Cassandra (2025) s01e03 Episode Script

1
[static crackles]
[mellow music playing on stereo]
Are you actually wearing pajamas?
Like, for real?
- [Steve] Who, me?
- [chuckles]
Yeah, why?
You just have to put on a nightcap,
and you'll look like Ebenezer Scrooge.
- [laughs]
- Oh, gesundheit.
Charles Dickens? A Christmas Carol?
Ah, yeah. Uh, seems familiar.
Ebenezer Scrooge
is an elderly, frustrated,
very virginal white cis man
who hates Christmas.
- Okay, I'll take it off.
- [laughs]
"No, don't look at their eyes,"
Eva desperately called to Kugel.
But Kugel couldn't resist
the three evil witches' spell.
Like a funeral shroud, the curse settled
upon Ella's best friend…
- Hmm.
- [Cassandra] David.
- I'm very worried about Samira.
- Why?
I think she's having
another panic attack.
- [Sam screaming]
- [David] Sam?
- Sam?
- [tense music playing]
- [David] Sam!
- [Sam] David!
[Cassandra] Emergency.
- What happened?
- She threatened me. Just turn her off!
- [alarm sounding]
- Cassandra, hang up.
- Are you sure, David?
- Cassandra, hang up, goddammit!
- Mom!
- Shut her down!
Do it.
[console powers down]
[static crackling]
[ominous music playing]
Juno, Princess.
Your mother has decided
to shut me… [splutters]
[foreboding music fades]
Cassandra?
[eerie theme music playing]
[static crackles]
[theme music fades]
[console beeps]
[Fynn] Careful.
- [David straining]
- [Fynn] Okay.
- [Fynn] All right.
- [David] Let's put it back there.
[Fynn] Yep.
What are you doing, huh?
You can't just keep Cassandra
put away like that.
I'm sorry. Let's talk tomorrow, okay?
Plug her back in,
or I won't ever talk to you again.
- Juno, baby.
- Go away. Leave me alone. [crying]
[Fynn sighs]
Juno, wait up.
[sighs]
I know what it sounds like,
but those were her words.
I'm not hallucinating, David.
You trust me on this, right?
- Yeah, course I trust you.
- [softly] Okay.
If we keep on living here,
the equipment has to be tossed.
I want it all removed.
The robot, the giant monitors,
everything that's
at all connected with her.
She's off, Sam.
Yeah, but she isn't hard to
turn back on. Anyone could.
I can lock the cellar door
if that would help.
She threatened to murder me.
[scoffs] Yeah.
Just a minute ago,
you said that what she wanted
was to get you out of the house.
Um, well, sorry I took that
as a murder threat. Are you serious?
Look, I'm just saying
let's not… rush to judgment, okay?
You're agitated.
Of course! I'm being threatened
by a computer program. Christ.
I was with Juno when Cassandra came up
to inform me
you were having a panic attack.
I doubt she'd tell me about it
if her goal was to hurt you.
But it's part of her plan.
- What plan? There's
- You! She'll make you guys turn on me!
[sighs]
[exhales]
[softly] David…
You said that you believed me.
I believe…
[inhales sharply]
…that you're not doing well, Sam.
And that you might need
to see a professional.
Uh… [sighs]
You should be in bed.
How long have you been standing there?
The night after Aunt Kathi's death,
I was completely awake.
I just couldn't fall asleep.
And then, just when I was about to,
I heard… knocking.
[unsettling music playing]
Somebody was pounding their fist
on the outside of our window.
Immediately, I… assumed I'd misheard.
Or, I don't know,
that a bird had hit the window.
Then the knocks came again.
Three more.
At first, I didn't dare look.
I mean, how could anybody knock
from outside the window
on the ninth floor?
It's like impossible. Yeah.
All I knew
is that if I opened that window,
that outside,
I'd find something I didn't wanna find.
But the knocking just continued.
Whatever it was knocked over and over.
Three times.
So I went to the window
and pulled back my curtains.
Let me out! [echoing]
Next thing, I woke up,
just covered in sweat.
[sighs] I don't know.
It just felt so real. All of it.
But it was just a nightmare.
And maybe you experienced
something similar tonight.
[unsettling music subsides]
[bonnet hair dryer whirring]
[Horst laughs]
That the latest in astronaut fashion?
Or what's it for?
You always say you love me
to the moon and back, after all.
Thank you, my dear.
Tell me, should I pick up anything
for tomorrow night, honey?
What's tomorrow night, darling?
Isn't Birgit coming over?
I don't recall
telling you about that, my dear.
I stopped at the hardware store
and met her by chance.
Without Jürgen?
Ah. Unusual for a pregnant lady
to pop into the hardware store.
You know Birgit.
I'd better go. I'll see you later.
[takes a deep breath]
Peter has an important game today.
As you can see, I've got other plans.
Shooting is more urgent
than supporting your son, Horst?
They might move up a league today.
Long as he's not playing,
there's no point in cheering for him.
[whirring stops]
His trainer isn't letting him.
How on earth can he prove
what he can do without a chance?
[Horst inhales sharply]
Horst, your firm
has been financing the club for years.
I think you're well overdue
by now for a little favor.
[gently] Hmm?
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Ten
minutes left. It's a draw.
If it stays this way, things look good
for moving up to the higher league.
Peter, you're a real star!
[announcer] Come on, lads.
Don't let the ball in.
- He'll have to move a bit for that.
- Come on.
- [announcer] Come on, guys! Defend!
- [player] Up ahead! Center!
Get in there, damn it!
[player 2] Yes!
[announcer] Oh no. He just
lets the ball slip right through.
[crowd cheers]
- [man] Who put that loser on the field?
- Yeah. Who put him on the field?
[announcer] It's over.
Over. The dream is over.
[excited chatter]
[somber music playing]
WÜHLHEIM 3 - VISITORS 4
Cheer up.
It's just a game, hon.
Are you for real?
We won't get promoted now.
It's because of me, Mom.
Was it your idea to put me on the field?
I think it's very unfair of your trainer
to always put you on the bench.
- [scoffs] Thanks a lot.
- [teammate 1] Hey, Peter, Ms. Schmitt.
- Hey.
- Hey, don't take it too hard, huh?
We've all had bad days. It's fine.
[teammate 2] I could've scored more too.
Frankie has a garden shed. We, uh…
We're gonna drink away the pain.
[chuckles]
You comin'?
[chuckles nervously]
Another time. Thanks.
Yeah.
Sweet pea.
It's one thing to fail
and another one to run from it.
Come on. Go. It will do you good.
Hmm?
[cheerfully] Peter's coming!
[softly] Have fun.
[foreboding music playing]
Dude, great that you're joining us.
- [music fades]
- [birds singing outside]
- ["Guten Morgen, Sonnenschein" playing]
- [Sam sighs]
[Cassandra, in German]
Good morning, good morning… ♪
- [in English] Good morning.
- Morning.
[Cassandra, in German] This night
Remained hidden from you ♪
But you mustn't be sad ♪
[singing along] Good morning, sunshine
No, you mustn't be sad ♪
Good morning, sunshine
Wake me up and come on in ♪
- [in English] Have a good day.
- Mm-hmm.
Big hug.
[grunts]
You be good. You too.
Will you be okay?
[sighs]
You didn't need to
turn Cassandra back on.
I would've gotten over it.
And Juno, as well, sooner or later.
Yeah, I know, but I'm thinking
Cassandra's not the problem.
I'm sure therapy will be good.
- Just call if you need me, 'kay?
- [sighs]
- I mean it. I'll leave my phone on.
- [sighs]
It's fine, Fynn.
Your father will be home all day.
Yeah. We both know he's not really here
when he's writing a piece.
Fynn, let's go! We'll miss the bus.
Yeah? Then get going.
- I always have to wait for you.
- Buh-bye, guys!
- [somber music playing]
- [Fynn] Go.
If we have to run because of you,
then you're giving me a piggyback ride.
[David] Cassandra?
Yes, David?
- Can you bring me a towel, please?
- Just a moment.
[sniffles]
[elevator bell dings]
[ominous music rises]
[Sam sighs]
Somehow, I can't shake the feeling
that you've been avoiding me
since your last panic attack.
But don't forget.
I am everywhere.
[Sam exhales sharply]
Ah, there you are.
Thanks.
Oh, and could you also run
the dishwasher, please?
And I'd love if you could remove
the leaves from the driveway later.
Copy that.
[David] Oh.
[gasps]
[David grunts]
[music grows somber]
[music fades out]
- [exclaims]
- [gasps]
- You know, class starts in six minutes.
- Sorry, I overslept.
[Fynn] Don't I get a…
[indistinct chatter]
[Fynn sighs]
My mom, she's asking about you.
Why you've been coming over
to the house so much.
Well, what did you say?
Nothin'. Just studying.
But they know
there's more going on, Steve.
Good for your parents.
Can we stop pretending
we're just doing homework
in front of my parents, please?
It's just not their business.
I get that you don't want
the world to know, but, Steve,
my parents aren't
people we need to hide from.
Someone could easily slip up, Fynn.
They wouldn't.
Trust me.
And your sister?
- [sighs] Everyone knows everyone here.
- Okay, Steve.
- I'm just not ready for that yet.
- Okay, okay. You decide, huh?
[tender music playing]
[school bell rings]
- Let's go.
- [Steve] You first.
I'm the one who's always late, so…
- [sighs] Yeah, okay. See ya.
- See ya.
- [somber music playing]
- [Fynn sighs]
In our first meeting, you had expressed
your desire to settle in quickly here,
remember that?
Tell me, do you feel
you've progressed toward that?
[Sam chuckles]
Excuse me.
Samira, I can really only assist you
if it's what you want.
I'm here.
Your sister Kathleen took her own life
in your old place, in the kitchen, right?
How do you feel?
[sighs] How do I feel?
Like a piece of shit. I failed her.
I tried to help.
I bring her to come live with us,
and she commits suicide in our house.
[therapist] And that's
why you moved here.
We couldn't keep living
where my sister hung herself.
But Kathi…
It wasn't her fault. She was sick… I…
I just didn't, um… know how sick.
[therapist] You still have a right
to be angry at her.
Your sister took away your safe space,
your home.
Could she be hindering you in the goal
of creating a new safe space at home now?
Kathi isn't stopping it. It's Cassa…
[therapist] Who?
I am. I'm who's stopping it. [scoffs]
You're being plagued
by self-blame, Samira.
But you can't let that pain
rule your life.
That's how you make your home
your safe space again.
Go on the offensive.
[robot whirring]
Welcome back, Samira.
How was the shrink?
Enlightening.
Would do you some good too.
You should come along next time.
Oh, right. Mm.
You can't come out of the house.
Fynn and Juno are my kids.
David is my husband.
You live in my house now.
You will lose this fight.
You are nothing but a rusty tin can.
An outdated machine who picks up after
us. Not a person of flesh and blood.
[scoffs]
Who do you think Juno will go to
when she wants someone to snuggle with?
Hmm? Who do you think
Fynn will confide in?
And do you seriously think David
could love you the way he loves me?
Look at you, Cassandra.
Whoever you might've been once,
you're not her anymore. [scoffs]
Missed a spot there.
[somber music playing]
- [music fades]
- [rain pattering on roof]
Hello, Helga. It's me here.
Could I please speak to my husband?
That was when? [inhales sharply]
Okay, he must be running some errands.
No problem.
Thanks. I really appreciate it.
[oven clicking]
[brakes screech]
[engine revs]
[teammate] Kick him out now! Come on!
[Peter groans]
[tense music playing]
- [tires squeal]
- [Cassandra gasps]
Peter!
Honey? What on earth happened?
They… [coughs]
…tied me up.
I wanted to run away,
but they stopped me.
- Who did?
- The guys from soccer.
[Cassandra] Oh God. What is…
Oh my… Sweetheart.
Oh my God. What have they done to you?
Come on.
- Come. I got you. There we go.
- [Peter grunts]
Let's get inside
and I'll run you a bath, hon.
You'll feel much better after that, huh?
[sniffles]
I'm so sorry, honey.
[sniffles]
Have you called Dad yet?
I think it's better
if we don't tell your father about it.
- Hmm?
- He'll find out, Mom.
[sobs]
Not if you and I agree
to forget the whole thing, hmm?
[sobs]
You wouldn't call the police,
now, would you?
[Peter whimpers]
It would get into the newspapers.
[Peter sniffles]
The whole town would be talking
about nothing else.
Sweet pea, this could follow
you forever, but it doesn't need to.
"Peter Schmitt,
wasn't he the boy abused in that shed?"
That's how they'd talk.
You'd never get past it all.
Just remember, Peter.
You'd be the victim.
I only want to protect you.
[Peter whimpers]
Time heals all wounds. You'll see.
And you'll be done
with soccer forever. Hmm?
I promise.
[music fades]
[typing]
TOMKE RINSED IT DOWN
"Tomke rinsed it down."
"Tomke rinsed it down."
[sighs] That's nonsense.
[Cassandra] Can I help you, David?
Ah, I'm not really sure you'd be able
to help me with my book. [sighs]
Do you already have an idea?
An idea, yeah, but… but not a plan.
Would you like to tell me about it?
You'd probably need
to be familiar with my novels.
[cracks knuckles, sighs]
- I am. I've read them all.
- What?
When I found out that you're an author,
I became curious.
And such a successful one, at that.
I'm sorry.
- I should have asked beforehand.
- No. It's all good.
I just, uh…
I'm honestly just kind of surprised
that you had an interest.
- [Cassandra chuckles]
- It's just… just really unbelievable.
Not even my own wife reads all my books.
Not… of her own free will.
Oh, that's a real shame.
[quietly] Yeah.
Yeah, um… She's not really a crime fan.
And the erotic components,
she finds a bit stupid, so…
I don't understand that.
Inspector Romeo is tender,
sensitive, and sensual.
You've created one
of the most exciting characters
in the crime fiction genre.
Yeah.
Inspector Romeo is made of only words,
descriptions, and illustrations.
He's not a person of flesh and blood.
And yet, he manages
to touch his readers.
- [chuckles]
- [Cassandra] How is that possible?
Well, he inspires our fantasies, right?
Does that mean
I can inspire your fantasies as well?
[unsettling music playing]
- Hmm?
- [chuckles]
- [teen 1] Come on!
- [teen 2] Let's keep up!
- [teen 3] Tight defense.
- [teen 4] Right here. Come on. Pass.
- Steve! Here! Over here!
- [teen 5] Pass it!
- [teen 6] Block it.
- [teen 7] Get on his left.
- [teen 8] Come on!
- [Fynn] Yeah, yeah! Give it to me!
- [teen 9] Yeah!
- [whistle blows]
That's it. Team A wins.
[indistinct chatter]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [teen 1] Bro, what's going on tonight?
[chatter dies down]
I was free.
Do you think I can't throw a ball,
or am I simply invisible to you now?
What is this? Our first fight now?
[Fynn sighs]
Hey, sorry. I didn't mean it like that.
Don't act like I'm garbage. 'Kay, Steve?
It's not so sexy.
[sighs] Okay.
[gentle music playing]
[door opens]
- [grunts]
- What the hell? You coming on to me, man?
[Fynn sighs]
[Steve] Hey, wait up. What a f
[Fynn exhales sharply]
[somber music playing]
[crickets chirping]
[in German] Dear little fox Let
me tell you, just don't be a thief ♪
Just don't be a thief ♪
You don't need a roast goose
Content yourself with the mouse ♪
[in English] Bravo!
Very nice! You definitely have my vote.
Mine too.
- When is your audition?
- [Juno] Tomorrow.
I'm not gonna get that part, though,
Mama. Emily's voice is better, so…
Well, we'll see, honey.
But I'm sure there are tons
of other amazing roles in the play. Hmm?
- [Juno sighs]
- [Sam] Mm-mm?
- [Juno] Mm-mm.
- [Sam] Hmm.
- Hmm? [laughs]
- No! Mama! Mom!
- You're too cute!
- Mama, stop! Mama!
[both laughing]
No!
[gentle music playing]
What do you say
we go away for the holidays?
Hmm?
You, Fynn, me, and Dad.
Somewhere with tons of snow. Tons.
Oh, yeah. Please, Mama.
- That'd be so cool.
- [chuckles]
But then I'll be here all by myself.
We'll come right back, Cassandra.
Fynn?
Cassandra, lights on.
- Be right back, honey.
- [Juno] Mm-hmm.
[electric guitar playing]
Hey.
Hey.
What happened?
Uh, this?
I just bumped into somebody
playing basketball earlier.
You should see the other guy. [chuckles]
- [Juno singing in German]
- It's all good. Really.
A freak accident.
[Cassandra] I'm
sorry to interrupt, Fynn.
You've got a visitor.
[in German] Else the huntsman
Will get you with the shooting rifle ♪
[in English] Yes, that was quite good.
But may I give you some advice, Princess?
Your classmate,
she might sing particularly well.
It's possible, nonetheless,
that she'll miss out on that role.
- Really?
- Really.
I have an idea to convince your teacher
of the fact that you are the right choice.
[door whirs closed]
But you have to promise
never to tell anybody about it.
- Not even Fynn or your parents.
- Okay.
Promise?
I pinky swear.
Good. You have to sneak
into your parents' bedroom.
Your mom has hidden something in there
that will make
your performance unforgettable.
The surprise is hidden
underneath your mom's bed.
[unsettling music playing]
[Cassandra] Wanted to see me?
It's about Peter, as
you might've guessed.
What about him?
Not only are his grades suffering.
It's his overall performance.
Sometimes it seems as if he
isn't even here in class at all.
[Cassandra chuckles]
Peter's sometimes a bit of a dreamer.
The lessons might've been very dull.
[teacher] I don't think that
was the case, Mrs. Schmitt.
Just today I had to touch his arm
to snap him out of his thoughts.
I'd called his name three times,
but he wasn't reacting.
It seems like he experienced something
that's weighing on him.
Hey.
[tense music playing]
Listen. [sighs]
We're really, really sorry
about what happened.
You got that, don't you?
Peter?
[scoffs, sighs]
Hey, Peter. Come on. Look at me. Here.
We just wanted to say that you got
a lot of things coming your way.
- [teammate 1 scoffs]
- [tense music building]
[teammate 2] Did you see his face?
[teammate 3] He almost shit his pants…
[indistinct chatter]
[teammate 2 laughs]
- [tense music fades]
- [cheerfully] Peter, dinner's ready!
Coming down?
Peter?
[suspenseful music rising]
- [door slams]
- [gasps]
[Cassandra] Darling?
[suspenseful music rising]
Peter?
Where have you been?
I was worried about you.
[gasps]
I'm not a victim anymore, Mom.
They won't be making fun of me anymore.
What have you done?
[unsettling music peaks, fades]
Practicing?
[sighs]
Come here. Let me see.
Just show me?
Look, I… I don't know what came over me.
I… I didn't mean it.
You know that, right?
Well, it felt a little differently
for me, Steve.
- So, what do we do?
- "We"?
We won't be doing anything.
Fynn, please.
Every time I think we're moving ahead,
you keep on moving us right back.
Sorry, Steve. I don't want that.
I mean, it's the 21st century.
Even if not everybody understands that.
The people here aren't ready.
I told you that.
- The others?
- Yeah.
Of course, they're to blame.
Was it also the others
who hit me in the face today?
I told you, we have to be careful,
or else everyone will know.
[Fynn sighs]
Hey.
I wanna be with you, okay?
And there's not a moment
when I don't think of you.
Let me try to fix things. Please.
[Cassandra] I think it would be best
for you to leave now. Hmm?
She's right.
[slams fist]
[ominous music playing]
[tense music building]
Cassandra?
Were you pregnant twice?
I don't understand the question.
This picture's of you, right?
With your son?
[robot whirring]
[sighs]
- What is this shit?
- Leave Fynn alone.
You better not come
anywhere near my son ever again.
Your son?
[sighs] A second child
wasn't mentioned anywhere.
What happened?
- Hmm?
- [static crackles]
Cassandra, what have you done?
I… I… I… I… I…
[spluttering wildly]
[wild spluttering fades]
[flames crackling]
- [crying softly]
- [Peter] Mom?
Say something, please.
[sniffles]
Take off your clothes.
Move it.
[Peter sniffles, shudders]
[sniffles]
[sniffles]
All of it.
Oh, come on.
I've changed your diapers, goddammit.
What are you gonna do?
It'll all be fine.
[footsteps fade]
[somber music playing]
[pensive orchestral music building]
[music dies down]
[Cassandra breathing shakily]
[eerie vocals rise]
[loud thud]
[sighs]
[music fades]
[coughs]
[flames roar]
["Ich liebe das Leben"
by Vicky Leandros playing]
[in German]It could well be
That you often ♪
Take yourself much too seriously ♪
Desperately hoping for a fire ♪
Where only embers are left ♪
Even when something hurts a lot ♪
It doesn't mean that you will die ♪
[sentimental '70s tune
continues on radio]
[singing along]
No, don't worry about me ♪
You know I love life ♪
And even if
I sometimes still cry over you ♪
That will surely pass ♪
What could happen to me anyway? ♪
Trust me, I love life ♪
- [song ends]
- [static crackles]
[gasps]
[in English] Oh, excuse me.
Did you say something?
I didn't.
- [Cassandra] Hmm.
- All good here?
All good. You check the kids?
Yeah. Mm, Juno got a bit scared,
you know, but…
I guess it could be like, uh…
I don't know. A power surge.
[Sam] Yeah, yeah. Probably.
We really shouldn't complain, right?
We wanted this house.
- [David inhales sharply]
- [Sam chuckles]
It's nice to have you back.
It's clear you're doing better
since starting the therapy sessions.
[Sam] Mm.
I'm proud of you, honey.
I really am. [exhales, kisses]
[kisses]
[in German] His big, long rifle ♪
Takes a shot at you ♪
Takes a shot at you ♪
So that the red ink will dye you ♪
And then you are dead ♪
[classmates cheer]
[in English] Wonderful, Emily. Wow.
Thank you.
So coming up next, we have
Juno.
[kids murmuring]
Ready? Do your best.
- [Juno clears throat]
- [kids chuckle]
Shush, please.
[soft, unsettling music rising]
[in German] Fox
You have stolen the goose ♪
Give it back again ♪
Give it back again ♪
Else the huntsman will get you ♪
With the shooting rifle ♪
Else the huntsman will get you
With the shooting rifle ♪
AUDITORIUM
- [gun fires]
- [children's screams echo]
[eerie music rises]
[music fades]