4x10: An Awkward Family Reunion
Recap by Misty Flores
Previously on LHDP: After months of missed phone calls and voicemails, Paco got the surprise of his life when he entered a warehouse expecting to find a gang member and encountered his sister Pepa, who he hadn't seen in eight years, instead. He discovers that she, also a cop, has been following the same guy they're after from Sevilla, and then both of their searches come to an abrupt end when they discover him dead in a freezer.
EPISODE 4x10: An Awkward Family Reunion
Paco, Montoya and Mariano try to thaw out the clothes of the frozen Jesus Olmedo to see if they can find any evidence on his person, but both are all clearly thinking about their surprise encounter with Pepa.
MONTOYA: So Pepa's your sister, Paco? [giggles] She doesn't look like her father.
Paco shoots him a warning glare. Montoya shuts up.
MARIANO: It's been years since you've seen her, Paco. Did you know she had become a cop?
PACO: I had no idea.
MARIANO: How do you think it's going to go with Don Lorenzo? He hated her after what happened.
MONTOYA: [leans in eagerly] What happened?!
Paco shoots him another glare. Montoya shrinks back when Paco glares at Mariano as well.
PACO: Nothing. Nothing happened. It was a family thing. A personal matter.
They find a wallet in the man's pocket. Montoya says he'll take it to Silvia to check for fingerprints and leaves.
LATER
Don Lorenzo comes to check in to discover Mariano has stuck his face to the frozen body by leaning in with a moist face. He pulls him off the body and tells them to keep looking. Silvia comes in with Montoya.
SILVIA: Dad.
DL: Yes?
SILVIA: I got the results of the test. I've found two sets of fingerprints. The victims, and of Ernesto Monfo, the same guy who tried to escape the jail with Salazar and our guys.
Incidentally, he's also the guy who raped Povedilla in jail. He's a really bad dude. Ominous music confirms this.
DL: Call the jail. I want Monfo here immediately.
Silvia nods and heads out to take care of it. Montoya hands DL back the wallet as he updates him further on the case. As he listens, DL starts poking through the victim's wallet.
He freezes.
DL: Paco? Will you explain to me what the hell this is?
He holds up a candid picture of PEPA.
PACO: My sister.
DL: Your sister. What the hell is a picture of your sister doing in the wallet of a son of a bitch?
PACO: I don't know, Don Lorenzo. I couldn't tell you. I don't know.
DL: I want her in my office in one hour. Are we clear?
PACO: Of course.
He heads off to find her.
MONTOYA: She's really gorgeous, isn't she?
DL doesn't agree.
DL: For the love of god- shut it.
--
LATER - THE KITCHEN
Paco has found Pepa and they're heading to the kitchen to have a coffee together.
PEPA: The operation I was on had me following Olmedo for three months. I guess the picture was taken in Sevilla when I was following him. [shrugs] Your sister isn't as good as she thought she was.
He smiles nervously. Pepa sits down across from him at the table. Awkwardness ensues.
PEPA: So... what does the big brother have to say to the crazy sister who divided the family in half?
PACO: Well... I mean... it wasn't really your fault, I mean... what happened before that was... but I never - I mean- well, look, you know perfectly well that harsh things were said - and a few months ago I started writing a letter. A letter for you.
Pepa is touched.
PACO: And I think that the time has come for me to read it for you. It's.. it's right here.
He pulls out a wrinkled stack of papers from his blazers.
PACO: Right, well... I'll read it to you. Dear Pepa, when we were kids, you once asked me -- No, this isn't right. This is more of an introduction and we've already-
Pepa smiles.
PACO: But what I really wanted to say, it's a question - I put it on 8B.
He fumbles through more papers. Pepa is quietly bemused.
PACO: I don't know where I have 8B. I have it somewhere... Here it is. Here it is. When Dad left and I was left alone with Mom... No... this isn't it either. It doesn't have what I want to say-
He starts to wrinkle the papers more, shuffling through them all. Pepa gently stops his nervous twitters.
PEPA: Stop. Easy. Let me. [she takes the papers away from him] Let's go to the conclusion. The end always has the best stuff, right Paco? Can I read it?
PACO: Of course.
PEPA: [starts to read happily] And I hung up on you because I didn't know how to ask you to come back to us. [sobers] To forget all the bad things that happened and to once again be your brother. The brother that used to take you by the hand to school. The one who would go with you to the store to buy candy. The one who showed you how to fly a kite on the beach of Huelga. Your brother who loves you, Paco.
Overwhelmed, she laughs nervously and shoves the papers back to him.
PEPA: Here, take it. You really said a mouthful.
PACO: Well you know how I get one I get going...
PEPA: Paco, do you really want me to stay here with you?
PACO: Of course, Pepa.
She's overcome. The tears well up for both of them and Pepa can't handle it.
PEPA: Well... [fans her eyes] That's a lot of information. I have to process it, you know.
She gets up to go, but stops and turns back, flinging herself into her brother's arms. He holds her tightly.
She lets go just as quickly, walking away.
MEANWHILE
Montoya pumps Sara for information about Pepa. He asks her how old she is, and Sara replies she doesn't know. She thinks the same age as Silvia, but she's never paid that much attention to those details.
THE SHOOTING GALLERY
Silvia gets ready for some shooting practice, As she's about to shoot, someone occupies the stall beside her, and shoots a barrage of perfect shots.
Impressed, Silvia turns to see who it is. It's Pepa, wearing a sheepish, nervous smile.
PEPA: Hi.
SILVIA: Hi.
PEPA: When did you leave medicine?
SILVIA: [nearly gaping] I didn't leave it, I'm in forensics. Wow, it's been a long time! How are you?
PEPA: Fine. You?
Silvia's too surprised to keep up with formalities.
SILVIA: Wow, it's been years since we've seen each other. Not since... well... that last time...
PEPA: God, the scandal we caused...
She trails off.
PEPA: I need to ask your forgiveness for everything that happened. I totally lost my head that day, Silvia and-
SILVIA: No, we both did. But it's nothing we were kids.
PEPA: Mischievous, but kids.
Awkward, intense silence ensues.
SILVIA: Well, give me two kisses! [holds out her arms]
PEPA: Of course.
She leans in and accidentally pecks her on the mouth. She cracks up.
PEPA: Oh, I'm sorry!
Giggling, they exchange a warm hug.
Through the window, DL has managed to witness it. He isn't pleased.
PEPA: It's so great to see you.
DL bursts in.
DL: Agent Miranda, I've been looking for you. Head up to my office immediately.
PEPA: Right away.
He glares at her and leaves. Silvia arches a bemused eyebrow as Pepa makes a face.
SILVIA: Good luck.
PEPA: Yes please, I'll need it! [she crosses herself, making a point] Hey... I'll see you around, okay?
Silvia nods happily. Pepa leaves and tosses her one last smile. Silvia looks flustered and quietly thrilled.
DL'S OFFICE
Pepa is now briefing DL.
DL: And why were you at the warehouse.
PEPA: Because I was tracking two guys: Salazar and Monso - a securities expert and an architect. When I was just about to move in and make my arrest, I was given the order not to intervene.
MONTOYA bursts in, smiling broadly.
MONTOYA: Agent, I've brought you coffee. Black, with milk?
Pepa smiles.
PEPA: Black, black. Thanks.
DL: Who gave you the order?
PEPA: Commissioner Recena. But the order came from much higher up. Olmedo disappeared in a week, they took me off the case, and no one kept working on it.
DL: And why did you-
MONTOYA: With sugar?
PEPA: with sugar.
DL: Why did you follow the case all the way over here?
PEPA: About fifteen days ago, Commisioner Recena called me in again and told me that she had a secret mission for me, and that I needed to once again track down Jesus Olmedo. To find him.
DL: And you-
MONTOYA: One... two... three? [jiggles the sugar cubes]
PEPA: Two.
MONTYA: Two?
PEPA: Two.
Besotted, Montoya grins. DL rolls his eyes.
DL: Why?
PEPA: No, no. she didn't tell me why. Just that I had to find him and find him now. So I went to Olmedo's wife, and she told me something really weird. She told me that Inspector Raquel Osoti called to ask about some plans that her husband was working on.
DL: Why is that weird?
PEPA: It's weird because Raquel Osoti doesn't exist. So I requested a phone log of calls made on that day and I discovered that one of those calls came from the warehouse where we found Olmedo. That's why I'm here.
DL: And-
MONTOYA: Your coffee. [Pepa moves to take it]
PEPA: Thanks.
DL: I need-
MONTOYA: It's a little hot, let me change the glass-
DL loses patience.
DL: Montoya, let me do the damn interrogation. We're not in a fucking café. Give her the damn coffee.
Pepa gives Montoya a good natured grin and motions for the coffee. Charmed, Montoya smiles bashfully and hands her the coffee, heading to DL's side.
DL: My apologies.
PEPA: it's fine.
He holds up a picture of ALISON and another member of Kaiser's gang.
DL: Do you recognize either of these faces?
PEPA: No.
DL: Kaiser?
Pepa thinks, but shakes her head.
PEPA: No.
DL: Are you sure, Agent Miranda?
PEPA: Why would I lie to you? We're on the same side, aren't we? We're family.
She smiles, DL is not happy to be reminded of the fact.
--
SCENE: Paco's house
Pepa arrives for the family dinner and is warmly greeted by Sara and Lola.
Later, the family settles down to dinner. Don Lorenzo clearly has a stick up his ass and it's making everyone nervous.
LOLA: Okay! Come on! Dig in!
Everyone does. Plates clank. Awkward silence ensues.
Pepa catches glances with Silvia and offers her a cheerful wink. Silvia smiles back. Don Lorenzo, catching this, grows increasingly uneasy.
DL: Well, what are we celebrating?
LOLA: Well, that we're alive and well. Isn't that enough?
PACO: It's for my sister, Don Lorenzo. It's been a long time since we've seen each other.
DL: For a reason, Paco.
Pepa and Paco's smiles freeze.
LUCAS: Mariano, will you pass me the bread?
Mariano, still furious that Lucas broke his Dance Dance Revolution game earlier in the episode, just glares. Sara passes Lucas the bread.
LUCAS: Thank you.
She gives him a 'I want to sex you up' gaze and drops her fork.
SARA: I'm going to get another fork.
DL: Well, can someone tell me why I was invited to dinner?
LOLA [pointedly]: Dad, let's have the celebration in peace, okay?
Mariano wants a beer, but Lucas offers to get it, chasing after Sara. The awkwardness continues at the table. Paco explains why Pepa is here.
PACO: She was telling me that she needed a change of scenery and I told her, "You should stay here in Madrid." After all, she is one of us, and maybe at the precinct we could-
DL: Stop. [to Pepa] So what happened. You screwed up over there in Sevilla, and now you want to do the same in Madrid?
PEPA: [goodnaturedly] No, it's just that I had a girlfriend who was a Subinspector, but we broke up. So I thought, why don't I go spend some time with my family, since it's been so long since we've seen each other?
DL fumes.
DL: A girlfriend who was a subinspector? What a beautiful love story. In a patrol car. Just like in the movies. What, did guard duty get boring?
PEPA: Did I get bored? No, no. I won't lie, there was a certain... excitement that came with it.
Everyone makes an effort to laugh. Except DL.
DL: Always looking for excitement. That's been the story of your life. And now, it's time for a little family togetherness, right? Because... I didn't see you at your father's funeral.
Pepa looks stung.
DL: What happened? Did you have guard duty that night?
Pepa's had enough. She gulps her drink and pushes her chair out, prepared to leave. Paco stops her.
LOLA: Dad, please, you're not being fair. Stop.
DL: Was it, or wasn't it true that when this crazy woman caused a scandal at Sarita's first communion-
Silvia, immediately realizing where this is going, immediately shoots Pepa a consoling expression, trying to diffuse the hurt.
DL: Don't you remember, that was night that Paco's parents separated?
PACO: That's enough, Don Lorenzo. That's enough. Do you think you can blame an 18-year-old kid for the separation of their parents? I did it.
He caresses Pepa's face.
PACO: I was wrong .
Mariano accidentally spurts his beer all over DL and Silvia.
Meanwhile, Lucas and Sara hook up in the bedroom and decide to get back together.
At the dinnertable, there's now full on shouting. Pepa's retreated into a sulky shell.
LOLA: Dad, we've all been 18! We've all had our rebellious moments! Why-
DL: For the love of God, Lola, she showed up at Sara's communion dressed like a punk, with her breasts hanging out and her tights ripped! She drugged little Silvia-
Silvia, at the moment shooting more comforting 'don't worry about it, he's nuts' glances to Pepa, does a doubletake.
SILVIA: What?!
DL: With marijuana! And on top of all that, she put on that lesbian display in front of the orchestra and all the guests! There she was, completely shameless - that's not being rebellious, Lola. That's is someone who is NOT normal.
Pepa has now stopped sulking and has started actually enjoying this. Because she's a rascal. She grabs more wine.
MEANWHILE
Lucas and Sara keep hooking up. She tells him she doesn't want to tell anyone they're back together. He agrees.
BACK AT THE TABLE
Now Silvia has started shouting, incredulous.
SILVIA: Dad, she didn't drug me! It was me who smoked one marijuana joint! What's the big deal?
Pepa grins.
DL: One joint!? How could have smoked even one joint! And then to practically swallow her mouth in front-
SILVIA: DAD.
DL: the sister of your brother-in-law!
Pepa's smirk widens.
SILVIA: Dad, I was having a good time! We were just dancing, and we kissed! So what?
DL snorts.
LOLA: Dad, what you don't understand is that you do not have the right to judge or insult anyone!
MARIANO [nervously]: Lola, these peppers are delicious. Seriously, they came out so great. Why don't we all eat? Let's eat! Come on!
He stuffs his mouth full of peppers. Lola is only momentarily distracted.
LOLA: ... thank you. [turns back to her dad] Why is this such a big deal? Why?
DAD: Because the night that the little girl receives God in her body, she causes a lesbian scandal-
Paco, who has been quietly fuming, finally cuts in.
PACO: That's enough. THAT'S ENOUGH, Don Lorenzo.
The table quiets.
PACO: Don Lorenzo, you're in my house. And while you're here, I ask for two things: education and respect. And it that's too much for you, you're not welcome.
DL, insulted, stands.
DL: Good night.
Mariano is panicked.
MARIANO: Come on, Paco! No one is unwelcome! Dammit, Paco! Don Lorenzo! Stay-
DL: GO TO HELL, SIR!
Lucas and Sara, now returned, crack up.
As DL leaves, Montoya shows up, dressed up and carrying a platter of pastries.
MONTAYA: Hi, Don Lorenzo! Good evening!
DL shoves him out of the way. Montoya, unaffected, makes his way inside.
MONTAYA: Hello, family! How are you! I took the liberty of bringing you some awesome little pastries. [tosses an adoring look to Pepa] Hi, Pepa.
The oblivious guy hitting on the lesbian is too much for Lucas and Sara; they dissolve into laughter. Pepa, caught between choking on laughter and crying, just offers him a wave and a friendly kiss.
MONTAYA: ... Did I miss something?
Lucas and Sara choke down their giggles.
END EPISODE
NEXT UP: Episode 11 - A commercial filmed at Cachi's separates the pretty people [Lola, Silvia, Pepa, Sara, Aitor, Montoya] from the unattractive [everyone else], and Lola finally has had it with her father's vendetta against Pepa when he blows up at the director. Meanwhile, Silvia's an autopsy geek, and Pepa, already besotted, clearly finds it a turn on. Silvia's not sure what to do with that.