It's Not Like That (2026) s01e03 Episode Script

1
Previously,
on It's Not Like That
My wife's dead.
How can everything
just keep on going on without her?
Is this the year
that goes down as, like,
Mom and Dad got divorced
and ruined our lives?
The longer
you stay somewhere temporary,
you know, you're giving them false hope.
When we kissed,
I hadn't felt that alive in a long time.
But it was a mistake.
I don't know if what happened between us
was because I'm lonely
or because you were just so comfortable.
We're so comfortable.
We can't.
- That's my new client.
- You're repping DJs now?
Why don't you
go over there and pin one of them?
Girls!
Stay where we can see you, please.
This is looking good.
You know,
might be time to replace this thing.
Don't you dare.
I like it just the way it is.
This sign? You know,
I dug the holes with Dad,
back when we moved in.
It's the backdrop
for all my favorite family photos.
Mm-hmm.
- Including our wedding.
- Okay, okay.
Okay.
- I love everything about this old church.
- Yeah?
- Yeah, especially you.
- Oh.
Thank you.
I've been thinking, actually, what if
we partnered with other community leaders?
Like the Temple, the Islamic Center.
We could make this sort of
an interfaith rummage sale.
We'd definitely get more donations.
"What unites us is stronger
than what divides us."
That's what Dad always said.
I am all for channeling Pastor Lucas.
And I think you just added
a lot more work for us.
Oh.
- That's why we have two daughters.
- Uh-huh.
Just love seeing all these things
find new homes, new life, you know,
instead of sitting around
in boxes in garages.
Makes me so happy.
I can see that.
Oh, no, don't open that!
I was just looking for my duffel.
It's not in the junk closet.
I took it out.
Look under your bed.
Yeah, Dad, I get it.
It's an apartment building with amenities.
It's not an apartment building,
it's a townhome, okay.
Where's Case? I want her to see as well.
- Look, look, look.
- Hi.
It comes with a pool.
Anytime you guys wanna swim,
okay, you can
- Uh, Dad, you cut out.
- It's on his end, Casey.
- They'll see you after school, okay.
- See you, guys. I love you.
- Yeah, I'm not staying there.
- Uh, yeah, same.
I want you guys to go through Mom's stuff
with me and see what we can give away.
So, you wanna get rid of everything?
Just all of Mom's stuff?
No, of course not. That's not what I mean.
I just thought
the rummage sale is this week,
this was important to your mom,
I thought we could honor that.
Well, what about what I want?
That is why we're gonna take our time
and go through everything.
See what we wanna donate,
what we wanna keep.
But it's not the stuff that matters.
Uh, yeah, Dad, the stuff matters.
- We're not just gonna erase Mom.
- Penelope, no one's erasing Mom here.
You're not getting rid
of Mom's car, right?
- Well, actually, your Mom and I thought
- No, no!
Okay, okay, okay.
Let's table the car for a moment.
He has no Wi-Fi.
- He has Wi-Fi.
- Okay, fine, he has crappy Wi-Fi.
All my homework's on Google Classroom.
Oh, and now it's all about
getting your homework done?
Okay. Guys, you are going to your dad's.
Both of you, end of story.
I know, I know
that this is gonna be hard, okay,
but your mom believed, we believe,
in helping others when we can,
so, let's just, let's take our time
and get things organized, okay.
Why? Why are we the ones
that have to move?
You guys are the ones that got divorced.
Why don't you just sell the whole house
while you're at it?
Does he even have a table?
It would've been nice
to get a little heads-up, Dad.
- And we are not sharing a room.
- I don't wanna move.
She's being sarcastic.
- Did anyone think this through?
- This is so unfair.
It's the right thing. I know that.
I mean, we're gonna have to go
through her stuff sooner or later.
The truth is,
I'm ready.
I need it.
But it's hard for them, you know.
I knew Jenny was sick before they did.
I've had more time to grieve.
But I think it'll be good for them.
But I feel terrible. They
They said I was trying to erase her.
That's impossible.
For what it's worth,
I feel terrible today,
because I am committing
the horrendous crime
of forcing my children
to spend time with their father,
who loves them.
Although, feeling terrible is,
basically, my preset these days.
Why are you blaming yourself?
Maybe Casey has a point.
They didn't get divorced, we did.
At some point, you're gonna
have to cut yourself some slack.
Especially because you know
your kids aren't going to.
It's kinda their job
to make us feel guilty.
Yeah. We don't have anything
to feel guilty about.
Right?
Right.
- Hey. Is it okay if I s-sit?
- Hey.
You're good.
So, I think I might have something
for you to write about.
Oh, yeah?
It's about us.
Well, well, our parents.
Oh, okay.
What? Say it.
I think my mom and your dad hooked up.
- What?
- Or are hooking up.
- No, they're just friends.
- I don't think so.
- No.
- I-I overheard them
and they were talking about kissing
and, like, how amazing it was,
- and
- No, that makes zero sense.
My dad isn't
He's not ready to You're wrong.
I'm just telling you what I heard.
Are you sure they were
even talking about each other?
- Did you seem them actually do anything?
- I
- Did you see them
- No.
So you don't know.
I'm sorry. My bad.
I shouldn't have said anything.
Are you doing anything this weekend?
Me?
Oh, you know I was just messing with you
at the Halidom.
That's kind of what we do.
It's not personal.
Yeah, I know.
Um, well
This weekend's gonna literally suck.
We're going to our dad's new apartment
for the first time, so, yeah.
- Yay, divorce.
- Where?
Uh, the condo complex on Westin.
Oh, yeah, transition townhomes.
What?
My dad started there, too.
That place is, like, divorced dad central.
My parents split when I was six.
It was ugly.
It still is.
I'm, like, an expert on divorce.
Right now, you just need to binge
some super depressing reality TV
about people's lives who suck even more.
You'll feel so much better.
And the best part
is cashing in on their guilt.
- You can get whatever you want.
- Seriously?
Pretty much.
Hey, wait, Dakota.
Why are you talking to me?
You were here.
Please tell me
you bailed on us last night
because you were on a hot date
with Cuppa Joe?
Oh, I wish.
No, uh, I finally cracked open
a Southern Living,
and then I immediately fell asleep.
And his name is Joe. Just Joe.
Not that it matters.
He hasn't responded to any of my texts.
Texts?
How many have you sent?
- I should've kissed him. I blew it.
- No. No.
No, I mean, we genuinely had a great time.
Like, I don't get it. What is the point
of all of the DMing and the texting?
There isn't one.
Swipe right, swipe left, that's it.
He ghosted you. It's a rite of passage.
- Moving on.
- I don't wanna move on.
I liked him.
I swiped so many to get to him.
Well, men love to ghost.
You're making me feel so much better.
Hey.
Sorry, I'm a little early.
It's fine.
- Hi, David.
- How you doing?
Okay, so, Claire Lesley,
our favorite shared client,
super psyched about your promo materials.
- Good.
- Well done.
We're just talking about
extending her tour,
- adding a spring leg across
- Wait, wait, uh,
can we talk about family schedule first?
Yeah, sure, what's up?
Um, the kids, they don't wanna
spend the weekend at your new place.
- Okay, tough, they don't have a choice.
- Okay, well, I get that,
but, you know, we did always say
that we wanted them to have autonomy.
- To make up their own minds about
- Okay, Lori,
I'm their father, right?
That's where I live.
- In the place that you told me to get.
- Okay, I
You guys have a text chain without me?
You can have a text chain without me.
Look, I know this sucks.
No, actually, you don't. Okay? You don't.
You're not the one
in "transition townhomes."
Casey's words, not mine. I I'm sorry.
I feel like I'm trying everything here.
I'm trying everything
and nothing is getting through to them.
Like, I
I think Casey's wrestling
has something to do with you.
Yeah.
It's just, all their stuff is at home.
You know, their routines, like,
they wanna sleep in their own beds.
Okay, how about this
Why don't you stay at the house
this weekend,
and the kids can stay home with you?
You know, that way
you can get quality time with them,
they'll be comfortable,
and I'll be out of the way.
- Doesn't that defeat the whole purpose?
- No, it's, it's a thing.
It's called "birdnesting."
Malcolm sent me an article about it.
Like, the kids stay in one place,
and the parents move around.
It's big in Scandinavia.
Aren't they supposed to be
the happiest people on earth?
I guess so.
Okay, where are you gonna go?
Well, I hear there is a beautiful
three-bedroom in transition townhomes.
- I do love a pool.
- Mm-hmm.
Hey. Look who's here.
Did you come to help out?
Oh, no, I was just
Can I talk to you for a second?
Sure.
Are you
Why now?
With donating Mom's stuff.
Uh, well, this is why. The rummage sale.
There's no other reason?
Are you
seeing someone?
No. I'm not.
This rummage sale was something
your mom helped organize every year.
- That's what this is.
- Okay.
But I'm not saying
that I haven't thought about
what it would be like to meet someone new.
Does that upset you?
- I I don't
- Listen, Flora,
when I when I counsel folks about grief,
I tell them that there is no timeline,
there is no right or wrong,
it's just a journey.
So, at some point,
I will put myself out there again.
But that'll be for me, okay.
I'm not gonna give you the play-by-play.
Good. Good. Please don't.
I promise I will talk to you guys
if I ever get serious about someone, okay?
- Okay. Okay.
- Okay. Sorry, sorry.
Listen, um, about Mom's car,
that's totally up to you.
Think about what you wanna do,
whether you wanna donate it, keep it.
It's your call. I trust your judgment.
Surprise!
Uh, what's going on? Where's Mom?
She's at my place.
I'm here for the weekend.
Why?
It's called "birdnesting."
Or something.
This way you guys don't have to
come to me, I come to you. Right?
We get to spend the weekend together.
So, we packed for nothing.
Now, you get to unpack for me.
- I'm gonna hit the drums.
- I have homework.
Uh, okay, um, yeah, that's cool. Homework.
Uh, guys, hey, I'm here all weekend, okay.
Dude. Air mattresses?
Oh. Look at you go.
Did you take Mom's jewelry box?
- The one with the ivory tree on it?
- No.
Okay, well, I looked everywhere
and you knew I wanted it.
Search my side, I don't have it.
Fine.
Hey. Whoa.
You don't trust me? I was kidding.
- Could you be any messier, Flora?
- Yeah, I could try.
Are you seriously not going to help me?
Justin is, like, a machine down there,
going through Mom's stuff.
I'm just trying to save what I can.
He can get rid of all of it,
for all I care.
- You don't really mean that?
- Yeah, I do.
I don't wanna go through her things.
I'm already dealing with her car.
Poor Flora, she has to deal with the car.
Hey!
I feel really guilty about the car now.
Dad says that it's all up to me.
"I trust your judgment."
Yeah. And then he gives me that look.
Mm-hmm. I hate that look.
Why can't he just yell,
like normal parents?
I don't know.
Ooh.
I don't think anyone's gonna buy this.
Oh, I don't know.
Kids love clothes with holes in them.
True. They love whatever
you tell them not to love
and do whatever you tell them not to do.
Yeah, or don't do what you,
oh so carefully, tell them to do.
Like make donations to the rummage sale.
- Oh, Carlin coming in hot.
- Already?
Um, we're still setting up, Mr. Carlin.
We don't need looky-loos
while we do our work.
Hey, it's a free country, isn't it?
I know you like your deals,
but you're not gonna get a better one
just because you're here a day early.
Ooh. One buck for the belt buckle.
- Uh, can you please come back tomorrow?
- All right, fine.
Buck and a quarter,
but that's my final offer.
No.
No?
That's right, no. Not for sale.
- But it was
- Come back tomorrow. Please.
- It was in the box.
- Tomorrow! Please. Please!
It's okay, Malcolm, just calm down.
I was, uh, I was worried about the kids.
- Sorry, I didn't mean to
- No, please,
this is going to be hard this year.
That's from Pastor Malcolm's rodeo days.
Lot of sentimental value.
- Sorry.
- You'll be fine. You'll be fine.
Mm.
Hey. Thought I'd go old-school today.
What? You guys love this.
Or you do.
I-I do. Yeah, it's fun.
All right, Case, come on,
you get the plantains,
I got the rice and beans,
the meat'll be ready in about an hour.
Uh, yeah,
I'm not really a red meat person anymore.
But this is good, Dad. Thanks.
Hey.
New to the building?
Larry Talia.
And you are?
Lori.
Larry and Lori? Come on.
- What are the odds?
- Yeah.
So, uh, there's a great new sushi spot
that just opened.
If you're free for dinner,
I'd love to take you.
Larry, to be honest,
I'm just here for a little me time.
- So
- Right.
- Hey, Lar.
- Mike.
- Pete.
- Hey.
Lori, Mike, Pete.
Okay. I Um
What's he doing down there?
Hey, guys. Hey.
Come on, I got a great idea.
Come on. Let's go.
You guys are gonna love this. Come on.
Ooh. Ooh.
What? No.
What?
Hello.
Hey, Lori.
- Malcolm.
- What's wrong?
I don't know. I'm naked
in my ex-husband's bed, freaking out.
That didn't
Okay.
I just forgot my pajamas.
Also, I don't know what I'm doing here.
Can you come over?
Sure, uh, I'm on my way.
- Virginia, can you finish up without me?
- Of course. Everything all right?
- Just a congregate in crisis.
- Oh.
Okay, so you wanna come in here,
now hook your arm under his, right,
that's an arm bar. Casey.
Hello? Come on, girl, pay attention.
Two generations of Soto wrestlers
teaching you here.
- It's in your blood, girl. Right?
- Yep. Yep.
- Come on.
- Sorry.
So this is when you have the leverage
to pin his arm back, like
Merritt, come on, man,
we're just demonstrating.
Like that. Right?
Like this. Then you have the advantage.
Right? 'Cause you got him trapped.
That's when you wanna roll him
on his back.
- Or her.
- Or her, of course. Or her.
Merritt. Come on, man,
we're just teaching your sister how to
That's when
you swivel out your hips,
create a new base
That's called a reverse.
This is called a cross-face cradle.
Is this what we're doing?
Very tough to escape.
Okay, yeah, I get it.
Okay. All right. All right, Mer.
Merritt, stop!
- Merritt!
- Merritt, come on, man. I'm tapping out.
Stop! Merritt!
What is the matter with you?
We're just trying
to have some fun here, Merritt.
Fun?
Yeah, Dad, this is, this is so much fun.
- Buddy, I'm trying my best here.
- Your best?
This is your best?
It's more, like, desperate.
Son, what do you want me to do?
- What do you want me to do?
- Dad,
you can't just come here and play house
like you're not the reason
all of this happened.
You did this.
To us.
Because you're selfish.
Did you know Mom's
Mom what?
You don't belong here anymore.
Merritt.
- Thanks for coming over.
- Of course.
- You okay?
- No.
Just being here, it's like
He's got all these new clothes,
and, like, he wears body spray now?
- Mm.
- It's just this place.
It is so empty and soulless.
Blah.
I mean,
the TV and surround sound are working.
Of course he set those up first,
but I don't know
I look at this place, and I
A part of me is so sad.
But then, part of me is jealous.
He gets to start over.
This place is literally a blank slate.
He can
totally reinvent himself, and I
I get that.
I'd love to do that.
So, what happened?
I don't know.
I got into bed early with my magazines,
which I haven't had any time to read.
- But I was wearing his shirt.
- Mm.
And I just
Yeah.
- What's in the bag?
- Oh.
Pajamas. Uh, they should fit you, too.
They're Flora rejects.
Apparently, I missed the window
on her Phoebe Bridgers phase.
Kinda with you on this place being sad.
But, um
He chose this.
Yeah.
This is what he wanted.
More than he wanted me.
What does that say?
You know, I've, uh,
I've helped a lot of people
through divorces,
and there's never any one reason
why things go wrong.
So
I think the best way through this is just,
you know, open and honest communication.
Well, that sounds a lot
like Pastor Malcolm.
Yeah.
I wanted friend Malcolm.
Friend Malcolm thinks
Pastor Malcolm has pretty good insights.
Okay.
Hey.
I looked everywhere for Mom's jewelry box.
I couldn't find it,
but I'm sure it'll turn up.
Justin knows not to donate it.
So, I thought
you might like to keep this.
Beautiful.
- What was that?
- Uh
Justin's in, like, full purge mode.
- Yeah.
- Mm-hmm.
I moved all of Mom's stuff in here
to sort through it,
but I don't want your help
if you guys are gonna fight.
- We're not fighting.
- Yeah.
You know, Justin,
the whole "Dad's good little boy" routine,
- you know you're making us look bad?
- I can't help it.
This is the book that Mom used
to teach me piano.
I picked this out for her at the mall.
She said it was so
California.
Whatever that means.
- She should've worn it more.
- Yeah.
- It's so her.
- Yeah.
All right, Justin, so, uh,
what's the deal? What's your system?
Anything that's a definite donate,
goes to the left.
Anything that's a definite keep,
goes to the right.
And the maybes go in the middle.
Um, Merritt's outside.
You are on Justin duty.
I can't even look at him.
Casey says he's trying.
But it, it's too late.
He doesn't think of anyone but himself.
I-I shouldn't have to tell him
how to be a good dad.
I'm sorry. I Sorry.
He's just, he's, he's
He's acting so fake.
No, please, say it.
You are
nothing like that.
You're
you're real.
And
you're always yourself.
Do you wanna go for a ride?
I have a permit.
Um, are you serious?
Yeah.
- You have a license.
- I do.
- I have a car.
- Yes.
Mm.
- Come on. You wanna go? You wanna go?
- All right.
Let's go. Let's go.
They're both asleep.
Okay. Is Casey on her back?
Uh Yes, she's on her back.
Hey, because she likes
to roll over onto her stomach,
and the pediatrician said
that the number one
Okay, um, so that means we have 78 minutes
before she's hungry again.
What?
My breastfeeding log is very accurate.
We should make the most
of these next 78 minutes.
Mm.
- I love this song.
- Mm-hmm.
- This sounds great in here, doesn't it?
- Yeah.
It's a little echoey.
- I-I'm not complaining. No.
- Mm-hmm.
God bless Jenny and Malcolm
for telling us about this place.
It's just
so empty.
Well, let's fill it up, then.
Okay.
Why do you think
I bought us such a big house?
Huh?
Do you remember when you thought
Conway Twitty was a cartoon character?
- Take it back.
- No.
- I will drop you. I will
- No. No.
Okay, fine. I admit it.
Mm-hmm.
You know more about music than I do.
That means more to me
than hearing you love me.
Well, I do.
You know, you can
get pulled over for driving too slow.
Right?
Whoa.
Oh.
At least you can still count on David
to stock the freezer with ice cream.
Yes.
I'm not sure what else
he was going to feed them.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean
to keep you here so late.
- I'm sure the kids are wondering
- No, no.
- Uh-uh.
- No, it's fine.
Really. I'm fine.
- You sure? Okay.
- Yes.
Pastor Malcolm was very helpful.
So was my friend Malcolm.
Whoa.
Okay, learner's permit.
Uh
You can't stop here.
That's my dad.
Coming out of my dad's place.
Where my mom is birdnesting, or whatever.
Hey, what's up?
I'm in Lori's bed.
- And you're freaking out.
- Uh, yep, mm-hmm.
I don't know, man, just being back
in this house, Malc, like
The sheets, they smell like her.
Yeah, well, that's,
that's where she sleeps.
I can't stay in this room.
I can't do it.
Hey, I'm gonna come over, okay?
No. No, no, no. Uh, I'm not home. Um
Uh You know what? I'll come to you.
I'll be there in a few.
All right.
See, I-I knew
something was going on between them.
Your dad is doing the walk of shame.
Okay, you don't know
that that's what's on.
- They could just be
- What? What?
Spending time in my dad's bachelor pad?
So much for my parents
ever getting back together.
Merritt, I asked my dad
if he was seeing anyone,
he said no.
He's a pastor. He doesn't know
how to do the walk of shame.
Look.
I know you see the world in this rosy way
because of who your dad is,
- but
- I'm not as innocent as you think.
I just know my father,
and he would never lie to me.
Parents lie.
They lie.
All the time.
I don't know, Malcolm.
I-I chose the divorce.
Right? Like, I chose to leave this house.
I don't know, man,
just being back here, like
I miss it.
I miss it. I miss the kids.
Is it possible I miss my wife?
Ex-wife?
Of course, it's possible.
It's really hard to move forward
without looking back.
Maybe I'm just a "grass is always greener"
kind of guy.
Mm.
You know, I lost it today
at the church on this guy
wanting to buy a cowboy belt buckle
that Jenny bought me as a joke.
That I've literally never worn.
Totally chewed this poor guy out.
Right? You mean, you politely told him no.
Hey. I raised my voice. I'm a human being.
Although, I did say please.
Numerous times.
I don't know. I think we both
just need to find a way forward.
I'm really sorry
you're having a hard time. Truly.
Guess I'm reaping what I sow, right?
How is she?
Lori.
You're spending a lot of time with her,
how's she doing?
Uh, she's great. She's great.
Hey, you know that, uh,
the woman from your office,
the accountant.
- Sarah?
- Yeah.
Yeah.
Wouldn't hurt to have
a cup of coffee with her, right?
Mm.
- Oh.
- Couldn't hurt anyone.
- You're welcome.
- Thank you.
All right.
Hey, Dad. We kept a few things.
Hey.
Oh, Pen.
That looks fabulous on you.
- Flora picked it out.
- Wow.
Um, but everything in the boxes,
we can donate.
I'm proud of you guys.
Thank you. I'll take that.
Hey, Miriam,
my kid just brought in quite a haul
for Grace Community.
- Oh, yeah.
- Mm-hmm.
- What's the wager this year?
- A steak dinner at Marlowe's.
Uh, well, I like my odds,
and I like my steak medium rare.
- He's already gloating.
- Uh-huh.
Just please don't gloat as hard as Yousef.
- Oh.
- I don't gloat.
I just glow.
'Cause my people are so generous.
Malcolm.
- Hey.
- Hi.
Hey.
- Hi, there.
- Um,
I just wanted to say thank you
for last night.
For talking me down.
Of course.
- Oh. Excuse me.
- Go, go, go.
Hey, buddy, thanks so much
for coming by last night.
Oh, of course. Yeah.
Hi.
I went through my room.
I'm gonna donate this stuff.
Oh. Thank you, Flora.
- Dad.
- Mm.
I think Mom would want you
to put yourself out there.
Thanks, sweetie.
And I'm keeping her car.
It's yours.
Virginia!
Okay,
so this whole house swap thing
- Yeah.
- It doesn't work.
It's not my home anymore, Lori.
I have a home.
And I'm starting a new life and they
need to be there to be a part of it.
I agree.
- Okay. Okay, good.
- Yeah. Yeah.
I left a little surprise
at the house for you.
- I hate surprises.
- No, you don't.
You say you hate them,
but you secretly love them.
Yeah.
How's that look? Good?
How's it look?
Oink, oink.
Me.
It's perfect.
Thanks.
Thank you.
Good job. Good job.
So, you're saying we have to literally
pack and unpack every other weekend?
Yeah. That is what I'm literally saying.
And like everything in life,
you will get used to it.
Okay.
Also, you're gonna start tonight.
Screw the Scandinavians.
- Tonight?
- How about right now?
Come on. We could hit up IKEA, Target,
wherever you guys wanna go.
You get to pick out your beds.
Decorate your own rooms.
Seriously, I want you guys
to make this place feel like your own.
Okay?
What?
Did you think I was gonna let them
sleep on an air mattress?
I No, no. No. I
It's I think it's a great idea. Okay.
Also, I can't wait
for you to see that pool,
so relaxing.
Lovely neighbors, too.
- Bye, Mom.
- Bye.
Bye.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Bye. Bye, guys.
So, uh, I have a math test Monday.
So, I gotta go study.
Yeah, no worries,
I got the dishes.
- Hey, I love you.
- Okay.
- Mm. Love you so much.
- I love you, too.
Bye.
Hey, I'm sorry. Okay.
For what?
For all of it.
I just want us to be
I want us to be good, Merritt,
as a family.
What can I do?
What?
If you want things to get better,
talk to your buddy Malcolm.
Malcolm and Mom are hooking up.