Almost Paradise (2020–…): Season 2, Episode 10 - Brigade - full transcript

Hey! Alex!

You made it.

Ah, hard to believe
it's finally happening.

Yeah, I know.

She's going to be amazing.

Running her own undercover task force
in Manila.

She worked hard for this promotion.

Well, she deserves it.

Damn right, she does.

Isn't that right, Chief?

What was that?



-Detective Alamares.
-Yes.

-The champagne's arrived.
-Great! Okay.

-Excuse me, Alex.
-Yeah. Yeah.

Hey.

Wow! Well, this is nice, huh?

Yeah, uh, it's too much.
Honestly, it's embarrassing.

Well, everybody's happy for you.

-I'm happy for you.
-Are you?

Of course. What do you mean?

Nothing.

Look, this job is a huge recognition

of all your hard work,
your talent.

But?

I'm gonna miss you.



Alex, you're making too much
of all of this.

I'm not moving to Denmark.
It's just Manila.

We'll still see each other, right?

I don't know about that.

I put the gift shop up for sale.

What?

You did? Why?

My benefit program ending
and then,

the ex-wife signing over the family ranch
in Texas back to me,

just, there's nothing keeping me...
here...

now.

What do you mean "now"?

If I could have everyone's
attention for just a second, please.

Thank you. Thanks.

I would like to say something
about my partner,

my dear friend,
Detective Kai Mendoza.

I was assigned to partner with Kai
from her first day on the force.

They thought an old vet like me
would be a good match

for a young, overly ambitious rookie.
Remember that day, Chief?

And over time, I've had the special
privilege of watching her grow

into one of the finest detectives
this island has ever seen.

So, I would like for you to join me
in a toast...

as we wish Detective Mendoza
great success and prosperity

in her new endeavor.

To Kai!

Cheers!

-Thank you.
- Come here.

Say a few words to your fans.

-No. No, no.
- Come on. Come on.

-Kai! Kai! Kai! Aw...
- Thank you, but no.

I'm sorry to be doing this now, Kai.
But we knew we could do it here safely.

Alex Walker, you're under arrest
for robbery,

grand larceny,
and attempted murder.

-What?!
- Chief!

Is this some kind of joke?

I only wish it was.

Wh...

What's going on?

My name is Alex Walker.
I'm ex-DEA.

One of my first assignments
took me to an isolated beach

right here on this island.

I sold what little I had
and bought myself a gift shop.

Just peace, no stress, no drama.

Boy, was I wrong.

What did he do?

He shook down this drug dealer
for money,

nearly beat him to death.

- Wait!
- Hey!

Come here!

Thought you were
supposed to be on a plane.

Not till tomorrow. Why would Alex do that?
It makes no sense!

He lost his government payments
and his gift shop wasn't doing very well.

He saw a chance to make a score and
go back home with money in his pockets.

I don't buy it.
You're not telling us everything.

Show me the evidence!

-I can't.
-Why not?

Because you don't work here anymore.
Excuse me.

Chief! Chief, Chief!
We know Alex.

We've been through hell and back
with this guy.

This accusation does not ring true.

Remember, the first time Alex
came to this island

was because he was mentally unstable.
Perhaps he had a relapse!

Let me look into it. Okay?
I'll get to the bottom of it.

Please, Chief... he's my friend.

That's exactly why you can't get involved!
It's a conflict of interest!

Stay out of this!
Ernesto, that's a direct order!

So... you must be the ex-DEA agent
we were told about.

Warden.

What?

There's been another murder.

Where this time?

In the showers.
It's Patricio, the old guy.

They cut his throat.

Watch your back, ex-DEA man.

Witness declarations.

Perfect.

But please, this has to be the last one.

I can get in a lot of trouble
for showing these to you.

Thanks.

Hey.

Okay...

Alex is accused of shaking down
small-time drug dealer Miko Cabrero,

who's being treated
at a secret hospital location.

Allegedly, Alex watched him make a sale,
followed him into an alley,

pistol-whipped him, and shook him down
for a large amount of cash.

-I've got the witness report.
-Mm-hmm.

Two people said they overheard
the whole thing.

We have to talk with them.

They're listed as anonymous.

The report says
they recovered the cash Alex took

and are having it analyzed
by a forensics team in Manila.

Yeah. Do you think
this is some sort of a frame-up?

Could Chief Ocampo be right?

Maybe we don't know
Alex Walker after all.

Alex Walker?

-Damn it.
-Sorry.

I heard you were being sent here.
What are you in for?

It's a long story.

I'm sure. You on some
secret undercover mission or something?

Come on, tell me.
I can help you.

Not this time, Mikey.

You do know who they're holding
in this prison, right?

I do.

There's a lot of dangerous people here.
You need to be careful.

Come with me.

Do you think I'm stupid?

Alex, trust me.

There's some people here
you really need to meet.

Mikey?

Alex Walker!

You remember me?

How 'bout me?
You put us both in this prison.

Me, too. I would not be here
if it weren't for him.

Ex-DEA agent Alex Walker.
Remember me?

I'm the one that you threw
in that fire pit made for roasting pigs.

Well, it's good to see
you got out all right.

You know that every single one of us here
are in here because of you!

Yeah. Or, you know, it could've been
major crimes you committed.

I'm just sayin'.

Well, I got something to say to you,
Alex Walker.

Thank you so much!

Yeah. I can't breathe.

Because of you,
my life has changed.

Yeah. Ours, too.

Like, it's like we've been given
a second chance to do good things.

I would've been a criminal my whole life
if it weren't for you.

Me, too. And when I'm out,
I can finally pursue my dream...

as a singer.

-And he's really good.
-Yeah, really good.

Oh, I know, I've heard him sing.
You guys... you're not holding a grudge?

-No.
-No.

Alex, all of us here
are grateful to you.

And we'll protect you.

You'll protect me?

If we can't talk to witnesses
or even review the evidence,

we need to talk to Alex.

He was transferred from the holding cells
here early this morning.

To where?

Let's find out.

Hurry, we don't have much time.

I'm looking... wait... wait... wait...

Transfer papers...

Here.

-No, no, no, no. No way.
-What? What is it?

They're having Alex wait for trial
at the Cebu Provincial Jail.

They can't put him in there.
That's where they're holding Jace Vargas,

-"The Waterboarder."
-Ocampo signed the transfer papers.

Why would the Chief put Alex
in a prison that Vargas controls

when they know
Vargas has sworn to kill Alex?!

Why would Ocampo want Alex dead?

Unless, unless it's not Alex
he wants to die.

The Waterboarder has tried to kill Alex
at least three times. Even from prison.

Uh...

Do you think Alex asked Ocampo
to send him there so he can kill Vargas?

The Chief has never been shy
about using extreme measures

to reduce crime on the island.
But murder?

Alex thinks he has to get rid of Vargas
before Vargas comes after him again.

So Alex set this up
so he could kill Jace Vargas?

Those are his main Lieutenants.

But Vargas's gang is huge.

That's why Big-Bones, here,
started his own gang,

for everyone who didn't want to
get dragged into Vargas's web of crime.

They leave you alone?

Most of the time they just let us
do whatever we want to do.

Things have been getting tense.
There've been a couple murders here.

And they blame it on us.

Was it you?

No, I just want to do my time.

We'll try to keep it on the down-low.

But Vargas has half the guards
on his payroll.

He lives like a king in here.

King Rat.

Gather 'round.

In case you haven't noticed,
we're under attack.

We have to be more vigilant than ever.

I still can't believe
they killed Patricio.

He was in his 60s.
He was due to get out next year.

You know Big-Bones's guys
were behind this.

We gotta get revenge!

In due time.

We can't just go start a war.
It'll bring the heat down on us.

We got too much business going on
right now. We don't need the attention.

Poor Patricio.

Where were you when they killed him?

What do you mean, boss?

Patricio, he was alone in the showers
when they got him.

You were assigned to look after him.
Where the hell were you?!

Are you kidding me?
You sent me away.

I told you to get the protection money.

I didn't tell you to leave
poor old Patricio all by himself.

Remember, you--

You never leave anyone vulnerable!

Patricio is dead because of you!

Let this be a lesson!

Unless you want them
to take us out, one at a time,

you must stick together!

You must stay loyal!

United.

It's us against everyone!

If we input all the old files,
we can cross-reference all the cases,

get a better overview of everything.

Great, then hackers can
get all the information at once

instead of a piece at a time, huh?

Mm, the new tech's pretty secure, Chief.

Retinal scans, fingerprint verification...
your thinking's old school.

If you want to get ahead here,
don't call me "old."

Sorry, boss.

Write up a proposal.
I'll see if we can afford it.

Chief, you've got a call
from Warden Zamora.

I'll take it in my office.

Oh, Warden, it's good to hear from you.

I just wanted you to know
that everything is going on as planned.

I heard there was a murder
shortly before Walker arrived.

We're investigating it.

It could come in handy for us.

I was thinking the same thing.

Just do what you can
to help Walker in his mission. Okay?

As I've said before,
this will solve problems for both of us.

On this we agree.

Dr. Sanchez?

Yes? May I help you?

The prison psychologist?

I told you it was her.

Thank God we found you.

Is everything all right?

We've been trying to reach you
for several days,

but apparently we have
the wrong contact information.

Let me explain.
We're from the Governor's office.

The Governor?

You've been named
Correctional Employee of the Year.

Your hard work has not gone unnoticed.

The Governor has awarded you
a free trip to Manila.

Flight and hotel completely paid for.

But the flight leaves in a couple hours.

I know it's so last minute.

As I said, we've been trying so hard
to reach you for the last several days.

I-I don't think I can...

The Governor's office has called the
Warden and he is thrilled about your trip.

You're completely covered.

I guess, if the Warden's okay with it.
- Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

I mean, I haven't seen my mom
in quite some time.

Well, your plane ticket
and hotel information is inside.

Well, thank you! This is...
This is so unexpected!

-Yes!
-It is!

-Thank you!
-You're so welcome.

-Got my ticket into the prison.

You gave her your plane ticket
and hotel thing, didn't you?

The Manila task force can wait.

You sure you want to be doing this, Kai?

I'm not gonna let Alex
throw his life away.

Aside from normal scrub down,

there was an incident in here
this morning.

I don't want to see any blood or remnants
once you guys are through.

-Yes, sir.
-Okay.

Somebody got killed here this morning?

Yeah. Vargas usually has the guards
block off time just for him.

But I guess, this time, he wasn't here

and one of his guys got shanked instead.

Yeah, well...

looks like they cut an artery.

Yeah, they slit his throat.
I saw them taking away the body.

And his chest was bloated up
like a balloon! So gross!

Other than taking a shower,
is that the only time Vargas is alone?

Only in his cell.
He spends a lot of time in there.

But he's got guards on his payroll
who protect him there.

He never leaves?

Not even when there's a C.D.C.

A what?

Contraband Detection and Control.

So when the guards hear about
contraband circulating in a block...

...they wait until night time,
move everyone out, then toss the cells.

And the doors stay open?

Until the inspection's done.

Everybody else goes out in the yard,
and Vargas stays by himself?

A few of the guards call him out,

but he's paid off enough
that they usually just let him sleep.

Depends who's on duty, really.

Some of these guys you can't really buy.
You know?

Is that one of the incorruptible guards?

Enter.

We're in.

Afternoon, sir. Sorry.

I, uh...

I'm new here.

And I heard you might be the guard
that can help me out.

I'm trying to get my hands
on a cell phone.

And somebody told me
that you might know a guy

in Cell Block One or Cell Block Two
that can sell me one now.

I am happy to make
the right financial arrangements.

Do you want a month in solitary?

Wrong guard.

Wrong guard.

Well, I, uh, I'll take that as a "no."

Sorry.

We need a C.D.C.
in Block One and Block Two.

Toss the cells.

Okay, everybody, this is a C.D.C.!

Get up and move to holding.

Shh.

Hey!

Hey! What are you doing here?

We're here to stop you
from ruining your life.

I don't need... Wait, wait, who's "we"?

Hey! This way.

Who's there?

I thought you were leaving for Manila.

Yeah. I am.

You're such an idiot!

God, how could you do this?!

Wait. You stayed because...

No, don't...
Don't do... all of that.

Not after you and Ocampo
did this behind our backs.

The Warden's involved, too.

Not better.

This is why we couldn't tell you.

Because we would tell you
that it was stupid?

Right. No...

Alex, you can't execute people
like you're some sort of vigilante.

You think I'm here to kill Vargas?

You two... Who do you...

It was her.

Wha... If you're not here to kill Vargas,
then why are you here, Alex?

Well, I might as well let
the cat out of the damn...

thing you keep a cat in.

Talk, please!

When Vargas took out a hit on me,
Ocampo started looking into

how he was running a criminal empire
from within the prison.

And it was way bigger
than anything we ever imagined.

Okay, this guy has moles in court systems,
police departments, banks.

He's making millions from inside his cell.

And we were trying to uncover
his entire network

by going straight to the source.
And I was this... I was this close

to getting my hands on the phone
with all his contacts.

And you guys blew the operation.

We wouldn't have blown the operation
if we knew what it was.

I still can't believe Chief Ocampo
left us out of it.

He had to leave you out of it.

He thinks there might be a mole
in the Mactan Police Department.

-He suspected us?!
-He trusts you!

He trusts you. He wants the mole
to think that he didn't,

that you didn't know what was going on,
that you were mad at him.

He was trying to keep you out of danger.

But he could risk you?

We... figured since Vargas
was trying to kill me,

there was no reason to put your names
on the list as well.

-Still stinks.
-Yeah.

I can't believe this.

He has a problem in house
and instead of going to us...

Mm-hmm.

After everything we've been through
with him, he goes to you?

What do you want,
what do you want me to say?

He wanted the whole thing siloed.
To protect you.

Well, we're in it now.

Yeah, you're in it now.
Any idea how to get that cell phone?

We have to get Vargas out of his cell.

He'll just take it with him.

Not necessarily.

You have an appointment.

With who?

New psychologist.

Not interested.

They said it's mandatory.

-Fine.

Hey, man. There's a batch
of delicious biko in the mess hall.

First come, first served.

I can't leave.

Yeah, go ahead, I'll cover you.
It's going fast.

-Okay.
-Hey.

I'll be with you in a minute.
Please wait outside.

All right, where is it? It was right here.

No one keeps me waiting.

I'm here! What's this about?

And five, six, seven, eight...

Ooh, ahh!

Bingo.

...and right...
left, right... right, left...

Alex...
Vargas is on his way back.

I found it, but it's not a real phone.

It's set up as an access terminal
into the prison's computer system.

Everything we need is piggybacked
to the administration servers.

-You said the Warden was friendly, right?
-Yeah.

Knowing this, Kai should be able to
access it through the Warden's computer.

Fine. Go. I gotta put this back
before he realizes it's gone.

- Hello, Alex.
-Oh.

Jace Vargas. Man,
is this where they put you up?

What a crazy coincidence, huh?

How's the waterboarding going?

'Cause you know what they say,
if you don't use it, you can lose it.

Warden? You in here?

Come on.

Alex, you honestly think you can come
in here, hunt me down like a caged dog?

I... I'm just here for the free food.

You think you're funny.

I know I'm funny.

Let me guess how this plan's
supposed to go.

You fake some criminal act,
something you can easily clear later,

you get someone on the inside

to pull some strings
that ensures you end up here

where you can lay low, watch me,
try to figure out how I operate.

When the time's right, you strike,

take me out and with me,
my entire network.

Who's the funny guy now, huh?

Here's the flaw in your plan, Alex.

You think you snuck in here
so you can finish me off.

But the truth is, I sent for you.

I brought you here
so I can finish you off.

Which is what I'm about to do.

-Nowhere to run to this time, Alex.
-All right, all right...

Now you're in my world.

All right, but before you guys, you know,
kill me in your cell,

which is a little incriminating,
maybe we can find some sort of a, uh...

a friendlier arrangement.

I don't want a friendly arrangement.

I want the least friendly
end for you possible.

Big-Bones! Big-Bones! Vargas and his guys
have Alex in his cell.

They're gonna kill him.
We need a lockdown.

Yah! What?! What?!

Lock it down. Lock it down, now!

All prisoners, return to your cells.

Well, they're calling us to dinner, boys.

We better get there
before the mush gets cold.

-What do you say?
-You don't get a last meal.

Everyone! Back to your cells, now!

All prisoners, return to your cells.

I said "everyone."

Yes, sir.

All prisoners, return to your cells.

All prisoners, return to your cells.

Something's happening out there.
We should hurry.

Vargas has been piggybacking off of
the prison system ever since he got here.

Every order he makes is instantly washed
over like it's official prison business.

He can move trucks all over the island.

He can clear funds
through almost every bank.

And he's got contacts at every port.

Look at this list. Oh, my God.

Very nice! Very nice!

Look how they make you all scatter,
like a bunch of rats!

It's almost like they control this place.
Well, they don't!

I control it! This is my world!

This is my prison! It belongs to me!

-Everyone belongs to me!

Alex Walker, where are you?!

There's no escape.

Alex is one of us.

If you want to fight one of us...

you're gonna have to fight all of us.

Sounds good to me.

If it's a bloodbath you want,
then it's a bloodbath you get!

This is everything!
Everyone on Vargas's network.

Everyone on the take.
Names, bank accounts, payoffs...

I don't get it. How can all this be on
the prison system without them knowing?

- It can't.

- Stop! Stop!

Vargas! You want to fight somebody,
you fight me!

This is between me and you.
Nobody else needs to get hurt.

Right now. You and me, one on one.

Unless you don't have the stones.

Why would I fight you?
I ain't got nothing to prove.

I don't want to get my hands dirty.
Finish him.

It's because you're a little man.

These guys have been fighting
your battles for so long.

Without them, you're just a coward.

You're on the take, too?

How much did Vargas pay you
for your integrity?

My integrity? Oh, my.

You really don't know
how the world works, do you?

Warden, working for Vargas
is not worth it.

You think I work for Vargas?

Vargas works for me.

You want to fight me?

Yeah. You just let me know
when you want...

Okay, let's fight...

Oh, you're cheating, huh?

-Oh!
-A cheater...

You know what, cheater's never...
What was the word?

Prosper.

Get him!

You sure you want
to keep going with this, Jace?

Because I really don't want to totally
humiliate you in front of all your men.

What am I talking about? Of course I do.
So we finish this right now!

Let's finish it.

-Aah!

Not so funny now, are you?

No, the funny part's over.

But you're gonna wish it wasn't.

Kill him! Kill him now!
I'll pay everybody double for two months!

He'll pay you
until he decides to kill you.

What are you talking about?

How many of your own guys
have died recently, Vargas?

Huh? How 'bout Patricio?
Ask Patricio

Oh, you can't ask Patricio.

Nah, they killed Patricio.

They didn't kill him.
Vargas killed Patricio.

That's how he keeps you guys all in line.
Keeps you loyal.

You guys, got you running scared, huh?
And Patricio knew this.

And he was going to the Warden
with this information,

but Vargas found out about it.

He lured him in the shower
where he was guaranteed privacy.

Vargas killed Patricio.

Don't listen to him. He's lying.
I got witnesses.

Glasses, tell 'em!

What? No. You sent me away.

You told me to collect
the protection money, right?

That's what I did.
You were with Patricio.

-It wasn't me. It wasn't me!
-Yeah, it was you, Jace, it was you.

How do you know for sure?

'Cause we were in charge of cleaning up
the blood in the shower.

The coagulation texture in the blood
led me to believe

this guy was dead long before
Jace cut his throat.

You see, there's something you don't know
about Jace Vargas.

He has kind of a sick fetish.
He likes to watch his victims drown.

That's why they call him
The Waterboarder, huh?

Mikey, what'd you say the body looked like
when they wheeled it out?

His chest, it was all bloated up
like a balloon.

Yeah, common reaction to drowning.

You see, Jace bent the shower head,
shoved Patricio's face in it

and filled his lungs up with water.

And you enjoyed every minute of it,
didn't you, you sick son of a bitch?

But the drowning
would've pointed back to him.

So he cut his throat.

Hide the cause of death.

Don't listen to him! Kill him!

Kill him!

You killed Patricio.

Detective Ernesto Alamares.

You work for Ocampo?

Complicates things, doesn't it?

On the contrary, it's perfect.

His rogue cops screwed up Alex's bust

and got you all killed in the process.

Ocampo won't believe it. He isn't stupid.

Oh, yes, he is.

How do you think I was so easily able
to take Walker into my prison?

It was your idea?

Of course it was!

Giving Walker to Vargas
allowed me to acquire Vargas's businesses.

Vargas only cared about killing Walker.
He was happy to make the trade with me.

Now, I own it all.

And within the safety of this prison,

I can run it without suspicion.

I'd put that down if I were you.

Chief, how long were you listening?

I've been outside the door
for the last five minutes.

More than long enough.

Kai uncovered all the evidence
in the prison computers,

even the names of all his accomplices
and informants.

Including the mole coming from inside
our own police department.

-Mm, nice work.
- Yeah.

I never really liked that one.

Don't listen to him. Kill him!
Kill him now!

Do as I tell you!

No...

I... I'm Jace Vargas!
I'm The Waterboarder!

Come back! Come back!

I...

It's over, Jace.

No, it's not. You didn't kill me.

I didn't kill you.
I killed your reputation.

For a man like you,
that's worse than death.

You're done.

Take him back to his cell.

Mikey...

You lived up to your word
and kept Alex safe.

I told you we could!

Wait, wait, wait a minute.
You were in on this, too?

Of course. I suspected the Warden
was dirty from the beginning.

And I couldn't send you here
without someone watching your back.

Now, uh,
about that early release...

I'll talk with the Governor.

Thank you for showing up for me.

Next time, just tell us what's going on.

-All right? All right.
-Promise.

Get that checked out.

Don't...

I know you're just gonna
try and say something funny.

And it's just gonna be annoying.

But I know
all you really want to say is...

thank you.

So...

you're welcome. Okay?

Grab these...

Hey...

Ladies...

So... I guess I'm sticking around.

What made you change your mind?

Just thought about
what's really important to me and...

it wasn't being in Manila.

And you're happy with this decision?

I'm at peace with it.

Alex, they want you
to sign the contract now.

So I can fax it back to them.

All right. Well, give it to me.

Is that the sale of the gift shop?

This is a deed... to the ranch in Texas.

I got a really great offer on it.

I'm glad you're staying, Kai.
We would've really missed you.

I would've missed you, too.

So you're not selling the gift shop.

Nah, these people need snow globes.

So you're staying, too?

Of course.

Now that I got a reason to.

Hey, you two. Come on,
we gotta finally have that toast.

Thank you, Chief.

To Kai Mendoza. We're so glad you're back.

-It's like you never left.

-She didn't.

To Kai.

To Kai.

Cheers.

Cheers.

You can't break up a good thing.

-No.
-No.

It's just not done, right?