"Death at Sunset"

Episode 121 - Part 1
(aired the week of 5/10/1997)
Case # 69-3142

Log line: A mysterious illness claims its victims at sunset.

Synopsis: As darkness descends on Bell Island, Dr. Raymond Axon presides over the death of young Melanie Bannion. At the culmination of a one day sickness--chalk white and sweating--she sees a brilliant light in the sky and then dies as dusk turns into darkness. After losing Melanie, the eighth victim in as many days of the mysterious sickness, Mr. Bannion urges Dr. Axon to call his estranged son, Peter Axon of the O.S.I.R. The younger Axon may have an untraditional solution for the plague that has beset this sleepy little island.

The father-son tension is palpable when Dr. Axon greets Peter and the rest of the O.S.I.R. team at the ferry landing. The team, and the Axon's, work around the tension in the race to understand the strange string of deaths. Examining data gathered by Dr. Axon, the O.S.I.R. learn that the first effects of the sickness manifest themselves in early morning. The victims then deteriorate in health as the day wears on and, at the stroke of sunset, die.

As the O.S.I.R. and Dr. Axon search for a medical or scientific explanation for the sickness, Annie Ryan, a local woman, suggests that they might find a solution in the lore of the Erickson Stones--a Stonehenge like formation on the island that was left behind by Norse explorers some 4000 years ago. The story of the Erickson stones is that they predict a "planetary convergence" 4000 years after their installation. If the stones are not in place at that day of convergence, then a local youth will die each day at sunset.

While the O.S.I.R. pontificate about possible causes for the phenomenon, Hendricks and Doyle bring word of a ninth victim of the sickness.

Putting some credence in the legend of the curse, Donner, Axon and Annie Ryan investigate the nine mysterious stones. As Axon and Annie reminisce, they share a passionate kiss. Then, Annie falls ill -- the next intended victim of the deadly curse.

Usually calmly logical in his work, Axon now seems willing to try anything to save Annie. The O.S.I.R. map out the nine Erickson stones and the locations of the nine deaths and see a definite pattern. There is no apparent explanation for a tenth victim until Doyle finds, in one of Doc Axon's dusty old books, a mention of the ten stones which are to remain undisturbed.

As the O.S.I.R. surrenders scientific method and pays heed to local legend, Annie's life --and Axon's love--hinge on the lore of the missing stone.

Starring:
Connor Doyle - Paul Miller
Peter Axon - Barclay Hope
Lindsay Donner - Nancy Anne Sakovich

Guest Stars:
Dr. Raymond Axon - Leslie Yeo
Annie Ryan - Fiona Byrne
Melanie Bannion - Alison Woolridge

Written by: Jeremy Hole
Directed by: Ross Clyde

"Collision"

Episode 121 - Part 2
Case # 79-3144

Log line: The soul of an accident victim possesses the driver who killed her.

Synopsis: Film executive Blythe Hall is in a car crash with Karen Gustavson. Gustavson is killed, but her 10-year-old daughter Holly survives. When Blythe, minorly injured, regains consciousness she finds that she has lost her own identity and taken on that of Karen Gustavson.

Young Holly tells the O.S.I.R.'s Lindsay Donner that just after the collision, she saw a bright light emanate from her mother's body. Sure that Hall and Gustavson had never met one another, the O.S.I.R. ponder Hall's intimate knowledge of the lives of Gustavson and her daughter. They O.S.I.R. introduce Holly to Hall with hopes that their interaction will shed light on the identity confusion.

Holly refuses to believe that this strange woman is her mother, despite Hall's knowledge of things only a mother could know. That night, Holly dreams about her dead mother, who reminds her that she'd never leave the girl alone. This converts Holly to believe that Hall is actually the reincarnation of her mother. The hitch is that by the time Holly comes around, Blythe Hall has snapped out of her alter-ego and shuns the girl.

Feeling recovered from the accident, Hall returns to work but continues to experience mental flashes of Gustavson's memories. The O.S.I.R.'s Dr. Anton Hendricks runs tests on Hall after she collapses from the tremendous emotional strain of the whole experience. Meanwhile, the investigators discover that Holly is missing.

Though they know it will be painful for her, the O.S.I.R. enlist Hall's access to Gustavson's mind in a attempt to locate Holly. Their effort reveals that Holly is at the site of the collision that killed her mother and plans to kill herself to be reunited with her mother.

Donner and Doyle rush to save the tragically troubled girl from another fatal accident.

Starring:
Connor Doyle - Paul Miller
Lindsay Donner - Nancy Anne Sakovich
Dr. Anton Hendricks - Colin Fox

Guest Stars:
Blythe Hall - Torri Higginson
Karen Gustavson - Brooke Johnson
Holly Gustavson - Allegra Denton

Written by: Sherman Snukal
Directed by: Ross Clyde