We're Alive

We’re Alive: Descendants - Chapter 11 - Stay Alert, Stay Alive - Part 1 of 2

32 min
Feb 28, 2023over 3 years ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

We're Alive: Descendants Chapter 11 follows survivors trapped in an infected-filled stadium during a deadly game orchestrated by antagonists. As the group fights off multiple infected creatures including a massive behemoth, external allies execute a rescue plan involving explosives and coordinated attacks to create an escape route.

Insights
  • Narrative tension escalates through introduction of unexpected variables (behemoth creature, external rescue team) that disrupt the antagonists' planned game, suggesting themes of agency and resistance against predetermined outcomes
  • Survival strategy emphasizes teamwork and communication under extreme pressure, with characters coordinating tactics like fire-based crowd control and synchronized attacks
  • The episode demonstrates how external help and sacrifice (bombing the stadium door) can create opportunities for escape, even when the primary situation appears unwinnable
  • Character development shows moral complexity—antagonists are forced to improvise when their controlled scenario breaks down, revealing cracks in their authority
Trends
Serialized audio drama with complex multi-character narratives and coordinated action sequencesSurvival horror storytelling that emphasizes tactical problem-solving over jump scaresEnsemble cast dynamics where multiple simultaneous storylines converge toward climactic momentsUse of environmental hazards (fire, creatures, structures) as both obstacles and tools for survivalNarrative subversion where external forces disrupt antagonist control, creating unpredictability
Topics
Survival tactics under extreme duressTeam coordination in life-or-death scenariosCreature behavior and vulnerability exploitationRescue operations and external interventionMoral ambiguity of antagonists and their motivationsEnvironmental hazard utilization for survivalNarrative control and game manipulationCharacter sacrifice and redemption arcsEscape planning and executionInfected creature classification and behavior
People
KC Whelan
Created and directed We're Alive: Descendants series
Michael Swan
Provides voice acting for the episode
Alexander J. Noon
Executive producer overseeing the series production
Victoria Chang
Handles audio production, recording engineering, and mastering
Geno Jang
Contributes to infected sound design, script supervision, and social media
Quotes
"Stay alert. Stay alive."
CharacterOpening
"We can't let them win. We have to keep going. We have to keep..."
NickStadium battle sequence
"This game's unwinnable. At least we're here together."
CharacterDuring infected onslaught
"I couldn't let you just walk away like that. Gotta make sure I get my stuff back, right?"
Gloria AndersonRescue sequence
"This place isn't gonna be safe for long. If anyone wants to stay and fight, let them."
Gloria AndersonSlave camp liberation
Full Transcript
This Tuesday, Awaazen brings the unmissable UEFA Champions League match. Unbelievable! PSG vs Bayern. What a strike! Absolutely incredible! The UEFA Champions League. Tuesday from 7pm. It's on prime. You know what you're getting with a conference. Laptop backpacks. Security pass lanyard. If you could just pop this on? Being asked, how was your journey in? How was your journey in? An array of triangular sandwiches. Having to deal with a small crisis back at the office. Sometimes in life, you just know what you're getting. Like a great night's sleep and a tasty breakfast. You know what you're getting with Premier Inn. This is a Monday.com ad. The same Monday.com designed for every team. The same Monday.com with built-in AI. Scaling your work from day one. The same Monday.com with an easy and intuitive setup. Go to Monday.com and try it for free. Looking for action? Prime Video brings the heat. We've got villains monologuing instead of fighting in a season finale of The Boys. You know, I could just pull you apart. Lim by lim. And gun battles that never run out of bullets. In the hilarious action thriller, The Wrecking Crew. Damn pumped. For more epic action, it's right here on Prime Video. Subscription required except the rental buy. Content may include out 18 plus season C's apply. Selling your car can be super simple. If you choose we buy any car instead of selling privately, we buy any car can get it sorted in under an hour. So no weekends watching randoms inspect your car to not even buy it. If only they could make finding where your park's simpler. Is it floor two or three? I swear I parked here. Where is it? We buy any car. Selling made simple. To get a quote in 30 seconds, enter your register number now at webuyanycar.com. We're alive. Descendants. Written and directed by Casey Wayland. Chapter 11. Stay alert. Stay alive. Part one of two. Here we go. You good? Cause I ever could be with a damn bow and arrow. Stay alert. Stay alive. Yeah. There. Yes? We got this. Bet your ass we do. Shit. Move. Follow me. Stay close. Damn. That's the one that killed Lisa. And it'll kill you too. We need to get to cover. Keep us far away as we can from Buffalo Bill. There's no quick way to bring it down. She's right. We don't know what else is even in here. Damn. Nothing is too freaking huge. You're telling me? Just get behind the car. Well, at least a big guy doesn't seem interested in us. Yet. There's gotta be a way to take that bastard down. One thing at a time. Jeez. So many people watching. It's sick. So we got one infected so far. There any more? God, Jesus. Get the fuck away. They ride horses now? What is this shit? The horse wasn't infected. Didn't want to stab it, but if I have to, I will. We have to stay close. Keep our backs to each other. We can't let any sneak up on us. Sure, but I'd at least think we'd see that one coming. What the hell is Big Old Bill doing over there? Trying to get out. He's beating on the walls. As long as it isn't us. We'll stay and put us in here with the one that did that to Lisa. Back up! Back up! It's in the car! Yeah! I cut it! Damn, what was that? Skinwalker. Yeah, grandma. Oh, nice shot. I told you that I suck at this thing. Yeah, fuck you all too. It's just gonna be a matter of time before Buffalo Bill notices us. These others we can keep at bay, but that one? There's nothing in the stadium that'll stop him. Yeah, I doubt they even want us to. Feels like a lose-lose in here. Any tips from your journal for that one, Nick? Nope, not really. What if we tried what already worked with the yetis? What, fire? Yeah, all animals hate fire, right? Yes. We could use it to maintain distance from the infected, funnel them into an area where we could strike. The horse for sure would react to the flames, at least. Alright, you heard her. Move to the dead tree. We don't have gunpowder this time. What are we gonna use to ignite it? Go with the basics. You aren't serious. That'll take forever. Get some really dry kindling. What if we use your bow? Loosen the string? Then it'll really be worth it. Here it comes again. I'm gonna stab your fucking horse now! That thing's got a spear, too! Careful! Yeah, well mine's longer. Isn't it how you use it? Oh, haha! Nick, focus on the fire. I am! I can't believe I'm doing some survivorship right here. Give it some air. Make sure it can breathe. Would you just watch my back? Okay? I got this. Come on. Come on, little guy. Gonna grow out to be an inferno and bring this whole fucking place down. I lost sight of the skinwalker. But it's hiding somewhere. Those things are sneaky. That's the one I'm worried about. Ah! The sticks only getting hot. This ain't working. My turn. Hold the katana. Damn. My hands are all cramped now. Got smoke? Got smoke! I should have had her go first. Well, I mean, I warmed it up, so, uh-huh. The dry stuff. Use it. Catch? Come on, catch! Uh-huh. Uh, um, someone's finally onto us. Please, please. We might need to move. Real quick! Wait, wait, wait, wait! Wait, it's going! I got embers! Don't smother it! No, no, no. No time. We gotta move. Set it up against the tree and hope it keeps going. Run! Head around the stadium pit. Keep a distance and put more space between us. Watch it! That shit ain't working. I hear the skinwalker. I don't see it, but I hear it. Get away from the middle. Stay against the wall. How the hell are we going to do this? One thread at a time, right? The tree. It's lit! We got fire! Keep going around till we loop back to it. Oh, it's really burning now. Spear! You missed. Fairly. That went right by my head. Well, it lost its spear now. Move! We're coming around again. Grab the branches that are on fire. Try and give us some more distance. Shit, that's a-ah! Spread them out! It's working! Keeping those two back! Not on all of them. Not on all of them. See, Bill here, don't care. Keep moving. You gotta shoot that bow already and keep missing. Only gonna piss it off at this point. What are we even doing now? We're going in literal circles. I-I don't know. Keep moving. That's all I got for now. We can't keep this up forever. We have to figure out something. We could possibly stop that thing. I have to-no, no! Back away from the keyboard! Why are you doing this? What were you trying to do with the computer, Alvin? I-I-I have to do what I'm supposed to. Please, I-I need to monitor the arena and the infected. They've already been released. So what were you really doing? Boar said to come watch you. Make sure you didn't try any shit. I wasn't. I-I-I'm only doing my job. Really? Then where did this radio come from? Who gave you it? Oh, uh, uh, that... Well, I found that. Uh-huh. Frequency in our normal channel, too. This is the one we use. Where's my backup, dammit? Jack-O! My damn key card won't open the door to infected management! Yeah, uh, it does that. Then I'll handle this myself. Tell me what you were doing, Alvin. Geez, you don't have to be so rough! Well, that's my job. The boar knows something's up, and you're involved. Ow! Just sit there till I'm done with you. Huh. Why don't we see who's on the other end of your radio? Wait! No! Don't you move, Alvin! How are our other targets doing? The guards are getting closer. I need help. I'm trapped! Where are you at? Wait. Who is this? The radio's been compromised. Don't say anything more. Shit! Just great! We're coming for you. Sit tight. Already got your other friends. Dammit! Let me go! Shut up! Just stay there on the curb, and don't move. You're moving will shoot you. Alright. Alright. I won't. Hey, what did I just say? Boar, ma'am, they were trying to get to the stadium gate, but we stopped them before they could do any damage. Good. Now our game can continue. Unabated. Things are heating up in here. Victor, I can't watch. How are they doing? Fine. So far, keeping them at bay. That fire is not doing much. It is for the horse, at least. They're using every inch they have right now. Come on. Take out the smaller ones so you can focus on the big one. That'll be the best option. But even then, I don't know what damage they can actually do against it. Just wanted to let you know, your other friends will be joining us shortly. Oh no. Maybe you shouldn't have given yourself up, Mira. Then again, going against the games will always end up a lost cause. We'll see about that. You know, it's always better to fold when you have a losing hand. Minimize the damage already done. Or you just have to wait for the river card. Oh please. The last card has already been played. It's time to call. You have nothing left. There's the tunnel entrance. I can see the grate. Just a little further, Demon. We're almost there. Todd. Todd. Todd! I see it too. Something's burning inside Prim. Maybe Nick and the others are trying something on their own. Todd? Yeah. My friends are like that. Here. You get off first. Can you cut the lock on the grate? Todd! Alright, Demon. You can stay here. Or if you need to run away, do that. Alright? Be safe. Okay? Todd. My whole life now revolves around speaking to things I can never talk back to. Yeah. Probably a good idea, Demon. I'd run from this place too if I could. Todd. Todd. Spread out the glow sticks so we know our way back out of here. I remember how much of a maze this place can be. But at least this time, we have flashlights. Todd. Todd. Well, I guess we should head this way until... Todd! Yeah. I hear it too. Are those gunshots? That's gotta be one of ours. Who else would be fighting back? Which way is that coming from? Todd. Todd! Alright, you know? Then you lead. Come on, guys. Hang in there. We're coming. We're coming. I got it! I got the skinwalker! Great, kid. Don't get cocked. Two more to go. Keep moving. Keep heading around again. I am. I am. It's a damn race track. Nick, what if we both charge the horse at the same time? Like we did to the Ice Queen. But without the rope? Like you on the right and me on the left? It won't have any way to turn fast. Then I can stab it. Will that work? Will you get trampled? I mean, the horse is scared of shit. I don't think so. It's also trying to keep a distance from the big one too, so... I'll toss some fire branches behind. Really cut off its retreat. Do it. Get in position. Here it comes. Yeah, we know. Now! Almost. Almost. You got it. You got it. Spear that heavy motherfucker! I didn't even see him get close. At least Bill did us a favor. That's two dead. Three if you count the four horse. Where's Nick? Where's Nick? Nick! Nick! Oh no! Bill hasn't cornered! We gotta distract that big fucker! Hey! Hey! Over here! Hey, you don't want me, man. You don't want me. He's locked into Nick. I can't pull him away. We have to do something. Fuck! I'm at the wall! That's it. Come on! Come on! Over here! Get away from him! No! Vera! Oh my god. Didn't work. Vera, breathe. Just breathe. You're lucky that wasn't worse. We can't... get him! Vera! Missing! Help! It wants Nick! Damn it! I don't think there's anything we can do! Descendants will continue after a word from our sponsors. It burns. It's right here on Prime Video. Selling your car can be super simple. If you choose we buy any car instead of selling privately, we buy any car can get it sorted in under an hour. So no weekends watching randoms inspect your car to not even buy it. If only they could make finding where your park simpler. Was it floor two or three? I swear I parked here. Where is it? We buy any car. Selling made simple. To get a quote in 30 seconds, enter your register number now at webuyanycar.com. Enter now at lenovo.com forward slash contest. Hurry! Competition closes April 30th. I don't get it. Is your superpower disappointing me? Scan your pack to win heroic Marvel prizes. M&M's and Marvel. It's more fun together. See full terms and conditions when you scan. The future is unpredictable at times, but the open university are the experts in online learning, allowing you to fit study around your life. What's more, you'll have support from dedicated tutors every step of the way. Now, suddenly your possibilities are open. Search the open university to find out more. The open university, the future is open. Take you into my perfectly polished Yang. And now, back to descendants. Holy shit. You watching this? About to squish the contender. What's that payout? Not good. Haha. Oh come on Alvin, do something, do something. What do you think you're doing? Sit down Alvin. No. Is that how it's gonna be? Okay then. Ah ha, ah ha. Ah ha! Back up! What the hell is that? This? Oh. This is a bone growth from an infected ice crawler. It has been sharpened with its teeth, and is now embedded with the saliva. So what? Get away from the controls. I'm warning you. Yeah, what you have may cut me, but this, this will turn you into one of them. Bullshit. You know what that's like? Painful from what I hear. It feels like your eyes take a back seat in your skull. Trapped forever to watch in horror. Sit down you freak! Then stop me. Ah, damn it! There we go. What the hell did you just do? What did you do Alvin? A new contender has entered the ring. Holy shit. Get back here, damn it! Hey, hey, you don't want me big fella, you don't? Nick, no! I wish I could stick one of these in your fucking green eye! What the fuck was that? Yeah, yeah, go check it out! Right, right, go on, go on! Oh, thank god! Nick, I thought you were... Yeah, me too. Something pulled him away from me. Great. What else do we have to deal with? Whatever it is, it gave me a chance. But uh, Baron, are you okay? Knock the shit out of you! I, I don't think anything's broken. Just skin them bruise up. What's coming to the tunnel? What the hell do they got left? What the fuck is happening? Not part of your plan? Maybe they're still an ace up someone's sleeve. Quiet! Jekyll, what the hell is going on? Something got overridden. I couldn't stop it ma'am. I couldn't. Ma'am, ma'am, what do you want me to say? This isn't part of the script! Make them think this was our idea. But the odds in the game this changes everything! Just do it! Alright! Alright, I'll improvise. What a bloody mess! Damn! Kelly! Look! No, no, no, I didn't know! No way! Can't be! That's a behemoth! Like in the old days! I thought those were all dead! Apparently not! Out of retirement! For this one time only, we give you the undefeated champion, Fraco the Magnificent! Is this good? No! Dammit! Anything she doesn't like, I'm betting is. Just sit there and shut up. This changes nothing. Fuck you! They're fighting! Maybe they'll kill each other. I don't think we'll be that lucky. This isn't part of their plan, is it? I doubt it. There were only supposed to be three. Hey, what if this is someone on the outside trying to help us? Alvin, could he have done this? Thank you, PPP parents. Cut the horses! Damn, they are really going at it. And we better start figuring out what to do because whoever wins this fight, they're coming for us. Next. Where are we? What part of Prim is this? God! The slave camps? How do we get all the way over here? Are they fighting back? Finally? It's not them. The guards are shooting at someone over there. Dot! No! Dot! Wait! Dot! Dot! Dot! Is that you? Of course it's you! Get down! Ah! Nice going! Now they're shooting at us. Dot! Stay behind the barricade. Alex, you came back! Who is that? Nakoma. I'm stuck over here. Yeah! Now so are we! What are you doing? Trying to help. Why would you? Trying to make things right, okay? So now how do we get out of here? Where are the shots coming from? Up in the guard towers. I can't go anywhere. Yeah, neither can we. Stay down! Frag out! Didn't reach with the grenades. I got no clear shot! Dot. It's alright. Did you get help? Yeah! We're it! Wonderful! Where's everyone else? Stuck in the stadium. We tried to get them out, but the boy must have realized what we were doing. Something's going on over there. That's for sure. Dot. Uh-oh. We got company. Three more goods coming this way. Keep them back! Dot, shoot! Oh, shut up! Damn it! You're getting closer! Nakoma! Others are moving to flank us! Does that mean we're fucked? Kinda! Dot, dot. The hell with that! We should run for it! Out in the open? With those snipers up there? Rather go down shooting than die stuck in some corner. Dot. You too, huh? Dot. Alright, fine. We make a break on three. Ready? Got my darts ready. Three, two... Hold up! Wait! They're firing on us! Get down! Oh no! Everybody take cover! Take cover! One of them just got picked off. A second! Dot? I have no idea! I can't see where they're coming from. I don't know. It's a sniper! It's a sniper! Everybody get down! I can't see where they're shooting! Get down! Fuck this! Come on! Dot? What the hell was that? The guards in the towers! They're gone! I think they're dead! I don't know. Dot, stay down. I'm gonna look. Hostiles down. All of them. It's clear. No shit. That wasn't you? Look at the size of the hole in them. My rifle can't do that. Dot! What? Over there. On the perimeter wall. Is that one of yours? I thought that might be one of yours. Dot! Dot! Dot, Dot! She's with you, right? Right? No way! Didn't think I'd see you again for a while. Yeah, those were the bad guys, right? No, please tell me those were the bad guys. Really bad ones. I can't believe you came. Well, I couldn't let you just walk away like that. Gotta make sure I get my stuff back, right? Right. That was why. Oh my god. You're Gloria Anderson. Yeah, that's right. Now those were the first, uh, non-infected I've had to deal with. I don't know how I feel about this. Dot, Dot! They were horrible. Trust me. Look who they were keeping in. That's their slave camp. Jesus. All those people. Okay? Maybe it all feels so bad now. Die. How did you get here so fast? Look, a while back I traded a caravan for some good fuel. I'm sorry, kid. I just couldn't let you take my only working truck. We need to get to the stadium now. Dot. I'm coming too. Wait. What do I do? See all those gates? Break them open. Let these people go free. There's a tunnel engine over there. We mark the way out with glow sticks. Take them out of here to where? Just head away from the city. This place isn't gonna be safe for long. If anyone wants to stay and fight, let them. Uh, alright. I can do that. I'm glad you're here, Gloria. Yeah. Me too. This is kinda fun. Who knew? You should get out more often. Well, let's not go crazy, okay kid? Come on, this way. We have to hurry. Those two monsters are gonna kill each other in the pit. The people didn't pay to see this. The bets are all over the place. It's a fucking disaster. Hmm. This is giving the contenders time to plan and coordinate. We can't have that. Fine. They want to change the game? So can I. Jackal! Yeah? Are you in infected management still? I am. Put that little bugger out and suck away. He doesn't matter now. Go to the control board. Release every infected we have in containment into the stadium. What? You can't be fucking serious. Do I sound like I'm joking? Do it. Do it now! Oh, alright then. You're the boss. You sure about this? They forced my hand. Why play fair when they aren't? Oh. Fucking hell. Oh, you're gonna love this next boss. It's time for the ultimate deathmatch! Oh, they don't like that. It's a deathmatch. It ain't good. Whatever it is. Shit! More infected coming through the entrance tunnel. They're rigging the game! Stay close. We watch each other's back, no matter what. It's work so far. I knew it. This game's unwinnable. At least we're here together. Right, Nick? So do you, Mary. Oh, fuck! That's a lot. Let's take them out one by one. Here we go! Nick, fire an arrow! Never mind. I'm shooting! I'm just not hitting him! I'm fucking! Are you? There's just too many! He ain't coming. He ain't coming! We have more hostiles on the way! Got it. Area's clear. Riley! Riley, are you okay? Riley? She's here? And others from Westport, too. Alex? How? We snuck out of the arena. We went and got help. We came to rescue you, but then... Died. Died. No, I was going to say it didn't work, but... Don't worry about that. It's all she says. They were about to take me away. We need to hurry. But, Struck, it's our only way to get them out. Wait. What's in the truck? A bomb. It blew the stadium door open so Nick and Vera can escape. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Are you hearing what's going on in there? You'll release all those things, too! That'll make it easier to get your friends. A major distraction. That's the plan. Seems like a really shitty plan. It's the only way to get them out of the stadium. Trust me. We've been over this. Got it. Fine. Whatever. Do it. Huh. It's sent. Run. 60 seconds. Get to cover. Oh, shit. I wanted the Jurassic Park, the Rassus, but I didn't want to be stuck in the damn cage with the T-Rex when we did it. Ah! Jet, back! Boo boo boo! Big one coming this way! Hey! I finally got one! Good for you, Nick. I don't know if I can keep this up. They keep coming. This won't ever end, will it? We can't let them win. We have to keep going. We have to keep... Whoa! Holy shit! What was that? What happened? Hard to see through all this dust. Something just blew a big damn hole in the wall. Now we have our way out. We're alive. Descendants will return next week. And now a word from our sponsors. Where is it? M&M's for Marvel. Take one. I am Wolverine. That was super... Thanks. ...perrible. Where's the confidence? Where's the bravado? Come on, like this. Wow! Nick, I am Wolverine. Wait, I thought you were going to be Deadpool. Well, I am. I don't get it. Is your superpower disappointing me? M&M's in Marvel. It's more fun together. See full terms and conditions when you scan. In their own voice. It doesn't interrupt the experience. It's part of it. With ACAST, you can access the world's largest podcast marketplace. Choose the right shows, the right audiences, the right format. Then watch the data tell you it worked. You're not buying impressions, you're buying influence. Learn more by visiting ACAST.com slash Advertise. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. As Nicole. Christy Carlson Romano. As Gloria. Claire Boudin. As Riley. Scott Marvin. As Bert. Tammy Klein. As Kelly. Otto Sturck. As Victor. Carol Kaufman. As Mira. Sam Skolnick. As Will. Skip Pippo. As Alvin. Gigi Gissavo. As The Boar. Josh Petersdorf. As Walrus. William Leon. As Jackal. And I'm Michael Swan. Additional voices by... Bill Mietto. Masaka Malimba. Kyle Pottig. Shannon Zimmerman. Hero Carlyle. Produced by KC Whelan. Editing and sound design by KC Whelan. Assistant editing by Tim Mulher. Infected sound design by Michael Keen and Geno Jan. Mastered by Victoria Chang. Original music by Robert Miley and Danny Birkov Hopkins. Score assistance by Evan Timani. Recording and engineering by... Whelan Productions. Recording engineer Victoria Chang. Script supervisor Geno Jang. Production assistant Isabella Miller. And Holly Megan Scott. Audio production manager Victoria Chang. Social media manager and videographer Geno Jang. Co-produced by Rusty Quill. Executive producer Alexander J. Noon. Chief marketing officer Callum Dowarty. Marketing assistant Hattie Quinlan. Network liaison Tom Park. For more info about the show and a complete list of cast and crew, visit us at www.we'realive.com. Access exclusive content and lore on our Patreon and follow us on social media for regular podcasts. This has been a Theatre for the Mind by Whelan Productions. Thank you.