[SIGHS]
[BEEPING]
Come in.
Aliyah 5 and Bohdi 2 have just been brought in.
They're in interrogation rooms one and two.
Don't worry. I'm sure it's nothing.
What if it isn't nothing?
Then I will take care of it, like I always do.
[PIANO MUSIC]
What'd you find out?
The cafeteria crew say they were taken down to
Authority headquarters for questioning
because someone reported them for subversive activities.
What does that even mean? What did they do?
I don't know.
All right!
I know many of you are confused
and have questions about what happened earlier.
And I may not have all the answers but I can assure you
that candidates Aliyah and Bohdi will return
to competition once they complete their interviews
at Authority Headquarters.
But for the rest of us, we have a competition to get back to.
Why? Why were they taken?
Good question.
Why don't you ask them when they come back.
In the meantime, we have a very big day ahead of us.
As I'm sure all of you are aware,
one of the most exciting aspects of The Exemplar is The Gallery,
an event in which each of our candidates is interviewed,
vidcaptured, and profiled for the feature campaign.
And, of course, a big part of this campaign
is the public reveal of each year's Exemplar uniform.
Which I present to you now.
We would like to present you with your very own,
personal Exemplar Uniform.
Come on up.
WOMAN: Tempo three, progress sector.
What kind of game are you playing?
I have no idea what you're talking about...
You want us to believe The Authority
just showed up here unannounced?
They came because you told them to.
So what if I did?
I don't need to remind you, Mentor Chapter,
that it is our duty as citizens of New Babyl to be on the alert
for potentially subversive activities.
Subversive?
All they did was sing and dance.
Is that what that was?
I understand you're upset
and no doubt feeling partially responsible
given that your failure to properly oversee rehearsals
may have played a role in this unfortunate incident.
Right.
Look Watts, they're just kids.
Well then they have nothing to hide.
Do they?
Hello. I'm Authority Phydra.
Please, take a seat.
I want to start off by assuring you
that you're not in trouble.
You're simply here to offer some clarity
on what happened yesterday.
Nothing happened. We just performed.
Right.
And why don't you tell me about that performance.
What do you mean? We didn't do anything wrong.
I never said you did.
It's just that whomever reported you
felt that your performance was a little subversive.
Why?
I was told it was...
Atypical of the song and dance forms
that typify our community.
So what if it was? Why is that so bad?
As a citizen of New Babyl, you should already know the answer to that.
We embrace diversity. It's our strength.
But personal expression is something else.
It fosters disharmony.
You know, there's an ancient saying that goes
"The nail that sticks out gets hammered down."
And when you think about it, it makes sense.
Nails that stick out are dangerous.
- It was just a song. - Just a dance.
You're about to take the stage in the greatest event
New Babyl has ever known.
The eyes of the entire city will be on you.
It won't be just a dance or a song.
It will be a message to the people.
And it's on you to ensure that it's a positive one.
I never doubted it would be.
You can offer them hope and strength
by reinforcing our long established ideals
or, you can infect them with notions
of independence and dissent.
Performance is power.
And it comes with great responsibility.
Now I am sure there was no ill intent
and you have rehearsals to get back to,
so I just have one last question.
Who influenced your performance?
Nobody.
So inspiration just came to you out of the blue?
I was influenced by my life and experience in Reform.
So this Aliyah had absolutely no influence on you?
What? No.
You're sure that Bohdi
didn't steer you towards that performance?
I'm positive. It all came from me.
I don't believe that.
I'm worried for you, Aliyah.
You seem to have some misplaced loyalty to this Bohdi boy.
How well do you know him?
And are you sure he shares the same conviction?
Because if he doesn't, you could find yourself back home,
watching him compete in The Exemplar.
Excuse me one moment.
- Gerald. - Where's Aliyah?
You should know that one of the mentors
reported potentially subversive behavior
on the part of your daughter and her friend.
That's ridiculous. She's sixteen.
And yet old enough to know better,
but there you have it.
I'm getting my daughter and I'm taking her home.
You know why I'm doing this.
You know the histories, the dangers
in allowing this sort of behavior to go unchecked.
I'm actually doing you a favor here, Gerald,
educating your daughter in ways you were clearly incapable of
or unwilling to do.
Phydra, get out of my way.
Can you control your daughter, Gerald?
Phydra, I'm warning you for the last time...
Can. You. Control her?
Yes.
Interrogation Room One.
Come on. We're going home.
What about my friend?
We're going home now.
Aliyah? Aliyah!
Am I being released?
No, Bohdi.
We still have a lot to talk about.
Take a seat.
ANNOUNCER: The official 73rd Exemplar Competition designs
are a return to the gold and black with silk mail
midnight sleeve from the 38th.
To honor the incomparable Geneva.
The traditional long silhoutte represents the formality...
Hey!
ANNOUNCER: ... for state, for community, for all.
I'm excited for this but at the same time,
feel kind of guilty given what's going on with Aliyah and Bohdi.
Well you shouldn't.
What's that supposed to mean?
It means... she should've known better.
Look, when Aliyah gets here,
she's going to need a friend who'll support her,
not someone who's going to criticize her for... dancing.
It wasn't just dancing!
It was more than that.
What do you mean? What's going on?
What aren't you telling me?
I can't say.
There's no such thing as you "can't say".
There's only "I won't say", but that's completely different.
We've been friends how long?
I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone.
Okay, I respect that.
There's this old saying in Industry Sector that goes:
If the burden's too great, distribute the weight.
You don't realize what you're asking.
Sure I do.
I'm offering to help a friend.
In the wise words of our great founder Gaia.
ALIYAH: They had no right.
They treated us like criminals.
- We didn't do anything wrong. - Aliyah!
They wouldn't have brought you in if they didn't
think you might have done something wrong.
I danced. He sang!
Don't be so naive.
Look, you know the importance our society places on custom.
You and your friend undermined years of tradition.
By trying something new?
By celebrating yourselves instead of the state!
Sweetheart, do me a favor.
Don't cause anymore trouble, all right?
Stick to the accepted norm. Promise me.
Get them to release Bohdi.
I can't.
You're a member of the Tribunal.
Of course you can.
No, I can't!
Look, you don't realize the seriousness of what you did
and how lucky you are to be free!
Aliyah, wait!
PHYDRA: Bohdi, you seem like a good young citizen,
but your actions have me questioning your loyalties.
Why?
You have the opportunity to choose from an endless list
of songs recognizing our united spirit
or the life of our glorious founder, Gaia,
but instead, you choose to sing about yourself.
My experiences.
That was selfish.
No it's not because I was sharing them with others.
That was the whole point!
And what makes you think that your personal experience
is more important than the communal experience
we foster here in New Babyl?
BODHI: It's not.
But everyone's story is important.
Our founder, Gaia, had her own personal story
and it became a part of our history.
It belongs to all of us because people shared that experience.
PHYDRA: What are you telling me, Bohdi?
That you want to make history?
No.
I just want to tell my story.
ARCHIVE: Welcome Aliyah. How can I be of service?
What can I do?
ARCHIVE: "What Can I Do" is a song
by artist Ice Cube from the west...
Stop!
Give me some historical examples of how one person
stood up to their own government.
ARCHIVE: Okay. I see where you goin'.
Choose Violent or Non-Violent Resistance.
Non-Violent.
ARCHIVE: Non-violent resistance can take many forms.
Peaceful protests, civil disobedience.
Tell me about peaceful protests.
ARCHIVE: Protests are an expression of resistance
against particular events,
situations, or policies
deemed unjust or undesirable.
They can be expressed by an individual
or many individuals in solidarity.
Show me forms of protest.
What are these people doing?
Show me lower right.
ARCHIVE: The civil rights sit ins
became a protest movement against racial segregation
in the twentieth century.
Students of African descent occupied food establishments
that refused them service
because of their skin color.
The protests grew in numbers over time
and disrupted the working orders of the establishments,
eventually causing them to change their racist policies.
Show me more.
What's that dance?
ARCHIVE: This dance is inspired by a style known as "stepping".
It is one of many forms that embody resistance
and protest through sharp, rhythmic, movement.
Other forms include ToyiToyi, Capoeira,
Hip Hop, Crump
What do you think?
SAGE: You're going to wear it open like that?
I made a few adjustments. I think it's kinda flames.
It's nice.
I just think the mentors are going to ask you to make a few more.
[LAUGHS]
Hey.
Aliyah!
Are you okay?
- I'm fine. - I was worried about you.
- What happened? - Where'd you go?
Why did they take you?
[ALL ASKING QUESTIONS]
This is for you.
I can make some tweaks if you want.
Where's Bohdi?
He's still being held at Authority Headquarters.
What?
[ALL WHISPERING]
Why is he still there?
I don't know.
But it's up to us to get him out.
And how exactly are we supposed to help free Bohdi?
By putting pressure on The Authority.
Aliyah, we're a bunch of sixteen year olds.
No, we're Exemplar candidates.
So?
So they need us if they want this competition to go ahead.
Okay wait, look, I like Bohdi.
A lot.
But I'm not quitting this competition for him.
I'm not saying we should quit.
I'm saying we should refuse to cooperate.
Starting with the Gallery today.
[ALL MURMUR]
Bohdi and I were held at Authority Headquarters.
We were questioned, treated like criminals.
Bohdi is still there,
but we have the power to get him out.
I don't get it. Why were you taken?
And why were you being questioned,
and why were you being treated like criminals?
Because we didn't sing the approved songs
or dance the approved dances.
We upset them because we expressed ourselves differently.
We've always been taught that harmony is happiness.
And deviation is disorder.
I'm not saying unity isn't important.
But we're all unique.
We don't all look the same.
We don't have the same dreams.
Why should we all conform to the same music?
The same songs and dances?
Just because that's the way it's always been?
Is that really a good enough reason?
It keeps us from getting hauled in for questioning.
KRIS: Exactly.
I saw all of your faces when Bohdi and I performed.
You all really liked it.
Aliyah's right.
Bohdi doesn't deserve to be treated like this.
Hey!
If it was any of us locked up,
do you think Bohdi would hesitate?
Look, we've all had our own Bohdi moment.
Something he's done for us, some act of unexpected kindness.
And now, when he needs you to stand up for him,
you're telling me that it doesn't matter?
Okay, so say we do this.
We tell them we're not going to participate in the Gallery.
What's to stop them from kicking us out?
They can't expel us all.
The histories teach us that there's strength in unity.
Think about The Exemplar.
When enough people vote together,
that candidate wins.
The only way this is going to work
is if we stay strong and we stick together.
All of us.
So, a bunch of us are joining Aliyah's protest.
You with us?
Sage?
I want to help.
I really, I really do.
I just...
I don't know if I feel comfortable doing this.
You think any of us are comfortable doing this?
Hey, what about Bohdi sweating it out
in an interrogation room all day?
They let Aliyah go.
Okay? Maybe we just have to be patient.
Just being here means everything to me.
It's all I ever dreamt of.
You're not alone.
Then how can you take the risk of throwing it all away?
Like Aliyah said, it's less of a risk the more of us join in.
You're asking me to trust other people and I...
No. No, I'm asking you to trust me.
You can trust me, Sage.
I'm not gonna let anything happen to your dreams.
Especially since I'm in them every night.
Samu says his med staff is running low on pain meds
and surgical lights.
Redirect another shipment. Those clinics are a priority.
- Hey, Moore... - I'm in a business meeting.
I told you no interruptions.
Yeah, but there's someone here to...
Regget! What did I say?
No interruptions.
Thank you.
Sorry, Mags. You're gonna have to come back.
Mags? Regget, what are you doing?
Tell Mags to come in here.
There he is!
Our local celebrity!
What brings you by?
I need to talk to you.
Alone.
You heard him, fellas. Out. Private discussion.
So.
What do you want to talk about?
It's Bohdi.
He's being held at Authority Headquarters.
They took him in for questioning earlier today.
What'd he do?
He sang.
What? Like he did at my party?
Yeah.
That little fool has more guts than brains.
Who'd he criticize?
He sang about growing up in Reform Sector
and the challenges we face...
Wait, wait. The state? He criticized the state!
Boy is crazy!
Is he trying to get himself ghosted?
It wasn't a public performance.
- It was just at The Academy... - What do I always say?
Authority's got eyes and ears everywhere.
I need your help to get him released.
Oh yeah...
You said it yourself. We're family, right?
Just 'cause I say it, doesn't mean he believes it.
Bohdi felt bad about what he did.
He disrespected me in front of the whole Sector, Mags.
Now suddenly, I'm family?
He's not asking. I am.
What do you expect me to do?
You have an understanding with The Authority.
They give you the freedom to operate here
in exchange for a piece and information.
Listen to me.
That kind of talk will land you a seat
next to Bohdi at Authority Headquarters.
So what's it going to be?
I got a lot of work to do.
So good luck.
MENTOR WATTS: All right.
It's time to get this Gallery underway.
When I call your name, step up to be interviewed and holo-captured.
Nada Four. Come on up.
Looks like we have some stragglers.
Brooklyn Two, come up.
Brooklyn Two.
Sierra Five.
What is this?
Get up.
Aliyah Five.
I don't know what you are trying to prove
with this nonsense, but it is your loss.
Tempo Three.
What is the point of this act of defiance?
No one is rehearsing or taking part in The Gallery.
Not until Bohdi's released.
Three of you were already sent home
and I'm perfectly willing to make examples of any of you -
I will.
You cannot hold The Exemplar hostage.
Get up!
Get up. Get up!
Don't believe for a second this behavior will be forgotten.
When we return, you had better be prepared for The Gallery.
What's that?
That, is your record, Bohdi.
The entire history of you.
Relocated to Reform Sector at the age three
with your single father who was undergoing rehabilitation
at the time of his unexpected passing.
Raised in the communal creche from the age eleven.
Now just two years away from your eighteenth year.
With a clean record, you can request a transfer
to any other sector and start a new life.
You have so much to look forward to. And yet...
The file also details your apparent ties to known criminal elements.
It's Reform Sector.
Almost everyone's what you'd call "a criminal element".
I'm not referring to individuals
undergoing the redemptive process.
I'm talking about one man in particular.
You know him as Moore Times.
He runs Reform Sector's black market operations.
He's also, apparently, a father figure to you.
Like you said, my father's long dead right?
New Babyl took a chance on you admitting you to The Exemplar
and I, now have to wonder whether their trust in you was misplaced.
I didn't do anything wrong.
Maybe not, but your recent actions
and your past relationships
cast doubt on your character
and, if that was to come to public light...
I'm afraid The Academy just wouldn't stand for it.
What do you want from me?
A name.
You are a good kid who was led astray.
Moore Times used you.
And now, you're going to take the fall for him?
But, it's not too late.
All you have to do is say his name,
and this all goes away.
Just say his name and you can leave.
I'd rather tell you a story.
About a little girl who grew up in Reform Sector
but defied the odds and really made something of herself.
Go on.
See, this little girl's parents were happy
to be living in New Babyl, but still thought things could be better.
They had suggestions, but The Tribunal
didn't want to hear them, didn't like being criticized.
Her parents called themselves activists
and The Tribunal called them agitators
and sent them to Reform Sector for rehabilitation.
And, of course, their little girl went with them.
I'm familiar with this story.
So is everyone in Reform.
It's legendary.
Anyway, this little girl got moved away
from the life she knew in Progress Sector.
And turns out: she hated Reform.
And hated her own parents for landing them there.
And over the years, that hatred grew.
To The Authority, her parents became model citizens:
a real feel-good Reform story.
But what The Authority didn't know was that these two
still thought New Babyl could be better
and they were secretly sharing their feelings with others.
The Authority didn't know, but their little girl did,
so she told on them.
Her parents were ghosted.
One day they were there and the next they were gone.
No one's heard from them since.
But that little girl?
Well, she wasn't so little anymore.
She finally got her wish to leave Reform Sector.
And the Authority rewarded her
with a junior position in their organization.
And she did right by them, eventually rising up
and getting her own seat on The Tribunal.
Well, it sounds like the parents got exactly
what they wanted all along:
the ability to effect real change
through their own flesh and blood.
Probably helped that their daughter
didn't have a conscience.
But I do...
so you won't be getting that name.
That's a long road for a short answer,
but who doesn't like a good yarn.
You know I'm disappointed in you, Bohdi.
You had a shot at doing something really special with your life.
[CHANTING]
What is going on?
This is our way of showing our support for Bohdi.
What about The Gallery?
There is no Gallery. Not until they release Bohdi.
How'd you even get everybody to join in?
Honestly? They didn't do it for me.
They did it for Bohdi.
C'mon...
[CHANTING]
Moore Times.
I'm sorry, but Bohdi isn't permitted visitors.
I'm not here to visit with Bohdi.
I'm here to see you.
So what is this about?
That thing we discussed the other day?
Could you be more specific?
You were asking if anyone had come to me,
looking to acquire those black market parts.
Black market parts for what?
To build a sonic disruptor to allow someone to pass through The Shield.
Go on.
I want to make a deal.
If I cooperate on this, you let Bohdi go.
You've already implicated yourself in the sale
of technologies dangerous to the state.
I don't have to let anyone go.
All I have to do is make you talk.
Yeah, well, good luck with that.
Okay, save me the time.
What have you got?
Do we have a deal?
My information for Bohdi's freedom?
You have my word.
This better be worth it.
Oh, it is.
The other day when you came in,
you asked if I'd supplied those specific parts
to anyone in the past year.
Well, I didn't lie when I said I hadn't.
But it was almost thirteen years ago.
Thirteen years ago?
Do you remember the buyer?
I'll never forget,
considering they were connected to The Tribunal.
Let's go.
Where are you taking me?
I don't even get to know where I'm going?
Have a good day.
Wait, are you serious?
If I were you, son, I'd go now
before they change their mind.
He's been released.
Happy?
That you kept up your end of our deal? Ecstatic.
I'm a woman of my word.
Well,
I'd love to say it was nice doing business with you,
but I respect you too much to lie.
I'll see you around.
What is this?
I thought we had a deal.
We did.
You told me what I wanted to know and I let Bohdi go.
As we agreed.
- Good. So we're done. - Almost.
I'm placing you under arrest for trafficking in stolen goods.
Are you kidding me?
After years of taking payoffs to look the other way,
you suddenly have a problem with it?
I do, when your illegal actions threaten to undermine
the stability of New Babyl.
Well I'll be happy to explain how our little arrangement works
to the Chancellor, Phydra.
- Take him away. - Phydra, don't do this.
We can work something out.
Phydra! Phydra!
Free Bohdi!
Free Bodhi!
[ALL CHEER]
Free Bodhi!
Bodhi!
I wasn't sure they were going to let you go.
Neither was I.
So what happened?
I don't know.
It looked like I was going to get kicked out of The Exemplar
and then they just they just let me go.
What did they say?
Have a good day.
Been holding on to this for you, sib.
Come on, get dressed.
We've got a Gallery to shoot.
♪ Repeat after me, after me ♪
♪ Everybody get loner ♪
♪ Come follow me, come follow me ♪
My family has always been super supportive
so, I'm doing this for them.
I'm in it to win.
Anything less would be a huge disappointment.
Mags here, bringing the title back to Reform Sector,
their first ever!
Yeah, we'll see about that.
Never took you for the shy type.
I'm not. I just...
After everything that happened today,
this doesn't feel right.
It's suddenly got me questioning everything:
The Exemplar, New Babyl, and my place in both.
ALIYAH: I don't know what you went through today
so I can't even guess what's going through your head -
but if there's one thing I'm sure of,
you belong here, with us.
Ok let's go. Group capture!
♪ Come follow me, come follow me ♪ ♪ Come follow me, come follow me ♪
♪ Click on the beat ♪ ♪ Click on the beat ♪
♪ Come follow me ♪ ♪ Come follow me ♪
♪ ♪
ANNOUNCER: For those candidates
who require additional vocal or instrumental training
please report to studio B.
What a day.
I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight.
I can't believe we pulled that off.
Pulled off what exactly?
How do we know we had anything to do
with Bohdi getting released?
Well I guess it doesn't really matter.
But what's important is we all stood up for something.
I know it wasn't easy,
but I'm grateful you stuck up for Bohdi.
I didn't do it for Bohdi.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Come in.
I was just about to go look for you.
Well you're in luck.
And I brought us dinner.
Yam hash, bean casserole, tofu fritters.
A romantic dinner for two?
Could be.
But that's up to you.
You took a big risk trusting me and joining the protest.
I know that wasn't easy for you,
but I want you to know that it meant a lot to everyone.
It meant a lot to me.
You mean a lot to me too.
I mean, it meant a lot that you...
Sage.
I know, that's why I'm here.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Okay, I was gonna wait 'til after we ate for the kiss but...
[DOOR ALARM]
Come in.
Just came by to see how you were doing.
I'm okay.
It's over.
It's easy for you to say.
You weren't locked up in there all day,
wondering if she was going to let you go or not.
I'm sorry.
I know it was worse for you, but I was scared too.
Of what?
You're a Tribunal's daughter.
Are we really going there again?
Look, I'm not saying this to hurt your feelings,
but, you got out because of your father.
You had that advantage; I didn't.
You may not like to hear it, but it's the truth.
You had someone to rely on.
I was alone.
I know that, for most of my life,
I've had things easier because of who I am,
and I've always been ashamed of it.
I wish I could change things.
I wouldn't if I were you.
You don't have to feel guilty for what you have
but just be aware of those who got less.
Y'know, before today I believed
in what I'd always been told.
I thought that we were all equal in New Babyl.
But now, I know that's not true.
In their eyes, I'm less than because I grew up in Reform.
They say they don't want to repeat the mistakes of the past,
but they already are.
What do you mean?
One of the first songs we heard in The Archive by Mos Def.
I must've listened to it ten times but never really heard
what he was saying until now.
Stiffer stipulations attached to each sentence
Budget cutbacks but increased police presence...
And even if you get out of prison still living...
Join the other five million under state supervision.
He was talking about society four hundred years ago,
but he might as well have been talking about today.
I felt like he was speaking directly to me.
And I want to know more.
After everything that's happened, you want to go back?
Yeah. I'm curious.
And angry.
And excited at what else I'll find
because now I know what I'm looking for.
[DOOR BEEP]
Come in.
I pulled the files.
Did anybody see you access them?
No.
Oh, and Ryden...
This stays between the two of us.
Of course.
Oh Gerald,
what secrets have you been hiding?
So you're just taking us back to the party spot?
Ok, for the last time, we're not going
back to the party spot.
Ok, so where are we going?
We're here.
What's so special about here?
Watch this.
What is that?
Come on.
ARCHIVE: Welcome Bohdi, Aliyah.
Sup archive?
After everything we've been through today,
Aliyah and I decided that we didn't want to be alone
with this anymore.
It's too important not to share with you guys.
Um, what is this place? How did you find it?
And how long have you been keeping it from us?
- ARCHIVE: I am the Archive. - BODHI: Hold on, Archive.
Before we answer any questions,
I want you guys to hear something first.
Bohdi playlist number two.
KENDRICK LAMAR: ♪ I got, I got, I got, ♪
♪ I got Loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA ♪
♪ quarter piece, got war and peace ♪
♪ Inside my DNA ♪
♪ I got power, poison, pain and joy ♪
♪ Inside my DNA ♪
♪ I got hustle, though, ambition, flow ♪
♪ Inside my DNA ♪
♪ I was born like this, since one like this, ♪
♪ immaculate conception ♪
♪ I transform like this, perform like this, ♪
♪ was Yeshua's new weapon ♪
♪ I don't contemplate, I meditate, ♪
♪ then off your off your head ♪
♪ This that put-the-kids-to-bed, ♪
♪ this that I got I got I got I got I got ♪
- Synced and corrected by chamallow - - www.addic7ed.com -