Smother (2021) s02e04 Episode Script

1
No one's going to tell me
It's a trick of the light
May never come
But I'm willing to wait
What can I say,
I'm a man of the faith
And there's an ocean
In my body
And there's a river
In my soul
And I'm crying
[birds chirping]
[indistinct chatter]
[sawing]
[metal creaks]
The paramedics
are with him now.
[Cathy] How bad is he, Val?
Is he going to be okay?
Listen, Cathy,
is there anyone there
that can take you
to the hospital?
Is he going to be
all right?
Let's just focus
on you for now.
What did the paramedics say?
You reckon you were
doing less than 40?
Yeah.
[Officer] And when
you left the Ahern's
you weren't feeling well?
Do you mind if I just
talk to my kids?
Mrs, do you consent
to a breathalyzer?
Yeah.
Okay.
So breathe out into the tube.
Yeah.
That's it.
[breathalyzer beeps]
You're gonna have
to come with us.
- You're over the legal limit.
- No. No. There must be
[Officer]
Step into the car, Elaine.
- Don't.
- Don't make this any harder.
What's going on?
There's been
some sort of mistake. Jacob!
- No stop!
- [Jacob] Leave her alone!
- No. Jacob!
- Mom!
It's going to be
all right, love.
It's going to be all right.
- No, please!
- Has she been drinking?
They said they want to take
the boys in for observation.
I'll see you back at home.
[dramatic music plays]
Where are Anna and the boys?
They're being checked over
but they're okay.
And Joe?
I don't know,
I called the hospital
but they won't tell me anything.
Come on we should get you home.
[sniffs]
Val, I know Calum doesn't
want to talk to me right now.
Will you just tell him
I'm sorry for fighting.
Of course.
Yesh.
- It's okay.
- [sniffs]
I just hope they are all okay.
Okay.
I'll be with you
in a minute.
Where's Elaine?
[blows]
[breathalyzer beeps]
[machine whirring]
[machine beeps]
Elaine Lynch
you're being charged
under the 2014 Road Traffic Act
of driving or attempting
to drive a mechanically
propelled vehicle
in a public place
while being under the influence
of an intoxicant
to such an extent
as to being incapable of having
proper control of the vehicle.
No.
No, no, this I was
[sobbing]
No, this cannot be happening.
This cannot be happening.
You see
Should I call someone?
[stammers] Should call someone?
I should call someone.
I don't
I don't know who to call.
I don't know who to call.
But, but
No, you don't understand.
There's been a mistake.
There's been a mistake and I
don't know what's happening.
I don't drink and I never drink.
I was excused, please.
Please. I would
never do anything [sobs]
to hurt my children,
I would never.
I know, I know.
There's been a mistake, please!
Please! Please!
Please!
Please!
Please there's been a mistake!
You want this?
Yeah, I want this.
Are you sure?
It could get complicated.
People will talk,
my sister's a freak,
- Mom's gonna go nuts.
- I don't care.
I want this.
I want you.
I want you too.
[baby crying]
Uh-oh.
It's okay.
[baby cries louder]
Sorry.
Don't apologize
for being a good mom.
[baby continues crying]
Stay here. Don't move.
Two minutes.
[typing]
[cell phone vibrates]
Hmm.
[sighs]
Who was that?
It's Finn.
He's staying out.
Oh.
Didn't he leave with Jenny?
Yep.
Valerie Ahern's
not gonna like that.
[sighs]
No, she's not.
- [baby crying]
- [singing lullaby]
Sweet shiny
Shiny is the mountain top
To bring some
girls some candy
Shh shh.
That was a nice song.
It's about a handsome stranger
who rolls into town
and seduces all the ladies.
[chuckles]
Yeah, I think we might
give him the night off.
[sighs]
- Thanks, Cyril.
- You're welcome.
[Val] Oh, thank God,
you're home.
I was so worried about you.
Ingrid's just made sandwiches
if anyone's hungry.
Nope.
- Hey.
- It's all right.
What's happened to Mom?
- Who cares? She was wasted.
- [Val] Calum, please.
Hey, you don't
know that for certain.
Let's just hold off on the
accusations for now, okay?
She failed a breath test.
The cops took her off
in a squad car.
How much more proof
do you need?
- You don't know everything.
- I do and so do you.
- Because it's happened before?
- Calum, that's enough.
First there was a fire
- and now a car
- Shut up!
- She nearly killed us again.
- Hey, boys. Boys.
You're just upsetting
your mother.
Come on,
she doesn't deserve this.
Go on, bed.
Now.
I had no idea, Anna.
If I had I would never have
let them come with her. I swear.
She's been doing so well.
Why did she have
to go and fuck it up?
They could've been killed.
Mom, and with Rory gone,
what if I'd lost them too?
What be the point in living?
Hey, now, darling,
you have to fight that thought.
What happened tonight was
taken out of your control.
Do you hear me?
It's not your fault.
Come. Not your fault.
I don't want to hear you
thinking like that again.
Okay?
Forget that thought.
No regrets?
Hmm.
How long until Nell wakes up?
Hmm. 20 minutes.
Why?
I was thinking maybe we could
- replay the highlights.
- Oh! [laugh]
Sports metaphors. So hot.
[cellphone vibrates]
[Finn] I thought
I was having a rematch.
Shit, it's Mom.
Mom, can I call you back?
You can't, love. I need you
to come to Anna, right now.
Why, what's happened?
Elaine was in an
accident last night.
The boys are with her,
her car hit Joe's.
He is in hospital and
we think she is over the limit.
What, what?
- What about the kids?
- The kids are fine,
but your sister's in a mess.
She blames herself.
And what about Joe?
No, we don't know.
So can you come over right now?
Can you just look
after your sister, okay?
I need to find out
what's going on with Elaine.
[Finn] You don't want me
to help you with anything?
- Nope, no, no.
- I can look after Nell.
No, it's fine.
I'll bring it with me.
Where are my keys?
Are you sure you don't
want me to go with you?
Um, yeah,
I just don't really
think now is good time.
I won't tell anybody
about last night, of course.
I just want to check
if everyone's all right.
Where are my fucking keys?
Jesus!
Last week I was
Dr. Jennifer Ahern,
general practitioner,
this week I can barely
get out of the bloody house.
I swear to God, Finn,
if you had any sense,
you would run a mile.
Then who would
help you find these?
Oh.
Where did you come from?
I know I can't keep on
about your work but, um,
still doesn't seem fair.
Yeah, well,
it's Kevin's surgery now.
He calls the shots.
He knows I took the money
and what I did with it, so
There's not really
much else I can do.
What did you do with it?
Give it to Dad.
Help with Seaview.
And I was supposed to
get it back, but Dad died.
At least Kevin helped cover
for me till I did pay it back.
Still fancy me now?
Mm-hmm.
Good.
Stay, make coffee.
There is food,
I think.
Hopefully we won't
be back too late.
See you later.
Yeah.
Oh, my head.
No, your head.
Just stay still.
I thought I lost you, Joe.
I'm so sorry.
I've not been there
for you, I know.
Not like I should.
And then last night,
the thought
- of never being there.
- Shh.
You shouldn't have left.
You shouldn't have left.
Don't. Stop.
You're here now.
And that's all that matters.
You'll never lose me again.
I promise.
I got you.
[door knocks]
Hi, mate.
Hey.
Jenny's not here,
I'm afraid.
Uh, right, um,
where's Nell?
Oh, she's uh, with her mom.
Was an emergency this morning.
I can take your teddy
if you want?
See that she gets it.
Uh, no, your grand.
Thanks, man.
There. That's better.
Thanks.
Hey, we can't have you wondering
about the place in your PJs.
Not a good look.
We kept ringing you last night.
Yeah, my phone was dead.
No, it rang, but you just,
you didn't answer.
What about Grace?
You tell her yet?
- What kind of a mother
- Can we just not. Please.
[cellphone chimes]
Are you going?
I'm gonna find out about Joe.
If she cries in 20 minutes,
check her nappy.
Give her this.
Jenny.
Should be back in an hour.
[phone rings]
Hello?
Yes.
Sorry, could you just
hold a second? Thank you.
Just a second, Mrs. Fearsh.
Oh.
I won't be long.
Just need a word.
I'm sorry. There's a queue.
You can't just walk In.
You need to rehire Jenny.
- Listen, uh
- She's a single mom.
She needs to pay her bills,
support her child.
She needs a job.
This is my surgery.
How I manage my staff
is none of your business.
And what happens in her
personal life is none of yours.
And if you use it
against her again,
I'll use what I know
against you.
Get out of my office.
Or I'll call the Guards.
And who do you think
they're gonna arrest?
You for being
an accessory to fraud
or me for jumping the queue.
[rings doorbell]
You're drinking again?
You fell off the wagon.
After everything
we have been through!
- Val.
- No, I trusted you.
- Listen to me.
- I have done listen to you.
You nearly killed
my grandkids last night.
Jesus.
How can you say that to me?
You out of anyone,
you know how much
I love those boys
and what I would do
to protect them.
You know how hard
I have worked
to get them back
into my life?
Why? Why would
I jeopardize all that?
Why?
You know what?
I don't care what
the police say.
I didn't fall off
the wagon last night.
I didn't pick up
the wrong drink.
That glass was
laced with alcohol
enough to put me
over the limit.
It was no mistake.
I was spiked, Val.
Sorry, Anna,
I thought Jenny might be here.
I just wanted a quick word.
Oh, you just missed her,
Michael. Sorry.
- When's she be back?
- She said soon,
but you know Jen,
that could mean anything?
[timer beeps]
Jacob? They're ready.
We're baking cupcakes.
Lovely.
She's due for a feed, actually.
- I can do this.
- Would you?
- Life saver.
- Yeah, of course. Wow.
The spoon is in the bag,
just there.
Okay.
Hey, baba.
Oh, you're getting so big.
Jacob, are you
coming down, love.
Jacob.
You are a great little girl.
Is that nice?
Yeah.
You had enough?
[arguing in other room]
Yeah.
I think it was when
we went in for the cake.
I picked up my glass,
didn't taste odd,
but then I wouldn't
have known the difference
because of my cold.
[Val] Are you sure
it was your glass?
A hundred percent.
After about a minute
I didn't feel well
and I should have
known the feeling,
but I just brushed it off.
Next thing, we're on the road,
something hits my system
like a ton of bricks.
My head's spinning.
It's all a blur.
I couldn't control the car.
It's Finn.
I mean, it has to be.
The way he's gotten
so close to Calum so fast.
The way he turns up
at the AA meeting like that.
Well, why me?
I'm not in a hurry.
Yeah. But as far
as he's concerned,
Jacob and Calum are,
anyone in this family's
a target now.
Well,
I won't let another Denis
ruin my life all over again.
If anything happens to my boys,
I swear to God,
I will not be responsible
for what I do.
[Michael] Bow wow.
the hen goes, cluck cluck.
And the pig goes oink oink.
And the rooster goes,
cock-a-doodle-do!
You like that, baba?
Huh?
You okay?
You're my girl,
aren't you?
You're my wee girl.
Hey, Joe.
Hey.
I spoke to the neurologist.
Hope you don't mind.
You had a lucky one.
I know.
Look, I'm gonna call Grace.
I think she'll want to know.
And if anyone else tells her,
might send her over the edge.
Thanks, Jenny.
Just, um, tell her
I'm okay and not to worry.
And um,
tell her I'm thinking
of her, will you?
[Jenny] Yeah.
[cellphone rings]
- Sorry, I'd better
- Yeah.
Will you ask your mom
to pop in later if she can?
Yeah. Sure.
Anna, what is it?
- This one.
- Yeah.
[door opens]
- Val.
- Where's Finn?
He's not here.
Well, where is he?
I want him out of here, Frank.
Look, Val, you're
a minority shareholder here.
Okay? But you're entitled
to your opinion
So what?
Shut up or sell?
If you are so hungry for my
share, Frank, here's my terms.
Finn goes out of your house,
out of this business,
out of our lives.
And I am not selling
until he is out of here.
Yeah. Well, As long as
it's in my power to give
that lad a job
and a roof over his head,
he stays and that
is non-negotiable.
You know, you wouldn't
say that if you knew
what he did last night,
oh, come on, Val.
Jenny's an adult.
She can make her own decisions.
She left with Finn last night.
Didn't you know?
Oh, God.
You know, I wouldn't look
so smug if I were you, Alanna.
If Finn is out to get all of us,
you're on that list too.
[cellphone ringing]
Mom.
- God. How could you, Jenny?
- What?
What do you think you're doing?
- What?
- I know about you in Finn.
Don't deny it.
Alanna just told me.
- No, Mom. Mom.
- How could you?
No, it's not a lie.
I left her with Anna
to go check on Joe
and Michael's taken her.
He's taking Nell.
Mom, I need your help.
A big chicken here.
Look at the size of him.
And we got sheepies.
What noise does a sheep make?
That's right. It goes, baa.
And we got an alpaca.
I'm too sure
what noise they make.
Similar to a sheep.
Yeah. Let's have
a little rest here.
[Jenny] We can't give up now.
We have one chance left.
That's one more reason to hope.
We've been in and out of
that clinic for how long now?
We get a positive result
and we're over the moon.
Then ten weeks later,
we're in absolute hell.
It's just torture, Jenny.
Michael, I'm not
ready to give up.
Even if it tears us apart?
'Cause that's what's happening.
I don't know if I want a baby
half as much as I want you.
[phone ringing]
- [woman] Hello?
- Angela.
Hi. It's Valerie Ahern.
- Val.
- You didn't happen
to hear from that son
of yours today, did you?
No, no.
It's just that Jenny
and I were supposed to
meet up with him, you know?
But his phone's off.
I haven't heard anything.
Okay. Listen.
No worries.
- Cheers, Angela.
- All right. Bye.
[baby crying]
I know, baba, I know.
- I'm so sorry.
- Okay, put this on.
Hi, this is Michael,
leave a message.
Shit.
Easy, love. Come on.
We'll find her.
You'll get your turn.
Oh, gosh.
Fuck me.
Okay.
Oh, Jesus.
Michael!
[Anna] Hello?
- Any sign there yet?
- Nothing.
Where are you?
I'll come meet you.
No, no, God, no.
There's no point
we've been everywhere.
You best stay there
in case he shows up.
And listen about Elaine.
She didn't fall off
the wagon last night.
Finn dosed her glass with booze.
Is that what she's saying?
Well, we both went over it
and everything points to him.
It's a bit convenient
that she's blaming him though.
Well, who else could it be?
Listen. I really think
you should let Elaine
take the boys tonight
for that sleepover,
- What? No, no way.
- Come on.
Look. She needs
to know we trust her
and she's distraught
about the boys.
That would really mean
an awful lot to her.
But, Mom, you know, the more
time she has with them,
- the worst it looks for me.
- Anna.
Elaine is not the enemy, okay?
She needs our support
and we need to stick together.
So would you please just
talk to the boys?
Okay.
Bye.
- Where are you going?
- The Guards.
Oh, no, no, no.
Come on now.
- Let's think this through.
- No, Mom.
Look, I brought this on myself.
All right?
I forged Michaels signature
and I took his DNA
without his permission.
I had his child
without his permission
and now he's taken her
without mine.
All right.
They could be miles away by now.
I need to get her back.
She'll looking for
a second feed by now.
What if she's hungry?
Mom, I can't bear it.
Okay. Okay. Okay.
Listen, now to me,
I know exactly how
you feel and believe me,
that feeling never leaves you,
but you just
have to gimme one hour.
And I swear, I swear
if I haven't found her by then
we will go to Guards together
and we will face
the consequences. I promise.
No, I promise.
Just give me one hour, okay?
Please?
- Come on.
- Okay.
- Okay.
- Okay?
You looking for something
in particular?
Like what?
Respect for other
people's privacy?
Are you afraid
of what I'll find?
Beautiful, isn't she?
I say this for your brother,
he can pick a looker.
Finn certainly
got his looks from her.
Look, come on. Just, uh,
put everything back
where you found it, will you?
[door knocks]
- Val.
- Angela. Hi.
Listen, you won't believe it,
but my car's just
broken down up the road
and I've gotta wait a half hour
before the repair truck arrives.
Do you mind if I come in?
He's here, isn't he?
Michael.
Michael.
Hello, Michael.
How'd you know I was here?
A mother will always
protect a child.
Simple as that.
Five more minutes.
Just give her the hour.
I know, but what if they're
on a ferry or something?
And we're just sitting
here like idiots.
I'm so sorry, Jen. I was only
gonna a minute. I swear.
- I know.
- Do you think Michael
would have it in him
to be that cruel?
Why not?
I was.
When I got pregnant with Nell,
I didn't think
about his feelings.
If only I had known
it would lead to this torture.
[door opens]
Oh, Mom
Oh, no.
Oh!
Oh, my darling.
Hello?
Oh, my darling girl.
Wow. Hey, I missed you.
Yes.
Michael, you were the one
who wanted to stop trying
to have a baby.
You were the one
who gave up hope.
Right or wrong,
I'm glad you didn't.
What you did
was unspeakably cruel.
But look, spending those
few hours with Nell
I realized that
taking her to hurt you
isn't gonna fix anything.
It's not her fault
and she didn't cause this.
I don't want her
to suffer because of it.
Look, I came here last night,
hoping that maybe
we could become a family again.
And you let me
leave thinking that.
And of course I get to your door
this morning and I meet Finn.
I realize,
that's not gonna happen.
I'm sorry.
We're way beyond sorrys, Jen.
Look, Jen, see who you want,
but Nell has a father
and it's me
and I want access.
I'm not talking about friendly
drop-ins every so often,
I'm talking proper visitation.
I, I want every
little detail ironed out.
Fine.
I gave you my word, Michael.
We'll work it out.
Just give us a couple of weeks
and you'll get everything
you're entitled to.
Thank you.
Just promise me he won't
ever do that to me again.
I thought my world had ended.
Now you know how it feels.
If you knew
he was at Angela's,
why didn't you
bring me with you?
- I didn't know. I
- I was in agony.
If Nell was there,
why Wasn't I with you?
There was no
hidden agenda, love.
And Michael having access
to Nell is the right thing.
[laughs]
Oh yeah.
Yeah.
That is what we're famous for.
The Aherns
doing the right thing.
I just can't help but wonder
if this was
really about Nell
or if you wanted to put Michael
firmly back in the picture
to make sure that Finn
stayed out of the way?
[Val] Jen, I don't care if
you hate me for saying this.
That is how much I love you.
But Finn does not get
close to anyone
he doesn't want something
from, including you.
Now he is the one who
literally engineered
Michael finding out about Nell.
- Nope.
- And I am almost 100% certain
he spiked Elaine's drink
last night.
- She is too.
- No, he didn't, Mom.
Yes, he did!
[Val] Don't you care that
he put Jacob and Calum
in the worst danger possible.
And now he's jeopardizing
your relationship,
your future with your daughter.
Please tell me
you are not that desperate
or naive that you
can't see it.
Look, Mom,
I like Finn, right?
I do. I just do.
And I don't know
where it's going
or what's gonna happen,
but he makes me happy.
Now that hasn't happened
in a very long time
and not you nor Michael
or anybody else
is taking that away from me.
Off you go.
I'll see you in the morning.
Hey, aren't you
forgetting something?
Love you.
[Elaine] Oh my goodness.
Look at these. They're amazing.
That's gorgeous.
Thank you.
I'm doing this for him.
Thank you.
Who do you wanna be, Mom?
Reverend Green,
Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard
Uh, Reverend, please.
Green's my favorite color.
Cal, there's, uh,
lemonade in the fridge.
Would you get it, please?
Would you get the lemonade
from the fridge, please?
Were you talking shit
to people about Finn?
Couldn't take responsibility
for your selves.
You had to throw him
under the bus.
Calum, let's not
do this tonight.
Okay?
I didn't do anything wrong.
Not on purpose.
That's all you need to know.
Just another mistake then,
was it?
Like this?
No,
there's more
to it than that.
Of course there is.
Next. You're gonna say
he forced it down your neck
and marched into the car.
Calum, there
I'm going to bed.
Enjoy your lemonade.
Try not to burn
the house down.
- Oh, my God.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
- [laugh]
- My heart.
Sorry, I forgot
you were still here.
Yeah. Sorry. I
it's just that when you said,
"Stay, make food."
I just Is it too much?
No, it's, um,
it's really thoughtful.
Good.
You okay?
How's Anna?
Yeah. She's um, she's fine.
Thank you.
[microwave beeps]
[liquid pours]
Whoa, go easy there.
You don't wanna hangover.
You are back in work tomorrow.
Popped into the surgery,
sorted it all out.
What did you say?
Just had a gentle word.
Things aren't
so black and white.
You need to take her back.
- A gentle word.
- Yeah.
Look, when people step on you,
you need to put 'em straight.
Otherwise they'll
never respect you.
Trust me on that one.
Hey there, soldier.
We're pals again.
I'm so sorry.
Bear with me one sec?
[sighs]
Juvenile detention.
Aggravated burglary,
possession of a firearm.
He's just come out of
serious prison time
for grievous bodily harm.
Finn.
Jesus, this is horrendous.
Last night you were driving
back to the house with this.
I'm so sorry.
Don't worry about that now.
Just, just watch your family.
He's dangerous, Val.
You need to be very careful.
[leaves rustle]
[bird cawing]
[leaves rustle]
[door opens]
Looks wonderful, love.
You've out done yourself.
I still don't know why you're
going to all this trouble
for Alanna and Ed.
Don't you?
Well, after he swooped in on
that land deal you were chasing.
Now you're treating him
to your best Bordeaux?
Well, you know,
I've always said,
"You should toast your close
friends with your best wine."
Because that way
they never see it coming.
There you go.
So tell me again,
what exactly happened
with Kevin?
Nothing.
It's just weird, you know.
He didn't like call or text.
Like, uh,
"Let's forget about it.
Welcome back."
Oh, okay. I confess,
I may have knocked
him about a bit,
hung him buck naked
by his skinny little ankles.
Stop.
I'm being serious.
He's brought you back
and if he's not happy
about that then,
tough.
Yeah.
Just hope he wasn't too
freaked out, you know?
It's what you said about people
not respecting you.
Mom.
- [cell phone chimes]
- What about her?
Maybe I shouldn't be
telling this, but,
you know, she thinks you spiked
Elaine's drink last night
and it's nonsense.
Obviously.
She's just always been
so protective of us.
Uh, where you going?
- Gonna get some ice cream.
- No, you're not.
Okay, so I'm not.
Finn, don't go over there.
Look, please.
I shouldn't have said anything.
I didn't mean it
to sound like that.
I know she's your mom.
But I'm not having shit
said about me.
This needs to get
sorted tonight.
Finn.
Hi, this is Val.
Just leave a message.
I'll get straight back to you.
[sighs]
So have they abandoned you
again for the night?
Yeah. I'm here on my own.
Listen, you don't wanna split
a shepherd's pie with me
and a bottle of Malbec, do you?
[Mairead] No, I'm afraid not.
Ingrid's still down with Calum.
We're just having a takeaway,
a Kate Winslet festival.
You're the best.
Don't I know.
Listen, we'll talk tomorrow.
- Good night.
- All righty.
[leaves rustle]
[floor creaks]
[creaking continues]
[wind blowing]
Finn?
Hello?
Finn,
I know you're here.
[panting]
Finn?
[screams]
[groans]
No.
No! Get off me!
[yelling]
Val!
You okay? It's okay.
[Val screams]
[glass shatters]
It's okay, it's okay.
He's gone.
It's okay.
No looking, no looking.
Just breathe.
It's fine. It's fine.
Just breathe.
All right, breathe.
Yeah.
[Val] Yeah, um,
some drawers were
emptied downstairs.
Some cash is gone.
That's that's all
as far as I can tell.
Thank you.
Yeah, we'll be here.
Guards are on their way.
Hold still.
- Ah.
- Does it hurt?
Yeah, it does.
For the record
I didn't spike Elaine's drink.
I didn't write
on any billboards.
Throw any bricks.
Put your hand up here.
Just wanna start afresh.
Put the past away.
It's what you would want too,
if you were me, right?
Jenny was right.
What she said about Denis.
I just can't get
the poison of him out of me.
That when you turned up
Whatever he did to this family,
whoever he was,
I'm not him.
Then all these things
that are happening.
If it's not you,
then who is it?
[dramatic music plays]
And if I see a sign
In the sky tonight
No one's going to tell me
It's a trick of the light
May never come
But I'm willing to wait
What can I say,
I'm a man of the faith
And there's an ocean
In my body
And there's a river
In my soul
And I'm
Crying
Only carry the soul