The Queen's Gambit, Netflix, Flitcraft, Wonderful Films

Chess Prodigy

Netflix original miniseries The Queen’s Gambit dropped Friday October 23, 2020.

💋♟❣️#TheQueensGambit is based on literature of the same name.




rottentomatoes: 100%

metacritic: 79

imdb: 8.9



Beth Harmon, The Queen's Gambit, Netflix, Flitcraft, Wonderful Films, Anya Taylor-Joy

Elizabeth Harmon

Beth Harmon becomes a chess world champion outside of 1960’s Lexington, Kentucky.

Beth Harmon, The Queen's Gambit, Netflix, Flitcraft, Wonderful Films, Anya Taylor-Joy

“I’m coming. Jesus. Shit! Je descends, tout de suite. Yeah. Fuck! Thank you. Fuck! I’m sorry.” — Beth Harmon

“What are they? Beth. I don’t remember.” — Beth Harmon

“What is this. Good morning, Mrs. Deardorff.” — Beth Harmon

“What’s that game called? I don’t wanna be with the others. I wanna know what that is you’re playing. Will you teach me?” — Beth Harmon

“You were right. The vitamins work better at night. I don’t know. Sometimes I skip a day, or a bunch of days, then take two or three. I like the way it feels.” — Beth Harmon

“I’m not a stranger. I live here. I already know some of it… from watching. That one moves up and down, or back and forth, all the way, if there’s space to move in. But that one can only go up. That tall one can go any way it wants. On the diagonals. One square diagonal, plus one square straight. How do you do it? Show me.” — Beth Harmon

“Resign? No. You didn’t tell me that in the rules. I wanna finish. You’ve got to finish. Please! You cocksucker.” — Beth Harmon

“Check. Mate. Jolene? I want to know what a cocksucker is. I don’t think so. Do you? Isn’t that where they pee?” — Beth Harmon

“I’m not. I still beat you. What’s that? Then what? What’s KB3? The squares have names? Show me. You’re mad.” — Beth Harmon

“Levenfish. Najdorf. I’m sorry, Mrs. Deardorff. That isn’t one you taught me. But is that one of those things, like the Sicilian Defense? Is that one of them? I’m playing White? Then, how come I couldn’t go first before? Check. Mate. Is that whiskey? I won’t. Modern Chess Openings. Am I good enough now? Nine. I’ll be ten in November.” — Beth Harmon

“Chess club? This one. Down here. I play in my head. On the ceiling. Thank you very much. Do you want another game? Check. The bishop clocks. Queen takes king’s pawn. Castles. Mate in three. First check is with the queen. The king must take. Then, the bishop checks on knight five… and it’s mate next. Queen.” — Beth Harmon

“In a what? Yes, I’d like to. Yes, ma’am. Yes, ma’am.” — Beth Harmon

“There’s one missing. Where are the green ones? There they are, right behind you. What?” — Beth Harmon

“Did Fergussen give you any green pills? Extra ones? They’re still there. In the big jar. I don’t know. What are those? No? No.” — Beth Harmon

“Do I start now? And then I go on to the next one?” — Beth Harmon

“What surprised me was how bad they played. They left backwards pawns all over the place, and their pieces were wide open for forks. A few of them tried stupid mating attacks. But I took care of them. This boy, Charles Levy, he was supposed to be the best. I had his pieces tied up in 15 moves. I mated him in six more, with a knight-rook combination. Mr. Ganz told me I beat them all in an hour and 20 minutes. It felt good. I’ve never won anything before. You can have the rest.” — Beth Harmon

“Jolene. Do you have any more vitamins? Haven’t you got even just one? Fine, but I need– hello, Samantha.” — Beth Harmon

“Bathroom. Mama?” — Beth Harmon


Jolene, The Queen's Gambit, Netflix, Flitcraft, Wonderful Films, Moses Ingram

Jolene

“You’re all a bunch of fucking cocksuckers! Oh, fuck you, cocksucker.”

“The green ones are the best. Vitamins. I were you, I’d save the green ones for the night time. Otherwise, they turn off right when you need them to turn on. If you know what I mean. Hey, what’s your name, girl? Jolene. Your mama and daddy dead? What’s the last thing they said to you before they died? I ask everybody that. We get some really fun answers. Someday, you might. If you do, let me know.”

“I thought I told you to wait and take those vitamins at bedtime. Far as we know.”

“You’re all fucking cocksuckers, and you’re the biggest one of them all. Hmm. That is not fair. She got here after you. Most of us are lifers. Been here a long time. Nobody’s gonna come for us now. We’re too old. Or too Black.”

“How many you take? I bet you do. You just be careful you don’t get too used to that to that feeling.”

“Morning, cracker. What do you want? Shit! Okay. Um… do you know what a cock is? It’s what boys have. The picture in the back of the health book, it’s like a thumb. Well, honey, girls like to suck on that thumb. Haven’t tried one yet. I expect it wipes clean.”

“No, honey, I wish he would. But they got the state after them for what they’ve been doing with those pills. That a fact? I ain’t noticed. You’re having withdrawal symptoms? Withdrawal, like… I don’t know, you getting edgy? Yeah, you are. You look around, there’s gonna be some jumpy orphans around here the next few days.”

“Wait! Can I talk to Beth? Just for a second, wish her luck. Good luck.”

“Hey. Don’t be rude. This is Samantha. She just got here. How’d the exhibit go? You do okay? I don’t want to hear about it.”


Mr. Shaibel, The Queen's Gambit, Netflix, Flitcraft, Wonderful Films, Bill Camp

Mr. Shaibel

“What do you want, child? You should be in chapel. You should be upstairs with the others. It’s called chess. I don’t play strangers. Girls do not play chess. And this one? Let’s play a game. I play White. Now or never. That’s called the Scholar’s Mate. Not today. Not today.”

“You resign now. That’s right, child. When you lose the queen that way… you resign. Yes, you have resigned the game. It’s not a rule, it’s sportsmanship. No. No. You lost. The game is over. Get out.”

“You’re gloating. It was close. Could have beat me sooner. You should learn the Sicilian Defense. When White moves to king four, Black does this. Knight to KB3. King’s bishop three, where I just put the knight. If you play well, they have names. Not now. Let’s play again. I am not mad. There are other strategies you’ll need to learn, down the road. The Levenfish Variation. The Najdorf Variation. Show me.”

“Let’s play again. So? Those things are called openings. The Queen’s Gambit. From now on, we take turns. It’s the way the game should be played. Play. Mm-hmm. Yes. And don’t tell. It’s the best book for you. It will tell you all you wanna know. You’ll need to learn chess notation before reading it. The names of the squares. I’ll teach you now. How old are you? Nine years old. To tell you the truth of it, child… you’re astounding.”

“This is Mr. Ganz from the chess club. We play at a club. You play the color you choose.”

“You should get back.”


Alma Wheatley


Helen Deardorff, The Queen's Gambit, Netflix, Flitcraft, Wonderful Films, Christiane Seidel

Helen Deardorff

“‘Orphaned by yesterday’s collision on New Circle Road, Elizabeth Harmon surveys a troubled future.’ ‘Elizabeth, nine years old, was left without family by the crash.’ ‘Her mother, Alice Harmon, was pronounced dead at the scene.’ Poor dear. Let’s welcome her, shall we? Welcome, Elizabeth. Here we are. This is our chapel, the domain of Miss Lonsdale. Mr. Fergussen, this is Elizabeth Harmon. Jolene. In there is our classroom. You’ll meet your teachers on Monday. And this is our day room, where you will have all your meals, and enjoy daily socialization. Good morning, girls. Home sweet home. Come on, let’s get you settled. We have 21 girls here, and they are all just as sweet as you. And here is your special place. Shoo! Go, go, go. You can put your clothes down here. And your toothbrush can go right here. And any other personal items, there. Oh! Show her to me. Come in, sit. I know that, at this moment, all you’re feeling is loss. But after grief brings you low, prayer and faith will lift you high. High enough for you to see a new path for yourself. I think, Elizabeth, you’re going to find a much different life here. A better one than you might have had. And I’m sure that you and I are going to be good friends. Hmm. That should do nicely. Mm-hmm. I think we’ll burn this one. Get dressed. We have one more stop. Mr. Fergussen will take good care of you. I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Good morning, girls. Mary-Sue, aren’t you a lucky girl? You really impressed the Spellmans. Let’s get your suitcase and pack up. Nicely, like I taught you. Yeah, the socks first, remember. Don’t forget your headband. And don’t dawdle. Someday.”

“Elizabeth!”

“Mr. Ganz tells me that you are a gifted child. He has an unusual request to make. He would like you to be taken to the high school on… on Thursday. In the afternoon. He maintains that you are a phenomenal chess player. He would like you to perform for the chess club. We like to give our girls a chance for experience outside whenever we can, but… I’m a bit wary of letting Elizabeth go off to the local high school. I was thinking a young lady might also accompany her. Oh. No, I… I couldn’t possibly abandon my duties here. What do you say Elizabeth? Do you want to play chess at the high school? Okay. It’s settled, then. Mr. Ganz and, uh… Charlotte? Shirley, yes. They will pick you up, let’s say after lunch on Thursday? Elizabeth. I’ve been told you’ve been playing chess with our custodian. With Mr. Shaibel. This is very irregular, Elizabeth. Have you gone to the basement? Well, we can’t have that. As much as Methuen believes in excellence, we can’t have you playing chess in the basement. I believe that we have chess sets in the game closet. I’ll have Fergussen look into that. That’ll be all, Elizabeth. Mind your manners at the high school. Helen Deardorff.”

“All right, girls. Let’s have some cocoa and discuss what we’ve learned. Elizabeth! Elizabeth.”


Mr. Fergussen, The Queen's Gambit, Netflix, Flitcraft, Wonderful Films, Akemnji Ndifornyen

Mr. Fergussen

“I got it. Jolene, that mouth will be the death of you! You can’t yell like that.”

“Green’s to even your disposition. Orange and brown is for building a strong body. Take ’em both.”

“Never met anyone who liked the taste of soap as much as you do. Where you going, Harmon?”

“Sweet dreams, ladies. ‘Good night, good night!’ ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow, so I shall say good night till it be morrow.'”

“Hey, Mrs. Deardorff wants to see you.”

“That’s it. Next. You don’t get them anymore. I know where they are, Harmon, but I’m not gonna give you any. New state law. No more tranquilizers for kids. Go figure. ‘Go thou further off.’ ‘Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going.’ Beat it.”

“Harmon. You all right?”

“Hurry up.”

French Hotel

“Mademoiselle? Je vous en prie.”

French Hotel Patron

“Ne regarde pas.”

Cop 1

“What are we supposed to do with her? There’s hardly a scratch on her. It’s a goddamn miracle.”

Cop 2

“They’re sending someone. I doubt she’ll see it that way.”

Matron

“You understand, dear, your mother’s passed on? You know what that means, don’t you? ‘Passed on?’ Well… I’m sure she’s gone on to a better place, and, someday, you’ll get to see her again. Good luck to you, dear.”

Miss Lonsdale

“And the father? I would guess that, like most men who live around there, he was yet another victim of a carefree life.”

“How do you do, Elizabeth? I also teach etiquette to the young ladies.”

Teacher

“Two times six.”

“Miss Harmon, finished early? Why don’t you take the erasers down to the basement and clean them?”

“Nine times four is?”

Teacher 2

“You should have green, leafy vegetables at least once a day, legumes a few times a week, and stay away from tobacco and any and all forms of alcohol. I also like to inspect my stool at least, uh, three times a week. It should appear firm but not hard, a clear sign of dehydration. Now, which is why we should be drinking several glasses of water a day, nature’s wonderful lubricant.”

Teacher 3

“‘Nobody heard him, the dead man, but still he lay moaning.’ ‘I was much further out than you thought, and not waving but drowning.’ ‘Poor chap, he always loved larking, and now… he’s dead.’ ‘It must have been too cold for him. His heart gave way, they said.’ ‘Oh, no, no, no, it was too cold always.’ ‘Still, the dead one lay moaning.’ ‘I was much too far out all my life, and not waving, but drowning.'”

Methuen Girls

“Good morning, Mrs. Deardorff.”

Methuen Girl

“Okay.”

Methuen Girl 2

“I wish it was me. Maybe someone will come through.”

Methuen Girl 3

“Good night, Fergussen.”

Methuen Girl 2

“Magic vitamins. Fish. We eat it every Friday. You gotta eat every bite, or they’ll tell Mrs. Deardorff about you, and you won’t get adopted.”

Alice Harmon

“Close your eyes.”

“Good reason. I don’t expect you to understand–“

“So, we’ll take… isn’t it beautiful? Oh, you think I’d hurt her? She’s happy here. This is where she belongs. Who says she’s ours? And she doesn’t like being called Lizzie. I’m sorry, Paul.”

Paul Harmon

“Alice, come on, open the door. It’s taken me a whole month to find you. Whatever this is, whatever you’re doing, it’s nuts, even for you. What I understand is you’re not taking care of yourself.”

“Let me come in and talk to Lizzie. Make sure she’s okay. You honestly believe our daughter belongs in a trailer in the middle of nowhere? Don’t do that, Alice.”

“All right, Alice, you win. I can’t fight with you anymore. And I can’t leep chasing you around everywhere, if all you do is run away again. Once I drive away, I’m not coming back.”

Mary-Sue

“I heard their house is so big.”

Choir Teacher

“♪ Bringing in the sheaves ♪ Bring in the sheaves ♪ We shall come rejoicing Bringing in the sheaves ♪ Bringing in the sheaves ♪ Bringing in the sheaves ♪”

Choir

“♪ Nearer, my God, to thee ♪ Nearer to thee ♪ Nearer… ♪”

Local Highschool

“Stop!”

Mr. Ganz

“I’m also coach of the high school team. Duncan High? Would you like to play me a game? Ah, the Réti Opening. Well, you certainly know the game, young lady. Do you have a team here? The other girls, do they have a chess club? So, where do you play? Mr. Shaibel said you play a few games every Sunday. What do you do in between? In your head? Oh… before I forget… I brought you… a present. Go ahead, open it. Well? Beth… I’ve moved my queen to rook four. Check. Knight takes knight. Sweet Jesus. I have to go now. Would you mind, Beth… if I took your picture? I’d love to tell the kids in chess club about you. How about you stand next to Mr. Shaibel? Closer. That’s it. Say queen!”

“On Thursday. We have a dozen members, and I was suggesting to Mrs. Deardorff that you come along and play all of them in a simultaneous. At the same time. Oh, well, I would chaperone. I’d pick her up, take her to the school, then bring her back. Well, I assumed that you would come, as my guest. Well, what if Shirley Munson, club treasurer and one of my best students, she comes along? Shirley. Perfect. I’ll see you then.”

“Sure, go ahead. Take your seats and be quiet, please. Charles Levy will take board number one since he’s our top player. The rest of you can sit where you want to. There will be no talking during play. With board number one. That’s right. They can’t respond until you’ve opened at every board.”

Shirley

“Do you play the King’s Gambit? It’s my favorite. Did you know chess is older than checkers? By, like, 400 years.”

Methuen girl 3

“It’s my turn, Harmon. Harmon.”

Benny Watts



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