Get a Life

Get a Life is the third episode of The Crow: Stairway to Heaven. It aired on October 14, 1998.

Plot[]

Elise Franklin is finishing a speech at a charity function introducing her father, John Franklin. John talks about how he founded a trust; Franklin foundation, in which his personal fortune would be used to fund and maintain the network of family crisis centers in every major U.S city. Suddenly, someone starts shooting and chaos erupts. Elise and her father are both shot and Gil, Elise’s ex boyfriend, tries to rush to her side, but he is restrained as he is believed to be the shooter. Elise dies on the floor and her spirit goes to the afterlife. Unbeknownst to anyone, this is being watched by the crow.

In the afterlife, while wandering around in purgatory, Elise meets Shelly. Elise asks Shelly if she’s dead, and Shelly confirms that she is. Shelly tells Elise that it’s normal to feel confused after first dying. Elise asks what happens now, and Shelly directs Elise’s attention to a bright light ahead of her saying that most people usually walk into the light. Elise questions Shelly if that light leads to heaven and Shelly says it might, or maybe it’s “just the next place“, because people never come back once they walk in to the light. Elise asks Shelly why she doesn’t walk into the light, and Shelly says that she’s waiting for someone; Eric, explaining that her and Eric were both murdered but Eric was sent back to the land of the living while Shelly remains in purgatory, going on to say that she’s not ready to move on yet. Elise asks Shelly if there’s anyway to contact people in the land of the living, and Shelly explains that if things are just right, sometimes Shelly could make Eric feel her presence, and sometimes Eric can even see her or hear her voice. Shelly questions Elise on how she died and Elise clarifies that she was shot to death. Elise tells Shelly that after she died she saw everything that was happening around her and that people think her boyfriend Gil did it. Shelly asks if Gil was the one who killed her. Elise just tells Shelly that he loved her, and Shelly offers to help Elise.

The following morning, Eric is in his apartment reaching out to the broken window, telling Shelly that he knows that she’s out there somewhere, and wants her to talk to him, give him a sign that she is out there. Suddenly there’s a knock on the door, and it’s Sarah who tells him to open the door. Eric opens the door, and Sarah walks in telling him that she initially thought he was asleep but then remembered that he doesn’t sleep and she was afraid that she might wake him up. Eric comments that Sarah doesn’t wait for invitations, and Sarah, ignoring his comments, tells Eric that she did more research on the legend of the crow. Sarah explains that the crow is from native American folklore, saying that a revived spirit has to do more than gain personal revenge or justice in order to balance the Cosmo scales. Sarah points out that even though Eric defeated top dollar, he was still in the land of the living. Sarah explains that the balance can be achieved if Eric helps people on earth who need it. Eric says he wishes it was that simple to be able to compile a bunch of merit badges. Eric and notices that Sarah has something with her and she points out that it was the newspaper, saying that she has to write a summary on current events and present it to the class. The wind blows the newspaper to Eric and Eric reads the front page the headline “Franklins Attacked”, describing that the father was injured and the daughter was dead. Eric sense a presence and tell Sarah that he senses Shelly. Eric is disheartened when Shelly’s presence vanishes. As Eric starts to brood, Sarah decides to go back to school. Eric takes another look at the paper and notices a picture of the man Gil Hedges who has been arrested for Elise’s murder.

Back at the police station, Gil is being questioned by Albrecht. He repeats his story again; he heard gunshots, saw Elise fall, and as he was trying to run to help her he was detained by two men who claimed that he was the shooter and he ended up at the police station. Albert points out that the gun used to kill Elise was gills gun as it was registered to him and it had his fingerprints all over it, and there were witnesses. Albrecht tells Gil that the smart thing to do would be to think about the best deal he could get. Gil, seemingly ignoring this, asks for water. Gil explains that the gun must’ve been planted as the last time he saw his gun he gave it to Elise for her protection. Albrecht clarified that Gil and Elise had broken up, and Gil confirms this to be true. Albrecht asks if Gil killed Elise because her father publicly announce that Elise didn’t want to marry him. Gil denies this saying that Elise had a mind of her own. Gil also confirms that he used to work for Elise’s father. Gil tells the officers that he was at the function because Elise told him that she wanted to talk afterwards, saying that she had a breakthrough in therapy. When asked what Elise wanted to talk about, Gil says that he doesn’t really know but was hoping that she wanted to talk about their relationship. During their phone conversation, Elise revealed to Gil that her father had secrets that could destroy his reputation and career, and Gil urges the officers to investigate John Franklin, saying if they could find out who is blackmailing John then they could find Elise’s killer. Gil is given his water before the officers leave.

Albrecht visits John in his apartment, with John saying that all he wants is justice for Elise and he hopes that Gil isn’t going to get away with it because of a loophole. Albrecht tells John that’s up to the attorneys and the court to decide. Albrecht tells John they’re working on building a very solid case, and John says that the case should be open and shut as his security guards caught Gil in the act. Albrecht questions the security guard that is with John saying that in the statement the security guard had said that he was moving to intercept the shooter before he even pulled a gun asking if he was just lucky. The security guard says that Gil looked suspicious so it wasn’t luck. Albrecht asks John if there’s any reason why Gil would want to hurt him and John tells Albrecht that he fired Gil saying that Gil was disturbed, and he tried to make his daughter realize that but she was blind to it. Albrecht asks if there’s anyone else who would hold a grudge against John and John says they already have the killer, Gil. Albrecht says that Gil still denies shooting John and Elise, and he indicated that other people have a motive to harm John. John dismisses that, saying that Gil is just desperate. John wants to know what else Gil said in his statement but Albrecht denies being able to tell him since it’s information that he cannot disclose. Albrecht tells John that for his safety he should stay away from public appearances, including his daughter’s funeral. John assures Albrecht that he already has the killer, and Gil will not keep John from honoring Elise’s memory.

That same night, Eric is sitting in his apartment playing the guitar, and Gil is sitting in a prison cell. Is Eric continues to play the guitar, it starts to rain. Justin a portal to the after life opens to the broken glass window and Shelly appears. Eric tell Shelley that he can sense her presence and Shelly tells Eric that she can sense him too. Eric asked Shelley if she can come to the world of the living, tells him that he can’t and asks if he can cross over to the land of the dead. Eric shakes his head no, but Shelley tells Eric that she has so much to tell him. Eric reaches out to Shelly telling her that he’s losing her as the portal starts to close. The portal closes, Eric then stumbled backwards and collapses, passed out. The next morning the building’s manager walks into Eric’s apartment and wakes him up. Eric questions who he is and the manager tells him while asking Eric who he is. Eric tells the manager that he is Eric Draven. The manager questions if that’s true stating that Eric was thrown through the window and that killed him and his girlfriend was also murdered. The manager tells Eric that he might look like Eric Draven but Eric Draven is definitely dead and he was going to call the cops. Eric assures the manager that he is Eric Draven and that him getting murdered was just a scam. Eric tells the manager that he and Shelly were placed in the witness protection program after testifying against dangerous criminals, and their murders were faked to get them out of town. The manager questions Eric as to why he came back and Eric said he was just homesick. The manager tells Eric that if he wants to keep the apartment he hast to pay $750 a month in rent. The manager goes on to say that the police owe him money for the damage done to the apartment, as after Eric and Shelly’s murders he hadn’t been able to rent out the entire floor, and he leaves the apartment, leaving Eric by himself.

At the police station, Albrecht informs the lieutenant that the ballistic reports came back from the lab, saying that the bullets found in John and Elise match the bullets from Gil’s gun. The lieutenant says it’s not surprising, and Albrecht still questions Gil’s motive. The lieutenant simply puts it as John fired Gil and also refused to allow Gil to marry his daughter. When the lieutenant asks if that’s not enough for Albrecht, Albrecht comments that Gil was never really fired. Gil had threatened to go to the public and reveal that John was neglecting the poor state of his hotel which was falling apart. In response, John had paid Gil to keep quiet. Albrecht comments that for the amount of money that Gil got paid, if he got paid that much he wouldn’t mind getting fired. The lieutenant, annoyed with Albrecht’s comments, tells Albrecht that could be arranged, and Albrecht comments that maybe he could arrange to fix the candy machine as he struggles to buy some thing. As he begins to walk away, Albrecht here’s a banging noise on the vending machine. When he turns around Eric is holding a candy bar in his hand and he comments that Albrecht just needs to know where to hit the machine. Albrecht ignores his comment and asks Eric how he got in. As Eric tries to explain he climbed through the window Albrecht interrupts him, telling him that it doesn’t matter, and he leads Eric into an interrogation room. Eric tells Albrecht that the manager came into his apartment and told him that he hast to pay rent or leave. Albrecht tells him to move out since the apartment was trashed anyway. Eric tells Albrecht that he can’t as something incredible happened the night before; he was able to see Shelly, and he was able to talk to her. Eric goes on to explain that the loft is the only link he has to Shelly. Albrecht explains to Eric that he’s too busy dealing with the shooting to be busy with the afterlife. Eric tells Albrecht that he didn’t know who else to talk to, and Albrecht tells Eric that he needs a wider circle of friends and Eric responds by telling him he just needs the loft. Albrecht tells Eric to pay the manager by getting a job. Albrecht puts $20 on the table and tells Eric that’s his first and last contribution and Eric has to come up with the rest of the money on his own. As Eric reaches for the $20 bill, he instead grabs the cup of water that Gil Hedges was drinking from earlier. He gets visions of Gil trying to help Elise after she had gotten shot a few days earlier and Gil subsequently getting arrested. Eric tells Albrecht that he just solved Elise Franklin‘s murder explaining that Shelly tried to tell him about it. Eric tells Albrecht than Gil did not kill Elise, but Albrecht dismisses Eric telling him that whether Gil killed Elise or not he was going to be brought to the court house in a few minutes. As Albrecht tries to get Eric to leave, Eric tells Albrecht that Albrecht knows that he’s right. Albrecht tells Eric that if Eric is right then Gil goes free and if he’s not right then Gil will be charged and put in jail for murder and attempted murder, and he might be sentenced to death. Albrecht tells Eric that he can’t fight the system and that he doesn’t have a choice. Albrecht tells Eric that he has to pay the rent, and if he wants to pay the rent he has a play by the rules and Eric says they aren’t his rules. Eric gives Albrecht his money back and thanks him for the gesture. After Eric leaves, Albrecht picks up the glass of water and studies it closely.

Meanwhile at Sarah and Darla’s apartment, Sarah and Darla are watching a news report on the recent shooting. Darla turns off the TV and tells Sarah that although they do not have much they have more than what the Franklin’s do. Sarah comments that they have more debt. Darla tells Sarah that the Franklin family is cursed and Sarah tells Darla that if she was given $100 million she would get a good exorcist. Darla asks Sarah if she believes that money solves everything and Sarah comments that it doesn’t hurt. Darla tells Sarah that when Elise was four or five years old she was playing with matches and burned down her father’s office building killing a lot of people. Darla laments that Elise was only 28 years old when she died. Sarah comments that maybe Elise isn’t completely dead saying that there’s “dead” and then there’s “dead.” When Darla asks where Sarah gets those type of ideas, Sarah tells Darla that death isn’t always the end of everything. Darla tell Sarah that there’s nothing cool, romantic or a grown-up about dying, death is the end and in their house they’re going to focus on life, and Sarah agrees.

Gil is being taken to the prison in chains, and unbeknownst him or the officers, they’re being watched by the crow. As they officers are taking Gille to the prison by driving on the back streets to get away from the news camera crews, Eric certainly appears in the road and the officer accidentally hits him while trying to stop. One officer checks on Eric while the other calls an ambulance. When the officer is checking Eric‘s pulse, Eric starts to move and the officer informs his colleague that Eric is alive. Eric tells the officer that he’s technically not alive and proceeds to knock him out. The other officer confront Eric and hold them at gunpoint while Eric tries to explain that they have they arrested the wrong man. The officer shoots Eric in the hand and the bullet wound heals itself, much to the officer surprise. Eric proceeds to knock the officer out and take his gun. Eric tells the unconscious officers that he has no problem with them and he hopes to keep it that way. He gives the officer his gun back and acknowledges that he was just doing his job. He gets into the van transporting Gil and starts to drive while Gil questions who Eric is. Eric gives Gil two choices; he can explain who he is or he could just drive the van and Gil chooses the latter.

Eric brings Gil to a back room at the night club Black Out and Gil questions where they are. Eric says they are in a safe place as he locks the door behind them. While Gil was questioning who the place was safe for, he attacks Eric and Eric restrains him while trying to explain to Gil that he’s only trying to help. Gil tries to explain to Eric that he didn’t kill Elise and Eric tells Gil that he knows that he didn’t kill Elise asking why Gil thought that Eric helped him escape the police. Gil tells Eric that he figured that Eric might’ve been Elise’s friend or John’s employee or someone who just wanted revenge. Eric tells Gil that someone might want him dead but that someone isn’t him and he just wants to help. Gil asks Eric why he wants to help him and Eric tells Gil he wouldn’t understand. When Gil tries to prompt Eric into explaining himself, Eric refuses. When someone knocks on the door, Eric tells Gil that he’s better off with him and Gil agrees. When Eric answers the door, it’s India Reyes, and she questions why Eric was in there. Eric tells India that he was on his way to her office. India questions if there was anybody in the room with Eric and Eric denies this saying that he was just talking to himself. India asks Eric what he was doing in the room and why doesn’t he want to talk about it, and Eric tells India that he just needed a place to stay and India accepted this explanation saying that she does owe Eric a favor. India asks why Eric can’t just go back to his own apartment and Eric explains that the landlord was demanding rent. India realizes that Eric needs money and India wants Eric to work for her. Eric says that people don’t know what to make of him and India says that’s a good thing so people won’t cause any trouble and Eric thanks her.

Back at the police station the officers are discussing how they could’ve lost track of Gil. They review the report stating that when two officers were transporting Gil to the prison, a man, possibly of Asian or Hispanic dissent in his mid to late twenties wearing war paint, stepped in front of them in the road and they accidentally ran him over. When one of the officers went to administer aid the man got up and quickly disarmed both officers, taking the van that Gil was in and leaving it abandoned 6 miles away from the scene. Albrecht leaves the room when the officers are dismissed.

Back at Black Out, Eric returns to the room he left Gil in only to find him trying to escape. When Eric asks Gil where he’s planning to go, Gil tells Eric that he was planning to call him once he got there. Gil tells Eric that India clearly didn’t buy his excuse and he would just be better off if he walked around on the street dressed like a clown. Eric tells Gil that doing that would buy them enough time to do what needs to be done. When Gil asks what needs to be done Eric tells him he asks too many questions. Gil continues questioning Eric asking who he is. Eric explains that he is Eric Draven and he was murdered, but he was brought back and he doesn’t understand how or why. He goes on to explain that he believes he needs to set things right in the world or at least try. Eric ask Gil if he has anymore questions, and Gil asks what are they supposed to do now. Eric tells Gil that he has an idea but they have to wait until night, and Gil agrees.

Meanwhile, Albert breaks down the door to Eric‘s apartment only to find no one there. While looking around, Albert wonders out loud if the apartment was the secret to the universe before leaving.

Back at John’s office, he’s talking to Mr. Davis asking if he’s ever heard of Gilbert Hedges. Mr. Davis says that everybody in the city’s talking about it. John demands to know gills whereabouts, with Mr. Davis saying that it was reported that a man managed to break Gil out. When asked if it was someone who worked with the police force who broke Gil out, Mr. Davis comments that he doesn’t know. John orders Mr. Davis to double security at the hotel and make sure that Gil is found. When Mr. Davis comments that Gil probably isn’t stupid enough to go back to the hotel, John tells him never to underestimate the actions of a desperate man.

Later that night at Black Out, everybody is partying and having a good time when Albrecht walks in and tells India that he needs to speak to her. The step to the side away from the crowd and Albret questions India on if she’s knows where Eric is. India tells Albrecht that Eric only comes to black out occasionally in and she doesn’t know where he goes outside of that. Albert questions of India has seen Eric The step to the side away from the crowd and Albret questions India on if she’s knows where Eric is. India tells Albrecht that Eric only comes to black out occasionally in and she doesn’t know where he goes outside of that. Albrecht questions if India has seen Eric throughout the day and India asks if Eric has done something. India tells Albrecht that Eric is a good man but she did see him sometime after 2:45PM. India brings Albrecht to the back room where Eric was briefly staying in only to find him gone. Much to Albrecht’s frustration, India doesn’t know where Eric went.

Albrecht returns Home to his girlfriend Cordelia who’s watching a news report on the recent shooting. Albrecht tells Cordelia that he had been searching for Gil Hedges all day but couldn’t find him. Cordelia says they had girl ones they’ll find him again, and Albrecht starts doubting that Gil was the killer. Albert goes on to say that Gilbert said that at least told him that her father had many enemies. Cordelia tells Albrecht that sometimes the obvious answer is the right one and Gil motive for shooting John and killing a lease was that John wouldn’t allow Gil to marry his daughter. Albrecht still questions gills motive saying that girl is smarter than that and that he wouldn’t be dumb enough to shoot someone in a crowded room. Cordelia tells Albrecht that smart people do dumb things especially when they are emotionally disturbed and Albert says that Elise was the one who is emotionally disturbed. Cordelia urges Albrect to talk to Elise’s therapist and Albrecht says that he can’t as they have doctor patient confidentiality but Cordelia points out that the patient is dead.

The next morning, Eric brings Gil back to the scene of the crime. Gil tells Eric that he can’t talk to Elise as she’s dead. Eric tells Gil he would be joining her soon if they don’t find the real killer and Gil tells Eric that he’s helping with his insanity defense. Gil sits down on the spot where Elise died and asks Eric what he’s supposed to do and Eric and instructs him to clear his mind of everything but Elise. Gil tells Eric that he loved every part of Elise and wished that he was dead so he didn’t have to feel the pain of losing her anymore. When Eric tells Gil that it’s not that simple, Gil breaks down crying. Suddenly a bright light starts to fill the room and Eric and Gil sense a presence. Simultaneously in the afterlife, Shelly and Elise sense a presence but they don’t know what it is. Elise tells Shelly that she senses Gil needs her. Shelly senses that Eric is with Gil and wants Elise to help her show Eric what he needs to know. Shelly puts her hands on Elise’s head and instructs Elise to remember what she saw the night she died. Through Elise‘s memory, Eric sees that the man responsible for Elise’s murder was actually one of her father’s bodyguards. Eric tells Gil that the man who tackled him to the ground the night of the shooting was the one who actually killed Elise, much to his anger. When two of John’s employees walk in and find Eric and Gil, Gil tries to attack them but has beaten down instead. Eric is told that since he’s with Gil he’s a witness and that’s not good and he subsequently knocked out.

At the police station, Albrecht tells the lieutenant that Dr. Sydney Lazelle was at least Franklin psychiatrist. The lieutenant asks why does it matter since Dr. Lazelle died in a car jacking sometime ago. Albrecht tells the lieutenant that they might find a missing file in his office.

Gil and Eric are brought into John’s office. Gil berates John for his inhumanity due to having his own daughter killed and blaming it on him. John tells Gil that he might have underestimated him but nobody’s going to believe his story especially since people already believe that he’s guilty. When John questions Gil on who broke him out, one of his employees tells John that Eric broke him out, and points to him on the floor as he was unconscious. Gil warns the three men that they’re in for a surprise once Eric wakes up. John tells Gil that everything will be over before then. Gil tells John that he can’t kill him because if he does he would be charged with murder. John points out that he can’t be charged with murder if he killed him in self defense. One of John’s employees hands Gil a gun explaining that the story that they’re going to tell is that even though Gil tried to kill John a few nights ago, he broke into his office to finish the job but the gun jammed. Gilbert is told not to get any ideas as the gun isn’t loaded and John instructs his employee to make sure that it looks like someone broke in and then call the police. When Gil asks John why he would do this, John comments that Gil is clueless and Eric, having just woken up, tells John it’s better than being hopeless. John asks who Eric is supposed to be and Eric cheekily replies “room service” and he kicks the gun out of John’s hand and instructs Gil to run. As Eric continues fighting one of John’s bodyguards, John runs out of the room after Gil. At the station, Albrecht gets a call that Gil is at the Franklin Hotel. As Gil runs, he’s being chased by John, and Gil winds up climbing out of the window onto the roof. As Gil desperately tries to escape, John starts shooting at him and misses twice but the third bullet catches Gil’s shoulder. As John gets ready to finish Gil off, Eric intervenes and tells John that he could kill again but that won’t hide what John did to his daughter. John denies doing anything to his daughter stating that he’s just a grieving parent. John shoots at Eric as Eric approaches him and Eric comments that he missed. Eric tells John that people know that John had his daughter killed, and John comments that everybody who does know is either dead or will be. John continues to shoot at Eric and proceeds to miss again. When John asks Eric what he wants, Eric demands that John confess to his crime at the top of his hotel so that everyone can hear. John shoots Eric square in the chest although it has no effect. When John tries to continue shooting he realizes he ran out of bullets. After running out of John runs out of bulllets, Eric quickly subdues John and dangles him over the edge of the roof just when Albrecht and reinforcements arrive at the scene. Albrecht demands that Eric let John go and Gil tells Eric to ask what did Elise know about him. Eric chooses the latter and questions John about Elise. John tells Eric that Elise was having nightmares about the fire she started in his office building. Through John’s memory Eric is able to see that John was the one who started the fire in his office building that killed many people. Eric tells John that he was Elise’s nightmare as he was the one who started the fire but John denies this, saying it was an accident. Eric starts to further push John over the edge of the roof and John confesses that Elise’s therapist was the one who made her remember what really happened the night of the fire, and Elise made him sign away all of his money. In a rage Eric gets ready to push John off of the roof, but Gil stops him from doing so, saying that he has to make things right, as right as they could be, and ultimately Eric decides to not push John off of the roof. John is apprehended and Gil thanks Eric before Eric vanishes.

Later that night, Eric and Albrecht meet at a nightclub and Albrecht tells Eric that Gil is a free man and John is facing murder charges and he signed a confession. Albrecht acknowledges that Eric was right and tells Eric that he’s starting to believe that Eric is who he says he is and that even if he isn’t he’s as sick of the crime that goes on in the streets just as much as he is. Albrecht tells Eric that the only way he would tolerate Eric doing what he’s doing is if Eric at least tells him, if Eric doesn’t then, Albrecht has to take him down even if Albrecht goes down with him. Eric tells Albrecht that he doesn’t take orders from Albrecht and Albrecht tells Eric that he doesn’t clean up Eric‘s mess. Eric says he could change his mind at any time and Albrecht says that he could too. The two men agree and they shake hands. Albrecht walks away and Eric tells Albrecht that he could get him in for free but Albrecht leaves anyway.

Back in the afterlife, Shelly asks if Elise is ready to move on. Elise said she needs to move on as staying in purgatory was only because of what her father did. At Elise asks Shelly if she believes that Gil would understand why she’s moving on without him, and Shelly says that Gil would, and when Gil’s time comes he will find her. Elise urges Shelly to come with her and Shelly says that she can’t, and that she’s going to wait for Eric for as long as it takes. Elise then proceeds into the light without Shelly.

Cast[]

Main[]

Guest[]

Ingrid Kavelaars as Elise Franklin
Mitch Kosterman as Kearney
Joe Maffei as Caleb Cowan
Ken Kirzinger as Koch
Chris Nelson Norris as Davies
Jason Griffith as Hartley
Mike Dopud as Urbaniak
Merrett Green as Brent Carlton
Mecca Menard as Young Elise
Julie Dreyfus as India Reyes