Episode Title: Chafa
Series: Echo
Season: 1
Episode: 1
Original release date: January 9, 2024
Maya Lopez (Echo) is skilled but ruthless assassin living in New York City under the tutelage of the Kingpin. Still haunted by the death of her father, William, Maya is struggling to cope with the trauma and her deafness.
A flashback reveals the tragic event that shaped Maya’s life: her father being gunned down in cold blood during a gangland confrontation. Witnessing the murder, a young Maya develops a photographic memory, allowing her to perfectly mimic anyone she sees. This ability, combined with her rage and grief, turns her into a formidable fighter.
Back in the present, Maya receives a message from her childhood friend, Willie, urging her to return to their Oklahoma hometown, Tamaha. Hesitant but drawn by a sense of unfinished business, Maya agrees and heads back to Oklahoma.
Upon returning, Maya is confronted by the ghosts of her past. She reunites with her estranged mother, Anna, who is struggling with alcoholism and grief. Maya also encounters old friends and community members, each with their own memories and opinions of her.
As Maya settles back into Tamaha, she starts to investigate her father’s death. She discovers hidden clues and uncovers long-buried secrets that shed new light on the tragic event. This leads her to question everything she thought she knew about her past and the people around her.
As the episode progresses, Maya is forced to confront her own darkness and violence. She grapples with her identity as a Native American woman and a skilled fighter. By the end of the episode, Maya makes a pivotal decision that sets her on a new path, one that will redefine her future and her relationship with her community.
* * *
(MARVEL SPOTLIGHT FANFARE BY MICHAEL GIACCHINO)
(INTRIGUING MUSIC PLAYING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(ENERGY HUMMING)
(ENERGY HUMMING)
(BIRD CHIRPS)
(DISTANT RUMBLE)
(RUMBLING)
(ALL GASPING)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(GASPING)
(WHIMPERING)
(STRAINING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(CRACKLING)
(INQUISITIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(SPEAKING CHOCTAW) Follow me.
CHILD: (WHISPERING IN ENGLISH) The first Choctaw’s name was Chafa.
She saved her family from their cave.
(CHOCTAW MUSIC PLAYING)
And that’s the story of the first Choctaw people.
(GIRLS GIGGLING)
You’re my family.
My sister.
No.
We’re cousins.
No. Sisters.
(GIGGLES)
(THUNDER RUMBLING IN THE DISTANCE)
(SKULLY LAUGHS)
Then Biscuits’ dad, he grabbed that whole peach pie and ran straight into the Red River.
(COUNTRY MUSIC PLAYING ON RADIO)
Bare-assed.
(ALL LAUGHING)
Oh, that, uh, uh… How do you say “man,” huh?
Yeah. That man, he just loved peaches.
Everybody should, uh, love something… that much.
Peaches.
(LAUGHS)
SKULLY: I like your peaches. (LAUGHS)
(GIRLS LAUGHING)
CHULA: (SIGHS) Biscuits will be sad he didn’t get to camp with the girls.
SKULLY: Ah. Poor kid.
He’ll be better in a few days.
(MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
(CHULA GASPS)
(WINGS FLUTTERING)
(DISHES CLATTERING)
Will they stay outside in the tent?
I give it five minutes or less.
(GIRLS LAUGHING)
It’s raining in the tent!
We need hot chocolate.
Sorry lovebug, we’re out.
But, I’ll go to the store.
Come with me and help me choose.
SKULLY: (SINGING) ♪ And as the night is gloomy ♪
♪ The night winds whisper to me ♪
♪ Lonely as I can be ♪
(SKULLY LAUGHS)
Something eating ya?
I don’t know.
Ancestors whispering in your ear again?
(CHULA SIGHS)
Well, why don’t you ask ’em for something good like, Powerball? (CHUCKLES)
(THUNDERCLAP)
(BREAK PEDAL GROANS)
What’s wrong Mama?
(CAR HORN HONKS)
(GASPS)
(GLASS SHATTERING)
(TIRES SCREECHING)
(HORN HONKING)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATH TREMBLING)
(CRYING)
(MONITOR BEEPING)
SKULLY: How is she?
WILLIAM: I didn’t tell her yet. (SIGHS)
I found out who cut the brakes.
They’re taken care of.
CHULA: Oh, and you think that makes me feel better?
That another family is now destroyed?
It makes me feel better.
I begged her not to marry you.
I told her those Lopez boys are no good.
Thugs. Criminals.
You took her from us. You.
SKULLY: Alright. I think it’s time to go.
No, it’s time for him to go.
Before someone else gets hurt.
I will never forgive you for this.
Henry got me a job.
CHULA: Where? New York?
WILLIAM: Isn’t that far enough?
No.
(SIGHS)
You know, she’s really hurting.
We all are.
SKULLY: Hmm.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
WILLIAM: “To Bonnie.”
She will love it.
She misses you.
I miss her.
And Mama.
I know, sweetie.
Will you tell Mama
I’m sorry?
It’s my fault that she’s hurt.
I made her take me to the store.
Maya…
No.
Is she gonna be okay?
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(CAR DOOR CLOSES)
(SIGHS)
Can Bonnie come?
I go too.
(CAR STARTS)
Bonnie too.
Bonnie too.
No.
Maya!
No, Bonnie. No, Bonnie! You can’t go!
No!
No!
(PENSIVE MUSIC CONTINUES)
Bonnie.
(HORNS HONKING)
(TEACHER SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)
(CHILDREN CHATTERING, LAUGHING)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(WILLIAM ROARING)
(YOUNG MAYA LAUGHING)
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Are dragons real?
No.
Or maybe they are but dragons live in a different world.
What if they learned to come into our world?
That would make them stronger.
You have to learn to jump between two worlds.
How?
By watching.
I want to be like you.
I know, but remember school is your focus.
You’re going to grow up and have a different life than me.
I want yours to be better.
(TENSE MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(INDISTINCT)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
MAN: Maya.
MALE INSTRUCTOR: Ready.
Fight!
(BELL DINGING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(GROANING)
(CRAZY BY DOECHII PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)
SINGER: ♪ Issa brand new day new pace light joggin’ ♪
♪ Straight facts, no jargon ♪
♪ Issa a whole lotta big blue checks no login ♪
♪ Low stress, no stallin’ ♪
♪ See whole lotta big Bugattis when I walk in ♪
(MAN GRUNTS, GROANS)
♪ Crazy, got ’em going crazy ♪
♪ None of these hatin’ gon phase me ♪
♪ Crazy ♪
♪ Huh ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ I got ’em goin’ crazy ♪
(BODY THUDS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SWORD SWISHING)
(SWIFT SPLOSHING)
(SWIFT SPLOSHING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC CONTINUES)
(WILLIAM GRUNTING)
(GLASS SHATTERING)
Please, just go.
I won’t leave you.
(SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING)
I’m already gone.
(MAYA SNIFFLES)
(CELL PHONE VIBRATES)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(TRAIN SWOOSHING)
(ALARM BLARING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(POLICE SIRENS WAILING)
OFFICER 1: Get on the ground!
You hear me? Get on the ground.
On the ground. On the ground!
(SOUNDS AND MUSIC SLOWLY FADE)
(HEART THUMPING RAPIDLY)
(GLASS SHATTERING)
(ALARM BLARING)
OFFICER 1: Hey!
What, are you crazy?
Get on the ground.
On the ground!
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(CAR DOOR OPENS, CLOSES)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
OFFICER 2: Uh, sir?
Gonna need you to step back.
Hey, hey, don’t you know who that is?
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
FISK: I’m growing concerned, Maya.
You’re not alone.
We all mourn your father.
I understand your rage.
Do you?
ASL INTERPRETER 1: Do you?
My father was killed also.
When I was 12 years old.
The pain that I felt in the wake of that moment… is something that I have never felt again since.
(MAYA BREATHES DEEPLY)
Let me… (INHALES SHARPLY)
…help you release this rage in, in a more constructive way.
How?
ASL INTERPRETER 1: How?
A job.
You have greatness in you.
Take your hurt, your loss, take your pain, make it into something useful.
(CHITTY BANG BY LEIELI47 PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)
SINGER: ♪ Chitty-chitty bang Chitty-chitty bang ♪
♪ Oh, them cannons rang Yes, them cannons rang ♪
♪ Make sure you photo ready when you see the gang ♪
♪ I thought I told you lames We are not the same ♪
♪ Havin’ some fun whilе you out on your run ♪
♪ Takin’ victory laps I’m in the hood with them ones ♪
♪ Catch mе out in Decatur with some meat and potatoes ♪
♪ Waffle House in Atlanta I’ll hit the Blue Flame later ♪
DAVY: (SIGHS) Can’t believe Kingpin has us babysitting this kid, man.
Took me years to get my first assignment.
Ready?
(EDGAR SIGHS)
(CHITTY BANG CONTINUES PLAYING)
We’re here for the meeting.
SECURITY GUARD: A little late for that.
You bring the doughnuts?
(SIGHS)
Yeah, we got some more.
Smile to the camera.
SECURITY: (ON RADIO) Yeah, they’re clear.
You’re clear. Hands up.
You’re good.
Turn around.
(GRUNTS)
Okay, okay.
Ah. (GRUNTS)
(GROANS)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(SCOFFS)
Okay.
EDGAR: See these guys?
They’re trying to move in on Fisk’s territories.
We’re gonna take ’em out.
Let’s try something else.
We go in there.
Shoot people.
You cool?
Good. Knock.
(BANGING ON DOOR)
Kingpin thanks you for your loyalty.
(SILENCED GUN SHOT)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(PRETTY WASTE BY BONES UK PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)
I got two more for the meeting.
MAN 1: Wait, wait. What?
No, no, it’s cool, brother. They’re expecting us.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
(GUNSHOT)
(YELLS)
(SCREAMS)
(MEN GRUNTING)
(MEN YELLING)
(MUG SHATTERS)
(GRUNTS)
(MEN YELLING)
(SOUNDS AND MUSIC SLOWLY FADE)
(HEART THUMPING RAPIDLY)
(MAN YELLING)
(MAYA GRUNTS)
(MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)
(SOUNDS AND MUSIC SLOWLY FADE)
(TWO DIFFERENT HEARTS BEATING)
(SPINE SHATTERS)
(SINGLE HEART BEATING)
(PRETTY WASTE CONTINUES PLAYING)
(MEN GRUNTING)
(MAYA GRUNTING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(MAN SCREAMING)
SINGER: ♪ That face, that face What a waste ♪
♪ What a waste of a pretty face ♪
♪ That face, what a waste That face, that face ♪
You again?
Come on.
(SECURITY GUARD YELPS)
(GRUNTS)
Nice.
(MAYA PANTING)
Nice job, kid.
(BILLY CLUB WOOSHES)
(MAN GRUNTS AND GROANS)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(MEN GRUNTING)
(PUNCHES LANDING)
(DAREDEVIL YELLS)
(GRUNTS)
(MAYA PANTING)
I’ve been watching them all night.
(DAREDEVIL SIGHS)
And then you guys show up.
(BOTH GRUNTING)
And screwed everything up.
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(METAL CLANGING)
(MAN YELLING)
(GROANS)
(INDISTINCT YELLING)
(DAREDEVIL GRUNTING)
(TENSE MUSIC CONTINUES)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(DAREDEVIL GRUNTS)
(MAYA GROANS)
(MAYA GROANING)
(PANTING)
FISK: None of my men have ever held their own with him like that.
You did better than even I expected.
(FISK CHUCKLES)
And did you find the exercise of use to you?
Immensely.
ASL INTERPRETER 1: Immensely.
FISK: I hoped that would be the case.
What you lacked was a place and a purpose.
You have that now with me.
We’re family,
no matter what.
Thank you, Uncle.
ASL INTERPRETER 1: Thank you, Uncle.
(INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
FISK: Yes. Good.
And I’ve dedicated all my resources into bringing your father’s killer to justice.
I hope you know that.
When you find him, he’s mine.
ASL INTERPRETER 2: When you find him, he’s mine.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
(INTENSE MUSIC AMPLIFIES)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
(MAYA PANTING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
You and I, we’re the same.
When you’re filled with rage, it makes you blind.
You can be used.
You can be manipulated.
Your boss wanted your father dead.
Yes.
Your… boss.
You’re lying.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(BRAKES SQUEAL)
(CAR DOOR OPENS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
What a surprise.
Maya, you and I, your father, we’re family.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC CONTINUES)
(GUNSHOT FIRES)
(BODY THUDS)
(MOTORCYCLE REVVING)
(ENGINE STOPS)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
(CRIES IN PAIN)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(PANTING)
(DRAMATIC MUSIC CONTINUES)
(INTENSE MUSIC SWELLS)
(HORNS HONKING)
(INSECTS BUZZING)
(EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(BRAKES SQUEAL)
(ENGINE STOPS)
(SENTIMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(WINCES)
(SIGHS HEAVILY)
(GRUNTS IN PAIN)
(FLESH TEARING)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(GASPS)
(BIRDS CHIRPING FAINTLY)
(GASPS)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOORKNOB RATTLING)
MAN: (GROANS) Ow! What the heck?
If my grandma finds out someone’s squatting here, there’s gonna be hell to pay.
Maya?
It’s me, Biscuits.
Oh, my God! (LAUGHING)
Oh, yeah! Oh, jeez. Oh, oh!
(GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING)
You look the same… after 20 years.
How long… are you in town?
Not long.
(BARKING)
Hey. (SHUSHES)
That’s…
Billy Jack.
(WHINING)
This is Maya…
She’s our cousin. (LAUGHS)
She’s good people.
Yes, I know.
She was busy…
New York.
Huge.
Is this yours?
Oh the truck?
No no no, that’s Grandma’s.
Come here.
Come on. I wanna show you around.
Billy Jack. You too, boy.
It’s so nice to see you.
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
I wish I knew you were coming.
I’m here for a business thing.
In and out.
I want you to keep quiet about this.
No one needs to know I’m here.
If Grandma asks me…
Whatever.
Just do what you can to keep it between us.
Understood.
Good to see you.
Cousin.
Hey! Come here, you. (GRUNTS)
Maya Lopez is back. (GRUNTS) Maya’s back.
(CROSSING BELL RINGING)
(ROUSING MUSIC PLAYING)
(MOTORCYCLE REVS)
BONNIE: Hey! Pass it over here.
I’m open.
Hey!
MAN: Bonnie!
BONNIE: Down low. MAN: Bonnie!
(GRUNTS)
BONNIE: Yeah!
(ALL EXCLAIMING)
MAN: Nice shot.
BONNIE: Good game.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(CENTERFOLD BY J GEILS BAND PLAYING)
SINGER: ♪ Come on! ♪
(LIVELY CHATTER)
SINGER: ♪ Does she walk? Does she talk? ♪
♪ Does she come complete? ♪
♪ My homeroom, homeroom angel ♪
♪ Always pulled me from my seat ♪
♪ She was pure like snowflakes ♪
♪ No one could ever stain ♪
♪ The memory of my angel ♪
(SPRAYING)
(SPRAYING CONTINUES)
(BELL RINGS)
What size? (SIGHS)
(SPRAYING CONTINUES)
(BELL RINGS)
I have a headache.
Okay?
You ain’t from here, but you look familiar.
How come?
Well, alright.
Mystery is your thing, is it?
You here to skate or ain’t you?
Well, hi. Howdy.
Hello, Becca.
Here are your kids sevens right there.
They’re all yours. Have fun, hmm?
So what’s it going to be?
Well, if you ain’t here to skate, he ain’t available.
It’s seven bucks to skate or it’s five bucks to watch.
Or you go ahead and spend that five dollars on a Butterfinger Blizzard.
(CENTERFOLD CONTINUES)
SINGER: ♪ My angel is the centerfold ♪
♪ Angel is the centerfold ♪
♪ My blood runs cold ♪
♪ My memory has just been sold ♪
RECORDED ANNOUNCER: And now, ladies and gents, boys and girls, please make your way to the starting line for the fun that can’t stop…
Red Light, Green Light.
HENRY: Here we go!
(BUTTON CLICKS)
(CENTERFOLD STOPS)
Green light, go!
(BUTTON CLICKS)
(CENTERFOLD RESUMES)
(ALL CHEERING)
We’ve been playing this since the 90s.
You should switch it up.
Are you nuts?
Look at those glowing faces.
♪ Angel is the centerfold ♪
Red light, stop!
(CENTERFOLD ENDS)
(HENRY EXCLAIMING)
Use your core.
Oh!
(LAUGHTER)
What’s going on?
Let’s talk somewhere private.
HENRY: Green light, go!
(AIN’T GONNA STOP BY NATURAL CHILD PLAYING)
(CHILDREN CHEERING)
SINGER: ♪ I ain’t gonna stop ♪
(CELL PHONE SCREEN LOCKS)
♪ I’ll be six feet deep ♪
♪ Before I get cold ♪
That guy you have working for you sucks.
Vickie?
He’s alright.
Pain in my ass but he’s worked for me many years.
Not only at the rink.
You know?
So they finally caught up to you.
Bullet or blade?
Bullet.
Alright. Now, what are we working with here?
What are we working with here?
Hopefully, not that thing.
Mm. Locking hemostat.
It keeps the cannula from slipping out of your carotid during desanguination.
But, uh, I don’t think we’re embalming you today.
She’s not embalming you today.
Gretchen’s our resident mortician.
You’re an undertaker?
If you want a body fixed…
If you want a body gone…
She’s the person you call.
You want me fixed… or gone?
Let’s start with fixed.
GRETCHEN: Dental floss. Nice.
Take a deep breath.
(GROANS, SLAMS FIST)
(MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(MAYA SIGHS)
If she finds out you were here and you didn’t see her you will break her heart.
Her feelings aren’t my business.
I disagree.
Also not my business.
Your turn.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SIGHS)
I figured you needed more from me than stitches.
I need just one train car.
To send Fisk’s men a message.
With your shipping route.
I won’t bring a war here.
To the people I love and who love you.
Why are you doing this?
Kingpin had his run.
It’s time for a queen.
I never saw you.
We didn’t have this conversation.
(MONITOR BEEPING)
(IV DRIPPING)
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
(MONITOR BEEPING CONTINUES)
(LABORED BREATHING)
(DRUMS BEATING)
(CHOCTAW MUSIC PLAYING)
FISK: You want an empire.
You want a war.
(WAR CRY)
FISK: You’ll have it.
(BURNING BY YEAH YEAH YEAHS PLAYING)
SINGER: ♪ Believer ♪
♪ Took me over like a fever ♪
♪ Caught you hiding in the smoke, smoke, smoke ♪
♪ Like a meteor I glow, glow, glow ♪
♪ What you gonna do when you get to the water? ♪
♪ Well, I’ll release her ♪
♪ From the bindings of her teachers ♪
♪ What they’re hiding there is broke, broke, broke ♪
♪ Like the River Styx I flow, flow, flow ♪
♪ What you gonna do when you get to the water? ♪
♪ What you gonna do when you get to the water? ♪
♪ Into the sea, out of fire ♪
♪ All that burning ♪
♪ Into the sea, out of fire ♪
♪ All that burning ♪
(BURNING FADES)
