The Abandons (2025) s01e05 Episode Script

1
I just want to be seen as
something more than the daughter.
I see so much more, Trisha.
- [Fiona] Does she have your heart?
- [Elias] All I can seem to think about.
[dramatic music playing]
I understand you have a formal education.
Year two, university knowledge.
Children, this is your new teacher.
Comes from a fine lineage of educators.
Good luck.
[Fiona] Albert is a kind
and generous soul.
- You're using him to scratch at me.
- Well, perhaps it's not about you.
[Jack] I'll be riding
with your mother and Mr. Roache,
setting up a new interest in the Badlands.
[woman] Silver requires too many trades.
Until we have weapons, there will be
no talk of any favor we pay in return.
I can deliver weapons.
The rifles are like a bride.
They are spoken for.
[Constance] You have two days
to pack your things.
Then I will destroy
this sin-stained Russian bazaar.
Of course I sell guns to you.
Splendid.
[Jack] Marshals. Pulling a body wagon.
[man] These were found with the body.
Forewarning, ma'am.
It is a gruesome sight.
Mrs. Van Ness,
is this Willem?
[dramatic music building]
[gentle melody playing]
[music stops]
That was lovely, pastor.
Yes.
Thank you.
Garret will follow with our remembrance.
[clears throat] Of course.
[pastor] Shall we prepare Willem
to be buried next to his father?
No.
Remains to be sent to New York.
Buried next to Julia.
His grandmother.
And tomorrow,
at sundown,
everyone in Angel's Ridge
is welcome to his memorial.
We need to move on from this tragedy.
[somber music playing]
[Trisha] Why is brother being buried
next to a grandmother he's never met?
Perhaps Grandma Julia is lonely.
God, does it not grind away at you?
Mother's exclusions? The secrets?
I will know things
when I need to know them.
For fuck's sake. You sound just like her.
And you, starting to sound
just like the dirty orphan.
Seems we all have our secrets.
And yours?
This flirtation with Teller?
It ends badly.
For everyone.
[sighs]
I imagine at first he wasn't frightened.
Willem loved wolves.
And his trouble with people, it…
it went away around animals.
He preferred them.
Yeah, I could see that.
As harsh as the truth is…
knowing what happened, it…
[crying softly] It brings some relief.
Here.
[laughs]
Sorry.
Wipe your cheek with that,
you might grow a third eye.
I have not yet cried over Willem.
It seems in your company,
I find the comfort to be myself.
Your feelings for me, are they true?
- Shit, that was too forward of me.
- No.
I think about it.
Often.
My feelings for you, I…
More than often.
All the fucking time.
[sniffles]
[gentle music playing]
[Garret faintly] I was two years
younger than Willem.
But he always felt like a twin.
That just sounds like
the prattle of boyhood fuckery.
Willem was two years older than I.
[cat purring]
But he always felt like my twin.
Always there.
Sometimes leading, sometimes following.
Growing up in New York,
Willem and I always found an adventure.
- Something you need here?
- I'm sorry, I heard a voice.
It was sweet.
Your adventures.
[sighs] It did not feel too sentimental?
No! It felt…
like you miss him.
To have them know your only brother,
in a page or two…
[Garret scoffs dryly]
The story of a loved one is not for them.
It's so that we don't forget.
[Garret] Yes.
That is quite true.
Reminding yourself of the truth?
Perhaps.
How's Trisha handling the loss?
My feelings for Trisha,
it was always just a boyish pull, but now…
Albie's right.
I might be putting us all at risk.
Love tends to complicate things.
Sorry.
You have burden enough
without the worry of my fool heart.
You're a grown man, Elias.
Your affection's your own concern.
- [bell tolling]
- [indistinct chatter]
[somber music playing in background]
Sorry for your loss.
[somber music continues]
[Garret clears throat]
Willem was two years older than I,
but he always felt like my twin.
Some days he would lead our adventure.
Other days he followed.
Growing up in New York, Willem and I
would always go on adventures.
Whether it be a race against a cable car,
or a paper boat regatta
after a spring rain
along cobblestone rivers…
- [Miles] Moran.
- Ah, thank you. Appreciate it.
- [horses approaching]
- [men exclaiming]
- Get to the shop.
- What?
- Samara, we need to go! Now!
- Why?
But I remember him in the woods.
It was there, lost in the trees,
that his eyes were clearest.
His step quick.
His mind bright.
He knew every living thing.
- [thuds]
- [Miles] I used to know those men.
Their kind. Very dangerous.
Bar's closed.
Private service.
- Buddy, your door's there open.
- [man chuckling]
[Moran grunts]
[man] Whiskey.
Three.
We don't have time for this shit, Pablo.
We said we were closed.
- [knife stabbing]
- [woman] No!
My name is not Pablo.
[woman whimpering]
[menacing music playing]
Have the whiskeys waiting
when we get back.
[Samara] Whose guns are those?
- Papa, you're frightening me!
- Get to the storage room.
I promise,
I won't let anything happen to you.
[suspenseful music playing]
So now, every time I hear
the screech of a hawk,
or the yip of a coyote,
I remember my brother.
- [footsteps approaching]
- [horse neighing]
[door thuds]
- [outlaws murmuring]
- [suspenseful music continues]
Hello, church people.
I'm so sorry to disturb you.
My name is Joaquin.
This is my associate, Joaquin.
And I am Joaquin.
[rifle cocking]
[Joaquin] Like you, we are all very sad.
We have come here today
to find our friend,
Arkasha.
[suspenseful music building]
He will ease our pain.
Who will tell me where he is?
[grunting softly]
[pastor] He's here.
The Russian.
My friend, the guns that you sold us,
they're all gone.
[Arkasha] Ah.
It's very interesting story, huh?
No. No stories.
The ten cases of rifles.
Where the fuck are they?
[suspenseful music continues]
Answer!
Yes! Yes!
Yes.
[sighs]
I know where they are.
- [gun firing]
- [townsfolk screaming]
- [guns firing]
- [dramatic music playing]
- [Miles whistles]
- [rifle firing]
- [townsfolk yelling]
- [gunfire continues]
[man] No, boy! Get down!
[boy screaming]
[dramatic music continues]
- [man] This way! Come on!
- [gunfire continues]
[shells plinking]
[gunfire continues]
[Elias] I'll cover you. Go on, Trisha.
- Go!
- [bullets ricochet]
Winston?
Is that you?
[dramatic music continues]
[grunts]
[Joaquin] Vamos!
[yells]
[men yelling]
[somber music playing]
Papa!
[shudders, whimpers]
[Fiona] I love you.
[bittersweet music playing]
You're not gonna eat?
Bourbon coils need cleaning.
Coils can wait.
I know you've got questions.
Before I was with your mama, I worked…
for powerful men.
Acquiring land in Mexico.
Our southern neighbors
didn't appreciate Old Hickory's hunger
for a new territory, so…
they gathered forces.
Bad men.
Like we saw yesterday.
Tried to stop our efforts. My job…
My job was to not let that happen.
That bag of guns…
Your tools?
Tools of a different trade.
A different man.
[gentle music playing]
Your mama,
she saw to that change.
- [indistinct chatter]
- [somber music playing]
[deputy] What are you doing?
The ones traveling,
the fat keeps the flesh from rotting.
Family gets a whole face
to say goodbye to.
What happens to them?
[sheriff] Marshals are coming.
They'll match up who they can
to wanted bonds.
I thought the Joaquins
were still in Sonora.
Fled Mexico a few months back.
Been raiding camps off the Columbia.
Seems they're a bit short on weapons.
Whatever Arkasha did with those guns,
doubt we'll ever know.
[Roache] Guns are tucked away,
safe and dry.
I heard you took a big risk
to protect the missus.
No risk.
Just keeping a promise.
Can you ride, Jack?
Quite able.
I will keep a watchful eye.
[Garret] Tell us nothing of this errand,
then we find ourselves here?
[Trisha] Yes, Mother.
What need requires a visit to Ms. Nolan?
[Constance] One in which
a family united serves us.
You expecting this?
I wasn't.
- Good morning.
- Morning.
Family outin', is it?
Well, family is the purpose of our visit.
May I speak with you?
In private.
Matters of our children…
and goodwill.
Heat up some tea. Make our guests welcome.
- Really?
- Yes, ma'am.
The barn.
[door creaks]
[Fiona sniffs]
Thank you.
[Fiona] It was bloody awful,
the terror struck us yesterday.
[Constance] Indeed.
The very reason I'm here.
This territory is expanding more rapidly
than anyone could have imagined.
Yesterday's danger,
it will only get worse.
The price of progress.
That wasn't the hand of progress.
Those men are here for the Russian,
who you allowed to trade.
Sex and narcotics will always
find their way to the masses.
I allow it so I can keep it safe.
That works
till it doesn't.
And those unforeseen turns
are what drive my need for growth.
More mining work means more families.
More trade.
More law and order.
[Fiona] Hmm.
[Constance] This tragedy
never would have happened in Olympia.
We are at a crossroads, Fiona.
My main investor, Mr. Vanderbilt,
is weeks away from pulling his support.
If that happens,
no silver mine, no town,
no one to buy your cattle.
Nothing.
My pursuit of your land is not greed.
It is survival.
And we're expected just to hand over
everything we've ever worked for.
You'll destroy our land.
And you can't even be sure
you'll find silver.
Well, the burden is on the both of us.
We're smart women.
- We command--
- Save your honey, woman.
Just tell me
what the fuck you're gettin' to.
[tense music builds]
I need enough of Jasper Hollow
to show a significant profit.
Roughly 45%.
I'd buy that at a premium.
You and the others
keep the rest of your land.
Forty-five?
How's that cut up?
Well, the distribution
is not the hard part.
My surveyors will
come up with a fair plan.
Give all of you access to the river.
Cut new trails.
You want me to convince the others.
Well, you and the Teller children
control the largest piece of land here.
The others respect you,
listen to you.
After all the suffering you've caused us…
Why would we trust you, Constance?
I do not want a percentage.
I want every square inch of your Hollow.
But Emmet…
He would have insisted on a compromise.
A betterment of the many.
I'm asking for him.
And I would never use
his memory to deceive.
If you trust nothing else,
trust that.
- [Dahlia] Are you spying on my brother?
- No, of course not.
[laughs nervously] Um, I was simply…
Yes. Uh, sorry.
Completely spying.
My brother… [laughs softly]
He'd have my tongue for asking this, but…
Do you love him?
[chuckles] I…
That is a rather private matter,
is it not?
I wouldn't know. [laughs softly]
Love seems to avoid me.
Well, matters of love…
has your brother confided
to any such thing?
If he has,
I may not have picked up on it.
His words get turned around
under the weight of a feeling.
Yes.
I have noticed that.
Sorry to disrupt
your little gossip circle.
The mothers are finished.
Don't see any bite marks.
What is it, Mam?
We need everyone.
Sticks and stones.
Best to hear it with them.
We'd each sell her 10% to 20%.
Double the amount of the last offer.
The surveyor carves out
our access to the river.
Van Ness Mining takes on
the cost of anything
needs moving or building.
[Walter] This is just more of her poison.
Now using surveyors and lawyers
to force it down our gullet.
That could be true, Walter.
That's why we're here.
We all have a say.
Vanderbilt pressure makes sense.
Been miners packing west.
Work here's starting to slow.
I told her we'd decide together.
As a family.
A united front.
If you need to sleep on it,
we can vote in the morning.
We don't need more time.
- [bag rustling]
- Stone, we sell to Van Ness.
Stick, you're against it.
This time we each get one vote.
Majority takes it.
Youngest to oldest.
[suspenseful music builds]
[quick string music playing]
[music peaks and fades]
Our surveyors will
fill in all the land details.
The process a tedious one.
But for now, we draw up a letter.
[sighs] All of them will need to sign it.
This is for Mr. Garaghty.
Ms. Nolan appeared hopeful?
I made the gravity of the decision
clear to her.
She will impart that to the others.
I am sure they will see
it serves a greater need.
[laughs] They'd be selling nearly half.
What if they refuse?
What gravity do you bring to Fiona then?
Mr. Garaghty is waiting.
[door opens]
[Trisha] Mother would like a letter
drawn up for Mr. Garaghty, please.
[knock on door]
Spare a minute for our sheriff?
How may I help you, Sheriff?
[door closes]
My calling is to keep folks safe.
Twenty years a soldier, now a badge.
This is your town.
I know the rules.
I uphold the law, keep justice in view.
And the things that happen in the shadows,
I know when to turn a blind eye.
But when those things step into the light,
the Russian,
those Mexican outlaws,
if it wasn't for
Miles Alderton intervening,
there'd be a lot more pine boxes
out there.
- I'm aware of the--
- Let me finish, ma'am.
Yesterday, the rules changed,
and I could not do my job.
Innocent lives the consequence.
If the rules change again,
you'll need to find
another man to wear the badge.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[intriguing music playing]
[music fades]
- [mouthing]
- [door opens]
[shop bells jingle]
[Garret] Here. Here, let me take that.
Thank you.
And thank you.
Even with the… tragic turn yesterday,
you were a bit of patience and caring.
It helped a lot.
Oh.
Well, I merely listened.
Perhaps if we listened more,
took the time to get to know each other.
It is quite strange.
We see each other every day and yet…
know so little about who we truly are.
We must take the time to remedy that.
- I wish to know all about--
- [door opens]
We're headed back to the Hollow.
[Garret] Your skill
gunning down the Joaquins…
How many men did you kill single-handedly?
I have never seen anyone
handle a weapon quite like that.
Let's hope you never do again.
[grave music playing]
Check the records. Far back as they go.
- Document anything you find.
- Yes, sir.
[sheriff] I'll be right back.
[mysterious music playing]
What does the boy want?
[deputy] Needs me to go with the Marshals.
Check their archives.
Note any criminal records on that name.
You're not going home?
This new composer, Verdi.
Rigoletto's quite challenging.
Best to work here
and not disturb Mother's evening.
And you?
Staying late?
I'm done here.
- [door closes]
- [intriguing music playing]
[door closes]
I'm so happy you came.
Are we alone?
Yes.
How did you vote?
Me?
Yes, the… everyone, the Hollow.
Yes.
We voted yes. It's a majority.
I know this deal doesn't--
["In The Pines" by Amythyst Kiah playing]
My girl, my girl ♪
- Don't lie to me ♪
- Are you sure this is all right?
- Yeah, it'll be fine.
- [Trisha giggles]
Tell me where
Did you sleep last night? ♪
In the pines, in the pines ♪
Where the sun don't ever shine ♪
And I shiver ♪
- [barking]
- The whole night through… ♪
Let me finish up here.
- [dog whines]
- Shh!
Had a cousin
had that same look around his eyes.
Name was Otto.
Otto.
Hmm.
["In The Pines" continues playing]
In the pines, in the pines ♪
Where the sun don't ever shine ♪
And I'd shiver ♪
The whole night through ♪
Shiver the whole night through ♪
[Trisha moans]
The whole night through ♪
[song fades]
[Trisha moaning faintly]
[knock on door]
Come.
Monsieur Van Ness?
Oh, shit.
Now what's happened?
Your rate comes at a premium, yes?
[sighs]
Mon cher,
so many lovely things downstairs.
- You don't want this used--
- Stop telling me what I want!
Of course.
Pour yourself a drink.
[bottle rattles]
[liquid pouring]
I will…
be anyone you want.
I will do anything you need.
Two caveats.
This remains our secret.
And I will determine how much it hurts.
Yes, madam.
- [sighs]
- [beautiful piano melody playing]
It continues.
It goes on as such.
I think that might be
the most beautiful melody I've ever heard.
You are drunk on carnal spirits.
I have no idea what that means.
I am for certain high-headed over you.
I've known…
maybe since the first day we met.
I'm in love with you, Trisha.
And I am certain
I love you.
[gentle music playing]
Please wait in the parlor.
Mrs. Van Ness will be with you shortly.
[Constance] Please. Sit.
Tea?
The butter cake is warm.
[Fiona] A strong whiskey, if you have it.
Much better.
You've spoken to the others?
We gathered.
Made a decision.
[Fiona breathes deeply]
There are things I need to hear
before we discuss the outcome.
The truth.
All of the misfortune.
Past year or so.
I see.
A humbling
of sorts.
A building
of trust.
Begin.
Our slaughtered cow.
Was it your men
pushed 'em through our wall?
Yes.
Oma and Quentin's prized Appaloosa
coming up suddenly lame.
Your hand?
One of my ranchers…
cut his tendon.
[scoffs softly]
And Miles' fields, they were poisoned?
Rain swept it to the irrigation.
Never intended to spoil so many acres.
That was an accident.
Are we quite finished?
Unburdening oneself…
I think you will find it
spiritually potent.
It's my turn…
[tense music plays]
…to build some trust.
That body the marshals returned…
even horribly mauled,
the eyes,
they were too far apart.
I am certain it was not my Willem.
But I…
am still a mother missing a son.
Your daughter, Fiona,
it seems Willem was smitten,
and I cannot rid myself of this thought,
this… maternal twinge,
that there is more to know.
Perhaps they met secretly on occasion.
Or shared letters.
Or items of affection.
Anything
you can recall.
And if you have been afraid prior
to share something with me,
I promise you
there will be no retribution.
Just tell me now.
Help me find my son.
I'm so sorry, Constance.
I know nothing of Willem
to ease your pain.
I understand.
Thank you.
Our burdens have brought us together.
Maybe now…
they have a chance to
help us move on.
[tense music fades out]
[sweeping music playing]