Swamp Thing (2019) s01e05 Episode Script
Drive All Night
1 ABBY: Previously on Swamp Thing It's made out to cash.
EDDIE: So what's this really about, Sunderland? Buying a kid like this? She seems happy here.
AVERY: I just hope to God she's okay.
That's why I'm keeping Dr.
Woodrue on the payroll.
These numbers.
They can only refer to the thickness of a cell wall.
So it's either a plant, or an animal.
And what if I told you my entries are accurate? Well, the last ten million years of biology would disagree with you.
As would I.
- Hello, Gordon.
- Got nothing to say.
I know you've been making off-the-books loans to Avery Sutherland.
LIZ: It's him I want.
DANIEL: Have you seen anything more? About my mission? The cards aren't clear.
Not just about you.
About the future of this entire town.
MARGAUX: I think I found some debris from the explosion.
This is from Holland's boat.
Looks like someone shot him.
SWAMP THING: I'm scared for you, Abby.
This is only the beginning.
MARIA: Susie's in bed now.
To be honest, I thought it would take her a little bit longer to acclimate, after everything she's been through.
But she seems to like it here.
What time will you be back? Well, meeting's first thing in the morning, so I shouldn't be too late.
[CLATTERING.]
Maria? Maria? You there? Oh, sorry.
I I think that she might be awake.
Listen, thanks, Avery, for arranging all of this.
Well, you know, it's me that should be thanking you.
What for? For funding Dr.
Woodrue's research, you know.
With your help, he's gonna be able to keep little Susie healthy, and a lot of other people, too.
[MARIA LAUGHS.]
[THUDS.]
[CREAKING.]
I better go check on her, okay? Okay, yeah, you better, hon.
I'll see you tomorrow.
[CELL PHONE VIBRATING.]
Put that damn thing out and get your ass over here.
Yes, ma'am, Sheriff.
[THUNDER RUMBLING.]
Susie! Susie? Susie? - [BREATHES HEAVILY.]
- Susie.
What's wrong, honey? What happened? [BREATHES HEAVILY.]
There was someone standing there.
- She looked angry.
- Who? The girl from the pictures downstairs.
You just had a nightmare.
It's perfectly normal, new house, new bed.
You're so cold.
I'll get you a warmer blanket.
No, no, no.
Please.
Please don't go.
It's just in the hall closet, okay? I'll be right back.
You know, I used to have nightmares when I was a little girl.
And my mom would always bring me a warm blanket and make it all better.
[CRIES OUT.]
Susie.
Susie, where did you go? Susie.
Susie! [GASPS.]
Shawna! Shawna.
Shawna! Oh, God.
Shawna.
[GASPS.]
Oh, Shawna! [TEARFULLY.]
Oh.
[IN ETHEREAL VOICE.]
You tried to replace me.
First with Abby, and now with her.
No, I [CRIES.]
I never wanted that.
It was only you.
Shawna, I love you more than you'll ever know.
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING.]
Swamp Thing 1x05 Drive All Night ALEC: Just for future reference, yellow tag means - "especially active mutagenic site.
" - Note to self.
Check back every week to assess the insane plant growth in this area.
Yeah.
Yeah, this is good.
I don't know what's happening out here, but this is gonna be good for my career, I think, and could get my life back on track.
Knock on wood.
Something's coming.
Something good.
Everything's about to change.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
[SNARLS.]
[GROWLS.]
[GROWLS.]
[GASPS.]
What's happening to me? No.
Stop it.
I don't want to see this.
Make it stop! [ROB ORBISON'S "IN DREAMS" PLAYING.]
[MUSIC STOPS.]
BUTLER: Hey, how's the fishing around here? 'Cause the folks in town said the bass would jump right up in your boat.
You should leave now.
It's not safe here.
[SIGHS.]
I love it out here.
I really do.
The sweaty smells, the funky grass, the blossoms.
The trees.
I swear, when the wind's just right, you can hear 'em whispering their secrets.
The trees You can come on out of there if you want.
The fish are biting, not me.
Come on.
[LOW GROWL.]
You're not afraid of me.
Are you someone I should be afraid of? Not of who I was.
Of what I've become.
Hmm.
Transitions in life.
They can be difficult.
Caterpillar to butterfly, child to adult The process in life, it's, uh, it's never easy.
But what's in here? Nobody can take that away except for you.
[LOW GROWL.]
Who are you? [ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON CAR RADIO.]
Do it.
Do it.
Shit! Aah! Shit! [BREATHES HEAVILY.]
All right.
I lived up to my end of the bargain.
I can leave now, right? [INDISTINCT WHISPERS.]
[WHISPERS CONTINUE.]
[SCREAMS.]
Help! Ahh! [GROANS.]
I was planted here to wait for Abby Arcane, right? Well, she's here.
And by the way, I saved her neck.
But instead of getting a gold star from my ride back to Hollywood, I get this again? I just wanted a break.
If I had known I'd be trapped in this hell, I never would have made that Argh! Shit.
Playing you definitely was not worth all this.
When I get back to LA, I'm selling your ass.
[MOANING.]
[LAUGHS.]
Oh! Whoa.
That was a What's gotten into you? I don't know.
[LAUGHS.]
After whatever it was that happened the other night, I guess I guess I just needed that.
But whatever it was that got into you, I hope it gets into you more often.
[LUCILIA CHUCKLES.]
AVERY: Mmm.
Where you going? - Come on, Avery.
- What are you doing? What, that's it? I got the room till noon.
Well [SIGHS.]
We both know that this works best when we just keep it short and sweet.
You know, there's some lines that we're better off not crossing.
You always wear that ring, don't you? Not always.
I remember the day I gave it to you.
It might be my favorite day I ever had.
[LUCILIA CHUCKLES.]
It was a long time ago.
You ever think about what might have been? You mean before Maria sashayed into town with her smiles and the bottomless bank account? Thought that Maria was one of those lines you're not supposed to cross.
Well, don't you worry, Avery.
You're still calling the shots.
Just like you always have.
[CELL PHONE VIBRATING.]
Ah, shit.
Liz Tremayne.
She already left me three messages last night.
Huh.
Really? What's that all about? She's asking about some evidence her girlfriend found up in Skeeter Cove.
A piece of aluminum skiff with blast marks and buckshot holes.
Proof that someone wanted Holland dead.
She's pushing for an investigation.
Well, what do you think? I think it would make for great copy in the weekly.
Ah, damn reporters.
Once they smell blood in the water Yeah.
Still, I gotta look into it.
Gotta solve this so-called murder before Tremayne beats me to it.
ABBY: This sample is unlike anything I've ever seen before.
The cells are expanding and contracting seemingly at will.
If destroyed, they regenerate, defying all laws of biology as we know it.
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but based on what I've seen in the past few days, I'm beginning to wonder if we're dealing with something beyond the known scope of science Like what? Uh, for instance.
ABBY: Jesus.
Do you ever knock? I was told I had free rein when I was provided hospital privileges.
Wise decision, since our resident CDC professional appears to be attributing the characteristics of a unique plant specimen to the boogeyman.
[LAUGHS.]
Doctor.
The plant sample you showed me earlier, I, uh I need to know where it came from.
I'm afraid that's a CDC professional matter now.
Regenerative powers within those cells would revolutionize treatment for a host of genetic diseases.
Yes.
And wouldn't you like to see your name on top of the journal article announcing that discovery.
Dr.
Arcane, did your discovery have anything to do with Alec Holland? What What makes you think that? Hmm.
Holland was the only scientist And I use that word advisedly, in this backwater.
He had that lab back in the swamp.
It seems reasonable that during the course of his work, he may have come across your material.
So, um, does it? Have anything to do with Alec Holland? [CHUCKLES.]
[CELL PHONE VIBRATING.]
You know what? I have to take this.
Excuse me, Dr.
Woodrue.
Susie? No, no.
It's okay, I'll be right there.
Good morning, Delroy.
Mr.
Avery? You're up early.
Yeah, I woke up this morning with a powerful hunger for turtle soup.
Hmm.
I took the liberty of using my key to help myself to your kitchen.
Although technically, I guess it's my kitchen, 'cause I do own the property.
[CHUCKLES.]
You came all this way for soup? Well, actually, Delroy, I wanted to see you.
You know better than anyone how hard I've worked my ass off for this town, you know? I know folks appreciate that.
Do they? Because sometimes, I wonder, you know Seemed like every time I'm just about to land that big white whale, there's somebody trying to tear me down.
Take your daughter Liz, for instance.
Now, for some reason, she is hell-bent on digging up dirt about me.
Mind you, there's nothing for her to find, I just need her to ease up a little bit.
You know, for the good of the town, of course.
And I was hoping that you could maybe talk to her and pass on what we discussed.
In your own words, Delroy.
Taste.
I'd just as soon not.
Taste.
Taste it yourself, Sunderland.
Pops, the contractor's outside to talk about the repairs.
Go ahead.
I'll be fine.
I'll be right outside.
Good morning, Liz.
Would you like some turtle soup? You think bullying my father's gonna shut me up? Must be hitting pretty close to the bone.
Oh, come on now, Liz.
Let's not do this.
I've known you since you were a little baby.
Where's your banker, Sunderland? My banker? Let me see.
Well, I think that man was exhausted.
And I believe he went on a vacation.
That's what I was told.
The same night he was gonna talk to me about some bullshit loans you made to the Sunderland Corporation? A few days after Alec Holland went up in flames.
Oh, you've got this all figured out, don't you? Let me ask you something, girl.
If I was really capable of doing the things that you imagine that I've done, do you really think I'd let a piece of bar trash get in my way? What do you got? You got a piece of a shot-up boat.
You got a banker that went on vacation.
What else you got? I think that might be it.
So do yourself, your old man, and this whole town a favor.
You leave me alone.
[SNICKERS.]
Might have been a time in this town when a Sunderland snapped his fingers and folks jumped.
But that time has passed.
Stay the hell away from my dad.
[SIGHS.]
You enjoy that soup, Liz.
[FROGS CROAKING.]
Ol' Avery built this here place maybe like seven years ago.
That boy has been screwing around these waters for long as anyone can remember.
You're certain this is where Alec Holland did his research? Yes, sir.
Delivered some equipment to him a few months back when he was just getting set up.
Perhaps you should have delivered him a custodian as well.
Looks like something nasty busted up through the hatch.
Tore this place up good.
Must've been big.
What are you rolling around there, Doc? [BREATH TREMBLES.]
It's possible that I've been thinking too small.
Why have you brought me here? You sure it was me? Maybe it was this place that called you.
Who are you? Just a passing stranger.
Maybe a phantom from a dream trying to help you understand the things you already know.
You know, some of these old cypress can live to be a thousand years old.
Can you imagine the things that they've seen in their time? You've seen some things out here, too, haven't you? I've seen ghosts.
That's one way to think of it.
- Perhaps there's another way.
- [GROWLS.]
[ETHEREAL WHISPERS.]
Memories held by the trees.
And the green that connects them all together.
The green? What you're seeing are memories of events that they've witnessed over the centuries.
You listen close enough, they'll tell you stories you won't even believe.
But why? What is the purpose of showing me all of this death? They're warning you.
There's danger here for someone you know.
A danger from the past, returning.
[CREAKING.]
[TEEN ABBY SCREAMS.]
Shawna! Shawna! Shawna! - Abby! - TEEN ABBY: Shawna! Maria.
Um I don't I don't want to fight.
I had to come.
She called you, didn't she? [SIGHS.]
I begged her not to, but You know how she gets when her mind's set.
I could never deny her.
Uh, I'll make this quick.
I just wanna make sure she's okay.
She's fine.
That girl has been a real blessing for this house.
And for me.
Can you hear her? [HUMMING SONG.]
Hmm? Ah, it's just like an angel.
[SAME SONG PLAYS ON RADIO.]
Are you crazy? Why did you do that? It's Smith Street Bridge.
You know what that means.
Go on.
She's waiting for you.
[SUSIE CONTINUES HUMMING.]
Hey, Susie.
Abby.
You actually came.
I'm surprised.
Why? Because when people really need you, you're never there.
I'm sorry you feel that way.
Do you mind if I do a quick exam and make sure everything's all right? Almost forgot.
You're a big-time doctor now.
Look at me.
Do you think I'm on something? You know I don't take drugs.
I know, I'm just checking, honey.
Everything looks great.
That song you were humming, - where did you hear it? - With you.
Don't you remember? It was our favorite.
Windows down, breeze in our hair, blasting the radio? Okay.
Breathe in for me.
[TAKES DEEP BREATH.]
Good.
Exhale for me.
Breathe out, Susie.
Susie.
Susie! You should see your face, Y-Bee.
What did you just call me? Seriously? That's your reverse name.
You were Y-Bee, and I was A-Shawn.
Susie, did Miss Sunderland put you up to this? Susie's not here anymore.
I won't let Mom replace me with this little nothing.
Okay.
Okay.
Convince me.
If you're Shawna, tell me why you're here.
[HIGH-PITCHED SCREECH.]
[LAUGHS.]
[DISTORTED.]
Save me, Abby.
Save me.
What do you want from me? To see you in that swamp, in that filthy water.
Dying, gasping for air, just the way that you left me.
You're not Shawna.
Shawna's dead.
'Cause of you.
What the hell did you do to her? Excuse me? Have you been filling her head with stories of Shawna? It's the only way she could have known our nicknames, - our song - I didn't tell her anything.
She knew.
Xanadu brought my Shawna back to me.
[SCOFFS.]
Madame Xanadu? You went to her? She warned me about you.
She told me that you were gonna try and convince me that Shawna wasn't really here.
That you were gonna try and take here away from me again.
You think I wanted Shawna to die? You hate me that much? Get out.
Get out of here before I call the police.
SUSIE: Mom? Oh, Shawna.
Oh, Shawna.
Everything's gonna be okay.
Everything's gonna be all right.
I promise.
I can't stay like this forever, you know.
Soon, I'll have to let Susie go.
The water's calling me back.
No, honey.
I can't lose you again, Shawna.
I can't be alone anymore.
Come with me to the swamp, Mom, and we can be together.
Forever.
WOMAN [ON VOICEMAIL.]
: Department of Child Services.
Leave me a message.
Hey, it's Abby Arcane.
Give me a call as soon as you get a second.
There's a situation we need to discuss.
MADAME XANADU: Abigail.
Shawna's come back, hasn't she? The little girl Maria's been watching, she's in danger.
I'm about to pull up outside Remy Dubois' shack.
COP: Oh, rat boy? [LUCILIA CHUCKLES.]
Harbormaster said he was actually working the dock the night of the Holland murder.
Thought he might have seen something.
- Copy that.
- [DOGS BARKING.]
Should I send Matt out your way? LUCILIA: Uh, negative.
I'll meet him back at the station.
This won't take long.
Smells good.
Thought you might be coming around.
[SIGHS.]
Why is that, Remy? You been breaking some laws? If I was any good at law-breaking, would I be eating a rat? Hmm.
To each their own.
Harbormaster said you might be stopping by.
Something to do with that scientist who died.
Logbook says that there was only one other boat besides Holland's that went out that night.
[CHUCKLES.]
And you want to know what I saw? You were the only person on duty that night.
[CHUCKLES.]
Yeah.
Damn strange.
Boat motors out, 20 minutes later, [CLICKS TONGUE.]
kaboom.
- If that's a murder - Spit it the fuck out, Remy.
[CHUCKLES.]
Let's just say, it don't look good for your boy Matt.
You're a fucking liar.
Funny thing is, I don't think your boy even knew I was there.
Office was dark, I was in the back.
Hmm, I sure saw him.
He's a strapping young man, Sheriff.
Who else knows about this? - Whoa.
- No one yet.
It's gonna cost you if you wanna keep it that way.
Remy.
Remy.
Put the gun down.
Come on, now.
We can just talk about this.
It's about money, right? Okay.
How much? 50,000.
I figure, even on a cop's salary, you'll be able to pull that together.
[SIGHS.]
Well, that might take some time, assuming I believe you.
Maybe you'd believe what I found on that boat when he got back.
Wrapper from some dynamite.
I figure Mr.
Sunderland might wanna chip in, too, since it was his boat old Matt was riding around in.
So you do whatever you gotta do [BREATHES HEAVILY.]
[CHOKING.]
Nobody ever fucking threatens my son.
10-45, shots fired.
I need a team at the residence of Remy Dubois.
I'm gonna need a coroner out here, too.
ABBY: What did you tell Maria? Her pain was overwhelming.
She could never let Shawna's death go.
I did what was asked of me, even though I knew it was wrong.
You don't actually think you brought Shawna back from the dead? I may have opened a door, but I think Shawna would have come even without my help.
Whatever it is that's making Susie behave this way, I knew Shawna better than anyone.
Okay? That's not her.
Darkness has twisted her spirit.
She's feeding off Maria's pain.
[SIGHS.]
I just want to find them before anyone gets hurt.
You're still angry.
Yeah.
I'm not eight years old anymore, watching my mother live and die by your advice.
Whatever you think of me now, I was only trying to help Anise.
My mom needed real help.
I'm waiting for you, Mother.
MARIA: Uh, I'm afraid.
Don't you love me? Don't you wanna be with me? Of course I do, honey.
Dr.
Arcane! [WHIMPERS.]
Susie, are you okay? No, I'm scared.
I think the bad girl's got Mrs.
Sunderland.
I woke up, and I saw her down by the swamp.
Come here.
Come here.
Take this.
Get Lieutenant Cable.
Maria! Maria! Maria.
Maria.
Maria! Maria! Maria, stop.
Maria, I'm sorry I killed Shawna.
She was my best friend, and not a day goes by that I don't think about her, and she died because of me, and I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
You're sorry? You shouldn't be sorry.
You should be dead! Maria.
Maria! Maria! Maria! [BREATHES HEAVILY.]
Stay with me, Maria.
Come on.
Come on, Maria.
Stay with me, Maria.
[GURGLES.]
[GROANS.]
[ABBY SOBBING.]
She came out here to be with Shawna.
The daughter that I took from her.
[SNIFFLES.]
How did you know we were here? I saw you.
You were in pain.
You saw me? In the water, under the bridge.
No, no, no.
That's impossible.
Shawna died 14 years ago.
[TIRES SCREECH.]
[POP SONG PLAYS ON RADIO.]
[BOTH GIGGLING.]
Come on, Y-Bee! Enjoy yourself for once.
[GIGGLES.]
Are you crazy? Why did you do that? Smith Street Bridge.
You know what that means.
- [GIGGLES.]
- You can't be serious.
No, absolutely not! - Yes, yes, yes! Come on, we gotta! - Shawna We're the only ones who haven't done the jump yet.
Shawna, it's 5:30 in the morning.
Your mom's gonna kill us.
Please, Y-bee! I mean, we graduate in two damn days! And then, who knows what? College? Maybe we'll never see each other again.
You don't always have to be such a good girl, you know, don't you ever wanna be bad just for, like, one second? Come on, come on.
Let's do it! I don't know, Shawna.
Please, Y-Bee! Come on! You first.
Abby! Shawna? Shawna! Shawna! Shawna? Shawna? Shawna.
Shawna! Shawna! Shawna! Shawna! [GIGGLES.]
You suck.
That was amazing.
You should see your face.
Oh, ha-ha, hilarious.
Fun time's over! Let's go home.
Or we could just enjoy the moment, Miss Buzzkill.
[GASPING.]
What the hell was that? - Give me a break.
- No.
I'm serious, Y-Bee.
Shawna? Shawna! Shawna! Shawna! [GASPS.]
Something took her.
It happened so fast that day.
Why that day? To bring me here.
[SIREN WAILING.]
I think it was a warning.
MATT: Abby! [LOW GROWL.]
Abby! Where are you? ABBY: Matt, over here! Abby.
Hold on, Mrs.
Sunderland.
The paramedics are on their way.
You're shivering.
[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING.]
You're gonna sit there staring at me all night? I'm a grown-ass man, Liz.
I can watch out for myself.
Hey, Daniel.
We're gonna see you at the zydeco barbecue this weekend? And every weekend after that, apparently.
Things are not going so well at the shop? It's a video store.
How do you think business is doing? Videotapes are just flying off the shelf.
What happened to your hand? Burnt the hell out of it.
That's not good.
Hey, Liz, can I ask you something? [CLEARS THROAT.]
Here.
Do you really like it here? I mean, really like it here in small town Marais? That's a broad question.
[CHUCKLES.]
You left once, right? One thing I don't like about small towns is how everyone knows everyone's business.
Sorry.
Thank you.
And some nuts, thanks.
Yeah, I left.
Studied journalism at Tulane, moved to New York right after graduation.
Thought I landed the dream job.
Fast forward a year, woke up one morning realizing I'd spent most of my time fixing typos and zero time reporting.
When Pops had a heart scare, I came back for good.
As much as I wanted a job on a big paper, I realized I like it here.
I gotta go.
- Have a good night.
- Good night.
Pops, I'll see you in the morning.
Okay, puddin'.
Oh, shit.
What the hell? Liz Tremayne? Sorry, don't know her.
You need to stay out of the pissing-people-off business.
Or what? Avery Sunderland's gonna have to do his own dirty work? Look, we're not playing around! [GROANS.]
Oh, God damn! [PANTING.]
Tell Avery he needs to get better help.
Hey, Liz! What's going on? Back off.
Daniel! Daniel.
Daniel! I think you fucking killed him! Come on, let's go.
Daniel! Where's Maria? Where's my wife? Mr.
Sunderland.
- Yes.
- She's okay.
Uh, she had a close call but she's stable.
Follow me.
Right this way.
Sunderland.
We need to talk.
Not now, Woodrue, my wife's in there.
This can't wait.
DOCTOR: Mr.
Sunderland, right this way.
What? The sample that Arcane recovered, it's, uh It's from a living creature.
We'll talk about this in the morning.
Hey, hey.
Hey.
You want to me to push this project forward, hmm? I need it alive on a table to study.
We gotta track it down.
I'm sorry, could you just please tell her I'll be right with her.
[CHUCKLES.]
You'd better be right.
I'm gonna give you a name.
Best hunter in the business.
Find it.
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING.]
EDDIE: So what's this really about, Sunderland? Buying a kid like this? She seems happy here.
AVERY: I just hope to God she's okay.
That's why I'm keeping Dr.
Woodrue on the payroll.
These numbers.
They can only refer to the thickness of a cell wall.
So it's either a plant, or an animal.
And what if I told you my entries are accurate? Well, the last ten million years of biology would disagree with you.
As would I.
- Hello, Gordon.
- Got nothing to say.
I know you've been making off-the-books loans to Avery Sutherland.
LIZ: It's him I want.
DANIEL: Have you seen anything more? About my mission? The cards aren't clear.
Not just about you.
About the future of this entire town.
MARGAUX: I think I found some debris from the explosion.
This is from Holland's boat.
Looks like someone shot him.
SWAMP THING: I'm scared for you, Abby.
This is only the beginning.
MARIA: Susie's in bed now.
To be honest, I thought it would take her a little bit longer to acclimate, after everything she's been through.
But she seems to like it here.
What time will you be back? Well, meeting's first thing in the morning, so I shouldn't be too late.
[CLATTERING.]
Maria? Maria? You there? Oh, sorry.
I I think that she might be awake.
Listen, thanks, Avery, for arranging all of this.
Well, you know, it's me that should be thanking you.
What for? For funding Dr.
Woodrue's research, you know.
With your help, he's gonna be able to keep little Susie healthy, and a lot of other people, too.
[MARIA LAUGHS.]
[THUDS.]
[CREAKING.]
I better go check on her, okay? Okay, yeah, you better, hon.
I'll see you tomorrow.
[CELL PHONE VIBRATING.]
Put that damn thing out and get your ass over here.
Yes, ma'am, Sheriff.
[THUNDER RUMBLING.]
Susie! Susie? Susie? - [BREATHES HEAVILY.]
- Susie.
What's wrong, honey? What happened? [BREATHES HEAVILY.]
There was someone standing there.
- She looked angry.
- Who? The girl from the pictures downstairs.
You just had a nightmare.
It's perfectly normal, new house, new bed.
You're so cold.
I'll get you a warmer blanket.
No, no, no.
Please.
Please don't go.
It's just in the hall closet, okay? I'll be right back.
You know, I used to have nightmares when I was a little girl.
And my mom would always bring me a warm blanket and make it all better.
[CRIES OUT.]
Susie.
Susie, where did you go? Susie.
Susie! [GASPS.]
Shawna! Shawna.
Shawna! Oh, God.
Shawna.
[GASPS.]
Oh, Shawna! [TEARFULLY.]
Oh.
[IN ETHEREAL VOICE.]
You tried to replace me.
First with Abby, and now with her.
No, I [CRIES.]
I never wanted that.
It was only you.
Shawna, I love you more than you'll ever know.
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING.]
Swamp Thing 1x05 Drive All Night ALEC: Just for future reference, yellow tag means - "especially active mutagenic site.
" - Note to self.
Check back every week to assess the insane plant growth in this area.
Yeah.
Yeah, this is good.
I don't know what's happening out here, but this is gonna be good for my career, I think, and could get my life back on track.
Knock on wood.
Something's coming.
Something good.
Everything's about to change.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
[SNARLS.]
[GROWLS.]
[GROWLS.]
[GASPS.]
What's happening to me? No.
Stop it.
I don't want to see this.
Make it stop! [ROB ORBISON'S "IN DREAMS" PLAYING.]
[MUSIC STOPS.]
BUTLER: Hey, how's the fishing around here? 'Cause the folks in town said the bass would jump right up in your boat.
You should leave now.
It's not safe here.
[SIGHS.]
I love it out here.
I really do.
The sweaty smells, the funky grass, the blossoms.
The trees.
I swear, when the wind's just right, you can hear 'em whispering their secrets.
The trees You can come on out of there if you want.
The fish are biting, not me.
Come on.
[LOW GROWL.]
You're not afraid of me.
Are you someone I should be afraid of? Not of who I was.
Of what I've become.
Hmm.
Transitions in life.
They can be difficult.
Caterpillar to butterfly, child to adult The process in life, it's, uh, it's never easy.
But what's in here? Nobody can take that away except for you.
[LOW GROWL.]
Who are you? [ROCK MUSIC PLAYING ON CAR RADIO.]
Do it.
Do it.
Shit! Aah! Shit! [BREATHES HEAVILY.]
All right.
I lived up to my end of the bargain.
I can leave now, right? [INDISTINCT WHISPERS.]
[WHISPERS CONTINUE.]
[SCREAMS.]
Help! Ahh! [GROANS.]
I was planted here to wait for Abby Arcane, right? Well, she's here.
And by the way, I saved her neck.
But instead of getting a gold star from my ride back to Hollywood, I get this again? I just wanted a break.
If I had known I'd be trapped in this hell, I never would have made that Argh! Shit.
Playing you definitely was not worth all this.
When I get back to LA, I'm selling your ass.
[MOANING.]
[LAUGHS.]
Oh! Whoa.
That was a What's gotten into you? I don't know.
[LAUGHS.]
After whatever it was that happened the other night, I guess I guess I just needed that.
But whatever it was that got into you, I hope it gets into you more often.
[LUCILIA CHUCKLES.]
AVERY: Mmm.
Where you going? - Come on, Avery.
- What are you doing? What, that's it? I got the room till noon.
Well [SIGHS.]
We both know that this works best when we just keep it short and sweet.
You know, there's some lines that we're better off not crossing.
You always wear that ring, don't you? Not always.
I remember the day I gave it to you.
It might be my favorite day I ever had.
[LUCILIA CHUCKLES.]
It was a long time ago.
You ever think about what might have been? You mean before Maria sashayed into town with her smiles and the bottomless bank account? Thought that Maria was one of those lines you're not supposed to cross.
Well, don't you worry, Avery.
You're still calling the shots.
Just like you always have.
[CELL PHONE VIBRATING.]
Ah, shit.
Liz Tremayne.
She already left me three messages last night.
Huh.
Really? What's that all about? She's asking about some evidence her girlfriend found up in Skeeter Cove.
A piece of aluminum skiff with blast marks and buckshot holes.
Proof that someone wanted Holland dead.
She's pushing for an investigation.
Well, what do you think? I think it would make for great copy in the weekly.
Ah, damn reporters.
Once they smell blood in the water Yeah.
Still, I gotta look into it.
Gotta solve this so-called murder before Tremayne beats me to it.
ABBY: This sample is unlike anything I've ever seen before.
The cells are expanding and contracting seemingly at will.
If destroyed, they regenerate, defying all laws of biology as we know it.
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but based on what I've seen in the past few days, I'm beginning to wonder if we're dealing with something beyond the known scope of science Like what? Uh, for instance.
ABBY: Jesus.
Do you ever knock? I was told I had free rein when I was provided hospital privileges.
Wise decision, since our resident CDC professional appears to be attributing the characteristics of a unique plant specimen to the boogeyman.
[LAUGHS.]
Doctor.
The plant sample you showed me earlier, I, uh I need to know where it came from.
I'm afraid that's a CDC professional matter now.
Regenerative powers within those cells would revolutionize treatment for a host of genetic diseases.
Yes.
And wouldn't you like to see your name on top of the journal article announcing that discovery.
Dr.
Arcane, did your discovery have anything to do with Alec Holland? What What makes you think that? Hmm.
Holland was the only scientist And I use that word advisedly, in this backwater.
He had that lab back in the swamp.
It seems reasonable that during the course of his work, he may have come across your material.
So, um, does it? Have anything to do with Alec Holland? [CHUCKLES.]
[CELL PHONE VIBRATING.]
You know what? I have to take this.
Excuse me, Dr.
Woodrue.
Susie? No, no.
It's okay, I'll be right there.
Good morning, Delroy.
Mr.
Avery? You're up early.
Yeah, I woke up this morning with a powerful hunger for turtle soup.
Hmm.
I took the liberty of using my key to help myself to your kitchen.
Although technically, I guess it's my kitchen, 'cause I do own the property.
[CHUCKLES.]
You came all this way for soup? Well, actually, Delroy, I wanted to see you.
You know better than anyone how hard I've worked my ass off for this town, you know? I know folks appreciate that.
Do they? Because sometimes, I wonder, you know Seemed like every time I'm just about to land that big white whale, there's somebody trying to tear me down.
Take your daughter Liz, for instance.
Now, for some reason, she is hell-bent on digging up dirt about me.
Mind you, there's nothing for her to find, I just need her to ease up a little bit.
You know, for the good of the town, of course.
And I was hoping that you could maybe talk to her and pass on what we discussed.
In your own words, Delroy.
Taste.
I'd just as soon not.
Taste.
Taste it yourself, Sunderland.
Pops, the contractor's outside to talk about the repairs.
Go ahead.
I'll be fine.
I'll be right outside.
Good morning, Liz.
Would you like some turtle soup? You think bullying my father's gonna shut me up? Must be hitting pretty close to the bone.
Oh, come on now, Liz.
Let's not do this.
I've known you since you were a little baby.
Where's your banker, Sunderland? My banker? Let me see.
Well, I think that man was exhausted.
And I believe he went on a vacation.
That's what I was told.
The same night he was gonna talk to me about some bullshit loans you made to the Sunderland Corporation? A few days after Alec Holland went up in flames.
Oh, you've got this all figured out, don't you? Let me ask you something, girl.
If I was really capable of doing the things that you imagine that I've done, do you really think I'd let a piece of bar trash get in my way? What do you got? You got a piece of a shot-up boat.
You got a banker that went on vacation.
What else you got? I think that might be it.
So do yourself, your old man, and this whole town a favor.
You leave me alone.
[SNICKERS.]
Might have been a time in this town when a Sunderland snapped his fingers and folks jumped.
But that time has passed.
Stay the hell away from my dad.
[SIGHS.]
You enjoy that soup, Liz.
[FROGS CROAKING.]
Ol' Avery built this here place maybe like seven years ago.
That boy has been screwing around these waters for long as anyone can remember.
You're certain this is where Alec Holland did his research? Yes, sir.
Delivered some equipment to him a few months back when he was just getting set up.
Perhaps you should have delivered him a custodian as well.
Looks like something nasty busted up through the hatch.
Tore this place up good.
Must've been big.
What are you rolling around there, Doc? [BREATH TREMBLES.]
It's possible that I've been thinking too small.
Why have you brought me here? You sure it was me? Maybe it was this place that called you.
Who are you? Just a passing stranger.
Maybe a phantom from a dream trying to help you understand the things you already know.
You know, some of these old cypress can live to be a thousand years old.
Can you imagine the things that they've seen in their time? You've seen some things out here, too, haven't you? I've seen ghosts.
That's one way to think of it.
- Perhaps there's another way.
- [GROWLS.]
[ETHEREAL WHISPERS.]
Memories held by the trees.
And the green that connects them all together.
The green? What you're seeing are memories of events that they've witnessed over the centuries.
You listen close enough, they'll tell you stories you won't even believe.
But why? What is the purpose of showing me all of this death? They're warning you.
There's danger here for someone you know.
A danger from the past, returning.
[CREAKING.]
[TEEN ABBY SCREAMS.]
Shawna! Shawna! Shawna! - Abby! - TEEN ABBY: Shawna! Maria.
Um I don't I don't want to fight.
I had to come.
She called you, didn't she? [SIGHS.]
I begged her not to, but You know how she gets when her mind's set.
I could never deny her.
Uh, I'll make this quick.
I just wanna make sure she's okay.
She's fine.
That girl has been a real blessing for this house.
And for me.
Can you hear her? [HUMMING SONG.]
Hmm? Ah, it's just like an angel.
[SAME SONG PLAYS ON RADIO.]
Are you crazy? Why did you do that? It's Smith Street Bridge.
You know what that means.
Go on.
She's waiting for you.
[SUSIE CONTINUES HUMMING.]
Hey, Susie.
Abby.
You actually came.
I'm surprised.
Why? Because when people really need you, you're never there.
I'm sorry you feel that way.
Do you mind if I do a quick exam and make sure everything's all right? Almost forgot.
You're a big-time doctor now.
Look at me.
Do you think I'm on something? You know I don't take drugs.
I know, I'm just checking, honey.
Everything looks great.
That song you were humming, - where did you hear it? - With you.
Don't you remember? It was our favorite.
Windows down, breeze in our hair, blasting the radio? Okay.
Breathe in for me.
[TAKES DEEP BREATH.]
Good.
Exhale for me.
Breathe out, Susie.
Susie.
Susie! You should see your face, Y-Bee.
What did you just call me? Seriously? That's your reverse name.
You were Y-Bee, and I was A-Shawn.
Susie, did Miss Sunderland put you up to this? Susie's not here anymore.
I won't let Mom replace me with this little nothing.
Okay.
Okay.
Convince me.
If you're Shawna, tell me why you're here.
[HIGH-PITCHED SCREECH.]
[LAUGHS.]
[DISTORTED.]
Save me, Abby.
Save me.
What do you want from me? To see you in that swamp, in that filthy water.
Dying, gasping for air, just the way that you left me.
You're not Shawna.
Shawna's dead.
'Cause of you.
What the hell did you do to her? Excuse me? Have you been filling her head with stories of Shawna? It's the only way she could have known our nicknames, - our song - I didn't tell her anything.
She knew.
Xanadu brought my Shawna back to me.
[SCOFFS.]
Madame Xanadu? You went to her? She warned me about you.
She told me that you were gonna try and convince me that Shawna wasn't really here.
That you were gonna try and take here away from me again.
You think I wanted Shawna to die? You hate me that much? Get out.
Get out of here before I call the police.
SUSIE: Mom? Oh, Shawna.
Oh, Shawna.
Everything's gonna be okay.
Everything's gonna be all right.
I promise.
I can't stay like this forever, you know.
Soon, I'll have to let Susie go.
The water's calling me back.
No, honey.
I can't lose you again, Shawna.
I can't be alone anymore.
Come with me to the swamp, Mom, and we can be together.
Forever.
WOMAN [ON VOICEMAIL.]
: Department of Child Services.
Leave me a message.
Hey, it's Abby Arcane.
Give me a call as soon as you get a second.
There's a situation we need to discuss.
MADAME XANADU: Abigail.
Shawna's come back, hasn't she? The little girl Maria's been watching, she's in danger.
I'm about to pull up outside Remy Dubois' shack.
COP: Oh, rat boy? [LUCILIA CHUCKLES.]
Harbormaster said he was actually working the dock the night of the Holland murder.
Thought he might have seen something.
- Copy that.
- [DOGS BARKING.]
Should I send Matt out your way? LUCILIA: Uh, negative.
I'll meet him back at the station.
This won't take long.
Smells good.
Thought you might be coming around.
[SIGHS.]
Why is that, Remy? You been breaking some laws? If I was any good at law-breaking, would I be eating a rat? Hmm.
To each their own.
Harbormaster said you might be stopping by.
Something to do with that scientist who died.
Logbook says that there was only one other boat besides Holland's that went out that night.
[CHUCKLES.]
And you want to know what I saw? You were the only person on duty that night.
[CHUCKLES.]
Yeah.
Damn strange.
Boat motors out, 20 minutes later, [CLICKS TONGUE.]
kaboom.
- If that's a murder - Spit it the fuck out, Remy.
[CHUCKLES.]
Let's just say, it don't look good for your boy Matt.
You're a fucking liar.
Funny thing is, I don't think your boy even knew I was there.
Office was dark, I was in the back.
Hmm, I sure saw him.
He's a strapping young man, Sheriff.
Who else knows about this? - Whoa.
- No one yet.
It's gonna cost you if you wanna keep it that way.
Remy.
Remy.
Put the gun down.
Come on, now.
We can just talk about this.
It's about money, right? Okay.
How much? 50,000.
I figure, even on a cop's salary, you'll be able to pull that together.
[SIGHS.]
Well, that might take some time, assuming I believe you.
Maybe you'd believe what I found on that boat when he got back.
Wrapper from some dynamite.
I figure Mr.
Sunderland might wanna chip in, too, since it was his boat old Matt was riding around in.
So you do whatever you gotta do [BREATHES HEAVILY.]
[CHOKING.]
Nobody ever fucking threatens my son.
10-45, shots fired.
I need a team at the residence of Remy Dubois.
I'm gonna need a coroner out here, too.
ABBY: What did you tell Maria? Her pain was overwhelming.
She could never let Shawna's death go.
I did what was asked of me, even though I knew it was wrong.
You don't actually think you brought Shawna back from the dead? I may have opened a door, but I think Shawna would have come even without my help.
Whatever it is that's making Susie behave this way, I knew Shawna better than anyone.
Okay? That's not her.
Darkness has twisted her spirit.
She's feeding off Maria's pain.
[SIGHS.]
I just want to find them before anyone gets hurt.
You're still angry.
Yeah.
I'm not eight years old anymore, watching my mother live and die by your advice.
Whatever you think of me now, I was only trying to help Anise.
My mom needed real help.
I'm waiting for you, Mother.
MARIA: Uh, I'm afraid.
Don't you love me? Don't you wanna be with me? Of course I do, honey.
Dr.
Arcane! [WHIMPERS.]
Susie, are you okay? No, I'm scared.
I think the bad girl's got Mrs.
Sunderland.
I woke up, and I saw her down by the swamp.
Come here.
Come here.
Take this.
Get Lieutenant Cable.
Maria! Maria! Maria.
Maria.
Maria! Maria! Maria, stop.
Maria, I'm sorry I killed Shawna.
She was my best friend, and not a day goes by that I don't think about her, and she died because of me, and I'm so sorry.
I'm so sorry.
You're sorry? You shouldn't be sorry.
You should be dead! Maria.
Maria! Maria! Maria! [BREATHES HEAVILY.]
Stay with me, Maria.
Come on.
Come on, Maria.
Stay with me, Maria.
[GURGLES.]
[GROANS.]
[ABBY SOBBING.]
She came out here to be with Shawna.
The daughter that I took from her.
[SNIFFLES.]
How did you know we were here? I saw you.
You were in pain.
You saw me? In the water, under the bridge.
No, no, no.
That's impossible.
Shawna died 14 years ago.
[TIRES SCREECH.]
[POP SONG PLAYS ON RADIO.]
[BOTH GIGGLING.]
Come on, Y-Bee! Enjoy yourself for once.
[GIGGLES.]
Are you crazy? Why did you do that? Smith Street Bridge.
You know what that means.
- [GIGGLES.]
- You can't be serious.
No, absolutely not! - Yes, yes, yes! Come on, we gotta! - Shawna We're the only ones who haven't done the jump yet.
Shawna, it's 5:30 in the morning.
Your mom's gonna kill us.
Please, Y-bee! I mean, we graduate in two damn days! And then, who knows what? College? Maybe we'll never see each other again.
You don't always have to be such a good girl, you know, don't you ever wanna be bad just for, like, one second? Come on, come on.
Let's do it! I don't know, Shawna.
Please, Y-Bee! Come on! You first.
Abby! Shawna? Shawna! Shawna! Shawna? Shawna? Shawna.
Shawna! Shawna! Shawna! Shawna! [GIGGLES.]
You suck.
That was amazing.
You should see your face.
Oh, ha-ha, hilarious.
Fun time's over! Let's go home.
Or we could just enjoy the moment, Miss Buzzkill.
[GASPING.]
What the hell was that? - Give me a break.
- No.
I'm serious, Y-Bee.
Shawna? Shawna! Shawna! Shawna! [GASPS.]
Something took her.
It happened so fast that day.
Why that day? To bring me here.
[SIREN WAILING.]
I think it was a warning.
MATT: Abby! [LOW GROWL.]
Abby! Where are you? ABBY: Matt, over here! Abby.
Hold on, Mrs.
Sunderland.
The paramedics are on their way.
You're shivering.
[COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING.]
You're gonna sit there staring at me all night? I'm a grown-ass man, Liz.
I can watch out for myself.
Hey, Daniel.
We're gonna see you at the zydeco barbecue this weekend? And every weekend after that, apparently.
Things are not going so well at the shop? It's a video store.
How do you think business is doing? Videotapes are just flying off the shelf.
What happened to your hand? Burnt the hell out of it.
That's not good.
Hey, Liz, can I ask you something? [CLEARS THROAT.]
Here.
Do you really like it here? I mean, really like it here in small town Marais? That's a broad question.
[CHUCKLES.]
You left once, right? One thing I don't like about small towns is how everyone knows everyone's business.
Sorry.
Thank you.
And some nuts, thanks.
Yeah, I left.
Studied journalism at Tulane, moved to New York right after graduation.
Thought I landed the dream job.
Fast forward a year, woke up one morning realizing I'd spent most of my time fixing typos and zero time reporting.
When Pops had a heart scare, I came back for good.
As much as I wanted a job on a big paper, I realized I like it here.
I gotta go.
- Have a good night.
- Good night.
Pops, I'll see you in the morning.
Okay, puddin'.
Oh, shit.
What the hell? Liz Tremayne? Sorry, don't know her.
You need to stay out of the pissing-people-off business.
Or what? Avery Sunderland's gonna have to do his own dirty work? Look, we're not playing around! [GROANS.]
Oh, God damn! [PANTING.]
Tell Avery he needs to get better help.
Hey, Liz! What's going on? Back off.
Daniel! Daniel.
Daniel! I think you fucking killed him! Come on, let's go.
Daniel! Where's Maria? Where's my wife? Mr.
Sunderland.
- Yes.
- She's okay.
Uh, she had a close call but she's stable.
Follow me.
Right this way.
Sunderland.
We need to talk.
Not now, Woodrue, my wife's in there.
This can't wait.
DOCTOR: Mr.
Sunderland, right this way.
What? The sample that Arcane recovered, it's, uh It's from a living creature.
We'll talk about this in the morning.
Hey, hey.
Hey.
You want to me to push this project forward, hmm? I need it alive on a table to study.
We gotta track it down.
I'm sorry, could you just please tell her I'll be right with her.
[CHUCKLES.]
You'd better be right.
I'm gonna give you a name.
Best hunter in the business.
Find it.
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING.]