Falcon Crest (1981) s01e18 Episode Script

You think it will be simple?
I've the impression
that Chase
and the young Mr. Deering
smell blood.
We'll give them blood.
Their own.
And so with a criminally
violent son,
and a sexually promiscuous
daughter
-I don't have to stand for this.
-Objection, Your Honor.
What can we do to satisfy you?
Let Emma Channing testify.
The doctor said to give her
one of these every four hours.
-Are they necessary?
-I don't want her to leave.
-Have you seen Emma?
-No.
She's escaped.
Douglas Channing
was an empire builder
whose newspaper grew
to become
one of the major
social forces of our day.
It was a task that only
a strong man could accomplish.
I think Douglas sensed
his mortality,
but he did not fear it.
He faced it with the same
volatile strength
that always
characterized him.
Perhaps it was that strength,
that sense of conviction.
You notice Emma is not here.
Leave it alone for tonight,
alright?
I think we've all
had fuller lives
for having known Douglas.
And while we share our sorrow
this evening
with his beloved Angela
let us give thanks
for the wisdom and love
that Douglas always brought
to each of us.
Thank you, Father.
Thank you.
Angela, you know
how truly sorry we are.
Douglas was a good friend.
-If there's anything we can do
-Well, there isn't.
You know,
we loved Douglas very much.
I'm sure you did.
I'm still in mourning.
Can't this thing be postponed?
We've already had
a week's recess, Angela.
The inquest reconvenes
in the morning
whether you've gotten over
your loss or not.
How soon will Douglas' estate
be settled?
My office is checking
with the probate court today.
Apparently there's been
some confusion back east
about the disposition
of the Globe.
Well, get it cleared up.
Because I need that newspaper.
What are you planning?
I'm gonna create such an outcry
that Chase will be thrown off
the Board of Supervisors
and exposed for the fraud he is.
How?
People believe everything
in the paper.
We'll prove that he's using his
political position
for his own personal gain.
Do you really think
it will be that simple?
I have the impression
that Chase
and the young
Mr. Deering smell blood.
So? We'll give them blood.
Their own.
Jason Gioberti was, in fact,
your brother, Mrs. Channing?
-Yes, he was.
-How would you describe
your relationship
with your brother?
Oh, I loved him very much.
Now, Mrs. Channing,
I want you, in your own words,
to tell the court
what happened on the night
that Jason Gioberti was killed.
Well, I was coming home
from the theatre in the city.
My daughter, Emma, was with me.
And we were going back
to Falcon Crest and.
I also remember that the road
was very dark that night.
-Well, what time was it?
-Approximately 11:00.
And then I noticed
that lights came up behind us.
And suddenly I realized
that it was Jason's truck.
He passed us on the left.
It started to swerve
back and forth across the road.
And before we could do
anything about it
it went over the side.
It was just terrible.
And there wasn't
a thing we could do.
Thank you, Mrs. Channing.
No further questions.
Your witness.
She's been through so much.
I have no questions.
Your Honor, I would like
to call Chao-Li Chi.
Think Deering knows
what he's doing?
He's just gonna corroborate
what Angela said.
Where in the hell is Emma?
But we should be there.
Melissa, if she wanted us there,
she'd let us know.
What she wants is beside the
point. She's hiding something.
-You're all hiding something.
-And you're not?
You might as well admit
it's your baby, Lance.
Because you'll never be able
to prove it's anyone else's.
I'm curious about something.
Just whose baby is it, anyway?
Let's just say there are a
number of possible candidates.
And the list is growing.
Maybe it's Cole Gioberti's.
Now, that would be interesting,
wouldn't it?
-I'm going to the inquest.
-The hell you are.
You did it, didn't you?
-You killed Jason Gioberti.
-What?
And here I thought you were
gonna protect Emma at any cost.
How do you know about Emma?
I didn't, until now.
You don't know anything,
Melissa.
I know that Angie
is covering something up.
Something we could
use against her.
Falcon Crest could be ours.
What you don't understand
are the simple facts, dear.
If Jason's death is proved
to be anything
but a simple accident
my grandmother
could lose everything to Chase.
-And you'd inherit nothing?
-And neither would my wife.
So you see why we've kept it
such a secret?
You're the medical examiner
for this county, Dr. Cook?
I have been for 16 years.
And how did you get your job?
Sheriff Tobias appointed me.
Well, tell me, in your
professional opinion
how did Jason Gioberti die?
The truck he was in exploded.
He was killed by the concussive
force and subsequent immolation.
And that's your medical opinion?
Yes, it is.
Dr. Cook.
Let's clear the air, shall we?
You're not really a doctor
at all, are you?
-Not really, no.
-I'm sorry, I can't hear that.
Not really, no.
Well, frankly,
I'm not concerned
about whatever liabilities
you may have
for posing to be a certified
pathologist,
when in fact, you are not.
But, I would like
to ask you one question.
Why did Sheriff Tobias fail
to have an autopsy performed
in this case?
Everyone knows
that Angela Channing gets
whatever she wants
in this valley.
She didn't want us
to perform an autopsy
and so we didn't do one.
- She's probably sleeping.
- I don't wanna see her.
She gives me the creeps
asleep or awake.
Now, is that any way to talk
about your nice Aunt Emma?
She's not my aunt, she's yours.
-Emma, you in there?
-Come in.
That's very lovely, Emma.
Oh, Lance, it's so nice of you
to come and visit me.
Let's make
a special occasion of it.
Take it.
Oh, I didn't give you enough,
did I?
Thank you.
-A toast.
-To what?
To the next generation.
Cabernet Sauvignon '63.
Kind of leaves a nice finish.
Doesn't it, Melissa?
You're not gonna push her
down the stairs too, are you?
Everything's gonna be fine,
Emma.
If you'll excuse us, we have to
do a little business downstairs.
Oh, of course.
Oh, no, you keep yours.
-You haven't finished yet.
-Okay.
It was nice seeing you.
Melissa.
You see what I mean?
In the state
that Emma's in,
they would never put her
on the witness stand.
What was that about stairs?
Your Honor. I'd like to bring
to the court's attention
Government Codes 27491.7
and 27504.100.
Concerning the summoning of
witnesses to these proceedings.
I'm familiar, Mr. Deering.
Then I would insist
upon their enforcement
so that we can hear the
testimony of Miss Emma Channing.
Phillip, do something.
Should the subpoena calling
for Emma Channing's
appearance be enforced
I would move
to strike her testimony.
On what grounds, Mr. Erikson?
I would cite her inability
to determine fact from fantasy.
Her repeated comments to various
members of her family
that Jason Gioberti
is still alive.
Or conversely,
that he has died more than once.
She is, in truth,
an unstable personality with
I'm sorry, Your Honor,
but this is all conjecture
and innuendo
not based on any facts
whatsoever.
I do have an expert witness.
And although I only saw
Emma Channing once
I learned a great deal
about her.
Would you tell us
what you learned, doctor?
Yes, she's suffering
from post-trauma shock.
Did you discover
what caused her condition?
The death of her uncle,
Jason Gioberti.
Would that be sufficiently
traumatizing
to create her current
condition?
Well, Emma's episodes
of confusion
are clearly the result
of her inability
or her refusal to deal
with the death of her uncle.
Thank you, doctor.
Your witness.
Precisely how many times
did you examine
Emma Channing, doctor?
Once.
Once?
And had she received
any psychological care
prior to your visit?
To my knowledge, none.
Well, had she ever been
institutionalized
for any condition whatsoever?
-I don't believe so.
-Thank you, Dr. Banning.
Let the record show,
that Emma Channing
has never received
any regular psychiatric
or psychological
counseling
has never been
institutionalized
and has absolutely
no clinical record
of any instability
whatsoever.
Mr. Erikson.
Mrs. Channing
has long recognized
her daughter's problem and
has been caring for her at home.
Emma Channing has been
unnecessarily sheltered
practically held prisoner
in her mother's house.
Now, why not let Emma
speak for herself?
Indeed, why not?
Phillip.
Good evening, Maggie.
I'm sorry about just dropping
in like this.
-May I speak with you, Chase?
-Sure.
I'll be in in a minute.
Chase.
You know that Angela's
a woman of great pride.
Oh, yes, I know that.
This inquest of yours
will only erode
the reputation
of Falcon Crest
every day that it continues.
I'm sorry about that. But it's
the coroner's inquest, not mine.
I know that you're not happy
about your inheritance
but I think I can find a way
to improve things for you.
Oh, really?
I'll speak to Angela personally.
My guess is, that she'd be
willing to give you
an interest-free,
open-ended loan
that would enable you
to build your own winery
if you could convince
young Mr. Deering
to desist
from this public airing
of your family differences.
In other words,
call the dogs off.
So to speak.
You still don't get it,
do you, Phillip?
Sure, I'd love
to have my own winery.
But more than that,
more than anything
I wanna know
what actually happened
to my father, that's all.
I see.
I wish I could help you.
So do I.
But this obsession of yours
is gonna ruin you, Chase.
Is Emma okay?
Yes, the doctor said to give her
one of these every four hours.
-Are they necessary?
-And I don't want her to leave.
Is that understood?
Mr. Erikson is here,
Mrs. Channing.
Thank you, Chao-Li.
Send him in.
-Phillip.
-Good evening.
You look as if
you could use a drink.
-Yes, please.
-Hello, Phillip.
-Mother?
-No, thank you.
-Well, how did it go?
-Well, he turned it down flat.
He won't back off.
Well, we'll just have
to discredit him
and the entire inquest.
At least Douglas gave me
the tools to do that.
I wanna talk to the managing
editor of the Globe right away.
Angela, read this.
It was waiting for me
at my office this afternoon.
It's from New York.
I thought I should give it
to you personally.
What is this?
-Who's Richard Channing?
-Douglas' son.
Why Why, that's preposterous.
Douglas was never married
to anyone but me.
Be that as it may.
Douglas' will was presented
by his attorneys today.
It names Richard Channing
as primary beneficiary
of The San Francisco Globe.
But what about Julia and Emma,
his daughters?
Those are his children.
As I understand it,
they'll share half ownership
of the paper.
Richard Channing will assume
the position of chairman
and receive
the other 50 percent.
Who is Richard Channing's
mother?
We're working on that.
Your Honor,
I call Emma Channing.
I'm afraid that Miss Channing's
condition
has prevented her
from apearing today,
Commissioner Witkin.
Oh, and just what
is her condition today?
I have a letter
and additional documentation
from Dr. Harcroft,
her physician.
Harcroft would write anything
Angela wants.
Dr. Harcroft indicates
that Miss Channing
is taking medication
and her treatment
might be jeopardized
by the pressure
of giving testimony.
They're keeping her
against her will.
I can't help that.
Now, sit down.
Then, Your Honor, I'd like to
call Deke Johansen to the stand.
Emma?
Emma, wake up.
It's time for your pill.
-Lance.
-What?
My pill already?
It's only your second one today.
Come on, sit up.
But when I take them,
the time is so short.
Come on.
Go on, take it.
That's a good girl.
Can I have fruit juice
next time?
Sure, you can have
anything you want.
Sleep well.
And when you were
sharing that cell
at the Corwin County Jail
with Turner Bates
did he ever mention
the name of Jason Gioberti?
He sure did. Plenty.
And what did he say?
He said Jason Gioberti dying
in a truck wreck
was a pack of lies.
Some kind of cover up.
He said he was there
when the old guy died.
That he fell during a fight.
You know, I think Turner
felt pretty bad about that.
He wasn't a killer.
Thank you. Your witness.
What were you in the Corwin
County Jail for, Mr. Johansen?
Burglary.
And what was Turner Bates
in jail for?
Petty theft, I think.
-Where do you currently reside?
-Folsom Prison.
I'm doing five to 10
for armed robbery.
As a matter of fact,
you've spent nearly half your
life in institutions
and you've been convicted
of a number felonies
including perjury,
haven't you?
So?
And Turner Bates
had a history
of criminal activity
himself, didn't he?
He's a lousy criminal.
No further questions.
Your Honor,
I call Chase Gioberti.
The witness may step down.
I would appreciate it,
thank you.
Chao-Li, I'm expecting
a phone call
from a private investigator
in New York City.
He's checking out
Richard Channing for me.
-I'll be up in Emma's room.
-Very well.
Okay.
Chao-Li.
-Chao-Li?
-Yes?
-Have you seen Emma?
-No.
Oh, she's escaped.
Uh-oh, grandmother's
gonna be mad.
Hello?
No, he just stepped out.
New York?
Well, I'm his wife.
Perhaps I can take a message?
The way we were dealt with
by Angela and her attorney
immediately
after my father's funeral.
And once we moved here,
there were little
suggestions here
and there
of something mysterious
about the death.
Then those letters, my son,
Cole, brought back from Italy.
And for some reason,
Emma Channing
has been a prisoner
in her mother's house
since my father's death.
And all these things
lead you to believe
that there had been
some foul play?
Maybe no one of them alone
would suggest that
but when you
add them all up.
And it doesn't take
a particularly
suspicious nature
to wonder why an autopsy
was never performed.
Thank you.
Aside from your
overriding curiosity
about your father
isn't there something else
motivating all of this?
Something else?
No, just the truth.
Isn't it true that you would
inherit all of Falcon Crest
if you could prove
that your father died
under suspicious
circumstances?
But that's not
why I'm pursuing this.
Oh, really?
With the control
of Falcon Crest,
a multimillion dollar
enterprise at stake
you would've us believe
that you have other motives?
You know I do.
When you came to my house
Please, Mr. Gioberti,
we have a system here.
I ask the questions,
you answer them.
Yes.
Please confine yourself
to answering the questions.
Yes, sir.
Now, then,
please tell the jury
what it was
that brought you
to the Tuscany Valley
in the first place.
Well, I was born here
and we felt it would be a
good place to bring our family.
You mean, after your son
was arrested in New York?
She's not there.
Let's try the Gioberti place.
You don't think
she'd be that foolish.
She's obviously a lot smarter
than we give her credit for.
And so with
a criminally violent son
and a sexually
promiscuous daughter
-I don't have to stand for this.
-Objection, Your Honor.
Get to the point, Mr. Erikson.
But please, without innuendo.
Let me reassure you. These are
not my personal opinions.
Your family's problems
have been widely chronicled.
But perhaps we can agree
on something else.
How would you characterize
your grandfather's will?
I suppose he had reasons
for drawing it as he did.
You're not bitter
that he left you
with less than 10 percent
of Falcon Crest
while everything went
to your aunt, Angela Channing?
No, I'm just trying
to get to the truth.
The fact that Jason Gioberti
died in a flaming truck crash
is not the truth
as far as you're concerned?
Not without an autopsy.
But Sheriff Tobias
has already testified
as to the futility
of such an exercise.
What can we do to satisfy you?
Let Emma Channing testify.
How convenient.
Your hunch leads you
to the one person we all know
is medically unable
to be with us.
Isn't this just that
you're upset..
over the way Falcon Crest
was divided?
Isn't this your attempt
to undermine the intent
of your grandfather's
last will and testament?
Absolutely not.
As long as the terms
of that will were followed.
As long as they were evenly
and fairly applied to all heirs.
Perhaps you have evidence
of some conspiracy against you?
All I'm looking for is
unquestionable verification
that my father died
in that truck.
The fact is, I don't believe it.
I don't know how my father died.
I don't think anyone
in this room knows.
With the possible exception
of Angela Channing.
-Cole, Cole.
-Emma.
What are you doing here?
What's the matter?
They'll know I ran away.
I've gotta get
to the inquest now.
You better take her home.
-Please, hurry.
-Alright, we're going.
-Okay, well, hurry.
-It's alright. It's alright.
Emma?
Emma, what are you doing
way out here?
Please, Cole. Please.
Now, you know how grandmother
gets upset when you wander.
Tell you what.
I'll take her home, okay?
You do yourself a favor, Cole,
and stay out of it.
Why don't we ask Emma
what she wants to do?
-I wanna go to the inquest.
-The inquest, what for?
There's just stuffy
old lawyers there.
I don't care how old they are.
They'll listen to me.
You go ahead, Cole.
I can finish up here.
Do yourself a favor.
Stay out of this.
I don't think you've got much
to say about it.
Get off.
Let's go.
-The tire's flat.
-Get the spare.
Unless you give me
a good reason not to
I'm gonna make
a motion to adjourn
this fiasco
you've created here.
Is that a question?
Perhaps you'd like to rephrase?
Isn't this whole thing just part
of your personal vendetta
against Angela Channing?
-No, I have no vendetta.
-Hurry, Cole.
This is the right room,
I mean
Order, order, please.
Please, order.
Emma.
Mrs. Channing, please.
-May we have a recess?
-Denied.
Mrs. Channing,
return to your seat
or I'll have the bailiff
remove you from this hearing.
-And who are you, young lady?
-I'm Emma Channing.
I wanna tell you
about my Uncle Jason
and what happened
the night he died.
You solemnly swear
to tell the truth
the whole truth and nothing
but the truth, so help you God?
I do, indeed.
Sit down, miss.
State your name and address
for the record, please.
Emma Channing,
Falcon Crest Vineyards.
I can't trust you
to do anything, can I?
Commissioner Witkin,
I would ask you at this time
to rule upon the issue
of this witness' competence
to testify.
She's obviously under a good
deal of psychological strain,
as you can see.
And how do you feel,
Miss Channing?
A little nervous,
but otherwise I'm fine.
I see no reason not to proceed.
Are you sure about this?
Whatever she has to say,
just getting it out
will be the best thing
for her.
Miss Channing, continue.
I was wondering, I get a little
nervous and confused
and I've written some things
down in my book
and I wondered if I could
just say them once and then.
Miss Channing
will make a statement.
Again, this is highly irregular.
Mr. Erikson,
it's within my purview
to conduct this inquest
in the most efficient manner
I can.
Now, please sit down.
Read it.
I've been very confused
about certain things lately.
And the last couple of days have
been very difficult for me
but I had certain things
that I wanted to say.
And I read in a book once
that if you write your
thoughts down,
it makes them clearer.
So that's what I've done.
It wasn't very late that night
when I met Turner Bates
on the veranda of the house.
He suggested that we go
for a walk.
Turner was a very romantic man.
And we always had
a lot of difficulty
finding a place
to be alone together.
So we decided to go
into the vineyards.
Turner was so attractive,
and his love for me
was so intense.
He. He wanted me
to go away with him
but I was frightened.
We ran into the winery.
His His kisses
were like magic.
But then suddenly,
Uncle Jason entered the winery.
Let her go.
-Uncle Jason, it's alright.
-He'd been drinking.
I told you to keep away
from her.
Turner announced that he and I
were going to be married.
Uncle Jason seemed to become
enraged by that.
He lunged after Turner,
but Turner didn't want
to fight him
because he knew
that Uncle Jason was drunk.
Uncle Jason chased Turner up
into the catwalk.
By then, he was hitting Turner
with his fists, choking Turner.
I ran up after them,
only to stop them
from fighting.
And I pulled at Uncle Jason.
And then before anybody
could do anything
Uncle Jason fell
to the floor.
All the way down.
I didn't know what to do.
I ran to get my mother.
I didn't mean to do it.
I loved Uncle Jason.
I was only trying
to keep them from fighting.
-And where did Turner Bates go?
-He went away.
And what happened then?
He's dead, I didn't mean it.
My mother was very angry
with me.
I told her that I didn't mean
to push Uncle Jason
but she didn't seem to care.
We put Uncle Jason's body
in the car.
Chao-Li, get the car.
Then we went out to the road.
Where Chao-Li
put Uncle Jason into the truck.
Then he started the truck.
I was inside the car
with mother.
I was so frightened.
I knew that they
were doing something wrong
but I didn't know
how to stop them.
I didn't mean it.
And when the truck
went over the cliff,
I feel like I went with it.
I loved Uncle Jason.
I have no questions.
-Mr. Erikson?
-I've heard enough.
Now you know the truth.
Yes.
Now I know.
Maybe we could negotiate
something with Chase.
I'm not gonna beg for something
that's rightfully mine.
-What are you doing here?
-Delivering a message.
A friend of yours
called from New York.
Well, what did he say?
I'm not sure I understand
but he said there were only
two things that scare him.
Violent death
and Richard Channing.
Personally, I can't wait
to meet him.
Ladies and gentlemen,
we have a verdict.
Will you please
read the verdict?
Pursuant to Section 27504
of the government code
we find that the death
of Jason Gioberti
occurring on December 12,
1981,
was at the hands
of another person
other than by accident.
I didn't mean it.
Further disposition
of these matters
rests with the district
attorney of this county.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,
for a job well done.
This inquest is now adjourned.
I hope you're not going
to prosecute Emma.
Nope, no, I don't think
there would be much point.
Phillip Erikson would just
fight me.
We'd probably spend a couple
of years debating her intent
as opposed to her trying
to break up
the fight between
her uncle and lover.
And even a conviction
would be appealed.
Yeah. It would cost
the taxpayers a lot of money.
What about Angela?
What she did was illegal.
Well, sure but what would
prosecuting her prove?
I mean, remember,
she didn't kill him.
Now, she may be guilty
of obstructing justice.
Maybe you could use
that as leverage
to get Emma into
a mental health program.
And at least some good would've
come out of my father's death.
Close all of the bank accounts
immediately.
Let's not be hasty, Angela.
Chase.
I'm sorry about what happened.
I really loved your father,
you know?
I know you did.
And I'm sure your love
was very important to him.
Then you forgive me?
Emma.
Let's go to the car, dear.
Oh, no, thank you, mother.
When a young man
takes me somewhere
he's the one
that takes me home.
I'll see you later.
I am sorry it had
to happen this way.
I will not be driven
from my land.
I never wanted to drive you
away. I only wanted the truth.
And now you want Falcon Crest?
My grandfather's will entitles
me to everything.
But all I really want
is what's rightfully mine.
What should've been my father's
when he was alive.
You can't be serious.
When this is all settled,
we'll each have 50 percent.
Half shares of the vineyard,
half shares of the winery.
Or you could go to court again
and possibly lose everything.
Not to mention
perjure yourself again.
You expect me
to be your partner?
Why not?
Your intelligence,
your experience, your power.
Those are assets Falcon Crest
can't afford to lose.
I'll fight you all the way,
you know that.
Fine, that'll keep us both on
our toes and ensure our success.
You won't be any more successful
than Jason was.
I'll see to that.
Then it'll be business as usual,
won't it?
Alright, I'll have my lawyers
draw up the papers.
No rush.
After all, we're family.