Hall of the Serpent
Written by Coleman Luck and Carel Gage Luck.
Directed by Michael R. Large.

Philip Pagit: Nicholas Lea
Rebecca Cassian: Kimberley Kates
Monica: Jessica Cushman
Kelly Sampere: Nicole Nieth
Robert Cassian: Nick Kusenko
O' Fallon: Kevin Fry
Guard: Alex Fernadez

A young woman wanders through a dream forest, apparently remembering a conversation with her father. He begs her to try else, a new specialist, but she protests; she's dying, and she knows what chemo and radiation did to her mother. She awakens to find Monica calling her. It is time to go. They walk to a misty outdoor area flanked by Greek-style columns and lit by braziers. A huge statue of a snake is there, along with a statue of Asclepius with his staff and snake.
     Philip Pagit appears and instructs her to lie on a large stone slab that serves as an altar, telling her that if she gives herself over completely it will all be okay. Uneasily she lies there as the swirling mist coalesces into a serpentine form. A monstrous ghostly snake forms, hovers above her for a moment, then seems to dive into her body as Rebecca screams.
     Meanwhile, Cassian is showing the rest of the team a videotape of Pagit earnestly describing his experiences in Greece. Gravely ill, he slept for a night on an island called Delos, sacred to Asclepius, god of healing. Not only was he healed, but he was also called to bring the healing to others. To that end he has recreated the ruins near his mansion in Mexico; all one needs to do is call his toll free number.
     Cassian stops the tape and explains that Pagit is a former insurance salesman with a taste for pornography that now preys on desperate people. Marcase wants to know why this concerns them, and Cassian replies that it doesn't: it's personal. His cancer stricken niece, Rebecca, has gone to Pagit and hasn't been heard from for a month. Hailey suggestion of a "surgical strike" is not acceptable because it would cause an international incident-- especially since Pagit has brought off a lot of local officials.
     Marcase asks if they can speak with one of Pagit's victims. Cassian answers that it will be difficult because he keeps them in thrall by warning them that if they leave or otherwise betray him, their diseases will return.
     At the ruins, Pagit examines Rebecca and sees a dark bruise like mark. He tells her the god has blessed her and they will do the surgery that night.
     Cassian shows the others a set of x-rays. The first shows massive tumors in a woman's chest and abdomen; the second is clear; and the third, taken 72 hours after the patient left Pagit, shows tumors more severe than the first. The patient, Kelly Sampere, is dying but anxious to tell her story: that Pagit did heal her by placing a stone from the temple in Greece inside her. In return he made her do "terrible things." She prayed to God to forgive her and left Pagit, whereupon her cancer returned; even so, now she is at peace and regrets nothing.
     As the team leaves St. Mark's Hospital, an outraged Shiroma says Pagit must be stopped. In answer to Hailey's question, Cassian attributes her temporary recovery to the power of the human mind. Marcase suggests they go undercover, but Cassian tells him that others have tried to fake diseases to get in and have failed. Marcase hangs back and asks Hailey privately to take him to a CIA pharmacist. Hailey's answer: "Yeah, and sometimes I'd liked to walk on water."
     Monica takes Rebecca to the ruins after first reassuring her that there is no pain. Pagit is waiting, and asks if she is ready to be healed. She says yes, and lies on the stone altar while Pagit raises a small shiny stone above her head and then seems to plunge it into Rebecca's body.
     Cassian looks pointedly at his watch when Hailey and Marcase finally arrive at the conference room then notices that Marcase appears ill. Edward says not to blame Hailey but they've just returned from a visit to Ernie, the CIA pharmacist, who gave him a dose of Strinovan III, which mimics the symptoms of end-stage Hodgkin's. An angry Cassian doesn't want them to continue but Marcase insists that this is their ticket inside: he'll be a sick rich guy and Kimberly will be his beautiful fiancée. Hailey interjects that he'll go along as a rich friend willing to donate money to cure Marcase, providing he can stay. Cassian protests, but Edward interrupts, demanding schematics of Pagit's mansion and information on the people in it.
     Rebecca awakens, feeling well. Excitedly she calls to Monica, who tells her to come outside. At about the same time a limo arrives at the mansion's gates. A guard challenges them, but Shiroma says that Edward Markham is expected. Pagit meets with them, but tells Edward he doesn't know if he can help him or not, due to the advanced state of his disease; but if he is cured, Markham must give half his assets to Pagit. Edward agrees but asks that his fiancée, Ms. Macaiya, and his friend, Mr. Ramsey, be allowed to stay. Pagit hesitates, but is attracted to Shiroma; Hailey announces he will donate $500,000 toward Edward's healing, and Pagit agrees to allow them both to remain.
     After calling Cassian on a secure line to inform him that Edward will be sleeping in the ruins that night, Hailey reconnoiters the mansion. He finds that Pagit has a large collection of snakes in one room.
     In the meantime, Pagit stops by to see Shiroma to ask what _she_ is willing to do for Edward, explaining that her "fiancée" will need a constant flow of positive energy. The energy comes from Pagit himself and must be transmitted to Edward via Kimberly. Shiroma says she will do her part.
     Edward is wandering the grounds when he sees Rebecca whom he recognizes from a photograph. He asks if he can join her because he "could use a little beauty in my life." She tells him that Pagit has cured her of leukemia and that Edward can be healed too if he just does whatever Philip tells him to do. Edward is skeptical, but Rebecca is unswayed.
     That night Monica summons Edward to the ruins where Pagit instructs him to lie on the altar.
     In the mansion, Rebecca is dreaming of the giant snake. She awakens to find Philip in her room. He tells her she is completely healed and begins to kiss her. She protests that she isn't ready but he tells her she agreed that _everything_ she has is his. She submits.
     At the ruins the serpent appears in the mist. It hesitates above Edward, then strikes-- but does not enter his body. Some time later Shiroma and Hailey find Edward in the ruins. He is groggy, almost as if he has been drugged. Kimberly notes that the CIA drug is beginning to wear off: Marcase is looking better. Hailey thinks they should shut down the operation and call Cassian. Edward demurs, saying they can't force Rebecca to go with them, especially since she really believes she has been healed.
     Marcase goes to Rebecca's room, but she isn't there. As he leaves, he meets Pagit who wants to know why Edward isn't at the temple. Edward replies that it was cold in the woods and that he wanted someone to talk to. Pagit suggests that he talk to him and asks if the great god has healed him. Edward says he doesn't know but that he had a filthy dream about monster snakes, to which Philip replies that gods come in many forms and that the serpent is on the caduceus. Edward says he's just not used to gods who crawl on the ground. Pagit asks Edward to open his shirt and looks at the mark. He tells Edward that the god has healed him. After
Marcase leaves, Monica appears and comments that she's never seen a mark like that before. Philip responds that Edward is a fake.
     In the morning, the team meets to discuss their progress. No one has seen Rebecca since the previous day. Hailey reports that they have two more hours before Cassian will pull them out: no progress has been made with the Mexican government because Pagit has bought so many people off.
     A subdued Rebecca is in the snake room with Pagit. He is admiring the animals, and tells Rebecca that while he slept in the ruins he was bitten four times. He reminds her that she owes her life to him; that life flows through his body and he wants to fill her with it.
     Edward finally discovers Rebecca out on the grounds. He sees something is wrong but she refuses to talk about it, so Marcase confesses his real name and purpose. He tells her that Pagit is evil. She protests feebly that he healed her. Edward responds with "All he's done is taken the disease from your body and put it into your spirit. Fear is that cancer." He asks what Pagit has done to her. She turns to leave but he stops her by saying, "I've seen some amazing things. When God heals it brings peace and hope, not fear." He asks her to come with him but she replies that means radiation and chemo and death, like her mother. Marcase wants to know if her mother was at peace, and Rebecca admits that she was but adds that she isn't as strong as her mother or Edward. Edward insists that she is. Rebecca replies that she will have to think about it. Edward tells her she can have an hour.
     Hailey reports to Cassian that they have located Rebecca and that Pagit has done something to her. She has not yet agreed to leave with them because she is afraid the disease will return. Cassian says that it is turning into an international embarrassment and hangs up. O'Fallon warns Cassian that he is on dangerous ground, but that _one_ helicopter has been authorized but no landing.
     Hailey goes to his suitcase but when he reaches inside a snake bites him. Two men overpower Kimberly and take her away. Monica meets Edward and manages to inject him with something from a concealed needle that renders him unconscious. Rebecca watches from a distance as he is dragged away.
     Hailey and Shiroma awaken to find themselves locked in the snake room. Michael's arm is badly swollen but he tells Kimberly that if it hasn't killed him yet it isn't going to; however, he isn't up to kicking the door open. They use a cart to break open the door then go to the ruins to look for Edward.
     Cassian's limo pulls up at the mansion gate. The guard challenges him, but Cassian flashes his i.d. and demands to see Pagit at once-or else Pagit can talk to Interpol. Monica emerges and he tells her to get Pagit now or be arrested.
     Marcase awakens on the altar. Pagit appears and informs Edward that he knows he lied, and that lying is a disease of the spirit. Edward needs healing from that disease. He raises his hand as if to strike Marcase but is stopped by Rebecca who says Edward doesn't want his healing. Pagit tells her that her healing is over and she will die. She immediately appears to relapse. Edward tries to intervene but Pagit beats him down. Rebecca feebly tries to give aid.
     Cassian announces to all the guards that troops are moving in and everyone is under arrest. The helicopter hovers and Pagit's people start to scatter. Cassian grabs hold of Monica and demands that she take him to Edward and Rebecca.
     Hailey and Shiroma arrive. Pagit ducks a blow from a weakened Michael but Kimberly uses her martial arts training to knock him out. As they watch, a ghostly serpent leaves Pagit's body and flows back into the snake statue.
     Cassian finds them, hugs Rebecca and takes her away. The rest of the team follows tiredly.
     Rebecca is on a gurney being wheeled down a hallway, accompanied by her father and uncle. Marcase shows up and she tells him she is going to have radiation treatments. Edward tells her a lot of people are praying for her and studies show that prayer works. She says she'll need it-- she's going to lose all her hair. Marcase assures her she will be beautiful anyway.

FROM SCRIPT TO SHOW: Changes and omissions

In the teaser, a former patient of Pagit's, Allen Stone, returns to see Philip. Pagit asks if Stone has kept his vows. Stone says that he has, but confesses that his fiancée wants to be married in a church. He says it's just a building, but Pagit informs him that he has betrayed Asclepius and he is no longer healed. As Stone drives away, he discovers a large tumor has appeared. He panics and wrecks his car. A ghostly serpent leaves his body.

Instead of worrying about an international incident, Cassian's reason for rejecting Hailey's suggestion of a "surgical strike" to get Rebecca out is that it would be more psychologically damaging to her than to leave her there. Shiroma concurs.

When Marcase says they'll help rescue Rebecca, Cassian is almost moved to tears.

Marcase wants to arrive at Pagit's in a Lear jet because he's never ridden in one.

In the script, Pagit says if he is healed that all Edward's assets will become Pagit's, not just half. In the aired version he does tell Rebecca that everything she has belongs to him, which was probably a holdover from this version.

Hailey tells Pagit that he is a jazz pianist and offers to play for the patients to cheer them up and later there is a brief scene where Michael is playing.

Pagit tells Edward and Kimberly that they will have to abstain from sex until after the healing. Edward says that may be difficult but Kimberly says they'll do whatever it takes.

When Shiroma first examines Marcase at the ruins she finds evidence of some sort of bite. Edward mentions the snake but Kimberly says there are no fang marks. She also tells him about positive energy transfer Pagit mentioned and Marcase responds, "Hey, sexual e-mail. And you're the Internet. Very kinky."

In the final scene, Cassian meets with the team after Rebecca is taken for treatment. Hailey wonders if Pagit really healed people or if it was just the power of suggestion, to which Marcase responds that it doesn't matter--that one way or another they became his slaves.

Cassian thanks the team for their help: "I want to thank all of you for what you did. You risked your lives for my family and I will never forget it."

Shiroma asks if that means they can get a week off, but unfortunately Cassian wants them to go to New Delhi to check out an outbreak of giant plague bearing sand fleas that may have been bio- engineered...and whatever they do, don't eat the tandoori. (I have to confess right here that I don't understand the final remark: tandoori is a term for food cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven. Tandoori chicken is probably the best-known dish, but hardly the only one. I don't know if they are supposed to be unsanitary or if the cooking process is supposed to promote bacterial growth or if it was just supposed to sound good.)

GENERAL COMMENTS

This is another episode, which explores a bit of Cassian's background in an effort to humanize him a bit. The cynical would say he manipulated the team into helping him under the guise of asking them for advice; had he simply asked them, they would have either suspected a set-up or Cassian would have to be indebted to them. Instead he manages to have them ask to go undercover. Cassian also runs a good bluff at Pagit's, pretending to have troops at his disposal and arrest warrants in order to scatter the guards.

While the aired version cut down on the religious aspects, they were still strong in the episode: physical healing is provided at the cost of spiritual disease. The "terrible things" the patients were forced to do are not elaborated upon, though the aired episode implied only sexual misconduct. The deleted sequence in the teaser hinted that it was more sacrilegious in nature, worshiping a pagan god in place of the God of Judeo-Christian belief.

This brings us to Asclepius (aka Asklepios/Aesculapius/Asculepius/etc). According to Greek mythology, he was the son of Apollo and a mortal though his mother's identity is disputed. He was the father of several children, all of whom were associated with healing; from one daughter, Hygieia, comes our word "hygiene." Asclepius was given blood from the gorgon Medusa, which could restore life: when he made use of it to restore a dead physician he usurped the power of the Olympian gods, so Zeus killed him with a thunderbolt. According to the 'Encyclopedia of Greco-Roman Mythology', “Despite his death, Asclepius was regarded as divine, and his role as a savior god made him a particularly dangerous rival to Christianity." This would certainly make him an apt choice for the episode's purposes.

Snakes were indeed sacred to Asclepius and were kept at his temples, but these were a small harmless species and certainly not the large constrictors used in the episode. When the cult was imported to Rome following a plague in 293 B.C., snakes were taken from Epidaurus to the new temples. (Dogs were also sacred to the god but were probably ignored in the episode since they have no sinister connotations in Judeo-Christian theology.) The poet Sophocles tended the sacred snakes while the god's temple was being built in Athens. Also, cures were supposed to come in dreams and patients did sleep in the temples and leave votive tablets describing their symptoms and cures.

However, none of the major centers of worship for Asclepius were at Delos: that island was sacred to his father, Apollo. The center of worship for Asclepius was at Epidaurus on the mainland; due to its relative remoteness, the masonry there was left relatively intact. The theater there has the only ancient circular stage remaining, and is used for summer drama festivals. The site also has mineral springs, which are supposed to have therapeutic value.

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, taught at the Asclepieion at Kos. Today there are occasional reenactments of the Hippocratic oath ceremony at this site.

Asclepius was usually portrayed with a staff, a snake and a dog, but the modern caduceus probably came from the snake staff of Mercury, who was also a god of healing.

As for Hailey's comment to Shiroma to the effect that if he hasn't already died from the snakebite he isn't going to, one has assume that either he recognized the species and knows that he must have received a "dry bite" (at least some snakes have the ability to withhold venom or to deliver a bite with little venom, probably a mechanism to frighten away predators while saving venom for hunting; a snake which uses all or most of its available supply on a predator might have to go hungry until its body produced more) or he is putting up a brave front for Shiroma. In point of fact, several species of snake have slow acting poisons that can take hours or even days to cause death: among these are the Russell's viper, the coral snake and the boomslang. The latter is particularly interesting because many victims become ill and then undergo a sort of remission: they feel well enough to start resuming normal activities. Unfortunately they may die soon after, as was the case with herpetologist Karl Patterson Schmidt. He died twenty four hours after being bitten, having called in to work two hours before his death to report that he was feeling much better and planned to be in the next day.