. Even in winter, it's always a trip worth making.
Your brother is going to love you so much.
I've still got another two months to go,
although you wouldn't think it to look at me.
Ma'am.
..for the 09:56 service to London Marylebone
calling at Great Missenden, Amersham, Chalfont and Latimer,
Chorleywood, Rickmansworth, Harrow on the Hill and London Marylebone.
This train is formed of five carriages.
Platform 1 for the 09:56 service to London Marylebone...
Sorry about this. No, not at all.
I'm glad you called.
Cassie's got a friend here but they're upstairs
so we can talk in my study.
Would you like a cup of tea?
Ugh, there it is again.
What are you going to call her?
I was thinking about...Eve.
The first woman.
What?
It's too mystical for me.
Hey, stranger.
Hey! How are you?
Haven't seen you around.
Uh, well, I went to Croydon for a bit
but it just didn't feel right, you know?
So where are you staying?
I'm just with Paul for now. OK. Mm.
It's only temporary. I'm going to look for my own place soon.
Well, you know where to come.
We've got a lovely two-bed in Drakesford Avenue. £600 a month.
Oh. Yeah, that sounds great.
How can we be so bloody heavy?
We've still got six weeks to go. They shouldn't be this big.
Mum says it's weird.
Well, your mum thinks everything's weird.
That is so true.
Oh... Laters, babe.
Come tomorrow?
I was at the station and I just couldn't get on the train.
Well, a pregnant body can behave like that.
The chemical changes are extreme.
No.
This is different.
It controlled my body, Susannah.
It?
Yes.
It doesn't want me to go to work. It just wants me to be here.
It's like it has a will of its own.
Having chicken? Yeah, it's an old family classic.
I can't find any of the spices, though, so I'm having to improvise.
Ooh!
Argh! You OK?
Uh... Yeah.
OK. Stay calm.
Have you got that number? Yeah, it's on my phone.
Oh... It's so early, though.
They said it might come early, remember?
Let's tell them you're on your way in
then we'll call Paul and he can pick you up.
We'll call outside. Walk with me. OK.
No way!
Oh... OK. OK.
OK? Yeah.
Mum. I've just seen. Seen what?
It's the Midwich chat group. A couple of the mothers have -
Oh!
Ah! Argh!
Urgh!
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