All language subtitles for the.staircase.2022.s01e08.1080p.web.h264-cakes

(clock ticking)

(distant siren wailing)

Jean:
What is it you wanted
to talk about, Michael?

Baseball.

Jean:
Baseball?

(ticking)

Don't worry
about the time.

Why are we really
sitting here, Michael?

(theme music playing)

♪

(ticking)

That's all I got to say.

(sighs)

(groans)

Jean, we're friends, right?

Hmm.

Please don't say
anything to Sophie.

Just let her see it.

Of course.

(door opens)

(sloshing)

-(girl laughs)
-Man: Yeah!

Come on.
I got you.

I got you.

Oh, are you cold?
Did you have fun?

Girl: (whispers)
Can I take my floaties off?

Woman:
Yes, we can take
your floaties off.

(water sloshing)

Okay!

So, guys,
Happy and Healthy

coming to you live from
Durham, North Carolina.

As you can see...

I'm not on
the Cabo diet today.

Beef sliders are not
part of the regimen,

but I'm back home
with my brother

on a very important
family trip.

-No.
-Clay.

-Clay-Man, say hi.
-Get the fuck outta here.

Well, he has always been
the shyer brother.

Anyways, thank you guys
so much for checking in,

and I hope to be back soon
with some good news.

How many people watch that?

Well, it's like a little
over 100 every post.

But it's all about
consistency and quantity.

I mean, that's how
you build the following.

Do you think people
are there because of Dad?

Yeah, I mean, absolutely.

There's people that
are fans of the, the doc,

true crime fans.

I mean, even people
that don't like Dad

are happy
to see me doing well.

Well, you're doing great, man.

Thanks, Clay.

Margaret Ratliff:
Are you reading Dad's book?

Martha Ratliff:
Yeah.

My therapist recommended
reading it years ago,

but I just started.

There's a lot to dissect
in there, Margie.

I'm sure.

(phone chimes)

You have a match.

You want to see?

Can you check it?

Yeah.

She's cute.

Oh yeah?

Let me see.

Hm...

Why are you smiling?

I don't know,
you just, you...

you never said
anything to me.

You never asked.

Like, no one ever asked me.

I would have told you.

I just, I, I just...

figured you didn't
want to talk about it.

That's the whole fucked-up thing
about our family, Margie.

Like, nobody,

nobody ever really just
talks about anything, ever.

Like, we haven't
talked about

my trip,
about Germany.

Yeah, we did.
You said it was enlightening.

Okay. Yeah, but, like,
don't you want to know why?

Jesus, Martha.
Why does everything have

to be so serious?

It's my birthday tomorrow.

Can we just eat a bunch of candy
and act like 15-year-olds

who've never had
a hotel room to themselves?
Please.

I know, I know. I just...
I want to celebrate this moment.

Celebrate how?

(birds chirping)

Fuck.

(phone ringing)

-Hello.
-Kathleen Peterson: Hey, Candy.

Oh, hey.

I know we haven't spoken
since Thanksgiving.

It's, it's all been
really... crazy.

(chuckles)
Yeah. Same here.

Kathleen:
Right. Um...

Anyway, I,
I wanted to say...

thank you for hosting us.

Candace Zamperini:
Of course, was happy to spend
some time with Mike.

I hope everyone
got enough to eat.

How's work?
Is it any easier this week?

Well, no,
they're sending me

on this last-minute trip
to Toronto.

-Everything okay there?
-Candace: It's fine.

You know, full steam
ahead for Christmas.

I'm at the doctor now.
Just...

-Kathleen: You okay?
-Yeah, fine.

Just, you know, routine.

Can never be too careful.

Are you doing okay?

I was really worried
after you left.

Hey...

what if I ditched
the Toronto trip

and you leave Ash
with Mark

and we get a flight
to Turks and Caicos?

What are you talking about?

Yeah. Or Aruba.

I mean,
we deserve it, right?

Are you joking?

Of course.

Candace: (chuckles)
Yeah. That's funny.

Yeah.

Alright. Well, I got
to get back to it.

Candace:
Okay.

Kathleen:
Love to Mark and Ash.

Yeah. Thanks for calling.

Bye.

(sighs)

(computer chimes)

(screeching)

(screeching continues)

(pop music playing
on loudspeakers)

Kathleen?

♪ Tonight I really need

♪ To know

♪ Tell it to my heart

♪ Tell me I'm
the only one ♪

♪ Is this really love...

Kathleen.

♪ Tell it to my heart

♪ I can feel my body rock

(Kathleen singing along)
♪ Every time
you call my name ♪

♪ The passion's so complete

♪ It's never ending

♪ As long as I...

Oh my god!

You're home early.

Jesus.

Here, zip me up.

♪ Soul to soul

♪ Always feel you near

♪ So say the words

♪ I long to hear

♪ Tell it to my heart

♪ Tell me I'm the only one

♪ Is this really love
or just a game? ♪

♪ Tell it to my heart
I can feel my body rock ♪

♪ Every time you call
my name ♪

♪

♪

♪ Love, love on the run

♪ Breaking us down

♪ Though we keep
holding on ♪

(people chattering)

(soft jazz music playing)

Kathleen:
Thank you.

Thank you very much.

-Hey!
-Good to see you!

Both:
Ohh.

-You're glowing.
-Oh yeah?

You ever know,
maybe I'm pregnant again.

-Oh god.
-No, no.

You think the beef will be like
shoe leather again this year?

Michael Peterson:
Like shoe leather?

I'm pretty sure
it was shoe leather.

We'll be too drunk
at that point for it to matter.

Kathleen: Cheers.
Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

(glasses clinking)

(upbeat music playing)

(indistinct chatter)

(urinating)

Ah.
(winces)

(sighs)

(pills rattling)

Oh.

(disco music playing faintly)

(door opens)

(door closes)

I love your makeup.

Thank you.

Enjoy your Prince Charming.

Oh. Yeah.

-Merry Christmas.
-Happy happy.

♪ Stars shining bright
above you ♪

Excuse me.

♪ Night breezes seem

♪ To whisper I love you

♪ Birds singin'
in the sycamore trees ♪

♪ Dream a little dream
of me ♪

♪ Say nighty-night
and kiss me ♪

♪ Just hold me tight
and tell me you'll miss me ♪

♪ While I'm alone
and blue as can be ♪

♪ Dream a little dream
of me ♪

♪ Finally it has happened
to me ♪

♪ Right in front
of my face ♪

♪ And I just
cannot hide it ♪

♪ Meeting Mr. Right,
the man of my dreams ♪

♪ I'll be home

♪ For Christmas

(Kathleen laughing)

(song continues)

(gasps)

(heavy breathing)

(snoring)

(door clangs)

Corrections officer:
Time to go, Peterson.

We're transferring you
to County for the hearing.

Do I take everything now
or do I come back?

How lucky do you feel?

(crowd murmuring)

♪

(camera shutters clicking)

(camera shutters clicking)

(whispering)
That's the girlfriend.

Poor, stupid woman.

(camera shutters clicking)

Court clerk:
All rise.

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!

This honorable court
for the County of Durham

is now open and sitting for
the dispatch of its business.

The Honorable Judge
Orlando Hudson presiding.

God save the state
and this honorable court.

Please be seated.

Wonder where everyone is.

Candace:
I guess they finally
came to their senses.

You feeling okay?

Oh, sure.

No more second thoughts?

I'm here, aren't I?

Jesus.

Alright.
Before we proceed,

does the district attorney
want to call up anyone

to make a statement?

Yes, Your Honor.

Kathleen's family
would like to be heard.

I'd like to call
Candace Zamperini.

-Good morning.
-Judge Hudson: Good morning.

I'm Candace Zamperini,
one of Kathleen's sisters.

Not long after
my sister's death,

I went for the first time

to meet with
District Attorney Jim Hardin.

Inevitably, I didn't
want to believe.

Obviously, I didn't
want to believe

that my sister
had been murdered.

I was sure
this was an accident.

At that meeting,
Jim Hardin asked

if I wanted to see
the autopsy pictures

and some crime scene photos.

It was my Pandora's box.

All the evils
of my sister's death

leaped into my eyes.

The horrors of my sister's
beating were shown.

And because of you,

my sister has been gone

from this world for ten years.

Ten years ago today,
she was murdered.

Her 35 cuts, bruises,
wounds, contusions.

Yes, she was strangled.

And the seven death blows
to the back of her head,

causing her to bleed
slowly to death.

My sister has lied
in her grave for 16 years.

Ten years

Lori and I have been
without our sister

and ten years
her daughter hasn't had her.

You took the life

of the one
that provided for you...

and guided your children.

She loved you guys.

She loved you.

Kathleen was the best thing
you ever had.

Michael Peterson
was correctly charged,

and he is pleading
guilty today.

The words "Alford plea,"
they're meaningless.

Alford schmal-ford.
Means nothing. Guilt.

An innocent man
doesn't plead guilty.

A guilty one does.

And that's why I'm asking you,
Judge Hudson, today

to immediately dismiss
this retrial hearing.

Please.

Please.

Do not give this killer
a chance at freedom.

Thank you, Your Honor.

(exhales)

Your words are very moving,
Mrs. Zamperini.

Your sister's memory
is not lost on this court.

Come on. Come on.

The court,
in its discretion,

will deny the motion
to dismiss the hearing.

The court is ready to proceed
with the hearing for a retrial.

(door opens)

Your Honor,
I would like to call

Evelyn Ivins
to the stand.

Evelyn Ivins:
I was specifically
focused on Greg Taylor,

who was
wrongfully convicted,

which led me
to Duane Deaver

and the inner workings
of the North Carolina SBI.

What did you learn?

For years, the SBI
has been engaging

in unconstitutional behavior,

hiding exculpatory evidence
from the defense

in order to ensure
convictions for the state.

David Rudolf:
Thank you, Ms. Ivins.

Jim Hardin: (on screen)
And why should we trust you?

Well, sir, I've written
over 200 bloodstain reports

and overseen 500 scenes.

Jim:
No further questions,
Your Honor.

David: Have you had
a chance to review

all documents
provided by the State

related to
Agent Duane Deaver's

20-year career?

I did.

Well over 100,000 pages.

And you reviewed
all of that?

Ron Guerette:
Unfortunately.

-Yeah. Alright. Alright.
-(crowd laughs)

How many cases
were there in total

in which Agent Deaver
just observed bloodstains,

either at the scene,
at the SBI laboratory,

or by looking at photos?

Only 54.

In how many of those cases
did Agent Deaver provide

a bloodstain pattern
analysis opinion?

Thirty-six. Not 200.

David:
Not 200.

How many cases were there
in which Agent Deaver

actually performed tests

or experiments

before the Peterson case?

Three. Only three.

Mr. Guerette, if someone
claims that they've worked

on hundreds of cases
over a 20-year career

but actually only worked

on less than five,
what would you call that?

-Lying.
-Lawyer: Objection,
Your Honor.

-That is a lie.
-Judge Hudson: Sustained.

David:
No more questions,
Your Honor.

As Mrs. Zamperini
mentioned earlier,

today marks
the ten-year anniversary

of Kathleen's death.

Ten years ago,

Michael
and Kathleen Peterson

enjoyed a night in
with a movie

from Blockbusters,
"America's Sweethearts."

After she finished
with a work call,

they decided to go out
by the pool

with a bottle of wine.

They talked about the kids

and Christmas.

They were looking
towards the future.

Then she said good night.

Michael stayed out
by the pool.

And when he
came back in later,

he found his wife...

the love of his life,
barely breathing

at the bottom of the steps
from a fall.

A tragic accident.

But in large part
because of Duane Deaver,

the DA convinced the jury
that this was murder.

What we know now is that
Deaver had a habit

of preparing
misleading reports

and presenting
misleading testimony

under oath.

We never asked
for a perfect trial.

Uh...

but we at least
deserved a fair one.

I'm therefore going to ask
the court at this time

to grant Michael Peterson
a new trial

at which the evidence
can be presented

in a fair
and unbiased way.

Then...

let a jury of 12, uh...

sort it out.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Alright.

Would the defendant
please rise?

Do you understand, sir,
that you do have the right

to plead not guilty
and have a jury trial?

-Yes.
-Judge Hudson:
Mr. Peterson,

you're pleading guilty pursuant

to North Carolina
versus Alford case

of voluntary manslaughter.

-Do you understand, sir?
-Yes.

Judge Hudson:
Has Mr. Peterson proven

that Duane Deaver
misled this court?

The answer to
that question is yes.

Has Mr. Peterson proven
that Duane Deaver misled

the jury on the validity
of his argument?

The answer to
that question is...

yes.

Was Deaver's
misleading testimony

critical and material

to the conviction
of Mr. Peterson?

The answer to
that question is...

yes.

Alright.

Do you understand that
when you enter a plea of Alford,

the court will treat you
as though you're guilty

for the purpose
of sentencing?

Yes, sir.

Judge Hudson:
So, Mr. Peterson,

to the charge
of voluntary manslaughter

in the death
of Kathleen Peterson,

how do you plead?

Guilty.

I plead guilty.

Judge Hudson:
The court finds
that the defendant

will receive a new trial

at a time that
the State deems fit.

(all exclaiming)

The court will begin
the process

of releasing
Mr. Peterson immediately.

The court finds
that Mr. Peterson

has fulfilled his obligation
pursuant to the Alford plea

and has no further obligations
to the State of North Carolina.

-You're free to go.
-(gavel banging)

Judge Hudson:
Court dismissed.

Congratulations.

Alright, let's, uh...

Bailiff:
You have a 10 p.m. curfew

that will be
strictly monitored.

Be right back.

(door opens)

(door closes)

-(cork pops)
-(all cheering)

Do you want to shower
and get some rest?

No. No, no,
absolutely not.

No, no, I'm okay.
Thank you.

(Christmas music playing)

So, you old man, where do
you want to go celebrate?

Clay, let's go to Amalfi.

I feel I could eat
an enormous, obscene bowl

of spaghetti
and meatballs.

-Can you get on that?
-Clayton: On it.

Jessica: (on phone)
Amalfi. This is Jessica.
How may I help you?

Yeah, I need to make
a reservation

for a large group,
12 for tonight.

Jessica:
Certainly. What's the name?

Uh, it's for Michael Peterson.

Jessica:
Michael Peterson,
Michael Peterson?

-Yes.
-Jessica: Oh. Okay.

Just a moment.
Please hold.

Man: (on phone)
Hello. Are you calling
about Michael Peterson?

Yep. We used
to go there all the time.

Yes. Well, the thing is
we don't seat convicted killers.

Thank you.

Reporter: In 2011,
Michael Peterson
was granted a retrial

and released from prison
based on a technicality.

-Michael: We good?
-Amalfi can't take us.

We're too big of a party.

How does everyone feel
about Baja Palace?

Reporter: Peterson remained
out of prison

for the last six years
awaiting the retrial.

But the negotiations
between the State

and the defense
ended in a stalemate,

with both sides conceding that
a retrial could be difficult.

Today, Michael Peterson
entered an Alford plea,

thus ending
the 16-year saga

of the State versus
Michael Iver Peterson.

Tune in later tonight
for my sit-down interview

with Michael Peterson himself.

Man:
You want me to keep going?

Uh... sorry.
Give me a minute.

-Man: Yeah, of course. I get it.
-(notification chimes)

(cheering)

Hi, everybody.

-Whoa!
-Woman: Whoo! Come on, Nate!

Whoo! You got this!

(texts blooping)

(keys clacking)

(sighs)

Don't be afraid to possess
the space that you need

to express these feelings.

You're safe here.
This is a safe space.

(kids whooping, growling)

-Man: You okay?
-(sighs) Yeah.

-Let's get back to it.
-Alright.

Interviewer: (on TV)
What was the worst part?

Do we have
to show my face?

Interviewer:
Of course not. No.

Whatever makes you comfortable.

Tilt down, please.

Hey, guys. Todd here.

You know, every day I wake up
just so grateful.

Grateful to be alive
and to be healthy

and to be talking
to you guys.

I know last week
I was a bit confused

in anticipation of today.

A lot of you guys
reached out to me

to check in
to see if I was okay,

and that meant
the world to me.

Lori Campbell:
I don't know, Candy.
I just...

I feel nothing now.

Well, then something maybe
is wrong with me

because I still feel pissed.

We waited six years
for a retrial--

You have to let it go.

We knew.

I knew

something was wrong
with him.

Why didn't...

why didn't we say
anything to Kathleen?

To be polite?

We couldn't tell our sister
to leave her husband

because we thought that
he was an arrogant jerk.

Candace:
No.

It was more than that.

I had a feeling.

Lori:
You can't stop fate.

Kathleen died the day
that she met him.

♪

What are you
thinking about?

Kathleen:
Oh, I'm thinking
about going to Aruba.

Then Paris.

Or Paris then Aruba.

And then I'm thinking
about how I can't afford
anywhere but Durham.

Well, honey, we can afford
pasta and Blockbusters.

(Kathleen chuckles)

(water sloshing)

(child giggles)

Oh, maybe they have, uh...

(indistinct chatter)

Oh yeah.
It's him.

(indistinct chatter)

Should we say something?

Clayton:
No, just ignore it.
We have nothing to hide.

Waiter:
What would you like?

Uh, well...

(clears throat)
Here, Dad, you need help?

Uh, fuck.

Clayton, can you pick for me?

-Clayton: Sure.
-You do it.

Michael:
I haven't had good food
in a century.

Clayton: He'll have
the steak fajitas, please.

(Mexican music playing
over loudspeakers)

Excuse me.

Can I get a double tequila
neat, please.

Yes, sir.

Margaret:
Dad, I have a surprise.

All:
Oh.

(applause)

What is it?
What is it?

It's a, it's just a silly cup
that Kathleen and I bought.

I hid it so
it wouldn't get sold.

Who'd want it?

-Dad--
-Please, no.

Please, don't start with me.

Okay.

Um, Sophie,

thank you for,

for being there for our dad

and for fighting for him.

You never gave up.

And I don't think

my dad would be here
if it weren't for you.

To Sophie.

All:
To Sophie.

(glasses clink)

Margaret:
Could you pass it?

It's your turn.

-To Margaret--
-No, you pick someone else.

Sophie:
Okay.

-(laughter)
-Okay.

(muttering in French)

Um... to Martha.

Oh!

Well, from the first footage
that Jean sent to Paris,

I knew you were bright...
and sensitive.

It wasn't easy with the cameras
in your face all the time.

But you had courage.
You didn't hide.

So thank you for letting us
into your life.

-To Martha.
-All: To Martha.

And know all of you that
Paris is your second home.

Margaret:
Great. Thank you.

-Cheers to that.
-Waiter: Here you go.

-Sophie: Just don't come
all together.
-Thank you.

(laughter)

Martha:
Thank you.

Um... to Patty.

Thank you for your kindness.

What I've learned
about just empathy

and understanding
from you has...

-(sighs)
-(conversation fades)

(music intensifies)

-You alright?
-Yeah. I'm okay.

To my eldest.

A husband,

a father
in his own right,

and a hero
to his own father

all these years.

How you turned
your life around.

And I wasn't going
to tell you yet,

but I have decided

to relocate to Durham
to be closer to you, Michael,

and to everyone here.

-(laughter)
-Surprise!

To my brother.

My best friend.

I'm inspired by you

and all the people that you've
been reaching with your videos--

-(slams fist)
-(clattering)

Fuck!

Sorry.

Just another one, please.

Sorry, Clay, go on.

Um, that's it.
To Todd.

-All: To Todd.
-(glasses clinking)

-Clayton: Um...
-Todd: Yeah.

(clears throat)
To Dad.

Welcome home.
We missed you.

You made me
the man I am today.

Thank you.

-To Dad.
-All: To Dad.

To everybody.

(glasses clink)

Uh...
(clears throat)

There's a moment, uh...

the thing is...

(clicks tongue)

after all this time...

uh, Kathleen would...

I need to go
to the bathroom.

Todd:
I'll come with you.

Michael:
What am I, incontinent?

I can still piss
on my own, thanks.

♪

(sighs)

(heavy breathing)

(bubbling)

Oh my god.
It is so stupid.

(joyous laughter)

Hello?

Hey.

-Oh. Hey, love birds.
-Hey.

What you up to?

Kathleen: Oh, watching
some delightful crap.

What are you doing here?

Todd: Oh, I'm going to Nate's
Christmas party with Christina,

and, uh, I thought
I would come crash here.

Christina Tomasetti?

She's engaged, right?

Yeah.

(both chuckle)

Just like your father.

Let's go to the kitchen.

We need a refill.

Todd:
Alright.

(laughs)

(laughter echoing)

Martha: You know,
I'm reading your books.

No shit.
What do you think?

I was wondering when one
of you kids would be curious.

I mean, I recognize
a lot of you in it.

There's the soldier
and the father

and the Renaissance man

and the nun...

Mm. Well, you know,
Kathleen said the same thing.

"You know you're everyone
in your books, right?"

There's even
that queer character.

I just thought
it was so honest.

The moment he comes out
is so painful.

I feel like I finally understood
what it must have been like

for you to be
a teenager back then.

Yeah?

So, which book was that?

-"A Bitter Peace."
-Oh, not my best work.

(clears throat)

We have so much
to talk about, Dad.

Alright, who wants dessert?

-Clayton: Yes, I do.
-Margaret: Ooh, I'm in.

How about
some sweets, huh?

Bill Peterson: Ta-ta-ta-da.
Birthday girl gets to decide.

For everyone, huh?
The pressure.

Okay.

(sighs)

Sweetheart, do you need
some help with that?

No, I'm good. I, um...

I will have...
the cheesecake.

Who the fuck orders cheesecake
at a Mexican restaurant?

(light laughter)

Okay.
So someone else choose.

Oh, Margie the Martyr.

Don't be so dramatic.
Just get the cheesecake.

I don't even
like cheesecake.

I just picked it
because it's what I thought

everyone else would choose.

So, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I picked

the wrong dessert.

It's been a very emotional day
for everybody.

Sophie:
Anyway, there's
no time for dessert.

The curfew?

Margaret:
...from a pencil. Yeah.

Okay.

Um... I'll, uh, check in
with you tomorrow, okay.

-Thank you.
-Yeah.

Okay.

-Love you.
-Mm-hmm. I love you.

(exhales)

David said it could be years
before a retrial.

What if they send me back?

They won't.

How am I going to survive?

-I'm broke.
-I'm here.

The kids are here.

We'll take care of you.

And you're free right now.
That's all that matters.

(groans, kisses)

Clayton:
Hey. Hey.

(shushing)
It's okay.

(crying) I'm such
a fuck-up, Clay.

Clayton:
You're just drunk.

You're drunk.

(Todd sobbing)

My dear boys.

It has been
a long, long day.

Come. Come to
your dear mama.

Clayton, help me.

-Come on.
-Clayton: Okay.

-Come on.
-Patty: Come on.

Todd:
I'm such a fuck-up, Mom.

Patty: No, no, no.
You need some sleep.

Oh shit. I forgot.
I got you a birthday present.

Ooh.

Don't say
I never got you anything.

Margaret:
What is it?

Martha:
It's the view
from our bedroom

in Germany.

We used to see that
every morning

when we were little.

It just seemed so peaceful

that I thought
it would be a nice memory.

I'm sorry.

Why?

You're the only one
in this family

who's actually trying
to be honest.

(sighs)

And I lied to you.

Not lied like...

but I... (sighs)

kept something from you.

Dad tried to...

separate us
when we were kids.

Give you away
and keep me.

And...

I was so scared
that if it got out,

it would hurt him.

And...

I wasn't thinking about you.

You weren't.

I'm sorry.

You don't need
to protect me, you know,

or anyone else, Margie.

Not anymore.

-It's okay.
-(sniffles)

Just promise me...

Well, we'll promise
each other.

From here on out...

we just, we live our own lives.

Okay?

Don't cry.

(kissing)

(door opens)

-Michael: Oh. It's okay.
-I'm sorry.

(keys clattering)

-It's nice.
-Ah.

It's nice.

(faucet running)

Shit.
It's stuck.

-Let me help you.
-(Michael grunts)

(Sophie chuckles)

This thing got stuck.

I got it. Alright.

Thank you.

It's been a while.

Me too.

(moaning)

Lots to do
before we leave.

Reporter: (on TV)
Now we caught up with Michael

days before
the Alford plea.

What have the years following
your release been like?

Michael:
Ah, well, they've been,
uh, been good.

You know, I spent some time
with my, my granddaughters

and, uh, traveled about
a bit once they took
my ankle monitor off.

Sophie Brussard:
Don't you get tired
of watching yourself?

Come on! You can pack
and watch TV.

Reporter:
...when an investigation
into the SBI

allowed Peterson's
defense to argue

that a key witness,
SBI agent Duane Deaver,

perjured himself
on the stand.

A retrial was granted...

Did you pack it?

-What?
-My passport. I can't find it.

Reporter:
And they decided
that the best route

was an Alford plea.

Michael: (on TV)
I wanted to go on fighting.

The last thing I ever wanted

was to say the word.

-But...
-Where'd you put it?

Hmm? I didn't
put it anywhere.

Michael: (on TV)
But I'm 73.

I have to think of
the time I have left.

And the risk of losing
was too great, so...

Reporter: You spent
eight years in prison.

What was that like?

Michael:
The experience of prison is

possibly even more
dehumanizing than...

-It was next to the bed.
-...the experience
of going to war.

Reporter:
So...

I notice you're still
wearing a wedding ring.

Hmm. Yeah.

Reporter: Is she still
a part of your life.

Oh yes.

I, I think about
Kathleen every day,

all the time.

I can be standing
in the kitchen here

and think she's
just going to walk

through that door
any moment.

Well, Jim, for now,

it looks like
Michael's content

living a solitary life

-and being a grandfather--
-(TV switches off)

Come on,
let's get to it.

Will you just give me a minute
to catch my breath.

Jesus.

What's wrong with you?

I'm just tired.
I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Maybe you want to go on
tomorrow without me.

I'll just come
on my own later.

Go to Paris without you?

-Michael: Yeah.
-No!

I don't want that.

Well, I need a second.

You know, this is all
happening so fast, too fast.

Too fast?

Do you not want to go?

God, I'm just too tired to pack.

I'll finish up
packing here this week.

Let's just relax
and enjoy the night, huh?

I can't just rush off.

We've been planning this
for months, for years.

So what's
another week then?

If you don't want
to move to Paris...

that's fine.

Just tell me.

No, it's not that
I don't want to go.

I'm just worried about
leaving my kids, my grandkids.

-You know,
they still need me here.
-Your children?

(scoffs)

They don't need you
anymore.

Clearly.

They didn't
even come today.

(sniffles)

(clattering)

I told them not to come.

You didn't have
to tell them anything.

You know, in that
interview, they asked,

"What have you been
doing since prison?"

You say everything
but being with me.

What about me traveling
with your family?

What about me
taking care of you?

You keep saying
this bullshit

about Kathleen walking
through the door?

I walk through the door,
not her.

Those people don't need
to know my business.

What do you care
if I mention you?

I'm the editor, not you.

-Oh! Oh.
-Okay?

I can edit me out
if I want.

You don't edit me.

So, so that's it, huh?
Control.

You and Kathleen always trying
to control everything.

Sophie:
Control?

I've been taking care of you

like Kathleen
took care of you.

You always act like
you know everything about me.

I had a whole life
before that documentary

that you know nothing about.

-Are you coming
with me tomorrow?
-I'm not.

You're the one who said
you, you wanted Paris.

Paris, Paris,
Paris, Paris, Paris.

-Shut up.
-I've given you everything
I had. Everything!

I built my life
around you!

Michael:
Jesus. Shut up.

For what?

For what?

I don't wanna fucking live
with women anymore, okay?

Is that so hard
for you to understand?

I'm done!

I am fucking done!

Did you ever love me?

I don't know.

-I don't know.
-(Sophie sobs)

Michael: It's okay.

Sophie...

(keys jingling)

-I'll...
-Sophie.

(door opens, closes)

Jean:
What is it you wanted
to talk about, Michael?

Michael:
Baseball.

Jean:
Baseball?

Don't worry
about the time.

Why are we really
sitting here, Michael?

I used to play baseball
when I was 11 or 12.

And one night, I was
fantasizing about this girl,

my neighbor's daughter,
Melanie,

and suddenly he was there
in that fantasy.

And I was
very confused by that.

I mean, we played
on the same ball team.

Jean:
Wait, wait, who was there?

The shortstop.

At that moment,
I realized that I had

a great attraction
for, for females,

but for guys also.

And that that was something
I was going to have to hide.

Jean:
Did your parents find out?

One night,
my father found us,

just, you know,
experimenting.

He got so mad.

Violent.

I remember sitting
in our car

outside the garage
listening to the radio.

Just me, my mother,

Mahler's Fifth Symphony,

and my black eye.

After that, I knew
it was easier to lie.

It was safer.

Jean:
Is that it?

Is there something else
you wanted to say?

I always felt

there was something
you were holding back

during the first trial.

I don't know what,
but there was something.

I was. There is.

I lied about Kathleen.

She never knew.

I never told her
about that side of me.

You know, in the beginning
when people asked,

you know, "Did she know
about the men?"

I, I told them,
"Of course, she did.

She knew me."

And I'd hoped
that would be enough.

But then people ask
again and again, so...

But no, no,
we never talked about... it.

I could never make
the leap to say to her,

"This is who I am."

To make that leap is,
is very difficult and...

I didn't make
the leap with Kathleen.

I'm sure I felt guilty,
you know.

But when you get away
with something

and you keep
getting away with it,

it becomes,
"Oh, it's alright,"

you see?

I wish I could have
told her.

I wonder what
she would have said.

She'd have made it right.

Jean:
Did you kill Kathleen?

Kathleen's death
was an accident.

(sighs)

This man...

this man is a liar.

He lied about everything.
Everything!

The whole time he lied.

Yes, he did, but maybe
this is him trying to stop.

You really think so?

(breathing heavily)

I don't know...

what to think.

I don't know.

But, I know...

you will be happier
without him.

Jean...

He didn't.

He couldn't.

(exhales)

Caitlin: (voicemail)
Hey, Mom. Hey, Mike.

I'm starting to get packed up
to see you guys soon.

Um, I was thinking
of driving down

if the weather
wasn't so bad

and maybe seeing
some friends on the way.

But anyway, I can't wait
to see you guys for Christmas.

I really need a watch,
wink wink.

-I love you.
-(beep)

Helen Prislinger:
Hey, Kathleen.
Sorry to call so late,

but we have to do
a conference call tomorrow

to get on the same page
about Toronto

before you fly out.

A work call on the weekend.
It sucks, I know,

but I need to send you
the presentation.

Call me back, okay.

-(beep)
-(owl hoots)

Kathleen:
Hey, Helen.

Shit, you're not sleeping,
are you?

Yeah. Okay.
So what is it?

Oh shit. I forgot
my laptop at the office.

Oh, I've been so out of it.

Um...

You know what?
Uh, send it to Mike's e-mail.

Yeah. It's, uh... Mike?

Mike, what's your email?

What? Why?

Kathleen:
Well, I just...
I need it for work.

Oh, okay,

it's mpwriter@gte.net.

Mpwriter@gte.net.

That's it. Alright.

Okay.

And thanks, Helen.
Good night.

What was that about?

Oh, it was Helen.

-Helen?
-Prislinger.
She works under me,

and there's a presentation
I have to review.

So, uh, I'm gonna have
to check it on your email.

Ah.

Okay.

-Is that alright?
-Of course.

Don't work.

Just look it over
in the morning.

Hmm?

Let's relax and enjoy
the rest of the night.

♪

Caitlin called.

Oh yeah?
What'd she say?

She's driving down
for Christmas.

She's bringing the baby.

He's getting really chubby.

Mmm.

You talk to Margie?

Not yet.

I'll talk to her
when she's back up.

You have to talk
to her, Mike.

You really upset her.
You never even talked
to her about her divorce.

-You can't put these things off.
-I will.

Martha's doing better,
at least.

She's finally doing
what she wants.

She's got this
dance recital tonight.

Margie's there.
They're together.

The way they should be.

Really?

I thought
she was working.

That's what she said,
why she couldn't make it.

Well, she wasn't gonna
miss the show.

They're all okay.

You'll be okay too.

(chair creaks)

Why didn't you tell me?

There was a moment

where I knew who I was.

♪

But it was
just a moment.

And I became one thing
after another.

I got further and further
from that moment.

(classical music playing)

And then you came along...

so far from that moment.

It wasn't a lie.

It just wasn't
the whole thing.

♪

But what two people ever know
each other really?

Most of it is just
smoke and mirrors.

People don't actually know
who they're with.

♪

(inaudible)

(inaudible)

(voicemail beeps)

Michael:
Hey, I tried
all you guys now,

but I guess everyone
is pretty busy.

So it turns out
I'm not going to Paris.

It's, uh, for the best.

I know it's been a while,
but maybe we can

all get together soon.

Miss you.

♪

♪

(theme music playing)

Despite the freedom
to go anywhere,

Michael never left Durham, NC

He still maintains his innocence

in the death
of Kathleen Atwater Peterson

♪