Ratched (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 8 - Got No Strings - full transcript

Mrs. Helmstetter?

Hello.

I'm Shrunken Apple.

I'm so thirsty.

It's important for me to be hydrated.

No, please! Just... Just go away!

What is wrong with you?

Do you have any idea how long
it took me to make these things?!

Louise.

Can I see you in my office?

Louise, let me be crystal clear.



I have a soft spot in my heart

for a fidgety, faded,
alcoholic flapper like yourself.

Which is why I gave you a job
as a candy striper,

because I felt your life could use
a little direction.

But I will not tolerate you terrorizing
patients who are already fragile.

So...

if they don't want your craft therapy,

you just say, "Have a nice day,"
and move on.

Uh... Understood.

Okay.

Roger that.

It's just that I'm so enthusiastic
about being here.

Finally, I got something more
than just a job.

I have a career.



I just can't thank you enough.

Okay.

I almost forgot.

Your newspaper.

Look at that.

Oh.

Yes, I heard.

The governor is hell-bent on reelection,

so he is rushing that through the system.

Now, it's a smart move, probably
get his campaign across the line.

If you ask me,
it is an absolute disgrace.

But, come election day...

I think Tolleson will be dead.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Oh, I'm sorry.

- Hey.
- Hi.

I didn't see you there.

I had to...

I'd like to keep going but...

I think I'm gonna need an intermission.

I know...

the chemotherapy's just started...

but I can't believe
how awful I feel already.

What?

You have a plan...

rattling around
in that brilliant little head of yours.

I felt I couldn't talk about it

until I knew what was going to happen
with Edmund.

And now...

Now that that's settled...

this chapter of my life...

will have come to an end.

And you and I can just pack our bags.

We'll... drive south.

Along the coastline,
all the way to Mexico.

Mexico?

Oh.

Oh, that'd be nice.

And when the time comes...

we'd be sitting on a balcony...

a hacienda on the beach.

Margaritas in hand.

And I could just slip away...

While the sun sets over the ocean.

And that...

will be the end...

of a particularly beautiful chapter...

in what I know is going to be the long...

and thrilling life of Mildred Ratched.

Don't talk like that.

I mean it.

This has been the most...

astonishing...

luminous month...

of my life.

Now you listen to me.

I've done some research.

I've heard about some brilliant doctors

who are having the most
extraordinary results

putting terminally ill cancer patients
into remission,

and they're in Mexico.

We can cure you, Gwendolyn.

Both of us will be getting on
with our lives...

together.

Oh, Mildred.

Mildred.

Oh.

That does sound like heaven.

Doesn't it?

You've done a great job here, Betsy.

The hospital seems to be
running quite smoothly.

I must say that the way
Dr. Hanover ran things...

set a rather low bar.

Mm.

Oh.

I've hired a woman doctor.

Isn't that incredible?

I know you're here about your brother.

You probably want me to talk you through
what it's going to be like for him...

the execution?

Yes.

He'll be brought down a long
hallway to the execution chamber.

He'll be strapped to a gurney,

and an IV will be inserted into his arm...

as well as a backup
in case the first line fails.

He'll be given his last rites.

In his case, by a priest.

It's ironic.

At this point, Edmund will be asked
if he has any last words.

I'd just like to say...

...I'm sorry for what I did.

I hope that my death
can provide you some comfort.

An injection of sodium thiopental
will render him unconscious

in a matter of seconds.

The second injection
is potassium chloride...

which will stop his heart.

Usually, within a few minutes.

Mildred, you have done...

everything you could for him.

What's important to remember is
that he has two more weeks left here,

and I want to make sure that his last days
have a semblance of dignity about them.

Dr. Hanover's barn is finished.

So I want to make sure
he spends an hour a day in there

to do a little work,

commune with the animals.

Why?

I'm so very, very sorry.

I'm here for you, Mildred.

I'm here for both of you.

It's a lovely day, isn't it, Mr. Tolleson?

These fatheads won't let me soap anymore
when I shower.

Mmm.

Hygiene is the least of your problems.

As you know, in two weeks,
you will be executed.

And despite your ghastly crimes,

you are a human being who must not spend
the entirety of his final days

confined to a cold, dark, sodden cell.

And as a Christian,
I believe it is my duty

to give you every final chance
to make peace with God

and His beautiful Earth
that you took for granted.

Which is why every day,

I will allow you to come out
into the sunshine

and the fresh air and connect with nature.

Did Mildred put you up to this?

Today you will spend time in the barn.

This barn was Dr. Hanover's dream.

He often talked about the ancient Greeks,

who were the first to use animals
to lift the spirits of the seriously ill.

And he spoke of horses,

believing that they could tell
a man's true character

from one interaction.

Gentlemen, if you please.

You have one hour.

Any issue, and we've been
authorized to shoot you dead.

Easy, fellas.

I'm not after no trouble today.

Oh, look at that.

Oh.

You take good care of that egg.

That's your egg.

Whatever you do,
don't let them take it away from you.

They ought to call you Porky.

Hi, Porky.

You're a sweetheart.

Hm.

Wow.

Hello.

Hi.

It's okay. Don't be afraid.

Look at me.

You see me?

I'm not afraid.

I'm not afraid.

I'm not afraid.

I'm not afraid.

Case Hitchen.

You got any last words for the relatives
of little Jimmy Stratton?

Uh...

Yeah, I... I do.

I'm real sorry for what I done...

Thank you, Mr. Hitchen,
that was very moving.

Can you just, uh,
turn him around for me there?

Son...

My name is George Wilburn,

I'm the governor
of the great state of California.

And I want to tell you,
when I was informed

that you were facing death
by lethal injection

for killing that seven-year-old boy,
I said to myself, "Well...

he doesn't deserve that."

That you deserve this.

You know what they used to call
this old contraption?

Big Sparky.

They put him away for awhile,

but it's time we brought him out,
put him back to work. Now look,

you can blubber all you want,

like that little boy did
when you slit his throat from ear to ear.

Or you can sit in the chair, be a man,
and get what's coming to you.

Mr. Hitchen is now taking his seat
in the chair.

Atta boy.

Looks like the governor is going
to address the family of the victim.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family
of that dear little boy, Jimmy Stratton...

I...

I want you to know...

I share your pain.

As long as I am governor,

the state of California will be
a place of law and order.

You're gonna want to hear this.

Every law-abiding citizen will be able
to sleep soundly at night

knowing that their elected officials
protect their family

from bloodthirsty criminals.

And we'll do everything in our power...

to make good on that promise.

Thank you.

Warden, hold on a second,
may I do the honors?

And now it looks like the governor
is going to throw the switch himself.

Well, son.

May God have mercy on you...

because I ain't gonna.

The governor has thrown the switch.

The prisoner is...

Lord help us.

Why didn't they...

Something is wrong.

Something is terribly wrong, this is...

This is simply beyond description.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, calm down, calm down.

Everything's fine, you just relax.
Everything's good.

This man is
just burning before our eyes.

Why won't he stop this?

The... The, uh...

The prisoner is, uh...

The body is utterly unrecognizable.

He's been... Well, he's still burning.

Lord have mercy on...

Time of death: 8:21 a.m.

Hello, Governor.

Gwenny, it's good to see you.

You remember Mildred Ratched?

Miss Ratched.

What a fine surprise.

Now, Gwendolyn didn't mention anything
about your presence

when we agreed to this get-together.

Oh. I hope it's no intrusion.

Oh, it's no intrusion.

The luckiest man in the world
to be in the company of two stunners.

Miss Ratched, with your legs,
Gwenny's rump,

together, you could give Ginger Rogers
a run for her money.

- Hey, sit down.
- Thank you.

Yup.

What can I do you for?

Well, Governor, we're here because I...

I've...

We believe in humanity.

It's about Edmund Tolleson.

Well, if you've come here with a plea...

to spare a man's life
who killed five of my citizens,

then you're barking up the wrong tree.

We aren't here
asking for a stay of execution.

Mm.

I understand that
he deserves this sentence,

but I don't understand why it can't be
carried out through peaceful means,

like lethal injection or the gas chamber.

Why must it be this spectacle?

We aren't Romans where a man's death
is used as public sport!

I think what Mildred is trying to say,

is the state is making so much progress,

and that's because of
your forward-thinking policies.

To reinstate something as barbaric
as the electric chair,

it just throws us back to a time when
we were no better than heathens.

- Mm.
- I can't...

How was it, sir?

Oh.

Tender as a supple woman.

If I was so inclined,

I'd eat two of them.

Yup.

The current climate of politics right now
is not about policy anymore.

It's about who stands up, who can
cut through the clutter of a crowd

and deliver his message
in a way people will listen.

I'm not a politician, I'm a... Well...

a performer.

Now, I'm always listening.

I'm listening to the audience to see
what they want me to play next.

You gotta listen.

Listen.

They want a spectacle.

They want that man in the chair!

And I'm gonna give it to 'em,
'cause I'm a winner.

And come November ninth, well...

I'm gonna win.

Ladies.

Been nice being in your company.

Edmund is my brother.

Mm-hm. Well, then, I recommend
you don't listen to the radio.

Gwendolyn,
I'm sad that you've gone so soft.

You won't be killing him.
You will be torturing him to death.

I cannot allow that to happen.
Do you hear me?

- For his sake and for yours, please.
- Darling, darling.

It's no use. It's no use.

Let him go.

Well, I'll be damned.

Couple of sapphos right under my nose,
and I never even sniffed it out.

Gwendolyn?

Now I know why you never slept with me.

Makes sense.

Look, jeez, I...

My sister...

well, she's...

She's like the both of you.

And it's a hard life,

and I understand.

Good luck.

And don't forget,
when November ninth comes...

vote for yours truly.

I'm sorry.

I don't know why I thought
that ever would have worked.

What do we do now?

Sloppy joes, I swear each nurse had one
in that musty break room.

It took all my self-control
not to hurl right there and then.

So, Mrs. Mayfair,
who is the hospital's benefactor,

we've become very close.
I mean, she's a whiz at Parcheesi.

She said, "No, Betsy, I insist.

From now on,
all your lunches will be catered."

Betsy.

I need to talk to you about Edmund.

Um...

How aware is she of...

You don't know me well, Nurse Bucket...

Oh, no, I know you quite well.

You nearly bled to death
on this very carpet.

Scrubbing someone's blood out of
Saxony pile is a rather intimate act.

She's aware
of what he means to me and why.

The fact is, the governor has gone mad
with this electric chair.

He started frying people
to win points with the voters,

and Edmund is next in line.

You know I can't let that happen.

I am going to need your help.

He can't burn, Betsy.

This must be humane somehow.

I agree.

I mean, he is still our patient.

And anyone with a brain in their nut
can tell he's mentally ill.

And our job as nurses is to...
treat the ill

with as much care and humanity
as possible.

No matter what they've done.

Angels of mercy.

Yeah, but what do you mean by "mercy"?

We bring him out to the barn.

And we'll arrange for no guards
to be inside this time.

He'll be appreciative.

It shows that we trust him.

And when the guards ask
why they're not needed,

I'll tell them because
Betsy Bucket says so.

Oh, well, they'll listen to that.
I mean, believe me.

- Hi.
- Who's this?

Hi.
This is Porky, my favorite.

He'll be caring for the animals.

Talking to them.

Then Huck will come up behind him
and inject him with sodium thiopental...

to sedate him.

He will fall to the ground...

and slowly lose consciousness.

I'm so sorry, my sweet brother.

I'm sorry this had to happen to you.

As long as I'm alive, you will be with me.

You are part of me, Edmund.

After it's done,

we merely say he got unruly,

so we had to give him a sedative,
and he had a bad reaction.

As you know, that happens all the time.

As a nurse...

I can't say I'm in love with the idea
of taking an action that will end a life.

I suppose we...

We have to face the ghastly horror
of what would be the alternative.

Maybe I should deliver the lethal dose.

That way you won't have to witness it.

Thank you.

But no.

I have to give it to him.

All right.

Thank you.

Where have you been?

What's that? My last supper?

What's going on?

Nothing's going on.

I simply thought you might enjoy
a really special dinner.

Things that were your favorite
when we were kids.

Salisbury steak with mashed potatoes,
peas and carrots, and lemon meringue pie.

That's ancient history, Mildred.

Take off your rose-colored glasses.

You're the only one left who hasn't
figured out what I really am.

I'm the only one who does know
who you really are.

Please do not eat with your fingers,
Edmund.

You could say, "Thank you, Mildred."

Fuck that. You're relieved, I can tell.

I'm gonna be dead in two weeks.

It is two weeks, isn't it?

You didn't have to put some rat poison
in here, did you?

Shame on you,
for even suggesting such a thing.

You broke my heart, Edmund.

I had it all planned out.

And you ruined it.

And for what?

For love, Mildred.

I was a man in love.

Well, why didn't you just love me?

Why?

I'd sacrifice my life for you.

Well, I sacrificed my life for you,

and you abandoned me, just ran away.

Edmund, you told me to.

So you're done with me?

Oh, Edmund.

You don't know, do you?

You don't know...

how grateful I am to you.

For what?

For killing them.

And saving my life.

That is why I did what I did.

To make up for leaving you there.

I didn't know what to do.

I was just a little girl.

I didn't...

I'm sorry.

But I will never be done with you,
Edmund.

That will never happen.

I want us to spend some time...

outside of this hellhole.

I've convinced Betsy to grant us
permission to have an hour together.

In the barn, just you and me.

You can introduce me to that pig you like.

That's great. That's fantastic, Mildred.

There are so many amazing animals
I want to show you.

Oh, yeah?

Like what?

- Oh, well, there's a cow.
- A cow.

- And then a goat, and, um...
- What kind of goat?

Nurse Bucket?

Charlotte Wells is in the lobby.

Hello.

Hello.

Can I help you?

Of course you can help me.

It's your job.

Follow me, it's important.

Charlotte?

What?

What's happening, right now?

I don't know what you're asking me.

Where's Dr. Hanover?

Is this a riddle?

No.

You're looking at him.

I am Dr. Richard Hanover.

And I have very pressing matters
to attend to.

Okay.

Nurse Bucket, I admire you.

You're a beautiful woman...

And you have been a great asset to me.

But I cannot stay here much longer.

People are after me, dangerous people.

I need to leave here. Escape.

Find somewhere new
to start a brand-new facility

where I will be free
to chart a brave, new course

into the science of the mind,

and help patients like Charlotte Wells,
truly cure them.

Do you understand?

Oh, I'm...

I'm very confused.

Tolleson. I need him.

He's my star patient.

Once I cure him, they will finally
understand what I am capable of.

I won't allow him to be put to death.
It simply will not stand.

Charlotte?

Who?

- Charlotte?
- What?

What?

You're in love with me, aren't you?

Okay.

Here's the thing, Dr. Hanover.

Please make yourself at home.
Well, it is your office, after all.

And I will do my job
as your trusty aide-de-camp

and go and get Edmund for you.

I'll just be a minute.

Good.

Thank you, Nurse Bucket.

All my work.

I must take it all.

Huck, come with me, I need your help.

They will see my genius.

Charlotte Wells is here.

She's lost her mind.

She's lost several of them, I think.

Close the doors,
we don't want to disturb anybody else.

We can handle this.

That is not Edmund Tolleson.

Huck, I've made a mistake.
I think we should open those doors.

Not one step.

Uh... Charlotte?

Dr. Hanover!

Can't you recognize your superior?

Neither of you would even have jobs
if it wasn't for me.

You with that Halloween mask for a face.

And Nurse Bucket, with your persistent
ineptitude and pathetic advances.

Which of you will take me to Edmund?

Um...

Dr. Hanover.

Of course. It's nice to see you again.

Lucia hasn't been the same
without you here.

I said not another step.

You think I'm scared?

This is nothing
compared to when a Nazi scumbag

put a Colt 1911 to my temple.

He pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed.

Seconds later a mortar hit,
blew him to 50 pieces.

Only scalded half my face.

Charlotte.

Remember the dance?

I am not Charlotte.

I am Dr. Hanover,
I am your superior, and you...

You are trying to manipulate me.

I'd never seen you so happy...

dancing with Harold.

Remember?

Yeah.

Yes.

I remember his eyes.

Those kind, sweet eyes, and...

how he looked at me like...

I was a normal woman.

Then he killed him...

...right in front of me.

What the hell was that?

- Oh, my...
- Edmund has done some monstrous things.

But it is my job to understand why.

You sh... shot... You
shot Huck. You shot...

Take me to him, Nurse Bucket. Now.

Look what you've done.

- You've killed him.
- Nurse Bucket!

Not that way!

Oh, my God. It's Huck.

Hey.

Hey.

Nurse Bucket, are you okay?

Who is that with you?

- Tell him it's all fine.
- I think I'm gonna faint.

Tell him.

It's fine, Mikey.

Hey, who's your friend?

Hey, I said, who are you?!

I was first chair violin

of the London Symphony Orchestra,
you shit.

I played Mendelssohn
for Prince Louis II of Monaco.

Who the fuck are you?

Nurse Bucket.
My, you look white as a ghost.

Oh...
And you look...

Oh, I don't know, uh...

huskier than a bear
stocking up for the winter.

Thanks to your apple pies.

Best in the state.

Well, thank you, kind sir.

We just want to pop down to see
Mr. Tolleson just for a little second.

Who is she?

Isabelle. Isabelle, mm.

Isabelle Blankley, yes.

She's a liaison
for the Office of Prisoner Rights

from the American Civil Liberties Union.

The, uh, Civil Liberties Union.

Yes, yes.
She's... She's here to do a quick check

to make sure that he's being adequately
cared for, despite his imminent demise.

Of course, Miss Blankley.

I think you'll see he's being treated
with the utmost respect, ma'am.

Who are you calling "ma'am"? You priss.

Nurse Bucket, I'm sorry, I've been
told there was a security breach.

Release him.
Release Edmund Tolleson.

You know I can't do that.

Now, let's... let's calm down,
we can talk this out.

He is my patient.

This is my hospital.

And yet everybody is talking to me
like I am some petulant child!

You wanna release Edmund Tolleson?
Then you're gonna have to shoot me.

Jesus Christ.

Get the keys. Let him out.

Ooh!

Where's Mildred?

Who is she?

I am Dr. Richard Hanover, you idiot.

And I have risked everything
to get you out of here,

because you and I,
we have unfinished business, my boy.

So you're a lunatic?

Fine by me.

- Where are you going?
- Just a sec.

I got a question for Nurse Bucket here.

Get in that cell!

Uh... Uh... I'll let myself in.

Where is she?

Where's Mildred?

I... I... I don't know.

- What did you do to her?!
- Nothing, Edmund.

Mildred's a friend.

Why is this lady breaking me out
instead of her?

Is this her plan?

No, no. No, she...

This... This wasn't her plan at all.

I mean, that's if she has a plan.
I... I have no idea.

You lie to me one more time, I'll paint
your brains all over this fucking cell.

What was Mildred's plan?

I knew she had one.

- What was Mildred gonna do with me?
- No!

I don't... I don't know!

- Bullshit!
- Oh!

She was going to kill you.

She knew you'd get the electric chair,

and she didn't want
to watch you suffer, so she...

So what?

She was... going to euthanize you.

Yeah.

Let's go.

Well, I hope everything was up to snuff,
Miss Blankley.

Shit!

Don't kill me.

I have children.

I've got their pictures in my wallet.

- If you just let me show you.
- Don't move those fucking hands.

I'm sorry.

Oh, God.

Leave him.

You've done enough.

You don't have kids.

Coward.

This way.

Nice wheels.

My first purchase after I recently
came into some money.

Courtesy of Nurse Ratched.

You don't say.

I look forward to continuing
our work together...

Dr. Hanover.

As do I, Mr. Tolleson.

Together we make a fine team.

Good morning.

Morning.

Anything?

Truman's ordered the 24th Infantry
into North Korea.

Forty-six Americans dead.

At Osan, 130 wounded or missing.

You know that's not what I was asking.

I do realize that.

This line of questioning
has become a morning ritual.

So, no.

It's been more than two years
and no one has seen him.

He escaped the hospital and disappeared,
Mildred.

He's gone.

Oh. She made good time.

Yes.

Well, well, well,
look what the cat dragged in.

Mildred. Oh.

Oh, my heaven.

This place is positively divine.

It's so good to see you, Betsy.

You, too.

I don't believe it. Mistletoe.

I mean, I'm not out of the woods yet,

but the doctor said that the treatment is
going better than she could have expected.

She's her star patient.

Well, I have to say
that is just the most fantastic news.

- Thank you.
- The wonders they're working these days

with brand-new medications.

Did you know,

they've discovered that
a tuberculosis medication called Isoniazid

can treat melancholy?

- Hm.
- Or "depression,"

they're starting to call it.

When I think of some of the things
I was doing,

like the hydrotherapy, I shudder.

It is so nice to be rid of them.

Who?

Men.

Oh.

Oh, I know neither of you
have much use for them, but...

But look at us.

Sitting here, sipping cocktails
on a glorious Mexican beach.

Not a fellow to be seen.

Enjoying the lives
that we've made for ourselves,

three strong, independent women.

I think it's just great.

Mildred, you're awfully quiet.

I appreciate all the optimism.

I really do.

But I don't feel quite...

free from the past...

the way you might.

Well, I know him.

He is my brother.

He's not finished.

And he won't be finished
until he comes for me.

Where are you going?

I'm going to get my book.

Who is it?

Who is it?

Hello, Nurse Ratched.

I just came to tell you
that I am completely cured.

And how did that happen?

Oh.

It's a marvelous thing.

I started...

bathing in the blood
of the people I kill along the way.

It's absolved me of all my sins.

Where's my brother?

You should try it.

You've done a lot of killing, too.

Where is my brother?!

I find it so interesting
that you've returned to the water.

Tell me or I will shoot you.

Why...

he's right behind you.

What are you doing here?

Oh, sis.

Don't ask questions
you know the answer to.

I'm here to kill you,
and then I'm gonna kill myself.

Put us both out of our misery.

You and I, we can't go on the way we are,
we have too much damage on our insides.

Edmund!

No, no, it's the way it's got to be.

You betrayed me, Mildred.

The one person I loved.

How can I go on?

How can you?

We can't run from it forever,
so I figure...

how about we just fucking end it?

Now you listen to me, little brother.

I am going to end it.

Eva Braun, huh?

I killed your man and I'll kill you, too!

Think you're gonna fucking kill me twice?

Is that what you're gonna do?!

What is it? What is it?

Darling. Darling, what is it?

It's all right. It's all right.
You're here.

You're here, nothing is wrong.

Nothing is wrong.

It's okay.

It's okay.

It's all right.

It's okay.

She's just early.

- Betsy, come on in.
- Hello. Oh, thank you.

Well, that drive took positively forever.

My God, you look fabulous.

Ah. Mistletoe. Can you believe it?

God, I could live down here.

Mexico.

Who would have thought it?

Though I have to say,
I'm very happy where I am.

Mrs. Mayfair, what a doll.

She put her foot down and insisted that
I be made permanent head of the hospital.

That doubled my salary
right then and there.

And now I know where I'm spending
my two weeks' vacation every year.

Enjoy, ladies.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

Oh, sorry.

Your newspaper.

Oh, thank you.

Anything?

She asks me that every day.

Mmm.

Hm.

That's interesting.

What is it?

Multiple murder in Chicago.

What's so interesting about it?

They were seven nurses.

Sorry to bother you, Miss Ratched,
but you have a telephone call.

Hello, Edmund.

How'd you know it was me?

Because I know every thought in your head
the moment you have it.

I knew you wouldn't stop.

And I knew you'd do something
to try to get my attention.

Did you like my tribute?

The nurses' massacre?

It was a clue.

Well, Edmund.

You have my full attention.

Aren't you wondering how I found you?

I know that someone I know sold me out.

And when I find out who that someone is...

I will make them pay dearly for it.

You ought to listen to me now, sis.

I don't have to.

You're going to tell me
that I betrayed you.

And that you're coming for me.

And that I should be very afraid.

Well, let me tell you something,
little brother.

You are the one who should be afraid.

Because I am coming for you, Edmund.

I was first chair violin
of the Vienna Philharmonic.

If Mozart heard you,

he'd take that hat off your head
and shove it up your ass.

Ha! Can it, will ya?

Why are you always laying into me?

I didn't say anything.

I just asked you to change the radio.

Okay, ladies.

Let's hit the road.