Perception (2012–2015): Season 2, Episode 3 - Blindness - full transcript
A series of murders take place in front of witnesses who aren't even aware that someone has been killed. Pierce struggles with getting the FBI to accept his theory of mass blindness while he deals with the interference of a consultant.
Why do we see a man in the moon?
Ladies and gentlemen,
Elvis has left the building
and resurfaced
on the New Jersey turnpike.
Give us this day
our daily... grilled cheese.
The human mind has evolved
to perceive pattern and meaning
in almost everything.
This tendency is known as pareidolia.
Tech support.
Lewicki, that's your cue.
I'm sorry, what?
What, are you texting in class?
I hope you... I hope all of you realize
that every time your so-called
"smartphone" dings,
it makes you just a little bit dumber.
Uh, yeah, doc.
The thing is, the text is for you.
It's Kate.
She needs you to meet her
at the courthouse,
says it's an emergency.
Look, doc, I can finish the lecture.
Wha... I can't leave you
to mold these impressionable
young minds.
I haven't finished molding yours yet.
Class dismissed.
U.S. district judge
Walter cleland was murdered
in his chambers approximately
an hour ago.
The only person who entered
his chambers all day
was a developmentally disabled janitor.
The guy did more than just enter.
He was found standing over the body
with a bloody knife in his hand.
Why is he here?
He was in court,
appearing before judge cleland
just before his body was found.
Really? Do you have an alibi?
We can't get the janitor to talk.
Oh, what do you expect him to say?
"Why, yes, as a matter of fact,
I murdered the judge in cold blood."
Look, I don't know what he's gonna say,
but all he's doing right now
is rocking back and forth and mumbling.
I'm really hoping
that you can get through to him.
Hello, Emmanuel. Do you mind if I sit?
D-do you understand why you're here?
Time to clean.
Time to clean.
That's a very nice watch you have.
Birthday.
Oh, was it a present? Mm.
Who gave it to you? Mr. judge cleland.
So you were friends?
Mm.
Emmanuel
I'd like to be your friend, too.
Could you tell me what happened
when you went to the judge's
chambers this afternoon?
I saw him on the rug.
I thought he was sleeping.
And then what happened?
I saw the knife.
Where was it?
In his neck.
And I didn't like that.
I pulled it out.
And then I yelled.
He's innocent.
Oh, you figured that out
in a 5-minute conversation?
We should put you on every case.
Even if Emmanuel wanted to harm
the judge, which he didn't,
he is not intellectually capable
of creating an elaborate cover story.
Cleland's secretary was the one
who found Emmanuel
standing over the body.
I questioned her, but there's
something about her story
that doesn't sound right.
I keep going over it in my mind.
Judge cleland was in court all morning.
He... went into his chambers
after lunch,
while the jury was deliberating.
A few hours later,
the bailiff knocked on his door
to let him know that
the jury had reached a verdict.
I-I saw the judge leave his chambers.
Then, about 15 minutes later,
Emmanuel goes in,
and the next thing I know,
he's screaming.
But you never saw the judge
come back from the courtroom?
That's what's bothering me.
Well, maybe he came back when
you weren't paying attention.
I had been watching for him
like a hawk...
Because I wanted to ask permission
to leave a little early.
Either the secretary's lying,
or the janitor is.
There's a third possibility...
Neither one of them is lying.
Maybe the judge didn't come back
because he was already dead
before the verdict was delivered.
Impossible.
I was in court
when the verdict was read.
I saw cleland with my own eyes.
Found this in the stairwell.
It's cleland's.
Yeah, as I said,
Emmanuel is not the killer.
So who is?
You tell us.
You looked right at him.
Okay, so, the killer slips into
the judge's chambers
when the secretary steps away
earlier in the day.
Then he waits.
The judge enters, takes off his robe.
The killer stabs him in the neck.
He waits again. The bailiff knocks.
The killer puts the robe on.
He enters the court.
Now he's pretending to be the judge.
He presides over the reading of
the verdict,
after which he dismisses
the court and simply walks away.
Whoa. There is no way that I
would look directly at the judge
and not notice it was
a different person.
Right. Right. Right. You were looking,
but you didn't see.
Because we see with more than our eyes.
We also see with our brains. Exactly.
I-I think you experienced a
common psychological phenomenon
known as "change blindness."
It happens when there's
a change in visual stimulus
that goes unnoticed by the observer
because they're focused on
other things.
Excellent retention, agent moretti.
It's one of your best lectures.
How could I forget?
So, give her a gold star, Professor,
but I'm not buying it.
Your theory only holds water
if every single person in court
missed the obvious.
There were about 40 people in here,
and everyone was paying
complete attention
because there's no more dramatic
moment than when the judge
asks the foreman to read the verdict.
You're right.
They were paying complete attention.
They... they were probably
riveted... to the jury.
Huh.
So... behind door number one,
I've got a guy holding
the murder weapon,
and behind door two,
a mysterious phantom killer.
I think I'm gonna go with number one.
Donnie is so blinded by his
desire for a quick conviction,
he's... he's gonna prosecute Emmanuel
for a crime he didn't commit.
If Donnie's blind,
find a way to open his eyes.
Why didn't I think of that?
You did.
Right. That's a good point.
Here he comes.
Excuse me.
I'm trying to find Marie hamden
library, but I'm a little lost.
Could you help? Sure.
Oh, the first problem is that
you've got your map upside down.
Oh, my gosh. I'm so embarrassed.
Okay.
Now, so... so, what you're
gonna want to do
is go straight up this path,
hang a right at the science building,
and then follow that path
to the library.
Thanks so much. No problem.
Well, you dragged me
all the way out here.
What's the big news?
You just experienced change
blindness for the second time.
What are you talking about?
You didn't notice that the student
who asked you for directions
wasn't the same one
that you gave them to.
I'm guessing that it wasn't the map
that distracted you from their faces.
Look, all you've really proven
with this little experiment of yours
is that healthy, heterosexual
males get distracted by boobs.
You haven't proved
the janitor is innocent.
But we have proven
the possibility of a different killer.
You find another suspect
that somehow fits this theory
of yours, I'll listen.
But until then, I've got to
move forward with the janitor.
We really should've asked
cleland's secretary
to presort these.
Yeah, well, I know what's
gonna make it go faster.
Lewicki!
Lewicki?
Lewicki! Huh?
I'm shouting your name.
What, are you lost in some cat video?
Come check this out, doc.
{\i1}Less than two hours{\i}
{\i1}ago, a murder occurred.{\i}
{\i1}During a local{\i}
{\i1}high-school basketball game,{\i}
{\i1}in front of 200 eyewitnesses.{\i}
{\i1}But in a story almost{\i}
{\i1}too bizarre to believe,{\i}
{\i1}no one saw it happen.{\i}
Kate!
Yeah?
I think we've got ourselves
a serial killer.
I don't get it.
What are we supposed to see?
Can you... can you play it
again, but... but slow it down?
You got it.
Okay, w-watch the mascot.
There! There! There!
Uh, fr... freeze it and... and zoom in.
That alligator just stabbed the ref!
How did I miss that?
'Cause you eye was on the ball,
a pun I fully intended.
Okay, any leads?
We found the mascot suit
in one of the stairwells.
What about all the witnesses?
Nobody noticed this?
Yeah, I mean, I noticed it,
but I only saw it out
of the corner of my eye.
When did you realize the ref
had been stabbed?
Not till my wife saw the blood.
If I had seen the stabbing,
I'd have chased that damn gator down.
Okay, where were you sitting?
High up in the stands.
I-if I hadn't caught
the whole thing on video,
I never would've believed it.
H-how could I have missed that?
Thank you.
You've been very helpful.
Donnie cut Emmanuel loose. Yes!
All it took was a 6-foot,
knife-wielding alligator.
This is Jennifer britton,
a profiler from
the behavioral analysis unit
who will be helping
with the investigation.
What's the secret to finding
an invisible killer?
Seeing the world through his eyes.
The unsub is a thrill seeker.
It's likely he gets off
on the adrenaline rush
of putting himself in situations
where he could easily get caught.
We're probably looking for
somebody into extreme sports.
Like Mountain climbing?
Yes, or skydmng,
drag racing, big-game hunting.
I think it's a little early
to narrow our search parameters
to big-game hunters.
I know your work well, Dr. Pierce.
Please, I'm sure we'd all love
to hear your thoughts.
I'm just saying, if we're gonna play
"guess the identity of the serial killer,"
we... we can't just assume things
like "he's a thrill seeker."
The audience element of his m.O.
Indicates a personality type
attracted to risk.
Or it suggests someone
who simply wants attention.
Do you think that the victims
are connected to each other?
No. Yes.
I believe the victims are connected
only in that they represent
archetypal authority figures,
probably from the killer's childhood.
How did you come up with that?
A ref and a judge symbolize authority.
The killer flaunted what he did
in two different {\i1}courts.{\i}
Dr. Pierce, you believe the victims
are connected in some other way?
Dr. Pierce?
Daniel. Uh...
I-I'm not sure how they're connected.
I'm... I'm just saying
it's a little early to...
To rule out possibilities.
We're looking for somebody
who resents authority,
all right, and has
a deep and abiding interest
in illusions and stagecraft.
Maybe somebody who's involved in
community theater
or an amateur magician.
That's ridiculous.
You have an alternate theory?
No, I don't have a theory
because I'm not there yet.
Unl... unlike Ms. britton's
magician here,
I can't just pull rabbits out of hats.
What kind of game is this?
I'm sorry?
I have an expert consultant,
so now you have to get one, too?
I didn't bring britton in.
Your boss did.
I'm not a total asshole, Kate...
Much as Pierce would like you
to believe that.
Wait... what's that supposed to mean?
Oh, come on. The whole boob experiment?
He couldn't wait to make me
look bad in front of you.
Actually, the boobs were my idea.
Yeah, I knew that detail would get you.
Every time you look at me,
you just see the bad guy, don't you?
Well, I used to see you through
rose-colored glasses,
but I think we both know
the day those came off.
So now I'm the villain,
and Pierce is the maligned hero
who nobody understands except you.
Things aren't so black and white, Kate.
So, what do you want me to do
about class today?
Cancel it.
Doc, I know the material
forwards and backwards.
If I give the lecture, you won't
have to cancel two in a row.
Just tell them we'll pick up next week.
All right. Fine.
He can handle the lecture.
Those kids paid to take {\i1}my{\i} class,
not to listen to some
24-year-old grad student.
Max is brilliant, and you know it.
You just don't want to feel
more dependent on him
than you already are.
That is ridiculous. Look, I-I j...
I-I have to stay focused here.
I know there is a-a connection
between the dead ref
and the dead judge.
Now, I...
I thought maybe...
Maybe lemmons had been in
cleland's court at some point,
as... as a plaintiff or...
Or a defendant,
maybe even on a jury,
but there's nothing.
I can't... what am I missing?
Maybe the obvious...
That the profiler is right.
Hey, just because I haven't
found the connection yet
doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Well, instead of trying
to connect the victims to each other,
maybe you should try to connect them
to the idea of cognitive blindness.
You think one of these cases
might involve some kind of
visual or perceptual error?
For all you know, you've already
looked at the right file.
You just haven't realized it yet.
The United States vs. Kevin Connor.
Case centers on a cop
who was convicted of perjury
for claiming he never saw something
that happened right
in front of his eyes.
Wait a second. I remember this case.
Connor ran right by four cops
beating a suspect half to death,
but insisted he didn't see anything,
lied on the stand to protect
his buddies. Right.
Cleland threw the book at him,
called him
"the face of police corruption,"
sentenced him to five years.
Yeah, that could make someone
want to knife a judge,
but it doesn't explain
the elaborate m.O.
What if Connor was telling the truth?
And he didn't see the assault?
Right, and everyone
just assumed he was lying.
So, he kills in a way
that proves it's possible
to be blind to something
right in front of your eyes.
Boom. All right.
Where are you now, Mr. Connor?
Just released from prison,
three weeks before cleland
was murdered.
Mr. Connor, open up! It's the FBI!
We need to talk.
What took you so long?
"In the most appalling example
of police corruption
"ever to enter my courtroom,
"Kevin Connor has decided to
uphold the blue wall of silence
"rather than admit to being
an eyewitness
"to a reprehensible act
of police brutality.
"Here, the harshest punishment
is not only warranted,
but richly deserved."
Whew.
Cleland sure made
an example out of you.
Ain't a secret I hated the guy.
By the time he was done,
my wife could barely stand
the sight of me,
and my own son thought I was a racist.
Soon as I heard cleland was murdered,
I figured I'd be a suspect.
But I didn't kill him.
And why should we believe you?
You're a convicted perjurer.
Well, now, hold on.
He may have been convicted,
that doesn't make him a liar.
So, you're saying you believe me?
Where were you during the
afternoon of Thursday the 11th?
Whoa. I better lawyer up.
If I were you, I wouldn't get
the same guy as last time.
Who exactly are you again?
I'm... I'm a neuroscientist.
I consult with the FBI.
I've studied your case, and I...
Daniel.
I think it's possible that you
were wrongfully convicted.
Is that right?
And if I can effectively make
that argument,
it might help your overall credibility.
I-I was on the force for 20 years.
I know when someone's playing
"good cop, bad cop."
The okay, you got us.
But the fact remains,
if you can convince me that
you weren't lying back in 2008,
I may be able to help clear your name.
What good is that gonna do me now?
I already served the time.
You mentioned a son.
Wouldn't you like to prove to him
that you're no racist after all?
An a.P.B. Was put out
on four hispanic suspects
who had robbed a liquor store.
I had never ran so fast in my life.
I must have chased the guy
for a half-mile.
But he was too damn fast.
He got away.
The next thing I know,
I'm being told that I was
a witness to an assault.
I.A. Wanted me to finger four officers
who beat the lmng hell
out of one of the suspects.
But you didn't.
I told them that I couldn't I.D. Them
because I never saw the beating happen.
It happened within a few feet
of where you scaled the fence.
It was within your field of vision.
I'm not saying it didn't happen.
I'm saying I just didn't see it.
Have you ever heard the term
"inattentional blindness"?
Oh, yeah.
Some other expert shrink pitched
that angle during my trial.
What happened?
The prosecutor tore him to shreds.
The judge told the jury
to disregard his testimony.
Did he explain that perception
is an inherently limited process,
and the more attentional
demands placed on...
On the cognitive resources
that allow for perception,
the less capacity the brain has
to notice non-target stimuli
in the environment?
No. He didn't put it like that.
So, you're saying
that Connor wasn't lying in 2008
when he said he never saw the beating,
but he is lying now about
killing the judge?
That's a pretty big leap.
Connor's wrongful conviction
gives him all the more reason to
kill in... in a way that proves
we're all susceptible
to being blind to the obvious.
Maybe. But even so,
establishing motive isn't enough
to hold Connor.
Which is why I would like
a warrant to search his house.
On what grounds? Well, they
were elaborate murders.
He would've had to do research.
There could be notes
or something on his computer.
What's the connection between
Connor and the ref?
Haven't figured that part out yet.
Hang on a second. I want to see this.
{\i1}Joining us now via remote{\i}
{\i1}is Jennifer britton,{\i}
{\i1}a profiler with the FBI's{\i}
{\i1}behavioral analysis unit.{\i}
{\i1}With the latest update{\i}
{\i1}on "the invisible reaper."{\i}
"The invisible reaper"?
What is she doing?
This is an active investigation.
Media got ahold of
our serial-killer theory,
and public affairs asked Jennifer
to start putting out fires.
What, does the FBI give her
bonuses for...
For TV appearances?
{\i1}It appears the killer{\i}
{\i1}is targeting people.{\i}
{\i1}Who wield some sort of authority.{\i}
She's gmng the guy exactly
what he wants... attention.
Your grounds are weak,
but given the fact that it was a
federal judge that was murdered,
I'm pretty sure I could convince
a fellow jurist
to issue you a warrant.
Thank you.
So, all that stuff about
clearing my name was just b.S.?
No. But, unfortunately,
your innocence then
makes you a suspect now.
Oh, ain't that just ironic?
Found this in the bedroom.
You're keeping news articles
about your trial?
My ex-wife must've collected it all.
Want me to tag it? No.
The warrant only allows us
to keep evidence related
to the murders.
This is old news.
Uh, you know, I...
I kind of have a fondness
for old newspapers.
You... you mind?
I got nothing to hide.
Knock yourself out.
Last time your house looked like this,
you ended up in a psych ward.
Well, sometimes a messy house
is just a messy house.
And sometimes it's a bright-red flag.
Why is everyone in my life
always looking for signs
of my next meltdown?
Are you talking with Natalie, doc?
Sorry, I-I didn't mean to be so loud.
Look, look, while you're up,
can you please help me find
my damn glasses?
Go back to bed.
I... I'll keep my voice down.
"I applaud the honorable judge cleland
"for taking a hard line
on police corruption
"and for his refusal to be blinded
"by a so-called 'expert witness'
"who flagrantly misused
the witness stand
"as a pulpit to preach junk science.
"Fortunately,
judge cleland was able to see
"past the spurious testimony to
what was really important here...
A cop trying to cover up
for his buddies."
This is a letter to the editor
of the {\i1}Chicago star-herald.{\i}
It goes on to castigate Connor
as "a lying racist."
Guess who wrote it.
A private citizen
by the name... of Frank lemmons.
Frank lemmons!
The... the ref who was
stabbed on the basketball court!
Don't you see?!
Connor killed him for the same
reason he killed cleland...
They publicly humiliated him.
Now, I-I think Connor's
gonna keep going after
people who shamed him.
Look here, uh... uh...
David koepfer, the I.A. Officer
who launched the investigation,
Craig scarlis, the prosecutor
who tore him to pieces in court.
You have got to pick up Connor
before he kills them, too.
What?
Daniel, we just arrested a man
named Shane Murphy.
So?
So, he was caught onstage
trying to stab someone in
the neck in front of 500 people.
But con... Connor... Daniel...
Murphy's already confessed
to both murders.
How did yit was all about
the victimsshock value.
He fits my profile exactly.
Big into community theater,
skydmng adrenaline junkie.
Do you have any personal
connection to the victims? Wha...
What'd you do with the alligator suit?
What the hell are you doing?
I dumped it. Where?
Uh-huh. Wait, wait.
How... how did you get the...
How'd you get the knife past
the courthouse metal detector?
A good magician never tells
his secrets.
This guy's not the killer!
You're not the killer!
Come on. Come on. I got this.
Give us a minute, will you, please?
You can't just come barging
into an interrogation like that!
You have got the wrong guy.
He confessed!
Oh, don't you find it
a little convenient
that he matches
britton's profile so perfectly?
Why would I?
He clearly just watched her
on TV and...
And took note of the laundry
list of attributes she spewed!
He is nothing more than... than a...
A run-of-the-mill,
attention-seeking confessor.
You have to pick up Connor!
I appreciate all your help
on this investigation.
It's been a long night for all of us.
You need to go home, get some sleep.
What do you want to do
about class tomorrow?
Why don't you give the lecture?
You sure?
I should have handed you the reins
the first time
you offered to take them.
Well, why didn't you?
Because you already do enough for me.
Grade my papers,
drive me around at all hours
of the day. I-I
I just didn't want to feel
dependent on you
to do the one thing I feel
most competent doing myself.
Doc thank you.
But trust me...
Nobody can fill your shoes
in the classroom.
L-l-leave it. I'll... I'll clean up.
Oh, okay. Um...
Do you want some tea or something?
Do we have any cantaloupe?
No, but I can run out and get some.
That'd... that'd be great. Thanks.
All right. All right.
What are you doing?
Calling a cab.
Where are you going?
Chicago p.D. To warn them about Connor.
If Max knew, he'd stop you,
or he'd call Kate.
Is that why you made that whole speech
about letting him do the lecture...
To soften him up
and trick him into leaving?
The speech was true.
The... cantaloupe part
was complete bullshit.
I understand you're looking for
detective koepfer?
People are gonna die if I don't
speak to him right away.
How about we talk somewhere
more private?
How do you know detective koepfer?
I don't. My name is Daniel Pierce.
I-I sometimes work with the FBI.
Anyone in particular over there?
Yes, agent Kate moretti.
Now, look. I'm... I'm here
to warn the detective that,
uh, Kevin Connor was recently
released from prison,
and he is killing all of the people
who humiliated him during his trial.
Well, how... how long have you
been working with the FBI?
Long enough to know
that it's the blind leading
the blind over there.
The federal bureau of incompetency
is closing the book
on the wrong guy as we speak.
Well, I'm glad somebody's on the ball.
Koepfer's been missing for two days.
I've got officers out looking for him.
You... you've got... you've
got to send men after Connor,
and you... you have to warn,
uh, prosecutor scarlis.
I'll call scarlis,
and I'll get an arrest warrant
out on Connor.
Finally...
Someone will listen to reason.
Could you give me a minute? Yeah.
Thank you.
If you're not gonna mime
anything helpful,
don't mime anything at all.
Wait, he said koepfer
was missing for two days.
That doesn't make sense.
W-w-why hasn't he already
turned up dead?
What is Connor's plan?
A key?
Uh...
Key, key, key chain?
Key... largo.
Uh, uh, sk... skeleton key!
Uh, sk... skeletons in the closet!
Oh, what, I'm frustrating {\i1}you?{\i}
You're useless.
What? Oh, you want me to go?
Oh, really? You want me to...
Let me tell you, pal,
the feeling is mutual.
See ya later, alligator.
Oh, oh, no, no, no. No, no.
Hey!
Hey! You need to let me out of here!
You're making a mistake!
People are in da...
Hey, I'm not crazy!
Kate. Finally!
These bastards locked me in!
Daniel, did you tell
detective Armstrong
that people would die if you
didn't get to talk to koepfer?
Y-yes, but... but... but I...
Okay, he thought maybe you had
something to do with these murders.
He was ready to call in the guys
with the butterfly nets.
Luckily, he called me first.
Did he mention that koepfer
is missing?!
Daniel, I think maybe
you're losing it a little bit.
I'm not...
I'm not decompensating, Kate.
I'm just my normal level of crazy.
Look, look. We have to warn
koepfer and scarlis.
Connor's not going after them.
How do you know that?
I know because I stationed
two agents outside his house
when you told me
that we had the wrong guy.
You believe me?
I've been poking holes
in Murphy's confession
ever since you left.
Daniel, I'm on your side.
Don't you know that by now?
Okay.
Okay, so... Connor's sitting tight.
But what... what if...
What if he kidnapped koepfer
before you assigned the agents,
and now that he knows
that we're onto him, he's...
He's just... he's laying low?
Or... what if... what if someone
is killing on Connor's behalf?
What, like an accomplice? Maybe.
He mentioned a son.
I-I-I don't know the exact answer.
I-I just know that koepfer
is gonna turn up dead
if we don't locate him fast.
Dalton. It's moretti.
Listen, I need you to haul
Connor back into the box.
Yeah, I'm at cpd right now.
I'll be there in... 15 minutes.
Look, there's a surveillance team
parked right down the street.
Tell them to go knock on Connor's door
and let him know we have
some more questions for him.
Daniel, what is it?
It's koepfer.
Hey, you got it all wrong.
Koepfer was a real jerk,
but I wouldn't kill the guy.
Everyone who's died
is somehow connected to you.
Well, hey. I'm as confused
by what's going on as you two.
Maybe he's telling the truth.
Finally.
Listen, is it possible
that someone's killing on your behalf,
trying to get revenge
for what happened to you?
What about your son?
My son wouldn't even accept
a damn birthday card from me.
He sure as hell isn't out there
killing everyone who screwed me over.
Yeah, well, someone's doing it.
So think.
Like I said before,
I lost everything and everyone
that mattered when I got convicted.
No one gives a rat's ass about me.
You're wrong, Mr. Connor.
Someone does give a rat's ass
about you.
And I think I know who that is.
Dr. Robert mills,
quantitative psychologist
and author of "the mind's eye."
He was the expert witness
who testified on Connor's behalf
during the trial.
R-r-remember the...
The letter to the editor that...
That the ref wrote? Ah.
"I applaud the honorable judge cleland
"for taking a hard line
on police corruption
"and for his refusal to be blinded
"by a so-called 'expert witness'
"who flagrantly misused
the witness stand
"as a pulpit to preach
"junk science." Junk science!
I-I assumed it was
Connor that was offended,
but it was mills.
Mills tried to help him,
but he couldn't.
So instead, he's been killing off
everyone who ruined Connor's life.
W-why does mills
care about Connor so much?
2005... mills and his family
are drmng home
when they're struck
by a distracted driver.
Guy's yakking on his cellphone,
claims mills' car came out of nowhere.
His wife was killed instantly,
and his daughter became a quadriplegic.
Every since then, mills has
made it his life's work
to bring attention
to cognitive blindness.
He lobbied the State Senate,
tried to make it illegal
to use cellphones on the road.
But nobody bought that they're
as dangerous as he claimed.
Which is absurd, by the way,
given the fact that over 1,100 people
wound up in the E.R. last year
alone just for trying to walk
and use their cellphone
at the same time.
It sounds like you're on his side. I am.
I mean, minus the homicidal rage.
Daniel, let's just keep it on track.
Mills is frustrated. I get it.
But why start killing now?
Remember the daughter
who was paralyzed?
Well, she died three months ago...
Complications from her injuries
in the accident.
He snapped.
Okay. If all this is true,
why is he only targeting people
surrounding the Connor case?
Right. Why not the distracted
driver who struck his family?
Obituaries. Remember that driver?
Still distracted.
Turns out four weeks ago,
he died when
he followed some orange cones
over an unfinished overpass.
And that committee chairman who
quashed the law mills wanted?
Three weeks ago,
he's yakking on his cellphone
when he steps into
an empty elevator shaft.
Any physical evidence
tying mills to these deaths?
No, he's... he's too smart for that.
Mills is killing in front of
dozens of eyewitnesses.
He's managing to commit the
perfect murder over and over.
Well, we have to pick him up.
Sweat him.
He's a man on a mission
with above-average intelligence.
He won't just spill it
in an interrogation.
So short of catching him in the act,
you're basically saying we're screwed?
Not necessarily.
Mills is punishing people
who didn't pay attention.
So let's give him some attention
for his cause.
The killer still at large
known as the invisible reapert
are Jennifer britton,
a profiler with the FBI's
behavioral analysis unit,
neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Pierce,
and Dr. Robert mills,
psychologist and author
of "the mind's eye."
Now, what would drive someone
to kill in this way?
His m.O. Suggests he wants to
draw attention to himself,
but at the same time,
he wants to be anonymous.
In other words,
he's a self-obsessed coward
who likes scaring people.
If the killer only wanted
to scare people,
there are far simpler ways to do that.
Simpler, yeah, but more effective?
I mean, what's... what's scarier
than a boogeyman that strikes
in the light of day?
Dr. mills, in your book,
you write about the everyday dangers
of failing to notice
what's right in front of you.
Yes.
My book is meant to open
the reader's eyes
to the myriad ways
that we misunderstand
our own perceptual systems...
Therefore, our visual environment.
For example?
To name one,
the cellphone industry
would have us believe
that it is safe to drive
while talking on your cell
as long as your hands are free.
But it's not.
Science has proven that the danger
is less about
whether your hands are free
and more about
whether your brain is free.
Did you know that drmng
while using a phone
reduces the brain actmty
associated with drmng by 37%?
Even if that's true,
it still leaves 63%
of your brain free to drive.
Surely you're not condoning
multitasking on the road.
Well, I drive while using
my cellphone all the time,
and I've never been in an accident.
Yet. Look, I think...
I think we're losing sight
of the big picture here.
The... the... the killer isn't sending
some kind of
public service announcement
to save us all from distracted drivers.
The killer is trying to challenge
our assumptions about perception.
Well, w-w-when an alligator
stabs a ref,
no one is thinking about
the inherent limitations
of their own perceptual systems.
They're thinking, "wow! That
alligator just stabbed a ref!"
And then they're texting
their friends about it
while drmng to the mall.
The killer is trying to spark
a national dialogue
about the dangers of
inattentional blindness.
How do you know that?
Dr. mills, this is
a raw subject for you, yes?
I understand that you lost
your wife and child
in a car accident involving
a distracted driver.
Is that why you wrote the book?
Yes.
Didn't sell too many copies, did it?
Too dry and academic?
Some people thought so.
In other words, no one cared.
So you had to force them
to care, didn't you?
Excuse me?
You started killing
to make people care
about cognitive blindness.
Well, if you want people
to hear your message,
now is your chance...
The cameras are rolling.
We're recording this
for a later broadcast.
If it airs, millions will hear you.
But no one wants to watch
a dry, academic argument.
So unless you confess,
this footage will just end up
in a trash bin.
I don't, uh, um...
Confess, Dr. mills.
Let people hear your message.
Do it for your daughter,
so she won't have died for nothing.
We got hit on our way home
from Rachel's ballet recital.
I couldn't believe the driver
was still talking on his...
On his Bluetooth, I mean,
even after he had hit us!
You see, because one damn fool
didn't believe
that the dangers of distracted
drmng applied to him,
my little girl...
Lost her mother...
Lost her legs...
And eventually, lost her life.
I started killing because...
I was gonna make people pay attention.
I may have taken a few lives,
but my actions will save thousands.
Great job, Daniel.
Please don't ever make me
go on camera again.
You look good on camera.
Who knows? Maybe we can get the FBI
to give you bonuses for TV appearances.
Give me a minute. I will take you home.
She's really into you.
You know that, right?
What the hell are you talking about?
Oh, come on.
I've known her for years.
She used to be that way with me.
Wha...
Uh, not that it's any of your business,
but... Kate and I are just...
Are just colleagues.
We're friends. That's it.
So you're not into her?
No. No.
And you know what?
You're not her father.
You're not even her husband anymore,
so maybe you should just
stay out of her personal life.
Look, I'm not trying to get
all up in her business.
I-I-I blew it with her a long time ago.
She deserves better than me,
but she also deserves better
than staying hung up on somebody
who's not...
Sane?
I was gonna say "interested."
The truth is, neither one of us
are probably any good for her.
So, we should just let her
move on with her life.
I'm sure as hell
not standing in her way.
Really?
Because to my eyes,
it... it looks like
you're leading her on.
And I'm not saying that
you're doing it on purpose.
I'm just saying that
if you care about her...
And I think you do...
Maybe you should let her know
you're not interested.
What if I told all of you
that you're partially blind?
That right now, you think you're
seeing the world as it truly is,
but in actuality,
you're missing something.
It's true.
See, every time we open our eyes,
light shines onto our retina.
Nerve cells called photoreceptors
interpret the light, transmit
the information to our brain,
and that's how we see.
But there's a small area on our retina
where there are no photoreceptors.
This is called a scotoma,
or "blind spot."
We all have one.
So if that's true,
how is it that we never notice
a black area in our field of vision?
That is a good question.
Our illustrious Professor has returned.
Welcome back. No, no.
You seem to have things
well in hand, Mr. lewicki.
Carry on.
Just don't screw it up.
The reason you never notice
your blind spot
is because your brain is great
at guessing what should be there...
And automatically filling in the blank.
Sometimes we know what we want to see,
and our neocortex
turns that expectation
into a kind of virtual reality...
Which means that
some of the world we see
is really just an illusion...
A scary thought
when you consider
how vulnerable that makes us.
So how do we uncover our blind spots?
How do we ever fully see
the truth that's
right in front of our eyes?
Well, a good place to start
is to simply open your mind,
because as the French
philosopher Henri bergson said,
"the eye sees only what the mind
is prepared to comprehend."
Ladies and gentlemen,
Elvis has left the building
and resurfaced
on the New Jersey turnpike.
Give us this day
our daily... grilled cheese.
The human mind has evolved
to perceive pattern and meaning
in almost everything.
This tendency is known as pareidolia.
Tech support.
Lewicki, that's your cue.
I'm sorry, what?
What, are you texting in class?
I hope you... I hope all of you realize
that every time your so-called
"smartphone" dings,
it makes you just a little bit dumber.
Uh, yeah, doc.
The thing is, the text is for you.
It's Kate.
She needs you to meet her
at the courthouse,
says it's an emergency.
Look, doc, I can finish the lecture.
Wha... I can't leave you
to mold these impressionable
young minds.
I haven't finished molding yours yet.
Class dismissed.
U.S. district judge
Walter cleland was murdered
in his chambers approximately
an hour ago.
The only person who entered
his chambers all day
was a developmentally disabled janitor.
The guy did more than just enter.
He was found standing over the body
with a bloody knife in his hand.
Why is he here?
He was in court,
appearing before judge cleland
just before his body was found.
Really? Do you have an alibi?
We can't get the janitor to talk.
Oh, what do you expect him to say?
"Why, yes, as a matter of fact,
I murdered the judge in cold blood."
Look, I don't know what he's gonna say,
but all he's doing right now
is rocking back and forth and mumbling.
I'm really hoping
that you can get through to him.
Hello, Emmanuel. Do you mind if I sit?
D-do you understand why you're here?
Time to clean.
Time to clean.
That's a very nice watch you have.
Birthday.
Oh, was it a present? Mm.
Who gave it to you? Mr. judge cleland.
So you were friends?
Mm.
Emmanuel
I'd like to be your friend, too.
Could you tell me what happened
when you went to the judge's
chambers this afternoon?
I saw him on the rug.
I thought he was sleeping.
And then what happened?
I saw the knife.
Where was it?
In his neck.
And I didn't like that.
I pulled it out.
And then I yelled.
He's innocent.
Oh, you figured that out
in a 5-minute conversation?
We should put you on every case.
Even if Emmanuel wanted to harm
the judge, which he didn't,
he is not intellectually capable
of creating an elaborate cover story.
Cleland's secretary was the one
who found Emmanuel
standing over the body.
I questioned her, but there's
something about her story
that doesn't sound right.
I keep going over it in my mind.
Judge cleland was in court all morning.
He... went into his chambers
after lunch,
while the jury was deliberating.
A few hours later,
the bailiff knocked on his door
to let him know that
the jury had reached a verdict.
I-I saw the judge leave his chambers.
Then, about 15 minutes later,
Emmanuel goes in,
and the next thing I know,
he's screaming.
But you never saw the judge
come back from the courtroom?
That's what's bothering me.
Well, maybe he came back when
you weren't paying attention.
I had been watching for him
like a hawk...
Because I wanted to ask permission
to leave a little early.
Either the secretary's lying,
or the janitor is.
There's a third possibility...
Neither one of them is lying.
Maybe the judge didn't come back
because he was already dead
before the verdict was delivered.
Impossible.
I was in court
when the verdict was read.
I saw cleland with my own eyes.
Found this in the stairwell.
It's cleland's.
Yeah, as I said,
Emmanuel is not the killer.
So who is?
You tell us.
You looked right at him.
Okay, so, the killer slips into
the judge's chambers
when the secretary steps away
earlier in the day.
Then he waits.
The judge enters, takes off his robe.
The killer stabs him in the neck.
He waits again. The bailiff knocks.
The killer puts the robe on.
He enters the court.
Now he's pretending to be the judge.
He presides over the reading of
the verdict,
after which he dismisses
the court and simply walks away.
Whoa. There is no way that I
would look directly at the judge
and not notice it was
a different person.
Right. Right. Right. You were looking,
but you didn't see.
Because we see with more than our eyes.
We also see with our brains. Exactly.
I-I think you experienced a
common psychological phenomenon
known as "change blindness."
It happens when there's
a change in visual stimulus
that goes unnoticed by the observer
because they're focused on
other things.
Excellent retention, agent moretti.
It's one of your best lectures.
How could I forget?
So, give her a gold star, Professor,
but I'm not buying it.
Your theory only holds water
if every single person in court
missed the obvious.
There were about 40 people in here,
and everyone was paying
complete attention
because there's no more dramatic
moment than when the judge
asks the foreman to read the verdict.
You're right.
They were paying complete attention.
They... they were probably
riveted... to the jury.
Huh.
So... behind door number one,
I've got a guy holding
the murder weapon,
and behind door two,
a mysterious phantom killer.
I think I'm gonna go with number one.
Donnie is so blinded by his
desire for a quick conviction,
he's... he's gonna prosecute Emmanuel
for a crime he didn't commit.
If Donnie's blind,
find a way to open his eyes.
Why didn't I think of that?
You did.
Right. That's a good point.
Here he comes.
Excuse me.
I'm trying to find Marie hamden
library, but I'm a little lost.
Could you help? Sure.
Oh, the first problem is that
you've got your map upside down.
Oh, my gosh. I'm so embarrassed.
Okay.
Now, so... so, what you're
gonna want to do
is go straight up this path,
hang a right at the science building,
and then follow that path
to the library.
Thanks so much. No problem.
Well, you dragged me
all the way out here.
What's the big news?
You just experienced change
blindness for the second time.
What are you talking about?
You didn't notice that the student
who asked you for directions
wasn't the same one
that you gave them to.
I'm guessing that it wasn't the map
that distracted you from their faces.
Look, all you've really proven
with this little experiment of yours
is that healthy, heterosexual
males get distracted by boobs.
You haven't proved
the janitor is innocent.
But we have proven
the possibility of a different killer.
You find another suspect
that somehow fits this theory
of yours, I'll listen.
But until then, I've got to
move forward with the janitor.
We really should've asked
cleland's secretary
to presort these.
Yeah, well, I know what's
gonna make it go faster.
Lewicki!
Lewicki?
Lewicki! Huh?
I'm shouting your name.
What, are you lost in some cat video?
Come check this out, doc.
{\i1}Less than two hours{\i}
{\i1}ago, a murder occurred.{\i}
{\i1}During a local{\i}
{\i1}high-school basketball game,{\i}
{\i1}in front of 200 eyewitnesses.{\i}
{\i1}But in a story almost{\i}
{\i1}too bizarre to believe,{\i}
{\i1}no one saw it happen.{\i}
Kate!
Yeah?
I think we've got ourselves
a serial killer.
I don't get it.
What are we supposed to see?
Can you... can you play it
again, but... but slow it down?
You got it.
Okay, w-watch the mascot.
There! There! There!
Uh, fr... freeze it and... and zoom in.
That alligator just stabbed the ref!
How did I miss that?
'Cause you eye was on the ball,
a pun I fully intended.
Okay, any leads?
We found the mascot suit
in one of the stairwells.
What about all the witnesses?
Nobody noticed this?
Yeah, I mean, I noticed it,
but I only saw it out
of the corner of my eye.
When did you realize the ref
had been stabbed?
Not till my wife saw the blood.
If I had seen the stabbing,
I'd have chased that damn gator down.
Okay, where were you sitting?
High up in the stands.
I-if I hadn't caught
the whole thing on video,
I never would've believed it.
H-how could I have missed that?
Thank you.
You've been very helpful.
Donnie cut Emmanuel loose. Yes!
All it took was a 6-foot,
knife-wielding alligator.
This is Jennifer britton,
a profiler from
the behavioral analysis unit
who will be helping
with the investigation.
What's the secret to finding
an invisible killer?
Seeing the world through his eyes.
The unsub is a thrill seeker.
It's likely he gets off
on the adrenaline rush
of putting himself in situations
where he could easily get caught.
We're probably looking for
somebody into extreme sports.
Like Mountain climbing?
Yes, or skydmng,
drag racing, big-game hunting.
I think it's a little early
to narrow our search parameters
to big-game hunters.
I know your work well, Dr. Pierce.
Please, I'm sure we'd all love
to hear your thoughts.
I'm just saying, if we're gonna play
"guess the identity of the serial killer,"
we... we can't just assume things
like "he's a thrill seeker."
The audience element of his m.O.
Indicates a personality type
attracted to risk.
Or it suggests someone
who simply wants attention.
Do you think that the victims
are connected to each other?
No. Yes.
I believe the victims are connected
only in that they represent
archetypal authority figures,
probably from the killer's childhood.
How did you come up with that?
A ref and a judge symbolize authority.
The killer flaunted what he did
in two different {\i1}courts.{\i}
Dr. Pierce, you believe the victims
are connected in some other way?
Dr. Pierce?
Daniel. Uh...
I-I'm not sure how they're connected.
I'm... I'm just saying
it's a little early to...
To rule out possibilities.
We're looking for somebody
who resents authority,
all right, and has
a deep and abiding interest
in illusions and stagecraft.
Maybe somebody who's involved in
community theater
or an amateur magician.
That's ridiculous.
You have an alternate theory?
No, I don't have a theory
because I'm not there yet.
Unl... unlike Ms. britton's
magician here,
I can't just pull rabbits out of hats.
What kind of game is this?
I'm sorry?
I have an expert consultant,
so now you have to get one, too?
I didn't bring britton in.
Your boss did.
I'm not a total asshole, Kate...
Much as Pierce would like you
to believe that.
Wait... what's that supposed to mean?
Oh, come on. The whole boob experiment?
He couldn't wait to make me
look bad in front of you.
Actually, the boobs were my idea.
Yeah, I knew that detail would get you.
Every time you look at me,
you just see the bad guy, don't you?
Well, I used to see you through
rose-colored glasses,
but I think we both know
the day those came off.
So now I'm the villain,
and Pierce is the maligned hero
who nobody understands except you.
Things aren't so black and white, Kate.
So, what do you want me to do
about class today?
Cancel it.
Doc, I know the material
forwards and backwards.
If I give the lecture, you won't
have to cancel two in a row.
Just tell them we'll pick up next week.
All right. Fine.
He can handle the lecture.
Those kids paid to take {\i1}my{\i} class,
not to listen to some
24-year-old grad student.
Max is brilliant, and you know it.
You just don't want to feel
more dependent on him
than you already are.
That is ridiculous. Look, I-I j...
I-I have to stay focused here.
I know there is a-a connection
between the dead ref
and the dead judge.
Now, I...
I thought maybe...
Maybe lemmons had been in
cleland's court at some point,
as... as a plaintiff or...
Or a defendant,
maybe even on a jury,
but there's nothing.
I can't... what am I missing?
Maybe the obvious...
That the profiler is right.
Hey, just because I haven't
found the connection yet
doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Well, instead of trying
to connect the victims to each other,
maybe you should try to connect them
to the idea of cognitive blindness.
You think one of these cases
might involve some kind of
visual or perceptual error?
For all you know, you've already
looked at the right file.
You just haven't realized it yet.
The United States vs. Kevin Connor.
Case centers on a cop
who was convicted of perjury
for claiming he never saw something
that happened right
in front of his eyes.
Wait a second. I remember this case.
Connor ran right by four cops
beating a suspect half to death,
but insisted he didn't see anything,
lied on the stand to protect
his buddies. Right.
Cleland threw the book at him,
called him
"the face of police corruption,"
sentenced him to five years.
Yeah, that could make someone
want to knife a judge,
but it doesn't explain
the elaborate m.O.
What if Connor was telling the truth?
And he didn't see the assault?
Right, and everyone
just assumed he was lying.
So, he kills in a way
that proves it's possible
to be blind to something
right in front of your eyes.
Boom. All right.
Where are you now, Mr. Connor?
Just released from prison,
three weeks before cleland
was murdered.
Mr. Connor, open up! It's the FBI!
We need to talk.
What took you so long?
"In the most appalling example
of police corruption
"ever to enter my courtroom,
"Kevin Connor has decided to
uphold the blue wall of silence
"rather than admit to being
an eyewitness
"to a reprehensible act
of police brutality.
"Here, the harshest punishment
is not only warranted,
but richly deserved."
Whew.
Cleland sure made
an example out of you.
Ain't a secret I hated the guy.
By the time he was done,
my wife could barely stand
the sight of me,
and my own son thought I was a racist.
Soon as I heard cleland was murdered,
I figured I'd be a suspect.
But I didn't kill him.
And why should we believe you?
You're a convicted perjurer.
Well, now, hold on.
He may have been convicted,
that doesn't make him a liar.
So, you're saying you believe me?
Where were you during the
afternoon of Thursday the 11th?
Whoa. I better lawyer up.
If I were you, I wouldn't get
the same guy as last time.
Who exactly are you again?
I'm... I'm a neuroscientist.
I consult with the FBI.
I've studied your case, and I...
Daniel.
I think it's possible that you
were wrongfully convicted.
Is that right?
And if I can effectively make
that argument,
it might help your overall credibility.
I-I was on the force for 20 years.
I know when someone's playing
"good cop, bad cop."
The okay, you got us.
But the fact remains,
if you can convince me that
you weren't lying back in 2008,
I may be able to help clear your name.
What good is that gonna do me now?
I already served the time.
You mentioned a son.
Wouldn't you like to prove to him
that you're no racist after all?
An a.P.B. Was put out
on four hispanic suspects
who had robbed a liquor store.
I had never ran so fast in my life.
I must have chased the guy
for a half-mile.
But he was too damn fast.
He got away.
The next thing I know,
I'm being told that I was
a witness to an assault.
I.A. Wanted me to finger four officers
who beat the lmng hell
out of one of the suspects.
But you didn't.
I told them that I couldn't I.D. Them
because I never saw the beating happen.
It happened within a few feet
of where you scaled the fence.
It was within your field of vision.
I'm not saying it didn't happen.
I'm saying I just didn't see it.
Have you ever heard the term
"inattentional blindness"?
Oh, yeah.
Some other expert shrink pitched
that angle during my trial.
What happened?
The prosecutor tore him to shreds.
The judge told the jury
to disregard his testimony.
Did he explain that perception
is an inherently limited process,
and the more attentional
demands placed on...
On the cognitive resources
that allow for perception,
the less capacity the brain has
to notice non-target stimuli
in the environment?
No. He didn't put it like that.
So, you're saying
that Connor wasn't lying in 2008
when he said he never saw the beating,
but he is lying now about
killing the judge?
That's a pretty big leap.
Connor's wrongful conviction
gives him all the more reason to
kill in... in a way that proves
we're all susceptible
to being blind to the obvious.
Maybe. But even so,
establishing motive isn't enough
to hold Connor.
Which is why I would like
a warrant to search his house.
On what grounds? Well, they
were elaborate murders.
He would've had to do research.
There could be notes
or something on his computer.
What's the connection between
Connor and the ref?
Haven't figured that part out yet.
Hang on a second. I want to see this.
{\i1}Joining us now via remote{\i}
{\i1}is Jennifer britton,{\i}
{\i1}a profiler with the FBI's{\i}
{\i1}behavioral analysis unit.{\i}
{\i1}With the latest update{\i}
{\i1}on "the invisible reaper."{\i}
"The invisible reaper"?
What is she doing?
This is an active investigation.
Media got ahold of
our serial-killer theory,
and public affairs asked Jennifer
to start putting out fires.
What, does the FBI give her
bonuses for...
For TV appearances?
{\i1}It appears the killer{\i}
{\i1}is targeting people.{\i}
{\i1}Who wield some sort of authority.{\i}
She's gmng the guy exactly
what he wants... attention.
Your grounds are weak,
but given the fact that it was a
federal judge that was murdered,
I'm pretty sure I could convince
a fellow jurist
to issue you a warrant.
Thank you.
So, all that stuff about
clearing my name was just b.S.?
No. But, unfortunately,
your innocence then
makes you a suspect now.
Oh, ain't that just ironic?
Found this in the bedroom.
You're keeping news articles
about your trial?
My ex-wife must've collected it all.
Want me to tag it? No.
The warrant only allows us
to keep evidence related
to the murders.
This is old news.
Uh, you know, I...
I kind of have a fondness
for old newspapers.
You... you mind?
I got nothing to hide.
Knock yourself out.
Last time your house looked like this,
you ended up in a psych ward.
Well, sometimes a messy house
is just a messy house.
And sometimes it's a bright-red flag.
Why is everyone in my life
always looking for signs
of my next meltdown?
Are you talking with Natalie, doc?
Sorry, I-I didn't mean to be so loud.
Look, look, while you're up,
can you please help me find
my damn glasses?
Go back to bed.
I... I'll keep my voice down.
"I applaud the honorable judge cleland
"for taking a hard line
on police corruption
"and for his refusal to be blinded
"by a so-called 'expert witness'
"who flagrantly misused
the witness stand
"as a pulpit to preach junk science.
"Fortunately,
judge cleland was able to see
"past the spurious testimony to
what was really important here...
A cop trying to cover up
for his buddies."
This is a letter to the editor
of the {\i1}Chicago star-herald.{\i}
It goes on to castigate Connor
as "a lying racist."
Guess who wrote it.
A private citizen
by the name... of Frank lemmons.
Frank lemmons!
The... the ref who was
stabbed on the basketball court!
Don't you see?!
Connor killed him for the same
reason he killed cleland...
They publicly humiliated him.
Now, I-I think Connor's
gonna keep going after
people who shamed him.
Look here, uh... uh...
David koepfer, the I.A. Officer
who launched the investigation,
Craig scarlis, the prosecutor
who tore him to pieces in court.
You have got to pick up Connor
before he kills them, too.
What?
Daniel, we just arrested a man
named Shane Murphy.
So?
So, he was caught onstage
trying to stab someone in
the neck in front of 500 people.
But con... Connor... Daniel...
Murphy's already confessed
to both murders.
How did yit was all about
the victimsshock value.
He fits my profile exactly.
Big into community theater,
skydmng adrenaline junkie.
Do you have any personal
connection to the victims? Wha...
What'd you do with the alligator suit?
What the hell are you doing?
I dumped it. Where?
Uh-huh. Wait, wait.
How... how did you get the...
How'd you get the knife past
the courthouse metal detector?
A good magician never tells
his secrets.
This guy's not the killer!
You're not the killer!
Come on. Come on. I got this.
Give us a minute, will you, please?
You can't just come barging
into an interrogation like that!
You have got the wrong guy.
He confessed!
Oh, don't you find it
a little convenient
that he matches
britton's profile so perfectly?
Why would I?
He clearly just watched her
on TV and...
And took note of the laundry
list of attributes she spewed!
He is nothing more than... than a...
A run-of-the-mill,
attention-seeking confessor.
You have to pick up Connor!
I appreciate all your help
on this investigation.
It's been a long night for all of us.
You need to go home, get some sleep.
What do you want to do
about class tomorrow?
Why don't you give the lecture?
You sure?
I should have handed you the reins
the first time
you offered to take them.
Well, why didn't you?
Because you already do enough for me.
Grade my papers,
drive me around at all hours
of the day. I-I
I just didn't want to feel
dependent on you
to do the one thing I feel
most competent doing myself.
Doc thank you.
But trust me...
Nobody can fill your shoes
in the classroom.
L-l-leave it. I'll... I'll clean up.
Oh, okay. Um...
Do you want some tea or something?
Do we have any cantaloupe?
No, but I can run out and get some.
That'd... that'd be great. Thanks.
All right. All right.
What are you doing?
Calling a cab.
Where are you going?
Chicago p.D. To warn them about Connor.
If Max knew, he'd stop you,
or he'd call Kate.
Is that why you made that whole speech
about letting him do the lecture...
To soften him up
and trick him into leaving?
The speech was true.
The... cantaloupe part
was complete bullshit.
I understand you're looking for
detective koepfer?
People are gonna die if I don't
speak to him right away.
How about we talk somewhere
more private?
How do you know detective koepfer?
I don't. My name is Daniel Pierce.
I-I sometimes work with the FBI.
Anyone in particular over there?
Yes, agent Kate moretti.
Now, look. I'm... I'm here
to warn the detective that,
uh, Kevin Connor was recently
released from prison,
and he is killing all of the people
who humiliated him during his trial.
Well, how... how long have you
been working with the FBI?
Long enough to know
that it's the blind leading
the blind over there.
The federal bureau of incompetency
is closing the book
on the wrong guy as we speak.
Well, I'm glad somebody's on the ball.
Koepfer's been missing for two days.
I've got officers out looking for him.
You... you've got... you've
got to send men after Connor,
and you... you have to warn,
uh, prosecutor scarlis.
I'll call scarlis,
and I'll get an arrest warrant
out on Connor.
Finally...
Someone will listen to reason.
Could you give me a minute? Yeah.
Thank you.
If you're not gonna mime
anything helpful,
don't mime anything at all.
Wait, he said koepfer
was missing for two days.
That doesn't make sense.
W-w-why hasn't he already
turned up dead?
What is Connor's plan?
A key?
Uh...
Key, key, key chain?
Key... largo.
Uh, uh, sk... skeleton key!
Uh, sk... skeletons in the closet!
Oh, what, I'm frustrating {\i1}you?{\i}
You're useless.
What? Oh, you want me to go?
Oh, really? You want me to...
Let me tell you, pal,
the feeling is mutual.
See ya later, alligator.
Oh, oh, no, no, no. No, no.
Hey!
Hey! You need to let me out of here!
You're making a mistake!
People are in da...
Hey, I'm not crazy!
Kate. Finally!
These bastards locked me in!
Daniel, did you tell
detective Armstrong
that people would die if you
didn't get to talk to koepfer?
Y-yes, but... but... but I...
Okay, he thought maybe you had
something to do with these murders.
He was ready to call in the guys
with the butterfly nets.
Luckily, he called me first.
Did he mention that koepfer
is missing?!
Daniel, I think maybe
you're losing it a little bit.
I'm not...
I'm not decompensating, Kate.
I'm just my normal level of crazy.
Look, look. We have to warn
koepfer and scarlis.
Connor's not going after them.
How do you know that?
I know because I stationed
two agents outside his house
when you told me
that we had the wrong guy.
You believe me?
I've been poking holes
in Murphy's confession
ever since you left.
Daniel, I'm on your side.
Don't you know that by now?
Okay.
Okay, so... Connor's sitting tight.
But what... what if...
What if he kidnapped koepfer
before you assigned the agents,
and now that he knows
that we're onto him, he's...
He's just... he's laying low?
Or... what if... what if someone
is killing on Connor's behalf?
What, like an accomplice? Maybe.
He mentioned a son.
I-I-I don't know the exact answer.
I-I just know that koepfer
is gonna turn up dead
if we don't locate him fast.
Dalton. It's moretti.
Listen, I need you to haul
Connor back into the box.
Yeah, I'm at cpd right now.
I'll be there in... 15 minutes.
Look, there's a surveillance team
parked right down the street.
Tell them to go knock on Connor's door
and let him know we have
some more questions for him.
Daniel, what is it?
It's koepfer.
Hey, you got it all wrong.
Koepfer was a real jerk,
but I wouldn't kill the guy.
Everyone who's died
is somehow connected to you.
Well, hey. I'm as confused
by what's going on as you two.
Maybe he's telling the truth.
Finally.
Listen, is it possible
that someone's killing on your behalf,
trying to get revenge
for what happened to you?
What about your son?
My son wouldn't even accept
a damn birthday card from me.
He sure as hell isn't out there
killing everyone who screwed me over.
Yeah, well, someone's doing it.
So think.
Like I said before,
I lost everything and everyone
that mattered when I got convicted.
No one gives a rat's ass about me.
You're wrong, Mr. Connor.
Someone does give a rat's ass
about you.
And I think I know who that is.
Dr. Robert mills,
quantitative psychologist
and author of "the mind's eye."
He was the expert witness
who testified on Connor's behalf
during the trial.
R-r-remember the...
The letter to the editor that...
That the ref wrote? Ah.
"I applaud the honorable judge cleland
"for taking a hard line
on police corruption
"and for his refusal to be blinded
"by a so-called 'expert witness'
"who flagrantly misused
the witness stand
"as a pulpit to preach
"junk science." Junk science!
I-I assumed it was
Connor that was offended,
but it was mills.
Mills tried to help him,
but he couldn't.
So instead, he's been killing off
everyone who ruined Connor's life.
W-why does mills
care about Connor so much?
2005... mills and his family
are drmng home
when they're struck
by a distracted driver.
Guy's yakking on his cellphone,
claims mills' car came out of nowhere.
His wife was killed instantly,
and his daughter became a quadriplegic.
Every since then, mills has
made it his life's work
to bring attention
to cognitive blindness.
He lobbied the State Senate,
tried to make it illegal
to use cellphones on the road.
But nobody bought that they're
as dangerous as he claimed.
Which is absurd, by the way,
given the fact that over 1,100 people
wound up in the E.R. last year
alone just for trying to walk
and use their cellphone
at the same time.
It sounds like you're on his side. I am.
I mean, minus the homicidal rage.
Daniel, let's just keep it on track.
Mills is frustrated. I get it.
But why start killing now?
Remember the daughter
who was paralyzed?
Well, she died three months ago...
Complications from her injuries
in the accident.
He snapped.
Okay. If all this is true,
why is he only targeting people
surrounding the Connor case?
Right. Why not the distracted
driver who struck his family?
Obituaries. Remember that driver?
Still distracted.
Turns out four weeks ago,
he died when
he followed some orange cones
over an unfinished overpass.
And that committee chairman who
quashed the law mills wanted?
Three weeks ago,
he's yakking on his cellphone
when he steps into
an empty elevator shaft.
Any physical evidence
tying mills to these deaths?
No, he's... he's too smart for that.
Mills is killing in front of
dozens of eyewitnesses.
He's managing to commit the
perfect murder over and over.
Well, we have to pick him up.
Sweat him.
He's a man on a mission
with above-average intelligence.
He won't just spill it
in an interrogation.
So short of catching him in the act,
you're basically saying we're screwed?
Not necessarily.
Mills is punishing people
who didn't pay attention.
So let's give him some attention
for his cause.
The killer still at large
known as the invisible reapert
are Jennifer britton,
a profiler with the FBI's
behavioral analysis unit,
neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Pierce,
and Dr. Robert mills,
psychologist and author
of "the mind's eye."
Now, what would drive someone
to kill in this way?
His m.O. Suggests he wants to
draw attention to himself,
but at the same time,
he wants to be anonymous.
In other words,
he's a self-obsessed coward
who likes scaring people.
If the killer only wanted
to scare people,
there are far simpler ways to do that.
Simpler, yeah, but more effective?
I mean, what's... what's scarier
than a boogeyman that strikes
in the light of day?
Dr. mills, in your book,
you write about the everyday dangers
of failing to notice
what's right in front of you.
Yes.
My book is meant to open
the reader's eyes
to the myriad ways
that we misunderstand
our own perceptual systems...
Therefore, our visual environment.
For example?
To name one,
the cellphone industry
would have us believe
that it is safe to drive
while talking on your cell
as long as your hands are free.
But it's not.
Science has proven that the danger
is less about
whether your hands are free
and more about
whether your brain is free.
Did you know that drmng
while using a phone
reduces the brain actmty
associated with drmng by 37%?
Even if that's true,
it still leaves 63%
of your brain free to drive.
Surely you're not condoning
multitasking on the road.
Well, I drive while using
my cellphone all the time,
and I've never been in an accident.
Yet. Look, I think...
I think we're losing sight
of the big picture here.
The... the... the killer isn't sending
some kind of
public service announcement
to save us all from distracted drivers.
The killer is trying to challenge
our assumptions about perception.
Well, w-w-when an alligator
stabs a ref,
no one is thinking about
the inherent limitations
of their own perceptual systems.
They're thinking, "wow! That
alligator just stabbed a ref!"
And then they're texting
their friends about it
while drmng to the mall.
The killer is trying to spark
a national dialogue
about the dangers of
inattentional blindness.
How do you know that?
Dr. mills, this is
a raw subject for you, yes?
I understand that you lost
your wife and child
in a car accident involving
a distracted driver.
Is that why you wrote the book?
Yes.
Didn't sell too many copies, did it?
Too dry and academic?
Some people thought so.
In other words, no one cared.
So you had to force them
to care, didn't you?
Excuse me?
You started killing
to make people care
about cognitive blindness.
Well, if you want people
to hear your message,
now is your chance...
The cameras are rolling.
We're recording this
for a later broadcast.
If it airs, millions will hear you.
But no one wants to watch
a dry, academic argument.
So unless you confess,
this footage will just end up
in a trash bin.
I don't, uh, um...
Confess, Dr. mills.
Let people hear your message.
Do it for your daughter,
so she won't have died for nothing.
We got hit on our way home
from Rachel's ballet recital.
I couldn't believe the driver
was still talking on his...
On his Bluetooth, I mean,
even after he had hit us!
You see, because one damn fool
didn't believe
that the dangers of distracted
drmng applied to him,
my little girl...
Lost her mother...
Lost her legs...
And eventually, lost her life.
I started killing because...
I was gonna make people pay attention.
I may have taken a few lives,
but my actions will save thousands.
Great job, Daniel.
Please don't ever make me
go on camera again.
You look good on camera.
Who knows? Maybe we can get the FBI
to give you bonuses for TV appearances.
Give me a minute. I will take you home.
She's really into you.
You know that, right?
What the hell are you talking about?
Oh, come on.
I've known her for years.
She used to be that way with me.
Wha...
Uh, not that it's any of your business,
but... Kate and I are just...
Are just colleagues.
We're friends. That's it.
So you're not into her?
No. No.
And you know what?
You're not her father.
You're not even her husband anymore,
so maybe you should just
stay out of her personal life.
Look, I'm not trying to get
all up in her business.
I-I-I blew it with her a long time ago.
She deserves better than me,
but she also deserves better
than staying hung up on somebody
who's not...
Sane?
I was gonna say "interested."
The truth is, neither one of us
are probably any good for her.
So, we should just let her
move on with her life.
I'm sure as hell
not standing in her way.
Really?
Because to my eyes,
it... it looks like
you're leading her on.
And I'm not saying that
you're doing it on purpose.
I'm just saying that
if you care about her...
And I think you do...
Maybe you should let her know
you're not interested.
What if I told all of you
that you're partially blind?
That right now, you think you're
seeing the world as it truly is,
but in actuality,
you're missing something.
It's true.
See, every time we open our eyes,
light shines onto our retina.
Nerve cells called photoreceptors
interpret the light, transmit
the information to our brain,
and that's how we see.
But there's a small area on our retina
where there are no photoreceptors.
This is called a scotoma,
or "blind spot."
We all have one.
So if that's true,
how is it that we never notice
a black area in our field of vision?
That is a good question.
Our illustrious Professor has returned.
Welcome back. No, no.
You seem to have things
well in hand, Mr. lewicki.
Carry on.
Just don't screw it up.
The reason you never notice
your blind spot
is because your brain is great
at guessing what should be there...
And automatically filling in the blank.
Sometimes we know what we want to see,
and our neocortex
turns that expectation
into a kind of virtual reality...
Which means that
some of the world we see
is really just an illusion...
A scary thought
when you consider
how vulnerable that makes us.
So how do we uncover our blind spots?
How do we ever fully see
the truth that's
right in front of our eyes?
Well, a good place to start
is to simply open your mind,
because as the French
philosopher Henri bergson said,
"the eye sees only what the mind
is prepared to comprehend."