Kindred (2022) s01e03 Episode Script

Dana?
You're here.
You're here.
I was waiting for you.
I was worried there would be
another however many years
before I saw you again.
And don't be long in here, Ms. Liv.
I don't want no trouble.
I'll get us out as fast as I can.
Take this. For Nigel.
And could you have Sabina or someone
bring something warmer for Dana to wear?
Me getting caught up in this
house is a real risk for him.
Margaret and I are not
on the best of terms.
- What happened?
- Well, you actually.
But never mind that now.
Tell me, who is this white man walking
around here calling himself your master?
Dana.
I want Dana.
His name's Kevin.
A friend.
He was holding on to me
when I got pulled back.
So, you can take folks back and forth.
I knew it.
What happened to your eye?
I saw the patroller.
From the night we saw each other,
but that was only yesterday for me.
Time moves different.
Interesting.
So what'd you do with him?
What do you mean?
You took him with you to the present.
The patroller? No, I didn't.
You did, Dana, I saw
you with my own eyes.
I came back alone.
- So what happened to him?
- I don't know.
What are you thinking?
I think what we better do
is figure out exactly
what's happened to us.
I think it might have
something to do with Rufus.
What is your connection to that boy?
I don't know. Isn't he
what brought you here?
- No.
- Then how did you get here?
Rufus!
Stop that clamoring.
It is enough to wake the dead,
Look, here's Carrie with your breakfast.
I don't want breakfast.
Oh, Mr. Franklin, I am so sorry.
- Did Rufus wake you?
- Oh, it's fine.
All morning long he's been
begging for Dana to read to him.
Where is Dana?
Well, I suspect you rang your
bell but you couldn't hear.
Well, perhaps she's still in the attic.
It was some sort of massacre.
The family was hacked all to pieces,
fire set to everything.
I hid in the forest for days
before somebody even came and found me.
There was an old medicine
woman foraging for plants.
She thought I was crazy.
I thought I was crazy.
Until this one day I
heard someone mention
Easton, Maryland
And that rang a bell.
Reggie's father and
mine, your grandfathers,
they both came up to Brooklyn.
Together from Baltimore,
and Reggie had family
- in Easton going way back.
- Wait a minute, wait wait a minute.
My father had ancestors here?
Could Rufus be one of them?
Oh, Jesus, Dana,
I thought you'd gone back without me.
What are you doing up here?
This is this is Kevin.
This is
Kevin, this is
My mother.
Hello.
What what is this place?
What happened last night?
Margaret locked me in.
Why didn't you call for help?
And wake the whole house up?
The last thing we need
is to cause a scene.
What is that ringing?
Rufus is calling for you.
I think we should try
to get out of here now.
Kevin, we need you to distract
the family just for a moment
and then we'll all go.
Yeah
- Okay.
- It'll be just a moment.
That's him?
He's gonna get you killed.
What in God's name
is all this noise for?
I want Dana.
Tom, please don't make things worse.
What's the problem? Go get her
Celeste has a dress for Dana.
- They still in the attic, Sir?
- Uh, yes.
I will personally tan
every hide under this roof!
I can not afford to look like
You need to go talk to him,
find out everything he knows.
What exactly is happening to him
right before he calls you to him?
And what happens with him when you go?
Who's there?
It's just old Celeste, Ms. Olivia.
Luke said you was just
looking for a dress.
Of course Luke would send for you.
Thank you. Will will you help me?
- I want Dana!
- Margaret.
The boy is inconsolable
and it is unacceptable.
We have guests beginning to arrive.
- Dana.
- Who?
I just saw the minister's
carriage pull up just now
and Broadus right behind.
Dana!
- Are you up there?
- She is, Miss.
She's not supposed to know I'm here.
Witch! Witch!
Dana! Remove her from
this house at once.
How dare you step foot anywhere
near me or my child, you savage.
Quiet yourself.
What business have you in here?
It was Mr. Kevin here who called on Luke
for a medicine woman.
Dana was feeling very
ill all day yesterday
and I thought it was an emergency.
I don't recall any complaints.
Woman troubles, Mr. Weylin.
And what are you doing here?
With Sabina gone, there was some need
for extra help in the house.
Come Celeste, back to the kitchen.
I want her out, Thomas.
- Out!
- Enough.
- Are you done?
- Almost.
Then grab your things.
Escort her somewhere where
she may wait for Dana.
Meanwhile, I must beg
of you to have Dana
tend to my pitiful excuse of a son.
He seems hell bent on seeing
her before he is quiet.
I'll go check on him.
Why must you humiliate me, so?
How can you allow that woman passage
on this land after
everything that she's done?
She has brought the devil
upon our child twice.
Margaret, go attend to the guests.
Go question the boy and
meet me at the cook house.
Dana!
I I am very sorry.
Now, don't apologize.
The party's put Margaret in a state.
I would have done the same thing.
Now, Olivia has delivered a
good amount of stock for me.
I have to say I did notice a
general laziness about Dana.
How long has it been
since you procured her?
Not long. A week, two.
Well, you may have purchased
two for the price of one. Lucky.
That should recoup for
your stolen belongings.
Dana, there you are.
I had the best dream last night.
I was this Gulliver fella.
And I got tied up.
- What's wrong?
- Nothing.
Well, will you continue reading to me?
Dana, can I talk to you for a sec?
She just got here.
- Please don't take her away.
- Just a second, Rufus.
- What's happening?
- They think you're pregnant.
- Can we go right now?
- No.
No, I need to figure out
some information on this kid.
What information?
Olivia and I just figured out that he
he might be related to me.
- What?
- Yeah, he might be my ancestor.
I need to figure out
what's going on on his side.
I think that's why
I'm being pulled back.
Minister, please.
Lay your hands on Rufus.
Bless him in this room.
Pray for his recovery
and rid this house of the evil
that that devil's
servant brought with her.
Mama, what are you talking about?
That black witch that your father
still patronizes was
snuck in here this morning.
Rufus, you ought to be more careful.
Heavenly father, protect
and heal this child.
And protect us all against
Satan and all the evil spirits
who roam through the world,
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
- Oh, hello.
- Oh!
Minister Howell, may I introduce
Mr. Kevin Franklin of New York.
Oh!
Mr. Franklin was arrested of his clothes
at dagger and gunpoint.
By the grace of God,
that he stumbled upon our precious Rufus
and found his way to our doorstep.
The Lord hath blessed Mr. Franklin
with your Christian charity.
Speaking of which,
we shouldn't leave Tom
or the libations he promised us waiting.
You're right. Come, come, come.
You too, Mr. Franklin.
Mr. Franklin, you mustn't
continue being so shy.
Come meet everyone. Dana
can watch after Rufus
- a little longer, can't she?
- Uh, can I have just a minute.
Of course.
I really don't think we
should be separated right now.
Just let me find out
what I need to find out
and and then I'll come
get you and we can go.
I promise.
Okay, Rufus. I'll make you a deal.
I'll read to you if you
answer a few questions for me.
- Hello, Margaret.
- Good day to you, Charles.
- Isadora.
- Hello, Margaret.
Eggnog for little Temperance, Isadora?
Oh, yes, Minister.
Spirits might actually
brighten up her disposition.
She's quite morose about
our return to England.
- Oh.
- Cheers, everyone!
Margaret!
What you've done with this
parlor is quite bold.
Where have my sister's
chairs gone and her curtains?
Those were taken to charity long ago.
Mama, what are those?
I don't know.
Margaret, what are these? Carvings?
A Christmas observance.
These are remembrances
of my lost angels.
A bit morbid for a party.
Some traditions are best
left on the pig farm.
I thought my daddy was gonna kill me
when I threw those
curtains in the hearth.
There was all the smoke
and I couldn't breathe.
Wait, you started the fire?
I didn't think it'd get so big.
I was just angry with
daddy for horse whipping me.
- He whips you?
- Not anymore.
Mama made him stop,
threatened to run away,
cause he shouldn't treat
his own flesh and blood
the same way he treat you niggers.
But I still got some
scars I could show you.
Don't call me that.
Rufus.
- Call you what?
- Nigger.
Why not?
Where I come from, that's an insult.
Where do you come from?
It's hard to explain.
You a witch then, like Ms. Olivia?
Do you think she's a witch?
That's what Mama said.
Daddy made her mama's nurse
when I was in her belly.
'Cause none of mama's
babies before ever survived.
But when I was real little, Mama says
that Olivia summoned the devil
in my nursery to take me away.
That was me, Rufus.
That was the first night you called.
I don't remember that.
Hi Carrie, hi Nigel, you can come in.
Is this for me?
Thank you, Carrie.
Look at what Carrie made for me.
She's so talented.
Carrie said for you to
come to the cookhouse.
Ms. Olivia is calling for you.
She's supposed to read to me.
I I'll be right back.
What if you leave again?
I don't think that's going to happen.
You might.
It won't. Here.
Ring this bell if I take too long.
How dare you invite Isadora here
without my consultation.
Her sister was once
mistress of this house,
and it is her good opinion of us
that will ultimately sway Charles.
Charles.
- So happy you could join us.
- Good Yuletide, Tom.
Isadora. Hmm.
Forgive me, but the occasion
compels me toward gratitude,
gratitude for old friends
and new acquaintances.
Mrs. Weylin and I are humbled by
your presence here this evening.
We also stand in remembrance
of those who are but present in spirit.
Let us all raise a glass
now to the memory of Hannah.
A loving wife.
Thank you, Tom. Show us to the library.
I'd like to see how it's fared
under Margaret's renovations.
Of course, dear heart.
Mr. Franklin, please.
Minister Howell, would
you care for some company?
Come, come.
Oh, I love reading.
In truth, very few are
permitted in this room.
Your presence is testament to
my admiration for you, Isadora.
Your shared devotion to my
family's memory touches me,
but you remember Hannah's
generosity of spirit.
She would want these books to be read.
My uncle has just
brought back from London
a most exquisite novel
- by a Ms. Jane Austen.
- Pride and Prejudice.
Yes, that's it.
Are you familiar?
Yeah, I've seen that I read that, um,
a while ago. Not that long ago.
- Mr. Darcy, right?
- Yes.
Well, you must have been
in England recently then.
Yeah, I love London.
I much prefer verse.
These lady novels with their silly women
prattling on about marriage.
It bored me to tears,
I'm afraid, Mr. Franklin.
- Are you married, Sir?
- No.
Oh. I see. Are you a
libertine by any chance?
Yeah, yeah, in some ways.
In some ways, I guess.
Um, I think, um
What's a libertine?
Oh!
Don't you think Hannah
would have loved our guest?
Mmm-hmm.
He's also quite a skilled piano player.
Oh!
Perhaps you would play
for us, Mr. Franklin?
Oh, would you? We love music.
- Please.
- Um, I
Everyone. Everyone.
I would ask that you all
join me in the parlor.
We've planned a small
pageant for all to enjoy.
Come, come.
Please.
Gather up everyone.
Please come in to the parlor.
Well done.
Oh.
You talked to the boy?
- What'd you learn?
- Not much.
Nothing seems to make any sense.
Every time has been
completely different.
I can't seem to find a common thread.
He doesn't seem to have any more
control over this than we do.
It looks like whatever it is
that's bringing us back here,
it happens right before
he loses consciousness.
He's awake when he calls you?
Yeah, but when I arrive,
he's always passed out.
And I thought it happened
whenever he was in danger,
but it turns out he set the
fire from the last time himself.
The last thing that he remembers
is thinking that his dad
was gonna kill him once
the curtains caught.
- And then he saw me
- Wait a minute.
That his father was going to kill him?
But then there's
something that I don't
- I don't understand.
- What?
The first time that I was
here, I remember someone
being in the room with him.
I I remember a woman.
I think that she was trying
to turn him over in the crib.
Wasn't that you?
No.
Then who was it?
People are always coming
and going around here,
and that was almost a decade ago now.
Dana!
Oh, that's Rufus. I told him I'd go.
Go, go to him.
Dana!
My sweet Rufus and I had hoped to offer
a little entertainment to you all,
but as you can probably hear,
he convalesces upstairs
with a broken leg.
However, I've been able to
whip up a little diversion
in its place, and I sincerely
hope you will all enjoy.
Whoo!
Whoo!
What did I tell you
about ringing that bell?
You are deliberately provoking me, son.
It was my fault. It was my fault!
Move, girl. This does not concern you.
I I was in the kitchen
and I got distracted.
He was just calling for me.
Give me the damn bell.
You okay?
I'm fine. Will you read to me now?
Bravo, yes!
Let's all show them our appreciation.
Carrie?
It's Sarah's daughter.
I believe I held this one as a baby. Aw.
Her mother was my nurse, Charles.
Will you take me to
see your mother, dear?
Is she about?
Yeah.
I feel I must apologize
on behalf of our host.
Oh, what for?
His open courtship of me.
And how he grovels at my wife's feet,
pretending to care about
music and Hannah's library.
The whole world knows
he's barely literate.
Tom Weylin, handsome
but low, don't you agree?
Oh, I don't I don't
know him well enough.
But you can see that he is handsome, no?
Oh, don't get jealous, Mr. Franklin.
You're handsome too,
though I'm sure you've
been told this before.
In your years as a bachelor.
Uh, no, no, no. No, not really.
Let me make it quite clear,
you are most welcome
sight at this gathering.
Oh, well.
Uh, great. You too You too.
So. You've enjoyed seeing me?
Oh, whoa!
- Forgive my absence.
- No apology necessary.
Mr. Franklin here was giving
me a lecture on the pianoforte.
Hmm.
Uh, shall we continue our
conversation elsewhere?
Absolutely.
Why don't you play
something for us, hmm?
"But would come up to my
very feet without starting.
The riders would leap them over my hand
as I held it on the ground."
Thank you, Cyrus.
Are you Rufus?
Yes.
I'm Temperance.
Our parents know each other. Hello.
Hello.
I heard you had an unfortunate accident
and I wanted to see it.
How long is your convalescence?
The doctor said four weeks.
Four weeks. That's not very long.
Who gave you this?
- My friends.
- What friends?
Carrie and Nigel. They live here.
You still play with your slaves?
You still play with dolls and slaves.
What are we gonna do with you?
Nigger, come. Clean this up.
Rufus, your girl is insubordinate.
If we were in my house,
I would strike her.
She needs to be taught a lesson.
Come here, wench, so
I can slap your face.
Come here, wench,
so I can slap your face.
Do I get to slap yours back?
- Daddy!
- Uh oh.
Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!
Are we a team, Rufus?
- Yes.
- So here's what we're gonna do.
If anyone comes up here,
you're gonna say I didn't do it.
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!
- Daddy!
- Temperance.
Why, whatever's the matter?
That negress upstairs
said she'd strike me!
What negress?
The one upstairs with Rufus.
Take my hand and let Miss
Margaret take care of this.
Wait, Charles.
You threatened my daughter, you animal.
I didn't. I promise you, Sir.
Oh, so these are mock tears?
She and Rufus were playing just fine,
and then she ran out of
the room. Right, Rufus?
Nonsense. Nonsense.
No. This must be dealt with handily.
I wish I could punish her, Charles,
but unfortunately she's not my property.
- Who does she belong to?
- She's, uh, she's mine.
Well.
Well, I do not know you well enough
to speak on you as a slaver, Sir.
But no nigger of mine
would evade punishment
for insubordination.
I I will punish her.
And what shall that
be? Will you strike her?
That is what she has
threatened of my daughter.
Charles
No, I refuse to accept anything other
than he'd give her a slap well laid
until she is scarred with her lesson.
Yeah, I can't I
can't I can't do that.
- And why not, Sir?
- I'm pregnant.
Yes, yes, she's with child,
and, um, I'd be left
with damaged property.
I see then.
Oh, this rogue would
protect his property
before my daughter's honor.
Come, dear. We must find your mother.
We're going.
Wait, Charles. We have much to discuss.
- We're family.
- We were family.
Isadora will hear about
this insult presently.
Charles, come back. We can fix this.
Franklin, get out here!
Something happened
between you and Broadus.
Yes.
My slave insulted him, and
for that I am so sorry
Shut up. No, before that.
I know the man. Hmm?
There is no way he'd leave
without getting his way.
So what did you say to
him to make him leave?
Uh, I didn't say anything.
- Um, he was
- You're lying.
Tell me.
Or I will exact the same punishment
- that he did not.
- He touched me, he touched me!
What?
He he grabbed my genitals.
Mildly.
Oh.
Oh.
Filthy rascal.
Mr. Franklin, I thank you.
- You thank me?
- Yes.
Can we go now?
Tom, we need to leave.
- Uh, Dana is still sick.
- Tend to your business.
We will drink in
celebration upon your return.
Someone touched you?
Let's go.
- She looks just like Hannah.
- Olivia.
Be careful saying that around Margaret.
How can you stand to
be around that woman?
I don't set foot in there,
especially that parlor.
She sold my sons for
that furniture, Isadora.
For that furniture.
Oh, Sarah.
That furniture and China
plates and fancy things
that she had when she first
moved in was good enough
for Ms. Hannah and you when
you all are real ladies.
I just don't understand. I'm sorry.
Oh, Sarah.
Can I help you?
Oh, we were just looking for Olivia.
I'm sure my husband
wonders where I've gone.
I will miss you, Sarah.
Uh, Tom gave us leave to
attend to Dana's, um, ailment.
Let's find Luke.
He said he'd lend the wagon.
Goodbye, Sarah.
Dana, let me have a word with you.
Here, take this into the parlor.
If that woman's studying you so close,
I suspect you with child.
And if so
then you must get down
on your hands and knees
and beg Mr. Kevin to give
your children their freedom.
I see the affects you have on him.
Don't end up like me.
Be sensible. You hear me?
Now get.
OLIVIA
Y'all get on inside.
Mama Livia!
- Hi, sweetie.
- What took you so long?
We got into a bit of trouble.
Get back inside before you catch a cold!
Oh, it's freezing!
I'll make us some tea, it'll warm us up.
Dana, you remember Alice?
Hagar's daughter.
Alice, why don't you show Ms. Dana
what you've been working on?
Kevin, may I have your help?
- Oh, yeah, of course.
- I'm making a family.
This is Mama Livia, Mommy and me.
And this is my cat, Daisy.
So, you her boyfriend?
Oh.
No, no, we just met, actually. Uh
- Did she say that?
- No. But I'm not an idiot.
This is Eleanor, Brittany and Jeanette.
They're really nice.
I want you to listen closely.
It's going to seem scary,
but it's not as bad as it looks.
She'll survive, okay?
What?
Just make sure she drinks water.
Tea's almost ready.
Where's Hagar?
Hagar passed a couple months ago.
Right after your last visit.
I've been taking care
of Alice ever since.
I think it must have
been some kind of cancer.
She doesn't have any other family?
None that I found.
Her father was a slave sold South,
but Hagar was a free woman.
Said she was born free.
But you have no idea
how difficult it would be
for her to stay that way.
So when I saw that you took
Daniel back, I got excited.
I thought that maybe
if I could figure out
how to go back too, I
could bring her with me.
That was wrong.
And I can't just leave
her here. Not at that age.
Oh, I wanna give you something.
- What is that?
- It's my wedding ring.
For the longest time it
was the only thing I had
that was proof of the life
that I knew I had lived.
All of the memories
that were in my mind.
That they really happened,
that I hadn't just made them up.
Why are you giving it to me?
It belonged to your
father's grandmother,
so I want you to have it.
Just in case this is my life now.
What? But it's not.
I'm not so sure that's right.
I think I might be stuck.
But you can stay close to me.
You can grab on to me, like Kevin.
How are you so sure Kevin will go back?
You don't know what
happened to the patrolman
But it's not the same, you're
from a different time than him!
And I'm from a different time than you.
That is a different world for me.
What
What are you saying?
I'm saying I need more time.
Enough time to figure out
somebody to take care of Alice.
At least enough time to see if
if I really can go back on my own.
I have wanted nothing
more than to go back home.
All this time, nothing
more than to see you again.
But I don't want to get lost.
Listen. I did figure
out something today.
At the river, you went back home.
Tom pulled a gun out on you.
Yeah.
And that patroller did what he did.
But, when we first met in the hallway,
when you disappeared, what happened?
You rushed at me and you scared me.
And you thought I was dead.
Yeah.
Drink your tea.
Earlier you were telling
me about all the times
you were brought back,
that the boy was frightened.
But I think it's not that simple.
I think he has to be
more than just scared.
I think he has to believe he
is going to die and I suspect
something similar has to
happen for you to go home.
So, I put a little
something in your tea.
- A poison.
- What?
You need to hurry up and get help.
What the fuck?
You need to get help or
you're not going to make it.
What's happening to her?
I hope Rufus doesn't call you back,
but I suspect he will.
Take this. Remember.
Remember? Remember what?
Dana? Dana?
Dana, Dana, Dana!
Dana.
Dana!