02x03 - Emperor Scorpion

[bunniefuu]

Stop, don't look at me!

But I love you.

Ugh! It's the only
warm thing I have.

It's gonna be so cold.
I can't wear this.

Where did you
even get that?

Vegas?

Here, wear this.
It was Dad's.

What? I'm not
gonna wear this.

I just think maybe you can
and it's fine.

I'm not gonna wear
your dad's sweater

to a memorial
for your dad.

What would be
a more fitting occasion?

Can't I just, like, wear
one of your things or something?

It's just wool.
It's just yarn.

You're just being difficult.

Stop.

What the hell
are you doing?

Take that off.

You told me to...

Ohh!

Hello.

Dad died at 7:24 a.m.

Which is almost now.

I don't think
we should be alone.

So can we have
a minute of silence?

Yeah. Genevieve!

We're doing
a minute of silence.

Whoa.

Yeah, yeah.

Yeah, let's do
a minute of silence.

Should I, um...

just sit on bed or...

Shh!

Is it...
Is it starting?

Today I'm gonna donate

a lot of money
to a cancer charity,

so I can post the receipt
on social media.

Okay.

I also want to write
letters to Dad...

then burn them
as part of our ceremony.

All right,
Genevieve, what do you got?
What do you need?

Mostly I just wanna be sad
without worrying about

someone trying
to make me feel better.

Great. Let's do it.
Let's cure cancer.

Let's burn our feelings

and ignore Genevieve.

- Thank you.
- Good.

I'm leaving now.

Are you wearing Dad's sweater
the same way you would wear

a Justin Bieber T-shirt

to a Justin Bieber concert?

Okay. He tricked me.

I did, I did trick him.
I'm a funny trickster.

Darren Moss.

Husband, father...

friend, organ donor.

Now, let's all honor him

by sharing moving letters
from the heart.

What?

What?
We're not sharing them.

Are we?
We're not sharing them.

Just burning them
in the fire, aren't we?

That's silly.
How will we know
what everyone wrote?

Okay.

Wow.

One year.
Where has the time gone?

"Dad, you told me that
no matter what happens,

"you'll always watch over me.

"I remember thinking
that was very nice at the time

"but recently...

"my life hasn't been great,

"and I'm worried
you're disappointed.

"If so, I want to tell you
that I'm doing my best,

"and since that's all
you've ever asked of me,

"it would be
pretty hypocritical
to be disappointed.

"And Nicholas
and Genevieve are fine.

Warm regards, Matilda."

Um...

"Hey, Dad, what's up?

"So, lately, um, I've been

"trying not to think about

"nihilistic existential dread

and instead just imagine
you meeting John Lennon."

I know you were really
looking forward to that.

I hope you're not disappointed.

They say
never meet your idols.

"So...

"controversial statement,

"but I actually thought
a lot more about Mom today.

"I know. Very rude.

"But it's just that
there's still so many things

"that remind me of you

"that it feels like
you're still around.

"And...

"without you, Mom's the one
who really feels gone.

And you were the keeper
of Mom stories."

That's all I wrote.

Nicholas, it's your turn.

Um...

No, can I just burn mine?

I don't wanna read it aloud.

Are you afraid
you'll look g*y?

I just...

No, it's just embarrassing
what I wrote.

It's just all-- it's not good.

This is a safe space.

How about I go first
and then you can decide?

Okay.

Uh...

Um...

"Dear Dad...

"Uh, I want you to know

"that in our
short time together

"I felt seen by you.

"Thank you for being open
and welcoming

"even in your last days.

"That must have been hard.

"To be vulnerable
around someone new.

I'll always admire
that about you."



Nicholas,
do you wanna go?

Yeah, so I...
Um, the thing is... Okay.

The thing is,

I-I didn't write nothin'.

You didn't write anything?

No. Well, no.

I had a different
understanding of the task.

Yeah. I thought
we're just burning them.

I wrote "Dad. Yay."

Um...

Yeah, I've ruined it,
haven't I?

I've ruined it a bit.

Let's just say
something now.

Say something
from the heart.

- The heart?
- Yeah, or...

Maybe just share
like a nice memory.

Uh... Okay.

Um...

Yeah, I mean, I had
all day to write something

and I couldn't come up
with anything.

The idea that I could improv
is a bit of a reach, isn't it?

I mean...

I'm not Wayne Brady.

Uh, you still have
to burn the paper.

Okay.



You're being
so weird today.

Yes, all I wanted
was them to have a nice day

and instead
I've been so weird.

Do you wanna talk
about this weirdness?

Absolutely not.

Hello, Mother.

Did I tell you that
I'm seeing a therapist?

I mean,
I don't know, maybe.

You tell me everything,
and yet, nothing.

Well, it's basically,
just a friend

I have to pay
to listen to me talk.

I had this
big breakthrough.

I did a test
and it turns out

that I'm an empath.
- Would you make some tea
for everyone, please?

Can you imagine?

I'd love some tea.

I mean, you're
the only person I even like.

Or maybe some
methylenedioxymethamphetamine?

Well, I did blame myself
for your father leaving.

I mean, I just took
all of that burden on.

It turns out, the only thing
that was wrong with me

is I was wronged by him,

because he knew
my weaknesses

and he took advantage.

And what was that?

I'm too nice.
I did this test.

So it has been confirmed.

We're going to bed now.

Ma, I gotta go.

Oh, they don't wanna say hi?

- No.
- Oh, fine.

Well, I'm too busy
to talk now anyway

because I'm ordering lunch
from a new place.

The food is so fresh,
the menu changes every day,

so we'll talk later.

Goodbye.
You're going to bed?

Mm-hmm.

Well, that's
very sudden, isn't it?

Are you sure you don't
want some lemon sorbet?

No.

Are you sure
you're not going to bed

to be all alone
and sad and devastated?

- Not in the dramatic way
you're imagining.
- Mmm.

Okay, then, good night.

Good night.

That's too much tea
for two people to drink

and then go
straight to bed.

It's okay.

Think we should
stay up for awhile.

Stay up? You, why?

I think we have
a lot to talk about.

Oh, no.

Oh, no.
I'm in big trouble.

Uh, Matilda?

Do you wanna
sleep in here tonight?

- Why?
- Well, 'cause I think

maybe I don't
wanna be alone.

I have to sleep on the side
furthest from the door.

Genevieve?

Yeah?

Are you crying?

Um... kind of.

Really?

- No. Are you?
- No.

What were you thinking about
during the moment of silence?

Dad. What were you
thinking about?

North Korea.

- Genevieve!
- Wh... Okay.

I know we're
supposed to be sad,

and I am sad
every single day,

I just didn't
feel it today.

Neither did I.

It was just
so much pressure.

It's like when you're supposed
to have fun on New Year's Eve.

Hmm.

What are your thoughts
on North Korea?

Pretty interesting
place, no?

It's not healthy
to keep things in.

You know, pain gets stuck
in your body, causes cancer.

My dad's cancer,

causes my cancer,
causes your cancer.

When will the cycle end?

Why won't you tell me
what you're feeling?

Do you even know?

I know Matilda
blew her nose
on this blanket.

I know that.

I'm just trying
to make sure

there's nothing
you wanna talk about.

Like what, politics?
Fracking? Mutual Funds?

I don't know what they are.

You're being annoying.

I just don't know
what you want me to say.

Yeah, my dad died
and it was sad.

But also it's not like
a unique experience,

you know,
people's dads die.

Okay, well,
would you say

your relationship
with your dad
was complicated?

Yes.
Very complicated.

But then he died
and that really
uncomplicated things.

Okay, because sometimes,

and I don't wanna
make you feel bad--

Well, here we bloody go.

But sometimes
you're kind of closed off

and emotionally unavailable.

And it's challenging, okay?

It's really challenging.

What, you're mad at me
for not being

more emotionally available
for my dead dad?

I'm not mad at you.

I'm just trying to give you
a space to talk.

And it's up to you
to occupy it.

Ugh. When you said that,
I feel like...

I felt something important
in my body shut down.

Oh, my God,
they're secretly awake.

Can we go in there?
I wanna go in there.

No, we're not
doing that right now.

Ugh. You're a leech.
You're a little leech.

Okay. I decided
what I want actually

on the anniversary
of my dad's death,

my very special day,

is just, please,
to do some hugging?

I was thinking about Drea.

What?

During the minute of silence.

Oh.

Um, I see.

- Is that bad?
- No.

What were you thinking?

I miss her.

What do you miss?

I don't think
I'm supposed to talk about

how I miss
my ex-girlfriend

on the day
that our dad died.

No. It-it's fine.
I wanna know.

I miss how she would
never try to figure out

how to help me
or fix anything.

She just...

always tried to find
the next interesting thing

for us to talk about.

I'm sorry, Matilda.

Why did I have to be
born straight?

Life is a cruel mistress.

- Are you straight?
- Yeah, I think so.

Well, how do you know
if you've never had sex?

All right,
no need to bully a girl

on the day her dad died.

No, silly.

It's just that,
you don't have

anyone to talk to
about this stuff.

So the responsibility
has fallen on me to teach you.

No, the responsibility
has fallen upon the internet.

Okay, um...

How about this? Uh...

What's something you miss
about your dad?

Look, I know
what you're doing
and it's nice,

but I don't like
talking about these things

because my opinions change

and I don't wanna be
locked into my words.

I won't hold you
to anything, okay?

I just wanna hear about him.

I liked that he
always wore a belt.

What? No. You said...

- You said...
- Oh, my God!

You said I can
say anything.

I cannot be the only one

in this relationship
with feelings.

I'm so glad that we've
pivoted towards you.

Let's unpack.

You watched your dad
get sick and die

and you never
talk about it.

You can make jokes
and distract yourself
with the girls.

But you cannot
sit here and tell me

that you didn't
feel anything today.

I can't say I didn't
feel anything.

I'm not a monster.
I just...

Actually, can you
let go of my hands?
That is...

That was revolting.

Could you just promise me
we'll never do that again?

Please?

- Yes.
- Okay.

I just...
I don't know.

I just feel like...

Sometimes I don't know

how to articulate
why I'm upset.

So, like, why talk through
all the options

when maybe I'm just
an abstract feeler?

Is that why you didn't
write anything today?

No, I just...

literally thought
we were burning them.

Why didn't you
write anything today?

I don't, like,
believe in magic.

You know,
I didn't think the notes

were going to Dad's ghost.

Why didn't you
write anything today?

Stop Good Will Hunting me!

Okay, listen.
Okay. Come here.

Listen. Here...
Here's why, okay?

Don't you
think that, like...

Don't you think
that it would be, like,

selfish for me
to be sad today?

No, you had your dad die.

Yeah, but not like they did.

Why are you tryin' to be
a tough guy, huh?

Suddenly I'm dating
Vin Diesel?

No, I'm not Vin Diesel.

No, I'm literally
not Vin Diesel.

I just like...

I just... Guess I feel,
like, their sadness

is more credible than mine.

I-I... I feel like
I'm like a guest
in their grief.

Do you wanna have sex?

- Yeah.
- Yeah?

Yeah!

Actually,
I kinda do.

Wow. Um...

Oh, when my dad left,
you know,

that was a bit of a shock,
because, well...

Well, I didn't really know
that parents could just leave.

But my mum, she...
she was so devastated

that I thought,
"Oh, you know,

maybe this is her thing
to be sad about."

And so I kept quiet.

But she, um...

Yeah, she didn't seem to notice
that I was keeping quiet.

And then, the only thing
that, um, made her feel better

was talking about, um...

how much of a sh*t guy
Darren was.

Um, and I thought, like,
"Yeah, okay. Sure," you know.

But then I would come here
and actually, um,

I'd see him with the girls,
and actually, like...

he'd be a very good guy,

and, um...

Well, that was pretty...

It is what it is.

Want some Brie?

Ever talked
to anyone about this?

To who? Who are these people
listening to my sad feelings?

I don't know, people.
You know, family?

- Friends?
- Hmm.

Yeah, I hear you.
Um... and-and, uh,

let's not make this
a referendum
on my likability

but I've never
really had friends.

Hey.

Well, like,
not like you do.

That's not true.

I'm sure you've had
plenty of friends.

I went to, like, movies
and I traded stickers, but...

it wasn't like
sharing my feelings.

Okay.
W-what about Penny?

Have I told my mum all the ways
that I think she's failed me?

No. No, that's never come up.

What's your thoughts
about penises?

Um...

I mean,
I'm-I'm intrigued,

which is insane considering
what they look like.

Sometimes, they curve.

They start one way
and make a turn.

What about pubic hair?

Mine or theirs?

'Cause mine is
ready to present.

Though I'm not,
I'm not sure why.

I'm gonna
buy you condoms.

I know about condoms.

But you don't know
what the guy

knows about condoms.

So I've decided
to get you

a discreet monthly delivery
to your nightstand.

Monthly is very ambitious,
Matilda.

- Oh, it's my mum.
- Don't pick that up.

Why? No, but it's
a ringing phone.
I don't make the rules.

No, I don't
understand you.

Why on Earth
would you answer that now?

- Well, I mean, it could--
- Think about what we're
talking about, Nicholas.

- Well, but what if it's a...
What if it's a nice call?
- Nicholas.

Maybe she saw
my high school bully at
the market looking sad.

Oh, my God. No way.

- No?
- No.

- Okay.
- Don't you dare.

Fine, fine.
I'm ma... I'm making...

- I made her go away.
- Great.

Yeah, I'm gonna
call her back now, actually.

- Oh, my God.
- No, I am.

No, I am gonna
call her back, yeah.

Surprised you bothered
to call back.

Yeah, sorry,
it's just been a long day.

Well, mine's just started
and I'm all alone

and I cannot stop
thinking about

how my ex-husband died
before I got closure.

Yeah, I know. That is...
That's a lot to be dealing with.

And you know
what sickens me the most?

- That I still care.
- What?

You can't let her say this.

...even in death
he's still controlling me.

Babe, you have to
put a stop to this.

He's up there,
he's up there

right now, and he's just
basking in my pain.

Well, I mean, if you think
now is the right time

to confront her, then--

- No. That's not...
- No?

- Okay.
- No.

...I think Darren
was a bit of a sadist

or he was a sociopath.

We'll never know for sure.

Ugh. No.

Mum, you can't
say these things.

He was still a good dad.

I don't subscribe to
the idea that you can't

speak ill of the dead.

No. Mum, stop.

I don't like it when you say
mean things about my dad, okay?

You can't keep doing this.

Well, if you're in a mood,

I think I might take
myself off somewhere else.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.
She hung up on me. No.

Actually,
that doesn't feel good.

Why did you think
this feels...

'Cause this doesn't
feel good.

- This is dumb!
- No, that was good.

You put yourself first.

You set boundaries.

No, I like being there
for my mum.

I only said that just then

'cause you were
standing there staring at me

with all your pressure
and judgment.

When actually
being there for my mum

is a thing that I like.

You can't be there
for everybody all the time.

You're not responsible
for her.

Yeah, actually I'm gonna
call her back and apologize.

- No.
- Yes.

- No!
- Oh, yes!

Please, let's do this
for a lot longer!

Okay, fine.

Sorry.

Just listen to me
for a sec, though, please?

I think that you put
everyone's feelings

before your own
because you're scared

that if you don't,
they're gonna abandon you

like your dad did.

But Darren leaving
wasn't your fault.

Okay? And you're
allowed to be sad.

Okay? And you're allowed
to let other people know

about your feelings

even if it makes them sad.

No one is leaving you.

We love you too much.

Okay?

Did you hear that or...?

What you said was very nice.
I liked it.

It made me feel good.



Well, hello, there.

What's happening with you?

Well, I found out that owls
spit up all the mouse bones

that they eat
in little pellets,

and if you find one you can
build a mouse skeleton.

But they won't give me one.

It's never sports
or exercise for you, is it?

Literally anything else.

Well, it's quite good
to build a mouse skeleton,
though, isn't it?

I think it's good!

Oh!
So I had to go back on Tinder.

What happened to Malcolm?

Oh, he's on there.

That's who I'm looking for,
to be honest.

I knew that he was
up to something,

so I put a location device
on his phone.

- What?
- And he was.

- No.
- He was.

He was crisscrossing
all over town.

And every time
he showed up at a new cafe,

there I was.

So I think he worked out
what was happening,

and I haven't heard
from him since.

It's hard to imagine
what you've got planned

to say if you match.

Oh, I think I'd have
a lot to say.

Don't you worry about that.