05x02 - Bigger and Brighter

[bunniefuu]

- ["Destination" by Nickel Creek playing]
- ♪ You don't owe me ♪

♪ One more minute of your wasted time ♪

♪ You act like it's all fine ♪

♪ It isn't hard to leave ♪

♪ Knowing that I'll be getting life
On track ♪

♪ I wanted to believe ♪

♪ I've gotta make a destination ♪

♪ Find where I belong ♪

♪ This time I've got no hesitation ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ To where I belong ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ Over the line I've drawn ♪

♪ I'm already gone ♪

[music fades]

["Pour te dire je t'aime"
by Dalida playing]

Welcome home, ma chérie.

Perhaps I got off the plane
in the wrong location.

[Erik laughs]

Is this Serenity or Paris?

Well, you've had a tough couple of days,
so I thought you should come home to joy,

romance, and thoughts
on our future honeymoon destination.

[speaking in French]

[Erik] Mmm.

And I you.

[Helen chuckles]

Were you able to get Maddie's apartment
packed up?

Hmm. Yeah.

The boxes are en route and, uh,
should arrive a couple days behind us.

How's she doing?

Remarkably well, considering.

Getting fired is never easy, but

Maddie will find her way through this.

And knowing her, the next adventure
will be even bigger and brighter.

I have the utmost faith.

Yeah.

Speaking of bigger and brighter,

picture this.

The newly married Mr. and Mrs. Whitley…

[Helen exclaims]

…snuggled together beneath
the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower.

Oh! Sounds magical, but

may I counter?

I expect nothing less, Counselor.

[Helen laughs]

Picture the newly married
Mr. and Mrs. Whitley

draped across each other
on the sparkling sands of

Tahiti.

I bought
a fabulous two-piece swimsuit in SoHo.

Mmm. Ooh la la.

[both laughing]

Oh. Goodness, I missed you.

Ah, you too.

Don't go away for that long again.

[Helen] What have you been doing?

[Erik] Dreaming about you.

["Pour te dire je t'aime" by Dalida ends]

[Kyle] Rise and shine, beautiful mother.

We are the advance troops.

Your mother and daughter are creating
every breakfast dish known to man.

Yeah, we didn't know what you'd be in
the mood for, so we went with everything.

Everyone feels so awful that you got--

Asked to wrap up your work
at the publishing house.

We wanted you to feel welcomed home,
supported, and loved.

If you wanna stay in bed all day
and do absolutely nothing, we get it.

We're here for you, Mom.

You are so thoughtful,

but I am not fragile.

Getting fired did not bring me down.

In fact, it… fired me up.

But you… you love New York.
You… you said it was your dream job.

But I love my dream family even more.

I am so, so happy to be home.

- [kitchenware clanging]
- [Paula] Oh! Oh!

Better check on that.

Yeah.

- [Cal groans]
- Oh.

What else can we do for you?

[gentle music playing]

[Maddie] Mmm.

Give me a couple of those every day,
and I can defeat any foe.

Careful.

I just don't want my sweet Alice
to become the Queen of Hearts.

Off with their heads.

[Kyle] Hey, Cal? Help!

[Cal grunts]

[Maddie chuckles]

Better check on that.

[grunts]

Ugh.

Don't you normally like
your bagel toasted?

I picked these up
on the way to the airport,

so they are still fresh and perfect.

I always thought New Yorkers
were pretentious about their bagels,

but there really is something different
in that water.

[text message tone]

[text message tone]

Mm.

- Oh my gosh.
- [Dana Sue] Mm-hmm.

It's the bagel,
but it's also the egg, the sausage.

- It's the balance.
- [text message tone]

My new friend Augusto,
who I told you about,

he reminded me how everything needs
to work together, bottom to top,

heart to plate.

- [text message tone]
- I'm so happy you had a great trip.

Mostly.

No one liked how it ended,

but I'm grateful for the time I spent
with your aunt Maddie and aunt Helen.

Plus, I got so much inspiration
for my teaching kitchen.

[text message tone]

[text message tone]

Food looks great. Thanks, hon.

[text message tone]

Would you mind if I take
my amazing breakfast to go?

I'm meeting CeCe and Lily
for graduation shoe shopping.

I can't believe our baby girl
is graduating this weekend.

Ah. Isn't it incredible?

- Ronnie?
- [text message tone]

Incredible.

Go ahead and go.

Mm.

Have fun.

- That's the goal. Thanks, Mom.
- [text message tone]

- Ronnie.
- [text message tone]

Don't forget our appointment
later this afternoon

to look at countertops
for the teaching kitchen.

I really need your opinion.

Especially since you know floor plans
and construction better than I do.

Uh-huh.

[text message tone]

Then after the countertop meeting,
how about we go golfing on Mars?

Sure thing, hon.

[cell phone ringing]

I…

These are not the numbers
we discussed, Courtney.

Yeah, I'm aware of that,
but our last discussion, we said…

No, well, I…

And the verdict is?

Mm. Delicious.

What is that nutty,
almost vanilla-y, flavor?

Hazelnuts.

I grind them up with the coffee beans
to add a natural creaminess and sweetness.

Michael is gonna love this.

I hope so. Thank you for being
my guinea pig while I perfect it.

Oh. It's been my pleasure.

Plus, all the caffeine helped me
nail final exams last week.

Oh, flowers, for me? You shouldn't have.

Lucky for us both, I didn't.

[Isaac and Lily laugh]

This is otherwise designated,

and I promised Erik
that I would drop it off between meetings.

Hey, Lily.

What is that heavenly smell
wafting from your cup?

New menu item?

Oh my gosh!
It totally should be on the menu, Isaac.

All the teens in town
would go crazy for it.

I'll consider that. This is intended to be
part of my anniversary gift for Michael.

His love language
is coffee and spreadsheets.

Still not sure
how to make spreadsheets romantic.

[chuckling] Plan a wedding.

Michael is amazing,
but we're not there yet.

- Want me to grab your fiancé?
- Please and thank you.

- Of course.
- Oh, what a gorgeous color. So bold.

I agree. It's one of my favorites.

I think color
communicates emotion so well.

The raccoons again?

Sounds like they're throwing a party
for the entire neighborhood.

- [cell phone vibrating]
- Wait, do you hear buzzing?

[cell phone vibrating]

Chef, your presence
has been requested at the bar.

[cell phone continues vibrating]

Thanks.

Maybe they're inside
of the Bellwether building?

Oh, there you are.

[laughing]

- Hi.
- Mwah.

- I'll just…
- [Helen laughing]

One magnificent magnolia.

Oh, indeed she is.

Thank you for taking the time
to pick it up. I'll see you this evening?

If you have an extra moment,
I just have a wedding question.

I know you said blue for our color scheme,
but blue covers a whole lot of territory.

So are you partial to navy,
cerulean, azure?

Um…

How about

I defer to my bride's excellent judgment?

[chuckles] That is always a wise move.

[Erik laughs]

And I'm sure my future bridesmaids
will have strong opinions.

Maddie's back in town.

I get to pop the question
sooner than expected.

So… Mm! I should get back to work.

- I'll walk you out.
- You know, no need.

But before I go,
have you managed to reach your brother?

Victor and I have exchanged texts,

but our schedules haven't synced up
for a proper call.

Huh. Okay. Well…

Uh.

[kisses]

[Helen laughs]

[gentle music playing]

Oh! Noreen, sorry.

I don't mean to be hanging over your desk.
Just checking the class schedule.

I was just thinking how natural it feels
to see you behind that desk.

Thank you, but this is yours now.

I was just filling in while you were gone.

- Now you're back and…
- You're a terrific manager.

And as long as you're happy doing it,
we'd love for you to continue.

The spa is thriving under your leadership.

I just took what you all built
and ran with it.

But in my role as manager,

may I invite you to have a seat

so we can discuss what kind of classes
you might be interested in taking, ma'am?

Hot yoga, perhaps?

Hmm. No, I need… I need something fiercer.

I have this

knot of fury right under my heart.

Its name is Lucas,
and I need to exorcize it.

We don't have kickboxing
or sword fighting yet,

but maybe a HIIT class
or deep-tissue massage?

Oh, a massage sounds delicious.

And then what?

Are you gonna write
another Princess Katie book?

Perhaps.
I would like it to be book-related.

I'm grateful that I could take a beat
to figure out what my new thing will be.

You deserve that.

And if you need a sounding board,
you know where to find me.

[chuckles] Thank you.

[gentle music playing]

[gentle music ends]

I didn't know
we were selling pecan tarts tonight.

Should I be telling customers?

No. No. Those are for
Michael's anniversary gift.

Uh, possibly.

Still deciding.

Because you have other ideas?

About 812 of them.

What about the coffee recipe
you created for Michael?

Is that special enough?

I want Michael to truly know
what this relationship means to me.

How much he means to me.

You could just tell him that.

Probably should get a card too.

Do you need us to sample the tarts,
make sure they're worthy?

Okay, okay.
I need you all to get back to work.

Picking up an order for Blake.

One sec.

Here you go. Enjoy.

I will.

Especially since it was delivered
with such a beautiful smile.

[romantic music playing]

Thank you.

Keep it to yourselves, boys.
I need you to get back to work.

Oh. [chuckles]

Mm-hmm.

It's not quite the Manhattan skyline.

It's better.

[Ronnie] Oh. Knock, knock.

And I brought something special
from New York for this occasion.

Which is that Cal convinced us
to climb up to the roof

of Sullivan's and Friends
in dresses and heels.

[all laughing]

- Ooh.
- Yeah.

- And the return of a beloved friend.
- [Dana Sue] Oh.

New York has lost a star,

but we are very grateful you're back
to light up our skies, Maddie.

Thank you for putting all of this together
on such short notice.

We're just pleased you agreed
to let us love on you, Maddie.

Tonight is all about you.

I appreciate that,
but tonight is about the six of us.

This is our first elegant gathering
as three couples,

and I am flattered
that it came about to welcome me back.

Y'all are quite the group to come back to.

Any thoughts about
what you'll do next, Maddie?

Honey. Let her take a breath.

I mean, she's always up to something.
All three of you are. I mean, am I right?

How about you get in trouble
all by yourself?

But I mean it as a compliment.

Well, we'll find a way to take it as that.

You should have seen these three
in high school.

Absolutely amazing.

So why did it take you
until after I graduated to ask me out?

You intimidated me.

[Dana Sue] Oh.

Well, I will take that as a compliment.

[all laughing]

- You captivated me.
- Aw.

[Dana Sue] Oh, goodness.

[Maddie chuckles] No, no, no.
You don't have to.

[Helen chuckles]

You saved me.

- [Dana Sue] Oh dear.
- [Helen] Oh.

- [Dana Sue] Oh dear.
- [Helen] Yeah.

- [Dana Sue] Okay.
- Can't.

- Did I win?
- Come on.

I did.

[Helen] Oh, you two.

All right, as nice as all this is,
I wanna catch up with Erik and Ronnie.

Cal and your ladies have shared headlines,
but I want details.

- We don't have to talk about work.
- I don't mind.

The Bike Barn has been
keeping me crazy busy.

Lots of long, hard days.

Nights and weekends too.

But business is good.

Great, actually, and growing every day.

Have to get all y'all up there for a tour.

That sounds wonderful. Yes, please.
Can that be our next triple date night?

I like that and triple date night
becoming a tradition.

Hear, hear.

- How about triple date trips?
- Ooh.

How many skiers do we have?

Water or snow?

Which do you do?

- Both.
- Of course. Of course.

[Dana Sue, Helen laugh]

- I was thinking snow.
- [Cal] You don't do either.

Well, I would be willing to learn
with my darling, dearest friends.

Or you could stay in the lodge with me,

looking poetic and perfect
by a roaring fire,

while the foolish…
I am so sorry, the brave,

hurl themselves down mountains.

Maybe we should start with waterskiing?

I have a new swimsuit.

Hey, let's not spill too many secrets
this early in the evening.

[Helen and Erik laugh]

I'll tell the staff that we'll be down
for dinner in 20 minutes.

Wait, wait. Be… before you go,

[inhales deeply]

I know how much
it means to me and the ladies

to pour it out together every week.

I would like to toast
to this new, wonderful tradition

that we're creating for the six of us.

- Yeah.
- Yeah?

So… to true friends.

To family.

- [gentle music playing]
- [glasses clinking]

[kids laughing, chattering]

Oh!

Oh my goodness.

- You got me. [laughs]
- [kids laugh]

Oh!

I love what you did
with the fresh berries on top, Cleo.

Oh, oh, Charlie, a… a chef doesn't…

You know what? Never mind. Go crazy!

[all] Yeah!

[Dana Sue laughs]

This is a fab party, Chef Dana Sue.

Oh, I'm so glad
everyone's enjoying themselves, Aimee.

Warms my heart to see these budding chefs
flexing their creative muscles.

Yes, it's just a shame we couldn't invite
more of Susie's friends.

She's very popular.

I am opening my own teaching kitchen,
which will be able to accommodate

much larger groups
for all ages and occasions.

- When will that be ready?
- Soon.

God willing. [chuckles]

Just waiting for my bid at old man
Wilkinson's place to be accepted.

You too?

My goodness, everybody in this town's
interested in that property.

- Come again?
- Susie, that's not a good choice.

Oh!

[gentle music ends]

Hey, can I get a large half-caff,
triple-shot, sugar-free, vanilla latte?

- Okay, what kind of milk with that?
- Oat.

Actually, no. Skim.

Wait, no. [laughs] 2%.

Excuse me. Just… just one second,
while you're deciding. Yeah.

Yep. Back up. Okay, great.

What's going on? This is supposed to be
our pre-dinner lull.

The seniors are done with finals,
and they are running wild,

hyped up on grad-week energy and caffeine.

You're giving them more caffeine?

To appease them.

If we can't tame this cackle of hyenas,
they'll scare off the dinner crowd.

[whistles loudly]

Listen up. We got three kinds of milk,
two kinds of syrup, one kind of espresso.

Do not approach this register
until you are 100% ready to order.

Now, give me a straight line.

Come on, people.
Show me some hustle. Get in line.

Go, go, go, go! There we go. Yes, you.

Mm, mm, hmm.

Awesome.

There you go.

Erik, if you'd like to head back
and oversee dinner prep,

I think that Isaac and I
can manage out here.

- Hey.
- 2%. I got it, 2%.

Thank you so much for coming in today.
I know it's supposed to be your day off.

As part owner of this restaurant
and as your friend,

if you ever need help,
I'm a phone call away.

I'm afraid that I might be to blame
for this particular zoo.

You sent out the hyena signal?

Unintentionally.

Lily loved my new coffee recipe,
and I guess she spread the word.

At first,
the afternoon sales boost seemed great,

but then the "custom this,
cloud foam that" request came in,

and the situation spiraled. I spiraled.

Well, when I get overwhelmed,

I remind myself to take a breath
and focus on the basics.

Sometimes the best way forward

is to eliminate your options
and streamline your choices.

In other words, simplify.

Taking the advice already.

Thanks.

Coach.

[chuckles]

I see what you did there.

Cute, but my answer is no.
I'm not coaching the alumni game.

You did tell us that you couldn't coach
because you were too busy being Mr. Mom.

But now Maddie's back,
so what's stopping you?

I don't mean to pressure you.

I've just… I've lived here long enough
to want to see Castlewood

get their butts handed to them.

Castlewood animosity
spreads via osmosis in this town.

Go, Dogs! [barks]

[everyone barks]

[gentle music playing]

[Isaac] Okay. Who's next?

How else can I say it, Ronnie?
No, this is going too far.

[spluttering]

Hey, uh, Blake,
could we get a minute, please?

- You got it, boss. Excuse me, bosses.
- Thanks.

I'll just, uh, take it outside.

What the hell are you thinking,

agreeing to
this ridiculous expansion plan?

Courtney is pushing those numbers up
too far, too fast.

- We're doing fine where we are.
- I don't want the business to be fine.

I want it to thrive.

So do I, but not at the expense
of other responsibilities.

I have a family to consider. So do you.

I'm doing this for my family.

Look, 150% in the short term
leads to long-term success.

I recognize a Courtney-ism
when I hear one.

We should be taking
Courtney's advice and Jimmy's.

That family has a blueprint for success.
Why not follow it?

If you feel the need
to burn the midnight oil,

I can't stop you,
but I'm not sitting by that fire.

[exhales sharply]

[in British accent] "You loggerheaded
and unpolished grooms!"

"What, no attendance? No regard? No duty?"

"Where is the foolish knave
I sent before?"

[chuckles] Shakespeare really knew
how to write a cutting insult.

How you feeling about your part?

I'm happy to talk through it
if you've got any questions.

Bianca's a great character.

I just didn't realize how few scenes
she has with Petruchio.

I agreed to do the play because I thought
we'd get to spend a lot of time together.

We will.
We'll be at rehearsal together every day.

We can practice our lines
outside of rehearsal.

And practice my kissing scene together.

- [sighs]
- Especially while no one's home.

[chuckles]

[sentimental music playing]

Look, you're gonna be
an incredible Bianca.

It means so much that you're stepping
outside of your comfort zone for me.

For us.

Summer of fun means trying new things
for the people you love.

So what was that about practicing
a kissing scene?

[Peggy] I think
the grant's a reach for us,

but Henrietta wouldn't let me say no
without checking with you.

Is that Henrietta's way of asking me
to write the grant?

No. Not at all.

Unless you want to.

I also wanna respect
everything you have going on.

Have you found your wedding dress yet?

No, not yet.

And I'm… not usually someone
who has trouble making up her mind, but…

- A talent I envy.
- [Helen chuckles]

Nothing has felt completely right.

Time is of the essence.

But I waited all this time
to find the perfect man.

I just wanna find
the perfect dress to match.

I called my mother and asked if I could
wear her dress. You know what she said?

She said no?

Because of the red wine
and chocolate fondue incident

during the Soul Train dance-off?

Wait, how do you know that story

when I'm just finding it out
for the first time?

Because my parents
were part of that debacle.

And I grew up being told
every time I dressed for an event,

"Do not spill on that
or you'll end up like Ms. Bev,

weeping over her wedding dress."

[laughing] I'll have to make sure
my mother knows this part of her legacy.

[inhales] Oh.

My mother also said,
more times than I can count,

that it was one of the most
beautiful weddings she ever attended

because it was full of joy
and love and laughter.

I wish the same for you and Erik.

Thank you, friend.

It's great we were able to keep up
the tradition the last six months,

but those Zoom Margarita Nights
were a real pain.

I know. I nearly missed the story
about the skunk in the lawnmower

'cause you were on mute.

That varmint might have won the battle,
but I won the w*r. [laughs]

[all] Pour it out!

- [Helen laughs]
- [Maddie] Mmm.

[Helen] Oh goodness.

Maddie.

Girl, you have been so impressive.

So bright and…
and strong since you came back.

The abruptness of leaving New York
can't be easy to just set aside,

so if you're still not ready to share,
we understand.

No… I'm ready.

I'm…

[exhales deeply]

I'm proud…

[Helen] Hm.

…and inspired.

Electrified.

[gentle music playing]

But I am also

furious…

[Helen] Hm.

…and hurt.

And I'm…

embarrassed.

Hey, no, dear heart. Listen. Listen.
You have nothing to be embarrassed about.

[Maddie scoffs]

You jumped off a big, scary cliff
and sprouted wings.

We saw you soar.

Think about what you gained.

Experience, contacts, confidence.

Yeah. No, my…

my head believes that.

My heart is just…
it's stuck on all that I lost.

[sniffles]

All the missed moments with my…

[inhales] …family and my friends.

My dream job.

[exhales deeply]

I… I want all of the time
that I spent away

to have meant something.

I need it to.

Sometimes, it looks like
you hit a dead end,

but the road's just curving in a direction
you can't see yet.

And was this, in fact, your dream job?

Yes!

Yes, it just…

[exhales] It gave me the opportunity
to meet so many incredible artists

and to use my platform
to elevate their voices.

You don't need
the publishing house for that.

Look what you did for Nell and Stacy

with little to no support
from that so-and-so Lucas.

Ugh.

You're right.

Yeah.

You're absolutely right.

Yeah.

[chuckles softly]

I… I should take all of the skills
that I learned in New York

and apply them here in Serenity.

Yes. There you go.

- [Dana Sue] Absolutely. Yes.
- Fabulous.

- Now, any idea what that might look like?
- Not yet.

[all laugh]

But I will figure it out.

- Especially with a little help.
- Yeah, always.

I will turn this pain into purpose.

That's the Maddie we know.

Mmm.

[Helen chuckles]

Speaking of dreams, have you heard back
on the old man Wilkinson's place?

There were multiple offers,
so I'm being asked to counter.

Wait, you're kidding.
After all that time that place sat vacant?

The downside
of the town economy rebounding.

[Helen] Yeah, you be aggressive.

Over asking price,
I mean, if your budget will allow.

I will talk to Ronnie.

Is everything okay with you two?

Oh. Oh… [chuckles] Well, I'll let you know
once we spend any time together.

Oh! Would you care to--

No.

Dreams take work, that's all.

[quietly] Okay.

If you're finished pouring it out…

I feel good.

…may I take you two on a little trip?

Oh, a vacation sounds like heaven.
Where we headed?

[Helen vocalizes]

[Dana Sue] No!

[laughing]

- [Helen] Down memory lane!
- What?

[all laughing]

[Helen] I found it!

Helen's Dream Wedding Trapper Keeper.

I feel my hair getting big
just looking at it.

- Oh my gosh, this is amazing!
- [Dana Sue] My goodness.

Your wedding to Luther Vandross.
The seventh grade.

No, no, no. I thought seventh grade
was all about Denzel.

Denzel and I were not betrothed
until the eighth grade.

Although there might have been
a slight overlap of my loves.

Scandal!

I am yet to find the perfect wedding gown,

but I solemnly swear
that it will not be this monstrosity.

That dress looks like
a marshmallow exploded in a tulle factory.

[Maddie] Stop.

Can you believe we once considered this
the height of fashion?

I wouldn't mind my bridesmaid dress
to look like this.

- [Helen] Mm-hmm.
- Not making any assumptions.

Well, I am planning a very special evening
to formally ask my attendants,

whomsoever they may be.

Well, in case it's pertinent,
I look excellent in blue.

[laughing]

[Helen] Isn't it incredible that,

despite the many different eras
of my life,

I have had one constant?

[sentimental music playing]

You two.

[Maddie] Oh.

All right. Here.

- To the girls that we were.
- Mm-hmm.

The women that we are.

Hmm.

And all we are yet to become.

[glasses clink]

[laughing]

I thought this was supposed to be easier
to pick up than tennis.

You're doing great, Mom. Pickleball is


[Maddie and Kyle chuckle]

Water break?

Yes, please.

- I didn't think I'd sweat this much.
- [Kyle chuckles]

- [Maddie] Whoo.
- [Kyle] Oh man.

So you excited about your brother
coming in for graduation this weekend?

Yeah, it'll be great
to have Ty back again for a bit.

The whole g*ng together
for the first time since Christmas.

Oh, I can't believe it's been that long.

So much has changed
in the last six months.

Seriously.

Yeah, it's been really inspiring
to watch you and Ty go after your dreams.

I know New York didn't totally work out,
but I'm really proud of you, Mom.

[scoffs]

New York was educational and energizing,

but I miss moments like these.

There is nothing better than spending time
with the people you love.

What's on your mind?

I'm just

thinking about how different
things will be six months from now.

I'll be a senior.

And this year's seniors
will be off at college.

Are you worried about long-distance
with Lily?

A little, but thankfully, I picked up
a ton of tricks from you and Cal.

[Maddie and Kyle laugh]

I just wanna enjoy the moments
Lily and I have together this summer

and take things step-by-step.

That is incredibly mature of you,
Mr. Rising Senior.

[Kyle laughs]

We have so much
to look forward to this summer.

I cannot wait
for the Fourth of July picnic.

The chili cook-off…

- Backyard s'mores.
- [Maddie chuckles]

Maybe even more pickleball?

- Game on. Okay.
- Mm-hmm.

- Let's do it.
- [Kyle grunts]

- Ready for this one?
- Yeah.

All right.

Did I miss the moment you pivoted
from photography to painting?

Ms. Paula loaned me
these watercolor supplies

to expand the definition of my artistry.

This piece is so…

Awful.

- No. [laughs]
- [Annie laughs]

It's… it's… it's very interesting.

The… the different colors

and how… how you have them
on top of each other.

Mom, I know this isn't any good,
but it feels so good.

It's freeing. Now my summer
will have a whole new layer of fun.

Hmm.

I'd love to add a layer of fun
to my summer.

[gentle music playing]

Okay.

[gentle music ends]

[liquid pouring]

[Maddie] I don't know.

- Are you sure we can't help you in there?
- You can't.

I thought I was coming over
to hear a pitch

from the Magnolia Community Foundation.

You don't typically have daiquiris
at important meetings, Madam Mayor?

I abide by a strict code of ethics,

but daiquiris certainly would make

some of those town council sessions
more enjoyable.

- [Dana Sue] Yeah.
- Maddie.

We are here tonight to discuss
a different sort of foundation.

[Dana Sue] Yeah.

A foundation of friendship.

[Dana Sue laughs]

So… will you three ladies
please be my bridesmaids?

Yes! Finally!

Yes!

It would be my honor.

Oh.

Damn straight, I will!

I know you're in.

[Dana Sue] Finally.

You want me to be your bridesmaid?

Peggy, I have always known

how fortunate I am
to have lifelong sisters

like Maddie and Dana Sue,

but it has been such a blessing
to gain an unexpected friend in adulthood.

So

will you do me the honor, Peggy?

Of course.

[all laughing]

Helen whispered her plan to us in advance.

It's gonna be so wonderful
to share this experience with you, Peggy.

Wait till you hear
what I've got in the works

for your bachelorette party.

Oh goodness. Are you finally willing
to share your top-secret plans?

I'll promise you this.

[Helen] Tell me.

It will be historic.

- Bring it.
- Please, baby.

Maybe even scandalous.

- [Helen] Ooh!
- Oh, hot!

[laughing]

I'm thrilled to be a bridesmaid,

but I'm not sure
I can join in this bachelorette party.

Oh, Peggy. Come on.

As mayor, I need to remain
a model of good behavior

for the citizens of Serenity.

- That's why we're going far out of town.
- Far away.

No one will know.

- [Helen] Past Castlewood.
- Okay.

[Maddie] Past Castlewood.

All right. Come on.
Ladies, we will now withdraw

to the dining room,
where we will enjoy a fabulous dinner

and discuss
a very, very serious topic. Uh.

It would be…

[singsong] …bridesmaid dresses.

[Dana Sue trilling]

[Helen] You know you do.

[door opens, closes]

Oh. Hey, hon. Good to be home.

[Dana Sue scoffs lightly]

I'm fried.

Hopefully not too fried. We need to talk.

Helen recommends we counter.

The countertop appointment.

The countertop appointment was Wednesday.

I got Collins to go with me
because you were so busy.

Right now, you and I need to discuss
the counteroffer for my teaching kitchen,

soon, so I don't get outbid.

First thing in the morning. Okay?

- Ronnie.
- I want my head to be clear for this.

- For you.
- [grunts]

[melancholy music playing]

[melancholy music ends]

I swear I did not do that much shopping
in New York.

I can move all my winter stuff
to Ty's closet.

I'm sure a traveling rock star won't mind.

Wow.

That is a great piece.
Where would you like it?

Maybe over here?

Helen and Dana Sue
got that for me as a gift

to celebrate all of my success.

Oh. If this is difficult, we can…

It's perfect for the dresser.

You

are an inspiration.

When… when I was

let go, I kind of quit.

You never allow adversity
to knock you down.

You stand back up even stronger.

It's one of the things
I love most about you.

Well, I refuse
to let the kids see me defeated.

I'm gonna use this experience
to teach them that

dreams don't always work out
the way you planned,

but you can never stop dreaming.

We were your biggest cheerleaders
while you were in New York,

and we will continue
to cheer you on here in Serenity,

with whatever new, incredible thing
that you decide to do.

I can never express

how much gratitude I have
for the way that you showed up

for our family the past six months.

Yeah, I like to think
the Mr. Mom role suited me.

But we're all so… so very happy
to have Mrs. Mom back.

Yeah.

Well, you should reclaim
some of that time for yourself.

You know? Figure out what fills you up

that's just for you.

Huh.

I have been thinking
about coaching the alumni game.

Really? I didn't realize that you were
interested in getting back into baseball.

Yeah, neither did I.

Hmm.

But ever since the guys asked me to coach,
I… can't get it out of my mind.

If that's what your heart wants,
then you have my full support, Coach Cal.

Mm.

I'll go get my old pom-poms
out of storage.

Can we get those now?

[Maddie chuckles]

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

[Maddie] Oh.

[soft dramatic music playing]

The chocolate and the wine
weren't as bad as the mud.

[Helen laughs]

How did my mother
keep all of this from me?

Our happiest memories take on a glow.

I just pray these old joints
don't prevent me from witnessing

you and Erik
make beautiful wedding memories.

Oh, we will make sure
that you attend in comfort.

[chuckles]

Now, Miss Eustice,

I was warned
not to bet any money against you,

and thank the Lord I listened.

Bev and I used to play this game
all the time.

She could hold her own.

Your friendship has meant so much
to my mother.

Do you know
that I still have one of the quilts

you gifted our family hanging in my house?

Bev and I bonded over those quilts.

Rather,

we bonded over the Art Guild.

[Noreen] I'm so sorry to interrupt.

Miss Eustice,
your new pill organizer's all set up.

- You're not leaving already?
- Hmm.

[Noreen] Yes, ma'am.

I have a few more clients to visit,
but before I go,

you were saying something
about an Art Guild?

Yeah, a group of us with various talents
would gather once a month,

exchange ideas,
work on projects, host events.

It was wonderful
to build a creative community

of Serenity's artists.

I remember my mother going
to those meetings when I was a child.

- That's where she learned beadwork.
- That's one of Bev's creations.

Oh my…

[sentimental music playing]

- I can't believe I missed that.
- [Eustice] Mm-hmm.

On my house visits,

I discover hidden treasures like this
all over town.

Perhaps it's time
we bring them out of hiding.

[sighs]

[Maddie] The heatwave melting y'all too?

The day may be hot,
but our hearts have frozen over.

Mine's shattered.

The Shrew will not be tamed.

Play is canceled.
Max just sent an email to let us know.

No, what happened?

[Kyle] There was
a water main break in town.

Mayor Peggy had to pull our funding,
plus some other programs,

to cover the damage.

I was just starting to feel
a genuine connection to my character.

Now our summer is ruined,
and everything is terrible.

This is the death of the arts.

I was gonna rock as stage manager.

No more.

Well, not on my watch.

We're gonna save the play.

Wait, could we really?
Rehearsals are supposed to start Monday.

There's no money for props
or sets or costumes.

[Maddie] The road will not be easy.

There'll be twists and turns
and dead ends, but you kids…

you kids are definitely worth it.

[inspirational music playing]

- We're saving the Shrew.
- Okay.

[laughing, chattering excitedly]

Hey.

[Erik sighs]

Mmm.

Sounds like you and Miss Eustice
had a lovely time together.

Oh, we did. [chuckles]

I only regret
not paying her a call sooner.

I think her mobility issues
have led to some loneliness,

but she absolutely lit up
discussing our wedding.

Would you believe
that blue was her color too?

[chuckles]

- I'm sorry.
- [Erik grunts]

Did I hit a tender spot?

I've been thinking.

Perhaps we should tone down
the color scheme.

Tone down blue?

You see, black and white is classic.

That's a very gracious way
to say unoriginal.

[Helen chuckles]

I wanna make sure our wedding
is, you know, tasteful, elegant.

Well, it will be. I'm not suggesting
some psychedelic neon affair.

[scoffs]

Blue will be wonderful.

- Yeah.
- [Erik chuckles]

- Thank you.
- Mm.

- Such a good color on all my bridesmaids.
- Hm.

And there are many complementary colors
for your groomsmen to choose from.

[pensive music playing]

You still haven't asked Victor.

No, I haven't.

Every time I mention your brother,

you… you… you tense up
as stiff as a board.

- Is there something I should know?
- No.

Then why is calling him such a big deal?

I mean, if I call Zeke
and ask him to be my bridesmaid,

his only question would be,
"Do I have to grow out my hair?"

- It's not that simple.
- But why not?

Because nothing in my family
is ever simple.

Babe, I just want to understand.

This isn't something for you to fix
with a little Magnolia magic, Helen.

It's for me to deal with, and I will.

My way.

[door closes]

[gentle music ends]

Ron, I made us…

Oh, I'm sorry.

Our tours are done for the evening.

Well, then, maybe you can help me
locate Ronnie, my husband.

Dana Sue.

[tense music playing]

- [Courtney] Ooh.
- Oh… oh, there we go.

You must be Courtney.

I can't believe we're just meeting
for the first time.

Ron has told me everything about you.

[chuckling] I sent him out
for a quick little errand,

but he should be back any moment.

Anything I can help with?

I… I just brought him his special red eye.

But it seems you've got coffee covered.

I fell in love
with this premium espresso maker

on a trip to Italy, and I convinced
the fellas we needed one for the office.

[chuckling] Daddy taught me good coffee
makes good business possible,

and, besides,
with all the custom features,

I can make coffee
just how my boys like it.

- [Courtney] Oh.
- [Ronnie grunts]

Yay, Ron.
You got the bike out of the swamp.

Hey, hon. Finally got to meet Courtney.

Look at this.
My two favorite ladies together.

[tense music swells and fades]

[closing theme music playing]

[closing theme music ends]