04x04 - Evolve or Die

[bunniefuu]

[ Exhales sharply ]

That's it.

That’s the rendez-vous I worked out with Cochise.

Not a moment too soon.

People need rest, food, time to care for the wounded.

They're gonna get it.

No! Beamers!

Take cover!

[ Soft growling ]

Clear!

That's their third patrol since sunrise.

We must have made the top of the Espheni most wanted list.

Yeah, well, they can't be too happy we escaped from their little prison.

b*rned an overlord to a crisp.

All in a day's work.

[ Chuckles ]

Something wrong? Nah.

When those Beamers went over, I thought I saw something back the way we came from.

I... Okay.

You all right?

Got your back.

What's the matter?

♪ Falling Skies 4x04 ♪
Evolve or Die
Original Air Date on July 13, 2014

What's wrong?

Dad!

[ Grunts ]

[ Groans ]

Somebody here's got a bead on us.

[ Speaks foreign language ]

Cochise is expecting us!

Tom Mason.

[ Laughs ]

Whoo. You have made it.

Tom, Hal, Colonel Weaver, this is my second-in-command, Shak-Chic il Sha Shesash.

You're a tall one there, Shaq.

Shak-Chic.

Isn't that what I said?

[ Growls ]

I am glad to see you free again, my friend.

And the rest of your people?

A few of them split off from us.

But at last count, we had 71 people with us.

I am sorry we do not have more to offer.

This is a temporary --

We're grateful for whatever you're able to provide.

I do have some good news.

I have located your son Matt.

You saw him? Yes.

In an Espheni camp to the north.

Unlike the one you escaped from, it is populated by children.

But come inside. I will show you where.

Thank you, my friend.

[ Whistles ]

[ Keys jingle, lock turns ]

I thought you might be hungry.

I wouldn't be down here if I didn't believe in your potential, Matthew.

What do you want, Kent?

Just the names of the others involved in your escape plan.

Just explain it to me.

How could you side with them?

You're a human being.

This isn't kickball, Matthew.

There are no sides, only the truth.

The Espheni are our friends.

They tried to destroy the world.

They defended themselves, as anyone would when att*cked.

They att*cked us!

I was there! I saw it!

You're a child. You don't know what you saw.

Only a few years ago, the world was a mess -lobal warming, financial corruption, terrorism everywhere.

The Espheni offered us a chance to start over, but our leaders didn't trust them.

They att*cked without provocation.

You can't really believe that.

It's not about what I believe!

It's about the truth.

This is a new beginning, and you can join us.

Just give me those names.

There was no one else.

This isn't a shakedown, Matthew.

Soon it will never occur to you to sow dissent.

It just takes time to distinguish between the real world and the fantasy of a child's world.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

We have been using airborne recon drones - fraction of the size of your common housefly.

They provide us an aerial view of our current position.

That's how you found Matt's location -- using those drones?

Correct. Almost inadvertently, in fact.

It is a day's trek on foot.

Tom: We'll leave A.S.A.P.

I'm coming with you.

Listen, this is personal.

Someone needs to hold down the fort while we're gone.

You need me...

'Cause I'm the one who knows what you're going through as a father.

Ever since those monsters took Jeanne, I've been the same.

And you know that if I knew where she was, there's nothing that could stop me from going after her.

You know, a parent's instinct is to protect.

It will make you do stupid, reckless things.

Are we talking about me, or are we talking about you?

I'm talking, so you listen.

You're biting off more than you can chew.

I'm gonna make sure you don't choke on it.

All right, then.

It's your show till we get back. All right.

You'll need to scavenge food, water, weapons if you can find them.

2nd Mass needs to get back to fighting strength.

That's a tall order.

I wouldn't be giving it to you if I didn't know you could handle it.

You're ready.

[ Beamer roars ]

Those bastards aren't gonna quit until they find us.

Stay undercover. Do not move from this position.

Cochise.

Perimeter patrols around the clock, four-hour shifts.

[ Whistles ]

We'll be back in 48 hours...

Come hell or high water.

Give them hell.

[ Sighs ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Heart b*ating rapidly ]

[ Soft growling ]

[ b*ating, growling continue ]

What's going on?

I thought I heard something -ome kind of animal.

Cougar or bobcat wouldn't be unheard of in this part of the country.

Colonel Weaver is displaying somewhat... erratic behavior.

I know.

Don't worry. He'll come through.

Can't really blame him.

The Espheni patrols have been all over us since our escape.

[ Rustling ]

[ b*ating continues ]

Dan. We got to move.

Come on.

I'll take point.

[ Growling ]

Everything we grow here has a purpose.

This is a natural antibiotic.

Peace be with you. Peace be with you.

These people -hey worship you.

They're just grateful to have found a place of peace.

It won't last.

I don't know why the Espheni haven't found it.

But they'll destroy it once they do.

We don't pose a thr*at to them.

We follow a nonviolent path.

[ Scoffs ]

Tell that to the Tibetans.

They were a whole nation of pacifists.

Don't patronize me, Mom.

I'm -'m sorry, Lexi.

I'm just a little spun by all this.

Six months ago, you were just a little girl.

I… didn’t mean to upset you.

No, no, of course not.

You missed a chance at a normal life, and I let them take that from you.

You can't blame yourself.

Of course I can. I'm your mother.

You did your best. I know you did.

A path has been set for me.

I just need the strength to walk it.

Lourdes: You can't go in there!

Anthony: Look, I'm going.

Anthony! Anne: What's the problem?

She said we got to give up our g*ns or leave?

What the hell is the matter with you, Lourdes? It's me.

We don't allow weapons here.

Yeah, okay, you tell that to the Espheni when they come knocking. All right, Anthony.

Take the men past the perimeter.

Set up camp. I'll check in later.

Thank you… for understanding.

Dingaan got the foundry's backup generator started, so at least we got light and heat.

Yeah, for now. Thing's running on fumes.

So add fuel to the laundry list.

Boy, that's a long list.

We need to re-up medical supplies. We need fresh water.

Even on half rations, that food that Cochise salvaged -t ain't gonna last long. Mm-hmm.

We may need to strike out and resupply.

[ Sighs ]

As long as it's close.

Nobody moves from this position.

All right, whatever you say.

Here's some of the people you wanted to talk to.

Hey. How's it going, guys?

Thanks for taking the time to help us out here.

Since you all lived here before the, uh, ghetto walls came down, I'm hoping you can help us find the best place to scrounge for some supplies -ood, water, fuel, uh, medicine -ny of that stuff. It's at the top of the list.

Most of the filling stations around here have been bled dry.

Well, I did bookkeeping for an organic farm out on 321 near Winnsboro.

Had their own supply of diesel. Winnsboro?

Pope: I got that old pickup out back running.

Make it out there on a quarter t*nk.

Yeah, uh, Winnsboro's right on the perimeter.

[ Sighs ]

That's risky.

You know what? Um, I'm gonna wait till my dad gets back.

Then we'll check it out.

[ Chuckles ]

If your dad gets back.

Come on, Hal. What are these people supposed to do?

Huh? Sit around singing campfire ditties?

I could take the truck. I can handle a gas run.

No one moves from this position.

Not until we get orders to change it.

Not until you get permission to be in charge.

Blah, blah, blah. Jesus.

I got to take a leak, all right?

You guys can all play your little game of "daddy, may I?"

Till I get back.

All right, does anybody know where we can find some fresh water?

There's a quarry on the other side of the foundry.

Water used to be drinkable.

[ Engine sputtering ]

Hey!

Hey! Get back here!

There's no sign of Matt.

Cochise: There were children here, many of them, in uniform, marching across the yard in formation.

Sounds like a page out of the h*tler youth playbook.

They should know better.

The h*tler playbook didn't exactly win the big game, as I remember.

I'm sure you'll find a way to remind them of that, Colonel.

That's our point of entry.

As soon as it gets dark, we go in.

[ Heart b*ating ]

Cochise: You are tired.

You are observant.

We cannot afford errors due to exhaustion.

We're not gonna rest, Cochise, not while Matt's down there.

[ Grunts ]

Cochise.

[ Screeching ]

Cochise.

You all right? It's gone!

Some -ome kind of venom.

I can feel it.

What the hell was that?

I don't know.

I don't know any animal that bleeds this stuff.

Hang on, old friend. Hang on.

Do not worry, Tom Mason.

Given time to rest...

I will enter a regenerative state.

In several hours... I will heal.

[ Groans ]

I guess he'll be all right.

Let's hope so.

What's going on with you? Talk to me.

I think I've seen this thing that att*cked him before.

I feel like I saw it back at the ghetto when we first got out.

Why didn't you say anything?

Because I didn't know if I'd seen it or not.

We're tired. I thought I might be hallucinating or something.

[ Mutters ]

[ Sighs ]

Listen, Tom, the -he Overlord that you torched -hat exactly did he tell you about skitterizing -ou, us, humans?

They said they perfected a way to rob us of our free will so that we wouldn't fight back like the skitters did.

"Evolve or die," he said.

Well, we'll put that to an end when we get back.

Right now we're thinking about Matt.

We're here to get Matt! And I need your help!

Can I count on you?

I got your back.

I was hoping we might find others who had stayed free of the prison camps.

So, I was searching the U.T.E. -he Government Utility Band -nd I heard this.

[ Static, whirring ]

Woman: 35.226.

A place of peace.

All will be welcome.

The message is on a loop.

Put down your arms...

It repeats every 30 seconds.

35.226.

What are those, coordinates? Yeah.

This place of safety is a day's march to the west.

A place of peace. All will be welcomed.

I know that voice.

Put down your arms, and you may enter.

That's Lourdes.

Is she a friend? Someone you trust?

35.226.

[ Radio turns off ]

She was, and then she wasn't.

[ Knock on door ] Hey, top g*n, you got a second?

Yeah, what's up?

Hey, man. Hey.

It's the Volm, man. They're packing up to leave.

You know that big ugly one with the sourpuss?

Uh, Shaq?

Yeah, that's the one.

He says they got new data from their recon drones.

Apparently, the Espheni are doubling down on their search for us.

He says he's certain that they're gonna be here within 24 hours, and him and his buddies -hey ain't planning on sticking around for the party.

Maybe we should consider -o!

My dad and Cochise are meeting us here.

Or not.

Don't sh**t the messenger, man. I know.

Whatever we decide to do, according to the Volm, staying here ain't an option.

[ Brakes squeal ]

[ Engine shuts off ]

Whoa! [ Chuckles ]

Looky there! We done struck oil!

[ g*nsh*t ]

[ Gasps ]

[ g*n cocks ]

Oh! Easy!

Lady, that's my ride. What are you doing?

I'm sorry, you know. It's just like pistachios.

You have one, and then you want another one right away.

Right, well, you're entitled to your opinion.

Listen, I -- we just wanted to take some of your fuel there.

That's -ho's "We"?

"We" is -- is me and some friends of mine.

Would these be imaginary friends?

[ Chuckles ]

Listen, uh, miss, I'll tell you what.

I'll make a deal with you, all right?

You let me f-fill her up, and then I'll fill you in.

So you're saying a trade -y gas for, uh...

Pringles.

I beg your pardon?

No?

Oh, come on, man. I've been eating out of cans for months.

[ Laughs ]

I want to take some of your fuel.

You do not want to take one step closer to my gas.

You're not gonna sh**t me.

[ Chuckles ]

Okay. Pretty ballsy.

Why don't we talk this out all civilized-like over a beer?

You have beer?

Yeah. It's warm. Is that a deal breaker?

Uh, listen, uh, appreciate it.

Thank you very much --

Yeah, you know, it's not actually a request.

A little piece of heaven.

[ Bottles clink ]

Cheers.

Cheers.

Yeah. So...

What are your friends interested in my diesel for?

Ohh!

Thank you.

[ Clears throat ]

We're, uh...

We're holed up nearby.

Genny's running low, so...

Nice of you to stick your neck out.

So, you said this is, uh -his is your place, yeah?

Um, more like squatter's rights.

Mm, you didn't strike me as the, uh, farming type. [ Chuckles ]

No, I'm a graphic designer - was -or a company that designs water-resistant cellphone cases.

Not much need for that anymore.

No, thank God.

I mean, I used to hate going to work.

I hated coming home. I hated everything in between.

Honestly, the apocalypse is the best thing that ever happened to me.

I know the feeling.

Ever since the aliens came, I'm living each day as if it were my last.

I do what I want when I want to.

I take what I want when I want it, like that truck of yours.

[ Chuckles ] My truck? You like my truck?

Oh, she's a beauty. Oh, yeah.

Yeah, that's why I'm taking her... and the gas.

I'm sorry.

[ Laughs ]

[ Blows air ]

Listen, sweetie, you're fun, but... I got to...

Ooh! Yeah.

See, uh, the guy who lived here must have had a hell of a bad back because this cabinet's just chock-full of pills.

Of course, none of it was my prescription.

Sweet dreams.

Must be hard.

It was a shock the first time I saw her.

I knew Lexi... might still be aging at some strange rate.

[ Scoffs ]

I had this picture in my head of the little girl I lost.

Now I don't know what she is.

Anne, there's something we have to tell you.

Ben convinced me to wait.

I thought she might even tell you herself.

Tell me what?

Lexi has been meeting with an Espheni.

Ben followed her and saw them together.

When we confronted her about it, she said she'd brokered a truce -hat that's how this place stayed off the radar.

I could feel it!

Do they all know -ourdes and the rest of them?

They all think she's some kind of messiah who can do no wrong.

Son of a bitch!

I'm gonna find that piece of -hat's what I'm saying.

It's about time we kicked a little ass around here.

I say we hunt it down and blow its brains out.

Fine, let's do this. Let's not fly off the handle here.

You said it yourself, Anne.

Ben! We don't know what Lexi is.

We don't know how she got this way.

This -- this could be a real opportunity to understand what Karen did to her and why.

Fine.

But we do this my way.

[ Sighs ]

Sara: Dang it!

I knew I should have used those big old yellow pills instead.

Look, I'm sorry, but you showed up just when my supplies were running low.

Okay, I loaded your truck with diesel, and I will be out of your hair in a minute.

Look, lady, take the truck, all right?

But don't -on't do me like this.

I got the feeling that there may be a whole legion of women out there who want to do you exactly like this.

[ Creature roars ]

Ohh, this is great.

Shh! Quiet!

We can't hide. They'll spot the truck.

Lady, you listen to me.

Listen to me and you listen good.

Now, that thing out there -ou ever taken one down?

I have. That's what I do.

Now, it may not look like it, but right now I am the only sh*t you got to survive.

Only you got to make a decision.

You've got to make it right now.

I'm Sara, by the way.

[ Chittering ]

I got you.

Hey.

We're gonna get you all out of here.

I'm looking for my son -- Matt.

[ Whistle blares ]

[ Whistles blaring ]

Tom!

We got to get out of here!

No. Come on! Come on!

Not without Matt!

Pope: We got to move! Stay close to me.

More than one mech. Quick. Come on.

"Mechs"? That's not a very original nickname.

If we survive this, you can come up with a better one.

Where are my keys?

[ Scoffing ]

I'm driving.

[ Alarms blaring, buzzing ]

What is that?

Matt! Come on!

[ Gasps ]

You're looking for Matt? I'm his father.

I can show you.

This way. He's in here.

What is it?

I'll hold this position, cover your back.

Damn it, Tom! Get your boy!

[ Alarms continue ]

[ Creature roars ]

[ Alarms continue in distance ]

There are intruders calling your name.

Did you have something to do with this, Matthew?

My name is Matt. That's right.

You want to be called your childhood name because you want to remain a child.

And all we wanted to do was to make you a man -o cleanse your mind of years of brainwashing!

You're the brainwashed one, you psychopath!

[ Strained ] I had high hopes for you, Matt!

[ Grunts ]

You lay a hand on my son?!

Matt: Dad!

Dad!

Dad!

[ Sighing ]

I got you. I'm here.

I'm here.

Come on, Matt. Let's go home.

Come on!

Staring up at it won't stop the day from coming.

[ Sighs ]

I know.

It's this thing in my family.

My mom started it.

[ Clears throat ]

I was about 9 years old.

I was heading off to this summer sports camp.

My first time away from home, and she said if the moon was up that I wasn't alone.

'Cause chances were somebody else in the family was staring at that same moon.

Hmm. You're worried about your father.

Nah.

He said he was gonna bring Matt back. He will.

The question is, will we still be here?

[ Sighs ]

What that Volm told Tector was an assumption based on his device, hmm?

Our patrols have seen no Espheni.

But if the Volm are right...

I mean, dad told me to stay here for a reason, you know, but it's just as dangerous to hole up here as it is to be on the move out there. Hal.

Sometimes the infantryman has to make the hard call of a general.

Huh?

When we were escaping from Charleston, I made the wrong call...

And a man d*ed.

Henry.

He fought in World w*r II.

This... camp that you went to when you were a child -hat sport was it? It was lacrosse.

Ah. [ Laughs ]

Lacrosse?

Ah, lacrosse is not a sport, man.

Huh? Rugby is a sport.

Are you ready to throw down right now?

[ Laughs ]

We had sticks fighting each other for a ball.

That's aggressive by American standards. Mm-hmm.

I'm happy to say I don't know much about lacrosse, but on my rugby team, we had a saying -on't think about the game you lost last week, hmm?

Just win the game you're in.

[ Creature screeches ]

[ Alarm blaring ]

Where's your friend?

Yeah, shouldn't we wait for the colonel?

The plan was to meet back at the campsite if anything went wrong.

Don't worry.

Dan Weaver's been getting himself out of hot water since before you were in diapers.

He'll be there.

But we can't get to this fence.

We need to find another way out.

I can distract them.

You can't. I won't let you.

They don't know that we're in this together, Matt.

They don't know that I don't believe their lies.

No, Mira. You're coming with us.

When I graduate, I'll come find you.

I owe you one.

Mira, no. Wait, wait.

Dad.

[ Whistle blaring ]

We'll come back for her, and the others.

I promise.

[ Whistle blowing ]

[ Creatures chittering ]

Come on, Matt.

[ Groans ]

[ Grunts ]

[ Creature growls ]

[ Heart b*ating ]

[ Yowls ]

Oh, no.

[ Screeches ]

Daddy.

Jeanne.

[ Hisses ]

[ Screeching, growling ]

[ Creature whimpers ]

Get off of her! Get off.

[ Squeals ]

[ Heart b*ating rapidly ]

Hang on.

It's you. Oh, Jeanne.

[ Breathing raggedly ]

Oh, Jeanne, I knew it was you.

Oh, Jeanne.

[ Engine shuts off ]

So, this is where we part ways.

I don't think so.

Like I told you before, we need the fuel back there more than you do.

Ah, come on. I thought we'd established you weren't the trigger-happy type.

That was then. This is now. Do not tempt me.

I didn't plan on it.

What?

Yeah, you were a little busy back there with those mechs.

Weren't you? Now, here's how it's gonna roll.

See, I'm gonna retake my truck and my fuel.

You -- if you want to try and stop me, knock yourself out, but we both know I'm gonna end up with it.

I know karate.

No, you don't.

Yes, I do. Jeet Kune Do.

Even if that was a real thing and you did know it, you'd have used it already.

You're walking. Get out of my truck.

Man.

I'll remember that.

I'll, uh, toss the shells a quarter mile down the road.

How's that?

So you're really gonna leave me out here in the middle of the road to be r*ped and eaten by cannibals?

Not necessarily in that order.

Don't tempt me. What do you think I've been doing this whole time?

[ Chuckles ]

Get in. Get in. Get in.

[ Chuckles ]

Hal: I can't definitively tell you that this transmission can be trusted.

I can't promise we're not jumping straight from the frying pan straight into the fire.

All I can tell you is we can't stay here.

And we won't stay here.

So I need everybody up and out by tomorrow before first light.

All right, you heard the man! Start packing up!

We head out dark and early!

Where the hell have you been?

Hey, you can take it down a notch because I just got you the diesel that you needed.

You just put us all at risk. Ah!

You disobeyed a direct order and about got yourself left behind!

Come again? An order?

[ Truck door closes ]

Sara: Hey.

How about a thank-you?

I'm sorry.

Good start. Keep going.

And who are you?

No, the question is who are you?

'Cause we just risked our asses getting you a t*nk of gas.

So, where's your badge, sheriff?

Someone around here elect you mayor?

'Cause I don't know if you got the memo, but those jobs don't exist anymore, right?

You know what? You're right.

I'm not the boss.

And you're right, too. I don't give orders.

I appreciate what you did.

I do not appreciate the way you did it.

Fair enough.

For now, anyway.

[ Sighs ]

Where did you find her?

On the farm, all right? Crawling with mechs.

How many of them? A whole army.

And they're headed this way. We got to go now.

[ Sighs ]

Lexi.

What are you doing here?

You had to know they would tell me what they saw eventually.

I just wanted to have a little time where we could be together -other and daughter -efore you… became afraid of me.

I'm not scared.

I'm worried, like any mother would be.

I just -- I just want to keep you safe.

That's what I'm doing.

That's why I'm meeting with him -o keep us all safe. It's not that simple, not where the Espheni are concerned.

He must want something from you, Lexi, or none of this would be happening.

I need to speak to him.

You'll k*ll him.

No. I won't.

Don't lie to me, mother.

Ben.

The Espheni is here.

They're taking him over through his spikes.

Show yourself!

By bringing you here, your daughter has put our arrangement in jeopardy.

We came here on our own.

Why have the Espheni left this place untouched?

There are some among us who believe that by bringing our species together, we might be able to live harmoniously.

Then why hide yourself? Meeting in secret?

Unless you're keeping something from her.

I have nothing to hide.

You must trust that I work for a greater good, mother.

Mother?

Mother. I know you.

It was you.

What is she talking about?

You're the one who did this to me -o my daughter -xperimented on her, made her what she is!

Ben: I was not the instigator. You're a liar.

But I'll get the truth.

Anthony! Restrain him!

Wait!

You said you only wanted to talk to him.

We made a pact.

If you break it, all we've built here goes away.

It's a lie, Lexi!

You're the liar!

You say you remember me, but you don't!

You say you're my mother!

I am your mother!

Ohh!

Stop! You must let them take me!

Do not give in to their base aggression.

[ Gags ]

[ Coughing ]

Anne's right! He's lying! I can feel it in my head!

Stay away from my sister!

[ Rattling, paint spraying ]

Did they teach you graffiti at lacrosse camp?

[ Rattling ]

It's a message for my dad.

Something a history Professor would understand, but the Espheni won't.

Roanoke colonists carved this into the wall of their fort when they had to abandon their colony to head to safe haven.

[ Scoffs ]

[ Sighs ]

All right, everyone!

Let's roll!

You heard the man! Double time! Let's go!

[ Engine turns over ]

Our recon drones register an Espheni approach from the south.

The route to the west is clear.

Excellent.

We'll head towards the coordinates we received.

Glad you guys decided to join us.

It was a purely strategic decision.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

I am recovered enough to travel.

I'm glad you're feeling better, my friend.

We cannot afford to stay here much longer.

They'll search the area -olonel Weaver will be here.

[ Rustling ]

You had me worried there for a minute, Colonel.

Dan?

Dan!

[ Panting ] She -he's gone.

Who's gone? Dan, what happened back there?

You were right.

They're turning us into... something.

They're using us.

That thing that att*cked us... that abomination...

It was Jeanne.

Oh, God, no.

[ Sobs ]

She's gone.

I saw her go. She...

It was...

[ Sniffles ]

But she was in there, Tom.

[ Sighs ]

She saved my life.

This plan... to turn us into monsters -t's flawed.

They can't erase us.

They cannot control us!

My Jeanne showed me that.

She was a fighter right to the end.

[ Exhales sharply ]

Well, better this way. Better that she's...

Than have to live like that.

You know.

Colonel Weaver?

Ohh.

[ Laughing ] Hey!

Good to have you back, soldier.

Good to have you back.

[ Heavy breathing ]

[ Aliens speaking foreign language ]

Geminus?

Geminus, are you here?

Trouble with your experiment? Under control.

Still haven't recovered your prisoners?

I am very close. Thanks for your concern.

When I find the one called Mason, I will take pleasure in burning him… slowly.

Take pleasure from this -is daughter is more powerful than we imagined.

She will become a w*apon unlike any other, and she'll be ours.

She obeys your will?

In all things.

Soon she will come to full maturation, and the transformation will begin.

Our coalition bears fruit, Geminus.

If you do not fail, that is.

[ Chuckles ]

I stand corrected.

Only you would know failure.