01x14 - Along for the Ride

[bunniefuu]

(upbeat music)

- [Taylor] Come and sponsor the three time winner

of The Mother And Daughter Horse Challenge.

Line up starts behind this kid

and all money raised goes to the city's animal shelter,

so please don't embarrass yourself.

- A son's a son til he takes a wife,

but a daughter's a daughter for the rest of her life.

I like that.

- Hey, what's up?

- [Caitlin] Besides Taylor's nose, nothing.

So, tell me, what is this mother daughter

horse challenge thing, anyway?

- It's just this contest with a bunch of

horse back riding skills,

speed, accuracy, that sort of thing.

- I wish I could enter.

Bandit and I would kick Taylor's butt.

- Why don't you ask my mom?

I'm sure she'd love to ride with you.

- Look, I hate to point out the obvious,

but the poster says mother and daughter,

not guardian and distant cousin.

- Give me a break.

They're not going to ban you

because you aren't actually mother and daughter.

- It just wouldn't feel right.

- Caitlin, want to sponsor my mother and me

in the horse challenge?

- Sure, Taylor, right after I take up claud dancing.

- I just thought that if you couldn't be a winner,

you might like to back one.

- Bandit and I could beat you

and your flee bag of a horse any day.

- Too bad planet make believe

doesn't have a horse challenge.

In case you change your mind.

- Man, she has got a lot of nerve.

- Yeah, tell me about it.

(bell ringing)

She's such a--

- Hey, Taylor, wait up, I'll sponsor you.

- A daughter's a daughter for the rest of her life.

I sure wish my mom and I had more time to prove that.

(upbeat music)

♪ There's a devil standing on my tail ♪

♪ But I don't have to beat him ♪

♪ And there's an angel that is tempting me to fail ♪

♪ But I don't really need him ♪

♪ And the waves just keep rolling along ♪

♪ We can drift if the current prevails ♪

♪ Here we are in this slow boat ♪

♪ Wishing for a sail, wishing for a sail ♪

♪ A sail, a sail, a sail, a sail ♪

♪ Wishing, wishing, wishing for a sail ♪

(upbeat music)

- [Dori] You sponsored that woman?

- Well, it's a good cause.

Besides, it's the only way

I could get her to stop talking.

(laughing)

- Well, just don't let Caitlin hear about it.

If she finds out you gave money to Taylor and her mom,

she'll have a fit.

Oh, just once, I wish I could enter that thing.

I'm tired of the Langfords winning every year.

- Easy solution.

You could enter with Caitlin.

- Oh, I wish.

She'd never do it, you know how she is.

- Never know til you try.

- Well, if Caitlin and I did enter,

you'd sponsor us, right?

- Sorry, I already gave it to the office.

- Man down, man down.

- Knock it off, Lowe, we hardly touched you.

- It's not my fault, coach.

I'm small boned.

- Quit your belly-aching and play some hockey.

(upbeat music)

- Griffen Lowe takes the putt.

Takes out one man.

And another.

He circles around another.

- If I wanted a clown, I'd go to the circus.

Take the game seriously.

- It's wide open in front of the net.

(bell dinging)

- [Hockey Player] Griffen nailed the coach.

Coach, you okay?

Coach is out and cold.

- Oh no.

Is that serious enough, coach?

Come on, ask her.

- Mind your own business.

- Ask me what?

- If you would please pass the mashed potatoes.

- Oh, yeah, sure.

- Just say something.

- Say something to who?

- To you.

I was wondering if when you're finished

with the mashed potatoes,

you could pass them back, please.

- When did everyone get so polite around here?

- Dori, I wondered...

(laughing)

- You go first, I'm sorry.

- No, it's okay, you go ahead.

- [Dori] No, no, really, you go first.

- Would someone please just go.

- Well, I was just wondering...

Well, I've been getting really good on Bandit lately

and well, there's this mother daughter competition and--

- I'd love to.

(upbeat music)

- I'll sign us up tomorrow.

- This is great.

Well, we'll start practicing right after school tomorrow.

There's a roping competition.

(upbeat music)

- You suck , Griff.

- I know.

- Hey, where's the he shoots, he scores,

Griffen Lowe wins the Stanley Cup?

This kid might be the greatest player ever?

- He shoots, he scores, Griffen Lowe, blah, blah, blah.

- What's the matter, Griff?

- There's this teacher

and I'm just kind of having some trouble in this class.

No matter what I do, this guy's always on my case.

- You want me to talk to him?

- No way, you can't do that.

- Griff, if you've got a problem, we've got to deal with it.

So, who was it?

Mr. Watson?

Mr. Corollo?

- Coach. Lawrence.

(drumming music)

- Coach. Lawrence?

(upbeat music)

- Well, if it isn't Sheriff. Lowe.

What's up, Jimbo?

- I'll get right to the point, Skip.

Griffen feels you're being a little harsh on him.

I know you're the coach, that's your job,

but I was wondering if maybe you'd lighten up just a little.

- I'll be honest.

As far as athletic ability goes,

Griffen makes a heck of a math student.

But maybe I'm a little tough on him.

I'll take it easy.

- Appreciate it.

- Spot me, Jimbo.

Of course, I'm only tough on him

because I don't think he pushes himself.

He's always clowning around, mouthing off.

He lacks mental focus.

Let's face it, Jimbo, if you don't take gym seriously,

how can you make it in the real world?

- Become a gym coach?

- Funny guy.

You and Griffen are a lot alike.

You don't take things seriously either.

I seem to recall an incident about 20 years ago.

- Not this again.

- The game was tied,

you walked away and ruined my perfect record.

- It was a fire drill.

- But you never came back.

You never took the game seriously.

- It was ping pong.

(upbeat music)

- Wow, you're really good at that.

- How do you think I caught Jim?

(laughing)

Okay, now it's your turn.

The secret is to twirl it nice and easy

and then when you feel the rope

start to get some momentum,

you're going to just let it flow out of your hand.

- I can't believe I'm doing this.

- Okay, now just release it.

(horse neighing)

You did it.

- Yes.

- You know what?

I think we are going to make one heck of a team.

- I think you're right.

- I don't believe it.

- Hi, Tara.

- Hi, Dori.

I was hoping they'd have a vet on hand.

- I'm not working, Tara, we're riding.

- You?

I didn't think I'd see you here.

- Well, you probably didn't think

you'd see us in the winners circle either,

but we'll wave to you from there.

- Come on, Taylor, let's go.

(horse neighing)

- Hi, Dr. Lowe.

Caitlin.

- Hi. - Hi.

- You guys' first event is at station three

which is right over there.

And if you could just take these

and put them where we can see them.

I would appreciate that a lot.

Good luck.

- Thanks.

- Team Lowe?

- [Griffen] Gym is tough as the day is long.

- Gym is tough as the day is long.

- Gonna beat coach at ping pong.

- Gonna beat coach at ping pong.

(whistle blowing)

- All right.

Now, drop and give me 20.

- I'm not going to drop and give you anything.

- I said drop and give me 20, soldier.

- Look, if you want car privileges before you're 80,

cut it out right now.

- Dad, I'm sorry.

It's just the Lowe name is at stake here.

Coach thinks I'm a total clutz.

This is our chance to show him

that we're made of metal, steel, fortitude.

- Griff, it's just a game.

I just want to get it over with

so I can catch the finale of the horse challenge.

I don't care if I win or lose.

- With that kind of attitude,

you'll never get a sneaker endorsement.

- [Dori] It's not important if you beat her,

it's what time you clock in at.

- Dori, we entered this thing to win

not to come in second.

(dramatic music)

- On your mark, get set, go.

(upbeat music)

- [Commentator] Well, look at the girls go.

Their running hoods, they're coming up to that jump.

And Langford off to an early start

with Lowe coming on strong.

But it's team Langford first over the fence.

- Faster, Bandit.

- [Commentator] Team Lowe right behind.

Oh, hang onto your hats.

- Caitlin.

- [Commentator] Team Lowe's in trouble.

She's lost her seat.

Hang on to her.

She's back up, but it's team Langford (indistinct).

- [Caitlin] Yes.

- [Commentator] Team Lowe has managed to hold on.

She's okay, folks.

(indistinct), but the winner of this heat

is Team Langford by four seconds.

- Are you okay?

- I'm fine.

- Yeah?

- If horse riding doesn't work out,

you can always have a career as a rodeo clown.

- Yeah, well, at least I'll know where to get the make up.

- Caitlin, you almost got hurt.

What does it matter if you beat Taylor?

- It matters to me.

You're up next.

Let's see if you can beat her mom.

(upbeat music)

- Let's get ready to play some ping pong.

I'm just trying to liven up the game.

- All right, Skip, let's say we try

and keep this to a nice and...

- Yes, yes, yes, in your face, Lowe.

- Friendly?

- [Commentator] And here's our last rider

in the barrel race.

There's a great little ride for Caitlin.

Way to go, Caitlin.

- 21 seconds.

Competition rider Dr. Lowe score,

that puts you in, wow, first place for this event.

- Hear that?

- First place.

I think somebody better stick a fork in you,

because it looks like you're done.

- Big deal, most of these events don't even matter.

It usually comes down to the pony express relay,

which we always win.

- Which we always win.

- Caitlin, I don't know why you let her get to you so much.

- She thinks she's better than everyone else.

Flipping her perfect hair, flashing her perfect smile.

Those matching outfits of theirs.

I mean, give me a break.

- I think they're kind of cute.

Did I ever tell you about the time

my mother and I, we entered this talent contest together,

we were wearing these matching black leotards--

- Dori, this is a horse rally,

not some greeting card moment.

- Well, let's move on.

- Yeah, let's get this over with.

(upbeat music)

- 15-14 for you.

- Time out, I need some water.

- Dad, this guy's beating you to the net.

Come on, you can't let him win.

- Griff, big deal.

So he wins.

- Today would be good, Lowe.

- Why do I have to beat him?

Why is it so important to you?

- Because you're my dad, this is what you do.

You fix things.

You remember when I was six

and I was too scared to learn how to ride my bike?

You stuck with me til I did it.

- [Coach] I'm cooling down, Lowe.

- All right, since you put it that way,

let's play some ping pong.

- All right.

(upbeat music)

Dad.

- My ankle.

- Dad, are you all right?

- Don't think so.

I can't finish the game, I'm sorry.

- That's it then.

I win.

- I guess you do, Skip.

- No, you don't.

Not yet.

- Are you sure?

- Yeah, I've been playing ping pong in Brett's basement.

Maybe not having a date for the last 47 Fridays

might actually pay off.

- Substitution, Lowe.

(upbeat music)

- 20-19, my serve.

I score next point, I win.

- Not gonna happen, Lowe.

You don't have the focus, the drive or the skills.

- Hey, insult me, but not my son.

- It's okay, dad, I can take care of my own battles.

- Okay, Lowe, let's see what you're made of.

- Come on.

(upbeat music)

(upbeat music)

- Yeah, I won.

I actually won.

- Yeah.

- I have to admit it, Lowe, I'm proud of you.

You took the game seriously and you won.

Even if it did stop my winning streak.

- I did it, dad, I beat the coach.

- I knew you could do it, I knew it.

- Hey, I thought you twisted your ankle.

- It's a miracle, I can walk.

- You were faking this whole time, how come?

- Griff, you remember the way I eventually

taught you to ride your bicycle?

- Yeah.

You ran alongside me, holding the handlebars

and then when I wasn't expecting it,

you just, you let me go.

- Griff, there's going to be

a lot of obstacles in your life.

Sometimes I'll be there for you and...

- Sometimes you'll have to let go.

Wow.

- [Commentator] Well, that was

quite a race for Team Johnson.

And a placing in the running, third spot for sure.

Next up--

- Hey.

I heard you might not finish the horse challenge.

- I'm thinking about it.

- How did the ping pong match go?

Jim win?

- No, I did.

- You beat Coach. Lawrence?

How did you manage that?

- Dad let go of my bike.

- What?

- He let me handle something on my own.

- Oh, I wish Dori would take a lesson from him.

She just won't let up.

- You know, sometimes as hard as I try,

I just can't figure you out.

What is it that my mom is doing so wrong?

She wants to care about you

and maybe she tries too hard, but...

- But what?

- Look, I've never been in your place

and I know that, okay?

And you have good reason to block people out,

but if someone like my mom wanted in, I'd let her

because for a mom, she's pretty awesome.

Well, I'm going to go watch the pony express relay.

It'd be nice to see someone other than Taylor win.

- Leave it on.

We're not finished yet.

I'm sorry for what I said about

me only joining for Bandit.

- Well, there must've been some truth to it

or you wouldn't have said it.

- I think part of me wants it to be true

because as long as I believe

that I only entered for Bandit,

I won't have to think that

I'm trying to replace my mom.

- You can't think that way.

You're not trying to replace your mom.

Neither am I.

I'm not your mother, I know that.

- Then who are you?

I mean, sometimes what we have feels so familiar.

Like we've done it our entire lives.

Even the arguing.

And that scares me.

It's too fast, Dori.

- There's no timeline for any of this stuff, Caitlin.

Just take it as slow as you want.

Here, got you something.

I was hoping you were going to come back.

- Thanks.

- Look, I don't know what tomorrow's going to bring,

but I do know one thing.

- That no matter what, we'll always be a family?

- Actually, what I was going to say is,

let's go kick Taylor and Tara's butts.

- [Commentator] Our final competitors--

- We're number one, we're number one,

we're number one, we're number one.

- Good luck.

- I'm the one who should be wishing you good luck.

You have to beat my mom and me by 10 seconds to win.

- Start counting.

(dramatic music)

- Okay, ready, girls?

Are you ready?

- [Commentator] This is the race, folks,

the race that will determine this year's winner

of the Mother Daughter Horse Challenge.

Take it away, Brett.

- All right, on your marks.

Get set.

Let's go.

(upbeat music)

Yes, yes, you won.

- [Commentator] Looks like we've got us a winner, folks.

That's right, Team Lowe Seeger wins the event.

- So, what do you want to do now?

Do you want to rub it in Taylor's face?

- No, let's go for a ride instead.

- I like that idea, I like it a lot.

- But on Monday, man am I going to rub it in Taylor's face.

(laughing)

(mellow music)

- Congratulations.

Yeah.

- Where are they going?

- Looks like they're going for a ride.

(upbeat music)

- [Caitlin] I know that Dori's not my mother

and never will be,

but she's more than a guardian,

not even a distant cousin.

- [Dori] She's really proud of you today on Bandit.

- Really?

- Yeah, really.

- Well, you didn't do so bad yourself.

- So you want to go back home now?

- No.

Not yet.

As hard as I try, I still can't define who she is to me.

Then again, maybe it just doesn't matter.

(upbeat music)

♪ Wishing for a sail ♪

♪ Wishing for a sail, ♪

♪ A sail, a sail, a sail, a sail, a sail ♪

♪ Wishing for a sail, ♪

♪ A sail, a sail, a sail, a sail ♪

♪ Well, all right ♪

♪ Wishing, I'm wishing, I'm wishing, I'm wishing, ♪

♪ I'm wishing for a sail ♪