The First (2018) s01e03 Episode Script

1 Not everything has a beginning, sweetheart.
You can move somewhere you ain't been, but what's that mean? You ain't where you was.
You ain't where you gonna be.
That don't ever change.
'Round and 'round and 'round, doing circles 'round the sun.
Everything new and old and always.
Initial descent, alpha at 18.
5 degrees, heat shield at 1,900 Celsius, all systems go.
- Trajectory? - Trajectory nominal.
Vibration alert.
Attitude alert - alpha.
- Angle of attack? Alpha at 18.
1 and decreasing.
Alpha dot is negative one degree per second.
Shield at 2,100.
- Auto-correct not active.
- Auto-correct initiate.
Auto-correct not responding.
Permission for manual override.
Permission granted.
Go manual.
All right.
Shield at 2,100.
- Shield at 2,200.
- Come on.
2,300.
2,400.
Heat limit.
Heat limit.
Heat limit.
- Heat limit.
- What the fuck?! Heat limit.
- What's going on in there? - Heat limit.
- Goddamn cicada.
- Limit exceeded.
- I got it.
I got it.
- Limit exceeded.
- Limit exceeded.
- Ohh.
- Zed's dead, baby.
- Let's shut it down.
Okay, everybody come on out of there.
Uh, get it sprayed, checked, do whatever you have to do.
Take a couple hours.
Everybody, let's take a break till he's got it reset.
Kayla, we should go ahead and do that now.
Yep.
Yep.
Can I get a paper towel, please? We need Aiko for her systems expertise and Matteo for medical.
So it really comes down to these two.
Fletcher has mission experience.
He's a good pilot.
But now that we have both me and Tom, there's some redundancy.
Hewitt has never been to space.
But cutting our science specialist would impact our work on the surface.
It's a difficult choice, but I suggest cutting Fletcher.
Doesn't keeping the more experienced astronaut make the most sense? Aiko and Matteo haven't been to space, either.
That shouldn't be a basis for whether Understood, but like you said, Aiko's our engineer, and Matteo keeps everyone healthy.
In fact, both of their jobs are directly related to survival.
Remember, the focus of Crew Two was supposed to be science.
Now, I understand Crew One was proof of concept.
That falls on us now.
But we shouldn't abandon what this team was originally designed for.
Sadie has doctorates in geology and biology, years doing core-sample research in Antarctica.
There is no one better equipped.
What do you think, Tom? I think we need to discuss it further.
So, are you not in alignment? This was just an opportunity to get your input.
NASA would like to announce this crew sooner than later.
Give it the feeling of inevitability, put faces to the mission.
We We understand that.
And is NASA good with either choice? We defer to the commander.
Okay, well, I'm sure Tom will make the right decision.
Thank you both.
Thank you, Bob.
This shake-up is disruptive enough.
We can't devalue the science.
It changes the whole team dynamic.
Look, I don't think I'm gonna make it tonight.
You have to.
It's her anniversary.
Yeah, so they should have fun.
Not have this hanging over their head.
It would be good for you to spend some time with them off the clock.
Yeah, but I'm the reason somebody's gonna be cut.
They don't need the grim reaper at the party.
You're leaning toward Sadie? That's why you don't want it to influence you - seeing her celebrate her - I don't want to be influenced by anything until we've made a decision.
About an hour ago.
What are the diagnostics saying? - No response.
- None? Look at this.
Well, that can't be right.
It has to be the software.
Pull up the on board cameras, please.
It doesn't look like we have a leak.
We'd see some kind of atmospheric variance.
If the LO Pull the cameras back up, please.
Did they crash? The on board cameras are not responding.
We have visuals from the rest of the hardware on the surface, but I'm more worried about the sensor data.
There's no atmospheric temperature reading, and, uh, LOX levels seem to be missing, too.
And this all happened after the software update? - Yes.
- How serious is this? Well, I can't say until we re-spin the EHA.
I'll need a full rundown for my report.
The problem, probable causes, next steps.
We've had comms issues with the MAV before.
Isolated.
This looks systemic.
Let's not jump to any conclusions.
This isn't a crisis yet.
We don't know if our ascent vehicle is making fuel.
Even if it is, we don't know if it's operational.
Would that be a correct assessment? You don't need to put this in your report.
Let's not get the folks all riled up in DC.
I'm gonna get back to my people, start working on that rundown.
Think about what you're asking me to do.
There's nothing wrong with waiting until we have more information.
My responsibility is to the taxpayers.
And I'm just asking that we hold off - until we know exactly what - Stop.
Please do not cross this line.
There you go.
Second round in five minutes! Okay, slow down.
Mom.
That That doesn't go with anything else on the menu.
- Thomas loves my shoyu.
- Tom's not coming.
Then I'll eat it.
Your tri-tip's too salty.
Your pork's too fatty.
Hey, kids, what did I say? Go clean up before dinner.
Okay, go, go! Are you sure we can't do anything to help? What? No! You two are the guests of honor.
I need a serving spoon.
Oh, uh, you know what, there's one on the counter.
- Oh, okay.
All right, thanks.
- Try this.
- Oh, thanks.
- This is my This is my move.
- Okay.
- Let me try.
This is how you know, when I get Mmm! That needs more sugar.
Don't question my barbecue sauce.
She's right.
It needs more.
- You, too? - Oh, I'm sorry.
Did I bruise your fragile ego? - Ohh! - Ohh! - I like her style! - Yeah, she's a keeper.
Hey, I-I-I can take a little criticism.
I'm man enough.
There it is.
Wait, wait.
Hang on.
Hang on.
Okay.
Got it? All right.
Okay, a little further up.
- Okay? - I got it.
- Got it? - Yeah.
Okay.
There's no way we're making this rendezvous by 18:00.
Well, we just have to pick up the pace.
Let me see.
Uh, 18 kilometers.
Straight shot.
More like 30 with this pond.
We average three kilometers an hour, we should There's no way.
We have to leave her.
We already burned 35 minutes on this.
It's time to make a decision.
I don't want to leave someone behind.
Either you and me survive, or no one does.
I guarantee you the other team is leaving Tom.
I don't care what the other team is doing.
All right, well, if you don't come with me, I'm gonna go on my own.
Then go on your own.
Should I go with him? I can't weigh in.
Pause.
Never even heard of it before last year.
It's, um it's a part of the, uh - Yeah.
Yeah, it was like - Right? So, I don't know the story of how you guys Actually, you know what? Guys, guys.
Ollie's gonna tell us the story of how he proposed.
Right? - Yes! - Aw! - Don't we want to hear this? - It's a good one.
- Is it? - Pretty good.
The comedy of errors of my proposal.
Um So, I chose this spot at the bottom of a beautiful garden and we're under a tree and there's a love seat.
And - Oh, how convenient.
- This a proposal or a murder? Oh, my God! We want answers for that question, as well.
I've got the ring in my pocket - Okay.
- and my heart's going.
And a bird shits on my head.
- Oh! - No! Yeah.
So, there I am with this glob of bird shit on my head.
It was that big.
And I refuse to acknowledge its existence.
- What? - What? I mean, I've been planning this.
I'll be fucked if some pigeon's incontinence is gonna ruin it.
- Oh, my God.
- You don't say anything? Well, if he wasn't going to, neither was I? - I take I take her hand - Oh! very romantic-like - What is ? Oh, wow! - Oh, my God! and I say, "Listen to me" - Yes.
- "you stuck-up" No.
"brilliant pain in my ass" - Brilliant's good.
- What? "you are going to marry me one day.
" Three fucking years later, persistence won the day, and - Here we are.
- alas, here we are.
Thank you for joining us on this our, um - What is it? - Really? - Oh, boy.
- Wow.
- Yeah.
- Ooh, whoa.
- Eighth.
- Ohh! - He deserved that.
- Wow.
Thank you, Aiko and Todd.
- Thank you so much.
- Yes, thank you.
Cheers to this beautiful dinner.
- You're welcome! - Cheers! - It's a treat! - It's time to say grace.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Cheers.
- Mm-hmm! It's time to say grace.
We did that already, Mom.
Well, we have to say grace before we eat.
- We ate.
- Um, the meal's over.
Let's say grace in your bedroom? Then you can go to sleep.
Come on.
- Good night, everyone.
- Good night.
- Night-night.
- Good night, Edith.
Good night, Mom.
Last one.
Busy fucking shift, huh? - No shit.
- Hey, you coming out tonight? I don't know.
I just want to go home, shower.
Stay dirty.
Come out.
It's called the Mars Ascent Vehicle.
The MAV.
It's on the surface.
- It's already there? - It was sent ahead of time.
To make its fuel from the atmosphere.
Well, technically, it turns CO2 into liquid oxygen.
It takes about 10 months.
After our 18 months is up, we get inside, it takes off, and docks with the MTV, which is already in orbit, and brings us back to Earth.
So, if that's not working, then there's - no way for you to come - Mnh-mnh.
- Don't.
- We're fucked.
We're fucked.
Marooned.
It's a one-way ticket.
- Seriously.
Seriously.
Really? - It's true.
You still want to, uh, date an astronaut? You sure? You sure? Uh, ask me after the second date.
- Ohh! - Ohh! Oh! Oh! Man got himself a second date! Stop.
Time's up.
Thanks.
You need to rest a bit? - No.
- Okay.
Let's go.
50 klicks north of Adak, New Year's Eve, capsized crab boat.
The plan was to yank out the survivors, get back to base, and be in the bar by the time the ball drops on TV.
But this fucking storm.
Beaufort 10 gale.
I'm flying low, 20 meters above the water, so I can find the raft.
It's dark.
We've got our NVGs on.
We can barely see shit.
Our co-pilot finally sees the target.
Then alarms start going off.
One of my engines flames out, and then this rogue wave slams right into us, all right? Somehow, I get myself unstrapped and out of there and I'm swimming like a madman.
Then, boom, it's my chest, and I can't move.
And I'm like, "I'm gonna die.
" Then I did.
You what? Died for seven minutes.
- Cold shock? - Yeah, the only thing that kept me from going brain dead was the cold.
Swimmer hauls me onto the raft.
He breaks two ribs pumping till the pistons start firing again.
What happened to the others? Uh, mechanic made it.
Co-pilot didn't.
Impact got him.
Mike Vodanovich.
Yeah, he was a good guy.
Actually, he could be a total asshole sometimes.
He pulled this prank on me once where we were Any injuries? - No.
- You're five hours late.
Go get some chow, get hydrated, and stop by the medical tent.
Yeah.
She pushed herself to the limit.
That wasn't the point of the exercise.
She knows that.
Well, she should have made a different choice.
- You okay? - Yes.
Yes! - Hi.
- Hi! You know what, I think we can do much better than wine.
Why? What do you have? Uh Hmm? - Hey, what is that? - Mezcal.
I got these amazing little copitas in Mexico City.
You're supposed to use sliced orange and chili, but fuck it.
Nice pour.
- Okay.
- Cheers.
That is dangerous.
When I wake up Well, I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who wakes up next to you Aw! When I go out Yeah, I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who goes along with you - Ollie! - And if I get drunk - Yes! - Yes! Well, I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you And if I haver up Yeah, I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you But I would walk 500 miles And I would walk 500 more Just be the man who walks 1,000 miles To fall down at your door When I come home When I come home Well, I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you - When I grow old - When I grow old Well, I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who grows old next to you And I would walk 500 miles And I would walk 500 more Hey, hold my beer? I think I'm gonna head home.
You want to share a car? No, I'm good.
It's late.
Let's Let's go.
I'll see you tomorrow.
cannot.
Oh.
Wow! Come on in.
Wow.
I love it! Mm, the smell of it! This one.
Yes! Whoa.
Your turn.
Poor, little horndogs.
13 years crawling around as maggots all for this one moment, this urge, this undeniable need to crawl out of the dirt and bang their brains out.
And then, poof.
Dead.
We fuck.
We die.
We breathe.
We die.
We know we're going back to the mud.
But still, we live.
Sorry.
No.
I-I just It's It's cool.
It's cool.
We're not supposed to for the first year.
I mean, a year's almost up, but still You're not supposed to what? Any relationships.
My meetings.
Oh, shit.
I forgot.
- Oh, sorry.
I - No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, you're fine.
- Yeah? - Go for it.
So, we were just kind of messing around, right? Nothing serious, like a, uh, relationship? You wouldn't want to be with me, anyways.
I mean, I snore.
I've got holes in my underwear.
I piss with the door open.
I mean, the sex is good.
So I've been told.
And I can cook.
- You can dance.
- I can dance.
I can cook and dance simultaneously and say the Pledge of Allegiance.
I have got an early day.
The music.
This the astronaut? I've never touched a real live astronaut before.
You really don't want to come near me.
Let's go.
Let's go.
Come on.
Guys.
Go home.
- Bye.
- Bye.
- This guy? - His name is Finn.
I don't give a damn what his name is.
He had weed, Denise.
I didn't smoke any.
Oh, believe what you want.
- Denise.
- I didn't do anything wrong.
Why do you put yourself at risk like this? You got booze everywhere, drugs.
I work in a fucking bar, Dad.
But you brought it here, in our house.
What do you want me to do, not go out? Not have friends? I want you to think.
"I want you to think.
" That's exactly what you used to say to mom.
We're talking about you, not her.
Do you have any idea how that made her feel when you said that?! You know, every time I bring her up, you run.
I'm not running.
No, you're just pretending like it didn't happen.
You got to let it go.
You can't let her bring us down, too.
Dad.
Do you remember what she used to say to make us smile, instead of "cheese"? One two three "Say, 'motherfucker.
'" When was this? That was the day you got back from the moon.
- The day of the parade? - Yeah.
Yeah.
Everyone wanted to take selfies with you, so I thought we should get our own.
I don't want to fight.
Me, either.
I trust you I-I want to trust you.
I-I do trust you.
Maybe you should come to one of my meetings? See for yourself.
- Would they allow that? - Yeah, anyone can come.
I'd like that.
Yeah.
Okay.
Get yourself some sleep.
You, too.
Shouldn't have scheduled this the day after we all drank like fishes.
Okay.
- Sleep? - Normal.
- Appetite? - Good.
How are your dreams? You never asked me about my dreams before.
I'm asking now.
I don't dream.
- Everyone does.
- Not me.
So, you're saying you don't remember them.
What were you thinking climbing that high? I want to go to space.
Do you think that's stupid? Might be better ways to prepare than climbing fences and busting your arm.
No.
I don't think it's stupid at all.
- You are wrong, Tom.
- Let me finish.
I'm telling you you are wrong.
She does not have what it takes.
Yes, she does.
I'm certain of it.
Listen, Nick He'll be fine.
He'll take it like a pro.
I'll tell him it was my recommendation.
He will respect that, and it insulates you.
I watched the survival training again last night.
- She learned the lesson.
- She had the wrong instinct.
That is what the training is for.
You cannot teach instinct.
I need people who are gonna do the hard thing.
That's all.
Is this still a discussion? We can keep discussing it if you want to.
- Yeah, but you made up your mind.
- I have.
Is that gonna be a problem? Because we've got a long road ahead.
No.
No problem at all.
All right, then I'll get the approval from Laz and Bob, and we'll tell the crew tomorrow.
- You're home early.
- Yeah, just physicals today.
- Hey.
- Oh.
Sorry.
Grab some paper.
I thought you were out in the Irish Channel.
Final coat on the walls.
I don't need to literally watch paint dry.
No, no, the 320 grit.
It's gonna be a gorgeous house.
Just put in these, uh, asymmetric skylights.
I'll take you by this weekend.
Hey.
Lighter.
Lighter.
This is the finish.
What's your hesitation? The facilities are phenomenal.
The chance to do this sort of science - But - I have to speak to my husband.
It's a big life change for him, for both of us to move here.
He's on tenure track at Cambridge.
Tell him we've had 2,000 scientists apply.
I've personally met over 50.
I want you.
When I submitted my application, I don't even know why I did it.
It's not like I've always wanted to be an astronaut.
Let me ask you a question.
Straight up.
Are you the best at what you do? I think you are.
And you know you are.
That's why you applied.
But if you think there's someone better, please tell me because I should be speaking to them instead of you.
No.
There's no one better.
You could be the person that discovers life on Mars.
Does your husband understand that? More importantly, do you understand that? I'd be losing years of work if I don't make it through training.
- You will.
- You can't promise that.
Trust me on this.
You've got that thing.
You'll make it.
I promise you.
You here? Or someplace else? When is the bedroom gonna get finished? I've had enough of this air mattress.
Want to talk about it? Decisions get made.
Fine.
And some are wrong.
Fine.
Can I live with this one? Yes.
But I always make it work.
My My whole My whole career.
And I-I just feel like at this point, enough already! I mean Listen to me.
I know what I'm talking about.
I-I've been given this command for a reason.
I've earned it.
I've excelled at it.
And I And here we are again! And I just feel Maybe you need to talk to Laz.
Mm, chain of command.
- Screw chain of command.
- No, that that that chain of command got me where I am.
And your silence is being rewarded.
You are spending 2 1/2 years with this guy.
I'll get through this.
I just need to recalibrate.
It's Uh, you know, it's like that song I sang at summer camp.
And the cat came back The very next day And she's all like, "Feed me.
Meow!" But this bitch just barks back.
She runs off.
So, you know, as long as I got some dog in me, one day, one bark at a time.
Yeah.
Uh, so anyway, thanks, guys.
- Thanks, Myk.
- Thanks, Myk.
I'm Denise.
Dopeless hope fiend.
Hi, Denise.
Uh, I've been good, I guess.
I kept a job for more than three months.
That is a big one for me.
Myk here makes sure I don't fuck up too bad.
Um, the painting's been going okay.
I hate thinking about it like it's some sort of therapy or something, but it is, I guess.
You know, I can concentrate.
Like the cicadas, I don't I don't hear them when I'm painting.
I-I don't hear anything.
It just gets really quiet.
I don't even think.
And all the noise, all that shit that eats you up, it just I don't know.
Like Even my mom It's twisted, you know? The river's right there.
Every time I walk outside, like it's screaming at me, and I want to make it stop.
But when I paint Anyway, uh, yeah.
That's it.
- Thanks, Denise.
- Thanks, Denise.
Thanks, Denise.
I'm with her.
- Anyone else? - Do you want to go? I'm good.
Okay, well, I'll go.
Hey, my name is Luke.
I'm an addict.
- Hey, Luke.
- Hi, Luke.
- She's expecting you.
- Thank you.
Look at this.
- Sync.
- Sync.
What is it? When I was a girl, I built a lightning rod.
- Did lightning strike? - Once You knew a storm was on the way.
They knew.
Starlings.
They looked like lungs.
I tried to breathe with them.
It's a program I wrote for, uh, Devon and Amanda's 5th birthday.
Can you give me a hand? Thanks.
Yeah.
You can touch them.
Take a seat.
It was unfair what I asked you.
There's a lot of pressure on all of us.
I was probably too harsh.
You were doing your job, and I respect that.
I might be able to stall for a week or two.
Whatever you're comfortable with.
- But if they get on my back - I understand.
You'll do what you need to.
- Sadie.
You okay? - Yeah.
Ollie and I love the tea service.
We used it this morning.
Thank you.
Shit.
Want a drop of Irish in there? Shut the fuck up!