Fallout

**Fallout** is the tenth episode of the first season of The CW's superhero drama *Naomi*.

## Synopsis

**A LIFE OF LIES** – In the aftermath of Naomi discovering who Greg and Jen really are – and that they've been lying about it her entire life – Naomi sets out on her own to dig deeper for the truth only to discover how many people have been keeping secrets from her.

## Plot

Jen and Greg try to explain to Naomi why they've been lying to her, but she doesn't stick around to find out, immediately leaving the house to meet with Annabelle, who she informs that her parents are aliens. Naomi can't believe they've been lying to her this entire time, and now she can barely even look at them. Her entire life is a lie, but Annabelle reminds Naomi that they're still her parents and that they love her. Every time her mom cried when she asked about her adoption, Naomi felt horrible, but now she thinks it was all an act. Naomi blames them for not being honest with her and helping her comes to terms with her heritage, leaving her to feel alone. Naomi then thanks Annabelle for allowing her to stay with her. She doesn't know what comes next, but she's prepared to find her own truth.

Naomi informs Dee and Zumbado that her parents are aliens. Dee's wings didn't sense them because they don't have powers. Their eyes simply glowed blue because their genetic differences are on a molecular level. When Naomi begins to ask question about them, Zumbado reveals that they're from Earth-29. He didn't know them well, but he first met them on their home planet and knew them to be good. So when he arrived on this earth and saw Naomi with them, he knew she'd be safe and loved. He didn't tell her because he wanted her to have a normal life for as long as possible. Naomi then asks how she got to this earth. Dee replies that only her parents know the answer to that question, but Naomi refuses to talk to them. She then recalls when Dee came over for dinner asking about an energy source that may come from her birth rock. Her parents claimed they didn't see any light around, but now Naomi suspects they were lying.

Akira manifests fire in her palm when she receives an unwelcome visit from Mac, a fellow alien from Earth-29 who was sent by Brutus, who wants Akira's help with a new project. They've already found Naomi due to her manifesting powers and they want Akira's help to defeat her, but Akira declines. However, Mac tells her that it's not a request and reminds Akira that she's worked with Brutus before in the past, but Akira claims they had an agreement. She turned Zumbado over because Brutus agreed to allow the rest of them to leave. Mac warns Akira that war is coming and that it would be in her best interest to choose the winning side.

Naomi and Annabelle head into the woods to find her birth rock. Naomi touches the rock and it glows with alien sigils. When she uses her x-ray vision and discovers that something is hidden within, she blasts the rock, unearthing another alien artifact in the shape of a cube.

With her parents out of town, Annabelle is watching her younger sister, Sophie. Meanwhile, Naomi texts Nathan, but he isn't responding to any of her messages after she accused him of lying to her. They are then interrupted by Sophie, who is upset with the lunch Annabelle has prepared for her. After Annabelle sends her off, Naomi turns her attention back to the cube, realizing that she needs to talk to someone not of this earth and recalls the bar that Dee told her about, the one that Adam Blake took him to for aliens. Annabelle asks how she's going to get there, but Naomi already has a plan for that. On her way out, she tells Annabelle that she'll see her when she gets back tonight, meaning she'll be skipping school for the first time ever, despite having never missed a day before.

Greg stops by Zumbado's dealership to confront him for leading Naomi down the path to learn the truth about her alien history. However, Zumbado faults them for not telling Naomi sooner. Greg didn't come to argue, as he's more concerned with the fact that Naomi is still in danger from the military. Steele is gone, but someone will replace him, and the task force is still active. Greg is asking for Zumbado's help to protect Naomi, even if she hates him. The military now has a prototype that can detect alien energy. It's how Steele found Naomi. There was an incident at S.T.A.R. Labs that gave them the final piece, leading Zumbado to reveal to Greg that the incident that occurred at the lab was a result of Naomi's powers, which Greg was unaware of, but it also means her energy is all over the site.

Naomi gets a ride from Lourdes to the bar. On the drive, they play *Pretty Girl Rock* by Keri Hilson over the radio while taking photos.

Annabelle and Sophie heads over to the McDuffies to pick up some clothes for Naomi. There, she tries to bribe her younger sister to be mad at Jen, but Sophie demands $50 if she's to go along with Annabelle's plan, as BTS is coming to Portland. Jen is home early from work and catches them entering the house. She asks how is Naomi doing, but Annabelle doesn't want to get involved, even though it pains her to have to draw this boundary. When Jen asks if Naomi is angry, Sophie replies that she never wants to see them again. Jen understands that Naomi is upset and wishes they could at least get a chance to explain. Jen pleads with Annabelle to deliver a message to Naomi that they love her more than anything and that they want to make it right. Seeing Jen cry is too much to bear, and Annabelle flees.

Naomi arrives outside the bar. Lourdes offers to go inside with her, but Naomi declines, insisting that she won't be long. However, she is met at the door by a large man, who refuses to let her inside until she states her business. Naomi explains that she needs help with identifying her glowing cube. Both the man and a woman who mysteriously appear seem intrigued by the device and attempt to forcefully take it from Naomi until Akira arrives and scares them off after sending a fireball in their direction.

Lourdes takes Naomi and Akira to the comic book shop. Akira looks through some of the comics and remarks how humanity is a constant paradox given how obsessed they are with alien stories. In print, they're worshiped as heroes, but Akira can only think of the consequences should they actually reveal their powers. Naomi then shows Akira the cube she found. She recognizes it and reminds Naomi that she warned her to stay away. When Naomi reveals that her parents are aliens, Akira admits to knowing them from Earth-29. Naomi is tired of everyone treating her like a child and believes that she deserves to know the truth, but Akira retorts that some truths are painful, before revealing that the object is a transmatter cube that allows for travel between worlds and dimensions, and that she made it herself.

Greg and Zumbado go to S.T.A.R. Labs to erase Naomi's energy from the wreckage she caused. Within seconds, Zumbado uses his powers to erase all traces of Naomi, but Greg is still in a bit of disbelief that Naomi is capable of such destruction. Greg questions how Zumbado knew all much about Naomi and why he didn't say anything to them about it. But Zumbado reminds Greg how he pulled a gun on him and made it clear he wasn't interested in anything Zumbado had to say. Furthermore, Zumbado says that Naomi was in danger the moment her powers manifested, and what happened at the lab was just a glimpse of her potential. She has the power to save their planets and take out Brutus, as well as reunite The Twenty-Nine, but Greg believes that she can still have a normal life. The only way to protect Naomi from Brutus is to keep her hidden, Greg claims. Zumbado's version of her destiny is dangerous, he adds. However, Zumbado retorts that lying to Naomi is what is putting her in danger.

Annabelle and Sophie visit Dee at the tattoo shop, where Sophie remarks that Annabelle just became 200% cooler for being friends with Dee. Annabelle needs Dee's help with getting some stuff from Naomi's house after she failed to do so herself. She doesn't want to go back because Naomi's mom started crying, and she loves the McDuffies, given that they're like a second family to her. Annabelle feels as though she's failed Naomi, but Dee tells her that while she can't fix this for Naomi, she is being a good friend by being there for her.

Akira explains that transmatter involves theoretical physics, making the cube extremely valuable and rare. She reveals that she'd hid the cube in Naomi's rock in case she ever wanted to go back to Earth-29. When Naomi asks why she would ever want to go back, Akira replies that she hopes it won't ever come to that. She created the cube so that the Twenty-Nine could escape their planet. When used properly, the cube opens a portal. When Naomi begins contemplating going to Earth-29, Principal Brooks enters the shop and discovers that Naomi has skipped school.

Jen and Greg pick Naomi up from school after having not seen her for days and ask for a chance to apologize and explain. Naomi would like that, but she's finding it hard to trust them. She asks if they were ever going to tell her the truth about them being aliens. They insist they were and tell Naomi that it's time to come home. Naomi refuses and exits the school.

Naomi takes her aggression out during training with Dee, but he can tell that she's unfocused and upset, even as Naomi insists that she's fine. Still, it's late, and Dee believes it best that she get home. He asks if she's talked to her parents, which she hasn't, outside of their altercation at school. Dee is sympathetic, realizing this must be difficult for her. Unlike most kids, Naomi never fought with her parents. They've always had a loving relationship and have always been her constant, but she doesn't know who she is without that and doesn't even feel like the same person anymore. Dee reminds Naomi that she's strong and that no matter what happens, she's more than capable of standing on her own two feet.

Akira visits Zumbado at the lot. She notices that he dresses differently here and says that she preferred how he dressed on Earth-29. Akira reveals that she had a conversation with Naomi, who found the transmatter cube and was flashing it at an outpost that was full of beings such as themselves. Akira still doesn't believe that Naomi is the savior that Zumbado paints her to be, to which Zumbado explains that she needs more time, but they don't have that, as Akira explains that Mac is on the earth and she wants Akira's help. The same way she did before when she sold him out to Brutus, Zumbado adds, but Akira claims he brought that on himself. Admittedly, Mac came to see her, but Akira insists that she isn't working with Brutus and that she simply came to warn Zumbado, whether he wants to believe it or not.

Naomi gets a text from her dad, saying she missed dinner and needs to come home, but she ignores his message and instead meets Lourdes at the old shipyard for a party. Lourdes invites Naomi to the dance floor, where they are joined by Annabelle shortly after. The three of them dance and take selfies. Annabelle splits off, and Naomi and Lourdes begin dancing a bit closer until Lourdes pulls her to the side and tries to kiss Naomi, who pulls away, explaining that she has a boyfriend. Lourdes is starting to feel used, but Naomi explains that she was just trying to have a fun time. Lourdes doesn't just want to be a ride or a friend. And she's not settling just to be the person Naomi uses in a selfie to make her boyfriend jealous. She tells Naomi that maybe it's time she starts making decisions on her own.

Mac approaches Naomi, introduces herself, and says that Brutus sends his regards. She tells Naomi to follow her outside or else her friends will get hurt. Naomi does as told and follows her out. Mac has a message from Brutus. He wants Naomi to join them. If she does, she can come home. When Naomi declines the offer, Mac pulls out a glowing blue saber. A fight ensues between the two, with Naomi defending herself with a rebar staff until Zumbado and Akira arrive, forcing Mac to retreat using a handheld transportation device.

Naomi goes back to Annabelle's and tells her about the fight with Mac, which she kind of won. While Naomi loves it at Annabelle's, she's decided to return home and face her parents. Naomi then gets a text from Nathan, saying that he misses her too and would like to meet with her tomorrow. Naomi thanks Annabelle for letting her crash and for always being such a good friend.

Naomi returns home to confront her parents. Jen and Greg are sleeping on the couch when she enters, but they awaken and jump to their feet, ready to tell her anything she wants to know. But she isn't ready to talk yet. She just wants to go to sleep. Although, she needs them to understand that her returning doesn't mean everything is okay. Jen understands this and tells Naomi that they will always be there for her.

Zumbado and Akira discuss Mac's attempt with Naomi over drinks at the dealership. It's been a very long time since they had a drink together, Akira remarks. She then admits that Zumbado was right about Naomi being special, but that doesn't mean she's ready. The fate of an entire planet is a lot to put on a 16-year-old girl, but Zumbado believes she's just strong enough to do it. However, Brutus believes Naomi to be a threat to his very existence, and he will not stop until he kills her, also meaning that everyone Naomi knows and loves are in danger. Fortunately, Zumbado is prepared to protect them and her, no matter the cost, as is Akira.

## Cast

* Cranston Johnson as Zumbado
* Alexander Wraith as Dee
* Mary-Charles Jones as Annabelle Peters
* Mouzam Makkar as Jennifer McDuffie
* Daniel Puig as Nathan (credit only)
* Camila Moreno as Lourdes
* Will Meyers as Anthony (credit only)
* Aidan Gemme as Jacob (credit only)
* Barry Watson as Greg McDuffie

Co-Starring* Jonathan D. Williams as Principal Brooks
* Kevin Saunders as Bouncer
* Briana Venskus as Mac
* Rileigh Eames as Sophie
* Vanessa Aranegui as Smiling Woman

## Trivia

* It is revealed that Greg (and Jen) is from Earth-29. However, in the comics, Greg is actually a super-powered Rannian.

## References

1. ↑ Naomi: Season One Ratings - TV Series Finale
2. ↑ "Recently Added Episode Titles - Various Shows - 24th February 2022" - Spoiler TV
3. ↑ Listings - The Futon Critic