-Hey. -You live here?
Yeah, just moved in with my sister again, sort of.
We should get a drink.
I'm kind of seeing someone.
Matt: Whoever it is is a lucky guy.
I cannot be the man that you deserve to love you right now.
Maybe we can do it again sometime?
I really need to be single for a while.
Yeah.
Mariana: Raj, if we're questioning
whether we really do want to be together,
I don't think that we should be.
You called Dyonte over?
(playful screaming)
Dyonte: I like you.
You just said you're in a relationship.
I am, but we're not exclusive.
He has a girlfriend.
And you are my one and only.
Malika: Take a deep breath in.
(all inhaling)
And hold it.
Now, exhale.
(all exhaling)
Clearing the mind and letting go of any invasive thoughts.
(serene music playing)
Mariana: Do you still have feelings for Gael?
I'm just saying, the best way to get over someone old
is to hook up with someone new.
Or in this case, also old.
(music continues)
I guess what I'm asking is,
do you want me to wait for you?
(music continues)
Dyonte: You can love more than one person.
And you don't have to deny
wanting intimate connections with other people.
(music continues)
Malika: So, um, I'm having, like,
this new moon ceremony this weekend.
I know it's not your thing.
It's your thing though. I want to support it.
Okay.
Um, I invited Dyonte too.
Cool.
Alice: I thought after two one-night stands
that Ruby might want to at least stay for breakfast,
but I guess she doesn't like breakfast
or maybe me that much.
How could she not like you?
I mean, you're so funny and kind...
and hot.
(chuckles) Okay.
Come on. You think I'm hot?
I do.
(upbeat music playing)
(music slows down)
(upbeat music playing)
(music continues)
♪ Pa-pa-pa Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa ♪
♪ Then we'll find our peace of mind ♪
♪ You and me, Bel Ami ♪
♪ Pa-pa-pa, pa-paaa ♪
Dyonte: It promotes self-love and healing
and protects your relationships.
You think my relationships need protecting?
No.
-Malika: Mmm-hmm. -(chuckles)
I just saw you had crystals on your altar
but no rose quartz.
Mmm, I love it.
Thank you.
I need to get back into my spiritual practices.
I used to charge my crystals with the new moon.
You don't say?
There's a new moon coming up.
Alice: (chuckles) Is this nirvana?
Hey.
Thanks for coming.
Callie: Of course.
Davia: Thanks for inviting us.
Mariana: It's so beautiful up here.
Excuse me.
Hi. Thanks for coming.
Yeah, thanks for inviting me.
The view up here is amazing.
Yeah, well...
The roof has a lot of great views.
-Gael? -Gael: Yeah.
Look who's here.
Matt! Hey, man.
Hey.
Well, let's, uh, go get a drink.
Oh, no booze before the ceremony.
-Why? -Malika doesn't want anything
to cloud our intentions.
What if it's my intention to drink?
What exactly is this ceremony?
Not really sure.
I think we're supposed to make a wish
to the universe and, like...
rub a crystal or something.
Hmm.
Wait. We're not watching New Moon?
The second, and some say the worst, film
in the Twilight saga.
I mean, I disagree, obviously.
All of them are equally brilliant.
Yeah, Kelly, no.
We're setting intentions and goals.
Ew. I don't wanna do that.
-All right, I'm out. -Okay.
Hey! You're both here
-at the same time. -Hey.
Yeah. We, uh...
We rode up on the elevator together.
-Hi. -So... Hi, babe.
Oh. So, this is for you.
Yeah, I read that it's supposed to clear
any negative energy and vibes.
So, here you go.
Thank you, baby. That's so sweet.
Yeah.
Hey, so how long do you think this thing is gonna last?
I don't know. A couple of hours?
A couple hours?
Just, like, meditating?
Malika invited us.
Be nice.
(phone chimes)
Raj's stuff.
He's coming by to pick it up later.
Told me to leave it on the kitchen table. So...
He doesn't want to see you?
Apparently not.
Um... how do you feel about it?
Mariana: It feels kinda sad.
Like, it's really over.
Callie: I thought that's what you wanted.
Mariana: It was. Is. You know, I...
I'm really happy with Evan. It's just...
I don't know, I still love Raj.
It's still...
Hard to let go?
Yeah.
Claire wants to talk to me about Raj.
I'm sure it can wait.
Hey! So, before we get started,
I'm just collecting everyone's phones
so we can stay focused and in the moment.
-(softly) Don't. -What if something's wrong?
Sorry. You know what? Um...
I just have a quick, little, work emergency phone call.
Um, I'll be right back but don't wait for me.
You can start without me.
Sorry.
It's okay.
Matt was just saying to me the other night,
how amazing you are with the kids at school, right?
Gael: Oh, cool.
Uh, right.
Phones, please.
-Oh, yeah. -Gael: Yes.
Davia: Oh, and Gael
is also a very talented artist.
I mean, you like art, I'm assuming.
Uh, I do.
You guys have so much in common.
Oh, I have to go talk to Alice about something.
Ladies' stuff, sacral chakras.
But you two get to know each other better, okay?
-She's great. -She really is.
Why are you staring at Callie like that?
(exhales)
Good morning.
Oh. (yawns) Good morning.
Sorry, I, uh...
I didn't mean to stay the night.
It's okay.
You want to stay for breakfast?
Breakfast comes with a certain implication.
That toast is delicious?
That...
this is more than casual, right?
Totally.
Breakfast smells and tastes like commitment.
(chuckles)
Ruby: Well...
This is fun.
Yeah, a blast.
Bye.
-(door closes) -(sighs)
(knock on door)
Come in.
You okay?
-I guess. -Convincing.
You wanna talk about it?
Can you keep a secret?
Well, it depends. How juicy?
Yeah, fine. Go ahead.
I think I'm in love with Callie.
Hey, what's wrong? Is Raj okay?
Claire: No, he's fine. I just...
um, wanted to tell you that Raj and I have...
kind of been talking.
Talking?
Yeah, you know, like...
texting occasionally.
Um, visiting each other's Animal Crossing islands.
Oh, so...
you two have been dating?
No!
No! That's why I wanted to talk to you first,
before anything happened.
Because I would never go there without your blessing.
(footsteps approaching)
Uh, sorry, Claire, I got to go.
Oh, hey.
Hey.
Sorry, I was just on my way out.
Oh, that's okay.
How are you?
Anything new?
Uh... not really.
You don't have my NASA shirt?
Uh...
No. That must be at your place.
Okay. Well...
Thanks.
(chittering)
(scurrying)
Did you hear that?
No. What?
(chittering)
-(scurrying) -That!
Okay. I'm sure it's nothing.
(tense music playing)
-(lamp clatters) -(screams)
♪
-What was that? -What was that?
(music continues)
So, we're going to start by smudging ourselves.
This is to cleanse the environment of negative energy.
-Just like... -Malika: Mm-hmm.
Hmm. Cleanse this space.
Remove ill will.
Bless us all now.
Let love and light fulfill.
Mariana: No one's answering.
All their phones are in a basket.
We have to warn them that that thing is out there.
What was that thing? A rat?
It was way bigger than a rat.
(gasps) Maybe it was a werewolf or a goblin.
I-- I always knew that this place was haunted.
We should call Animal Control.
Or Ghostbusters.
The Ghostbusters catch spirits,
not mythic humanoids.
(chuckles) Except on the '86 animated series.
But I don't know anyone who thinks that's canon.
Pretend you didn't hear that.
Malika: If everyone can join hands.
(bell ringing)
(bell continues ringing)
I hope I didn't make things awkward between us.
No. No. Not at all.
Malika: The new moon is a time to renew our commitments,
a chance to let go of anything
that is no longer in alignment with our path,
our purpose, or our dreams.
The new moon reminds us to check in with ourselves
and to identify our heart's true desires.
(phone chimes)
Must be a good text.
My girlfriend. She's giving me shit
for finishing This Is Us without her.
Okay, I don't blame her.
That is some serious betrayal.
It is not my fault she fell asleep
halfway through the finale.
So, what's her name?
Tanya.
Hmm.
And it doesn't make you jealous that she has another boyfriend?
It did. At first.
But therapy's been good for that.
It's helped me realize
you can love more than one person.
And you don't have to deny
wanting intimate connections with other people.
Once I got that, jealousy went away,
and actually our relationship got deeper.
So... are you interested at all in having another girlfriend?
I might be.
We gotta get some work done.
This is the time to ask for what we want
and to give ourselves permission to have it.
♪ I'm burning back to the basics ♪
Mariana: Do you still have feelings for Gael?
Maybe he was the right guy all along?
♪ ...that I've wasted on the chasing ♪
♪ I'm coming alive ♪
♪ In the fire and the flame ♪
♪ We're going back, we're going, we're going ♪
♪ Burning it back ♪
Okay. Um...
Now it's time to write down our intentions
for this moon cycle.
Keep them simple but specific.
Um, I should go check on what's keeping Mariana.
Gael: Yeah.
Should I come with you?
No, that's okay.
Callie's single again.
Just send her a "You up?" text, and you're in.
Yeah, I doubt that.
I just wonder if we'd been friends first,
and sex wasn't our only connection...
Maybe that's why she chose Jamie. I don't know.
I just want somebody who's nice and chill,
who knows who they are and what they want.
Amen.
What's the story with Matt?
He seems like a good guy.
-He is. -And cute.
You think?
I'd hit it.
Hmm.
No. As I said to the last person I was talking to,
we don't know what kind of animal--
Maybe a feral cat.
Yeah, uh, maybe it was, like, a bobcat.
I heard people like to keep those as pets.
It wasn't a bobcat.
Or maybe a coyote?
Raj: It wasn't a coyote.
Whatever it was, it was, like, four feet tall--
Raj: More like one foot tall.
You know, now that I have you on the phone,
is it true that snakes live in the sewer
and come up out of the toilet?
-Mariana! -Mariana: What?
Fine! You come talk to them.
(sighs)
Hurry, hurry, hurry.
Hi, hello. Yeah.
Uh, whatever it is, it seems aggressive
and possibly rabid.
Uh-huh, okay. Great. Thank you.
(exhales)
-What'd they say? -They're sending someone over.
But it might be a couple of hours.
Great. What are we supposed to do in here
for a couple of hours?
♪
(both moaning, panting)
I should probably go back to my stall.
No, no. Stay.
I feel safer with you in here with me.
Okay.
So... Nothing new to report?
Uh, no. Just... looking for a new job.
Sprucing up the old resume--
So are you seeing anyone?
Why? What have you heard?
Nothing. I'm, I'm just curious.
Well, actually, I am seeing someone.
Hmm. What's her name?
I'd rather not say.
Why?
Because you might know her.
You know what? It is kind of cramped in here.
Maybe you should go back to your stall.
-Yeah, like, now. -Okay. Okay.
Mariana?
(suspenseful music playing)
♪
(chittering)
Mariana?
(tense music playing)
♪
(gnawing)
Malika: When everyone's done writing down their intentions,
we'll burn them to release them into the universe.
Shoot.
I forgot to get a metal pot to burn them in.
Hey, that's all good. I'll get one from the kitchen.
Malika: Okay, thank you.
You and Gael are both writing a lot of intentions.
It's just another thing you guys have in common.
Hmm.
(scratching)
(screaming)
Callie: Help!
-Callie? -Callie: Gael?
Hey, it's just me. Is everything okay?
Something is under Mariana's bed.
What do you mean?
-(chittering) -(Callie screams)
-What was that? -I don't know. Some kind of animal?
Do you have your phone?
No. Even when her eyes are closed,
Malika's third eye is always watching.
Okay, we have to do something.
What if someone else comes down
and-- and-- and that thing gets them?
(gasps) What if it got Mariana?
-(phone rings) -Raj: Who's calling you?
Uh, no one.
(whispering) Now's not a good time.
(loudly) I swear I'm not dating Raj!
-Did I hear my name? -No!
(whispering) Okay, well, then who else would he be seeing
that I might also know? His words.
He's seeing someone else? Is it serious?
I don't know.
Could you ask?
Okay, so, um, this girl that you're seeing,
that I may or may not know,
is it serious?
-Claire: Wait, Raj is there no? -Shhh.
Are you sure you're not talking to someone?
No, uh, I'm-- I'm watching a YouTube video.
So?
So, um, it's new.
I wouldn't say serious. No.
(whispering) Did you hear that?
Could you ask if they're exclusive?
Uh, so is it exclusive?
No.
You know, I wonder what's keeping Gael.
It's okay. Um, we can burn our intentions later.
Did everyone remember to bring a favorite candle,
crystal, or meaningful object to connect their intentions to?
I-- You know, I actually think I left mine downstairs.
I thought you brought this?
No, that was just-- That was a joke, Matt.
Um, I'm just gonna go grab it.
I think I have an extra crystal that you can borrow.
-If you wanna come with me. -Oh, we have...
Uh, we'll be right back, I promise.
Okay. Uh, we have plenty of--
I promise, right back. Two seconds.
All right, cool.
(tense music playing)
What are you doing? And what are you wearing?
Wild animals are loose in the Coterie.
Yeah, so you should go to your loft
and stay there until we trap them.
Yeah. Wait, we're trapping them?
I assumed. You were going to kill them?
No! Of course not.
Okay, this is Downtown LA, not the Outback.
It's probably just a fat squirrel.
This is exactly why you are not supposed to feed them.
(snarling)
-(all screaming) -Oh, my God! No!
No, no, no, no.
(both screaming)
-(snarling) -(Gael screaming)
We're safe in here.
I'm not so sure because they said animals.
-Plural. -Oh, my God!
I'm not sure we're safer up here
since raccoons can jump.
Okay, you know what? My door was closed.
So, um, there's not very many places
that one could be hiding, right?
Except...
Except under the bed.
(gasps) Someone there?
Ah! Yeah. Yeah, it's Gael.
Oh, thank God.
Raj?
Hey, man, I missed you.
Yeah, me too.
Okay, wait, we don't have time for a reunion right now.
What is going on out there?
Uh, there's at least two raccoons on the loose.
Raccoons. Of course. That makes sense.
In what world do raccoons in the Coterie make sense?
It makes more sense than goblins.
Wait, is that my jacket?
Uh... (chuckles)
Yeah, I guess.
Callie and I thought we should layer up,
as, like, body armor, you know,
in case we get bitten.
Raj: (reading) "Raccoons are common carriers
"of rabies and other serious diseases.
"If you are scratched or bitten,
seek immediate medical attention."
Exactly.
Wait, where is Callie?
Was that something?
I'll check under the bed.
No! What if it claws your eyes out?
Maybe if we jump on the bed,
we'll scare it out of hiding.
-Mm-hmm. -Yeah.
-And then what? -I have no idea.
Okay. All right.
I haven't done this since I was a kid.
-I know. It's kind of fun. -Right?
(both laughing)
Oh!
(both laughing)
(both scream)
Well, it's obvious everyone bailed, so...
we should just call it.
We're here.
Yeah, what are we doing next?
This is my first new moon ritual.
So don't leave me hanging.
I mean, we were all gonna do
a cleansing ritual in the pool,
but we're not gonna do that, just the three of us.
Why not?
We brought our suits.
Yeah. Yeah, let's finish this thing.
Really sorry about the way things went tonight.
I was hoping you and Gael
could get to know each other better.
He seems like a great guy.
How long have you two been a thing?
Oh-- What?
-We're not a thing. -Oh, uh...
I just-- I thought you said
you were seeing some guy you live with.
Oh! Yeah, that's, uh...
(clears throat) That's a different guy. Dennis.
He's actually away on this, like...
retreat kind of thing.
But...
Gael is single.
Oh, cool.
And he thinks you're really cute.
Well, that is-- That's...
really nice of him.
And he's also bi.
Also?
Um...
I would like to form
an LGBTQ+ student affinity group at school.
It's so hard to come out at this age, right?
And for students who are fluid or bisexual,
I know from personal experience,
it can be especially hard to just find a space
where you feel you belong.
-So... -(softly) Is Matt bi?
I guess so.
-(Matt continues speaking) -Huh!
Bisexual as well.
Uh, I'm actually not...
bi.
I'm not that interesting.
Oh!
At the committee meeting, you said
you personally know how hard it is to come out.
Uh, yes. Um... My twin brother is queer.
And I watched him go through a lot.
Oh.
-You're a twin? -Yeah.
Huh!
So... did you invite me tonight to...
-set me up with Gael? -Yeah.
Ah! (chuckles)
No, but, I mean, I-- I really like you too.
Thanks. I like you as well.
(suspenseful music playing)
Where are you, you little trash panda?
Are you in there?
(rattling)
(rattling continues)
(Callie screaming)
What the hell?
Have you been bitten?
-Scratched? -By what?
Raccoons.
-(raccoon chittering) -(both screaming)
No. No, no, no. No.
(serene music playing)
♪ I'm never going to lose I'm never going to die ♪
♪ I'm never going to hurt again ♪
♪ I'll never sing the blues again ♪
♪ Just hold you in my arms and close my eyes ♪
Um, so what's going on with...
you and Dennis?
And this retreat kind of thing?
I guess what I'm asking is
do you want me to wait for you?
Because I will. I just...
As long as I know that this is something that you want.
Yeah, I do, and...
I love you.
But I-- I don't...
I don't know how long...
it's gonna take me to feel whole again.
I-- I don't know if I will ever feel whole again.
And...
I just-- I don't--
I don't think that it's fair
for me to ask you to wait.
You know, I'm actually not really sure what our deal is.
Or how long he'll be on this...
retreat.
You know, it's funny,
uh, the word "retreat"
actually has such opposite meanings.
As a noun, it means refuge or haven,
but as a verb,
it means to run away.
Okay, guys, we need something to catch the raccoons in.
Got it.
From my softball days.
I'll trap them with my bare hands.
-No. -Fine.
What about my laundry basket?
Okay!
We got a basket!
All right, on three.
I can't let you go out there alone.
-Gael: One. -I have Gael.
Two.
I can protect you too.
(Alice screaming)
Gael: Three.
Alice: Sorry, I jumped the gun.
All right, we need to find how to corner them.
-Callie: How? -Gael: No idea.
Sorry about all this.
You know, never a dull moment here.
I... I remember.
But I've missed it...
and everyone...
and you.
I missed you too.
Wait. What are you doing?
I thought...
you said...
God, I'm bad at this.
Remind me again why we're not waiting for Animal Control?
Because we don't have our phones to warn everyone else.
Right. I should have brought my mitt.
(all gasp)
Maybe we could wait for it to get drunk
and start singing Boyz II Men until it passes out.
How are we gonna get close enough to catch it in that?
I got it!
Yeah! Showed him.
-(raccoon chittering) -Oh, God!
We gotta put something heavy on it.
Got it.
What are you guys doing--
(all screaming)
What-- Why is everybody freaking out?
-Raccoons! -Loose in the Coterie.
Raccoons?
(gasps) Uh-oh...
(serene music playing)
(raccoon chittering)
(Malika screaming)
As far as we know, no one here called
about any suspicious animal activity.
-Yeah, we're really sorry for the inconvenience. -Yeah.
All right, well, have a good night.
-You too, have a good night. -Thanks.
Thanks for covering, you guys.
Now, I just need to find Lucy.
Malika: (screaming) You guys!
There's a raccoon in the pool!
Kelly: Oh, that's where she is.
What is going on?
Oh, well, Lucy and Ethel
are the stars of a performing animal troupe.
I'm just watching them while their trainer is out of town.
Yeah. I Woke up with a vague memory
of unlocking their cages and setting them free and...
I totally thought it was a dream,
but now I'm guessing it's not.
Well, apparently, they can swim.
Yeah. Dude, they totally drown their prey in shallow waters.
You didn't know that?
Not-so-fun fact.
No? Okay.
Here, can somebody take Ethel?
-I'm gonna pray for you. -Well, okay.
I'll pass. I'll pass.
Dude, come on. Here. She's totally--
-Oh, wow. -Thanks, I'm gonna go get Lucy.
All right.
Oh, my gosh!
Look, he has your eyes.
Hi.
I'm sorry I tried to kiss you.
I guess I thought all those questions about who I was dating
meant you were jealous.
There was... a little part of me that was.
I think there will always be.
Speaking of,
I know that you and Claire are talking.
Just as friends.
Well, in case you're interested in being more than friends,
I'm pretty sure she is too.
Setting me up.
I guess we really are over.
You know what, um,
I think I forgot to look in this drawer for your shirt.
Let me see if it's here.
Not in this one.
Oh.
Found it.
Thanks.
I'll see you around, Mariana.
I hope so.
♪ I'd rather be blue over you♪
♪ If I gotta choose ♪
♪ I'd rather be blue ♪
(Callie laughs)
I can't believe you armed yourself
with Mariana's heels.
You could have gouged its eyes out.
Hey, I was just trying to scare the thing.
Stilettos are intimidating as hell.
(both laughing)
You and I make a pretty good team.
We do.
It's fun having fun with you.
Same.
-Well, I'm ready for bed. -Yeah.
Raccoon hunting is hard work.
-Yeah. -Oh, boy.
-Have a good night. -Good night.
I just wonder what a raccoon encounter on a full moon portends.
Maybe... an unmasking.
Or maybe it means
you need to drain and refill that pool.
(Malika chuckles) Yeah, definitely.
-Yeah. -Somebody needs to do it.
It's too bad your girl missed out on all the fun.
Where-- Where's she at?
Yeah, she's with her other boyfriend.
-You said, "Other boyfriend"? -Mm-hmm.
So you're in an open relationship?
No, poly.
-Poly. -We're totally committed,
but we give each other permission
to explore other committed relationships,
openly and honestly.
Hmm.
Hey, so, uh... I'm sorry again about tonight.
It's okay.
I had fun.
Sorry I broke your bed.
Oh, it's all right.
I needed a new box spring anyway, so...
-Okay. -Hmm.
I'll see you at school.
Hey, um...
I was wondering if those drinks are still on the table.
Uh, sure.
Yeah, if you'd like.
I would like.
♪
Good night.
♪
What are you doing?
Cleaning up raccoon scat.
Ew.
So... why do you think
you're in love with Callie again?
You okay?
I guess.
Convincing.
You wanna talk about it?
I'm fine. What's up?
Um...
I'm a little short on rent this month, um...
There was a problem with my check at work,
and I didn't want to ask Mariana for help
'cause, you know, she's unemployed.
No worries. I know you're good for it.
So just get me the rest when you can.
(sighs in relief) Thanks. I really appreciate it.
Then I fell back asleep
and dreamed that we did talk about Ruby,
and Callie kissed me.
And it felt so real and hot.
People rarely represent themselves in dreams, right?
So they represent feelings
or something you're trying to work out.
So what kind of woman does Callie represent to you?
Well, she's aggressive,
definitely a top,
and a really good kisser.
In real life.
Oh.
I guess a woman who's unattainable and intimidating,
-who's-- -Ruby?
Well, maybe. A little.
She's definitely in the driver's seat.
Okay, so maybe your dreams are telling you
that you're tired of being the passenger?
I guess I've never been the one in the driver's seat,
in any of my relationships.
So take the wheel.
And then you'll stop having sex dreams about Callie.
At least I hope so 'cause I'm all out of car analogies.
You're right.
But I also might be in love with Callie too.
I'm going to bed.
Maybe I can pick up where the dream left off.
♪
Alice is in love with me?
(phone chimes)
So, uh, raccoons aside,
what did you think about the new moon ceremony?
I found it, uh...
illuminating.
In what way?
You didn't seem too surprised
when Dyonte said he was in a poly relationship.
You knew?
Yeah. I mean, it's no big deal.
Why didn't you say anything to me then?
I didn't think there was anything to say.
So in the spirit of being open and honest...
are you interested in being in a relationship with Dyonte?