Original release date: August 13, 2021
“A few months later, I was in the psychologist’s reception room, paying for my fourth really good cry, when a woman carrying a child walked in. I didn’t recognize her at first, and then I remembered her face. Are you the wife of the guy my wife is having an affair with?11 asked tactlessly. ‘Yeah,’ she said. ‘But we’re not together anymore.”’
* * *
♪ We face the music together ♪
♪ And throw our hats in the ring ♪
♪ Facing all kinds of weather ♪
♪ And not afraid of anything ♪
♪ Hey ♪
♪ When the sun comes up, we’ll be on our way ♪
♪ And we don’t care where we land ♪
♪ And the waves are high, but we won’t turn round ♪
♪ ‘Cause your hand is in my hand ♪
♪ And, oh-oh ♪
♪ You make me feel invincible ♪
♪ ‘Cause it’s you and me ♪
♪ Through the wind and hail ♪
♪ Setting sail into the world ♪
I mean, look, even if you’re a total noob at investing,
you’ll still reap more with the 30-year mortgage.
Good to know.
It’s such a great house.
Thanks. Of course, you’ll qualify for a VA loan, you lucky son of a gun.
Sounds like a pretty fair trade for risking his life for his country.
So, uh, you ever killed anyone?
Well, Nick, my first time downrange, I started as a gunner in Ramadi.
After BRC, I got deployed with 1st Recon to find a terror cell so deeply embedded with civilians that we couldn’t tell the difference, so what do you think?
Excuse us.
Was that really necessary?
Who asks that to somebody they just met?
Oh.
You ready to head out?
Spence, it’s not even dark.
The plan was to stay an hour.
We can’t miss the fireworks.
I’ll look bad in front of my boss.
All right, sundown’s at 2100 hours.
Leave at 2120?
Fine.
Uh, the kids are out of sparklers, so I’m gonna make a quick run with Nick.
I’ll go with you.
I’ll be five minutes. Okay?
[garbled radio transmission]
[bomb whistling]
Coming in. Clear. Right perimeter clear.
Is left perimeter clear?
Left perimeter clear.
Get him out! Get him out!
Hey! What the hell?!
Quick time!
[Spence] You don’t need more sparklers.
There’s plenty back there.
Thank you, baby. You’re so sweet.
I love you.
[rock music playing quietly]
♪ ♪
[hissing]
I think it’s been going on for a while.
Between my husband and your wife.
My wife wouldn’t do that.
Why not?
Because that’s not part of the plan.
[loud firework explodes]
Believe what you like, but…
I’m declaring July 5th my Independence Day.
[fireworks popping, squealing]
Babe, have you seen my phone?
Can you call it?
[phone ringing]
[dog barking]
[phone continues ringing]
Uh… why is my phone in Charlie’s dirty diaper?
That’s a good question.
And I could ask you why you put your other mobile device in places it doesn’t belong.
Now… tell me the truth.
[sighs]
At least he admitted the affair.
He didn’t have a choice.
[Nick] Every day. Every day.
[Charlie crying]
Yes, he’s awake. I can’t believe you woke him.
[Alison] What happened next?
[Isabelle] I said all my worst fears.
That we’d still be doing great if I hadn’t gotten pregnant.
But a baby reminds Nick that he’s not young anymore, and he can’t handle the responsibility.
Sometimes you throw accusations out that you want someone to deny.
And then they don’t.
[Charlie cooing]
[Alison] So what do you want?
I’m… I’m very tired.
I need a teammate.
[Alison exhales]
Well, it sounds like you have more to work through.
[man and woman grunting in video game]
Yeah!
[grunting continues]
[phone chimes]
♪ ♪
Jeannie, can we talk?
The last time we talked, it didn’t go so well.
Can’t you understand why?
At this point, I don’t know what else there is to say.
I saw you went back to your maiden name on Facebook.
[grunting]
Are you gonna leave me another angry voice message?
Does that make you feel better?
[yelling]
Nothing makes me feel better.
Spence, sign the damn papers.
[woman on phone] Sit tight, Mr. Boyles. Help is on the way.
Thank you, ma’am.
[engine clicking softly]
[typing rapidly]
[pen clicks]
Please have a seat.
Your appointment’s not for another hour.
[scoffs softly]
Excuse me.
Are you the wife of the guy my wife is having an affair with?
We’re not together anymore.
I’m Isabelle.
Spence.
Thanks, uh, for the heads-up… at the barbecue.
I’m not sure you should be thanking me, but you’re welcome.
[door squeaks open]
Oh, my God.
Oh. I am so sorry.
This is something.
Want to go get coffee?
That might not be the best idea.
You, uh… you look well.
Thanks. I think I’m having a good hair day.
He vomited into it, so I washed it.
Sorry.
About what? My life?
So, how’d you find Dr. Alison?
She’s okay. I… I had some things I needed to get off my chest, but I think I’m done now.
[Charlie cries]
[phone buzzes]
He keeps texting me about Charlie.
I wish he’d just get over his guilt and leave us alone.
Do you think they’re in love?
I don’t know. And I don’t care.
Why? Do you?
If she was, I’d feel better about her giving up on the plan.
You’ve mentioned that before. What was the plan?
We were gonna have a baby.
And then, five more years, a second.
And then, if I could manage, the house would be paid off in 15 years.
Then we’d go on a cruise, see the glaciers, and…
If they’re still around.
You know you can’t really plan life like that.
I guess not.
I prefer to control the controllable.
After you have your first kid, you’ll let go of some of that.
You’re right.
Maybe I won’t have children anymore.
Hey, you never know.
A goal without a plan is just a wish.
Huh?
I wanted to get coffee because you’re the only person who understands what I’m going through.
But at the same time, you know how completely ordinary this situation is.
I was devastated when it happened, but now I’m more… embarrassed.
You feel embarrassed?
Yeah.
Like I was robbed.
I don’t want to feel like this again.
We should probably get going.
We got to go home.
[Charlie crying]
[clears throat softly]
I’m glad we met.
Why do you look so surprised?
I can’t remember the last time someone was glad to have met me.
We’re not them.
At least we have that.
Take care of yourself.
[Charlie fussing]
Hmm.
[Adam] Okay, Boyles, your profile’s set up.
Just click on who you like.
You make it sound so easy.
[Adam] Give it a try.
Um…
[♪ Gold Star: “San Francisco Good Times”]
Hmm?
Uh…
[both chuckling]
Oh, all right. Uh, now what?
Man, you write her.
And if you hit it off, you meet up.
[indistinct voices in distance]
[siren wailing in distance]
So we agree?
Definitely.
This is definitely not a date.
I saw your profile…
And it… it would have been rude not to message.
Exactly.
It’s my first night out in a while.
Mine, too.
Do you know… do you know what you want?
Hey, you mentioned you lost power after the storm.
Yeah. And then when the power came back, I couldn’t get some of my lights working.
I bet I can fix that for you.
Right now?
We don’t have to…
Okay.
[speaking indistinctly]
[chuckles] Yeah. Let’s get out of here.
[clicks]
No.
How about now?
No.
Yes! [laughs]
Hey.
Since you didn’t get any dinner.
[door closes]
I can’t believe you finally hung the curtains.
Did Nick help you?
Definitely not.
I have a friend.
It’s not that military guy from therapy.
Girl, that is so weird. Wasn’t he married to…
Yeah, you don’t need to remind me about his ex.
So what, he’s kind of, like, a handyman with benefits?
We haven’t actually…
We’re… we’re friends.
I know it hasn’t been easy for you, with Charlie…
You have no idea.
But you should not lead a guy on because you want your tiles re-grouted.
Maybe I want a man to re-grout my tiles.
[laughs]
Have you always been this handy?
No way.
When I, uh, got back from the Marines, I hadn’t lived in a house in a while.
You want to do it?
Just run it slowly.
[Isabelle] So, when did that change?
I threw myself into becoming the best solider that I could.
Until I wasn’t a solider anymore.
And then when I got married, I wanted to be the best husband I could be.
And that includes teaching yourself electrical work and plumbing?
Okay, bring it up.
Oh! I made that.
[Spence laughs]
And now… it is gone.
You need a haircut.
Hey.
Where are you?
Oh. Sorry.
I wouldn’t call myself a creative person, but sometimes my mind takes me places.
Bad places?
Not always.
But sometimes.
How much experience do you have up there?
I’ve cut Charlie’s hair his whole life.
He’s never complained.
I wanted to do something nice for you, for once.
I like making your life better.
I mean… I like trying.
Do you want to go to d-dinner?
I mean, like, a real…
Yes.
♪ ♪
[ringtone playing]
Oh, hey.
[Charlie crying]
Hey. I’m sorry to do this last-minute, but Charlie’s sick.
What?
His fever won’t break.
I’ve been trying all day.
Can I bring you anything?
Nope. We have everything we need.
I could take you to the hospital.
No, we’re really fine.
I just can’t leave him with a sitter like this.
Oh. Okay.
I’m so sorry.
Um…
No, no. Please don’t worry about me.
Okay. Rain check?
Rain check.
[over speakers] Avery, you have a call on line four.
Spence.
It’s, uh…
I know who you are.
Yeah, uh, sorry,
I’ll-I’ll get out of your way in a minute.
I… don’t know what to get.
Are you asking my advice?
No.
No, sorry, man. My-my kid is sick.
I’m sorry to hear that.
Yeah. I mean, his fever is sky-high.
I-I wanted to take him to the doctor, but his mother didn’t want to drag him to the ER and get stuck waiting there.
She wants him to rest, see his regular pediatrician in the morning, and…
I take it you don’t agree?
[sighs] I don’t know.
I wanted to take him in and make sure he’s okay, but she’s the mother, right?
She knows best.
Oh, God, I… can’t believe I’m unloading on you.
You must hate me.
That’s a reasonable assumption.
Um… are we okay?
What do you mean, “Are we okay?”
I’m not with Jeannie anymore.
Is that supposed to make me feel better?
I don’t know.
Well, hey, man, not tonight, obviously, but… let me know if you want to get a beer and talk about it.
♪ ♪
[distorted, echoing explosion]
[muted, distorted voices shouting]
[distorted, echoing explosion]
[muted, distorted voices shouting]
[distorted, echoing explosion]
[Nick] Hey, hey, please don’t… please, don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t, please, please don’t.
[amplified heartbeat]
Hey, man, now we’re okay.
[echoing pop]
Sorry.
It was a stupid idea.
Anyway, have a good night.
Hey.
You need to get Isabelle to let you take Charlie to the ER.
You know my son’s name?
Don’t let whatever’s going on between you and her cloud your judgement.
You’re his father.
[rhythmic beeping]
[beeping]
[whooshing]
Thanks for coming.
Yeah.
It was meningitis.
That’s crazy.
I thought I knew best.
I thought I could do this on my own.
Well, you were never on your own.
I was there… No.
Nick is, uh…
Go on.
Nick insisted that we bring Charlie to the ER.
It was like he was a different man.
[crying] He could have died, and it would have been my fault.
My whole world would have been over in an instant.
[sniffles]
You can’t… you can’t plan anything.
Do you understand me?
Life cannot be planned.
[sighs]
Sorry. What were you gonna say?
No. Uh…
It sounds like he’s finally stepping into his role as a father.
Mm.
Do you want to head back?
[rhythmic beeping]
[whooshing]
Look.
I think he’s smiling.
[line ringing]
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Now you know who you’re talking to ♪
♪ You know I’m not a liar ♪
♪ I tore my pants and learned to dance ♪
♪ On love and razor wire ♪
♪ I learned to keep on moving when the flames ♪
♪ Were getting higher ♪
♪ When the devil’s stuck ♪
♪ And you keep walking through the fire ♪
♪ And I made friends with the monsters ♪
♪ Growling underneath my bed ♪
♪ I held a ball and invited all the voices in my head ♪
♪ I heard the traffic humming and I thought it was a choir ♪
♪ Singing when the devil’s stuck ♪
♪ And you keep walking through the fire ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh… ♪
I wasn’t sure if you’d show up.
I’m sorry I didn’t answer your messages.
Why didn’t you?
Can we talk about that night?
You told me you were going to kill yourself.
[Spence] That night I managed to convince myself that things would be easier if I wasn’t around anymore.
[Jeannie] You scared me.
[Spence] I think I meant to.
I’m sorry.
After you left, I… kind of lost my purpose.
Don’t you think that was part of the problem?
I’m not a mission.
You were to me.
Are you zoning out right now?
Are you even listening?
I want you to be happy.
I want you to be happy, too.
Okay? Please?
Jeannie?
I’ll sign the papers, okay?
Thank you.
♪ Ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
Oh.
♪ Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪♪
[sniffles]
[indistinct crowd chatter]
Hey, stranger.
Hi.
It’s good to see you.
You as well.
That’s Nick’s new girlfriend.
She’s nice, actually.
I mean, she’s fine.
I thought you two were back together.
No. I deserve better than that, don’t I?
Here’s my dude.
Happy birthday, Charlie.
Ah. What is that?
Is that why you disappeared?
I didn’t want to get in the way.
That’s silly.
You good?
I’m doing the best I can.
According to plan?
Ah, there is no plan.
[Spence laughs]
[Brynn] Hey.
Should we do the cake soon?
Just a sec.
Katie?
Hi, Katie.
[Katie gasps, babbles]
Can I, uh, help with anything?
Uh, yes, actually.
I could use a night out with a grownup.
Oh.
Please don’t feel obligated.
Thanks. I won’t. So, Friday?
Yeah?
Okay, it’s a plan.
Was that a joke?
Hey, birthday boy.
Okay, let’s sing.
Mm. One, two, three.
♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
♪ Happy birthday, dear Charlie ♪
♪ Happy birthday to you ♪♪
Did you schedule a joint session?
[laughs softly]
[Alison sighs]
I feel like there may have been some changes for you.
Yes, ma’am. You could say that.
So…
where would you like to begin?
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
