KODIAK

Episode 103

“Welcome Back Miss O’Brien”

by

David Polk

Contact:
David Polk
176 Dusty Rose Court
Simi Valley, CA 93065
805.428.5775
dpolk@mac.com
 2.

RECAP

We RECAP events from previous episodes, ending on Cord and

Siobhán’s embrace at the hospital.

TEASER

FADE IN:

INT. SHIP’S CABIN

Seawater rapidly FLOODS the cabin. A FISHERMAN is trapped,

running out of room to breathe. From the position of
things, it’s obvious that the cabin is seriously askew.

FISHERMAN
(desperate)
Oh God, this is it! Is this is it?!

He takes a deep breath and plunges underwater. He tries to

force open the cabin door. It’s jammed. He’s doomed.

Then a DIVER’S MASK appears in the door portal. The

fisherman’s eyes go wide with hope. He tries the stuck
door again. We hear METAL BANGING from the other side.
The fisherman is out of energy and out of breath. He can’t
hold it any longer. He drowns.

Suddenly, the door pries open and a RESCUE SWIMMER enters,

grabs the man and pulls him toward the door. But the door
slams shut on the man’s foot! The swimmer tries to free
him. Now the rescue swimmer is running out of breath. He
makes one last lung at the door with his shoulder and it
works! The man’s foot is free!

EXT. UNDERWATER

We track with them as the swimmer pulls the man along the
upside down deck of what appears to be a fishing boat, and
upward toward the surface.

EXT. BERING SEA – DAY

The swimmer reaches the surface with the fisherman in tow.

We see the capsized, 95-foot fishing boat next to them.
Hovering above is a Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter. A
Coast Guard cutter and another support vessel are also
nearby as part of the rescue operation.
 3.

[Note: in-flight crew & radio communications are filtered].

TOMCZAK (O.S.)
Swimmer and crewman have reached the
surface...I have the ready for pickup
signal. Lowering the rescue basket.

The swimmer puts the fisherman in the basket and climbs in

with him. The basket is hoisted to the Jayhawk.

INT. JAYHAWK – IN FLIGHT - CONTINUOUS

Petty officer Brent Tomczak pulls the fisherman into the

cabin, where two other freezing fisherman are recovering.
The swimmer, ALEX ORTIZ, 30s, gets out of the basket and
immediately begins CPR. He goes through two cycles of
mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions before the fisherman
spits up water and returns to the living.

TOMCZAK
Way to go, Ortiz! We got another live
one folks!

Ortiz smiles, relieved, sits back and catches his breath.

In the cockpit, pilot Cord McKenna and co-pilot Noah

Jeffries exchange a smile and a fist bump.

CORD
Nice job, Ortiz.

NOAH
Kodiak, this is Coast Guard 6739
returning with three survivors.
Request ambulance when we land. All
survivors suffering from severe
hypothermia and...

EXT. JAYHAWK – IN FLIGHT – CONTINUOUS

Noah continues O.S. The helicopter flies away from us,

past the ships below and over the vast, forbidding,
surreally beautiful Bering Sea as we...

FADE OUT.

END OF TEASER
 4.

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. CLASSROOM – DAY

SECOND GRADERS sit quietly at their desks, on their best

behavior. On the whiteboard in colorful marker: “Welcome
Back Mrs. Keilar”.

The door opens and Siobhán Keilar enters. She’s lovely,

with copper red hair, porcelain skin and an alluring,
hourglass figure that not even Lands’ End could make dowdy.
She smiles and the children smile too.

ALLISON, 7, comes to her, holding a bouquet of flowers.

ALLISON
Welcome back, Mrs. Keilar.

SIOBHÀN
Thank you, Allison.
(to class)
Thank you, children.

She kisses Allison on the forehead and the girl returns to

her seat.

SIOBHÀN
I was so touched to receive all of your
cards and flowers and gifts. They were
very, very appreciated. Now I want all
of you to know that I’m feeling better
and I hope that we can go back to life
as normal here in the classroom.

The children seem relieved.

SIOBHÀN
Eric, would you please?

ERIC comes to the front of the room and turns to face his
classmates. He puts his right hand over his heart.

ERIC
I pledge allegiance, to the flag of the
United States of America, and to the
republic...
 5.

CLASSROOM – LATER

The children are going about the business being second

graders. Siobhán moves from worktable to worktable,
encouraging her students.

She stands over Ashleigh McKenna, who is figuring out a

math problem.

SIOBHÀN
That’s right, Ash, always remember to
raise the denominator.

Siobhán lovingly strokes Ashleigh’s hair. The girl looks

up at her and they exchange a smile. Siobhán lingers next
to her a bit too long before moving to the next worktable.

INT. OASIS CAFÉ – DAY

Things are slow at the moment so waitresses Meg McKenna and

APRIL ORTIZ, late 20s, pretty, sit at a table chatting.

APRIL
Thanksgiving was always nice when we
were stationed in Houston. We’d just
take the kids to Alex’s folks’ house.

MEG
Why don’t you come to our house?

APRIL
Oh, I wasn’t fishing for an invite.

MEG
(smiles)
I know, but you caught one anyway. The
last three years holidays at our house
have been Claire’s friends and Cord’s
dad’s old Coast Guard buddies and their
wives. It’ll be nice to have some “new
blood” in the house for a change.

APRIL
Are you sure?

MEG
Of course I’m sure. Cord and I bought
the house from his mother, so legally I
can invite anyone I want.
 6.

April gives her a look.

APRIL
Easy girl, that shade of bitchiness
clashes with your sweater.

Meg smirks. A cell phone RINGS. April pulls it from her

jeans, checks caller I.D. and quickly answers.

APRIL
Hi baby!...Oh my God, really?!

Meg reacts, covering her concern but paying close attention

as April listens.

APRIL
Oh, thank God!
(Meg’s relieved)
I’m so proud of you, Alex...I can’t
help it, I am...Okay.
(naughty smile)
So I’ll whip up something special for
you when you get home tonight. And
I’ll make you something nice for dinner
too...I love you too, baby.

MEG
So?

APRIL
They rescued a crew from a capsized
trawler up near Ketchikan.

MEG
(devious smile)
Who cares about the rescue? I want to
hear about the “special”.

They laugh as customers come into the diner.

MEG
I’ll get this. You need to rest up for
the tonight.

She goes to greet the customers.

 7.

INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR – DAY

A BELL RINGS and first and second grade children stream out
of classrooms and pass Claire McKenna, who is waiting.
Ashleigh comes out and smiles when she sees her.

ASHLEIGH
Hi, Grandma.

CLAIRE
Hi, angel.

ASHLEIGH
Why’d you come inside to pick me up?

CLAIRE
I wanted to say hello to Mrs. Keilar on
her first day back.

Claire takes Ashleigh’s hand and they go back into the

classroom.

INT. CLASSROOM – CONTINUOUS

Siobhán is preparing to leave.

CLAIRE
Siobhán.

SIOBHÀN
(lovely smile)
Mrs. McKenna! Hello!

Claire goes to her and they embrace.

CLAIRE
How are you, dear?

SIOBHÀN
I’m doing well. Thank you so much for
the flowers and the food and
everything. You’re so thoughtful.

CLAIRE
Oh, dear you know we’re all here for
you. Anything you need...How was
today?

Siobhán looks down at Ashleigh and smiles.

 8.

SIOBHÀN
Thanks to Ashleigh and the children,
today was terrific. One of my best
days in weeks.

CLAIRE
That’s good to hear. I thought I’d let
you know, I spoke with your mother and
I’ve invited myself to Thanksgiving at
your folks’ house.

Ashleigh reacts to this news.

SIOBHÀN
Oh, that will be nice. But what about
your family and all of Senior Chief
Mac’s friends?

Claire takes Siobhán’s hands in her own.

CLAIRE
They’ll be fine. This year I want to
spend Thanksgiving with you, dear.

INT. MINIVAN – MOVING – DAY

Claire is driving. Ashleigh’s in the back seat next to her

younger sister, Maggie.

ASHLEIGH
Grandma, are you really not having
Thanksgiving at home?

CLAIRE
It’s just for this year, honey.

MAGGIE
What? Why not, Grandma?

CLAIRE
Well, Maggie, this will be Mrs.
Keilar’s first Thanksgiving without her
husband, so it’s important that all of
her friends support her as much as
possible.

MAGGIE
Where did her husband go?
 9.

ASHLEIGH
He died.

MAGGIE
Oh...Aren’t we her friends too,
Grandma?

CLAIRE
Well, yes Maggie, dear, I suppose you
could say that?

MAGGIE
So why can’t we all have Thanksgiving
at Mrs. Keilar’s house? Wouldn’t she
like that?

ASHLEIGH
(excited)
Yeah, Grandma, can we?

INT. MCKENNA HOME – DAY

Meg enters to find Ashleigh and Maggie at the dining room

table doing homework. She greets them both with a kiss.

MEG
Where’s Grandma?

Claire enters from the kitchen.

CLAIRE
Hello, Megan dear.

MEG
Hi Claire. Listen, I thought you
should know, I’ve invited Alex and
April Ortiz and their kids over for
Thanksgiving.

CLAIRE
That’s perfectly fine, Megan.

ASHLEIGH
But, Grandma, I thought we were having
Thanksgiving at Mrs. Keilar’s.

Meg’s reaction if not her words scream, “What the fuck?!”

 10.

CLAIRE
Now, Ashleigh, I didn’t say we were. I
said I was.

MAGGIE
But you said Mrs. Keilar’s friends
should help her this Thanksgiving and
we’re her friends, right?

MEG
(terse)
Claire, I think we need to talk in the
kitchen. Now, please.

Not waiting, Meg marches past her mother-in-law into the

kitchen. Claire sighs and follows her.

INT. KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS

Meg is already in full meltdown mode when Claire enters.

MEG
Are you insane?!

CLAIRE
Calm down, dear –

MEG
There is no freakin’ way I will ever,
ever step foot in that whore’s house!
What in God’s name possessed you to
tell my children that they could go
there?! It’s bad enough Ashleigh’s in
her classroom!

CLAIRE
Please, Megan dear, calm down. I didn’t
tell the girls they could go to
Siobhán’s for Thanksgiving. I simply
said that I would spend it with her
family and that it was up to you and
Cord if they could go. Naturally, I
didn’t expect you to approve.

MEG
You’re goddamn right I don’t approve!
I can’t believe you, Claire!
 11.

CLAIRE
Megan, I know how you feel about
Siobhán and I don’t blame you. I’d
feel the same way about any woman Mac
had an affair with. But your issues
with her aren’t my issues. I’ve been
close to the O’Briens since the day I
moved to this island, and I don’t
expect that will ever change. No
matter who my son sleeps with.

Claire’s double entendre doesn’t go unnoticed by Meg.

INT. O’BRIEN HOME, BATHROOM – SUNSET

Siobhán relaxes in a hot bath, her thoughts far, far away.

She reacts slowly to a light KNOCK on the door.

SIOBHÀN
Yes?

MRS. O’BRIEN (O.S.)

Siobhán, honey, dinner’s ready if you
want to eat.

SIOBHÀN
Thank you, mother, I’m not hungry.

MRS. O’BRIEN (O.S.)

Of course, dear. I’ll keep a plate
warm for you just in case.

SIOBHÀN
Thank you.

HALLWAY OUTSIDE BATHROOM

MRS. O’BRIEN, mid-60s and looking as though Protestantism

sprung from her womb, turns from the door and goes down the
hall. We track with her downstairs, and as she goes
through the living and dining rooms, CAMERA STAYS on a
bureau full of FAMILY PHOTOS.

From the photos we learn that the O’Briens are a Coast

Guard family, with at least two generations of officers and
enlisted men shown with proud, lovely women by their side.
Finally, we see a formal picture of a young Siobhán posing
with a U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadet – Cord McKenna.
 12.

INT. SIOBHÀN’S BEDROOM – SUNSET

Siobhán enters in bathroom and slippers. She slips out of

her robe {no full nudity, but enough skin to show she’s got
it going on] and puts on girlie PJs. She opens the
nightstand drawer and pulls out a photobooth insta-
snapshot. She settles in bed, reminiscing with the photo.

REVERSE and we see that it’s a B&W shot of her and Cord,
high school sweethearts, mugging for the camera. A
bittersweet smile comes to Siobhán’s face as we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT ONE

 13.

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

INT. THERAPIST’S OFFICE – DAY

Meg and Cord are in mid-session and things are hot.

MEG
I feel like I’m locked in the ice like
those ships stuck at the South Pole!

CORD
So I’ll transfer if it’ll make you
happy. You know that, Meg.

MEG
It’s not just Kodiak, Cord!

CORD
So it’s the job. You want me to leave
the Coast Guard.

MEG
I didn’t say that! Why do you always
have to twist my words?!

CORD
(exasperated)
Then what for Christ’s sake, Megan?
What the hell do you want?

THERAPIST
It’s a valid question, Meg.

A long beat as she stews. Finally –

MEG
I want some control over my life, not
to feel like everything’s being
dictated to me.

CORD
And you you’ll find that “control” in a
bottle and by screwing other men?

She cuts him a withering look. Beat.

MEG
No, of course not. But a good start
would be having my own home.
 14.

Cord sighs. “Here we go again.”

THERAPIST
Cord, why that reaction?

CORD
We’ve talked about this a million
times. Buying my mom’s house for what
she paid for it twenty years ago was a
no-brainer. We both agreed it was the
right thing to do financially.

MEG
Well it was a mistake. One I shouldn’t
have to keep living with.

CORD
How was it a mistake, Meg? You and mom
get along great. With her volunteer
work and socializing she’s hardly ever
home and when she is she’s totally
devoted to the girls, which gives you
freedom to paint.

MEG
(to therapist)
At your home, who decides who’s invited
for Thanksgiving dinner?

THERAPIST
My husband and I spend Thanksgiving
with his parents in Seattle.
Christmases are usually in Vancouver
with my family.

MEG
Well for the past three Thanksgivings
at “my” home not one guest was invited
by me. Why? Because for the past
fifteen years the guests have all been
regulars invited by my mother-in-law.

CORD
Come on, Meg, now you’re being
ridiculous. It’s not like you can’t
invite people.

MEG
Well, this year I have.
 15.

CORD
See.

MEG
But then your mother has decided to
spend Thanksgiving elsewhere.

OFF Cord’s surprise...

INT. BASE STORE (CGX)- DAY

Eden Sayer is deciding which pair of running shoes to try

on. She glances up and notices a WASPY, twenty-something
BLONDE WOMAN staring at her from the “Outerwear” section.
Their eyes meet briefly before the woman looks away.

Eden goes back to making her shoe selection, but she knows
exactly what the look was about.

EXT. BARRACKS - DAY

Eden enters, now in her duty uniform, and is greeted with

smiles and catcalls from other Coast Guardsmen.

TOMCZAK
Well, look who decided to grace us with
her presence! If it ain’t Nanook of the
North herself.

EDEN
Nonook was a man, moron.

TOMCZAK
(grins)
Really? You don’t look like a man.

NANCE
So how you feelin’ Sayer?

EDEN
A hundred percent, Chief.

NANCE
Well it’s good to have you back.

EDEN
It’s good to be back.
 16.

TOMCZAK
Bet you’ll miss lying around in your
panties, eating bonbons and watching
“Sex in the City” marathons.

EDEN
Why would I, Tommy? You’ve been doing
it on the job for years.

Laughter from the guys.

EXT. READY ROOM – LATER

Cord and Noah sit talking.

CORD
It’s great that you and Ashanti will
make it for Thanksgiving this year.

NOAH
Really looking forward to it.
(then, disappointed)
To tell you the truth, I’m a little
surprised we haven’t been invited
before this year.

CORD
(embarrassed)
Look, I’m sorry about that, Noah. We
would’ve had you over sooner but it’s
complica –

Noah’s grinning. Cord catches on.

NOAH
Ashanti told me how Meg’s finally
declaring her “supremacy” in the
McKenna household, starting with
Thanksgiving.

CORD
She did, did she?

NOAH
You know our ladies don’t keep any
secrets from each other. Look, Cord,
your mom and Meg are mother-and-
daughter-in-law. Doesn’t matter how
good a front they put on, they’re sworn
enemies, man.
 17.

CORD
Can I just say again that you really
watch too much TV?

NOAH
That’s not TV, that’s nature. “Mother”
nature, baby.

Cord shakes his head just as Eden enters and crosses to

them. She salutes.

CORD
(returns salute)
Sayer, welcome back.

EDEN
Thank you, Lieutenant. Good to be back.
(to Noah)
Lieutenant.

NOAH
Sayer. Lookin’ good as new.

EDEN
Thank you, sir. Feel it too.

CORD
You’re back just in time, Sayer. After
the holiday we head up north for a
joint training exercise. You wouldn’t
want to miss that.

EDEN
No, sir, I wouldn’t.

She hands him a piece of paper. He signs, gives it back.

EDEN
Thank you, Lieutenant.

She turns and heads out. Noah admires her as she goes.

NOAH
You know, Ortiz is a good rescue
swimmer, but our little Nanook can give
me mouth-to-mouth any time.

CORD
You do know Nanook of the North was a
man, don’t you?
 18.

Noah looks at him. “You’re shitting me.”

INT. MINIVAN – NIGHT

Cord is behind the wheel of the minivan, parked in a

neighborhood of small, working class homes. He’s looking
at one of them – a neat, pretty one across the street.

INT. KEILAR HOME – SAME

The house is as tidy inside as it is outside. Siobhàn is

on the sofa drinking a cup of tea, grading students’
papers. Sensing something, she gets up and goes to the
window, parts the curtains and peers outside, sees the
minivan parked across the street.

INT. MINIVAN – SAME

Cord sees Siobhàn’s silhouette appear in the window. He

shifts into gear and pulls away.

INT. KEILAR HOME – SAME

Siobhàn lets the curtains close. She stands there,

thinking.

INT. MINIVAN – LATER

Cord is parked outside the Senior Center. Claire exits the

building, says “Goodnight” to fellow volunteers then goes
to the minivan and gets in.

CLAIRE
Thanks for picking me up, sweetheart.

CORD
Of course, Mom. Thanks for letting us
use the van until Meg’s truck is out of
the shop.

They drive off.

 19.

INT. MINIVAN – MOVING – LATER

CORD
Mom, Meg told me you’re having
Thanksgiving at the O’Brien’s.

CLAIRE
Yes, sweetheart, that’s right. The
first holidays after losing a husband
are the worst times for a young widow.

CORD
Mom, I understand why it’s important
for you to be supportive of Siobhàn.

CLAIRE
That’s right, Cord, you do. Violet
practically moved in with us after your
father died. And Sam was totally
supportive of her doing it. If it
weren’t for them, well, I imagine I
would’ve gone mad up here with two boys
and no one to lean on.

He understands all too well, but still...

CORD
I know, Mom, but you know how difficult
it’s been for Meg.

CLAIRE
I do. And I sympathize with her. You
did a horrible thing, Cordell, and I’ve
told Megan how I feel about it. But
your marital problems have nothing to
do with my loyalty to the O’Briens.

CORD
Don’t you get it, Mom? As far as Meg
is concerned you’ve chosen Siobhàn over
her. Again.

CLAIRE
That’s nonsense. I treat Megan as
though she were my daughter, which of
course, she is.

CORD
Look, Mom, I know you love Meg. But we
all know that took time. And we all
know why.
 20.

CLAIRE
Cord, if you’re asking me not to go to
the O’Brien’s for Thanksgiving, then
this conversation is over. That
decision has been made. Besides, now
Megan can finally have Thanksgiving her
way.

INT. SAFEWAY – DAY

Meg and Ashanti Jeffries stare at FROZEN TURKEYS. Their

faces tell us this is virgin territory for both of them.

ASHANTI
Definitely the ten-pounder.

MEG
Are you sure? It looks so big.
There’s just the eight of us.

ASHANTI
Eight adults, six children.

MEG
But the kids hardly eat any of the
turkey.

ASHANTI
That’s your kids. Other peoples’ kids
love turkey.

MEG
Did you “love” turkey when you were a
kid?

ASHANTI
(beat)
Okay, maybe you’ve got a point. Then
definitely, it’s the six-pounder.

Siobhàn and her mother, Mrs. O’Brien, turn into the aisle.
Siobhàn stops the cart when her eyes meet Meg’s. They
stare at each other from opposite ends of the aisle.

ASHANTI
What?
(following Meg’s gaze)
Oh.
 21.

Ashanti plunks the turkey into their basket and begins to

push it away.

ASHANTI
Come on, let’s go. We’ve got a lot
more on the list.

Meg hesitates, not sure if she’s holding her ground or just

stunned into submission. Ashanti discreetly tugs her arm
to end the deliberation. They walk out of the aisle.

ANOTHER AISLE - LATER

Ashanti is trying to find canned cranberry sauce.

MEG
(as if to herself)
You just never see it happening to you.
Not in a place like this. New York,
Chicago, L.A.? Sure. But Kodiak?

Ashanti ignores her, hoping to change the subject.

ASHANTI
They’ve got cranberry sauce in jars out
the whazzoo. Nothing in a can. Maybe
we’re too late. Maybe they’re sold out
already because canned cranberry sauce
is better.

MEG
(snorts)
Too late? Don’t tell me about too
late. How about never?
(as if to herself)
You know he never mentioned her.
Never. He told me about the girls he
dated while he was at the Academy.
Even about some skank he banged on a
booze cruise in Mexico. But this one?
Not a word. You’d think she would’ve
come up, at least in passing, in eight
years, wouldn’t you? First crush, prom
date, girl you lost your virginity to.
But never. I got nothing. Less than
nothing. Bupkis.

ASHANTI
Maybe we don’t need cranberry sauce.

Meg looks at her with expression that says, “Ya think?”

 22.

INT. CONVENIENCE STORE – SUNSET

Eden is paying the CASHIER for groceries when we hear a

distinctive RINGTONE. She answers her phone.

EDEN
Hi, baby!...No not yet. I had to stop
off for a few things.

Elsewhere in the store, unseen by Eden, Tomczak recognizes

her voice and eavesdrops on her conversation.

EDEN (O.S.)
I know, but thank goodness for Skype,
right?...Yeah, I think it’ll be nice.

Tomczak spies on her from the aisle as she exits the store.
He waits a beat then follows.

EXT. PARKING LOT – CONTINUOUS

Eden talks on the phone as she walks. Tomczak hangs back.

EDEN
Oh, I know, Toni. I miss you too,
baby. I hate not being with you for
the holidays.

She reaches her Jeep Wrangler and loads the groceries in.
Tomczak lingers near parked cars, out of sight.

EDEN
Listen, I’m at my Jeep now. I’ll see
you on Skype when I get home....

She hangs up and is climbing in the Jeep when –

CASHIER (O.S.)
(shouting)
Hey, you gonna pay for that or what?!

Eden turns, surprised to see the convenience store CASHIER

confronting Tomczak over the BAG OF CHIPS he’s holding.
Tomczak looks sheepishly at Eden. She grins and waves her
fingers prettily before closing the door and driving away.
 23.

INT. KEILAR HOME – NIGHT

Siobhàn is drinking tea and grading papers. Again she

senses Cord’s presence and goes to the window. The minivan
is there, but its lights are off. And Cord’s not inside.

The DOORBELL RINGS.

Siobhàn is momentarily taken aback. Then she pulls it

together and goes to the door, giving herself a once over
in the mirror. She takes a deep breath before opening it.

SIOBHÀN
Cord.

CORD
Hi, Siobhàn. May I come in?

SIOBHÀN
Of course, Cord. Please.

She lets him in. Closes the door. They stand there
looking at each other, not knowing where to begin.

CORD
I’m sorry about Kirk. He was a good
man.

SIOBHÀN
Thank you. And thank you for your
letter. Of course I understand why you
couldn’t come to the funeral.

CORD
Listen, Siobhàn, I know I shouldn’t be
here. But I just can’t stop thinking
about you.

Beat.

SIOBHÀN
I know. I can’t stop thinking about
you either, Cord.

OFF them gazing into each other’s eyes we...

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT TWO

 24.

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

INT. KEILAR HOME – NIGHT

Cord and Siobhàn sit next to each other on the sofa.

SIOBHÀN
I never told you this – actually I
never told anyone – but I asked Kirk to
marry me.
(off his look)
That’s exactly the way he looked at me.

CORD
Well at least I’m not the only one who
scratched his head over you two. I
mean, I never would’ve thought of you
and Kirk Keilar together.

SIOBHÀN
Because he was just a commercial
fisherman, not a Guardsman like Grandy,
Daddy, Uncle Sean, Sammy...and you?

It would be impolite to confirm what she already knows.

CORD
All that really matters is that you
loved him and you were happy together.

SIOBHÀN
I did and we were.

He covers his disappointment but she knows him too well.

SIOBHÀN
Cole, when you left for the Academy I
expected you to come home and marry me.
When that didn’t happen, I was
heartbroken, but I survived...

He tries to speak, but she stops him.

SIOBHÀN
I survived. But I died inside when I
found out you were married, with a
child, Ashleigh...I waited six months,
long enough for all of our friends to
(MORE)
 25.

SIOBHÀN (CONT’D.)
stop tiptoeing around me, watching
their every word for fear of turning me
into a puddle tears. Then I asked Kirk
to marry me.

CORD
Did you have any feelings for him?

SIOBHÀN
I knew he was a good, hardworking man
who would probably captain his own boat
one day. That was enough. I didn’t
need or expect anything else from him.
The only man I’d ever loved – would
ever love – was married. More coffee?

She takes his mug and goes to the kitchen. While she’s
away, he looks at the PHOTOS on the mantle and around the
room. They show Siobhán and Kirk happy together.

She returns with a fresh cup of tea and his coffee.

CORD
(re: home, photos)
Thank you. Kirk seems to have provided
well for you.

SIOBHÀN
(pretty smile)
Why Cordell Angus McKenna, Jr., I don’t
remember you being such a chauvinist.
We provided well for each other.

CORD
But I remember you promising never to
call me that again.

SIOBHÀN
It’s a strong, masculine name. Your
father was proud enough of it that he
gave it to you.

CORD
Right, and everybody called him “Mac.”

She laughs, light and pretty and warm. Genuine.

CORD
Oh! Look how late it is. I should go.
 26.

He’s about to stand. She stops him with a hand on his.

SIOBHÀN
Cord, I saw Megan at the market today.

CORD
(sinking feeling)
Oh...

SIOBHÀN
We didn’t speak or anything. Still, it
was very awkward. It’s amazing that
we’ve avoided each other this long.

CORD
Yeah...well, Mom’s done everything she
can to keep Meg away from you. Like
school pickups, things like that.

SIOBHÀN
Yes, I figured as much...Cord, it tore
me up inside to be “the other woman”.
I’m so sorry Megan found out.

CORD
Yeah, well what’s done is done.

SIOBHÀN
What I mean, Cord, is I’m sorry she was
hurt, but I don’t regret what happened.

She takes his hand, caresses it lovingly.

SIOBHÀN
I believe things happen for a reason,
and I don’t think it was merely a
coincidence that you were at the
hospital the night of Kirk’s
aneurism...Cord, I’m convinced that we
were meant to be together.

CORD
(reacts)
Siobhán, I’m still married. I have a
family. What do expect me to do, just
forget my kids? Divorce my wife?

She looks straight into his eyes. Beat.

SIOBHÀN
No...and yes.
 27.

INT. MCKENNA HOME – NIGHT

Cord comes in to find Claire watching CNN, as usual.

CLAIRE
Hello, sweetheart.

CORD
(distracted)
Hi, Mom.

He’s on his way upstairs when –

CLAIRE
Sweetheart?

CORD
Yes?

She looks at him, waiting. Then he realizes. He goes back

and kisses her on the cheek.

CORD
Good night, Mom.

CLAIRE
‘Night Cord.

Their ritual complete, she smiles.

UPSTAIRS – MOMENTS LATER

Cord peeks in on Ashleigh and Maggie. Sound asleep. He

lingers longer than usual. Then he goes to the main
bedroom, KNOCKS on the door that’s cracked open.

MEG (O.S.)
Yes.

INT. BEDROOM – CONTINUOUS

Meg’s in bed sketching on her iPad. She’s somewhat

surprised to see Cord standing in the doorway.

MEG
Hi. Come in.

CORD
Do you really think buying a new home
is the answer to our problems, Meg?
 28.

MEG
(not expecting this)
I said it’s a start, not a solution.

CORD
Then what? I mean after the house?

MEG
I don’t know. Isn’t that why we’re
seeing a therapist, so she can help us
figure it out?

She hopes this is a sign he’s coming around.

MEG
Cord honey, what is it?

A long beat.

CORD
Nothing. Good night.

He leaves. She looks after him, disappointed.

INT. MCKENNA FAMILY ROOM - LATER

Cord lay on the sofa, made up as a bed. OFF him staring

into the darkness...

INT. HANGAR – DAY

A medal ceremony. Wall to wall dress blues, service

ribbons, polished leather and brass.

ADMIRAL PAGE, a black woman, pins a MEDAL on Ortiz’s chest.

ADMIRAL
Congratulations, Chief Petty Officer
Ortiz. The Coast Guard and your
country are proud of you. Keep up the
good work.

ORTIZ
Thank you, Admiral.

They exchange crisp salutes.

In the Visitor’s section, April beams with pride alongside

her three young SONS.
 29.

The admiral moves to Eden and pins a MEDAL on her chest.

ADMIRAL
Congratulations, Airman Sayer. The
Coast Guard and your country are proud
of you. Keep up the good work.

EDEN
Yes ma’am. Thank you, Admiral.

They exchange crisp salutes.

Cord, Noah, Tomczak and Zeke Zibriski applaud for Eden.

She steals a glance at them and smiles.

Seated elsewhere we FIND the WASPY blonde woman who was

admiring Eden at the CGX. Her rank and name badge tell us
this is ENSIGN SWIFT.

AFTER THE CEREMONY

Medal recipients mingle. Ortiz is congratulated by April

and their boys. Cord and the guys approach Eden.

ZEKE
Think she was high and mighty before,
now she’s going to be totally
impossible to live with.

EDEN
Hi, senior chief. Thanks for coming.

They shake hands.

CORD
Since Senior Chief Zibriske has missed
the opportunity to be the first from
the crew to congratulate you since
being pinned, allow me. Well done.

EDEN
Thank you, sir. Again.

A look between them hints at their growing closeness.

EXT. BARRACKS – LATER

Now in duty uniform, Eden goes about her business checking

equipment. Tomczak comes up from behind, admiring the view.
 30.

TOMCZAK
Sayer.

EDEN
Tommy.

TOMCZAK
Now that your fan club has dispersed, I
guess I can admit that you looked
pretty good getting that medal today.

EDEN
Thanks...Look, Tomczak, I never really
got a chance to thank you for jumping
onto that burning tanker to save me.
You know, it could easily have been you
up there getting a medal.

TOMCZAK
The difference is McKenna ordered me
down there; you jumped into that
inferno on your own. Twice.

EDEN
Well, thanks again Tommy.

She turns to go back to work.

TOMCZAK
Too bad Tony couldn’t be here for your
big day.

She looks at him, covering her anxiety.

EDEN
How do you know about Toni?

TOMCZAK
Sorry, Sayer, I overheard you talking
to him on the phone. You remember, the
other night at the convenience store?

EDEN
Oh...yeah, right.

TOMCZAK
By the way, thanks for helping me out
with Akbar. He was “this” close to
calling the shore patrol on my ass.
 31.

EDEN
Let that be a lesson. Shoplifting and
stalking don’t mix.

He smiles, touché. Then –

TOMCZAK
Eden...sorry if this is coming out of
left field, but I’m just going to go
for it. I know what it’s like to be in
a long-distance relationship. It
sucks. And what it’s like to spend a
winter in Kodiak. It sucks more.

EDEN
Look, Tommy...

TOMCZAK
All I’m saying is maybe we could hang
out, do dinner and a movie off base
once in a while. No pressure.

EDEN
Brent, I appreciate you thinking of me
that way, I do. But even if Toni
weren’t in the picture, I think dating
someone you work with is a really,
really bad idea, especially in our
business. So I don’t do it. Ever.

TOMCZAK
Okay. I can respect that. For the
record, Sayer, I think Tony’s a pretty
lucky guy.

He turns and walks away. She watches him go.

INT. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS MEETING – NIGHT

A MAN is telling his tale of woe. Meg comes in and quietly

takes a seat in the back of the room. As the man speaks
[AD LIB] Meg looks around – the recovering alcoholics are
ordinary people, just like her.

Light APPLAUSE as the man finishes his testimonial.

HOST
Thank you, Kirby. Now who wants to go
next?
 32.

ZEKE
I’ll go.

He makes his way to the podium. Meg is surprised to see

him at “her” meeting.

ZEKE
Hello, everybody. I’m Alex and I’ve
been sober for twenty-eight days.

EVERYBODY
Hello Alex.

EXT. COMMUNITY CENTER – LATER

The AA meeting is breaking up and participants file out.

Zeke zips up his parka and lights a cigarette. Meg comes
up from behind him.

MEG
(a smile)
I thought it was called Alcoholics
Anonymous not Alcoholics “Aliases”.
Hello, “Alex.”

Zeke turns, pleasantly surprised to see her.

ZEKE
Pleased to meet you, ma’am. My name is
Alexander. People have called me
“Zeke” since I was a kid.

Meg makes a face and shakes her head.

ZEKE
What’s with the look?

MEG
Nothing really. Just seem to be
learning all sorts of new things about
Cord’s crew these days.

He shrugs but smiles too, not feeling a need to press.

ZEKE
Well, I’m glad you’re here, Meg. I
think this can really help. It’s only
been a few weeks for me, but the
meetings have made a difference. I
(MORE)
 33.

ZEKE (CONT’D.)
know I can beat this to get back in the
air, but it helps knowing I’ve got a
little back up.

He takes a drag of this cigarette. Meg stares at him, then

takes the cigarette and flicks it in the snow. He reacts.

MEG
It’s not just the bottle you’ve got to
beat, “Alex”.

ZEKE
All right, “Skipper”. I hear ya.

INT. MCKENNA HOME – NIGHT

Meg enters the darkened home. She goes quietly to the

family room. Cord is on the made up sofa, not yet asleep.
They look at each other for a couple of beats.

MEG
Are you ever coming back to our bed?

He stares at her a moment longer, then shifts his gaze up

toward the ceiling. Meg absorbs the blow then exits.

Cord continues staring at the ceiling after she’s left.

Somehow we know he’s thinking about Siobhán.

INT. KITCHEN – CONTINUOUS

Meg stands in front of the refrigerator. After a while she

opens the top freezer.

FREEZER POV - MEG

staring inside, deliberating for what seems like a long

time. The sound of the compressor breaks the spell. She
shuts the freezer door and we...

SMASH TO BLACK.

END OF ACT THREE

 34.

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

OVER BLACK we hear...

MEG (O.S.)
No, I think it’s 350-degrees.

FREEZER POV – MEG

as she opens the freezer door and reaches in side.

INT. KITCHEN – DAY

Meg takes out bags of frozen vegetables and takes them to

the sink. Ashanti is looking at a turkey in the oven.

ASHANTI
Are you sure? It still looks a little
pale. Maybe I should turn it to 400?

MEG
The instructions say 350-degrees. It’s
only been about an hour, Ashanti.

ASHANTI
Trust me, girl, nobody wants to see a
rubber turkey on Thanksgiving.

Ashanti turns up the temperature then goes back to chopping

onions for the stuffing.

MEG
I really appreciate you coming over to
help, Ashanti.

ASHANTI
It’s no problem. It seems like these
last few weeks we’ve been a bit out of
touch, so it’s nice to spend the time.

MEG
I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just been so
out of it lately - with Claire telling
the girls she’s spending Thanksgiving
at the O’Brien’s and then running into
her at the market. It’s been nuts.
 35.

INT. O’BRIEN HOME – DAY

Fourteen GUESTS finish Thanksgiving dinner at an elegant

table. Mrs. O’Brien and her husband, retired Admiral SAM
O’BRIEN, are their hosts. Claire is next to Siobhán.

ADMIRAL O’BRIEN
The stuffing was especially good, Vi.

MRS. O’BRIEN
You can thank Claire for the stuffing
this year, Sam.

ADMIRAL O’BRIEN
It’s so nice to have you with us this
year, Claire.

Claire smiles and puts her hand on Siobhán’s.

CLAIRE
Thank you, Sam. It’s good to be here
again, with all of you.

ADMIRAL O’BRIEN
Maybe we’ll get that son of yours and
his family over for the holidays.

Claire covers her reaction to that impossibility. Siobhán

has a somewhat different, more positive reaction.

SIOBHÁN
Who’s ready for dessert?

WOMAN
Here, let me help you, dear.

ANOTHER WOMAN
I’ll help too.

PARLOR – LATER

The guests enjoy coffee and dessert as Siobhán plays piano.

Claire and Mrs. O’Brien watch from the back of the room.

CLAIRE
She’s such a lovely girl.

MRS. O’BRIEN
Thank you. And thank you again for
being here for her. It means so much,
Claire.
 36.

CLAIRE
I was her age when I lost Mac. You
were there for me, Violet. I want to
be here for Siobhán.

They share a look. Mrs. O’Brien turns reminiscent.

MRS. O’BRIEN
Kirk was good to my Siobhán. Still I
can’t help but wonder if she wouldn’t
have been happier with Cord.

Claire gives her elbow an understanding squeeze.

INT. MCKENNA HOME – DAY

Cord opens the door and greets Ortiz, April and their sons.

CORD
Alex, April, we’re so glad you guys
could make it.

Meg greets April with a hug and leads them all to the –

DINING ROOM

The smallish room is crowded with eight adults – LACEY and

REID GREENSPAN, 30s, Ortiz and April, Noah and Ashanti, and
Meg and Cord, who is carving the turkey.

LACEY
(to Cord re: carving)
Sure you didn’t miss your calling, Cord
darling?

CORD
Turkeys, hams, roasts – I got it
covered. But you’d better leave the
surgeries to Reid there.

ORTIZ
I don’t know, Lieutenant, you do some
pretty smooth operating with a Jayhawk.
That tanker explosion rescue is going
to rewrite the flying manuals.

NOAH
Hey, he wasn’t the only doctor in the
cockpit for that one, my friend.
 37.

CORD
You’ll have to excuse “Dr. No” over
there. He’s got sidekick issues. Who
wants white, who wants dark?

LATER - OVER DINNER

APRIL
So is it really dark all winter in
Alaska?

REID
It depends on where you live. In this
part, by mid-December the sun will come
up around 10:30 and set at around 3:30.
By the end of January, we get back to
something close to “normal”.

NOAH
Above the Arctic Circle, the sun
disappears in November and doesn’t come
back until January.

APRIL
So you’re going to hold those joint
exercises in darkness?

ORTIZ
Folks need saving at nighttime too,
baby.

Maggie hurriedly enters from the family room.

MAGGIE
Mommy, can we have dessert now?!

MEG
Okay, sweetie.

Meg heads for the kitchen. Ashanti, April and Lacey

follow.

IN THE KITCHEN

The women prepare dessert plates for the kids.

LACEY
I have to say, you surprise me, Megan
darling. Thanksgiving with all the
trimmings?
 38.

MEG
Should I take that as a compliment or
break out the Pepto?

APRIL
Dinner was just great, Meg.

MEG
Well, I can’t take all the credit. If
not for my “sidekick” over here, we’d
all be doubled over with salmonella by
now.

ASHANTI
(a laugh)
Thanks, “Doc”. Glad I could help.

LACEY
Meg, I’m dying to see the new painting.
Can we take a look later?

BACK IN THE DINING ROOM

CORD
We’ll probably concentrate the
exercises off the coast in the Chukchi
Sea. Coldest place I’ve ever been to
in my life.

NOAH
You haven’t seen brutal cold until
you’ve been above the Arctic Circle in
December.

REID
For the life of me I can’t understand
why anybody in his right mind decided
to settle down in this part of the
world.

ORTIZ
So Lieutenant, I suppose you’re glad to
have Sayer back. Can’t beat having
your own Eskimo onboard when you go up
north, huh?

CORD
We’ll miss you, Ortiz, but yeah, we’re
glad to have her back. She’s a helluva
rescue swimmer.
 39.

REID
Chief, I believe the preferred term is
Inuit.
(off his look)
These days, unless you’re talking about
a tasty ice cream snack, “Eskimo” is
considered offensive when referring to
natives of the Arctic regions.

ORTIZ
Oh.

INT. EDEN’S APARTMENT – DAY

A candlelit dinner for one is set at a small table. Also

open on the table is a laptop computer. Eden enters from
the kitchen, in a pretty dress, carrying a slice of cake on
a dessert plate. She sits.

TONI (V.O.)
That looks delicious.

Eden takes a bite of cake and talks to her girlfriend Toni,

ON THE COMPUTER via “Skype”.

EDEN
Mmmm. It tastes as good as it looks.

TONI
Now you’re just teasing me.

EDEN
You’ve got your own cake there.

TONI
You know that’s not what I’m talking
about.

Eden smiles, teasing her.

EDEN
You still think this was a good idea,
right?

TONI
Anything’s better than not seeing you
at all. I miss you so much, Eden.
 40.

EDEN
I miss you too. But thanks to
technology, here we are having
Thanksgiving Dinner together!

TONI
(beat)
Two years is such a long time.
Sometimes I don’t think I can take it.

EDEN
Toni, please don’t talk like that,
baby. Remember the plan: talk on the
phone, Skype and Facebook every day.
You’ll come up in April and we’ll spend
three incredible weeks together. I’ll
come back to Seattle for a week in
July. It’ll be like we were never
apart. We got this, baby. Right?

TONI
Right. I know...it’s just...

EDEN
What? It’s just what, Toni?

TONI
There’s something like a hundred dikes
on that base and they all want to stay
warm in that long Alaskan night.

EDEN
If that’s what you’re worried about,
don’t. Okay, baby? For starters there
might be 30 women on the base and more
than half of them are straight for
sure. Plus, you know I’d never crap
where I eat. And most importantly, I
only want you, Toni. It’s you I love.

TONI
(smiling, relieved)
Love you more.

Eden flashes a libidinous grin and takes another bite of

cake. Then she licks the crumbs from her lips enticingly.

TONI
You naughty, naughty girl.
 41.

INT. MCKENNA FAMILY ROOM – SUNSET

Ashleigh, Maggie and EFFIE GREENSPAN, 8, listen closely to

Ashanti’s belly, hoping to feel movement from her unborn
baby. The 3 Ortiz boys stand back, unsure what to do.

APRIL
End of April, beginning of May is a
good time to have a baby. At least it
is in the lower 48.

ASHANTI
As long as she’s not born in the dead
of winter here, I’ll be happy.

APRIL
So you know the sex?

ASHANTI
(smiles)
No, but I’ve got my fingers crossed.

APRIL
What about names?

ASHANTI
Well, if it’s a girl, I like Genevieve.

APRIL
That’s very pretty.

ASHANTI
And if Noah gets the boy he’s hoping
for, he thinks we’ll name him Noah.

APRIL
You don’t like the name?

ASHANTI
Trust me, one Noah Jeffries in the
house is enough.

They laugh and as they do the children feel the baby kick.

INT. MEG’S STUDIO – SUNSET

ON LACEY’S FACE

she’s astonished.
 42.

LACEY
It’s breathtaking, darling.

REVERSE and we see that she’s looking at the dramatic

SEASCAPE that we’ve seen Meg painting in previous episodes.

MEG
Thank you.

LACEY
I’ve been impressed with much of your
work, Megan, but this is on an entirely
new level.

MEG
So you think it can be the centerpiece
of a showing in Anchorage?

LACEY
For starters? Yes, darling.

Lacey examines the painting closely.

LACEY
There’s so much here, the texture, the
balance and nuance, the raw emotion.

She turns and looks at Meg, studying her face as closely as

she did the painting.

LACEY
I know art and I know artists. A piece
like this can only come from demons
locked deep inside the soul.

MEG
It’s been a long year.

LACEY
(beat)
You and Cord?

Meg looks away, trying to control her emotions. Lacey

stares at the painting again, then back at Meg.

LACEY
Oh, darling.

She embraces Meg, holding her tightly.

 43.

INT. O’BRIEN HOME, PARLOR - NIGHT

The evening is winding down. As the Admiral and Mrs.

O’Brien say goodnight to several guests, Claire and Siobhán
talk privately in the parlor.

SIOBHÀN
Mom and Dad have been wonderful letting
me come back and forth between my house
and theirs. Just like when I would run
to their bedroom after a nightmare when
I was a little girl.

CLAIRE
I know it seems like the hurt will
never end, dear...In time your life
will have meaning again. You’re young
and beautiful and – though I know it
may not seem possible now - you really
do have so much to look forward to.
Happiness, love...children.

She caresses Siobhán’s face and looks lovingly in her eyes.

Siobhán gives her a warm, knowing smile in return.

SIOBHÀN
Yes, Mrs. McKenna. I know. And I do
look forward to those things. All of
them.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT FOUR

 44.

ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

INT. BRIEFING ROOM - DAY

Aircrews listen intently as Capt. Nelson briefs them.

CAPT. NELSON
Operation Polar Bear. A three-day
joint exercise to perform air sea
rescue operations in the U.S. sector of
the Chukchi Sea with the Air Force,
Navy, Coast Guard and elements of the
Royal Canadian Navy and Air Force...

EXT. GULF OF ALASKA – DAY

Two Coast Guard cutters leave port.

CAPT. NELSON
Cutters “Thetis” and “Harriet Lane”,
along with the icebreaker “Northwind”,
will provide the Coast Guard’s sea
contingent for the exercise...

Two helicopters approach the cutters for landing astern.

CAPT. NELSON
Two Jayhawks and four crews will
participate in the exercise...

EXT. USCGC THETIS – ARCTIC TWILIGHT

The Thetis steams in rough seas, a Jayhawk secured on its

stern deck.

CAPT. NELSON
Winds will exceed seventy knots and
temperatures will be well below zero
throughout the operation. And you will
carry out maneuvers in perpetual
twilight...

Crewmembers brave winds and waves crashing onto deck.

 45.

CAPT. NELSON
This may be an exercise, but make no
mistake people. Like everything else
in the Arctic, this is the real thing.

INT. USCGC THETIS, BRIDGE – ARCTIC TWILIGHT

The command crew carries out operations.

CREWMEMBER (O.S.)
Admiral on deck!

Everyone comes to attention as Admiral Page enters,

followed closely by her aide, Ensign Swift.

ADMIRAL PAGE
Carry on. Commander Decker, how are we
doing this evening?

COMMANDER DECKER
Operations are progressing nicely,
Admiral. We’ve been in contact with
our RCN opposites and preparations are
underway for the next rescue operation.

ADMIRAL PAGE
Downed RCAF pilot?

COMMANDER DECKER
Yes, ma’am. Off Cape Lisburne. Do you
still plan to go aloft for this sortie?

ADMIRAL PAGE
I wouldn’t miss it. Swift, who’s our
ride tonight?

ENS. SWIFT
(checks a chart)
We fly with Lieutenant McKenna’s crew,
Admiral.

ADMIRAL PAGE
McKenna. Very well.

She pauses to observe the crew’s operations. Satisfied –

ADMIRAL PAGE
Carry on, Commander.

Page and Swift exit.

 46.

INT. READY ROOM

Cord, Noah, Tomczak and Eden suit up for a patrol.

NOAH
Three down, one to go.

TOMCZAK
After this, I’m definitely going to use
my priority for a rotation to Hawaii.
I’ve never felt cold like this before.

EDEN
Remind me again how many times have you
gotten wet on this exercise?

TOMCZAK
That’s why you make the big bucks,
sister.

EDEN
Yeah, right. Bite me.

He playfully ponders the possibility. She smirks.

CORD
Alright, Betty and Jug Head, leave the
not-so-witty banter here. Admiral Page
is flying with us on this patrol, so I
want everybody razor sharp.

NOAH
(smiles)
That’s the only way we fly, “Doc”.

INT. JAYHAWK – ARCTIC TWILIGHT

Rotors spinning. Cord and Noah do a last-minute pre-flight

check. Admiral Page and Ensign Swift appear at the door.

TOMCZAK
Admiral! Welcome aboard, ma’am!

Tomczak helps Admiral Page on board. Eden reaches out and

takes Ensign Swift’s hand to pull her in. Their eyes meet
and Eden remembers her from the store.

ENS. SWIFT
Thank you, Airman Sayer.
 47.

EDEN
You’re welcome, ma’am.

ADMIRAL PAGE
Thank you for having me aboard,
Lieutenant McKenna.

CORD
It’s our pleasure, Admiral.

EXT. THETIS – ARCTIC TWILIGHT

The Jayhawk lifts off and flies away from us.

INT. JAYHAWK – IN FLIGHT – ARCTIC TWILIGHT

The Jayhawk flies low and fast across the water. We hear
lots of radio chatter.

NOAH
Joint ops, Coast Guard 6739. We’re
twenty minutes from extraction point.

JOINT OPS (V.O.)

Roger Coast Guard 6739. Report in ten.

ADMIRAL PAGE
Your father was one of the best
Guardsmen I’ve had to pleasure to serve
with, Lieutenant, and I’ve served with
quite a few good ones.

CORD
Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate hearing
that.

Suddenly a warning signal BLARES.

NOAH
We’re icing up pretty good out there.

CORD
Switch to auto-auxiliary deicing.

NOAH
Roger. Auto-auxiliary deicing engaged.
 48.

Ensign Swift can’t cover her anxiety over the bumpy ride
and the angry sea rushing below. She glances up and sees
Eden staring at her.

EDEN
First time on a helicopter, ma’am?

ENS. SWIFT
In weather like this? Yes.

EDEN
(comforting smile)
It takes getting used to, ma’am.

Ensign Swift tries to smile but can’t. Her eyes drift back
to the sea and we can tell she’s feeling nauseous. We also
become aware of urgent chatter on the radio.

PILOT (V.O.)
Joint ops, this is Coast Guard 6096.
We have an auxiliary deicing failure.
Request permission to return to Harriet
Lane immediately.

JOINT OPS (V.O.)

Roger Coast Guard 6096, return to
Harriet Lane.

PILOT (V.O.)
Roger that. Alright, let’s –
(we hear a loud BAM! over the
radio)
What the hell was that?!

CO-PILOT (V.O.)
Engine’s out! Engine’s out!

PILOT (V.O.)
Switch to secondary!

SUDDENLY chaos from the cockpit comes over the radio!

CO-PILOT (V.O.)
We lost our tail rotor! We lost our
tail rotor!

PILOT (V.O.)
Mayday! Mayday! –

Abrupt static.
 49.

Tomczak and Eden exchange a look. Admiral Page is somber.

Ensign Swift’s face is etched with worry.

JOINT OPS (V.O.)

Coast Guard 6096 come in. Do you read?
Coast Guard 6096 come in...Coast Guard
6739, divert from exercise and pursue a
course to 155 degrees, twelve minutes
north, 167 degrees, ten minutes west.

CORD
Roger Joint ops, we read you.
Diverting from exercise to Coast Guard
6096.
(to crew)
Alright, listen up. Those are our
people down there. Let’s go get ‘em.

NOAH
Hold on guys. Hold on.

EXT. CHUKCHI SEA – ARCTIC TWILIGHT

Fiery debris from the crash rides 20-foot waves. We hear a

fast-approaching Jayhawk. See the searchlight.

INT. JAYHAWK – IN FLIGHT – ARCTIC TWILIGHT

The Jayhawk flies toward the wreckage.

CORD
Joint ops this is Coast Guard 6739, we
have wreckage of 6096 in sight.
Commencing surface search for
survivors.

JOINT OPS (V.O.)

Roger that, 6739. RCAF and RCN are in
vicinity and should be on scene in ten
minutes.

TOMCZAK
Permission to open the cabin door!

CORD
Open the cabin door.

TOMCZAK
Cabin door is open and locked.
 50.

As Cord and crew go through their routine, Admiral Page and

Ensign Swift watch. Ensign Swift looks on in utter
astonishment as Eden jumps from 20 feet and disappears into
the tossing black sea. She’s even more amazed when Eden
resurfaces with a survivor.

TOMCZAK
Swimmer has a survivor. Lowering the
basket...

SLOW DISSOLVE TO:

INT. OASIS CAFÉ – DAY

Things are slow at the moment so Meg and April are at a

table chatting.

APRIL
Thanksgiving was really great, Meg.

MEG
Thanks. I’m so glad you guys could
make it. I think Maggie’s got a crush
on your little Hector.

APRIL
No!

MEG
She couldn’t stop talking about him.
During bath time, during story time.
It was Hector this, Hector that.

They laugh.

APRIL
I love Ashanti. She’s so sweet. And
so funny!

MEG
She is great. She’s one of the first
people I met when I came to Kodiak.

APRIL
I’m looking forward to her maternity
shower. It should be a lot of fun.

A cell phone RINGS. April checks for her phone but it’s
not hers. It’s Meg’s.
 51.

MEG
Hello?

CORD (V.O.)
Megan. It’s Cord.

His tone and use of her full name tell her it’s bad news.

MEG
Yes...

The door of the restaurant opens and a Coast Guard OFFICER

enters.

CORD (V.O.)
I have something to tell you. I’m
afraid it’s bad news.

Meg sees the officer, then her eyes go to April. April

sees him too and concern immediately clouds her face.

The officer says something to the restaurant manager, who

looks toward Meg and April.

CORD (V.O.)
There was an accident during the
exercise.

The officer walks to them in SLOW MOTION. As he

approaches, Meg lowers the phone from her ear. April
closes her eyes in the hope that when she opens them again
this will all have been a bad dream. She knows it’s not.

Return to FULL SPEED as the officer reaches her.

OFFICER
Mrs. Ortiz.

April opens her eyes, looks up at him, nods “yes”.

OFFICER
Mrs. Ortiz, I’m Commander Nasser. I’m
very sorry, but I’m afraid I have
upsetting news. Yesterday, during a
training exercise...

We watch, but don’t hear, as he delivers the devastating

news. April breaks down in tears. Meg takes her in her
arms and holds her tightly as we...

FADE OUT.
 52.

FADE UP:

INT. MCKENNA HOME – DAY

Meg and Cord enter and take off their overcoats. She’s in
a black dress. He’s in his dress blue uniform. They’ve
just returned from Alex’s funeral. They stand there
motionless for a long couple of beats.

CORD
The kids won’t be home from school for
another couple of hours. Why don’t you
go upstairs and rest for a while?

She looks at him, numb. She turns away and crosses the
room. He watches her go into the kitchen.

INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Meg stands in front of the refrigerator. A battle rages

inside of her. She opens the freezer door, reaches inside
and pulls out a foil-wrapped BOTTLE. She takes it with her
to the cupboard, takes a glass out.

She peels the foil off and we see the it’s a bottle of
vodka. Meg pours herself a good shot then looks down at
the glass in her hand. Beat.

The doorbell RINGS. We hear Cord greeting a WOMAN in the

living room. Meg turns her head just as her sister, MARY
JANE “MJ” ASHCROFT, late 20s, blonde, TV personality good-
looks, enters.

MJ
Meg.

MEG
MJ?

MJ
Hi, Sis.

Meg sets down the glass to welcome MJ’s embrace. When they
part, MJ takes Meg’s face in her hands, smiles.

MEG
What are you doing here?

MJ
I’m on assignment.
 53.

Cord comes in behind them. MJ looks back at him.

MJ
It’s been so long since I’ve seen you
guys and the girls! So I jumped at the
chance to come up for this story.

CORD
What story?

OFF MJ looking at Cord we...

FADE OUT.

END OF EPISODE