La Femme Nikita (1997–2001): Season 5, Episode 5 - The Man Behind the Curtain - full transcript

ANNOUNCER: Previously
on La Femme Nikita.

(GRUNTING)

Whoever it was went
through my room.

Any idea who?

It wasn't one of ours.

Then it was someone
who knew us very well.

I know things.

What do you know?

There's a directive
about to be implemented.

I don't know.

I... I... I'm an actor.
That's it. I'm an actor.



Who is in charge?

The real Mr. Jones.

We both know that if
they find out that I broke...

See you tomorrow.

I'm Mr. Jones.

We've been expecting you.

Father?

At last we meet.

And you are?

Well, just call me
the real Mr. Jones.

I need more than a name.

Very well.

I'm the big cheese.

The man behind the curtain.



King Tut.

Whatever you want.

Now, if we have
both finished gawking,

perhaps it's time we
got down to some work.

I'd like some answers.

No, I'm sorry. There's no time.

Belgrade.

There is a mission in six
hours' time. You'll be on it.

Black Moon has
a safe house here.

The object is to destroy it.

Now, the team will
approach from the south,

and then they will
egress the same way.

It deviates from the
optimum by seven minutes,

which is just about
the time you'll require.

Time for what?

There is a dead drop here,

northeast corner of the
churchyard, at a bench just there.

You will retrieve the contents,

and then you will bring
them to me tomorrow.

Clear?

Clear? Nothing's
clear. Why am I here?

All in good time.
Hmm? All in good time.

In the meantime, you'll
just have to trust me.

Can you give me one
good reason why I should?

Goodbye, Nikita.

(WOMAN SPEAKING FRENCH)

Flash mission in 15.

Belgrade?

How'd you know
that? It was just posted.

I met my father.

Where? At Center?

He's the head.

He's Mr. Jones?

That's right.

(EXCLAIMS)

What did he do? What did he say?

What did he want?

I don't know.

He's all business.

Hmm.

That's too bad.

It's panel briefing
only. Fifteen.

(SIGHING)

I don't get it.

Black Moon has no
connection with The Collective,

and the egress route...

Sub-optimal. I know.

What the hell's going on?

I need your help.

A seven-minute window
during the mission.

Can you cover me?

Sure.

I'll explain later.

No explanation necessary.

(GUN FIRING)

Watch the window.

(GUN FIRING)

NIKITA: Quinn.

The schematic on our
panels did not show a tunnel.

There isn't one.

Well, I'm looking
at an entrance.

KATE: Must be very recent.

It's lined. I'm gonna
have to go dark.

KATE: For how long?
Estimate seven minutes.

Go.

(BEEPING)

(CAR DOOR SHUTS)

The woman.

There was a woman in
black. Where did she go?

(FIRING)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

Hello, Nikita.

You have something for me?

Excellent.

What's wrong?

The drop was hot.

Yes?

I could have been killed.

How many hostiles were there?

Three, four?

Three.

Well, a mere trifle for
someone of your ability.

I'll wager you didn't even use
the full seven minutes. Hmm?

Well, there you are.

You know what this is?

It's a shadow disk.

So you will know,

unless this is read by a
synchronous drive, it self-destructs.

However, if I am careful...

(BEEPING)

That's not bad.

I have salvaged eight frames.

What do you make of them?

NIKITA: Section encryption.

Transferred to shadow disk

and left in a dead drop
controlled by The Collective.

There's a mole in Section.

Yes.

Who?

Well, that is what you
and I have to discover.

However, even without the decryption,
it is clear that this is Level 8 material.

I've eliminated everybody
except O'Brien and Operations.

Your assessment?

O'Brien's not a traitor.

Bahrain, July.
Moldova, September.

He was the sole
survivor both times.

Now the odds against that happening
to a clean operative are very high.

I disagree. It's Operations.

Operations hates Center.
His motivation is obvious.

All right.

(SIGHING)

Investigate them
both. And report to me.

Not yet.

We need to talk.

Seven years ago, you
had me framed for murder

and brought into Section.

Yes.

Why?

Well, call it genetics.

It was quite clear that you
had the ability to succeed.

You belonged in Section.

Nobody belongs in Section.

Nobody wants to be in
Section. There is a difference.

Why didn't you contact me?

Because it was important

that you show me you
had the ability and the desire

to contact me.

So you were monitoring
me the whole time?

Naturally.

And when I was in danger?

I had one rule, no interference.

I am your daughter.

It was important that you
succeeded on your own.

It was the only way.

The only way for what?

For you to become what
you were meant to be,

you had to be strong and
stand on your own feet.

And my mother living on the
streets? What's your excuse for that?

I could not intervene
for security reasons.

How convenient.

No, it wasn't very convenient.

It was painful.

Do you want me to tell you how
much I admire your sacrifices?

No.

Just pout, because Daddy
never took you to the zoo.

We are not ordinary
people, you and I.

There are certain
things we have to do.

Why us?

Because there's no
one else who can.

Now, The Collective is
the most dangerous threat

we've ever had to face.

So, let's stop this chattering.

You go back to Section
and find the mole.

Do you mind passing
me my cane, please?

Stand on your own

and be strong.

Another transmission
on Sub-Channel Seven.

Belgrade was an anomaly.

Zero impact.

So our mysterious friend at
Section One is still alive and well.

Yesterday we lost a
dead drop in Belgrade.

Now comes this message,

"Don't worry, no problem."

Aren't you a bit suspicious?

Well, the mole, whoever he is,
has, uh, has been very helpful.

But now he's been discovered.

No. Intel shows no signs of
high-level changes in Section One.

To be safe, we should
cancel all missions.

Starting with Vilnius.

That's not necessary.

There's a saying in my country,

"Only a fool tickles
a dragon's tail."

Well, I'll, uh...

I'll keep that in mind.

Graff.

The Collective is a coalition.
That requires agreement.

A compromise.

We proceed with Vilnius. If we
don't hear from the mole, we cancel.

If we do, we re-evaluate
in light of what he said.

Agreed.

Recent intel includes
a number of indicators

suggesting The Collective
will become active in Vilnius.

The likely target
is this factory,

built with loans
from Western banks.

Its destruction would be
a major embarrassment.

Level 2 team is on
close-quarters standby.

O'Brien, you'll provide
tactical support to Quinn.

Details are on your panels.
Team leaves in one hour.

The profile is bad.

The Level 2 team
will be slaughtered.

OPERATIONS:
It's all we can spare.

We're active in two other
sectors. Three and Five.

Now get going.

O'Brien, I was reviewing
your file this morning.

Yeah?

What'd you find out?

That you're a good
cop. No family.

Father died. Mother still alive.

You've done pretty well
for yourself in Section.

A couple of bumps
here and there.

Moldova, for instance.

Intel missed a support team.

They expected 10
hostiles. There were 20.

You were lucky to get out.

I was a cop. Before
that, I was a Marine.

We don't leave
our buddies behind.

But see, Section's different.

They told me to abort, so I did.

But not a day goes by
that I don't think about it.

Hey, why were you
checking my file?

Proficiency reports are due.

Why life before Section?

Maybe I was, uh,
digging a little deeper.

Have dinner with me, tonight.

I'll tell you anything
you want to know.

O'Brien told you he
was ordered to pull out

and leave the others?

Yeah.

There's no such order
on the mission tape.

Could the order have been given
and not made it onto the tapes?

It's possible, but not likely.

Bahrain?

(KEYBOARD CLICKING)

Same deal.

O'Brien got lucky.
The others got unlucky.

Do you think he's
playing both sides?

I don't know.

He didn't seem to object
to the Vilnius profile.

What's wrong with the profile?

Level 2 team, Class-A target.

Sectors Three and
Five are spread too thin.

We don't have
teams in either sector.

Are you sure?

Who told you otherwise?

Operations.

He's lying.

The Vilnius
mission, it's a trap.

Operations is sending
a deficient team.

He says we're thin in
sectors Three and Five.

That's not true.

So, you think that
he is the mole?

The logical conclusion.

But not the only conclusion.

Suppose he feels that
there is a mole in Section.

What do you think
his reaction might be?

Load the grid
with disinformation.

It's possible but
we're taking a risk.

Yes, indeed.

However, the
mission will proceed.

We will monitor it, and we
will learn from it what we can.

You said something before about
me becoming what I was meant to be.

What did you mean by that?

Yes, yes. I was somewhat
premature. I shouldn't have said it.

But you did.

Yes, I did. It's quite simple.

I'm an old man. I will
not be here forever.

You think I'm gonna
take over for you.

You think you can just pass
this along like a family business?

Why not?

For one thing, I don't intend to
spend the rest of my life here.

Nikita, I... I think
that as time goes by,

you will come to realize
that there is no alternative.

There's always an alternative.

(ALARM BEEPING)

Ah.

The mission's starting.
Let's see if it reveals the mole.

Confirm hostile status.

Still off the small grid.
I estimate 30 seconds.

Link with plant security.

I'm setting it now.

Unit One in sight of the target.

Unit Two standing by.

Still no word from our friend.

No, you're wrong.

No, he's sent us
their profile for Vilnius.

Why wasn't I informed?

Small team.
Layered configuration.

It's too easy. It's a trap.

(CHUCKLES)

No. It's a chance to destroy the
plant and a Section team as well.

Not every fish is good
just because it's on a hook.

Your country has a proverb
for every occasion, doesn't it?

I'm simply saying the risk...

I understand!

I understand and suggest
another compromise.

Unit Two moves
from target to defense.

If it's a trap, at least we'll kill as
many Section operatives as possible.

Agreed?

Agreed.

Fine.

Hostiles should be
visible, two o'clock.

They've got company.

The Collective must have
diverted the target team.

KATE: They were expecting us.

MARCO: Set up
defensive perimeter.

JONES: O'Brien doesn't
seem too surprised.

(MAN SCREAMING)

Quinn, we need a show
of force behind the hostile.

Insufficient personnel.

Request support
from plant security.

KATE: Plant security responding.

It worked. Hostiles
are withdrawing.

Extract your team.

Yeah.

It was a missed opportunity. We
could have destroyed the plant.

I'm still not convinced
the mole is genuine.

Well, he's never
misled us. Not once.

There's a saying
in my country...

No, please, please.
Let it remain there.

Are you tired of my proverbs?
I'm tired of your compromises!

All right.

Then let's stop compromising.

Cyanide.

Next time we rely on
his intel completely.

If it proves false,
I'll take the tablet.

If not, you do.

Agree to the test,

or relinquish sole
control to me immediately.

This is madness.

From now on, you report to me,

and to me alone.

There's a preliminary
report coming through.

Casualties high, the
plant undamaged.

Fortunately for us, The
Collective didn't trust the mole.

Not completely, anyway.

They will after this.

Yes, it is very likely.

Which means that we are in
a very grave situation indeed.

We are running
out of time, Nikita.

Focus on O'Brien.
And that is an order.

MARCO: Now, here we are.

Wow. It's beautiful.

The restaurant was a hit.

(CHUCKLES)

I think too much of a hit. I'm not
going to be able to eat for a week.

(MARCO CHUCKLES)

♪♪(MUSIC PLAYING)

Hope you saved
some room for coffee.

Yeah. That'd be great.

Be right back.

I love the colors in here.

Thanks.

Be ready in a minute.

Would you have a seat?

(CLEARS THROAT)

I won't bite.

You know, uh, to be honest,

I feel a little awkward.

Well, it's hard to have
a social life with Section.

No, that's not what I mean.

I tell myself that
Section's like cop work.

You know, I get the bad
guy and then I go home.

But, uh, the truth is, uh,

to make life really
worth living, I, uh,

I need to feel something.

(GRUNTS)

(BEEPING)

(RAPID BEEPING)

(GUN CLICKING)

Ah.

Oh.

(SIGHING)

You gonna make it quick?

First tell me why.

Why?

A man wants to take
care of his family.

Even Section should be
able to understand that.

What are you talking about?

You saw my report.

You checked my file.

My mother's an invalid.
She's got nothing.

I hack into banks.

I send her what she needs.

Shadow disks don't
leave any tracks.

And that's all
you use these for?

What else do you
think I use them for?

Someone's leaking intel
to The Collective, O'Brien.

What do you think?

Huh?

You more than anyone
else should know,

it's not my style to betray
the people that I work with.

NIKITA: He's innocent.

JONES: Hardly.

He's already admitted to
unauthorized activities outside Section.

To take care of his sick mother.
I will see that he's disciplined.

He's not the mole.

Why, because he says so?

Because I believe him.

Nikita, we already know

that The Collective's next strike
will be the most ambitious yet.

We cannot afford
another mistake.

You told me to trust you.

How can I when
you will not trust me?

Yeah. All right. Point taken.

I do so hope you're right.

The new refinery in
Helsinki is a prime target,

and one we cannot allow
The Collective to destroy.

We'll intercept
on the perimeter.

The configuration
will be staggered.

Further details
are on your panels.

Any questions?

Pick up your equipment from Walter,
report to Transport in half an hour.

You're under arrest.

Are you mad?

Who authorized you to do this?

I did.

Hello, Paul.

I should've known.

What's the charge?

Treason.

Passing intel to The Collective.

As good of an excuse as any.

But since when have you
bothered with excuses?

Confine him.

Profile's been revised.

Delay action till The
Collective attacks the refinery.

Layered configurations,
not staggered.

New panels in 10 minutes.

What's this all about?

Well, if it's not you, then
it has to be Operations.

And the revised profile?

A little surprise
for The Collective.

Assuming Operations
gave them the original.

Yes, of course. Marco...

You did what you had to do.

Tell him to bring in three
prisoners for questioning,

therefore, alive.

KATE: Mr. Jones wants
three live specimens at least.

Got it.

MARCO: We have
visual on the hostiles.

Alpha Team, take
left grid. Beta, let's go.

TEAM LEADER: Alpha
Team acquiring left grid.

(GROANING)

(GROANING)

(GUNS FIRING)

Beta Team, defensive positions.

(GROANS)

Quinn, status.

It's a double envelopment.

I can see that. Where's the gap?

Four o'clock. But hurry.

(GROANS)

How's Alpha Team?

Alpha Team is cut off.

They must have
gotten our new profile.

JONES: How is that possible?

Alpha Team, we need a report.

We're pinned!

(GRUNTS)

(YELLS)

Quinn, bring them in.

Abort. Repeat, abort.

O'Brien, acknowledge.

(GUNS FIRING)

I hear you.

MARCO: Beta Team,
withdraw to four.

Go! Go!

(GUNS FIRING)

Go!

Alpha Team, position.

Alpha Team, position.

Alpha Team, acknowledge!

KATE: O'Brien,
Alpha Team is history.

Your orders are to
withdraw with Beta Team.

O'Brien, acknowledge.

(GRUNTS)

O'Brien, it's Nikita.
Do you hear me?

Yeah, I hear you.

Pull out.

Not this time.

(GRUNTS)

O'Brien, pull out.

(GRUNTING)

O'Brien?

(SHRILL BEEPING)

Beta Team reports three
survivors. Alpha Team, none.

The refinery?

Destroyed.

So, Paul is in custody.

O'Brien has just been killed.

Well, who is it then?

Who's the mole?

Quite.

To victory.

Incoming message.

Someone at Gate
Three requesting access.

How the hell did he
get past the perimeter?

I don't know.

He says he's the mole.

Here?

Access granted.
Gentlemen, please.

Michael Samuelle.

Yes.

GRAFF: For years, this man
was Section's best operative.

I thought they,
uh, cancelled you.

They failed.

How did you get
your information?

I know them better than
they know themselves.

Protocols, procedures,
contingencies.

I helped create them.

So, it's all been guesswork.

What you thought they'd do.

Yes.

My guesswork is
better than your intel.

Or perhaps Section sent
you here to spy on us.

Section's in a shambles.

They'd never pay such a
price to establish a mole.

So, if you're really
here to join us...

There's a condition.

Yes?

There's a Section
operative named Nikita.

She's not to be harmed.

If you want my
help, that's the price.

All right, Michael Samuelle.

Nikita will live and
Section will die.

Anything on the mission tapes?

(SIGHS)

Nothing useful.

Yeah, I know. It was
the same with the debrief.

Then we're back to ground zero.

Yes.

When is a mole in Section
not a mole in Section?

A riddle?

No, no, no, no. Just a new
approach. I haven't worked it out yet.

I'll get back to it tomorrow.

I was sorry about O'Brien.

It wasn't your fault.

It seems a pity that we should
spend so much of our time

assessing degrees of hatred.

Mr. Jones.

Hmm?

You disagreed with me about
O'Brien but you went along anyway.

Why?

Well, you said it yourself, didn't you?
We have to learn to trust each other.

Think we ever shall?

We'll have to see.

Yes.

There is a restaurant nearby.

Hungarian.

Really quite excellent.

Would you care to accompany me?

I don't see why not.

Good.

Thank you.

(WOMAN SPEAKING FRENCH)