Threads (Psi Factor)

Threads is the first episode of the second season of "Psi Factor" and the 23rd overall. It aired on 29 September 1997, and introduced new main character Matt Praeger, and recurring character Michael Kelly.
== Synopsis ==
Part of an unfinished building inexplicably and violently vanishes along with two construction workers. Lindsay is still dealing with Connor Doyle's tragic death. The O.S.I.R. gets a new lead investigator, Matt Praeger.Threads - IMDB - Retrieved 10 January 2021
== Plot ==
=== Cold Open ===
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=== Main Plot ===
Lindsay wakes up from a nightmare about the death of Connor Doyle. She and Anton are on a plane bound for a new case.
On Day One of the investigation, Peter Axon watches news footage of the heavily damaged Victorine Building with Director Frank Elsinger. Axon points out that a large chunk of the building has vanished, leaving no debris. He expresses great interest in the great number of things that could have caused this, though Elsinger states that the mystery could have a simple solution, and nothing more. When Axon states that he'll put a team together, Elsinger informs Axon that he'll be reporting to a new case manager on-site. Axon is upset by this, having believed that he had become case manager, but Elsinger cut him down, reminding Axon that he had only been acting case manager, but mentioning that he'd performed admirably and that the organization expected great things of him. Axon, upset at having been usurped by a newcomer, left hastily, while Elsinger simply watched.
Arriving on-site, Axon cut through the swath of reporters and the police cordon to enter the building. Ray Donahue joined him, guiding him through the building and asking Axon why he'd been late. Along the way, they pass the 51st floor, where O.S.I.R. technicians struggle to get pass the electronic locks. Axon notices Anton questioning the experiencer. Anton greets him warmly, before leaving to attend to something else. Axon notices Lindsay, who coldly informs him that he's late, and points out where the new case manager is. 
The new Case Manager appreciatively surveys the the large hole cut from the building, while Axon, Lindsey, and Ray watch on. The newcomer turns, and happily gives them advice about working on a construction site. Axon introduces himself, while the newcomer introduces him as Matt Praeger, while curtly replying that Axon was late. Praeger points out several things to ray, that there was no scorching, buckling, or shrapnel, meaning that the hole could not have been caused by a bomb. The concrete was cut, but rounded, with neither the concrete or the metal having sheared, meaning it could not be structural failure. Praeger asks for Ray's report, with Ray informing him that the perimeter had been secured, and that the local authorities were cooperating. Ray was continuing to search for the missing worker, but floors 47 through 51, where most of the damage was, were completely sealed off to them. The building manager, André Brock, informed Donahue that the floors were sealed electronically when the power went out, the doors being carbonized steel fire doors, that would take hours to cut through. Ray also said that Brock had said that a super-cooled mainframe was kept on those floors. Axon interrupted, saying that a computer that size would normally be kept in a sub-basement. Praeger seemingly ignored him, and moved on to Lindsay. Lindsay talked about the missing men, Jonas Haas and Darren Vendredi both knew their way around construction, with Haas having played a large part in founding the local union, and Vendredi was a fourth generation Mohawk iron worker. Lindsay was already dealing with their families.
Anton arrived, and gave his report on Heller, telling Praeger that he'd been keeping her isolated from reporters. The light had damaged her retinas, and whatever the event was, it had terrified her, causing her to go into hiding for hours. Heller herself didn't know what had caused the light.
Praeger then moved back to Axon, asking him about the environmentals. Axon said that there was no way seismic activity could have caused the hole, before being interrupted by Praeger asking about how fast he was working. Axon then said that the event was the likely result of apportation. Praeger jokingly dismissed it as a science fiction concept, while Axon sheepishly said that the missing material had to go somewhere. Praeger criticized him for including the two missing men as "material", before deciding they had to reach the lower floors.
Several hours later, Praeger, Axon and Donahue set up climbing equipment in front of a ventilation shaft. Praeger decided he wanted a better view of the shaft and left to get lights with Donahue, leaving Axon to continue setting up the equipment. Axon then heard a moaning at the bottom of the shaft, and impulsively dropped into the shaft. Praeger saw this and tried to stop him, but Axon had already gone too far to be stopped, and Praeger decided to let him go. Axon continued down two floors when he noticed advanced fiber-optics unlike anything he'd ever seen before. Upon taking a closer look, he saw that they went in the direction of the mainframe. When he touched the wire, he received a strong electric shock, knocking him unconscious and causing his climbing rope to catch fire. Praeger and Donahue desperately pulled at the rope to get Axon back up to the 52nd floor, with Axon regaining consciousness in time to grab Praeger's hand, just before the rope snapped. With both Praeger and Axon trying desperately to catch their breath, Donahue left them to talk in private. Praeger told Axon that he'd read his file, and had been severely underwhelmed. Praeger mentioned "consistent single-mindedness, to the point of being headstrong", and strongly reprimanded Axon, saying that his actions hadn't impressed him, and that he was too valuable an asset to lose to a stupid decision.
Anton treated Axon's wounds while Lindsay chastised him for his actions, telling him to kill himself on his own time and not to take anyone else with him. Axon defended himself, saying he wasn't responsible for Doyle's death. Lindsay retorted that he was irresponsible, but left when Anton suggested she speak with the building manager. Axon tried to look for reassurance from Anton, but Anton replied that it didn't matter what he himself believed, only what Lindsay did.
Lindsay met with Brock in his office, asking whether he'd made any progress on getting the doors opened. Brock said he'd called the tenant to inquire about it, and that they were due to call at any time with access codes.
== Cast ==
=== Guest ===
== Notes ==
=== Behind the Scenes ===
* 
=== Continuity ===
*Lindsay is having nightmares about the death of Connor Doyle in Arkhangelsk, which occurred in the prior episode and season 1 finale, "Perestroika". She blames Axon for his death.
* The city the Victorine Building is located is where Ray Donahue is from; the Chief of Police happens to be his second cousin. While Donahue is shown in other episodes to be a cop, his cousin being at such a high rank took him by surprise.
* Donner and Axon meet Michael Kelly for the first time after discovering that he had tipped off the building employees. It's established that Praeger knows him, but their first meeting in the series only occurs in the next episode, "Donor", before it is elaborated on more in the episode "The Grey Men".
=== Errors ===
* When Axon notices Anton questioning Frankie Heller, Donahue has already passed between them. When the next shot comes, Anton stands up, and Donahue is seen to pass by again.
* Lindsay refers to Vendredi, not as an iron worker, but an "iron walker". This wiki has not been able to trace a definition for the term, and presumes it an error.
== Links ==
* Threads on IMDB
== References ==
Category:Psi Factor Episodes
Category:Psi Factor Season 2