From Scratch (2022) s01e02 Episode Script

1
Have you ever loved a woman ♪
So much you tremble in pain? ♪
Yes! Have you ever loved a woman ♪
So much you tremble in pain? ♪
Yes! ♪
All the time you know ♪
She bears another man's name ♪
You just love that woman ♪
So much it's a shame and a sin ♪
Yes! You just love that woman ♪
Like in Florence?
Yes.
- Wait.
- But different.
Mmm!
Are you kidding me?
And to think I've been living
off of tomato sandwiches
for the past year and a half
to afford that damn phone bill.
I can't believe you're here.
Mm.
Damn, that's really good.
Mmm.
Are you writing about me?
No.
I'm writing
about the other love of my life.
You better be talking
about food.
It's this recipe I made.
To make the flavor more complex,
I added la ricotta salata.
I want to remember that
for when I open my own restaurant someday.
I can never get over
how much you love the blues.
I found blues when I was thinking
about leaving home for school.
I knew it would cause a rift in my family.
Music helped.
But you talk to your parents
on the phone all the time.
No, I only talk
to my mom and sister. That's it.
Not your father?
- No, I don't talk to my father.
- Oh.
Let's just say
We are different.
You're so beautiful.
Sorry!
As thin as cardboard,
these walls.
I know.
So nice of your sister
to let us stay with her,
but, please, can you go
for a walk sometime? Zora, I beg you
Sorry!
- No.
- I was joking. I was joking.
Won't let you
Wreck your best friend's home ♪
What the hell did y'all do
with my Diet Dr. Pepper?
Oh, um,
your Medico Pepper is not essential,
so it's here below the sink.
Doctor. Dr. Pepper. And I'm from Texas.
Don't be telling me what's essential,
especially not before
teaching seven-year-olds.
Now, where the hell
is the construction paper?
It's for the workflow.
The cooking essentials
should be on the right of the stove.
Looking for this?
It was in the hall closet.
Oh, boy. Every year,
with the fuckin' finger turkeys.
I need coffee.
Uh, yes.
Yes, your coffee is here next to the sink.
Now there's logic.
I don't want logic.
I want my coffee cups where they were.
Here, baby.
Okay.
Hmm.
Z, what is this?
Ah, it's Mom's way
of sending an RSVP for Thanksgiving.
Apparently, she thinks she can't find
her hippie food in Southern California.
Or a kente tablecloth.
Who the hell travels
with a kente tablecloth?
Your mama.
- My mother is one of a kind.
- Hmm.
It's what?
Ten years since she and Dad
had Thanksgiving together?
Twelve.
- It's gonna be interesting.
- Oh.
Your father ate real food in Italy.
This is not food.
Our parents are diametric opposites.
To be with your parents
all together for a meal
This is a very big thing
for us Sicilians.
- Really?
- Yes.
Yes, it took eight years
for my parents to meet my sister's fiancé,
and it was only after
they approved the engagement.
- Eight years.
- Yes.
That's some serious slow play.
Knock 'em dead today, Amahle. Pow.
Thank you.
- Ciao!
- Bye!
- Hey.
- Hmm?
You're going to be great. I know it.
You're going to nail this interview.
Thank you.
It would be good if I had a new job
by the time my parents came, you know?
Yes.
What?
Your parents.
Don't be nervous.
It's gonna be great.
Yes.
Wish me luck.
Mm. Okay. Bye.
Ciao.
Have a great day at work.
It's not going to get any better
by staring at it longer.
How can they serve this?
Because those people
out there will eat it.
Shit.
What I could do
with 20 minutes in this kitchen.
- If I could just
- Please.
Your food is too good for this kitchen.
That leftover risotto
you brought in? Parce. Mmm!
Thank you, Andreas. I appreciate that.
Yeah, but you better get moving before
el jefe sees you holding up an order.
Thank you.
- So, you're the Brown girl?
- Excuse me.
You went to Brown?
- Yes, I did, and Georgetown for law.
- Ugh! My ex-husband went to Brown.
A little left.
No, not like that.
A little right.
No.
Something's off.
It's upside down.
You've got a good eye.
- Well, just by looking at it. You can
- Never deflect a compliment.
- Sorry.
- Or apologize.
Sorr sorry.
I looked up the artists
that you represent here at the gallery.
It's very international.
I like that angle.
I think it's bold.
Hmm.
Bold is what I'd call
this ensemble of mixed fabrics
you thought suitable
to wear to an interview.
You coming?
Hi. I'm Amy. It's my first day.
Get it out there.
The food is for eating, not looking.
Mama, I made
the risotto with almonds and broccoli.
It's not like yours.
And how is the work?
You didn't tell me, is it
in the town center? Can you walk from
There is no center here, Mama.
There is no city center here.
No way. Impossible.
Mama, I don't know what
to tell you. That's how it is here.
Lino, order up!
- Hi. Hey.
- Hey.
Ciao.
I missed you.
I thought we could go grab a drink.
Nearby, doesn't have to be super far.
I have big news.
Chloe's putting me on the gallery floor.
- Oh!
- I mean, I'm answering phones.
But it means
that she sees something in me,
and maybe she'll agree to look at my work.
What do you think?
- Hmm?
- Mm-hmm.
Do you wanna go to that place
that you like so much at Sunset Junction?
I'm tired, amore.
Oh. Just for an hour.
- What do you think?
- Uh
- No.
- Oh.
But I'm I'm I'm super
super happy and proud of you.
You're on your way.
You are too.
I guess I thought it would be easier
to find my way to cook in a kitchen here.
I mean, at home,
you get a job because you know people.
Here, I know no one.
It just takes time, Lino.
I need a reservation for four
at Massimo's at eight o'clock.
- Okay.
- Tonight.
Yes, for tonight.
And don't let that snobby little hostess
try to stop you.
Use my name and throw around some Italian.
And if that doesn't work, you tell them
that their gallery pieces on loan
might just have to come
back home to Mamma.
Okay.
Chloe.
- You know the owner, right? At Massimo's?
- Of course. He loves me.
Do you think
he would wanna interview Lino for a job?
Are you asking me-- me
to get your boyfriend a job?
An interview.
I mean, since Massimo loves you,
and he would probably be thankful
that you brought such a talented,
authentic Italian chef to his attention.
Get me
the reservation, and we'll talk.
Okay.
You got this.
Good luck!
- You've been here, what?
- A month.
Just long enough
to not get lost on the bus.
Ristorante Vigna Vecchia?
Yes.
A nice little place.
I've heard of it, at least.
You're working at Mangia Mia.
Yes, I'm trying
to support myself in a new country, yes.
Eggplant up and down the menu, I bet.
You're Sicilian, right?
- Yes.
- Ah.
Thing is, I'm not looking
for any sous chefs right now.
Only line cooks.
Okay.
Uh,
that's absolutely no problem.
I'm willing to work my way up.
Even if I did hire you,
I hope you're not thinking
I will sponsor your visa.
You're working
under the table right now, I assume?
I'd keep your job there.
We're a bit more, uh, sophisticated here.
I think this, uh,
Mangia Mia place,
it's a better fit for you.
How was it?
What happened?
- He was never going to hire me.
- What?
- Lino, what happened?
- Please go. I'm late for work, please go.
- What's wrong with him?
- You tell me.
He was just completely shut down.
He wouldn't even look at me.
It's not like him.
How would you know, Amy?
Y'all been honeymooning
long distance for 18 months.
Shit is getting real now.
Oh, girl, I gotta go.
Hey.
You're home early.
Yes. Uh, my shift was slow.
Mm-hmm. Amy's still at work. So
What are you doing?
Grading.
The kids made these and wrote
what they're most thankful for on 'em.
Everything from mashed potatoes
to grandparents to Xbox.
Actually, that might be
a kid's Christmas wish list.
- How do you grade this?
- Exactly.
- Mostly, I look at penmanship and effort.
- Oh.
Gotta give them credit for trying.
Oh, you're a good teacher.
Thanks.
- Do you mind if I
- No.
for this time of year.
It's three days
until the European Championship.
I still don't know who Italy's playing.
You have 100 channels,
and not one is devoted
to the most important sport in the world.
Don't let my daddy hear you say that.
Look, Zora.
Um, I just wanted to say sorry.
This week, uh,
it's been very hard for me.
And I'm sure
it must be hard for you too with us here.
Anyway, um, sorry, I see you're busy.
I am, and I still got
Thanksgiving shopping to do.
Ci penso io. Um, let let me do it.
- You sure?
- Yes, yes.
It's a long list, Lino.
This is something I can do.
Okay.
Do not forget the coupons.
You pay less when you use these.
Okay, so it's cheaper
if you give them pictures of the food?
I'm fine, thanks.
Thanks.
Mmm!
Damn, that's good.
Bravo.
How did you
come up with this?
It's a corn dog.
Got you. You won't tell me.
Chef's secret. Smart.
Laila, congratulations.
It's exquisite.
Stunning, isn't it?
Mm. Can't tear my eyes away.
He's fluent in Italian.
- Kobe.
- Hmm.
He spent most of his childhood in Italy.
Part of what I love about this piece
is the many ways it reminds us
of the complexity of identity.
How we're all a prism.
In this case, it's Muslim and American.
The world needs more voices like Laila's.
Shouldn't you be circulating, Amy?
- Yes.
- Sorry, Theo, she's learning the ropes.
Really? Hmm.
Well, I'd hang onto her if I were you.
She just sold me this piece.
I'll settle up with Peter.
Not bad.
Thank you.
If I ever catch you talking to one
of my buyers again without my permission,
you're fired.
- Got it?
- Yeah.
Hey, Val. What's up, baby?
- Hey!
- Hey!
- Hey.
- Hey.
He's been in there for hours.
Never seen a man
this wound up about a dinner.
Bring me back a Diet Dr. Pepper.
If you make it out alive.
It smells really good.
- Ciao.
- Ciao.
What are you doing?
I've been thinking of a different base
for tomorrow's lasagne bianche.
I'm sure it's gonna be delicious.
How was the show?
It was fine.
It was more than fine.
I sold my first piece.
- A big one.
- Great.
But it's not like Chloe's gonna pay me
any commission.
She made that perfectly clear.
And I wasn't even intending on selling it.
It just It was that good.
It was that intrinsic
to who the artist is.
I wish I made art that felt that good.
Like you do, Lino.
You're an artist.
I guess
I'll get my own Medico Pepper.
Fine. I forgot. Sorry. Sorry.
Lino's reinventing Thanksgiving.
Oh, good. 'Cause if there's anything
Texans love, it's different shit.
Why are five boxes of corn dogs in here?
I'm sorry.
I was unkind to you.
I love you.
I love you too.
I love it.
I look at all the works in the gallery,
and then I look at this and
Hey.
I missed you so much.
Every time was new ♪
When I was loving you ♪
And believe me ♪
Ooh ♪
Each time you call my name ♪
- Nobody can do what you can do ♪
- Yeah, yeah! ♪
Yes, yes, you ♪
You ♪
You ♪
Turn me on ♪
Yes.
Coming!
Lynn! You're early.
Why would a grown man answer the door
without a shirt on?
It's so nice to finally meet you.
- Amy's in the shower.
- Mm-hmm. Hmm.
- One moment, please.
- Yeah.
Uh, where's the tablecloth
and the candles I sent?
You better have my seaweed.
Uh, yes.
I don't eat that.
- Or that.
- Oh.
I don't eat that.
Is is that cheese?
Oh, yes.
Did Amy not tell you I'm vegan?
I don't eat meat, butter, or eggs.
Oh. Oh, well, that's not living.
Yeah, well, my doctor would beg to differ.
She says I have
the cholesterol levels of a toddler.
I have a homemade vegan loaf.
I need you to plate this for me, son.
Uh, sure.
Where's Zora, anyway?
Uh, she's at the airport.
She's picking up Hershel and Maxine.
We would've picked you up,
but you didn't tell anybody
you actually arrived two days ago.
Hi, beautiful.
Hi, Mother. How are you?
- I'm good.
- Ah!
I had to take care of a little business.
- In LA?
- Mm-hmm.
Oh! Okay, Mom. This is Lino.
We met.
He can take a little pressure
from a strong woman. I'll give him that.
- Are you gonna plate that for me?
- Uh, yes. Sure.
- Oh, hey!
- Oh, my goodness!
- Hi!
- Oh, hey, hey!
Hey, my baby girl!
Hey!
- Hey.
- Hi, Dad.
Hi, Daddy.
- How are you?
- I'm good.
- Hey, Amy.
- Hey.
- How you doing?
- You settling in okay?
- Yes, absolutely.
- Good.
Mm, I see
they're still serving liquor on planes.
Well, everyone, welcome to our home.
Yes, welcome to our home.
I had a hell of a time
getting this old bird
past those airport
rent-a-cops at security.
I told Hershel we can get a turkey here.
And get a California turkey
that's been on a juice cleanse?
I brought y'all a Greenberg from Tyler
for your first Thanksgiving out here.
Well, we're very happy
that you guys are all here together.
Including Lino, who made
such a beautiful dinner for us all.
Happy Thanksgiving.
- Happy Thanksgiving.
- Happy Thanksgiving.
Mm-hmm.
The season was over for me
when the Texans beat the Cowboys.
- Lino! You find a team over here yet?
- Dad, Dad, Dad, Lino likes soccer.
Oh.
So are you, uh,
are you still on that starter job? Hmm?
Oh, uh, yes.
It's not been easy
for me in this country to
Well, nothing ever is, son.
You just gotta get back on out there.
Uh, all I'm saying, Zora,
is that if you ever do meet a man,
let him be chocolate, please.
If ever I do?
Is it so wrong to want brown grandbabies?
- You made your choice.
- Oh, my God.
I still have a shot with Zora.
Things may be different
over there in Europe, but here
You know, speaking of Europe,
Lino, I have never been to Sicily.
Do they have something
like Thanksgiving over there?
Oh, yes. It's the olive harvest now.
Oh.
Yeah, Lino's family are farmers.
I hope they're organic.
Well, they are. We have our food
straight from the land, yes.
It it was my mom who taught me to
to cook with the freshest ingredients,
with the
the best the earth has to offer.
Mm.
- Anybody want some more candied yams?
- I'll have a little bit more.
Please, put some on my plate.
- I'll split it with you.
- I'll have a little more.
- You want some of these?
- Yeah, a little of that.
- Okay, Hershel?
- Yeah!
That's delicious.
I'm just glad Amy came
to her senses and got a real job.
- Pie, Daddy?
- Uh, yeah, baby.
Oh, thanks, baby.
So, um
I heard you had an interview
with a real restaurant.
What happened there?
- Dad.
- What?
Um,
not all the Italians are friendly
to each other.
Son, if I let myself get stopped
every time somebody wasn't friendly
Excuse me, is your family thinking
about coming here for Christmas?
His family isn't that close.
Well, what's up with that, son?
- Dad.
- Let the man answer.
When I left home,
I walked away from tradition.
And generations of
family farming.
So, my dad is very disappointed
with every choice I've ever made.
Leaving home, leaving school.
Having a Black girlfriend?
Yes. American, Black, not Catholic.
Pick one.
Well, I have some good news.
I sold my business.
And I put a deposit down
on a gorgeous place in Topanga.
I am moving to LA. Surprise!
- What? Wh
- What?
Yes, I wanna be closer to my girls.
I see you're still spending
that brother's money.
Oh, look at you. Don't be bitter.
Just because Ron's more successful.
What did I get in our divorce?
A wicker lounge chair
and a couple of Bobby Womack albums?
- I knew you took those albums.
- Yeah, I took 'em.
It's it's still Thanksgiving.
Can we not?
Here. Just till he gets on his feet.
No, Dad. We're fine. We're fine.
Just Dad!
We don't need this. No, no. We're good.
- It's fine.
- Daddy.
With my new job, we're okay.
And I know he's gonna
Sir.
Um, I think we're just fine.
I came with some savings.
I've been working my whole life.
We we don't need a hand of charity.
Lino, it's not that.
This is just between me and my daughter.
It's it's all right.
Amy.
Just take it.
Who wants wine? Everybody?
You should've just left that alone.
Hey, did Mom
really just say she's moving here?
Please tell me I heard wrong.
Where's Lino?
He left.
- Left?
- Mm-hmm. Said he needed some space.
Can you blame him? That was not pretty.
Kind of feel bad for him.
- I thought he was driving you crazy.
- Oh, he is.
But he loves you,
and he's a good guy, Amy.
Lino.
Wha
What are you doing out here?
It's not safe.
To do what? To walk?
Walking after dinner
is normal where I come from.
Why does no one in this city walk?
Wait. It's Thanksgiving.
Everybody's at home with their families,
which is where we should be.
That's not my family.
That's not my home.
That apartment, this city.
This is not my home.
Lino.
Can you just stop?
Just get in the car, okay?
I'll take you wherever you wanna go.
I don't know where to go
to feel right in this city, Amy.
I have no friends here.
I have no family. I get
I get lost most of the days. This
This city has no center.
It's a big, sprawling mass
where I don't know myself.
I have no center.
I made dinner for your entire family.
No one ate a thing.
No wonder your dad thinks
I can't get work as a chef here.
Lino, they were eating food
that was meaningful to them. That's okay.
Hey.
Why did you take his money?
He was just being a dad.
Your dad thinks
I can't take care of his daughter.
No.
And you taking his money
tells me you think I'm not good enough
to make it in America either.
No.
We were happy in Florence.
I was happy in Florence.
Maybe it was too much to think that we
could have that same happiness here too.
Lino.
Amy, right?
- Yes, yes, hi.
- Hi.
I owe you a thank you.
- I heard you made the sale.
- Oh.
Yes, I did. Um, I'm a fan.
I-I-I read somewhere
that you started out as a painter.
And sculptor and some collage work.
I don't know how you do it.
You you move with such ease
through all these mediums.
Oh, so you're an artist then?
I don't know what I am.
I mean, I'm making work always, but
but I can't tell if I'm getting closer
to finding my true voice
or if I'll even know when I see it.
Well, you sound like me.
It took me forever to find the courage
to find my way in this medium
and to give myself permission
to try something new.
I made some terrible pieces along the way.
I don't believe you, but
- Well, it's all kind of terrible. Until
- Mm-hmm.
Until it isn't.
Art is a process.
You know, the journey matters too.
And when you love what you're doing,
the rough spots are worth it.
Uh, Laila.
Ah. I'll see you later.
- Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho!
- Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
Hi. Excuse me. Hi. I'm looking for Lino.
Amy, ¿sí?
- Yes.
- Hey! Uh, it was slow. Lino left early.
- Okay. Sorry to interrupt your game.
- Technically, it's a match.
Can I ask you something?
Why do you guys like soccer so much?
It's football. It's home.
Lino.
Sorry.
- It's the middle of the night.
- I made you something.
Hot grits with butter.
Just try it.
- This is polenta.
- Sì.
Polenta in Italy.
In Texas, we call 'em grits.
You see, it works in both places.
Like we do.
Mangia.
And then get dressed.
Quiubo, you guys made it! Italy's up next!
Ciao, hi, guys.
Silvio has family from Sicily.
You're Sicilian?
I'm from Castelleone! Near Cefalù.
Yes! My father is Sicilian!
He's from the mountains.
But I was born
and raised in Rome.
Dai, uh, let's let's get a Peroni, no?
Sure, sure.
Let's go. Dai, dai, dai!
Ti piace?
Uh, two more beers, huh?
Du dos, dos, due, due, ciao!
But where
can I find decent coffee?
I don't know.
And La Repubblica? Americans
don't understand Italian politics.
I don't
half understand it myself.
- I don't understand. Cin cin.
- Cin cin.
- Cin cin. Cin cin.
- Cin cin.
I love you.
- Two more beers, huh?
- Ti amo.
- Glad you could come.
- Ah, this was a good idea, man.
Thank you.
Bye. Bye, Amy.
- Piacere. Grazie.
- Ciao.
- Ciao.
- Ciao, ciao.
What did Silvio say?
He said it gets better.
Oh, she may be weary ♪
And young girls, they do get weary ♪
Where are you going?
Where Lino!
But when she gets weary ♪
Try a little tenderness ♪
Yeah, yeah! ♪
Mmm! ♪
You know she's waiting ♪
Just anticipating ♪
For things that she'll never
Never, never, never possess ♪
Yeah, yeah ♪
But while she's there waiting
Without them ♪
This place is gonna work for us.
I know it.
- Can I tell you something?
- Mm-hmm.
I will never care about soccer.
But if I have to spend the rest of my life
trying to understand
offsides and team chants,
I want it to be with you.
We can do this, Lino.
Let me tell you that in a world
where anything can happen
and in a city where there is no center,
I'm your center.
You're my center.
And I know that we have dreams
but I don't care if we never get to them.
Or if we never go past the block
from where we started from.
As long as I'm with you.
- No, no, this is my moment.
- No, no, no, no, no.
Marry me.
Sì!
Sì! Certo che ti sposo!
Bravi!
Gotta, gotta try a little tenderness ♪
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
You got to rub her gentle, man ♪
Don't, don't bruise her ♪
No, don't squeeze her
Don't tease her, never leave her ♪
- Let's call your family first.
- No.
We should call your family first, amore.
Come on, I'm happy.
You're happy. And you said it,
Italians love a good love story.
And ours is for the ages. Come on.
Okay. Okay.
It's gonna be okay.
Okay.
Hello.
Listen, Dad. I'm calling with good news.
I'm listening.
Amy and I are getting married.
Hello?
Hello, Papa?
I'm here.
Say something.
It would have been better
if I hadn't answered the phone today.
Papa, what are you saying?
First you leave home,
leave your family's farm
to drop out of school.
And that brought shame to this family.
Then you move to America.
And now this girl.
Amy, Papa.
Her name is Amy.
An American.
I don't know how much more I can take!
He said he has no son.
Lino.