War of the Worlds (1988–1990): Season 1, Episode 12 - Choirs of Angels - full transcript
ANNOUNCER: In 1953, Earth
experienced a war of the worlds.
Common bacteria
stopped the aliens,
but it didn't kill them.
Instead, the aliens lapsed
into a state of deep hibernation.
Now the aliens have
been resurrected,
more terrifying than before.
In 1953, aliens started
taking over the world.
Today, they're taking
over our bodies.
WOMAN: You will help us
bring a new age to this planet.
ADVOCATE 1 [ over
speaker]: Testing. Testing.
One, two, three.
Testing. Testing.
Are you ready?
We are the travelers.
We are your friends.
We are your friends.
We need your help.
We can save your world.
[ overlapping dialogue]: We need
your help. We can save your world.
We need your help.
We are hope and peace.
Believe in us.
We need your help.
Believe in us.
We are the freedom.
Believe in us.
[ chanting]: Believe
in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us. Believe
in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us.
Believe in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us. Believe
in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us.
Believe in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us. Believe
in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us...
[ rock music playing]
[ music continues]
[ music stops]
Hello, Billy. We're from
your record company.
No kidding.
I would have never guessed.
We came to pick up the album.
When are you
idiots gonna realize?
I will not be interrupted
while I'm recording.
No problem, Billy, baby.
Don't "Billy Baby" me.
The album isn't finished.
The album is finished.
The album... is finished.
[ screaming]
[ beeps]
Hello.
This is Billy Carlos'
answering machine.
He's on tour...
and you're not.
We are ready.
Put on the embed first.
[ beeps]
Once the embed is
heard by the right...
human, our people will no longer
have to fear death
from Earth's bacteria.
Perfect.
Now we can hide the
embed in the music.
Crank it up.
[ rock music playing]
Faster.
Louder.
Crank it up.
More. Step on it.
Give it to me.
Louder.
Faster.
More. Crank it up.
Louder. Faster. Give it to me.
[ rock music playing]
We have an appointment
with Dr. Von Deer.
Sounds like Billy Carlos.
Excuse me!
Oh...
Sorry.
We have a music
problem around here.
Is this Billy Carlos?
Dr. Von Deer's favorite artist.
He's been playing
this particular album
night and day for a month.
You must be Dr. McCullough.
I am. And this is Dr. Blackwood.
I just love Carlos' music.
I find it a little
hard on the ears.
Dr. Von Deer is in the pit.
You can go right in.
Thank you. The pit?
That's what he calls
his private workspace.
[ rock music playing loudly]
Good morning, Eric.
ERIC: Oh, Suzanne.
You are late.
So you'd like to
retard the process
of live cell-face matching, huh?
Actually, no.
I'm looking for a way
to block it completely.
Block it?
I'm doing some
cell-face work myself,
but from a different approach.
Maybe I... I'll be of some help.
Eric, we have been
corresponding about this for months.
You promised I could
have some of your time
on the long weekend.
I've completely forgotten.
I've been so busy lately.
Now, there'll be some windows
of time here and there left.
If you are willing
to stay, of course.
Eric, we agreed that I
would stay here this weekend.
Yes. Yes. Good.
I can use the diversion.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I've got to get back to work.
Nice talking to
you, Dr. Blackwood.
Oh, yeah. Um,
Billy Carlos, right?
Yes.
He sent me this tape
before he left on tour.
I knew him as a child.
His new composition
hasn't been released yet.
Are you his fan as well?
Oh, for years, yeah.
His complex chord structure
and his tonal progressions,
they tune my mind and
stimulate my imagination.
Very well put.
He's the... the
Auberborg of the new set.
Here.
I've many more left
in case I break one.
I appreciate this.
[ engine starts]
VOICE: Stop here.
[ over speaker]:
This is the place.
[ rock music playing]
NORTON: This is a location
and events map of the continent.
Now, those flashing areas
are areas of high alien activity.
If we can continue to
accumulate these statistics,
we just might get a
fix on their home base.
Norton, I need your access
to Defense Department files
for nine years prior to
the alien invasion of 1953.
Find out what we did,
civilian and military,
that may have provoked
the aliens to attack.
Provoked the aliens?
I need this ASAP.
Oh, I've got a great
new Billy Carlos tape.
You get some free
time, I'll play it for you.
Free time?
The guy just gave me
a career's worth of work.
Had a flash message
on my terminal.
Didn't realize you
are in the computer.
Oh, I was just trying
to access some files
and I ran into a security block.
Security block?
Oh, it's necessary
to protect this research.
Been doing some work
for national security.
It's classified.
You understand.
We'll discuss it later
when I have more time.
Fellow traveler.
We are your friends.
Believe in us.
I believe.
Who is the woman?
An old student of mine,
just here for the weekend.
You understand our
presence must be kept secret.
If your government were to learn
of our existence...
They would lock us in cages
and conduct scientific
experiments on us.
Oh, friends, trust, trust.
I took every precaution.
That's good.
The essence you requested.
Yes. From the brain stem.
Many travelers
died to supply that.
Died?
They gave their lives willingly.
A sacrifice to the great
work you are doing
to help us save your world.
You will help us bring
a new age to this planet.
But time is short.
Oh, friends, I assure you,
with this, within 48 hours,
you'll have your vaccine.
That is good news.
Once our people
have been immunized
against the bacteria,
we will finish what
we came here for.
Yes, and live as friends. Yes.
We will live as friends.
[ rock music playing]
[ speaking alien language]
[ attempting to repeat]
[ repeats alien language]
[ repeats]
[ both speaking alien language]
[ speaking alien language]
Your decision not to take
over the body of the one
called Von Deer continues
to trouble us, comrade.
The human's body is
too fragile to tolerate
the trauma of
possession, Advocate.
We feel that sacrificing
the human prematurely
would be a serious loss.
Failing to get the serum we need
would be an even
greater loss, comrade.
The music embeds are working.
The human is ours,
both in mind and in heart.
He says he'll be
finished in a few days.
You have two days to
complete the mission.
No excuses.
We hear your command.
We are nothing
without your counsel.
[ indistinct shouts]
[ rock music playing]
Hello?
Eric, a little Billy
Carlos goes a long way.
Eric!
Eric!
Eric, can you hear me?
[ groans]
Can-Can you stand?
Are you all right? Oh.
[ weakly]: Yes.
Just want to rest.
A little sleep,
and you'll be okay.
Without all the racket.
[ music stops]
Hmm?
Oh, my God. What's this?
[ dialing]
[ pounding on door]
IRONHORSE: Harrison!
Damn it. Harrison!!
[ rock music playing]
Ah, glad you're here.
Come on in. Both of you.
I have been working
all night on this.
Look, Harrison,
we have something
we have to talk to you about.
I've been over every
piece of data that I can find.
Suzanne found
alien tissue samples
in Von Deer's lab.
I just couldn't figure it out.
And then suddenly it hit me,
like a brilliant comet
flashing across
the morning sky.
Would you mind if
I turn this thing off
while we talk? Leave that on.
You can turn it
down, but I need that.
It was all that atomic
testing, don't you see?
And Hiroshima, Nagasaki
didn't help, of course.
What the hell are
you talking about?
I mean, didn't you hear
what Norton just said?
Von Deer is doing
alien research.
Listen to me.
We have got to start
taking responsibility
for our actions on this planet.
We've frightened the aliens.
We've put them on the defensive.
And we're still doing it.
Harrison, I...
Listen!
Put yourself in their place.
You're travelers.
You've come across the
far reaches of the universe
to this strange planet Earth.
And what's the first thing
you see when you arrive?
One group of natives
obliterating another group.
Women, children, old people...
entire cities laid waste
by atomic weapons.
The madness continues.
The atmosphere is
filled with radiation.
The earth is poisoned.
The sea is rotting.
Not to mention what we're
doing to the ozone layer.
What would you do?
Harrison, Suzanne found
alien tissue samples
in Von Deer's lab.
Yes. I know. You told me that.
Well, aren't you
the least bit angry? Concerned?
Aren't you at least curious?
Look. Suzanne is a big girl.
I know she can
handle it by herself.
Now, communication,
that's the key.
We've got to let
these travelers know
we don't mean them any harm.
We're their friends.
And they can believe in us.
That's what's going
to turn this all around.
[ rock music playing]
What is with him?
He's playing with our heads.
Right.
When am I going to get used
to his perverse sense of humor?
Well, I've known
the man for years,
and he still fakes me out.
[ rock music plays loudly]
General Wilson guarantees
me that the professor
is not doing alien
research of any kind,
at least not for us.
And he's not cleared for
national security work either?
All of which suggests...
That Suzanne has
stumbled into a nest of aliens.
[ phone ringing]
Von Deer Research.
Stay calm, Suzanne.
I'm on my way.
I'm fine, Paul, and
I'm way ahead of you.
I just wrapped
up a cell analysis
of Dr. Von Deer's hair.
He's not an alien. Thank God.
Suzanne, you could
still be in danger there.
Not until I find out
what's going on here.
I'll call if I find anything.
What the hell do you
think you're doing?
I asked, what were you doing?
I was just... Nothing, Eric.
I was just looking.
Are you feeling any better?
You gave me quite
a start this morning.
Suzanne, just
give me the bottle.
Well, I was just going to ask...
Just give me the bottle!
You are holding the future
of the world in your hand.
If you don't let go of me, Eric,
I am going to drop
the future on the floor.
No. Please don't.
I found the alien tissue
samples and the body fluids.
I know you're
working with the aliens.
So you know about the travelers?
Is that what they
call themselves?
Why are you so condescending?
They are our only
hope for the future.
Eric, in 1953, your
travelers invaded this planet.
It was a holocaust then
and they want it to
be a holocaust now.
Suzanne, you are wrong.
These extraterrestrials
are different.
They are no invaders.
They are spiritual guides,
leading us into a new age.
Oh, Eric.
Suzanne, let me show you.
[ plays rock music]
Can't you hear it?
Billy Carlos... The
sound of the future.
Hey, Doc.
We were just...
those are my ROM discs.
He's destroying a
year's worth of research!
What are you doing?!
Getting rid of this poison.
What do you mean poison?!
They're full of lies
and distortions.
He's losing it, man.
Give it... It's time
we faced the truth.
We've got to stop
hurting the aliens!
Hurting the aliens?
I don't remember
invading their planet.
It's not an invasion.
Didn't I tell you that?!
It's self-defense.
Then the aliens were justified
in killing your
mother and father?
Yes.
Yes, it was...
it was... it was
my parents' fault!
[ sobbing]: It was
their own fault.
Harrison.
Oh, God, Harrison. [ sobbing]
[ rock music playing]
They care deeply about us.
The travelers are
going to help us
to end poverty,
pollution, hunger.
No more hate, no more wars.
Suzanne...
Can't you see it?
The future of the
planet is at stake.
Maybe you're right, Eric.
Maybe the aliens are victims
of a terrible misunderstanding.
And I do want to help you.
They are our friends.
They are our friends.
Maybe I should
put this... in a safe place
where we can lock it up.
[ glass breaking]
Eric, I dropped it!
I'm sorry. Oh, my God.
I dropped it.
ERIC: What?
No, this isn't it.
Suzanne?
What are you doing?
For starters,
I'm going to kill
that godawful music.
[ banging on door]: Suzanne!
Suzanne!
Open the door.
Suzanne!
IRONHORSE: I don't get it.
What, has he lost his mind?
NORTON: Stress,
overwork... I don't know.
I don't know,
but something got into him.
Something potent enough
to flip-flop his
entire value systems
180 degrees.
Gertrude, whoa.
IRONHORSE: Well,
maybe he just snapped.
NORTON: I don't know,
but I wish Suzanne was here.
[ turns on stereo]
[ volume decreases]
[ volume increases]
[ turns off stereo]
[ turns on stereo]
[ both grunting]
Norton, get the tape.
Got it. Okay.
[ both grunting]
Wait a minute. Wait!
Hey, wait!
That's enough, okay?
[ sighs]
It's okay, Harrison.
Suzanne!
Open the door!
[ door rattling]
Yes, it must have been the music
that affected
Dr. Von Deer as well.
Some kind of subliminal
seduction is my guess.
Given they're both
vulnerable to suggestion...
I'm worried.
Uh, don't be.
Uh, we got things pretty
well under control here.
Now, since Von Deer
was the primary
target for this thing,
I think you'd better stay there
until you find out
what's going on.
Okay.
Call me if you need me, okay?
And whatever you do,
keep Harrison away
from that music.
The withdrawal will only be
worse the longer he's exposed.
[ thumping and rattling]
Open this door!
No.
I want you to get that tape.
Forget about the tape, Harrison.
You're doing this
to get back at me,
aren't you, Colonel?
You really resent me, don't you?
You think you should be
in charge of this
mission, right?
Do it the military way?
Kill them all and let
God sort them out?!
Isn't that it, Colonel?
All brawn and no brain?!
I still have a great amount
of respect for you, Harrison,
even now.
I know why you're doing this.
You want to see the freak.
You want to see the freak crawl.
You want me down
on my knees? Huh?
You want me to beg?
Please?
Harrison, back off.
Just get up, okay?
Right. Big man's in charge now.
Big man's in control.
I need that tape.
I want that tape,
and I want it now!
No!
You've just got to calm down.
You're a little sick right
now, a little out of control.
You're gonna be okay.
I know what you want.
You want money.
Right?
I'll give you money.
Here, take what I've got.
That's, that's not enough.
I'll give you more.
Let me give you...
I'll give you $5,000.
I'll give you $50,000.
Harrison.
You don't have $50,000.
I'll get it. I'll borrow it.
I'll steal it.
You know I'm good for it.
I'll have it here in
an hour. I mean it.
Just give me a
taste of that music.
Please, just a
taste. Just a taste.
Just a taste.
[ sobbing]
[ breathing heavily]
[ weakly]: Suzanne...
Suzanne.
I... I just want my
Billy Carlos music.
[ groans]
[ Harrison groaning]
[ groans]
How you doing?
I'm just terrific.
No more pounding on doors
or yelling at the
top of your lungs?
[ sighs]
That music hooked me.
It mentally and
physically hooked me.
I just couldn't
get enough of it.
It is past tense, though?
How's Suzanne doing?
Well, Suzanne says that Von
Deer was developing a serum
that would be compatible
with alien blood,
whatever the hell that is.
I guess that means they
won't be trying it on humans.
[ groans]
I wish my mind wasn't so fuzzy.
Suzanne also said that...
Von Deer flipped
out, just like you...
Only he was a lot
worse, a month worse.
I guess that makes sense.
If it was something
in the music,
he had a lot more direct
exposure than I did.
Besides he was a
lot crazier to start.
Okay.
Not a lot crazier.
[ rock music playing]
There.
There.
Sounds like somebody
dropped something into the music,
an embed of some kind.
It reminds me of the '60s.
Do you remember "Paul is Dead"?
Advertisers have been using
subliminal
suggestions for years.
Now, hold on and I'll give you
a visual representation
of the music.
[ computer beeping]
HARRISON: Yeah.
This area here...
it looks kind of like
a beta wave that could
render the subconscious.
So that any commands
that were repeated...
Would become gospel.
[ computer trilling]
[ computer tones slowing down]
Turn it off!
[ tones stop]
Okay.
The reason that this music
feels so good is somehow
it stimulates the pleasure
centers of the brain.
That's what makes
it so addictive.
[ speaking alien language]:
[ dialing]
[ line ringing]
Norton?
I wish to speak with
Professor Von Deer.
Uh, well, Dr. Von Deer
is indisposed right now.
Can I help you?
Unlikely.
Tell him...
I'll call back.
[ dial tone buzzing]
[ phone ringing]
NORTON: Suzanne, you there?
Norton, it's you!
Look on your screen.
Those are your codes... they'll
get you inside Von Deer's files.
You okay?
Yeah. I'm a little
anxious. That's all.
Well, if you need
anything, call.
I will.
[ sighs]
[ typing]
[ phone rings]
[ ringing continues]
Yeah?
SUZANNE: Von Deer
is developing a vaccine
to protect the aliens
against bacteria.
How far along is he?
Norton, I'm looking
at a whole bottle of it,
right in front of me.
There's enough
here for thousands.
Where are we?
Well, Suzanne's found out
what the professor was up to.
He's developed a vaccine
so that the aliens
can protect themselves
against the Earth's bacteria.
Norton, call Suzanne and
tell her that we're on the way.
Are you sure you're...
I'm fine, Colonel.
I'm really fine.
Let's go.
[ line ringing]
[ phone ringing]
Norton?
[ line disconnects,
dial tone buzzing]
[ speaking alien language]
[ phone ringing]
[ speaking alien language]
[ line continues ringing]
[ ringing continues]
SUZANNE: Norton?
Are you sure you
want me to do this?
The research is
invaluable, Norton.
If the aliens get
their hands on it,
they can duplicate the
vaccine even without Eric.
After I drop
this computer virus
into Von Deer's files,
the aliens won't be
able to tell if it's English
or chicken soup.
Okay.
[ speaking alien language]
Eric.
I just want to sleep.
[ loud grunt]
[ clattering in distance]
[ groans]
[ gasps]
[ gunshot]
[ rock music playing]
Oh, good, you're here.
Dr. Von Deer said
you'd be coming.
I have the vaccine.
We finished it a few hours ago.
What are you doing
here? Assisting.
Dr. Von Deer is exhausted.
He's been working day and night,
you know. Where is he?
Resting. He said to
make sure you got this.
You know, I didn't
even hear you buzz.
The music must
have been too loud.
But it's so good.
I am so thrilled
to be part of this great work.
Dr. Von Deer has
told me everything.
We want to see him.
He's in his office.
[ rock music continues playing]
[ tires screech]
[ music blasting]
Stop it! Stop it!
Ironhorse, turn that off!
Turn it off!
[ music stops] Oh! Oh!
[ panting]: Oh, geez!
Are you all right? Oh!
Are you all right, Suzanne?
Suzanne, are you okay? Oh!
[ laughs]: Oh...
I am now that you two are here.
I think they had an argument
over what to do with me.
[ sighs]: I was too scared to
look up and see if they had gone.
Dear God, did they
get the vaccine?
Well, let's go! We've
got to stop them!
Oh, wait a minute. I
think I already have.
[ typing] [ computer beeping]
Going over Eric's notes,
I found a report
on a lab accident.
The tiniest amount of ammonia...
A trace amount
barely detectable...
Fell into the petri dish,
destroying three months' work.
Well, ammonia causes the aliens
an allergic reaction.
I have a feeling the aliens
are going to be...
a little disappointed
with their vaccine.
ADVOCATE: In honor of
your great achievement,
you're granted the
privilege of being the first
to be inoculated
against Earth's bacteria.
Thank you, Advocate.
At last, we will walk
the Earth as free beings.
As will all who follow us.
[ coughs]
[ gags, coughs]
[ coughing]
[ loud grunting]
[ yelling in pain]
[ both screaming]
[ screaming continues]
ADVOCATE: How can this be?
ADVOCATE 2: The human scientist
was the most brilliant of his race.
ADVOCATE 3: It is obviously a task
beyond the scope of human intellect.
[ others continue
gagging, gasping in pain]
experienced a war of the worlds.
Common bacteria
stopped the aliens,
but it didn't kill them.
Instead, the aliens lapsed
into a state of deep hibernation.
Now the aliens have
been resurrected,
more terrifying than before.
In 1953, aliens started
taking over the world.
Today, they're taking
over our bodies.
WOMAN: You will help us
bring a new age to this planet.
ADVOCATE 1 [ over
speaker]: Testing. Testing.
One, two, three.
Testing. Testing.
Are you ready?
We are the travelers.
We are your friends.
We are your friends.
We need your help.
We can save your world.
[ overlapping dialogue]: We need
your help. We can save your world.
We need your help.
We are hope and peace.
Believe in us.
We need your help.
Believe in us.
We are the freedom.
Believe in us.
[ chanting]: Believe
in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us. Believe
in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us.
Believe in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us. Believe
in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us.
Believe in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us. Believe
in us. Believe in us.
Believe in us...
[ rock music playing]
[ music continues]
[ music stops]
Hello, Billy. We're from
your record company.
No kidding.
I would have never guessed.
We came to pick up the album.
When are you
idiots gonna realize?
I will not be interrupted
while I'm recording.
No problem, Billy, baby.
Don't "Billy Baby" me.
The album isn't finished.
The album is finished.
The album... is finished.
[ screaming]
[ beeps]
Hello.
This is Billy Carlos'
answering machine.
He's on tour...
and you're not.
We are ready.
Put on the embed first.
[ beeps]
Once the embed is
heard by the right...
human, our people will no longer
have to fear death
from Earth's bacteria.
Perfect.
Now we can hide the
embed in the music.
Crank it up.
[ rock music playing]
Faster.
Louder.
Crank it up.
More. Step on it.
Give it to me.
Louder.
Faster.
More. Crank it up.
Louder. Faster. Give it to me.
[ rock music playing]
We have an appointment
with Dr. Von Deer.
Sounds like Billy Carlos.
Excuse me!
Oh...
Sorry.
We have a music
problem around here.
Is this Billy Carlos?
Dr. Von Deer's favorite artist.
He's been playing
this particular album
night and day for a month.
You must be Dr. McCullough.
I am. And this is Dr. Blackwood.
I just love Carlos' music.
I find it a little
hard on the ears.
Dr. Von Deer is in the pit.
You can go right in.
Thank you. The pit?
That's what he calls
his private workspace.
[ rock music playing loudly]
Good morning, Eric.
ERIC: Oh, Suzanne.
You are late.
So you'd like to
retard the process
of live cell-face matching, huh?
Actually, no.
I'm looking for a way
to block it completely.
Block it?
I'm doing some
cell-face work myself,
but from a different approach.
Maybe I... I'll be of some help.
Eric, we have been
corresponding about this for months.
You promised I could
have some of your time
on the long weekend.
I've completely forgotten.
I've been so busy lately.
Now, there'll be some windows
of time here and there left.
If you are willing
to stay, of course.
Eric, we agreed that I
would stay here this weekend.
Yes. Yes. Good.
I can use the diversion.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I've got to get back to work.
Nice talking to
you, Dr. Blackwood.
Oh, yeah. Um,
Billy Carlos, right?
Yes.
He sent me this tape
before he left on tour.
I knew him as a child.
His new composition
hasn't been released yet.
Are you his fan as well?
Oh, for years, yeah.
His complex chord structure
and his tonal progressions,
they tune my mind and
stimulate my imagination.
Very well put.
He's the... the
Auberborg of the new set.
Here.
I've many more left
in case I break one.
I appreciate this.
[ engine starts]
VOICE: Stop here.
[ over speaker]:
This is the place.
[ rock music playing]
NORTON: This is a location
and events map of the continent.
Now, those flashing areas
are areas of high alien activity.
If we can continue to
accumulate these statistics,
we just might get a
fix on their home base.
Norton, I need your access
to Defense Department files
for nine years prior to
the alien invasion of 1953.
Find out what we did,
civilian and military,
that may have provoked
the aliens to attack.
Provoked the aliens?
I need this ASAP.
Oh, I've got a great
new Billy Carlos tape.
You get some free
time, I'll play it for you.
Free time?
The guy just gave me
a career's worth of work.
Had a flash message
on my terminal.
Didn't realize you
are in the computer.
Oh, I was just trying
to access some files
and I ran into a security block.
Security block?
Oh, it's necessary
to protect this research.
Been doing some work
for national security.
It's classified.
You understand.
We'll discuss it later
when I have more time.
Fellow traveler.
We are your friends.
Believe in us.
I believe.
Who is the woman?
An old student of mine,
just here for the weekend.
You understand our
presence must be kept secret.
If your government were to learn
of our existence...
They would lock us in cages
and conduct scientific
experiments on us.
Oh, friends, trust, trust.
I took every precaution.
That's good.
The essence you requested.
Yes. From the brain stem.
Many travelers
died to supply that.
Died?
They gave their lives willingly.
A sacrifice to the great
work you are doing
to help us save your world.
You will help us bring
a new age to this planet.
But time is short.
Oh, friends, I assure you,
with this, within 48 hours,
you'll have your vaccine.
That is good news.
Once our people
have been immunized
against the bacteria,
we will finish what
we came here for.
Yes, and live as friends. Yes.
We will live as friends.
[ rock music playing]
[ speaking alien language]
[ attempting to repeat]
[ repeats alien language]
[ repeats]
[ both speaking alien language]
[ speaking alien language]
Your decision not to take
over the body of the one
called Von Deer continues
to trouble us, comrade.
The human's body is
too fragile to tolerate
the trauma of
possession, Advocate.
We feel that sacrificing
the human prematurely
would be a serious loss.
Failing to get the serum we need
would be an even
greater loss, comrade.
The music embeds are working.
The human is ours,
both in mind and in heart.
He says he'll be
finished in a few days.
You have two days to
complete the mission.
No excuses.
We hear your command.
We are nothing
without your counsel.
[ indistinct shouts]
[ rock music playing]
Hello?
Eric, a little Billy
Carlos goes a long way.
Eric!
Eric!
Eric, can you hear me?
[ groans]
Can-Can you stand?
Are you all right? Oh.
[ weakly]: Yes.
Just want to rest.
A little sleep,
and you'll be okay.
Without all the racket.
[ music stops]
Hmm?
Oh, my God. What's this?
[ dialing]
[ pounding on door]
IRONHORSE: Harrison!
Damn it. Harrison!!
[ rock music playing]
Ah, glad you're here.
Come on in. Both of you.
I have been working
all night on this.
Look, Harrison,
we have something
we have to talk to you about.
I've been over every
piece of data that I can find.
Suzanne found
alien tissue samples
in Von Deer's lab.
I just couldn't figure it out.
And then suddenly it hit me,
like a brilliant comet
flashing across
the morning sky.
Would you mind if
I turn this thing off
while we talk? Leave that on.
You can turn it
down, but I need that.
It was all that atomic
testing, don't you see?
And Hiroshima, Nagasaki
didn't help, of course.
What the hell are
you talking about?
I mean, didn't you hear
what Norton just said?
Von Deer is doing
alien research.
Listen to me.
We have got to start
taking responsibility
for our actions on this planet.
We've frightened the aliens.
We've put them on the defensive.
And we're still doing it.
Harrison, I...
Listen!
Put yourself in their place.
You're travelers.
You've come across the
far reaches of the universe
to this strange planet Earth.
And what's the first thing
you see when you arrive?
One group of natives
obliterating another group.
Women, children, old people...
entire cities laid waste
by atomic weapons.
The madness continues.
The atmosphere is
filled with radiation.
The earth is poisoned.
The sea is rotting.
Not to mention what we're
doing to the ozone layer.
What would you do?
Harrison, Suzanne found
alien tissue samples
in Von Deer's lab.
Yes. I know. You told me that.
Well, aren't you
the least bit angry? Concerned?
Aren't you at least curious?
Look. Suzanne is a big girl.
I know she can
handle it by herself.
Now, communication,
that's the key.
We've got to let
these travelers know
we don't mean them any harm.
We're their friends.
And they can believe in us.
That's what's going
to turn this all around.
[ rock music playing]
What is with him?
He's playing with our heads.
Right.
When am I going to get used
to his perverse sense of humor?
Well, I've known
the man for years,
and he still fakes me out.
[ rock music plays loudly]
General Wilson guarantees
me that the professor
is not doing alien
research of any kind,
at least not for us.
And he's not cleared for
national security work either?
All of which suggests...
That Suzanne has
stumbled into a nest of aliens.
[ phone ringing]
Von Deer Research.
Stay calm, Suzanne.
I'm on my way.
I'm fine, Paul, and
I'm way ahead of you.
I just wrapped
up a cell analysis
of Dr. Von Deer's hair.
He's not an alien. Thank God.
Suzanne, you could
still be in danger there.
Not until I find out
what's going on here.
I'll call if I find anything.
What the hell do you
think you're doing?
I asked, what were you doing?
I was just... Nothing, Eric.
I was just looking.
Are you feeling any better?
You gave me quite
a start this morning.
Suzanne, just
give me the bottle.
Well, I was just going to ask...
Just give me the bottle!
You are holding the future
of the world in your hand.
If you don't let go of me, Eric,
I am going to drop
the future on the floor.
No. Please don't.
I found the alien tissue
samples and the body fluids.
I know you're
working with the aliens.
So you know about the travelers?
Is that what they
call themselves?
Why are you so condescending?
They are our only
hope for the future.
Eric, in 1953, your
travelers invaded this planet.
It was a holocaust then
and they want it to
be a holocaust now.
Suzanne, you are wrong.
These extraterrestrials
are different.
They are no invaders.
They are spiritual guides,
leading us into a new age.
Oh, Eric.
Suzanne, let me show you.
[ plays rock music]
Can't you hear it?
Billy Carlos... The
sound of the future.
Hey, Doc.
We were just...
those are my ROM discs.
He's destroying a
year's worth of research!
What are you doing?!
Getting rid of this poison.
What do you mean poison?!
They're full of lies
and distortions.
He's losing it, man.
Give it... It's time
we faced the truth.
We've got to stop
hurting the aliens!
Hurting the aliens?
I don't remember
invading their planet.
It's not an invasion.
Didn't I tell you that?!
It's self-defense.
Then the aliens were justified
in killing your
mother and father?
Yes.
Yes, it was...
it was... it was
my parents' fault!
[ sobbing]: It was
their own fault.
Harrison.
Oh, God, Harrison. [ sobbing]
[ rock music playing]
They care deeply about us.
The travelers are
going to help us
to end poverty,
pollution, hunger.
No more hate, no more wars.
Suzanne...
Can't you see it?
The future of the
planet is at stake.
Maybe you're right, Eric.
Maybe the aliens are victims
of a terrible misunderstanding.
And I do want to help you.
They are our friends.
They are our friends.
Maybe I should
put this... in a safe place
where we can lock it up.
[ glass breaking]
Eric, I dropped it!
I'm sorry. Oh, my God.
I dropped it.
ERIC: What?
No, this isn't it.
Suzanne?
What are you doing?
For starters,
I'm going to kill
that godawful music.
[ banging on door]: Suzanne!
Suzanne!
Open the door.
Suzanne!
IRONHORSE: I don't get it.
What, has he lost his mind?
NORTON: Stress,
overwork... I don't know.
I don't know,
but something got into him.
Something potent enough
to flip-flop his
entire value systems
180 degrees.
Gertrude, whoa.
IRONHORSE: Well,
maybe he just snapped.
NORTON: I don't know,
but I wish Suzanne was here.
[ turns on stereo]
[ volume decreases]
[ volume increases]
[ turns off stereo]
[ turns on stereo]
[ both grunting]
Norton, get the tape.
Got it. Okay.
[ both grunting]
Wait a minute. Wait!
Hey, wait!
That's enough, okay?
[ sighs]
It's okay, Harrison.
Suzanne!
Open the door!
[ door rattling]
Yes, it must have been the music
that affected
Dr. Von Deer as well.
Some kind of subliminal
seduction is my guess.
Given they're both
vulnerable to suggestion...
I'm worried.
Uh, don't be.
Uh, we got things pretty
well under control here.
Now, since Von Deer
was the primary
target for this thing,
I think you'd better stay there
until you find out
what's going on.
Okay.
Call me if you need me, okay?
And whatever you do,
keep Harrison away
from that music.
The withdrawal will only be
worse the longer he's exposed.
[ thumping and rattling]
Open this door!
No.
I want you to get that tape.
Forget about the tape, Harrison.
You're doing this
to get back at me,
aren't you, Colonel?
You really resent me, don't you?
You think you should be
in charge of this
mission, right?
Do it the military way?
Kill them all and let
God sort them out?!
Isn't that it, Colonel?
All brawn and no brain?!
I still have a great amount
of respect for you, Harrison,
even now.
I know why you're doing this.
You want to see the freak.
You want to see the freak crawl.
You want me down
on my knees? Huh?
You want me to beg?
Please?
Harrison, back off.
Just get up, okay?
Right. Big man's in charge now.
Big man's in control.
I need that tape.
I want that tape,
and I want it now!
No!
You've just got to calm down.
You're a little sick right
now, a little out of control.
You're gonna be okay.
I know what you want.
You want money.
Right?
I'll give you money.
Here, take what I've got.
That's, that's not enough.
I'll give you more.
Let me give you...
I'll give you $5,000.
I'll give you $50,000.
Harrison.
You don't have $50,000.
I'll get it. I'll borrow it.
I'll steal it.
You know I'm good for it.
I'll have it here in
an hour. I mean it.
Just give me a
taste of that music.
Please, just a
taste. Just a taste.
Just a taste.
[ sobbing]
[ breathing heavily]
[ weakly]: Suzanne...
Suzanne.
I... I just want my
Billy Carlos music.
[ groans]
[ Harrison groaning]
[ groans]
How you doing?
I'm just terrific.
No more pounding on doors
or yelling at the
top of your lungs?
[ sighs]
That music hooked me.
It mentally and
physically hooked me.
I just couldn't
get enough of it.
It is past tense, though?
How's Suzanne doing?
Well, Suzanne says that Von
Deer was developing a serum
that would be compatible
with alien blood,
whatever the hell that is.
I guess that means they
won't be trying it on humans.
[ groans]
I wish my mind wasn't so fuzzy.
Suzanne also said that...
Von Deer flipped
out, just like you...
Only he was a lot
worse, a month worse.
I guess that makes sense.
If it was something
in the music,
he had a lot more direct
exposure than I did.
Besides he was a
lot crazier to start.
Okay.
Not a lot crazier.
[ rock music playing]
There.
There.
Sounds like somebody
dropped something into the music,
an embed of some kind.
It reminds me of the '60s.
Do you remember "Paul is Dead"?
Advertisers have been using
subliminal
suggestions for years.
Now, hold on and I'll give you
a visual representation
of the music.
[ computer beeping]
HARRISON: Yeah.
This area here...
it looks kind of like
a beta wave that could
render the subconscious.
So that any commands
that were repeated...
Would become gospel.
[ computer trilling]
[ computer tones slowing down]
Turn it off!
[ tones stop]
Okay.
The reason that this music
feels so good is somehow
it stimulates the pleasure
centers of the brain.
That's what makes
it so addictive.
[ speaking alien language]:
[ dialing]
[ line ringing]
Norton?
I wish to speak with
Professor Von Deer.
Uh, well, Dr. Von Deer
is indisposed right now.
Can I help you?
Unlikely.
Tell him...
I'll call back.
[ dial tone buzzing]
[ phone ringing]
NORTON: Suzanne, you there?
Norton, it's you!
Look on your screen.
Those are your codes... they'll
get you inside Von Deer's files.
You okay?
Yeah. I'm a little
anxious. That's all.
Well, if you need
anything, call.
I will.
[ sighs]
[ typing]
[ phone rings]
[ ringing continues]
Yeah?
SUZANNE: Von Deer
is developing a vaccine
to protect the aliens
against bacteria.
How far along is he?
Norton, I'm looking
at a whole bottle of it,
right in front of me.
There's enough
here for thousands.
Where are we?
Well, Suzanne's found out
what the professor was up to.
He's developed a vaccine
so that the aliens
can protect themselves
against the Earth's bacteria.
Norton, call Suzanne and
tell her that we're on the way.
Are you sure you're...
I'm fine, Colonel.
I'm really fine.
Let's go.
[ line ringing]
[ phone ringing]
Norton?
[ line disconnects,
dial tone buzzing]
[ speaking alien language]
[ phone ringing]
[ speaking alien language]
[ line continues ringing]
[ ringing continues]
SUZANNE: Norton?
Are you sure you
want me to do this?
The research is
invaluable, Norton.
If the aliens get
their hands on it,
they can duplicate the
vaccine even without Eric.
After I drop
this computer virus
into Von Deer's files,
the aliens won't be
able to tell if it's English
or chicken soup.
Okay.
[ speaking alien language]
Eric.
I just want to sleep.
[ loud grunt]
[ clattering in distance]
[ groans]
[ gasps]
[ gunshot]
[ rock music playing]
Oh, good, you're here.
Dr. Von Deer said
you'd be coming.
I have the vaccine.
We finished it a few hours ago.
What are you doing
here? Assisting.
Dr. Von Deer is exhausted.
He's been working day and night,
you know. Where is he?
Resting. He said to
make sure you got this.
You know, I didn't
even hear you buzz.
The music must
have been too loud.
But it's so good.
I am so thrilled
to be part of this great work.
Dr. Von Deer has
told me everything.
We want to see him.
He's in his office.
[ rock music continues playing]
[ tires screech]
[ music blasting]
Stop it! Stop it!
Ironhorse, turn that off!
Turn it off!
[ music stops] Oh! Oh!
[ panting]: Oh, geez!
Are you all right? Oh!
Are you all right, Suzanne?
Suzanne, are you okay? Oh!
[ laughs]: Oh...
I am now that you two are here.
I think they had an argument
over what to do with me.
[ sighs]: I was too scared to
look up and see if they had gone.
Dear God, did they
get the vaccine?
Well, let's go! We've
got to stop them!
Oh, wait a minute. I
think I already have.
[ typing] [ computer beeping]
Going over Eric's notes,
I found a report
on a lab accident.
The tiniest amount of ammonia...
A trace amount
barely detectable...
Fell into the petri dish,
destroying three months' work.
Well, ammonia causes the aliens
an allergic reaction.
I have a feeling the aliens
are going to be...
a little disappointed
with their vaccine.
ADVOCATE: In honor of
your great achievement,
you're granted the
privilege of being the first
to be inoculated
against Earth's bacteria.
Thank you, Advocate.
At last, we will walk
the Earth as free beings.
As will all who follow us.
[ coughs]
[ gags, coughs]
[ coughing]
[ loud grunting]
[ yelling in pain]
[ both screaming]
[ screaming continues]
ADVOCATE: How can this be?
ADVOCATE 2: The human scientist
was the most brilliant of his race.
ADVOCATE 3: It is obviously a task
beyond the scope of human intellect.
[ others continue
gagging, gasping in pain]