Superstition (2017) s01e01 Episode Script

1 [THUNDER RUMBLING.]
[CALVIN.]
Come on! Ah! shouldn't have went in there, no way.
[ARLO.]
I'm sorry, man.
Don't tell Papa.
Can we just put it back? Arlo, stay right there.
Was that Pop? Hey, be cool.
[ARLO.]
Are they coming for us? What? Did we do that? All right, you just stay here.
- There's way too many of them.
- [RATTLING.]
- We should run.
- No.
We improvise.
We adapt.
We overcome.
- Bea.
- [GUN COCKS.]
Get upstairs with your brother.
- [GUNSHOT.]
- [MAN SCREAMING.]
Ooh, the boy rapping at you, like who knew We got the special sauce like voodoo Hey, R-I-P Russ that's me yeah That's right, playboy, check it out.
Check it out.
Yo, that's song of freshness is on me, big dawg.
You know, I'm still in the streets, not industry yet, but That's gonna change.
Can't stop talent.
[CHUCKLES.]
Truth, man.
Yeah.
Yeah.
You lose somebody? [CHUCKLES.]
I'm just sayin', the place we goin', ain't exactly a spot for table dances, yo.
Hey, they say some shit pops off in that bitch.
Like weird shit, bro.
Don't believe everything you hear, Russ.
Yeah, you know, I'm cool with the Hastings, you know? Not everyone is.
Hey, this is you.
Hey, don't forget to phone me on the 'Gram, you know what I'm saying? [ORGAN PLAYING SOFTLY.]
[ISAAC.]
Death itself is not a tragedy.
It's a natural occurrence.
Not doing what you love with your life, that's a tragedy, but your daddy, he passed doing what he loved.
He even wanted this.
He was a great hunter.
And that's a life to be celebrated.
[MEOWING.]
[PURRING.]
Oh, my baby.
My baby.
[LAUGHS.]
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
Oh, God.
It's you.
Please, forgive me.
My Calvin's back from Afghanistan.
Welcome home, son.
Pop.
[SIGHS.]
[APPLAUSE.]
[LAUGHS.]
[CALVIN.]
All right.
So, I'm remodeling the kitchen, and I'm finally gonna get that oven I've always wanted.
And we framed your brother's artwork and put it around the house and - It looks nice, right? - Yeah, Mom.
- It's nice.
- It's nice.
Yeah.
And I see you have the wind chimes in the windows facing east.
Yes, for Friday the 13th, wreath facing west.
So everyone will be safe as usual.
Oh, let me show you the renovated bathroom.
Can we take a pause on this tour? I was just bringing him up to date, honey.
I know that, sweetheart, but I think maybe we should let Calvin bring us up to date.
Then you can show him every new toilet in the house.
It's good to see you.
But it's been 16 years.
You retire? [CALVIN.]
I'm on 30 days leave.
[BEA.]
Oh, that's wonderful.
[ISAAC.]
Why now? You fight long enough and you start to realize it's less about the War and more about your guys.
You look up one day, see time has passed you by.
I needed to get back here.
It would have been nice to have heard from you, son.
I wanna make things right.
Help out with the business, to fight here with Pop.
You walked your ass away from the fight here.
But he's home now.
Safe.
And Lord knows, I couldn't bear to lose another son.
You know, why don't I make your favorite blackened catfish for dinner, hmm? That would be good, right? Yeah? Child.
Hey, you are almost 20 minutes late for your hospital pick up.
[ISAAC.]
The landscape has changed.
Everything's elevated.
You can't just skip back in here.
I'm a quick study.
That may be, son, but combat fighting has nothing to do with what we're doing here.
Pop, with Friday the 13 coming up Friday the 13th started with an uninvited guest.
Which, in this case, is you.
[PREACHER.]
Now Him sayeth in the Book, these signs shall follow them that believe.
[ALL.]
Amen! In my name, they shall cast out devils.
[ALL.]
Amen! They shall speak in new tongues.
[ALL.]
Amen! And they shall take up serpents.
[WOMAN.]
Yes! [BANJO PLAYING.]
[HISSING.]
And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not harm them.
[ALL.]
Amen! Our Lord and savior is right by our side, protecting us from all evils.
[SCREAMING.]
[ALL WAILING.]
Have faith! Have faith! Have faith! Have faith! [ALL WAILING.]
[GRUNTING.]
I'm gonna need a little help gettin' a party started for some of my friends.
[ALL WAILING.]
[SIREN WAILING.]
Patla, why aren't you collecting the victims' personal effects? Forensics told me to wait, and I hate snakes.
I mean, for real.
All right, snakes are gone.
Come on.
Okay, but still, how could snakes We lost eight souls last night, we got 15 more in the hospital.
Whether it was an act of God or us playing God, I need to know why.
Right? - You're, what, five weeks with us now? - Yes, ma'am.
You gotta buckle up, son.
La Rochelle crime ain't nothing like Atlanta.
It's a hell of a way to start the day.
Yeah.
Yeah, black coffee would have been plenty, Urich.
[SCOFFS.]
I talked to all the survivors at the hospital, or at least I tried to, but all I got was some evangelical jibber-jabber.
That girl right there, she ain't left since last night.
I got this.
Morning, Jessica.
We've brought this upon ourselves, Chief Westbrook.
Oh, come on.
I'm always just May to you.
Brought what? "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.
We shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind" [BOTH.]
"Our sins sweep us away.
" Isaiah 64 and 6.
Redemption I get, but using venomous snakes Okay.
All right.
Okay.
I'll have an officer drive you home.
We'll be in touch.
Hello.
Oh, turn off that light.
[SCOFFS.]
It's so dark in here.
Oh, what is with the food orgy? I've been hungry all day.
Yeah, well, last time you did cross-fit training you ate like a horse.
So Aren't you hot? What, is the heat on? Don't.
No, why are you acting so weird? I'm just so glad you're home, Nadine.
- Over 100 snake bites.
- Oh, yeah.
I've got a worn out thumb to prove it.
How many snakes were found on the scene? - Guess.
- Tilly? Ah, you're no fun.
Uh, not a one.
According to May's report, there were no snakes found on the premises, nor were any reported seen by any neighbors.
Take a look at this.
There are bites on top of bites here.
Venom varies from species to species.
You either have cytotoxic, neurotoxic [ISAAC.]
What type of venom was found on Nadine? [TILLY.]
All of the above.
Which is impossible, because there's some venom types from snakes not even found in this region.
[ISAAC.]
She's got a suspect.
I'm gonna check it out.
[CALVIN.]
Check out Mr.
Cool Breeze.
You know, I was thinking to myself, Pop's gettin' old.
Maybe it's better that I drive.
Just trying to be of service.
You took my classic lady without asking.
- Eavesdropping.
- Such a nasty word.
I prefer to call it intel gathering.
Do we really have time for this? The only reason your ass is in this car is because your mother begged me to.
You wanna ride rusty in the field, your weapon goes in the trunk.
[SCOFFS.]
You got an arsenal all laid out back there like Sam and Dean? [ISAAC.]
Oh, yeah.
Move over.
I know you ain't that crazy.
[CALVIN.]
Can't believe King Pins is gone.
[ISAAC.]
Hard to go bowling when you're hungry.
Poor have gotten poorer.
Silver spooners have gotten more silver.
What's that they say in the village? "Greed lessens what is gathered.
" Yeah, well, I'd barely recognize some of this town.
A lot has changed.
Like letting our funeral parlor be an annex to the city morgue? Yeah.
Helps with the bottom line.
Plus, we got a few side hustles going on.
At least we have a new and improved relationship with our local PD on the special cases.
But I wouldn't exactly say it's business as usual.
What do you mean by that? Clean up the paperwork and then I'll sign off on it.
Not a second before.
Okay? May.
I got here as soon as I could.
May.
Calvin.
Man, May, look at you.
When did you get back? Yesterday.
You the law now? You used to hate authority back in the day.
Yeah, well, a lot has changed.
Clearly.
So, you work with your father now? - No.
- Yes.
Tilly's prelim on the body you sent her.
Looks like a lot more than a snake bite.
Now, you said you had a suspect? Yes.
So far I've been able to hold back the press.
You have clearance for the holding cells, but Calvin Cal will just have to wait his ass here.
Killing the lights was the only way to keep her from screaming.
[HISSING.]
[MAY.]
Guard, let's get a medic in here.
Is that [ISAAC.]
It's her skin.
Can I see her personals? This is ancient.
Second century AD.
How does he know that? Probably because his old ass was there.
If it's that old, how'd she get it? [CELL PHONE BEEPS.]
Yeah? The coin honors Glycon, the snake god.
- [ISAAC.]
Macedonia.
- Right.
See, back then, snake cults were all the rage.
Then came virgin sacrifices, cannibalism, baby eating.
They worship innocence, so the purity of a baby would be Like having filet mignon.
Exactly.
See, legend has it that Yeah, the curse drove people to take on various snake-like qualities.
[ISAAC.]
What if Jessica took on snake-like qualities and it was lunchtime? Did Calvin or you touch the coin? Are you kidding? - Should have been the first damn question.
- Calvin.
- Neither of us have.
May? - No.
We're good here, Tilly, thanks.
Hey, hold up, hold up, this coin didn't just jump into this bag.
Officer Wright booked Jessica and handled her personals, but He's not here.
He's been doing half days, because he Because he's got a newborn at home.
For now, outside of me, you and Calvin have no friends here.
All right? I'm sorry to remind you, but you are not cops.
[OFFICER.]
Ma'am, can I show you this? [ISAAC.]
May, do you really wanna take that risk? I'll forward you Byron Wright's address.
Go.
You know, Officer Wright might not have been - the only one to handle that coin.
- I know.
I'll have Urich set up a screening for any other officers who may have.
Hey, you and I need to talk.
Later.
Just leave us alone, Byron! You still my boo? No! No! [GROANS.]
Byron, no! [HISSING.]
No, stop! Help me! Help my baby! [GASPING.]
Stay in the car.
Officer Wright? [BANGING ON DOOR.]
Officer Wright? Stop! Hey! Stay down! Calvin, get out! [GROANS.]
Pop! Calvin! Take the baby! Come on, come on.
Take the baby.
That's enough! Calvin! No! Let him live! [SIREN WAILING.]
He'll live.
Guys, you gotta get out of here, you gotta go.
Baby.
- Where is my baby? - Your baby is fine.
You did good, Warrior Mom.
You did good.
Your weapon was under combination lock.
You used Arlo's birthday, instead of your firstborn.
Maybe I loved him more.
- I had my eyes closed, baby.
- Mmm-hmm.
I saw the venom go in his eyes.
- It was probably just spit.
- Spit? [SCOFFS.]
Your boy had a forked tongue.
Let me just take you to the doctor so we can be sure.
He's fine.
Get your boots off of the table.
Like we need more bad mojo around here? - You're good? - I'm good.
Now, a coin that powerful, that doesn't just get out there.
Someone or something put it out there.
- You think it's still on the move? - Oh, definitely.
Yo, I got the bag from the hospital, and I got some supplies.
Yo, that was my old job.
- I'm Calvin.
- Yeah, the great Calvin Hastings.
I know.
I got this.
Calvin.
You wanna talk seriously about getting ready? But you ain't got to get ready if you're born ready.
- See me out there? - Yeah.
I told you to stay in the car, you didn't listen.
Come upstairs.
- Upstairs.
- Mmm.
Look around you.
Now, you can't just come up and clown talk your way through 16 years of rough stuff.
Almost every one of our weapons has evolved.
Bullets rarely stop an infernal.
Now, runes are mystical patterns that harness energy.
This rune can give your bullet the ability to stop an infernal or a ghost.
But only if it's engraved perfectly.
You try.
Go ahead, get in there.
[WHIRRING.]
Mmm-hmm.
No.
No.
Son, look.
You messed up the rune.
- Did I ruin the rune? - It's funny.
One faulty line and there's no enhancement.
You got a lot to learn, Calvin.
Having a control freak.
Calvin.
Why are you really back here? You think I really wanted to come back here? This museum of death where I had no childhood.
All we did was train and chase poltergeists.
You know what the kids used to call me? Creepy Calvin.
Yeah.
Now if you're done sorry for yourself, why don't you let me know? Because there is a lot of work to do here.
Things have changed, Pop.
A lot has changed.
Since you were a kid, we human beings have destroyed over half of the world's wildlife.
Instead of being good stewards of this Earth, we are sucking it dry.
I know this.
What's your point? This imbalance is causing a rise in evil among us and outside.
It's as if the infernals have come to put us in check.
You know, Pop, after what I saw in Afghanistan, I really wonder if we're even worth saving.
Well, I think if the Wrights' baby could talk, it'd probably say yes.
Regardless, as the protectors of La Rochelle for over 100 years, this is what we do.
We keep the balance.
We kill the infernals.
Now there's no 401(K), there's no followers, there's no health plan.
There is no fame.
So you really wanna roll with me? When I say jump, you get out the trampoline.
And now you carve up them damn bullets, and you don't stop until they're perfect.
I find it interesting to put things in motion to see what happens.
Me and you, we similar in that way.
Oh, well, shit, I'm just doing what I know how to do Gods work.
Yes, indeed.
When you stick your hands deep in Mother Earth and you plant a seed, you're putting things in motion.
Then, harvest time.
There's no pride in hauling a half-empty truck to town.
Yield was crap.
For your father's Alzheimer's.
How did you know? Fears reveal all.
You know, I got a feeling more change is coming in the air for you.
From your lips to God's ears.
Aw, he ain't never cared what I've had to say.
No I-Him.
So you lived here 16 years ago? So you're talking to me now? You know my name, do I get yours? Garvey.
Garvey.
You live here? No.
Just work here part time.
Heard you're in the military.
You ever kill anyone? Here's a piece of advice.
Never ask a vet that question.
Sorry.
Too many war movies, I guess.
They make platoons look like families.
Well, they are.
And just as dysfunctional.
Did you ever leave any family? I mean, in the fields.
Where's this coming from? I don't know.
I just think about that sometimes.
Don't think I could do it.
Well, when I signed up, I was just a kid.
Had a lot to learn.
But if it's not about putting the platoon in jeopardy, leaving a Marine behind is about the most weak-ass thing you could do.
Then welcome to your most weak-ass thing.
Because I'm the daughter you left behind.
Hey.
I'm on my break.
How did you even know I was I told Detective Urich it was official police business.
- Hey, you okay? - Don't you touch me, nigga.
You can your family gonna rot in hell for what you've done here.
That happens a lot.
I gotta ask.
Would it have killed you to let me know I had a daughter? Okay.
Would it have killed you to let me know you were breaking up with me and off to Afghanistan? Yeah.
'Cause you were the only one who could have stopped me.
Look after what happened to Arlo, I was selfish.
But for you keep me out of Garvey's life for revenge is It's not all about you, solder boy.
I did that to protect Garvey.
What do I look like, using my child to tether a man to my life who didn't really want to be in it? What I did to you haunts me.
And I will not let you do that to Garvey.
I tried to tell you about it at the police station.
I never would have left my daughter.
My daughter.
My daughter who now hates me.
Your daughter who is you.
- Really? - Oh, yeah.
I guess I owe you another apology, then.
[CELL PHONE RINGING.]
[SIGHS.]
Westbrook.
Go.
[DISPATCHER.]
We have a surge in domestic disturbances and riot calls involving gold coins.
We're running low on cell space and officers to dispatch.
Review with the officers how to handle any gold coins found.
I'm on the way.
Tilly should have some force on the coins, too.
- Okay.
- Hey, we'll finish this.
Yeah.
[ENGINES START.]
Well, May has each one of her deputies wearing gloves when handling the coins, but we still don't know how many are out there.
Mmm.
The story behind the coin is spotty.
See, 13 were made by the snake cult, and Judas was the 13th guest.
Well, 13's a bad omen.
And today is Friday the 13th.
Were they made as punishment? I don't know.
But to locate, transport, and get these out there, I mean, this is the work of an infernal more powerful than we've ever seen.
There's an legend of an infernal that caused mayhem in the Middle East, in order to drive out the strongest for battle.
Is this here that we We have to get all 13 coins to break the curse.
So we have to get those coins off the streets, or a lot of people will die.
[CALVIN.]
And out of 13, we have what? One? Well, sometimes one is all you need.
[BEA.]
So, Tilly and I spoke about this.
There's a Nubian mystical practice that will allow me to locate all the remaining coins.
But I have to hold one to do it.
No.
That's not a good option.
[ELEVATOR DINGS.]
[ELEVATOR POWERING UP.]
[ELEVATOR POWERING DOWN.]
I swear I just found out about you right now.
I did not abandon you.
Wow.
You know, I feel so much better knowing you only abandoned my mother.
May shut me out, but I gave her good reason to.
I'm sorry I missed so much of your life.
I'm not.
It got me ready to grow up in this shitty world.
Look, I know how important it is to have a father.
Love, and advice, and support.
- All the - Wow.
You know, I'm glad you're all woke on fatherhood, but really, I'm good.
[ELEVATOR POWERING UP.]
[ELEVATOR POWERING DOWN.]
Look, we do not have a past because of me.
But maybe we can find a way to get closer.
[ELEVATOR POWERING UP.]
Who's holding up the damn elevator? [ELEVATOR DINGS.]
It's not like I'm gonna ask you to call me Pop, but I think Yeah.
Wise choice, Calvin.
I got this.
Congratulations.
Welcome to fatherhood.
It pained us not to tell you, son.
But we, uh We had to follow May's wishes, and when you didn't call your mother back I deserved it.
No, it's not about deserve.
"Deserve" implies there's some bigger, preordained order to this existence.
We human beings have free will.
It's about the impact you make now, it's about your legacy.
Sure made a legacy with Garvey, didn't I? You made an impact when you put her on this planet.
But the legacy, the legacy is still forming.
And now you have her.
I don't have her, Pop.
How can I? - I, I just met - Hey, hey.
Do I not have you? Huh? [TILLY.]
We're ready.
[CHANTING.]
[BEA.]
I see a cabin.
A man in black.
He has the coins.
[GASPS.]
It's cold.
Oh, it's so cold! Tilly.
Tilly, pull her out.
- No, she's almost there.
- Pull her out! - [SCREAMS.]
- Tilly! - [TILLY.]
No, no, no! - [CONTINUES SCREAMING.]
- [TILLY.]
No! You have to talk her down.
- [GASPING.]
Ça suffit, chérie.
It's over.
- [BEA.]
I was so cold - [ISAAC.]
It's over.
It's over.
Tilly, what's happening? [TILLY.]
The infernal somehow enhanced the curse on the coin.
He broke our protection.
I'm sorry.
Don't be.
You did your job.
Now I'm gonna go do mine, and figure this out.
The path of the violence seems to be heading straight for city hall.
It's a mess out there, Chief.
Okay, all right.
Just calm down, okay? - A pattern is building.
- Yeah, but to what? May, you send me an image map tracking all the violent outbreaks.
Now, another way to look at that pattern leads to here.
Elysium Park Cemetery.
Consecrated grounds.
Where else would an infernal with a snake jones on Friday the 13th go? At least it's not our cemetery.
If my deputies and I secure any more gold coins, I'll make sure to get them to Tilly and head your way.
Negative.
No one goes in or out of that cemetery other than me and my son.
- Copy that.
- [TIRES SCREECH, CAR CRASHES.]
- [PEOPLE SCREAMING.]
- [SIRENS WAILING.]
Hey! We can't do nothing, this truck's about to blow! - On it, I'm on it! - We need a medic [HISSING.]
Hey, hey! Move out the way, out the way, out the way! [EXPLOSION.]
Let's go, let's go, let's go.
Come on.
Stay with me, stay with me.
All right.
[CALVIN.]
I can't come into this room without thinking about Arlo.
Arlo would have been a hell of a warrior.
The instincts he had naturally? Took me years to cultivate.
Your mother's a strong woman.
- Should've seen this coming.
- Why? 'Cause you think you saw your brother's death? That's not on you.
I saw Arlo's death, Pop.
We could have stopped it.
That is on you.
Yes, it is.
That's why you came back here? You want to make sure I didn't forget? I came back to save you.
Me? You've had more visions? How many? - First one in 16 years.
- Trust me, son.
I'ma be just fine.
Like Arlo? I saw you die, Pop.
I'll be damned if I let it happen again.
I need to do this alone.
We don't have a lot of time.
We gotta get those coins and save your mother.
[THUNDER RUMBLING.]
This feels like a trap.
Oh yeah, that's 'cause it is.
We're not ready for this.
I thought you was born ready, Shaka Zulu.
We improvise, we adapt, we overcome.
- I go in first.
- Negative.
You go in there with even the thought of trying to protect me, and you are dead.
- I can't let you - You can, and you will.
He who conquers himself - is the mightiest warrior.
- [THUNDER CRASHING.]
You'll just kill him with all your quotes.
[WEAPONS CHARGING.]
Just for the record There's no one I'd rather go in there with.
The electromagnetic disturbance is off the scale.
- It's strongest right up there.
- Let's split up.
You go right.
I go straight.
This is Inferno Fall.
- [THUNDER CRASHING.]
- Don't get lost in here.
[HISSING.]
Calvin? Arlo, that Can't be you.
Why'd you let me die, man? I tried to save you.
I tried, brother.
You still can.
I mean, I'm in limbo.
And you can get me out.
It can't be you.
Your Glock right there? Put one right here.
The runes in your bullets will set my soul free.
I I can't do that.
- Calvin.
- Don't, don't leave me behind again.
Not here.
Either you set me free, or you'll join me here.
My son wouldn't do that.
I'm sorry, man.
This is how Limbo works.
And it's so lonely.
All those people you killed in Afghanistan, and you can't even look out for your own brother? Calvin, please.
Set me free.
You better make some space in limbo, it's about to get crowded in that bitch.
- [ECHOING.]
Calvin? - Calvin! Pop! Arlo No, no son, it was an illusion.
You're okay.
- [CLAPPING.]
- [HISSING AND RATTLING.]
Bravo! Bravo, that was amazing theater.
It was well worth the price of my additional gold coins.
A father laying down his life for his son, it's been done, there's no surprises there.
But you, Calvin, willing to lay down your life to avoid killing a brother who's already dead? That's intriguing.
- Who are you? - A rose, by any other name.
I have many, but that is of little matter.
- What do you want? - You in the way of what I want.
- See, the coins? - [COIN PURSE JANGLING.]
These were just the way of luring out the so-called infernal killers.
A way to get the party started.
But you two You two are different.
Especially you.
A man with your impressive body of work in killing.
To willingly sacrifice himself.
[GRUNTS, COUGHS.]
[GRUNTS.]
- [GRUNTING.]
- [GROANING.]
[GROANS.]
[YELLS.]
[LAUGHS.]
No! Pop! - No, no, Pop! - [INFERNAL LAUGHING.]
- Oedipus.
- No, no! The son kills and replaces the father.
I'm sorry I'm sorry I guess black do crack.
This is not over.
This is not goodbye.
It's not over! I'm coming for you! I'm coming for you.