Swamp Thing (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 8 - Long Walk Home - full transcript
Previously on Swamp Thing...
Alec Holland is alive.
Bullshit!
Matt saw him.
Matt, don't shoot.
If he gets to town
and starts talking,
all three of us are going down
for murder and conspiracy.
Whatever's gotten ahold of you,
it was born in the swamp.
It's lashing out in anger.
I need to understand this
"rot", if I'm ever gonna cure you.
- Where's Avery?
- Avery isn't here right now.
Until he returns,
you'll be answering to me.
Please, Avery.
Mr. Ellery, I'm so sorry
that Avery has been delayed.
I was promised data
regarding a major breakthrough,
and now, he can't be
bothered to show?
I'm just wondering
if you could live
with killing your own father.
All these years,
you already knew.
- Give me the shotgun.
- I wanna know the truth!
I'm not gonna die.
Ow-wee.
Shit.
All right, then.
What you waiting for?
The moss... Moss grows
on the north side.
That means Marais is southeast.
Southeast.
Marais is southeast.
What the hell?
Somebody there?
Who's there?
Oh, okay.
I'm walking out
of this hell-hole,
you understand me?
Moss grows on the north side.
You'll never get me.
You'll never get me.
You'll never get me!
Did you prep molecular biology?
They're ready and waiting.
You know they love a mystery.
Not that it's any surprise,
but you made it from Marais
to Atlanta in record time.
- Dr. Arcane...
- Hi.
I need you to
rush this sample
into sterilized isolation
and start
preliminary labs.
And, Caitlin,
full containment on this, okay?
What the hell
are we dealing with, Abby?
I don't know, but
it's all toxic and virulent,
so please...
watch yourself.
On it.
I need to assist.
I need a decontamination suit,
and a work space.
And maybe six cups less coffee.
- This one is important.
- I get that.
But even "the little engine that
could" needs a break once in a while.
I'm not that bad.
But we both know it's going to
take hours to run the labs.
And you look like
you haven't slept in a week.
Did I mention I missed you?
Not yet, but I'll take that.
Um... It's been a while.
There's some new faces.
Not anyone I've seen
around the cafeteria,
but the new assistant director
started while you were away.
So you have that
to look forward to.
How is she?
She's right behind you.
Dr. Arcane?
I heard you were
on your way in.
Dr. Palomer.
I'm glad you're here.
I've discovered
a dangerous new pathogen
in the Marais swamp
and I'm...
I know.
Harlan forwarded your email.
Oh.
Which was the first word
the CDC has heard from you
since you were left in Marais.
What happened to daily reports?
You must be aware
that I stayed on to monitor
the green flu patients.
All of whom have been released,
have they not?
I understand.
But... but I do have
reason to believe
that this disease
is still active.
Reason to believe?
I take a results-oriented
approach, Dr. Arcane.
Have you observed
any new symptomatology?
Can you show me
any fresh blood work,
recent lab results?
No, not yet.
But the labs are coming back.
Well...
Then we'll have
a few things to discuss,
especially given
what I've heard from Marais.
Excuse me?
I spoke with the hospital.
They said
you've barely been there.
You've been spending
days on end in the swamp.
Look.
We'll run the tests.
But this is to be continued.
I never thought
I would live to see
the great Avery Sunderland
down on his knees.
You know, I think
this ole swamp hates you
even more than I do.
Can't say that I blame it much.
You have pissed
all over this place
just to get what you want.
You come to finish the job?
Looks to me like
I don't have to.
One hell of a trick
you pulled,
telling my Matt
how you're his daddy,
like you ever gave
a shit about him.
You never gave me the chance.
Because I was afraid.
Of what?
You would do
exactly what you did.
That you would drag
him through the mud
and turn him into a monster
just like you.
How did it go so wrong
between us?
I want you to know something.
That no matter what happens,
I'll always love you.
It's a little late
for that now.
It's never too late.
We got the chance now,
you and me... Lucilia, please!
I'm just asking you
for a chance.
Please. Lucilia, please.
Goodbye, Avery.
Luce?
Matt, where the hell are you?
We talked about this.
I know this hasn't been easy on you, but
I need you down at the station today.
Call me.
You didn't have
my back up there.
You barely said a word.
How am I
suppose to defend you
when I have no idea
what's going on?
It's not just no daily reports.
It's not just paperwork.
It's like you fell into a black
hole over in that place.
Okay, okay, I know
I should have called more.
Okay, wait...
we've barely spoken in days.
But swear to God,
what little you did tell me,
it didn't make much sense.
So, so you agree with her now.
I mean, she clearly thinks
I'm not doing my job...
I didn't say that.
But this radio silence
of yours...
it's not like you.
Or like us.
What is it with you
and that town?
Abby, stop.
Where are you going?
You're right,
the test will take hours.
I, uh, I just need to think.
Dr. Woodrue.
Ellery?
I'm afraid I've no pecan pie
to offer you.
I wanted to continue
our discussion of your work.
Excuse me.
Hardly ideal conditions
for research.
It's like working
out of a high school cafeteria.
And I'm not talking
about a magnet school.
I assumed as much.
It's why I've ordered
a fully equipped
mobile biological lab
down from Chicago.
And I've already spoken
with Mrs. Sunderland
about which of their properties
would be best suited
for continuing your research.
There's an abandoned facility
on the outskirts of town.
With your approval, we'll start
fitting it up immediately.
I assumed your organization
would have
dedicated laboratory facilities
already in place.
A project of this... delicate
nature requires... discretion.
We prefer
to keep it off the books
until we know exactly
what we're dealing with.
I'll take a look at it.
I'm sure
you've missed something.
Excellent. The Conclave's
guiding principle, Dr. Woodrue,
is to find the best
and then get out of their way.
You'll have everything
you need ready
when the specimen is located.
How's that going, by the way?
Well, I'm afraid
that the subject
has been a challenge
to locate, but...
it's only a matter of time.
I agree.
Only a matter of time.
Hey?
Hey!
Avery?
You getting distracted again?
No, Dad.
I'm here.
I'm, I'm here.
Get 'er loaded, son.
We make it to town
before the cafe closes,
we'll get burgers to go.
What's going on, son?
What's eating you?
It's just this...
this particular tree.
- People say it's got special powers
- Special powers.
Special powers.
You know what's got
greater powers than a tree?
An ax.
No. Don't.
Be careful.
Careful?
Careful is for cowards.
Yeah, I'm talking to you.
Thing is,
a man takes what he wants.
A man looks out
for number one.
Paying attention?
No, not again.
Not again. Not again.
No.
Not again!
Dad!
Dad?
Dad!
- Avery.
- Dad!
- Avery, Avery.
- Dad!
Avery! Avery!
Avery!
Avery!
Dad...
Oh, God.
Veggie pizza and booze.
Only took
a deadly pathogen
to bring
the band back together,
but I won't take it personally.
Where are they on that?
They'll have a full analysis
by morning,
just let 'em do their work.
Yeah.
So...
this is different.
Yeah. When I was little,
I assumed that the insides of the
dolls looked like the outsides.
I know, so since they have
little hands and feet and teeth,
I thought that if you looked
inside you'd find little organs...
- Aww.
- ...and a tiny blood stream.
And little Dr. Arcane
just cut it open.
I did. Yeah.
I was so disappointed.
And yet you kept it around.
Yeah.
- To remember.
- Hmm.
My mom, she didn't laugh much,
but she, she laughed that day.
I've never heard you speak
about your mother.
I always assumed it's because
you didn't remember her.
Yeah, bits and pieces.
You know, I was only eight
when she died.
Earlier today you asked me
what it was about Marais.
Hmm.
I'm beginning to wonder...
whether or not
I came back for a reason.
I have to tell you something.
Okay.
There is a man in the swamp
who is very, very sick.
In the swamp?
Yes.
And I think it has something
to do with the green flu but...
I've been protecting him,
I've been trying
to find a cure,
trying to find the answers,
having no luck.
So this...
patient...
Hmm.
...is not in the hospital or quarantine or
included in any of the reports because...
Because he is more
than just a patient.
I don't...
I don't know how to say this,
but he's...
he's been challenging
the way I look at the world.
Does this miracle man
have a name?
Yeah.
Alec Holland.
Ow!
Oh, God.
Ooh!
Damn.
Leave them.
It's Spaghnum moss.
It can help heal the wounds.
Who's there?
Who's there?
What's happening?
You told me once
that if I kept spending
so much on boat gas
you'd let me swim back
to the lab.
Holland.
Is that you?
What happened?
I don't know.
They said...
They said that you died.
Had some kind of an acc...
accident.
You were shot.
Who did this to you?
People.
People that I care about.
And I thought cared about me.
You're still not well.
Well, you got that right.
I'm pretty goddamn unwell.
I been shot, nearly drowned
and I've been having
these crazy visions.
I... I think that
the swamp wants me dead.
You hate this place.
Oh, this place hates me,
this place is a killer.
This place... It took my daddy
and it took...
It took my little girl.
But it's been damaged,
it's been abused.
What are you talking about?
The swamp is damaged
and abused?
The swamp is a killer.
The swamp is supposed
to be our livelihood.
It's been put here for me.
For Marais.
It was, once.
But after the abuse
it suffered,
the balance here shifted,
releasing a darkness.
What are you talking about?
What do you mean
by darkness?
There's a force here, Avery.
A "green" that connects me
to the plants and trees.
It told me you were here.
It told you?
I think the green saved me,
made me this way
to restore the balance,
and to protect the swamp
from people just like you.
No, no, no.
Whoa! No, no, no.
Holland, no. Holland.
You know, I have you to thank
for what I've become, Avery.
Me?
You and the others.
No!
Who have been
taking and taking and taking.
Help! Holland, No. No!
You see this?
Feeling all right, buddy?
Just a little under
the weather, I'll be fine.
I was wondering if you
had a chance to sign off
on that accident report
I gave you.
The, uh, collision down
on County 9.
Look, I haven't
gotten to it yet.
All right. Well, the insurance company called
again, they're just wanting to know...
Look. I said I'll get to it.
Matt.
May I see you
for a moment, please?
What was that all about?
That was a pain in the ass.
I know that you're hurting,
but right now
you need to keep it together.
It won't be long
before people start to notice
that Avery's gone AWOL.
And?
Maria Sunderland
can play dumb for a while,
but sooner or later
there are gonna be questions.
The last thing we need
is for you going off the rails
the day after he disappeared.
Well, lucky for us,
we got all the answers.
Being with the police and all.
Matt.
We're gonna get through this,
okay?
We're gonna get through it.
You even still think about him?
My father?
Oh, Jesus.
- After what Avery did to you...
- No, not Avery.
My father.
The man who actually raised me
until he left
because you couldn't
let Sunderland go.
Matt...
I swear,
I never meant to hurt him...
or you.
I'd better get back to work.
So you're saying
Alec is like, what?
- Transformed?
- Mmm-hmm.
It's hard to explain.
It's...
He can control plants.
He can make them grow,
he can make them do
whatever he wants.
He can access memories
from the past.
He can bring up
memories of things
that have happened
in the swamp.
Okay, so this is Alec Holland.
Right?
The guy we saw
when we first arrived.
The, the guy who was blown up.
I know. I know you're thinking
professional help. I, I get it.
I would too...
- if I hadn't seen what had happened myself.
- Hey, hey, hey.
I was with you in Marais,
remember?
Mmm-hmm.
I mean, I saw a man with a tree
growing out of him, like...
And if you recall it, I had some
pretty odd symptoms myself.
Does that mean you believe me?
Always and forever.
And the hell with Palomer.
She comes at you tomorrow,
she'll have
to get through me first.
Thanks, Harlan.
And for whatever it's worth...
I haven't seen you so passionate
about someone in a long time.
He's worth it.
It shows.
I missed you.
Oh, God, I missed you, too.
- Good night.
- Get some sleep.
The lab results should be in
first thing in the morning.
Dr. Edwards?
It's 1:00 in the morning.
Who are you?
I need you to get
in the car, sir.
Man, bullshit.
Get in the goddamn car.
I've never took
anything from you, Holland.
I helped you
to resume you work.
To regain your reputation,
you remember that.
I've lost all that now.
I've lost her.
Her?
What do you mean?
Are you talking about
Dr. Arcane?
She's known about you
for quite a while, hasn't she?
She brought that sample back
to study and I think that...
that sample came from you.
That's true, isn't it?
She's been trying
to find a cure for you.
She is a friend.
And I'll bet
she's moving heaven and earth
to make you better.
Because she cares about you.
And you care for her.
Don't you?
Listen to me, Holland.
I want to...
I want to tell you
something now.
I know this must be hard
for you up here, but...
my daddy always
used to say to me,
"A man...
takes what he wants."
Now I know
that you don't want
to just hide out up in here
in this green hell forever...
Do you think
that I wanted this?
No, I don't think
that you wanted it.
I think that you want to be
Alec Holland again.
And I think
that you want to be with Abby.
And I think, Holland...
I might be able to help you.
What can you do?
Not me. There's a scientist who works
for me and his name is Jason Woodrue.
He's a little bit odd,
but he's brilliant.
I've heard of him.
Abby thinks
very highly of him, too.
That's why
she brought the sample
to him to study.
You know,
he's extremely well respected,
an expert in his field
and that's why
I brought him down here
to study what the hell
is going on here in the swamp.
The mutagens.
Mutagens, yes.
And I know
what that word means.
That's, that's how
things change, right?
That's what he studies.
How things change.
And that means he studies
how to change things back.
You need to go.
What...
Go to the window.
What for?
A boat's coming.
How the hell do you know that?
The green told you
the boat was coming?
The green brought it here.
Vines rose up,
blocked the channel,
turned the boat
in this direction.
You brought a boat?
The swamp
would have let you die...
I couldn't.
I don't see it.
Yeah, well, look at that.
You did... Here it come.
I'll be...
Hey!
Holland.
Listen, I'm going to come
back tomorrow, okay?
And I'm going to bring Woodrue.
And I want you to meet us.
There's a...
There's... There's a clearing
just beyond the channel.
You know where that is?
And if you do this,
there's a chance
that you can be
a normal man again.
That maybe you can
walk down the street again,
and maybe you can sleep
in a bed again.
And that you might even
be able to...
when the right song
comes on,
ask a woman
for the next dance, you know.
You saved my life, Holland.
Let me save yours.
Holland?
Well, what's going on?
Why isn't my card working?
The sample you brought in,
it's been placed
on full lockdown.
I need to see
the results of the analysis.
No, Dr. Arcane, you don't.
Come with me.
Where's Harlan?
Harlan's been reassigned.
What?
There's been an outbreak
of dengue in Bangladesh.
His flight left at 5:00
this morning.
It was out of my hands, Doctor.
Where're we going?
Hi.
Dr. Palomer.
Well, what's going on?
What the hell is this?
Dr. Arcane,
please, take a seat.
Uh, not until I know
what this is about.
Of course, of course.
We're here to discuss
one of your patients.
Okay.
An Alec Holland.
I don't... I don't have a
patient named Alec Holland.
Before you interject,
we know he's still alive
and we're fully aware
of his condition.
Dr. Edwards was very concerned
after your conversation
last night and...
What, how do you know...
Where is Harlan...
Doctor, how we learned
about this man isn't important.
The fact remains
that you've been treating
a possibly infectious patient
totally off the medical radar.
He needs to be brought in
for treatment
for the safety
of the surrounding community.
He is not a threat.
That is not for you to decide.
Or him, either.
Where you can be useful,
Dr. Arcane,
is in helping us defuse
a potentially harmful scenario.
What do you mean?
If Alec Holland,
or what he's become,
has to be brought in using
force, things could get violent.
Now, he trusts you
and you could make him see
that this is all
for his own good.
Who are you?
Someone who values your
relationship with Dr. Holland
and believes that you can help
both him and yourself
by cooperating.
I've work to do in Marais.
Well, no one's
stopping you, Dr. Arcane.
I'm not asking for permission.
Stay the fuck away from Alec.
Harlan.
Please tell me
you're all right.
I have to go back to Marais.
Call me, please,
as soon as you get this.
Mr. Sunderland.
You've been in some
sort of accident?
I'm not in the mood
for questions, Woodrue.
Got a medical bag in here?
Some kind of antibiotics?
What?
I know that you don't practice,
but...
- You must have MD in there somewhere...
- In my bag.
...with all
those fancy letters.
Surely you can treat
a couple of simple wounds.
I'll leave you two alone.
Mrs. Woodrue?
Shouldn't you be doing this
in your house?
What did I say
about asking questions?
I want you to look at this.
I got shot.
These wounds are very strange.
Yeah...
With apologies for
yet another query...
um...
where have you been?
I've been in the swamp.
Where I found the source
of those cells
that make you so happy.
Oh.
Now you go ahead and you clean,
clean these good,
'cause I don't care
if it hurts.
The source.
It's not an animal.
It's a scientist
who worked here
before you came.
And he's completely covered
in some kind of crazy plant skin.
He's barely human.
You know, I think that...
I think that he somehow...
miraculously healed me.
You're right, Alec Holland
did almost completely
heal you.
I didn't say it was Holland.
I didn't say anything about
Holland, how did you...
Nathan Ellery's
been following up.
Your chief investor.
My chief investor,
who I haven't met.
Well, Maria took the meeting...
I, um... I assumed that you knew.
She showed them my work
while you were away
and suggested that you...
had left the project
in her able hands.
She has always been
a smart one, my Maria.
Well, regardless...
They are eager to see more.
Ellery set me up
with a brand-new facility.
Assistants, I assume
are somewhat vaguely competent,
and he's obtained an impressive amount
of information on Holland already.
Well,
thought of everything, huh?
Yeah.
He's, uh...
he's even offered...
personnel to aid in bringing
the subject in for study, so...
Let me ask you something,
Woodrue.
Do you think it's possible
to cure Holland?
To bring him back
to the man he once was?
Do you want to cure the goose
of laying golden eggs?
What? What the hell
are you talking about?
Alec Holland...
normal man...
is very unlikely
to produce regenerative cells.
Yeah.
Think of what we... Think of
what you would accomplish.
The secrets
of cell regeneration...
Avery...
you could cheat death.
You could cure
all sorts of disease and...
This wouldn't... This wouldn't
just make you into a billionaire.
I mean, there are plenty of billionaires
that no one's ever heard of,
but you, your name
would be everywhere.
You could change the world.
That man saved my life.
Yes, indeed.
Hmm.
I suggest that we let him
save millions more.
Holland?
You out here?
Holland?
Alec Holland?
It's Avery Sunderland.
This is Jason Woodrue.
Maybe you're familiar
with some of my work.
I've read your work.
I didn't think
you were gonna show up.
Any...
particular piece of mine?
The Journal
of Molecular Biology.
The use of transgenic DNA to...
Create new plant forms. Yes.
The transformation...
intrigues me.
Cells dividing, growing, dying.
It's the essence of truth.
Yes.
But can you go back?
Can you make me
an ordinary man?
It's a shame.
There's so much ordinary
in the world already.
But I...
But I can try.
But we'll have to
bring you back to my facility.
No!
No, I can't leave this place.
We have great work to do,
Holland.
Now don't turn away from it.
It's the only way.
Who else is here with you?
Don't, just... hold on.
Holland.
Jesus Christ.
Watch yourselves.
Move in.
Go away.
Leave now while you can.
- Watch it. Watch it.
- Hit him with the nitro.
Fire!
Look out!
- Where is he?
- Where'd he go?
Where are
the fucking trees?
Hold your fire.
Hold your fire.
Hey!
What the hell?
I said no!
Holland!
What are you waiting for?
That's just slowed him...
Hose him!
Okay.
Okay.
Alec?
Alec?
Alec!
Alec...
Alec Holland is alive.
Bullshit!
Matt saw him.
Matt, don't shoot.
If he gets to town
and starts talking,
all three of us are going down
for murder and conspiracy.
Whatever's gotten ahold of you,
it was born in the swamp.
It's lashing out in anger.
I need to understand this
"rot", if I'm ever gonna cure you.
- Where's Avery?
- Avery isn't here right now.
Until he returns,
you'll be answering to me.
Please, Avery.
Mr. Ellery, I'm so sorry
that Avery has been delayed.
I was promised data
regarding a major breakthrough,
and now, he can't be
bothered to show?
I'm just wondering
if you could live
with killing your own father.
All these years,
you already knew.
- Give me the shotgun.
- I wanna know the truth!
I'm not gonna die.
Ow-wee.
Shit.
All right, then.
What you waiting for?
The moss... Moss grows
on the north side.
That means Marais is southeast.
Southeast.
Marais is southeast.
What the hell?
Somebody there?
Who's there?
Oh, okay.
I'm walking out
of this hell-hole,
you understand me?
Moss grows on the north side.
You'll never get me.
You'll never get me.
You'll never get me!
Did you prep molecular biology?
They're ready and waiting.
You know they love a mystery.
Not that it's any surprise,
but you made it from Marais
to Atlanta in record time.
- Dr. Arcane...
- Hi.
I need you to
rush this sample
into sterilized isolation
and start
preliminary labs.
And, Caitlin,
full containment on this, okay?
What the hell
are we dealing with, Abby?
I don't know, but
it's all toxic and virulent,
so please...
watch yourself.
On it.
I need to assist.
I need a decontamination suit,
and a work space.
And maybe six cups less coffee.
- This one is important.
- I get that.
But even "the little engine that
could" needs a break once in a while.
I'm not that bad.
But we both know it's going to
take hours to run the labs.
And you look like
you haven't slept in a week.
Did I mention I missed you?
Not yet, but I'll take that.
Um... It's been a while.
There's some new faces.
Not anyone I've seen
around the cafeteria,
but the new assistant director
started while you were away.
So you have that
to look forward to.
How is she?
She's right behind you.
Dr. Arcane?
I heard you were
on your way in.
Dr. Palomer.
I'm glad you're here.
I've discovered
a dangerous new pathogen
in the Marais swamp
and I'm...
I know.
Harlan forwarded your email.
Oh.
Which was the first word
the CDC has heard from you
since you were left in Marais.
What happened to daily reports?
You must be aware
that I stayed on to monitor
the green flu patients.
All of whom have been released,
have they not?
I understand.
But... but I do have
reason to believe
that this disease
is still active.
Reason to believe?
I take a results-oriented
approach, Dr. Arcane.
Have you observed
any new symptomatology?
Can you show me
any fresh blood work,
recent lab results?
No, not yet.
But the labs are coming back.
Well...
Then we'll have
a few things to discuss,
especially given
what I've heard from Marais.
Excuse me?
I spoke with the hospital.
They said
you've barely been there.
You've been spending
days on end in the swamp.
Look.
We'll run the tests.
But this is to be continued.
I never thought
I would live to see
the great Avery Sunderland
down on his knees.
You know, I think
this ole swamp hates you
even more than I do.
Can't say that I blame it much.
You have pissed
all over this place
just to get what you want.
You come to finish the job?
Looks to me like
I don't have to.
One hell of a trick
you pulled,
telling my Matt
how you're his daddy,
like you ever gave
a shit about him.
You never gave me the chance.
Because I was afraid.
Of what?
You would do
exactly what you did.
That you would drag
him through the mud
and turn him into a monster
just like you.
How did it go so wrong
between us?
I want you to know something.
That no matter what happens,
I'll always love you.
It's a little late
for that now.
It's never too late.
We got the chance now,
you and me... Lucilia, please!
I'm just asking you
for a chance.
Please. Lucilia, please.
Goodbye, Avery.
Luce?
Matt, where the hell are you?
We talked about this.
I know this hasn't been easy on you, but
I need you down at the station today.
Call me.
You didn't have
my back up there.
You barely said a word.
How am I
suppose to defend you
when I have no idea
what's going on?
It's not just no daily reports.
It's not just paperwork.
It's like you fell into a black
hole over in that place.
Okay, okay, I know
I should have called more.
Okay, wait...
we've barely spoken in days.
But swear to God,
what little you did tell me,
it didn't make much sense.
So, so you agree with her now.
I mean, she clearly thinks
I'm not doing my job...
I didn't say that.
But this radio silence
of yours...
it's not like you.
Or like us.
What is it with you
and that town?
Abby, stop.
Where are you going?
You're right,
the test will take hours.
I, uh, I just need to think.
Dr. Woodrue.
Ellery?
I'm afraid I've no pecan pie
to offer you.
I wanted to continue
our discussion of your work.
Excuse me.
Hardly ideal conditions
for research.
It's like working
out of a high school cafeteria.
And I'm not talking
about a magnet school.
I assumed as much.
It's why I've ordered
a fully equipped
mobile biological lab
down from Chicago.
And I've already spoken
with Mrs. Sunderland
about which of their properties
would be best suited
for continuing your research.
There's an abandoned facility
on the outskirts of town.
With your approval, we'll start
fitting it up immediately.
I assumed your organization
would have
dedicated laboratory facilities
already in place.
A project of this... delicate
nature requires... discretion.
We prefer
to keep it off the books
until we know exactly
what we're dealing with.
I'll take a look at it.
I'm sure
you've missed something.
Excellent. The Conclave's
guiding principle, Dr. Woodrue,
is to find the best
and then get out of their way.
You'll have everything
you need ready
when the specimen is located.
How's that going, by the way?
Well, I'm afraid
that the subject
has been a challenge
to locate, but...
it's only a matter of time.
I agree.
Only a matter of time.
Hey?
Hey!
Avery?
You getting distracted again?
No, Dad.
I'm here.
I'm, I'm here.
Get 'er loaded, son.
We make it to town
before the cafe closes,
we'll get burgers to go.
What's going on, son?
What's eating you?
It's just this...
this particular tree.
- People say it's got special powers
- Special powers.
Special powers.
You know what's got
greater powers than a tree?
An ax.
No. Don't.
Be careful.
Careful?
Careful is for cowards.
Yeah, I'm talking to you.
Thing is,
a man takes what he wants.
A man looks out
for number one.
Paying attention?
No, not again.
Not again. Not again.
No.
Not again!
Dad!
Dad?
Dad!
- Avery.
- Dad!
- Avery, Avery.
- Dad!
Avery! Avery!
Avery!
Avery!
Dad...
Oh, God.
Veggie pizza and booze.
Only took
a deadly pathogen
to bring
the band back together,
but I won't take it personally.
Where are they on that?
They'll have a full analysis
by morning,
just let 'em do their work.
Yeah.
So...
this is different.
Yeah. When I was little,
I assumed that the insides of the
dolls looked like the outsides.
I know, so since they have
little hands and feet and teeth,
I thought that if you looked
inside you'd find little organs...
- Aww.
- ...and a tiny blood stream.
And little Dr. Arcane
just cut it open.
I did. Yeah.
I was so disappointed.
And yet you kept it around.
Yeah.
- To remember.
- Hmm.
My mom, she didn't laugh much,
but she, she laughed that day.
I've never heard you speak
about your mother.
I always assumed it's because
you didn't remember her.
Yeah, bits and pieces.
You know, I was only eight
when she died.
Earlier today you asked me
what it was about Marais.
Hmm.
I'm beginning to wonder...
whether or not
I came back for a reason.
I have to tell you something.
Okay.
There is a man in the swamp
who is very, very sick.
In the swamp?
Yes.
And I think it has something
to do with the green flu but...
I've been protecting him,
I've been trying
to find a cure,
trying to find the answers,
having no luck.
So this...
patient...
Hmm.
...is not in the hospital or quarantine or
included in any of the reports because...
Because he is more
than just a patient.
I don't...
I don't know how to say this,
but he's...
he's been challenging
the way I look at the world.
Does this miracle man
have a name?
Yeah.
Alec Holland.
Ow!
Oh, God.
Ooh!
Damn.
Leave them.
It's Spaghnum moss.
It can help heal the wounds.
Who's there?
Who's there?
What's happening?
You told me once
that if I kept spending
so much on boat gas
you'd let me swim back
to the lab.
Holland.
Is that you?
What happened?
I don't know.
They said...
They said that you died.
Had some kind of an acc...
accident.
You were shot.
Who did this to you?
People.
People that I care about.
And I thought cared about me.
You're still not well.
Well, you got that right.
I'm pretty goddamn unwell.
I been shot, nearly drowned
and I've been having
these crazy visions.
I... I think that
the swamp wants me dead.
You hate this place.
Oh, this place hates me,
this place is a killer.
This place... It took my daddy
and it took...
It took my little girl.
But it's been damaged,
it's been abused.
What are you talking about?
The swamp is damaged
and abused?
The swamp is a killer.
The swamp is supposed
to be our livelihood.
It's been put here for me.
For Marais.
It was, once.
But after the abuse
it suffered,
the balance here shifted,
releasing a darkness.
What are you talking about?
What do you mean
by darkness?
There's a force here, Avery.
A "green" that connects me
to the plants and trees.
It told me you were here.
It told you?
I think the green saved me,
made me this way
to restore the balance,
and to protect the swamp
from people just like you.
No, no, no.
Whoa! No, no, no.
Holland, no. Holland.
You know, I have you to thank
for what I've become, Avery.
Me?
You and the others.
No!
Who have been
taking and taking and taking.
Help! Holland, No. No!
You see this?
Feeling all right, buddy?
Just a little under
the weather, I'll be fine.
I was wondering if you
had a chance to sign off
on that accident report
I gave you.
The, uh, collision down
on County 9.
Look, I haven't
gotten to it yet.
All right. Well, the insurance company called
again, they're just wanting to know...
Look. I said I'll get to it.
Matt.
May I see you
for a moment, please?
What was that all about?
That was a pain in the ass.
I know that you're hurting,
but right now
you need to keep it together.
It won't be long
before people start to notice
that Avery's gone AWOL.
And?
Maria Sunderland
can play dumb for a while,
but sooner or later
there are gonna be questions.
The last thing we need
is for you going off the rails
the day after he disappeared.
Well, lucky for us,
we got all the answers.
Being with the police and all.
Matt.
We're gonna get through this,
okay?
We're gonna get through it.
You even still think about him?
My father?
Oh, Jesus.
- After what Avery did to you...
- No, not Avery.
My father.
The man who actually raised me
until he left
because you couldn't
let Sunderland go.
Matt...
I swear,
I never meant to hurt him...
or you.
I'd better get back to work.
So you're saying
Alec is like, what?
- Transformed?
- Mmm-hmm.
It's hard to explain.
It's...
He can control plants.
He can make them grow,
he can make them do
whatever he wants.
He can access memories
from the past.
He can bring up
memories of things
that have happened
in the swamp.
Okay, so this is Alec Holland.
Right?
The guy we saw
when we first arrived.
The, the guy who was blown up.
I know. I know you're thinking
professional help. I, I get it.
I would too...
- if I hadn't seen what had happened myself.
- Hey, hey, hey.
I was with you in Marais,
remember?
Mmm-hmm.
I mean, I saw a man with a tree
growing out of him, like...
And if you recall it, I had some
pretty odd symptoms myself.
Does that mean you believe me?
Always and forever.
And the hell with Palomer.
She comes at you tomorrow,
she'll have
to get through me first.
Thanks, Harlan.
And for whatever it's worth...
I haven't seen you so passionate
about someone in a long time.
He's worth it.
It shows.
I missed you.
Oh, God, I missed you, too.
- Good night.
- Get some sleep.
The lab results should be in
first thing in the morning.
Dr. Edwards?
It's 1:00 in the morning.
Who are you?
I need you to get
in the car, sir.
Man, bullshit.
Get in the goddamn car.
I've never took
anything from you, Holland.
I helped you
to resume you work.
To regain your reputation,
you remember that.
I've lost all that now.
I've lost her.
Her?
What do you mean?
Are you talking about
Dr. Arcane?
She's known about you
for quite a while, hasn't she?
She brought that sample back
to study and I think that...
that sample came from you.
That's true, isn't it?
She's been trying
to find a cure for you.
She is a friend.
And I'll bet
she's moving heaven and earth
to make you better.
Because she cares about you.
And you care for her.
Don't you?
Listen to me, Holland.
I want to...
I want to tell you
something now.
I know this must be hard
for you up here, but...
my daddy always
used to say to me,
"A man...
takes what he wants."
Now I know
that you don't want
to just hide out up in here
in this green hell forever...
Do you think
that I wanted this?
No, I don't think
that you wanted it.
I think that you want to be
Alec Holland again.
And I think
that you want to be with Abby.
And I think, Holland...
I might be able to help you.
What can you do?
Not me. There's a scientist who works
for me and his name is Jason Woodrue.
He's a little bit odd,
but he's brilliant.
I've heard of him.
Abby thinks
very highly of him, too.
That's why
she brought the sample
to him to study.
You know,
he's extremely well respected,
an expert in his field
and that's why
I brought him down here
to study what the hell
is going on here in the swamp.
The mutagens.
Mutagens, yes.
And I know
what that word means.
That's, that's how
things change, right?
That's what he studies.
How things change.
And that means he studies
how to change things back.
You need to go.
What...
Go to the window.
What for?
A boat's coming.
How the hell do you know that?
The green told you
the boat was coming?
The green brought it here.
Vines rose up,
blocked the channel,
turned the boat
in this direction.
You brought a boat?
The swamp
would have let you die...
I couldn't.
I don't see it.
Yeah, well, look at that.
You did... Here it come.
I'll be...
Hey!
Holland.
Listen, I'm going to come
back tomorrow, okay?
And I'm going to bring Woodrue.
And I want you to meet us.
There's a...
There's... There's a clearing
just beyond the channel.
You know where that is?
And if you do this,
there's a chance
that you can be
a normal man again.
That maybe you can
walk down the street again,
and maybe you can sleep
in a bed again.
And that you might even
be able to...
when the right song
comes on,
ask a woman
for the next dance, you know.
You saved my life, Holland.
Let me save yours.
Holland?
Well, what's going on?
Why isn't my card working?
The sample you brought in,
it's been placed
on full lockdown.
I need to see
the results of the analysis.
No, Dr. Arcane, you don't.
Come with me.
Where's Harlan?
Harlan's been reassigned.
What?
There's been an outbreak
of dengue in Bangladesh.
His flight left at 5:00
this morning.
It was out of my hands, Doctor.
Where're we going?
Hi.
Dr. Palomer.
Well, what's going on?
What the hell is this?
Dr. Arcane,
please, take a seat.
Uh, not until I know
what this is about.
Of course, of course.
We're here to discuss
one of your patients.
Okay.
An Alec Holland.
I don't... I don't have a
patient named Alec Holland.
Before you interject,
we know he's still alive
and we're fully aware
of his condition.
Dr. Edwards was very concerned
after your conversation
last night and...
What, how do you know...
Where is Harlan...
Doctor, how we learned
about this man isn't important.
The fact remains
that you've been treating
a possibly infectious patient
totally off the medical radar.
He needs to be brought in
for treatment
for the safety
of the surrounding community.
He is not a threat.
That is not for you to decide.
Or him, either.
Where you can be useful,
Dr. Arcane,
is in helping us defuse
a potentially harmful scenario.
What do you mean?
If Alec Holland,
or what he's become,
has to be brought in using
force, things could get violent.
Now, he trusts you
and you could make him see
that this is all
for his own good.
Who are you?
Someone who values your
relationship with Dr. Holland
and believes that you can help
both him and yourself
by cooperating.
I've work to do in Marais.
Well, no one's
stopping you, Dr. Arcane.
I'm not asking for permission.
Stay the fuck away from Alec.
Harlan.
Please tell me
you're all right.
I have to go back to Marais.
Call me, please,
as soon as you get this.
Mr. Sunderland.
You've been in some
sort of accident?
I'm not in the mood
for questions, Woodrue.
Got a medical bag in here?
Some kind of antibiotics?
What?
I know that you don't practice,
but...
- You must have MD in there somewhere...
- In my bag.
...with all
those fancy letters.
Surely you can treat
a couple of simple wounds.
I'll leave you two alone.
Mrs. Woodrue?
Shouldn't you be doing this
in your house?
What did I say
about asking questions?
I want you to look at this.
I got shot.
These wounds are very strange.
Yeah...
With apologies for
yet another query...
um...
where have you been?
I've been in the swamp.
Where I found the source
of those cells
that make you so happy.
Oh.
Now you go ahead and you clean,
clean these good,
'cause I don't care
if it hurts.
The source.
It's not an animal.
It's a scientist
who worked here
before you came.
And he's completely covered
in some kind of crazy plant skin.
He's barely human.
You know, I think that...
I think that he somehow...
miraculously healed me.
You're right, Alec Holland
did almost completely
heal you.
I didn't say it was Holland.
I didn't say anything about
Holland, how did you...
Nathan Ellery's
been following up.
Your chief investor.
My chief investor,
who I haven't met.
Well, Maria took the meeting...
I, um... I assumed that you knew.
She showed them my work
while you were away
and suggested that you...
had left the project
in her able hands.
She has always been
a smart one, my Maria.
Well, regardless...
They are eager to see more.
Ellery set me up
with a brand-new facility.
Assistants, I assume
are somewhat vaguely competent,
and he's obtained an impressive amount
of information on Holland already.
Well,
thought of everything, huh?
Yeah.
He's, uh...
he's even offered...
personnel to aid in bringing
the subject in for study, so...
Let me ask you something,
Woodrue.
Do you think it's possible
to cure Holland?
To bring him back
to the man he once was?
Do you want to cure the goose
of laying golden eggs?
What? What the hell
are you talking about?
Alec Holland...
normal man...
is very unlikely
to produce regenerative cells.
Yeah.
Think of what we... Think of
what you would accomplish.
The secrets
of cell regeneration...
Avery...
you could cheat death.
You could cure
all sorts of disease and...
This wouldn't... This wouldn't
just make you into a billionaire.
I mean, there are plenty of billionaires
that no one's ever heard of,
but you, your name
would be everywhere.
You could change the world.
That man saved my life.
Yes, indeed.
Hmm.
I suggest that we let him
save millions more.
Holland?
You out here?
Holland?
Alec Holland?
It's Avery Sunderland.
This is Jason Woodrue.
Maybe you're familiar
with some of my work.
I've read your work.
I didn't think
you were gonna show up.
Any...
particular piece of mine?
The Journal
of Molecular Biology.
The use of transgenic DNA to...
Create new plant forms. Yes.
The transformation...
intrigues me.
Cells dividing, growing, dying.
It's the essence of truth.
Yes.
But can you go back?
Can you make me
an ordinary man?
It's a shame.
There's so much ordinary
in the world already.
But I...
But I can try.
But we'll have to
bring you back to my facility.
No!
No, I can't leave this place.
We have great work to do,
Holland.
Now don't turn away from it.
It's the only way.
Who else is here with you?
Don't, just... hold on.
Holland.
Jesus Christ.
Watch yourselves.
Move in.
Go away.
Leave now while you can.
- Watch it. Watch it.
- Hit him with the nitro.
Fire!
Look out!
- Where is he?
- Where'd he go?
Where are
the fucking trees?
Hold your fire.
Hold your fire.
Hey!
What the hell?
I said no!
Holland!
What are you waiting for?
That's just slowed him...
Hose him!
Okay.
Okay.
Alec?
Alec?
Alec!
Alec...