October 12, 2006
3.01 - Where Were You Hiding?
As the krewe reconsolidates, the rest of New Orleans is either battening down or taking off as Hurricane Katrina approaches. Surprises abound.
BACKGROUNDThe krewe has not been whole for the past several months. Lisa left town after the confrontation with Carmen Fuentes, leaving Desiree as interim Watcher. Nadja patrolled on her own; the others patrolled together. Javier kept an eye on Nadja (which did not escape her notice.) Armstrong kept busy with DJ gigs while preparing to enter Xavier University in the fall.
TEASER Armstrong and JD join Desiree at her apartment for a pre-hurricane briefing. Based on past experiences vamp and demon activity is expected to spike during and after the upcoming storm. The minikKrewe are discussing their plans when a loud noise from Lisa's apartment gets their attention. They open the door and find Lisa, holding a toddler.
Who's a little pooka shell?
--Lisa
When we come back from commercial we see a flashback of how Lisa spent her summer vacation: meditation, chi-centering, and kung-fu sparring with the monks. Lisa goes on to explain that the little girl -- whom she has named Becca -- was left at the monastery. While the monks would have cared for the girl Lisa didn't feel it was right to leave her there, so she adopted the girl and brought her home. Lisa announces plans to knock out a wall between her apartment and one of the others to create a nursery. She's hired an au pair, Molly.
The group takes it well, but Desiree has to take Javier's phone away so that Mr. Too Much Information won't blurt the news out to Nadja. Lisa and Desiree have a long discussion about Nadja and about how they plan to share Watcher duties. Lisa will be in charge of combat ops and research, but wants Desiree to be a positive, nurturing influence as Watcher.
Downstairs, the tenants of Lisa's building are boarding up their shops in preparation for the storm. Mr. Wong is headed out to stay with his brother (Mr. Wong) in Baton Rouge. He's not sure if he'll come back; he might stay to open Mr. & Mr. Wong's Dry Cleaner and Deli.
Lisa nearly causes a riot when she tries to buy water at one of the stores that is still open. The krewe do their best to fortify and stock up the dojo and apartment. Lisa pulls some necessities (radio, generator) out of the vault.
We cut away to see Nadja, riding her motorcycle. She's pulled over by the cops for a busted taillight, but the routine traffic stop goes horribly wrong. Someone has switched the license plates: Nadja's "AD-18" has been replaced with the "FOXTROT" plate from Carmen's bike. Further, the bike she is riding (which actually *is* Carmen's bike -- Nadja's was trashed) has been reported as stolen. There are other disturbing reports, including the fact that Ms. Fuentes is missing (and presumed dead) and that her house has been vandalized. Further we learn that records show no Anna Durkin (Nadja's legal name) living anywhere in New Orleans. Nadja freaks out and the cop is forced to draw his weapon. Nadja experiences a traumatic flashback and begs him to not handcuff her.
We next see Nadja arriving at Lisa's apartment. Everyone notices how sick and emaciated she looks. The expected fireworks between Nadja and Lisa never materializes. In fact, Nadja insists that Lisa continue to be her watcher. Later, Nadja explains to Desiree that while she likes her, she feels she needs someone like Lisa to keep her in line; to keep her from screwing up people's lives any more than she already has.
While on patrol, the group (minus JD) scare off a group of looters. These same looters are then set upon by a group of nine (9!!!) vampires in a nearby alley. Javier, on duty with rescue workers, joins just in time for the fun. Our heroes prevail, but one of the vampires gets away.
The next morning, Hurricane Katrina makes landfall as a CAT-3 storm. Persistent rain causes flooding and numerous levy breaks, but the worst is yet to come.
Armstrong learns that his family's temple has flooded, but that an initiate was able to preserve the relics. He trades several text messages with his mother, but communication is frustratingly sporadic. The last message she sends him is "Stay dry."
Nadja, Armstrong, and Desiree head out to the Tulane campus to check on Nadja's sister, Nava. They are unprepared for the hazards of the journey: flooding, stalled cars, people desperate for a ride out of the growing catastrophe. Desiree has a terrible vision of a levee collapsing and a wall of water flooding through the streets. When they find Nava she is more concerned with Nadja's haggard appearance than anything else. Nava agrees to go back to Lisa's with them. The return trip is even more harrowing as the situation in the streets is rapidly deteriorating.
When Nava enters Nadja's apartment she's surprised to find that every faucet in the place is turned on, full blast. Nadja doesn't seem concerned; she claims she just forgot to turn them off. This would probably explain the outrageously high water bill Lisa found last night while going through her mail.
That night, the 17th St. Canal breaks (as in Desiree's vision) leaving 80 percent of the city flooded and 100,000 people stranded. Javier works around the clock with the rescue teams; we see him take a swig out of a flask that we assume contains vampire blood. Lisa stands on the balcony in the moonlight, holding the baby. Desiree can feel the rising chaos on a physical level. Armstrong contemplates calling on his ancestor Jacques "Shaky Bones" Domingue for guidance.
Nava and Nadja discuss plans for tomorrow. Nava plans to obtain a boat so that she can rescue trapped animals. Nadja agrees, pointing out that there is a marine supply store just across the alley.
Eventually Nava goes to sleep and Nadja slips out. She heads to the French Quarter where a surprised man lets her into his home. As soon as the door is closed she beats him up, drinks blood from his neck, and proceeds to loot his house. Before leaving she drives a stake into his heart; he disappears in a cloud of dust.
Scenes from Next Episode
- Vampires attack in the Superdome and Convention Center
- Javier faces down and angry mob.
- Desiree freaking out, covered in blood.
- Nava crying, begging for her life.
Music
- The Alarm, "Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke?"