Original subtitles

But... What do you mean break up?

You want to break up? Since when?

- Blanca, what's going on? - Let me try to explain.

I love you.

You're thoughtful,

you're respectful,

I love your values,

and you'll be an amazing father.

- Can you see where I'm going? - No.

Blanca.

Blanca?

- Mom, you? - I was in the neighborhood

and I thought, "I'll bring over some croissants."

- Hi, Nuria. - Hi.

She brought mini-croissants.

How nice.

Mini-croissants.

We have a puncture today, right?

Do you know if you'll be doing an ICSI too?

I'm asking because later I need a sample of...

Holy fuck.

Shit!

- Aren't you going to offer me coffee? - Sure, sure, I'll make some.

You're right to leave this place.

I'm not crazy about the little house either,

but maybe with your renovation ideas...

I'm going to help Blanca.

- Make coffee? - Yeah...

What? Is there another guy?

How would there be?

No idea, is it the biologist at your new job?

No, Alex, I'm sorry.

- I know it's out of the blue. - Not at all!

We only just bought a house, so we could break up.

- No problem. - We only made the down payment.

"Only?" Sure, no big deal.

Since I paid for it, it might not seem like much to you.

So what will you do?

- Eh? - About the house.

- She knows about it too? - The renovation, Alex.

What did you think?

Open it up, give it space to breathe.

You're so lucky to be with an architect.

- I doubt it. - I'm going to take a shower.

She got a bad start, didn't she? She's cranky in the morning.

But you're so great for her, Alex, and now that you're setting up this...

I just don't get it, Blanca. But why?

- Now is not the time. - Why not?

Maybe it is, I'd like to know if I'm out 40,000 euros.

You can still move in.

Yeah, my dream: living alone in the mountains

in a five-bedroom house. - I'm really sorry.

I didn't sleep last night, and I should be exhausted, you know?

But I'm not.

I helped a friend get pregnant...

And it was exhilarating.

And I'm glad about that.

What does it have to do with us?

I thought you were excited.

Why didn't you tell me before we got this far along?

I was scared.

Scared of what?

Of running out of time...

Of ending up alone.

You've been with me for six years out of fear of being alone?

That sounds really bad.

No, it doesn't sound bad. It is bad.

I have goosebumps, I swear.

- I thought you wanted kids. - I don't know if I want kids.

Or maybe I do, but not with you.

Wow...

Oh, sorry, Nuria.

And this is my job, Laura, this is.

To help women become mothers.

- And you're the best, Dr. Veiga. - It seems it's not enough.

Now, I'm suddenly unempathetic, cold,

- I make my patients feel bad... - Their skin keeps getting thinner.

And they're all so brave behind their anonymous posts.

Do you want me to answer them?

Anonymously.

We know a lot about these women.

It wouldn't be hard to crush them emotionally...

No need, Laura.

In thirty years on the job, no one ever complained.

This was a leading clinic. It was another era...

- Era! - Yes, another era.

You don't have to rub it in, though.

No, ERA. E-R-A.

Ears, Repeat, and Accompany,

- The Mar Pons method. - Who?

Mar Pons, an expert in emotional management.

She used to teach Zumba,

but one day a yogurt ad got her all emotional.

Now all she wants is to help people feel.

- Feel what? Cringy? - No, empathy.

She says there's three steps to empathy:

One, listen with your ears. Demonstrate understanding.

Two, to show you were listening, repeat the last words said.

Three, show closeness:

A smile, a caress, a hug.

Not sure if I really trust a method

from someone who had an epiphany from a yogurt.

I completely understand.

I don't know if I can still change.

It's hard, yeah.

This clinic used to be home, but I don't recognize it anymore.

Thanks, Laura, for listening.

No, I wasn't listening.

I was using the "Ears, Repeat, and Accompany" method.

Like to try it with patients?

Honey, they'll knock you out, you won't feel a thing.

Well, yeah, a good trip, that's cool, we like that.

I'm fine.

- We know there won't be 50,000 eggs. - No.

We don't know that.

Never mind, better two good ones than twenty bad ones, right?

That's right.

- Good morning, girls. How are you? - Fine.

- And you? - It's nothing, just a silly fall.

So? Nervous?

A little, to be honest.

I totally understand.

But this is nothing.

She's the one who will carry the baby for nine months.

She's the one who will carry the baby for nine months.

Is this going to be quick or...?

Yes.

See you later.

Yeah, later...

It won't be quick.

Blanca!

- How'd it go? - Great, Blanca. Great, great...

It's done.

Unbelievable, I'm finally pregnant. Because I am, right?

I watched on the screen while they put it in,

Hector brought it, he's so cute, they all did a great job.

and I can't believe it, but I actually did it.

Well, we did it together.

- Yeah, but... - You'll be the godmother, right?

Yes, but they told you to wait, right? We have to run the tests.

Yeah: to go about life as usual without exhausting myself,

and no horseback riding, which I never do,

but suddenly I have a craving for it, no idea why!

Hey, can I take a pregnancy test to see if it worked?

No, that's not reliable.

We have to wait for the analysis, which will take at least 10 days.

Blanca...

- Do you think it will implant? - Definitely.

Hector and I selected the very best embryo of them all.

I haven't even asked how you are!

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

- Good morning, pal. - Hey, good morning, Blanca, pal.

Hi.

We have a puncture in 5 minutes. Prepare the culture medium

and check the references carefully.

Thanks for yesterday.

I ran into Eva. She was so grateful and happy.

I'm sorry you didn't get any sleep.

I didn't sleep either, but...

- I think it was worth it. - Really?

- You think so? - Yes.

Don't you?

Yes?

- We're starting the puncture. - Perfect.

If you want I can do it and you can relax.

No.

I'll do it.

Okay.

Last follicle...

And we're done.

There's not many ova, eh?

They don't look very good, right?

Poor thing.

What?

I can talk to them if you want.

Why you?

They're my patients.

Yeah, right, I just mean to break the bad news.

I mean, tactfully. They're a young couple...

You know how many times I've told women this?

Many.

No, I just mean you might not know their pronouns.

- Pronouns? - Yeah.

She, them, they...

She, them, they...

Never mind.

How many babies were born thanks to you, Blanca?

None at the moment.

Exactly.

No, I was just thinking about the bad reviews.

What did you say?

I don't know, Andreu is worried

about the low rating, and maybe I could help...

She said she'll do it, Blanca.

Thanks, Hector.

What's wrong with you today?

I thought we were a team.

Yesterday you were Prince Charming

and today you seem mad. What's wrong?

Nothing.

It doesn't seem like it.

I thought you were starting to appreciate my work here.

- I thought you wanted... - Here.

What's this?

Your brother-in-law's semen analysis results.

- What's 98% immobility mean? - What?

Well, that your sperm don't move very much.

I don't have the news we were hoping for.

We retrieved very few ova,

they're all immature, none are viable for fertilization.

I don't smoke, I don't drink,

I exercise a lot. - He plays padel a lot.

Yeah, but it's not about padel.

I completely understand how you feel.

Virgi, sweetheart.

Listen... repeat...

Virgi, sweetheart.

So there's no way I'd get pregnant from his semen?

It's not impossible.

But the chances are slim.

We can't use the ROPA method,

but Julia's eggs are probably in better condition,

because she's so much younger, right?

Isn't she? She is... younger?

She sure looks it.

But why?

- Well... - They don't know, Cristina.

They don't get it.

In any case, she could also use her own eggs.

It's an option: the ROPA method in reverse.

And I carry the baby?

Well, it's possible,

but it would be a high-risk, geriatric pregnancy.

- Geriatric, now...! - We call it that.

It's true.

We do get it, Enric.

But the process has many variables.

Because creation is a mystery, Blanca.

It always will be even if you blend

sperm and eggs like a smoothie. - Honey...

It's no mystery Cristina isn't getting pregnant, Enric.

- Your semen is bad. - Blanca!

- What if Julia did it all? - What would my role be?

Oh, right.

You wouldn't feel it was yours, giving no egg, or your body,

or contributing biology, or genetics...

Is there a solution?

You should see an andrologist

for a treatment with corticosteroids and hormones

and they'll likely perform a testicular biopsy,

a tiny injection into the testicle... - Blanca, no.

What's the needle like?

But it would be yours, legally speaking, it would be.

You'd have to get married, so, if you ever got divorced,

she couldn't keep it so easily.

Another option would be to start in vitro fertilization

using donor sperm.

No.

- But then... - I'm sorry.

I've done all I could, really.

- Not 'all' you could... - Well, I've gone as far as I could.

But this is too much for me. And if you think twice,

honey, you'll see it's too much for you too.

Because, even if...

100%

biologically...

...it could...

What if we redid Enric's semen analysis?

Maybe it was a bad sample. - It makes any difference.

How do you know? Maybe he was nervous,

or broke the period of abstinence, or the sample got too cold.

It's not a sample error, the values were clear.

You're being stubborn.

We both know there's a tiny chance

but you just won't admit it.

Because you're in a bad mood, or because you haven't slept or...

We can't keep doing tests for a certain result.

You can't change everything, even if it hurts.

And stop thinking you can save the whole world.

She's my sister. If I've gone the extra mile for others,

how couldn't I for her?

I haven't done so bad so far, just look at Eva.

We implanted the best embryo.

No.

- What? - No we didn't.

I told you we shouldn't screen the embryos, it was fucking risky.

Not one error in my whole career and now I've made the worst one.

What mistake?

The embryo Eva is carrying belongs to Valerie and Jan.

And Valerie is carrying Eva's?

Holy Shit. What a screw-up, huh?

Sorry.

Sorry, it's hard not to hear you and...

Sorry. I'm sorry, huh?

I'll just...

What happened with that couple just now?

They were right out the door before I got a word in.

The doctor told them they...

- Angela? - They couldn't face the truth.

Same old story. - Okay.

But how did you tell them?

She listened, repeated...

- I asked Angela! - Don't yell at me!

I'm their doctor.

Or do years of education and experience mean nothing?

Doctors used to be treated with respect.

I'm not asking for a curtsy or anything, but damn,

there's no need to brood over every word either!

- Look, Angela, I... - Anything else?

- Anything else? - No.

I might still send them a satisfaction survey.

Or I might not because I have a lot of work piling up.

Have a nice afternoon.

Goodbye...

We have to tell them.

Wait a second, are you nuts?

They gave their all to get pregnant.

They deserve the truth.

- I should have shut up. - Well, look, you were wrong again.

I was wrong again! I was wrong again!

Thanks for rubbing it in, Blanca.

There'd have been no mistake

if you hadn't insisted on helping Eva.

If hadn't returned to the lab,

you'd have killed the embryos and there'd be no mistake!

So what should we do?

Nothing! We do nothing! And definitely say nothing.

It's enough that she knows. - As far as I'm...

I just can't pretend it never happened.

I won't be able to sleep.

But you will after ruining my career?

Not just yours is at stake.

Like, these women won't make a scene if they find out?

That it won't it make the news?

This won't just affect us, Blanca, it will affect the clinic as well.

It would mean the end of it.

- And the "uterus-on-a-chip" project. - It's just awful.

After all these women have been through,

knowing their baby isn't theirs because of us. I...

What is it?

We don't know that.

- What do you mean? - If they'll have it.

These women have

complicated records.

There's a 50% chance

that none of the embryos implant.

We won't know for another 10 days.

You won't sleep for 10 days.

Hey, what are you doing?

Having a cognac.

Not cognac, that's whiskey. Since when do you drink whiskey?

Since I feel like it!

- Come on, Cristi. - "Come on, Cristi."

Why are you imitating me?

I can't get pregnant, I'll drink all I want.

You do get there's nothing we can do?

I don't want to get jabbed in the balls.

- Do you get it? - No, I don't.

I'd get jabbed anywhere.

And there's always donor sperm, too.

I don't want a child that isn't mine.

A child through a donor isn't any less yours.

And no one would know.

Just stop with all that they sell us to lure us in?

If you have a child with another man's sperm, it won't be mine.

All right. So you'd rather not have any kids, right?

The years go by, and it's always just you and me.

And that's it.

With no one to care for, no one to raise.

Alone.

Growing old, playing Scrabble, forever.

Maybe that's the way God wants it.

Fine.

Cristi...

Where are you going?

The day wasn't that bad, after all.

It started off slow, but then picked up steam.

The petunia lady,

the foreigners with the bromeliad.

Are you sure you want to do this with me?

Do what?

You could go it alone. After all, I'm not much help.

What are you talking about?

You don't actually believe that musty gynecologist?

I don't know, maybe she's right.

We both know there's all kinds of different families.

Like Lula and Maria: raising a child, but they're not a couple.

And I don't get it.

Having a child with your ex is a little weird.

In what way?

How many have kids and then get divorced?

I know you're a different generation, but...

- So I'm too old for you, too? - I didn't say that.

- But sometimes you're a bit more... - More what?

More what, Julia?

More closed off?

Maybe I'm old-fashioned and didn't even know it,

but this is a bit overwhelming.

But why? We'd raise it together.

If we adopted, we'd both be its mothers just the same.

Why are genetics so important.

- I don't get it. - I can see that, Julia.

Perfect.

Alex?

You thought I'd left?

But I'm so glad you're here.

Really?

I'm really sorry about what I said.

I mean...

I don't think I even believe it.

It's just that... I didn't sleep last night.

I'm so tired, and I'm so stressed, Alex.

It's just...

I really screwed up.

I don't know how to fix it now. I wanted to do the right thing.

I really wanted to! I wanted to help Eva.

- Eva? - Yeah, she doesn't have the money

and I wanted to run a test to identify the best embryo,

but since I couldn't do it on my own...

What the hell are you talking about?

Nothing, Hector really screwed up.

You think I care about this right now?

Go tell your pal at the clinic or whoever, but me?

Here...

Wait, Alex, don't go. Can we talk?

I'm not! These are your clothes.

Like, after losing 40,000 euros on the house,

I'll give up the flat, too?

Alex, please,

let's talk, maybe I was too quick.

I don't want to leave!

I don't want to!

I need you, Alex.

I think working at the clinic is driving me crazy.

Yeah, look, we agree on that.

I mean, just think, I'd just failed in research

and I wanted to get it right.

Something meaningful.

Sure, you wanted to make a difference, change the world.

It sounds ridiculous when you say it.

Of course. It is ridiculous, OK?

Look, Blanca, you're a biologist who works at a clinic

that profits off people's fertility issues.

That's all.

And, from what I see, you're not very good at that either.

Here's your suitcase.

That's what you have to do, girl.

Go out, clear your head, stop thinking.

I'd do it every night if I could.

And I'll tell you something else: so many kids...

You can, so go out. Go out, go out.

I really miss the old Paula, you know?

Sometimes I wonder

if I should have had my last.

Oh, sorry.

No, no, it's okay.

Not your fault.

I swear, I'm trying to keep my faith, but...

God isn't making it easy.

Cris, honey, we're Catholic because that's how we were raised, right?

But not all rules must be followed...

Sure, I was confirmed and had a church wedding,

but let me tell you: I go to Mass when I feel like it

and pray when I need to.

- Really? - God isn't watching all the time.

Poor guy, has enough to deal with...

What's important is to love, to really love deeply.

It doesn't matter who you love, or who you have kids with, or how.

The third mojito's going to my head...

I should go. Carlota had a fever.

Oh, no, look.

Honey, how are you?

The medicine hasn't worked, has it?

Damn.

Yeah...

Go on, I'll be right up.

Yeah. Well, I'll be right there, yeah.

Do you come here often?

- Occasionally. - Every weekend?

- No, I don't go out much. - So you don't drink much.

- What? - Do you drink?

Oh, no, just off and on.

- My job keeps me pretty busy and... - Doing what?

- I'm in advertising. - Oh.

Not so bad, the creativity...

- Do you smoke? - No.

Perfect. Hereditary diseases?

- What? - Or neurological.

- Quite an interrogation! - Sorry. I'm sorry...

I'm a nurse.

Professional distortion.

Sure, so...

What's the diagnosis?

Do you play padel?

- Tennis, especially. - I love it.

Perfect.

NOTHING IN LIFE IS TO BE FEARED. ONLY TO BE UNDERSTOOD. MARIE CURIE

- Should I use a condom? - I take the pill.

Yes, oh yes...

- Jesus... - Are you done?

Finish, finish, finish. Don't worry.

- Mind giving me a minute alone? - No.

- See you. - I'll be outside.

Yeah, sure...

How about a a souvenir of the moment?

- Hi. - Hi.

Hey, Esteve, what are you doing here?

I called him.

I'm really sorry, Virgi,

but if you raise it together...

it's kind of the same thing, no?

- Thanks. - No, Esteve, it's not the same.

No, but it could be similar

if the child had some of your genes.

But how would you do it?

- Didn't you say her eggs...? - With your sperm.

- What? - If I did it with your semen,

the baby would have your genes.

But have you two talked this over?

I mean, I'd do anything for my sister but...

I don't know, maybe if it were dark and we didn't kiss or anything...

- What are you talking about? - No... I don't know.

You'd only have to put it in a little jar

and we'd do the insemination at home with a syringe, no needle.

Easy. - So, it would just be...

A wank, Esteve.

Is that legal?

And that seems OK to you?

With my brother's sperm.

I thought that...

You're insane.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse,

you go and pull one of your crazy stunts and...

I was really afraid that you...

To be clear:

I don't want a baby if not with you.

But we'll do it right, OK?

- OK. - At a clinic, and...

- And with... - ...with donor sperm.

- You don't need me then? - No, Esteve.

We don't need you.

Well, maybe to babysit.

Yes.

- It's done. - Really?

It's implanted.

Thanks to you,

Blanca.

Well, not really...

Of course, it implanted thanks to you.

Because it was the best embryo, right?

I'm already thinking about names.

What do you think...

Sol

or Ot.

- Like them? - I love them.

I think it's going to be Sol. I just have a feeling

it will be like a little me, a mini-me, a tiny...

Yes, so tiny.

- Thanks, Blanca. - You're welcome.

Come in.

Sorry.

Did Valerie's embryo implant?

Yes, and so did Eva’s.

No idea how, in Valerie's case.

Her endometrium was not very receptive.

Fine.

What is it?

I screwed up.

I...

I pressured Hector to do a PGD.

- What? - Yeah, just to find out

which embryo was the best to transfer to Eva.

And we did it at night,

and...

I was exhausted.

And I made a mistake. Me.

Hector has nothing to do with it, I...

I made a mistake.

What mistake did you make?

The embryos.

They're switched.

Are you telling me that Valerie is carrying Eva's embryo

and Eva is carrying Valerie and Jan's?

Yes.

I think that

we need to tell them.

I think that if we do it right

and I take the blame and tell them

calmly and with empathy...

They won't understand, Blanca.

They won't understand.

I get that you feel guilty, but do you really think

it's worth ruining those women's lives

and the clinic just to appease your feelings of guilt?

Does Hector know?

- Yes. - Anyone else?

Escudero.

And how does she know?

Because we talked about it in the lab and she overheard us.

Fine.

I'll talk to them.

OK.

Blanca, you understand that what I should do now

is tell Andreu so he can fire you?

Yes.

But I won't...

If you promise to keep quiet too.

- Do you promise to keep quiet? - Yes, yes...

And from now on, focus on doing nothing but your job.

Getting too involved doesn't make you a better professional.

Just vulnerable.

Doctor...

Don't you think it's too risky?

I don't know if Blanca will keep quiet.

That's why I want you to have Eva and Valerie come in

first thing tomorrow morning.

Tell them it's a routine ultrasound.

But it's not due yet.

And it's not what we'll do...

If there's no embryo, there's no mistake.

Will you call them?

Yes.

LISTEN, REPEAT, ACCOMPANY.