Walker: Independence (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 9 - Strange Bedfellows - full transcript

♪ Come all you roving cowboys ♪

♪ Bound down this lowly land ♪

♪ I'll tell to you a story ♪

♪ While you around me stand ♪

♪ I'm goin' to quit
this Wild West ♪

You mean you're not
sure Tom did it.

Well, if it wasn't him, who?

Last night I saw a man

who I could have sworn
was Tom, but it wasn't.

And even though I was
standing on Main Street,

I felt like I was right
back at that night



- looking at the man who shot Liam.
- Abby, you said

that you saw Tom
Davidson kill Liam.

- You said that you were certain.
- I was certain.

I-I don't know how this
is possible, but...

Abby, if you are not
willing to come forward,

legally, we don't have a case.

I want justice more than anyone,

but this constitutes
reasonable doubt.

Oh, my...

I need some time
to think this over.

And it sounds like you
need to do the same.

Someone please say something.

Right now, part of me wishes
you let him bleed out up there.

Kate,



Tom still could be
guilty, but I...

I can't deny what I saw,

even if I can't explain it.

I can't explain it either, Abby.

I can't testify until we know...

"We"? Abby!

We followed your lead.

We...

I think I've had enough
of "we" for right now.

Since we're taking
a little break

from helping Abby,

maybe you can help me
with something else.

Kai's in trouble.

And he came to you?

Well, I figured it out.

He wants to keep
the circle small.

Listen, a Tong is after him.

Well, if the Tongs are half
as brutal as I've heard,

we're gonna need some backup.

I made some friends with some
hired guns over the years.

What, robbing banks?

Ain't that the foundation
of all good friendships?

I was thinking
someone closer by.

Someone we can both trust.

Calian.

What are you two chickens
huddled up about?

We're just, um, talking
about a mutual friend.

- Yeah.
- Mm.

Where you off to?

After Abby's big revelation

I thought I'd take
my mind off things

- and go see Kai about some costumes.
- Do us a favor.

Keep an eye on him for us.

- Why, what's going on?
- Just do it.

All right?

Kate. Please?

Well, since you asked so nicely.

All right, what seems
to be the problem?

Customer's locked
up in the room.

Only paid for yesterday.

New day, new rate.

I gave him my best girls
'cause he seemed good for it.

Sheriff, I'm contemplating
grabbing my shotgun.

I will handle it,
okay? Hang on.

- Ladies. Is he in here?
- Tom.

Right over there.

Okay.

I told you, ladies,

I'll pay you after breakfast.

All right, let's go.

His pocket's emptier
than his damn head.

Aw, come on, girls.

Pony rides are just
getting started.

- All right, let's go, get up.
- Ugh.

- Shane?
- Well, hi, Sheriff.

If I'd known you were coming,
I would have worn pants.

What the hell are
you doing here?

Mom and Dad sent me to Abilene

to wine and dine a
couple railroad suits.

Took a few dozen drinks
and more sweet-talking

than half these
ladies, but we now own

the largest steel contract
south of Nebraska.

What is this? You
carry a gun now?

Is that part of your
sweet-talking business deals?

Yeah. I'm out west. I
gotta dress the part.

Did you hear what I just said?

Yeah, I heard.
Steel contracts.

Sounds like you
really saved the day.

Oh, don't be
jealous, big brother.

We're a team, remember?

Were you planning on telling me

you were coming in to town?

Well, people said
you were laid up

in a hospital in Austin.

What happened?

Jump on your horse too hard?

Wow.

Look at you, making
friends everywhere you go.

Just like when we were kids.

You remember? We weren't in
school for more than a day,

and you had those
guys after you.

No, they were after
you, Shane, not me.

Huh. Oh, yeah, you're right.

But you stopped 'em, Tom.

Listen, tell me straight.

You know anything about this?

What? How would I
know anything about...

Wouldn't be the first
time you did something

that came back on me to clean
up or take the blame for.

Listen, if I'd known someone
was trying to murder you,

I would have come sooner,

helped you string 'em up myself.

- Is that right?
- Yeah.

Come on, man.
Hasn't been all bad.

You remember scaring
the Miller twins

when we dressed up like nuns?

I think we scared
the crap out of them.

All right!

All right, get dressed.
I'll show you my town.

There he is.

Here's what I'm
thinking for the show.

And don't laugh. Bear with me.

Bally Broads.

I know I cannot turn
the bar into a circus,

but I can juggle a little bit,
and we can teach the girls

to dance with hoops.

I can make dresses where
the skirt comes off,

revealing tights underneath.

Like, uh... an acrobat.

- Yes, yes, exactly.
- Mm-hmm.

In red and white
stripes, like the tent.

Oh, this is brilliant.

How soon do you think you
can get me some sketches?

Uh, today, if I can.

- Sure.
- Mm-hmm.

Is everything all right?

Just sketching in my mind.

- Mm.
- Hmm.

You
know, I've been thinking.

Do you remember the
first day that we met?

You were standing
outside of Hagan's

in that green dress
with the black ruffles.

I remember how the sunlight
was hitting your face.

Do you remember
what you said to me?

Uh-uh?

You said, "Don't mind
the bitter days."

- "They give the sweet ones their flavor."
- Mm-hmm.

And that's exactly what I
needed to hear that day.

It was like we'd known each
other from the beginning.

Lily.

Sung Kai.

I'm sorry. Uh,
Kate, this is Lily.

I-It's really very
nice to-to meet you.

How do you two know each other?

We met in San Francisco
many years ago.

You know, I am more than happy

to just give you a minute
to-to catch up, so...

You look different.
You talk different.

To build the life I have now,

I had to become someone new.

I always hoped you made it out.

The night we tried to
escape and were separated,

I went back, but you were gone.

Took me in.

And then, after a while,
I almost felt like

I had a normal life.

And then a month
ago the Tong came,

and I overheard them talking
about how they found you.

But they are, they are coming.

I can't.

This is our chance...

to be free from... from them,

from that horrible night.

To build the life we
always dreamed of.

I'll gather supplies.

We can be on the
road in an hour.

If anyone comes by,
stay out of sight.

- This is it.
- Well...

I don't think I've ever
walked into a sheriff station

of my own free will.

Miss Walker, you all right?

Only thing worse than blood.

I'm fine, thank you.

- And you are?
- Shane Davidson.

Now, I know what
you're thinking.

How can such a handsome
devil be related to

such a mangy mutt?

Forgive my brother. He's
an absolute buffoon.

Abigail Walker.

Tom, I didn't know
you had siblings.

Businessman from back east.

We don't have the pleasure
of seeing each other

all that much.

Speaking of, what do
you say we commemorate

this little family
reunion with a drink

in one of your fine
watering holes?

Abby... Can I call you Abby?

Abby is fine.

Well, "Abby is fine,"
would you like to join us?

It's not a good idea.

You think he talks
a lot now, wait till

you get some whiskey
in him. Mm-mm.

As a matter of fact,
I would love to.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Where's Lily?

- Back at the restaurant.
- You getting a room?

You know, if you do...

you should take
a bottle of that.

I feel like you might work up
a little bit of a thirst, huh?

Actually, I need
to get paid early

for this week's laundry.

Sure.

What the boss doesn't
know won't kill him.

That's you, love.

Thank you, Kate.

For everything.

Kai.

Listen, are you and Lily
in some kind of trouble?

People are looking for me.

Dangerous people.

So we are leaving town.

Kai, I really don't want
to be the person to...

to bring this up to you, but
do you find Lily's timing

- a little bit strange?
- You always do that

with your face when
you want to say more.

What?

Her-her shoes.

Her shoes are... they're
clean. They're brand-new.

That's odd for a woman
who says she's on the run.

- Maybe she wore out the old pair.
- Maybe.

Maybe the people that
are trying to find you

are using her to draw you out.

Maybe just take a
beat before you leave

everything that
you've built here.

Lily's safety is more
important than my store.

Kai, I'm worried that
she's playing you.

The way you play me?

You use me for information.

You drop by only
when I serve you.

What are you talking about?

I know you are a
Pinkerton agent.

I've seen things,
overheard things.

All right, listen,
I... I'm so sorry.

-It's complicated. I wanted to tell you.
-It doesn't matter.

Lily and I, we know each other.

I won't lose her again.

Goodbye.

He didn't show.

Thought about riding to
the Apache camp, but I...

No, we can't risk leaving

with the Tong
coming to town, Gus.

And I don't think Calian's
itching to get back here

after that trial.

I'll ride back up at sunset.

Hey, you got anything
good in there,

help us pass the time better?

First, I don't drink.

Second, I need you sober.

I'm a much better shot with
a few sips of liquid courage.

No one's shooting anyone today

if I have anything
to say about it.

He's not coming,
Deputy. All right?

Looks like you're stuck working
with an outlaw this time.

Maybe not.

I packed food
and clothes for you.

- I got the money.
- Good.

But we are going to need
more than a week's wages.

What about the money
you stole from the Tong?

You must still have some.

We are going to need every penny

if we want to stay
ahead of them.

The man who told them about me,

I gave him everything
to keep quiet.

Damn it, Sung Kai.

Couldn't you see he was
going to tell them anyway?

How long have you been
working for the Tong?

I was so happy you were
alive, just to see you.

I didn't want to think
you could betray me.

You know me. I'm
no threat to you.

But our dreams of...
starting over...

I knew if we ran, they
were going to find us.

You stole money from the Tong.

You killed their men, Sung Kai.

Besides, my life was there.
I was good at my job.

I did what was necessary,
and now they trust me.

They'll realize their
mistake soon enough.

If I didn't still love you,
you would already be dead.

You saved my life once.
I tried to save yours.

I only wish you ran.

Or just kept the money.

Now your death is the only
way to clear our debt.

I can make the Tong ten
times the money I took.

The railroad is coming
to Independence.

There's a fortune
to be made here.

I have the sheriff in my corner.

He's the one who
gets things done.

- Let me talk to him.
- Set a meeting.

You have until sundown.

Oh, well, Sheriff,
it's a good thing

you're better with a pistol
than you are with a cue stick.

Either way, you'll never
be a better shot than me.

I thought you were
a businessman.

Well, I have many
talents, darling.

I don't understand
why we're here.

There's a far
nicer establishment

just down the road.

Yeah, but your place doesn't
have a billiards table.

It's too damn stuffy,
just like you, Tommy.

How about we make this
next game more interesting?

You still owe me for the Doves.

Yeah, but not if I win.

I'll play.

It's best that you don't put
your heart or money at risk,

especially when it
comes to my brother.

- Isn't my money as good as yours?
- Seems fair to me.

Ladies first.

♪ So pour me one last drink ♪

♪ And roll me one last smoke ♪

♪ And keep the jukebox paid ♪

♪ Till we both go broke ♪

♪ Now, it's a hard
way of living ♪

♪ But the living ain't
killed me yet... ♪

Now, where does a
nice girl like you

learn to do something like that?

I had a friend.

We had a deal while
he was in school.

I helped him study,

he taught me how to play.

♪ You ain't ♪

♪ Ain't killed me yet. ♪

So, where did you
learn the game?

Back east or out here?

Well, east, west...

on a train or on a wagon trail.

I pick up things wherever
business takes me.

Well, business is booming here.

Kai.

I need to speak
with the sheriff.

Yeah.

Why don't you two
play without me?

What, you leave me to
lose alone? Traitor.

Hey, go ahead and set us up.

I'll get us another round.

Why didn't you
come to me sooner?

The Tong have never
been here until now.

That's why I'm coming to you.

Well, what is it that they want?

They know Independence
is another town

in the train's path.

They're looking to set
up an outpost here,

establish their own businesses,

take a cut of anyone else's.

That sounds like a threat to me.

It could be an opportunity.

They pass along a healthy
cut of the profits

to those in charge.

Lily needs an answer by sundown.

I think I'll let you
and Tom play instead.

I'll see you around, Abby.

Whoa.

Taza...

How's this whole deputizing
business work, anyway, Deputy?

Do I get to shoot people...
Who deserve it, of course...

And not go to jail?

This badge is a contract with
the people of Independence.

A promise to keep them safe.

It means we are stewards
of the law, not above it.

Not all who wear that
badge honor that contract,

- but, Hoyt, I do.
- I respect that.

Can I get free drinks at
the Side Step, at least?

Man, you're no fun.
But, seriously,

how's my wearing a
badge gonna help Kai?

It means you can arrest someone

if the situation warrants it.

Well, shoot, sign me up then.

What the fresh hell's
going on in here?

- I deputized Hoyt.
- Why?

- Kai's in trouble.
- Yeah, I know.

What are we doing about it?

This.

Oh, man, her, too?

I thought this was
supposed to be special.

You know what, why don't
you hold onto this?

- Yeah.
- I'm not exactly eager

to throw a badge
back on anytime soon.

I'll take a second one.

I hear you're looking
to do business here

in Independence.

Well, I got bad news.

Your boy Kai is talking
to the wrong Davidson.

You go ahead, I'll be right up.

You just don't be too
hard on her, all right?

Hi. You all right?

The man I told you
about, he's here.

He's Shane. He's Tom's brother

- and he-he...
- Mm-hmm.

What's going on?

Oh, we're just, we're just
looking out for a friend.

Is this about Kai?

I-I saw him talking
to Tom earlier.

He didn't seem himself.
How can I help?

You know what, Abby, I feel like

you've got a lot on your plate,

so why don't you just
sit this one out?

All right?

Another round.

Make it a double.

This one's on me, Flynn.

Oh, you feeling bad
about taking my money?

I don't feel bad. You're
just not that good.

You know, I am in a
celebrating kind of mood.

What's the occasion?

Just feel like there's a real

opportunity brewing here.

It doesn't have
anything to do with

your brother's
conversation with Kai?

A pool shark and
an eavesdropper.

You're full of surprises.

Aren't we all full of surprises?

Mm.

So what's yours, hmm?

Hiding from your brother
seems to imply more than

just a sibling rivalry.

You have siblings, too, huh?

And you didn't
answer my question.

You ask a lot of 'em.

I like to know who
I'm drinking with.

I'll be seeing you, Abby Walker.

So the Tong would be willing
to supply cheap labor,

help set up infrastructure
for saloons, hotels...

what, anything?

The workers alone would
bring more business,

more money.

Yeah, but I'd be inviting
organized crime into my town.

Seems like more
problems than I need.

You're the sheriff.

Better you set the terms

before they decide to
do it for themselves.

It's about time we talk,
don't you think, Tom?

What is this?

This is none of your concern.

If it concerns Kai,
it concerns us.

You're in over
your head, Sheriff.

You can't do this alone.

Is there anyone you
haven't told about this?

All right, set the meeting.

Okay, I want this done today.

The sooner we get this settled,

the sooner we can
get back to business.

And you three want to
help your friend here?

Then you follow my lead.

I'm gonna need backup,
in case things go south.

You think you can handle that?

I've been hoping
to see you again.

I thought of going
to town, but...

it's not an option
for me right now.

I know. That's
why I came to you.

Calian, is something wrong?

Chief Taza.

He's dying.

When he's gone, I don't
know what it'll mean

for the future of my people.

Or how I can protect them.

Taza believes in you.

You said it yourself.

Did something happen?

I was going to
testify against Tom.

And now I can't.

I saw someone who made me doubt
who I saw that night, and...

I keep trying to go
over it in my head.

I know this is the last thing

you need to be worried
about right now.

And-and I'm sorry. I...

felt that I owed you the truth.

Abby, admitting to doubt
and changing your view

is just as valuable
as the truth itself.

I believe in you...

Who are those men?

You know who they are.

They would never
let me go alone,

no matter who I
was coming to see.

Even if this works out,

what's to prevent
them from killing me?

But I don't know that we
are the same people anymore.

Perhaps you are right.

Lily.

Don't do this.

Lily!

Where's Kai?

He wouldn't miss a
meeting that he set up.

I'm going to Sung's.

Good afternoon.

Why don't we wait for
Kai before we begin?

Don't worry,
Tom. I'll back you up.

On behalf of the
Davidson family,

we're looking forward to
discussing business with you.

Kai is my partner,
and we will wait.

Kai is not a part
of this anymore.

Kai!

- Hi.
- Hi.

What happened?

Lady trouble.

Oh, come on.

Kai!

We will set up a gambling hall,

another saloon and an opium den.

We want co-ownership of Sung's,

Hagan's, and the Doves' hotel.

An opium den?

That's off the table.

I will not allow that
poison into my town.

And as for co-ownership
of existing businesses,

- start your own.
- I think what my brother means is...

we'll consider it.

The Tong is used to a majority
stake in these operations.

I don't care what you're used
to. This isn't your town.

Let's all try to
be agreeable here.

Okay? Now,

our family has several contracts
tied to the railroad's progress.

If the Tong uses its influence

to supply labor
for construction,

we would be open to your terms.

Shane,
you have no say

- in this...
- I speak for our family, Tom.

Now, with their labor, the
railroad will be built faster

and the sooner we can get
customers into our businesses.

That's worth giving our
new partners a little more.

Without my people,

your trains would not exist.

We deserve our fair share.

Your brother's word
seems as good as yours

when it comes to your family.

If he is willing to be more
reasonable with our offer,

I prefer to negotiate with him.

What did you do?

I do what's
best for our family.

I wanted to see if you had
a better offer, Sheriff.

It appears your brother
understands the value

of a partnership with us.

Now, I'm guessing all of this
would be a verbal agreement?

Abby, wait.

Gus, watch out!

Yeah.

Huh.

You're under arrest.

This negotiation is over.

You will agree to supply
labor for the railroad

in return for a ten percent cut.

Or you will get nothing.

I have more men coming.

Come on, Tom.

This isn't how you
conduct business.

They've helped set
up boomtowns before.

If we partner up with them now...

Your men are dead.

Here's what's going to happen.

You'll return to San Francisco,

tell your bosses that I will run
Tong operations in Independence.

If you send anyone else
out here, they will die.

This is a good deal, Lily.

You came here without one.

You're leaving with ten percent.

And your life.

Please hear me out.

I know you're shocked
by what you saw,

but I had to do it.

To save us. To save this town.

So your accent's
not real either.

I wanted to avoid
suspicion, to go unnoticed.

You should understand.

Kate Carver. "Just a dancer."

Listen, I know we
got each other out

of a bit of a situation
today, but I don't know you.

Kai, the Tong chased you here.

You just invited them to stay.

The Tong would have come
here anyway, sooner or later.

This controls their reach.

It's... the lesser evil.

And you're willing to work
with Davidson to do it, huh?

You know, he's no
better than the Tong.

And neither are you

if you're willing to
work with either of them.

You work with him, too.

Why is it any different?

Because it is. You don't...

Do you not think I
wanted to tell you?

There was so much
that I wanted to say.

I...

You think you're
the lesser evil.

Are you?

Well, the marshals have that
Tong enforcer you arrested.

He will stand trial in Austin.

You chose caution over
the quick draw today.

I must say, I'm very impressed.

Yeah, well...

don't expect that to
be a permanent thing.

Out here,

even outlaws can
become lawmen, too.

You might put this
star back on one day.

I'd make a lousy lawman.

I can't even keep
hold of my own horse.

Yeah.

Yeah, I saw him
wandering around town

and I put him out back.

I tell you what...

You pay a small fee

and the sheriff's office
will let you keep him.

- Cordell?
- Mm-hmm.

I won't pay a cent over 50.

Hmm, 70. That horse ate a
half a week's salary in oats.

60.

Deal.

Taza.

Tom. We need to talk

- about your brother.
- Miss Walker, I've been meaning...

Talk about my brother?

He was in town without even
telling you he was here.

He tried to cut you out
of the business deal.

And some of the things
he's been saying, I...

Speak your mind, Miss Walker.

I think he may have
killed Liam Collins.

He never used to carry a gun.

The same caliber found
in Liam Collins' body.

I heard Augustus
talking about it

and saw the same
weapon on Shane today.

Why are you thinking
about all this?

I suppose working at the
sheriff's office with you has...

taught me to notice
people differently.

I think I know
where he's headed.

If I leave now, I can catch him.

I will tell Augustus
and the others.

Thank you.

Taza's passed.

I'm so sorry.

Is there anything I can do?

He asked me to
take over as chief.

And whether or not I accept,

I need to be there
for my people.

The railroad is bringing those
determined to wipe us out

in the name of progress.

I need allies.

You have me, Calian.

Augustus.

After my family was murdered,

Taza raised me as his own.

Now he's gone, too.

I don't know if I can do this.

Well, I might have
something for you.

After your trial, word spread.

And I figured,
why not follow it?

I reached out to
lawmen across Texas

on any news on Nascha.

Calian, I might know
where your sister is.

♪ I see things
repeat in my dreams ♪

♪ Like writings
across city streets ♪

♪ No end or mean or way within ♪

♪ So I try to find
it under your skin ♪

♪ Under your skin ♪

♪ Under your skin ♪

♪ I, I, I ♪

♪ I, I, I ♪

♪ I see things
repeat in my dreams ♪

♪ No end or mean or way within ♪

♪ So I try to find
him under your skin ♪

♪ Under your skin ♪

♪ Under your skin ♪

I think it's time we
had a little chat.

♪ I♪

♪ I, I, I. ♪

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