Yaga (2026) s01e05 Episode Script

1
My missing-person's case
just turned into a murder…
of his look-alike roommate.
- Big watch family.
- There's another one missing.
We have an honest-to-God
bone expert here in Whittock.
She's offered to help us.
I was looking for that podcast
you did with Henry.
- What'd you guys talk about?
- Eating bones…
And eventually,
a witch named Baba Yaga.
There must always be three.
Something from
their little "cult".
Can you show us
where these "sabbats" are held?
There was this one time where we slept
in this weird wood cabin.
What does Henry Park want?
To dance with the devil.
There's a video from the party last night
from Henry's account.
Fuck! Okay, okay!
Who is the devil?
Baba Yaga.
Rapp!
What did you do?
Every story needs a hero…
to slay the dragon,
to open the box,
to find the way home.
And so they eat
our candy windows,
drop houses on our sisters.
They kill our exotic pets.
They are young and stupid,
handsome and good.
Usually boring.
And, above all,
they think they are brave.
But the cold, hard truth
is that a really good story
needs a good villain… more.
- She could've fucking died!
- But she didn't.
Maybe that's how you operate
with the Parks, but here in Whittock,
we don't like to send
our old ladies into cardiac arrest.
- No.
- Why were you even questioning her?
- She was selling kids drugs.
- With human bones in them.
Which we can't
charge her for now,
because you broke into her house
without a fucking warrant!
So now I've gotta deal with her family,
and the hospital,
while we sort
through this bullshit!
So this is clearly filmed
shortly after Logan was killed
at the party, on Henry's phone.
Now, you can see Henry's phone case
in the mirror,
but it wasn't posted
until last night at 6:18
from Henry's account.
So Henry could've killed Logan,
shot the video, dumped the body,
and then posted the video from wherever
he was hiding last night.
And the DNA under Logan's fingernails
could be Henry's.
I'm sorry, but Henry's phone case
does not mean he killed Logan!
And I've seen that thing
somewhere before.
- What, the mask?
- Look.
Look at that.
It looks like that, right?
Like a witch?
Like a Baba Yaga?
Like in John Wick?
See, that's what I thought,
but no. I…
- Did you take that from her house?
- Yeah, it's evidence.
I have been translating
this journal from Olena's house,
along with the recordings
from the hospital.
- Recordings?
- Don't worry about it.
She said Henry wants
to dance with the devil,
and that the devil is Baba Yaga.
Katherine Hargrove made a podcast
with Henry about Baba Yaga. And look…
Who does that
look like to you?
She said the bad dog is dust
for the chickens in the woods.
Right? Olena takes kids to the woods,
to these witch sabbats,
to this, like, abandoned cabin,
which probably looks something like this,
where they eat fingernails,
and manifest power and babies…
Okay, that's not what she said.
What if Olena Yaha
thinks that she is Baba Yaga?
Olena Yaha has dementia,
and maybe a crush on some kid
that she sold drugs to.
What if Logan was a sacrifice
to Baba Yaga,
and Henry is being held somewhere
in the woods by this cult,
and they're trying
to frame him for it?
We need to be searching
for this fucking cabin!
We don't have the manpower
to search,
what, 8,000 acres on a hunch.
Help me out here, dude.
I think we should be chasing
the mask and the video.
Of course you do.
Geena said she saw Henry
getting into a black car in town.
Yeah, which could also
have been taking him to the woods!
- Yeah, Eckert.
- Come on.
Trust me.
Okay, we will.
Thank you.
- Video was posted from Sandeson's.
- Great! Let's go.
Gear down, big rig. Why don't you let
the police handle this one, huh?
Look, the Parks
are gonna be here tomorrow.
- I know that.
- All right, so let's divide and conquer.
You rent a car, check out
your hunch in the woods,
and we'll follow the phone.
And while we're at it,
why don't we keep all "evidence"
here at the station, huh?
Carson, you're with me.
Good luck, buddy.
Fuck you, "buddy".
Can I say
without you getting upset,
don't let a work crush get
in the way…
Worry about your own love life, okay?
- You know, I am going on a date.
- Absolutely nobody asked.
Was it busy?
On Fried Chicken Night?
Yeah, we were slammed.
Anyone suspicious?
I don't know. Lily was working front
of house, so she'd know better,
but she's sick today.
Was Pam working?
Yeah, but she's off
this weekend,
and I don't know
when she's gonna be back.
How 'bout Henry Park?
You see him?
Why, did you find him?
- No.
- You recognize this?
No, that's creepy as hell.
Okay, I gotta get some more printer paper
from my office. Excuse me.
I got one more question.
I'll come with.
Knock, knock.
Hello.
Hi.
- Where are your parents?
- They're gone.
Gone?
I saw the bad dog.
Bad dog?
This?
- This guy?
- Yes.
- Have you seen this boy?
- Yes.
- Where? Where'd you see him?
- In the chicken house.
The "chicken house"?
All yours!
She's my fave.
Thanks.
- Was there a little girl here?
- I don't think so.
It's just you and me.
Be gentle with her.
Hey, wait, you forgot your…
This was in Geena's office.
Apparently, the bone-doctor lady
Katherine Hargrove was here last night.
Looks like they're pals.
You wanna pay her a visit?
Thank you, officer.
I shouldn't have
biked home without it.
I hope
you won't be too hard on me.
No. Well, we'll let you off
with a warning this time.
Hold on.
Sorry, I gotta take this.
What? Ask her. Go.
So you were at Sandeson's
last night?
Fried Chicken Night?
Wouldn't miss it.
Best chicken in town.
You know, Geena told me once
that she cooks the ones
that stop laying.
- Seems a bit cruel.
- Why? They're laying hens.
If they can't do their job,
what good are they?
- Your partner's not with you today?
- He's not my partner.
Well, maybe he should be.
You look good together.
Sorry about that.
- Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry.
- No, that's okay.
- I apologize. I'm so clumsy.
- No problem.
Oh, Abigail.
I love her work.
I have two of her pieces.
Are you thinking about buying one?
Abigail who?
Abigail Williams, the artist.
That's one of her masks.
Testing, 1, 2, 3. Testing.
- What do you want me to say?
- That's good.
Don't worry,
Log'll cut it out later.
He's just getting
the levels set.
H, I think
we're almost ready to start.
- Do you want a glass of water?
- No, I'm okay.
Are you comfortable,
or would you rather do it on the desk?
I'm good here.
And I think you mean "at" the desk?
Yeah.
Are good to go, Log?
Recording.
I'm Henry Park,
here with author and renowned
bone lady Dr. Katherine Hargrove.
- Bone lady?
- Do you like that?
I don't know yet.
Sorry. H, can you just adjust her mic?
It's catching.
- Sorry, may I?
- Yeah.
What a beautiful watch.
Is that an Andre Millere?
- You know watches.
- I do.
I love how you can see its guts.
A gift from my mother,
who can see everyone's guts
without even trying.
Sorry.
So, I'd like to talk to you
today about…
bones.
- Your podcast is about bones?
- Well, no, not technically.
I'm just wondering what you know
about people eating them.
People?
I don't know, maybe like…
witches?
Yes. Alleged witches
throughout history and mythology
have been accused of…
of eating bones.
Kid bones, right?
Like Hansel and Gretel?
Yeah. I mean, often infants,
but also adults.
Witch hunters claimed that they
would put bones in flying ointments,
that they would add them
to potions
to maintain their power
and their youth.
That they would sprinkle them,
as a blessing or a curse,
during ritual to improve vitality,
fertility… What?
Nothing, you're just
so fucking smart.
It's incredibly hot.
Thank you.
So those same witch hunters
believed that some spells
called for tasting… licking.
Licking.
Specifically?
It should always
be specific.
Got it, specific licking.
What about Baba Yaga?
I do this retreat thing.
Our guide mentioned her.
She eats bones, right?
Baba Yaga.
There's versions of her
all over the world.
Sometimes, she's an ugly
old witch
who lives in a disappearing hut
on chicken feet.
Sometimes, she's a wise woman,
an enchantress, a healer.
Sometimes, she helps
a hero on his quest.
Sometimes, she tests him,
sometimes, she kills him,
sometimes, she eats him,
sometimes, she fucks him,
but she always has a name.
Not many wicked witches
with a name, you know?
But she wants
to fuck the hero?
- There's this one story.
- Tell me.
Ivan…
the Brave.
Our young,
handsome hero…
is searching for
a beautiful princess,
and so he goes to Baba Yaga
for help.
Yaga is intoxicated
with his smell…
his strong back.
She wants him so bad.
But he only wants the princess.
So, in this story,
there are three Yagas, sisters.
She sends him to her sister
down the road
and he asks her the same question,
"Where's the princess?"
Now, this Yaga,
she wants him even more,
and when he rejects her,
she says to him,
"If you give me a kiss…
I will tell you a secret
that will save your life."
Ivan takes her in his arms,
and he kisses her.
A long kiss for an old woman.
And she sends him
to the third Baba Yaga,
and she tells him…
"She will know
where your princess is,
but she will try to kill you…
and when she does,
ask for the horns."
The horns?
Ask to blow her horns.
So he goes
to the third Baba Yaga.
And when he rejects her,
she does try to kill him.
- But he asks for the horns.
- Bingo.
And she is compelled by Yaga legend.
She must give them to him.
So she gives him the horns,
and he blows them.
He blows them so long and hard.
And then,
the cry of a great bird,
the heat of flames on his face,
as a phoenix appears.
A phoenix?
Holy shit.
And he jumps on its back,
and he flies off into the sunset
towards his beautiful princess.
And what does Baba Yaga do
after he's gone?
She masturbates.
That was…
fucking perfect.
Thank you, really.
Now, this thing is cool.
Is this real bone?
It is. Aztec.
Used in sacrificial rituals.
Well, it's cool as shit.
You know what? Have it.
It's a gift, from me.
I've got two.
Well, I don't have
anything for you.
Well…
We could do it on the desk.
- I wouldn't wanna get you in trouble.
- Oh, I can take care of myself.
What about Logan?
Let him listen.
Oh, yeah, she's one of mine.
Call her "The Witch".
All my masks
are inspired by real women.
A real witch?
No. Don't be dumb.
Client showed me a drawing.
Looked like a witch.
Well, "she" is involved
in a murder investigation.
- Naughty girl!
- When was it commissioned?
- "She", Eckert.
- Couple of months ago.
Buyer wanted her shipped
to a pick-up point.
Who was the buyer?
Henry Park.
He actually ordered three.
Vancouver Vintage Jewellers,
how can I help you?
Hi there. I'm just calling to inquire
about a specific piece.
It's an Andre Millere.
Nice to see you, Detective.
I brought liquid courage.
Why?
Somebody sent me the podcast
you did with Henry Park.
The director's cut.
And?
You cooking enough for two?
Ethiopian.
How hungry are you?
Oh, I'm starving.
Who made this masterpiece?
My daughter.
Be kind, she was eight.
- You have a daughter?
- Yeah. I'm very modern.
Unmarried, with a daughter.
Her name is Anna.
She lives in Europe… Prague.
- Must be hard, having her there.
- No, not really.
We don't talk much.
You know, some of us
just aren't meant to be mothers.
Is that a mortar and pestal,
like Baba Yaga's?
"Pestle."
Smell.
Don't worry, I was sure to sweep
all the bones out first.
Would you like
to inspect my blender too?
Maybe.
Thanks for coming over
here to do this.
Janelle dumped the kiddo here
with no notice.
How are the tapes?
Well, this girl sounds like
a sheep when she comes.
Oh yeah?
"Baay-bee, come on my baack!"
- Like that?
- No, I'm good, thanks.
You do eat meat?
Oh, I eat everything.
So…
you know a lot
about Baba Yaga, huh?
There is some speculation
that she was a real woman…
in thirteenth-century Russia.
Living in the woods,
probably a healer.
Oh, a "healer"?
History doesn't record women
who live alone in the woods
unless they do something
for men.
Anyway, all of these men
go missing in this village,
so, of course, the villagers accuse her
of witchcraft…
a crime that requires proof.
So, what do you think they do?
- Torture?
- Oh yeah.
Strappado,
witch's chair, thumb screws.
You know, strip her naked,
declare every freckle,
every mole, every bug bite,
a "witch's mark".
They press huge rocks
on her body.
They shove burning feathers
down her throat.
They finally resort
to sleep torture,
powerful toad-poison hallucinogens,
to elicit a confession.
And she says that she ground
them into bone dust,
and sprinkled them
on her vegetables.
So let me guess,
they burnt her at the stake?
No. 'Cause when they went back
to her hut, it was "poof", gone.
Disappeared
like it was never there.
Well, maybe they didn't know
the magic words.
Why do you think
she killed all those men?
Why does anyone kill anyone?
Fear.
Passion.
- Tradition.
- Satanic ritual?
She's a witch, after all, right?
A witch is just someone that society
has decided they're afraid of.
She was just
this sweet, little-old lady.
You know, living in the woods,
minding her own business.
You know, maybe her only crime
was daring to enjoy her life,
her calling.
Great sex after menopause.
Kinda feels like
you're defending Baba Yaga.
Maybe I am.
She resonates with me… with women.
You know, she's…
she's a figure of great power,
wisdom,
rage.
Yeah.
You angry about something?
Women?
We're angry about everything.
Does this look like…
they're dragging something?
Wait for it.
- Right there. That could be a body.
- Holy shit.
Okay, but there's nothing on the security
cameras at the house,
maybe our subject knows
which angles to avoid?
Yes.
Yes!
This… That's progress!
Teamwork. Up top.
Don't leave me hanging.
See, this is what it's like when we work
together. Doesn't that feel good?
I mean, you caught it.
See, that's the difference
between you and Janelle.
You're humble. You work hard.
You collaborate.
So, Fran…
I could cancel that date
if you want me to.
What… Uh, what date?
What the fuck? What are you doing?
What was that?
Sorry, I misread the room.
- Yeah, no kidding!
- You were looking at me, and I…
- No, I wasn't looking at you.
- You came to my house!
- Yeah, you're my fucking boss!
- Okay, I'm sorry.
Fuck! I had a little too much to drink,
you don't have to freak out.
It's not like
I was trying to fuck you.
Okay, I heard that.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry!
Work. I'll call 'em later.
Is it that local cop?
What's her name, Karen?
Carson.
Fran.
Francis, I think.
- She's pretty.
- Yeah, kinda.
She can be a little…
tight, you know?
Have you fucked her yet?
Have you fucked Henry?
- I know you're on those tapes.
- What tapes?
And I know you gave Henry
an Aztec bone knife.
Oh really?
And I also know
that he went to the mainland
and spent $14,000
on that Andre Millere watch
just to get you into bed.
That's how much
you think I cost?
Maybe.
What do I get for this scotch?
Okay, so your theory is that Henry and I
are having this torrid affair.
I gave him the murder weapon,
and, what, he's hiding
somewhere in my house?
I just know somebody
wants me to look at you.
Well, you are welcome to look,
but I have no reason
to want anyone dead,
and I paid Henry for this watch,
because I don't need his money.
And this is what I gave him.
I had two of them.
It's an Aztec ollas,
and unless he shoved it
down someone's throat,
I highly doubt
it could be lethal.
You've got Rapp.
You know what to do.
So what would you think
if I had fucked him?
Guess I'd think I had a shot.
You know, Detective,
there comes a time in a woman's life
when people stop seeing you.
You become invisible.
Henry saw me.
Bullshit.
You're the most interesting person
I've met in a long time.
You couldn't be invisible
if you fucking tried.
Detective,
are you trying to seduce me?
No.
I'm trying to fuck you.
Take off your clothes.
Get on the floor.
Let go.
I won't hurt you.
Fuck.
Help!
Katherine!
Katherine, I need help!
Katherine!
Katherine!
Katherine, I need help!
- Okay…
- Lily?
Lily!
Okay, okay.
And so the hero
comes to the villain…
in this case, a witch,
with their annoying questions.
Where is the sleeping princess?
What is the key to the riddle?
May I blow your horns?
But the worst thing
about heroes is that in the end
they are never as heroic
as you want them to be…
but no one wants to credit
a witch with a happy ending.