The Outer Limits (1995–2002): Season 3, Episode 12 - Double Helix - full transcript

Good morning.

Heather. How are you
doing today?

Good to see you. Seats.

Who's ready? Who's not ready?

Well, here we are. In light
of the fact that

this is our last session,
I thought that we might

diverge from the syllabus a bit.

How many here would consider
yourselves to be darwinians?

Yes, I expected as much
from Rev. Leblanc.

Darwinism, might very Well

put his seminary school
out of business.



What if I told you
that I have something

that might very well prove
one, or yes, reverend,

both theories?

D.N.A.:

blueprint for the finest
Architectural design

ever made, the human body.

Obviously, some blueprints
are better than others.

Take Heather and Ben,
for example.

They had a better designer
for the for the sequences

that code for physical
attributes. Take a look.

They have thick hair, good
bone structure, lean bodies,

but...

I might venture to say that
my own architect

was better at the sequences
that code for intelligence.



Now, please don't be insulted.

I'm not saying you're not smart.

I'm just saying that I'm
smarter. Or you would be here

and I would be there.

You give me a few years,
professor. I'll be up there.

Yes, Ben, I'm sure you will.

But do you know
what you will be teaching?

The same way that
we study the periodic tables

in chemistry class now,

soon we will be
studying a vast map
of the human genome.

Just last month, the last part
of the genome was mapped.

There is one remaining
question, and that,

ladies and gentleman, is
what we are going to discuss.

Tell me,
who knows what an intron is?

Introns are the extra genetic
material in our D.N.A.

That haven't been mapped because

they don't seem to code
for anything.

Right. Right.
That's very Good.

Now, there are some
creationists that believe

that introns are a message
from god.

I've never heard that before,
Martin.

Now, Peter, would I lie to you?

They believe that if we can
decode the intron message,

we would find
more commandments from God.

But there are others who
believe that the intron codes

for the things we used to have
during our evolution,

like gills, for example.

Well, what do you think
the introns are, professor?

I thought you would never ask,
Ben.

I think the extra D.N.A. Codes
for our future evolution.

I think it codes for what
we are about to become.

And I intend to prove it.

How?

Do you remember our 5th
session, when we discussed.

The use of retro-viruses
to deliver protein

that would activate
certain genetic Sequences.

Well, I've been working on it
for the past year,

and I have developed
a retroviral activator

that activates introns.

I have in my hand the key
to our future selves.

Excuse me, Dr. Nodel.

Dean Hardwick.

Well, let's give a warm welcome

to a man who is lucky enough
to have the genetic sequences

for both, good looks
and good brains.

How do you intend to test
this new activator of yours?

Well, actually,
I have already tested it.

But don't worry, boss.
I haven't tested it on humans.

So, I want you to listen
to what I have to say.

I am urging you
not to discuss this

with anyone
outside of this group

because I don't think that
our Dean would appreciate

the human uproar
that will follow it.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I bring you...

the Evolution.

My god, it has feet!

There is nothing wrong
with your television.

Do not attempt To
adjust the picture.

We are now controlling
the transmission.

We control the horizontal
and the vertical.

We can deluge you
with a thousand channels

or expand one single image
to crystal clarity.

And beyond.

We can shape your vision
to anything

our imagination can conceive.

For the next hour

we will control
all that you see and hear.

You are about to experience
the awe and mystery

which reaches from
the deepest inner mind

to The Outer Limits.

Perhaps we should
ask ourselves,

will the next leap of science
be a step into the future?

Or a plunge into the abyss?

You could've warned me
this was coming, Martin.

Would you have shown up?

You know I'm completely
opposed to this research.

It's... it's abhorrently
heretical.

I'm gonna have to
petition the university

to stop this research.

I expect no less,
but we all have to do
what we have to do.

Peter, say hi to your wife.

the staff meeting today
is moved to 5:00, room one...

so, now you're doing
animal Experiments

without permission.

What, are "Free the big mouth
Bass" People

are gonna start
setting up pickets?

We have rules, Martin.

Displays like that
are what keep the students

intrigued in the subject.

Or you would rather
not have them

flocking to my classes
in this department.

I was going through the ROSTER
for next semester,

and noticed you didn't put
yourself in for any classes.

Yes, that's right.

May I ask why?

Because I want to
spend the extra time

devoted to my new Research.

The problem is, it puts me
in a difficult bind, Martin.

You're my biggest selling point

to draw the best
and brightest students

to this university,
to this department.

Not to mention alumni money.

Right. Now just,
keep pouring it on.

Aw, Martin...

Look...

I just don't have
much time left.

What does that mean?

Nothing.

Doug, I'm about to make
a major breakthrough

That's gonna make history.

How? Please tell me how.

You'll never get approval
for human testing

on something so radical.

You'll be lucky
if you even get approval

for animal testing.

I'll get approval.

With the proper computer
models, lab testing,

animal testing,
I will get approval.

Just check my contracts.
I'm allowed to take off

whatever semester I want
to do my research.

Well, you seem in
perfect health to me.

Are you sure about
your genetic test?

Yes, Phil, I'm absolutely sure.

I drew my own blood
on 3 separate occasions.

I did my own genetic Workup
each time.

And each time the Marker
for Wilson's disease came up.

So, obviously, I know that
I'm going to get the disease,

it's just a question of time.

So tell me, please,
have you checked everything?

What about the liver function,
reflexes,

corneal coloration,
copper content?

Well, your copper levels
are a touch high.

You're sitting here telling me
there are no symptoms.

Elevated copper
is the first one.

Well, I knew you'd over react.

Everyone can have
elevated copper Levels

from time to time,
without Wilson's disease.

There's no decolorization
of the cornea, no tremors.

Probably in a few years
I'll start to get tremors.
They'll take over.

A few years later, my liver's
gonna go, then what?

Hold on.
You're not hearing me.

I have so much to do in my life.

My research hasn't started,

my relationship with My son
is crap.

Have you told him?

No, I'm not gonna tell anybody

until I can't hide
the SYMPTOMS any longer.

And I don't want you to say
anything to anybody, either.

Paul. Sorry I'm late.

It's ok, Dad.
I just got here.

I learned a long time ago,
when you say 1:00,

figure 1:30.

Well...

so how you been?

I'm good. You?

Fantastic.

So tell me about mother.

She as good
as she makes out to be?

Yeah. She's fine.

She tells me that
you have a new girlfriend.

I, I guess mom also
told you about my plans.

What makes you say that?

Well, why else would you
ask me to lunch, dad?

I mean, let's face it.
I haven't seen you once

since I started school here
3 months ago.

Well, you don't exactly
make any efforts

to see me either, Paul.

But now, you suddenly
want to have lunch.

I'm guessing, because mom
told you I'm leaving school.

Well, she did mention
something about it,

so why don't you just tell me
about it yourself?

Ok.

I'm bored here, Dad.
I feel like my life's on hold.

There's so much I want to see,
accomplish in the real world.

I... I don't wanna waste 4 years
before I can get started.

So, what are you gonna do?
You're just checking out,

you're just quitting?

I told hope you
wouldn't understand.

Hope? Hope.
That's your new girlfriend?

You have to meet her, Dad.
She... she is the best.

Hope has made me see life
for what it really is.

You know, a... a big wonderful
Adventure.

Well, Yes. Hope is right.

It is a big, wonderful
adventure.

But it's adventure that needs
to have a solid foundation,

like a college education.

That's not what hope thinks.
She... she thinks

she learned more from life
than she did from college.

And... and to this day,

she really regrets
wasting those 4 years.

Do... do you mind it I ask you
how old hope is?

Hope? She's 30.

30.

30 like in
11-years-older-than-19
kind of 30?

You're telling me that
this girl, I mean, this woman,

who is 30 years old,
and who finished college,

is telling my son that he
shouldn't graduate?

What are you supposed to do
for a living, flip burgers?

And what would I do
with a degree?

Teach? Waste my life
doing research

that no one will ever hear of,
or... or... or care about?

You're gonna deny it?

You've spent the past 20 years
making obscure discoveries

that, I'm sorry, dad,
will not change the world.

That's a nice thing to say.

And at what cost? Your life?

Living your life?

Will you really treasure
the 3 months

you spent zeroing in on a Gene
for nearsightedness

when you could've watched
your son pitch 3 no-hitters
in little league?

How about the year you spent
finding just 1 of 10 genes

responsible for acne?

It was psoriasis.

Whatever. That one cost you
your marriage.

Well, that is not fair.

You missed out, Dad.

You're missing
the great adventure of life.

It is passing you by.

Yep.

Well...

well, I... look,
I didn't mean to say...

No, it's fine. It's fine.

You should say what you mean.
Get it off your chest.

That's what people
are supposed to do.

Dad?

Yep?

Hope would really
love to meet you.

Hope. I bet she would.

All right.

You'll never get approval
for human testing

on something so radical.

You've spent the past 20 years
making obscure discoveries,

that, I'm sorry, dad,
will not change the world.

So tell me, Martin,

what are we learning from this?

Aside from the fact that
you were doing nothing

but wasting your time?

Dad. Hey.
What're you doing here?

Well, I just came to see
how my kid lives.

You wanna come in?

I'm... I'm sorry it's such a mess.

Well, it wouldn't be a dorm
if it wasn't such a mess.

Actually, it's a lot bigger
than I thought it would be.

You didn't come here
to see my room, Dad.

Well...

you said that
hope wanted to meet me.

Yeah. So?

Well, I think
it's a pretty good idea.

So, how about Friday,
my place, 7:00?

It's a date.

Cool.

You never cease to amaze me,
you know that, dad?

I never cease to amaze myself.

This is the M.R.I.
Of your head.

And that's a normal one.

So, does this somehow
explain my headaches?

Your cerebrum and cerebellum
are becoming more convoluted

in order to fit more
Grey matter surface

within the confines
of your cranium.

I don't follow.

Well, I don't either, exactly.

If you study various Species'
brains, you'll see that

the higher the mammal,
the bigger their brains are,

and the more convoluted
they are to fit the cranium.

So, what are you saying?

You're saying that my... my... my
brain is swelling?

No, Martin,
I'm saying it's Growing.

Maybe it's, I don't know,
evolving?

I must read this material.
I have to read it.

I don't know why I'm driven
to read this material,

this volume of Material.

So, rev. Leblanc
is pretty worked up

over your fish demonstration.

He wants me to put a hold
on your research,

pending a review.

Can you hold him off?

Will you teach a class
next semester?

I'll tell you what. I'll teach
a small research seminar,

with 8 advanced Students.

20, and I'll fend off
the reverend.

This is not a negotiation.

8 advanced students,
and you fend him off.

Deal.

May I ask
what changed your mind?

I figured
I could use the students

to assist me in my research,

and they could learn something
at the same time.

Sounds Good.

One more thing. I handpick
the students myself,

and the moment that you
question my methods

is the moment
the seminar is cancelled.

All right, quiet down.

All right, now, I...
first of all,

I want to thank you all
for coming. I appreciate it.

As you know,
there are only 8 people

that I'm choosing
to do this research,

and there are very
specific requirements

In order to qualify
for this study.

What is the study, Dr. Nodel?

I'm sorry,
but only the 8 will know.

This seems to be a large group,

I'm gonna have to
narrow it down a bit.

So, any of you
who are wearing glasses,

please raise your hand.
With glasses?

Ok. Thank you.
You're dismissed.

Don't try to lie, because I'm
gonna check your eyes later,

so it's a waste of time,
yours and mine.

Ok, all of you who
have s.A.Ts under 1,400,

g.P.As under 3.9,
thank you very much,

you're dismissed also.

We'll check the records,

so none of you
waste my time or yours.

All right, let's begin.
5 at a time.

All right. You stay.
The rest of you dismissed.

Why not me? It's because
I'm fat, isn't it?

Yes, that's right.
As I told you before,

there are specific mental

as well as physical
qualifications for this class.

Thank you for coming.
You come with me.

That didn't hurt.

Dismissed. Dismissed. Bye-Bye.

You go. You come with me.

There you go.

Ben, you stay.

You come with me.
The rest of you are dismissed.

Now.

Relax.

I'm not evolving.

No, this is something else.

Tell me, Brittany.

What do you think
of my intron theories?

I think they're really cool.

And would you feel comfortable

traveling with me
to do field research?

Absolutely.
If I can afford it.

Tell me,
would you trust me completely

to do whatever I tell you,

no matter how strange
it may seem?

That's a weird question.

Would you?

Yeah, I guess.

I admire you,
probably more than anyone.

I'm glad you feel that way.

So do you have any ties

that would keep you from
going away for a long time?

What do you mean?

Well, I mean,
would anyone miss you

if you were to leave campus
for a long time?

You mean like a girlfriend,
or family?

No. Not really.

That's Good.
That's very, very good.

Ben?

Yeah?

Don't you think
this is getting kinda weird?

What? The interview process?

Yeah. I mean, I don't know
what questions he asked you,

but mine were pretty strange.

I felt like I was interviewing

to join one of those cults
or something.

"Do you trust me?

Would you be willing to
travel with me if necessary?"

he's just checking
our loyalty, Heather.

I really don't see anything
wrong with that.

Besides, he did say this was
his most important Research.

Doesn't want a bunch of scared
students screwing it up.

But he was dropping people
for physical ATTRIBUTES:

Too fat, too tall,
bad skin, bad eyesight.

What does any of that have to do

with Qualified to be in a class?

I came to this university
to study genetic engineering

for one REASON:
Dr. Martin Nodel.

He's the best-known genetics
researcher in the world.

The man is a genius.

And most geniuses
are eccentric as hell.

I know, but...

this could be the most
important genetics research

we'll ever have the
opportunity to be involved in.

Now, if you want to let his
eccentricities scare you away,

that's your problem.
Personally,

I don't care how strange
things get.

I'm not lettin' anything
take it away from me.

In your independent interviews,
all of you said how much you trusted me.

Well, this is the final round,

and the purpose is to test
how much you can learn

to trust each other.

So, let's form 2 large circles,

men on the outside, women
on the inside. Let's go.

All right,
this is a trust exercise.

The women are gonna
keep their bodies rigid.

They will fall backwards
without looking back,

into the arms of the man
behind them. So, let's go...

No, it's not funny. There's
nothing funny about this.

Heather, why don't you start?
Just fall. Fall.

That's right.
Ok. Now you're turn.

Let's go. Fall, Fall.
Brittany. Fall!

That's right.

All right, start walking.

Just remember to keep
your hands down. That's right.

Just... just walk. That's right.
Just walk.

Keep your hands down.
Now, let's just trust.

Fingers Under. Lift!

Yes. Very Good.

We are going to be spending
a great deal of time together,

in very intimate,
cramped quarters.

Which means, we have to
put aside modesty.

Tell me, anybody have
a problem with that?

No.

No? Modesty?

No.

All right. 2nd: You all said
during your interview that

you had no previous surgery,
no bodily alteration.

What about that? Anybody want
to change their story? No?

Anybody?

No.

Ok.
Now for the final exercise.

Will you all please disrobe.

You're kidding, right?

No. No. No, I'm not kidding.

In front of everyone?

I'm not stripping
in front of Everyone.

Wait a second. I know
this is uncomfortable,

but we're all going to be

spending a lot time together,
and we have to...

yes, we have to expose ourselves

to each other completely.

Not just our outward bodies,
but our inner selves.

So we have to share
our deepest, darkest secrets.

I'm sorry,
but this has just stepped

way beyond the kinky line
for me.

Hold on, Derek.

Now, this isn't
just a test in trust.

This is the only way I can
tell if you've had surgery,

and to make sure you have
no dermal Blemishes.

Dermal blemishes?
What does that mean?

That means, scars,
it means tattoos,

it means birthmarks, whatever.

We have to keep it down
to a minimum.

The requirements
are very specific

to serve as good Specimens.

Good specimen?

A- all right, subjects.
We're gonna be subjects

and observers in the study.

I'm sorry. I can't do this.
I'm outta here.

That's fine.
You can go if you want.

Just remember you signed
a nondisclosure agreement.

No one gets to know about this.

Yeah? Up yours.

What exactly are you
looking for, Dr. Nodel?

Scars, birthmarks,
potential skin cancers,

tattoos.

That disqualify me?

That alone? No.

How did you get that scar,
Brittany?

That?
I... I had my appendix out.

You did, did you?
Had your appendix out.

I thought you said
you had no surgery.

I'm gonna have to
disqualify you.

Why?

Because I can't trust you.

Because I need whole people,
as they naturally evolved.

What are you going to do?
What are you going to do?

You only have 6.
You're supposed to have 8.

No ifs ands, or buts!

My God. My God.

My God.

They aren't random.

Congratulations.

I'm happy to inform you
that you are the students

who will be participating
in my research seminar.

And I want to thank all of you
for participating

in all of this with me.

Here's a list of supplies
that you need to bring,

and a map for how to
get to the place

to meet me tomorrow night
at 7:00.

I don't want anyone
to know about this.

Is that understood?

Um, but, Dr. Nodel.
There are only 6 of us.

Yes, Heather, that's correct.
I'm aware of that.

I have until tomorrow
to find 2 more.

Leave for the rendezvous point
as soon as possible.

It's a long drive, and I will
see you there. Thank you.

All right, let's go.

Dad.

Paul!
Hi.

You forgot, didn't you?

Damn! Paul...

I apologize.

You ok?

Yeah, I'm fine. Hope?

Yes. Hi.

Yes. Yes. Come on in.
Come on. Come on in.

I have better plans for us
tonight. Yes.

Ok, Dad. Can you please tell
us where you're taking us?

I'm taking you to
a very special place

in the mountains
in the Southern part
of the state.

Don't worry, it's a nice place.

But why?
W- Why are we going there?

We have to have 8.

You may not fit
all the requirements,

but it's better than
showing up with 6.

What's he talking about?

Paul, I am so happy that you

are going to be one of the 8.

You'll see your father's work,

his finest accomplishment
in person.

Maybe then you won't think
my work is a waste of Time.

Now, I... I never said that,
exactly.

Just that, you know,
you gotta get out more

Yeah. Hope? Paul Tells me that

you lecture him about
exploring life all the time.

I hope he doesn't see it
as a lecture.

I don't. No.
I... I consider it inspiration.

Hope, you talk about
living life.

You are about to see something
that you have never seen.

Something that
most people will never see.

And what would that be?

Well, hope, if I told you,
it wouldn't be a surprise.

So just don't worry.
We'll be there before morning.

You'll understand everything
then.

I am so happy to see all of you!

I hope I haven't
kept you waiting too long.

This is my son, Paul!

And This is his girlfriend,
hope.

So, you have enough supplies
for a few days of clothing

and food and, what, yes. You
told nobody, as instructed,

that you're gonna be here
in this place. Right?

Yeah. With All due respect,
sir,

I think you owe us all
an explanation about that.

Frankly, most of us are pretty
creeped out with this
cloak and dagger stuff.

Cloak and... well, I apologize
if you think my methods

have been cloak and Dagger.

Look, I have been taking
orders from a higher source.

I don't even know
what I've been doing

the last couple of weeks.

I just have to trust
my own Instincts.

Is this some kind of
a cult thing?

I have been experimenting
to find a way

to activate the intron
sequences of human D.N.A.

Now, because of the regulatory
climate,

I knew I couldn't use
a human volunteer,

so I tested it on myself.

Wait, wait. You injected
that stuff that made

fish grow legs into your own
blood Stream.

That's correct. At first,
I didn't see any effect.

And then,
something started to happen.

My brain started to evolve,
for want of a better word.

And this new Brain started
to tell me to do things.

Like what?

Like, find 8 young Volunteers.
4 men, 4 women.

Your brain told you to do this?

Yes, Heather.
You find that so strange?

Millions of years of evolution
have told birds to migrate,

have told young mammals
to nurse,

have told bears to hibernate.

Well, I am evolving
to know things!

So, did your brain tell you
to bring us here?

Something else, Heather,
told me to do this.

You know what it was?
It was this!

My god, dad!

What is it?

Wait. It... it looks like a map.

Right, Ben. It's a map.
It's a paleogeographical map.

A what?

It's a map that measures
the plate tectonics
in this area.

There are 2 cordilleran
mountain ranges

that meet in this area.

That's what created
those cliffs over there.

This map on my back

was designed to bring us
to this location.

Why?

To find something, Heather.

To find something wonderful.

Something that will inform us
about our past and our future.

And we're gonna find it,
Heather!

We're gonna find it
at first light!

All right.
This is crazy, Dad.

We've been lookin' all day.
You don't even know what for.

Here we go. Come on.

Everybody with me?

W- Well,
aren't the voices in your head

telling you anything?

There aren't any voices, Paul.
It doesn't work that way.

It's just an urge, a desire
to do something.

Ok. Here we go.

Wow.

Ok.

What's this?

I don't know.
Let's take a look. Come on.

Dad, it looks like a door.

Well, let's see what's inside.

Now what?

Now we find another way in.
Come on, let's go.

Hey, what's goin' on?

My God.

Whoa!

I take it you're the one
in charge here?

Well, in a manner of speaking,
yes. I'm Dr. Martin Nodel.

Dr. Arnold Dewitt. U.S.
Marine corps Scientists.

Mind telling me
why you're out here?

I guess we're searching
for the very thing

that your men are guarding.
It's through that door.

I don't know what you're
talking about, doctor.

Now, tell me why you're here,
please.

I was drawn to this place.

Why here? This place
isn't even on any map.

It is on one map.
Hope, be quiet.

No, hope. Do tell.

Show him, Dr. Nodel.

H- How did that happen?

You say that led you here?

That's right.

Excuse me a moment.

What's in there?

I don't know.
I just made it up.

I figured they were guarding
something

that we must be looking for.

Given your condition, you
might be of some value to us.

I'd like to show you something.

Well, I would love to see it,

as long as
all of my students can go.

Sorry, can't do that.

Well, then, I'm sorry.

All of us came this far,
so we're all going in.

I can force you, you know.

Well, if you want to know
what that thing is inside,

then we all go in.
It's that simple.

Fine.

What is it?

That's what I was hoping
you'd tell me, doctor.

I have no idea.
Where is it from?

We found this underground
at this location,

after world War li.

We've been studying the object
ever since.

It won't move from that spot
in 3-dimensional space.

We tried digging underneath it,

and it just stays
at this exact height.

What's supporting it?

Can't figure that out either.

Best guess is
some kind of magnetic field.

And the object is impenetrable.

We tried lasers and
diamond plates, ultrasound,

x- rays, you name it.

We have no idea what,
if anything, is inside of it.

Have you tried to
carbon date it?

Can't get a sample.
It's too hard.

But based on the surrounding
geographic strata,

we figure it's about
60 million years old.

60 million!
It predates humans.

By about 57 million years.

May I?

By all means.

Dad! Dad!

If we are communicating
with you today,

then our experiment has worked.

You are the final result of
our great experiment in hope.

We seeded your planet
with Our own genetic material

to continue our race in you,

to see if you evolved

socially, scientifically,
physically, as we did.

To see if your society
would evolve to a life of war,

destruction, as we did.

To see if you would use your
intelligence and inventiveness

for good or for evil.

We knew that when you
reached the appropriate
level of intelligence,

you would
activate the remainder
of our experiment

in Your own D.N.A.

That, in turn, would
lead you to this craft.

At that time, you would
return, report to us,

tell us of your world
as it evolved

without our interference.

If you have done as we intended,

there should be the one
who has transformed

and 8 More.

Good examples of what
our seed has wrought.

Young and healthy enough
to withstand the journey

using This vessel
that you see before you now.

This vessel will launch
in 10 of your minutes.

We look forward to
welcoming you back home.

You ok?

Get some stairs over there!
On the double!

Yes, sir.

Are you all right?

You still think
I'm wasting my time?

I guess not.

Well, then, I'm ok.

So you ready to go?

When can we go?

This could be very dangerous.

They could have left that
message as much as

60 million years ago,
or they could be dead or gone,

or at the very least,

they could have forgotten
about the experiment.

Now, I intend to go,

but I can't expect any of you
to join me.

The decision has to be
entirely yours.

Like I said, when do we go?

Right now.

I believe it's safe.

It's so warm in here.

This is great.

My god, this is...
This is incredible

ok,
this is gonna be a long trip.

Think you can handle it
with your old man?

Unless you'd rather I
stay here and flip burgers.

I hope you'll come.

I don't really
fulfill the requirements.

To hell with the requirements.

We need someone who
has your attitude about life.

Show those people
on that other planet

what the human spirit really is.

Besides, my son likes you.

the more we learn about
the universe around us,

the more we realize
how little we truly know.

But we will only find
what wonders await us

if no false walls are built
around our explorers

and no false restraints applied

to the unquenchable
human thirst to know it all.