The Dead Zone s06e03 Episode Script
Re-Entry
Previously on The Dead Zone - It's a boy.
No wait, it's a girl.
- I thougt we would keep it a surprise? - I just had a vision that you're gonna die today - Come on The people of Cleaves Mills lost one of it's beloved citizens, Walt Bannerman.
- What's wrong young man? - I'm having nightmares about my dad.
If I miss this third and final shot, I'll give you a ride on Airforce Two.
If it's okay with your mom, you pick a weekend and I'll take you up.
Why don't you just think about moving in here with me.
With JJ.
Okay Let me ask you this, how many of you have ever dreamed of going into space? Me! 'Cause up until now only the government's had the power to make those dreams come true.
And I gotta tell ya, we haven't done that for too many folks.
But I believe in your dreams.
That's why I've made it my sole mission to find the people that can make those dreams come true.
People like the good folks right here at GoSpace.
Don't make me.
Oh, come on, Johnny.
If I can get myself up in my condition, you can too.
Look how happy it makes JJ.
He hasn't been this excited about anything since Walt.
Please, if you'll allow me I'd like very much to introduce you to some friends of mine that I met through GoSpace.
Megan, Emily, would you please join me up here? It is an honor and a privilege to be joined up here by Megan and Emily Wilcox.
But there's one member of the Wilcox family that can't be with us tonight.
Emily, would you tell everyone where your dad is? In space.
That's right.
Captain Steve Wilcox is at this very moment piloting America's Hope, GoSpace's very first orbiter.
I bet you miss him very much.
Yeah.
He's really far away.
Well, tonight I've got a surprise for you, Emily.
Dad! Hi, Emily.
Wow.
That's cool.
Hello, everyone.
I'm really proud to be piloting America's Hope.
Some of the experiments we're doing on this flight could help cure cancer or help with our future energy needs.
Unfortunately we still haven't figured out how to get a decent caramel latte up here.
Hey, everybody, how about a round of applause for vice president Stillson for making all of this possible Captain Steve Wilcox.
Thank you all for coming out this evening.
Don't make me do this again.
That was a great speech.
See how they look at me? Don't pay them any attention, okay? I'm not.
Just think of all the good Walt did.
One rumor and all the newspaper headlines start flyin', right? Yeah, well, when the truth comes out, they'll all come running to say nice things about him.
That was really, really cool, sir.
Well, it's just gonna get cooler.
Don't forget I owe you that plane ride, all right? I haven't forgotten.
Hello, Sarah.
Good to see ya.
How are you holdin' up? Oh, we're doing just fine.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
I know exactly how you feel.
I've lost a loved one myself.
If there's anything I can do for you, you let me know.
Oh, we're fine, really.
Thanks for asking.
Mr.
Vice President, there's someone I'd like you to meet.
Anything for the good captain's wife.
- Come on - Smith, thank you very much for coming out.
Maybe someday we'll get you up in space, huh? Yeah, I don't think so, Greg.
We're looking to fill in our databanks Everything looks good from here in Maine.
America's Hope, give me your numbers.
Altitude stable.
Speed, Com signal, five by five.
Experiments are up and running, Captain.
Check.
Okay, Gentlemen.
We're green across the board.
Where's the playing cards? Initiate emergency protocol.
Prepare to jettison the payload.
The circuits are damaged, Captain.
Override protocols.
Execute on my mark.
I can't override.
The pyrotechnic bolts won't arm.
I'm losing control.
Sir.
Something's wrong with that ship.
He's fine.
He's fine.
He's all right.
There's something wrong with that ship.
I don't think so, Smith.
Believe me, if there was anything wrong, I'd be the first to know about it.
No, I think that'd be me.
It's good seeing you.
Take care.
Stillson, listen.
Stillson, Stillson! I know what I saw.
Well, apparently nobody at GoSpace wants to take a call.
Really? I can't believe that.
How are you feeling? I'm fine.
Can I get you something? Want me to whip you up a snack? No, thanks.
I'm okay.
Maybe you should go to bed.
Johnny, enough.
Uh.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I know you're just trying to help.
I'm just I'm worn out.
It's only two more weeks.
No, it's not that.
They froze Walt's pension today.
That's ridiculous.
No, I'm sure it's just the bureaucratic run-around.
I'll get it figured out eventually.
I'm just tired of all of it.
Money issues, the looks, the gossip.
I mean, it's nobody's business what I do.
You're right.
All I can say is I'm glad you're here.
All right, let me get the door.
Don't move.
Aha-ha.
Ha ha ha.
Hey, what are you guys doing in my house? Hey, hey, hey, hey.
I need a moment, Smith.
Yeah, and you ask so nicely.
I just pulled a vanishing act on a busload of press to get here.
What, because you missed me? You were right about America's Hope.
We got a problem.
I need to talk to you right now.
I got the call just after you left.
Yeah, after I got kicked out, Mr.
Vice President? America's Hope has gone silent.
GoSpace control hasn't been able to communicate with 'em.
We don't even know if they're alive.
Look, I tried to help you before.
Why do you want my help now? That's an excellent question, Mr.
Vice President.
Excuse me, Sir, who are you? Bernard Linden, governmental liaison for GoSpace.
Sir, America's Hope is scheduled to land tomorrow.
They don't have the fuel to stay up there forever while we try to figure things out.
This is a scientific problem, sir, not something for a-- Yeah, psychic.
Yeah, I got it.
Linden, do me a favor, would you please? Sit down and shut up.
I'm just a guy that was a high school teacher about 100 years ago.
Sounds like what you guys need is a real rocket scientist.
So what's the deal? I have plenty of scientists.
But you're able to see up there.
And that's something our scientists haven't been able to do right now.
Without communication, we are blind down here.
Now, we need your help.
To save astronauts or to save your career? Why don't you answer that for me, Smith? What's worse for my career? My pet project blowing up in my face or me going to a psychic for help? Now, there are three men up there.
Three fathers, three husbands, and three families.
They're about to lose something a lot more important than a damn career.
Now, you can think whatever you want about me.
But you believe me when I tell you that I am thinking about them.
And I am asking you for a personal favor.
Help me help them.
Please.
Don't touch me! This is my house.
What are you doing? What the hell is that? Let go of me! Hey! What's going on? I'm trying to go to the kitchen.
The Vice President isn't even in there.
Yes, ma'am, but be might be in there soon.
Hey, she lives here.
All I want is a meatloaf sandwich and a mango yogurt.
Agent Sawyer, I think we can survive any threat posed by Sarah's meatloaf.
Yes, sir.
Thanks.
Can I get you a sandwich, sir? No, thank you very much, Sarah.
Rain check.
Okay, listen, I need to know everything that you know about this ship.
Okay, I have to understand what I'm seeing.
All the more reason to go to mission control, sir.
We can bring Mr.
Smith if you want.
And he can see whatever and do whatever-- Buddy, I'm not going anywhere.
Sir, we're wasting time here.
Gentlemen, Mrs.
Bannerman's pregnant.
Now, we've disrupted these people's lives for far too long as it is.
Nobody knows I'm working with Smith, and that suits me just fine.
We're staying.
Now, I've told you everything I know.
Anything else you need to know, you get from Linden.
Agent Sawyer, grab the things we brought for Smith, would you? Sir.
Do we have any of the, uh, astronaut's personal property? No, we don't.
Not here.
I'm not getting anything.
Perfect.
Something personal would be better.
Maybe you should send some of your boys go get some of that stuff.
Smith, we don't have time for that.
The last time all you had to do was touch me.
Come on.
This is a mandatory evacuation order.
Martial law is now in effect.
Repeat; this is a mandatory evacuation order.
Martial law is now in effect.
What's on that ship? I have no idea what you're talking about, Smith.
I just saw a hazmat team responding to a toxic emergency.
And I saw the National Guard.
I saw the crew trying to jettison something.
It's complicated.
Yeah, it's complicated.
Listen, you came to me.
You said you need my help.
I need the truth.
There is an experiment on board.
It's an energy program we're running through the Department of Defense.
Sir, do we really wanna be talkin'-- For Christ's sake, please.
He's seen it all.
It's a program that needs to be run at microgravity far longer than we could have possibly done on a plane.
America's Hope is carrying a payload of highly radioactive plutonium.
I don't believe it.
You sent a payload of plutonium into space? Radioactive material goes up in satellites all the time.
You know what this is about? This is about controlling our own energy sources.
It's about not begging our enemies for oil.
This is real national security.
Trust me.
It's worth the risk.
Yeah, tell that to the people in the flight path of America's Hope.
The plutonium's already on the ship.
There's nothing we can do about that now.
We need to know what's going on up there.
Listen, Smith, what do you need to get a vision? Talk to me.
I'll do anything I can to help you.
That's not how it works.
I need something else.
I need some kind of connection to the ship.
Something that was there at the meeting.
Okay.
Uh, I gave my speech.
I came offstage.
I saw Sarah, great to see her.
Uh, I was talkin' to JJ.
I told you I appreciated you showing up.
The astronaut's wife.
I was talking to you, I-- Wait, hold on.
The astronaut's wife? Yeah.
She was holding your arm when we shook hands.
Right this way, Mrs.
Wilcox.
JJ, why don't you show Emily your room? Come on, Emily.
Follow me.
They told me there's a problem with the ship.
What's wrong? They've lost communications.
At this point we don't know how serious it is, but we are working on it.
Oh, God.
That's why we asked you here today, Mrs.
Wilcox.
I'm sorry, who are you? He is a specialist we brought in to help us re-establish contact.
What kind of specialist? I'm a psychic, Mrs.
Wilcox.
My name is John Smith.
He's worked with the government plenty of times.
Steve's in trouble and you bring in a psychic? Is it so hard to just be a pilot and come home to your family every night? I've dreamed of this my whole life.
Meg, this is my last chance to get up there.
I know.
I promise you, I promise you, I'm coming back.
I want you to keep these close to your heart.
And I'll be back soon to take their place.
Okay? Keep these close to your heart, and I'll be back to take their place.
Oh, my God.
You can trust Johnny, Mrs.
Wilcox.
He can help you.
I wouldn't be here if it wasn't true.
Are you okay? It's just a lot to process.
Mrs.
Wilcox, I believe that the dog tags that your husband gave you may be my connection to him.
I know this sounds a little bit crazy.
But if you just give me your hands, kinda go with me on this.
I'm gonna see if I can try to help him.
The orbit's stabilized.
Communications are down.
Navigation systems check out.
No obvious hull damage Flight controls appear to be operational.
I'm bringing us down early.
How long till the next opportunity to de-orbit, William? To line up for Edwards, about 15 minutes, sir.
All right, Stan, prepare for de-orbit burn.
Yes, sir.
They're alive.
Oh, thank God.
What I picked up is that they're planning to land at Edwards Air Force Base.
That's wonderful news.
Linden, we've got work to do.
Sir, we haven't changed a thing yet.
What I saw I feel is still gonna happen.
Well, I'll tell you what, we know where they're going.
That's a start.
Linden.
That's not good enough.
I needed that done Oh, you think.
Well, you call me back when you know.
I'm guessing being Vice President is about as hard as it looks.
You don't get to pick your battles, but you still have to win them.
Of course, I do get a private chef.
Nice.
I don't think a chef could keep up with me these days.
Well Listen, Sarah, I didn't mean to intrude earlier when we spoke tonight.
But I still keep tabs on this place.
When I read that article about Walt, I-- I just want you to know that I don't believe a word of those allegations.
Well, that's nice to hear.
Thank you.
Yeah, Public life's not fair.
God knows I've been accused of enough things that weren't true.
If there's anything, I mean anything, I can do to clear Walt's good name, I'll do it.
This here is my direct line.
Cuts through about 15 operators right to me.
If there's anything I can do to help please call me.
Wow, thanks.
That's very generous of you.
But I think I really need to do this on my own.
And I'm sure you can.
But for me, would you just hang onto it? Just in case.
Sarah, would you excuse me? I'm gonna have to take this.
So where are we? What was that? I guess I have friends in high places.
Yeah, for today.
He's just being nice, Johnny.
And besides, the Bannermans could use some more friends right now.
Babies have a way of bringing people together.
Did that yogurt work its magic? Oh, no, that craving got trampled by a lust for citrus.
It's my third one.
You want one? Sure.
Should we check it for weapons? Smith, we need you.
Come on.
Well, we just conducted an external inspection of the ship with a KH-14 satellite.
And the imaging did confirm the communication antenna's down.
But we already knew that, right? The satellite also found another problem.
One of their flaps is damaged.
They could lose control on re-entry.
Not could, sir.
Would.
Unless they can lock down that flap.
Well, wait a minute, the control panel is damaged, right? They don't even know about the flap.
And they're already making plans to come down.
Gotta give me something to work with, buddy.
F-15s.
Here you are consoling this guy's wife in one room, and you're ordering her husband's death in the other? I don't have a choice.
You've seen what happens if I let that ship land.
I'm running out of options here.
But this is your fault.
You put them up there.
I have a duty to protect this country.
And if that means shooting that ship down well, that's the way it has to be.
And you can live with that? Of course the last thing I want is for those people to die.
Clock's running out on us here, Smith.
When I brought you in, I hoped we'd get a sign or something.
Well, that's it-- that's it exactly.
We need to send them a sign.
What are you talking about? We need to send them a sign, something that tells them not to land.
And how do you propose we do that? Well, how close are you with the governor of California? My dad had to do a whole year of training.
Did he train in that machine that makes you throw up? For, like, a week.
Gross.
Kinda cool.
I can't wait till he gets back.
He promised to give me something from space.
My dad likes to fish too.
He caught the biggest fish in our lake last year.
I'm never going fishing with my dad again.
Why not? He died.
I'm sorry.
What happened to your dad? There was a fire.
He saved another guy.
but My dad got trapped.
He couldn't get out.
He sounds like a hero.
Yeah.
He was a hero.
So your dad must be pretty brave too, to go up in space.
He is pretty amazing.
But when they tell the kids to, "go play upstairs," you know something's wrong.
Everything will be okay.
Johnny can fix it.
You really think he can? Hey, the Vice President came here first, right? Hmm.
I can't believe I asked the governor to do something 'cause a psychic told me to.
Think he'll get it done? He'll get it done.
It'll cost me, but he'll get it done.
I hate not knowing.
We'll find out soon.
Yeah.
It's done.
Here goes nothing.
Megan, I realize this has been a really difficult night.
I also know that Steve has been very highly trained.
And he's gonna make a smart decision.
You ready? No.
Give me your hands.
There it is.
We got a visual on Edwards.
OMS engines check out.
Helium pressure normal.
All right, prepare to bring us into de-orbit burn.
Attitude on my mark.
Prepare to execute.
Ten, nine, eight, seven six We are lined up.
five And good to go.
four three-- What the hell? Looks like the whole valley went dark.
Abort! Abort! Stop de-orbit burn! Do it! I'm not putting us down in a blackout.
Steve aborted the retrorocket firing.
And they're not gonna land at Edwards.
Okay, let's get a hold of GoSpace, figure this out.
Thank God.
All right, we're gonna have to set up for an alternate landing site.
What's the next fallback? I, uh--sorry.
My ear hurts like hell.
Hold on.
Stan, how you feeling? A little out of it actually.
Aw! We've got pressure change.
Depressurization alarm.
Kill the noise.
Hit the seals.
Let's close everything up.
No good, Captain.
We're still losin' air.
Get us a new landing site.
Fast.
What is it? What did you just see? I'm not sure.
200,000 homes without power in Southern California.
But what makes this blackout interesting is that it may be linked to America's Hope, which is currently orbiting the earth.
GoSpace and Vice President Stillson's office have not commented.
But sources have told us there's been no communication with the privately-owned spacecraft-- Great job.
There's a much bigger problem now.
They're running out of air.
An air leak.
Jesus, these guys can't catch a break.
They build everything from their oxygen supply, fuel, water.
The ship'll fall apart without it.
If they can't breathe, the rest won't matter, right? If they try to land with a busted flap, they'll crash.
But you could help them make repairs if we could restore communication.
Possibly.
They don't have any time.
They don't have any options.
And if they try to land, I won't have any choice but to shoot 'em down.
Don't you tell me they're trying to land.
As soon as possible.
Megan.
Here.
Thank you.
I didn't want him to go.
My husband was a sheriff.
I know how you feel.
I asked him not to.
Because I knew he wouldn't come back.
Every day when Walt left home, I used to feel that same way.
It used to paralyze me.
There was so many things that could go wrong.
But then I thought, "I can't live this way.
" You can't focus on the fear, Megan.
Until there's nothing left to hope for, you can't give up.
Now, could you help me up off the floor? Oh.
Of course.
Ooh, I guess everybody's anxious today.
Are you sure you're not in labour? No.
It's just Braxton-Hicks.
I've been having them on and off for a week.
I had the same thing with JJ.
I had them with Emily.
It drove me crazy.
Just tell me, how bad is it? Mrs.
Wilcox, we're-- we're running out of ideas.
Well, I'm not ready to give up hope.
I've done a visual inspection, but the leak's not showing up anywhere.
If we knew where the leak was, we might be able to patch it up.
If we haven't found it yet, we'll never find it.
Forget it, Stan.
Williams, get the coordinates of the closest emergency-landing site.
I don't care where it is.
I found the air leak.
Air leak.
Great, you found an air leak.
A lot of good that does us.
We can't tell 'em about it.
There's still time.
Sir, I think it's time to call the President and have him scramble those fighters.
Fighters? What's he talking about? Oh, my God.
You-- You're killing my husband.
My dad's gonna die? Honey, sweetheart.
Daddy's not gonna die, okay? He's gonna be coming home real soon.
Isn't he, Johnny? Emily, we are not gonna stop trying until we bring your daddy down here safely, okay? I promise you.
That one is Capricorn.
Right again, sunshine.
And if you see a moving light right along there, that might be me.
Dad, when you're up there, do you think you can take a picture of Grandma and Grandpa's house? Their house? Um, how about Denver? I think I can manage that.
I think it's going to be okay.
It's okay.
I think I know how to get them a message.
Can you get a satellite repositioned? I'll make suref it.
Nearly two hours into the America's Hope crisis, there's still no word on the fate of the ship from Vice President Stillson's office.
Let's go live now to Chuck in Las Vegas.
I hope you're right about this, Smith.
I just got word that the President had the fighters scrambled.
I'm running out of strings to pull.
Where are you going, sir? I made a promise.
The way I figure it, it's now or never.
I love you, Emily.
It's Morse code.
Wilcox, do you read? Acknowledge.
I'll be damned.
Sir? Stan, flash the external lights three times.
They're answering.
"We read you.
" It worked? Your husband's good at keeping his promises.
Your daddy is safe.
GoSpace confirms, communication is restored, Mr.
Vice President.
We can start walking them through the repairs.
Okay, first thing, call off those fighters.
I wanna know when and where they're coming down.
I'll take you and Emily there personally.
Johnny! It's time.
* So this is life * So this is hurt * So this is what they talk about * When they say hope for the best * * Expect the worst * It's all in a day to day * It's all in getting through * So what can one person say to comfort You did beautifully, sweetheart.
I just wish his father could be here.
That's an easy fix.
I'll just go get him for you.
He's just outside.
Oh, no, that's not his father.
Walt's a good friend.
Judging by the bunch of roses he's carrying, I'd say he's more than just a good friend.
Hello, John Junior.
Okay, Sarah, listen.
I can help you through this.
I want you to imagine that Walt is out in the corridor.
Okay, with three dozen roses.
And he's about to burst in here, okay? You saw JJ being born? Walt was there.
Yeah, Walt was there.
Walt is here.
Walt is always gonna be here.
Okay? * So this is life * So this is hurt * So this is what they talk about * * When they say hope for the best * * Expect the worst * It's all in a day to day * It's all in getting through * So what can one person say * To comfort * Who * So the wind blows * So it all goes * We fall without you * And ooh hoo * Don't try to run * Just let it come * You're right where you belong * * In the middle of it all * Hmm * It would be so nice * To have things clear * I think we all know * That's not what we have here * So just take my arm * Take my embrace * It might be the same * In another place * And ooh hoo * So the wind blows * So it all goes * We fall without you * And ooh hoo * Don't try to run * Just let it go * thank you very much Americans You wouldn't believe how bad the food in the cafeteria was.
So I went across the street.
For such a warm welcome on such an unseasonably cold day.
Mr.
Vice President, is it true that you personally came up with the plan to save America's Hope? Many people worked together to bring our men safely home.
And they may never get the recognition that they so richly deserve.
But I think it is imperative that they know that I have my own personal thanks.
We did more than save that one ship today.
We saved the very spirit that is the new frontier.
And that spirit that is truly America's Hope.
Thank you.
Is it me or did Stillson just get in front of a camera and not take all the credit for something? People can change, Johnny.
Yeah, people, maybe.
Stillson, I don't know.
Hopefully he won't be around when you're old enough to vote.
I was thinking about what to name her.
Yeah.
What do you think of Hope? I think Hope is perfect.
No wait, it's a girl.
- I thougt we would keep it a surprise? - I just had a vision that you're gonna die today - Come on The people of Cleaves Mills lost one of it's beloved citizens, Walt Bannerman.
- What's wrong young man? - I'm having nightmares about my dad.
If I miss this third and final shot, I'll give you a ride on Airforce Two.
If it's okay with your mom, you pick a weekend and I'll take you up.
Why don't you just think about moving in here with me.
With JJ.
Okay Let me ask you this, how many of you have ever dreamed of going into space? Me! 'Cause up until now only the government's had the power to make those dreams come true.
And I gotta tell ya, we haven't done that for too many folks.
But I believe in your dreams.
That's why I've made it my sole mission to find the people that can make those dreams come true.
People like the good folks right here at GoSpace.
Don't make me.
Oh, come on, Johnny.
If I can get myself up in my condition, you can too.
Look how happy it makes JJ.
He hasn't been this excited about anything since Walt.
Please, if you'll allow me I'd like very much to introduce you to some friends of mine that I met through GoSpace.
Megan, Emily, would you please join me up here? It is an honor and a privilege to be joined up here by Megan and Emily Wilcox.
But there's one member of the Wilcox family that can't be with us tonight.
Emily, would you tell everyone where your dad is? In space.
That's right.
Captain Steve Wilcox is at this very moment piloting America's Hope, GoSpace's very first orbiter.
I bet you miss him very much.
Yeah.
He's really far away.
Well, tonight I've got a surprise for you, Emily.
Dad! Hi, Emily.
Wow.
That's cool.
Hello, everyone.
I'm really proud to be piloting America's Hope.
Some of the experiments we're doing on this flight could help cure cancer or help with our future energy needs.
Unfortunately we still haven't figured out how to get a decent caramel latte up here.
Hey, everybody, how about a round of applause for vice president Stillson for making all of this possible Captain Steve Wilcox.
Thank you all for coming out this evening.
Don't make me do this again.
That was a great speech.
See how they look at me? Don't pay them any attention, okay? I'm not.
Just think of all the good Walt did.
One rumor and all the newspaper headlines start flyin', right? Yeah, well, when the truth comes out, they'll all come running to say nice things about him.
That was really, really cool, sir.
Well, it's just gonna get cooler.
Don't forget I owe you that plane ride, all right? I haven't forgotten.
Hello, Sarah.
Good to see ya.
How are you holdin' up? Oh, we're doing just fine.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
I know exactly how you feel.
I've lost a loved one myself.
If there's anything I can do for you, you let me know.
Oh, we're fine, really.
Thanks for asking.
Mr.
Vice President, there's someone I'd like you to meet.
Anything for the good captain's wife.
- Come on - Smith, thank you very much for coming out.
Maybe someday we'll get you up in space, huh? Yeah, I don't think so, Greg.
We're looking to fill in our databanks Everything looks good from here in Maine.
America's Hope, give me your numbers.
Altitude stable.
Speed, Com signal, five by five.
Experiments are up and running, Captain.
Check.
Okay, Gentlemen.
We're green across the board.
Where's the playing cards? Initiate emergency protocol.
Prepare to jettison the payload.
The circuits are damaged, Captain.
Override protocols.
Execute on my mark.
I can't override.
The pyrotechnic bolts won't arm.
I'm losing control.
Sir.
Something's wrong with that ship.
He's fine.
He's fine.
He's all right.
There's something wrong with that ship.
I don't think so, Smith.
Believe me, if there was anything wrong, I'd be the first to know about it.
No, I think that'd be me.
It's good seeing you.
Take care.
Stillson, listen.
Stillson, Stillson! I know what I saw.
Well, apparently nobody at GoSpace wants to take a call.
Really? I can't believe that.
How are you feeling? I'm fine.
Can I get you something? Want me to whip you up a snack? No, thanks.
I'm okay.
Maybe you should go to bed.
Johnny, enough.
Uh.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I know you're just trying to help.
I'm just I'm worn out.
It's only two more weeks.
No, it's not that.
They froze Walt's pension today.
That's ridiculous.
No, I'm sure it's just the bureaucratic run-around.
I'll get it figured out eventually.
I'm just tired of all of it.
Money issues, the looks, the gossip.
I mean, it's nobody's business what I do.
You're right.
All I can say is I'm glad you're here.
All right, let me get the door.
Don't move.
Aha-ha.
Ha ha ha.
Hey, what are you guys doing in my house? Hey, hey, hey, hey.
I need a moment, Smith.
Yeah, and you ask so nicely.
I just pulled a vanishing act on a busload of press to get here.
What, because you missed me? You were right about America's Hope.
We got a problem.
I need to talk to you right now.
I got the call just after you left.
Yeah, after I got kicked out, Mr.
Vice President? America's Hope has gone silent.
GoSpace control hasn't been able to communicate with 'em.
We don't even know if they're alive.
Look, I tried to help you before.
Why do you want my help now? That's an excellent question, Mr.
Vice President.
Excuse me, Sir, who are you? Bernard Linden, governmental liaison for GoSpace.
Sir, America's Hope is scheduled to land tomorrow.
They don't have the fuel to stay up there forever while we try to figure things out.
This is a scientific problem, sir, not something for a-- Yeah, psychic.
Yeah, I got it.
Linden, do me a favor, would you please? Sit down and shut up.
I'm just a guy that was a high school teacher about 100 years ago.
Sounds like what you guys need is a real rocket scientist.
So what's the deal? I have plenty of scientists.
But you're able to see up there.
And that's something our scientists haven't been able to do right now.
Without communication, we are blind down here.
Now, we need your help.
To save astronauts or to save your career? Why don't you answer that for me, Smith? What's worse for my career? My pet project blowing up in my face or me going to a psychic for help? Now, there are three men up there.
Three fathers, three husbands, and three families.
They're about to lose something a lot more important than a damn career.
Now, you can think whatever you want about me.
But you believe me when I tell you that I am thinking about them.
And I am asking you for a personal favor.
Help me help them.
Please.
Don't touch me! This is my house.
What are you doing? What the hell is that? Let go of me! Hey! What's going on? I'm trying to go to the kitchen.
The Vice President isn't even in there.
Yes, ma'am, but be might be in there soon.
Hey, she lives here.
All I want is a meatloaf sandwich and a mango yogurt.
Agent Sawyer, I think we can survive any threat posed by Sarah's meatloaf.
Yes, sir.
Thanks.
Can I get you a sandwich, sir? No, thank you very much, Sarah.
Rain check.
Okay, listen, I need to know everything that you know about this ship.
Okay, I have to understand what I'm seeing.
All the more reason to go to mission control, sir.
We can bring Mr.
Smith if you want.
And he can see whatever and do whatever-- Buddy, I'm not going anywhere.
Sir, we're wasting time here.
Gentlemen, Mrs.
Bannerman's pregnant.
Now, we've disrupted these people's lives for far too long as it is.
Nobody knows I'm working with Smith, and that suits me just fine.
We're staying.
Now, I've told you everything I know.
Anything else you need to know, you get from Linden.
Agent Sawyer, grab the things we brought for Smith, would you? Sir.
Do we have any of the, uh, astronaut's personal property? No, we don't.
Not here.
I'm not getting anything.
Perfect.
Something personal would be better.
Maybe you should send some of your boys go get some of that stuff.
Smith, we don't have time for that.
The last time all you had to do was touch me.
Come on.
This is a mandatory evacuation order.
Martial law is now in effect.
Repeat; this is a mandatory evacuation order.
Martial law is now in effect.
What's on that ship? I have no idea what you're talking about, Smith.
I just saw a hazmat team responding to a toxic emergency.
And I saw the National Guard.
I saw the crew trying to jettison something.
It's complicated.
Yeah, it's complicated.
Listen, you came to me.
You said you need my help.
I need the truth.
There is an experiment on board.
It's an energy program we're running through the Department of Defense.
Sir, do we really wanna be talkin'-- For Christ's sake, please.
He's seen it all.
It's a program that needs to be run at microgravity far longer than we could have possibly done on a plane.
America's Hope is carrying a payload of highly radioactive plutonium.
I don't believe it.
You sent a payload of plutonium into space? Radioactive material goes up in satellites all the time.
You know what this is about? This is about controlling our own energy sources.
It's about not begging our enemies for oil.
This is real national security.
Trust me.
It's worth the risk.
Yeah, tell that to the people in the flight path of America's Hope.
The plutonium's already on the ship.
There's nothing we can do about that now.
We need to know what's going on up there.
Listen, Smith, what do you need to get a vision? Talk to me.
I'll do anything I can to help you.
That's not how it works.
I need something else.
I need some kind of connection to the ship.
Something that was there at the meeting.
Okay.
Uh, I gave my speech.
I came offstage.
I saw Sarah, great to see her.
Uh, I was talkin' to JJ.
I told you I appreciated you showing up.
The astronaut's wife.
I was talking to you, I-- Wait, hold on.
The astronaut's wife? Yeah.
She was holding your arm when we shook hands.
Right this way, Mrs.
Wilcox.
JJ, why don't you show Emily your room? Come on, Emily.
Follow me.
They told me there's a problem with the ship.
What's wrong? They've lost communications.
At this point we don't know how serious it is, but we are working on it.
Oh, God.
That's why we asked you here today, Mrs.
Wilcox.
I'm sorry, who are you? He is a specialist we brought in to help us re-establish contact.
What kind of specialist? I'm a psychic, Mrs.
Wilcox.
My name is John Smith.
He's worked with the government plenty of times.
Steve's in trouble and you bring in a psychic? Is it so hard to just be a pilot and come home to your family every night? I've dreamed of this my whole life.
Meg, this is my last chance to get up there.
I know.
I promise you, I promise you, I'm coming back.
I want you to keep these close to your heart.
And I'll be back soon to take their place.
Okay? Keep these close to your heart, and I'll be back to take their place.
Oh, my God.
You can trust Johnny, Mrs.
Wilcox.
He can help you.
I wouldn't be here if it wasn't true.
Are you okay? It's just a lot to process.
Mrs.
Wilcox, I believe that the dog tags that your husband gave you may be my connection to him.
I know this sounds a little bit crazy.
But if you just give me your hands, kinda go with me on this.
I'm gonna see if I can try to help him.
The orbit's stabilized.
Communications are down.
Navigation systems check out.
No obvious hull damage Flight controls appear to be operational.
I'm bringing us down early.
How long till the next opportunity to de-orbit, William? To line up for Edwards, about 15 minutes, sir.
All right, Stan, prepare for de-orbit burn.
Yes, sir.
They're alive.
Oh, thank God.
What I picked up is that they're planning to land at Edwards Air Force Base.
That's wonderful news.
Linden, we've got work to do.
Sir, we haven't changed a thing yet.
What I saw I feel is still gonna happen.
Well, I'll tell you what, we know where they're going.
That's a start.
Linden.
That's not good enough.
I needed that done Oh, you think.
Well, you call me back when you know.
I'm guessing being Vice President is about as hard as it looks.
You don't get to pick your battles, but you still have to win them.
Of course, I do get a private chef.
Nice.
I don't think a chef could keep up with me these days.
Well Listen, Sarah, I didn't mean to intrude earlier when we spoke tonight.
But I still keep tabs on this place.
When I read that article about Walt, I-- I just want you to know that I don't believe a word of those allegations.
Well, that's nice to hear.
Thank you.
Yeah, Public life's not fair.
God knows I've been accused of enough things that weren't true.
If there's anything, I mean anything, I can do to clear Walt's good name, I'll do it.
This here is my direct line.
Cuts through about 15 operators right to me.
If there's anything I can do to help please call me.
Wow, thanks.
That's very generous of you.
But I think I really need to do this on my own.
And I'm sure you can.
But for me, would you just hang onto it? Just in case.
Sarah, would you excuse me? I'm gonna have to take this.
So where are we? What was that? I guess I have friends in high places.
Yeah, for today.
He's just being nice, Johnny.
And besides, the Bannermans could use some more friends right now.
Babies have a way of bringing people together.
Did that yogurt work its magic? Oh, no, that craving got trampled by a lust for citrus.
It's my third one.
You want one? Sure.
Should we check it for weapons? Smith, we need you.
Come on.
Well, we just conducted an external inspection of the ship with a KH-14 satellite.
And the imaging did confirm the communication antenna's down.
But we already knew that, right? The satellite also found another problem.
One of their flaps is damaged.
They could lose control on re-entry.
Not could, sir.
Would.
Unless they can lock down that flap.
Well, wait a minute, the control panel is damaged, right? They don't even know about the flap.
And they're already making plans to come down.
Gotta give me something to work with, buddy.
F-15s.
Here you are consoling this guy's wife in one room, and you're ordering her husband's death in the other? I don't have a choice.
You've seen what happens if I let that ship land.
I'm running out of options here.
But this is your fault.
You put them up there.
I have a duty to protect this country.
And if that means shooting that ship down well, that's the way it has to be.
And you can live with that? Of course the last thing I want is for those people to die.
Clock's running out on us here, Smith.
When I brought you in, I hoped we'd get a sign or something.
Well, that's it-- that's it exactly.
We need to send them a sign.
What are you talking about? We need to send them a sign, something that tells them not to land.
And how do you propose we do that? Well, how close are you with the governor of California? My dad had to do a whole year of training.
Did he train in that machine that makes you throw up? For, like, a week.
Gross.
Kinda cool.
I can't wait till he gets back.
He promised to give me something from space.
My dad likes to fish too.
He caught the biggest fish in our lake last year.
I'm never going fishing with my dad again.
Why not? He died.
I'm sorry.
What happened to your dad? There was a fire.
He saved another guy.
but My dad got trapped.
He couldn't get out.
He sounds like a hero.
Yeah.
He was a hero.
So your dad must be pretty brave too, to go up in space.
He is pretty amazing.
But when they tell the kids to, "go play upstairs," you know something's wrong.
Everything will be okay.
Johnny can fix it.
You really think he can? Hey, the Vice President came here first, right? Hmm.
I can't believe I asked the governor to do something 'cause a psychic told me to.
Think he'll get it done? He'll get it done.
It'll cost me, but he'll get it done.
I hate not knowing.
We'll find out soon.
Yeah.
It's done.
Here goes nothing.
Megan, I realize this has been a really difficult night.
I also know that Steve has been very highly trained.
And he's gonna make a smart decision.
You ready? No.
Give me your hands.
There it is.
We got a visual on Edwards.
OMS engines check out.
Helium pressure normal.
All right, prepare to bring us into de-orbit burn.
Attitude on my mark.
Prepare to execute.
Ten, nine, eight, seven six We are lined up.
five And good to go.
four three-- What the hell? Looks like the whole valley went dark.
Abort! Abort! Stop de-orbit burn! Do it! I'm not putting us down in a blackout.
Steve aborted the retrorocket firing.
And they're not gonna land at Edwards.
Okay, let's get a hold of GoSpace, figure this out.
Thank God.
All right, we're gonna have to set up for an alternate landing site.
What's the next fallback? I, uh--sorry.
My ear hurts like hell.
Hold on.
Stan, how you feeling? A little out of it actually.
Aw! We've got pressure change.
Depressurization alarm.
Kill the noise.
Hit the seals.
Let's close everything up.
No good, Captain.
We're still losin' air.
Get us a new landing site.
Fast.
What is it? What did you just see? I'm not sure.
200,000 homes without power in Southern California.
But what makes this blackout interesting is that it may be linked to America's Hope, which is currently orbiting the earth.
GoSpace and Vice President Stillson's office have not commented.
But sources have told us there's been no communication with the privately-owned spacecraft-- Great job.
There's a much bigger problem now.
They're running out of air.
An air leak.
Jesus, these guys can't catch a break.
They build everything from their oxygen supply, fuel, water.
The ship'll fall apart without it.
If they can't breathe, the rest won't matter, right? If they try to land with a busted flap, they'll crash.
But you could help them make repairs if we could restore communication.
Possibly.
They don't have any time.
They don't have any options.
And if they try to land, I won't have any choice but to shoot 'em down.
Don't you tell me they're trying to land.
As soon as possible.
Megan.
Here.
Thank you.
I didn't want him to go.
My husband was a sheriff.
I know how you feel.
I asked him not to.
Because I knew he wouldn't come back.
Every day when Walt left home, I used to feel that same way.
It used to paralyze me.
There was so many things that could go wrong.
But then I thought, "I can't live this way.
" You can't focus on the fear, Megan.
Until there's nothing left to hope for, you can't give up.
Now, could you help me up off the floor? Oh.
Of course.
Ooh, I guess everybody's anxious today.
Are you sure you're not in labour? No.
It's just Braxton-Hicks.
I've been having them on and off for a week.
I had the same thing with JJ.
I had them with Emily.
It drove me crazy.
Just tell me, how bad is it? Mrs.
Wilcox, we're-- we're running out of ideas.
Well, I'm not ready to give up hope.
I've done a visual inspection, but the leak's not showing up anywhere.
If we knew where the leak was, we might be able to patch it up.
If we haven't found it yet, we'll never find it.
Forget it, Stan.
Williams, get the coordinates of the closest emergency-landing site.
I don't care where it is.
I found the air leak.
Air leak.
Great, you found an air leak.
A lot of good that does us.
We can't tell 'em about it.
There's still time.
Sir, I think it's time to call the President and have him scramble those fighters.
Fighters? What's he talking about? Oh, my God.
You-- You're killing my husband.
My dad's gonna die? Honey, sweetheart.
Daddy's not gonna die, okay? He's gonna be coming home real soon.
Isn't he, Johnny? Emily, we are not gonna stop trying until we bring your daddy down here safely, okay? I promise you.
That one is Capricorn.
Right again, sunshine.
And if you see a moving light right along there, that might be me.
Dad, when you're up there, do you think you can take a picture of Grandma and Grandpa's house? Their house? Um, how about Denver? I think I can manage that.
I think it's going to be okay.
It's okay.
I think I know how to get them a message.
Can you get a satellite repositioned? I'll make suref it.
Nearly two hours into the America's Hope crisis, there's still no word on the fate of the ship from Vice President Stillson's office.
Let's go live now to Chuck in Las Vegas.
I hope you're right about this, Smith.
I just got word that the President had the fighters scrambled.
I'm running out of strings to pull.
Where are you going, sir? I made a promise.
The way I figure it, it's now or never.
I love you, Emily.
It's Morse code.
Wilcox, do you read? Acknowledge.
I'll be damned.
Sir? Stan, flash the external lights three times.
They're answering.
"We read you.
" It worked? Your husband's good at keeping his promises.
Your daddy is safe.
GoSpace confirms, communication is restored, Mr.
Vice President.
We can start walking them through the repairs.
Okay, first thing, call off those fighters.
I wanna know when and where they're coming down.
I'll take you and Emily there personally.
Johnny! It's time.
* So this is life * So this is hurt * So this is what they talk about * When they say hope for the best * * Expect the worst * It's all in a day to day * It's all in getting through * So what can one person say to comfort You did beautifully, sweetheart.
I just wish his father could be here.
That's an easy fix.
I'll just go get him for you.
He's just outside.
Oh, no, that's not his father.
Walt's a good friend.
Judging by the bunch of roses he's carrying, I'd say he's more than just a good friend.
Hello, John Junior.
Okay, Sarah, listen.
I can help you through this.
I want you to imagine that Walt is out in the corridor.
Okay, with three dozen roses.
And he's about to burst in here, okay? You saw JJ being born? Walt was there.
Yeah, Walt was there.
Walt is here.
Walt is always gonna be here.
Okay? * So this is life * So this is hurt * So this is what they talk about * * When they say hope for the best * * Expect the worst * It's all in a day to day * It's all in getting through * So what can one person say * To comfort * Who * So the wind blows * So it all goes * We fall without you * And ooh hoo * Don't try to run * Just let it come * You're right where you belong * * In the middle of it all * Hmm * It would be so nice * To have things clear * I think we all know * That's not what we have here * So just take my arm * Take my embrace * It might be the same * In another place * And ooh hoo * So the wind blows * So it all goes * We fall without you * And ooh hoo * Don't try to run * Just let it go * thank you very much Americans You wouldn't believe how bad the food in the cafeteria was.
So I went across the street.
For such a warm welcome on such an unseasonably cold day.
Mr.
Vice President, is it true that you personally came up with the plan to save America's Hope? Many people worked together to bring our men safely home.
And they may never get the recognition that they so richly deserve.
But I think it is imperative that they know that I have my own personal thanks.
We did more than save that one ship today.
We saved the very spirit that is the new frontier.
And that spirit that is truly America's Hope.
Thank you.
Is it me or did Stillson just get in front of a camera and not take all the credit for something? People can change, Johnny.
Yeah, people, maybe.
Stillson, I don't know.
Hopefully he won't be around when you're old enough to vote.
I was thinking about what to name her.
Yeah.
What do you think of Hope? I think Hope is perfect.