Original subtitles

‐ Previously on "Council of Dads"...

‐ You spent all your money on a house,

sight unseen, and you have no plan,

except for us to bail you out?

‐ Yes we do. ‐ Then do it.

Prove us all wrong. ‐ My dad died when I was two.

‐ My mom died three years ago.

‐ Want to invite you to join our club.

‐ I saw you making out with some random dude.

‐ I am so sorry that you saw that.

‐ I want you to leave me alone!

‐ I had another family? ‐ I screwed up.

Luly came up to me with questions.

I told her about the adoption. She's after the truth.

‐ I had dinner with Eddie, and he kissed me.

‐ I am not going back to the first two years

of our relationship, Peter!

‐ I have a pretty great bottle of red at my place,

if you want.

‐ I'm Robin.

‐ I'm Sam.

[light music]

♪ ♪

‐ ♪ Bending backwards head to toes, and you say ♪

‐ ♪ Get up, get in the sun ♪

‐ My daughter's going as a zombie kitten,

and my son is going as a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.

‐ How do you dress up as spaghetti and meatballs?

‐ I have no idea, but it's gonna be amazing.

My ex‐wife makes these elaborate costumes.

She loves Halloween.

‐ My husband, too.

‐ What are your kids dressing as?

‐ All right. Let's see.

My oldest son is too cool for trick‐or‐treating.

Baby's a strawberry. ‐ [laughs]

‐ Oh, my little dude is going as Bruce Springsteen,

and my 13‐year‐old is going as the glass ceiling.

She's a high‐concept girl.

‐ And your husband? Does he dress up?

‐ He's dead.

‐ How does he do that?

‐ By being dead. Cancer.

About six months ago.

‐ ♪ I see it's too true to believe ♪

♪ You were just lying next to me ♪

‐ I'm sorry.

‐ Thank you.

Yeah, it's our first Halloween without him,

and then our first Thanksgiving and Christmas

and New Year's.

And that's why I'm running so much.

Stress management.

‐ One foot in front of the other.

‐ Yeah. That's the idea.

[kids laughing]

‐ Scott was a "go big or go home" guy

when it came to the holidays.

Decorations, food, traditions.

He had definite opinions

on the best way to celebrate just about anything.

‐ Oh, my God. You guys scored this year.

Oh, Tess, look over there. ‐ What?

‐ [laughs] ‐ Hey!

[laughter]

‐ Because Scott had such clear ideas about how to celebrate,

his family just fell in line.

But what happens to the traditions

when the tradition keeper is gone?

‐ Do I write, "Love, Luly," or "Sincerely, Luly?"

‐ This letter's to the adoption agency, babe.

‐ No, this letter's to the family.

I'm trying to get them to meet with me,

and "sincerely" seems like I don't really care,

but "love" might scare them off.

‐ I mean you were their kid for two months.

I think you go with "Love, Luly."

‐ You're right.

[doorbell and knocking]

Will you get it?

‐ Yeah. ‐ Thanks, babe.

‐ Trick‐or‐treat.

‐ Oh, no, it's Halloween.

How did we forget? We didn't get any candy.

‐ Hey, it's okay.

‐ Hi, robot. Just a second.

Oh, I know.

[mellow music]

Here you go, robot.

Ramen noodles.

‐ Thank you.

‐ Ramen? ‐ How did we forget Halloween?

‐ We've been kind of busy.

‐ [sighs]

‐ Hey, trick or treat?

‐ Ooh. Treat?

‐ That's a good answer. [both laughing]

‐ I love these.

‐ We made it through Halloween, and nobody cried.

‐ It's still early. ‐ You'll pay in cavities.

‐ Ow! ‐ Ooh!

[laughter]

‐ Where's Theo?

‐ He's out with friends.

‐ Girlfriends? ‐ Friends who are girls.

He doesn't tell me much these days.

He's still mad at me.

‐ Is that what you wanted to talk about?

‐ Um, no. I wanted to talk about

how we're gonna get through the holidays.

‐ Ah, your mom's coming. You worried?

‐ Right now, I'm more worried about you.

‐ Me? ‐ You and Peter,

having some problems.

‐ We wanted to offer our support.

‐ We're not doing this. We're not having

an intervention about my marriage.

‐ You won't talk to me about it.

‐ Because you defend him. ‐ That's not true, Ollie.

‐ You said it was just a kiss. ‐ I said it was a kiss.

No "just."

Is a kiss worth ending a really good marriage?

‐ No one's ending anything.

We're working on it, and I'm done talking about it.

‐ If you want my opinion‐‐ ‐ I really don't.

Saved by the bell. I'll get it.

‐ How about you, Anthony?

You sticking around for the holidays?

‐ Yeah, I guess I'm around.

‐ And what about Margot? Is she around, too?

I'm hearing rumors you two are a thing.

‐ Can I pull an Oliver and say I don't want to talk about it?

‐ I like Margot. You should invite her

for Thanksgiving. You'll be there, right, Larry?

‐ Thanksgiving, I usually go to a meeting,

then a diner for turkey, and then home to watch

"Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

‐ And Christmas? ‐ Same.

‐ Meeting, diner,

"Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

‐ It's a good film.

‐ Robin, you better come here.

‐ Hey, Sam.

Nice costume.

‐ You know him?

‐ Yeah, I see him running sometimes.

That's not a costume, is it? What's going on?

‐ Um, maybe we should speak in private.

‐ No, no, it's fine. These guys are family.

You guys are scaring me. What's going on?

‐ Your son was drinking with his friends in the cemetery.

‐ What? ‐ But he wasn't driving,

and it's his first offense, so I only gave him a warning.

But next time, I'm not gonna be so nice.

‐ Yes, sir. ‐ How much did you drink?

‐ Hardly anything. ‐ Who were you with?

‐ I don't know. ‐ He stayed.

His friends ran.

‐ Somebody had to take the hit.

‐ Hey, I understand protecting your friends, okay?

But you and your friends need to understand

that underage drinking can lead

to all kinds of dangerous stuff.

‐ Theo, get upstairs.

Guys, can you give me a minute?

[dramatic music]

‐ He's tired and scared, so maybe save the grilling

till he gets some sleep, you know?

‐ You're a cop?

‐ Yeah, yeah, and you're Theo's mom.

‐ Yeah.

♪ ♪

‐ ♪ And do the turk hop ♪ ‐ ♪ Do the turkey hop ♪

‐ ♪ Boy, when you start ♪ ‐ ♪ You don't want to stop ♪

‐ So is the Council coming for Thanksgiving?

‐ Yeah, of course,

and that's gonna make my mom crazy.

‐ Why? ‐ [laughs]

Well, okay, so my mom was an actress.

Like a real, live, singing and dancing,

living in New York actress.

And she got cast in this Broadway musical.

‐ That's so cool.

‐ And then she was replaced by her understudy

while the show was still in previews in Philadelphia.

‐ That's so terrible.

‐ Right. So she quit show business.

She stayed in Philly. She met my dad.

She got married. She had kids.

‐ Happy ending.

‐ And then he left her for her best friend Marcia.

‐ Tragic ending.

‐ Yeah. So now she thinks the Council is replacing her.

‐ Well, I did not see that twist coming.

‐ Well, yeah. Whenever she visits,

she complains that she's not needed,

and then I get upset, and we both end up crying.

‐ She's here six weeks. That's a lot of crying.

‐ [laughs] No.

Because we will both be too busy

distracting the kids from the giant,

gaping Scott‐size hole missing from the holidays.

‐ Speaking of kids, how's my boy Theo?

‐ Your boy Theo's been under house arrest,

but I'm about to‐‐ what's the cop lingo

for "early release"?

‐ We say "early release."

‐ Oh, you're funny.

[laughs]

[horn honks]

‐ Grandma! ‐ Patricia!

‐ Oh, gobble, gobble.

[laughter]

Where are the big kids?

‐ Oh, the teenagers are still sleeping.

‐ Oversleeping, I'd say.

‐ Grandma, do a double pirouette.

‐ Oh, no. I'm getting too old for that.

‐ No, you aren't.

Did you know my grandma can do a double pirouette?

‐ I did not, but I'm not surprised.

‐ JJ's always bragging on me. She's my biggest fan.

‐ Mom. ‐ Oh, shoot.

Now, don't tell me. I remember what you said.

If I misgender JJ, don't make a big deal out of it.

I just apologize and move on.

JJ, I'm sorry.

I meant to say he's my biggest fan.

How's that? Okay?

‐ That's a start. ‐ [laughs]

Yeah, so let's stop dilly‐dallying.

It's time to get cooking,

unless Mr. Fancy Pants chef is taking over.

‐ You kidding?

I've heard what a great cook you are.

I'm hoping I can learn a thing or two from you.

‐ Oh, good answer, handsome.

Hey, Oliver. Where's your better half?

‐ He'll be here later.

‐ Rob, my love.

Good to see you. ‐ Thanks.

‐ You look tired. [baby babbling]

Give me that baby. Oh!

Oh, the cute baby.

Who is the cutest baby, huh?

[upbeat music]

‐ And my mom's here.

‐ So yeah. Things are good.

‐ Good. It sounds great.

I mean, writing and house buying.

I'm impressed.

‐ Thanks, Grandma.

Did my mom tell you about the family

that adopted me when I was a baby?

‐ The last I heard, you were trying to set up a meeting?

‐ Yeah.

I got an email a few days ago. They don't want to meet me.

‐ Wow. That's their loss.

‐ You're talking about the Calhouns, right?

I told her.

Look, you've already got enough family.

I mean, brothers and sisters for days.

A mom, a birth mom, my mom, a grandma.

‐ Whoo! ‐ Whole council of dads.

‐ And this man who loves you. Look at that face.

Oh, we love this face!

‐ [laughs] Yes, we love this face.

‐ Well, this face came to tell you

we gotta go to my mom's.

‐ What?

‐ We'll be back in time for pie.

‐ Okay.

But hey, Lu, remember. Their loss.

‐ Thanks, Grandma. ‐ Mm‐hmm.

Bye.

Okay. I need someone to carve the turkey,

someone to mash the potatoes‐‐

who are you?

‐ Oh, hi. I'm Margot.

‐ She's with me.

‐ Ah, nice to meet you, Margot.

You're very pretty. ‐ Mom!

‐ What? I can't say someone's pretty?

‐ I'll carve. ‐ I'll mash.

Oliver can stay here and secretly check

football scores on his phone.

‐ Ooh, good idea.

‐ You forget to answer the mail for three days,

it's a catalog explosion.

You and Peter seem okay.

‐ Yeah. I'm working through my trust stuff.

He's owned up to his part, so we're‐‐

A text from Eddie.

‐ Theo's midterm grades.

‐ Peter! ‐ Theo!

both: Excuse me.

[light music]

♪ ♪

‐ Do you have kids, Larry?

‐ Yes.

‐ What are they doing today?

‐ I don't know.

♪ ♪

‐ Mom? Give me my phone.

‐ Your grades just came.

You have a D in physics and a C in math.

‐ No.

‐ Theo, you're good at math and science.

‐ No, that's just because the teachers are, like,

testing on stuff that we haven't even learned.

‐ Or you haven't studied because you're up all night

talking with your friends.

‐ Give me my phone. ‐ This is my phone.

And it is my house and you are my son

and you will follow my rules.

And your grandmother has been cooking all day‐‐

‐ Texted us "Happy Thanksgiving"‐‐

‐ Why is Eddie texting us anyway?

‐ Mom, Luly's not here. Who's gonna say grace?

‐ Listen, Luly's gotta split her time

between two families, so we're gonna be flexible.

‐ I don't want to be flexible!

If Luly's not coming, I'm not coming!

‐ JJ?

Sweetheart?

‐ Should we do something?

‐ I don't think so.

Have you ever seen "Planes, Trains and Automobiles"?

‐ No.

‐ It's a great film.

‐ Oh.

‐ Eddie thinks we're all good.

He doesn't even know you know about the kiss.

‐ You didn't tell him? ‐ Please, Oliver.

The kiss meant nothing. This stupid text means nothing.

‐ It means something to me!

You came out,

your family practically threw you a pride parade, okay?

I couldn't.

My family wouldn't accept me,

and then I finally meet you,

and I can be myself.

But now this?

My marriage‐‐our marriage,

it doesn't feel safe to me anymore.

That is what that kiss means. That's what that text means.

It means I gotta keep my guard up in my own house again.

[dramatic music]

‐ I think my papa kissed another person,

and now my dad is mad.

‐ My mom kissed someone, and Theo's mad.

♪ ♪

‐ If you had to kiss any boy at school,

who would you kiss?

‐ I don't know.

I don't think I'd want to kiss any boys.

‐ Do you want to kiss girls?

‐ No. No. [laughs]

‐ I just‐‐I don't think I want to kiss anyone.

‐ Yeah. Kissing gets you in trouble.

♪ ♪

‐ You know, Scott did the holidays,

and he made them fun.

And I...

I mean, everything's falling apart,

and nobody's happy and I don't know

how to do this on my own.

‐ Well, you don't have any choice,

so get everyone in here.

Get their butts in the seats so we can eat.

Anthony, how are we doing on the turkey?

‐ Mmm. She is ready.

‐ Thanks, Mom.

‐ ♪ Sleigh bells ring ♪

♪ Are you listening? ♪

♪ In the lane ♪

‐ So this year, we're sticking to tradition.

We're doing an early Christmas Eve dinner,

and then we're going to church.

‐ Well, you gotta get there early.

Patricia likes a good seat.

‐ Yes. You've been listening.

‐ Oh, I'm a very good listener.

It's one of my many excellent qualities.

‐ Okay. Noted.

‐ Hang on. Hold up a sec.

Um...

I was hoping that you may have time

for a new Christmas tradition.

We've never seen these decorations lit up at night.

I gotta drop my kids back with my ex on Christmas Day,

so I was thinking we could meet here for a late night run.

It's just, this has all been‐‐

it's really nice.

You know, our runs and our talks.

And I just‐‐I'm gonna want to tell you stuff.

Like how my daughter liked her Lego set.

Whether my mom got me another ugly sweater.

And I'm gonna want to hear about, you know,

whether Theo liked his camera.

‐ He's gonna love his camera.

‐ Well, then will you tell me about it tomorrow night?

‐ ♪ Well, let's all unite, and share in this delight ♪

♪ Christmas is the time to celebrate ♪

‐ Two seafood platters for my favorite family.

[cheers and applause]

‐ And then Anthony has made a steak for Patricia.

I'm gonna go grab that right now.

‐ I like steak on Christmas Eve.

Sue me. ‐ Where's Evan?

‐ Oh, he's at his mom's tonight,

so he can spend Christmas with us.

‐ Being married's hard.

‐ You don't know the half of it.

‐ Mom.

‐ I need a crab cracker. ‐ I'll get it.

‐ ♪ So come on, people, and have yourselves a ball ♪

♪ Peace and love for all ♪

♪ Merry Christmas, everyone ♪

‐ Are you guys in love?

‐ [laughs]

‐ JJ, get out of here.

‐ Sorry. I just have to get these.

‐ Yeah. ‐ Mm‐hmm.

Are we?

‐ What? ‐ No, I'm sorry.

That's‐‐oh, I hate myself.

That's so weak and needy.

I'm gonna rephrase it. I am...

I am...

I'm in love with you.

It's fast. I know it's fast.

It's okay.

I'm not asking you to get married or have kids,

but I'm just telling you

that I love you.

[laughs]

‐ I‐‐ ‐ Don't say anything, okay?

Don't, don't. 'Cause it's always gonna feel

like I forced it, and I want you to say it

when you feel it, if you feel it.

‐ Guys, I'm so sorry, but my mom's‐‐

‐ Oh, yes, steak. Yes, I am definitely on it.

Sorry. ‐ Sorry.

‐ No, no.

‐ I really like her.

‐ Do I love her?

‐ I don't know. Do you?

‐ Probably, right?

She's great. ‐ Age appropriate.

‐ Hope's making a mess. You got a broom?

Who's age appropriate?

‐ Margot.

‐ Oh, I like Margot. ‐ I do, too.

‐ Okay, JJ, are you ready for a Christmas miracle?

‐ Yeah. ‐ Yeah.

‐ Okay. 62 years old.

Do I still have it?

all: Grandma, Grandma!

‐ Whoo! Yeah. ‐ Grandma!

‐ Grandma! [laughter]

‐ Well, she's still got it.

‐ So much of it. ‐ Teach me.

‐ Me too, me too.

‐ No, no, no.

This is a restaurant, not a dance hall.

Let's all sit down and eat, yeah?

‐ [groans]

‐ It's all in the preparation.

I'll show you later.

‐ ♪ Blow out the candle ♪

♪ Throw out the wine ♪

♪ ♪

‐ I was gonna wait until tomorrow,

but I figure you can use some early Christmas.

‐ ♪ I don't feel the spirit ♪

‐ Was Dad's.

It was broken, and I was just gonna throw it away,

but a friend of mine knew a guy who fixes up old cameras,

and voila.

‐ Your cop friend?

‐ Yeah. Sam.

I'm gonna go back in.

Don't get eaten by an alligator.

‐ Wait.

I'm sorry I've been such a jerk lately.

‐ I know this hasn't been easy on you.

Losing your phone and being grounded.

‐ It just sucks. This whole year has.

Is there any way I can maybe not go to church tonight?

I just kind of want to be home,

and be alone, and think about stuff.

‐ Theo, you know how important it is to your grandma.

‐ Yeah, I know it is, and if you let me stay home,

I'll totally make it up to her tomorrow.

Please?

‐ Think I should have insisted that Theo go to church?

‐ I don't know, but family tradition's important.

‐ So is family peace.

He and I have been at each other's throats lately,

and I just couldn't have another fight.

‐ Hey, at the end of the day, it's his choice.

‐ What's his choice?

‐ Uh, Theo went home. He's skipping church.

‐ No, no, no. Church is non‐negotiable.

‐ Mom‐‐ ‐ What?

Robin, every time I open my mouth,

you say, "Mom," with that,

"You don't understand anything" tone.

Well, you know what I understand?

I understand that kids need boundaries.

They need a parent, not a friend or this Council.

He knows that if one says no, the other will say yes.

‐ Patricia‐‐ ‐ No, don't "Patricia" me.

I am their grandma.

I should have a say, but no. She turns to you people.

I don't know why I'm here. I'm just a party trick.

I cook meals, and I dance on command.

Well, I deserve some respect.

I deserve to be consulted.

[dramatic music]

‐ How's Grandma and Grandpa?

‐ Great, and Samantha got a hoverboard.

Hold on. I'll be right there!

‐ It's my turn. ‐ Here.

‐ Hey. How's the holiday shift?

‐ Slow.

‐ I miss you.

‐ I gotta go, okay?

Give everyone my love.

‐ ♪ Do me a favor ♪

♪ Please, could you look at me?

‐ Okay. ‐ Okay.

‐ You can sit there. ‐ Yep.

‐ And then I'll cover your ear hair with mine,

[laughter]

And you can be blonde, okay?

‐ A lifelong dream.

[laughter]

‐ Mom, why are you‐‐

‐ Everyone's tired, so we all skipped church.

Is this what "time alone to think" looks like?

I've had it with you, Theo. I have really had it.

‐ Look, it was our idea. Don't blame him.

‐ Who are you?

‐ I'm Jules, and this is Freya.

‐ "Drinking in the graveyard" Jules and Freya?

‐ Mom‐‐ ‐ Don't "Mom" me.

How did you even arrange this little party?

You don't have a phone.

‐ He used mine.

I texted Freya we were coming home.

‐ My phone's dead.

‐ So everyone's in on this.

‐ Christmas is really bad for Jules.

Her mom died, and her dad's mad all the time.

‐ You should have said that to me.

‐ Well, I didn't think you'd get it,

'cause you always think I'm lying.

‐ Because, Theo, you're often lying.

‐ Tonight I was really sad,

and I needed him,

'cause he gets it.

He doesn't just try to convince me that my life doesn't suck.

He actually listens.

He's a really good listener.

[bittersweet music]

♪ ♪

‐ It was nice of you to come to church with me.

You didn't have to. ‐ I wanted to.

I'm usually in the basement.

‐ You know what I was thinking about?

How much I miss Scott. He liked me.

Did you know that?

Scott and I were really close.

‐ I did. He talked about you.

‐ He did? What did he say?

‐ Oh, that you were tough,

but that it came from wanting to protect your kids.

‐ I have been wondering why he chose you guys.

Why didn't he feel like I was enough?

‐ Scott didn't pick us to replace you, Patricia.

You'll always outrank us. You're Robin's mom.

You're who she's gonna come to when she's hurting.

‐ But she doesn't.

‐ Maybe she thinks she can't

or that you wouldn't understand.

I mean, you raised a family alone.

You probably made it look easy.

‐ Oh, it wasn't easy.

‐ Tell her that.

‐ Are you always this wise?

‐ Almost never.

‐ [laughs] [bells tolling]

Oh!

It's Christmas, Larry!

Ahh. [laughs]

‐ Merry Christmas. ‐ Merry Christmas.

‐ ♪ 'Cause I got joy, This light inside ♪

♪ If you're feeling low, grab a hold of mine ♪

♪ Joy! ♪ ‐ Look what Santa got me.

‐ Wow. He sure knows you.

‐ He knows Hope, too.

He got her the book that she loved that Cowboy chewed.

‐ [laughs]

He's so cute, you could just eat him up.

‐ I think we're ready for eggs.

‐ Oh.

‐ Uh‐oh.

‐ What's up?

No eggs? Are you serious?

‐ Look what Santa got you.

‐ ♪ Ooh, take a look around ♪

♪ Ooh, what was lost is found ♪

♪ So don't you worry, no, no ♪

♪ Don't you worry, 'cause I got joy ♪

‐ That's beautiful.

‐ Guess Santa knows you, too.

‐ ♪ If you're feeling low, grab ahold of mine ♪

‐ Anthony bought it.

He thought with Scott gone this year,

you could use something pretty under the tree.

‐ ♪ So just believe a bit ♪

♪ And let's find out where we go ♪

‐ I really miss him, Mom.

Scott wouldn't have forgotten eggs.

‐ We can get eggs, sweetie.

‐ It's not the eggs.

It...

it's everything.

Every decoration has a story and a memory,

and they all remind me that he's not here.

‐ Then let's get the hell out of here.

‐ ♪ Joy! ♪ ‐ ♪ This light inside ♪

♪ If you're feeling low, grab a hold of mine ♪

‐ Okay, kids, new plan.

‐ ♪ Joy! Lifting up your soul ♪

♪ A little J‐O‐Y filling up the sky ♪

‐ Hi. Mom, what are you doing?

‐ Your door was open,

and I'm canceling Christmas. It's Thursday.

It's just a regular Thursday, and I got you paint.

‐ For Christmas? ‐ For Thursday.

Yeah. Grandma's bringing the kids,

and the Council's gonna come, too.

We feel really bad about how unsupportive we were

about you guys buying this place,

and we're gonna make it up to you.

And also, I couldn't be in our house another minute.

‐ Merry Christmas.

What's going on?

‐ I think we're skipping Christmas,

and we are gonna paint our house today.

‐ Awesome. New tradition.

‐ Mm‐hmm.

Got one more Christmas present for you.

‐ It's not Christmas, remember?

‐ So you don't want this?

‐ My phone? ‐ Mm‐hmm.

‐ Are you serious?

‐ Don't make me regret it, right?

Go call Jules. See if she's okay.

Hey, I wanted to thank you. This necklace is so beautiful.

I assume you helped Anthony pick it out.

‐ No, no. That's really beautiful.

He got me a ski coat.

‐ Oh, he said you guys are going skiing

together in January.

‐ Yeah, we're starting to plan trips together.

So that's, like, a good sign, right?

‐ Very. ‐ I got you this bucket.

‐ Cool. ‐ Thank you.

‐ So when I found out my ex was having an affair

with Marcia, it was already too late.

He didn't want to work on the marriage,

but it sounds like it's not too late for you.

Except for this game. I win.

‐ Oh!

‐ Hey, I love my necklace,

and I love Margot.

‐ Yeah. She's amazing.

‐ Try to love her.

Yeah?

‐ Well, you did it.

You made it through Christmas.

‐ Almost. Almost.

Here. Go make yourself useful.

Don't you dare.

[upbeat music]

♪ ♪

‐ ♪ Can't get enough of you ♪

‐ Hey.

Thought we were gonna run.

‐ I can't.

‐ Run or‐‐ ‐ No.

My family's barely healed.

I mean, we're getting there, you know?

We made it through today,

but I gotta focus on us.

I mean on my family. I can't do... this.

‐ I know. I mean I can't, either.

I haven't even signed the divorce papers.

I got two young kids, and I'm‐‐

‐ Yeah. ‐ Barely holding it together,

as it is, so...

‐ Theo loved his camera.

‐ Yeah?

‐ Yeah. ‐ I'm so glad.

‐ [laughs]

Oh, man, these lights are beautiful, aren't they?

‐ Hm.

[mellow music]

♪ ♪

‐ Hey, Sam.

What if we went really slow,

and just talked about everything?

And if it ever felt weird, we'd just say so,

and that has to be okay.

‐ ♪ The sun will find you ♪

‐ Okay.

Yeah. ‐ [laughs]

‐ Sure, all right.

Can I‐‐ ‐ Yeah.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

[upbeat music]

‐ ♪ At the stroke of midnight ♪

♪ Oh, that great, big holiday ♪

‐ You look great in clothes.

In regular clothes, not running clothes.

I'm nervous. Stop me.

‐ Yeah. You look beautiful in clothes, too.

‐ [laughs] You okay?

‐ Yeah, yeah, no, just getting out of the house.

You know, dropping the kids off.

I'm good, I'm good. Let's go inside.

‐ ♪ Listen, dear, won't you meet me here? ♪

♪ By ringing in a brand new year ♪

♪ ♪

‐ You look good.

‐ Anthony, I don't want to go.

Tess and Peter fly in tonight,

and I haven't seen her for ten days.

‐ We closed the Crab Shack to the public.

It's a big, fancy Gladwell event.

[cell phone chimes] ‐ Robin made you invite me

'cause she didn't want me home alone on New Year's.

He did not.

‐ Did what?

‐ We need to make a stop before the party.

[upbeat music]

‐ Oliver, come on in. Hello, I'm Eddie.

‐ I know who you are,

and I'm the guy who's gonna make sure he doesn't kill you.

‐ I got a "Happy New Year" text from you, Eddie.

This is after a "Happy Thanksgiving" text,

which is after you kissed my husband.

‐ What are you‐‐

‐ Stay away from my family, Eddie.

‐ Oliver, come inside. Have a drink.

It was only a kiss.

‐ If you ever contact me or Peter again,

I will hurt you. You understand?

With my bare surgeon hands, I will hurt you.

‐ Okay, we've said our piece‐‐ ‐ Do you understand?!

Huh? Tell me you understand!

‐ Yes.

Sorry.

I have to go.

‐ That was good.

‐ Felt good.

‐ Now you're gonna listen to what I think.

‐ Anthony, please‐‐ ‐ Go fix your marriage!

You're fighting with that idiot?

Fight for your marriage.

‐ I am! ‐ No, you're not.

You're feeling sorry for yourself.

‐ I'm not talking about this.

‐ Do you love him?

‐ It's more complicated than that.

‐ Answer the question. Do you love him?

‐ Yes. Yes, I love him.

‐ You have no idea how lucky you are.

[dramatic music]

Come on. Driving you home.

‐ Car's outside. Everybody's waiting for us.

Let's go.

‐ I got an email from the adoption agency.

‐ On New Year's Eve?

‐ I know. It's weird.

I'm scared to open it. Can you read it?

But, like, don't have an expression on your face.

What? Is it bad?

Is the family mad that I reached out to them?

‐ Can I have an expression on my face now?

‐ Yes.

‐ They reconsidered. They want to meet you.

‐ Oh! Oh, my God.

‐ Baby. ‐ They want to meet me?

‐ That's great.

‐ Oh, my God. I gotta respond right now.

‐ Even more reason to celebrate.

[warm music]

‐ Happy New Year. ‐ Happy New Year.

[both laughing]

♪ ♪

‐ But as a cop,

I always have a hammer, and I'm looking for nails.

And you know, my wife wanted me

to put the hammer away when I got home.

‐ Yeah. ‐ Or at least give it to her.

‐ Mm‐hmm. And I wouldn't

and she'd get mad and we'd fight.

It's just‐‐it's not easy being married to a cop.

‐ Yeah, it's not easy being married to a doctor, either.

I like hammering nails, too.

I mean, you know, you're dealing with life and death.

You get a little bit of a god complex

that you have to put down when you get home and‐‐yeah.

‐ Well, if it wasn't for the kids...

Look, you said we should tell each other everything.

Right before we came here, as I was dropping the kids off,

out of the blue,

she said she wants to try again.

[melancholy music]

‐ And do you want to try again?

‐ We've been down this road before.

You know, we try, and we fail, you know?

And we got married at such a young age.

We are just totally different people now.

‐ You didn't answer my question.

Do you want to try again?

‐ I'm inclined to save things,

but I'm also a guy who just met you.

‐ Oh, Sam.

‐ I did not want to ruin this date.

‐ [laughs]

I think what's funny is that you're the first guy

that I haven't compared to Scott.

You know, I didn't immediately think, "He's not as tall

or as funny or as smart as Scott,"

and you were just Sam.

But now, I'm comparing you to Scott

because Scott put his kids first.

Always. Every time, and...

and so do you.

I mean you have to try and save your marriage.

You know, if there's even

a shred of a chance of fixing things,

you just‐‐you do, for your kids.

‐ I just...

I just wish I could tell you,

"Robin, don't find another Sam too quickly."

♪ ♪

‐ I'm gonna go.

Maybe give me a ten‐minute head start,

because that valet out there is swamped,

and I don't think I could stand

to wait for my car with you.

‐ Oh, man, I wish I could make this easier.

‐ You can't.

Just find another place to run for a while, okay?

♪ ♪

[bittersweet music]

‐ Hi.

‐ Hey. ‐ Hi.

‐ I love these. You make 'em?

‐ I did, so please save some for everybody else.

‐ Oh, and I met your friend Michael.

He's hilarious. ‐ Mm‐hmm.

‐ And I saw his wife...

‐ Paige. ‐ Paige.

Yeah. I love them.

‐ You love my crab cakes, and you love my friends.

You don't love me.

‐ I didn't say that. ‐ No, you didn't have to.

When I told you that I loved you on Christmas Eve,

and I said just wait and tell me when you felt it,

what I meant was feel it,

and tell me soon.

And every day that you don't, it...

you know, it feels uneven.

And I...

I love your smile and your laugh

and how you kiss me, the way you think,

the way you cook, the way you are with the kids.

All that, it's just it's intoxicating to be around.

But now, like, the drunk has worn off.

And I'm hungover and it feels...

it feels bad.

So I'll just take it back.

I don't love you, either.

[dramatic music]

♪ ♪

‐ I'll be up in a minute, okay?

‐ Okay.

‐ [sighs]

Babe, what are you still doing up,

and what are you wearing?

‐ There's power in commitment.

There's meaning in tradition.

There's strength in community.

‐ What?

‐ My vows.

I found them in the pocket of the tux.

We've chosen to have a large wedding,

because we want to shout to the heavens,

in no uncertain terms, that we love each other.

That we do not require recognition from the state

to love each other with all our hearts,

for the rest of our lives.

‐ Wow.

‐ I want the world to know how much I love you, Peter.

I want everyone to know that I vow,

without guilt or shame...

both: To love you, to hold you,

to stand by your side through good times and bad,

until my last breath.

‐ I can't believe you remembered that.

♪ ♪

I'm so scared to lose you that I'm pushing you away.

‐ That scared little kid, he's still in there, huh?

♪ ♪

‐ So are we still married, or what?

‐ We're still married.

Oh, I missed you.

♪ ♪

‐ At least you got out there.

I haven't had a date since your dad.

It's pathetic.

‐ Why not?

‐ I just couldn't imagine making myself vulnerable again.

I mean, I may look tough, but I'm not.

I'm lonely.

‐ You should date.

‐ Who?

‐ I don't know.

What about the guy from the wine store?

He's always flirting with you.

‐ Oh, no, he's just trying to upsell me on the wine.

‐ No, I think he's flirting.

‐ Yeah? Maybe.

Sorry about your cop.

‐ I really liked him.

‐ I know, but you're gonna be okay.

You know how I know?

‐ How?

‐ Because I'm your mother.

[both laughing]

‐ You're my mother.

I'm gonna miss you.

‐ I don't have to go.

‐ Yes, you do.

So that I can miss you.

‐ Okay.

But I will be back.

‐ Counting on it.

[heartfelt music]

♪ ♪

[dog groans]

‐ It's Scott's birthday.

‐ And he knew this day would be hard for you,

so he brought you guys something.

‐ So before he died,

he got us a present for his birthday?

‐ And we have no idea what's in there.

‐ I'm scared. [laughs]

‐ Well, he said you'd like it.

You'd all like it, and he was pretty sure

that it would become a new tradition.

‐ All right.

Yikes.

"Hi, guys. I got you something

"so you wouldn't be too sad today.

"Have a happy birthday for me.

"Don't cry. Is your mom crying?

Tell her to stop. Love, Dad."

[laughter]

‐ Stop crying, Mom.

‐ Okay.

[laughing] Oh.

Oh, you guys are toast!

[laughter] You're toast!

‐ You're on!

[overlapping chatter]

‐ You are going down, sir.

[overlapping chatter]

‐ What?

What is going on? Are you serious?

all: One, two, three.

‐ What do you do when the tradition keeper is gone?

You keep the old traditions,

and you start new ones of your own.

You move on without leaving him behind.

A heart can do two things.

It can be sad and happy, at the same time.

It can hold grief and hope.

The heart is strong.

[bittersweet music]

♪ ♪

‐ ♪ If life is a lesson ♪

‐ Charlotte?

‐ Charlotte! Char!

‐ Honey? Charlotte.

‐ Char?

‐ She just fell. ‐ Come on, sweet girl.

Okay, okay.

All right, sweet girl.

‐ ♪ You know you got me ♪

Larry, call 9‐1‐1.

Ollie, I need you over here.

Anthony, get the kids inside.

I don't have a pulse. I'm gonna start CPR.

One, two, three... ‐ Theo! Come on, inside.

‐ Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten,

11, 12, 13, 14, 15,

16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

One, two, three, four.