01x04 - The Great Chimera

[bunniefuu]

So we're not even
going to speak to each other

when we spend time together?

What's there to say?

You think there's nothing?

Is your book any good?

Very.

And your music?

Very.

The Great Chimera?

Mhm.

A classic novel.

Mine's not classic.

Can I swap with you?

CHAPTER IV - THE GREAT CHIMERA

God gave the lucky ones a tool,

which allows for them to act on thought.

If they have any.

I cook.

Some dishes are like relationships.

They're complex.

They have many layers, odd tastes,

and if you don't cook them
at the right temperature,

you'll burn them.

It's not easy living in such a tiny place.

I make it work though.

With my sense of humor,
my self-deprecating wit,

my tendency to focus
on all that's good in life,

and my belief that one day,
everything will be better.

But of course,

belief and humor
won't get you anywhere by themselves.

No.

You need to act
if you want to get ahead in life.

Courage and action.

I always let others do the acting part.

It was easier that way.

And here's where that got me.

Being afraid for myself and for my child.

And all out of shame
of what others might say.

That was my ruin,

others.

I read somewhere
that it's called domestic violence.

It's forbidden by law

and supposedly it's a right
protected by the Constitution,

to not have someone beat you,

to not feel fear.

Tell me how
you're going to raise this kid alone, huh?

With whom?

Why would you want to put your son
through so much trouble?

So, what? He loses control sometimes.
Have sympathy.

What you want to think about
is what's best for your kid.

Whenever he lifts his hand,

I just listen to music in my head.

I like to believe that deep inside,
there's some good in him.

He's had it rough.

He had no education.

He gets violent when he drinks.

That's how he was raised.

That's all he knows.

He says he doesn't mean to do any harm.

But he does.

I don't mean any harm either.

But I end up doing it too

by putting up with it.

How important is intention?

And how important is the outcome?

Spyros!

Don't!

Get off her.

Spyros!

What are you thinking?

- Please, put the g*n down.
- Get off of her now!

Put the g*n down.

Get away from her!

We're going to the police now
and you're telling them everything.

Son, put it down.

We'll both go and you'll tell them
all about the dirty work you do.

You know how much trouble
you'll be in if you go through with this?

You'll drag your mother's name
through the mud.

- Are you gonna provide if I go to jail?
- Spyros!

Spyros!

This won't end well. Please.

Hold on, dear, please.

Do it for me.

The cops know everything, Spyros.

You'll only get in trouble.

You won't achieve at all, little boy.

I'm going to get rid of you.

Son, put it down.

You...

Do you know about these things
he's talking about?

Yeah.

And you're okay with all this?

You deserve everything you get.

It's a very delicate matter
and I don't want to discuss it.

I'm under no obligation

and I certainly don't feel
I owe you an explanation.

- Are you being serious?
- Yeah.

It's none of your business.

That money
comes from my business ventures,

that you shouldn't have been looking for.

You mean money laundering.

I suppose dinner is over
and we're done eating now.

You got nothing to say about this?

I never wanted this to happen, honey,

and we never wanted to put our children

in such a difficult position.

You have the right
to say whatever you want.

I'll get the watermelon.

Klelia,

this discussion is now over.

You must be kidding me.

No.

So are we to assume
we're right about everything, then?

Assuming what?

That our parents are laundering money
coming from shady and ill*gal activities.

Like trafficking with Dad's boats.

Hm.

Just how stupid
do you guys think we are?

Your father has been working hard
to get out of this for a very long time.

- And he's almost there, aren't you?
- Almost there?

Having this dirty money in the house...

- The money is all gone.
- Gone where?

Used in purchases and investments.

Mom, I'm really impressed.

Didn't think you could.

Dad.

I'm not leaving until you speak to me.

And tell you what?

There's two of us, not just Klelia.

I promise you this will be over soon.

I can't say anything more.

I'd appreciate it
if you didn't pressure me.

Okay, what would
the worst case scenario be then?

- I go to jail.
- No, that would be the best case scenario.

Do you understand how important it is
you don't say anything to anyone?

Have you told anyone?

- No.
- I haven't.

Okay.

I promise you that I will never
put you in a difficult situation.

So you're a criminal
who's going to stop being a criminal.

Hm. Because that's really hard
for me to believe.

Yes.

Fine, so we just go on
as if nothing's happening.

Did you know about all this?

I definitely deserved that look
from her. I can't say that I didn't.

Tonight I confessed I'm g*y to my parents,

and now it's water
under the bridge compared to this.

It was never a big deal, my boy.

You're only torturing yourself, my dear.

Grandma,

thank you for being so great.

You know I am.

Here. Eat some watermelon.

sh*t. God f*cking damn it!

Spyros knows everything.

His father asked for his help
with work and he told him everything.

But Spyros declined.

He won't talk to you.
But I'll ask him as a favor.

You sure you can you do that?

See how things turn around?

Now they need you,
so you have the upper hand.

That went really well, Fanis mou. Bravo.

I was never in love
with Charalambos.

I don't know how it feels to fall in love.

I don't even know the meaning of the word.

Fortunately, he barely touches me anymore.

And when he does, it's to remind me
that my body has never felt any real joy.

I envy those who've known true love.

It's unfair, hating the person
who touches you.

Unfair to your body.

Unfair to your soul.

I made love with him,
but I knew that he wasn't the right one.

My body screamed for me to leave.

I suffered. I was in pain.

I couldn't breathe.

ANTONIS - INCOMING VIDEOCALL

What are you doing?

- Yianna's inside...
- I don't give a f*ck about Yianna.

Have you spoken to anyone else?

- My mother knows everything.
- That's it.

- No one else needs to know.
- Okay.

You can come over
when you like but I gotta hide?

It's different.

I came out
to my whole family tonight, Spyro.

What?

I hope you didn't tell them
anything about me.

No, don't worry. Only about me.

Alright.

- So what do you want from me?
- Nothing.

Just forget about me.

And make sure not to talk to anyone
about both our fathers' business.

Or we'll both get in trouble.

- Go, Yianna's waiting.
- Wait.

Get off me!

Deep inside,

I know my child really well.

He's suffering, he's pretending,

and I don't have the strength

nor the knowledge
to relieve him from his burden.

And everyone says I'm a good mother?

Me?

I've failed that too.

Good morning.

Good morning, Miss Maria.

Pastitsio.

We need to bake it
in the oven for an hour or so.

I didn't bake it so it wouldn't get cold.

You... You said you'd bring me a piece,
not the whole thing, Miss Maria!

You'll eat it all. Don't you worry.

There we go.

It should be ready in an hour.

- I put in some nutmeg, I hope that's okay.
- It is.

Ah!

Good.

- I'll be going, then.
- Okay.

- Would you maybe like to stay...
- Yes!

- Coffee?
- Yes, some Greek coffee. I'll do it.

Okay.

Give me a minute to take a shower first.

Yes, yes, go.

I'll stay and start the coffee,
we'll have it in the backyard.

And then we'll go to the school.
We'll have more than two hours to spare.

Then we can eat the pastitsio.

And I have some ideas I want to share
with you about the festival.

Okay.

Just give me two minutes.

Thank you.

What do you mean?
You brought the pastitsio.

I know you know, you're not stupid.

Thank you.

So, in Corfu
there's this amazing symphony orchestra,

the Mikis Theodorakis Orchestra.
They're all young.

My close friend's niece plays in it.

And she owes me a few favors.

She's nice, but a bit dumb.
She's gotten involved with a married guy.

Uh, so she can help us out.

We don't have that stuff here.
What do you call the violins?

- Strings.
- Right, strings. We don't have any.

We have choirs,
we have a philharmonic orchestra,

but we don't have many strings.

What can you do? It's a small island.

How many violinists
do you expect us to have?

But they have everything on Corfu.

It's a full package. So I had a thought,

we'd ask them to join us here

and play in the festival
with our performers on the island.

Yeah, I already thought of that

and was going to ask Fanis
to put me in touch with them.

I can arrange it.
It'd be great to have more musicians.

Mm, I agree.

Things are slowly changing,
as you can see.

Of course it's not enough.

Still, we're a small few.

Indeed.

Miss Maria, how can I help you?

How to help me?

You're saying that you came all this way

to bring me pastitsio
and talk about strings?

I have a problem.

I fear for my Spyros.

And I have no one to share this with.

You're more...

Uh...

I mean, I'm not afraid to confide in you.

You're different.

You understand.

Yet, what can you do?

You see,

we don't have all the things
that you have in Athens,

psychiatrists and stuff.

And with you, I felt...

I guess...

Mu... Music made me...

That's all.

Ask me anything you want.

Why are you worried about Spyros?

With a father like that?

I'm not stupid,
even though I pretend to be.

There are many problems and disputes.

I want you to find a way
for him to attend school every day.

It was great you asked him to help
with the electrical stuff the other day.

But he didn't show up.

Let's try again. It can only do him good.

And I'll keep a close eye on him.

Alright.

Thank you, Orestis.

I know that living with his father
is not doing any good for him.

And I'm trying to...

to find the strength
to change that for us.

It's not easy.

No, it's not.

You pity me.

No.

And I promise to do everything
in my power to help you two.

But, Maria, I don't mean to pry,

but you should have gone
to the police to press charges

and you should have gone to a lawyer
to see about getting a divorce.

That's how you help your child.
If that's what you really want.

There's no music in the world
that can help solve all your problems.

How do you know?

Maybe it gives me the strength

to think about all those things.

Maybe.

Oh!

The pastitsio!

Good morning.

Good morning.

How do you feel today?

Pretty weird.

No, that's not it.

I feel good.

I don't know, I guess both.

You don't need to know.
The first time always feels awkward.

I suppose so.

You didn't do anything wrong,
you know? You're amazing.

Klelia,

I know that this
was very important for you.

And I hope
it was like you had always dreamt it.

I really like you.

Where have you been?

At Thanos'.

Good morning.

- Grandma, please go.
- I've decided.

I'm coming to the music class

and I'm also going to sing
at that festival.

At least, I'll try to sing.

I don't want you to come.
I don't care about the festival.

Can we be honest here?

No, I want you to leave.

Don't try to figure out who's made
the most mistakes between us, okay?

That would be me.

Then your mother,
and now it's you who's starting your life.

Your mother has already lost the game,
and of course it's my fault.

And if you're really looking
for someone to hate on, hate me.

I'll keep that in mind. Can you go now?

Of course I will not put your future
and your life at risk for mistakes

that all the rest of us
are responsible for, Klelia.

You will go to Athens,

you will go to college,
and you will build your life

the way you truly want to live it.

Far away from this island, you got it?

You're all pathetic.

And very miserable.

You'll keep creating mistakes
as long as you hate us.

- That's a rule to know.
- Give me a break, Grandma.

Go lecture someone else.

The world we live in
isn't that pretty, dear.

It's so unfair and cruel.

Only those with imagination can survive.

And you have plenty of that.

Thank you, okay, I feel much better now.

You are beautiful,
you're talented, you're in love,

you have your whole life ahead of you.

What are you worrying about?

Live your life and stop bothering yourself
with our problems.

We're lost causes anyway.
Believe me, it will only do you good.

- Where did you stay last night?
- At Thanos' house.

Stop it.

And here's me, trying to be strict.

You've lost it.

So did it happen?

So it's Thanos you're in love with then?

No.

You know who it is.

Hm.

I don't like
what I'm doing at all.

I changed my mind.

Do you think
we should try a different melody?

You really think that's my problem?

I haven't sung a word in 50 years.

No more.

We're just trying stuff out.

If we don't like it, we'll change it.

Come on.

I don't hear my voice,
that's not the voice that I know.

Miss Haris, it is you.

It's just different.

I had one love.

And all I did was abandon it.

It was my voice, and she left me.

I deserved it.

Do you understand what scares me?

Seeing how wrong I was.

Everything will be fine.

From the top.

Bravo.

I missed you.

I missed you.

I can't stand it.

Me too.

What are we doing?

We'll get out of it, I promise.

I just need time.

You're the best thing
that's happened to me.

Are they not coming again?

No.

They're still very angry with us.

Give them some time.

Sofia, what do I do?

We're losing our kids.

It's a bit late for that, Fanis.

Will you help me?

Can you get us out of this?

I'm trying

but that as*h*le,
Charalambos, isn't making it easy.

That man shouldn't be alive.

We are parents
who have lost the game.

Two families who have pushed
their children away

and can't find a way to bring them back,

nor the courage to admit it.

I'd have done the same.

If I were them,

I would get angry, I'd leave,

I'd do anything I could to hurt them.

Yes?

Did the teacher talk to you
about coming to the school?

- Yeah, I'm not interested.
- Why not?

Because.

You've no idea how nice it is.

And they really need your help too.

Spyros, it can only do you good.

Tell me, why would it be good for me?

Because you're like a wild beast.

Get off my case, Mom.

Would you like us to talk more?

And say what?

Whatever's bothering you.

You know my problems.

What about yours?

Your issues are now my issues.

And it's your fault. I never asked for it.

You are right, Spyros.

I really am sorry.

And I promise you that

I will find a way to rid you of it.

Hope so.

Um...

I'm talking about your life, sweetheart.

Your love life.

What's wrong with my love life?
You mean Yianna?

Is she the one?

Totally. Why?

'Cause, Spyros.

If you ever find you're needing, um,

something else, just know that

I'm here for you.

Why did you bring this up?

- It's nothing.
- Bullshit.

My life with Yianna is great right now.
It isn't any of your business.

Look, I'm sorry, Spyros.

But if you ever want to, um,

look for something else, I'm here.

Mom, I'm going to be with Yianna,
like it or not. Do you understand me?

Understood.

YOU HAVE AN INVITATION TO AN EVENT
ELECTRONIC MUSIC PARTY EDM - CORFU

ELECTRONIC MUSIC PARTY EDM
LOCATION: CORFU - SECRET LOCATION, DM US!

GOING

Here. Thank you.

THE GREAT CHIMERA

Did you like it?

It's heart-wrenching.

I never said
it was going to be a happy story.

Sorry, I was just getting ready.
Uh, come on upstairs.

Going somewhere?

Yeah.

Meeting with the symphony orchestra.

You can take the boat.

I see.

Uh, tell me then,
why didn't you like The Great Chimera?

I never said that.

But it made me sad.

Okay. What was sad about it?

There was no difference
between love and death.

They are both close by nature.

I guess there should be
a happy nature to love though.

Not always.

It's so typical that everybody's trapped.

It happens.

No.

Some people just lie to themselves.

Why would they do that?

They're afraid.

What are you wondering?

Oh, I'm not wondering.

I disagree. And I'm confused.

How long will you be in Corfu for?

If you liked the book, I can get you
the other two in the trilogy,

Junkermann and Colonel Liapkin.

Yeah, I'd like that.

Thanks a lot.

Are you leaving early?

Yeah.

Okay.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Wait.

Keep it. For you.

Thank you.

- Goodbye.
- Bye.

- How are you doing, Antonis?
- I'm sad and depressed.

Can I do something to help you?

Is this a tactic to get what you want?

I need a favor from you, but I also care.

Why don't you go
ask your boyfriend over there?

Will you cover for me?

Everyone must think
I'm with Thanos for a couple days.

Why is that, Klelia?

I'd like Thanos to think that I'm at home.

- Where are you going?
- Corfu.

Masterful. So you want
everyone imprisoned,

so you'll be the only one left.

- He doesn't know I'm going.
- Perfect, Dad'll love that.

Can you cover, please?

I gotta know where you're staying

- and you need to text me every five hours.
- Okay.

- If they push, I'll tell them everything.
- Okay. Love you.

- I see you're a snake.
- I am.

Where did you tell your parents
you were going?

They think I'm with Thanos.

We have a lot of problems at home

and they won't bother looking.
Are you afraid?

Yeah. Where are you going to stay?

My friend's. And I'm going to a party.

- What party?
- EDM.

They organize them online.

So what is EDM?

You're a musician and you don't know EDM?

No.

Electronic Dance Music.

A lot of the events are planned in secret,

but I've been to a few
of these parties before.

I didn't know that.

So you forget how we first met?

You're right.

I'm going to take the boat home tomorrow.

You don't have any friends here, do you?

I've got lots of them, online.

Listen to me, I don't need a dad.

And Thanos and I are very happy.

- Why isn't Thanos here?
- I wanted to be here with you.

In all Karagatsis' books,
the heroes are foreign.

They try to adjust to reality in Greece
after leaving their country behind them,

and fall in love.

And they do?

No.

I'd like to know where you'll be staying.

What era are you from
and how conservative can you be?

Very.

Shall we?

Let's go.

SISTER - ALL IS WELL

I'm sleeping.

- Aren't you going out tonight?
- I said, I'm sleeping.

What are you reading?

Do you think we'll eventually, um,

be able to sit around the same table
as a family once again?

Your mother and I really want that.

That's all you have to say to me?

After all you've learned
about your son, that's it?

Where's your sister?

I dropped her off at Thanos' a while ago.

She'll probably sleep there.

Good night.

- It's a little unfair though.
- What?

People judge another person
only by their face or by their voice,

their style, the place
they make their home.

It's true.

- You look at me.
- Mm.

Know me to be a nice girl,

completely stuck
in her ways, 'cause she's right.

Or people think,
look how pretty she is, and dumb.

Why is that a bad thing?
I don't understand the problem.

I'm more than a girl
who's come all this way

just to come after you.

At least give me that.

You seem like you don't know how hard
it is for me to see you so nonchalant?

It puts me under a lot of pressure. Hm?

Are you scared of it?

Mm, I don't know. Maybe.

I've forgotten the fearlessness
and ease you can have being so young.

Hm.

Ever think that you're g*y?

That would be better for you.

- I would not mind that.
- Mm.

I'm sure.

You're one of those women who...

who will do anything
to get what they want. Hm?

Even if they've been denied.

You know how much
of a buzzkill that is? At least for me.

You can go
straight to the hotel from here.

Don't tell me you're going to that party.

Yeah. Come If you want to.

- What do you not get?
- It's you. What's your problem?

I want to go listen
to some music. Come, if you'd like.

Hey, so, is it possible
to get just one more in tonight?

Yeah, sure, come in.

Alright, can we go now?

You need to relax already!

How long has it been
since you had a time like this?

Klelia, please.

Come on!

- Sorry about before.
- It's not a problem.

Why did you wait?

I'm okay.

I'm the one who's sorry. I'm going to bed.

Hi, Mr. Fanis.

- Morning, Thanos. What is it?
- Klelia?

I've been calling her
but she's not answered, so I was worried.

Ah, um,

I asked her to run some errands downtown
and she left her cellphone here.

Mm, okay. I just thought
I'd drop by to see if...

- Thanks a lot.
- Nice of you.

- Will you tell her I dropped by, yeah?
- Of course.

Listen, you know
how absent-minded she gets.

Yeah.

Hello.

I'm Yianna, Mr. Charalambos.

Spyros wasn't here,
so Miss Maria let me in.

Yes, I know you.

Where is my wife?

She went around the back
to get me something.

My, how you've grown.

A beautiful woman.

Spyro's lucky.

- How long have you two been together?
- Since last year, uh...

Is he being nice to you?

Of course.

It was in the storage
but I found it, Yianna.

Tell your mother...

...I had forgotten.

Spyros isn't home yet?

What did you forget?

A jug of oil I'd promised Tasia.

- Where's Spyros?
- We're still waiting for him.

Better run along, Yianna, dear.
He'll call you when he gets home.

Great, thank you.

Goodbye.

That Yianna's a very nice girl, you know.

You just saw her recently.

I was figuring out
if they're really together.

You know that they are.

And you know what I mean.

And that's all?

What else?

Charalambos?

If you dare ever touch that girl

or put your hands on my son ever again,

I will k*ll you.

Do you hear me?

I will k*ll you.

If Charalambos died,

maybe my child's life would get better.

I'd feel utterly free.

A burden would be lifted.

I got used to that burden.

I would seek it out.

I asked for help so many times.
No one gave it to me.

Am I as weak as everyone says?

All these people
who shake their finger at me?

No.

A proper dish needs to be prepared
in the right way and it takes time.

Everything needs time.