Cirque des Merveilles
Mutant X Episode Synopses
Cirque des Merveilles: Episode #321.
Tag: Lexa's suspicions lead Mutant X to unveil a traveling death camp, which is posed as a circus for mutant refugees and Mutant X's enemy within the Dominion. [ Transcript]
Cast & Crew: Written by Mark Amato; Directed by Jonathan Hackett
George Buza.... Lexa's Dominion Contact
Jinny Jessica Jacinto....The Contortionist
Jason Jazwary.... Tony LaPorta
Kathleen Le Roux.... The Clown
Allison Lynn....Donna Robson
Josh Munden...Trapeze artist
Jeff Roop.... Deklin Charvet
Janaya Stephens.... Diane Taylor
Nicolas Van Burek.... Mike Robson
Official Synopsis: During an exotic circus act, ringmaster Deklin Charvet (Jeff Roop) draws the attention of the audience as mutant Tony LaPorta (Jason Jazrawy) nervously performs his last death-defying act. Rushing offstage, Tony prepares to leave the circus for good, but Diane (Janaya Stephens), a fellow mutant performer, tries to persuade him otherwise. Claiming she wants to flee with him, she asks him to meet her later at the Chamber of Souls, a freak show exhibit. At Sanctuary, Jesse (Forbes March) finds Lexa (Karen Cliche) working feverishly at her computer after learning that the Dominion’s agent, Tony LaPorta, is on the run with a circus that serves as a traveling refugee camp for mutants. Suspicious as to why the Dominion hasn’t yet called on Mutant X’s help, Lexa insinuates that Tony might know something that the Dominion doesn’t want the team to find out. Tony arrives at the Chamber of Souls to meet Diane. As he enters the mirror maze, he is surprised to find Deklin, who firmly tells him that no one leaves his circus. Suddenly, a mirror bulges open and devours Tony taking him to another dimension. Meanwhile, Lexa insists the team find Tony and Brennan (Victor Webster) and Shalimar (Victoria Pratt) head to Cirque des Merveilles. At the circus, Brennan sees the instant chemistry between Deklin and Shalimar. As Diane leads them to get settled in, they tell her they’re looking for Tony. Taken aback, Diane claims she hasn’t seen him, but is sure he’s around. Brennan and Shalimar sense something’s not right, but Brennan is relieved to learn that Diane and Decklin are a couple. At Sanctuary, Jesse tells Lexa that underground mutants have been disappearing in every town the circus has been in. His research shows that the only mutant able to check out of the circus was canine feral Mike Robson (Nicolas Van Burek), who was reported missing six months ago, but was found. Jesse and Lexa go to meet Mike in his cave dwelling, but he is uncooperative and holds back during their questioning. Back at the circus, Brennan follows Deklin into the Chamber of Souls. When he touches one of the mirrors, it causes the frosted reflection to vanish revealing another dimension inside the mirror where he sees Tony floating. Just then, Deklin appears and the mirror behind Brennan bulges open and traps him inside with the other discarded mutants. Later that day, Diane jealously watches Deklin as he observes Shalimar lustfully. Just then Jesse and Lexa comlink Shalimar with an update and remind her to stay on task. As Shalimar tries to slip away from trampoline practice, Deklin persuades her to take a private tour with him in the Chamber of Souls. Once inside, Deklin shows her the “illusion” of the world beyond the other side of the mirrors. With this he spins her around and plants a kiss on her, allowing a trapped Brennan to see. When Diane enters, Shalimar quickly leaves. Diane then warns Deklin that Shalimar is there looking for Tony, but Deklin is unconvinced. Tracking Brennan, Jesse and Lexa are alarmed that his comlink is off the grid. Moments later, Lexa’s Dominion contact gets in touch with her. Shocked to learn that she knows about Tony, the contact claims they have everything under control. Jesse soon discovers that Mike joined the circus because he got married, and he and Lexa head out to see what he is hiding. Meanwhile, during Shalimar’s act at the circus that night, she suffers a near fatal incident as the result of her equipment being tampered with. After scrambling to save her own life, Shalimar warns Diane of the danger lurking in the circus and insists that she can protect her. Breaking down, Diane admits that Deklin has Tony trapped with the others in the Chamber of Souls, but there is nothing she can do. Shalimar immediately rushes off to save them. Back at the cave, Mike tells Jesse and Lexa that he and his wife’s relationship turned sour with Deklin’s incessant flirting. Mike couldn’t take it anymore and prepared to leave. His wife met Deklin in the Chamber of Souls to try to work things out, but she never came out. At the circus, Shalimar walks through the Chamber of Souls looking for Brennan and sees him on the other side in a horrified state. As Shalimar desperately tries to break through the mirror, Diane enters and pushes her into the portal, which devours her. At Sanctuary, Jesse and Lexa suddenly lose Shalimar’s comlink signal. Just then Lexa’s Dominion contact voices her, angry that she sent Brennan and Shalimar in after he deliberately warned her not to. The contact then advises Lexa to pull them out immediately warning that Cirque des Merveilles is actually a traveling death camp. Her contact goes on to explain that Deklin was the last of Genomex’s sleeper agents and that Mason Eckhart had brainwashed him to eliminate mutants in case of his demise. The Dominion claims they knew about his backup plan for mutant genocide and simply used it to their advantage. With this, Jesse rushes to the Helix to try to save Brennan and Shalimar so they do not have to pay the price for Lexa’s arrogance. Knowing she feels responsible, Jesse comforts Lexa by kissing her tenderly and they both head off to meet Mike. At the cave, Mike maintains that there is no way out of the circus and insists that Diane, a powerful psionic, is the one behind the disappearing mutants. Jesse and Lexa then jump in the Helix and prepare for their encounter with Diane and Deklin. At the circus, Jesse confronts Diane and tells her that unless she puts an exit door on her little House of Horrors, she will never see Deklin again. In the Chamber of Souls, Lexa holds Deklin at bay aiming lasers at his neck. Jesse and Diane enter and Diane is forced to choose between Deklin and Mutant X. Making her decision, Diane uses her psionic power to break down the mirror and release a pile of unconscious mutants. Shocked, Deklin professes his disgust for Diane. Suddenly, Lexa shoves Deklin into Diane and the mirror envelops them both taking them to the alternate dimension forever. Jesse and Lexa revive Brennan and Shalimar and reunite Mike with his wife. Tony comes to, but just as the team gets their chance to tell him that he was set up by the Dominion, a lethal shot from an unknown assailant hits him. With his last breath, Tony tells Lexa that “The Creator” is behind this and that she must stop him. Back at Sanctuary, the team desperately searches for information on “The Creator” to no avail, but find solace in knowing who their enemy is. Jesse and Lexa’s relationship gets stronger when he covers for her involvement in front of Brennan and Shalimar.
Quotes:
Brennan: You actually want us to run away and join the circus?
Lexa: Look, if Adam was right about The Dominion, we have to find LaPorta, find out what he knows. We can’t afford to let him slip away.
Brennan: Well, what makes you think he’s actually there in the first place?
Lexa: Because Cirque des Merveilles is a traveling underground. It’s a refuge for new mutants.
Jesse: The place is run by a Deklin Charvet. He’s managed to keep the place under the radar so far.
Shalimar: Well, it makes sense. Where else can mutants like us blend in and actually make a living at the same time, right?
Brennan: You actually sound like you’re gonna enjoy this.
Shalimar: So what if I am? We might actually be able to have some fun this time.
Lexa: The point is, you both have the perfect in. I mean, ferals do make natural born acrobats.
Brennan: And elementals never cease to amaze.
Deklin Charvet: Very nice. It seems you were less than honest with me calling yourself a beginner.
Shalimar: I guess I’ve just always kept it to myself.
Deklin: Well, that’s why I created Cirque des Merveilles in the first place. Gives people like us a safe retreat where we can be ourselves. Free to be whatever we wanna be.
Shalimar: I can feel it.
Deklin: I’m sure in time you’ll consider this your home.
Deklin Charvet: I’d like you to start rehearsing for the show tonight.
Shalimar: Do you really think I’m ready for that?
Deklin: Are you kidding? You’re a natural.
Shalimar: [to Brennan] You hear that? Nat-u-ral.
Jesse: How much do we know about the circus?
Lexa: All I know is, Tony’s in there; we’ve got to get him out.
Jesse: Okay, yeah, I heard that. But don’t you think it’d be a good idea to know a little bit more about what it is we’re getting into?
Lexa: Oh. Knock yourself out.
Shalimar: Don’t you think it’s amazing Deklin managed to create a place like this?
Brennan: I guess it was only a matter of time until someone thought of a way to exploit our mutancies for a buck.
Shalimar: C’mon, he’s not exploiting us. He actually created a place where it’s okay to be us.
Brennan: Uh-huh. Yeah, sure.
Shalimar: Brennan? Are you jealous of Deklin?
Brennan: No, I just think the guy’s full of himself is all. Why? What do you think?
Shalimar: You don’t wanna know what I think.
Brennan: You know, how about we just find Tony and get outta here. How’s that sound?
Shalimar: Sounds like a plan.
Brennan: Fine.
Shalimar: Fine.
Shalimar: So how long have you been with the circus, Diane?
Diane: Well, from the beginning. Deklin and I go way back. Incredible man.
Brennan: Yeah, so I’ve heard.
Diane: I don’t know what I’d do without him.
Brennan: Great! So you two are together, then?
Shalimar: I don’t want to keep Deklin waiting. Now that we both know you’re not jealous.
Jesse [walking into her bathroom]: Lexa, we need to talk--
Lexa: Is there anywhere in this rock where a girl can get a little privacy?! This better be good. What?
Jesse: I started tracing all the cities that the circus has passed through, anywhere from Bridgeport to La Jolla.
Lexa: Okay, and?
Jesse: And--uh, well-mutants have disappeared from almost every town that they’ve been to.
Lexa: Well, isn’t this what the circus is all about? Offering protection for mutants on the run, no?
Jesse: Yeah, but these people were people already in the new mutant underground. I mean, they were-uh-they had families, they were established. They had nothing to run from. And the thing is that-um-once they join up, their families never hear from them again. It’s as if they vanished off the face of the earth.
Lexa: So, what are you telling me, these people never left this place?
Jesse: All except for one. Mike Robson. He’s a canine feral. He disappeared six months ago, turned up again a month later. He’s the one mutant who somehow decided to leave the happiest place on earth.
Lexa: Huh. So what do you say we take little dog boy for a walk, then?
Jesse: Yeah. Thank you.
Lexa: I’m gonna go put some clothes on.
Jesse: Had a tough time tracking Robson after he left the circus. But I figured, since he’s a canine feral, there’s a good chance he’d come back to his old stomping grounds.
Lexa: You’re out of your mind.
Jesse: Really? There’s an urban myth in these parts about a guy who creeps around the dog parks late at night. They call him The Werewolf.
Lexa: Okay, you know I’m not crazy about dogs to begin with, right?
Jesse: Yeah.
Lexa: This full moon outside isn’t exactly helping.
Jesse: One more question. Why’d you join the circus?
Mike Robson: Seemed like a good idea at the time.
Jesse: How’re things going under the big top?
Shalimar: Well, if I ever get tired of saving the world, I always have a job as an acrobat.
Lexa: Any sign of Tony?
Shalimar: Uh, not yet, but Brennan’s gone to look for him.
Lexa: Well, when you’re done playing lady on the trapeze, you might want to go give him a hand. Things have turned up a notch. I need you to find Tony and get out of there, okay?
Jesse: Uh-oh. It’s Brennan’s comlink. It’s off the grid. It’s like he’s fallen off the face of the earth.
Lexa: Maybe he took it off.
Jesse: No, no. I mean, deactivated, it still sends off a signal. I’m getting nothing.
Lexa: Must be a computer glitch. I’m sure we’ll be able to track it somehow.
Jesse: I’m gonna go contact Shalimar.
Lexa: Man, what for?
Jesse: To make sure that he’s okay.
Lexa: Brennan’s fine. He’s probably off making out with the bearded lady or something.
Jesse: Lexa, what’s going on with you? Since we started this thing, you’ve been walking around with your blinders on.
Lexa: No, it’s just if we don’t find Tony soon, we’re screwed, that’s why.
Jesse: Well, what if we’re too late? Look, what if the Dominion’s already found him? Where are you going?
Lexa: To find out.
Shalimar: It’s a house of mirrors.
Deklin Charvet: It’s so much more than that.
Shalimar: Really?
Deklin: Witness those sinners lost forever between heaven and hell.
Shalimar: Oh my god.
Deklin: It’s quite the illusion, isn’t it?
Shalimar: So real.
Deklin Charvet: Not half as real as you.
Diane: Why are you getting involved? You can’t trust her.
Deklin Charvet: What are you talking about?
Diane: She’s working with others on the outside. They’re looking for Tony.
Deklin: I don’t believe you.
Diane: Deklin, I’m just trying to look out for us!
Deklin: I don’t need your help.
Lexa: Hey, did you figure out what’s wrong with Brennan’s comlink?
Jesse: No, but I did find out why dog boy joined the circus. He got married.
Lexa: How romantic.
Jesse: Lexa, he lied to us. Two of them went in, one came out. That’s a pretty big detail to leave out. I’m telling you, I can feel it. He’s covering something up.
Lexa: So what do you suppose we do? Hope he tells us the whole story if we scratch him in his sweet spot?
Jesse: I’m going back there.
Lexa: Jess, wait. I’m coming with you.
Deklin Charvet: She’s beautiful. She’s magical. And she’s been given wings. An angel in motion.
Jesse: Mike, what happened to your wife?
Mike Robson: We were trying to start a life together. At first, everything was great, then Deklin started hitting on her. He wouldn’t let up. The more she turned him down, the more he went after her.
Lexa: What did you do?
Mike: I couldn’t take it. I wanted out and I started packing. Donna said she wanted to go meet him. Thought she could work it out. I followed her to The Chamber of Souls. Freak show exhibit. You come in, but you don’t come out. I tried to keep it from happening, but I was too late.
Lexa: What do you mean?
Mike: There was no bringing her back. Something happened with the mirror, just swallowed her up. I knew I was next. I tore the bastard up pretty good. I only wish I’d killed him. Have you ever come fact to face with pure evil?
Jesse: Shalimar, can you hear me?
Lexa: Why isn’t she responding?
Jesse: Well, because now her comlink’s gone off the grid just like Brennan’s.
Lexa: That’s got to be a mistake. See, look. Scan ID shows faint signals coming from the circus.
Jesse: Nope, those are just echoes from the comlinks that were active. Oh, look at that. Dominion, line two.
The Voice: Lexa, have you any idea what you’ve done?
Lexa: I’m sorry?
The Voice: You sent in Fox and Mulwray after I deliberately warned you not to.
Lexa: Well, they were in the area.
The Voice: I advise you to pull them out immediately.
Lexa: Why? What’s the rush?
The Voice: Cirque des Merveilles is a traveling death camp.
Lexa: What are you talking about?
The Voice: Deklin Charvet was the last of Genomex’s sleeper agents. Eckhart brainwashed him into being his failsafe method for extinguishing mutants in case of his demise.
Lexa: What?
The Voice: Take a look.
Mason Eckhart: Upon my last breath, Operation Apocalypse will take effect. If I can no longer control the new mutant population, then they can simply no longer exist. They must be exterminated, one by one.
Jesse: It’s Eckhart’s final revenge.
Lexa: So you knew this circus existed, but let Deklin continue his plans for mutant genocide?
The Voice: We simply took what was there and used to our advantage.
Lexa: By luring Tony in, by making him believe this was a safe haven. My god, that’s why you wanted us to stay out. This was a self-cleansing mission from the start. You wanted LaPorta dead, didn’t you?
The Voice: Precisely. So if you have any love for your teammates, you’ll pull them out now.
Lexa: We’re too late.
Jesse: I hope this is worth it. Because I am not gonna let Brennan and Shalimar pay the price of your arrogance!
Lexa: I should’ve known better.
Jesse: Yeah, you should have.
Lexa: It’s over, Jess. Why can’t you see that? It’s all my fault. I didn’t listen to the warnings; I should’ve.
Jesse: Stop it. Stop it.
Lexa: Well, you know what? I quit. Just quit.
Jesse: No, you don’t. No you don’t, okay? I’m not gonna let you. Okay? We’re gonna get them back.
Lexa: Yeah?
Jesse: We’re gonna get them back.
Lexa: I wish I could believe you, Jess.
Jesse: Diane is a multidimensional psionic. She has the ability to shift physical energy into alternate dimensions.
Lexa: What kind of dimensions?
Jesse: Well, it’s not entirely clear, but it would seem that she can cast energy into any environment she chooses to create.
Lexa: Well, what if this dimension isn’t a place that sustains life?
Jesse: You’ve got to learn to see the world as glass is half full, not half empty, all right?
Lexa: All right.
Jesse: All right. I’ve downloaded the rest of Deklin’s manifesto from the Genomex database. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Mason Eckhart: Deklin, I am entrusting you with the future of mankind. This is your task, your reason for being. If I don’t survive to carry out my plan, then you must purge the world of new mutant abominations. You must not fail. The mission must not end until all mutants are wiped from the face of the earth.
Lexa: Mm-hm. How’s that glass looking to you right now?
Jesse: Our cup runneth over. Think about it. When Deklin’s done, where does that leave Diane?
Lexa: Last mutant standing?
Jesse: Yeah.
Jesse: He doesn’t care about you, Diane.
Diane: Yes, he does.
Jesse: He’s been using you.
Diane: That’s not true.
Jesse: It’s in his manifesto.
Diane: What are you talking about?
Deklin: Don’t listen to them. They’re only trying to trick you.
Jesse: Eckhart’s manifesto. ‘He must purge the world of mutant abominations. He must not fail...
Diane: ...the mission must not end...
Jesse::...until ALL mutants are wiped from the face of the earth.’ Diane. That includes you.
Deklin: Do it. Take them out.
Lexa: It’s time to decide, Diane. It’s now or never. [Diane releases the mutants]
Deklin: No, no! What are you doing? Are you insane?
Diane: I never cared about them. I only care about you.
Deklin: You disgust me.
Lexa: You really want him? He’s all yours.
Lexa: Who did this?
Tony LaPorta: It’s The Creator. You have to stop him.
Lexa: Guys, there’s something I want to say.
Jesse: No-no, Lexa, it’s all right. I already told them. You know, about the other mutants in the circus?
Brennan: Yeah, we think it’s great you managed to hide them all in the mutant underground.
Lexa: Yeah...yeah, hopefully they’ll be able to start a new life.
Shalimar: Just can’t believe that circus was too good to be true.
Brennan: You really had a thing for that Deklin guy, didn’t you?
Jesse: No, numbnuts, she’s talking about all the other new mutants like us who aren’t as lucky.
Brennan: Whatever, I knew that...
Lexa: Okay, why’d you do that? I was actually just about to try to apologize.
Jesse: Trust me, the last thing they want to hear right now is how you almost got them killed. They barely like you as it is.
Lexa: Good one.
Jesse: Okay, who are you and what have you done with Lexa?
Lexa: Thanks, Jesse.
Jesse: For what? [she kisses him]
Lexa: For giving me faith.
Trivia & Nitpicks: Mason Eckhart apparently brainwashed sleeper agents to wipe out new mutants should his plans not be successful before his death.
The canine feral Lexa and Jesse interrogate in the dog park is named Mike Robson. Michael Robson is the script coordinator for this episode.
If you look closely at Deklin's Book of New Mutants he has captured, you'll pick out the names of several of the production crew for this episode: elemental Wanda Chaffey (Line Producer), feral Lori Pumputis (Production Coordinator), molecular Ainsling Clancy (Producer's Assistant), feral Marr Morgan (Production Accountant), Kristine Child (1st Assistant Accountant), elemental Ron Lightfoot (Construction Manager), elemental Anthony Ianni (Art Director), molecular Victoria Klein (Property Master), feral Marlene Puritt (Set Decorator), feral Susan Worts (Property Buyer), molecular John Stead (Stunt Coordinator), psionic Joe Doto (1st Property Master), Aine Furey (Location Manager), and Douglas Lunn (Boom Operator).
As Jesse points out, Lexa uncharacteristically wears blinders for the majority of this episode. In “Possibilities,” Lexa’s the one who advises finding out more background behind the mission in order to do it well; as a result, she always discovers Lawrence Bosch’s involvement no matter which alternate reality they are in or how many obstacles Brennan tries to throw in her way. This time, however, she’s so focused on getting information from Tony that she ignores every warning given until it's too late.
Shalimar is acting pretty out of character here too. Usually maternally overprotective of Brennan (note "Divided Loyalties"), she is so caught up in being the lady on the trapeze that she barely notices Brennan’s been gone for hours until Diane tells her he has been trapped in the Chamber of Souls. Brennan who?
Without knocking first, Jesse barges headfirst into where Lexa’s showering, and then has the gall to look surprised that she’s not decent. Not buying it, you Peeping Tom.
It's funny that when the ultimate computer geek Jesse reports that Brennan’s comlink is offline, Lexa pushes in front of him to show him he must have made a computer error. As if she knows what she’s doing. Remember "damsel in distress, aisle two"?
Only Brennan could look at himself in a distorted mirror and still be pleased with what he sees.
Note Deklin's strategic placement of the female contortionist directly in front of The Chamber of Souls. Both of our boys stride purposefully into the circus on a mission to expose evil, only find themselves rooted in place, gawking at the sight of her distracting moving limbs. Men will be men.
Deklin deceived Diane, cheated on her, physically and mentally abused her, sneered at her, and planned to kill her. Taking all of this into consideration, she chooses to spend the rest of her life floating in an alternate dimension with him. Diane! Go find a decent man!
Return to The Mutant X Warehouse
Cirque des Merveilles: Episode #321.
Tag: Lexa's suspicions lead Mutant X to unveil a traveling death camp, which is posed as a circus for mutant refugees and Mutant X's enemy within the Dominion. [ Transcript]
Cast & Crew: Written by Mark Amato; Directed by Jonathan Hackett
George Buza.... Lexa's Dominion Contact
Jinny Jessica Jacinto....The Contortionist
Jason Jazwary.... Tony LaPorta
Kathleen Le Roux.... The Clown
Allison Lynn....Donna Robson
Josh Munden...Trapeze artist
Jeff Roop.... Deklin Charvet
Janaya Stephens.... Diane Taylor
Nicolas Van Burek.... Mike Robson
Official Synopsis: During an exotic circus act, ringmaster Deklin Charvet (Jeff Roop) draws the attention of the audience as mutant Tony LaPorta (Jason Jazrawy) nervously performs his last death-defying act. Rushing offstage, Tony prepares to leave the circus for good, but Diane (Janaya Stephens), a fellow mutant performer, tries to persuade him otherwise. Claiming she wants to flee with him, she asks him to meet her later at the Chamber of Souls, a freak show exhibit. At Sanctuary, Jesse (Forbes March) finds Lexa (Karen Cliche) working feverishly at her computer after learning that the Dominion’s agent, Tony LaPorta, is on the run with a circus that serves as a traveling refugee camp for mutants. Suspicious as to why the Dominion hasn’t yet called on Mutant X’s help, Lexa insinuates that Tony might know something that the Dominion doesn’t want the team to find out. Tony arrives at the Chamber of Souls to meet Diane. As he enters the mirror maze, he is surprised to find Deklin, who firmly tells him that no one leaves his circus. Suddenly, a mirror bulges open and devours Tony taking him to another dimension. Meanwhile, Lexa insists the team find Tony and Brennan (Victor Webster) and Shalimar (Victoria Pratt) head to Cirque des Merveilles. At the circus, Brennan sees the instant chemistry between Deklin and Shalimar. As Diane leads them to get settled in, they tell her they’re looking for Tony. Taken aback, Diane claims she hasn’t seen him, but is sure he’s around. Brennan and Shalimar sense something’s not right, but Brennan is relieved to learn that Diane and Decklin are a couple. At Sanctuary, Jesse tells Lexa that underground mutants have been disappearing in every town the circus has been in. His research shows that the only mutant able to check out of the circus was canine feral Mike Robson (Nicolas Van Burek), who was reported missing six months ago, but was found. Jesse and Lexa go to meet Mike in his cave dwelling, but he is uncooperative and holds back during their questioning. Back at the circus, Brennan follows Deklin into the Chamber of Souls. When he touches one of the mirrors, it causes the frosted reflection to vanish revealing another dimension inside the mirror where he sees Tony floating. Just then, Deklin appears and the mirror behind Brennan bulges open and traps him inside with the other discarded mutants. Later that day, Diane jealously watches Deklin as he observes Shalimar lustfully. Just then Jesse and Lexa comlink Shalimar with an update and remind her to stay on task. As Shalimar tries to slip away from trampoline practice, Deklin persuades her to take a private tour with him in the Chamber of Souls. Once inside, Deklin shows her the “illusion” of the world beyond the other side of the mirrors. With this he spins her around and plants a kiss on her, allowing a trapped Brennan to see. When Diane enters, Shalimar quickly leaves. Diane then warns Deklin that Shalimar is there looking for Tony, but Deklin is unconvinced. Tracking Brennan, Jesse and Lexa are alarmed that his comlink is off the grid. Moments later, Lexa’s Dominion contact gets in touch with her. Shocked to learn that she knows about Tony, the contact claims they have everything under control. Jesse soon discovers that Mike joined the circus because he got married, and he and Lexa head out to see what he is hiding. Meanwhile, during Shalimar’s act at the circus that night, she suffers a near fatal incident as the result of her equipment being tampered with. After scrambling to save her own life, Shalimar warns Diane of the danger lurking in the circus and insists that she can protect her. Breaking down, Diane admits that Deklin has Tony trapped with the others in the Chamber of Souls, but there is nothing she can do. Shalimar immediately rushes off to save them. Back at the cave, Mike tells Jesse and Lexa that he and his wife’s relationship turned sour with Deklin’s incessant flirting. Mike couldn’t take it anymore and prepared to leave. His wife met Deklin in the Chamber of Souls to try to work things out, but she never came out. At the circus, Shalimar walks through the Chamber of Souls looking for Brennan and sees him on the other side in a horrified state. As Shalimar desperately tries to break through the mirror, Diane enters and pushes her into the portal, which devours her. At Sanctuary, Jesse and Lexa suddenly lose Shalimar’s comlink signal. Just then Lexa’s Dominion contact voices her, angry that she sent Brennan and Shalimar in after he deliberately warned her not to. The contact then advises Lexa to pull them out immediately warning that Cirque des Merveilles is actually a traveling death camp. Her contact goes on to explain that Deklin was the last of Genomex’s sleeper agents and that Mason Eckhart had brainwashed him to eliminate mutants in case of his demise. The Dominion claims they knew about his backup plan for mutant genocide and simply used it to their advantage. With this, Jesse rushes to the Helix to try to save Brennan and Shalimar so they do not have to pay the price for Lexa’s arrogance. Knowing she feels responsible, Jesse comforts Lexa by kissing her tenderly and they both head off to meet Mike. At the cave, Mike maintains that there is no way out of the circus and insists that Diane, a powerful psionic, is the one behind the disappearing mutants. Jesse and Lexa then jump in the Helix and prepare for their encounter with Diane and Deklin. At the circus, Jesse confronts Diane and tells her that unless she puts an exit door on her little House of Horrors, she will never see Deklin again. In the Chamber of Souls, Lexa holds Deklin at bay aiming lasers at his neck. Jesse and Diane enter and Diane is forced to choose between Deklin and Mutant X. Making her decision, Diane uses her psionic power to break down the mirror and release a pile of unconscious mutants. Shocked, Deklin professes his disgust for Diane. Suddenly, Lexa shoves Deklin into Diane and the mirror envelops them both taking them to the alternate dimension forever. Jesse and Lexa revive Brennan and Shalimar and reunite Mike with his wife. Tony comes to, but just as the team gets their chance to tell him that he was set up by the Dominion, a lethal shot from an unknown assailant hits him. With his last breath, Tony tells Lexa that “The Creator” is behind this and that she must stop him. Back at Sanctuary, the team desperately searches for information on “The Creator” to no avail, but find solace in knowing who their enemy is. Jesse and Lexa’s relationship gets stronger when he covers for her involvement in front of Brennan and Shalimar.
Quotes:
Brennan: You actually want us to run away and join the circus?
Lexa: Look, if Adam was right about The Dominion, we have to find LaPorta, find out what he knows. We can’t afford to let him slip away.
Brennan: Well, what makes you think he’s actually there in the first place?
Lexa: Because Cirque des Merveilles is a traveling underground. It’s a refuge for new mutants.
Jesse: The place is run by a Deklin Charvet. He’s managed to keep the place under the radar so far.
Shalimar: Well, it makes sense. Where else can mutants like us blend in and actually make a living at the same time, right?
Brennan: You actually sound like you’re gonna enjoy this.
Shalimar: So what if I am? We might actually be able to have some fun this time.
Lexa: The point is, you both have the perfect in. I mean, ferals do make natural born acrobats.
Brennan: And elementals never cease to amaze.
Deklin Charvet: Very nice. It seems you were less than honest with me calling yourself a beginner.
Shalimar: I guess I’ve just always kept it to myself.
Deklin: Well, that’s why I created Cirque des Merveilles in the first place. Gives people like us a safe retreat where we can be ourselves. Free to be whatever we wanna be.
Shalimar: I can feel it.
Deklin: I’m sure in time you’ll consider this your home.
Deklin Charvet: I’d like you to start rehearsing for the show tonight.
Shalimar: Do you really think I’m ready for that?
Deklin: Are you kidding? You’re a natural.
Shalimar: [to Brennan] You hear that? Nat-u-ral.
Jesse: How much do we know about the circus?
Lexa: All I know is, Tony’s in there; we’ve got to get him out.
Jesse: Okay, yeah, I heard that. But don’t you think it’d be a good idea to know a little bit more about what it is we’re getting into?
Lexa: Oh. Knock yourself out.
Shalimar: Don’t you think it’s amazing Deklin managed to create a place like this?
Brennan: I guess it was only a matter of time until someone thought of a way to exploit our mutancies for a buck.
Shalimar: C’mon, he’s not exploiting us. He actually created a place where it’s okay to be us.
Brennan: Uh-huh. Yeah, sure.
Shalimar: Brennan? Are you jealous of Deklin?
Brennan: No, I just think the guy’s full of himself is all. Why? What do you think?
Shalimar: You don’t wanna know what I think.
Brennan: You know, how about we just find Tony and get outta here. How’s that sound?
Shalimar: Sounds like a plan.
Brennan: Fine.
Shalimar: Fine.
Shalimar: So how long have you been with the circus, Diane?
Diane: Well, from the beginning. Deklin and I go way back. Incredible man.
Brennan: Yeah, so I’ve heard.
Diane: I don’t know what I’d do without him.
Brennan: Great! So you two are together, then?
Shalimar: I don’t want to keep Deklin waiting. Now that we both know you’re not jealous.
Jesse [walking into her bathroom]: Lexa, we need to talk--
Lexa: Is there anywhere in this rock where a girl can get a little privacy?! This better be good. What?
Jesse: I started tracing all the cities that the circus has passed through, anywhere from Bridgeport to La Jolla.
Lexa: Okay, and?
Jesse: And--uh, well-mutants have disappeared from almost every town that they’ve been to.
Lexa: Well, isn’t this what the circus is all about? Offering protection for mutants on the run, no?
Jesse: Yeah, but these people were people already in the new mutant underground. I mean, they were-uh-they had families, they were established. They had nothing to run from. And the thing is that-um-once they join up, their families never hear from them again. It’s as if they vanished off the face of the earth.
Lexa: So, what are you telling me, these people never left this place?
Jesse: All except for one. Mike Robson. He’s a canine feral. He disappeared six months ago, turned up again a month later. He’s the one mutant who somehow decided to leave the happiest place on earth.
Lexa: Huh. So what do you say we take little dog boy for a walk, then?
Jesse: Yeah. Thank you.
Lexa: I’m gonna go put some clothes on.
Jesse: Had a tough time tracking Robson after he left the circus. But I figured, since he’s a canine feral, there’s a good chance he’d come back to his old stomping grounds.
Lexa: You’re out of your mind.
Jesse: Really? There’s an urban myth in these parts about a guy who creeps around the dog parks late at night. They call him The Werewolf.
Lexa: Okay, you know I’m not crazy about dogs to begin with, right?
Jesse: Yeah.
Lexa: This full moon outside isn’t exactly helping.
Jesse: One more question. Why’d you join the circus?
Mike Robson: Seemed like a good idea at the time.
Jesse: How’re things going under the big top?
Shalimar: Well, if I ever get tired of saving the world, I always have a job as an acrobat.
Lexa: Any sign of Tony?
Shalimar: Uh, not yet, but Brennan’s gone to look for him.
Lexa: Well, when you’re done playing lady on the trapeze, you might want to go give him a hand. Things have turned up a notch. I need you to find Tony and get out of there, okay?
Jesse: Uh-oh. It’s Brennan’s comlink. It’s off the grid. It’s like he’s fallen off the face of the earth.
Lexa: Maybe he took it off.
Jesse: No, no. I mean, deactivated, it still sends off a signal. I’m getting nothing.
Lexa: Must be a computer glitch. I’m sure we’ll be able to track it somehow.
Jesse: I’m gonna go contact Shalimar.
Lexa: Man, what for?
Jesse: To make sure that he’s okay.
Lexa: Brennan’s fine. He’s probably off making out with the bearded lady or something.
Jesse: Lexa, what’s going on with you? Since we started this thing, you’ve been walking around with your blinders on.
Lexa: No, it’s just if we don’t find Tony soon, we’re screwed, that’s why.
Jesse: Well, what if we’re too late? Look, what if the Dominion’s already found him? Where are you going?
Lexa: To find out.
Shalimar: It’s a house of mirrors.
Deklin Charvet: It’s so much more than that.
Shalimar: Really?
Deklin: Witness those sinners lost forever between heaven and hell.
Shalimar: Oh my god.
Deklin: It’s quite the illusion, isn’t it?
Shalimar: So real.
Deklin Charvet: Not half as real as you.
Diane: Why are you getting involved? You can’t trust her.
Deklin Charvet: What are you talking about?
Diane: She’s working with others on the outside. They’re looking for Tony.
Deklin: I don’t believe you.
Diane: Deklin, I’m just trying to look out for us!
Deklin: I don’t need your help.
Lexa: Hey, did you figure out what’s wrong with Brennan’s comlink?
Jesse: No, but I did find out why dog boy joined the circus. He got married.
Lexa: How romantic.
Jesse: Lexa, he lied to us. Two of them went in, one came out. That’s a pretty big detail to leave out. I’m telling you, I can feel it. He’s covering something up.
Lexa: So what do you suppose we do? Hope he tells us the whole story if we scratch him in his sweet spot?
Jesse: I’m going back there.
Lexa: Jess, wait. I’m coming with you.
Deklin Charvet: She’s beautiful. She’s magical. And she’s been given wings. An angel in motion.
Jesse: Mike, what happened to your wife?
Mike Robson: We were trying to start a life together. At first, everything was great, then Deklin started hitting on her. He wouldn’t let up. The more she turned him down, the more he went after her.
Lexa: What did you do?
Mike: I couldn’t take it. I wanted out and I started packing. Donna said she wanted to go meet him. Thought she could work it out. I followed her to The Chamber of Souls. Freak show exhibit. You come in, but you don’t come out. I tried to keep it from happening, but I was too late.
Lexa: What do you mean?
Mike: There was no bringing her back. Something happened with the mirror, just swallowed her up. I knew I was next. I tore the bastard up pretty good. I only wish I’d killed him. Have you ever come fact to face with pure evil?
Jesse: Shalimar, can you hear me?
Lexa: Why isn’t she responding?
Jesse: Well, because now her comlink’s gone off the grid just like Brennan’s.
Lexa: That’s got to be a mistake. See, look. Scan ID shows faint signals coming from the circus.
Jesse: Nope, those are just echoes from the comlinks that were active. Oh, look at that. Dominion, line two.
The Voice: Lexa, have you any idea what you’ve done?
Lexa: I’m sorry?
The Voice: You sent in Fox and Mulwray after I deliberately warned you not to.
Lexa: Well, they were in the area.
The Voice: I advise you to pull them out immediately.
Lexa: Why? What’s the rush?
The Voice: Cirque des Merveilles is a traveling death camp.
Lexa: What are you talking about?
The Voice: Deklin Charvet was the last of Genomex’s sleeper agents. Eckhart brainwashed him into being his failsafe method for extinguishing mutants in case of his demise.
Lexa: What?
The Voice: Take a look.
Mason Eckhart: Upon my last breath, Operation Apocalypse will take effect. If I can no longer control the new mutant population, then they can simply no longer exist. They must be exterminated, one by one.
Jesse: It’s Eckhart’s final revenge.
Lexa: So you knew this circus existed, but let Deklin continue his plans for mutant genocide?
The Voice: We simply took what was there and used to our advantage.
Lexa: By luring Tony in, by making him believe this was a safe haven. My god, that’s why you wanted us to stay out. This was a self-cleansing mission from the start. You wanted LaPorta dead, didn’t you?
The Voice: Precisely. So if you have any love for your teammates, you’ll pull them out now.
Lexa: We’re too late.
Jesse: I hope this is worth it. Because I am not gonna let Brennan and Shalimar pay the price of your arrogance!
Lexa: I should’ve known better.
Jesse: Yeah, you should have.
Lexa: It’s over, Jess. Why can’t you see that? It’s all my fault. I didn’t listen to the warnings; I should’ve.
Jesse: Stop it. Stop it.
Lexa: Well, you know what? I quit. Just quit.
Jesse: No, you don’t. No you don’t, okay? I’m not gonna let you. Okay? We’re gonna get them back.
Lexa: Yeah?
Jesse: We’re gonna get them back.
Lexa: I wish I could believe you, Jess.
Jesse: Diane is a multidimensional psionic. She has the ability to shift physical energy into alternate dimensions.
Lexa: What kind of dimensions?
Jesse: Well, it’s not entirely clear, but it would seem that she can cast energy into any environment she chooses to create.
Lexa: Well, what if this dimension isn’t a place that sustains life?
Jesse: You’ve got to learn to see the world as glass is half full, not half empty, all right?
Lexa: All right.
Jesse: All right. I’ve downloaded the rest of Deklin’s manifesto from the Genomex database. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Mason Eckhart: Deklin, I am entrusting you with the future of mankind. This is your task, your reason for being. If I don’t survive to carry out my plan, then you must purge the world of new mutant abominations. You must not fail. The mission must not end until all mutants are wiped from the face of the earth.
Lexa: Mm-hm. How’s that glass looking to you right now?
Jesse: Our cup runneth over. Think about it. When Deklin’s done, where does that leave Diane?
Lexa: Last mutant standing?
Jesse: Yeah.
Jesse: He doesn’t care about you, Diane.
Diane: Yes, he does.
Jesse: He’s been using you.
Diane: That’s not true.
Jesse: It’s in his manifesto.
Diane: What are you talking about?
Deklin: Don’t listen to them. They’re only trying to trick you.
Jesse: Eckhart’s manifesto. ‘He must purge the world of mutant abominations. He must not fail...
Diane: ...the mission must not end...
Jesse::...until ALL mutants are wiped from the face of the earth.’ Diane. That includes you.
Deklin: Do it. Take them out.
Lexa: It’s time to decide, Diane. It’s now or never. [Diane releases the mutants]
Deklin: No, no! What are you doing? Are you insane?
Diane: I never cared about them. I only care about you.
Deklin: You disgust me.
Lexa: You really want him? He’s all yours.
Lexa: Who did this?
Tony LaPorta: It’s The Creator. You have to stop him.
Lexa: Guys, there’s something I want to say.
Jesse: No-no, Lexa, it’s all right. I already told them. You know, about the other mutants in the circus?
Brennan: Yeah, we think it’s great you managed to hide them all in the mutant underground.
Lexa: Yeah...yeah, hopefully they’ll be able to start a new life.
Shalimar: Just can’t believe that circus was too good to be true.
Brennan: You really had a thing for that Deklin guy, didn’t you?
Jesse: No, numbnuts, she’s talking about all the other new mutants like us who aren’t as lucky.
Brennan: Whatever, I knew that...
Lexa: Okay, why’d you do that? I was actually just about to try to apologize.
Jesse: Trust me, the last thing they want to hear right now is how you almost got them killed. They barely like you as it is.
Lexa: Good one.
Jesse: Okay, who are you and what have you done with Lexa?
Lexa: Thanks, Jesse.
Jesse: For what? [she kisses him]
Lexa: For giving me faith.
Trivia & Nitpicks: Mason Eckhart apparently brainwashed sleeper agents to wipe out new mutants should his plans not be successful before his death.
The canine feral Lexa and Jesse interrogate in the dog park is named Mike Robson. Michael Robson is the script coordinator for this episode.
If you look closely at Deklin's Book of New Mutants he has captured, you'll pick out the names of several of the production crew for this episode: elemental Wanda Chaffey (Line Producer), feral Lori Pumputis (Production Coordinator), molecular Ainsling Clancy (Producer's Assistant), feral Marr Morgan (Production Accountant), Kristine Child (1st Assistant Accountant), elemental Ron Lightfoot (Construction Manager), elemental Anthony Ianni (Art Director), molecular Victoria Klein (Property Master), feral Marlene Puritt (Set Decorator), feral Susan Worts (Property Buyer), molecular John Stead (Stunt Coordinator), psionic Joe Doto (1st Property Master), Aine Furey (Location Manager), and Douglas Lunn (Boom Operator).
As Jesse points out, Lexa uncharacteristically wears blinders for the majority of this episode. In “Possibilities,” Lexa’s the one who advises finding out more background behind the mission in order to do it well; as a result, she always discovers Lawrence Bosch’s involvement no matter which alternate reality they are in or how many obstacles Brennan tries to throw in her way. This time, however, she’s so focused on getting information from Tony that she ignores every warning given until it's too late.
Shalimar is acting pretty out of character here too. Usually maternally overprotective of Brennan (note "Divided Loyalties"), she is so caught up in being the lady on the trapeze that she barely notices Brennan’s been gone for hours until Diane tells her he has been trapped in the Chamber of Souls. Brennan who?
Without knocking first, Jesse barges headfirst into where Lexa’s showering, and then has the gall to look surprised that she’s not decent. Not buying it, you Peeping Tom.
It's funny that when the ultimate computer geek Jesse reports that Brennan’s comlink is offline, Lexa pushes in front of him to show him he must have made a computer error. As if she knows what she’s doing. Remember "damsel in distress, aisle two"?
Only Brennan could look at himself in a distorted mirror and still be pleased with what he sees.
Note Deklin's strategic placement of the female contortionist directly in front of The Chamber of Souls. Both of our boys stride purposefully into the circus on a mission to expose evil, only find themselves rooted in place, gawking at the sight of her distracting moving limbs. Men will be men.
Deklin deceived Diane, cheated on her, physically and mentally abused her, sneered at her, and planned to kill her. Taking all of this into consideration, she chooses to spend the rest of her life floating in an alternate dimension with him. Diane! Go find a decent man!
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