04x01 - The Other Side of the Veil

[bunniefuu]

- ["Destination" by Nickel Creek playing]
- ♪ You don't owe me ♪

♪ One more minute of your wasted time ♪

♪ You act like it's all fine ♪

♪ It isn't hard to leave ♪

♪ Knowing that I'll be getting life
On track ♪

♪ I wanted to believe ♪

♪ I've gotta make a destination ♪

♪ Find where I belong ♪

♪ This time I've got no hesitation ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ To where I belong ♪

♪ I'll be movin' on ♪

♪ Over the line I've drawn ♪

♪ I'm already gone ♪

[music fades]

[cork thudding]

[gentle music playing]

- All right.
- Yes. [chuckles]

[Helen] Hold it with the right, dear.

I doubt that the left
can handle the added weight.

Don't worry. I'm balancing things out.

I don't want
one bicep bigger than the other.

[laughs] I suppose signing
all those books of yours helps too.

- Yeah, and it's only been three months...
- [Dana Sue] What do you think?

Oh, you look beautiful.

Just gorgeous.

Does it draw too much attention?
'Cause tonight's not about me.

It most certainly is.
We're celebrating Sullivan's.

[Dana Sue] Well, Sullivan's and Friends.

I've traded places with Cal,
and that makes me the silent partner,

and that's what I aim to be. Silent.

Well, you can't be silent, because
people will think something's wrong.

[Helen laughs]

Thank you.

Dana Sue, you know Cal and Erik
and all the rest of them love Sullivan's

as much as you do.

Tonight, we're not just celebrating them.

We're celebrating the opportunity
that they're giving you to change focus

and take the Magnolia Community Foundation
to the next level.

To new chapters.

Well, if our esteemed local author says
"new chapters," then who am I to say no?

Well, it's not a chapter book.
It's a picture book.

You know what would be a great new focus?

A wedding.

It has been a year since my vow renewal.

- Let's not get rusty, ladies.
- No.

Let's get planning.

Feel free to plan a wedding.
Just not mine.

We've only been engaged six months.

And the book tour has been
plenty of planning. Thank you.

The book tour's almost over.

I am toasting to something
before we leave tonight.

[Maddie] Okay.

- Hold on.
- [cell phone vibrating]

[gentle music playing]

Not toasting to that.

I'll call the mayor tomorrow.
Let's go. We must be on time.

- Drink your champagnes on the way.
- Wait, wait, wait. To...

- Too late! Too late! Come on. Go.
- [Dana Sue screeching]

Okay.

[Helen, Maddie laughing]

[door opens]

- [Isaac] What if no one comes?
- [Cal scoffs]

Isaac, stick your head in the walk-in
and breathe.

- They'll get here when they get here.
- Oh my goodness.

Oh. Welcome to Sullivan's and Friends.

On behalf of the entire staff,
it's my pleasure as "out-loud" partner...

"Out-loud" partner?

Silent partner. Out-loud partner.

Certainly not the legal term.

To welcome you
to our private tasting event.

- [Helen] Yes. [chuckles]
- [Erik] Good evening, ladies.

Hello, Head Chef.

Thank you, Executive Chef.

No, no. That's when I'm working.
I'm here as a guest tonight.

Dana Sue will suffice.

Unless there's something
I can help you with.

Uh-uh. Uh-uh. You got us to this day.

- [inhales] And your fiancé is a natural.
- [Maddie chuckles]

- Thanks for loaning him to us.
- Keep him.

Excuse me. Aren't you supposed to be doing
the cooking while I do the romancing?

But I've... I've...
I've contributed too, you know.

I've eaten my law school tuition
in brownies ever since you showed up, sir.

And you will continue to have my support.

As long as the brownies remain
on the menu.

[Helen, Erik chuckle]

- Forever.
- [chuckles]

[door opens]

[Genevieve] Did you already start?
I'm sorry if I'm late.

Oh, no problem, sweetheart.

Now, this is informal.

We want everyone to relax and enjoy.

Now he tells us.

[Maddie, Helen chuckle]

[acoustic guitar playing]

♪ Gonna center the universe ♪

♪ On her gorgeous smile ♪

♪ Gonna stop my searching ♪

♪ And live for a while ♪

[music ends]

[inhales] That one breaks my heart.

In a good way?

Oh yeah.

[frog croaking]

Must be about Annie.

- Stop.
- [laughing]

Oh, come on.

All of your best songs are about her,
whether you admit it or not.

No. No, they're not.
You're reading into them.

And isn't that what makes a song great?
That you can see yourself in it?

- But why can't you see yourself?
- Because it's not the truth.

[scoffs]

Annie and I are true friends.

Forever.

And I don't deserve anything more.

Says who? Have you ever even asked her?

I like where things are.

You are confusing happiness
with the status quo and fear of change.

Sing me a different song.

My brother in music,
listen carefully. [inhales]

You have loved this girl since... [sighs]

what, like, third grade?

You and I are going to be out
on the road soon.

You're not gonna be here to hover over her
and chase other guys away

while never actually making
an honest move yourself.

Serves you right if she's
with somebody else when we get home.

[jazz music playing]

This is Chef Erik's twist on peanut soup,
crowned with an edible orchid.

And for dipping,
a toasted stick of Sally Lunn.

Did you take the cheesesteak
and the fish and chips off the menu?

[chuckles] No, Chef. Of course not, Chef.

We're just... we're highlighting
the fancier items tonight.

Thank you, buddy.

- [Dana Sue chuckles]
- Yeah.

[Dana Sue] Mmm.

A scallop, pan-seared,
served on a leaf of endive,

dressed with blood orange and hazelnuts.

So ambitious.

Oh, maybe for your next book,
Princess Katie could be a chef.

Oh. I'd be honored.

We are not gonna talk about my next book.

Tonight is about you three magical men.

[Genevieve] So how about that book?

Apple pie egg roll?

Chopped Granny Smith's
and cream cheese inside

with a drizzle of caramel
and a sprinkle of vanilla sugar outside.

Mmm.

- [Isaac] Do you not like apples?
- Oh, apples are terrific.

And so are you.

Congratulations, Isaac.

- Thank you so much.
- [chuckles]

- What'd I miss?
- Hey.

- [Isaac] Just dive in and try it.
- Oh, thank you.

And how did you know
that Alexander cannot resist a challenge?

I came in one morning during renovation,
and Alex was on top of a stepladder,

on top of the bar,
looking at a light fixture.

[Helen] What? [laughs]

I thought Ronnie had hired
some wildcatter from the Gulf,

but Cal said, "Nope.
That is the architect from Nashville."

I thought you knew
because I dare try to keep up with her.

[Helen] Mmm.

Uh, would you like one, Helen,
or should I move on?

Don't you dare.

I have to say, one of my favorite parts
of this renovation

was watching Skeeter
teach all the vo-tech kids

while we were working.

I always watched my language.

So when you start your vo-tech class,
you remember that.

- [gasps, chuckles]
- [chuckles]

It's so generous of you, Dana Sue,

to step in to teach
while stepping up at the foundation.

Well, isn't that why
you two tossed me out of the kitchen,

so I could do stuff like that? [chuckles]

- [Ronnie chuckles]
- [Erik mumbles]

Uh, need to borrow that. [clears throat]

Can I have your attention, please?

First, on behalf of the "friends" part
of Sullivan's and Friends,

we would like to thank you,

our friends and family,
for coming here tonight

and allowing us to... experiment on you.

[Alexander, Erik chuckle]

Halloween is coming, after all.

We couldn't have done any of this
without you,

and it wouldn't even have started
without... Dana Sue.

- [Helen] Aw.
- [Genevieve] Yes.

It takes a special kind of leader
to bear and raise a dream

and then allow other people
to hold its hand for a bit.

We are honored
to do that with the restaurant

while you focus on changing lives,
changing this town

through the Magnolia Community Foundation.

And you don't have to worry
about us at all.

We will take good care here.

But still, we wanted to get you something
to show our appreciation.

[paper rustling]

- Oh. Oh. Can you take that? Thanks.
- Yeah, I got it.

[paper rustling]

Oh my goodness. Vintage Madeira.

How did you know?

[Dana Sue chuckles]

Well, thank you.

- You're welcome.
- [Dana Sue chuckles]

[sentimental music playing]

[Dana Sue sighs]

The original wallpaper from Sullivan's.

Your legacy will live on
with every party we seat,

every meal we serve.

To Dana Sue.

[all] To Dana Sue.

- [cheering]
- [Genevieve] That's my girl.

Cheers.

Incredible.

[camera shutter clicking]

In-game, we should encounter an artist
who paints our group portrait in oils.

- Not oils. Molten metals.
- Wouldn't that burn a canvas?

Guys, can we discuss this
after the real-life photographer

takes our real-life picture?

Carter, closer to Lily.
Willow, tilt your chin up.

Sophie, you're great.
Kyle, a little less happy, a little more...

- Dashing?
- Mmm... Swashbuckling.

- [Kyle] Devilish.
- Devil may care.

Devil may not care.

- [Sophie chuckles]
- Twitchy.

Tw... [laughs]

That's perfect
'cause it's a Twitch stream.

Ah. My brother. The D&D star.

My brother. The rock star.

I'm proud of both of you. All of you.

But if I'm going to get
these website photos

before your stream starts,
everybody needs to focus.

[Ty] Oh, sorry.

[gentle music playing]

[camera shutter clicks]

Perfect. Right?

I know something more perfect.

Hey, don't distract the photographer.
I can't flex all night. [groans]

[girls laughing]

[camera shutter clicking]

[inhales] I saw this day coming
a long time ago.

I hope you're proud and pleased.

- I didn't know you could see the future.
- [chuckles]

What happens next?

Terrific work, Erik.

[chuckles] Thank you, Alex.

And for your beautiful vision
for this space.

Oh, I get the fun part, the dream.

Skeeter, Ronnie, Ty, and the rest
do the hard part, making it a reality.

[Erik chuckles]

This was wonderful.

- I cannot wait until the official opening.
- [Erick laughs]

Helen, Alexander, come by for a nightcap.
The night is young.

Thank you. Good night. You guys coming?

- Bye. Good job. See you.
- [Dana Sue] Yeah.

Suppose I should let you go.

[door opens]

[door closes]

I will text you when we're done.

[kitchen door opens]

Well, I thought that went... well

until I turned around and saw... this.

Dana Sue called me "buddy."
Not hon, "buddy."

She said the scallop dish was ambitious.

Well, that doesn't mean...

Did she say anything to you?
Anything specific? Good or bad?

She left without hugging me.

Something's very wrong.

[intriguing music playing]

[doorbell rings]

[sighs]

[doorbell rings]

[exhales]

[Helen] Madam Mayor,
I was gonna call you in the morning.

I apologize for the hour,
but I brought Wharton's milkshakes.

I paid out of my own pocket.

Miss Grace swore
that Black Forest is your favorite.

I hope this doesn't constitute a bribe.

Yes!

- Don't tell Miss Grace.
- [chuckles]

There are two things I learned about you

from when you were
my campaign manager last year.

One, do not beat around the bush.

Two, there is no problem you can't solve.

I don't like where this is going.

[exhales]

I thought... [grunts]

everyone thought

that all the ugly facts came out
during Trent's trial.

And glad as I am
that he's sitting in prison,

we're still discovering trip wires
in the town's finances.

- How bad?
- Camia Jones quit as town manager.

Ooh.

[gentle music playing]

Let me stop you right there. No.

- You are brilliant.
- No!

You have a good relationship
with everyone.

Uh-uh. And I already have a job.

I told you I do not have
the temperament for politics.

I do not... will not, suffer fools.

I wouldn't ask if there were anyone else...

- Mm-mm.
- But we are all hands on deck.

Everyone is being asked
to give what they can for Serenity.

So I am asking you...

Madam May...
Peggy, I am greatly complimented,

but I cannot be your town manager.

[dramatic music playing]

[dramatic music fades]

[birds chirping]

[eggs sizzling]

Last night was a lot of fun.

You enjoyed dinner?

Yeah, that too.

[both chuckling]

I was pleased, except...

Uh, never mind.

Oh, come on. Don't do that.

There's always a downside
to trying new things.

Improvements to make, that's all.

[romantic music playing]

- We share a lot of the joys in our lives.
- Mmm.

You can share the difficult parts too.

It's been over a year.
You should know that by now.

You are a source of joy.

Crack it.

Break yourself open.

Show me what's inside.

Who needs the mess?

[romantic music continues]

[romantic music fades]

[Helen] Wait.

That.

[mouse clicking]

[telephone ringing in the background]

I'll do what I can.

Thank you for being on my side.

Our side.

[upbeat music playing]

[kids talking indistinctly]

[Carla] Good morning.

[kids] Good morning!

[Carla] Anyone excited for a book reading?

[kids] Yeah!

Me too. [chuckling]

I'm Carla Bixby, children's librarian
here at Serenity Public Library.

Our head librarian, Miss Beatriz Barrera,
is there in the back.

- [kids] Hi.
- Do you want to come say hello, Miss B?

Our Saturday morning reading series
is my favorite program,

and today is an extra special one.

Does anyone know why?

- Anyone who's not my husband?
- [kids chuckling]

- The authors are from Serenity.
- [Carla] Yes.

Today, our guest readers
are three hometown ladies.

Please help me welcome

Maddie and Katie Townsend
and Miss Paula Vreeland

to read With Love, Princess Katie,
their first book of many.

- Oh. [chuckles]
- [Paula] Oh. [chuckles]

[cheering]

[Maddie] Thank you.

We are so happy to be here today,
especially in this magical space.

Our family loves the library

because we love how stories
bring us together, just like today.

We love ones
that make us laugh or hug or learn.

And in our family, we always start
with the same three words.

- It's story time.
- It's story time.

[Katie, kids chuckling]

Sure you're okay
with skipping Maddie's book signing?

She said Helen and I should take a day off
since we've been to three,

including the kickoff in Charleston.

Apparently, we became a distraction

when we started
reciting the book by heart. I... [chuckles]

[Ronnie inhales]

Then what's on your mind? Work?

- No.
- Uh.

Talk to me about last night.

[dog barking in the background]

I was pleased. Wasn't that obvious?

No. Yeah, you... said you were pleased

over and over.

Just trying to see how much stress
is behind those polite smiles.

Okay.

What if I'm deserting them?

Excuse me?

[dog barking in the background]

Okay, I'm so proud of them.

They're talented and wonderful,
and they'll do a great job.

[inhales deeply]

But what they're doing is so hard,

and I'm just walking away.

You're not exactly going on vacation.

Taking the foundation to the next level,
teaching for the high school.

Yeah, I think I'm nervous about that.

- You?
- [scoffs]

What are your symptoms?

Uh, mind and heart racing, butterflies,

and deep urge to drum my fingers.

I can call Howie to be sure, but

I don't know,
sounds like excitement to me.

Is it?

[inspiration music playing]

Okay, but I still need to focus,
make a plan.

I've never made a lesson plan before.

Nothing but a recipe for a good class.

Nobody creates better recipes than you.

[Maddie] "Because she was sure
she'd love them too."

- [kids] Yeah.
- Oh.

[kids talking indistinctly]

Can I sign whatever I want?

Within reason.

[Harlan] Thanks for doing this.

Margaret and I read your book
at least once a day. She's a big fan.

And I am a big fan of Carla's.
She does such a wonderful job here.

It's nice to end the tour at home,
surrounded by friends.

Just one question.

No, I do not know
what the second book will be. [chuckles]

- I was actually looking for Cal.
- Oh, sorry.

He's at the airport, picking up his mom.

- Tell him I was looking for him.
- Okay.

- We're gonna get Katie to sign a book.
- [Maddie] Okay.

Thank you for your visit.

It's already hard
to keep our two copies on the shelf.

Thank you. And if there's any other way
that we can be involved...

[romantic music playing]

[Paula] Uh, let's try to...

What on earth?

- [gasps] Jimmy!
- [Jimmy laughs]

Oh! [chuckles]

- [Jimmy] Hmm.
- When did you get in?

I came straight from the airport.
I had to see you in all your glory.

[chuckles] How was Dubai?

Dubai was...

The Serenity Public Library
welcomes you, sir,

but you have to get in line
behind the rest.

Kyle, did you get taller while I was gone?

- Jimmy! [laughs]
- Probably.

- Did you get richer while you were gone?
- [Katie] Kyle!

- [Kyle laughs]
- Good answer. Bye.

That was terrific. [chuckles]

[Maddie] Aw.

Hey, I'm flattered,
but this is not a cause for tears.

Oh, forgive me.

Today might be the end
of the Saturday kids events.

Budget cuts and all that.

Oh. Is there something that I can do?

Nothing's certain yet.

But if this was our final bow,
it was perfect.

[melancholic music playing]

[footsteps departing]

[Noreen] Maddie's book is a hit.
Your new restaurant is about to be a hit.

- I don't know about that.
- I do.

Everything that you're bringing home
is amazing,

especially those apple pie egg rolls.

No recipe on here is going to be better
than the ones in your head.

I... I really wanted to knock
Dana Sue's socks off, and I didn't.

None of us did.

Maybe you did,
but she just assumed you would.

Give her time. Give yourself time.

{\an8}I didn't get this because I'm patient.

{\an8}I got this because I have a spark in me,

and I wanna share with the world

with my cooking, like Dana Sue.

I wanna be known,

and my career in the kitchen
is how I plan to do it.

I wanna make something so delicious

that Dana Sue and everyone
has to shout about what a good job I did.

Maybe Dana Sue doesn't feel
she needs to shout it

because she's been
whispering it all along.

You're gonna light the world on fire.
I know you will.

So will you.

Listen, I'm just trying to be a great mom.

And, clearly,
I have developed fabulous taste

in godfathers and boyfriends,

but beyond that...

Well, what can my goddaughter,

Jeremy, and I do for you?

I've never had as much support as I do
right now from him, from you,

the Magnolias.

Y'all lift me up, but lately,

I feel like you've lifted me up
to the high dive,

and I don't know what pool to dive into.

What matters most is
you're a strong swimmer. Dive in.

If you don't like it,
climb back out and try a different pool.

Right, Bex?

Say... [mumbles]

[Isaac, Noreen laughing]

[Cal] It is so good to have you here, Mom.

Aw, happy to be here, sweetie.

And good to see you, Spidey.

Gosh, you were supposed to be scared.

And you're supposed to, uh,
have new tricks since last time.

Well, I'm glad you made it this year.

Yeah, it's been too long since we spent
our favorite holiday together.

[Cal chuckles]

I'm sorry your father made
all the other holidays so difficult.

At least he let us have this one.

[door opens]

[kids, Jimmy] ♪ Halloween, Halloween... ♪

Oh my gosh.

[kids, Jimmy]
♪ All the ghouls and ghosts ♪

♪ Halloween, Halloween ♪

♪ I love you the most ♪

- [Jimmy laughing]
- Oh, you taught them our song.

We were successful.

I said a couple of bags of candy.

I got what was on the list.
Just what was on the list.

It was me that ran wild.
I, uh, I love Halloween.

Ooh, I knew I liked you.

- He's mine, Iris.
- [Cal chuckles]

But I do need your help
with something else.

Nana to Grandma.

[Iris] Mm-hmm.

These kids are up to something.

There are shenanigans afoot.

Nothing's afoot. We... we promise.

Cross our heart and hope to die.

All you need to know is we have Halloween
completely under control.

[Katie] And we're gonna keep the secret.

If anybody finds out
about our matching costumes...

[Ty, Kyle] Katie!

- [Paula] I knew it.
- Oops.

Oh, they are all definitely
up to something.

- But what? I wonder.
- [Cal] Mm-hmm.

Just trust us. You'll love it.

[bottles clanking]

[melancholy music playing]

Thank you for everything you did
to let me be a kid as long as possible.

Childhood is precious.

Everybody deserves one.

[chuckles] Or two.

[melancholy music fades]

[Helen laughs]

Not true.
I have never turned down a Halloween dare.

[Dana Sue] What about when we dared you
to go into the old mill?

That's trespassing.

I've never turned down
a legal Halloween dare.

Yeah, the formal term
for someone like you is scaredy-cat.

[Dana Sue, Helen laugh]

Hey! [laughs]

[Dana Sue] How'd it go
at the book signing this morning?

Oh, it was so fun.

Except when I started to worry
about the story for the next book, but

maybe I don't need to write it
because there'll be nowhere to read it.

[Dana Sue] Did you get thrown out
of the library?

No. Carla seems to think
that they might be next

on the long list
of Serenity's budget slashes.

Like school did with the vo-tech programs

until you and Skeeter
volunteered as teachers.

The library?

Do you believe this?

Oh! Poor Peggy.

Being mayor must be putting her
under too much stress.

Should we not have encouraged her to run?

How did we put our friend
in this awful situation?

[Helen scoffs]

Two friends.

- [groaning]
- [Maddie chuckles]

[chuckles]

[Dana Sue] What does that mean?

Dead women tell no tales.

Oh, what's a margarita night
without tales?

I am giving Peggy a temporary hand
with some pressing issues.

Confidentiality prohibits me
from saying any more.

How can the foundation help?

It's gonna take so much more than that.

Now let's...
let's talk about something else.

Like, how long is Iris in town?

She's just in town for Halloween.

But Iris can come visit
as often as she likes.

I would rather spend six months with her
than two seconds with Bonnie Townsend.

- Oh God! Not the...
- [Maddie chuckles]

Don't say her name. Two more times,
and she'll be summoned from the depths.

Someone has seen Beetlejuice
too many times.

I am warning you.

- Wha...
- [Maddie] That tyrant,

- Bonnie Townsend.
- [laughs]

[bell rings]

Her and all her little thoughts about
every detail about my wedding with Bill.

She was the worst.

- Bonnie Townsend...
- [bell rings]

sure was a wicked witch
or something that rhymes with that.

[Helen] Hmm.

[chuckles]

That's three.

Oh no.

["The Monster's Song"
by Push Pop Jr. playing]

[mimics ghost]

Stop.

[mimics ghost]

- [Dana Sue] Boo!
- [screams] Goodness!

[music ends]

- [Ronnie cheers]
- [Harlan] Oh, let's go.

[Ronnie] Good thing there's a doctor here.

That was a brutal beatdown.

[Howie] Medicine has its limits.

No one survives being crushed that bad.

Hey, you know what they say, chefs.

If you can't handle the heat,
get back in the kitchen.

[Cal laughs sarcastically]

Well, we'll rise from the dead on Saturday
for the Halloween party.

- Everybody's coming?
- Of course.

[Howie] Wendy would k*ll me
if we missed that dance floor.

Then she'd drag my ghost.

Yep. Got a babysitter and everything.

Can't. We wanna take the time
to work on some new recipes.

Address notes from the tasting.

If there was a problem with the dishes,
Dana Sue would have said something.

Unless they were so bad,
she couldn't think of anything to say.

[laughing]

- This isn't funny, Ronnie.
- [Ronnie] Oh, yeah, it is.

Are you telling me

we wiped the floor with you guys

because you're so sure
Dana Sue didn't like the tasting?

She's stressing out
and holding herself back

because she doesn't want y'all
to think she's hovering

and making you doubt yourselves.

And here you are.

Doubting ourselves.

- So she liked it?
- [Ronnie] She loved it.

[Ronnie chuckles]

She's gonna miss being with you,
but she loved it.

There you go.

[upbeat music playing]

Let's play another game.

Now should we do something easier,
like dodgeball?

- Oh, come on, now.
- [Ronnie laughing]

Way better at dodgeball.

- [Harlan grunts]
- [men laughing]

On behalf of
the Magnolia Community Foundation,

with the assistance
of Sullivan's and Friends,

I am your new teacher

for the hands-on portion
of your vo-tech cooking course.

You can call me "chef."

Good morning, Chef.

Good morning, Willow.

Can anyone tell me
what you've learned so far in class?

Mostly, we just watched
the Great British Baking Show.

I love that.

- "Nobody likes a soggy bottom."
- A soggy bottom! [laughs]

[chuckling] Yeah.

[Dana Sue inhales, exhales]

Okay, then.

Uh, wash your hands,
and we'll review basic skills.

[Dana Sue chuckles]

Ah-ah-ah.

Wash.

[Dana Sue scoffs]

[knife whooshing]

- Step away from the knives.
- [woman] Oh!

[knocking]

- Know any good lawyers?
- [Helen] Several.

I can refer you because, as you can see,

this one's too busy
to take on any new clients.

[Alexander] Oh, no, no, no.

You can't represent me.
You're the defendant.

If we miss our afternoon plans
because you're working,

I am going to sue you.

- Breach of contract?
- First-degree as*ault on my heart.

[laughs] Ah.

My first exhibit would be
your Sullivan's and Friends blueprints,

which repeatedly took precedence
over dinners.

- Let me offer a settlement.
- Mmm.

Worthy of distracting you
from your practice.

Well, this isn't my practice.

It's for my advisory role
I've taken on for the mayor.

Temporary advisory role.

Congratulations.

Can you be distracted from that?

[racy music playing]

[laughs]

We need to find you a new project.

No, I would much rather distract you.

Perhaps...

I can take a quick

break.

Not too quick, I hope.

[racy music intensifies, fades]

[door opens]

[Dana Sue] Burning the midnight oil?

[Erik] Proofing the midnight dough.

Experimenting with brioche buns
for our burgers.

You want 'em strong enough
to support the burger

but still melt in your mouth.

[Dana Sue] Hmm.

Well, have you...

uh, had any luck?

We'll get there.

What brings you by so late?

Oh, I had a rough start
with the high school kids today,

and I've been pondering all day
how to trick 'em into learning.

- [chuckles]
- Trick 'em?

They should be excited
to be learning from the best.

I'm not even the best chef in this room.

I appreciate the compliment,
but I won't accept it.

[Dana Sue scoffs]

The problem is,
I don't know if I'm a teacher.

Mm-mm. I absolutely will not accept that.

You're a teacher and a fine one.

Isaac, Bailey, Cal, and I,
we're proof of that.

Well, you all already loved cooking.

There's a difference
between enjoying something

and being inspired
to do it with excellence.

I'm so proud of you all

and excited for you.

Then may I ask you a favor?

Of course. Why? Is something wrong?

No. As long as you're proud of us,
we have everything under control.

Of course you do. So what's the favor?

Well, could you and I set a time
to meet once a week? Like this.

Just to check in, keep you up to speed,
get your opinion on things.

You don't need my opinion.

I want it.

I respect it.

I would love that.

[upbeat music playing]

- I can get your opinion too?
- [Erik] Mm-hmm.

Like how to convince teenagers
to make more than box mac and cheese?

- Teach them to make their own.
- What...

With brioche breadcrumbs.

- [laughing] Oh, oh. You got it. Yeah!
- [Dana Sue cheering]

[upbeat music fades]

[Maddie chuckling]

[grunting]

The most terrifying thing ever.

- Quasimodo?
- No.

A man who thinks he's funny when he's not.

- [laughs]
- See, I am funny.

No, I indulge you.

Then...

- [wind chime chiming]
- indulge me again.

What's your favorite part of Halloween?

- I think it's about to become this.
- Mmm. Maybe.

Next question.

What are you afraid of most?

Losing someone I love.

Hey.

[romantic music playing]

I'm not going anywhere.

[inhales] But even if I did,
I think I'd make an excellent ghost.

- A big, clangy poltergeist.
- [Cal] Nah.

One of those... wistful ghosts

that watches you sleep,

shakes flowers from trees as you walk by.

One that you just see
out of the corner of your eye

when you need to be reminded
someone loves you.

Haunt me forever.

Count on it.

[romantic music intensifies]

- [romantic music fades]
- [birds chirping]

[Helen] How was the drive back
from school?

It would've been a whole lot nicer
if Gabe hadn't talked my ear off.

- And classes?
- [liquid pouring]

Are your professors sending you
fan mail yet?

My grades are good.

I think my profs like me.

And socially?

Ah. I'm getting ahead of myself.
You practically just moved in.

It feels like 13th grade
with a lot of strangers.

[chuckles]

[splutters] I don't know what I'm missing,
but I know I'm missing something.

Mmm. It takes time
to adjust to new environments.

I dream a lot about
coming back to Serenity.

[chuckles] It's pretty stupid
to leave something you love.

You'll have many loves in your life.

Sadly, you won't be able to

keep them in one place
or hold them all at the same time.

But... if you want a reason

to come back to Serenity on occasion,

I do have a part-time position open.

I've taken on
a temporary assignment for the mayor.

That's so cool.

It's temporary.

But I need a part-time assistant
for my law practice.

The position is yours.

As long as
it does not interfere with school.

- It won't. I promise.
- Okay. All right.

- Thank you so much, Miss Helen.
- [laughs]

[door knocking]

Annie and Lily. I hope it's okay.
I told 'em I was coming.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Come in.

- [CeCe] Hello.
- CeCe!

- [Annie] Hi!
- [CeCe] I love your hair.

Thank you!

- [CeCe] My goodness. I miss you guys.
- Gosh.

[CeCe] It has been so long.

Oh, work really isn't that bad.
It's the people.

The professors are too serious,
and the students aren't serious enough.

Friends take time.

Remember how rocky
you and I were at first?

[laughs]

When I was the new kid,
I'd find one person I liked

and join them for fun activities
and find one other chill person there.

Like a friendship daisy chain.

[Annie] Anyone you're bonding with at all?

Gabe.

When did this happen?

We were hanging out
because we didn't know anyone.

And then he started making friends
a mile a minute,

and I thought I was on my own,

but he kept inviting me to things,
and I kept going, and now I'm just...

amazed.

He was right in front of me all that time.
I just couldn't see how incredible he was.

Mmm.

[birds chirping]

No. No, no, no.
We are not talking about me and Ty.

[sighs] We want to talk about you and Ty.

You know Lily and I have a text thread
that's me asking if anything's happened?

And me running out of sad emojis
to send back.

Stop. It's not going to happen.
We missed our moment.

- Moments. Whatever.
- [Lily] Mmm.

We're just friends. Forever.

Wonderful friends.

- [CeCe] Mmm.
- So tell us more about Gabe.

[Lily laughs]

[intriguing music playing]

[wind howling softly]

Feel that?

The veil between the worlds is thinning.

Time to step through.

[bell tolling]

["The Night The Zombies Came to Town"
by Alistair Chant & Josh Powell playing]

[indistinct chatter]

You look beautiful, girls.

Ready to have a good time?

♪ I woke in the middle of the night ♪

♪ Something gave me... ♪

Mom, Katie! You have to try this cider.

♪ On the wind, a strange sound... ♪

[Jeremy] Hope you like it.

It's got a dose of Halloween magic in it.

[Maddie] Mmm.

Mmm! It's delicious.

- What's the magic?
- Maybe they don't wanna tell.

We've been telling people all night.

It's love.

Jeremy and I used apples from the grove

where we first said "I love you"
to each other.

Oh, so that's the love I taste.

We like to think so.

If I give someone a cup,
will they fall in love with me?

I just gave you a cup.

Yeah, but I already love you.

[Maddie chuckles]

Katie, use your powers wisely.

I'll keep an eye on her.

- Ty?
- [Ty] Yeah.

You never know.

[music continues]

It's truly delicious.
Have you thought about selling this?

Uh, the non-magic version.

Would you endorse it, Maddie?
The word from a famous author could help.

[Maddie] Let's not get carried away.

The book was a side project
that I was passionate about.

I had no way of knowing
what doors it would open.

Still, it gets my wheels turning
about my own next move.

You do a wonderful job running childcare,
but if you've had a change of heart...

No, no, no. I love it.
Just thinking about what I might do next.

Be patient and open.

Inspiration finds us in mysterious ways.

- Yeah. [chuckles]
- Cheers.

Grace, Neville and I have been
regaling Max with great Halloweens past.

- I've missed some doozies.
- [Helen] Mmm.

We were telling him about the year

that someone put traffic cones
on the heads of the Founding Fathers.

That was you, wasn't it?

- Oh, no, sir.
- [Neville] Mmm.

- That was Dana Sue.
- [chuckling] Ooh.

[laughing] Hi.

Hi.

[Wendy] What can they be talking about?

Oh, their practice.

Or tennis. But probably the practice.

Hmm. I enjoy how much Howie
and Naomi love their patients,

but I never realized dating a doctor meant
sharing him wherever we go.

Dating? Try being married to one, mate.

Try marrying a pastor.

I was never that cute when I was pregnant.

If you think this is flattering,
I may wear it to service tomorrow.

[both chuckling]

Me? Oh, please. That was Maddie.

[Grace laughing]

Ladies and gentlemen.

- Oh, I know what this is.
- Uh-huh.

We're starting with this?

At Cal's request.

Here you go.

- Serenity tradition.
- [Alexander] Yes.

["Mopin' Around"
by Trevor McSpadden playing]

- [Dana Sue] We doing this?
- This is fun.

[Helen] One, two, three, four.

[Ronnie] Let's do it!

♪ I used to spend my daytimes
Mopin' around ♪

♪ My nighttimes out
Just painting the town ♪

♪ Living every day of the week
Like it was Saturday night ♪

[Dana Sue chuckles]

♪ When I saw you, I knew in a flash ♪

♪ I'd have to give up my rambling past ♪

♪ 'Cause all I wanted to do
Is hold you tight... ♪

[Helen] Yeehaw, baby!

[Dana Sue cheering]

♪ Feeling bad for myself
Took up most of my time ♪

♪ With the rest
I'd just make believe I was fine ♪

♪ Each day went by no different
Than the day before... ♪

- [Ty] Hey.
- [door closes]

[Annie] Hey.

Is the secret special moment now?

It's kind of hard to pick a lens

when you won't tell me
what we're sh**ting, but I'll try.

It'll be amazing.
And we have a little more time.

♪ ...spots to find the cure... ♪

Hey, have you tried
Jeremy and Noreen's cider?

They told me it's magic.

Of course. It's Halloween.

And... anything is possible

when the veil between worlds thins.

♪ ...not do, settle down ♪

♪ I worked so hard to get lost... ♪

It's good.

So tell me more about this veil
and these two worlds.

One's a world in which

I'm a stubborn, insecure idiot
clinging to the status quo out of fear.

♪ I was in a bad way, but know I think... ♪

And the other one?

[music continues in the background]

Is the world which I

speak my heart somewhere
other than behind my guitar,

and I say,

"Annie."

[romantic music playing]

"I have loved you
for as long as I can remember...

[hesitates]

and I always will."

[Annie gasps softly]

[romantic music intensifies]

[chuckles]

- About damn time. [laughs]
- [laughs]

["Creature Of The Night" by The Home
Of Happy & Lana McDonagh playing]

♪ Yeah, I'm a creature of the night ♪

♪ You should run for your life ♪

♪ Yeah, I'm a creature of the night... ♪

I wish.

It was Helen.

Is this a Halloween prank?

[Maddie chuckles]

♪ You don't know where I'm hiding ♪

♪ I'm a creature of the night ♪

♪ I like it when the sun don't shine ♪

♪ Come alive under the moonlight ♪

♪ Ooh, I'm a shadow... ♪

See you on the other side of the veil.

Trust me.

You'll love it.

♪ 'Cause I'll be there... ♪

[door knocking]

[door opens]

[Katie gasps]

Know how many times
I've seen you and Lily kissing?

- What?
- Knock, dude.

- I did.
- Oh my gosh.

And it breaks my heart
to interrupt this historic occasion,

but... it's time, Ty.

Right! Um, wow!

Annie, can you grab your camera?

♪ Ain't it nail-biting? ♪

♪ I'm a creature of the night... ♪

It's the cider.

♪ Then I wanna get freaky, yeah ♪

♪ F-f-f-freaky, uh-huh ♪

♪ That's right ♪

♪ I wanna get freaky, yeah ♪

♪ F-f-f-freaky, uh-huh ♪

- [music stops]
- [wolf howling]

Wait. Something's happening.

Freakish ghouls and frightful fiends

Friends and family, it's Halloween

[laughing]

All our loved ones are here to play

To celebrate this special day

Helen, Dana Sue, our wondrous hosts

Come on up for a special toast

I can't believe you.

[Kyle] Paula and Iris,
please come into position

We'll share with you our special tradition

- [Paula, Iris chuckling]
- [Kyle] Yeah.

[Peggy] What...

Witness now our holiday feats

A Halloween trick that's also a treat

[all chuckling, gasping]

["Toccata and Fugue in D Minor"
by James Parsons playing]

[camera shutter clicks]

[music fades]

["Wedding March"
by Felix Mendelssohn playing]

- [woman] What?
- [crowd gasps]

[crowd gasping]

[indistinct chatter]

[gasping]

Oh my...

Is this a wedding?

[crowd gasping, applauding]

["Wedding March"
by Felix Mendelssohn fades]

[closing theme music playing]

[closing theme music ends]