Strange Angel (2018–…): Season 2, Episode 5 - The Hanged Man - full transcript

You have it.

The man who
wishes to run the future

of America's missile program
is the same man who wrote this.

Parsons has been in touch
with the very man

he claims he's never met.

I accept everything about you.

We got past you being in
that-that group of Jack's

when we first met.

Because you don't know
anything about it.

Crossing the abyss

is our most perilous working.



Frater E.D. may believe
he has met his angel,

but if there were
a trace of falsehood,

the outcome would be tragic.

If you cannot fulfill the task
that I have given you, well,

prison is the only way
the debt can be paid.

I'd keep your distance.

Last guy he was with
didn't fare so well.

You're early.

What are you doing?

Come back!

But does this fear mean
you must limit yourself?

No, I suppose it doesn't.

But I don't think Jack can
handle sharing me.

Go wake the believers.



That I will lead a pure life

as a devoted servant
of the Order.

I will lead a pure life as
a devoted servant of the Order.

There's no escape.

You will pay for what you've
done, one way or the other.

I'm not afraid.

You should be.

'Cause you will rot in a cage,

and no one will shed a tear.

You should probably go.

It's not even dark yet.

He could come home early.

Yes.

On the other hand... you...

could come again.

Careful. You'll choke.

Can you imagine?

First you and then me,

choking to death
on this bloody ring.

You know, the reason I devoted
myself to this faith

was so that I wouldn't have
to hide from anyone.

Things are contentious enough
in this house as it is.

He channeled the angel.

He should be above
such petty jealousy.

We need to keep this between us.

Yes.

Or we need to stop.

You have made that very clear.

Looking for these?

Up.

I need to strip the bed.

It's been a while since
I got to do something

that feels forbidden.

Alfred...

I'll always remember
you like this.

Doing laundry?

Everything out in the
open, everything clean.

Thanks to you.

You never told me
what you did to him.

You really want to know?

No.

Only...

Did he suffer?

He'll never hurt anyone
with those hands ever again.

Are you sorry?

Are you?

No.

The law will be coming
for me soon.

Your step-father was the
only one keeping them at bay.

I can't imagine
he'll let sleeping dogs lie.

I'll have to be on my way.

Where will you go?

It's best I not say.

That way you won't have
to lie when they ask you.

I ran your JPL proposal
up the flagpole.

It's not gonna fly.

What? Why?

I will give you
three guesses, Mr. Parsons.

You know what, make that one.

Under ordinary circumstances,

I wouldn't give a damn
what you did

in the privacy of your own home.

Is this because of you?

It is, isn't it?

He's had a bone to pick with me
since day one.

I make it a point
to know certain facts.

For instance, you claim you've
never met Aleister Crowley,

but I know that's
a load of bull. How do you know?

I'm not obligated
to reveal my sources.

You follow a man

who is a suspected traitor
to his own country,

with known ties to our enemy.
What ties?

General J.F.C. Fuller, for one,

a disciple of Crowley's
who was sidelined

by the British military
because of his Nazi ties.

There are even allegations
that Crowley has

made attempts to
meet Hitler himself.

Why would Crowley want
to contact Hitler?

Maybe it's because of their
shared interest in the occult.

Maybe because both see
themselves as ushering in

a new era for mankind.

Given all this, serious
questions are being raised

about your allegiances.

Unfortunately, JPL
is off the table.

Or at least with you
as a part of it.

All right, well...

I'd like to invite you both
to a gathering at my home...

so that you can see there's
absolutely nothing to fear.

This feels sacrilegious.

It's just for one night.

I'm sure the Master
would understand.

We owe it to Frater J.P.

He's done so much for us. You watch.

These men tonight gonna be
treating us like we the help

inside our own damn home.

From the outside in,
in order of use.

The Byrnes never had
formal dinners growing up?

Thank you...

for helping.

I really appreciate it.

You're welcome.

I'm not sure
who you're used to hosting,

but this place looked fit
for a caravan of gypsies,

and not much else.

You didn't need to invite her.

I could've done it alone.

She hosted millions of
these when I was a kid.

Plus, having her here makes
us seem more... normal.

I didn't know if
I should answer.

No, no. It's better if I do it.

Could you do me a favor? Anything.

Could you go check on the Magus?

I want to know if he's planning
on joining the festivities,

or if he's just going to sulk
in his room all night.

Are you Frater J.P.?

Yeah. Got a special delivery here

from a M. Therion.

Thank you.

May I come in? Please.

Frater J.P. was wondering if
you were going to come down.

Was he, now?
How considerate of him. This night is about

showing these men they
don't have to fear us.

What's it look like
if we're hiding our Magus away?

Well, you can tell Frater J.P.

that I've decided to attend
his little function.

The only decision that's left
is what to wear.

Do I go as the man I am,

or the man they'd
prefer me to be?

I think the choice is obvious.

I had to pretend to be something
I wasn't in order to survive.

The circumstances
were a bit different.

These men tonight
are soldiers, too.

And soldiers are
trained for one thing:

To kill their enemies.

I help you with something?

Just looking for somewhere
to hide this.

What is it?

"Dear Frater J.P.,
it has always been

"my top priority to
increase the size

"and influence of
our congregation.

"You are central to this
work, especially with

"the might of the
military behind you."

"Based on the testimony
I've received..."

"you are emerging as a true
Magnus of the Lodge."

"To aid in your endeavors,

I've prepared a new manifesto."

The Master wrote you a new work.

Now, why would you try
to hide this?

Jack? They're here.

Crowley's the reason
I'm in hot water.

If they see that, the jig is up.

It must be exhausting,

serving two masters.
It's not about serving them.

If we can win them over,
I get JPL.

What in the hell is that?

It's how I get to the stars.

Thy will be done.

General Braxton, Agent Wallace.

Everyone, welcome
to the Parsonage.

This is such a bad idea.

Jack didn't have a choice.

They were gonna cut him
out of the project.

These bosses of yours have no
clue what they're walking into.

I told you, you
didn't have to come.

And I told you I wanted to.

And yet, we've been sitting
out here for half an hour.

Let's go.

I just need another minute.

Sweetie,
if you're worried about me

seeing what's in there,
don't be.

Jack's been teaching me
some of the techniques.

Techniques? Yeah, like
manifesting your will.

Right now, I am manifesting
a successful party.

Good evening, Mr. Onsted.
May I take your hat?

Sister M!

My love.

Aw, I was hoping you'd come.

I'm just a plus-one tonight.

You know Richard?

Of course.
The man you left us for.

It's nice to see you again.

Little less of me
than last time.

He just stopped by
to see Jack on a day

I didn't feel
like wearing a top.

Some things
never change, I guess.

Let's go out on the terrace.

I think I see Chiang

and Mrs. Gui.

To us. Salud.

Agent Wallace. Mr. Onsted.

I trust
you're enjoying yourself.

Illuminating, yes. And
you must be Marisol.

I've heard so much about you,

I feel like we're old friends.

I hate to see your
hands so empty.

I'm afraid I'm a teetotaler.

I see.

Well, don't let the Aerojet boys

monopolize too much
of your time tonight.

I will take a club soda,
if you have it.

Well, I'll see you inside.

Jack.

Well, it's about damn time.

I was beginning to think
you guys were a no-show.

Well, we're here. Ready to
support in any way I can.

Thanks. I brought
some reinforcements.

I hope you know
what you're doing.

Check out the dust pattern.

Something else was hanging here.

Same thing
in three other places.

Clearly, not everything here
is what it seems.

Indeed.

Keep looking.

We don't leave here
until we find something

that'll nail Parsons
to the fucking wall.

They say every painting
tells a story.

What does this one
say to you guys?

No? Let's take a closer look.

"Truth," cried
the Lord of the Abyss.

Ladies and gentlemen,
thank you all for coming.

Whether you're a soldier
or a sage,

a sorcerer or a scientist,
inside, we are all the same.

For Thelema tells us that every
man and every woman is a star.

And while tonight may seem like

the coming together
of opposites,

what unites us is ultimately

much stronger
than what divides us.

We are all fighting
for the same thing.

Freedom from tyranny.

Hear, hear. ALL: Hear, hear.

Well said, Frater
J.P., well said.

General,
apologies for the delay.

I was in deep meditation,
trying to manifest victory.

Alfred Miller, Grand Magus.

So you're the one in charge
of all these people?

No one's in charge, General.

Things are a little more
egalitarian than that.

Yes, though we do have
a degree system,

not unlike your military ranks,

but with
a spiritual designation.

I am the most highly ascended.

I guess that makes you my equal,

on the other side.

You are a war hero, General.

I am but a-a humble servant
to the Great Work.

I'm glad you decided
to join us, Magus.

Well, I-I was enticed

from my hovel.

Dinner... is served.

Did one of you put that back up?

No. It reappeared on its own.

As if by magic.

So, this is your Master Therion.

Is it a faithful rendition?

That's right.

You haven't met the man.

I'm gonna find out who did this.

Inside this house,

we try to live free of labels.

You don't drink, you don't eat.

Is there anything you do enjoy?

Is this all you people do
around here?

It's rather tame.

Right.Yeah.

You're just ignore us
the whole night?

We miss you. Come on.

It might get them to shut up.

Yeah, go on.

Go catch up.

Excellent job.
Excuse me one second.

Mrs. Parsons.

Now, don't you dare.

It's Ruth from now on or
I'll call your commanding...

You don't have a
commanding officer, do you?

Two, actually.

President Roosevelt
and my wife Rose.

She's a lucky woman.

That's very kind of you.

I don't know if she always
feels the same way, though.

Are you enjoying yourself?

Am I... am I what?

Enjoying yourself?

Why wouldn't I be?

Is this the special Sherry
that you had delivered?

That color? Heavens, no.

It's not...?

What's wrong?

Now we're talking!

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen,

I'd like to introduce you all
to the world-famous Parson's.

Poison Punch.

If you can get it down,

life goes down easy.

Now we're talking.

Who told you to
serve that punch?

I thought you wanted us to.

That's what Frater E.D. told us.

It's what you always serve
at your parties.

Not this party.

I'm gonna kill him.

That'll put hair on your chest.

Excuse me, General,
I need to go freshen up.

Cheers. Cheers. It's good.

Are you out of your mind?

On the contrary.

Anyone paying even the slightest
bit of attention can see that...

What? The-the naughty
little gift you left for me?

I-I thought that was the point.

While we suffer this charade,

we can continue
our far more enjoyable one.

I didn't leave those.

Well, someone did, on my pillow.

Well, at least now
we can pursue our will

without further hesitation.

No. No, we have to stop.

Jack made it clear he won't
go down without a fight.

Then... let him fight.

I can fight, too, you know.

I've done so much
to protect what we have here.

I can't be the reason
it falls apart.

I have to find him.Susan...

Have either of you seen Ernest?

No.

Can you do me a favor and
get rid of this punch?

I think the genie
might be out of the bottle.

Maybe it's a good thing.

Jack, can we talk?

What about?

Do what thou wilt
shall be the whole of the law.

Love is the law!

- Love under will!
- Ladies and gentlemen,

there will soon be the smell

of brimstone in the air and
the smell of victory, too.

From the beaches of Normandy,
to the shores of Californ-i-a,

let freedom reign.

Tonight, outside...

outside,
under the solstice moon,

I will share with you
a manifesto.

The latest manifestation
of a new dawn.

"Liber OZ," written for us

by our Master Therion.

I don't think they want
to hear it, Ernest.

Are you kidding, Parsons?

It's a new work by
Aleister Crowley himself?

"Man has the right
to eat what he will.

"Drink what he will.
Think what he will.

"Dwell where he will.
To move across the face

"of the earth, as he will.

"Man has the right
to speak what he will.

"To dress as he will.

"To write what he will.

"To draw, paint,
carve, etch, mold,

and build what he will."

"Man has the right to

love as he will."Thank you.

Thank you, Ernest.

"And last, but not least...

"Man has the right
to kill all those

who would thwart these rights."

And this work arrived
at the Parsonage just today.

It was intended for the one
true Magus of this lodge.

Will that man

kindly step forward
and claim his mantle?

Thank you, Frater E.D.

You are quite right.
I've been derelict

in my duties to you,

and to all my
faithful followers.

But this will end...

Only those who fear shall fail.

For the uninitiated,

our faith demands

that we live

according to our true will,
which we must never

hide nor suppress,
not for anyone's sake.

With that in mind,

tonight we will celebrate
the solstice the way

it was meant to be celebrated.

Jack, I do hope you don't
mind my making one.

What are you doing here?

My instructions were very clear.

Instead of placating these men,

you were told to bring them
into the fold.

Can you imagine the might

of the military
and the power of Thelema

fused as one?

We, here,

vanquish our enemies,

not through violence,

but...

through love.

I... priest and king,

take thee, Virgin,

pure without spot.

And I... who am all pleasure...

desire you.

Love is the law!

Love is the law!
Love is the law!

There is no law beyond...

"do... what...

thou... wilt."

This was meant to be your role
in the Great Work,

but you have failed me, Jack.

They are questioning
my allegiances because

yours are about as clear
as swamp water.

They? Who are they?

General Braxton?
Young Agent Wallace?

You've been so worried about
losing their support.

You should be a little more
concerned about losing mine.

Fortunately, some of
your compatriots

have proven a little
more loyal than you.

You put them up to this?
They didn't require coercion.

Alfred is a true believer.

And as for Frater E.D...

Well, his actions aren't
in spite of you,

they're because of you.

His desire to Cross the Abyss

is motivating all.

That's what this is about?

Yes, and the night
is young, still.

What else is he gonna do?

The crossing...

The crossing requires
a union of opposites...

and a great sacrifice.

Wait, what kind of sacrifice?

I am the blue-lidded

daughter of sunset!

I am the naked brilliance!

Drink to me!

I'm sorry for everything
that's happening.

It's not your fault.

I know you don't actually
feel that way. Please.

Look, I shouldn't have
kept it secret.

But you shouldn't have
laid down restrictions.

All my dreams are hanging
by a fucking thread right now.

What about me? Am I
a part of those dreams?

Of course. But this is
how we've chosen to live.

You and Alfred's workings
are the least of my problems.

They weren't just workings,
Jack.

How have you put up with it?

Being with someone who was a
part of something like this?

I mean, the thought
of someone you love,

doing unspeakable acts
with all these people...

would be tough to shake.

How have you put up with it?

How have you put up with it?

Are you taking notes, Richie?

I have to go.

Richie...

Hold on! RICHARD: I can't believe I
actually thought there was

something to this
whole thing. It's sick.

Perverse.

Brilliant idea,
bringing everyone here, Jack.

It's fucking brilliant.

Thanks to you, we can
all kiss JPL good-bye.

Love is the law! Love as you live!

Love is the law!

Love is the law! Love as you live!

You getting in?

Don't want you having
to ride home

with such a sick pervert.
My God.

Come on, Marisol.

I wasn't talking
about you, obviously.

Why is that obvious?
I was one of them.

Yes. Was.

That's right. I quit for you.

Because I knew you would
judge me for it.

Why are you acting like
I've done something wrong?

I came in here
with an open mind...

You talked about
"manifesting your will."

Well, how do you think
that gets done, Richie?

It's called sex magick, not...

"be nice and work
real hard" magick.

You want to go back in there
so you can see how

it all finishes?

We're kind of
in the middle of something.

The gates are locked shut.

What do you mean?

I mean, no one can get out.

Don't tell me you're
thinking of leaving?

What was in that drink?

Why don't you take
a seat, Captain? It's General.

Well, you can be president
for all I care.

We're all flesh on the inside.

We all crave the same things.

Out there
is just war and misery.

In here is the garden
of earthly delights.

Live each day
as if it's your last.

I'll leave you two
to your own devices.

I wish I knew what to say
about all this.

I don't think I'm
in any state to drive.

Perhaps we can find
somewhere quiet

while you gather
your wits about you.Please.

I always wanted to be a dancer.

Parsons!

I had you pegged
all wrong, my friend.

You throw one heck of a party.

Princeton.

Old Nassau,
as we used to call it.

Best four years of my life.

And how about you?

Madchenschule Berlin.

Forgive me...

but y-you weren't born
a woman, were you?

I only ask because Madchenschule

is an all-girls school, no?

You caught me in a fib.

But you are mistaken
in one aspect.

I wasborn a girl.

Just in the wrong body.

Well, I don't see
anything wrong with it.

Ernest?

Are you in there?

This is quite a house.

Gemutlichkeit.

My aunt, niece and nephew:

Getrude, Ursula and Heinrich.

Did you ever play
hide-and-seek as a child?

Sure. Das Verteckspiel.

In America, when it's time
to come out, we yell,

"Olly olly oxen free!"

Alle, alle auch sind frei.

Everyone, everyone is free.

It's a nice idea, in theory.

So, I'm curious.

How does this work?

Are you the man or the woman?

Always a woman.

I see.

But we can do other things.

Like what?

Suck my cock?

What if I want to suck yours?

What are you doing?

Your "Master," Aleister Crowley,

made several trips to Germany
between 1930 and 1932.

Am I safe in assuming
that this is when

you were introduced to Thelema?

Did Crowley help you gain
passage to America?

Why are you asking me all this?

Know thyself. Know thine enemy.

I'm gonna need that back.

Frater, you are truly lost.

Why don't you shut the fuck up

and stop pretending
like you know everything?

You have been misled
by a delusion.

See, you speak of truth,
brother,

but I see you,

walking around
all over this house

like a dog with two dicks.

You're as chock-full of bullshit
as anyone else.

I'm not scared of you.

No. You're scared
of what's in here.

It was you.

You doubt my vision,

but it's your vision
that's truly clouded.

By what?

Kanebgik...

You're in love.

Ernest.

There you are.

Thank you, Mother,
for looking after.

General Braxton.

The General was just telling me

about storming the
beaches at Normandy.

I'm sorry, son.

I don't know what came over me.

No one needs to know
what happened here tonight.

In fact, um...

I don't see any reason why,
JPL shouldn't be allowed

to move forward.

Full steam ahead,

with you at the helm.

What the hell
is taking Chiang so long?

We could go look, too.
You do what you want.

I'm staying right where I am.

As soon as those gates
are open, I'm out of here.

Okay.

For the record,
I don't think you're a pervert.

I've never seen anything
like that before,

never even imagined
anything like that before.

That's okay, Richie.
I know it's not for everyone.

You miss it?

No.

Maybe.

A little.

We could try.

Try what?

Sex magick.

I am sorry. No, I get it.

I don't want you having to be
someone you're not for me.

I don't want that, either.

If you were worried about me
loving you so much

that I would put up
with anything,

clearly you can think again.

Yeah? I don't want to share you.

I mean it. I don't know
what I would do.

The very thought of
someone else touching you

makes me sick to my stomach.

There you are.

Chiang, I've got wonderful news.
I just spoke to Braxton...

Someone's locked the gates.

What?

Sit the fuck down.

Who else would Crowley
meet with in Berlin?

I told you, I don't know.

Did you ever meet
a British general

named Fuller? My grandmother has a saying,

"The cynic laughs at happiness
and winds up sad."

I'm not sad.

No, just pathetic.

This connection you seek
between the Nazis and Crowley,

it's ridiculous.

Then why do you look so scared?

I'm not a Nazi. I fled.

I left it all behind.

Susan.

Susan?

My God, what happened?

Is everyone okay?

Whose blood is this?

I think Ernest is trying
to cross the abyss.

No, that's impossible.
I never gave him the oath.

No, but Jack did.

Since you were too distracted
by other things.

You have committed
a grave error.

It doesn't just break our code,

it could break a man's soul.

I'll go and talk to him.

Ernest?

Hello, Jack.

What are you doing?

Don't.

From a single spark

all of creation was born.

Don't try to stop me, Jack.

My angel of fire beckons.

Ernest, the angel wasn't real.

I was trying to save
my damn life.

Doesn't it feel good?

No, lies only

drag us down.

The only way up is truth.

Well, now you know,
so, please...

You remember that first night?

That mountain lion?

You told me rockets were your
way to be free of this world.

Well, this is mine.

The war machine won't get you
where you need to go.

You need to cut
yourself loose, get back

on the only path that matters.
You're right, Ernest.

Okay? I strayed,

but I'll get back on it.

Just... please.

Give me the lighter.

Ernest, please.

I need you.

You need to face your destiny.

A man of fire should not be
bowing before a man of clay.

It's time for you to go now.

Ernest, wait.

Ad astra per aspera.

Don't do this.

Love is the law.
Love under will.

Fuck.

Kelly, call the fire department.

- Pasadena Police.
- Everybody step back.

Folks, listen up.

We have a warrant for
the arrest of Ernest Donovan.

Spread out.

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