Mrs Kernof
Good evening, Father.
Season 5 · Episode 17
All Souls
Character-labelled dialogue prepared from the official DVD subtitle track.
Production code5X17Original airdate · April 26, 1998
278 dialogue entries
Scene 01
Scene 01
Father McCue
Is she ready?
Mrs Kernoff
Yes.
Father McCue
Baptism is the rite of initiation. This holy water takes away original sin. The sacrament confers the grace of god, bringing the soul into god's family. Dara, I baptize you in the name of the Father... And of the son... And of the holy spirit. Bless you, my child.
[ thunderclap ]
[ clock chiming ]
[ thunder rumbling ]
Lance Kernof
Dara? Oh, my god. Dara! Dara! Dara! Dara! Dara? Oh, my god. Dara! No!
Scene 02
ST JOHN'S CHURCH
Dana Scully
Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been several months since my last confession.
Priest
You have a sin to confess?
Dana Scully
Father, I'm an FBI agent. I've taken it as my code and purpose to uphold the law. To save lives.
Priest
And now your work has come in conflict with your faith.
Dana Scully
In a way. I was here for easter services last week, and Father McCue approached me for my help.
Priest
Why did he come to you?
Dana Scully
Because there was a family that he felt needed my help. But it was more than that. Father, I had a daughter who died... A strange and sudden death several months ago.
Priest
Father McCue thought that by helping these people... You might in some way help yourself... To come to terms with your grief.
Dana Scully
Yes.
Priest
But you haven't.
Dana Scully
Father, I told you that I had a sin to confess. But the sin of which I'm guilty, I'm not sure if you can offer forgiveness.
Priest
What is the sin?
Dana Scully
An innocent girl is dead because of me. I could've saved her life, but I let her die.
Father McCue
Thank you so much.
Parishioner
Nice to see you. Happy easter, Father.
Father McCue
Yes, Father. Happy easter to you.
Parishioner
Good to see you. Wonderful sermon.
Scene 03
EASTER SUNDAY
Father McCue
Dana, do you have a moment? I'd like to speak with you in private. I must say, Dana, it's been nice seeing you at mass again. I've almost started getting used to it.
Dana Scully
I've been trying to make an effort to come more often.
Father McCue
I don't mean to take advantage of your attendance, but I've become involved in a difficult situation... With a couple that are also members here. Do you know the kernofs?
Dana Scully
No, I'm afraid I don't.
Father McCue
Recently, they lost their daughter, dara. You may have heard about the situation.
Dana Scully
No, I didn't.
Father McCue
The circumstances of the girl's death were sudden, and I'm afraid the police haven't been able to tell them much.
Dana Scully
Are you asking for my help?
Father McCue
The kernofs are devout, but their faith is giving them little comfort. I thought with your background, your words might carry a certain weight. Can I tell them you'll be visiting?
Scene 04
Scene 04
Mrs Kernoff
That's dara on her 16th birthday. We couldn't have children of our own. I persuaded Lance six years ago to adopt. At first he was reluctant to accept a special-needs child, but he became so attached to her. Then, this happens. You make the choice never imagining something like this... Or how vulnerable you are. Dara had just been baptized. I know in my heart she's gone to a better place, but Lance is angry. Angry at god. They say time heals.
Dana Scully
Um, Father McCue said that you've been having trouble... Getting much information about what might have happened to her.
Mrs Kernoff
They say now she may have been struck by lightning, but no one seems to know for sure. How she even got out of the house onto the street is a mystery.
Dana Scully
What do you mean?
Mrs Kernoff
Dara suffered from congenital spinal deformities. She's been wheelchair-bound her whole life.
Dana Scully
Could somebody have taken her out of her room?
Mrs Kernoff
Lance saw her walking, and when he found her, she was on her knees praying. I think that's the hardest part for my husband. He'll never understand how god could... Forsake the life of an innocent girl; how god, in his mercy could let this happen to our dara.
Dana Scully
Mrs. Kernof was talking about her husband, but she might as well have been talking about me.
Priest
You, too, were angry at god?
Dana Scully
I felt drawn to these people, Father, in a very personal way. I was determined to help them understand why their daughter had been taken.
Priest
And did you?
Dana Scully
As much as I have my faith, Father, I am a scientist... Trained to weigh evidence. But science only teaches us how. Not why.
Scene 05
Scene 05
Coroner
If you want me to stand by my report, I will, but I have to say it's not exactly open and shut on the cause of death.
Dana Scully
You think it was lightning?
Coroner
I'm guessing it was lightning. The way her eyes were burned... Suggests the bolt may have gone to ground, right through the top of her head. Funny thing is, there was no other sign of arcing, except for the face.
Dana Scully
Her mother said that she was found in a kneeling position.
Coroner
Genuflecting. Are you a religious person?
Dana Scully
Why do you ask?
Coroner
I haven't been to church since I was a kid, but I went last sunday. I'm gonna show you something. Her body was rigored such that I had to do my examination... In the position she was found. I've never seen anything like it.
Dana Scully
Looks like there was surgery done on her hands.
Coroner
She was polydactyl. Same with her feet. I haven't asked her parents yet, haven't had the heart to, but I assume they had the extra fingers removed.
Dana Scully
What's the connection?
Coroner
I found no other evidence of any other tissue damage... Or electrical burns or any other serious trauma. It's as if god himself struck her down.
Dana Scully
Dara Kernof was adopted. I don't suppose that you've requested any information about the birth mother.
Coroner
I can do that if you like.
Dana Scully
No, that's okay. I, uh-- I have someone I can ask. Somebody I'd like to confer with, actually.
Scene 06
STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
Orderly
Koklos. Paula koklos. Room 213. We'll get her things packed up and get you on your way.
Starkey
Hold it! Just hold it. Are you Father Gregory?
Father Gregory
Yes.
Starkey
I'm aaron Starkey with the department of social services. And that's me.
Father Gregory
Give it to me here then and we'll be on our way.
Starkey
I can't, at least not yet. I've just been assigned to paula, so I'll need time to familiarize myself with her case.
Father Gregory
Look, I've already been through all this. I'm here to take the girl home.
Starkey
I'm sorry, Father, but you'll have to wait... Until I can get the paperwork in order.
[ phone ringing ]
Scene 07
Scene 07
Dana Scully
Hello.
Fox Mulder
Hey, Scully. I'm returning your call.
Dana Scully
Hi. Uh, something's come up. I was hoping that you could do me a favor.
Fox Mulder
What's going on?
Dana Scully
This isn't official FBI business, so I was hoping that we could keep it outside of work.
Fox Mulder
Hey, look, I'm kind of tailing a possible suspect right now, so I'm kind of rushed, so, uh--
Dana Scully
I need some birth and adoptive records on a dara Kernof.
Fox Mulder
Who?
Dana Scully
Dara Kernof. I can't tell you much more than that, Mulder. I'm sorry.
Fox Mulder
You want to give me a hint? Anything?
Dana Scully
Not until you get me those records.
Fox Mulder
All right. I'll talk to you later.
Scene 09
Scene 09
Fox Mulder
Scully? Aren't you the secret squirrel.
Dana Scully
What do you mean?
Fox Mulder
Got a look at that body they wheeled out of here. You've been holding out.
Dana Scully
Mulder, it's not what you think. I didn't want to involve you. I got asked to look into this as a favor for a family.
Fox Mulder
Dara Kernof's family?
Dana Scully
You found dara's records?
Fox Mulder
No. Those are her birth records. The adoption records have been sealed.
Dana Scully
I think one of my questions has already been answered. Dara was a twin.
Fox Mulder
No. Actually, she was a quadruplet, one of four girls. Was this cross found like this?
Dana Scully
Yes, as far as I know. Why?
Fox Mulder
It's inverted. Upside-down. That's a protest, a sacrilege against the church.
Dana Scully
Put there by whom?
Fox Mulder
It's your case, remember, Scully? Do you have any suspects?
Dana Scully
Not as of this time.
Fox Mulder
Could the victim have placed it?
Dana Scully
Uh, it's doubtful. Paula koklos was severely impaired... Physically and mentally, as was dara Kernof.
Fox Mulder
They both died the same way?
Dana Scully
It appears that their eyes were burnt out. Their bodies frozen in a position of prayer.
Fox Mulder
Their physical deformities could account for that.
Dana Scully
They might.
Fox Mulder
Look, Scully, I know you don't really want my help on this, but can I offer you my professional opinion? You got a bona fide, super-crazy religious wacko on your hands.
Dana Scully
What makes you so sure?
Fox Mulder
The mote in the eye, the eyes as the window to the soul, eye for an eye. He's working from ancient scripture, ancient text, maybe even the bible. He may even think he's doing god's work.
Starkey
Did you find anything? My name is aaron Starkey. I'm the social worker assigned to paula koklos. This is so tragic. I just hope you catch whoever did this.
Dana Scully
Mr. Starkey, do you know if that cross over there belonged to paula?
Starkey
I don't remember seeing it before. I'm sure it didn't.
Dana Scully
Did she have any visitors or anybody who might have left it behind?
Starkey
Well, she had no family. No friends, really. I don't know if you knew this, but paula was about to be adopted.
Dana Scully
By who?
Scene 10
Scene 10
Fox Mulder
Scully, look at this. The gnostic gospels, book of enoch, book of "j," [ breathing ] apocrypha. I'm surprised there's nothing here from jesus christ superstar.
Dana Scully
What kind of church is this?
Fox Mulder
There's no telling.
Father Gregory
Can I help you?
Dana Scully
Father Gregory?
Father Gregory
Yes.
Dana Scully
I'm Dana Scully. We're here about the death of paula koklos.
Father Gregory
Oh, god, no.
Dana Scully
Are you all right, Father?
Father Gregory
I was trying to adopt paula. I'm sure you knew that.
Fox Mulder
We hear you were very anxious to do so.
Father Gregory
I-I hope to god you're not suggesting I had something to do with it.
Fox Mulder
Why adopt her?
Father Gregory
You think I was interested in harming her?
Fox Mulder
Why adopt her?
Father Gregory
I-I was trying to protect her. I knew her mother.
Dana Scully
Do you know where she is?
Father Gregory
Yes.
Dana Scully
We were looking for her name. It's not listed on the girls' birth records.
Father Gregory
Why would you want it?
Dana Scully
The other two girls may be in danger. We're hoping that she might be able to help us find them.
Father Gregory
Their mother died in childbirth.
Dana Scully
Can you give us a name?
Father Gregory
When I was a Priest in the roman church, before I founded my own, I was her confessor. Divulging her name would violate the code of my faith. And yours, I see.
Fox Mulder
You said you wanted to protect paula. From what?
Father Gregory
Whatever your intentions, your secular prejudices blind you from seeing what's really happening here. Two girls are dead, not by the hand of man. Unless you accept the truth of god's teachings... That there is a struggle between good and evil for all souls... And that we are losing that struggle, you're but fools rushing in. You put your own lives in danger, as well as the lives of the messengers. I have nothing more to say.
Dana Scully
I brought agent Mulder on the case to help temper my feelings; to keep them from clouding my judgment. I wouldn't admit it to him, but... As we stood there, I felt as if Father Gregory were speaking directly to me... In a language only I could understand.
Priest
The messengers.
Dana Scully
Yes.
Scene 11
Scene 11
Fox Mulder
I know people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, blah, blah, blah, but that guy is paranoid.
Dana Scully
I think you're a little extreme in your judgment, don't you, Mulder?
Fox Mulder
All that crap about the fight for all souls, the literature we saw, the performance we just witnessed, it all fits. He thinks he's doing god's laundry.
Dana Scully
Well, he said this wasn't done by the hand of man. You think he believes that too?
Fox Mulder
If he does, he's even more dangerous than he appears. Even if he's not your killer, he is hiding something.
Dana Scully
What?
Fox Mulder
He says he knew the mother, but he won't give up her name. Maybe she's still alive. I think you have enough to bring him in for questioning, if not make an arrest.
Dana Scully
But, basically, you're ruling out any element of the supernatural.
Fox Mulder
What do you mean?
Dana Scully
Well, dara Kernof was baptized on the day of her death. She was sanctified by the ritual sacrament, submerged in the spirit.
Fox Mulder
And why would god allow this to happen? Why do bad things happen to good people? Religion has masqueraded as the paranormal since the dawn of time... To justify some of the most horrible acts in history.
Dana Scully
I was raised to believe that god has his reasons, however mysterious.
Fox Mulder
He may have his reasons, but seems to use psychotics to carry out his job orders. You wanna find who did this? I suggest you autopsy the body before it's interred; before the man who killed her has a chance to find her sisters.
Scene 12
Scene 12
Dana Scully
The victim is paula koklos, age 16, cause of death unknown. I'll begin with the external examination. Victim has signs of congenital physical defects, including four supernumerary digits. The only indications of external trauma are the burning, by means unknown, of both globes of the eyes. I'm noting something on the shoulder, a bony process of some kind, possibly a tumorous mass. No indication of surgical procedure. The mass appears on both the right and left clavicle. Oh, god.
Emily
Mommy? Mommy, please.
Dana Scully
I told myself that it was all in my head, a hallucination brought on by my emotional connection to the case.
Priest
That would seem to be a reasonable explanation.
Dana Scully
But that's not what it was, Father. I was meant to see Emily... For a purpose.
Priest
Which was?
Dana Scully
To save these girls.
Scene 13
Scene 13
Fox Mulder
Hey, Scully, it's me. I did a little more digging on those adoption records.
Dana Scully
What do you mean?
Fox Mulder
I think I got a lead on that third sister.
Dana Scully
Where?
Fox Mulder
She was under county care ten years ago. Apparently, she wandered into a teen crisis center here in D.C. Last week homeless. That guy over at social services, Starkey, he's helping me canvass the area.
Dana Scully
If she shares anything with her sisters, she wouldn't be walking anywhere far.
Fox Mulder
What did you find?
Dana Scully
There's evidence of a degenerative bone disease. And I know you're gonna think that I'm crazy, but I swear I found evidence of something winglike.
Fox Mulder
Well, then maybe she flew here, Scully.
Dana Scully
Mulder, there's something else.
Fox Mulder
Hold that thought and tell it to me and Father Gregory when you see us. Stop right there! Move into the light! Move into the light! Hands where I can see 'em!
Father Gregory
We're too late.
Fox Mulder
Where's the girl?
Father Gregory
She's dead.
Fox Mulder
Where is she?
Father Gregory
In there.
[ wings flapping ]
Scene 14
Scene 14
Fox Mulder
What are you asking for, Father? Mercy or forgiveness? You know, they say when you talk to god, it's prayer, but when god talks to you, it's schizophrenia. What is your god telling you, Father?
Father Gregory
I pray for the girls' souls.
Fox Mulder
You pray for their souls now. That's convenient.
Father Gregory
I'm immune to your mockery. You're not interested in the truth.
Fox Mulder
I am only interested in the truth. I would like to know why you did what you did... To three defenseless, helpless young girls. What in your sick mind would possess you to burn their eyes out? Did they see you for who you are, like I do? What does this mean, Father?
Father Gregory
Tell him what it is. St. Peter. You know the story. St. Peter on the cross.
Dana Scully
St. Peter would only be crucified upside down... Out of humility towards christ.
Father Gregory
I've risked my life to protect their precious souls, which the devil has sought to claim for his own. He took two before I could reach them, and I was too late to save the third.
[ door opens ]
Guard
Agents Mulder and Scully?
Father Gregory
You know. You've already guessed what they are. The last one is still out there. The devil is here, and if he finds her, his victory will be complete.
Fox Mulder
Scully, they think they found the fourth girl.
Father Gregory
As long as I'm in here, there's no one to protect her. Let me go... Or she will die.
Priest
You believed him.
Dana Scully
Yes.
Priest
But you didn't tell your colleague.
Dana Scully
He believed that he could find the last girl. But I already knew that I was meant to save her.
Priest
From what?
Dana Scully
I wasn't sure. Father Gregory said that the devil claimed the lives of the first three girls.
Priest
You don't believe that.
Dana Scully
I know now that Father Gregory was mistaken. The devil didn't take their souls, but the threat to those girls was real... And Father Gregory gave his life to protect them.
Scene 15
Scene 15
Fox Mulder
The fourth girl is roberta Dyer. Transferred to Maryland adoption services in 1995... When her foster Father got a job in gaithersburg. Adoption services were called to investigate allegations of child abuse... In september of that year. Three more times in '96, then two more times in '97. What's wrong?
Dana Scully
Father Gregory called them "messengers."
Fox Mulder
Scully? Scully, don't let this guy get in your head. That's the last thing you want. Sometimes the most twisted ones are the most persuasive.
Dana Scully
He knows where she is.
Fox Mulder
That's okay. As long as he's locked up, it doesn't matter.
Dana Scully
You're not gonna find her. I think you're being misled.
Fox Mulder
By who? Scully, I think you're the one who's being misled. Not just willingly, but willfully. I've never seen you more vulnerable or susceptible or more easily manipulated, and it scares me because I don't know why.
Dana Scully
I saw Emily. She came to me in a vision.
Fox Mulder
I think you should step away. Personal issues are making you lose your objectivity, clouding your judgment.
Dana Scully
You go. Go find the girl. I'm going to finish up with Father Gregory.
Fox Mulder
Okay.
Scene 16
Scene 16
Starkey
Father Gregory. Where is she, Father?
Father Gregory
How did you get in here?
Starkey
I will not be denied this time, Father.
Father Gregory
But you took the others.
Starkey
The others were taken from me. I will not allow that to happen again. Where is the fourth girl?
[ praying softly ]
[ groaning ]
Starkey
Tell me, Father. Save yourself.
Scene 17
Scene 17
Dana Scully
I'd like to get back in here.
Guard
It should be open.
Dana Scully
Father Gregory? Father Gregory!
Scene 18
Scene 18
Fox Mulder
Yeah? We have a warrant to search the premises for your daughter.
Dyer
She's not here, I tell you. She's out. She's at school.
Fox Mulder
We checked the school. She hasn't been there in a week. We have reason to believe her life may be in danger. If you know something-- what's behind this door?
Dyer
It's the basement.
Fox Mulder
Well, can you unlock it?
Dyer
I don't have the key.
Fox Mulder
Is this her room? Where is she, mr. Dyer? Where is she?
Dyer
They're gonna cut off the checks, aren't they?
Fox Mulder
Where is she?
Dyer
He said he'd take her off my hands, but I could keep the disability.
Fox Mulder
Who?
Dyer
The Priest.
Fox Mulder
Who?
Dyer
Father Gregory.
[ police radio chatter ]
[ cell phone ringing ]
Scene 19
DISTRICT POLICE STATION
Dana Scully
Hello?
Fox Mulder
Yeah, hi, Scully. It's me.
Dana Scully
He's dead, Mulder.
Fox Mulder
Who?
Dana Scully
Father Gregory. They found him alone in the interrogation room. No one can figure it out. There was a Guard sitting right outside the room.
Fox Mulder
[ keys clatter ] we didn't find her. The fourth girl, she was here. Hey, Scully. Scully, are you there? Answer me. Scully? Scully! Scully?
Scene 20
Scene 20
Dana Scully
Father.
Father McCue
Come in, Dana. I understand you found the man responsible for the deaths of those girls. I'm sure the kernofs will be relieved.
Dana Scully
I'm not sure if they should be, Father.
Father McCue
Why not?
Dana Scully
I've seen things. Things that have made me question if there aren't... Larger forces at work here.
Father McCue
What have you seen?
Dana Scully
Visions... Of my daughter Emily, for one.
Father McCue
I think that's understandable. I'm sure you identified with the loss.
Dana Scully
I considered that, um-- but then I saw something last night, which I-- which I can't explain. I saw a man in dark clothes, but he had four faces. They weren't human.
Father McCue
Is this what you saw? It's a seraphim. An angel... With four faces. Those of a man, a lion, an eagle and a bull. In the story, the angel descends from heaven... And fathers four children with a mortal woman. Their offspring are the nephilim-- the fallen ones. They have the souls of angels, but they weren't meant to be. They're deformed, tormented. So the lord sends the seraphim to earth... To bring back the souls of the nephilim... To keep the devil from claiming them as his own.
Dana Scully
How did he bring back their souls?
Father McCue
They were smote with the brightness of his countenance. To look upon the seraphim in all his glory... Is to give up one's soul to heaven.
Dana Scully
You think that's what I saw?
Father McCue
No. I think what you saw is a figment of your imagination. A half-remembered story from your childhood that surfaced because of this case.
Dana Scully
But I saw it, Father.
Father McCue
Dana, the nephilim is a story. The text in which it appears isn't even recognized by the church.
Dana Scully
Father, do you believe that god has his reasons?
Father McCue
Yes, I'm certain of it. It's how he rewards our faith.
Scene 21
Scene 21
Starkey
Agent Scully? I can't believe I found you.
Dana Scully
What is it?
Starkey
Agent Mulder's been trying to reach you. He's been down at the station house.
Dana Scully
Trying to reach me for what?
Starkey
The fourth girl. She's at Father Gregory's church. Come on. I'll drive you.
Scene 22
Scene 22
Dana Scully
There's no one here.
Starkey
They must be on their way. You don't see her in there? She's here. I know it.
[ thump ]
Starkey
Agent Scully? Did you find her? Agent Scully!
Dana Scully
My name is Dana. I'm going to get you out of there, okay? I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm gonna take you someplace safe.
Starkey
Where are you going? Where are you taking her?
Dana Scully
Everything's going to be fine.
Starkey
Bring her here! Bring me the girl!
Dana Scully
It's okay, it's all right. Stay here. It's okay. Stay here. Just stay here. It's gonna be okay.
Starkey
Bring her out to me.
Emily
Mommy, let me go. Mommy, please let me go.
Dana Scully
Emily.
Starkey
Agent Scully, get her out of there!
Emily
Mommy, please.
Dana Scully
Emily! Emily! Oh, god. Ohh.
Priest
You believed you were releasing her soul to heaven.
Dana Scully
I felt sure of it.
Priest
But you still can't reconcile this belief with the physical fact of her death?
Dana Scully
No. I thought I could, Father, but I can't.
Priest
Do you believe there is a life after this one?
Dana Scully
Yes.
Priest
Are you sure? Has it occurred to you that maybe this, too, is part of what you were meant to understand?
Dana Scully
You mean accepting my loss?
Priest
Can you accept it?
Dana Scully
Maybe that's what faith is.
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About this transcript
The dialogue comes from the official DVD subtitle track supplied by Boggsfiles. Speaker and scene attribution was cross-checked against character-labelled reference material. Subtitle wording is preserved while capitalization and spacing are standardized for easier reading.