More Beautiful for Having Been Broken (2019) - full transcript

Life isn't
measured by the number

of breaths we take.

But by the moments that
take our breath away.

FBI Los Angeles 224.

This is Agent
Solomon, code 6GTM.

Yeah, it's DeRitter, 31522NG

I'm gonna need a cover
for Lake Mervielle.

It's located in
Northern California.

I don't know how
long I'm staying,

but just send it to my phone.

10 four,
DeRitter, will do.



Marigo, Marigold?

Lake Mervielle.

It looks like
there's fish in there, mom.

The fall she
returned to Lake Mervielle

everything changed.

What the fuck
were you thinking?

You almost got yourself killed,

not to mention your backup.

Please, I have a baby!

Let her go.

Yes, she was
running, but she had no idea

why she chose to come
back here of all places.

Holy Christ!

Oh my God, shit I'm sorry.



I can't
believe this is happening.

I heard a scream earlier.

Was that you?

Just
wanted to go for a swim.

Now I can't.

Only time that I have.

Okay.

Would you mind?

Isn't it a little Autumn
for a dip in the lake?

Is that
any of your business?

Oh!

Oh, here.

I'm fine, I'm fine.

Just get off me.

Okay.

I just,

can you tell me which one
of these god forsaken roads

leads to Lake Mervielle?

At our reunion last
year my college roommate

told me about her
amazing rustic cabin.

Got an address?

Yeah.

Oh, it's in the car.

Do you mind?

If that isn't too much to ask.

So who was
your college roommate?

Heather Adams.

Heather?

Well, quite a character,

but no one's heard
from her in forever.

What did you say your name was?

McKenzie Aaron, and you?

She remembered
her mother saying

the sleepy berg was filled
with rather eccentric

and colorful characters
right out of the novel.

I think that has,

see that has a
little bit of a red.

I got it.

Hi,
I'm here for cabin keys.

Yeah, come on in.

And you've got a few of the
new ones together over that.

It's too
challenging for you.

Shame on you!

I'm sorry, and you are?

McKenzie.

McKenzie.

I'm here for the
Heather Adams cabin.

Property manager said they'd
leave the key with you?

- Ah yes.
- Right, I am so sorry.

We were just giving Colin's
latest 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 looks
like part of the design.

But when you look
closer you can see

that each and every piece
has it's own little story.

And it isn't until you put
all those pieces together

that you can actually
see the big picture.

I used to do
puzzles with my mom

but nothing like this.

My mom thinks they
are a waste of time.

Like, what's the point
of sticking thousands

of cardboard pieces
together, if you could just

go to the store,
buy a print and frame it?

That's hardly the point.

Right?

Here you go.

- Oh thanks.
- You are welcome.

So if you need any
help getting settled in

my granddaughter here
lives to be of service.

No, I've got it.

Thank you.

Okay.

Who am I?

I just happen to be the
sole writer slash editor

and distributor of the
Pine Mountain Gazette,

which serves all 929
readers in a 50 mile radius.

Of all the stories
I've watched unfold

hers is by far my
personal favorite.

Hey.

Hey kid?

Are you supposed to
be 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 Fabio
Ladies Book Club can see me

I'm okay.

My mom, she makes me
wear this just in case.

One time I got lost...

Yeah, yeah I got it.

Okay, I'm just gonna go and
make sure they know you're here.

Better 'cause I could be
halfway to Mexico by now.

She was only
here because she had promised

her mother she would return.

While she was a little
too city for these parts

she had never broken
her word to her mom.

She wouldn't start now.

She had no tolerance
for patience.

She thought she might
go mad from boredom.

And she was sick of
this rustic cabin.

She ventured into town,

where the Pine
Mountain Inn served

as the General Store,
Post Office and gossip central.

Hey you!

Hey, come join us.

I don't think I
caught your name.

McKenzie.

But most people call me Max.

Cass.

May I present Boy of a
Million Adventures, Freddie.

And this one you've met
is still my mother, Adele.

And that handsome
devil is Rodney,

proprietor of Rodney's
Rodeo Bar and Grill.

Hi, it's nice to meet you.

Lovely to meet you.

Within two
visits she learned Colin

had been a highly revered
philosophy professor

until he chucked
it all one night,

moved into town,
and began to design

his complex and
intricate puzzles.

Widowed, he met the highly
controversial Cassandra,

an anti-feminist feminist
who believed women

could be insanely powerful

and still be full
of grace and beauty.

Let me crash upon your shores,

shipwrecking your thighs.

Promise?

She quickly
came to understand why

Mama Adele, founder of the Fabio
Ladies Book Club

and daughter Cass,
were known to all

as the Endless Bickersons.

She heard a term
called Freddie vision,

but she would have no
idea what that meant

until much later.

You know what I
love more than rice pudding?

What,
my sweet daughter?

Star Ventures!

When the last star
in the sky disappears

we begin our star venture.

And there is only
one rule for the day.

No rules, we just go
wherever our will takes us.

She had
no use for nostalgia.

Bristled at the cloying,
bittersweet memories.

If she couldn't bury
herself in her work

she would run.

In any event,
grief would not best her.

If you go in
there, you're gonna

get her killed yourself.

Wait for the negotiator.

I've never seen a
mother daughter any closer

than the two of you.

We all loved her.

She was one of a kind.

But you didn't take
the time you needed.

I can see the
fear in your eyes.

I have a baby please!

Let her go!

Do you got the fucking balls?

I'll fucking waste her!

Do it!

You're off the case.

Off doing it.

90 days.

Your grief is a scraggy bitch.

And she doesn't give a royal
fuck about best intentions

or whether you have the
luxury of waiting her out.

You've gotta find a way
through this pain, Max.

Not around it.

Hey!

Hey.

Glad I caught you actually.

Grand Pants wanted to know
if you wanted to come in

for some full moon mud pie.

I'm not much of
a dessert person.

This is not just a dessert.

This is a life
changing 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 to
start a new puzzle.

You look like you're trying
to keep yourself busy

and this is not
the place for that.

Well, I defintely don't wanna
get FOMO.

Great.

We start around like seven.

All right then.

Colin's
full moon mud pie

came from the monthly
celestial event

which made the inky night
sky brilliant with stars

and became the blueprint
for 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 oui
mademoiselle does borders

and the straight edged
pieces align themselves

with earth or sky.

God, I know this.

Lost In Translation,
the James Merle poem.

Every time they
start a new puzzle,

they quote it like scripture.

Nothing is lost or
all else is translation.

And every bit
of 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 is
Gabrielle's sister,

my granddaughter who
I like sometimes.

In spite of
herself she was enjoying

the company.

And that damn pie, it was the
best thing she'd eaten

since she got there.

After much urging
she finally sat in

on the weekly Friday
chess tournament.

Are you in?

Oh.

Get in.

Okay, let's do this.

Such disappointment
is coming your way.

You don't know my chess
skills, okay?

Right.

He's gonna whip
you like a rented mule.

I'm just telling you up front.

He seems harmless.

Like a lovely woodland
creature, but no.

This is the part where
he sneaks up on you.

No, no, no, not that.

Like a monkey in the woods.

Nice, but check mate!

Yeah, it's humbling, isn't it?

Yes it is.

As you can see, it takes very
little stimulate us.

Yeah, but forget about that.

Are you ready?

Does a polar bear
poop in the snow?

I don't know,
I did not go to college.

All right I'm getting a
jilly bar for the winner.

And don't forget the whip.

That's right,
that's the attitude.

They might
be quaint and slightly odd

but they sure had a way
of enjoying themselves.

Oh you want some?

They all
seemed skilled at making

the simplest occurrence
quite extraordinary.

I instantly regretted it.

And that is how it's done
here in Lake Mervielle.

We're
all about manners.

We sure are.

She still
ran but now she felt

the cold morning
mist wash over her.

And she didn't hate it.

So you understand
that this isn't a part

of the original instructions?

It's a cotta soul to
your father's will

to be acted upon giving
certain criteria.

What I'm about to tell you

will certainly be counter
to 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 a
pernicious rapscallion.

Like Rhet Butler
carrying Scarlet

up those fancy steps.

They don't make men
like that anymore.

You think all that
is progressive.

Well afternoon,
good townspeople.

I know what you're thinking-

who invited George
Clooney to this affair.

Oh I did.

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 of
the best fishing

you'll ever see in
anywhere 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.

Kind of reading
the paper here.

What you reading about?

Boo.

Psst.

Do you have somewhere to be?

No.

Do you know I like
cheese 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 that
she was a spy, like you.

Hum, that looks interesting.

Well that's crazy
because I'm not a spy.

Do you have somewhere to be?

Nope, nope nowhere to be.

I could sit here
with you all day.

If you were stranded
in 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 ♪

Hey good luck,
gotta have good luck

when you're fishing.

That's right 'cause I've
got questionable jujus

so we need all the
help we can get.

All right, let's roll.

Oh, I have to go to
the bathroom already.

I don't bite, you know.

Why thank you.

Hey.

Your skin's soft.

Okay, thank you.

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 to
go 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 know
what 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 mouths
were 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 know
things, feel things

other people can't.

Like how your heart
is so ginormous

and that's why it hurts so deep.

Listen,
try not to worry, okay?

His lifeline's here.

I can't get Rodney
on his cell phone.

He's a cowboy.

He's got about as much
use 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 a
whip, this one.

Yeah but,

what is it?

It's called Fanconi Anemia.

It's rare as hell and
it clobbers the genes

that do DNA repair.

Not to mention the
seizures and the cancer

just breathing down their necks.

If that's not enough
of 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 of
steel and strawberries.

Want you to join us
for dinner tonight.

Oh no, thank you.

Now you need to
be with people.

Cat won't take no for an answer.

Well in that case.

Whoa whoa whoa you got one!

You got one, there we go!

Get it, get it, get it!

Let's take it off in there.

Hey we better get your home.

Okay, yeah.

That's why I didn't
eat the sandwich.

Yeah, yeah.

Mom, mom, mom!

What could you
possibly be thinking?

And who the hell do
you think you are?

Do you have a kid?

No because if you did you
would have never taken

my son without my permission.

Mom, she...

Sammy, Sammy,
let's reel it in.

Don't even, because I know
you went to the big lake.

Well of course we did.

There's no fish
in the small one.

Everyone knows no big
lake unless I'm along.

Did you remember to
take his afternoon meds?

What if he had a
seizure out there?

I brought them in my bag.

Oh see there you
go, 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 fish
and 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 about
five years ago.

My son always believes
the best in people

but I don't suffer
from that virtue.

Stay the hell away
from both of us.

You're right, and I'm sorry I
lied about Heather.

But the truth is I'm
working a special assignment

for the EPA.

We're investigating potential
environmental threats

in the area

and it's classified
so 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 was
a little to 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 would
behave like a grown up.

I'm trying to, but...

I could.

I've got women coming
at me like bullets.

Did mom ever get here?

I have no idea.

This looks nice.

There you go.

Thank you.

She's joining us for dinner.

So sorry.

You should have
started without me.

That's against every
good breeding tip

you've ever crammed into
our 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.

McKenzie's a
really great puzzler.

Oh so they've lured you
into their little conclave.

Hey, were you here
a few summers ago?

No.

You look familiar.

I'm just one of those
faces, I guess.

Yeah,
that's just so fascinating.

Why don't you tell us
what you're doing here.

Oh just getting
away from it all.

And yes, pointedly,
un fascinating.

Running,
that's where I've seen you.

Have you run by
the big lake yet?

Yeah, I've been hiking
and running everywhere.

It's some kind of
beautiful out there.

Some kind of beautiful.

Mom?

I understand you work
for the government?

Yeah,
mom used to be a congresswoman.

Now she's a consultant, though.

With the administration
you know,

the phone's ringing
off the hook.

Yeah, not an easy gig.

Yeah, that house of cards
selling his soul shit.

I thought we had a rule here.

Yeah, no iPhones or
politics at the dinner table.

We get enough of
it everywhere else.

It's because it's the
latest spectator sport.

Reality by stupid
America where we wait

everyday with sheer
anticipointment.

Aren't you clever, Sasha?

I seem to recall you
didn't show up to vote.

If people wanna know why
millennials have checked out

it's because you
made us check out.

With all your lies, BS,
spin, spin, spin, spin, spin.

Tell us
how you really feel.

Okay, here we go.

I think if the
millennials checked out

it's because we coddled
you so spectacularly.

Coddled?

Jesus, you were still drinking
back then for days at a time

and when I needed a
mother it wasn't you.

Stop screaming at her about
what she hasn't done right.

Look at you,
what have you done right?

This is bullshit.

McKenzie, I'm sorry McKenzie.

My girls are usually a
little more civilized.

What?

Enough!

Gabrielle, enough.

I forgot.

Gabrielle, come with me.

Gabrielle!

Don't sweetie.

I'm just gonna go help.

Oh my God.

McKenzie knew
from her years of FBI training

that there were far
deeper 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 ♪

I'll be back.

See, isn't this nice?

You don't always have to
talk, you know.

You know what my
mom's favorite word is?

No, but I bet money
you're about to tell me.

Kinsucry.

Know what that means?

Not even remotely.

More beautiful for
having been broken.

It's Japanese.

Here.

It's cold.

I know you didn't see any
reason to meet your birth mother

and I assume that's in large
part because you were told

she left you.

But in fact that's
not what happened.

There's
a couple ducks.

Does a one legged
duck swim in a circle?

Are you beating me?

Yes, I love when you babysit
me, Gabrielle.

Ah, feeling's
mutual, little man.

Freak!

Don't listen to them, okay?

They're jerks.

Hey,
what happened to you?

Yeah, stick your hand
in some meat grinders?

If
you guys don't stop,

I'm gonna get mom.

Yeah, let's keep
playing, okay?

Hey lobster boy, get a little
too close to the lawn mower?

Oh look at you crying.

Boo hoo.

Creeper creeper
why the freaker?

I'm outta here.

Three.

What a retard.

I've never seen such a retard.

Mega tard.

Weirdo.

Hey!

What do you want?

What did you just say?

What do you care?

A hell of a lot
is what I care.

Now listen up.

You speak to anyone
like that ever again,

I'm gonna find you.

I'll make your sorry little
lives freaking miserable.

You got that?

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 cool
what you did over there.

Well, they won't be
bothering Freddie anymore.

No they certainly won't.

Honey were those the
same kids from last year?

Hey.

I know that it probably
doesn't feel like it

but it isn't you
they don't like.

It's themselves.

Okay?

What do you say we go get
you two those jilly bars?

Yeah?

Can Max come?

Uh, I'm sure she has
some things she has to do.

Thank you for that.

You think in this day and age

people would be a
little more sensitive.

I don't know how you
deal with the bullshit.

Well they certainly
don't hand out a manual.

I don't know,
you just learn to muddle through

and hope like hell that
people become less ignorant

and less angry.

Less fearful of those
who look different

or love different.

Freddie,
don't let them get to you, okay?

They just...

See the special
needs freak show.

Hey, don't say that!

Come on.

You know why I think they
call 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 what
I'd do without you.

Look, I promised them I'd
take them for jilly bars so...

Samantha!

In other news

The Sister Wives just
took home a Grammy

for Song of the
Year, I Don't Play.

Lead singer Lisa Jane
remarked upon hearing the news

that she hoped women
everywhere find inspiration

in their journey.

Hey little man.

What's wrong?

Why don't you like Max?

I know what you need.

Hello?

Hi.

Hi.

Thanks for your
help the other day,

but you're just
here 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'm
doing is playing your son.

Shit.

Look I shouldn't have said that.

He's pretty damn
insistent that I give you

a second chance.

He's got a heart that
will overlook anything.

And I just don't
wanna see him hurt.

So?

How about Saturday afternoon?

Sure.

So why puzzling?

I guess it's shown
me a whole new way

to see things.

It's taken me way
beyond what I thought

I could comprehend.

How so?

Well none of us
are remotely capable

of experiencing the
world we live in.

You know, we've created
two and three dimensional

boundaries just to try
to make sense of things.

But what lives inside the
spaces of those boundaries?

And
you're able to see that

when you're puzzling?

Well I've had some
brief glimpses when I'm deep

into a puzzle and where
possibilities are limitless.

It's like looking at a cloud
and seeing the face of God.

Huh.

Well to puzzling.

Oh, to puzzling.

To going where no
man has gone before.

Oh yeah.

Live long and prosper.

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?

Mom?

Hey!

Can I help?

No I just need to wait
for it to cool down.

Actually I'm pretty
handy with cars.

What's the problem?

Well it needs a
new, well everything.

It's just not a
priority on the list.

Next to all the bills

and I mean God how I thought
I could make a living

being a dance teacher
out here is beyond me.

Well you got a
lot 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.

While we're waiting,

why don't you tell
me about them?

And then when he was five
and we had gone through

one of his surgeries,

one of my old dance
friends came by

and she proceeded to
tell me how everyone felt

so sorry that I didn't
have a normal child

and how it must
be such a burden.

Oh my God.

Yeah and then I asked
her why she thought

I wanted a normal kid

because I didn't want
Freddie 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 Freddie
teaches me something new.

I mean sure the every day
challenges can be annoying

but we really are just
very happy how we are.

I always say when you hug
Freddie it's like hugging God.

I mean how does it get
any better than that?

It doesn't.

It's her!

Quick, open the door!

Well she's not gonna
vanish into thin air.

Gosh, this is crazy
awesome that you're here.

Care
for a surprise?

Does heaven taste
like cotton candy?

Mom's made the most awesome
cheese 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 the
coolest thing ever.

It's like seeing all the
times of a person's life

and how things stay
part of you forever.

Max got her first
one from her mom

when she was four.

And always got a new one
at Christmas and birthdays.

And she has like
hundreds of them at home.

Hey, I'm not that old.

Okay, it's time for dinner
and early bedtime for you.

Can Max stay?

I don't know.

Can Max stay?

I'd love to.

Yeah!

Okay little man, time for bed.

It was
only then that Max

began to fully grasp
their daily challenges.

Wow,
you weren't fooling around.

The monkeys.

Yeah, he collects them
like you do nesting dolls.

Why monkeys?

Well he used to love
how Curious George

was always busting out and
doing things he shouldn't

until that man with that...

Silly yellow hat.

I say don't mock me!

That's right.

I love you the
biggest, the mostest,

and the foreverest.

Mama, I love you the mostest.

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 kids
were back at the lake.

No mom.

Max took care of that.

You've been very
quiet all night long.

It's like when I have to go
to 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 McKenzie
does the same thing.

She has to go to
her place a lot.

A lot, a lot,

because she hurts crazy awful.

And she doesn't have someone
helping 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 feeling
well, sorry.

Look, I'm not sure I buy that.

I'm not sure what
to think actually.

Freddie says you were just sad

and I will bet on Freddie
every 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 not
trying to intrude.

I just wanted to say thank you.

Thank you?

Yeah,
for making my son so happy.

I don't think I have
ever seen him light up

the way he does
when you're around.

Well he's freakily
awesome 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...

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.

What,
two for the price of one?

How'd I get so lucky?

Come on, let's go kick the
shit out of some dancing.

Ever seen this one dance?

Uh oh, you're in for a treat.

Hey Rodney,
we have to go change the keg.

Oh,
all right dance by yourself.

Hey, have you decided yet?

Look, you gotta order something.

Okay, you know what, a scotch.

Double.

You sure you
wanna go that way?

All right.

♪ Open up your
heart and feel it ♪

♪ Love is here today ♪

♪ Even I can find a way ♪

♪ Find a better place
for love to stay ♪

♪ Open up your eyes and see it ♪

♪ Love is here today ♪

Your mother didn't choose
to cut you out of her life.

That was your father's decision.

You father was a dear friend.

I watched him agonize
over this decision.

Thanks mama, I love it.

Oh my baby bobo.

You're getting so big.

Not big enough.

I can't wait to grow up
and become a policeman

just like daddy.

You don't want to grow up too
fast, sweetie.

Once you've done it,
there's no going back.

So do you have
to work tomorrow?

How are those kids?

Kids are big.

Samantha!

Hey, Samantha, Samantha!

Do you always
cut out on people

without any explanation?

No, of course not.

Really McKenzie?

I don't know what to think.

Something about you
is 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.

My gun was in my
pocket the whole time.

I don't know how
you put up with it.

Yeah, I don't know.

This isn't what I do.

What you do to
forget or in general?

Both.

Beckett, it's me.

Listen I need you to
do something for me.

So tell me about her.

She was, she was the
only person I ever trusted.

In everything.

You know I used to
get teased a lot

about being adopted but I
couldn't have been loved more

by anyone else.

She was...

My dad used to
bring me up here.

So if I ever need
to 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's
like 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 I
sort of bottomed out.

I stopped dancing.

Ended up with Derek and
got pregnant within months.

Something was wrong
with the pregnancy.

We just didn't know what.

But the moment that he was born

everyone pushed for a DNR,

so they administered
the morphine

and took him off the vent.

And when they put
him on my chest

my heart broke in
two million pieces.

He was so fragile.

If there's a hell on this earth

it's trying to
help your baby die.

I just held him and I prayed

and I told him it
was 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 was
in a horror movie.

It's so surreal just waiting
and waiting for him to pass.

I need you,
I can't do this alone.

But he just kept
breathing and living.

Derek, the doctors,
my friends, everyone

they'd already given up on him.

What are you saying?

It's too hard for
you to watch him die?

I spent 135 days in the NICU.

We will never ever
come 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 not
an entitlement.

It's a sacred privilege.

So you damn well better
bring 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 sharing
that with me.

You don't have
to be sad anymore

because you have us now.

We are merged.

Is he okay?

What is merged?

He merges the people
he loves into his soul.

Very few get that honor.

I am honored.

Please excuse my ignorance,

but when does he
need the wheelchair?

Well when he's completely
well he doesn't need it at all,

but when he's really sick
we use it to conserve

his energy.

So does he have any
contact with his dad?

None.

Anyone else since?

It's one thing to
date a single mom.

Quite another when you add
a wheelchair to the mix.

How's that?

Well imagine every
night you come home,

the first thing we talk
about is Freddie's day.

Doctors visits,
test results, therapy.

Or maybe you finally
fit in that tennis game

and I'm blowing up your
phone all day with texts

from the ER.

Forget anyone else's
needs getting met

because my priority is the
Freddie channel 24 seven.

Don't I sound like
a perfect catch?

I don't play tennis.

Not that fast.

I thought I'd get him home.

Oh sure, sure.

Hey, would you like
to join us for dinner?

Yeah, yeah.

I just have to drop by my cabin,

but then I'll be there.

Say seven?

Yeah.

Hey Beckett,
were you able to match it?

Oh good, yes yes,
send it to me right away.

Oh fuck.

How can I help you?

What is your
best bottle of red?

You don't wanna know.

But I happen to have some
of my private reserve

for folks with
discriminating tastes.

Be right back.

Of all the gin joints.

Vivienne.

It's kind of a shocker huh?

Buck, can I get two
shots of your best scotch?

Oh no, I don't want...

No, no, it's okay Buck, yeah.

Pretty remarkable
coincidence if you ask me.

My mother used to
bring 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 present
for disciplinary action.

And I'm sorry about your mother.

But I have to ask
myself why is it

that we are both vacationing
in 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 for
yourself I'm on leave.

And what happened 10 years ago
is 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 sway
with your director

and I can make things very
uncomfortable for you.

I'll do whatever
the hell I please.

His little hair is sticking up.

It's killing me.

Jesus, he's burning up.

I was afraid he was
coming down with something.

I'm gonna go get some Tylenol.

Seriously, fucking ridiculous.

Oh no I've got him.

Let's go.

Do you need to take him in?

Unfortunately his
immune system is shot.

Every time he goes
in the hospital

he catches something even worse.

And I've had plenty of
practice breaking these fevers.

Look I'm sure you
have other things

you need to get to.

Not a chance.

Mom, mom!

Where's... what are you doing?

Get over here quick
and shut the door.

FBI?

Forget that.

How do they know each other

and what the fuck
is she doing here?

They probably just know
each other through work.

Mom was on the
intelligence committee.

Couldn't they have
just met there?

Gabrielle, look at this photo.

And try not to be a
fucking Disney princess.

What do you see?

It's like she just
can't help herself.

Wonder what else
she hasn't told us?

These are the nights
that I'm haunted.

I can't stand to think
of 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 on
these star ventures.

Star ventures?

Yeah.

We would get up in the
morning 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 best
time you could ever imagine.

When I was like six or seven

she started this tradition

where we would go
around the table

and mama would ask
what was the best thing

that happened to you today.

And the worst.

Or if this was your
last day on earth

what would you do.

And she would wrap it up with,

what did you learn
about yourself today.

So, what did you learn
about yourself today?

That my greatest mom on earth

may have to share her title.

I think his fever's
finally breaking.

You belong to us.

I'm here.

I'm not going anywhere.

Love you, monkey man.

Wait a
minute, what's this?

You know what, maybe we found
enough dirt on her

for one day.

Do we really wanna...

Don't buckle now.

Open it.

How do you do it?

Keeping him well,
the constant stress.

Dancing.

Wait, isn't that the
definition of irony?

How absolute freedom
of movement saves me

from the way that he's
trapped inside his body.

If I didn't have
dance, I don't...

You could...

The couch is comfortable,
it's so late.

Oh no, I'm fine thank you.

And thank you for
sharing your son with me.

Yeah.

Hey, are you okay?

I don't know why I'm crying.

No, it's been a hell
of a stressful day.

No, it's not that.

It's just, well no one
has ever been like you are

with Freddie, and...

It's okay.

Oh my God, I don't know why,

I just was...

Oh my God.

It goes so long without.

I forget that
passion ever existed.

Did you and mom
have a sleepover?

- Uh hi.
- Hi!

We did,
like you and Kyle do sometimes.

How about some orange juice

and I'll make my
special pancakes?

Can we have
another 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 tried
these little pig navels?

They're really good.

I wanna try one.

Hi everyone, sorry we're late.

Better
late than never.

Never late's better.

Max, these are the Tenshows.

Yeah, we've all met.

Apparently?

Yeah, we're all practically
family now.

Oh that's right.

Your cabins are only a
few down from Colin's.

Yeah, maybe you should go.

This looks like a family thing.

Max, Max.

Max!

Don't be shy now.

Max, come have a seat.

I need you here with me.

I'd like to make a toast.

Oh yes.

To my beautiful daughter.

My loving, lovable,
tightly wound,

complex daughter.

You're not as young
as you used to be.

But you're not as old
as you're gonna be.

Happy birthday, we love you!

Happy birthday.

Thanks dad.

Happy birthday.

That was terrible.

Oh thanks.

So,
how do you all know each other?

Max goes fishing with us

and she's pretty good at
chess, too.

And she tells crazy
awesome stories.

That is fascinating.

You just make friends
all over the place.

Max is more than just a
friend, Miss Vivienne.

Max and mom are like
Rodney 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.

Well
who can blame me.

Here's to the young couple.

I'm getting in on that.

And when Max
stays over tonight

we're all gonna watch a
movie, right mom?

Yes.

Well happy fricking
birthday mom.

I am not gonna
let this happen.

I suggest that you
leave, Agent DeRitter.

Agent what?

What are you talking about?

Your friend here, she's FBI.

She's been here spying on me

because of the
upcoming 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 with
you, you're safe.

Get me my bag.

I'm right here baby.

Freddie?

Okay.

Okay, okay, breathe
in, 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 to
get going as well.

You couldn't just
leave, could you?

I told you!

Hey, hey, hey,

please just call me and
let 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 I
was protecting you

thinking Sasha was
too hard on you.

I don't have time for
whatever Sasha has fed you.

The truth, the truth, mom!

Before we become
judge and jury

maybe you ought to listen
to 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.

Your mother didn't choose
to cut you out of her life.

That was your father's decision.

He gave your mother
chance after chance

but she just couldn't
pull it together.

And then when you were two,

she passed out while
you were in her care.

She quite literally lost you.

And then a neighbor spotted you

wandering down a busy street.

That was the last your
mother ever saw of you.

So why are you
telling me all this now?

'Cause of this counsel
to your father's will.

I was directed to share
this information with you

when you turned 25 or
when you got pregnant.

He wanted you to
meet your mother.

I don't understand.

So does that make
her 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 to
do everything she could

to mend fences during
Samantha's pregnancy.

They even began to forge a
really nice relationship.

What happened?

Well things blew apart
when Freddie was born.

I need you,
I can't do this alone.

I want to honey.

I'm just not strong
like you are.

We will never,
ever come back from this.

I'm done.

Take me to the nearest bar.

Well she didn't hear from
Samantha for seven years.

As Freddie grew older he began
to ask if he had any family.

Is that why we
feel so close to him?

Maybe.

Or maybe you just can't
help but feel close to him.

Why mom,
why didn't you tell us?

This really was up to
Samantha to share with you.

After all she didn't have
to make contact with me.

Whatever.

Sasha, I know that you
wanna be angry with me

to cover up your hurt.

And yes, I have made such
a mess of so many things.

I am trying, I really am.

And I can't even ask
you to meet me halfway

because I know that I have
to earn your trust back again

over time,

but right now I need to
go and make sure that

Freddie and Samantha are okay.

Samantha, please just let
me know that Freddie's okay.

I know you're upset,
but I can explain.

And there's something
I need to tell you.

But I can't do this
over the phone.

Can you watch him?

What?

I need to run to the
pharmacy to pick up

his seizure medication.

Oh sure.

Okay, I'll be right back.

Miss Vivienne?

Yes honey?

You and I have
a lot in common.

How's that honey?

We only get one day at a time.

So we've gotta make
each one count.

Your mother must have
forgotten her keys.

I'll be right back, okay?

What are you doing here?

I thought I made
myself 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 gotten
her back into my life

and the last thing I
am gonna let you do

is hurt her.

No, no, no way.

I am just building a
relationship with her

and it would be destroyed
if she finds out.

She has to know, Vivienne.

I'm not gonna lie to her now.

What the hell
is going on here?

It's nothing.

We knew each other
from years ago.

No, someone is gonna
tell me what's going on.

It shouldn't have happened.

McKenzie?

I was drunk honey.

No, that's enough mom!

McKenzie?

We were lovers.

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 know
that she was your mother?

I was in D.C.
for the Fallen Heroes Memorial

and we were both wasted
and 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 the
luxury of self pity

or to go out and get wasted

because you have a sick
child to take care of.

And every minute has to count

because it can all go
away in a heartbeat.

Hey, look at me.

Look at me, please.

You don't have to be a
rock every single day

and you don't have
to do this alone.

Okay, you don't.

I don't know who I'm more in
love 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 you
get, all expired.

And you will simply
expire along with it.

Stop now!

We can't afford the time

to see if you're
telling the truth.

Especially with
your track record.

So leave.

Please leave.

It was a year later

when McKenzie got the call.

Vivienne?

Thanks for
agreeing to meet me.

I guess things didn't
turn out the way

either one of us wanted.

So why am I here?

Because I needed
to see your face

when I tell you how
deeply sorry I am

for all the trouble I caused.

I just got my year's chip.

Hopefully this
time it will take.

Good for you.

I moved us all permanently
up to Lake Mervielle.

So that we could be near
Samantha and Freddie.

That little boy.

If we all had one tenth
the courage he has.

Sounds like one
big happy family.

They need you McKenzie.

Dear Max,

gosh I've missed
you 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 little
messed up last fall.

And everyone made mistakes.

But I kind of think mistakes
are like birthday candles.

The more you have to blow out

just means the
wiser you've become.

Kind of like my mom's favorite
word, kinsucry.

We all got a little
broken last year.

But from the broken we
can become beautiful.

My mom says she's
sorry she can't be here,

but have a great trip.

And you can't go without
some full moon pie.

Hey, send postcards.

Oh yes and text
from everywhere.

Max!

You ready for your
first star venture?

Does a pole beat jilly bar?

I don't know.

Star venture numero uno!

And I watched their love grow
stronger and more intimate

each day.

Not that there weren't
challenging times

but they weathered them
with grace and dignity.

In between the illnesses
we all made sure

we lived each day like
it might be our last.

Max now fully understood that
making the simplest things

become special,
was the secret to being

inside of life.

Not just a bystander.

I love you monkey man.

I loved her
with everything in me.

We had a plan to convince
mom to have another child.

Because I knew she
would want that.

Because I know things.

If you could tell
me that I could stay

a nesting doll forever,

bundled in my shell of
handmade fairytale flesh,

I might consider staying.

But I have grown very tired.

I am full of peace.

And it's their time now.