Original subtitles

[wind whistling]

[grunts softly]

Josie?

God, you scared me.

I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure that you were okay.

Why?

I don't know.

I guess I've just been thinking about you.

You have?

Actually, I can't stop thinking about you.

I've been thinking about you, too.

[laughs softly]

DARK JOSIE: It's past curfew.

And Dad's gonna be so pissed.

[exhales]

You were having a sex dream.

What? No, I wasn't.

Please tell me it wasn't Landon.

Or Hope,

for that matter.

I wasn't having a sex dream.

Go back to sleep.

EMMA: As supernaturals,

we all carry a burden.

Our eyes are open to evil.

[panting]

[grunts]

And recently, you've had to face it.

Some of us process these traumas

by suppressing what happened.

For others, it's easier to bury it deep inside

and pretend like nothing's happened at all.

Still, others may take a different route, such as...

HOPE: Pushing people away in an attempt to self-isolate?

Because everyone they love is in perpetual danger,

which often results in them becoming perpetually dead.

See? There.

That's it. That's my therapy.

Can I go now? Because, uh, Landon's outside trying to fly

and could use a spotter.I'm afraid not, Hope,

because the point is we can all do better

at processing the traumas we've been through.

Which is why Dr. Saltzman has asked me to conduct

a special group lesson today.

Hmm? Mm-mm.

[sighs]

I, for one, could really use this,

and I would appreciate everyone's support.

MG: Honestly, I don't know

why I'm here, but I'm down to help.

EMMA: You will all

have an important role to play in this simulation.

Oh, stop looking at me like that.

It'll be fun.

This device

was created by Professor Rupert Vardemus.

Ew. Okay...

The realProfessor Vardemus.

He's quite famous in mystical therapeutic circles.

It's his variation on a Chambre de Chasse.

All your psychological concerns will be transferred inside

to form a shared narrative.

Now, the world you create together can be anything,

from pirates on the high seas to spies in the Cold War.

But no matter what it ends up looking like,

it will be designed specifically to help you.

Out here, you're unconscious.

You'll have no awareness that you're in a simulation.

So, it's like a game?

Mm.

Uh, how do I win?Simply reach

the end of your story and you'll be given an escape word.

Say it aloud and you'll become self-aware again,

then wake up here,

having discovered something valuable in the process.

Any questions?LIZZIE: Uh, yeah.

I have a question. What the hell is she doing here?

Hi. Uh, sorry I'm late.

Uh, weird dreams.

EMMA: You're just in time, Jade.

Don't worry.

What we're about to do here is merely a simulation.

And I'll be in it as well,

and self-aware the whole time.

I promise to keep a careful eye on all of you.

LIZZIE: Everyone think

of bright, sunny, tropical beaches.

MG: The air was as cold as a kiss from a corpse.

My partner worked at night, and now, so did I.

I had to, if I was ever going to find him.

But on the bright side, at least I knew where to start.

Because there's one thing that everyone in Mystic Falls knows.

There's a place where the lost things go.

[upbeat piano music playing]

♪ Thanks

♪ For the memory

♪ Of sunburns at the shore

♪ Nights in Singapore

♪ You might have been a headache ♪

♪ But you never were a bore

♪ So thank you

♪ So much...

That photographer.

He followed us from the airport.

I'm in town to make a picture, Jo.

The more publicity, the better.

As your sister, but more importantly,

your publicist, I disagree.

We need to control the narrative.

Because if you still looked good from that angle,

we'd be working with Howard Hawks.

Fine.

Then at least find me another drink

after you're done scaring him off.

As if you need another drink.

♪ Hooray for us

♪ And thanks for the memory

♪ And how are all the little dreams ♪

♪ That never did come true?

♪ So thank you

♪ So much.

[applause]

Thank you. Thank you.

I'm Emma Tig.

I'll be taking a break, but don't worry,

I'll be here all night, if anyone needs my help.

This ain't a peep show.

Can you blame me?

Elizabeth Saltzman's a star. I've seen all of her movies.

I'm bad with faces.

I'm hoping that's not the case.

I'm looking for my boss,

the best P.I. this town's ever known.

Like I said, I'm bad with faces.

He's in danger, Miss Mikaelson.

How do you know my name?

The same way I know your liquor license is expired.

So,

let's help each other out.

He looks like the kind of guy who comes here for the music.

If I were you,

I'd ask the dame who sings, because I don't.

Miss Tig?

I'd like to have a quick...

word.

Vardemus.

My name is Holmes, dear boy.

Sherlock Holmes.

[gasps, panting]

How is this possible?

[sighs] Good morning.

You sobered up yet?

I rarely drink.

The occasional seven percent solution, perhaps.

[sighs] You're an alcoholic, Rupert.

We're partners. Friends.

That explains the cufflinks you bought for me.

For the last time!

My partner's name is Watson and mine is...

Sherlock Holmes.

I know.

Though how I ended up here confounds even me.

I woke this morning and the world around me had changed.

But though my surroundings were different, I remembered

the case I was working on.

What I was looking for: the Blue Carbuncle,

a rare and precious gemstone,

stolen from the countess of Morcar.

So you can imagine my surprise when it turned up

in a newspaper advertisement for this dreary world,

around the neck of a lounge singer.

A dead lounge singer, with your fingerprints all over her.

I doubt that very much,

as should you, given I was wearing gloves.

Have you deduced

that she died of cyanide poisoning yet?

The champagne?

It's elementary.

The skin beneath her fingernails had turned the color of roses.

A direct result of her cells being unable to absorb

the oxygen that remained in her blood.

Find who poisoned the bottle...

...and you'll have found your killer.

I'm the sidekick.

You are the brains, which is why I need your help

to get to the bottom of this.Sorry, old chap.

I have my own mystery to solve.

James Ryder stole the jewel.

The hotel attendant?

A bold theory. How did you arrive at it?

I didn't. You did.

So read up, and hopefully by the time I'm back,

you'll be the man I know again.

♪

[MG clears throat]

How did you get in?

The door was unlocked.

You're a terrible liar.

I'm a terrible detective, too.

But not half bad at picking locks.

Then that'll be the first thing I tell the cops.

Or should I start with you going to talk to that singer

right before she died?

Not like they'd care anyway.

Whiskey.

Preferably the good stuff. Not that rotgut.

I keep it in the back.

[door opens, closes]

♪

[monster roaring]

[screaming]

MAN: Cut![set bell rings]

[sighs]

I'd like to try one more.

Oh, you want to start tryingnow, Bob?

I'll be in my trailer.

That was...Trash.

Like the rest of this stupid horror flick.

I get murdered by a mer-man.

A mer-man!Honestly, no one's gonna watch this crap.

Ooh. Out of my way, you trollops.

Where is my flask?

Never mind that, he's back.

How do I look?

Doesn't matter, 'cause these photos are never

seeing the light of day.

You look beautiful, Miss Saltzman.

Can I ask you a few questions?

You a reporter?

Not exactly.

But I do have something to report.

Someone's trying to kill you.

Oh...

Cigarettes kill people, too.

I'd never smoked a day in my life,

but in that moment, I understood the urge

to put your lips on something you knew was bad for you.

Thank you. I'm sorry.

I'm still a little shaken up.

That's understandable.

As I was saying, poisoned champagne was sent

to your table last night.

Lucky for you, it ended up on the wrong lips.

Any idea who would want you dead?

None. I'm just a washed-up actress.

I can't imagine anyone caring enough about me

to send champagne, much less kill me.

Please, Mr. Greasley,

as messed up as my life is, I don't want to die.

You won't.

I promise. My partner's a genius.

He'll crack this case, and...

For what it's worth, I don't think

you're washed up, Miss Saltzman.

Please, call me...

Lizzie.

I found out who that photographer works for.

And who the hell are you?

Just a fan.

VARDEMUS: Well, I'll be damned.

It wasthe hotel attendant.

"Liquet."

[exhales]

That was the end of my game.

I'm not Sherlock Holmes.

I'm Rupert Vardemus.

And I'm not a detective, I'm a professor.

[door shuts]

Is that you, Milton?

I know this must be all very confusing.

I remember your name from the school dossiers.

I remember everything.

In fact, thanks to--

You!

[gunshot reverberates]This doesn't make any sense.

One of them should be awake by now.

[loud banging]

Dissero.

[grunts]

Professor Vardemus. [grunts]

How?

That pustule Clarke locked my body in here.

But not before he locked my mind away in that box.

Wait, you were in the game, too.

I was murdered by one of your students.

Like you.

Then that settles it.

We have to end the simulation.

You'd be doing them more harm than good.

While what they're experiencing is merely

a manifestation of their minds,

a narrative involving murder is still a serious matter.

It points to someone inside the game

being on the verge of a psychological break.

Terminate the session now, and you may cement that fracture.

So what are we supposed to do?

The hardest thing of all.

Trust them to resolve the issue without us.

Do you know who killed you?

♪

[laughter][indistinct chatter]

Well, well, what's a classy broad like you

doing in this gin joint?

Being blackmailed, but you already knew that, Jade.

So cut to the chase and name your price

for those photos of my sister.

This isn't about money.

It's about the best story of my career.

A fading starlet can't get hired in the movies anymore.

But lucky for her,

she's got a twin sister who left everything behind

to become her publicist.

One that knows exactly how to get her back into the spotlight.

Even if it means making her the target of a murderer.

How am I doing so far?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Said the sister/publicist to the reporter.

But she was missing an important fact.

The reporter knew her tell.

She had a habit of picking off her nail polish

when she was lying.

How did you know?

I figured it out the hard way.

You were picking at your nails the night you walked out on me,

saying you'd be back.

That isn't what I meant.I know.

I bribed a waiter at the club,

and he told me that you were the one

that bought that champagne that killed that singer.

Cyanide poisoning.

I bribed the coroner as well.It was an accident.

Lizzie was supposed to be rushed to the hospital

to get some press for her movie.

I didn't use enough poison to kill anyone.

I don't even know how that singer got that bottle.

All that matters is that she's dead.

And putting you behind bars is the only way

I'll ever pry you out of your sister's claws.

Wait.

Have one last drink with me.

for old time's sake.

Too late, Jose.

Maybe it's the booze talking,

but I just had to see you one last time.

Excuse me.

[loud thud][Josie gasps]

MG: Josette Saltzman.

I think we both know there's no need

to check her for a pulse.

JADE: Trust me, I am totally self-aware.

I didn't need your stupid game

to tell me I have the hots for Josie Saltzman.

All right? I've known that since I saw her in the prison world.

If Jade was ejected from the simulation prematurely,

it means the rules have changed.

Someone's rewriting them

from inside the game itself.

How? Who?

Someone with access to very powerful magic...

who needs everyone out of the way

so they can get whatever it is they want.

In short,

the person who killed us all.

So, the question we should be asking ourselves is...

...why they did it.

[indistinct chatter]

I heard about your reporter.

The cops know who killed her?

Same person who murdered your singer.

But I don't think they're too interested in

figuring out who that is.

Wish I could have done more for her.

You were in here that night taking photos.

You want to help?

Develop that film and take a hard look at whatever you see.

Sorry. It's none of my business.

I still talk to Landon, you know.

How is he?He's good.

Promotion in California is going good for him.

Hmm.

But he still misses you, Hope.

He's the one who left.

Because you didn't go with him.

But you can change that with a phone call.

He'd buy you a bus ticket tomorrow.

I can buy my own ticket.

And you can develop those photos.

[sighs]

MG: You sure you don't have anything else to say?

Confessions usually include why you did the crime.

Does it matter?

Of course it does.

You sign that line and the next chair you'll be sitting in

is gonna plug into the wall.

[thunder rumbles]

Look on the bright side.

They'll give you a medal when I ride the lightning.

Medals are for heroes.

I'm just a guy trying to figure out who poisoned his partner.

I already told you, it was me.

I poisoned your partner

and that singer

and Jade.

Now take me down to the station.

I can't do that.

And why the hell not?

Because my partner was shot.

You didn't kill anyone, Josette.

But it had to be me.

The pieces don't fit.

So why are you trying to make them?

Because if it wasn't me, it was Lizzie.

And if one of us has to die, I'd rather it be me.

Do you see that?

"Praesidio."

MG. MG: I wanted to tell her

that I saw something on that piece of paper,

but it's like they say...

[gunshot]

...dead men tell no tales.

Don't do this. I won't let you.

♪

MG: Always thought you were a hell of an actress...

Is that you, Bob?

My contract explicitly says

that I don't have to talk to you after we wrap.

...but being the Mystic Mauler is going to be your last role.

What the hell are you talking about?

Drop the act. Why'd you do it?

Do what?

Murder all those people. Maybe start with your sister.

Josie's dead?

I should be, too. But lucky me, I had this in my pocket.

It's your flask, right?

The one you poisoned the singer with,

the one that started this whole mess?

Like I said, you're a hell of an actress.

So those crocodile tears won't stop me from bringing you in.

For once, I don't care about myself.

I didn't do what you said, but...

[sniffles]

I may as well have, because I was so wrapped up in myself

that I didn't know my sister was in danger.

I wasn't there to save her.

"Caecus."

Thank God.

Oh, that's my escape word. [chuckles]

Which means none of this is real,

Josie's still alive and I can finally leave this stupid game.

[chuckles]

Okay, Emma. I'm ready.

Yank me out.

Abracadabra or whatever.

Son of a bitch. Why isn't it working?

You're cracking up, Miss Saltzman.

Don't you label me insane again, okay?

I am the only person here who is in their right mind.

We just need to find you your escape word.

Save it for the judge.

Oh. Yeah, that's-that's good, MG.

My name's Milton.

I know, okay?

I know you as well as anyone, Milton Greasley.

Look, I'm not proud of this,

but I'm kind of, like, your blind spot.

You are so into me that you'll sort of do whatever I say,

so slap those puppies on me and maybe

you'll get over your block.

Or we could run away together.

Maybe to a real beach.

Mexico.

[quietly]: The cops will never find us.

Is this a serious offer?

Hell no. But the fact that you're convinced I'm a killer

and you still considered it totally proves my point.

Now Fifty Shadesme.

"Heros."

[chuckles]: Lizzie.

I remember.

Then why are we still trapped here?

This is maddening.

Get these stupid cuffs off me.

There's something wrong with the game.

[panting] Lizzie, run.

Find Hope.[gunshot]

Oh, crap.

[gasps]

[panting]

Ms. Tig.

Lizzie, she-she got her escape word, but she's still

in the game.

And...

...Josie died.

I saw it. So why is she still in there?

[knocking on door]

We're closed.

Hope Andrea Mikaelson!

Open this damn door!

Someone's trying to kill me!

You're that movie star.

How do you know my name?It's a long story.

Which you won't believe.

But, um, oh, I can prove it.

I know your deep, dark damage.

You don't get close to people

because they leave you or die, right?

Well, that's exactly what's gonna happen

if you don't let me in.

So, please, help me help you.

You're right.

I've spent my whole life pushing people away.

And I'm about to change that

by going after the man that I love.

So, sorry, but I have a bus to catch.

No, no, no. Hope, Hope, Hope, Hope.

[panting]

"Mortem."

[panting]

[gasps]

Rafael.

It's okay.

You're back.

What happened in there?

Did you have a breakthrough?

Or did the killer get to you, too?

I don't know.

A little on the nose, don't you think?

[footsteps approaching]

Hello, sister.

[exhales] Don't look so shocked.

One of us was always going to become a killer.

Because of the Merge.

That's what this whole thing has been about.

I made it that way.

Remove everyone until it was just you and me.

Even then, Josie was still willing

to take the fall to let you win.

Ironic, isn't it?

I had to kill Josie so that she could survive.

I am her, too, of course.

The parts of her she keeps buried inside.

That resent her and you for making her weak.

Mixed in with a little dark magic.

Enough to rewrite the rules

and show you that I'm stronger than you can ever be.

I didn't have to play any game to know that.

You always have been.

So what? Are you just gonna kill me now?

[gun cocks]

We both knew it would come to this.

Fine.

Then you win.

I'm done with this stupid simulation.

[laughs softly]

You're not going anywhere.

I rewrote the rules,

remember?

So I pull this trigger, and your mind is stuck here

while your body waits for me to absorb it

during the Merge in the real world.

Josie, please.

I-I know I don't do

a good job of showing it, but...

I love you, even more than I love myself.

So don't do this.

Hmm.

Sorry, sis. It's you or me.

And there's no fighting fate.

[grunting]

[gunshot][gasps]

I thought you had a bus to catch.

I want to be with the man that I love

more than I want anything.

But I couldn't get on that bus

if it meant an innocent person had to die.

That is such a Hope move.

Let me guess. You're seeing a word right now.

Yes. What does it mean?

Say the word,

and I will tell you in the real world.

Fatum.

EMMA: Oh, thank God.

I was beginning to think I'd need therapy myself.

Now, um... what are we gonna do about Jo?

I've had enough make-believe for one day.

So what the hell is all this?

[sighs] This is research.

What you told me about Josie's alter ego

sounds straight out of a comic book,

which is way more my genre than film noir.

So I've just been searching for a way

to help her after she wakes up.

Ifshe wakes up.

She hasn't yet.She will.

And if she doesn't, we'll find a way to go get her.

Super Squad never leaves a member behind.

♪ To someone else

♪ Ooh...

I wish I could tell her how sorry I am.

For not seeing it.

For being so wrapped up in myself

that I didn't even notice she was struggling.

And I should apologize to you, too.

For using you.

It's okay.It's not.

When things are good with me,

I don't give you the time of day.

But the second that something goes wrong,

I come running.

♪ I'll take the lows

♪ You can ebb and I can flow... ♪

I never want you to stop doing that.

No matter what any game says.

I learned something else, too.

I can't crack the case

unless I believe in myself.

I can't sit back and play the sidekick.

It's time I step up for real.

Like a superhero, you know?

♪ I've got so much left to learn... ♪

What's your superhero name gonna be?

Work in progress.

♪ But I'd like the company...

How about...

the Comforter?

♪ Ooh, who said it's true

♪ That the growing only happens ♪

♪ On your own?

♪ They don't know me and you... ♪

ALARIC: Thank you for everything.

We wouldn't have known what we were up against

if it wasn't for you.

I'm sorry to take Dorian away.

But I fear if we don't go now,

we'll never have that chance again.

I thought this was, uh, see you soon.

Not goodbye.

♪ And we'll take it slow

The game was supposed to be a safe space.

I was literally in charge of it.

And yet I still died.

The Salvatore School

is the most amazing place I have ever been.

And the most dangerous.

How can I tell your students to prioritize their health,

mental and otherwise, when Dorian and I

aren't doing that for ourselves?

♪ It's not written in the stars... ♪

He almost died for real, Ric.

And even though he's fine,

there'll always be another monster.

Another threat.

♪ Tell me you don't wanna leave... ♪

What Josie is wrestling with is very dangerous.

♪ You can change...

And I hate that I feel

like we're abandoning you.

♪ When you're high, I'll take the lows... ♪

You know the point of the game is to get out.

[both chuckle]So...

I guess you won.

♪ Grow as we go

You know, it's okay.

Bye, Ric.♪ Grow as we

♪ Go

♪ Grow as we go.

[grunts]

[sinister laughing]

HOPE: Hey.

Sorry.

Hey.

You ever develop those photos?

Uh, yeah.

Um... not sure what they mean, though.

Mmm. Yeah.

Did you ever buy that bus ticket?

Yeah. [chuckles]

Uh, I didn't use it, though.

So here I am,

still trying to find Landon. [chuckles]

Yeah, except he's not gone, Hope.

I mean, he's just busy learning how to fly.

Is everything okay?

Uh... apparently not.

Um...

I guess I just thought

that I was crystal clear on my damage...

Yeah, well, sometimes knowing what's wrong

doesn't make things any easier.

What if what the game was trying to teach me

is that something will always come between me and Landon?

Like some impossible choice

that I'm gonna have to make.Then choose him.

It's like I said in the bar...I did.

I did. And it felt good.

It felt right.

But it wasn't right.

Because if I got onto that bus,

I wouldn't have gotten out of the game.

I didn't get to leave until I chose someone over him.

Was that my lesson?

That no matter how much I want him,

Landon and I are doomed.Hey, hey, hey...

it's just a simulation.Right.

Then why does it feel so true?

Looks like the gang's all here.

Hmm, why am I locked up, exactly?

Well, you've been through a lot.

How are you feeling?

Never better.

I think the therapy was really good for me.

You're full of black magic.

I was too selfish to see it before, but...

I can feel it.

This isn't you, Jo.

It is now.

So get used to it.

'Cause this look is here to stay.

Josie, it's okay.

I'm just gonna put you back to sleep

until we can figure out what's going on, okay?

Good idea.

Oh...

don't look at me like that, MG.

Every Super Squad needs a super villain.

Autem.

Stop trying to help me, Dad.

[whispering]: 'Cause I've never been better.

♪