City of Blood (2026) s01e01 Episode Script

1
[woman] "Dear beast, my sweet beast.
Please don't die. Stay with me."
"With these words,
she kissed him and closed her eyes.
And then, the castle was filled
with thousands of lights and music.
And when she opened her eyes,
the beast had vanished.
And instead, there stood before her
a smiling young prince.
'I am the beast you feared so much,'
explained the Prince."
- [knocking on door]
- [man] Phoebe, come on.
Go away! I'm not asleep.
Hey, I'll be quick. Don't worry.
[man] Finally.
[door closing]
Bea's not asleep yet.
- Nothing's gonna happen.
- Hey!
Three or four more times and you're done.
[Phoebe]
I hated leaving my little sister alone.
Bea had no one else.
We'd lost everything
during the last big pandemic.
Our home, our family.
[electronic music plays]
[Phoebe] Berlin had become unbearable.
The city suffocated
under the heat, the trash, the disease.
- [woman] How much?
- Fifty.
Fifty? All right.
[Phoebe] People needed a distraction.
And business was booming.
[electronic music continues]
[Phoebe]
Bea and I just wanted to get away.
Somewhere where things were better.
But the next morning, everything changed.
I think we're good.
Same time tomorrow?
[man over speaker] Attention, clear
the streets, stand clear of the vehicles.
What's going on?
- Is it Wednesday?
- For your safety
- The Disinfection.
- please remain in your homes.
We are carrying out extensive
disinfection measures in the neighborhood.
Your cash!
[man over speaker]
Keep all windows and doors closed.
Turn off ventilation
and air conditioning systems.
Do not enter into any streets
or public areas. We repeat
Entry into the streets and public areas
is strictly forbidden.
Hey! Stop! Stay there!
Fuck. Stop!
[young Bea] Phoebe? Phoebe!
[coughs]
[panting]
[Bea coughs]
[police] Stop!
Hey!
- Get out of there, now! Go!
- My little sister is in there.
[police] Stay!
[banging, clanking]
Bea? Bea?
Bea.
Hey, I'll take your sister.
You stay behind me, got it?
Okay. Out of here. Go.
[police] Come on!
[Phoebe] Bea survived,
but the toxic fumes made her sick.
She got a new home
where they could take better care of her.
And I was left alone with my guilt.
15 YEARS LATER
[Phoebe] The world has yet to recover
from economic collapse.
Germany splintered
into multiple small states.
Now everyone is isolated.
Only the Republic of Berlin is fighting
desperately for democracy and freedom.
All that I want is the chance
to help Bea get well again.
[man] Ready.
[Phoebe] I'm ashamed of what I've done.
Of what I've become.
What are you doing with the blood?
Ask my boss.
[Phoebe] I'm afraid to see Bea again
after all these years.
Afraid I'll make another mistake.
[monitor beeps]
[activist] Who is responsible, you ask?
All I can do is repeat myself.
Hilda Klein and her BDP.
Their empty promises
are destroying Berlin piece by piece.
Most of all, their absolutely
incompetent security
and immigration policies,
the lack of social structures,
the the open borders.
Everyone else has closed
their borders except for us.
She kept her promises, yes,
but only for the rich.
What about the average citizens of Berlin?
Well, they're left completely destitute.
This two-tier society must come to an end.
I I know it sounds dramatic,
but the decline of Berlin must be stopped,
and this government must go.
According to the latest polls,
Oliver Lawal of Aufbruch Berlin,
is the most likely challenger to
the incumbent Prime Minister, Hilda Klein.
Five weeks before the election
- It's too early to listen to that guy.
- He's in good form.
Mm-hm.
- And how are you?
- Good.
You sure?
How many more times
are you gonna ask me that?
Okay, I'll be careful.
- Okay.
- And how about you?
Did you get some rest?
Are you stressed about today?
I'm only stressed when there's no coffee.
- They're broadcasting that thing today?
- Mm-hm.
Well, hopefully they light you well,
That helped.
Are you serious?
[chuckles]
Writing something?
Yeah, it's about the illegal blood trade.
It's strange nobody knows
what's happening to it, don't you think?
- Read it to me.
- Yeah.
I still have something to correct,
but I'll send you an e-mail.
Okay. Call me
when the coffee is ready, okay?
Uh-huh.
- And, Bea?
- Hm?
I'm sorry she doesn't wanna see you.
I would have just liked
to talk to her before the surgery.
[clicks tongue]
And wear the green suit.
It looks way better.
[woman] Mm-hm. Love you too.
[ominous music plays]
[car horn honking in distance]
[phone buzzing]
KLARA - CLINIC -
PHOEBE'S APPOINTMENT POSTPONED.
PHOEBE'S APPOINTMEN
HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
SHE HAS HER PRE-OP MEETING NOW.
[signal rings]
[woman over P.A.]
Visitors, due to the blood shortage,
we kindly ask you to donate blood.
If interested, please contact
our colleagues in Ward 2.
- Hey.
- There you are.
She finished with Dr. Karlicek.
- Left two minutes ago.
- What?
[Klara] There. There she is.
But you didn't get that from me.
[Bea] Thank you.
[honking]
Hi, do you have a minute to help?
The clinics here depend on your blood.
Did you know that?
- [Bea] Hey! Phoebe!
- [man] Hey, people are dying here.
[heavy breathing]
It's me.
Bea.
Can we talk for a second?
[phone ringing]
Yeah?
I'm on my way.
Yeah, calm down. I'll be right there.
Uh It's my job.
We'll talk after the surgery, okay?
I have to go. I'm sorry.
You can't just leave.
[car door closing]
[engine starts]
[somber music plays]
[Bea] Phoebe.
Hey, wait. Wait!
- [knocks]
- Please, stop.
Hey, wait!
- [bangs]
- [horn honking]
- Are you okay?
- Close the door.
[Phoebe] Close the door!
[Bea] What are you doing?
[engine revving]
[tires squealing]
- [police 1] We got one
- [police 2] In pursuit.
Phoebe, stop.
[siren blaring]
- [horn honking]
- [Bea] Are you nuts?
[tense music plays]
- [horn honking]
- [tires screeching]
Hold the box tight.
- What's in there?
- Just hold it.
- [horn honking]
- Shit.
[Bea] Phoebe!
- [Bea sighs]
- You okay?
Uh-huh, you?
- [siren blaring]
- [engine sputters, starts]
[car door closing]
[siren blaring]
Where's the box?
Oh, shit.
- What?
- No, no, no.
You're dealing blood?
It's a job.
- [scoffs]
- I just drive for them.
For the Batvia Clan, right?
Please, just leave.
Cops will be here any second.
And I don't want you getting involved.
Phoebe?
Shit.
[tense music plays]
Please go. This is dangerous.
I'll hold it from the inside.
[engine revs]
BDP
FOR A FUTURE TOGETHER.
[radio host] There is heavy traffic
at the Rudolphstein-Hirschberg
border crossing
from Bavaria to Thuringia.
Current wait time is over three hours.
If possible, take an alternative route.
In any case, please remember
to bring enough water with you
since we are again expecting temperatures
of up to 40 degrees Celsius in the shade.
Stay cool
and get to your destination safely.
[music plays]
[siren wailing]
Dispatch, this is Delta 51.
Got eyes on a suspicious vehicle
on the B34, marker 53.
Conducting a vehicle check.
License plate, Republic of Berlin,
193-JW. You copy?
- [radio sputters]
- [dispatcher] Come in, Delta
[sighs] Shit.
Come on.
[dog growls]
License and registration, please.
Hands on the steering wheel.
[dog barks]
Get out of the cab.
Open the cargo doors.
- [barking continues]
- I can't.
[barking continues]
[dog whimpers]
[suspenseful music plays]
[suspenseful music continues]
[clanking]
Help!
Please help! Let me out! Help! No!
[man screaming]
[indistinct shouting]
[ominous music plays]
Dispatch, this is Delta 51.
Urgently requesting backup here
on the B34, marker 53.
[radio static crackles]
Shit. I need backup, now!
Is anyone there?
Shit!
[dispatcher] Delta 51,
what is your location?
Send reinforcements.
I'm on the B34
[dispatcher] Delta 51, please report.
Delta 51, Dispatch. Come in.
[ominous music plays]
[ominous music continues]
REPUBLIC OF BERLIN
[reporter] The race for the highest office
in the Republic of Berlin
is entering a critical phase.
One major issue is the controversial
Climate Dome project
- Hey, Akash.
- Hey, Laura.
led to the breakup of
the coalition between Klein's BDP
and the Free Citizens of Berlin's
Felix Prager,
a staunch supporter of the Climate Dome.
Although Hilda Klein has since distanced
herself from further dome projects,
many blame the innovative construction
project for the growing social injustice
that we face in Berlin.
Leading the charge is Oliver Lawal,
the candidate for Aufbruch Berlin
[Akash] I hear he's campaigning
in retirement homes and hospitals now.
Hm.
- Where is she?
- Back there.
[reporter] Yesterday, thousands
of protesters gathered again
-in front of the Dome.
- [Akash] Don't fall asleep.
camping there for weeks
to draw attention to the housing shortage.
An absolute majority
[Laura] Hello.
Hello.
[knocks]
- Yes? You wanted to see me?
- Yes.
Glad you're here in time.
- Nervous?
- Why?
Today is important.
Don't let him push your buttons.
- Just seeing him pushes my buttons.
- Yes, that's what I'm getting at.
According to polls,
he's ahead of us on issues like crime,
security and immigration.
- We need to take a stronger stance.
- Well, we are.
Not enough.
Look at what he's demanding.
Show them that we're not so different.
He stands for everything we're against.
There are no compromises.
[Hilda] Politics always means compromise.
Give him an answer.
You offer solutions where he rants.
That's how we can persuade him.
So suck up to him?
You want to propose a coalition?
[scoffs]
Make sure and let me know
if this is too much.
So you don't think I can do this?
No, but I can see that Bea's operation
is upsetting you.
- I'll be okay.
- Good.
In the new government, I'd like you
to take on more responsibilities.
How is she doing?
- Bea?
- Mm-hm.
Honestly, I'm not really sure.
I'm afraid of those two
seeing each other again.
You're second-guessing everything.
You have the appointment,
Phoebe's donating her kidney.
It'll go well.
It has to.
I should have told her the truth
a long time ago.
[train chugging]
[woman over speaker] Train to
Please stand clear.
Give me the other ones.
[tense music plays]
[man] One water.
Where are you taking it?
Bus is over there. It'll get you home.
[Bea] Wait. So that was it?
Look, the operation's what matters.
We'll talk Friday, when it's over.
[woman] Hey, hurry up.
[whirring]
[hip-hop music playing on speaker]
Hey, if you're donating blood,
it's down there, okay?
- Are you here to give blood?
- [Bea] No.
A young woman
just came in here a second ago.
[man] Who are you looking for?
Phoebe Kaya.
What are you holding?
It's hers.
That's not hers.
Come here.
[man 1] I don't care
what your excuse is this time.
- I have to report it.
- [man 2] What are you reporting?
You giving these away now?
You took her on the route?
Yeah, I did, but it's okay.
She's my sister.
You lost two of them. This is not okay.
[Phoebe] Calm down, Robbie.
I'll take care of it tomorrow.
[man 1] Hey, you don't get it, do you?
You lose the goods, you crash my car.
All right, everyone out. Come on. Go!
You too, come on.
Here.
Stop!
A journalist?
Can you walk me through what's going
through that sick head of yours?
I swear, she's just here
because she's my sister.
[man 1] Here, take a photo.
You live in a good neighborhood,
don't you?
I've had it with your fucking messes.
She's taking over Soren's route today.
- I've already been out for ten hours.
- You're doing the dorms now.
Robbie will send you the plan.
Now get lost.
And you.
Boo!
Are you scared?
[Phoebe] Come on.
You still need someone tonight?
For the boss's party.
[tense music plays]
- You should have never come here.
- Nice job you've got there.
Please, this is just not the time.
Fifteen years, no contact.
Why are you giving me your kidney
if you don't wanna talk to me?
- Is Laura paying you? Is it money?
- No.
Then what? You didn't care
that you were my sister before.
You just left me.
I disappeared, huh?
Did Laura tell you that?
Well, isn't that true?
She didn't wanna adopt two kids,
and you were the one who was sick.
No contact.
That was her one condition
for your benefit.
You're lying.
She would never have done that.
She knew how much I missed you.
I missed you, too.
So why'd you never come visit?
Did Laura say you couldn't?
[suspenseful music plays]
[engine starts]
[suspenseful music continues]
[helicopter engine droning]
YOU'LL DESTROY US
STOP THE SELLOUT OF BERLIN!
[woman over speaker]
Welcome to the Dome project.
Before entering,
please visit our security check-ins.
- [beeps]
- Thank you.
- [alarm buzzes]
- [security] The bag, please.
May I?
What is this?
I need that for medical reasons.
Kidney failure.
Here.
I'm here for the event today.
The journalist entrance is to the right.
Thank you.
Hello. I have a question.
[birds chirping]
[tranquil music plays]
[candidate]
Where else can we enjoy clean air,
comfortable temperatures
and green vegetation
without consuming
vast amounts of nonexistent energy?
The dome and its specialized technology
are the answers
to the problems of our time.
A paradise. Like before, better even.
That's why it's so important
we're meeting here today.
So you can understand the amount of hope
a second dome could bring to Berlin.
[host] Ms. Hoffmann,
as secretary of construction,
what do you say?
Why did your party first approve the Dome,
but now fiercely opposes
further dome projects?
The Dome
was a trial we had high hopes for.
And I want to be clear,
absolutely no government funds
were used for the construction.
It was entirely privately financed.
We have clear policy
against a second Dome.
We are concerned
with the social fabric,
- the whole context--
- The social fabric?
Where was that concern when your
administration pushed the project?
I mean, that's the real scandal.
What about the Berliners?
Lower to middle-class people,
who were forced out of their family homes.
And who are the people that live there?
Only the super-rich,
oligarchs from around the world
whose sources of income remain unknown.
In any case, it's not the residents
of Berlin who live there.
You have sold out "Paradise,"
or so you call it, to foreigners.
Berlin has a Dome.
But the dome is not Berlin.
[audience] Yeah.
[audience applauds]
[Oliver]
Yes, it is indeed a wonderful thing.
And above all, it's safe.
Because here, unlike the rest of Berlin,
people understand that you have
to protect yourself from invaders
and that you should control
who or what comes in.
Why aren't these safety standards
used for all of Berlin?
I'll tell you why.
Because Ms. Hoffmann isn't interested
in the rest of the people
that live in the city.
[Laura] You know very well
that we care about the people of Berlin.
[Oliver] Oh, really?
Our party is planning for new legislation,
extensive reforms in education
and in the health sector.
- Increased security is a priority as well.
- [Oliver] Great.
Maybe you could explain to our viewers
what that means in concrete terms.
[Oliver]
What are you gonna do?
[Laura]
You keep bringing it up yourself.
You're calling for a halt in immigration
and the repatriation of migrants.
You're putting words in my mouth
I've never said.
- [Oliver] No, no, no.
- Oh.
Yes.
Of course, we will give preferential
treatment to Berliners as well.
And regulate immigration.
[audience chattering]
However, with good judgment, humanity
- and with sincerity.
- [host] Did I get this right, Ms. Hoffman?
That the BDP is also considering
a halt to immigration?
Is that an offer to form
a coalition with Mr. Lawal?
- [chuckles] If you wanna call it--
- Yes, I can understand.
She and her party are afraid of crashing
and burning with their approach.
They're switching to our platform
at the last minute.
- [Oliver] That's what it is.
- Any coalition will be after the election.
A halt to immigration? Are you serious?
[host]
I'm the one who gives the floor here.
Someone pass the microphone
to the young lady.
Yesterday, you worked with one party
to build this dome to stay in power.
And today all is forgotten
and you're cozying up to the populist?
Are you interested
in how people in Berlin are doing,
or are you trying to get votes?
[host] Ms. Hoffman,
would you care to comment on that?
This is the blood of someone
who is forced to sell it
on the black market to survive.
Parents are selling
the blood of their children.
We know blood trafficking
is a problem.
No one does anything about it.
My sister became a blood dealer
just to survive.
But you don't care about that
because those who are affected
don't even vote.
[host] Would you like to respond?
Yes, the blood trade is a serious problem
and we, of course, are working on it,
and other problems.
It's crucial that we meet all people
of Berlin with sincerity and honesty.
Honesty?
Why should these people believe you
when you lied to your own daughter
for 15 years?
[audience gasping]
[audience 1]
She's right there. Grab her.
[audience 2] Are you her daughter?
[audience 3] Get her out of here!
[security] Stay back. Hey, hey. Stay back.
[tense music plays]
[ominous music plays]
[woman 1] And where were you two engaged?
[woman 2] Tunis.
Nice. Not possible nowadays.
- Did you see it?
- Everyone saw it.
I wish you could have been there.
So sad.
Her own daughter.
- Fitz-James is here.
- Not tonight.
My father says he has political ambitions.
- Mm.
- Could be a good opportunity.
Oliver.
Cyrus.
This is just fantastic.
Thank you for the invite.
Nobody can choose their family.
- [chuckles]
- [in Persian] You're right, Dad.
[in English]
Did you look at the polls?
This is an evening for friends,
not for campaigning.
[stammers] Of course.
A friend of mine is right over there.
Fitz-James.
I'd like to say hello to him, if I may.
May I? Thank you.
Everything's great.
[in Persian] Heaven help him
if he tries to bother my guests.
Be happy that things
are going well for us.
[in English] You look nice tonight.
privatization. It's all just
- Go and get me another roast beef--
- Sorry, sir. We're out.
Check with the kitchen.
They can find some.
- Got it?
- I'll take that. Thanks.
- Oliver Lawal.
- I know, the son-in-law.
Oh, well, I'd like to be
thought of as more than that--
Not here. That Cyrus is very particular.
You definitely won't be getting his vote.
I'm just here to say hello to Farah.
Did you know we spent time
in law school together?
No.
Mm, those were some pretty wild days.
[snickering]
Still looking as beautiful as ever.
Hello, hello.
It's wonderful to see you here tonight.
How are you, Farah?
If that's what Hilda wants.
I think it's wrong, though.
It was a private matter.
Yeah, well, the media will talk
for a few days, and then
[Laura] But
I
[somber music plays]
[Laura] I wouldn't be worried. Yeah.
Thank you, Bernd. I have to hang up.
I'll call you right back.
- [Laura] Hey!
- [door slams shut]
Are you out of your mind?
You left her on her own
and made her promise not to see me?
- She was 14.
- That is so ridiculous.
- Did she say that?
- Explain it.
[sighing sharply]
I was alone. I couldn't handle two kids.
And you were sick, so I made a choice.
It had nothing to do with Phoebe.
I told her she can see you
as soon as you settled in.
- Then why didn't she come?
- [sighs]
- Well, you'd have to ask her that.
- Okay, then give me her number.
[scoffs]
She was a junkie, Bea.
Maybe she was ashamed.
And yeah, I didn't want you guys
to be in touch or speak, so I'm sorry.
Giving you her kidney
is why she got sober,
and I was happy to help her.
[solemn music plays]
We are not done here, Bea.
[line ringing]
[line ringing]
[recording] Hey, it's Phoebe. Can't talk,
so leave a message after the beep.
[signal beeps]
Hi, Phoebe. It's Bea.
We need to talk.
I I'm sorry.
Call me.
[Bea on video] Why should people
believe you when you lied
to your own daughter
for 15 years?
[audience member 1]
Oh, my gosh.
[audience member 2]
Who let this girl in here?
SOMETHING ENGAGING HAPPENED
AT BERLIN'S PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY.
FINALLY, SOMEONE IS DOING SOMETHING.
SO COURAGEOUS!!!
- ANONYMOUS PHOEBE!!!!
- ACTIVE
VIDEO
PHOEBE!!!!
- [man on video] Shut up! Get up.
- [Phoebe groans]
Come here. Shut your mouth.
- Calm down.
- [Phoebe] Hey!
- Hey!
- Come on, give me your phone.
Look what your shithead sister has done.
Look at it. Look at it!
May as well send the cops
a personal invite. Quiet!
Enough!
Take her to the boss with the others.
[ominous music plays]
[Farah] It's all in the e-mail, okay?
I want you to get me a breakdown of all
the social media reactions by tomorrow.
Yeah. Then we can decide how to respond.
Yeah. Thank you. See you tomorrow.
[man] What a view.
Johan Moderson.
- Farah Lawal.
- I know.
Are you a friend of my father's?
You could say that, yes.
And are you happy with the evening?
We take every opportunity
to talk to interesting people
about meaningful topics.
I see.
And you? Are you enjoying yourself?
I am delighted to make your acquaintance.
I've followed your husband's career
for some time now.
Oh, yeah?
I find his whole vision refreshing.
He's authentic, affable, emotional.
He's a bit of a folk hero.
- But I don't need to tell you that.
- Yeah.
Go tell him that yourself.
You are in charge of the party's finances,
though, aren't you?
I'd like your campaign to have my support.
- Just like that?
- Why not?
I think he's the best man for Berlin.
And what do you do professionally?
I invest in the future.
- [phone buzzing]
- Sorry.
THYRA
SHE'S ABOUT TO GET HERE. WHERE ARE YOU?
I I'm sorry, but, uh
I have to get going.
Meeting you has been a pleasure.
Let's talk more about the details
when there's more time, with your husband.
- [Farah] Yeah.
- Thank you.
Good evening.
[suspenseful music plays]
[exhales]
It feels good to be back here.
[fire roaring]
[ominous music plays]
Where are we?
This way.
Put your phones, watches, jewelry here.
Earrings too. All jewelry.
Why?
House rules. You'll get
everything back after the party.
[sighs]
[suspenseful music plays]
[line ringing]
[line ringing]
[recording] Hey, it's Phoebe. Can't talk,
so leave a message after the beep.
[closing theme music plays]