Original subtitles

["This Must Be the Place" by Talking Heads playing]

[Penelope] Dude, you used up all of the milk.

Good morning.

The soufflés. They have to stay upright.

Good morning.

-Morning. -Morning, Dad.

Come on, you guys. Seriously?

Come on. First day back. Let's go.

-Mm... -I'm gonna walk.

Yeah. Okay. Great. Walk. I love it.

Hey, Flora, I'm proud of you for going back.

Okay. Love you. Bye.

I love you. We'll--

Oh, God, why does no one listen? We said out the door at 7:30.

-No breakfast? -I got it, Mom.

-Okay. -Geez.

All right, let's get this show on the road, kiddos.

Oh, wow, honey. When was the last time you showered?

I'll eat after practice.

Okay, uh, hurry, Dad is driving.

Come on. Come on.

Come on, guys, please.

Thank you.

Dad, I can't drop the soufflés.

They're not gonna fall, honey.

♪I feel numb♪

♪Born with a weak heart♪

♪I guess I must be having fun♪

Hey! Hey, Pen!

♪The less we say about it the better♪

♪We make it up as we go along♪

-Wait. Hey, what about-- -Jill's driving me.

♪Feet on the ground Head in the sky♪

♪It's okay, I know nothing's wrong♪

Where's Dad?

Can we just go?

-Yes, we can. -[car beeps]

-Pen, wait. -I told Dakota I'd meet her.

Well--

You don't need to walk us in. Mom never did.

Justin?

Love you, Dad.

Okay. All right. Well, you guys have a great day. Okay?

[somber music playing]

Be safe.

[bell rings]

Oh. Casey. Hey.

What happened? I thought we were doing the first day together.

Yeah. We waited.

You didn't wait long.

Hey, where's Merritt?

Jill drove him. He has wrestling practice.

-A little heads up? -Not my job anymore.

-I love you, bug. -Have a great day, babes.

-Say hi to Pen-- -Have the best day at cheer, okay?

-[music ends] -[Malcolm crying softly]

-[knock on window] -[woman] Are you okay?

Yes, fine. Thank you. Thank you.

Oh, come on. [sniffs]

-[quiet crying] -[Malcolm sighs]

[phone keypad beeps]

[ringtone playing]

Hey.

You okay?

[scoffs]

Yes.

[laughs softly]

[Lori] Ugh. Just tell me how badly I've scarred them.

-You know, like, I mean-- -[Malcolm laughs]

Is this the year that goes down as like,

Mom and Dad got divorced and ruined our lives?

I'm-- That was so insensitive. I'm so sorry.

-I-- -No, it's refreshing.

I-I-I-It is. I mean, I'm-- [sighs]

I'm overloaded on widower sympathy.

And you lost Jenny, too.

Yeah.

-Hey. -Mm.

Not wearing your ring.

Yeah. Uh... Experimenting. Following your lead, I guess.

Oh, no, no. No, no. No. You do not go by me.

David told me to take mine off. He's like, "We're not married anymore."

I am not the one to ask.

Oh. Maybe I'll ask my kids.

Or my congregation.

-They'll definitely have an opinion. -[laughs] Yes, they will.

So, what do you think?

[somber music resumes]

I think...

I think I wouldn't have made it through the summer without you.

Me, too.

-All right. -Yeah.

Thank you. I get no sympathy from the moms at school.

No, they just wanna gossip about me and rescue you.

[laughs] Yeah, well, death trumps divorce.

They're actually more subtle than the women at church.

How do you think the kids are?

I think the kids are exactly where they need to be.

Flora's back at school.

Yeah, there she is.

I trust her. Uh, I just wanna make sure that it sticks.

I need her hanging out with other kids again.

And Justin, on the other hand,

I don't worry about that kid at all.

Enjoy your breakfast, loser.

[Lori] You're right. They're getting back into their routines

-and that is for the best. -Hm-mm.

Especially Merritt.

[coach] Reverse.

-Good. Good. Break. -Stop!

Hey! [blows whistle] Hey! Break! Merritt!

Line drills! Now!

[whistle blows]

And Pen and Casey, they're the glue.

[Lori] Oh, yeah, they always have each other's back.

Hey. Pen.

Can we--

-Sure. -Sorry.

Look...

I thought we were doing cheer together this year?

Yeah. Um, I just signed up with Dakota, but you, you still can.

Okay, well, you've been ghosting me all summer, so...

-[Dakota] Penelope. -I have to go. Sorry.

Hey.

What was that about?

Nothing.

-I just feel bad. -[Dakota scoffs]

Don't. You have a dead mother.

You can do whatever you want.

Okay, well, I'm also a PK. No, I can't.

[Lori] So, we're good, then?

We're good. They're good. Yeah, look, on our way to great.

Okay.

[sighs] I really should get to work.

Mm. And I need to get to the church.

You said I'd know when it's time. It's been almost a year.

I think it's time.

Okay. Well, that's wonderful.

Everyone's really missed you.

You-- Your sermons. Your voice.

Sorry. No pressure.

No. [chuckles]

[somber music playing]

[Malcolm] Grace is a gift from God.

We do not save ourselves.

Grace is not something we earn

or boast about.

We named our church "Grace," because we, this community,

live an energized life of grace.

We are saved by grace,

because we believe.

-[congregation] Yes. -Because we believe.

Amen.

[with congregation] Amen.

[phone ringing]

[Lori] No, that's in your rider, no gluten on that photo shoot.

So, I don't know why there are pretzels on set, Mandy.

Yeah, I would feel bloated, too.

No, I wouldn't want my photo taken, no.

-[computer chimes] -I--

What?

No. I will fix this.

-I'm on it. -[computer chimes]

Gail.

[frustrated sigh]

I know that was you.

You signed me up for online dating?

They're called dating apps now. IRL Match. It stand for "in real life."

Okay. I know what it stand for.

-You're ready. It's been six months. -Okay, exactly.

It has only been six months, and we've been married for 17 years.

Were married.

If I left this up to you, it would never happen.

[phone chimes]

Permission for what?

[cheering in background]

What happened to cheer?

Nothing. I just changed my mind.

[Lori] To wresting?

With the boys?

Title IX, Mom. Look it up.

If Merritt wrestles, why can't I?

Plus, I probably know more about wrestling from him than half the guys. Okay?

-Okay. -Thanks.

Well, you heard her.

All right.

Trevor. You're up.

Sparring with Casey.

Let's go, Soto.

You wanted this.

[cheer group] Go, Tigers! Go, Tigers! Hey! Hey!

Get up on your feet and yell, "Go, Tigers! Go, Tigers!"

[Casey grunts] Sorry, wait.

Okay.

[panting]

[cheer group] Hey! Hey! Get up on your feet and yell,

"Go, Tigers! Go, Tigers!" Hey! Hey!

Get up on your feet and yell, "Go, Tigers! Go, Tigers!"

[muffled] Hey! Hey!

Get up on your feet and yell, "Go, Tigers! Go, Tigers!"

[loud thud]

[Casey panting]

[Coach Alcala] Great job, girls!

[coach blows whistle] Soto, back on your feet.

[Coach Alcala] Okay, girls, great job! Let's take a break.

[teen boy] All right, man. Looking good out there!

[giggling]

-[loud thud] -[whistle blows]

Harris.

Please, come join me.

How're we doing, man? Huh?

You ready for Sunday?

Mm. That is the question.

And it doesn't need an answer. Okay?

If you need more time...

Listen, man. I know you said you wanted to come back this week,

-but I am more than happy-- -No, no, no. I want to. I need to.

Thank you, though. You've been a good friend.

I got you.

It's just--

I've never felt closer to God...

and so alone at the same time.

-That's your sermon. -Mm.

That'll preach.

No, no, no. I don't wanna make Sunday about me.

I want the congregation to know that I'm there for them.

[phone vibrates]

Hey, Dad. I'm home. I'm fine.

Okay. Okay. I wasn't worried.

Yes, you were. You've probably been tracking me on your phone all day.

No, of course not. Well, not all day.

That was a joke, Flora.

Okay. Stalker.

How was, uh, how was therapy?

Therapy was therapy. School was school.

[fast-paced music playing]

Right. Um, listen, Justin and Pen are with Lori.

She is making dinner for everybody.

I have a home visit to do, but why don't you head on over there?

Yeah, I'm just gonna make something for myself here.

[somber music playing]

Right.

Okay. Look, just so you know, um, even though I'm back at work,

I'm still gonna be around for you and your brother and sister--

I gotta go. I've got homework.

I love y-- Mm.

Hello, Steven. Good evening.

Hello there, Pastor Lucas.

-No, Dad. This is Pastor Malcolm. -It's okay.

Huh.

But you, you remember this?

-Yes. -Yes, it did belong to Pastor Lucas.

But he passed it on to me.

He passed it on to me, so that I could come and administer communion

when you weren't feeling well enough to join us at church for communion Sunday.

Mm.

-Hey. -Hey. Thank you for holding down the fort.

Yeah, of course.

Hey, guys. What's happening?

We didn't have time to make Mom's meatloaf tonight.

I know. I'm sorry. I got busy. We'll do it soon, though, okay?

-Okay. -Okay.

[mouths] Thank you.

[Lori] Pen and Casey are upstairs doing homework.

Oh, okay. Hey, uh, Case is wresting? I though they were gonna do cheer?

Oh, yeah, I know. I don't know.

I just-- But something's going on between the two of them.

I dunno. Something's up.

Well, it can't be that bad. I mean, they're constantly Snapchatting.

[phone buttons beeping]

[phone camera clicks]

[phone chimes]

-[phone chimes] -[snickers]

-What's this? -I dunno. A desperate cry for help.

-[Malcolm] You joined IRL? -You know what IRL is?

Well, I have counseled the occasional newly single congregate, yeah.

It's-- this was Gail's idea.

So, I'm just, trying to-- Just...

[huffs] Who do I pick?

-You're asking me? -Yes.

I dunno. These guys are, like, swiping on me.

-And that surprises you? -Yes.

No, no. But I-- I don't know.

But I-- I trust your opinion about people more than anybody.

You know. And you're a guy.

Yes, I am.

-Okay. All right. Let's... No. -Okay.

I'm really, I'm trying to see the best in all these men here.

I know. It's making me think about things that I don't wanna think about.

-Hmm, well... -And you realize

that I have only had to deal with--

one. Since college.

Now I'm thinking about things I don't wanna think about. Thank you very much.

I know. You're welcome.

[chuckling]

All right. All right.

Hmm.

Wait, wait, wait. Go-- What about that guy?

-[Malcolm] Cuppa Joe? -Yeah.

I don't-- He's kinda funny, right?

Like, I want someone with a sense of humor.

And, like, good taste in music.

And, I don't know, he's got a nice face.

Are you really gonna do this?

I mean... at some point, right?

Yeah, I guess so.

-[Lori sighs] -Yeah.

[Malcolm sighs] Oh.

Well, you knew he was dating.

-Um... -No, I--

I didn't, actually, um...

I mean, I assumed, but I just-- At this point, I--

I didn't wanna ask.

Not that he needs to tell me.

[laughs] Wow. March 15th. He joined the day after he moved out.

Why would he not talk to me?

We had a family. I mean, we have kids.

Has he talked to you?

No. No. No, he hasn't talked to me. It's awkward.

I mean, you and Jenny were the ones. You guys talked three times a day.

He and I...

But I'm supposed to see him at some point this week.

He's been asking.

Really?

No, I mean, it's fine.

What-- It's-- Whatever.

I-- Honestly, I don't, I don't even wanna know.

[fast-paced club music playing]

-[David] Cool spot, right? -[Malcolm] Yeah.

[David] That DJ? That's my new client.

Oh, you're repping DJs now?

It's a new world, dude.

-I'm glad we're finally doing this. -Me, too.

This may be a bar, but still just a Coke, okay?

All right.

So, so, this is where you're at, then?

I'm sorry. Look...

I miss the four of us.

I think of you and me being dragged to Chuck E. Cheese by our wives,

not hanging out here.

Hey, don't take this the wrong way, but I, I don't really recognize you right now.

Man, you sound like Lori.

Kind of feels like she won you in the divorce.

A pastor and an alcoholic walk into a bar...

I should really be home writing my sermon.

I know. I get it, this is not your scene.

You're a man of God, right?

-Yeah. -But, remember,

-first word in that phrase is still "man." -Yeah.

Okay.

Okay. I'm not gonna push.

You're not me.

I left my wife.

At the worst possible time, too. I'm garbage.

I know that.

Your awful nightmare, that happened to you.

It happened to Jenny.

Right. No, but it happened, and here you are, you know,

that's all I'm saying.

I'm gonna shut up now.

So, what happened with you, David?

Why'd you leave?

It feels like it came out of nowhere.

Look, I don't know, man, I... [scoffs]

-We got married so young. -Mm.

So fast.

Lori got pregnant with Merritt right away.

Maybe I was always questioning it.

And then I go and finally decide to get sober,

and I was still so unhappy.

And then...

And then?

And then, Jenny died.

I just, I knew I needed to make a change, Malcolm.

Life is just too short.

Oh, wow.

I'm really sorry.

No, that's, uh, it's okay.

[woman 2] Hi.

-Could we join you? -Hey. Of course. How're you doing?

-I'm David. This is my friend, Malcolm. -Yeah.

Try not to be the preacher, please.

My wife's dead.

[tablet chimes]

[Casey] Mom.

-What's up? -Um...

Do you think I made a mistake with wrestling?

No.

Not if you do.

-Mm. What? -I mean,

we have this intra-squad match on Friday to pick the starters

and I just--

I-- I'm gonna wind up last on the roster,

-you know? -So?

You'll still be on the roster. Mm?

Yes, but with a bunch of boys that hate me now.

Oh, who cares?

You're doing this because you want to, right?

That's all that matters.

Plus, I-I bet Merritt can give you a couple of tips.

Uh, sure. Don't get pinned.

-Oh, thank you. -[sighs] Look.

It's okay to be scared.

Especially if it's something big and new.

-Doesn't mean you don't do it. -[tablet chimes]

Don't, don't-- [sighs]

Mom...

Are you on IRL?

[Lori] Uh, n-- I-- Kinda.

-But it's just-- -[Casey] No, no, no.

It's fine. You're allowed to have a life.

Of course.

Why would you write that?

What? Because I'm t-trying to be honest?

-With Cuppa Joe? -No, he's an architect.

His firm does pro bono work in public housing.

Wow. Yeah, but he named himself "Cuppa Joe."

-Okay. All right. -[giggling]

-[unclear] -Hey, Merritt, where are you going?

I'm sleeping at Dad's.

-No, hang on, you're with me-- -I got an Uber. I'm good.

Just tell your dad that you're coming!

I like this pattern more, but, also, that's not saying much,

because I just love the color blue, like, of course, I like...

Hey, when's Dad getting home?

-Why are you still up? -Shoe in, buddy.

[groans]

You hear he's giving the sermon on Sunday?

Yeah, she heard.

And I'm still not going.

What?

For real?

You have to go. That'll make Dad look really bad.

Dude, he'll be fine.

It's just, I'm so sick of all the pressure,

it's not my responsibility.

I'm, like, my own person.

Yeah, you are.

[somber music playing]

Are you from out of town?

Uh, no. No. I'm actually, you know, in between places.

-Oh. -Yeah.

Mm.

[door squeaks open]

-[door closes] -Dad?

Merritt? What-- What are you--

I-I texted you.

Oh, yeah, no, so you did. Uh...

Uh, Marie, this is my, uh...

[sighs] I'm sorry.

It was nice meeting you.

It was kind of like being in another country

and not speaking the language.

And then, I had this realization

that this woman who I'm just casually chatting with

is interested in me.

Really?

Oh. Well, what was she like?

This, you know, woman you casually met at a bar with my ex.

Oh, I don't know. She was, uh, very pretty.

Uh, tall, brunette.

-Oh. -Mm-hmm.

Yeah, no, very attractive.

But she wanted to talk all about Jenny and what happened

and how I was doing, and then...

She, basically, made it clear that she wanted to have sex with me.

Okay. How did she do that?

She asked me if I wanted to have sex with her.

[sighs] Yes. No, yeah, of course.

Yeah, no, that makes sense.

-I mean, I said no, obviously. -Obviously.

S-Sorry, obviously, you said no.

I don't-- I don't know why I said it like that.

-It was really bad. -It's okay.

I don't have conversations like this with anyone else in my life.

Did you tell her you're a pastor?

-Oh, yeah. -Okay.

Let's just say, if you're ever in an awkward situation

with a member of the opposite sex,

it's a sure-fire way to shut it down.

[soft music playing]

-Yeah. -[chuckles] Okay.

-I don't know what to do. -What's up, man!

If Russ is having a party, that kinda messes with Liv's party.

I mean, we can go to both, but I feel bad leaving Liv's.

Oh, maybe you can talk to Russell about combo-ing them?

Hello?

-Merritt. -What?

You're doing it again.

You're, like, ghosting me in real time.

No, I'm not.

[bell rings]

[background chattering]

Hey.

-Are you good? -Who? Me? Yeah.

-What did Farrow want? -You know,

uh, she's excited for my dad's sermon on Sunday.

Excited that I'm back in school.

She's proud of me.

How my mom would be proud of me.

-Triggering. -Yeah. She means well.

You know, it's just--

How would she know how my mom would feel?

Everybody is talking about me.

I'm some sort of freak, or something.

You're not a freak.

-And... [huffs] Ms. Farrow is-- -A kiss ass?

Like, buttering me up about my dad

is gonna get her closer to God or something.

I-I-I know how you feel, though.

Only, the opposite?

Uh, like, no one's talking about me,

'cause they have no idea what I'm dealing with.

-What are you dealing with? -Oh, so much.

My parents are... They're both already trying to hook up.

Like, like, everything's totally cool. And...

maybe, they just need to get this out of their systems

and, and they'll realize...

Or they won't.

I just--

I-I love how they get to start over

and we're supposed to just pick up where we left off,

like nothing's happened.

You're allowed to start over, too.

[somber music playing]

[bell rings]

-Uh... I have practice. -Yeah.

Don't worry about what anyone says.

You got this.

Thanks.

Okay. Hello, Merritt.

-I'm obsessed. -No, don't be.

He's got a girlfriend.

Our families still have dinner, like, every week

and that is the longest conversation we've had since middle school.

-[fast paced music playing] -[grunting]

[soft inhale, grunts]

Hey, Merritt.

Um, so, I've got my intra-squad tryouts at the end of the week

and this Trevor guy is just absolutely destroying me--

-Yeah, I'm not wrestling anymore. -What?

Wh-- W-What do you mean?

I quit.

-Wait. What? You quit wrestling? -Don't turn it into a thing, Mom.

I-I'm not-- I-- Look, I just-- You-- [huffs]

You've been wrestling since, since forever.

Yeah, and I don't wanna do it anymore.

[Lori] Okay. Wh-- Honey, what's going on with you?

If you don't wanna talk to me about it, you could always talk to your dad.

I don't care what he thinks.

-Well, what does Jill think? -Nothing.

We broke up.

What? When?

Today. Look, I-- I've homework.

What am I supposed to do now, Mom?

[somber music playing]

[sighs]

-[fake laughing on video] -[Dakota giggles]

That's awesome.

But you can't post it.

-Right? -Listen to the preacher's kid.

Okay. That's not why.

There's only, like, five people on my spam account.

We're literally the only ones who are gonna see it.

Okay.

[door opens]

What's going on?

-Who are you talking to? -No one.

Dakota. It's private.

Uh-huh. Let's go to sleep, please. Both of you.

School tomorrow.

[door closes]

[clock ticking in background]

[loud sigh]

[somber music playing]

You can't be crying.

I don't wanna tell 'em yet.

So they cannot see you like this.

Okay?

Okay.

Okay.

Pray with me.

[loud clang]

What are you doing, buddy?

It's 2 a.m. What is happening tonight? Why are you still up?

You never have time to make Mom's meatloaf,

so I'm cooking ahead for tomorrow.

Just like she used to.

[sighs] Man.

[soft music playing]

-Thanks, Dad. -You got it, pal. Here.

Can I use this?

-Yeah, start scooping. -Start scooping. Got it.

This was your favorite.

[fake laughing on video]

Okay, it's not my account. I swear.

I wouldn't do this to you.

We believe you, honey.

We just wanted to know if you know who did do it.

Yeah, so we can get the account taken down.

Well, I don't know.

I really don't.

I mean, Casey's my friend.

I wanna find out who did it, too.

Whatever. It's okay.

It's not like I'm gonna stop, no matter who did it.

Good. You shouldn't.

[Merritt] She's lying.

-No, Pen would never-- -Of course, she is, Mom.

I just don't get why she hates me all of a sudden, you know.

Okay, honey, she doesn't hate you. All right?

No.

I know the two of you aren't getting along like you used to,

but Pen loves you.

It's "Penelope" now. It's more adult.

This is what I'm talking about.

She's just going through a really tough phase.

Phase?

Mom, why are you apologizing for her?

[Lori] I promised Jenny I'd look after her kids.

-Mom... -Merritt, stop.

No, she lives in this happy little fantasy world.

Happy?

Yeah.

You had no clue Dad was gonna leave.

Uh, no, yeah, you're right.

-Yeah, maybe if you had, he wouldn't have. -Merritt!

[somber music playing]

Okay, you're allowed to be angry, okay, with me, with your dad.

Did you know he's, like, bringing girls home?

What?

See, this is exactly what I'm talking about.

Come on, Pen, open up. You can't stay locked in there.

I can't believe you attacked me like that.

-[phone camera clicks] -Nobody attacked you.

It was just a conversation.

-Pen. -Can I have some privacy, please. Hello!

All right. Good luck.

-[knocks on door] -Pen, unlock the door.

[door lock clicks]

What?

What?

Nothing.

I-I didn't ask how how school was today.

Same as yesterday.

Okay.

Hey, uh, what, what do you think?

Maybe it's time to cut your hair.

I don't know if this is trendy right now...

Trendy?

What?

-You know what I mean. -Oh, my gosh. No.

I don't know what you mean.

I'm not trying to be trendy, Dad.

Look, I didn't mean, just--

No, I don't-- I don't care what I look like or what I wear.

I do not care what people think of me.

I just wanted to see how long I could grow it!

-[door slams] -[Malcolm sighs]

Okay, okay.

Are you okay, Dad?

Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. [sighs]

All these people talk to you about stuff.

Their problems.

Well, that's part of my job.

So, who do you talk to?

[sighs]

[phone buttons beeping]

[phone vibrating]

[David] Hello.

So, uh, Merritt told me you brought a girl over while he was there.

Uh, first off, it was a woman.

-Did you meet her on IRL? -Maybe.

And I didn't know he was coming by, okay.

What happened to keeping things civil, Lori?

I don't know, I'm not feeling particularly civil.

Uh-huh. How did you know I was on IRL?

-Are you on IRL, Lori? -Not really.

Not by my own doing.

Well, I'm doing. Okay?

Look, I don't know about you, but I need to start living.

Just because we're not together anymore,

doesn't mean I need to do penance over a failed marriage.

I don't wanna be alone.

I need intimacy, like, I'd like to have a girlfriend.

Okay, you know what, this was a mistake. I shouldn't have called.

I need companionship, Lori.

There's nothing wrong with me saying that to you.

You need companionship, David?

You-- My best friend died, and then you walked out on me,

but you need companionship.

And meanwhile, your son has quit wrestling.

Whoa. W-What?

-Why did he do that? -I don't know.

Wrestling was your thing. Maybe you should try talking to him.

[phone thuds on table]

[fast paced quiet music playing]

Merritt, I'm going out. You're in charge.

[thunder rumbling]

I was coming to you.

Same. Wh-- I need you.

I'm here.

Wait, where are we going?

Out. Like grownups.

I--

I don't wanna eat.

-Okay. -Okay.

But I don't, I don't, um...

I don't wanna go home.

Um, can we just-- Uh, sorry, can we just stay here.

Just, um, just stay?

Right here? Yeah.

Is that weird? Is that okay? Is that too weird?

-It's fine. -I just don't-- I don't--

And I don't wanna be around anybody else but you.

Right now. Okay.

And I don't wanna talk about--

Kids. Your kids or my kids.

All right?

I just-- I want--

I wanna be bitchy, and I wanna be angry, and I don't wanna have anybody judge me.

No kids, yes.

David wants a girlfriend.

-It didn't seem that way the other night. -No, it's...

You're his friend and you don't have to spy on him.

And it's just--

Okay. And I don't even care.

Right?

But he was just, he was going-- he was talking about being alone.

He was going on and on about being alone.

And, like, I wanted to, like, strangle him.

Right. And say, like, "Yeah,

like, I don't wanna be alone either,

and you are the reason that I am alone."

Right. And also the reason that I am all over the place.

Right. Like, I'm coming, I'm going, I'm early, I'm late.

-I don't-- -Hey, that part is not new.

[huffs] Okay. Right.

[quiet sob]

I miss Jenny so much.

You know? She was the one person...

that I could talk to about, like, you and about him.

-Not that we would about-- -It's okay.

We could talk about anything.

I know I shouldn't complain to you about missing Jenny.

-I really can't imagine, like, I really-- -Yes, you can.

I don't wanna be alone.

Hey, you're not alone.

I wasn't really-- I was talking about--

Neither was I.

[Lori, softly] Oh.

Mm. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

-I don't know, I didn't think-- -No, no, no.

[phone vibrating]

[Malcolm sighs]

I have to get it.

[somber music playing]

Yeah.

-[Justin] Dad? -Hey, bud, what's up?

I need help with homework and Penelope swore at me.

Flora won't come out of her room.

Okay.

Just come home, Dad.

Yeah. Yeah, I'm coming home.

[exhales]

Oh. Hey.

-I ordered a pizza. -[softly] Okay.

Where did you go?

Oh, uh, I was just talking to Malcolm.

You're missing an earring.

Oh.

[knock on door]

Hey. Can we talk? About you and Casey?

Not about the TikTok.

Just, you know, about the two of you.

There's nothing to talk about.

I just don't have anything to say to her anymore.

You know you can tell me anything, right?

I know you used to confide in your mom, I'm not saying I'm her, but...

Hey.

-Can I? -Mm-hmm.

[Malcolm] Oh.

You know what I love most about your mom?

She was never embarrassed about who she was. Ever.

She didn't care what anyone thought.

She was beautiful right up until the end.

Don't you think?

I know who posted the TikTok of Casey.

I lied to you before.

-And I'm sorry. -Mm.

-Pen-- -In our home, we tell the truth.

I know.

But I-I can't tell you who it is.

But I'll deal with it.

Okay?

Okay.

How can everything just keep on going on without her?

Oh, I know. I know.

[Justin] Dad says she's in God's hands now.

-Right, Dad? -Hey.

-That's right. Yeah. -[Penelope sniffs]

The best place for Mom was here.

What kind of a God would take her away from us?

Well, God didn't take her away.

Cancer did.

It's a convenient way to think about it.

I just don't get how you can go back up there to that pulpit

and say all the stuff and justify it like nothing happened.

How can you believe in any of it anymore?

I believe.

-We know. -[Malcolm chuckles]

-I know Sunday is a big day for you... -Mm-hmm.

...but I'm not going back.

I'm not gonna go just to make you look good.

Wh-- I don't care about that.

It's not about me.

It's not even about your relationship with God because of me.

It's about your own relationship with God.

[sighs]

What if I don't have one anymore?

I'm not you, Dad.

-I'm sorry. I'm sorry. -It's okay.

-Okay. Okay. -I love you.

[quiet talking and giggling]

Yeah. It-- It was--

[Coach Alcala] Okay, girls. Come on, let's get warmed up.

Look, you gotta take it down, Dakota.

-For real? -Yeah. The whole account.

Or I'm telling the truth.

You wanna be friends with me, don't make me lie to my dad.

I have a dead mother. Remember?

[Lori] You ready, Flora?

Your dad's gonna meet us at Casey's match.

Wow.

Dad doesn't like how long it is.

Oh, yeah?

When was the last time you cut it?

Mom cuts it.

[softly] Oh.

Well, if you like, I could do a little something there.

You know. If that's okay.

Okay.

[softly] Yeah?

-Yeah. -Okay.

[cheering]

All right, girls, that was great! Bring it in.

-[whistle blows] -All right. Casey, Trevor, you're up.

All right. Here we go.

[upbeat music playing]

-Hey. -Do not say anything.

-[mouths] Thank you. -Welcome.

-Hey, bud. -Hey, bud.

Case, come on. Let's go.

-Casey! -Let's go, Casey!

-Come on! -[Malcolm] Come on, Case, you got this!

[Lori] You got this!

-[David] Grit and grease! -[Malcolm] That's it.

[David] Hey, Casey! Come on!

It's game on, ref.

[scattered cheers]

[Malcolm] Yes! Casey! Yes!

-There it is. -Come on, Casey, no quitting!

[overlapping cheers]

[shouts of encouragement]

-Oh, yes, Casey! -Come on, yeah. Come on! Let's go.

Lock in, lock in!

Go low, Casey, go low. Go for the legs!

[overlapping cheers]

[Malcolm] Nice, Casey, nice.

Nice.

-[cheering] -Oh, yes. Okay.

[cheering and shouting continue]

Yeah, pin him.

-Yes. -[referee] One!

-Two, three. I've over! -[Malcolm] Come on, ref.

[cheering]

[Lori] Good job, baby!

[cheering continues]

Let's go, Case!

[cheering]

[background chattering]

[Malcolm] Welcome back. It's so good to see you.

Thanks for being here. Hey!

Good to see you guys. All right.

-Hi. -Hi. No Flora?

No, not this week.

I-- I didn't wanna push too hard. I don't wanna lose her.

-Yeah. -I'll see you in there.

Hey, look who made it.

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

[congregation] Amen.

We know the Lord has been holding Pastor Malcolm and his family

in His hands.

And we've been holding them, too.

That's why I know your hearts are as glad as mine

to welcome back my brother, my mentor, back to the pulpit.

-[congregation] Welcome. -Thank you.

Thank you, uh, Pastor Harris, for stepping in these last few months.

[sighs]

I just wanna say how wonderful it is to see all your faces.

Especially, from here.

You have been so patient and generous, letting me and my family have this time.

[somber music playing]

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted.

That's right.

I'll be honest, I don't have a lengthy sermon for you today.

In fact, I...

I don't have one at all.

I know, I know. I'm sorry. It isn't for lack of trying.

There is nothing I want more for today, so to have words fail me now...

The other day, my son asked me if I was okay.

That's not something pastors get asked very often.

The truth is, I'm not.

But I have faith that I will be. That--

God's grace is enough.

The truth is, I know that you need me.

And I need you, too.

We are the Grace Community.

And today,

oh, I need to lean on all of you. I hope that's okay.

Oh, thank you.

Oh.

I can help with your sermon, Dad.

Thank you, Justin. I'll take it.

[ticking]

[quiet music playing]

[doorbell rings]

[sighs]

What are we gonna do?

I don't know.

[Casey] Mom, come here! I need you.

[theme music playing]

-Uh, the other night-- -Maybe we can talk about what happened.

-[timer dings] -My cupcakes!

Five more minutes.

♪I've been running out of time here lately♪

♪Only one running around...♪

I'm not particularly good at the change.

How long have you been a pastor?

[Lori] I'm feeling pretty stuck myself these days.

[Gail] The new Lori is on IRL Match. She goes on dates.

If two people are into each other,

they shouldn't let anything stand in their way.

You have to put yourself out there. Even if it means you might get hurt.

[Malcolm] I'm seeing somebody.

We're not gonna just erase Mom.

No one's erasing Mom.

Surprise!

You can't just come here and play house

like you're not the reason all of this happened. You did this.

Hey, hey!

Stay away from my family. Focus on your own.

[both laughing]

They were all just laughing at me. Why is she like this?

Casey...

What's going on?

Our kids aren't the problem. It's us.

♪Take me home♪

-It's not fair, Dad. -It's not fair.

He hovers like I'm gonna crack at any second.

[Malcolm] I haven't handled this well.

[all cheering]

[Malcolm]I know how complicated things are,

but sometimes you get this feeling,

and you can't let that moment pass you by.

♪Which way do I go♪

♪To get home♪

♪To get home♪

[theme music playing]