Episode Title: Tuklo
Series: Echo
Season: 1
Episode: 3
Original release date: January 9, 2024
The episode delves into two central threads: Maya’s exploration of her Choctaw heritage and a dangerous encounter with Kingpin’s forces.
Exploring Identity:
• Maya journeys to learn about Choctaw history and traditions, guided by her grandfather, William.
• We see flashbacks to the past, showcasing the historical oppression faced by the Choctaw people and highlighting the strength and resilience of their women.
• Maya connects with her cultural identity through storytelling, craftwork, and traditional dances.
• This exploration leads to a powerful moment where she embraces her warrior spirit, symbolized by a prosthetic leg crafted by William.
Confronting Danger:
• Meanwhile, Maya’s past catches up with her as Kingpin sends Zane, a ruthless hitman, to capture her.
• A tense conflict unfolds between Maya’s allies (including Chula and Skully) and Zane’s men, leading to a thrilling action sequence.
• Maya utilizes her fighting skills and resourcefulness to protect herself and those around her.
• The episode culminates in a dramatic showdown with Zane, leaving the outcome hanging in the balance.
Beyond these main threads, “Tuklo” offers several notable elements:
• Kingpin makes a chilling appearance, setting the stage for a future confrontation with Maya.
• There’s a touching reunion between Maya and her ex-lover, hinting at a possible rekindled romance.
• The episode closes with a powerful scene of Maya embracing her newfound identity and vowing to continue fighting for justice.
* * *
(FILM PROJECTOR SPINNING)
(ROUSING MUSIC PLAYING)
(HORSE HOOVES CLOPPING)
(SAD MUSIC PLAYING)
(RUNNING WATER)
(PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING)
(ROUSING MUSIC SWELLING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(RUNNING WATER)
(SOUND AND MUSIC SLOWLY INTENSIFY)
(DISCORDANT SOUNDS AND MUSIC)
(GUN SHOTS)
(WAR CRY)
(MEN GRUNTING)
(HEROIC MUSIC PLAYING)
(BODY THUDS)
(WAR CRIES)
(MAN GRUNTS)
(GUN FIRES)
(GROANS)
(WAR CRY)
(FILM FLUTTERING OUT)
(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)
(DOORBELL RINGING)
(BUZZER SOUNDS)
Yakoke.
(DREAMER BY JOYCE HARRIS PLAYING ON STEREO)
(SKULLY CLEARS THROAT)
(SCOFFS, IN ENGLISH) Don’t give me that look.
Well, halito to you too, Chula.
(SPEAKING CHOCTAW) How are you?
(IN ENGLISH) I’m just fine.
Well, you could do better than that.
Why don’t we, uh,
go into my office?
(SPEAKING CHOCTAW) Do you want to eat?
(IN ENGLISH) Cut the crap.
I didn’t come here to get leg-humped by some old rez dog like you.
Ah, you used to melt like butter when I talked Indian to you.
That was a long time ago.
Doesn’t have to be like that now.
Maya’s back.
Yeah, I thought that might have something to do with it.
Come on in.
Go sit over there.
But that old chair hurts my back, you know?
(GROANS SOFTLY) What’s this?
CHULA: Biscuits near totaled my truck doing who knows what.
He’s covering for Maya.
She’s bringing trouble with her.
And now Biscuits is caught up in it.
She’s too much like her father.
You don’t know that. You don’t even know her.
And you do?
You haven’t seen her any more than I have in the last 20 years.
(SCOFFS) Oh really?
What’s she up to, then?
(CLEARS THROAT) Not for me to say.
Why don’t you ask her?
Not likely.
(CLICKS)
(MUSIC STOPS)
You know, you two are exactly alike.
We are not alike.
Everything I’ve done has been to protect my family,
however much it hurt.
You lost your daughter.
Why don’t you just swallow your pride before you lose your granddaughter, too?
I can’t talk to her now.
I got nothing to say.
(SIGHS)
Well, maybe you shouldn’t talk to her. Maybe you should just listen for once.
(EMOTIONAL MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
(SIGHS)
ZANE: (OVER PHONE) Don’t disappoint me, Vickie.
Your intel won’t be worth jack shit if she’s gone.
Zane, I promise you, man. Maya’s here.
We’re still a few hours out.
Tonight, have her ready. Wait for my call.
(CALL DISCONNECTS)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
(FOOTSTEPS)
(GASPS)
(DISCORDANT MUSIC)
(MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS)
(INDISTINCT SOUND)
(GRUNTING)
(MYSTERIOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(RATTLING)
(GRUNTS)
(SOUNDS AND MUSIC SLOWLY FADE)
(SINGLE HEART BEATING)
(SINGLE HEART BEAT CONTINUES)
(INAUDIBLE CONVERSATION)
VICKIE: One, two, three.
GRACE: God, give me a hand.
VICKIE: I am.
(SCOFFS)
VICKIE: One of youse gotta babysit her.
GRACE: Or you could.
No. I gotta be out front when he gets here.
I’m the man on the inside.
All you gotta do is sit outside that door. What are you, scared?
BRIGITTE: I will babysit her since you two are too chickenshit.
GRACE: Fine. Have fun.
(TENSE MUSIC BUILDING)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
(DOOR RATTLES)
(KNOCKING)
(KNOCKING CONTINUES)
Hello?
(MUFFLED SCREAM)
Shut up. Shut up.
(DOOR GROANS)
Uncle Henry?
Uncle Henry?
Hey.
Hey. I tried the front.
Yeah. Sorry.
Um, not a good time. Pretty busy.
I won’t take very long. I… I just have some questions I wanna ask.
Uh, privately.
How about you call me tomorrow?
The rink’s being audited by the IRS, and I’m just swimming in paperwork.
LEAVE NOW.
Yikes, the IRS? Is there anything I can do?
GO.
No no no. I’m good.
Probably shouldn’t have deducted all that mileage on all those pairs of skates.
(BONNIE CHUCKLES)
I’ll, uh… I’ll leave you to it.
Appreciate it. Night, Bonnie.
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
What the hell was that? Huh? Did you know she was coming around?
Uh-uh.
Are more people coming around here? Go.
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING)
(WALKIE TALKIE BEEP)
Dispatch? Dispatch, this… (GASPS)
(CHAINS RATTLE)
(TENSE MUSIC PLAYING)
(DOOR OPENING)
VICKIE: Get in here.
(BONNIE GROANS)
(DOOR SHUTTING)
(SIGHS)
(SCOFFS)
(HIDDEN BLADE OPENING)
(DETERMINED MUSIC PLAYING)
You okay?
I will be.
BRIGITTE: I’m doin’ it. I’m doin’ it. Whoa.
Looks like they’re in no hurry.
What are they waiting for?
Stop.
Stop looking for a way out of here?
You know what I mean.
Look.
I’m just here for work stuff.
No sense disrupting your life if I’m not going to be here long.
Bullshit.
You can’t even look me in the eye.
I waited for you.
Every night for years.
And you still couldn’t be bothered to send one message.
We drifted apart.
It happens.
We didn’t drift.
All those emails, texts.
Nothing ever came back.
You didn’t text me back after your dad died.
I would have been there.
Come on, Vickie. Let me smooth things out with Maya.
Tell her it was a misunderstanding.
That way, if you leave now, you got nothing to worry about.
Only person with anything to worry about is her.
What did you do?
No. Maya brought this on herself, coming home.
Alls I did was accelerate the process.
You called someone?
Yeah, well, here’s the thing, Henry.
I ain’t taking orders no more. Not from you.
There’s still a chance for you to get out of this alive.
You really think he’s gonna pay you and then just let you walk out of here?
If I was you, Henry, I would have turned her in myself, collect that bounty.
You left it up for grabs and I’m grabbing.
GRACE: Vickie!
Come on, Vickie. I swear I heard something.
They might be loose.
VICKIE: Alright. Quickly, though. He’s almost here.
(SOUNDS AND MUSIC SLOWLY FADE)
(SINGLE HEART BEATING)
(SOUND RETURNS)
GRACE: Her zip ties. Told you I heard something.
VICKIE: Whoa, whoa whoa whoa. Don’t shoot her.
If she’s dead when they get here, we ain’t getting paid.
Hey. Guns down.
I can talk to her.
Please.
Gun down, Grace!
Come on.
GRACE: Tell your gimpy friend to put her zip ties back on.
Someone is coming to pay them for you.
VICKIE: Hey, hey!
BRIGITTE: Do not assume incompetence…
What do we do?
VICKIE: Wh-What is she saying to her?
I’m going to punch you.
VICKIE: They weren’t supposed to be fighting each other.
GRACE: Hurry up, go.
VICKIE: No, we need her alive.
Let’s get out of here. Come on.
(GASPING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY) I think we gotta go back in and hog-tie her.
No, it’s not worth the trouble.
(PHONE VIBRATES)
BRIDGETTE: The door’s locked anyway.
They’re here.
Okay…
Throw her back in there, too?
No. She’s coming with us.
Come on.
Alright. Have fun.
Let’s go. I got her. I got her.
(PANTING)
(ROUSING MUSIC PLAYING)
You’re the guy, then?
Yeah, I’m the guy. Vickie.
Vickie? Nice to see your face at last, I guess.
We come a very long way.
So, for your sake, I hope the information you’ve been texting is legit.
See, uh…
I don’t like being played with, Vickie.
Guaranteed, it’s the real deal.
Assuming you brought that money.
Oh. No. We got protocols, right?
I keeps the money safe while I assesses the situation.
You don’t think I’d walk in with the money, do you?
‘Course not.
You work here?
VICKIE: Yeah.
Wow. It’s lush.
You are a lucky bastard.
I tell you what, boys, when the gig’s done, Ring Pops on me.
You can hook us up, right, brah?
Fan out, boys. She’s here somewhere.
See, I was thinking, you show me that money first and make sure it’s all there.
Like, I need to know that you have it.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(ROUSING MUSIC RESUMES)
(LASER TRILLS)
(WHIRS)
WOMAN: (ON VIDEO) …for their own safety and self-defense in an uncertain America.
Today, hostage negotiations. I’ll jump right in.
You need to keep yourself alert and aware of your surroundings and any and all potential threats at all times.
And remember, do not assume incompetence when dealing with an unknown kidnapper.
Instead, take precautions on a number of levels to protect yourself…
(CHAIR SQUEAKS)
…and any bystanders from a multitude of deadly possibilities.
What does your kidnapper…
(GLASS SHATTERING)
(GASPING)
…or her path without doing further harm.
Signing off.
This is Esther of Militia Mommies.
Please smash “like” and “subscribe” below.
Where you at?
Come on, now. Don’t make…
What the…
(WHOOSHING)
(GRUNTS AND YELLS)
(THUDS)
Okay, so, here’s what I’m thinking.
Um, so, you grab the money, and then…
Vickie. What the hell, man?
We’re supposed to be makin’ a deal, not giving them the grand tour.
Can you let me handle this, Grace?
Looks like you’re lettin’ this guy handle it.
What’s up, kitty cat?
Ah, looky, looky. Is that Henry Black Crow Lopez?
Surprised to see me? Look at you all tied up.
Let me talk. It’ll be okay.
How’d you get jammed up like this?
You got something to spill? Huh?
Where’s that niece of yours, huh?
Maya Lopez. Lopez who blew up the armory.
We’re actually not at liberty to say until we get our money.
(GROWLS)
I’m so tired of all this yappin’.
(CELL PHONE VIBRATES)
I’m gonna go check on somethin’.
Yeah.
Matter of fact, she probably needs a hand with that, so I’m gonna head out, and then I’ll be right…
ZANE: Is something wrong?
No. What?
We still got a deal.
So how about let’s all go out and you show me that money?
You catch that, brothers?
What? Look, there’s no problem.
Vickie wants to go out.
So, take him out.
No. Oh no, no, no. No.
(GUN FIRES)
(GROANS)
ZANE: Oh!
Thanks again, Vickie, for the hot tip.
Would have been nice if she were, you know, here.
(DOOR CLOSES)
The sister’s headed for the parking lot.
Let her go.
I got who I wants here.
You’s the one who’s gonna give me the answers to my question.
Where is Maya Lopez?
(DRAGULA BY ROB ZOMBIE PLAYING LOUDLY)
♪ I slam in the back of my Dragula ♪
♪ Dig through the ditches ♪
Circuit breaker’s in the laser tag area.
ZANE: What are you waiting for? Go find her!
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
Where is she? Get in the circuit!
Boys, pivot!
ZANE: Lopez!
(DRAGULA CONTINUES MUFFLED)
(GRUNTS)
(SWITCHES CLICKING)
(ELECTRICAL ZAP)
(CHUCKLES)
CARTER: Shut up!
(DRAGULA CONTINUES)
She’s got the place rigged. Everyone, eyes up! Lopez is here!
(SCREAMS)
♪ …and burn through the witches ♪
♪ I slam in the back of my Dragula ♪
Be on the lookout. She’s around here somewhere.
(THUD)
♪ Do it, baby Do it, baby ♪
♪ Burn like an animal ♪
(THUDDING)
(CRASHING)
(MAN GRUNTS)
(DRAGULA FADES)
(MAN GRUNTS)
(GUNSHOT)
(MAN GRUNTS)
(SOUNDS AND MUSIC SLOWLY FADE)
(SINGLE HEART BEATING)
(ROUSING MUSIC PLAYING)
(GUN CLICKS)
(GLASS SHATTERING)
(GLASS SHATTERING)
(GUNFIRE)
(MEN GRUNTING)
(WHIP CRACKS)
(INDISTINCT YELLING)
PAH!
Oh.
(CHUCKLING)
(BALL HITTING THE FLOOR)
(VIDEO GAME LOSING SOUNDS)
(DANGEROUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(GRUNTS)
No!
(CELL PHONE VIBRATES)
(NEW YORK MINUTE BY DON HENLEY PLAYING)
♪ Everything can change In a New York Minute ♪
♪ Things can get… ♪
Aye?
Well, I thought…
Yeah. I understand.
I’m sorry, I… Let me just…
(CALL DISCONNECTS)
(FOREBODING MUSIC PLAYING)
(EXHALES)
Let’s go.
(GASPS)
(FOREBODING MUSIC INTENSIFIES)
(DOOR SLAMMING SHUT)
Does it hurt?
You could have broken something.
Sorry. Had to look real.
Listen.
You need to go.
(CAR DOOR OPENING AND SLAMMED SHUT)
Go?
We have to wait for the police.
(CAR DOOR SLAMMED SHUT)
No police. I can’t have police.
Please.
Do you think they’ll come back?
I won’t let anyone hurt you.
I promise.
They were here for me.
Not you.
I need you to go home, Bonnie.
We’ll talk soon, I promise.
You promise?
(CAR DOOR OPENING)
(SIGHS)
(CAR DOOR SLAMMING SHUT)
(TRUCK ENGINE STARTS)
What the hell just happened?
Which part?
The part where we were kidnapped by the guy who cleans my skates?
Or the part where we almost die because there’s a price on your head?
We wouldn’t be here if someone hadn’t called off Zane and his dogs.
There’s only one person who could have.
I shot him in the face.
Look… tonight… things… caught up to us both.
If… the offer still stands…
I’m helping you.
(WHEN WE REMAIN BY SAMANTHA CRAIN PLAYING)
♪ Tamaha chito okla imihaksi tuko ♪
♪ I foni aiyokli ahoba hapiachi kiyo ♪
♪ Vpi ahoba osh ohmi tamaha ♪
(GUN CLICKS)
(DOOR OPENS)
♪ Okla il vbachike ♪
♪ Okla e maya momakma ♪
♪ Tamaha chito okla imihaksi tuko ♪
♪ I foni aiyokli ahoba hapiachi kiyo ♪
(WHEN WE REMAIN FADES)
You don’t like it. I just prefer a simpler look.
That’s all.
Hello!
You live in New York.
You represent your people.
That means…
(SPEAKING CHOCTAW) a Choctaw Warrior
(IN ENGLISH) is on the scene.
But… if you… don’t like it, I could… paint it matte black.
Leave it as is.
I’ll just wear my pants over it.
I’m just teasing.
Now, you know I don’t get in family business.
Since your grandmother and I not together no more.
But… you won’t go see her?
She doesn’t wanna see me.
Her heart was broken when you left.
She left this place like it was.
Like a museum.
She could’ve reached out any time.
She never did.
I guess… we all do things we wish were different.
(CLICKS)
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES)
(EMOTIONAL MUSIC SWELLS)
(CHOIR SINGING VBA ISHT TALOA #121 IN CHOCTAW)
♪ Chihowa ushi mak hosh ♪
♪ Vba ya ♪
♪ Mihintishke ♪
♪ Nan isht a ♪
♪ Holitopa ♪
♪ Moma ilia ♪
♪ Eshi hosh ♪
♪ Vba ya ♪
♪ Mihintishke ♪
♪ Nan uha ♪
♪ Im vlhtaha ♪
♪ Holitopa ♪
♪ Ai ahlit ♪
♪ Vba ya ♪
♪ Mihintishke ♪
(VBA ISHT TALOA #121 FADES)
(GENTLE WIND CHIMES)
(GASPS)
(OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING)
(OMINOUS MUSIC BUILDING)
(FERAL LOVE BY CHELSEA WOLFE PLAYING)
