DARK SKIES: THE ENEMY WITHIN (TV)
Summary
One in this series of science fiction dramas in which John Loengrad, a college graduate in the early '60s, discovers a secret U.S. organization's plan to mask an alien invasion, then battles government agents and extraterrestrials to expose the truth.
In this episode, which begins on Aug. 19, 1964, in Fresno, California, John and Kimberly listen to a diner's TV as the newscaster states that the Warren Commission is still investigating President Kennedy's death. John tells Kim that they're out of money, which is why they've traveled to his family home, where he'll cash in his childhood saving bonds.
Upon reaching the Loengard farm, John is embraced by his parents, Dick and Jo, as well as his younger sister, Lucy. However, John's older brother, Ray, shows immediate discomfort over John's return. The relationship becomes more strained at dinner, after which Lucy tells Kim that Ray has been uncomfortable with John ever since John saved him from drowning as a child and became Dick's favored son.
In Washington D.C., Steele kills a government agent and infiltrates Majestic-12 headquarters. Once inside, Steele attempts to steal the agency's files on John, but is caught by Albano. Albano shoots and wounds Steele, who escapes into the complex. Bach then begins an exhaustive attempt to flush Steele out.
The next day, John tries to reconnect with Ray, following Ray to the spot where he almost drowned. During the conversation, John realizes that Ray has been implanted and is one of the Hive. He confirms from Lucy that Ray recently came back late from a camping trip. John deduces that Ray was attacked in the woods as a means of converting someone close to him. Later, John tells Kim that they must immediately remove the ganglion creature from Ray's body, before it takes complete control.
That night in the barn, John and Kim hear Ray plotting John's death with the Hive. When John tries to overpower Ray and extract the creature, Ray battles both Kim and John. Dick intervenes, after which John discloses everything about the alien invasion, and how Ray's mind is no longer his own. Dick pretends to pledge his help, but he instead has John committed to a mental asylum.
Back on the East Coast, Steele sews up his wound and evades capture. He gets off the Majestic base, despite Bach's intense efforts. Steele then flies to Fresno to help kill John. Upon arriving at the farm, Steele is told by Ray which hospital John is in. But Steele realizes that Ray must first touch the orb to make him completely under Hive control.
Kim goes to the hospital, where she meets Lucy and convinces her to switch IDs. After spotting Majestic agents outside, Kim claims to be a family member to gain entrance to John's room. There, John and Kim overtake the guard and escape, with Lucy assisting in their getaway.
Rushing back to the farm, John and Kim go to the river and find Steele trying to make Ray touch the orb. Despite Steele's demands, Ray refuses, and won't kill John. Steele takes the gun and shoots, but Ray jumps in front of the bullet. Ray dies in John's arms, just as Dick arrives and shoots Steele, who falls into the river. A heartbroken Dick apologizes for not believing John's claims, and urges John and Kim to flee. As Majestic agents arrive on the scene, Dick confronts Bach, who opts not to admit that he's also a father.
As John and Kim drive off, John realizes that everything has come "full circle" since Ray saved his life, just as he had once saved Ray's. Suddenly, a car forces John and Kim's vehicle to pull over. Mistakenly assuming that Majestic agents are the culprits, the two are shocked to discover the identity of who is now pursuing them. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: January 11, 1997 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:52243
- GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1996-1997
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Bryce Zabel … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- James D. Parriott … Executive Producer
- Brent V. Friedman … Supervising Producer, Created by, Writer
- Steve Aspis … Supervising Producer
- Steve Beers … Supervising Producer
- Brad Markowitz … Producer, Writer
- Tim McHugh … Visual Effects Producer
- Mark R. Schilz … Co-Producer
- Bernie Laramie … Co-Producer
- Robert Parigi … Associate Producer
- Jim Charleston … Director
- Michael Hoenig … Music by
- Eric Close … Cast, John Loengard
- Megan Ward … Cast, Kimberly Sayers
- J.T. Walsh … Cast, Captain Frank Bach
- Tim Kelleher … Cast, Jim Steele
- Conor O'Farrell … Cast, Lt. Commander Phil Albano
- Sean O'Bryan … Cast, Ray Loengard
- Kent McCord … Cast, Dick Loengard
- Joan McMurtrey … Cast, Jo Loengard
- Dorie Barton … Cast, Lucy Loengard
- Mike Kennedy … Cast, Allen Dulles
- Terry Bozeman … Cast, Robert Goodwin
- Tim Choate … Cast, Jeff Gale
- Don Pugsley … Cast, Earl Jarvis
- Terry Woodberry … Cast, Agent Cooper
- Ed Beechner … Cast, Deputy
- Annie O'Donnell … Cast, Waitress
- Anthony Medwetz … Cast, Young John
- Tyler Inloes … Cast, Young Ray
- Lewis Lackos … Cast, Man in Black #6
- Gregory Harrison … Cast, Old John's Voice
- John F. Kennedy