The Darwin Incident Episode 13: Will

Sarah, dressed in a green dress and sunglasses, meets Rivera in a lavish, private restaurant. The setting is luxurious, but the conversation is anything but, immediately establishing Rivera's manipulative nature. Sarah asserts her Korean-American identity when offered Chinese food, setting a firm boundary, then challenges Rivera's ALA ideals, dismissing them as ineffective terrorism. She expresses deep concern for someone in rehab, imploring Rivera to keep him safe and to ensure he attends a check-up. Rivera, however, smiles dismissively, hinting at the individual's desire for freedom.

Lucy, Grace, and Charlie arrive at a bright supermarket, a symbol of everyday life. Lucy downplays the outing, but Grace sees it as a necessary step for Charlie to experience freedom and for the public to acclimate to him. Charlie notes the store hasn't changed since Bart and Hannah brought him there as a child, a quiet moment of memory. Grace then playfully instructs Charlie to carry the bags, her lightheartedness masking the underlying tension of their unusual family dynamic.

Inside the supermarket, Charlie's presence quickly draws unwanted attention from two employees. The manager, flanked by the sneering Seymour, informs them that pets are not allowed due to hygiene and safety concerns, thinly veiled discrimination. Lucy and Grace are stunned, with Grace ironically asking if they missed a "no Humainzees allowed" sign. The manager escalates, threatening to call the police if Charlie is not removed, making it clear their visit is unwelcome.

Amidst the growing tension, a young boy named Jihan approaches Charlie, innocently asking if he's from outer space and inviting him to join his "Anarchy Boys" team. Jihan proudly displays his "AB" badge and explains his philosophical take on anarchy, meaning "no ruler," not "disorder." He then introduces Charlie to his older brother, Kai, the "boss" of their small group. This innocent interaction stands in stark contrast to the adult world's hostility.

Kai, initially annoyed by Jihan's new recruit, quickly notices the armed man nearby, who then shouts for Charlie to be removed. The man calls Charlie an "ape" and a "monster," inciting fear. Kai, in turn, screams that Charlie is a "Humainzee terrorist's accomplice," spreading the same prejudice. The crowd quickly turns, chanting for Charlie's removal, portraying him as a dangerous other. Jihan's desperate plea to protect his "brother" is swallowed by the mob's rising anger and fear.

As Kai swings a plastic stick at Charlie, calling him a monster, Charlie calmly catches it, asserting, "I won't hurt you." He then crouches to Kai's level, extending his hand and inviting, "Let's be friends." He makes a pinky promise with Jihan. Jihan then defends Charlie to Kai, comparing him to Mr. Spock, highlighting a more nuanced understanding that begins to disarm Kai's prejudice.

Seymour, surprising everyone, steps in and reclaims authority, telling the crowd to disperse and reminding them it's a supermarket that "doesn't discriminate against anyone." The armed man, shamed, leaves. Seymour winks at Charlie, signaling acceptance. The family then leaves the store, having bought many items. Charlie, holding Jihan's "AB" badge, quietly remarks that shopping was "fun," finding a small moment of joy despite the preceding chaos.

The scene shifts to a grim night, where police officers investigate a parked truck. Their search for a driver turns horrifying when they discover a severed head upon pulling back a tarp. This gruesome find escalates into full-blown terror as they uncover "human heads... so many of them!" inside the truck. The discovery reveals a chimpanzee tattoo on a human back with "QUALITY ASSURANCE A.L.A." emblazoned, confirming the victims as targets of the brutal Animal Liberation Alliance.

Back at home, Philip receives a call from Lucy, assuring her Charlie is fine amidst news reports about the ALA's brutal methods. He expresses frustration over the media presence outside their home, linking it to Fire Arbent's escape. Suddenly, Grace bursts in with urgent news from Dr. Fowler: Eva, Charlie's birth mother, is dying. The scene abruptly cuts to Eva unconscious on an operating table, surrounded by medical staff, her vital signs rapidly fading.

As Eva lies dying, Charlie is consumed by vivid flashbacks of a burning house. He sees himself as a younger chimpanzee, struggling through the flames, discovering two bodies on the floor. The golden glow of the fire envelops him as he closes his eyes, reliving the trauma. Lucy's concerned voice pulls him back to the present, apologizing for waking him, but his distress is evident in his "rough breathing."

Dr. Fowler arrives, confirming Eva's dire condition: "She's in a coma now, but she had acute myocarditis and collapsed." He explains her age and the toll of childbirth, calling her survival a miracle. Grace asks if they can be with Eva, but rules and infection risks prevent it. Grace suggests Charlie stay at the research center for safety, a decision Philip supports, expressing his bitterness towards the "devil-like people" of the ALA. Lucy comforts Charlie, embracing him as they wait.

Philip, in his car with Morris, grimly discusses the ALA's atrocities. He describes the former cabinet member drained of blood, organs removed and hung, an unprecedented act of terrorism. Philip notes that while Secretary Alcott was a known target, other victims were diverse, sharing only one common trait: obesity. He reflects on humanity's "colossal fraud" and "crime against humanity," seeing the attacks as a profound challenge to civilization itself.

Charlie, bored by his phone game, confides in Lucy that he's fine, but expresses a profound detachment from Eva. He states that Hannah is his "real mother," seeing Eva as merely a biological source lacking choice or will. He dismisses the "illogical and wasteful" romanticism around biological motherhood. With a chilling resolve, he declares, "I will make them pay for killing Hannah and Bart," turning to Lucy and stating, "It's your turn, Lucy. This is an important move for the future." When she asks if he means revenge, he enigmatically replies, "A mother of two."

The urgent announcement calls Charlie and Lucy back to the ICU. Dr. Fowler explains Eva's heart is failing, suggesting they "let her go easily." As doctors prepare to administer morphine, Eva's hand reaches out. Lucy, desperately, screams for flashcards, insisting Eva is trying to communicate. With the cards, Eva laboriously spells out, "I am a mother of 2." This revelation, juxtaposed with a flashback of Eva standing over Hannah and Bart's bodies in the burning house, sends Charlie into a rage, causing him to smash the glass window. He clutches a small monkey doll, his eyes red, as Eva's hand places a "2" card, her final, determined act.