Night Sky (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - To the Stars - full transcript

Irene, I'm bored.

You said you wanted to go out.

Here we are. Out.

I said go out
and have a good time.

And maybe talk to some boys?

I don't have the patience.

All right.

Huh? What did I miss?

Well, I bet Franklin 25 bucks
he couldn't run the table on me.

Yikes. Okay, where is Franklin?

Hey, Franklin, your shot.



Yeah, just a sec.

- They mixed it all around.
- Hey, come on, man.

These guys are waiting.

Well, nice of you to join us.

Ooh. Table still looks terrible.

- Mm-hmm.
- Chin up, Randy. I could miss.

What do I need
money for anyway?

They don't have beer
in Saigon?

Yeah, I am gonna
miss you, buddy.

But at least I'll have 25 bucks
to remember you by.

Good game.

Excuse me, gents.

Lucky shot.

You hit it this way
on purpose.



Yes. Yeah.

Well, what are the odds that
you'd be sitting in this seat?

That is the silliest thing
that anyone has ever said to me.

Say...

you like Elvis Presley songs?

Elvis? Isn't he a bit
over the hill?

You'll come around.

Is that right?

Son of a swineherd.

Sweetheart, I think it's time
to trade me in on a newer model.

I left the silverware

in the thing again.

- Uh-oh.
- Should we still eat it?

Oh, why not?

Let's live dangerously.

Please don't use so much salt.

What? I thought we were
living dangerously.

You heard what the doctor said.

And don't say "What?"

You know, they told me not
to marry an English teacher,

but I went and done it anyways.

You all right?

Yeah, I-I'm just
not very hungry.

Well, you haven't had enough
to keep a bird alive.

You need to eat, hon.

Easy fix. Just a loose gasket.

Shouldn't make
that noise anymore.

How about we go see
the stars tonight?

Again?

It feels like we just went.

Really? Oh, let's go.

Please?

You're sure
you don't mind?

No, I'm fine.

Remind me to change
that bulb, will you?

Oh, and gas up the car.

And the, uh, the ice cream
with the, uh... malt balls.

Light bulbs, gas...

Okay, I got you.

There we go.

- You all right?
- Yeah. Fine.

Here.

Just rest a second.

Hold your horses.

- You don't trust me?
- Take the bowl.

You ready to make history?

You say that every time.

It still applies.

See?

I don't always...

It's just 'cause you
said something.

I love you, Irene.

I love you too, Franklin.

How's it looking
out there tonight?

Anything interesting?

Oh, it's-it's always
interesting to me.

I know it is.

You ready to head back soon?

The game's on.

Oh, you go on back.
I'm gonna stay a bit.

Well, I'm not gonna leave
you here all by yourself.

Okay, just, uh...

give me a few minutes, then.

Is something going on with you?

You've been wanting to come
out here more and more.

- That's not true.
- Yes, it is.

Ever since last year.

Since after you fell.

Well, it's always good
to get out of the house.

Most people want to get out
of the house,

they go to dinner,
maybe a movie.

Most people don't have this.

Yep.

Something's different, though.

You're thinking about this
even when we're not out here.

Oh, now you're reading my mind?

Yeah. Well, I've known you
for a little while now.

- I'm-I'm getting there.
- What's your point, Franklin?

I-I just...

I mean, don't you...

Aren't you getting a little bit
tired of this?

'Cause I am.

No.

I'm not.

Look.

Yeah, yeah, I get
it's a heck of a view.

Oh, it's more than that.

Is it?

856 times

we've made
this trip, now, and...

nothing's happened.

We sit here,
we look out the window.

That's all there is.

I'm pretty sure that's
all there ever will be.

What about the door?

Sweetheart,
you saw what happened

when I put the mice out there.

They didn't last a minute.

Well, then, we'll...

we'll just have to wait.

Yeah? Wait for what?

We're not getting any younger.

I think these trips
are starting to take a toll.

We can't keep
doing this forever.

Maybe it's time we...

we finally tell somebody else.

- Maybe Denise.
- No.

This is the last thing
Denise needs.

It'll just scare her.

There's a reason we were
the ones who found this.

It was meant for us.

This is our riddle to solve.

Don't take that away from me.

Of course not.

Sit.

Good girl.

Well, that was
a pretty decent workout.

I might sleep down here tonight.

The other mattress.
My back's a little mad at me.

I'll be fine.

Don't worry. Just a night or two
here, I'll be good as new.

Watch the rest of the ball game.

Sweet dreams, hon.

Taken a little
low and outside.

And that'll run it...

What are you gonna do
while I'm at the doctor?

Well, I got some errands to run.

Why don't you do something fun?

When was the last time
you saw Randy?

Oh, I don't think
I'm built for that anymore.

You know I fall asleep
after one beer.

- You do.
- Want to trade?

No. I have enough
of my own, thanks.

Ugh.
Look at that guy.

- Unbelievable.
- Oh, he's just trying

to be helpful, Franklin.

Hey, you two.

What are you doing?

Oh, I just had the mower out.

I just figured I'd give
your side a little trim.

- Hope you don't mind.
- Thank you for taking the time, Byron.

You really didn't have to.

Don't mention it.
You know, I'm a simple man.

I see grass, I mow it.

- See a property line, you trespass it.
- Oh...

I'm innocent, I swear.

I wanted it mowed,
I'd do it myself.

Hey, we could,
um, do a tool swap.

You know, I sure could use
that planer of yours

- if it's available.
- Planer's broken.

Well, maybe
when it's back in action?

- Good to see you.
- Yeah, you, too.

Uh, lunch is in the fridge.

It's just half a salad,
so don't get too excited.

Well, it does have bacon in it.

Hey, uh, I've been
texting with this woman

that I met at the gym last week,
and she said

that there's a bowling league
here that we can join.

What do you think?

Time for the Banana Splitters
to ride again?

That Franklin York is a liar.

Hon, please, not this again.

He said his planer was broken,

but I saw fresh-planed wood
right by his workshop.

Hey, what is your obsession?

Okay, you're gonna laugh,

but I think they're hiding
something in that shed.

Look,

I found the granddaughter
on Facebook

and I sent her a message
telling her what you saw.

- What?
- It is their problem, not ours.

Hey, we've only been here
for six months. Leave them be.

For my sake.

You don't have the best history
with neighbors,

and I would like to keep
getting invited to things.

Did you want the Wilpons' tree
to fall on our house?

You could be nicer to him.

Who, Byron?

No, thanks.

Well...

Maybe if you gave him a chance,
you two could be friends.

The guy gives me the willies.

You know he lets the dog
sleep in bed with him?

Oh, for heaven's sakes,
Franklin, he likes animals.

It's his marriage bed.

I cannot...

You are so stubborn.

What is going on with you?

Trying to get me
to make friends with Byron.

Telling me to go to the pool
hall in the middle of the day.

I just think it would be nice
if you got out and were social.

It keeps you sharp.

I don't want to see
other people.

Well, I don't want to feel like
all you do is take care of me.

Yours must be as hard as mine.

Hey, there. Sorry for the delay.

- Irene, you can come back now.
- Thank you.

We've got a few scans and tests
to run this afternoon.

It's all routine,
but it might take a little bit.

I-I'll call you
when I'm finished.

How's the back, Mr. York?

Oh, you know, good days and bad.
Can't complain.

Well, it is a doctor's office.

Complaining is encouraged.

Oh, don't forget the ice cream.

Yes, ma'am.

Have a nice day.

You haven't come
to see me for months.

I assumed it was because
you were improving.

Am I not?

I see you're still in the chair.

Well, only when I leave home.

Trying to be extra cautious.

And how often
are you leaving home?

Are you eating? Exercising?

Did you finish your appointments

- with the physical therapist?
- What is this,

some sort of inquisition?

Look, I won't sugarcoat this.

I'm concerned.

You shouldn't be
in this condition at 73,

even after the fall.

You're making this sound worse
than it is, Sandra.

- I'm fine.
- I'm sorry, but you're not fine.

I think you know that.

Is there anything in your life
that might be contributing

to these symptoms?

Not that I can think of, no.

Irene, some of the things
you're experiencing

are often made worse
by depression.

I am not depressed.

Well, I want to run
some more tests.

We should up the benazepril
for your blood pressure.

Levothyroxine as well.

You need
a scheduled nutrition program

and supplements.

For the headaches
and insomnia, doxepin.

P.T. More frequent checkups.

Have you considered
in-home care?

Irene?

Have you considered
in-home care?

Oh, uh, Franklin
can take care of me.

I'm not sure he's up
for that. Not anymore.

Do you have
a Rewards Card?

Uh, somewhere. Yeah.

Oh, sorry.

Hang on, just a sec.

- Hi, Denise? Can I...
- Hey, Grandpa.

Can I call you back?
I'm at the store right now.

Guess what? I'm coming to town.

I'm actually driving in
right now.

Oh. Right now?

Hey, maybe let
someone else go, huh, Pop?

Just meet me at Jelinek's, okay?

J... Okay, all right, goodbye.

- Finished?
- Yeah. Now I am, yeah.

Let me just, uh,
get that Rewards Card.

Somewhere.

- Hey, Grandpa.
- Hi, Princess.

- Where's Nana?
- She's at the doctor.

- Just a checkup.
- Are you sure?

She looked a little bit frail
the last time I saw her, so...

She's fine, she's just,
you know...

- How about a piece of cake?
- Of course.

Hi, this Franklin.

I'm not available right now, but
if you leave me a message and...

I-I'm sure
he'll be here soon.

Okay.

Irene, please don't
disappear again.

You can't ignore this.

A-Apparently not.

How's your mom?

Good. She and Trevor just had

their ten-year
wedding anniversary.

- Ten years?
- Mm-hmm.

Hmm.

Yeah, how about you?

How's school treating you?

School is great.

Internship is great.

- Sweetie?
- What?

You want to tell me
what's bothering you so much

you're taking it out
on that poor napkin?

Oh.

Uh, promise you won't be mad?

Well, no, I mean, wh...
You okay?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Uh...

I got a...

I got a message this morning.

Well, what kind of message?

One of your neighbors
found me on Facebook

- and said that they...
- Oh, Facebook.

Was it Jim Denn...
Is Dennings on Facebook?

It doesn't matter who.

What-what matters is they
were walking their dog, and...

they saw you pushing Nana around
in the middle of the night.

Is that it?

I mean, you know how Nana
likes to take the night air.

That's what you're
worried about?

Yeah, I am. And...

I think you two should consider
moving out of the house.

Because we took a walk?

No, it's not just that.

I've been thinking about this
since Nana fell.

Well, that was last year,
and she's... she's doing better.

She could have died.

I know this might be hard
to understand, Princess, but...

...we're just gonna stick
where we are.

And if that means I keel over
dead walking up the stairs

or-or pruning the roses

or wheeling your Nana around
all hours of the night,

well, then, so be it.

- But it doesn't make sense...
- Denise, I-I said no.

- Excuse me?
- Jesus.

I forgot you were here.

When my husband arrives,
will you let him know

that I've gone across the street
to visit an old friend?

Sure.

Thank you.

Miss Boyle,
what are you doing out here?

May I ask what you're doing?

- Let's get you back to your room.
- Hey!

What? I'm just taking
Miss Boy...

- I'm so sorry.
- It's fine.

This is Irene York.

And as far as I know,
she doesn't live here.

It's fine.

- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.

Sorry, but do I know you?

It's Chandra.

Yeah, I was
one of your students.

I-I wrote my final paper
on the Brontë sisters,

and you said it was
one of the best...

Oh. Yes.

- Chandra.
- Yeah. Are you thinking

- about moving in?
- Oh, no. I-I...

I was just hoping to see
my friend Sadie Norton.

Oh, of course.
Did you know George?

Mm. I did see his obituary
in the paper.

Well, I could take you
to her room. May I?

Oh, yes. Thank you.

They were really
in love, those two.

But he was pretty gone
by the end.

Didn't even recognize her.

After 60 years, just like that.

So, how are you doing,
Mrs. York?

- You still teaching?
- Oh, no.

I-I retired some time back.

You were a really
important teacher for me.

I even majored in English.

Yeah, I thought I'd be
a teacher too. Just like you.

Didn't work out.

Well, this is a good job.

You're-you're helping people.

This job, it is tough.

You know, I know
you still got it together,

but the truth is,
most of the people in here,

they don't know
what they want or need,

and they don't appreciate
what you do for them.

Well, look at me,
I'm just blabbering again.

We are at Sadie's room.

Well, I don't want to keep you.

I know you have
a lot of work to do.

Right. Of course.

Well, it was nice to see you
again, Mrs. York.

And, uh, who knows, maybe
you'll move in here someday.

We always have new spaces
opening up.

Are you here to fix the window?

No, Sadie, it's Irene.

Irene York.

Irene.

Is that really you?

Oh, yes.

It's been a long time.

Are you okay here?

I have my friend.

Did I tell you I used to own
a bridal shop?

I would sew all the veils.

Look, you can see where I
pricked myself with the needle.

Oh, I know, The Lovely Bride.

I worked there one summer,
remember?

Irene.

Irene, is that really you?

Yes.

You had the most
incredible hair.

You used to tie
all that ribbon in it.

I was so jealous of that.

You made me pay
for all that ribbon.

It was a lot of ribbon!

Yes, it was.

Ah...

Are you here to fix the window?

No, no.

Sadie, I came to see you.

I was so sorry
to hear about George.

I came here to see
how you were doing.

I thought maybe you needed
a visit from an old friend.

Oh.

We weren't friends.

Yes, uh, Irene.

- I worked at the...
- I know who you are, Irene.

We were never friends.

You weren't
a very good employee.

You...

you always thought
you were very smart,

but actually,
y-you were quite silly.

Have I told you
I used to own a bridal shop?

I have something
to tell you, Sadie,

and you're very lucky,

because I've never told anyone
this in my whole life.

I've been somewhere.

Somewhere far, far from here.

Very far.

Farther than any human
has ever gone, by light-years.

Oh, I've seen miraculous things.

I'm special, Sadie.

I'm the most special person
you've ever met in your life.

But now...

I'm sick.

And I'm scared.

And I...

I'm not so sure anymore.

Are you here to fix the window?

Hey, hey!

Irene?

Sweetheart, I'm home!

God.

Do you want to talk about it?

I can take care of myself.

But it's not just yourself.

You have to take care of me,
too.

And that's not fair.

Well, now you're...

twisting it like it's a burden.

That's...

You sound just like Denise.

- Denise?
- Yeah, I saw her today.

That's-that's why I got
so darn distracted.

She thinks we're getting senile
or something.

She... wants us to move.

Do you want to?

Want to what?

Move.

Well, you said it yourself
last night.

We can't keep doing this
forever.

Sheep-dip.

I forgot to get gas.

Your, uh, your gauge
not working right now?

No, it... it's me.

Got to pay attention
to these things, man.

Especially at your age.

Yeah,
it won't happen again.

You don't have to report this
to anybody or anything, do you?

Nah. It's just gas.

You'll be all right. I'll be
right back. Give me a second.

Let me get your, uh, let me
get your signature real quick.

Oh, yeah.

What do you want
from me?

All right, Mr. Nichols,
you are all booked,

traveling August 13
from Knoxville to Dallas.

Seat 11B. It's an aisle seat,
just like you wanted.

Is there anything else
that I can help you with?

Oh, that's very nice of you,
sir.

Um, if you wouldn't mind
filling out a quick survey

after the... Ah, son of a bitch.

They always hang up,
huh?

You know what, it's okay.

I wouldn't want to fill out
a survey either.

You almost done? I just want
to show you something.

I'll be quick.

How does...

this look?

Uh...

"Albemarle"?

How 'bout just "Byron"?

You mean just...

"Byron for Town Council"?

Yeah.

I like it.

It's plain and simple.

Oh! God, you always have
the best ideas.

Hey, do-do you really need
signs?

If I want to win,
I got to get my name out there.

Yeah, but, uh...

why not next year?

Once we're
a little more settled.

Look...

I never could've done this
back in Champaign.

People there just...

...they didn't see me that way.

But here?

I can be...

Councilman.

You can be Mrs. Councilman.

Hmm?

I have another call.

- Oh. Sorry.
- Uh, hi, this is Janine.

How may I assist you
with your travels today?

Uh, wonderful. And what dates
were you looking to fly?

Okay.

You know,

when you asked me in the car

if I wanted to move...

...well...

...honestly,
I've thought about it.

'Cause of the stars.

But, sometimes,

looking at that...

other sky...

...it scares me.

So I'd-I'd be lying if I said
I hadn't thought about it.

But...

...the end of the day, for me...

...the answer is no.

Just 'cause...

...'cause I know
you don't want to.

So I...

So I don't want to either.

Thank you.

I went to see Sadie Norton
today.

Yeah?

George passed away.

Franklin, we need to talk.

What would you do if I died?

Wait, what did the doctor say?

This is not about the doctor.

This is about you and me.

What would you do?

I'd die, too.

Oh, come on, Franklin.

- That's unacceptable.
- Well, I don't care

what's acceptable.

Well, I've thought about it,

and I want you to promise me
that if I go first...

...you'll sell the house.

Move on. Just...

let somebody else
have a go at it.

Well, what about our secret?

Well,

it'll have been our secret
long enough, don't you think?

Okay.

I promise.

What's a good age, you think?

For what?

To live to.

Hundred?

I'd be happy with that.

Who wouldn't?

Promise me you won't think
about dying until we're 100.

Okay?

'Cause I want those years.

So just...

...just promise me, okay?

I promise.

Were you trying to protect me
from myself?

There... Come on.

- I can't.
- Quit squirming.

You know you love this.

It-it does feel good...

but it also tickles.

Oh, my God.

- So I should stop, I guess?
- No, no, don't stop.

You're leaving this foot out.

No, that-that one, we'll get.

You have a favorite.

I love this foot.

- Mwah.
- Oh, you are so weird.

Do that again.

Yes, ma'am.

Oh, my gosh.

Oh, do you remember when Michael
used to run and hide

in the pantry whenever we came
near him with the nail clippers?

Oh, my God, he hated it

when we clipped his nails.

I like hearing you talk
about him.

Hey.

Let's try something.

Is this gonna work?

Well, what are
you asking me for?

You're the one
always inviting me for rides.

- Let's go.
- No.

Not with me.

Well, come on.
We'll-we'll see what happens.

- Hit the gas.
- Okay! Okay!

- Brace yourself.
- Good.

Woo-hoo!

Yippee!

This is fun.

Right?

Uh-oh.

Okay, well...

Here we go. Manual mode.

Been a while since we've done
that, hasn't it?

You hear that?

No. What?

Well, they're playing our song.

Dear Franklin,

Let me first say...

I'm sorry.

I'm not doing this to hurt you.

You know I would never.

It's only that...

...I've finished waiting. I...

I've waited long enough.

I'm ready.

I know what's probably on the
other side of that door, but...

...I have to see for myself.

To make my own choice

while I still can.

Like so many times my own words
have failed me in life,

I turn again to Auden.

"How should we like it
were stars to burn

With a passion for us
we could not return?"

"Admirer as I think I am

Of stars that do not give a damn

I cannot, now I see them, say

I missed one terribly all day."

"Were all stars
to disappear or die

I should learn to look
at an empty sky

And feel
its total dark sublime."

Be strong.

I know you can be.

Tell Denise how proud I am.

I'll give your love to Michael.

And I'll see you again.

I promise.

All my love.

Irene.

Please.

Please.

Please.

Who are you?