The Dead Lands (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 2 - The Sins of the Fathers - full transcript

The dead,

they sigh to me.

They tell me to
seek a warrior...

more monster than man.

And only he can help
me save my people.

There is a break...

between the world of the living
and the world of the dead.

The spirits of the dead can no
longer reach their ancestors

and are forced back
into the world...

back into their decaying bodies.

If you heal this breach,
who wouldn't welcome you then?



You could die with honour
and join us in the afterlife.

Your ancestors
refuse you an afterlife.

- We will let you return.
- What?

You're Waka Nuku Rau.

You can help my tribe if the
legends are true about you.

And what do they say?

That you're the
greatest living fighter

that this land has
given birth to.

Probably true.

And will do
anything for a price.

What is it that I'm
to do for your tribe?

The dead took my father.

Your spirit is
my greatest joy...

and greatest fear.



Father!

Save him, and I'll
give you my blood.

Isn't that what you want?

Father is dead, Mehe.

You don't know that.

Even more reason to go north.

Our uncle is a powerful shaman,
and he'll protect us.

Father. Father!

Mehe...

Do you think that just
because you help this girl

that you would be forgiven
for your sins?

Drink her high-born blood

to strengthen you
for what will come.

Because you will fight much
that is strange and powerful.

Kill the girl.

Take it.

If you train every day...

you might just put up a fight

before you die.

At least you had a father worth
loving. I can't say the same.

Tell the dead I'm coming.

Tell the dead I'm coming.

I offer your life to the gods.

If my death serves our tribe...

I give it freely.

You make me proud.

We will tell stories
of your sacrifice.

We will tell stories
of your sacrifice.

Why must the young pay
for the sins of the old?

It was you who ruined this land.

It was you who allowed the
spirits of the dead to return.

And it was you who
broke this world.

But we must pay?

Why?

The gods spoke to me and
demanded a life in full bloom.

Did they?

- Ah!
- You dishonour us,

and you ruin my glory!

The source of the
disruption to the world -

is it you, Tane?

Tane! Tane!

Mother!

Go with dignity, at least.

Dignity?

I curse you all!

And you, Uncle?

I will return from this
earth and eat your heart.

I will rain down makutu on you.

- I swear it.
- E hoki ki te po!

Mate...

Mate ana...

Shh.

You know, you curse
a lot in your sleep.

If I couldsleep.

Stop waking me.

Show yourselves.

Mother.

What do you want, you old hag?

I gave you a gift.

And what did you do?

Spat it back at me,
like the milk from my breast.

I'm doing what you said.

I'm trying to fix what's
wrong with the world.

And the girl?

What of her?

You were meant to kill the girl
to honour the gods.

And now the gods are displeased.

I shit on the gods.

I promised
the gods the girl's blood.

Ah.

So this is all about you.

As usual.

The gods hate me now.
Don't you care?

Yes.

Then do this one thing for me.

Please, my son.

Kill her!

Do it, and do it now.

Kill the girl.

Kill her.

Kill the girl!

If you want to kill me,

at least do it while I'm awake.

At least do it while I'm awake.

So, do you make a habit of

murdering your friends
in their sleep?

- We're not friends.
- Answer my question.

How is a man to find honour in
this world - answer me that -

when everything
conspires against him?

I don't know.
You could try one day at a time.

Who do you talk to?

You talk when there's
no one around.

Are you mad or do
you talk to the dead?

What if I do?

And what if the dead are
no better than the living -

even more demanding?

What do they say?

That the world is broken -
as if I didn't know that -

and I am to fix it.

I can help.

We'll follow your tribe.

I want to meet this shaman
that everyone speaks of.

You think my uncle knows
what's happened to the world?

It's a start.
And then I can get rid of you.

I'm sick of you
trailing around after me.

Leave me be!

I want to start training.

You promised to teach me.

I need to protect myself in
case you try to kill me again.

You think you're
very amusing, don't you?

The problem is...

you're weak.

Never fight from anger.

Let your enemy do that.
Understand?

Offend them. Insult their
mother - that usually works.

This...

This is Matua Kore.

It is more than just a weapon.

It is two gods.

Here - Hine-nui-te-po,
the goddess of death.

And here - Tumatauenga.

Ha!

The god of war.

They see where I cannot -

behind me, beside me.

Your weapon is a truer friend
than anyone you'll know.

Draw your weapon.

Hold it like I told you.

Hit me.

Mean it!

Like you did your father.

What did I say?

A fight is like a dance.

There is an art in death.

Life, death and blood.

And I don't think you've
got the stomach for it.

It's a pity you weren't a boy.

You'd be leading your tribe
instead of your fool brother.

It must annoy you.

True.

Simply because I lack a certain
organ between my legs -

one more trouble than it's
worth, most of the time.

Eh?

My father wouldn't teach me.

I pleaded from the
time I could walk

to be trained like the boys.

Ha!

He was a fool!

- He did teach me one thing.
- To whine?

To think.

Thinking for yourself is
the sharpest weapon of all.

Talk's easy. Fighting's hard.

Your mother didn't do
that for you, did she?

Teach you to think.

I heard you talking
to her in your sleep.

Interesting relationship.

Teach me, and I'll teach you.

I've nothing to learn from you.

Are you so sure?

You're frightened of the dead
and what they'll make you do.

That's why you want rid of me.

I want rid of you because
you're fucking annoying.

What if they can't make
you do anything - the dead?

If they could,
I wouldn't be here, would I?

They wanted my life,
didn't they?

As much as they try,
the dead are the dead.

Maybe they need you
more than you need them.

Maybe they need you
more than you need them.

My uncle's tribe lives there,
in the tunnels and caves.

We lived there long ago too.

Together?

We were one tribe
until my father left.

We'll never make it before dark.

Would another night
in the forest hurt?

I'm sick of sleeping
in the trees.

They're here.

The dead.

Stay close.

Maku to mata e kai.

We'll never make
it to the caves.

- Run!
- What?

And don't think
you've got all night.

Here I am!

Dead things.

Do you think you can kill me?!

I don't think so.

Yah!

I hope you ran fast, girl.

Ha! Yah!

Kura hei kai maku.

Yah!

Ah!

Ah!

Run!

There's nothing here.

Shh!

Your father?

Engari, kei te pai.

Mehe. Is it true that
my brother has gone

from the light of this world?

From the light of this world?

Good?

Not really.

I just want to say-

I suppose you're going to stay?

Good. I'll finally
be rid of you.

Why do you always
have to be a shit?

Well... it's easier.

- I was going to thank you.
- Don't bother.

I was hoping they'd follow you.

Ka pai.

We need to talk.

- Alone.
- Ignore him.

He's leaving.

Thank the gods.

There's something
very wrong here.

- Tell them!
- Mahia!

You should tell
them what you did!

- It's all his fault.
- Let's go.

All of this is his fault!

They keep Mahia hidden away,
say she's mad.

And you don't think she is.

Mahia is the strongest
woman I've ever known.

No, something's happened here.

It's part of what's wrong with
the land. I can feel it.

Your uncle is a shaman
of great power.

He can change nature,
bend it to his will.

I've seen it.

And I know the man.

He's hiding something.

Can we speak?

First, tell me about Father.

Was he alive when you found him?

You were right. He was dead.

I told you, Mehe.

Mahia.

Why is she imprisoned?

Mad with grief.

Her son was killed by the dead,
and now our cousin

hunts his own tribe.

And each of them
returns to do the same.

Uncle's asked us to live here.

And I've agreed.

- And you'll marry.
- No, I won't.

You'll do what I tell you.

I told him you
wouldn't agree to it.

It would unite the tribes again.

Let him join the tribes.
That's all he's good for.

Mahia.

Someone guards her?

Yes.

We could put
something in his food.

What are you up to, girl?

- See you later.
- See you later.

Ooh!

Eh!

I thought you were leaving.

I thought you were leaving.

Don't do that.

Who's there?

Are you mad?

That's what they say.

Idiot.

Mehe?

Child, are you part of this?

Part of what?

What's happened, Whaea?

Happened? Your uncle
murdered our youth.

What?

The dead spoke to him,
and they demanded blood.

And he chose my son.

But one wasn't enough.

They demanded more.

And was the world healed
as he promised?

It became worse.

Now we are hunted
by our own youth.

I'll come back.

I promise I'll get
you out of here, Auntie.

You were wrong.

How?

You said that the dead couldn't
force the living to do things.

But they made your
uncle do this.

You don't know that.

How is it different?

They wanted your blood.
It's the same.

For my father, a
sacrifice was an obligation

to honour the gods
and our ancestors.

He told me that my uncle used
it to control his people,

and that he liked it.

You don't know
the dead like I do

and how demanding they can be.

No.

But I know the living.

And my people should know
what type of man my uncle is

before they join him.

Well?

Uncle told me.

You knew?

Follow me. This way.

Mehe, it's the way
of our people -

a sacrifice to the
god Tumatauenga

so the walls of our
fortress will be strong.

Not our tribe, and not so many.

No.

And look how the gods repaid us.

Mehe, I loved Father
as much as you.

But he did not have
Uncle's strength.

You call it strength?

He made powerful magic
to heal the world.

And he believes it will work.

- But with patience.
- You're not fit to lead.

Well, that's it, isn't it?

I lead.

You never will.

No, it's because you're a fool.

And you're dangerous!

Even Father knew it.

What would he think of you,
I wonder?

Why is he here?

You're not wanted here.

She wants me here.

They've spoken to Mahia.

My people should
know what you did.

They will.

The whole story will be told.

And it might not be
what you think it is.

But for now, say nothing.

I demand it, Mehe,
as your ariki.

Trust me.

If I was stupid enough
to believe anyone,

it wouldn't be him.

Kia rite.

So you decided not to leave.

Pity.

As much as I don't like you,

I don't like your
brother a lot more.

And he hates me being here.

My uncle wants to see you.

- Why?
- Not you.

I have a question.

My father - You saw him?

Unfortunately.

And how did he look?

He was ready to die.

- He was alive?
- Barely.

You should be thanking her.

Mehe?

For putting him
out of his misery.

I will.

Uncle.

Thank you, Rangi.

I've used all my skills...

everything I've ever learned
from our tipuna,

to heal the land.

But I've failed, haven't I?

The land has not
been made right.

No.

You made it worse, Uncle.

If you won't bend to me,
how can you stay here, Mehe?

I'll bend to no man, Uncle.

Not any more.

Whakarongo mai ki te tawhito.

Whakarongo mai ki te tupua.

Kia tohi a rangi.

Kia tohi a nuku.

We buried them here.

Each day I came and
asked for guidance.

I couldn't believe it
was all for nothing.

It must be for something.

And the dead spoke to me.

What did they say?

Over here.

I'll show you.

The dark is overtaking the
light, and I must stop it.

Whatever it takes.

Even if it is your children.

Children?

Uncle, please!

Lift me.

Waka! Waka!

No!

Make it harder, why don't you?

E tamariki.

Get away from them!

He wants to sacrifice
our children.

Tamariki ma, haere mai.

Kia tere.

Haere mai.

Listen to me, Rangi.

He killed Waka, and
he tried to kill me.

Rangi, the gods demand payment
to restore the world to us.

Tell him no.

I challenge you.

For the leadership
of the tribes.

- Mehe-
- Shut up!

It is my right
as your brother's child.

Unless you'll do it.

Give it.

You cannot.

- Let me take your place.
- No. It would mean war.

This is the only way.

You will be glorious.

Mehe.

Remember where a man is weakest.

Did you know I helped bring
you into this world?

I was there at your birth.

I dedicated you to the gods

so that you would be strong
and serve your tribe.

So serve them.

Bend to me now,
and I'll forgive you.

This is the only way.

My father said you
mated with dogs.

Ah!

Ah!

You asked for this, child.

A fight is like a dance.

There is an art in death.

Life,

death,

and blood.

Waka.

You're alive.

You know what my father told me?

That you were a fool and
he never loved you.

Argh!

Take him away.

Release Mahia.

Do as she says.

You should have killed me.

It was glorious.

Near the burial grounds,
the earth pulled Waka down.

The earth sinks into the tunnels
and caverns beneath that place.

- It's where we bury our dead.
- Take me down there.

That place is tapu.
The dead live there.

Waka is alive.

I know it.

Like you knew Father was alive?

Yes.

Waka helped me.

When none of you would, Waka
went with me to save Father.

Where is your honour?

Is there none in this
tribe any more?

Have we lost everything that
was once important to us,

only living safe,
terrified lives

and leaving the world to fall?

I left our lands.

I will not run any more.

It is a good day to die, Father.

Good a day as any.

Kaitoa!

Pokotiwha!

Ah!

Waka!

What took you so long?

Ah!

Argh!

Hautoa mai!

Pokopokotiwha e te ao!

- Kei konei tonu au!
- Run!

Run!

Pokopokotiwha e te ao!

Tui!

I was right.

It was my uncle all along.

You should fear the living
as much as the dead.

Perhaps.

If what you believe in makes
you do terrible things,

then you need to
change the belief.

Your brother's right.

You are dangerous.

Go.

I'll follow.

I can feel your eyes upon me.

Mother?

Show yourself!

Greetings, Waka Nuku Rau.

This is all your fault.

Mine?

You sent me to this.

There's no honour here.

Only in a place like this will
someone like you find redemption

for your many sins.

What do you want?

Should I want something?

I've learned that the dead
always want something.

I do want something.

- There is a boy.
- One of your kin, is he?

No.

But he suffers greatly.

Held captive by those
who serve the dark...

against the light.

Three sisters.

Powerful witches.

Find this boy.

And what will you give me
to make it worth my while?

Not me.

The boy.

You see, he knows the name of
the one who broke the world.

And the girl.

Mehe?

What about her?

Protect her, Waka Nuku Rau,

for she has a gift that not
even she knows she possesses.