A Friend of the Family (2022) s01e04 Episode Script

1
Who wants to ring the bell?
Pleased to meet you, Jan.
I'm Bob.
Fromage.
You are unforgettable.
You remember that stuff
you did with the other boys?
Berchtold went and took
Jan horseback riding,
and they were supposed
to be back some time ago.
You have been chosen.
You will have a pecial child
with male companion.
You have been chosen
They said their names
were Zada and Zethra.
And what do they want?
The only way that he would consider
bringing Jan back is to marry her.
Peter Welsh, FBI.
We tracked him to a hotel
in Mazatlán, Mexico.
So Zada said they are going
to be watching us all the time.
They're gonna look like
regular people, okay?
This is a reminder of the mission.
Sue!
Jan.
They're gonna look like regular people.
Mary Ann.
I'm so glad Jan and Brother
Berchtold were found safe.
Oh, that's kind.
Everyone knew he'd never hurt her.
The newspapers are just
ridiculous these days.
I just hope they bring him home soon.
A manic depressive
does not belong in jail.
If only it were all that simple.
Hi there, Jan.
Nice to meet you.
So been watching anything
fun on television lately?
"I Dream of Jeannie."
Mm-hmm.
Oh, yeah.
My girls love that too.
All right, looks good.
Healthy and normal.
Now I'm going to ask you
some questions about Mexico,
and there are no wrong answers,
but it's important that
you be honest, okay?
Now, did Mr. Berchtold ever touch you,
touch your body under
your clothes or expose
Jan?
Is there anything you remember
or would like to tell me?
No.
All right, well, I'd like to
move to the pelvic exam now.
Just lay back, please.
There you go.
So how is she?
Nervous, but most girls
have the same worries.
After I finished, she asked
me if she seemed different.
I said, "Don't worry.
You're just like other girls your age."
And the exam?
Were there any findings?
Medically speaking, her hymen is intact
and, um,
my exam was consistent
with what Jan says.
There's no sign of any sexual contact.
Are you sure?
Mrs. Broberg, you can rest easy.
Your daughter is pure snow.
Outer space Santa ♪
Shining up the stars ♪
Outer space helpers ♪
Packing them in jars ♪
Milky Way workshop ♪
What a busy place ♪
Just what the doctor ordered?
For kids in outer space ♪
I dreamed I had ♪
Did you miss Tastee Treet?
And grew, I dreamed I was a pilot ♪
I flew and flew and flew ♪
Janny?
If there is anything
that we ought to talk about,
we should.
Like what?
Like places that you and B went
and what you did together the whole time
that you were in Mex
I don't wanna talk about this anymore.
You promised that we could move on.
We can.
We will.
I've been debating
whether or not to, uh
To show you something.
It's a marriage certificate.
Fella at the embassy says it's real.
Why did he ask for her permission
if he could do this on his own?
I don't understand.
Do you think he really just
did it so they could come back?
I should've shown this to you earlier,
but I didn't want you to get worked
up until I knew what was what.
Dr. Rush
says Jan's okay.
One blessing is she doesn't
seem to know anything
about this marriage nonsense.
So now it's our job to help her just
Get back to normal.
Berchtold is coming back to Pocatello.
He'll probably make bail
and be right back out in the community,
at least until the hearing.
- Just like that?
- He should be locked up.
That's why the hearing's crucial.
We need to show we have a strong
enough case to go to trial.
A strong enough case?
He married her.
Well, he paid two people
to go to some court in Mexico
and say that their names
are Jan Broberg and Bob Berchtold.
It's not quite the same thing.
Now, look, the fact
is, there's a whole lot
that we don't know about
what happened in Mexico,
and we're in a tough
spot if Jan keeps saying
that he didn't do anything wrong.
Jan doesn't lie, a-and Dr. Rush said
that he didn't lay a finger on her.
Can't imagine the state
of mind he must've been in
to get those marriage papers.
Don't think about his state of mind.
Think about yours and Jan's
when you face him in court.
We'll be ready.
And I hope I don't have to remind you,
you do not talk to the Berchtolds.
And you tell your
girls not to be friendly
with his boys either, even at school.
You can be sure of that.
Mary Ann?
I understand.
Dear heavenly Father,
I ask thee to give me a sign
on what I'm supposed to do.
I know the people from
another planet are watching.
I'm being good and
following all the rules
and I'm making sure not to
touch my earthly father Bob.
Please protect Karen and Susan and Mom
and please keep B safe
and bless him and all
of the Berchtolds too.
I don't wanna be vaporized.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
- Merry Christmas.
- You hear the latest?
Berchtold got out
Merry Christmas.
Coats up, girls.
It's real chilly.
Isn't it?
It's cold in here too.
It is. Is the heater out?
Hmm.
No, it's on.
- Bob?
- Yup?
Window's open.
Was it Santa Claus?
Do you think someone broke in?
Don't move.
This is a reminder
of the mission.
As his fingers ♪
Softly fall upon my face ♪
He lights the flame of desire ♪
And love is the foundation ♪
We lean on ♪
Gail.
What are you doing here?
Can I speak to you?
Alone?
I'm really sorry.
Bob sent me.
You'll wanna hear this.
How's Jan?
She's, uh, she's fine.
What's this about, Gail?
'Cause, um y-you shouldn't be here.
Well, I came over f-for your sake.
See, I'm we've got a lawyer
who's gonna fix this whole mess.
She's been helping my
family, and she'll help yours
if you talk to her.
That doesn't make any sense, Gail.
Why would your lawyer help us?
You remember Jennifer
Ferguson, don't you?
I know Jennifer.
She's always been a good customer.
Well, that's who's helping me and Bob.
Jennifer thinks having this whole mess
out in public would just be
the worst thing for everyone.
Think of the kids.
Think of Jan.
You don't wanna put her through a trial.
I am thinking of Jan.
Your husband kidnapped
her and needs to pay.
End of discussion.
He's not the only one who
made an error of judgment.
You and Mary Ann knew how sick he was.
But that didn't stop you
from letting Jan spend
so much time with him.
You practically threw Jan at him.
- We did what?
- With his therapy,
his tapes, you you allowed that.
And you know what I'm talking about.
That's what he says.
And it's not just Jan.
What is that supposed to mean?
Bob and I are very open with each other.
And he told me
What you did.
But Bob says if you aren't willing
to work with Jennifer
Then it will go out in public
that you are a sinful man
with unnatural desires.
And it would just be awful if it did.
Give Jennifer a call.
What did Gail want?
She asked if we would
meet with their lawyer.
Jennifer Ferguson.
Oh, I-I like Jennifer.
Yeah, well, she
She has a proposal
that would, uh
Make trial go away.
Trial does sound like it'll be awful,
especially for Jan.
Bob?
She said horrible things, Mary Ann.
She she said
horrible things about me.
What did she say?
I'm sorry.
Whatever it is,
it'll be all right.
I I I made a
terrible, terrible mistake,
but I am I'm going to repent
And that's all you need to know.
You're scaring me.
What do you mean, mistake?
Me and Bob Berchtold
It's nothing, but
If we go to trial, they are gonna
they're gonna say
things like-like I'm a
Like I'm a homosexual or
Y
You and B?
I don't understand.
There's nothing to understand.
Bob.
- What?
- 16.
Oh, yes, it is. 60 plus 16.
Can I sit here?
You want to? Nobody else does.
Of course I want to.
I'm not supposed to talk to you, but
I think it's okay.
- Aren't you hungry?
- Not really.
I'm not feeling well.
You can have mine if you want.
That's okay. You might
wanna eat it later.
Nobody really talks to
me at all pretty much
ever since I came back.
Yeah.
What?
I think they told everybody
not to talk to you about it,
but they didn't let
me go to that assembly,
so I dunno.
What assembly?
Mom.
There was a whole assembly.
They wouldn't let Jasper
go because they were talking
to all the kids about me and B.
Why did they have to
make such a big fuss
that now everybody at
school treats me weird?
Janny, I'm so sorry.
I hate to see you unhappy.
You said things would be normal.
I heard from Gail again today.
I was thinking about that.
Maybe we should go
see Jennifer Ferguson.
See what she has to say.
We could let her do all the talking.
A trial would be bad for Jan.
We are only here because
you are a good member
of the community, Jennifer, and we
You've always been a good
customer for many years.
Well, thank you, Bob.
Ruthie was asking about Jan, by the way.
She says hi.
- Aw, that's sweet.
- Mm-hmm.
So we understand that
you have a proposal,
- uh, for us?
- Yeah, of course.
There's a way to avoid a public trial.
It'll just require some paperwork.
What way is that?
Uh, and what is this?
Affidavits for you
to look over and sign.
You know what an affidavit is, right?
Oh, it's just legal jargon
for a statement of truth.
If you sign these papers, we
can set the record straight
about what happened before Mexico.
That's all I need from you
in order to settle things.
This says that Robert Berchtold
had permission to take Jan.
That's not true.
I'm sorry, but the other way
is a long, drawn-out trial.
I thought you didn't want that.
But this is a lie.
A trial will be your worst nightmare.
We'll have to make a case
that you're unfit parents
who endangered your children.
I know you don't wanna see
your girls get taken away.
No one can do that.
I've seen it happen.
And honestly, we have so
much we could say here
like how Bob suffers from
being a homosexual, for one.
- I am not
- Do you wanna swear in court
under oath that nothing sexual happened
between you and Bob Berchtold?
How would you feel if everyone
in the ward knew what you did?
But what you're asking us
to say is just not true.
How do you know what's true, Mary Ann?
You heard the doctors.
Even your daughter says it:
nothing bad happened in Mexico.
I mean, do you really want to
pull your family apart over this?
Why don't you look
over these papers again?
Can I get you a coffee?
You don't drink coffee.
Uh, how 'bout some waters?
Yeah, I'll get you some waters.
What were you thinking?
Where's Allen Funt?
- Am I on "Candid Camera"?
- Garth.
How could you sign a
statement like that?
You don't deal with the criminal lawyer.
That's Mr. Pincock's job.
He's the prosecutor.
We were just trying to
do what's best for Jan
to put this all behind us.
What's best for Jan is to
put that man under the prison.
So there still will be a trial?
If I have anything to do with it,
but you shot our case right in the foot.
I-I'm sorry. We didn't know.
The hearing is next week.
You are going to release statements
tomorrow morning to the press,
and you are gonna retract what you said.
We are sorry for the inconvenience,
and we will do that right away.
Okay.
Okay.
I hate to blow my stack,
but what's done is done.
Now we just need to present
the best case that we can.
There will be no jury at the hearing.
You will each give private
testimony before the judge.
And Mr. Berchtold, well,
he's entitled to face his
accuser so he will be in the room,
which reminds me, I'm gonna need
that marriage certificate from you.
I-I sent that back to Mexico.
You did what?
To get it annulled.
You didn't send the original document,
did you?
That's a key piece of evidence.
Please tell me that you have copies.
Oh, Bob.
We'll-we'll figure something out.
Mr. Pincock's office
will be in touch shortly
to prepare you for the hearing.
- Thank you, Pete. Thank you, Mr. Pincock.
- Mm-hmm.
They're decent people.
They're just naive.
I am a Mormon too, Agent Welsh,
but I wouldn't let some guy do
whatever the heck he wanted with my kid.
And what if that guy is your brother?
Or your best friend?
I have other cases.
Dear heavenly Father,
I'm still waiting on instructions
from Zada and Zethra on the mission.
And also, please forgive me
for lying in court tomorrow
if they ask about the
pills and the baby.
Please don't let them guess
that I'm only part human.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
State your name.
Jan Broberg.
Do you swear that the testimony you give
will be the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth?
I do.
Have a seat.
Hey, Jan.
Would you tell the court about your
relationship with Mr. Berchtold?
You don't have to look at him, Jan.
You can look at me.
What's your relationship
with Mr. Berchtold?
Um, he's a really good friend of mine.
Um
You knew Mr. Berchtold
was unwell, didn't you?
I knew he had various therapies,
but I'm not a doctor.
Can you tell us more about
the therapy you knew of?
His psychologist recommended it.
He played these tapes from
his clinic in California.
What tapes, Mrs. Broberg?
Oh, they were just about
him being on vacation
with his wife on a beach.
He was supposed to
Lie beside Jan and listen to them
when she was asleep.
And you allowed this?
His doctor prescribed it,
and he was never alone with her.
I would walk in the
room to put things away,
and I never observed
anything unnatural going on.
He was on top of the sheets.
You never thought there was
anything weird about this process?
Sure, I did.
I'd never heard of this type of therapy,
but there's a lot of things
that I've never heard of.
And I accept that we
have to listen to doctors.
And Mr. Berchtold was
like a part of our family,
and I wanted to help him.
I-I thought he needed our help.
So what do you believe now?
Because you don't really have any
idea what went on in Mexico, do you?
Except what your daughter's told you.
I suppose that's true.
And what did she tell you?
That she and B just went on a vacation
and nothing bad happened.
And the doctors find no evidence
of anything inappropriate,
isn't that right?
- Objection.
- And the allergy pills
they tested were just
regular allergy pills.
- Objection!
- So isn't it possible
that it's just like your daughter
and all the doctors and experts say
and Mr. Berchtold
didn't do anything wrong?
Your Honor, objection!
Ms. Ferguson.
Withdrawn.
No more questions.
I told Mr. Berchtold that day
that he was not allowed to take Jan.
I was adamant, and he
betrayed me completely.
And what exactly was the nature
of your relationship with my client?
Would you say you both were close?
Our families spent a fair
amount of time together.
Just your families?
Or did you also spend a
lot of time one-on-one?
Now and again, we would get together.
But I will never let Bob
Berchtold anywhere near me
or my family ever again.
Prior to Mexico, my client describes
your relationship to him as very close.
Intimate.
He says he shared a lot
of private things with you.
Did you feel comfortable
being open with him?
That's all in the past.
Well, you've signed affidavits
saying you gave him permission
to take Jan on a road trip,
and now you're telling us the opposite.
So how can anyone trust your word?
Well, the good news is,
the judge is granting us a trial.
However, you cannot take the stand
in front of a jury like you just did.
How do you mean?
You were okay, Bob. Not perfect,
but at least you came
across like someone
who actually dislikes the man
who kidnapped his daughter.
No more surprises.
We cannot let your history with
this guy jeopardize our case.
It really didn't help that
Jan denied being kidnapped.
She's had a difficult experience.
Well, now that she's back home,
it's important to make sure
that she keeps her head on straight
when it comes to Berchtold.
Can I go get some water?
Yeah. Just right around the corner.
Psst.
Shh.
Shh.
You did so good in there, Dolly.
So good.
You are the only person who
cares what happens to me.
And we can't forget about
the mission, all right?
I'm doing everything they ask me to.
I-I promise.
Good. Good.
I am so scared what they'll do to us
or our families if we
don't stick to the plan.
Gosh, I don't think I could bear it
if anything happened to my boys
or if they made Susan take your place.
Could you?
I wish I knew if they
were happy with me or not.
Do you think they're still watching?
Oh, I know they are.
I know they are.
In the meantime,
you just gotta remember
everything we talked about.
All right? Especially
stay away from Bob.
Don't ever let him touch you.
You understand?
Dolly.
What's wrong?
Are-are you feeling okay?
I think so. How come?
You're not sick?
No.
Are you hearing any voices?
Jan, what's wrong?
I just want you to
know, I'll protect you.
From what?
We're different, Susan.
We're special.
Broberg residence.
What kind of parents are you?
You let that creep walk away?
Did he kidnap her or didn't he?
Bob.
Hey.
I need a walk.
Hello, Brobergs.
Mary Ann, don't hang up. It's me.
You're not supposed to call here.
No, I know. I just
I needed to hear your voice.
You're the only one who
cares what happens to me.
You saved me this week at the hearing.
- I'm going to hang up.
- Please don't. Please don't.
Oh, it just kills me.
It absolutely kills
me to think I hurt you.
Can you find it in your
heart to forgive me?
You'll never know how hard that was
What you put us all through.
What went on down there?
Nobody will be straight with me.
Well, look, I've moved to Ogden
'cause my brother Joe is the
only one who'll give me a job.
I come back every weekend so
I can see Gail and the boys.
Even if you never talk to me again,
just getting to see
your face at church
that's all I need.
But if you want me to just
answer every question you have,
I'll tell you.
Go on then.
Tell.
In person.
I need to see you.
I need to talk to you
face-to-face so you can understand.
I can't.
Everything I did
was to be with you.
Everything.
To get closer to you.
That's the truth,
and don't you forget it, Mary Ann.
Dear heavenly Father,
I kneel before thee humbly
to beg for thy forgiveness
for my transgression.
This guilt is
Too great.
I ask thee humbly, Lord,
to give me the strength
to do what I know has to be done.
Bob, I'm glad you found the strength
within yourself to come to us
and admit to this transgression.
Obviously, this is a
matter of great concern.
After discussion and prayer,
we've concluded that a formal
probation is not enough.
But we do feel, as
representatives of the Lord,
that because this was a first offense,
and since sexual encounters with
Brother Berchtold were not numerous,
and because you show genuine remorse,
that excommunication is not merited.
We think that your actions do merit
you being disfellowshipped.
Now this, above all, is a loving process
to bring you closer to God and his
plan for forgiveness and happiness.
We love you, Bob.
And we are here for you as your brothers
in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Amen.
Uh, there's something that
I need to tell you girls.
This morning I saw the bishop,
and he thinks
well, we both think
that maybe I shouldn't take the
sacrament for a little while.
Isn't everyone supposed to?
I didn't know you saw him.
Yes, this morning.
I've been disfellowshipped.
So you just went and had
a conversation with him?
Well, I spoke with my
brother about it first.
But I've cleared it
up, and we're moving on.
What's disfellowship?
It means that I can't
partake in the sacrament
because I've made some mistakes,
but I will again soon.
As long as I keep going
to church and be good,
I can take it again.
I'm sorry, Dad.
Heavenly Father, I'm very sorry
I touched my earthly
father Bob's arm at dinner.
It was just for a
second so please, please
don't let the people from
another planet hurt me
or let Susan take my place.
I don't want anyone else
to suffer because of me.
And please don't let them hurt Karen
or any of the Berchtolds either.
Amen.
Brothers and sisters, before we begin,
I'd like to ask us all to
pray for Jasper Berchtold
and the Berchtold family.
Jasper has been taken with a very sudden
and confounding illness that the
doctors are still trying to diagnose.
So please, do keep
them in your thoughts.
I made Jasper a get well basket,
and I wanna take it over.
I just need to tell him I'm sorry.
Wait, you think it's your
fault that he got sick?
That doesn't make any sense.
You always say show charity
when people get sick.
You're not going over there.
What? We were told not to interact
with the Berchtolds, Mary Ann.
B won't even be there.
He has to go back to Ogden for work.
He's probably halfway back by now.
We're supposed to cut off all contact
with the whole family.
Jasper and the other children
haven't done anything wrong,
and we have to decide
what's right for us, Bob.
Well, than this one's
an easy decision to make.
Children shouldn't be punished
for their parents' mistakes.
Well, come in.
I wasn't expecting you.
Jan made this for Jasper.
Oh, my goodness.
She truly does have the biggest heart.
Jasper will be so touched.
I'll bring it to him. I go back
to the hospital tomorrow morning.
- I'll leave you.
- No!
Please?
The doctors say it might be something
called "infectious neurosis."
He just woke up and
Couldn't move his legs.
We had to lift him
down from the top bunk.
I mean, thank heaven Bob was here.
He had driven up the
night before for church.
Oh, my goodness.
I'm so sorry for Jasper.
All I can think about
is what else I can do,
how I can make him well.
When our children are in pain,
it's hard to think of anything else.
I've missed talking to you.
I tried to make your meat loaf recipe.
It wasn't the same.
Well, I'll make it for you.
Anytime.
Mary Ann, I have to tell you
Bob just feels so bad.
This whole thing has wrecked him.
- I can't talk about all that.
- He's desperate to apologize.
I I've never seen him like this.
But I know how badly he wants
to make things right with you.
I think I'm gonna go visit
my mother in Garland tomorrow.
I knew you'd come.
I can only stay a short time.
My mother's expecting me for dinner.
Whatever you say, Mary Ann.
I want you to tell me
what went on down there.
The truth.
Why don't you come inside?
I know how cold you get.
Come on.
- Here you go.
- No.
All right.
Ah, gosh.
You look so wonderful.
Oh, no.
Stop all that.
You're right, yeah.
You just have so much goodness in you.
I'm here because I need to understand.
Help me understand
what went on in Mexico.
And why you got those
marriage papers with
with you and Jan.
Well, dang it, Mary Ann. You know why.
It's because Bob called the FBI.
We had to get married on paper,
'cause we both wanted to come back.
Otherwise I'd spend the next ten years
in a Mexican jail, fightin'
to get back to the States.
Is that true?
Hell yes it's true!
That's why I never
even told her about it.
I didn't want her to think
we'd actually gotten married.
That'd be a little weird. Wouldn't it?
Mary Ann
It's a piece of paper.
I just had to find a way
to get her back home to you
without getting locked up.
I'm still so upset.
I could just about kill you.
You know, Mary Ann,
you have ruined my life.
Ever since I first laid eyes on you.
Oh, hell.
I may as well confess it.
You're the one I
wanted to run away with.
I love you.
And only you.
But you you're
you're just so damned devoted.
What about Gail and Bob?
Bob doesn't deserve you.
I feel bad for him,
for the burden he carries.
- He's a homosexual, you know.
- No, he's not.
I know my husband.
Will you sit down?
Please?
You just make me nervous
standing here like
you're gonna up and go.
Let me make something
hot for you to sip on.
You know, every time
I saw her standing here cooking
I imagined it was you.
Everything she did,
it just reminded me how
much I wanted to be with you.
It opened up something
inside me, Mary Ann,
about the way I felt
and the way I feel for you.
I can't lose you again.
I can't.
Do you remember Henry's Lake?
Two summers ago, you'd
hop up on those skis
and then you'd be like
a princess on the water?
You were my star.
I wish I knew where all the time went.
Oh, I know. I know.
We can't put back all the pieces.
I always think of you
when I hear this song.
It's one of my favorite tunes.
Where's my sweet Mary Ann gone?
Wouldn't this be the perfect life?
You and the girls could move down here,
and we'd be our own family.
Have a life full of vacations,
sunshine, laughter, and love.
We're all gonna live like this.
Forever.
I
I have to get back.
Don't follow me.
Bob does not really appreciate
the miracle of what he has.