The Red Line (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Red Line Pilot - full transcript

♪♪

Try to be still.

Just a couple more.

WOMAN: Dr. Brennan, we're losing him.

Okay. Let's get some
O-negative on standby.

[MONITOR EMITTING CONTINUOUS TONE]

Someone bag him.

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]

We need to release the air
in his thoracic cavity.

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE]

[GASPING]



[MONITOR BEEPING STEADILY]

♪ The only difference ♪

- [CELLPHONE RINGING]
- ♪between you and I ♪

- He's asleep.
- Well, hello to you, too.

You put your dad on, and then
you need to go to bed.

I am not tired.

Are you cutting?

- Yeah. Brain tumor.
- What size scalpel?

- Daddy, 15.
- Very nice. Safe choice.

I just want the guy to make it
through the night.

All right, well, listen,
keep your hands steady

and use your other hand
to put your dad on the phone.

I... told you, he's asleep.

Jira, am I gonna have
to ask you for a third time?



[SNORING]

Dad!

It's Dad.

No better way to tell me?

"I'm sorry, Daddy.
I love you so, so much."

- Dad, I'm doing something.
- Oh, well,

did I ever tell you about where you slept

- the week we brought you home?
- Oh, my God, yeah. Like a million times.

Right here,

like a beautiful, little snoring,

- pooping...
- [WHISPERS] Kitten.

Kitten.

Gross.

You complete me.

Does anyone care that I'm still here?

Go to bed.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Hey, handsome.

Um... what was the... the thing?

The thing?

Was there a thing that I
was supposed to pick up

on the way home from work?

Milk, the thing that you put
in your coffee every single day.

Besides milk.

- Just milk, Dr. Brennan.
- All right.

I love you. I'll be home soon. Bye.

[DEJ LOAF AND LEON BRIDGES'
"LIBERATED" PLAYING]

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]

♪♪

♪ If you feel free, then you
should lift your hands ♪

- ♪ Wanna shake it, baby ♪
- ♪ Wanna shake it, baby ♪

♪ Like I know you can ♪

♪ So many things in this world
I don't understand ♪

♪ I won't judge who you love
or your brown skin ♪

♪ People gettin' liberated ♪

♪♪

♪ Get up on your feet
if you got the feeling ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Get up on your feet,
people gettin' liberated ♪

♪ When I was young, I was told ♪

♪ "What you reap is what you sow" ♪

- [CELLPHONE BUZZING]
- ♪ Life ain't always sunny ♪

♪ Don't get caught up in the glow ♪

♪ And I don't know it all
but I see as I grow ♪

♪ Can't take the pain away
'cause it's in my soul ♪

♪♪

- How's it going?
- MAN: Whassup?

[DOOR BELLS CHIME]

One sec. [SIGHS]

[MUZAK PLAYING]

[DOOR BELLS CHIME]

Hey, I'll take...
I'll take this, too, okay?

- [SMACK]
- ‭Aah!

[THUD]

- Aah!
- Open up that register.

Hurry up! Now!

You trouble?

No. I-I-I'm married.
I have... I have a daughter.

- Floor.
- Okay.

Please.

Please.

Open it up now.

Hurry up!

[DOORBELLS CHIME]

Are you okay? Here, let me see.

[GASPS AND WHIMPERS]

- Let me see.
- Stop! Leave me alone!

I'm a doctor, okay? Can I grab
that first aid kit back there?

Get away from me!

[TRAIN WHEELS SQUEALING]

Don't touch me!

- I'm trying to help you.
- [GUNSHOT]

WOMAN: Shots fired! Shots fired!

You okay?

[DR. BRENNAN WHEEZING]

[GASPING]

WOMAN: Find his gun.

[CONTINUES WHEEZING]

MAN: Not him. That's the wrong guy!

[GASPS]

[CONTINUES WHEEZING]

[SIREN WAILING]

_

♪

[CELLPHONE RINGS]

[RING]

[RING]

[CELLPHONE CHIMES]

Daniel, it's Elizabeth.
We hear about charges today.

You hired me to be your lawyer,
so pick up my calls.

Jira? You should seriously be considering

getting up right now!

[KNOCKS ON DOOR]

Jira, you have about five seconds

before I open this door
and pull you out of that bed.

Five... four... three... two...

[SIGHS]

Why do I have to go in with you?

You know why.

No, I-I could be sleeping
for another hour.

Well, maybe if you didn't
disappear for hours at a time,

we could talk about that.

You know, I'm not exactly
looking forward to today either.

Can we just stay home and watch the news?

I don't think sitting here

and obsessing about federal charges

is how we wanna spend our first day back.

Just have to get through today, okay?

[SIGHS]

What if that cop gets off?

No, we're not gonna go there
until we have to.

We are just going to school, okay?

So please, just...

get dressed.

I can't get dressed until you move.

[ALABAMA SHAKES' "HOLD ON" PLAYING]

♪ Bless my heart ♪

♪ Bless my soul ♪

♪ Didn't think I'd make it ♪

♪ To 22 years old ♪

♪ There must be someone ♪

♪ Up above ♪

♪ Saying, "Come on, Brittany ♪

♪ You got to come on up" ♪

♪ You got to hold on ♪

♪♪

FEMALE P.A. AUTOMATED VOICE:
Doors closing.

[BRAKES SQUEAL]

Enjoy the rest of the day, okay?

- Have a good one.
- All right.

- [DOOR OPENS]
- ‭Hey!

- Daddy!
- [DOOR CLOSES]

What's up, Benny? [CHUCKLES]

How's the train today?

Oh, really, really fast.
Got me back home in no time.

- You sleep okay? All right.
- Yep.

- Good deal. Where's Mama, huh?
- Mm-mm.

Mm-mm? You think Black Lightning
can find her, huh?

[GIGGLING AND SCREAMING]

- [CONTINUES GIGGLING]
- Hey, baby. How was work?

- Fine. Mwah.
- Mmm.

Hey, Benny, go get your backpack, okay?

- [CHUCKLES]
- We're leaving in 30 seconds.

Whoa!

You, uh...

You still doing breakfast

with the Honorable
Nathan Gordon, Esquire?

[CHUCKLES]

Yes, I am.

Hey.

Competition just wanna get in your head

'cause he know you got him beat, a'ight?

This time next year, I'm gon'
be calling you Alderman Young.

[CHUCKLES] ‭You jinx me,
Ethan, I swear to God...

All right. All right.

Can I ask you a question real quick?

I've been thinking about this
for, like, six months.

- Of course.
- If you running for City Council,

why the hell they call you "alderman"?

Because... Chicago... we're complicated.

Chicago, okay.

Mm-hmm. Now go to sleep.

♪♪

FEMALE REPORTER: Chicago awaits
official word today

on whether or not the federal government

will press charges
against Officer Paul Evans

in the shooting
of an unarmed black doctor

six months ago.

Harrison Brennan, a surgeon,

left behind a husband
and teenage daughter.

We expect word from the Department
of Justice this afternoon

at a press conference
to be held at Federal Plaza.

[PANTING]

[DOG BARKING IN DISTANCE]

What's funny?

[SCOFFS] You look like a Kardashian.

Yeah, that's not funny.

It's kinda funny.

[CHUCKLES]

What's gonna happen today, Vic?

Nothing. Today's the last day
you're gonna have to worry

about federal stuff.

You know, a month from now,

no one's gonna care about you

or Harrison Brennan. I promise.

Can't wait to change clothes.

[SIGHS] You do eight last night?

Yeah. I need the hours.

All right, well, you just wanna
go home and crash, that's okay.

You've been babysitting me nonstop.

Like I'm leaving your ass alone today.

Let me buy you breakfast.

[GEARS SHIFT]

Thanks, Vic.

Hey, Miss Jira.

Hey, Mr. Bhatt.

You and I gonna have fun this year?

You teaching "The Great Gatsby"?

No. No, my class is mainly cat videos

while I sob quietly in a corner.

We'll be good then.

Mm-hmm.

Sit up.

[GASPS]

They smell weakness, you are screwed.

[SIPPING]

Oh. Should I leave the second one, or...

No, I think my heart
would literally explode.

[CHUCKLES]

Hey, real quick.

Yeah.

So Jira's not the biggest fan of fiction.

She's more of an A + B = C.

- Don't take it personally.
- I never do.

She is in a place today.

I got her back.

Thank you.

Anything I can do for you?

Pretend I'm fine.

I'm Kalen.

Jira.

I just wanna say that...

I think what happened
to your dad is, like,

a complete injustice.

Yeah, it was.

I just want you to know

there are people who understand.

Excuse me.

I need a hall pass.

- Please.
- Of course.

Take as much time as you need, dear.

[CLATTER]

Famous Tia Young. [LAUGHS]

Welcome to my home. So happy to have you.

Thank you for the invitation.

Well, so little time left to be cordial.

The last leg of a campaign
can be the most exhaustive time.

Well, I don't know.
It can't be more tiring

than the first few months of being a mom.

- How old is your boy?
- Benny... he's almost 7.

Oh, that's... that's a great time.

- Here, help yourself.
- Oh, thank you.

At that age, you still
think that you're perfect.

[LAUGHS] No, I am the law,
but his dad is perfect.

Little boys love trains.

I've been meaning to ask you,

how is a girl
with a master's in economics

end up married to public transit?

We grew up together.

So you came back for him.

I came back for my neighborhood.

I was just lucky he was still here.

Mm. That's very sweet.

- [CHEWING] Come on.
- [CLEARS THROAT]

Genuine and dedicated...

that's the impression
you've made in the ward.

But polling at 39%,

you're not going to beat
an incumbent in the 6th.

[LAUGHS]

Trying to school a risk analyst
on statistics, hmm?

I'm not trying to school you.

I wanna hire you.

This will be my last term
on city council.

I wanna groom my own successor.

Who better than
the fiercest opponent I've had

in over a decade?

I appreciate the compliment.

There's no shame in stepping down. [SIPS]

[CUP CLATTERS]

Just...

Come work with me
within my administration.

At the end of four years,

there's an endorsement from me

that comes with the weight
of 30 years of service.

That's very generous, Nathan.

But?

I'm not interested
in joining the old guard.

You're entrenched,

and the way things have been
isn't good enough anymore.

All due respect,

I'm not the one who should
be dropping out of this race.

[CHUCKLES]

What do you think you're
gonna be able to get done

in your first four years
without knowing anyone? Hmm?

Well, do something
about that $125 million

you're about to spend
on new police recruits.

We don't need more of them.

We need to train the ones we have.

We need them not to cost us
another $100 million

every two years in lawsuits.

- [CUP CLATTERS]
- It's what we have to work with.

Working with them
instead of changing their ways

is what got Dr. Harrison Brennan killed

in a convenience store on his way home.

I know you're not putting that on me.

I know you know better than that.

I put that on all of us.

Give me four years to teach you.

Make friends.

Spend a little more time with Benny, hmm?

[CHUCKLES]

The working mother argument
is beneath you, Nathan.

I'm speaking from experience.

You don't get that time back.

I'm Jira. I was adopted
from here in 2001.

I've decided I'm ready to know
who my birth mother is, please.

Would you mind showing me some ID, Jira?

Yeah. Yeah, sure.

Good picture.

[CHUCKLES] Thank you.

Uh, I also have copies
of my birth certificate

and Social Security card

if you need more forms of identification.

I also have the introductory
letter written to my mother

as well as the forms
from the website filled out.

Whew. I wish everyone
was as prepared as you.

I've... I've thought
about this for a long time.

And I always do my homework.

So why aren't you in school right now?

Uh, this just seemed more important.

I'm sure it does.

So why do you wanna meet
your birth mother?

[CLEARS THROAT]

Something... going on at home?

No. I mean, not with...

I know what you mean. No.

I just need more family.

Why do you need more family?

I just do.

You're 17, Jira.

Until you're 18, a parent
needs to request your records.

I'm hoping you'll make an exception.

That's not how it works.

[VOICE BREAKING] There's no
need to involve anyone else.

She's my mom. I did the research, and...

No. She gave birth to you.

There's a difference.

It's a big decision,

and until you're an adult,
it's one that you should make

with the family that raised you,
Ms. Calder-Brennan.

Come back with your other dad,
and we'll see what we can do.

Ugh! Hawks are a damn disaster this year.

Only team worse is Detroit.

No way. Red Wings are gonna rally.

We can still go to the Cup.

Only bling that belongs in Detroit

is on the front teeth of your citizens.

I can't hear you over the Hawks
losing to the Penguins.

Who you like this year, Paulie?

Uh, whoever can kick
the crap out of the Penguins.

Yeah. Hawks are gonna need
someone who can shoot straight.

- Yeah.
- Maybe get a job with them, Paul.

[CHUCKLES]

That was dumb.

I thought it would be funny...

It was, man. It was.

It's fine.

I'm sorry, man.

- Aah!
- Jim, can you...

- Can you not...
- ‭[THUD]

[GRUNTING] God.

You can't just be hitting people, Jim.

I don't wanna hear it.
I'm done with everyone talking

about you like, what, like they know?

It was a crack. He made a joke.

He's never been on the job!

He has never been scared
with a second to make a call!

You know... You know what?
I got enough on my plate

without you throwing tantrums!

You're not helping!

I know what happens
when you don't make that call.

You got a little bit
of ours back, brother.

It was the wrong guy, Jim.

You didn't know that.

[DOOR OPENS]

Hey. Boss just called.
There's no voicemail.

Quick rule, everyone.

- When I am speaking, you are not.
- [INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]

[CONVERSATIONS STOP]

Good morning. Happy new year.

Welcome back to A.P. U.S. History.

History is our story.

You are the direct result
of every decision ever made

by every person who's ever
come before you.

We live in Chicago because

Jean Baptiste Point du Sable
once came upon this land,

cold and empty,

and thought, "I can make a home here,"

stood by that vast lake.

They weighed their fear...

and they stuck it out.

And I want you to understand
that person's hope.

We are all the children
of a million hopes,

and it's our responsibility
to act upon our own hopes.

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]

[KNOCKS ON DOOR]

Tyrant.

What did you give them already
that you have to grade?

I made 'em journal over the summer.

They are easier to break

when you have a window into their souls.

How you doing?

I have got Angelica Barrett
fourth period, so...

Ahh. Do you want me to fight her?

She'd eat you alive.

I'd rip out enough hair to ruin prom.

I'll consider it.

No, but if she touches my hair, I'm out.

Or my face.

Thank you for defending my honor.

[CHUCKLES] Anytime.

Seen Jira yet?

This morning in the hall.
She's got her game face on.

You both do.

Think anyone's buying it?

Mm... definitely.

[P.A. ALERT TONE CHIMES]

WOMAN: Mr. Calder,
please report to the office.

Mr. Calder, please report to the office.

Daniel.

School's off-limits, Elizabeth.

You're not answering your phone.

You break my rule, I break yours.

I didn't wanna hear bad news.

Is it good news?

There's never gonna be good news.

No charges for Paul Evans.

[GASPS]

The civil lawsuit is ready to be filed.

They failed Harrison every way they can.

It's time to make the city pay up.

Daniel.

I have to tell Jira before
she finds out on her phone.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]

Come inside for a minute.

Nothing's gonna happen to him, is it?

No legal ramifications, no.

Are we gonna sue?

I think we should sleep on that.

Why?

Because... if we do,

even if we win,

it is the next four years of our lives.

Is that what you want?

Does he get to keep his job?

I don't know.

He probably will.

It won't always be like this, I promise.

[WHISPERS] Don't promise.

♪♪

- I need my suit.
- Why?

[GLASS CLATTERS]

No... no charges.

[GASPS]

♪ Then you just came along ♪

♪ And I was helpless ♪

- [DOOR CLOSES]
- [CHUCKLES]

[BOTH SLURP]

[GLASSES CLATTER]

[PAUL RETCHING]

Hey, I know today must be really hard.

It's okay.

You're holding on
to a lot of negative energy,

and it's getting directed at
the people trying to help you.

You need to let go of that.

I need to let go of that?

Yeah.

Do not talk to me... ever.

No phones, Jira.
Let me see you in the hall.

- I...
- Now, please.

- Miss Jira.
- I'm going to the office, okay?

Hey, you like baseball?

Yeah.

Cubs.

What happens when a ball gets
lost in the ivy at Wrigley?

BEA MILLER: ♪ Wanna break
all the clocks and the mirrors ♪

Outfielder raises his hands.

Okay.

So... next time
someone's pissing you off,

just raise your arms above your head.

Send you on an errand.

♪ Don't know how to escape
from this prison ♪

Really?

I mean, h...

How am I supposed to overwork
and terrify everyone

if you're always stealing focus?

♪ I can't breathe ♪

Do I have to go back in?

Yeah.

But...

Let's give it a minute.

♪ I can't breathe ♪

♪♪

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh ♪

♪ I can't breathe ♪

You okay?

[POUNDS TABLE]

No federal charges.

I met Dr. Brennan once.

He was so happy to get that little girl.

Wanted to name her Jira.

He thanked me.

I know.

Would it have...

Would it help her

to... to meet me?

- What, you're really asking?
- Yes.

I can... [SCOFFS]

In the past, I haven't exactly
been allowed an opinion on this.

- I need you to.
- T... [SIGHS]

You know, I just...

You sure this is about her?

I just wanna do the right thing here.

You did that when you gave her up.

I get it if you wanna
make sure she's okay.

But that's about what you need.

Maybe it is. Is that such a bad thing?

I don't know. You still
won't win this election.

I could wait four years.

I could be a mom.
I-I could work with Gordon.

You don't respect Gordon,

and you know if anyone
find out about her,

that's all they gon' see...
no more economics genius,

just a hood rat who got pregnant at 15.

Is that what I was?

You know that's not what I meant.

[KISSES]

You only ever been
a dream girl to me, baby.

And you always saying you
really wanna make a difference.

Run for office,
and you doing that already.

- I'm her mom.
- No.

You're Benny's mom.

I know that. Why can't I be both?

Come on, Tia.

Where you going?

[KISSES]

I'm going to the press conference.

T.

[KAMAU'S "POHLEASE" PLAYING]

[CROWD SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

♪♪

[AMPLIFIED VOICE] Good afternoon.

My name is Paul Evans.

[CROWD BOOING]

[SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

Boo!

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING CONTINUES]

A tragic mistake was made.

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING CONTINUES]

I'm grateful the federal government

recognized that and exonerated me.

I look forward to once again serving

the great city of Chicago
and hope that all involved...

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING CONTINUES]

...hope that all involved
can now try to find

some measure of peace. Thank you.

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING INTENSIFIES]

- ♪ Who police the police? ♪
- ♪ Who police the police? ♪

- ♪ Who police the police? ♪
- ♪ Who police the police? ♪

- ♪ Who police the police ♪
- ♪ Who police the police ♪

- ♪ When they get out of line? ♪
- ♪ Who police the police ♪

♪ When you see the police ♪

♪ Say a little prayer to the shepherd ♪

♪ Who let the wolves guard the sheep? ♪

♪♪

[TRAIN TRACKS SQUEAL]

♪♪

WOMAN OVER P.A.: This is Thorndale.

[YAWNS]

- Kira?
- Dad?

Doors closing.

Do you love me?

Yeah. More than anything.

[SNIFFLES]

I need you to do something for me.

Okay. What do you need me to do?

I wanna meet my mom.

But you have to give me permission,

legally, so...

I'm the parent you've got.

I want more family.

We're gonna get through this.

You can't possibly understand
what I'm going through.

I want someone who can.

Do you think that I don't
wake up every morning

wishing it had been me?

It would never happen to you.

Please help me meet my mom.

No.

Why?

It's my job to protect you,

so I'm gonna keep you away
from the one person

who didn't want you.

Okay? So let's go home.

I don't wanna go home.

Jira, we're gonna home right now.

[TRAIN WHEELS SQUEALING]

- Jira, get off that train.
- No.

Doors closing.

ETHAN: You wanna be a hero, huh?

BENNY: Yeah, and be
just like Black Lightning.

Yeah, I know.

And never get hurt.

You can do a lot of good stuff

to help people.

But everyone... gets hurt.

But you, me, and Mama... well,
we take care of each other.

Always.

Okay. [KISSES]

[POPS LIPS]

[WHISPERING] Five minutes.

Love you, son.

You did great.

It'll be good, get back.

In uniform, you'll feel
more like yourself.

[RIVVRS' "SAVE MY SOUL" PLAYING]

Hey, you got another overnight tonight?

Yeah. [SCOFFS]

Two boys in Catholic school
doesn't get cheaper.

- Did it to yourself.
- [CHUCKLES]

Yeah, serves me right.

♪ I feel it in my bones ♪

Thanks, Vic.

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

F-For what?

For everything. For...

♪ In my veins, my blood ♪

Just everything since it happened.

The only hope I had, Vic.

Only person telling me it'd be okay

that I actually believed.

'Cause... 'cause you... you believed it.

I have no idea how you
were able to, but you did.

God.

[INHALES SHARPLY]

Oh, my God!

Vic, hey!

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

Vic, it's okay. It's over.

- [EXHALES DEEPLY]
- Vic.

[LAUGHS] You're gonna believe that?

You think I didn't wake up in cold sweats

and worry every second?
You... oh, you freaking kid!

Vic, breathe.

I did something bad, too.

All right, what?

You know the... the tape?

The security tape.
The tape from the store.

I took it. You were catatonic
when it happened, and...

You said... You said
I did everything right.

You did.

No, no. Why would you mess with the tape?

Why would you mess with the tape, Vic?

He was leaning over the cashier!

The cashier was screaming.
Why did you mess with the tape?!

You're supposed to say something.

Camera's right on your face.

You're supposed to say something
before you fire. [SCOFFS]

You said I did everything right!

You said I did everything right.

You're safe now! Paul!

♪♪

Hey.

I love you.

I love my family. It's the one I want.

[SIGHS] I'm the one who
gave her to Harrison Brennan.

How's the world revolve, Tia, hmm?

[CLICKS TEETH]

No.

I'm gonna run this year.

- There's too much to do.
- Mm-hmm.

And if I need to leave her be
to do it, okay.

That's how I'll make it better.

Okay.

Alderman Young.

[CHUCKLES]

♪♪

WOMAN OVER P.A.: This is Thorndale.

Doors closing.

[THE NATIONAL'S "FAKE EMPIRE" PLAYING]

♪♪

♪ Stay out super late tonight ♪

♪ Picking apples, making pies ♪

♪ Put a little something
in our lemonade ♪

♪ And take it with us ♪

♪ We're half awake in a fake empire ♪

♪ We're half awake in a fake empire ♪

♪♪

♪ Tiptoe through our shiny city ♪

♪ With our diamond slippers on ♪

♪ Do our gay ballet on ice ♪

♪ Bluebirds on our shoulders ♪

♪ We're half awake in a fake empire ♪

♪♪

♪ We're half awake in a fake empire ♪

♪♪

♪ Turn the light out, say good night ♪

♪ No thinking for a little while ♪

♪ Let's not try to figure out ♪

♪ Everything at once ♪

♪ It's hard to keep track of you ♪

♪ Falling through the sky ♪

♪ We're half awake ♪

♪ In a fake empire ♪

♪♪

♪ We're half awake ♪

♪ In a fake empire ♪

♪♪