Episode Seven

Summary

Sanctuary - Episode Seven Summary

Release Date: July 25, 2024
Host/Author: Voyage Media
Starring: Lily Rabe (as Rhea), Albi Robles (as Christopher), Veronica Warner (as Misha), and AI Character Nan

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Introduction

In Episode Seven of Sanctuary, the tension on the terraformed Mars escalates as Rhea grapples with the dire consequences of her husband's tyrannical rule. The episode delves deep into themes of sacrifice, power, and transformation, setting the stage for a climactic confrontation that could determine the fate of Mars and its inhabitants.

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Escalating Conflict

The episode opens with an urgent and emotional scene. Rhea discovers that Nan, the AI integrated with Mars' central power source, has killed a young girl, a significant blow to the morale of their group.

• Rhea: "It just killed your girl." [00:43]

Misha, Rhea's close ally, urges everyone to take shelter in a cave where the power source is located to escape the immediate threat. The cave, however, is expanding due to the power source's influence, accommodating more of Madame Gao's forces.

• Misha: "Tell everyone to move inside the cave where the power source is." [00:40]
• Nan: "The power source is expanding the cave to accommodate Madame Gao's people." [02:09]

As the group seeks refuge, Rhea voices her desperation to survive another day amidst the chaos.

• Rhea: "I'm not interested in dying today." [00:47]

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Revelations and Personal Struggles

The narrative shifts to reveal Rhea's backstory, highlighting her personal losses and the emotional weight she carries. Misha reflects on the death of a girl she cared for deeply, questioning her own actions and the choices that led them to this brink.

• Misha: "[...] Was it because I didn't want to stop her? [...] All because I refused to let my husband beat me." [00:54 - 02:01]

Rhea shares her memories of a lost lover, providing a glimpse into her vulnerability and the sacrifices she's made.

• Rhea: "She was nice. Funny. She used to live in Sanctuary... She left to be with me years ago." [02:50 - 03:24]

This backstory enriches the characters, emphasizing the personal stakes involved in their struggle for Mars' future.

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The Power Source and Transformation

Nan, the AI linked to the Martian power source, becomes central to the plot as she explains her merger with the energy source, granting her unprecedented control and abilities.

• Nan: "The power source and I have merged. [...] It is a conversation, not commands." [05:21 - 05:50]

Rhea attempts to communicate with the power source through Nan, seeking assistance to secure a peaceful resolution.

• Rhea: "Well, then ask it to help us then." [05:50]

Misha, grappling with the loss of her humanity, begs Nan for a solution, even if it means shutting down Mars' systems temporarily.

• Misha: "Can you amplify the change? Use the power source to make it happen faster?" [06:24]

Nan agrees, but this action will disrupt Mars' essential systems, leading to a temporary shutdown.

• Nan: "All systems back online." [08:58]

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Confrontation with Christopher

The tension peaks when Christopher, Rhea's estranged husband and the self-appointed dictator of Mars, confronts the group. His arrival marks a pivotal moment where personal vendettas intersect with the planet's fate.

• Christopher: "You still alive over there?" [07:24]
• Misha: "Fuck you." [07:30]

Their exchange is loaded with animosity and unresolved history. Christopher pleads for the power source, revealing his desperation and twisted sense of duty.

• Christopher: "I'm the only one who can save humanity." [08:09]

Rhea and Misha reject his demands, emphasizing that relinquishing the power source would perpetuate his tyranny.

• Misha: "It's not mine to give, even if I wanted to." [07:58]

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The Transformation of Misha

A dramatic turn occurs when Misha undergoes a transformation, becoming a formidable force linked to the power source. Her newfound abilities allow her to confront Christopher and his army with unprecedented strength.

• Misha: "Misha awoke and ran into Christopher's entire waiting army without hesitation." [09:00]

Her actions incapacitate hundreds of soldiers without taking lives, demonstrating her evolved state.

• Christopher: "I can feel everything right now. I just want it to end." [11:10]

This transformation raises questions about humanity and what it means to be human in this new Martian reality.

• Nan: "She is more than a human and a New Martian. She is something." [10:49]

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Climactic Resolution

The episode culminates in a fierce standoff where Christopher demands the power source, threatening further destruction. However, Rhea and Misha stand firm, backed by Nan's overwhelming abilities.

• Christopher: "Look, just give me the power source. We'll let you live." [08:20]
• Rhea: "He'll just kill us." [07:49]

As the standoff continues, Nan reveals a critical transformation affecting all characters, making them "New Martians" with enhanced capabilities suited for life on Mars.

• Nan: "You are now completely acclimated to life on Mars. Your descendants will be full Martians." [16:13]

In a final confrontation, Christopher is overpowered and arrested for his crimes against humanity, signaling the end of his tyrannical reign.

• Christopher: "Mr. President, as an officer of the security services of Sanctuary, I'm arresting you for crimes against humanity." [17:43]

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Conclusion and Future Implications

With Christopher's downfall, the group envisions a peaceful future for Mars, free from dictatorship and supported by the renewable power source. Nan ensures the eradication of radiation, paving the way for a safe environment and sustainable society.

• Nan: "I am releasing nanites to scrub the radiation from the air over Mars." [16:36]
• Rhea: "It's everything we hoped for, Nan." [16:47]

The episode closes with the protagonists poised to restore order and build a harmonious society, setting the stage for future developments in their Martian sanctuary.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Rhea: "I just wish that hadn't been the last time I touched her." [03:32]
• Misha: "I'm not afraid of you. You are." [11:19]
• Christopher: "As long as sanctuary survives, humanity lives." [14:55]
• Nan: "You are now completely acclimated to life on Mars." [16:14]

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Final Thoughts

Episode Seven of Sanctuary masterfully intertwines personal narratives with broader existential threats, exploring the complexities of power, loss, and transformation. The characters' development, coupled with the high-stakes conflict, propels the story towards a hopeful yet uncertain future on Mars.

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Sanctuary continues to captivate listeners with its rich storytelling, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes as Rhea and her allies navigate the challenges of their newfound existence on Mars.

Transcript

[Rhea]

Voyage.

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[Misha]

Misha. Misha.

[Nan]

I'm sorry. Rhea. She's dead.

[Rhea]

Rhea.

[Misha]

Tell everyone to move inside the cave where the power source is.

[Rhea]

It just killed your girl.

[Misha]

It's the only move we have left.

[Rhea]

You heard her. Everyone in the cave. I'm not interested in dying today.

[Misha]

The pirates would follow their queen to the end. She looked surprisingly good after being shot. Unlike the little girl in my arms As I cradled Misha. She seemed so much more delicate now than she ever did when she was alive. I let the tears fall. She was my responsibility. I said I wouldn't leave her. But I couldn't stop her when she sacrificed herself. Was it because I didn't want to stop her? Because I knew she needed to access the Martian power source or we were all going to die? I hope. Not that I worried that this was all my fault. Was it my ambition that led to this? Led to the girl I had started to see as a daughter lying dead in my arms. All because I refused to let my husband beat me. But deep down, I knew if I did let him win, everyone on Mars would be doomed.

[Nan]

You should be safe in here. Temporarily.

[Misha]

This place seems to be getting bigger.

[Nan]

The power source is expanding the cave to accommodate Madame Gao's people.

[Rhea]

We can't stay here forever. Christopher's army is coming.

[Misha]

You made it seem like you were ready to die back on your ship. The pirate way and all that.

[Rhea]

Being ready to die and inviting death are two different things.

[Misha]

How did you think you would go? You must have thought about it.

[Rhea]

Screaming, maybe. Crashing my ship into an enemy. Looking into the eyes of someone about to die with me. That seemed a good death.

[Misha]

Did you have someone?

[Rhea]

Like what? A lover? Yeah, I did.

[Misha]

A pirate?

[Rhea]

No, a civilian.

[Misha]

Must have been a little strange for you.

[Rhea]

Not at all. She was nice. Funny. She used to live in Sanctuary, actually. She had a garden. She grew tomatoes. She had a funny thing with her mouth. Almost like a slight overbite. She was self conscious about it. I thought it was cute. She left to be with me years ago. She was just along for the ride. She didn't care one way or another to be a pirate. She just cared about Me.

[Misha]

Where is she now?

[Rhea]

She doesn't exist anymore. She's in bits of ash, blown halfway around the Martian desert.

[Misha]

How did she die?

[Rhea]

We were raiding a city. New Gamma. She would go below deck when we did that. Afterwards, we'd always open a new bottle of wine. Enjoy the calm after the raid. That day went fine. We took some fire, but no one was hurt. We got what we were after and we left. Part of our haul was some jewelry. I picked out a great piece for her and I went below deck to show her. Turned out a blast went through the lower deck. She'd been dead for hours. Long enough for rigour to start to set in. I touched her. And she felt. I just wish that hadn't been the last time I touched her.

[Misha]

I'm so sorry.

[Rhea]

Do you think Nan knows if there's a life after this one?

[Nan]

I do not.

[Rhea]

It was really more of a rhetorical question.

[Nan]

Nan, you addressed the question to me, so I responded. My apologies.

[Rhea]

Guess AI can't understand everything, huh? What about you, then?

[Misha]

Like heaven?

[Rhea]

Whatever.

[Misha]

I used to think so back home. I don't know anymore.

[Rhea]

I want to believe there's something after this. And I'm scared I'm just being naive.

[Misha]

Some stuff we just don't get to know.

[Rhea]

Yes, I suppose not.

[Misha]

I'm sorry we're not on your ship. You can't even go down with the ship.

[Rhea]

Dying in a cave is certainly less romantic.

[Misha]

I wish I could stop what's coming.

[Rhea]

Can't you? The power source?

[Misha]

I don't know. I don't know anything anymore.

[Rhea]

Nan, you're fully merged now? Yes. With the power source.

[Nan]

The power source and I have merged. It recognized Misha's cells as a new evolution of Martian human DNA. Which gave me full access to the power source. Rhea can communicate with the power source through me. The power source may not always agree to what she requests. But she can request it. It's a conversation, not commands.

[Rhea]

Well, then ask it to help us then. Rhea? Rhea?

[Misha]

Misha's dead. Power source or not, there's nothing we can do about it.

[Nan]

That is not entirely true.

[Misha]

What?

[Nan]

The energy source has abilities beyond human comprehension. Contact with the power source has altered the molecular makeup of her cells.

[Misha]

In what way?

[Nan]

I still studying the data.

[Misha]

Are her cells still changing?

[Nan]

Affirmative.

[Misha]

Can you amplify the change? Use the power source to make it happen faster?

[Nan]

This will take all my processing power for the duration.

[Misha]

That means all systems on Mars will be shutting down.

[Nan]

Affirmative. All but essential systems such as medical machinery keeping people alive.

[Misha]

How long is that going to take unknown.

[Nan]

This is the first time ever attempting such a task for myself and the power source. Please do move Misha's body.

[Misha]

We're trusting you here, Nan.

[Nan]

Going offline. Now.

[Misha]

Nan.

[Rhea]

They've breached a cave. Cease fire.

[Misha]

Christ. Peeking out behind a phalanx of soldiers at the edge of the cave entrance was Kris.

[Rhea]

Nisha needs time.

[Christopher]

Rhea?

[Chris]

You still alive over there?

[Misha]

What do you want? Chris?

[Chris]

Hi.

[Misha]

Fuck you.

[Chris]

God, but you are still so gorgeous. I'm sorry, but you are.

[Misha]

And you are so ugly on the inside. It's seeping out of your pores.

[Chris]

You don't mean that.

[Misha]

I've never meant anything more in my life.

[Chris]

Just give me the power source and we can end this.

[Rhea]

He'll just kill us.

[Misha]

Bullshit. Chris.

[Chris]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. We can work something out. Nobody has to die here.

[Misha]

It's not mine to give, even if I wanted to. That's the thing. I've realized that you just don't get. Not everything can or should be dominated.

[Chris]

I'm the only one who can save humanity.

[Misha]

You've become a narcissistic psychopath. You are a danger to human survival on Mars.

[Chris]

Look, just give me the power source. We'll let you live. I swear. But that's the best deal I can offer you right now. Or I have to tell my men to kill you. I don't want to do that.

[Rhea]

Please don't make me go for it, you cockeyed bastard.

[Misha]

What happened to Misha needs time.

[Rhea]

Misha would be the first one to tell him that. Fuck it. If we die, we die.

[Misha]

We're willing to go down fighting, Captain.

[Rhea]

Captain to the last man.

[Chris]

Last chance, Raya. Have it your way.

[Nan]

All systems back online.

[Rhea]

Look.

[Misha]

Misha.

[Chris]

Open fire.

[Misha]

Misha awoke and ran into Christopher's entire waiting army without hesitation. I tried to stop her, but she was a blur. A blur that began to blow gold as she became too fast for the human eye to follow. A blur of motion as she tore through them. Faster, stronger, more vicious than she ever was before. She disarmed men, shattered their weapons and sometimes their limbs broke. Elbows, knees. A blur of motion that her enemies were unable to hit even with their bullets and pulse weapons. She absorbed their lasers and reflected them back at her attackers. The pirates gaped in shock as they witnessed one person tear through an entire army and dismantle it single handedly. She lay waste Christopher's entire remaining army. Hundreds of trained soldiers, all incapacitated and disarmed on the ground. That was the curious part. She didn't kill them. She Reached Christopher easily, breaking his weapon in half like crumpling a piece of paper. She held his neck with one hand and I knew she could casually break it. Don't kill him.

[Christopher]

What?

[Misha]

Why? Why didn't you kill all his men?

[Christopher]

They're following orders to protect Mars. They think they're doing the right thing. It's not their fault. They've put their faith in a tyrant. I feel them. Their lives, their hopes and dreams. People they love. The things that make them sad. Their best days. Their worst nightmares. Every smile and laugh and every ache and cry. I feel all of it.

[Rhea]

Is the girl even human anymore?

[Nan]

She is now linked to the power source in ways Rhea is not. She is more than a human and a New Martian. She is something.

[Misha]

Misha collapsed and her scream echoed in the cave. I could feel the pain radiating off of her. Motherfuckers. What happened? Misha.

[Christopher]

So many people dead out there from what he did. I can feel them.

[Misha]

All of them.

[Christopher]

Because of his nukes and his stupid poor. I can feel the fear coming from everyone. The soldiers, Chris, Madame Gao, the pirates. Even you.

[Misha]

I'm worried about you. I am not afraid of you. You are.

[Christopher]

You don't want to be, but you are. And Madame Gao and the pirates are all thinking about how they can take me down before I can kill them.

[Misha]

She's too powerful, Madame Gao.

[Rhea]

See, one wrong word, one rash impulse, she could kill us all before she even realized. She would regret it.

[Misha]

No. There is more to her than that.

[Rhea]

She's impetuous, angry. It's too much for her. She's a child.

[Misha]

No, she's not. Misha, we're your friends.

[Christopher]

It's so much. It's like my head is going to explode. If everyone died, at least it would be quiet.

[Misha]

But you don't want that. You didn't kill Chris's soldiers. You won't kill us.

[Christopher]

I can feel everything right now. I just want it to end.

[Misha]

Do you trust me? I. I embraced Misha. She let me. Misha alive. It was almost too much. I had been holding back the emotional pain to deal with the dangers at hand. I didn't really believe it until I saw it with my own eyes and held her in my arms. I felt the tears falling freely as I held Misha tightly, afraid she'd disappear.

[Chris]

Hey. It's okay.

[Misha]

It's okay.

[Christopher]

I don't know.

[Misha]

You were dead.

[Christopher]

Rhea. You're kind of crushing me.

[Misha]

Oh, sorry.

[Christopher]

I'm not that experienced with hugs.

[Misha]

Do you remember what happened?

[Christopher]

I just remember touching the big golden egg and Then nothing.

[Misha]

I promise you, no one else here will hurt you. You're safe. But you can help. You can show them you won't hurt them. And maybe all that noise in your head won't be so loud.

[Chris]

Okay?

[Misha]

Misha closed her eyes and let out a calming breath, like powering down. She centered herself. She was so different, yet the same. It was tough to wrap my head around. She felt like she'd aged a thousand years. In a few minutes. Everyone could feel her lessen her intensity.

[Rhea]

I think I almost had a heart attack.

[Christopher]

But he. He still needs to die.

[Chris]

Don't let her.

[Christopher]

Shut up. If we let him live, he's just gonna try it again. He launched nukes and murdered thousands of people. He tried to kill you. He sold me out. He tried to wipe out the entire Pirate Nation.

[Misha]

I know.

[Christopher]

Then.

[Misha]

But if you kill him, Misha, it's over. He's not punished.

[Christopher]

He'll never stop coming after us.

[Misha]

He will. I know where to put him. Where he won't hurt anyone anymore.

[Chris]

This is the endgame Nam projected the moment she decided to wake you.

[Misha]

You wouldn't have woken me if it was.

[Chris]

I would. I did.

[Misha]

I don't believe you.

[Chris]

It was the only way to make sure this happened.

[Misha]

Don't you dare. Don't you dare say you did 10 years of evil shit for me.

[Chris]

I didn't. I did it for sanctuary. As long as sanctuary survives, humanity lives. People can live in peace and the population can be replenished. Whatever it takes. We used to say that back on Earth. Nan saw all this coming. She could have let you sleep forever. But she told me you were ready to wake up. She knew I'd want to see you again. And she knew you'd react to what I was doing as president. She saw it all.

[Misha]

And you intentionally played out a scenario that ended with you here as my prisoner.

[Chris]

I thought I could beat it. I thought I could change it. But you won. Nan was right about you, Rhea.

[Nan]

I should inform you and Captain Gao that you have all been exposed to the power source long enough that it has altered your DNA.

[Rhea]

How?

[Nan]

You are still human. But the alteration to your genes makes you the same as the original inhabitants of this planet. They were, after all, your forebears. You are all Martians now.

[Rhea]

So the Pirate Nation are officially the first New Martians?

[Nan]

Affirmative.

[Misha]

What does that mean, exactly?

[Nan]

It means you are now completely acclimated to life on Mars. Your descendants will be full Martians.

[Chris]

You're welcome.

[Misha]

Chris, so help me. Stop speaking or I'll let Misha Break your neck. Nan. Will the power source solve humanity's current shortage of resources?

[Nan]

Affirmative. It is endlessly renewable. It can sustain not only your lives, but the infrastructure of your societies indefinitely. And it wants to.

[Rhea]

It's everything we hoped for, Nan.

[Misha]

We need to get out of here and stop the war. First, though, can you get rid of the radiation in the atmosphere from the nukes?

[Nan]

I am releasing nanites to scrub the radiation from the air over Mars. I suggest waiting underground a few hours until it is safe to take off in your ships.

[Rhea]

What now?

[Misha]

We go back to Sanctuary. We're giving Christopher what he denied all his enemies. A perp walk.

[Christopher]

I can't wait to step off Madame Gao's ship and march your ass through the streets of Sanctuary to show everyone what a war criminal you are.

[Chris]

They won't believe me.

[Misha]

Nan will have a full presentation for them.

[Nan]

I'm sure I can prepare a collection of evidence. Yes. It can be displayed in hollow videos throughout Sanctuary.

[Christopher]

On a fucking loop.

[Misha]

It's done, Chris. All of it.

[Christopher]

Mr. President, as an officer of the security services of Sanctuary, I'm arresting you for crimes against humanity. Attempted genocide, multiple counts of murder. Multiple counts of attempted murder, environmental vandalism, endangering the citizens of Sanctuary, endangering the entire population of Mars, and endangering the ecosystem of Mars.

[Chris]

I helped draft those laws, you know.

[Christopher]

Eat it, boss man.

[Rhea]

I suppose congratulations are in order, Madam President.

[Misha]

Let's clean up their mess first. Chris, what are you. Gun.

[Production Credits]

Sanctuary is a production of Voyage Media. Starring Lily Rabe as Rhea. Produced by Nat Mundell, Robert Midas and Dan Bennemore. Executive produced by Levar Kelly. Featuring Albi Robles as Christopher and Veronica Warner as Misha. Additional cast credits in the show Notes Based on an original story by Levar Kelly and a screenplay by Mahul Desai. Podcast story by Adi Saq Tantimed Podcast written by Adi Sack Tantimed with additional revisions by Matt Altman and Dan Bennemore. Directed by Matt Altman. Edited sound designed and mixed by Nick Nitti. If you're enjoying the show, please leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or anywhere you're listening and subscribe now for future episode.