- "People kill. They have since the dawn of time. They need to maintain the balance. You, more than anyone, should know that."
- ―Kthara to Daimon Helstrom
Mother's Little Helpers is the first episode of the first season of the television series Helstrom.
Synopsis[]
Daimon Helstrom investigates a possessed young boy in Oregon. Meanwhile in San Francisco, Ana Helstrom stages an auction to expose a criminal. Disturbing events at St. Teresa's cause concern as the siblings' estranged Mother remains hospitalized.
Plot[]
Hastings' note gets interrupted
On a stormy night in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Louise Hastings is typing out patient notes when she feels a presence in her office. Suddenly, something takes over her keyboard, typing “NO MERCY” repeatedly, followed by the glass in her bookcase shattering. Immediately after that, Dr. Hastings goes to the secure ward session, where she and the other security guards find a dead guard. Which inevitably has her decide that they need to go into lockdown.
Rosetti waiting for Daimon Helstrom
Over in Salem, Oregon, Sister Gabriella Rosetti is waiting outside with Mr. Cavallo for a man she calls her associate. Cavallo mentions to Rosetti how he called up the archdiocese and they told him that Daimon Helstrom is not a priest and asks how it is going to work if that is the case. Daimon, upon his arrival is unimpressed with the fact that he is working with a nun in training.
Inside the house Mrs. Cavallo does not care what is going on, choosing to instead focus on drinking through this ordeal. Rosetti goes onto explain that the outburst began a couple months ago showing up in the form of things like Tourette’s and cursing continuously. Before she can say anymore however, Daimon stops her saying he had read the email.
Helstrom climbing the stairs to Archer Cavallo's room
He tries to go upstairs but is stopped by Mr. Cavallo, who asks Daimon if he is not going to need a bible, a crucifix or something along those lines. He says he won’t but asks to use the Cavallo’s restroom before going up to see Archer Cavallo. Before going in, Daimon warns Rosetti to not come into the room no matter what she may hear. Archer is waiting for the priest under the bed and speaks to Daimon in Latin, but he continues to remain unimpressed.
Cavallo reacts to the fake holy water
Once Archer reveals himself, Daimon sprinkles holy water on the kid, which easily fixes the problem. But as it turns out, it wasn’t holy water, instead, it was water he took from the bathroom downstairs. According to Daimon, latin, holy water and prayer were once the “secret weapons” of the trade. But now, thanks to movies, TV, and the internet, they have been reduced to nothing more than tropes. He further explains that secrets lose their power once they’re exposed. Archer does not like that he is being called out for his lack of powers that he thinks are real and hates that Daimon has the gall to tell him what to do. Just when the little kid attempts to punch Daimon, a force prevents him from getting near, furniture is moved, and a circle of fire surrounds the two.
Mr. and Mrs. Cavallo insulted by Helstrom's accusation
Then Daimon finishes the verse that Archer was reciting and walks off. The family needs therapy and no internet for the kid. The parents can not believe that their child was faking it, and Sister Rosetti is fed up with Daimon’s attitude towards helping the afflicted. Daimon mentions that he has far better things to do than drive in traffic for fake demon possessed kids.
Ana Helstrom killing Edward Tate
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, California, there is an auction going on. Ana Helstrom arrives to be informed by her right hand man Mr. Chris Yen that her target, Mr. Edward Tate is in the bidding. Tate appears to have a lot of money at his disposal, and the two eventually end up discussing weapons of war. Ana laughs and says he overpaid on Napoleon’s sword, but Tate simply replies that when he wants something, he has to have it. She brings up the fact that over the years, the sword must have exchanged so many hands. She then mentions how Napoleon’s sword must have taken a lot of lives as well. Eventually she reveals to Tate that she knows about his affinity for murder; bringing up the seven women he killed. She touches his chest and gets visions of Tate as he killed each woman. Ana then uses her power on Tate, which makes the billionaire stop breathing, and finally pushes him off the roof. But not before telling him to be careful to not land on somebody on his way down.
Keith Spivey caught by the coffin
In Colma, California, a cemetery is being robbed late at night. Keith Spivey, Hock, and Liddle search deep within a crypt for a coffin. Spivey asks for help opening the crypt, but Hock and Liddle are too scared. He laughs and mentions how he can’t believe that Kthara chose them for the job. While he works on the coffin, one of the two men slams Spivey's head into it and the other states that this was actually the reason they were chosen. Then the coffin’s legs open up and take Spivey in, piercing and crushing him to death.
Helstrom and Hastings discuss the escape the previous night
Back in Portland, Daimon’s lesson at Gateway University is thrown off when he is treated with a visit from Dr. Hastings. The two discuss what happened the night before and how the partnership between him and the highly recommended from the Vatican Sister Rosetti will not work because ultimately, the two of them do not appear to work well together. However, this turns out to not be the reason for Dr. Hastings’ visit. She confesses that two patients escaped with the help from a nurse. She is sure it was the work of his mother, and asks to come in because she can not go toe to toe with her anymore. But most importantly, Victoria Helstrom only seems to respond or talk to her son. After he and Hastings finish their conversation, Daimon informs her that will be anonymously paying for the murdered guard’s funeral.
Yen and Ana Helstrom argue about Edward Tate's murder
Meanwhile, Yen is annoyed with Ana because he tried five times to reach her, and she ignored him each time. He brings up how he is so good at damage control nowadays that there was not a single mention of her, or the auction on CNN, Buzzfeed, Twitter or anywhere else for that matter. Ana admits Yen is good at what he does, but he calls her reckless. He insists that she can not just drop people off rooftops like the old days. Ana does not seem worried in the slightest and instead just lies and says that it was an accident and he fell.
Helstrom leaving Yen behind
Ana realizes that she missed a call from “Taker”, who according to Yen had also been trying to get a hold of her at their workplace. She mentions if it was about money. But Yen says that none of his junks sold the night before at the auction. He proceeds to say that Taker is past his prime and should just retire in Cabo. But instead, he is playing Indiana Jones. Ana cuts him off by reminding him that she did not ask for his commentary. Instead, she wants to know what Taker wanted, and Yen mentions it was about a crypt in Colma, which she refers to as the City of the Dead. This in turn, alerts her enough to leave immediately with no further word to Yen.
Hastings, Rosetti, and Helstrom watch the security footage of the escape
Elsewhere, Rosetti joins Daimon and Hastings in the security office of the ward at Saint Teresa Center for Mental Health to watch footage of Spivey the previous night, which shows that he had visited a patient’s room, and then went onto disable all feeds before breaking out the two patients and running off in one of the hospital’s vans. Rosetti then gets told by Hastings that there are no cameras in the room Spivey had gone into. Rosetti wants to join Daimon to visit this particular patient but he refuses, saying this is not going to turn into a show and tell for the Vatican on his watch.
Helstrom attempts to communicate with his mother
Helstrom visits the patient, his mother, and he wastes no time to question her on what she told the nurse and the symbol she has painted on the wall. When that does not work, Daimon sits down next to her and utilizes a memory from his childhood to stir his mother up. Victoria Helstrom is not available though. The demon inside her taunts Daimon by telling him how Victoria never wanted him and even drank when she was pregnant with him. Daimon demands to know where they were sent to, which all the demon says in response is that they went to visit an old friend. Then the demon sends him on his way.
Ana Helstrom meeting with Caretaker
Ana meets the Taker in Colma who takes her to the underground cave crypt. The remains of nurse Spivey as well as the escaped patients are littered about. The crypt is open and the skeleton within is an ancient demonic known as a Keeper. Keepers are demons that guard powerful things. The two think it may be him, whoever that demon is. Taker tells her that he will be sealing this place tight, but to not tell anyone, especially Yen about this place. Ana has a moment when she loses herself in the skull of the demon. However, she brushes off the idea of calling her brother in for this.
Hastings defends Rosetti to Daimon Helstrom
Daimon gets questioned by Rosetti on his visit with Mother. Rosetti wants to go in to verify that what he says is real, which Daimon responds with a reminder of the child that she had brought to him the night before. Dr. Hastings informs Rosetti that the danger is real. Rosetti then states that she does not care for his sarcasm. After she departs, Dr. Hastings chastises Daimon for his behavior towards Rosetti, informs him that they need her help, and reminds him that she raised him better than that. Daimon brings up that he can not help his mother alone. He realizes that he needs his sister, but Ana last told him that she would never come back to Portland. Hastings suggests that maybe it was for the best.
Daimon Helstrom attempts to get a tattoo
Daimon sends his sister a text asking to talk. Ana sees the text and flashes back to a childhood memory of the two, blood on his chest as she cries in a corner. Daimon goes to the same flashback as he gets a tattoo. The tattoo artist mentions that no matter what she does, the ink does not take on the scar he got when he was younger. He tells her that it is okay and to just keep trying. Ana takes a moment to work on the skull. She cuts her finger then places her blood on the top. An eye pops up then disappears. She notices that the blood meets at a certain point.
Caretaker notices that the patients come from Saint Teresa Center for Mental Health
Meanwhile, Taker has dug a grave for the remains. He notices the clothing has the name of the ward on it. Daimon makes a call to apologize to Rosetti as he checks on the Cavallo family from afar. Rosetti is packing things up in a car when Dr. Hastings comes along to remind her the scripture of forgiveness and question where she is off to. The nun has contacted the bishop at the archdiocese. The fact that Dr. Hastings is allowing a non-priest, Daimon, to conduct exorcisms, with abilities, is problematic for the Vatican. Without Rosetti’s confirmation, the institution could be in trouble.
Rosetti reads the Helstroms' file
Rosetti demands to see Victoria to have some firsthand experience, at which point Dr. Hastings gives the nun her security card, stating that there is something on her desk for her to read. The something is none other than the file on Daimon and Ana, and their family. She comes to find out that Ana was kidnapped by their father and throughout their childhood many murders were committed. In a journal kept by Victoria, she reveals that Daimon and Ana’s father was a serial killer. Dr. Hastings comes in to explain that Victoria was afflicted because she knew the truth, and that what happened to her and her children was no accident, but an act of evil. When Rosetti asks for Ana’s whereabouts, Hastings mentions that Ana lives in San Francisco. But more importantly, that the two siblings have never gotten along and it is partly because Ana has not stepped foot in Portland in years.
Ana Helstrom looks at her box
Ana places the skull away but finds a box that affects her to the point of remembering the day she was kidnapped and subsequently taken away from her brother and mother. The contents of this small box appear to just be some trinkets, but it is too much for her to handle. Rosetti then questions why Daimon can not use his powers on his mother. While Dr. Hastings tries to explain, she starts coughing up blood.
Kthara and Daimon Helstrom fighting
When she excuses herself, Rosetti thinks that this is a good time to use the doctor’s security card to visit Victoria. She walks into the room to find Victoria standing behind her. Rosetti claims to not be afraid and tries to use her knowledge of exorcism on the Helstrom matriarch, but the demon within is too powerful. Luckily, Dr. Hastings and Daimon arrive before Rosetti is smashed to pieces. Victoria and her son have a fight using their abilities. A memory pops up of when a young Daimon is brushing the floor with a toothbrush and Victoria comes along and cradles his head. In the present, Victoria briefly comes to the surface and tells him to run. It takes the combined effort of Rossetti and Dr. Hastings to pull him and run out the door.
A truck driver at the Roxxon Gas Station
In her office, Dr. Hastings pours Rosetti a drink as Daimon explains what demons are. Daimon has figured out the symbol on the wall. Gabriella states how she has never experienced such hatred and evil before; Daimon reminds her that she asked for this.
Outside, Ana makes her appearance to Daimon, hoping that Victoria is dead.
Meanwhile, a truck driver on a Roxxon Gas Station finds a bloody nurse in the front of his truck and it attacks him.
Cast[]
Main Cast:
- Tom Austen as Daimon Helstrom
- Sydney Lemmon as Ana Helstrom
- Elizabeth Marvel as Victoria Helstrom / Kthara
- Robert Wisdom as Caretaker
- Ariana Guerra as Gabriella Rosetti
- June Carryl as Louise Hastings
- Alain Uy as Chris Yen
Guest Stars:
- Jesse James Baldwin as Archer Cavallo
- Daniel Cudmore as Keith Spivey / Basar
- Sandy Robson as Alex Tilden / Magoth
- Eric Gustafsson as Edward Tate
- Nolan Hupp as Young Daimon Helstrom
- Erica Tremblay as Young Ana Helstrom
- Todd Thomson as Mr. Cavallo
- Jessie Fraser as Mrs. Cavallo
- Shayn Walker as Ellis
- Shane Leydon as Hock
- Mig Macario as Liddle
- Kat Pasion as Rose
- Nicole Anthony as Auctioneer
- Joyanna Tonge as Auction Clerk #1
- Patrick Carlos as Auction Clerk #2
- Aman Mann as Wait Staff #1
- Stephanie Cho as Wait Staff #2
- Yorkie Joaquin as Auction Staff (uncredited)
- Cindy Senaud as Auction Guest (uncredited)
- Unknown Actor as Steven (uncredited)
- Unknown Actor as Marduk Kurios (uncredited)
Appearances[]
Locations[]
- Portland, Oregon
- Salem, Oregon
- San Francisco, California
- Colma, California
- Roxxon Gas Station
- New Orleans, Louisiana (newspaper)
- Thomas Park (newspaper)
- Vatican City (mentioned)
- Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico (mentioned)
- France (mentioned)
- Texas (mentioned)
- Baghdad, Iraq (mentioned)
- Cairo, Egypt (mentioned)
- Rome, Italy (mentioned)
- Regina Apostolorum (mentioned)
- Northwestern State University (newspaper)
Events[]
Items[]
- Koloff Vodka
- Keeper's Skull
- O'Harren's Scotch Whisky
- Bible (mentioned)
- Crucifix (mentioned)
- Chianti (mentioned)
Vehicles[]
Sentient Species[]
Creatures[]
- Rats
- Crows
- Cats (mentioned)
- Dinosaurs (mentioned)
- Albatrosses (mentioned)
Organizations[]
- Blood
- The Oregon Examiner
- San Francisco Tribune
- New Orleans Gazette
- The Dallas Record
- Roxxon Corporation
- New Orleans Police Department (newspaper)
- CNN (mentioned)
- BuzzFeed (mentioned)
- Twitter (mentioned)
Mentioned[]
- J. Lewis
- Jane
- Terrazi
- K. Myers
- E. Grey
- E. Adams
- C. Cooper
- A. Thomas
- Matthew Cruz
- M. Fisher
- Keeper
- Steven's Spouse
- Napoleon Bonaparte
- Willard Libby
- Lawrence Kohlberg
- Pablo Picasso
- Galileo Galilei
- Indiana Jones
- Tarzan
- Nobel Prize
- Phoenician
- Aramaic
- Galilean Aramaic
- Akkadian Cuneiform
- Jesus
- Hogwarts
Music[]
| Song title | Artist | Location(s) |
|---|---|---|
| My Body Is A Cage (Arcade Fire cover) |
Peter Gabriel | Gabriella Rosetti reads information about the Helstrom family. |
| You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It) | Patsy Cline | End credits. |
Trivia[]
- Caretaker tells Ana Helstrom that he was in Texas trying to chase a lead. This is most likely a reference to events from the cancelled Ghost Rider series, which would have been set in Texas.
- The title of this episode is a reference to the song "Mother's Little Helper" by The Rolling Stones.
- Archer Cavallo reacts adversely when Daimon Helstrom douses him with what he claims is holy water, but is revealed to be normal tap water. This is a reference to a scene in The Exorcist, in which the demon Pazuzu reacts adversely when doused with tap water by Father Damien Karras, who falsely claims it is holy water.
- Concept art for this episode features an Iron Man poster on Archer Cavallo's room.
External Links[]
Mother's Little Helpers on IMDb- Mother's Little Helpers on Disney+
- Mother's Little Helpers on Marvel Database
| Season One | Mother's Little Helpers • Viaticum • The One Who Got Away • Containment • Committed • Leviathan • Scars • Underneath • Vessels • Hell Storm |