Original subtitles

Just tell me what the problem is, nate.

I made contact with them

Last night, and I think

They're after me now.

You made contact with who?

A tv show.

It's called cult.

But it's not just a tv show.

It goes... Beyond that.

Nate!

You work on cult?

Yeah, a researcher. Is there any reason for me

To believe that my brother's disappearance

Is related to this show?

Nate said he wanted out.

I mean, is he one of them?

We find these true believers, we find nate.

We both know he's come into contact

With these true believer fans of the show... "fans"?

Fans who killed a man and nearly killed us.

That symbol,

The one with the three blades,

Steven rae is introducing it into the show.

Does anybody know what it means?

Steven doesn't tell anybody what he's thinking.

We need to keep digging to find out the truth.

Stop.

Look at this.

What are they?

Prisoners?

Jeff: It's nate.

All those photos were x-ed out.

There's no x on nate's photo.

Which means he's... At least

Still alive.

But where?

(crickets chirping)

Our eyes see only what is in front of us.

But there is so much more.

(chuckles)

So many things that go unseen when the mind...

Isn't free.

We can see them together, kelly.

You and I, bound as one, sharing

A vision of perfection... (chuckles)

In our love.

Our minds...

And...

Our bodies.

Kelly collins.

Do you give yourself to this joining?

(chuckles softly)

With all my heart.

(quietly): You are my only love.

Bert: Deadlines are deadlines, jeff.

I thought I trained you better than this.

Hey, it's on me.

You guys are going to press this afternoon. I get it.

Just seems you're a little shaky, you know,

On the part of the deal where the reporter

Actually delivers the article to his editor.

I am finishing the last paragraph now.

Done.

750 words

On santa monica's feral cat problem.

It's bigger than you think.

Marvelous. (chuckles)

Bert: Then there's this thing with nate.

He always had this strange way of looking

At the world, even as a kid.

Yeah, tell me about it.

Looking at that craziness up there mean anything?

Giving you any clue where the hell

Nate's got himself?

Well, I found this photo the other day.

It was taken of him since he's gone missing.

You take this to the police?

Of course you didn't.

Bert: What?

This. Nate already had this photo pinned up here,

So that means it has something to do with the show.

But you see this?

They're both wearing the same medallion.

Accept, forgive, release.

What?

The medallions. Can't see it in the picture,

But that's what's written on them.

It's a sobriety mantra?

Accept your fall, forgive yourself,

Release your guilt.

So nate was back... In the program?

He fell off the wagon.

Got himself help right away.

He didn't want to burden you,

Not with all the other personal crap you had

Going on in your life.

Because I go way back with you both,

He asked me to be his family member at some of the meetings.

He got that medallion when he completed the program.

It was a proud moment for him.

So what is that photo doing on his cult wall?

Let me see it.

Yeah, I know this guy.

Dustin something. Nate and him got to be pretty tight.

Do you know where I could find him?

(sighs)

Bert, damn it.

Nate and I drove him home more than once.

So you know where he lives.

(bell rings)

Man, I'm dreading this thing tonight.

(chuckles) how bad can it be?

A party for

200 winners of a network fan contest in costume? (sighs)

Well, when you put it that way.

(sighs) are you coming?

I'm thinking about it.

It's a chance to meet some of the more hardcore fans.

That's a good thing?

Could be interesting.

Look, I'll sign autographs, pose for photos, but...

They've got me doing this private set tour thing.

At least, if you come,

I'll have somebody I wantto talk to.

Did you ask that guy of yours?

What's his name? Jeff?

Jeff's not my guy.

Hey. What are you guys talking about?

Nothing. Um, just... The party tonight.

Oh, you're coming, right?

Maybe.

Maybe? Come on. It'll be fun.

(laughs) fun like prohibition.

You just can't have fun without getting wasted, can you, lexi?

Oh, sure, I can, but why?

You and I haven't had a chance to hang out lately.

Not since dinner last week.

It's an opportunity to spend some time together.

Yeah, well, I'll probably see you there.

Great.

You didn't strike me like the kind of girl

Who likes to play boyfriend roulette.

Jeff's not a boyfriend.

Okay.

(engine revs in distance)

(meows)

Miss... Miss wartell?

Yeah?

Is your son dustin home?

You his caseworker?

Yes.

Yes, I am. (sighs)

He said he was finished with that.

Is he around?

I have some questions I'd like to ask him.

He moved a month back.

Good damn riddance.

Have you ever seen this man?

I don't know, maybe he's

One of dusty's new friends.

New friends?

My son gets clean for the first time in years

And then goes off and joins some dumbass religion.

Religion? Truth believers

Or something like that.

He brought a couple of the weirdos by here yesterday.

Has your son ever watched a television show called cult?

Yeah, he watches it.

How the hell do you know that?

Do you know where I might be able to catch up with him? (sighs)

(chuckles ruefully)

You want my advice?

Don't catch up to him.

Just let it be.

Well, I'd like to talk to him.

See how he's doing.

He came by here yesterday to pick up that getup of his

From the show. He and his crazy friends

Were all worked up about some big party tonight.

This party, d...

Do you know where it's gonna be?

Well, that's what's got them all jazzed.

Party's gonna be at that studio

Where they shoot the stupid show.

(sighs)

You know how when something bad happens,

Like when someone goes nuts and...

Starts shooting a bunch of people?

Or they find some guy with ten bodies in his basement?

How everyone says, "I should have seen the signs"?

"I knew something wasn't right"?

Well, that's exactly the feeling I got here yesterday

When my boy was here.

Mrs. Wartell,

If you know that they're up to something...

All's I got is a feeling,

And my feelings about dustin have been right plenty of times.

Something bad happens there tonight...

Don't say I didn't tell you.

(crow cawing)

Names were picked in a random drawing.

You had to provide your own transportation

To los angeles, so...

A lot of fans who couldn't afford to travel

Sold their tickets online.

Here it is.

So, this dustin guy and his friends

Could have bought their way in?

I don't see anybody on the list named dustin.

Well, his mom was more than a little high-strung,

But she was very specific and very worried.

Well, listen, the party is for cult fans.

Believe me, the place is going to be insane with security.

"insane" being the operative word.

Well, this dustin was very tight with nate,

And he loves cult.

If he shows, I want to be there.

Is there any way you can get me in?

I don't have the authority

To put you on the list.

But...

You could be my plus one.

Well, that works.

Um, listen, jeff.

The party is for fans.

Yeah?

To maintain the spirit, the show is insisting that any staff

And their guests who attend have to be in costume.

I can get us what we need from wardrobe.

(grunts)

It's up to you.

Yeah. Sure.

Sounds fun.

♪

(camera shutter clicking)

So, do they throw parties like this very often?

(sighs) lot of shows do,

But this is the first for cult.

Right now, the fan passion is fueling the buzz about the show.

The network is doing everything they can

To cultivate that passion.

Jeff.

Ugh. Fine, fine, fine.

All right.

(indistinct chatter)

♪

Well, it's not going to be easy

Picking out this dustin guy.

Not among a hundred billys.

(indistinct chatter)

Skye.

Hey, I've been looking for you.

Skye: Just got here.

Look at you in your dress.

You look pretty. Thanks.

Hi.

It's nice to see you.

I'm sorry for staring.

It's very... I-I know.

It's okay. Marti, this is jeff.

Oh. Oh, yes. Jeff.

I've heard skye mention you.

It's very nice to finally meet you.

Man: Can I get a picture with you marti?

Bodyguard: Not right now, folks.

Please, give miss garrison some room.

That's adam.

The only thing between me and a stampede.

Not that I'm complaining.

Oh, do you remember that private set tour

I got roped into?

Yeah.

The guy's not that bad.

Here we go.

Beverage de jour: Blood punch. Oh.

Non-alcoholic.

Oh, mike, this is, uh, jeff and skye.

Hey. Mike. Hi. Nice to meet you.

Hi. Jeff.

Mike teaches screenwriting at usc,

And he apparently paid a fortune

Online to buy the set tour with me.

It's my favorite show,

And she's my favorite character.

(marti chuckles)

Hey, maybe you two could join us?

You can show jeff the sets, too.

I'd love to, but...

But we're actually trying to hook up with somebody,

Which we need to find right now.

Maybe we'll catch up with you later?

Yeah. It was nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you.

So, she has no idea about the show

Or what we suspect, does she? Uh-uh.

And she knows my name how?

Well, people have overheard me talking to you.

Hmm.

(sighs) we do talk a lot.

Where do we start?

Uh, I think we should split up.

Woman: He's here. He's here!

(excited chattering)

Who's here?

I'll give you one guess.

♪ I'll take you in...

(tires squeak)

Woman: Billy, can I have a photo?

Man: Roger, over here!

Man 2: Billy, sign my photo!

Man 3: Billy, can I get a photo?

We're only here as long as we need to be,

Then I'll take you to dinner anywhere you like.

What are you talking about?

This is amazing.

Please, my sweet.

You are nothing like these other fans.

Man 4: One final picture, roger?

(scream): Billy! Billy!

(train horn blowing) billy!

(cheering and whooping)

Well, hey, these things just snap...

I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else.

Easy mistake tonight.

(grunts)

Sorry.

No, no. My fault.

Would you kindly pass me one of those?

Dustin, man, we had a job to do here.

Hey!

This is supposed to be a party, right?

No reason the candy man can't keep on spreading the wealth.

Billy: My name is billy grimm.

Ladies.

Billy: People say I'm...

Dangerous.

Me? I'm completely harmless.

Man: Sign my photo!

Woman: Roger!

Man 2: Hey, billy.

Man 3: Hey, thanks.

I'm next!

You're right, you are next.

(chuckles)

(excited chattering)

♪

(giggles) (gasps): Damn it, lexi.

Somebody's jumpy.

Look, lexi, I'm kind of busy. No, no, no, no, no, no.

Busy, busy. It's a party.

Huh?

Up, up, up, up, up, up, up. (gags)

(laughs) what did you do that for?

You're going to thank me in about ten minutes.

There's something in this?

Well, yeah.

What the hell, lexi?

Trust me, okay?

This stuff, it's great.

It's really great. Is everything okay?

Lexi here slipped something into my drink.

It's just a little pick-me-up.

Well, what kind of pick-me-up?

There's something going around.

Why do you think this party is so not boring?

And they're so cute.

They're like the little tabs on the show--

The ones that billy and kelly take-- only they're real.

Where did you get them?

Some guy in a billy outfit.

From someone you don't even know?

I mean, what the hell are you thinking?

We work ridiculous hours

And we have no lives.

You guys, come on. It's a party.

Jeff.

Lexi: Hey.

That's the guy.

Come on, we're gonna lose him.

Hey, you feeling okay?

I feel fine.

(man speaking low, indistinctly)

This is a party. You're supposed to have drugs.

(continues indistinctly)

Are you seriously...

(woman speaking indistinctly)

What is that?

Must be the drug.

Sakelik.

Yeah, that's all of them.

(woman speaking indistinctly)

Hey, you okay?

I think I need to sit down.

(quietly): Okay, let's go.

Come on, let's go this way.

♪

(sighs)

(sighs)

Man: A private moment.

Few and far between for you these days, I'm sure.

A private moment.

Do I know you?

No. I just have one of those faces.

I don't know how you do it.

Everyone wanting something from you.

The fans.

It's I who owe the fans everything.

No, no, you don't have to do that with me.

The truth is I've never even seen this show of yours.

(chuckles) you a guest at the party?

Uh, confession.

My date is the fan.

The things we do for a beautiful woman, huh?

(chuckles)

However, I am a fan of better angels.

You don't say?

God, you were remarkable in that film.

What'd they call you? The, uh...

The james dean of the '90s, right?

I should have quit while I was ahead.

Or died.

Don't ever say that.

Come on.

People love what you do.

You're a lucky man.

There you are.

I absolutely am a lucky man.

(chuckles)

I didn't catch your name.

Stuart.

Roger. Roger reeves.

Yeah. I know.

Well, I should get back inside before some billy grimm has

His way with my date.

I thought you said you didn't know the show.

You caught me.

By the way, is that a '47?

Your car-- is that a 1947 mg?

Uh... No, it's a 1946.

Beautiful.

You're a man of taste.

Well, it's been a distinct pleasure.

Who's that?

A fan. Oh.

A real fan.

(chuckles softly)

No one's here yet.

Ooh, oh! Oh, you okay?

Yeah, I think I'm just really

Starting to feel whatever lexi gave me.

Okay, great. Let's just sit down.

Mm-hmm. Yeah. Here you go. Easy does it.

Easy, easy.

(sighs)

What the hell is wrong with her?

Why would she do something like that to you?

I mean, she thought she was doing me a favor.

By slipping something in your drink?

(chuckles)

Well, I don't think I got very much of it.

Here.

Drink this.

Jeff...

What...?

(sighs)

I mean...

Sakelik here.

With dustin?

Well, we know from dustin's mom

That he's involved with the true believers.

Mm.

And I'm convinced that sakelik is one of them.

You came here to find nate.

To talk to him about dustin.

No. You came here to find dustin

To talk to him about nate.

But I think we've had a change of plans.

Sakelik and dustin are definitely

Up to something here tonight. Mm.

Peter: Hey? (clears throat)

(clears throat)

Peter.

Peter: I, um,

Just finished work.

I was, um, about to come down to the party to find you.

I'm jeff.

Peter.

Jeff's a friend.

I-I came here to show jeff where I work.

Jeff, you should go back to the party and-and

See if...

See if you can find that guy

And-and figure out what he's up to.

Okay. Just keep drinking that water.

It was nice to meet you.

Yeah.

Peter, it isn't what you think.

Hey, look, we've been out a couple times, you know?

It's no big deal. I just, uh...

Well, I had no idea you were going to bring someone tonight.

Well, you know, it was all very last minute.

What did you mean about finding some guy,

Figuring out what he's up to?

(chuckles)

Long story.

(loud dance music playing)

(loud chatter and whooping)

Mr. Sefton.

What a surprise.

Well, I have to say the same, detective.

The head of studio security's an old friend of mine.

Sometimes I stop by on my way home.

I thought it was your brother who was the fan of this show.

Oh, he is,

But to be honest, I'm beginning

To find the show very interesting myself.

Full of its own surprises.

Well...

I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.

Actually... I'm glad you're here.

Really? And why is that?

Because, I think

There might be something going down here tonight.

What do you mean, "something going down"?

I'm not sure, but I thought

If people were planning on doing something,

And you knew about it,

There might be something

You could do to stop it before it happened.

If you know of some specific threat...

I'm just letting you know... That I know.

(loud dance music playing)

Do you really want to see all the sets?

I paid for the full tour.

(laughs)

Ah, the taxidermy scene.

Mm-hmm.

Episode eight.

You know, I always felt

That the subtext was misinterpreted by most fans.

Subtext?

Seriously, it was just billy being billy.

I don't think so.

You can almost hear kelly.

Calling out through billy's subconscious,

Driving his direction.

It's like saraswati.

Saraswati, the hindu inspiration of creativity?

You know of it?

Yeah, I do. So you do understand

The subtext of that scene.

(applause, cheering and whistling)

All right, cult fans, who's ready for this?

(cheering and whistling)

This is what we're here for.

Hold on. Wait for it.

Wait for it.

(cheering)

Huh?

Yeah!

Okay, which one of you billys and kellys out there

Could possibly match that?

(whooping and cheering)

That's better. That's good. That's...

Better, better, but we need more passion.

We need real passion.

Oh, hey, what's this?

Oh, another one?

(applause, cheering, whooping and whistling)

Okay, this billy and kelly.

(applause and cheering)

Okay, I like them. Oh... Kelly.

(cheering)

(cheering and whistling)

Let's see if we have anybody else that can top that.

I like that, though. Anybody?

Oh, oh, right there, right there.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. No.

No. Ladies and gentlemen, I think they need a little bit

More encouragement.

Kiss!

(chanting): Kiss! Kiss!

Kiss! Kiss!

Kiss! Kiss! (skye laughs)

Kiss! Kiss! This is ridiculous.

Kiss! Kiss! Totally.

Kiss! Kiss! Oh, no, no.

(crowd groaning)

Please, don't make us beg.

(cheering)

Now, that's more like it.

Billy and kelly! Look at that!

(cheering, applause, whistling and whooping)

Okay, cult fans, who's ready to party?

(applause and cheering)

Did you see where adam went?

Your bodyguard? Yeah.

No. I didn't even notice he was gone.

Do you want me to go look for him?

Um...

(sighs)

I'm sure he'll catch up.

Come on. It's okay.

So, you really wanted to see this set.

It's just that the studio didn't prep it for the party.

Temple rocks.

Yeah, I definitely wanted to come there.

It's the scene of the famous kiss between you and billy.

Famous for me, because with all the

Bonfire and dress and everything,

It took, like, 12 takes.

(laughs)

They projected the forest on that blue screen.

In the show, it all looked very convincing.

This was really a seminal moment for you.

This was your chance to have billy forever.

Guess according to, uh,

Steven rae's master plan for the show,

It wasn't meant to be.

So, how did you get into teaching?

It was the turning point.

Your moment of

Betrayal of billy. Come on, mike.

This was a wedding scene, not a betrayal scene.

Listen, if you want my opinion,

The actress who plays kelly,

Then it was billy who mislead kelly.

There are some fans who may think that's the reality, but...

They're wrong.

Well, none of this is reality, of course.

I know. (chuckles)

(chuckles)

(lively techno plays) (indistinct chatter)

Feeling better?

Yeah, definitely.

Thanks.

Just really hit me all of a sudden.

Look, I'm sorry.

In there, grabbing you like that. I...

I... (chuckles)

We were...

We were forced into it.

I mean, just so you know, that wasn't me.

I mean, that was... Whatever lexi gave me.

I know.

Really, don't... Sweat it.

Okay. (groans)

Not too fast. Not too fast.

We need to keep our eye on dustin.

He's in there with his crazy friends.

(moaning)

What was that? I don't know.

It was back here.

Hey!

(moaning) god,

Are you okay? Skye: That's marti's bodyguard.

(groans) somebody hit me. Yeah, we'll get you some help.

Marti. Hey, hey, don't worry, we'll find her.

Temple rocks.

Temple rocks?

Um, it's-it's a set behind the stage.

Okay, can you call security? Can you do that? Yeah. Yeah.

Be careful! Jeff: Yeah.

I think we should, uh, get back.

(grunts) you really should've treated billy

With more respect, kelly.

Why did you just call me kelly?

He gave you everything.

Mike, I'm not kelly.

You know that I'm not kelly.

Look, let's just...

Shh, shh! (muffled screaming)

Mike: I can't let you

Leave, kelly.

(mike shouts)

(mike grunting)

(panting)

Get off of her!

What the hell do you think you're doing,

Huh, creep?!

Huh?!

Is she okay?

She'll live.

She better.

(mike grunts, coughs)

What are you... Doing?

We're here to protect the show from nut jobs like you.

Maybe if you didn't

Make such a big stink online

About what you planned on doing to kelly...

Let's just get him the hell out of here.

Take him.

He goes, too.

Damn it! Let go of me. (grunts)

Jeff: Let go.

(engine starts)

Go.

Go!

(gasping) marti!

Man: I need an ambulance in the east side of stage 4.

Jeff?

Jeff!

Jeff!

(indistinct police radio transmission)

(siren wails)

Skye: Marti, I'm so sorry

I wasn't there. You couldn't have known what he was gonna do.

I just wish...

I'm okay, really. I'm all right.

Roger: Where was her security?

Huh? It's the studio's job

To make sure the stars of your show are protected!

What would you have done if she had been killed? Huh?

Who should I call to fix that problem?

(sighs)

Come on, jeff. Pick up.

Pick up.

(sighs)

Come on, jeff. Pick up.

Pick up.

(engine revs, tires screech)

Let's go.

(groans) this would have been so much

Easier if you had just let me do my job.

At this point, I'm not sure what your job is.

I'm a cop, mr. Sefton. 100%.

Really? And this?

All this is just normal cop business?

Sakelik: Not exactly.

This guy tried to upset the natural order of things.

He wanted to harm the actress in the show.

We couldn't let that stand. Oh, I see. Right, okay.

So you and your guys just grabbed him yourselves.

We have to protect the show.

And by "we" you mean true believers?

You mean you?!

You have no idea

What you've stuck your nose into, mr. Sefton.

And just how lucky you are.

(whispers): What are you doing?

This...

Is the reason you're still alive.

(engine starts)

(muffled shouting)

(tires screech)

♪ I'm writing you now just to see ♪

♪ if you're better

♪ new york is cold, but I like where I'm living ♪

♪ there's music on clinton street all through the evening ♪

♪ I hear that you're building

♪ your little house deep in the desert ♪

♪ you're living for nothing now... ♪

(exhales)

Jeff. (chuckles)

I was so freaked out. I didn't know what to do.

(sighs)

I thought you were dead. Yeah.

I thought I was dead, too.

What happened?

Jeff: Sakelik didn't say anything else.

She just wrote this web site on my hand.

Wait, that's my article from today's paper.

My god. Nate.

Nate: Jeff.

Listen to me very carefully.

I'm fine,

But if you keep looking for me,

I won't be and neither will you.

They want something from me, but I-I told 'em

I wouldn't give it to them unless I know you're all right.

Please.

You've got to stop looking for me.

If you don't, I won't be able to protect you.

You hear me?

Just stop.

I'm begging you.

Please.

(clicks key)

(skye sighs)

He's made some sort of deal with the true believers

To keep me safe.

What do they want with him?

I don't know.

But at least he's all right for now.

I wish you didn't have to leave so early.

I've got to get to work.

(sighs)

Can you text me? Mm-hmm.

And let me know how marti's doing?

Will do.

And be careful yourself.

There's lots of crazies out there.

(chuckles) (growls)

All right.

♪

Captioned by media access group at wgbh access.Wgbh.Org