Original subtitles

[tribal drums playing]

[chanting in native language]

-Oh! Oh! -Shh!

[groaning]

Are you sure you wanna do this, Grandma?

[continues chanting]

[screaming]

It's okay.

[screaming]

[screeching]

[sighs]

[theme music playing]

[zydeco music playing]

Sorry, I'm late.

I figured you would be, so I started without you.

Don't tell me we're having a pop quiz or something.

I forgot to study.

Don't worry. You can copy off of me.

So, what is this?

It's a telephone art auction or something, right?

Yeah. St. Petersburg Museum. Lost Impressionists.

We got a shot at some real fine pieces.

You now, maybe it's just me,

but I don't get why one painting is real fine

and the other one is just so-so.

Well, it's all subjective,

but you have to feel a painting on an emotional level. It has to

speak to you, touch you in some profound way.

So, these paintings that we're gonna bid on, they speak to you.

Absolutely. Every single one of 'em.

Maybe it's me, but I don't hear anything.

Maybe you're just not listening.

Wait. I think I heard something.

No, it's just my stomach. I think I'm gonna try breakfast.

If one of these paintings should happen to call for me before I get back...

Take a message.

Right.

[intercom beeps]

[man] Excuse me, Ms. Moreau, there's a call for you.

Okay.

-Hello? -[woman] Alex, it's me.

Tanya?

Where are you?

[Tanya] I'm here in San Francisco.

Daniel has a home here. It was a gift from a believer.

I've missed you, Alex.

Well, I spoke to Grandma Rose,

and she said you brought in some sort of faith healer

to cure her stomach ache?

-Daniel's a shaman. -Really?

I mean, where have you been? Why haven't you called?

It's complicated.

Complicated? All you do is pick up the phone, dial my number.

I mean, it's like you fell off the face of the earth again.

I'll tell you all about it when I see you.

How about Cicero's at 12:30?

All right. I'll see you then.

Bye.

You smell good.

So, aren't you glad you talked to your sister?

Yes, it was a bit strained, but I don't know about this, Daniel.

It's been so long.

Tanya...

Every worthwhile endeavor is difficult.

Besides, I just want to meet this very special sister of yours.

By special, you mean psychic, right?

Everyone in my family has the gift.

Alex is just more potent.

Why are you so concerned with me and Alex?

Tanya,

sweetheart,

you need this reconciliation with your sister.

It's a very important part of the healing work we're doing together.

It'll make you well,

make you whole.

Come on.

Besides, my baby...

You know you're the most important thing to me.

Don't you?

Yes, I do.

Come on.

[Alex] Our problems go way back to when we were kids.

I mean, she hated school, resented the fact that I did well.

-And she's your big sister, right? -[Alex] Yeah.

Well, maybe that's why she's having such a tough time with this.

You've gone on, you've accomplished a lot.

Alex,

do you feel responsible for her?

Yeah. No. I-- You know, I don't know.

Maybe in a weird way I am.

Rose used to say I was her favorite

because of the gift of sight,

and Tanya's always envied that.

The thing is she's so smart and funny and talented.

But she still feels the need to compete.

Well, that's it.

I mean, for a while, she went to nursing school.

Then she drops out of that.

Now her whole life has been a mission to find herself.

I mean, she's always involved in some new psycho-spiritual obsession.

Six months ago, Rose tells me that she's involved

with this African healer, a shaman.

Ah, Nick.

Phone auction starts in a few minutes.

You just made it.

Can't wait. What's first?

Lot number four.

The Monet. The Luna Foundation absolutely must have that painting.

So, how high are we prepared to go?

Okay. Well, I have the appraisal figures

for that here somewhere.

Oh! [groans]

-Hey. -[Alex] I can't believe I did that.

[Rachel] It's okay. I got it covered.

Here, you do it.

-Me? -Yeah.

-I don't know what to bid. -[Derek] Whatever it takes.

-Rachel? -Hmm.

So, tell me,

what do you know about this shaman your sister is taking up with?

Well, supposedly, he cured my grandma's intestinal problems.

Tanya was there, he pulled her right in.

Now he's got her thinking she's some sort of mystic herself.

She literally bangs drums for him at his healing rituals.

Have you spoken to your grandmother?

Every week. The pain still comes and goes.

The thing is is that Tanya and I used to be so close.

Now, it's like we hardly know each other anymore.

You two are seeing each other for lunch today, aren't you?

-Yeah. -[Rachel] So,

how do you feel about getting together again?

I don't know. I always say I'm not gonna get involved and I always do.

All I know is that no matter what happens, it always ends in disaster.

[Rachel] Maybe this time it'll be different.

There's always hope.

I'm so nervous.

I don't think I'm up to this.

Tanya,

sit.

Take this nkisi bottle.

Give it to Alex as a gesture of reconciliation.

This is from Grandma Rose's bottle tray.

The glass from that bottle will capture

and contain all the fires that burn between you.

Reach out to her, Tanya.

Let what's in your heart shine.

Don't worry about anything else.

I'll do my best.

I promise.

Oh!

-I'm sorry I'm late. -Don't worry about it.

-It's so good to see you, baby girl. -It's so good to see you.

Look at you!

Daughter of Africa.

[chuckles] Come on, sit down.

You're not fasting again, are you?

Occasionally, to purify my system.

Are you sure you're all right?

You look a little tired.

I've never felt better.

I brought you this.

For me?

Thank you.

Let's see. Wow.

Oh!

The Kongo nkisi bottle.

Very good, sister.

Hey, you weren't the only one raised

around Grandma Rose's Creole superstitions.

Oh.

"I'm risking my soul sitting out here in the midday sun

when it's not casting its natural shadow."

"And don't let no witchy woman come sneaking up behind ya.

She'll wrap that shadow up, child."

"And keep those windows and doors shut tight at night..."

"Or those boogeymans come and get you."

[chuckles]

I miss her.

So where have you been for the last six months?

Tanya, Rose is old. She worries about you.

Yes, but she knows that I travel the country with Daniel.

Daniel. This is the healer guy?

Where the hell did you hook up with him?

A spiritual teacher I know.

Naomi Sabah, she introduced us. He's genuine, Alex.

You should see all the people he's healed.

Including Grandma Rose?

He helped her.

He's a truly enlightened soul.

Oh, Tanya, why do you always do this?

Can't you see him for the fake he is?

I don't wanna hurt you, but what I'm telling you is the truth.

What I'm telling you is that I've changed.

I've grown, and it's because of him.

Meet him, Alex. You'll change your mind.

He wants to meet you.

Okay.

Good.

[chuckles]

[Daniel laughing]

Did a spectographic exam,

a laser refraction patterning analysis, and an X-ray,

and what we're dealing with here is...

A bottle. A very attractive bottle.

Listen, I know what I saw. Even more than that, I know what I felt.

No, no. Keep it here. I don't want it in my room anymore.

I had myself convinced that this Shaman was a sham,

but after last night, I'm not so sure.

Well, there is something here.

And considering the nature of Tanya's claims,

he shouldn't be taken lightly.

By any of us.

You never met Daniel, right?

No, but apparently he wants to meet me.

Excellent.

We'll have the two of them over for dinner. Tonight.

Actually, the word "shaman" is probably more appropriate

to the steps of Central Asia,

Latin America, and Indonesia

than it is to my home in Central Africa.

Well, close enough for jazz though, huh?

But "shaman" is preferable to "sorcerer."

But not "witch doctor"?

[Daniel] No.

[chuckles] I mean, I don't even own a broom.

[laughs]

[Derek] In reality, many times,

it's the evil spell of a witch

that the shaman will banish from the sick.

Correct?

But, Mr. Euwara,

the healing aside,

isn't the experience more... transcendental?

Daniel, please.

And it's true.

There are many aspects of our culture that are rather extravagant.

However, you don't expect me to reveal my trade secrets here,

even to a lovely compatriot like yourself, Dr. Corrigan.

[Alex] Actually, Rachel,

Bakongo healing is done with the aid of the spirits of the dead.

A shaman holds souls captive in a nkisi cauldron.

He then enters a trance

in which he commands the spirit zombies...

To aid him

against his will.

Tell me, Daniel,

does the shaman ever question the morality

of holding dead souls in such a limbo?

[Tanya] Actually, it's a force of nature

that's summoned and controlled by the shaman's will.

Let me ask you this.

Is it not more ethical

to use the power of the dead

to sustain life,

rather than ignore this power

and simply leave the living to suffer and die?

It is always a doctor's duty

to ease suffering.

If I remember,

communing with the dead in a trance is called "la prise des yeux."

"The holding of the eyes."

Your sister is a marvel, Tanya.

A marvel.

She is as beautiful as you said she was.

So much more.

May I offer a blessing?

To my beautiful protege, Tanya,

and her lovely sister,

Alex.

May they be reunited,

and from this night forward,

may they be together

as one.

Forever.

-Good night. -Good night.

So, Tanya, what does it feel like to see your sister again?

-It's lovely. -There's much I could teach you, Alex,

if you could get past your skepticism.

Let me tell you, that's a big "if."

What is latent in Tanya is far more potent in you.

I saw it in her in New Orleans, and I see it in you now.

-Oh, do you? -But you are stronger

by a thousandfold.

I want you, Alex.

I want you to leave here and come and work with us.

You could be a healer. Now you think of what that means.

What do I have to do to convince you?

Well, I'd say nothing short of a miracle.

Hmm. Well, that can be arranged.

We'll be at this address at midnight.

The ritual is private.

The family would not like a large audience,

so please come alone.

[car starts outside]

And you'll have your first miracle.

[chanting in native language]

[child whimpering]

[groans heavily]

[yells]

[screaming]

Mom?

-You're all right! -My boy!

Tanya.

[yelps]

Tanya.

You know how skeptical I was of this guy.

But I also know what I saw.

And I gotta tell you, it was pretty amazing.

He's asked me to join him, Derek, to work with him.

They're going to Portland tomorrow.

Yeah, of course he wants you to.

He could make great use of your spiritual psychic power.

For good or evil?

Well, I'd say definitely for good

after what I saw him do with that boy last night.

And what about your sister?

Well, that's it. She just isn't well.

Well, then, you should go. By all means.

Well, how can I? I can't just pick up and leave.

Yes, you can. And you're going to.

Your sister's welfare is paramount.

Well, I know that.

At the same time, you cannot go blindly.

Ask questions. We must learn everything we can about Daniel Euwara.

And if you need us,

we will always be there.

I really can't give you the names of the people that Daniel's worked with.

It's confidential.

I know you understand.

But these people demand their privacy.

Well, places then. Anything.

Tanya, the people I work with are very concerned

about my going with you and Daniel.

They need assurances that I'll be okay.

I don't know why you feel the need to check up on him.

I don't know why you don't trust me.

[groans]

Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hang on.

-I'm gonna take you to the hospital. -No, no, no.

Just take me home. Take me to Daniel.

How is she?

She's resting.

I made a tea with some herbs and that should strengthen her.

Last night's ceremony just exhausted her.

Well, that looked worse than just exhaustion.

Alex,

during these ceremonies,

powerful forces are sometimes set loose.

And Tanya is just vulnerable.

She is not strong

spiritually.

Not as strong as you would be.

Strong enough for what exactly?

For me.

You see, Alex,

the interplay of male and female energies

is very important in our rituals.

It's something that

I need.

[Tanya] Daniel, are you there?

I need you.

[Tanya whimpering]

Tanya.

Here.

Drink.

-I don't want... -No, I made you some tea.

-I can't drink this. -Drink.

Ugh!

[breathing heavily]

You're getting better.

I don't feel much better.

It's gonna take time.

Last night's ceremony was very strong for you.

Here, drink.

-No. I don't... -Drink!

And finish!

[whimpers weakly]

Now rest.

[sighs]

[gasps]

[groaning]

[screaming]

The man has power.

For good or for evil, I cannot tell you.

Well, something's wrong, Grandma. I felt it.

But your sister, she believes.

You've got to look out for her.

Who else was at your healing, Grandma?

Well, there was me and Tanya,

and Daniel had another young woman with him.

Very beautiful.

I don't know her name.

And after that night, I never saw her again.

[telephone ringing]

Yeah.

That's the same ritual.

How did you know?

[Alex]I spoke to Grandma tonight.

There was another woman with Daniel. What was her name?

I don't know.

Anna.

Anna Jeonette. That's it.

Well, what happened to her?

She went with Daniel after the ritual,

and then she didn't come back.

[Daniel] I call on you

to find the holder of this bottle.

That they may be disappeared before me

like thunder and lightning.

My father,

who has the power to move Earth,

I take you as my patron from this day forward!

Find the holder of the bottle!

Rid me of their head!

Rid me of their thoughts!

Rid me of their memories!

Rid me of their house!

Rid me of my enemies, invisible and visible,

and bring down on them thunder and lightning!

In thine honor!

Daniel Euwara.

[inhales deeply]

[electricity crackling]

[yelling]

Whoa!

-Oh! -[yelling]

[yells]

-Nick! -Alex, stay back!

[Alex screams]

[panting]

-[Nick] Rachel! -I know.

I know. Take it easy.

[shouts]

Okay. Just hold still. I should take you to emergency.

I don't need to go to the hospital. I'm fine.

All right, well, then you're gonna do exactly what I say, Nick.

You are gonna stay in bed until I say you can move.

He's gonna live.

I'll stay and watch him,

make sure he doesn't have a concussion.

-You all right? -Yeah.

Well, Nick caught the brunt of it.

Yeah. Whatever force Daniel commands

came right through this

and attacked the first person in the line of fire.

Well, he obviously doesn't want us to be checking up on him.

Did you try to reach Tanya again?

Yeah. No answer.

Well, keep trying.

Derek, I wanna go over there now.

Not without a plan.

Judging from what just happened,

Daniel can kill any of us if he puts his mind to it.

Literally.

Fortunately, Nick backed everything up on optical drive.

I managed to retrieve most of it. That's the good news.

Well, show us the bad.

[Alex] I'm certain this is one of the zombies

I saw with Daniel at the healing ritual.

"Anna Jeonette, a Haitian Creole

of Bakongo descent on her father Thomas' side.

A renowned healer in New York City three years ago."

The exact same time Daniel arrived there.

He must have seduced her before he left New York.

What about the other one?

[Alex] Naomi Sabah from Zaire.

She traveled on the same plane from London to New York with Daniel.

After that, she just disappeared.

But we still need proof.

Well, I found this in the Baton Rouge Mercury.

[Rachel] "The unidentified corpse of a woman was found in a bayou graveyard

outside Baton Rouge.

The victim of ritual murder."

"These markings were found on headstones nearby."

Central African cosmograms.

You recognize them?

Yes. I saw some of them

while I was researching this in the archives.

A Legacy member recorded them on the first explorations

of the Belgian Congo in 1849.

Dr. David Livingstone.

The Dr. David Livingstone, I presume?

Precisely.

[Alex] So, Anna and Naomi are the souls trapped in the nkisi cauldron.

[Derek] According to Livingstone, these are invocations

to Lord Simbi, ruler of the dead.

The cosmograms were supposed to allow a warrior

to capture the souls of his enemies slain in battle.

And if you knew someone

who had lost his soul in battle,

then these were the cosmograms

that you would use to get it back.

Exactly.

Legitimate African healers harness the wandering spirits of the already dead.

He's not a shaman.

He's a sorcerer.

Who becomes more powerful with each new soul he enslaves.

Tanya.

He's gonna kill her.

And then, eventually, you.

That's why he wants you to join him.

You're the only reason he hasn't killed her already.

[telephone ringing]

Hello?

Yes, Daniel.

Why?

Okay.

I'll be there in half an hour.

He wants to meet me alone.

Tanya's getting worse.

-Where is she? -Safe, for the moment.

You bastard! What did you do to her?

It's not what I did to her that's important.

It's what I can do for her now that should concern you.

Tanya believes in me, and only me.

And I can make her better.

-Well, then do it. -On one condition.

I know your friends,

they don't trust me. And I don't give a damn.

But if they continue to interfere,

it just could affect Tanya's recovery.

It damn well better not.

What's your condition?

You.

You're the key now, Alex.

You have to work with me.

Or your sister dies.

Show me what I have to do.

Tanya!

You're gonna be okay. I promise you.

You'll be fine.

Now you belong to me.

Get the drum.

[Daniel chanting]

[coughing]

[ghostly screaming]

[coughing]

Oh, my God. Tanya, you're okay!

[coughs]

And now,

you're mine.

-No, Daniel. -Both of them.

No!

Now!

[Alex grunting]

Both of you to serve me.

Now why would I settle for less?

From this night forward,

this is the form in which you'll serve me!

And your souls will be locked forever

-in this cauldron. -Never!

[Daniel] Lord Simbi!

Lord Father!

I invoke you!

Take this woman!

So...

You've come

to join your friends in bondage.

No.

To free them.

By your name,

Anna Jeonette.

By the names of your father,

Thomas, and your mother, Leah.

By your name, Naomi Sabah.

By the names of your father, Khan.

No.

-And your mother, Leah. -Don't listen!

By the names of all your ancestors.

-You are hereby free from slavery... -No.

To this Mindoki witch Daniel Euwara.

By these signs,

you are released!

No!

[Daniel screaming]

[Alex]My grandmother taught us that our family was our magic,

able to overcome all that stood in our way.

I used to wonder what she meant.

Now I know.

[theme music playing]