Original subtitles

I'll admit I was surprised you called.

Being asked out by the doctor who froze your eggs...

Embryologist, actually. And yeah, it's illegal, even.

What?

We can't use patient data

for personal reasons, so if this could stay between us.

Don't worry.

I'm okay with you committing a minor offense to see me.

- Really? - Really.

That's great.

Well, what I like most about you are your ova.

- What? - You have really beautiful ova.

You haven't seen my liver yet!

No, seriously.

They're perfectly spherical, with an intact polar body,

and the pellucid zone has optimal density for penetration.

It's been a while since my last date,

but men would like my eyes, my lips, even my breasts...

Oh, sorry, maybe there's been a misunderstanding.

I don't want to date you.

- Oh, no? - No.

I just want you to be the mother of my child.

- I think I'll go. - No, hear me out.

I know it seems strange,

but it makes perfect sense.

- How so? - Most people fall in love first.

When they want a baby, they find out they're incompatible -

either she has poor-quality ova or he has lazy sperm,

or a hundred other issues that could be solved

if we did it vice versa.

First, check if the genetics are compatible

and then we see what happens.

But you don't know if I want to have a child.

Do you?

At your age, your mind should be made up.

I'm leaving.

Wait, I have normozoo-spermic ejaculate with optimal parameters,

with no genetic alterations so you can have a strong, healthy baby

and, let's be honest, handsome.

So just to be clear, you use confidential information

to find the woman with the most lucid egg or whatever,

to have a kid with her before getting to know her?

But I know what's most important: the genetics.

And we'd do all else like any divorced couple,

take turns with the child, alternate on Christmas...

- Right. - OK.

- You can have Christmas. - Look, has anyone ever told you

there are more important things than genes?

Like what?

Think Le Corbusier.

- Le Corbusier? - Le Corbusier.

I want to put in big windows.

It reminds me of the Smurfs' house.

The one shaped like a mushroom?

Oh, really?

I don't think so.

It has a rustic feel, right?

Just knock in some walls, open it all up, give it space.

We should go. We have a table at 2. Traffic into Barcelona...

We're out in the sticks.

It's just 25 minutes.

Let's be positive!

Look at the terrace. Look at this.

- Look at this beauty, look. - Yes, the terrace is...

- Now we're talking. - We can do barbecues...

- I'm with you on that. - Wonderful.

- Alright. - Eva. Maybe now, right?

Yes, yes. Sure.

We have to tell you something.

What is it?

Oh! No!

Pere and I are breaking up.

You're joking...

No. We've given it a lot of thought.

Talked a lot. And we think it's best for us both.

Are you sure? Maybe it's just a rough patch. Things happen...

No, we've had a few rough patches.

But this one's different.

We realized things aren't as they used to be.

We're together out of routine.

Damn. First the Smurf house, now this...

It doesn't make sense.

You've been together forever.

You were doing IVF to have a baby.

What happened?

- Nothing. - What do you mean?

We just realized we weren't happy. That we could be happier.

But have you thought of what your going through?

Fertility treatments take a huge toll on couples,

but it doesn't mean you can't work it out

or go to therapy...

Blanca, we're sure about this.

Really? Because I ask what happened

and you say 'nothing,' you have no solid arguments.

Isn't being unhappy enough?

It is. No need for more explanations.

- Let's go eat. - Let's go.

That band you mentioned is awesome...

And now we just go for lunch?

Seriously?

Blanca, honey, we're fine, okay?

Pere and I love each other.

We just want to go our separate ways.

That's it? I just don't understand.

I mean... Who am I friends with now?

Who do we go to the Cruïlla Festival with?

If he'd cheated on her,

or treated her badly,

or didn't like her friends... But 'things aren't what they used to be?'

- It sounds like giving up. - Blanca.

- All couples break up. - That's not true.

- Many stay together. - They don't break up

because they've bought into the myth of romantic love

and don't hear the brain signaling them to run.

With guys like you, humanity has no chance.

Why? There's plenty ways to have a baby.

- Look, I'm making one now. - You're not making a baby,

you're helping a couple who love each other deeply

to have a baby.

Yep.

This lady and her sperm donor must love each other deeply.

- You know what I mean. - Romance isn't key to having a baby.

All you need is a gameto, a womb, and most importantly, a lawyer,

with a contract that sets the rules.

Ever heard of co-parenting?

That's what you want?

I'm in the process of selecting a compatible ovum right now.

Just listen to yourself!

What will you call the baby's mom?

The lady with the follicles?

She's still the mother, just without the sex,

love, or affection of any kind between us.

Perfect.

No,

I'd rather believe I'm the fruit of my parents' love.

And if I ever have kids, it'll be out of love for my partner.

Good luck with that.

When you're fighting over Christmas parenting

you'll wish you had the parenting contract

that I signed at the start.

What an interesting debate!

Do we need love or not...?

Exactly what I'm researching: gestation in an external uterus...

- How long have you been here? - 7 a.m.

I had to move my stuff.

This works better, eh?

Now I have all I need right here. Good company...

By the way, could I get some of Valerie's serum?

Only if it's OK...

And this is the crown jewel, the transfer room,

with a light dimmer to create a warmer atmosphere.

Okay.

- Wow. - Yes.

And a monitor to see the embryos and all.

We can also play soft music.

Whatever it takes

to make the experience as pleasant as possible.

That's my philosophy: create a warm, family-like setting

where we're all on the same level... - Right.

Any questions?

Yes. How long will Angela be on leave?

Oh, Angela.

Well, she smashed her foot.

Yes, poor thing.

No, at least 2 or 3 months.

- Oh, fantastic. - Fantastic?

No, I feel very sorry for her, obviously...

Just kidding.

No worries, it'll do her good to take a break.

She's a bit of a workaholic, you know?

- Who's a workaholic? - Angela!

I wanted to welcome Silvia. Substitutions can be so dry.

- Silvia, right? - Yes.

If you need anything at all I'm here for you.

I don't need anything, but thank you.

I just don't get how human life can be conceived in a place like this.

Babies are made at home.

My six siblings and me: all conceived in the same bed.

My dad's favorite story.

The antique bed where your grandma was born...

And where she died. My great-grandma, too.

Oh yeah?

Sorry about the wait.

- How are you? - Fine.

Enric, thank you.

I know it's not easy for you.

But trust me, it will be worth it.

Can we get straight to it?

Tell us what we need to do.

Right, let's see...

Cristina, your analyses and the ultrasound are normal for your age.

So I'm the problem?

We don't know yet, Enric.

But we'll need to run some tests and do a semen analysis.

And if that's OK, Cris, we'll prescribe some hormones.

Your ovarian reserve is a bit low. Not serious,

but ovarian stimulation would increase your chances.

So hormones could work?

I could get pregnant?

Yes, sometimes ovarian stimulation will do the trick,

sometimes not.

So, we'll start there and if it doesn't work,

we take it step by step...

No, if it doesn't work, we let it go.

Thanks, Blanca, OK? But one thing is

pills, hormones, tests... Fine.

But we won't do any experiments or test-tube babies. No way.

You start the medication on day 2 or 3 of your cycle.

Ovarian stimulation uses injectable hormones

called gonadotropines... - It's gonadotropins.

That's what I said.

The drug is called Gonegin and it's very simple.

One daily injection in the belly.

I was going for Gestina. It's much more comprehensive.

Gestina? Are you crazy?

If she were 20, fine, but at almost 40... What? You want to kill her?

I'm 33.

- Did she say 'kill her?' - No.

Give her Gonegin.

Excuse me...

Maybe I should...?

Oh, yes, of course.

Take note:

one injection daily for 10 days

and we'll add Cicloretic on the fifth

to prevent premature ovulation.

10 days seems excessive.

The only thing excessive here are your spelling mistakes.

In Catalan, 'injecció' has a closed accent on the 'o'.

And 'òvuls' is open.

And I'm from Galicia!

Eva, what are you doing here?

- Did we have plans? - No.

I'm here as a patient.

You and Pere sorted things out?

Oh, I'm so happy!

No, Blanca.

I want to have a baby, but on my own.

- Alone? - Alone.

- But you just broke up. - So what?

I've been preparing my endometrium and the embryos are ready.

Yeah, but...

The transfer's scheduled for next week.

Like I'll throw it all away just because I broke up?

- Got a coffee? - Sure.

But does he know you're going it alone?

They're my embryos, not Pere's.

Well, legally yes, but they were made with my eggs and donor sperm.

We discussed it and he gave me permission to have them implanted.

And I got fed up with the other clinic.

I want to do it here.

You can just request the embryos from Natalab, right?

- Yeah, sure. - So, that's it.

But Eva, I think you're rushing things.

You can't make a choice like this right after a breakup.

I'm 40, I can't wait any longer.

Would I have preferred to have a baby with someone? Yes.

But I feel that now is the time.

But do you realize

raising a child on your own is tough.

Think about it: You won't have even one day off,

you'll be the only role model, your child

will take all their frustrations out on you.

Sorry, Blanca, but how many kids have you had on your own?

None.

But I've been that kid.

My mother raised us by herself, and you know her.

She's always complaining about how miserable we made her,

how she wishes she hadn't had us.

It was very hard for her. - I know it won't be easy.

But I'm determined.

I just had a great idea.

Have you heard of co-parenting?

No, Mom, I'm not interested in your yoga teacher.

I don't care if she's very flexible.

You're breaking up...

Hector, are you busy?

No, I'm resting on the microscope.

This is Eva, a friend of mine who's looking for a co-parent.

Actually, I'm not.

I want to be a single mom. Blanca wanted us to meet.

- Hi. - Hi.

I thought co-parenting was the last resource.

No, being a single mom is.

But co-parenting comes just before that.

Well, Eva, I'm very sorry, but it's not going to happen.

I don't accept eggs from women over 35.

I totally get it. I don't want an old man's sperm either.

My limit is 25.

Well, you're in luck because I froze my sperm at precisely that age.

What a coincidence, I had my eggs frozen when I was 35.

A bunch of 'em.

We used some to make embryos.

- And the rest? - Untouched.

Very good, right?

Well, swap phone numbers

and meet up sometime

to discuss the contract, to work it out.

We could also grab a beer right now.

- Now? - Yes.

We could.

I think it's better to talk about this without drinks,

during the day, with a lawyer who can advise and guide you.

No idea why but I really feel like having a cold beer.

- Don't you? - Yes.

Alright, whatever you say.

But remember your objective, which is to discuss...

- See you tomorrow. - Bye.

- 13? - Yeah.

My birthday. It's a sign.

- Something there, huh? - Escu...

- You scared me. - Oh, sorry.

Could you send me the images and development timeline

of Valerie's blastocysts?

Damn, my mom.

- I need them for... - I will! Tomorrow.

See, Núria?

All those sources of light, which may remind you of Le Corbusier.

Corbusier.

It reminds me of my father's tool shed in Cubelles.

Remember it, honey?

- The bike shack. - Yeah, but do you like the house, Mom?

If you have good rat poison.

What do you mean? Are there rats?

Droppings for sure.

Look.

- Look. - Damn it.

At the house in Cubelles, some were as big as otters.

The girls were terrified of them.

I had to beat them to death with a broom.

Remember, honey?

- Yes. - That can't happen to you

because Alex will kill them for you.

They say cheese traps also work very well.

Since it was just me with the two girls, I had to do everything, you know?

Be the father and mother. - We should head back, right?

Yes.

We could go for a drink, couldn't we?

No, honey. The green beans in the fridge will go bad.

Yeah, but Eva and Hector are having a drink,

and asked if we wanted to join.

But weren't they supposed to be discussing co-parenting?

Exactly. Aren't you so curious to know how they're doing?

- Not really. - Come on!

It could be fun.

And we could get some fresh air and do something different, you and me.

- But you'll drop me off, right? - Sure, Mom.

I don't know, I'm tired.

Maybe the co-parents even fall in love and will be just-parents.

If we show up we'll ruin the vibe...

Fall in love? Eva just got divorced!

Things happen, honey, you never know.

Come on, Núria, let's go.

Look at this!

- More droppings. - Oh my God, that's disgusting.

Public or private?

School is always public, and healthcare too.

Youth club on Saturdays, and after-school circus class.

- And robotics. - And contemporary dance.

- Math. - Math? Poor kid...

We have to squeeze out every last drop of potential.

- No phone until 16. - Or 20.

Oh, and very important,

a name with two letters. Three, tops.

No. Definitely not.

- Why not? - No.

Iu, Lía...

What's wrong with long names? Seriously...

I like Prudenci or Virgili...

- Roc... - Caterina...

- Río... - Valentina...

- Blau... - Estanislao...

I don't think we'll agree.

No, maybe not.

At least when it comes to co-parenting.

But...

Maybe in other things...

Maybe. But stop.

I'm stopping.

Fine, now you have a little house.

- And babies when? - Oh, Mom!

What, 'oh, Mom?'

Look at your sister, poor thing, with that big house and no children.

Thank goodness you're helping her now.

Because we all know that if you wait too long

you might have problems.

- Did you know Blanca almost wasn't born? - Really?

The cord got wrapped around her neck. It wouldn't come off.

That has nothing to do with age, Mom.

Blanca, you're with a man like Alex,

and you won't give him a child?

- He'll leave you. - No, that's not it either, but...

And men today aren't like before.

They take care of their kids.

I see dads playing with their kids,

carrying them here, taking them to the doctor...

Your dad didn't even know your doctor's name.

Dad did a lot of things with us.

We went on excursions, he took us out on the boat...

Yes, but did he make dinner for you?

Pick you up from school? Do your laundry?

Hold you when you had a fever?

It's true, the poor man died later.

But, come on, I raised you alone from birth.

Hey, honey, how is it?

I'm guessing good since you're not answering me...

Hey, so no big deal, I've been thinking about it and...

I don't know, maybe the co-parenting thing with Hector

isn't such a good idea, because I think you're very different.

And I got carried away,

because you already have your embryos,

so if you really want to be a single mother, I can help you.

Let's do it together.

Well, go to bed, it's late.

Kisses.

Blanca, can you watch the beans for a moment?

Sorry.

How's it going with Hector?

- Did you...? - What?

- Did you bang him? - No, and believe me, I tried.

But then I saw he wasn't quite...

Besides, Blanca,

honestly, I'm no longer interested in Pere or Hector or men in general.

Okay I have to go. I'll call you when the embryos get in.

Should I be facing the door like this?

It's just, we had to move the chair

because the doctor was injured.

No worries, no one ever uses that door...

Here I am!

Oh, sorry.

I wanted to use the other door but I don't fit.

Laura, I don't know, maybe I should try using crutches.

- How are you? - Fine.

- I followed the prescription and... - Very good.

Let's see how those follicles are doing.

But you'll have to scooch down more.

I injured my foot, you know?

I'm still perfectly capable, though some think not.

Scooch your butt lower, lower.

Wow...

Change of schedule. Should I tell Silvia or you?

Me, me.

- Your 4 o'clock will come at 5 p.m. - Fine.

- Can you close the door, please? - Yes.

That's discrimination.

Assuming I can't do my job because I'm in a wheelchair.

Sorry but are there no handicapped gynecologists?

- You mean 'functionally diverse.' - That too.

- Jesus Christ! - Sorry.

Didn't you say the first visit was at 9:30 a.m.?

You give me different schedules every day.

The substitute.

I'm sorry, but this isn't how things are done, okay?

Good morning.

Hello.

I'm Enric Hostench.

I'm here for a sample.

What sample?

A sample...

To give one.

Oh, yes, of course. This way.

- Follow me when you're ready. - Sure.

- See you in a bit. - Yes.

I hope it goes fine.

- Here's the container. - Okay.

There are 12 channels on the TV

with different categories: threesome, foursome...

- Not necessary. - Five-some...

- Five-some either. - As you like.

So, everyone does it here?

It's the sample room.

So, they sit here, and...

Here you have an electronic vagina with Bluetooth.

- Rings for... - No, that won't be necessary either.

When you're done, remember to get it all in the container .

- Okay? - Okay...

And above all, get as much as possible.

All clear?

I'll be outside, holler when you're done.

- Fantastic. - Perfect.

- Goodbye. - Great.

Thank you.

Let's see.

Your embryos from Nadolab came in.

That means we can do the transfer tomorrow, within your cycle.

You have five viable blastocysts, which is very good news

because it means you have five attempts to get pregnant.

Right.

The problem is I can only do one.

Why?

Because I've already spent over 12,000 euros.

I don't have on treatments.

I've been crunching the numbers and I can't afford any more.

But you know that at your age, the chances of success are slim.

This sucks, Blanca. I tried with Pere for so long

and in the end...

In the end, Blanca...

I only have one shot.

There's a test called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis.

It determines which of the 5 embryos

is most likely to work.

But it costs 3,000 euros...

- You don't have it, do you? - No.

Whatever. I've got one try at least, right?

- Yes. - So, that's it then.

Look, I'll do the test for free.

- All done? - I can't do it.

- You can't? - No, I can't.

No idea what's wrong with me.

- Honey, you need to relax. - What?

And if it's this place,

if it's that vagina's squeezing, let's go home...

Cristi, it's not the place or the vagina.

What is it then?

What if I'm the problem?

I mean, what if I can't have children?

I have 6 siblings, 22 nieces and nephews.

They expect me to have 3 or 4 kids like everyone else.

"Be fruitful and multiply." Sound familiar?

If I can't have kids, I don't know how I'll tell them.

But these things happen.

Fertility problems are increasing.

Not in my family.

- I don't want to be the no-kids uncle. - What?

I don't want them to seat me at the kid's table.

But, that's why we're here. They can help us.

- I'm scared, Cris. - Me too.

Look at what I have to take.

25 syringes, pills...

And I don't even know what this is.

And I can't even give myself a sorry hand job.

Hell no!

Wish me luck.

Good luck.

Hey, Hector.

What's up?

- Well, now... - How's it going?

Good, good.

What's new?

Nothing.

We need to do a PGD on Eva's embryos.

- Eva's. - Eva's.

Impossible.

The transfer is tomorrow. No time.

Can't we expedite the results?

At most, we could do a morpho-kinetic selection with time-lapse,

and prioritize the blastocyst with the best prognosis.

Perfect.

Let's do it then.

Does Andreu agree?

Andreu, doesn't...

He can't know about it.

We have to do it for free, as a small favor.

Free and secretly,

the perfect combination for losing your job.

Hector, please, Eva only has one chance.

No, Blanca! No.

Besides, I'd have to do the biopsy because you don't know how,

and I'd have to ask Mario from Genexlab for a huge favor

for him to analyze it, and go across town and...

Look, sorry, I really like Eva, but she'll have to try her luck on this attempt.

So, you're telling me to tell her we could do it,

but we won't because she doesn't have the money.

That's it.

- What a bummer. - Damn! Escu...

Could you make yourself more visible?

But I haven't moved from here.

Do you think you could check

the cryologists codes in the CL-07 series?

- Yes. - Thank you.

- CL-0...? - ...7.

- The trash can. - The trash can?

Yes.

- Escudero, the bin! - Right, here it is.

No, the door doesn't open.

- What are you doing? - Dammit!

Are you okay?

- Come on, get out... - What's going on?

- Are you okay? - Yes, why?

The nitrogen tanks are being refilled.

But the door button doesn't work. You can't open it from inside.

I've told Andreu over and over, but...

I prop it with the trash can.

- What could happen? - Nothing,

you could run out of oxygen and die.

Thank you.

Never mind.

Yeah?

I filled it to the brim, hon.

"The gynecologist is a crazy control freak,

more concerned with her ego than her patients. One star."

How do you know it's about me?

Another one. Oh, I love this one...

"I had to crouch on the floor for the gynecological examination

so the wheelchair doctor could do the transvaginal ultrasound.

I'm giving her one star because I can't give zero". Wow!

She's an able-ist.

Able-what?

Angela, in two days we went from a rating

of 4.7 to 2.7.

- Tell Silvia too. - I would.

But she's not here anymore. She left.

Look, Angela...

I swear I want to see your value to the clinic.

But damn, you're not making it easy.

It just keeps getting worse. So what do I do?

Tell me! Who attends to the patients?

- Me. - No, not you!

Andreu, I'll use the crutches

and there won't be any more problems.

The problem has nothing to do with your foot, Angela,

but everything with your attitude.

- You don't treat people well, dammit! - Of course I do.

Should I read what Silvia wrote when she left? Where is it?

No...

No need. Please, there's no need.

Andreu, there's no need.

I'll stay home.

I guess it's hard for me after 30 years in this clinic and...

I don't want anything to go wrong because...

I love it.

Just like your father did.

Everything changes.

Fine.

Fine.

Stay if you want.

But I don't want to hear even one more complaint.

And above all...

No more vaginal ultrasounds with the door open.

Please, I'm begging you.

Okay?

- Hey, are you leaving? - Yes.

I'm staying for a bit.

- You'll lock up then? - Yes.

See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow.

Hi... Mario?

Hello, it's Blanca from Ginestia Clinic,

I'm calling on behalf of Hector.

Come on, Blanca.

You can do it. It's just a human life.

Damn.

Shit, shit...

Come on, Blanca, you got it this time.

You destroyed one embryo,

but don't worry, you still have four more.

Goddam!

Are you nuts? You can't just do a biopsy...

I'm noticing...

...or abuse Mario or the clinic's resources!

- I know, but... - Let me do it.

How did you know?

Because I'm getting to know you.

Careful, that's what I did before...

Can we be quiet?

There he is.

Hey, Mario.

- Hello. - Here you go.

There are three to five cells per embryo. Should be quick, right?

As long it needs to take.

- But these favors will cost you. - Remember your son Pau?

Who I made for you in a lab?

Right. You charged me 6,000.

- How long will it take? - 4 hours.

I made your son faster.

Know how long it took me to fill the container?

Okay, 4 hours.

4 hours.

He's a lot of fun.

Well...

I don't know.

Later I'll feel guilty,

but man, I enjoy this crap.

So, have you found the mother of your kids yet?

Not yet.

Crap, Alex.

Alex.

Sorry, I'm so sorry. Yeah, I should have called.

No, I had to stay on at work.

Yes, sorry.

Soon, 3 hours max.

I'm sorry. Yeah, yeah...

Yeah bye. Sorry.

Future father of your kids?

Yeah, I guess so.

I don't know.

Well, you just bought a house in the woods.

Well, he's sure about having kids with me.

He wants it now. But I'm not that sure.

I always thought I wanted kids but I don't have that urge.

Not like my sister, for instance.

She's obsessed since she was three and...

I don't know, I always imagined having kids,

and Alex is a good man, he takes good care of me,

we've been together forever, he's gone to therapy...

And, I don't know, he has helped me out a lot those years

that I was in research not making a dime.

That's the most passionate vow of love I've ever heard.

But I'm 37 years old, Hector.

Maybe my life with Alex isn't exactly what I imagined,

but I don't exactly suddenly see myself

as a single either.

That sounded awful, didn't it?

No.

No, it sounded sincere.

I don't know, how can I be sure? It's...

You can't.

The desire to have kids isn't a rational one.

Our genes are programmed that way so we reproduce.

There's nothing less rational than sex or attraction.

Are you...

Are you going to finish your durum?

All yours.

Hector.

Blanca...

I'm done.

You took your time, didn't you, my man?

Go home, I'll stay.

No, no, I'm fine.

Go on.

There are just two transfers this morning, Valerie and Eva.

We don't need two embryologists.

And the double-check?

Go on, go.

You still have at least two hours to Vallcàrquera.

I don't live there yet.

- Listen... - Yes?

Thank you.

For what?

For helping Eva.

No, never mind.

Bye.

Bye.

- Yes. - Are the embryos ready?

Yes.

First Eva, then Valerie, okay?

Perfect.

- I'm exhausted. - I'm not surprised.

I swear I don't get why you have to go all in for this job.

With the research it was understandable, but...

At least they're paying you for this, right?

Are you okay?

Actually, I'm not, Alex.

What's going on?

I want to break up.

- Yes. - Change of plans.

First Valerie, she's already in the room. Okay?

Yes.

We have the embryo here.

Ready, Valerie?

Here it goes.

That's it.

- Is it in yet? - It's in.

Breathe, honey, you're going to pass out.

- Is this...? - It’s your embryo.

There you go, Eva.

The catheter is clean.

Thank you, Hector.

Holy shit...