 |       |  | | | | | | | | EPISODE TITLE: Primal
EPISODE NUMBER: 01x09
PRODUCTION NUMBER: 01010
STORY BY: Karl Schaefer, Martin Weiss
TELEPLAY BY: Johanna Stokes, Martin Weiss
DIRECTED BY: Colin Bucksey
OUR RATING: 
VISITOR RATING: 5.41 (809 votes)
SCI FI RATING: 2.1
US AIR DATE: September 12, 2006
UK AIR DATE: September 27, 2006 | | | | | | | | | Brief Summary Of This Episode
Fargo invents nanotechnology which bridges the gap between technology and the human brain. Allison finally serves Stark with divorce papers. It is realized that the technology has gone bad and is mimicking living matter and hurting people. The nanites become obsessed with Stark and make many copies of him, causing major problems for Carter.
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| | |   | | Written by Robin Nason | Jack and Jo are walking through Global Dynamics with an injured LoJack. Jo is carrying the dog and they assure the dog that he is going to be fixed up. Apparently his tendency to run in front of cars has finally caused him to get hurt.
Dr. Stark is in his office with Fargo. Fargo has created the "Mental Mouse," a device that transmits thoughts directly to the computer. Its only evidence is a small glowing button behind Stark's ear. Stark comments that it looks like a melanoma. Stark tells Fargo it isn't working since he is trying to access Fargo's personnel file. He wants to know if Fargo is even remotely qualified to tamper with his cerebral cortex. Fargo assures him that it takes time to program the device; in an hour, things will be coming up. One of the computer wall screens shows the different scales of emotions; red for anger, blue for happiness, green for depression. Stark comments that Fargo has equipped him with a very expensive mood ring. Fargo tells him that the emotions need to be monitored to better turn brain activity into commands. Stark, who has told Fargo he can handle it from there, directs Fargo to look at the screen where the red monitor is more pronounced than the other ones. Fargo takes the hint and leaves.
Jack and Jo are watching Taggart examine LoJack. LoJack is whining. Jack comments dryly, "Taggart is your world-renowned vet?" Jo gives Jack a withering look as Taggart tells Jack that he graduated magna from the University of Melbourne. Jack says that he thought Taggart was a cryptozoologist. Taggart replies that the study of unknown species is more of a hobby. Jo defends Taggart, saying that he knows more about animals than any normal vet. Jack replies that he knows more about pretend animals. Taggart interjects that he can't fix LoJack's wound. Jack says, "Okay, let's take him to a real doctor." Taggart continues his statement with saying, "I said I can't fix it. But my little friends can." He opens a vacuum-sealed metal canister filled with what looks like sugar. "You make friends with sand now?" asks Jack in disbelief. Taggart tells him that the particles are nanoids. Jack looks at Jo. Taggart tells him that they have been able to reverse-engineer some of Carl Carlson's (Invincible) discoveries on cellular regeneration and adapt them to nano-technology. Taggart takes a syringe full of nanoids and says that he is normally opposed to animal testing, but he will make an exception in this case. "So you're going to treat LoJack with itsy-bitsy robots?" Taggart replies that the nanoids are programmed to analyze and mimic biological structures such as bone, tissue and hair. As Taggart aims a control device at the wound, he tells Jack that they are controlled by ultra-low radio signals. The wound knits and heals in front of their eyes. Jack comments that this is a little creepy. Jo gives Jack and look and says, "Told you he was good. Taggart tells them that the program is simple; repair and replicate, just like living cells. The nanoids will serve as sort of a living band-aid until his tissues can heal. Jo asks if she can trust him to let LoJack go once he is healed. Taggart grins and says that there is no sport in catching him in this condition. Taggart does a salute and says, "Scout's honor." Jack counters with, "There are no scouts in Australia." Taggart replies that there certainly are and that they learn to do a lot more in the outback than tie knots. He says that he can tell them stories at which Jack says he would prefer that Taggart not. "Just take care of the dog." Taggart agrees and says, "See you, Jo." Jo smiles and says, "Later, Tag." "Tag?" asks Jack. "Shut up," Jo retorts. "Tag," Jack repeats as they leave. Once they are gone, Taggart walks around the table to look at LoJack. "I've got you now, my furry friend," he says to LoJack. "All the years you've tormented me, mocked me. Look who's laughing now." LoJack raises up to lick Taggart on the face. Taggart looks abashed. He says, "Truce then." LoJack lies back down, whining. "Just 'til you're up and about."
Stark is looking at computer screens. His emotions are neutral until Larry, the computer guy comes in. "Kinda busy, Larry." Larry ignores this and asks if Dr. Stark is having any kind of computer problems. Stark replies, "Not until now." Larry notices the mental mouse button glowing. "You probably should get that mole checked. Could be a melanoma." Stark ignores this and asks if Larry needs something. His red monitor is going off. Larry replies that a computer glitch in that area has been detected and may require shutting down sections of the mainframe to isolate the problem. Larry asks for Stark's authorization and Stark signs the work order, commenting that it is always something. Larry responds, "Just pray it isn't the Lorena Bobbitt virus. Stark frowns. "Sorry?" Larry grins. "It turns your hard drive into a three-and-a-half inch floppy." Larry laughs. Stark doesn't. The laughter dies as Larry sees that Stark isn't amused. "Guess I'll get to it, then?" Stark just looks at him. "Please." Larry leaves; the red monitor continues to go off.
Larry goes to the entryway of the mainframe; a small opening behind a panel in the wall. He laughs as he enters the tunnel. "Lorena Bobbit virus. Gets me every time." He continues to chuckle.
"I still remember our first encounter." Taggart is carrying LoJack to a cage in his lab. "Ironic that animal testing created you and now it saved you." He brushes his hands as he walks into the main portion of the lab. "But for a dog with a 130 I.Q., you should know to watch out for cars." He opens the can of nanoids and looks at them. "You should pay closer attention, mate. You'll wind up dead. That's how I've survived all of these years; attention to detail." As Taggart leaves, we get a close-up view of the nanoid canister; the lid is not shut well. LoJack whines as nanoids come pouring out of the canister and out of the cabinet. They make their way into the grate opening of the mainframe tunnel.
Larry is crawling in the tunnel checking sections of pipe with a hand-held sensor. He turns a corner in the tunnel and sees something. He asks in surprise, "How'd you get in here?" We see Larry through the eyes of the intruder; he appears as through a kaleidoscope. It approaches him and we see and hear Larry scream.
Stark is looking at computer screens that show articles on leadership, power and fame. He is telling Fargo that the device isn't working; it is bringing up things he isn't even looking for. When Fargo asks, "Like what?" Stark asks what difference that makes. Fargo explains that the subconscious is extremely open to suggestion; when he first tried it, it kept bringing up Buffy fan sites, which he is "totally not into." Allison enters as Fargo continues to talk. "Am I interrupting something?" she asks and Fargo tells her that he and Dr. Stark were discussing something. Stark reaches over and turns off the computer screen on which Fargo is seen, turning Fargo off. "Not even remotely. If you are here to invite me to the Lise Meitner dance, I might still be available. Allison reacts with some embarrassment. "Okay, you are NOT here to invite me to the dance." She replies, "No." He asks what is in the envelope she is holding. Allison hands the envelope to him. He is smiling as he takes it, but as he pulls out a divorce decree, the smile fades. "Oh." He flips through the pages. "And I see you've signed them." She stammers slightly. "I just thought, seeing where we are, right now, that maybe it was time." "Okay," Stark replies. "I mean, unless you think that . . ." He interrupts. "I think we should have done this a long time ago. I've just gotten so busy sometimes the little things get lost in the shuffle." Allison smiles sadly. "Little things, right." Stark continues. "And with everything that has happened between you and Carter. . ." Allison says abruptly, "This has nothing to do with Carter." She cuts off the statement quickly, though; there is something there with Carter. Stark picks up on the inflection in her voice. They look at each other. He places the papers carefully on his desk. "Well, I will just put them in your box when I'm done." He looks at her and hurt is evident on his face. Allison continues to look at him (almost in tears) and when he doesn't say any more, she says, "Fine. I guess that's it, then." He responds, "Unless there was something else you needed." She says, "No. I think I got what I came for." He gives her a strange smile and turns away from her. As she leaves, the look on his face is one of pain. The red monitor is going full blast and the green monitor for depression isn't far behind.
We see a view of City Hall. There is a banner in front with a gold lion on a maroon background. Jack enters City Hall, telling Jo to call him in two minutes. Zoe greets him, asking him what he is doing there. He tells her that he is there to help set up. He asks her what she is doing there and she is doing a sound check; she represents the band. Jack asks her, "You represent the band?" She tells him that it is Spencer, who is a good musician with ground-breaking beats like Moby meets Divo. Jack, says, "Moby. . .Divo. . .Spencer." We get a view of Spencer dropping a record out of its jacket on the floor. "No, not feeling it." Zoe tells Jack that they are still working on a stage name but she has him booked Monday nights at Café Diem. As his manager, Zoe gets 15%. Jack asks how much Spencer is earning and she says nothing so far. Henry, who is hanging a banner of Lise Meitner, greets Jack. Henry tells Jack that this is the most important event of the year. Zoe asks Jack if he is really there to help set up. Jack replies that he would like nothing more. Henry tells Jack thanks on behalf of Lise Meitner. Jack tells him that if he knew who she was, that might mean something. Henry explains that she was an Austrian physicist who discovered nuclear fission. This led to the invention of the atomic bomb. Jack becomes cynical and says, "Oh, well, by all means, let's celebrate that." Zoe interjects, "Meitner refused to work on the bomb, Dad." Henry says, "Tonight's dance is a tribute to her ingenuity, not what others chose to do with it. Her passion for exploration, her commitment to bettering the world is the ideal Eureka is meant to strive to meet. That's what we are celebrating." Spencer comes over. "And celebrate we shall. Check out the subwoofer on this bad boy." He holds up a tiny speaker. Jack laughs. "What-- that little thing?" Spencer replies that bigger isn't necessarily better. Jack responds, "You keep telling yourself that." Spencer puts on headphones. "The next sound you hear is me blowing your minds." The sound output literally makes Jack back away. "Did you say mind or eardrum?" Zoe points out the styles of music until Jack's cell phone goes off. He thinks it is Jo and answers it, "Hey, partner, what's up? Oh, hey, Allison, I was expecting someone else." He pauses. "Seriously? Yeah, I'll be right there." He tells them that he is sorry he can't stay and help; duty calls. He taps his badge and leaves. Henry looks at Zoe. "Your dad is the worst liar." Zoe replies, "Well, luckily I take after my mother." Henry chuckles.
At Global Dynamics, we see Jack peering into the tunnel entrance. We hear Allison telling Jack that Larry called security but they only caught part of the call. Jack asks, "What did he say?" She replies, "Nice. The rest was garbled." "That's it?" "That's it." Jack sighs and stands up after taking a good look at the inside of the tunnel. "Yeah, that's what I thought." "What?" Jack brushes his hands off. "It's really creepy in there." Allison rolls her eyes. "That's some really sharp police work, Carter." "You sure he didn't just go outside for a smoke or to his car for a nap?" "Carter!" "Some people need their afternoon nap! Like me for example!" "Carter!" "It's well documented, Allison. A siesta works. It increases worker satisfaction and productivity and it is a dying art." "Napping is not an art." "You haven't seen me nap. I take to a whole new level." "Stop stalling and get in the tunnel." "Well, it will be more effective with the proper amount of rest. That's all I'm saying." Jack grunts as he gets down to the level of the entrance. Taggart comes up and squats next to Jack. "Sheriff, I heard about Larry. I'm coming with you." Jack frowns. "Not that I don't enjoy your company, but why?" "He's one of my dearest friends." "Uh, really?" asks Allison with her arms folded. "Are we talking about the same Larry?" Taggart and Jack stand up. "Just because you choose not to fraternize with the support staff doesn't mean others don't. Which is your loss. Because Larry happens to be a very sensitive guy!" Allison isn't impressed with Taggart's tirade. "You want to try out one of your new toys, don't you?" Taggart pauses. He mumbles, "I got a new GPS locator and night vision goggles." His enthusiasm returns as he looks at Jack. "I brought me hand-me-downs for you." Jack hooks the small flashlight over his ear, turning it on. "Lucky me." Taggart turns and smiles at Allison, his enthusiasm showing. Jack climbs into the tunnel. Taggart follows and Jack says, "Watch your head." Taggart proceeds to hit his head on top of the tunnel. They are crawling and Taggart asks if Jack sees anything. Jack replies, "Long, dark tunnel. Not really." "That's because you don't have ultra infrared vision goggles." Jack replies, "You got me there." Taggart states, "Not like Larry to leave his post. I have a bad feeling." Jack replies, "Given where we are, I have a bad feeling." Taggart looks down the tunnel. "About ten more feet, we should hit a junction. We can split up there." Jack replies, "Hang on." Taggart rolls his eyes. "Fine, you baby. We'll stick together. But it's far more efficient if we split up." Jack frowns. "Taggart, shut up!" Taggart retorts, "You shut up!" Jack says softly, "Listen." They listen in silence to a slight noise. "What is that?" asks Jack. Taggart responds, "Sounds insectoid." "Is that even a word?" "Yeah, I think so." Taggart begins to crawl forward, where he finds Larry's tool belt. "What's that?" Jack repeats. "I dunno," says Taggart, crawling backwards with the tool belt. "But it got Larry." Jack hits his head on the tunnel when his phone rings. "We need more firepower," Taggart comments as Jack struggles to answer the cell phone. "Go for Carter," Jack says in the phone. Allison says, "Hey, you guys need to come back. We have a problem." Jack agrees. "Yeah, more than one." They turn and crawl out of the tunnel quickly. We get a view of further down the tunnel beyond where Jack and Taggart went. There are the nanoids, swirling and making "insectoid" noises.
"A person is missing. We found his equipment in the service tunnel." Allison is justifying her position to Stark. "I don't care if I'm missing. You don't go poking around a billion-dollar mainframe without asking me. And you do not send a cop and a glorified vet into the brain of Global Dynamics without following protocol. They're not even wearing clean suits!" growls Stark. "Well, Larry is still missing. What do you propose we do about it?" counters Allison. "I don't care what you do. Just do not compromise the safety of this facility while you do it." Jack is listening, arms akimbo. "Look, I didn't want to go in there in the first place." He looks at the monitor for Stark's emotions. "What IS that?" Stark points at the button behind his ear. "It's my threshold for incompetence." Jack looks at the button. "Looks like a melanoma." "Get out." Jack turns and leaves.
Jack, Taggart and Allison are walking. "Your hubby's in a mood." "He's not my hubby anymore." Jack waves his arm. "I know. He's your estranged husband." "No, I gave him the divorce papers to sign, which is why he's in the mood." Jack looks at her in concern. "Seriously?" "Seriously." Taggart interjects. "Uh, just going to check on my pooch. Call me if you need me, Sheriff." "Yeah, I'll do that." He continues to walk with Allison. "Are you okay?" She replies, "Yeah, let's just focus on Larry." "Sure. We'll start with the security footage and then we'll do a floor-by-floor sweep. If he's in the building, we'll find him." Jack continues to look at Allison and she glances at him. "I'm fine."
We see a glass of whiskey on Stark's desk. He is looking at the divorce papers. He puts the papers down and picks up the drink as the elevator door opens. Larry comes in. Stark glances at him and says, "There you are. People are looking for you." Larry approaches Stark.
Taggart is walking down the hallway to his lab when he hears a dog panting. "LoJack. How'd you get out of your cage?" LoJack is sitting there, tongue hanging out.
"I told them they were over-reacting," Stark continues to talk as Larry comes closer. "But you should probably tell them you are here." Larry has a slight frown on his face.
LoJack turns and trots off. Taggart gives chase, yelling, "Get back here, you mutt!" There is a slight whoosh as Taggart turns a corner to see a dead end and no dog. "Where the h--- did he go?" he mutters. Taggart turns to leave and we see a grate to the service tunnel with the "insectoid" noises in it.
Stark hears the same noise and asks, "Did you hear that?" He turns to see Larry, eyes now glowing with a blue light, standing over him.
"The last footage of Larry is as he is entering the service corridor," Fargo's voice intones as we see the footage. "And the abbreviated message." Allison replies, "He must be in there somewhere." Jack and Taggart are listening. "I'm starting to wonder what is in there with him." Taggart starts and turns to leave. "I've got an idea." Jack and Allison follow him out.
Back in Taggart's lab. "There's LoJack locked up in his cage. But I just saw him up on Section One. Or at least, I thought I did. He gave me the slip." Taggart walks over to the empty nanoid canister. "That's the least of our problems." Jack looks at the empty canister. "You lost your nano-bugs?" Taggart is frustrated. "I didn't lose them. They escaped." Allison asks, "Where did they go?" Jack points to the grate in the wall. "Could they have gone there?" "That's where Larry went. Taggart!" Allison is upset. Taggart walks away from the grate. "I don't know how they got out. They were in de-activated sleep mode. It's not in their programming to initiate commands." Jack asks, "Well, can't you use your remote control thingy and make them march home?" "I tried that. They're not responding. They must be out of range." Allison interjects, "Then you need to get within range." Jack replies, "Inside the many miles of dark, creepy service tunnels. That's great." Taggart comments, "They can't get too far. The EM umbrella will keep them inside Global." Jack asks, "What's that?" Allison explains, "Global Dynamics is protected by an electromagnetic barrier. It prevents anyone from broadcasting any non-secured signals out or sending them in." "The nanoids can't breach the barrier without frying their circuitry," Taggart adds. "We just need to get within range with the remote control." "You'd better get to it, then," says Allison, turning to leave "Where are you going?" asks Jack. "To tell Nathan I want to lock the facility down. The less room they have to move around in, the faster we'll be able catch them."
A technician is working on a computer when Stark walks in. She comments, "Dr. Stark. Is there something I can help you with?" He ignores her and walks over to a control panel. As he pushes buttons, she asks, "Dr. Stark, what are you doing? Why are you deactivating the EM barrier?" He turns to her and we see her through the kaleidoscope effect that was used earlier with Larry. As he continues to walk toward her, we hear her saying, "Dr. Stark! No. . .no!" She screams.
Allison enters Stark's office. He isn't there and she mutters, "Where is he?" as she makes a call on her cell phone. "This is Allison Blake. I need to initiate security protocol lockdown level three. Dr. Stark is unavailable. This is my call." She sees the divorce papers and the whiskey on his desk. She shakes her head. We see a yellow warning light and a siren is going off. We see doors shutting and people running. We are taken to the tunnel where Jack comes in and turns to Taggart. The siren is sounding in there, and he asks, "What's that?" "Lockdown." "That's comforting, considering we're stuck down here." Taggart hands Jack a weapon. "Air burst gun. Just in case." Jack looks at the gun. "Just in case what?" Taggart replies, "Exactly." Jack looks at Taggart. "These nanoids. How many are we looking at, exactly?" "I dunno. They're designed to self-replicate, using any available source of carbon as fuel." "Where do they get the carbon?" Jack taps a nearby pipe. "Computer stuff? Piping?" "Carbon's in anything living." "I'm something living," Jack states. "So am I!" replies Taggart. Jack flips on the hand-me-down. "This just gets better and better."
Allison is standing in Stark's office looking at the divorce decree when the elevator door opens and Stark is standing there. "Nathan, where have you been?" She walks over to him. "There's a situation. Escaped nanotechnology. I had to put us on lockdown. Carter and Taggart are searching now." Stark stops and takes his traditional pose of hands folded in front, legs apart. Allison is frustrated. "Please don't give me the silent treatment. It's obvious that you're upset with me. You know, I'm upset too. Why don't we just talk about it?" Stark is staring at her. She continues, "Some indication of how you're feeling would be nice." He walks over to her and puts his hand on the back of her neck. "That would be some indication," she comments as Stark kisses her. She backs away. "Nathan, why is your skin so cold?" He approaches her.
Jack and Taggart continue in the tunnel. Jack hears the nanoids. "You hear that?" They keep moving and Taggart's remote control begins to beep. "We're getting something. We're getting close." Jack stops. "I think we're there." He is looking at the remains of Larry. "What is it?" Taggart asks. "It's their carbon source. It's Larry, or what's left of him," replies Jack as Taggart crawls around to see. "Oh, no." The nanoid sound is closer and Jack tells Taggart that, "If you have that nanoid remote control handy, now would be a good time to use it." They crawl towards the sound, Taggart working on the remote. Jack comments, "Any time." "I don't know how to say this." "It's not working?" "That's how." Taggart sees something on the remote. "Getting movement." "Where?" "Right there." He looks ahead and LoJack rounds the corner. Taggart backs up to give Jack room with the gun. Jack comments, "That's not LoJack!" as the rifle gears up and LoJack's eyes glow blue. LoJack barks and runs for Jack. Taggart yells, "Bad dog! Bad dog!" and Jack shoots LoJack. LoJack explodes, showering Jack with millions of nanoids. Jack sputters, spitting out nanoids and brushing them out of his hair. "There will never be enough showers for me to feel clean again. Did you know that was going to happen?" Taggart says, "Certainly not." He recants, "Maybe a bit." They hear Allison's voice. "Get the h--- off me!" They look at each other.
Allison is backing away from Stark. "Stop! Nathan, what's wrong with you? Nathan! Stop it! Nathan!" Stark has her in his grip and we see her through the kaleidoscope. "Nathan, stop it!" The sound of the air burst rifle gearing up and we see Stark explode. Jack is standing there with the gun. "Yeah, that wasn't Nathan." Allison is standing there in shock.
"What the h--- was that thing?" she asks as they walk quickly down the corridor. Jack replies. "Things. Taggart's nanoids can apparently make copies of us now." "You gotta be kidding me!" "No, they're on a binge. We found Larry." "Or what's left of him," interjected Taggart. "He's dead?" Jack answered. "Devoured. And they're using his body as a carbon source." "Then where's the real Nathan?"
Stark is turning off the EM barrier.
"Dead or alive, we have to find him," says Allison as they enter Taggart's lab. "We will, I promise." Jack turns to Taggart. "How does this work? One is harmless but a million can eat Larry?" "It's called distributed computing. Each individual nanoid is like a brain cell. The more there are, the smarter they become. They communicate with each other over very low frequencies and share the thinking workload." "Yeah, but they are just tiny computers, right? I mean, they run off of a program?" "Right, repair and replicate." "So they need fuel." "Exactly." "Excellent." "So that is what it was going to do - take my carbon and run around looking like me?" asked Allison. "I don't think so. I mean, the NanoStark kissed you, right?" Jack looks at Taggart. "Kissing. That can't be a part of the program." "No, but it shows their exponential leap in intelligence and a great taste in women." "No, it knew it was me. I could feel it." "Okay, then Stark is the key. And that monitor in his office is still working which means he is still alive." Allison's cell phone is ringing. "You're right. They just found him in Section Three."
"Where is he?" asks Allison of the soldiers standing in the corridor. "The master control room." "Thank God. Open the door." "He's locked himself inside," the soldier comments. Jack replies, "No, he's locked us outside. Or one of them has. You've got to get this door open. What's in this room?" Taggart replies, "The computer mainframe." "Would the security system be in there?" "And the EM barrier. He could turn it off!" Allison interrupts. "Not without help. Even with the codes, it has to be shut off manually from three different entry points by someone with full security clearance." "Someone like Stark?" There is a hissing noise as the door is breached. "We're good," the soldier comments and Jack tells him to back him up. Jack enters with the air burst rifle charged. They walk in and find the remains of the technician. "Aw, man. This is really bad." The soldier is on his phone. "They've got Dr. Stark at Exit Five. Wait. At Exit Seven and Exit Nine." Allison tells Jack, "Those are the shut off points." Jack responds, "They're making a break for it." Taggart looks at the screen. "The EM barrier's down. There's nothing to prevent them leaving the building." The soldier says, "Sir? All exit points have been breached. We have multiple Starks outside the building." "I thought one Stark was bad," a comment that earns Jack a disgusted look from Allison. "There's no stopping them now," comments Taggart.
We see from around the bumper of Jo's police car a troop of Starks marching down the street.
"We have to find them." Allison says. They are walking through Global. "They're replicating exponentially," responds Taggart. "Well you know the program. What kind of numbers are we talking about?" Jack asks Taggart. "By this time tomorrow, there could be thousands. Next week, millions." "Millions of Starks? That's horrible to think about." "Well, we obviously can't wait that long," says Allison. "Okay, Weapons. What do you have that can knock them out?" asks Jack. "The air burst guns are short range. Never get all of them." "Do you have anything bigger?" "Aside from a nuclear bomb, no." "You have a nuclear bomb?" "I didn't say that." Allison tells a guard, "Sound the warning system. Eureka is on lockdown. No one goes outside until every Stark is stopped." The soldier responds, "Yes, ma'am," and leaves. Jack is standing still. Allison turns to him. "Carter?" He looks at her. "That's the answer. Stark." "I think we've established that, mate." Taggart looks disgusted. "No, I mean, why replicate Stark? Why not Larry, or the IT worker, or LoJack?" "They found the perfect specimen. You go back to dogs after that." "But he's not perfect." "You've seen his abs? D--- close." "My point is, we can't stop every Stark out there, but we can stop the one Stark in here." "Well, every minute we're looking for him in here, they are out there multiplying." "But if we can find the original, if we can find Nathan, then maybe we can figure out a connection." "Well, where do we start to look?" Jack sighs as he looks at Taggart. "I know. I know. Don't even say."
"I never, ever want to come down here again." Jack groans as he crawls on the serrated floor of the tunnel. "Looks like they've gone," replies Taggart. "He's got to be here somewhere." "At this rate, it could take us all day." "Hang on, I'm getting something." Taggart sees a blip on his remote. "More nanoids?" Jack grimaces as he crawls. "Different signal. Dead ahead. And it's not moving." Jack says, "Here we go." They continue to crawl. Jack sees Stark slumped in the corridor and runs at a crouch to him. "Stark!" Jack feels for a pulse and says, "He's still alive." Jack lifts Stark from the floor of the tunnel.
"The last thing I remember is Larry attacking me; after that it's all a dream." Stark is climbing stairs with Jack, Taggart and Allison. "I mean, one minute I am kissing Allison and the next. . .I was a dog." Jack says, "I think somehow your dreams are becoming reality and I think it has something to do with that little glowing mole thingy." "Neural interface system." Stark sits down in his office. "Transmits my thought commands directly to the computer network." "Is it possible that the signals got crossed?" Jack asks as Fargo enters the office behind Stark. "I'm going to kill Fargo," says Stark. Fargo immediately turns around and tries to leave. "Get back here!" orders Stark, somehow knowing he was there. "How was I supposed to know that my Mental Mouse and Taggart's nanobugs shared the same frequency?" Fargo protests. "Okay, so turn it off. Problem solved." Allison cuts to the chase. Stark nods and reaches to pull the button off of his neck. Jack interrupts, saying, "No, no - wait!" "What? We need to sever the connection." "Unless that is our only connection. I mean, think about it. Your doubles are still out there and they're no longer responding to Taggart's remote control so that gizmo might be our only way of reaching them." Fargo begins to understand. "Your thoughts; your subconscious thoughts; your dreams must have been transmitted into their programming." "Okay," said Jack, "So they're responding to the last command that they got before the signal went weak?" Fargo agrees. "In theory, yeah." "Okay," Jack said. Turning to Stark, Jack continues, "What was the overall theme of your last dream?" Stark shrugs, not willing to talk. "C'mon, Stark! It's no time to be bashful!" "Well," Stark says, "There were some wish fulfillment fantasies in there." "Like?" "Allie, and some other stuff." "I need specifics." "Well, the usual. Power, success, control over everything." Jack looks at Stark. "You dream about world domination?" Stark replies, "Not all of the time." Jack's phone beeps. "Yeah. Go for Carter."
Jo is matching pace with the herd of Starks. "Everyone is off of the street except for a whole lot of Nathan Starks. You may want to get down here. Over." "How many?" "Too many to count. Over." "All right, we're working on it. Hang tight." "Ten-four."
"So, assuming that we can contact these things through Stark, what do we do?" asks Jack. "Stop them from communicating with each other," suggests Fargo. "They'd be reduced to single cells," agrees Taggart. "No threat at all." "So how do we do that?" asks Allison. "Interference. A loud enough, low-frequency blast of sound, something below human hearing. Say in the two-Hertz range." "Two Hertz? To generate any volume, you would need a speaker at least eight feet in diameter." Stark points out the problem. Jack smiles. "No, bigger isn't always better. C'mon!"
At City Hall, Jack directs everything. "We're running out of time." He motions to Stark. "You sit here. Allison, you ready?" "I still don't understand what we're doing," says Stark, sitting in the indicated chair. "Good. You four (indicating Henry, Spencer, Fargo and Zoe), I need you to go in the booth, shut it, lock it, wait for my signal. Thanks, Henry." Henry says, "Come on, guys." Jack turns to Stark. "I need you to focus on bringing 'em here." "Focus, Nathan," says Allison. Taggart leans over Stark. "Command them with your mind. Summon them with your will. Conjure them with . . ." "Seriously?" asks Stark. Taggart stands back upright. "Just concentrate," reminds Jack. Stark is silent a moment and then says, "It's not working. I can tell it's not working." Jack steps away. "He's too focused," says Taggart. "His rational mind is overruling his subconscious. All ego, no id." Jack has a thought. He leans over to face Stark. "Hey! You are a stupid, selfish, egomaniacal sack of crap and I am astonished that you've gotten as far as you have." "Coming from you, that's a compliment." Stark was matter-of-fact. "Okay, slight change of plan." Jack reconsiders his tactics. Zoe comes over the speaker system. "Well, it's good to know the fate of the world isn't depending on your last one." Jack looks at Zoe and then runs over to the booth. "Hey, Spencer, could you play something, uh, romantic?" Spencer replies, "No problem." Stark is suitably unimpressed. "We're going to serenade them into submission now." Jack replies, "Just sit and watch." As the music begins, he turns to Allison and asks, "May I have this dance?" Allison looks at him with her arms folded. "Um, right place, very wrong time." "Just roll with it. It may be our last chance." He takes her in his arm and they begin to move. "Could, maybe, I lead?" he asks and she laughs. "Sorry. It's habit." They dance. "Have I ever told you how amazing you are?" Jack asks. "Um, no." "You're strong, independent and smarter than ten women put together. And I think another ten times as beautiful." "That's really flattering. I . . . just realized what you're doing." She laughs slightly. "I mean every word." Jack is looking at her with full sincerity. "Um . . . what I'm about to do, I do for God and country." Jack holds Allison's head and kisses her tentatively and then firmly. Zoe looks away. "Very cute. You can stop. It's not working," says Stark, watching from his chair.
The NanoStarks are marching but as we watch, they suddenly come to a total stop. Jo, watching, calls Jack. "It's working."
The kiss continues. Allison is reciprocating. Stark says, "I said you can give it a rest. It's having absolutely no effect." He pauses and then looks down - he senses something.
The NanoStarks turn on their heels and march in the opposite direction. "They're coming your, way, Carter," says Jo. "I repeat, they're headed your way. Do you copy? Hello?"
The kiss is continuing. Suddenly the door opens and we see the arrival of the NanoStarks. Allison says, "It worked!" Jack breathes, "Yeah." "No, no, no, they're coming!" Jack looks and says, "Oh!" The NanoStarks come in through every doorway. "Yeah, right," says Jack, watching them coming. Allison looks at Jack. "I hope you have a plan." Stark comments, standing with them, "I look pissed." Henry says from the booth, OMG, look at all of them!" Fargo comments, "It's a miracle." There is confusion, Carter saying to wait a few more seconds and Allison telling him that they don't have any more time. Jo's voice is heard over the phone saying just a few more seconds. NanoStarks are grabbing Jack and Allison. Finally we hear Jo's voice say, "They're all inside, Carter," and Jack yells, "Now, Spencer, now!" A low thrumming noise sounds and Starks begin exploding into a sandy mess all over the room. Once they are all gone, the sound is gone and Jack, Taggart, Stark and Allison pick themselves up off of the floor. Fargo runs out and asks Stark if he is all right. "Fargo, never ever, ever, ever mess with my cerebral cortex again." Yep, Stark is all right. As they walk out, Taggart says something comforting, but Fargo is left holding the little glowing button and looking aghast at the sandy mess.
It is the dance and Vincent is in full form. "Okay, we'll get the wraps over here, please, and fruit, come with me, please. You okay? Good, good, good. Having a good time? Great. I think we'll drop the fruit here, please." People are mingling and apparently having a good time. Zoe and Jack are standing by the chocolate fountain. "You know, I hate to admit it, but Spencer's pretty good," Jack tells Zoe. "The kid's my ticket." "The kid's your ticket?" Jack asks in disbelief. "Way to be supportive!" responds Zoe. Jack sighs. "You're going to be your own ticket." Zoe smiles and nods. "I think Vince has outdone himself," Jack comments. "You've outdone yourself," Zoe counters. "What?" Jack asks. "Allison. That was quite a kiss." "That was just for show; just to make Stark angry." "Do I look that naive?" "Honest, there is nothing to worry about." "I'm not worried. I mean, I'm not happy either, but. . . I don't know. I mean, maybe it's time. It's not like you and Mom are going to get back together." Jack turns to see Allison entering the room. She is beautiful in a blue dress. Zoe sees where he is looking. "Just don't ever make out in front of me again." Jack laughs and says, "Thanks." Zoe smiles and walks away. Jack taps her on the arm. Jack starts to wander and meets up with Henry, who asks, "What do you think?" Jack nods and says, "Umm, it's nice." Henry responds with disbelief. "Nice?" "Well, with this crowd, I expected, you know, a little more than centerpieces and linen napkins." Henry laughs. "It sounds like you are starting to get used to this crowd." Henry calls, "Spencer! Ready?" and the music changes radically as Spencer gets into his routine. Holographic fireworks light up the ceiling in the ballroom and a spectacular show is produced. Jack says, "Oh, wow!" and applauds. Henry is pleased and walks on to mingle. Taggart comes up and Jack says, "Only in Eureka." They stand and watch Allison talking to Stark and then dancing with him. "Guess that kiss made him realize what he was missing, eh, Sheriff?" asks Taggart with a certain lack of tact. Jack pauses and replies, "Yeah, I guess." "No explaining some relationships." Jo comes up in a lovely dress. She nods at Jack and goes up to Taggart. He says, "You look unbelievable." She replies, "Thank you. Do you want to dance?" "I'd be honored." Taggart holds out his arm and they disappear into the dancing crowd. Jack walks to the back of the room by the chocolate fountain. He stands there and looks at his wedding band. He takes it off and puts it in his coat pocket as LoJack appears. "Hey, buddy. Guess it's just you and me." Jack feeds LoJack from the table. "That is the real you, isn't it?" LoJack barks in reply. "Yeah, never mind. I don't want to know." Jack pets LoJack and walks back through the crowd and disappears. |
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  | 301 - Bad to the Drone
Written by Robin Nason
You know, I understand why they have to show scenes from previous episodes. What with the way each episode builds on another, it only makes sense. But I have to confess that being a vigilant Eureka fan, I wish they could can those. Now to the premiere episode!
Jack is openly having angst about his little girl growing up. Waitressing at Café Diem is a big step in his opinion, and he doesn't hesitate to hash this out with Zoe. He contends that the Café isn't safe. The ... READ MORE |
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 | 109 - Primal
Written by Robin Nason
Jack and Jo are walking through Global Dynamics with an injured LoJack. Jo is carrying the dog and they assure the dog that he is going to be fixed up. Apparently his tendency to run in front of cars has finally caused him to get hurt.
Dr. Stark is in his office with Fargo. Fargo has created the "Mental Mouse," a device that transmits thoughts directly to the computer. Its only evidence is a small glowing button behind Stark's ear. Stark comments that it looks like a melanoma. S... READ MORE |
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 | 309 - Welcome Back Carter
Written by Ian Mullen
TEASER
FADE IN
EXT-LOS ANGELES, CAL., USA
[We see an aerial shot of the Los Angeles office of the Department of Homeland Security]
DHS MAN: This is a very impressive resume, Mr Carter.
INT-DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
[Carter is in a job interview]
DHS MAN C'TND: You've had a long career in law enforcement.
CA... READ MORE |
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