The Good Mothers (2023) s01e01 Episode Script

1
Based on a true story.
Some characters and events
have been fictionalized
for narrative purposes.
[thunder rumbles]
[ship horn blows in distance]
[seagulls squawk]
Public Prosecutor's Office
REGGIO CALABRIA
January 3rd, 2010
[sighs]
[machine chiming, whirring]
[loud beep]
[ticking]
[in Calabrian]
Ninna ninna, ninna ninna neda ♪
The wolf eats the little lamb ♪
Little lamb of mine, what did you do ♪
When you found yourself
In the mouth of the wolf? ♪
[announcer, in English] The 12:20
high-speed train 9964 from Salerno
is approaching platform 18.
Please, stay clear of the yellow line.
Papa.
I thought you were meeting us
at the hotel.
I wanted to surprise my daughter.
You're all grown up.
You're beautiful, just like your mother.
Come here.
Hey, Lea. So, you came in the end, huh?
Mmm.
We have a lot to catch up on.
Yes. Don't worry, we'll talk soon.
-Is that my necklace?
-No, it's mine.
No, that's my necklace. [chuckles]
Come on, let's go. Come on.
-[dad] Did you have a nice train ride?
-[daughter] Yeah, it was fine.
-You tired?
-No.
Welcome to Milan.
[chuckles]
It's so nice to see Dad.
Just as you wanted.
Mmm?
I saw the way he was looking at you.
[Lea chuckles]
Do you think he loves you?
I don't think so.
Carlo's like that.
He's always been that way.
What do you mean?
Maybe he's changed
and wants to give us some freedom.
[vehicles humming in distance]
-[lighter clicks]
-[Lea inhales sharply]
I'm not a state witness anymore.
I'm no longer a threat to him.
I guess he's had enough of it all,
like me.
One thing I know for sure.
I want to stop running. Hiding.
Can I ask Dad to buy me
a new pair of shoes?
[shoe thuds]
[daughter] Mom?
-What are you doing? You shouldn't smoke!
-[chuckles]
How many times have I told you?
Come here.
[kisses]
I hope they like me.
They will. You'll have fun
and get along with everyone.
Just don't forget one thing.
Who's your mother?
-You are.
-I didn't hear you.
You are.
[driver] Dottoressa, the main entrance
was damaged from the explosion.
You'll have to go in
at the service entrance.
Yes, I know. Thank you.
[driver] It should be back to normal
by tomorrow.
There are extra guards in place.
Okay.
[knocks]
-[sighs]
-[assistant] More coffee, Dottoressa?
Thank you.
Could you find me all
the available information on Lea Garofalo?
-Sure.
-And the name of her lawyer.
All right.
Beatrice.
What are your thoughts on the firebomb?
Um, I believe it, uh,
serves as a little warning,
just to let us know
that they can get to us if they want to.
-And you're not frightened?
-We're used to it.
Thank you for the coffee.
Should we light them?
Oh, wait, we need some coins first.
Oh, I don't have any change.
It's all right, Denise.
-[clattering]
-[Denise] Dad.
-[Carlo] What?
-You can only light one.
I've only put one coin in.
The Saints don't care about these things,
Denise.
[Denise chuckles]
Come on, light them all up, all right?
She took her first Communion here.
Remember?
Lea, how could I not remember?
You brought her up well.
It wasn't easy, though.
She's headstrong. [chuckles]
Especially now.
But she's a good girl.
I'm not a threat to you anymore.
I'm no longer a witness.
I was mad at you. I was young.
I thought they would help me.
They didn't.
Lea, you haven't changed a bit.
You're still the woman
I didn't deserve to marry.
Denise has been asking for you.
She wants you in her life.
She needs us both, Carlo.
That's why I came.
Yes?
Do you trust him?
Can we finally stop running this time?
That would be nice.
[sighs]
We have to trust him.
We have no alternative.
[sighs]
-[tires screech]
-[horn honks]
Papa, it was a red.
Dad, you were supposed to stop.
Why? There was nobody there.
That's not how it works.
Where did you get your license?
And we're in a hurry.
I want to be alone with your mother.
You see, Denise,
it was a romantic traffic violation.
-Did you bring your phone charger?
-Mm-hmm.
[Lea] Let me know how dinner goes
with your cousins.
It'll do you good to talk to someone
your own age.
Mm-hmm.
[Carlo] Lea, what time is your train?
[Lea] We're leaving tonight at 22:40.
I don't want to miss it.
[Carlo] You're not going to miss it.
Don't worry.
Argh, get a move on!
[Carlo] We're home.
It's a lot nicer inside.
[beeping]
What an absolute shithole.
[Lea] I'm sure you'll have a nice time,
hmm? I'll see you later.
See you later.
[door closes]
[dog barking in distance]
[Carlo] Aunt Renata's waiting for you.
Come on, let's go.
[person shouts in distance]
Come on. Come, Denise. Come on.
Yeah, I know it reeks of piss,
but you get used to it.
You go in. I don't want to
keep your mother waiting. [chuckles]
Okay, princess. I'll see you later.
Go on. We'll catch up later.
-Well…
-Who's there?
[Carlo] Everyone.
What?
So, what happens now?
We're getting some food.
What do you think?
I've booked us a table at Giovanni's.
You remember it?
Of course, I do.
I meant, what will happen
to me, you, Denise?
[metal gate clanks]
[Carlo] Come on, Lea.
-[door closes]
-[engine starts]
[Renata] I'm the only person
who has a washing machine
that refuses to wash clothes. [sighs]
[Denise] Good evening.
[Renata] Why do I make things
so difficult for myself?
[Denise] Hi.
Oh, my God, Denise! Is that really you?
[chuckles] You're a woman.
Come here, girls. Come on.
Look who's here.
-Hi! How are you?
-[Denise] Hey.
-Fine, thanks.
-[chuckles]
The last time I saw you,
you were only just above my knees.
And look at you now,
ready to start a family.
-It's a bit early for that.
-[cousin] Mama, please.
[gasps] You're so beautiful! My God!
-Thank you.
-Come in. Make yourself at home.
-It's good to meet you.
-Show your cousin around, girls.
[cousin] We're having pizza
and movie night to watch Posto Al Sole.
[in Italian] Hold on,
why are you telling me this?
I mean, going to that club
was the right decision.
-He caught him in the end.
-[cousin, in English] He's so handsome.
-[in Italian] It's my job, how else can I…
-[in English] God, I love him so much.
[cousin 2] Yes, he's amazing.
Such a pretty face.
[cousin] What do you think,
will they break up eventually?
[cousin 2] Not sure, but I don't think so.
Mama
How's your romantic dinner going?
I would love it
if they ended up breaking up.
[cousin] No, stop it.
They're a great couple.
What do you think, Denise? Do you like it?
Yeah, I watch it sometimes. It's cool.
[cousin 2] He's so handsome.
I swear I'll marry him someday.
[cousin] Yeah, right.
I'll marry him before you do.
I don't get why Mama always buys
from that shitty place.
[cousin] It was undercooked.
[Renata] Oh, you're so picky
about your food.
Let me cook something up for Denise.
[commentator, in Italian]
It looks like Ziegler
may have suffered an injury.
Abbruscato and Marcolini
are talking with the referee now…
[Denise sighs]
[cousin, in English]
What do you need to tell me?
Inbox
Mama
Oh, I'm glad to hear
you accidentally met her, of all people.
Was anybody else there?
No, I stayed in.
I told you, I was watching TV.
Mm-hmm. So it was you and her,
alone at the bar?
[phone operator]
The person you are trying to reach
is temporarily unavailable.
Please leave a message after--
[commentator, in Italian]
…his teammates on the bench. Ziegler…
[typing]
[phone operator, in English]
The person you are trying to reach
is temporarily unavailable.
Please leave a message after the tone.
Do you like it?
Yes. It's very nice, thank you.
Would you like anything else?
Hmm? Maybe some dessert?
No, I'm all right. Thank you.
-A drink?
-No, thanks.
[sighs]
[Renata] You're a good girl, Denise.
Welcome back to the family.
[knocks]
[Renata sighs]
-[door opens]
-Where are your keys?
[relative] They're in my other pants.
-As long as you haven't lost them.
-Get off my back.
[Renata] Mmm.
Mmm.
[cousins] Hi, Dad.
-[uncle] What are you watching?
-[cousin] Nothing. Just a movie.
-[Renata] Where have you been?
-[uncle] Nowhere!
[breathing shakily]
[phone operator]
The person you are trying to reach--
[breathing shakily]
The person you are trying to reach
is temporarily unavailable--
Please leave a message after the--
[sighs]
Mama
Where the fuck are you?
[phone beeps]
Auntie,
do you have my father's phone number?
I'm worried we'll miss our train.
Oh. Let me try the number I have.
-Have you tried calling your mother?
-Yes, but she's not answering.
[dial tones beep]
-[busy signal tone]
-The line's busy.
Uh, he must be talking to someone.
[cell phone buzzes]
[scoffs]
-Hello?
-[Carlo] Denise, meet me downstairs.
Yes, I'm coming.
It was him.
-Um, he's downstairs, so…
-[sighs] So, we'll say goodbye here.
[kissing]
-[Denise] Bye.
-Bye. See you.
Uh, Denise. Wait in the car outside.
Papa?
[Carlo sighs] Come on.
Let's get you to the station.
Where's Mama?
[Carlo] She went for cigarettes
around the corner. Let's go get her.
She's not answering her phone.
Denise, get in the car.
I'll get you both to the station.
-Should I sit in the back?
-What?
-Where will Mama sit?
-She can sit wherever she likes.
[door opens]
[Carlo sighs] Your mother smokes
too much weed.
I want you to call me when you get home.
Every day.
Even if it's just every other day,
but you've got to keep in touch. Okay?
Yes.
-[Carlo] Fuck.
-What?
Uh? She was supposed to be here.
She said she'd wait here.
Where the fuck is she?
She should be in that store. Wait here.
She's not here. He said she came and left.
Denise. Denise, where are you going?
Your mother smokes too much weed.
It messes with her head.
You know what she did?
-Have you seen my mother?
-[cashier] No.
[Carlo]
I booked a nice table at the restaurant.
She said she didn't want to go inside.
She said she wasn't wearing
the right clothes.
She said it was my fault
she wasn't wearing the right clothes.
-You understand?
-Mama?
-She's not here. Where are you going?
-Mama?
Denise, come on.
Why didn't she buy
her cigarettes and wait outside?
Why are you asking me? Ask your mother!
I don't know
what the fuck she's thinking! Denise!
Denise! I'm so sorry. Baby, I'm sorry.
-I'm sorry.
-Mama! Come on.
Your mother pisses me off, okay?
Denise, my love, come here.
-Mama!
-[Carlo] Come here, Denise.
Mom, where are you?
[Carlo] Denise, why are you shouting?
Please, Mom! [panting]
-Please, Mama!
-[grunts]
Denise, my love, why are you shouting?
Calm down. Look at me, look at Daddy.
Look at me. Honey, look at me.
Look at Papa, look at me.
Calm down, don't worry, my love.
We'll find her. Your dad's gonna fix this.
We'll go to the train station first,
and then we'll go to the hotel, okay?
We'll find her.
Come with me. Denise, hey.
-Denise, my love. Listen to me.
-[panting]
Come on. Come with me. Let's go.
-Come on.
-[panting]
You know your mom's a little bit crazy.
She must've gone for a walk.
Come here. Don't worry, my love.
[alarm blares]
[breathing shakily]
I hear you've almost finished
looking through the archives.
Yes.
All 100 boxes?
I'm now an expert
in the way of the 'ndrangheta'.
Care to share some insights?
Soon. When I'm certain.
[scoffs]
They're gifts from friends.
I find them… relaxing.
I hope snow globes are your only vice.
In our line of work,
we easily become targets.
They're watching you. They know
your name, your face, your every move,
even down to the clothes you're wearing,
and your perfume. They know everything.
If intimidation doesn't work,
they will do everything in their power
to discredit you.
Are you talking about my peers
or the 'ndrangheta?
[chuckles]
I'm not afraid of death threats.
Good for you.
You might be interested to know
Lea Garofalo has been reported as missing.
That is really bad news.
[sighs]
The prosecutors' meeting is
coming up soon.
I'll be expecting your report.
Of course.
[cousin] Denise! Breakfast is ready.
Mama says you have to eat something.
[Renata] I know she's your mother,
but what a terrible thing to do.
To walk off in the middle of the night
and put you through so much worry.
-[cousin] Mama!
-[Renata] Not that I'm surprised--
[cousin] Stop it, Mama.
[Renata]
She washed her hands of the whole family
and left her husband to rot in prison.
Lea never had any loyalty to anyone.
-She only cares about herself.
-[cousins] Mama!
[uncle] What happened?
What are you talking about?
[Renata] Lea Garofalo.
She's gone missing again.
-When was this?
-[Renata] When you were sleeping.
Carlo's looking for her.
He reported her missing to the police.
The police? What did they say?
They told him
to file a missing persons report.
They don't give a fuck.
[cell phone buzzes]
-Hello?
-Hello, Denise? Can you hear me?
-Aunt Marisa?
-What's going on? Where are you?
Is everything fine?
Your mother isn't answering her phone.
[Denise] No, everything's not fine.
Mom has gone missing.
Last night she went out with my dad.
We don't know where she is right now.
She went out with Carlo? By herself?
Yes.
How could she do something so stupid?
What was she thinking?
And you let her do it?
Well, he was being so nice.
Oh, Denise. [sighs]
[breathes shakily]
Denise, are you alone?
-No.
-Are you with them?
-Yes.
-Can they hear you?
No, I don't think so.
Don't say a word. Listen to me carefully.
They've made her disappear.
You cannot be next. Do you understand?
Denise, tell me you understand.
Yes.
Say it.
Yes, I understand.
[Marisa] Your mother loved you
more than life itself.
Loved?
Be careful, Denise.
[breathing shakily]
[Renata] Who was that?
My Aunt Marisa. She's been trying
to call my mother. She's worried.
[Renata] Well, yes.
We're all worried, of course. [chuckles]
Carlo will find her. Trust him.
Please make sure
he reads everything I told you.
[officer] Of course!
Tell him that my sister was stupid enough
to become your witness back then.
She has no brains, but she has balls.
And you didn't do anything for her!
You promised her the world
and then discarded her like garbage!
Hello.
[sighs]
This is all I can afford at the moment.
What are you doing here, Enrico?
What does it look like?
I'm following you.
Is this my dad or Ciccio's idea?
Your father's.
Go back and tell them you lost me.
I was going too fast. Please.
I need to breathe.
Port of Gioia Tauro
Let's make this quick, Claudio.
I'm in a rush.
Did we get our money's worth?
This stuff is pure.
Good.
[Salvatore] You know what the
problem is? People are going to wonder,
"What the fuck are all these Africans
doing here?"
They attract attention.
[person 2] You're right, Salvatore.
[person 3] They work for food.
[Salvatore]
I don't give a damn. They stink.
[person 3] They save us a lot of money.
They're cheap labor.
[Salvatore]
A lot of money compared to what?
I don't see a problem. It's just business.
[Salvatore] I'll tell you what
the problem is. They're young men.
What do young men think about? One thing!
Young men think about fucking women.
That's what the problem is. That's it.
Giusy!
What's up? Everything okay with you?
Yes. Claudio is happy.
[Salvatore] And the donations?
It's all here.
[Salvatore] Good. We've been too generous.
Your father wants another 5%.
That's too much.
Trust me, it's too much.
Some businesses will close,
and then what happens?
You see? That's exactly what I said.
Giusy is smart.
Enough.
Just do as I tell you.
Come on. It's a mistake.
When was the last time you visited Rocco?
About two weeks ago.
Never forget that you are a wife.
How could I forget that?
And while I'm here, maybe you could
give me some advice, you know?
The next time I pay him a visit,
should I wear lipstick or not?
Honest question, because when I do,
he says I look like a whore,
and when I don't,
he tells me I look like a man
[person 3] Giusy!
What should I do then?
That's enough, Giusy.
Shut up.
Go on, feed your children.
Good advice.
[Salvatore] She talks too much.
[person 3] She's good at her job though.
-[child] Hi, Mama.
-[child 2] Hi, Mama.
So? Did you start without me?
Yeah. Grandma said we should start.
Of course we started,
the children were starving.
That must be because they've been
studying too hard at school.
-Right.
-Is that it?
You're late, Mama.
We were getting worried.
-You were?
-Mm-hmm.
Were you worried? I'm sorry.
So guys, how was school today?
Did you do your best?
-No.
-What's the point anyway?
[grandma] As long as they learn
how to read and write.
[door opens]
School is important.
[door closes]
What's wrong?
What happened today at school?
My teacher gave me a hard time.
-A hard time? Why is that, sweetie?
-[grandma chuckles]
Mmm. Because she always tells me,
"Elisea, stay quiet. Elisea, stay quiet."
Why do you think she says that to you?
-Because I make too much noise.
-Because you make too much noise, correct.
And if you do that-- [grunts]
[Salvatore] You talk too much!
Too much noise, Giusy!
Too much noise!
You be grateful for the life you have,
or you will lose it. Is that clear?
Take this. Make sure that Rocco gets it.
-[plates shatter]
-And clean up this mess!
Clean up this mess
and learn to hold your tongue!
Otherwise, next time it will be you
who's thrown across the floor.
Have I made myself clear?
-Yes or no?
-Yes, yes. Yes!
-[Salvatore grunts]
-[grunts]
[footsteps departing]
What? Eat up and grow strong. Eat!
[door closes]
[grandma] Your grandfather is right.
Your mother talks too much.
She has too much to say.
Finish it.
[uncle] My God!
-Are you still at it?
-[Renata] Yeah.
Try not to have a stroke.
-Get lost!
-[buttons beeping]
Hey.
What's going on?
Denise is on her way.
-Keep a lookout.
-Yeah, yeah, of course. Sure.
She might get lost, all right. Hmm?
Don't worry. I'll take care of it.
It's okay.
[Carlo sniffs]
Also, she might ask you
if you've seen her mother.
Yeah, of course.
I'm doing all I can,
you know, to find her.
Of course, I know. I know that, Carlo.
I can trust you, can't I?
Sure.
Hey, Denise. Uh, you found us.
Your father was worried. Denise?
Papa?
Hey, princess. What happened?
Did you get lost?
There are police officers outside.
The police are outside? What do they want?
They called.
They want me to go with them
to the station, tell them what happened.
I told them
I needed to speak to you first.
Didn't they say
we needed to wait for 48 hours?
What's going on?
Can we get it over with, please?
Yeah, let's do it.
Let's-- Let's go find this woman. Right?
We've just ordered some food.
Let's eat first and then--
Didn't you hear me? We're going to
the police station to get this over with.
[Carlo] Come on.
Go on.
[Carlo] She's not going in without me.
[officer] It shouldn't take long.
It doesn't matter.
I won't let her go in alone.
That's not possible.
She's still a child. She's only 17.
She's my daughter.
-I need to speak with Denise alone.
-No, not a chance.
I'm afraid it's necessary.
It's okay, Papa.
No, it's not okay.
My wife walked out on me.
I-- I'm the last person to have seen her.
I'm your witness. You need to talk to me.
Or-- Or talk to the both of us.
Mr. Cosco, there will be a policewoman
present during the entire interview.
What I mean is she's only a child.
She's upset.
I'm afraid I must insist.
I saw her last.
I-- I should be the witness!
I'm the witness!
Denise, if you feel uncomfortable,
you get up and walk out.
You got that? Okay?
You're making a mistake.
[officer 2] Calm down, please.
This way.
What? I can't stay standing up?
No.
Good.
[door closes]
[officer] I want you to know
that all the information you provide
will be kept strictly confidential.
Sofia is part of our anti-mafia unit.
Denise.
Your aunt, Marisa Garofalo,
has reported your mother as missing.
She informed the local authorities that
Lea was in the witness protection program.
My mother and I are really close.
She would never leave me like that.
We've been hiding for seven years,
moving from place to place.
Always together.
I thought we were safe.
I thought he would forgive her.
Come on, come on, come on!
Come on!
[Sofia] Your father is waiting for you.
Do you intend to stay with him?
I have nowhere else to go.
I can find you a place.
No.
It's no use. He would find me.
No matter what, he always does.
The fuck were you talking about
all this time?
-Nothing.
-Nothing?
You sat with your ass on that chair
the whole time
and you didn't tell him a thing?
He asked me what happened and I told him.
Yeah? What did you tell him?
The truth. I told him what you told me.
The truth?
-[uncle] Carlo, what's going on?
-[Carlo] Go get the car.
What took you so long?
Denise, come on. Come.
Let's go, Denise.
-Get a move on.
-[Denise groans] Careful!
Carmine, walk with Denise.
Take her inside.
[Carmine] Okay.
-[uncle] Hey, Carlo. Give me the keys.
-[keys jingle]
-[Carlo] Hey, Carmine. Wake up.
-[Carmine] Yeah, yeah.
Let's go, Denise. Let's go.
[uncle] So? What's going on?
-I want to know what they talked about.
-What do you mean?
I'm her father. I deserve to know.
We'll find a lawyer. We'll get a copy
of her statement. We'll find a way.
Carlo, marry her off.
[Carmine] Denise, I'm so sorry
your mother went missing.
I think we're going back
to Calabria tomorrow.
You understand, Denise?
[sighs]
[zipper closes]
[Carlo] Princess.
You ready to go home?
Come on, Calabria awaits.
Yeah. I'm ready to go.
Hey, Denise.
What are you doing? Come on.
I'll take that.
Let's go.
[detective] Thanks to the surveillance,
we are gathering
all the information we need
to build a strong case against
the Rosarno clan. That's a fact.
You've asked me to examine
a hundred boxes of archived material.
Here is what I've found.
Women like Lea and Marisa Garofalo
are featured on every page,
but we never see them.
They remain invisible.
Of course, they do.
The 'ndrangheta women are there
to prepare food, wash dishes and look
after their children. That's what they do.
Which may be the reason
why many of them are unhappy, restless,
irritated and sexually frustrated.
But some of them are
women with no criminal record,
who act as a front.
They own assets and properties,
hidden in their name,
but they are never investigated.
They carry messages,
moving in and out of the prison
with their little notes without a worry.
They are never observed or followed, ever.
They collect protection money--
The oil that keeps the engine running.
What would happen to the engine
if it ran out of money?
It stops.
What do you suggest then?
We must change our strategy.
Effective immediately,
all surveillance operations in my area
are to include the movements
of 'ndrangheta women.
Beginning with
the most prominent families.
[indistinct chatter in distance]
-[Giusy] Cetta.
-[Cetta] Hey, Giusy.
-You look so beautiful today.
-Thank you.
Well, if we start targeting women,
they'll accuse us of being cowards.
-Bianchi, come on, please.
-Let's take, for example, Lea Garofalo.
A very intelligent woman.
She was born into one of
the most important 'ndrangheta families.
And she knew perfectly well that it meant
she wouldn't be able to have
a normal life.
No freedom at all, no hope whatsoever.
More than that, she knew her daughter,
Denise, would suffer the same fate.
They would have forced her to marry
at the age of 16,
forcing her to live a life of silence
and obedience.
So she ran away.
She came to us.
She became a witness,
and we failed her.
I don't know how it happened. But it did.
[detective] What if there were
other women like Lea Garofalo out there?
Other 'ndrangheta mothers,
unhappy with their lives
and the fate reserved for their children?
Brave women, who might be
waiting for nothing more
than a little encouragement.
What if we were able
to offer them a different life…
far removed from the one they know?
What if we were able to persuade them
to betray their fathers who torture them
and husbands who abuse them?
What if we break
the chains that hold them.
'Ndrangheta women could be
our way inside, our Trojan horse
that no one would ever see coming.
Bring these women on our side,
and we'll bring the organization
to its knees.
Dedicated to the women who dared
to defy the 'ndrangheta.
[in Calabrian]
Ninna ninna, ninna ninna neda ♪
The wolf eats the little lamb ♪
Little lamb of mine, what did you do ♪
When you found yourself
In the mouth of the wolf? ♪
Come on, sleep
Come and take my baby for an hour ♪
Then bring her back to me… ♪
[overlapping singing]