M I L L E N N I U M SCRIPT DRAFT COMPARISON Deleted scenes from "COVENANT" Episode #1.16 [MLM-116] (4C16)] Compiled by Rodney Smith & Brian A. Dixon ---------------------- It has been said that the first cut of "Covenant" was approximately one hour and twenty minutes long, nearly twice the length of a standard one-hour network drama. As a result, nearly half of the episode was trimmed in the cutting room and is now lost to viewers.  Copies of the original shooting script for the episode reveal those scenes that were lost. The following scenes were modified from their original form or dropped from the episode altogether. These scenes have been compiled by comparing a draft of the episode's script to the episode that aired, not by comparing the first draft script (of January 29, 1997) to the final draft script. Therefor, it is difficult to say whether or not certain scenes were altered by script writer Robert Moresca or by the episode's director, actors, and crew. The changes below occurred during the rewrite process. The script for "Covenent" underwent seven drafts. ---------------------- TEASER The episode's teaser involved a grim MR. GARRY working in his garage. When his family arrives home, it is duly brought to our attention that something isn't right. This is not a happy home. The script makes note that the daughter (MARY) was eight years old and should resemble "Jordan Black". This note becomes more poignant when Frank examines the murder scene and sees his own daughter in the eyes of Mr. Garry's child. Just before William Jr. gets his cookies from the kitchen a scene was removed from the episode. **BEGIN SCENE INT. GARRY HOUSE - HALLWAY- A LITTLE LATER Mary chases her brother William Jr. down the hall screaming after him. William reaches the bathroom door and slams it shut. Mary bangs on the door. MARY: Open Up Billy! I was first IN THE KITCHEN The pharmacy bag lies on the table, Mrs. Garry pours a spoonful of cough medicine and holds it to young Gabriel's mouth. Gabe refuses to open up. We hear Mary screaming and banging off screen. MRS. GARRY: Gabriel, please. GABE (Shaking his head): I don't want to. Mrs. Garry seizes the moment. The spoon goes into Gabe's mouth. Gabe immediately spits the syrup out. MRS. GARRY: Gabriel... Mary's screaming and banging grows louder, a frustrated Mrs. Garry tries to gather her strength, she looks down the hall. Mary's incessant screaming and banging continues, as the camera pushes in slowly on Mrs. Garry's face. As she looks off toward the screaming, abstracted. Bearing a mother's burden. Until she turns back to Gabe, lifting another spoonful of syrup. MRS. GARRY: Open up for mommy. **END SCENE The above scene certainly adds to our sense of the pressure faced by Mrs. Garry in a family where the parents no longer interact with one another. This scene was perhaps left out because it illustrates Mrs. Garry's frustration too clearly, perhaps giving the audience greater reason to suspect her of the killings that occur later. ---------------------- ACT ONE Later in the episode, after Mr. Garry is arrested for killing his entire family, Frank is preparing to aid in the trial. Before leaving, a scene in which he bids goodbye to Catherine was removed. Catherine asks him when he will be back, and Frank responds, "Just a few days." For many viewers of the first season, there was always the suspicion that Frank's neighbor Jack Meredith was a little too nosey for his own good. When the episode aired, we see Jack watching the news as he spies Frank packing his car to leave. In the original script, Jack can't resist getting the inside scoop and rushes outside to snoop. **BEGIN SCENE MEREDITH: Hey, Frank! FRANK: Morning, Jack. Frank throws his garment bag in the car. MEREDITH: Going down to Ogden, I bet... ? Frank nods politely, Meredith smiles, his hunch confirmed. Frank slams the trunk shut. Meredith doesn't take the hint, he makes no move to leave. MEREDITH: Slaughter your wife and children, what's there to say about a man like that? (Pause) What do they do down there? Gas chamber? Electric chair? FRANK: (opening the driver's door) Actually there's a choice, death by firing squad or lethal injection. An awkward pause. Meredith finally takes the hint. MEREDITH: Well... (no more to say) God speed. Meredith walks away, not feeling even a little bit awkward by his strange send-off. Frank studies Meredith for a moment, then he enters the Cherokee. **END SCENE Frank travels to Odgen to meet with the prosecutor. When county prosecutor Cal Smith indicates that he knows the Garrys were having family problems, he adds... **BEGIN SCENE SMITH: You're as close to understanding these things as anyone, Frank. Why do they happen? FRANK: There's always a different reason. Usually that reason only makes sense to the killer. **END SCENE The above dialogue was cut from the final episode. Later, when Frank is examining the crime scene, officer Reilly comments on the numbers written in blood on the window. Although in the final cut Reilly mentions that the numbers were checked with relevance to numerology and astrology, mention of the Kabbalah is cut from the final scene. It is uncertain why the body of Jewish mysticism teachings is not mentioned in the aired episode. An interesting note for fans is that the pharmacy receipt Frank discovers at the crime scene is from M&W Pharmacy. The acronym is commonly used to refer to "Millennium" writers and producers Glen Morgan and James Wong. It is also interesting to note that Mr. Garry's taped confession included no dialogue other then his own in the final cut. Originally, however, the police officer questioning him is also heard on the tape. Viewers may recall that at the end of Act One (prior to the second commercial break) Frank is in his hotel room examining the blood-written numbers on the window. The scene ends here in the final cut. In the original, however, Frank actually calls Didi (the assistant examiner) to arrange a meeting for the following afternoon. ---------------------- ACT TWO When Frank meets with Mr. Garry's attorney (Mr. Slattery) the following day we learn why Frank orders only coffee. SLATTERY: If you're hungry, I wouldn't eat here. FRANK (to waitress): Just coffee Later, when Slattery explains that Mr. Garry feels death by firing squad will allows for dispensation of his acts, we are reminded of the original conversation with Meredith when Frank explains that death by firing squad is permitted in this state. Slattery also has the following to say, a line that never made it to screen... SLATTERY: The truth is Garry's on the fast track to the firing squad because the people of this town need to forget he ever existed, so they can bury their fears and anxieties with him. And Cal Smith, Mr. Due Process, is determined to deliver. Perhaps the comment was lifted to allow Frank to use very similar wording at the end of the episode when he talks to Officer Reilly. In this way, Frank's comments carry more weight and less redundancy. Viewers may recall that prosecutor Smith sets Frank up to meet Mrs. Garry's parents (Mr. & Mrs. Anderson). After Mrs. Anderson finishes speaking she has to prod her husband to speak in the original text... MRS. ANDERSON: Talk. Talk, because if you don't give words to your sorrow, your heart will break and you will die too. Then what'll I do? ---------------------- ACT THREE After returning from the commercial break, Frank visits Mrs. Garry's therapist (Dr. Steele). In the original script, this scene occurred after the lie-detector scene that occurs after the commercial break. At the end of Act Three, when Frank is with Dr. Geller re-examining the dead family members, Frank lifts the blanket away from dead Mary Garry. The script again indicates that the viewer is supposed to realize how much this little girl resembles Jordan. ---------------------- ACT FOUR Despite the fact that this analysis has outlined how much was cut, it is also interesting to note how much was added. In the final act, several important dialogues are added. Nearly the entire climax, where Frank and Reilly discuss the murder by Mrs. Garry, was modified or added after the first script was written. It is also interesting to note the subtle changes in dialogue. One has to wonder how much ad-libbing is done by the show's actors on a regular basis. ----------------------