The Serpent (2021) s01e08 Episode Script

1
You're missing an American.
We were missing two Dutch
until Herman found them.
And you think it's this man?
I believe this is Gautier and
Leclerc travelling on the passports
of my two Dutch just days before
these murders took place in Nepal.
And you both say you have
never met Miss Bronzich,
or Mr Carriere?
No.
As long as Gautier is
out there in the world
..people are in danger.
Help me!
People will die.
Stop this. How the hell do you just
expect me to just stop it?!
Whatever brought you to
this position,
you're about to kick
a sealed door wide open.
I'm Lieutenant Colonel Suthimai.
Thai Interpol. You've been busy.
This is an international
arrest warrant.
It will go to every law enforcement
agency in the world.
You are a killer too, Marie.
And the Thais will execute you.
You lived in Saigon? Yes.
And there was never a time when
I couldn't see what bombs
and bullets do to human bodies.
It's disgusting, man.
Anyone who sells weapons,
they should have one used
on their own family.
See how they like it.
That's why travel is so important.
It teaches you kindness, humanity.
There was no need
for you to help me, Daniel.
But you did.
Man, we were blessed to have
found you, Luc.
Wait until you meet the others.
They can make copies
and take notes all they like,
but none of them want
to do anything.
I finally bring you the FBI,
and, still, you complain. Look.
I know they have their own interests
and I know they're covering
their backs, but what are they
actually doing to help?
So, this is him, Ethan Meir,
a water engineer found poisoned
in his hotel suite in Varanasi.
We found his passport in
their old apartment.
And Indian Police have him
in a Varanasi morgue
as an unsolved death.
Cheers, man. Nice to meet you, Luc.
Great joint.
Hey, Luc.
Come on, let's go dance.
Come on, man.
Go and dance with them.
You don't know how lucky you are.
They never want to dance with me,
right? Come on!
Go for it. Let's go, let's go.
They can't find Gore's documents.
That's because they're looking
in the wrong section.
That's victims.
David Allen Gore is here,
under "nonfatal".
But they should stay where they are
and study the other Americans.
Teresa Knowlton
and Connie-Jo Bronzich, too.
They are not sure.
What's to say that
Connie-Jo Bronzich was one of his?
Herman, neither one of us are cops,
so we have to listen to cops.
And they need more to go on
than a book of matches
and a newspaper article. Gilbert.
May I introduce you to
Mr Akash Singh -
consular attache at
the Nepalese Embassy.
He's been kind enough to bring
some us records.
There is an autopsy report, along
with a police report from Nepal.
The autopsy report describes what
was suffered by the young woman
who they doubt died at the hand
of Charles Sobhraj.
Connie-Jo Bronzich.
It's fucking useless.
What did I tell you
when you picked him up?
To find out where he's been.
There's too many stamps,
no space any more.
I can't use it.
His traveller's cheques?
Where are his traveller's cheques?
The police report
describes an interview
that took place with a foreign
couple whose appearance matches that
of Charles Sobhraj and Marie-Andree
Leclerc, and who gave the names
of Willem Bloem and Helena Dekker -
my two Dutch, where all this began!
How much proof do they need?
He's barely breathing!
What's wrong with him?
What do we do?
Maybe I should take you to
the police and tell them
how you drugged him.
I didn't do that!
Yes. Yes, you did.
You all seem preoccupied
with what has happened,
rather than what will happen -
which is certainly that this man,
Sobhraj, will keep on killing
until he is caught.
So, catch him!
He wasn't breathing,
when you took him to his hotel.
That's what Linnea said.
That he was dead. Was he?
There were police at
the guy's hotel.
That's what they're saying.
What the fuck happened, Monique?
I would like to cash them all,
please.
Thank you, Miss Fernandez.
Daniel never said anything about
anyone getting killed, Monique.
Nobody's killed. No-one is dead.
What, do you think Daniel
is an idiot?
I have done this with him many,
many times,
and never has anybody died. Never.
He is an expert, you understand?
What are you?
Some bum lucky enough
to be given a chance by him.
He gives you a home,
and all you do is question him.
I'm sorry, Monique.
I need to make a telephone call.
For international call.
Yes, Quebec.
Canada.
Connecting you to a call from Delhi.
Hello?
Marie-Andree?
Marie-Andree?
Marie-Andree?
Where is John?
Where's your bag?
He took it.
What?
Where were you when he took it?
Did he attack you? No.
I was distracted.
Distracted?
What were you doing?
It's not my fault you recruit
drug addicts and thieves.
Your ring.
Monique.
Who will you give it to now?
To a pawnbroker.
We all need money now.
Money for drugs?
Take it.
It's probably made
from tin and glass.
No, it's not!
It's a sapphire set in diamonds
on a platinum ring.
Those passports were
our way out of here,
but you have fucked it all!
But I don't know why I'm surprised.
You are my worst mistake, Marie.
Some hopeless little Quebecois
that I made beautiful for a while.
But you're not. You're a cripple.
A nothing.
It's true.
I am those things.
But at least I know what I am.
But you, Charles?
The master criminal
..the international gem dealer.
He talks and he talks about freedom.
How his life is some victory
over the world.
It is a joke!
Look at us, huh?
Look at us all.
Five of us sharing one room,
or sleeping in a fucking car!
Get out.
Everything about him is a lie.
Everything except this.
He is a mother's boy whose mother
despises him. Shut up! Out!
A boy who was never wanted
by anyone or by anything
You shut up.
..except pathetic fools like me!
What now?
Mr John? Telephone call!
Hello? Mr John,
I'm Deputy Superintendent Tuli
from the New Delhi Crime Branch.
You called here and left a message.
Hello? You wish to report a crime?
Druggings? Robbings?
Please, don't waste my time, sir.
Why else would you have telephoned
if you have nothing to say?
A man died.
This man, he is not like you and I.
He is something else altogether.
He's a criminal. I know, of course.
Look.
All I mean to say is that
it frightens me.
When I think of the crimes that he
committed when he was free to roam
and how much worse they are
likely to be, now that the world
is closing in on him.
I have nothing but respect
for your commitment in this case.
But this criminal is no longer
your responsibility.
In fact, my superior officer,
General Chaikamdee,
asks that you hand over
all of your records to us.
Interpol will now be taking over.
But they are my records.
I put this case together
when no-one else gave a damn.
If you don't agree, he will make
a request to your Ambassador.
He would send me home.
And what help can you be
to us in Holland?
All right.
Have your men come to my home
at 7am tomorrow.
I'll have everything
boxed and ready for you.
What's your rush?
He's not coming until the morning.
I know, but I have an idea.
I can't just hand it all over,
can I?
What's going on?
It's our last night.
I'm cooking.
If Herman's giving up his precious
files, he's not going to do so
without making a copy.
We should be able
to get it in both cars.
It is perfection.
I don't know
how many of them there are.
But this is more than 30.
And all of their valuables,
their passports, their money.
All of it in only one bag,
in the care only one couple -
their professor and his wife.
It's as if the world decided.
It reached out to me and said,
"They're yours. Take them."
30 in one swoop, that's far out.
I mean, the French guy
If I say it will succeed,
it will succeed.
Safe journey back to France.
Please, make me the first person
you telephone when they catch him.
Nadine, I, er
Well, I just thought
Consider it a leaving present.
It's your report.
Herman, really?
Well, I just thought
it might be useful in France.
If I hadn't met you
I don't want to say goodbye.
She's right.
We're going to miss you both.
Have you seen?
They are new tenants in
Alain and Monique's apartment.
It will be strange,
not having them around.
It is as though our children
have left home.
Shall we try driving
to the coast this weekend?
Get out of the city?
It might be good for us.
Yes, it very well might.
But I think I ought to stay
in Bangkok.
I might be needed.
Didn't Colonel Sompol say it was
no longer your responsibility?
Then we can go to the beach,
then, can't we?
Why are you saying that? I only
meant that you're allowed to
Allowed to what?
Allowed to drink cocktails
on the beach
while Charles Sobhraj is still
on the loose somewhere?
And what if he's never caught?
What, then?
Are we never allowed to go
anywhere nice ever again?
Look, he
He will be caught.
Besides, it's nice enough here,
isn't it?
Well, that depends on the company.
I think I need another drink. You?
I think I might go
to visit my parents.
In Germany?
It's been such a long time.
And, as you say you're very busy.
Right.
Oh, really? Your wife is no better?
But it's the Taj Mahal today.
It's a tragedy for her.
Yeah, but she is very sick.
Well, I needn't tell you,
it's the common complaint
for all those travelling India.
It can ruin
what ought to be magical.
What do you do? To protect yourself?
Peel your fruit, avoid ice -
and meat.
But I also take
an anti-bacterial drug.
It was recommended to me by
a biochemist in Tehran.
I see.
I might find you some,
if you'd like?
Yeah. Yeah.
For three days, he kept a woman
tied up in the Ashoka Hotel
while he dug a hole
through the floor
and robbed the jewellery shop below.
Does your Daniel have
an appendix scar?
Perhaps.
After he was apprehended and
imprisoned, he faked appendicitis.
He had the organ removed and, while
recovering in hospital, vanished.
Have you met the woman
with whom he now travels?
Monique?
She's a French-Canadian, correct?
How do you know all this?
Because they are hunted
by people other than
the New Delhi Crime Branch
and in places other than in India.
These are international arrest
warrants issued by Interpol Bangkok.
So, he's a big deal, then?
You might say that.
If I tell you what you want to know,
you'd look after me?
Get me home?
I haven't been home in so long.
The first day I'm in India,
I take one before dinner
and two before bedtime.
Afterwards, one each morning.
So, Daniel, will you stay for
dinner? Of course.
One before dinner,
two before bedtime.
Thanks. Thank you, Daniel.
Show me.
I almost shot my wife with it.
Mate, fucking hell.
We've all been there.
You know, Herman
you would be happier
if you thought less.
Like you, you mean?
Happy Paul.
You're beautiful.
Your wife is beautiful.
No, no, not right now
You ought to be fucking
in mountain pastures
and raising little Cloggies.
Not sitting in a place like this
wondering whether
she's coming back or not.
She's coming back.
She's gone to see her mother, but
..she's coming back.
And even if she doesn't
..this is Bangkok, Ker-nippenberg.
It's all gravy, my friend.
Oh, for God's sake, Laver.
Fuck off!
You heard the man. Come on.
Daniel. Erica.
Daniel!
Erica!
What happened? I don't know.
She fell to the floor,
her stomach - something's wrong.
Calm down! Was she taking
any other medication?
Not that I know.
Quinine, perhaps, for malaria?
He's a cheap little conman.
Thoughtless street thug.
He is not worth a single
grey hair on your head.
Sobhraj? Yes, fucking Sobhraj.
Fuck him.
Shit, are they here for us?
Wait, are they here for us?
We need to go. We really need to go.
This has nothing to do with me!
You evil bastard!
I understand your fears.
My friend, my friend
By all means, call the police.
But, first, call an ambulance.
Karl! Call an ambulance!
Miss Leclerc.
My name is Tuli.
If Mr Sobhraj is not here, please
Take your hands off me!
..will you tell me
where I can find him?
Daniel, where are you going?
Stop right there.
You don't recognise me?
Mr Sobhraj.
Yeah. Hello?
No, erm
No, erm Colonel, no,
you're not disturbing me at all.
What?!
Over 30 German engineering students.
All at once.
You feel the man must have
lost his mind.
Colonel Sompol of Interpol
assures me that the Thais will do
everything in their power
to secure the extradition.
Are we ready? Yes, sir.
Ambassador
All of this business,
I know how trying
it must have been for you but
..I hope now at least you can tell
the families of the murdered Dutch
that justice has been served.
Morning, gentlemen!
No, Mr Knippenberg.
I'd like Mr De Jongh to make
the briefing notes from now on.
Mr De Jongh?
Now
..shall we begin?
We have him for administering
poison and attempted robbery
of over 30 German tourists
in one attempt.
But the New Delhi Crime Branch
has had an open warrant
on Mr Sobhraj since his robbery
of the Ashoka Hotel
and his notorious escape.
Thank you for this opportunity, sir.
Thank you very much.
The pleasure is all ours.
Thank you. Colonel?
I did all that
the Indians want me for.
I have confessed.
I robbed the Ashoka Hotel
of a million rupees in rare gems,
and then, yes,
I drugged my prison guards,
and I escaped,
while all India celebrated the act.
Have you persuaded
the Indian authorities
that I should be
extradited to Bangkok?
I have not.
You see, in India I'm loved.
But you murdered in India.
A Frenchman in June.
I'm charged with that crime,
but I deny it.
You murdered in January, also.
There's no evidence of that.
An Israeli citizen, Ethan Meir,
was found dead of a drugs overdose
in his hotel in Varanasi.
How did you get this?
His passport was found
in your apartment.
It's the little Dutchman, isn't it?
Mr Knippenberg.
Tell him from me
I'd like to meet him one day.
Perhaps you will.
We are very patient.
As soon as your sentence here
is complete,
I'll be waiting
to take you home with me.
The Indians feel
they have a prior claim on him.
They'll keep him for a good while,
I expect.
And we will be waiting.
As soon as his sentence
is served in India,
he will face charges
here in Thailand.
I brought you a present
back from India.
Instead of a prisoner? Yes.
Instead of a prisoner.
It took Miss Leclerc two days,
but she assured Inspector Tuli
she didn't miss a thing.
Shall I read it now?
It's rather long.
No need. I made you a copy.
To go with all the others.
Others?
The copies you made
of all your records
before you gave them to us.
How did you know?
Experience teaches, Mr Knippenberg.
I was born in St Charles,
Quebec, Canada,
on 26th July 1945.
I have three sisters
and two brothers.
Both of my parents are Canadian.
He told me he had a Thai friend
who owned a jewellery store
and that she helped him make
contacts in the gemstone business.
He introduced me to everybody else
as his wife
..but he asked me to say to her
that I was his secretary.
I agreed to that.
In Bangkok,
anyone suffering from dysentery
goes to the store
and buys Kaopectates.
Alain
..or Charles
..used to mix the sedative Mogadon
into the water
and combine it
with the Kaopectate
..and give it to the people
who stayed with us.
I think we should
resume in the morning.
Thank you, Miss Leclerc.
Goodnight, Sister.
Are you comfortable?
May I have something more
brought to you?
I have God, Inspector Tuli
..which is all I need.
I have come to say goodbye, Charles.
We are never going to
see each other again.
They have agreed to send me home.
To die.
I am going home to die.
Look, even now, you are pitiless.
Something I always knew but
..persuaded myself to the contrary.
It is in my womb.
The cancer?
Where I once hoped
there would be a child.
A child?
The sisters tell me
I must forgive
..everything.
You.
Me. Hm.
And so
..do you?
Not yet.
I am trying.
Do you even question what you did?
What What we did?
Or do you still sit here
believing yourself to have
..somehow triumphed?
Yes, I am
I am certain of it.
Your vanity is powerful enough
to defeat anything.
You will be free.
And I will be back in Quebec.
Under the earth.
A stupid
..little
..dead
..Quebecoise.
Tonight, Moira Callaghan
tracks him to Paris
for the first television interview
with the man known as the Serpent.
As Sobhraj served
his jail time in India,
authorities began their case
to extradite him to Thailand
as soon as his sentence was served.
In Thailand,
he would face the death penalty.
But only one month before
his release,
Sobhraj escaped captivity once more.
He was free for 22 days
before giving himself up
to the authorities.
The Indian courts then sentenced him
to another ten years in a Delhi jail
before any extradition
would be granted.
By the time of his release,
and just as he had calculated,
the statute of limitations
for murder in Thailand had expired
and with it
the warrant for his arrest.
In February 1997,
Charles Sobhraj,
Asia's most notorious killer,
was granted a new French passport
and returned to live there
as a free man.
Mr Sobhraj. Madame.
Shall we? Of course.
Are you a dangerous man?
The question first is
whether I committed murder.
And did you?
The courts, they have decided no.
I have faced trials.
I have faced allegations.
And the courts, they have decided.
That doesn't answer my question,
does it?
That's my answer.
There are those who would say
you got away with it.
That's what Time magazine said.
Perhaps it's true.
After all,
I cannot now face trial
..anywhere in the world.
Son of a bitch.
Charles? Monsieur Sobhraj?
Par ici, s'il vous plait!
Monsieur Sobhraj!
Hello, Mr Sobhraj.
I'm here, as you asked.
I will take picture?
My friend, thank you for coming.
OK.
Wait! Take another one.
OK. Let's be sure
they know where I am.
Sir, you should see this.
This is a misunderstanding!
But, see, I go quietly.
They're old.
But my memory of the sight of them?
As though it happened this morning.
It is a terrible thing but
..I assure you, Inspector,
I was not here in 1975.
I have never been to your country
in my life.
I remember talking to you, sir.
You and your companion.
What were the names
of your two suspects, Inspector?
Bloem and Dekker were the names
on the passports you used.
But see
..my name is Charles Sobhraj.
Inspector, I appreciate
your compassion and diligence,
but I do not think you can
hold me here for long.
Not without evidence.
No, it's OK, I'll OK.
Herman Knippenberg. Herman?
It's Angela.
Hello, Angela.
How is Vanessa?
Ja, she's she's good, thank you.
Open your email, Herman.
OK, one moment.
Everything OK?
Right.
Where's that from? The Post.
What, the Washington Post?
No, Herman.
The Bangkok Post.
What the hell is he doing?
I thought if anyone would know,
you would.
No-one's said or written
a word about him in years.
Someone so vain must hate that.
He got himself caught on purpose?
He enjoys two things.
Notoriety.
So, he pulls a stunt like this,
and the world remembers his name.
You want me to ask you
what the other is, don't you?
What is it?
He likes to escape.
Thapa.
My name is Herman Knippenberg.
I don't have time to explain,
but I have a particular interest
in the man you now have
in your custody.
I think I can help you.
Yes, Mr Knippenberg.
I know who he is,
I met him when he was last in Nepal.
Please, listen. You must stall him.
I cannot hold him at all.
He says we have nothing on him,
and he's right, I have no evidence.
Sorry. Look
..you must hold him.
Please, do whatever you can.
We arrived at Kathmandu
around three in the afternoon.
We stayed at
the Royal Annapurna Grand Hotel.
He wrote his name as Bloem,
the Dutch boy.
And he made me write mine
under Dekker, the girl.
We met a couple travelling together.
A Canadian boy, an American girl,
I do not remember their names.
But on December 22nd
..Alain and Ajay went with them
for a drive into the mountains.
And did this young
boy and girl return?
No.
These people were our guests.
We honour our guests.
I am your guest.
You're my prisoner.
Only in the event
that you charge me.
Am I to be physically
restrained or
..may I leave?
Yes, that's right.
I have crucial information,
I'm going to fax it over to you now,
but you have to send it over
to the Kathmandu police.
You must make sure
Chief Inspector Thapa gets it.
Yes, immediately.
Constable!
Mr Sobhraj.
Recorded witness statement
from your accomplice,
Miss Leclerc.
She was here in 1975
..with you.
Where did you get this?
It seems I'm not the only one
who hasn't forgotten about you.
Knippenberg.
Hello?
Mr Knippenberg.
Do you have him, Chief Inspector?
We have him.
We're taking him into custody now.
a moonlight mile
a moonlight mile
your moonlight mile
your moonlight mile
your moonlight mile
a moonlight mile