Original subtitles

Previously on Damnation. Turns out this is what the Duval's do. They hire muscle

to clear whatever land they want. We'd like the Black Legion to stop this

farmer's strike. Why was our Pinkerton shooting at your men?

Because that Pinkerton and the preacher are in cahoots.

Amelia told me about her first husband.

I certainly hope you were able to mete out some retribution on that

strikebreaker. I never got the chance.

You mean you didn't kill him? The Black Legion, they've taken over this town.

Looks like we just caught ourselves a couple agitators.

We best get prepared to defend ourselves.

What's this say? They've got Amelia.

If I don't hand myself over, they say she's next.

I'll get you back inside.

If you come to take my son, you'll have to get through me to do it. I'm not here

for young Sam, Martha.

It may be hard to believe, but I'm here to serve this county.

Now tell me, what the hell happened here?

Well, there were at least a hundred of them.

With torches coming over that ridge.

How'd you sleep last night?

Like a log, Hugh.

Oh, you know.

Likewise.

I had the strangest dreams.

That chapel looked familiar to you.

It's Colton Creek.

I don't think this is the first time you've been involved in the Duvall

family's dirty work.

Hey! Hey, what, you gonna hand yourself over now? I'm not gonna let the past

repeat itself.

Okay.

Well, maybe it ain't up to you.

Hmm? Go on, tell him.

The name Paduma Oil sound familiar to you?

That's the company that hired our family to clear land for them. If you dig deep

enough, you'll find by doing what oil's owned by the Duval family.

See? The bastards behind Melvin, Snubs, and the Black Leagues, they're the same

people who paid Paul to clear all that land.

Kill Cynthia.

Get your ring.

Everything we've been through, Seth.

It's because of them.

Now they've got Amelia.

I can't risk losing her. I'm handing myself over.

Then what?

I'm gonna stall and hope somebody figures something out.

My arm.

Socks gone.

So's the market.

Don't even know if we even have any livestock left.

For all we know, they're still controlling the roads and the blockades.

Yeah, well, I'm going back into town.

Try to find out where they took the preacher.

Specialist misses we're going with you Preston won't make it unless we get him

to a doctor

Good

afternoon

We have someone in urgent need of medical care.

As we presume no doctors would be willing to travel these roads, we're

taking him into town ourselves.

I would now like to appeal to your common decency and petition you to let

us through.

All y'all boys are armed, huh?

Damn right we are.

Show them.

Ma'am, I believe you just shot three men without a miss.

It appears you shot three out of four targets.

A notable percentage.

So tell me, Sheriff, you gonna be arresting us for firing on these here

fellas? No.

I imagine once these fellas aimed their weapons, it was a clear-cut case of self

-defense.

Open your costumes!

Each of you is a clear accomplice to your hooded brethren's attempted deadly

assault.

Some of you may have heard I'm capable of the occasional compromise.

So if all of you get your worthless asses out of this county, we won't shoot

you down like dogs unless you return... again!

Should now be a clear path into town for you ladies.

Thank you very much, Sheriff.

My distinct pleasure.

I reckon you got the cuddly feelings, Sheriff.

Well, I haven't felt this warm inside since I saw you do your little jingle

-jangle dance in that warehouse.

Drive me to town.

An unredeemable racist.

I have to admit, Melvin has solid political instincts.

If Melvin wins, he'll get his hands on young Sam again.

Well, you are the one that arrested him.

Yeah.

Evidence suggests either Sam pulled the trigger that killed Pete or someone did

a fancy job of framing it.

That day, did you say that poor Pete Collinsworth was killed?

Morning. Oh, see, I was tracking the little rally shit the entire morning.

Oh, yeah, he was all the way across town, rousing up commies.

So Sam Jr.

was nowhere near the Collinsworth farm that day?

No.

It appears I've arrested the wrong man.

Where you off to, cowboy?

I'm gonna talk to this new banker.

Why?

He's on Duval's payroll.

He might be the only one who could talk down Melvin Stubbs and his attack guns.

I thought you might like some clean clothes and a home-cooked meal.

It'll take more than fresh laundry and a casserole to get you back in my good

graces.

So should I turn over my badge?

Not yet.

I need all the men I can get.

In fact... I need you

to deputize every farmer.

moonshiner, fornicator, and degenerate gambler who's willing to help us take

down these legion bastards.

What's your thing on Sheriff Tom?

Starting at the Riley farm.

That banker gonna call off Melvin? That banker's dead.

So, we're gonna have to figure something else out.

I think I have an idea where Melvin might be.

The fate of your county is sealed.

So it's high time you... fulfilled your patriotic duty and cast your vote.

As sheriff of Holden County, I'll hold every lawbreaker accountable for his

crimes.

You deserve a sheriff who puts Holden County's interest above his own. I'll

defend our way of life with every ounce of my American blood.

Where is she?

Out of my hands.

Greetings. My name is Martin Eggerside, Ph.D.

You're the doctor.

Indeed I am, Mr. Davenport, or should I say Mr.

Turner?

Yes. I know your actual identity.

And in fact, an ambitious young banker even shared with me this touching

photograph of yourself and your brother back in simpler times.

Fear not.

That banker took that secret with him to the grave.

If you hurt Amelia, I will split you open from asshole to throat.

That is a brute yet effective turn of phrase.

Perhaps...

You should bring your linguistic verve to the airwaves.

Broadcast your message directly to the people. Here, I've even prepared some

remarks to help you do just that.

You expect me to go on air and denounce everything I stand for?

I certainly hope you'll consider it.

What's it going to be, Preacher Davenport?

Your cause?

Or your wife?

Now, if you go on the air and denounce your divisive behavior, the outright

lies you and your wife have been spreading,

let her leave town and live.

I cannot, however, extend the same promise to you. Of course.

This button lets you talk to her. This button puts you live on air.

You'll see it carefully.

Have they heard you?

No.

He wants me to denounce the strike, the labor bulletin, and to tell the farmers

to give up.

Don't do it.

He says he'll kill you if I don't.

It's not an empty threat. After what they did to DL, I...

They killed him.

DL's dead.

Read the sermon the doctor's written.

Then I presume they'll kill me.

Don't do it.

They're going to kill us both anyway.

Cynthia's blood is on my hands just as much as Creeley's.

I never told her who I really was or that I was putting her life in danger by

being with her.

I never told her who I was because I was ashamed of it.

I used to do the same work that Creeley does.

The same work as the man who killed Sal and all those workers in Arkansas.

Amelia, I was a thug, a strike breaker, a killer for hire.

I killed innocent people so the Duval family could steal their land, their

homes, their farms.

And there's no forgiving me for that.

Well, it's a moving confessional, preacher.

But your wider audience is waiting.

Go ahead, I'm ready.

In three, two...

My name is preacher Seth Davenport of Holden, Iowa.

You don't likely know who I am, but if you've seen revolutionary religious

pamphlets or communist newspapers spreading lies about the Duval family

and other industrialists, you've seen my work.

After much prayer and deliberation, I'd like to make an important

announcement to the rural masses.

all farmers and workers and would be striking men and women of this state to

see the error of their ways and immediately stand down.

This un-American war we are fighting cannot be won and it should not be

fought.

Despite the lies I've had planted in the Iowa labor bulletin, the truth is our

real savior is progress.

For who needs

Who needs Jesus Christ when you've got Henry Ford?

We are experiencing a temporary technical difficulty.

But we will return shortly with the rest of Preacher Davenport's sermon.

For now, please do enjoy the dulcet tones.

It's on him, Billy.

Who the hell is that?

The man who owns me.

Let's go! Let's go!

Imagine you're staring up at your worst nightmare, ain't you?

Take off your hood!

You better kill me now before I get my hands on you.

She okay?

No.

She's fine.

Help. Please.

The hell was that?

I told her what I used to do.

And what I did to Cynthia.

If we make it out of this alive, I'll confess.

Well, you can't keep doing this.

And I can't keep running from my past.

Just focus on the alive, Barnum.

Is there anyone else in here?

I don't think so.

Two of those hooded bastards got away.

One of them must be Eggerside.

How is Preston?

He's not out of the woods yet.

His commitment to his family is admirable.

I do hope he pulls through.

I know you're all scared and troubled by recent events. And though it's

unfortunate that Black Legion's blockades have kept the farmers from

coming in and placing their votes, I'd like to personally commend each one of

you townsfolk for voting in the face of such lawlessness and disorder.

I think y'all are going to stand down or else me and my cohort say we're going to

take our turns with you and give what's left over to the preacher's wife.

This is about done.

Melvin Stubbs, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of Amelia Davenport.

Murder of D.L. Sullivan and for leading the Black Legion's attack on this

county.

I knew this campaign was making progress, but I had no idea.

We're doing so well that you'd make a wild story so you could arrest me.

All theatrics, people.

Amelia.

Thank goodness you're okay.

We thought you might be dead.

Well, then Stubbs is lucky the sheriff got to him first.

I'd like nothing. more than to watch that man.

What do you mean, watch that man burn? It's a common turn of phrase. Yes,

certainly you wouldn't be capable of such a thing as murder. Yeah, tell that

to the strikebreaker who killed my first husband.

Yes, in Marion County, Arkansas.

Did you watch that man burn?

I tied that son of a bitch to his collar.

Doused him with gasoline.

And then?

Martha, if something were to happen to me, would you

be willing to take care of Brittany?

Of course.

But why would you ask that?

Idle curiosity.

I've been told that the Black Legion have abandoned their blockades. The

phone lines are back up.

Call every farmer you know and tell them to drive into town and vote.

Polls close in 30 minutes. Preach yourself.

Half our farms are being ruined.

Most of the food we have stored up is being destroyed. I mean, thanks to your

church's benefactor, we have enough money to make it to winter. But then

it's just gonna start all over again.

I heard you on the radio. You're right. We can't win.

Those weren't my words. I was forced to give that sermon. Yeah, that doesn't

make it any less true.

Look around. Nothing's changed.

If we keep putting up a fight, they'll keep coming after us.

They're gonna come after us anyways.

Might as well be for something that we believe in.

And I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not just fighting for fair food

prices anymore.

Now I'm fighting for you, Victor.

To be able to work your farm.

And raise your family in peace.

And Horace, I'm fighting for you.

To be able to rebuild your farm into something that you'll be proud to hand

down to your girls.

We have to have each other's backs.

Last night that meant taking up our guns.

Right now that means filling out a ballot.

But as long as we haven't given up, they haven't won.

Well, you heard the man.

Let's cast those votes.

Thanks,

Roger.

Say hello to the missus.

All right.

The state police will be transporting you boys to Fort Madison for your own

protection. I'll be handing you over as soon as they arrive.

What about those farmers and that strike breaker and that preacher that helped

Sam Jr. escape punishment?

Well, it turns out Sam Jr. has an airtight alibi.

So murder charges have been dropped.

What's wrong?

They just finished counting up the votes.

Melvin Stubbs is the new sheriff of Holden County.

Hardering, son of a bitch, won by seven votes.

Where are we gonna go?

Tahiti?

Toledo?

Cucumcara?

Doesn't matter. We just gotta get out of here as fast as possible.

Greeley Turner.

May I please come in?

Mr. Duvall, what are you doing?

Oh, please, call me Tennyson.

Oh, what a time.

I wouldn't make stuff too familiar, Mr. Turner.

Lovely abode.

Why are you packing up?

Oh, well, my guess is, uh... Mr. Turner assumes he's on to the next assignment

after... Job well done here in Holden.

What would your name be, young miss?

Oh, she's just a dumb whore. Trying to milk a dollar out of me before I go.

Go on, get out of here.

Shit! Shit!

Whore!

Don't need to type around here.

these hussies can get.

So, Martin called to tell me of your great success here in Holden.

Yes. I admit I was concerned when I saw the raised farms and the sheriff's

bullet-ridden car in the middle of Main Street. But then I explained to Mr.

Duvall how this preacher, Seth Davenport, had recruited not just the

farmers, but also the vile Black Legion.

and the corrupt sheriff's department to oppose our progressive efforts and how

you had managed to get both our preferred candidate, Melvin Stubbs,

elected and bust the strike, all without a disturbed word making it into any of

the legitimate newspapers.

It's a commendable achievement, Creely. But you should know, you won't be

leaving town anytime soon.

For what?

For saving my life.

This is what I wanted.

To know the truth.

Dio was just a kid with his entire life ahead of him.

And I bat my eyes, yank him into our claws, and now he's dead.

Melvin Stubbs is going to be sheriff now.

And the Duval family and my father are going to do God knows what to this town.

Pre-tract our so-called marriage.

It's only a story we told ourselves so we could believe we were actually decent

people.

It's real to me.

Which part?

All of it.

Our marriage, our relationship with God.

You mean your relationship with God.

Because if you open your eyes and take a look around, it's pretty goddamn clear

we're on our own.

I'd really prefer if you didn't take our Lord's name in vain.

And I would really prefer...

If I didn't suddenly see Sal's charred remains every time I look at your face

now.

Hello? I'm Dia's landlady.

Thank you.

What did she want?

She said Dia would want you to have this.

I must admit, transferring powers is a bit tricky when the newly elected

sheriff is behind bars.

Uncle.

Todd.

Melvin beat me in my own game, Raymond.

Once he takes control of this station, I don't imagine his charges are gonna

stick.

Glad to see you're dealing with this like an adult, Don.

One adult to another.

I was wondering...

What will be your policy going forward concerning Holden's minority population?

Deputy Tanner Phillips, do you have a policy statement?

You're talking about that nosy whore, the uppity dairy farmer?

Then our policy is to find a tall tree and a short rope.

Well... I suppose that's what people are looking for these days.

Men with the courage of their own convictions.

What are you doing this for? Because that nosy whore is my daughter.

And it's high time I started being a father to that girl.

Raymond, when the state police get here, tell them I'm over at my place drinking

a fine scotch and listening to the celestial sounds of...

Memphis Pearl.

Breaking ground.

Go ahead and grab that shovel, Mr. Turner.

Some of the farmers have already begun selling off their land.

Mr. Duval will bring the modern world to Holden County.

My family and a few select business partners have been...

Looking for somewhere we can research and develop the next generation of

technological, chemical, and scientific innovations.

Without troublesome meddling, of course.

Just imagine if we could not only evolve chemical weaponry to unleash on our

foreign enemies, but also design uniforms for our soldiers to protect

them from that self-same weaponry.

The great American century will be built through science, Mr. Turner, not

cornbread and biscuits.

Really?

It truly is stunning what you've accomplished here.

However, did you manage it?

Well, it's a... It's a complicated situation, Mr. Duvall, and I'm

not exactly sure how to explain it.

Let's not be falsely modest.

I already told Mr.

Duvall what splendid work he'd done.

You shot me?

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God, I'm bleeding.

Did you really think I was gonna buy all this?

Well, yes.

Obviously. It's always been your worst trait, Martin. You mistake cleverness

for wisdom and underestimate the intelligence of your fellow man.

That's why I was roaming John Dyson to replace you.

You were?

Dyson was reporting to me ever since he arrived here.

So...

After he called to inform you that you'd somehow assigned the preacher Seth

Davenport's long-lost brother to stop him, he informed me as well.

So I know you killed poor John Dyson. Cover that up.

And I know that you ordered Dyson to enlist the Black Legion here in Holden

and thereby risk my family's good name. We are a family of philanthropists, art

lovers, and progressive entrepreneurs, Martin.

Not killers and thugs.

Clearly, I've got good news and bad news.

Which would you like to hear first?

Good news?

An important position in my family's organization has just opened up.

I'd like to offer you that position.

You want me to take the place of him?

I'd be disappointed if you didn't.

Offer accepted.

And the, uh, the bad news?

Your brother remains an obstacle.

Sorry to interrupt your evening's music.

My name is Preacher Seth Davenport of Holden, Iowa.

Earlier today, you may have heard me tell farmers and workers and would-be

strikers to stand down.

That our fight could not be won.

But I was interrupted before I could finish.

Which is important because what I was going to say next was that those are the

very words the rich and powerful in this country want me to say to you.

But the truth is something else entirely.

It may sound strange to hear a man of God say this, but...

The truth is, America is a land of outlaws and outcasts.

Bitches and sons of bitches, wanderers and scoundrels, bastards and sinners and

frauds. Always has been.

And I believe we're all the better for it.

But there aren't powerful interests out there who are banking on you being well

-behaved, quiet, and easily ruled.

In fact, they're betting their entire fortunes on it.

I know because...

I used to be on their side.

I was a strike breaker.

A gun for hire.

So, I have no right to tell you what to do with your lives.

But since I've been on the other side, I can tell you that no one is coming to

save you. The government's not coming to save you, but you've probably figured

that out by now.

Science and technology aren't going to save you. Celebrities and businessmen

won't save you.

Not even religion will save you.

So it's up to us and God.

It's up to us to come together as God's body here on Earth.

Oh, bitch, you bastard, scoundrel, fraud, I'm asking for your help.

If you can hear me, I want you to grab your nearest firearm, walk out your

front door, and fire a warning shot into the air.

Because I want every crooked politician and big shot industrialist and would-be

tyrant in this land to know that you're out there.

I want them to know you will not be tamed. You will not be ripped off.

You will not be broken.

We're fighting for the soul of this country.

And we can't win without you on our side.

Connie, there's something wrong.

I very much need us to talk.

One widow to another.

I am a poor

wayfaring stranger

traveling through

this world.

Amelia,

have you been listening to the radio?

This is how we're gonna do it. This is how we're gonna bring people together.

I bet even God himself can hear it.

Amelia.