1997
Robert Dean, a successful labor lawyer, becomes entangled in a vast conspiracy when he unknowingly receives a digital video disc containing evidence of a high-ranking National Security Agency official, Thomas Reynolds, murdering a United States Congressman who opposed a new surveillance bill. After a chance encounter with the nature photographer who filmed the murder, Daniel Zavitz, Dean is given the disc, leading to Zavitz's death and the NSA's relentless pursuit of Dean, who they frame for various crimes, destroying his life and reputation. Dean seeks help from Rachel Banks, a professional associate, and eventually connects with Brill, a reclusive former NSA operative and surveillance expert, who initially resists but ultimately agrees to help Dean expose Reynolds. Together, Dean and Brill orchestrate an elaborate plan to expose Reynolds by planting surveillance equipment on Senator Sam Albert, a key supporter of the controversial surveillance bill, making it appear as though the NSA is spying on him. The plan culminates in Dean confronting Reynolds at a restaurant, where he tricks Reynolds into confessing to the murder and his illegal activities, which is secretly recorded by Brill and broadcast to the FBI, leading to Reynolds' arrest and the exoneration of Dean, who returns home to his family as the news reports on the scandal and the withdrawal of the surveillance bill.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Robert Dean, a patriotic lawyer, finds himself framed by the NSA after witnessing a colleague’s staged death.
Open full beat sheetRobert Dean is listed as Labor Lawyer. Likable, young, professional lawyer caught in a conspiracy. In the parsed data, Robert Dean is connected to 55 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
55 scenes / 32 dialogue linesBrill is listed as Former NSA Traffic Analyst. Reclusive, paranoid, expert in surveillance and counter-surveillance. In the parsed data, Brill is connected to 19 scenes, 36 dialogue lines, 37 text mentions, first appearing around scene 37.
19 scenes / 36 dialogue linesReynolds is listed as NSA Official. Ruthless, calculating, early 50s. In the parsed data, Reynolds is connected to 11 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
11 scenes / 19 dialogue linesStacy Dean is listed as Robert Dean's Wife. Supportive but skeptical. In the parsed data, Stacy Dean is connected to 10 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
10 scenes / 3 dialogue linesSenator Sam Albert is listed as Politician. Senior Republican leader. In the parsed data, Senator Sam Albert is connected to 6 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
6 scenes / 23 dialogue linesHicks is listed as NSA Operative. Athletic, ruthless field agent. In the parsed data, Hicks is connected to 6 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
6 scenes / 7 dialogue linesRachel Banks is listed as Attorney. Professional associate of Dean, 30s. In the parsed data, Rachel Banks is connected to 6 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
6 scenes / 3 dialogue linesDaniel Zavitz is listed as Nature Photographer. Balding, overweight, paranoid. In the parsed data, Daniel Zavitz is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 43.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesReynolds and Hamersley meet to discuss the Anti-Terror Bill, ending in a heated argument.
ReynoldsHamersley is pursued and killed in a staged accident.
Robert Dean meets with a client, L.T., regarding union issues.
Robert DeanDean meets Rachel Banks to receive information from Brill.
Robert Dean, Rachel BanksDean confronts DePinto about his mob connections.
Robert DeanZavitz retrieves surveillance footage from the park.
Daniel ZavitzZavitz realizes the significance of his footage and calls a contact.
Daniel ZavitzDean encounters Zavitz, who is being pursued.
Robert Dean, Daniel Zavitz, HicksDean returns home and discusses his day with his wife.
Robert Dean, Stacy DeanReynolds and Hicks discuss the death of Zavitz and the discovery of Robert Dean as a person of interest.
Reynolds, HicksEstablishing shots of the NSA complex.
Analysts harvest Dean's digital identity and set up a phone tap.
Analysts review satellite footage of the Zavitz accident.
Fiedler and Reynolds analyze surveillance footage of Dean and Zavitz.
Reynolds, HicksDean and Stacy discuss his work and Brill.
Robert Dean, Stacy DeanDean and his family discover their home has been ransacked.
Robert Dean, Stacy DeanDean vents his frustration to Jerry about the robbery.
Robert DeanDetective Morelos confronts Dean about Zavitz.
Robert DeanDean arrives at work and requests a file on Zavitz.
Robert DeanSurveillance team hacks Dean's computer.
Dean and Levin discuss the investigation into Dean.
Robert DeanPratt and Bingham confront Dean about Zavitz.
Robert DeanReynolds and Hicks review the recording of Dean's confrontation.
Reynolds, HicksJerry warns Dean about the investigation.
Robert DeanDean and Stacy dine while under scrutiny.
Robert Dean, Stacy DeanDean speaks with Rachel Banks on the phone.
Robert Dean, Rachel BanksDean's partners confront him about the scandal.
Robert DeanStacy confronts Dean about the newspaper reports.
Robert Dean, Stacy DeanDean's credit cards are declined and his luggage is missing.
Robert DeanDean watches the news in a cheap motel.
Robert DeanDean sits in a motel room watching a news report about Senator Sam Albert while a neon sign flickers outside.
Robert Dean, Senator Sam AlbertDean attempts to ask for help from Sal and Frankie, but they refuse him.
Robert DeanDean meets with Meg Burton to discuss Daniel Zavitz.
Robert DeanDean meets Rachel at a bar to discuss his situation.
Robert Dean, Rachel BanksDean and Rachel discuss the IRS audit and Brill.
Robert Dean, Rachel BanksDean attempts to make contact with Brill via a drop on a ferry.
Robert Dean, Rachel BanksDean is ambushed by a man who claims to be Brill.
Robert Dean, BrillDean and the man drive through traffic while being pursued.
Robert Dean, BrillDean calls his wife Stacy while on the run.
Robert Dean, Stacy DeanDean confronts Brill on a rooftop.
Robert Dean, BrillDean escapes from an ambulance.
Robert DeanDean finds Rachel murdered in her apartment.
Robert DeanDean confronts Jerry in a parking garage, claiming the NSA is framing him for Rachel's death.
Robert Dean, Daniel ZavitzReporters wait outside Dean's house while he sneaks in.
Robert DeanDean enters his home and finds it empty.
Robert DeanStacy arrives home and is grabbed by Dean.
Robert Dean, Stacy DeanDean explains the situation to Stacy.
Robert Dean, Stacy DeanNSA agents watch the house and pursue a decoy vehicle.
HicksDean meets Eric to retrieve the GameBoy.
Robert DeanBrill and Dean case the auditorium for vulnerabilities while preparing for Senator Albert's speech.
Brill, Robert DeanEstablishing shot of the hotel.
Dean eavesdrops on Christa Hawkins while she registers for rooms.
Robert DeanEstablishing shot of the store.
Brill and Dean purchase surveillance gear.
Brill, Robert DeanBrill and Dean prepare their equipment.
Brill, Robert DeanBrill uses a laptop and modified phone to intercept calls.
Robert Dean, BrillSenator Albert's RV travels down the highway.
Senator Sam AlbertDean watches Christa Hawkins leave the hotel.
Robert DeanBrill walks down the hall to plant bugs.
BrillBrill plants listening devices in Christa's room.
BrillChrista discovers the bugs when her TV malfunctions.
Senator Albert and his aide discuss the bug found in Christa's room.
Senator Sam Albert, Robert DeanBrill intercepts a call to Baudmore.
Brill, Robert DeanBrill 'discovers' more bugs in the Senator's room.
BrillBrill convinces Senator Albert that the NSA is spying on him.
Brill, Senator Sam AlbertDean and Brill meet to discuss the plan.
Robert Dean, BrillDean and Brill flee from police.
Robert Dean, BrillThe car crashes into a coal car.
Robert Dean, BrillFBI agents arrive and kill the police officer.
Robert Dean, Brill, HicksMarshal, Shaffer, and Reynolds discuss the Senator's anger.
ReynoldsReynolds receives news that Brill is dead.
ReynoldsDean confronts Reynolds at church.
Robert Dean, ReynoldsDean talks to Stacy on the phone.
Robert Dean, Stacy DeanNSA agents break into the apartment.
ReynoldsDean meets with Senator Albert.
Robert Dean, Senator Sam AlbertReynolds is arrested by the FBI.
ReynoldsReynolds is arrested by an FBI agent while his wife calls out from upstairs.
ReynoldsA paperboy delivers a newspaper to the Dean residence.
Stacy and Eric watch Senator Albert on TV; Dean returns home.
Robert Dean, Stacy Dean, Senator Sam AlbertOur intelligence communities presently monitor our phones, computers, financial transactions, medical histories...all this and more. Some of you may say, "Fine. I'm not a criminal and I have nothing to hide." Well God forbid we ever edge to tyranny. God forbid George Orwell's version of America becomes a reality. We are that close.
Contact COINTEL. Profile. Assess the threat. Then cross-check against Zavitz. Red-flag the intersects and anything we can exploit. Also NRO. Pull up the keyhole tapes. I need to own him. I need to own him now.
A 'modified' OKI 900 interfaced with a lap-top creates an enormously powerful tool. I got into the software, did some code re-writing and turned it into one of the best scan-looking systems around.
I want him to look at a different tape. People have been killed. Lives have been ruined. Senator, I want you to look at this. And I want you to bring the fury of God himself upon this man.
Can you send someone up right away. I'm having a problem with my TV... It's screeching and I-- It's screeching and I-- It's screeching and I can't turn it off.
I hate doin' cops, I really do. You I won't mind. Didn't mind that Rachel Banks. Didn't mind doin' her one bit. Your lawyer friend buried over there?
Well, sir, I'm afraid it's not as simple as that. Your average newspaper guy or Hard Copy lady or whatever, they can't buy this stuff.
Nasty fella. A TX-703. Remote on-off, three-thousand foot range. Shit, you could listen from a shopping mall across the street.
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