Kung Fu (2021) s02e06 Episode Script

1 You weren't paying attention to your feet.
Again.
Thanks for the pointer, but as I remember, the first time we met, I kinda kicked your ass.
That was incredible.
Both of you.
You've been at it for hours and haven't even broken a sweat.
Ooh, uh, Mia, I'd still really love to get some baseline data on you.
Uh, vitals, maybe a blood panel.
It'd really help.
There's so much that we still don't know about the bloodlines About warriors or guardians or what it means that you're both.
Look, another time, ok? If I can't assess your strengths, your weaknesses, your vulnerabilities Nicky.
You wanna weigh in here? When you're ready, you let us know.
Ok.
I'm I'm gonna hit the shower.
Thanks for the assist.
Last week, Mia's own father sold her out to Tan.
It's gonna take time to gain her trust back.
I don't want to push her.
Right now, I'm focused on training her, keeping her sharp.
Tan could strike at any moment and we need to be ready.
Ok, fine.
I'll be waiting.
I have been watching you.
Training Mia.
You have been holding back.
Did you not see that takedown? That is not what I meant, my child.
You are afraid to be a teacher to this girl, but deep down, you know that is what she needs.
The last time around, I pushed her and I lost her.
We just got her back.
What good is being her teacher if all it does is drive her away again? For now, I'm just trying to be her partner.
Her friend.
Is that what Mia needs? Or what you need? What makes you comfortable? Sooner or later, you will need to make a choice about who you are to this girl.
A friend or a Shifu.
As replicas go, it seems adequate, but will it work? Before the original was destroyed, I employed the industry's best scanning and imaging tools to determine its exact dimensions and its precise metallic composition.
The world's leading experts worked day and night to fabricate this.
It's beyond a replica.
It's a perfect recreation And it will produce the exact same tones as the original.
Once we've collected everything else we need for your plan, I assure you This bell will work.
We have confirmed Mia is in San Francisco with her cousin.
We could eliminate Nicky Shen and grab Mia right now.
We need Mia but we don't need her yet.
We've tried it your way, father.
Hunting her, chasing her.
- She already fears you.
- What are you suggesting? She's not on the run anymore.
She thinks Nicky Shen can protect her.
We can get to her when we need to.
We will try it your way, Juliette, but if it fails, this falls on you.
Still at it? Hi.
Looks like you could use a break.
Hmm.
Hmm.
I know that look.
You have something.
I may have a lead.
I'm intrigued.
Whatever Tan's up to, it's centered around San Francisco, and I've been digging but it keeps coming back to Li Jiaming.
That guardian you said went missing in the early 1900s? Yeah, him.
He's been mentioned a few times in this old Chinatown newspaper from that era, written by some guy name Tin.
Unfortunately, there's just fragments, but according to this article from last year, his great-granddaughter Cheri Tin still lives in the same house where that paper was published.
She found a bunch of old broadsheets in the basement and then donated them - to a local historical organization.
- Should we go take a look? We can't, because they're not there anymore.
A certain billionaire acquired everything that she donated.
- Russell Tan.
- Yup.
Whatever's in those papers mattered to him.
We can't get our hands on those, but Maybe Cheri knows something.
- Hi.
- Can I help you? - Hi, Ms.
Tin.
I'm Nicky Shen.
- I'm Henry Yan.
We're here about the newspapers you donated.
- I don't have them anymore.
- We know they were acquired from - the historical society.
- We were hoping you could tell us a little bit more about what was in them.
Haven't you people threatened me enough? Oh, no.
We don't work for Russell Tan.
We're trying to figure out what he's up to, why he wanted your great-grandfather's papers.
Please.
Come in.
- Is that him? - Yes.
My great-grandfather.
He was not a popular man.
He started one of the first Chinese language broadsheets in Chinatown.
He knew Li Jiaming Became obsessed with breaking the story of his disappearance.
He was convinced it had something to do with Jacob Sloan.
The industrialist? Some men came here several months ago.
After everything I donated had been bought from the historical society.
Tan's men wanted it all.
Everything my great-grandfather ever wrote about Li Jiaming.
They were insistent.
- I'm sorry.
- I had no choice.
I gave them everything.
Every paper, every note.
- Even the film.
- There was film? Could you tell us what was on it? I can do better than that.
They got the original.
I didn't tell them I made a copy.
I think that's Jacob Sloan.
That's the Yueling Bell.
And that's the guardian Jiaming.
Sloan wants Li to ring the bell.
Looks like he's being forced.
The bell it's glowing.
- What's happening? - The room is shaking.
This film was the last piece of my great-grandfather's investigation.
Ms.
Tin, when was this shot? According to my great-grandfather, April 18, 1906.
That date.
That was The day of the San Francisco earthquake.
Do you think that's what this is all about? Tan wants to use the bell to destroy the city.
This is just a theory, right? We don't seriously think a robber baron set off the great earthquake with an enchanted bell, or that Russell Tan will do it again.
I know you saw some crazy stuff in China, but this is nuts.
You know I'm a believer, but earthquakes are caused by the release of tectonic pressure, not magic.
It could've been a coincidence, but it doesn't matter.
Russell Tan believes it and as long as he does, Mia's in danger.
We all are.
- So, let's assume it's real.
- Why cause an earthquake? Yeah.
You don't just demolish a city for no reason.
- Unless you're Godzilla.
- No, he had his reasons.
Could it be some weird insurance scheme - or real estate grab? - Whatever it is, we have to stop him.
But we destroyed the bell.
Doesn't that mean he's done? Well, he's still after Mia, which means there must be some kind of plan b in the works.
We gotta keep digging, figure out his next move.
Well, I'm in.
Me, too.
- No.
- No? You are going to celebrate Dennis' promotion tonight.
Both of you.
As planned.
We're not in panic mode yet.
Well, if you're sure - Party it is.
- All right.
Good luck.
Tell Dennis congrats.
Ok.
I brought Evan up to speed on everything.
He's been keeping tabs on the Tans.
Mia, let's look into the 1906 earthquake.
See if there's anything in the history books - about the bell, and Henry, you can - I will scour every frame in case there's something we missed.
- Do I know you? - No.
But I know you, Joel Raddatz.
You got the wrong guy.
Ok.
Let's go with Phil.
Phil Dean.
Who the hell are you? Just a concerned citizen.
That Joel Raddatz He's got quite a history.
So, tell me, Phil, does your employer know you changed your name Falsified records When you applied for the chauffeur gig? No? 'Cause if the Tans missed it, you must've really covered your tracks.
What do you want? Information on your boss.
And if I say no? The Tans prefer their domestic hires to have clean records.
And I'm sure you've heard the horror stories about what happens to people who lie to that family.
Thanks for coming to the collective.
We appreciate your work.
Oh, excuse me.
Oh,.
The exhibit is so beautiful.
Yeah? We all did this.
Frank, the collective.
We reached out to people in the community to feature their stories and connect them with younger artists.
Wonderful way of showing our history, right? Well, you should be so proud.
Thoughts? Feedback? I did realize you have an exhibit for both the Zhaos and the Pengs.
Did Chinatown's two oldest operating groceries finally settle their feud? Of course not, but it'll be fine.
Hey, Mrs.
Zhao.
How do you like the installation? The artist did a wonderful job, didn't they? Ours is lovely.
But what are the Pengs doing in the show? There's room for both.
We are the oldest grocery in Chinatown, not them.
You will take their display down, or we'll pull ours from the show.
Mrs.
Zhao uh Oh.
Don't say you told me so.
Never.
Oh.
Hey.
What? Aren't you supposed to be at the restaurant? I'm on my lunch break.
Just enough time for a visit to the doctor's office.
I'm sorry, but you don't have an appointment.
I needed some urgent care.
I was hoping you could squeeze me in.
Ha! I would love to, but I got a patient in 10 minutes.
Ok.
Fine.
How about tonight? Uh oh, can't.
Got drinks with Dennis and Althea.
Celebrating his big promotion.
You could come.
Heh.
I thought we wanted to stay in the bubble.
You know, at least a little while longer.
My parents don't know yet, but there's no keeping it from Althea.
Hmm.
A real date.
Sure.
I'll see you tonight.
Ah, come on.
10 minutes.
Hey.
Ooh.
Your orcs are looking good.
- Those are goblins.
- Is there a difference? Tolkien didn't really draw a huge distinction, but later fantasy Polite question.
Real question Why are you working on your dolls? - Minis.
- Minis.
Minis.
Well, you only bust those out when you're prepping for a game or when you're down about something.
I think we should cancel the party.
What? Why? Did Nicky tell you about the magic earthquake? Uh, no.
Uh, well, I'm sure she's got that covered.
Why don't you want to go? I don't know.
It's flattering my old department wants to celebrate my promotion, but it feels kind of weird.
Everyone knows I only got this job 'cause it's my dad's company.
Heh.
Nepotism yay.
Dennis, I don't think it was nepotism.
And even if it was, who cares? Your family might've gotten you through the door, but you still had to deliver.
Hey, you've been working your adorable butt off for years.
I guess.
Well, if you won't do it for you, will you do it for me? Come on.
I don't get many opportunities to celebrate my amazing, brilliant, hardworking, gorgeous husband.
When you put it that way, how can I resist? Mm.
Finding anything? Nothing magical, but this earthquake.
Wow.
Yeah.
This footage is too degraded.
I'm having trouble making out any new details on it.
- Hey, Evan.
- Hey.
I got a lead.
Juliette Tan has a big meeting today - with a very shady dude.
- How'd you find that out? Let's just say I applied some pressure on Juliette's new driver.
She's meeting with a man named Grover Charles.
He's a fugitive scientist-for-hire.
He's been linked to dictators, drug kingpins, the mob.
He sets up and runs labs for anything from meth to uranium to fake diamonds.
I have no idea what the meeting is about but Grover Charles is bad news.
Where's the meet? It's at an old warehouse.
Thank you, Evan.
Looks like it's recon time.
Ok.
Let's go.
Hey, Evan, could I get your eyes on something real quick? Look, Mia, I don't think it's a good idea you coming.
Putting you that close to the Tans is What? You're benching me? You said it's just recon.
- I know.
- You're not locking me - up in a library.
- I don't think it's smart to You know what? It doesn't matter.
I saw the address.
It's not like you can stop me.
I'm trying to see what's on this paper but I can't quite make it out.
Oh, I have a friend at SFPD.
She's a tech whiz.
I bet she could clean that image up for you.
- Yeah? - We are heading out.
You guys keep digging on the video.
We'll be fine.
It's just recon.
Be safe.
Ms.
Tan, it's a pleasure to meet you in person.
Did you bring the sample? I'll have to run my own tests to determine its authenticity.
Of course.
Replicating a millennia-old refinement process proved complicated, but I know you'll be satisfied with the results.
I can't hear anything.
I need to move closer.
Nicky.
The case.
That's what she came for.
That's what we need.
It's not safe.
Recon, remember? Just stay back.
Well.
If your sample is indeed true Jing Jai Jyu Sa Oh, I'm sure you'll be very happy.
I'll wire you the funds for the rest.
When you do, we'll arrange for delivery, direct from our lab.
Good.
We have the complete amount you requested.
Should you require more, we will need Mia, get out of there.
Mia, what is happening? I appreciate your willingness to make this possible on such short notice.
- It's been a pleasure.
- The pleasure has been all mine.
Are you expecting someone? No.
Go check it out.
Just one minute.
All good? More than good.
Mia, what happened back there? I don't know, ok? I just choked.
You could've been caught.
Killed.
Juliette Tan was right there.
- I'm sorry.
- And why did you sneak off in the first place? - I told you to stay back.
I - I don't take orders.
I was just trying to help, and I did.
I saw it.
The red gem.
That's useful.
We wouldn't have known what was in that box if I hadn't taken a risk.
Hey, guys.
Uh I got your text, but if now is not a good time, I can It's fine.
Mia what's up? Uh, we learned that Juliette Tan is about to collect some mystical red rocks called Jyu Sa.
I think they're an important part of the ritual.
Grover Charles, the scientist, says they're being held at his lab.
If you could help us figure out where that is, we can Intercept them before they get delivered to Tan's daughter.
Yes, Kenneth, I understand Oh, ok! Kenneth Peng just hung up on me.
I caught Mrs.
Zhao in the parking lot.
She refused to listen to reason.
Kenneth is usually so polite, but now he's saying he's gonna pull out unless they do.
Do you really need to include both of them? It's the principle.
I did this project to bring people together.
- So silly.
- Yeah.
The Pengs should just admit Zhao was here first.
Wait.
Hold on a minute.
The Pengs were here first.
They came in the 1860s.
The Zhaos didn't come to San Francisco until the 1870s.
But the Zhaos had an actual storefront and the Pengs were selling it out of a cart.
We are just as bad as they are.
- Lo Por? - Mm? I have an idea.
So, the gems Jyu Sa, aka cinnabar are highly toxic.
But Juliette called them Jing Jai Jyu Sa refined cinnabar.
So, that's what Grover was doing for her Refining it and detoxifying it somehow.
I think I got something.
I dug into Grover's financials.
It's a web of shell companies.
But he has one real estate holding in Salinas.
An old processing plant.
It doesn't sound very promising, but I hacked into the local power and water supply companies.
The plant's usage is off the charts.
I can't promise it's a cinnabar lab, but he's doing something in there something big.
Ok.
Let's go.
Can you give us anything on the location? Security cameras? Already on it.
Pretty desolate but that's the structure.
I mean, it looks big enough to house a lab to me.
Ok.
You two be careful.
Yeah.
We'll try.
Your friend wasn't kidding.
This is much clearer.
- What is it? - Musical notation.
Sheet music.
Well, a section of it, anyway.
Why would a bell need sheet music? Doesn't it just make the same sound? Many of these can produce different tones depending on where they're struck, and tempo and rhythm would be important.
Huh.
A couple years back, I saw this panel with this local musicologist.
An expert in Bianzhong, Bianqing Bells of Eastern Asia.
Han something.
But if I can show him this fragment, then maybe he can tell us more about the song.
Got it.
Eric Han.
Just a minute.
Can I help you? What Hello, Mr.
Han.
I believe you have something I want.
Thank you for agreeing to come.
I have nothing to say to her.
There's really no point to this.
At least we agree on something.
Heh.
Let me be honest.
I want you both to be in the show.
I know it's frustrating.
Lily I agree that your family was the original grocer in Chinatown.
- Thank you.
- But it's clear to me, Kenneth, that your family has the more legitimate claim.
I mean, storefront or not, - the Pengs were working here first.
- Thank you.
See? My wife and I argued this.
This feud between two legendary businesses, it's becoming our story And Chinatown's history.
I'd like to tell you a little story.
It's about how I met this guy.
I'd seen him outside his job.
I thought he looked sexy.
And then we bumped into each other again at a friend's party.
He was so gregarious, so outgoing, but when I wanted to talk to him, he wouldn't look up from his drink.
He was so shy.
And he insulted my dress.
What? I said her dress was interesting.
I walked home alone that night convinced he had zero interest in me.
That's not what happened.
Look, I might've played it cool.
I was picking my moments.
I talked to her at the bar, told a few jokes, made her laugh, and before she left, I gave her my number.
And I told our friends this was the woman I'm gonna marry.
To this day, we disagree about how that night went, but that disagreement has become our children's favorite story about us.
Instead of fighting about who's first, let's own it all.
Two historic families, one legendary rivalry.
What a great story! Let's tell it together.
- Looks like it's clear.
Let's go.
- No.
What? I can't go in there with you.
Nicky, the Jyu Sa is in that lab.
If we don't intercept it right now, the Tans - will get everything they want.
- I know.
But you nearly got us killed at the warehouse.
I'm not doing this if I can't trust you.
I need to trust that you'll do what I say when I say it.
If we go in there, it's not as partners.
I'm calling the shots.
What do you want more to push back on me or to stop Tan? Ok.
I'll follow your lead.
Ok.
Let's go.
I've read your work, Mr.
Han.
For an expert on Chinese bell music, you barely touch the subject of the song of Yueling.
Just one scant reference in which you dismiss the song as apocrypha, saying that no sheet music for the song ever existed.
It doesn't.
It's pure legend.
I know you're lying, Mr.
Han, and I know you're a member of the Wan Zai.
You didn't make it easy, but your organization is not quite as secret as you imagine.
My father's had eyes on you people for years.
I know the sheet music exists.
I've seen it with my own eyes.
- How? - Saw the movie.
Father has the original print.
I know it was lost right here in San Francisco.
If anyone has it, it's your little brotherhood.
Found something.
Why do you even want it? It won't do anything for you.
Where did you get that? Is it real? Ah.
So, you do know that this specific tonal and rhythmic sequence, resonating through this meticulously faceted stone, can produce a devastating effect.
If it's the real thing.
Shall we put it to the test? You don't know what you're doing.
I'm sorry, Mr.
Han, but the Wan Zai can't help you now.
I've authenticated the gem.
The money will be transferred immediately.
Bring me the rest of the Jyu Sa.
I'm so excited about this new stage of my life, but I will miss working with you all every day.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
Hey.
Ok.
Ok.
Cute.
- I approve.
Time to tell Mama? - Oh, good lord, no.
Yeah, maybe not yet.
Heh.
Well, I'm glad you're here.
- Everything ok? - It's Nicky.
She needs help with Work.
She needs help with her job.
You should take that.
Excuse me.
I thought your sister worked at Harmony Dumplings.
You know, come to think, I've only seen her run deliveries, like, twice.
She has other gigs.
You know, side hustles.
- Nicky, what's up? - We're at the back door of the lab, but there's a security system.
I sent you a pic.
It's a Harman.
Could be worse.
How's it coming, Althea? There's a known vulnerability with this particular model.
I'm sending you a skeleton key that I've been working on for you.
It was supposed to be for your birthday, and I haven't tested it out yet, but give it a try.
Ok.
Downloaded.
Ok, now hold your phone by the sensor and wait for a beep.
Althea, it worked.
Happy birthday.
There's something going on with you and your sisters, right? Nicky, she is not normal.
Nicky? No, no, no, no.
She's she's super normal.
Ha ha! She's so normal, she's actually boring.
- My boring sister.
Ucch.
- Ok.
Sure.
Ok, look.
There might be things about Nicky, about my family, that I can't talk about.
Yet.
But I promise.
Ryan? What the hell is he doing here? Hey, I'm glad we came.
I love seeing you get the appreciation you deserve.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- Hey.
What's up? - I think we should go.
What? Why? Um Oh, my god.
Are you serious? I take it this guy's not a friend.
My old boss.
Chase Matheson.
Your story is important.
- What your boss did to you - Former boss.
- He did it to other women.
- We hope you understand the consequences of speaking out.
He falls, they fall, too.
Didn't end well? You could say that.
- Come on, babe.
Let's get out of here.
- No, no, no, no.
You sure? I am.
He's not gonna drive us out of here.
I won't let him ruin our night.
Ugh.
There they are.
Who the hell are you? I don't want to hurt you, but I need to know what you're doing here.
We're here for the Jyu Sa.
That so? Yup.
You're about to hand that stuff off to a very bad person who's going to do very bad things with it.
Can't let that happen.
Oh, yeah? What are you gonna do about it? Mia? Now.
Cover me.
Ey! The Jyu Sa.
Mia? Mia.
- Mia.
- Uhh! Uhh.
Grab the gems.
The buyer's waiting.
- What about the girls? - Forget them.
We have to go.
Nicky, I'm sorry.
I don't know what happened, but it's my fault.
It's not your fault.
The stones did something to you.
I felt it, too.
They got everything.
Not everything.
We'll figure it out, ok? But first, we need to get out of here.
- Excuse me.
- Yeah.
- One more.
- Coming up.
Althea.
I can't believe you're here.
Chase.
I'm glad to see you.
I'd hoped that I’d run into you sometime.
Funny.
I'd hoped for the opposite.
Look, I just wanted to let you know that I’m really grateful to you.
You're grateful? Yeah.
You've changed my life.
I mean, after everything that happened, it forced me to look inward, to grow as a person.
It was a gift.
I learned to stop talking and to start listening.
Having to step down from Cloudrush was hard, but it forced me to become a better man.
New and improved.
Chase 2.
0.
I'm just sorry that we saw our encounter so differently.
Ok, Chase 2.
0, we didn't see our encounter differently.
And no amount of focus-grouped re-branding bull is gonna change the fact that you're a monster and a creep, and everyone knows it.
- Althea, come on.
- No.
You're listening, remember? I have spent way too much time since then thinking about what happened What you did to me And I am done.
See, my life is good.
Great, even.
But you? You're pathetic.
And you don't have any power over me anymore.
I've actually been thinking I’d throw this drink in your face, but You're not worth it.
Ok.
Now we can go.
Shall we? Dennis, your wife just said she can't stop thinking about me.
- Come on.
Hey.
- Dennis.
Stay the hell out of our lives.
I'm a part of your life whether you like it or not.
Just ask your daddy.
He cut ties with you when Althea came forward.
Oh.
Yeah, maybe publicly.
You know, for a new partner, you don't know much about your family business.
Mess him up.
We're leaving now.
Is that all right with you boys? Mr.
Han? Mr.
Han.
Hey.
I'm very impressed, Juliette.
Thank you, father.
The refinement process You authenticated the Jyu Sa? How? It worked.
I saw it.
Just the music and the gem.
Just a taste of these stones' power.
When my experts combine it with the bell and we have everything that we need This city will be destroyed.
And from the ashes A new world will be born.
Hey, Mia? We can't win 'em all, and I know it doesn't feel like it, but what we did today, it helped.
We'll figure out what the Jyu Sa is, why it affected us, and we will stop Tan.
But we're gonna need Ryan's help to figure it out.
Ok.
I'll talk to him tomorrow.
Thank you, Nicky.
For everything.
My place ok? Yeah.
Sure.
Hey.
You all right? Where'd you learn to fight like that? Ryan, you have things you're not ready to talk about.
So do I.
Is that cool? What do you want from me? Who are you people? We are the Wan Zai.
Hello, son.
Dad? Greg, move your head.