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(uplifting Mediterranean music)
- I have no doubt you're wondering what an excavation
of a seventeenth century Jesuit settlement
in Michigan has to do with Malta.
(**)
This is Jacques De Beauvoir,
a Jesuit priest who travelled to New France
in 1630 and built said settlement.
On his way, he stopped here, in Malta.
We know this is where he secured funding for his ambitious new-world plan.
His diary speaks of a time he spent in Port Grace,
a place that filled his soul with reverence and left behind
tantalizing yet incomplete references
to the things he saw and experienced here.
Speaking of incomplete references,
this box could be the key to that prosperity
he brought to the New World.
I'm hopeful I can follow in his footsteps
and fill in that lost chapter of his life and...
maybe feel a bit of that reverence myself.
Thanks, everyone.
(applause)
- That went well.
- I don't know.
The students in Malta look just as bored
as the students in Michigan.
- Stop being modest,
you're the most popular professor
in the archaeology department for a reason.
I'm sorry I can't stay longer to help with your research.
- You've done enough just getting me here.
- You know, the university will only fund
one research project, Austen.
I don't need to remind you the proposal
is due in a week's time.
- I know.
- And not to pile on the pressure,
but I just learned Professor Lewis is retiring.
That means a tenure position is up for grabs.
You get the funding, you get tenured.
(deep exhale) - Yes, you know that's all I've been working towards.
- Hope it wasn't a mistake to hang your career
on an isolated reference in a seventeenth century diary.
- Well, go big or go home, right?
- I have every faith in you.
I got to go to the airport.
- Alright. Safe travels, Michael.
(**)
- Hey!
(engine roaring)
Oh my God!
(grunts) - Are you okay?
I am so sorry.
(breathing heavily)
(soft Mediterranean music)
- Roads are for driving up, not walking.
- You're the only driver I've seen on these streets.
- And do you know that because you live on these streets?
- No.
To be honest, I don't even know where I am.
They don't believe in street signs around here. - Tourists.
- You might want to slow down a little.
- Excuse me?
- Well, it's just... you did almost hit me.
How many other innocent bystanders have you almost run over?
- None.
I don't know why I started today, it was a first.
- Is that what they call local hospitality?
- If you don't want the locals to run you over,
stay out of our way.
- Okay. Uh... Thank you.
Be careful.
- The lack of rain this winter has resulted
in diminished foliage growth all over the island.
The bees need more food.
- Don't we all? (laughing)
- I propose we plant bee-friendly wildflower gardens throughout Port Grace.
- My niece Luna can help at the library. - Great.
(clears throat)
Okay, Mattew, or should I say mister mayor,
the floor is yours. - Thank you, Eva.
As you all know, the first annual Port Grace honey festival
is this weekend and we need a marquee event.
- Why? We've got the market, the traditional songs and the feast.
That's what the village of Oormi does with their bread festival and everyone loves it.
- Which is why we need something unique.
I am determined to put Port Grace on the map.
- The beekeepers alliance has more important things to discuss,
like what to do about the foreign queen
that has infiltrated one of our hives.
- I'll bring you a new Maltese queen as soon as I rescue one, Livia.
I'm really sorry, I've got to run, now, though, so...
- Would anyone be willing to form a festival subcommittee?
Uh?
Eva, please.
- Sorry, Mattew, I really don't think I can.
- Maybe your sister?
- Chloe? Well... she'll be at work, I imagine.
- Shall I come by the apiary later?
Pick your brain about the marquee event.
- No, I... I just don't think I'll have time.
- Tomorrow, then. Perfect. See you then.
(sigh)
(uplifting Mediterranean music)
- And before the meeting, I almost hit this tourist
who was just walking in the middle of the road,
and he actually blamed me!
As if I was the one gluing his face to his phone.
Why are the cute ones always so dense?
- Are you talking about yourself again?
Why aren't you wearing your gear so close to the hives?
- It's fine. Mom did this every day and she never got stung.
- She got stung all the time.
- What happened with the promotion?
My sister Chloe, the new head of marketing.
You didn't get it?
- Really, it's not a big deal.
Anyway, I'm taking the week off.
I thought I could help out around here.
- Well, I'd love that, but you should relax, I've got it covered.
- While you were out, the international distributor called about a rush order.
- What? Do I need to call him back?
- Negotiate a deal, he's in the office
waiting for your signature. You can thank my MBA.
- I'd rather thank you, but I'm the big sister,
I'm supposed to be the one looking after you.
- We aren't kids anymore, we should be looking out for each other.
And I have some thought about raising the apiary's profile, like...
theme tours.
- I already have enough to do
without having to prep new tours.
(notification) - Just... - One sec.
Oh, it's Luna.
"There's bees in the library." I better go.
- A bee-mergency. Oh!
Can we trademark that? - Oh, Chloe.
- It's such a good idea! - No more, Chloe, rein it in.
(chuckling)
- Are you seriously still driving that junk heap?
- My mother drove that for years, why shouldn't I?
- I think you just answered your own question.
(chuckling)
Oh, I never see you anymore, how are you?
- Oh, busy as a bee. - Are you joining the folklore dance
at the festival this weekend? We could use you.
- I really don't think I can,
and you know I was never very good.
- I'd argue with you but...
- Hey, while I'm here, how do you feel about planting
some bee-friendly wildflower gardens around the library?
Your uncle said I should ask. - Yes.
We could extend it to a community planting
that starts here and goes all the way through town.
- Oh, I love that! - Well, let's do it. When can you pencil it in?
- Uh... well, there's the festival, then,
I've got to prep for the summer harvest, bottling and distribution.
I'm supposed to be speaking at an ecology conference next week, but it's unlikely.
How's next spring? (chuckling)
- Ah!
- What was that?
- The reason I called you.
An American archaeology professor is here.
- Mm-hmm. - He's guest lecturing at the university.
Handsome, good job, no wedding ring.
- What's the catch?
- He's the catch. - I don't know, Luna.
He'll just be leaving. - You don't know that,
and you haven't dated anyone since Eric. (sigh)
Come on, you deserve to be happy.
- I am happy.
I hope you haven't called me here just to play matchmaker.
- Of course not.
Our visiting professor might not be the most comfortable around bees.
And I'm also not sure how they're getting in.
(buzzing)
- Hey, stop it!
- Are you following me?
- You've met? - We disagremented.
- It's not a word. - Incidented?
- Still, no. - Encountered.
- There you go. And no, we haven't actually met.
I don't know your name. - Doctor Austen Morgan of North Dobson University of Michigan,
this is Eva Vella-Calleja,
owner of Pacifika Grove Apiary,
beekeeper extraordinaire.
- Ah...
- And the bees in Malta are protected legally, by the way.
- I'm all for conservation, but nobody
is getting arrested for swatting a bee.
- I keep seeing them on this side of the library,
if that helps.
(buzzing) - Oh.
Oops. Sorry.
- Is that... why you were racing around earlier?
Because you were on a bee-mergency?
(chuckling) - Well, you'd get along with my sister.
She also has terrible taste in puns.
- Look...
I haven't made a great impression, right?
At first, I spill your flora, and then,
I attack your protected fauna.
(chuckling)
- Well, nobody is perfect.
Ah, found it.
Luna, you have a hole in your window frame.
Have you got any Sellotape?
Oh, great.
Okay. Well, that should hold it for a few days.
Now to round up distractors.
- Help.
(clears throat) Help... help.
- Don't move, stay calm.
It won't hurt you if you don't hurt it.
- Hum... I'm calm.
Just... you know, I want to be careful with that, that's a...
that's a 400 year-old census.
When do you plan on releasing that bee?
That document is very fragile.
- So is the bee.
- Where are you going?
- To the window where he came in, do you mind?
Thank you. I'll release him here and then,
follow him to see if there's a hive nearby.
- I guess that makes sense.
- Oh. Well, thank you for your approval.
- How do you know he's a him?
- He's a drone, there's no stinger.
Alright.
Go on, then.
- Just... how far do you plan on following this bee?
- Until it reaches its destination.
- Dare I ask how far a bee travels back to its hive?
- Depends if that's a scout, a drone, a forager...
- Just... on average?
- Two kilometres or so, about a mile, unless...
unless they're looking for water, then, you can triple that.
Can you hear that?
(buzzing)
Follow me.
- Really?
- Hello, there.
(buzzing)
How would you like to come home with me?
Uh...
Well... at least, you got to see
an authentic Maltese wild hive.
- Great, I can cross that off my bucket list. (chuckling)
What now?
- You can have this back on one condition, no more swatting,
even when the bees aren't officially protected, because they should be.
Bee populations are in decline.
- And they're essential for cross-pollination
which supports our food supply, yes, I know.
- Well, you still have to promise.
- I promise not to harm so much as an antenna
on any bee's head for the rest of my life.
Thank you.
This part of the wall looks like it could have belonged
to a different building, like a feature of some sort.
I know the library was a hospital
during the time of the Knights Hospitaller,
but could this have been a different structure before then?
- I mean, I'm sure you can find out...
you know, in the... in the library,
where all the information is.
- How odd...
you know, just to have this wall here
and build onto it. I wonder why.
- Don't ask me. This whole island
is old buildings on top of older buildings.
This is probably Roman or Punic or Greek
or Phoenician or just all of the above.
- Now, I'm really glad I called you.
(chuckling) - I'll come back later.
It's better to move them closer to sundown.
(buzzing) Oh...
- Sorry, reflex.
Good luck with that. - Mm-hmm.
Don't worry, I'll take you somewhere
you'll be safe from the likes of him.
- It's almost closing time, Doctor Morgan.
- Oh, please, call me Austen.
Is this the only map you have of the old hospital?
- I'm afraid so. What are you looking for exactly?
- The wall outside with the beehive,
I'd like to know what it used to belong to.
- We know Port Grace was predominantly a Greek settlement,
right through the Roman times and beyond,
but the Knights didn't keep records of what came before,
only what they built on top.
- And you never had any excavations done here?
- Port Grace isn't high on the list of archeological interest.
- Not yet.
(soft music)
(buzzing)
You're still here? (gasps)
- Give a girl some warning.
- Is that... is that paint?
- Oh, okay. Yeah, sure, you can take that.
- This can't be.
(chuckling)
(laughing)
This is...
This can't be...
I can't believe this.
(laughing)
Oh, my goodness!
(laughing)
I'm sorry.
It's just... usually,
I make discoveries like this inside the library.
(sighs)
This actually might be a lead.
- Oh.
(deep exhale)
- The paint needs to be analyzed.
Stylistically, the fresco appears to be Greek,
but the structure on the bottom looks to be Roman-designed,
possibly fifth century.
- Well, that's Malta, little bit of everything.
- Is it valuable? - A new tourist attraction for Port Grace?
- Every historical artifact is valuable.
This is certainly unusual, definitely attraction-worthy.
- I'll call Heritage Malta in the morning.
Not that they'll be able to give us priority,
it'll take a few days for them to send someone.
- I'd be happy to get a jump on the analysis.
Of course, I'll put all the proper protections in place.
- I'll have to verify your credentials first.
- I'm a professor at North Dobson University of Michigan.
I have a PhD in archaeology.
Here's my department head's contact info,
you can give them a ring.
You can trust me.
- Not with nationally protected bees, you can't.
And the stragglers from the hive I just removed
will be coming back over the next few days looking for their queen.
- What do bees have to do with ancient frescos?
- If it wasn't for the bees, you wouldn't have found the fresco.
I have to collect the returning bees.
- Mister mayor, I'm sure you value a historical find
such as this more than you do a few stray insects.
(scoffs)
- You'll be able to study the fresco for now,
but until I verify your expertise,
you'll be doing so under Eva's supervision
while she rescues our equally precious Port Grace bees.
- I don't need any supervision. - Yeah, but that doesn't take all day.
- Perfect. That's settled, then. (chuckling)
(sighing)
(soft music)
- Hey, there.
- Hi.
What are you doing here?
- Luna sent me to find you.
Remember the fresco?
We don't want to go against the mayor's wishes, now, do we?
- Luna's always been a stickler for the rules.
I'm sorry, though, I've got a tour about to start.
- You have a tour? For how long?
- It's already waited a few hundred years,
what's a few more hours?
- Hours?
Will you be free after? - Yeah, sure.
- Okay, well, then, sign me up.
- Uh... no. Sorry, it's... full. I...
- Hello. Are here for the tour? What's your name?
- Hi. Austen.
But... I guess it's full.
- We've always got room for another bee enthusiast.
Excuse me.
- Well, look at that.
- Hello.
Welcome to Pacifika Grove Apiary.
- Thank you.
- I hope you'll enjoy your honeymoon tour.
This is my sister, Eva, your tour guide. - Hi.
Chloe, a word. - Sorry.
- What's a honeymoon tour? - A theme tour.
We talked about it, remember?
- Yeah, and I said I didn't have time to prep new tours.
- But I met this couple on their honeymoon
in the town square, we got to talking and...
- And now, I'm doing a honeymoon tour.
- Sorry.
- Hi, everyone. I am Eva.
Welcome to Pacifika Grove Apiary.
Malta's honey has been prized all over the world for thousands of years.
The ancient Greeks came here and named this island Melita,
or: "Honey sweet."
And as you can tell, a version of the name stuck.
According to a family legend, my ancestors
came here after they were given a prophecy in ancient Greece.
If they cared for the bees of Melita,
the bees would care for them, and they would prosper
for generations to come.
And well, I'm here, so I guess it was true.
(chuckling)
But enough about me, let's get to the bees.
- So, do bees fall in love?
- Um... yeah, in a way, they do.
They don't just couple up with anyone,
they choose their partners based on mutual understanding and affection.
- Oh, just like us.
- Everyone can grab a bee suit in the back of my truck.
(uplifting music)
(inaudible)
Does anyone know where the term honeymoon comes from?
No?
Well, it was a medieval tradition for newly weds
to drink honeyed mead for a full moon, or month,
after they were married.
- I thought that it referred to the time after marriage when...
love was sweetest before it waned like the moon.
- They don't want to hear that, I'm trying to make it romantic.
- Ancient Egyptians made every groom promise to provide
their wife with an annual supply of honey.
- So, I guess you have some shopping to do.
- The honey is then filtered, jarred and of course, eaten.
I hope you've enjoyed the tour. Now, please, go and enjoy some Pacifika Grove honey.
- Ladies and gents, come this way.
- Well, this place, it's impressive.
- Thank you. I think so too.
- You know, I never thought about how much goes into making a jar of honey.
- Well, most people don't think about it...
but I didn't think much about ancient frescos either.
(chuckling)
You don't want to try any?
- Oh, no, I don't like honey.
- I'm just gonna pretend you didn't say that.
(camera clicks)
(buzzing)
- Can you please just catch it?
- Are you allergic? - Not fatally.
My hands blow up like balloons, it's not pretty.
- You should have said so.
(buzzing) Ah, hello, there.
Don't worry, little friend,
I'm getting you back to your queen.
If only all men were like you, drones,
loyal till death do you part.
Uh... so, tell me,
What is it about this specific fresco that's so special to you?
(chuckling)
- Do you really care?
- Yeah, sure. Why not?
- I recently came across a diary that was written
by a French priest who spent time here before heading to the Americas.
The diary referenced a wonder he had never seen before,
a golden way in Port Grace.
- What's a golden way? - Well, that's the question.
All he said was that he found a golden way to never-ending prosperity,
now hidden from those who will come after.
There was also a sketch of some sort of box,
but there was water damage, so we couldn't make out what it was.
There was no reference to what was inside of the box,
but it had to have been essential to establish the Jesuit colony.
- So, you're looking for prosperity?
- No. I'm looking for something of archeological significance.
It's part of the job. Find things,
dig them up, write about them.
- You make it sound so glamorous.
- I'm an academic, not a tomb raider.
I came here hoping to prove the diary entry
was based on something real, and I think the fresco might be it.
Gold leaf?
(intriguing music)
Looks like they might be connected together.
- That's it, that's your golden way.
- Well, it's certainly hidden from those who will come after.
But this fresco itself wouldn't provide never-ending prosperity,
and why are these three different drawings connected by the golden way?
What are they meant to represent?
- Well, the symbols could be part of some sort of legend.
Or they could be a map of Malta.
(**)
Wait, that... that tower could be just outside Delimara.
There's been towers like that up and down the coastline for centuries.
Many of them have been replaced, but I just don't know which one this is exactly.
- And that one on the bottom?
- That has to be the ancient apiary at Dar id-deheb.
I've been there many times.
- Or you just see bees in everything.
- Bees are everything, ecologically speaking,
but in this case, Dar id-deheb is Maltese for golden house.
I'm just not sure what the birds have to do with it, though.
- Okay.
Say you're right,
why draw three different locations?
Which one is most important?
- Well... that one, I'm not so sure about.
- The structure looks like it could be a Roman villa of some sort.
- Could be.
- Okay. So, you're most certain about the ancient apiary?
- Yeah, I'd say so.
- Alright. We start there
and then, we work our way clockwise to the tower.
- We?
Oh, no.
No, I agreed to watch you stare at a wall
while I waited for straggler bees.
I did not agree to ferrying you around the country
on a wild bee chase!
- It's a wild goose chase. - Oh, so you admit it?
- Look, I would have realized it was a map eventually, okay?
But you helped me get here faster.
I need you.
A local, and you're here.
I will... work around your schedule.
Please.
- Well, I've... never followed an ancient map before.
- I can't promise we'll find anything.
But I can promise we'll have fun trying.
- Tomorrow, then.
We'll go to the golden house. Where are you staying?
- The Royal Mariner hotel. - One of our best customers.
I'll pick you up first thing. - Then, it's a date.
But not a... not a date, date, just an outing between two adults.
- Tomorrow.
(**)
- Good morning, beloved sister.
- Hello. You're up very early for a vacation day.
- I thought I'd help out with the books.
- No, you don't have to do that. You should be relaxing.
- That honeymoon tour went really well, they loved it.
- It was a good idea. Sorry if I was hesitant.
- Great, because I have more theme ideas,
and I think we should start up the school tours again.
We haven't done them since Mom... - Yes, it's on my list.
I just need to get the day to day a bit more under control.
- Which is why I'm going to help you.
Then, maybe you can confirm speaking at the London Ecology Conference next month.
- That's on pause for now. - But this is what you love to do!
Spread awareness, educate. - I'll get back to it eventually.
You don't need to worry about me.
- Oh, the Boutique Hotel called to confirm the honey tasting.
- Yes, that's tomorrow. Today, I'm taking Austen to Dar id-deheb.
- A date? - No, it's for his research.
I know I don't really have time, but for some reason, I couldn't say no.
- I know the reason.
You should go, have some fun!
And he's cute. - You think so?
I didn't really notice. - Mm-hmm.
Have fun! - Bye!
(uplifting Mediterranean music)
- Eva, good morning. - Hi.
- Ready to get started? - Started on what?
- The festival planning, the marquee event.
- Oh... I don't...
- Eva, you forgot your phone. - Oh, you're a lifesaver.
- Hi, Chloe.
- Hi, Mattew.
- Our mayor needs help brainstorming a marquee event
for the honey festival this weekend.
- I love brainstorming. What about a pageant, an art show or a race?
- I like the way you think. - Oh! How about honey fondue?
- I love it. - A quiz!
Wildflower crown.
Ping the stinger on the bee.
(chuckling)
(soft Mediterranean music)
- Okay. Alright, Pawlu, you are a true master.
Rematch tomorrow?
(in Maltese):
- Oh, Pawlu!
(in English): You're learning Maltese? - I am.
Pawlu's teaching me a few things. - Oh, okay.
(in Maltese):
(in English): Ah. And what do you think that means?
- "It's a beautiful day." (chuckling)
- I think you should stick to the English.
- Is my pronunciation that bad?
Pawlu, come on!
(**)
How much longer till we get to the golden house?
- Dar id-deheb, it's not much further.
(clicking) - Do you hear that?
- No. - It's coming from under the hood.
- No, it always sounds like that.
- Well, it shouldn't normally sound like that. - It's fine.
- When's the last time you had this thing serviced?
- Um... - Don't say never.
- Okay, I won't say it.
- We're gonna stop at the next service station.
- No, that's back in Port Grace. I'll do it later when I'll drop you off.
- You know, this thing is pretty beat up.
You ever think about trading it in? - No, I don't.
- It'll cost more to fix this old heap than to get a new one.
- Well, not everything is about money.
- Well, at the very least, you should maintain its oil
or else, it'll catch fire. - It's not gonna catch on fire
if it's low on oil. Do you know anything about cars?
- My dad is a mechanic, and yes, it could ignite.
- You're overexaggerating. - I'm not overexaggerating,
I'm just educating you about proper car maintenance.
- Oh, well, consider me educated. - Okay.
- Can we change the subject? - As long as you promise to change your oil.
- Yes, I promise. Look, we're almost there.
(**)
- I've never seen a structure like this.
- There's still a few left on Malta.
- It looks Roman.
It could be 2000 years old, it's incredible.
- Yeah, it really is.
- You can almost feel the whispers of the people
who lived here, who loved here,
who got stung here all those years ago. (laughing)
- Well, I didn't take you for a romantic.
- History is romantic.
It's the same human experience
repeating itself over and over again.
- You should have been a philosopher, not an archeologist.
- I'm more interested in things than I am people.
- Even though without people, there'd be no things?
- Now, who's the philosopher?
- There's something special here.
I have to come and remove hives every now and then
so the odd tourist doesn't get stung.
- So...
...the bees come back to their ancient home? - Mm-hmm.
- Ah, that's fascinating.
Look at this.
It's an ancient graffiti of some sort.
- It's a bird.
It's a honeyguide bird, you can tell by the white circle under its eye.
These birds were used to guide our ancestors to ancient bee colonies.
- So, they built this place and then,
brought the bees in after, like a bee farm.
- Exactly. - Wow.
There must be a reason why they built it in this specific place.
- Well, I can tell you they built it to face the south.
That's best for the bees, it maximizes sunlight.
- Well, this must be the right spot,
because it's the same bird symbol that we saw on the fresco.
It's just a mystery as to why it's there.
You know, the fresco is not the type of map where X marks the spot.
- Well, obviously. There's no X on it.
(chuckling)
- The Greeks painted the fresco and then,
the Knights covered it up for some reason,
I just don't know what that reason is.
(laughing)
- What's so funny? - Just festival ideas.
Mattew wants to dress Pawlu up in a bee suit. (laughing)
- Has he been here all day?
- Brainstorming, you know how it goes.
Oh, and I had to show him around.
Did you know he's never been to the apiary before?
- Yes, he has. - Oh, how did your day playing tour guide for Austen go?
- He's not on holiday. (chuckling)
I'm gonna take him to some of the sites referenced on the fresco tomorrow.
He thinks it might be some sort of map.
- A map?
Sorry. A map to what?
- To Malta, but Austen thinks there's probably more to it than just that.
- Will you keep me posted? - Of course.
Do you two need any help planning?
- Don't worry, sis, I got this.
- Yes, she does. - Okay.
Good night. - Night!
- Hi. - Hi.
- Am I expecting you?
- Uh... no.
But yes. I just figured I'd...
I'd come meet you here so we can head out
to the next stop on the map. The tower?
- Delimara. - Yes, that's the place.
- Okay. Well, that's perfect. A beekeeper in our association
lives there who I promised a queen to.
- I was trying to figure out which tower it was,
but I didn't have much luck.
It seems like there was a few places
that fit the spot on the map.
- Well, we can ask Abraham, he lives on the coast.
I just have a few things I need to do here first.
Um... You can come with me if you'd like...
or I can pick you up later.
- I'm here. Why don't I just... tag along?
- Okay, great.
(buzzing)
Good morning, everyone!
It's gonna be another sunny day.
I've just seen a new patch of wild Saghtar
flowering on the edge of town you might want to check out.
This is Austen.
You have met him before,
but he has a little bit of a nervous vibe,
so you probably put him out of your hive mind.
- Are you seriously talking to the bees?
- My mom always said:
"If you tell the bees your secrets,
they'll make the honey even sweeter."
- Your mom is also a beekeeper?
- Was. She died last year.
- I'm really sorry.
- Yeah, me too.
She ran this place without a hiccup.
It's very big shoes to fill.
- Well, it looks like you're doing just fine.
- I'm glad it looks that way.
Now, we shouldn't be talking about her
in front of the B, E, E, S, because they miss her too.
Would you like to talk to them before I put them away?
It's very therapeutic.
- I'm good.
- Okay. Well, goodbye for now, bees.
I'll tell you all about it later.
Come on.
- This doesn't look like a coastal tower.
- I did say I had a couple of things to do
before we could leave. This is the second.
(phone ringing)
- I'm just... going to get this. - Yes.
- Michael. - Austen!
What's the update? I haven't heard from you since I've been back.
- There's been a development. - Good!
Get the funding application in, I'll tell the board.
- Uh... no, we're not quite there yet. I...
still have to find the location.
- Austen, time is running out.
- I'm on it.
Thanks, Michael.
- I hope so.
- Everything okay?
- I... hope so. - Great.
You can take this.
Are you coming?
This tasting is going to change your mind about honey.
(laughing)
- You really took that as a personal insult, didn't you?
- More like a challenge.
Are you just a savoury over sweet kind of guy?
- No, neither. The honey I grew up on, it came in plastic bear.
It was just... too sweet.
- You cannot judge all honey based on the supermarket mass-produced kind.
- How old is that one?
- Uh... oh, it's as old as me.
This one was harvested the year I was born.
- And it's still good? - The oldest known honey
is 5000 years old and perfectly edible.
It never goes off.
- I knew about the discovery,
I just never knew anyone ate it and lived to tell the tale.
- Well, they did, and don't worry,
I'm not that old, so you'll be fine.
- Wow, that's... that's honey?
Tastes like caramel.
- Notes of carob and eucalyptus.
Now, try this. It's the spring harvest.
- It's like eating flowers. (chuckling)
- And this is autumn.
- It's...
It's citrusy. Can honey be refreshing?
- Well, the Greeks didn't include it in ambrosia for nothing.
- I've been living under false pretenses my entire life.
I... I feel cheated. (chuckling)
Okay, I can get that for you.
What drone would leave his queen in a time of need?
- You'd be surprised.
- Where is the other apron? - What...
- Well... it's either that or I keep eating.
- There's one on the crate.
Hi. I'm Eva from Pacifika Grove Apiary.
Come and try some of our honey.
These are our main honeys we have here.
(indistinct chatter) That was fun.
- Even though I mixed up the spring honey with the winter?
(chuckling) - You made up for that by convincing them
to buy both jars. - Well, if I can't decide, then how can they?
- High praise indeed.
- Alright. - You know you...
can actually take that off, now?
I mean, it's a look. - Yeah, yeah.
- Come on.
- Getting it here. (chuckling)
I know how you can thank me.
- What... did you have in mind?
- Uh...
...you can take me to the tower.
- Yes. - Yes.
- We should get going... then. - Okay, let's do that.
- At... at the other... the other side.
- Other side. - Yeah.
Sorry. Yeah.
(clicking)
Ooh.
- I'd say you didn't have it serviced?
(soft Mediterranean music)
I can get used to this.
- Michigan must have some charms.
- For four months out of the year, it does.
Big lakes, green forests, it's just the rest of the year,
everything is frozen under mountains of snow.
- Ah, snow sounds fun! - It is...
for a few weeks.
It's just shovelling your driveway gets old real fast,
and digging out your car isn't the same as digging up ancient ruins.
- Well, I wish someone would dig up all the ruins.
I'm constantly tripping over them. It's a hazard.
- You're so spoiled. (laughing)
You know you have architecture spanning millennia
from all different cultures from the Mediterranean.
You know, Malta is practically a microcosm of Western civilization?
- Yeah, we know.
Try being 12 years old and having to memorize
every ruler of this island for the last 4000 years.
- I would have enjoyed that.
But I thought that you went to school in England.
- Oh, the accent. - Yeah.
- My father is British. My mother was Maltese.
They divorced when I was little and he moved back to the UK.
- That must have been tough.
- It was normal.
- Did you always know you were gonna take over the apiary?
- Hmm, always.
Did you always know you'd be an archeologist?
- I found an arrowhead camping when I was a kid and I was hooked.
I love finding a piece of history that gives you a window into the past.
- Your lectures must be fascinating.
- Well, I think so.
Gotta ask my students.
- Ah! Eva.
(in Maltese):
(in English): I brought you your queen.
- Ah! Grazzi.
- This is Austen.
(in maltese):
(in English): I don't know how to respond to that.
(chuckling)
- Austen is an archeologist
and he's interested in seeing the old towers.
- Oh... which one? The milk tower
and the gold tower are close by.
- There's a gold tower?
- Well, actually, the gold tower has been replaced,
but the remnants are still there.
They're just at the end of the road.
So, where's your truck?
- It broke down on the coastal road.
- She ran out of oil.
- Oh, I'm surprised it hasn't caught on fire.
- Yeah, me too. - Listen, I'll text my nephew James, he's a mechanic.
- Okay. - In the meantime...
why don't you stay for supper?
- It's... it's really kind of you, but we're...
- I wish we could, maybe next time.
- Well, James says he'll meet you by your truck in an hour.
- Perfect.
- Uh... the tower, it's...
- You can't miss it. - Okay, great.
Thank you. Nice to meet you. - You too.
- Thank you. - Ciao.
(soft Mediterranean music)
- A lot of the locations from the map have gold in their name,
it cannot be a coincidence.
- I agree, but without evidence,
a name is just a name.
I know the Knights Hospitaller built up towers all on the coastline
to protect them from potential invaders, but...
...these remains predate them.
- How can you tell?
- See the dark reflects on the mortar?
- Uh... yeah. Isn't that just dirt?
- My guess is volcanic ash.
The Romans used to mix it with lime
to make a more waterproof mortar than lime itself.
The technique was lost after the Roman era
until the early nineteenth century.
- So, this was built in Roman times, but the fresco is Greek?
- Well, Greek in style.
But I'm guessing that the fresco was painted
during the Roman occupation because this construction method fits.
- But why is it called the gold tower?
- Look at this.
Ancient pottery.
I'm guessing this was a storehouse.
A fortified tower
in the middle of nowhere
next to a harbour,
it's the perfect place to store your valuables.
- Valuables like gold?
- The Knights did like to amass a serious amount of wealth,
and they also liked to hide it.
- But how is this place connected to Dar id-deheb
apart from having gold in the name?
Oh!
- You're okay.
- We should probably...
get back to the truck. Abraham's nephew's
probably waiting for us.
- I'll follow you just in case you forget how to walk again.
(soft music)
- Hi. You must be James.
- Hi. - Hi.
- You might have a problem with your oil pan, it's...
completely dry.
- Oh. - I need to tow the truck back to my garage to fix it.
You're not going anywhere today. - Hmm.
- Let me call Chloe, I'm sure she'll come pick us up.
- Okay.
(line ringing)
- Hi, it's Chloe. I'm unavailable,
but please, leave a message...
- Voicemail. Um...
- Well, how about a taxi? You got a taxi in town?
- There's a bus, but not until the morning.
(sigh) - Then, I guess we're spending the night.
- My uncle has a room.
(together): Two rooms?
- He also has two.
So, who wants to ride Bertha first?
- I... I'm gonna walk.
- I... will also... see you back at the house.
- Thanks, James. - Thank you.
- Happy to help, I guess.
- Well, James knows a lot about old trucks.
- He's very modest...
for an American. (chuckling)
He even adjusted the ignition timing,
so the engine should be working much smoother.
- Oh, it's fixed? - Almost.
The oil pan is also all rusted out, so it needs to be replaced.
- I'll pick one up first thing in the morning. - Thank you.
Thank you both.
Now, come and sit down. Livia has pulled out all the stops.
- I should probably get changed first.
- No, no, no, no, you sit. We're all family here.
- Okay, perfect.
Smells delicious.
What kind of fish is that?
- It's swordfish. We call it pixxispad.
- Yeah, and try that bragioli. That's bacon, egg, garlic,
all wrapped in beef and slow cooked in a lovely wine sauce.
- Wow.
What kind of cheese is that?
- It's sheep's milk cheese, it's my favourite.
Try it with the salad, although that's not technically traditional.
- And this is imqarrun il-forn.
- Mac and cheese?
- Way better than what you're thinking of. (chuckling)
(Maltese)
(in English): Oh, the direct translation is,
"Have a good meal."
- I think this meal will make me feel very good.
(chuckling)
(He repeats the saying in Maltese.)
(laughing)
(**)
That was the most incredible meal I've ever had in my entire life.
- Grazzi.
- So, you still haven't told us
why you wanted to visit those old ruins.
- Well, it's part of an old map we're following.
- Oh, must be a very old map.
- Do you know why it was called the gold tower?
- There was never any actual gold, was there?
- Maybe, maybe not.
You see, this was a notorious spot for pirates,
right throughout history.
They raided ships going to Valletta, Gozo, even Sicily.
But then, the Knights built a settlement here
and they took over the tower.
- Hmm. So, it's called the gold tower because the Knights
posted here stopped the pirate raids?
- More because they took a share on the pirate's stolen goods, you know,
valuable commodities from all over the Mediterranean supposedly kept in the tower.
- Hey.
Can you believe what Abraham told us?
- Pirate gold. (chuckling)
Are we looking for actual gold?
- I mean, it fits with your idea of a hidden storehouse at the gold tower.
- Well, if the Knights did hide gold all over Malta,
then, of course, they're gonna try to cover up the map leading to it.
- Uh...
we seem to have an audience.
(chuckling)
- I could go for a walk after that amazing meal.
- Oh. Uh...
Okay.
- Aren't you coming with me?
- Definitely.
I don't do this enough.
- Moonlight walks with handsome strangers?
(laughing)
- I mean, this is so exciting!
We're following a real, genuine treasure map.
- Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
It's a theory until proven, and there are a lot of questions.
- Like what? - Like why was the fresco painted in the first place?
I get the Knights turned it into a map, but...
what did it originally represent?
- Does that matter?
The French priest talked about the golden way,
a never-ending road to prosperity.
I mean, that is what you're looking for.
- Thank you...
...for...
...agreeing to ferry me around.
And for not properly maintaining your vehicle.
(chuckling)
- You're thanking me for neglecting proper car maintenance.
- Well, we wouldn't be here if you didn't.
- Hmm.
- I'm... I'm sorry.
- No, I... it's fine.
Um...
it's getting a bit cold, I might head back.
- Okay.
Can I... can I walk you?
- Sure.
- I still don't see a proposal in my inbox, Austen.
Today is the thirteenth, you've only got two days left.
This tenured position is slipping through your fingers.
- I'm working on it.
There's a fresco.
- A fresco, that's it?
I don't know if a fresco will cut it.
- I think it's a map, but so far,
the landmarks haven't lead to anything concrete.
- Are you sure you're looking at it the right way?
- No.
There's a void in the centre, though,
there's something missing.
- That's odd. Is it damaged?
- I don't know.
I need to get my hands on an infrared machine,
I just can't find one that would get here in time.
- Let me call my contacts at the university, I'll...
I'll get right back to you. - Alright. Thanks, Michael.
(phone ringing)
- Hi, Chloe.
- Eva, where are you?
We need to set up the apiary's store for the festival.
It's tomorrow, in case you forgot.
- The truck broke down outside Delimara.
I called you last night, where were you?
- With the mayor.
Wait, are you still with doctor archeologist?
- Yes. - And?
- And we kissed.
- And?
- And nothing. He's not moving to Malta
and I'm not leaving, so what's the point?
- Eva.
- What about you? Spending the evening with Mattew again.
The festival is tomorrow, shouldn't you be done?
- It's all in the details, right?
We just have a lot to discuss.
- Over dinner? - We all need to eat.
I have to go. Get back here.
Can't put together the booth by myself.
- Yeah, I'm on my way.
(phone notification)
Good morning. - Morning.
- I hope you slept well. I mean, I sure did, why wouldn't I?
Um... James has fixed the oil pan,
so we are ready to leave if... you're ready.
- Uh... I have to go to Marsaxlokk to pick something up,
so I'll just... I'll take a taxi.
- Oh, what's in Marsaxlokk?
- An infrared machine for the fresco.
But I'm... I'm getting a bus.
- Do you not want me to take you?
- Do you... do you want to take me?
- Not if you don't mind to.
- I just figured last night...
- Last night was... nothing. (chuckling)
It was just a kiss. We're both adults, there's no big deal.
That's getting you to Marsaxlokk.
(exhales) - You sure?
- I'm sure. - Okay.
(whirring)
(bell ringing)
(knocking on door)
We're early. Mind if we hang out for an hour?
- If you're okay to eat.
- Always.
- Let's go.
This part of Marsaxlokk has the best cafés.
- I read about this.
The different coloured doors used to represent the goods stored inside.
Green for fruits and veggies, yellow for flour.
- Well, I can tell I won't have to play tour guide. (chuckling)
- It's an occupational hazard.
Before I travel somewhere, I need to know a decent amount about the history.
- Even on holiday? - Oh, especially on holiday.
On my honeymoon, I went to Egypt with my ex-wife.
I organized a trip to pyramids by dynasty
to see the evolution of the construction methods. - Hmm.
You were married?
- Yes, barely.
- How can you be barely married?
- Well, my ex is also an archeologist. - Mm-hmm.
- And around a month after we got married,
she went for a dig in Guatemala
and decided she wanted to be married to her interpreter instead.
- I'm sorry. That must have hurt.
- It took some time.
But you know what? I'm over it.
- Oh, hey, you're gonna love this place.
Oh, great.
- Grazzi.
- Oh boy.
- These are tal-ghasel, or honey rings.
- Is anything in Malta not made from honey?
- No, nothing worth eating.
Especially with a Maltese coffee.
- Okay.
Wow! (coughing)
- Too strong?
- You know, I like a good espresso, it's just...
I don't think I was mentally prepared for that.
(laughing) - Sorry.
- So...
your turn.
Last relationship. - Oh.
Well, uh...
I was married too, just a little longer
than you were. It was almost 10 years.
- Really? - Hmm.
- What happened?
- Well, he's English.
We've met at school here. His parents were diplomats
and we dated on and off over our teenage years,
got married straight out of the university,
then he wanted to move to England, so I went with him.
- So, you've lived in England? - Yeah, almost five years.
Then, when my mom got sick, of course,
I came back to be with her, and he didn't.
- Right.
No one is as loyal as a drone.
- His life was there.
And as soon as I set foot back on Maltese soil,
I knew mine was here.
I don't regret it.
Not that it happened and not that it's over.
- Same with me.
I'm really happy with where I am right now.
- Oh, what do you think?
- I think I really like honey.
(**)
Thank you. - You're welcome.
- So, that's the infrared machine?
God, it's way smaller than I thought.
- Portable version,
but it should be enough to show any other paint layers under the fresco.
- Great. Let's get going, I'm dying of curiosity.
- Just one snag, it doesn't have a battery.
- Oh. Well, we'll pick one up at the store.
- No, no, it's not that type of battery.
My contact is sending me one from Palermo,
it'll be at my BnB tomorrow.
- Oof. That might not happen.
The festival tends to delay everything.
- But, I... I can't be delayed, I'm under a tight timeline.
(phone ringing) - Um... one sec.
Oh, it's my sister. I better take it. - Yeah.
- Hey, Chloe. Sorry, I'm later than I said I'd be, I...
- I asked Pawlu to help set up the booth when you didn't come back...
however, he fell. He's at the hospital.
(dramatic music)
(sighs)
- Hi, Eva. Hi, Austen. You didn't have to come here.
- Of course, we did. Pawlu, I'm so sorry. Are you okay?
- It's only a sprain. I'll be fine.
- Hold on, you... you speak English? - Of course.
(chuckling)
- You didn't tell me... you didn't want to tell me?
- I hope you didn't come out of your way.
Chloe made it sound worse than it is.
- Still, it's my fault. I should have been there.
Can I drive you home? - No, I'll take him.
You go talk to Chloe. - God, is she that mad?
- Not mad, upset, but she blames herself.
- Well, I'll make my way back to the BnB,
and I'll be sure to stay off the road.
- Well, let me know when the battery arrives.
I'll be on the town square all morning.
- Okay. Well, I'll find you. - Great.
Oh...
Uh...
- I'll... I'll see you. - Okay. - Okay.
(soft music)
Thought I'd find you here.
I bought you these from Marsaxlokk.
(scoffing) - Thanks.
(deep exhale)
- Never been here since Mom died.
Remember how she used to bring us here every summer before the harvest.
- To bless the bees for the year ahead.
I thought we should do it again this year.
- Hmm, definitely.
I miss Mom.
I don't know how she did this on her own.
- Well, she had us.
- I'm sorry, Chloe, I haven't been a very good sister, lately.
- No, Eva, I'm sorry.
I haven't been honest with you.
Remember when you asked about that promotion at work? - Hmm.
- I turned it down.
- Why would you do that?
- Things changed after Mom died.
- Yeah, for both of us.
- You inherited the apiary.
But Mom didn't do it all on her own
and you shouldn't have to either.
I want to be the one to help you.
- I know I'm struggling a bit figuring it all out,
but that's my problem, I really don't want to make it yours.
- At least, I got the booth ready for tomorrow.
- I'm so ready for that, and for dealing with Mattew.
- Speaking of.
Is it okay if I'm not the booth much tomorrow?
Mattew asked if I could help on the festival.
- Oh. Well, of course, then. (chuckling)
(heartening music)
- Eva.
Your stall is looking very festive.
- Well, no thanks to me.
What can I do for you, mister mayor?
- Just checking in with everyone.
Uh... did your sister say anything to you...
about me?
- Oh...
just that you'd asked her to run the festival, which...
might actually be your job. (chuckling)
- I was thinking we'd do that together,
but she seems to not need me.
- Well, that's Chloe.
Give her a job and she'll run with it.
You have to try and catch her on the way.
- Where is the archeologist? Did he decipher the map?
- He actually thinks it might be something to do with hidden pirate gold,
if you can believe that.
- Gold? - Hmm.
- In Port Grace?
I should call Heritage Malta again,
maybe they'll give us higher priority.
- Oh... well, Mattew, wait. I'm not sure Austen
is actually finished... with it.
(soft Mediterranean music)
This is spring and summer honey from this year
and the other is from last year.
- Are these handmade? - Yes, they're pure beeswax,
so they're a natural air purifier.
Oh, and help yourself to the seeds.
We want all Maltese bees to have plenty of food all around the island.
- Are there any other colours?
- Uh... no, I'm really sorry. Those are the only colours those candles come in, actually,
and I can give you change in euros, if that's alright. - No problem.
- Perfect. I'll be right with you.
(in Maltese):
- You have got to learn a new phrase.
- Telling people I smell like flowers,
it just doesn't have the same ring to it.
You know, there's these apps that translate everything instantly.
- You knew all along and you kept saying it?
- Just... I know it'll put a smile on your face.
Thank you very much. - Sorry, there you go.
Thank you so much. Enjoy.
- Have a great day.
(uplifting Mediterranean music)
Enjoy.
You're closing?
- Oh, it's time for the traditional singing
and dancing to start. There's Luna!
- Man, look at her.
Wow. Are you gonna join her?
- No. I've got two left feet.
Not that that stops them trying to recruit me every year.
- Thank you.
- To a job well done.
Autumn.
That's just so good, exactly what I needed.
- Thank you for today.
I don't think I could have got through it without you.
- Well, I know you don't like asking for help,
so thank you for letting me.
- Well, I was desperate, so...
- Sometimes, helping is a way for people
to show you they care.
- I... I can't believe I haven't asked you yet.
What's happened with the fresco?
- Well, it's already waited a few hundred years,
what's a few hours more?
- Seriously?
- The battery arrived half an hour ago.
I couldn't abandon you to all these people.
- That's very sweet, but I wish you would have said something,
I would have closed the booth earlier. Let's go!
- Alright, alright! (chuckling)
- Okay. Ready?
- Ready.
(beeping)
- A female figure.
- Can you zoom out?
(beeping)
- Three female figures, in the Greek style.
- Do you know who they are?
- The Thriae.
Greeks nymphs with the gift of prophecy.
Very few depictions of them survived at all,
I've never heard of any outside of Greece.
- It's the Bee Maidens.
They say they were worshipped and that's why Malta
has such unique honeybees, my family's story.
- Wait, wait, wait...
The prophecy that inspired your ancestors
to raise bees was given to them by the Thriae?
(laughing)
- But why would the Knights Hospitaller care about Greek nymphs?
- They didn't, that's why they painted over them,
but they wanted to keep the map for themselves.
- What if the golden way has something to do with bees?
It could be a metaphor for the ancient source
of Malta's prosperity.
- Excuse me, but this area now is under the protection
of heritage Malta under the authority of the Maltese government.
- Hi, hello. Uh...
I'm Doctor Austen Morgan of North Dobson University in Michigan.
- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
The mayor of Port Grace gave us permission to study the fresco.
- The mayor told us of your work.
If you have any insights, we'd appreciate them.
Please, call the office to set up a meeting.
(scoffs)
- You can't just let them push you away like that.
- Eva, what I am supposed to do?
It's their jurisdiction.
I'm out of time anyways.
- I don't understand. (sigh)
- I have until tomorrow to submit a new proposal for research funding.
I have to publish a new find or I'd lose out on tenure.
- But we found the fresco days ago. What's stopping you?
- It's not just about the fresco, we need to know where it leads.
- Well, then, let's figure it out.
now, we know about the Bee Maidens,
we think they were worshipped here, the fresco is...
- Is no closer to showing us its meaning than what it was before.
I wasted so much time with you.
- I wasted your time?
- Yes, but it... - No, it's... it's okay. I... I totally get it.
- Eva. - It was really fun,
playing Indiana Jane for a couple of days with you.
Good luck with your proposal.
(sighs)
(uplifting Mediterranean music)
(chuckling)
- There you are. We've been waiting for you. - Why?
- To judge the best honey ring.
- What are you talking about? - It was my idea.
You've brought me that honey ring from Marsaxlokk and I thought,
if Mattew wants to feature Maltese honey at the festival,
what better way than to have a Maltese traditional pastry competition
that will draw families from all over the country and beyond?
- It's a good idea. - It's a great idea!
And on such short notice, we made it work.
- But why should I be the one to judge it?
- Well, you own Port Grace's oldest and most successful apiary,
who knows honey better than you?
- Chloe does.
You've been trying to tell me something and I haven't been listening.
- No, you're busy, I get it. - No, I've been making it all about me and my insecurities.
You're just trying to help because you care.
- I love you, and I love the apiary too, I just...
I just want to be a part of your life, Mom's life.
- I want that too.
And let's face it, the way that Mom did things
isn't exactly working out for me.
Something needs to change,
and you have a vision for the apiary.
I mean, the theme tours?
- And the restaurant... and an international honey competition.
- Wow! Okay! - And more things.
Too many things. If you want to hear them. - I do!
And I want you to feel like you have a voice in our family business,
which is why you should be my partner.
50 percent of the work for 50 percent of everything.
- Eva, you don't have to. - No, I do. I need you to push me!
- And I need you to hold me back.
- Which is why we should do it together!
- I accept! (laughing)
- Well, then, your first job as apiary co-owner
is to judge the pastries.
- Ladies, I think we need to begin.
- Are you sure? - Very.
And someone needs to stay on the losers' good side.
- Don't worry, I'll protect your honour.
You're now one of Port Grace's most important citizens,
though you already were important... to me.
- How's the arm?
- Oh, still attached. (chuckling)
Where is your American archeologist?
- On the next flight home, I think.
- Why? What happened? You two were so cute together.
- We were never together, Luna.
- Maybe not, but I can still be sorry that it didn't work out.
- Well, it doesn't matter, he was always leaving eventually.
What did you both think of the honey-themed festival?
- Oh, I liked it.
Next year, I'm going to suggest we have a procession
along the old honey road.
- What's the old honey road?
How have I never heard of it?
- For centuries,
all the beekeepers and the farmers walked together
from sunrise to sunset,
starting near the ancient apiary
at Dar id-deheb where they collected the honey.
Then, they travelled down to the farm feed,
and there was a blessing for the harvest too.
Afterwards, they followed along the coast
to the gold tower at Delimara
where the honey was stored and from there,
shipped to all of Europe.
- The harvest blessing,
like the one my mom used to take us to in the wildflower grove?
- That's the place. The field with the old Roman farmhouse.
- I'll... I'll be back. (laughing)
(phone ringing)
- Michael. - So, I hear the Maltese authorities
have gotten word about a fresco in Port Grace.
- Yeah, yeah, they're... they're here now.
- Do you have enough for the proposal?
It's due tomorrow, but I'm not sure heritage Malta
will welcome an outside team on this one.
- Well, it's all I got, so it's gonna have to do.
- Well, I won't say I'm not disappointed,
but you knew the risk.
- Go big or go home, right? Guess I'm coming home.
- Well, tenure or no tenure,
you're still a valued member of this department.
Come see me when you're back.
- I will. Thank you. I gotta go.
What's going on? - I figured it out.
The fresco, the map, the French priest,
the golden way, it's all to do with bees.
- What? - The root of the golden way
on the map is Pawlu called the old honey road.
Look, this field is where they used to bless the harvest.
I know this location, my mom used to take Chloe and I
when we were little girls, and the yellow circle on the fresco is the sun.
I should have realized. All apiaries must face south for the sunlight.
- Okay, where is this field? And what does it mean?
- I have to show you, come on.
- Eva, about what I said earlier...
- Apology accepted. Let's go!
There was a procession here. - The golden way.
- Yeah. The procession followed down into the valley
where they planted crops and left an offering of honey
for a favourable harvest. - Not protecting pirate gold,
but liquid gold? - And not just honey,
all the produce from the harbour which was then shipped from the harbour.
- This all fits. There's gotta be something here to confirm
that this is the right location. - It's just a pile of rocks.
(sigh) Maybe this was a waste of time.
- What I said earlier, I didn't mean it.
None of this has been a waste of time.
- I know.
(buzzing)
you didn't even flinch. - I flinched on the inside. (chuckling)
(buzzing)
That bee just went inside of those rocks.
- How odd...
(groans of effort)
- There's stairs. - And I think we can both fit through there, no?
(sigh) - If only I had an old school torch.
- And a whip and a leather fedora? (chuckling)
- Alright. Well, want to go first?
- Uh...
you know how you feel about bees?
That's how I feel about snakes.
- Okay.
Allow me.
- Oh, wait, I've got a lantern in the truck.
(intriguing music)
I've lived here my entire life, I had no idea this was here.
- Doesn't look like there's much here.
(sighing) - Just a bunch of old broken clay pots.
Hey, put your light over there.
(gasping)
What is this place?
- It's a shrine dedicated to the Thriae.
- God, look at all these baskets.
- Yeah, looks like it was also a cellar.
They stored goods in to keep them cool and dry.
- Some of these jars have their seals still intact.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
- From the decorations,
it looks like it could be centuries old pottery.
(groan of effort)
(gasping)
- It's honey.
- What are you doing? (chuckling)
No. Don't do that.
- Hum! Summer harvest.
It's delicious!
- That's the box. That's the box from the diary!
What?
- Wait.
It's what they used for transporting bees.
- So... it wasn't coins or honey
that the priest brought to the New World,
it was Maltese bees. (chuckling)
With the bees, the Michigan settlers would have flourished.
The bees pollinated the crops!
- And these bees were the golden way to never-ending prosperity.
(laughing)
We have to go! You have to write your proposal!
- Let's get out of here.
This is an incredible find,
a once in a lifetime discovery!
- Even though it isn't quite the gold you expected?
- Nothing in Malta is what I expected.
I can't believe a Maltese bee brought to Michigan
400 years ago has brought me back to Malta.
To you.
- Even though bees all return to their homes, just like us.
- I wish I didn't have to go.
But I have to submit my proposal,
then I have my presentation the next day.
And then...
...who knows?
- Your home is in Michigan, and mine is here.
I don't have to ask the Bee Maidens to predict our future.
But I'm really glad I met you.
(uplifting Mediterranean music)
- Oh, good, you're back.
I just wanted to run a couple of things past you before Mattew gets here.
- Before your first weekend away together to romantic Florence?
- If you need me to stay, I'll stay.
- No, don't be silly, go and have fun.
- I intend to, but first, I confirmed you as a speaker
at the ecological conference in London next week.
- Can't wait. - And...
...these came in.
Our new honey jars. - Oh, Chloe, these are gorgeous!
What a genius idea!
- Of course, you'd say that, it was yours. (chuckling)
Oh, and one more thing. There's someone talking to the bees.
- What?
Who?
- It's been a month.
Hopefully, she hasn't forgotten about me already.
- Excuse me!
Can I help you?
- I was a bit nervous,
so I thought I'd take advantage of your bee therapy.
It worked.
- What are you doing here?
- I thought you'd like to know that my proposal was accepted.
I got the research funding.
- Congratulations.
I mean, you could have... texted.
- I know, I could have,
but one of the conditions for the funding requires me to be on site liaising
for Heritage Malta during the time of the excavation,
so I just figured I'd come tell you in person.
- What about tenure?
- I'm on professional sabbatical,
so who knows what the future will bring?
- Well, you have to ask the Bee Maidens.
- I'll be spending enough time with them.
- Not all the time, eh? - No.
No, most of my time will be spent consulting
with the best beekeeper in all of Malta,
if she's okay with that.
- Is honey sweet?
- Sometimes floral.
Sometimes citrusy.
(sweet music)
Subtitling: difuze