This is Us (2016) s03e16 Episode Script
Don't Take My Sunshine Away
1 Previously on This Is Us I think my water just broke.
Toby, it's me.
Listen, I'm in the car with Kate, and, uh, I really think we should call an ambulance.
I've been drinking all day.
I thought I had it under control.
I don't think I can do this without you, Zoe.
His, uh, water bottle was full of vodka.
Baby, it's not that I don't want you to do what you love.
I'm just saying, if we're gonna get childcare, is the cost of that childcare greater than or equal to what we'd be bringing in? You mean what I'd be bringing in.
He-he just he doesn't look like a regular Because he's not.
Good bye, little dude.
We're gonna come back and see you again real soon.
He's gonna be good.
It's only been two days, and he already looks stronger.
Yeah, I think so, too.
Okay.
- Please don't feel bad.
- Kate.
Mom's staying.
It's gonna be good.
I wish we could stay longer, but we got a whiteboard at home that feels different.
Thanks for coming.
- We love you guys.
- Love you, too.
See you.
You are my sunshine My only sunshine You make me happy when skies are gray You'll never know Jack How much I love you Please don't take My sunshine away.
I remember my first dance like it was yesterday.
I wore a light pink chiffon dress and white Mary Janes.
- Check out my bow tie.
- Wow.
Looks good, Kev.
Even better with pants.
I can't put them on too soon, - or I'll get 'em wrinkled.
- You just want to look good so you can get your first kiss with Sophie.
So what if I want to kiss Sophie? - She is my girlfriend.
- What's that about your girlfriend? Our son is gunning for his first kiss tonight.
Oh.
You better be a perfect gentleman, Kevin.
- Duh, Mom.
- I hope Sophie likes hair gel.
- She'll like it.
- Is that stiff enough? - Stop.
It has to be perfect.
- Kev.
Upstairs, please.
- Pants.
- Hey, Katie girl.
Hi, Dad.
All right, Bug.
Here you go.
- Thanks, Mom.
- You're welcome.
I do not understand today's fashion.
- Who does? - Hi.
- Hi.
Hey! - Ooh! Look at you, Randall.
- Looking sharp.
- Wow.
Yeah No wonder Kate's friend wanted to bring you to this dance.
Yeah, Jessica said she's really excited that you decided to come and dance with her.
Uh-huh.
Have you guys seen my shoes? - I can't find them.
- Have you tried putting your cards down to look for them? Today I found out that next week I have a science test on cytoplasmic organelles.
- I suck at organelles.
- Step ahead of me, bud.
I don't even know what organelles are.
Uh-uh.
Shoes are under the table.
I have a feeling Jessica's gonna be hearing - a lot about organelles tonight.
- Yeah.
Thank you for agreeing to chaperone with me, - by the way.
- Oh, yeah.
Wow, I can't believe they're going to their first dance.
The awkwardness.
The anticipation.
- The retainers.
- Yeah, sounds great.
Almost as great as a night without the kids.
You're being sarcastic, and I don't even care.
I can't believe how grown-up they are, Jack.
Feels like just yesterday they were babies.
Yeah.
Hello, old friend.
Hit me.
What's on the docket for today, Jae-won? Back-to-back interviews through lunch Hang on, Jae-won.
I'm getting another call.
- Dej, what's up? - Where'd you put the permission slip for my field trip? In your backpack, uh, front pocket.
Got to go.
Bye.
- Hit me.
- After lunch, we'll go over candidates for director of communications, then more interviews.
Legislative aides Whoa, that's a lot of dead trees, man.
I need to be home in time - for Beth to get to her dance class.
- These are reports from the Public Works and Safety committees.
Committees you need to get yourself placed on.
So get reading, Mon ami.
Just stop going up.
Hey, babe.
Sorry I'm late.
There's chicken on the stove.
Girls are upstairs.
Annie needs help with her science.
And tomorrow night, don't forget my dance recital.
7:30 sharp.
Can't wait to see what you've been working on.
- Thanks.
- Have a great class.
All right, thanks.
Who's higher on the food chain, the owl or the mouse? The owl, because it eats the mouse.
You bet your cute face it does.
- Thanks, Dad.
- You're welcome.
- Favorite jeans, fresh out of the dryer.
- One, two, three, four, five, six, release your arms, and one, two, three, four Hey, babe.
How was your This is a great space.
Love your taste in art.
I love that one.
That is a flower that's supposed to, uh, kind of look like a vagina.
Right? My daughter did that when she was seven.
Hmm.
Well, she is, uh She's talented.
Why don't you each tell me why you come to couples therapy.
So, the-the f-flashing neon light in the room is that I started drinking again after about a year of, uh, being sober.
- Are you still drinking? - No.
I'm not.
Um, I've been sober for four days now.
Been going to AA meetings every single day, and I just really I need to do sobriety right this time.
And I want to do this relationship right, too.
It's important to me.
What about you, Zoe? Well, uh, a relapse I could deal with.
You know, you date an addict, you know the-the risks, right? Uh, but it's just all the sneaking around and the lying.
I mean, he was secretly drinking a bottle of vodka in the hospital while his sister was having an emergency C-section.
Well, to be fair, that's exactly the kind of situation that makes you want to drink.
Okay.
Not that we're being fair.
I mean, we don't need Who needs that? Jane, I see you trying not to smile at him.
And it's okay.
See, he's very charming.
And, uh, he makes me want to smile at him, too.
I just don't want to be a sucker.
- You know? - You're not the sucker.
Zoe, I messed up.
I messed up big.
All right? But I'm gonna do whatever it takes to win your trust back, because you're that important to me.
And, to be honest with you, I can see it all with you.
The settling down, having kids, moving to the burbs.
M-Maybe not the burbs.
You know.
But but the rest of it.
See that? We crushed the first question.
I think we're ready for the second.
Hey, you guys, have a blast.
I know how special first dances can be, so we just want you to go and have There's Sophie.
I can't believe you guys are here.
Don't embarrass us.
Fine.
I just want you guys to have fun.
- Okay.
- Ugh.
Hi, Jessica.
Um, thanks for inviting me.
You're welcome.
Um, do you happen to know anything about mitochondria? - You look really pretty.
- Thanks.
I like your bow tie, and your hair.
Do you want to dance? Hey, we're gonna go prank Principal Fleming soon.
- You in? - Totally.
I remember my first slow dance - with Pete Novak.
- Yeah? He stepped on every single one of my toes until they were purple, but I loved every minute of it.
- Who was your first dance with? - Never had one.
- What? - I almost went to homecoming once, but my father, he, uh, pulled a Stanley, got into a fight with my mom, and grabbed a six-pack and took off with the car.
No car, no dance.
Ah.
Oh, come on.
You're not seriously upset by that, are you? - I - That was 30 years ago.
I know, but I'm bummed for you that you didn't have this iconic school experience.
Trust me, not getting to dance to Frankie Avalon as a kid was the least of my problems.
I think there are plenty of chaperones here, don't you? Come on.
I thought you wanted to see the kids' first moments.
Yeah, I-I do, but we have four hours for that.
We're-we're here for four hours? - Yeah.
- Rebecca.
You are one handsome boy.
Sweet little handsome boy.
- Hey, guys.
- Hi.
So it's time to take some blood and urine samples.
Still totally routine.
We just have to continue to monitor all his levels, okay? If you want, you can talk to Jack or sing to him.
- It can be comforting.
- Okay.
Toby, what should we sing? Raindrops on roses And whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles And warm woolen mittens Oh, you're doing so good, button.
Uh, we can't know if he's doing good.
He can't cry.
He's got that tube crammed down his throat.
Okay.
Blood sample's all done.
Now we're going to insert the catheter into his urethra to take the urine sample.
Okay, can you not? C-Can't you get everything you need fr-from the-the blood test or slide a little tiny bedpan under him and just wait until he pees instead of sticking something else Toby, stop it.
When the dog bites - When the bee stings - I'm sorry.
- Hey.
- Hey.
How was your AA meeting? You find the one you like? Yeah.
I tried one in the East Village.
Uh, the people were pretty cool, but the place kind of smelled like asparagus.
I think there's a vegan restaurant next door.
Listen, I need to talk to you about something you said at therapy.
Okay.
When you mentioned kids.
Is that something you really want? Why? Are you pregnant? That was a bad joke.
Wait.
Are you pregnant? Kevin, I I want to be direct with you.
I love you.
But I don't want to have kids.
Kids have never been part of my plan and they will never be.
Is this because of your dad? Um, I think it's more than that.
I I like my life I like my life the way it is.
I-I I like that I have the freedom to just pick up and travel.
I like not basing my life around soccer practice and math homework.
- Mm-hmm.
- I like that if we wanted, we could have sex on the counter right now with no fear of a kid walking in and being scarred for life.
Well, I have the time.
We are not having sex on the counter right now.
Right.
Well, um It's just, well You never mentioned this before.
Oh, I guess I thought we were on the same page.
When your sister was trying to get pregnant, you said that that having a kid was the last thing you could imagine.
I know, but I just kind of thought eventually, you know, s It just seems like something people do.
But I guess I, I guess I don't have to have one.
I mean, not necessarily.
- Kevin.
- Hmm? I have given this a lot of thought.
And you should, too.
If you if you decide you really, truly don't want to have kids, then I am all in with you.
I will stick it out through the counseling and your recovery, whatever it takes.
But if having kids is something you need to make your life complete you have to tell me.
'Cause I don't want to waste either of our time.
Thank you all so much for coming to our spring showcase.
And I want to say a special thank you to our newest instructor, Beth Pearson.
Beth just started with us, but really went above and beyond to get her dancers ready for tonight.
I am so proud of all of our dancers, and the incredibly hard work they've put in to tonight's performance.
You are in for an exciting evening.
I'm thrilled to present tonight's performance to you.
Now, if you'll all silence your phones, we'll get started in a few moments.
Damn, you really went for it with these flowers.
Thank you, baby.
I love 'em.
- You know what I love? - Hmm? My wife.
And that badass dance she choreographed tonight.
Ah, come on.
I just helped it across the finish line.
Don't be modest.
Hey, that one part where the dancer kept doing those twirly things that went on and on and on? She looked like a human dreidel.
- What do you call those things? - Pirouette.
She did seven pirouettes off of one plié.
Last week, she could have only done five.
Well, that was before Beth Pearson showed up on the scene like some kind of ballet fixer.
Like Harvey Keitel in Pulp Fiction, but with ballet.
You know, my boss gave me a really nice shout-out in her speech at the beginning.
I wish you could have been there to hear it.
Well, I'm really sorry.
I tried my hardest to be there at 7:30 sharp.
Tell me what she said about you.
Her exact words.
She said I went above and beyond.
That's what I'm talking about.
Mm.
All right.
I'm gonna take a shower.
Come back down and get the girls' lunches ready.
- Mm-hmm.
- Uh, you have dishes tonight.
Yeah.
I got it.
- Mm-hmm.
- Hey, Beth.
Uh, sorry.
Marcus Duncan, city council president, invited us to dinner at his house tomorrow night with the other incoming councilmen.
Oh.
I can't.
I have a class till 5.
Yeah, but dinner's not till 8:00.
Look, I know it'll be tight, but I really think you could make it.
I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important, Beth.
Duncan assigns the new councilmen to their committees.
It's important that I make a good impression on him.
And I You tend to be the most impressive part of the impressions that I make.
But if it's too much, I understand.
No.
No.
I'll be there.
- Really? - Yeah.
Thank you.
You know what you really missed out on - by not going to school dances? - What's that? Where you sneak away and find a hidden place to make out with your date.
Oh.
What are you guys doing? - Randall? - Randall.
What What are you doing here? I came in here to study for my science test.
Hey, you know, Kate's friend, she invited you here.
Dad, my science average is 97.
6, and Willy Hogan's science average is 97.
8.
Which is why I need to read about mitochondria right now.
No.
Randall, you made a commitment to Jessica.
So, you can study this weekend until your brain overheats, but right now, you're gonna go back in that gym, and you're gonna ask that girl if she wants to dance.
- Yeah, come on.
Let's go.
- I Let's go.
Okay.
But if I don't get into an Ivy League college, - it's on you guys.
- Fine.
Let's go.
Hey, babe.
What's up? Babe, I need to talk to you about tonight.
I know timing sucks, but something exciting happened for me at work, and I'm not sure I'm gonna be able to make the dinner.
- What happened? - My boss invited me out for drinks tonight with some of the other instructors to talk about the future of the studio.
And it's a big deal to be included, since I'm brand-new.
Well, can't it wait until tomorrow? No, 'cause it's happening tonight.
I already told Duncan we were both gonna be there for dinner.
Yeah.
- See you later, Beth.
- Okay.
Yeah, I thought I could, but now a work thing came up.
- You got to take this.
- Just one second.
You know my work is just as legitimate as yours is, Randall.
I know that.
Hey, Beth, look, I know you can't see what my days have been like lately, but I have been burning the candle at about 12 different ends trying to be a good councilman and husband and father, which, for the record, has been my pleasure.
But now, I need you to do this one thing.
Okay? I need you to be there for me tonight.
Are you hearing me? Yeah, I hear you.
You've made it clear what you want.
Uh Hey, how's that Highlights treating you? Well, I haven't found all the differences between the two pictures of the cat climbing a tree, - so - I know that one.
In picture number two, the bird's missing a wing.
- So it is.
- This place needs new magazines.
Toby.
I'm Gavin.
I've seen you and your wife around here past few days.
Yeah, six days.
We've been here six days, and I still feel like I'm outside myself, watching someone else in my body from above.
Tell me about it.
We've been here six weeks.
I know.
Our baby was born with a hole in her heart.
And they did surgery, and-and then she got better, but then she got worse.
Then the infection cleared, and then her bowel ruptured, and I'm pretty sure that all the bad karma I accumulated by being a dick in my 20s has finally caught up to me.
Our kid is 12 weeks early.
Two and a half pounds.
He's hooked up to all those I.
V.
s and machines.
He's got this ventilator tube crammed down his throat.
It's blocking his vocal cords, so he can't cry.
I've never heard my kid cry.
Can you believe that? You want to hear something really messed-up? You know Max and Louise, they got a kid here.
And Max is, like, NBA tall, and Louise has that red hair.
Oh, yeah.
She looks like Wilma from The Flintstones.
Exactly.
Max and Louise.
So, their baby's organs are failing, and they can't do anything about it, so their baby's not coming home.
Uh, you're right, that is messed-up.
No, no, the messed-up part is sometimes I think about them, and-and it makes me feel better.
I think, "Oh, at least I've got a chance of going home.
I'm better off than Max and Louise.
" Dark.
Yep.
My wife Kate, she she sings to the baby.
She holds his little tiny hand, then she calls him "little button," because he's so friggin' tiny.
And she smiles at him.
She genuinely smiles at him.
'Cause they're better at it than us moms.
I don't, I don't know.
It's 'cause they literally grew the kids inside of them, or-or what, but they, you know, they just they're, you know they're better.
Yep.
Hi.
My name is Tyler, and I'm an alcoholic.
Hi, Tyler.
The way I treated Kevin? What are you doing lurking outside of my apartment? Uh, I-I wasn't.
I-I wasn't lurking.
I was coming from the community center.
I was walking to the train, and, uh, I didn't realize how close your place was until I actually got to your street.
So I was gonna walk an extra block, you know, to avoid the whole thing, but it's raining, so I thought, well, I'll just walk right past her place.
And then I-I got here, and I-I started, uh, well, I-I started lurking.
What were you doing at the community center in Park Slope? I was at an AA meeting.
Yeah, I've been going to different neighborhoods.
I'm trying to find a good fit, but, um Don't worry about it.
I'll-I'll mark this one off for sure.
Uh, I'm sorry for I'm sorry.
Have a good night, Soph.
I'm sorry.
Bye.
Kevin, wait.
I Are you okay? I'm only asking 'cause, when you broke up with me, I just spent a lot of time wondering if you were okay.
I also wanted to kill you.
It was like 50% wondering, 50% wanting to kill.
More like 70/30.
70% wondering if I was okay and 30% wanting to kill me? No.
Got it.
Um I'm okay.
Okay, good.
Can we go get a coffee? I'm engaged.
Oh.
Well, then, a coffee should be safe.
Hi.
You've reached Beth Pearson.
Please leave a message.
Hi.
You've reached Beth Pearson.
Please leave a message.
I've called you four times, Beth.
What, did you turn your phone off so you wouldn't have to deal with me while you're busy standing me up? You know, if you had told me something was this important to you, Heaven and Earth couldn't have stopped me from being there.
But maybe that's the difference between us.
I don't know.
I hope it was worth it.
Okay? I hope you're off having fun talking about how to teach bored housewives how to twirl better.
Grow the hell up, Beth.
- Are you okay? - Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
I'm just taking it all in.
Come on, guys! We got to hurry! Go faster! We don't want to get caught! - Come on, Sophie, throw one.
- I don't want to.
Please? So, your fiancé, this Grant, uh, does he work at the hospital as well? - He's a kindergarten teacher.
- Oh.
I met him at my friend Allison's birthday party.
Allison.
I remember Allison.
She's the one that hates me.
- No, that was Alicia.
- Alicia hates me.
Yeah.
But now Allison hates you, too.
- Really? - Yeah.
- Now everyone I know hates you.
- Okay, fair enough.
Yeah, well, okay, go on, go on.
Uh, well, it was only, like, a month after we broke up.
Uh, I wasn't even gonna go to the party 'cause I was still in my, like, "only wear sweatpants and re-watch every episode of Friends" phase.
But she convinced me, and there was Grant, sitting at the piano, playing "She's Always a Woman.
" He's from Long Island, so Billy Joel's pretty much his god.
Yeah, of course.
We locked eyes, and it was one of those stupid magical moments.
And six months later, he put a ring on it.
- Hmm.
- It's a beautiful ring.
Thank you.
So, you guys gonna have kids, or? Uh, I'm sorry, don't answer that.
That's none of my business.
It's just, uh Well, um Zoe doesn't want kids.
Like, ever, and I'm, you know, I'm I don't know what I want.
But I need to make a decision before she commits to spending time with me.
And I need to choose between a life without Zoe - or a life without kids.
- Mm-hmm.
Right? Which really sucks for me because I'm bad at making choices.
- Yeah, well, that's probably 'cause - you're not used to doing it.
What do you mean? Kev, y-you always got it all.
I mean, our entire lives, you were able to get exactly what you wanted just by being you.
What are you doing, Kevin? Now you're stuck with me.
But this Zoe sounds like - she's really good for you.
- Yeah.
She got you to go to couples counseling.
I mean, I couldn't even get you to see Amélie.
Yeah.
Sorry about that.
Oh, that's the hospital.
Um, I got to run.
Yeah? Okay.
Okay.
S-Sophie.
Hey, um Kev just decide what you want.
You always get it.
Maya, you have outdone yourself with this meal.
They're gonna have to wheel me into work tomorrow on a shopping cart.
Thank you, Randall.
That's what I aim for.
Oh, thank you.
Goodness.
We'll pack a container for your wife.
It's a shame to let the entire lamb chop go to waste.
I'm sorry it was so last-minute.
She got stuck with work.
- Excuse me a moment.
- Yes.
So, Tom, your brother works with the city? He's general counsel for the mayor.
He just started about a year or so ago, but things are going really well for him right now.
Look who I found at our doorstep.
Hi, everyone.
I'm so sorry I'm late.
- Beth.
Hi.
- Hey.
I thought, I thought you weren't coming.
Are you kidding me? I was trying like a madwoman to get here.
There was an accident on 95 and traffic was at a standstill.
Then my phone died, so it was the perfect storm.
Oh, you poor thing.
Riesling or Cabernet? I have to choose? You know what, if you could direct me to your restroom - and then maybe a phone charger.
- Baby, I got one in my car.
- I can give it to you later.
- Oh, no problem.
We've got them all over the place.
- Hon, follow me.
- Oh, thanks.
Excuse me.
Yes.
Hey.
They got everything they needed.
He's sleeping.
Poor guy needs a rest.
Yeah.
I'm sorry I left like that.
It's okay.
No big deal.
Uh no, it is a big deal.
I've been letting you down, and I need you to admit that it sucks.
Okay.
All right.
I guess I I feel like I'm doing this alone, and it sucks.
When I look at him all I can see is tubes and tape and needles and pain.
But when you look at him, you see our son, and you know exactly how to take care of him.
And I have no idea how you do that.
When I look at Jack, I am scared as hell of his tubes and his tape, too.
But then I look at his eyes, and I-I see that his left is just a tiny smidge bigger than his right, like yours.
And when I see the little tiny crease above his chin, like mine, I see us.
I see us.
And he's tiny.
And it is scary.
But, Tobe we made him.
You and me.
What if I'm just not cut out for any of this? Tobe, you are.
And I believe that so much that I'm going to take a shower.
- That's weird.
- No.
It's necessary.
I mean, it's been days since I've showered, and it's getting funky, so - I'm gonna leave you here alone.
Okay? - Okay.
And you're gonna be great.
You don't have to do anything.
All right.
- Okay? - Yeah.
- I love you.
- I love you.
That sounds beautiful.
You you get your phone back on? It's charging.
How's everybody liking Maya's purple sweet potato cheesecake? Oh, it is delicious, Maya.
I would love the recipe, - if you'd share it.
- Absolutely.
When you gonna have time to start making cheesecake all of a sudden now? I'd eat my hat if Marcus had time to make cheesecake.
Are you much of a baker, Beth? Uh, I'm more of a tear open a bag of Oreos kind of gal.
More coffee, anyone? I'd love a refill, Maya.
- You want some? - I'm good.
Beth, Randall tells us that you used to work in urban planning.
It's good for Randall to have someone, uh, with that type of background on his court, especially as he takes the reins of District 12.
Thank you, Marcus, but, uh, this man has enough brilliant ideas of his own.
- Have a safe drive home, you two.
- Thank you, sir.
I'm really looking forward to working with you.
Beth, uh, before you get in your car and check your phone, earlier, uh, when I thought you weren't coming, uh, I left you a voice mail.
I kind of went off.
It's not exactly my proudest moment.
I'd really appreciate if you just deleted the message.
You mean the one where you belittled me and told me to grow the hell up? Yeah, I got it.
After I gave up an important night with my new coworkers, then sat nearly three hours in traffic, then endured a three-hour dinner, because, "Sure, I'd love a refill, Maya.
" - Beth - You know what, Randall, you still have that cot at your office? You should go sleep on it.
And take this weird-ass purple cheesecake with you.
Hey, Zoe? Hey.
So, here's the thing.
If I have to choose between a life with you and a life with kids, it's no contest.
I choose you.
Are you sure? Really sure? - If you need more time - I choose you.
It's you.
Final answer.
Okay.
Okay.
Come here.
Does it make you sad that you never went to a dance? Come on, of course not.
No.
Why won't the moon Ever shine for me You know, I think this is a little dated for Generation Nirvana.
- Mm.
- Did you request it? - For you.
- I've been a good guy All of my life Um, Jack, would you, uh I don't know, maybe want to dance with me? Why won't the moon Ever smile for me? - This is ridiculous.
- Maybe.
It makes me want to cry I've been waiting a long, long time You know, being here doesn't make me sad.
In fact, if anything, it makes me amazed.
The kids, they have such a normal upbringing, and that's because of you.
I mean, I don't have any of this in my back pocket.
You know, n-no good childhood memories to go off of, so I'm just kind of making things up as I go along.
But you you do all this so well.
It's all so effortless.
And I think things are gonna be effortless for them, too, because of you.
Anyway, that that's mainly what I'm feeling.
I'm just I'm amazed by you.
Well, I'm in love with you.
Whew.
I've been a good guy Hey, do you think, if you and I had gone to school together, that we would've liked each other? Don't let love pass me by I don't know.
The girl with bows in her hair and the boy who got in his first fistfight - when he was eight years old? - Mm-hmm.
I think I might have been too big a Goody Two-shoes for you.
- You know what I think? - Hmm? I think, if I saw you in school, everything else would disappear.
Don't let love pass me by All of a sudden, none of it would have mattered, not my dad's drinking or my parents fighting.
I would have walked right up to you and said Hi.
And do what I ought to do And that would've been it.
Happily ever after.
- Really? - Mm-hmm.
- Just like that? - Just like that.
Please make my dream come true - What about our kids? - Hmm? What do you think their "happily ever after" is gonna look like? Hi, button.
Hi.
Toby, you ready? Uh uh yeah.
- Yeah.
Okay.
You sure? - Yeah.
Jack, this is your dad.
I'm not sleeping in Philadelphia, Beth.
We can't keep simmering like this forever.
Fine, you want to do this right now? Let's do this.
Close the door.
Toby, it's me.
Listen, I'm in the car with Kate, and, uh, I really think we should call an ambulance.
I've been drinking all day.
I thought I had it under control.
I don't think I can do this without you, Zoe.
His, uh, water bottle was full of vodka.
Baby, it's not that I don't want you to do what you love.
I'm just saying, if we're gonna get childcare, is the cost of that childcare greater than or equal to what we'd be bringing in? You mean what I'd be bringing in.
He-he just he doesn't look like a regular Because he's not.
Good bye, little dude.
We're gonna come back and see you again real soon.
He's gonna be good.
It's only been two days, and he already looks stronger.
Yeah, I think so, too.
Okay.
- Please don't feel bad.
- Kate.
Mom's staying.
It's gonna be good.
I wish we could stay longer, but we got a whiteboard at home that feels different.
Thanks for coming.
- We love you guys.
- Love you, too.
See you.
You are my sunshine My only sunshine You make me happy when skies are gray You'll never know Jack How much I love you Please don't take My sunshine away.
I remember my first dance like it was yesterday.
I wore a light pink chiffon dress and white Mary Janes.
- Check out my bow tie.
- Wow.
Looks good, Kev.
Even better with pants.
I can't put them on too soon, - or I'll get 'em wrinkled.
- You just want to look good so you can get your first kiss with Sophie.
So what if I want to kiss Sophie? - She is my girlfriend.
- What's that about your girlfriend? Our son is gunning for his first kiss tonight.
Oh.
You better be a perfect gentleman, Kevin.
- Duh, Mom.
- I hope Sophie likes hair gel.
- She'll like it.
- Is that stiff enough? - Stop.
It has to be perfect.
- Kev.
Upstairs, please.
- Pants.
- Hey, Katie girl.
Hi, Dad.
All right, Bug.
Here you go.
- Thanks, Mom.
- You're welcome.
I do not understand today's fashion.
- Who does? - Hi.
- Hi.
Hey! - Ooh! Look at you, Randall.
- Looking sharp.
- Wow.
Yeah No wonder Kate's friend wanted to bring you to this dance.
Yeah, Jessica said she's really excited that you decided to come and dance with her.
Uh-huh.
Have you guys seen my shoes? - I can't find them.
- Have you tried putting your cards down to look for them? Today I found out that next week I have a science test on cytoplasmic organelles.
- I suck at organelles.
- Step ahead of me, bud.
I don't even know what organelles are.
Uh-uh.
Shoes are under the table.
I have a feeling Jessica's gonna be hearing - a lot about organelles tonight.
- Yeah.
Thank you for agreeing to chaperone with me, - by the way.
- Oh, yeah.
Wow, I can't believe they're going to their first dance.
The awkwardness.
The anticipation.
- The retainers.
- Yeah, sounds great.
Almost as great as a night without the kids.
You're being sarcastic, and I don't even care.
I can't believe how grown-up they are, Jack.
Feels like just yesterday they were babies.
Yeah.
Hello, old friend.
Hit me.
What's on the docket for today, Jae-won? Back-to-back interviews through lunch Hang on, Jae-won.
I'm getting another call.
- Dej, what's up? - Where'd you put the permission slip for my field trip? In your backpack, uh, front pocket.
Got to go.
Bye.
- Hit me.
- After lunch, we'll go over candidates for director of communications, then more interviews.
Legislative aides Whoa, that's a lot of dead trees, man.
I need to be home in time - for Beth to get to her dance class.
- These are reports from the Public Works and Safety committees.
Committees you need to get yourself placed on.
So get reading, Mon ami.
Just stop going up.
Hey, babe.
Sorry I'm late.
There's chicken on the stove.
Girls are upstairs.
Annie needs help with her science.
And tomorrow night, don't forget my dance recital.
7:30 sharp.
Can't wait to see what you've been working on.
- Thanks.
- Have a great class.
All right, thanks.
Who's higher on the food chain, the owl or the mouse? The owl, because it eats the mouse.
You bet your cute face it does.
- Thanks, Dad.
- You're welcome.
- Favorite jeans, fresh out of the dryer.
- One, two, three, four, five, six, release your arms, and one, two, three, four Hey, babe.
How was your This is a great space.
Love your taste in art.
I love that one.
That is a flower that's supposed to, uh, kind of look like a vagina.
Right? My daughter did that when she was seven.
Hmm.
Well, she is, uh She's talented.
Why don't you each tell me why you come to couples therapy.
So, the-the f-flashing neon light in the room is that I started drinking again after about a year of, uh, being sober.
- Are you still drinking? - No.
I'm not.
Um, I've been sober for four days now.
Been going to AA meetings every single day, and I just really I need to do sobriety right this time.
And I want to do this relationship right, too.
It's important to me.
What about you, Zoe? Well, uh, a relapse I could deal with.
You know, you date an addict, you know the-the risks, right? Uh, but it's just all the sneaking around and the lying.
I mean, he was secretly drinking a bottle of vodka in the hospital while his sister was having an emergency C-section.
Well, to be fair, that's exactly the kind of situation that makes you want to drink.
Okay.
Not that we're being fair.
I mean, we don't need Who needs that? Jane, I see you trying not to smile at him.
And it's okay.
See, he's very charming.
And, uh, he makes me want to smile at him, too.
I just don't want to be a sucker.
- You know? - You're not the sucker.
Zoe, I messed up.
I messed up big.
All right? But I'm gonna do whatever it takes to win your trust back, because you're that important to me.
And, to be honest with you, I can see it all with you.
The settling down, having kids, moving to the burbs.
M-Maybe not the burbs.
You know.
But but the rest of it.
See that? We crushed the first question.
I think we're ready for the second.
Hey, you guys, have a blast.
I know how special first dances can be, so we just want you to go and have There's Sophie.
I can't believe you guys are here.
Don't embarrass us.
Fine.
I just want you guys to have fun.
- Okay.
- Ugh.
Hi, Jessica.
Um, thanks for inviting me.
You're welcome.
Um, do you happen to know anything about mitochondria? - You look really pretty.
- Thanks.
I like your bow tie, and your hair.
Do you want to dance? Hey, we're gonna go prank Principal Fleming soon.
- You in? - Totally.
I remember my first slow dance - with Pete Novak.
- Yeah? He stepped on every single one of my toes until they were purple, but I loved every minute of it.
- Who was your first dance with? - Never had one.
- What? - I almost went to homecoming once, but my father, he, uh, pulled a Stanley, got into a fight with my mom, and grabbed a six-pack and took off with the car.
No car, no dance.
Ah.
Oh, come on.
You're not seriously upset by that, are you? - I - That was 30 years ago.
I know, but I'm bummed for you that you didn't have this iconic school experience.
Trust me, not getting to dance to Frankie Avalon as a kid was the least of my problems.
I think there are plenty of chaperones here, don't you? Come on.
I thought you wanted to see the kids' first moments.
Yeah, I-I do, but we have four hours for that.
We're-we're here for four hours? - Yeah.
- Rebecca.
You are one handsome boy.
Sweet little handsome boy.
- Hey, guys.
- Hi.
So it's time to take some blood and urine samples.
Still totally routine.
We just have to continue to monitor all his levels, okay? If you want, you can talk to Jack or sing to him.
- It can be comforting.
- Okay.
Toby, what should we sing? Raindrops on roses And whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles And warm woolen mittens Oh, you're doing so good, button.
Uh, we can't know if he's doing good.
He can't cry.
He's got that tube crammed down his throat.
Okay.
Blood sample's all done.
Now we're going to insert the catheter into his urethra to take the urine sample.
Okay, can you not? C-Can't you get everything you need fr-from the-the blood test or slide a little tiny bedpan under him and just wait until he pees instead of sticking something else Toby, stop it.
When the dog bites - When the bee stings - I'm sorry.
- Hey.
- Hey.
How was your AA meeting? You find the one you like? Yeah.
I tried one in the East Village.
Uh, the people were pretty cool, but the place kind of smelled like asparagus.
I think there's a vegan restaurant next door.
Listen, I need to talk to you about something you said at therapy.
Okay.
When you mentioned kids.
Is that something you really want? Why? Are you pregnant? That was a bad joke.
Wait.
Are you pregnant? Kevin, I I want to be direct with you.
I love you.
But I don't want to have kids.
Kids have never been part of my plan and they will never be.
Is this because of your dad? Um, I think it's more than that.
I I like my life I like my life the way it is.
I-I I like that I have the freedom to just pick up and travel.
I like not basing my life around soccer practice and math homework.
- Mm-hmm.
- I like that if we wanted, we could have sex on the counter right now with no fear of a kid walking in and being scarred for life.
Well, I have the time.
We are not having sex on the counter right now.
Right.
Well, um It's just, well You never mentioned this before.
Oh, I guess I thought we were on the same page.
When your sister was trying to get pregnant, you said that that having a kid was the last thing you could imagine.
I know, but I just kind of thought eventually, you know, s It just seems like something people do.
But I guess I, I guess I don't have to have one.
I mean, not necessarily.
- Kevin.
- Hmm? I have given this a lot of thought.
And you should, too.
If you if you decide you really, truly don't want to have kids, then I am all in with you.
I will stick it out through the counseling and your recovery, whatever it takes.
But if having kids is something you need to make your life complete you have to tell me.
'Cause I don't want to waste either of our time.
Thank you all so much for coming to our spring showcase.
And I want to say a special thank you to our newest instructor, Beth Pearson.
Beth just started with us, but really went above and beyond to get her dancers ready for tonight.
I am so proud of all of our dancers, and the incredibly hard work they've put in to tonight's performance.
You are in for an exciting evening.
I'm thrilled to present tonight's performance to you.
Now, if you'll all silence your phones, we'll get started in a few moments.
Damn, you really went for it with these flowers.
Thank you, baby.
I love 'em.
- You know what I love? - Hmm? My wife.
And that badass dance she choreographed tonight.
Ah, come on.
I just helped it across the finish line.
Don't be modest.
Hey, that one part where the dancer kept doing those twirly things that went on and on and on? She looked like a human dreidel.
- What do you call those things? - Pirouette.
She did seven pirouettes off of one plié.
Last week, she could have only done five.
Well, that was before Beth Pearson showed up on the scene like some kind of ballet fixer.
Like Harvey Keitel in Pulp Fiction, but with ballet.
You know, my boss gave me a really nice shout-out in her speech at the beginning.
I wish you could have been there to hear it.
Well, I'm really sorry.
I tried my hardest to be there at 7:30 sharp.
Tell me what she said about you.
Her exact words.
She said I went above and beyond.
That's what I'm talking about.
Mm.
All right.
I'm gonna take a shower.
Come back down and get the girls' lunches ready.
- Mm-hmm.
- Uh, you have dishes tonight.
Yeah.
I got it.
- Mm-hmm.
- Hey, Beth.
Uh, sorry.
Marcus Duncan, city council president, invited us to dinner at his house tomorrow night with the other incoming councilmen.
Oh.
I can't.
I have a class till 5.
Yeah, but dinner's not till 8:00.
Look, I know it'll be tight, but I really think you could make it.
I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important, Beth.
Duncan assigns the new councilmen to their committees.
It's important that I make a good impression on him.
And I You tend to be the most impressive part of the impressions that I make.
But if it's too much, I understand.
No.
No.
I'll be there.
- Really? - Yeah.
Thank you.
You know what you really missed out on - by not going to school dances? - What's that? Where you sneak away and find a hidden place to make out with your date.
Oh.
What are you guys doing? - Randall? - Randall.
What What are you doing here? I came in here to study for my science test.
Hey, you know, Kate's friend, she invited you here.
Dad, my science average is 97.
6, and Willy Hogan's science average is 97.
8.
Which is why I need to read about mitochondria right now.
No.
Randall, you made a commitment to Jessica.
So, you can study this weekend until your brain overheats, but right now, you're gonna go back in that gym, and you're gonna ask that girl if she wants to dance.
- Yeah, come on.
Let's go.
- I Let's go.
Okay.
But if I don't get into an Ivy League college, - it's on you guys.
- Fine.
Let's go.
Hey, babe.
What's up? Babe, I need to talk to you about tonight.
I know timing sucks, but something exciting happened for me at work, and I'm not sure I'm gonna be able to make the dinner.
- What happened? - My boss invited me out for drinks tonight with some of the other instructors to talk about the future of the studio.
And it's a big deal to be included, since I'm brand-new.
Well, can't it wait until tomorrow? No, 'cause it's happening tonight.
I already told Duncan we were both gonna be there for dinner.
Yeah.
- See you later, Beth.
- Okay.
Yeah, I thought I could, but now a work thing came up.
- You got to take this.
- Just one second.
You know my work is just as legitimate as yours is, Randall.
I know that.
Hey, Beth, look, I know you can't see what my days have been like lately, but I have been burning the candle at about 12 different ends trying to be a good councilman and husband and father, which, for the record, has been my pleasure.
But now, I need you to do this one thing.
Okay? I need you to be there for me tonight.
Are you hearing me? Yeah, I hear you.
You've made it clear what you want.
Uh Hey, how's that Highlights treating you? Well, I haven't found all the differences between the two pictures of the cat climbing a tree, - so - I know that one.
In picture number two, the bird's missing a wing.
- So it is.
- This place needs new magazines.
Toby.
I'm Gavin.
I've seen you and your wife around here past few days.
Yeah, six days.
We've been here six days, and I still feel like I'm outside myself, watching someone else in my body from above.
Tell me about it.
We've been here six weeks.
I know.
Our baby was born with a hole in her heart.
And they did surgery, and-and then she got better, but then she got worse.
Then the infection cleared, and then her bowel ruptured, and I'm pretty sure that all the bad karma I accumulated by being a dick in my 20s has finally caught up to me.
Our kid is 12 weeks early.
Two and a half pounds.
He's hooked up to all those I.
V.
s and machines.
He's got this ventilator tube crammed down his throat.
It's blocking his vocal cords, so he can't cry.
I've never heard my kid cry.
Can you believe that? You want to hear something really messed-up? You know Max and Louise, they got a kid here.
And Max is, like, NBA tall, and Louise has that red hair.
Oh, yeah.
She looks like Wilma from The Flintstones.
Exactly.
Max and Louise.
So, their baby's organs are failing, and they can't do anything about it, so their baby's not coming home.
Uh, you're right, that is messed-up.
No, no, the messed-up part is sometimes I think about them, and-and it makes me feel better.
I think, "Oh, at least I've got a chance of going home.
I'm better off than Max and Louise.
" Dark.
Yep.
My wife Kate, she she sings to the baby.
She holds his little tiny hand, then she calls him "little button," because he's so friggin' tiny.
And she smiles at him.
She genuinely smiles at him.
'Cause they're better at it than us moms.
I don't, I don't know.
It's 'cause they literally grew the kids inside of them, or-or what, but they, you know, they just they're, you know they're better.
Yep.
Hi.
My name is Tyler, and I'm an alcoholic.
Hi, Tyler.
The way I treated Kevin? What are you doing lurking outside of my apartment? Uh, I-I wasn't.
I-I wasn't lurking.
I was coming from the community center.
I was walking to the train, and, uh, I didn't realize how close your place was until I actually got to your street.
So I was gonna walk an extra block, you know, to avoid the whole thing, but it's raining, so I thought, well, I'll just walk right past her place.
And then I-I got here, and I-I started, uh, well, I-I started lurking.
What were you doing at the community center in Park Slope? I was at an AA meeting.
Yeah, I've been going to different neighborhoods.
I'm trying to find a good fit, but, um Don't worry about it.
I'll-I'll mark this one off for sure.
Uh, I'm sorry for I'm sorry.
Have a good night, Soph.
I'm sorry.
Bye.
Kevin, wait.
I Are you okay? I'm only asking 'cause, when you broke up with me, I just spent a lot of time wondering if you were okay.
I also wanted to kill you.
It was like 50% wondering, 50% wanting to kill.
More like 70/30.
70% wondering if I was okay and 30% wanting to kill me? No.
Got it.
Um I'm okay.
Okay, good.
Can we go get a coffee? I'm engaged.
Oh.
Well, then, a coffee should be safe.
Hi.
You've reached Beth Pearson.
Please leave a message.
Hi.
You've reached Beth Pearson.
Please leave a message.
I've called you four times, Beth.
What, did you turn your phone off so you wouldn't have to deal with me while you're busy standing me up? You know, if you had told me something was this important to you, Heaven and Earth couldn't have stopped me from being there.
But maybe that's the difference between us.
I don't know.
I hope it was worth it.
Okay? I hope you're off having fun talking about how to teach bored housewives how to twirl better.
Grow the hell up, Beth.
- Are you okay? - Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
I'm just taking it all in.
Come on, guys! We got to hurry! Go faster! We don't want to get caught! - Come on, Sophie, throw one.
- I don't want to.
Please? So, your fiancé, this Grant, uh, does he work at the hospital as well? - He's a kindergarten teacher.
- Oh.
I met him at my friend Allison's birthday party.
Allison.
I remember Allison.
She's the one that hates me.
- No, that was Alicia.
- Alicia hates me.
Yeah.
But now Allison hates you, too.
- Really? - Yeah.
- Now everyone I know hates you.
- Okay, fair enough.
Yeah, well, okay, go on, go on.
Uh, well, it was only, like, a month after we broke up.
Uh, I wasn't even gonna go to the party 'cause I was still in my, like, "only wear sweatpants and re-watch every episode of Friends" phase.
But she convinced me, and there was Grant, sitting at the piano, playing "She's Always a Woman.
" He's from Long Island, so Billy Joel's pretty much his god.
Yeah, of course.
We locked eyes, and it was one of those stupid magical moments.
And six months later, he put a ring on it.
- Hmm.
- It's a beautiful ring.
Thank you.
So, you guys gonna have kids, or? Uh, I'm sorry, don't answer that.
That's none of my business.
It's just, uh Well, um Zoe doesn't want kids.
Like, ever, and I'm, you know, I'm I don't know what I want.
But I need to make a decision before she commits to spending time with me.
And I need to choose between a life without Zoe - or a life without kids.
- Mm-hmm.
Right? Which really sucks for me because I'm bad at making choices.
- Yeah, well, that's probably 'cause - you're not used to doing it.
What do you mean? Kev, y-you always got it all.
I mean, our entire lives, you were able to get exactly what you wanted just by being you.
What are you doing, Kevin? Now you're stuck with me.
But this Zoe sounds like - she's really good for you.
- Yeah.
She got you to go to couples counseling.
I mean, I couldn't even get you to see Amélie.
Yeah.
Sorry about that.
Oh, that's the hospital.
Um, I got to run.
Yeah? Okay.
Okay.
S-Sophie.
Hey, um Kev just decide what you want.
You always get it.
Maya, you have outdone yourself with this meal.
They're gonna have to wheel me into work tomorrow on a shopping cart.
Thank you, Randall.
That's what I aim for.
Oh, thank you.
Goodness.
We'll pack a container for your wife.
It's a shame to let the entire lamb chop go to waste.
I'm sorry it was so last-minute.
She got stuck with work.
- Excuse me a moment.
- Yes.
So, Tom, your brother works with the city? He's general counsel for the mayor.
He just started about a year or so ago, but things are going really well for him right now.
Look who I found at our doorstep.
Hi, everyone.
I'm so sorry I'm late.
- Beth.
Hi.
- Hey.
I thought, I thought you weren't coming.
Are you kidding me? I was trying like a madwoman to get here.
There was an accident on 95 and traffic was at a standstill.
Then my phone died, so it was the perfect storm.
Oh, you poor thing.
Riesling or Cabernet? I have to choose? You know what, if you could direct me to your restroom - and then maybe a phone charger.
- Baby, I got one in my car.
- I can give it to you later.
- Oh, no problem.
We've got them all over the place.
- Hon, follow me.
- Oh, thanks.
Excuse me.
Yes.
Hey.
They got everything they needed.
He's sleeping.
Poor guy needs a rest.
Yeah.
I'm sorry I left like that.
It's okay.
No big deal.
Uh no, it is a big deal.
I've been letting you down, and I need you to admit that it sucks.
Okay.
All right.
I guess I I feel like I'm doing this alone, and it sucks.
When I look at him all I can see is tubes and tape and needles and pain.
But when you look at him, you see our son, and you know exactly how to take care of him.
And I have no idea how you do that.
When I look at Jack, I am scared as hell of his tubes and his tape, too.
But then I look at his eyes, and I-I see that his left is just a tiny smidge bigger than his right, like yours.
And when I see the little tiny crease above his chin, like mine, I see us.
I see us.
And he's tiny.
And it is scary.
But, Tobe we made him.
You and me.
What if I'm just not cut out for any of this? Tobe, you are.
And I believe that so much that I'm going to take a shower.
- That's weird.
- No.
It's necessary.
I mean, it's been days since I've showered, and it's getting funky, so - I'm gonna leave you here alone.
Okay? - Okay.
And you're gonna be great.
You don't have to do anything.
All right.
- Okay? - Yeah.
- I love you.
- I love you.
That sounds beautiful.
You you get your phone back on? It's charging.
How's everybody liking Maya's purple sweet potato cheesecake? Oh, it is delicious, Maya.
I would love the recipe, - if you'd share it.
- Absolutely.
When you gonna have time to start making cheesecake all of a sudden now? I'd eat my hat if Marcus had time to make cheesecake.
Are you much of a baker, Beth? Uh, I'm more of a tear open a bag of Oreos kind of gal.
More coffee, anyone? I'd love a refill, Maya.
- You want some? - I'm good.
Beth, Randall tells us that you used to work in urban planning.
It's good for Randall to have someone, uh, with that type of background on his court, especially as he takes the reins of District 12.
Thank you, Marcus, but, uh, this man has enough brilliant ideas of his own.
- Have a safe drive home, you two.
- Thank you, sir.
I'm really looking forward to working with you.
Beth, uh, before you get in your car and check your phone, earlier, uh, when I thought you weren't coming, uh, I left you a voice mail.
I kind of went off.
It's not exactly my proudest moment.
I'd really appreciate if you just deleted the message.
You mean the one where you belittled me and told me to grow the hell up? Yeah, I got it.
After I gave up an important night with my new coworkers, then sat nearly three hours in traffic, then endured a three-hour dinner, because, "Sure, I'd love a refill, Maya.
" - Beth - You know what, Randall, you still have that cot at your office? You should go sleep on it.
And take this weird-ass purple cheesecake with you.
Hey, Zoe? Hey.
So, here's the thing.
If I have to choose between a life with you and a life with kids, it's no contest.
I choose you.
Are you sure? Really sure? - If you need more time - I choose you.
It's you.
Final answer.
Okay.
Okay.
Come here.
Does it make you sad that you never went to a dance? Come on, of course not.
No.
Why won't the moon Ever shine for me You know, I think this is a little dated for Generation Nirvana.
- Mm.
- Did you request it? - For you.
- I've been a good guy All of my life Um, Jack, would you, uh I don't know, maybe want to dance with me? Why won't the moon Ever smile for me? - This is ridiculous.
- Maybe.
It makes me want to cry I've been waiting a long, long time You know, being here doesn't make me sad.
In fact, if anything, it makes me amazed.
The kids, they have such a normal upbringing, and that's because of you.
I mean, I don't have any of this in my back pocket.
You know, n-no good childhood memories to go off of, so I'm just kind of making things up as I go along.
But you you do all this so well.
It's all so effortless.
And I think things are gonna be effortless for them, too, because of you.
Anyway, that that's mainly what I'm feeling.
I'm just I'm amazed by you.
Well, I'm in love with you.
Whew.
I've been a good guy Hey, do you think, if you and I had gone to school together, that we would've liked each other? Don't let love pass me by I don't know.
The girl with bows in her hair and the boy who got in his first fistfight - when he was eight years old? - Mm-hmm.
I think I might have been too big a Goody Two-shoes for you.
- You know what I think? - Hmm? I think, if I saw you in school, everything else would disappear.
Don't let love pass me by All of a sudden, none of it would have mattered, not my dad's drinking or my parents fighting.
I would have walked right up to you and said Hi.
And do what I ought to do And that would've been it.
Happily ever after.
- Really? - Mm-hmm.
- Just like that? - Just like that.
Please make my dream come true - What about our kids? - Hmm? What do you think their "happily ever after" is gonna look like? Hi, button.
Hi.
Toby, you ready? Uh uh yeah.
- Yeah.
Okay.
You sure? - Yeah.
Jack, this is your dad.
I'm not sleeping in Philadelphia, Beth.
We can't keep simmering like this forever.
Fine, you want to do this right now? Let's do this.
Close the door.