V (1984–1985): Season 1, Episode 17 - War of Illusions - full transcript

They arrived in 50 Mother Ships,

offering their friendship
and advanced technology to Earth.

Skeptical of the Visitors,

Mike Donovan and Juliette Parrish
infiltrated their ranks

and soon discovered
some startling secrets,

They're shipping food.

The Resistance
is all that stands between us

and the Visiters.

Can | peel you another goldfish?

No. No, thank you. I've had my fill.

-Of goldfish?
Yes, of course. What else?



Are you quite sure?

To the victor go the spoils.

You gave quite a performance
this afternoon.

Capturing my affections,
a rare stroke of genius.

This victor will have his laurels, Diana.

Of that you can be certain.

That's the other thing that
impressed me about you, James,

your ambition.

Then you must also know that
you have my loyalty as well, Diana.

For that, you will also be well-satisfied.

So long as | remember the price
that you attach to any failures.

| love it when you talk of torture.

But let's not bore each other
with discussions of defeat

when the real reason we are here
is to celebrate success.



True.

The moment of Slutor does approach.

And when the Battlesphere reaches
its programmed apogee,

and those meddlesome peasants on Earth
will be vanquished once and for all,

and you andl
will reach our predestinies together.

Together?

Do you really mean that?

Darling, would | lie to you?

Do you believe me now?

So far so good.

| think you trust Philip
a lot more than | do.

It's just a feeling,

but that's all | had to go on
when I met his brother Martin.

I'm glad you could come.

I can't stay long,
but | had to speak with you.

What's up?

| hate telling you this,

but I know it's what Martin would do.

The Leader is planning a blitzkrieg

that will completely vanquish
the entire Southwest.

He's decided to use it as an example
to others.

A blitz? How come we haven't heard
about this from other sources?

Because it's top-secret.

The Leader's computerized Battlesphere

will be completely operational
within 36 hours.

And this onslaught will begin.

What can we do to stop it?

There isn't much time.

However, if | can get a copy
of the computer attack plan,

perhaps you can break into
the Battlesphere's memory banks

and throw it off.

Using one computer to sabotage another?
That's a pretty stiff order.

Especially when you consider
we don't have a computer.

Well, there is one at Science Frontiers
that might do the trick.

Well, even if we do break in there,

how are we gonna get somebody
to operate a computer that complex?

Julie's in Fresno, remember.

We just might get Dr. Atkins.

Who's that?

He's this professor guy
that worked for my dad.

He was Joe Heavyweight
in the computer field

before the Visitors
put the squeeze on him.

He's a good man.

Let's give it a try.

How soon can you get us the plan?

Meet me here, tomorrow at dawn.

I must go now.

There's something about him, man.

Well, we gotta trust him.
We got no other choice.

Mike, | don't know.

We're staking our lives on it.

Let's see if we can go find that
Dr. Atkins of yours while we still got time.

Come on.

Sergeant, that van there, check it out.

| don't want to leave any vehicles
in this sector

that might be commandeered
by the Resistance.

Yes, sir.

My fellow crusaders,

today is a very special day.

Not only do we celebrate Slutor,
the annual perigee of our sunstar,

but we rejoice in the completion
of the Battlesphere.

-Hear, hear.
Hear, hear.

With its completion,

the Leader will be able to transmit
his own battle plan.

With its implementation,
the Earth will be ours.

-To total victory!
To victory!

-Hear!
To victory!

And now, as the Battlesphere
is being installed in the control module,

| would like to salute
our commanding officer,

without whose presence
none of this would have been possible.

-Hear!
Hear, hear!

-Yes.
Yes.

It's so exciting!

It is, Oswald. A failsafe plan
for conquest is on its way.

And I've sent James to Earth
to eliminate the hacker

who's been interfering
with the master computer.

Well, la-di-dah!

| simply can't wait for the war to be over.
I mean, colonization is so much fun.

You're just drooling at the prospect

of being able to run all your perverted
little experiments on the humans.

Well, naturally! One must be able
to practice one's art, surely.

Diana, we're called to the bridge.

The Leader's battle plan
is coming through.

James, you're back early.

We've swept the entire area

and had all prisoners moved
to containment area number three.

-And the computer?
Well, we didn't find a computer per se.

We did, however,
destroy several storefronts in the raid,

and I've had the area monitored without
a single report of any further interference.

But you have no proof

that whoever's been breaking into
the master computer has been stopped.

No. No certain proof.

I'm sure Lieutenant James has done
all that can be done for now.

Well, | always try to do my best, sir,

in everything | undertake.

Listen. The transmission has begun.

Something from Earth
is interfering with our reception.

-Is the transmission unclear?
Yes, sir.

It's as if somebody has tapped
into our master computer sources.

The hacker again!

So much for your sweep, Diana.

I've had my men made ready for this.

They're taking a bearing at this very
moment on the source of the hacking.

They will pinpoint his exact location.
With your permission...

Go.

This time, we'll have him,
and he'll never see us coming.

Here you go. That's $4
and $1 makes $5. Thanks a lot.

Come back again, okay? Have a nice day.

Where'd you buy
your discount personality?

-Henry, this is remarkable.
| wouldn't go that far.

Well, maybe.

Besides, you know | learned from the best.

We're actually talking to the computer
aboard the Mother Ship.

Yeah, I know.

And I can even translate that for you.

We've got to notify the Resistance
about this right away.

Access to this information
could be invaluable.

-You really think so?
Absolutely.

A customer, Dad.

Oh, look, you stay here.
| don't want to lose the connection.

It doesn't really matter.
| can tap into this anytime | want to.

Besides, you don't really think you can
run this place without me, do you?

Come on, let's go see who it is.

Hello, Doctor. Hi, Henry.

Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Butler.

And what can we do for you this morning?

I'd like a can of tuna.

| was afraid you were gonna ask that.

We're still waiting for the shipment.

-When do you think...
Who's to say?

The way the Visitors are cracking down,
we may never get it.

What do they expect us to eat?

Here. We've been saving this
for a special customer.

No, no, | couldn't.

Please. Come on, take it. It's on the house.

You're very kind.

Don't let that get around.

We might have
the whole neighborhood in here.

God bless you.

Stay right here.

Dad, what's wrong?

The Visitors,
they're heading right this way.

What are you waiting for?

No, Henry. Henry, I'm not going with you.

Dad, we could both hide in...

No. Son, listen to me.

It's important that one of us lives,
that some part of our family survives.

Now go and hide. If they take me,
they won't look for you.

-Dad, that's ridiculous.
Henry, go!

This is the area the signal was reported in.

Deploy all your men
and arrest all who resist.

The computer must be found
and destroyed.

Henry, there's no time. Do as | say! Go!

Henry.

Remember, | love you.

| love you.

-Now.
Move out.

Don't resist.

Not hungry?

Here, take this one. I've got two.

Careful, please. He's not well.
Don't push him.

All right, check out this building.

Around the back.

Let's go. Move it along.

You'll pay. | swear, you'll pay for this.

Yes?

Thank you.

More bad news?

It's Diana's foolish insistence on letting
Lieutenant James capture this hacker.

-What? He's been unsuccessful again?
To say the least.

You know, Lydia, eventually

such incompetence
will begin to reflect itself on you.

Philip, as a specialist in legal affairs,

you should know better than anyone
Diana is not military attaché.

Her field decisions
regarding Earth missions

are absolutely inviolate.

Send Diana to me! Now!

Eenie, Meenie, Minie...

I'm sorry but I'm afraid there's no "Moe."

It's the best | could do
under the circumstances.

Yes, but it's obviously not good enough.

Diana, I've been under such short notice.

Besides, | had no idea
you'd lost your fascination...

Please, no names.

Well, we both know who, don't we?

Well, | suppose one of them would do
in a pinch.

Then, you are pleased?

Not pleased. Bored.

These feeble consorts
are hardly worth my time,

much less my effort.

| left word not to be disturbed.

/ apologize, Diana,

but Lydia requests your presence
in her quarters, immediately.

Then I'll be there.

Have them scrubbed and oiled.
I'll make my choice later.

Must you?

If you have to eat sweets,

at least have the courtesy
not to smack your lips.

Picky, picky.

It's a good thing | am. Look at this.

Well?

One of the detainees of the
unsuccessful sweep was a Dr. Atkins.

He was a psycho-cybernetics professor
at Caltech University.

Obviously,
if we're still getting interference,

he's not the man we're looking for.

Unusual that he would admit to charges
of computer tampering.

Yes, quite unusual.

| suggest we get Dr. Atkins up here
at once for interrogation.

How very gracious of you, Dr. Atkins,
to agree to help us.

It's refreshing to know that volunteerism

is still alive and well among your people.

Why don't you begin?

Why don't you show us how you gained
access into our computers?

Is there a problem, Doctor?

Please, if you'll just let me concentrate.

Of course.

Surely you're familiar
with the operation of this equipment?

Unless you're not guilty
of the crimes you confessed to.

No, no, no, it was me.

I've been interfacing with your computers
for months.

You're lying.

No, no, no.
I've broken your code hundreds of times.

The charade is over.

Now tell me who designed the program.

You know the answer to my question.

I'm privy to your innermost thoughts.

You have no secrets.

Who are you trying to protect?

I'm growing impatient, Doctor.

Who is it?

His son, the hacker.

I'll alert Lieutenant James at once.

This is what happens to our scientists.

The lizards drive their backs against
the wall, then they cut their throats.

Man, this can't be.
| just saw him last month.

No, this is very recent. | can feel it.

It was an attack.

A man and a boy...

The Visitors, they took the man away.

Where?

| can't tell you. I'm not sure.

You know, | think | can get in here.
We'd better check it out.

All right.

Listen, why don't you go tell Willie
to keep a sharp eye out for Visitors?

-Okay.
I'Il go around back.

Freeze! Reach forward.

Who are you?

Drop it, Henry.

I should have known
you guys travel in pairs.

-Henry? You know this guy?
Meet Henry Atkins.

How you doing, Henry?

We need to talk to your old man.

Good luck.

What's that supposed to mean?
Where is he?

The Visitors came. He made me hide,
and they took him away.

But it's my fault.

-What's your fault?
They came looking for me, not him.

Why you?

I'll show you.

I'll go get Willie and Elizabeth.

A couple of weeks ago,
| was working on something else

when | stumbled across the access code
for the lizards’ main computer bank.

You got into the Visitors’ main computer?
That's great!

Yeah, well, at first it was real difficult
understanding Visitorese,

but now it's like second nature
handling their symbols and codes.

What are you doing?

I'm not really sure,
but it must be driving them nuts.

-Yeah?
Yeah.

What makes you think they even noticed?

They took my father.

Don't worry.
We're gonna get your father back.

It's a Visitor patrol,
and they're right on my tail.

-Where's Elizabeth and Willie?
They made it out. They're safe.

All right. This time the Visitors
won't leave empty-handed.

We gotta get out of here.

-Ils that thing portable?
Of course.

-Bring it.
Here they come.

I'll lay down as much cover fire as | can.

You get the kid. Let's take off.

You're crazy. That's suicide.

Just get your computer
and don't give us any static.

| don't have to listen to you.

You want to bet? Come on.

Just get back.
There's another way out of here.

-How?
Watch.

-Sharp kid.
Maybe too sharp.

Hope you guys aren't afraid of the dark.

Let's go.

This ts really great.

My dad's locked up somewhere
and you guys take a coffee break.

Donovan's out looking for him right now.

Until he gets back, we lay low.

Henry, | know it's difficult,
but we've just gotta be patient.

I'm thirsty.

I'll get you some juice or something.

Forget it.

Hey, you're pretty good at these things.

Any dope can play video games.

It's all in the mechanics. You see,
you have to out-think the machine.

And don't you get any wise ideas, either.

I told you jokers | wasn't gonna
help you out unless you sprung my dad.

| found him.
Or where they're holding him, anyway.

My dad? Where?

He's been taken prisoner
with the rest of the neighbors.

They're being held
in an abandoned maintenance shed

near Hansen Airfield.

Now, don't forget us.

Just another night.

Yeah, | tell you.
| could sure use some more sleep.

Willie, come here!

Cover us from out here.

Okay, come on.

All right, everybody. Stay calm.

I'm with the Resistance. | think
you've just been rescued. Follow me.

They should have been here by now.

They're coming.

Here they come.

Willie, Willie, get them out of here.
Get them out of here.

Well, big time, where is he?

We got everybody who was in there.

Yeah, everyone except my dad.

This is the attack plan

designed and personally transmitted
by our Leader.

You think I'm setting a trap, don't you?

If you are, you've got a death wish.

The only wish | have is to put an end
to the bloodshed on this planet.

To do that, Diana, Lydia

and that nest of vipers on the Mother Ship
must be destroyed.

| was hoping by this delivery

that | would convince you somehow
that |am committed to your cause.

Our cause.

Every facet of the invasion
will be computer-controlled.

The only way it can be stopped
is by a computer.

These are the attack point coordinates

and the relative size of the attack forces.

The invasion will begin at noon today.

Have you gotten access
to a sophisticated computer system?

Well, as a matter of fact, we're having
trouble locating a certain Dr. Atkins,

a friend of Kyle's.

You wouldn't happen to know where he Is,
would you?

Yes, | would.

Where?

He's Diana's prisoner
aboard the Mother Ship.

What's taking him so long?
He's been in there forever.

Finally. Fresh from another foul-up?

Drop it.

What's the matter? The truth hurt?

Did Philip say anything about his dad?

Yeah, he's being held prisoner
aboard the Mother Ship.

Oh, that's really excellent.

He said he'd do everything he can
to help us.

Look, I'm not gonna count
on some lizard turncoat, okay?

I mean, you guys might not have any
bright ideas about how to spring my dad,

but I do.

Listen here, buddy,
you're not going anyplace until we say...

Mike.

Look, we are not going to
abandon your dad.

We're gonna find him.

No, you look,

| mean, if | turn myself in,
then they'll let him go.

You still don't get the picture, do you?

Unless we find somebody
who can sabotage the Visitor plans,

there's not gonna be any tomorrow
for anybody.

What? Don't try to make me a hero.

All | want Is to see my dad again.

Henry, listen to me.

Your dad sacrificed himself for you.

You gotta carry on with the fight.

How do you know?

| know how proud he was of you.

He had such great expectations for you.

Don't let him down.

The Battlesphere has detected

an unauthorized entry
into the memory components.

That's impossible.

I wish that were the case.

It means the Fifth Column
has stolen the Leader's battle plans.

Lydia, you were in charge of security.

We have no proof that the battle plan
has fallen into enemy hands.

The Leader's plans
have been compromised.

| intend to notify him at once.

I'm afraid it's far too late for that.

Once the battle plans have been put
into operation, they can't be stopped.

The computer will override any new input.

We're committed to the invasion,
irrevocably.

Here's the list
of regional computer installations

capable of interfering
with the Battlesphere.

Double the guards
at each of these facilities.

Right away.

I'll send James
to the Science Frontier Annex.

It's the closest and most likely target.

Make sure that he understands
the importance of his mission.

All right, answer man.
Where are the computers?

Top floor.

And how do we get there?

Well, the elevator at the end of the hall
just might help.

Come on.

Welcome, Mr. Donovan.
We've been expecting you.

We're trapped.

Let's get to the elevator.

The door won't close. It's stuck!

-The power's gone.
What do we do now?

There's only one thing to do.

That was radical.

You men, come with me.

You, stay here.

How did she do that?

I'll explain it to you
when we get out of here.

Elizabeth, can you send it
back down again?

| think so. Why?

Do it. Just do it.

That ought to hold them for a while.

Take the kid and start to work
on the computer. Go with her.

Willie, come here.

We gotta try to hold off James
and his boys for a while, okay?

-All right.
Come on!

This is incredible.

Will you come on?

Let's try in here.

This one.

Get moving. Go!

It's the gray cord.

I thought you said
these units were compatible.

They cut the power, remember?

Elizabeth? Can you...

Just give it your best shot.

Beautiful.

Now that's what | call power.

They're underway.

All right!

Perhaps you should have a look at this.

What is this?

It's a report from internal security.
It arrived early this morning.

We're attempting to identify the traitor

responsible for the theft
of the Leader's battle plan.

Well, | commend your efforts,

however, I'm afraid it's too little, too late.

Nevertheless, the report does make
for interesting reading.

It seems that one of the sentries
paid a visit to your quarters last night.

| recall no such visit.

Naturally. You weren't present at the time.

The very same time that the battle plan
was pilfered from the computer.

Need | remind you that
a commanding officer of the Mother Ship

is not required to account
for his whereabouts?

Especially to his subordinates.

Or perhaps you are suggesting
that I'm part of the Fifth Column?

Of course not, Commander.

That would be grounds
for our immediate court-martial.

You're not far from that now, Diana.

The same goes for you, too, Lydia.

I've already ordered a full inquiry

into this blatant disregard
for military procedure.

The Leader will not be pleased.

What pleases the Leader is victory,
not indecision.

We'll see about that.

Yes, I'm sure we will.

That's it. I'm in over my head.
I cannot stop the attack.

Henry, you can't give up now.

-Well, you gave up on my dad.
Henry, it's up to you.

Now, either you can be a man
and forget your petty little snit,

or you can continue to throw your tantrum
while all of us and the entire Southwest

is blown away forever.

Now, come on.

Look, | really appreciate this,
but who are you?

Never mind whol am.

We're with the Fifth Column.

This Lieutenant's gonna take you back
to your son and to the Resistance.

| don't know what | can do to thank you.

You don't have to, we're on the same side.

Lieutenant, now please, you must hurry.

What are you doing?

I've made contact with their Battlesphere.

Now I've got to install
my translation program for this system.

Way to go!

Hold the applause.
| haven't found their battle plan yet.

Willie, here they come.

-Many?
Yeah, lots. Here, take this.

Do what I do. Pull the pin. Throw it.

Come on, let's go.

Come on.

All right.

Let's go.

Banzai! | just tapped into
their skyfighter guidance system.

It looks like | can redirect their fighters
just by talking to the Battlesphere.

Okay, go for it. Let's see what happens.

Look, our fighter wing
is being thrown completely off course.

What's going on?

There's been a complete breakdown
in the guidance system.

The plan... It was supposed to be infallible.

Philip was right.

Isn't there something you can do?

Don't ask me.
You're supposed to be the military genius.

| told you I'd make you pay. You shouldn't
have messed with me, you scaly...

Did you see that move? Did you see that?

I took their TAC fighter right out
of the air with one flick of the wrist.

It's showtime, lizards! It's showtime!

How we doing?

Henry's tapped into their guidance system.

He's got the entire fleet of skyfighters
going around in circles.

Take that, suckers!

-Great, come on. We gotta get out of here.
Henry, come on.

-One more, please.
No, now, Henry.

This one is for my dad!

Okay, come on, let's go.
We gotta get back to the woods.

Let's go back to the woods. Come on.

-Henry! Over here.
Dad!

-Man, you've got quite a son.
Kyle, what happened?

Well, Dr. Atkins, Henry just did you proud.

He neutralized a massive alien attack
by the use of a computer.

Without him,
we'd have all been blown away.

| wish I could take all the credit.

The truth is it was a group effort.

Listen, | don't want to be a drag
or anything,

but can we discuss this someplace else?

Yeah, transportation's waiting,
thanks to the Visitor Fifth Column.

Philip came through in the clutch.

Tell him I'm sorry.
| won't doubt him again.

Well, better luck next time.

English