Highlander: The Raven (1998–1999): Season 1, Episode 19 - The Manipulator - full transcript

Nick and Amanda are approached by a scared reporter who claims that political adviser Vladimir Rankov is a traitor who is trying to extend a civil war in his country for his own financial gain. The reporter requests that Nick and Amanda break into the embassy and steal Rankov's computer so that he can be exposed, but when they get there they discover that Rankov is an immortal who Amanda has crossed swords with, and that the reporter may not be telling them the whole story.

Thank you.
Over there!

I do not think
this is good for you.
You have no idea.

Okay.

This is so nice.
A cup of coffee,
early morning stroll.

I love getting up
at the crack of dawn.

It's the crack of noon,
Amanda.

Oh. Well, it's sunrise
somewhere, huh?

Bonjour, monsieur.
Oui, oui, oui.

For instance,
where Lauren is,

she's probably
fast asleep.

Who?
The person you were playing
phone tag with last night.



Since when did you start
monitoring my calls?

That's not an answer.

How 'bout "it's none
of your business"?
Come on!

You can talk to me--
take that--
about anything.

It's nothing I want
to talk to you about.

Well, you know, I do know
a few things about women.

I'm an Immortal and, uh,
in case you haven't noticed,

also a woman,
and above all I am French.

Which makes you
an expert on?
Just about everything.

Nick Wolfe! Nick Wolfe?

What?
You are Nick Wolfe?

You were right
the first time.

Do we know you?
Tim Helfet, reporter,
Cable Worldnews Network.

No comment.
No, wait! I want to hire you.



I know this sounds crazy,
but someone's trying
to kill me.

I need your help.

I'd say so.
Yep.

She is immortal.

A thousand years old
and she cannot die.

A creature of legend...

like the raven,

a thief who stole the sun
and the moon.

They sent a warrior
to bring her back.

He found her.

Together, they brought back
light to the world.

I was a cop.

To me she was just a thief,

another day on the job.

But she wasn't--
She changed my life,
changed everything.

And both of us knew
from that moment on,

nothing would ever be
the same.

Helfet. Helfet.

Tell me, you any relation
to Jerry Helfet, the journalist?

He's my father. Was.
He was murdered.

And you want us to find out
who killed him.

I know who killed him.
His name is Vladimir Rankov.

Advisor to an Eastern Bloc
prime minister, Novak.

Anton Novak. His country's
been in a brutal civil war
for the past four years.

You think I only read
the sports section?

Novak's in town
hammering out a peace treaty.

My father found out Rankov was
trying to sabotage negotiations.

-He's advising one side, selling
state secrets to the other.
-You can prove that?

Rankov must think so.
You don't shoot at somebody
just for jaywalking.

He keeps all his dealings
on computer. It's the only track
of who owes him what.

- Okay. Where's his computer?
- Wherever Rankov is.

This week it's in a ch??teau
outside of town.

Next week it'll be the Balkans,
and it'll be too late.

So you want us to break into
Rankov's ch??teau and sneak past
how many armed guards?

- Half a dozen.
- Half a dozen armed guards.
Perfect.

So we put the computer under
one arm and wave good-bye to the
prime minister with the other?

- I don't think so.
- You sure the computer's there?

Two things Rankov
always carries with him:

that computer
and an emergency stash
of diamonds.

Well, then again,
peace on Earth...

would make such a nice greeting
on the holiday cards this year.

You look nice
in a uniform.

You're enjoying this
too much.

Why not?
Diamonds, ch??teau.
It's a wonderful life.

We're not here to steal
jewels, money, bath towels
or anything else.

We're here to work.

You're gonna get
your computer.

I'll get a little bonus.
Everybody goes home happy.

You should try
sketching, Rankov.
Calms one's nerves.

Helps you appreciate
the finer detail.

Let us, perhaps, focus
on the detail of the treaty.

Ten years ago, I taught
drawing like this
to my children.

That's what I called them--
my children.

Muslims, Serbs.
It didn't matter then.

Nobody cared
where you came from.
Hard to believe now.

So far so good.
Shh.

Please, do not fail them
at the conference.

Peace will happen.
It has been decided.

But the men who will sit
opposite you at the conference
table are animals,

killers.

They are not like us.

So why do they look
just like us?

I bet you $500
that the computer's
in the library.

You're on.

It's for you.

Hello?

Anytime you want
to jump in.

Congratulations.

Will you take an I. O. U. ?
Of course
it's booby-trapped.

If I put in the wrong code,
we'll have a total meltdown.

Then don't put in
the wrong code.
Good point.

Simon would have been 22
next week.

- Your son died a hero.
- Tell that to his mother.

We didn't
start this war,
Your Excellency.

That doesn't matter
anymore.

When they come for
your wife and daughter,
it will.

No, we can't
weaken now.

We have the larger army,
more advanced weapons.

Another month or two,
and we'll taste
complete victory.

And how many more sons
would we have buried?

Rankov, the world
cries out for peace.

And what does Simon
cry out for?

Hear him,
Your Excellency?

Your son cries out
for vengeance.

What are you doing?
Leaving.

- Not without the computer.
- They know we're here.

Search the grounds.
We have an intruder.

Company.

What now?
Jump.

- What?
- Jump!

Come on out!

That was--
Run!

It's Rankov.

Kristina, when we spar,
I am not your friend.

I am not your teacher.
I am your enemy.

Amanda, you could never
be my enemy.

Kristina!
Kristina!

Kristina!
Enough with this
foolish game!

-She neglects her studies.
-This is a very important study.

I shall inform the duke.
Ah.

But you would need
a tongue for that.

If my father finds out,

I do not think that this
would please him.

What pleases your father
is far less important
than what pleases you.

Amanda?
Hmm?

I don't understand you.

Why? Because I ask you to
make your own decisions...

and to know your heart
and act upon it?

One day you may rule
all of Bourgogne.

I am a woman.

Yes, you are,
but nevertheless,

you shall be ready.

So do you want
to learn or not?
Yes.

Well, thenen garde.

They come from Savoy.

Do you think
there will be peace?

Amanda!

Keep firing!

- Who's the suit?
- We have a history.

Obviously
it didn't end well.
We should go.

Cover!

Weasel.
Graduated Harvard,
top of his class.

- Liar.
- Promoted to foreign bureau
of CWNN in 1994.

He's a double-crossing,
bottom-feeding son of a bitch.

Won the Schiller Award
for outstanding journalism
in the Gulf.

Look, Nick, you're not
helping me here.

What can I say? The guy's
a journalist, just like
he said. He checks out.

Journalist? Maggot.
There's a fine line
between the two.

You know that story
about Vladimir Rankov
and his father?

He died. Everything
he said was true.

Come on.
Helfet baited the hook,
and he reeled me in.

Now you're sounding paranoid.

He practically
fell at our feet
in a hail of bullets,

and he looked up at us
with those puppy dog eyes,
saying, "Help me. "

Then he drops
these buzzwords like
"ch??teau" and "diamonds. "

I can't believe
I fell for it.
It's not far out of line.

The guy said
he was looking for us.

Not us. Me.

Merci.
Merci beaucoup.

Does he remember
dropping Helfet off?

He remembers
dodging bullets.

Well, the bellman
recognized the photo,
but says he's gone out.

Waiter pinned him too.
Delivered him breakfast
this morning.

Uh, whole wheat toast,
bran cereal, grapefruit juice.
Very exciting stuff.

He's on the run.
What do you want him
to do, advertise?

I want him to have an accident,
preferably involving
sharp, pointy objects.

A little less obsessive,
a little more objective.
Shall we give it a try?

Okay.
What's the plan?

We wait.
That's your plan?

Waiting.

All right. How long?
As long as it takes.

What if I'm bored
already?

Then you get to buy
the first round of coffee.

- No sugar.
- This has sugar.

Ready?

????

????

????
Hey!

]
? ? ? ? [ Whistling

- More coffee.
- More coffee? Are you nuts?

Suit yourself.

What?

Blue.
What?

Word association now.
You're crazy.

It's either that
or we start humming
show tunes.

Jay.
What?

Blue jay.
Okay.

- Um... man.
- Woman.

Fire.
Water.

Up.
Down.

Love.
Lauren.

Get moving.
Just when it's
getting interesting.

All right.
It was a cheap trick.
Sorry.

It's all right.

Today would have been
our ninth anniversary.

- Ex-wife, huh?
- Well, it was her choice,
not mine.

You're right. I'm sorry.
It's not my business.

It's okay.

She just, uh, you know--

I liked being a cop,
and she didn't like
being married to one.

Sounds like
you still love her.

There's our guy.

What the hell
do you think you're doing?
Who are you working for?

Try telling the truth
this time.
I've already told you!

We didn't believe you.
Try again.

Rankov murdered my father,
and he's trying to kill me too.
What more do you want me to say?

You can start by telling me
where you got this.

What is it?

It's a chronicle.
My, my, my.
Did I do all this?

Care to elaborate?
It's all about me.

1508 to 1570.
My Renaissance period.

Ten-to-one he's got one
of those tacky little
tattoos on his wrist.

Oh, yeah.
He's a Watcher.

You know about us?
Secret's out.

Start talking.

I'm a journalist,
like I said.

I'm also a Watcher.

So was my father.
He was Rankov's Watcher.

Till one day he got too close,
and Rankov caught him.

He was interrogated,
tortured,

murdered.

You read in here
that Rankov and I have
an old score to settle.

Rankov has to pay
for what he did.

And you used me as bait.
Best case scenario,
I take his head.

Worst case-- at least
worst case for me--

he takes mine,
and you kill him
during the Quickening.

That's just
a happy ending for all,
isn't it?

It was the only way
to draw him out,
away from the guards.

Give me one
good reason why I
shouldn't kill you.

I can't stop Rankov by myself.
What choice did I have?

Watchers don't get a choice.
Didn't you read the fine print?

How can you not help me?
You know what he is.

I will not give up.
Do you understand?

Rankov, three years
we have been fighting.

Tell your duke there
will be no surrender,

not while one of us
still has the power
to draw breath.

But what if your people
could enjoy peace...

without surrender?

How could that be?

- You have a daughter.
- Kristina?

Suddenly my life
seems as a boulder,

rolling downhill,
out of control,

everything rushing by
in a blur.

Maybe there's something
wrong with me.

Hush.

Why do I always seem
to be afraid?

Because you're young,

and everything seems large
and very important.

You feel a misstep
of a hairsbreadth...

would cause certain ruin
and destruction.

Yes. That's it.

Exactly.

Well, you will learn,
Kristina.

We all fear
what we do not know.

Whether it be the thousands
who will look to you
as their ruler...

or the young man
beside you in bed...

who'll look to you
as his wife.

I'm foolish.

I have no choice.

I will marry him.

Why? Because
your father wills it?
No.

Because honor wills it.

- Whose honor?
- Mine.

If it saves the life
of one of my people,

I would marry
the devil himself.

Well, that is your choice,
Kristina,

but you did not
start the war.

No.

But I may be able
to end it.

Spoken like a true queen.

Very well.

A wedding
there will be.

There is
one further item
to discuss.

The dowry.

I'm giving his son Burgundy.

He wants me to pay him
for the privilege?

It is the custom.

How much?

I would suggest...

a substantial amount...

to show good faith.

Will this suffice?

The duke's emissary.

He travels back to Savoy
with my fate in his hands.

Do not worry.

I will make sure
it gets there safely,
Kristina.

My lord, why are you
stopping here?

The saddle is loose.
I think the girth
is broken.

My lord, it is
as tight as a drum.

Here!
Look to the man!

The duke of Bourgogne
betrayed us,

unfortunately,
I was the only survivor.

If you do not deliver
the dowry,

the duke will look
upon that as an insult,
and the war will go on.

How astute of you.

What's another war to we
who have seen so many?

What a pair we would make.
You with your beauty,
and me with my acumen.

There's enough profit
in this world
for both of us.

It has gone on
for far too long, Rankov.

And so, dear lady,
have you.

Oh, I don't wish
to take advantage.

You'll find the left hand
most stimulating.

You still have time
to change your mind.
Not today, Rankov.

This is for your master,
from the duke of Bourgogne.

An acceptance
to his marriage offer.

Amanda.

Did you see?
Yes, the entire court
of Savoy is here.

No. Not that.

- And the families have
promised to stop fighting.
- Amanda!

- What?
- I speak of Philippe.

Philippe. Oh!
Philippe, your groom.

He is so handsome,
is he not?

Handsome?
Yes.

Rather cruel and ugly,
I should have thought.

What?
A bit like his father.

The hands of a beast
and the heart of an ogre.

Or is that
the other way around?
He looks kind.

Doesn't he look kind?

He looks wonderful.
Yes.

This is
the most important day
of my life.

- I'm proud I am to be
sharing it with you.
- I'm so grateful to you.

- Me? Why?
- I have no sisters, no mother.

To have you standing there
beside me...

at the altar--

This union will bring peace
to your people...

and such joy
to your heart.

I cannot imagine
a more perfect day.

All right. Come now.
Nice deep breath.

It is time.

This is a most
wonderful occasion...

for today we marry
these two children...

under the eyes of God...

in holy matrimony.

Rankov!

Kristina!

Kristina!

Kristina!

Am I dying? Am I?

No, darling. No.

You are the most beautiful
bride I've ever seen.

It's getting dark, Amanda.

I can't see you.

Kristina,
just think--

the future queen
on the arm
of her Philippe.

What a glorious life
you will have.

And the two of you
will have
beautiful children.

And I will get
to hold them...

with tears
in my eyes.

Tears of joy.

So Rankov, uh, disappeared,
and we never found him.

If I had protected her...

instead of pursuing him,

Kristina would have
had those babies.

So help me.

How dare you?
It's my life and
it's my business.

Look, I'm sorry
that your father
was murdered,

but if there's one thing
I've learned in 1,200 years,

it's that nobody--
nobodygets to use me.

She's an Immortal.

You're a human being.
You understand.

She's more human
than you think.

So because Rankov's
immortal, he gets away
with murder.

What would you do
in my place?

Hey!

You wished to see me,
Prime Minister?

I have made a decision.

Tomorrow I will order
a cease-fire and the
withdrawal of our forces...

from all occupied
territories.

You think it's that easy?

They will see it as a weakness,
launch a counteroffensive.

- The war is over.
- Like hell it is.

It's 3:00 in the morning.
What are you doing here?

You know what
I'm doing here.
You didn't have a choice.

He wasn't one of Rankov's men.
He was a Watcher.

Who had a gun,
ready to commit murder.

You just let him waltz right in
and take him, like the guy
never even existed.

Look around you, Prime Minister.
Ten years ago, what were you?

Second-rate schoolteacher.

This war made you.

It's given you
wealth, power.

I will expect
your resignation
on my desk...

tomorrow morning.

Pleasant dreams,
Prime Minister.

Get out.

I want you to call
Joe Dawson.
What for?

I want to know the name
of the man I killed.

Whoever he was,
he was just doing his job.

He took an oath.
They all did.
Rankov murdered his father.

But as soon as Helfet
used me to get to Rankov,
he broke the oath.

He interfered
in the worst way
a Watcher can interfere.

For that,
he had to pay a price.

You got in the way of it.
I'm still in the way of it.

What does that mean?
I'm going after the computer.

You're crazy!
And you're going with me.

No, I'm not.
Amanda, I killed
someone today.

What, so by going after
the computer and Rankov,
you can make it better?

If I can shorten this war
just by one day,
how many lives can I save?

He'll know I'm there.
I can't even get near
the place.

Maybe he won't.

Maybe there's
another way.

I'm over the wall.
Turning on your head cam.

- You read me?
- Loud and clear.
I see you perfectly.

Okay. Here we go.

Nick, I don't think this
is one of our better ideas.

Thanks for the confidence
booster. Just tell me
if you see any guards.

Guards to the right.
Get against the wall.

Oh, there's gotta be
a better way.

Are they gone?
For the moment.

Bingo. Let's do it.

I want you to carefully
unscrew the keypad plate.
Any sudden movements--

I know. Okay.

The most important thing
is to relax.

Think about
something else entirely.

So, uh, when was the last
time you saw your wife?
Uh-huh.

It's a hell of a time
to ask a question like that.

What was she wearing?
Amanda.

Just curious as to what kind
of impression she left.

What is going on?

I'm okay.
Just reading one of the kids
a bedtime story.

- I don't like this.
- You know what they say--
those who can't do, teach.

That's very funny.

Just hook up
the digital analyzer
to the blue and red wires.

That's what I'm doing.

What is he doing?

Hooking up the digital analyzer,
like you just said.

- Oh, faster would be better.
- What's wrong?

No, never mind.

Oh, amateur.

- I don't do this every day.
- Just focus.

It's working.

Amanda, we did it.
Congratulations.

Amanda,
are you still there?
What's going on?

Nothing. I just thought
I saw someone.

- Rankov.
- No.

Never mind.
Just get the computer
and get out of there.

I found this on him.

Leave us.
I'll look after this.

Go.

Who are you?

You know,
it really doesn't matter
who you are.

Prime Minister,
rise and shine!
We have a visitor.

You know, my friend, you
have come at a very historic
and opportune moment.

- What is going on here?
- This gentleman was found
in the gardens.

His intention was, no doubt,
to assassinate you.

Did you call
the authorities?

I thought it best
that we handle this
amongst ourselves.

I'm going to call
the police.

Please!

Don't pick up
that phone.

Saving my life
hasn't changed my mind.
There will be peace.

Yes, but unfortunately,
I didn't save your life.

Mission accomplished.

I said--
Helfet.

You can put down
the binoculars.
I-- What?

He's in there.
He was nabbed
almost immediately.

Why didn't you
tell me that before?

I didn't want
to distract you.

I'm gonna go after him.
I knew you were
gonna say that.

What is more important,
the computer or the Watcher?

Both.
I knew you were
gonna say that too.

This is not negotiable.
Everything is negotiable.

Margaux.
Excellent vintage.

Delicate, subtle, cunning.

Unlike yourself,
of course.

Screw you!

Don't confuse stupidity
with bravery.

Get my things together.

We'll leave as soon
as I finish with him.

And now, my friend,

you have my complete
and undivided attention.

Where is my computer?

And who the hell
are you?

Helfet.

Tim Helfet.

Helfet.

Oh.
That explains a lot.

Like father,
like son, eh?

You murdered him.
Oh, please, don't
take it personally.

It was purely
a practical decision.

If it's any consolation,
he didn't start begging
until the very end.

I know who you are,

and I know how to kill you.

Full of little surprises,
aren't you?

Yes?

Phone call, sir.

It came in
on the scrambled SatCom.

Rankov?
Yes?

This is your conscience
calling.
My conscience?

Amanda, I think you must have
the wrong number.

I have something you want.

I might have known.
You are proposing a trade?

What choice do you have?

I could kill this little
nonentity in front of me with
a single bullet to the forehead.

Then I take your computer
to the media.

How would you like to see
your name in headlines?

I'm listening.

Put him in the car.

If I'm not back
in 15 minutes,
kill him... slowly.

Well, well, well.

History always
repeats itself.

Winston Churchill told me that
in... 1928, I think.

This is for Kristina.

Oh, you shouldn't be
so sentimental, Amanda.

It's bad for one's health.

No, Nick!
Don't shoot!

For Kristina.

Don't shoot!

Jesus!

What the hell
were you thinking?

You could've killed me.

Relax. The night's
still young.

Think it'll last?
Maybe.

That was Joe Dawson.

He told you
to make yourself invisible
and stay that way.

Maybe the Watchers
will let you live.

Well, thank you,
both of you.

Quit while you're ahead.

What are you doing?
Taking a spin
through memory lane.

Hear it's a good read.

Well, that never tells
the whole story, does it?

Can never tell you how it
feels to hold a dying girl
on her wedding day.

It's funny the things
that don't let go of you.

On second thought,
I don't think
you can read this.

Hey!
No. Give it to me.

Wait a minute.
Why is my life an open book,
and yours is off limits?

Because I say so.
What about that part
about you and Michelangelo?

Did it say that he was
madly in love with me?

No.

You shouldn't believe
everything you read then.

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