You know, it really is wonderful that we're making
these sewing kits for the soldiers.
We're giving them the tools they need
to stitch their torn uniforms back together.
Yes.
Although, of course, sometimes things can't be mended.
Sometimes a leg needs to be amputated.
Just cut clean off in order to save the rest of the body.
And then you just move on, you know. You move on without that leg,
and you pretend you never even had two legs to begin with.
They're called housewife kits, Emily.
I wish I had an actual husband to care for.
These housewife kits would feel much more authentic
if I was really someone's housewife.
You know, personally,
I'm grateful now that neither of you girls ever left home,
since I've been abandoned by my son
and will likely never even meet my own grandchild.
I can't believe how Austin is treating us. I never thought he could be so cruel.
And, honestly, Sue is no help.
She certainly isn't. Unless she's said something to you, Emily?
No, she isn't speaking to me.
It feels strange to go days without seeing them.
I know Austin and Sue are right next door, but they feel much, much further.
Yes, it's awful.
But we just have to accept that this is our family now, Mom.
We're like the soldier that lost a limb.
We're gonna come out of this stronger.
I hope so.
But I'm really not sure.
Well, I know it.
We can't give up hope. Hope is all we have.
Even when everything seems so dark, it isn't crazy to have hope.
Ladies, let's get in the carriage. We're going to the lunatic asylum.
I beg your pardon?
Yes. Today the Dickinsons are taking
a family trip to a wonderful new institution
that has tentatively offered me a prestigious trustee position.
The Northampton Women's Lunatic Asylum.
Those are dreadful places.
As long as we're getting out of the house, I am so down. I need a change of pace.
See.
Dad, they're gonna make you a trustee? That's so cool.
Yes. I'm glad you perceive the opportunity here, Emily.
As I'm sure you've heard me say,
women's mental hygiene is a cause near and dear to my heart.
I've never heard you say that.
This is the perfect opportunity for me to cement my legacy.
You know, when I secure this position,
this town will remember
that Dickinson is a name to be said with respect.
Sounds good to me, Dad.
It is great.
And this trusteeship is as good as mine, so long as we all make a nice impression.
They like their board members to come from morally upstanding families,
and the head doctor himself specifically requested
that you all come along.
So, ladies. To the carriage!
Yes! A "daycation."
I am going to get our bonnets.
Thank you.
Dad, we will get you that trusteeship.
Whatever you need, you can depend on me.
I'll bring the horses round. Be ready in ten.
Emily, this doesn't smell right.
What do you mean?
Isn't it obvious?
Your father is trying to lock me away in that asylum.
Mom, what are you talking about?
It's the oldest trick in the 19th century playbook.
Tired of your wife? Marriage gone stale?
She had too much to drink on your birthday,
put on her wedding dress and fell down the stairs?
Just say she's mad and lock her away.
Come on. Dad would never do that.
Your father is very conventional, Emily.
And let's face it, it wasn't my finest hour.
Mom, you have to come.
Dad will never admit it, but he needs us now more than ever.
Okay, listen to me.
I promise you I will not leave that asylum without you.
-You swear? -Yes.
Now let's go get in the carriage.
Come on! It's a beautiful spring day!
Keep close, Emily. Keep very close.
There you go.
Chin up, ladies. It's the head doctor.
-Everybody, smile. -Yes, okay.
Edward Dickinson. What an honor to meet you.
Good day, Doctor. No, the honor is mine.
No, no, no. Truly, I'm a big fan.
Your essay "On the Proper Place of Women" lives on my bedside table.
You're too kind.
And I see you've brought the women of your family today.
Yes. This is my wife, Emily.
-And this is my daughter, Emily. -Hello.
And this is…
-my other daughter. -Lavinia.
They're very excited for the tour. Aren't you, girls?
I'm a perfectly sane level of excited.
Doctor, I love the flowers you've planted out here.
Springtime is so magnificent, isn't it?
Flowers come back like old friends. We didn't even know we missed them.
I imagine you have your hands full with this one.
No. Our Emily, she's just unique.
Seems like it.
I just really love flowers.
I like flowers a totally normal amount.
Right. Well, shall we begin the tour?
Yes, this is going to be fun.
Come on.
dear Friend…
war feels to me an oblique place.
"Oblique."
The perfect word.
You wanted to see me, Colonel?
Yes, yes! My brother. Come on in.
How you feeling this morning, brother?
I'm fine. I was just about to start my lesson with the men,
but then I was summoned in here.
Could we say "invited" instead of "summoned"?
I like to leave you the optionality.
-Keep it loose. -Okay.
What's up?
I need your help with something today.
Falls a little outside the realm of teaching.
Do you have space for that? Or you at capacity?
Depends what it is, I guess.
Right.
Okay, here's the deal.
The soldiers are going to have a uniform inspection.
A uniform inspection? They barely have uniforms to begin with.
I know. It's bullshit, frankly.
But it's part of how we move the needle.
The needle?
Towards getting these men fully recognized and authorized as Union soldiers.
The more that General Saxton sees
the First South Carolina Volunteers as a legitimate regiment,
the more pressure he's able to send up the chain of command.
All the way to Lincoln himself.
One inspection could make all the difference.
So it's imperative the guys take this seriously, you understand?
They need to look clean, sharp and ready.
I'll be there to conduct the inspection this afternoon.
Okay.
Message received.
I'll see what I can do to help.
Hell yes.
This process is working.
I can feel it.
And this is our great hall.
You'll find our girls here receive state-of-the-art care.
We have a very progressive understanding of mental sickness,
covering all modern female illnesses,
ranging from exhaustion, overeducation, menstruation, laziness, being unmarried--
Being unmarried is a mental illness?
No, yeah, that feels right.
To acute mania, chronic mania, nymphomania, and melancholia.
It's more commonly known as grief.
You know, Mrs. Dickinson here was recently bereaved
over the death of her sister.
Edward. I was not! You liar!
Me mourning my one and only sister? Unlikely!
I'm over her. Good riddance to that woman.
Come this way.
Did you hear that?
Hear what, my dear?
Maybe it was just in my head.
Does that happen often, hearing things in your head?
Yes. Emily has quite the imagination. She is very gifted that way.
Interesting.
Come along.
There's something off about this place.
Emily, can't you just enjoy a fun family outing?
I thought you wanted to help Dad make a good impression.
I do. But I think Dad deserves to know
if there's something suspicious going on here.
Doctor, what is that door for?
It leads to another room.
Sure. What kind of room?
Just a room designed for patients who require a bit more privacy.
Yeah, surely you can understand that, Emily?
Now, she's always had a taste for privacy.
Has she now?
Edward, there's some business I'd like to discuss with you in private.
Surely, yes.
And the ladies?
Don't worry. We'll have eyes on them.
And there are eyes everywhere.
Just curious, what is your policy on engraving names in the building?
Wait. Where did Mom go?
This is a nice-looking room.
Can I help you?
My apologies.
-I didn't mean to bother-- -Are you kidding?
Nothing bothers me here. This is the most relaxed I've ever felt.
Really?
Nowhere in the world does a woman get treated so well
as at an insane asylum.
The staff here does all the cooking and the cleaning, plumps my pillows.
It's heaven.
The wallpaper. There are people in the wallpaper, Doctor!
Great bedside manner, that one.
Wait.
So you're not--
Crazy?
Nope. No more than you.
I'm just here for some much-needed R & R.
So you just rest all day and no one expects anything from you?
Bingo.
Doctor. Doctor!
There's something funny about this wallpaper!
Hey! That's my shtick. Get your own.
Go find Mom. I'm just gonna see what's in here.
Cool.
I mean, if it wasn't totally horrifying.
Mom, I swear, if you are not out here,
I'm gonna report you missing to the front desk.
Hi. Have you seen a woman who's about--
I'm so sorry. I will just leave you to your feelings.
It's fine. I would really love some company.
I'm Florence.
Are you sure? I wouldn't wanna interrupt.
No, I'm always crying. I was diagnosed with excessive grief.
I simply can't stop weeping.
That sounds cathartic at least.
I lost my lover to the war just two months ago
and I've been like this ever since.
I know you don't know me, but trust me when I tell you,
I know exactly what you are going through, like, 1,000%.
I picture his body lying cold on the battlefield.
Those arms that used to hold me.
-Those lips that used to kiss me. -Yes.
And, oh, God, his hair. He had such great hair.
What was his name?
The sweetest name in the world.
Joseph Lyman.
Joseph was your lover?
I should have married him when I had the chance.
He proposed to you?
Well, kind of.
What?
Even though I loved Joseph with all my soul…
Yeah.
…his heart always belonged to someone else.
Who was it? That bastard. Abigail? Virginia?
No. It was some nitwit from Amherst.
He just called her Vinnie.
Seriously?
That is so horrible.
I know.
But anyways, he's dead.
Oh, my God.
That's right, he is.
What are you doing?
I'm rearranging my office.
As you may recall, I'm starting my own law firm.
I didn't realize you were serious about that.
Yeah. I've already got a name picked out and everything.
"Panache."
No "Esquire," no "and Son."
Just "Panache."
So yeah, I'd say I'm pretty serious about it.
Then I assume you're also serious about divorcing me
and taking custody of our child.
Yep.
Just gotta figure out some of the paperwork.
I would prefer it if you didn't do that.
I don't want you to leave me, Austin.
Whyever would I stay?
I've been thinking, we have a nontraditional marriage.
That's an understatement.
So, perhaps we should also be nontraditional parents.
What do you mean?
I mean, I would like you to raise this baby with me.
I don't want you to be some cold, distant father like the one I had.
I'm sorry I've been slow to realize that,
but I hope that you'll believe me now and give us a chance.
Thank you.
I'd like that.
Well, there is a little boy with no name who needs a clean cloth diaper.
Get to work.
Dickinson.
As someone interested in a trusteeship,
you surely have respect for my medical opinion, do you not?
Of course I do, Doctor.
So then you must trust my professional diagnosis,
which is that your daughter, Emily…
is a lunatic.
She's not a lunatic.
No. She's just a poet.
Oh, dear God, man. Don't you see what's happening here?
When one member of the family is mentally ill,
the entire family is affected.
Let her spend a bit of time here.
Undergo some of our… cutting-edge treatments.
After all,
we run the finest women's insane asylum on the east coast.
You just need to sign her over to us.
Take one step closer and I'll jam this into my aorta!
The aorta's in your chest.
Good to know.
Is that Abby?
For the last time, I did not hide any pills under my tongue.
Abby.
Wait, Emily Dickinson?
My best friend came to visit me? I'm so touched!
Abby, what are you doing here? Are you all right?
I'm doing amazing! Well, besides the fact that I can't see at all.
The nurse took away my glasses. She said I was a danger to myself.
How are you?
How did you end up in this place?
How did any of you end up here?
I went to fight in the war, and they threw me in here.
They couldn't handle my gender.
My husband, Minister Daniel Bliss, put me in here.
But it's cool because that's my new boyfriend.
Why would your husband do that?
He said something about
me participating in some flag burning at a local suffragette protest.
He was "not happy" with my decisions and found me "generally annoying."
I'm making air quotes, but you can't tell.
How long have you been here for?
Good question.
They don't let us keep track of the days,
or read, or write,
or give us anything to eat besides these little pills.
The pills are fun though! Kinda make the whole thing worth it.
We have to get you out of here. These conditions are horrific!
Not to mention…
unsanitary.
It's not so bad. I made some friends here!
Hey! Doll girl!
Love that bitch.
I'm gonna break you out of here.
I'm gonna break you all out.
My father deserves to know
what is going on in the basement of this institution.
This is a flagrant violation of women's rights.
Okay, now you're talking!
Ladies, listen up. Here's the plan.
Y'all did the homework last night?
Low-key I struggled with mine. I ain't gonna lie.
Yes, I wrote a sentence.
"This is my wonderful sentence."
Get--
-Damn, Everett, that's good! -What?
-All right. -Excellent.
-Students. -Congratulations.
There will be no lesson today.
Instead, we are having a uniform inspection.
Wow, Higginson really has audacity.
Man, miss me with the bullshit.
Another inspection is gratuitous.
No, no. Higginson has assured me
that if you pass this inspection, you might finally receive your weapons.
Yeah, but we won't pass. We never do.
Well, not with that attitude.
No, man, not with these raggedy-ass uniforms.
Half of which was taken off of dead bodies.
Or stolen from the plantation house.
I mean, how is this a uniform? I'm literally wearing a cardigan!
They're setting us up to fail.
Yeah. Then they gonna use our failure as an excuse to withhold our weapons.
Nah, bro.
Listen. Everybody.
We can't just skip the inspection.
That would be more than enough excuse for everybody to give up on you guys.
And who knows?
If you pass, you might receive your weapons even sooner.
I'm tired of "soon." I want "now." I wanna get to the future.
In your future, Michael Jordan,
cobblers will make special shoes in your honor.
Shit, that sound dope. As long as they better than these.
Anything is better than those.
-Goddamn. -Shit!
Listen.
You guys are gonna pass this inspection, okay?
Because I am going to help.
Yeah? And how exactly are you gonna do that?
Look at this jacket. It ain't got no damn sleeves.
Well, lucky for you guys, I have one of these.
What the hell is that?
It's my housewife kit.
Housewife what?
Needle, thimble, all colors of thread.
You don't think this tasteful suit I'm wearing
keeps itself in one piece, do you?
I mend it every night.
Keep myself looking fresh.
Well, I'll be damned. My man got some sewing skills.
-Yeah. -I know a few tricks.
My wife, Betty, she's the best seamstress in New England.
Guess a little bit of her magic might have rubbed off on me.
You have a wife?
Well, she was my wife.
Not sure exactly what to call her now.
Is she the one you're always writing to at night?
Yeah.
My wife and my daughter, Helen.
I write to them, but I never send the letters.
Yeah, I noticed that. Why that is?
I just think maybe it's better if they forget me.
'Cause odds are I'll never see them again.
So why keep poking at a wound that can't ever heal?
Be better for them to move on,
and I'll just keep my memories of them…
to myself.
Damn. That's tragic.
The world tore my family apart.
As it has so many of our families.
And sadly, my sewing skills can't mend a broken community or a broken heart.
But what I can fix…
is a uniform.
Look at that.
Okay!
Yo.
Yo, these stitches are tight.
Maybe we do have a chance of beating this inspection.
I believe in us.
Yo, Erasmus, what does your vision say?
It says, "Just do it."
Okay, I'm in.
-Makeover! -Yeah!
Well…
I have to say, you all look like a real regiment.
Not just a volunteer army.
Let me ask you something.
Are you boys hungry?
Always. Why?
'Cause y'all ate that up and left no crumbs.
Steady. Guys, act normal.
Which, yes, for some of you that means act crazy.
When the nurse comes in with the pills, we bolt.
Scramble.
Time for medication. Line up.
I said line up.
And…
go!
a little Madness in the Spring
is wholesome even for the King.
But God be with the Clown -
who ponders this tremendous scene -
This whole Experiment of Green -
as if it were his own!
Do we have to leave? I am having such a good time.
Yes, maybe we should stay.
I'd love to get to know the people in the wallpaper a bit better.
Maybe have some tea.
Yes, thank you for the tour, Doctor.
I do hope that we can formalize the trusteeship.
With all due respect, I simply don't think I can offer you a place on the board
when you refuse to accept my medical appraisal of your daughter.
What's this?
He thinks that Emily needs to stay here.
What? Emily's not the crazy one. I am!
Lock me up. Lock me up for decades!
I'll take the blue room if it's available.
I've seen this all before. Mothers try to take the place of their daughters.
A noble sacrifice, but I won't allow it.
Emily is the one who needs to be institutionalized.
Hey, wait. All this talk about her and where is she?
Where's Emily?
This is a protest!
Shame on you.
You have taken these girls' lives and you have interrupted them.
Well, I'm crazy too. Help! I'm practically off my rocker.
Mom, I am trying to lead a protest.
Do you see this? Protesting?
Demanding women's rights? Civil disobedience?
These are textbook examples of serious brain damage.
Pardon my sanity in a world insane.
I don't know what's gotten into her.
Dad, you need to know the truth about this place.
Women are being kept here against their will.
They are misdiagnosed, abused, manipulated, over-medicated--
I like the pills.
-Okay, Abby. I got it from here. -I know.
Dad, this is not a progressive institution.
In fact, I doubt places like this will survive in the future.
They are a crime against humanity.
They will be looked back on as relics.
Edward, you want to help your daughter, do you not?
Of course I do.
Then you should leave Emily here with me.
Likely for the rest of her life.
Just say the word and I'll make the arrangements.
-No, I don't-- -Wait, what?
Dad, what is he talking about?
You can't leave me here.
No, Dad. You cou-- You wouldn't do that, right?
If you don't, you cannot be a trustee.
No, I wouldn't.
Doctor, my daughter Emily belongs at home with me.
And if that means losing your trusteeship, then so be it.
Wait, so are you guys taking me home, or--
Afternoon, Freddie.
Beautiful day, isn't it? Any mail?
Here you go, Mr. Dickinson.
I'm sorry.
Sorry? What for?
Inspection! Company.
Fix your collar.
Henry, your influence is showing. These men look like real soldiers.
Gentlemen, you just passed your first inspection.
I'm so very proud.
I knew they could do it.
And just in time too.
Sir?
A battalion of Confederates is on the march.
Battle is coming to Beaufort, my friends.
There will be violence, of course.
But, perhaps, if we remain open to it,
we might also engage in some productive dialogue.
Permission to speak freely, sir?
Granted.
-You say battle coming? -Yes.
Does this mean we will be receiving our weapons, sir?
I'm very much hoping that I can facilitate that.
"Facilitate"? What does that mean?
When do we get our guns, sir?
I don't have an exact timeline.
But…
I am off to send General Saxton a very strongly worded letter right now,
and then we'll just… wait and see.
Again, I am so proud of you men. You have been working so hard.
I see you. I recognize you.
I thank you.
Company. Dismissed.
See what we mean? It never changes.
He say he helping us but he not.
We gonna be standing here looking like fools when the battle come.
What does he expect us to do? Just line up and die?
Hello!
We at a war with a whole bunch of racists who suffer from economic anxiety.
I need my weapon.
Reload.
I think I'm scared.
Can we do a group hug?
-Absolutely. -Come on, man.
Come on, man. We got you.
We in this together.
I'm sorry I listened to him.
It's hopeless, man. We ain't never gonna be no real soldiers.
There has to be a way.
You guys were right. We can't wait any longer.
So, what you gonna do?
I'ma call him out on his bullshit.
Thank you.
I'm glad we gave Abby a ride home from the asylum.
Yeah, to her husband who put her there in the first place.
Dad, I'm really sorry.
I wanted today to go well. I never meant to cost you the position.
No. That's fine, that's fine. It didn't seem suitable, after all.
Thank you for not leaving me there.
Daughter. No, there's no reason to thank me.
No, I owed you.
For what?
For standing by my side when others chose not to.
Don't think I haven't noticed your support, dear girl.
I'm starving, are you starving?
Mother? What's on the menu tonight?
Mom, where are you going?
To bed. Do not disturb me.
For, like, a 20-minute nap, or--
Until the war is over.