Visions and Omens

## Episode Guide

**"Visions and Omens"** is the first episode of *Waco*. It aired on January 24, 2018.

## Overview

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) receives a tip of suspicious activity involving weapons at Mount Carmel, a small religious community led by David Koresh, located just outside Waco, TX. Public relations pressure sets the wheels in motion for the ATF to begin surveillance of Koresh and his followers, The Branch Davidians.

## Recap

*This section is a detailed recap of this episode. **There are major spoilers.** Click to expand.*

    Trucks and helicopters filled with ATF agents circles Mount Carmel. David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Davidians, knows that trouble is near. He tells his followers that he’s going to try and work things out with the ATF. He goes outside and is met by guns. He pleads with the agents to listen. He doesn’t want anyone getting hurt. There are women and children inside.

     Flashback to 9 months earlier, David Koresh and his followers are living a peaceful life on their property. People have come from all walks of life to follow David, who is charming and passionate as he gives his sermons. He meets David Thibodeau, a young drummer, before setting up for his band’s gig. He asks Thibodeau to play drums during their performance. David is quickly impressed by Thibodeau’s talents. Afterwards, David opens up to Thibodeau. You can tell he senses something vulnerable in the pensive Thibodeau. The young drummer is aimless in his life right now. He needs direction, and David is ready to provide that for him. David offers Thibodeau a place to stay instead of driving back to Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Steve Schneider, David’s right-hand man, learns that his wife, Judy, is pregnant by David. He packs his things and gets ready to leave. Steve and Judy tried to have a baby for 10 years but couldn’t conceive. Now she’s having David’s child. Judy is quick to remind Steve that he was the one who wanted to stay at Mount Carmel. “I begged you to leave when David had his revelation,” Steve says. “I didn’t want to be one of his wives. I wanted to be your wife. But you wouldn’t go.” Steve decides to stay once again. He later explains to Thibodeau how he met David. Steve fully admits he didn’t believe David’s message at first, but once he did, he was enthralled.

     Months later, FBI negotiator Gary Noesner is dealing with the aftermath of Ruby Ridge, an 11-day siege in 1992. The FBI is in an unfortunate position after an FBI sniper accidentally killed Randy Weaver’s wife during the siege. Gary wants justice for what happened to Randy’s wife, even if it means punishing the FBI. The FBI doesn’t agree with Gary. Gary feels the balance of power shifting towards militarization. The FBI is changing into something he didn’t sign up for. Meanwhile, the ATF is in danger of being defunded. They need something big to rally support. News about David Koresh possibly participating in illegal gun dealings surfaces, and the ATF is ready to roll with this narrative.

     Judy eventually gives birth to David’s child. The birth is bittersweet for Steve. After 6 months at Mount Carmel, David asks Thibodeau about his plans. He can’t stay at Mount Carmel forever if he’s not all in. David asks Thibodeau if he could remain celibate. Thibodeau is shocked by the idea and says no. David explains his no-sex rule. He claims he had a revelation a few years back. He feels that if you cast out your sexual desires, your mind will be more clear. The first episode ends with new "neighbors" moving in. They’re not neighbors. They’re actually undercover agents sent to look into David and his followers at Mount Carmel.

## Cast

Michael Shannon as Gary Noesner
Taylor Kitsch as David Koresh
Andrea Riseborough as Judy Schneider
Paul Sparks as Steve Schneider
Rory Culkin as David Thibodeau
Shea Whigham as Mitch Decker
Melissa Benoist as Rachel Koresh
John Leguizamo as Jacob Vazquez
Julia Garner as Michelle Jones
Guest Starring
Christopher Stanley as Edward Wiggins
Demore Barnes as Wayne Martin
Andy Umberger as Perry Jones
Annika Marks as Kathy Schroeder
Stephanie Kurtzuba as Carol Noesner
Steven Culp as Peter Hardwick | Co-Starring
Samuel Kamphuis as Sammy Weaver
Hans Christopher as Randy Weaver
Rich Ting as Lon Horiuchi
Harrison Sim as FBI Trainee
Eli Goodman as Barry Skinner
Jackamoe Buzzell as ATF Agent
Barbie Robertson as Waitress
Vic Browder as Bo Gritz
Tait Fletcher as Brad Branch
J.B. Tuttle as Davey Jones
Kimberly Bigsby as Jaydean Wendell
Darcel Danielle as Sheila Martin
Cayen Martin as Jamie Martin
Duncan Joiner as Cyrus Jones
Vivien Lyra Blair as Serenity Jones

## Quotes

**Gary Noesner:** Mitch, I know he's dug in. But his son's already dead, and there's three more kids in there. Now, do you really want to engage in close combat with more children?
**Mitch Decker:** What do you propose we do?
**Gary Noesner:** Give me a chance. Let me talk to him. It's what I'm here for, isn't it?

**David Koresh:** You know what Scripture is, right?
**David Thibodeau:** Uh... l-like the Bible?
**David Koresh:** No. It's not just the Bible. It's everything. All human knowledge. Everything that can be known by the human mind. All wisdom in one book.
**David Thibodeau:** I'm sorry, man. I'm not really into that.
**David Koresh:** Believe me, I get it. But we all have something broken in us. And whether you believe it or not, I'm telling you, Scripture's the only way to fix it. Anyways, I don't wanna sell you a bill of goods you don't want. I best be going. Where you off to?
**David Thibodeau:** Uh, back to L.A.
**David Koresh:** At this hour? Don't drive through the night. I got a place not far from here where a bunch of us stay, with an extra room if you want it. But I'm warning you, it is a hellhole. Nothing fancy, no running water. We built it ourselves. But we play music. And we study. And we live as a family. And it's kinda fun.