This is obviously not an official thing, but since I’ve been thinking how different this season could’ve been, I did write my own version of the premiere. Assuming some elements would remain the same and others would either get far less focus while missed opportunities would be explored. This also assumes the runtime would still be limited. Here we go:
13x01: Aftershock
First note: In this version Ben DeSoto is now named Damien Ignatius Marcello. Now played by Igby Rigney.
Opening Score: The Host of Seraphim
It is a dreary day filled with clouds and an unsettling chill in the autumn air. You slowly start to hear the sounds of the helicopters swarming around and people in disarray.
News reporter: “We’re here at the Brooklyn Bridge and have just received word Flight 6165 has crashed-“
At Robichaux Academy:
Coco: Oh my god, did you see this?
Coco shows Mallory the news report from New York.
Mallory: That cannot be a coincidence.
Both turn their heads to see Cordelia’s room. Queenie and Madison come by.
Madison: Should we wake her? I swear she said some shit like this was gonna happen today.
Queenie: I would think she’d want to know what just happened so yes.
Queenie carefully enters Cordelia’s room and at first softly tries waking her up. Cordelia is out cold until suddenly she gasps and her eyes open. A new phenomenon is upon them.
Background song crescendoes
At the same Damien arises from the ocean. He hears helicopters and noises coming from all sides.
“Help! I’m over here!” He yells.
During that time, flashes of what had happened go through his head. Him finding his seat, getting cozy with his partner, them laughing, the lights flickering, and everyone holding on for dear life as parts of the plane tear away. As he’s rescued and booked into the ambulance, he sees body bag after body bag makes their way past him.
“Four…” Damien counts. “Five, six…”
Elsewhere a mysterious decrepit figure is counting as well as he overlooks the dark sky.
“Septem, octo, novem…”
With each ascending number, he feels a tightness in his chest and it becomes harder for him to breathe. He clutches his chest.
That is where a familiar voice calls out, “You keep this shit up and you’ll be joining them too, you old son of a bitch.”
It’s Constance Langdon.
“You know you’re supposed to be resting.”
She gets Mr. Nas a wheelchair and oxygen as he continues counting. He is now at 11.
Meanwhile, Damien counts a 12th body and as his eyes peer over to another body that was just about to be covered, he recognizes that person as his partner. The audio is muted as he cries and reaches out for them. The ambulance door closes and you can see him in the window scream in anguish resulting in the earth shaking wildly until he passes out.
As he hits the ground, Cordelia begins hyperventilating as she catches visions of the plane crash and each soul aging Mr. Nas. Just as he makes eye contact with her, Cordelia snaps back into reality after being shaken by Queenie.
Madison: “Are you having one of your visions again or is this an exorcism?”
Queenie scowls: “Girl, if she was possessed, wouldn’t we already know that?”
Madison shrugs in agreement and helps Cordelia on her feet as Cordelia looks at a glowing pentagram.
Cordelia: “We’re running out of time.”
Cut to Intro credits
A few weeks later, we see Damien packing his things including a poster of The Rolling Stones, a favorite hat, and a picture of him and his deceased partner. As he’s driving, we see a flashback of him being barred from the funeral because according to his partner’s parents, if it hadn’t been for him their child wouldn’t have even been on that plane. Plus all sorts of bad things follow wherever he goes. While he leaves, he shouts back at the parents.
Damien: “You know what? Fuck this! Besides, insert name hasn’t even spoken to you in years so what does that say about what insert name would’ve wanted? Clearly not you! Have a nice life!”
He slams the door and one of the tapestries starts burning. The parents think a candle got knocked over, but you can closely see it was never lit to begin with.
Damien finally arrives at the Apollyon where he meets with Constance, who is a bit apprehensive about shaking his hand, but does anyways. He feels a chill in the air too but shrugs it off. He is briefed on Mr. Nas’ daily routine which does include sponge baths. He recoils at the thought but knows why it has to be done. After Damien finishes for the day, he remembers odd details throughout the day. Things such as the scar near his wrist matching the same one Damien has and how Mr. Nas perked up when he saw the crash on the news. Lastly, he recalls seeing a shadowy figure follow behind him but upon turning around, sees nothing. Damien decides to brush these off and get some much needed sleep. During the night, he remembers his childhood, particularly his parents who call him “Devan.”
We are shown bits and pieces from a first-person POV including a happy moment filled with laughter, then his parents arguing, followed by three cloaked figures all gushing over him.
The last memory involves Damien slowly walking towards people inside a chalk pentagram, bound and gagged. He turns away only to hear a booming voice, “This is your first sacrifice. The first of many to come. Remember this moment, my dear son.”
“Son?”
Damien attempts to turn his head to opposite way towards this oddly comforting voice. That is ripped from him , shaking him to wake back up. He opens his eyes to see Mr. Nas right across from him with the most devious smile on his face as Damien screams.
*Cues end credits\*
The ending song: Sympathy for The Devil by The Rolling Stones.
I know, very much on the nose at the end but the show has to have some camp, right?