Control

"**Control**" is the fifth episode of the Prime Video series *Tales from the Loop*. It and all other episodes of the series were written by series creator Nathaniel Halpern. It was the directed by Tim Mielants.

## Plot

In an effort to keep his family safe, a man makes an unusual choice.

## Summary

### Power problems

Ed, a service engineer for the Mercer Center for Experimental Physics, stands outside in a field working on a utility box using a mechanical arm. He hears a bird chirping and sees that its egg fell out of the nest and cracked open. He stares up at the nest. Later that day, he visits a hospital room where the body of his son, Danny Jannson, lays comatose. With him are his wife, Kate, and daughter, Beth. Beth plays with a toy robot and then, being deaf, signs to her mother that she's hungry. The two bid Ed goodbye and Kate signs that Ed should talk to Danny. Ed, however, just takes Danny's hand, unable to say anything.

Sometime later, he stands in his basement, wearing boxing gloves and punching a bag. Beth is there with him and he signs to her "Keep it up to protect yourself." She punches the bag and he gives her direction to jab in various ways. He signs "strong," telling her that he will never let anything bad happen to her. She startles as the power goes off in the basement. He goes to the fusebox. Kate shouts him and he tells her that he knows. He flips a switch and she comes down, telling him he has to fix it. He says it's not cheap. She suggests that they talk to Henry. He tells her no, but she says that he wants to and is offering. He tells her that they're not borrowing money from her brother. She says he should asks for an advance and he tells her that he'll do what he wants on this front. He indicates the fusebox and signs to Beth that it's all better.

He visits his office, where he is greeted by Lucas, another mechanic. Lucas comments that it's a nice day outside. Ed looks outside, but does not comment. He asks if there's any coffee left and Lucas tells him he just put a fresh pot on. Ed visits his supervisor, Phil, who also comments that it's a beautiful day. Ed replies that he saw. He sits across from him and clears his throat. He starts to say that he was wondering something, but then the phone rings. Phil seems inclined to listen anyway, but Ed does not continue, so he takes the phone call. He asks if it's important. Ed shakes his head and leaves. He goes back to work, observing a woman in a nearby scrapyard aided in her work by an unusual robot. Back at home, Kate makes Danny's bed and sits on it, observing. Meanwhile, Beth runs out of the house, playing with a toy robot. A group of three boys approach behind her. They shout at her, but being deaf, she does not hear a word. At the Mercer Tavern, Ed talks with Lucas. Lucas tells him that heard somebody broke into Munro's house. He says that he wonders if it's the same guy who broke into his place. It's the first Ed has heard of it and he asks him when this was. "Little while ago," says Lucas, surprised that he didn't tell him. He says he was even home at the time. They didn't take anything though, and Ed wonders what they wanted. Lucas admits he doesn't know, that it's messed up. Ed says that he can't believe he didn't tell him about this, and he says that he thought he did. It's freaky not feeling safe in your own home. Ed agrees. As he drives home that day, he listens to a radio broadcast encouraging listeners to think about friends, family and co-workers who might be without resources when a disaster hits. He turns off the radio and gets out, seeing the boys bullying Beth.

They take off and he sees that her knee is scraped. He signs, asking her what happened and she signs back they took her toy. He tells her that he'll get her another, but she replies that her brother gave her that one. He signs to her that they should go home. Back at home, he asks Kate why she wasn't with her. She tells him that she can't be with her every single second. He asks her why not, that it's not safe. She says that it isn't her fault, that she can't control everything, that bad things happen. He shouts that they don't have to, not to them. Not anymore. She leaves the room. Back downstairs, he punches the bag hard and then the lights go out again. He goes back to the fusebox. He then sees that the house door is open and closes it up. He finds Beth staring out the window and down below, sees somebody running off. He heads back outside and chases after them, shouting that he saw them, but it's too late. They're already gone. He hears a clattering. Kate asks who it was, if there was somebody. He tells her that he was right there. He sees Beth in the window. He goes back upstairs and asks her who it was.

### Trying to fix things

She does not reply and he signs that he won't let anything bad happen. She tells him that he already did. Back downstairs, he speaks with two police officers, telling them that the intruder was there and then he hopped the fence. One asks if he got a good look at him. Ed admits that he didn't. He says that there've been a few break-ins recently and the front door was open. They may have been inside. One of the officers asks if any possessions are missing. Kate says that he was watching their daughter and one of the officers asks her to lower her voice. She tells him that she's not going to lower her voice. He replies "Ma'am" and she tells him not to "ma'am" her. Ed says that they're trying to help and she says that she doesn't want them to, that she wants them to fix it by catching the intruder. Ed pleads with her to stop and the officer tells her they'll start by talking with the neighbors. Kate asks what they're supposed to do tonight and the officer tells her to try to get some sleep. She says that she doesn't feel safe there. Ed tells her that he can keep her safe, but she doesn't seem convinced. Ed then goes around, shutting up every door and window tight. In the dead of night, he lies wide awake.

That morning, he goes back to Phil. He tells him that he has an issue at home. He asks him if he could get an advance. Phil considers, then tells him that it should be fine. He says he's happy to help and hands him an envelope filled with cash. Ed then visits the woman at the scrapyard. She examines the envelope, then gives him her robot, the Scrapper. He puts on a remote control arm and pack and then tests it out, using it to crush a trash can. Seeing this, Kate claps. She asks what it's for and he tells her that it's for protection. He can keep her safe. That evening, he stands guard outside the house, patrolling using the Scrapper. Beth and Kate watch from Beth's window. Ed waves to his neighbor Lenny, the robot waving in unison. Disturbed, he closes his blinds. The next morning, Kate asks him if he was out all night. She asks if there was anything and he makes the "strong" gesture. He asks if she slept and she tells him she did. They smile and hold hands.

Ed works on another of the control boxes. He radios to Phil, telling him that the malfunction was sent in error, a false alarm. He goes to visit Danny's body again in the hospital room. He greets a nurse there who is giving him a sponge bath. He stares at his son, helpless. Listening to rock music from the radio, he comments that his son is pretty good on the guitar. He says he's going to get another coffee and asks if the nurse wants anything, but she tells him she's good. Outside the room, he collapses, sobbing. That night, he is back outside, patrolling, pacing the lawn of his home. He lights a cigarette and as he does so, the robot motions in unison, then mimics his movements of smoking. Meanwhile, the boy from before sneaks by. At the Mercer Tavern, Lucas asks him what he'll do if the guy comes back again. Ed asks what he means and Lucas asks if he would grab him, or kill him. Ed admits that he maybe would. "Really?" asks Lucas, and Ed asks what he would do. Lucas says that he wouldn't do anything, that he didn't. Ed replies that he doesn't have a family. Lucas asks what if he's not violent, that he just wants money and Ed says that he was watching his daughter. Lucas says that speaking for himself, he couldn't handle killing someone mentally. Ed tells him that they're different, that he doesn't have a family. He shouts at him that he doesn't have any idea of what it's like, the responsibility. He shakes salt all over his food and Lucas puts a hand on his shoulder to try to comfort him, but he pushes it away. Lucas comments that he's going to put a few songs in, but Ed says that they should be getting back to work. "One then," replies Lucas. Ed stares at Gaddis, who is sitting at a table writing in a journal nearby.

Sometime later, he shows Beth how to work the Scrapper. She seems to take it to well and he tells her that it's good to feel strong. They then see smoke pouring from a vent. It's the fusebox down below in the basement. It's smoking and crackling with electricity. He rushes towards it, wearing gloves and gets jolted back. Kate comes racing down, asking him if everything is okay. She says that she told him it was dangerous. She says that he needs to fix it and he asks if she thinks he doesn't know that. She asks him where Beth is and they find her outside with the Scrapper, hand to hand. Ed smiles. That evening, they use candles to light the place. Ed has Beth rip the bandage off her knee, telling her it will hurt longer if she goes slow. She tells him to do it. He asks if she can be strong and she says that she can, so he does. He kisses it better. He and Kate talk over the candlelight, saying that they're short on everything with Danny's hospital bills. Kate tells him that they need the lights back on. He says that he'll do it, that it's a couple days work. She asks him with what money. She says she'll ask Henry, but he tells her they'll figure it out. She asks about the Scrapper, saying that nobody has been back out there. He replies that it's because of the Scrapper, but she tells him he's barely sleeping. He insists that the Scrapper stays. She asks if he's really going to be outside every night. He says that he'll sell the car. She says that it's not all on him, but he replies that it is.

### Only making things worse

Ed and Beth are out in an open field, Beth tossing rocks using the Scrapper. He gives her thumbs up and signs that they should visit her brother today. She replies that she doesn't want to. He asks her why and she replies that it's not her brother, just his body. Having no idea of the truth of the matter (see "Transpose"), he calls it an awful thing to say. He signs that she's wrong, but she replies that she's not. A police van shows up and within are the two police officers which visited the house before. They approach Ed and he asks them if there's been any update on the break-ins. One of the officers replies that they're there because they got some calls, that people are concerned about the Scrapper. He asks what the concern is, that he's not doing anything illegal. They admit that he's not. He asks what there is to talk about and the other officer tells him that there are "safety issues." "For you and your neighbors," agrees the other officer. Ed replies that nobody mentions anybody to him and the first officer says that he can understand why people might be afraid. Ed shoots back that the Scrapper is keeping the neighborhood safe and they have nothing to worry about. They tell him that they're going to be monitoring the situation moving forward. He tells them by all means to monitor. The first officer starts to approach him, but in response, Beth steps forward with the Scrapper. Ed holds up his hand, saying that they're not hurting anyone. The first officer says that they told him what they told him. He replies that he heard them and they leave, Beth making motions with the scrapper. Ed gives her the strong sign and they high five.

That evening, Kate cries herself to sleep while Ed stands guard outside with the Scrapper, sleeping standing up. Beth signs to someone outside her window, asking "Why don't you come inside?" It's Jakob outside, or rather, her brother Danny Jannson inside Jakob's body. He signs back that he can't. She tells him that their parents miss him. He picks up her toy robot, signing that he got it back. She asks if he beat up the kids that took it, but he shakes his head. She signs that he should have. She starts to pull up her window for him toss the toy, but he warns her to not make noise, or their dad will hear him again. He points and signs that he'll leave it in the garage. She asks if he's going to stop visiting and he signs that he won't stop, but it's getting harder. He asks why the lights are off and she replies that they don't have any money. He signs for her to remember that the toy will be in the garage and walks away. She then sneaks out of the house to go get the toy. However, she makes too much noise in going into the garage, startling Ed awake. Hearing her rummaging around the garage, he shouts that he can hear someone in the garage and shouts for them to come out. Kate comes out, asking what it is. Seeing someone at the garage door, Ed uses the Scrapper to punch the door in. Kate asks if he got him. He says he doesn't know, then they see the robot toy. Kate shines her flashlight, then goes and finds Beth sitting rocking inside. She carries her out, asking Ed what's wrong with him. He tells her that he didn't know she was in there. She shouts that he could have killed her, and he shouts back that she was supposed to be inside. Stunned, he shouts again that he didn't know, asking what the hell she was doing outside. The robot toy lays abandoned on the ground.

### Fixing what he can

That morning, Ed gets up and gets on his jacket for work. He considers Kate and Beth lying in bed, but does not wake them up. When he closes the door, however, Kate opens her eyes, already awake. At work, Lucas comments that a lot's going wrong, but he guesses these things happen. On a board behind Ed, various lights light up to indicate maintenance projects. Ed returns home that evening, but finds the house empty. He shouts for Kate, but gets no response. He discovers a note on the table, "We're staying at Henry's." He picks a chair in rage, but then his anger seems to dissipate and he simply sets it back down. He nurses his troubles over beer and cigarettes at the tavern, then calls Henry and asks to speak to Kate. He doesn't seem to get a positive response and asks if she can hear. He then comments "Well, she knows. She knows I called." That evening, he maintains his lonely vigil with the Scrapper, but his heart doesn't seem to be in it. He stares at Lenny across the way and waves. The police ride by in their van and he stares at them.

Ed goes to visit Danny in the hospital. He tells him that he doesn't know if he can hear him, but he fixes things. It's what he does. It's his purpose if he has one. But he can't fix this. He thought he could keep him safe forever, but he can't. He apologizes, sobbing and shaking his head. He says he's sorry he let him down and kisses his hand. In the woods, the cracked egg puts itself back together and rises into the air. Ed returns to the scrapyard and returns the robot to the woman, getting a stack of bills in return. She resumes her work using it and he walks away. He returns home and gets to work, thoroughly fixing the fusebox. He switches it on and power is restored to the family home. He smiles. He calls Henry's asks Kate how she is. He asks after Beth and seems happy with the reply. He asks if she will come home, saying he wants to show her something. He pleads with her to come so that he can show her. He sits on his front porch, then stands and smiles as Kate and Beth arrive. Beth rushes forward and signs that he fixed it. He signs back that it was easy and hugs her. Kate asks where the Scrapper is and he tells her that it's gone. She takes Beth's hand and they all head inside. In her room, Beth dances, her robot toy restored to the shelf by her lamp. She looks in on her mom and dad having a quiet conversation and smiles.

## Cast

### Starring

* Daniel Zolghadri as Jakob (Danny Jannson)

### Guest starring

* Ato Essandoh as Gaddis
* Dan Bakkedahl as Ed
* Lauren Weedman as Kate
* Tyler Barnhardt as Danny Jannson (body)
* Dominic Rains as Lucas

### Co-starring

* Alessandra de Sa Pereira as Beth
* Sean Connolly Affleck as Phil
* James Madge as Officer #1
* Ernesto Griffith as Officer #2
* Robert Nahum as Logan the Bartender
* Sierra Alexis as Zoe
* Beverly Ndukwu as Patty
* Roger Clown as Lenny
* Brenda Gorlick as Woman with Dog
* Lauren Cochrane as Nurse

## Scene breakdown

*The following are the scenes of this episode, as indicated via Amazon's X-ray feature*:

1. Amazon Original (00:00:00)
2. Title Sequence (00:00:05)
3. Managing the stress of family (00:00:27)
4. Another day at the office (00:04:29)
5. Keeping up appearances (00:07:07)
6. Feeling safe at home (00:08:18)
7. Bad things don't have to happen (00:09:15)
8. Making the house safe (00:15:22)
9. The price of safety (00:16:28)
10. False alarm (00:21:19)
11. Visiting Danny (00:22:06)
12. The weight of potential murder (00:23:50)
13. The cost of running a household (00:27:21)
14. The cops give Ed a warning (00:31:34)
15. A brotherly visit (00:34:43)
16. A close call (00:37:39)
17. A lot goes wrong (00:41:34)
18. Everything comes at a cost (00:42:09)
19. Ed can't fix everything (00:46:05)
20. Ed fixes what he can (00:50:04)
21. End Credits (00:52:29)

## Music

* "Western Melody" by Piero Umiliani
* "So Natural" by Jim Sullivan
* "Hearts" by Marty Balin
* "Seven Year Ache" by Rosanne Cash
* "Diary of a Young Man" by Television Personalities

## Trivia

* An illustration from this episode of Ed with his daughter Beth controlling the Scrapper is featured as the cover art of the *Tales from the Loop (Original Soundtrack)*.
* During the scene "A close Cal," the Scrapper doesn't project a shadow over Ed, revealing that is a CGI render.

## References

1. ↑ Writer's Guild of America West - *Tales from the Loop*
2. ↑ *Tales from the Loop* on Amazon