Original subtitles

[gasps]

Hey, Mom, came as fast as I could.

Show me.

You didn't see anybody?

No.

Why would someone break into Dad's office?

I don't know.

- Anything missing? - No. Not that I can tell.

I overreacted.

I shouldn't have called you.

Sheriff said there'd been break-ins in the area, probably just kids.

Dad always had a place for everything, didn't he?

Well, that's one way of putting it.

First time I beat them to the top.

- You were so proud. - I was positive they let me win.

Used to drive me crazy.

You should get cameras.

And be spied on? No, thank you.

No need for it. Really.

- I'm sorry I bothered you. - No problem.

I'm glad I was nearby.

[phone vibrates]

Aren't you gonna take that?

It's probably just work.

- Teddi. - Take it.

Hey, Teddi.

How do you feel about a nice drive to Montana?

Montana?

Go.

Yeah.

Why don't I call you tomorrow morning to get the details?

Thanks.

I'm fine. You can go now.

No, I'd feel better if I spent the night.

So $35,000 is offered for information as to the whereabouts of Jackson Cheong,

age 27, works as an accountant in Missoula, Montana.

The reward was posted by his parents, Mark and Eden.

It's a recent photo of your son Jackson?

About a year ago. He was volunteering at the library.

Free tax advice.

[woman] Jackson was a bit shy,

so it was good for him to get out and meet people.

- You said he met a woman? - Yeah, Rebecca Smith.

How long ago was that?

- About two months ago. - You have a photo of her?

You can say it...

She's too old for him. Twenty years at least.

Your son's 27 years old. He's an adult.

If you're looking for someone

to tell him who not to fall in love with, that's not me.

It's not that. He's missing.

Quit his job, canceled his cell phones,

left his apartment and emptied his bank accounts.

You think something happened to him?

Hopefully it's nothing and we're just overreacting.

He's our only child.

[speaking other language]

We tried to track down Rebecca Smith ourselves, but there's nothing online.

We can't figure out where she works.

What makes you so sure he's with her now?

He was with her the last time we spoke to him.

I don't know how to say it, he's taken with her, I guess.

The moment Jackson met that woman, he changed.

Stopped returning our calls, missing family dinners.

And his accounting firm called,

looking for him after he missed a few client's meetings.

And then two weeks later, he quit his job and vanished.

Anything else you can recall?

The last time we saw him, he looked tired,

like he's been up for days.

He said he was doing some work for Rebecca.

When I asked him what it was, he said it was the kind

that people can't find out about, that he could get in trouble for it.

Any idea what that might be?

I'm thinking this Rebecca has him cooking books

or laundering money, and he wasn't himself.

Something bad has happened to him.

I just know it.

[phone vibrating]

Bobby.

Rebecca Smith? "Smith"? Are you kidding me?

There's a million results.

Oh, good. You got my text.

You're lucky I speak Colter.

Most people wouldn't know what to do with a random photo, zero context,

next to one of the most common names in North America.

Is this when you tell me how hard it was

but you managed to find her?

Pretty much. But I don't have her yet.

How long will it take to sift through all that?

No time at all. There's an app for that. Built it myself.

Of course you did.

Okay. Good news and bad news.

No matches for the facial recognition overlap the name,

but I do have a mugshot for a Rebecca Pendergast,

who's looking real, same same.

"Same" like identical?

See for yourself.

Yeah, that's her. So she's using a fake name.

Mugshot? What was she in for?

"Insurance fraud, wire fraud, plus some tax evasion."

But she hasn't served any time. The charges were dropped.

Jackson's parents said his of bank accounts were drained.

Sounds like she's a con woman and he's the next mark.

- You said insurance fraud, any chance... - Great minds.

Yep, cross-referenced with Jackson Cheong, and there's our girl.

Ooh! She's the beneficiary of a big old fat policy Jackson took out.

That application have an address on it?

[man speaking indistinctly]

[man] Make it stop!

She's trying to kill me!

- No, I don't want you! - [woman] That's fine.

But I have to ask... [continues indistinctly]

- [man on video] You can't make me! - What the hell?

[man] How do you know? You don't know anything about me!

- [voices chattering on video] - [man] Why is this happening to me?

It's not fair!

You can't make me! How do you know?

You don't know anything about me.

What is happening? It's not fair.

[voices chattering indistinctly over video]

[vehicle approaching]

Who the hell are you?

Yeah, sorry I kicked the door in. It's a bit of a misunderstanding.

It's actually a funny story, if you care to hear it. Guess not.

[all grunting]

[grunting]

Let's try this again.

Who the hell are you?

Colter Shaw.

Let me see some ID.

Pocket.

Like I said, man, I don't want any trouble, okay?

I'm not here to steal things.

I'm here on a job, just like you guys.

What "job" is that?

I'm looking for Jackson Cheong.

Never heard of him. This is private property.

We can call the cops and have you arrested for break-in.

Maybe I'll shoot you. Tell them I was standing my ground.

If you were gonna shoot me, you would've done it already.

Same goes for calling the cops.

I'm just gonna go, all right? Don't want any trouble.

Better not see you here again.

Yeah.

[Colter] Got a bad feeling about this.

- What are you talking about? - Rebecca Pendergast.

She's got an impressive surveillance setup.

Private security.

Whatever Jackson Cheong's got himself involved in,

- it's much worse than a bad romance. - You're thinking blackmail?

- Some kind of kidnapping ring? - I don't know yet.

I'm gonna find out what the hell's going on.

[woman] A potential transformation, it's there.

The part of you that is ready to change.

Put aside all those negative thoughts standing in your way.

All those walls you let others put up.

Walls so high, they block the light that shines for us all.

Are you ready to see the light?

[all] We're ready.

One man can lead you to it.

Seth.

[applauding]

[Seth] Close your eyes.

We must see the light before we can feel it.

[all] We see it.

It's here for you. It's all around us,

waiting to be tapped by those who are willing to put in the work.

[whispering indistinctly]

You, sir.

I see you. I see what you're carrying.

The pain like a stone.

Colter, is it?

Colter Shaw.

We have much to discuss.

I look forward to our time together.

And you, ma'am,

I see your loss.

I see the grief that you're trying to hide.

So, it's a cult.

I don't think they'd use that word, but, yes, they're offering empowerment.

The path to becoming alpha.

It's not uncommon for organizations like this

to isolate people from their loved ones.

They find an emotional wedge, they drive it in.

Once they do that, they've got total control.

Can you get him out?

Aside from forcibly removing him, if Jackson doesn't wanna leave,

there's really nothing I can do.

All we're asking is that you try.

You don't strike me as a man to give up so easily.

No, sir, I'm not.

[cell phone ringing]

- Hey. - Hey, guys.

I need to know all the info you can find

about an organization called Positive Light.

They've got a headquarters outside of Missoula.

I'm headed there tomorrow. I need to know what I'm walking into.

- We'll get into it. - I'll be moving fast.

They know I'm looking for Jackson. They'll be ready for me.

[bird cawing]

Do you think we can do that tomorrow?

Thank you. You can go.

Where's Jackson Cheong?

Mr. Shaw, I had a feeling we'd be seeing you again.

Where is he?

There's no need for the tough-guy pose.

Jackson's not being kept here against his will.

Then he can tell me that himself.

Colter... May I call you Colter?

Jackson's happy here.

He's found his place with us,

and we've really come to depend on his financial guidance.

Great. Where is he?

Unfortunately, he's in a session with Seth.

I figured he might be.

Perhaps you'd like to meet Seth.

I'd really like to see Jackson.

I'm afraid that's not going to be possible

unless you meet with Seth first.

Okay.

- Are you ready? - [knocking on door]

Seth, this is Colter Shaw.

Mr. Shaw.

It's good to see you again.

I'm here to see Jackson Cheong.

Rebecca explained.

But I can't allow that to happen

until we've had a chance to talk and take your measure.

I'm not sure what we'd talk about.

[Seth] Why don't we start with something simple?

Tell me about yourself.

I like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain.

Mr. Shaw, I'd prefer if we didn't waste each other's time.

We already know a lot about you, who you work with, all sorts of things.

So you got a peek at my ID and you did some googling.

I won't be intimidated like that.

I'm not trying to intimidate you.

I'm not a violent man.

There are all types of violence.

I suppose that's true.

Tell me,

what sort of man was your father?

I'm not here to talk about that.

It's okay to talk about the past.

It's part of what we do here.

You blackmail your members with their secrets?

Truth.

We did look you up. Your family, too.

Can't be too careful these days,

and information, it's there if you know where to look.

Your father...

Quite an impressive man.

A scientist, then activist.

Then he fell.

Cliff near your family homestead, if I'm not mistaken.

An accident.

At least that's what the newspaper said.

But your eyes tell me something different.

Maybe he jumped?

Or was pushed?

Is the not knowing the source of all that pain you're carrying?

Tell me how he came to be fired from his job as professor.

Google didn't tell you that?

No.

Oh, you don't know why, do you?

So your mother keeps secrets from you.

Interesting.

I'd like to see Jackson.

Tell me one truth about your father, and I will let you see Jackson.

It's that simple.

He made me the man that I am.

But it wasn't easy, was it, growing up with a father like that?

Prepared me for people like you who like to play games.

Your father liked to play games?

Tell me what sort of games he liked to play.

My father didn't play games. All was life or death with him.

Preparing you to live in this world perhaps.

Perhaps.

I'm sorry you had to endure that.

But thank you for opening up to me.

I know that wasn't easy.

But it shows me that you might be someone I can grow to trust.

I don't think so.

You bring that near me, I'll shove it down your throat.

You get a burn when you witness and hold another person's secrets.

It is an honor to share one of yours, Colter Shaw.

Jackson will be waiting for you in the garden.

Are you sure this is a good idea?

Jackson's one of ours.

Let Mr. Shaw talk to him and he'll see.

And if he does cause trouble?

Mr. Shaw has a very dangerous profession.

Accidents happen.

- [Colter] Yeah. - Are you in a good place to talk?

Not really. You talk. I'll listen.

Is that not how we do it?

I'm serious, Bobby. You gotta be careful on this one.

Copy that. Always am.

So, yeah, Teddi and Velma called, gave me the scoop.

- Positive Light. Super weird. - Mmm-hmm.

There's nothing negative about them online.

No articles, no message boards. Nada, man.

Doesn't seem right.

Yeah. Hell, no, it ain't. I started digging into archives.

Mostly dead links. Stuff that's been completely wiped from the Internet,

and I found a bunch of lawsuits, mostly civil cases,

that either have been settled or abruptly dropped.

Like Rebecca's charges?

Mmm-hmm. A bunch of the cases called for a David Grassley as a witness.

He and his wife, Jana, were both members.

It looks like David prepared the Positive Lights' financial statements,

and he was a signer on all their accounts.

You got an address for me?

Well, that's the thing. David Grassley's dead.

When, how?

Hit-and-run.

Cops never found the driver.

The wife made a big stink

about how the cops were all botching the investigation on purpose,

but she's gone quiet.

Packed up and moved to southern Wyoming.

If she's afraid to talk, we need to send someone there in person

to make her feel comfortable.

- Where exactly in Wyoming? - Cheyenne.

It's less than two hours from Denver. Do you mind...

Talking to Velma and Teddi? I'm on it.

Jackson, I'm Colter Shaw. Someplace we could talk in private?

I'm on gardening duty.

But if you wanna talk, you can help me.

I'm not coming home.

My parents should know that by now.

Your parents didn't even know where you were until last night.

You can tell them I'm fine.

I'm better than fine. I'm happy.

Great. Why don't you tell them yourself?

Seth says I'm at a very a delicate stage of my development.

I don't think that's a good idea.

When the soil is hard like that, you just start shallow, right?

And then you can always go deeper on your second pass.

Makes sense?

- You a gardener, too? - Kinda.

Yeah. My dad taught me. He believed in self-sufficiency.

You gotta be able to feed yourself. Growing own food was part of that.

Seth wants us to be self-sufficient, too.

To know our own strength.

My parents spent their whole lives hovering.

If it were up to them,

I'd still be sleeping in my childhood bedroom.

Huh.

What about all these cameras, though? Isn't that "hovering"?

The people in my stage need more support to stay on the path.

You've got people who check on you, right?

Seth tell you that?

Seth trusts me with important information.

Financial information. Is that right?

I'm not just some numbers-cruncher.

Seth makes me feel like I can do anything I put my mind to.

Does that include walking out the door right now?

I'm not gonna do that.

Why don't you give it a try?

Shallow, then deep. There you go. Easier?

Your dad knew what he was doing.

He knew his way around the outdoors, that's for sure.

He could be very charming. A lot of charisma.

I remember as a kid, when he would look at me,

sometimes it felt like he was just looking right into me.

He sounds like Seth.

When Seth looks at you.

How does it make you feel?

Like I'm free.

Free of all the things that held me back.

It sure wasn't like that with my dad.

He could be mean.

Impossible to please.

I kept trying. I tried until the day he died.

Does that sound familiar?

Seth ever mean?

Jackson? How about Rebecca? Is she ever mean?

They only want what's best for me.

Yeah. Listen, I gotta go.

My number. Okay?

Give me a call. Reach out if you ever wanna talk.

You stay or go,

you decide what's best for you.

Why do you care?

You don't even know me.

I don't know you?

I used to be you.

All right, nice chatting with you. Good luck.

When can we make time for another session, Mr. Shaw?

- We're just getting started. - Yep, I'll see myself out.

[phone vibrates]

I know why you're here, Colter.

Where's Jackson?

He's on a healing retreat. You won't find him.

You kidnapped him because he reached out to me?

No. He went voluntarily.

He gave me your number voluntarily, too. I'm the one who texted you.

I know it's hard to believe because you're naturally suspicious.

But I don't blame you.

Who wouldn't be after your difficult childhood?

You live on the road trying to run away from it,

but you can never really leave it all behind, can you, Colter?

Where'd you take him?

I won't let you pull him back down.

But the door to a new life is always open to you.

But should you choose a different path,

please know that we defend our own, Colter.

We protect them from the wolves

and the darkness that you're trying to bring to Jackson's life.

That a threat?

Oh, I think you know exactly what I mean.

You can go.

But if it were up to me, you'll be gone permanently.

Well, lucky for me you're not in charge, are you?

Do you have Jackson?

[Colter] They got wind of our meet and got him before I arrived.

He's valuable to them. He's the new accountant.

They won't let him go without a fight.

Just like David Grassley.

We just met with his widow Jana.

She said David found out Seth and Rebecca

were draining the bank accounts of their followers,

and when he tried to leave, they killed him.

Jana told us that Seth has photos of the hit-and-run

that killed her husband.

These people film everything. They filmed that.

Seth has physical photos of a murder? Where?

Jana said that the photos were at Seth's office.

It's some instructional center.

They are so paranoid about getting hacked,

that he keeps the files of everyone he's ever met at that office.

Jana say where this instructional center is?

No, they blindfolded her on the way.

She wasn't even sure what direction it was in.

We're sure she's credible?

She was heartbroken, Colter, and she was terrified.

She's seen the photos herself.

Seth showed her the photos to keep her quiet.

Yeah, we both believed her.

I gotta go. I'm being followed.

[horn honks]

I couldn't help but notice you're following me.

Positive Light send you?

Why don't I save you the trouble?

Why don't you take me to the instructional facility

where Seth's office is?

- [grunts] - Thanks for the lift.

Teddi, I found photos of that dashcam video

that show the hit-and-run of that accountant, David Grassley.

I'm sending you a pin right now, you should have it.

Send the cops to the location.

There were arrests. Fraud, bad checks...

Jackson.

We gotta get you out of here. These people are dangerous.

Rebecca told me you'd come.

Yeah. Name David Grassley mean anything to you?

He was the accountant for Positive Light before you.

Look at that.

What is this?

They killed him.

They killed him when he tried to leave Positive Light.

It was a hit-and-run. The cops couldn't figure out who did it.

Somehow, Seth and Rebecca have all the dashcam footage.

- Why do you suppose that is? - I don't know.

This is what they do.

This is what Seth and Rebecca Pendergast

do to their followers when they step out of line.

I don't know a Rebecca Pendergast.

You do. Look.

It's Rebecca. Look, she made a video, here.

Yeah.

I guess, to prove her loyalty to Seth.

- They make all of us testify. - Yeah?

Watch.

[Rebecca] There were arrests.

Fraud, bad checks.

My father disowned me after the second one.

He told everyone he never had children.

Jackson, we gotta go.

She told me her father committed suicide.

I got my first burn because

she said she was sharing a secret with me.

I told you to stay away, Colter.

You should have listened to me.

Step away from him. Security's on its way.

So are the police.

Great. It saves us the trouble of calling them ourselves.

This is the second time you've been caught breaking and entering, Mr. Shaw.

This time, we will be pressing charges.

You lied to me?

Jackson, remember what I told you about this man?

No, he's telling the truth!

- I see that now. - Jackson.

You are shameless,

selfish, murderous,

pieces of...

Don't do it.

Jackson, you okay?

[Seth groans]

[sirens blaring]

This won't solve anything. Your father's still going to haunt you.

[man singing] ♪ It won't Let you down easy ♪

Let's get you home.

♪ It'll let you down With lead weights pulling either side ♪

♪ As you fall under ♪

♪ You'll be fighting for breath With all you've got ♪

♪ As you fall and you flounder ♪

♪ Calling for help won't help you none ♪

♪ You sink into the song ♪

♪ Like a fire drowning In a setting sun ♪

You're gonna be fine.

How do you know?

You'd be surprised how resilient people are.

You're young, you're smart.

You've got people that really love you.

♪ You wanna know what it is? ♪

♪ Love taught me what loneliness is ♪

♪ It taught me how to forgive what ♪

♪ No one should make you Ever really have to forgive ♪

♪ And we all fall behind From time to time ♪

♪ And say "I thought That I was over all of this" ♪

♪ And it is what it is ♪

♪ Love taught me what loneliness is ♪

♪ It taught me how to forgive what ♪

♪ No one should make you ever Really have to forgive ♪

♪ And we all fall behind From time to time ♪

♪ And say, "I thought that I was over all of this" ♪

♪ But I'm not ♪

[theme music playing]