1 00:00:06,047 --> 00:00:08,049 [mysterious music playing] 2 00:00:15,015 --> 00:00:16,266 What does this mean? 3 00:00:17,851 --> 00:00:21,271 -I don't understand what you're doing. -The emoji. When you smile and do this. 4 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:24,399 What's the context? 5 00:00:24,482 --> 00:00:27,318 -Um… never mind. -Come on, Mom. Just tell me. 6 00:00:27,402 --> 00:00:29,821 [protagonist] It's something that felt rather sincere. 7 00:00:30,655 --> 00:00:32,407 -Who sent it to you? -It's an undercut. 8 00:00:32,490 --> 00:00:34,826 It undercuts the meaning of the message, right? 9 00:00:34,909 --> 00:00:35,827 Could be. 10 00:00:35,910 --> 00:00:38,955 Or it could simultaneously reinforce the message. 11 00:00:39,039 --> 00:00:41,541 -Or… it's a dare. -How? 12 00:00:41,624 --> 00:00:43,460 [Sid] If you're texting with someone, right? 13 00:00:43,543 --> 00:00:46,254 Say they, like, open a door to something, but then they're scared, 14 00:00:46,337 --> 00:00:48,715 so they undercut it with the emoji to make it safe. 15 00:00:48,798 --> 00:00:52,802 Like, "I love you. LOL." Like, now they haven't really said it. 16 00:00:52,886 --> 00:00:54,679 And as a result, they've put it in your court. 17 00:00:54,763 --> 00:00:55,805 My court. 18 00:00:55,889 --> 00:00:58,349 [Sid] Then it's on you to find out if they meant what they said. 19 00:00:58,433 --> 00:01:00,477 People are… fearful. 20 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:01,644 Mm-hmm. 21 00:01:03,354 --> 00:01:04,689 Oh! 22 00:01:04,773 --> 00:01:07,525 Why are you being so nice to me? 23 00:01:08,026 --> 00:01:09,486 Are you going running? 24 00:01:10,195 --> 00:01:11,404 Obviously. 25 00:01:11,488 --> 00:01:12,447 Oh. 26 00:01:25,710 --> 00:01:27,712 [heavy breathing] 27 00:01:31,007 --> 00:01:32,092 [phone pings] 28 00:01:32,842 --> 00:01:34,636 Oh shit. 29 00:01:36,888 --> 00:01:38,890 [intense string chords play] 30 00:01:40,266 --> 00:01:41,768 That motherfucker. 31 00:01:42,268 --> 00:01:43,978 Record everything for your own sake. 32 00:01:44,062 --> 00:01:46,189 Oh, hi. Flo told me you were meeting. 33 00:01:46,272 --> 00:01:49,317 -Were you looking for me? -No, actually. I was looking for… 34 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:52,070 to schedule our subcommittee since we had to cancel last night. 35 00:01:52,153 --> 00:01:52,987 [Cynthia] Oh, sorry. 36 00:01:53,071 --> 00:01:55,615 -I had a therapist's appointment. -[protagonist] Oh. 37 00:01:55,698 --> 00:01:58,660 Yeah, apparently, I don't know how to read the shared calendar. 38 00:01:58,743 --> 00:02:00,578 -Um, let's talk. -Us? 39 00:02:00,662 --> 00:02:01,663 -[David] Yeah. -Oh. 40 00:02:01,746 --> 00:02:03,665 -We can keep checking in, okay? -[Vladimir] Yeah. 41 00:02:03,748 --> 00:02:06,167 -[David] Yeah. -[Vladimir] Thanks, David. [sighs] 42 00:02:06,251 --> 00:02:08,586 Do you wanna just bang out the dates now or… 43 00:02:08,670 --> 00:02:10,255 Um… 44 00:02:10,338 --> 00:02:12,924 -[heavy breathing] -[heavenly choral music playing] 45 00:02:15,343 --> 00:02:16,719 [music stops abruptly] 46 00:02:18,471 --> 00:02:21,766 -Later. When can I find you? -I have a lot of emails. 47 00:02:23,017 --> 00:02:24,936 -All right, David. -Excuse me. 48 00:02:25,019 --> 00:02:25,854 [Vladimir] Okay. 49 00:02:28,523 --> 00:02:31,109 I just need to get him alone, and then I'll know. 50 00:02:31,734 --> 00:02:35,697 Is the door, as they say, open? 51 00:02:36,489 --> 00:02:38,491 [chilling music playing] 52 00:02:43,872 --> 00:02:45,582 -[music fades out] -[sighs] 53 00:02:45,665 --> 00:02:47,917 -Yeah, close it. -You need to talk? 54 00:02:48,877 --> 00:02:49,961 Mm-hmm. 55 00:02:52,589 --> 00:02:54,174 You gotta return the file. 56 00:02:54,674 --> 00:02:57,218 -I don't know what you're talking about. -You were in my office. 57 00:02:57,302 --> 00:03:00,138 There's a file missing from a box that I am supposed to hand in 58 00:03:00,221 --> 00:03:02,223 to the Title IX coordinator for the hearing. 59 00:03:03,057 --> 00:03:05,852 -[exhales] -It pertains to Lila Green. 60 00:03:08,146 --> 00:03:10,648 It's very disorganized in here. 61 00:03:10,732 --> 00:03:14,694 -By tomorrow. End of day. Please. -I'm sorry you misplaced something. 62 00:03:14,777 --> 00:03:18,406 This is not gonna go away, okay? And don't put me in this position. 63 00:03:19,115 --> 00:03:20,158 You missed a button. 64 00:03:21,618 --> 00:03:22,619 I know. 65 00:03:22,702 --> 00:03:24,704 [determined music playing] 66 00:03:29,500 --> 00:03:32,587 [protagonist gasps] Edwina, hi. 67 00:03:33,504 --> 00:03:35,131 I turned in your letter. 68 00:03:42,138 --> 00:03:43,640 Are you kidding me? 69 00:03:43,723 --> 00:03:45,683 [man] Ma'am, the deadline is the deadline. 70 00:03:45,767 --> 00:03:47,518 I have a chronic illness. 71 00:03:47,602 --> 00:03:50,980 I'm sorry, but this is not gonna be part of the candidate's package. 72 00:03:51,064 --> 00:03:55,318 You're gonna jeopardize the future of a student just because it's one day late? 73 00:03:55,401 --> 00:03:58,613 We did not jeopardize the future of the student, ma'am. 74 00:03:58,696 --> 00:04:00,990 -Feel better. -Well, I can't feel better. 75 00:04:01,074 --> 00:04:03,576 Do you not know the definition of chronic? 76 00:04:04,911 --> 00:04:06,162 [sighs frustratedly] 77 00:04:08,665 --> 00:04:10,667 [mysterious music playing] 78 00:04:24,889 --> 00:04:26,599 [Vladimir] See, I know you can pull it off. 79 00:04:26,683 --> 00:04:28,935 I just don't think I can pull off double-breasted. 80 00:04:29,018 --> 00:04:31,479 [Andre] You can do it. You have great shoulders. 81 00:04:31,562 --> 00:04:33,523 It's not the front that I'm worried about. 82 00:04:33,606 --> 00:04:35,483 -[both laugh] -Oh, hi! 83 00:04:35,566 --> 00:04:36,442 Hi. 84 00:04:36,526 --> 00:04:41,072 I wanted to see if I could help coordinate with Florence about our subcommittee. 85 00:04:41,155 --> 00:04:44,367 [Vladimir] Yes, sorry. Anytime before five that I'm not teaching. 86 00:04:44,450 --> 00:04:45,702 I'll make myself available. 87 00:04:46,744 --> 00:04:48,204 Available. 88 00:04:48,788 --> 00:04:50,873 Great, I'll make a snack. 89 00:04:50,957 --> 00:04:54,127 -Ooh, she makes great snacks. -Well, I love a snack. 90 00:04:54,210 --> 00:04:55,503 Gluten-free. 91 00:04:55,586 --> 00:04:57,213 You remember everything. 92 00:04:58,589 --> 00:05:01,467 -Okay, well, I will leave you two to… -[music fades out] 93 00:05:01,968 --> 00:05:03,678 -Bond. -[Vladimir chuckles] 94 00:05:05,054 --> 00:05:07,223 -[protagonist] Wednesday at 3:15. -[Flo] I'm teaching. 95 00:05:07,307 --> 00:05:09,017 -Thursday at 10:30. -I'm teaching. 96 00:05:09,100 --> 00:05:11,686 -Thursday afternoon? -I teach then too. Friday morning? 97 00:05:11,769 --> 00:05:14,814 It's okay if you can't come to the first session. We can take notes. 98 00:05:14,897 --> 00:05:16,983 -Let's find a time that works. -It's not a big thing. 99 00:05:17,066 --> 00:05:19,027 -I'm trying to come. -I want you to come. 100 00:05:19,110 --> 00:05:21,321 -Let's circle back. -Oh, absolutely. 101 00:05:34,208 --> 00:05:36,210 [mysterious music resumes] 102 00:06:04,864 --> 00:06:06,032 [chuckles softly] 103 00:06:16,667 --> 00:06:18,336 [inhales deeply] 104 00:06:18,419 --> 00:06:19,921 [sighs] 105 00:06:20,004 --> 00:06:22,006 [music becomes determined] 106 00:06:42,485 --> 00:06:45,405 The only way you can finish a book is to delude yourself into thinking 107 00:06:45,488 --> 00:06:48,157 that it and you are utterly brilliant. 108 00:06:49,325 --> 00:06:51,202 Though this is quite good. 109 00:06:53,037 --> 00:06:54,539 I can't see it. 110 00:06:54,622 --> 00:06:56,874 I got most of it out. It's a remnant. 111 00:06:56,958 --> 00:06:59,377 -How'd you get this? -From God. 112 00:06:59,460 --> 00:07:01,003 Where were you last night? 113 00:07:01,087 --> 00:07:02,171 A friend. 114 00:07:03,005 --> 00:07:05,508 You know, those cocksucking deer destroyed my whole garden. 115 00:07:05,591 --> 00:07:07,844 I'm sorry that happened. 116 00:07:08,845 --> 00:07:09,887 Marriage. 117 00:07:10,388 --> 00:07:12,014 I… I gotta use a needle. 118 00:07:12,098 --> 00:07:14,100 No! No, no. It'll work itself out. 119 00:07:14,183 --> 00:07:15,476 What are you guys doing? 120 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:17,603 Oh, hi, honey. What are you doing? 121 00:07:17,687 --> 00:07:20,523 Uh, Alexis sent me some research on Dad's accuser. 122 00:07:20,606 --> 00:07:22,692 -Are you talking to Alexis? -Uh-huh. 123 00:07:22,775 --> 00:07:25,278 Did you know Lila Green has a Substack? 124 00:07:25,361 --> 00:07:28,114 It's pretty… People have problems. 125 00:07:28,197 --> 00:07:30,992 Yes, yes, they do, honey. Um… 126 00:07:31,492 --> 00:07:33,035 I have something to tell you. 127 00:07:33,119 --> 00:07:34,454 You burned her file? 128 00:07:34,537 --> 00:07:37,707 -I can't go back in time, so what do I do? -Are you insane? 129 00:07:37,790 --> 00:07:40,626 Sid, I need forward movement, please. 130 00:07:40,710 --> 00:07:41,919 What is this? 131 00:07:42,420 --> 00:07:45,089 Well, now that you've done that, you have to go talk to her. 132 00:07:45,173 --> 00:07:47,383 -There's no other option. -[John] What the hell is that? 133 00:07:47,467 --> 00:07:50,011 -I have one more possibility. -[Sid] What is your possibility? 134 00:07:50,094 --> 00:07:53,139 No butter? This fridge looks like it belongs in a horror movie. 135 00:07:53,222 --> 00:07:56,809 You're welcome to go to the grocery store. I hear they let everybody shop there. 136 00:07:56,893 --> 00:07:59,729 And, honey, if for any reason it doesn't pan out, 137 00:07:59,812 --> 00:08:00,938 we'll talk to her tomorrow. 138 00:08:01,022 --> 00:08:04,275 Do you promise? I feel like you're on another planet these days. 139 00:08:04,358 --> 00:08:05,902 -Will you come with me? -Yes, I promise. 140 00:08:05,985 --> 00:08:07,820 -Which one are you going to? -[John] Don't know. 141 00:08:07,904 --> 00:08:09,322 -The one on 19th? -I don't know. Why? 142 00:08:09,405 --> 00:08:11,073 I have an errand. 143 00:08:12,658 --> 00:08:13,576 Hey. 144 00:08:14,076 --> 00:08:17,997 Dawn. I didn't realize it was you. John, remember? 145 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:20,708 So, uh, adjuncting just isn't cutting it, or what? 146 00:08:20,791 --> 00:08:24,003 [chuckles] Well, this is how I get my benefits. It's… 147 00:08:24,086 --> 00:08:27,173 I like it. I get 10% off groceries. 148 00:08:27,256 --> 00:08:28,633 But do I, is the question. 149 00:08:29,217 --> 00:08:30,843 Ooh. Sorry. 150 00:08:32,637 --> 00:08:34,430 -Tess! -Oh, yes. 151 00:08:34,514 --> 00:08:36,307 This is my favorite novel. 152 00:08:36,390 --> 00:08:38,309 I was listening to a podcast the other day. 153 00:08:38,392 --> 00:08:41,354 Did you know that Thomas Hardy wrote Tess of the d'Urbervilles 154 00:08:41,437 --> 00:08:43,314 because, apparently, he got an erection 155 00:08:43,397 --> 00:08:46,776 while watching a woman being hanged at a public execution? 156 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:48,402 Oh wow. 157 00:08:48,903 --> 00:08:51,197 Some say he wrote the entire book as an apology. 158 00:08:51,781 --> 00:08:52,949 That's awful. 159 00:08:53,032 --> 00:08:56,744 Can't be sure if the erection happened, but I love to think it happened. 160 00:08:57,328 --> 00:08:59,872 Human psyche. Fuckin' wild, right? 161 00:08:59,956 --> 00:09:03,125 -[Dawn] Yeah. -Well, we gotta get you a second class. 162 00:09:03,209 --> 00:09:05,169 [chuckles] Yeah. 163 00:09:05,795 --> 00:09:06,754 Bye! 164 00:09:10,091 --> 00:09:11,384 [sighs] 165 00:09:15,429 --> 00:09:17,557 -[John] How's this feeling? -[protagonist] John, please. 166 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:18,641 What? 167 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:20,893 [gasps] Did you see that? 168 00:09:20,977 --> 00:09:22,728 -Get in the car. -[Dawn] Hey. 169 00:09:22,812 --> 00:09:25,147 -You forgot your phone. -Oh. Thanks, Dawn. 170 00:09:25,231 --> 00:09:26,357 Hi, Dawn. 171 00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:28,234 Excuse me. I'm… I'm working. 172 00:09:28,317 --> 00:09:30,069 [dramatic music playing] 173 00:09:36,492 --> 00:09:37,618 [music fades out] 174 00:09:38,369 --> 00:09:42,123 Ooh, have I mentioned that I… I haven't taken advantage 175 00:09:42,206 --> 00:09:47,044 of the agreement between John and myself for many, many years? 176 00:09:47,545 --> 00:09:50,298 Well, I have not. 177 00:09:51,090 --> 00:09:52,466 Not since… 178 00:09:55,136 --> 00:09:56,304 David. 179 00:09:56,846 --> 00:09:57,972 [door closes] 180 00:09:58,806 --> 00:09:59,932 I brought you this. 181 00:10:03,936 --> 00:10:04,770 Why? 182 00:10:05,354 --> 00:10:08,733 Can we have one honest conversation before we die? 183 00:10:09,317 --> 00:10:12,361 -I strive to have many. -Good. Well… 184 00:10:15,156 --> 00:10:16,699 I loved you, and you broke my heart. 185 00:10:17,450 --> 00:10:18,492 This is true. 186 00:10:18,576 --> 00:10:20,953 Oh God. What? 187 00:10:22,038 --> 00:10:23,039 No. 188 00:10:23,539 --> 00:10:25,291 [grunts] Okay. Okay. 189 00:10:25,374 --> 00:10:28,169 I was ready to leave my husband for you, David. 190 00:10:28,252 --> 00:10:30,921 I waited at that fucking train station for you. 191 00:10:31,005 --> 00:10:34,842 I waited for three hours, and you never showed up. 192 00:10:34,925 --> 00:10:36,385 I couldn't do that to my daughter. 193 00:10:36,469 --> 00:10:39,180 Bullshit. You were just scared of getting into it with your wife. 194 00:10:39,263 --> 00:10:40,556 I didn't handle it the best. 195 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:44,727 Then I tried to have fucking coffee or herbal tea with you, 196 00:10:44,810 --> 00:10:47,355 and you avoided me for a decade. 197 00:10:48,314 --> 00:10:49,315 Uh-uh. 198 00:10:50,191 --> 00:10:51,776 -Okay. -[protagonist] I'm a grown-up. 199 00:10:51,859 --> 00:10:55,154 I know closure is just a myth believed in by people under 30, 200 00:10:55,237 --> 00:10:57,448 but I gave you a lot of slack. 201 00:10:58,032 --> 00:10:59,033 What do you want? 202 00:11:00,493 --> 00:11:02,328 I don't have the file anymore. 203 00:11:02,411 --> 00:11:05,039 This is a terrible conversation. 204 00:11:05,122 --> 00:11:06,624 I hate this conversation. 205 00:11:06,707 --> 00:11:08,668 [protagonist] Please can you cover for me, David? 206 00:11:08,751 --> 00:11:10,086 I… 207 00:11:10,169 --> 00:11:12,672 We fucked for three years. 208 00:11:12,755 --> 00:11:15,257 I mean, I thought we were in love. 209 00:11:15,841 --> 00:11:17,093 We were. 210 00:11:19,637 --> 00:11:22,306 You know, I was rereading our old emails. 211 00:11:22,390 --> 00:11:24,225 -[gentle guitar music playing] -Again? 212 00:11:24,850 --> 00:11:26,394 I thought you deleted them. 213 00:11:26,477 --> 00:11:28,354 Do you still have that cabin? 214 00:11:33,275 --> 00:11:36,946 I rent it out, mostly in the summer, before it gets too cold. 215 00:11:37,029 --> 00:11:40,658 I'm trying to pay off Sid's loans. What are you asking? 216 00:11:41,158 --> 00:11:42,118 Nothing. 217 00:11:42,201 --> 00:11:43,911 I just remember you. 218 00:11:45,538 --> 00:11:46,747 In that doorway. 219 00:11:47,832 --> 00:11:49,834 That is an image, as I get older, 220 00:11:51,627 --> 00:11:53,379 that I am glad I have. 221 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:56,006 And the file? 222 00:11:56,716 --> 00:11:58,175 I can't help you with that. 223 00:12:08,561 --> 00:12:10,563 [music fades out] 224 00:12:11,981 --> 00:12:12,815 Okay. 225 00:12:17,653 --> 00:12:19,989 Thank you so much for coming. 226 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:22,324 Sure. 227 00:12:22,408 --> 00:12:25,411 So, um, my mom wanted to talk to you. 228 00:12:25,494 --> 00:12:27,413 -This is my daughter. -I know. 229 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:32,209 Mom, go ahead. 230 00:12:33,210 --> 00:12:34,170 Hi, Lila. 231 00:12:35,212 --> 00:12:36,046 Well… 232 00:12:37,798 --> 00:12:40,342 -I wanted to apologize. -For what? 233 00:12:40,426 --> 00:12:44,346 I am very sorry that you felt you had to drop out of school 234 00:12:44,430 --> 00:12:46,932 based on what you believed were my actions. 235 00:12:47,016 --> 00:12:47,892 Really? 236 00:12:47,975 --> 00:12:49,226 -Mom. -What? 237 00:12:49,310 --> 00:12:51,187 That's not an apology. 238 00:12:51,270 --> 00:12:53,105 Well, it's as much as I can muster. 239 00:12:53,189 --> 00:12:54,356 You retaliated. 240 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:55,483 No, I didn't. 241 00:12:55,566 --> 00:12:58,611 Lila, Lila, I'm worried you're going into this blind. 242 00:12:58,694 --> 00:13:01,906 This hearing is not going to be an easy experience. 243 00:13:01,989 --> 00:13:05,242 Do you really want to put yourself through that? 244 00:13:05,326 --> 00:13:07,244 This is what you invited me here for? 245 00:13:07,328 --> 00:13:10,331 I'm concerned that you haven't thought this through. 246 00:13:10,414 --> 00:13:13,334 I'm concerned that you have yogurt on your shirt. 247 00:13:13,959 --> 00:13:16,837 -And your mother is a vindictive cunt. -I'm sorry, what? 248 00:13:16,921 --> 00:13:19,548 No, no, she can say that. It's okay. You can say that. 249 00:13:20,049 --> 00:13:23,552 "She liked to hold his penis in her hand, 250 00:13:23,636 --> 00:13:26,013 stroking the folds of his crinkled scrotum 251 00:13:26,096 --> 00:13:28,933 until he grew hard and impossible to ignore." 252 00:13:29,016 --> 00:13:29,850 -Sid! -What? 253 00:13:29,934 --> 00:13:32,228 Is this your little Internet porn journal? 254 00:13:32,311 --> 00:13:33,354 What… what… are you doing? 255 00:13:33,437 --> 00:13:34,897 And even if you take it down, 256 00:13:34,980 --> 00:13:38,192 I've printed out copies of all the pervy little entries you've written. 257 00:13:38,275 --> 00:13:39,652 That's fiction. 258 00:13:39,735 --> 00:13:42,655 Please. "She longed to have his cock inside her." 259 00:13:42,738 --> 00:13:44,865 -Put your phone away. -"Or any cock. It didn't matter." 260 00:13:44,949 --> 00:13:47,368 I'm gonna read every line of this out loud at the hearing. 261 00:13:47,451 --> 00:13:48,285 No, we're not. 262 00:13:48,369 --> 00:13:51,288 No, Sidney, we do not prosecute someone on the fiction they write. 263 00:13:51,372 --> 00:13:54,792 Mom, stop living in fantasyland. This woman wants to bring you down. 264 00:13:54,875 --> 00:13:59,088 You think your parents don't have to face the consequences of their abuse? 265 00:13:59,171 --> 00:14:00,464 Abuse? 266 00:14:00,548 --> 00:14:03,467 I will not let you ruin their lives 267 00:14:03,551 --> 00:14:06,887 over something stupid you initiated over ten years ago. 268 00:14:06,971 --> 00:14:08,472 -I'm leaving. -No, Lila. 269 00:14:08,556 --> 00:14:11,058 You wanna know who's a vindictive cunt? You want to? 270 00:14:11,141 --> 00:14:14,937 -[Lila] Who? -Me. Me. I'm a cunt! I'm a cunt! 271 00:14:15,437 --> 00:14:17,523 -[Lila] Go fuck yourself! -Why did you do that? 272 00:14:17,606 --> 00:14:19,233 Why didn't you apologize? 273 00:14:19,316 --> 00:14:21,318 [tense music playing] 274 00:14:26,282 --> 00:14:27,992 -[Lila grunts] -Sidney. 275 00:14:28,784 --> 00:14:29,743 What? 276 00:14:31,620 --> 00:14:33,289 You're not a cunt. 277 00:14:34,832 --> 00:14:35,958 [music fades out] 278 00:14:40,254 --> 00:14:43,048 Oh no! I forgot the coffees. I can go get them. 279 00:14:43,132 --> 00:14:45,259 No, no, no, no, no, no. Please. 280 00:14:45,342 --> 00:14:46,635 -You sure? -Mm-hmm. 281 00:14:46,719 --> 00:14:47,803 [Vladimir] Okay. 282 00:14:48,929 --> 00:14:50,306 These are 283 00:14:51,307 --> 00:14:55,269 peanut butter, flaxseed, oatmeal date balls. 284 00:14:55,352 --> 00:14:58,147 Gluten-free, no added sugar. 285 00:14:58,230 --> 00:14:59,565 Yum. 286 00:14:59,648 --> 00:15:01,150 [dreamy music playing] 287 00:15:01,233 --> 00:15:03,027 [angelic vocals playing] 288 00:15:06,363 --> 00:15:07,698 Is that nice? 289 00:15:07,781 --> 00:15:09,408 [music fades out] 290 00:15:09,491 --> 00:15:12,328 Vlad, I… I… I want to talk to you about something. 291 00:15:13,913 --> 00:15:16,540 -[Flo] And she made it. -I thought you were teaching. 292 00:15:16,624 --> 00:15:20,502 Gave 'em a group project. Ooh, balls! Mm. 293 00:15:20,586 --> 00:15:21,462 Mm! 294 00:15:21,545 --> 00:15:23,589 "We strive to dismantle hierarchy 295 00:15:23,672 --> 00:15:26,300 so that students may be free to interrogate power dynamics." 296 00:15:26,383 --> 00:15:30,387 I don't know about dismantle hierarchy. Pedagogy is hierarchy. 297 00:15:30,471 --> 00:15:32,890 But you could aim to be in a listening position. 298 00:15:32,973 --> 00:15:36,185 Well, I aim to be an engaged teacher and an expert in my subject. 299 00:15:36,268 --> 00:15:37,561 How does that help the students? 300 00:15:37,645 --> 00:15:39,188 Because they will learn something 301 00:15:39,271 --> 00:15:42,107 that will make them bigger and better human beings. 302 00:15:42,191 --> 00:15:44,902 I mean, if you succumb to this idea, Flo, the fucking knowledge… 303 00:15:44,985 --> 00:15:45,986 No need to curse. 304 00:15:46,070 --> 00:15:48,072 [protagonist] …fucking knowledge, learning, culture, 305 00:15:48,155 --> 00:15:50,282 and higher education as we know it is useless. 306 00:15:50,366 --> 00:15:51,742 Then you succumb to the idea 307 00:15:51,825 --> 00:15:54,578 that all we're supposed to be are transactional worker bees 308 00:15:54,662 --> 00:15:57,873 whose only purpose on this earth is to amass wealth or to chill out. 309 00:15:57,957 --> 00:15:59,875 -I mean, it's so facile. -In-- 310 00:15:59,959 --> 00:16:01,460 So fucking facile. Sorry. 311 00:16:01,543 --> 00:16:03,796 [Vladimir] In my opinion, college is more environment. 312 00:16:03,879 --> 00:16:05,464 It's what you're exposed to. 313 00:16:05,547 --> 00:16:09,301 No, I… I… I think it's more than that because we are… are their guides. 314 00:16:09,385 --> 00:16:11,387 We are responsible for their souls. 315 00:16:11,470 --> 00:16:14,765 [laughs] Really?! Sorry. You should tell that to your husband. 316 00:16:15,349 --> 00:16:18,852 Jesus Christ, Florence. You can be such a bitch. 317 00:16:18,936 --> 00:16:20,729 -Oh, that's inappropriate. -I know. 318 00:16:20,813 --> 00:16:23,023 No, you're both being very inappropriate. 319 00:16:25,234 --> 00:16:27,945 I give everything to my students. 320 00:16:28,028 --> 00:16:31,490 Well, I don't know, maybe you need to work on your boundaries. 321 00:16:34,118 --> 00:16:36,245 [Cynthia] The passion between the sisters, that's great, 322 00:16:36,328 --> 00:16:39,915 but I think you just need to expand on it. On top of that… 323 00:16:39,999 --> 00:16:43,752 I was thinking that… maybe another paragraph. 324 00:16:43,836 --> 00:16:45,504 May I speak to you? 325 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:49,675 Hey, we're just in the middle of something right now. 326 00:16:49,758 --> 00:16:51,552 Well, I wanted to… 327 00:16:52,094 --> 00:16:54,555 Oh, I feel so intensely awful. 328 00:16:54,638 --> 00:16:56,849 It looks like my letter bounced back. 329 00:16:56,932 --> 00:16:59,727 I mean, do you know if it went through? 330 00:16:59,810 --> 00:17:03,439 I'm… I'm so sorry. I feel like I've jeopardized your future. 331 00:17:03,522 --> 00:17:04,732 It's fine. 332 00:17:04,815 --> 00:17:07,901 Well, it… it is not fine. It's… it's… it's awful. 333 00:17:07,985 --> 00:17:09,945 I will do whatever I can to make it up to you. 334 00:17:10,029 --> 00:17:13,032 No, it's fine. Um, Professor Tong turned it in. 335 00:17:13,907 --> 00:17:16,035 Oh, I'm… I'm not a professor. 336 00:17:16,118 --> 00:17:17,453 Oh, when? 337 00:17:17,536 --> 00:17:19,913 The night it was due. It was 11. 338 00:17:19,997 --> 00:17:23,792 I saw that it wasn't turned in yet, so I texted Cynthia. 339 00:17:23,876 --> 00:17:26,712 What, you… you… you wrote it that night? 340 00:17:26,795 --> 00:17:28,005 [Edwina] I sent her a draft. 341 00:17:28,088 --> 00:17:31,133 Sorry, we're just supposed to be meeting about her essay right now. 342 00:17:31,216 --> 00:17:33,594 Oh God, thank you, really. I'm so relieved. I… 343 00:17:34,094 --> 00:17:36,638 Oh God, I thought I messed you up, Edwina. I… 344 00:17:37,347 --> 00:17:38,432 You're fine. 345 00:17:38,515 --> 00:17:41,769 I mean, you know how much stress I've been going through recently, so… 346 00:17:41,852 --> 00:17:43,395 -Um… -You're a student. 347 00:17:43,479 --> 00:17:46,774 You don't need to take on any of our stress, okay? 348 00:17:49,818 --> 00:17:52,029 We're in the middle of working on something. 349 00:17:55,741 --> 00:17:58,619 I'm… I'm sorry I let you down. 350 00:18:00,537 --> 00:18:02,539 [somber piano music playing] 351 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:10,255 I've never before in my life missed a deadline 352 00:18:10,339 --> 00:18:12,216 for a recommendation letter. 353 00:18:25,187 --> 00:18:28,857 Lily, Selden, The House of Mirth. 354 00:18:29,399 --> 00:18:31,860 They love each other, but they can't be together 355 00:18:31,944 --> 00:18:34,530 because society. 356 00:18:34,613 --> 00:18:35,531 Let's read. 357 00:18:37,074 --> 00:18:40,244 "'The only way I can help you is by loving you,' 358 00:18:40,327 --> 00:18:42,830 Selden said in a low voice." 359 00:18:42,913 --> 00:18:46,083 "She made no reply, but her face turned to him 360 00:18:46,166 --> 00:18:48,001 with the soft motion of a flower." 361 00:18:48,085 --> 00:18:51,713 "His own met it slowly, and their lips touched." 362 00:18:51,797 --> 00:18:54,758 "She drew back and rose from her seat." 363 00:18:55,259 --> 00:18:58,971 "Selden rose too, and they stood facing each other." 364 00:18:59,054 --> 00:19:03,183 "Suddenly, she caught his hand and pressed it against her cheek." 365 00:19:03,267 --> 00:19:07,437 "'Ah, love me, love me, but don't tell me so.'" 366 00:19:09,815 --> 00:19:11,150 [sighs] 367 00:19:11,984 --> 00:19:14,111 What is Wharton doing in this scene? 368 00:19:15,362 --> 00:19:17,531 -He's gay. -[students chuckle] 369 00:19:17,614 --> 00:19:18,615 No. 370 00:19:19,908 --> 00:19:21,869 They wanna love each other, but they can't. 371 00:19:21,952 --> 00:19:25,372 Yes, I said that, but what is Wharton doing in this scene? 372 00:19:25,455 --> 00:19:27,749 What kind of scene is this? 373 00:19:29,001 --> 00:19:32,838 Hint. This novel was written at the turn of the 20th century. 374 00:19:32,921 --> 00:19:35,966 You could be arrested for writing pornography. 375 00:19:36,049 --> 00:19:39,553 So what kind of scene is this? 376 00:19:40,971 --> 00:19:43,432 Sorry, is it, like, a sex scene? 377 00:19:43,515 --> 00:19:46,476 Yes, it is. Thank you, Rose. 378 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:50,480 Yeah, Wharton is giving us something steamy here, folks. 379 00:19:50,981 --> 00:19:54,193 So what are the erotics of this passage? 380 00:19:54,776 --> 00:19:56,570 -They kiss. -Don't give me the plot. 381 00:19:56,653 --> 00:19:58,739 Look into the words, the syntax. 382 00:19:58,822 --> 00:20:00,616 His voice is low. 383 00:20:00,699 --> 00:20:03,285 -What could that mean? -[student] He's soft-spoken. 384 00:20:04,244 --> 00:20:05,537 He's an introvert. 385 00:20:05,621 --> 00:20:07,080 Mm-hmm. 386 00:20:10,834 --> 00:20:12,044 [Vladimir] He's aroused. 387 00:20:14,254 --> 00:20:16,089 [romantic opera music playing] 388 00:20:16,173 --> 00:20:17,007 [sighs] 389 00:20:18,383 --> 00:20:20,844 Right. Right. 390 00:20:21,428 --> 00:20:24,514 "Her face turned to him 391 00:20:25,182 --> 00:20:27,309 with the soft motion of a flower." 392 00:20:27,392 --> 00:20:30,103 Okay, soft motion. 393 00:20:30,979 --> 00:20:32,689 Like gentle rocking. 394 00:20:33,190 --> 00:20:34,274 "Of a flower." 395 00:20:34,775 --> 00:20:35,734 She's… 396 00:20:36,235 --> 00:20:37,569 she's opening. 397 00:20:38,070 --> 00:20:40,072 She's opening like what? 398 00:20:40,822 --> 00:20:42,032 Flowers. 399 00:20:42,115 --> 00:20:44,743 And what does a flower resemble? 400 00:20:45,953 --> 00:20:47,537 The female anatomy. 401 00:20:48,914 --> 00:20:50,874 -[protagonist] "Selden rose…" -[breathy sigh] 402 00:20:51,875 --> 00:20:56,088 [protagonist] What identifiable feature of a man might rise? 403 00:20:56,171 --> 00:20:58,048 I'm not saying this to be dirty. 404 00:20:58,131 --> 00:21:01,260 I am saying that, in a repressed world like this, 405 00:21:01,343 --> 00:21:05,639 every single word carries more meaning than you think. 406 00:21:05,722 --> 00:21:07,724 -[music intensifies] -[Vladimir moaning] 407 00:21:13,438 --> 00:21:15,065 -[music stops] -[Vladimir sighs] 408 00:21:15,148 --> 00:21:16,441 [gentle orchestral music playing] 409 00:21:16,525 --> 00:21:20,028 This is as close to consummation as we're ever gonna get. 410 00:21:20,654 --> 00:21:22,990 Ooh! Love Edith Wharton. 411 00:21:23,073 --> 00:21:24,700 [students chuckle] 412 00:21:25,575 --> 00:21:28,036 But that's not actually what happens. 413 00:21:29,579 --> 00:21:30,998 What do you mean, Aaron? 414 00:21:31,081 --> 00:21:34,376 You just made all that up. You don't have to read it in that way. 415 00:21:34,459 --> 00:21:37,337 Well, yes. Of course I made it up, 416 00:21:37,421 --> 00:21:43,176 but do you understand what I mean when I say that we all, Aaron, even you, 417 00:21:44,928 --> 00:21:46,722 have a body? 418 00:21:47,973 --> 00:21:49,891 I don't understand that at all. 419 00:21:52,144 --> 00:21:54,313 -[Vladimir] That was fun. -Oh! 420 00:21:54,813 --> 00:21:57,774 -What made you… come? -Ah… 421 00:21:58,275 --> 00:22:00,235 I was feeling bad about the other day, 422 00:22:00,319 --> 00:22:03,071 and, you know, I know you're going through a lot. 423 00:22:03,572 --> 00:22:06,241 Huh, well, I like to think so. [chuckles] 424 00:22:06,908 --> 00:22:09,870 -John's hearing is coming up, right? -Mm-hmm. 425 00:22:09,953 --> 00:22:11,371 What's your take? 426 00:22:12,247 --> 00:22:15,167 I don't do takes. Just wanted to see how you were. 427 00:22:15,667 --> 00:22:18,462 Actually, Vlad, I wanted to ask you something. 428 00:22:18,545 --> 00:22:19,546 [Vladimir] Hit me. 429 00:22:19,629 --> 00:22:20,630 [inhales sharply] 430 00:22:21,173 --> 00:22:23,300 -Well, not that hard. -Oh. [chuckles] 431 00:22:23,383 --> 00:22:24,676 -Uh, you know what? -Just joking. 432 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:25,927 Never mind. 433 00:22:27,763 --> 00:22:30,474 You know you can be very hard to read. 434 00:22:30,557 --> 00:22:32,225 Yeah, I get that a lot. 435 00:22:34,186 --> 00:22:36,229 I'm, uh… I'm almost done with your book. 436 00:22:36,313 --> 00:22:37,230 Really? 437 00:22:37,314 --> 00:22:39,608 Yeah, I wanted to see if, I don't know, 438 00:22:39,691 --> 00:22:42,986 maybe you wanted to schedule the reciprocal lunch. 439 00:22:43,070 --> 00:22:45,989 Oh, sure. Sure! Sure. Um… 440 00:22:46,531 --> 00:22:47,699 This weekend? 441 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:50,952 Um… weekends… weekends are tough. 442 00:22:51,036 --> 00:22:53,080 Oh, oh, okay, um… 443 00:22:53,163 --> 00:22:54,623 Uh, brr… Next week? 444 00:22:55,415 --> 00:22:58,293 How about Monday after next? Study day. 445 00:22:58,377 --> 00:23:00,921 Monday, uh, study day. 446 00:23:01,004 --> 00:23:02,839 Um… Hmm. 447 00:23:03,340 --> 00:23:05,592 Ah, study day. 448 00:23:06,093 --> 00:23:08,011 That's, um… 449 00:23:08,095 --> 00:23:10,472 -Or after Thanksgiving? -No. No, no, no, no. 450 00:23:10,555 --> 00:23:12,766 No. See you then. 451 00:23:13,642 --> 00:23:15,602 -Cool. -[delicate string music playing] 452 00:23:15,685 --> 00:23:17,562 -I'm this way. -I'm this way. 453 00:23:18,063 --> 00:23:20,023 -[Vladimir] I'll see you later. -Okay. 454 00:23:20,899 --> 00:23:23,610 If he looks back, he loves me. 455 00:23:24,778 --> 00:23:26,947 -[music building] -[wind chimes chiming] 456 00:23:27,656 --> 00:23:28,824 [sighs] 457 00:23:28,907 --> 00:23:30,909 [music becomes moody] 458 00:23:31,868 --> 00:23:34,079 -[knock on door] -Uh, come in. 459 00:23:35,539 --> 00:23:37,207 Do you have a second? 460 00:23:40,460 --> 00:23:42,337 -[knock on door] -Come in. 461 00:23:44,214 --> 00:23:45,257 We have a problem. 462 00:23:49,136 --> 00:23:51,555 -[knock on door] -Mm. Come in. 463 00:23:54,057 --> 00:23:56,017 Um… 464 00:24:02,816 --> 00:24:03,692 Hey. 465 00:24:06,153 --> 00:24:07,154 What is it? 466 00:24:10,699 --> 00:24:12,242 [moody music fades] 467 00:24:12,325 --> 00:24:13,452 Guys? 468 00:24:19,791 --> 00:24:23,795 This afternoon, the tenured faculty took a vote. 469 00:24:23,879 --> 00:24:25,797 There's no easy way to say this. 470 00:24:25,881 --> 00:24:28,633 Flo, just utter the words. 471 00:24:28,717 --> 00:24:31,678 We're asking you to step down from teaching. 472 00:24:33,513 --> 00:24:36,933 -[electronic pop music pumping] -♪ Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh ♪ 473 00:24:37,017 --> 00:24:40,395 ♪ Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh ♪ 474 00:24:40,479 --> 00:24:42,564 ♪ Oh, oh… ♪ 475 00:24:42,647 --> 00:24:43,607 -Why? -♪ Sick ♪ 476 00:24:44,441 --> 00:24:45,942 ♪ Oh, oh ♪ 477 00:24:46,943 --> 00:24:49,404 -♪ Sick ♪ -♪ We're all so tired and sick ♪ 478 00:24:49,488 --> 00:24:51,156 ♪ Of all the stupid pricks ♪ 479 00:24:51,239 --> 00:24:54,868 ♪ We're all so tired and sick Of all the stupid pricks ♪ 480 00:24:54,951 --> 00:24:58,121 ♪ We're all so tired and sick Of all the stupid pricks ♪ 481 00:24:58,205 --> 00:25:01,875 ♪ We're all so tired and sick Of all the stupid pricks ♪ 482 00:25:02,959 --> 00:25:05,879 ♪ 'Cause life is such a mess And this place makes me super stressed ♪ 483 00:25:05,962 --> 00:25:09,883 ♪ 'Cause life is such a mess And this place makes me super stressed ♪ 484 00:25:09,966 --> 00:25:12,886 ♪ 'Cause life is such a mess And this place makes me super stressed ♪ 485 00:25:12,969 --> 00:25:14,888 ♪ I don't wanna deal With these people no more ♪ 486 00:25:14,971 --> 00:25:16,890 ♪ I don't wanna deal With these people no more ♪ 487 00:25:16,973 --> 00:25:19,976 ♪ I'm biting my nails I'm biting my nails more than before ♪ 488 00:25:20,477 --> 00:25:23,396 ♪ I'm biting my nails I'm biting my nails more than before ♪ 489 00:25:23,980 --> 00:25:25,398 ♪ 'Cause life is such a mess ♪ 490 00:25:25,482 --> 00:25:27,400 ♪ 'Cause life is such a mess ♪ 491 00:25:27,484 --> 00:25:30,904 ♪ 'Cause life is such a mess And this place makes me super stressed ♪ 492 00:25:30,987 --> 00:25:32,906 ♪ I don't wanna deal With these people no more ♪ 493 00:25:32,989 --> 00:25:34,991 ♪ I don't wanna deal With these people no more ♪ 494 00:25:35,492 --> 00:25:37,410 -♪ Oh ♪ -♪ Uh-uh-uh-uh ♪ 495 00:25:39,829 --> 00:25:41,414 [dog barks, whines]