04x10 - Drawing Straws

[bunniefuu]

We're gonna have to figure out a way to get up there, blow that son of a bitch up.

We do have a Beamer.

A buried Beamer.

So, let's unbury it.

We were wrong about everything.

She's on their side.

Since I woke up with the spikes, I feel... drawn to you Those spikes of yours -- they help you heal quickly, right?

Yeah.

Ugh! Oh, oh!

This is not evolution.

This is genocide!

Soon I'll be leaving for my training, but I want you to come with me.

The Lexi we know is gone.

You're back.

Ben: Wanted to show you what you’ve done...

... and to thank you in person.

You did this!

Look at me!

Lexi, look what you've done!

[ Gasps ]

[ Breathing heavily ]

♪ Falling Skies 4x10 ♪
Drawing Straws
Original Air Date on August 24, 2014

What's he doing -- delivering a baby?

Well, we learned how to start the car.

Now we got to figure out how to drive the damn thing.

[ Sighs ]

Ah, forget it.

Been looking all over this damn ship for the steering mechanism.

Can't even find the damn yoke.

Perhaps there isn't one.

We know that Beamers are remote controlled by radio waves.

They're drones.

We must somehow override the remote control and take local dominion of the navigation system.

How do we do that if there's no yoke, no steering wheel?

Come. Allow me to show you something.

Hey, don't touch anything. It's dangerous.

You guys are touching stuff.

Well, we're trying to figure out how to fly it.

So am I.

When did you enter your teenage rebellion phase?

When I became a teenager.

This ship stung the crap out of my arm, and it hurt.

I'm just trying to give you a little bit of advice.

[ Scoffs ]

I don't need advice.

Okay. Good talk.

What am I looking at? Find the Moon.

Look 5 degrees below it.

A whole line of Beamers.

They are following the homing beacon to the Espheni base.

Perhaps I can use the sub communicator to mimic the Espheni homing beacon and trick the ship into flying to the Moon on its own.

You think you can hack into the drone and just go along for the ride?

We don't even need to find the steering wheel.

Precisely.

You think you can hack into it? The Volm have infiltrated and taken control of automated Espheni ships before.

I will give it one chance in three.

All right.

Where's Matt? He must've gone back in.

Tom: If he's still alive, I'm gonna k*ll him.

Hey, he's 13 years old.

Remember, we would've done the same thing. Go easy on him.

Hey! I thought I told you not to touch anything!

Why do you have to always be so mad?

Look. I figured something out.

What is this, Matt? What'd you do?

Pushed one of the lights under the stairs and the hatch popped open.

Which tendrils did you touch to make the ship move?

Look.

This one and that one.

You pull this, and the wings move? Yeah.

[ Chuckles ] Pitch.

Yaw must be nearby. The two controls are integrated.

See how the tendrils come together at the trunk here.

See, dad? Now we know how to control pitch.

[ Beeping ]

Sometimes the Espheni try to hide their communication channels in the terrestrial spectrum. Weaver: Right.

[ Man speaks indistinctly over radio ]

Wait. What was that?

Everybody hear that?

[ Man continues speaking indistinctly ]

Did you guys hear that? Go back.

[ Man speaking Spanish ]

Is that Spanish?

Hablo español.

Anthony, what's he saying?

[ Man continues speaking Spanish ]

Monk: What is the most pervasive force in the universe?

Gravity -- the attraction of a body to another body.

It's what makes the planets go around the suns.

It's what makes the stars.

And you have been born with the unique ability to use gravity and other natural forces, to control them.

As you develop your power, you will do amazing things.

Do you see those trees in the distance?

The tall one.
The big, live oak.

I want you to break the chains of gravity that hold it together.

I don't want to destroy it.
You aren't destroying it.

You are setting it free, sending it back to the stars.

You are the bringer of peace.

Can you feel every atom of the tree pulling on every other atom, and all the other atoms in the world pulling on those atoms?

That is the eternal tug-of-w*r of the universe.

I want you to take all that relentless static background power and reverse it.

Turn the pull into a push.

Use the light in your mind.

[ Creaking ]

[ Breathing heavily ]

Singularly gifted.

I can't breathe.

Rest.

Your strength will come back, stronger next time.

[ Panting ]

How strong can I get?

It depends on how disciplined you are in your training.

Your potential is unlimited.

Could I make a star?

Your perfected power will be... divine.

We received a radio transmission from inside the Beamer.

Yeah, it was a loop -- the same message over and over.

"The ghettos are being emptied.
"Almost no one is left in Andalusia.
"It is the same in Italy and Morocco.
"Virtually everyone has been taken for processing.
"The enemy has a new w*apon to capture human fugitives.
"I've seen it. It's horrific, beyond anything we have encountered before.
"Believe me when I say there is no defense.
"Anyone hearing this should realize you are one of the last remaining pockets of humanity.
"Do not attempt to fight back.
"Go to ground...
"Retreat...
"Hide...
"Survive...
"Or this is the end."

How do we know this is real, not just another Espheni trick?

We don't. But it was broadcast on a frequency that we think was ours.

What frequency is that?

1776 megahertz, as in American independence.

Somebody's looking out for us, hoping we'd get the code.

Hal: So, what are we gonna do?

Those voices said we need to retreat, hide, survive.

We're kind of running out of places to do that.

We just gonna leave here?

Yeah, we're gonna go liberate another ghetto, get some people out of there before -- Ben: Before what?

The Espheni solution is happening.

I've seen it for myself.

Well, it sounds like yet another "hold down the fort" detail to me, and I, for one, have no intention of playing the sitting-duck card again.

Maggie's right, all right?

What's wrong with rounding up some new recruits, huh?

We replenish the army, we get out there, and we frag those cockroaches, huh?

[ Crowd murmuring ]

'Cause if that broadcast is telling the truth and this mutation process is that far along, we need to do something even more aggressive than that.

Sorry, I forgot your master plan -- hijack the, uh, Millennium Falcon out thee and fly it to the Moon.

Pope, shut up.

Haven't heard a better plan yet. Not out of you, anyway.

We can't win a w*r of attrition. We don't have the numbers.

[ Crowd murmuring ]

What we are about to embark on may not be the most rational plan, but I do believe that it is the plan with the best chance of success.

If we've run out of time, maybe this is too desperate.

Maybe we should just hide.

[ Crowd murmuring ]

Okay, I'm just gonna speak for myself. I'm not gonna hide.

I'm sick of scrounging around and just surviving.

[ Crowd murmuring ]

I'm sure we could find a cave, and we could eke out another week or another month, another year, but that -- I want to win the w*r.

And if there's a way -- if there is any way that we can cr*pple the Espheni power core, we can bring down their w*r defenses, then that's what I'm gonna do.

Tom's right. This is no way to live.

And exactly who do you propose would be foolish enough to pilot that flying saucer to the Moon?

Me.

[ Crowd murmuring ]

I just think you're being rash. You're treating this situation by rote, if it's just another --

There's nothing rote about it.

I'm the one driving the plan. I have to walk the walk.

And I'm glad you are.

Everyone is. But?

But you can't make another unilateral decision just because it's the shortest distance between two points.

There are no good options here.

I mean, I see that, and I know that you're worried.

It's more than that I'm just worried.

I mean, you are flying on an alien spaceship to the Moon, Tom.

A-and just think about it.

Once you destroy the power core, doesn't that k*ll everything Espheni-powered?

How the hell are you planning on getting back, exactly?

Cochise has done his homework.

He says there should be enough stored power in the Beamer to fly it home, in a -- like, a battery or something.

Oh. Well, that's -- that's reassuring.

Okay, well, once the Espheni here on earth realize that they've been hit hard, you think they're not gonna retaliate?

And don't you think we need you here alive when they do?

It's a two-man job.

Cochise pilots, and I have to deploy the bombs.

Hey, but I can't ask somebody else to do this.

And I need to lead by example.

I want you to lead, but with the consent of those you're leading.

Tom, you've got to think it through and allow the people around you to think it through with you.

That is the only way we pull this off -- if we decide things together.

[ Sighs ]

I hear what you're saying, I really do, and I know you're not just talking about the group.

[ Sighs ]

We are --
[Sighs] We are partners now.

Yeah. You got me?

Yeah, I got you. I do.

Okay.

[ Stammering ]

Uh, excuse me.

It's okay. What's up? We need you at the Beamer.

Thank you.

Dingaan: We were working, and all of a sudden, these tendrils lurched out of the Beamer console and seized the Volm communicator.

Anthony: And fried it.

It is because we integrated the Volm technology in order to access the ship's navigation system.

Apparently, this Beamer is armed with a defense mechanism which recognized the Volm override.

Once this ship is fully activated, I worry it will recognize any Volm presence and will reject me.

You're saying you can't go on the mission?

I could, but...

It would jeopardize our objective.

So, the only one of us who has any understanding of how this thing works is grounded.

[ Sighs ]
So much for hitching a ride.

There is... one possibility.

If we can manage to fly this Beamer manually above the interference of earth's atmosphere, there is a chance it will automatically lock onto the homing beacon to the Espheni power core.

And then fly itself to the Moon? Yes.

So it's not a magic carpet, it's an airplane?

Mm.

Airplanes have four basic controls -- thrust, pitch, yaw, roll.

And we already know pitch and yaw, thanks to your son.

And we know where the main control panel is, thanks to your son.

So, then, all we need to isolate is thrust and roll...

The old-fashioned way.

Tom: Pull!

Dingaan: Nothing.

Pull!

Nothing.

Pull!

[ Beamer powers up ]

Cochise: Stop! Stop! Stop!

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

Cochise nearly got sucked through the intake.

Thrust.

Pull.

[ Sniffs ]

How's the b*mb coming?

I said, um, how's the b*mb coming?

Well, if we can't figure out a way to control this accelerant, it's gonna be hard to time the expl*si*n.

Look, um...

I know I crossed the line.

And what line is that -- the line you don't cross when you're hitting on your brother's girlfriend?

You have to understand, it -- we couldn't help it.

S-something's going on with the spikes.

[ Laughs ]

Spikes. Right.

How do you know you don't just like her?

I wouldn't have done anything with Maggie if it wasn't...

You're my brother, Hal.

I'd n-never do anything to hurt you.

That's easy to say, isn't it?

Dingaan: We haven't isolated the roll mechanism just yet, but we will.

There are so many options.

When can we take it for a test drive?

I doubt we'll be able to take it for a test drive before --

Well, remember, we don't have to land on a Navy carrier.

I mean, all we have to do is fly up.

The sky is literally the target.

According to Cochise's diagnostics, once in space, the Beamer will lock onto the Espheni homing beacon and fly to the Moon base on its own.

We still need to train with it.

I mean, it's gonna take two people to drop the b*mb.

I can pilot it --

Whoa. Uh, has that been decided yet, partner?

Of course it has. He's a glory hog.

Hold on. I realize it's not about that.

But, Tom...

This task is unique, to say the least.

It's not just another rescue mission or weapons grab.

This is for all the marbles.

Shouldn’t there be...

A fair process to determine how it works?

Man: Sounds good.

I agree.

We should draw straws to be fair.

Man: Good idea. Pope: Out of the mouths of babes.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

[ Crowd agreeing ] Draw straws? Are you joking?

This isn't a game.

We should pick the right person for the job.

Exactly who said that you were the best person for the job?

I have 13 registered hours as a pilot. Do you?

Man #1: I like it. Man #2: Sounds pretty good.

I want to take a sh*t. You got something --

Hey... I want to do it.

... I don’t think any of this should be left to chance.

Then you can vote against the draw.

Who's for it?

Okay, we'll draw straws.

It's a very dangerous mission.

Nobody should be forced to go. Draw should be voluntary.

I tell you what -- think very carefully whether or not you want to volunteer.

If you do [Sighs] come back later.

We'll get pen, paper.

Write your names out. Put them in here. Come back tonight.

We'll pull out the names, find out who got lucky.

[ Ratchet clicks ]

Anne: I'm proud of you. For what?

For going with the draw. It was very democratic of you.

I also think it got everyone more invested.

I already put my name in.

[ Sighs ]

I think it's a horrible idea.

I think we should go with the person who's got the most chance of success... Meaning you.

... not just pick people at random.

By the way, what happens if Hal or Ben gets picked?

I would hate that, but we can't make exceptions just because -- Because they're my children?

Aren't we all a family now?

[ Clears throat ] Yeah. I'm sorry I said that.

[ Sighs ] Look, you're gonna accept the results, right?

You're not gonna pull rank if you don't like who gets decided?

I honestly don't know how I would react if one of the boys gets picked. I'm on your side.

You're not the only one who can save the world, Tom.

I want to put my name in the draw.

No. You're 13.

You said Joan of Arc was a teenager when she wanted to fight for her country.

Don't get smart with me right now, please. The draw was my idea!

Yeah, I know, but you have to be 15

to pilot an alien spaceship, and you don't have your learner's permit yet.

God! End of discussion.

Worried about that kid.

[ Chuckles ]

You wanted to discuss the hybrid, brother.

I'm worried you won't be able to control her for much longer.

Don't be. She's completely committed to our cause.

[ Echoes ] She's completely committed to our cause.

She's more human than Espheni.

She sees humanity as inferior, as she has been taught.

You saw what she did to the forest.

That's the reason I summoned you.

She's progressing much more quickly than I could've imagine.

She could single-handedy win us the w*r.

Or lose it if she rebels.

She's not going to rebel.

And even if she did, I have a special means to control her.

Trust me -- she has no idea of our purpose for her.

She thinks her power is being developed for peace.

I don't care. End it.

I want you to eliminate the risk she represents.

You want me to k*ll her?

That's the safest course of action.

Now do as I say. End her.

Yes, brother.

[ Electricity crackling ]

[ People screaming ]

I saw you put your name in the draw when I put mine in.

It's the right thing to do.

What do you mean?

Just that.

I try to do the right thing... For my family... The people I care about.

So do I.

I saw you with Ben.

I'm so sorry, Hal.

It's -- Ben and I have this connection because of the spikes.

It's more physical than anything else. I -- I don't know how to explain it.

You know, I’ve already heard this story, and, um...

You know what? I get it.

You know, maybe the two of you are meant for each other.

No. That's not what I'm saying.

When Ben and I are near each other, it's like the spikes are attracted to each other.

It's totally out of our control.

You know, it's just so convenient that you both have these spikes that you can blame for your lack of self-control.

I got news for you.

Everybody's got their version of spikes.

"Heart wants what it wants."

I don't want to be with Ben.

That's what I'm saying.

You know, the truth is...

You just really hurt me.

What are you doing?

[ Chuckles ]

I should've known you -- you'd try to get out of it.

Put your name in and sneak back and take it out, see?

There's a word for people like you.

Yeah, what's that? Coward?

Please. I'm the one saying we should get off our ass, round up some men and some weapons, and frag these cockroaches.

Yeah, why don't you quit complaining and go do that?

I would. But I can't -- not alone.

Mason's got everybody so brainwashed --

[ chuckling ]

Is that what it is?

You never run out of excuses, do you, Pope?

Why, because I don't see the point in wasting nothing but time on a wing and a prayer?

You know, even if they get that Beamer running, it's gonna crash.

Meanwhile, the rest of us -- see, we're all sitting in one place with a giant target on our heads!

You watch.

This little "adventure," it's gonna end like they all end -- with a smudge on a windshield.

We're all just a bunch of lab rats, cap, just waiting...

For whatever delightful little skitter experiment they're brewing up next.

Then again, you'd probably know all about that, now, wouldn't you?

[ Grunts ]

Aah!

[ Both grunting ]

I didn't take my name out of the skull!

I didn't take my name out of the skull.

I just saw you do it!

It wasn't my name. It was yours...

Yours and Mason's.

What?

What are you talking about?

Give me that.

I need to be on that ship.

All right? I need to be chosen.

Look -- these people, they... they need you...

You and Mason. Nobody needs me.

I could disappear tomorrow, I really doubt that anybody's gonna notice, all right?

I got to be on that ship.

That Beamer's on a one-way ticket, all right?

It ain't coming back, and we both know that.

Let me be...

Let me be the hero, Dan.

Huh? Let me be the martyr.

Right?

The mission's just -- just a hail-Mary for the planet, man.

Let me do...

Something -- something -- something worth remembering.

So you're saying that, for you, this is just another way out.

So what if it is?

Are you serious, Pope?

I'm done. I'm done fighting. I'm done running.

I'm done with the whole program.

Mason’s right... about one thing.

This is... This is no way to live. This life is not worth living.

And what do I got? I got no family. I got -- I got no kids, no wife. I got nothing, man.

She might come back.

Come on.

I'm sorry.

[ Grunts ]

I-I stand corrected.

I thought...

I know what you thought.

[ Crowd murmuring ]

[ Clears throat ]

Weaver: Well, here we are. Mind if I do the honors?

Go ahead.

Lot of names in here.

Boy, did anybody not put their name I?

That says a lot.

Thank you.

Okay. [ Sighs ]

The winner is...

...Ben.

Man: Way to go, kid.

[ Light applause ]

I got your back, kid. Way to go, Ben.

Well, that's one.

[ Sighs ]

Who's the other?

[ Sighs ]

[ Grunts ]

It's me.

[ Crowd murmurs ]

[ Light applause ]

Pope: May I?

Ben: Looks like it's you and me. We got this.

Yeah, we got this.

Well, after all of that... He gets picked anyway.

Now, that is classic.

Two from one family.

That's the way the cookie crumbles. [ Sighs ]

I got a lot to do before I go, so...

Tom...

Will you sit down?

Please?

Did you or didn't you?

Did I or didn't I what?

Fix the draw?

This might be the last time we're together.

Is this really how you want to leave us?

Did you palm it?

Yeah.

I fixed it.

You know history.

This is exactly the kind of hubris that comes before the fall.

If people found out, it would destroy their trust in your leadership.

It would jeopardize everything we've been fighting for.

Are you really willing to risk all of that?

I'm not willing to let Ben go without me.

But even more than that, I just have this feeling like I'm supposed to go on this mission.

I can't even think of any other way to describe it except I just have this sense.

This is what I'm supposed to do.

It's like your belief in Lexi.

[ Sighs ]

Are you ready to train?

Yes, father.

Close your eyes. Relax. Use the -- The light in my mind.

Yes. That's right.

[ Groans ]

I've been practicing.

Don't be afraid.

I'm the bringer of peace, remember?

I heard your conversation with your brother in the shadow plane.

I'm not the bringer of peace at all.

I'm the bringer of death.

Aah! [ Groans ]

You were right about one thing.

Power perfected is divine.

[ Screaming ]

[ Breathing heavily ]

Got to be honest -- I wish I was the one going up there with you.

They say you can hit a golf ball about two miles up there.

Bet the putting's tough.

[ Sighs ]

How do you feel about flying the Beamer?

Mm, I got the basic controls down, but until we go live, until we do it for real...

Well, I don't know.

Nothing to it but to do it. That's right.

So, I heard about you and Ben.

[ Sniffs ]

Yeah? Who told you?

Ben.

He said none of this would've happened if it hadn't been for the spikes.

You know, that's like saying the w*r wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for the Espheni.

I don't know if it had anything to do with the spikes or not.

I do know Ben. I do know his character.

Maggie told me they both got feelings for each other.

I'm sorry.

You're not the first brothers in history to fall for the same girl.

And ultimately, it won't be up to you or Ben.

It'll be up to Maggie.

I'm the one who pushed to give her those spikes in the first place.

He wants to see you.

You should go see your brother.

You might not get another chance. Don't talk like that.

Well, hey, don't make me feel like I have to.

[ Sighs ]

[ Grunts, sighs ]

This one has me scared.

I should've told you everything from the beginning.

I'm sorry that I didn't. It won't happen again.

But you're not sorry you fixed the draw, right?

No.

I won't tell.

I should've known...

When they announced the draw, you'd find a way to go.

You're a good father.

I'm gonna do everything that I can to come back to you.

I promise.

I have a gift for you.

A going-away present?

Nope. A second-day anniversary present.

What is it?

Epictetus. The stoic.

"A man should be prepared to be sufficient unto himself."

It's one of my favorites. I know.

Where'd you find it?

I found it in some rubble when we were digging for you.

Caught my eye. I've been saving it.

Thank you.

It's pocket-sized. It's perfect for the man on the go.

[ Chuckles ]

You sure a man should be sufficient unto himself?

[ Sighs ]

What does Epictetus know?

How's it going?

Um, b*mb's packed, set the Tovex for the charge, double-checked the wiring.

Just got to connect the timer.

I meant with you.

I mean, you must be scared, right?

I probably shouldn't be here. Probably.

I just had to say goodbye.

I'm gonna miss you.

I'm, um -- I won't be gone too long.

I'll be back before you know it.

I'm serious.

I'm gonna miss you, too.

We shouldn't.

Hal.

Hal...

Hal: I came to accept your apology.

Hal... Just -- just stop.

Sorry.

[ Footsteps departing ]

Hal!

Hal!

Worst goodbye ever.

Tom: Okay, Dingaan. Looks like we're all set.

Any last thoughts on our flight plan?

Remember, once you reach the upper atmosphere...

...you'll know it because you'll be able to see the corona.

Above the surface to the north.

That's when I turn the beacon on.

You have it. Of course you do.

Thanks for everything, my friend.

Good luck, Tom. Thank you.

Hey.

Keep my family safe, huh?

You got it. Godspeed.

Keep an eye on Colonel Weaver for me, would you?

Where are you, Hal?

Matt, I'm counting on you to be strong.

Don't be afraid to let yourself feel things.

I feel things. Just got to be tough about them.

Well, you don't have to be so tough all the time.

Yes, you do.

Dad, I love you.

I love you.

Thank you... For protecting me and for... Loving me and... Understanding me.

I shall return.

Oh, you better. You owe me a honeymoon.

Hal: You know, I was thinking about everything that happened last night, and, um...I just want to let you know I forgive you.

I do have feelings for Maggie. I'm sorry, but I do.

Well, thanks for coming clean.

Don't worry. For her, it's about the spikes. You know, let's -- let's just not even talk about it, you know?

I-I don't think this is the time or the place, and, uh...

Thanks for forgiving me... And for not punching me.

Okay.

You know, the truth of the matter is, I'm not the one that gets to tell Maggie what she can and can't do, anyway, so...

It's up to her.

You're right. It's up to her.

Who knows, man? Next couple of years, Matt will probably end up marrying her, anyway.

Come here.

Hey, keep an eye on dad up there, all right?

Yeah. Oh, good.

I'm glad to see you two made up.

Go get 'em.

Wait! Wait! Stop the launch! Stop!

What's the matter? I hear something!

The hell is it? Something's coming.

Come on! Move! Move!

Beamers!

Take cover!

Spread out! Spread out! Everybody, back!

Stand down, Matt!

Put that g*n down.

Stay down!

Get down.

Stay down.

Look out, Matt!

Man: What happened?! All clear.

They just blew up in midair. What?!

Weaver: Who did that?

Hello, father.