Original subtitles

♪ I remember that long long night ♪

♪ I didn't know where to go ♪

♪ But then you took me by the hand ♪

♪ I didn't really understand ♪

♪ Oh, sweetheart, I love you ♪

♪ Oh, darling, yes, I do ♪

♪ Sweetheart, I love you ♪

♪ Oh, darling, yes, I do ♪

♪ I believe in you babe, in you ♪

♪ Just in you ♪

♪ I believe in you, babe ♪

♪ In you... ♪

- Are you taking a picture? - Yeah! Wai-- wait, uh, stay that way.

- Stay cold? - No! No, no. Just, like,

look where you were just looking a second ago.

You can't be serious, I'm too cold.

Okay. It's all right, I think I got it.

Sorry for the wait.

He should be here any second.

- Happy, boo? - Happy, boo.

Is that a notification that you just tagged me in a picture?

- Yep. - Ben! Did you post that?

Yeah, it's a great shot. And, and you in Oregon,

that is an event.

Woo-hoo! [laughing] Hey-hey!

- Welcome home, city slicker. Oh! - Hey! All right.

Hey, Leonard, thank you for coming all the way out here, man.

Absolutely! Anytime, anyplace!

You need a ride, I'm your guy. Hop in. The van is warm.

Oh, great!

♪ Little brother grew up and he moved away ♪

♪ Little brother grew up and he moved away ♪

♪ Little brother grew up ♪

♪ And he moved away... ♪

It's not just, like, I had divorced parents, you know.

But it's that I never get to settle.

You know, my stepmom spends the entire day

before Christmas baking, and she just loves it.

And I don't get to do anything like that 'cause I'm just being shuffled around

between my mom's side and my dad's side.

- And-- - Well, now you get to settle.

- What have you told them about me? - I told them everything.

- They already love you. - Oh!

Welcome, welcome to Vlogmas Day...

Twenty-two, you guys!

I am your host, Liz Russell. What did I do this season?

I ice skated with my very best friends in the whole wide world.

I had, like, a little mistletoe moment at Capital Navidad,

with you-know-who.

I don't know about you guys, but this time of year,

I'm always getting, like, Christmas carols stuck in my head.

This is my mama, Mia. She's still finishing up the semester

with-- how many more papers do you have left to grade?

Two. Can you please take that somewhere else?

Two more papers left to grade!

Rock star status right here, you guys.

Love this girl. She's so hard-working.

And this is my father, Kirby.

Ooh! When have I ever been called "father"? Father.

Be funny, Dad. Just go with it.

"It is here that the thespian aliens

regarded this earth with envious eyes

and made their plans, called... [whispering] Rosebud?"

I don't know what that is.

I thought you were studying film.

Media, Dad. Film was last semester,

and I've told you that three times.

- Oh! - And psychology as well.

My big brother, Ben, is currently en route with his new girlfriend,

Cassie, who is going to be spending

all of Christmas break with us.

Finally! I am not gonna be the only girl in this house.

Liz, you need to finish the decorations you started.

The living room's a mess.

All right.

- Welcome. - Ben!

Hey! Hey, we made it.

- Oh! - Hey!

Oh, Mom, Dad, this is Cassie.

- Oh! Hi, sweetheart. Hi. - Hi!

- So very nice to meet you. - Oh!

- The famous Cassie. - Hi, Mr. Russell.

Oh, please, Kirby.

- Mr. Russell's for the cops. - Cassie!

- Hi, Dad. - Hi!

Have you two met?

Uh, no, not in person. But--

But I love your Intro to Psych videos.

- Yeah? - Yeah.

I'm gonna do more after Vlogmas.

It's just-- it's been so crazy.

Liz, I need you to finish the living room.

I've asked you twice now.

- Mom, they just got here. - Exactly.

Okay! Well, um, where do you want us to put our stuff?

Oh, yes! Okay, you're both staying upstairs.

It's a little cluttered, so don't mind that. And, um,

well, we don't really have, like, a dating sleepover policy in place,

but it is a full house, so just... be good.

All right, let's, uh, get upstairs.

All right.

- Welcome. - It's cute.

Well,

- that was-- - Oh, uh, yeah, they're--

they're clueless. You were great. As usual.

All right, let's, uh--

Can I just be horizontal for, like, five minutes?

Yeah. Uh, did you sleep on the plane?

Could just be the altitude?

Okay. Well, you do you. Don't be long.

Could one of those firms take you on as an intern?

An unpaid intern? I can't do that.

It's such a catch-22. It-- In order to be an architect,

- you've to already have a job as one, and-- - You know what?

Something will come up, it always does when you want it.

- Kirb! Can you-- - Wait for the guitar solo?

- Did you start the pasta? - Liz was doing that.

- Liz! - Busy!

Sorry, honey, hold on to that. Well, actually,

will you grate the cheese? Liz!

That pasta is calling your name!

"Hi, pasta here! Paging Liz!"

- ...homework to do! - Okay, you're gonna have to finish it after.

What about that parachute book I sent you? Did you read that?

Yes. It was written so long ago, it wasn't helpful.

- Do we have bourbon for the stake? - Liquor cabinet.

What about the school? Can the school get you leads?

- Yeah, I tried, but it's different post-grad. - Oh, shoot, basil.

Oh, honey, hold that thought!

- Nice piece, huh? - Yeah.

So, where are we?

- Here. Yeah. - Hmm.

People always forget about the east side.

These are all the railways circa 1904.

Wow! So you can take a train here.

I wish. The passenger routes ended about 1982.

- You're from Chicago, right? - Mm-hmm!

Have you taken the Southwest Chief to, uh, LA yet?

No, I haven't actually.

- Never? Oh! - No.

That's one of the best trips in the world. You must.

- All right. - Kirby!

Duty calls. Coming!

You give that guy one inch and he'll talk to you all day about railways.

Oh, no, I-- I love seeing how people decorate their homes.

So, are you ready to learn about Ben's deepest, darkest secrets?

- What? - Secrets?

Oh, so, when I first met Evan's brothers,

- they had so much dirt on him. - Who's Evan?

My boyfriend, Ben.

Did you not watch my--

Whatever. He is perfect. Mm.

So, what are Ben's secrets?

- Okay, hey, come on. - Oh, so he's obsessed

- with architecture. - Okay, yes, I'm aware of that.

Okay, but that's not even the half of it. One year,

for his yearbook picture...

- ...he dressed up as Frank Lloyd Wright! - Jeez.

- What? You did? Oh! - Yeah, well, I had the,

- the blueprints, the patterns, and the necktie. It was-- - Oh, stop!

- You need to show me this picture. Yes. - No, wait. Hold on.

Stop acting so embarrassed. It's kind of a humble brag.

He loves it. Liz, did you set the table?

That is Gordon's job!

We don't have time for that.

Okay, I can help.

She's nice.

- I'm sure Evan is nice to meet too. - He is!

- Why? Are they just not...? - Well, time's changed, things change.

- Okay, do you have all we need? - Oh, here.

Oh, Mom, this looks so good!

- Nobody's saying grace or anything. - All right.

- We're good? - Smells good.

Hey. You Cassie?

- Hi, yes! Um, you must be Gordon. - Yeah. Pleasure.

- What's up, buds? - Hey.

Okay. Welcome, everyone.

Thank you for making the trip home.

And a special welcome to Cassie.

- Oh, thank you! - To Cassie. Welcome.

- Yay! Yay! - Thank you, guys.

I'm just so happy to be here.

And how long are you here for?

- Um, seven nights. So, until the 29th, Friday. - Mm-hmm.

- And the wedding is Thursday? - Mm!

- I love weddings. - Have you ever been to a wedding?

No, but that Mormon couple that I went to high school with,

they just got married. They posted so many pictures. Mom, they are so precious.

- People post so many engagement photos. - On Facebook?

- Who uses Facebook anymore? - I do.

- I use it for the marketplace. - Instagram now.

Liz, do you think you'll hang out with any of your friends

- while you're home? - No! I mean, I'll probably

run into somebody in town or something. It's always the wrong person.

Never happens to me.

Shocker. I wonder why.

- So, how did you two meet? - Mm!

- He told us. - I know, Kirby, but I wanna hear it from Cassie.

Okay, sure. Um, we were both in grad school,

and we had no classes together,

but, um, you know, two months later, we were...

- ...at this place in LA and, um-- Yes. - The Long Haul.

Um, which is this bar in K-Town,

it has, you know, dancing and an outdoor seating area and just, you know,

- space-- - And y-- you never see anyone you know in LA. So, it was,

- like, immediately exciting. - Mm!

- And Cassie, are you also-- - So then, did he, like,

- ask you out after that or like-- - Yeah. So,

we talked a lot and then, uh, exchanged numbers--

And we went out for drinks that week and, uh...

- Yeah, it was, it was really great. - Yeah.

It was really refreshing to, um...

...you know, meet someone that way.

- What way? - Not on an app.

Oh. Did you guys read that article about dating apps?

- Uh, no. What article was that? - Oh, wait, no, it was a TikTok.

But they say that, like, dating apps,

even though they, like, expand your pool of potential partners--

- I'm still wondering. And, Cassie-- - Um. Excuse me.

I would like to finish my story.

You've been interrupting me all day.

Well, if I don't interrupt, I don't get to say anything.

Anyway, uh... [laughs] I was just wondering, uh, Cassie,

are you also, uh, a-- an architect?

Oh! No. Uh, actually, I tried. It just wasn't for me.

So, um-- now I'm actually in real estate.

- Mm! - And she's really good at it.

Well, I-- I'm still learning.

That's a great industry. It's very competitive.

- Yes. - Okay. That's all. I just wanted to clarify.

Liz.

Oh, no. No, whatever. Whatever I was talking about, anyway.

Ooh, Kirby! You have outdone yourself with this steak.

- It is delicious. - Thank you. I'll be your sous-chef anytime.

Ugh. [softly] That's gross.

Cassie, did you get enough to eat?

Yes. Um. Yes.

Sorry. Yeah. No, I just don't eat meat. So this is--

You don't eat meat?

Did we know this?

- Ben? I don't-- - Um, yeah, right.

Sorry, I, I meant to tell you guys, but I...

...I realized on the way here they didn't tell you,

and by the time I remembered to tell you, we were already on the way,

and I didn't wanna throw off dinner plans,

- but it's, it's fine, we'll shop tomorrow. - Yeah.

Wait, wait. "We"?

Uh, yeah. I am now also a vegetarian.

- Does that mean no eggs or-- - No. We, we can have dairy.

- Eggs aren't dairy. - You know what? I--

I could fix something else for you, honey.

No, no, really. I promise,

I am so used to making do.

- So-- - Oh, I don't want you to just make do.

- I mean, Ben-- - Mom, it's, it's fine.

- Really, please. - Yeah.

Please. I'm so good.

I have plenty to eat and I am just so happy

- to be having home-cooked meal. - Yeah. Mm.

Why did you become a vegetarian?

- Dude. - What? I'm curious.

Well, you know--

No, I know why you are.

Talking to Cassie.

Yeah. Um... well, a lot of reasons,

but mainly just the environmental impact.

- Oh, really? - Mm-hmm.

I mean, you're not in LA anymore. This is big ag country.

Your food transportation distance is nothing

that could offset the fuel emissions you're trying to save, right?

Oh. Uh, yeah.

Do you get this from somewhere local?

Mia?

Um, Safeway.

Do you like the fake meat?

- I do. - You know who owns the majority shares

of those companies now, right?

Are you aware?

Tyson, JBS, Cargill.

- I thought you'd know that. - Um, sure. But, you know, they'll follow the money

wherever the demand is, so--

Sure. But what's the big difference if it's still feeding

the same big polluting industry? I mean,

that's a classic illusion of choice.

It's-- kind of sounds like consumer activism, honestly.

Um, right. Well, it's just-- it's not the same product, you know?

Um. You know, it takes, like, 600 gallons of water to make a single hamburger.

- Oh, 600 gallons! - I've heard about that. It's a lot.

Did you fly here today?

- Yeah. - Into Portland?

- Uh, Pendleton. - So that's two flights.

Tell me, actually, everybody, riddle me this.

Wha-- what has a bigger carbon footprint?

- Two flights or a hamburger? - All right. Okay.

- Hold up there. - Whoa! No, no, no, no.

I'm just a little confused on her position,

so I'm trying to ask a question to clarify.

Yeah. No, I don't disagree.

I think we should all fly a little less.

Or not at all.

- Well, I don't fly every day. - Yeah, but you drive every day.

Everybody drives every day, Gordo.

Not anymore. People work remotely.

Sorry, Gordon. What is it that, um, you do?

Tech support.

There's a JavaScript site that I run beta tests for.

Mm. Hey, Ben, could that work for you? Tech support?

What? No. No, Mom, that is completely away from anything that I'm trying to do.

- And I need something consistent. - What, you can't keep up

- with those taxes in Cali? - Gordon--

Nobody calls it Cali, okay? Only tourists call it Cali.

Whatever, I don't care. - I call it Cali.

Yeah.

Is that true?

Do people really call it LA?

- Yeah. - Yeah, Dad.

- Was that a real question? - Oh, my God.

- I-- I don't think... - Kirby. He was joking.

Hear that?

Train horn.

- It's how I know I'm home. - Sound like your dad.

You know,

I think they like you.

Why didn't you tell them that I'm--

That we are vegetarians?

Look, honestly, I'm...

I'm, I'm really sorry, okay? I know it's--

I was, I was jus-- I was so focused on getting us here

that I, I didn't even think about it, didn't cross my mind.

But you were like, "I've told them everything about you."

That just kind of feels like a major oversight.

I know. I know, but...

...it's okay. We'll grocery shop tomorrow, okay?

Are you serious?

I was just subjected to a full-on environmental debate!

Yeah, that's, that's, that's just his thing. He's a know-it-all.

I've never met your family before.

What was I supposed to do?

Uh, just don't give him any attention.

- Oh. - I mean, he's-- No, hey. He's, he's 30.

He lives at home. And honestly, whenever he goes off like that,

- I just, I just ignore him. - Okay, well, I can't give the silent treatment

to your brother who I just met!

That whole dinner became the Gordo Show, and Ben, you said nothing!

I know. I know, I'm sorry. It--

Hey, you said it yourself, family is weird, okay?

But...

I don't know, tomorrow's a new day.

Yeah.

Hey, it won't happen again.

Okay? I promise.

Okay.

Happy, boo?

Happy, boo.

I, uh, I got you something.

- Really? What is it? - It's, um...

...it's a little housewarming gift.

- What? We're not moving. - No-- [chuckles] I know, you, you'll see what I mean.

Well, shouldn't you just wait until Christmas

- and then you can-- - No, no, it's for tonight.

Mm, okay. Um...

Can I have a hint?

Yeah. You know...

...all of a sudden,

man, I'm getting really warm.

You could help me out of this.

Santa came a little early this year.

- Oh. - I, I thought you liked the briefs.

Yeah, I-- I, uh, I do. Um...

...have you been wearing those all day?

Mm-hmm. Surprise.

Can we...?

- Sure? We just got here. - Yes.

- I'm glad you're here. - Yeah, me too.

- I like the white underwear. - I look boring.

Not all of you.

Is there something I can do?

No.

I-- I thought I would lighten the mood.

It just feels like clockwork.

Like, "Oh! Now, we're alone.

Time to have the sex I planned, you know,

I guess a day in advance by wearing...

...some underwear all day"? I don't know how to say no to that.

- I just feel like a frump. - We j-- we just haven't had

that much alone time together in a while.

I'm with you in Oregon!

No, I mean, like, one-on-one time, without plans,

- after work. - After my work.

Come on, you know how hard I'm looking.

All day long...

...I talk to people.

It takes all of my energy.

And at the end of the day,

I'm just exhausted

and I'm in recharge mode

and I wanna relax and have space.

And we used to be really good about that.

Yeah, but we also used to see each other more.

That was in the early stages of our relationship.

I liked those early stages.

Look, I know it might feel a little... skewed

because I'm not working, but...

...hey, it's not gonna be like this forever.

All right? And I thought having the stupid master's degree

was gonna help, but...

...it did get between me and you.

I'm sorry.

We need to talk.

Wait, no. No, no, no.

I, I, I said I was sorry about dinner.

It's not about that anymore.

Okay, but we, we-- we just got here.

That's what I said.

About the sex, but you just couldn't wait.

And now--

I can't wait. I don't wanna wait.

This isn't working.

Not anymore.

And I've known that for a while.

And I've realized that in order...

...to have the independence that I need,

it means sacrificing my relationship,

which feels awful.

And I feel guilty for wanting nights to myself.

And... we are always rushing into the next plan.

Yeah, because if I don't make plans, then we don't see each other.

Yeah, I know.

And maybe it's because I don't feel the way you do.

And I've tried.

I've been trying.

Me being here is-- is, is me trying.

Sorry. Yeah, I just-- I know how I feel.

C-- what about-- what about

all this Christmas stuff? Like, we have--

I think I should just go be with my family.

You...

You always complain about how stressful your Christmases are.

- That's, that's-- - Do you have a better plan?

Can we-- can we just talk about this?

This is us talking about it.

Morning, early bird. Sorry.

I didn't mean to scare you, I'm usually the only one up this early.

- Coffee? - Oh, yes, please.

How'd you sleep? Those beds okay? They're a little old.

Oh, yes, yeah. Um...

Yeah, the beds were fine.

Uh...

Have you talked to Ben at all this morning?

- Sweetheart? - Like, did he--

he text you last night or something?

'Cause sometimes, I-- I'll do that, you know, when I,

um, want my mom to see something the next day.

Sorry. It's weird. Um...

It's okay. Uh, can I trouble you for your Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi? Oh, my gosh, I'm so bad at that,

I usually need Gordon. Um, you know what?

Is it just a question I can answer?

N-- uh, well, no. Um...

I'll just be right back.

Ben.

Ben.

Okay. Get up, please.

- Hey. - No, seriously.

Oh, what's up?

Really?

Oh.

I'm sorry. I-- I've forgotten in my sleep.

I'm so tired.

It's 7:37.

Your, your mom's in the kitchen right now, and she has no idea.

And I-- I don't know what to do 'cause I don't have service,

- I can't look at flights, I-- - Did, did you tell her?

No, I didn't tell her! These are your parents!

Okay. Can I just ask one more time? Can we--

Can we just try to talk about this, to work this out?

Maybe. But not during Christmas.

Okay.

- Okay. Please. Sorry, but-- - Yeah. Yeah.

I need some coffee first.

Uh, Mom, Dad, do you guys mind if I borrow the car?

Oh! Uh, seems okay. Mia?

When's the last time you drove in the snow?

It has snow tires. I'll be fine.

Where are you going?

Um... uh, actually,

can I check something on your computer real quick?

Uh, actually, can you tell us what's up first?

Yeah. Um...

...well, so, um,

this is gonna sound crazy, but it turns out

that Cassie needs to go home for Christmas,

so... I'm gonna take her to the airport.

- Today? - You just arrived!

I know. I'm, uh, so sorry.

Um, I've been so excited to come,

and I-- I wasn't planning for this, but just...

...something came up, so, uh, this is just what I have to do now.

- Can't you stay for, like, o-- one more day? - I know, I'm sorry, Liz,

- I'll explain all of this later, really-- - Okay, here we go.

We get two flights, 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to Portland, as expected.

- Too late for 9:00 a.m. - Well, yeah. We'll get the 12:00 p.m., no problem.

- What time does that land? - Oh, God!

- There's no buy button. - It's the airport website.

Yeah, this is where I got it before. I see the flight number

- and everything, but there's no purchase button. - Oh! You know what?

- It might be full, it's just a puddle jumper. - Try standby.

- You have to call for that. - Uh, you know what?

- Try for tomorrow too. - Tomorrow?

- It's hard to book last minute, honey. - Okay.

You know what? I'm calling them.

But wait! Uh, it says here that there is a direct flight

- from Pendleton to O'Hare. - What?

- What airline? - Yeah. Um, Jetset.

I'm not familiar, but it's... $13,000?

- Ooh! - It's a private plane company.

Why would they have that listed here?

Might be your only option.

God, I wonder if they have a payment plan.

I'm kidding.

- What is so urgent? - Hello? Hi. Um, I'm,

I'm calling about availability for the 12:00 p.m. flight to Portland.

Yeah, today. Y-- yes. It, it wouldn't let me purchase online,

- so I was hoping... - I saw semi-trucks in front of me starting

- to jackknife and hit each other. - Kevin brings

all the story of the crash about 20 miles east of Pendleton.

- He got off into the median and thought he'd be safe. - I just thought

the semi-trucks were still fine. There was no way they would be able to stop.

Kevin says the semi crashed into the car behind him...

- Wait-- wait Ben! - ...pushing it into his car, then into another car.

If you're just tuning in, we do have a traffic alert for you.

I-84 is closed in Oregon from La Grande to Pendleton

because of multiple crashes.

As many as 98 cars and trucks crashed in this area.

Both westbound and eastbound lanes are closed

between exit 265 and 216.

Very common this time of year, when we see this kind of weather.

Because of the crashes, the Oregon Department of Transportation says

they expect an extended closure

through the evening for the westbound freeway,

so heads up if you're heading to Oregon.

We'll keep you updated on air and online

as we get more information.

Okay. Yeah, yes.

Yeah, we'll book that online. Thank you.

Ye-- yes, yes. We're safe.

Uh-- Happy holidays to you too.

Okay. Bye-bye.

So, the next available flight from Pendleton is

on December 27th, at 12:50 p.m.

Okay. Uh...

- Listen, Cassie-- - Can you let me process this for ten seconds?

- Hey, look, look, look, let's, let's figure this-- - Don't act so excited

- that I'm stuck here. - I'm not! I'm not, okay. But, but look,

- we, we can-- we can talk this out. - Oh, my God! I don't--

- Don't-- - We have so much time! I, I know!

I know, and it's, it's just--

Oh! Did you guys break up?

N-- no.

Ben!

It's--

All right. Yeah, we-- we...

...we broke up last night.

No, guys, come on, don't break up. You could fix it.

I'm sorry, guys, I-- really, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean for any of this to happen.

Um, but I need to leave.

Uh, he can explain. Do not follow me.

I, I just-- I can't... do anything right.

This would have never happened with Evan.

How long have you been dating this person?

Three months. But we met in Comm 102.

So before we even started, we laid out our expectations

and our boundaries.

We're both very assertive,

so it feels like we've been dating longer.

Hey, um... uh, can I borrow your room for a phone call?

Oh. Oh! I think I got it!

Sure.

Oh, shoot!

Hey, Sara. Yeah, it's-- it's Ben.

Yeah. Yeah. Cassie's Ben.

- Hi. - Um, y-- yeah. Uh, how are you?

Ar-- are you, um, are you, you home for the holidays?

Yeah, I got into Chicago yesterday,

and I'm at our dad's house until Christmas Eve.

Cool. Yeah.

- Um, hey, so-- - What's up?

Yeah. L-- listen, I, I, I really need to talk to you.

I kind of, kind of need your advice.

Next thing you know, we're having a full-fledged conversation

about the future, and then, out of nowhere, she's just, like...

..."I'm done." But I feel like there's a way that we can--

that we can get through this. So...

...how would you console her?

Um, this isn't really the best time for me.

- Oh-- - Do you mind if I call you later?

- Yeah, yeah. - After I've, um--

Yeah, yeah, that's fine. Um--

- Yeah. Okay. - Yeah. Just, just call me back.

Ben!

Ben!

You called Sara?

I, uh-- okay, I, I was just trying to get help.

You have your entire family downstairs.

- I have no one. I let you-- - Okay, but she knows you. Sh--

Ben, this is just unfair. I let you handle this with your family.

Th-- they don't know anything, okay?

Cassie, I'm trying to be there for you as best as I can, okay?

Cassie. Can you just--

Kirb.

Go.

What you doing there?

Shoveling the driveway.

Ah, don't kid yourself. Get a coat.

- I'm wearing a coat. - A real coat. We're going for a walk.

- Dad-- - I wanna show you something.

Trust me.

- All right. - All right.

Good job.

Dad, what are we doing here?

Wait.

That's the 110 inbound.

- Cool. I've seen it before. Can we-- - Oh, oh, oh!

- It's cold. - Wait, wait, wait, wait.

What did-- she was saying? What did she do?

What did she do?

Tell me what happened.

She got mad about dinner.

I tried to apologize, but I made it worse.

So then we fought about the future.

She feels stressed.

I keep trying to do nice things, but I keep making it worse.

She was the most stable thing I've ever had!

It's taken me so long! I can't find a job!

My degree is useless!

Get it all out!

Feel better?

No.

Now what?

I don't wanna lose her.

You trying to hold on to that girl

is like you trying to stop that train.

The only possible outcome is to get your hand chopped off.

It's a terrible analogy.

Okay. Try this.

When you're in a hole, stop digging.

Stop bugging her, calling her sister, stop!

Whatever you're doing, stop!

You can't help it if you're still thinking about it.

But you can stop doing things.

I got it, gu--

What the heck?

Welcome to Vlogmas Day... 23.

As always, I'm your host, Liz Russell.

Today I learned something.

Did you know the most common day to break up with someone

in the year is December 11th?

I guess two weeks before Christmas

is just enough time to cut your losses.

But if you've made it this far, don't worry,

you're probably safe through breakup season.

And don't worry, Evan, we're perfect.

You're perfect. I'm gonna FaceTime you later.

But not everyone is so lucky.

You know, I'm kind of pissed at my brother right now.

He brought Cassie all the way here.

They break up, right? Day one.

And now she's stuck with us throughout all of Christmas break.

So much for a cute and fun season finale.

My DMs are open for survival tips.

There you are.

Did it help?

Mm, maybe.

Eventually.

- I'm getting punished for this? - Oh, dude, do you think I wanna be here?

- Sleep on the couch. - No! Dude, I'm gonna wake up at dawn when my mom wakes up.

It's five days. Suck it up.

Come on, man,

this used to be our room, remember?

Yeah. You went to college.

You weren't supposed to come back.

- It was, like, five years ago. - It was seven years.

I'm glad you're keeping score.

I'm sorry that my life isn't as perfect as yours, buds.

Okay. [sighs] What if I... help you clean up?

Fine.

Hey. Here.

Thanks.

Do you guys remember that book, There's Something in My Attic?

I used to read it to you guys, Liz thought it was too scary.

Anyways, that's what this feels like.

There's also that movie, Aliens in the Attic.

Gordon, can you just stop being a dick for, like, two seconds?

- Hey-- - Stop being a little baby.

You wanna know how our argument started?

It started with me having to apologize for dinner.

Okay, yeah. I'm not gonna feel bad

because you think I'm the reason that she dumped you.

That's on you, buds.

Also, hey, everybody, look at Ben's plate!

- I-- uh-- - It is local tonight.

- Came from Hill Meats. - If it was really your diet,

- you'd stick to it. - Stick to it?

That's really funny, Gordon. Remind me, what year

- did you graduate college? Hmm, I can't remember. - Oh, okay, Ben--

Honestly, man, if that's your metric for success,

wake up. It's an expensive piece of paper.

- It's a great experience. - "Metric of success."

- What's yours then, huh? Was it-- is it career? - Oh, play the hits.

Play the hits. You have no girlfriend,

- and you've got no job-- - ...okay, you both--

Both of you, stop that right now. Listen. Stop!

That's enough.

Kirby, can you, like, give them some kind of chore to do?

As what? A punishment?

I wasn't gonna say that, but--

Make them wash the dishes.

- No, I'd rather do that myself. - No. No, no, no, no, no.

You've been doing enough already.

Okay.

I need you guys to load the utensils facing up.

You have to hand wash the pans, okay?

Gordon can do it. I cleaned his room today.

Crybaby.

Liz, will you help?

- Mom? - Hey!

So, did you make it to La Grange?

L-- La Grande. Uh--

Yeah, we made it last night.

I thought you would let me know.

Anyway, Sara told me to call you.

Um, Mom...

I broke up with Ben.

You did what?

Didn't you just get there?

It just wasn't working, not anymore.

Oh, my gosh!

So, where does that leave you?

There's nothing I can do, I'm, s-- I'm stuck here

because I can't fly out until the 27th. So...

- What are you going to do? - I don't know. There's nothing I can do.

I've just been sitting in their attic...

...all day long, so...

I don't know.

Well, I guess sometimes you have to learn the hard way.

Why can't you ever just say, "I'm sorry?"

I am sorry.

It sounds terrible. Entering Christmas?

But what difference does it make?

I almost didn't even call to tell you

because I knew you would just say something like this.

You would just say, "I told you so."

I know you're upset.

It sounds like this whole trip was a little... impulsive.

No, it wasn't!

And I don't want you to s-- just sit on the phone

and critique me, because I'm already...

doing that myself.

Mom, sometimes it would just be nice

to actually sit and, and talk to you.

Um, yes?

It's me. Are you decent?

Um... [softly] Um, uh, Mom, I'm gonna t-- text you

whenever I figure out my plan, okay? I got to go.

- Oh, hang in there. - Okay, bye.

Uh, yea-- uh, yes, p-- You can come in.

Hey. I just brought you a little dinner.

Oh, thank you, that's so sweet, I could've--

Oh, I know, but I could tell that wasn't working.

So, did you talk to your family today?

Yeah. Um, yeah, I just talked to my mom.

- Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt. - No, no, it's okay.

- It's, it's late where they are, so-- - Okay, well,

there's some more Tupperware in the fridge, okay?

- Mm-hmm. - If you want a midnight snack.

- Mm-hmm. - Okay.

Oh, sweetheart!

- Oh! Hey! - Oh, no--

- No, it's okay, I ca-- I'm sorry. - It's okay. Come here.

It's okay.

- I'm sorry. - No.

Don't worry. Hey, I'm a mom.

Okay?

Oh, babe!

You know, we're gonna figure this all out, okay?

I got you.

Jesus.

Who still uses a cable for internet?

Out here, it's the only fast way.

Hey, um...

...about earlier, I-- I didn't mean to--

Don't worry about it.

Really?

Nothing I haven't already heard.

Hey, can I ask you something?

Shoot.

- Without you being, like-- - Just ask, Ben.

How did it go down with you and Cristina?

Are you trying to poke the bull?

Well...

...I mean, it's the most brutal thing that I've ever had to go through.

Way worse than when Grandpa Al died, and that--

you remember how rough that was.

But he was old,

so it was like a...

...a natural occurrence.

I shouldn't have brought her here.

It would've happened either way.

No. We love each other.

Of course you do. It still happens.

And somebody realizes...

..."Oh, this isn't right." And then,

it's basically impossible to snap back.

It was just some dumb mistakes.

I doubt it.

She probably had to come all the way out here to realize

- that it wasn't working. - Well, I can't resolve it

while she's stuck here.

Or worse, try to get over her.

You're not gonna get over her.

- What? - Someone dumps you...

that's, "Good night."

You feel that forever.

Even if you find somebody new, you know, you just--

I guess you just get better at managing it.

Is that where you are?

I guess.

I found my own little...

...twisted version of peace.

I don't want peace, I want my girlfriend back.

Hey.

Not an option.

This was the longest day in my life.

Well, time flies when you're having fun, buds.

- Ben? - Hey.

- Hey. - Um, what, what do you have planned today?

Oh, gosh! So much. Baking and errands

- and, I mean, uh, I've got-- - I was thinking we could do some family activities.

- O-- - With-- with Cassie too.

Okay. Look, if you keep bugging her,

it is just gonna tick her off more and--

Look, she's always wanting family time. All right?

- And it's not g-- just gonna be me and her, it'll be all of us. - I'm actually team Ben

on this one. And can we please do this video challenge?

- It needs an even number of people! - Okay, listen.

I need to bake and cook

- and do the Christmas cards! - Yeah!

- We can help. - We can-- yeah.

Aren't you at all concerned it's gonna be awkward?

Oh! No, time flies when you're having fun.

- Don't you remember what I said yesterday? - Yeah, and I'm,

I'm not gonna make a big deal out of it, all right?

- It's gonna be fine. - Okay. It is Christmas Eve.

- Can we talk about the dance, though? - I know! But she's always--

It needs four people, Dad can't dance.

I need--

- Morning, Cassie. - Oh, good morning.

We're all going out today.

Do you wanna come?

- Um-- - Okay. No, it's-- you don't need to.

Yes! Actually, I-- I'd love to.

Okay.

We leave in 30.

Cool car, huh?

I got this for Mia when, uh, the kids were in daycare.

- Oh. - Custom paint job too.

Yeah, it looks like you're missing some numbers.

- O-- - Oh, yeah, that keeps us humble.

- Yeah. - You know? Those numbers are actually inside the car.

- He keeps promising to fix that. - Well, they don't stay on in the winter,

and you have to order a special glue.

- So-- - Well, order it, silly.

Wait up! You losers thought

you're gonna have fun without me?

No way!

- Okay, somebody's gotta sit in the way back. - Not it!

- I get carsick. - I'm too tall.

How old are you guys? You sound like children.

You know what? You sound exactly the same

- with your sister, Kirb. - Yeah, well,

my sister and I have an understanding.

I'll sit in the back.

Cool move.

- Before you go, I just wanna say that-- - Look, Ben,

I don't wanna go if it's gonna be

- like this-- - Just, just this one thing.

I'm sorry for calling Sara.

- Thank you. - It was a total

- invasion of privacy-- - Yes, I got it.

Nailed it!

Nice, Dad.

- That was good! - Well done, Kirb.

Thank you. All right.

Hey, Cassie, it's your turn.

- Okay. Gosh. - Thank you.

- Strong. - Good job.

Just warming up.

Cassie!

- Okay. - Oh, gosh!

- I'm so bad. I'm sorry. - It's okay.

- You tried. - Hey, we're gonna get you there.

- It's okay. - Okay.

- All right, you. - Lizzie!

- Let's go, Liz! - All right, Liz.

- The Liz-onator. - The Liz-meister.

Jeez.

- Woo! - Okay. Okay!

- I suck at this! - At least you can hit the target.

Okay, let me show you how.

So, you have the ax in your hand.

Make sure you're lined up with the target.

And start with your arms straight. Just like that.

- Okay. - And then, just, like, start to bend them

- as you bring them over your head-- - Okay. I got it.

- Okay. Okay. - I'm good. Thank you.

- Hey! - That's good. That was good.

- It's all right-- - That's getting better!

Okay, who's the best?

- Guess who. - You?

No.

What? No way. I need to see this!

- Okay. - Watch and learn.

All right, Mia.

Yeah!

- Target acquired. - Nice.

- Woohoo! - I don't miss.

How do you do that?

Okay, come here, I'll show you. And, Liz, this is for you too.

So, you wanna aim not at your target,

but through your target. Okay? So pretend there's a tree behind this tree.

That way, the ax hits mid-turn.

Or you could just pretend that it's Ben.

- Hey, hey, hey. - Okay.

- Okay. - Hey.

- Come on. - Take it down a little bit.

- A little respect. - Okay, Dad. A little respect.

Nice!

- Hey, good job. - So fun!

- Thank you. Thank you. - There she is, there she is.

- That was so fun! - Thank you.

- Nice! Yeah! - Well done.

♪ Once a friend gave a song to me ♪

♪ Heard the voice of a ghost echo and ring ♪

♪ Ain't it hard enough ♪

♪ Too much on your mind ♪

- ♪ And nothing to say ♪ - All right, gang, here we are.

♪ Lift me up... ♪

Go shop it.

- Thank you. - Yeah, yeah!

- Your family is really sweet. - Really?

Yeah. I mean, like, I never get to do this kind of stuff

with my entire family, so--

Um, hey, uh, can I ask, what, uh, what made you come out today?

I just couldn't do another day up there.

- I'm glad you're having fun! - Yeah.

Happy, boo?

Um, where to, next?

Well, if we're gonna shop for presents, we better split up.

- I'm heading that way. - Ooh, I wanna go to the consignment stores.

The, uh, used bookstore is pretty cool.

Yeah! I'm down for the consignment stores.

- Yay! - Okay! You got two hours!

Looks like it's just me and you, bro.

Hey, how are you? I think there's something wrong with this transformer.

Uh, the train will run great for a few seconds,

and then it just fails. It's like it runs out of steam.

It's not real steam.

Yes, I know that, but, uh, what do you think?

Is there a reason the current's not going through?

Ah! I don't know.

Oh! Golly. Um--

- Fast. Ready? Okay. - Yeah. I love it.

- That's-- - Perfect. No, it's great! It was so cute. It was so cute.

- Okay, this is what I wanna show you. - All right.

This is our mall.

- This is your mall? - Kind of. Yeah. Yeah.

- No way! - I mean, it's, it's not any big brands or anything like that.

Mostly just, like, small consignment shops,

but most of my closet it's from here.

- Well, this is really, really amazing, I mean... - Right?

- ...I've never seen anything like this in LA. - I know!

I know. Ooh, Clarence rack. Speaking my language!

Yeah, well, this is a hobby shop, I figured you'd know your way around it.

- I mean, you got a train part right there. - I do know my way.

- I know my way around my shop. - Oh, I'm-- I'm not saying you don't,

I'm not saying you don't. I love this place. I just wish that, uh...

- We appreciate your business. - ...this darn thing would work!

Well, it doesn't, does it? But, you know, tinkering is

what makes it fun.

There are limits to tinkering.

Oh, my gosh.

Liz, what about this?

- Costume party? - I think so.

Oh, my gosh!

I have to have th-- I don't have anything in this color.

Oh, yeah. No, pink, I could never visualize you wearing pink.

I have no idea what that would be like.

- It does look like you. - Oh, thanks.

But I-- I don't know. Every time I go out shopping

for other people, I always end up finding things

for myself instead.

- Well-- - Come this way.

Dude, honestly, this is so much worse than yesterday.

Like, she's having so much fun with everybody except me.

D-- And at ax throwing, she was high-fiving everyone and, like, cheering.

- And now she's hanging out with Liz and, like, just-- - Hey!

- I'm not hanging out with Cassie. - Dude, you know what I mean.

Man, like, it's just-- it's... torture.

- I'm just-- - Man,

- all you talk about is Cassie, Cassie, Cassie-- - Yeah,

- because I'm, I'm trying to-- - Well, switch it up a little bit.

Like, buy a book or something.

Anything else!

Maybe there's something on real estate that she'd like.

No, buy a book for you!

Oh, that's a beauty.

Slow and steady, you know?

Boy, if life was as steady as that, huh?

Oh, gee.

Could I talk to you about something?

Yeah!

It's about Evan. He's great.

And we're both great communicators.

And he is a very mature college boy.

But because we established our guidelines so early on,

I sometimes feel like--

Okay, like, for example, he has this thing

where he doesn't like to text, "I love you."

I mean, we say it to each other all the time,

but-- all the time, in person, but he thinks it's cheap...

...to text it, which I totally get.

I respect that and understand it, but...

...with it being Christmas, I--

I haven't talked to him in two days,

and all I wanna do is send him that

without feeling like I have to worry about it.

I don't know, maybe I'm overthinking it or something.

Probably no big deal.

I-- it's like, all of a sudden,

everything I say

just makes this so much worse.

- There's a lesson there. - It-- and it wasn't

even like this a couple days ago!

Like...

Maybe it was and you didn't know it.

Dude, and that's even more terrible,

'cause, like, if I-- if I couldn't tell

when her feelings change, it's like I just--

I never had a way of really knowing how she felt,

- which-- - You said it, not me.

Jeez.

Oh, God.

I don-- I don't know what to do. Like--

At every corner, every time,

I just try to do something to make it better.

You know, sometimes, the best thing to do is nothing at all.

I can't, I can't just do nothing!

The Buddha did. He just sat around, got free rice.

And these guidelines are, like,

kind of the whole reason we fell in love

in the first place.

Now, I just feel trapped by them.

I mean, i-- it's normal to evolve.

And what worked at the start of your relationship may not work forever.

And that's okay. It doesn't mean it was wrong.

It just means...

...that you're changing and growing.

You and Ben are?

Sorry.

Ben--

You know, I really liked Ben.

He's smart and fun.

And we really both love LA, even though a lot of people rag on it.

But, you know, sometimes things change and you realize...

...you don't want it anymore.

You don't want to be with the same person...

...who always...

...acts like they did when you first met them.

You know, it's important to grow together,

and you hope for that, but you can't... plan that.

So, you know, it either works out or it just doesn't.

So do I text Evan or no?

Man, I'm cold.

Your blood's gone thin, you lost that winter tolerance.

Uh, this should melt off by noon, though, don't worry.

Okay, let's go to the liquor store.

- Won't help. - The dispensary!

- Make things worse. - Okay.

Well, what do you recommend, then, sensei?

Mm. Let me show you something that will help you, my son.

- Time. - Yeah. Wow.

Brilliant. That's really helpful.

Look, I know it sucks, but it's truly the only way out.

Have you heard about the time word origin?

- What? - Okay, so if you measure an hour as a unit of time,

the first way you break that up is minutes.

- What's the next way? - A second.

Oh, jeez. Dude, that does not help me at all.

Yeah, I know, but wasn't it nice to not talk about what's-her-face for one second?

Rocked for me.

Why do you wanna be around somebody who clearly doesn't wanna be with you?

- You wanna hear a story? - Sure.

God, I remember like it was yesterday.

So, on our third date, we, um, we go dancing.

It's only been, like, a week, so I wasn't sure if we were,

you know, actually dating or just friends,

and I'm just-- I'm, I'm all anxious.

And, uh, I'm waiting for her outside the bathroom.

It's taking forever,

and there was no line, so I thought...

..."She's left. Boom.

Done, over, just like another shitty dating app date."

So I'm doing all these mental gymnastics.

And then... out walks Cassie

with two people that she had never even met before.

And they were, they were talking and laughing

like they were old friends.

And... she's-- she's just--

She's magnetic!

It is, it is so... amazing

how effortlessly she attracts people.

And then... we went back to her apartment.

And?

And she's amazing. That's the same person.

Yeah. Those good memories will torture you for a while.

It's gonna feel even worse when you realize that, for her,

- they're not good memories anymore. - God.

Well, wh-- what-- what do I do with that?

- Like-- - Just slow down.

Stop counting the seconds.

Let's get you to the minutes, buds.

Then years.

You're gonna spend a long time hung up on all this stuff

that you wish you would've done better or different.

Replaying stories in your head over and over again.

Then you apologize and they won't reply.

It'll feel like all those memories never even happened to her.

Then you really start to obsess, and you get stuck in this loop

over and over and over until you don't even remember

what it was like to be with them.

Dude.

Hey, Gordon, hey!

Gordon!

- ...yeah-- - Cristina.

- Hey! - Hey.

Hey!

Oh! Okay.

- Claire. - Hey.

Um, you remember my brother.

- Hey. - Yeah, hey.

So, you're in town.

Yeah, um...

we moved our grandparents

into a retirement home, so,

it's just easier for us to come to them.

Yeah, that's amazing! They're doing okay?

Yeah.

God. When was the last time you were in La Grande?

Uh, forever ago, yeah, since our parents moved.

- Not much reason to come back. - No, no, I j--

- Hey! - Hey, Liz. You, you remember Cristina.

- Yep. - Hey.

- The whole family. - Yep. We're still in the same place.

Nice. I love that for you.

Uh, well, uh,

- have a blast. Enjoy the-- - Yeah. Okay.

- Merry Christmas to you all. - Yeah.

- All right-- - Yeah. Bye.

Let me have some of that.

- You joking? - Ain't my first rodeo.

But compared to the chicken shit we used to smoke,

this legal stuff is wild.

She didn't ask me one single question.

Not even, "How are you?"

It's like talking to somebody that wants everything you say

to be the end of the conversation.

Started to be expected.

You'd at least be curious.

Not if I ended it.

I was doing better too.

You know...

...when I split up with your mom,

- I went to a very long-- - Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

And then you met Mia, and it was hunky-dory,

- happily ever after. - I told you that.

But...

...before I met your mom...

...I had to get over this girl who had me

wrapped around her finger.

I wanted to marry her so bad.

I was following her around like a lap dog.

She crushed me.

Was that the English teacher?

God damn it! You've heard this story?

No, not that part.

Well, it taught me to be a little bit more discerning

the next time around.

The next time around, you got a divorce!

Yeah! Well, I-- it also led me to Mia.

You should've seen me.

I thought I'd hopped the freight

I'd be on for the rest of my life.

Definitely thought I had that with Cristina.

Other thing that can help is a change of scenery.

Is that so?

I'm just saying that when I got divorced,

I wanted to get out of there so fast.

Are you insinuating something, Dad?

Hardly.

What-- did Mia put you up to this?

Mia's too nice to kick you out.

And... I enjoy your company, if you can believe it.

But...

...I would be remiss...

...if I didn't say that it can be a lot easier to...

...put stuff behind you in a new environment.

I lived here way before I met her.

It means change, kiddo.

It could be good to change with it.

Smoke on that, why don't you?

You need any help?

- Absolutely! - You guys baking?

Ding, ding, ding! You wanna join us?

Yeah! Ben, you bake?

- When I'm home, yeah. - Yeah, he just usually eats the frosting.

Okay, well, at least I didn't almost

burn the house down with an Easy-Bake oven.

What?

I did, yeah. Wait, do we still have that?

Hey, you know the rule. If it's not in your room, it's probably gone.

We have this rule that Liz and Gordon can keep their stuff here

as long as it stays in their bedrooms.

- Yeah, but what about Ben? - Uh, Ben is good,

he's just got a couple of boxes in the garage.

Hate to think what Gordon's got in his room.

- Oh, Irish cream, can you grab it? - No idea where that is.

I do, it's in the dining room. Hold tight.

Oh, I'll get it.

I didn't hear you come in.

I just needed a second outside.

Mm.

That salsa you made was really good.

Thank you.

I thought we'd have it on the eggs tomorrow too.

Yeah, a little morning spice.

Yeah!

- Thanks. - You're welcome!

- You're gonna hate me. - What's up?

I texted Evan, "I love you."

And I wrote out this whole thing explaining why I was saying that,

but then I just ended up deleting it

and saying, "Merry Christmas! I love you, emoji, emoji."

And he never replied.

God, I'm going crazy. I just threw away

three months of trust and happiness

for one little hit of dopamine. Cool.

Liz, it-- it's Christmas Eve.

You're telling me he hasn't looked at his phone in four hours?

Maybe you should just put your phone on Do Not Disturb--

I can't stop thinking about it!

You guys have been together for a long time.

You know, it's one misunderstanding, and a well-intentioned one,

- it's not gonna make or break everything. - Yeah, but we've never once

- broken our guidelines. - Okay, well,

maybe you can just look at this as a test or something.

No! I-- I don't want to break something

that has been working this whole time! I just--

I wanted to tell him how I felt, and I did.

Now I feel so juvenile.

No.

- You'll totally-- - Hey, I got something to show you.

- Right now? - Yeah! Yeah, yeah, come on.

- I'm sorry, I-- Okay. - Come on! Here.

All right.

There it is.

- Yeah, there it is. - Yeah.

Oh, here.

It is great, I got to the, the houses and the tie.

Well, um--

It's fun.

- So that's it. You... you just-- - What do you want, Ben?

- You wanted to see the photo, so-- - Yes, I did,

- before we broke up. - So you just-- you just turn the switch off.

- Oh, my God, excuse me? - Okay.

- Don't set me up like this. - So you have fun with everyone else,

- and so, I just-- I tried to-- - I give you an inch,

and you just take and take and take from me!

And you want me to sit here and coddle all of this lovey-dovey shit!

- And I'm stuck here in a pretty awful situation... - Cassie--

- Cassie-- - ...but I'm trying to make the best of it,

but it is such a lose-lose with you

because no matter what I do, I just keep giving you

- the wrong impression! - I'm not-- I'm not.

- I'm not trying to get back together with you. - But you are!

Okay. I'm sorry.

Cassie, Cassie, I'm sorry.

This is so much worse than the attic now. I can't--

I'm sorry. This has been so nice.

It's been really nice, but I can't-- I can't-- I'm sorry.

♪ Never thought that I would be here ♪

♪ Looking back on this time last year ♪

♪ Nobody holding me No one to wait for ♪

♪ Nobody showing up for me at my front door ♪

♪ I made a list of all the things I've been wanting ♪

♪ A tender heart and eyes that I can get lost in ♪

♪ Guess that I've been good 'cause you were waiting for me ♪

♪ Like a present at the bottom of my chimney ♪

♪ Light my fire, take me home ♪

♪ It ain't Christmas if I wake up and I'm all alone ♪

♪ Light the tree We'll watch... ♪

- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.

♪ ...any other places that we gotta go ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

You guys are too much.

Then go to bed, squirt.

Ooh, and Liz, put us in your Vlog Christmas.

It's just Vlogmas.

♪ It ain't Christmas if I wake up and I'm all alone ♪

♪ Do you feel the way that I do ♪

♪ Like tonight was made just for you ♪

♪ Everybody's sleeping waiting for the morning ♪

♪ But my favorite part is the quiet before it ♪

♪ Even "Jingle Bells" feels so symphonic ♪

♪ Honey, you're my holiday gin and tonic ♪

♪ I know what I want is to be close to you ♪

♪ Just a simple Christmas Eve for two ♪

♪ Light my fire, take me home ♪

♪ It ain't Christmas if I wake up and I'm all alone ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ It ain't Christmas if I wake up and I'm all alone ♪

- I love it! - Thank you.

- You are sneaky - Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas! You look so good! - Thank you, honey.

- Gordon! - What? It's not my style.

- I bought you your size and everything. - Okay.

Hey, did you leave a pair for Cassie?

- Yes. - Yeah!

I finally got it working.

You were supposed to leave her alone.

- Come on. - I bought them before you broke up.

Well, that's already a stretch to expecting her to come down here

in the first place, I don't wanna push it. And--

So, why did you come down?

Well...

...I didn't wanna be in my room all day on Christmas.

And whenever my family, you know, whenever we fight,

we always just, you know, bury the hatchet on Christmas.

Like World War I.

And I promised Liz that I would be in her video.

Yes! You guys, let's do it! Come on.

- Wait. Now? - Before presents?

Well, yeah! Before it gets all messy and you guys

all run off or something. Ben, help me please.

- All right. Let's get it over with. - Presents!

Come on, guys.

- All right. - I don't wanna do this.

- Where are you, Liz? - Guys-- I'm here!

- Okay. - Five, six, five, six, seven, eight.

♪ Closure... is a myth ♪

♪ You can't tie your loose ends ♪

♪ Into it ♪

♪ If forgiveness is what you're searching for ♪

♪ Baby ♪

The suspense.

You guys! Thank you!

You're welcome.

- Okay. Hey, will you grab me that one over there? - Yeah.

Thank you.

This one is for Cassie.

Hey, what?

- Thank you. I was not expecting this. - You're welcome.

- Oh, my gosh! - We knew you like to bake, so...

This is so thoughtful.

- Really, thank you. - My pleasure.

I have a few gifts for everyone.

Okay, let's see here.

For Kirby.

Oh! Thank you.

Oh. Oh!

Look at that!

I thought I saw you in the hobby store yesterday.

I know, I had to duck in and out superfast

so that you wouldn't see me, but I guess--

Okay, Gordon.

Oh...

All right. Well, thank you.

- Hey, you never know. - Everybody's full of surprises today.

Ooh! Mm!

No.

Oh, my gosh! Cassie! Oh!

- Thank you! - You're welcome.

- I love it. - Mmm.

- Okay. And Mia. For you. - Oh.

- And I kind of cheated on this, but-- - Okay.

The numbers were in your cup holder,

but I did have to go to the store to get the glue you need.

Oh! Making me look bad.

- Thank you. That's awesome. - Welcome.

It's like your blueprints, right?

Yes. Yeah, thank you.

You're welcome.

Oh, I guess that's everything.

Okay, well, then who's ready for cinnamon rolls?

- Me! - Actually, wait, I have, um,

I have one final surprise...

- Oh. - ...for Cassie.

Oh.

Well, where is it?

Uh, well, we have to go outside.

Okay.

- A car? - A ren-- a rental, a rental car.

Um... Uh, not only that, it has snow tires.

The roads are scheduled to be clear all afternoon

and, uh, no traffic. Christmas.

You can take it to Portland.

Or tonight, at 10:10 p.m., you have an overnight direct flight to Chicago.

And Sara's picking you up from O'Hare.

And you'll be home before you know it.

H-- how?

Well, I, um...

It's Christmas.

I thought those baking trays were a gift for yourself.

Yeah, well, someone wanted it more.

- You're sweet. - Oh!

She's on the phone with her family right now,

and she'll be headed out as soon as she's done packing.

No! No, no, no, this is not right.

- Wait, wait. Stop! - Cassie!

- Cassie! - Yeah?

We're getting lunch downstairs.

Oh! Okay. Well, I'm just-- I'm just finishing a few things, so--

Wait, you've got a ton of time now, just come eat with us.

Uh...

This is my grand finale to EX-mas.

EX-mas?

Yeah, EX-mas, with an "E-X."

- It's what I'm gonna call it this year. - Mm.

Mm-hmm. That's funny. Okay. Let's go.

- Yeah! - I'll eat. That's clever. Let's go.

You know, just people post pictures of their large pets.

Oh!

That was... what?

- What? Their large pets. Like-- - Pets, like, a dog?

Yeah.

...would go with the hump.

- No-- hey-- no one is looking-- - Is that, like,

- a song or anything? - No. No, it was just--

Here you have it, fam! We made it to Vlogmas Day 25.

It's not Christmas without a couple of surprises.

Even when my brother manages to pull a flex,

he, yeah, still kills the vibe.

And this will be my last episode.

I'm not Canadian, so no Boxing Day,

but I will be back next year

with a semester worth of new psych definitions

and... relationship tips.

That's all I got for you. Ciao for now.

And adieu to you.

- Did you check the weather? - Yes.

- Nothing is closed. - Don't drive past the speed limit.

- Promise me, okay? Okay. - I promise I won't.

Have you driven on the ice? But you must have driven

- on the ice in Chicago. - A few times.

Okay. You'll be all right.

- Well... - I packed you some goodies for the road.

Oh! You're so sweet, thank you.

Um, lunch was wonderful, and, um, uh, truly, guys,

thank you for, you know...

...making... this work.

- You've been great. - You're so welcome.

We're gonna miss you!

- I know, it's been fun. - We'll see you later.

- I mean-- - It's okay, it's okay.

Oh! Evan texted me back, so...

- Hey! [whispers] Good luck! - Thanks.

- Gordon. - What?

Cassie's leaving.

Okay. Bye, Cassie. Thanks for the book.

- Don't forget about me. - No.

- Well, you're welcome, Gordon. Bye. - Peace.

All right. So, you'll text Ben when you get to Portland?

- Yes. - Okay.

- Drive safe. - I will. Thank you.

- Okay. - Bye.

Bye.

Mm.

Okay. You made it.

Well, I'll feel that way once I'm in Portland.

Sure. [softly] Yeah.

Um...

Well, enjoy your family time.

You too.

Thank you.

For Christmas and... for this.

You're welcome.

All right.

♪ Oh, the souls are full of holes ♪

♪ No one gets out alive ♪

♪ There's nothing to do just going through ♪

♪ Everybody knows you try ♪

♪ Everybody knows you try ♪

♪ I'll drive you home ♪

♪ You do the rest ♪

♪ Don't know if I'll see you again ♪

♪ But I'm wishing you the best ♪

♪ Wishing you the best ♪

I'll, uh, go do the sheets.

♪ When it don't work out ♪

♪ When it falls apart ♪

Kirb, are those Cassie's keys?

Hey! Hey! Cassie!

Cassie! Cassie!

Mr. Russell?

Kirby.

- You left your house keys in the Christmas wreckage. - Oh, my God.

- Thank you. That would've been a nightmare. - You got it.

When you go down the hill,

stay in first gear.

It's steeper than it looks, this car can do that.

Okay, I will.

You're a good kid, Cassie. Good luck.

I thought that, since I still had

some books of hers or she still had some clothes of mine,

that we'd have to see each other again.

Then I thought we'd bump into each other,

we have mutual friends in LA,

but the lines were pretty cleanly divided.

Then, last thing that was left was social media.

But seeing her on it would make the blood rush to my head,

so I had to remove her and a few of her friends.

Then she was really gone.

So...

...closure?

Yeah. Forget it. Except you can't... forget it,

so you sort of just learn to live with it.

The only way through it is time.

He told me that.

Well, that doesn't make me feel any better.

Can't you just say that Evan is an asshole or something?

- Evan's an asshole. - Thank you.

Weird guy. Remind me of a cursed doll.

Okay. That's good.

Okay. I'm out.

Text me if you're still feeling crazy, okay?

- Leaving already? - Gotta let the dog out.

Oh, look at you, Mr. Adulting.

Miss a flight.

I'll see you when I see you. Or whatever.

- Yeah, later, dude. - You can miss a flight too, by the way.

Love you, guys.

Okay. Um, I'm gonna go for a walk.

You good?

- I guess. - Yeah, that sounds about right.

Well, I see you at dinner?

Yeah. Yeah.

On board.

♪ Without you ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Been holding on for way too long ♪

♪ And come to my senses ♪

♪ Now, what I want is to move on from ♪

♪ Where I've been living on fences ♪

♪ The way you treat me I believe I was unlovable ♪

♪ But looking back I can't believe I was so dumb though ♪

♪ I'm running back holding myself ♪

♪ I know it's where I'll be treated well ♪

♪ So enough is enough ♪

♪ I'm moving on with my love ♪

♪ Without you ♪

♪ Without you ♪

♪ Packing my bags ain't looking back ♪

♪ Gotta focus on healing ♪

♪ Never gonna let anyone else belittle every one of my feelings ♪

♪ Your denial, cool smile ♪

♪ Not gonna let you get me down again with the pain I've been dealing ♪

♪ I'm feeling worse than I've ever felt ♪

♪ Don't think of me and treat it that way ♪

♪ Now there's no love left where we fell ♪

♪ And I hate your guts but I wish you well ♪

♪ That's the truth ♪

♪ That's the truth ♪

♪ That's the truth ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Without you ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Without you ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪