Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams (2017) s01e10 Episode Script
Father Thing
1 [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
My father's not a dick.
He was always there.
Last month, he had to go to New York for a conference, but he came back two days early because he didn't wanna miss the playoffs.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[CROWD CHEERING.]
[CROWD SHOUTING.]
Come on.
Come on.
Come on, come on, come on! - Safe! - [CROWD CHEERING.]
[BASEBALL BAT CLANKS.]
Stay inside the ball, son.
Hit through it.
Like that.
And after everything that happened, I think my father would be proud of me.
[FATHER.]
Okay, I got it, 1977.
- World Series.
- Yankees over Dodgers.
- Four to two.
- Yeah.
- Center field? - Center field, Mickey Rivers.
Left field, Roy White.
Right field, Reggie Jackson.
Catcher? Ah! Thur - Oh! Thurman Munson! - man Munson.
Very good, very good.
Come on.
- It's getting late.
Time to - You win.
hunker down.
What? Nothing.
All good.
Good night, son.
Love you.
- Dad? - Yeah? Can I ask you something? - Sure.
- Anything? Yeah.
What's the maximum number of pitches not counting foul balls past two strikes that a pitcher can deliver to a particular batter without ever seeing a new batter come to the plate? I I six.
Wrong, sir! Wrong! The answer is 11.
Yes, the batter starts out with a man on first and two outs.
The count goes to three and two, no counting foul balls past this point.
The pitcher picks off the runner at first, the inning's over and the next inning starts where the last inning left off, with the same pitcher facing the same batter for another full count, which is five pitches.
And then he gets the batter out or not on the payoff pitch.
[THUNDEROUS BOOMING.]
[LIGHT, EERIE MUSIC.]
[WOMAN OVER RADIO.]
Authorities from NOAA and NASA have verified the lights in the sky are actually the result of a huge cluster of meteoroids that cut a swath across the Midwest from the Canadian border to southern Illinois.
Fireballs followed by sonic booms were reported near Bemidji, Minnesota, and on the outskirts of Chicago.
The Illinois State Police are investigating multiple reports of similar activity in the sky.
Sure you don't wanna come in? [POWER TOOL GRINDING.]
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO.]
Hello? Hello! [THUNDER BOOMS.]
Nasty out there.
Unleaded.
Gonna get some provisions too, so [GAME BEEPING.]
[THUNDER BOOMS.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Don't be mad.
- What? - All they had was, uh, bratwurst with mustard, super hot Cheetos, Yoo-Hoos, that's it.
No tofu, no disgusting, hairy quinoa salad.
Can you make an exception, please? - I guess.
- [ENGINE TURNING OVER.]
- Mom is not gonna be happy.
- Nope.
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
- We missed you! - [GRUNTS.]
[MOTHER.]
You guys have a good time? Yeah, it was awesome.
- Awesome.
- You should come next time.
- Dinner will be ready in a bit.
- I'm not hungry.
Uh, we might've stopped off for a little healthy snack.
I'm gonna shoot some baskets.
Charlie, can - How was it? - We survived.
Survival's good.
Let me help you with those.
See that meteor shower last night? Yeah, I was up all night.
The neighbor's dog was freaked out.
Ran away, they can't find him.
- Which neighbor? - The German shepherd.
Dog always freaked me out too.
You didn't tell him? [SIGHS.]
No.
[LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
- Hey, can you talk? - [WOMAN.]
Dylan! Get off the computer right now! Hey.
Did you brush your teeth? [MOTHER.]
He has to brush! Do a good job? Come on, it's late.
Let's go.
Big day tomorrow.
Hmm? [SIGHS.]
What if I don't make it? You might.
I don't know.
I did the math.
There's only 14 spots for All-Stars, and there are 15 guys better than me.
- And? - I might not.
It ain't over till it's over.
- Yogi Berra.
- That's right.
Look at him, he wasn't the smartest guy or the fastest guy, but he had something that a lot of those better guys didn't have.
He had a big heart.
You just do your best.
But you love watching baseball.
No, I love watching you love baseball.
- [FATHER.]
Okay? - [CHARLIE.]
I love you.
I love you too.
Lights out.
- Dad? - Hmm? The future ain't what it used to be.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[EERIE WHOOSHING.]
[COMPUTER CHIMES.]
[COMPUTER CHIMES.]
[MOTHER.]
Why didn't you tell him? Because I didn't.
It'll kill him.
You know? Is that what you want? What do you want? Maybe I'll move into the garage.
The garage? At least I'd be around here.
[LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
What are we gonna do? [DISTANT CLATTERING, GLASS SHATTERING.]
Shit.
[KEYBOARD CLACKING.]
[COMPUTER CHIMING.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[FATHER.]
Hey.
You're a very strange dog.
Come on, go home.
Get.
[METEORITES FLARING.]
[EERIE MUSIC.]
[THUNDER BOOMING.]
[RAIN PATTERING.]
[ALARM BEEPING.]
[ THE WAR ON DRUGS: "HOLDING ON".]
Once I was alive and I could feel I was holding on to you Did you do it? Did it work? Yes! I don't know how you put up with your brother.
Henry is such an asshole.
Hey, did you guys hear about Della Holleb? - No.
- She's been sexting with Randy Thall.
She sent him pictures of her in a bathing suit.
- Yeah? So what? - She has boobs.
She went to sleepaway camp at Chipinaw and came back with big ones.
Yeah, that kinda stuff happens in Wisconsin.
- It's the land of boobs.
- True.
My cousin lives in Milwaukee.
Even he has 'em.
[BELL RINGS.]
What's going on? Where is everybody? Three-day weekend? That's not fair.
Maybe I'm gonna be sick tomorrow.
Maybe we're all gonna be sick tomorrow.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Pass up your weekend assignments.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
The Viking Age is the period from the late eighth to the mid-11th century.
And although the Vikings were seen as brutal raiders, many historical documents suggest that their invasion was a retaliation in response to the violence from Christians toward pagan peoples.
You guys wanna hang out after school? - [MR.
DICK.]
Anybody know why - I can't.
I gotta be home.
[MR.
DICK.]
the year 1066 is so important? Kinda nervous about All-Stars.
[MR.
DICK.]
Mr.
Cotrell.
- Yeah? - Ten sixty-six.
Ten sixty-six? Yes.
The year the English beat the Vikings against all odds and sent them back to their own home in just the remaining 24 of the 300 longships? Precisely, Mr.
Cotrell.
Precisely.
It was called the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Now, ironically, three weeks later, the English army was defeated at the Battle of Hastings.
Wash your hands, Charlie.
Mom, I'm not eating, just drinking.
Homework? [LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Yes! Yes! Yes.
[LINE TRILLING.]
- I made it! - Surprise.
Where's Dylan? He's off electronics for a month.
Seems someone fucked up my iPhone alarm and I was late for school.
You want me to give him a message? Actually, I got a message for you.
What? Tomorrow I'm gonna catch you and beat the shit out of you.
[TAPPING ON WINDOW.]
[MOUTHING WORDS.]
[ZAPPING.]
[INTENSE WHOOSHING, ZAPPING.]
[MUFFLED SCREAMING.]
[INTENSE INDUSTRIAL MUSIC.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Charlie? I am starved.
[MOTHER.]
I didn't know you were joining us.
Is that okay? [MOTHER.]
Yes.
Come on, Charlie.
Honey, why don't you go sit down? [TENSE MUSIC.]
You gonna eat standing up? You know what? I was thinking about Christmas vacation, and it occurred to me that maybe we should plan a big trip.
Really get away.
Family time.
What would you think about the Galapagos Islands? The Galapagos? "Cradle of life.
" You wanna go to the Galapagos Islands? Well, I vaguely remember you always wanting to go to the Galapagos.
What do you think, Charlie? Hmm? The other one.
What, honey? [TENSE MUSIC.]
Mm.
Can you pass the quinoa, please? What's up with him? [LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Come on, Charlie.
Open the door.
[DOOR RATTLING.]
I don't know why you're acting like this.
Can't we talk about it? [DOOR RATTLING.]
- Charlie.
- Matthew.
Give him his space.
[INTENSE SYNTH MUSIC.]
Thank you.
"Thank you"? For trying tonight.
Why wouldn't I try? Why don't you let me finish this up? [OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[INTENSE SYNTH MUSIC.]
[ROCK THUMPS.]
[HENRY.]
What are you doing here, dickhead? Tell me what's going on, or I'm gonna beat the shit out of you.
Let me get this straight: your old man shot some rays out of his eyes Not my dad, this thing.
This thing that's your old man.
This thing that looks like my dad, yes.
This thing that looks like your dad shot a ray out of his eyes.
- Not his eyes.
- And ate your dad.
Kind of.
I don't know.
Well, either you saw him eat your old man, - or you didn't.
- I'm not sure what I saw.
Hey, at least you got a father.
Dylan hasn't been the same since our old man left for New York to pursue "an alternative lifestyle.
" Won't say one fuckin' word, right, Dylan? [DOOR OPENS.]
[WOMAN.]
Are you boys down there? - Yes, Mom.
- Charlie's father is here.
Shit balls.
[WOMAN OVER RADIO.]
The White House today confirmed [ROCK MUSIC PLAYING.]
[MAN.]
'Cause I get high [RADIO STATIONS SWITCHING.]
[MAN ON RADIO.]
Russian ambassador [HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING.]
[RADIO STATIONS SWITCHING.]
[INTENSE SYNTH MUSIC.]
[FOOTSTEPS POUNDING.]
[MAN SPEAKING FAINTLY.]
[EERIE MUSIC.]
[MAN SPEAKING FAINTLY.]
Let's go.
Mom? Morning, Charlie.
How did you sleep? Made you breakfast.
I'm not hungry.
People have to eat.
It's your favorite.
Pancakes.
Blueberry.
[CHARLIE.]
I don't like blueberries.
- Is that right? - [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
- Morning, honey.
- [MOTHER.]
Hi.
Here's your lunch, sweetheart.
Try not to leave your water bottle at school.
[MAN.]
Did you know Charlie doesn't like blueberries? - [MOTHER.]
Yeah.
- Mom, can you drive me today? No, not today, sweetheart.
I have clients back-to-back-to-back.
I can take him.
Mom.
[WHISPERING.]
Please.
- What's going on? - We need to leave here.
- What? - We need to leave here and never come back, you're not safe.
- Honey - Mom, I know everything.
I know Dad was thinking about moving out.
I know you weren't happy, but - Charlie - There's nothing I want more than for us to go to the Galapagos Islands - and all kinds of places.
- Okay, look.
Things are complicated right now.
We're trying to figure it out.
And sometimes it is hard to understand, and it must make you feel afraid.
- But you're not alone.
- I'm not afraid of being alone.
Lots of kids see their parents split up.
I'm talking about my father isn't who you think he is.
He's my father, but he's not my father because my father is a fucking alien! Charlie! Enough.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[GRUNTS.]
Sorry.
The other.
I hear your dad is a mutant zombie.
Where'd you hear that? Peretti's brother.
His brother told my brother.
You okay? I mean, you are you, right? Uh, did he eat your mother's brains? [BELL RINGS.]
I guess Dashiell really did it, huh? [SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
[BOY.]
Hey! [SIRENS WAILING.]
[HORN BLARES.]
[INTENSE MUSIC.]
- What's his name? - Philip.
[INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO CHATTER.]
Hey, Philip? Look, I know you feel you can't go on, but things are gonna get better.
This is only temporary.
I want my wife back.
Well, I wish we could bring your wife back.
It wasn't right of her to leave you.
She didn't leave.
She's still there.
But she's not my wife.
Then who is she, Philip? She's someone she's she's something else.
Okay, look, we can figure this out.
Just just let me help you.
I want you to step off the ledge, sir.
Step off the ledge, sir.
[THUD.]
[MAN OVER P.
A.
SYSTEM.]
Today has been a difficult day.
But just know your teachers and the administration will be here all week.
We are here for you.
Man, Dashiell's gonna be pissed that he ditched and missed all this shit.
- You wanna go to Superdawg? - No.
In the meantime, we will be dismissing school by grades.
And your parents have been notified to pick you up.
For all bus riders, continue down the stairs.
[INTENSE SYNTH MUSIC.]
[EERIE MUSIC.]
[INTENSE MUSIC.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
Thought we could play some ball.
Charlie, do you know why they call third base the hot corner? I know what you are.
Wrong, sir.
Wrong.
It's because when the ball is hit hard to left field and the runner takes off at a rate of 26 feet per second, the third baseman has at most three, maybe four seconds to get the ball from third to first.
With that short a margin of error and the need for superior reflexes, third base is the toughest position in baseball.
Charlie, can you imagine what it's like watching your world disappear? Wandering the universe on star winds with no chance to be with your other? No chance of progeny, no chance of a real tomorrow? It sucks.
[SIGHS.]
But I'm alive now.
I'm here, and it feels right.
And soon, Charlie, you're gonna be ready.
You're gonna have a chance to join us.
To become a more perfect version of yourself.
I will never be like you! I've been learning a lot the last couple of days as I've gotten stronger.
Facts, trivia.
Stuff.
The whole history of your kind.
And it wasn't always pretty, was it? But with everything I suck up, with everything I breathe in, I keep coming back to one perplexing, undeniable conundrum.
And I mean, it's baffling me, Charlie.
Half the modern baseball players bat left-handed.
So why isn't first base the hot corner too? Ahh! [BLUESY ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO.]
I need to talk to someone about my father.
[TRAIN BRAKES SQUEALING.]
What are we waiting for? Someone who will know what to do about this.
[INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO CHATTER.]
Your boss? - What's your name? - Charlie.
Charlie.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Hello.
His father isn't his father.
I'm Detective Fernandez.
Nancy.
You wanna tell me about it? Something's going on.
Something terrible.
Did your father do something to you? No, but he's not my father.
It's important to tell the truth.
My father's been replaced.
Replaced? He looks like my father, but he's not.
Who is he? A monster.
And where did this monster come from? I don't know, but it's not just him.
There's the neighbors and the mailman - and the UPS man - Charlie.
But it's not just here, there are people all over the Internet with the exact same story.
I understand, Charlie.
You're not the first person to report that there's something going on.
How did you know my name is Charlie? [TENSE MUSIC.]
Excuse me one second.
[TRAIN CLATTERING.]
What do you wanna do with him? We're gonna do what we gotta do.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[MOUTHING WORDS.]
Help me! [DOORBELL RINGS.]
Dickhead.
[WOMAN.]
Who is it, Henry? Dylan's little friend.
What do you want? I need help.
[HENRY.]
You better not be bullshitting us.
[LIGHTER FLICKING.]
- [CHARLIE.]
It was here! - [HENRY.]
Okay.
No, really, it was here! Today's trash Tuesday, dick face.
[MACHINERY WHIRRING.]
[MACHINERY BEEPING.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[MEN SHOUTING IN DISTANCE.]
[MACHINERY WHIRRING AND BEEPING.]
I'm sorry, Charlie.
You were right.
I don't get it.
How does it work? I don't know.
I'm not a scientist.
All I know is that it's spreading.
I wonder if Bob Shulvock is one of them.
Shh! He's got three nipples.
Shulvock has always had three nipples.
Yeah, but maybe he was part of an advance team.
- I'm worried about him.
- He's fine.
Playing with his friends in the neighborhood.
It's not the first time he's forgotten about the time, is it? Let's give it an hour.
If he doesn't show up, We'll drive around the neighborhood.
I've almost forgotten what this is like.
That thing's gonna try to bone your mom.
[CHARLIE.]
We need to save her.
We need to get him away from her.
How do we know she's not like him? She's not.
Yeah, but how do we know? 'Cause she still smells like my mom.
- Yeah, but - And she keeps telling me to pick up my clothes.
Okay, she's your mom.
Okay, let's do this.
[ THE BAND: "IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE".]
It makes no difference Where I turn I can't get over you and the flame still burns It makes no diff [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Time's up, Charlie.
I think I'm ready.
But I'm really scared.
You don't have to be afraid.
I told you, this is a real opportunity for you.
[SHOVELS CLANGING.]
[LAUGHS.]
Nice try, Charlie.
[GRUNTS.]
[GRUNTS.]
You lied to me, Charlie.
Let him go! [GRUNTS.]
[GRUNTS.]
Run! [INTENSE MUSIC.]
Fuck! Ow! I know you're here, Charlie.
There's no use in hiding.
You're only making it more difficult.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[LOW RUMBLING.]
[LIQUID SLOSHING.]
She's beautiful, isn't she? Leave us alone.
Charlie your mother and I will always love you.
And I will never leave you.
It'll be a lot easier if you stop fighting.
But you're not him! [INTENSE WHOOSHING.]
[GRUNTING.]
Yeah! [GURGLING.]
- Oh, shit! Oh, shit! - Oh, shit! - [CHIRPING.]
- What the hell is that? [HISSES.]
Gotcha.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[MUFFLED SCREAMING.]
[CHARLIE.]
My best friend's brother Henry calls them dickheads from space.
You okay? [CHARLIE.]
I don't know where they come from or what they want, but they have no right to mess up our world.
My father used to tell me that what made a person is the insides, that it's the insides that matter the most.
Charlie.
What happened to you? [CHARLIE.]
And when I would look in my father's eyes, I could tell what kind of a man he was.
Where's your father? [CHARLIE.]
A good man.
I took care of it, Mom.
I took care of everything.
We'll fight them in our homes, and we'll fight them in our schools.
We will never stop fighting, and neither should you.
I think my father would be proud of me.
[ELECTRONIC CHIRPING.]
[INTENSE MUSIC.]
My father's not a dick.
He was always there.
Last month, he had to go to New York for a conference, but he came back two days early because he didn't wanna miss the playoffs.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[CROWD CHEERING.]
[CROWD SHOUTING.]
Come on.
Come on.
Come on, come on, come on! - Safe! - [CROWD CHEERING.]
[BASEBALL BAT CLANKS.]
Stay inside the ball, son.
Hit through it.
Like that.
And after everything that happened, I think my father would be proud of me.
[FATHER.]
Okay, I got it, 1977.
- World Series.
- Yankees over Dodgers.
- Four to two.
- Yeah.
- Center field? - Center field, Mickey Rivers.
Left field, Roy White.
Right field, Reggie Jackson.
Catcher? Ah! Thur - Oh! Thurman Munson! - man Munson.
Very good, very good.
Come on.
- It's getting late.
Time to - You win.
hunker down.
What? Nothing.
All good.
Good night, son.
Love you.
- Dad? - Yeah? Can I ask you something? - Sure.
- Anything? Yeah.
What's the maximum number of pitches not counting foul balls past two strikes that a pitcher can deliver to a particular batter without ever seeing a new batter come to the plate? I I six.
Wrong, sir! Wrong! The answer is 11.
Yes, the batter starts out with a man on first and two outs.
The count goes to three and two, no counting foul balls past this point.
The pitcher picks off the runner at first, the inning's over and the next inning starts where the last inning left off, with the same pitcher facing the same batter for another full count, which is five pitches.
And then he gets the batter out or not on the payoff pitch.
[THUNDEROUS BOOMING.]
[LIGHT, EERIE MUSIC.]
[WOMAN OVER RADIO.]
Authorities from NOAA and NASA have verified the lights in the sky are actually the result of a huge cluster of meteoroids that cut a swath across the Midwest from the Canadian border to southern Illinois.
Fireballs followed by sonic booms were reported near Bemidji, Minnesota, and on the outskirts of Chicago.
The Illinois State Police are investigating multiple reports of similar activity in the sky.
Sure you don't wanna come in? [POWER TOOL GRINDING.]
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO.]
Hello? Hello! [THUNDER BOOMS.]
Nasty out there.
Unleaded.
Gonna get some provisions too, so [GAME BEEPING.]
[THUNDER BOOMS.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Don't be mad.
- What? - All they had was, uh, bratwurst with mustard, super hot Cheetos, Yoo-Hoos, that's it.
No tofu, no disgusting, hairy quinoa salad.
Can you make an exception, please? - I guess.
- [ENGINE TURNING OVER.]
- Mom is not gonna be happy.
- Nope.
[SOMBER MUSIC.]
- We missed you! - [GRUNTS.]
[MOTHER.]
You guys have a good time? Yeah, it was awesome.
- Awesome.
- You should come next time.
- Dinner will be ready in a bit.
- I'm not hungry.
Uh, we might've stopped off for a little healthy snack.
I'm gonna shoot some baskets.
Charlie, can - How was it? - We survived.
Survival's good.
Let me help you with those.
See that meteor shower last night? Yeah, I was up all night.
The neighbor's dog was freaked out.
Ran away, they can't find him.
- Which neighbor? - The German shepherd.
Dog always freaked me out too.
You didn't tell him? [SIGHS.]
No.
[LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
- Hey, can you talk? - [WOMAN.]
Dylan! Get off the computer right now! Hey.
Did you brush your teeth? [MOTHER.]
He has to brush! Do a good job? Come on, it's late.
Let's go.
Big day tomorrow.
Hmm? [SIGHS.]
What if I don't make it? You might.
I don't know.
I did the math.
There's only 14 spots for All-Stars, and there are 15 guys better than me.
- And? - I might not.
It ain't over till it's over.
- Yogi Berra.
- That's right.
Look at him, he wasn't the smartest guy or the fastest guy, but he had something that a lot of those better guys didn't have.
He had a big heart.
You just do your best.
But you love watching baseball.
No, I love watching you love baseball.
- [FATHER.]
Okay? - [CHARLIE.]
I love you.
I love you too.
Lights out.
- Dad? - Hmm? The future ain't what it used to be.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[EERIE WHOOSHING.]
[COMPUTER CHIMES.]
[COMPUTER CHIMES.]
[MOTHER.]
Why didn't you tell him? Because I didn't.
It'll kill him.
You know? Is that what you want? What do you want? Maybe I'll move into the garage.
The garage? At least I'd be around here.
[LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
What are we gonna do? [DISTANT CLATTERING, GLASS SHATTERING.]
Shit.
[KEYBOARD CLACKING.]
[COMPUTER CHIMING.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[FATHER.]
Hey.
You're a very strange dog.
Come on, go home.
Get.
[METEORITES FLARING.]
[EERIE MUSIC.]
[THUNDER BOOMING.]
[RAIN PATTERING.]
[ALARM BEEPING.]
[ THE WAR ON DRUGS: "HOLDING ON".]
Once I was alive and I could feel I was holding on to you Did you do it? Did it work? Yes! I don't know how you put up with your brother.
Henry is such an asshole.
Hey, did you guys hear about Della Holleb? - No.
- She's been sexting with Randy Thall.
She sent him pictures of her in a bathing suit.
- Yeah? So what? - She has boobs.
She went to sleepaway camp at Chipinaw and came back with big ones.
Yeah, that kinda stuff happens in Wisconsin.
- It's the land of boobs.
- True.
My cousin lives in Milwaukee.
Even he has 'em.
[BELL RINGS.]
What's going on? Where is everybody? Three-day weekend? That's not fair.
Maybe I'm gonna be sick tomorrow.
Maybe we're all gonna be sick tomorrow.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Pass up your weekend assignments.
[TENSE MUSIC.]
The Viking Age is the period from the late eighth to the mid-11th century.
And although the Vikings were seen as brutal raiders, many historical documents suggest that their invasion was a retaliation in response to the violence from Christians toward pagan peoples.
You guys wanna hang out after school? - [MR.
DICK.]
Anybody know why - I can't.
I gotta be home.
[MR.
DICK.]
the year 1066 is so important? Kinda nervous about All-Stars.
[MR.
DICK.]
Mr.
Cotrell.
- Yeah? - Ten sixty-six.
Ten sixty-six? Yes.
The year the English beat the Vikings against all odds and sent them back to their own home in just the remaining 24 of the 300 longships? Precisely, Mr.
Cotrell.
Precisely.
It was called the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Now, ironically, three weeks later, the English army was defeated at the Battle of Hastings.
Wash your hands, Charlie.
Mom, I'm not eating, just drinking.
Homework? [LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Yes! Yes! Yes.
[LINE TRILLING.]
- I made it! - Surprise.
Where's Dylan? He's off electronics for a month.
Seems someone fucked up my iPhone alarm and I was late for school.
You want me to give him a message? Actually, I got a message for you.
What? Tomorrow I'm gonna catch you and beat the shit out of you.
[TAPPING ON WINDOW.]
[MOUTHING WORDS.]
[ZAPPING.]
[INTENSE WHOOSHING, ZAPPING.]
[MUFFLED SCREAMING.]
[INTENSE INDUSTRIAL MUSIC.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Charlie? I am starved.
[MOTHER.]
I didn't know you were joining us.
Is that okay? [MOTHER.]
Yes.
Come on, Charlie.
Honey, why don't you go sit down? [TENSE MUSIC.]
You gonna eat standing up? You know what? I was thinking about Christmas vacation, and it occurred to me that maybe we should plan a big trip.
Really get away.
Family time.
What would you think about the Galapagos Islands? The Galapagos? "Cradle of life.
" You wanna go to the Galapagos Islands? Well, I vaguely remember you always wanting to go to the Galapagos.
What do you think, Charlie? Hmm? The other one.
What, honey? [TENSE MUSIC.]
Mm.
Can you pass the quinoa, please? What's up with him? [LIGHT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
Come on, Charlie.
Open the door.
[DOOR RATTLING.]
I don't know why you're acting like this.
Can't we talk about it? [DOOR RATTLING.]
- Charlie.
- Matthew.
Give him his space.
[INTENSE SYNTH MUSIC.]
Thank you.
"Thank you"? For trying tonight.
Why wouldn't I try? Why don't you let me finish this up? [OMINOUS MUSIC.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[INTENSE SYNTH MUSIC.]
[ROCK THUMPS.]
[HENRY.]
What are you doing here, dickhead? Tell me what's going on, or I'm gonna beat the shit out of you.
Let me get this straight: your old man shot some rays out of his eyes Not my dad, this thing.
This thing that's your old man.
This thing that looks like my dad, yes.
This thing that looks like your dad shot a ray out of his eyes.
- Not his eyes.
- And ate your dad.
Kind of.
I don't know.
Well, either you saw him eat your old man, - or you didn't.
- I'm not sure what I saw.
Hey, at least you got a father.
Dylan hasn't been the same since our old man left for New York to pursue "an alternative lifestyle.
" Won't say one fuckin' word, right, Dylan? [DOOR OPENS.]
[WOMAN.]
Are you boys down there? - Yes, Mom.
- Charlie's father is here.
Shit balls.
[WOMAN OVER RADIO.]
The White House today confirmed [ROCK MUSIC PLAYING.]
[MAN.]
'Cause I get high [RADIO STATIONS SWITCHING.]
[MAN ON RADIO.]
Russian ambassador [HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING.]
[RADIO STATIONS SWITCHING.]
[INTENSE SYNTH MUSIC.]
[FOOTSTEPS POUNDING.]
[MAN SPEAKING FAINTLY.]
[EERIE MUSIC.]
[MAN SPEAKING FAINTLY.]
Let's go.
Mom? Morning, Charlie.
How did you sleep? Made you breakfast.
I'm not hungry.
People have to eat.
It's your favorite.
Pancakes.
Blueberry.
[CHARLIE.]
I don't like blueberries.
- Is that right? - [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
- Morning, honey.
- [MOTHER.]
Hi.
Here's your lunch, sweetheart.
Try not to leave your water bottle at school.
[MAN.]
Did you know Charlie doesn't like blueberries? - [MOTHER.]
Yeah.
- Mom, can you drive me today? No, not today, sweetheart.
I have clients back-to-back-to-back.
I can take him.
Mom.
[WHISPERING.]
Please.
- What's going on? - We need to leave here.
- What? - We need to leave here and never come back, you're not safe.
- Honey - Mom, I know everything.
I know Dad was thinking about moving out.
I know you weren't happy, but - Charlie - There's nothing I want more than for us to go to the Galapagos Islands - and all kinds of places.
- Okay, look.
Things are complicated right now.
We're trying to figure it out.
And sometimes it is hard to understand, and it must make you feel afraid.
- But you're not alone.
- I'm not afraid of being alone.
Lots of kids see their parents split up.
I'm talking about my father isn't who you think he is.
He's my father, but he's not my father because my father is a fucking alien! Charlie! Enough.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[GRUNTS.]
Sorry.
The other.
I hear your dad is a mutant zombie.
Where'd you hear that? Peretti's brother.
His brother told my brother.
You okay? I mean, you are you, right? Uh, did he eat your mother's brains? [BELL RINGS.]
I guess Dashiell really did it, huh? [SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE.]
[BOY.]
Hey! [SIRENS WAILING.]
[HORN BLARES.]
[INTENSE MUSIC.]
- What's his name? - Philip.
[INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO CHATTER.]
Hey, Philip? Look, I know you feel you can't go on, but things are gonna get better.
This is only temporary.
I want my wife back.
Well, I wish we could bring your wife back.
It wasn't right of her to leave you.
She didn't leave.
She's still there.
But she's not my wife.
Then who is she, Philip? She's someone she's she's something else.
Okay, look, we can figure this out.
Just just let me help you.
I want you to step off the ledge, sir.
Step off the ledge, sir.
[THUD.]
[MAN OVER P.
A.
SYSTEM.]
Today has been a difficult day.
But just know your teachers and the administration will be here all week.
We are here for you.
Man, Dashiell's gonna be pissed that he ditched and missed all this shit.
- You wanna go to Superdawg? - No.
In the meantime, we will be dismissing school by grades.
And your parents have been notified to pick you up.
For all bus riders, continue down the stairs.
[INTENSE SYNTH MUSIC.]
[EERIE MUSIC.]
[INTENSE MUSIC.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
Thought we could play some ball.
Charlie, do you know why they call third base the hot corner? I know what you are.
Wrong, sir.
Wrong.
It's because when the ball is hit hard to left field and the runner takes off at a rate of 26 feet per second, the third baseman has at most three, maybe four seconds to get the ball from third to first.
With that short a margin of error and the need for superior reflexes, third base is the toughest position in baseball.
Charlie, can you imagine what it's like watching your world disappear? Wandering the universe on star winds with no chance to be with your other? No chance of progeny, no chance of a real tomorrow? It sucks.
[SIGHS.]
But I'm alive now.
I'm here, and it feels right.
And soon, Charlie, you're gonna be ready.
You're gonna have a chance to join us.
To become a more perfect version of yourself.
I will never be like you! I've been learning a lot the last couple of days as I've gotten stronger.
Facts, trivia.
Stuff.
The whole history of your kind.
And it wasn't always pretty, was it? But with everything I suck up, with everything I breathe in, I keep coming back to one perplexing, undeniable conundrum.
And I mean, it's baffling me, Charlie.
Half the modern baseball players bat left-handed.
So why isn't first base the hot corner too? Ahh! [BLUESY ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO.]
I need to talk to someone about my father.
[TRAIN BRAKES SQUEALING.]
What are we waiting for? Someone who will know what to do about this.
[INDISTINCT POLICE RADIO CHATTER.]
Your boss? - What's your name? - Charlie.
Charlie.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Hello.
His father isn't his father.
I'm Detective Fernandez.
Nancy.
You wanna tell me about it? Something's going on.
Something terrible.
Did your father do something to you? No, but he's not my father.
It's important to tell the truth.
My father's been replaced.
Replaced? He looks like my father, but he's not.
Who is he? A monster.
And where did this monster come from? I don't know, but it's not just him.
There's the neighbors and the mailman - and the UPS man - Charlie.
But it's not just here, there are people all over the Internet with the exact same story.
I understand, Charlie.
You're not the first person to report that there's something going on.
How did you know my name is Charlie? [TENSE MUSIC.]
Excuse me one second.
[TRAIN CLATTERING.]
What do you wanna do with him? We're gonna do what we gotta do.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
[MOUTHING WORDS.]
Help me! [DOORBELL RINGS.]
Dickhead.
[WOMAN.]
Who is it, Henry? Dylan's little friend.
What do you want? I need help.
[HENRY.]
You better not be bullshitting us.
[LIGHTER FLICKING.]
- [CHARLIE.]
It was here! - [HENRY.]
Okay.
No, really, it was here! Today's trash Tuesday, dick face.
[MACHINERY WHIRRING.]
[MACHINERY BEEPING.]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[MEN SHOUTING IN DISTANCE.]
[MACHINERY WHIRRING AND BEEPING.]
I'm sorry, Charlie.
You were right.
I don't get it.
How does it work? I don't know.
I'm not a scientist.
All I know is that it's spreading.
I wonder if Bob Shulvock is one of them.
Shh! He's got three nipples.
Shulvock has always had three nipples.
Yeah, but maybe he was part of an advance team.
- I'm worried about him.
- He's fine.
Playing with his friends in the neighborhood.
It's not the first time he's forgotten about the time, is it? Let's give it an hour.
If he doesn't show up, We'll drive around the neighborhood.
I've almost forgotten what this is like.
That thing's gonna try to bone your mom.
[CHARLIE.]
We need to save her.
We need to get him away from her.
How do we know she's not like him? She's not.
Yeah, but how do we know? 'Cause she still smells like my mom.
- Yeah, but - And she keeps telling me to pick up my clothes.
Okay, she's your mom.
Okay, let's do this.
[ THE BAND: "IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE".]
It makes no difference Where I turn I can't get over you and the flame still burns It makes no diff [DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[TENSE MUSIC.]
Time's up, Charlie.
I think I'm ready.
But I'm really scared.
You don't have to be afraid.
I told you, this is a real opportunity for you.
[SHOVELS CLANGING.]
[LAUGHS.]
Nice try, Charlie.
[GRUNTS.]
[GRUNTS.]
You lied to me, Charlie.
Let him go! [GRUNTS.]
[GRUNTS.]
Run! [INTENSE MUSIC.]
Fuck! Ow! I know you're here, Charlie.
There's no use in hiding.
You're only making it more difficult.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[LOW RUMBLING.]
[LIQUID SLOSHING.]
She's beautiful, isn't she? Leave us alone.
Charlie your mother and I will always love you.
And I will never leave you.
It'll be a lot easier if you stop fighting.
But you're not him! [INTENSE WHOOSHING.]
[GRUNTING.]
Yeah! [GURGLING.]
- Oh, shit! Oh, shit! - Oh, shit! - [CHIRPING.]
- What the hell is that? [HISSES.]
Gotcha.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC.]
[MUFFLED SCREAMING.]
[CHARLIE.]
My best friend's brother Henry calls them dickheads from space.
You okay? [CHARLIE.]
I don't know where they come from or what they want, but they have no right to mess up our world.
My father used to tell me that what made a person is the insides, that it's the insides that matter the most.
Charlie.
What happened to you? [CHARLIE.]
And when I would look in my father's eyes, I could tell what kind of a man he was.
Where's your father? [CHARLIE.]
A good man.
I took care of it, Mom.
I took care of everything.
We'll fight them in our homes, and we'll fight them in our schools.
We will never stop fighting, and neither should you.
I think my father would be proud of me.
[ELECTRONIC CHIRPING.]
[INTENSE MUSIC.]