The Good Mothers (2023) s01e02 Episode Script

1
Based on a true story.
Some characters and events
have been fictionalized
for narrative purposes.
[panting]
july 2009
[Denise] Mama?
What are you doing?
Mama?
Mama?
Nothing.
Are they following you again?
I thought so, but no one's there.
[pants] I bought ice cream. Want some?
I don't want any fucking ice cream.
I'm sick of this.
[exhales] Look, nobody is following me.
-Look. Look with your eyes. Come on, look!
-[Denise scoffs]
[breathing heavily]
I just want a normal life.
I know.
No, you don't know!
You know nothing about me or how I feel.
I just want to be able to go out,
have some real friends
and stop changing schools
all the time.
Denise, I'm doing the best I can.
I'm not hiding because I want to.
[breathing heavily]
Come here.
I'm sorry.
It's his fault. [breathing heavily]
I'll talk to him. I promise you.
[Denise sighs]
[sighs]
It's your favorite flavor, you know.
It tastes better here.
Better than it ever could in Pagliarelle.
[singer humming]
[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 ♪
[cassette inserted into player]
["E Ballati Ballati" playing on radio]
[whoops, laughs]
[singing continues]
[singing ends]
[cheering]
[bird caws]
[beeping]
[voices through headphones]
-[in English] Is this the one?
-Yes.
Thank you.
Ms. Colace? They just called from Crotone.
Carlo Cosco and his daughter just arrived
in Pagliarelle.
[beeping]
Are they being monitored?
They're only monitoring the father.
-They need to monitor Denise.
-Yes.
[Anna sighs]
Get me the number for the officer
who interviewed her in Milan.
-His name is Perti.
-Okay.
-Will do.
-Thanks.
Ms. Colace,
we're going out for a drink
on Friday for my birthday.
Would you like to come?
I can't, but thank you.
-And happy birthday.
-Thank you.
-Who is that? Francesco?
-[Vito] Yeah.
The asshole got himself
a nice new scooter.
[scooters honking]
[honking continues]
-[engines rattling]
-[bikers chattering]
[Vito sighs] Good times. Finally here.
-Hey there, boys. Everything all right?
-[youth] Everything's all right, Carlo.
[Vito] Ah! Do you smell that?
[inhales] The oranges, the mountains.
[Carmine] Yeah, and the goat shit.
Are you behaving like good Christians?
-How's your father?
-Good.
Tell him I said hi.
Hey. Keep your eyes wide open.
[youth] I'm your man.
[cowbells ringing]
-Hey. How's it going, old man?
-[man] My friend. How are you?
-[Vito and man chattering]
-[goats bleating]
-[shepherd] Hyah!
-[goats bleating]
-Hey, Ni'.
-[shepherd] Let's go. Let's go.
Hey, Carmine. [pants]
Did you know
that Denise is turning 18 next week?
-Oh, really?
-Yeah.
Should we have a party, Denise?
-Don't you like parties?
-I don't know.
I've never had one.
Your father will take care of it. [pants]
-[Carlo] Edoardo. How are you doing?
-Carlo.
-You look good, you know.
-Yeah. I feel good.
Thank you
for what you're doing for Denise.
Ah, come on, she's family.
Remember Uncle Edoardo?
No, she was very young.
[Edoardo] She's all grown up.
Welcome, Denise.
[Denise] Hi.
Hi, Marisa.
Carlo.
Don't I get a hug?
You look worn out, you know.
[Marisa sighs]
You haven't heard anything from Lea?
-Nothing. Not a word.
-Mmm.
-Denise.
-Hi, Aunt Mari.
It's not big, but it'll work. [sighs]
I emptied the wardrobe for you.
So many clothes!
Here it is.
I need to remind myself
to bring you towels for the bathroom.
[sniffles]
Are you tired from the trip?
Yes.
[dog barking in distance]
[crying]
No.
No tears…
I know you're hurting.
But you mustn't cry.
[sighs]
Do you remember what I told you
on the phone?
I was serious.
Your mother loved you
more than life itself.
And we're still here, aren't we?
[sniffles]
Are you hungry?
[sighs] You're too tired right now.
You need to rest.
I'll get you a glass of water.
[inhales] They were all singing.
Singing in the car.
-They were laughing.
-[shushes] Quiet, Denise.
There are certain things
you can't talk about.
Ever.
Your mother wanted to be free.
She wouldn't give up.
Women can't do that, not here.
She would never bow her head.
If you want to be free,
there's a price to pay.
You saw how she paid it.
What if she's still alive?
-No.
-What if they hid her somewhere?
-What if she's managed to escape?
-[door opens]
Scuse me.
[Carlo sighs, clears throat]
So…
What is this?
Did a bomb go off inside this thing?
[scooter passing]
You'll finish school here.
And then we can talk about university.
What do you say?
Denise, do you hear me?
Yes.
I didn't hear you. Your lips moved.
-Yes, that's fine.
-All right.
Carmine will stay here in Pagliarelle.
He'll keep you company.
Now, come and give your father a kiss.
[sniffles]
Put this stuff away.
[sighs]
[rooster crows]
[Rocco] So?
Any news?
[baby crying in building]
[Rocco] What's going on?
Nothing.
The children are growing.
Gaetano misses you.
I also miss you.
[people chattering]
[door buzzes, opens]
How are things going?
Same old, same old.
Pa wants to sell more lemons.
[baby continues crying]
I heard that Cosco put his wife
in her place?
I wouldn't know.
She had it coming.
[sighs]
Open your shirt.
No.
Just one button.
Rocco, no.
Come on.
No.
C'mon, give me something to think about.
Open it.
Open your shirt. Do it. Two buttons.
Open it.
What's that? Is it new?
You can see everything.
Why are you wearing that?
It's a bra, Rocco.
Why do you think I'm wearing it?
I know what it is.
I want to know why you're wearing it.
[baby crying]
I'm wearing it for you
because I know that you like it.
My God, Rocco. You're too much.
Are you happy? You can't see anything now.
-Who do you think you're talking to?
-[guard] Hey!
-Everything's fine!
-[guard] Sit down.
-[Rocco] All right.
-[baby continues crying]
We'll be there soon.
Should we make a stop?
Let's stop then.
[both breathing heavily]
[Enrico grunts]
Oh, sorry.
Wait.
There.
[both breathing heavily]
[both moaning]
I'm sorry.
-[breathing heavily]
-I'm sorry.
[Giusy chuckles]
-Okay, okay.
-[breathing heavily]
[moaning continues]
[birds caw]
We've got to be careful.
[chuckles] Yeah.
If they catch me, I'm dead.
[chuckles]
But it's worth the risk.
You're beautiful.
[inhales sharply]
We should get going.
Or we go again?
[chuckles]
[dog barking in distance]
[door closes]
[floor creaks]
Ciccio, no home to go to?
[Ciccio] Where have you been?
[Giusy] You know where I have been.
[sighs]
Your cousin isn't doing well.
Your mother cooked him a meal.
Take it to him.
Do I have to go now?
No, in the morning.
And see how hungry he is.
Tell him it's the best we can do.
I'll need a car.
[keys rattling]
What's in your hair?
Don't know.
Do I have to explain?
I don't know.
Is there something you need to explain?
No.
How's your husband doing?
He's the same.
The same as always. He misses you.
[Ciccio sighing]
Be a good wife, Giusy.
A good mother.
Bring me the keys when you're done.
[bell tolling]
[cowbells ringing]
[dog barking]
[Lea] Denise, I'm so bad. Instead
of buying fruit, I bought pastries.
I'll be back in five minutes.
Please make me some coffee.
I love you. Bye!
[on phone] Denise, I'm so dumb.
Instead of buying fruit, I bought candy.
Mama
Please make me some coffee.
-I love you. Bye!
-[voice mail beeps]
No smoking in the house.
[voice mail beeps]
You need to find something to do.
-So that you don't think too much.
-[voice mail continues]
-That's the reason I smoke.
-[voice mail beeps]
Maybe something that won't kill you.
Very funny.
How do you all stand this crap?
Hey, Denise.
Denise!
Denise!
Hey.
-Hi.
-Hello.
Hey, listen.
Your father sent me. This is for you.
What is it?
I think it's a dress.
For your party.
-[Carmine chuckles]
-[scooters passing]
[people chattering]
Have you talked to him?
What did I do, Denise? [sighs]
Come on, Denise.
Hey!
Let's go to the café for breakfast.
Denise.
Denise, come here.
Some of you have already seen these photos
of a notorious family
from the city of Rosarno
that traffics weapons and cocaine
out of Gioia Tauro.
A very powerful family,
one of the richest in Italy.
The Pesces.
Salvatore and Ciccio.
We know them already.
Quite recently, though,
we have identified a new target.
A few days ago,
she traveled by car, byherself to Platì.
So she is clearly a trusted messenger.
Her name is Giuseppina Pesce.
And I want to arrest her
for her Mafia association.
From now on, any information about her
will come directly to me.
-[kisses] Bye. Bye-bye.
-[Gaetano] Bye, Mama.
-[kisses] Bye.
-[Angela] See you later.
-See you later.
-[bell ringing]
I'm not sure. If you say so.
-Bye.
-Bye, Elisa.
Guess who made love last night?
-Giusy. [laughing]
-By the sea.
[laughing] How did you do it? I mean,
I know how you did it…
[chuckles] I'll tell you later.
Sure, but be careful. Okay?
No, I'm careful.
-You all right?
-[sighs]
I'm on Facebook all the time.
I talk to him and that's it.
It's still dangerous.
He wants to see me.
I just don't know if I can.
We'll talk about it. I'll call you later.
-You have to go?
-Yeah.
-Go, come on.
-[chuckles]
If I don't answer later,
try again in a while.
-Yeah, sounds good. Bye, love. [chuckles]
-See ya.
[Cetta] Giusy?
-[camera zooms]
-[Cetta] Giusy.
Seriously, by the sea?
-I'll tell you everything later.
-[Cetta laughing]
[shutter clicking]
-Bye. [chuckling]
-Bye.
Cetta?
Let's go. It's late.
-[camera zooms]
-[shutter clicks]
[distorted voices on computer]
[distorted voices continue]
[Cetta's mother]
You're like a little girl with her.
-[Cetta] She's my friend.
-[Cetta's mother] That's what you think.
The Pesce family think they can
give orders, but they're nobodies.
They never have been.
Don't grovel to her.
[Cetta]
Mama, I don't grovel.
Good then. Don't ever.
She's a whore Cetta.
People talk about her.
Did you make something to eat
for the children?
-[Cetta] Yes, Mama.
-Alfonso had a fever this morning.
[thunder rumbling]
Why are they staring?
Ignore them.
This place is a shithole.
-How can you live here?
-[Carmine sighs]
Let's pay and get out of here.
Pay?
No, we don't have to pay for anything.
Of course we have to pay.
Listen, Denise. You're a Cosco.
Accept it. That's the way it is.
It's embarrassing.
Your father has earned all the coffee
we can drink, Denise.
[phone buzzes]
Hello.
[Carlo] Don't you have
something to tell me?
About what?
What do you mean "about what?" The dress.
Do you like it? Does it fit?
I haven't tried it on yet.
I haven't had time.
Where are you?
In the square.
I think it'll fit--
you're the same size as your mother.
Put Carmine on.
Carmine.
He wants to talk to me?
Hey, Carlo. What's going on?
Don't speak.
Look at her.
Look at her and don't say a word.
[thunder continues rumbling]
Hold it right there, right there.
Just like that.
Good.
What did he say?
[sighs] Nothing, nothing.
[sniffles]
Do you want to take a walk?
I think I'll be staying here for a while.
If you want,
we could do something together.
What do you think?
I mean, normal stuff.
See that house?
You recognize it, right?
That's where your mother lived.
It's the old Garofalo house.
It's empty now.
This whole fucking village is empty.
I used to make pizza over there.
Did you know that?
[sighs]
[line ringing]
[ringing continues]
[Carlo] What's wrong, my love?
Nothing. I was just
thinking that I'm, uh,
I'm a bit worried about having a party.
I'm not ready for that.
I don't feel like celebrating.
Well, sometimes,
you just need to do it.
I want everyone in Pagliarelle to see you.
They need to see how beautiful you are.
Make me proud of you, Deni.
[Denise sighs]
-Bye.
-[line clicks]
[bell tolling]
Good morning.
-Denise. Good morning.
-Good morning. Have a seat.
Do you want some coffee?
-[Denise groans]
-Hmm? Did you sleep well?
Yes.
[Edoardo] I hear you have a busy day.
[Marisa] Oh, yes. We have the hairdresser,
then manicure, pedicure. [chuckles]
We're getting waxed, getting nails done.
Then…
we're doing makeup.
[sighs] It's all free anyway, right?
Because I'm a Cosco.
We'll have fun.
Have you tried on the dress?
It fits.
And it's disgusting.
Denise.
Listen, I know
there's nothing to celebrate.
But seeing as we have
no choice in the matter,
try to have fun.
You deserve it.
This doesn't taste right.
[gate buzzes]
[door creaks]
[aesthetician] Look how nice she looks
with her hair up.
-[Marisa] No. She looks like a bride.
-She looks good like that.
[Marisa] I don't like it.
What do you mean?
-I want the best of our men in here.
-[pool balls clatter]
We need to watch everything.
Watch for what?
I want men on the door,
at the gate and on the road.
A few, not too many.
[henchman] We don't have that many.
Our men are all in Milan.
Then we use Emilio and his friends.
We treat our guests well.
[phone ringing]
Oh.
Fuck off.
-Carlo?
-How is she doing?
Uh…
Well, she looks happy.
She is getting her hair done, you know.
-Good.
-Yeah, yeah. She's having fun.
Did you hear me, Carlo?
-Here you are. This is for you.
-Thank you.
-It's excellent.
-[aesthetician] Mama, come on. Not here.
I'll cut it later. Okay?
How am I supposed to work like that?
Are you guys all okay?
I just wanted to check.
Anyway, your hair looks beautiful.
It's pretty nice.
Really.
I'll wait for you outside. All right?
[Denise] You can wait here if you want to.
-It's cold outside.
-No, Denise. No, no.
Don't worry about me, you know.
I'm a tough guy.
Yeah. [chuckles]
-[snoring]
-[aesthetician] Keep your eye closed.
But don't squeeze your eyes.
You know your skin is perfect.
Thank you.
Are you from Pagliarelle?
Yes, I'm from here.
Do you know my mother?
Lea Garofalo.
Of course I know her. [chuckles]
Your mother… [sighs]
…a brave woman.
[sighs]
So strong.
No, sweetie. Come on.
Please don't do that.
If you cry,
I'll have to start over again.
Look at me. Don't cry.
Promise me you'll stay strong.
Okay?
[sniffles]
[Marisa] Carlo? Yes, yes.
We're almost done.
Yes, she's ready.
-Yes, we'll see you soon.
-[phone beeps]
-Denise.
-[knocks]
Are you there?
That was your father.
I'm not going.
Come on. You're all ready.
I said I'm not going.
[sighs]
Listen to your aunt.
I know how you feel.
This is not really your party.
It's your father's party.
I know it, and so do you.
But I don't want any trouble from him.
He'll blame me if you don't come.
I won't pretend that she never existed.
Nobody is asking you to do that.
But you need to come.
Do you understand?
[sighing]
Denise, I won't wait for you.
You talk to her.
This girl truly-- I don't know what to do.
[Edoardo] What am I supposed to say?
[Carlo] Come in.
Make yourselves comfortable.
-[traditional music playing]
-All grown up into beautiful boys.
[kisses] How are you, eh?
-Hey, Carlo.
-Oh, Peppino. Come here. [chuckles]
-Ah. Good to see you.
-Yeah.
-[kisses] You've got a belly now. [laughs]
-Apparently.
-What's up, Peppino?
-Hey.
-Good evening.
-Hi. Good evening.
-Hi. Wonderful to see you. Welcome.
-Thank you.
-[music continues]
-[guests chattering]
-Where the fuck were you?
-I was here.
-Everyone's here?
-Yes, everyone, Carlo.
-It's a full house.
-[Carlo] Good.
Vincenzo.
-So nice to see you. [chuckles]
-Thank you for coming.
-Ah. You came a long way.
-Yeah.
At my age, I'm just glad
that I can get around, you know.
-It's an honor.
-[chuckling]
You know, I-- I personally wanted to come
and congratulate you and your family,
-as well. You have my best wishes.
-[chuckles] Thank you.
-But I guess I'm not the only one.
-Everyone showed up.
[both chuckle]
Where's the birthday girl?
She's on her way. She's on her way.
Hey, Vito, Peppe. Vincenzo's arrived.
[chuckles]
Hi, Vincenzo.
Dear, Don Vincenzo.
Would you like a little champagne?
[chuckles]
-To family.
-[Peppino] To family.
-[Carlo and Vito] To family.
-[all chuckle]
[Vito] Don Vincenzo, come
and let us introduce you to some people.
-Carmine.
-Yes, boss?
I want her here. Now.
All right.
I'll go get her.
-[thunder rumbling]
-[rain pouring]
[Carmine sniffles, pants]
[knocking on door]
Denise?
Hey.
-I thought you were my father.
-Oh, no. Your father is with his guests.
Your guests.
[thunder rumbling]
[footsteps approaching]
You know why I'm here, right?
Listen, I guess that…
[chuckles] …I want to dance.
Are you coming with me or what?
Why don't you fuck off instead?
Why are you talking to me like that?
You think I deserve it?
[sighs]
Denise,
your father wants you at the party.
He sent me here to get you.
Why are you hiding?
Everyone needs to see
how beautiful you look right now.
Denise, don't get me in trouble, come on.
I can't go back there without you.
I hope he chokes on my birthday cake.
I won't go.
Denise, what the fuck?
You really don't get it.
Everyone is there. Everyone.
All of the most important families
are there.
If I go back without you--
What? Will he kill you too?
Watch your mouth, Denise.
You can't say things like that.
What did they do to my mother?
Let's go to the party.
What happened to her luggage?
To her clothes?
She went to buy cigarettes,
and her luggage was in the car.
Ask him for her clothes
and bring them here to me.
I can't fucking ask Carlo that.
He killed her, right?
Say it.
What else did he do to her
before killing her?
You don't know
what the fuck you're talking about.
[sniffles] I can say whatever I want.
No, you can't say whatever you want.
Things don't work that way.
[sighs]
Come with me.
Come with me because I'm asking you to.
[sighs]
[guests chattering]
I'll be right back. I'll be right back.
Okay?
-[guest] Carlo!
-I'll be right there. Hold on.
So?
She's not coming. She wasn't feeling well.
-So you left her there?
-[stammers] What else could I…
Did she look sick to you?
Yeah.
I guess, Carlo. I don't know.
-Was she wearing the dress?
-Yeah. Yeah.
She was wearing the dress, Carlo.
-But she said that, you know--
-I don't give a fuck what she said.
She's too much like her mother.
This is my party.
It's my party.
[Carlo] I'd like everyone's attention.
I'd like to thank everyone.
I'd like to thank all of you
because we--
we're all here tonight to celebrate.
Right?
To celebrate family…
And loyalty.
That's why we're here tonight.
Because that's what we are about. Right?
Yeah.
It's an honor for me, you know…
to see all these families,
good families. Respectable families…
And you're all here
for my daughter, Denise…
who, like her mother, is not here tonight.
But that doesn't matter,
because now I know
where my daughter is.
I know where she sleeps.
And she knows that this is her home.
Pagliarelle is her home.
Calabria is her home.
And God willing,
this is where she'll stay.
And so, I propose a toast.
I'm making a toast for everyone.
A very simple one.
To family and…
-to loyalty.
-[all] To loyalty.
The people have been reminded.
There are always consequences.
You did what you had to do.
What had to be done.
Thanks, Vincenzo.
To Carlo!
[all] To Carlo!
To Carlo Cosco!
[all] To Carlo Cosco!
[Vincenzo] To Carlo Cosco!
[all] To Carlo Cosco!
[audio fading in]
-[guests cheering]
-[traditional music playing]
-[guests] Hey! Hey! Hey!
-[Carlo] Watch out.
[plastic cover rustling]
[music continues in background]
Come on. Come on.
Come here. Come on. Come here.
Come on. Come here.
[music continues in background]
Tell me. Do you like it like that?
[guests cheering]
[audio fading]
[line rings]
-[Cetta whispering] Giusy?
-Cetta.
Can you talk?
[continues whispering] Yeah, yeah.
I tried calling you
a couple of times.
Yeah. Things aren't so good at home.
Are you okay?
So what's this guy like?
Is he worth it?
He treats me well.
And he's kind.
-He knows who you are?
-Of course he knows.
Giusy, be careful.
Yeah, I'm waiting for him to panic
and call it a day.
[sighs]
It's nice?
To feel something, you know?
Yeah.
[Cetta] Where are you?
[Giusy]
I'm having my cigarette before bed.
[Cetta] I don't know if talking online
is better or worse.
But
do you think I should meet him?
[Giusy] How would you do it?
And where? For how long? Five minutes?
[Cetta] I'd-- I'd be happy to see him
just once to know that he's real.
-[knocking]
-[Cetta's mother] Cetta?
[Cetta] I have to go. Bye, bye, bye.
-[Giusy] Bye, bye, bye.
-[line clicks]
[Denise] I'm sorry that they hit you.
[Carmine] Vito and Giuseppe? [scoffs]
They hit like girls.
-[Denise] Of course you're a tough guy!
-[Carmine] Denise, stop it.
-[Denise laughing]
-Are you making fun of me now? [laughing]
[Denise] Oh. It's freezing cold.
[Carmine]
Of course it's freezing. It's winter!
[gasps, panting]
Come on, it's not cold at all.
[Denise] You're crazy.
What?
Are you gonna splash me? [chuckles]
-[Denise gasps, laughing]
-You want to splash me? Come here.
[laughing] I'm going to get you, you know.
-Where do you think you're going.
-[laughing] Carmine.
[both laughing]
Watch out.
Hey, come here, Denise.
[Denise continues laughing]
Ready for a swim?
[laughs]
[Carmine sighs]
-[chuckles] What?
-[chuckles]
It's been a lovely day.
I'm glad. It was for me as well.
Thank you.
-I'll call you tomorrow. Okay, Denise?
-Of course.
All right.
-See you.
-See you, Denise.
[Carmine chuckles]
Mmm. [sighs]
Hi, Papa.
I'm sorry I didn't come
to the party yesterday.
I was throwing up.
I'm sorry.
Well…
If you weren't feeling well…
I wasn't.
Do you know what I told Carmine?
Come here.
[sighing]
That you're just like your mother.
Have you heard from her?
No. [sighs]
No? She didn't call you
to say happy birthday?
She hasn't told you why she left?
None of your friends have called you?
Any lawyers or the police?
No, Papa.
I can't believe
she just left you like that.
Can we stop talking about it?
Please.
Of course. Sure. Let's…
Let's change the subject.
Did you have fun today?
Yeah. We spent the day at the beach.
At the beach?
Did you go for a walk?
[Carlo tapping on phone]
And where did you end up?
I don't know.
I don't know this place.
[phone buzzing]
This isn't my phone.
What, you don't wanna answer your father?
-[buzzing continues]
-Answer it.
[echoing] Happy birthday, my love.
You're a Cosco.
Don't ever forget it.
And never embarrass your father again.
[kisses]