Episode:Into Asylum
| Into Asylum | |
|---|---|
| Season: | Three |
| Episode number: | 321 |
| First aired: | March 30, 2009 |
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| Written by: | Joe Pokaski |
| Directed by: | Jim Chory |
| Previous episode: | Cold Snap |
| Next episode: | Turn and Face the Strange |
Summary
- Claire and Nathan flee to Mexico.
- Peter and his mother seek refuge in holy grounds.
- Danko adopts The Company's "one of us, one of them" strategy with an unlikely ally.
Story Development
| Shape shifting · James Martin |
Synopsis
Nathan and Claire fly down to Pátzcuaro, Mexico and enter the Puerta al Cielo Motel, where a receptionist asks them how long will they be staying. Nathan hands him all of his money which is only enough for one night. The receptionist, eying Claire, tells Nathan that it could be different if they will be paying per hour. Nathan exclaims that he's her father, and storms out. Claire jokes to the receptionist that he's only her biological father.
Outside, Nathan tells Claire that because he was exposed, she no longer has the free pass he provided her with, and that Danko's jurisdiction doesn't apply to Mexico yet. When Claire asks about everyone else, Nathan says that he will make some calls and put some things in motion. When they enter the motel room, Nathan considers the fact that they have to eat too, and offers to buy Claire a taco, but she reminds him that they have no money left. Claire wants to go for a walk, but Nathan thinks it would be better if they stuck together -- for her own safety. She promises to be careful, and he tells her to meet down at the cantina later.
In New York City, Peter and Angela land in a small puddle in the middle of an alley. She calls him her "very own guardian angel" and "a good son". Peter, still angry at Angela, walks hastily towards her and tells her that was not why he saved her; he wants answers. She implies that she does not have them but Peter says she always knew more than she let on. Angela wincing, apologizes and tells him that she herself needs some answers now and that's why she needed him to bring her there. It starts raining heavily and their discussion stops. Angela claims that this is where she is supposed to be. Then she heads for the cathedral.
In a house in Arlington, Virginia lies the dead bodies of three agents and a team examining the scene of crime, including Noah checking over the corpses. Danko asks a nearby agent, Jenkins, what happened, and he explains that himself and three other agents were looking in to apprehend James Martin; he watched the hallway while the three agents went in. He said he heard three gunshots, and went in as fast as he could, only to see them dead. Jenkins also says that he didn't see anyone, and then throws up, apologizing. Danko sends him back to headquarters to get cleaned up.
After he leaves, Noah, examining the bodies, asks why they were after James Martin; Danko says that he set off the "red flag", and that his DNA was in the national database. He also says that they didn't know what his ability was. Noah lectures Danko on sending men in "blind", and that they need to know what abilities they're dealing with beforehand because each ability requires a different tactic. Danko argues back, saying that he was given orders to take everyone in, and reminds Noah that he was friends with Nathan, before he goes to his car.
Taking a deep breath, Danko closes his eyes and listens to the car radio, holding up a cigarette. Rain pounds on the car's windows, and all is calm until Sylar suddenly appears, saying "I love this song". He whistles the tune, and comments on the "bloodbath", later asking whether or not he received the "gifts" he left; the stuffed bunny and the half-dead puppeteer. Sylar then explains that it's an "overture to their collaboration, since [they] both want the same thing" -- to kill evolved humans. While Danko slowly reaches for a gun, Sylar offers his help in finding and killing James Martin. Sylar disappears just as Danko turns around to point the gun to his head. Confused, he turns back around, and drives off. Overhead, Sylar stands in the rain on a building, watching Danko's car drive off.
In the control room of Building 26, Danko delivers a powerful speech about the importance of finding James Martin, and how the three agents' deaths will not be in vain. He holds up a picture of him, swapping it with Sylar's picture on the top of the "At Large" category. Noah compliments him on his speech, and Danko tells him "we need to win". He then asks Noah for a plan, and he suggests "working the enemy"; one of us, one of them. When Danko asks how it's even possible to work with or even trust them, Noah says that it's not about trusting them, because they're just assets; weapons to be mobilized. He then brings up Sylar, and that there is reason to believe he's in D.C., and they should try to capture him. Danko refuses, telling Noah that he has a different assignment for him, giving him Angela Petrelli's file.
Down in Pátzcuaro, Claire meets Nathan at the cantina, and gives him a small stack of money, which she got when she sold a necklace her "other dad" gave her at a pawn shop. She says that although she didn't want to sell it, he would be mad if he knew they needed the money and she didn't. Nathan insists that he has everything under control, and reminds her that this is not a simple situation. After Claire argues a little, Nathan asks why she doesn't appreciate what he's done for her -- giving her her free pass and rescuing her when she no longer had it. Claire asks why Nathan gave her the free pass, but he shrugs off the question, tell her he had his reasons. He then takes the money to "turn it into more", walking up to a group of guys drinking tequila.
Peter enters the church just as mass ends. Angela, still drenched from the rain sits alone on a pew, later joined by Peter. She tells him that she hasn't been able to sleep; to dream, thus not knowing what to do. She also says that in order for the dreams to come, the sleep must be "earned". Angela tells Peter that she always found peace in Father Vance's church, that she and Arthur were married in it, that Peter had his first communion in it, and that even Nana's funeral was in it, where Peter held her hand. She tells Peter that "there used to be love in [their] family once", and that their given situation is all her fault. When Peter asks if she came to be forgiven, Angela responds saying "I'm not sure even God has that in him".
Back in Mexico, Nathan hangs out with the group of guys, giving them an offer: $100 per hit, winner takes all. Overhearing this, Claire takes Nathan to the side to question is motives. Reassuring her, Nathan tells her that he used to do the same thing for money when he was younger in the Philippines. Reluctantly, Claire allows him to do it, as she sits on a bar stool behind him.
Agent Jenkins checks in with Danko back at Building 26, offering any more help, and shaking his hand, praising him on his inspirational speech. Danko's phone rings on top of a cardboard box, and after answering it to find that it's Sylar, excuses Jenkins. Sylar tells Danko that he found another body, and to look in the box. Danko opens the box to find the severed head of Agent Jenkins; Sylar reveals that James Martin is a shape shifter, and therefore altered his appearance to that of Agent Jenkins. By the door of the other room, James Martin, as Jenkins, walks out. Danko and several men go running after him. In the northeast corner of the parking lot of Building 26, Martin continues walking until Danko shoots him, at which point he starts running. Downstairs, he bumps into a janitor. Still running, Martin groans in pain as his skin shifts and molds, before his appearance changes into that of the janitor. Right behind him, Danko and his men bump into the real janitor and take him in, but still continue their chase. Martin, as the janitor, rushes out of an emergency exit, with Danko and his men just behind him. Outside, it's a crowded street, raining and dark; he could be anywhere.
Peter found a coat that looked like something Angela would wear in one of the donation bins. Angela says that that was her coat -- that she donated it last week, and that it's supposed to go to someone who needs it. He insists that she needs it, since the one she's wearing now is still wet from the rain. Peter is surprised that she's still so active in the church, but she tells him that giving things isn't the same as being there; just like with Nathan and himself. She also goes on to say that she and Arthur supported them, but didn't give them support, and that while he was growing up, there were so many times that she could have told him the truth or given him comfort but didn't. She feels that Peter must hate her. He dodges the accusation by offering to get her some tea to help her sleep better, but then tells her that he doesn't hate her, and that whatever happened, she's still his mother. Angela tells him that unconditional love "isn't really love at all".
It's night at the cantina in Pátzcuaro, Nathan and Sligo take shot after shot until Claire gets up and tells them to consider a draw, since they look pretty worn out. Nathan reassures her and tells her that they're fine, they need the money, and that her dad isn't the only one who can do stuff. Nathan passes out as Sligo claims his victory. Claire offers him a rematch for all the money, plus Nathan's watch; Sligo is hesitant as he was already 22 shots into the competition, but Claire insists that she can catch up.
Sylar walks into James Martin's home, without knowing that Danko was waiting for him. Danko tells him that he's pretty predictable; he came back because he wanted James Martin's ability. He also tells him that he read his file, about how he likes to "play characters"; dress up and speak with fake accents. Sylar says it's because "it's fun", but Danko believes that he's really using those impersonations as an escape, that he's so desperate to be anyone else. Danko then tells Sylar that he could just put him out of his misery now by just shooting him in the head, but Sylar says that the part that has to get hit in order for him to die is microscopic; Danko adds in that he also has to jam something in "to make it stick". Sylar is a little surprised at how much Danko really knows, and then offers him a deal -- he could help find all the others, then he could "take [his] shot"; Danko hesitantly puts down his gun.
Angela sits on a pew with her eyes closed in prayer as thunder rumbles through the church. Peter sees her, and walks from behind her to the front of the church, to the altar, where a display of Jesus looks on. Peter eyes the statue, and prays, saying that he asked to be extraordinary, and promised that he would help people, but now he's running for his life, and that he can't help them. He says he's angry at his father, Nathan, his mother, and him (God). He wonders if God even cares about what people are put through, if God even listens, and while lighting a candle, begs him to "show up". A couple of seconds later, a gust of wind blows out the candles sitting in front of Peter. Peter turns around, only to see some agents looking for Angela and himself, locking down the perimeter of the church. Peter calmly walks towards Angela, and the two head for the confessionals.
Back at the apartment, Sylar and Danko go through James Martin's stuff to help find clues as to where he is and what he's doing. Sylar also says that Danko's a "shape shifter", in that he has nothing in his home that defines him. Sylar gets to his closet, and finds "costumes" -- outfits for lawyers, doctors, priests, etc. Sylar concludes that the clothes are all those of men in power. They also come across a small stack of pictures, all of which Martin isn't in... or all of Martin; pictures of different men in power, with different women of allure. They look through his stuff a little more until they both stumble upon matchboxes for a club "Garden of Eden", the club seen in the pictures.
A sober Claire catches up with Sligo, and he wonders why she doesn't even look drunk. Considering this for a moment, she bursts out into a drunken laughter, slurring all her words. They get into a slightly deeper conversation, after another shot, and she tells him that she just wishes Nathan would act like a normal human being, just as Sligo passes out, too. Claire collects her prize, wakes Nathan up, and tells him that they have to go.
Back at the church, the agents continue to check for fugitives. Angela apologizes to Peter, but Peter's more concerned about staying quiet so that they don't get caught. Angela insists that since this might be their last moments together, she has to say it now: she was a hopeful dreamer just like him until her power manifested and she started having dreams of bloody futures, death and the apocalypse. She goes on to say that she tried to warn everyone, but no one would believe her. As she speaks, someone approaches outside. She continues by admitting that she lied, manipulated betrayed and lost everything -- her friends, her husband, her sons -- but that was the price she chose to pay to save the world. Just as she finishes, the confessional door opens and Angela and Peter turn in fear, as Noah stares for several seconds before giving the other agents the "all clear".
Down at the Garden of Eden, Sylar and Danko look around the crowd for Martin before Sylar spots him, sitting with a woman as Danko. Danko doesn't understand why Martin would pretend to be him, so Sylar explains that it's because Danko fits the pattern -- a man of position, power and authority. While embracing the woman, Martin sees Danko through the crowd and runs.
Claire turns on the light of the motel room, telling Nathan to never fly when he's in his condition. Nathan wonders how Claire is so sober, and she explains that her ability applies to her liver tissue. He apologizes to Claire, and confesses that when he first found out about her, he denied that she was a problem, and thought that if he had kept his distance, they could get together later and catch up. He expresses regret in waiting, since she's all grown up already, though Claire disagrees. He also tells her why he gave her her free pass -- he thought that he thought he could "win her over" in one move, and that he's using her as an excuse to hide behind the mess he's made. Claire's eyes start to water as she stares at him. He goes on to say that he's going to make it better for Peter, his mom, and Claire. She stands there, wiping a tear from her face before she picks up a blanket and covers him.
Danko meets with Sylar, telling him that he can't find Martin. Slightly confused, Sylar says that he did, too; Danko concludes that Martin must be gone "for good", and gives up trying, walking away. Sylar suspiciously watches him walk away, and follows. Danko walks out the door with Sylar following right behind, pulling a gun from his pocket, aiming for Danko's head; a trigger goes off, but it's Danko's, who turned around and shot James Martin posing as Sylar. The real Sylar walks in, shocked that Danko killed Martin, but Danko corrects him, saying that he's still alive, and therefore Sylar is still able to take his ability, though Danko requests that he does it without leaving the mark; Sylar grins, shuts the door and leans over as Martin whimpers in fear.
The next morning, Claire wakes up and Nathan thanks her for helping him out. She wonders if they're just going straight to Washington, but he says no, because he didn't make any calls. She questions what he said the night before, but he said that he was drunk and apologized if he got her hopes up, and he admits that he over reached and screwed up. Distraught, Claire tells him that over the years, she's imagined what her biological father would be like, and he ended up more amazing than she could ever imagine, and that he can do anything he wants and fly -- that he was supposed to be Superman. She leaves the room crying.
Angela wakes up on Peter's shoulder, they're on a pew in the church. She tells him that she slept and hand a dream about the angel depicted in one of the stained glass windows in the church. She says that she knows what she has to do: first, find Nathan and Claire to bring the family together, then find her sister. She stands up and lays her hand on Peter's cheek as he asks "sister?", and then she slaps him. Smiling, he stands up as well.
Claire waits at a train station, as Nathan, fully dressed, walks up behind her. She asks what time it is, but he doesn't have his watch. Instead, from his pocket, he pulls out the necklace Claire initially sold at the pawn shop and fastens it around her neck, telling her he's heading back up. The two part ways for a few seconds until he turns around and asks her if she's coming. She is reluctant, but decides to join him.
Noah walks down a street to meet up with Danko, who is kneeling down over a body bag. Noah bends down and opens the bag to see that it's Sylar. When Danko walks away, Noah checks the back of Sylar's head and sees that a shard of glass is shoved in it. A woman walks up behind Noah, asking him if he was okay, and zipping the body bag back up.
Angela walks confidently down the aisle of the church with Peter right behind her. He stops and turns back to look at the altar. He smiles, and holds his mother's hand as the two walk out of the church.
Danko sits in his car with the radio on, holding a cigarette, until the woman who zipped up Sylar's body bag comes in and tells him that cigarettes are bad. Danko asks how it felt to zip up the body bag, when the woman suddenly starts groaning in pain, shifting and molding into Sylar. "Cathartic, poetic, and tactically fortunate," he responds, looking in the car's mirror. Danko says that if they go through with "this", he'll be the only one left, Sylar looks at him and says "funny how that works". Danko starts the car, and the two drive off.
Memorable Quotes
"Una noche señor... a menos que quieran alquilar por hora. (One night sir... unless you're paying hourly.)
"¡Yo soy su padre! (I'm her father!)
"He's a better you than you."
- - Sylar (to Danko, when referring to James Martin in Danko's form)
"I was just like you, my head in the clouds... I was gonna be a teacher. Then my power manifested and the dreams came; visions of a bloody future of deceit and death, the Apocalypse."
- - Angela to Peter (Into Asylum)
"If we do this... if we succeed... you'll be the only one left."
"Funny how that works."
Character Appearances
Trivia
- The transition to the "To Be Continued" was radically different from prior episodes. Particularly, the card was not accompanied by a distinct musical cue, but instead was revealed as the song from the previous scene, "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" by The Animals, played until black.
- The receptionist in the Puerta al Cielo Motel, says "siñor" instead of "señor". This may occur often between the Sephardic Jews living in the Spanish speaking countries. Therefore while this could most probably point out a Sephardic origin of the speaker, it could also simply be a tongue twister.
- According to the Heroes Interactive for this episode, the original script called for the three college guys at the Puerta al Cielo Motel starting a brawl over losing. However, producers later decided to cut out that part of the sequence. The scene was later released on www.nbc.com/heroes.
See Also
- For images from Into Asylum, see images from Into Asylum.
- Watch the episode on Hulu.
| previous: Cold Snap | Into Asylum | next: Turn and Face the Strange |
| See Also: Volume One Episodes • Volume Two Episodes • Volume Three Episodes • Volume Four Episodes • Volume Five Episodes • Heroes Reborn Episodes • All Episodes |
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