Wonder Man (2026) s01e08 Episode Script

What will we find when we look
at Wonder Man today?
What can he teach us about ourselves?
You have two options.
You go back to prison
and finish your sentence.
And then you have option two,
which is you do a little work
for the Department of Damage Cont--
Two. Option two, thanks.
This is Simon Williams.
Do you think you can get close to him?
I would need some bait.
I thought he didn't mind how alone he was.
But he felt it, even if he didn't say it.
I'm glad he's got a friend.
Are you okay?
I can't share the real me.
The real me would get kicked outta here.
I'd never be able to act again.
That's not true.
The real you
It's the sum of everything
you've experienced.
You're going back to prison.
You need more evidence,
and I know how to get it for you.
You're a con man.
- I can figure a way out of this.
- How?
I don't know!
I still think those lasers
are cool. What do you think?
- Ah, it could be better.
- Ah, Okay.
What do you want to eat?
- Burgers.
- Burgers.
Burger it is, my friend. Burgers.
Mmm.
That was so good.
Right? [chuckles] It was fun
to see it in the big screen again.
Who's the guy that played Wonder Man?
Brent Willard.
Man, he was in a lot of stuff in the '80s.
I always loved the sunglasses
that he wears.
When I was your age,
I always wanted a pair so bad.
- So cool.
- Mmm-hmm.
And his jetpack.
You know, I can't wait to see you
up there one day.
What are you talking about?
Come on. You were good in Twelfth Night.
That was just a school play.
Simon, I don't mean
you were good in the play
the way parents think
their kids are "good" at things.
You are very talented.
You have a gift.
If you work hard,
there's no limit what you can do.
We've been on the run
Driving in the sun ♪
Looking out for number one ♪
California, here we come ♪
Right back where we started from ♪
Well hustlers, grab your guns
Your shadow weighs a ton ♪
There was just an explosion
on the Wonder Man set.
Let's go.
Right back where we started from ♪
California ♪
Here we come ♪
On the stereo, listen as we go ♪
Nothing's gonna stop me now ♪
California, here we come ♪
Right back where we started from ♪
California ♪
Here we come ♪
If you are just tuning in,
new details are emerging
about last night's explosion in Hollywood.
While authorities have yet
to release information on the suspect,
a manhunt appears to be underway
in Hollywood.
This is all in connection
with the explosion last night
on the set of Von Kovak's newest film,
Wonder Man.
Local authorities have shut down
several streets,
are advising residents
to avoid the area if possible.
If any of our viewers have information
pertaining to the incident,
please contact
your local law enforcement hotline.
Koman ou ye, cheri?
Uh, I'm good, Mummi.
Uh-oh. What's wrong?
Oh, nothin'. I was just
I was just callin' to say hello.
Yeah, but I got a
I got a little bit of time this mornin'.
How is the shoot going?
It's good. It's good.
Everything Everything is good.
How you doin'?
Oh, I'm fine. You know me.
Yeah.
Did Esther finally trim that tree branch?
Ah, no, but I paid to have it done,
so she couldn't complain.
But she will anyway.
Ah, you shouldn't
be payin' for that, Mummi.
Oh, it's fine. It's fine.
I love you, Mummi.
He is still in his apartment.
Okay. Make sure
everyone's cleared outta that building.
I don't want any surprises now.
- Copy.
- Let's go! Let's go!
As we've been reporting,
this explosion happened on the set
of the feature film, Wonder Man,
which is set to be a remake
of the classic 1980s action movie.
It's directed by Oscar-winning director,
Von Kovak.
Fans of the original were excited to see
how this classic story would be updated
for a modern audience. We head--
Yeah?
I figured it out.
- Figured what out?
- Everything.
I'm really happy for you, man.
That's That is great.
Look, I'll never forgive myself
for what I did to you,
but I'm making it right.
Trevor, it's too late. They're comin'.
It was stupid of me to think
that this could end any other way.
This will all make sense shortly.
I don't have much time.
I just wanted to say that I've had
a lot of opportunities in my life.
I've managed to bungle
each and every one of them.
I'm not gonna let you lose
the only one you'll get.
You've been a true friend.
- Wait, what did you do?
- What I should've done a long time ago.
Take responsibility for my own mistakes.
No. It's It wasn't your mistake.
It was mine.
Promise me you'll live your life
to the fullest.
Savor every moment, Simon.
This movie is your shot.
Bloody well enjoy it.
Goodbye, Simon.
Details are available
to us about this incident,
but we can report
that a new video has been sent
to news organizations around the country,
including our own station,
here in Los Angeles.
I'd like to warn viewers
that they may find it upsetting.
America.
Did you miss me?
I have another lesson for you.
On April 10th, 1953,
Allen Dulles,
the newly appointed director of the CIA,
claimed the Soviets had engaged
in a new type of combat with America.
A battle over men's minds.
Dulles dubbed it "brain warfare."
Control the mind, control the narrative,
and you control the public.
That's why the United States government
has worked hand in glove
with the entertainment industry
to shape the way
the public views the world.
Holy shit.
Well, last night, in the heart
of the indoctrination factory,
I struck back.
That explosion on the set
of Hollywood's latest
brainwashing superhero opiate, Wonder Man,
I did that.
- Trev.
- Open up!
Now!
We have a warrant!
We know you're in there!
Freeze! Hands in the air!
What took you imbeciles so long?
Hey! Quite the high-profile arrest.
Not the one that we wanted,
but there's no denying, after this,
Slattery will need a state-of-the-art,
high-security prison.
Hey! Body is a body.
You said it.
Deputy Secretary, how are you?
Well, thank you, sir.
I had my suspicion the whole time.
Well, it's your leadership that
set the tone for the whole department.
That's right, sir.
Excuse me, can I call you back?
I'm gonna head north.
- He told us
- Go ahead, throw me in jail.
I'll only break out again.
I'll take it from here.
Come with me.
I'm gonna let you take the fall, Slattery,
but my eyes are on Simon.
I do not know what the hell
you are talking about, you dolt.
Drop the act.
Slattery was the act.
Get it through your thick skull.
I have always been the Mandarin,
and you never saw me coming.
We are now getting word
from local authorities
that there were explosives
found in the ho--
What are you doin' here?
We saw the news.
I know. It's a lot.
And, um, I know how tight
you and Trev were.
Yeah.
So, apparently,
Von Kovak never misses a shoot day.
They're inviting you to set.
How about a Smooth Operator
and some turkey bacon for our number one?
Yeah, sure.
How are you feeling, Simon?
Yeah, I know.
Has been
a difficult morning.
You could say that.
But it would be good to get your coverage.
- Otherwise, we lose the whole day.
- Right.
E Everything you are feeling
that's what true art is made of.
Use it. Let your misery drive the bus.
Remember, the only friend
you've ever had in this world
just betrayed you.
You're about to say goodbye
for the last time.
And you had a dream last night,
that your mother
was cooking a hedgehog for supper.
- A hedgehog?
- Yes, I think so.
I'd like to see what that inspires.
Okay.
Simon, you can do this.
You were born to play this role.
Okay. I found 'em.
No. Hold up.
How close are these to the originals?
They are the originals.
This is the pair that Brent Willard wore.
A buddy who worked at Hollywood Pictures
was able to track 'em down for me.
Rolling
And action!
"General Broulard doesn't give
a damn about the human cost.
"How can one find a vulnerability
in a monster without shame?"
We only got one shot at this, Barnaby.
It's not the time for games and riddles.
"I agree. It's too late already.
That's what I've been trying to tell you."
I can't accept that.
I can't give up on these people,
this planet.
"What you can or can't accept,
no longer matters."
That's not true.
- If we work together--
- "We were never together."
That's bullshit. Put the gun away.
He found my price, Wonder Man.
Everybody has one.
I just pray you never have to learn yours.
How could Barnaby do that to you?
He's gotten into your head.
You're better than this, Barnaby!
Believe what you wanna believe.
General Broulard has the coordinates.
He's coming for you.
You're not making it out of here alive.
I'm never gonna give up.
I don't care about the cost.
Then it's your funeral.
I can't believe that's my son up there.
I'm not gonna wait to die!
There's no stopping Broulard.
That final fight sequence was bananas.
I heard they shot it all practically.
That's crazy.
I don't believe in doing sequels
to anything.
Same.
It's a losing game.
There is no way we would ever top
that picture.
Impossible.
But, uh, maybe it's, uh, worth thinking
about how we could do it,
if we were to do it.
We should talk about it.
I'll set something up.
- VK! VK!
- Hey! You were terrific!
- Back at ya, K.
- Hey.
Simon. Now, look.
Please remember what I told you,
all right?
Commercial real estate,
it's gonna blow up.
You'll get properties for 20 cents
on the dollar.
All right.
I knew you would like it!
Why don't you call my office?
We could set somethin' up.
Uh, I've been with Barry for 20 years.
Barry doesn't have to know.
Plus, we're just talkin', right?
- She's talkin'. He's talkin'--
- Everybody talks.
- Yeah, everybody talks. Everybody eats.
- Yeah, and you're buying.
- Mmm-hmm. Yeah.
- I'll call you tomorrow.
Hey, that was really good!
Oh, thanks.
I mean, you were really good.
Think so?
Yes.
Thanks, brother.
I'm excited for you.
Just hope you don't forget
about us little people in Pacoima,
- now that you're a big shot.
- Ah, never that.
I wish Dad could have been here
to see that.
Yeah.
Wonder Man! Wonder Man!
Wonder Man! Wonder Man!
Wonder Man! Wonder Man! Wonder Man!
Hey, I love you, Wonder Man!
Oh, my God. Is it Simon?
Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
It's Simon Williams!
- Hello, superstar.
- Hey. Yeah.
How does it feel?
Uh, I'm just tryna enjoy it.
Savor the moment.
Good, 'cause you earned it.
- You look so handsome.
- Thank you.
Any, uh, news from Trev?
Simon, I'm sorry. It's a black box.
Wherever they sent him, it's not
the kind of place you can ever get out of.
But on the bright side, he was right
about waiting for the next script.
You got your own
pick of projects now, so
what's it gonna be, Wonder Man?
Wonder Man!
Wonder Man! Wonder Man! Wonder
Cowboys ain't easy to love
And they're harder to hold ♪
They'd rather give you a song
Than diamonds or gold ♪
Actors actually do research?
I do. I'm a I'm a big believer in it.
- Huh. Who's that?
- So is the director that I'm working with.
That I cannot say.
How would this work?
I would just kinda hang out with you,
and you live your life
exactly as you normally would.
I would just stand back and watch.
Are you sure you got the right guy?
Chuck Eastman? And And you just what?
You wanna watch me doing karaoke
on Thursday nights here at Murphy's?
Buying my toilet paper at the Stater Bros?
Yes, I do. That's the idea.
Everything you normally do, it may seem
mundane to you, but it's not to me.
It'll really help me
to fill in all the little details,
make my performance feel real.
All right.
All right. If I bore you to death,
you can't say I didn't warn ya.
Fair enough.
Um
Uh, and if you don't mind,
I'm I'm tryna keep a low profile.
Well, you've come
to the right place for that.
Yeah, the studios, they they, uh
they get a little protective
about their projects.
They don't want
any news gettin' out. So
if you don't mind, I'd like to keep a lid
on the fact that, uh
that we're doin' this.
- Of course.
- Okay.
But I don't understand.
He said just treat him
like a normal person.
But he's not normal.
He's He's Wonder Man.
How do I not freak out
that Wonder Man's at our dinner table?
You'll get used to it, I promise.
Mmm.
- This is delicious.
- Thank you.
It's what I would normally make.
What?
Come on. We haven't had pot roast
since Grandma was in town.
Well, we've got company.
- Do you know Dua Lipa?
- Lucy.
No, it's okay. Um
No, I don't. I don't know Dua Lipa,
but I like her music.
And, look, I think I think it's okay
to admit this isn't normal.
I haven't really done anything
like this before.
To be honest,
even I think it's a little weird.
- Thank God you said it.
- Yeah.
Does it mean
I can tell everyone at school
that I had dinner with Simon Williams?
Uh, no, you cannot.
Has the Paxil been helping?
Yeah, a bit.
Are you finding time to exercise?
Well, you know, it's hard
with work and the kids, and
Find time.
This is your health, Chuck.
You've gotta take it seriously.
It really only started
a few years ago.
Uh-huh.
Um
The job's been gettin' to me.
You know, you can't be exposed
to those kinda people every day
and not be affected.
And Lucy got sick. Real sick.
Turns out, it was Salmonella
from playin' with the neighbor's chickens,
but didn't know that at the time,
and the damn doctor
wouldn't prescribe an antibiotic
till we knew for sure what it was.
- Was she in the hospital?
- Yeah, in and out.
Every dumb doctor assumed
it was somethin' else.
Gave her a CAT scan for nothin'.
That wasn't cheap.
Yeah, still trying to pay off
those damn medical bills.
Thank you.
That must've been hard.
It was.
It was. Yeah, she was skin and bones.
Couldn't keep nothin' down.
I'd never seen anyone look like that,
and there wasn't anything I could do
to help her.
Anyhow, uh, that didn't help anything.
I already wasn't sleepin' much.
Stress dreams are a killer.
Man, I am sorry.
I am sorry to slow you down.
It's all right.
Just glad we got you out and movin'.
I bet you're used to just runnin',
like, ten miles
with some fancy Hollywood trainer, huh?
Yeah, kinda.
Oh, God.
Never seen a guy
as slow and as shitty as this guy, huh?
Come on, Chuck.
Don't be so hard on yourself.
Now wait.
How are you gonna play me
if you keep trying to get me into shape?
Huh?
If you're gonna be Chuck Eastman,
you gotta make sure he is a shitty runner.
You get me into any kind of shape at all,
you've ruined the character.
My character.
Yeah, it might be worth the risk.
Look, uh, you know how you've been
wantin' to come with me to work?
See See the kind of stress
I'm dealing with there firsthand?
Yeah.
Well, it took some doin', but, uh
I want you to be good in your movie,
even though you haven't told me
a goddamn thing about it.
You know I can't, Chuck.
Look, I had to, uh, fudge some paperwork
and give you a false name. So, uh
you're our new trainee named Alfonso,
if anyone asks.
Alfonso?
What? I'm not a writer. I don't know.
Now, you'll finally see
what keeps me up at night.
- New trainee?
- Mornin'.
Mornin'. First day?
Yup. Chuck's been showin' me the ropes.
Well, then, you're screwed.
Oh, no. Chuck's been great,
and I'm grateful for the steady gig.
It's rough out there.
Yeah.
And Congressman Brea's been pushing back
on new vehicles' funds.
I'm sorry, what'd you say?
Congressman Brea.
Hey!
Why do you look so familiar?
Oh, he got me. Uh
you must've seen me at Murphy's
on Thursdays, doin' karaoke.
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up
To be cowboys ♪
Oh, yeah. I love that song.
Oh, it's the best.
All right.
Now, where y'all hidin'
the bathrooms around here?
Down this hallway,
on your second left.
So, I had a hunch,
and I had the lab run another test
at the soundstage,
but this time, on an ionic level.
I don't understand.
It's a mistake, right?
No, I called the bank.
It's a real deposit. It Just anonymous.
- How much?
- It's a lot, Chuck.
Enough to finally quit that damn job.
And what we discovered
is that the ions were disrupted
in every single thing that we tested.
If he's capable
of harnessing ionic energy,
then Simon Williams
is an extraordinary threat
or asset.
Who are you writin'?
Simon?
Alfonso, actually.
It's a long story.
How'd the movie come out?
It would've been better
with you as Barnaby.
So?
Who replaced me?
Oh, it's It's not important.
- Pierce Brosnan?
- Let's not get into it.
- De Niro?
- No.
Antonio Banderas?
We always get mistaken for each other.
There's been a breach!
- We should probably get outta here.
- This is a terrible idea.
You're free and clear.
That was the whole point!
I'm not just gonna leave you
in here to rot, Trev.
- They'll catch you.
- Let me worry about that.
That hallway's crawlin' with guards
- And motion sensors, biometric security.
- So we agree.
- But we're not goin' that way.
- Which way are we going?
What're you doing?
Ooh.
Everybody's talkin' at me ♪
I don't hear a word they're sayin' ♪
Only the echoes of my mind ♪
People stoppin', starin' ♪
I can't see their faces ♪
Only the shadows of their eyes ♪
I'm goin' where the sun keeps shinin'
Through the pourin' rain ♪
Goin' where the weather
Suits my clothes ♪
Bankin' off of the northeast winds ♪
Sailin' on a summer breeze ♪
And skippin' over the ocean
Like a stone ♪
Wah, wah-wah-wah-wah ♪
Wah-wah-wah-wah, wah-wah-wah ♪
Wah ♪
I'm goin' where the sun keeps shinin' ♪
Through the pourin' rain ♪
Goin' where the weather
Suits my clothes ♪
Bankin' off of the northeast winds ♪
Sailin' on a summer breeze ♪
And skippin' over the ocean
Like a stone ♪
Everybody's talkin' at me ♪