Strange Angel (2018–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Augurs of Spring - full transcript

Shh.

Parsons.

You'll have to finish
on your own time. Break's over.

I got ten more seconds,
according to that clock.

Parsons.

The guys and me are hopping over
to Del Monaco's to grab one...

Got a different sort of
rendezvous planned this evening.

Yeah? What's her name?

Destiny.

I'm not late, am I?

No more than usual.



Beautiful night, isn't it?

And freezing.

Wait.

You did follow my specifications

for the packing density, right?

More or less. Well, an error

could be the difference
between us living and dying.

We're in uncharted
territory, Rich.

The time for caution
has long passed.

Ad astra...

Per aspera.

Fuck!

43.27 feet.

That can't be right.



Well, you're welcome to
check my math if you want.

That's even worse
than last time.

And now the violin concerto,
movement number two.

Hey.

Hope I didn't wake you.

You know I have trouble sleeping
with one side of the bed empty.

How'd it go?

Every time I think
we're making headway,

we take a step back.

I don't want to bore you
with the details,

but we made it about
a thousand feet, before...

That seems pretty high.

It's not high enough.

We've reached
the limit of what we can do

with the resources
at our disposal.

Speaking of, I need
to borrow a few bucks.

Supplies cost a little more
than I expected.

Jack, we're two months behind.

The bank called again...

You just got to hold them off
a little longer.

Sorry.

Looks like someone's moving in
to the old Weller place.

We'll have to go
introduce ourselves.

Who moves
in the middle of the night?

Excuse me. Hey.

I'm just a little turned around.

Where's GALCIT again?

Right over there.

Thanks.

Jack.

Jack?

What the hell do you
think you're doing?

Looking for you.

I told you to meet me outside.

I don't see
what the fuss is about.

It's just a big pipe.

Which produces winds of
over 200 miles an hour.

The wind tunnel is only open

to authorized students
and personnel.

Well, I'm about to be, aren't I?

I just hate walking in there

without any sense
of what he's gonna say.

How do you feel?

You know how I feel.

I realize you don't think
we were ready to submit,

but I didn't have a choice.

Susan's had it with me
spending our money on this.

Well, I don't blame her, it's
literally going up in smoke.

Fucking hilarious. I am not joking, Jack.

Sometimes, the rocket
reaches 60 feet,

sometimes it-it doesn't
leave the ground

and sometimes, it explodes.

The results
are completely random

and we don't even
understand why.

I-Is it the size of the nozzle
or the chamber?

Is it the fuel? Or maybe
it's the oxidizer...

That's the point of the project.

To figure those things out.

But what if our proposal
is approved and we still fail?

The only difference
is the head of my department

will be watching. Have
a little faith, Rich.

They'll be naming buildings
after us by the time we're done.

It is absurd.

You wish to build rocket capable

of taking, meteorological
equipment into ionosphere?

Yes, sir, w-we thought...

Well, that part was
Richard's idea.

He thought it sounded more...

practical.

Our ultimate goal was
to create a rocket

capable of taking
man into space.

Professor Goddard only managed

to launch rocket
2,700 meters, maximum.

Ionosphere is nearly 100,000.

Remember what I say
in first year seminar

about crossing river?

Stepping stones.

Exactly.

Small advances needed
before big ones can be made.

What if we're not content to be
someone else's stepping stone?

Richard tells me
you never completed,

undergraduate degree,
Mr. Parsons.

I'm starting to understand why.

I had to drop out
to support my family

because of the Depression.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Don't be. A degree's
just a piece of paper.

I'd just as soon not
have all those protocols

weighing me down.

But listen, you are trying,

to work in a field
that does not even exist.

If you don't proceed
with caution, you will fail.

Or even worse...

blow yourself up.

What?

What?

That wasn't how it
was supposed to go.

No. No, Jack,
leave it alone. Professor?

I was just thinking,
you should come and see

one of our launches
for yourself.

I gave you my answer.

Richard and I have been building
rockets since we were teenagers.

Some words on a page can't
convey what we're capable of.

They should.

Well, they can't.

When you were developing
the PUZ-1,

did you rely
on a written proposal

to demonstrate its feasibility?

No, but... No, because helicopters

didn't exist.

Because people didn't even
believe they couldexist.

That is a slight exaggeration.

There were precedents.

My point is, you had
to prove the naysayers wrong

by showing them it could work.

Next thing you know,
your prototype takes three men

in the air, and you change
aviation history forever.

Another slight exaggeration.

All I'm asking for
is the same chance.

You don't believe

we can back up our claims?

Let us prove to you we can.

Hey. Hey.

I don't get why you're mad.
He said he'd come.

The point was to get approval to
build a functional rocket motor.

Yeah. So? You were talking

like we'd built one already.

Because he rejected us.

Now we have a chance to
change his mind. How?

None of our tests
have broken 70 feet.

This will only prove
our incompetence.

We'll figure something out
between now and then.

But what, Jack?

Something.

This is my career.

The top aerodynamicist
in America

is gonna think I'm an
imbecile and a fraud.

So you'd prefer we just give up?

I just wish that you'd
stick to the facts

once in a while.

I don't understand...

You said you'd be getting
an answer today.

That iswhat I'm saying.
We basically did.

The professor just needs

to make sure
we can back up our claims.

And if the demonstration goes
well, then you'll be approved?

Yes.

Let's just
make this quick, okay?

I've got a lot of work to do.

Jack, try to be civil.
We might get on with them.

Doubtful, if they're anything
like our other neighbors.

Shh.

Hi. We're Mr. and Mrs. Parsons

from right next door.

Okay.

We saw you moving in

and just wanted to come
and introduce ourselves.

Normally how this works

is you give a name in return.
Jack...

It's Ernest.

I'll take that.

It's banana bread.

Ho-Homemade.

Guess I'm supposed

to offer you a slice.

No, no. That's okay.
It's for you.

Is it just you here?

I-I noticed your ring.

I have a wife...
She just isn't here right now.

Well, we look forward
to meeting her.

In fact, we'd love to have
you all over for dinner

once you get settled.

To welcome you to
the neighborhood.

Well, that'd be swell.

"Once the thrill
of the hunt had faded,

"Wan Hu tried to recapture
the rush through other means.

"But the ecstasy he felt
was fleeting."

"Only one thing,
and one thing only,"

"seemed to offer him the escape
he was so desperately seeking."

"The question now was How
could he possibly reach it?

"That night, like most others,

"Wan Hu slept alone.

"Neither the rush of the kill
nor the pleasures of love

could satisfy
his restless longing."

Incredible, right?

Which part, the virgin bride
or the harem of 40 wives?

That's not the point
of the story.

I know. This man wants
to glimpse the sublime.

Yeah. Exactly.

They could make
that clear enough

without all the lurid detail.

Yes, but then who
would want to read it?

I wonder what's keeping them.

Yeah.

It's been almost an hour.

He said they'd be here.

Well, the house is still dark.

And the driveway's empty, so...

Looks like we've been stood up.

It's fine by me.

I'm happier just the two of us.

Aren't you?

Of course.

What is it?

It's just all those nights
you're out with Richard, I'm...

You're what?

We should eat
before it gets any colder.

What do you want?

Dr. Heath is in your office.

He is about to return
to the criminals

who stole his invention.

They are now demanding
a king's ransom.

How do you know so much?
Are you mixed up in this?

No. But I believe
I could help you

if you will cooperate.

What could youdo?

Think, Commissioner.

The Shadow is the one person
who might be able

to accompany Dr. Heath
to his rendezvous...

unknown...

unseen... in the shadows.

That's ridiculous!
This is a matter for the police.

We can't have...

I'm waiting, Commissioner.

Well...

All right, Shadow,
much as I hate to admit it,

we're stumped.

Jesus, you all right?

Hold on.

Guess you finally
decided to show up.

If one word of this
gets out, there'll be...

My wife invited you over
for dinner, remember?

Hey.

I'm talking to you.

I didn't feel like it.

You didn't feellike it?

I'm trying to find my true path.

How can I do that talking about
barbecues and lawnmowers?

I guess you can't.

See, that's what I mean... say
what you're reallythinking.

What I'm really thinking?

I think you're drunk.

And even if you weren't,
you got a screw loose.

Yeah, maybe.

You ever been up there?

Nope.

Really? How long
have y'all lived here?

Four years.

Well, come on.

You going up there now?

What's the matter,
past your bedtime?

So, what is it
that you do, Jack?

I work at a chemical
mixing plant.

That is about as awful an
answer as I've ever heard.

It's not all I do.

I'm also working on
a research project on the side.

What kind of research project?

On rockets.

Like Buck Rogers?-

I didn't know anybody
did that for real.

Not many people do.

Look at that.

Step outside your yard,

never know what you'll find.

View's a lot better
from up here.

I think I'm fine where I am.

So, tell me about these rockets.

What do you want to know?

Tell me how they work.

You familiar with Newton's
third law of motion?

Well, you burn some kind
of fuel in a chamber,

and the gases
produced by the combustion

shoot out the only
exit available.

So the gases go one way,
and the rocket goes the other.

So there's a part that's
trying to burst free

and another part that needs
to keep it in control.

More or less.

Here.

Think I should be headed back.

You know, my teacher
always told me

there's only two kinds
of people in this world.

The ones who want to
follow the rules,

and the ones who
want to break them.

Yeah?

What kind of teacher is that?

Only teacher ever taught me
anything worth learning.

Now, you take all
these houses here,

with their walls

designed to keep us out.

Now, why should we obey that?

Because the law says we have to.

Whose law?

What are you doing?

There is no law

beyond, "Do what thou wilt."

Ernest?

Ernest?

Ernest.

Shit.

Ernest, stop messing around.

Are you trying to get
yourself drowned?

Okay.

Goddamn it.

You think that's funny?

I figured you'd either
come get me or you wouldn't.

And what then?

You're fucking crazy.

You got to admit

it really gets the blood
flowing, doesn't it?

You are gonna have to try
better than that.

Is that what you wanted?

That's what youwanted.

Fuck.

Son of a bitch.

That's it.

No matter how hard
we pack the fuel,

there's gonna be pockets of air.

And what do pockets of air
lead to?

Uneven combustion.

You wondered why we're getting
such piss-poor results?

I have the solution.

It occurred to me
while drowning in a pool.

Methanol?

No, liquid fuel is too volatile.

I knew you'd say that.

But with liquid fuel,
there's no air pockets.

Where would we even get it?

They got tanks of methanol
at Caltech, don't they?

Roshambo to decide.

Evening, ladies.

My good pal Richard and I are
having a slight difference

of opinion. Maybe you
can help us settle it.

Jack, stop.

We need someone
to break the tie, don't we?

Without getting
overly technical,

I want to take
a calculated risk,

but Richard
would rather play it safe.

Now, what do you think
is the better way to go?

Between taking a risk
and playing it safe?

Not much of a choice.

Yeah, you only live once.

Wise words. Yeah, Richard.

Take a risk, why don't you?

Did I mention that Richard here

is a brilliant student
at Caltech

and is extremely eligible,
unlike yours truly?

Play your cards right,

and maybe he'll ask one of you
out to a steak dinner.

Caltech?

We don't get to meet
a lot of smart guys.

I'm not surprised.

What he means to
say is that... It's okay.

I know what he means.

Maybe in another life.

Hey, don't sweat it.

Those girls are nowhere near
good enough for you, anyway.

Can we please just get back
to the task at hand?

Gladly.

The people have spoken.

You ready to give
liquid fuel a shot?

Well, I'm the only one

who can check out supplies
from Caltech,

so the decision is mine to make,
and I say no.

You don't get
to just decide that.

We're partners.

The entire demonstration
was your idea,

which you didn't
so much as run past me.

So what are you suggesting?
We just launch

the same way we always do
and hope for the best?

No. I'm suggesting that
we call the whole thing off.

To save me from
any further embarrassment.

I can go back to working
on my original thesis.

"Characteristics
of goddamn propellers"?

"Of propeller efficiencies

"dependent on variable
pitch and shape." Wow.

You really don't want
to get laid ever.

It doesn't have to be exciting.

At least it's feasible.

And afterwards, there will be
gainful employment.

"Gainful employment"?

We're trying to find
a way to send man to the stars.

Do you remember how we met?

You never let me forget. I didn't beat up

those kids who were picking
on you 'cause I was bigger,

but because
I wasn't chickenshit.

Do you really want that
to be the difference between us?

That could work, actually.

Yeah, that's what
I'm trying to tell you.

No, not that. This.

What if we did the launch
inverted

and-and static?

Supported by a brace.

Why?

So we can measure thrust

by the push on a pressure gauge.

We're trying to send
something into space,

and you want to point it
at the ground?

Yes, in order to collect
some actual data.

You remember what Mesulam said
about stepping stones.

This way we could show him
that we can work

in a controlled manner
with measurable results.

You got to admit I have a point.

What choice do I have?

If I refuse, you'll just
call the whole thing off.

Do what thou wilt...

shall be the whole of the law.

I, Priest and King...

take thee, Virgin...

pure,

without spot.

Hey!

Hey!

Who are you?

This is your second notice
of delinquency.

Should prompt payment

not be made, we shall be forced
to take more persuasive action.

As it is written in Psalm 37,

"The wicked borrows
but does not pay back,

but the righteous
is generous and gives."

Have you gotten that
checked out?

It-It's fine.

It just flares up
every now and then.

Well, I'll pay for you
to see a doctor.

Before I forget,
your-your mother

wants to know
what you're bringing Sunday.

I'm not sure we're going
to be able to make it...

with everything
Jack has going on.

I see.

Well, I was, um, gonna wait
and bring this up with you then,

but I might as well
tell you now.

I had another
troubling phone call

from Mr. Gilroy at the bank.

We're only a little behind.
As soon as Jack's position at...

Yeah, I don't need you to make
excuses for your husband.

We both know where all of your
spare income has been going.

And the investment's
about to pay off.

Right.

About to.

I would like
to have a face-to-face

with Jack, make sure
that getting caught up

with your mortgage
is a priority.

It is.

Yeah, well, I would like to hear
your husband say so himself.

Even God rested on Sunday.

Surely Jack can make time
for dinner.

Check it.

Want to make sure it
meets your specifications.

It's a few millimeters shy.

You asked.

Better?

It's perfect.

Good.

God knows we can't afford
to take any chances.

That's right.

Jesus.

Maybe a little warning
next time?

I know it doesn't look it,

but this really is
a revolutionary approach.

Yeah.

Just like a bird without wings.

I think the professor's
gonna be really impressed.

You aren't still sore, are you?

Did you hear me?

Sore?

About me shutting down
the liquid fuel idea.

No hard feelings.

I know you're sticking
your neck out for this test.

I really do appreciate it.

That's all right.

We never would've gotten this
far without your persistence.

Ad astra...

Per aspera.

See you tomorrow.

Bright and early.

Can I help you?

I need to check out some tanks
of oxygen and methanol.

Are you a student here?

No, I'm Harry Houdini.

"On the third day
of the seventh month,

"Wan Hu ordered his servant
to attach 52 rockets

"to his throne.

"He wanted to reach the beyond.

"But all his earthly pursuits
had failed him.

"Now he would travel
to the heavens directly.

"Though it was fraught
with peril,

"he had no choice.

His destiny was calling."

Rise and shine.

Shouldn't you be getting ready?

Prime Minister
Neville Chamberlain

returns from Munich.

Europe can breathe
a sigh of relief

as it steps back
from the brink of war.

I had...

another talk with the German
chancellor, Herr Hitler.

And here is the paper
which bears...

Hey. I nearly forgot.

Found this on the floor
of the garage.

Must've fallen out.

Some of you, perhaps,
have already heard

what it contains, Must have.

But I would just like
to read it to you.

"And we are determined
to continue our efforts

"to remove possible sources
of difference

"and thus to contribute

to assure the peace of Europe."

You hear that?

Maybe it's gonna be
a good day all around.

There was no sign
of British reserve

as the crowds fought
to get near the premier's car.

Susan?

Hello, Father.

Well, to what do
I owe the pleasure?

I don't normally see
you at morning Mass.

Well, this isn't
a normal morning.

Is everything all right?

If you tell me what it is,

I could put in a good word.

It's an important day for Jack.

For both of us, really.

We could use all the help
we can get.

Mr. Parsons is a lucky man,

having you advocating for him.

Though it might
be more effective

if he said his own prayers
every once in a while.

Why the hell
were you going so fast?

I hope you didn't lose him.

There's something
I needed to tell you

before he gets here. What?

You're gonna be a little ticked,

but promise
you'll let me explain.

I can't do that.
I don't know what it is.

Liquid fuel's gonna get us
a better result.

I'm certain of it.

We agreed. No, we didn't.

You decided. How did you even...

I fitted the motor
with fuel tanks and hoses

and calculated
the specific impulse...

But you're terrible at math,
Jack!

Then check my work.

Quick.

Well...
No, this is completely wrong.

Listen to me,
if that motor misfires,

we're not gonna get
another shot.

And if it blows up,
we'll all be dead.

It's not gonna blow up.

Sorry about the heavy foot
back there.

Just,

excited to get going.

This better be worth it.

Do what thou wilt.

The spring mechanism

will give us
a measurement of thrust.

In future tests,
we can use it as a baseline,

using different fuel mixtures,

nozzle and chamber dimensions,

trying to zero in on the optimal
combination of variables.

I appreciate methodology,

but this fuel you are using
is quite volatile, no?

No, no, not really.

Richard's worked out
all the mathematics.

I see.

Okay, here we go. Maybe I should do it.

I'm the chemical expert,
remember?

On my count. One...

two,

three.

Sorry. I need
to secure that better.

Do you really trust this
to work?

Okay.

Second time's the charm.

One,

two...

three.

Congratulations.

You have made very elaborate
cigarette lighter.

That's enough.

You can't know it's enough

till you know
what's more than enough.

Check the gauge!

I-I don't know.

It's-it's over 200 pounds.

Given the weight of the rocket,
that's enough thrust

to reach the ionosphere,

if it were pointed
in the right direction.

Perhaps I have,
underestimated you.

What the hell are you doing?!

You trying
to get yourself killed?

Come on.

Susan?

Susan!

Susan, where the devil are you?

We did it.

We proved it could be done.

No matter what Caltech decides.

We got to celebrate. Come on.

What do we have to drink?

Someone left something
on our door.

What?

What could it possibly mean?