A Man on the Inside
Created by: Michael Schur
Based on: The Mole Agent, 2020 documentary film by Maite Alberdi
Stars: Ted Danson, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Lilah Richcreek Estrada, Stephanie Beatriz
Original release date: November 20, 2025 (Netflix)
Premise: Ted Danson stars as a retiree-turned-amateur private investigator.
Season 2 – Episode 3
Episode title: Family Weekend
Episode plot: At a faculty meeting, Holly announces an internal investigation into the portrait burning and reveals that Wheeler has hired Julie as the outside PI, hoping to limit damage and prevent Vinick from withdrawing his donation.
Charles investigates Max, discovering he is a gambler short on money who had been searching the kitchen for leftover food. Charles also looks deeper into Mona’s alibi, trying to confirm her claim that she was in the music room when the portrait burned. After failing to verify it, he brings in Emily for help, but she is also unsuccessful. Emily’s son Jace gets the list but inadvertently reveals that Mona was in the music room, which Mona overhears, leading to conflict before she and Charles reconcile.
Julie and Holly speak to Vinick, but he provides no helpful information. Soon after, a leaked email reveals Beringer’s personal stake in the donation deal, showing the blackmailer is following through.
* * *
A Man on the Inside – S02E03 – Family Weekend | Transcript
[gentle music playing]
Hello, Professor… Nieuwendyk, is it?
That’s right, Professor Margadoff.
Yeah. Very good memory.
Wanna meet up later?
Well, actually, I have to go to Oakland.
I’m consulting on a rock opera about the time that John Travolta said “Adele Dazeem.”
It’s… niche.
[Holly] Attention, everyone.
Good morning. Thank you for coming.
In order to address the events surrounding Brad Vinick’s portrait on Friday, we have hired a private investigator from San Francisco.
So please welcome Julie Kovalenko.
Hi, everyone.
As Holly mentioned, I’m investigating the burning of Brad Vinick’s portrait.
I will be interviewing many of you individually over the next few weeks and ask for your cooperation.
Any questions?
Yes.
Holly, uh, are you wearing two blazers?
Oh. [chuckles lightly] I guess I am. [chuckles] Well, I got dressed in a hurry this morning.
Follow up. If you were in a hurry, how did you put on two?
Wouldn’t that mean you had too much time?
Guys, I’m under a lot of stress, and I haven’t been sleeping well.
Mona.
Where did you get that blazer?
Um…
No, the one underneath. It’s cute.
Oh, thank you. Um…
I think I got it from Macy’s, maybe.
I don’t remember. Um…
You don’t like… the plaid?
It’s not flattering.
That might be because it’s on top of another blazer.
Any other questions?
Any non-blazer questions?
Okay, great.
I’m just not 100% sure why this is necessary.
Don’t get mad at Julie.
This was my call.
Priority one is to talk Vinick off a ledge.
Shockingly, he didn’t love seeing himself on fire in a garbage can.
Now, we are this close to losing $400 million, so this is an allhansondeck situation.
Okay. See you in a week.
Where you going?
Academic conference, Rycliffe University in Dallas.
Holly’s in charge.
You’re in good hands. Buhbye.
So, uh, Jack scheduled a meeting for us with Vinick at his office at two o’clock.
We’ll brief him on the investigation while Charles keeps working undercover.
Jesus, I’m wearing three blazers? [sighs]
[Julie] Why are you upset about this?
You’re still on the case.
I get how this makes sense.
It’s just that it seems like you’re babysitting me.
I am babysitting you.
Why?
Because you skipped a key event to go on a moonlit stroll with your new girlfriend.
Actually, we’re not using labels yet.
And then you told that new girlfriend that you’re a PI.
I…
Follow up on the Max Griffin lead.
Find out if he went to the kitchen to destroy his credit card receipt.
I’m gonna look into everyone who was at Vinick’s party, starting with Mona.
Look, there’s no need.
Her alibi’s airtight.
She was with me when they burned the painting.
Then she went to the piano room in the music building.
She wrote a song.
Plus, I know her.
No way she would do this.
Charles.
Do you know what her real name is?
Mona Margadoff.
No, it’s not.
It’s Mona Jungfeldt.
Before that, she went by Mona Gerbelsman.
And before that, she went by Liz Hochbell.
I can’t believe this.
That’s because I made it up to prove the point that you don’t actually know this woman at all.
So cool your jets and do your job.
Oh, my jets are cool.
My jets are zero degrees Kelvin.
That’s the coldest something can be.
Zero molecular motion.
So that’s like a science burn?
Oh, yeah.
If you knew science, you would be reeling.
[theme music playing]
[Joel] Everyone thinks that the worst part of being a public school teacher is the lack of funding, but do you know what it really is?
Mmmm.
It’s that the days I have off, all three of my sons do too.
Why do you have today off?
Who knows?
Faculty Budget… Appreciation Day?
That can’t be right.
Mmmm.
Can I have more chips?
What?
Can I have more chips?
Sure, the bag’s right there.
[chips crunch]
Mom?
Yeah?
Can I get this game?
It’s called Worm Squadron Alpha: Worm-War 3.
No. No, no more games.
Bro, there’s no school.
What else am I supposed to do?
Aren’t the SATs in, like, three weeks?
Isn’t your face my balls?
Dude, you’re a junior in high school.
You’re a junior in my balls.
[Wyatt laughs] Jace, for God’s sake.
Hey, Dad. Didn’t know you were here.
Think I can get this game?
Worm Squadron Alpha: Worm-War 3.
We have to find a new activity for these children.
[Vanessa] You were so good.
You were so brave today, Caden.
You get to pick whatever you want from the treasure chest.
Then wait for your sister.
Hi, Mom.
[Vanessa] Hi.
Wha… What are you doing here?
I have a meeting for a case nearby and thought I would bring you a cup of coffee.
[laughing] That’s so nice.
Oh! Here, come meet everyone.
Linda, Diego. This is my daughter, Julie.
Oh my God, hi.
I’ve heard so much about you.
Julie, are you dating anyone?
My nephew’s 26, and he delivers groceries on the phone.
He sounds great. I have to go.
[Vanessa] Oh, okay, but since you’re in the neighborhood, we were gonna have drinks after work at the Mexican restaurant.
It’s Linda’s birthday. You wanna come?
It’ll be fun. Apollo will be there.
Work is gonna go late. Sorry.
Sure.
[Diego] Nice to meet you.
[door opens]
We have to debrief.
[Vanessa] Mm! Mmhm.
[Charles] Hey, Max. Got a second?
Got you a present. Um…
Got you a meal schedule from the dining hall so you don’t have to go to the kitchen to check.
Could you maybe not tell anyone that you saw me there?
Why not?
Last year, I wanted to write this huge exposé on sports gambling.
I’d seen the horrifying effect that it had on my students.
I had never gambled.
So… I downloaded this app, I put 20 bucks on a football game.
Sixteen hours later, I blew my last four grand on Malaysian women’s badminton.
That’s awful.
So you were in the kitchen for food?
Yeah, still a little short on cash.
So the dining hall guys save me some leftovers.
It’s pretty embarrassing for a journalism professor, so keep it between us.
Your secret is safe with me.
I am so sorry.
I had no idea you were going through this.
I know.
I come off as this super tough, super cool guy.
Because of the motorcycle.
The motorcycle. Yeah, exactly.
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned in journalism, you think you know someone, but scratch the surface even a tiny bit… you never know what you’ll find.
[intriguing music playing]
[Holly] Aw, man.
[Julie] What?
Bad news?
Yeah. There was an asteroid with a 2% chance of destroying Earth, and now they say it’s not gonna happen.
Can’t catch a break.
Listen. I know things are tense right now, but I’m very good at my job.
We will find who did this.
Your confidence is so reassuring.
Say something else confidently.
I’ve often thought that if I really had to, I could land a plane.
[exhales]
So relaxing.
Give me another one.
I also truly believe I could win in a fight against a moose.
Of course you could. Tell me how.
Just get low and take out its legs.
[sighs]
It’s like walking in a Zen garden.
Thank you.
He’s ready for you.
[clears throat]
Holly.
[Holly gasps] Oh.
[Holly sighs]
[Julie] Mr. Vinick, Julie Kovalenko, the PI in charge of the investigation.
I’ll tell you what I told the State Dept.
I was in Belarus for a wedding.
And I didn’t use my own passport so I could surprise them.
Wait. Wait.
Which investigation?
Wheeler College? The portrait.
Oh. Oh, right. Yeah.
Yeah…
Listen, I’m pissed off.
I’m giving Wheeler a lot of money, and this is the thanks I get?
I have a lot of leads, and I assure you, we will find the person responsible.
Mm.
[clicks tongue] You seem competent.
Pretty hot too. I like that.
How old are you?
Oh, you’re… definitely not supposed to ask me that.
So you’re over 30.
[Holly] Some good news.
Elizabeth Muki from the Fine Arts Department has finished your replacement portrait.
We brightened the background, like you asked.
She wasn’t 100% sure how to make your eyes look more expensive.
You, 34.
What do you think?
I think all oil paintings of serious men look roughly the same to me.
You’re right. This is boring.
Some righteous dipshit torches my painting. Whatever.
At least it’s an opportunity to try something new.
[Brad snaps]
A statue.
I could be, um…
On a horse, like Teddy Roosevelt.
Or I’m racing against a horse, and I’m winning.
But just by a little so it’s realistic.
Yeah. I’d like to get back to the case.
If you really wanna help me, you will stay and talk him out of whatever terrible idea he has.
All right, how about this?
A statue of my head on one of those military dog robots.
Instead of being cooped up in a museum, he’s patrolling the campus.
To create fear.
[Julie] Mm.
All right, let’s keep thinking.
[intriguing music playing]
[door creaks]
[door closes]
[lock rattles]
[woman] Can I help you?
Uh, no. No, I’m just looking around.
I’m a new professor here.
[laughs] You must be Charles.
Silver fox, pocket square.
Mona told us all about you.
Music building has a very active group chat.
Did you need anything?
To be honest, Esmeralda, kinda just wanted to see where she worked.
Mm.
Do me a favor, though.
Don’t tell her I was here.
I got you.
No one likes a thirsty dude.
[gentle music playing]
[cell phone ringing]
Hi, Dad.
Hey, sweetheart. How’s it going?
Oh, fantastic.
The kids have the day off of school for some reason.
Mom, why not?
I let you guys have the game.
I am not giving you $30 for digital worm coins.
Please? My worm needs a Juice WRLD skin.
Honey, I love you so much.
Go way over there.
Go.
Joel and I are slowly losing our minds.
How’s the case going?
Actually, that’s why I’m calling you.
I could use your help.
Okay, okay. I think Julie’s right.
Mount Rushmore took, like, 15 years, so four of me on a mountain, that’s just gonna take too long.
All right, so we’re back to painting.
Next question, though, who should paint it?
Maybe… Why are we settling for this Betsy woman?
What about somebody famous?
Andy Warhol?
He’s very dead.
[huffs] Okay, cross him off.
Who else paints?
What about George W. Bush?
He’s pissed at me right now, but I could call him.
You guys want some coffee?
We got these incredible new AI coffee machines.
All you gotta do is say out loud what you want. Try it.
A latte with four shots.
Well, it doesn’t make coffee unless you give it a DNA sample, so just come on over here and spit in a little tray.
Uh, I’m good, thanks.
Okay, I’ve got a quick meeting.
Why don’t you two come with me, and we’ll wrap this up?
Afternoon, Neal.
Hey, Brad. Green tea.
[spits]
All right, we’re supposed to meet Grandpa around here somewhere.
Oh, that’s the building where I took my psych classes.
And over there is where your dad and I first made out.
Bro.
Why am I even here?
You’re gonna be applying to colleges next year.
We were gonna start touring in the spring, but you might as well get a jump on it.
What’s the point of college?
AI’s just gonna take all the jobs.
Jace, that is… probably true.
[Charles] Hey, you two.
Oh, hey, Dad.
Hey.
‘Sup, Grandpa?
And a good ‘sup to you as well.
All right, here’s a map of campus.
So yeah, just go, you know, explore.
Check out the science center.
Maybe the library.
The student union has a Chipotle and video games.
Sick.
So… what are we investigating today?
A suspect claims to have been in a rehearsal room in that building behind us during the time in question.
I need to see if her name is on a sign-in sheet.
I can’t get it without drawing attention because everyone there already knows me.
In the music building?
Mm.
How do they know you?
Apparently I’m very memorable.
The term… “silver fox” was bandied about.
Anyway, tell them you want to use rehearsal room C.
They’ll hand you the sign-in sheet.
What is the perp’s name?
M… Mona Margadoff.
Margadoff.
It would’ve been… last Friday night.
Sure you can handle this?
Oh, please.
This ain’t my first rodeo.
It’s my second rodeo.
Hi. I’m headed to rehearsal room C, so I just need to sign in.
Are you faculty?
Yes, I’m new.
Great. May I see your Wheeler ID?
You know what? It’s my first day.
I was gonna have it printed out, but there was something wrong with the machine.
Seriously?
That machine is always broken.
Ugh.
Right?
It’s like, machines! Ah!
Hang on. This one’s full. I’ll set you up.
No, that’s okay.
I can sign that one. I hate wasting paper.
No, it’s full up. Here you go.
Okay, cool.
[fake groans]
I just remembered I forgot my piccolo.
We have one you can borrow.
Mine is custom-made because I have an irregular… mouth.
So I’m gonna go get it, and I’ll be right back.
[Brad] I want it to be classic but also revolutionary.
In 100 years, I want Wheeler students to look at that painting and say, “He was a great man.”
And then I’ll tap him on the shoulder and say, “And I still am.”
And the best way to accomplish that is to let me get back to work.
No, the best way to accomplish that is with these longevity treatments.
They say the only sure things are death and taxes.
Well, with enough money, you can avoid both.
Helmet time, Brad.
Okay.
Cover your torsos, please.
Do we have to?
Well, that depends.
Do you like the way that your blood is now?
[automated voice]
Epsilon wave treatment in five, four, three, two, one.
Activate.
Oh boy. Oh boy.
Uh…
[machine whirring]
You know, I have a thought.
Um, what if we had a plaque, and we listed all of your accomplishments?
[Brad] Nah, bad idea.
What about… a metal sign that lists all the cool stuff I’ve done?
So much better.
[automated voice]
Epsilon wave treatment complete.
Get those off. Now.
[alarm sounding]
[automated voice] Remove contaminated garments.
Remove contaminated garments.
Remove contaminated garments.
Remove contaminated garments.
[alarm stops] Okay. Just the injection, and you should be all set.
Neck or penis?
Uh… um…
Surprise me.
Okay, I’m leaving.
[Brad] No, you’re not.
We haven’t settled on the monument yet.
That’s not my job.
My job is to find the person who’s threatening you and the school.
Whatever. That whole painting thing is gonna blow over.
You know, when you’re as successful as I am, there’s always some jealous whiner protesting your success or hauling you in front of Congress.
We’re not gonna hear from that person again. Trust me.
Well, Jack Berenger hired me to find that person.
If you don’t mind, I’m…
[Brad] You’re dismissed.
I’m letting you go for the day.
So… go.
[Julie sighs]
Okay, I’ll set you up with a double dose, but I’ll need you to take two of these every 15 minutes for the next three months or you will die.
What was I supposed to do?
She put the paper in a drawer.
If I asked a second time, it would’ve seemed suspicious.
Okay. Okay.
We can figure something else out.
How do you feel about dyeing your hair?
Didn’t you say this Mona lady’s alibi was pretty good?
Maybe you should focus on another suspect.
I can’t do that.
‘Sup?
Hey. How was the student union?
What’s the student union?
The place you were going.
Where were you?
I don’t know.
You don’t know where you were?
When?
Jace.
Okay. Okay, all right, look.
First attempt failed. But we can fix this.
Wait, Mom failed at something?
Your mother was on a mission for me.
I needed her to get an old signin sheet from the music building to see if a suspect’s name was on there.
I can do it.
[intriguing music playing]
Really?
Yeah.
Yeah, okay.
Yeah, all right.
It’s for rehearsal room C.
The security guard…
The security guard already started a new one, but we need the old sign-in sheet from Friday night.
From Friday night.
We’re looking for the name Mona Margadoff.
Say it, Mona…
Mo… Say…
‘Sup? Know if Worm Fist was here on Friday?
What’s a Worm Fist?
It’s my band. Or was my band.
I think they’re trying to kick me out.
Even though I named us, and I wrote all the songs.
I wrote “Slither,” “Shriveled on the Sidewalk,” “Love You Forever,” “Worm Girl,” “Worm Girl Part Two.”
“Instrumental…”
What do you need? Friday?
I wanna know if they were rehearsing without me.
Thank you.
[sighs] Oh, man.
Maybe you should try writing some non-worm-based songs.
Yeah, probably.
Yeah.
Charles?
Oh, hey, what? Oh!
[laughing] Well…
[Charles] Hi.
[Mona] Hi.
Hi, hey. Uh, yeah, I, uh…
I thought you were in Oakland.
Oh, yeah, the rock opera fell apart.
Creative differences. Also, it sucked.
So I came back early to surprise you.
Hi, Mona Margadoff.
Hi.
[Mona] Hi.
I’m Emily, Charles’s daughter.
Whoa.
[all laughing]
Big day, meeting the family so soon.
I really like your dad.
So do I. Okay.
[both laugh] Yo, found Mona Margadoff on the sign-in sheet for Friday.
She wasn’t lying.
Bro, who’s this?
You were investigating me?
Mona, just… let me explain.
No explanation necessary.
You don’t trust me.
I get it.
Okay.
Um, it was nice to meet you.
Bro, who even was that?
Okay, so we’ve actually been investigating your girlfriend who knows you’re undercover?
Technically, yes.
Why didn’t you tell me you have a girlfriend?
I haven’t dated anyone since your mom.
I wasn’t sure how you’d react.
Okay, well, here is my reaction.
I am so happy.
Really?
Yes, of course, Dad.
You met someone. That’s great.
And thank God we just proved that she’s not a suspect in a blackmail case.
Yes. Yeah, no.
Yeah.
That’s excellent news.
Although, she is very smart.
Now, it’s possible… that she knew that I was gonna check the sign-in sheet, so she burned the painting, then snuck back and put her name on the list to create an alibi.
Do you think she would do that?
I don’t know what she would do.
I barely know her.
I mean, I don’t even know if Mona is her real name.
I mean, is it like short for something?
Ramona, Desdemona, Mona Lisa?
The Mona Lisa is a painting.
Dad?
I’m just saying, who is this woman?
Bro, I’ve been saying that.
He has.
Okay. [clears throat] Let me offer my detective theory.
I…
Maybe this is not about whether Mona forged her name on the sign-in sheet for rehearsal room C like some master criminal.
Maybe you’re freaking out because this is the first new relationship you’ve had with a woman in 48 years?
No. No.
No, no, no, that is not it.
Yes, that’s exactly it.
Shoot.
That was wild.
I mean, that guy is insufferable.
How do you put up with him?
It’s my job.
It’s always hard.
But when guys like him make it really hard, I just focus on what I get out of it.
The money?
Is it worth it?
Of course it is.
The money is what ensures the future of Wheeler College.
I’m a lifer.
I went there for undergrad, and I started working in administration right after.
Been there 40 years.
Wheeler is my place, and I love it.
And if you truly love something, you have to do a whole lot of crap you don’t wanna do.
It’s just part of the deal.
[Julie] Mm.
[upbeat Mexican music playing]
Hi, Mom.
Julie, you came!
[Linda] Julie!
Hey.
I couldn’t disappoint Linda on her big day.
Happy birthday, Linda.
[Linda] Thanks.
You know, I called my nephew right after you left.
He’s not much of a looker, poor thing, but he is very excited to meet you.
Cool.
[Diego] Julie!
Can I just say, you are a goddess, just like your mom.
We love Mama V.
Aw.
[Apollo] Jules?
Aw!
It’s so nice that you came.
Can I get you a drink of some of the best homemade miso soup you’ve ever had in your life?
Oh.
Well, if not, they have a full bar back there.
Hey, babe.
Hey.
Yes. Linda!
[Linda] Hey! Get over here.
That was a shockingly good hug.
He’s such a good hugger, right?
Yeah.
It’s one of my favorite things about him.
I’m gonna get something from the bar.
Need anything?
No.
[Emily] I mean, can you believe it?
I gave him dating advice.
I never thought that’d happen.
You’re kinda burying the lede.
What about his girlfriend?
I mean, I didn’t get to spend very much time with her, but she’s very cool.
Oh, do you know that old song, “Goodbye, Baby”?
Wait, from the arthritis commercial?
Yeah, but in like 1970, it was a huge song.
That’s her.
That was her band, Lavender Highway.
Your dad is dating a rock star?
Yes, and she’s, like, sexy and stylish.
Grandpa pulls.
Jace, for God’s sake.
What?
[Joel] No, he’s right.
Sorry, babe, but your dad pulls.
Hey, what did you think of Wheeler?
It was chill. I want to go there.
What, really?
Yeah, I mean, they had burritos, the Wi-Fi was strong, Esmeralda was chill.
I’ll either go there, or I’ll go on Beast Games.
You know what, bud?
I’ll take it.
[gentle suspicious music playing]
Good night.
Hey. Hi.
Can we talk for a second, maybe somewhere more private?
Anything you want to say to me, you can say in front of Esmeralda.
Oh, yeah, right. That’s not true.
Okay, come with me.
Well?
What you got?
I never thought you were guilty.
I… I just… I… I panicked.
Over the idea of dating someone.
Really, Charles? Come on.
We are too old for that.
No, no.
I’m… I’m not.
You know, in relationship years, I’m basically a teenager.
I haven’t dated anyone new since the Carter administration.
Fun fact, I once went on a date with Billy Carter.
See? That… Now, that’s the point.
You’ve had this big, amazing life, and I don’t know anything about it.
And also, I’m crazy about you.
And those two things together made me feel a little wobbly.
But the wobbly part is the fun part.
Charles, that first night, when I saw you, my knees buckled.
And it was exciting, and so I walked right up and started talking to you.
The great thing about new relationships is you don’t have all the answers.
[cell phone pings]
Oh, Wheeler News alert.
Apparently, Berenger gets a bonus if he raises enough money.
That jackass.
He’s gonna get rich selling us out to Brad Vinick.
[Mona sighs]
That’s not the real story.
Someone leaked Berenger’s personal email to the paper.
The blackmailer is following through on their threat.
[a cappella group singing]
Ugh!
A cappella practice next door.
Come on. Let’s get out of here.
There’s like 45 different a cappella groups in this college.
I swear.
[a cappella] ♪ Life is a highway ♪
♪ I wanna ride it all night long ♪
♪ If you’re going my way ♪
♪ I wanna drive it all night long ♪
♪ Through all these cities
And all these towns ♪
♪ It’s in my blood and it’s all around ♪
♪ I love you now like I loved you then
This is the road and these are the hands ♪
♪ From Mozambique
To those Memphis nights ♪
♪ The Khyber Pass
To Vancouver’s lights ♪
♪ Knock me down, I’m back up again ♪
♪ You’re in my blood
I’m not a lonely man ♪
♪ There’s no load I can’t hold ♪
♪ A road so rough, this I know ♪
♪ I’ll be there when the light comes in ♪
♪ Just tell ’em we’re survivors ♪
♪ Life is a highway ♪
♪ I wanna ride it all night long ♪
♪ If you’re goin’ my way
I wanna drive it all night long ♪
♪ All night long ♪
♪ Gimme, gimme, gimme, ♪
♪ Life is a highway ♪
♪ I wanna ride it all night long ♪
♪ If you’re goin’ my way
I wanna drive it all night long ♪
♪ All night long ♪
