Original subtitles

Good morning, honey.

I made you some orange juice.

I'll have breakfast out.

I also made coffee and a ham-and-cheese croissant.

I'll have breakfast out.

Let's talk, please.

My wallet...

In your jacket, like always.

Seems like it's all here.

- Why wouldn't it? - I don't know.

Maybe apart from my sperm you're also stealing my money.

Oh, please...

Oranges are out of season.

You won't regret it.

We're truly sad to sell it after so many years.

Well, sad... It's a new phase.

And why'd you decide to sell?

We moved to a flat

in Barcelona several years ago

when the kids left for college...

No point in keeping that house.

We want to go to the theater, concerts...

Swinger clubs...

Very nice...

It's perfect for kids, huh?

Right?

Perfect. Totally.

Five rooms, patio, two schools...

- Did I mention Guineu de Vallcàrquera? - Yes, you did.

Now you need to sign, honey.

Yes.

Right here, right?

So...

One.

One more, right?

- One more? - Yes, three. Three, yes.

Damn, a house! Awesome.

- A small house. - Right, a small house. Awesome.

- And you? In the Old Town? - What a job change can do for you...

I guess there comes a time when...

It's just time.

Look, Darwin once said,

"Not the strongest survives, but the most resigned."

- "Adaptable." - In your case, "resigned."

Ideals are one thing, being stupid is another.

Why end up under a bridge out of scientific pride?

There's nothing between a bridge and a small house?

Yeah, sharing a flat in your late 30s.

I don't choose to.

I wish I had a house, too.

But I spent 4 years on your project.

I could've worked for a big company, bought a place...

Escu, I'm so sorry,

really, for walking out on you.

I'm sorry, but I don't know what else I can do.

Look...

Do you want to help me?

Yes.

So, I've been working on a project for a while now.

Really?

Actually, it's...

- It's my own project. - That's great!

We have prototypes and permits,

but I need a place like yours.

You mean like the clinic?

You said you're in assisted reproduction.

Yes.

And I need discarded samples.

Right.

You'd be contributing to research once again!

What's the project called?

Uterus on a chip!

As in potato chip!

The idea is to replicate a real endometrium.

An artificial uterus.

Pregnancy without the woman.

Not a whole uterus. Only the tissue.

Exactly what I was going to say.

To observe the tissue's response to medication,

hormonal changes,

and its interaction with an embryo in the early stages of implantation.

Blanca, wait. Hold it.

Do other clinics have this?

No. We would be pioneers.

We'd have to make some space for the researchers...

Space isn't an issue.

...and ask some patients for their discarded genetic material.

Someone like Valerie wouldn't have a problem.

What do we get out of it?

I mean, these kids taking up a space we don't have...

Not really kids. Researchers.

Headed by a good friend of mine, Carla Escudero.

Isn't she the one who used to revive the dead with you?

Dead tissue .

Oh the dead tissue thing...

Honestly, if we don't get something out of it, I don't see why...

Angela, enough.

Don't you want to pioneer in research and have patents?

Of course I do.

I'm always in favor of progress, but...

So let's give the kids some lab space.

And that's that.

Not in the lab, no way.

Not without my quality approval.

Well, wherever, but set it up!

It should be near the lab,

with a good connection, enough outlets...

You're not thinking of my office?

It would be temporary, only until we move to the lab.

Fine. All those in favor of progress, raise your hand.

Thanks for your help.

For not mentioning your friend's resume?

Carla's brilliant. You don't know her.

I do know her research at uni. It's precarious.

If she were so brilliant

wouldn't she be at Moderna in Boston, or at least Stanford?

- I'm sure you'd do much better. - Probably.

So why are you at a fertility clinic and not Stanford?

Because I'm not a researcher.

Or is it actually yourself you're asking that, not me?

Blanca?

There's a lady asking for you.

Fine.

How can we help you?

A few years ago,

my partner froze his sperm at this clinic.

And now, I...

Well, I came to see how I might use it.

You want to get pregnant with your partner's sperm?

Yes.

Then he needs to come in too.

No, he can't come.

Well, whenever he can.

No, he won't be able to.

Why?

Max died.

It's just...

It's weird say it out loud.

He was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.

And before starting treatment,

they told us that chemo damages the sperm and that

he would end up infertile.

They told us we could take a sample if we wanted,

so that if it all went well and he survived,

we could use it in the future.

Max and I were planning on starting a family but...

we didn't have time to.

And now you want to become pregnant with his sperm.

Yes.

Well...

I don't think there's any problem.

Consent.

We need a signed consent form to use the sperm in the event of death.

I have it here.

Very good. Perfect.

But it's not signed.

What?

- Max Valerià? - Yes...

He didn't sign.

But that can't be. He...

We both wanted a child.

I'm sure you did.

But his signature is required by law.

Oh my!

He must have forgotten. Towards the end,

his memory faded a lot, he couldn't think clearly.

But I know that if he had survived...

Don't worry, Zoe.

We'll see what we can do.

Let's see.

- Where does this go? - Over there, a bit further.

So we won't be in the way.

Fine.

What's all this?

Research instruments.

Dr. Veiga didn't mention any instruments.

What's all this?

You must be Dr. Veiga!

Carla Escudero, nice to meet you.

Thank you for letting us use the space.

But is all this staying here?

For now, yes.

The director said you wouldn't mind,

because you really support innovation.

And I really do but...

It's very important not to touch this.

Or nothing will work.

- It's the brain. - And you don't have a smaller brain?

Well, I'll go get the rest of the equipment.

There's more?

See you later.

Hector,

Zoe just wants to get pregnant from the man she loved and lost.

It's just...

It's not fair that she can't because of some paperwork.

It's just a piece of paper.

Try telling the notary that your house contract is just a piece of paper.

You know what? I know why you're here.

It's not a calling or passion.

It's because you're comfortable back here, all locked up in the lab,

treading the mill.

You go by the book but no more. Like a civil servant.

But in a lab coat.

You think that's funny?

Well, I don't.

We're not here just to mix eggs and sperm together

like for an omelet. We're creating life!

Which is why we can only do what must be done.

We can't make choices for others.

- Even less so about human life. - I'm not making any choices for her.

- Zoe wants to get pregnant. - What about him?

Did he want it?

He was very ill. Maybe he couldn't think clearly.

Or maybe he could. You just don't know!

If you can't say no to Zoe, just blame me.

That way you can still be the savior you like to be.

Hi, Mom.

What do you mean you don't know where you are?

Forest bathing?

No, no, Mom...

Send me your location.

Yes. No, don't move.

I'll be right there.

Alright then...

- Isabel, how are you? - Fine. Just fine.

Your results are in.

Let's take a look at your history.

Here...

Damn it!

Oh, damn it all to hell!

Are you okay, Doc?

- Yes, yes... - No, no...

A little bump.

- You sure you're okay? - I'm sure.

The price of progress.

It's just you're bleeding from...

Yeah, yeah. Enough already.

Isabel, how are you?

Fine, just fine. And you?

Yes, your results are in.

Let's see...

- Doctor, would you like a bandage? - Please, Laura.

Yes, Maite.

A client is asking for you, Ana Lopez.

- Ana Lopez? - Yes.

She's been waiting for a while.

I don't have a meeting with an Ana Lopez.

What should I do? Let her in or not?

Well... Let her in.

What?

Ana Lopez.

You won't let me in, so poor Maite helped me.

We haven't spoken in days,

you don't answer calls or texts. I can't take it anymore.

I know what I did was wrong, okay?

- But I was also thinking of you. - Look,

you came in as a client, so I'll answer you as a lawyer.

- What? - Yes, look...

What you did falls under several legal categories.

First, obviously,

theft of biological material without consent.

A judge could see that

as a crime against sexual freedom.

Sexual freedom?

I just wanted it for an analysis.

So you admit to wanting to illegally process sensitive personal data?

If you act like this I'm going.

You manipulated me, Cris.

You tricked me.

I know.

I'm really sorry.

I just wanted to understand why we can't get pregnant.

Imagine I do the tests and the results aren't good.

That'll give you peace?

- No. - No.

Of course not.

What's the next step?

More tests, samples, manipulating human material...

In China, a doctor was jailed for manipulating two babies' genes.

What?

A Russian doctor impregnated chimpanzees with human sperm.

A Russian... - But what news do you read?

Imagine a world with mutant, Russian, half-chimpanzee babies.

- No, I don't want to. - Sure, neither do I.

I don't go there. No mutant babies. I...

All I see is a married couple that loves each other,

that believes in God

and that wants to have a baby.

What's wrong with that?

I just want...

- ...to be a mother, I know. - Yes.

And I want to be a father too.

But I'm not so sure anymore.

If you want, I can talk to him.

You? Are you crazy?

Cris, I'm just trying to help.

Sorry, but right now you're the devil to him.

Does he think I hold witches' covens at the clinic?

It's just science.

- And we treat normal people. - I know.

So, how are you doing?

Good. The truth is I like it.

A little out of it actually because there's this girl

who wants to be inseminated with her dead husband's sperm.

Wow! Very normal, right.

I know it's unusual. But the thing is, I understand her.

They were madly in love,

planning on having kids and...

the poor guy dies of terminal cancer.

Yeah...

Did it remind you of Dad?

No...

Well...

Maybe, I don't know.

I just feel bad it won't work out because he didn't give his consent.

He didn't want to?

Or he forgot.

I have no way of knowing.

If I had proof that he really did want it.

That wouldn't be hard if it were me.

Our house is full of dolls and bodysuits and booties

that we've been collecting for the baby.

And there they are,

gathering dust.

This can't go on like this, Dr. Veiga.

What can I do? Admit that I'm not up to date?

That I'm against progress?

- Can you stop blowing in my face? - Sure.

No, I won't give them the satisfaction.

- Who's 'them?' - All of them!

Blanca, Hector, Andreu,

even that hypocrite, Sandra.

You should see her when I come in: "How are you, Dr. Veiga?"

So she greets you.

- Like a geriatric nurse would. - I worked in a nursing home.

Once you're used to the urine stench and moans of distress, it's fine.

Friendly people and a good atmosphere.

Laura, I don't care!

I'm nowhere near that.

Even though some people want me gone for being so out of touch.

No. You're not out of touch.

Thank you, Laura.

But they don't see me like you do.

If something happened to this brain...

What do you mean?

Well, sometimes in life,

accidents happen.

Mom.

Mom, are you okay?

Oh, hi, my son.

Thanks for coming.

I just got turned around

and wasn't sure if Barcelona was this way or that.

- What did you do this time, Mom? - Forest bathing

and some shamanic meditation of the mighty animal.

Christ, Mom.

Oh, son, really. It's not like that Ayahuasca session

where my phone was stolen. These people are honest.

- Robert does it. - Robert? Robert who?

The hairdresser?

- What did you take? - Nothing.

What did you take?

I just smoked a little Colorado River toad.

- Holy shit, Mom. You took bufo? - Yes, but it's totally natural.

Opens your third eye, connects you to Mother Earth.

Christ...

Mom, no matter how high you get or how much you meditate,

or how many spiritual connections you have,

Ivan won't come back.

I know that.

But today I saw your brother.

I spoke with him.

- Want to know what he said? - No.

Mom, your visual cortex and limbic system were over-activated.

You didn't talk to Ivan.

You talked to a simulation generated by your serotonin-saturated brain.

- I know. - What do you know?

I wasn't talking to you.

Mom...

Let's go, I have to get back to work.

What, you want to jump off a moving train?

- This is our stop. - Already?

- Yes. - Let's go.

Come on.

- Hello. - Hi, Blanca. How are you?

- Fine. - Come in.

Thanks for bringing me...

...what was it exactly? - Nothing, just a short form.

- Right. - A protocol.

Sure, come in. This way.

Would you like something to drink?

No, I'm fine.

Thanks.

Okay then.

So, were you able to resolve my issue?

Yes... I mean, no.

We're looking into it.

Because Hector, my colleague, is a little...

stubborn.

But don't worry, it'll...

Is this...?

My father gave it to me when I was little.

I thought...

- It was... - Ah.

For the child we wanted.

Sit here,

I want to show you something.

Yes, I have...

this box here.

Right.

We started buying all this when Max was still well.

Look.

Hello!

And this. Look how cute.

It's beautiful.

Yes, when he got sick, this gave us strength.

It was like...

our way of not thinking about the illness, you know?

Of projecting ourselves into the future.

Max always said hope was the best medicine.

But...

it wasn't.

Thank you.

Look.

A photo of Max.

In the Basque Country.

He's very smug, as you can see.

What are you doing?

Forging signatures.

No idea what you mean.

You're obsessive.

And predictable.

Just one question:

how do you go from savior of humanity to villain in no time?

What's so bad about breaking the rules if it helps someone?

If you'd seen Zoe this afternoon you'd understand.

You went to see her? Very good.

What respect for the concept

of professional boundaries with patients!

I'm just trying to help

a woman who lost the love of her life

and wants to keep him present somehow.

Bringing the dead back to life is truly your specialty.

I don't know why I bother.

It's like talking to a wall.

You no empathy whatsoever for other people's pain!

- Have you never lost anyone? - Yes.

My brother.

3 years ago.

I'm really sorry.

It's part of life.

But some people can't accept it.

They believe that person is still with them, accompanying them,

that someday they will meet again. It's...

a childish charade.

Like this girl wanting to have a child with someone who isn't here,

as if to pretend that nothing happened, that he didn't die.

She's seeking comfort.

I don't know if that's a good reason to bring someone into the world.

But who am I to decide?

That's why there are mechanisms such as consent.

And it's not signed.

I'll talk to Zoe.

Thanks for everything.

- Goodbye. - See you soon.

This is it, Doctor. You have no more appointments.

How do we do it?

One second. It weighs a ton.

Come here. - Is it heavy?

Yes, it's stuck.

Push hard...

- No. - It won't budge.

Stand there.

Let's try something: I'll push and you pull, over there.

Dr. Veiga, go ahead.

Go on. - Alright, let's go.

- Give it all you got. - Right, let's go.

Come on!

One...

Get it off me, for God's sake!

- Yes... - Get it off me!

Oh, how awful! Get it off me!

Right, I got this...

Is it bad?

Well...

Well, what?

So, it's not...

Yes?

Hi Zoe, it's Blanca Salvador from Ginestia Clinic.

Hi, Blanca. Were you able to fix it?

I'm really sorry, Zoe, but the thing is...

I tried, you know I did, but without his signature, we can't...

We just can't.

Holy shit. But...

Blanca, I thought you understood me.

I do, but...

You wanted to help me.

I wanted to help you, and I wish I could, but...

There are things I can't do.

Blanca, you can't do this to me.

Why are you doing this to me?

It's Hector.

- What? - My colleague, who...

He's in charge and, like I said, he's very narrow-minded.

It's not the first time.

What if I bring you proof?

Proof?

What do you mean, proof? What proof?

She didn't say. But she's sure it'll convince us.

Come on, let's give her a chance.

Maybe we'll be surprised.

It really hurts, Doctor!

The anti-inflammatory will start working soon.

We'll do an x-ray, but it doesn't look good.

- What happened? - Multiple fractures in the tarsus,

meta-tarsal and maybe in the calcaneus.

- The calcaneus too? - Yes.

I'm so sorry, Doctor.

The good news is the "brain" works perfectly.

Your foot cushioned the blow!

I'm so happy...

- How exactly did that thing fall? - It was an accident.

I imagine you didn't throw it on her on purpose.

The machine slipped.

- It slipped? - A lot.

I recommend immobilization and total rest.

Expect to be grounded for at least 6 weeks.

Grounded?

I can't be grounded.

There's nothing wrong with staying home and resting, Angela.

- It'll even do you good. - Why?

She worries a lot about the clinic. Let's go

Why do you say that?

Don't worry, we'll find an excellent substitute.

- A substitute? - Goodbye, Dr. Veiga.

You'll be fine! Bye bye.

- I have it. - Really? Come on in.

Thank you.

- Hello. - Hello, how are you?

Can you dim the light a little.

I just need to...

Yes, sure.

Perfect.

Now, a few things...

Are you ready?

Yes...

Alright then.

Let's get started.

If you could, please...

Power of the circle,

wandering spirit,

open the door between the world of the living

and those who have already left.

I call upon the soul of Max,

with light and truth.

If you're here, please...

give us a sign.

Alright, that'll do, OK?

- Hector, wait... - For what?

For the table to levitate? This is nonsense.

- Some respect, Hector. - For spiritualism?

I can respect her, but I don't have to tolerate

ridiculous beliefs, especially not in my office.

- Hector... - What?

He's right.

I'm ridiculous.

- No, Zoe... - Yes, I am.

I'm losing it. What's wrong with me?

If you're hearing voices you should talk to a psychiatrist.

- Antipsychotics are very effective. - Hector! Please! Really...

Don't listen to him, Zoe. You're grieving the loss of Max.

It's normal you want to talk to him.

Seriously, Blanca? Come on.

What?

I talk to my father too.

He died when

I was 8 years old.

My mother had the comfort of religion.

So did my sister.

But I don't...

I've never been able to believe in God.

But that doesn't mean I didn't need to do something.

So...

I started talking to him.

Not because I believed he was there as a spirit or something like that,

but...

I needed it.

And it made me feel better.

Zoe, when you talk to Max...

What does he say?

He tells me...

He tells me to be happy.

- Hello... - Oh, hello.

What are these boxes?

Just stuff to donate to Caritas.

Caritas? Why? Is that really necessary?

To donate them?

Why not?

We won't use them.

You don't want to.

It's not that. I told you I wasn't sure.

Maybe we'll still get there naturally.

It's been 2 years.

Two.

I left the notary's office for this.

Clearly God doesn't want it, and there's nothing we can do, right?

Better to accept it. I need clarity.

Because if not... - Let's go then.

What?

Let's go if you want to.

Go where?

What do you mean? To the clinic.

My love...

My love. - I don't know...

- I love you. - To do tests.

- Just for tests. - Yes, okay.

- I love you. - I know.

Me too.

Hi, Ivan.

How's it going? What's new?

I...

I'm fine.

And I just wanted to tell you that...

This is bullshit, it doesn't work.

How thoughtful.

I haven't eaten churros...

Since you'd bring them home when we were little.

It's true, I'd bring them home.

Every Sunday.

- What did he say? - What?

Ivan, when you saw him.

Why do you ask? You don't believe in that stuff.

No...

No, I just wanted to...

I don't know what I wanted.

Well...

Among other things, he told me about you.

He told me you're so cold and rational

because you're too sensitive.

And that's how you protect yourself.

But I don't quite get it.

I think you suffer more by thinking like that,

that there's nothing else,

that nothing makes any sense,

that we're here for a while and...

then we disappear completely.

Isn't that so depressing?

Well...

Of the millions of possible DNA combinations,

here we are, you and me.

And Ivan was here for a while, too.

Dying's a matter of luck.

The chances of never having been born are higher.

Wow.

Well, Ivan told me that life and death are the same thing.

That it's a whole circle.

He's become very mystical.

And that a new person will come.

- A baby. - A baby?

That's what I understood.

Maybe someday you'll surprise me.

- Anything you want to tell me? - No.

You never tell me about your sex life.

Of course not.

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for. Dad."

- Hey, Cris. - Blanca!

We're finally talking.

So, Enric has agreed to come to the clinic.

Really?

Yes, yes, yes.

I'm so happy.

So, what do we do now?

Should I call, or you make me an appointment.

No, it's Saturday.

Wait, I'll have them call you on Monday morning?

Perfect.

Wow, Cris... I can't believe it!

Yeah, me either.

Maybe it will happen, Blanca!

By the way, you didn't mention that you guys are trying too.

What?

Mom told me you and Alex made a down payment on a house,

with land and five bedrooms.

I mean, it can't be just for the two of you...

I mean, I can't believe it...

Why does Alex tell Mom everything?

Hey, I just thought...

Imagine if we got pregnant at the same time!

- Why do they talk so much? - I have to learn how to knit booties.

Coming for breakfast? I made whole grain oatmeal with Chlorella.

Best for starting the day. - So, what? Will you talk to...?

- Blanca? - Why do you call my mother so much?

Blanca, can you hear me?

Me?

MEDICAL RECORD EGG VITRIFICATION

PATIENT INFORMATION AGE: 30 YEARS

MARITAL STATUS: SINGLE

PATIENT INFORMATION AGE: 29 YEARS

PATIENT INFORMATION AGE: 32 YEARS

MARITAL STATUS: SINGLE

Hello?

Judit?

Hi, it's Hector, the embryologist at Ginestia Clinic.

Sorry for calling on the weekend. I don't know if you remember me.

Well, look, I'll be straight with you.

When you came to vitrify your eggs,

I thought you were...

friendly,

smart...

I know this is unusual,

but I thought that...

If you ever want to have a drink,

to...

I'd love to.