"The Mission" Episode 2

A prodigal son (Nathan Birge) returns home to take over the family business.  But to his surprise, he is tasked with a very different, more secretive mission - to investigate a web of mysterious events that are bankrupting the town's prominent businesses.  It's a fate that will soon be his own, unless he can uncover who - or what - is behind it all. 

Themes & Clues

"Bristol is a competitive town ... which encourages secret making, and secret breaking."

Clock Fever & Secrets: In a revolutionary era of independence, Bristol is gripped by a clock-making frenzy, offering new opportunities for wealth and innovation. The story of Eli Terry and the Porter Contract highlights the transformative potential of mass production, but also hints at hidden truths and cutthroat competition. The practice of concealing valuable information in unexpected places was necessary for business survival in a time without banks or safes.

A New Destiny: A former wagon-maker, John Birge represents the transformative opportunities of the era, seeking to forge a new destiny as a clockmaker. He partners with the talented, but financially troubled clockmaker Joseph Ives. The success of their venture hinges on a delicate balance of skill (Ives) and financial backing (Birge).

The Mysterious Clock Engine: Birge learns that Bristol's first clockmaker, Gideon Roberts, invented a secret "clock engine" with a mysterious design. As Gideon's apprentice, Ives learned to practice a deeper understanding of clockmaking, emphasizing the spiritual connection to time and the importance of selecting the right materials to craft a clock movement.

Titus Merriman's Revelation: Dr. Merriman reveals the possible location of Gideon's clock engine design. A story about Gideon, shared by Ives and retold by Birge, triggers Merriman's memory of finding a mysterious clock drawing hidden inside a special object.