02x03 - I'm Coming Out

[bunniefuu]

[dramatic music playing]

[shallow breathing]

- [sirens wailing]

- [indistinct yelling]

[indistinct yells]

[sighs]

[sighs]

[grunts softly]

[Johnny] Hey, Mularkey

[gasps]

[chuckles]

Paying a late-night visit

to the forbidden ice cream cave?

Don't judge.

How could I?

[Kate] Mmm.

Why does ice cream

always taste better at 3:00 a.m.?

Maybe because it's bad for you

and you shouldn't be doing it.

How come you're up so late?

Does your hip hurt?

I could, you know, rub it.

Uh, yeah.

Sure. Thanks.

[gentle music playing]

How's that? Is that too hard?

No. That's good.

It's so stiff.

So, how come you can't sleep?

[Kate sighs]

I don't know.

I'm just having a hard time in general.

Yeah, me too.

I think

I'm lonely.

I know we're in the same house, but

- I think I miss you, Mularkey.

- [Kate exhales]

I think I miss you too.

[gentle music continues]

[Johnny inhales]

[both exhale]

[both breathing heavily]

[gasps, breathing heavily]

[exhales]

[chuckles]

[Johnny snoring]

[gentle music continues]

[man] This could be a frustrating time

full of confusing urges.

As the male body matures,

increased blood flow to the penis

can lead to unwanted erections

- [audio distorts]

- unwanted erections

unwanted erections unwanted erections

[students giggling]

There may be other unexpected events

such as nocturnal emissions,

otherwise known as wet dreams.

[bell rings]

Wow, I, um, can't believe you're here.

I can't believe your hair.

Oh, I just thought, you know,

high school, short hair,

sophisticated. [chuckles]

- Also, I I got lice, so I had to.

- You look like Velma from Scooby-Doo.

It's it's actually a Dorothy Hamill.

It looks really good. I like it.

Thanks.

Uh, so why are you here?

I'm going to school.

[whispering] Yeah, right,

but, like, is Cloud out of, you know?

You don't have to whisper

if you're not gonna say it.

But yeah, she's, uh, out of jail.

She turned over a whole new leaf.

She cooks and wears pantsuits

and reads the Bible.

She thinks she's Carol Brady.

I guess a lot can change in a year.

Yeah, I guess so.

Oh hey! You're the girl

Kate used to be friends with.

The one whose mom got arrested. Uh, Terry?

- Tully.

- [girl] Right!

Kate told me all about what happened.

So tragic.

I love your blouse.

I'm Lisa-Karen.

[Tully chuckles]

I like your haircut.

[Lisa-Karen] Thanks!

Kate and I got them together.

Like a best friend thing.

We should go.

We've got a filmstrip to load.

An A.V. Club President's work

is never done.

Just ask my VP.

[whimsical music playing]

[Tully] Mularkey, stop the presses.

I got a scoop.

- We don't have presses. This is TV.

- What's going on?

- Oh.

- Here, babe. Oh, that's mine, actually

Yeah. [chuckles]

So, I got a letter from this woman

who worked for Binswanger for 30 years.

"He's not fit to be Governor." Her words.

He's got secrets, big secrets,

and she's ready to spill.

[Johnny] That's huge.

- Whoa, seriously?

- I know. I feel like Lois Lane.

"Tully Hart brings down

Benedict Binswanger."

Easy, Lois. Binswanger's my b*at.

- So? Finders keepers.

- I'm pretty sure that's not how it works.

He's right, actually.

Tacoma wants Danny to cover the election.

My source wants to speak to me.

She says so right there.

Oh. You can go together then.

- Sounds good!

- Oh, that is bullshit.

Go meet the source,

and if they're the real deal,

we'll send a camera crew,

and you can both do stand-ups,

but Danny's on lead.

Solid call, boss.

"Solid call, boss."

You're such a kiss ass.

Is that supposed to be me?

Was that your impersonation of me?

Like you're doing my voice?

- Hey.

- Hey.

What do you say

we hit the video store after work?

Maybe watch a movie in bed?

Or not watch a movie in bed. [chuckles]

[sighs] My parents are coming into town

for a matinee, Cats.

They're very excited.

Then my mom wanted to see

Sean, Julia, and the baby.

Then that turned into a huge dinner thing

that I somehow got roped into hosting.

Great! Mularkey family dinner! I'm in!

- What should I bring?

- Oh, no, you don't have to come.

I figured I'd save you the hassle.

[chuckles] Oh, no way.

I'm the boyfriend,

and this is prime boyfriend stuff.

Maybe I could pick up a

It's just they they don't really know

about us yet.

Oh, well, we can tell them tonight.

They'll be thrilled.

Yeah, it's just they're not exactly your

biggest fans.

What are you talking about?

Your mom loves me.

I think she might even

have a little crush on me, actually.

[chuckles] Sort of. She does think

you are handsome and very charming.

She also thinks you're an international

sex maniac who broke Tully's heart.

[chuckles]

Why would she think that?

Well, she knows that something happened

between you two,

and she's convinced that you dumped her

the second you got what you wanted.

I told her that's not how it was,

but she doesn't believe me

and she's really, really mad at you.

Wow. And Bud?

Does he think I'm a sex maniac?

No, he thinks you're a snob.

It's the accent.

He's got a thing about British people.

What I'm not British. I'm Australian.

We're the opposite of posh.

Not helping your case.

Remember that time

you went to their barbecue

and he asked if you wanted

to watch the Seahawks game?

- You said you don't get American football?

- Yeah.

That was like two years ago.

He still talks about it.

Okay, this is insane. [chuckles]

I've had a lot of girlfriends,

and their parents always love me.

How many girlfriends?

I'm not giving up this easily, Mularkey.

All right? I'm gonna charm the pants

off Bud and Margie, metaphorically.

I know how important

your family is to you,

and therefore,

they're important to me too.

- All right. Yes. Yes.

- All right? Okay, great.

So, um, what do I have to do

to win them over?

Okay, for my dad, you can not go wrong

with beer, but nothing foreign or fancy.

- Right.

- And for my mom,

if she gets in an argument with anyone,

you take her side, no matter what.

She'll be putty in your hands.

I can do that.

- This is gonna be fun.

- It's not going to be fun.

Just you wait and see.

By the end of the night,

we're gonna be one big, happy family.

[Kate chuckles]

[uplifting music plays]

[chuckles]

[computer chimes]

- [Johnny] What do you think you're doing?

- [yelps]

- Nothing. I'm just doing some laundry.

- You were reading Marah's emails.

I was not.

They are instant messages

- [scoffs]

- and I didn't mean to.

It made a sound, so I glanced over.

Oh, you glanced over.

Wait a second.

Does this say what I think it says?

- [Sean] What are you guys doing?

- [both yelp]

[panting]

Are you snooping?

- No.

- She was.

You used to hate it

when Mom did stuff like that.

- [Johnny scoffs]

- Did you wash my blue sweater?

You living here doesn't mean

I'll do all of your laundry.

I'm not actually Mom. But yes.

Okay, now come take a look.

- I'm not reading her private messages

- I did your laundry. You owe me.

Uh [exhales]

We should not be doing this.

[mumbles]

Oh. Wow.

- Did you know Marah was gay?

- She might not be gay

It says right here she's in love

with her friend Ashley.

Yeah, but maybe she means it

in, like, a friends way.

"When I'm with her,

all I want to do is kiss her,

but I'm afraid to tell her the truth."

Okay.

Maybe she's a little bit gay.

It all makes sense.

She plays field hockey.

She she she played with her Barbies

way longer than all of her friends.

- This is why.

- Oh, okay, okay.

She might be gay. She might be bi.

She might be trying to figure it out.

- So what do we do?

- [Sean] Really?

You want advice from a middle-aged gay man

who's yet to come out to his parents?

Mom and Dad think I'm staying here

because Julia and I "hit a rough patch."

They have no idea what's going on.

You could tell them. They love you.

They love the idea of me,

the successful husband and father.

They don't know the real me.

I don't even know the real me.

- I'm barely out of the closet.

- Okay, we have to do better for Marah.

- I'm gonna talk to her.

- No, we've we've violated her privacy.

- Yeah, not on purpose.

- [Sean] No, no, he's right.

All you can do right now

is just let her know subtly

that you guys are a safe space.

You know,

coming out is super hard and scary.

- [phone ringing]

- Let her come to you when she's ready.

It's Marah.

- She's coming to us.

- [Johnny] Okay, just just

[phone chimes]

Marah. Hi. What's up?

Yeah. No, I'm just, you know,

here doing laundry all by myself.

Yes. Yeah. I'm totally cool with that.

I will come and pick you up right now.

- I'm on my way. I love you. [exhales]

- [line ends]

- Remember, subtle.

- Be cool.

[Kate chuckles] Don't worry.

I got this.

I don't think she's got this.

- No.

- ["Closer To Fine" playing]

I went to the doctor ♪

I went to the mountains ♪

I look to the children ♪

I drank from the fountains ♪

Oh, I love this song. Just came on.

God, I haven't heard it in years.

Do you know the Indigo Girls?

I guess.

Oh, they're so great.

You know, one of them is gay,

and one of them is straight,

and they just accept each other.

I don't think either of them are straight.

[Kate] Oh, yeah. No. You're right.

I totally knew that.

They're a couple, right?

Two lesbians just living and loving

and making music together.

It's beautiful.

Why are you acting so weird?

No, I

What did Tully tell you?

You talked to Tully about this?

Yeah, because she gets it.

Well, I get it, Marah.

I mean, I'm I'm hip.

I'm liberal. I have a gay brother.

And, you know, I've had the occasional

crush on a woman.

I mean, I saw this one movie,

Gia with Angelina Jolie, and I

I mean, I felt some things.

Oh my God, gross.

[sighs] Look.

The point is,

I just want you to know that I'm here,

and you can talk to me about anything.

Closer I am to fine, yeah ♪

[Margie] Guess whose mom

set him up on a hot date?

Hey.

- What're you talking about?

- Do you remember my friend Nancy?

Her daughter Susan?

You two were in choir together at church.

- There were a lot of Susans.

- Redhead, big gap in her teeth.

- Yeah, I guess I remember her.

- Well, she just got her braces off.

And she is stunning and sweet,

and Nancy says

that she still talks about you.

So we thought,

maybe you could take her out tonight.

- I already got plans with Robbie.

- What? You see Robbie all the time.

Uh, Mom,

I don't need you to get me girls. Okay?

You seen my Tiger b*at

with Shaun Cassidy on the cover?

[Margie] Don't they all

have Shaun Cassidy on the cover?

[Kate sighs]

I'll keep my eyes peeled.

Oh, I heard that Tully and her mom

just moved back here.

I thought maybe

we could have them over for dinner.

Ugh. No.

What? Why? You two were such good friends.

Yeah, were, as in past tense.

[Kate sighs]

[Margie sighs deeply]

Why can't they be more specific?

The recipe says to add a cup.

Which cup is a cup?

Well, bigger is better.

- What is that? A science experiment?

- No. It's special cheesy potatoes.

I got the recipe

from The Ladies Home Journal.

Since when are there ladies in this house?

[sighs] Look, when I was in prison,

I swore that if I got

another chance with you,

I would become one of those moms

who is, like, on a a cereal box.

A mom who smiles and does housework

and goes to church and bakes things.

A good, clean, happy mom.

Please.

[sighs]

So when am I gonna see ol' Kim-er-oo?

Well, her name is still Kate,

and try "never."

- Why not? Did something happen?

- If it did, I wouldn't tell you.

Well, you can talk to me

whenever you're ready. I'm here.

Stop being creepy.

"Add salt to taste." What does that mean?

[gentle music playing]

Nope.

Bigger is better.

Mmm!

["My Sharona" by The Knack playing]

Ooh, my little pretty one

Pretty one, pretty one ♪

When you gonna give me some ♪

- Time, Sharona? ♪

- Time, Sharona? ♪

- [chuckles] Hey. You're here early.

- A good boyfriend's never late.

Now, I got American beer for your dad.

I boned up on the Seahawks,

and will be

nonchalantly working in the fact

that Australia was founded

as a British penal colony.

- The opposite of posh.

- Mmm, don't say "posh."

Good point.

Okay. What can I do?

Uh, nothing. Play gets out in an hour.

All we have to do is set the table

and get dressed.

Oh. Okay. [sucks teeth]

Or we could get undressed.

Mmm.

- I like the way you think, Johnny Ryan.

- Yeah?

Why don't we start with you?

What do you mean?

Strip for me, big man.

- ["My Sharona" continues]

- [Kate chuckles]

- Me?

- Uh-huh.

Yep. Oh.

[Kate chuckling]

[Kate] Woo!

Mm-hmm.

[Johnny exhales]

Oh.

[Johnny grunts]

[Kate chuckles]

[Kate cheers]

[Johnny humming]

- Yeah, yeah, ooh.

- [Kate chuckles]

When you gonna give it to me

Give it to me ♪

- Is it just a matter of time, Sharona? ♪

- [Kate chuckles]

Is it d-d-destiny? ♪

[Kate] Oh yeah.

Or it just a game in my mind, Sharona? ♪

Oh, the things I'm gonna do to you.

- Oh, yeah?

- [Kate] Yeah.

[Johnny exhales]

[Kate cheers]

[shrieks] Oh my God!

- [Johnny yells]

- Uh, we'll we'll come back later, Kate.

I told you we shouldn't have left

before intermission. Okay.

- Sorry!

- [Kate exhales] This won't be One minute.

[Margie] Mm-hmm!

- sh*t sh*t m*therf*cking sh*t.

- Oh my God.

[Danny] This is awkward.

- Awkward? She's, like, a minute late.

- No. I meant us working together.

This can't be easy for you

seeing me every day.

Now, if it's any consolation,

I meant what I said.

I just can't be the man you deserve.

Oh, for f*ck's sake. No one's hurt.

I have zero interest in you.

If you say so.

Besides, you're the one

who can't stop thinking about that night.

Just trying to be sensitive.

Sensitive people don't have to try.

See? This is what would happen

if we were together.

It's a disaster.

- I'm a rogue, Tully.

- [Tully chuckles]

You're not a rogue.

You're just an ordinary d*ck.

You didn't think

it was ordinary that night.

Too bad it's attached to your personality.

Oh, "Too bad it's attached" Mmm.

Tully Hart?

Is he with you?

Yeah, unfortunately.

Thank you for meeting me.

Thank you for telling me your story.

Please sit.

Tell me about Benedict Binswanger.

Take notes.

[woman] He was my employer for 30 years.

I cleaned his house. I heard his secrets.

He's an awful man.

He injured workers,

and he would just cover it up.

Pay them off.

He bribed politicians.

He sent his own brother away.

There was blackmail, hush money,

and a child out of wedlock.

[Tully inhales]

Would you be willing

to be interviewed on camera?

That's why I came to you, Tully,

because, oh, I trust you.

I met you when you were just a baby.

- [baby Tully crying]

- Let me in!

I'm sorry, miss, they're not here.

You were so darling, so small.

I gave you a chocolate.

[Tully chuckles nervously] What?

What Benedict did to your mother

was terrible.

[Cloud] Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh.

I wanted to help, but I didn't know how.

You knew my mother?

Well, this is what I'm trying to tell you!

The Binswangers, they're bad people.

They're not to be trusted.

I had to leave when they started replacing

all the furniture with exact replicas.

Wait.

What?

Daisy! There you are. You know you're not

allowed to leave without a nurse.

I hope she wasn't bothering you.

Oh my God,

you really are Tully Hart from KPOC!

I told you I was seeing her today!

[exhales] Last week she said

she was meeting Michael J. Fox.

The week before that, Bryant Gumble.

He bought me ice cream.

Come on, we have to get back.

It's almost time for Wheel of Fortune.

[gasps] Sometimes Vanna White

sends me messages through the puzzles.

[Danny] Mmm.

Tell your mother I'm sorry, Tallulah.

[gentle music playing]

[Tully sighs]

Yeah.

I hope we gave you two plenty of time

to finish your, um

whatever that was you were doing.

- Mom!

- [Johnny clears throat]

Come on!

Ah, I think it's time for a beer.

Bud, can I get you one?

- Thought you'd never ask.

- Okay.

[exhales]

So, about what you saw earlier

Oh no.

I get it.

After Tully, he moved on to you.

[chuckles] That is not what is happening.

Um, we're dating, and it's actually

[inhales]it's getting pretty serious.

Well, I just don't want him to use you

the way he did Tully.

He didn't use Tully.

It's none of my business. You're an adult.

Obviously.

[Johnny groans] My favorite beer.

They make that right here in America. Hey?

[chuckles, inhales]

A Bud for a Bud.

That's original.

Been getting that joke since high school.

[chuckles] Have you?

So [sniffles]

what down is it?

- Third and 27. Just got a holding penalty.

- Great.

Great? Just got hit with a bullshit call,

took us out of the Red Zone.

Uh Oh, the Red Zone.

That's That's bullshit. Come on!

[indistinct chatter on TV]

- [Johnny sucks teeth]

- [Bud exhales]

Did you know Mad Max is Australian?

[doorbell buzzes]

I got it.

- Hey! Here they are.

- Hi! Sorry, we're late.

- [Sean] Luca got fussy. Say hi!

- [Kate] Hi! How are you?

- [Margie] Come here, big guy!

- [grunts] How was the show?

Some fruity guy dressed as a cat

tried to give me a lap dance,

but that wasn't the worst show

we saw today, was it?

[baby cooing]

[indistinct whispers]

[Johnny sighs]

Tully, Tully's mom.

I would like you to close your eyes

and picture the future.

The future of media and entertainment,

the Internet.

The non-compete clause

in your contract doesn't cover the web.

Therefore, you can do whatever you want.

Your new website is tullyhart.com.

Now, they call it a domain name

because, girl,

you are queen of this domain.

But I was on television.

There were big lights,

and audiences and commercials.

Millions of people watched me every day.

And now they can visit your site

and read your blog.

You want me to blog?

- I blog.

- You blog?

It's 2004. Of course I blog.

I post videos on astrology.

This one has

12 hits.

This week, Mars squares Uranus.

Mars is action, aggression,

but also your sex drive.

This transit can give you

the courage to break free,

rebel against authority,

rebel against convention.

Wilson King has you in a cage.

But he can't touch you here,

and it is the future.

- Think about it.

- [Tully breathes deeply]

[Kate gasps] Oh, I'm so sorry.

I should've knocked.

That's all right.

We were married 15 years, Kate. It's fine.

[chuckles] Totally.

Sorry.

Okay.

[chuckles]

Mmm.

- [gasps]

- [loud expl*si*n]

[loud echoes]

[gasps]

- [high-pitched ringing]

- [breathing heavily]

[continues breathing heavily]

[soldier 1] Go! Go!

[soldier 2] We're under att*ck! Medic!

[helicopter blades whirring]

Hey!

- [indistinct yelling]

- [g*nshots]

Hey!

- [loud expl*si*n]

- [Johnny continues breathing heavily]

[Johnny yells]

Johnny, are you okay?

[Johnny breathing heavily]

Oh my God, what happened?

Just Just my hip. Pushed it too hard

in physical therapy this morning.

Here.

- [Johnny] Thanks.

- Here.

I got it, I got it, I got it.

[grunts]

[Johnny continues breathing heavily]

I could use a little privacy.

Oh, sorry. Yeah. Okay.

Just let me know

if you need anything, okay?

Yeah.

- [door shuts]

- [breathes deeply]

[Tully sighs]

You okay?

You barely berated me the entire ride.

I don't berate. I banter.

I didn't say I don't enjoy it.

I can't believe that Binswanger lead

turned out to be a bust.

[sighs] I know.

When she started talking,

I thought, "This can make our careers."

How about when she said

she met me as a baby?

[Danny] So creepy.

- I totally thought

- I Me too!

- I believed her for a second.

- Okay, yeah.

- I mean, it seemed weirdly logical.

- Oof.

Like, I never met my dad,

so, of course, it's him.

Of course. I'm a Binswanger.

I can definitely see it though

with the right

I guess about as likely

as the Marlboro Man.

The Marlboro Man?

I used to fantasize

that the Marlboro Man was my dad.

I would cut out his picture

from magazines and stuff.

That is adorable.

Shut up.

Little Tully and the Marlboro Man!

- I know it's stupid.

- [Danny chuckling] No.

He just always seemed so manly,

mysterious, and dependable.

You thought the Marlboro Man

was dependable?

He was on billboards and in magazines.

I always knew where to find him.

[Tully chuckles]

[Danny sighs]

[sighs] You really didn't need

to walk me to my door.

Oh, I'm nothing if not a gentleman.

- Don't think I'm inviting you in.

- [Danny inhales]

[indistinct chatter on TV]

- [Bud] Oh, hey, Tully. [chuckles]

- Hi!

- Nice to see ya. Whoa, whoa!

- [Tully] You too.

Hey, aren't you

aren't you Dan the Sports Man for KDUG?

Well, I'm actually at KPOC now, reporting.

Oh, that's great!

You were one of my favorites.

No one covered

the Warren Moon fiasco like you.

Oh!

Hey, wanna come in for a beer?

- [laughs] I would love to! So nice.

- [Bud] Hey, Johnny! Johnny!

- [Johnny] Hey, Bud

- [Bud] Grab us a couple beers, pal.

And some more pretzels. Hey, come on.

I can't even believe it.

Live in person. [chuckles]

[Danny] Oh yeah, isn't this great?

- I'm not a hologram.

- [Bud] Yeah, I know.

[sportscaster continues indistinctly]

[Bud chuckles]

- All right.

- [Danny] Mmm.

Yeah, you gotta tell me straight up.

The Hawks make the playoffs this year?

- I hate to break your heart, Bud.

- [Bud groans]

[both chuckling]

[Bud] Heaven forbid.

- [Danny] Yeah.

- [Bud chuckles]

- Excuse me, Johnny.

- [Johnny] Hmm?

- Oh! [chuckles] Sorry, Margie!

- [Margie] Mm-hmm.

Danny's a nice boy and handsome.

He would definitely agree with you.

And he appreciates a family dinner.

You know what that means.

He's too lazy to cook for himself?

It's good to meet a man

who's on your level.

I agree with Margie.

A lot of chemistry between you two, Tully.

Yes, it would be convenient for you

if she moved on.

[Johnny sighs]

[Tully chuckles]

- So this is going well.

- [Johnny chuckles]

- I need another beer.

- Mmm. [chuckles]

- [Tully] Hiya!

- [Sean chuckles]

Hi, tickles.

So, you're dating Dan the Sports Man?

Hell no.

I mean, he's okay in bed.

And not entirely

unfortunate looking, right?

I mean, what's your expert opinion?

Uh, my expert opinion is

that you should find a man and settle down

so our kids can play together.

Ugh.

- No, I'm serious, Tully.

- [baby coos]

It's life-changing.

Everything makes sense now.

This is exactly what

I was waiting all those years to find.

- [Bud] Oh!

- [Bud and Danny chuckling]

[announcer] It's feisty, funny,

and totally unpredictable.

The Girlfriend Hour,

with new hosts

Brooks Banack and Bambi Lane!

- [turns off TV]

- [sighs]

[Tully sighs]

[exhales]

- [inspirational music playing]

- [beeps]

Hi!

It's Tully Hart,

your old girl from Agh! sh*t.

Hi.

It's your old girlfriend, Tully Hart.

Welcome to my website.

I miss you all so much, but I just want

you to know, I'm doing great.

I'm doing great.

I am doing great.

[chuckles]

Okay.

That is bullshit. [sighs]

My agent wants me to do

something upbeat for the website

about "New Beginnings" or whatever, but

[sighing]ugh, I feel like when

my hippie mom tried to be Carol Brady.

She wore the polyester pantsuits,

she did the baking,

but it didn't work.

Because it was a lie.

So instead, I'm gonna tell the truth.

[clears throat]

I'm pissed off. I am really pissed off.

Oh, I know,

women aren't supposed to be angry.

Hurt or sad, sure.

But angry? Oof.

Better hide it. Better lock that up.

But I am angry

with the man who is suing me.

He took my show, he took my voice.

So I'm taking it back.

I know I'm just screaming

into the abyss right now, but

[inhales]

I will not be silenced.

But I won't be silenced.

If he thinks

If he thinks he can just lock me away

in some dark tower

like a helpless princess

please. [scoffs]

I'm the queen.

No matter how dark it gets,

I always find my light.

[gentle music playing]

Oh, I think I finally see

the light at the end of the tunnel.

My physical therapist

says I'm an A student.

Already driving again.

I've never been so grateful

to sit in downtown Seattle gridlock.

[all chuckle]

We are just so glad that you're okay.

- You gave us a real scare, pal.

- Oh.

Yeah, well, basically good as new.

[Kate] Mmm.

You know who isn't good as new?

Julia.

I I bumped into her in town last week,

and she looked awful.

No makeup. No bra.

Huh.

She's depressed.

When are you gonna move back home?

Subtle, Grandma.

Well

Uh [chuckles]

You know, I don't think

she wants me to move back in.

Of course she does.

You're just having a midlife crisis.

Mom. Can we please not?

Johnny had his midlife crisis in Iraq,

but he realized his mistake

and he came back to Kate.

- [Bud] Yep.

- Mom, really, we don't

Yeah, that's not quite how that happened.

Yeah, this is just a temporary arrangement

while I recover.

We're still very much divorced.

But of course,

we'll always be a family. [chuckles]

- Do you even have a plan?

- [Bud] Now leave the kid alone. He's fine.

- He can't live in Kate's basement forever.

- Yeah. [sighs]

I like having Uncle Sean around.

[Margie] Of course you do, sweetie,

but he belongs with his wife and kids.

Someday when you have a boyfriend

She can have whatever kind of friend

that she wants to have.

Oh my God, Mom, you're so embarrassing.

[Margie] Why's everyone

jumping down my throat?

- I just want Sean to be happy.

- Sean is happy.

Your generation is too self-involved.

You don't understand about sacrificing

in the moment to build something bigger.

That's not what this is. [chuckles]

[Sean chuckles, exhales]

I'm gay.

I've always been gay.

I had a boyfriend before Julia.

His name was Richard.

I loved him,

and he d*ed, and I got scared,

and then I got married.

And I don't regret any of it,

but I cannot do this anymore.

[Sean sighs]

And I've been so afraid to tell you,

but there it is.

Sean's gay. [sighs]

But you you love sports.

[chuckles shakily]

So you are having a a midlife crisis.

- Mom!

- It's not a crisis, Mom.

It's just me.

What is

- You all knew about this?

- [Bud] Well, I didn't.

And you kept it from from me?

I I I love gay people.

- I I watch, um, Will & Grace every week.

- Yeah, she does.

Oh God. Is that how I sound?

Yeah, pretty much.

I need a minute. [exhales]

[emotional music playing]

Sean

[Marah sighs]

[Margie] Sean?

Are you going through my stuff?

I I was just making your bed.

[sighs] There's, um

There's There's an ad in here

for, uh, an amp I wanted to buy.

[gentle music playing]

Okay.

I'll go on that date with, um

What's her name?

Susan.

[Sean] Yeah, her.

Uh

Mom, I

I'm gonna make

your favorite dinner tonight,

chicken à la king.

[gentle music continues]

[Sean exhales]

- How'd he do?

- Out like a light.

I always knew Sean

would be a wonderful dad.

[Julia] Mmm.

You brought home a good one here too.

[chuckles]

Oh, we're not dating.

Oh? You better lock her down, Danny.

- She's a catch.

- [Margie] Bud! Get with the '80s.

[Bud] What?

Tully doesn't need to get married.

She has a career.

- Yeah, screw marriage.

- [Danny chuckles]

- She could do both.

- Exactly. She could do both.

A woman needs a man

like a fish needs a bicycle.

[Bud chuckles]

I saw that on a bumper sticker.

[all chuckle]

Hear, hear, well said,

marriage is an outdated concept.

Basically just a way for men

to act like they own women.

[scoffs] Who needs that?

You don't believe in marriage?

Hell no! I'm with you, Marge.

Margie.

Margie. Yeah. No, I'm

Never saw the point in getting married.

Wait, like, never?

Why should we involve the government

in our relationships?

I mean, the whole thing

is antiquated and sexist.

Plus, I mean, come on,

do you know anyone who's happily married?

I don't. [chuckles]

Um [chuckles nervously]

No, I mean, obviously you are all happy.

Um

I just I just sort of meant,

you know, just generally

I could use another beer.

Anyone else? No?

All right. [clears throat]

So let me guess.

Your views on marriage

are more European, Johnny?

I, um

I love your daughter very much.

I just never saw myself

as someone's husband.

I think we get it.

Yeah.

Do you have anything besides Budweiser?

Apparently not.

[gulps]

Well, that was a shitshow.

Yeah.

Poor Kate. I hope she's okay.

Ah, they'll work it out.

On the upside,

I won't forget Bud's rendition

of "Memory" anytime soon.

- [Tully chuckles] He is a character.

- Yeah.

You didn't have to walk me to my car.

I am nothing if not a gentlewoman.

Look, I get it.

You're hoping

that I ask you to come home with me.

- And it's probably a big mistake

- Danny

but you know what?

f*ck it.

Let's do it.

You were right back there in the park.

I've never met anybody like you.

I can't stop thinking about you.

You're just saying that

to get me back in bed.

[sucks teeth]

- Yes.

- [chuckles]

And because it's true.

[car horn honks]

That's my date.

- [man] Hey, Tully!

- Hey!

[car door shuts]

[Tully] Catch you later, Sports Man.

[Johnny] Oh, I guess they suffered through

the beer after all.

[Kate] It's a tough crowd, huh?

Impossible.

So that whole thing

about not believing in marriage?

[chuckles] Went over

about as well as New Coke.

You were just agreeing with my mom, right?

Like I suggested?

I mean

I wasn't lying.

Wait, so you never want to get married?

I've just

[sighs] I mean, my parents were miserable,

and most married people

seem more resentful than in love.

Not sure why I'd want to sign up.

What about Sean and Julia? They're happy.

Don't you get the sense they're

just pedaling as fast as they can?

They have a lot on their plate.

I just never understood

why people need a contract

to tell them exactly how the rest

of their lives are gonna play out.

Isn't it better to make up our own rules?

We don't need to talk about this.

I mean, I wasn't even thinking

about marriage.

I love you,

and this is not about you,

or us, or our future.

Yeah, no, I get it.

Are you okay?

Are we okay?

Yeah.

I'm just tired. [inhales]

I, uh, think I'm gonna go to bed.

[gentle music playing]

[Tully exhales]

Are you ready to have some fun?

Whoo-hoo! Cheesy potatoes!

Let's get crazy.

I want you to take this

to the McGillicuddy's.

What? No! Why?

They sent this casserole dish

a thousand years ago.

We can't return it empty.

- I'm not going over there.

- Fine!

Then I will go over there,

and I'll tell Kate how much you miss her.

Wait, you actually said her name right.

It's a sign from God.

- [Tully scoffs]

- Ah, schnitzel!

Ooh! That smarts. That's what it is.

Hmm.

- [Tully] Okay.

- Have fun.

- [Cloud sighs]

- [doorbell rings]

[Margie] Tully!

Hi. Uh, I'm returning this dish.

It's cheesy potatoes.

Wow, that's lovely.

And it doesn't have wheat in it

or anything.

Oh! Good to know.

- Kate, you have a visitor!

- No, no, you don't have to.

- I was just gonna drop this off and then

- No!

- Let's see.

- [Tully]leave.

Ooh!

Hey. Uh

What are you What are you doing here?

Potato errand.

Oh.

[gasps] I just remembered

I have to go upstairs now.

Oh God, she's so embarrassing.

[Tully] Well, she's better than Cloud.

She says "schnitzel"

instead of "sh*t" now.

So basically,

every other word is "schnitzel."

[Kate chuckles]

Uh

So, uh

- How are you doing?

- Great. How are you?

Great!

Um, I really like A.V. Club, and, um

You know,

I could sponsor you to join, if you want.

Um, it'd be like

a provisional member thing

because it's mid-semester

and Lisa-Karen's a stickler for the rules.

- But [chuckles]

- Yeah, I bet she is.

- Well, what's that supposed to mean?

- Nothing. She seems super fun.

She's my friend, okay?

And And you don't need to be rude.

I was just trying to be nice.

- Nice people don't have to try.

- What are you saying? I'm not nice?

I don't know.

Where were you this entire year?

No calls, no letters

You told me not to write you.

You said our friendship was over.

- I didn't mean that! I was just mad.

- How was I supposed to know that?

- How could you not know that?

- I don't know! All I know is

is that it was the worst thing

that anyone has ever said to me, ever.

And you did nothing wrong.

I'm just a terrible person,

and you're the innocent victim, right?

- You're twisting my words, Tully.

- Oh my God.

Would you stop screaming and just admit

that you miss each other already?

So stupid.

Shut up.

You don't know what you're talking about.

Yeah. Right. Okay. You two keep fighting.

I don't care. I have a date.

Is that why you're wearing

an entire bottle of cologne?

Shut up.

You still smell like farts.

[scoffs] God.

He's so full of sh*t. [exhales]

[Tully exhales]

So you don't miss me?

- Do you miss me?

- Duh.

- Even though you're, like, a total bitch.

- Um, you're the bitch, bitch. [chuckles]

Well, that's why we're best friends.

We're both b*tches.

[both chuckle]

[gentle music playing]

- So

- [Tully] Mm-mm.

What do you say we, uh,

brave these cheesy potatoes?

[Tully chuckles] Mmm.

I'm scared.

- We'll do it together. [chuckles]

- [Tully] Mmm. Okay.

Oh wow.

- Cheers.

- [Tully] Cheers.

- Oh, wow.

- Mmm!

- That's the best thing I've ever tasted.

- Mm-hmm.

Mmm.

Are you sure there's no dr*gs in these?

Hmm. Well, maybe we'll get lucky.

[both chuckle]

Mmm. Wow.

You okay?

Yes, Mularkey. I'm fine.

Thought that was kind of beautiful

just now, Sean coming out.

It would have been

if your family weren't so dysfunctional.

That's a bit unfair.

I mean, they're trying.

I thought we were

letting Marah come to us.

It's like you don't care that we agree.

You just do what you want.

What? That's not true.

Sure. Well, I guess I'm making it up.

Johnny, what is going on with you lately?

You just seem so

I'm worried.

That's not your job anymore.

We're not married.

- You don't have to worry about me.

- Yeah, well, I still do.

Maybe you should go talk to somebody.

Jesus Christ, Mularkey.

I don't need you

to diagnose me. All right?

Is it not enough that I'm here tonight,

spending time with your family?

What are you talking about?

I thought you wanted

to have dinner with us.

You know what?

I'm gonna get out of here.

- Johnny, wait.

- Please, just back off. All right?

[scoffs]

[sighs]

There's pasta if you're hungry.

I don't have much of an appetite.

I'm sorry you felt like

you had to lie to everyone.

That's how you see it?

A lie?

I don't know how I see it, Sean.

I never really knew my own son.

It's not my fault

that I couldn't come to you.

[inhales] I wanted to.

I really needed you.

As a teenager, and when Richard d*ed

You could have come to me!

If I'd known,

I I would have supported you.

You knew.

You knew.

[gentle music playing]

You just didn't want to admit it.

Sean

Hey.

Grandma and Grandpa

are waiting in the car.

They said they can drop me off

at the sleepover.

Oh. Over at Ashley's?

It's just the two of you or

Mom, there's gonna be

like five other girls there.

Right, of course.

Well, I hope you know

that if you ever want

to talk to me about anything,

or, you know, just go

to an Indigo Girls concert together

I know, Mom. Thanks.

But I am never ever watching

an Angelina Jolie movie with you again.

[chuckles] It's a deal.

I love you.

- Bye.

- Bye.

[door opens]

- [Kate sighs]

- [door shuts]

Well

at least she doesn't "hate me" hate me.

I think she just, like, regular hates me.

She loves you. You're doing good.

[gentle music playing]

I know that dinner had to have been hard.

[smacks lips]

I'm just surprised how angry I am.

[breathes deeply]

Also relieved.

And I'm kind of disappointed.

I know it's silly, but I had this fantasy

that when I told them [inhales]

I don't know, they'd hug me and

tell me they were proud of me.

[exhales]

I'm proud of you.

[Sean sighs]

I can't believe six whole people

know that I'm gay.

- We should celebrate.

- [laughs] That sounds ominous.

I'm serious. We should go bar-hopping.

We should go gay bar-hopping.

Yeah, except I don't know

any Seattle gay bars, like, at all.

That's no problem.

You wanna know who does?

- [upbeat music playing]

- [Tully] I'm so glad you guys called me!

Sean! They're checking you out.

I don't think it's me

they're interested in.

"If he thinks he can lock me up in some

dark tower like a helpless princess"

"Please!"

"I am the queen!"

[chuckles] Wait, you saw that?

My cousin sent me the link.

I've already emailed it

to everyone I know.

It was fantastic.

I've watched it, like, 25 times.

Oh my God!

Oh my God! Justine was right.

I am the future of media.

What's she talking about?

Cloud helped me upload

a video to the Internet.

Cloud did what?

I didn't think anyone was gonna see it,

but I guess they did!

"No matter how dark it gets,

I always find my light."

- Hell yes, you do.

- [all chuckle]

Let me buy you a drink, sir,

and have you met my friend Sean?

- Hey. Uh, Sean.

- Hi.

- [Sean inhales]

- [Tully and Kate chuckle]

[sportscaster] Hasselbeck under pressure

His teammates won't let him forget

that he's not the leading sacker

on this team.

You sure you want another?

Yeah.

["Let's Go Down" by Terry Reid playing]

Thanks.

[man] Hasselbeck's a joke.

Everyone in this damn bar knows it.

[music continues]

[sucks teeth]

- [cheering]

- [upbeat music playing]

Wow, he was so nice.

- Really nice.

- [Sean] Yeah.

And he gave me his number,

so I guess I'm officially a stud.

- [Kate] Yay!

- [all chuckle]

["Finally" by CeCe Peniston playing]

- [Kate] Mmm.

- [Tully] Mmm!

Let's dance!

Okay, we'll dance.

[music continues]

Finally, it has happened to me ♪

Right in front of my face

And I just can not hide it ♪

Finally, it has happened to me ♪

Right in front of my face

My feelings can't describe it ♪

Finally, it has happened to me ♪

[indistinct chatter on TV]

[groans] Hasselbeck's got to go, man!

He heard you already.

We all did.

Excuse me?

Nobody here gives a sh*t

about your football commentary.

Lighten up, British boy.

I'm Australian.

So you go f*ck yourself.

You wanna say that again?

Go

f*ck

yourself.

What?

Oh, are you gonna punch me? [chuckles]

As if you have the balls.

[grunts, gasps]

[Johnny gasps for air]

Was that a punch?

Or you trying to give me a reach-around?

- [Johnny grunts]

- [loud expl*si*n]

["Let's Go Down" continues]

[grunting]

[grunting]

- [g*ns f*ring]

- [high-pitched ringing]

[helicopter blades whirring]

[gentle music playing]

[upbeat music playing]

[music fades]