- Howdy. How you doin'? - Hi.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience during the delay.
- We'll now begin boarding Airista Airplane 105 to San Diego. - Oh, man!
- Is there a problem? - I got bumped.
I'm sure it was an accident.
With this many people, there's bound to be unintended physical contact.
No. I got bumped from the flight. They overbooked it.
Oh.
I'm gonna miss registration.
You know how many incoming freshmen there are at San Diego?
Next flight leaves in five hours.
By then, all the classes I need will be closed.
Here. Take my seat.
- No. No. - Look, I'm not in a hurry.
It's not like anybody's chasing me... today.
- Take it. - Oh, man. Are you sure?
I'm positive.
Thanks.
It's been a real pleasure talking to you these last few hours.
You have a bright future ahead of you, Daniel. Good luck.
Thanks, Jarod. I hope you find your family.
Thank you.
Thanks, Jarod. You really saved my life.
What happened to your finger?
- Broke it mud wrestling. What'd you do last night? - Sorry I asked.
- Yeah. - Everything all right?
Mr. Lyle's personnel file?
My father wants a list of anyone who might be Lyle's ally.
- Hmm. - Ever since Lyle's death...
my father has been lobbying the Triumvirate to take over his position.
But he's running into roadblocks.
Well, the allies of Mr. Lyle know that your father opposed him.
The fact that you killed him only increases their resistance to his promotion.
Even dead, Lyle's a pain in the ass.
Something was- Excuse me.
Something was just delivered I think you'll want to see.
This way.
- Lockers? - Where the hell did these come from?
Jarod sent them.
Class of 1983, Douglas High School.
Townsend, Nebraska.
Why would Jarod send us yearbooks?
Page two.
There's a name tag in my book.
Who's Ricky Sanders?
Professor Tom Grier.
- Oh, God. - Who'd you get?
Mrs. Ricky San- Sanders.
- I always thought you'd make a nice couple.
Yeah. When monkeys fly.
Jarod's expecting us to attend this reunion...
- Mrs. Sanders. - Brilliant insight, Syd.
But then he did make you the professor.
Look at this.
That's Jarod telling us we're in danger.
Broots, run a check on all the hayseeds in this book.
Till I have more information, I'm not traipsing off to Armpit, Oklahoma.
It's Nebraska.
Hell is hell, Broots.
No. Oh, God.
No. Oh, no.
What's going on?
- Flight 105 has crashed near San Diego. - What?
There were fatalities.
Thanks, Jarod. You really saved my life.
Saved my life. Saved my life.
Th-There-There was a-a young man on board. I gave him my seat.
His name is Daniel Falk.
I'm sorry, sir. I can't just give out-
Please!
Daniel Falk's body was positively identified at the scene.
I- I'm sorry.
Thanks, Jarod. You really saved my life.
There are Pretenders among us.
I was taken from my family.
Thirty-six hours and he's already demonstrating more talent than any of our others.
How many people died because of what I thought up?
Since I broke out, I've spent every moment searching for my past.
He's a Pretender-
A genius who can become anyone that he wants to be.
- The Centre wants him alive. - Preferably.
He defends the weak and abused.
Life's a gift.
- You a doctor? - I am today.
Thankfully, the fuselage stayed intact. Kept the body count down.
Clark Thomas.
Jarod Lindsay, N.T.S.B. Washington.
I'm here to help with the investigation.
I can't get paper clips I requested. But an investigator I don't need, that they send me.
If you'd like, I could get Washington on the phone...
and you could tell them yourself what incompetent managers they are.
Diane Post. I prefer able bodies to paper clips.
Welcome.
We just got these surveillance photos from the crash scene.
Any signs of mechanical problems?
No. The plane passed F.A.A. inspection last week. We're focusing on pilot error.
- Both pilots survived. - They've been airlifted to Centennial Memorial.
- Flight recorder? - Recovered and en route.
I want to be there when it's opened.
Do I look anything like this Ricky Sanders guy?
If you swallowed a blimp.
How does Jarod expect me to fool anyone into believing that I'm him?
Just tell them that you shacked up with Jenny Craig before you married me.
- It wouldn't explain the hair. - It's a high school reunion, Broots.
The only thing more pervasive than love handles will be the smell of Rogaine.
And what about Mrs. Porky Pig?
Oh. No photo. You're not alumni.
Apparently Ricky met his wife overseas.
They both worked as missionaries at a Catholic charity in Africa.
This amuses you.
ThatJarod wants people to believe that you're a missionary?
Broots, did you find anything about Professor Tom Grier?
He was only at the school for one semester in '83.
He taught obscure languages. He died in Hawaii two years ago.
The rest of the class is business as usual.
On the last page here, there is a list of people under the words "camera shy. "
Oh, yeah. They didn't have their photo taken.
I tracked them down. There's n-nothing special.
Except- Oh, they're- Well, two are dead.
No deader than Townsend, Nebraska.
Call the hotel and book us some rooms for this shindig.
Oh, uh, Jarod already did.
They're, uh, nonsmoking rooms.
Perfect.
Do you have anything to say to the families of the victims?
My heart goes out to everyone involved.
As a father who almost lost his son, I certainly share their pain.
Will you tell us what happened?
He's not allowed to issue a statement until he talks to the N.T.S.B.
But I would like to offer my prayers to those who lost loved ones.
Excuse us, please. I want to make sure my son gets a little rest, okay?
Thank you. Thank you very much.
First things first. Let's see what the pilot has to say.
She suffered blunt trauma to the temporal lobe, which affects memory acquisition.
Her chances of ever recalling details of the crash are extremely slim.
So, there's really nothing you can tell us?
Like I said...
I can remember being on the approach to San Diego.
And I can remember the screams.
But besides that-
I'm sorry.
Thanks for your time, Ms. Wiley. We'll be in touch.
I'll be outside in one second.
Are you going to be all right?
It's like somebody painted my mind black.
When I think about my passengers-
Maybe it's better that I can't remember.
I want to make a difference with my life.
I read this quote once-
"We have but a rich moment in time. "
It made me realize that we're only here for so long.
Eleven people died.
But I lived.
What makes me so special?
I can remember being on the approach to San Diego.
And I can remember the screams.
Eleven people died.
But I lived. What makes me so special?
Can you believe how friendly Nebraskans are?
This isn't Nebraska, Broots.
It's a halfway house for Hee Haw rejects.
Ricky? Ricky, is that you?
My, you have changed!
You lost a ton, son.
And, uh, this must be-
- Oh! - Nobody you'd want to know.
Well-
Maybe we'll see you and the missus later, at the hayride.
Yeah, at the hayride. Okay.
Way to blend in.
All set. Now this is mine. And 305 is for you two.
- "You two"? - Small town, Mrs. Sanders.
The last thing we want is for people to wonder why you're not staying with your husband.
There'd better be booze in the courtesy bar, or someone's gonna pay.
Hey.! I thought we agreed that I would be here when we opened these boxes.
We couldn't locate you. And time isn't something we have a lot of around here.
Evidence from the flight data recorder indicates...
the elevators were set at the wrong angle for landing.
Given the flight's reduced speed on descent...
failure of the elevators to provide proper lift led directly to the crash.
- Who set the elevators? - We don't know.
The cockpit voice recorder is still on lock.
Malfunction. Never started recording on takeoff.
I've never heard of this happening before.
It's rare, but not without precedent.
Hell, it happened on a flight I piloted once.
At least now with no mechanical malfunction...
we can focus on pilot error.
Which leaves the question-
Which pilot?
My dad taught me how to play. Didn't you ever play basketball with your dad?
I just want to make my parents proud.
You did, Daniel.
You did.
I don't know if I'll ever be able to climb into a cockpit again.
You'll get no argument from me. You're gonna be far too busy at Airista.
Brandon is one day going to take over the organization.
The sooner I get him behind a desk, the better.
Mr. Larson, we need to question Brandon alone.
I'm not here as the head of an airline. I'm here as Brandon's father.
We appreciate that, sir. But this is standard procedure.
Fine. Uh, if you need me, I'll be in the waiting room.
Dr. Christopher to Radiation Therapy.
- Dr. Christopher to Radiation Therapy. - Brandon...
the voice recorder on your flight malfunctioned.
We have no record of what happened in the cockpit.
Ms. Wiley suffered a head trauma. Therefore, your memory of the event is critical.
We'd like you to carefully take us through the last few minutes before the crash.
We'd just received final approach instructions.
I was focused on my checklist.
Everything seemed calm. Then all of a sudden we stalled.
Angela was yelling about the mountain.
I looked out my window just to see the wing slashing through trees.
You seem to be very warm.
- Would you like some water? - No. Um-
No, it's these painkillers.
Made me a little feverish.
Hmm.
Anyway, I can only guess some of our gauges malfunctioned.
According to the flight data recorder, all systems were working fine.
It indicated the elevators were set at zero instead of 20 degrees.
That's why the plane stalled on its descent.
Oh, God.
What is it? Is there something on your mind?
This is really hard. Angela's a good friend.
We've logged over half a million miles together.
But?
When I called out "elevators 20 degrees" on the checklist...
Angela gave me a positive.
I guess shejust wasn't paying attention.
Look, Jarod, it was a pilot error.
- And the pilot's name is Angela Wiley. - Maybe.
The guy told us exactly what happened. What more do you need?
He said he was on painkillers.
Principle actions of those compounds are analgesia and sedation.
It wouldn't cause a fever.
Isn't it possible the guy's just a nervous wreck? Pilots are human.
If I'd just been in a plane crash, and I had to turn in my friend...
I'd be sweating too.
Is that what you really believe, Diane?
Nurse Blank to Delivery, Suite 3.
You know, Miss Parker, if you looked at this like a mini vacation from the Centre...
you might actually enjoy yourself.
These people are dead from the neck up and don't even know it.
Why? Because that couple in the lobby have been married for 14 years...
and they go to church on Sunday, and they coach Little League?
Hmm. I wish my ex-wife and I had been that lucky.
Just how hard did you fall on your head when you fell off the turnip truck?
Oh, okay.
And what's so great about your life?
You're forced to stay at the Centre till you catch a guy they stole from his parents.
You're haunted by the- by the murder of your-your mother.
Competing for your father's attention with a bald-headed lunatic...
- who drags around an oxygen tank- - Careful!
Well, I'm- I'm just sayin'.
I'd take a Sunday sermon and a Little League game any day of the week over that.
- Hi. - Jarod sent us another yearbook...
marking down the page that lists the students who were absent for the graduation picture.
"Not every picture tells a story. " What does that mean?
He wants us to focus on the camera shy.
Coming, dear?
Dr. Cruce to Room 208.
The blood tests on you and Brandon were negative...
so there won't be any felony charges, but-
You will be charged with negligence.
I suggest you contact the pilot's union and arrange for legal counsel.
Oh, my God.
Angela, the voice recorder malfunctioned.
The only thing we have to go on is Brandon's testimony.
If there's anything at all that you can remember.
I can't remember anything.
The voice recorder didn't malfunction.
The imprint cylinder was demagnetized.
Hi. How you doin'?
Hey.
Any luck with camera shy?
Found two. Both up for village idiot of the year.
- You? - I met one.
Farmer's wife, seven kids, wallet full of pictures.
Hmm.
Oh, yeah. And guess who he's married to?
Xena. What's your secret? Hmm?
Well, uh- Hey, you gotta ask?
I've never met a missionary before.
Oh, there's a shocker.
And Ricky. Who ever thought he'd become a man of God?
You know, he and I dated a few times.
Has he ever mentioned me?
He often reminisces about...
playing tonsil hockey with you in the barn after the Saturday night hootenanny.
Uh, ladies- ladies and gentlemen...
before we come to the end of this wonderful evening...
I'd like to take a moment to remember a couple of students...
who are no longer with us...
because the Lord has seen fit to call them on home.
- The first is Diane Hydra. - Oh, God. It's almost over.
And we're no closer to knowing whyJarod sent us here than when we started.
...some of you may remember, died tragically his senior year.
So, we don't have a graduation photo of Bobby Bowman...
but we were able to enlarge a picture from a group shot...
of the Farmers ofTomorrow Club.
- I'm out of here. - Miss Parker.
- Oh, my God. - The resemblance is unmistakable.
Bobby Bowman is Mr. Lyle?
Are you sure this is Brandon Larson's file?
This lab has zero tolerance for error. The stakes are too high.
Something doesn't make sense.
On Brandon Larson's last F.A.A. physical, his macrocytic blood count was 10.
But on these tests you took after the crash, the count is 15.
I thought macrocytic blood counts never vary.
They don't.
Who brought in these blood samples?
Your chief investigator, Clark Thomas.
Don't letJarod's wild speculations confuse you.
But what about Brandon's sweating? He said painkillers wouldn't do that.
Diane, listen. The evidence is very clear.
Just have that report ready to go in the morning.
One recruiter tried to give me an illegal payoff.
But my dad always taught me you can never go wrong doin' the right thing.
I turned him down.
What did your dad teach you, Clark?
You saved my life. You saved my life.
You saved my life.
Thanks, Jarod. You really saved my life.
Sydney.
Ayoung man died because of me. I gave him my seat on an airplane.
The plane crashed.
I'm sorry.
Jarod, we all want to believe that we can control the events in life.
But that's only an illusion.
He had everything to live for.
A family.
Future.
Now he's gone, and...
I'm still here.
I'm afraid you and I could spend the rest of this lifetime debating fate, Jarod.
Lifetime?
Is that how long this will hurt?
- Anything? - I found a police file on Bobby Bowman.
According to the Omaha coroner's, uh, records, uh-
Up here, Broots.
Um, the Omaha coroner report- Bobby Bowman was, um...
murdered 16 years ago-
- Hmm. - by his father.
Mr. Lyle- Bobby Bowman, that is-
faked his own murder and framed his father?
And I thought my family was screwed up.
Bowman's body was found headless in the bed ofhis father's pickup truck.
But the body was so decomposed that they couldn't get a proper I.D.
Headless- can't trace dental records. And, of course...
decomposition would make fingerprint identification impossible.
So, if the body was not Mr. Lyle's, then-
whose body was it?
- Hmm. - Broots, get back to Blue Cove.
See what you can find on Lyle's early years at the Centre.
- And us? - You and I are gonna pay a visit to Mammy Yokum.
Bobby was adopted, you know.
Oh, he was a good little boy, for the most part.
And then when he was, oh, around 15 or so...
something just seemed to snap.
Okay, boys! Come and get it!
One day, he was sweet as sugar...
the next, mean as a snake.
Violent too.
Well, after a while, my husband just couldn't deal with it.
He felt that Bobby needed discipline...
so he started lockin' him in the shed out in back.
Well, I thought that was a little harsh.
But as my husband said...
the roof didn't leak, and there was no vermin in it.
You two dogs stop that barkin' and get in here!
This a friend of Bobby's?
Uh, Jimmy Radloff.
- But he died. - Hmm.
That was a sad day for Bobby.
How did Jimmy die?
Well, Bobby and Jimmy went hiking one day...
and they got separated, and only Bobby came home.
Jimmyjust disappeared without a trace.
Well, they looked all over for him, but they never found his body.
I've had enough! Hey!
You don't stop your howling and get your tired-
- Now we know whose body Lyle used to frame his death. - Hmm.
Personally, I feel thatJimmy Radloff ran away.
He came from a terrible family.
His father was a drunk, and his mother, well-
Lyle and I always thought she was daffy as a loon.
- Lyle? - Oh, that's my husband's name.
- Hmm. - Although he insisted Bobby call him Mister.
Hmm.
Angela?
They told me at the hospital you'd been released. I-
May I come in?
It's kind of dark in here, don't you think?
That's not the answer.
All I ever wanted to do was be a pilot.
They were preliminary findings.
- Nothing's been decided. - No, they already told me to get an attorney.
That's standard procedure.
There'll be civil suits.
I can't face those families.
Listen to me.
I don't believe that the crash was your fault.
Based on what?
Those people who had their lives taken from them, they had no choice.
Don't dishonor their memory by taking your own.
Give me the chance to prove your innocence.
OnceJimmy Radloff disappeared, well, Bobby really got bad.
There was no controllin' him, except lock him in the shed.
He hit his father with a shovel once.
I'm pretty sure that that was the straw...
that pushed Lyle to kill Bobby.
And cut off his head?
Well, I did think that was a bit extreme.
Where is your husband now?
Solitary confinement.
Topeka Penitentiary.
Lyle rubs people the wrong way.
Well, I'd best get supper on.
The shed measures eight by 10.
The same as a prison cell.
If my father had locked me in a hole like this...
I wouldn't have framed him- I would have killed him.
Clearly, Mr. Lyle was driven to inflict slower punishment.
Unfortunately, he didn't confine his need to just his father.
I am sorry to bother you, sir...
but I received a rather disturbing tip...
that your son was using prescription drugs not on the F.A.A. authorized list.
- That's ridiculous. - Well, maybe so.
But accusations this serious are going to require an investigation.
I assure you if my son had done anything that foolish, I would know about it.
You have any idea how many flight jockeys...
are buckin' for a seat in the cockpit of a major carrier?
I know some who would have no trouble lying to get a pilot grounded and open up a slot.
I'm sure that's true.
Why would he jeopardize his future by taking unauthorized drugs?
Besides, I wouldn't allow him to.
I have no choice in this matter.
You always have a choice.
Tell that to the victims of Flight 105.
- Clark Thomas. - Jarod Lindsay was just here.
He said he's going forward with an investigation into rumors...
that my son is using unauthorized prescription drugs.
- Where'd he hear that? - I don't know, and it doesn't matter.
What does matter is the fact that you promised to head this thing off. Agreed?
- Yes, sir. - Then get on it.
My girlfriend gave me this.
I think she's afraid I'm gonna forget her.
You know, it's nice knowin' you have someone who cares so much about you.
Besides your folks. You know what I mean?
Yeah.
- We're on our final approach. - Got it.
Our elevator's at zero degrees. I told you to pull two notches!
- We are not gonna clear that ridge! Pull up! Pull up! - I'm sorry, Angela!
I'm sorry! Oh, my God! No!
I told you to pull two notches.!
We are not gonna clear that ridge.! Pull up.! Pull up.!
Our elevator's at zero degrees. I told you to pull two notches.!
- We are not gonna clear that ridge.! Pull up.! Pull up.! - I'm sorry, Angela.!
I'm sorry.! Oh my God.!
Our elevator's at zero degrees. I told you to pull two notches!
We are not-
This your idea of a sick joke?
No.
My idea of a sick joke is lying to protect your career...
while you destroy Angela Wiley's.
- You're crazy. - Am I?
She didn't cause the crash. You did.
It wasn't your blood that Clark Thomas took to the lab.
You were flying all right.
On what? Speed?
Methamphetamines to sharpen your senses?
Is that why you're sweating so badly?
That's not true.
Did you know Angela was thinking of taking her own life...
because she couldn't deal with the guilt of killing 11 people?
Shall we let her? Round it up to a nice even dozen.
All because of you.
All so you can take your position at Airista and make your father happy.
There's no room for error with my father.
You have to be perfect.
And if you're not, he just bribes Clark Thomas to fix it, right?
He found out about my drug intake after the crash...
and he swooped in with spin control like he controls everything else.
He picked my schools, my girlfriends, my career.
So how much worse does it have to get before you say no?
You don't understand.
Nobody says no to my father.
Not me, not Clark Thomas. No one.
Don't you think it's time that someone did?
So, Mr. Bowman, tell us about your son, Bobby.
Bobby. I hated the little bastard.
- But I didn't kill him. - Who did?
Now, if I knew that, I wouldn't be in here, would I?
If I had to bet, I'd say it was probably that counselor...
that started comin' around when Bobby was 15 or so.
From the adoption agency.
Said he was checking up to see how Bobby was getting along.
Well, Bobby was getting along fine till he showed up.
Started spending time together. Too much time.
Do you remember anything about this counselor?
Well, my lawyer tried to find him right after I was arrested.
But he never worked for the adoption agency.
How'd you know?
These padlock cutouts on the wall.
What do they signify, Mr. Bowman?
Ah, somebody's idea of a sick joke.
They've been showin' up once a month ever since I got here.
I use 'em to keep track of time.
Except for last month, when they stopped comin'.
That's because Mr. Lyle is dead.
Diane.
I want you to hear something.
Clark, it's Jarod.
There's something I want to see you about.
Ajump plane? At least you could take me up in a plane with a door.
What are you doin' here?
Lindsay called. Said he'd found something at the crash site you wanted me to see.
Oh, good. Everyone is here. Shall we?
Look, I'm- I'm sorry, Mr. Larson. There's been a misunderstanding.
Oh, there's been no misunderstanding.
I've uncovered some new evidence about what caused the crash.
What kind of new evidence?
The kind you have to see to believe.
Gentlemen?
Why are we so low?
Better to simulate the descent of Flight 105.
Hey, will you take over for a minute? I have to go in the back.
Why don't you take my seat? You'll get a better view.
What new evidence could he have found?
There was nothing left on that mountain that hasn't already been examined.
All right, what the hell is this all about?
Jarod?
Jarod.
- He jumped. - What the hell is going on here?
Pull up. Get altitude.
I can't. It's jammed.
Hydraulics are locked.
Problem, boys?
Well, now you know how Angela Wiley felt when she realized she was going to crash.
Now there is a way for you to survive.
But it comes with a price.
- What do you want? - The truth.
About how you bribed Clark Thomas to cover for the fact...
that it was really your son that caused the crash of Flight 105.
Speechless, huh?
Careful. The voice recorder is taking down everything you say.
Only Clark won't be able to demagnetize the voice cylinder.
- Seventy seconds to impact. - After they find what's left of the plane...
they'll do toxicology tests on your bodies.
Anything you've got to hide, Mr. Larson?
Oh, that's too bad. Because Clark won't be around to tamper with the blood tests.
Fifty seconds.
Damn it, Jarod! Okay! I did it!
I took a bribe! Now unlock those flaps!
- What about you, Mr. Larson? - Larson, tell him, damn it!
Is your reputation more important to you than your life?
Larson! We're gonna crash! Tell him!
All right, it's true!
I bribed Clark Thomas to protect my son.
Clark, there's a toggle switch underneath your seat.
Push it backward.
That was close. Just so you know...
there's only enough gas to get you back to San Diego.
Oh, and by the way, there's a police car waiting for you when you get there.
I'm not buying your theory about Mr. Lyle, Syd.
Please, Miss Parker, listen.
All I'm saying is if Lyle was able to fake his death as a teenager...
well, perhaps he's done it again.
And that's whatJarod has been trying to tell us all this time.
- That Lyle is alive. - I shot the son of a bitch myself, Sydney.
I saw him fall into the river.
You and I were there when they dragged his body from the water.
- A headless body. - So?
- Exactly the way he faked his death the last time. - There is no last time!
The man is dead.
Hmm.
There is nothing on Lyle...
except for date of employment and date of termination.
But I did find this under the name of Bobby Bowman.
It's a copy of adoption papers giving custody of Bob-
Mr. Lyle- to the Bowmans.
There's only one reason the Centre would have records of Lyle's adoption.
They arranged it.
- I'll get Lyle's body exhumed. You do the D.N.A. tests. - Oh, no, no.
You can't.
The Centre had Lyle's body cremated.
Thank you, Jarod.
You saved my life.
Can I help you?
Oh, Daniel.
My name is Jarod.
I met Daniel while we were waiting for the plane.
It was overbooked, and he was going to get bumped.
He- He was worried about missing his registration.
I don't understand.
I gave your son my seat on the flight.
I'm so sorry.
I just thought you'd-
I should probably go.
Wait.
Jarod?
Please, w-would you, um- would you come inside...
and tell us about your time with our son?
Thanks, Jarod.
You really saved my life.