Original subtitles

Previously on The Hunting Party. Call the pit, home to the most dangerous and

violent criminals in history, all of whom the world believes are dead.

Or at least it was, until the blast hit.

A few weeks ago, Shane gave me an audio file, asked if I could voice magic to

anyone, came back as Colonel Lazarus. And when you told him, what did he say?

didn't. Started working at the pit because I was looking for a prisoner

there. My biological mother.

Sorry, that voice recording was your mom?

Faith is a funny thing.

Everyone has faith in something.

Money, success, recognition.

But there comes a time in everyone's life when we have to ask the question,

do I believe in?

Faith is a word. Belief is an action.

There was a time, I must admit, When I was faithful, but I

did not believe.

I was hiding from the truth.

And just like every one of you, the truth found me. We're standing here

the compound of Noah Cyrus, the controversial leader of the infamous

13th Hour. As we speak, dozens of federal agents are preparing to move in.

we've been told that his followers, many armed, are refusing to surrender.

My friends, we all knew this day would come.

But brothers and sisters, our souls are ready.

And though our enemies are many, none of us will ever be alone

again. Noah Cyrus, this is your final warning.

Come out with your hands up.

Listen to them.

That's fear in their voice.

Agents of Babylon.

Trying to control that which is out of their control.

We were meant to be free.

And we will be free.

Don't be afraid, puppy.

Love.

Listen to me.

None can stop the victory for those who believe This

is not the end

with black curtains near the station.

Black roof country, no gold pavement, the tired darling.

I'll wait in this place where the sun

never shines.

Are you sure about this?

Shane said that he took a job at the pit because he found out his biological mom

was an inmate.

He had me run voice rec on an audio recording, came back as Lazarus. At the

time, I didn't know that he was searching for his mom, so I held on to

And you're sure he doesn't know it's her?

He doesn't know.

I didn't know how to tell him.

Well, maybe he's better off not knowing.

Look, all we have at the moment... Or a bunch of questions about Colonel

Lazarus. Yeah, like how a serial killer goes to the pit and then shows up. A

colonel in the military with a new name? Yeah.

Right, like I said, questions.

Until we have some answers, we just sit on this.

No, no, I'm sorry.

Shane deserved to know the truth, okay? We need to tell him.

What are you going to tell him?

Hey, we found your serial killer mom and she happens to be our boss.

I don't know, but I'll find the right words.

Ah, guys.

All right, what do we got?

Security camera picked this up in a barbershop outside of Aurora, Illinois.

That guy looks really familiar.

His name is Noah Cyrus.

He was the leader of a Chicago -based doomsday cult called the 13th Hour.

He professed that he was a kind of prophet.

He claimed to have knowledge of the end times and preached a view of government

that was rooted in apocalyptic theology.

Meaning the government's responsible for all the evils in the world?

That's where I remember him. He was the guy that tried to blow up the

courthouse. Yeah, that's right.

In fact, he wasn't even on the FBI's radar until he and his followers began

stockpiling explosives.

This led to an armed standoff at his compound. Yeah, I remember when this

down. Something like 15 of his followers drank some poison tea.

A few survived.

Where are the survivors now?

There were five who died over the years, and we've already ordered wellness

checks on the other three in case Cyrus tries to reconnect.

Okay, but there's a difference between...

Being just a whack job cult leader and the serial killers we got in the pit,

what makes this guy pit worthy?

That's it.

Investigators didn't even know about these bodies until after the raid.

Each victim had a single gunshot wound to the back of the head.

Cult leaders like Cyrus demand constant reverence to feed their egos, but when

their narcissistic supply is threatened, someone leaves or tries to question

their authority, it triggers a violent outburst. Or, Cyrus' case, a dozen

murders.

Where do you go after the barbershop?

We're working on that.

He used cash, which is hard to trade.

It says here the raid on his compound was ten years ago today.

Cult leaders love symbolism. What time was his death?

7 .01 p .m.

You think he's planning some kind of anniversary party?

He's been on the loose for two months. I don't think it's any coincidence that

he's showing up today.

Well, we've got less than six hours to figure out what he's up to. Get in the

air. We'll send you everything we find.

Different day.

Will you get it?

That's probably Karen returning my pickleball paddle.

Hello,

puppy. I have returned.

This is impossible.

I told you it was not the end that day.

What did you not believe?

Cyrus, I... I don't understand.

Ours is not to understand in full.

But to trust and faith.

None can stop the victory for those who believe.

I can't explain.

After everything happened.

He's a good man.

Hell is full of good men.

You were gone a while.

Is everything all right with Karen?

Honey, what's wrong?

I love you I love you

I'm glad you agreed to come, man.

This is going to be good.

We'll see.

Look, I know you don't buy into any of this kind of stuff.

And, Hal, I know things have been hard since Mom.

But you keep saying how stuck you are.

And if you want things to change, you've got to be the change, right?

Yeah, your guy tell you that?

Well, he told me more than that.

He's going to blow your mind, brother.

Hey, why won't you tell me his name?

He made me promise.

If there was some guy trying to convince me that everything I believe is a lie,

well, I'd think he was at best crazy,

or at worst, trying to scam me, no matter how handsome he was.

But if I were being honest with myself, I'd have to admit that I was terrified

what he was saying is true.

That's the thing, isn't it?

The truth scares people.

I know I was scared by it when I first encountered it.

Because the truth is powerful.

We spend our lives believing so many falsehoods.

Accepting so many narratives designed to keep us looking down.

To keep us wanting.

Keep us believing salvation.

Fancy new lawnmower.

And all it really takes is right here.

Right now.

Each of us is perfect.

Each of us is divine.

Even you.

You must be Jack's brother, Norm.

I told you I'd get him to come.

Welcome.

My name is Noah Cyrus.

Noah Cyrus?

But, uh... You're... You're dead.

That's only half the story.

If you'd like to join us, I'd be glad to tell you the rest.

Noah Cyrus was a gifted child.

After the death of his parents, he spent time with his mother's sister.

I thought there was some neglect. Apparently, she set extreme limits on

time he could spend outside of his bedroom.

She sounds fun.

Like most serials, Cyrus had signs of complex psychopathy in his early teens,

and then as a sophomore in high school, he was arrested for the murder of his

science teacher.

Arrested, but not convicted.

Right. Because before the trial, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a

diagnosis that was obviously later called into question. Well, that's got

hard to fix, especially for a 15 -year -old. He was a clever child.

He actually only spent three years in a youth psych ward, which is where he got

his crash course in manipulating emotionally vulnerable people.

Right. So rather than rehabilitating him, they taught him how to use others

get what he wanted.

Awesome. I'm almost afraid to ask, but what do we have for pit treatment for

this guy?

These are our last recorded therapy sessions from over four years ago.

And how would you define moral truth, Doctor, if not in the presence of a

power? Without that, what's left is chaos and chess.

You and me, sitting across this table.

This discussion. Let me ask you, does this feel like random chance to you?

So, everything is preordained?

What will be, will be.

You have but to play a part.

And those you kiddled, what part did they play?

Wheat from the chaff.

You see, you're listening, but you're not hearing. These walls, this prison,

but a stop along the way.

A pebble in my shoe.

You are the one in bondage, Doctor.

And until you acknowledge the truth that is before you, in bondage, you will

remain.

I'd like to go to my room now.

Give you some time to reflect upon what you've learned here today.

Even in prison, this guy acts like he owns the place.

So I'm not seeing any treatment protocol.

Not even a number for the cell he was kept in. What were they doing to him all

those years in the pit? Whatever it was, they were careful with it.

See this many black bars? Means you're definitely doing something you shouldn't

be.

Hey, guys.

Ben traced the cash Cyrus used at the barber shop. Serial numbers on the bill

show they were withdrawn yesterday from an ATM account belonging to Tyler Meeks,

a construction manager from Elgin.

Did Cyrus rob this guy?

No, he wasn't a petty thief. He was a manipulator. It's more likely that he

Tyler to actually give him the money.

If Cyrus has a new follower, we better be ready.

Got him!

Now?

Hands!

With your hands!

You good?

Good. You good?

Freeze! Don't move!

I just want to know where Cyrus is, Tyler.

Don't do it.

Mm -mm.

The throat of the deceitful one is an open grave!

I don't know why you didn't listen to me there, buddy.

Tyler's down, through and through to the bicep. That didn't feel good, did it?

My name is Special Agent Rebecca Henderson.

You shot me. I did. I did. I think you might live, though.

Where's Cyrus?

In the 13th hour, there will be no more lies.

Only salvation. Hey, Tyler?

Cyrus doesn't care about you, okay? I know you think he does, but he doesn't.

the end, he's only looking out for himself, and that is why you are tied up

here, and he is out there.

Where is he?

Help me help you. You don't give a rat's ass about me, Special Agent.

You just want to stop what's coming.

All right. What's happening in two hours?

You will see.

Heather, you don't want to hurt innocent people.

Tell me where he is.

He isn't here.

He's with me. And that is why I will be saved.

And I will enter the kingdom.

And you shall burn.

Okay.

There's something downstairs you need to see.

I'll take care of our friend. Thank you. None can stop the victory for those who

believe. Wrong audience, pal.

Come on.

Hey, find anything out from our guy? Whatever Cyrus is doing, Tyler is now

talking about him like he is a prophet. He is talking about him like he is a

savior. Well, he technically did come back from the dead. This kind of

indoctrination, I have seen it in cults, but it takes years.

How is Cyrus converting them so fast?

I don't know how he's doing it, but I think I know what he and his converts

planning for their little anniversary party.

What did you find?

You need a bum.

Yeah, bigger problem is not here.

People have asked me what it was like to die.

Did I see a tunnel?

Hear voices?

Did my whole life flash before my eyes?

I saw nothing.

Because there was nothing.

I was alone in the void.

Yet I was overcome by the most miraculous feeling.

Relief.

Existence was an illusion.

Death was no more.

And I rose out of the gates of hell to see myself as I am.

I am the truth in its most miraculous human form.

And all of you are here to bear witness to the beginning of a new era.

But first, we must cleanse the old.

Are you ready, brother?

Cyrus?

On the other side.

You will be pure.

Tyler's construction company, Mesa Construction, has a license that allows

to buy and ship demolition explosives.

Found it.

Seven weeks ago, Mesa Construction received 200 pounds of ammonium nitrate.

stuff that caused the explosion in Beirut a few years ago.

He can level a whole city block with that.

Wait, that's not all. Look at this.

Another purchase order from the same day.

Building materials?

Couple tons of plywood, saws, wood glue, paint. You don't make a bomb with

plywood. What's he building?

For now, I'll settle for where he's building it. The order was delivered to

vacant warehouse in downtown Elgin. Nice work.

Let's get that to the team.

What is this?

This is a white room.

Yeah, we can see that.

Have you seen this before?

These are highly illegal.

Human rights violations.

Iran used them in the early 2000s to torture journalists and enemy

Torture? Total sensory deprivation.

Holding people in these rooms causes panic attacks, hallucinations. Some

break out into sores from the sheer stress.

These rooms are designed to psychologically break people.

Break him?

Or brainwash him?

Yeah, this is how Cyrus did it. How he converted people so fast.

How'd Cyrus know about this?

A pet.

Cyrus didn't have another cell.

A room like this was his cell.

They made him live in this?

For years? I mean, I've been in here for two minutes. I'm losing my mind. Yeah,

me too.

Hey, Morales.

I need you to run a search in the white room in the pit file, see if anything

comes back.

You got it. And FYI, we just got word Cyrus' three original followers are all

currently MIA.

Copy that. We need to get a warning out to every federal building in the state.

Ben, get DHS on the phone right now. No specifics. Just let them know that we

have credible intel, yeah? On it. I'll call the governor.

Beck, I got something.

There's a reference to a covert study in which a patient was held in a constant

state of sensory deprivation.

Subject experiencing delusions of divinity. New efforts will focus on

Rogerian therapy to test the limits of human grandiosity.

Oh, boy. What's Rogerian therapy?

Rogerian therapy is a patient -centered treatment that focuses on unconditional

positive reinforcements to whatever the patient thinks.

Therapist reaffirms.

What if the patient's already experiencing delusions of divinity?

Yep, and the therapist says, yep, you got it, you are right.

Is any of the video now?

The White Room taught me the only real thing is the singleness of my being.

This moment.

What? Right now. The White Room is the real world.

The prison is the Monopoly game they make us play outside of it.

I was sent to this earth to spread this message.

Noah, we agree. We think you're making tremendous progress.

I did not die at the compound because I cannot die.

Correct. I could not know the name of my divine leader because it was my own

name. Correct. Say his name.

Me.

Noah Cyrus.

What is your gospel, divine leader?

End times.

Hellfire. Eternal judgment on all who do not worship me.

Correct.

I will save all that I can.

Correct.

Noah be praised.

And this is deranged.

There's a new law for the pit.

Okay, so Cyrus goes from being a con man to thinking he's a prophet of some end

times deity, gets shot, spends a decade in the pit, and then he thinks he is

that deity?

So where does a deity focused on Armageddon go to detonate a bomb?

Somewhere that he can send his message.

Somewhere symbolic.

We have to find Cyrus and the bomb before 7 .01. If he thinks he's a god,

bomb will be his hellfire.

Okay, we got left in one hour before Cyrus reveals himself to the world as

savior risen from the dead, and he is going to use that bomb to show his

All thanks to the pit.

The coffee's still hot.

They got out of here in a hurry.

I'm not sure that's a coincidence.

Hey, guys, we got a visual.

Ben tracked down a CCTV image of Cyrus driving a box truck south on Route 25.

Copy that. We're on the move.

Hey, guys, thumbs out.

Hey, comms go out on you?

Hey, can you retrace the box truck's route in the warehouse to see what time

Cyrus left?

I'm already on it.

By my calculations, the truck was out of there at 5 .53 p .m.

5 .53?

Go somewhere private right now.

X, what's wrong?

Cyrus left the warehouse at the exact same time we left Tyler's place heading

the warehouse.

You think that Cyrus was warned?

Either he is super lucky or Cyrus has a mole on our team.

Look, you've got to keep everyone out of this until you're sure that you can

trust them, okay?

Copy that.

Are you real?

As the day you were born.

Who am I?

You're Cyrus.

That's my name.

Who am I?

You... You are the truth.

It wasn't by chance we found each other, you know, Norm.

And my brother. Was the vessel.

We each have our part to play.

Are you ready for yours?

Cyrus' box truck just pinged at a traffic camera in downtown Aurora.

Aurora? So what, after all this, nothing's changed? You still planning on

blowing up a courthouse? No, it's all part of a bigger picture.

We just don't see it yet.

Let us know if you find anything else.

Hey, do you know where Morales is?

Last I saw, she stepped down on a phone call. What's up?

Nothing. Carry on.

Ben, do you have a sec?

Yeah. Hey.

Pekka's looking for you.

What's going on?

Cyrus might have an inside man at the command center.

You're serious?

You've seen how quickly he can convert people.

I did your background check myself, but there are a lot of people here I'm not

as familiar with.

You want me to look into someone?

Everyone. Go to the server room, comb through the personnel files of every new

hire since the team was reassembled.

Major, you've got to see this.

A local TV station just used the emergency broadcast system to go live

this. My name is Puppy Perkins. Who's seeing this? The whole state.

In eight minutes at 7 .01, humanity will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the

13th hour massacre.

Guys, we've got a problem.

Ross, you need to shut that broadcast down now. I'm trying, but the emergency

system was designed not to be shut down.

I can intercept it if I can access the PEP station.

How long is that going to take?

Ten minutes.

No, that's too long.

It's almost seven o 'clock.

Two blocks away.

We need to go in hot.

Hey,

we need you out here.

Sure, just taking care of something.

You're not supposed to be in here.

Why do Morales want to talk to you in private?

Why you mean it?

Don't.

I am here

tonight to tell you that the story of the 13th hour is not over.

This evening, it begins anew.

On these very airwaves, you were told a lie about that day.

And on these very airwaves, the truth shall be our victory.

Mama, Papa, baby. Mama, Papa, baby.

Noah Cyrus lives.

Something has been off all day.

Cyrus has been ahead of us.

Every step of the way from the beginning, and now I know why.

You think I'm the mole?

Since when do you carry a gun?

No, wait, Bex.

Boy, cover me. No.

Put the gun down.

Put it down.

Kick it to me. Kick it to me. Get on the ground. Get on the ground.

The story of that day has been told only by those who sought to silence the

divine word of our glorious leader.

To end the story of the 13th hour before it could truly begin.

But I was there to witness those fateful moments.

He has returned from the very gates of hell.

Guarded not by demons or shadows, but by men.

Doctors, soldiers, in league with... Hands in the air, now!

What? Look at this.

Black budget secret government agent, no doubt.

Say hello.

Turn that off.

There isn't going to be bad form to kill me.

With all our loyal viewers watching.

Step away from the camera.

You move, I shoot.

Tell me, agent, don't you want to introduce yourself?

That's not a request.

Come on.

Damn it.

Someone get me a copy of the power grid.

Drop your weapon now.

Or what, you'll shoot me?

That didn't turn out so good the last time, did it?

I must be quite a threat.

Vax, power's going out. You're going to have about five seconds before the

backup grid kicks in. Or could it be because I know something your government

wouldn't like the public to find out?

And now.

You shot me.

Don't move.

Bex, you intercepted the broadcast.

Come on, guys. Talk to me.

Tell me you found that bomb.

Shane's checking the truck right now.

It's a bite.

Where's the bomb?

Missing something, are we? Where's the bomb?

Where's the bomb?

Where's the bomb?

That guy's name's Jack Davis.

Jack Davis?

Jack Davis.

I am the truth, sent to awaken sleeping.

My hellfire.

We'll rouse the senseless masses and together we shall reclaim our destiny.

defeat our government oppressors.

Morales.

Morales, the bomb.

The bomb is in the command center.

Davis.

Tell Agent Anderson to release Cyrus and unblock the broadcast.

Or I'll kill us all.

Hey! Hey! Put it down!

Let her go, Norm.

Back off.

Back off.

If I let go of this button, this whole building comes down.

Hey, Gro.

Where are you going?

Sorry, I'm sending me back to work. Back to work?

Are those puppets?

It's not our place to question them, Jack.

You were right, though.

Cyrus has changed everything.

Thank you.

Hey, hey, hey.

What's going on?

What are you making my brother do?

I can't make anybody do anything, Jack.

Your brother has a strong faith, just as you said he would.

That's why you're so eager to meet him.

We all have a part to play.

You should celebrate his sacrifice.

No way.

I'm not letting Norm do that.

Jack, wait.

Check.

I know you love your brother.

Do something with him.

Don't let any of the others see.

You think so small.

This is just the fun part. The show.

My message will still be delivered.

Hey!

Stop moving!

Don't you know what happens if you shoot me?

Easy, everyone.

Lower your weapons.

Where's the bomb? You think I'm stupid?

You'll never find it in time.

Hey, do you all want to die?

The broadcast.

Now.

I'll do it.

I'll do it. Major Morales.

He's right.

The truth is the only thing that can save us.

Cyrus is all about the truth, right?

Yes, Cyrus is the truth.

If Cyrus is the truth, did he tell you why he killed your brother?

I don't... I don't believe you.

It's true.

I'm so sorry, Norm. Cyrus killed your brother. I wish that you could hear it

from him yourself.

You're lying.

You say you want to be a messiah, yet you kill someone in cold blood.

Listen.

We found Jack Davis's body in the back of your truck.

Why? He said his brother on a death mission. Why kill Jack?

Because it's my right.

A shepherd calls his own flock.

I killed Jack because I wanted to.

My faith gives me that power.

I have no idea what's still coming.

Beck?

We got him.

It's over.

My power will be displayed in a demonstration. David, we got your buddy

one's blowing anything up today.

If ever there was a day... I just got off the phone with my people.

Police are reporting that an offshoot of the 13th hour took control of a local

Aurora TV station.

But nobody believes Puppy was telling the truth. They're just chalking it up

the Internet crazies.

Except to assume they wouldn't be wrong.

Listen.

I respect that you have to make your own decision about whether to tell Shane

about Colonel Lazarus or not. I'm going to.

Just ask yourself one question.

Will Shane be happier knowing the truth?

Hey.

Bomb tech found the device in the bed of Norm's truck parked against the

building.

Wow, he really would have blown us all sky high.

Yeah, but he didn't.

Thanks to you, Jen.

I didn't serve, and I haven't been in the field.

That was the first time I've ever drawn my weapon.

You were... impressive.

Thank you, sir.

My name's John, by the way.

Jonathan Mitchell Peck.

I read your file.

Right.

You're an intelligence officer.

Mm -hmm.

I've read yours, too.

You should add crisis negotiator to your CV.

Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay, I think I put my neck out. Yeah, I told you. You've got to stop sleeping

on the plane like that. You're like a narcoleptic Gumby. Look, I do not

this youthful glow by missing my beauty sleep. Glow, is that what we're calling

it? The sweat on your face?

I think I might have to start bringing my eye mask.

My gosh.

Hey, cheers.

Cheers.

Boy, today was a wild one, huh?

That guy was like Sunday school on acid.

Do you know my dad was a pastor?

Uh -uh. You told me he was a sheriff.

He was a pastor. He went to seminary school right after college, even led a

church back home.

And then one day he tells my mom that the congregation he's leading doesn't

him as much as people outside.

So he decided to go into law enforcement because he thought he would make a

bigger impact.

So you think any of his faith rubbed off on you?

Yeah.

Yeah, I think so.

Yeah, you never really talk about your parents.

Pot calling the kettle.

Yep, that's fair.

Look, I've been thinking about what you said about finding your biological mom.

I've been thinking a lot about that, and I should never have kept that from you

or the team. I'm going to tell Hassani, I'm going to tell Morales, and I want

you to know after that I am done looking for her.

You don't want to find your mom?

I've always had this unknowable part of me, right, that I thought I could only

understand if I knew where I came from, who I came from.

But now I'm starting to think that maybe who you are is what you do in the

world, and I get to decide that. I get to define me, not her.

I think I'm good with that.

Fair enough.

What?

I'm picturing you shopping for eye masks at Sephora.

Oh, you see Sephora?

Who am I, a Rockefeller?