All language subtitles for 11English(SDH)

LOUISE: I used to think

this was the beginning of your story.

Memory is a strange thing.

It doesn't work like I thought it did.

We are so bound by time, by its order.

(SOFTLY) Okay.

(BABY CRYING)

Okay. Come back to me.

Come back to me.

Come back to me.

Stick 'em up!

(HANNAH CHUCKLING)

LOUISE: Are you the sheriff
in this here town?

These are my tickle guns,
and I'm gonna getcha!

(GIGGLING) No!

You want me to chase you?
You better run!

- Ah!
- C)h!

(GIGGLING)

LOUISE: I remember
moments in the middle.

I love you.

I hate you!

(SOBBING)

LOUISE: And this was the end.

(SNIFFLING) Shhh...

(SOBBING)

Come back to me.

You come back to me.

(SOBBING)

But now I'm not so sure

I believe in beginnings and endings.

There are days that define
your story beyond your life.

Like the day they arrived.

(MAN SPEAKING ON TV, INDISTINCT)

Good morning.

ALL: Morning.

Where is everyone?

Okay. Well, let's get started.

Today we are talking about Portuguese

and why it sounds so different

from the other Romance languages.

The story of Portuguese begins
in the kingdom of Galicia...

(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)

MAN: Sorry.
LOUISE: ...in the Middle Ages,

where language was seen
as an expression of art.

(CELL PHONE RINGING)

(CELL PHONE CHIMING)

Any news you want to share?

Dr. Banks, can you turn
the TV to a news channel?

(CELL PHONE RINGING)

REPORTER: ...but police have
already set up a blockade

here around the area.

As you can see,
we've got just about as close as we can,

but unfortunately,

Montana right now
is on complete lockdown.

WOMAN: The object apparently
touched down 40 minutes ago,

just north of I-94.

We're waiting to hear if this is perhaps

an experimental vessel or...

Hold on, it...

I'm learning that more objects
like this have landed in

as many as eight other locations

around the world.

Yes, can we?

This is from a site in Hokkaido.

MAN 2: This is worldwide.
It is happening right now.

(ALARM SOUNDING)

LOUISE: Okay. Um...

I'm sorry. Class is dismissed.

(ALARM RINGING)

(AIRCRAFT FLYING OVE RH EAD)

(CAR ALARMS RINGING)

(HORN HONKING)

(TIRES SQUEALING, HORN HONKING)

(SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE)

MAN: You are an idiot!
You drove right into me!

(ALARM SYSTEM CHIRPING)

MAN 2: You just ruined my car!

WOMAN: For now, we're simply
asking for cooperation

while authorities assess the object.

WOMAN 2:
So, you're saying it's not ours?

Do you even know if it's from Earth?

WOMAN:
We're still collecting information.

We're coordinating with other countries.

We're not the only ones to

have one of these in our backyard.

WOMAN 2: If this is
some sort of peaceful first contact,

why send 12?

Why not just one?

LOUISE: Yeah, I know. I saw that, too.

Uh-huh.

Uh-huh. I don't know, Mom.

I'm watching
the same news coverage you are.

Well, Mom,
please don't bother with that channel.

How many times do I have to tell you?
Those people are idiots.

Yeah, well, do I sound nervous?

Okay. Exactly. So...

Um, me? Yeah, um, you know me.

I'm about the same.

Mom, I'm fine.

Okay, I'll call you later. Bye.

REPORTER: And around eight
hours after landing,

there are still no signs
of what might be called

"first contact."

Now, the objects measure
at least 1,500 feet tall...

WOMAN: Two are reported
to have penetrated Russian airspace.

One in Siberia, and the other
off the coast of the Black...

WOMAN '2". ...above the ocean.

So far, there are 12 unidentified objects

spread across the globe.

There is no obvious logic
to their locations

and no evidence that
the ships are even occu...

...entertain the idea that
if it is a kind of vessel,

it may be unmanned.

Regardless, we have
a protocol for scenarios like this.

(MAN SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

(CROWD SHOUTING, INDISTINCT)

(HORNS HONKING,
CROWD SHOUTING)

(CROWD CHANTING)

(REPORTER SPEAKING
FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

WOMAN: After Tuesday's
extraordinary events,

the President this morning has
declared a state of emergency,

with as many as 5,000 National Guard

being deployed to
the state of Montana alone.

Borders are closed
and flights have been grounded,

stranding millions of travelers.

Panic buying of gas, water and food

continues to escalate,

and federal authorities
have temporarily lifted

all caps on overtime
for law enforcement.

The ATF has put a temporary ban
on new gun licenses,

forcing many independent suppliers of

hunting equipment and firearms

to close their doors to the public.

Forty-eight hours later
and no further development...

Two days...

...from the site of the 12 UFOs.

...and already, the public expects us

to know the answers.

I'm Colonel G.T. Weber.

We never formally met,

but two years ago,
you did some Farsi translations

for Army Intelligence.

Oh.

You made quick work
of those insurgent videos.

You made quick work
of those insurgents.

You are on the top of everyone's list

when it comes to translations.

And you have another
two years in your SSBI,

so you still have top-secret clearance.

That's why I'm in your office
and not at Berkeley.

Okay.

I have something I need you
to translate for me.

(BEEPS)

(STATIC)

MAN". Why are you here?

Can you... Can you understand us?

(LOW-PITCHED GROWL)

Where did you come from?

(LOW-PITCHED GROWL)

Now you heard it.
What do you make of it?

Is that...

Yes.

How many?

- How many what?
- Um, how many, um, speaking?

Two.

Assume they were not speaking
at the same time.

Are you sure? Did they have mouths...

How would you approach
translating this?

Do you hear any words? Phrases?

I don't... I don't know.

So what can you tell me?

I can tell you that it's impossible

to translate from an audio file.

I would need to be there,
to interact with them.

You didn't need that
with the Farsi translations.

I didn't need it because
I already knew the language,

but this... This is... Ah...

I know what you're doing.

- Tell me what I'm doing.
- I'm not taking you to Montana.

It's all I can do
to keep it from turning into a tourist site

for everybody who has a TS clearance.

I'm just telling you what it would take

to do this job.

This is not a negotiation.

If I leave here, your chance is gone.

(SIGHING)

Good day.

Colonel?

You mentioned Berkeley.

Are you going to ask Danvers next?

Maybe.

Before you commit to him,

ask him the Sanskrit word
for war and its translation.

(SIGHING)

An agreement on sharing
scientific discoveries

looks closer tonight,

as Russia and China join talks
at the United Nations.

Meanwhile, financial markets
across the world are in crisis

as the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell

over 2,000 points...

(AIRCRAFT ROARING)

(HELICOPTER BLADES THUMPING)

WEBER: Morning.

LOUISE: Colonel?

WEBER: Gavisti.

He says it means "an argument."

What do you say it means?

A desire for more cows.

WEBER: Pack your bags.

LOUISE: All right. Give me 20 minutes?
WEBER: Takeoff in ten.

SOLDIER: Dr. Banks.
Right this way, please.

(ENGINE ROARING,
BLADES THUMPING)

(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)

PILOT: Contact and ready to approach...

Excuse me, Dr. Banks, let me make
sure you're properly secured.

(RADIO CHATTER CONTINUES)

You Okay?

(INAUDIBLE)

Sorry, I couldn't hear
what you were saying.

"Language is the foundation
of civilization.

"It is the glue
that holds a people together.

"It is the first weapon drawn
in a conflict."

Louise, this is Ian Donnelly.
Louise Banks, Ian Donnelly.

That's quite a greeting.

Yeah, well, you wrote it.

Yeah.

It's the kind of thing
you write as a preface.

Dazzle them with the basics.

Yeah, it's great. Even if it's wrong.

It's wrong?

Well, the cornerstone of civilization
isn't language,

it's science.

WEBER: Ian is a theoretical physicist
from Los Alamos.

You'll be reporting to me,
but you'll be working with him

when you're in the shell.

That's what they're calling the UFO.

Priority one: what do they want
and where are they from?

And beyond that, how did they get here?

Are they capable of
faster-than-light travel?

I've prepared
a list of questions to go over,

starting with a series of
"handshake" binary sequences...

How about we just talk to them

before we start throwing
math problems at them?

This is why you're both here.

IAN: I'll bring the coffee.

Coffee with some aliens.

(HELICOPTER BLADES THUMPING,
INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)

WEBER: I want you to take
these two to Dr. Kettler.

Yes, sir.

Follow the captain to medical.

It should take just a few minutes,

and then we'll get started.

(WOMAN SPEAKING ON PA SYSTEM,
INDISTINCT)

We'll take care of your bag.
I'll take your cell phones.

Cell phones!

Follow me.

Put these on. You're gonna
wear them at all times.

Sir, they're here.

DR. KETTLER: Louise Banks?
Ian Donnelly?

When was the last time
either of you have eaten?

- Last night.
- IAN: Same.

DR. KETTLER: Last time
you did something stressful?

IAN: Does now count?

Just saying...

Uh, who was being carted off
in the medevac?

DR. KETTLER: Not everyone is able to
process experiences like this.

I'm gonna get some blood from you

and give you an immunization dose

that covers a battery of bacterial threats.

Could you sign these, please?
And roll up your sleeves.

Either of you claustrophobic?

- No.
- No.

Currently taking any medications?
Allergies?

Pregnant?

No.

The booster is a kick to your system,

so you may experience
some side effects,

nausea, dizziness, headaches,

a ringing in your ears,
like you have tinnitus.

MAN: They wouldn't go, either way.

(HELICOPTER BLADES THUMPING)

(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)

SOLDIER 1: You see
what's happening to him?

SOLDIER 2: How does this even work?

SCIENTIST: (ON MONITOR)
The readings do not change,

but I don't know,

it's like we're insects
on a piece of paper,

and they're easing us out of the house.

At exactly 112 minutes and 19 seconds,

gravity starts to shift
and slides us out of the room.

Have you found
a scientific explanation for it?

Like, is it for them?

Uh, no. We think it's for us.

Air doesn't seem to circulate
inside the chamber,

so after about two hours,
we run out of oxygen.

It doesn't take 18 hours
to pump fresh air into a room.

IAN: Atmosphere...

HALPERN: Excuse me?

If their atmosphere is
different from Earth,

it would certainly take hours

to rebalance their O2 content
and pressure for us

every time they open their door.

So, they could suffocate us
if they wanted.

WEBER: This is Agent Halpern
with the CIA.

Let me get you two to your stations.

IAN: Yes, sir.

WEBER: Remember, we need answers
as soon as possible.

What do they want?
Where are they from?

Why are they here?

This is the priority.

Everyone, this is Dr. Ian Donnelly.

He'll be running this team here.

Have they responded to anything?

Shapes, patterns, numbers, Fibonacci?

We can't tell what they're saying

when they respond to "hello," so...

Don't get ahead of yourself.

What have you figured out?

We're just getting started.
Good morning!

This is Dr. Louise Banks.
She'll be heading your team.

It's a pleasure meeting you.

WEBER: Dr. Banks is
taking over the mission from Dr. Walker.

(ALARM SOUNDING)

That's a 15-minute warning.

You scuba-dive before?

What kind of radiation exposure
are we walking into?

Nominal. These are just for safety.

So, is there any physical
contact with the, um...

Am I the only one having
trouble saying "aliens"?

There's a wall. Like, a glass wall.

You can't get to them.

So, what do they look like?

You'll see soon enough. Hurry up.

(MAN SHOUTING, INDISTINCT)

(ENGINE STARTING)

WEBER: (ON TWO-WAY RADIO)
The suits are clumsy at first,

but you get used to them.

(LABORED BREATHING)

I'll open a second vehicle.

We'll be there in a few minutes.

Make sure you hold on to something.

(LABORED BREATHING)

ALPHA TEAM LEADER: Copy, Condor.
We will observe, but not initiate. Over.

Watch your step.

CONDOR: We'll keep
Alpha channel open. Over.

Alpha, be advised.
Humidity increased since yesterday.

WEBER". Every 18 hours,

the door opens up at the bottom.

That's where we go in.

CONDOR: Zero movement.
Alpha detail, clear to proceed. Over.

ALPHA TEAM LEADER: Copy, Condor.

Beginning our ascent now. Over.

Ten feet.

Five feet.

Two, one...

CONDOR:
Alpha clear to enter antechamber.

(MECHANISM CLICKING, BEEPING)

ALPHA TEAM LEADER: Moving into position.

(LAUGHING)

Thirty feet from target.

CONDOR:
Suit telemetry now full strength,

despite unknown interference.

Three, two, one.

(RUMBLING)

(LIFT WHIRRING)

Oxygen level: 20.3%.

No known contaminates. Over.

Radio signals are decreasing.

90%, 85%...

(LIFT STOPS WHIRRING)

Yeah, that just happened.

(LIFT WHIRRING)

(LOUISE GASPING, PANTING)

WEBER". All right, let's move!

Time is wasting.

You ready? You ready?

Let's do it!

Condor, I'm proceeding first
with Captain Marks, over.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER ON RADIO)

Gravity nominal
in the antechamber. Over!

MARKS". It's all good, sir.

You can proceed.

Stand by! Okay, bring it up.

Vitals are low.

Radio signal strength
stable at 75%. Over.

WEBER: You okay?

(LAUGHING)

Yeah.

Dr. Banks?

You can do this. Come on.

I don't know. I... I think...

(GASPING, SCREAMING)

WEBER: Grab her.

(PANTING)

(GRUNTING)

CONDOR". Donnelly, are you all right?

WEBER: Dr. Donnelly, you good?

CONDOR: Dr. Donnelly,
are you all right?

Please respond. Over.

IAN: Yeah.

Holy fuck!

We're gonna go down there,

and you're gonna start your job.

- LOUISE: Okay.
- Okay?

Okay-

Everybody, move out!

ALPHA TEAM LEADER: Alpha detail is in position.

MARKS". Team is in position.

We're on the move.

ALPHA TEAM LEADER:
Condor, Alpha's now in the nave.

Setting up equipment
and telemetry. Over.

(LABORED BREATHING)

(CHIRPING)

So, what happens now?

They arrive.

(WHOOSHING)

(LOW-PITCHED HUM)

(BIRD CONTINUES CHIRPING)

(LOW-PITCHED GROWL)

(RHYTHMIC THUMPING)

Dr. Banks?

(ALIEN MOANING, TRUMPETING)

Dr. Banks?

You can start.

MAN: (ON RECORDING) ...in airlock.

Do not stop until you have
passed the airlock door.

Do not attempt to remove hazmat suits

without assistance
from authorized personnel.

Repeat: hazmat suits

without assistance
from authorized personnel.

Wait. Just a minute. Just a minute.

Clear.

- All right.
- MAN: Step on out, please.

Now hold that.

(RETCHING)

Am I fired?

You're better than the last guy.

(CHUCKLING) That doesn't
make me feel any better.

You both have till 02:00 hours
to figure something out.

Okay. What happens then?

You go back in.

(LOW-PITCHED MOANING
ON RECORDING)

(MOANING CONTINUES)

MAN: (ON TV)
Violence continues to spread

across the US today in
the wake of the 12 landings.

The president has declared

a mandatory dusk-to-dawn curfew

after the crackdown
by the National Guard failed

to prevent a third night of
looting across the country.

In North Dakota, 144 members of

the Saint Lawrence Pentecostal Cult

are feared dead after they set
their compound ablaze.

Their website claims
the arrival of the aliens

set in motion a prophesy that...

(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)

Uh, we're up in 15.
You got any new intel?

Yeah, we've been playing back
some of their sounds.

Where does that get you?

Well, they play audio back at us,

from an unseen source.

Audio of what?

Uh, it's bits of conversation
from the room.

Random clips of dialogue.

Really, we have nothing.

(ALARM SOUNDING)

MAN: T-minus 14 minutes
to shell access.

T-minus 14 minutes to shell access.

MAN: (ON PA)
T-minus 9 minutes to shell access.

T-minus 9 minutes to shell access.

What's that for?

A visual aid.

Look, I'm never
gonna be able to speak their words,

if they are talking,

but they might
have some sort of written language

or basis for visual communication.

Okay. Let's get started.

LOUISE: Human.

(LOW-PITCHED HUM)

(BIRD CHIRPING)

"Human."

I'm human. What are you?

Human.

(ALIENS GROWLING)

(RHYTHMIC THUMPING)

(CHIRPING)

(RUMBLING)

(LOW GROWLING)

(GROWLING LOUDLY)

(GASPING)

Oh my God!

WEBER". Are you getting this?

MARKS: Yes, sir!
It's uploading back to base camp.

IAN: Louise, that's incredible.

LOUISE: Human.

Human.

Okay, slow down now.

Slow down.

(LAUGHING)

I don't wanna take away
from your success in there,

but Dr. Banks,
is this really the right approach?

Trying to teach them
how to speak and read?

That's gotta take longer.

You're wrong. It's faster.

Everything you do in there,
I have to explain to a room full of men

whose first and last question is...

"How can this be used against us?"

So you're gonna have to
give me more than that.

Kangaroo.

What is that?

In 1770,

Captain James Cook's ship ran aground

off the coast of Australia,

and he led a party into the country,

and they met the Aboriginal people.

One of the sailors pointed at

the animals that hop around

and put their babies in their pouch,

and he asked what they were,

and the Aborigine said, "Kangaroo."

And the point is?

LOUISE: It wasn't till later
that they learned that

"kangaroo" means
"I don't understand." So,

I need this so that we don't
misinterpret things in there.

Otherwise, this is gonna
take 10 times as long.

I can sell that for now.

But I need you to submit
your vocabulary words

before the next session.

Fair.

And remember what happened
to the Aborigines.

A more advanced race
nearly wiped them out.

(SIGHING)

IAN: It's a good story.

Thanks.

It's not true.

But it proves my point.

MAN: (ON SCREEN) We think
we were able to reproduce

some prime number sequences
back at them.

So that's something.

IAN: Well, congratulations.
You're a parrot.

It's a lot more than that,
you cheeky bastard,

don't you see?

They can't seem to follow our algebra,

but complex behaviors, that clicks.

Well that doesn't make
any sense at all, does it?

Problem is,
not everyone shares our policy

of being open with the aliens.

Have you met General Shang?

The call sign for him is Big Domino.

Whatever Shang does,

at least four other nations will follow.

Louise? We have to gain ground today.

Okay.

- You have a vocabulary list for me?
- I do.

You're gonna teach them
your name and Ian's?

Yes, so that we can learn

their names if they have names,

and then introduce pronouns later.

These are all grade-school words:

eat, walk.

Help me understand.

Okay. Um...

Oh, no, no, no! Not the top!

Okay, this is where
you wanna get to, right?

- WEBER: That is the question.
- Okay.

So, first, we need to make sure that

they understand what a question is.

Okay, the nature of
a request for information

along with a response.

Then, we need to clarify
the difference between

a specific "you" and a collective "you,"

because we don't wanna know
why Joe Alien is here,

we want to know why they all landed.

And purpose requires
an understanding of intent.

We need to find out:

do they make conscious choices?

Or is their motivation so instinctive

that they don't understand
a "why" question at all?

And... And biggest of all,

we need to have enough
vocabulary with them

that we understand their answer.

(ALARM SOUNDING)

WEBER: I get it.

Stick to your list.

Just

don't add anything to it.

(ALARM CONTINUES)

MAN: (ON RADIO) ...are at 2.97.

Oxygen level: 21.4%. Over.

Condor, Alpha's now in the nave.

Setting up equipment
and telemetry. Over.

WEBER: Let's get started.

(BIRD CHIRPING)

Louise. Louise. I am Louise.

IAN: What is that?

Is that a new symbol? I can't tell.

LOUISE: I don't know.
I think it's the symbol for human again.

It just has a little curl on the end,

maybe to indicate a question.

I don't know.

I don't know, Louise.

I think they're getting confused.

WEBER: Dr. Banks,

perhaps we should
move on to the next word.

(CHIRPING)

(VELCRO TEARING)

(ZIPPER UNZIPPING)

Dr. Banks!

LOUISE: It's okay.

What's going on?

Hey! What are you doing?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Are you insane?

They need to see me.

MARKS". She's taking off her hazmat suit.

Is it okay?

WEBER". You're risking contamination.

LOUISE: They need to see me.

WEBER: Dr. Banks...

Dr. Banks.

MARKS: She's walking
towards the screen.

Should we abort?

MAN: Recourse noted.
Stand by for further orders.

Go back to your stations.

(SIGHING)

(GASPING)

Now that's a proper introduction. Hey.

Louise.

I am Louise.

Ian, do you want to introduce yourself?

IAN: Uh, yeah.

(LAUGHING)

Louise.

Screw it!

(VELCRO TEARING)

Everybody dies, right?

MARKS: Sir, Donnelly is
taking off his hazmat suit.

Permission to abort?

WEBER: Continue the session.

Ian.

Louise.

You...

Who are you?

I think those are their names.

They have names.

IAN: So, what are we gonna call them?

LOUISE: I don't know.

I was thinking Abbott and Costello.

Yeah.

- Yeah?
- Yeah, I like it.

I like it.

IAN: Wow!

MAN: (ON PA) Team 1, exit your vehicle

and proceed directly ahead
to the decontamination tent.

Leave your respirator on until
you reach the equipment room.

(GASPING)

LOUISE: I know. Shhh!

Team 2, exit your vehicles

and continue to
the decontamination tent.

Leave your respirators on

and do not hesitate

until you have reached
the equipment room.

DR. KETTLERI HOW do you feel?

Overworked.

Well, I guess I don't need to tell you

you're putting yourself at risk.

There's no signs of
radiation poisoning yet.

We'll see how your blood tests look.

For now, I'm gonna
give you another boost.

Okay.

No radiation.

Nothing else we can detect either,

but I'd give them a strong
cocktail, regardless.

It's the first time
we've made significant progress.

All right. We'll take the risk.

MARKS: Okay, honey...

WOMAN: (ON PHONE)
What is going on there?

Honey...

Just tell me!

You don't need to worry, okay?

- How can I not worry?
- Just calm down.

Just calm down.

Becky asked me
if the monsters are going to kill Daddy!

Honey, it's not gonna happen.

Just stay safe.

You don't need to worry.

Please! I'm so scared!

MAN: (ON MONITOR)
All junior xenolinguistics

and science personnel must observe

general curfew
unless expressly authorized

for extended work hours by unit COs.

Curfew in effect as of 2200 hours.

Notice to all late workers,
fire watchers and night staff.

Effective immediately,
midnight rations will be served all night.

(PEN SCRAPING ON PAPER)

IAN: Here are some of the many things

we don't know about heptapods.

Greek. Hepta, "Seven." Pod, "Foot."

Seven feet. Heptapod.

Who are they?

Trying to answer this
in any meaningful way

is hampered by the fact that,

outside being able to see them
and hear them,

the heptapods leave
absolutely no footprint.

The chemical composition of
their spaceship is unknown.

The shell emits no waste,
no gas, no radiation.

Assuming that the shells
communicate with each other,

they do so without detection.

The air between the shells is untroubled

by sonic emission or light wave.

Are they scientists? Or tourists?

If they're scientists,

they don't seem to ask a lot of questions.

Why did they park where they did?

The world's most decorated
experts can't crack that one.

The most plausible theory is

that they chose places on Earth

with the lowest incidence
of lightning strikes.

But there are exceptions.

The next most plausible theory is that

Sheena Easton had a hit song

at each of these sites in 1980.

So, we just don't know.

How do they communicate?

Here, Louise is putting us all to shame.

The first breakthrough was

to discover that there's no correlation

between what a heptapod says
and what a heptapod writes.

Unlike all written human languages,

their writing is semasiographic.

It conveys meaning.
It doesn't represent sound.

Perhaps they view our form of writing

as a wasted opportunity,

passing up a second
communications channel.

We have our friends in Pakistan to thank

for their study of how heptapods write,

because unlike speech,
a logogram is free of time.

Like their ship or their bodies,

their written language has no forward

or backward direction.

Linguists call this
non-linear orthography,

which raises the question,
"Is this how they think?"

Imagine you wanted to write
a sentence using two hands,

starting from either side.

You would have to know
each word you wanted to use,

as well as how much space
they would occupy.

A heptapod can write
a complex sentence

in two seconds, effortlessly.

It's taken us a month
to make the simplest reply.

Next, expanding vocabulary.

Louise thinks it could
easily take another month

to be ready for that.

LOUISE: Hey...

Oh, hey.

Weber's looking for you.

Yeah, well, why do you think
I'm hiding out here?

(CHUCKUNG)

Come on up!

Thanks.

Nice out here, huh?

Yeah, it's a nice view.

Away from the noise.

You know, I was just thinking about you.

You approach language
like a mathematician.

You know that, right? (CHUCKLING)

I will take that as a compliment.

Yeah, well, it is.

(CHUCKUNG)

As I watch you steer us around
these communication traps

that I didn't even know existed,

it's like, "What?"

I guess that's why I'm single.

Trust me, you can
understand communication

and still end up single.

(LAUGHING)

I feel like everything
that happens in there

comes down to the two of us.

Yeah, that's a good thing though, right?

You and I?

(CHUCKUNG)

Have you seen the jokers
that we're working with?

Thank God I've got you!

(LAUGHING)

(GUNSHOTS, PEOPLE SCREAMING)

WOMAN". Tonight,

the first photograph
of the aliens goes viral.

Biological contamination
is a major risk factor

at the Montana site.

So say environmental pressure groups.

800,000 march on Washington

to protest the government's
handling of the crisis.

All this, and more special coverage.

(SIGHING)

RICHARD RILEY: First contact with
whoever it is that is inside that thing,

and who's running the show?

The government.

That's right, folks, the same government

who ruined our healthcare
and bankrupted our military.

Look at these people!

Most of them don't even have guns!

We could be facing a full-scale invasion.

Our president's willing to sit back

and let them waltz in
and take our country.

We are falling asleep
at the wheel, people!

You know what I'm talking
about. I know you do.

What if the smartest thing
we could do right now

would be to give them a show of force?

I'm talking about a shot across the bow.

What do you think?

Caller No. 1, you're on the air.

What do you think?

(SIGHING)

HANNAH: What's this word?

LOUISE: Planet.

(GIRL MUTTERING)

LOUISE: That's, like, um...
The Earth is a planet.

HANNAH: Want to see my project
for Miss Garriott's class?

LOUISE: Yeah, little nose.

We had to make up our own TV show.

If we had one.

LOUISE: And who are those two people?

That's you and Dad.

The show is called

"Mommy and Daddy talk to Animals."

Oh!

Well, it's lovely.

Okay...

Um...

You know it's okay to be sad
that your dad and I...

I know. I'm not.

'Cause we both love you very much.

I know. It's just a cartoon. It's not real.

IAN: Louise?

You all right?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.

I'm not sure it's something
I can... I can explain.

WEBER: When was
your last checkup with Dr. Kettler?

I'm okay.

I'm gonna get some air.

- I'm okay.
- All right.

I'm fine. Yep.

IAN: How you feeling?

LOUISE: Um...

I need some sleep, but I'm fine.

Yeah.

You know, I was doing
some reading, um,

about this idea

that if you immerse yourself
into a foreign language,

then you can actually rewire your brain.

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.

Mm-hmm.

The theory that, uh...

It... It's the theory that, uh,

the language you speak determines

how you think and...

IAN: Yeah. It affects
how you see everything.

It was, uh...

I'm curious...

Are you dreaming in their language?

(BIRD CHIRPING)

I may have had a few dreams,
but I don't...

(CHIRPING CONTINUES)

I don't think that that
makes me unfit to do this job.

(GROWLING LOUDLY)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

(KNOCKING CONTINUES)

Did you sleep?

A little.

Do you know Mandarin?

MAN: It is shifting.

WEBER: The voice you're about to hear

belongs to a Chinese military chief...

General Shang.

Pull it up!

We got a satellite feed here
of who he's talking to,

if you want to look.

Wait, go back.

Stop.

He's saying that each of the 12

is offering advanced technology.

Go back again. And play.

Um...

"Our science team
is attempting to decode the sets."

"Sets." I don't know what that means.

Something about advantage,

suits, honor and, uh, flowers.

I don't...

I don't know. That's all.

I don't know what it means either.

An hour ago, China mobilized forces.

And now, Russia's following suit.

Shang's about to start something.

Following suit. Suits.

Suits, honor, flowers...

Colonel, those are
all tile sets in mah-jongg.

God, are they...

Are they using a game
to converse with their heptapods?

Maybe. Why?

Well, let's say that
I taught them chess instead of English.

Every conversation would be a game.

Every idea expressed through
opposition, victory, defeat.

You see the problem?

Hmm...

If all I ever gave you was a hammer...

Everything's a nail.

We need to ask the big question.

Ready or not.

(INDISTINCT)

Yeah, I know,
but between there and there.

(ALARM SOUNDING)

Well, it's time to go.

(MAN SPEAKING ON RADIO,
INDISTINCT)

LOUISE: Okay...

Heptalmds' purpose.

Heptapod purpose Earth.
What is your purpose?

(H EPTAPOD CH ITTE RING)

IAN: Do we only have Costello?

Okay. There you are.

WEBER: What does it say?

Offer weapon.

You saw what they wrote!

Using a word they don't fully understand.

- Could be a request.
- A warning.

Enough! Louise?

We don't know if they understand

the difference between
a weapon and a tool.

Our language, like our culture, is messy,

and sometimes, one can be both.

IAN: And it's quite possible

that they're asking us
to offer them something,

not the other way around.

It's like the first part of a trade.

So, how do we clarify their intentions

beyond those two words?

Well, I go back in.

Right away, we go back in
and we clear this up.

It's more complicated than that.

How is it more complicated than that?

Colonel, the Secretary of Defense

is on the line for you.

We need to sit on this information

till we know what it means,

so we aren't sharing it with our enemies.

We must consider the idea

that our visitors are prodding us
to fight among ourselves

until only one faction prevails.

- There's no evidence of that.
- Sure there is.

Just grab a history book.

The British with India,
the Germans with Rwanda.

They even got a name for it in Hungary.

(CELL PHONE VIBRATING)

Yeah. We're a world
with no single leader.

It's impossible to
deal with just one of us.

And with the word "weapon" now...

Halpern. Yes, sir!

(SIREN WAILING)

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

(SPEAKING ARABIC)

MAN: No confirmation yet. Standing by.

HALPERN: Anything? What did they say?

China and Russia are off the grid.

They aren't speaking to anyone.

Whatever they learned
in their last session has them spooked.

Yes, sir!

We have orders to do the same.

These are our allies!

You can't shut us down!

- Put us on radio silence.
- Do it.

We received a message
from the hept... Damn it!

We need to be talking to each other!

You want to talk to them?
Find out what this means.

MAN". Base-camp talk is now offline.

Ail interpreters and
international liaisons,

stand down and
report to unit coordinators.

LOUISE: We've never
re-entered a session before.

IAN: Louise, trust me, okay?
We've got time.

We've just gotta step on it, all right?

WOMAN: (ON TV) "Use weapon-"

This is the alien message

said to have provoked
the Chinese government

to withdraw their scientists from

the international mission today.

In a statement, General Shang said,

"China no longer trusts the aliens

"who want to divide us.

"Humanity must be protected."

China has asked for immediate
talks at the UN.

MAN: (ON RADIO) Alpha-one-niner,

this is Condor, over.

Alpha-one-niner,
this is Condor, come in. Over.

Captain Marks, Condor
not receiving transmission.

Squelch twice if you hear line.

Captain Marks, all escort units

are ordered to cease all activity.

No,no,no.
Dr. Banks, you can't go in there.

LOUISE: I just need to ask one question.

MARKS: Dr. Banks!
The session is finished.

You can't... You can't go
back in. It's dangerous.

IAN: Look, we just need
five minutes. Don't sweat it.

LASKY: Marks, let them go.

LOUISE: Hey, Abbott!

So, what are we calling this?
Session 37?

IAN: Uh, no, 36, part 2.

WEBER: Why are they on their own?

MAN: We've been attempting
to hail Captain Marks.

The escort units are not responding, sir.

WEBER: Why not? Send security.

"Offer weapon, question mark."

Are you offering us something?

IAN: Technology, apparatus, method?

Yeah, see, this is a different word.

This... This segment, it's a lot busier.

Give technology

HOW.

(TAPPING ON GLASS)

What's he doing?

(TAPPING REPEATEDLY ON GLASS)

MAN: (ON RADIO) Captain, on your ten.

(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)

LASKY". Security detail inbound, sir.

T-minus 4 minutes remaining.
We need to see this through.

SOLDER 2: Okay, this is it.
Lock and load.

MARKS: We just need to
hold them off until it's done.

LASKY: Copy that.
Warning shots and suppressive fire only.

MARKS". Load up and get to cover.

Stay frosty and we can avoid casualties.

(POUNDING)

Abbott wants me to write on the barrier.

Can you even do that?

I don't know.

I can't do it with both hands.

(EXHALING SHARPLY)

Louise...

(GUNFIRE)

LOUISE: What is that?

(MEN SHOUTING)

(HEPTAPOD MOANING LOUDLY)

(GASPING)

DR. KETTLER: Hey!
Hey, hey, hey. Take it easy.

You suffered a concussion.
Just lay back.

How do you feel?

How is Ian?

Same as you. He's okay.

Who, um... Who did this?

Ah, some soldiers.

They've been watching too much TV.

(ALARM SOUNDING)

What is that?

Take it easy. Take it easy.

(HELICOPTER BLADES THUMPING)

The site's no longer secure.
We're standing by to evacuate.

Where's Ian?

Weber came and got him
maybe 10 minutes ago.

He wouldn't leave until
he knew you were okay.

Your whole tent is on the clock

to figure out whatever it is
you were given up there.

This is all Of it?

The feed wasn't interrupted
by the explosion?

WEBER: Not as far as I can see.

You see something?

IAN: Oh, I don't know yet.

I'm gonna need my team to get
together with Louise's team.

I need everybody working on this.

We cannot leave.

Glad to see you're awake.

We need to go back in
and explain this wasn't our fault.

- WEBER: We can't go back inside.
- We have to.

What happened in there was an attack.

We can hope for the best,

but I have orders to
prepare for retaliation.

We may have to evacuate.

No, that's the wrong move.

As long as they stay, we have to stay.

(RUMBLING)

Well, they're not leaving.

Why does this feel worse?

MAN: (ON SCREEN)
China is on the offensive.

They're positioning the military

to blow the alien vessel
right out of the sky.

And if this happens,

we can't sit around
waiting for retaliation.

So, get prepared.

The Air Force and infantry
are standing by.

Yes, sir.

Tonight, China becomes
the first world power

to declare war against the aliens.

Following the failure of diplomatic efforts

at the United Nations,

China has confirmed that its
language experts have tonight

delivered an ultimatum
at the Shanghai site.

In a televised statement,

General Shang, chairman of
the People's Liberation Army,

said the aliens have 24 hours
to leave Chinese territory

or face destruction.

And he urged all other world leaders

to unite with China
and take a similar stance.

With a huge buildup of forces
at their landing sites,

Pakistan, Russia and Sudan
are thought to be

following China's lead.

It can't be random.

IAN: It's going to take us years.

HANNAH". What's this term here?

Mom...

Mom...

Hmm? Sweetie...

Uh, what's this term for that thing,

like a... Like a technical term,

where we make a deal,

and we both get something out of it.

A compromise.

No...

Like, it's a competition.

Mm-hmm...

But both sides end up happy.

Like a win-win.

More science-y than that.

If you want science, call your father.

(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

IAN: Thank you.

(PAPERS RUSTLING)

Sorry.

It's okay.

(CLEARING THROAT) I'm up.

What time is it?

IAN: It's time you opened that
bottle you've been hiding.

You cracked something, didn't you?

Yeah. Come here.

Take a look at this section.

It seems to be talking about time.

Their symbol for time is everywhere.

So what is this?

A formula for faster-than-light travel?

Who can tell?

There are too many gaps.

Nothing's complete.

Then it dawned on me.

Come here.

Right here.

Stop focusing on the ones.
Look at the zeroes.

How much of this is data?

How much of it is negative space?

So, I measured it.

0.0833 recurring.

Perhaps you'd like that as a fraction.

One of twelve.

What they're saying right here
is that this is one of 12.

"We are part of a larger whole."

Or we're one of 12 contestants
for the prize.

Why do I have to talk to him?

We're all working together.

We need to talk to the other sites,

help them with what they've
gotten from the heptapods.

We're blacked out.

China just threatened
to destroy their shell.

We're on our own.

But this says that all of
the pieces fit together.

And I'm telling you
that no one else cares.

Two hours ago,

we pulled this audio off
a secure channel in Russia.

Someone on the science team
there was broadcasting wide.

(MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN,
WOMAN TRANSLATING)

in their final session, the aliens said,

"There is no time. Many become one."

I fear we have all been given weapons.

If anyone is receiving this, please...

(MACHINE GUN FIRING
ON RECORDING)

(RECORDING ENDS)

Well, I mean,

there are a lot of ways

you can interpret what he said.

I don't need an interpreter
to know what this means.

Russia just executed
one of their own experts

to keep their secret.

"Many become one"
could just be their way of saying

"some assembly required."

Why hand it out to us in pieces?

Why not just give it all over?

What better way to force us
to work together for once?

Even if I did believe you,

how in the world are you gonna
get anybody else to play along

and give up their data?

We offer ours in return.

Yeah?

A trade?

IAN: It's a non-zero-sum game.

Non-zero-sum game.

That's it. Yeah.

Thanks.

HALPERN: Nine of the landing sites
have gone

total com ms blackout.

Only way to reach them
is to physically drive there

and yell at the border guards,
which we're doing,

but it won't be fast enough.

There must be a way
to get the message to them.

HALPERN: To our allies, maybe,
but it's too little too late.

What we need is to get
all the other nations online

before one starts global war.

And there's no way for us to reach them.

IAN: Okay, hold on a second. There is!

It's right above us.

WEBER: That's problematic
for us right now.

The Pentagon's convinced
our shell will retaliate.

My guess is they'll order us
to evacuate within the hour.

IAN: Look, they're not our enemy.

They've made no act of
aggression towards us.

HALPERN: Maybe this is
their way of being aggressive.

WEBER: That's not the question.

HALPERN: What is the question?

WEBER: How do we get you
back in that room

when it's half a mile straight up?

HALPERN: I think our work here is done.

It's in the hands of our superiors now.

(RUMBLING)

HALPERNI What the hell is She doing?

(CYLINDER RUMBLING,
LOUISE GASPING)

Oh, my God! Oh, God, no!

(couemwe)

(GRUNTING)

(couemwe)

(HEPTAPOD GROWLING)

(THUMPING)

(RHYTHMIC THUMPING)

Costello...

Where's Abbott?

(HEPTAPOD GROWLING)

(CHITTERS)

I'm sorry.

We're sorry.

I need you to...

I need you to send a message
to the other sites.

I don't...

I don't understand.

What is your purpose here?

How can you know the future?

(DRONING)

I don't...

I don't understand. Who is this child?

HANNAH". The show is called

"Mommy and Daddy talk to Animals."

Wait! No! Wait!

(CRASHING, RUMBLING)

WEBER: Dr. Banks!
IAN: Louise!

WEBER: Are you all right?

- You all right?
- LOUISE: Yeah. I'm all right.

IAN: What happened?

LOUISE: I'm trying to figure it out.
This is too big.

Doesn't matter now.
We have orders to evacuate.

LOUISE: Why?

Russia and Sudan are following China.

I don't understand.

HANNAH: Help me, Mama.

IAN: Louise? Whoa!

Mom!

Mama!

Sorry, honey.

What day is it? Do you know, baby?

Sunday.

Are you gonna leave me like Daddy did?

Oh, Hannah, honey,
your daddy didn't leave you.

You're gonna see him this weekend.

He doesn't look at me
the same way anymore.

(SIGHING)

It's my fault.

I told him something that
he wasn't ready to hear.

What?

Well...

Believe it or not,

I know something that's going to happen.

I can't explain how I know. I just do.

And when I told your daddy,
he got really mad.

And he said I made the wrong choice.

What? What's going to happen?

It has to do with a really rare disease.

And it's unstoppable.

Kind of like you are,

with your swimming and your poetry

and all the other amazing things

that you share with the world.

I'm unstoppable?

Yeah.

(SOBBING)

IAN: I got you.

(GRUNTING)

Louise? Louise?

I just realized why my husband left me.

My husband left me.

You were married?

Come on! Let's get out of here.

(CROWD SCREAMING)

Mama?

LOUISE: Yeah?

Why's my name Hannah?

(ALARM SOUNDING)

MAN: Get those people back, please.

LOUISE:
Well, your name is very special,

because it is a palindrome.

It reads the same forward and backward.

HALPERN: All right, guys,
give me a hand here.

- MAN: Yes, sir.
- That goes in the bag.

MAN: Ready to go!

WOMAN: (ON PA)
Evacuation underway.

IAN: Hey...

We're done here!
We're taking this with us.

I can read it.

- I know what it is.
- What?

It's not a weapon. It's a gift.

The weapon is their language.

They gave it to us.
Do you know what that means?

So we can learn Heptapod. If we survive.

If you learn it, when you really learn it,

you begin to perceive time
the way that they do,

so you can see what's to come.

But time, it isn't the same for them.

It's non-linear.

Look, we did our best,
but it wasn't enough.

The captain will load you up.

You're lifting off in 5 minutes.

Ian, Louise, it was
an honor to work with you.

Good luck.

Hey, Colonel...

I'm gonna find out where we're going.

(WHISPERING) Wake up, Mommy!

Dr. Banks...

A pleasure.

General Shang,
the pleasure is mine, really.

Your president said

he was honored to host me
at the celebration...

Yeah.

...but I confess,
the only reason why I'm here

is to meet you in person.

Me? Well, I'm flattered. Thank you.

18 months ago,

you did something remarkable,

something not even
my superior has done.

And what's that?

You changed my mind.

You're the reason for this unification,

all because you reached out to me
at my private number.

Your private number?

General, I... I don't know
your private number.

Now you know.

I do not claim to know
how your mind works,

but I believe it was important
for you to see that.

I called you, didn't I?

Yes, you did.

(SIGHING) Louise!

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

HALPERN: All right,
let's shut down the system.

Sir? There's a sat line
here dialing China.

Here? What do you mean "here"?

Come on, come on!

Whose phone is it?

It's your phone, sir.

Search base camp now.

Find out who's using that phone.

And hold on to those coordinates.

Yes, sir.

LOUISE: Come on... What do I say?

What do I say?

Come on.

I will never forget what you said.

(SHANG SPEAKING MANDARIN
ON SAT LINE)

You told me my wife's dying words.

(SPEAKING MAN DARIN)

(S HANG SPEAKING MAN DARIN)

(SPEAKING MAN DARIN)

SOLDIER: We found the source
of the phone call.

It's in the clean room.
We're waiting for instructions.

(KNOCKING ON WINDOW)

What are you doing?

- What are you doing?
- Changing someone's mind.

- Can you buy me 20 seconds?
- We don't have time for this.

No, trust me. Buy me 20 seconds.

- Do you trust me?
- Okay. Yeah.

(LOUISE SPEAKING MAN DARIN)

Dr. Banks, drop the phone
now or we shoot!

Drop it!

I'm sorry!

(CONTINUES SPEAKING MAN DARIN)

HALPERN: You are committing
an act of treason!

- Yes.
- Drop it!

It's done. I'm done.

(SPEAKING MAN DARIN)

...blackout from all 12 landing sites

continues this evening.

Hold on, we are just hearing...

I'm being told
we're going to cut this report

to tell you breaking news...

...China has called
an emergency press conference...

General Shang,

commander in chief of
the People's Liberation Army,

has announced in
an emergency press conference

that China is standing down.

...all intelligence they've received

will be shared immediately
with the other landing sites.

Scientists from around the world
are sifting through information

received from the UK, Japan,

Sierra Leone and Venezuela.

...the information they have acquired

from both of their landing sites...

Also confirming it to be
one of the 12 pieces

of this puzzle that is
being slowly put together.

LOUISE: So, Hannah,

this is where your story begins.

The day they departed.

You all right?

Despite knowing the journey
and where it leads,

I embrace it.

And I welcome every moment of it.

Ooh! Ah! Ooh!

(Booms)

BOTH: H-A-N-N-A-H.

(KNOCKING)

LOUISE: Now backward. H...

BOTH: ...A-N-N-A-H!

Hannah!

IAN: You ready, baby?

Hi!

(WHISPERING, INDISTINCT)

Don't worry. See you.

Daddy!

You Okay?

(GROWLING PLAYFULLY)

Are you ready?

(CHUCKUNG)

Oh, guess what? Star stuff!

- LOUISE: Ian?
-lAN: Yeah?

LOUISE: If you could see your whole life
from start to finish,

would you change things?

IAN: Maybe I'd say
what I feel more often.

I... I don't know.

You know, I've had my head
tilted up to the stars

for as long as I can remember.

You know what surprised me the most?

It wasn't meeting them.

It was meeting you.

I forgot how good it felt to be held by you.

IAN: You wanna make a baby?

LOUISE: Yes. Yeah.