04x08 - Walls and Doors

[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]

- [dramatic music playing]
- [indistinct radio chatter]

What on earth?

[crowd] Save the library!
Save the library! Save the library!

Save the library! Save the library!

Save the library!

Don't let the crooks take away our books!

Save the library!

Mom!

- [chanting continues]
- Come join us.

Are you in trouble with the sheriff?

They said Peggy told them to keep us safe.

- From whom exactly?
- [car honking]

Traffic.

Kyle, what's going on here?

We were talking at school about
how awful it would be

if the library does close,
and I got inspired to organize a protest

so we could show how much we love it.

And Annie is recording it all
for the history books?

- Priya, Harlan, the kids inspired you too?
- [chanting continues]

We're here to watch over the kids
and support the cause.

No offense, but Carla misses the library.

Plus, I feel a little responsible.

For Dev, of course.

But also, we've been discussing
freedom of speech in our history classes.

I just didn't expect the students
to immediately implement the lesson.

Kyle, sweetheart, there are better ways
to get the attention of the mayor.

Mama, what are you doing here?

We just finished at the market
and heard the commotion.

As a lifelong hippie,
I will never pass on a good protest.

It is wonderful to see how much
some folks care about the library.

We love it, Mr. Littlefield.
That's why we're here.

Dude, this is your moment.
You gotta make a speech.

[Sophie] Yeah.

Democracy in action! Right, Mātā?

[woman] Go, Kyle!

[camera shutter clicks]

[exhales]

I'm used to talking to crowds
in other people's words, not my own.

But… but as I grow as an artist,

my appreciation
for other people's words grows too.

This is where
I first fell in love with words.

And maybe the library
is where you learned to read,

where you discovered your favorite story,
where you met your best friend.

It is the beating heart of Serenity,
and we gotta keep it alive!

- [crowd cheering]
- [upbeat music playing]

He's right.

[inaudible]

[crowd] Save the library!
Save the library! Save the library!

Kyle.

Kyle is gonna start a revolution!

- [crowd cheering]
- Dev, enough!

Free speech.

[music fades]

[crowd member whistling]

Alaina.

[Alaina] Maddie.

Do you wanna talk to me as a proud mother
or as a spokesperson for town hall?

I'm a proud mother.
I'm not a spokesperson.

So all those perfect sound bites
after the hurricane

were just a happy coincidence?

I… volunteered my professional services
to the town, as did many.

Oh, the protest leader himself.

So, Kyle, you seem very angry
about the potential library closing.

This isn't about anger. It's about love.

Do you and your fellow students
have any more faith

in the current administration
than the previous one?

Alaina.

[splutters] Ladies,

shouldn't the business leaders
of this town be concerned?

I mean, what exactly are the mayor
and her staff hiding from us?

I had no idea how much
Miss Daphne's mobility had declined.

Every home visit we make reinforces
how much Serenity needs the service.

And how happy I am
that we're able to provide it.

Though, we might need some new wheels

if we're gonna start
a proper mobile clinic.

This Jeep is a national treasure.

What if
Dana Sue can't rescue us next time?

Dear Santa, bring us a van.

We've been good.

[both laughing]

Speaking of Christmas,
I started a DIY gift for Jeremy,

but it turns out
my fingers are much better with IV needles

rather than knitting needles,

so I could really use some male advice.

Sure. If you could help me figure out
what to get Wendy.

I am determined to get this right.

You really like her, huh?

I've never felt this way about a partner.

I don't know how to explain it.

Like you've never seen
the future more clearly?

Yeah.

Of course Alaina was there,
and she won't portray it as

"the youth of Serenity care enough
to voice their concerns."

She'll position it as "even the children
are upset with the mayor."

You aren't in this job to please
The Sentinel, Peggy.

I want... I need to be better than Trent
and all the other Mayor Lewises.

And you already
have proven that you are. Hey, Hey.

I know this is hard.

We both know.

But that doesn't mean
that you can't do it,

and it does not mean
that you must do it alone.

Those teenagers weren't protesting you.

They were raising awareness
for a cause that's dear to them.

Would you rather have constituents
who grumble and do nothing?

- Not at all.
- No.

Then let's focus on all the people
who are standing up to fight with you

and all the people who want to help

because that is the most precious resource
that Serenity has.

[gentle music playing]

I can't thank you enough
for everything that you've done.

You have been my shelter in the storm
of the past few weeks.

Peggy.

I may be your "Temporary Whatever,"

but I am your forever friend.

Mmm.

[chuckles]

[music fades]

So I doubt one history class lesson was
the reason that you organized a protest.

What really compelled you?

Coach told me I should wield my fame
as a tool for change.

Cal said that?

Uh, he was just trying to help.

[dog barking]

I admire how passionately you fight
for the things that you care about,

but you still need to consider that
the loudest way isn't always the best way.

[sighs] I need to mention that to Dev too.

Dev seems to mean well.

I think he does.

He thinks… highly of you,

which I completely understand.

Yeah, but you're my mom.

- [chuckles]
- Don't you have to?

Mothers wish the best for their children.

Lucky mothers get to watch it come true.

I am very lucky.

Me too.

So don't feel compelled to meet
someone else's perception of who you are

while you're still trying
to work that out for yourself.

In any relationship,
you have the right to define your space.

And to decide
who gets to enter that space.

[joyful music playing]

Could you move over a little?

- Excuse me, Mr. Speechmaker.
- [chuckles]

[Maddie laughs]

[joyful music fades]

There's my frontline photographer.

Is that a photo from the protest?

No.

I'm still finding
the best self-portrait photo

for my college app.

What do you think?

You're silent.

- You hate it.
- No.

I love it.

And… and I'm deeply moved

that you would showcase our family
in your self-portrait.

I can hear the "but" coming.

[chuckles softly]

Here.

[gentle music playing]

But

this photo is a reminder

that my little girl is… all grown up

and leaving soon.

Letting go of you
is gonna hurt something fierce. [chuckles]

But you are on the brink
of a great new future, Annie.

Aren't we all?

[gentle music ends]

[chuckles]

Hit me. [taps table]

Now don't hit him too hard, Isaac.
We'll never get him out of that boot.

[all chuckle]

[phone vibrating]

- [groans] Busted.
- I tried to be gentle.

So busted.

I don't want another card. I wanna know
what Cal's up to down there.

Apparently, I said something to Kyle
that I shouldn't have.

Did the idea for the protest
come from you?

Oh, I hope not.

- Who knows though?
- [laughs]

I've been feeling like a complete dud

in the stepfather
and husband departments lately.

And the blackjack department.
Twenty-one, gentlemen.

I know I'm not perfect,
but I'm just trying to be… solid.

The kids deserve that.

Being a dad is hard, especially if
you didn't grow up with a good one.

Well, how do you do it?

Messily. Imperfectly.

[Isaac] My dad and I are so different.

He's this
introverted accounting professor,

and I'm…

A creative wunderkind.

We've had our rough patches,
but our relationship has evolved.

It's still evolving,

and it is infinitely better
now that I am an adult.

I wish my father viewed me as an adult.

He's still stuck on
treating me like a kid.

Even now that you have your own?

Funny thing is,
I'm more sympathetic to his viewpoint now.

It's easy to be a good dad for a toddler.

I have no idea
how I'm gonna handle the big conversations

as Margaret gets older.

You know, it's as much about listening
as it is about talking.

[Harlan] Hmm.

My father's the strong and silent type,

but he finds unique ways
to communicate his love,

like calling every Sunday to check
if I finished the crossword puzzle yet.

[laughs] I didn't realize
you were a crossword guy.

New York Times.

Oh.

- Ink only, never pencil.
- Ooh.

That makes so much sense.

[all laugh]

In any relationship,

it's okay to get it wrong once in a while.

The most important thing is
to keep trying and to stay vulnerable.

That's true love.

[upbeat music playing]

[music fades]

I'm sorry for whatever I said to Kyle.

I don't remember exactly,
but I'm sure it was dumb.

And… I love you.

And did I say I was sorry?

Don't ever… foment
an uprising in this house again.

Or try to get back in my good graces
with a centerpiece from your restaurant.

I swear, I never thought that Kyle
would take my advice so literally.

And where else
am I supposed to get flowers at this hour?

Cal, the kids look up to you.

Your words hold weight.

I know.

I'm still trying to strike a balance
between careful, deliberate action

and the fact that parenting
is a sport played in real time.

I've been in this game for 19 years,
and I'm still learning the playbook.

Just don't let Katie write the rules.

- I know that much.
- [chuckles]

You're the head coach,

and I'm here to support the team
in whatever way you feel is best.

[gentle music playing]

I wanna get this right.

Let's get this right together.

Grace and Neville offered to hang around,
but I could not in good conscience

ask them to wait out the landscaper's
absurd 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. arrival window.

Well, the lawyer in me wants to complain,

but the storm did do a job
on your azaleas,

so I suppose we are at the mercy
of a higher power.

But, um, do you want me
to lay down some towels

in case the landscapers come in?

- Smart thinking.
- Oh, thank you.

[laughs] Linen closet's down the hallway.

- Down the hallway.
- Mm-hmm.

[door handle squeaks]

Do you lock up your linens?

[Erik laughs]

No, that's, uh, my…

What? Secret dungeon?

Or a closet to Narnia?

[dramatic music playing]

What is it?

Hey. You can let me in.

I've lived with high walls
and locked doors for so long,

but I want to change.

For you.

[keys jangling]

[door unlocks]

[door opens]

[intriguing music playing]

[Helen gasps]

This was… a passion
that I let lapse during my grief.

But when I came to Serenity,

I felt inspired again.

[exhales]

You're not just a man of mystery.

You're a man of many talents.

[chuckles]

Cooking is… ephemeral.

You can spend hours, days even, on a dish,
and then it's gone in moments.

But pottery lasts for years.

Millennia.

I hope we will too.

Will you show me?

Better yet…

["You Are the Reason"
by Calum Scott playing]

I'll teach you.

[laughs]

♪ There goes my heart beating ♪

- [potter's wheel starts]
- Oh!

♪ 'Cause you are the reason ♪

♪ I'm losing my sleep ♪

♪ Please come back now ♪

♪ And there goes my mind racing ♪

♪ And you are the reason ♪

♪ That I'm still breathing ♪

♪ I'm hopeless now ♪

♪ I'd climb every mountain ♪

- [doorbell rings]
- [song ends abruptly]

[potter's wheel stops]

- Landscapers.
- Landscapers.

[Erik laughs]

- [laughing] My… my dress.
- Here.

Thank you.

[Helen chuckles]

Oh! Oh, Erik, I am so sorry.

- It's fine. It's fine.
- I am so sorry.

[gentle music playing]

I'll take care of her later.

[Helen exhales]

When I was broken

in pieces on the floor,

you picked me up.

I will do the same for you.

For years.

Millennia.

If you'll let me.

[melancholy music playing]

[melancholy music builds]

[music fades]

[Cal grunts]

[grunts]

- Hey, you know ballet?
- No, I'm doing physical therapy.

You gotta get more on your tiptoes.

Like this.

[gentle music playing]

Grand plié, relevé.

Arms to the sky, nice and high.

Impromptu dance class?

- I am learning proper form.
- [Katie] Join us, Kyle.

[chuckles] All right.

Okay.

[Kyle laughs]

So, Katie,
how are Nutcracker rehearsals going?

Clara must be a hard role.

Aren't you a sugar plum fairy?

- I'm a featured sugar plum fairy.
- I thought you were the lead.

We all get to be
the heroes of our own story.

But what if someone else is taking over
as lead of your story?

Care to elaborate?

Dev has been posting about the protest

but making it all about him
instead of the real point. The library.

Well, in baseball,
there are pitchers and catchers.

There's other positions,
but for the sake of this analogy,

pitchers and catchers.

Sure, pitchers get all the glory,

but the catcher
has the most responsibility

of any player on the field.

Team can't win
if the catcher drops the ball. Hmm?

So… I'm the catcher?

[intriguing music playing]

Weren't you the shortstop?
Isn't that important?

Maddie, join our ballet lesson.

Sure.

We're actually talking about baseball.

Well, no,
we're talking about different skill sets.

Dev keeps going big, Mom.

I wanna be his friend,
but it's exhausting.

Well, Dev could be acting out

because he doesn't know
how else to get attention.

What should I do about that?

Well, maybe you could help him
find a better way to tell his story.

[Katie] Coach needs some help
with his storytelling too.

'Cause that last one… [whistles softly]

Hmm. Yeah.

[music fades]

You're the only
professional visual artist I know,

so I thought you might have an idea
which one the school would like best.

[Paula] Hmm.

There's something missing.

- sh**t, really?
- Mm-hmm.

[hesitates] Are they not stylized enough,
or maybe they're too referential?

[Paula gasps]

[exhales]

What they're missing… is you.

Look! You are obscured behind something,

or someone, in each image.

[exhales]

What are you afraid of?

[dramatic music playing]

What if I succeed?

What if I get into my dream school,
and it takes me far away from

everything and everyone I love?

An artist's life is a… long… [chuckles]

…winding road.

I've found

that home travels with me

and is always at the center of my work.

Ultimately…

it doesn't matter what I think

or what the school wants.

What's important

is what you see.

Go talk to him, will you?

I'm sure our friend
from Emergency Management

is lingering for a reason.

And I am sure that I can't be the reason.

[door opens]

Michael.

Are you here to assess me
or the restaurant?

I'm off the clock.

I'm just enjoying this pecan pie.

I have put on five pounds
since arriving in Serenity.

Entirely worth it.

Help me finish?

The secret is
lots and lots of farm-fresh butter.

Everything is better with butter.

Though I don't recommend
eating it by the stick.

Had to learn that the hard way.

[chuckles softly]

Something is different about you.

In college, you were such a…

A tight-a*s?

It's… it's okay.

I like to think that I've blossomed since.

And something tells me you have too.

You're more mature. You're… hardworking.

Are you saying I was a slacker in college?

No. You just…

You didn't seem passionate
about studying business.

I was trying to please my dad.
[chuckles softly]

Well, meanwhile,
my nose was so deep in the textbooks

that I missed out on all the fun,

and you still somehow outscored me
on every exam.

Not in stats.

- I sucked at stats.
- [chuckles]

If I hadn't been so busy
competing with you,

I wonder if we could have been friends.

Oh, hey. It wasn't all bad.

Remember that class trip we took
to see Robert Reich give a lecture?

Oh my gosh. And our van got stranded
in two feet of snow.

And we had a very friendly debate
about what makes a film a classic.

You know, I did end up
watching His Girl Friday after that.

You were completely right.

Please tell me
you watched Bringing Up Baby.

It is my favorite Cary Grant.

Not Philadelphia Story?

[gentle music playing]

I told you.

Blossomed.

Sorry for

keeping you here so late.

Compliments to the pastry chef.

This was nice.

It really was.

[music fades]

Honey, what did you do?

Itty-bitty motorcycle incident.

Please don't be mad.

No. No.

I'm scared

of what this motorcycle
and the return of Rowdy Ronnie means.

We have headed down this highway before,
and I don't like where it took us.

I'm scared too.

I thought coming home
would fix everything, and it hasn't.

Something's missing.

Not in how I feel about you and Annie.

Something in me.

Sounds like a matter
we should discuss with Pastor June.

I'd hoped we were past all that.

Counseling wasn't supposed to make
everything perfect.

It was supposed to help us
through a bad time.

And… it did.

There's no shame in going back.

I will call and make an appointment.

I refuse to let this be a new problem.

It's just… a new chapter.

I've gathered this group together
in your capacity

as business and community leaders.

You are the greatest resource
Serenity has.

Our teens are
an underutilized resource, Kyle.

Your protest actually sparked this idea.

And the park cleanup.

I'm grateful for all of it.

What are these monsters?

The mayor compiled a list of
Serenity's most pressing financial issues.

With Henrietta's incredible help.

In trying to make my own mark
as your mayor, my zeal,

maybe my hubris, led me to hold back
on the full scope of problems

until I had full solutions.

But I've come to realize
that the best solutions

are the ones that we come to together.

Going forward, we will emphasize

the open-door policy
at the mayor's office.

That goes for citizens,
businesses, and the press.

Today's focus is the library.

This is the first of
many more meetings to come.

Beatriz didn't want to participate?

No. She declined our invitation.

Beatriz says that the fate of the library
lies in the hands of the people.

So here we are.

The library does not generate
tangible revenue.

We were already enacting cuts
at the library

because of the precarious condition
of the budget.

Now, with all the storm damage
compounding the problem,

we have to consider whether
we can even reopen the library.

Unbelievable.

This repair estimate on the library
is ridiculous.

Did you talk to
that shifty so-and-so in Castlewood?

You know exactly who I mean, Henrietta.

We only called them

because you've been so busy putting
people's homes back together, Skeeter.

Oh, I could and would do it for 20% less.

Oh, I like the sound of that,
and… I'll cover that cost.

- Collins.
- Oh.

- [Kyle laughs]
- Books and people who love books,

they hold a special place in my heart.

I was gonna save this money
for a trip to Aruba.

This seems more important.

That'll be enough?

We'll get to work immediately.

Bless you both.

That covers the structural repairs,

but we still need to replace
the damaged books.

Me and my friends
can organize a book drive.

Sullivan's and Friends
can do some fundraising evenings,

maybe even invite a famous local author
so folks can wine and dine with them.

We'll donate portions of the proceeds
from our pizza booth

at the winter festival.

'Tis the season for giving.

I was thinking we could do a raffle
at the festival too.

You buy tickets,

and you choose what restoration cause
you'd like to support.

Well, the spa will happily donate
free services for raffle winners.

Oh, absolutely.

We can give a pizza a week for a year.

Pizza a week for a year. Sign me up.

Beatriz, may I help?

No, I've got it.

Were all of these damaged in the storm?

Although it may seem futile,

I'm hoping to salvage
some part of this collection.

Librarians are not magic,

but we know some tricks.

I admire everything
that you do for this place

and this town.

And I've got some good news.

I just came from the mayor's office.

We have a plan for the library.

I don't understand.

Well, someone has written a check
to cover the cost of structural repairs,

and our teens are organizing
a book drive and a fundraiser

to help replace the collection.

[exhales] The library will stay open?

And hopefully be stronger than ever.

[exhales]

I realize many people in town,
perhaps including yourself,

have gotten the impression
that I'm some cold, fearsome creature,

but the truth is, my only goal
has ever been protecting the library.

Because stories…

stories are worth
more than their weight in gold.

Both you and the library
have more fans than you know.

Please, you're the famous author.

I admit some of my coolness towards you
may have stemmed from envy.

Why?

I'm sort of a writer too. Aspiring writer.

I have written 13 books
that just sit on my computer.

Well, if you write, you're a writer.

[Beatriz] Hmm.

Have you ever tried
to get any of your work published?

They weren't ready to share.

Rather,

I wasn't ready.

Well, how do you feel now?

[both chuckle]

- Okay. Come on. [laughs]
- [laughs]

[joyful music playing]

Oh, the weight.

[joyful music fades]

A Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Sweet. I loved this book
when I was growing up.

[laughs] The first time I read it,

I dug these massive holes
in the backyard trying to reach...

The volcanic tubes. Yeah.

Yeah, I love it too.
I've wanted to go to Iceland ever since.

- And hunt the eider ducks.
- Eider ducks.

[both laugh]

I guess we really are related, bro.

[inhales]

Are you also an overthinker?

Let me give that some thought.

[laughs softly]

[hesitates] I've just been worrying
that I made it weird

when we were talking about
the pocket knife.

It's just I'm not really sure
how to handle this new brother thing.

It's awkward.

I get it.

But I don't want you to think I'm unhappy
about it. You're totally great.

And I want you
to feel welcome in the family.

You all have definitely
made me feel welcomed,

but we don't have to rush
to figure this out.

Every relationship has its own timeline.

[exhales]

Thanks, bro. [chuckles softly]

[enchanting music playing]

Okay.

To the… Wait. We need to name our trio.

The Hilarious Honeysuckles.

The Awesome Azaleas.

I've got it.

The Mini Magnolias.

Oh, okay.

[Lily chuckles]

[all] Mmm.

[all laugh]

I'm excited

that so many of last year's seniors
are back in town for the big game.

I can't wait to watch the Bulldogs
absolutely demolish Castlewood.

Be thankful you're not cheerleaders.

Last year, I was so stressed

because I had to race
from shaking pom-poms at the game

to finish doing my college apps.

And here I'd hoped my sugar high
would help me forget about those.

Not going well?

One asked if you were a breakfast cereal,
which would you be?

- Froot Loops.
- Froot Loops.

[all laugh]

Well, how about you, Sullivan?

I'm still trying to figure out
how to define myself

in a single self-portrait.

Maybe we should decide
what cereal you are first.

[chuckles]

When I help Miss Helen
with legal briefings,

I find it easiest

to break the central argument down
into little parts,

so let's break this down.

Lily, pick a word
to describe our dear friend Annie.

I'd go with… "passionate."

Yeah, especially about capturing
emotional moments on camera.

When you're thinking about your art,

are you more focused on
the destination or the journey?

Journey, definitely.

I care way more about the process
of making art than the final product.

Okay, well, this is progress.
Now, Annie, you pick a word.

Maybe… "community-oriented"?

Because Serenity means everything to me.

Stay emotional, not cerebral.

Okay.

"Roots"?

Yes, so your self-portrait should display
an emotional moment

that captures your love for process
and your roots.

[scoffs] CeCe,
you've ruined selfies for me. Forever.

[CeCe laughs]

Actually, I think I have an idea.

- Oh. Spill!
- Okay, well, come on.

Not yet. It's still crystallizing,
but you two are the best.

Thanks.

I hope we'll stay this close,
even when we're all scattered next year.

Home is not just a place.

We carry it with us wherever we go.

And our friendship
is way bigger than this little town.

To the Mini Magnolias.

[Annie, Lily] To the Mini Magnolias.

[all] Pour it out.

[Maddie] Mmm!

Can I start by pouring out
some fascinating news?

[Dana Sue] Mm-hmm.

I spoke with Beatriz
after the meeting yesterday.

- Voluntarily?
- [Dana Sue, Maddie laugh]

I asked Peggy if I could deliver her
some good news this time.

After she talked smack about you
in the newspaper?

I was angry the last time I talked to her,
and I assumed that she was too,

but what I thought was anger
was actually passion for her work,

and I respect that.

She might have even given me
the missing piece to my work in progress.

Hmm.

Oh, don't cry, Dana Sue.
We won't have to go to every book signing.

- Ah.
- [Helen laughs]

- Yes, you will.
- [Dana Sue chuckles]

Oh, I'm just so proud of you, Maddie.

After all you've been through,
you… you never give up.

You fight relentlessly
to make your dreams come true. Just…

[sniffles]

Well, dreams are easier

when you have friends
who are cheering for you

and holding you up along the way.

Barely three sips in
and you two have me weeping.

Well, dry those tears 'cause I still
have to write the darn thing.

[all laugh]

But, while we are talking about
making dreams come true,

what if the Magnolia Community Foundation
buys Noreen and Howie a van?

[Dana Sue] Yes!

Yes, that's a wonderful idea.

Their house calls
are fulfilling a vital need,

and Kathy made a donation
to the foundation in Bill's memory.

This seems a fitting way
to put it to work.

Yes.

I heartily agree, and I'll reach out
in case they need help

with the legal legwork
to establish a proper mobile clinic.

I know that would mean so much to Noreen.

Yeah. Good.

And you, Miss Helen,
are not going to dodge the compliments

that you deserve
for that meeting yesterday.

- Oh, please. No.
- No, I'm so proud of you.

And everything that you are doing
with and for Peggy.

That meeting was inspiring.

Yes, and I'm so glad
that you encouraged her to open up.

I can't even imagine
how hard that was for her.

Vulnerability is often most difficult
for the strong,

and while there's still plenty needed
to get this town back on track,

I am starting to see
a light at the end of the tunnel.

Oh, so this temporary job
is actually going to be temporary?

[Maddie, Helen laugh]

I'm looking forward to
returning to my practice full time, but

Peggy still needs support,

so I'll be putting thought, care, prayer

into who will fill my seat long-term.

Well, it seems
we're all considering our next chapters.

Will your next chapter
include adult classes at the future

Magnolia Community Foundation
Teaching Kitchen?

- Pretty please?
- Come on.

- Y'all up for a little role-play?
- [Maddie laughs]

I have the perfect kitchen
for a cooking show.

Yeah, you do.

It's yours.

[Dana Sue laughs]

I'm intrigued.

[Helen laughs]

Welcome to the test run
of my teaching kitchen,

hosted by Chez Helene.

[whimsical music playing]

Okay.

I'm sure most of y'all are here because
you wanna learn elevated and novel meals

beyond the eat-to-survive recipes
you already know.

So, for our inaugural adult cooking class,

I've chosen beef Wellington.

Oh, delicious!

[in British accent]
If done absolutely perfectly.

Otherwise, atrocious.

Well, let's aim for delicious.

We'll start by searing the tenderloin
to get a good crust and lock in flavor.

Uh, miss, could you hand me that twine?

Quaint.

She thinks I work for her.

[in British accent]
Audience participation.

[Helen] Mmm.

Interesting approach.

Okay, okay. I'll get it.

[Dana Sue grunts]

We tie up the tenderloin

so it retains this nice oblong shape.

Isn't there a way
to do something artistic?

Make it look like
a bumblebee or something?

Oh, hush. We're learning something new.

Your technique is all wrong.
It's much better to fold over than under.

Is this a cooking class
or community theater?

Y'all are worse than
my high school students.

[laughing] Speaking as myself,

may I remind you
that we were invited here to prove to you

that you can handle anything
that's thrown your way.

Okay.

Including whatever accent
Ronnie's got going on there.

[Maddie, Helen laughing]

[imitating old man]
Wh… What's with all the fancy stuff?

I want a pizza!

[Dana Sue laughing]

Of course.

You're busy adults,

so let's learn how to make
a weeknight pizza in under 30 minutes.

Puff pastry crust topped with duxelles,
sliced beef tenderloin,

and a scattering of prosciutto.

Quick and easy,
but also special and delicious.

[Cal] Hmm.

[upbeat music playing]

[group applauding]

[Helen laughing]

["Count Me In" by Dirty Talk playing]

♪ I found me a reason ♪

[all] Ooh!

- Pretty cozy.
- What do you want? Yep.

♪ Why I do the nine to five… ♪

Hey, I thought Halloween was over.

[Katie] I'm Serenity Spirit.

Go, Bulldogs!

- [all laugh]
- [horns honking]

- [Helen] Hey.
- [Maddie] Hi, sweetie.

Have you prepared Eric
for the madness that's the big game?

No, I just got him back.
Why would I scare him off?

Wow, that means you haven't told him about
after the big game.

- Do not.
- Junior year.

- I thought you were my friend.
- Junior year…

All these years,
I thought you were my friend.

[Dana Sue] Whoo!

Bulldogs!

- [Cal barking]
- [Dana Sue] Are we late?

We got distracted.

Social media is absolutely blowing up

with rumors that someone kidnapped
the Castlewood mascot.

The actual horse.

I was home all night.

Food should be ready shortly.

Hope you like sloppy joes.

The patties wouldn't split
if the heat was a little higher.

- Yeah. Oh, don't you dare, darling.
- I'm just gonna…

- [Katie] You know why I'm a ghost?
- [Cal] Hmm?

Because I starved to death.

Two minutes.
You can have the first one. I promise.

Thanks, Dad.

[gentle music playing]

Looking good, Cal. If only I had realized,
I would've got one myself.

Hey, y'all. We had an unexpected visitor
on the farm last night.

Know anybody missing a horse?

It wasn't me!

[laughs]

I don't know if I can take this, Annie.

They're making me play sports
before watching sports.

The most important part about the game
is talking trash about Castlewood.

That's also a sport.

It's an art.

Hey, hey. We should take
a book collection bin to the game and...

Kyle, you're an amazing leader,

everyone's proud of your work,
but you're allowed to take a night off.

- Appreciate that, Gabe.
- [Gabe] Finish your throw.

And let me demolish you
in this cornhole game.

[Cal] Come and get it!

Saved by the grill!

- [CeCe] Yes.
- [Annie] I am so hungry.

Nice job.

- Come on.
- [Dana Sue] Ooh!

[Annie] How did he know?

Moments like these,
I wanna stop time and soak in every detail

of how blessed we are.

Amen.

- You know what this means.
- [Dana Sue laughs]

Castlewood's gonna lose!

[all barking]

Go Bulldogs! Go Bulldogs!

[upbeat music playing]

[phone vibrating]

[music fades]

[door opens]

[men barking, muttering]

- What a great game.
- [Isaac] Let's go.

Serenity rules!

Poor winless, mascot-less Castlewood.

Oh, it wasn't me.

- [Bailey] I'll get ice cream.
- Crushed Cavaliers on top.

- Oh my gosh.
- It's no Serenity party without brownies.

We have to remember to bring some home
for Katie and Mama.

That last interception, when the man
was trying all that ridiculous footwork.

And Hensey rose up out of nowhere…

Picked that ball like an apple off a tree.

Yeah. I was sure it was gonna be
an interference call. [laughs]

If only.

What's that supposed to mean?

Pretty sure it means
you ought to sit down, dude.

All right! We're gonna do this
family style because…

[all cheering]

I'm so happy for you.

Thanks, Noreen.

I'm happy for me too.

Wait! Before we start eating,
I wanna take a picture.

Can everyone gather up?

Get in the picture with us, baby.

I will. This is a special idea
for my self-portrait.

[upbeat music playing]

Everybody say, "Go, Dogs!"

[all] Go, Dogs!

[camera shutter clicking]

Perfect.

- [woman 1] Yeah!
- [woman 2] All right!

Hey.

- Hey.
- Didn't think I'd see you tonight.

Listen, I'm so sorry
that I missed the game.

I had some reports to file
before everyone leaves for Thanksgiving.

Of course. I'm glad you could join us now.

- Me too.
- Can I get you something?

A beer.

[bottle opens]

Thank you.

[seat slides]

So you taking off for Thanksgiving?

I'm heading out Wednesday
to go celebrate with the family.

My big sister hosts,
so I've already alerted her

that I'm gonna bring
Sullivan and Friends' pecan pie.

- I will set two aside for you.
- Thank you.

Will you be gone long?

It's really not up to me.

It's not?

It's up to my boss.

- Oh, of course. [chuckles softly]
- So it's whatever she decides.

But I don't think my work here is done.

I agree.

- Uh, so may I ask you…
- [metal clanging]

Just stop, Dev!

- [Kyle] Lily, it's okay.
- No, it's not!

What did I do?

I'm in... Thought I was in a relationship
with Kyle and not with you, Dev!

- That's not what's happening!
- Sit down, Dev.

- I think there's a misunderstanding.
- It's pretty clear to me, Kyle.

- I'm so done with this.
- Lily!

This is so incredibly unfair.

[door closes]

[tense music playing]

[door opens]

- Dude!
- CeCe.

[door closes]

[exhales]

[music ends]

[closing theme music playing]

[closing theme music ends]