The Adventures of Superboy (1988) s01e21 Episode Script
Mutant
[music continues]
[music continues]
There's something about
this poetry crowd
that just makes
my intellectual juices flow.
Well, don't forget to take
the lens cap off the camera.
Ahh!
(male cop #1) Let me
understand this, young man.
If this kidnappers
were unarmed--
He didn't say that.
He said they weren't
carrying guns.
You insist on sticking
with this
strange business
about the jewelry.
- Yeah, they were rings.
- Rings, right.
Rings that zapped you
with ray beams?
They left me stunned..
I looked up, and the kidnappers,
they were all gone.
I'm doing
a drug test on him.
- I don't do drugs.
- I can vouch for that.
I'll vouch
for both of them.
Look these are
journalism students.
They're trained to be
objective observers.
Oh, I'll make a note.
If these creatures
are so strange
why didn't you
take photographs?
That's what you're studying,
Photojournalism.
I wasn't with Clark.
I mean, I was covering uh,
poetry recital.
I never made it to
the poetry recital. I..
There were just too many
photo opportunities
standing around
outside the door.
(male cop #1)
Objective observation, Harris.
This is hardly what I'd call
a credible witness.
It's just a personality
defect, I have.
When I try to come across
sincere, it doesn't work.
That's why
I don't do presents.
In my comedy act,
I mean.
Look kid, why don't you quit
while your ahead?
Now, Kent.
You say, you saw
the professor put
into a spaceship.
Not sure about the ship,
but yes.
Suppose I tell you there'd
been no aircraft sightings
of any kind on any radar screen
in the immediate vicinity.
I believe you.
And yet, you saw this spaceship
land on the roof.
He told you
he didn't see it land.
It was already
sitting there.
Make a note.
Now, when you went
to help the professor
this woman that you described,
pointed her rings at you
you became disoriented and then
when you could see straight
this vehicle went bye-bye.
I don't know where it went.
Without a single
radar bleep?
I wish I could
explain, I'm sorry.
You'll have plenty of time.
Hold them for questioning.
(male cop #2) I said
I'd vouch for them.
I'm releasing them,
under their own recognizance.
He's reviving.
Professor Lipcott.
We've gone to a great deal
of trouble to bring you here.
You..
You attacked me,
you and these mutants.
Uh, she is the mutant.
Who are you?
Where are you from?
- What do you want of me?
- Plutonium.
- What?
- We need Plutonium.
And since you're
the leading expert
in that field in this era,
you have access to it.
Plutonium is not
a thing people keep
or give away
like a Christmas present.
It's absurd.
[ray beam buzzing]
Ahh!
You know it'd kill him.
There's no necessity
for pain yet.
Always with a reasonable
approach for..
Yes. But I get results.
We don't have time
to be too reasonable.
I don't know what planet
you are from.
But here, we consider what
you're doing to be torture.
We are from this planet.
From the 24th century.
You will get us
what we need.
It won't affect you
in this time.
But your technology
is so advanced.
Why did you come back
here for plutonium?
There is none left
on earth at our time
nor the materials
to make it.
Plutonium is the main
component of nuclear weapons.
Exactly. And we need it
to defend ourselves
against our enemies
who wish to destroy us.
I'm sorry.
I refuse to participate
in that obscene process again.
You will take us to where
the plutonium is stored.
You will get us through
the alarm system.
Absolutely not.
[ray beam buzzing]
[groaning]
Hey, listen to this, guys.
"Professor Craig Lipcott
"one of the pioneers
in super conductor research
got a Nobel Prize
for his work."
Why Lipcott? We've gotta
do better than that.
There were hundreds of
scientists at the convention.
[fax machine clunking]
This could be something.
"Professor Craig Lipcott.
Crescent County
Radio Chemical Refinery."
Well, come on, Clark, give.
He established
the plutonium process there
and set up
the security system.
That's what
they wanted him for.
So, we can pin point
the place.
We just can't waltz into
a plutonium plant and say
"Hey, guys, there's these
weirdos from outer space
and they wanna
hijack your product?"
We're not waltzing
in anywhere, okay?
I think, you believe my story,
about as much as the FBI agent.
The more reason to need me,
to certify your sanity.
T.J., look, I feel like
this is my problem, okay?
Nobody in this group
has monopoly on problems.
Share and share alike,
remember?
And T.J.'s right.
We can't just get in to maximum
security without authorization.
You guys go to the front desk
and ask for two passes
in Dr. Baxter's name.
He's a consultant
at the plant.
He gave me an "A" on my
physics seminar last quarter
and a standing invitation
to tour the chemical plant.
Alright!
What are we waiting for?
The phone number
is at my dorm.
Well, come on, Clark!
Bring the van around back.
I'm gonna leave a note
for Superboy.
Sorry, the van's
in the shop, I forgot.
But Lana's lending us her Jeep.
So let's go, huh?
With any luck,
Superboy will be here soon.
Hope he finds the note
I left for him.
Who says this is a job
for Superboy?
You don't know
what we're into.
We could be
way over our heads.
Clark, one of these days,
you just got to develop
some self reliance.
Learn to be your
own man, you know?
Listen, take it from me.
A guy can't go through his life
waiting for a Superboy
to get him out of every tough
spot he finds himself in.
When you're right,
you're right, man.
Yeah.
Tell you what?
Let's circle around..
You head up that way.
Remember, if you see anything
even remotely suspicious
please communicate
through these.
Okay.
[ominous music]
[ray beam buzzing]
Ah!
Sister One to T.J.
Come in, T.J.
T.J.
Clark..
[distorted voice]
Clark!
[dramatic music]
I must say,
it's been great pleasure for me
to interrelate with you.
I've always been a great fan
of aliens. I mean that.
Because when you
come down to it
an alien is just a friend
you haven't met yet.
Am I right,
or am I right?
Right.
He speaks much,
but says nothing.
Live and let live.
That's my motto, huh?
You know,
I can see you folks
as a really great
photo essay for National Geo.
He amuses.
Oh, thanks for saying that.
That's-that's really nice
'cause I plan
to getting into comedies..
Comedy is my life, actually.
Right now, for instance,
I'm working on my impression
of the Presidents.
[electric buzzing]
Oh!
Vora finds him amusing.
Perhaps we should
take him back as her pet.
No-no, Ino, um,
I have no pedigree.
See, m-my father was a male,
my mother from the opposite sex.
It was a really bad
combination. Really bad.
You noticed, the mouth
never stops moving.
Perhaps, young man,
you can convince the professor
to help us. If he does,
no harm will come to him.
Professor, I don't,
I'm not sure what they want.
But if it's at all reasonable,
we should consider it
because harm can be
very painful.
They want us to start
an atomic war.
Look at them.
Living proof of what
radiation does to the genes.
They wanna go back
to that stupidity.
Perhaps, the proper inducement
has not been used.
Now, professor.
You will get us through
the security system
or I will implode
the young man's cranium.
Wo-ho! Let's-let's,
let's talk about this, guys.
It's better
to sacrifice one life
than the lives of millions.
Why waste time?
A little more pain.
[screaming]
What does this accomplish?
- Is he dead?
- He's still breathing.
L-look, Hol, before you
do anything crazy..
Can I call you "Hol?"
You just better
think this through a bit.
Y-you mess with me,
and you get on the wrong side
of a really tough dude.
His name is Superboy, and
he eats aliens for breakfast.
And he's looking for me
right now.
You and Superboy.
You are acquainted?
Yeah, we're as close
as time and space.
It's him, me and Clark.
And Clark sent him
a message, loud and clear.
Perhaps, change in strategy
is in order.
That's what I
like about you, Hol.
You're always thinkin'.
If Superboy is as formidable
as our records suggest
he should be able
to get us past the security.
(Hol) Go, Vora, and
bring him to us.
Hello.
We met briefly.
On the roof of the hotel.
I haven't forgotten you.
I had this blinding headache.
I am sorry.
That will not happen again.
We have come as friends.
That's why you kidnapped
Professor Lipcott
and T.J. White?
(Vora) An unforgiveable
breach. We had no choice.
We're fighting for survival.
And I suppose your survival
depends on endangering
the lives of others.
(Vora)
Unfortunately, yes.
It's the pressure I must use
to force you to help us.
So to this point, my friend
and the professor are okay?
Yes, Professor Lipcott
has had some pain
and he is in a semi-conscious
state, but he will recover
with no ill effect..
Oh, now please don't be angry.
Look, there was a nuclear war.
Though some other species
did survive the radiation,
but the survivors
destroyed most technology,
including all weapons of war.
Then, over the years..
population of the earth,
it increased slowly.
Progress was made..
Progress?
To the point where nuclear
weapons are needed again.
We don't want war.
Our enemies do.
Don't you understand?
It's the same talk
before every war.
Don't fall into that trap.
You must tell your people that--
I can't tell them.
You don't know how hard
I had to work to be accepted.
I'm a mutant.
Yes, a genetic throwback to
the time before the great war.
I know what it's like to be
different from everyone else.
There are no others
like you in this era?
None that I know of.
At least, you know
where you come from.
And you don't.
If there's going to be help
it won't come
from a nuclear bomb.
It's got to come
from people like you.
They, uh, want me to bring
you into the time machine.
Let's go.
Superboy.
Not again!
Hol, what are you doing?
Neutralizing his ability
to rescue his friend.
You may be fast enough
to stop me.
But if not, my imploder
will compress his skull
to the size of a walnut.
Dare you take that risk.
[ominous music]
I'll do what you want.
Wait outside.
Hol, don't you think
we should try--
Prepare for departure.
If he gives you any trouble,
don't hesitate. He's expendable.
Why am I always the one
to get his head imploded?
It's not fair.
[dramatic music]
(Hol) Well, what
are you waiting for?
(Adio)
Amazing. Let's move.
[music continues]
[music continues]
[device beeping]
[music continues]
- I'll take that.
- No, you won't.
[groaning]
(Superboy)
Are you okay?
Superboy, be careful.
Don't trust her.
T-they're taking Lipcott back
with them to build their bombs.
You're all alone now, Vora.
Your future depends
entirely upon you.
You brought the plutonium?
Leave it.
And you can take the boy.
[intense music]
I can't do that, Vora.
(Vora)
Don't push me, Superboy.
I'm still one of them.
You're more than that.
Give the plutonium
or I'll kill him.
[music continues]
[sighing]
How'd you know
I wouldn't shoot?
You and I have far
too much in common.
Well, you could have fooled me.
The return trip will deplete
most of our energy grid.
We'll never have enough power
to travel through time again.
You don't have to go,
do you?
I belong with my people.
Maybe they'll listen.
I'm going to miss you.
Hol and Adio will be furious
when they discover
we left without the plutonium.
I couldn't let you have it.
It had to be returned.
Goodbye, Superboy.
I'll never forget you.
[mellow music]
(Lipcott) At least the
people of Vora's era
have a fighting chance
of survival.
Thanks to you,
Superboy..
Where is he?
I wanted to thank him.
I'll tell him.
You know something, professor?
I don't think any of us
are gonna forget her.
(Clark on radio)
- T.J., where are you? - Where are you, Clark?
I'll tell you where I was.
I was in a time machine
where I met Lipcott
and three of the
strangest people.
And you know
something, Clark?
It's a good thing your message
got through to Superboy.
[theme music]
Captioned by Grant Brown
[music continues]
There's something about
this poetry crowd
that just makes
my intellectual juices flow.
Well, don't forget to take
the lens cap off the camera.
Ahh!
(male cop #1) Let me
understand this, young man.
If this kidnappers
were unarmed--
He didn't say that.
He said they weren't
carrying guns.
You insist on sticking
with this
strange business
about the jewelry.
- Yeah, they were rings.
- Rings, right.
Rings that zapped you
with ray beams?
They left me stunned..
I looked up, and the kidnappers,
they were all gone.
I'm doing
a drug test on him.
- I don't do drugs.
- I can vouch for that.
I'll vouch
for both of them.
Look these are
journalism students.
They're trained to be
objective observers.
Oh, I'll make a note.
If these creatures
are so strange
why didn't you
take photographs?
That's what you're studying,
Photojournalism.
I wasn't with Clark.
I mean, I was covering uh,
poetry recital.
I never made it to
the poetry recital. I..
There were just too many
photo opportunities
standing around
outside the door.
(male cop #1)
Objective observation, Harris.
This is hardly what I'd call
a credible witness.
It's just a personality
defect, I have.
When I try to come across
sincere, it doesn't work.
That's why
I don't do presents.
In my comedy act,
I mean.
Look kid, why don't you quit
while your ahead?
Now, Kent.
You say, you saw
the professor put
into a spaceship.
Not sure about the ship,
but yes.
Suppose I tell you there'd
been no aircraft sightings
of any kind on any radar screen
in the immediate vicinity.
I believe you.
And yet, you saw this spaceship
land on the roof.
He told you
he didn't see it land.
It was already
sitting there.
Make a note.
Now, when you went
to help the professor
this woman that you described,
pointed her rings at you
you became disoriented and then
when you could see straight
this vehicle went bye-bye.
I don't know where it went.
Without a single
radar bleep?
I wish I could
explain, I'm sorry.
You'll have plenty of time.
Hold them for questioning.
(male cop #2) I said
I'd vouch for them.
I'm releasing them,
under their own recognizance.
He's reviving.
Professor Lipcott.
We've gone to a great deal
of trouble to bring you here.
You..
You attacked me,
you and these mutants.
Uh, she is the mutant.
Who are you?
Where are you from?
- What do you want of me?
- Plutonium.
- What?
- We need Plutonium.
And since you're
the leading expert
in that field in this era,
you have access to it.
Plutonium is not
a thing people keep
or give away
like a Christmas present.
It's absurd.
[ray beam buzzing]
Ahh!
You know it'd kill him.
There's no necessity
for pain yet.
Always with a reasonable
approach for..
Yes. But I get results.
We don't have time
to be too reasonable.
I don't know what planet
you are from.
But here, we consider what
you're doing to be torture.
We are from this planet.
From the 24th century.
You will get us
what we need.
It won't affect you
in this time.
But your technology
is so advanced.
Why did you come back
here for plutonium?
There is none left
on earth at our time
nor the materials
to make it.
Plutonium is the main
component of nuclear weapons.
Exactly. And we need it
to defend ourselves
against our enemies
who wish to destroy us.
I'm sorry.
I refuse to participate
in that obscene process again.
You will take us to where
the plutonium is stored.
You will get us through
the alarm system.
Absolutely not.
[ray beam buzzing]
[groaning]
Hey, listen to this, guys.
"Professor Craig Lipcott
"one of the pioneers
in super conductor research
got a Nobel Prize
for his work."
Why Lipcott? We've gotta
do better than that.
There were hundreds of
scientists at the convention.
[fax machine clunking]
This could be something.
"Professor Craig Lipcott.
Crescent County
Radio Chemical Refinery."
Well, come on, Clark, give.
He established
the plutonium process there
and set up
the security system.
That's what
they wanted him for.
So, we can pin point
the place.
We just can't waltz into
a plutonium plant and say
"Hey, guys, there's these
weirdos from outer space
and they wanna
hijack your product?"
We're not waltzing
in anywhere, okay?
I think, you believe my story,
about as much as the FBI agent.
The more reason to need me,
to certify your sanity.
T.J., look, I feel like
this is my problem, okay?
Nobody in this group
has monopoly on problems.
Share and share alike,
remember?
And T.J.'s right.
We can't just get in to maximum
security without authorization.
You guys go to the front desk
and ask for two passes
in Dr. Baxter's name.
He's a consultant
at the plant.
He gave me an "A" on my
physics seminar last quarter
and a standing invitation
to tour the chemical plant.
Alright!
What are we waiting for?
The phone number
is at my dorm.
Well, come on, Clark!
Bring the van around back.
I'm gonna leave a note
for Superboy.
Sorry, the van's
in the shop, I forgot.
But Lana's lending us her Jeep.
So let's go, huh?
With any luck,
Superboy will be here soon.
Hope he finds the note
I left for him.
Who says this is a job
for Superboy?
You don't know
what we're into.
We could be
way over our heads.
Clark, one of these days,
you just got to develop
some self reliance.
Learn to be your
own man, you know?
Listen, take it from me.
A guy can't go through his life
waiting for a Superboy
to get him out of every tough
spot he finds himself in.
When you're right,
you're right, man.
Yeah.
Tell you what?
Let's circle around..
You head up that way.
Remember, if you see anything
even remotely suspicious
please communicate
through these.
Okay.
[ominous music]
[ray beam buzzing]
Ah!
Sister One to T.J.
Come in, T.J.
T.J.
Clark..
[distorted voice]
Clark!
[dramatic music]
I must say,
it's been great pleasure for me
to interrelate with you.
I've always been a great fan
of aliens. I mean that.
Because when you
come down to it
an alien is just a friend
you haven't met yet.
Am I right,
or am I right?
Right.
He speaks much,
but says nothing.
Live and let live.
That's my motto, huh?
You know,
I can see you folks
as a really great
photo essay for National Geo.
He amuses.
Oh, thanks for saying that.
That's-that's really nice
'cause I plan
to getting into comedies..
Comedy is my life, actually.
Right now, for instance,
I'm working on my impression
of the Presidents.
[electric buzzing]
Oh!
Vora finds him amusing.
Perhaps we should
take him back as her pet.
No-no, Ino, um,
I have no pedigree.
See, m-my father was a male,
my mother from the opposite sex.
It was a really bad
combination. Really bad.
You noticed, the mouth
never stops moving.
Perhaps, young man,
you can convince the professor
to help us. If he does,
no harm will come to him.
Professor, I don't,
I'm not sure what they want.
But if it's at all reasonable,
we should consider it
because harm can be
very painful.
They want us to start
an atomic war.
Look at them.
Living proof of what
radiation does to the genes.
They wanna go back
to that stupidity.
Perhaps, the proper inducement
has not been used.
Now, professor.
You will get us through
the security system
or I will implode
the young man's cranium.
Wo-ho! Let's-let's,
let's talk about this, guys.
It's better
to sacrifice one life
than the lives of millions.
Why waste time?
A little more pain.
[screaming]
What does this accomplish?
- Is he dead?
- He's still breathing.
L-look, Hol, before you
do anything crazy..
Can I call you "Hol?"
You just better
think this through a bit.
Y-you mess with me,
and you get on the wrong side
of a really tough dude.
His name is Superboy, and
he eats aliens for breakfast.
And he's looking for me
right now.
You and Superboy.
You are acquainted?
Yeah, we're as close
as time and space.
It's him, me and Clark.
And Clark sent him
a message, loud and clear.
Perhaps, change in strategy
is in order.
That's what I
like about you, Hol.
You're always thinkin'.
If Superboy is as formidable
as our records suggest
he should be able
to get us past the security.
(Hol) Go, Vora, and
bring him to us.
Hello.
We met briefly.
On the roof of the hotel.
I haven't forgotten you.
I had this blinding headache.
I am sorry.
That will not happen again.
We have come as friends.
That's why you kidnapped
Professor Lipcott
and T.J. White?
(Vora) An unforgiveable
breach. We had no choice.
We're fighting for survival.
And I suppose your survival
depends on endangering
the lives of others.
(Vora)
Unfortunately, yes.
It's the pressure I must use
to force you to help us.
So to this point, my friend
and the professor are okay?
Yes, Professor Lipcott
has had some pain
and he is in a semi-conscious
state, but he will recover
with no ill effect..
Oh, now please don't be angry.
Look, there was a nuclear war.
Though some other species
did survive the radiation,
but the survivors
destroyed most technology,
including all weapons of war.
Then, over the years..
population of the earth,
it increased slowly.
Progress was made..
Progress?
To the point where nuclear
weapons are needed again.
We don't want war.
Our enemies do.
Don't you understand?
It's the same talk
before every war.
Don't fall into that trap.
You must tell your people that--
I can't tell them.
You don't know how hard
I had to work to be accepted.
I'm a mutant.
Yes, a genetic throwback to
the time before the great war.
I know what it's like to be
different from everyone else.
There are no others
like you in this era?
None that I know of.
At least, you know
where you come from.
And you don't.
If there's going to be help
it won't come
from a nuclear bomb.
It's got to come
from people like you.
They, uh, want me to bring
you into the time machine.
Let's go.
Superboy.
Not again!
Hol, what are you doing?
Neutralizing his ability
to rescue his friend.
You may be fast enough
to stop me.
But if not, my imploder
will compress his skull
to the size of a walnut.
Dare you take that risk.
[ominous music]
I'll do what you want.
Wait outside.
Hol, don't you think
we should try--
Prepare for departure.
If he gives you any trouble,
don't hesitate. He's expendable.
Why am I always the one
to get his head imploded?
It's not fair.
[dramatic music]
(Hol) Well, what
are you waiting for?
(Adio)
Amazing. Let's move.
[music continues]
[music continues]
[device beeping]
[music continues]
- I'll take that.
- No, you won't.
[groaning]
(Superboy)
Are you okay?
Superboy, be careful.
Don't trust her.
T-they're taking Lipcott back
with them to build their bombs.
You're all alone now, Vora.
Your future depends
entirely upon you.
You brought the plutonium?
Leave it.
And you can take the boy.
[intense music]
I can't do that, Vora.
(Vora)
Don't push me, Superboy.
I'm still one of them.
You're more than that.
Give the plutonium
or I'll kill him.
[music continues]
[sighing]
How'd you know
I wouldn't shoot?
You and I have far
too much in common.
Well, you could have fooled me.
The return trip will deplete
most of our energy grid.
We'll never have enough power
to travel through time again.
You don't have to go,
do you?
I belong with my people.
Maybe they'll listen.
I'm going to miss you.
Hol and Adio will be furious
when they discover
we left without the plutonium.
I couldn't let you have it.
It had to be returned.
Goodbye, Superboy.
I'll never forget you.
[mellow music]
(Lipcott) At least the
people of Vora's era
have a fighting chance
of survival.
Thanks to you,
Superboy..
Where is he?
I wanted to thank him.
I'll tell him.
You know something, professor?
I don't think any of us
are gonna forget her.
(Clark on radio)
- T.J., where are you? - Where are you, Clark?
I'll tell you where I was.
I was in a time machine
where I met Lipcott
and three of the
strangest people.
And you know
something, Clark?
It's a good thing your message
got through to Superboy.
[theme music]
Captioned by Grant Brown