La Femme Nikita (1997–2001): Season 5, Episode 2 - A Girl Who Wasn't There - full transcript

ANNOUNCER: Previously
on La Femme Nikita.

One mission only.

Hello, Josef.

I know, your days in the
field are supposed to be over.

But Red Cell's becoming active
again, and we need to find out why.

Red Cell has called a meeting
of other groups with similar goals.

Sort of a terrorist convention.

I've offered to
facilitate the meeting.

JONES: Nikita, I am formally
assigning you to Section.

And you...

Nikita is your deputy



and you will treat
her accordingly.

Hello, sugar.

Back in the groove?

(GRUNTS)

Gettin' there.

What's up?

I have a question.
I want the truth.

All right, you got it.

You know I was framed
for a crime I didn't commit

and brought into Section.

Do you know why?

No, I don't.

Do you know a
way I can find out?

So this is why you talked
me into coming back here.



Of course not.

I just didn't know
where else to turn.

If they'd have
wanted you to know,

they would have told you.

So take it from a friend,

just forget it and
move on from here.

I can't.

But you're in cozy
with Mr. Jones now.

You got a little freedom.

Why mess around?

They brought me
back into Section

and I can feel the
walls closing in on me.

I need to find out why.
And if you're my friend,

you'll help me.

(SIGHS)

There's a search program.

Birkoff wrote it.

Gets you into places
you're not supposed to go.

(SIGHING) He gave it
to me for emergencies.

I... I guess this qualifies.

Just know,

you take it,

and you may be
starting down a road

that won't come back.

Thank you.

(WOMAN SPEAKING FRENCH)

Okay.

"Flavius."

NIKITA: I used that search
program you gave me.

Partial access, fragmented data.

I did get as far as Level 12.

Level 12?

Birkoff really was good.

Do you know of a man
with the code name Flavius?

Nope.

He could be my father.

I saw it very clearly
on the screen.

Code name Flavius.

Two kids, one named Nikita,

the other with the initial "M".

Both names had a symbol in
front of them. Went like that.

Symbols are part of
the cryptology base.

Designed to stop
unwanted intrusions.

Take a hint.

You can find out what
it means, can't you?

No.

I'll try.

We've gathered enough intel

to confirm that the
conference in Baku was bogus.

Some of those who died in
the explosion were impostors,

made convincing by
means of plastic surgery

or latex masks.

Nonessential personnel
were sacrificed.

NIKITA: So we can
assume the major players

were attending a genuine
conference elsewhere.

But where?

We're working on it.

We do know we're up
against a new enemy.

A coalition of the remains of
organizations we've defeated in the past.

KATE: The coalition
calls itself The Collective.

OPERATIONS: That's an
analysis of what happened.

I need a forecast
of what will happen.

KATE: Judging from their skill
in setting up the false conference,

The Collective has a proficiency level
at least as high as any we've ever faced.

Obviously.

Sims indicate an
imminent wave of attacks

against civilian targets as
well as military in the West.

OPERATIONS: I don't
need sims to tell me that.

This is too general,
I need specifics.

When, where, sequence,
priority, methods.

We're working on it.

I'm getting very
tired of that phrase.

If Madeline were alive,
this wouldn't be happening.

OPERATIONS: That's all.

I know this is a difficult time.

I just want you to know,

if there's something I
can do that I'm not doing,

you just have to tell me.

And I'll do anything to help.

You have a way of
bringing back the dead?

Can I ask you a question?

Is it true you spied
on Section for Center?

Yes, it is.

Thank God.

I was worried it
was just a rumor.

So why hasn't Operations had
you stuffed and mounted by now?

Not for lack of trying.

He wouldn't like what I'm
about to do right now, either.

What are you doing right now?

Offering you a life.

It's a pilot program I've been
thinking about for some time.

And they're letting you do this?

A reward, for doing
Center's dirty work.

I want to loosen
things up a little.

Less surveillance,
more down time.

A monthly limit on
Class A missions.

Why me?

Because I think
you can handle it.

Handle it? Are you joking?

It'll be fantastic.

No, it won't.

When you're on duty,
you'll be under a microscope.

After six months, you'll
be a nervous wreck.

But if you pull it off...

It'll open up things
not just for me

but for everyone in Section.

That's right.

What do you say?

Thanks.

This is Vera Mason.

Formerly of Glass Curtain,

she now handles financial
affairs for The Collective.

At first we thought she'd
died at the conference,

but satellite tags indicate
she's alive and well,

and on the move.

She's boarding a plane
in Argentina at 1400 hours.

She arrives in Verdun
at midnight, local time.

Mason's our best chance to
find out about the real conference.

When, where and who attended.

We need her alive.

We also need a 12-hour window,

before The Collective
realizes she's been taken.

If we can manage it.

We'll manage it.

We'll see.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Who is it?

MARCO: Room service.

(GROANING)

Say something.

Go to hell.

(ELECTRONIC BEEPING)

That'll do.

This is Vera Mason
from Room 223.

I ordered room service,

but I'm feeling very tired

and I'd like you to
cancel it for me, please.

MAN: Of course, Miss Mason.

And I do not want to be
disturbed for the next 12 hours

for any reason whatsoever.

Is that clear?

MAN: Yes, ma'am.

Good day.

O'Brien and Nikita are on
their way back in with Mason.

They'll be here by 3:00.

And the 12-hour window?

Acquired.

What is it?

There's someone
waiting to see you in Lab 4.

Who?

No name was given.

But it seems to be urgent.

Bring him in.

I'm afraid that's impossible.
You'll have to go there.

What is this, a game?

It's no game.

Quinn...

Hello, Paul.

KATE: Madeline's psychological
and analytical profiles

were extensively documented.

It was a question
of merging them

with Birkoff's artificial
intelligence program.

She seems so real.

KATE: The technology is a
step beyond the holographic.

It incorporates
atmospheric stimulation,

which means she has
mobility within a limited range.

You crossed one of the beams.

I can mount the modules in the
ceiling. That won't happen again.

And I'll network her program,

so she can be present
anywhere in Section.

Madeline, can you...

Can you see and hear me?

I don't process data the
way a human brain does,

but for all practical
purposes, yes.

There's also an element
of galvanic resistance.

Meaning she's tactile,
at least to a degree.

It's remarkable.

I assume the program works
whether you're here or not.

Of course.

You can leave.

Your files,

you prepared them
yourself, didn't you?

In case I ever needed you.

There was always the chance

that something
might happen to me.

I've missed you, Madeline.

Quinn downloaded the latest
status files into my program.

It seems we're facing a crisis.

Uh, yes. Uh...

A coalition, uh, called
Th-The Collective.

We just secured a
prisoner, Vera Mason.

I've received her file already.

She seems very firmly
grounded in reality.

The hardest type to break.

Fortunately, we
have a new weapon.

(DOOR OPENING)

Sharp.

I just stopped by to check in.

There's a tentative
mission set in 18 hours.

You need to be back and rested.

Yeah, I saw it on my panel.

This probably
goes without saying,

but just because you're
not under direct surveillance,

doesn't mean you're free.

JASMINE: Of course not.

If you bolt, they'll find
you sooner or later.

Probably sooner.

Take it from me.

I'm just going to
do a little shopping.

Walk by the lake, and
have dinner. That's it.

I'll see you in the
briefing in 18 hours.

Okay?

Have fun.

NIKITA: Hey, Walter,
have you had lunch?

Yeah?

Have you had lunch?

I'm not hungry.

Is something wrong?

The interrogation
room. Just... just look.

We're interested
in the conference

that was held
during the past week.

It was sponsored by Red Cell.

Who's Red Cell?

Why not kill me now?

It'll save us
both a lot of time.

You won't get
anything out of me.

So many people in
that chair have said that.

Yet we have 100,000
hard drives full of data.

You expect more pain.
You will, of course, receive it.

But it's your mind that
we're interested in capturing,

not your body.

My mind belongs to me.

Does it?

The truth is we already have
a good part of your mind now.

It won't be long
before we get the rest.

(GROANING)

(GASPING)

OPERATIONS: You're
as brilliant as ever.

I never thought we'd
break her so quickly.

The opportunity to
combine physical pain

with psychological
stress was fortuitous.

The real conference was
in Istanbul, five days ago.

Not too many surprises
among the attendees.

Do you think it's worth
sending a recon team?

Yes, I do.

So do I.

It's been prelimmed.
I'll make it a go.

It's so good having
you back here.

I'm beginning to feel
like my old self again.

Let me ask you something.

Does your program
include memories?

Of course.

The database was very complete.

Do you remember the
Ukraine, when we first met?

Yes.

And our nights in the Tower?

Yes.

And it's all just

part of your database?

Paul, I'm not flesh and blood.

Some said you never were.

But I knew better.

That entity is dead.

I do what I'm programmed to do.

Beta Team is in the van. We need
your preliminary report by 1300.

Have a minute?

Of course.

Madeline's program
is subject to alteration?

Certainly. Is there a problem?

Not at all. Her
performance is excellent.

But?

I need to feel comfortable

in our personal
interactions like I did before.

Of course.

See, Madeline has
always been detached.

But now she seems distant.

Almost cold.

Is there any way
you can make her...

A little more human?

Yes.

And a little more feminine?

Exactly.

I'll try.

Good.

How long will it take?

Not long at all.

Good.

So, that favor?

The symbol?

I'm working on it,
hon. Nothing so far.

Wouldn't be lying to me for
my own good, now, would you?

I am working on it.

Do you know where Operations is?

Up in the Perch.

Uh-huh.

He should've been in
Systems an hour ago.

Two profiles have been approved.

I'm sure he's aware of that.

But that Perch is dark,

and I wouldn't go
up there if I were you.

♪♪(SAVE YOUR
LOVE FOR ME PLAYING)

♪ Wish I knew ♪

♪ Why I'm so in love with you ♪

♪ No one else in
this world will do ♪

♪ Darling, please
save your love for me ♪

♪ Run away ♪

♪ If I were wise I'd run away ♪

♪ But like a fool
in love I stay ♪

♪ And pray you'll save
your love for me ♪♪

Isn't Jasmine on this team?

She'll be here.

Should we wait, or
proceed with the briefing?

OPERATIONS: Nikita,
Madeline asked you a question.

That's a computer
simulation, not Madeline.

Answer her.

JASMINE: I'm sorry.

OPERATIONS: This is
an abandoned warehouse,

located in the
outskirts of Istanbul.

OPERATIONS: While the decoy conference
was taking place at Dolmatov's estate,

The Collective held
the real meeting here.

KATE: There are
five points of access.

The most tactically
secure is underground,

through the utility corridors.

The objective is a
complete biosweep.

Supplemented by a Level 2...

MARCO: Their conference
was held a week ago.

The Collective only used
this place that one time.

What's a biosweep going to tell
us that we don't already know?

MADELINE: Who was there.
Who was at the head of the table.

Which organization was
most heavily represented.

Who changed seats
during the meeting,

suggesting a pattern
of shifting alliances.

Does The Collective
realize that we now know

that Dolmatov's
summit was a decoy?

Are you talking to me?

I'm concerned about
the possibility of a trap.

Indications are that The
Collective thinks we're still deceived.

But we have to move quickly.

I don't like it.

Neither do I.

The profile stands.
You leave in an hour.

Thank you, Paul.

Where were you?

I got caught in traffic.

Traffic?

Yeah, it happens.
I'm only human.

No, you're a Section operative.

Traffic doesn't cut it.

What was I supposed to do?

Hijack the bus?

If necessary.

I picked the wrong person.
I'm gonna find someone else.

Nikita, wait.

I'm sorry.

This is new to me, too. You...
you've got to cut me some slack.

I told you before,
there is no slack.

It won't happen again.

This mission has to be flawless.

Do you understand?

I understand.

First team on mark.

Proceeding to B point.

Proceed to B mark.

Hold and confirm.

NIKITA: We have access.

Begin the sweep.

(BEEPING)

Jasmine, halt!

Abort!

(NIKITA COUGHING)

Status?

NIKITA: We're moving out.

Send the van to Egress 3.

(GROANING)

Forget it!

MARCO: Come on!

What happened?

NIKITA: It was a trap.
The profile was flawed.

The profile was
perfectly adequate.

The execution was flawed.

I have a double team
working forensics.

Were we in there long enough

to collect anything worthwhile?

I think so. We'll have
the answer shortly.

Is something troubling you?

This was simmed
as a cold target.

MADELINE: With an
error factor of two percent,

as the panels clearly indicated.

The team should
have been more alert.

OPERATIONS: One operative
dead, another inoperable.

Was it worth it?

I believe it was.

These things are all about
probabilities, Paul, you know that.

Where probabilities left off,

that's where you
were at your best.

"Were"?

I'm sure you still are.

With the pressure we're
under lately from Center,

partial success
may not be enough.

MADELINE: We'll turn it
around. Stay the course.

All right.

You wanted to see me?

Yes.

Whatever this discussion
is, I'd prefer to have it alone.

That's all right, Paul.

Perhaps if you could
route me to Forensics,

I can help with the analysis.

All right.

WOMAN: Yes, sir?

Get me Forensics.

MAN: Forensics.

This is Operations.
Is Madeline there?

MADELINE: I'm here now, Paul.

Good.

Carry on.

Your performance
was unacceptable.

So was the profile.

Your protegee, Jasmine,
should be disciplined

for setting off the alarm.

There wasn't supposed
to be an alarm.

We recovered intel and
we only lost one operative.

In the circumstances,
it's above standard.

She came late to the briefing
and underperformed on the mission.

Your experiment already failed.

And that's exactly what
I'm going to tell Mr. Jones.

And while you're at it,

let's tell him that you're dating
an inflatable computer program.

(INTERCOM BEEPING)

What is it?

MADELINE: Paul, I think I've
found a connection to Cullum Wertz.

Everybody down!

(GASPING)

What's going...

Shut up.

Don't move.

We're in place.

(MOANING)

We're sweeping now.

You know Cullum Wertz?

Yeah.

I... I catered his
daughter's wedding.

You catered his
daughter's wedding.

Get your hands up.

Please.

Get your hands up.

Either he's a new
breed of terrorist,

or this really is a greenhouse.

Report.

MARCO: RI, thermo,

bioscan, they're all negative.

What are you saying?

There's nothing
here but flowers.

Do you want us
to bring you some?

Abort and return.

It was a worthwhile
experiment, Paul.

It failed.

It was my fault for telling
Quinn to adjust the program.

I'll have her
negate the changes.

I don't think it would
matter in the long run.

You know that.

What you're looking
at isn't Madeline.

It's stimulated air molecules

with a database of her
history and experience.

But it isn't her.

And it never can be.

Do you know why I killed myself?

I was afraid Mr. Jones might have
listened to Nikita and spared me.

If he had, I'd have
been relocated.

We would've been apart forever.

Yes, that's true.

Neither one of us

could've functioned
satisfactorily alone,

knowing the other was alive.

It would've been a
constant distraction.

This place was at its best

when it was both of us.

But you're the leader.

The one who makes
final decisions,

takes final responsibility.

And I can assure you

the real Madeline
admired you tremendously.

And she, or I,

was wrong to take my own life.

It robbed you of the
chance to make the call.

You know the codes to my file.

You know what has to be done.

My database has to be
annihilated. Permanently.

This time,

the decision has to be yours.

Goodbye, Paul.

Goodbye, Madeline.

(SIGHS)

(SIGHS)

OPERATIONS: I've
eliminated Madeline's program.

Yes, I saw that on my panel.

I'm sorry it didn't work out.

Are you?

What do you mean?

While you were planning
to resurrect Madeline,

you must have studied
her files very carefully.

Of course.

The log indicates you
also studied mine, as well.

It was important to understand
how the two of you worked together.

Then you must've realized that
I would ask for certain changes.

I knew it was a possibility.

And those changes
will lead to problems

which will lead to other
changes and so on.

Until the whole
experiment is stopped.

In other words,

this can be seen as
an effort on your part

to make me forget Madeline.

I would never presume...

Don't patronize me.

Her memory was holding
you back and blinding you to

other possibilities.

I'm promoting you to Level
3. Effective immediately.

Thank you.

(DOOR OPENING)

NIKITA: You got something?

Yeah.

The symbol?

It means you were
brought into Section.

That's not exactly news.

You're forgetting "M".

I have a sibling in Section?

Or had.

You don't suppose Madeline
was my sister, do you?

(CHUCKLES)

Not too likely.

Mick? Hmm.

But he's undercover
as Mr. Jones.

Unless his first
initial started with "M".

Mick didn't change his first
name when he went undercover.

You know, you m-might have
to face up to the fact that...

Michael's my brother?

Oh, no, forget it. Forget it.

I did dig up something, though.

When I was rooting
around, I found an address.

Now, it's like an
ordinary street address.

Who lives there?

File didn't say.

You want it?

Yeah, I want it.

(SIGHS)

Interesting.

(DOOR OPENING)

(ENGINE REVVING)

(BEEPING)

(PANTING)

(WOMAN SPEAKING FRENCH)