The Time Tunnel s01e05 Episode Script

Two American scientists are lost in the swirling maze of past and future ages during the first experiments on Americas greatest and most secret project- the Time Tunnel, Tony Newman and Doug Phillips now tumble helplessly toward a new, fantastic adventure somewhere along the infinite corridors of time, Doug? There! Fire! Tony.
Tony, Tony, Tony.
over here.
Am I glad to see you.
- Buckskins? - Were gonna need them too.
Come on.
Keep low.
Whos tryin to hunt us down? Looks like we got ourselves caught in the middle of a battle.
- There are troops all over.
- What kind of troops? I dont know.
You know.
from the look of these trees and these buckskins we could be somewhere in the southern United States.
But where and when? Were gonna have to find a better place to hide until we get our bearings.
Lets go.
Over there! Get after them! All right.
On your feet.
you.
So weve got the two of you.
huh? All right.
now move out.
Dont try to escape.
or Illl shoot you.
Quickly.
now.
Move out.
I dont care! Tell General Packenham I cantt wait! Ive got to know what strength to commit tomorrow! And Ive got to know today! In fact.
now.
So youre back from the American lines.
Have you got that information? - No.
sir.
- I told you that information was vital! Yes.
sir.
But the woods are full of American patrols.
sir.
I know all about the American patrols.
Who are these men? - We ran into them inside our own lines.
Spies.
sir.
- Spies? Spies? Now.
wait a minute.
Are you the commander of this regiment.
sir? - I have that honor.
- This may sound strange to you.
but theres been a mix-up.
Were noncombatants here.
and if youlll give us a chance to explain.
we can- Youll have every chance to say what you like at your trial.
- Trial? - After which.
youll be shot as the spies you are.
Uh.
Sergeant.
take them away.
The Time Tunnel.
Now.
Captain.
youll relay the order of bivouac.
Inform the major- no cook fires.
troops to be ready for battle at dawn tomorrow.
- Uh.
begging the colonels pardon.
- Yes.
What? - Well.
I mean.
sir.
uh- - Are you expecting an American attack.
Captain? The woods between here and New Orleans are full of their troops.
sir.
Yes.
I know.
Thats where theylll stay.
The Americans are hopelessly outnumbered.
Theyll have to concentrate their strength.
Our task is to discover their weak point - and let drive at it.
- Perhaps if I took another patrol.
sir.
You will.
you will.
you will.
Captain.
and this time youre going to have help.
Theres always a way to reach oness objective, - Captain.
I want you to convene a court-martial immediately.
- Sir! Were not gonna pry these loose.
They look like the leg irons off a ship.
I imagine the British invading party brought them ashore.
- Do you know where we are? - I have an idea.
You really think you can beat GeneralJackson.
soldier? Well take him right enough.
You Yanks shouldve known when to quit.
New Orleans.
Were getting set for the last battle in the War of 1812.
Its going to be a bloody one and a useless one.
Watch your chance.
Weve got to get out of here.
Sergeant.
break these men free from their leg irons.
- Do we have a fix on Tony and Doug? - Not yet.
We have a time lock on the period.
Theyve got to be in this area someplace.
General KirK, telephone, Thank you.
Kirk speaking.
- Yes.
General Southalls been cleared.
Send him in.
- The Pentagon? No.
General Southalls attached to the British Embassy.
I called him in.
- To help us pinpoint the unit? - Partly.
He has a very special interest in the War of 1812.
One of his ancestors was in it.
- Oh.
hello.
Woody.
- How are you.
Phillip.
Its good to see you again.
You know.
this is incredible.
- Absolutely incredible.
- Well.
Im glad you could come.
Phillip.
- Oh.
Im glad to be here.
- Oh.
uh.
General Southall.
- Dr.
MacGregor.
- Its a pleasure.
sir.
- Dr.
Swain.
- How do you do.
- General.
Im really.
absolutely amazed.
Phillip.
we think we have a fix on the Seventh Royal Regiment.
Id like you to confirm it.
Well.
Ill help in every way I can.
of course.
- Ive located them.
General.
- Uh.
where do I- Oh.
all right.
All right.
Yes, thats the Seventh, all right, They wore blue facings on their red coats.
- Thats the Butcherss regiment.
- The Butcher? Well.
thats what they called my ancestor.
the good Colonel Southall.
Why is the identification of this regiment so important? You see.
sir.
its possible to get a time lock on Doug and Tony if theyre with other persons we can fix in time historically.
Our historical computers give us no record of the Seventh.
Well.
its nice to know the human memory still has some use in the world.
My ancestor led the Seventh into a bloody slaughter.
He couldve accomplished an easy maneuver and outflanked the American fortifications.
defeated your Andrew Jackson.
But he didnt.
The battle was fought on January 7.
1815.
The date our synchronizer gave us was January 6.
Aye.
but the British will attack at dawn.
The Seventh will be almost completely destroyed.
If thats where your men are.
I suggest you get them out.
The Time Tunnel is far from perfected.
If we try to move them now.
without an exact time fix we could kill them.
Well.
if they move with that regiment theyll have absolutely no chance at all.
By the grace of His Royal Majesty George III according to the ordinance of Charles I and the Statute of 1689.
this court is convened Colonel Phillip Southall acting as judge advocate for the crown.
The formal charge against you is conspiracy against His Majestys armed forces.
espionage in time of war.
- How do you plead? - You cant charge us- - How do you plead? - Not guilty.
All right.
you have the right to be represented by counsel if you wish.
We dont need counsel.
This has all been a mistake.
Colonel.
Oh.
I know its always a mistake when yourre caught.
All right.
Have the record show that the accused declined the offer of counsel.
- What are your names? - Im Dr.
Douglas Phillips.
This is Dr.
Anthony Newman.
Well.
well.
well.
Its not often you catch spies who are also physicians.
Or are you philosophers? Well.
I have here two passes which were found on your persons attaching you toJacksons forces and allowing you to pass through American lines at will.
We found these clothes in the woods.
The passes were in them.
- So you deny being attached to GeneralJacksons forces? - Yes.
So.
by remarkable coincidence.
you came across some clothes containing these passes.
and you simply took them.
Well, if that story is to be believed I suppose youre guilty of nothing more serious than simple theft.
- Thats about it.
Yes.
sir.
- Mmm.
- And youre not military men at all.
- No.
sir.
- Then what the devil are you? - Were naturalists.
Now why dont we drop all pretense? What is your rank.
and to what unit are you attached? Were attached to no unit.
Colonel.
And weve been nowhere near the battle area.
That is the truth.
Now listen.
The only truth I want is the disposition ofJacksons line! I want a listing ofhis forces and his artillery, And I want to know his movements for the next 24 hours! We cant tell you that.
because we dontt know.
Well.
youre digging your own graves by your silence.
All right.
Its the duty of the judge advocate to advise the members of the court on the application of law and to recommend sentence.
In this case.
the evidence speaks for itself.
The accused were found behind British lines out of uniform and in possession of two American military passes.
The evidence is quite conclusive.
It is the unanimous judgment of this court that you be found guilty of the crime with which you are here charged.
We demand the right to appeal.
Your appeal is denied.
The court hereby sentences you to be executed by firing squad.
The sentence to be carried out immediately, All right, Major, TaKe these men away, Stay where you are.
General.
Well.
Well.
as you can see.
my ancestors reputation is richly deserved.
Dr.
Swain.
were gonna try to bring them back.
Im having trouble refining the time lock.
General.
Now wait till the last possible moment.
Ann.
superimpose their signals.
Be ready to go when I give the word.
Is this what you call British justice.
Colonel? Theres no justice on the battlefield.
only experience.
I mean.
you left me no alternative.
Surely you can see that.
Ive no desire to Kill either of you, But the evidence was so conclusive and your defense was so feeble I could scarcely let you go, My superiors would call me to account for that.
However.
if you choose to reconsider and cooperate with me theres still time, You know.
something just occurred to me that might soften matters a bit.
Theres no need for both of you to die.
What do you mean by that? Well.
I mean.
that one of my men on an intelligence mission was captured recently by the Americans.
Theyre always willing to trade captives, So I thought that one of you might be spared for that purpose.
No.
I could have him killed before setting you free.
I mean to say.
he wouldnt have to know.
Wouldnt work.
The Americans wontt trade for me.
Hes your man.
All right.
Is there.
uh.
anything I can do for you? No.
I mean.
do you have a family that you would like to- - Were not spies.
Captain.
- Well.
thatss neither here nor there.
is it? I mean.
the colonel keeps strictly to the regulations and the book says you should be executed.
so hell do it.
There is a way around the old man, And I see no reason why I shouldnt do it.
since Imm in charge of prisoner exchange.
But.
unfortunately.
it would only save one of you.
It wont work.
Captain.
You cant play us off against each other.
- No? - Use my friend to make your trade.
- You had it judged right.
Colonel.
and thats a fact.
- Yes.
Seems that each one is trying to outdo the other in self-sacrifice.
Touching.
Bring that one to my cabin.
Yes.
sir.
Theyre giving us a breather.
but not a long one.
I want to try a transfer before they get separated.
Were still having trouble with the time lock.
General.
Look at him.
Woody.
Isnt he vain though.
eh? CocKy, self-centered, There he is on the eve of a battle worrying about his eyebrows.
Well.
somethings going to happen to throw him off.
- Where will the Seventh spend the night? - Right there.
where they are.
Well.
Now Im going to give you the opportunity to earn your life and the life of your friend.
Captain Hotchkiss here is going to take your friends clothes and youre going to lead the captain on a patrol through the American lines.
- No.
I wont.
Colonel.
- Yes.
you will.
And if you and the captain are back here by dawn.
then your friend will be set free.
Otherwise.
of course.
hell be shot.
- You dont give me any choice.
do you? - Well you were willing to sacrifice your life for your friend why shouldnt you be equally willing to sacrifice your honor? Is that all? Sergeant.
The colonel set up the arrangements for the trade? Theres no trade.
Listen to me.
Im leading the captain on a patrol.
In return.
the colonel has agreed to let us go.
So dont do anything to get yourself killed.
You dont know any more about the country than they do.
Its a case of the blind leading the blind.
- Just sit tight.
Ill be back by dawn.
- Tony.
Dont you try any heroics either.
This is the last battle of the war.
Nothing we can do will change the outcome.
History will take its course and well be exchanged when itss over.
Trouble is.
history doesnt always record everything- like two anonymous suspected spies executed in the wilderness.
Jacksons forces are all about here.
Now.
when youve changed clothes with the hostage youll take the other prisoner and infiltrate the American lines at about there.
You want to scout the entire line.
find the weakest point.
- Youre going to tell us where that is.
- Yes.
sir.
Now.
theres a rocket signaling station- Where is it? - Uh.
right there.
sir.
- Yes.
there.
Now youll be there before dawn.
Your signal will give us our line of march.
All right? - Yes.
sir.
- Whats the matter? - You have any doubts? - Oh.
no doubts at all.
sir.
Not about the directions.
but what about the American? - Do I bring him back here? - Oh.
Well.
you know.
Captain the first rule of war is to eliminate all elements that might lead to defeat.
What I mean to say is.
the two prisoners have been tried by a proper court-martial and found guilty.
The time of execution is only a matter of personal discretion.
So.
when your man has served his purpose you will.
uh.
simply carry out the order of.
uh.
execution.
thats all.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
sir.
Hold up.
We shouldve reached that first ditch by now.
If we had taken a straight route.
we would have run intoJacksons pickets.
I dont know about that.
Look.
I intend to get you back to the British camp before dawn.
Now if you dont trust me.
then you lead.
Youd like that.
wouldntt you? The chance to get behind me- Quick.
into those bushes.
Hurry! Hurry! Oh.
Im sure I heard eem.
You.
scout the river.
You and mell head back for the redoubt.
Yes.
now that we know the direction of the redoubt well have no need for any more games of fox and hare.
will we? - Its your patrol.
Captain.
- That it is.
And in case you get any ideas of striking out on your own you should Know that in the Peninsula Campaign I killed a man on a fast horse at a hundred yards with this pistol.
Maybe youd better get something straight.
Captain.
What information you get out of this patrol is up to you, But Im gonna get you back to your camp at dawn.
- And thats all that concerns me.
- Very well.
Now move out.
One pull of the trigger and General Andrew Jacksons a dead man.
Thats quite a dilemma for you.
isntt it? Whether to sacrifice your friend to save the general, - You wont shoot.
Captain.
- Oh? You cant be sure of killing him from this distance.
And you wontjeopardize your mission to take the chance for a little personal glory.
Now if youve seen enough.
wedd better get moving.
I want to take a closer look at that right flank.
Unless.
of course.
youd rather save me the trouble by telling me what defenses he has there.
I wouldnt give you the time of day.
Captain.
All right.
Well have a look.
Now move out and step quickly.
We dont have much daylight left.
Halt,! - Were Americans.
- Give the password.
Were new to this area.
Sergeant.
but we have passes.
These seem to be in order.
But youll have to come with us.
Were on a special mission for GeneralJackson.
We cant afford to lose any time.
Im afraid youlll have to take time to talk to Captain Jenkins.
Take his pistol.
Come on.
Lets get this one back to Captain Jenkins.
Youve got the papers.
but you haventt got the countersign.
Id call that a peculiar circumstance since no man was given a pass without the countersign to go with it.
- What do you say to that? - Im Captain Richard Hotchkiss of His Royal Majestys Seventh Regiment.
And I demand treatment according to my rank.
The rank is in the uniform.
sir! And you appear to be without it at the moment.
- What are you doing here? - I am Capt.
Richard Hotchkiss of His Royal Majestys Seventh- Ah, never mind, Captain,! I Know why youre here,! But youll never get a chance to use the intelligence youvve collected, I can guarantee you that! All right.
Take him away.
Well.
I rather thought that you wouldnt let your friend back at our camp go hang.
- All right.
Lets go.
- Illl take the musket.
if you please.
- Not a chance.
- I insist, You dont think Imm going back through the lines at musket-point.
do you? - If you want to get back.
youll do as I say.
- Thatss precisely it.
I have nothing to lose by staying here.
You most certainly do.
If I dont get back to relay the rocket signal the colonel will undoubtedly taKe the right road anyway, I shall be free in any event tomorrow.
Now.
do we stay or do we go? - This is far enough.
- Were not halfway there.
I can make better time alone.
Your colonel made a bargain.
Captain.
We dont make bargains with the enemy.
Technically,youre under sentence of death, which has been delayed, And I have been assigned to carry it out.
Now get behind that bush, Move! Theres no need to be nervous.
boy.
Wevve all got to die sometime.
Now get up.
If I could only talk to him know what hes thinking.
Oh.
youve no idea how many times Ivve had to answer for his mistakes.
You know the sort of thing.
OOh.
yourrre a Southall - relative of the Butcher of New Orleans.
and so forth.
- Eh.
doesnt seem to have done you any harm.
- No.
no.
I dontt suppose so.
It might even be responsible for my success.
such as it is.
You know.
made me work harder and all that.
Ah.
Woody.
You know.
Im not under orders at the moment.
Im on terminal leave from the army and Ive no family.
nobody.
What I mean is- is this.
I want you to send me back there.
- Why.
its out of the question.
- No.
I want to talk to this man.
I have to know what he was thinking why he butchered 500 men.
Im sorry.
Phil.
But the answer has to be no.
Even if I wanted to let you go.
I havent got the authority.
You dont.
Well.
then.
who has the authority? - You try to go over my head.
huh? - Yes.
why not? - Yes.
- It wont do you any good.
Phil.
Is that your direct line to the Pentagon? Yes.
Lieutenant! Bring in that prisoner.
The one that Hotchkiss took this afternoon.
Sir.
Thats all.
Lieutenant.
Well.
I want you to look at this map on the table.
- I said.
look at the map.
- I cant help you.
Colonel.
Oh.
but you will help me.
I promise you that.
Before you leave this cabin.
youre going to tell me exactly where General JacKsons strength is concentrated, Youre going to give me exact listings of all the troops on his right flank.
You didnt understand me.
Colonel.
I cant tell you anything.
because I dontt have the information that you want.
I could kill you.
here and now.
- Yes.
what is it? - Uh.
sir.
the signalmen are outside.
sir - awaiting your orders.
sir.
- All right.
Come over here.
- Now.
do you see that clearing? - Sir.
You will proceed with the signalmen to that clearing and wait there for Captain Hotchkiss.
If the regiments to attack from the east.
yourre to fire a rocket in that direction.
If from the west.
you will so fire the rocket.
Do I make myself clear? - Yes.
sir.
- All right.
Dismissed.
Oh.
Lieutenant.
- Sir.
- Wait for me outside the door.
Well.
my dear sir I have really no desire to see you dead.
- But if you force me to it- - Youre lying.
Colonel.
Your intentions are to Kill me, no matter what I do or say, - Thats the truth.
and I know it.
- Oh.
I see.
Well.
then.
if you can be of no further service to me I see no reason to detain you further.
- May I ask what happened to my friend? - Certainly.
I imagine hes dead by now.
Captain Hotchkiss had orders to kill him - when he ceased to be of value, - Why- Lieutenant.
I want you to summon the firing squad.
March this man away from the camp, have him executed and then proceed to the rocket launching site.
Take this man away now.
Can we try for a single retrieve? It would kill him for sure.
- Were tuned for a superimposure.
- Woody.
General White.
Kirk speaking.
Yes.
General.
I.
uh- I understand your position.
Yes.
Ill notify you immediately.
Thank you.
sir.
- General White threw it in my lap.
- Well.
then.
let me go.
Not just for my sake.
personally.
Your man is in danger, I may be able to help him out of it, You know.
it takes only one man to countermand the order of execution- Colonel Southall.
What makes you think you can change his mind? Because I know him.
spent a lifetime studying him.
I know all his strengths.
all his weaknesses.
Id be risking your life on the chance of saving his.
No.
Im risking my life- whats left of it.
Well.
I told you.
Im on terminal leave.
So.
you really havent the right to refuse my offer.
Activate the Tunnel.
Phil.
theres a couple of things you should know.
We can send you there in complete safety.
But its doubtful if we can ever get you back.
And you cant change your ancestor.
Hes a part of history.
All right.
I shant mind spending my remaining time back then.
And killing Doug Phillips isnt a part of history.
Well.
not yet.
anyway.
Countdown ready.
All systems green and clear.
Just walk straight into the Tunnel and keep going.
Phil.
- Good luck.
- Thank you.
Woody.
Bye.
Count him down.
Ann.
Ten.
nine.
eight seven.
six five, four three.
two one, zero, Attention! Ready,! Aim! Fire! Shoot him! - Well.
where did you come from? Who are you? - Ah? Ah.
Im Brigadier General Phillip Southall of the British War Office and I want to see your commanding officer.
Look.
I asked you.
where did you- - General Southall.
did you say.
sir? - Yes.
I did.
- Yes.
sir.
Will you come with me.
sir? - Certainly.
After Ive had a wash and tidy up.
Uh.
yes.
sir.
Uh.
fo-follow me.
sir.
- Give me the musket.
- Help! Help me, somebody,! Help,! - Help,! - It could be a hundred yards.
It could be half a mile.
Stay here.
You come with me.
Oh.
for the love of heaven.
help me out of here! Help me! I will.
Only because I need you.
Now.
give me the musket! Help me.
Help me.
Help me! Help me.
I cant hold on to it.
Help me.
quick! Give it to me again! Give it to me.
Give it to me.
Get something else.
Get another- - Get something to help me out of here! - Dont panic! - Dont panic.
Youlll sink faster.
- Get something else.
Quick! Get something else! Come on.
Grab it.
Pull! Youre almost out.
- Are you all right.
sir? - Yes, - What time is it? - Its about 5:00 in the morning.
Itlll be daylight soon.
How far is your signaling station from here? - Well.
about half a mile.
Captain.
- Hmm.
I think it is appropriate you see the signal that will lead to the defeat of your army before I kill you.
Kill him? But he just saved your life! Colonel Southall gave orders to execute him.
Now move him out, Its incredible! Its impossible.
Itss fantastic.
Listen to me.
sir.
If I were to believe that you come from the future Id have to believe that I myself are going mad.
Well.
how else can you account for what Ive told you about yourself about your family? Well.
But my present interest is to discover if you have a present intention of committing your brigade against the strong west flank ofJacksons fortifications - come what may, - My present intention? Of course not! I intend to attack his weak side.
- Which is? - That information.
sir.
I hope to have signaled to me from a rocket in the forward position.
here.
Colonel.
an official investigation will show that rocket will tell you to attackJacksons east flank.
Why will you attack his west flank and sacrifice 500 British lives? Why.
sir.
do you continue to insult my intelligence with this constant pretense that you can see into the future indeed.
that you come from the future? And fanciful jokes about official investigations are not to my liking.
There will be an official investigation.
Oh.
really? And what.
pray.
shall I say? Your written statement in the course of that investigation will begin with an entry from your own field report written in your own hand.
It will read JJanuary 7.
1815- lln spite of repeated requests to General Packenham ffor the number of brigades to commit today aand for intelligence as to the point in JacKsonsss defense line aagainst which they ought to be committed I received no reply.
In this book just one half hour ago I wrote in my own hand JJanuary 7.
1815- In spite of my repeated requests tto General Packenham for orders ffor the number of brigades to commit today and for intelligence as to the point in Jacksons defense line And do you still say that it is your intention to attack in accordance with that rocket - and not against it? - Huh? Yes.
Thats what I say.
I do.
You will set the rocket to the east.
Lieutenant.
- Thats Jacksonss weak side.
And.
uh.
light the fuse.
- Yes.
sir.
Well.
I appreciate your help.
I never could have done it without you.
And now.
I intend to carry out my promise.
Lets get out of here.
No! No.
youve faced the rocket the wrong way! Colonel.
the signal rocket! - Well.
wheres the rocket? - West,! West? That means we attackJacksons west flank.
Thatss the weak side.
All right.
Give the order to march.
Well.
General.
I still dont really believe anything about you.
- But, if you liKe,you can march in the second ranK, - Thank you.
Oh.
by the way.
I trust you heard my order to attack in accordance with the rocket.
Yes.
Yes.
Thank you very much.
The Royal Scottish Highlanders, Im getting a signal for General Southall.
We cant take a triple.
General.
Wedd be stretching it to take a double.
Well stretch it then.
I dontt intend to leave General Southall there.
- When you have the three signals superimposed.
let me know.
- Yes.
sir.
Theyre coming right into us- right into our strong point.
Hold your fire until I give the command! Its gonna be a bloody one.
- Wed better get out of here.
- We cantt do it.
Tony.
They sent someone back through the Tunnel to help us- a British officer.
He saved my life.
Well.
if hes out there nothing can help him.
Fire! Are the signals superimposed? Im losing the signal for General Southall.
Why is he losing radiation? Theres only one explanation.
I think hes dying.
- General.
- Yes- - The Tunnel? - Yes.
The Tunnel.
Listen.
I want you to do something for me.
Just in case your chaps back there didnt see all of this I want you to tell them Colonel Southall was not a butcher.
He made an honest error.
He was misled by a rocket signal.
And it moved him in the wrong direction.
Now.
listen.
I want that on the record.
Will you see to that for me? - We will.
sir.
- Very good.
- Doug.
weve got to get help.
- Oh.
no.
lads.
Dont trouble about that.
Its too late for that.
Itss too late.
Its all right.
This was all well worth it.
Well.
you know its not everybody that gets the chance to meet his ancestor.
- Nice hospitable place.
- Whats that smell of sulfur? Theres ground tremors and lightning.
sulfur in the air.
It all adds up to one thing- a volcano.
And we could be standing right on top of it.
Tropical growth- were not far from the equator.
But where? - Things are getting rough.
- Doug.
you know quite a bit about volcanoes.
- What are the chances of this one blowing? - By the looks of things - Id say they were 100% sure.
- Well.
is there- - Is there any way of knowing when? - Its impossible to say.
It could happen months from now - or in the next ten seconds.
- Thats not much help.
Well.
I havent got any information to go on.
Tony.
I dont know whether werre on a mainland.
island or what.
Well.
wherever we are.
its a long way from civilization.
Thats for sure.
Hold it,! Put him down,!