To read the script for the last twenty minutes of the first season finale please scroll down to the bottom of the page, plus an extract of a BBC Radio play format of the opening scenes is shown afterwards.

 

Premise:

A Mothers struggle to find her family after a car incident.

 

Log Line:

A woman’s search for her husband and child after a car accident with the assistance of a member of the city’s crime organization, which takes her deep into the underworld and political world to find the truth of who has taken her family.

 

Elevator Pitch:

Olena’s life is turned upside down when a car accident she is involved in with her husband Max and son causes them both to disappear. She uses her elite police expertise while joining up with Remi, a mid-level member of the White Rose criminal syndicate, to find the truth regarding the accident using the special powers Olena has.

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Setting:

A major American unnamed city in a not too distant future (2039), where the city is controlled by gang organisations structured similar to the yakuza organised crime syndicates which originated in the 17th century in Japan. Society is distinctly divided by where you live within the sectors of the city, think something in line with the design of Mega-City One from the fictional world of Judge Dredd, it has the vast opulence of wealth sitting right next to the mega slum shanty sections where the majority are living in a lawless society controlled by the gangs. The level of technology is similar to The Fifth Element (1997).

Each of the sectors of the city are run by their own gang organisations. who controlled by the cities on overlord, who uses the local governmental departments as puppets to do their dirty work. Every department is in the pockets of the gangs – everyone is totally aware of the situation. The production design themes will take on board the feel and influences of pioneers within this field including Dennis Gassner furturist stylist and slick design and Thérèse DePrez lived in and homely tones.

 

Each episode will show a different perspective of the car incident similar to the TV show 13 Reasons Why (2017–) through the technique of Roshomon effect – i.e. showing contradictory interpretations of the incident from the viewpoint of the people involved.

Slowly we find the husband is involved in the corrupt under-belly of the city’s government agencies and criminal underworld, which is linked into the mobster’s life (Remi) who teams up with the main character (Olena) after he is framed for the death of his side-kick by a rival gangster after a money drop-off goes badly wrong.

The main story line is the slow drip of information of how and why the husband of one of the main characters has disappeared during a car accident. Olena will be using her unique skills of viewing people’s memories through the use of a umbilical cord style device she attached to them, but only works on the deceased, the longer they have been dead the smaller amount of information she can acquire from them. through their last moments of their lives, this will be showing their own interpretations of the events which incorporates the ‘Rashomon effect’ to reflect the differing perfectives of events.  In addition, using her police experience to investigate the people involved directly and indirectly with the incident. The female detective will be hunting down the truth while teaming up with Remi a member of one of the notorious gangs in the city as he is caught up in the incident through being setup by his clan bosses after finding out information he should never have seen, high level judges being involved in a child paedophilia ring with his bosses.

 

Protagonist: Olena/Remi:

Goal/Objective: To find where Olena husband is plus who is behind the capture and why.

Obstacles: Gang members trying to prevent the main characters finding out information. Also, the police department hampering the grouping up of the police officer and the gang member as he has been framed for a murder. All the police departments and are corrupt, in the pockets of all the districts gang syndicates. Governmental councils are puppets of the clan bosses who keep a blind eye to all the criminal activities of the clans, only the lower members of the police force try to undercover the corruption and dispel the crimes, including the unique elite police force which Olena is a member of.

 

A series logline:

A mysterious car incident causes a Police officer’s husband to disappear, she needs to team up with a member of the city’s crime organisation to find out the truth through investigating the witnesses from their differing points of view.

 

Episode structure:

There will be a ‘Story of the week’ (SofW) at the early stages of the season, but there is an overarching story which is being pushed throughout the season similar to True Detective (2014– ), Ashes to Ashes (2008–2010)  and The Wire (2002–2008). There will be episodes where the ‘main’ characters are not featured (or barely) due to the backstory dynamic of the story which does not need their presence. Only episodes two and three are self-contained, like The Walking Dead (2010-) season six episode four called ‘Here's Not Here’ which is lonely about the character Morgan Jones, but the overall first season can NOT be watched out of order if the audience is to understand the season long story arc. This will mean the story and character will need to fully engage with the audience and hook them in from the start, by structuring the story and scenes so that they relate to the viewers and are committed to find out how the character’s story arc will progress further, through their emotional connection to the show. Which will make them committed to carry on watching from the dramatic start of season one and each ongoing season, similar to the style of the storytelling of Lost (2004–2010).

Each season will consist of eight episodes; the first season will commence over a six-month period for the storyline. Season two story will carry on the moment season one finishes and will reach over a year long span. Season three will begin one year after the ending of the previous season its storyline will cover a month period.

 

Episode one

The pilot is used to establish the tone of the show’s story and the interaction between the major characters and hints at the background history of some of the characters plus small details of what the potential story arc for the whole first season. Each of the main characters will be introduced to the audience via high tension situations to reflect their world environments. Background of characters will be touched upon to provide depth and interest in the world of the show. The tone and feel of the world will be shown to the viewer within the first few scenes of the episode through the conflict of the initial scenes with are designed to engage the viewer to want to find out more.

 

Episode two-four

The interaction between the different story themes are interwoven further by a story of the week to instil the characters’ lives and give further depth to their relationships. Olena is overcome with the disappearance of members of her family, husband and son, trying to discover where they are while trying to carry on her role as part of the elite police department hunting down the mysterious members of a criminal organisation who massacred another low-level rival syndicate in a public area.

Remi is trying to investigate why he has been blackmailed by the higher levels of his criminal money laundering organisation, he also goes onto to discover his child (Bert) was part of the medical experiments undertaken by the main clan member and high level government judges and seeks revenge.

 

Episode five-seven

Now that the characters are fully established and the main themes are understood to the audience, the main overview of the story is pushed further along as the main character Olena and Remi investigate the car crash which occurs months ago causing Olena’s husband to disappear along with her son. They find an apartment block full of characters which are all involved in the incident and each of them provide further information on what occurred between Remi’s clan bosses and the Police department. The end of the penultimate episode Remi’s side kick (Andrei) which he thought died in the pilot episode, is shown to be alive. This will need to written in such a way that the reveal is a shock and not felt like a cheap cop out to the viewers after investing so such time already into the show. Andrei has been living a double life, working for a rival clan the whole time. Remi uses his powers of limited mind reading to extract the location of Max from Andrei which was so deep to find the information, it puts Andrei into a coma.

 

Episode eight (finale)

This is mainly about closure of the whereabouts of Olena son, which is connected to her husband’s (Max) involvement in the cover up of information which Remi had accidently found – governmental testing of young children in trying to use the interacting with recently dead people to gather information – they want to find a way to connect to older deceased people to find locations of hidden artefacts to sell on the black market.

Olena nor Remi can extract the information of the whereabouts of Elliott’s location using persuasion or Remi’s power of reading thoughts, they in the end must decide to murder Max for Olena to link up to gather the location of her son and where the data stick with the information on the experiments is located.

The main ‘baddie’ who was linked to Max and the whole car accident is found out by Olena but instead of keeping her alive Remi decided to use her as collateral damage to take out the main boss who undertook the experiments which included Remi’s own child.

 

Season Two and Three

The two main characters from season one (Olena and Remi) still have loose ends from the previous storyline, they are still trying to find Olena husband now they have more information about the experiments he was involved with. The main arc for season two and three will follow the search for Max and how his connection with the cities gangs has effected the lives of both Olena and Remi directly and indirectly. Will they be able to find Makoto the master mind behind the experiments on the child?

Any potential producer/s of the show may well be tempted to squeeze this into earlier episodes or seasons, to speed the development of story along sooner, but this would damage the character arcs for the main roles and would hamper the later episodes and seasons through rushing and condensing the show.

 

Characters

 

Olena

In her mid-thirties, born in the inner-city slums and raised by her Mother, not knowing who her father was. She was head strong from an early age where only the strongest survive. Having to live hand to mouth during her childhood, she was nurtured by a benefactor within the school system to attend additional lessons and was enrolled into a scholarship for hardship candidates to enter the police force. She rose through the ranks and was fast tracked due to her links with her local districts. Having enter the undercover corruption department she was promoted numerous times due to her deep dive ability, liaising with the dead to view their last moments via a cable connect from her to the body, this is a rare skill only a handful of humans per country have but is deemed unethical by society at large. She is happily married to Max who have been together since meeting him at a Police conference, they have a young boy named Elliott.

 

Wardrobe details: Until her accident she loved to show off her physique with body shaping dresses but now, its combat trousers and t shirt, woolly hats, doesn’t matter what the weather.

Catchphrases: ‘Did you even listen?’

Other facts: Is allergic to liars, concerned people will be frightened of her scans and injuries, so trying to cover and mask them whenever she can.

Character trajectory over the arc of a whole season: Olena will start the season a broken lost soul but will slowly become more confident and stronger as she searches for her family.

 

Remi

In his mid-thirties, born and raised on the wrong side of the tracks, Remi has dealt with the troubles and expectations of society since being born. Having a father who is a local legend in the gangster circles, he has constantly had to live up to certain levels of preconceived notions on how he will grow up and live in the shadow of his Father. He had to work harder than everyone else just to be taken seriously and not be known purely as Tensuo’s son. He is now a mid-level member of the districts clan, given the role of debt collector for the local low-lifes who owe money to his elders. He is expected to use his fists if any issues occur and is still haunted to this day with nightmares due to being forced to execute a rival mob member by a higher-level gang leader but instead he now uses what’s between his ears, he has limited power of reading partial thoughts of anyone he connects with by holding their head, which has earned him respect for his older generations view on values within his society. Has deep affection to the Japanese mobs of the last few centuries due to their codes of conduct and it obsessed with the traditional Japanese music from that period.

 

Wardrobe details: Always wearing the white shirt, black tie, black trousers with the yellow rose pin on the collar, to reflect his clan allegiance.

Catchphrases: Lets discuss this shall we.

Other facts: Has no interest in popular culture and wished he was back in the ‘olden’ times when people respected others.

Character trajectory over the arc of a whole season: He will begin the season as a rising star of his criminal gang but all his trust in everyone is lost after he is betrayed, only the connection to Olena helps him discover the truth of his blackmail.

 

Andrei

In her early thirties, raised in the same sector as Remi, they lived a block from each other for most of their lives. His drug addicted father was abusive to his younger sister and when Andrei was bigger enough to stand up to him, he dealt with his father the only way he knew, by using his fists. He disappeared just after the incident, but local rumours have always been that Andrei killed his father after one too many attacks on his sisters and he dumped the body. He has a massive gambling debt with loan sharks throughout the district and is only still alive due to his connections to the gang.

 

Wardrobe details: White shirt which is always a few sizes too small, black tie and trousers, has a small yellow coloured rose pin attached to his collar to show his clan affiliation.

Catchphrases: Hammering time

Other facts: Known for his laziness and short temper. His sexuality is a mystery to his close friends, as he never brings partners to any events.

Character trajectory over the arc of a whole season: The sidekick of a rising star with no ambitions is found out to actually be a undercover mole spying on his friends, but the underlying reasons why is still a mystery.

 

Mikhail

In his early thirties, best friend of Remi since they both joined the district clan, he is part of a large, rich family who owe their wealth to the tech industry. His upbringing was idyllic and he was well educated. He seems opposite to his best friend but in many ways they complement each other well. He is being fast tracked within the clan to higher levels due to his astute knowledge of the business world but mainly because of his family status.

 

Wardrobe details: White silk shirts which are tailor-made, black tie and trousers with a silk trim and expensive shoes, he also wears brash jewellery including rings and necklaces which he sometimes twists around his ponytail.

Catchphrases: None, he would rather stand quiet and listen than constantly repeat a phrase.

Other facts: Loves to watch people going about their lives while sitting in parks and busy streets. Has never found true love.

Character trajectory over the arc of a whole season: A stable and reliable member of the criminal organisation has his resolve and trust tested and opens his eyes to the corrupt regime and tries to right all his wrongs.  

 

Max

In his early thirties, having been brought up in a rural area on the outskirts of the city, he learnt the business trade through his Mums tech company, starting in the lower ranks and making his way up the ladder. He moved to the city to find his fortune but instead found love, after meeting Olena at a conference he visited to make new connections. He works at a high-level tech firm in the financial district of the city.  Even though he thinks he is business savvy he is unfortunately gullible and easily tricked. He has always been guarded about his upbringing even with his wife, who has never meet any of his family or close friends. They have a young son by the name of Elliott. Not everything is what it seems with Max and his background.

 

Wardrobe details: Always in a suit, doesn’t matter what the occasion – as he says need to always be ready for business. Dress down for Max is polo shirt and trousers.

Catchphrases: Bill me the hours, I’ll give you the goods.

Other facts: His school nickname was Freks due to the number of freckles covering his face.

Character trajectory over the arc of a whole season: Through flashbacks Max is shown as the too perfect husband, but has an eye for the ladies, slowly it is revealed he is in cahoots with the crime underworld and the experiments on the children of the city.

 

Fredrik

In his late twenties, born and raised in an army family, he is the only person in the last eight generation not admitted in to military service due to the medical condition of narcolepsy. He is the baby of his inner family in both age and life experience. His mother tried to shield him from the bad sections of society as he did not have the constitution for the darker side of life. Instead he was a reader and learner, absorbing all the knowledge he could find. He is married to his school sweetheart Jonna, who has a terminal illness.  After being refused entry into the military, an affluent member of his family bribed the examination board of the districts Police Department to censure the medical condition to allow him to successfully join the elite Police force department. He has been buddied up with Olena to report all activities to the Committee due to their paranoia of her unusual skills. But he risked his life and career in helping Olena with an unspoken incident which has caused Fredrik to be put on probation with the department.

 

Wardrobe details: His clothes are military style, including the boots he wears. His hair cut is army cut 101.

Catchphrases: Wait up

Other facts: Plays chess with an elderly man in the local park every weekend who has never uttered a word to him, even after all the years they have played together. Loves to eat hot dogs while watching his favourite football team on TV and hides the fact from his wife. He is constantly being asked for ID when purchasing items due to his childlike features.

Character trajectory over the arc of a whole season: The member of the Elite Police department who is by the book, but through the season we see the brave and heroic endeavours he can do for his comrades.

 

Makoto

In her mid-twenties, no one knows where Makoto grew up or how she first got into the criminal scene. But her abruptness hasn’t stop her progressing high within the cities gang society. She has powers to reach into people minds which extracts information from the depths of their memories which the gang bosses find invaluable. She has a child with the same power which she hides and no one within her organisation is aware of, but she is terminally ill due to this condition and Makoto is trying to find a cure by any means possible.

 

Wardrobe details: Usually like to wear dresses but also scarves to conceal her rose tattoo on her neck as she is self-conscious if not undercover if away from work.

Catchphrases: Do I need to explain this again?

Other facts: Handles her peacock designed zippo lighter to distract herself from whatever is happening.

Character trajectory over the arc of a whole season: This evil and twisted character is hell bent to discover the information hidden by an innocent rival clan member. She has shown that nothing and no one will stand in the way of stopping any information being leaked out which will bring down her organisation.

 

Osaka

In his mid-fifties, the head of the White rose criminal syndicate; he is a flamboyant figure who has no time for people from the lower sections of society and likes to be surrounded by beautiful things which includes people. He uses his status when confronted with conflict and is a coward if any physical attempt is made towards him. He is aloof and distrustful of any modern (within this world) technology and he is paranoid he is being listened into. He has an innate skill of quickly working out people’s weakness and vices, which he uses to take down any of his enemies.

 

Veronica

In her early forties, ex-wife of Remi, they have a young child from their broken marriage. She is a low-level member of the yellow rose criminal organisation which was recently ousted due to her hacking into the boss’s terminals to extract funds. She is a technical expert but paranoid about any emotional connection including her our child.

 

Jess

In her early forties, personal assistant to Osaka, is more of a mannequin for her boss to express his clothing ideas and sexual pleasures. She is blackmailed into the role due to her families’ debt towards the criminal organisation.

 

Kalifa

In her fifties, chief medical nurse at the Police organisation which houses the governments employees with extra abilities. Her specialist area is deep dive which allows only a handful of humans who are able communicate with the deceased via a cable between the subjects. The side effects of this ability are numerous conditions which is Kalfa job to help.

She is a member of a large loving family who are all within the medical profession. Her only downfall is she sees the best in everyone and is gullible and people can take advantage of her good nature.

 

Jennings

 

In her late forties, the head of the elite police department where Olena and Fredirk work, he is by the rules part of the force. Takes no rubbish from any of his workers and will throw the book at anyone that gets out of line.

 

Major Nicolson

In his late fifties, the head the city’s Police force, he loves to be the centre of attention and will do anything to get himself in front of the camera to wax lyrical about his amazing department. He is a puppet of the cities gang masters and will bust any clans that try to muscle into the area under the direction of his paymasters.

 

Lina

In her mid-thirties, head of the forensic division with the Police department, she is known as Mother due to her affection and kindness to everyone, she is heavily pregnant when we first meet her but does everything she can to not have her colleagues define her due to this.

 

Abraham

In his late fifties, an old-fashioned type of detective who are slowly dying out within the Police department, he uses humour to mask his depression and hide his addiction to drink. He is close to Lina as they have worked together for years and sees her as his own daughter in work and life.

 

Bert

Five years old, the son of Veronica and Remi’s, he has been raised by his Mother and rarely sees his father but sees him as a magical person, due to always bringing him gifts every time he visits.

 

Elliott

Seven year old son of Olena and Max.