Sorry I'm late.
Where's Walter?
He's practicing some self-actualization.
In a taxi?
That's part of it.
He's also cooking for himself now, cleaning up after himself.
You should have him tell you why choosing his own wardrobe...
...is an important sign of independence.
So how many are there? Is it bad?
- Did you eat? - Yeah.
Well, that's unfortunate.
- Hello, Agent Dunham. Hello, Walter.
You made it.
Walter?
I saw you following the taxi in your station wagon.
I wasn't following you, Walter. We were coming to the same place.
You don't trust me.
It's a Chinese merchant ship registered in Hong Kong.
Four hours ago it ran aground and caught fire.
Strong current, freezing water. They died attempting to swim to shore.
We've pulled out 27 bodies so far.
At first it appeared they'd died of hypothermia. Then we found these.
Excuse us, agents.
Dr. Bishop, have you ever seen anything like this?
It's similar to a tiny parasite found in livestock.
But I've never seen them this size. Or in humans.
I want this creature transported back to my lab.
It might still be alive.
Hey! This woman's still breathing.
Step aside, please.
We don't have time.
If she's also infected, we've got to get this organism out of her.
Go.
My name is Tao Chen. I'm from the Chinese Consulate.
The woman we pulled from the water.
- How long has she been awake? - About an hour.
- Is she talking? - A little. Her name's Mei Lin.
She's from outside of Hong Kong.
She happen to mention how she got a gigantic worm stuck in her stomach?
The doctor said she just had a severe case of dehydration. No worm.
She wasn't infected?
She says they came for work and a better life.
She asked if we'd arrest her. I told her we're here to help.
- I didn't know you spoke Cantonese. - Get to know me a bit.
She doesn't know. The men on the boat, they knew.
And they gave her medicine for seasickness.
Everyone got it.
Her father was a fisherman.
She was used to the sea, so she didn't take it.
She wants you to find her daughter and husband.
She doesn't know what happened to her family.
Crewmen said they were two days behind on another boat.
There's another boat?
Chances are, they're infected too.
That gives us maybe 36 hours before it lands.
Seven pounds and 10 ounces. Walter, this is our largest worm yet.
Parasitic worm, to be precise.
Truly, Agent Farnsworth, it never ceases to amaze me...
...the infinite variation that Mother Nature gives us.
She truly has quite a disturbing sense of humor.
Considering your new pet, I think Mother Nature's a real bitch.
How's it going in here? - You mean here at Bishop's Live Bait?
Actually, I think these things would scare off the fish. Don't you?
We spoke to the woman we found.
She said that everyone on that boat took some sort of capsule medicine.
Mei Lin's the only one who didn't take it.
She's the only one who didn't get infected.
So do you think it's possible that that could have been inside the capsule?
Of course, it makes perfect sense.
If the time of gestation is equal to the time of transport...
...well, it would explain why the creatures need the host.
These bodies provide nutrition, warmth and protective shelter.
They enable the parasite to grow.
These people were used as some sort of human incubator?
Quite ingenious, really. And yes to your question...
...it is possible for the larvae of the parasite to fit into a capsule.
It would allow the parasite to grow on the journey here.
Which leaves why.
Why would someone be smuggling these in?
It's Broyles.
The Coast Guard found a manifest on the sunken Chinese ship.
They traced it to a local shipyard. Somebody is in custody now.
Find out everything else you can on those worms.
Parasitic worms.
We found him at the shipyard where the boat was to dock.
He'd just finished burning every document in the place.
We're letting him sweat before we question him.
He's not gonna talk. He's a Triad member. They got a code of honor.
Triad? You're sure?
His whole biography's written on him in ink.
He's like a decorated soldier.
The mark on his arm? The extra pao gou hook?
Means he's killed five people.
He also enjoys Broadway shows, long walks on the beach.
The one on his neck, that says, "Sun Hong Triad. "
Sun Hong was known for smuggling heroin, not trafficking people.
Then they're expanding their business.
What if Sun Hong Triad are still dealing in narcotics?
How's that?
These people were implanted on purpose.
That implies they're valuable.
Certain species of parasite naturally secrete opiates.
If someone figured out how to harvest those-
You think those worms are some kind of new street drug?
He's got a razor blade.
This is Broyles. We have a code blue in Interview 3.
I need security and paramedics.
Oh, no, no, no.
If only all parasitic worms were full of narcotics.
Careful, careful. Not too deep.
I got it, Walter. Just hold still.
Given the high cost of transporting the creature, it must be quite a high.
Walter, you are not smoking this thing.
- Now, that should do the trick. - Yeah?
Now, with some luck, we'll find the active ingredient-
Oh, my God, Walter.
No, no, no, wait. Wait.
The initial burn was quite something, but-
Walter, this thing is feeding on you.
this is rather pleasant.
Agent Broyles, I didn't see you there.
Dr. Bishop, Agent Farnsworth. Where can I find Agent Dunham?
Uh, she's in the back with Peter, sir.
The question is, if there is a market for this drug, who's buying it?
Sir.
That's everything the Bureau has on the Sun Hong Triad.
There's also information on the Triad's leader.
He goes by the name of John Hsu. His present whereabouts are unknown.
These are corporate bank documents.
Shell companies. To shield his criminal activity.
What about the boat carrying Mei Lin's family? Any word?
Nothing. The Coast Guard has begun searching all vessels...
...coming into New England. Two hundred ships by their count.
- No small task. - That's more like a needle in a haystack.
So we have about 20 hours before the worm comes out.
There was a wire two weeks ago from a bank here in Boston.
It looks like a private account in Beacon Hill...
...transferred $500,000 paid into Beijing Executive Construction.
The same time the traffickers left Kowloon.
Sounds like someone is financing those shipments.
So this is where the other end of a Triad bank wire leads.
Not what I pictured either.
Hi. Are your parents home?
- Who are you? - We're the FBI. Who are you?
Matt. Um, can I see, like, a badge?
Mom. Some FBI people are here. Come on in.
As my financial adviser explained it to me...
...there was money to be made in Beijing construction projects.
I invested a half a million dollars with this company.
Did you ever meet a man named John Hsu?
The head of the company you invested in.
No, never.
Maybe your husband, then?
He passed away shortly after Matt was born.
I'm sorry.
Did I do something?
We suspect Mr. Hsu of running a smuggling ring.
Trafficking Chinese nationals into the U.S...
...and using these front corporations to fund it.
Oh, my God. I had no idea.
I swear to both of you, my attorney reviewed all the documents.
And he assured me it was a sound investment.
These corporations look legitimate from the outside.
May we have the name and number of your attorney?
We'll need to ask him a few questions.
Of course. I'm sure he'd be as surprised by this as I am.
- If I can do anything to help... - Thank you.
We appreciate it.
What were you doing in there? Checking for dust?
I'm not sure yet.
Okay. I wanna stop by the hospital, check on Mei Lin.
- Okay. Drop me at the lab first? - Sure.
What is the connection...
...between an obsessive-compulsive germaphobe and our worms?
- Nice kicks. - Thank you.
And that's an excellent question.
I have a theory.
What happened to you?
Your father got bitten by that thing. And he refuses to get it checked out.
What if you're infected with one of those worms?
I've tested my blood and liver function. I'm fine.
In fact, my white-cell count is through the roof.
I have several new antibodies in my blood.
And even the gas I had is gone.
You think it's the worm that did all that?
Our creature, Peter, is not an illicit narcotic at all. It's medicine.
Astrid, the picture, show Peter, please.
Ancylostoma duodenale. An intestinal hookworm.
It's about 10 millimeters long.
In Chinese medicine, Ancylostoma could be used...
...for the treatment of chronic asthma.
People are purposefully infected...
...and walk around their entire lives with it.
What does that have to do with our parasites?
Our parasites are a new species bioengineered from this hookworm.
You mean somebody made these?
Designed them to grow in humans.
In fact, I don't believe that they could grow anywhere else.
I believe it's the parasite's lymph gland that's the real prize.
It secretes a remarkable immune-boosting enzyme.
Immune-boosting.
So you might take that if you had, say, a severe phobia of germs.
Or if you wanted to treat any number of immune-deficiency disorders.
- Going somewhere, Walter? - I am.
The phone book lists five herbalists in Chinatown...
...three of which sell our Ancylostoma hookworm...
...for the treatment of asthma.
I am going to collect samples for genetic comparison.
Why don't you give me those addresses? I'll go check them out.
You don't believe I can do it.
Well, I can. And don't you dare follow me.
Can I please borrow some change for the bus fare?
Ms. Lin, do you recognize these?
The man who put them on the fishing boat had one.
- What does it mean? - It's a gang tattoo.
We think the gang might be using people to smuggle drugs into the country.
She said her husband and daughter-
I think I understand. We will do everything that we can.
- Where is everybody? - Uh, Walter's out self-actualizing again.
- Astrid's keeping an eye on him. - What's this?
At the Jarvis' you asked what I was looking at.
Did you see all those hand sanitizers?
- No. - The windows were hermetically sealed.
- HEPA filters, oxygen tanks. - You saw oxygen tanks?
Well, no, but I'm sure they're there somewhere.
Okay. And if they were?
Walter says these worms boost the immune system. Right?
If you're buying hand sanitizer in bulk and hermetically sealing windows...
...you're either Howard Hughes or you're actually sick.
Let's go pick up Elizabeth Jarvis and search her house.
Actually, I've got a better idea.
Bend your knees more.
What are you doing here?
We wanted to ask you a couple questions about your mother.
She's not here right now.
I know I don't have to answer any of your questions...
...without my mom or lawyer here.
Then you can just talk to me.
I'm not actually an FBI agent. Just a couple guys hanging out on the court.
I'm gonna go make a phone call.
I have to go talk to a judge about a warrant.
There you go.
I know you don't wanna talk to us. You're trying to protect your mother.
She's your only family. I understand that. I've been there.
Yeah, I doubt it.
I was raised by my mother too.
It's scary.
You're worried that if you lose her, then you have no one.
Those people your mother gave money to, they're scary people.
And we're investigating them, and that's not gonna stop.
They're gonna try to cover their tracks.
I wanna make sure your mother isn't one of those tracks.
You think that could happen?
I need you to tell me, man.
Is your mom sick?
What is it? She has some sort of immune-deficiency disorder?
No.
The treatments are for me.
Excuse me.
Agent Farnsworth.
Walter, what a- What a coincidence.
It's not a coincidence at all. You were following me.
- Peter had you follow me. - No.
I have a- I have a friend that lives right down by the, um...
The Chinese restaurant.
Walter.
We're worried about you.
Does it occur to you that perhaps I want to be alone?
That perhaps I want to live my life...
...with a semblance of dignity and self-respect?
If I want to go get a hot dog, so be it.
I may go grocery shopping.
- I may even join a gym. - Walter.
I'm sorry.
Well, since you're here, you may as well accompany me...
...to the next herbalist on my list.
But as a friend, not a supervisor.
Agreed, Walter.
- I love Chinatown. Heh, heh. - Heh, heh.
Matt Jarvis suffers from a rare immune-deficiency disorder.
His body doesn't produce enough white blood cells to fight off infection.
Yeah, this kid should be living in a giant plastic bag...
...but we just shot hoops with him.
So these parasites are harvested to treat him.
From what he says, they insert a medicinal powder directly into his spleen.
Walter thinks the medicine is made out of a gland in the worm.
So Matt's usually treated once a month.
His next surgery is in two days, right on schedule with when the next boat's due.
- Does this surgeon have a name? - Dr. Che.
Ancylostoma duodenale, hookworm.
Aren't they magnificent?
- At this size, maybe. Quite right.
You haven't seen anything till you've seen one of these 4 feet long.
What do I owe you?
That will be $15, please.
- I got this, Walter. - No, it's okay.
I have just enough money left.
Five, 10, 15.
- Thank you. - Good day.
You're going to enjoy this.
Provided, of course...
...the beans have been properly soaked to leach toxicity.
For the record, I wanted ice cream.
I got it.
Oh, look. Lacquered cricket boxes.
Thank you. - You want omega-3? I put in fish head.
Um, no, I will pass. Thank you.
Walter, here you go.
Walter?
Given what her kid said, I want you to lean on Elizabeth Jarvis.
We're running out of time before that boat arrives.
So how much rice candy did Walter eat?
I lost him.
I turned my back for one second, and he wasn't there anymore.
- I've looked for him everywhere, Peter. - Did he know you were following him?
He did at first, and he was fine with it.
But he lulled me into a false sense of security.
Just so he could ditch you. You know how much he likes to prove a point.
He's got change for the bus, his travel kit, his emergency numbers.
He should be fine. He's gotta learn to cross the street sometime.
Okay. Okay, I'm gonna head back to the lab and see if he's there.
Okay?
Walter?
Hello? - Hello, Peter?
- It's Walter, your father- Wrong number.
Hello, Peter? It's me, Walter, your father-
Excuse me?
Hello?
Uh, I fear I may have dialed the wrong number again.
My name is Walter-
The Number 5 bus hasn't stopped here for over two hours.
Not that it matters.
I used up all my bus fare to dial seven wrong numbers.
I can't remember Peter's number.
I know it's got three fives, a one, a zero, and two sevens...
...but for the life of me, I can't remember the correct sequence.
Astrid. Astrid.
Astrid?
Astrid, what happened?
I'm gonna call you an ambulance.
No, don't. I'm okay, Peter. I'm okay. I don't need an ambulance.
Who did this to you?
I don't know.
- It was, uh, two big Asian guys with tattoos. - Triad.
I don't know how they knew we had the worm.
They must have followed you back from Chinatown.
Hello?
Walter Bishop, hai.
It's Walter. He's down in Chinatown. Apparently he's fine.
Astrid, you sure you're okay? I'm going down to pick him up.
I'm gonna talk to Elizabeth Jarvis. Let's stay in touch.
Got it.
Mrs. Jarvis, we know you're withholding information.
I already told you everything.
Actually, your son told us everything.
I can't help you, Agent Dunham.
I've got two dozen Chinese nationals dead, a federal agent assaulted...
...and another boat with God knows how many people about to die.
You don't understand.
This treatment, Matt won't live long without it.
We rescued a Chinese woman. Her daughter is on that other boat.
She's gonna die too. Who's been treating your son?
PETER
Peter.
Hello, my son. Allow me to introduce you.
My hostess's name is Fae.
Walter, the numbers are in your pocket.
How many times have I told you that? I put them there. Don't you remember?
No. Not at all.
Walter, you just...
- Are you okay? - Yes.
Yes, I'm fine.
The noodles are delicious.
You really should try them, Peter.
I hope I didn't cause Agent Farnsworth too much stress.
Ah, she had other things on her mind.
You wouldn't remember the addresses of those herbalist shops, would you?
Certainly not, but that's why I held onto this.
Astrid only went with me to the third one, Ming Che.
They had quite a selection of hookworms.
Though I confess I exaggerated a bit when I told them ours was 4 feet long.
You told someone we have a 4-foot worm?
- It's not even 2 feet. - That's how they followed Astrid.
Ming Che on Ping-On Street.
What do you mean? Astrid was followed?
- Bishop. - Hey, is Walter all right?
Yeah, he's fine. Where are you?
The boat with Mei Lin's family on it just docked.
Elizabeth Jarvis gave us a phone number.
We tracked a few calls off that. We're about to commence the raid.
Okay. I got another lead I'm tracking down.
- Okay. Well, I'll call you after. - Bye.
Peter. Peter, what do you mean Astrid was followed?
Just get in the car, Walter. I'll tell you later.
Move, move! Move!
FBI.
Get down.
I want a search, bow to stern. Clear the lower decks. Find these people.
You three, with me.
Upper deck clear.
All decks clear.
Agent Dunham.
There are no trafficked people on this ship.
But there were. We're just too late.
Why are we stopping here?
- Was this the place? - Yes, but I need to get back to the lab.
I need to check on Agent Farnsworth.
Shh.
She's all right, Walter.
Peter. Yeah, we had the right vessel, but they were already gone.
I know. They're here. I saw them get unloaded through the alley.
- Where are you? - At an herbalist shop on Ping-On Street.
- Astrid was followed to the lab from here. - We're on our way.
Okay, Walter.
I need you to stay here. Olivia and Broyles are on their way.
- This is not a good idea, son. - I'll be careful.
Stay in the car.
PETER
Goes to all the shows
He steps right into the lion's den
And tells them all he knows
Someone must know you're here.
They coming soon?
Nobody else knows I'm here.
- See, I don't believe you. - Oh, that's a shame.
Most people find me very trustworthy.
Open. Open.
Now, if you try to chew this, it will kill you.
Swallow!
FBI! Hands where I can see them.
Gun!
On your knees. Hands behind your head.
- Are you okay? - Yeah. Yeah.
I am now.
Astrid?
- Astrid? - Walter.
I thought I lost you. Don't worry about this place.
Okay? I'm gonna clean this up.
Peter said you were followed.
Oh, dear God.
I'm so sorry.
I didn't know.
Walter, it's not your fault.
What's the status of the Chinese nationals?
Well, some are still in surgery, the rest in the ICU.
Only time will tell.
The doctor says it's a good prognosis for Mei Lin's daughter and husband.
What's gonna happen to them?
The State Department has agreed to grant them all political asylum.
With all those people carrying Ming Che's medicine...
...he must have been treating other people like Matt Jarvis.
We turned up more records that trace back to other patients...
...with immune deficiency. They're being questioned.
Did we find anything that could lead us to John Hsu?
What we found is that there is no John Hsu.
He's an alias, used as a front for all of Ming Che's financial dealings.
Good work, you two.
There's something I need to take care of.
Excuse me.
Peter.
What time is it, Walter?
I want so badly to be independent again.
To live like a man, not a child.
Not to have my son watching after me all the time.
Not that I don't appreciate all that you do for me.
- That's not the way it's supposed to be. - Walter-
Let me finish.
I've been out of the institution for a year now...
...and I've just begun my journey back towards being whole.
But I fear there are still times when I will get lost.
So I have implanted a tracking device in my neck.
You did what?
Oh, Walter.
And here is the transponder...
...so you can find me.
I should let you get back to sleep.
Good night, Walter.
Good night, my son.