Beauty and the Beast (1987–1990): Season 1, Episode 14 - The Alchemist - full transcript
A new drug is in circulation and a task force is created to find the one behind it. Catherine and Joe are part of it. Eventually Catherine learns that the drug comes from the tunnel world, she tells Vincent. Who talks to Father who suspects it's a man named Paracelsus. He's a brilliant man who helped create the tunnel world but was forced out when he became ambitious and now lives in exile. Father approaches him and asks him to stop what he is doing but he replies if he opposes him, he will reveal the tunnel world.
This is where the wealthy
and the powerful rule.
It is her world,
a world apart from mine.
Her name... is Catherine.
From the moment I saw her,
she captured my heart
with her beauty,
her warmth and her courage.
I knew then, as I know now,
she would change my life...
forever.
He comes from a secret place,
far below the city streets,
hiding his face from strangers,
safe from hate and harm.
He brought me there
to save my life.
And now, wherever I go,
he is with me in spirit.
For we have a bond stronger
than friendship or love.
And although
we cannot be together,
we will never, ever be apart.
Ah...
Ah...
Oh...
You must be very cold.
Here.
Ouch.
Glad you didn't go
into neurosurgery.
Not half as glad
as his patients.
We are ready to move. Over.
Speaking of patience...
Almost done here,
so relax.
All set.
Two and three in position.
Waiting for your go, number one.
Remember, once
it goes down,
you're gonna have to
get to the fire door
and let us in.
I know, Claude, I know.
We've been over it
a dozen times.
Nervous?
Not as bad as when I
was in sixth grade.
I had the lead in
the school play,
Joan of Arc.
You know,
it's one thing signing on
for the joint investigation,
but going undercover...
No one twisted my arm, Joe.
I volunteered.
Well, if you ask me,
putting yourself on
the line like this
is not worth
$2,500 a month.
No one's asking you.
Come on, we're past that.
We both know why
I'm doing this.
You just be
careful in there.
Let's go.
I need to see some I.D., please.
Is that all?
For the moment, yes.
I'm not meeting demand.
Not even close.
Then raise your price.
I'm already up to $1,000
a gram, wholesale.
Next time, I want more.
You'll take what I bring.
You'll pay me now.
He's coming.
I should be inside
in about a minute.
Yeah, right inside
the lion's den.
Let's go.
Well?
Okay.
He's ready to see you now.
Thank you, Jimmy.
I'm Cynthia Hatch.
Eric sent me.
How is Eric?
He told me you might
want to do some business.
Well, I'm a businessman.
What kind of business
do you have in mind?
Distribution.
I have a solid
client base,
and they're getting curious
about the new product.
I want to keep them happy.
That's noble, Cindy.
It's real noble.
What kind of money
we talking about here?
$25,000.
How do I know
the money's in here?
How do I know you
have the product?
Why the rush?
Police! Freeze!
Where is he?
About last night--
you people all have
a lot to be proud of.
The suspect, one Tyler Buckman,
is a major distributor,
and both the commissioner and I
feel that, in conjunction
with this new surveillance,
he'll help send us all
home on this one.
Well, on our end,
Buckman took his lawyer's advice
and accepted immunity.
Miss Chandler conducted
the first round
of the interrogation
this morning.
Well, anything interesting?
Beyond the fact that
he's not too fond of me...
...Buckman was pretty
cooperative.
We now have this composite...
which at least
gives us some idea
of what the supplier
looked like.
General circulation?
I don't think so.
We might scare this creep
into permanent hiding.
I agree.
And since my opinion
is the only one that matters,
I don't want this picture
leaving this room.
All right,
what else you got?
Frankly, he wasn't
able to tell us much.
No names, no contacts,
no numbers.
Buckman was always
reached by messenger
on the night before.
One thing did
strike me, though--
the supplier always
insisted on being paid
with gold coins.
Sounds like
a major nut job.
Is there anything you'd care
to add, Detective Morero?
No, sir.
You know, Detective,
if what we're trying to do here
doesn't somehow
hold your interest,
please feel free to leave.
Excuse me.
Hey, what just
happened in there?
I really don't know,
Chandler.
But it seems to me
everybody's too damn busy
slapping each other
on the back
to admit that
we screwed up.
Jimmy, what is eating you?
Buckman gave us some
very solid information.
Buckman we could've busted
at any time
during the last two months.
We were supposed
to nail the supplier
while he was there.
I know.
That doesn't
alter the fact
that you just
acted like a jerk
in front of
Captain Farell.
I'm just real frustrated,
Chandler.
That's all.
Well, you're not
the only one.
When you're right, you're right.
You know, Chandler,
you're okay.
Her name is Carmen.
She's my fiancée.
She's lovely.
She is, isn't she?
It was the best collar
I ever made.
Hey, Dr. Zeke.
Say hi to Chandler.
Easy, she's with the DA.
Oh, hi.
No, it's the analysis
that you asked for.
It was an adulterated a sample
of the drug as we've seen.
Definitely organic.
Some sort of a...
fungal hybrid
or a psilocybin
derivative.
I want to know why
it glows in the dark.
It's bacterial;
the kind that occurs
in caves or ocean depths,
where there's no light.
We trust so few with our secret.
All of them friends, helpers.
Each of them knows the
responsibility he bears.
I'm not accusing them
or any of your people.
I know you're not.
But our lab has identified
certain mineral properties
of the plant that suggest
it's being grown underground.
And this supplier,
he's like a shadow.
That grows over your city.
We've linked 49 deaths
to this drug so far.
And three times that many
have been institutionalized.
You say you brought
a sample of the plant?
Yes.
Thank you.
Catherine...
since that night
when I found you
in the park, I felt in you,
time and again,
a need to confront your fear...
as you did last night.
Why are you telling me this?
I don't want
what happened to you
to cause you to take
unnecessary risks.
Vincent, they needed my help.
You survived once.
And it's because I survived
then, that I'm doing this now,
so that others are spared.
What else did
Catherine tell you?
That this man,
in exchange for the plant,
will accept only gold.
What is it, Father?
Even if you only suspect,
you must share what you know.
This drug is powerful.
It inspires violence.
There's a moral imperative.
Yes, I am aware of the
implications, Vincent.
Well, then why
do you hesitate?
Because...
...because I hope
I'm mistaken.
Who can this be, Father?
A man.
No one you know.
We banished him from this place
before you were born.
It was our first real test
of government.
His name was John Peter,
but he called himself
by another name--
Paracelsus.
The Alchemist.
Yes. John's model:
Philosopher,
scientist, magician...
...and John was
all of those things.
A large part of what
we have created here,
we owe to him.
What happened?
What happened?
I don't know.
I think,
perhaps, in
trying to seek knowledge,
he began to desire power.
And so, you exiled him.
He wouldn't go at first.
Finally, he was forcibly taken
beyond the perimeter.
And now?
Do you know
where he is now?
How does a hamburger
and beer grab you?
I don't think so.
Oh, come on.
It's late.
No, I can't.
I have to meet a friend
in about an hour.
At 1:00 in the morning?
He's a night person.
Why is it
I have a feeling
you're not telling me
the whole truth?
I don't know what you're
talking about, Chandler.
I've never heard you
say no to a hamburger.
You're a lousy liar.
It's because
I like you.
Well, then,
why don't you tell me
what's going on?
Okay.
I got a new lead.
One of my blabs told me,
he knows something
about a deal.
It's a long shot,
but... it's all I got.
When is this
supposed to happen?
Tonight.
You're not going alone?
God, Jimmy.
Call for some backup.
No.
Jimmy!
It took me
two and a half months
to get inside that club.
Me, not Farrell,
not you, not anybody else.
And when it came down
to the bust,
Farrell wouldn't
listen to me.
He had to do it
his way.
And he blew it.
And I'm not gonna
let that happen again.
How do you know
you're not being set up?
I don't.
At least let me
go with you.
No way, Chandler.
You are not a cop.
This is not your job.
Look, I only told you
this because I trust you.
Do the same
for me, okay?
Hey, I'm not a rookie.
Sha!
John?
How did you find me?
We've always known
where you were.
We have looked in on you
from time to time.
Your... compassion
will kill you one day, Jacob.
It wasn't compassion.
It was self-interest.
Making sure you didn't try
to return.
Oh, there's...
no need to worry.
I'm quite happy here.
I'm glad.
So they call you
"Father" now.
I heard it
through the pipes.
Ingenious idea--
communicating on those pipes.
Yes, it was ingenious...
of you, John.
"Father"...
I imagine you like that.
It give you all the authority
you need.
without making you sound
like a despot.
But underneath
everything,
you're no different from me.
I am different.
What was your little idea?
A family of individuals
living according
to a higher standard?
Oh, how uninspired, Jacob.
How small-minded.
We could have been gods,
you and I.
So why did you come?
You know
why I came.
Your activities threaten to draw
attention to our tunnels.
Ah, the First Commandment.
But they'll
never catch me.
I'm much too clever
for them.
John, people are dying.
I can't let it continue.
Am I wrong,
or is this place beyond
your influence?
Isn't that why I'm here...
in exile?
I was only asking...
Asking!
Asking.
Tell me,
what right do you have to ask me
anything?
What power
do you bring here?
Will you tear me
from my home again?
Will you inform
the police
and risk my exposing
your... precious world?
No.
If you want me to stop,
there is
only one solution.
This time,
you'll have to kill me...
Father.
Hold it,
right there!
I'm a police officer.
Keep your hands
where I can see them.
Let me see the bag.
Let me see the bag.
I'm sorry, I...
I don't hear so good.
I'm lost.
What's in the bag?
The bag?
Oh, my crystals,
the family crystals.
They're very old.
I sell 'em...
so I can eat.
(gun fires; bullet ricochets
Excuse me.
What happened, Joe?
We're not sure, exactly.
Well, tell me.
There's not much to tell.
It looks like Jimmy
was soloing a lead.
Where is he?
A transient found him, Cathy.
Don't tell me
he's dead, Joe.
Yeah.
No...
Oh, my God.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
A friend of mine
was murdered.
The current
of your feelings run deep.
He must have meant
a great deal to you.
I wish I'd had a chance
to know him better.
There was a lot of...
hope in him.
Idealism.
He was engaged
to be married.
I'm sorry.
Catherine.
The man who grows
and supplies the drugs...
You were right,
he lives below.
Father knows of him.
Well, then you must
turn him in.
If we surrender him
to the police,
he has promised
to betray our secret.
Well, then,
he must be punished
to the full extent
of your laws.
I'll help.
I'll document what he's done.
The ultimate punishment
has been imposed.
He was exiled from
our world years ago.
He no longer lives
within our authority.
Well, he's still
your responsibility.
We are struggling
for a solution.
I can't wait!
By waiting,
I put other lives in danger.
Catherine, you must live
according to your conscience,
just as we must live
according to the laws
that have allowed us
to survive.
Except there is
this to consider:
Paracelsus could never expose
us without exposing himself.
If he doesn't get
caught, we're safe.
I'm no gambler.
Especially
not with those stakes.
A terrible dilemma.
But I don't know
what more we can do.
Father, the moment he is
caught above,
we are all in peril.
Exactly why we have no choice.
Paracelsus told you himself,
the only way we can stop him
is to kill him.
Would you be his executioner?
We could do it by lottery.
Even to consider
such an alternative, undermines
the very principle on which
this society was built.
Not... please.
We are here to discuss
viable options.
Yeah, well, discussing
the problem
isn't going to make it
disappear.
It does seem as though
the more we talk
the more elusive
the solution becomes.
We all agree that what is
at stake here
is the greater good
of both worlds.
Some course of action,
anything,
is better than to allow
all that we are,
all that we
have built
to be held hostage
to one man's evil.
So what do you propose?
I can stop Paracelsus
from leaving the tunnels
with his poison.
That will give us
time to decide
on a more permanent solution.
I hung around late last night
where Jimmy died
wondering what
he was after.
You said he had
a lead, right?
I was thinking,
maybe the supplier has something
in that abandoned building.
Or beneath it.
What, do you think
he lives down there?
I don't know what to think.
All I know is that Jimmy
was after something.
Hey, a hundred transients
live in the steam tunnels
underneath the Waldorf,
so it's possible.
It's crazy.
We've seen crazier--
all of us.
I think we should
sweep the place.
I don't know,
maybe it'd be worth
sending some of our
people down there.
It would be a waste
of time to go that far.
I mean, even if he was somewhere
in that building last night,
do we really believe
he stuck around?
You have a better idea?
Ms. Chandler's right.
Anyway,
we're stretched too thin,
but I tell
you what, Claude:
if you want,
you and Dean can keep
an eye on the place.
According to surveillance...
Is that you, Vincent?
Vincent... it's me.
Vincent...
It's me, Vincent.
Father.
Vincent!
He's holed up here,
in a forgotten place,
way below us,
an old section
of catacombs.
According to our tests,
the effect of the drug
should only last
three or four hours.
I can't let you
go close to him.
He's unpredictable.
I thought perhaps
if he heard your voice,
the empathic
connection you share
might somehow
get through to him.
Any change?
We haven't heard anything
for over an hour.
I don't know
how far back he is.
I thought, maybe, if you
could call out to him or...?
Vincent, I'm here now.
God, he needs me.
I have to go to him.
I can't let you do it.
I thought he needed me, too,
but all I did was frighten him.
Well, I have to take
that chance.
He'll strike at you.
He's not the Vincent we know.
He could kill you.
What did you think
I'd do when you
brought me here?
Leave him alone
like this?
I have no choice.
Oh, Catherine.
Catherine.
What is it, Vincent?
What are you thinking?
How ashamed I am
that you saw me
as I was...
...and how grateful
I am that you were there.
You saved my life,
Catherine.
I contacted Mary and Winslow.
They're ready to convene.
I'm sorry, Father.
The time for that is past.
Vincent,
I do understand
how you feel.
You can't understand
how I feel.
We're all agreed.
Harsh measures
are required,
but it is not
your responsibility to
decide what they may be.
It is mine.
I have seen the demons
Paracelsus has unleashed--
felt them inside of me.
How can I explain?
You become...
disconnected.
As if the dark side
of your imagination
eclipses all compassion...
all dignity.
I must go.
You're still weak.
And there are 50
people already dead.
Paracelsus?
Vincent.
You know my name.
I know more about you
than your name.
I don't wish
to harm you,
but you must leave this place.
Leave?
By whose judgment?
Mine.
What does Falstaff say?
"The better
part of valor
is discretion."
I'm no match for you.
Of course
I'll do as you say.
But wouldn't you like
to hear me first?
Or are you content
to accept
Father's story?
Found as a babe outside
Saint Vincent's Hospital.
Did you-- did you really
believe that all these years?
Vincent,
I know the truth.
Aren't you at all
curious to know
why you are...
the way you are?
My gold.
Paracelsus!
My gold!
Jimmy... wouldn't
compromise.
Beyond the sadness...
his life had
great meaning.
Catherine,
I understand
why you expose
yourself to danger.
Because there are
some risks worth taking.
And there are
some things
worth risking
everything for.
and the powerful rule.
It is her world,
a world apart from mine.
Her name... is Catherine.
From the moment I saw her,
she captured my heart
with her beauty,
her warmth and her courage.
I knew then, as I know now,
she would change my life...
forever.
He comes from a secret place,
far below the city streets,
hiding his face from strangers,
safe from hate and harm.
He brought me there
to save my life.
And now, wherever I go,
he is with me in spirit.
For we have a bond stronger
than friendship or love.
And although
we cannot be together,
we will never, ever be apart.
Ah...
Ah...
Oh...
You must be very cold.
Here.
Ouch.
Glad you didn't go
into neurosurgery.
Not half as glad
as his patients.
We are ready to move. Over.
Speaking of patience...
Almost done here,
so relax.
All set.
Two and three in position.
Waiting for your go, number one.
Remember, once
it goes down,
you're gonna have to
get to the fire door
and let us in.
I know, Claude, I know.
We've been over it
a dozen times.
Nervous?
Not as bad as when I
was in sixth grade.
I had the lead in
the school play,
Joan of Arc.
You know,
it's one thing signing on
for the joint investigation,
but going undercover...
No one twisted my arm, Joe.
I volunteered.
Well, if you ask me,
putting yourself on
the line like this
is not worth
$2,500 a month.
No one's asking you.
Come on, we're past that.
We both know why
I'm doing this.
You just be
careful in there.
Let's go.
I need to see some I.D., please.
Is that all?
For the moment, yes.
I'm not meeting demand.
Not even close.
Then raise your price.
I'm already up to $1,000
a gram, wholesale.
Next time, I want more.
You'll take what I bring.
You'll pay me now.
He's coming.
I should be inside
in about a minute.
Yeah, right inside
the lion's den.
Let's go.
Well?
Okay.
He's ready to see you now.
Thank you, Jimmy.
I'm Cynthia Hatch.
Eric sent me.
How is Eric?
He told me you might
want to do some business.
Well, I'm a businessman.
What kind of business
do you have in mind?
Distribution.
I have a solid
client base,
and they're getting curious
about the new product.
I want to keep them happy.
That's noble, Cindy.
It's real noble.
What kind of money
we talking about here?
$25,000.
How do I know
the money's in here?
How do I know you
have the product?
Why the rush?
Police! Freeze!
Where is he?
About last night--
you people all have
a lot to be proud of.
The suspect, one Tyler Buckman,
is a major distributor,
and both the commissioner and I
feel that, in conjunction
with this new surveillance,
he'll help send us all
home on this one.
Well, on our end,
Buckman took his lawyer's advice
and accepted immunity.
Miss Chandler conducted
the first round
of the interrogation
this morning.
Well, anything interesting?
Beyond the fact that
he's not too fond of me...
...Buckman was pretty
cooperative.
We now have this composite...
which at least
gives us some idea
of what the supplier
looked like.
General circulation?
I don't think so.
We might scare this creep
into permanent hiding.
I agree.
And since my opinion
is the only one that matters,
I don't want this picture
leaving this room.
All right,
what else you got?
Frankly, he wasn't
able to tell us much.
No names, no contacts,
no numbers.
Buckman was always
reached by messenger
on the night before.
One thing did
strike me, though--
the supplier always
insisted on being paid
with gold coins.
Sounds like
a major nut job.
Is there anything you'd care
to add, Detective Morero?
No, sir.
You know, Detective,
if what we're trying to do here
doesn't somehow
hold your interest,
please feel free to leave.
Excuse me.
Hey, what just
happened in there?
I really don't know,
Chandler.
But it seems to me
everybody's too damn busy
slapping each other
on the back
to admit that
we screwed up.
Jimmy, what is eating you?
Buckman gave us some
very solid information.
Buckman we could've busted
at any time
during the last two months.
We were supposed
to nail the supplier
while he was there.
I know.
That doesn't
alter the fact
that you just
acted like a jerk
in front of
Captain Farell.
I'm just real frustrated,
Chandler.
That's all.
Well, you're not
the only one.
When you're right, you're right.
You know, Chandler,
you're okay.
Her name is Carmen.
She's my fiancée.
She's lovely.
She is, isn't she?
It was the best collar
I ever made.
Hey, Dr. Zeke.
Say hi to Chandler.
Easy, she's with the DA.
Oh, hi.
No, it's the analysis
that you asked for.
It was an adulterated a sample
of the drug as we've seen.
Definitely organic.
Some sort of a...
fungal hybrid
or a psilocybin
derivative.
I want to know why
it glows in the dark.
It's bacterial;
the kind that occurs
in caves or ocean depths,
where there's no light.
We trust so few with our secret.
All of them friends, helpers.
Each of them knows the
responsibility he bears.
I'm not accusing them
or any of your people.
I know you're not.
But our lab has identified
certain mineral properties
of the plant that suggest
it's being grown underground.
And this supplier,
he's like a shadow.
That grows over your city.
We've linked 49 deaths
to this drug so far.
And three times that many
have been institutionalized.
You say you brought
a sample of the plant?
Yes.
Thank you.
Catherine...
since that night
when I found you
in the park, I felt in you,
time and again,
a need to confront your fear...
as you did last night.
Why are you telling me this?
I don't want
what happened to you
to cause you to take
unnecessary risks.
Vincent, they needed my help.
You survived once.
And it's because I survived
then, that I'm doing this now,
so that others are spared.
What else did
Catherine tell you?
That this man,
in exchange for the plant,
will accept only gold.
What is it, Father?
Even if you only suspect,
you must share what you know.
This drug is powerful.
It inspires violence.
There's a moral imperative.
Yes, I am aware of the
implications, Vincent.
Well, then why
do you hesitate?
Because...
...because I hope
I'm mistaken.
Who can this be, Father?
A man.
No one you know.
We banished him from this place
before you were born.
It was our first real test
of government.
His name was John Peter,
but he called himself
by another name--
Paracelsus.
The Alchemist.
Yes. John's model:
Philosopher,
scientist, magician...
...and John was
all of those things.
A large part of what
we have created here,
we owe to him.
What happened?
What happened?
I don't know.
I think,
perhaps, in
trying to seek knowledge,
he began to desire power.
And so, you exiled him.
He wouldn't go at first.
Finally, he was forcibly taken
beyond the perimeter.
And now?
Do you know
where he is now?
How does a hamburger
and beer grab you?
I don't think so.
Oh, come on.
It's late.
No, I can't.
I have to meet a friend
in about an hour.
At 1:00 in the morning?
He's a night person.
Why is it
I have a feeling
you're not telling me
the whole truth?
I don't know what you're
talking about, Chandler.
I've never heard you
say no to a hamburger.
You're a lousy liar.
It's because
I like you.
Well, then,
why don't you tell me
what's going on?
Okay.
I got a new lead.
One of my blabs told me,
he knows something
about a deal.
It's a long shot,
but... it's all I got.
When is this
supposed to happen?
Tonight.
You're not going alone?
God, Jimmy.
Call for some backup.
No.
Jimmy!
It took me
two and a half months
to get inside that club.
Me, not Farrell,
not you, not anybody else.
And when it came down
to the bust,
Farrell wouldn't
listen to me.
He had to do it
his way.
And he blew it.
And I'm not gonna
let that happen again.
How do you know
you're not being set up?
I don't.
At least let me
go with you.
No way, Chandler.
You are not a cop.
This is not your job.
Look, I only told you
this because I trust you.
Do the same
for me, okay?
Hey, I'm not a rookie.
Sha!
John?
How did you find me?
We've always known
where you were.
We have looked in on you
from time to time.
Your... compassion
will kill you one day, Jacob.
It wasn't compassion.
It was self-interest.
Making sure you didn't try
to return.
Oh, there's...
no need to worry.
I'm quite happy here.
I'm glad.
So they call you
"Father" now.
I heard it
through the pipes.
Ingenious idea--
communicating on those pipes.
Yes, it was ingenious...
of you, John.
"Father"...
I imagine you like that.
It give you all the authority
you need.
without making you sound
like a despot.
But underneath
everything,
you're no different from me.
I am different.
What was your little idea?
A family of individuals
living according
to a higher standard?
Oh, how uninspired, Jacob.
How small-minded.
We could have been gods,
you and I.
So why did you come?
You know
why I came.
Your activities threaten to draw
attention to our tunnels.
Ah, the First Commandment.
But they'll
never catch me.
I'm much too clever
for them.
John, people are dying.
I can't let it continue.
Am I wrong,
or is this place beyond
your influence?
Isn't that why I'm here...
in exile?
I was only asking...
Asking!
Asking.
Tell me,
what right do you have to ask me
anything?
What power
do you bring here?
Will you tear me
from my home again?
Will you inform
the police
and risk my exposing
your... precious world?
No.
If you want me to stop,
there is
only one solution.
This time,
you'll have to kill me...
Father.
Hold it,
right there!
I'm a police officer.
Keep your hands
where I can see them.
Let me see the bag.
Let me see the bag.
I'm sorry, I...
I don't hear so good.
I'm lost.
What's in the bag?
The bag?
Oh, my crystals,
the family crystals.
They're very old.
I sell 'em...
so I can eat.
(gun fires; bullet ricochets
Excuse me.
What happened, Joe?
We're not sure, exactly.
Well, tell me.
There's not much to tell.
It looks like Jimmy
was soloing a lead.
Where is he?
A transient found him, Cathy.
Don't tell me
he's dead, Joe.
Yeah.
No...
Oh, my God.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
A friend of mine
was murdered.
The current
of your feelings run deep.
He must have meant
a great deal to you.
I wish I'd had a chance
to know him better.
There was a lot of...
hope in him.
Idealism.
He was engaged
to be married.
I'm sorry.
Catherine.
The man who grows
and supplies the drugs...
You were right,
he lives below.
Father knows of him.
Well, then you must
turn him in.
If we surrender him
to the police,
he has promised
to betray our secret.
Well, then,
he must be punished
to the full extent
of your laws.
I'll help.
I'll document what he's done.
The ultimate punishment
has been imposed.
He was exiled from
our world years ago.
He no longer lives
within our authority.
Well, he's still
your responsibility.
We are struggling
for a solution.
I can't wait!
By waiting,
I put other lives in danger.
Catherine, you must live
according to your conscience,
just as we must live
according to the laws
that have allowed us
to survive.
Except there is
this to consider:
Paracelsus could never expose
us without exposing himself.
If he doesn't get
caught, we're safe.
I'm no gambler.
Especially
not with those stakes.
A terrible dilemma.
But I don't know
what more we can do.
Father, the moment he is
caught above,
we are all in peril.
Exactly why we have no choice.
Paracelsus told you himself,
the only way we can stop him
is to kill him.
Would you be his executioner?
We could do it by lottery.
Even to consider
such an alternative, undermines
the very principle on which
this society was built.
Not... please.
We are here to discuss
viable options.
Yeah, well, discussing
the problem
isn't going to make it
disappear.
It does seem as though
the more we talk
the more elusive
the solution becomes.
We all agree that what is
at stake here
is the greater good
of both worlds.
Some course of action,
anything,
is better than to allow
all that we are,
all that we
have built
to be held hostage
to one man's evil.
So what do you propose?
I can stop Paracelsus
from leaving the tunnels
with his poison.
That will give us
time to decide
on a more permanent solution.
I hung around late last night
where Jimmy died
wondering what
he was after.
You said he had
a lead, right?
I was thinking,
maybe the supplier has something
in that abandoned building.
Or beneath it.
What, do you think
he lives down there?
I don't know what to think.
All I know is that Jimmy
was after something.
Hey, a hundred transients
live in the steam tunnels
underneath the Waldorf,
so it's possible.
It's crazy.
We've seen crazier--
all of us.
I think we should
sweep the place.
I don't know,
maybe it'd be worth
sending some of our
people down there.
It would be a waste
of time to go that far.
I mean, even if he was somewhere
in that building last night,
do we really believe
he stuck around?
You have a better idea?
Ms. Chandler's right.
Anyway,
we're stretched too thin,
but I tell
you what, Claude:
if you want,
you and Dean can keep
an eye on the place.
According to surveillance...
Is that you, Vincent?
Vincent... it's me.
Vincent...
It's me, Vincent.
Father.
Vincent!
He's holed up here,
in a forgotten place,
way below us,
an old section
of catacombs.
According to our tests,
the effect of the drug
should only last
three or four hours.
I can't let you
go close to him.
He's unpredictable.
I thought perhaps
if he heard your voice,
the empathic
connection you share
might somehow
get through to him.
Any change?
We haven't heard anything
for over an hour.
I don't know
how far back he is.
I thought, maybe, if you
could call out to him or...?
Vincent, I'm here now.
God, he needs me.
I have to go to him.
I can't let you do it.
I thought he needed me, too,
but all I did was frighten him.
Well, I have to take
that chance.
He'll strike at you.
He's not the Vincent we know.
He could kill you.
What did you think
I'd do when you
brought me here?
Leave him alone
like this?
I have no choice.
Oh, Catherine.
Catherine.
What is it, Vincent?
What are you thinking?
How ashamed I am
that you saw me
as I was...
...and how grateful
I am that you were there.
You saved my life,
Catherine.
I contacted Mary and Winslow.
They're ready to convene.
I'm sorry, Father.
The time for that is past.
Vincent,
I do understand
how you feel.
You can't understand
how I feel.
We're all agreed.
Harsh measures
are required,
but it is not
your responsibility to
decide what they may be.
It is mine.
I have seen the demons
Paracelsus has unleashed--
felt them inside of me.
How can I explain?
You become...
disconnected.
As if the dark side
of your imagination
eclipses all compassion...
all dignity.
I must go.
You're still weak.
And there are 50
people already dead.
Paracelsus?
Vincent.
You know my name.
I know more about you
than your name.
I don't wish
to harm you,
but you must leave this place.
Leave?
By whose judgment?
Mine.
What does Falstaff say?
"The better
part of valor
is discretion."
I'm no match for you.
Of course
I'll do as you say.
But wouldn't you like
to hear me first?
Or are you content
to accept
Father's story?
Found as a babe outside
Saint Vincent's Hospital.
Did you-- did you really
believe that all these years?
Vincent,
I know the truth.
Aren't you at all
curious to know
why you are...
the way you are?
My gold.
Paracelsus!
My gold!
Jimmy... wouldn't
compromise.
Beyond the sadness...
his life had
great meaning.
Catherine,
I understand
why you expose
yourself to danger.
Because there are
some risks worth taking.
And there are
some things
worth risking
everything for.