This episode ran long so we ended up trimming some scenes, and dialogue, at both the script and post-production stage. In yesterday’s blog entry, I offered up some of the stuff we had to lose for time. Here’s more of – what might have been…
While everyone else heads off onto the station, FOUR stays behind to check on the latest developments regarding Zairon and its ongoing war with Pyr. A little reminder that our resident swordsman has bigger fish to gut, skewer, and fry:
INT. RAZA – FOUR’S QUARTERS
FOUR sits at his desk, watching a news report. ONSCREEN, NEWS ANCHOR #2 speaks. In the BG, the insignia’s of the warring parties (Zairon and the Principality of Pyr) accompanied by a map of the interstellar conflict.
ANCHOR #2: At the heart of the conflict is a territorial dispute between the two independent colonies. A long-standing source of contention, the region, known as Enriss Sector became the flashpoint for open warfare following its annexation by Zairon on the heels of a coup that deposed Pyr’s ruling theocracy earlier this year. (beat) The hostilities have, so far, been limited to the two planets directly involved as the two dozen strong League of Autonomous Worlds has remained neutral, officially calling on both parties to suspend their military campaigns pending the resumption of peace talks. (beat) Several corporations who have had their travel and trade routes disrupted lobbied the Galactic Authority to take action –
He turns off the computer, gets up and leaves the room.
This next one was more of a trim. In the script, the second scene at the transfer transit office starts off with an amusing little back and forth between Nyx and TWO before the receptionist’s return…
INT. SPACE STATION – TRANSFER TRANSIT RECEPTION AREA
TWO and Nyx talk while they wait for the receptionist.
NYX: The kid?
TWO: Couldn’t ask for a better shipmate. Smart, savvy, incredibly capable. Looks can be deceiving. Underestimate her at your own risk.
NYX: Ryo?
TWO: He takes a while to warm up to you but despite the strong silent persona, he’s a passionate guy. Hard to figure at times but there’s no doubting his loyalty.
Nyx considers that response in particular – then notices TWO waiting for her to continue. Hurriedly –
NYX: Boone?
TWO: He’ll grow on you.
The Receptionist comes out of the back.
Some dialogue cuts here and there over the course of the ensuing scenes and then on to this FOUR/Android scene that had to be excised for time. This moment, coupled with the earlier scene of FOUR getting the update on Zairon’s ongoing war with Pyr, help paint a picture of a man growing increasingly frustrated with his inability to help his home world. This notion – and just the shot of the Android walking onto the bridge, arms laden with shopping bags – made this scene a hard one to lose:
INT. RAZA – BRIDGE
The Android, clutching her shopping purchases, walks onto the bridge and notices FOUR standing there, wholly absorbed on the onscreen image of his memory template (last scene in Episode 203). The Android sets aside her purchases.
ANDROID: Your old neural imprint.
FOUR: Yes.
The Android considers FOUR studying the template.
ANDROID (O.S.): How long did it take you to start dreaming?
FOUR turns and throws her a look.
ANDROID: Thoughts and images from human memory form the basis of REM and NREM dreams. Without memories to process, brain mechanisms are incapable of producing cognitive contents.
FOUR: On the second day, I dreamt I was back in stasis, awake but unable to free myself. It’s a dream I’ve had many times since.
ANDROID: Would you care to hear my psychological analysis?
FOUR: Not especially, no.
ANDROID: You’re troubled.
He throws her a look.
ANDROID: That wasn’t a dream interpretation; simply an assessment of your current frame of mind based on your present actions and roughly a dozen physiological indicators. (beat) You want to remember, but fear the costs.
FOUR stares at the onscreen data.
FOUR: Perhaps a small price to pay for a far greater reward.
Finally, because the episode was timing long,, I elected not to lose a concluding montage sequence, choosing instead to simply use the last shot of said montage: the Android, on the bridge, considering the upgrade she received from Victor. One could argue the other beats are neither here nor there but I, personally, miss the scripted moment of FIVE discovering a gift-wrapped toothbrush on her pillow…and knowing exactly who it’s from:
MONTAGE OF –
A) INT. RAZA – INFIRMARY
SIX, seated on his bed, lies back down and stares up at the ceiling, deep in thought.
B) INT. RAZA – TWO’S QUARTERS
TWO studies FIVE’s sketch.
C) INT. RAZA – DEVON’S QUARTERS
Devon takes a hit – and gets high.
D) INT. RAZA – TRAINING ROOM
FOUR is training alone with his bo staff. He stops, looks over as Nyx strolls in and helps herself to another staff. They exchange smiles – and fight.
E) INT. RAZA – FIVE’S QUARTERS FIVE walks into her room and notices a little gift-wrapped present sitting on her pillow. Curious, she picks it up, unfurls the bow, unwraps it – and reveals the toothbrush inside. She smiles.
F) INT. RAZA – BRIDGE The Android, alone on the bridge, holds up and considers the software upgrade she was given.
I’m going to talk to Syfy and our post-production team about releasing these deleted scenes as online extras. Stay tuned!
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