Them (2021) s01e09 Episode Script

[birds chirping]
[Epps] Lord
by your grace,
we survived
another long winter.
It would shame me
not to offer my thanks.
Our community suffered terribly.
Endless floods, bitter cold.
All we built nearly washed away.
Nearly
but not, praise God.
You kept our covenant.
And yet
When Abraham held the blade
above his son,
your angel s-stayed his hand,
yet my son
you let be sacrificed
for our good fortune.
My son
and my precious Lenore.
[takes deep, trembling breath]
I do not presume to question
your will, Lord.
Perhaps you could tell me
why you took my family.
It would ease the agony
of these days.
[horse sputters]
I try the Gospels
but tears c-cloud the words.
I try to find comfort
in our community,
but their abundant life,
their wives, their children
sickens me.
Their kindness, their pity
sickens me.
I do not want their k-kindness.
I want
to shake the world
to its foundations.
I want to know why
you took my son!
Please
Lord
if you might answer me
just this one time.
Thy will, not mine,
be done.
Mm.
[breathing deeply]
[whimpering in distance]
♪
♪
[whimpering nearby]
[whimpering continues]
[Epps] I shall call you Miles,
which means "merciful,"
for the Lord had mercy on me
and answered my prayers.
Jesus, tender shepherd,
hear me ♪
Bless thy little lamb
tonight ♪
Through the darkness
be thou near me ♪
Watch my sleep
till morning light ♪
All this day,
thy hand has led me ♪
And I thank thee
for thy care ♪♪
[birds chirping]
[stone thumping on ground]
[stone thumping on ground]
[wind whistling softly]
[horse neighs]
♪
[footsteps approaching]
They're coming!
- They're coming!
- Calm your breath.
What is this story
you want to tell me?
You're panting.
What is it? Tell me.
I can see on your face
you want to tell me a story.
These travelers, sir.
- Their wagon broke down
- All right. All right.
Let us go have a look, then.
Hmm?
[Epps] Good, good. Hmm.
It goes well
with your sight, sir?
Oh, some fog around the edges
these last few months.
The Lord assures me
all will be well.
Hmm.
[speaking Dutch]
Forgive me, Reverend,
but we, uh, we don't
- we don't
- Forgive me, good travelers.
As much as I counsel my fellows
to take on the language
of our new home, I often retreat
to the old tongue in times of
confusion.
Welcome.
Welcome. Welcome.
[Martha] We're headed up
to a town called Grass Valley.
We're told it's perhaps
50 miles north of Sacramento.
Our people came down
from Oregon City.
If I recall the way, you
oh, I'm afraid you have
a long journey ahead.
You are of course welcome
to take refuge in our community.
We will send men
to see if your wagon
can be salvaged,
transport your provisions.
Fear not.
We are an intentional community
devoted to God.
Note I say "God,"
not "the Church."
I am an elder.
We have no titles here
but "brother," "sister."
No law save the good book.
And the book tells us
to welcome the stranger
as if they were Christ himself.
We are called "Eidolon."
It is an ancient word
for a kind of perfection.
But you will see for yourself.
Miles? Come.
Come.
♪
Ah. I have your hand.
Steady hands, yes.
[Epps speaks indistinctly]
♪
[fire crackling]
[low, indistinct chatter]
Mm.
[cup clatters on floor]
[Luther] Where is Epps?
Epps comes and goes
as he pleases.
Be kind, James.
Epps just lost much.
His heart is broke by grief.
It's not his grief
I begrudge, Cora.
We are all equals here,
but Epps has taken on airs
of late.
[Sara] Well, he was
always like to be so,
- in small ways, for all his goodness.
- Mm.
Yeah, but now he seems to think
that God has singled him out
in payment for his loss.
Shh, shh, shh.
- Brothers, sisters.
- Mm.
[Luther] We worried for you,
Brother Epps.
The meal has begun,
and your guests are unattended.
[Epps] The Lord had words
about the newcomers.
Troubling words.
I had to pray on it.
We must repair
their wagon first.
- Why must we?
- [Luther] Oregon expelled their kind
from its very inception.
And the whole country
is nearly torn apart
- on account of them.
- [Cora] Come, Luther.
They didn't start the war.
I do not say that
they started the war.
But you can't deny that
they've torn the country in two.
Because, in fact, they have.
♪
[Epps] Brothers, sisters.
What are you doing?
Stop this.
Go back to your beds.
Stop this.
♪
Forgive me, Lord,
but I must ask again
about the newcomers.
I am unclear on the meaning
of your counsel.
I I see, yes.
And that is my prayer
exactly.
To be strong.
To see past my own revulsion
and to open my heart.
But surely
surely it is a supple heart
that is needed
and not the firmness
of the rod and fist.
Yes, of course.
I will do my best.
[Epps] Who had held water
in the hollow of his hands?
You are not
the counselor of the Lord.
[Luther] I am not the counselor,
- but there is no water in the well. You
- Why do you require
everything to be an argument,
Brother Luther?
I
Your new friend is
very rude, Epps.
He's obviously
too frightened to approach.
Please, come.
Come. Come.
Don't mean to interrupt,
kind sirs.
[Epps] No, no.
Me and my wife, we was wondering
by chance our wagon wheel
had been repaired.
We've been taking advantage
of your fine hospitality
almost a week now.
Just don't seem fair is all.
Well, you know that
me and the missus, we
- we happy to contribute.
- I hesitate
We don't we don't like
no charity, sirs.
I hesitate to put
my guests to work.
But the Lord has counseled me
towards strength
in this case.
I accept your offer.
- Thank you, sir.
- [Luther] Has Elder Epps
told you he is on
speaking terms with our Lord?
[Luther laughs]
Well, you know the good Lord
speak to us on his own time
and his own way, I
I guess.
I will pray on which chores will
best suit you and your wife
Why not let your friend
settle our dispute?
Why would we do that?
Summer has been very dry.
We must have a second well.
And yet we've dug
close to 20 feet
and not reached water.
But here is
the most pliant soil.
Elsewhere, it will be
double the work.
What should we do?
Please. Yes.
Yes, sir. Excuse me, sir.
A few more feet.
You'll find
that groundwater, sir.
[man laughs]
[man] He talks to God, too.
I'd be happy to dig
the rest of the way myself,
if that'll settle the question.
[Luther] Does the Lord
find this suitable, Epps?
Yes. Yes.
[women chuckle]
[Sara] Martha,
we are all wondering
where you learned to sew
so quickly and so well.
My mama taught me, years ago.
And which language
did your mother speak
when you were a girl?
I'm not sure what you mean.
We all speak English
in my family.
I think she means
before English.
Where your people are from.
[woman speaks Dutch]
I guess maybe it was
so long ago we lost that.
Whatever it was.
I guess now maybe
we're just American.
[women laughing]
[speaks Dutch, chuckles]
[Sara] Young Fenna wonders
how it comes out.
From your belly. Understand?
Does it come out different?
Like a pony?
[laughter]
Does it just get up
and walk away,
like a little pony?
[laughter]
[water sloshing]
♪
[panting]
[Luther] The African
set that up like a trick.
You saw.
Our prayers go unanswered
for weeks,
but he finds water
on his first try.
- How can that be, Epps?
- [Luther] Why do you ask Epps?
- We are all equals here.
- Luther.
Except he's the only one
who can talk to God.
- [Cora] Luther.
- Epps is a prophet!
[applause, pounding on tables]
[Luther] Then why aren't
these Africans afraid of Epps?
Maybe they see weakness.
Listen, listen.
All of our men have
protected and guided us
through terrible hardship.
If they could not find
the water,
perhaps there was
no water to be found
by Christians.
Perhaps this is a question
of black magic.
[applause, pounding on tables]
We are now reminded of where
we must look for wisdom
in times of pain and
and confusion.
Leviticus 25.
"And you may take the sojourners
living as aliens among you,
and they may become
your property.
But with respect
of your own countrymen,
do not rule with such severity
over one another."
[applause, pounding on tables]
I am troubled, Lord.
Pride is a deadly sin.
It entered
at the meeting tonight.
I
I felt it.
I know I've been singled out
for your grace, Lord,
but to take any of that glory
upon myself would be
just reward.
Glory?
Where is the glory
in treating these Africans,
who came to us
in such desperate need,
as if they were mere property?
No.
No. [stammers]
No, no, your-your passage
is quite clear, Lord.
Yes, your Word is quite clear.
Yes.
I
I will.
I-I will follow the Word
with a joyful heart.
[wheelbarrow rattling]
[Grafton panting]
We need at least
three more loads.
Hold on.
Don't make more work for us.
Stack the bricks
after you dump them.
Never saw such laziness.
[laughter] - [Sara]surely
make her sour face if she heard me
telling this,
but Miss Linde has missed
her monthly time again,
and she no longer intact.
[gasping, laughter]
[pulley squeaking]
[applause]
♪
[rain falling outside]
♪
[Epps] I am grateful
for these visions, Lord.
Grateful to see the inner truth,
even as my earthly sight
grows dim.
[stammers] You shower me
with gifts.
[shudders]
S-Serving you
brings glory on us all.
And as you say,
pride of a faithful servant
is no sin.
I'm more than a servant?
A brother?
I am brother
to you?
[shuddering]
I
have only one wish.
That you would erase
the last lingering doubts
from this broken soul
and let me see
ever more clearly
the wisdom of your ways.
Sister.
Mm.
Miles?
Miles, my cross has fallen.
The chain has snapped again.
Miles?
♪
Miles.
[Martha] Did you drop this, sir?
[distorted whooshing]
How long have you been
standing there?
What did you see?
I didn't.
- I don't
- I am not your Grafton,
to be knocked off-balance
by a slattern's smile.
What did you see?
[gasping softly]
♪
- [distorted] Sir, the last thing
- Of all the evils
in this fallen world,
a feigned innocence
is the most insidious.
You made a fool of me,
both of you.
The Lord tried to warn me.
[breathing heavily]
Even Luther could see.
- [Martha] Please, sir
- You mock me.
You mock my way of life,
mock all that I've accomplished
in this
hateful desert.
I thought you were a test.
The Lord is right.
You've [inhales]
come to break me.
- [breathing heavily]
- [Martha] My husband and I
are helpless, sir.
We are at your mercy.
If you wish us to leave,
you have only to keep
your promise and fix our wagon.
You make demands?!
How dare you!
Or maybe you never meant
to keep that promise.
Maybe you lured my husband and I
to this place,
so that we might work ourselves
down to the bone
for you
and your "perfect" community!
Shame.
- Shame on you a
- Husband?!
[whimpers]
I see no gold band here.
That is the shame!
[crying]
Grafton is no more your husband
than a randy hog is husband
to a bloated, squealing
[grunts, panting]
[wailing, crying]
- [crying]
- [breathing heavily]
♪
[Martha shouting, grunting]
[Grafton] Get your
hands off her!
No! No! Martha! Martha!
- Here.
- [Martha yelps]
- Get off of me!
- [Martha crying, grunting]
[Grafton shouts]
Here is where we keep
all the calving animals.
[chuckling]
- [Martha] Be careful, Grafton, please.
- [Grafton] Martha. Martha.
- [panting] Martha. Martha.
- [crying]
I'm right here. Martha.
Martha. Martha.
[stable doors shutting]
[Martha and Grafton panting]
[Grafton] Please. Please.
Martha, I'm right here.
[Martha crying] - I'm
right here. I'm right here.
Martha, look at me.
Look at me. Look at me.
I'm right here. I'm right here.
I'm right here.
I'm right here.
[Martha and Grafton crying]
♪
[creaking]
[Martha whimpers]
[panting]
[horse neighs]
[children shouting in Dutch]
[Epps] I feel it now, Lord.
I feel the fire you have worked
with such diligent love
to kindle in my soul.
[inhales]
I feel the rage
that burned Sodom.
I feel the righteous fury
that buried the Earth
under waves taller than the sky.
I will be your instrument, yes.
I will be
your mighty instrument, yes.
I will be
the instrument of your might.
- [wailing]
- We are here to render judgment
- in service of the Lord.
- [Martha crying, shuddering]
Luther
call out the charge
against the accused.
Stealing a horse.
That horse is ours.
[angry shouting]
[crying, breathing deeply]
[Grafton] Can't you have
the decency
- just to let us leave?
- [Luther] Decency?
Decency? Decency?!
- [shouts]
- [crying]
[gavel banging]
- See how you have pushed us?
- [groaning]
[screams]
Weakness breeds weakness.
It was you who let this evil in.
- [applause, pounding]
- [gavel banging]
- [shuddering, crying]
- [Grafton panting]
[Epps] Brother Luther
is correct.
- But I ask you, Brother.
- [Martha crying]
Did not the Lord correct
my flawed thinking?
Did not the Lord tell us
through scripture
- that these are our property?
- [Martha wails]
- [breathing deeply]
- [applause, pounding]
[Luther] Then how, Brother,
shall we discharge them?
[Cora] Brothers and Sisters,
- tread carefully.
- [Martha crying]
Jesus makes clear that any
who do not welcome the stranger
will be damned!
Damned to hell!
[wailing]
[crying]
You are correct on scripture
as always, Sister.
But we did welcome them,
and they repaid us
with thievery.
- [applause, pounding]
- [gavel banging]
The Lord has spoken me
his justice, Brother Luther.
[Martha crying]
And the Lord has commanded
that you
shall deliver it to them,
my dear brother.
- [Martha panting, crying]
- [others] Amen.
[applause, pounding]
[indistinct chatter]
[grunting, panting]
♪
[Grafton shouts]
No! No!
[grunting]
[Martha crying]
No! No!
- [Martha] No!
- No! [screaming]
[Epps] "The Lord
will afflict you
with blindness"
- [screaming]
- [sizzles]
"and confusion of mind."
- [screams]
- [sizzles]
"He will exile you to a land
unknown to your ancestors.
You shall be mocked
and cursed among nations.
And your sons and daughters
will each and all be led away
into captivity."
[whimpering]
The Lord has made plain
His desire for the African race.
The Lord has set every people
of the world against them.
The Lord
has painted the Earth red
with their fetid,
cancerous blood.
[feet stomping]
And, so,
we must punish them
as the Lord commands.
Blind them, He says.
And so we have blinded them.
Curse them, He says.
So we have cursed them.
Cast them out, He says.
And so
we now must expel them
as our wise flesh
expels every impurity
that would rot us from within.
[whimpers] You!
You are cursed!
I curse you!
Proud, hideous, wrongful man.
Cursed! Cursed!
I don't know how the Lord's Word
doesn't burst into flame
at the sound of your wickedness,
you white devil!
[community screaming]
[The Flamingos:
"I Only Have Eyes for You"]
My love must be
a kind of blind love ♪
I can't see anyone ♪
But you ♪
[screaming fades]
Sha bop sha bop ♪
Sha bop sha bop ♪
Sha bop sha bop ♪
Sha bop sha bop ♪
- Sha bop sha bop ♪
- Are the stars ♪
- Out tonight? ♪
- Sha bop sha bop ♪
Sha bop sha bop ♪
I don't know if it's cloudy ♪
- Or bright ♪
- Sha bop sha bop ♪
I only have eyes ♪
For you ♪
Dear ♪
Sha bop sha bop ♪
You are here ♪
- Sha bop sha bop ♪
- And so am I ♪
Sha bop sha bop ♪
Maybe millions of people ♪
- Sha bop sha bop ♪
- Go by
[Epps] Let fire
and sulfur rain down
from Heaven!
From view ♪
Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ♪
- [horse neighing]
- Ooh ooh ooh ♪
And I ♪
Only have eyes ♪
- For you ♪
- Sha bop sha bop ♪
Sha bop sha bop ♪
Sha bop sha bop ♪
Sha bop sha bop ♪
Sha bop sha bop ♪♪
♪
[wood breaking, falling]
[grunts]
[panting]
♪
I have obeyed.
Followed every command.
Can it end this way?
[Miles] This is not the end.
Miles?
This is not the end,
my most faithful servant.
Who are you?
I'm the one you worship
in your heart.
I've answered
when He kept silent.
We are bound together.
Do I meet you only to die?
You prayed
to triumph over death,
and so it shall be.
You prayed to shake the world,
and so you shall.
I knew it would be like this.
Tell me your will, Lord.
You see how it happens
with Them.
Everything They touch,
They destroy.
You must destroy Them first.
Tell me how, Lord.
I've already shown you the way.
A wound in the heart
is like a door.
You walk through the door
and break their hearts
from the inside.
If I If I break them
from the inside,
shall I defeat death?
With their broken souls
shall you purchase endless life
and such power
men have only in dreams.
But if you should fail
to break Them,
your own soul shall be forfeit.
If you should fail
to bring Them suffering,
you will suffer.
If you should fail
to make a Hell for Them
one instead
will be made for you.
Do you accept these terms?
[breathing shakily]
Take my hand, then.
Our covenant is sealed.
[wood cracking]
- [insects trilling]
- [flames crackling]
[birds chirping]
[Nat King Cole:
"That Sunday, That Summer"]
If I had to choose ♪
Just one day ♪
If I had to choose ♪
Just one day ♪
To last
my whole life through ♪
It would surely be ♪
That Sunday ♪
The day that I met you ♪
Newborn whip-poor-wills ♪
Were calling from the hills ♪
Summer was a-coming in
but fast ♪
Lots of daffodils ♪
Were showing off
their skills ♪
Nodding all together ♪
I could almost
hear them whisper ♪
Go on, kiss her ♪
Go on and kiss her ♪
If I had to choose ♪
One moment ♪
To live within my heart ♪
It would be that ♪
Tender moment ♪
Recalling how we started ♪
Darling, it would be ♪
When you smiled at me ♪
That way ♪
That Sunday ♪
That summer ♪
Newborn whip-poor-wills ♪
Were calling from the hills ♪
Summer was a-coming in
but fast ♪
Lots of daffodils ♪
Were showin' off
their skills ♪
Nodding all together ♪
I could almost
hear them whisper ♪
Go on, kiss her ♪
Go on and kiss her now ♪
If I had to choose ♪
One moment ♪
To live within my heart ♪
That way ♪
That Sunday ♪
Just one day ♪♪