Parenthood (2010–2015): Season 5, Episode 8 - The Ring - full transcript

The family watches out for Zeek (Craig T. Nelson), but he ends up giving Sarah (Lauren Graham) some much needed advice. Tension rises in Julia's (Erika Christensen) household when she receives some unsettling news from Victor's (Xolo Mariduena) school. The media uncovers some skeletons in Kristina's (Monica Potter) closet that attract unwanted media attention on Adam (Peter Krause). Meanwhile Amber (Mae Whitman) makes a tough decision that rocks the boat with Ryan (Matt Lauria).

Okay, open them.

What?
We can't afford this.

Are you kidding me?
Yes, of course we could.

I spent my combat pay on it.

We can be friends.

Some of my best friends

are 40-year-old guys
who date 20-year-olds.

- Really?
- No, Carl, not really.

Anything I need to know about?

You got to tell me this now.

There is nothing
you need to know about.



I feel sorry for you, okay?

You feel sorry for me?
Why?

That kid of yours,
he's a retard.

What is going on right now?

We're too adults, here,
and now we're having a drink.

She's 19.
You're 28.

I'm extremely disappointed
right now.

We need to discuss getting him
back into fourth grade.

We're not doing that.

You don't like it, talk to ed.

My art class
is going to Italy for a month.

I'm gonna go.

By myself.

[Creedence clearwater revival's
fortunate son playing]





Good morning, Berkeley!

[Chuckles]

Mm.

You'd better.

Uh-oh.

There we go.

All right.

♪ And then the band plays
"hail to the chief" ♪

Oh, yeah.

[Chainsaw rumbling]

♪ It ain't me, it ain't me ♪

Whoo, that's in the hole!

[Yelling]

Oh, yeah!

♪ I ain't no fortunate one ♪

Looking good, Zeek.

Hi, Shelly!

Gah.

So, uh, looks like
you made up your mind.

You gonna do ballet
instead of basketball?

Yup, I'm doing ballet
with mom now.

Hey, nice turnout.

Doesn't he look great, honey?

Yeah.

And then you just--
we slide his pants

up on over those, or...

Okay.

Principal Evans
is gonna be at the meeting too.

This is a big deal.

Okay, so we'll go out
on Friday.

We'll find out
what it's about then.

Well, we know what it's about.
This is it.

This is when they're telling us
they're gonna hold him back

because he's not keeping up.

- We don't know that, Julia.
- He's really still struggling.

- We don't know that.
- Oh, fine.

Well, I just hate waiting.

I know you do.
I know you do.

I don't know
what else I can do.

Honey.

I've been working with him
so much--

- come on, let's not assume
the worst, here

please?
Please?

We know that they're
gonna hold him back.

Victor's going back
to fourth grade?

- No.
- That's not what I said.

Yes, it--that's exactly
what you just said.

That's awful.
I don't want him in my class.

[All talking at once]

You need a jacket
and your school books--

- I already have my stuff.

It's packed up.
Come on.

You guys want some lunch?

Anything?
Anyone?

Now, I got some options:
Burger and pie, Italian...

- You're always feeding us.
- Two Mexicans.

What do you guys want?
Whoa, whoa, whoa.

We got ice cream.
Stop. Don't.

- Is that real?
- Yeah, it's real.

It's real. It's--
That's real?

- Yes.
- Princess cut?

It's the quality is not as high.

- We have color--
- What is your deal?

You guys are such weirdos.
Can we not do this?

- It's massive.
- Do not show that to Jasmine.

- Blinding my sight, here.
- Yeah, it's good.

Can we--what do you guys
want to eat?

- Hey.
- Hi.

It's the lady
I was looking for.

Oh, oh, sorry, yeah.

The dryer's still not working.

The guy is coming later today.

No, it's not even close.

I'm having a little party
Saturday night and--

- and you don't want me
to call the cops.

I actually wanted
to invite you.

You.
[Laughs]

- Here you go.
- You're inviting me?

Well, you know, I feel like
we shared a loofah, so...

Um, I--I'm not--
I don't know

what my weekend is, uh,
but thank you.

You're welcome.
Yeah, I think you'd enjoy it.

You should come.
Oh.

Just a few friends and music.

Drinks.
It'll be fun.

Anyone else over 26
gonna be there?

I hope not, no.

[Chuckles]

Mm.

See you later.
Kidding. Kidding.

Okay.
You should come though.

Think it'll be good.

I'll call you for dinner
and we'll have--

- all right, guys, listen up.

I just want to talk to you
for a second.

So the new poll numbers came in

and I just want to say
how much I appreciate

all the hard work
every last one of you

have been putting into
this campaign.

I mean, the passion--
we wouldn't have even

gotten this far
without you guys--

- Heather, you're--
you're so right.

You guys are such hard workers.

They have such great
work ethic.

And I just want you to know--
What are the poll numbers?

Well, we're within two points
Bob little.

[Laughs] Are you kidding?

[Cheering and screaming]

I really am?
Do you know what this means?

You're gonna win.
We're gonna do this.

- Two points?
- Two points.

We're gonna close this gap.
You are the underdog.

Now you're two points away.
I'm the top dog.

She's the top dog.
Two more weeks, people.

- Two points.
- You know what this means?

You guys have to work
harder than ever.

I want you to work.
Oh, it's the trib.

They probably want a comment
about the polls.

Yeah, hello?

Yeah, talk to me.

Uh, wait, what?

Who'd you get that from?
Bob little?

- What?
- Where's Adam?

Excuse me.
Are you Adam Braverman?

Yeah, I am.

Is it true that you
violently assaulted

a man in a supermarket?

What?

How do you think
these allegations

are gonna affect
your wife's bid of mayor?

II don't know.
Would you please--

- have you ever been treated
for anger management issues?

Mr. Braverman,
we have questions.

No, I have not.
Would you just get off my lawn?

This is private property.

All right?
Get off my lawn?

Go! God!

♪ May God bless
and keep you always ♪

♪ and may your wishes
all come true ♪

♪ may you always do
for others ♪

♪ and let others do for you

♪ may you build a ladder
to the stars ♪

♪ and climb on every rung

♪ and may you stay

♪ forever young

♪ may you grow up
to be righteous ♪

♪ may you grow up to be true ♪

♪ may you always know
the truth ♪

♪ and see the lights
surrounding you ♪

♪ may you always be
courageous ♪

♪ stand upright and be strong ♪

♪ and may you stay

♪ forever young

♪ may you stay

♪ forever young

is it true that you violently
assaulted a man in a supermarket?

What? What? What?

How do you think
these allegations

are going to affect your wife
in her bid for mayor?

Get off my lawn!
I don't know.

Get off my lawn!
Get off my lawn!

You know, honey, it's not
really--it's not that bad.

I didn't have time to think.
I just reacted.

- Obviously.
- You didn't say anything.

Well, next time, you should
just say "no comment."

- Next time?
- And walk away.

I hope there's not a next time.

I don't even know why
there had to be a this time.

This was, like,
three years ago.

- Well, this is what they did.
- The guy insulted my kid.

He called him a retard.
I punched him.

It's not like I
put him in the hospital.

- You were right to do that.
- Who cares?

I'm glad I vetted you too,
Adam.

I'm glad I spent those two hours
in your office

and you telling me
about streaking

at a mother-daughter banquet
and you were naked.

Glad you forgot to tell me
about this.

- Where?
- When I was in High School.

You know about this.
Really?

- Are you guys paying attention?
- Sorry.

I'm saying Bob little
has found a way to go negative.

We're down to the wire.

He can turn this two point lead

into a five point lead.

We'll be cooked
when he does that.

[Sighs] You're right.

Well, I don't understand
how he found out about this.

- I don't either.
- I told him.

- What?
- I--years ago.

I told him
when I was working for him.

He thought it was so awesome
and that you were the man

and it was so cool and great.

I'm sorry.

I can't believe
that little bastard

remembered this
and tried to use it against you.

Yes, I get it.
You know what we should do?

Let's call a press conference.
No, no.

We don't need to give this
more play.

We need to go negative.
That's what we need to do.

We need to find some story
about mister squeaky clean.

Mr. little and leak that out.

- Oh, he's not squeaky clean.
- I know he's not.

I'm tired of that image anyway.

There's got to be something
we could dig up on him.

You know anything?
Anything you found out...

When you were running his
campaign, anything come up?

There's got to be something.
I'm gonna find it.

- I love you.
- How was your day?

- Okay. I'm tired.
- Yeah?

Yeah, we just started
recording a new track

and I'm just, like...
I don't know.

I feel really drained.

Anybody notice anything,
uh, different about you?

[Laughs]

Yes, of course.
What'd they say?

- How could they not?
- Did they freak out?

They couldn't believe it.
Yeah, they--

- were they excited?
- Very excited.

They thought it was amazing.

Yeah, Crosby said, you know,
"don't show Jasmine that

or I'm gonna have to upgrade
and get her one of those.

Well, too bad.

It's one of a kind,
so she can't...

- This?
- She can't--yeah.

- Wow.
- Look at that.

Only one in the world.

I don't even--
I can't even process it.

It's just--
it looks so perfect on you.

It's crazy.

Do you like it?

It's--it's--
it's unbelievable.

I'm gonna make us dinner.

Okay.
Thanks, then.

- Dad?
- Yup.

- Oh.
- I'm in here.

Come on in.

Oh, yeah.

- What are you--
- Mm.

Man, I've always
wanted to do that.

Really?

I'm experimenting
with different food groups.

Very good.
What is it?

It's cereal with whipped cream
and a banana.

- Dad.
- What?

Is this the way
you've been eating?

Uh, kind of, yeah.

Why do the kids keep
stopping by here

and then, like, checking on me?

You don't need to check on me.

I'm gonna be fine.
Well, dad, I don't know.

It's been a long time
since you've been on your own

and, you know, so I was next
in the rotation..

Well, it's been a long time
since you've been on your own.

Do the kids keep checking up
on you?

Do people stop by?
No, dad.

And they don't bring me
what's in this bag either,

so I guess I'll just go--
No, no, no.

Wait a minute.
Hold it.

- Hm?
- Get back here.

What's in the bag?

- Do you want to know?
- Uh-huh.

Well, the potato salad
is in the bag

that you can only get
in San Francisco,

which is why I came
from San Francisco

to give it to you,
not to mention...

- Ooh.
- Yeah.

The ribs that are hot,
hot, hot, hot, hot.

Oh, let me smell them.
Let me smell.

Mm.

And because I love you,
I got you extra sauce.

Oh, the extra sauce.

Let's eat it now, shall we?

- Okay, yeah.
- Okay.

- I want to try this though.
- Oh, easy.

- Ew.
- Yeah.

So, hey, how was ballet class
the other day?

- Um, it was good.
- It was?

Yeah, it was actually
really good.

- Oh, it was really good.
- Yeah.

What's the thing
you like best about it?

I like when we drop
the baby off at grandma's house.

Yeah, she's not much
of a dancer.

She's more
of a drooler really, huh?

- Yeah.
- What else you like about it?

Ooh!

Mom and I get to have
burger and pie after.

She lets me order
whatever I want

because ballet's
such a good exercise.

Mm.

Yeah, I'd even do ballet
for burger and pie.

You have to move forward.

- Oh, okay.
- There you go.

You know, buddy,
if you're just doing ballet

so you can spend time with mom
and eat at burger and pie

I won't tell her.

You know, I'm just curious
if that's...

No, dad.
I really like ballet.

- Really?
- Yeah.

Actually, I think I love it.

Boom!
You love it?

Do your--do, like, a plie.

Do your--
Do a plie?

Yeah, like this.

How is that gonna help?

I got you.
Oh, lower.

Move your center of gravity.
Yeah.

I told you it's perfect.

This is--yeah,
they're really coming along.

Incredible with that fertilizer.

- Excuse me, Miss Mikindoe.
- Oh, hi.

Hi.

I know we have a meeting
on the books for Friday

and you probably don't want
to speak out of school but--

- well, no, I can't.
- Oh.

I mean,
Friday is the best time.

Principal Evans will be there.

Right.
I know, I know.

If you could give me anything--

just a little heads up on...

- I really can't.
- Okay.

- Okay.
- Oh--

I can't sleep.

I'm...

I'm really having a rough time

not knowing what's happening
with my son.

It's kind of all
I'm thinking about, so, um...

This really should come
from the principal.

What?
Well, what is it?

Well, I know
you've been working really hard

and he just keeps
falling more and more behind.

Right.

We don't want him
to fall anymore behind

than he already is.

- Right.
- We want him to succeed.

Right.
So...

So we're recommending
that he move back

to the fourth grade
for the rest of the year.

- Okay.
- I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry.
No.

I know how hard
this is gonna be.

I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have said anything.

I should have waited until
we were with the principal.

Oh, I really appreciate
you telling me.

Thank you.

- It's gonna be okay.
- Okay.

All right, I'll see you Friday.

- Okay.
- Okay.

Bye.

[Cries quietly]

So I know I suck
at pretty much everything,

but apparently not squash.

Julia, what's wrong?

Are you okay?
What happened?

Mm.

Oh, God.

They're finally moving Victor
back to fourth grade now.

And...
I don't know.

God, I'm sorry, Julia.
I am.

[Cries]

I don't know how to tell him.

Oh, God.

I'm gonna...

Um, go talk to my husband.

- Yeah.
- Okay.

Thank you.
You okay?

Okay, yeah.
I'm okay.

[Clears throat]

- Hey, Brenda. How are you?
- Hey, Kristina.

- Hey, how are you doing?
- Oh, he's on a call right now.

Oh, it's okay.
It'll just take a second.

- You can't go in there.
- Just one quick second.

It's fine.
It's really no big deal.

It'll be two seconds.
Kristina! How are you?

I'm great, Bob.
How are you?

- You want a coffee?
- No, I don't want a coffee.

I don't want anything.
Listen to me.

I just want you
to tell me straight

that this story about Adam
came from you.

I know that it did.
Come on.

I can't believe
that you would do this.

I mean,
I thought we were friends.

You can't believe
I would do what to you?

This is a complete betrayal
of our friendship

betrayal?
Kristina, hold on a second.

No, I'm not gonna hold on.
I'm actually pissed.

Campaigns get a little messy,
Kristina.

I get it.
I know that.

Well, if you know that,
then why are you here yelling--

- I'm the one running,
Bob, not my family.

- I completely understand that.
- Leave them out of it, okay?

Do you get that?
You know what,

there are some things
that I could share

about you, Bob, that...

Go ahead, Kristina.

But you're not
gonna say anything

'cause that's
just not who you are.

Otherwise, I would have won
that campaign two years ago.

But I'm not gonna lose
this one.

You don't know who I am.

No idea.

Not a clue.

You should have seen
the little look on his face.

He was smirking at me.
I want to, like...

I wanted to punch him.

He knows that I can't
go negative on this.

He's playing mind games
with you.

He's playing mind games
with me.

You got to prove him wrong,
okay?

How am I gonna prove him wrong?

Without mentioning
Amber's name.

- How, honey?
- Bob little.

Inappropriate behavior
with an intern and that's it.

I don't want to bring Amber
into this.

It's like--it's too personal.

She's family.
She's my niece.

I think that we should have
Heather weigh in on this.

I am not checking with Heather.

If I tell her about Amber
and Bob, it's over.

You've met her, okay?

She'll go right
for the jugular--

- I just don't want to be
the reason this ends for you.

I'm not going to lose.

I'm not losing.

I love it when you get feisty
like that.

- I'm not feisty. I'm just mad.
- The one that just--

- I'm going downstairs
to fix this.

What'd you decide?

Honey?
[Knock on door]

- Hey.
- Hey.

Got you note.
I got your wine delivery.

Thank you.

This is supposed to be
an amazing label.

Oh, yeah?

I'm told it's fruit-forward
with a very big nose.

- It's all the same to me.
- You coming?

Oh, I--you know...

You're the tenant.
I'm your super. I don't...

I know you think
it's gonna be, you know,

me and a bunch of 20-something's
doing shooters,

but I do have some friends
in their 30s.

[Whispers] Even their 40s.

- Don't tell anybody.
- [Laughs]

Thanks, but I have
a family thing.

Okay.
Thanks for hanging onto it.

Sure.

Hey, Sarah?

You know,
for what it's worth...

Even if you don't want to come
to my party Saturday,

you should go to a party.

Yeah, a woman like you
should be out on Saturday night.

Well, I think we can all agree
that resorting to violence

is not a family value.

I think this is really
about moving...

- Boy, have I seen it.
- What's happening?

I am just disgusted.
You know what?

I can't believe
that he would do this.

Amber, I can't either.
I'm just--

I'm so bummed, you know?

Like, I feel like...

I thought he was,
like, a good guy generally.

- We were friends, you know?
- We're friends.

I just feel, like,
totally betrayed and...

- It's so awful.
- I'm just tired and...

I don't know.
You know what we have to do.

I...

Don't you dare.
You have to.

- Okay?
- You know that there's no way--

- Uncle Adam and I
have been talking about this

and he's been asking--

- good. Good.
- No, it's not good.

I'm not pulling you into this.
It doesn't matter.

There's no way that we can let
him get away with this--

with spinning something
like what Uncle did

into this when
we have this on him.

I know we have it, but, honey,

you would be all over
the media.

They would be following you.
That's fine.

- To work, home, everything.
- I can handle it.

I don't want this guy
in office.

- I know.
- He's dishonest.

I don't either,
but I'll think about it.

Do you promise you'll
think about it for real?

I swear I will.
I promise.

- Do you promise.
- I pinkie promise...

- Pinkie promise.
- That I'll think about it.

- [Laughs]
- What--wait.

What is that?
You haven't seen it?

Oh, my God.
That is, like--

I can't see.
Honey, that is so pretty.

- Yeah, it's--yeah.
- Oh, how sweet.

Oh.
Yeah.

You don't really love it?

It's a little bit absurd,
right?

It's not just me?

I mean, it's bigger than any

of my family members
wedding rings, I mean--

- well, it's a little bigger
than mine, but...

[Laughs] Like,
what are we doing?

- Enjoy it, you know?
- I don't need it.

And he spent all
of his money on it.

Everything that he had.

You guys are gonna be married.
You know what?

Have this talk with him
and tell him

that you're worried
about finances and maybe just...

- I'm just scared.
- Just tell him.

I don't want to hurt
his feelings.

I feel like he's
gonna get upset.

Are you sure
it's just about the ring?

- Yeah.
- Oh, okay.

Yeah, everything's fine.
I just... Yeah.

Good.

Okay, they're both
doing homework.

- Okay.
- Okay.

I was right.
They're gonna hold him back.

And you know this...

I ran into Miss Mikindoe
today at school and she told me.

- Ran into?
- Yeah.

I was there for sustainability.

And you just
couldn't help yourself.

Joel.

I mean, you can't call me
about this,

or text me have a discussion--
You were at work.

And I'm telling you now.

So you went
and had our conversation

with Miss Mikindoe without me.

I ran into her and can we talk
about the real issue, here?

Our son is being yanked out
of his class

in the middle
of the school year

and we need to figure out
how to talk to him about it.

No.
We are not doing that.

I don't think we have a choice.

Yes, we do, Julia.

We're gonna go in
and tell the principal

that he can go screw himself.

Oh.

We're gonna
pull out son out right now?

It's gonna be a total disaster
for him.

I know.

That's why I wanted to do it

at the beginning
of the school year.

Oh, so this is my fault?
This is all on me?

- No.
- Is that what you're saying?

- Can you--
- I am not doing that to him.

I am not gonna do that to him.

It's a situation
that we're in now.

We'll find a private school.

We'll find some sort of way--

- Joel, we can't afford
a private school.

On just your salary.

What?
I'm being practical.

Let's look at our options.
That's not an option.

- On my salary?
- On your salary.

Well, no one asked you
to go quit your job, did they?

But you went and did that.

Just like you went
and talked to miss Mikindoe.

All these decisions
you're making,

they're bad decisions.

You're not helping, here.

♪ G-get of my lawn

♪ g-g-get off my lawn

♪ what

♪ g-g-get off my lawn

♪ g-g-get off my lawn

that's a good single.

You should drop
that single first

before your whole album
comes out.

I was afraid
this was gonna happen.

What an interview.

I mean "interview."

I forgot what a tough guy
you are

that you punched that guy out.

And then the way they remixed,
they really captured

this sweet spot of your voice.

You're pretty happy with
yourself right now, aren't you.

Honestly,
it really picked me up.

- Uh-huh.
- It did.

Look, things aren't perfect
for me at home either.

Jabbar chose, over basketball,
for his winter sport, ballet.

That's not even a sport.
Ballet. That's cool.

- It's cool?
- Yeah.

- Ballet?
- What's the problem?

Well, he was in the outfit.

He had the whole--
you know, he was...

Twirling around the kitchen
in a super thin, you know...

Is it tough--kind of tough
for you to see that?

Yeah?
Yeah.

Is there any other
guys in the class?

- No.
- Well, look at that.

Look at that.
He's working the ratio, there.

It's just a bunch of girls
and him.

He's got it made.
Okay, I-

I'm not concerned
about whether or not

my 10-year-old's
gonna get laid.

I'm talking about being able
to share something with him

that I could connect
with him on.

I get it, okay?

Crosby, your kids aren't always
gonna be interested

in the things that
you're interested in.

They're not always
gonna be interested

in the things you want them
to be, okay?

I wish that Max
had been more interested

in baseball than bugs.

That's not how it worked out.

Okay?
So I got interested in bugs.

Mmhmm.

Hey, bud, where's Victor?

Uh, he's outside playing.

He said he finished
his homework.

Oh.

Okay.

How about you?

Have you chosen which mission
you're gonna do?

Yeah, the San Juan capistrano.

You know the swallows
fly there every year?

I did know that.

Grandma and grandpa
took me down there

when I was a kid.

Pretty cool.

Okay.

- Mommy?
- Yeah?

If Victor goes back
to fourth grade,

will he had to do
another missions report?

No.

No, he did that.

So...

Gosh, I don't--um...

I don't know.

Hey, you haven't talked to him
about that, have you?

- No, I haven't.
- Good.

Because nothing's
been decided yet, so...

It's just--
it's complicated, you know?

It's for all the grown-ups.

It's for the school
and for Victor's teachers

and for daddy and I
to figure out.

Okay?

- Okay.
- Okay.

Is that why you and daddy have
been fighting so much lately?

No, we haven't been fighting.

No, sweetie, um, you know,

sometimes we just disagree,

but that's--
that's okay.

And we discuss things and...

Hello, Mr. Miller.

Yes, this is
Adam Braverman calling

from the Kristina Braverman
campaign.

Yes, we're calling to ask you
if you'd be willing

to make a second donation
to help

keep this campaign competitive.

- Minimum of $500.
- $500 would be great.

But we could go higher.

But $1,000
would be even better.

He can afford it.

Thank you very much.
Thank you, Dr. Miller.

Okay, thank you, yeah.
Good, okay.

You got it.
Excuse me.

- Hey.
- You guys seen this?

- What?
- Thank you.

What is it?

Have you seen this?

What's this?
What is that?

I look horrible.

You guys look insane.

Who are you yelling at?

You look like lunatics.

Haddie's soccer Facebook page.

That's where that's from.
This was a soccer game?

He took it from the Internet.

The ref called her
for tripping.

She was making a play
on the ball.

I can't believe--how can he just
grab this stuff

and have it be in the paper?

Because he's a jerk.
That's how he could od this.

We need to call
a press conference.

I feel that's what
I have to do.

I think I'm going to.

We need to call--
Good.

And say what in this
press conference?

About time what, Adam?
That she fights back.

- With what?
- Nothing.

Just tell him to stop it.

You're not telling me
something.

Kristina, you got something
on this guy?

I liked it.
Did you like it?

I thought it was good.
Mmhmm.

Yeah, it was good.

What's this?

- What?
- Why you twiddling it?

- I don't know.
- Is it too big.

- No.
- Let's get it resized.

No, no, no, it's not that.
It's not.

It really doesn't matter.
They said I could bring it back.

- It's not that.
- It is too big.

No, I did want to talk to you
about one thing about it though.

I had an idea.
What?

I thought we could
talk about it together.

- Okay.
- Um...

I can't--I can't stop thinking
about how much money it was.

- Will you stop?
- It was so much.

It was all of your combat pay.
Will you stop?

I want you to have it.
You're worth it.

This is what I wanted
to spend my money on.

This is a special thing.

But, baby, that's
what I'm saying.

And it's not that
I don't love that sentiment,

because I do,
but it's kind of like

it's our money now,
and so I--

I wanted to talk about what
the best way to spend it is

because, like, what if we want
to travel?

What if we want to...

What if we want to start
a family or get a house?

Like, don't we--

- well, then...
All those things are gonna come.

We're not gonna get them
all at once.

But this is something
that you're gonna have

for the rest of your life
and you're gonna wear

on your finger
every single day.

And I want you to feel special
and I don't want you to have

some cheap ring
that's not gonna--

- but, baby, I would feel
just as special

and love something
a little smaller just as much

if it felt like we wanted
to maybe save

some of that money
for something else.

That's all I wanted
to get your opinion on.

I, uh--yeah, yeah.

We'll bring it back
and trade it in and--

- well, wait, babe,
I wanted--do you feel good?

I mean, does that
make you sense?

Do you want to save some of that
money for something else?

Yeah.
It makes perfect sense.

It's no big deal.
Ryan, are you upset?

I love you.
No. I love you too.

It's not a big deal.

Are you excited
to eat fruit loops?

Are you counting down the days

so that you can eat
fruit loops?

- Good morning, my love.
- Good morning.

Hi.

Wow, you look like
you're in a good mood.

I am. I am.

I just love these classes
with jabbar.

I mean, I'm trying
not to jinx it, you know?

But it seems like
he's really into it.

You know--you know,
we might have something.

Yeah, like a little
baryshnikov on our hands.

Yeah, a little baryshnikov.

What?
Isn't that a good one?

That's a great one,

but I know you're not really
cool with it, so...

No, no, I'm not
not cool with it.

- Really?
- Yeah.

I mean, I'm...

It wouldn't have been, say,
my dream pick

that he was into ballet
over, say,

muscle cars and motorcycles,

but, you know, I'm not,
like, hung up

on the masculinity of it all
or anything.

- Okay.
- Yeah.

Good, 'cause you really
don't need to worry.

He's still gonna be your boy.

Your very boyish boy, okay?

Okay, why are you
getting sticky with me?

- I'm not sticky with you.
- Come on, mom.

- Let's go.
- Okay, okay, okay, okay.

- Bye, aida.
- [Laughs]

Say bye to your brother.
Bye, daddy.

Hey, have fun at ballet.

- Okay.
- Plie hard.

And kick high.

- Love you.
- Limber up first.

Come on, mom.
Let's go.

Why don't you come
check out a class?

I think you'll really like it.

I will think about that.

I mean, I don't want to
step on your guys' thing.

You know, I don't want to
take that away from you.

- Okay.
- Hey, whoa.

Fine.
Have a good day.

I can't win.

How about you?

You want to watch
a little NFL network?

Huh?

Can we bro out?
Can you chest bump?

Can you chest bump?
Let's see.

Oh, that's a great chest bump.
Come here.

Let's go watch
a little football.

You and me.

Chocolate chip pancakes,
extra chocolate chips.

Okay, I got to run.

But, dad, you can't go.

It's Saturday.
Yeah, I know, sweetie.

I'll try to keep it short today,
okay?

I was gonna make you eggs.
Do you want anything to eat?

Uh, no, I'll just eat on site.

Thanks.
Okay.

Be right back.

Joel.
Yeah?

- Joel.
- Yeah?

The kids
are picking up on this.

On what?

On the tension between us,
or they--

- well, they're not
getting it from me.

Joel, Sydney asked me yesterday

why we're fighting so much.

Well, we'll just have
to do a better job, I guess.

We have to talk to Victor
and we have to, you know,

get on the same page, here.

We can't be doing this.
I know, Julia.

Undermining each other,
you know?

I will be there for my son.

[Engine starts]

Powering through
a big hole in the left side,

now near the 25.

I don't get it, dad.

This is not the same game

we were watching an hour ago?

I don't know
what you're talking about.

What's your point?
They play all day.

These look like the same guys.

- Yeah.
- Like, the same colors.

[Mumbles]

I just can't believe
that this is how

you want to spend
your Saturday.

Well, this is how
you're spending your Saturday.

I mean, I don't
understand that.

You should be out there
meeting people.

You know, having fun.
Why aren't you doing that?

Excuse me, I don't need to be
out there meeting people.

I'm here with my dear old dad.

And if you must know,
I was invited

to a party tonight,
and I'm not going.

Why aren't you going?

Because.
Here with you.

Plus, I won't...
You know, I don't know anybody.

Well, you're not gonna get
a chance to know anybody

sitting around here
with your old man.

I don't need a man, dad.

I am fine on my own, you know.

Well, I wasn't necessarily
talking about a man, Sarah.

- Oh.
- You've changed, and I...

You started
this whole new life.

You got a whole new place.

You can go out there
and have adventures,

and you can expand your horizons
like your mother's

talking about doing.

Just go do that, you know?

Who's gonna
hang out here with you?

Well, quite frankly,
having you around here

complaining about
what I'm doing, and...

All right, dad,
I'm gonna expand, okay?

I'm gonna expand my horizons
to have an adventure

and I'm gonna go to this party

where I don't know anybody,
okay?

And while you're doing
all of that,

you might meet a nice guy.

[Groans]
I don't want to met a guy, dad.

Okay. Fine.

But in case I do,
I'm taking your beer.

Good night.
Good night.

Two years ago, Bob little had
an inappropriate relationship

with my niece, who was then
his 19-year-old assistant.

I don't know if I can do this.

Yes, you can, Kristina.

Amber wants you to.

Good afternoon.

[Clears throat]

Thank you all
for being here today.

There's a lot more of you here

than when I announced
my candidacy,

so it's good to see.

I don't think this campaign

should be about
personal attacks,

which is why after
much soul-searching,

I am compelled to speak out
against what's been going on

in the media, about my family,
about myself.

Three years ago,
my husband was checking out

of a grocery store
when a very rude man

called my son a retard.

And while I think
we can all agree

that the word "retard"
is very ugly,

I think it's really offensive
when your son

has Asperger's syndrome.

So my husband,
being the protective father

that he is...

Well, he punched the man.

Actually, one of the reasons
why I'm running for mayor

and one of the things
that I'm fighting against

is exactly this type
of intolerance.

My husband won't stand for it,
and neither will I.

I guess you could say
that those are our values.

So if you have any questions,

I'd be happy to answer.

What do you think
about Bob little's tactics

in this campaign?

I have no comment.

[Gentle guitar music]

- Hey.
- Hi.

It's so late.

I tried to call you
a couple times.

Sorry. I don't know.
Sorry.

It's okay.

Got off late.

I took the ring back.

Pretty easy.

- You did?
- Yeah.

So it's all gonna work out.

Um, how do you feel?

Do you feel...
Do you feel okay about it all?

Yeah, yeah.
I feel great.

Just gonna get the right one.

'Cause you know--
you know it's not

that I didn't love it
very much.

I did.
No, I know.

It's because it's better
for us, right?

Like, we can--
Absolutely. Yeah.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

I really want to do that.

- Okay.
- That's good.

- Good.
- Yeah.

Hey, you want a little company
over there?

Ah, I'm gonna come to bed
in just a sec.

I'm just--I'm just relaxing.

Mm.

Hey, kiddo.
Can we talk?

Sure.

Okay.

Um...

This week, your dad and I

have been talking
to miss Mikindoe.

- Am I in trouble?
- No.

- No, just the opposite.
- Yeah, not at all.

So proud of you, man.

Everybody knows
you're working so hard.

My grades still suck.

Well, here's what we want
for you.

We want you to have a place

where you can take some time
to catch up

and you can work
on your reading skills.

And so your dad and I
thought that it would be

good for you to spend the rest
of the year in fourth grade.

I don't want to--
I don't want to do that.

I can understand that.

And we'll be here for you
the whole time.

No, no, this isn't fair.

We're almost half way
through the year.

Buddy, I know
it doesn't seem fair.

We probably should have
done it sooner, Victor,

but we want to make sure
it was the right decision.

But then I'll be
in the same grade as Sydney?

And what about all my friends?

I'll never see them again.

You remember when you started
little league?

Do you remember
how hard that was

and how scary it was
to you at first?

You'd never done it.

- And you practiced so hard.
- Exactly.

You really put in the time.

You put in the work
and then it clicked for it.

And that's what this
is gonna be.

You're gonna go back to fourth
and you're gonna, you know,

try so hard
and then it's just gonna click.

You know?
It's just gonna click for you.

And from that point on...
Victor.

You can do this.

You're a brave boy.
I know you can do this

and we'll help you.

It's gonna be fine.

I want to be left alone.

Get out.

I said to get out!

♪ And when the singing
is through... ♪

[Beeping]

Yeah.

Wow.

Hi!
Hi, sweetie.

Millie!

You just caught me
on my way out.

I was about to run for the bus.

Okay.
Boy.

Hey, mill--Camille,
you look beautiful, honey.

Are you having a great time?

Oh, it's just been amazing.

Um, let me see.
Where do I start?

We've been painting
every morning.

The teacher is just--
he's just extraordinary.

I'm learning so much.
Oh, good.

And tomorrow we go to Florence.

We're going to sketch
at the uffizi.

- What?
- The uffizi.

The--it's a museum.

Oh, great, great, great.

Well, I mean, so you're really
enjoying yourself?

Oh, wow.

And the food.

Sweetie, you would jut love it.

The pasta is so fresh!

It's always Al dente.
It doesn't matter where you eat.

Could be a little
hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

Well, I'm glad
you're having a good time.

- How are you?
- Great.

Great, great.
Everything's fine here.

I'm watering the plants.
The kids are stopping by.

They're bothering me,
but, you know,

I miss you, Millie.

I miss you.

- Andiamo.
- Oh, I gotta go.

That means the bus is leaving.

Butokay, well,
don't miss your bus.

Millie, I love you.

Did you--I love you!

But...

What...

Okay.

Honey, it's actually
kind of good.

People are responding
in a really positive way.

- Oh, yeah?
- Yup.

"We're with you, Kristina.
Keep up the good fight.

Way to stand up
for your family."

Look at that.

So they would have done
the same thing.

See, you don't need to
participate in

a smear campaign
to win this thing.

That's not what we're about,
right?

It's not what you're about.

You either.

Well, you made the choice.

And no matter what happens,
I'm proud of you for that.

You stuck to your guns.

You didn't go for the jugular

even though Heather and I were
both telling you to do that.

You did the right thing.
Thanks.

I'm not just saying all this

'cause you made me
look like a badass.

You are a badass.

- I'm not a badass, Kristina.
- You're a badass.

I'm not.
I'm just a man, okay?

Sometimes a man needs to kick
a little ass

when somebody's ass
needs kicking.

- That's correct.
- Okay.

- And you are a good dad.
- Thank you. I love you.

- And the best husband.
- I love you.

[Vibrating]

Gosh.
She scares me.

She never texts
when it's good--

- why don't you just tell her
you need 15 minutes.

What is it?

Dropped four points.

Um...

Okay.

- Training by six.
- That's okay.

You told me that these things

have a margin of error, right?

By a couple points,
so you could have just dropped

a point or two, and that could
just be a little fluctuation.

Doesn't have to necessarily
do with the press conference.

Right.

Kristina,
you can win this thing.

Right.

[Doorbell rings]

Excuse me.

Coming.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- You're not my super.
- [Laughs]

- Come in.
- Thanks.

So glad you're here.

You look beautiful.
Thank you.

Can I get you a drink?

Um, yes, sure, in a minute.

- Okay.
- I don't know.

Come on in.
Meet some people.

Uh, Alex, can I interrupt you?

Oh, excuse me.
Yes, hi.

Alex samson,
meet Sarah Braverman.

Hi.
Nice to meet you.

Sarah is a really talented
photographer.

Oh, what kind of photography?

- Uh, dogs and cats.
- You know what?

We once had a wegman exhibit.
It was fantastic.

That was great.
I saw that too.

- Yes, huh-huh.
- Wow.

[Soft pop music]