Original subtitles

[heavy breathing]

[haunting solo female voice sings single note]

[waves lapping]

- [female voice sings] - [heavy breathing]

- [female voice sings] - [heavy breathing]

Woman: Mia?

Mia! Mia, come back!

- [ominous music playing] - [breathes heavily]

[ominous music continues]

[Mia pants]

Woman: Mia? Mia, come back!

Come back!

[pants]

Mummy!

[yelps]

[suspenseful music playing]

[pants]

[pants]

[intriguing music playing]

- [rumbling] - [dark music playing]

Synthetic female voice: Atmospheric dome disturbances

within normal range.

[exhales]

Synthetic voice: This morning, you swam 1409 meters

- at a stroke rate of... - What's wrong with your voice?

Synthetic voice: Aaryan changed it.

[chuckles] Oh.

Synthetic voice: Do you like it?

Mia: I can live with it.

Synthetic voice: Suggested Senoxidine dosage, one tab.

[machine whirrs]

[beeps]

Synthetic voice: Atmospheric pressure

within the dome, one ATM.

Radioactivity levels, within safe range.

[Mia sighs]

[door whooshes open]

- [she sighs] - [electricity buzzing]

- [inhales sharply] - [buzzing stops]

Aaryan: Reduce coefficient 2.04 to 2.019.

[soft whooshing]

[cat purrs]

[Aaryan echoing] Why is your texture so fuzzy?

[echoing] Why does Sjøhus sound like your mother?

Aaryan: Are you serious? I'm changing it back.

- I'm teasing. I like it. - [cat purrs]

Why don't we have something nice tonight?

I cultivated a new algae. Maybe you can use it?

Sounds good.

[wind rushing]

[ominous choral music playing]

- [water running] - [choral music playing]

Sjøhus, how's pressure in feed pipe four?

Sjøhus: Lower than usual. Shall I run diagnostics?

No, that's all right.

[choral singing continues]

[water running]

Sjøhus: Pressure back to usual levels.

Hello.

[electronic beeping]

You're not feeling too good?

[choral music continues]

[door lock clicks]

[choral music concludes]

I don't think I'm gonna get much sleep.

Me either.

You want to go to bed anyway?

Hmm.

- [grunts softly] - Is that too much?

No, that's great.

[sighs]

- Mm. - Yeah. It's really much better.

Mm-hmm.

What if we're not good enough?

If we're not, who is?

It just makes me nervous. It's all so secretive.

We'll be fine.

- Hey. - Hmm.

I love you.

That's right.

[smooches]

[Mia moans softly]

[smooches]

[breathes heavily]

[smooches]

[moans softly]

[sighs]

- [waves lapping] - Mia!

[pants]

[crackling and rumbling]

- [choral music playing] - [electronic chirping]

[door whooshes open]

[door shuts]

[choral music continues]

[low thrumming]

[choral music concludes]

- [electronic chime] - Sjøhus: It's 6:00 a.m.

Sjøhus: Your visitor has arrived.

Are you ready? Okay.

[quivers]

I'm Virginia. Your Assessor.

[electronic chime]

- [chuckles softly] - Your supporting material,

as previously reported,

places you in the top 0.1 percentile of citizens.

I'm therefore happy to confirm that under Article 96,

you qualify for in-person Assessment.

- Over the next seven days... - Can I just ask someth...

Virginia: There's a lot to get through.

Sorry, I just...

Virginia: Over the next seven days,

you'll undergo close observation and formal testing

to ascertain suitability for parenting.

In the event of a pass, your material

will be passed on for ex-utero gestation.

All other methods of reproduction

still remain forbidden.

In the event of a fail,

candidates will be notified immediately.

Candidates have the right to withdraw from Assessment

at any point up to and including the in-person questionnaire.

After which they waive any and all right

to future applications.

Assessor's decision is final. Clear?

- Yes. - Absolutely.

Finally, you are reminded:

Everything that takes place over the next seven days

is highly confidential.

And what are we being assessed on exactly?

It's just a little... opaque.

Opaque?

Not opaque... I just mean, not clear.

- That is what opaque means. - What Mia's trying to say is...

We couldn't find any specific criteria,

that's what I'm trying to say.

Virginia: The less you know in advance, the better.

I want to get to know the real you.

- Is that a good idea? - Virginia: Yes.

I was joking.

Hmm. [chuckles]

Good. [chuckles] Humor is important.

I'm sure that everyone says this...

but I...

We would be really great parents.

Everyone does say that. [chuckles softly]

So, who's first?

On a scale of one to ten,

how would you rate your current levels

of satisfaction with the relationship?

Nine, at least.

Describe Mia with three words.

Funny. Smart.

Sharp. She can be a little sharp.

But I like that. Keeps me on my toes.

We were in a lab

and he was absorbed in some code.

And I don't know why I took this moment to tell him,

but I said "I love you", it just popped out and he said,

"That's right." [chuckles]

How often do you have sex?

- Once or twice a week. - How are we defining sex?

Virginia: Oral, manual, anal or full.

[low thrum]

Do you achieve regular climax?

Yes.

Virginia: Every time?

Would you like some water?

Is that part of the test?

- No, just water. - I'm fine. Thank you.

Tell me about your mother.

She expected a lot from me, but...

it was good.

She was sent to the Old World

when my sister and I were little,

so I only have a few memories.

- She was a dissident? - Yes.

Do you have any differences with the State?

No. Does it not say this in my file?

Virginia: Why do you want a child?

We know how lucky we are. We feel...

We feel fulfilled...

...professionally and personally and want to share that.

Every child deserves the best possible start.

That sounds a little prepared.

[chuckles softly] It's our duty to help nurture

the future of this society.

It's a big thing, so, yes, we're prepared.

Mia: I want to give a child what I never had.

[soft choral music playing]

And what was that?

A sense of belonging.

You don't feel you belong?

Now, yeah. No, I meant as a child.

[choral music continues]

Everything's as per the instructions.

We thought that we could use this...

Not that we're presuming, but we...

- [wind whistles] - [sighs]

Do you hear that?

Loose springs.

But there's no springs in that mattress.

Do you have somewhere else?

Yes, but there's actually no springs...

You take our room. We'll sleep in here.

Virginia: Don't go to any trouble.

- It's no trouble. - Yeah, yeah.

It's no trouble at all.

Better.

[low thrumming]

[soft whooshing]

[Mia echoing] I call it Aaryan's thinking cave.

[Aaryan echoing] Sjøhus, open Cooper slate.

I'm working on the cat's texture.

This is all virtually generated.

[softly echoing] This is where you designed the virtual pets?

Not the prototypes, they were at the university,

but, yes, the second generation.

It's funny, I was in this seat right here when it struck me...

Virginia: And what about you?

Do you have a work space?

Yes. Sure.

[chuckles softly]

[mysterious music playing]

[wind whistles]

The airflow system allows

different micro-climates to coexist,

that's what allows for the variety.

[water dripping]

It's very, er...

- colorful. - Colorful?

This is a template

for sustainable food production everywhere,

- it's a laboratory. - Colorful's right.

Nature wants to be noticed, but she's deceptive.

Underneath her beautiful façade, she provides energy and shelter.

And this greenhouse alone

contains over 1000 different species

- of plants and algae able to... - What's this one?

Oh... paphiopedilum.

It's also known as the Venus Orchid.

It's the oldest of its kind. Some live to be 100.

My mother gave it to me.

It's the only thing I have of hers.

Your mother?

Sorry, can you be careful?

- Virginia: [scoffs] - Sorry, she's sensitive.

I'll need full access to all areas.

- But you don't mean... - Full access.

It's already done. I programmed Sjøhus

to recognize your voice. Sjøhus?

- Sjøhus: Welcome, Virginia. - [chuckles softly]

I'll also need samples of urine, saliva,

blood, hair, vaginal mucus and semen.

[mysterious music playing]

I thought we already gave these.

[Aaryan pants, grunts softly]

[sighs]

Virginia: You'd be surprised how many people cheat.

[she clears her throat]

It'll do.

[mysterious music concludes]

Mia synthesizes all the nutrients herself.

We can produce crops all year round

without depleting the soil.

May I? A little wine?

She's found a way of harnessing the soil microbials into energy

that powers all our work.

[munches]

How did you get your scar?

The pet cull hadn't happened long before

and some people thought I was somehow responsible, so...

some activists decided to intervene.

Which is insane because Aaryan developed

virtual pets as a solution to the cull,

he wasn't responsible for it.

The pet cull was part of the disease prevention

and resource conservation program.

The problem was the State underestimated

the psychological importance of companionship

when they exterminated all the pets.

Especially during a time of upheaval, so...

I was tasked with creating an alternative. I did.

Just, not everybody saw it that way.

These people firebombed the university research lab

that Aaryan was working in.

I... I jumped out of a third floor window.

Broke my shoulder, my collar bone,

three vertebrae and these burn scars.

That must've been terrifying.

Mia: He's still traumatized by fire.

What happened to the people responsible?

They were sent to the Old World.

They got what they deserved.

Your mother was sent to the Old World.

Did she get what she deserved?

All that stuff about my mother.

She's just pushing buttons, okay?

It's obviously how it works.

We just need to stay cool, not react.

She likes you.

[chuckles] You jealous?

Yeah, embarrassingly so. I am.

Maybe I can make you not jealous.

Light, Sjøhus.

[grunts softly]

[chuckles] Being in a single bed

makes me feel like a teenager again.

Pervert.

[chuckles softly]

Get on your back.

Ow! You just kneed me in the balls.

Sorry, do you want to complain,

or do you want your cock in my mouth?

- What was the first option? - [laughs] Yeah.

[smooches]

- You gonna fold those? - [Mia chuckles]

Don't make me laugh. I'm being very, very serious right now.

Aaryan: Okay.

[moans]

[Mia moans]

Oh. Oh, fuck! Virginia! Virginia!

Mia: Oh, my God.

[pants]

I need to assess all aspects of your relationship.

It's fine.

Seriously?

Virginia: Just imagine I'm not here.

[Mia whispers] What? No.

[Mia clears throat]

- Aaryan? - Yeah?

I... Fuck.

[mysterious music playing]

[moans]

[grunts softly]

[pants]

[groans, pants]

[electronic chime]

[dish clangs]

Oh, hey.

Erm, these all came. Do you know what they are?

You sleep okay?

[spoon crunching]

[mysterious music playing]

- [grunts softly] - [mysterious music concludes]

[breathes deeply]

You gonna eat?

Virginia: [chuckles]

[both] Mm.

[chuckles]

Why don't you try? Yeah? You wanna try?

Yeah, that's, that's... That's really good.

It's really yummy. Whoa! What the f...

- You shouted at me. - Mia: I did not. I did not...

- You did, you shouted. - It was not. No, I...

- I raised my voice. - Did.

- Mia: I raised my voice. - Did.

Mia: It's just not the same thing.

- Did. [chuckles] - Mia: No, I didn't.

- Did! - It was a little loud.

- Did! - Ha! No, it was not!

- Did. Did. Did. Did. - Mia: Okay, Virginia.

That's very cute, very charming.

- Did. - Mia: Okay.

- [stomps] Did. Did. Did. - Mia: Virginia.

- [bangs] - Virginia, could you stop?

- Virginia, please stop. - Did.

- Mia: Virginia. - [chuckles] Did.

- Mia: Virginia. - Yeah. [chuckles]

- Mia: Virginia. - Did! Did! Did!

Mia: Virginia!

Okay, that was... that was a shout, yeah?

Why don't we start again, hmm?

[stomps]

Aaryan: Hey! Why don't we try a game?

It's a train.

Oh, it's a bullet train. [imitates a train]

Oh, it's going really fast. Oh, is it gonna crash?

Oh... Or it could go in the tunnel.

You don't want it to crash now. Come on.

Come on.

Pew! There it is!

All right.

All right.

- Spoon. - Spoon?

You wanna feed yourself? Okay, all right.

- Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. - [chuckles]

- Aaryan: Mm. [chuckles] - [chuckles]

All right.

[both chuckle]

Sorry. It's kind of funny.

- Ooh... - Virginia: [giggles]

- Ow, fuck. [grunts] - Fuck.

- Aaryan: Oh, my God. - Are you okay?

[grunts] I got shit in my eye.

- Yeah. [chuckles] - Aaryan: Oh, that's not good.

- Shit. - Shit!

Aaryan: Oh, it hurts.

- [groans] Fuck, I can't see. - Fuck!

- What? - Fuck! Shit!

Aaryan: It's fine. I just can't see.

What do you mean you can't see?

- Mia: Aaryan, are you okay? - Fuck!

Fuck. Shit. Shit. Fuck. Fuck.

- [water running] - Mia: Is it better?

Aaryan: I can see now. It just hurts like hell.

Sorry.

[Virginia shouting indistinctly]

- Wanna get some drops? - [grunts softly]

- Yeah. - Sorry.

- One. Okay, a second. - [grunts]

- Yeah, okay. - [grunts, whimpers]

Let me get this out of your face.

Virginia: [in the distance] Shit! Fuck!

Hey, can I see it? Lemme see.

Oh, my God.

- It's really red. - Ow.

Do you think this is normal?

I mean, it has to be, right?

Why don't we just... Let's set some rules.

Because children respond to boundaries, right?

- Yeah. - Yeah?

Okay.

Okay.

Okay. We're gonna...

I'm gonna apologize.

- So just let me... - Yeah.

- Can you let me... - Yeah, okay, okay.

Hey, Virginia, sweetie...

We...

[rhythmic panting]

Mia: You gotta be kidding me.

Aaryan: She's having fun with us. We can clear this up.

Mia: It's everywhere.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

[both] Virginia!

[rhythmic panting intensifies]

[both] Virginia!

- Aaryan: Okay. - Can you?

- Aaryan: Okay. - Mia: Virginia!

Aaryan: Virginia! You're not serious.

- Virginia! - Virginia!

Aaryan: Oh, shit. No, no, no, no.

Mia: This is crazy.

[metallic clanking]

[high-pitched thrumming]

[intense music playing]

[high-pitched thrumming]

[metallic clanking]

Stop! [pants]

[quivers]

[sighs]

This is not a toy!

End of test.

Are you sure that we can't get you any dessert or a drink?

[chuckles] Please, treat me normally.

No airs or graces. Mia: Oh...

- [electronic chime] - Sjøhus: A delivery.

Sjøhus: A delivery has arrived.

[wind whistles]

- Aaryan: Can you? - Mia: Yeah.

- Aaryan: It's really heavy. - Mia: Okay.

Aaryan: [grunts]

- There. - Mia: Okay.

[clanks]

This could be your child's.

If you pass, of course.

You have until morning.

Aaryan: Okay. There's eight different types of those?

- Mia: Yeah. - Aaryan: So...

Do we know which one's which, or just...

Mia: No, I don't know yet, but we will figure it out.

Aaryan: Well, if we check the...

Does this say which orange piece

we're supposed to use for the bottom with the greens?

The grey pieces are the pieces

- that actually link it. - These connect...

Aaryan: They're the connectors.

...the orange.

No. The orange pieces just sit on top.

They're not doing any connecting.

- You use it to... - My God.

The grey bit connects the pipes.

- Mia: Okay. Okay! Put the grey. - Aaryan: That's it.

Then use them on top. Put that on top.

Aaryan: And then you just put that on top.

Well, you know the instructions

don't necessarily have to tell us the right thing.

You don't necessarily think

the instructions have to say the right thing?

Yes, that's what I said.

Okay.

[sighs] Okay, wait.

Now, after this, I'm gonna need that wrench.

- Is it nearby? - Aaryan: The wrench?

- Mia: The little tool? Shit. - Aaryan: Okay, it's over there.

Gimme a second. Oh, my finger. Shit.

Okay, wait, wait...

- Mia: Yeah. Sorry. Got it. - Aaryan: I'll loose the head.

- Yeah, got it. I got it. - Aaryan: Okay. Wait.

Yeah. Oh, my God.

- I can't... - Mia: You are my savior.

Okay, okay.

[clattering]

[tense music playing]

But that's...

We've got that, so if you want that...

[electronic chime]

Mm-mm.

"Warning: For safety purposes, all parts must be used."

What are we gonna do with it?

[mysterious music playing]

[grunts, pants]

[mysterious music continues]

[mysterious music continues]

[mysterious music concludes]

I like it. You've done well.

Thank you. It was a team effort.

Virginia: Would you get my bag?

I slept terribly.

Yeah.

[sighs]

- Sjøhus, open Hawkeye slate. - [soft whooshing]

[choral music playing]

[chuckles softly]

- One over 9.172 constant. - [soft whooshing]

Rotate 0.3 to 0.41.

Maintain vert...

- Hi. - Hi.

Aaryan: Are you "you" now or...

Virginia: [chuckles]

It's always me.

Hmm.

When I was younger,

I had the stupidest looking cocker-poodle.

When it was time to hand over the pets for the cull,

the idea of him dying in a room

with some stranger was too much, so...

I got hold of some pentobarbital and I did it myself.

I remember him looking at me with...

his big, trusting eyes.

I cried for days.

A grown woman, can you believe it?

Did you ever get a virtual pet?

[scoffs] I know some people found it a comfort,

but I couldn't bear the thought of not touching him.

I mean, they were there to be held, not admired.

- Go ahead. - Virginia: What?

Go ahead.

[chuckles softly]

[chuckles]

[soft whooshing]

- [chuckles softly] - [gasps]

- [chuckles] - [rumbles]

[chuckles] How do you do that?

Aaryan: Magic. Science.

He feels all funny.

It's the fur. I can make it solid,

but I can't get the texture right.

Same with skin, it's even harder...

I'm bored.

You wanna play a game?

- [low thrumming] - [animals growl and snarl]

- [birds twitter] - [insects chirp]

[growling]

[birds chirping]

[growling]

- Virginia: [snarls] - Mia: Sjøhus, lights!

[both laugh]

We were playing tigers.

Sure.

- So is your back okay now? - Yeah, it's fine.

Okay.

[electronic chime]

[choral music playing]

[wind whistles]

[choral music continues]

[all chuckle]

Virginia: Here. Here. Come on.

[shrieks]

- Wait. You're so quick. - Wait.

Be careful now. Oh, nice.

Virginia: Er... one, two, three, four,

five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!

Hello?

Daddy?

Daddy?

- [grunts] - Virginia: [shrieks]

[both laugh]

- Okay. Okay, yeah... - Virginia: You go.

Aaryan: All right. One,

two, three, four, five,

six, seven, eight, nine, ten!

Virginia?

♪ Virginia? ♪

♪ Where are you? ♪

♪ Virginia? ♪

- [grunts] - Virginia: [shrieks]

[both laugh]

Aaryan: I got you!

Where's Mummy?

I thought you were looking for me.

Aaryan: I thought you were hiding.

- I was hiding. - Aaryan: Okay.

Okay. Hey! Let's build a fort!

All right, nice.

Here?

Daddy, can I make another one over there?

Sure.

It's "Daddy?"

Don't let her get to you.

Are we doing the right thing?

Of course.

What if I can't do this?

What if I'm not cut out for it?

- You're not your mother. - What if I am, though?

She left you.

You would never do that.

Where's Virginia?

Aaryan: She can't have gone far.

Virginia?

Virginia!

[ominous music playing]

Virginia!

- Virginia! - Virginia!

Virginia!

- What are those? - Where?

There!

Are those her shoes?

Oh, God! Oh...

Check there! Over there!

Mia: Oh, my God. Oh, my God!

- Virginia: [grunts] - Can you breathe?

Are you okay?

- [coughs] - Are you okay?

- I've got you. - Get off me.

Get off! [coughs]

No! No!

- Get off. - I got you.

- What were you doing? - I was being a starfish.

I thought you were dead.

[both pant]

I said I was being a starfish, you idiot.

Mia: Oh, great.

So next time, I'll just let you drown then, huh?

- Nice. - Virginia, I didn't...

Virginia.

Aaryan: You cannot behave like this if you want a child.

I want a real child, Aaryan.

Not... this.

This is how we get a real child!

[suspenseful music playing]

Virginia: Daddy?

Carry.

[sighs]

- Aaryan: One, two, three. - [chuckles]

Mia: You're indulging her.

All right. Off we go.

- Oh. - [giggles]

Sjøhus: Unexpected atmospheric pressure change within the dome.

Imminent rainfall.

[rain patters]

[thunder rumbles]

Virginia: Faster, Daddy. Come on, faster!

Why do you stop?

I can't. My back. I can't.

Mia: Here. Get on my back.

- Just give me a minute, okay? - Come on, I'll carry you.

I don't want you. I want Daddy.

Well, I'm all you've got.

Virginia: I want Daddy.

This is silly.

[panting]

All that is happening right now is you're getting cold and wet.

It doesn't mean you hate me any less if you come inside,

but at least you'll be warm.

All right?

- Arms up. Arms up. Okay, okay. - Virginia: [shivers]

- Okay, okay. - [whimpers]

- Mia: Okay, okay. Almost there. - [whimpers]

Mia: There you go, come on.

Mm.

Virginia: [giggles]

Me. Me.

[giggles]

- Mia: It's okay. That's okay. - Not the eyes.

Mia: I won't get the eyes. I'll try.

There you go.

Let's take it all off.

- Virginia: Done! - Mia: Done? Okay. Done.

Virginia: [whimpers]

I got you. Here you go.

My mother used to do this for me.

- What was she like? - She was beautiful.

Fearless. And infuriating.

I wanted to be her.

- You have beautiful hair. - [chuckles softly]

[kisses]

[smacks lips]

[chuckles softly]

Can I wear some of your clothes?

- Mia: Yeah. Sure. Yeah. - Yeah? [chuckles softly]

[electronic chime]

Sjøhus: A delivery has arrived.

Aaryan: Mia!

In here.

Aaryan: It's a...

a dinner invite for tonight.

Mia: Someplace nice, I hope.

Er... It's here. We're the hosts.

Mia: What are you talking about?

[chuckles softly]

[metal clanging]

[choral music playing]

[low rumbling]

[electronic chime]

Sjøhus: Your first guests have arrived.

- Hi. - Hi. Come on in.

[choral music concludes]

Mia: Hello.

- Hey. - Hi, Aaryan.

Hi. Hi. Er, Mia, this is Serena.

Oh. Yeah, the Serena. Hi, um...

I've heard a lot of great things. I'm Mia.

- It's really nice to meet you. - Mia: Likewise.

- This is Holly and Amelia. - Holly, hi. And Amelia?

It is... it's really such a pleasure to meet you.

Are we going in?

- [chuckles] - Sorry. Kids... Amelia!

I'm gonna go make sure that everyone...

- Sure. - Okay.

[footsteps recede]

Mia: Can I get you something to drink?

- We have wine, juice. - Holly: Thanks. Amelia...

How's Assessment going so far?

[indistinct chatter in background]

[sighs] It's a fucking nightmare.

[chuckles] We thought we were a disaster

and then we got Amelia.

You'll be fine.

[indistinct chatter continues]

Holly: Serena, you have to come see this.

Serena: I should...

Sjøhus: More guests have arrived.

Aaryan: Hi. I'm Aaryan.

I'm Walter. And this is...

Oh, don't bother with all that. We shan't meet again.

Amelia: They always stare.

Serena: They haven't seen a child in a while.

- Walter: You seen that girl? - Evie: Stealing our oxygen.

Amelia: There's never anyone to play with.

[crash]

- Welcome! - Evie: Oh, Jesus!

This is Virginia, our Assessor.

Mia. It's been too long.

Evie: Any chance of a drink over here?

[electronic chime]

- Serena: How do you two... - I was Walter's lab assistant.

- Serena: Oh, that makes sense. - Walter: Mia was the most

brilliant and dedicated assistant I ever had.

- Holly: High Praise. - Regrettably,

she abandoned me for a more exciting scientist.

Holly: Don't stare, sweetie.

I wanted to pursue my own work.

I still bear the scars from your departure.

[she scoffs] Scratches, darling. All down your back, if I recall.

- Can I get anyone anything? - Is there alcohol in this?

- Yes, a bit, is that all right? - No.

I'm gonna need something stronger.

So, um, about Walter...

It's okay. You don't have to explain.

When I was his student, we had an affair

that I think Evie knows about.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure she knows about it.

It was completely inappropriate and he probably exploited me,

but, you know, he was actually a pretty good professor.

[quivers]

- Look at me, I'm shaking. - Aaryan: Mia...

These people are here to throw us off.

That's the game.

- We just have to stay calm. - [inhales deeply] Okay.

Evie: Can't believe I have to endure this.

Mia: So, Amelia, do you go to school?

- Amelia self-educates. - No schools in our district.

It's better, though. You get to follow your own interests.

- Holly: Amelia's an artist. - Mia: Oh!

Abstracts, mainly.

I would love to see your work some time.

Do you show your art at any exhibitions?

Amelia: Not really. But I want to.

- Aaryan: Virginia? - [grunts]

- Mia: Virginia. That's okay. - Aaryan: Virginia, could you...

- Amelia: Is she okay? - [Virginia chokes]

- Serena: I'm sure she's fine. - Evie: Oh, God.

- Mia: Okay, sweetie. - Amelia: She doesn't look fine.

- [chime] - Sjøhus: Aaryan...

your mother has arrived.

[Aaryan sighs deeply]

Don't start. First thing I knew about this...

- What the hell is that? - Mom.

No, you stop calling me that.

You're not a child, anymore. It's Ambika, not Mom.

You know, I was having a perfectly nice time

in the gym when I got the call.

But as we all know, an invitation from the State

isn't really an invitation at all.

Okay. Can you just promise me one thing?

Don't say anything stupid or embarrassing?

You're so like your father.

Oh, Ambika, hi! How was your trip?

Nice to see you too, Mom.

- Mia: How's work, Ambika? - I'm not allowed to say.

Walter: Why? Is it very secret?

Ambika: Ah, no.

Aaryan asked me not to talk in case I embarrass him.

Aaryan: I was joking.

Serena: I'm sure he was just teasing.

Evie: Virginia, stop it!

I design the modular estates.

- Virginia! - I hear they're fantastic.

[screams]

How old is she supposed to be?

- Okay, I'm gonna clear plates. - Mia: I'll help.

Thank you.

Evie: Are we pretending this is okay?

Assessment is everybody's right, whether we agree with it or not.

- It's an indulgence. - How?

'Cause we don't have the resources.

Serena: That's for the state to decide, not you.

They reengineered Senoxidine to prevent reproduction,

- as well as aging and disease. - What about you, Holly?

Amelia: She's sliding under the table.

What keeps you occupied?

Holly monitors border activity.

- Walter: That's fascinating. - Mia: What is?

Serena: Holly works by the border.

Honestly, I'm nowhere near. I just see the reports.

What's to report? I thought they were just dying.

Well, there are indications

that limited tracts of land may be survivable.

- Are you serious? - How long are they surviving?

Holly: The data's limited.

Ambika: How long do people think?

- Years. - Holly: We don't know for sure.

So, they're reproducing?

Once the Senoxidine wears off, in theory.

Virginia: [squeals]

I mean that's what we're trying to find out.

How would they have babies without the Assessment?

- From their own wombs. - Evie: Like in the Dark Ages.

Amelia: You mean it's not forbidden there?

Virginia, I'm asking nicely... Come back to me.

- Think of the pain. - Yeah.

They must live such short and unhappy lives.

Holly: I'm really not supposed to talk about any of this.

We should be reducing the population, not increasing it.

I'm not sure this is the occasion

to talk about population control.

This is the exact occasion

to talk about population control!

- Mia: Okay, Virginia... - Virginia: [cries out]

- Walter: Oh, shit. - Evie: Control that brat.

Ambika: It was not like this in my day.

Aaryan: Sorry about this.

[Mia whispers] It's okay. It's okay, I'm not mad.

I'd like to propose a toast.

Ambika: A toast!

To Mia.

And Aaryan. The future.

- Oh, my God! - All: The future!

Second time lucky, then?

Sorry, what do you mean second time?

Well, you must know that Aaryan and Serena applied?

- Mia: Oh... - Obviously, it didn't work out.

Walter: [chuckles softly]

I guess things just got interesting.

- Evie: She didn't know that? - No, I didn't know.

We didn't get far at all.

I pulled out before the end of the questionnaire.

So Aaryan wanted to continue?

It didn't mean anything. I don't mean...

It's fine. He's right. It didn't mean anything. It was a mistake.

- I'm gonna make space. - Aaryan: Mia, this...

Oh, wow. Yeah, the future!

- Amelia: The future! - Evie: Hooray.

- Serena: Ah, Jesus. - Evie: Well done, Ambika.

[Walter chuckles]

[indistinct chatter]

[footsteps approach]

I didn't want to upset you.

Can we talk about this later?

Mia?

Holly: If you're concerned about resources,

stop taking Senoxidine.

- Serena: Good idea. - Walter: Great idea.

Let's grow old and die.

Why not throw ourselves into the abyss?

But maybe finish dessert first.

Hands up. Who wants to die to make room for the new people?

- Yeah. - Oh, come on.

- What about madam over there? - Amelia: Me?

Why not? Last one in, first out.

- [Amelia gasps] - God, you're a witch!

I think you'll find the witches are in the Old World

along with the other enemies of progress.

Enough! Mia's mother was sent to the Old World.

Oh, I know. I know exactly what happened to her.

She was exiled for spreading lies and misinformation.

She deserved exactly what she had coming...

Hey!

- Don't talk to her like that. - Oh, spare me your outrage.

You're all too young to remember the border, aren't you?

Amelia: You were alive before the border?

How old are you?

I'm 153.

- What was it like? - You don't want to know.

You really do not want to know.

I do.

Aaryan: Virginia, will you sit down please?

- Evie: Oh, God, what now? - Virginia: I wanna know.

Holly: It's okay. Stay there, Amelia.

Evie: Oh, well...

- Aaryan: Virginia! - Evie: I can tell you from...

- Oh, God. Ow. - Holly: Don't worry, it's fine.

- Evie: You comfortable? Right. - Virginia: Hm.

In the beginning, all anyone could talk about

was how nice it was to finally have decent summers.

And then the summers never stopped.

Unbearable heat, endless storms...

No crops, no shelter. Nothing habitable.

[melancholic music playing]

Famine. Disease.

Countless species extinct.

Did you know we tore each other apart over scraps?

We'd finally done it. Destroyed ourselves.

All for greed and indifference.

And then one day, those of us who were left,

we found a solution.

A new world.

We had to be smarter than we were before,

because there wasn't room for everyone.

Choices had to be made.

It wasn't kind or nice,

but it was necessary for survival.

You think because we're able to drink wine and...

grow crops in greenhouses, and breed brats in bags,

you've somehow conquered nature.

You're wrong. It's borrowed.

And anything you take from nature...

sooner or later, she'll want it back.

So, forgive me if I don't smile politely

and go along with this whole fucking charade,

while you risk everything we have

just to scratch some vain and vestigial itch.

Fucking hubris will be the death of us.

All of us. I want no part of that.

There we are. That's the story. Was it fun?

- [liquid trickles] - [chuckles softly]

- Oh, my God. Get off! - Ambika: What happened?

- Get off me! - Mia: Hey...

Evie: She pissed all over me, the fucking little bitch!

- Oh, my God. - Ambika: Here. Take this.

Holly: I'm sure you'll feel just awful.

Evie: Oh, my Gosh.

Serena: Can I get something to clean up?

Evie: Well, at least we know it runs in the family.

- Walter: Evie, please. - What does?

Evie: Being a bad fucking mother.

- [yells] - Aaryan: Mia!

Amelia: Is Assessment always like this?

Holly: Oh, my God.

- Evie: Fucking barbarians! - Aaryan: Hey...

[melancholic music playing]

[sighs loudly]

[door opens]

Mia: It's late. It's time for bed.

Evie was mean to me.

[kisses]

Thank you, Mummy.

- Mia: Hm. - [chuckles softly]

- [smooches] Hm, no, I... - [smooches]

- I... - [chuckles]

Aren't you a silly? [chuckles]

I didn't realize I had to tell you every detail

about my life before we met.

- Assessment's not a detail. - [sighs loudly]

Mia, it didn't mean anything, okay?

Serena said it herself, it meant nothing.

- It is not nothing. - Okay, maybe it's not nothing.

But it's not as big a deal as you...

Stop! Stop. Stop. Stop. Everything we went through.

The check-ups, the protocols, the application,

just imagining the life that we would have, and...

you never thought to mention that you did that with her, too.

Yeah, I'm sorry. I should've told you.

This can't just be another thing for you to be good at, Aaryan.

You need to want this with me.

- I guess I was scared. - Of what?

That you'd think I wasn't good enough

to raise a child with.

That if you knew Serena

felt I wasn't good enough, you'd feel the same.

What are you talking about?

I love you.

I want to have a child with you.

I thought that was obvious.

I'm sorry.

Me, too.

This is really fucking hard.

Just two more days with her, then she's gone.

[unsettling music playing]

[low indistinct muttering]

[mutters indistinctly]

[music fades]

Aaryan: Virginia?

I think you're having a bad dream, okay?

I think you need to go back to bed.

[breathes shakily] Yeah. [pants]

No, Virginia. Your own bed. Not here.

That's okay. It's okay. Just let her sleep here.

[electronic chime]

7.19 reinstate.

- [monkey chatters] - 7.06 comma maintain.

- [soft whooshing] - [dripping sound]

How do you think Aaryan's coping?

I'd say that we're both doing very well.

- [dripping fades] - [chuckles]

Virginia: [hums softly]

Sjøhus: Mia, incoming call from State Hospital West.

The doctor said that she had an embolism

and lost her speech and sound.

Aaryan: For good?

Mia: They don't know, they're running tests

They just said to get there as soon as I could.

Did you tell them you got Assessment?

What? No.

- Do you think you should? - Why?

I just don't know if it's okay for you to go.

She's my sister.

Aaryan: But Mia, you hardly ever see her.

I'm the only family she has.

I'm just saying we should check with Virginia.

- Virginia: Check what? - Aaryan: Jesus!

Mia: My sister is in intensive care.

So I just need to make sure that she's okay.

- Virginia: You have to see her? - Yes.

- Well then you must. - Thank you.

Will it affect Assessment?

Virginia: Assessment will be terminated, yes.

[stutters] There must be exemptions for an emergency.

Parents are exempt from emergencies?

- Aaryan is here. - I'll be fine.

You're assessed jointly, not as individuals.

- I have to see her. - This is a choice.

Parenthood is full of them. [chuckles softly]

You are assessing on whether we are fit to bring up a child.

This is expressly against regulations.

Mia: What kind of a person would I be if I didn't go?

This is a demonstration of my commitment to family.

[smacks lips]

You have until 6:00 a.m.

Not a moment later.

[footsteps receding]

[unsettling rhythmic percussion]

[sighs]

- Sjøhus, two degrees cooler. - Sjøhus: Temperature adjusted.

[groans]

[ominous swooshing sound]

[breathes raggedly]

Were you having a nightmare? Did you dream about the fire?

In mine, I was drowning.

I don't think this is a good idea.

Virginia: Hold me. Hold me. I'm scared.

Is this you now or...

- What's your hand doing there? - Nothing. Hey.

- How does it feel? - Aaryan: Okay, no, stop.

- Squeeze it. - What?

Squeeze it. Harder.

- [Aaryan groans] - Harder.

Aaryan: Am I being assessed on this?

Okay. Oh, no, no, no. [grunts] I can't. I can't.

- It appears that you can. - It's an involuntary reaction.

- [groans] - Assessor: So's this.

[groans] No, stop. [moans]

[moans, pants]

Faster or slower?

No, no, no, no. Stop, stop. I can't do this to Mia.

All elements of Assessment

are subject to the discretion of the individual Assessor.

[moans]

What do you mean? You're saying Mia wouldn't know?

- Don't move. - [groans]

Aaryan: No, no, no, stop. I can't...

I'm giving you a rare opportunity.

Aaryan: You're saying I have to do this?

- I think I make myself clear. - No.

- [moans, groans] - [moans]

- [breathes shakily] - [Aaryan groans]

- [breathes shakily] - [breathes shakily, grunts]

Assessor: You're a magician, Aaryan.

One of the architects of our time.

- [grunts] - Assessor: A prodigy.

You've built things no other man could.

And now you're a prisoner

of your own success, a captive of your talent.

[moans]

No one can touch your achievements.

[pants] You're a genius.

- [moaning intensifies] - [Virginia pants]

[Aaryan moans]

[moans softly]

[sighs loudly]

[soft choral vocalizing]

[electronic chime]

[intermittent metallic drum beats]

[drum beats speed up]

[drum beats slow]

[drum beats speed up]

[drum beats stop]

- How was your sister? - It was a false alarm.

There was a... mix-up, someone with the same name.

I must've gone to every department

before they figured it out. It was very frustrating,

but, you know, a relief.

Caffeine. Triple shot.

- [toys tap on table] - [liquid pours]

[intermittent drum beats]

[drum beats stop]

Well, I'm glad your sister's okay.

- Thank you. - Me too, Mummy.

[imitates airplane engine]

[low thrumming]

[thrumming stops]

Can you keep an eye on Virginia? I'm gonna go for a swim.

- Can we talk? - No, I need to clear my head.

Then we can talk.

[ominous vocalizing]

[door opens, closes]

[chuckles]

[sighs]

[vocalizing fades]

Wanna go play outside?

I just need to finish this thought.

Then we can go and play outside.

Okay.

[steady metallic clanging]

[sighs deeply]

[wind whistles]

[metallic clanging stops]

Mummy! Mummy!

[waves crashing]

[fast, steady beats]

- Sjøhus, open Hawkeye slate. - [soft whooshing]

[Virginia hums]

Okay, er... 2.9, reinstate profile 368.

[chatters]

Sjøhus, disable protocols.

[locks click]

[female voice panting]

Rescale 419 to 412.

♪ Once upon a time ♪

♪ There was a pretty fly ♪

♪ Then one day she flew away ♪

♪ She flew away ♪

Maintain all other variables and reduce 4.19 to 4.12.

[rhythmic vocal music]

[glass shatters]

[rhythmic vocal music intensifies]

Maintain density.

[soft whooshing]

[gasps]

[rapid electronic beeping]

[steam hisses]

[chuckles]

[rapid electronic beeping continues]

[rhythmic vocal music fades into choral vocalizing]

[Aaryan gasps]

[Virginia sings] ♪ Once upon a time ♪

♪ There was a pretty fly ♪

♪ She had a pretty life ♪

♪ This pretty fly ♪

♪ But one day she flew away ♪

♪ Flew away ♪

♪ And she had ♪

♪ This one pretty child ♪

♪ But one day ♪

♪ This... ♪

- [chuckles] - ♪ This pretty child ♪

♪ Flew away ♪

♪ Flew away ♪

♪ Into the sky ♪

♪ Into the sea ♪

- [vocalizing fades] - [explosion]

[flames roar]

[pants, whimpers]

- [pants] - [glass shatters]

Mummy!

- [fire roars] - [glass shatters]

Daddy!

[pants, whimpers]

[shrieks] Mummy!

[coughs]

Mummy. [whimpers]

[Virginia sings] ♪ Then one day she flew away ♪

♪ Flew away ♪

[coughs, splutters]

[rapid drum beats]

Aaryan!

Aaryan!

Sjøhus: Emergency in greenhouse.

Emergency in greenhouse.

[Mia bangs on windows] Virginia!

Virginia! Virginia!

Shit. [grunts] Sjøhus, open!

[grunts] Sjøhus, open!

- Aaryan: Mia, get away! - Aaryan, Virginia's inside.

[pants] Aaryan, please.

Please.

Aaryan!

- Come on. Come on! - [grunts]

Mia: Come on!

- Aaryan! - I am trying!

I can't fucking move! [grunts]

I can't move.

[she groans] Mia!

[coughs]

[whispers] Come on. Okay.

[whispers] Come on!

- [glass shattering] - [Mia mumbles]

Okay. Okay. One, two! [grunts]

- Yeah, yeah, it's okay. - [Virginia coughs]

- Aaryan: Mia! - Mia: Aaryan. Aaryan, I can't.

- Aaryan: Hey. [coughs] - [coughs]

[groans]

[explosion]

[breathes shakily]

[explosion]

Virginia, please eat.

Come on.

- Virginia. - Just let her go.

You could've died.

Yeah. What about her?

I tried. I couldn't because of the fire.

Yeah, I know.

Do you?

I'm gonna be right back.

Mia...

[exhales sharply]

- [waves crashing] - [wind howling]

You know all my work was in that greenhouse.

My orchid...

my entire life.

Do you have any idea how long it takes

to build something like that?

'Cause it doesn't just happen.

Are you listening?

Do you care? I...

Do you even know what you're doing anymore?

[whimpers lightly]

[soft choral vocalizing]

[receding footsteps]

[vocalizing continues]

[vocalizing fades]

Virginia: Assessment is a rigorous process

with a high threshold for success.

You've marked yourselves out as serious

and impressive candidates,

demonstrating high levels of competency.

So, it's therefore with...

regret that I must inform you

that your application has not been successful.

You can't do that.

We've done everything you asked.

- My decision is final. - Aaryan: No.

We did everything you asked.

I did everything.

Everything!

You can't fail me 'cause of that.

You told me I had to do it to pass Assessment!

I never said that.

You fucked her?

I did it for us.

- You fucked our child. - She's not our child.

Of course she is, that's the entire point.

She was not our child when she fucked me!

You said if Assessment was over, you'd let us know.

Why didn't you fail us at the time?

You can't do this. It's not right.

- Step aside. - Why did you not do that?

[chuckles softly]

Aaryan: You can't do this, okay? It's not right.

- Assessor: Please. - Aaryan: No, it's not right.

You can't. It's... Do you know the things I've done

for this society? The people I know?

- Listen to me. Listen to me! - [Mia laughs hysterically]

[Mia continues laughing]

[gulps, breathes shakily]

- [munches] - [cutlery clatters]

[somber music playing]

[rattling]

[music intensifies]

[music fades]

[grunts]

Fuck! [sobs]

[grunting intensifies]

[breathes shakily, grunts]

[sobs]

Aaryan: Hey. Hey.

[sobs, whimpers]

Aaryan: There's something I want to show you.

[baby gurgles]

[whispers] Hi.

Hi. [shushes]

[whispers] Oh, my gosh.

- [whispers] Hi. Hi. - [baby coos]

- [whispers] Hi. - [coos]

- Mia: You okay? - [baby gurgles]

Mia: Yes.

- [baby coos] - I haven't named her yet.

[baby gurgles and coos]

Mia: Hey. Hey.

[baby coos]

- [baby gurgles] - [Mia chuckles softly]

[whispers] Yes. Yes.

[sniffs]

What? What's wrong?

- [baby cries] - Mia! What is it?

Mia: Her smell.

Aaryan: Her smell? What do you mean? I don't...

[shakily] She... She doesn't smell of anything. She...

- She has no smell. - I'm gonna work on that, okay?

I'm gonna get it right, I promise.

No, I don't want right, I just want human.

So do I, but we can't have that. We tried.

I called in every possible favor.

They all said the same thing. Assessor's decision is final.

These are the rules we live by.

Mia: I... I can't do this anymore.

It's the price we pay to drink clean water,

to live, to breathe.

[shakily] Then why does it feel like I'm suffocating?

[baby coos]

We'll go back

to how it was before.

- I need to know why we failed. - Why?

What's the point?

'Cause I have to understand.

How is that going to help us?

Mia.

We love each other.

- [baby cries] - That's right.

Mia: That's right.

[baby continues whining]

[baby cries]

[haunting music playing]

[indistinct voice over PA]

[low, rhythmic rumbling]

[music fades]

[sighs]

[door closes]

Virginia: You have five minutes.

It wasn't easy to find you. Grace, right?

They think it helps you keep less involved,

if you use a different name.

[water trickling]

Look, if you're here to tell me what a monster I am...

Why did we fail?

- Because you... - [Grace sighs]

- ...you tricked Aaryan. - Aaryan made a choice.

You trusted him. Children lie, Mia.

No, we're not these kinds of people.

'Cause people like you couldn't possibly be not good enough.

What does that mean, people like me?

Do you even know how serious

an offense it is you even being here?

I could have you arrested.

I could have you exiled.

I'm not going anywhere until you tell me why we failed.

I've told you why you failed.

You're lying. I know you are.

'Cause I saved your fucking life.

I...

We...

- connected. - It's... It's common,

for candidates to feel a bond with their Assessor,

- it doesn't mean... - Why are you being like this?

What are you afraid of?

That you might actually feel something?

I've had to learn how to not feel.

What I'm...

What I'm trying to do here, Mia, is to help you.

You need to leave.

I actually thought there was a person behind the uniform,

that it couldn't all just be an act,

but there isn't, is there?

- You're a lonely bitter husk. - Yes. I'm a monster.

So it's normal for you to fuck someone's partner?

To nearly die? That's just what you do?

'Cause I have to say it sounds a little unprofessional.

Don't you think people ought to know that this is

- what Assessment is? - Everything that I did

is within the protocols.

But you failed for the same reason

that everyone fails, Mia.

You just weren't good enough. [sighs]

What do you mean, everyone fails?

[scoffs]

What do you mean, everyone fails?

That's... That's a turn of phrase. I didn't mean...

How many people passed Assessment this year?

Grace: That's confidential information.

What about the last two years?

The last three? The last five? How many?

A 100? Ten? One? What? Do you think we can't find out?

That Aaryan and I don't know who to ask?

Six years.

That's the last time anyone passed.

[breathes shakily]

[whispers] So...

So, we never had a chance.

Then what is the point of any of it?

Stopping it would be bad for morale.

You could've just failed us. You didn't have to humiliate us.

No, I had to prove you weren't good enough.

What is wrong with you?

- How can you even do this? - Most can't.

Assessors usually burn out

within a few months, they find it too intense.

But if you can do it,

there are rewards.

- And what was yours? - A child.

[laughs softly]

Grace: They're gonna give me a child.

- Okay. - Grace: In the future.

If the numbers drop.

And you think that you would be ahead

of people like Aaryan and me?

We've made things for this society.

And what have you done? Just victimized innocent people?

I've done everything that they asked of me!

And I've been spat on.

I've been demeaned, I've been debased.

I've sacrificed every single part of me

that is left to...

to help the society to function,

and you fucking dare to look down on me.

There's no list. You must know that.

Of course, there's a list.

- Mia: Why would there be? - Because there has to be!

Because this society needs people

who know what it is...

to love a child.

You have no idea...

what it's like...

to hold...

to hold your child in your arms...

telling her that everything's gonna be okay...

even though she's dying.

That's when you really know what love is.

My daughter is not alive, but she's here, you know?

She's... she's present.

She's a part of me for every single second.

And you can't...

You can't, you can't possibly know

what that's like.

Not the way that I do. [breathes shakily]

[softly] I'm sorry about your daughter.

It's her birthday next week.

She drowned when she was eight.

[quietly] So stupid.

[sighs deeply]

Is it true what Holly said, that...

that people are surviving?

Grace: It's not much of a life.

But yes.

Would you go?

[sighs]

I'm old, Mia.

Without the Senoxidine, I won't last long.

And the Old World is not a nice place to be.

And this is?

[soft music playing]

[indistinct chatter in background]

[Grace] Your supporting material places you

in the top 0.1 percentile of citizens.

Over the next seven days,

you will undergo close observation

and formal testing

to ascertain suitability for parenting.

In the event of a pass,

your material will be passed on for ex-utero gestation.

In the event of a fail,

candidates will be notified immediately.

Assessor's decision is final.

Is that clear?

I'm sure everyone says this, but...

we'd make really great parents.

Catherine: Let me show you the room.

It's got everything you asked for.

Adequate.

I'll... I'll let you unpack.

Do you...

Do you ever keep in touch with the children

as they grow?

No. I don't.

Catherine: I'll leave you to it.

[somber music playing]

Sorry, what time did you say you'd...

[woman speaking distantly]

- [baby coos] - [shushes]

[indistinct chatter]

Border guard 1: Next, please.

Announcer: Please prepare your belongings and Senoxidine.

Border guard 2: Name, please?

Mia Grey.

Officer 2: Please move along.

Announcer: Please prepare your belongings and Senoxidine.

Border guard 3: Name, please.

Announcer: Please prepare your belongings and Senoxidine.

Border guard 4: Next.

Border guard 5: Name, please.

Officer 1: Let's go.

Come on, hey, get up.

Eight, nine, ten.

Ready or not, here I come!

[Chrissie giggles]

Synthetic voice: Chamber before Old World.

Approaching final chamber before Old World.

Approaching final chamber before Old World.

- Male guard: Let's go. - Female guard: No talking.

- Male guard: Ready? - Female guard: Stay in line.

Synthetic voice: Ten, nine, eight,

seven, six, five, four,

three, two, one.

[door whooshes open]

[muffled breathing]

[low rumbling]

[Mia breathes heavily]

[soaring music continues]

- [breathes deeply] - [music fades]