The Sentinel (1996) s01e01 Episode Script
The Switchman
[music]
Eight days ago we launched an Arc Sat 7 satellite
We picked this up in the third orbit.
This is over Peru.
Looks like a downed Huey, sir.
She was carrying a team from 7th Group on an anti-insurgence op,
commanded by Captain James Ellison.
On a March 14th, '88, their Huey disappeared en route to the landing zone.
Did we send in a second team, sir?
No, we were subsequently advised that all rebel activity had ceased in that area.
The chopper crew and the team members, eight men in all,
were reported as MIA.
They were presumed dead until we saw this.
Seven graves.
Was there a survivor?
We don't know.
Mathis, I want you to take your team, recover the bodies,
and ascertain the status of the eighth man.
Yes, sir.
One word of caution.
The locals claim that for the past 18 months
no one who has gone into that jungle has ever come back out again.
[helicopter whirring]
All accounted for, sir, with the exception of Captain Ellison.
Let's get the tough part over with.
All right.
Let's do it.
Take cover!
[gunshot sounds]
Who the hell are they?
Cease fire!
Cease!
Hold your fire!
Nobody move!
They could have killed us already if they wanted to.
[tribal music]
Captain James Ellison, ODA 731.
You my relief?
Your relief?
Yeah, we were ordered to contact the local tribes, organize a militia.
These men and I have held the Chopak Pass for 18 months.
And quite frankly, Captain, I'm kind of tired.
[wings fluttering loudly]
[birds cawing]
6 months, 6 targets, 8 dead, 21 injured.
Post office in Tacoma, a bridge on the Snohomish,
a ferry in the middle of Puget Sound.
And there's no reason to think he won't hit us again.
As a matter of fact, we're overdue.
We have to collar this guy before we lose another life.
And that's why I've asked your cities to loan us investigators.
So welcome to Cascade.
We have seven kinds of rain here and 42 different ways of ordering a coffee.
This is Lieutenant Carolyn Plummer.
She heads our Technical Support division.
The team's been working with Major Crimes on the case.
Lieutenant Plummer will be able to provide you with any computers,
electronics, or advanced forensic equipment you might require.
Any suspects, Captain?
We've had a few nutcases claim to be our man, but we're not biting.
You'll find copies of the genuine articles correspondence in your folders.
It's e-mail, always signed "The Switchman",
but we can't be certain that we're only dealing with one suspect.
None of this has been released to the media.
Why are all these letters addressed to a James Ellison?
He's our lead investigator on the case.
The bomber seems to get some sort of perverse kick out of taunting him.
Well, can we talk to Ellison?
Jim's following a lead in some woods outside of Auburn.
An old lumber mill.
He's been on stakeouts since last week.
Last week?
How often does he come in?
He doesn't.
Jim works in his own way.
He won't be in until he thinks it's over.
[gripping music and nature sounds]
[loud boiling sound]
(Ellison, Ellison, you copy?)
(You awake or what?)
I'm here.
I put the team on standby.
There's a red Jeep Wrangler coming at you on the north access road.
One suspect only in the vehicle.
You should be making a visual any minute.
Copy that.
---
Out.
[gun cocks]
[engine revving]
The suspect has entered the building.
Let's go.
[helicopter whirring, police sirens]
[solemn music]
[helicopter whirring]
[police sirens]
This is the Cascade Police.
Exit the building on the north side with your hands behind your head.
(He's not coming out)
Smoke him.
[gunshots, glass breaking]
[men yelling]
(Ellison, the building's empty.)
I saw him go in.
(He left something for you.)
Looks like somebody's got your number, Ellison.
Yeah, I know.
You smell that?
What?
Gas.
How can you not smell it?
You guys smell anything?
It's stronger in here.
Jim, I'm not picking it up.
What the hell's wrong with you?
Clean the building, now!
Move it!
[helicopter whirring]
[bomb ticking]
[explosion]
[music]
[engine revving]
There wasn't much more than a pile of sawdust left, but
we've assisted forensics in pulling a few things of interest.
Fingerprints aren't likely, but we'll laser scan whatever debris looks promising.
There was a clean impression from the bike's tire.
It's being run through now for a maker's ID.
We also have a paint chip from the bike's vendor.
What about the explosives?
Same chemical signature as the previous blasts,
and Ellison's description of the timer fits as well.
Now, this is the most intriguing piece of evidence because it's personal.
I don't get it.
Why does the bomber have such a jones for Ellison?
Look, I still think our best bet is tracing the bike.
How long for that paint chip analysis?
Couldn't get a make here.
It's gone to DC to check against the FBI's files.
Plummer, your department is sitting on $6 million worth of state-of-the-art equipment,
financed by some of the biggest corporations in the country, and we're still shipping to the feds.
That's right.
And unless some genius walks in here with an instant matter transmitting device,
it's still going to take three days.
All right, good work.
[phone rings]
It's probably the mayor wanting an update.
Go on, get out of here, Plummer.
I don't like having an audience when I tap dance.
Yeah, sure. Send him in.
Oh, by the way, did I hear the Sonics got pounded last night?
Yeah, well, why don't we just let it ride till the next time they play the Blazers?
Double or nothing?
Easy money.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Stake at a dumpster all night, Jimmy?
My cousin sent me the new roast from his shop.
Something about Guatemalan mocha, Turkish dark, whatever the hell it was.
It all tastes like Maxwell House to me.
Hey.
Alright, Jim.
What's going on?
I need a leave of absence.
Oh, you nuts?
I don't know.
Maybe.
I ran a blood test to see if I'd been drugged, but I'm clean.
Hey, slow down.
What drugs?
How else can I explain what happened to me out there, Simon?
I fell off the back of that bike because I was seeing things.
Look, you were stressed, okay?
You heard something.
You smelled some fumes.
You got dizzy. You fell off the bike.
What? Now you want a vacation?
Come on.
Is this the guy who toughed it out in the jungle for a year and a half?
Take a shower, get some aspirin, and go back to work.
Because right now, the only thing I want more than my divorce papers is an arrest.
Hey.
But this isn't a joke.
I've lost a prime suspect, Simon, and I don't even know how.
Guilt's a good motivator, but don't take more than your share.
Air support lost him in the trees.
The roadblock didn't snag him either.
All right, look, you can take the afternoon off.
See a couple of specialists if it'll make you feel any better.
But that's all the slack I can cut you, Jim.
Well, that's not enough.
I'm losing control of my senses, Simon.
I don't know how else to describe it.
It's scaring the hell out of me.
All right, so let me get this straight.
This is all about you being scared?
Yep.
So the switchman psyched you up.
He's gonna make you fold.
All I know is I can't do my job this way.
So either you grant me a leave, or I'll take one.
And Wendy's getting married again next week, so of course my mother is making the wedding impossible.
My dad is practically living on his boat just to escape the madness.
He has already filled every freezer on the block,
and Wendy says if she has to gut one more salmon, the wedding is off.
What?
Why are we here?
Dinner.
Yours is getting cold.
We haven't had dinner together since last July.
I know.
I just thought we should catch up.
Look, I like your sister ok, but right now
I could give a rat's ass about the Plummer family newsletter.
I'm sorry.
I've asked you out.
You always turn me down.
Why tonight? Did Simon put you up to this?
You're supposed to get me to go back to work. Is that it?
No.
Okay, yes.
(It won't work. ) I know.
So don't bother.
(I won't.)
Can I try your squash?
Hey, could you get me another one of these, please?
Certainly, sir.
Thank you.
You know, Jim, you're not the first cop who's ever lost a suspect.
I don't want to talk about it.
But if you did talk about it, maybe I could help you.
So let's just drop it.
Sure.
Why should I expect anything to be different?
What's that supposed to mean?
Lights out.
No one home.
If there is, how would I know?
I give up.
Good. Can I have my plate back? I'd like to eat my dinner now.
Where are you going?
Home.
I can get more out of my toaster.
[coughs]
He's choking.
What's wrong?
What the hell is in this?
Urban paprika, I think.
Do you have a food allergy?
No!
I mean, is this your cook's idea of a joke?
No, sir.
Look, I am a police officer.
I would have this place closed down.
Damn it. Now you get me the manager.
Yes, sir. Right away, sir.
[coughs]
Jim.
What?
There's nothing in your food.
I don't know what's going on with you.
Just take care of yourself, okay?
[rain]
Carolyn, wait.
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
[romantic music]
I'm sorry.
Shut up, Jim.
You're only allowed one apology a night.
Maybe if you'd kissed me like that before, we'd still be married.
You can get dressed now, Mr. Ellison.
(Doctor Zavala to scheduling.)
(Doctor Zavala to scheduling, please.)
Detective Ellison, I'm Doctor McKay.
Your name tag says McCoy.
Yeah, but the correct Gaelic pronunciation of my family name is McKay.
You have the results?
Of?
The tests.
Forget the tests.
You don't need medicine.
You need information.
What are you, an intern?
Go go get the doctor for me, will you please?
Now just wait a second.
Hear me out here.
Loud noises that shouldn't be loud.
Smelling things that no one else can smell.
Weird visuals.
Taste buds off the map, right?
That's all on my chart.
Yeah, but I bet I can add one more thing.
A hyperactive tactile response.
A what?
Extra sensitive, touchy feely lately.
Hey man, that's none of your business.
And who the hell are you anyway?
Hey, I'm no one.
But this man, he is the only one who can truly help you.
You're too far ahead of the curve for any of this techno trash.
You're a cop.
See the man.
(Dr. Cody to the pharmacy.)
Good afternoon, Detective.
I have to tell you, I've scheduled some additional tests,
but based on the results we have so far,
there doesn't seem to be any medical foundation for your complaints.
You lost your name tag.
Oh, so I did.
I'm Doctor McCoy.
[metal clanging]
[church bells ringing]
[loud tribal music playing from speakers]
Hey, notice how the war chant of the Yanamamo headhunters
finds its echoes in the cellars of Seattle.
But I'm sure your dad used to say that stuff all the time about the Stones, you know?
Hey, hey, turn that jungle music down, man.
Yeah, he did. So do I. You mind?
No.
Why are you in my face?
Oh, hey, look, I'm really sorry about all that Shakespeare stuff at the hospital,
but I just had to find some way to get you into my area here to talk.
So talk.
Okay. All right, here, please.
Get your seat here.
Have a seat, man.
You see, there's this nurse that I've been, you know.
Tutoring at the Med Center.
And she saw your chart, and she faxed it over to me.
And when I read the thing, man, it was just like, bang!
Holy grail time!
You're losing me, Chief.
Okay. Um.
My name is Blair Sandburg, and I'm working on my doctorate in anthropology,
and you just may be the living embodiment of my field of study.
If I'm correct, Detective Ellison
You're a behavioral throwback to a pre-civilized breed of man.
Are you out of your mind?
You dragged me all the way over here to tell me I'm some sort of caveman.
Well, maybe I was a little out of line with that caveman remark, but I mean
Listen, you neo hippie witch doctor punk.
I can slap you off right now with larceny and false impersonation.
And you are heading real quick at harassing a police officer.
And what's more?
Your behavior has given me probable cause to shake this place top to bottom for narcotics.
Oh, hey, Joe Friday, relax.
Look, you mess with me, man, and you are never going to figure out what's up with you.
Now I know about your time spent in Peru,
and it has got to be connected with what's happening to you now.
And let me just show you something here.
This is a monograph by Sir Richard Burton, the explorer, not the actor.
It's over 100 years old.
Anyway, the idea goes like this.
In all tribal cultures, every village had what Burton named a sentinel.
Now, this was someone who patrolled the borders.
You mean a scout?
No, no, no. More like a watchman.
You see, the sentinel would watch for approaching enemy, change in the weather, movement of game.
Tribe survival depended on him.
Yeah.
What's this got to do with me?
A sentinel is chosen because of a genetic advantage,
a sensory awareness that can be developed beyond normal humans.
And now these senses are honed by solitary time spent in the wild.
And at first, Burton's monograph is disputed, and now it's basically forgotten.
I mean, there are certain manifestations today of maybe one or two hyperactive senses, like taste and smell.
People work for coffee, perfume companies.
Oh, and in the Vietnam, the Army long-range recon units that had to
change their diet to fish and rice because a conch scout could smell a Westerner by his waste.
Right, right. Exactly.
You know, I've got hundreds and hundreds of documented cases over here of one or two hyperactive senses,
but not one single subject with all five.
You could be the real thing.
The truth is, I don't remember much of anything about the jungle.
Well, a year and a half spent in the bush, the sole survivor of your unit.
I mean, I'm no psychiatrist, but that sounds pretty damn traumatic to me.
And trauma tends to get repressed.
Now, let's say I I buy this.
Why is this coming back now?
I don't know.
But you need someone who understands your condition.
Well, what's the payoff?
My doctorate.
I want to write about you.
You're my thesis.
I've had enough.
Well, just think about it, okay?
Oh, wait, there's one other thing I got to warn you about.
Yeah, it's over in the north ---.
[tense music]
[truck honks]
Look out!
Yes!
Yes! Oh, that really sucked, man.
What happened?
It's that thing I was trying to warn you about.
The zone out factor.
God almighty. You all right?
You just stepped right out in front of me.
We're okay, man.
We're all right.
Let's get out of here before I got to answer a lot of questions.
Let's as in we?
Oh, great.
I got some really specific ideas on how we can proceed here.
Come on, let's go.
Come on.
What happened with the truck?
What'd you call it?
Yeah, the zone out factor.
You see, it's suggested by Burton's research,
that when a sentinel's working his deal, he gets oblivious to the outside world.
Sort of like the blinders are on.
Usually he had a partner along, someone to watch his back.
You mean like you?
Oh yeah, beautiful. Great idea. I'd love to.
Now, you ready for a little research?
No.
Why did I let you drag me down here?
I want to get rid of this thing, not figure out how it works.
One, your abilities, which were once latent and then suppressed,
have been dredged up.
Translation, you are back online.
And I haven't got a clue of how to turn them off
Two, you're a detective with hyperactive senses.
You're a monster, man.
A human crime lab with organic surveillance equipment.
What more could you want?
Control.
That is what we're here for.
It's all about concentration.
Let's try a little test here.
Okay, all right. Oh okay, great.
In the aisle behind us, there's a flower cellar.
See if you can smell the roses.
This is stupid.
Come on, now this is a scent you should easily identify.
Now just give it a shot here.
Come on.
I feel like an idiot.
Hi, Blair.
Oh, hey. How you doing?
Missed you at the meeting on Wednesday.
Yeah.
Let me share your notes?
Maybe.
Call me.
Hey, I think it's working.
86 that.
See that blonde over there?
See if you can hear what she's saying about me.
Hey, I'm not helping you troll for co-eds, short eyes.
She's a TA, man.
I'm clean.
Now come on, let's go. Radar up
Would you go out with him?
Yeah, I'd go out with him. He's adorable.
But he's never asked me.
Well?
She thinks you're a dork.
Dork?
[police siren]
[chatter]
The Switchman sent us the warning about two hours ago.
Disposal had a problem locating the bomb.
We did a sound sweep and matched the audio signature of a timer
identical to the one The Switchman uses.
The explosive was hidden in a pedestal ashtray.
You put the charge in a wax casing, Captain.
What's that, patchouli oil?
Something like that.
You know, one of the dogs missed it.
He's a clever son of a bitch.
There's something else.
I think the ante's been upped here.
This charge is anti-personnel, like an IRA nail bomb.
It's meant to frag people. And a lot of 'em.
It's a good job, Tiger.
Should thank Lieutenant Plummer. Her team found the bomb.
[explosion]
[car alarm, people yelling]
Simon, are you okay?
Yeah, yeah. Tiger, come on.
I don't understand it.
The sound sweep should have picked up the second timer as well.
That's the point.
The second timer wasn't the same type.
He hard-wired right into the station's lobby clock.
Jim.
I've been looking for you all over the building. You okay?
Just wing me.
I'm all right, too. Thanks for asking.
I think the station was just a warm up.
This was in my e-mail folder.
Dear Detective Ellison, today I bought my ticket.
Tomorrow I ride to the end of the line.
The Switchman.
The end of the line. Tomorrow?
Look, Jim, I need you back at work.
[water splashing]
[car doors close]
How long were you here on stakeout?
Four days.
Well, maybe that's why.
Why what?
The forest. The isolation.
The danger of the hunt.
That could have kicked the Sentinel thing back up on you.
Yeah, maybe.
Okay, Sandburg, both forensics and explosives technicians
have already been through this place.
Try to concentrate.
You got to learn how to turn things on and off.
Now I'm just going to shut up and let you feel it out.
I can't see or hear anything that happened days ago.
Put your hands behind your back.
Put your hands behind your back.
OK, what's in your hands?
I don't know.
Ashes.
Right!
Right. From what?
The right one is kind of dry.
Wood, maybe.
The other is different.
Oily.
It's from plastic.
I never could have told the difference.
And a lab analysis, that takes time, man.
But you could be rolling on instinct here.
And I bet with a little practice, you could even tell what kind of wood.
What are you doing?
Documenting.
Aw.
Nuts. I don't know what the hell I expected to find here.
Hey, hey. Yesterday you're begging a doctor for a cure.
And today you're complaining because you can't make it work?
[wings flutter]
What?
What is it?
What is it?
[wings flutter]
How good are you at climbing trees?
[Blair grunts]
It's right there, in the crook of the limb.
Man, I am not in the mood to have my skull ventilated by some pissed-off magpie!
Heads up.
Heads up!
The bomber was wearing a blue watch cap when he went into the mill.
So maybe the hat was inside when the place blew.
And the bird found the pickings up in the beams where forensics missed them.
I mean, the nest isn't finished,
which would definitely suggest that the time frame could work there.
What?
What? Part of your job is walking into a place
and trying to figure out what happened there.
But so is mine.
It's just that my places are usually a few thousand years vacant.
What? What is it?
You got something?
Yeah, it's shampoo or
Aftershave?
No, no, no. It's more complicated.
It smells like
What?
Jungle plants.
Can't keep this up.
Starting to get a headache.
I should run the evidence back to forensics.
Could be some other fibers in the nest or hairs.
No, no, no, no. See, I deal with labs too, man, all the time.
And lab results take days.
You have hours.
Now just look at the bright side.
We've already been to three shops.
We've only got two to go.
Now come on, come on.
May I help you find something?
Yeah, yeah. Oh, wow.
Did you know that that dress of yours resembles the ceremonial sarong of the ancient
Detective Ellison, Cascade PD.
A suspect we need to identify
may have purchased body oil or shampoo here.
Which fragrance?
I don't know.
I'd have to inspect them.
All of them.
Well, there are over 365 essential oils and extracts.
Well, why don't you start with sandalwood?
That's what I'm wearing.
What are you doing?
Taking notes.
Sandburg.
What?
You got it?
Not exactly.
It's this one.
But with this one and this one all mixed together.
Well, we do make special blends for customers.
Do you have a client list?
It's on the computer.
I'll get you a printout.
Working pretty hard, aren't you?
Yeah, you know, common interests.
She's into Zuni fetishes.
Well, that fetish as in small carved figures,
Okay, you know,?
What's this?
Cinnamon bark?
Tropical rain? Purple orchid? What?
Yeah.
Doesn't seem like anything a man would wear, does it?
No.
Thank you.
Thanks.
What?
What is it?
Another sensory thing?
No, no.
A memory thing.
Her name is Veronica Sarris.
Her father served with me in my Special Forces unit.
He died in Peru.
So she blames you and blows the hell out of Cascade just to make you look bad?
Well, she had demolition experience in the Navy.
She was discharged 2 years ago on account of mental instability.
She left Washington State Psychiatric Hospital 8 months ago.
She's employed now as a tour guide.
I've got an address.
So what am I supposed to do here?
Well, give me a warrant.
What else?
On what evidence?
Because a detective smelled something on a piece of yarn
he pulled out of a bird's nest?
You know what, Jim?
I think you should take some time off.
Oh, hey, well?
He said I need a vacation.
You're not going to do that, are you?
No, but I am going to do some sightseeing.
Is this Cascade Harbor Tours?
Yeah, I need to locate one of your tour guides, Veronica Sarris.
[intriguing music]
Oh, hey, attaboy, Kojak.
You parked in a no-parking zone.
You wait here.
What? And miss all the action?
Thought you're supposed to be my backup.
I am, but
But nothing.
You just wait here.
If I'm not down here in ten minutes, you call 911.
I guess this means no video.
Come on!
Uh-oh.
Are you with Cascade Tours?
I'm looking for Veronica Sarris.
Veronica's with the other group.
They just went down to the bus.
(Is this the last week?
Oh, yeah, last two)
Place of emergency!
Everybody out of the way!
Let's go.
Thanks for your cooperation, folks.
If you want to sit anywhere on the other side of the bus, that'd be great. Okay?
[music]
Taxi!
Cascade Police, I need your car.
Thanks, buddy.
What are you gonna do with it?
When will I get it back?
Watch it!
[car alarm sounds]
Right there.
Oh, that's cool.
William, turn to the light.
Take the Green Street Bridge.
That bridge is closed for repairs.
We'll have to take East 32nd or
Drive to the bridge.
[music]
[tires screeching]
No one move!
That bridge is closed!
Drive through it.
[sign crashes]
[people talking]
Stop here.
[people exclaiming in fear]
No, don't put me on hold.
Yeah, this is an emergency.
Get me Captain Banks.
I'm on the Green Street Bridge with The Switchman!
This is The Switchman.
(Captain Banks, I'm patching the suspect through to you now. Go ahead.)
I want to talk to the officer in charge.
This is Captain Banks.
No, I want the one that couldn't catch me.
Detective Ellison.
Where the hell's Ellison?
I don't know.
Captain, SWAT's rolling, and I've got a bomb disposal unit on the way to the bridge now.
Uh, can you just hold on for the line?
Detective Ellison will be with you in a minute.
[glass breaks]
[people exclaiming]
Okay, first the gun!
Put it down!
No.
Remember my message?
This is the end of the line.
I want to die.
And I want an arrest.
Will you put that down?
Where's the bomb?
Find it.
Tell me.
You let him die.
You let them all die!
You left me alone.
Your father was my friend.
I never hurt him.
I tried to save his life, Veronica.
You've got to believe that.
Now, where's that bomb?
Tick, tick.
Please.
Time's up.
Help me look for it.
Don't look. Listen.
Watch her.
Don't touch that door, driver!
Could be wired.
Okay, everybody, just relax, okay?
We're gonna get you out of here safe.
Ellison! Ellison!
[gun fires]
Ellison!
[bomb ticking]
Oh god.
[ticking getting closer]
Everybody get down!
[explosion]
People, please stay back.
[chatter]
Well, I'd say the city's in for more than a little repaving here.
But good work, Jim.
Been worried about you the past couple of days.
Glad you finally came to your senses.
So can I make you dinner?
You don't cook.
I do now.
What time?
Damn.
The watch fell off again.
It's on the rear floorboard of your car.
How could you possibly?
I'll see you then.
Come on, Sandburg, give me the tape.
It'll make my job a lot easier.
Come on, we can subpoena it for evidence anyway.
All right, but you gotta promise me you're gonna give me it back.
No promise, no promise.
You'll get your tape back, Sandburg.
Wait a minute.
You know this guy?
Yeah, my new partner.
Partner?
Are you serious?
Every what you call it, Sentinel, needs one.
Isn't that what the book said?
Oh, excellent.
I thought this was going to be a thesis paper, but I think we're talking bestseller here.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hold on, Darwin.
Just slow down here.
You're not publishing anything for a while, okay?
Why not?
Because I don't want every low life in town knowing I've got an edge,
especially one I can barely control.
You just keep this between us.
You got it?
Hey, do I get a badge?
First, I gotta find a way to clear it with the captain.
Then you're gonna have to go through the academy, just like every other cadet.
Cadet?
Cadet, wait a minute, man.
I am not cutting my hair!
Eight days ago we launched an Arc Sat 7 satellite
We picked this up in the third orbit.
This is over Peru.
Looks like a downed Huey, sir.
She was carrying a team from 7th Group on an anti-insurgence op,
commanded by Captain James Ellison.
On a March 14th, '88, their Huey disappeared en route to the landing zone.
Did we send in a second team, sir?
No, we were subsequently advised that all rebel activity had ceased in that area.
The chopper crew and the team members, eight men in all,
were reported as MIA.
They were presumed dead until we saw this.
Seven graves.
Was there a survivor?
We don't know.
Mathis, I want you to take your team, recover the bodies,
and ascertain the status of the eighth man.
Yes, sir.
One word of caution.
The locals claim that for the past 18 months
no one who has gone into that jungle has ever come back out again.
[helicopter whirring]
All accounted for, sir, with the exception of Captain Ellison.
Let's get the tough part over with.
All right.
Let's do it.
Take cover!
[gunshot sounds]
Who the hell are they?
Cease fire!
Cease!
Hold your fire!
Nobody move!
They could have killed us already if they wanted to.
[tribal music]
Captain James Ellison, ODA 731.
You my relief?
Your relief?
Yeah, we were ordered to contact the local tribes, organize a militia.
These men and I have held the Chopak Pass for 18 months.
And quite frankly, Captain, I'm kind of tired.
[wings fluttering loudly]
[birds cawing]
6 months, 6 targets, 8 dead, 21 injured.
Post office in Tacoma, a bridge on the Snohomish,
a ferry in the middle of Puget Sound.
And there's no reason to think he won't hit us again.
As a matter of fact, we're overdue.
We have to collar this guy before we lose another life.
And that's why I've asked your cities to loan us investigators.
So welcome to Cascade.
We have seven kinds of rain here and 42 different ways of ordering a coffee.
This is Lieutenant Carolyn Plummer.
She heads our Technical Support division.
The team's been working with Major Crimes on the case.
Lieutenant Plummer will be able to provide you with any computers,
electronics, or advanced forensic equipment you might require.
Any suspects, Captain?
We've had a few nutcases claim to be our man, but we're not biting.
You'll find copies of the genuine articles correspondence in your folders.
It's e-mail, always signed "The Switchman",
but we can't be certain that we're only dealing with one suspect.
None of this has been released to the media.
Why are all these letters addressed to a James Ellison?
He's our lead investigator on the case.
The bomber seems to get some sort of perverse kick out of taunting him.
Well, can we talk to Ellison?
Jim's following a lead in some woods outside of Auburn.
An old lumber mill.
He's been on stakeouts since last week.
Last week?
How often does he come in?
He doesn't.
Jim works in his own way.
He won't be in until he thinks it's over.
[gripping music and nature sounds]
[loud boiling sound]
(Ellison, Ellison, you copy?)
(You awake or what?)
I'm here.
I put the team on standby.
There's a red Jeep Wrangler coming at you on the north access road.
One suspect only in the vehicle.
You should be making a visual any minute.
Copy that.
---
Out.
[gun cocks]
[engine revving]
The suspect has entered the building.
Let's go.
[helicopter whirring, police sirens]
[solemn music]
[helicopter whirring]
[police sirens]
This is the Cascade Police.
Exit the building on the north side with your hands behind your head.
(He's not coming out)
Smoke him.
[gunshots, glass breaking]
[men yelling]
(Ellison, the building's empty.)
I saw him go in.
(He left something for you.)
Looks like somebody's got your number, Ellison.
Yeah, I know.
You smell that?
What?
Gas.
How can you not smell it?
You guys smell anything?
It's stronger in here.
Jim, I'm not picking it up.
What the hell's wrong with you?
Clean the building, now!
Move it!
[helicopter whirring]
[bomb ticking]
[explosion]
[music]
[engine revving]
There wasn't much more than a pile of sawdust left, but
we've assisted forensics in pulling a few things of interest.
Fingerprints aren't likely, but we'll laser scan whatever debris looks promising.
There was a clean impression from the bike's tire.
It's being run through now for a maker's ID.
We also have a paint chip from the bike's vendor.
What about the explosives?
Same chemical signature as the previous blasts,
and Ellison's description of the timer fits as well.
Now, this is the most intriguing piece of evidence because it's personal.
I don't get it.
Why does the bomber have such a jones for Ellison?
Look, I still think our best bet is tracing the bike.
How long for that paint chip analysis?
Couldn't get a make here.
It's gone to DC to check against the FBI's files.
Plummer, your department is sitting on $6 million worth of state-of-the-art equipment,
financed by some of the biggest corporations in the country, and we're still shipping to the feds.
That's right.
And unless some genius walks in here with an instant matter transmitting device,
it's still going to take three days.
All right, good work.
[phone rings]
It's probably the mayor wanting an update.
Go on, get out of here, Plummer.
I don't like having an audience when I tap dance.
Yeah, sure. Send him in.
Oh, by the way, did I hear the Sonics got pounded last night?
Yeah, well, why don't we just let it ride till the next time they play the Blazers?
Double or nothing?
Easy money.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Stake at a dumpster all night, Jimmy?
My cousin sent me the new roast from his shop.
Something about Guatemalan mocha, Turkish dark, whatever the hell it was.
It all tastes like Maxwell House to me.
Hey.
Alright, Jim.
What's going on?
I need a leave of absence.
Oh, you nuts?
I don't know.
Maybe.
I ran a blood test to see if I'd been drugged, but I'm clean.
Hey, slow down.
What drugs?
How else can I explain what happened to me out there, Simon?
I fell off the back of that bike because I was seeing things.
Look, you were stressed, okay?
You heard something.
You smelled some fumes.
You got dizzy. You fell off the bike.
What? Now you want a vacation?
Come on.
Is this the guy who toughed it out in the jungle for a year and a half?
Take a shower, get some aspirin, and go back to work.
Because right now, the only thing I want more than my divorce papers is an arrest.
Hey.
But this isn't a joke.
I've lost a prime suspect, Simon, and I don't even know how.
Guilt's a good motivator, but don't take more than your share.
Air support lost him in the trees.
The roadblock didn't snag him either.
All right, look, you can take the afternoon off.
See a couple of specialists if it'll make you feel any better.
But that's all the slack I can cut you, Jim.
Well, that's not enough.
I'm losing control of my senses, Simon.
I don't know how else to describe it.
It's scaring the hell out of me.
All right, so let me get this straight.
This is all about you being scared?
Yep.
So the switchman psyched you up.
He's gonna make you fold.
All I know is I can't do my job this way.
So either you grant me a leave, or I'll take one.
And Wendy's getting married again next week, so of course my mother is making the wedding impossible.
My dad is practically living on his boat just to escape the madness.
He has already filled every freezer on the block,
and Wendy says if she has to gut one more salmon, the wedding is off.
What?
Why are we here?
Dinner.
Yours is getting cold.
We haven't had dinner together since last July.
I know.
I just thought we should catch up.
Look, I like your sister ok, but right now
I could give a rat's ass about the Plummer family newsletter.
I'm sorry.
I've asked you out.
You always turn me down.
Why tonight? Did Simon put you up to this?
You're supposed to get me to go back to work. Is that it?
No.
Okay, yes.
(It won't work. ) I know.
So don't bother.
(I won't.)
Can I try your squash?
Hey, could you get me another one of these, please?
Certainly, sir.
Thank you.
You know, Jim, you're not the first cop who's ever lost a suspect.
I don't want to talk about it.
But if you did talk about it, maybe I could help you.
So let's just drop it.
Sure.
Why should I expect anything to be different?
What's that supposed to mean?
Lights out.
No one home.
If there is, how would I know?
I give up.
Good. Can I have my plate back? I'd like to eat my dinner now.
Where are you going?
Home.
I can get more out of my toaster.
[coughs]
He's choking.
What's wrong?
What the hell is in this?
Urban paprika, I think.
Do you have a food allergy?
No!
I mean, is this your cook's idea of a joke?
No, sir.
Look, I am a police officer.
I would have this place closed down.
Damn it. Now you get me the manager.
Yes, sir. Right away, sir.
[coughs]
Jim.
What?
There's nothing in your food.
I don't know what's going on with you.
Just take care of yourself, okay?
[rain]
Carolyn, wait.
I'm sorry.
I'm really sorry.
[romantic music]
I'm sorry.
Shut up, Jim.
You're only allowed one apology a night.
Maybe if you'd kissed me like that before, we'd still be married.
You can get dressed now, Mr. Ellison.
(Doctor Zavala to scheduling.)
(Doctor Zavala to scheduling, please.)
Detective Ellison, I'm Doctor McKay.
Your name tag says McCoy.
Yeah, but the correct Gaelic pronunciation of my family name is McKay.
You have the results?
Of?
The tests.
Forget the tests.
You don't need medicine.
You need information.
What are you, an intern?
Go go get the doctor for me, will you please?
Now just wait a second.
Hear me out here.
Loud noises that shouldn't be loud.
Smelling things that no one else can smell.
Weird visuals.
Taste buds off the map, right?
That's all on my chart.
Yeah, but I bet I can add one more thing.
A hyperactive tactile response.
A what?
Extra sensitive, touchy feely lately.
Hey man, that's none of your business.
And who the hell are you anyway?
Hey, I'm no one.
But this man, he is the only one who can truly help you.
You're too far ahead of the curve for any of this techno trash.
You're a cop.
See the man.
(Dr. Cody to the pharmacy.)
Good afternoon, Detective.
I have to tell you, I've scheduled some additional tests,
but based on the results we have so far,
there doesn't seem to be any medical foundation for your complaints.
You lost your name tag.
Oh, so I did.
I'm Doctor McCoy.
[metal clanging]
[church bells ringing]
[loud tribal music playing from speakers]
Hey, notice how the war chant of the Yanamamo headhunters
finds its echoes in the cellars of Seattle.
But I'm sure your dad used to say that stuff all the time about the Stones, you know?
Hey, hey, turn that jungle music down, man.
Yeah, he did. So do I. You mind?
No.
Why are you in my face?
Oh, hey, look, I'm really sorry about all that Shakespeare stuff at the hospital,
but I just had to find some way to get you into my area here to talk.
So talk.
Okay. All right, here, please.
Get your seat here.
Have a seat, man.
You see, there's this nurse that I've been, you know.
Tutoring at the Med Center.
And she saw your chart, and she faxed it over to me.
And when I read the thing, man, it was just like, bang!
Holy grail time!
You're losing me, Chief.
Okay. Um.
My name is Blair Sandburg, and I'm working on my doctorate in anthropology,
and you just may be the living embodiment of my field of study.
If I'm correct, Detective Ellison
You're a behavioral throwback to a pre-civilized breed of man.
Are you out of your mind?
You dragged me all the way over here to tell me I'm some sort of caveman.
Well, maybe I was a little out of line with that caveman remark, but I mean
Listen, you neo hippie witch doctor punk.
I can slap you off right now with larceny and false impersonation.
And you are heading real quick at harassing a police officer.
And what's more?
Your behavior has given me probable cause to shake this place top to bottom for narcotics.
Oh, hey, Joe Friday, relax.
Look, you mess with me, man, and you are never going to figure out what's up with you.
Now I know about your time spent in Peru,
and it has got to be connected with what's happening to you now.
And let me just show you something here.
This is a monograph by Sir Richard Burton, the explorer, not the actor.
It's over 100 years old.
Anyway, the idea goes like this.
In all tribal cultures, every village had what Burton named a sentinel.
Now, this was someone who patrolled the borders.
You mean a scout?
No, no, no. More like a watchman.
You see, the sentinel would watch for approaching enemy, change in the weather, movement of game.
Tribe survival depended on him.
Yeah.
What's this got to do with me?
A sentinel is chosen because of a genetic advantage,
a sensory awareness that can be developed beyond normal humans.
And now these senses are honed by solitary time spent in the wild.
And at first, Burton's monograph is disputed, and now it's basically forgotten.
I mean, there are certain manifestations today of maybe one or two hyperactive senses, like taste and smell.
People work for coffee, perfume companies.
Oh, and in the Vietnam, the Army long-range recon units that had to
change their diet to fish and rice because a conch scout could smell a Westerner by his waste.
Right, right. Exactly.
You know, I've got hundreds and hundreds of documented cases over here of one or two hyperactive senses,
but not one single subject with all five.
You could be the real thing.
The truth is, I don't remember much of anything about the jungle.
Well, a year and a half spent in the bush, the sole survivor of your unit.
I mean, I'm no psychiatrist, but that sounds pretty damn traumatic to me.
And trauma tends to get repressed.
Now, let's say I I buy this.
Why is this coming back now?
I don't know.
But you need someone who understands your condition.
Well, what's the payoff?
My doctorate.
I want to write about you.
You're my thesis.
I've had enough.
Well, just think about it, okay?
Oh, wait, there's one other thing I got to warn you about.
Yeah, it's over in the north ---.
[tense music]
[truck honks]
Look out!
Yes!
Yes! Oh, that really sucked, man.
What happened?
It's that thing I was trying to warn you about.
The zone out factor.
God almighty. You all right?
You just stepped right out in front of me.
We're okay, man.
We're all right.
Let's get out of here before I got to answer a lot of questions.
Let's as in we?
Oh, great.
I got some really specific ideas on how we can proceed here.
Come on, let's go.
Come on.
What happened with the truck?
What'd you call it?
Yeah, the zone out factor.
You see, it's suggested by Burton's research,
that when a sentinel's working his deal, he gets oblivious to the outside world.
Sort of like the blinders are on.
Usually he had a partner along, someone to watch his back.
You mean like you?
Oh yeah, beautiful. Great idea. I'd love to.
Now, you ready for a little research?
No.
Why did I let you drag me down here?
I want to get rid of this thing, not figure out how it works.
One, your abilities, which were once latent and then suppressed,
have been dredged up.
Translation, you are back online.
And I haven't got a clue of how to turn them off
Two, you're a detective with hyperactive senses.
You're a monster, man.
A human crime lab with organic surveillance equipment.
What more could you want?
Control.
That is what we're here for.
It's all about concentration.
Let's try a little test here.
Okay, all right. Oh okay, great.
In the aisle behind us, there's a flower cellar.
See if you can smell the roses.
This is stupid.
Come on, now this is a scent you should easily identify.
Now just give it a shot here.
Come on.
I feel like an idiot.
Hi, Blair.
Oh, hey. How you doing?
Missed you at the meeting on Wednesday.
Yeah.
Let me share your notes?
Maybe.
Call me.
Hey, I think it's working.
86 that.
See that blonde over there?
See if you can hear what she's saying about me.
Hey, I'm not helping you troll for co-eds, short eyes.
She's a TA, man.
I'm clean.
Now come on, let's go. Radar up
Would you go out with him?
Yeah, I'd go out with him. He's adorable.
But he's never asked me.
Well?
She thinks you're a dork.
Dork?
[police siren]
[chatter]
The Switchman sent us the warning about two hours ago.
Disposal had a problem locating the bomb.
We did a sound sweep and matched the audio signature of a timer
identical to the one The Switchman uses.
The explosive was hidden in a pedestal ashtray.
You put the charge in a wax casing, Captain.
What's that, patchouli oil?
Something like that.
You know, one of the dogs missed it.
He's a clever son of a bitch.
There's something else.
I think the ante's been upped here.
This charge is anti-personnel, like an IRA nail bomb.
It's meant to frag people. And a lot of 'em.
It's a good job, Tiger.
Should thank Lieutenant Plummer. Her team found the bomb.
[explosion]
[car alarm, people yelling]
Simon, are you okay?
Yeah, yeah. Tiger, come on.
I don't understand it.
The sound sweep should have picked up the second timer as well.
That's the point.
The second timer wasn't the same type.
He hard-wired right into the station's lobby clock.
Jim.
I've been looking for you all over the building. You okay?
Just wing me.
I'm all right, too. Thanks for asking.
I think the station was just a warm up.
This was in my e-mail folder.
Dear Detective Ellison, today I bought my ticket.
Tomorrow I ride to the end of the line.
The Switchman.
The end of the line. Tomorrow?
Look, Jim, I need you back at work.
[water splashing]
[car doors close]
How long were you here on stakeout?
Four days.
Well, maybe that's why.
Why what?
The forest. The isolation.
The danger of the hunt.
That could have kicked the Sentinel thing back up on you.
Yeah, maybe.
Okay, Sandburg, both forensics and explosives technicians
have already been through this place.
Try to concentrate.
You got to learn how to turn things on and off.
Now I'm just going to shut up and let you feel it out.
I can't see or hear anything that happened days ago.
Put your hands behind your back.
Put your hands behind your back.
OK, what's in your hands?
I don't know.
Ashes.
Right!
Right. From what?
The right one is kind of dry.
Wood, maybe.
The other is different.
Oily.
It's from plastic.
I never could have told the difference.
And a lab analysis, that takes time, man.
But you could be rolling on instinct here.
And I bet with a little practice, you could even tell what kind of wood.
What are you doing?
Documenting.
Aw.
Nuts. I don't know what the hell I expected to find here.
Hey, hey. Yesterday you're begging a doctor for a cure.
And today you're complaining because you can't make it work?
[wings flutter]
What?
What is it?
What is it?
[wings flutter]
How good are you at climbing trees?
[Blair grunts]
It's right there, in the crook of the limb.
Man, I am not in the mood to have my skull ventilated by some pissed-off magpie!
Heads up.
Heads up!
The bomber was wearing a blue watch cap when he went into the mill.
So maybe the hat was inside when the place blew.
And the bird found the pickings up in the beams where forensics missed them.
I mean, the nest isn't finished,
which would definitely suggest that the time frame could work there.
What?
What? Part of your job is walking into a place
and trying to figure out what happened there.
But so is mine.
It's just that my places are usually a few thousand years vacant.
What? What is it?
You got something?
Yeah, it's shampoo or
Aftershave?
No, no, no. It's more complicated.
It smells like
What?
Jungle plants.
Can't keep this up.
Starting to get a headache.
I should run the evidence back to forensics.
Could be some other fibers in the nest or hairs.
No, no, no, no. See, I deal with labs too, man, all the time.
And lab results take days.
You have hours.
Now just look at the bright side.
We've already been to three shops.
We've only got two to go.
Now come on, come on.
May I help you find something?
Yeah, yeah. Oh, wow.
Did you know that that dress of yours resembles the ceremonial sarong of the ancient
Detective Ellison, Cascade PD.
A suspect we need to identify
may have purchased body oil or shampoo here.
Which fragrance?
I don't know.
I'd have to inspect them.
All of them.
Well, there are over 365 essential oils and extracts.
Well, why don't you start with sandalwood?
That's what I'm wearing.
What are you doing?
Taking notes.
Sandburg.
What?
You got it?
Not exactly.
It's this one.
But with this one and this one all mixed together.
Well, we do make special blends for customers.
Do you have a client list?
It's on the computer.
I'll get you a printout.
Working pretty hard, aren't you?
Yeah, you know, common interests.
She's into Zuni fetishes.
Well, that fetish as in small carved figures,
Okay, you know,?
What's this?
Cinnamon bark?
Tropical rain? Purple orchid? What?
Yeah.
Doesn't seem like anything a man would wear, does it?
No.
Thank you.
Thanks.
What?
What is it?
Another sensory thing?
No, no.
A memory thing.
Her name is Veronica Sarris.
Her father served with me in my Special Forces unit.
He died in Peru.
So she blames you and blows the hell out of Cascade just to make you look bad?
Well, she had demolition experience in the Navy.
She was discharged 2 years ago on account of mental instability.
She left Washington State Psychiatric Hospital 8 months ago.
She's employed now as a tour guide.
I've got an address.
So what am I supposed to do here?
Well, give me a warrant.
What else?
On what evidence?
Because a detective smelled something on a piece of yarn
he pulled out of a bird's nest?
You know what, Jim?
I think you should take some time off.
Oh, hey, well?
He said I need a vacation.
You're not going to do that, are you?
No, but I am going to do some sightseeing.
Is this Cascade Harbor Tours?
Yeah, I need to locate one of your tour guides, Veronica Sarris.
[intriguing music]
Oh, hey, attaboy, Kojak.
You parked in a no-parking zone.
You wait here.
What? And miss all the action?
Thought you're supposed to be my backup.
I am, but
But nothing.
You just wait here.
If I'm not down here in ten minutes, you call 911.
I guess this means no video.
Come on!
Uh-oh.
Are you with Cascade Tours?
I'm looking for Veronica Sarris.
Veronica's with the other group.
They just went down to the bus.
(Is this the last week?
Oh, yeah, last two)
Place of emergency!
Everybody out of the way!
Let's go.
Thanks for your cooperation, folks.
If you want to sit anywhere on the other side of the bus, that'd be great. Okay?
[music]
Taxi!
Cascade Police, I need your car.
Thanks, buddy.
What are you gonna do with it?
When will I get it back?
Watch it!
[car alarm sounds]
Right there.
Oh, that's cool.
William, turn to the light.
Take the Green Street Bridge.
That bridge is closed for repairs.
We'll have to take East 32nd or
Drive to the bridge.
[music]
[tires screeching]
No one move!
That bridge is closed!
Drive through it.
[sign crashes]
[people talking]
Stop here.
[people exclaiming in fear]
No, don't put me on hold.
Yeah, this is an emergency.
Get me Captain Banks.
I'm on the Green Street Bridge with The Switchman!
This is The Switchman.
(Captain Banks, I'm patching the suspect through to you now. Go ahead.)
I want to talk to the officer in charge.
This is Captain Banks.
No, I want the one that couldn't catch me.
Detective Ellison.
Where the hell's Ellison?
I don't know.
Captain, SWAT's rolling, and I've got a bomb disposal unit on the way to the bridge now.
Uh, can you just hold on for the line?
Detective Ellison will be with you in a minute.
[glass breaks]
[people exclaiming]
Okay, first the gun!
Put it down!
No.
Remember my message?
This is the end of the line.
I want to die.
And I want an arrest.
Will you put that down?
Where's the bomb?
Find it.
Tell me.
You let him die.
You let them all die!
You left me alone.
Your father was my friend.
I never hurt him.
I tried to save his life, Veronica.
You've got to believe that.
Now, where's that bomb?
Tick, tick.
Please.
Time's up.
Help me look for it.
Don't look. Listen.
Watch her.
Don't touch that door, driver!
Could be wired.
Okay, everybody, just relax, okay?
We're gonna get you out of here safe.
Ellison! Ellison!
[gun fires]
Ellison!
[bomb ticking]
Oh god.
[ticking getting closer]
Everybody get down!
[explosion]
People, please stay back.
[chatter]
Well, I'd say the city's in for more than a little repaving here.
But good work, Jim.
Been worried about you the past couple of days.
Glad you finally came to your senses.
So can I make you dinner?
You don't cook.
I do now.
What time?
Damn.
The watch fell off again.
It's on the rear floorboard of your car.
How could you possibly?
I'll see you then.
Come on, Sandburg, give me the tape.
It'll make my job a lot easier.
Come on, we can subpoena it for evidence anyway.
All right, but you gotta promise me you're gonna give me it back.
No promise, no promise.
You'll get your tape back, Sandburg.
Wait a minute.
You know this guy?
Yeah, my new partner.
Partner?
Are you serious?
Every what you call it, Sentinel, needs one.
Isn't that what the book said?
Oh, excellent.
I thought this was going to be a thesis paper, but I think we're talking bestseller here.
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hold on, Darwin.
Just slow down here.
You're not publishing anything for a while, okay?
Why not?
Because I don't want every low life in town knowing I've got an edge,
especially one I can barely control.
You just keep this between us.
You got it?
Hey, do I get a badge?
First, I gotta find a way to clear it with the captain.
Then you're gonna have to go through the academy, just like every other cadet.
Cadet?
Cadet, wait a minute, man.
I am not cutting my hair!