Wow, everyone's here.
Eager to welcome us home, I guess.
Dad!
- Hey! - Liam!
_
Oh.
Hey. Um,
is it okay if I use your camera?
Of course.
I was hoping you'd pick it up.
Well, uh, what should I take a picture of?
Something to remember me by.
Hey, babe. You on your way?
That I am. You on your way out?
Just about.
Got a real competition brewing over here.
- It's game night. - Game night.
All right. I'll pass you on the road. Love you.
Love you more.
I still got it.
Nice cattle brand. What's the "M" stand for?
The "M"?
That's a "W", silly.
I just finished it this morning.
Hey, uh...
I'll see you tonight, okay?
- Yeah. - You drive safe.
I will.
All right.
Getting kind of a late start, aren't you?
Yeah, well, the volunteers flaked out,
and the water stations aren't gonna be refilling themselves.
You know what happens to people out there.
I do. But you at the border, alone?
Well, come with me.
Come on.
Geri's coming, too.
We can brainstorm ways
to convince Liam to get out of New York,
have his wedding out here.
Oh, what I wouldn't give to have him here again.
- I know. - And the whole family together.
Keep an eye on my kids for me?
Always.
Love you!
Bye, Mom. Love you.
Love you.
Love you, Mom.
You know, your mom would probably tell a joke right now.
Lift the tension, make everyone feel
more comfortable.
I loved that about her.
She had this one.
Uh, what did the ghost say to the bee?
"Boo, bee".
What did the twig say to the windshield wiper?
"Leaf me alone".
You okay?
Yeah.
Yeah. Um, uh...
Be right back.
Can't walk out on them like that.
I don't want them to see me like this.
Well, they're in pain, too,
and the only way through it is with them.
This wasn't part of the plan.
You...
You weren't supposed to die.
If anyone, it should've been me.
It happened.
And the only thing that matters now
is helping our kids.
I need you to promise me that you're gonna be there
for them.
I don't know how.
Emily,
I don't know what to do.
Do your best.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
What are you doing out here?
You get locked out?
I just needed to get some fresh air.
What, bad day?
They want to make me partner.
What?
No one takes good news worse than you do.
- Ah... - You know that?
You know, it's okay to not want it.
I have to fly back to Austin this weekend,
and there's pressure at the firm to be here,
hundred percent, in New York, if I take this job.
How's it going with your brother?
He doesn't answer his phone. I haven't talked to him.
_
I'm a little bit worried about him since the funeral.
I-I'm worried about all of them.
Look, I want to let you know, I appreciate what you're doing.
Okay? You're crushing at your job,
you're always there for your family, you're...
Could be doing a little bit better in
the newly engaged fiancé department.
I'm not going anywhere. Come on.
Thank you.
_
- Late again. - Yeah, I know.
And he was doing really good, too.
For, like, the first week.
Then he forgot about us.
Twice. And now he's late. Again.
Just learn how to drive.
And get your license. Please.
Dad needs help.
He's working too much, and I don't think he's sleeping.
He'll show up for breakfast, but it's in last night's clothes.
How are we supposed to help him?
Like, seriously, what are we even supposed to do?
Is that Gramps' truck?
Should we wake him up?
Yeah.
But what if he passes out behind the wheel?
Help me out.
Do you think he knows how bad it is?
Uh, whenever you have that look in your eye,
something crazy happens.
He needs a wake-up call.
Before we lose him, too.
Back up, Augie.
Oh, my God!
What happened? Are you all right?
Cordell. You fall asleep at the wheel?
Are you out of your mind?!
Come on, kids.
Mom, Mom, wait. I-I...
Damn, son.
Cordell.
Cordell!
Come on, we need to talk.
A lot of extra cars here, Daddy. That's never a good sign.
Yeah.
This hitching post, it's been standing for generations.
My dad hitched his horse to it. His dad.
And on.
It's a crying shame that one of our own knocked it down.
All right, let's go.
Hey.
Liam.
When did you get in?
I, uh, took the red-eye in.
What's going on here?
Have a seat, honey.
Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
We're all worried, Cordell.
And we just want to help.
All of us.
We know how hard it's been,
and that you're trying.
But you've been burning it at both ends,
and after what happened yesterday,
well, that can't happen again.
Frankly, I'm still a little fuzzy
about what, exactly, did happen.
Dad, you fell asleep behind the wheel
and crashed the truck outside.
We were both really scared.
I must've, uh...
I'm so sorry.
Listen, partner, maybe it wasn't the best thing to rush back to work.
We need you at your best, Cordell.
Yeah, okay, uh, I get it.
You know, you both know how many
open investigations I have going on right now.
Does that include Emily?
What?
I know you've been looking into
what happened that night.
We heard you've been calling in favors
on a case that's closed.
My office won't stand for that.
Is that what this is? You're taking my badge?
Didn't say that. Now, listen to me.
This is about more than just the badge, all right?
This is about your life. About this family.
About doing what's right.
Cordell,
this cannot go on.
Uh, you're right. You're right.
You're all right. Uh...
Maybe it's best if I, uh, get out of here for a while.
I don't think anybody's saying that.
Look-look what I did.
I-I can't be putting all of you in danger.
And... the look
on all of your faces right now.
I gotta get my head *ed on straight.
Uh, hit reset. Um...
You mentioned a job out of town.
Uh, I can go where I'm needed.
- No, I don't think... - Wait, no, Dad. We're fine.
- We need you here. - I don't care
what job is out of town, Cordell.
- This is your family. - Yeah.
And I got to protect them.
Right now, they're better off with you, Mama.
- This is what's best. - Dad, come on.
Just-just please, just-just stay with us.
Hey, I'll be back, all right?
It's gonna be quick. Couple of weeks. I promise.
Promise.
It makes sense.
You get to be somebody else, run away from your problems.
This isn't easy.
Not for anyone.
I guess you can take your wedding ring off now.
Can't have anyone knowing about me,
your life here.
So who you gonna be?
What's your new persona?
Bachelor?
Widower?
Coward?
_
I want to go to New York with you this time.
Okay, wow.
I thought it out, and my dad would never let me go.
But now he's away for God knows how long,
and I've been saving up.
I can pitch in, stay with you and Bret.
And you promised me real pizza.
I could help plan the wedding.
I mean, you need my help with the playlist.
I just... I really need to not be here.
You're back at school next week.
I can miss a semester.
Please.
Stella, I love you, but your place is here
with your family.
You're family, too.
Mr. Walker?
Mr. Walker.
Ah. Sorry.
I went away for a spell.
I know this isn't the news you expected,
but the sooner we move on a treatment,
the better chance we have of making sure
the cancer doesn't spread to any other organs.
I'm sure you get this all the time, but...
how long do I have?
Well, any cancer
will alter your lifestyle choices,
but prostate cancer has one of the highest survival rates.
Especially if you're proactive with your treatment.
It must be hard telling folks the truth.
I appreciate it, Doc.
Sir, I...
I know this isn't the news you wanted.
- But that doesn't mean... - No, well, it's not so much
about what kind of news I wanted, it's more about
what news I want to share.
And right now, this isn't it.
Thanks all the same.
Hey, Gary, grab some more layer feed in the back,
- would you, please? - Yeah. Will do.
Sorry, sir, can I help...
Merry Christmas.
Hey, can I have some more of that nog?
_
You're about to beat the high score.
Hey, stop it.
- You have to stop it. - What are you talking about?
- Seriously? - Just stop it. Play a different game.
Any other game, just not this one.
Grow up.
- Thank you. - Mm-hmm.
Stella.
Hey, you came back.
I'm your emergency contact, so what choice do I have?
You should probably go with bangs.
Or you could start a big,
weird hat phase or something.
Cover that up.
Let me show you something.
Are those initials?
What are those?
It's a long story, okay? Don't ask.
But I had to wear turtlenecks during a heatwave
because I was so afraid of how my folks
would freak out on me.
And if I'm staying, I don't want to hear it from them
about someone else's shenanigans.
So, keep this between us.
You said staying?
What about your fancy new job?
And-and Bret?
You've been going back and forth
for months already.
Bret and I will figure something out.
And corporate mergers seem very trivial
when compared to family,
so... I'm here.
At least until your father gets back.
There.
I saw Gary.
Figured you'd see him later,
so... I just wanted to give him my thoughts on the matter.
I ended it.
I just thought with...
everything that's going on,
that it was best if
we were together for now.
For a second there,
I thought you fell back in love with me.
Hey.
Are we putting a star or angel on top this year?
What are you two doing?
Liam, did you miss your flight?
I got the time wrong, so...
figured that I'd just stay through the holidays.
Ow!
- Hey! Stop... - Have they been drinking your nog?
Well, Christmas only comes once a year, so...
What's up, Uncle Liam?
- Home for the holidays? - Yeah, looks that way.
Hey, Augie, star or angel this year?
Mm...
A star. Reminds me of Dad.
Star it is.
All right, jump up.
- All right. - Let's see what you can do with it.
- All right, I'll try. - All right, okay.
- Give it a go. - Don't mess it up.
- Do you guys want it at the very top, or... - No, no, no.
- Careful with it. - Not there, not there.
- At the very top. - The very... ?
Ooh.
_
License and registration.
Yeah.
What seems to be the hurry, Ms. Strand?
Spooked by a rodeo clown?
Always did have a lead foot.
Hmm.
How long have you been perched in those trees back there?
Since my boss assigned me to traffic duty.
Mm. Smart of him to send a woman.
Can't think of a single trick I'd try on you.
Who says my boss is a man?
Your general demeanor.
You're really doing your research there, huh?
Always planning for the future.
You got kids?
- No. - Ah.
I was just on my way to see my son.
Got a bit lost in it, I guess.
Has he been out of town? Or you?
I've been working. Probably too much.
_
Hmm.
Anyway, I will take that ticket now.
Let's just call it a warning.
Stick to the limit, Ms. Strand.
Your son probably wants you back in one piece.
Thanks for being human about it.
Of course.
Drive safe now.
Ramirez.
Who is Crystal Strand to you?
I stopped her for speeding, sir.
She was coming from the rodeo,
and i-it just got me thinking,
there's been a string of robberies
near rodeos statewide.
You contacted DPS? That's a...
that's a bit of a stretch.
I disagree. She seemed nervous.
Yeah, most people do when they get pulled over, Ramirez,
but I have you on traffic duty, not Robbery and Homicide.
She had dozens of bank pamphlets and flyers in her car.
Like somebody who had been casing banks,
ready to make a move.
I thought it better to serve us if we follow her,
see where it led.
Thus my request.
You really are an A student.
And everyone likes it when they can copy
your homework, but no one likes it
when you're trying to teach class.
I'm not trying to teach. Just trying to do my job.
Well...
Well, I would suggest that you stay in your lane.
And next time you contact DPS,
it better be to turn in your badge.
Yes, sir.
_
Didn't know a parked car could get a speeding ticket.
Hey, there.
You changed your plates since this afternoon.
Yeah, they expired. Just being responsible.
So, are you
ever really off duty, or is this what you do for fun?
Addicted to the job. You know how it is.
How's your son?
Haven't seen him yet.
Thought you said that's where you were headed to.
Why are you doing this?
You're too smart to be a cop.
Thank you.
But I have to ask,
why the detour?
I don't like to drive at night.
You're pacing, Duke. I keep you waiting up?
Yeah, pardon me for my commitment.
You know I want in on the job.
Twyla said you and Jaxon might've found a good lead.
That better be all she said.
Take a seat.
Truth is, I've been thinking about letting you in.
But I do have a couple questions.
No secrets here. You know that.
I never can remember where it is you said you came from.
Where I grew up?
I'm not asking for Dickens, Duke.
Short and sweet.
Before this, before you showed up mucking stalls.
Yep, yeah, yeah. I was...
working the oil fields outside of Lubbock.
Little time in Hilltop before that.
That's right. Hilltop.
- Yeah. - Well, I got a friend doing time there.
He doesn't seem to remember you.
Too bad.
Sorry to hear I didn't make an impression.
I lost my wife, Clint.
Down by the border. She was down there, helping people.
I was on the phone with her when I heard the shots.
I'm not sure if you've ever gone through
something like that, hearing somebody you love screaming.
And then just...
nothing.
I had to get away from that place.
I had to become someone else.
I don't know if any of that makes sense to you.
It might.
- We got a problem. - What?
Lady trooper.
You know her?
Crystal seems to.
She got pulled over by a lady. I don't know
what the hell she's doing here now.
Hey.
How's my aim?
Where is she? Is she close?
Is she coming to the door?
You got brass *, dude.
You gonna gun down a trooper in cold blood?
You tell me, Clint.
Do I pull the trigger, end this right now?
Or is that gonna bring too much heat down on us?
I guess that depends
how close we are to this, uh, robbery I keep hoping
you're gonna tell me about. Yeah?
Once you trust me?
Crystal.
You don't have to do
whatever it is you're planning.
Your son must be dying to see you.
It'd be nice if it all worked out, wouldn't it?
For all of us.
But...
I'm not sure I should be taking advice from someone
who didn't even bring a warrant.
Far as I can see, all you've got
is a sad lack of plans for the evening.
Maybe it's you who should be thinking about a change.
Good night, Trooper Ramirez.
Good night, Crystal Strand.
Okay, she's leaving.
So that's that?
- Yeah? - Yeah.
Are you gonna tell me about this bank we're gonna rob?
Damn.
_
When I tell you I've got a feeling about something,
- you need to... - Baby, I adore you,
but sometimes your tea leaves do go a little sideways.
That trooper was following me.
- That doesn't worry you? - Not when you've prepped this job
as perfectly as you always have.
And now with Duke joining us...
Oh, I'm gonna leave you two alone.
No, you stay put, Duke.
We ain't got nothing to hide from family.
Speaking of,
what about our own blood, huh?
Okay, what about our boy?
I might hate your guts right now,
but I want him to have a father when this is done.
Oh, baby.
Baby, don't say that.
Never say that.
You know all I want to do
is lasso the moon for you.
Let me try, one last time.
What do you say, Duke?
You're in the inner circle now.
You get to weigh in.
I think there's a reason we'd all follow you into a fire.
You've always treated your crew like family.
I think that's why you've been able to pull off ten jobs
without a hitch.
Right, so why push it?
It's true, having a trooper breathing down our necks,
it's, uh, it's only a matter of time, right?
But we're this close.
I say we stay the course.
Hey. Who's Connell talking to?
Uh, guy who's been tapped to be the new
Austin Ranger captain, I think.
I assure you, it will not be a problem.
You on traffic duty this morning?
- Always. - Oof.
Trooper Ramirez.
Sir?
This is Ranger Larry James.
He has a few questions for you.
- For me? - Yeah.
Heard you put in a special request for surveillance.
I just wanted to look into it personally.
I didn't mean to set off any alarms.
I was just trying to be thorough.
And I told her to stay in her lane.
Yes, those were his exact words.
No, it's just, it's a bit unusual
to put in a surveillance request for someone
that you let off with a warning.
You have a particular reason to look into Crystal Strand?
I was just trying to put some pieces together, sir.
It looked like she was researching banks,
and I thought there might be a connection between
the recent bank robberies and the rodeo circuit.
Well, you are stretching, Trooper, and I'd advise you
not to waste the valuable time of DPS
looking for connections that aren't there.
- All right? - Mm-hmm.
I've been bored on the job, too. Next time, try sudoku.
Will do, sir.
- All right. - Thank you, Ranger.
Sir?
Sir!
Sir, can you... can you please just tell me?
Was I close to anything?
No, Trooper, this is what I do.
I make it a point to chase down random,
meaningless traffic stops during my lunch hour.
Sudoku.
All units, all units, 10-90.
Bank robbery in progress. Shots fired.
Backup requested. 10-90, bank robbery in progress.
Backup needed. All units, all units, 10-90.
Step out with your hands up!
300 large.
She's lost a lot of blood, man.
No, no, I'm fine.
We're almost home free.
Out in a blaze, right, Duke?
I got you. Come on, come on.
Get in.
Freeze!
Get on the ground, Duke.
We arrested Jaxon and Clint. But, uh,
Crystal Strand died.
Uh, they talked about a son. They have a son.
Somebody... somebody should tell him.
It's handled.
You gonna head home?
James, I-I lost too much of myself at the end there.
- That's on me, man. I should never... - No, stop, stop that.
That is not on you. This is on me.
I just...
don't have any idea what I'm walking into.
I don't have any idea who I'm walking in as.
I mean, this...
all this...
Yeah.
How do I not take it with me?
Same as you did on the other side.
You're gonna have to just pretend for a little while.
- You know? - Yeah, yeah.
You start with letting go.
I'm telling you, Aunt Harriet, I'm gonna earn
that spot on the circuit.
Well, Crystal said
she'd be here any day now.
You all packed up?
I've been packed for two days.
Harriet Strand?
That's right.
We're gonna need to have a look around.
What's this about?
Your sister, Crystal Strand.
T-That's my mom. W-What happened?
There's been an incident. A bank robbery.
Son, your father's been arrested.
And your mother...
Where is she?
All this time, you had me tying knots
and throwing ropes for what?
To join you on some murder spree?
No. It wasn't supposed to be like this.
I heard ten bank robberies and seven people dead.
And now Mom.
I've been living with that
every breath I take.
We'll make this right.
How?
Dad, you're in jail, Mom is dead.
How is anything about this right?
Son. We're all each other's got now.
I have to live with what happened.
But if you turn on me now,
I think you'll regret it.
I don't want that for you.
I just need some time.
I got a job at the prison stables.
Is that so?
Yeah. I figured it'd be good to, uh,
be close. Talk more.
Yeah, we should talk more.
About everything that happened.
I made mistakes, son. And seeing you,
well, it makes me think awful hard about it all.
I've been going through everything in my head
over and over again.
And I think I need you to help me.
Help me see what I did wrong.
I want to understand, too.
Everything with our dads, is it too much for this to work?
Let's not worry about it tonight.
Let's just drive until we run out of gas.
Fresh start.
My dad. Grab the guns. Go! Go!
Come on. Go, go, go, go. Go!
Run, Stella, run!
You're okay now, son.
Have you visited?
Every week.
They wouldn't let me go to her funeral.
I never got to say goodbye.
_
I'm sorry she's not here for you.
Because the only thing that mattered was us, our family.
Aren't people going to be looking for you?
We were gonna get out.
That life, what we did, we were gonna stop.
We just wanted to be a family again.
You believe that, don't you?
Hey.
You still think that girl loves you,
now that she knows who you are?
She's been poisoned.
By her daddy.
He got into her head just like he got into mine.
He told me to stay the path.
Finish that last job.
Your mother would still be alive if it wasn't for him.
And he still has his family. While we suffer.
We can't let that stand, son.
Listen. Look at me.
Look at me.
It's just you and me now.
Okay?
But there's still time to set things right.
Yeah. Eager to welcome us home, I guess.
Hey, Duke.
Ah, no, no. Don't do it.
Hey!
- No! - Liam, don't you do it!
Liam!
Don't do it!
Do your best.
Wow, everybody's here.