07x01 - A Decent Proposal

[bunniefuu]

- Last season on "Younger"...

- You are the money behind Mercury?

I think we'll be stronger together.

I'm gonna be a dad.

Liza Miller is years old.

It was really hard lying to someone I care about.

Maybe you did what you had to do.

Guess who got the money, honey?

We're still interested in Millennial...

not with Ms. Peters as publisher.

Take this new publicity as a business opportunity.

I'm going out on my own.

I'll get you a seat on the board.

I am so happy for you.

Liza Miller, will you marry me?

Oh, my God.

[PEOPLE CHEERING]

- _ - Arrivederci, b*tches!

Congratulations!

Have the best honeymoon ever!

Ah, thank God, four hours until she's on a plane and out of my hair.

- Where are they going?

- Grand tour of Italy.

- Ooh. - Yup, now that she's married, she can eat all the pasta she wants.

- Aw. - Want to dance?

- I do. Come on. - Yes.

- [PEOPLE CHEERING]

- [SPARKLERS CRACKLING]

Hmm.

Well, I, uh... I think I got my answer.

The answer is, I love you.

But technically, you're not even divorced yet.

Yeah, that's true.

And I also think you may be a little drunk.

Uh, slightly buzzed, yeah.

And you're avoiding the question.

It is the most beautiful question I have ever heard.

But I have a daughter I need to talk to.

And you have to speak to your girls as well.

We don't have to rush. I'm not going anywhere.

Fine.

You know how I feel.

Sometimes I can be impatient when I know what I want.

But I understand.

[CHUCKLES]

Um, so you can, uh...

you can consider the proposal officially withdrawn.

Wait, are you un-asking me to marry you?

Yup.

So that when you're ready, you can pop the question.

[LAUGHS]

Provided that I'm still on the market.

- Okay.

- Mm-hmm.

[TENDER MUSIC]

♪ Look at yourself ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ This time, we're gonna get it right ♪

[FIREWORKS POPPING]

♪ ♪ I think those were meant for the newlyweds.

Uh, no, that's a sign.

[LAUGHS]

♪ ♪ ♪ This time, we're gonna get it right ♪

♪ This time, we're gonna get it right ♪ ♪ ♪

I'm impressed that Chaz was so impulsive and romantic.

I would've guessed he would've sent over his lawyer to discuss a prenup first.

Charles is a romantic at heart.

I'm the one being practical here.

If I make that commitment, it's forever.

We can take our time.

So what was the ring like?

We didn't get that far.

So you never even got to see the goods?

Oh, I've seen the goods.

And I don't need a big ring to make me happy.

Besides, he basically withdrew the question.

Ooh, so you hesitated and he choked.

- Something like that.

- Well, then it's all good.

We'll just pretend it never happened.

I mean, from what you said, the sex is hot, right?

So why spoil a good thing?

I can't unhear a marriage proposal.

The question is out there.

[SIGHS]

♪ Whoo ♪

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

♪ ♪ Mommy, I can't think about a party, okay?

I'm under a lot of pressure right now.

Honey, Lauren, you only turn once, and we still don't have a theme.

What are you doing?

You're putting that on too thick.

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

Whoa, why are you dressed like a drag queen?

Excuse me?

I am taking over Diana's office while she's on her honeymoon.

Also, can you please tell my mother that I don't have time to think about my th birthday?

- Hi, Denise.

- Hi, hi... oh!

- Bye, Denise.

- We still don't have a theme!

Lauren, I can't deal with your neuroses, okay?

I've gotta go to Quinn's office and tell her that I don't actually want the funding that I asked for.

Oh, luckily, you're still young enough to make mistakes.

Do you think it's a mistake to go back to Millennial?

And piss off a bipolar billionaire after she agreed to fund your company?

Of course not.

I think Clare's trying to kidnap Gemma.

- BOTH: What?

- Yeah, she just texted me.

She wants me to sign off on an expedited passport so she can take Gemma to Ireland to meet the family.

Do you think I should be worried?

- Yes.

- No.

It's perfectly normal that Clare would want Gemma to meet her family.

Okay, and since when has there ever been anything normal about Clare?

Maybe I should just go to Ireland.

I should just go, just in case, just... just to be safe.

Oh, my God, so you are freaking out about turning , I have to go screw over a mercurial billionaire,

- but you win.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, you're turning ?

Ugh, I know. The party's over.

- Wow. - Wait, Kels.

Do you think that's a good theme for my birthday?

- I gotta go.

- [SIGHS]

Bye.

♪ Whoa-oh ♪ [UPBEAT ROCK MUSIC]

And after much thought and deliberation, I have decided to stay put at Millennial.

Charles offered me a seat on the board and an equity position in the company, and it just feels like the right move

- to stay put right now.

- Hmm, an equity stake in the company, really?

- Yeah. - [LAUGHS]

Have you run the financials?

'Cause I have.

I used to own the place, remember?

Try dividing zero by zero.

It's not always just about money.

It's also family.

Oh, so you're running home to Daddy, okay.

Or maybe I'm putting my ego aside for a minute.

Look, I get it. You could have failed.

Failure sucks.

I've just gone through it with my Senate campaign, so I'm not gonna judge you.

Here.

Open one. It's what I do when I'm at a crossroads.

[QUIRKY MUSIC]

♪ ♪ "A foolish person follows her heart." I think these cookies are rigged.

Then take another one till you get something you like.

♪ ♪ [GASPS]

"A new love will come into your life." That's a keeper.

[SCOFFS]

This one's empty.

That means you make your own fortune...

or you don't have long to live; I can't remember which.

Either way, you'll find out soon enough.

[CRUNCHES]

[MELLOW MUSIC]

♪ ♪ [SIGHS]

♪ ♪ [EXHALES HEAVILY]

Yeah.

Mm.

♪ ♪ [ETHEREAL MUSIC]

♪ ♪ What are doing in Diana's office?

Oh, hi there. Uh, you-you didn't know?

Diva asked me to cover for her while she's on her honeymoon.

I thought she just asked you to cover her phones.

Please. I mean, I'm merely here to listen and learn.

Consider me your humble servant.

Great.

I'll send you the spreadsheet of this quarter's upcoming titles.

Perf.

And, Lauren, don't even think about it.

[PERCUSSIVE ELECTRONIC MUSIC]

♪ ♪ Good morning, everyone.

A couple of pieces of good news to share.

First of all, "Arabian Sea,"

the book that Zane brought in, is a surprise hit.

Yup, as of today, it's the number one book in fiction, Men's Adventure on Amazon.

- Thank you, Lauren. - Mm-hmm.

I'm not just a pretty face.

- [LAUGHS]

- But the great news is that I'm very excited to welcome Kelsey back to her position as editor in chief at Millennial and... and the newest member of our board.

- Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo!

- [APPLAUSE]

Yeah!

We're, uh... we're headed to Chicago tomorrow for our first meeting with the new investors.

Thank you, Charles.

I am honored, and I hope to live up to the distinction and responsibility.

I know you will.

Have you spoken to Zane?

I figured he'd really want to stick it to me about this "Arabian Sea" book that I passed on.

Kelsey, uh, can I have a moment?

- Sure.

- Um, we'll catch up later.

- Okay.

- Couldn't be happier.

- [SOFTLY]

Thank you.

- Uh, Zane quit this morning.

W-why?

After everything that happened with Mercury, he felt like I betrayed him by giving you the board seat.

- Oh, God.

- Now, I didn't intend to lose anyone, but, uh, I knew that I was making a choice, and I chose you.

Excuse me.

[ROCK MUSIC]

Hey. You quit?

You can't just quit.

It's done, Kels.

There's just not a place for me there anymore.

- Charles made that very clear.

- Okay.

Look, let's just go to dinner, just you and me, and we can talk this out.

I love you.

And I don't care where you work.

I want you to be happy. But...

Kelsey, I love you too.

And I know I'll never meet anyone like you again, but...

the competition is crushing me.

I need a fresh start.

Are you... you breaking up with me because I got promoted over you?

I'm probably doing the stupidest thing of my life right now, letting you go, but...

at least for now, I think that's best.

I love you, Kelsey. Take care.

[GASPS]

Is everything okay?

I just spoke to Zane, and he resigned.

- Why?

- I don't know.

His ego couldn't handle it?

What about you guys?

- Oh, Kelsey.

- I don't care.

I really don't care.

- It's all right.

- [CRYING]

[SOFT MUSIC]

♪ ♪ [KNOCKING]

How long will you be in Chicago?

Just one night.

Are we okay?

I just... I don't want things to be weird.

[ROMANTIC MUSIC]

♪ ♪ [CHUCKLES]

Does that feel weird?

No, it feels wonderful.

I have the girls tonight.

What are you up to?

Working on a pros and cons list?

Dinner when you're back. I'm buying.

Wow. In that case, yes.

[LAUGHS]

I love you.

I love you too.

[DAVID O'DOWDA'S "BREATHE AGAIN"]

♪ ♪ Mm.

There are also decision-making charts that are really helpful.

♪ And you keep me stronger ♪ ♪ And I can feel again ♪ ♪ We slowly make it back ♪

[GEMMA BABBLING]

Daddy's gonna miss his baby girl so much.

- Yes, hi. - We'll be back in a week.

But if Daddy doesn't see you in a week, he's gonna come to Ireland and come and get you.

They're always after me Lucky Charms.

Oh, my God.

What are you guys thinking?

I'm not kidnapping Gemma.

Oh, my God, no!

What kind of a suspicious mind would even come up with an idea like that?

- [LAUGHS NERVOUSLY]

- Okay, right.

Well, I think it's time for bed.

- Mm, yeah.

- I do. Come on.

- Good night, sweet girl.

- Mm-hmm.

[GEMMA BABBLES]

- No. - Dude.

Uh, would you drop her at my place in the morning?

- Mm.

- Oh, and don't forget, they're gonna FedEx the passport here, so just make sure someone is around to sign for it.

All right. Okay. Bye.

- Bye. [SMOOCHES]

- Bye, Clare.

- [DOOR SLAMS]

- Wow.

I can't believe you just came right out and accused her of kidnapping Gemma.

Oh, come on, I want her to know we got eyes on her, okay?

Also, there's something I think you should know. It's big.

- What?

- It's not, like, baby-kidnapping big, but you should prepare yourself.

- Why?

- Okay.

Uh, so I just got the photos back from Diana's wedding.

Obviously, there is a lot that needs to be retouched, but I will work my digital magic.

Uh-huh.

There's some video here that might interest you.

Okay.

[FESTIVE MUSIC PLAYING]

Um, all right, so far,

- not interested.

- Keep watching.

- Will you marry me?

- Oh, my God.

[PEOPLE CHEERING]

Did she say yes?

Are they engaged?

[ROCK MUSIC]

- [SCOFFS]

- Still not interested.

♪ ♪ [UPBEAT MUSIC]

♪ ♪ Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

Liza, please, do not mistake these balls of marble, crystal, and gold for a fashion statement, okay?

They are a symbol of the power that Diana has invested in me.

I am a mere puppet.

Oat milk latte?

I'm just gonna get some tea.

Ah, good idea. I think I'll join you, yeah.

Maybe we can spill some tea together.

- Excuse me?

- Okay, last night, I was reviewing the video of Diana's wedding.

I, uh, thought I would send her a little highlight reel to watch on her trip.

Guess who stole the show.

- You and Maggie?

- Not even close.

Let's just say that cameraman was circling around you and Charles like a hawk in heat.

Guys, we have a meeting with that brilliant science writer Jane Campbell from "The New Yorker."

Ooh, I read that piece that she wrote about jellyfish sex.

And that really fun one about black holes.

Ugh, she can make any hole fun.

♪ ♪ When I was a girl, I loved reading the classics: Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov.

Their books inspired me to be the writer I am today.

But all written by men.

I want to write a book that will make girls fall in love with science fiction the way I did and open a door to a genre that has always had a metaphorical sign on its door: "No girls allowed."

- Hmm.

- So...

I decided to take some of the most beloved heroines in literature, "Little Women," and launch them into space.

Voilà: "Little Women in Space."

[GASPS]

Oh, my God, yes!

- She has no power here.

- No, no, not yes to the book necessarily, but, Kels, I found my party theme.

"Little Women in Space," that's me!

You know, I'm not normally a fan of mash-ups, but...

this is so fun, and especially coming from you.

You know one thing I never understood?

- Why didn't Jo marry Laurie?

- Ugh.

I know. Who wouldn't say yes to a proposal from a handsome and wealthy daddy?

But, you know, I guess she gets her punishment when she ends up with Professor Bhaer.

In my book, Professor Bhaer goes on a spacewalk and dies.

So you don't feel the need to be faithful to the original?

No, but the science will be accurate.

It's really a way to explore the gravity of marriage in a zero-gravity world.

- Hmm. - You know, quick Q, which "Little Woman" got a proposal and didn't tell her friends?

That's actually not part of the story line.

Smart. She would be a very unlikable character.

[TENSE MUSIC]

Am I crazy?

I really liked that pitch.

- You want to make an offer?

- I don't know.

It's like I can't trust my decisions.

Let's talk about it when I get back from Chicago.

- Okay. - Okay.

What do you know?

Everything.

♪ ♪

- Will you marry me?

- Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Diana had spy cameras at her wedding?

What?

No, no. I think he just picked up your audio 'cause you're so much taller than everyone else.

Right. Who did you show this to?

Nobody. Well, nobody and Josh.

Girl, why aren't we celebrating?

- This is big news!

- Because I'm not engaged.

Not that it's any of your business.

Liza, as the interim head of communications here, everything is my business, okay?

I just... I-I haven't given him an answer yet.

So I would really appreciate it if you just kept this between us.

So for now, can you please put that where no one will see it?

Yeah, of course. Circle of trust.

Thank you...

♪ ♪ Diva.

My pleasure, Queen.

[ROCK MUSIC]

♪ ♪ With our diverse range of titles, we expect Millennial to see quarter-to-quarter growth exceeding last year's projections.

And as both editor in chief and a new board member, I feel a special obligation to see Millennial succeed creatively and financially.

We've done some research, and we have grave doubts about the new name for the company.

- New name?

- Millennial. It's already dated.

It's like you named your company Boomer Print.

Who gives a sh*t about millennials anymore?

Empirical is a legacy brand.

Remember when Coke changed its name to New Coke?

No.

Exactly.

I make a motion we change the name of the company back to Empirical.

All those in favor say, "Aye."

BOARD: Aye.

Did you know about this?

- Absolutely not.

- Against?

- Nay. - Nay.

The "ayes" have it.

[SIGHS]

We just lost Millennial.

Everything's going back to Empirical now.

- Wait, what?

- Yeah, the board just voted on the name change.

So everything that we've worked for, it's gone, including my relationship.

God, I should have never stayed.

My instincts are just terrible.

Okay, that's not true. Your instincts are great.

They've gotten you this far.

And Millennial, it's just a name.

A name of something that we built.

We are still building something.

Don't get stuck on labels.

The only thing that matters is the books.

You're right.

You know what?

Make an offer on "Little Women in Space."

It's silly, but I-I like it.

And I trust that writer.

Great. Done.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world...

[LAUGHS]

- Quinn.

- Hi.

What are you doing in Chicago?

You remember that time when you suddenly pulled your money from my company and I had to find another investor?

- Mm.

- Chicago.

Whoops.

And what brings you here?

I'm meeting with donors to explain why I dropped out of the race.

I'm kind of on an apology tour, so...

seeing you is pretty karmic.

May I?

Uh, yeah.

Another one for the gentleman.

And I'll have what he's having. Thank you.

So my Senate campaign crashed and b*rned.

- Hmm.

- [LAUGHS]

That failure was pretty humbling.

But it's also the best thing to ever happen to me.

That's hard to believe.

They say when the student is ready, the teacher appears.

And failure is a very good teacher.

Hmm.

I'm really sorry for treating your company like a toy.

My own selfish ego just wanted to win at any cost.

It's okay.

- We got through it.

- I know. I saw.

I'm really glad that the company is back on its feet.

And it's my loss, really, not being involved.

God, I love publishing way more than I like politics.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

Thanks.

Ugh, I don't know what I was thinking.

You hurt a lot of people, Quinn.

And you almost bankrupted my company, so...

"I'm sorry" doesn't exactly cut it.

I understand.

To your success, Charles.

You deserve every bit of it.

And may you... continue to fail.

It suits you.

Finally... a compliment.

[DRAMATIC ROCK MUSIC]

♪ ♪ [PERCUSSIVE ELECTRONIC MUSIC]

Hello. Oh, hi!

Get over here.

Hi!

Hi, baby girl.

I want to hold you.

Hi, you.

Hey, here.

- Just came in the mail today.

- Just in time.

Yeah.

Daddy's gonna miss you so much, baby girl.

Oh, yes, I know. I'm sad too.

We'll be back in a week. I'm not a flight risk.

I know. I know. It's just...

You sure you don't want me to come with you to the airport?

I can help you get checked in,

- help with the bags, whatever.

- These guys going too?

Uh, Josh, this is Rob.

- I've been meaning to introduce you.

- It's nice to meet you, Josh.

I've heard so many great things about you.

And I'm just in love with your daughter.

That is, uh, great.

Nice to meet you too, Rob.

See?

I've got all the help I need.

[BOTH CHUCKLE]

[UPBEAT ELECTRONIC MUSIC]

♪ ♪ Well, I turned making out with Debbie Harry at CBGB's.

- What?

How did that happen?

- I wish I could remember.

It was probably some random blonde chick, but I'm gonna stick to my story.

[BOTH LAUGH]

- Want another drink?

- Sure.

- All right.

- Hey.

- Hi, you made it.

- Barely.

I shared a car with Charles from the airport.

Yeah, I think I'll spare him this tonight.

- That's a good idea. - Hey, have you seen "Publisher's Lunch"?

They just announced we're buying "Little Women in Space."

"The kookiest mash-up of all time could be amazing or a huge disaster."

Huh. That sounds like my life.

You know, Lauren's turning , and I'm next.

Millennials, we're not the young kids on the block anymore.

I'm not sure what defines me now.

Look, we're all mash-ups.

If there's one thing I've learned, it's that age is irrelevant.

- Mm-hmm. - Oh, thank you so much.

I'm a little emotional.

I cannot believe that my Lauren is turning .

I remember the day that she was born like it was yesterday.

Of course, she was a tiny little thing, but she twisted my pelvis like a corkscrew.

[LAUGHTER]

That was my first time that my Lauren was gonna be anything but normal.

Am I right?

[LAUGHTER]

All right, so please, everybody, give it up for the woman of the night, our "Little Woman in Space"!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

Oh, my gosh!

♪ ♪ Oop, I got it, honey.

♪ ♪ Fix your crotch. Good girl.

[LAUGHS]

Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

- Ow!

- Happy birthday!

Give it up, people.

Wasn't she worth all the pain?

So how are you gonna upstage that?

What?

You know, like at Diana's wedding?

Oh, right. You saw that.

I did.

So congratulations?

No, not yet.

- Mm.

- I haven't exactly said yes.

Why not?

[LAUGHS]

What are you... what are you waiting for, Liza?

I know you never really liked him.

Come on, that's not true.

I do like him... for you.

It... it brings me joy to know that you are happy.

You deserve that.

I want that for you, for real.

Josh, you're so special to me.

Mm.

I always want you in my life.

- You promise me that.

- Yeah.

I want you in mine too, always, forever.

Relationships don't have to be defined, right?

No, no, they don't.

We know who we are to each other.

- We're us.

- [LAUGHS]

Yeah. We are us.

We're always going to be, no matter... who we're with.

Thank you.

- Thank you for helping me.

- Yeah.

Always.

Hmm.

[SOFT POP MUSIC]

♪ ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪

[SOFT MUSIC]

♪ ♪ Hi.

Hi.

I remember this.

♪ ♪ [SIGHS]

And this. Mm.

♪ ♪ I will never forget when you brought me here.

It was just you and me, and nothing else mattered.

I don't want to lose that moment, this feeling.

We won't.

Then can we just keep riding the perfect ride?

I've been married, and...

it didn't go so well.

I love you.

And I don't want anything from you except...

your heart.

I want to be happily unmarried to you every day.

Wow.

That was... not the proposal I was expecting.

But I do know what I want.

And it's not a ride or some kind of fantasy.

I want to get off the carousel.

- I want a partner in life.

- I'm still your partner.

For life.

I-I-I may be old-fashioned, but I believe in marriage.

And it may not have worked out for either of us the first time, but I-I believe that it can work again.

And I think we're finally free of needing to define ourselves by those rules and obligations.

I want to be everything to you.

We're not young, Liza.

And we both deserve what we really want.

Uh, thank you, for letting me know what's in your heart.

- Charles... - Mm-mm.

♪ Didn't you want to talk a little ♪ ♪ Didn't you want to talk ♪

Good night.

♪ Didn't you want to talk a little ♪ ♪ Didn't you want to talk ♪ ♪ It's all right to be in shock and struggle ♪ ♪ It's all right if you can't talk ♪ ♪ Common denominator ♪

- This season on "Younger"...

- [UPBEAT DANCE MUSIC]

I know endings, and it doesn't seem like that's where we are... at the end.

Are things really over between you and Charles?

The power of Quinn Tyler.

[BOTH SCREAMING]

Things don't always turn out as planned.

Do you think we can pull this off?

- What have we got to lose?

- If I would've said something sooner, would it have made a difference?

I'm pretty sure they tell you to accept the past, embrace the present, and keep moving forward.

Is that what we're doing?

Moving forward?