The Outer Limits (1995–2002): Season 5, Episode 18 - Essence of Life - full transcript

(Butler)
Dr. Seward's waiting
in the parlor, Madam.

Dr. Seward.

Thank you for indulging
an old woman.

I know it's not common for you

to deal in these
transactions personally.

Forgive me, mrs. Westbrook,
but you're looking
a bit tired.

This is the 5th time
in a month.

If you're going to visit
this often,

I'm thinking perhaps I better
lower the strength.

No!

I promise
I take it only as directed.



All right.

All right, then.

But one drop per use.

Any more than that,

there won't be any more.

Thank you, doctor.

For your efforts,

for the cause.

I'm most appreciative,
but we have our own resources.

Remember,

one drop per use,
no more than twice a day.

Understand?

Yes.

[exhaling]



Charles?

Charles?

Charles, my love.
I've missed you so.

(male narrator)
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.

(narrator)
Man creates laws

to maintain the order
of his world.

But what happens
when the laws of man

defy the laws of nature?

[police radio chattering]

[men chattering]

How bad?

See for yourself.

(Dan)
Mrs. Westbrook?

Mrs. Westbrook?

Mrs. Westbrook,
I'm C.E.A. Agent Dan Kagan.

Can you tell me What happened
to you last night?

Found this vial
in the garbage.

No trace of what
was inside, Though.

Who called it in?

Servant. Said he
found her this way.

You guys got a hand on
what this stuff is yet?

Well, we're pretty sure
it's tied to Seward.

We haven't been able
to get enough

of a sample to do
an analysis yet.

Her husband died
about a month ago,

so according to the Butler,

she's been pretty
depressed lately.

And he didn't report it?

Maybe he felt sorry for her.

That's a borderline offense.

The Code's in place
for a reason, Pal.

Look forward, not back.

(mrs. Westbrook)
He's not dead.

He came back.

He's not dead.

Dr. Seward,
r-ready for my visit.

Charles?

Charles?

Dr. Seward?

The New report out today
from the centers

for population enhancement
Predicts that next year

will be the first increase
in population

since the H.R.2 viral plague

was brought under control
almost 11 years ago.

A return
to conservative values

in strict enforcement
of the global code of conduct

is being credited
for the turnaround.

And in other news,
another weather SYSTEM--

(Stephanie)
Blood tests on
mrs. Westbrook.

Same as the other O.D.'S:
Inconclusive.

There's no opiate Derivative

or other KNOWN hallucinatory
residue found.

The substance just dissipates
from the BODY too rapidly.

Well, I don't need
a lab report to tell me

it's a designer hallucinogen.
Yeah.

Something the Butler said in
his statement stuck with me.

He said
Mr. Westbrook's funeral
was held at meadow pines.

3 of the other people
who O.D.Ed on this stuff

had relatives that died
in the last year.

All of their funerals
were held at meadow Pines.

Where better to sell
an ESCAPE from reality

than a funeral home?

(pinter)
Funeral homes.

Breeding grounds
for code violators.

Weasel alert.

They should've been
outlawed years ago.

Kagan knows what
I'm talking about.

He embraces the code
as much as I do.

Don't you, kagan?

He didn't even miss
a day of Work
when his wife Died.

Unlike your last partner.

Leave it alone, pinter.

(pinter)
Hey, it was a good bust.

You had a partner
that went south.
Not your fault.

You had to arrest him.

Dave hollands was
a good agent.

A good agent doesn't
violate the code.

Weeping over the past.
It's inexcusable.

We did that for 11 years.
Got us nowhere.

Adherence is the only way
We're gonna rebuild.

In a way,
the virus did us a favor.

It got us all thinking
the same way.

Pinter, go away.

I don't want to have
to shower again today.

I've got a better idea,
pinter.

Why don't you stay,
and we'll go.

Ah! Where are we going?

(Dan)
Well, we are going fishing

at meadow Pines.

(Stephanie)
Good.

(George)
Hello. May I be
of assistance?

Uh, hi.
I'm, uh, Paul Henderson.

This is my little sister.
I'm Gail.

Hello.
How are you?

Uh, we were looking for
the manager.

My name is George white.
I'm the owner, operator.

Is there anything
I can do to help?

Actually, I--I--I hope so.

M-my wife passed
a couple of days ago,
and, uh...

well,

I--I heard that you, uh,

might be able to
help me get some relief.

I'm sorry, sir.

Meadow pines is completely
code Compliant.

We were sure that
this was the place.

The Westbrooks sent us.
We're friends of Theirs.

Mrs. Westbrook?

Uh, well, that's different.

If mrs. Westbrook sent you,

I might be able to help.

I'll need a personal object
of the deceased's.

Then what happens?

Then we get started
on your reunion.

Great.

(Dan)
I'll give them one thing,

They've got a flair
for the melodramatic.

Dan, you've been out there
an hour already. Let's go.

(Stephanie)
George stiffed us,
so to speak.

We should've had him in cuffs
the second he made the offer.

Bigger fish, steph.

I can't believe
you actually gave him
a scarf of Juliette's.

Steph, please.

Juliette's been dead
for 2 years now.

Nothing's gonna
bring her back.

Least of all, this.

You ever think it's time
to try and find

some happiness
for yourself again?

Stephanie.

[clicking]

[whispering]
He's coming.

(Dr. Seward)
T-turn around.

Turn around or I leave.

[crIckets chirping]

I, uh, didn't know how much
it was gonna cost, So, uh--

this is not about money.

George told me about you.

Your story.

I am so sorry
for your loss.

What is this stuff?
How does it work?

It's called ess,
like the letter.

Short for
essence of--of life.

(Dr. Seward)
D.N.A. Gleaned from
a personal object is refined,

distilled, and cloned
billions of times

to produce a liquid.

Inhaling this scent

triggers sense memories,

allowing the user
to experience

the essence of what
the loved one was.

A drop is all you need.

Only when it becomes
unbearable.

Be careful.

It could become addicting.

You must understand,
this is not a solution.

This is the means
to a solution.

I got it.

Then go ahead.

(Dan)
I beg your pardon?

Go ahead?

Go ahead. It's what
you've been waiting for.

[inhales]

Oh, my God. Juliette.

Juliette, it's really you.

I've missed you so much.

I love you so much.

I love you so much, Juliette.

Quite a performance.

No academy award,
but I got this

[inhaling]

as a consolation prize.

You think it was Seward?

I don't know. I didn't get
a good look at him.

I didn't wanna spook him,
you know?

Doesn't matter,
as long as we got our sample.

We'll get him
one way or another.

It's too late
to drop anything off
at the lab tonight.

Why don't we do it
in the morning,
and go get something to eat.

Something to drink.

A drink?

Oh, I'm sorry.

God, I can't--
I completely forgot.

Forget about it.

You've had it under control
for so long. I forgot.

It's no big deal, steph.

[sighing]

Let me buy you dinner.

Uh, I'll have to
take a rain check.
I gotta get up real early

and get this stuff over to
the lab, first thing,
you know?

[car engine starting]
Ok.

[sniffing]

(Juliette)
Dan?

Dan?

Dan?

Hi.

It's me. It's Juliette.

It ca- it can't be you.
It can't be you.

Open your eyes.

[whispering]
Come on. Hi.

[sighing]

(Juliette)
You look good.

I thought with no one around
to keep you in line,

you'd look like hell.
You look good.

It's really you, Julie.

[stuttering]

This stuff,
it really works.

[chuckling]
It really works.

(Dan)
There are so many things
I want to say, uh...

I guess I--

I feel like I wasn't
there for you.

Like it was
my fault you died.

Jule?

Julie?

(Dr. Seward)
Now, use it properly
this time.

Or it'll have to
be the last time.

Do you ever stop to think
of what you have here?

I mean, you can clone
this stuff.

And it'll never run out.

It would be as if
the person never died.
You could--

you could just keep taking it
over and over again.

I warned you
to use it sparingly.

I was overwhelmed.

[crow cawing]

(Dan)
I know what to expect now.

Please. Listen to me.

This is not some narcotic
to get hooked on.

There's
a bigger picture here.

What do you mean?

They have an agenda.

Social adherence to the code
can last only so long.

They're trying to develop

a chemical

to anesthetize...

[scoffs]

sanitize human feeling.

Less emotion
equals more efficiency.

They're pushing us into
a society of drones.

All in the name
of rebuilding.

I was a chemist in their labs.
I know.

I worked on that project.

Why do you think
they want me so badly?

[sighing]

Basic elements
of the ess process

could be used
to develop the chemical

They've been looking for.

Look, uh, I just want
to see my wife again.

You have no idea
what it's like.

I know
exactly what it's like.

I do.

Walking around.

Hollow.

Empty. Hiding.

Suffering. I--

I know what it's like
to have your heart ripped out,

not be able to grieve.

Who did you lose?

My wife.

My boys.

Do you visit them?

W-w-with--with the ess,
I mean?

I did.

Not any more.

Why?

Why not?

Go!

[inhaling]

You look so beautiful.

Dan.

Do you remember
when you told me

that you felt like
it was your fault?

That you weren't
there for me?

That wasn't so far
from the truth, was it?

It was your fault, Dan.

I was there for you
when you fell,

and you weren't there
for me. Were you?

Julie, I'm--I'm--I'm--
I'm sorry. I--

(Stephanie)
Hey, it's me. How about that
rain check? Are you hungry?

I don't believe you.
I'm barely out of the way,

and you're leering over
your partner?

[knocking on door]
(Stephanie)
Dan?

I've seen the way
you look at her.

Why don't you just
sleep with her?
You know you want to.

I don't know
what you're talking about.
Why are you saying this?

I love you, Dan!
Uh, I love you, too. Please.

Is everything ok?

Yeah, I-I-I'm fine.

(Stephanie)
Well, can I come in then?

No! You leave her out there.

You don't belong to her.
You belong to me.

Don't do this to me!

If you love me,
you will not open that door.

Why would you say
these things to me?

Leave her out there!

Is there somebody
in there with you?

We can be together.

We love each other, Dan.

We love each other.
We have a bond!

Tell her to leave
and we can be alone!
Please Stop, Julie, please!

Open the door
or I'm coming in.

Please stop, Julie, please!
Why are you doing this?

(Dan)
Please stop!

Dan!

Please Stop, Julie, please!

Dan, are you all right?
Is there somebody in here?

(Juliette)
Dan, you loved me!

Talk to me.
Are you ok? Dan?

You promised, Dan.

Dan.

(Stephanie)
Talk to me, Dan!
Are you all right?

(Juliette)
You promised me, Dan.

Dan? Dan?

(Stephanie)
Feeling better?

You want to tell me
what's going on?

The truth?

It works.

Oh, Dan.

No, steph, I--

I touched her.

I made love to her.

It's so real.

Dan, pinter is leaving
No stone Unturned.

He would like nothing
better than to find you

and now me
involved in this thing.

You're not involved.

If I go to the phone,

and turn you in right now,
I'm not involved.

Do you see me going
to the phone?

Dan, please, promise me
this is the end of it.

It was as if she was

obssessed with the idea
that I didn't love her.

That I betrayed her.

What?

Wh--when you were knocking,

she got really, really angry.

Didn't make any sense.

Dan, can't you
just promise me?

I still love her,
Stephanie.

I don't think I can make that
kind of promise to myself,

you or anyone.

[gasps]

What...

how did you find me?

Let's just say George isn't
a strong willed individual.

My wife, Juliette?
We had another visit.

But it wasn't the same
as the first time.

You gave me a bad batch.

There's no such thing.

You know, I have
no control over
how--how she comes to you.

What kind of
a doctor are you?

You're supposed to
heal the suffering.

A week ago,
I had this under control.

For 2 years, I had her death
under control.

Now, look at me!

I--I can't do this any more.

I was wrong, I--

you and I, we're both wrong.

We're undermining
the common good!

I believe in the code.

It's the only way
We're gonna rebuild the--

it's the only way to prevent
the spreading of
another plague.

Societal decay
is finally being crushed.

No.

Human spirit
is being Crushed.

Look forward, not back.

No open displays of Emotion.

Time spent on the past
detracts from the future.

Doesn't that sound
remotely destructive to you?

Ess is the last line
of defense

against Government
sanctioned

soullessness.

My family. The most precious
things I had in the world.

They took them away
from me.

Because I wouldn't
obey the new Order.

Look at you.

As much as they tell you
not to, you can't help it.

You feel.

Don't stop feeling.

Don't take my word for it.

What is this?

The answer to who's
telling the truth.

Oh!

[sIghs]

[clears throat]

I think you should
leave the case.

You're too close.

I'm afraid you're hooked
on the drug.

[footsteps patterIng]
I can't leave the case.

(Stephanie)
Dan, I'm really
worried about you.

Dan, did you hear me?

Dan?

There were things left Unsaid.

Things that I have
to put to rest

before I can move on.

That's why you need
to leave the case.

You're using drugs.
It's a hallucination.

I know that.

It doesn't matter.

When I'm with her,
she is there.

You're addicted.

I am not addicted!

What if you wind up
like the others?

We don't know anything
about this substance.

What if the effects
are cumulative?

[sIghing]
I can't stop thinking
about it.

An-and at first I thought:

How could I have missed it?
How could I have missed seeing

the self-destructive
part of you?

But then I realized it's not
about self-destruction.

It is about you not being
over Juliette.

You have every right to take
as much time as you need.

[sighing]

But it's been 2 years, Dan.

It's almost like
you're punishing yourself.

I'm not punishing myself.

You've committed
a serious offense!

What about me?

Look at the position
you've put me in.

It's not fair.

Nothing you are doing
right now is fair to me.

Dan?

(pinter)
did you hear about the raid
at the cemetery?

Got a tip
from an informant.

Came real close
to nailing that bastard.

Almost got a buyer, too.

I noticed your reports
are incomplete.

The ones from your sting
the other night.

I thought a buy
went down.

How come there's nothing
about it in the evidence file?

Uh, the contact Never
showed up that night.

Is that right, Sawyer?

What do you mean,
"is that right, Sawyer?"

you tell me!

Yes, that's right.

That's right.

Doesn't matter.

I intend to kick
this investigation
into high-gear.

We'll get him.

That's the last time
I lie for you.

[door slamming]

[thudding]

[footsteps approaching]

[thudding]

[gasping]

Julie! What the hell
are you doing?

You can't be here.
I didn't take any.

You do punish yourself.

You've been punishing yourself
since before I died.

Everyone thought
it was so heroic

that you got yourself clean
to take care of
your sick wife.

But it was more than
just for me, wasn't it?

You're a hallucination.

Don't be so sure.

What do you want
to tell me, Dan?

Tell me! Tell me!

[yelling]
Tell me! Tell me!

[phone ringing]

What are you doing in here?

[yelling]
Get out!

You're not real.

Really? I'll tell you
what's real.

You're all over my husband.

I'm barely dead
and you're all over him.

Couldn't wait for me
to die?

Or did it start while
I was still alive?
No.

[moaning]

He's hooked, you know.

You're gonna
have to arrest him.

Just like
your other partner.

You've got no choice.

You'll never have
a chance to find love
and Happiness.

You'll be the one
to put him away!

You! You!

(Stephanie)
Stop it. Stop it.

What are you doing?

[moaning]

What the hell
are you doing?

Son of a bitch.

You're still using, Dan.

Me?

Would you like me to
get you a mirror
so you could take a look?

W-whatever possessed you?
Curiosity?

I've risked my job for you.

I put my freedom on the line
because I care about you.

You just really don't care
about anybody but yourself.

I want you to leave.

Danny boy.

You missed all the fun.

Did you get him?

Just missed him.
But We're close.

How did you know
he was here?

That's my job.

The good doctor didn't
leave much behind,

but, uh, it's just
a matter of time.

We're gonna nail
this son of a bitch.

(George)
I told you I have no idea
where he is.

You say that to me
one more time, George,

and I'm gonna break your neck.

All he said was that
you set him up.

Set him up?

I'm protecting him
and his work.

But I can't protect him unless
I know where he is.

He's afraid of you.

Why?

Because We both know
you're an enforcement Agent.

He never would have sold
to an agent.

Not just any agent.

But one who's experienced
loss like I have.

You knew about me?

I chose you.

A C.E.A. Agent Who was
understanding, sympathetic.

It would be invaluable
to our cause.

I didn't set you up.

I know.

But you did come here
looking for me tonight.

May I ask why?

Is it about Juliette?

She keeps appearing to me
without taking any ess.

She--she just keeps
popping up.

You've been taking

much more than
you're supposed to.

Your sense memories
are overloaded.

That's--that's why she keeps,
you know,

coming to you in flashes.

I-I-it's different.
It's not like the first time.

You're not gonna
be able to stop.

I just wanna see her again.
How she was, not like this.

I think I've done
enough Damage.

[clicking]

Is this how you're
protecting me, Dan?

Or is everything
you do for you?

You make it.

It'll be the last time.

Enough. Junk!

sir?

What?

You might want to take
a look at this.

1990 Columbia court
meadow pines funeral home.

I want every available unit
on this.

(woman on radio)
Yes, sir.

(Stephanie)
Dr. Neil Seward?
I'm code enforcement agent,

Stephanie Sawyer.

And you are under arrest

for repeated violation
of section 16

of the global code
of conduct.

Before you--you do
anything Rash,

miss Sawyer,

I suggest you take
a look over here.

I can see what's going on.

You've given him more.

He insisted.

Don't do that.

I heard the call,
they're already on their way.

Get away.

You're not gonna
make another drop.

I know what this stuff does.
I've experienced it firsthand.

What you saw was
of your own making.

It's True. Ess triggers
our sense memories

to recreate the image
of the one we lost.

But the interaction itself
is driven by
the user's subconscious.

By your subconscious.

And all the demons
that go with it.

All your fears and doubts,

layered in over
your sense memories
of Juliette.

If it did that to me,
what's it doing to him?

Hopefully, it's freeing him.

It was about a month after
you were diagnosed.

I was still drinking.

You were in a lot of pain
in the hospital.

It tore me up
to see you like that.

I--I grew to hate Wednesdays.

Treatment day.

I would start drinking
on tuesdays in Preparation.

N-no matter
how hung over I was,

or how sick I felt,
I was-- I was-- I was there.

Every Morning.

Almost every morning.

There was the one session
that I missed.

Where were you?

I was-- I was drunk.

And?

And I wasn't alone.

When I was supposed to be
with you holding your hand,

helping you
through your pain,

I was with someone else.

[crying]

One-night stand.

Too busy With my own pain.

How could I look you
in the eye and tell you that?

You just did.

I--I never wanted anything
like that to happen again.

I was never gonna take
another single Drink.

You became obsessed with it.

I was so bent on
staying sober,

to atone for hurting you,

and I didn't see that

the person that I'd loved
the most in the world was

slipping right out
f-from under me.

Can you ever forgive me?

This has been
your journey, Dan.

Can you forgive yourself?

You're doing the same thing.

You're letting
your 2nd chance slip away.

Right out from under
your nose.

It's time to forgive yourself,
Dan.

You're allowed to be human.

I believe you're ready.

Ready for what?

This.

My job is done.

I've been looking for
a replacement for some time.

(pinter)
Fan out.

Double cover all exits.

Here, take this.

Get out of here.

What are you doing?

[lock rattling]

Dr. Seward!

Dan, let's go.
They're coming!

[guns firing]

Barbara.

Boys.

[inhaling]

[gun firing]

[gun firing]

You ok?

Go.

[car engine starting]

(Stephanie)
Dr. Seward would be proud.

(narrator)
the power of human emotion

can neither be controlled
by laws we create,

nor confined
by the will we impose.