[sighs]
[door opens]
Hi.
What do you want?
Look, I know we're at war,
but I was hoping that we could cease fire today
and go to the funeral together, in honor of Frazar.
I'm not going.
What are you talking about? You have to go.
Frazar was one of your classmates.
-He was one of your best friends. -I don't need you to tell me that.
And I certainly don't need to watch Dad pretending like he knew Frazar
and using his death to peacock to the town.
I-- I can mourn him myself.
You know if you're not there, the whole town will be talking about Dad.
You're actually making this all about you. Can't you think of the family for once?
-[baby crying] -[sniffs]
I have my own family now, and I need to get back to them.
Where's Sue? She'll agree with me. I know it.
Sue and I are prioritizing our own child now.
Maybe if you had children of your own, you would understand.
If I had children of my own,
I would teach them to protect their family's reputation
and show up when it really matters.
God, Emily. What happened to you?
You used to be so…
unconventional,
and now you're just like Dad.
Go on.
Run along and hold Dad's hand. Remember, you chose him, after all.
[door closes]
[sighs]
Frazar Augustus Stearns was an Amherst man through and through.
Frazar embodied this town's spirit. He was its flesh and blood.
And though it pains me to say goodbye…
Where's Austin?
I don't know.
It's crazy he's not here.
It's crazy none of them are here.
Can we please stop calling everything crazy? It's offensive.
Besides, Emily's here.
[Edward] A hero who has brought great glory to this town.
And so today, we dedicate this cannon to him as a reminder of that glory.
[Nobody] A cannon?
For me?
-Frazar! -Shh!
-I'm Nobody. -You're here.
I couldn't exactly miss my own funeral.
[chuckles]
This cannon was there at New Bern, where young Frazar laid down his life…
Can you believe this guy?
…for the soul of this nation.
I'm sorry. I know he's your dad, but it's so cheesy.
He's just trying to honor you.
That's the whole reason you went to the war, remember?
You're a little famous now, Frazar Stearns.
[Edward] And when this war is over,
and our nation is healing from this great wound,
it is the memories of those like Frazar Stearns
that will be our collective balm.
So, what was it like?
-What was what like? -War.
It was worse than I'd ever imagined.
Like I went straight into the jaws of hell,
in the darkest inferno there is.
Like Dante.
Yeah, just like Dante.
-And what did you find there? -The truth.
The rawest, the ugliest truth.
There's no hiding in war.
You think you're facing an enemy when really you're facing yourself.
Well, you're not the only one who's been at war.
So I hear. I'm sorry about you and Austin.
It's fine.
Everything's turned out for the best.
I've learned a lot actually.
-Really? Like what? -Mm-hmm.
Well, I've-- I've learned that my brother is a hopeless mess,
and we're all better off without him.
Sure, Mom and Vinnie are still in the processing phase,
but Dad and I are stronger than ever.
Please bear to your comrades in arms our most heartfelt acknowledgement…
I've honestly never felt more hope for this family.
What?
-I'm sorry. I'm not sure I believe you. -What do you mean?
This hope of yours just rings a little false.
[Edward] "…mortally wounded as he was cheering on the men
to charge upon the enemy across the railroad."
Yes, sir. Thank you for coming. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
-Edward, there you are. -Oh!
That was one heck of a speech. Fabulous job.
Really… [sniffs] …splendid.
Thank you, Ithamar. I'm pleased you think so.
Indeed, I do. And I must say, I am sorry that I ever doubted you.
You are as Union-blooded as they come.
Yes. And it pains me to think that anyone ever thought otherwise.
Well, uh, you know how the town loves a good comeback story.
I'm just sorry your family wasn't here to see it.
-But we were. -Oh! Evelina! [chuckles]
I was just congratulating your father on his excellent eulogy.
Yes, it was brilliant, wasn't it?
Lincoln himself couldn't have said it better.
-Oh! -Indeed not. [chuckles]
You have always been good on the stump, Edward.
It makes one wonder why you ever left politics.
I don't know about that.
Mmm, something to think about, perhaps?
A good day to both of you.
Good day, Conkey.
-Well done, Dad. You crushed it. -Oh, you really think so?
-Absolutely. -Hmm.
I've never been more proud to be your daughter.
Aw.
Come on. Let's take a nice long walk home. The spring flowers are coming out.
Okay.
-[chattering] -[woman] Mr. Dickinson.
Mmm.
Sue, you came.
-Yeah, of course I did. -Without your husband.
He's watching the baby. We've officially dispensed
with predetermined gender roles in our household.
Am I right in thinking the two of you are still editing Drum Beat?
You mean President Lincoln's favorite newspaper?
We most certainly are. Why?
I would like to submit something, anonymously.
-Well, that was fun. -[sighs] Yes.
[chuckling]
I've never had a conversation with daffodils before.
You should try it more often. I've always found them to be very good listeners.
Yes. Oh, yes, they-- they kept nodding their heads to everything I said.
-[both chuckle] -It was most agreeable.
[chuckles]
You know, Em, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about.
What is it?
Well, it's something rather important I like to ask you to do for me.
What I can do - I will - Though it be little as a Daffodil -
Daffodil, very clever.
Yes, um-- Could you step into my office? Come on.
Whew! Apologies for the mess.
Looks like the place got ransacked.
Yes. [sighs] It turns out legacy-making is hard work.
But I think I finally figured out what I'm leaving behind and to whom,
which is actually why I need you.
Oh. Okay.
I want you to be the executor of my will.
-Me? -Yes, you.
I know it's an unusual request.
But, you see, an executor must be someone of sound mind and body,
someone who can carry out your wishes to the letter,
someone who can speak for you when you are no longer able,
someone who you trust with your whole heart.
Whoa, Dad. [chuckles] I never knew you saw me that way.
Yes. Well, typically, the role would fall to the eldest son,
but, well, things have turned out differently in this family.
Well, don't worry, Father.
One son at your service. Perhaps you never noticed him before.
-[chuckles] I confess, I did not. -Mmm.
But it's never too late.
-Please, do have a seat. -Yes, thank you.
[Edward] Oh, no, my pleasure.
Mmm. Sir.
Yes. Good lad, good lad.
Be quick now.
All right?
-Ready when you are, Father. -Excellent. Ah--
I, Edward Dickinson, being of sound mind and judgment…
[Edward] Mmm?
…do declare this to be my last will and testament.
[sighs]
[bugle plays "Assembly"]
[men shouting rhythmically]
Attention!
[rhythmic shouting continues]
Well, shit.
-[Edward] Emily. -Hmm?
Did you get that last bequeathment?
Oh, yes, yes, of course. Sorry, um-- Yes.
"The sum of $1,000 shall be bequeathed to Amherst College Trust."
-Good. -Yes.
-I thought I lost you there for a moment. -Dad, you know what I was thinking?
You should really set up a scholarship.
A scholarship?
Yes. What better way to expand your legacy portfolio than by investing in people?
Not everything has to be a name on a building.
Why, that's brilliant. Just brilliant.
Huh.
Goodness. Austin would have never thought of something like that.
Well… [chuckles]
You know, Em… [chuckles]
…I have come to realize what a lucky man I am.
I have to admit, I've felt abandoned by this family as of late,
but never by you.
You've always been loyal to me,
even though I've not always been worthy of it.
You have had to forgive me for a lot.
And I want you to know that I will go to my deathbed grateful for that.
All I want-- All I've ever wanted is to make you happy.
I know, Dad. Thank you.
You and I both care so much about this family.
It's true.
And I know how hard it is for you with your brother on the opposing side.
Oh, we need to make sure nothing like that ever happens between us.
No. Nothing will ever divide us.
-It won't. -Mmm.
[Emily] So, we're almost done.
-Yes. We just need the very last clause. -That's right.
-Hit me. -Okay. Whew.
The family home.
280 Main Street, Amherst…
along with all the rest of my possessions, such that remain,
shall be bequeathed to…
my son, William Austin Dickinson, Esq.
[Emily] My Life had stood - a Loaded Gun -
And in the event of his death, they shall be bequeathed to his son, the… [sighs]
My goodness. [chuckles]
That boy doesn't even have a name yet, does he?
[chuckling] Just put down "his eldest son."
Oh.
[Emily] In Corners - till a Day
Hmm. Imagine that.
Your little unnamed nephew
could very well end up being your guardian one day.
[chuckling]
How funny life is.
[Emily] The Owner passed - identified -
And carried Me away.
What is the matter, my dear?
Are you really telling me…
that you're giving everything to Austin?
Just like that?
After all that's happened? Every single thing?
But of course.
Who else would it go to?
[stammers]
You women?
[Emily] And now We roam in Sovreign Woods
And now We hunt the Doe -
And every time I speak for Him
Imagine how that would look,
if I left everything to my daughter.
The bank would likely tear the will right up.
They would think I was insane. Women can't own property.
No, Em, it has something to do with how emotional they are.
They simply can't be trusted to make their own decisions.
That's why they need to be left in a man's care,
if not my own, then Austin's. And if not his, then his son's.
The men of this family shall remain in charge,
hopefully, for many generations to come.
I mean, you women are blessed
not to have the burden of independence on your shoulders.
Oh. Not to worry though, my dear.
You will be well taken care of.
And in any case, I assure you,
this is perfectly in keeping with Massachusetts law.
[laughs]
[Emily] The Mountains straight reply -
You know, I grew up thinking…
how lucky I am to have such an incredible man for a father.
Hmm. A man of ambition, a man of great power,
who could do amazing things,
who could change the world.
[breathes deeply]
But the truth is…
you're nothing like that.
I'm sorry, what?
You are nothing but a scared sheep.
You have no power to change anything because you…
you have no imagination.
And for that reason, no one will ever know or care who you were.
I made a mistake.
[breathes shakily]
Austin was right about you.
I was wrong.
Em.
[Emily] And do I smile such cordial light
Upon the Valley glow -
It is as a Vesuvian face
Had let its pleasure through -
-Watch out! -Oh, my God!
-Betty, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking. -You need to pay attention.
Things just keep getting worse and worse.
-If you'll excuse me. -Betty, just tell me how you do it.
Please.
How? How do you keep it all together?
Because this world is so messed up, and honestly,
I'm not sure I can do it anymore.
I'm sorry. I just can't. What makes you think I have time for this?
-Betty, what's wrong? -What's wrong is I just found out
that Henry has joined a regiment in the south.
-He wrote to you. -No! I had to hear it from the mailman.
Apparently, Henry is perfectly capable of writing letters,
just not to his family.
So, not only is Helen about to lose her father,
but he doesn't even care enough to tell us about it.
No, no. He cares, I'm sure he cares.
He loves you, Betty, and he loves Helen.
And-- And at least you know where he is now.
There's a Confederate army approaching them, and they don't even have guns.
-Betty, I'm so sorry. -I don't need your pity!
No, I-- I didn't mean that-- Look, I am-- I am not thinking clearly right now.
I just got into a fight with my dad.
-And then-- -Yes!
Well, I'm sorry that your family is so busy destroying itself.
But meanwhile, the world has already destroyed mine.
Betty, you have to stay hopeful.
Hope? Hope is a lie!
Emily, you spend one day in my shoes, you'll understand that.
Go ahead. Write all the poems you want.
It doesn't change anything.
I want nothing to do with hope.
Nothing.
All hope ever did was make me cry.
Betty.
[sighs]
[Emily] And when at Night - Our good Day done -
I guard My Master's Head -
'Tis better than the Eider-Duck's
Deep Pillow - to have shared -
To foe of His - I'm deadly foe -
None stir the second time -
On whom I lay a Yellow Eye -
Or an emphatic Thumb -
Though I than He - may longer live
He longer must - than I -
For I have but the power to kill
[chattering]
Without - the power to die -
[breathes heavily]
[sighs]
[breathing heavily]
You made it.
A pit?
An inferno.
"Abandon all hope."
Abandon all hope, and you find where true hope lies,
the one place you haven't looked,
the darkest place of all.
Are you ready?
I hope so.
After you.
-[slams] -Wait!
Frazar?
Nobody?
[Emily] Vinnie!
Oh, it's you.
Wha-- What are you doing here?
What does it look like?
I'm trying to keep all of my husbands alive.
These are all of your husbands?
All of them and none of them, thanks to you.
Thanks to me?
Yes, you.
If I hadn't spent my whole life listening to you preach
about being a free, creative spirit, I would have found true love.
But no, you had to make me think about art and poetry and all of that garbage
when I should have stayed focused on getting married.
-[Emily] Wait, are those-- -Your poems?
Yes. And you know what? I think I will burn them.
-That's all they're really good for. -No. No!
No, Vinnie, stop!
No, you stop. Stop distracting me from what really matters.
Stop ruining my chance at happiness.
[men groaning softly]
Poor baby.
[woman whispers] Psst. Emily. [continues, indistinct]
[chattering]
Austin? Austin, wait. Where are you taking me?
I'm sorry, Emily, but you're crazy. It's time for you to be locked up.
What? Why?
So you can't do to anyone what you did to me.
What? What did I do?
You know full well you're the reason my marriage is a disaster.
Austin, that's not fair. You knew I loved Sue.
Not like that, I didn't. And besides, you don't love Sue.
You love writing poems about loving Sue. Your poems are all you care about.
That's not true.
Yes, it is. You know it is.
Austin, I love Sue. And I love you.
If that were true, you would've given us a chance.
But instead, you kept writing her poems. You couldn't stop yourself, could you?
Each one, a tiny drop of poison.
Each one slowly killing any hope we had of happiness.
Austin.
I swear, I never meant to hurt you.
You didn't hurt me, Emily.
You destroyed me.
[grunts]
[woman sobbing]
I'm alone and scared, Emily. I lost my mommy.
-Mom? -Will you feed me, Emily?
-[doll crying] -[crying]
Oh, God.
[crying, laughs]
[Mrs. Dickinson laughing]
[Mrs. Dickinson crying, laughing]
[sighs]
Dad.
Dad?
Dad. Da--
Oh, my God.
No. No.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no! Dad!
Dad, no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
[Sue] Emily.
He's dead.
[gasps]
He's dead.
Yeah. And now we can be together.
Oh, no. It is my fault. It's my fault. I killed him.
Say your goodbyes and come with me.
[sobs]
[sniffs, whimpers]
I'm sorry.
I am.
[breathes heavily]
["Come Softly To Me" playing]
Look. It's just you and me now.
It's perfect.
[song continues]
Uh, you know, maybe we shouldn't--
Don't worry, Emily. No one can see us down here. We're safe.
That's not what-- That's not what I meant. It's just…
What? You don't even want to kiss me?
No, of course I do. Of course I do. It's just--
You, uh-- You seem a little--
I knew it. You're not attracted to me anymore.
You're putting words in my mouth.
Then let me put something else in there.
Wh-- Wait, oh, my God.
-Oh, God, Sue! -Get off me, Emily!
[Sue grunts]
[breathes heavily]
There was never any hope for us, was there?
-What do you mean? -Don't touch me ever again.
Sue, wait.
["Discovery" playing]
[song continues]
[exhales sharply]
[horse whinnies]
[crash]
[breathing heavily]
[grunts]
[guns cocking]
[marching footsteps]
[song continues]
Fire!
Henry!
[gasps]
[all shouting]
Charge!
[all shouting]
No. Henry!
[grunts]
[screams]
Come on, Henry!
Do not give up! Keep fighting!
Your family needs you.
[gasps]
-[shouts] -[gunshot]
We're winning!
-[soldiers shouting] -Victory is ours!
[soldiers cheering]
[song continues]
[gasps]
[breathes shakily]
[mouthing words] Oh, God.
[chirping]
[breathing heavily]
[chirping continues]
[song continues]
[exhales sharply]
[song fades, ends]