Trama

Caine faces his final challenge as a Shambala master splitting himself into two: One good, and one evil. Peter wishes to help him, but to do so he must face his destiny.

Plot Summary: Series Finale. Kwai Chang Caine initiates an externalized battle of good and evil as Peter's struggles with his Shaolin philosophies being at odds with his role as a police detective reach a breaking point.



Synopsys: The episode opens at an art gallery. Its opening night, a black tie affair, very classy. Thomas Jefferson Kincade is talking with Kermit about the dark shadow world that exists all around them. TJ insists it is at work now, and has called in Kwai Chang Caine. Caine then arrives, and TJ leads him to a bronze sculpture. It looks like parts in a whirl wind, it has Caines hat, hands, flute, what looks to be evidence of dark magic (a bird claw tied to a branch), lit candles, desert grasses ,and at the center, a head with two faces. Kwai Chang recognizes TJ was right, that the sculpture is a challenge to him, to perform the final Shaolin test. He asks Kermit to watch over his son for the next 3 days, to protect Peter from his own demons, because he himself will be too busy with demons of his own.

Peter, asleep in his own apartment, is in the midst of a nightmare. Tossing as Jordon sleeps peacefully, he dreams of his mother, first sitting content at a Parisian cafe, then calling for help as she is dragged away from him, Jordon caught in a giant spider web, and finally his father, threatening him with a sword. He awakens shaken; Jordon joins him as he splashes water on his face from the bathroom sink, asking him if he had that same nightmare again. He agrees.

The next day, Peter comes to his father, irritable from the dreams, questioning his decisions, asking his father for guidance. The judicial system he must work within as a police officer is now too confining, it no longer gives him the job satisfaction he requires, as he has been trained for a higher level of service. Peter demands to know his destiny, yelling angrily at his father when Kwai Chang refuses to help. (He tries to tell Peter that he has stuff to do, but Peter only sees it as a distancing tactic.) Peter storms out, telling Kwai he has not been much of a father, or a friend.

Back at work, Peter meets a woman whose case he has been working on, Geena Sinclair, who is a stalking victim at her wits end. She is there to ID the stalker in a line up. She sees the man, and gives a positive ID that he is the stalker, thinking he would be arrested and charged, and her ordeal would be over. The man she identifies is good height, well built, has nice hair and skin, with a thin, jaunty moustache that proclaims to the world: I Am An Arrogant Bastard. But she gets a rude awakening, the man is let go. He is Bob Ralston, a policeman, placed in the line-up to pad the numbers. She assures Peter again, he is the man she knows is stalking her. Peter is flummoxed; he is powerless to act because Bob Ralston is not a suspect. She leaves, upset. Bob has a few choice words for Sergeant Broderick, who Bob believes placed him in the line-up because the Sarge didnt care for Ralston personally. After Ralston leaves, Peter, perturbed that his case didnt go as well as he had counted on, asks Broderick why he put Ralston in the line-up. Broderick admits it, he believes Ralston is dirty.

Meanwhile, Kwai Chang begins the test. He splits himself into two Kwai Chang Caines. One good, and one evil. The evil one pushes the good one to the ground, and goes to the pool hall. Evil Kwai goes to Jack Wong, with an offer to Bon Bon Hi: Stop intimidating the people of the neighbourhood and he will convince them to cooperate with Bon Bon Hi and his gang. Back at Geenas house, Ralston is at it again. As he taunts Geena unseen, she begins to shake and cry, yet bravely takes the paring knife with her out of the kitchen and in to the living room. She is grabbed! But wait, thank goodness, its Peter. Peter leaves Geena to search the house, finding only the open back door and a tape recorder with Geenas voice, her cries of fright recorded from a few moments before. He tells her Ralston wouldnt come back for it, not wanting to confront a fellow cop. Geenas relief is immense, Peter believes her. The tape is enough to prove sexual harassment, and he can assign a female officer to stay with her. But, back at the precinct, things arent so cut and dry. Tensions are mounting because the police commissioner, (you remember, TJs dad), is unhappy the investigation is pointing to a fellow officer. Peter is reminded that police are supposed to take care of their own, and if Peter insists on pursuing this case, he does so at the peril of his own job.

First the dreams, then the fight with his Dad, now his case and maybe his job are in the toilet. Peter is having a very bad week! He looks for his father to make amends, but no luck. He cant find his father. So he goes to the next best thing: the ancient. (Bloody marvellous!) Lo Si tells him Kwai Chang has initiated the Kuan La, the separation of good and evil. Peter grasps the idea immediately, and is eager to help, but he is told by Lo Si he must face his destiny: (and finally! Here it is!) Peter must become a Shaolin Priest. Peter is a bit ticked off to hear this, because he already passed on that path to be a Shaolin Cop. Peter leaves to find his father, but is caught by Bob Ralston, who is raring for a fight. But Kermit saves the day, forcing Ralston to leave. Peter warns Kermit he may lose his job if he joins the fight against Ralston. But Kermit avers, Kermit was always a missionary and condemns Ralston in support of Peter, because Peter is a real cop. Peter expresses some doubt at this statement, Lo Sis words having thrown him into a state of consternation.

Peter catches up with the evil Kwai Chang at his fathers studio. Evil Caine is breaking stuff and upsetting the tables. (Wow... he really IS evil!) After a quick attack to Peter, Evil Caine is off again. Peter, recognising a danger to public safety, puts out an APB on his father, but his presence is desperately needed elsewhere. Jody, assigned to Geena Sinclairs house, is late checking in. Jody was overpowered by Ralston, and now Geena is in his clutches! Peter shows up in the nick of time, punching Ralston and saving Ms.Sinclair. But Wait! Raltson isnt down! He corners Geena, Jody, and Peter with his second gun. Just when things look their darkest, somebody turns off the main breaker, cutting the lights. Peter uses the distraction, whooping up on Ralston a second time, and Jody makes the arrest. But who turned off the lights? A pair of green glasses rest in the kitchen. Looks like Kermit still has his back. But Peter has his destiny to face.

He tells Lo Si he is ready to do anything to help his father. Lo Si tells Peter he is the only one who can help Kwai Chang, and he can only do it by taking the last step: Peter must take the brands. But how can they get to the temple and back in time? No Need! Lo Si, well prepared, has the branding caldron set up there at his house! Peter takes the brands, (owie!) and, no time to heal, races off immediately to help his father.

Back at Kwai Changs place, the two Caines are squaring up for their final battle. The good Caine looks worse for wear, after all, the evil Caine got all the charged emotions. Peter shows his father the brands, and through the brands, Kwai Chang is able to take the energy he will need to fight. Charged up and ready to go, the battle begins. Kicking and punching ensue, they actually did a pretty good job here, the stunt double looks enough like David Caradine that its plausible. You can track who is winning because Bad Caine has a pony tail, and Good Caines hair is loose. Ah! But Good Caine is wise; he recognizes he must embrace his evil side to win! Evil Caine too realizes this is the only way to end the fight, and willingly rejoins his better half.

Peter, much changed by the brands that mark his arms, understands he must resign from his job, and walk the path of a Shaolin Priest. Kwai Chang Caine is also given a path, in the form of a picture produced from Lo Si, a photo taken many years before in a cafe in Paris, of his wife. Could Laura Caine still be alive? Kwai Chang will have to travel to Paris to seek the answer. (Please refer here to my posting about the Pet Cemetery theory pertaining to the burial ground at the California Temple. Did ANYONE stay buried there??)

A disbelieving precinct says a tearful goodbye to their favourite detective. Aw crud! This is the part of the episode that always makes me cry! Just before Peter leaves, he turns and addresses the group.

When I was a young boy, my father came to me and told me my mother had died. I ran to the pond to look for her reflection standing over me. But it wasnt there, and I learned to swim alone. As a cop, whenever I was in danger, I would look for her reflection, and I would always see one or all of you standing behind me. And that gave me the courage to go on. (There is a shot of Mary Margret weeping. What are you, made of stone?) Ill be around. But if you ever need somebody, just look for my reflection.

The rest of the gang says their goodbyes, and Peter returns Kermits glasses. Karen Sims gives Peter a hug goodbye, and then lingers close to Kermit; perhaps they will end up together? A call about a hostage situation throws the team back into action, wiping their tears and getting a move on, allowing Peter to make a quiet exit.

Peter returns to find Lo Si shaving his fathers head. Kwai Chang is preparing for his journey. Peter recognizes the cafe in the photo as the same in his recurring dream. They decide Peter will take over his fathers place while Caine senior is away. Caine tells Peter how proud he is, now that Peter has taken his brands. They hug, and then Kwai remembers something. He pulls a pebble from his pocket and holds it out for Peter to see. Peter readies himself, and makes a whip quick grab for it. They open their hands, and the pebble is in Peters hand. The student is now the master. Caine departs, and after a moment alone to reflect on the big unknown of his life looming before him, Peter runs to the balcony, calling after his father.

Pop! Well...Well go fishing when you come back! Hey, how can I help anybody if nobody knows that Im here?

Kwai shrugs and smiles and replies as he walks away: Come to Chinatown. Ask for Caine...

Peter quietly finishes the sentence. He will help you...

There is a shot of Kwai Chang Caine walking away, down the crowded Chinatown street.

Fade to black.

The End.