Hello!
Happy Mother's Day!
- [Cole] Grandma! - [both laughing]
- Everyone's out back. - Okay.
[Erin] Open ours first, Mom.
- Thank you, Erin. - And Sam.
- Oh, this was all Erin's idea. - [clears throat]
What? It was my idea.
Classic Brooke.
Peter what's it like being married to a doctor and a first-born.
Amazing. Sometimes scary.
[all laughing]
- Yeah. - Okay, go play with your cousins.
Okay. Let's go, Katie.
- Take Cole with you. - [John] All right, guys.
- Play nice - [gasps] Look at this.
I love it.
- Thank you. - [John] That's beautiful.
Okay. Now, open this one.
- Thank you, Kari. - [Kari] And Tim.
He really wanted to be here today, when you opened it.
Where is he again?
Another academic conference.
But it's the second to last one of the semester, so...
- Ah. It is so pretty! - Aw.
That's beautiful.
- Thank you, honey. - It goes with the scarf.
- We did a whole-- - Whoa, whoa, whoa, don't give it away.
Mom, open mine next. Cole wrapped it.
- [grunting] - Come on, the suspense is killing me.
Ah, they are gorgeous.
- [Erin] Aw. - Look, look, look.
- [John] Beautiful. - I'm beginning to see a theme here.
Thank you, Ashley.
Well, technically, this should've been first.
Oh, gosh, look at that!
Now that's your color right there.
- [Elizabeth] Thank you, darling. - But...
Where are you going to wear it all?
Luke Baxter...
What have you done?
Restaurant Angelini!
- [John] Yay! Nice! - [Elizabeth] Yay!
- Good touch. - Wow, Luke!
Yeah, nice job.
Yeah, I really had to deliver
considering you all left me out of the girls group plans yet again.
- [Erin] Aw. - [all laughing]
Oh, I love everything. It's all perfect.
Well, you deserve everything. Happy Mother's Day!
[all] Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
Love you too, John.
Thank you for putting this beautiful brunch together.
Now what I would like is, a photo with all my kids.
- Mom... - Okay, come on.
Let's go. What Mom wants, Mom gets.
[Elizabeth] When was the last time we were all together?
- I'll take it. - [John] Thanks, Peter.
Here we go. That's it.
All right, everybody get in.
Pretend you like each other, big smiles.
All right, remember...
Can't see the camera, it can't see you.
- Baxters, here we go. - Get in close.
Smile...
and...
[camera clicks]
[theme song playing]
♪ 'Cause life has a way Of pulling us under ♪
♪ But we'll stick it out ♪
♪ If we got each other ♪
♪ When it all feels too much ♪
♪ I know you'll come running For me ♪
♪ Through the highs and lows We'll find our way home ♪
♪ Family ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ Family ♪
Woodward and Bernstein, anybody know these guys?
I'll give you hint.
They're not those two crabby old guys from The Muppet Show.
They're the reporters that broke the Watergate story.
Exactly!
Anybody know how they did it?
Well, we're gonna spend next session
talking about "door knocking."
Which is exactly what it sounds like.
Knocking on doors to get your story.
Woodward and Bernstein
made this method of reporting famous
during Watergate.
And it's still the cornerstone of journalism.
Between this week and next,
I want you to knock on the door
of someone you do not know and tell them
you're a reporter on assignment.
And ask them...
"What did you do last night
between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.?"
Then, write down what they say,
or if they slam the door in your face.
All right, that's all for today.
Have a good weekend, everyone.
Good class, Professor Jacobs.
- Oh, thanks, uh... - Dirk.
Dirk. Thank you.
- Professor Jacobs. - Angela.
What a coincidence. I just finished reading your paper.
That's actually what I want to talk to you about.
I haven't turned it in to Professor Keene. I wanna hear what you think.
My next office hours are on Wednesday.
- Come on by. - That's the thing, I don't think it can wait.
Oh?
I was hoping we could go somewhere now.
I know a great place around the corner.
Reagan, I had no idea you had this much design experience.
This is amazing.
[Reagan] Yeah, that's why it was so hard for me to leave New York.
But the grad program here, it's so good.
How are you liking it here? I mean, it must be a huge change.
Yeah, it has.
But honestly, the church community has been so helpful
in terms of meeting people like you.
Well, it also turns out to be a great way to get a job.
You are hired.
Wow, I have to tell you, today is my day.
I just signed a lease on a new apartment, now this.
Now I just need a boyfriend by the end of night
- and my life is set. - [chuckles]
I may know someone for you.
Kari, you're like my guardian angel.
How do you feel about guys that have four older sisters?
You're thinking of Luke.
[laughing] He's a good guy.
- He's also a goof, if you're into that sort of thing. - [both laughing]
This is gonna sound so old-fashioned,
but I'm really looking for true love.
Respect, a shared sense of faith.
I had a similar list before I met my husband.
How did that work out?
Falling in love is out of your control.
But staying in love, growing your love,
that's the commitment.
It's not always easy.
But I do believe it's worth it.
Can you like teach a class on this, please?
[chuckles] Hmm.
[Tim] Hey, babe.
[singing]
♪ Out came the sun ♪
♪ Dried up all the rain ♪
♪ And the itsy bitsy spider went up the spout... ♪
♪ Again ♪
♪ Itsy bitsy spider ♪
[singing indistinctly]
[Cole] Why is Mommy's hair all funny?
Well, your mommy, she's always been very creative.
You know, once she shaved your Uncle Luke's head and I wasn't happy about that.
Uncle Luke says I look like him.
Let me see that smile.
Yeah, you do, you look like him.
Look, that's him when he was a little boy your age.
- Who is that? - My Aunt Kari.
Yeah, that's my girl.
Biggest heart on the block.
What does that mean, Grammy?
Well, that means that you love with all your heart.
And that's what Aunt Kari does.
She loves even when she's hurting.
Even when others have stopped.
Just her nature, I guess.
Pastor Mark, it's Kari.
Is there a time this week for me and Tim to come by?
I have this idea to help couples in the church.
So many people are struggling with relationships.
I feel like there's a way we can serve.
Can you send me some times you're free?
I'll see what works for Tim's schedule.
All right. Bye now.
Have you ever been to Italy?
No. You?
Mmm-mmm. I've always wanted to go.
There's something about people
leading with passion, you know?
Yeah, I do.
Like, even their language is romantic.
Things are just beautiful to be beautiful, no other reason.
And they don't let social norms get in the way.
They eat pasta whenever they want to eat pasta.
They drink wine for breakfast.
They take naps during the day, the whole country.
I could live like that.
- Do you? - I don't know.
I want to.
I want to so much.
There's always been something holding me back.
And life moves so fast.
Since I met you, I actually see things.
And I feel...
free when I'm around you.
My mom always says, "Live life to the fullest."
She's been through so much pain and she still says it.
Because she came out on the other side.
And she raised you.
A strong, independent, beautiful woman.
Your mom's right, Live it to the...
To the full.
Guess what I got?
[in Italian accent] Chocolate gelato.
[inhales and exhales deeply]
[keypad beeping]
[line ringing]
[cell phone ringing]
[phone beeps]
Hello?
[Dirk] Um, look.
Hello?
There's something you should know.
Excuse me?
Sorry, I couldn't hear you. Who is this?
I can't tell you who I am.
Hang on, honey, I'll be right down.
Your husband's not there.
Okay, I'm calling the police.
Your husband's having an affair.
What?
I thought you deserve to know the truth.
You have the wrong number.
Is your husband Professor Tim Jacobs?
Who is this?
Look, let's just say I'm doing us both a favor, okay?
Your husband is in the Silverlake Apartments.
At Angela Manning's apartment, number three.
- [line disconnects] - [exhales]
[line ringing]
[Tim on voicemail] Hey, it's Tim, leave a message.
- [phone beeps] - Hey, Tim, it's me.
Will you call me as soon as you get this?
[kettle whistling]
[groans]
[gasps]
- [keypad beeping] - [line ringing]
Hi, can you please connect me with Tim Jacobs' room?
Oh.
Well, this is the Landmark Hotel, isn't it?
And you are hosting a conference this week, right?
Oh, okay, well... Is that the Hyatt across town?
Give me the number for that hotel?
[exhales in exasperation]
- [line ringing] - Hi, is there a Tim Jacobs staying at your hotel?
No. Well, he's my husband.
Can I please speak with the manager?
He goes to a lot of conferences.
No, he didn't specify which hotel.
All right. Thank you anyway.
- [John] Honey? - [door opens]
- [door closes] - I'm in here.
Oh. Wow, what a day.
Sixty-year-old guy came in with fluid in his chest.
Turned out he ruptured his esophagus.
I think I will regale you with stories of my rounds a little later.
Hi.
What is it?
I'm a little worried about Kari and Tim.
Did you talk to her today?
Yeah, she said that Tim can't come for dinner this weekend.
And that's why you're worried?
Well, that's a second time this month.
And you know, they don't look at each other the same way anymore.
[chuckles softly]
[sighs]
Only you...
would notice something like that, Elizabeth.
It's the one thing that Tim had that
always made me think he had something over Ryan Taylor.
- Hmm. - The way he looked at Kari
is the same way that you always look at me.
I thank God every day for giving me more time with you.
All right...
You remember when Kari was young she would always ask,
"Daddy... you'd still pray for me?
Even when I'm gone and married?"
I wanna pray for her now.
Okay. Let's pray.
[exhales]
Lord, we... we come to you tonight
with hearts filled with concern and expectation.
[John] Whenever our family has encountered troubles
in the past, you have always been there to counsel
and console us.
[car alarm beeping]
So, we are leaning on your promises tonight.
[door opens]
Whatever the issues between Tim and Kari,
we know they are not beyond your mighty hand.
And so we ask now...
Kari.
[John] ...in this moment that you be with them...
in your special way.
[car starting]
And that you heal whatever brokenness might exist between them
and that you shower them
with your love,
and your beautiful grace.
They need you now.
- We ask this in Jesus' name. - [Elizabeth] In Jesus' name.
[both] Amen.
[exhales]
[grunts]
[sobbing]
[John] They need you now.
[Kari continues sobbing]
I'm here for the, um, Bible study.
Is this the right place?
Yup, you're in the right place.
This is Aja and this is Mauricio
- and I'm Tim. - I'm Kari.
We're waiting for one more person and then we'll get started.
This campus could really use a parking expansion.
Awesome. Someone new. I'm Ruth.
Sort of the unofficial assistant
to our amazing group leader over there.
[chuckles] There's no official group leader.
We all just take turns reading and sharing
when something really speaks to you.
Jesus wants to have a relationship with us.
A friendship. This just all helps us stay on track.
Let's pray.
Dear Lord, it's so good to be gathered here today
with this group, people looking for a deeper understanding of your word.
Thank you for bringing Kari to our study for the first time.
I pray that you'll meet her right at her place of need.
Lord, let your Holy Spirit give us wisdom, show us your will.
We dedicate this time to you
and surrender to your leadership.
We ask all of it in your Son's name.
Amen.
[all] Amen.
Let's begin.
Kari. I have something for you.
What's up?
I thought you might like a copy of the book we're using as a guide.
What you shared about God not forcing his will,
it really made me think.
I'm, uh, glad you came.
Really? Good. I thought I shared way too much
first day and, wow, I can't shut up.
Can I walk with you?
Yeah, sure.
Can't believe you're a senior here.
We've never crossed paths before now.
Well, it is a really big campus.
And you're faculty, right?
I mean, that pretty much guarantees we don't hang out with the same people.
[Tim] You're right, I teach two writing courses here,
but I'm also working on my PhD in journalism.
So, technically, I'm still a student.
Journalism.
What about you?
What're you passionate about?
Oh, wow, that's a great question.
No one's asked me that in a while.
Um, so much. [chuckles]
It's like I need to figure out where to put all my passion.
Uh...
I love people.
I believe in people.
I wanna give back somehow.
Why'd you come today?
I've just been feeling stuck.
Like someone pressed the pause button on me.
I don't know if that makes sense.
I was really close to someone and it didn't work out the way I thought it would.
Oh. [chuckles softly]
So, I needed a change...
to get me back on track.
So, was this a good change?
Yeah. Yeah, it was.
Is there still someone special in your life?
Not anymore.
That's good to know.
Now I can work up the courage to ask you out.
I'll see you around.
[sighs]
Thank you, Mom.
How about some fruit?
No, thank you.
Communications class, dude gives a brand new speech
on punctuality every time someone's late.
- I love you. - I love you.
- Oh, sorry, Pop. - Easy.
- I'll see you later. - [chuckles]
[sighs]
You heard from Kari?
No, but I think I should give her a call.
Well, she always comes to us if she needs our help.
We'll give her till tonight.
We still haven't heard from her, then we'll call her.
- All right? - Okay.
[chuckles softly]
[exhales]
Kari?
[Tim] Kari.
Kari?
[sighs]
[exhales]
Please Lord...
guide my path.
[door opens]
Are you in love with her?
Yes, I'm in love with her.
[crying softly]
Believe me, I... I wasn't...
I would never intentionally hurt you.
[Kari] Tim...
what you've done...
what you're doing...
I can barely breathe.
Remember how happy we were?
All the dreaming.
Planning.
Picking names.
I never saw you so happy.
But it was all ripped away.
We can still have that life.
I can still see us happy.
How?
By trusting, together.
Letting Him repair our pain,
just like He did when our little girl didn't make it.
[Kari sniffles]
I called Pastor Mark.
I had this idea to start a couples ministry in the church.
Couples ministry? We're the ones who need help.
- I... I can't do this anymore. - No, wait.
What's happened to you?
[bag thuds]
Me?
This isn't just about me.
We did this. We failed.
It won't do any good to talk about it.
But you're everything to me.
But how come you never had time for me?
You're always at the showroom,
or you're at church,
and if it's not some side project with their name on it
then it's some Baxter family dinner.
I have built my whole world around you.
No. Not me.
Your family.
You... you're my family.
What about the Kemp Award I got last month?
All you had to do was show up.
You think I'm not supportive?
I am so proud of you.
What about your faith?
Your promise to God.
God knows we're not perfect people.
We're all just trying to do what makes us happy.
And being with Angela makes me happy.
You're my husband, Tim.
Whatever you've done, God can forgive you.
He can help me forgive you.
I won't live a lie.
I want a divorce.
No.
No!
Don't leave!
Don't give up on us.
I won't give you a divorce, Tim.
[exhales]
[sniffles]
[gags]
[retching]
[flushing]
[dialing]
[cell phone rings]
Hi, Kari, I was just thinking about you.
[Kari] I... I need to...
Can I come over? I need to talk to you.
Are you okay? What's wrong?
I just can't be here right now.
Can I stay there a while?
Maybe a few days, I don't know.
[Elizabeth] Of course, honey.
You can stay here as long as you need.
- Okay, I'll be there soon. - Okay.
[crying]
Morning!
[Elizabeth] Oh, hi, honey.
- Hey. - [Elizabeth] Hi.
What's wrong?
It's Kari.
She came over last night with two duffels,
and she was in tears.
Tim?
I don't honestly know.
I heard her up this morning,
so, I'm sure she'll be down soon.
Come on in, Dad's making breakfast.
[sizzling]
It's gotta be something about Tim. Why else would she be sleeping here?
[John] Yeah.
- Kari. - Morning.
Hey, Ash.
Good morning, sweetie.
Did you manage to get some sleep?
Not really.
Kari, whenever you're ready,
whatever you need, honey, we're here for you.
[voice breaking] Mom.
- Honey. - [sobbing]
[sniffling] Tim is in love with another woman.
What?
[Kari exhales]
- Who? - How long has this been going on?
Since the beginning of the semester.
- No. - [Kari exhales]
She's his student.
Oh, I can't believe this.
- What a total-- - Ashley.
Sweetheart... [sighs]
I could kill him. I swear, I could kill him.
Elizabeth, let's try to stay calm here.
Ah, don't tell me to stay calm.
- He betrayed our daughter. - [sniffles]
- He betrayed our family. - Dad, eggs.
- [pan sizzling] - [grunts]
I keep going over it in my mind
and I have no idea
how we got to this point.
- Did you suspect anything? - No.
I should have known. I should have felt it.
What can we do to help?
Pray for us.
Please...
Pray for us.
Of course, we'll keep praying for him.
And...
try not to hate him.
You know, um,
Dr. Chen's wife...
is a divorce attorney,
so when you're ready, I can set up a meeting for you.
It's just one less thing for you to worry about.
I'm not getting a divorce.
What?
I told him I wouldn't give him one.
So he did ask you for one then?
Yes.
Why are you guys looking at me like that?
Tim is still my husband.
- But he's cheating on you. - I wouldn't expect you to get it.
You really wanna work this out?
How can you even ask me that?
I'm holding on to the same vows that have held you two together all these years.
We've definitely had our struggles,
but we've never been unfaithful.
Divorce isn't an option.
What's wrong with you?
We're just trying to understand.
Yeah, sweetheart.
Isn't love a choice?
Isn't that what marriage is about?
The promise we make to each other...
to God.
Isn't that the moment we decide to love each other?
Not just during the fun times,
when it's good and easy, but through all of it.
[chuckles softly]
What made you so wise?
[Kari sobs]
[John] Aw!
[John sighs]
Sweetie, you just...
[sighs]
Let us know what you need to feel supported,
and we will do it for you.
[Kari sniffles]
We love you.
[Jason] Drop. Ascend.
[breathing deeply]
- [Dirk grunts] - Oh, 11. Let's go, let's go.
Got it. Whoo.
- [Dirk exhales] - [Jason] There you go.
- Good job, man. - Thanks, man.
Time's looking good.
[Dirk] Hey, Jason.
You got any more of that tren... Whatever you call it?
You're pressing 200. Trust me, you're good.
Yeah, but I'm trying to hit 235 by this week.
235?
[scoffs] It's not a miracle drug.
It's a boost.
Listen to me,
if you keep taking that stuff, it'll start to messing with your head.
Forget it.
I'll get it from someone else.
I love this blazer on you.
Yeah, why do you think I wear it so often?
[Angela chuckles]
You're gonna make me late for class again.
Don't blame your tardiness on me, Professor.
Can I get a ride?
Oh, uh...
You getting out of the same car as me
in the faculty parking lot.
It's too soon.
Let's evolve into this slowly.
But Kari knows.
Yeah, I need to give the administration a heads-up. You know...
I actually don't know. There's no reason to hide.
[sighs]
Can I handle this in my own way, please?
I wanna do this the right way.
You and I finally get to start a life together.
When I take you to university events,
I don't want there to be a bunch of confusion, or...
Or questions about us.
Let me tell my colleagues. Trust me, it'll be worth the wait.
And then, how about tonight
you and I have dinner at The Grammercy?
Well, we'll definitely be seen there.
Exactly. Let's say 8:00.
I'll have to meet you there after class.
That sounds perfect.
[cell phone ringing]
I walk out first.
I'll see you later.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[automated voice speaking] The party you have dialed is unavailable.
[beeps]
Hey, Angela, it's Dirk.
I was thinking, uh,
maybe we could get some of the classmates together
and go get drinks or...
dinner or something fun. [chuckles nervously]
Uh, but, yeah, uh...
call me back.
All right, bye.
[panting] Okay, I'm done.
[Kari sighs]
- [laughing] - I'm glad you're enjoying this.
Just so you know, these track suits were all the rage in 2002.
Mom keeps everything.
I'm not gonna lie,
I kind of feel like I'm racing Jessica Simpson.
[both sigh]
Come on, let's do one more.
I have to be at the showroom in an hour.
So take like a, "I just found out my husband's having an affair" day.
I'm sure they'll understand.
I thought the whole point of this run was to help take my mind off things.
I have to be honest.
I really don't know why you wanna stay with him.
I'm fighting for my marriage.
I have to.
- But why? - Tim is just... confused.
Somewhere along the way, he lost his faith.
- He needs me. - [chuckles softly]
Kari, that is-- [chuckles]
Look, I know it makes you uncomfortable to talk about God,
but I believe He can help us through this.
And Tim and I...
we're gonna come out on the other side even stronger.
Tim doesn't deserve you... or your faith.
He didn't even have the decency to tell you himself.
You had to hear it from some psycho. Who was that guy, anyway?
I don't know.
Someone mad at Tim. Maybe one of his students got a bad grade.
Well, don't you think God would rather you be happy?
That's what Tim said.
I just don't know why you're so hung up,
when there are plenty of other fish in the sea.
Like handsome, football-playing fish.
- Can we not go there? - Oh, come on!
I know it's at least crossed your mind.
You know he moved back to Bloomington?
It doesn't matter.
Ryan made his feelings very clear.
What does that mean?
It means it's in the past.
Tim is my husband.
Yeah, Tim's your husband because of Ryan.
What are you talking about?
The only reason you ever got close to Tim,
is because you were trying to make Ryan jealous.
Ashley, that is completely ridiculous.
Is it?
Look, I know you pride yourself in telling it like it is,
but that is so not what I need right now.
I get you made a commitment to Tim.
Commitment? You don't know anything about commitment.
You can't commit to anything,
not even being a mother to your own son.
Wh... Where did that come from?
You leave Cole with Mom and Dad,
so you can develop your artistic voice,
and then spend half your time hanging out with your hipster friends.
Meanwhile, Cole's growing up,
very fast, and he hardly knows his own mother.
You have no idea how good you have it.
Some of us would kill to be mothers.
You said you would stop holding that against me.
Look...
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.
I just love you and I want what's best for you.
You don't know what's best for me.
You don't even know what's best for yourself.
He doesn't want you, Kari!
And you don't want him!
[sighs]
[man] Come on, let's go.
Let's go boys.
Ashley Baxter.
Ryan.
Catch up.
Wow, this is crazy. I was just, um...
I was just thinking about you.
- Are you coaching here now? - Yep.
Yeah, I'm taking over for Coach Curtis. He just retired.
No, Coach Curtis is still alive?
[both laugh]
Well, I bet they're excited to have you.
Yeah, I'm winning 'em over.
Oh, come on.
Ryan Taylor, NFL superstar, leading them to victory.
Former NFL superstar.
So, how's your family doing?
Mom and Dad all right?
Isn't it Kari you really want to know about?
Yeah, all right.
How's Kari?
She's okay.
Just okay?
Um, she is going through some stuff right now.
What kind of stuff? Is she all right?
[sighs]
Well, her lowlife husband has been cheating on her.
So, she's been better.
- You're kidding? - No.
She's staying with my parents right now,
and she's a total mess, to be honest.
Look, I really should not be saying anything, I know, but...
I don't know, Kari's marriage is falling apart
and here you are.
Maybe it's a sign from God or something.
Ashley, when did you start believing in signs again?
[chuckles]
I think now.
[chuckles]
Hey, I gotta go, but...
I really hope I see you around, Ryan.
Yeah, you too.
All right. Come on, guys. Let's go.
[Elizabeth] Next time on The Baxters...
If Kari hadn't found out on her own,
were you gonna tell her about me?
I'm serious about us. Let me prove it to you.
I have absolutely no idea why you wanna stay with that creep.
Divorce goes against God's will, you know that.
He's sleeping with a student.
Even God wouldn't ask you to stay with someone like that.
Lord, I know there are people here
who are hurting and in trouble.
- [Elizabeth] you okay? - You were right.
I don't think I'm ready. [sighs]
Come, and let someone pray with you.
[Luke] Let's join hands.
[Tim] We're really doing this.
To new beginnings.
[glasses clink]
[theme music playing]