Ripple (2025) s01e05 Episode Script

1
Hi, Dad.
I've missed you so much.
Why did you stop talking to me?
Someone was gonna
give me a ride tomorrow,
and they can't anymore.
Would you be able to do it?
Yeah, of course.
We successfully
removed the tumor,
but it was more complicated
than we expected.
So, then, what next?
Possibly
another surgery.
Okay, you're kinda cute, Walter!
I love this job.
And here I am,
learning from the best.
I feel like everyone
around me is pregnant.
I should be happy for them.
Aria?
Oh my God.
Loneliness is multiplied
when we keep ourselves
closed off.
-Hey.
-Hi.
Hey.
The people
who love you see you suffering.
Sorry,
don't mind the mess.
She's just in the bedroom.
Okay.
And seeing
you suffer hurts them too.
Baby…
We have to
let them help us, I think.
Got a visitor.
Nobody likes to admit
they can't handle life alone.
But maybe we shouldn't try to.
-You okay?
-Mm-hm.
It's kind of…
What it means to be human.
Tada!
Filling my prescription
for anxiety meds
consistently gives me anxiety.
Is that how they get you?
"They"?
Big pharma.
The app said Bremmen Way.
And all I see is this poster
for a farmers' market
that says "shiitake happens."
Are you on
Bremmen Street,
or Bremmen Way,
or Bremmen Place…?
How did you know?
I'm your sister.
I know details
aren't your strong point.
Rude!
Thank you.
Especially
when you're stressed.
Who's stressed?
I'm just unemployed,
broke, and unmedicated.
Sorry.
I'm whining.
How are you?
How is she?
Oh…
I'm the same, she's the same.
Please get back to whining
about your miseries.
I need the distraction.
Well, if you want
more distraction,
a guy on the train today
said I reminded him
of his middle-school
math teacher,
who was, and I quote,
"A vision in Argyle."
Yeah, I told you
that cardigan is heinous!
Thank you.
I needed a laugh.
Here to serve.
Excuse me,
know where Bremmen Way is?
Nope.
Here you go.
I'm gonna call you back.
Okay, bye.
I'm so sorry
I didn't call you back.
Stop.
My dumb music snippets
aren't as important as your dad.
Well, still,
I could have said something.
I was just… underwater.
I can't stop thinking
about what I did…
To cause it.
You didn't do anything
to cause it, though.
I did listen to your clips.
It's all there.
When you're ready,
just… keep going.
Completing your first original
is no easy feat.
It is for some people.
Taylor Swift writes, like,
five albums at a time.
-Aria.
-What? It's true.
Maybe it's me.
I can't seem to cross
any finish lines.
What's that?
Oh, that's…
It can wait for another time.
Um, but my face is on it.
You have to show me.
I'm chuffed
about you performing,
but there's no rush.
I'll I'll talk to Nate.
Are you two okay?
Oh, I'm not sure.
Oh, we haven't seen each other
since I sped off to the UK.
Well, he understands, though.
He can't.
He doesn't know why I left.
He has more important
things going on.
But no, he has
other things going on.
He cares about you.
A lot.
I suppose.
You know he does.
Pfft.
If you don't give someone
the opportunity to fail you,
then they can't fail you.
I think that's why
I didn't reach out to my dad
for all those years.
I couldn't…
face the risk
that he wouldn't welcome me back
with open arms.
That's why we stopped
trying to get pregnant.
The fear.
Now there's… this.
It's okay not to be okay.
Good.
Because these reality TV shows
aren't gonna watch themselves.
There you go.
I do worry about
you being alone, though.
Um, I'm…
Seeing Dr. Anderson today.
Okay.
Are you gonna call Nate?
Yes.
It's his birthday tomorrow.
He's probably off
celebrating somewhere.
Hm.
I just don't really
feel like celebrating.
Well, your daughter
considers birthdays
a month-long event,
and she's making you a very
delicious-looking pancake
right now,
so let's take a break, okay?
Okay.
Oh, wow!
Wow!
Is that mine?
Thank you, sweetie.
Great job.
Mmm!
Oh…
Wow.
You're not hungry?
Oh yeah!
So hungry.
-Yeah.
-Mmm, mmm.
All right…
Mmm.
Mmm!
Okay…
Mmm.
Mmm!
Time for the park?
Yeah!
Yeah, let's go.
Okay.
Okay, hey…
Remember…
Daddy needs to take it slow
right now, okay?
Shoes, please.
Hey…
You're about
to start treatment again,
so I just think
Oh, I know.
I get it, but…
I'm gonna talk to her, just…
Not today.
Okay.
Maybe…
Also talk to your parents?
Let them know
that you have cancer
before they jet off to Mumbai
and bring you back a hookah.
They know me so well.
Hey, are you seriously gonna
run around the city all day
with a six-year-old
hopped up on sugar?
I can handle cupcakes
and the playground.
What I can't handle
is disappointing her.
It's good.
I'm gonna be good.
All right!
Shoe time.
I'm done!
I wish you were, babe.
The sooner we start
your session
No, I'm done
being a pin cushion!
She's having a tough week.
BRITISH
You guys are disgusting.
I think you're disgusting.
How dare you do this to someone?
You can't even
look me in the eye.
Hi, Dr. Anderson.
Hi, Aria.
Listen, I am so sorry
to do this last minute,
but I had an emergency come up,
so do you mind if we reschedule
for the same time next week?
Yeah.
No problem.
Fantastic.
Thank you so much.
We'll talk soon.
BRITISH
You saw me crying,
and you're now in his bed!
Ah!
Is that supposed to hurt?
Well, your arches
are probably tight.
Have you been using
the golf ball?
Well, they only had 'em
in multi-packs.
And who needs
a dozen golf balls, right?
Ah!
I'll I'll get it.
-Hello!
-Hey.
Hi! I, uh I forgot
it was Nate's birthday
until I looked at my calendar.
And then when I asked him
what he was doing,
he said nothing.
So, we obviously
have to throw him a party.
Yeah, well,
does he want a party?
Want?
No, he hates attention.
-Babe
-But he deserves it.
He needs, like,
a surprise birthday
slash cancer warrior party.
I have been buried,
so I was wondering
if you two could help me out,
tomorrow afternoon-ish?
Yeah, of course.
Yeah, sure.
I could probably
rope in the others.
I am quite charming.
Oh, I know.
I, uh
Would you mind picking up
the cheesecake for me?
It's his favorite,
and, like,
the only day of the year
he allows himself
a little treat.
-Okay.
-Thank you!
Oh?
Tell me you ordered
from Veniero's.
Oh my God, who you think I am?
Of course!
-Ooh!
-Come on.
-See you guys later.
-Come on.
Yeah, nice try.
Wow, okay.
So high!
Catch me!
Well, why don't you
go down the slide?
No, catch me!
Okay.
All right, Daddy's got you.
Oh!
Again!
Sorry, I… I can't.
I can't.
Here… ♪
In a familiar place ♪
We got our heads down ♪
And then we pretend
it's 'cause… ♪
The night is dark ♪
And running out of space ♪
For us to run around ♪
But it's a dead end
and money's tight ♪
And it's been
a long time of this ♪
It's been a hard year
and I only know ♪
From down this low ♪
It's only up…
up we go ♪
TEEN Mom, come here!
I finally got
the chorus figured out!
I'm still stuck in bed ♪
Haven't moved,
no, not one bit ♪
Since solitude and I met ♪
Hey… ♪
He told me
no one could save me ♪
And I thought
that he might be crazy ♪
My lonely's
pushing the daisies ♪
And I think that
maybe he may be right ♪
Thank you!
It's good.
Just don't cramp up
those piano fingers.
So… you don't like it?
Hobbies are fine,
so long as you spend
the bulk of your time
on things that matter.
Okay.
Hey…
Classical piano gives you
a chance at a real career,
if you're serious about it.
I am serious.
Good.
'Cause I have news.
Juilliard.
You got the audition.
Yeah!
-Wow!
-Yeah!
Yay!
Okay.
Is she around?
She's right there.
Okay!
Thanks.
Hi!
Hi.
Finn's having a hard time.
Might not be in the mood
for company today, I'm sorry.
Oh, no problem.
I understand.
Even tough girls
have bad days, right?
Yeah.
Um…
I I brought her
a few bits and bobs
from London, though…
A gift?
That is so sweet of you,
but let's maybe try another day.
All right, then.
I'll just hang on to these.
I guess I'll…
come back another time.
Neither of you starlets
should quit your day job.
What do you got?
Hm!
Well…
Right…
There you go.
Whoa!
This is so cool!
You got these
from actual London?
Yeah.
Actual London.
Ah, that was mine.
Do you like it?
I love it.
Oh, good.
Thanks.
It's therapeutic music day.
What is therapeutic about
that dreadful racket?
I know.
They're never on the beat.
Mm…
Hey, keep it down!
We're trying to beat
cancer over here!
Happy birthday.
Thanks.
Um, I won't keep you,
uh, but I owe you
an explanation.
That… would be quite
the birthday present.
Are you free today?
I'm… not, actually.
What about tomorrow?
Uh… maybe.
Okay, we'll figure
something out.
Um, I actually gotta go.
-Okay, bye.
-Uh, bye.
Bye.
Have we been found out?
No, I think we're good.
Oh, okay.
I'll get it.
Thank you.
Here you are.
Walter, you're either
helping out
or drinking wine, but not both.
This is not for me.
Okay.
What was his name?
Uh, Rees.
Rees.
Well, to Rees,
who raised an amazing
daughter and friend.
Aw, thank you, Walter.
Mm.
Oh, hey.
-Hey.
-Where's Sylvie?
At my apartment.
Oh, did you and your girlfriend
move in together already?
No, we did not.
While you were gone,
Sylvie's apartment flooded,
and now Tara has a new roommate.
It's good, it's good.
Yeah, that was convincing.
I thought it was only gonna
be for a couple of nights,
but it's been a couple of weeks.
I do like having her there.
It's just…
I'm not used to it anymore.
It's a lot when you're
used to your routine
and then someone's
in your space.
Exactly!
Like…
Sylvie made quiche the other
night for dinner, right?
After she cracked the eggs,
she put the slimy, broken shells
back in the carton.
Okay, bring 'em to me.
I'll crush 'em up
and mix 'em in my plant soil.
Yeah, eggshells
are very nutrient-dense.
My point is that it's gross.
She's not gross.
Right.
You know what I mean.
Now, look,
the only thing I heard was
Sylvie made a quiche
and you ate it.
Yeah, it was
a pretty good quiche.
-Hey.
-Oh, hey.
Where's Anna?
Uh… well,
I had the brilliant idea
of doing
this blanket fort today,
but then she had a meltdown
when I told her
that I couldn't get down
and crawl inside of it with her,
so I gave up.
And now she's taking her first
solo ride on the subway.
Think she's probably
halfway to Queens by now.
Uhhuh.
She's in her bedroom
watching unboxing videos.
Why is the energy level
of a six-year-old, like,
toxic to adults?
-Radioactive.
-I know.
Yeah, I mean, you can't
fix everything, Nate.
Feels more like any thing.
Oh… Ellis wants me to come in
and sign some vendor checks.
Something I can
actually manage to do.
Okay, here we go.
There you go.
I don't remember
what my life was like
without you.
Will you marry me?
Oh my God, is this real?
Yes, I will be your wife!
Yes!
Connection lost…?
No…
No, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no, no…
Wha…?
Thank you
for calling Sky Chart.
Your call is important to us.
Please hold,
and a representative
will be with you shortly.
Honey, stop hiding
behind that sustain pedal.
You're not fooling anyone
with that tempo!
You have one week
to get it right
before your audition.
Focus.
Feet up, Aria…
Still off!
A tick more!
Go again!
Augh!
What happened?
Oh my God!
Oh…
Wait, Mom, Mom, Mom,
don't call the doctor!
I'm not!
I'm seeing if we can
reschedule the audition!
Good afternoon.
This is Mo with
Sky Chart Internet.
Who do I have the pleasure
of speaking with today?
Oh my God, finally.
Uh, Aria Navarro.
My internet's out.
I am so sorry
about that, Aria.
And I'm in a highrise
in Manhattan,
so my cell signal is crap, too.
That sounds distressing, Aria.
Can you stop saying my name?
Yes, ma'am.
No, no, no, no.
No, "ma'am."
Just, just…
You know, "Aria" is fine.
Thank you, Aria.
Now, let me check to see
if there's any reported outages
near you…
Bear with me a bit longer.
Our system is running
slower than usual.
Can't you just send someone
out here to fix it?
Let's try a few troubleshooting
techniques first.
I'm confident.
Just send someone out here
to fix it!
Please!
Are you… okay?
Not really.
Is someone there with you?
No.
I'm alone.
You're not alone.
I'm here.
Do you wanna talk about it?
Sorry, I…
I know that's weird.
You don't even know me.
I had a miscarriage.
And I didn't even
know I was pregnant,
so I didn't get the chance
to be excited.
I only got to be devastated.
And I'm so sick
of being devastated.
I'm sorry.
Thanks.
It's stupid.
But I just I just
want to watch my shows.
This is probably
your weirdest call today, no?
Not quite.
I don't know if you know this,
but people kinda suck.
Can I tell you something?
Uh… yeah.
Thirteen months ago,
when the third fertility
specialist in a row
told me that I was never
gonna be able to have a baby…
My husband left me.
The first month,…
I could barely breathe.
The second month,
I just watched The Office,
morning, noon, and night.
Took me 11 more months
just to find this job.
I couldn't make myself show up.
Yeah, I… I get that.
I read something this morning.
It said, um…
"Loneliness is multiplied when
we keep ourselves closed off."
The people who love you,
they see you suffering,
and seeing you suffer
hurts them too, so…
We have to…
let them help us.
I think.
I just…
Always feel like a burden.
I hate that.
Same.
My sister, who's going
through unimaginable things,
is always telling me
that she wants
to hear about my problems.
That helps her just as much
as it helps me, but, um…
I have to fight
the urge to isolate.
Mmhm.
Yeah, that's my comfort zone.
Nobody wants to hear that
they can't handle life alone,
but, um…
Maybe we shouldn't try to.
It's kind of…
What it means to be human.
Hm…
You're right.
Mo?
Yeah?
I'm glad my internet went out.
Me, too.
No, he's coming
around the corner…
He's coming, he's coming,
he's coming.
Okay, okay!
Surprise!
-Wow.
-Happy birthday!
Don't hate me.
I don't, but you are fired.
Sorry.
This isn't any other birthday.
This is a new,
cancer-free beginning.
Come on, man.
Yeah, um, about that…
We should probably put that out.
Yeah
Cake for everyone!
Hey, who wants a slice?
Come on.
Come on!
Okay…
Hi.
Hi.
Do, do, do, do… ♪
So… there we go.
Okay…
I don't know what to say ♪
And I don't…
na-da-da-da-da… ♪
I know that you
wanna try to understand ♪
Understand… ♪
Da-da-na-na-na-na… ♪
Try to put your world
right in my head… ♪
I'm still trying
to learn from… ♪
You, my… ♪
Hey!
I know you're not cleaning up
at your own birthday party!
Well, I don't see
any of you getting up.
No, you don't.
-You're not doing that.
-No, no.
Are you sure
we can't help?
It's fine. Yeah, yeah.
It's my pleasure.
Okay!
I have to say…
He's fine.
Don't worry.
Hold on, I'll help you.
Allow me, darling.
I'm good.
I just it slipped.
Stop faffing about.
You're just making up words now.
Show me where to put this.
Yeah, not so easy, is it?
Thank you.
Any time.
You doing okay?
Yeah.
You?
Yeah.
I get it.
Get what?
This.
It's a lot.
I'm separated.
I have a kid.
Can't even take out
my own trash.
I I understand why…
why you ran away.
No, that's not what happened.
Well, where'd you go?
I mean, I know
you went to the UK, but…
It's more than that.
I…
I lost my dad.
I'm so sorry.
I'm sorry.
I wish…
I wish you could have told me.
I know.
I…
I hadn't gone back
since I moved to the States.
Since I…
well, since I fled, honestly.
I…
I really wanna hug you.
Okay.
But I I can't.
-Oh, okay.
-Sorry.
No, it's… the incisions.
-Oh.
-Multiple incisions.
I see.
Hey, could you, uh…
let me be here for you?
You were here for me.
Minus that one time.
But… that's okay.
That's all right.
So, um…
So, not a birthday person, huh?
Oh, you noticed?
Yeah.
We're all in there
trying to celebrate you,
and you are picking rubbish.
Literal rubbish over joining us.
So, the surgery
didn't go as planned.
They weren't able to get
clear margins on my incisions,
so there are still active cells.
So more chemo?
More chemo, yeah.
It feels…
it feels like…
The finish line was right there.
My foot was right there…
-Mm.
-And just… it just got moved.
Like…
I'm really happy you're here.
Shall we?
Yeah.
The only way I know
you won't run away again.
Mm.
Go on, then.
Oh my gosh…
Aria came.
Happy birthday!
Oh, hi!
I know you don't love sweets,
so I got you a gift card
to my favorite
ramen place on Amsterdam.
I feel like you're a ramen guy?
You you are correct.
Thank you.
This is so thoughtful.
-Go. I'll get you a drink.
-Okay. Thank you.
-Kris.
-Yes?
I did it.
I wrote an entire song.
Like A, B, A, B, C, B.
It's all there, fully formed.
You are practically vibrating.
Well, after you left,
I thought I was
gonna be in bed for days.
And then…?
And then I talked to Mo.
Sorry.
Long story.
Well, good job, Mo,
and great job, Aria.
I I can't wait to hear it.
Neither can I.
Can't wait to hear what?
Aria just finished composing
her first original song.
-Wow, congratulations.
-Thanks.
And you're here.
You should be out
celebrating with your people.
Well…
I am.
-Thank you.
-Mm-hm.
-Thank you.
-Welcome.
John.
It's good to see you.
Hi.
And you must be
John's wife?
I'm Desi.
Aria.
You work at Kaplan?
I do.
Oh, well, nice to meet you.
Wow, that is such
a beautiful bracelet.
Oh, yeah.
It is.
John knows what I like.
Hey, John.
Nice to see you.
-Hi.
-How are you doing?
-Good, good.
-Good.
Did you wanna grab a seat?
Yeah.
Yes.
Little something extra
for you all.
Ooh, have to get that.
I'll be right.
She, uh, kisses my cheek
almost every time
she leaves the room.
I kinda love it.
-Mmhm?
-Mm-hm.
But…?
Nothing.
It's just a lot.
Uh…
You know, we started
seeing each other,
and suddenly
we're sharing my space.
It's my space.
I'm not ready
for it to become our space.
Is that terrible?
No, no.
It's fast.
I mean, even for lesbians.
Walter!
I'm sorry.
Is that offensive?
No!
I'm proud you even
knew to make that joke.
And now I feel much better.
I do.
Okay, okay.
And you're right.
We've been…
kind of on fast-forward.
But once her apartment
repairs are finally done,
we get to go back to getting
to know each other slowly.
-Nice.
-Mm-hm.
-Cheers.
-Cheers.
Oh, one second.
Kris.
Carrie!
Hi!
It's been so long.
Oh my goodness.
Oh, look at you.
I've been meaning
to call you for weeks.
Things were so messy
when you left.
Honestly,
I was close to quitting.
Mm.
You were the main reason
I loved that job.
Aw, that's sweet of you to say.
How are you?
How's the chef?
Ah.
We broke up.
Ah…
Oh.
He moved to the West Coast,
and I couldn't go
'cause, um…
Vesey Street promoted me.
Oh!
Uh…
Um…
You know what?
You're a star.
I'm glad that they see that.
Should we have some bubbly
to celebrate?
On it.
-Oh, thanks.
-You're welcome.
-Cheers.
-Cheers.
Cheers.
I'll see you later.
It was good seeing you.
Yeah!
Can I get two cheesecakes?
Hey, how's it going?
Oh, I dunno.
Some days are just a lot.
Mmhm.
Felt like I was always
the guy that was…
Keeping all the fires burning.
I was the dad.
I was the bar owner.
Estranged husband.
But now…
It's like I don't even know
where those fires are.
Are there fires?
What is fire?
Yeah, right?
You know, earlier today,
someone told me
you have to let people help you.
I think that's easier when
you're paying those people.
Have you tried therapy?
Nah.
I I've been avoiding
that route for for a while.
It might help.
I'm usually mad at my therapist
for being right.
She's great.
Hm.
Well, maybe I should
give it a shot.
Would you would you mind
sharing her name?
Of course.
Now I won't feel as bad
for being late to your party.
Please.
It's one less person
shouting "Happy Birthday" at me.
That's that's the gift.
That's really interesting.
Well… that was my landlord.
The inspector found
black mold in my apartment.
Oh my God.
Oh…
Well, I guess I'll be staying
with you a little longer.
Ah…
Oh, wow.
I guess the next round's on me.
Hey!
More champagne?
Go for it.
It's a lot, isn't it?
Yeah.
I'm pretty tired.
And I wish I could lay down.
Come on.
You making sure
I don't jet this time?
Nah, you're too knackered
to be a flight risk.
I present to you…
Your sofa.
Oh!
Best birthday gift ever.
Okay.
Oh… oh, wow.
What?
Yeah.
This is perfect.
Thank you.
And for you, sir.
Okay, who's next?
-Could I do a
-Vodka soda and lime twist.
A vodka soda lime twist.
And for you, Aria?
Sauvignon Blanc.
-Okay.
-Thank you.
Is that you?
Yeah.
I'm Carrie.
-You're with Vesey.
-Mm-hm.
I saw you talking to Kris.
I… didn't realize.
She was basically my mentor.
So, if Kris is a fan,
you've gotta be special.
Hit me up.
Would love to chat.
Do you want another one,
or are you good?
I'm wanting to grow… ♪
Good morning.
-Hey.
-Hi.
I made you coffee.
Wow.
Have you seen my wife?
Little thing, voice of an angel.
Never gets up before
the crack of… 10:00,
if I'm being polite?
I don't want to take the chance.
I need to get these ideas down.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
Wanting to love… ♪
And just like that, Mom.
All right, now.
Okay.
You know, Micah…
-Hm?
-One of these days…
You're not gonna win.
Oh.
But today's not the day!
Today is not that day.
Oh, boy.
Okay.
Let me show you.
Ooh.
No, we won't define you ♪
We live on and on ♪
No, I ain't just… ♪
Huh.
Surviving… ♪
Oh, hang on, hang on!
Just one second.
Hey!
How's it going?
Kinda awesome, actually.
You got a second?
Uh, yeah, yeah, I do,
uh, but first,
someone wants to talk to you.
Hey, Aunty Mo.
Hey, Finn!