The Abandons (2025) s01e04 Episode Script

1
No suspicion has shown itself.
Suspicion rarely shows its face.
We're still not free
of the lie that we buried.
[Constance] You are a mother who
understands the weight of a lost child.
Willem's absence is…
tearing us to pieces.
[Trisha] You're very kind, Elias.
I am quite fond of you.
[Constance] I am now pressed to make
decisions with uncertain outcomes.
Your safety is my greatest concern.
Our legacy…
is the greatest concern.
Red Bird needs resources.
And those resources?
Weapons, ammunition.
[Trisha] Mr. Roache.
[Elias] I know him by trade, not name.
He's a scout Mother has hired
to search for Willem.
I'm fairly certain
that your scout is a bandit.
Trisha said that she's using
the Redmasks to track down Willem.
[Albert] Jesus.
How do we stop them from finding the body?
[Fiona] Corporal Mitchell asked
that I tend to his remains.
His last request.
[Miles] Whatever the law finds,
they'll assume it's Willem,
or the man who robbed and killed him.
Dress him. We'll find a place to lay him.
- [dramatic music building]
- [wolf howling]
[snarling]
[music ends]
Heavenly Father,
show me how to lead with love and courage.
Help me keep them close.
Hold us together.
- Bound by your love and mercy.
- [wood bangs]
- [Elias] …given us a fucking say!
- [Dahlia] She has her reasons!
Jesus Christ,
help me not fucking kill 'em.
[Dahlia] …was going to Constance.
[Elias] It's not like
they had a fucking choice.
Lower your voices.
- [Dahlia] Good morning, Mam.
- Good morning.
The ears of angels couldn't hear
my prayers this morning.
Well, now you have to say something.
[liquid pouring]
Say something about what?
Things that have come about as of late.
Folks in the Hollow have a right to know.
[Albert] Constance turning our priest.
Ties to the Redmasks. And the burying
of a sheep in wolf's clothing.
All things we handled on our own.
Things that shouldn't be gnawing
at the minds of my children.
We're not children.
I'll decide when it's the right time
to tell the others.
The angels…
now providing you with the divine timing
of telling the truth?
- You watch your mouth.
- No.
This violence in you,
it brings danger.
I want Van Ness off our necks, but…
you are putting everything we have,
everything that's ours, at risk.
Get to your fucking chores.
[bittersweet music playing]
[Roache] Ma'am, my apologies
for not being able to find your son.
[Constance] I understand.
[Roache] I've been able to locate the guns
you need to make the deal with the Cayuse.
Your Russian swindler friend, Arkasha,
seems to be dealing in arms now.
Fate is merely a victim of circumstance.
It seems ours, Mr. Roache,
now grows a bit more wild.
[sinister music playing]
[music fades]
[man] All right, Albert. Sign here.
- We'll cover these debts next market.
- Mmm-hmm. That's fine.
My wife's niece.
Caribbean side.
Still getting used to the splinters.
- [Trisha] You sought me out.
- [Elias] I did.
[laughs softly]
[Elias nervously] I had concern.
You seemed quite unsettled to…
the truth about Roache.
Seems Mother holds more confidence
in a criminal than her own children.
[scoffs]
Yeah, it's like my mother and her rosary.
Her protective nature…
it pushes me to break away.
I just want to be seen
as something more than the daughter.
I see so much more, Trisha.
[gentle music playing]
[loud whistling]
Shit.
Um…
Might we meet later?
At a place free of my brother's whistle.
I would like that.
The field near the delta trail?
End of the day?
- [horses whinnying]
- [indistinct chatter]
[sinister music playing]
Hey! Where you going?
I see you, little thief!
[Lilla angrily] This is not yours.
This is Lakota.
Sacred Chanunpa.
I know what the fuck it is.
Killed three Sioux to make it mine.
[laughs menacingly]
[grunting]
[dramatic music playing]
[grunts]
Laugh at that, you fucking brute.
[dramatic music continues]
- [grunts]
- [groaning]
[yelling]
[gun firing]
[music fades]
Enough!
- [knock on door]
- [door opens]
- I know you asked not to be disturbed.
- Forgive the intrusion, madam.
I'm exhausted of patience and solutions.
I… I require your guidance.
In the churchyard in five minutes.
Thank you, good woman.
I've done my best
to keep the young ones on lesson,
but, uh… with parochial duties…
- [children clamoring incessantly]
- [bell ringing]
You need assistance.
Desperately.
You ran away.
[Lilla exhales]
I get twisted up, Mam.
[crying softly] It's just who I am.
So if I don't run to that…
or be that…
am I betraying my people?
And then I look at you…
my brothers and sister…
Can't betray my family.
[poignant music playing]
A decision only you can make, Lilla…
But I know that heart of yours…
will show you the right choice.
You saved my life, Mam.
You love me.
That debt…
I can never let go.
- I can lend a hand. No. No, I got it.
- Oh, no. That's all right.
[grunts]
Nails and spikes.
[Albert laughs]
Albert.
Mason.
[in Caribbean accent] Lucinda Burrell.
Nice to make your acquaintance.
Your accent.
So beautiful.
Trinidad. Born.
And you?
From the north?
A free man.
Yes. Born as such.
As was my father.
Here's a list of
the well-educated in the territory.
All would make fine teachers.
Unfortunately, none live in Angel's Ridge.
I will take care of the matter.
[Albert grunting]
Do you need a hand?
[Albert laughs]
[chuckles]
Thank you, Mr. Mason.
My pleasure.
Young man.
Yes, you. Walk with me.
It is Albert, yes?
Yep.
I understand you have a formal education.
How did you know?
I know everything.
Schooled in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.
Father was a teacher.
Finished my primary learning at ten.
Three years of secondary
before he took ill.
Schooling beyond that, my own pursuit.
I imagine I'm near
year two, university knowledge.
Well, we will need to dress you properly.
I will make everything quite clear.
[puppy yapping]
Wrapping a ribbon 'round it
don't make it less of a nuisance.
He already likes you.
He likes slop.
Ain't looking for another mouth to feed.
Then just chop him up.
Feed him to the big ones.
Little Bull.
What? We'll have to set him loose.
- Wolves and coyotes'll do the same.
- [puppy yapping]
Sorry, Walter.
Didn't mean to turn it gruesome.
You set it loose,
it'll seek fresh water.
River current will pull him under
before anything can feed on it.
[puppy whines]
That seems even more gruesome.
[Dahlia] Can you just give it a watch?
Until we find someone to take it?
That paw ain't much of a size.
Little ones are more fierce.
[loudly] I am well aware
of the ruse just played upon me.
A lovely visit, Walter.
[gentle music playing]
We give it two days.
Prove more a cure than an ailment…
maybe you get a name.
Come on.
[children clamoring]
Children.
This is your new teacher, Mr. Mason.
He is a free man.
Born in Pennsylvania.
Comes from a fine lineage of educators.
He's colored.
Indeed. He is.
And that will be
the last word on the matter.
Understood?
[softly] Good luck.
[door closes]
I wish to speak with the sheriff at once!
I fear for my safety, deputy.
The missus gave me
no forewarning of the hire.
What hire?
Oh, you're not aware?
Mrs. Van Ness has made
your son our teacher.
Now, the letter D.
D is for duck.
- Quack!
- [children laughing]
No.
It's more of a…
[loudly] Quack!
[children laughing]
On your slates now.
The uppercase.
[door opens]
Mam.
Mam!
Mam! Wait!
[children clamoring in background]
[man] Take a look at that.
[Fiona] A word.
You've taken Albert into your employ.
What's your intention?
The church and school
are funded by the synod.
He is not in my employ.
You pull every string in this town.
My pull has one purpose only.
The betterment of Angel's Ridge.
And your son is ready to help that need.
He'll know when he's ready.
- Albert seems to be--
- Do not use my son to turn a screw on us.
Flatter him with appointments,
dress him in fineries. To what end?
Betrayal, the way you did my priest?
Monsignor Duffy.
What betrayal did I incite in him?
Albert is a kind and generous soul.
You're using him to scratch at me.
Well, perhaps it's not about you.
Do you not think he is worthy
of such a high appointment?
Why?
Because he is a negro?
How fucking dare you?
The motherly instinct to protect.
It's such a powerful thing…
but it can cloud our good sense.
Convince our mind
of tragic tales that do not exist.
Perhaps your good sense is clouded.
Are you upset Willem's still missing?
Oh, my mind is quite clear.
About Willem.
And Albert.
Your son's appointment,
the only motivation
is that it being the right thing.
His suit and shoes
will be deducted from his earnings.
Our struggle, Fiona,
it is a matter concerning property,
not children.
All matters concern my children.
But do our children
still need such concern?
Or do we slyly foster it,
clinging to our motherly purpose?
[pensive music playing]
[door slams]
[menacing music playing]
Can I help you, sir?
You should wait outside.
[man] Get back here, boy.
You need to see this.
[loudly] You're right. Boy should see it.
This ain't done, teacher.
[door closes]
[Fiona] That suit. You wear it well.
I had a conversation
about all this with Ms. Van Ness.
Not my finest moments.
I don't know why she put me to this, Mam.
But if I get any sense she's trying to…
pound a wedge between us--
I take pleasure
feeding my hate towards her.
When I do, I can't see
the good in any fucking thing.
[laughs softly]
Forgive me, Albert.
Just know I'm so proud of you.
[eerie music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[dark music playing]
[Arkasha] So sorry, Mrs. Van Ness.
The rifles are like a… a bride.
They're spoken for.
Oh, Arkasha, I too am sorry.
I know how much you enjoy Angel's Ridge.
You have two days to pack up your things.
And then I will destroy
this sin-stained Russian bazaar.
Missus! A bride can be fickle, yes?
One day with this one, the next another.
Of course I sell guns to you.
Splendid. Welcome home.
Store the guns at our homestead.
- Then arrange the trade.
- Okay.
It'd be wise for you
and your men to be close.
Set up camp on the river.
[Roache] Close is good.
I sent word
to bring out the rest of my crew.
Been in Iowa cleaning up a family mess.
Tell everyone that Mr. Roache
is now providing us with protection.
No one will question that need.
[exhales deeply]
You were too little
to remember me calling him "Be-bo."
Trying to say "big brother."
Father thought it quite sweet.
Willem hated it.
[bittersweet music playing]
[bell tolling]
You float in like a ghost.
I'm sorry.
The lady really did make you teacher.
Yes.
For now.
Mythology.
I can read.
And write.
I wasn't judging you.
So who's more fascinating?
The good ones…
or the bad ones?
Well, like most women,
gods are a mix of both hero and villain.
Most women?
So you are well-versed in that subject,
are you, Mr. Mason?
I am wholly out of my depth
on all things in that area of study.
[laughing]
[chatter continues]
[indistinct chatter]
[Fiona] Thanks, Quentin.
I'll get the next one.
Does she have your heart?
[Elias] I don't know.
She has my head.
All I can seem to think about.
[gentle music playing]
[Elias] Peaceful, this time of day.
[Trisha] Yes.
A feeling much needed. [sighs]
[Elias] And your day?
I didn't see much of you.
I've been thinking
about our pursuit in the Badlands.
I care deeply for my family, but…
as of late, I feel as if I am a visitor,
chasing the love of strangers.
And…
the one nearly a stranger…
holds me still.
Feels so close.
[pleasant music playing]
[horse whinnying]
[music turns tense]
[man shouts]
[music fades]
Marshals. Pulling a body wagon.
[ominous music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
These were found with the body.
Forewarning, ma'am.
It is a gruesome sight.
Show me.
[grave music playing]
[crowd gasping]
Might that be your son, ma'am?
[grave music continues]
[man] Mrs. Van Ness, is this Willem?
[poignant music playing]
Mrs. Van Ness?
[menacing song playing]
Got a devil on my shoulder ♪
It's got a hold on me ♪
I got a devil on my shoulder ♪
He do what he please ♪
Het gets me in trouble ♪
He gets me in deep ♪
That devil on my shoulder ♪
Has got a hold on me ♪
Got a hold on me ♪
[vocalizing]
There's a devil on my shoulder
On my shoulder ♪
[vocalizing]
There's a devil on my shoulder ♪
This devil on my shoulder ♪
He's making plans ♪
This devil on my shoulder ♪
Put a gun in my hand ♪
He whispers in my ear ♪
When my will is weak ♪
This devil on my shoulder ♪
Has got me on my knees ♪
Got me on my knees ♪
[vocalizing]
There's a devil on my shoulder ♪
On my shoulder ♪
[vocalizing]
And he's taking over ♪
Taking over ♪
[vocalizing]
There's a devil on my shoulder ♪
When I look in the mirror ♪
I don't like what I see ♪
Oh, devil, please ♪
Won't you let me be? ♪
Oh, devil, let me be ♪
[vocalizing]
Devil on my shoulder ♪
When I look in the mirror ♪
I don't like what I see ♪
Oh, devil, please ♪
Won't you let me be? ♪
Oh, devil, let me be ♪
Got a devil on my shoulder ♪