Original subtitles

(slow, serene music) - [Child] Life isn'tmeasured by the number of breaths we take. But by the moments thattake our breath away. (slow piano music) - [Man] FBI Los Angeles 224. This is AgentSolomon, code 6GTM. - Yeah, it's DeRitter, 31522NG I'm gonna need a coverfor Lake Mervielle. It's located inNorthern California. I don't know howlong I'm staying, but just send it to my phone. - [Man] 10 four,DeRitter, will do. - [Child] Marigo, Marigold? - Lake Mervielle. - [Child] It looks likethere's fish in there, mom. - [Narrator] The fall shereturned to Lake Mervielle everything changed. - [Man] What the fuckwere you thinking? You almost got yourself killed, not to mention your backup. - [Young Woman]Please, I have a baby! - Let her go. - [Narrator] Yes, she wasrunning, but she had no idea why she chose to comeback here of all places. (loud shriek) - [Samantha] Holy Christ! - Oh my God, shit I'm sorry. - [Samantha] I can'tbelieve this is happening. - I heard a scream earlier. Was that you? - [Samantha] Justwanted to go for a swim. Now I can't. Only time that I have. - Okay. - [Samantha] Would you mind? - Isn't it a little Autumnfor a dip in the lake? - [Samantha] Is thatany of your business? Oh! - Oh, here. - I'm fine, I'm fine. Just get off me. - Okay. I just, can you tell me which oneof these god forsaken roads leads to Lake Mervielle? At our reunion lastyear my college roommate told me about heramazing rustic cabin. - [Samantha] Got an address? - Yeah. Oh, it's in the car. Do you mind? If that isn't too much to ask. - [Samantha] So who wasyour college roommate? - Heather Adams. - [McKenzie] Heather? Well, quite a character, but no one's heardfrom her in forever. What did you say your name was? - McKenzie Aaron, and you? - [Narrator] She rememberedher mother saying the sleepy berg was filledwith rather eccentric and colorful charactersright out of the novel. - I think that has, see that has alittle bit of a red. (knocking on door) - I got it. - [McKenzie] Hi,I'm here for cabin keys. - Yeah, come on in. (indistinct chatter) - And you've got a few of thenew ones together over that. - [Colin] It's toochallenging for you. - Shame on you! - I'm sorry, and you are? - McKenzie. - [Colin] McKenzie. - I'm here for theHeather Adams cabin. Property manager said they'dleave the key with you? - [Colin] Ah yes.- Right, I am so sorry. We were just giving Colin'slatest masterpiece a test run. Hold on one sec. - Grand Pants is famous. - Oh no, not even remotely. - He designs puzzles, look. - Wow. - First glance, it just lookslike part of the design. But when you lookcloser you can see that each and every piecehas it's own little story. And it isn't until you putall those pieces together that you can actuallysee the big picture. - I used to dopuzzles with my mom but nothing like this. - My mom thinks theyare a waste of time. Like, what's the pointof sticking thousands of cardboard piecestogether, if you could just go to the store,buy a print and frame it? - That's hardly the point. - Right? - [Woman] Here you go. - Oh thanks.- You are welcome. - So if you need anyhelp getting settled in my granddaughter herelives to be of service. - No, I've got it. Thank you. - Okay. - [Narrator] Who am I? I just happen to be thesole writer slash editor and distributor of thePine Mountain Gazette, which serves all 929readers in a 50 mile radius. Of all the storiesI've watched unfold hers is by far mypersonal favorite. (slow, cheerful music) (soft humming) - Hey. Hey kid? Are you supposed tobe out here alone? Where's your mom? - Teaching, where's yours? Touch it? Soft things melt hard things. - Um,hey I've gotta be somewhere. - I'm sorry about what I said. - Who is taking care of you? - As long as the FabioLadies Book Club can see me I'm okay. My mom, she makes mewear this just in case. One time I got lost... - Yeah, yeah I got it. Okay, I'm just gonna go andmake sure they know you're here. - Better 'cause I could behalfway to Mexico by now. - [Narrator] She was onlyhere because she had promised her mother she would return. While she was a littletoo city for these parts she had never brokenher word to her mom. She wouldn't start now. She had no tolerancefor patience. (serene guitar music) She thought she mightgo mad from boredom. And she was sick ofthis rustic cabin. She ventured into town, where the PineMountain Inn served as the General Store,Post Office and gossip central. - Hey you! - [Cass] Hey, come join us. I don't think Icaught your name. - McKenzie. But most people call me Max. - Cass. May I present Boy of aMillion Adventures, Freddie. And this one you've metis still my mother, Adele. And that handsomedevil is Rodney, proprietor of Rodney'sRodeo Bar and Grill. - Hi, it's nice to meet you. - Lovely to meet you. - [Narrator] Within twovisits she learned Colin had been a highly reveredphilosophy professor until he chuckedit all one night, moved into town,and began to design his complex andintricate puzzles. Widowed, he met the highlycontroversial Cassandra, an anti-feminist feministwho believed women could be insanely powerful and still be fullof grace and beauty. - Let me crash upon your shores, shipwrecking your thighs. - Promise? (giggling) - [Narrator] She quicklycame to understand why Mama Adele, founder of the FabioLadies Book Club and daughter Cass,were known to all as the Endless Bickersons. (indistinct yelling) She heard a termcalled Freddie vision, but she would have noidea what that meant until much later. (serene music) - [Child] You know what Ilove more than rice pudding? - [Mother] What,my sweet daughter? - Star Ventures! - When the last starin the sky disappears we begin our star venture. And there is onlyone rule for the day. No rules, we just gowherever our will takes us. - [Narrator] She hadno use for nostalgia. Bristled at the cloying,bittersweet memories. If she couldn't buryherself in her work she would run. In any event,grief would not best her. (gentle music) - [Man] If you go inthere, you're gonna get her killed yourself. Wait for the negotiator. - I've never seen amother daughter any closer than the two of you. We all loved her. She was one of a kind. But you didn't takethe time you needed. - I can see thefear in your eyes. - I have a baby please! - Let her go! - Do you got the fucking balls? I'll fucking waste her! (screaming) (slow, dramatic music) - Do it! - You're off the case. Off doing it. 90 days. (shouting) (gun firing) (serene music) - Your grief is a scraggy bitch. And she doesn't give a royalfuck about best intentions or whether you have theluxury of waiting her out. You've gotta find a waythrough this pain, Max. Not around it. - Hey! - Hey. - Glad I caught you actually. Grand Pants wanted to knowif you wanted to come in for some full moon mud pie. - I'm not much ofa dessert person. - This is not just a dessert. This is a lifechanging experience. You need to be here. He only makes it once a month. You don't wanna get FOMO. It's real. Oh and we're about tostart a new puzzle. You look like you're tryingto keep yourself busy and this is notthe place for that. - Well, I definitely don't wannaget FOMO. - Great. We start around like seven. - All right then. - [Narrator] Colin'sfull moon mud pie came from the monthlycelestial event which made the inky nightsky brilliant with stars and became the blueprintfor his puzzles. - You can start,you don't have to wait. - Okay, thanks. Oh my God, that is so good. - Right,I tell him he should be a chef. - My darling man. - Oh, thank you darling. - All right let's see. What have we got here? Where are we? - Mademoiselle does borders. - Yes, oui ouimademoiselle does borders and the straight edgedpieces align themselves with earth or sky. - God, I know this. - Lost In Translation,the James Merle poem. Every time theystart a new puzzle, they quote it like scripture. - Nothing is lost orall else is translation. - [All] And every bitof us is lost in it. - Um yeah,puzzle as existential metaphor. - Right. - Go get some full moon. - Yes sir. - This is McKenzie. - Hi. - This gad fly isGabrielle's sister, my granddaughter whoI like sometimes. (giggling) - [Narrator] In spite ofherself she was enjoying the company. And that damn pie, it was thebest thing she'd eaten since she got there. (upbeat cheerful music) After much urgingshe finally sat in on the weekly Fridaychess tournament. - Are you in? - [McKenzie] Oh. - [Freddie] Get in. - Okay, let's do this. - [Rodney] Such disappointmentis coming your way. - You don't know my chessskills, okay? Right. - [Rodney] He's gonna whipyou like a rented mule. I'm just telling you up front. (sneaky music) He seems harmless. Like a lovely woodlandcreature, but no. This is the part wherehe sneaks up on you. - [Cass] No, no, no, not that. - Like a monkey in the woods. - Nice, but check mate! (laughing) - Yeah, it's humbling, isn't it? - Yes it is. - As you can see, it takes verylittle stimulate us. - Yeah, but forget about that. Are you ready? - Does a polar bearpoop in the snow? - I don't know,I did not go to college. - All right I'm getting ajilly bar for the winner. - And don't forget the whip. - That's right,that's the attitude. - [Narrator] They mightbe quaint and slightly odd but they sure had a wayof enjoying themselves. - Oh you want some? - [Narrator] They allseemed skilled at making the simplest occurrencequite extraordinary. - I instantly regretted it. - And that is how it's donehere in Lake Mervielle. - [Rodney] We'reall about manners. - [Cass] We sure are. (serene music) - [Narrator] She stillran but now she felt the cold morningmist wash over her. And she didn't hate it. - So you understandthat this isn't a part of the original instructions? It's a cotta soul toyour father's will to be acted upon givingcertain criteria. What I'm about to tell you will certainly be counterto what you've heard or known all these years. But it's nonetheless the truth. - Don't you just love the count even though he's apernicious rapscallion. - Like Rhett Butlercarrying Scarlett up those fancy steps. They don't make menlike that anymore. You think all thatis progressive. - Well afternoon,good townspeople. I know what you're thinking- who invited GeorgeClooney to this affair. - Oh I did. (giggling) - Nice, no actually I'm just, thought I'd swing by,see if you got them mixers I ordered? - Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm gonna mix that up. I'll mix it right up for you. - I wish you would,I wish you would. So, what do you say, you in? You in for some ofthe best fishing you'll ever see inanywhere in these parts? - Oh,I think I'll sit this one out. Maybe next time. - Oh, what are you gonna do? Go home and cry about your life? So sad, boo! You're no fun, she's fun. No, I will not eat them. (whimsical music) - Kind of readingthe paper here. - What you reading about? Boo. Psst. - Do you have somewhere to be? - No. Do you know I likecheese raviolis? Know what my mom always says? - Nope. - 'Cause I like them a lot. - I... - Like a lot, a lot. - Right. - And she also wishes thatshe was a spy, like you. Hum, that looks interesting. - Well that's crazybecause I'm not a spy. Do you have somewhere to be? - Nope, nope nowhere to be. I could sit herewith you all day. If you were strandedin the rain forest what's one item you'd have? - You stay here, I'm gonna go. - Okay. - Okay good. - She ain't coming back. ♪ Fishing ♪ Is for philosophers - [Rodney] Hey good luck,gotta have good luck when you're fishing. - That's right 'cause I'vegot questionable jujus so we need all thehelp we can get. All right, let's roll. Oh, I have to go tothe bathroom already. (gentle music) - I don't bite, you know. Why thank you. - Hey. - Your skin's soft. - Okay, thank you. (slow piano music) Hey. Hey, you okay? Freddie? - Yeah, I'm just in it. - What? - Can't you feel it? Memorizing it. For next time. - Next time? - Like when I have togo to the hospital. Or get my blood drawn. - You're something else. - I know. But I didn't ask to be. - Hey,I didn't mean it like that. - Don't worry, I'm used to it. Think I don't knowwhat people see? Gawking at me. Their eyes are like pin balls. Look anywhere but at the dork, that's what's in their minds. But out of their mouthswere special needs. One must be PC after all. It's okay Max. I have a really good life, I do. And besides I get to knowthings, feel things other people can't. Like how your heartis so ginormous and that's why it hurts so deep. - Listen,try not to worry, okay? - His lifeline's here. I can't get Rodneyon his cell phone. - He's a cowboy. He's got about as muchuse for a cell phone as a damn donkey. - Don't defend him, Cat. - No, I'm not defending him. I'm just stating a fact. - What's the story here? - Huh?- The story. - I mean he's smart as awhip, this one. - Yeah but, what is it? - It's called Fanconi Anemia. It's rare as hell andit clobbers the genes that do DNA repair. Not to mention theseizures and the cancer just breathing down their necks. If that's not enoughof a challenge then life expectancy, tick tock. His mother, Sammy,she's a gladiator. I've never seen her buckle. I don't know how she does it. I mean she's made out ofsteel and strawberries. Want you to join usfor dinner tonight. - Oh no, thank you. - Now you need tobe with people. Cat won't take no for an answer. - Well in that case. (chuckling) - Whoa whoa whoa you got one! - You got one, there we go! Get it, get it, get it! (cheering) - Let's take it off in there. - Hey we better get your home. Okay, yeah. - That's why I didn'teat the sandwich. - Yeah, yeah. Mom, mom, mom! - What could youpossibly be thinking? And who the hell doyou think you are? Do you have a kid? No because if you did youwould have never taken my son without my permission. - [Freddie] Mom, she... - Sammy, Sammy,let's reel it in. - Don't even, because I knowyou went to the big lake. - Well of course we did. There's no fishin the small one. - Everyone knows no biglake unless I'm along. Did you remember totake his afternoon meds? What if he had aseizure out there? - I brought them in my bag. - [Man] Oh see there yougo, no harm no foul. - No harm no foul.- Stay out of it. - Hey Freddie, here's you... - No. - Oh come on. Sammy you can't take the fishand his catch away from him. That wouldn't be right. - Hey, I'm really sorry but I would never hurt your son. - Mom,Max is like crazy wonderful. She's an awesome storyteller. - Imagine that. - Let's go make some dinner. - Yeah, this party's over. - So, I called Heather today. But her phone was disconnected so I did a little digging. Ended up speaking to her mother. Heather died aboutfive years ago. My son always believesthe best in people but I don't sufferfrom that virtue. Stay the hell awayfrom both of us. - You're right, and I'm sorry Ilied about Heather. But the truth is I'mworking a special assignment for the EPA. We're investigating potentialenvironmental threats in the area and it's classifiedso we work undercover. I'm sorry for any confusion. - All right,we'll see you later. Officer of whatever that is. - Okay it's possible I wasa little too rough on her. - Oh come on, she's a good girl. Trust me,when have I ever led you astray? Do not answer that. Just go make my trout almandine, the way I like it. - Well if you wouldbehave like a grown up. - I'm trying to, but... - I could. - I've got women comingat me like bullets. - [Gabrielle] Did mom ever gethere? - [Sasha] I have no idea. - This looks nice. - There you go. - Thank you. - She's joining us for dinner. - So sorry. You should havestarted without me. (dramatic music) - That's against everygood breeding tip you've ever crammed intoour little pagan ears. - Shut it! This is our mom. Mom, this is McKenzie Aaron. - Lovely to meet you. How long have you been here? - A week. - Enjoying your stay? - Uh huh. - [Girl] McKenzie's areally great puzzler. - Oh so they've lured youinto their little conclave. Hey, were you herea few summers ago? - No. - You look familiar. - I'm just one of thosefaces, I guess. - Yeah,that's just so fascinating. Why don't you tell uswhat you're doing here. - Oh just gettingaway from it all. And yes, pointedly,un fascinating. - Running,that's where I've seen you. Have you run bythe big lake yet? - Yeah, I've been hikingand running everywhere. It's some kind ofbeautiful out there. - Some kind of beautiful. - Mom? - I understand you workfor the government? - Yeah,mom used to be a congresswoman. Now she's a consultant, though. With the administrationyou know, the phone's ringingoff the hook. - Yeah, not an easy gig. - Yeah, that house of cardsselling his soul shit. I thought we had a rule here. - Yeah, no iPhones orpolitics at the dinner table. We get enough ofit everywhere else. - It's because it's thelatest spectator sport. Reality by stupidAmerica where we wait everyday with sheeranticipointment. - Aren't you clever, Sasha? I seem to recall youdidn't show up to vote. - If people wanna know whymillennials have checked out it's because youmade us check out. With all your lies, BS,spin, spin, spin, spin, spin. - [Mother] Tell ushow you really feel. - Okay, here we go. - I think if themillennials checked out it's because we coddledyou so spectacularly. - Coddled? Jesus, you were still drinkingback then for days at a time and when I needed amother it wasn't you. - Stop screaming at her aboutwhat she hasn't done right. Look at you,what have you done right? - [Sasha] This is bullshit. - McKenzie, I'm sorry McKenzie. My girls are usually alittle more civilized. - What? (shouting) - Enough! Gabrielle, enough. I forgot. Gabrielle, come with me. Gabrielle! - [Mother] Don't sweetie. - I'm just gonna go help. - Oh my God. (indistinct chatter) (mysterious music) - [Narrator] McKenzie knewfrom her years of FBI training that there were fardeeper secrets buried here than her own. ♪ Whisky whisky whisky ♪ That makes me feel so risky ♪ In the core ♪ In the core ♪ Oh whisky whisky whisky ♪ Makes me feel so risky ♪ In the corner ♪ Thine eyes are dim ♪ I cannot see ♪ I have A O rock ♪ With me ♪ I have A O rock (laughing) - I'll be back. (indistinct chatter) (slow piano music) - See, isn't this nice? You don't always have totalk, you know. - You know what mymom's favorite word is? - No, but I bet moneyyou're about to tell me. - Kintsukuroi. Know what that means? - Not even remotely. - More beautiful forhaving been broken. It's Japanese. - Here. It's cold. - I know you didn't see anyreason to meet your birth mother and I assume that's in largepart because you were told she left you. But in fact that'snot what happened. (slow piano music) - [Freddie] There'sa couple ducks. - Does a one leggedduck swim in a circle? Are you beating me? - Yes, I love when you babysitme, Gabrielle. - Ah, feeling'smutual, little man. - Freak! (chuckling) - Don't listen to them, okay? They're jerks. - [Teen Boy] Hey,what happened to you? - Yeah, stick your handin some meat grinders? - [Teen Girl] Ifyou guys don't stop, I'm gonna get mom. - Yeah, let's keepplaying, okay? - Hey lobster boy, get a littletoo close to the lawn mower? Oh look at you crying. - [Teen Boy] Boo hoo. - Creeper creeperwhy the freaker? - [Teen Girl] I'm outta here. - Three. - [Teen Boy] What a retard. I've never seen such a retard. - [Boy] Mega tard. Weirdo. (crying) - Hey! - What do you want? - What did you just say? - What do you care? - A hell of a lotis what I care. Now listen up. You speak to anyonelike that ever again, I'm gonna find you. I'll make your sorry littlelives freaking miserable. You got that? - [Teen Boy] Fuck you! - I'm sorry, he told me to. I really didn't mean it. It was his fault. - You okay? - I didn't want to. - Then don't say it. Are you okay? - Hey, that was coolwhat you did over there. Well, they won't bebothering Freddie anymore. - No they certainly won't. Honey were those thesame kids from last year? Hey. I know that it probablydoesn't feel like it but it isn't youthey don't like. It's themselves. Okay? What do you say we go getyou two those jilly bars? Yeah? - Can Max come? - Uh, I'm sure she hassome things she has to do. Thank you for that. - You think in this day and age people would be alittle more sensitive. I don't know how youdeal with the bullshit. - Well they certainlydon't hand out a manual. I don't know,you just learn to muddle through and hope like hell thatpeople become less ignorant and less angry. Less fearful of thosewho look different or love different. - Freddie,don't let them get to you, okay? They just... - See the specialneeds freak show. - Hey, don't say that! Come on. You know why I think theycall you special needs? - Because I'm all that? - No, it's not you who need us. It's all of us who need you. Okay, it's true. Don't know whatI'd do without you. - Look, I promised them I'dtake them for jilly bars so... (slow music) - [McKenzie] Samantha! (slow piano music) - [News Reporter] In other news The Sister Wives justtook home a Grammy for Song of theYear, I Don't Play. Lead singer Lisa Janeremarked upon hearing the news that she hoped womeneverywhere find inspiration in their journey. (door creaking) - Hey little man. (wheelchair motor humming) What's wrong? - Why don't you like Max? - I know what you need. (slow music) (knocking on door) - Hello? Hi. - Hi. Thanks for yourhelp the other day, but you're justhere for a visit, but Freddie's full time. Not a roadside attraction. So please, whatever you do don't play him. - Hey, the last thing I'mdoing is playing your son. - Shit. Look I shouldn't have said that. He's pretty damninsistent that I give you a second chance. He's got a heart thatwill overlook anything. And I just don'twanna see him hurt. - So? - How about Saturday afternoon? - Sure. (crickets chirping) - So why puzzling? - I guess it's shownme a whole new way to see things. It's taken me waybeyond what I thought I could comprehend. - How so? - Well none of usare remotely capable of experiencing theworld we live in. You know, we've createdtwo and three dimensional boundaries just to tryto make sense of things. But what lives inside thespaces of those boundaries? - [McKenzie] Andyou're able to see that when you're puzzling? - [Colin] Well I've had somebrief glimpses when I'm deep into a puzzle and wherepossibilities are limitless. It's like looking at a cloudand seeing the face of God. - Huh. Well to puzzling. - Oh, to puzzling. - To going where noman has gone before. - Oh yeah. Live long and prosper. (giggling) (ducks quacking) (gentle music) (baby crying) - Let me help. - You can't help. - Come on. Come on, Vivienne,what can I do? - Take me to the nearest bar. - Come on. - McKenzie, that's not her name? - [Gabrielle] Mom? (car motor humming) - [McKenzie] Hey! Can I help? - No I just need to waitfor it to cool down. - Actually I'm prettyhandy with cars. What's the problem? - Well it needs anew, well everything. It's just not apriority on the list. Next to all the bills and I mean God how I thoughtI could make a living being a dance teacherout here is beyond me. - Well you got alot on your plate. - Look, I'm not a martyr. - Oh, that's not what I heard. I heard that you never crumble. - Oh trust me I have my days. (door slamming) - While we're waiting, why don't you tellme about them? - And then when he was fiveand we had gone through one of his surgeries, one of my old dancefriends came by and she proceeded totell me how everyone felt so sorry that I didn'thave a normal child and how it mustbe such a burden. - [McKenzie] Oh my God. - Yeah and then I askedher why she thought I wanted a normal kid because I didn't wantFreddie to be anything other than who he is. And then she pulled me aside and she said,"Don't ever say that again. Makes you sound crazy." - What? - Maybe I am crazy. - No, no. - Every day Freddieteaches me something new. I mean sure the every daychallenges can be annoying but we really are justvery happy how we are. I always say when you hugFreddie it's like hugging God. I mean how does it getany better than that? - It doesn't. (knocking on door) - [Freddie] It's her! Quick, open the door! - Well she's not gonnavanish into thin air. - Gosh, this is crazyawesome that you're here. - [McKenzie] Carefor a surprise? - Does heaven tastelike cotton candy? Mom's made the most awesomecheese raviolis ever! We're gonna have garlic bread and for dessert some apple pie. Look mom,this is called the Nesting Doll and it's like thecoolest thing ever. It's like seeing all thetimes of a person's life and how things staypart of you forever. Max got her firstone from her mom when she was four. And always got a new oneat Christmas and birthdays. And she has likehundreds of them at home. - Hey, I'm not that old. - Okay, it's time for dinnerand early bedtime for you. - Can Max stay? - I don't know. Can Max stay? - I'd love to. - Yeah! (serene music) - Okay little man, time for bed. (machine humming) (machine beeping) - [Narrator] It wasonly then that Max began to fully grasptheir daily challenges. - Wow,you weren't fooling around. The monkeys. - Yeah, he collects themlike you do nesting dolls. - Why monkeys? - Well he used to lovehow Curious George was always busting out anddoing things he shouldn't until that man with that... - Silly yellow hat. I say don't mock me! - That's right. - I love you thebiggest, the mostest, and the foreverest. - Mama, I love you the mostest. (door creaking) (car engine starting) (gentle music) (dramatic music) - Hi. - You had one, didn't you? - No, no. - Mom. - Okay, but I'm fine. Look, more importantly,how are you? 'Cause I know those kidswere back at the lake. - No mom. Max took care of that. - You've been veryquiet all night long. - It's like when I have to goto my place at the hospital and you know I have to be there until it's okay I can, right? - Yeah sweetie. Is that where you've been? - Well McKenziedoes the same thing. She has to go toher place a lot. A lot, a lot, because she hurts crazy awful. And she doesn't have someonehelping her feel safe. ♪ Steel on velvet ♪ Silk on stone ♪ Sun worn leather - I'll be right back. Looks like someone's been busy. - I didn't wanna be rude, but... - Well you were the other night. Left without saying goodbye. - Yeah I wasn't feelingwell, sorry. - Look, I'm not sure I buy that. I'm not sure whatto think actually. Freddie says you were just sad and I will bet on Freddieevery single time. - To monkey man. ♪ You in my arms ♪ Breathless and sure ♪ A barefoot ballet ♪ On a bare hardwood floor ♪ So much it seems - So if Freddie's right, what are you so sad about? - I'm not sad, I'm just tired. - Okay look I'm nottrying to intrude. I just wanted to say thank you. - Thank you? - Yeah,for making my son so happy. I don't think I haveever seen him light up the way he doeswhen you're around. - Well he's freakilyawesome kid. Maddening at times, but... ♪ You in my arms ♪ Breathless and sure ♪ Barefoot ballet ♪ On a bare hardwood floor - Whoo! Hey,I'm a pretty great listener. - I... (crowd applauding) - [Singer] Thank you,I've got something for all you lovers out there. - I should be going. - I'll take you home. - No, no, no I've got a car. (upbeat country music) - What,two for the price of one? How'd I get so lucky? Come on, let's go kick theshit out of some dancing. Ever seen this one dance? Uh oh, you're in for a treat. (upbeat country music) - Hey Rodney,we have to go change the keg. - Oh,all right dance by yourself. (gentle music) - Hey, have you decided yet? Look, you gotta order something. - Okay, you know what, a scotch. Double. - You sure youwanna go that way? All right. ♪ Open up yourheart and feel it ♪ ♪ Love is here today ♪ Even I can find a way ♪ Find a better placefor love to stay ♪ ♪ Open up your eyes and see it ♪ Love is here today - Your mother didn't chooseto cut you out of her life. That was your father's decision. You father was a dear friend. I watched him agonizeover this decision. (serene music) - [Girl] Thanks Mommo, I loveit. - [Mother] Oh my baby bobo. You're getting so big. - [Girl] Not big enough. I can't wait to grow upand become a policeman just like daddy. - You don't want to grow up toofast, sweetie. Once you've done it,there's no going back. (slow jazzy music) - So do you haveto work tomorrow? How are those kids? - Kids are big. - Samantha! Hey, Samantha, Samantha! - Do you alwayscut out on people without any explanation? - No, of course not. - Really McKenzie? I don't know what to think. Something about youis just not right. Something is off. I don't know... - My mother died. - What? - Last night, a year ago. And I just, I lost it. And no,I'm not one to cut out on people so I want to apologize. - Come with me. (slow jazzy music) - My gun was in mypocket the whole time. - I don't know howyou put up with it. - Yeah, I don't know. - [Woman] This isn't what I do. - What you do toforget or in general? - Both. Beckett, it's me. Listen I need you todo something for me. - So tell me about her. - She was, she was theonly person I ever trusted. In everything. You know I used toget teased a lot about being adopted but Icouldn't have been loved more by anyone else. She was... - My dad used tobring me up here. So if I ever needto clear my head, this is where I come. - You've never mentioned him. Does he live here? - He died when I was 23 so I know what it'slike to lose a parent that shaped you. It's still so fresh for you. - Yeah. I am sorry about your dad. - Don't be, he was amazing. But when he passed Isort of bottomed out. I stopped dancing. Ended up with Derek andgot pregnant within months. Something was wrongwith the pregnancy. We just didn't know what. But the moment that he was born everyone pushed for a DNR, so they administeredthe morphine and took him off the vent. And when they puthim on my chest my heart broke intwo million pieces. He was so fragile. If there's a hell on this earth it's trying tohelp your baby die. I just held him and I prayed and I told him itwas okay to go. Whatever he needed. Derek, he left the hospital. Said he couldn't be there. Where are you? And I felt like I wasin a horror movie. It's so surreal just waitingand waiting for him to pass. I need you,I can't do this alone. But he just keptbreathing and living. Derek, the doctors,my friends, everyone they'd already given up on him. What are you saying? It's too hard foryou to watch him die? I spent 135 days in the NICU. We will never evercome back from this. I'm done. 135 days of strong babies dying and weak babies living. And it was all so arbitrary. You know it made me realize motherhood is notan entitlement. It's a sacred privilege. So you damn well betterbring it and don't complain. My God, I'm sorry. We came up here to help you and off I go on this rant. - Are you kidding me? Thank you, thank you for sharingthat with me. (serene music) - You don't haveto be sad anymore because you have us now. We are merged. - Is he okay? What is merged? - He merges the peoplehe loves into his soul. Very few get that honor. - I am honored. Please excuse my ignorance, but when does heneed the wheelchair? - Well when he's completelywell he doesn't need it at all, but when he's really sickwe use it to conserve his energy. - So does he have anycontact with his dad? - None. - Anyone else since? - It's one thing todate a single mom. Quite another when you adda wheelchair to the mix. - How's that? - Well imagine everynight you come home, the first thing we talkabout is Freddie's day. Doctors visits,test results, therapy. Or maybe you finallyfit in that tennis game and I'm blowing up yourphone all day with texts from the ER. Forget anyone else'sneeds getting met because my priority is theFreddie channel 24 seven. Don't I sound likea perfect catch? - I don't play tennis. (dramatic music) - Not that fast. I thought I'd get him home. - Oh sure, sure. - Hey, would you liketo join us for dinner? - Yeah, yeah. I just have to drop by my cabin, but then I'll be there. Say seven? - Yeah. (phone vibrating) - Hey Beckett,were you able to match it? Oh good, yes yes,send it to me right away. (slow music) Oh fuck. - How can I help you? - What is yourbest bottle of red? - You don't wanna know. But I happen to have someof my private reserve for folks withdiscriminating tastes. Be right back. (indistinct chatter) - Of all the gin joints. - Vivienne. It's kind of a shocker huh? - Buck, can I get twoshots of your best scotch? - Oh no, I don't want... - No, no, it's okay Buck, yeah. Pretty remarkablecoincidence if you ask me. - My mother used tobring me here as a kid so coincidence dispelled. - I know who you are McKenzie. - Okay, who am I? - You're a Quantico rock star. Although you're off at presentfor disciplinary action. And I'm sorry about your mother. But I have to askmyself why is it that we are both vacationingin this little town that I've made my second home? So who are you working for? And what is it that you want? - You saw foryourself I'm on leave. And what happened 10 years agois nobody's business, okay? So if you'll excuse me, I'm running late.- I want you to stay away from my family. I still have some swaywith your director and I can make things veryuncomfortable for you. - I'll do whateverthe hell I please. (indistinct chatter) His little hair is sticking up. It's killing me. Jesus, he's burning up. - I was afraid he wascoming down with something. I'm gonna go get some Tylenol. (slow music) - Seriously, fucking ridiculous. - Oh no I've got him. Let's go. Do you need to take him in? - Unfortunately hisimmune system is shot. Every time he goesin the hospital he catches something even worse. And I've had plenty ofpractice breaking these fevers. Look I'm sure youhave other things you need to get to. - Not a chance. - Mom, mom! Where's... what are you doing? - Get over here quickand shut the door. - FBI? - Forget that. How do they know each other and what the fuckis she doing here? - They probably just knoweach other through work. Mom was on theintelligence committee. Couldn't they havejust met there? - Gabrielle, look at this photo. And try not to be afucking Disney princess. What do you see? It's like she justcan't help herself. Wonder what elseshe hasn't told us? (machine beeping) - These are the nightsthat I'm haunted. I can't stand to thinkof him suffering and... - Hey hey, he wants to be here. He's made that very clear. What can I do, what do you need? - Get me out of my head. Tell me more about your mother, the way that you do Freddie. - Okay, we would go onthese star ventures. - Star ventures? - Yeah. We would get up in themorning with the stars and I'd get in the car and then go on an adventure. No rules, no shoulds, and we would have the besttime you could ever imagine. When I was like six or seven she started this tradition where we would goaround the table and mama would askwhat was the best thing that happened to you today. And the worst. Or if this was yourlast day on earth what would you do. And she would wrap it up with, what did you learnabout yourself today. - So, what did you learnabout yourself today? - That my greatest mom on earth may have to share her title. - I think his fever'sfinally breaking. - You belong to us. - I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Love you, monkey man. - [Girl] Wait aminute, what's this? - You know what, maybe we foundenough dirt on her for one day. Do we really wanna... - Don't buckle now. Open it. (mysterious music) - How do you do it? Keeping him well,the constant stress. - Dancing. Wait, isn't that thedefinition of irony? How absolute freedomof movement saves me from the way that he'strapped inside his body. If I didn't havedance, I don't... You could... The couch is comfortable,it's so late. - Oh no, I'm fine thank you. And thank you forsharing your son with me. - Yeah. - Hey, are you okay? - I don't know why I'm crying. - No, it's been a hellof a stressful day. - No, it's not that. It's just, well no onehas ever been like you are with Freddie, and... (slow piano music) - It's okay. - Oh my God, I don't know why, I just was... (dramatic music) (upbeat dramatic music) (slow piano music) - Oh my God. It goes so long. I thought forget thepassion ever existed. (sneaky music) - Did you and momhave a sleepover? - Uh hi.- Hi! We did,like you and Kyle do sometimes. How about some orange juice and I'll make myspecial pancakes? - Can we haveanother one tonight and we can all watch a movie? - You know what,I would love that but right now I've gotta run. - Bye. - Oh bye. So what's the deal with Rodney? - Are you jealous? He's my uncle, my dad's brother. That's how we ended up here. - Are you kidding me? Oh my! Okay, okay. - Better? - Yeah, yeah. Hey,I need to tell you something. - Yeah? Oh my God, we're gonna be late. I'm sorry, I interrupted you. - You know what,never mind, it can wait. - You sure? - Yeah. - Have you ever triedthese little pig navels? (giggling) They're really good. - [Freddie] I wanna try one. (indistinct chatter) - Hi everyone, sorry we're late. - [Colin] Betterlate than never. Never late's better. - Max, these are the Pinchot's. - Yeah, we've all met. - Apparently? - Yeah, we're all practicallyfamily now. - Oh that's right. Your cabins are only afew down from Colin's. - Yeah, maybe you should go. This looks like a family thing. - Max, Max. - Max! - Don't be shy now. - [Colin] Max, come have a seat. - I need you here with me. (indistinct chatter) - I'd like to make a toast. - Oh yes. - To my beautiful daughter. My loving, lovable,tightly wound, complex daughter. You're not as youngas you used to be. But you're not as oldas you're gonna be. Happy birthday, we love you! - Happy birthday. - Thanks dad. - Happy birthday. - [Rodney] That was terrible. - Oh thanks. - So,how do you all know each other? - Max goes fishing with us and she's pretty good atchess, too. And she tells crazyawesome stories. (laughing) - That is fascinating. You just make friendsall over the place. - Max is more than just afriend, Miss Vivienne. Max and mom are likeRodney and Cass. You know,friends with benedicts. - Okay. - I beg your pardon? - That's not exact. - Make me feel pretty. - Well, cat's out of the bag. - [Rodney] Wellwho can blame me. - Here's to the young couple. - [Cass] I'm getting in on that. (laughing) - And when Maxstays over tonight we're all gonna watch amovie, right mom? - Yes. - Well happy frickingbirthday mom. - I am not gonnalet this happen. I suggest that youleave, Agent DeRitter. - Agent what? - What are you talking about? - Your friend here, she's FBI. She's been here spying on me because of theupcoming hearings. I've read her file,she's dangerous. That's what she's doing. - That's not, that's not... - Vivienne, calm down. - I'm not gonna calm down. She's been suspended. She uses people. - Sam? - Mom? - She's always on the make. You have to leave now! - Mom!- Vivienne! Calm down now. - Mom, it's starting. - I'm right here withyou, you're safe. Get me my bag. I'm right here baby. - Freddie? - Okay. Okay, okay, breathein, breathe in. - It's okay baby. - Max. - Hey monkey man. - Max. - Hey monkey man. - I need to get him home. - Okay yeah,let's get him out of here. Let's get him out of here. - Leave him alone. - I'm going toget going as well. - You couldn't justleave, could you? I told you! - Hey, hey, hey, please just call me andlet me know how he is. - Move! - Sam! - I knew this was gonna happen. She just couldn't listen. - Who are you? And all this time Iwas protecting you thinking Sasha wastoo hard on you. - I don't have time forwhatever Sasha has fed you. - The truth, the truth, mom! - Before we becomejudge and jury maybe you ought to listento some facts here. - Or more tedious excuses. - Okay, both of you, enough, sit down. Go on Viv,I'll take care of this. Go on. (dramatic music) - Your mother didn't chooseto cut you out of her life. That was your father's decision. He gave your motherchance after chance but she just couldn'tpull it together. And then when you were two, she passed out whileyou were in her care. She quite literally lost you. (child crying) And then a neighbor spotted you wandering down a busy street. That was the last yourmother ever saw of you. - [Woman] So why are youtelling me all this now? - 'Cause of this counselto your father's will. I was directed to sharethis information with you when you turned 25 orwhen you got pregnant. He wanted you tomeet your mother. (knocking on door) (dramatic music) (screaming) - I don't understand. So does that makeher our sister? - Half sister. And Freddie's our nephew. - Forgive me for staring. I'm just trying to take you in. - That makes two of us. - Samantha, it's McKenzie. Can you just call me? It's me again, I'm sorry. Can you please just call me. I'm going crazy. - Your mother tried todo everything she could to mend fences duringSamantha's pregnancy. They even began to forge areally nice relationship. - What happened? - Well things blew apartwhen Freddie was born. - I need you,I can't do this alone. - I want to honey. I'm just not stronglike you are. - We will never,ever come back from this. I'm done. - Take me to the nearest bar. - Well she didn't hear fromSamantha for seven years. As Freddie grew older he beganto ask if he had any family. - Is that why wefeel so close to him? - Maybe. Or maybe you just can'thelp but feel close to him. - Why mom,why didn't you tell us? - This really was up toSamantha to share with you. After all she didn't haveto make contact with me. - Whatever. - Sasha, I know that youwanna be angry with me to cover up your hurt. And yes, I have made sucha mess of so many things. I am trying, I really am. And I can't even askyou to meet me halfway because I know that I haveto earn your trust back again over time, but right now I need togo and make sure that Freddie and Samantha are okay. - Samantha, please just letme know that Freddie's okay. I know you're upset,but I can explain. And there's somethingI need to tell you. But I can't do thisover the phone. (alarm beeping) - Can you watch him? - What? - I need to run to thepharmacy to pick up his seizure medication. - Oh sure. - Okay, I'll be right back. - Miss Vivienne? - Yes honey? - You and I havea lot in common. - How's that honey? - We only get one day at a time. So we've gotta makeeach one count. (knocking on door) - Your mother must haveforgotten her keys. I'll be right back, okay? What are you doing here? I thought I mademyself perfectly clear. - What are you doing here? - I am here to help my daughter and so help me God,you stay away from her. - What? What are you talking about? - My daughter, Samantha. I have just gottenher back into my life and the last thing Iam gonna let you do is hurt her. - No, no, no way. - I am just building arelationship with her and it would be destroyedif she finds out. - She has to know, Vivienne. I'm not gonna lie to her now. - What the hellis going on here? - It's nothing. We knew each otherfrom years ago. - No, someone is gonnatell me what's going on. - It shouldn't have happened. - McKenzie? - [Vivienne] I was drunk honey. - No, that's enough mom! McKenzie? - We were lovers. (dramatic music) - I want you both out. - Sam.- Now. I said now! - Sam, I am so sorry, but I can't take this back. It was 10 years ago. - Why her of all people? Why didn't you say something? - It only lasted a week and how could I knowthat she was your mother? I was in D.C.for the Fallen Heroes Memorial and we were both wastedand in so much pain. - Spare me, spare me. I know pain,that's what this life is. It's filled with pain. It doesn't play fair. It kicks you in the gut but you don't have theluxury of self pity or to go out and get wasted because you have a sickchild to take care of. And every minute has to count because it can all goaway in a heartbeat. - Hey, look at me. Look at me, please. You don't have to be arock every single day and you don't haveto do this alone. Okay, you don't. I don't know who I'm more inlove with, you or your son. But I swear to you. - What? Swear to me what? - That I'm in this! I'm in. A thousand percent. - Today, maybe tomorrow. You have no idea what it's like to play with an expiration date. Watching,watching the days go by and the more days youget, all expired. And you will simplyexpire along with it. (crying) Stop now! We can't afford the time to see if you'retelling the truth. Especially withyour track record. So leave. Please leave. (slow piano music) - [Narrator] It was a year later when McKenzie got the call. - [McKenzie] Vivienne? - Thanks foragreeing to meet me. I guess things didn'tturn out the way either one of us wanted. - So why am I here? - Because I neededto see your face when I tell you howdeeply sorry I am for all the trouble I caused. I just got my year's chip. Hopefully thistime it will take. - Good for you. - I moved us all permanentlyup to Lake Mervielle. So that we could be nearSamantha and Freddie. That little boy. If we all had one tenththe courage he has. - Sounds like onebig happy family. - They need you McKenzie. - [Freddie] Dear Max, gosh I've missedyou crazy awful. So does mom. She may not say it out loud but like I told you, I can feel things. I know things got a littlemessed up last fall. And everyone made mistakes. But I kind of think mistakesare like birthday candles. The more you have to blow out just means thewiser you've become. (laughing) Kind of like my mom's favoriteword, Kintsukuroi. We all got a littlebroken last year. But from the broken wecan become beautiful. (laughing) (indistinct chatter) - My mom says she'ssorry she can't be here, but have a great trip. - And you can't go withoutsome full moon pie. - Hey, send postcards. - Oh yes and textfrom everywhere. (cheering) (dramatic music) - Max! - You ready for yourfirst star venture? - Does a pole beat jilly bar? - I don't know. - Star venture numero uno! (cheering) - [Narrator] 12incredible years passed. And I watched their love growstronger and more intimate each day. Not that there weren'tchallenging times but they weathered themwith grace and dignity. In between the illnesseswe all made sure we lived each day likeit might be our last. Max now fully understood thatmaking the simplest things become special,was the secret to being inside of life. Not just a bystander. - I love you monkey man. - [Narrator] I loved herwith everything in me. We had a plan to convincemom to have another child. Because I knew shewould want that. Because I know things. If you could tellme that I could stay a nesting doll forever, bundled in my shell ofhandmade fairytale flesh, I might consider staying. But I have grown very tired. I am full of peace. And it's their time now. (slow theme music) (upbeat drumming music)