1998
In 1998, detective John Sullivan uses a ham radio to warn his 1969 firefighter father, Frank, about his death, altering history but causing John's mother, Julia, to become a victim of the Nightingale serial killer. John and Frank then collaborate across time to identify the killer as Carl Shepard, a former police officer, with Frank's attempts to intervene in 1969 leading to his arrest as a suspect. While Frank is interrogated, John confronts the older Shepard in 1998, who reveals his intention to kill Julia in the past, prompting a desperate, dual-timeline struggle. Father and son ultimately defeat Shepard in their respective eras, restoring the timeline and allowing John to enjoy a baseball game with both his parents, including an older Frank.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Frequency opens with a dramatic rescue by firefighter Frank Sullivan, then shifts to his son John in 1998 discovering a mysterious ham radio link to his father in 1969.
Open full beat sheetFrank Sullivan is listed as Firefighter. A hard-charging, kind-hearted firefighter with a strong sense of duty. In the parsed data, Frank Sullivan is connected to 60 scenes, 95 dialogue lines, 98 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
60 scenes / 95 dialogue linesJohn Sullivan is listed as Detective. Frank's son, a detective in 1998 struggling with the loss of his father. In the parsed data, John Sullivan is connected to 56 scenes, 112 dialogue lines, 112 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
56 scenes / 112 dialogue linesSatchel DeLeon is listed as Detective. John's partner and long-time friend. In the parsed data, Satchel DeLeon is connected to 23 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 35.
23 scenes / 15 dialogue linesJulia Sullivan is listed as Nurse. Frank's wife, a strong and sweet woman. In the parsed data, Julia Sullivan is connected to 20 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 60.
20 scenes / 11 dialogue linesGraham Gibson is listed as Firefighter. A young, nervous probie firefighter. In the parsed data, Graham Gibson is connected to 12 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
12 scenes / 8 dialogue linesButch Foster is listed as Lieutenant. A beefy, experienced fire lieutenant. In the parsed data, Butch Foster is connected to 11 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
11 scenes / 4 dialogue linesGordon Hersch is listed as Computer Geek. John's childhood friend, a lovable tech enthusiast. In the parsed data, Gordon Hersch is connected to 10 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
10 scenes / 7 dialogue linesCarl Shepard is listed as Serial Killer. A former cop turned serial killer. In the parsed data, Carl Shepard is connected to 8 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 67.
8 scenes / 11 dialogue linesAn oil truck crashes into a construction site and manhole, trapping two Con Ed workers in an underground vault.
Fire trucks depart for the emergency.
Frank and Gibson discuss the upcoming emergency while riding to the scene.
Frank Sullivan, Graham Gibson, Butch FosterFrank and his team arrive at the crash site and assess the danger.
Frank Sullivan, Graham Gibson, Butch FosterFrank and Gibson descend into the manhole to rescue the workers.
Frank Sullivan, Graham Gibson, Butch FosterFrank and Gibson reach the vault and rescue the workers before the explosion.
Frank Sullivan, Graham Gibson, Butch FosterThe team escapes just as the vault explodes.
Frank Sullivan, Graham Gibson, Butch FosterFrank rides his motorcycle home.
Frank SullivanFrank arrives home.
Frank SullivanFrank relaxes at home.
Frank SullivanFrank falls asleep in the bath.
Frank SullivanFrank is woken up by a softball crashing through the window.
Frank Sullivan, John SullivanFrank and Julia interact.
Frank Sullivan, Julia SullivanFrank talks to Johnny about the broken window.
Frank Sullivan, John SullivanFrank and Julia dance.
Frank Sullivan, Julia SullivanFrank teaches Johnny to ride a bike.
Frank Sullivan, John Sullivan, Julia SullivanJohnny wishes on a star.
John SullivanJohn watches Samantha leave.
John SullivanJohn drinks alone.
John SullivanJohn answers the phone.
John SullivanJohn sits alone on the bleachers.
John SullivanJohn returns home to find Gordo.
John Sullivan, Gordon HerschGordy Jr. finds the trunk.
John Sullivan, Gordon HerschThey set up the ham radio.
John Sullivan, Gordon HerschJohn listens to his mother's answering machine, looks through his father's scrapbook, and watches Larry King before being startled by a radio burst.
John Sullivan, Julia SullivanJohn communicates with his father, Frank, over the ham radio, realizing they are separated by 29 years.
Frank Sullivan, John SullivanFrank checks on his sleeping son, Johnny.
Frank SullivanJohn tries to fix the antenna and tells Gordo he spoke to his father.
John Sullivan, Gordon HerschLightning strikes the warehouse, starting the fire.
The fire alarm sounds while the firemen are watching the World Series.
Frank Sullivan, Graham Gibson, Butch FosterLightning strikes the warehouse, starting a fire.
Firemen watch the World Series while Frank acts distracted.
Frank Sullivan, Graham Gibson, Butch FosterJohn arrives at the bar.
John SullivanFiremen head to the fire.
Frank Sullivan, Graham GibsonJohn meets Satch and Gordo for a drink.
John Sullivan, Gordon Hersch, Satchel DeLeonFirefighters arrive at the warehouse.
Frank Sullivan, Graham Gibson, Butch FosterFrank and Gibson enter the burning building.
Frank Sullivan, Graham Gibson, Butch FosterTime stutters for John.
John Sullivan, Gordon Hersch, Satchel DeLeonFrank saves the girl.
Frank SullivanFrank and the girl land in the water.
Frank Sullivan, Graham Gibson, Butch FosterJohn experiences new memories.
John Sullivan, Gordon Hersch, Satchel DeLeonFrank tries to contact John on the radio.
Frank Sullivan, John SullivanFrank teaches John to ride a bike.
Frank Sullivan, John SullivanJohn discovers the changes in his history.
John SullivanFrank visits Julia at the hospital.
Frank Sullivan, Julia SullivanJohn experiences a flashback of his father Frank at his funeral.
John Sullivan, Frank SullivanJohn, in a disheveled state, tries to call Julia on the phone.
John SullivanJohn visits Julia's apartment but finds a stranger living there.
John SullivanSatch observes John's erratic behavior.
Satchel DeLeon, John SullivanSatch confronts John about his behavior.
John Sullivan, Satchel DeLeonSatch shows John the Nightingale file, revealing Julia as a victim.
Satchel DeLeon, John SullivanFrank tucks young Johnny into bed.
Julia Sullivan, Frank Sullivan, John SullivanFrank and Julia share a romantic moment before she leaves for work.
Frank Sullivan, Julia SullivanJohn encounters Samantha at the house.
John SullivanJohn contacts Frank via the radio to discuss the murders.
John Sullivan, Frank SullivanFrank follows Karen Reynolds to prevent her murder.
Frank SullivanFrank monitors Karen Reynolds in the bar.
Frank SullivanJohn receives confirmation that Karen Reynolds is safe.
John Sullivan, Satchel DeLeonFrank talks to Julia about the radio.
Frank Sullivan, Julia SullivanFrank and Julia talk to John on the radio.
Frank Sullivan, Julia Sullivan, John Sullivan, Gordon HerschJohn dumps his alcohol down the drain, deciding to stop drinking.
John SullivanJohn visits Mrs. Finelli to collect evidence related to her daughter Mary's murder.
John Sullivan, Julia SullivanJohn and Satch discuss the investigation while at the urinals.
John Sullivan, Satchel DeLeonJohn and Satch review evidence and discuss Daryl Adams as a suspect.
John Sullivan, Satchel DeLeonFrank watches the Peppermint Lounge from his motorcycle.
Frank SullivanFrank enters the lounge to look for Sissy.
Frank SullivanJohn interrogates Daryl Adams at his workplace.
John Sullivan, Carl ShepardFrank watches Sissy work at the lounge.
Frank SullivanJohn interrogates Daryl Adams about the Nightingale murders.
John Sullivan, Carl Shepard, Satchel DeLeonFrank waits at the bar while the bartender closes up.
Frank SullivanJohn shows Daryl crime scene photos, causing a violent reaction.
John Sullivan, Carl Shepard, Satchel DeLeonFrank interacts with a woman at the bar.
Frank SullivanJohn continues to pressure Daryl.
John Sullivan, Carl Shepard, Satchel DeLeonFrank watches Sissy leave for the night.
Frank SullivanSatch watches John interrogate Daryl.
John Sullivan, Carl Shepard, Satchel DeLeonSatch tells John that Daryl is not their guy.
John Sullivan, Satchel DeLeonFrank is attacked by the killer.
Frank SullivanJohn sits in his car, contemplating.
John SullivanFrank realizes his driver's license is missing.
Frank SullivanFrank rushes to Sissy's apartment.
Frank SullivanYou know, Daryl, sometimes, despite all the training we cops go through. Despite all that we are taught about right and wrong. Despite all that we would like to honor in ourselves, we can come to a place where we don't give a fuck. Know what I mean?
Fed up? Lemme tell you something, in a 1000 years, when school kids study America, they're gonna learn about three things: the Constitution, Rock 'n' Roll, and Baseball.
So you figure the murders stop 'cause he's off the street. Then by the time he gets paroled, he's smartened up enough to control himself?
Then you gotta hide it somewhere. Somewhere where nobody's gonna find it...for 29 years! Put it under the loose floorboard by the window!
I wanna talk on the radio. This is the Space Cowboy. I'm an intergalactic traveler from the Federation planet earth.
Do not disrespect me. Disrespect yourself all you want. But not me. Or anybody else around here. You got that?
Just cause he didn't want to look at the photos doesn't mean he isn't the doer. Not everyone fits the profile.
Not the first time that's been true. I'm telling you, I got a feeling about this guy. This is the guy, Satch.
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