the Night Chant

In the Bayou, Louisiana, a doctor visits a patient, and you must use this chance to discover the dark truth of how this all began.

Written by Naomi Alderman.

Scenes

Scene summaries may contain spoilers
1
A winding dirt road in the Bayou, Louisiana. You haven't wanted to come here, little seed, but you need something from James's memories. Doctor James asks Eddie about his sick father. He's getting worse, but James has antibiotics. Eddie will meet James near the cabin.
2
There are zombies on the trail, but James keeps moving. Move through his memories. You are looking for something nearly 20 years ago: a music festival in North Dakota. There, hold that memory. James and Officer Styles discuss what they're testing on the festival-goers. A carrier wave in the music to turn people's brains up. Maybe they'll even be able to talk to alien life. But there are zombies nearby in the Bayou. Let go for now and run.
3
In James's memories you see the small operation. Targeting Officer Styles in charge, and James, the CIA doctor, there in case of trouble, testing a theory that modulations in music would awaken latent psychic abilities they could use to contact alien intelligences. The band is onstage and something is building in the music. People say they saw something glowing in the sky, and a tree made of stars, even though they don't remember the next 12 minutes. Did it work? Well, you are jumping from mind to mind.
4
The next morning, Styles and Doctor James discuss the project. Only one in thirty people saw the falling star, and Styles can claim it was drugs or a gas leak to cover it up. Need to get the cover story to stick and leave quickly. James can feel you rummaging around, and hums some notes. You're stuck with him!
5
James meets Eddie, who seems to recognise him – though James denies it. Better hurry away from the zombies.
6
James delivers the penicillin shot to the patient, who quickly breathes more easily. Eddie looks run down so James gives him an injection... and you cannot stop him. Eddie was at the festival. James intends to get rid of everyone who saw it, including himself. He tries to get you to jump into Eddie so you will die with him. You are the last seed of many, because James killed them all. But he doesn't know that. You can survive in an animal for a brief time. Jump into the cat and run.
7
Alexander wakes after a dream of being a cat, and reports to his husband that one of the others is dead. Vivek believes him and calls him an "adept." Alexander does not want this ability, but Vivek calls it a calling. Alexander knows there are only a few left, and when they die, it's over.

Credits

Cast listings may contain spoilers
Crew
Writer
Naomi Alderman, Ishmael Hope & Rebecca Levene
Director
Ella Watts
Sound Designer
Matt Part
Series Created By
Naomi Alderman