SEASON ONE
102 — THE TRANSFORMATION
16 min
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Alpha 8 is learning fast — mimicking Michael, beating him at checkers, reading everything they slide into the pod. Then the order comes down to shut the project off. With hours left, Michael breaks protocol and walks into the room, and finds out exactly which photograph Alpha 8 has been holding.
Transcript
Full transcript — contains spoilers
MICHAEL
The clothes were a success. We can now see its figure. Reminds me of Chevy Chase and Memoirs of an Invisible Man. Well, let's hope this is enough to impress Commander Garrett. Signing off for the night.
DR. STEVENS
Received word this morning. Commander's granting us an extension, Michael.
MICHAEL
Okay. Good. Good.
DR. STEVENS
This is a win.
MICHAEL
Yes, sir. Of course.
DR. STEVENS
Then what's the problem?
MICHAEL
Alpha 8 is processing human behavior. Wears clothes. Mimics what I do. If I take a seat, Alpha 8 does the same. It's remarkable. We need to get into that room.
DR. STEVENS
That can't happen, Michael. You know that.
MICHAEL
Dr. Stevens, the only way to know if it'll harm us is to see how it reacts to human contact.
DR. STEVENS
If you bring this up to the commander, he'll have you removed and the entire operation shut down. Do you want that?
MICHAEL
What is the point of any of this if we don't?
dictates into recorder
MICHAEL
Day 6. Alpha 8 is still not verbal, but seems to follow patterns and cues. Sometimes I forget I'm dealing with an alien species.
MICHAEL
Day 9. The search for the rest of the alien aircraft was called off. We tracked the trajectory of the impact but found no other debris. We're waiting to hear back from forensics to identify the one piece we did manage to recover.
MICHAEL
It's been 11 days since Alpha 8 landed on Earth. And it seems to enjoy reading. Samantha sent R23 in with another stack of magazines and books. This makes me believe Alpha 8 is developing an understanding of the English language.
phone rings
MICHAEL
This is Michael.
LARSON
Your son scored the winning basket in tonight's game. You should call and congratulate him.
MICHAEL
Okay, great.
LARSON
Oh, and I had to leave work early to pick up Daniel. Again. Apparently there was an incident with his science project, the one you helped with. He said that ended in an epic failure. He won't talk to me about it. Says I don't understand science. Can you talk to him?
MICHAEL
Larson, I’m sorry, I need… Can we talk later.,
LARSON
No! Do that. You chose this time.
MICHAEL
I just need another hour and I'm all yours.
LARSON
Well, I have a deadline and need to get some edits to my client tonight.
MICHAEL
Okay. Tomorrow?
LARSON
Sure. We'll see.
dictates into recorder
MICHAEL
I played digital checkers with Alpha 8 today. And after the first two rounds, it started winning. Five games later, I threw in the towel. The speed at which this creature learns is astonishing. I report the progress we made this week. And the commander seemed dubious.
MICHAEL
Day 14. At today's briefing, I told them Alpha 8 did not come to Earth to harm us. Not a single human casualty since it landed. No true signs of aggression. I implored them to give us more time to understand what this thing is. And what Alpha 8 really wants.
tv plays in the background
SAMANTHA
Did your daughter like her gift? I would have cried happy tears if my parents cared that much. Michael? Hello?
MICHAEL
She hasn't returned my call.
SAMANTHA
She is a teenager.
MICHAEL
Samantha? What is my family photo album doing in the pod?
SAMANTHA
Yeah, so we were running low on books, so I just tossed it into the stack. Figured Alpha 8 could get to know its admirer.
MICHAEL
Observer.
SAMANTHA
Sure, okay. Michael, did you see this email from the commander?
MICHAEL
They're halting all communication with Alpha 8?
SAMANTHA
They're pulling the plug?
MICHAEL
The extraction team is set to arrive at 900 hours tomorrow.
Michael picks up the phone
MICHAEL
Dr. Stevens, did you know?
DR. STEVENS
It was decided last night.
MICHAEL
But sir, there has to be-
DR. STEVENS
We knew this could happen.
disconnects call
MICHAEL
It's over.
SAMANTHA
Okay, so, now what?
MICHAEL
I, I don't know.
SAMANTHA
I'll start backing up our research.
MICHAEL
No physical drive. You remember that failsafe encryption we talked about?
SAMANTHA
Of course, I'm on it.
MICHAEL
We don't have much time.
SAMANTHA
Oh my god, look! Michael, Alpha 8 is following you as you pace. See? Look at the hood of the sweatshirt. Tilted head, just like yours. Except Alpha 8 looks like a possessed pair of soft pants, and you, well The point is, is that it's feeding off your energy. Hey, you two are connected like E. T. and Elliot. Do something crazy. Like, um, jumping jacks.
jumping jacks
SAMANTHA
Look at that! Okay, let's try a burpee. Hands down for a plank, then hop back up into a squat jump.
Samantha does a burpee
SAMANTHA
You two were supposed to follow along. I guess Alpha 8 only has eyes for you. Wait, what are you doing? Why are you putting on the protective gear?
MICHAEL
Secure everything. I don't want them denying this ever happened.
SAMANTHA
Come on, this isn't Do you think they're gonna area 51 us? You're not about to go inside.
MICHAEL
The only way to prove Alpha 8 is not a threat is to get into that room.
SAMANTHA
What if they're right?
MICHAEL
What if they're wrong?
SAMANTHA
Michael, there has to be another way to get through to them.
MICHAEL
Call Dr. Stevens and get on comms.
Micheal walks into the pod
MICHAEL
I'm gonna sit down now, across from Alpha 8. You're recording right?
SAMANTHA
Yes, I'm recording
MICHAEL
Hi. Um, okay. Um, I'm Michael, from the other side of the glass. It's taller than I expected. I'm Michael.
ALPHA 8
I am Michael.
OPERATOR
Commander, I'm getting an alert that the pod door in Sector 39 was accessed.
COMMANDER
I need eyes on Sector 39.
OPERATOR
Sending the feed to your terminal.
COMMANDER
Peterson? Who authorized this? Get Dr. Stevens on the line.
OPERATOR
Connecting Dr. Stevens for you now.
COMMANDER
Why is Peterson breaking protocol? Did you grant access?
DR. STEVENS
No, sir. I did not.
COMMANDER
Take care of it.
DR. STEVENS
Heading to sector 39 now. Prep an extraction team and get a medic.
SAMANTHA
They know about the breach.
MICHAEL
It doesn't breathe. Humans do at least. Are there more of you? Coming to Earth. That's my photo album. Those are my children. My family.
ALPHA 8
Family.
MICHAEL
Yes. Yes, exactly.
MICHAEL
(to Samantha) Alpha 8 is pointing at a picture.
SAMANTHA
Maybe it wants to know about the pictures.
MICHAEL
Those are my two children, Jackson and Taryn. And there on the left is my stepson, Daniel. He's a good kid. Really into science.
ALPHA 8
Daniel
MICHAEL
We were camping in Yosemite in that one. Larson was mad because I forgot. You know what, forget it. Nobody's perfect, right?
ALPHA 8
Perfect.
MICHAEL
(to Samantha) She's taking a picture of us.
SAMANTHA
Just play along.
MICHAEL
That's my wife, Larson.
ALPHA 8
Larson.
MICHAEL
Yes, Larson, my wife. Do you have a name?
SAMANTHA
WE need to know what it wants.
ALPHA 8
Larson.
MICHAEL
Right, Larson, that's her in the picture.
SAMANTHA
What’s going on?
MICHAEL
(to Samantha) I don’t know. It's just holding our wedding picture. Alpha 8?
Flashback
PRIEST
Do you take this man to be your husband?
LARSON
I do. Yes.
PRIEST
You may now kiss the bride.
Back to present
ALPHA 8
I do. I do. Bride. Larson.
MICHAEL
No, no, no. We call you. Alpha 8.
ALPHA 8
I am Larson. Larson, I am.
SAMANTHA
Oh, what? Dr. Seus is in the house. Sam. I am. I am Sam. I knew it could read.
MICHAEL
I am Michael.
SAMANTHA
Wait. No, don't take off your gloves. Or the helmet? Come on. Bad idea. Bad idea.
MICHAEL
Can you tell me why you came to Earth?
ALPHA 8
Earth.
MICHAEL
Yes, Earth. That's where you landed.
ALPHA 8
Earth. Learn. Earth. Family.
SAMANTHA
You need to speed things up in there. You’ve got five no more like three minutes tops.
RAMIREZ
Open the access door for Sector 39.
OPERATOR
Opening access to Sector 39.
RAMIREZ
Try again.
OPERATOR
Opening access to Sector 39.
SAMANTHA
You’ve got forty seconds.
MICHAEL
Oh my god! You did it! This kid, Alpha 8, it changed!
ALPHA 8
Michael. Family.
MICHAEL
Samantha, are you seeing this?
SAMANTHA
I’m seeing us both in handcuffs if you don’t get out of there.
MICHAEL
Samantha!
SAMANTHA
Whoa, Oh my god. Those are like real hands.
MICHAEL
I need to get a better look.
SAMANTHA
Please stop moving closer to the unpredictable being.
MICHAEL
It's like us. Human. I just want to Alpha 8, may I touch your hand? Larson.
SAMANTHA
Michael, no!
Ramirez barges in
RAMIREZ
On the ground! Now!
ALPHA 8
I protect you, Michael
MICHAEL
No… how?
SAMANTHA
Michael's inside! He needs your help! Lights! Lights!
RAMIREZ
Nobody moves!
DR. STEVENS
I can't see anything!
WILLIS
We need that power back, ASAP!
RAMIREZ
Stay alert! You can't shoot when you can't see.
SAMANTHA
Dr. Stevens, look at the pod door. It's open.
DR. STEVENS
The outage must have disengaged the lock.
RAMIREZ
Hit the sprinklers. I'm going in.
WILLIS
Right behind you. I don't see the asset, sir.
RAMIREZ
Peterson. Willis, get the medic in here.
MICHAEL
She's gone.