All language subtitles for God.Friended.Me.S02E16.The.Atheist.Papers.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP5.1.H.264-NTb-eng

- Previously on
"God Friended Me"...

- Aaron worked for some
mysterious employer online.

- Corey Smith.
Mother's name, Marsha Smith.

The father's name is
Alphonse Jeffries.

- So either Alphonse has no idea

his son is behind
the God Account...

- Or he lied to us.

- I wanted to see
if you were interested

in getting dinner some time.

- I have breast cancer.

- Sometimes it's easier
to talk to a stranger.

So, how's 7:00 tomorrow?

- I... I get how important
Anna's faith was.

- Maybe the God Account
wanted you to know

that it's never too late.

That faith will be there
if you ever need it.

♪

[upbeat music]

♪

While I appreciate
your good deed,

I also see right through it.

Look, I know it's been
a rough couple of days,

but that doesn't mean
I need 24-hour supervision.

- We just thought we'd come
early and keep you company.

- Exactly.

Consider us free barbacks.
- Yeah.

- I love you both, but I'm okay!

My stomach seems
to have settled.

My energy levels are up.
I'm feeling good.

I'm definitely capable
of setting up a few chairs.

Look, I am not going
to let cancer

dictate my life or slow me down.

- Just know it is
going to get harder.

And when that happens,

promise that you
will be careful,

and not overdo it.
- I promise.

But in the meantime,
it's business as usual.

Oh, speaking of.

How's the search for who's
behind the God Account going?

Any luck on finding Corey Smith?

- Rakesh has been
looking into him,

but so far, nothing.

Have you heard anything
back from Alphonse?

- No, apparently he's out
of the country on business.

I just can't believe
he has a son.

I mean, he never even
mentioned Corey.

- Which tells me there
must be a reason why.

- Hmm.
Oh.

You know, I have
a service to get to.

Call me...

if you need anything.

- I will.
I will.

- Cara, Rakesh, good to see you.

- Yeah, you too, Arthur.

- If you two are here
to help me set up,

you can turn right around
and go back home.

I'm fine.

- Oh, okay.
Well, actually we weren't.

But it's nice
to know you're fine.

- Oh, good.
Coffee?

- Always.
Thanks, Ali.

Hey, so I got some info
on Corey Smith.

- So, he joined the military
right out of high school.

Got discharged about
ten years ago.

The weird thing is,
from that point on,

his digital footprint went dark.

And I'm talking no social media,

no credit card,
no cell phone, nothing.

- I'm gonna look
into his mom, Marsha.

If I can track her down, maybe
she can connect us with Corey?

- That would be great.
Thanks.

- Yeah, we... we'd help,

but Miles is dragging me to go
meet his idol, Daryl Watkins.

- Hmm.
Well, it sounds fun.

I'll let you know
if I find anything on Corey.

- Thank you.

- So, what's Daryl reading from?

- Uh, it's a preview
from his new book.

It drops this summer.

I cannot wait
to hear his thoughts

on where the atheist
movement is headed.

He's, uh, the type of guy
whose thoughts

really dictate the conversation.

- Wow, you really do
look up to this guy, huh?

- Yeah.
You know after my mom died,

I started to question
everything I believed in.

And then, in high school,

I read his first book,
"The Atheist Papers."

Changed my life.

It was like he was talking
right to me.

You know, it felt like
he was telling me

it was okay to feel
what I was feeling.

And now I get to meet him
face-to-face.

And possibly get him
to come on the podcast.

- Wait.
How you planning on doing that?

- Well, Christina at FreeVerse

sent an episode
of "The Millennial Prophet"

to Daryl's agent,

who said she would
pass it along to Daryl.

- Dude, that would be huge.
- Yeah.

This is exactly what I needed.

- What do you mean?

- [sighs]

Well, after what happened
with Anna,

I'm starting to feel
like the God Account

is really pushing
this idea of faith on me.

So, getting to meet Daryl
has come at a perfect time.

[light piano music]

♪

- Delivery.

- Wow.
Those are beautiful.

- They're from Adam.

Obviously things went well
on your date last night.

- Things did.

But it was just one date.
Not a big deal.

- Does he know that?

[laughs]

- Hey, can I ask you something?

- You're wondering if
you should tell Miles.

Let me answer that for you.
No.

- Why not?

- Because "A," like you said,
it's not a big deal.

And "B," nobody wants to hear

about their ex going
on a date with someone else.

- Yeah.
I guess so.

Oh.
- Where you headed?

- Uh, I'm working on a lead
for the God Account.

I gotta get going.

I'll see you later?
- See you.

♪

- Hey, hey.
There he is.

- Miles Finer.

I'm Phoebe Reynolds,
Daryl's agent.

- Oh.
- I just wanted to say hi.

I listened to an episode
of your podcast,

and I loved it.

I think you have
a big future ahead of you.

If you're interested, we should
sit down and talk sometime.

- Uh, yes.

I would love to.
Thanks.

- Well, in the meantime,
you should meet Daryl.

I passed along your episode
to him as well.

- Uh, yeah.
That... that would be amazing.

Thank you.

- Daryl.
- Oh, yeah.

Hi.
Excuse me.

Hey.

- Daryl, I want to introduce you

to Miles Finer.

- Uh, it is an absolute
pleasure to meet you, sir.

I-I'm a huge fan.

Your work has meant a lot to me.

And I'm not sure if you've
had an opportunity

to listen to my podcast yet,

but I would like to know
what you think.

- I did listen.

- Okay, okay, and?

- And it's just not my thing.
Sorry.

- Nah, okay, okay.
Can I... can I ask why?

- You wanna know what
I didn't like about it?

- Please, I would love
to know your feedback.

- What you're peddling
isn't atheism.

This idea of the God Account

is just a gimmick
to get noticed.

Now, it's creative.
I'll give you that.

But as someone who's trying
to elevate the conversation,

to win people over
through intellectual argument,

what you do is
quite frankly embarrassing.

Is that enough feedback for you?

- That's... that's plenty.
[laughs awkwardly]

Thank you.

- Now, if you'll excuse me.

Hmm.

- I'm so sorry.

- I'm sorry, bro.

Hey, that's probably
why they say

you should never meet
your heroes, right?

[cell phone chimes, buzzes]

Guessing there's no reason

to stay and hear
this reading after that.

- [sighs]

Actually, there is.

[dramatic music]

♪

- Believers love syllogisms

because it gives them a logical
way to prove God exists.

Whatever begins to exist
has a cause.

The universe began to exist.

Therefore, the universe
has a cause.

Spoiler alert,
believers think it's God.

[laughter]

But I could apply
that same logic

to just about anything.

The New York Giants
need a defense.

I can play defense.
Therefore, the Giants need me.

But, until John Mara calls,

I guess I'll just have
to keep writing.

[laughter and applause]

- I see why you love this guy.
He's awesome.

Other than, you know,
the fact that he

completely trashed your podcast,

and changed your entire
perception of him... pretty good.

- Oh, yeah, Rakesh, he didn't
just trash my podcast, okay?

He said I was a joke.

And now he's
my Friend Suggestion?

I mean, how am I supposed
to help him after he said that?

- No, no, no, no, no, no.
Miles.

You're looking at this
the wrong way.

The God Account's
done you a solid here.

You got Daryl with a problem
that only you can fix.

What happens after you fix it?

He's gonna realize you're
the real deal, all right?

He's probably gonna be
so grateful,

he'd jump at the chance
of being on your podcast.

- You know what?
Maybe you're right.

Maybe this is my chance to
prove to him that I can help.

- Mm-hmm.

- That the God Account
and me are legit.

[indistinct chatter]

- I can't go and ask them this.

- Do you see how well
this reading went?

- Oh.

That chance might come
sooner than you think, bro.

- [mutters]

- 'Kay, well,
I'll be right back.

- I thought I told you
I wasn't interested.

- Yeah, well that was
before the God Account

made you my next
Friend Suggestion.

- Mm.
I shoot you down

and your God Account
suggests me.

Ah, how convenient.
- Okay, look.

I know you think all of this
is some kind of hoax.

But it's not,

and I'm going
to prove that to you.

If the God Account
sent me your name,

then that must mean
you have a problem

that I can help you with.

Now maybe it has something to do

with your argument
that you and Phoebe just had.

- You think that's
the first time

I've had an argument
with my agent?

Hmm?

Well, I got news for you, Miles.

Other than
the occasional misguided fan,

my life is great.

[pensive music]

♪

- [sighs]

- Guessing he said everything
in his life's perfect, right?

- And we both know
that is not true.

- What are you gonna do?

♪

- Phoebe said that she would
sit down and talk with me.

Maybe she'll tell me what
they were fighting about.

♪

Hi.
- Miles, hi.

- Um, thank you
for meeting with me.

- Sure.

You said you wanted
to talk to me about Daryl.

- Uh, yes, um...

The God Account sent me
a Friend Suggestion for him.

- Okay.

- And I saw you two
arguing earlier,

and I was hoping maybe
you could tell me why.

Look, I know you don't know me,

but I figure since
you listened to my podcast...

You know how this works.
- [laughs]

And you want to help him?

Even after the way
he treated you?

- He's the reason
I believe what I do.

I have admired Daryl ever
since I read his first book.

- Me too.

Uh, but that ended today.

- What are you talking about?
- He fired me...

after almost 20 years.

I thought we were friends
as much as agent and client...

- I am so sorry.
What happened?

- Uh, it has to do
with his new book, I...

I don't know
what's got into him,

but suddenly he's making
all these demands.

He wanted me to renegotiate
his whole deal,

and when the publisher
threatened to walk,

he fired me, just like that.

- Okay, well, maybe there's
a way to change his mind.

You know, get him to rehire you.

- No one can change
Daryl Watkins' mind.

He's always been stubborn,
arrogant, difficult,

but reason would always
prevail in the end.

Clearly reason
has gone out the window.

- Look, I know Daryl and I

did not get off
on the right foot,

but maybe I can talk to him,

figure out what's going on.

- I wouldn't hold your breath.

But if you wanna try,

he writes on the third floor
of the philosophy library,

downtown.

- Okay.

[light music]

- You ready to order, sweetie?

- Uh, you're Marsha Smith,
right?

- I'm sorry.
Do I know you?

- No, no.
My name's Cara Bloom.

I'm an online journalist

for a magazine
called "Catapult."

I'm working on a profile
of Alphonse Jeffries

and your name came up.

- I don't have anything
to say about him.

- Look, I'm sorry if this
brings up difficult memories,

but I know he was
the father of your son, Corey.

And from the research I've done,

it doesn't seem like
he was in his life.

I'm just trying
to understand why.

- I think it's best you go.

- I'm just trying
to get the story right.

Please?
It'll only take a minute.

- [sighs]

Everyone likes
to paint the picture

of Alphonse, the self-made man,

someone to aspire to be.

But the truth?

He is a selfish narcissist

who wanted nothing to do
with his own son.

You want to write
a story about him?

Be sure to include that.

- Okay.
I will.

If you'll tell me
what happened...

- [sighs]

- Hey, I was raised
by a single parent.

I know how hard that can be.

But you managed to raise a son
that got into West Point.

You must be proud.

- I am.

Not that Corey made it easy.
[laughs]

My son went out of his way

to outdo the father
who left him behind.

He played football
better than Alphonse did,

outperformed him
in the military,

and, unlike Alphonse,
who was drafted

and then got out
as quick as he could

to start building his empire,

Corey found his calling
in the service.

Made it his career.

- Really?

I-I read that he was
discharged 10 years ago.

- I need to get back to work.

- I'm sorry.

I'm not trying
to cause any trouble.

I just thought you might be able

to get me in touch with Corey.
- No, I can't.

He doesn't live
in the States anymore.

Please don't contact me again.

[dramatic music]

♪

- I thought I was stubborn.
You need to find a hobby, kid.

- Phoebe told me that I might
be able to find you here.

And she also told me
that you fired her.

- Do me a favor and remind me

why that's any of your business.

- I am just trying to figure out

why the God Account
sent me your name.

- Hmm.

- Now, clearly
there is something

going on in your life.
I can help.

- Yeah, you know
how ridiculous you sound

running around here, doing
the God Account's bidding?

It's just another form
of worship.

Face it.
The difference between you

and the people who pray
at church every week

is the word "account."

- Look...

Maybe I do sound
a little ridiculous.

- Mm-hmm.

- But after helping
every single person

that the God Account
has sent me,

seeing people's lives
change for the better,

I've stopped worrying
about how it sounds,

and started focusing
on helping them...

even when they're someone

I've admired for most of my life

that a part of me
wishes I had never met.

- I get that a lot.

So then, why do you want
to help me, Miles?

And then don't fall back
on the God Account.

Tell me why you want to.

- Because you are a man

that emerged from Harlem

with a voice and an ideology

that I needed in a time
where I felt lost.

You singlehandedly forged

the way for me...

For a lot of us.

- I'm not that guy anymore.

- What are you talking about?

- You for real?

You really just want
to help me, no strings?

- No strings.

- [sighs] I told Phoebe

to demand more money
from my publisher

because I didn't know
what else to do.

I didn't know how else
to get out of it.

- Get out of it?

Why wouldn't you wanna
publish your book?

- Because there is no new book.

[dramatic music]

Okay?

And what you heard today,
that's all I have.

That's all I'll ever have.
- Why?

- Because three months ago,
I realized I was a fraud,

and no matter how much
I keep trying,

I will never be able
to write again.

And you can't help me.
I wish you could.

But it's over.
And so am I.

♪

- I just don't understand it.

How could the guy who wrote
the definitive book on atheism

suddenly think he's a fraud
and unable to write?

- Well, writer's block
is usually personal.

I mean, trust me.
I know.

- Yeah, but something

clearly happened
three months ago.

You know, there was a moment
when he was admitting to me

everything that was going on,
where I saw real pain.

It was the first time that I
saw him as a Friend Suggestion

and not my idol.

- Okay, so let's help him.

You know, whatever happened
must by the key

to helping Daryl
start writing again.

- Yeah.
I'm on it.

- Oh, uh, so I talked
to Corey's mom today.

- Oh, great.
What did she say?

- Yeah, she said he was never
discharged from the military.

- Uh, that's not what
his record said.

- Yeah.
Exactly.

And when I pressed her about it,

she ended the conversation.

- You think
she's hiding something.

- I know she is.

I reached out to our friend,
Lieutenant Freemont,

asked him to look into Corey.

He wasn't able to find
anything except that

ten years ago,
he was pulled off active duty

and classified D-13.

- What is D-13?
- No idea.

And Freemont's never
heard of it either.

But his best guess was that

it might have to do
with national security,

probably something within
the Department of Defense.

- Hey, uh, Rakesh,
do you think you can ask Zack

if he knows something

from when he interned
at the DOD?

- Yeah, you mean
my new super-intern?

That kid is better than
half the people on my team.

It shouldn't be a problem.
- Great.

[keys clacking]

- Wait, guys.
Uh, this is interesting.

Three months ago, Daryl was
on a panel at Colombia,

debating religion with
a reverend named Valerie Lopez,

and check this out.

"Epic takedown
by Reverend Lopez."

"Watkins is speechless."

I mean, based on these comments,

it seems like the rev
kind of... destroyed him.

- Yeah, that seems like
something that could have

shaken his confidence.

- Yeah, but he's been
on panels before

and in some pretty
hostile debates.

I don't see what
could have happened

to shake him so badly
he would stop writing.

- Yeah, but seems like
he cancelled

quite a few speaking
engagements after that.

I mean, he hasn't done
a panel since.

- There's no harm
in asking him about it.

- [laughs] Daryl is not going

to open up to me at this point.

- Well, there is someone

who might know
what happened that night.

- Reverend Valerie Lopez.

- if you're here to ask me
about the coding update,

I finished it two hours ago.

And yes, it's awesome.

- Hmm, I see he hasn't lost
his confidence.

- Yeah, who knew coders could
be so full of themselves?

- Yeah, it's a real surprise.

- What's up?
- Uh, Cara and I need a favor.

- Oh.
You need a favor, huh?

From little old me?

- Okay, I'm tracking down a lead

that might tie back to the DOD.

I'm wondering if you might
be able to put me in touch

with someone who knows what
a D-13 military discharge is?

- Well, lucky for you,

I can put you in touch
with someone right now,

'cause I already know
what it means.

- You do?

- Yeah, um,

when I was snooping
around the DOD,

I saw memos about various
recruitment classifications.

D-13 refers to someone
who's been transferred

to a more covert area
of our nation's government.

You know... NSA, CIA.

So, I take it

you're looking for someone
who's classified D-13.

- Yeah, his name's Corey Smith
and we really need to find him.

- Okay, well, there's two ways
to find out where he landed.

- Which are?

- Well, you could hack
into the DOD.

[chuckles]

But I know how you guys
feel about that, so.

- And two?

- I have a friend there
I can ask.

- What friend?
- It's better you don't know.

[indistinct chatter]
- Thank you.

- Reverend Lopez.
Hi.

My name is Miles Finer.
- Hi, Miles.

You a parishioner here?

- [chuckles] No, no, but, uh,

from the looks of things,

you seem to really
have an impact on yours.

- [laughs] Thanks.

Today's a special service,
so attendance had a boost.

What can I do for you, Miles?

- Well, I'm actually here
because of Daryl Watkins.

- I'm sorry.
What is this about?

- He's been having a tough time

since the panel he was on
with you at Colombia,

- Is that so?

- Yeah, and I was hoping maybe
you could tell me why.

- I'm really not interested
in talking about Daryl.

- Look, I understand
how Daryl can be.

Believe me.

But he stopped writing,

and his career is more or less
hanging in the balance.

And I know that you
have different opinions,

but his voice really means
a lot to people...

To me.

So, I'm just trying
to figure out

what happened that night
at the debate.

- It's not about
what happened that night.

It's about
what happened afterward.

- What do you mean?

- We fell in love.

[dramatic music]

- Not what I was expecting.

- Neither was I.

After the debate,
we went for coffee,

started talking,

and, as crazy as it sounds,
we just clicked,

an instant attraction.
In the weeks following,

I admit, I was completely
swept off my feet.

I've never felt that way
about anyone.

- So, what happened?

- We broke up.

- That's why Daryl
stopped writing.

He's heartbroken.

- I doubt that.

Daryl is the one
that broke up with me.

I haven't seen him since.

- So, why would he
break things off?

I just assume that, deep down,

he couldn't see past
my belief in God.

But he never explained why.

♪

- You're still in love with him.

- It doesn't matter.

It's too late.

♪

- So, an atheist falls
in love with a reverend.

- Mm-hmm.

- I mean, if that isn't
a movie already,

someone needs to write it.
- [scoffs]

- You really think
he'd walk away

just because
she believes in God?

- I do!
I mean, this is Daryl Watkins.

And for him, there is no God,
period,

and anyone who
believes otherwise

is intellectually delusional.

His words, not mine.

- Damn straight.

[both laugh]

So what are you gonna do?
- Well, I left a message

saying that
I spoke with Valerie,

and asked him to meet me here.
Hopefully he'll come down.

[cell phone chimes, buzzes]

And what is that look for?

- It's Emily confirming
our date for tonight.

She scored us a table

at David Chang's
newest restaurant.

- Well, that is a very hard
reservation to get.

- Yeah, she wanted to make sure
we got all of our dinners in

before I completely
lose my appetite.

- She sounds great.
And I can't wait to meet her.

Also, I can't remember
the last time

you were this excited
over someone.

- Neither can I.

- Who the hell do you think
you are, talking to Valerie?

- Daryl.

- I'm gonna go.

- You think your God Account

gives you the right to go
digging into my life?

- Look, I'm sorry, okay?
I apologize.

I was just trying to figure out
why you stopped writing.

- I told you why
I stopped writing.

I also told you
you couldn't help me.

- Just because Valerie
believes in God,

doesn't mean that you two
can't be together.

- Thanks for the insight, Miles.

- Do you still love her?

[dramatic music]

Yeah.
I thought so.

And by talking to her,
it's very clear

that she is still
in love with you.

So, how about you
just get past it,

so you can start writing again?
- It's not that simple.

- Daryl, yes.
Yes, it is.

♪

- You've read my books, Miles.

I pride myself on one thing...

Intellectual honesty.

I've always said
if I ever even found

one shred of proof
that God existed,

that I would be forced
to reconsider my views.

- What are you saying?

- I'm saying I didn't
break up with Valerie

because she believed in God.

I broke things off with her
because I realized...

I might be starting to.

♪

- Wait, I don't...
I don't understand.

You're saying
you believe in God?

- No.

No, I'm... I'm...

[contemplative music]

I'm saying I'm lost.

♪

[sighs]

When I met Valerie...

My life changed overnight.

I fell in love in a way that
I didn't know was possible.

I was able to talk to her...

Not debate... talk.

You know, occasionally
I'd even listen.

[laughs]
One night I told her

that if she had proof
that God existed,

that she should share it
with me.

She said she did.

Love.

She told me love was the proof.

That what I was feeling
was proof.

- Yeah, Daryl, I don't think
love is proof of God.

I mean,
I've been in love before,

and I didn't start believing.

- You don't think
I thought the same thing?

But for whatever reason,
something inside of me shifted.

I don't know why,
and I can't shake it.

All I can do is hope, over time,

that I can find my way back
to being who I was...

which is why I can never see
Valerie again.

♪

- I can't believe it.

He's actually worried
he might start to believe.

- Just because Daryl
is questioning things,

doesn't mean he's going
to change his beliefs.

- And if he does?

I mean, Daryl Watkins
laid the foundation

for everything I know
to be true...

How I see the world.

And if he's suddenly
open to the possibility

that there might be
a higher power...

That he might be wrong...

[reflective music]

Where does that leave me?

- It leaves you
where you've always been.

Your beliefs are your beliefs.

No one can change your beliefs
but you.

Trust me.
[chuckles]

I've tried.

- Dad, I'm just not sure
what to do here.

- Well, I-I think
it's perfectly clear.

- Right.

Yeah, the...
The bishop of New York

wants me to tell the face
of modern day atheism

it's okay to believe in God?

- It's not me,
it's the God Account.

♪

- You know, Dad, it feels like
it's sending me people

not just to help them, but...

- But what?

- To get me to believe in God.

First, it wanted me to give
Anna Combs her faith back

rather than save her life.

Now, it wants me to tell my hero

that it's okay to question
everything he believes.

- You told me the God Account

wanted you to become
its prophet.

Prophets are tested.

Maybe this is the test
that you're gonna have to face.

- But if it wants me
to start believing in God...

[chuckles]
That's not gonna happen.

- Miles, I can't tell you
what your path holds.

All I know is Daryl needs help,
and you have a way to do that.

Now, it's clear
that Daryl loves Valerie,

and if accepting
the possibility that God exists

allows him to be with
the woman he loves...

♪

Isn't that worth it?

- So, Zach's gonna be here
any minute.

He said his friend
found something.

- Okay, yeah.
Sounds great.

Hey, can I ask you something?

- Mm-hmm.
What's up?

- So I went on a date with Adam.

[light music]

- Wow, okay.

Uh, Cara, that is
more of a statement.

- Yeah, well, um.

I'm thinking about going out
with him again.

Parker said not to tell Miles.
What do you think?

- Yeah, I think she's right.
- Really?

I would have thought for sure
you'd say to tell him.

- Cara, like,

when Jaya was going on
her fake dates

while we were still together,
I was losing my mind,

and those were fake.

Like, trust me,
nobody wants to hear

who their ex is going out with.

And I'm not saying
never tell him.

I'm just saying

don't do it until there's
actually something to tell.

- Hey, boss.

So my friend at the DOD,
who will remain nameless,

was able to get his hands on
the Corey Smith discharge file.

Check it.

[investigative music]

- Uh, okay, well,

most of this file
has been redacted.

How is that supposed to help us?

- Okay, you need to flip
to the last page.

It lists the location
of Corey's new posting.

♪

- New York City.

His mom lied to us.

She said he was living overseas.

- But why would
she do that though?

- Because she was
protecting him.

Now that we know he's in town,
can you find him?

- Cara, if I could have found
him, I would have already.

We're just gonna
have to find another way.

- Actually, I may know one.

- ♪ I wish I could tell you

♪ All my papers piled

♪ And then you would only kiss
everyone in the sky ♪

- Hey.
- Hi.

♪

- ♪ Who I am

- What was that for?
- Mmm.

Do I need a reason?
- Guess not.

- [chuckles]

Oh, hey,
we should probably head out

if we want to get there in time.

Plus, I may have a little
surprise planned for after.

- Well, let's go.
[both laugh]

Oh.

[dramatic music]

- You okay?

♪

- Sorry, I just... I got a little
dizzy there for a second.

- Okay, well,
can I get you anything?

- No, no, I'm good.
Um.

I think I just got up too fast.

- Hey, let's not push it.

You know, we could just
keep it low key.

Stay here.
- No way.

We have a reservation
at David Chang's.

- I hear it's overrated.
- I appreciate the undersell.

- [chuckles]
- But I am fine.

Besides, I have been
looking forward to this.

Let's go.

[warm music]

♪

- If you're looking
for an autograph,

you're gonna be disappointed.

- Page 56.

"Show me a force that causes
more pain and suffering

"than religion itself.

"Show me the good
outweighs the harm

and that we are better for it
and not worse."

- I'd tell you to go away,

but at this point
that doesn't seem likely.

- Your entire career, you have
said that believing in God

causes nothing
but pain and suffering,

and yet, here you are,
heartbroken and miserable.

[gentle music]

♪

- What am I supposed to do?

Like you just said, I have
spent my entire adult life

defining myself by my beliefs.

Atheism has always been
my true north, and if I...

Somehow ended up
actually believing in God,

I wouldn't know
who I was anymore.

- Look, I get it.

Change can be terrifying.

But that's what love...
Real love... does.

It changes you.
And you know what?

That's okay.
- Miles...

- You have been trying to
bottle these feelings up,

and it hasn't worked,
so the way I see it,

you have two options.

Option one: You can continue
to be miserable and alone

in an existential crossroads,

or you can go be
with the woman you love...

And figure it out...
together.

♪

Uh, 'scuse me, sir.

We're looking for Valerie Lopez.

Is she here?
- Sorry, she's not here.

- Do you know where she went?
It's important.

- Oh, I'm sorry,

but Reverend Lopez went on a
mission to South America today.

- Do you have any idea
how long she's gonna be gone?

- Yeah.
Two years.

[dramatic music]

♪

[reflective music]

- Two atheists sitting
in a church...

Gotta be a punch line to that.
- [chuckles]

♪

- I'm so sorry.

I really thought things
were gonna work out.

I mean, when it comes to the
God Account, they usually do.

- You have nothing
to be sorry about.

- Yeah, but Valerie is gone.

- Yes, but I was so afraid
of opening myself up

to the possibility
of believing in God

that I lost sight
of what was important.

You've just reminded me.

Atheism was always about
being true to myself,

and if there's one thing
I know to be true,

it's that I love Valerie.

♪

- So what do you say?

- I'm saying South America
doesn't sound so bad, does it?

- [chuckles]
You gonna go after her?

- Well, you said it yourself,
Miles.

Love changes you,

and that's okay.

[phone buzzing]

- It's my dad.
- Mm.

- Hey, Dad, what's up?

[dramatic music]

Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah...
I'll be... I'll be right there.

♪

Hey, Ali, are you okay?

- I'm fine.
Don't worry.

Feeling much better.

- Okay, well, what happened?

- [sighs]
Emily and I were on our date.

We made it to the restaurant,
but not quite to appetizers.

Before we could order,
I passed out.

And Emily had to call
an ambulance.

- Oh, Ali, I'm so sorry.

- The doctors are
running tests now.

- They think
it's probably just exhaustion,

nothing more than a reaction
to the chemo,

but you guys were right.

I have been pushing myself
too hard.

- Look, I am glad to know
that you are okay.

But can you please promise us

that you will start
taking it easy?

- I promise.

And I'm sorry for scaring you.
- Oh, it's okay, sweetheart.

- But, look, the good news is,

I will be out of here
in a few hours.

- And you can sleep
in our spare room tonight

if you'd like.

I'll call Trisha and have
her make you up a bed?

- That would be nice.

- Hey, is there anything
I can do?

- Actually, can you do me
a favor?

- Mm-hmm.

- Emily's in the waiting room.

Can you tell her
I'll call her later?

- You, uh...

You sure you don't want
to tell her yourself?

- Yeah.

Please, just... do this for me.

- Sure.

Emily.

- Miles.

- It's a pleasure
to finally meet you,

though I wish it wasn't
in a hospital waiting room.

- Uh, yeah, me too.
How's she doing?

- Fine.

Uh, the doctors just think
it's exhaustion.

They're running a few tests,

but she should be home
in a few hours.

- [sighs] Can I see her?

- Actually, she wanted me
to come out

and tell you that
she'll be calling you later.

- She's not gonna call me,
is she?

[melancholy music]

- I don't know.

♪

- I get it.

You know, with everything
going on right now,

Ali needs the closest people
in her life.

She, um, doesn't have room
for anyone else.

♪

Tell her
I hope she feels better.

♪

[curious music]

- Hey.

I followed Corey's mom
to Brooklyn.

She's in some building called
the National Sewing Company.

- And you really think she'll
lead you to where Corey works?

- I hope so.

When I called her and told her
about Corey's transfer in D-13,

she hopped in a cab
and came right here.

- You're like a secret agent.

- [chuckles] Yeah, I am.

Hey, she's leaving now.
I'll let you know what I find.

- Okay.

- A thank you drink
for my trusty intern.

And by drink,
I mean a Shirley Temple.

- Thanks, boss..

[bell jingles]

- Oh, hey, Cara.
How'd it go?

Did you, uh, find Corey?

- Ah, no.
It was a dead end.

The building his mom went into
is some sewing shop?

- Sewing shop?
- Wait.

Are you talking about
the National Sewing Company?

- Yeah.
How did you know that?

- Because it's not a dead end.

- What do you mean?

- I mean,
I know who Corey's working for.

[curious music]

Okay, guys, when I was
working at the DOD,

I heard plenty of whispers
about this place.

It's just a front for DARPA.

♪

It's a government agency
responsible for overseeing

the development of emerging
technology for the military.

- Wait, Zack,

are you saying
that the God Account

could be a massive
government experiment?

- That's exactly
what I'm saying.

♪

I mean, I could look into
things further if you want.

- Yeah, thanks.

- I'm... I'm gonna supervise.

- You okay?

- Uh, yeah, it's just been
a rough couple of days.

- How's Ali doing?

- You know,
she's feeling better.

I just know that
it's gonna get harder.

But, thanks to you,

we're one step closer to
getting some answers

and potentially saving her.
- I really hope so.

- Me too.
More than anything.

Um, but look, I have to go.
[phone buzzes]

I'm meeting Daryl at my place.

[text dings]

What is it?

[gentle music]

- Nothing.

- Okay.
Well, I'll see you tomorrow?

- Yeah, see you tomorrow.

- ♪ I ain't gotta
take it up with anyone ♪

- That's right,
ladies and gentlemen,

I am sitting across from
my latest Friend Suggestion,

the man who changed
everything for me,

none other than Daryl Watkins.

- Aw, thank you, Miles.

Pretty sure neither one of us
thought we'd be sitting here

like this after we first met.
[both laugh]

- Well, I'd say we both went on
quite the journey.

- Mm-hmm.
- One that involved love

and the lengths that
we would go for it.

- Now who knew atheists
were such saps?

[both laugh]

- Now you were just saying

that you had some news
to share on the show.

Well?
Mic is all yours.

♪

- Well, as most of you know,

I'm about to start
my latest book,

and, uh, I hit a little detour.
- Mm-hmm.

- But, uh, I think
I'm back on track,

just with maybe a slightly
different take on things.

- Ah, so what can we expect?

- Well, like all my work,

its foundation
is in intellectual honesty,

and, if I'm being honest,

I have to say that for
the first time in my life,

I am open to the possibility

that God exists.

- Hmm.

- And I know
it wasn't easy to help me.

- Yeah, well, you know, I just
do the God Account's bidding.

- Ah.

[both laughing]

You know, I've been thinking
a lot about who's behind it.

- Well, that is
the million dollar question.

- What if the answer's been
staring at you the whole time?

♪

- What are you saying?

- Maybe the only difference
between God and the God Account

is one word.

♪

"Account."

♪

[curious music]

♪

- Greg, move your head.

- I have an idea!