Smother (2021–…): Season 1, Episode 2 - Episode #1.2 - full transcript

A body was found this morning and we
have reason to believe that it's your

husband Dennis Ahearn.

I know how much this
custody stuff means to you.

It's just I'd like a
little time with them first.

You think you can just
waltz away with my wife?

It's all coming your way.

So she comes back here.

She looks for him.

Maybe she found.

Grace!

MUSIC



WAVES CRASHING AND CRY OF SEAGULLS

(Indistinct voices)

BEEPING

Be careful you don't spill that.

Spoil your surprise.

My surprise?

BEEPING

London?

I said I would take
you to Harrod's one day.

We can get your
dress for Joe's debs.

Grace.

Grace, I'm here for you,
I've always been here for you.

BEEPING

How is she?
She's okay.



She's a bit out of
it but they sedated her.

Did you bring my stuff?

Is it just Rory with the boys?

No, Mairead's arrived.

She's gonna stay for
a while, I asked her.

Come on.

So what are we thinking here?

I don't know what to think, could
be an accident, Grace could be...

Right, well let's see
how mam's gonna play this one.

Given Grace's medical history, the
fact you told me she's been off her

medication for a while, I have to
recommend we monitor her in a care
facility.

No, she'd hate that.
Mam, at least listen.

She'll come home,
I'll watch her myself.

Watch her for what, Mrs Ahern?

Watch that she
takes her pills again.

I am very sorry
for your recent loss.

Maybe Grace is finding it
difficult to... She went for a swim.

People swim in all weather.

The tide pulled her out,
she'll be grand once she gets home.

Look, you can already see she spent
a week in her teens in a secure
place.

Now I had to sign that paper myself.

Don't ask me to do that again.

I'm thinking about what's
best for Grace, Mrs Ahern.

I never think of anything else.

For God's sake, where would I be
if patients just ignored my advice?

So what you're suggesting
we just a lot Grace up and then

let her out for
her own father's funeral?

The psychiatric team
might decide to let her out.

Maybe she can't
handle it, we don't know.

Sometimes you're just too
pragmatic for your own good, Jen.

Your patients ever tell you that?

They don't seem to mind
if I'm saving their lives.

Grace got pulled out
by the tide, she got cramp.

She's been saved.

You hear that, Hannah, so we're
adding cramp to the story now?!

Mam stop!

You know that Grace could be a
danger to herself and maybe others

when she's manic.

Mam, if Grace is gonna stay in the
house, I have to think about Callum
and Jacob.

I am, I am thinking about them.

Okay, look, how about we just put
you up in an AirBnB for a few days?

I come home after seven
years and you turf me out?

I'm sorry, okay!

We'll figure something out.

We can't help
if you won't listen.

You know, Grace is
our burden too you know.

Burden?

I didn't mean it that way.

You know, you're the doctor Jen,
but let me tell you how it is with a
sick child.

It's grimy, it's
shitty, and it's relentless.

It's not right, it's never fair.

But it's your child
and you'll do anything.

So no, I am not going to put
her in one of those places again.

So long as I have
two arms to hold her myself.

Do you understand?

Look, I need to think this through.

Just keep her safe
while I go and get some clothes.

What's the rush?
She's drugged up to her eyeballs now.

Exactly, she could say anything.

About what?
Mam.

Listen, just if she wakes make sure
she doesn't talk to anyone, okay?

Okay?

Did you hear anything from Val yet?

No, not yet.

Have your friends said anything?

They must have heard how
it all came out at the party?

It's a five minute
wonder, it'll pass.

Has it been difficult?

How about you?

It's fine.

Honestly.

It's nothing like before.

Is everything
alright with you and Rory?

Fine.
Why do you ask?

Because I saw him, hit Callum.

It's quite a temper
he's got, I didn't know.

He's just tired.

It's all the stress from dealing
with Elaine, he's not himself.

It was a one-off.

Okay.

Because if I thought it was a
regular thing, or if I thought he

was putting his hands on any of
you, then I would tear his throat

out with my teeth.

You know that, don't you?

CRASH OF WAVES AND CRY OF SEAGULLS

She was sick,
and I know that but...

I still hated her sometimes.

Hate's a bit strong, no?

Didn't you, ever?

I mean when we were sent
out combing the roads for her.

The day they took her away...

It was a terrible day.

Naked as a bug down on the beach.

Screaming like a banshee.

And all I could
think was 'you jammy bitch'.

You've got
everyone's attention again.

It's like I love her but...
I hate the sick her.

Does that make me a bad person?

I think you're probably
the kindest person I know, Hannah.

Am I?

I don't think so.

BANG ON DOOR

Mrs Ahearn?

Val are you in there?

Hi, Paudie.

Are you looking for me?

I thought I heard
someone, I was upstairs.

I went up to the house Mairead said
you might be getting some stuff for
Grace.

Is she all right?
She's fine.

What can I do for you Paudie?

I just wanted to let you know that
we'll need to speak with the family,

get informal statements.

Who saw Dennis
last, that kind of thing.

If it's nothing formal
you can walk me to the car.

So when did you
last see your husband?

When we were leaving,
and yes with Karl Jensen.

Look Paudie, the whole town
knows what happened at the party.

So you left with Mr. Jensen.

Did you argue with
your husband before you left?

Did Mr. Jensen?

No, no, no arguments.

Do you know of anyone who might have
wanted to harm your late husband?

Well, not enough to
kill him if that's what you mean.

Anyone who might have wished him
dead, well that's a whole other...

We'll call the house about a time
to see the family, whenever Grace is

home obviously.

We'll be in touch.

DOORBELL RINGS

Elaine.
Hi.

Is Anna in, could I have a word?

She's out, Ennis I think, gone
shopping, so she could be a while.

Hey, Jacob, Callum, hi.

Do you maybe fancy a trip somewhere?

Maybe some pizza?

Is their Dad in?
If I could ask him?

Hang on.

I'll see what he says.

Rory, Rory.

Rory.

He's sound asleep.

Maybe come back later.

I want pizza.

I'll bring you back a slice.

Go on.

Or you can stay here and help
me pick out readings to your
grandfather.

Thank you.

All right.

Where's this pizza you said?

Well, yeah, there is a really great
place in town, but I was thinking we

could get a takeout, go for a
picnic, what do you think Jacob,

what do you fancy?

Barbecue chicken?

Pepperoni?
I'm a vegetarian.

Jenny?

Ah, Kevin.

We're all so sorry at
the surgery to hear about Dennis.

Thank you.

Actually I'm here checking on your
Mr. O'Donnell's post-op progress.

He's doing well,
you'll be glad to hear.

Good, plenty of fight left in him.

Your patients miss you.

Time will fly before I'm back.

Just have to get
this little one out first.

Listen, I know the practice manager
has been trying to get in touch.

I'll tell her I saw you, and passed
on the message, if that's okay.

Great.
Yeah.

See you Kevin.

No, he didn't make a charitable
sperm donation, so you can shove

that smirk up your hole.

CRASH OF WAVES

Guys!

Maybe we can --
somewhere along here, yeah.

PHONE RINGS

Hi, Rory, yeah, I couldn't speak
earlier because I was driving.

Where are you?
Where have you taken them?

We're at the beach with
pizzas, we shouldn't be long.

I want you to bring Callum
and Jacob back here right now.

Elaine?

Yeah, I heard you.

Please just give us an hour you
know they're perfectly happy just

being out and about.
When I say now, I mean now!

Elaine, did you hear me?

Elaine!

SOUND OF CALL ENDING

You okay?

Joe.
Hiya Val.

We came as soon as we heard.

Grace is fine, there's no need for
both of you to interrupt your jobs.

I tried calling you, I was worried.

As soon as she
wakes up, we'll be out of here.

I think she's probably safer here.

Exactly.
That's what we've been saying.

PHONE BUZZES

I gotta go.

Get a coffee?
Sure, and Joe.

WAVES CRASHING

Is that your dad?

I'm Callum, one of
the long lost grandsons.

Ingrid.

I guess we'll be
related in some random way then.

I get you a
wetsuit if you want a go.

I'll just watch for now, thanks.

Do you think Anna, your mum,
will get you anything nice in Ennis?

I doubt it.
She's at a hospital.

Aunty Grace nearly drowned.

She's a bit weird.

How's she weird?
I don't know.

But Aunty Jenny
says she's off her meds.

You're not scared of
her or anything like that.

Yeah, I bet you and your
brother aren't scared of anyone.

(Laughter)

You know, I wanted to Skype and
email but your dad said best not to.

But you got my birthday
cards though, and presents?

Yeah, thank you.

We would have -- but like you said.

So is he going to marry gran then?
I dunno.

Thanks.

Do you have a problem with that?

I so couldn't give a shit.

I suppose I know her
a lot more than you do.

She's cool though.

I'm good with her moving in.

Okay.

Isn't this the bit where you nose
into my business and ask me what

happened to your mam and
why are you here and, etc, etc?

Like I said...
Oh yeah, you don't give a shit.

Nice. (Laughs)

Can I ask you a question Jacob?

You know Anna wants
to become your mum officially.

She is my mum.

Yeah.

And she's done --
she's done a terrific job.

You and Callum are
both lucky to have her.

Jesus Anna, first Dennis now Grace,
you must think you're in a nightmare.

You've no idea.
PHONE BUZZING

Hello.
Your aunt let Elaine bring the

boys out for pizza or something,
but they're gone hours now.

They've been gone how long?

I dunno, but she just
hung up on me when I called...

Calm down, calm down, I'm on my way.

If they're not home by the time I
get there, I'll go out looking okay.

Okay.
Okay, bye.

I have to go, Elaine has the boys.

Will you tell mam I got a taxi?

Don't be mad,
I'll drive you myself.

Joe tell Val what's happening.
Yeah, sure.

Grace!
Grace!

LOUD BANGING
Open the fuckin' door!

Get out, fucking get the hell out!

Why would you do this?
Why are you doing this?

Val, Cathy is
going to take Anna home.

10th of September 2012, does
that date mean anything to you Joe?

No, should it?

Well, it's just -- it's a tattoo
I found on Grace, now you two were

together at the time, you
must -- you must remember something?

I don't know what that date means.

But you have an idea?

I can't say.
Can't or won't?

She told you something after she
attacked Cathy, what did she tell you
Joe?

Did she have a falling
out with her father in London?

Did she walk in on
him with another woman?

Look, if Grace wants to tell you
that's up to her I can't say any
more.

Cathy's taken Anna home.

PHONE BUZZING

PHONE BUZZING

Stop, stop, stop, stop.

You all right Jen?
No, Frank, I'm not all right.

Why didn't you
warn me not to invest?

Would you have listened?

I did tell you to insist
on getting your deposit back.

I tried, all night at that
ridiculous shindig before it all
kicked off.

He lied to me.

He said my money would
make all the difference.

Every penny I'd saved.

I'd get it all back.

You're a doctor.

You'll make good money again.

PHONE BUZZES

Jesus Frank.

I'm in so much trouble.

You really never got a
chance to confront at the party?

Or afterwards?

What's that supposed to mean?

No, I'm just thinking about
the angles they might investigate.

The guards I mean.

Am I in a place?

Did you put me away in a place?

No.

You're in a regular hospital.

We're gonna head home
when the time is right.

I want to go home now.

You need help.

Help?

Monitoring until you're
back on your pills again.

You can't make
me stay in a hospital.

I hate hospitals.

It's okay, but you have
to agree to stay at home.

If you agree I'll bring you home now.

Okay.

Bye.

Hi mum.

FIRE ALARM
Callum, open the door.

The way she
looked right into my eyes.

I know that look.

You're losing the
run of yourself now a bit.

She's shown precious little interest
in those boys over the years.

So why were you so
worried when she took them today?

Because she's trouble.

She could have killed
them that time in the fire.

I think she only gave them up out
of guilt, first she didn't send the

papers back and then it
was 'I'll sign when you're home'.

She's got that little bit of
power now, so she's playing with us.

You gave her time with them.

Don't you see that?

I was sleeping,
you can blame your aunt.

She could lawyer up, claim her
rights, I won't have a leg to stand
on.

Callum and Jacob will always
see you as their mother Anna.

But I'm not, I won't be legally
until she signs that piece of paper.

They're her boys Rory.

Don't you see?

We're running out of time.

Grace, Grace, come on, before
they change their mind, let's go.

Grace...
Come on.

What's the matter?

I told Joe.

We said we'd never tell.

Who?

Me and dad.

What?

I tried to block it out.

Dad said the
choice was mine to make.

A choice to do what Grace?

I said I would take
you to Harrod's one day.

Thank you.

Afternoon tea, Your Ladyship.

Go easy on that clotted cream though.

Or you won't be fitting
into that for the debs.

But you're wondering how you're
going to fit into it in any case.

Aren't you love?

Dr. Vincent and I used
to play on the same team.

He made a discreet call to me.

Does mam know?

And Joe?

I haven't told anyone.

That must have been really hard on
you love, keeping all that worry to
yourself.

I was hoping it would just go away.

There's a clinic around the corner.

I've made an appointment,
but I will cancel it right now,

if that's what you want.

I don't know.

I don't know what...

It's only gonna get harder Grace.

Right now we're
talking about what, an acorn?

I love you Grace.

And I will help however I can with
whatever you decide, because at the

end of the day
this is your choice, love.

It's completely yours.

Grace!

When I found out Cathy was
pregnant it all came rushing back.

I had to see dad, I needed to tell
him my choice was no, I was going to

say no until...
Until what?

Until he said about you.

He said you put
your whole life on hold.

He was right.

You would have given it all
up to mind a baby I couldn't.

Your father had no right to
make decisions for you or for me.

Oh Grace.

I'm here for you now Grace.

I got you Grace.

I've got you.

That was kind of okay.

What was?

Going out with Elaine today.

Mairead said dad
nearly called the cops.

Arsehole.

You know, I woke
up when Grace was shouting.

And you weren't here.

I checked everywhere.

I wasn't gonna say anything.

What do you remember Grace?

After Cathy's you went back to speak
to your father, did you find him?

So we're not just out for coffee?

Did you confront him?

I don't know, the
whole night comes in flashes.

Well just flash in
that direction, okay.

Come on, just think.

Oh God, okay.

You were upset, you wanted to
speak to him about the abortion.

But you're not going to say
that Grace, you're going to say you

wanted to ask him about us
splitting up, have you got that?

Yeah?

You were crying.

You were looking
for him around the house.

I think so, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

But you never found him.

You didn't.
I didn't.

No, you never found him.

No, you stumbled out of that house
down the road all the way to Uncle

Frank's because you wanted to ask
him if he knew about your parent's
break-up.

And then you just passed out.

Do you think I killed dad?

I don't, and the guards won't either
when you tell it like I just said.

Grace, they are going to be
talking to everybody at the party.

It's just procedure, okay.

But they know you ended up
in hospital, but you got cramp.

Okay.

You got pulled out by the
tide, have you got that too Grace?

Jesus, did I kill dad?
No, of course you didn't.

Of course you didn't.

But how do you know,
I don't know for certain.

That is not what you say to
anyone but me, do you understand?

You looked for him,
but you never found him.

What if I did?
What if I did something...

No, honey.

We're going to start again,
and we're going to get our story
straight.

You got that?

Trust me.

It's gonna be fine.

You've got this.

We're gonna get through this.

Thank you for coming.

I'm not gonna apologise
for taking boys out today.

And why should you?

We're two grown-up women, we want
what's best for Callum and Jacob.

How can we help each
other to make that happen?

Are you so certain that you
know what's best for them, Anna?

Can you supervise
her second dose of the day?

It's gonna take a while
to get her on an even keel.

I hope you've done the
right thing bringing her home.

Who knows what's the right thing?
Just watch her like a hawk.

There's something I have to do.

Where are you going?
Back as soon as I can.

PHONE RINGS

Hi.

Hey it's me, so what,
are you back from hospital?

Yeah.
Yeah, we're back home.

Jenny's keeping an eye on Grace.

Well, that sounds great, because
then you can just come and join us
for dinner.

Yeah, okay.

I'll see you soon, yeah.

I was sick.

And I see that now.

After years in AA.

But at the time you don't see a
disease, all you see is the most

disgusting contemptible
creature in the universe.

So you have another drink.

It's the only way you
can face what you've become.

I'm sorry.

In my mind, I put the boys in a box,
safe, where I couldn't harm them.

You know, I did everything Rory said
because I could hardly breathe with

the guilt over the fire.

I thought I was
ready to sign those papers.

And then I saw them.

Callum and Jacob.

I'm not a memory.

Not an old photo, but there, right
in front of my eyes and every...

Every drop of blood
in my body called out to them.

Please Elaine...

I can't -- I can't have people
telling me what to do for the rest
of my life.

Because when you've been wrong for
so long, you kind of assume that

everyone else is right.

But I'm remembering now.

Rory wasn't always right either.

And if I sign that
document, he gets total control.

And if he chooses, I might
never get to see them again.

And I want to see them again.

I mean, you get that?
Of course I get that.

Look, does it help if I give
you my word that you can see them?

But you'll be in Singapore.

Don't do this.

You know, I need to speak
to Rory before I sign anything.

I need to hear him give his word.

Like you did.

And also I want
to see him with them.

That's just stalling.

He's a good father, you know that.

I saw him hit Callum... hard.

Can't I just spend
some sober time with my sons?

Don't make me go legal.

They're my sons now, Elaine.

I don't say that to hurt you,
it's just the way the boys see it.

If you go legal
you'll push them away.

The boys would find out shit
you'd never want them to find out.

Well that works both ways Anna.

All Grace has to say is she didn't
find her father, just stick to that
line.

Take it easy, you'll choke.

I haven't eaten all bloody day.

Anyway, we need to wait
for her meds to kick in now.

What?

Why did she walk into the sea?

Ah, she went for
a swim, she got cramp.

Come on, you're talking to me now.

Please don't do this.

I'm not always going to
say what you want to hear.

I'll double your pay!

Really?

Yeah, you get one day a month where
you don't have to say what I want to
hear.

Oh.

Anyway, you were the one said
that I was fixating on Grace, if you
remember.

I do remember, but I didn't
know then that Dennis more or less

forced an abortion on her.

Well, maybe he thought
he was doing the right thing.

I mean, she was very sick.

What did Dennis give you a choice?

A say in the matter?

No.

He didn't.

And I'll never forgive him for that.

But you do see I need
to concentrate on Grace now.

Yeah I do, of course I do.

I mean, I have to help her.

But are you really
helping her, if she's guilty?

Don't say that.

Val, if she's
guilty, she was traumatised.

She was off her medicine.

She will get off lightly.
No, you don't know that.

No, but I do know it's
not your decision to make.

Whether she was guilty or innocent.

Okay, that's all I'm saying.

Take it or leave it.

I'll leave it.

Thanks, I'm gonna get back.

Don't go like that.
Like what?

Hurt or angry with me for saying
exactly what your thinking yourself.

What would you do
if it was your daughter?

Because I have a daughter and I
wasn't there for the most traumatic

event in her life,
okay, so I'm here now, right?

And honestly, quite frankly, I
couldn't give a flying fuck about the
truth.

Okay?
Okay.

Hi.

I'm really sorry to
had to hear that Ingrid.

You two hardly ever fight.

You know what, it's gonna happen from
time to time with me living here.

Okay?

And yes of course that is
still the plan, so don't worry.

Okay?
Yeah.

He's upset you know.

Just about the way
things came out at the party?

You know, about you and him.

Has he said that?
No, I can just tell.

When he came home that night
I tried to talk to him about it,

but he just went
out on a run instead.

Oh, that must have been all hours,
I mean, we didn't get back till late.

Yeah, you must have conked out.

He was brooding in the kitchen.

You know how he is.

They're here.

Honest to God, you think
they'd have something better to do?

I wouldn't mention anything about
the loan to your father right now,

if comes up later,
you didn't even think.

That's all I need for now.

Thanks Rory.

Grace, sorry for keeping you waiting.

Same questions.

And I know that this must seem very
intrusive in the face of the family's

grief, but...
I understand, it's procedure.

Me and dad had a great relationship.

You were a bit upset
at the party were you?

Mam and dad
splitting up, it was a shock.

Of course.

And you ran out from the house?

Is that the last
time you saw your dad?

I came back to
have it out with him...

To talk to him about it all.

And did you have it out with him?

I couldn't find him.

I never found him.

Were you upset about that?

What?
About not being able to find him.

I was upset he put
my café up for sale.

Did your father tell you that?

Well, how could
he, she never found him.

It was the estate
agent details I found.

So you got upset, and then you ended
up in the hospital, is that right
Grace?

Do you go for a
swim out there every day?

Can we just --
can we stop this please?

I mean, Grace really
should be in bed resting.

Okay.

We'll be in touch as
soon as we hear anything.

Are you done with the family now?

We have a lot of people to
talk to Val, not just the family.

Thanks.

Thanks.

I think your father said you weren't
supposed to be down here Callum.

He says lots of things.

But you don't
always do what he says.

A rebel heart like myself.

Ingrid likes you.

Ingrid, but that's
cause Ingrid's got great taste.

We could go over there
for a visit if you like?

Should we go?

Come on.

Hey.

You have to take
them at regular intervals.

How are you feeling?

It's not really sinking in.

How can it be that
we'll never see dad again?

Like everything else you can fix.

Or, hope you can fix.

But when someone dies,
all your chances are gone.

With me he wasn't like with you and
Anna, I always felt left out a bit.

Like I had to prove
myself to him over and over.

Kind of funny in a way,
you've always been driven like dad.

Of the three of us,
you're the most like him.

I'm really sorry I
came on strong about Grace.

It was stupid, it was tactless.

No, you were only saying
what was in my own head.

Maybe we're jumping to conclusions.

How about you?

Ingrid says you're holding back how
upset you were, with Dennis naming

you like that in front of everyone.

It was uncomfortable standing there
with all eyes on me, but it's done
now.

I'll live.

And we're together?

Yeah, we're together.

Val, come on.

Yeah.

So are we done with
the broody night runs now?

Ingrid told me.

I run, a run takes the edge off.

Really?

Could you wake me
up if there's a next time?

Cause I know a better
way to take the edge off.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Mr. Jensen, can you accompany
me to the station please?

I have a warrant
here to search your house.

Immediately Mr. Jensen.