The Outer Limits (1995–2002): Season 5, Episode 2 - Donor - full transcript

I hardly need to remind you that
just a few short decades ago

the notion of transplanting
the heart of one individual

into the body of another

was not only considered
extremely risky

But downright barbaric.

With recent strides
in Spinal cord repair

pioneered by
Doctor Peter Halstead,

I'm happy to report

that we are on the threshold

of the next great leap
in medical technology.

The f.B.T.
Or full body transplant,



in which we replace

an ENTIRE disease-Riddled body,

joining the patient
from the neck up

with the healthy limbs and torso
of a brain-Dead donor.

As with any transplant,
it requires a suitable match

of Donor and recipient,
But the technology is here.

We've already demonstrated
the procedure in primates,

creating a viable spinal
and arterial nexus.

I'm confident we can do
the very same thing with humans.

It would be fitting

for the beneficiary
of the first f.B.T. Procedure

to be the man who originated it,

doctor Halstead himself.

You should have
seen it, Peter.



I had them eating
out of my hand.

I never doubted you.

I told the board

you should be
the first recipient.

Thank you, but...

if I thought
there was a chance--

And we both know the realities.

We are scouring

the hemispheric database.

You never know.

With blood and tissue types
as rare as mine?

I don't want to hear you talk
like that-- Think positive.

You could sell snowshoes
in australia.

I'm not going to lose you.

You hear?

I will move heaven and earth
if I have to.

Hold it right there.

Look, lady,

if you want my wallet
you've got it.

Are you Timothy Laird?

Yeah, do I know you?

Emergency.

I need an ambulance right away.

There's a man dying.

( control voice )
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.

In an age of medical miracles,

who shall live
and who shall die

May be less a matter of chance

than a matter of choice.

I couldn't believe it.

I had Vance double-Check
that tissue typing.

It's a perfect match.

The fact he died in this city,
it's incredible.

Declared brain dead at 1:20 a.M.

The body's still
on life support.

Administration has gotten
Permission from his family.

Have they explained that
we're taking the whole body?

Of course.

Doesn't seem right somehow,
for it to be me.

Hey, you invented
this procedure.

Who has more claim on having
his life saved by it than you?

I don't know what to say.

It's a gift, Peter.

The most precious gift
a person could ever receive.

It's a gift
for the both of us.

Think of the years
it'll give us.

Renee, neither of us should be
under any illusions--

The body is being transported
within the hour.

I'd better start prepping.

You said it was head trauma.

How did he die, exactly?

I'm sorry, I thought I told you.

Shot in the commission
of a crime.

Poor man was murdered.

We're almost through stage ONE:
Removing the head of the donor.

You'll see that we've left

eight centimeters
of exposed Spinal Column

with Brain stem still attached,

from the donor's
medulla oblongata to the pons.

This will preserve
Autonomic and motor function,

and it'll give us

an OVERLAPPING diagonal graft

to the recipient's
neural architecture.

Artificial cardiopulmonary
replenishment

is keeping up blood Flow
and oxygenation.

At the same time,

flushing toxins
and priming the organs

with saline
and blood substitutes.

We've clamped off
the carotid and jugular vessels.

Plumbing is shut down.

We follow the same surgical
decapitation procedure

with doctor Halstead,

except the blood we're pumping

goes straight
to the recipient's brain.

Suction.

Clamp.

Looks good.

That's it.

We'll try to retain

as much of the spinal cord
that's free of malignancy

as we can.

Retract table to initiate
separation sequence.

Ready for transfer.

Suction.
Clamp.

Scalpels.

Vascular union
complete.

We're using
electrical stimulation

to test the bridging
of neural tissue.

B.P.'s dropping.

We've got arrythmia.

We're losing him,
Renee.

He's arresting,
we've got V-Tach.

We need
to jump start him!

Defibrillator, 200 joules.

Clear.

No response,
going to 360.

360 joules, clear.

We've got a pulse.

We've got a pulse.

Brain activity
looks good.

We've got a live one, people.

Brain and body are alive.

Hi there.

I thought you were
going to sleep for a week.

Don't try to talk.

Just take it nice and slow.

How about that, champ?

You've got a new body.

And if I do say so myself,
not a half bad specimen.

Is that
a smile I see?

Yep, definitely a smile.

God almighty.

We did it, Peter.

We really did it.

How's
my favorite patient?

What do you do

with the ones
you don't like?

Peter's threatening
to bring us up on charges

of cruel and
unusual punishment.

( Renee )
I may have

to plead guilty to unusual--

That's it.

That's it, I'm done.

Motor and Muscle Functions
look Good.

Ditto reflex
hand-Eye coordination.

Lung capacity is up 15%
in the past 48 hours.

It's amazing.

Look.

I'm wondering
if you could
do me a favor.

Sure, I just don't think I'll
be able to top the last one.

It's just that, uh,

I know hospital protocol
about donor confidentiality.

You should, you helped draft it.

Well,
I was wondering

if there was a way you could get
the number of the man's family.

It would really mean a lot
if I could call them personally.

Well, Peter, try and remember,

the family has barely had time
to bury the remains.

I mean, they're
still grieving.

The last thing
the board wants

is for the press
to get wind

of the donor's identity
and intrude on that.

Trying to contact them

would throw a giant wrench
into the works.

Yeah,

I understand.

Maybe when things
settle down a bit.

Yeah.

Anything else
I can do for you?

Well, it's the craziest thing.

Now, don't laugh.

I've never smoked
a day in my life

but I'm dying for a cigarette.

( Peter )
I really don't feel right
about imposing on you like this.

I absolutely insist.

Besides, with the press
all over the hospital

trying to interview
the man behind the transplant,

we had to hide you somewhere.

I'll get you set up
in the guest bedroom.

Until you're 100%,

I'm going to make sure nothing
interferes with your recovery.

You've got
your own bathroom upstairs,

you've got a home gym
down the corridor,

a computer in the study

and an easel
to do your sketching.

Wow.

All the comforts of home
without the dirty socks.

And those can be provided
for a small additional charge.

What do you say to someone
who saved your life?

Oh, I don't know.

"I owe you one"?

press Conference is tomorrow,
I should do some prep.

You probably want to rest.

( knocking )

Renee,
I thought you were asleep.

I'm not disturbing you, am I?

No, no, no, I, uh,
I was just, uh...

reading.

Is something wrong or...

no, no.

I'm sorry, I just can't
pretend anymore, Peter.

And neither can you.

I've tried to keep it
at arm's length.

But I can't.

I love you.

And there's nothing
that's going to change that.

All these months I've fantasized
about our first time

and all these years
I've known you.

Now, the funny thing is,

it feels a lot like
I'm seducing a total stranger.

Well, I feel
like a stranger myself.

What is it?

Uh,

uh,

nothing.

( Renee )
Doctor Halstead was transferred
to a private clinic,

and he's asked that we preserve

the confidentiality
of that location.

He knows that we've had
a successful transplant

and he's very gratified.

( male reporter )
Your John Doe,

how long do you expect
to keep his identity a secret?

I hope you can appreciate
how the glare of publicity

could dangerously jeopardize
what is already

an INCREDIBLY taxing
recovery period.

Both physically
and emotionally.

( female reporter )
What about the donor's family?

Don't they deserve recognition?

( Renee )
I think, the kindest thing
we could do is spare them

the media circus
that would no doubt descend

along with that recognition.

What do you say

to those who call you

a 21st century
Dr. Frankenstein?

I say, look at the dawn
reflected in the eyes of a man

who just a few short weeks ago
was on the Brink of dying,

and then tell me

what we've done is wrong.

( echoing )
What we've done is wrong--
We've done is wrong--

What we've done is wrong.

Hey, mom.

( laughter )

Okay, good.

Playing doctor is a lot more fun
than being one.

Is there any sign
of the cancer?

None whatsoever.

That's one demon
we've banished for good.

Your other tests
look good too.

Your blood chemistry's
clean,

there's no sign
of tissue rejection.

You're a walking,
talking medical Miracle.

She was something at that
press conference, wasn't she?

Nobody does it better.

And that's
just the beginning.

What do you mean?

Even if we only start with
a few operations a year,

we're looking at
one fat financial windfall.

I suppose so.

Ahh!

Headache?

A couple of times,

it's gotten pretty bad.

Bordering on migraines.

You should have recorded
them in the log.

It's not just the pain.

There were these powerful
hallucinations.

One time I looked
in the mirror

and saw someone else.

Just for an instant.

And then there was...

there was a woman
and a child too.

And I've never seen
either one of them,

at least not that I'm aware of.

I don't think that
sounds strange at all.

As with any surgery on the brain
or the central nervous system,

the likelihood of somatic
responses-- Very high.

No, I know
all that.

I guess it's just
the difference between--

Between knowing
and experiencing something.

I wouldn't worry
about it.

It's just your mind and body
acclimating to their new Bond.

Yeah, I suppose you're right.

No!

Deirdre.

What did you say?

What?

It's nothing.

It's nothing,
it's just a nightmare.

Go back to sleep,
you need your rest.

You know how
I've been talking about images,

these strange faces
I've been seeing?

Isn't it possible
that I've inherited them

along with this body?

( Renee )
Honestly, Peter,

you're grasping
at interpretations

that simply don't fit
the evidence.

Come on.

( laughter )

( Horn honking )

Alice, hey, it's Peter Halstead.

I'm supposed to be

at a physiotherapy appointment
with Vance.

Would you tell him
I'll be a little late?

I must have been daydreaming.

I got a little side-Tracked
on my way to the hospital.

No, no, I'm okay.

No, I'm sure I could find--

Doctor Halstead?

Hello?

It was the damnedest thing.

I was six miles
from the hospital

in a suburb I've never been to

without knowing how I got there
or why.

Until I saw the two of them.

It was some trick of the mind.

You read about this
in dream therapy.

Some face in a vision is close
to a face you see on the street

and the mind fills in the gaps.

This
was
--the woman I saw,
and the girl too.

And your explanation is?

You know my explanation.

They have something to do
with this body I'm in.

You think I've
gone off the deep end.

No, I think
you're trying your best

to make sense
of random autonomic responses.

But I don't think
the people you saw are

who you think they are.

It would be
easy enough to check.

Can't you just drop it?

Peter, listen to me.

I don't mean
to sound insensitive,

But if word gets out
around the hospital,

people could construe all this
as wild, even psychotic ravings.

And that could
conceivably

set us back
in the program.

What do you mean
by that?

All I'm saying is
take a deep breath.

Don't rush headlong into
some misguided adventure

that could seriously damage
our long-Term goals.

What?

Financial independence?

I remember a time
when two very idealistic Doctors

were going to set the world
of medicine on its ear.

We are too close

to just say it all slipped
through our fingers.

( knocking )

You're needed down in I.C.U.

Some complications
on a lung transplant.

We'll talk about this later,

all right?

Yeah.

You're looking well.

Thanks.

Vance, do you remember
when we were talking

about accessing
the donor's identity?

As I recall, Renee was
pretty set against it.

Renee wouldn't have
to know about it.

I'm always misplacing
these damn keys.

Bottom drawer on the right.

Just return them
when you're through.

( mother )
All right, line it up.

Take control
of the ball.

Use your knees--
There you go.

All right, Tracy,
you're up next.

Come on, I know
you can do this.

Nice, guys.

Good job,
you guys.

Good work--
All right.

Don't rush it.

Keep your spots.

That's it.

Control the ball.

All right, line up.

Let's do our drills.

Deirdre.

Oh, I'm sorry,
do I know you?

No, I, uh...

I was a friend of Tim's.

He was the appraiser
on some property I bought.

Peter-- Peter Halstead.

But you know about Tim.

Yeah.

I'm so sorry.

I offer
my condolences.

That's my daughter Kylie.

Tim coached her soccer team.

He told me
all about it.

I'm just filling in until we can
find a competent replacement.

I don't remember
Tim mentioning you.

How well
did you know him?

Not very well,

but we seemed to hit it off
almost immediately.

What kind of work are you in?

Medical supplies.

So you have the day off or what?

Paid vacation.

You know, "use it or lose it."

Yeah.

That's nice.

( Peter )
the girls are really
on their game.

Tim must have been
a Heck of a coach.

Are you a soccer person?

Me? Ah, no.

Well, I've played a little,
Now and then,

back in school.

Whoa, what a block.

Nice save,
who taught you that move?

My dad.

I'm impressed.

You wouldn't have any

spare time to help
with some coaching?

Oh, I'm going to back
in the thick of it fairly soon.

I'm sorry, that must have
Sounded awfully presumptuous.

No, no.

I don't go back
for about a week.

I could probably free up
a little time to help out.

Would you?

I'd really appreciate that.

Sure.

All right, girls,
let's bring it in.

( Vance )
I hope this is all right.

Renee wanted to get you back
into scrubs as sson as possible.

( Renee )
This isn't so bad, is it?

It'll be just like
breathing after a while.

( Peter )
Assisting is one thing,

but I won't
feel comfortable

with a scalpel
for quite a while.

I think you're
selling yourself short.

Go ahead, do the
transverse incision.

( Vance )
I don't think you should push

if he's not ready.

Well, I think he is ready.

Go ahead, Peter,
we're right here.

( Vance )
If you loosen that grip

the control will be
a little easier.

I'm just afraid
of missing the mark.

What is it?

What is it, Peter?

I can't do this.

Of course you can.

That's all right.

No big deal.

I told you this was premature.

I thought it was
important we try.

If he Nicks
a blood vessel

it could cost
a patient's life.

Peter was one of the best.

That's right,
"was."

Peter will never be
the doctor that he was.

We don't need him.

Peter didn't perform

the world's first
full body transplant.

We did.

Based on techniques
that he pioneered.

Your loyalty's remarkable,

when you consider
the fact

that he's seeing
another woman.

Get in there, come on,
yes, yes, perfect!

All right, girl.

I couldn't get Tim
to quit either.

That's even his brand.

If it bothers you
I'll put it out.

No, no.

It's just funny how
everything becomes a reminder

when you lose someone.

Even the way you--

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't be doing this.

No, it's okay.

I understand.

You two do have a lot in common.

Body language,
speech pattern,

the way you smile.

Well, I'm honored.

He was quite a guy.

Yeah.

Forgive me.

This sounds
inappropriate.

But, um,

I was wondering...

Tim made arrangements to leave
his body for medical purposes?

Organ donation,
did he mention it to you?

We talked about it
after his uncle died

While waiting for a kidney.

Why do you ask?

I don't know.

I, uh,

I guess it would
mean a lot to know

that a loved one's death meant

a life might
have been saved.

No, it does.

It does mean a lot.

You must be very proud.

Didi.

Why did you call me that?

Tim was the only one
who used that name.

I, I must have heard him say it.

God, I miss him
so much.

Everything feels so strange.

I barely know you,
and here I am.

I want you to put your arms
around me.

I can't do this.

Deirdre, come here.

Last month, there was
a story in the papers...

about a surgical team--

What are you talking about?

Wait, wait.

The surgeons

took the head
from a cancer patient

and they joined it to the body
of a brain-Dead donor.

A man who'd been shot
in the head.

You had
a wedding ring.

But you took it off.

And this deformity
in the little finger.

Am I going crazy?

Let me explain.

All those questions.

The way you just walked
into our lives.

The similarities.

This isn't happening.

It's not possible.

Deirdre.

It was...

Tim?

Is that what you're telling me?

Oh, god.

They gave his body
to someone else.

And you--

Oh, god!

Just go.

Please.

Get out, get out!

Get out.

Thought I'd make some pasta
tonight.

You hungry?

Maybe later.

I'm starving.

Where'd you go today,

after you walked out?

You're not hiding anything
from me, are you?

Peter, if you have
something to tell me

just say it.

Hey, I'm a big girl.

There's someone else,
isn't there?

There is someone else.

Someone I care about very much.

I thought you cared about me.

We let our emotions
get carried away

after the euphoria of
the success of the operation.

It's just what I was afraid of.

Son of a bitch.

Listen to me.

I've developed a friendship
with Deirdre Laird.

How did you get her name?

Vance give it
to you?
No one did.

Look, I've been trying

to tell you about these images.

I found her on my own.

Do you know how sick this is?

You can't tell me
you have feelings for her.

You don't even know her.

But I do.

It's all part of this melding of
who this man was and who I am.

Oh, god.

She doesn't know, does she?
You didn't tell her?

I couldn't keep it from her.

And?

She got upset--
Extremely upset.

How do you think
she would react?

What have you done?

She could sabotage everything
that we have worked for.

It could be destroyed
in the blink of an eye.

I am still seeing things.

Things that Timothy Laird saw.

They're moments
from his life.
Not this again.

I would think
the scientist in you

would be excited by all this.

Promise me right now

that you will never see
that woman again.

This is all
too crazy.

I am not crazy, Renee.

Latent responses,
synaptic residue,

you call it what you want,

but it's all
been absorbed
by my mind.

I've even seen
fragments

of the night that he was killed.

I might even find out
who murdered him.

The hell you will.

I've just talked
to administrators at
brawtigan.

They've drawn up the papers
for us to join them.

I think you'll be
very impressed

with the numbers.

That's just the first year.

I explained it's all
contingent upon your approval.

What about Peter?

Renee, wake up.

Peter's a fifth wheel.

They didn't even ask
about his participation.

Face it, his day is done.

You're jealous.

You've tried to drive a wedge
between us from the beginning.

He doesn't love you.

He doesn't deserve you.

I think you know how I feel.

This isn't about the work,
it never has been.

( doorbell ringing )

I was hoping we could talk.

All right.

Is Kylie home?

She's spending the night
at a friend's.

I, I got her a little something,

it's nothing big,
it's a little pendant,

I thought she might like.

Topaz.

It's her birthstone.

I never expected this to happen.

Believe me.

The last thing I wanted was
to cause you any more pain.

But even if you
send me away again...

it's important to tell you
a few things first.

This whole operation

has been miraculous.

In more ways than
anyone could have imagined.

I was drawn here to this house,

to you and Kylie,

before I had any idea
who you were.

I don't understand.

For the longest time
I didn't either.

But there are certain truths

that I just can't
run away from anymore.

You see, I think,

part of Tim survived in me.

Not just his body,

or the little things
that you notice,

but who he was.

And what he was.

His spirit.

His soul.

How is that possible?

All I know is that it happened.

He must have
loved you very much.

If you want me to go now,
I will.

( doorbell ringing )

I'm sorry to bother you,
is doctor Halstead here?

Doctor?

There's a medical emergency
at the hospital.

Peter.

Renee, what are
you doing here?

Tell her, Peter.

Whatever our differences are,

it's not fair
to involve Deirdre.

Involve her?

Is that your idea of a joke?

Somebody Please tell me
what's going on.

Renee's my colleague.

Could you say that
with any more contempt, Peter?

Are you Timothy Laird?

It was you.

I bet he was a perfect match.

You killed him and
harvested his body.

Where did you think
that body came from?

Manna from heaven?

How was I supposed
to save your life?

I'm calling the police.
Don't even
think about it.

What are you doing?
Put that thing away.

You don't honestly think
that you can

get away with what you did?

Is that what I mean to you?

You'd see me put away
After sacrificing everything

to save you?

Renee, just give me the gun.

Listen to me,
Peter,

we can do this.
We can make it right.

I'll forget
that you ever

betrayed me--
We'll call it even.

Run away with me.

We can get away

from everyone.

Let Vance choke on the money.

All I ever cared about was you.

Renee, please.

Give me the gun.

No, we can do this, Peter.

There's just one person
standing in the way.

No, no, no!

Peter, please.

Renee, give me the gun.

( gunshot )

Call 911.

Sorry, Peter,

we did all we could.

She just...

she just lost too much blood.

It's okay,

it's all right.

Yeah!

Woo-Hoo!

Way to go, Kylie.

( control voice )
Our inexorable March toward
death defines our lives,

giving meaning

to our every waking moment.

But how will it change us

when our fate is
taken out of god's hands

and placed in our own?

Captioning performed by

Western captioning service ltd.
Vancouver, B.C. 1998