Original subtitles

What if it is true?

What if Angela was behind my father's death?

Mother, I'm guilty.

You're not guilty of anything.

They're keeping something terrible from me, I know it.

There seem to be so many secrets.

What kind of secrets?

You know, it's just a matter of time until she tells someone.

Emma is not telling anything to anybody.

What would you say if I told you I think my father was murdered?

What are you going to do? I'm going to the district attorney.

Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the

truth, so help you God?

We have to do something about it, Melissa.

Being pregnant doesn't require something to be done.

It kind of takes care of itself, you know?

Well, the longer you wait, the tougher it's going to be.

After this honeymoon is over, I think we have to make plans.

The only plan I've got is to start shopping for some nice nursery

Where's your wedding ring?

Same place as yours, I suppose.

In my suitcase.

Look, I'm going to get something to drink. Do you want something?

Wine spritzer would be nice.

Spritzer?

How can you do that to wine?

I don't know what you're worried about, Dr. Cook.

Chase Giverty can ask some rather probing questions, Mrs. Channing.

Well, all you have to do is tell him the truth.

The penal code requires that an autopsy be done in the case of an accidental

death like Jason's. That's the truth.

Well, remember, you're just the medical examiner.

Yes, that's true.

I do take my orders from Sheriff Tobias, don't I? Right.

And I'm sure that you've had the best interests of our communities at heart.

I've always tried to, Mrs. Channing. I hope you'll remember those interests in

the future.

Thank you for coming, Doctor.

Thank you.

I think I'll just stick around like you see.

Too bad. We go to Maui the day after tomorrow.

Take a hike.

Say it's who?

Her husband.

You're really blowing this all out of proportion.

Am I?

We've been here a week and you won't let me touch you.

What do you expect?

I'm pregnant.

Being pregnant doesn't stop you, Melissa.

Every time I turn my back, you're making eyes with some guy.

He won't be pregnant for long.

You're wrong, Lance.

I'm having this baby.

The hell you are.

I think your grandmother will be delighted about this baby.

Besides, I have a stake in Falcon Crest now, and air can't hurt me either.

It's not my grandmother's flesh and blood, Melissa.

It's my word against yours.

And with your reputation, who would believe you?

Look, I'm going downstairs to pay the bill.

Now, I suggest you meet me down there before some bellhop mistakes you for

you really are.

You see what I mean?

Almost every one of those letters from my grandfather to his family back in

Italy mentioned something negative about the relationship between Angie and my

father. How they fought, how they argued.

Well, there's no doubt that the two of them had a lifelong rivalry.

But even Gus called Jason's death mysterious.

Oh, but Angie's behind this.

Wait a minute. Let's not jump to conclusions here, okay?

But look at these letters.

And the things Emma has said.

About my father looking peaceful.

About something happening in the winery.

Even Dr. Banning said Emma might have been there when he died.

Honey, he was only making a supposition.

That's all he can make.

Angela's practically kept Emma under lock and key.

You're starting to sound a little paranoid, Dad.

What if Angela was behind my father's death?

Emma is not going anywhere, and that's my decision.

But, Mother, she's only getting worse. It's only a matter of time until she

slips up and tells the whole world. Not if we're careful. All she has to do is

understand the situation.

We're home.

Yeah. Well, what are you two doing back?

You're not due back for another week yet.

Yes, well, uh, we got a little homesick.

Compared to Falcon Crest, our hotel was like camping out.

I've always felt that way about Falcon Crest. There's something about it that

pulls you back.

Why don't I put on a pot of tea? I'd love to. I'm really kind of tired.

Well, of course you are. You've had a long flight.

But I want to hear all about the honeymoon.

Hi, Mom.

Hi. How's Emma doing?

Oh, she's fine.

She's asleep.

Safely asleep.

I'm so happy you've joined the family, Melissa.

Thank you.

Now, Tell me all about Hawaii.

I have never known you to cut a vacation short before.

Vacation? Believe me, Mother, this was no vacation.

Another week there, I would have gone crazy.

My, my.

Marriage does take some getting used to.

Just think of it as protecting your investment here.

What was that? You stay down here.

Not by myself, I'm not. You heard me, Melissa.

Emma, it's okay.

Emma, it's just a dream. Uncle Jason was with me in the gas chamber.

Gas chamber? That's what they do with people like me.

Emma. Darling.

Mother. Oh, Mother, I'm guilty.

You're not guilty of anything, Emma.

They're going to send me to prison. I just know it. Oh, they're not.

You're going to stay right here with us.

Well, that's really the same thing, isn't it?

Glad I caught you. Chase, I'm just heading out on a call. It won't take but

minute. I just want to ask you a couple of things about the night my father was

killed.

I really don't have the time.

You have the time for a coroner's inquest?

I'm the coroner in this county.

Why haven't I heard anything about an inquest?

You just might.

I want some straight answers, Turk.

I don't want to have to get the county board of supervisors to request it.

Maybe we should get together.

Just the two of us.

When? I should be back around noon.

I'll be here.

Noon.

What seems to be the matter? We usually meet on Friday. It's Chase.

He wants to see me at noon.

He's threatening to start throwing around his political weight. I can't

to alienate the Board of Supervisors.

Well, what does he want from you?

Well, to begin with, he'd like to know why an autopsy wasn't performed on his

father. Well, I didn't know you jumped every time Chase barked.

I don't. Well, then cancel the meeting.

Now, the Board of Supervisors may have a franchise in this county, but they

haven't got the power.

I can't just stonewall Chase now. He'd see right through that.

Well, just tell him the truth.

Tell him you didn't call for an autopsy because you didn't feel the need for

one. You told me not to.

I told you.

You're the sheriff.

Now, you've saved the county a lot of money, and you were kind enough to spare

me the tribulation.

Now, you know, Turk, I've always been very grateful.

Is there something I can get for you?

No, thank you, Charlie.

The sheriff's car's outside.

What's going on?

It's nothing for you to be concerned about.

It's a routine visit.

Good morning, Melissa.

Did you know the sheriff's here?

Yes.

I think Lance is looking for you.

I heard what went on in Emma's room last night.

I heard what she said about being guilty, about going to prison.

What you heard was a nightmare.

There you are.

Did I interrupt one of those little mother -daughter conversations?

No.

What is Emma guilty of? What did she do? That's why the sheriff's here, isn't

it? Melissa, if you must know, Emma is having a little trouble with the

shopkeepers in town.

You see, Emma's a kleptomaniac.

We've been trying to keep it within the family.

What does Chase have to do with it?

Chase?

Nothing at all.

I see.

Evan, you know I'll do my best. But I'm sure that Chase is just not going to be

satisfied. Then I'm afraid you have a problem, Sheriff.

But thanks for coming.

He came all the way out here just because Emma's a shoplifter.

What are you talking about? Melissa, really?

Look, I asked you if you wanted to go riding. You know I can't go riding.

I'm pregnant.

You're what?

Well, why didn't you say something?

Well, you didn't get married a minute too soon, did you?

My timing is impeccable.

Sorry. Hey, it's okay.

If you like dry ham on stale rye, you're in business. I forgot completely. I had

an appointment with Sheriff Tobias at noon and... Don't tell me you ate

Did you eat? No, no, no, no, no, no. We weren't supposed to eat it.

In fact, he stood me up.

I'm getting the feeling that our good sheriff is doing his best to avoid me.

I'm not disturbing you, am I? Because, you know, I could... No, no, no, not at

all. I was looking forward to this, as many things.

I figure this is about the only time we can spend alone together.

Yeah, the kids.

Honey, come on. The kids don't have anything to do with it. They've got

own life.

That's true.

You know how much time we spent together in the last week?

Mm -mm.

Four hours. Maybe five.

You have come home from this office before midnight two nights this week.

No, I've been awfully busy.

Do you want your sandwich?

Chase, don't you see what's happening?

I am sitting right here and we are not together.

I have a lot on my mind.

Look, I know the Board of Supervisors is very important to you. I know finding

out about your father is very important to you. But what about your family?

I am doing this for my family. That is not true and you know it. Of course it

is.

Complete workaholic.

I know.

Sorry, I know. You're right.

Sorry.

Sorry.

Chase,

you came here... You came here because you said you wanted us to pull together.

Remember?

This thing is eating away at me.

It's like when I was flying, occasionally a malfunctioning instrument

would act perfectly normal.

No red lights, no alarms, no indication.

And I'd get a feeling, an instinctual gut -level thing that...

Something wasn't quite right.

And if I had trusted that instrument instead of my feelings... You're talking

about your father's death in Angela.

Yes.

The instruments are reading normal.

And I've got that feeling that something is terribly wrong.

Jeez.

Then let me help you find out what's wrong.

All right, I could go to Dr. Banning.

He said that he thought Emma might have been there when your father died. Let me

talk to him, all right?

It's going to be a pleasure to leave this place.

Then do yourself a favor, Dad, and don't do anything to get back in here.

Thank you, nurse.

Doctor says I'm not going to run a four -minute mile for a while because he

doesn't know me.

Dad, you're recovering from a heart attack. Remember what else did the

say? No fatty foods, moderate exercise like walking every day, 20 minutes the

first week, 30 minutes the next week.

I think I got a wonderful idea. Why don't you come up to Fountain Crib?

put you back on the track again.

I'll walk through the newsroom in the morning.

Daddy, I don't think that's what the doctors have in mind.

You've got to break some of these bad habits.

Relieve the stress in your life.

I'm not sure I want that kind of life.

Daddy, do it for me.

Do it for Emma.

You come on up to Falcon Crest.

We'll live like a family again. Mother would love it, I know.

I'll come to visit, I promise you that.

I've got too much to do.

I'm busy.

I need somebody to talk to in my father's in Europe.

There's something wrong, Cole.

Tell me about it.

Look, I know how you must feel, but I told you my being married doesn't mean

anything.

You don't know anything about feelings, Melissa.

Besides, it's actions that count, not words.

You must really think I'm a terrible person.

You didn't have to marry him.

Between the pressures I got from both families, I didn't have any choice.

We all have choices, Melissa.

You made yours.

I came here to talk about Emma and about your grandfather.

And you're going to listen to me whether you like it or not.

Congratulations. I heard about the baby.

I only hope it'll be a suitable heir for Falcon Crest someday.

I'm sure it will be.

Well, with a new generation coming along, it's all the more reason for us

preserve my grandfather's legacy.

How may I be of service?

Tully, I want you to make sure that nothing about my brother's death ever

back to Falcon Crest.

Nothing ever shall.

Thank you.

What was the name of that doctor you took Emma to at the clinic?

Banning. Why?

See if you can get him on the phone for me.

What's the problem?

Well, he's the only one she's ever spoken to about Jason's death. Now, if

talks to someone, that could create a problem.

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

I'll be the judge of that.

Dr. Banning, please hold Miss Channing.

Hello, doctor. This is Angela Channing, Emma Channing's mother.

Yes, Mrs. Channing. How are you?

I'm fine, thank you. I just wanted to tell you how Emma enjoyed the little

you had with her.

Oh, thank you. That's nice to hear.

Now, Julia mentioned that you thought Emma might have had some sort of trauma.

Well, I'm afraid it would be both unethical and unfair of me to tell you

Emma and her feelings.

Oh, but I'm her mother.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Channing, but without Emma's permission...

can't discuss the case with anybody.

Oh, I see.

Well, uh, thank you for being so candid.

Certainly. Goodbye.

Goodbye, doctor.

Thank you very much indeed.

All we got in a 62 Chevy is what's left of old Jason Gioberti's truck.

May I see it? Sure.

Here it is over here.

I'm telling you, you're wasting your time, though.

You see, that steering wheel's busted.

Like I said, that thing's not much good.

Huh.

We'll just take care of it?

Sure. I had Warren cover it.

Well, hi.

Melissa, come in.

I'm sorry to barge in on you like this, Mr. Gerberty.

I just saw Cole.

He said you might be able to help me.

Well, I'll do what I can. Have a seat, please.

I need a friend.

Someone I can talk to.

How about your husband?

He's like everyone else at Falcon Crest.

Well, tell me, what's the problem?

It's Lance and his mother and Angela.

They're keeping something terrible from me. I know it.

How could they keep anything from you? You're part of the family now. You live

in the same house.

I've been hearing things.

You mean you've been overhearing things.

In order to deal with Angela's family, you have to think like she does.

My guess is that you and Angie aren't all that different.

That's right.

I'm just as much a part of Falcon Crest as anyone now.

But I'm frightened.

There seem to be so many secrets.

Secrets?

What kind of secrets?

Hi. Hi.

Get your nose out of there.

Hello. Hey, you're home before midnight.

This calls for a celebration.

Yeah, I thought I'd surprise everybody with a little Gioberti cuisine.

You look like you've been hard at it. 15 feet of irrigation pipe had to be

replaced.

I'll help you with it in the morning. It's okay. The leak's fixed.

Hello, I'm home.

I better get washed up.

You better get washed up.

Hey, hi.

What a nice surprise.

You're home early.

It's a good thing. Somebody had to get dinner going.

Oh, I see.

What are you guys up to? Here, taste this.

Have you tried a little dried mustard? Among other things.

Where have you been?

Over at the Hayden Clinic.

What did Banning have to say?

Well, first of all, he wouldn't even discuss Emma.

But he was so helpful before.

Yeah, that's because she was there and willing.

Now he says that his professional ethics won't permit him to discuss a patient,

so... She's the key to this whole thing.

Apparently, Angela feels the same way.

She called Dr. Banning herself this morning.

Mom, what do you do when it starts to look like oatmeal?

Uh, lower the heat and put on the lid.

I had a visitor today.

Yeah? Melissa.

Oh, really?

She told me that Sheriff Tobias was at Falcon Crest when he was supposed to be

having a meeting with me in his office.

She said Emma's been having terrible nightmares about going to prison and

her guilt.

Well, wait a minute. Why would Melissa bother telling you anything?

Remember who she's married to.

I think she's beginning to feel that her interest in Falcon Crest is threatened.

It's funny. She reminds me more and more of Angie every time I see her.

You're getting that feeling, aren't you?

Well,

the instruments say everything's fine.

But I don't believe it.

Right.

Chase!

I thought we had an appointment, Turk.

I'm glad I found you. Look, I'm sorry about yesterday. I got hung up. Hung up?

At Falconcraft?

Well, Mr.

Channing thought that she saw Prowler.

Uh -huh.

Why is it I get the feeling you're more concerned with Angie Channing's needs

than with those of the rest of the people you've sworn to serve?

She is one of those people, Jason.

Come on.

What's on your mind?

You're the county coroner, Dr. Cooks, your medical examiner. You both know the

law regarding autopsies in the case of accidental death, such as my father's.

Chase, look, put yourself in my shoes for a minute.

Now, your father had a reputation of tying one on every now and then, okay?

He made a right turn when he should have made a left.

Now, he goes to his grave, the pickup goes to the junkyard. Now, those things

happen all the time. And you perform autopsies all the time in those cases.

Like you said, I'm the coroner.

Now, the circumstances of his death were obvious to me, as was Mrs. Channing's

grief. I made a decision.

All right, all right, all right.

I suppose I made a formal request for an autopsy now.

You've been seeing too many movies, Chase.

Exhumation autopsies don't really tell you very much. Now, embalming destroys

most medical evidence.

convenient. Oh, now, wait a minute. Chase, come on now.

Chase, do yourself a favor.

Let go.

I protect Emma for her own good.

Oh, Mother, we could help her. We could help her make it sound like an accident.

Then she couldn't be held accountable.

I can't take that chance.

But, Mother, it would be so much better. We could all tell the truth.

And they couldn't prosecute her if she said it was an accident.

The way my father's will is written, we would lose everything if any suspicion

was raised about Jason's death.

Look those up.

You know, they just don't make these trucks like they used to.

It's amazing.

I bet I must have sold old Jason at least three transmissions, a couple of

clutches, and maybe some wheel bearings.

I can't remember.

You mean the truck never ran very well?

Well, let's just say it was lucky to get up enough compression to do 35 on an

open road.

What happens to it now?

Oh, it'll sit here a couple months, then it'll go on a flatbed down to Oakland.

They shred them, ship them out, and they come back as economy cars.

Even jumps worth something.

Fascinating.

I made five bucks off this thing this morning, as a matter of fact.

Really?

Yeah.

Some guy walked in here this morning, and he came right up to the truck, just

like you did.

Who was it?

I don't know.

Some Chinese guy.

Did you get his name?

Hey, when some guy pulls out five bucks for a broken steering wheel, who am I to

ask questions?

Thank you, Mr. Lomax. I appreciate it.

It's so good to have you visit us again, Father.

I hope this walk elevates your pulse rate.

I've been reading about heart conditions and your...

Cardiopulmonary system will be rejuvenated in no time. That's

What about you? How are you doing?

Me? My heart's fine.

I hear that you've been spending a lot of time alone in your room lately.

You know, actually, I have been feeling better lately than I have in months.

I found a new cure for anxiety.

What's that?

The truth.

That's an interesting idea.

Yes, no matter what it is, I think it can really make you feel better if you

tell it.

Don't you think so?

Yes, I think it can.

So we're in agreement.

We agree.

You know, the way you behave is the truth.

I remember when you were a little girl.

You couldn't wait to take a drive with the top down.

You could feel the wind going through your hair.

Now, that's the truth, too, you know.

Not hiding yourself from the world.

I'm not hiding.

Yes, you are.

Don't hide, sweetheart.

No need to hide.

Hi, Angie. Emma, I want you to get in the car, dear.

Oh, do I have to, Mother?

Father and I have been having such a wonderful walk.

Well, there's a chill in the air, and I'd like to take you back to the house.

I don't want to go home, Mother. Oh, she'll be all right, Angela.

What can happen when she's with me?

Well, you're not well either, Douglas.

Get in the car, Emma.

You're making matters worse for Emma, you know that.

I'd like to spend some time with me.

Well, you're her father. I suppose you're entitled.

I'd like to take you someplace.

Where would you like to go?

Paris. All right. We'll go to Paris.

Now, you know you're not well enough to go abroad, Douglas.

I'll decide that.

Oh, it's ridiculous.

Isn't this exciting?

It's just like when Daddy used to live with us.

Let's get this finished up, huh?

Don't bother, Chase.

We're almost finished.

A little help won't hurt, will it?

Nice to have you back, stranger.

You know, I haven't been much help around here lately.

But I think I owe my father something more than just a hard day's work in the

fields. I can do something to make up for all the unfairness he suffered.

We still got next year's crop to think about, Chase.

What would you say if I told you I think my father was murdered?

What are you going to do?

I'm going to the district attorney.

And then when you were at Lomax wrecking, you heard that there was an

who was interested in the remains of your father's truck. Well, what makes

think that that was Angela Channing's chauffeur?

Because he paid $5 for the broken steering wheel.

Well, that could be anybody.

Anybody who has something to hide.

That's not enough to hang a case on.

Not by itself, no.

But after a while, it gets a little hard to just dismiss everything as

coincidence.

Mr. Deering, I know you haven't been in office much longer than I have.

But I need help.

I don't mean this as a put -down.

But if you can't handle this, maybe somebody else can.

I didn't say I can't handle it.

It's just that before I go to war, I like plenty of ammunition.

And that means questions.

Lots of questions.

I should warn you.

Angela Channing can pull a lot of strings.

She has powerful friends.

If you're right about all this, she's going to need them.

Can't write.

How are you feeling?

I'm just fine, thank you.

What does he hear about Chase seeing the district attorney?

Well, he just... He wanted some advice, I thought.

Well, what does he expect to accomplish?

He needs to find out what really happened to his father, Douglas. It's...

learned a lot in the last month, Maggie.

Life isn't much without a family. I know that now.

I don't want to see my family torn apart.

Oh, Douglas.

I... I hope it won't come to that.

Martha?

Are you feeling all right?

I feel dreadful.

Would you like something else? The pie is kind of spicy.

Horrible.

Nausea.

Now, don't tell me the father's getting the symptoms.

I'm not the father.

Well, you do.

Aren't you listening to me?

The child she's carrying is not mine.

Well, of course it is. She's your wife.

It does make you the prime suspect.

How? She won't let me come near her.

Oh, Lance, really?

When you were single, you never dated a girl twice on a platonic basis.

And you've been going with Melissa for months.

Not of my choice.

Maybe some tea will help.

Melissa, I'm glad you're here.

I was just explaining to them that I'm not the father of your child.

How can you even say such a thing?

I guess the honeymoon's over.

But the marriage isn't.

This will be the first inquest in this county in nearly 15 years.

Well, then there's never really been a good reason for one in the last 15

Well, apparently Sheriff Tobias has always done a pretty good job as the

coroner.

Until now.

Thanks, Hank.

You do understand that any findings from this inquest cannot be used in court,

I mean, if we decide to go ahead and file a criminal complaint.

Yeah, I've been looking through the statutes.

I mean, that doesn't mean that I can't come up with my own evidence if there's

case at all to prosecute here.

And if there is no case?

That's the end of it.

There is no appeal whatsoever from an inquest jury's verdict.

That's all right, as long as I learn the truth.

You know, I've, uh...

I've been through these inquests before.

They can get pretty rough.

You may find out more about your father than you ever wanted to know.

You get me the truth.

I'll deal with it.

Well, they can have their little old inquests all to themselves.

I'm not going to dignify it by being there.

I wish it were that simple, Angela.

And Chase Giberti is not going to intimidate me either.

It's really out of Chase's hands now.

The district attorney is the one who filed for the inquest. Oh, I know Martin

Deering. He's young and he wants to prove himself.

Well, he's not going to do it at my expense. Now, I want you to talk to him

personally. Lawyer to lawyer.

He was incorruptible when he worked for the Justice Department in San Francisco.

And tough.

He made his reputation on it.

Well, you'll just have to discredit him, that's all.

He certainly has a flaw someplace.

I doubt it.

He's one of these do -gooders who harbor notions of justice and equality that

fly in the face of tradition.

What about the jury?

We'll only jeopardize our own position if we try to influence them.

Oh, the press will have a field day with this. Now, don't worry about the press.

I've already spoken to the commissioner.

He's agreed to a closed hearing. You can't let this get out of hand, Philip.

we can make them think that we're cooperating, we'll end up controlling

hearing. As long as the rest of the family understands the nature of our

Well, Julie and Lance are fine.

But I won't have Emma at that inquest. Don't worry.

There are ways to prevent that.

Trust me.

When this is all over, Angela, let me take you away somewhere.

You're a fool to put us through this circuit, you know. I wish I didn't have

Angela.

All rise.

This hearing is now in session. The Honorable Commissioner Harold Witkin

presiding.

Be seated.

Bailiff will bring in the jury.

This jury, having been duly examined and stipulated to by the district attorney,

Mr. Deering, and by the coroner, Sheriff Tobias, is hereby impaneled.

To inquire into the identity, location, time and circumstances attending to the

death of one Jason Gioberti.

And to render down a true verdict thereon according to the evidence

Mr. Deering, perhaps you'd like to begin.

Your Honor, I call Angela Channing.

Please raise your right hand.

Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the

truth, so help you God?

I do.

I'm so glad you came when I called.

Emma, I want you to go in there and tell them exactly what you told me about

Jason. Do you understand?

I don't want to go to prison.

You're not going to go to prison.

It was an accident, remember that?

Now. Mrs. Channing, I would like you to tell the court here, in your own words,

exactly what happened on the night that Jason Schubert was killed.

Mrs. Channing, you haven't been excused.

I ask your indulgence, sir. Mrs. Channing. What are you doing here?

I want to tell the truth.

Douglas, you don't know what you're doing.

I think I do.

Mother, it'll be all right.

Mrs. Channing, please.

Well, I'm sorry, Your Honor, but my daughter's very ill, and I have to take

home. Mrs. Channing, you've had your way.

Mr. Erickson, you can't... Get him out of here!

You've got to get back, please. Get him out of here, please.

Somebody call a paramedic, please. Hurry!

Let Emma tell the truth.

I'll never forgive you for this.

Ever.

Next on Falcon Threat.

I have the impression that Chase and the young Mr. Deering smell blood.

We'll give them blood.

Their own. And so with a criminally violent son and a sexually promiscuous

daughter... I don't have to stand for this.

Objection, Your Honor! What can we do to satisfy you?

Let Emma Channing testify.

The doctor said to give her one of these every four hours.

Are they necessary?

And I don't want her to leave the house. Have you seen Emma? No.

She's escaped.