The Good Mothers (2023) s01e06 Episode Script

1
Based on a true story.
Some characters and events
have been fictionalized
for narrative purposes.
[Denise] Mom.
Mom. Come here.
You know this looks better on me.
-Keep it. It's yours.
-[Denise chuckles]
Thanks.
[phone ringing]
Just let it ring. It's your father.
Why don't you answer?
It's okay. They can wait.
Aunt Renata can wait as well.
[cell phone buzzing]
[cell phone beeps]
[exhales sharply]
You're right. Let's make them wait then.
What's wrong?
You're smart and strong like me.
You're a woman now.
The only person you belong to is you.
Yourself. Don't forget that.
You must trust your judgment.
You must make your own decisions.
Okay, Mom.
Will you remember that?
Yes.
[ringing continues]
[door creaks]
[bell tolling]
[sighs]
[door opens]
[footsteps approaching]
[door closes]
[sighs]
[director] Ms. Colace, I'm going to read
Giuseppina Pesce's statement.
"Please be advised that the medical staff
at the prison can attest
to the severity of my condition
and how depressed I was from day one.
I was desperate enough
to try to commit suicide.
I was so distraught and helpless
that I spread a large number of lies
about, uh, my own family."
I know very well what's written
in that letter. I've read it many times.
I have too.
I don't think those are
Giuseppina Pesce's words.
[director] Her signature is on it.
Yes, but it's obvious
that she didn't write it.
Ms. Colace, the attorney of Ms. Pesce
is arguing tooth and nail
that you coerced her
into making her statements.
-That you threatened her.
-That's a lie, sir.
[director] That you told her
she would never see her children again
if she didn't cooperate with you.
Those are lies.
Ms. Colace, we received news
earlier this morning
that Giuseppina Pesce's lawyer
will be submitting an application
to get his client out
of the witness protection program.
If that's true,
it's tremendously disappointing.
[director] You're at risk of becoming
a flaw in the judicial system itself.
If Pesce no longer
cooperates with the prosecution,
all of her prior statements, as evidence,
will be inadmissible.
And every arrest that you have made
based on the information she gave
will be contested.
Now, tell us
what you intend to do exactly.
Gentlemen, please, let's not forget
that these women
have demonstrated incredible courage
by agreeing to become a state witness.
What I intend to do exactly is make sure
that they know they have
my absolute support and appreciation.
I will not give up on them.
[director]
Ms. Colace, I'm afraid that the issue is…
[papers rustling]
…whether they will give up on you.
[door opens]
[door closes]
-Thank you.
-Here.
-That's the last cigarette.
-Yeah.
I'll get more when I go into town.
And we also need salt to make some pasta.
-Okay, perfect.
-Should I get anything else?
-Uh, well, maybe you can get some fruit.
-Mm-hmm.
-Oh, and bananas.
-Mmm.
All right.
And do you need anything, princess?
No.
All right, I'm going. See you later.
-Thank you.
-Bye.
Why is he here?
-Because I want him here.
-I don't want him here.
Should I call Dad, maybe?
No, you shouldn't call him, Angela.
Your dad is in jail.
If you want, when you go back down
to Calabria, you can go see him.
We still have a couple more days here.
Is there anything you want to do
while you're here?
Nothing?
I'd like to go see a friend in Lucca.
In Lucca? What friend, huh?
Giulia.
I told you she moved there last year.
It might be really nice
to take a road trip.
Lucca's far away. Enrico has a car.
Maybe he could take you.
Think about it.
[exhales sharply]
[sighing]
[Pietro] Concetta, I want to see you
again, and not just one more time.
Do you think they'll allow it?
They allowed it yesterday, didn't they?
I actually didn't say anything to them
until you got here.
I'm not an official witness yet.
They'll always be watching me.
Hey.
What's important is
they're keeping you safe.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
Tania, that's enough, honey.
It's late. Let's go. Come on.
That bitch. That bitch, you hear me?
She's a bitch of the worst kind!
I worked 20 years for this!
I started a family!
-I liked the children!
-You still can, Michele.
-[Michele] Cetta has to come home soon.
-She'll come back for her kids.
-[Michele] She has to come home!
-You need to calm down now.
-Making me look a fucking idiot!
-Come on, kids. We're gonna be late.
Come on.
[door closes]
Safe House
GENOA
[guard] Here we are.
The bedroom is upstairs.
[traffic passing in distance]
[Anna] Do the kids already know?
Yeah, I told them.
They're really happy to be going home.
Will they still be happy
when you're not there anymore?
Elisea, can you go up
to your room, please?
-Why?
-Because your mom said so. Go on.
-You only have three days left.
-Yeah, I know.
After which you'll no longer
be considered an informant.
Mm-hmm.
They'll make you leave the program
as your lawyer requested.
And you'll lose all your benefits.
Yeah, and then they'll
put me back in jail. I know.
No. The lawyer is pushing
to have you under house arrest.
You won't be protected under house arrest.
Giuseppina, Angela is
old enough to understand.
You need to talk to her.
It's not safe to go back home at all,
not even for them.
Stop it.
I swear that I'm not thinking about
that lawyer's letter,
about the court date, or the evidence.
I'm only thinking about you right now.
You can do this
and build a new life for yourself.
-You can do this.
-Whatever.
[sighs] You talk,
but you don't know anything.
You're right. I don't know anything.
I don't come from a family like yours.
My past isn't like yours.
I can't pretend I know
what's going through your head right now.
I just know that in your shoes,
for me the choice would be easy.
I would continue to live for my children.
You don't get it.
Maybe it's better if you leave.
[zipper opens]
[knocks]
[Denise] Come in.
Have you decided?
I'm leaving. I can't stay here.
It's his town.
Who knows what he could do next?
[Marisa inhales]
Do you have everything you need?
I have clothes to wear, Aunt Marisa.
And the lawyer is expecting you?
Mm-hmm.
Is she any good? Is she tough?
Yes, and she's also nice.
She doesn't expect me to
do anything I don't wanna do.
We might never see each other again.
Your mother would be proud of you.
POLICE
-Denise, watch your head.
-Thanks.
[arcade machines jingling]
-Is everything all right?
-Yes, yes, thank you.
My daughter would eat the whole thing.
[Cetta chuckles]
[jingling continues]
[sighs]
[Giusy] Did Angela tell you about Lucca?
Yeah, sure. She did.
It only takes four hours to drive there
and four hours to return. It's no problem.
You told her
she can forget about it, right?
No, I told her yes.
[Enrico swallows, sighs]
I want to make her happy.
I want to see her laugh.
Mmm. You're already taking her back
to Calabria. That's quite enough, right?
[Enrico sighs]
-You're really gonna do that?
-Enrico--
-You're really gonna do that?
-No.
Where are you going? Hey, Giusy.
-Enrico.
-Think they'll forgive you?
-No, stop. The kids are here. Stop.
-Are you really sure? Really?
-I said stop.
-You really think they'll forgive you?
-Well, they forgave you.
-Me?
-Yes.
-Really? Let's talk about this right now.
First of all,
I can never go back to Calabria. Ever.
I don't mean shit to them,
and they want me gone.
Your name's Giuseppina Pesce.
How are they gonna make you pay?
Enrico, you do whatever you want.
I'm going with her,
and then I'm bringing us back home.
-End of story.
-Forget it.
-This conversation's over.
-All I want is for you to stay alive.
-Come on, Giu.
-Enrico, I'm not trying to die, all right?
-Oh, yeah? Go tell those guys that.
-No.
They see you as a whore
and can't wait to kill you.
-Will you cut it out?
-You know who you're dealing with.
-Cut it out? You know how they are.
-You-- You--
Listen to me. Will you listen?
Will you?
I can't take it anymore.
-Yes, yes, you can. You can.
-No. No.
I can't be here any longer.
With my daughter, who hates me,
out in the middle of nowhere.
It's unbearable.
You see what I'm saying?
They'll find me anyhow.
-They know where I am.
-How are they going to find you?
They always find me. You know that too.
You know that too, Enrico.
Then what happens to my kids?
Who is gonna take care of them?
Who do you think?
The prosecutor? Or maybe you?
My children need a family.
No.
No, what they need is their mother.
[breathes shakily]
Please stop.
[groans]
Let's just hope they forgive me.
Okay?
What can I do?
-Tell me what I can do.
-Nothing.
-I swear I'll do anything.
-No.
No-- No, all I want to have a nice day.
To spend it with you.
Together.
[folk song playing on TV]
[performers singing in Italian]
[sobs]
[sobs]
[cries, sniffles]
[crying]
[music continues]
[crying continues]
[music ends]
[person on TV speaks in Italian]
[cell phone beeping]
[beeping continues]
[people on TV speak in Italian]
[cell phone beeps]
Set as background
Delete
Warning
Delete
He lied to me. Every damn day.
He used me, end of story.
I wouldn't be so sure about that.
I kissed him.
I can't believe I did that.
I was such an idiot.
First of all, you couldn't possibly know
that Carmine Venturino
was involved in this.
You couldn't have known that.
Don't blame yourself. Blame them instead.
What if I can't do it?
What if I can't go through with it?
What if I just want to run away?
I won't be able to face him.
I can't be in the same room as them.
I won't.
Well, in that case don't.
Don't worry. I'll be with you.
We'll only do what's best for you, Denise.
I need to know what happened to my mother.
I need to know all the details.
Only then will I be able to do anything.
[Tania] I wrote, "Mom,
I'm so happy to get your e-mail.
You made my heart skip a beat.
I love you too. I miss you so much.
Where are you?"
That's very good, honey.
Um, sweetheart, maybe you could add
that Grandma cries all the time?
And write that she needs to
come back home too.
Because, Tania, remember that everyone
wants Mom to come back home. All right?
But if you write it, honey,
it will be nicer.
[typing]
[cell phone chimes]
[beeps]
-[Tania] Hello?
-Sweet pea.
-It's Mom.
-[Tania] Mom! Is that you?
-Are you at school, princess?
-Yes, yes, I'm at school.
And where are you, Mom?
-I miss you so much.
-I miss you too.
You had a really good idea, you know?
Are you happy?
Is it really going to take four hours?
Well, if you want to go to Lucca,
it's four hours away.
[cell phone buzzing]
[cell phone beeps]
[wind whistling]
-Denise, Ms. Masi, good morning.
-Good morning.
-You've met Sofia before.
-Yes.
Hello.
[Perti sighs]
We'll tell you everything we know.
All the evidence we've gathered.
But if you want me to stop
at any time, just tell me.
Okay.
[Sofia] Denise, this won't be easy.
[Dalia] She knows that.
[Perti] All right. Let's get started.
We've managed to, uh, piece together…
Carlo Cosco's activity.
And that of Giuseppe and Vito Cosco…
Massimo Sabatino…
and Carmine Venturino
from the night your mother disappeared
and from every day and night
that followed.
We've constructed a complete picture
and thorough sequence of events.
-[vehicle approaches]
-[engine stops]
[door opens, closes]
[metal scrapes]
Aunt Renata's waiting for you.
Come on, let's go, let's go, let's go.
Denise, come on. Let's go.
You go in.
I don't want to keep your mother waiting.
Go on. We'll catch up later.
-[door closes]
-[vehicle engine starts]
[Carlo] What's up?
Giovanni? He's still alive?
Yeah, of course he's alive.
He's 100, but he's alive.
We had a lot of fun, huh?
-We had a lot of fun, yeah.
-[Carlo] Yep.
Remember that time
I started dancing on the table?
I fell down like a dead weight.
[laughs] Remember that?
And you passed out in your clothes.
[laughs] I was so smashed.
[gasps] Where are you going?
-Weren't you supposed to turn that way?
-[inhales sharply]
I just need to make a stop,
pick something up.
[Perti] Should I go on?
[Dalia] Denise?
Are you about to tell me
they killed her in that apartment?
[Perti sighs]
Come.
I'll stay here. I'll call Denise.
Come on, Lea.
Just ten minutes and then we'll go.
What's the matter?
Lea…
Huh? Come here.
[Lea screams]
[gasping]
Help. Help.
[grunting]
Let me go, you bastard!
[grunting]
Help!
[muffled] Help! Help!
[muffled screaming]
[screaming stops]
[Perti] Denise,
you're the only one who can testify.
Do you feel up to it?
[Anna Lazzaro, on phone] Cetta, honey.
We're coming to get you.
Just give us a time and place
and we'll be there.
It doesn't matter how far it is, honey.
We'll go anywhere.
Your mom understands you.
I promise, she understands you.
[Cetta] Mom, I have to think about it.
Of course
you have to think about it. Of course.
[sobbing] You're alone. You're confused.
And I just want to help you, honey.
I just want to help.
I love you so much. [sobs]
[Cetta] Mom, I love you too.
[sobbing continues]
Let me think about it alone
for a while, okay?
Bye.
Bye, honey. Bye.
[cell phone beeps]
[sighs]
Ms. Colace, Giusy won't answer her phone
because she's on a trip
with Enrico and Angela.
-Who's taking care of the children?
-They're with a babysitter from the town.
Where did they go?
-To Lucca.
-To Lucca?
Ms. Colace, I didn't believe it either.
Apparently, Angela has
a friend who lives there.
How far is Aprilia from Lucca?
I have an idea.
I want a warrant for her arrest.
She went too far from the safe house.
She broke the rules
of the witness protection program.
She went beyond the allowed distance.
We need to arrest her
before she gets back there.
[dialing]
-[person] Hello?
-Anna Colace. Who am I talking to?
-Officer on duty, Alberto Ricci.
-Alberto, listen carefully.
I want you to immediately track down a car
that's on its way from Lucca to Aprilia.
-I'll have to call my captain.
-Okay, you do that.
Call your captain and tell him
we're using GPS to locate the car.
All right.
Okay, and tell him to make sure
there's a backup team.
-Your men need to be ready to go.
-Sure. Give me a minute.
Alberto, actually, I want you to call
the Reggio Calabria headquarters
and stay on the line
for as long as I say to.
-Thank you.
-Yes, Ms. Colace.
Do we have them yet? Where are they?
They're on highway A11
headed towards the coast. Here, look.
I just don't understand
why they didn't take the main road.
Ah, Ms. Colace, we're online
with the Tuscany anti-mafia squad.
-Put me on speaker phone.
-Sure, right away.
-Alberto?
-[person] Prosecutor Colace?
This is Captain Luca Russo.
How can I help?
Ah, Captain Russo.
We've tracked down our suspect who is
driving westbound on the A11 highway.
Then they'll be headed south.
I want you to stop them ASAP.
And Captain, as soon as we know
their precise itinerary, we'll inform you.
Make and model, color,
and license plate of the vehicle, please?
-Uh, we don't know, Captain.
-Beatrice, what do you mean we don't know?
-[sighs deeply]
-We know it's a dark car.
A dark car traveling at night
on a busy highway. That will be difficult.
Captain, there's a man, a woman,
and a 16-year-old girl in the vehicle.
She is in the back seat.
Take up your position south of Lucca.
We can alert you
when the car is approaching
if we are aware of where you are located.
-You can stop it that way.
-We'll do our best.
Captain, it's important. Stay on the line.
Yes, Ms. Colace.
How the fuck do we not know
the license plate number?
It's not Enrico's vehicle.
[police radio chatter]
There are cops here.
Why didn't they stop them?
They're still going.
Call them back. [sighs]
[line rings]
-Ms. Colace?
-[Anna] Captain Russo,
we just saw them passing
the first patrol cars.
What happened? Do you know?
Are you following them, Captain?
We're watching the area.
There's no sign of them.
They said a lot of cars have passed by,
but none with a man, woman, and a girl.
We don't have
sufficient information, Ms. Colace.
They were there
and now they've disappeared?
We have other indicators, but with
the limited information you've provided,
I can't guarantee anything.
I need a guarantee.
Captain, I want the whole highway
shut down. Place a blockade.
Stop all traffic.
I want you to immediately stop
each and every southbound vehicle.
Understood?
Ms. Colace, you're talking about
a significant operation
that would require
a huge deployment of police officers.
Okay, listen carefully.
This informant I want you to arrest
could bring down
the entire 'ndrangheta in Rosarno.
That's how much she's worth.
If we don't stop her tonight
on that highway,
she could end up being killed
in the next few hours.
I don't care how many men you need
or how much it costs.
Stop all traffic
and search every single car meticulously.
[Enrico] Shit.
What's going on?
Who knows? Maybe an accident.
What time is it?
-[Enrico] Late.
-[siren wailing]
-Fuck.
-[Giusy] Hmm.
-[siren continues wailing]
-[helicopter whirring]
Mom, why are we stopping?
We're not really sure.
They're checking cars.
-But why?
-[police radio chatter]
[Enrico] I don't know.
[Giusy] Hey, sweetie.
You have nothing to worry about.
Okay? Huh?
We've got nothing to hide.
Ma'am, step out of the vehicle.
Come with us.
-[Enrico] Why?
-Can you tell me why, please?
Don't worry about it. Come with us.
-Can you tell me what--
-[Enrico] What're you doing?
-What's going on?
-Come on.
-Listen to me. I'm--
-Come on. Let's go.
-I'm Giuseppina Pesce.
-Mm-hmm.
I'm a state's witness.
We're going back to the safe house.
I'm staying in a safe house.
I'm-- I'm going back there
and I'm late too.
-Ma'am, calm down.
-Are you listening to me?
-Don't worry about it.
-My daughter is here. Angela.
-Come with us.
-Did you hear what I just said? Angela!
-[Enrico] Giusy!
-[Giusy] Angela!
[Enrico] Giusy!
-[Luca] Ms. Colace?
-Yes?
We just arrested a woman
who claims to be Giuseppina Pesce.
Excellent. Excellent news, Captain.
Excellent news.
Now I'd like you to remand her
in custody, please.
She broke the rules
of the witness protection program.
I'll file an order ASAP
to have her transferred to Reggio
and then reincarcerated.
I'll never be able to
thank you enough, Captain.
You and your whole team, of course.
We're happy to have been of help,
Ms. Colace.
-[phone beeps]
-Okay, Beatrice.
Now prepare right away a statement
for her lawyer and for the press.
Say that in accordance with regulations,
Giuseppina Pesce must remain
in solitary confinement for three weeks.
For now, house arrest will have to wait.
-You want her in the hole?
-That way she won't have any visitors.
[lock clicks]
[sighs]
[Michele]
I don't want you to worry. I forgive you.
We all forgive you.
Family doesn't turn their back on family.
You're the blood of my blood.
You're safe. And when you come back home,
you'll know you're safe.
Your dad is telling the truth.
What did you tell the cops?
Is that important?
Cetta doesn't know anything at all.
We're bringing you home. That way
we'll have you talk with the lawyer.
Within a week, you'll be happy,
Rosarno will be quiet again,
and no one will be
talking about you anymore.
And we'll all be very happy, Cetta.
I'm going to the bathroom.
Tania and Rosalba are dying
without you in the house.
Swear to me
you'll take everything back, Cetta.
-Swear it.
-Mom, stop it. That's enough.
No, I won't stop. I won't stop, Cetta.
Look at me. Look at me!
If you want to leave, leave.
Do it. Leave right now.
I won't stop you. Do whatever you want.
But you won't get the kids.
Not the kids. No.
You asked me to forgive you,
and I forgive you.
But first,
you will have to do something for us.
[phone rings]
[footsteps approach]
[knocks]
These are copies of the letters
Giuseppina Pesce received
this morning, ma'am.
They're all from her family.
They're putting pressure on her,
Ms. Colace.
Including her husband and her children.
My Little Tourist,
I thought you were allergic to jail,
but I guess I was wrong.
[Beatrice]
Apparently they've forgiven her.
Now they all love her.
[whistling]
[door buzzes]
[door buzzing continues]
[seagull squawking]
[sniffles]
[Anna Lazzaro sniffles]
[Angela] "Dear Mom, how are you?
I hope you're all right,
though I don't think you are.
I'm furious at what you're doing.
I know that you miss us,
and we miss you too,
but it makes no sense
to make the same mistake twice.
You act in your own best interest.
Not in ours.
You hurt us when you took us away
from the family.
I want to be with you because I love you
and you're my mom,
but you're biting the hand
that feeds you again."
Perfect. Well done.
And if your mother calls, Angela,
tell her that she's dead to you.
[Anna Lazzaro] Come with me.
[Michele] Cetta.
I want you to clean the attic today.
You're going to scrub the floor.
It's going to shine
when you're done with it.
Understood?
[singer] Ninna ninna, ninna ninna neda ♪
[giggles]
The wolf eats the little lamb ♪
Little lamb of mine, what did you do ♪
[all laughing]
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 ♪
Come, sleep, don't be long ♪
The hour is late
And Mommy needs to work ♪
[keys clanging]
-[singer humming]
-[door opens]
[sighs]
I just wanted to tell you…
that I'm not scared.
What aren't you scared of?
Of you.
And why should you be
scared of your father?
I'm innocent.
I'll be out soon,
and we'll be together.
Hmm?
[inhales sharply]
Do you want to know
what I did to your mother?
[choking]
This is what I did to her.
[choking, coughing]
[gasps, breathing heavily]
[horn honking]
[Michele] Help! Help my daughter!
My daughter's hurt! Here, in the car!
Come here, she's hurt!
She's over here. She's over here.
Help her! Help her.
-What happened?
-We found a plastic bottle next to her.
She must have drunk it.
It was hydrochloric acid. It's in the car.
Please, save her! Do something, please!
[arcade machines beeping, jingling]
[Giusy] I have to thank you
for coming here.
And I also have to thank you
for putting me in here.
I want to cooperate again.
I want to be a witness again before--
before going on house arrest.
And I need to know that you can help me.
Why should I still trust you?
I know right now it's hard to--
to trust me, but things are different.
Things are different now.
And so what's changed?
I-I-I got a letter from Angela.
In that letter,
she said I needed to come home,
and then she threatened me
against being a witness anymore.
But I know she didn't write it.
I know she didn't write it.
Those words weren't hers.
They were their words.
They gave her the words to write,
and I can't let that happen again here.
I can't let it happen again.
And you were right.
My kids need to be with me.
Only with me.
[Anna] Are you up to it now, Giusy?
Yes.
Well, that's great news.
Unfortunately, I also have
some bad news for you.
Maria Concetta Cacciola went back home.
[sighs] She's dead.
She drank acid.
[sniffles]
What about her kids?
Her kids are still with the Cacciolas.
We're very concerned about it.
Do you think you could do
something to help them?
[sniffles]
It's a matter we still need to look into.
I hope so.
[Giusy crying]
[sniffles]
Giusy, are you ready to testify?
[inhales sharply]
Yes.
Yeah, I'm ready. I am, I'll do it for me,
and I'll also do it for Concetta.
[heartbeat thumping]
[shutters clicking]
[thumping intensifies]
[thumping ends]
My name is Denise Cosco.
Having been fully informed
of the legal and moral responsibility
that I have accepted
in providing testimony…
I swear to tell the whole truth
and not to leave anything out
to the best of my knowledge.
Carlo Cosco and Vito Cosco were convicted
and sentenced to life without parole
for the murder of Lea Garofalo.
Carmine Venturino's sentence
was reduced to 25 years
for disclosing the location
of Lea's remains.
Giuseppe Cosco
was acquitted of all charges.
Giuseppina Pesce and her children
are under witness protection.
Michele Cacciola, Giuseppe Cacciola
and Anna Rosaria Lazzaro were convicted
with no chance to appeal for abuse
suffered by Maria Concetta Cacciola.
Maria Concetta Cacciola
September 30, 1980 - August 20, 2011
Lea Garofalo
April 24, 1974 - November 24, 2009
Denise Cosco has changed her name
and is living under protection
in an undisclosed location.
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 ♪
Come, sleep, don't be long ♪
[overlapping voices singing]
In memory of Loris.