Previously on "The Betty Broderick Story"...
I want to go to Marriage Encounter.
I love you and want to share all that I am with you,
but I also need to be loved by you.
I've made many sacrifices,
but I've made you sacrifice as well.
I want you to feel happy and to know
that it was all worth it.
I hired an assistant, Linda Kolkena.
Get rid of her by the end of the month,
or you can get out of this house.
You made a mistake.
If anyone's gonna be getting out, it's you.
Yes, I'm a psychologist.
I hold a PhD doctorate in clinical psychology,
and a diplomate in marriage and family therapy granted
by the American Board of Psychology.
My primary work is in the treatment of families
and couples.
I'm frequently referred uh, receive referrals from
other psychologists, psychiatrists, clergy.
As one of my specialties within couples therapy
is the study of infidelity
infidelity and its impact.
Hi, Amy, it's Linda.
I have Arthur Trafford calling for Mr. Patterson.
Of course. Here he is.
Have a good night.
At what time, did they say?
Hmm. Of course.
Have a good weekend.
This was in our inbox.
Uh, it's for Jones, Baxter, and Gray Partners.
I don't even think they're in this building.
I'm sorry.
Um, the mailroom might be a little too happy it's Friday.
Maybe so.
Thank you for bringing it down,
but, if there's a next time, please let me send someone up.
Your secretary should not have been bothered with this,
let alone you.
It was no problem. I was heading out anyway.
Have a good night.
Linda.
See you. Okay.
These you always put through.
These, you put on hold and ask him about.
Mm hmm. And all these here
just say you'll have him return.
Okay.
Are we gonna survive the week without you, Colleen?
Daniel Broderick's office.
I'm gonna steal her, show her our filing system.
Yes, they are. When?
If you do have any questions while she's gone,
please don't hesitate. I'd rather be interrupted
than have something slip through the cracks.
I will, thanks.
Can I just say how nice it is in here?
Colors, the furnishings so elegant, but welcoming.
I don't know if you used a decorator,
but whoever did it, I love it.
That's lovely of you to say.
So what do we think?
Hi.
It's amazing.
It's an amazing office that I can't believe is mine.
Are you sure about this? Of course I'm sure
Because I think Colleen might think it's crazy.
What's crazy? Me...
as a paralegal.
Me going from receptionist to paralegal.
What, is this about the typing?
Colleen's not thinking anything.
And even if she was,
most things about being a paralegal
you can't really be prepared for.
You sorta gotta learn on the job.
But I promise, if you're not perfect at it right away,
I'll give you at least 50 more chances.
Hmm?
Hey, um, do you wanna come observe me
do the interview with the Lindseys?
Or would you rather stay in here and worry some more?
Uh, observe and take notes.
First, they forgot to check the monitor,
then they misread it. It was just an avalanche
of underreaction and negligence.
Did the baby die? Catastrophic brain damage.
So, no, baby didn't die, but her parents' hopes
and dreams for her did.
A good obstetrician would have
seen the signs even if the labor and delivery team didn't.
But from what I understand, it was just a matter of time
before this guy destroyed some family with his incompetence.
So what are you gonna do?
Gonna make him pay.
Mm, apropos of nothing, the, um, Collins report.
Tomorrow morning. Oh.
If I haven't said it recently, you're doing great.
I'm glad.
Because just
You make me wanna do great.
She's just putting sand on it.
Okay, I'll race you.
How was your weekend?
Huh.
Long.
Would you help me with the Staedtler deposition at 10:00?
I of course.
Thank you.
Law offices of Dan Broderick...
Just a moment. Linda...
Phone for you. Oh, okay.
Hello, this is Linda.
Hello?
I said, get rid of her.
You thought it was your decision.
You think you decide who works for me...
For my practice, where I make the money that you spend.
You don't.
I pay for your life, everything about it.
I pay for this house that you live it in.
So if anyone's gonna be getting out, it's you.
Are you sleeping with her?
Why would you even ask me that?
Are you?
If this is where your head goes
when you don't get your way, that's the real problem.
You should get some professional help for that.
A lawyer would say you still haven't answered the question.
I am not sleeping with Linda Kolkena.
I haven't and I'm not.
In a marriage, under that marital contract,
people rely on each other.
They feel safe with one another.
But that safety carries a price.
When you have complete faith,
vulnerability means what occurs
with the loss of that faith
the separation from any sense of the realities of one's life.
Hi. I thought you left.
Is everything all right? Are you
Can you come here please?
What's wrong? What can I do?
She was a total mega bitch last night,
even worse than usual.
I mean, telling Karen it was her fault for abandoning Chip?
And what about Abby?
I mean, she's just gonna let Diana stay with them
and not even ask her about Chip being a murderer?
Why are we always talking about "Knots Landing"?
Well, if you watched it, you would know.
I wish I cared about anything
as much as they care about that show.
We care about you...
Almost as much.
My car is out of the shop, finally.
Finally.
I think that calls for the cocktail
I was gonna have anyway.
Betty, what about you? How are you?
I'm good. I'm good.
I think Dan's banging his assistant, but, uh, I'm good.
What? Why would you say that?
Did he? Has he said that he is?
No. I don't
I just I think it.
Okay, of course. There are those men.
We all know them.
But we all know Dan. Dan isn't like that.
Nobody's like that until they are.
Okay. As the only person here
whose husband has actually cheated on her?
Everyone just step aside.
Have his habits suddenly changed?
Yeah, he started coming home earlier.
That bastard!
Does he get impatient with you
or annoyed at you for no good reason?
We we did go through a patch like that,
but we passed through it.
Things are good now.
Is he still approaching you sexually?
Karen. What?
You're the one that has something wrong with him.
Everybody loves Dr. Ruth.
Yes. Ooh.
Of course he is. Because he loves you.
And because you look more beautiful
now than you did when I first met you.
It's true.
Stop it, you're gonna make me cry.
And also, doesn't the world already give us
enough real things to be afraid of?
It's true.
Besides, his work hours are so terrible,
if he did leave me, I probably wouldn't notice
for about a week.
If my maid left, on the other hand,
I'd notice that afternoon.
Case number 352 now on the docket.
There's no way I'm gonna be able
to write this down fast enough.
I should've just interviewed Dad at home.
No, this will be a much better report,
and I have a good memory. I'll fill in the gaps
if there even are any. You just do your best.
What is this? Did you buy this?
I tried not to.
Okay, but isn't it almost like
a spoof on a cliché? Don't you and Rich Crowley
make fun of the guy who gets the big settlement
and first thing buys a red sports car?
Uh, sometimes clichés are clichés
because they're goddamn amazing.
Hey, why don't you find a sitter?
We'll drive up the coast, have a little overnight, huh?
I mean, this thing handles like a buttered rocket
on the freeway.
How would you know?
I picked it up in Long Beach, drove it home.
How'd you get to Long Beach?
I knew you were room mother
for Anthony's class, so I had Linda take me.
Are we still waiting? No rush.
I'm actually gonna go up and check on him.
We're in room 612...
In case we run out on the check.
Yeah, well...
Hey, hey.
Who are you talking to?
Well, the front desk told me that the office called.
There's an issue with the deposition up on Monday.
So you're talking to her? Well, if this isn't fixed,
we're gonna have to ask for a continuance again.
Bets, I'm trying to fix it
so we don't have to leave and drive back.
Bets! Bets!
Hey, where were you? I went up to the room.
I didn't know you were Right where you left me.
However long ago that was.
What's that?
They said it's called "ganache."
Oh, a dress...
that I look amazing in.
Huh, I can't wait to find out how much that means it costs.
I can't wait for you to find out either.
It was eight grand.
Bets, it was work.
Can I get you anything, sir?
Yeah, I'll take a look at the menu.
Mmm.
He's your husband.
Remind him. Fight for him.
The birthday is when, Thursday?
You get dolled up, you go to his office, and surprise him.
Bring some champagne,
get there in time to watch the sunset,
one thing leads to another...
You're gonna need a babysitter.
I nominate myself. Really?
Hi.
Where's the birthday boy? I have a surprise.
Oh, he he left after lunch.
Is Colleen here? Chula Vista.
Her niece's, um, baptism.
Um, did you wanna leave that stuff?
I'm his wife.
I'll just I'll I'll wait in his office.
It's kind of a mess in there, so.
That's okay.
During this period, the victim feels upended.
She is getting information she does not want to believe,
that the infidel is saying is untrue,
and so she is very torn.
Frequently during this time, the behavior of the infidel
makes the victim feel crazy.
And the infidel will tell her there's nothing wrong.
She's crazy to be thinking that, that she is crazy.
Get out of here! Get out of here!
You were gone for hours. I thought everything
must be going so great
I said, go home!
You, go back to bed! Now!
You want out? I moved you out.
Poof. You son of a bitch.
I wanted to surprise you.
To surprise my husband, who wasn't even there...
Who'd just left for the whole day with her.
They got me a cake.
"They" who's "they"? The office did.
Then Linda took me to lunch by the courthouse
with Ron and Walter.
Then I went to a hearing at 1:30,
because work doesn't care that it's my birthday.
I have no idea where she went.
I have no idea how to fix this, Bets.
I can't prove that something's not true,
that it doesn't exist.
I can't prove that I'm not doing something
that you seem to want me to be doing.
If I can't prove it, then what happens to us?
I don't know.
I I don't know.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Baby, I'm so sorry.
Gaslighting.
It's named after a famous motion picture,
in which a man who wants something from a woman
pretends to be her friend, marries her,
but in fact is her enemy, and in the process,
being very kind to his victim, but in truth, in every moment,
he is undermining her sanity.
Well, we went once, just for the day.
Bioethics Symposium. It was so romantic.
The fog, the bridges.
I keep telling Dan to figure out a way
we can get back up there,
but not be stuck at the conference.
Mm hmm.
The longer that the marriage goes on,
the more at stake in it in terms of children,
stability, its essential fabric
Everything is called into question:
the victim's self esteem,
their ability to trust themselves,
as far as whether they even were a good parent,
a good person, or whether they can be.
Come on, this one's great. I don't like it.
Really? I mean, the red brick, the trees
There's no pool; it's so far from the kids' schools.
And I just
It's not a family house.
It's not a house for children.
One could argue what makes a house a house for children
is children living in it.
One would be wrong.
This one.
Didn't you say this one was a teardown?
I said we could tear it down.
The location alone is worth the price.
Hmm. And the way the cul de sac
is on a cul de sac
What is the price? Hmm.
You got this all figured out, don't you?
Mm.
Shh.
This is a house for children.
They begin to say, "If I couldn't judge this thing
"which was a part of my life every day for years,
"if I misread so many things, accepted so many lies,
how can I believe that I know anything at all?"
Sorry, sorry. I cut it a little close.
Nice to meet you both. I'm Dr. Harlan.
Now, why are we here?
My wife had a tubal ligation, after our younger son was born.
How many children?
Four. But that's why we're here.
To talk about my ligation, having it reversed...
Having more children.
We thought we were done with all that, but, uh, we're not.
What is not understood
is that the more the lying goes on,
the more brainwashing, as someone is told
over and over something is not true
that is, in fact, true,
the more pressure the victim is under.
Oh, well, have you have you been?
It's in Mission Bay. Dan
Dan thought that I was joking when I said fish tacos.
Oh, but he loves it now.
I wish we could go tonight, but he wants to try
that new Italian place on Harbor Drive uh, Basilica?
No, I've never been.
Oh, yeah?
I've worked for you for a long time.
Years. You've been here since the birth.
So I just want to say something
that is really very well meant.
Hope you don't take it the Colleen, just tell me.
Miss Kolkena.
She talks a lot to everyone here...
About things you're doing together, plans you have.
It's not my business.
But when I think about how it's just very
I appreciate your honesty.
But also I've been miserable for years,
and I'm doing this the way I want to do it.
And you're right.
It's not your business.
In my work, and I find this particularly important
where there are children the first thing I tell
the couple is the object of this therapy is
a better marriage or a better divorce.
Linda...
Did you finish the draft?
What's the matter?
I was with my family. We had dinner.
Everybody was asking me when I'm gonna find a man.
What I'm doing to find a man.
My dad, asking.
My dad, who just wants me to be safe,
who is such a good person.
Imagine if I told them that I found a man
years ago, actually.
And he says that he's in love with me.
He has four children, and hasn't told his wife,
but...
Don't worry, she knows.
He wouldn't be able to look at me.
Sometimes I can't look at me.
Better marriage or a better divorce.
And to achieve that, the first thing that has to happen
is the infidel has to be willing to both admit
and express remorse, to say,
"I have deeply hurt you.
I have lied, I admit it. I am sorry."
Those are the necessary conditions for change.
In their absence, you just add to the pressure cooker.
So at the follow up, he said that even when reattaching
the tubes is successful, there can still be scarring,
ectopic pregnancy...
Oh, my God. Artificial insemination
bypasses the tubes entirely,
but that's when Dan lost interest.
I'm sorry. No, it's fine.
Can't say I really wanted to be pregnant again.
Good point. I just wanted Dan
to understand I would, if that's what he wanted.
So now he does.
So the seller came down 50 grand.
That's still a $140,000 down payment.
So I'm just I'm gonna give Bets $140,000.
This is what I'm doing now. You're not giving it to her.
You're lending it to her, and then the court will
give it back to you in Epstein credits.
You know this. I know.
But this isn't Monopoly money we're talking about,
so I'd just like to hear you say it.
A spouse, who after separation uses his separate property
to pay preexisting community debt incurred
by the other spouse credit cards, car loans,
lawyer fees will be reimbursed out of
community property.
California Case law, "Marriage of Epstein 1979."
Key words in all that salad being
"After separation." Jinx, you owe me a beer.
I don't mean to imply that I've had it any harder
than you did with Frank.
What? Compared to yours,
my situation was simple.
Frank lived in terror of getting caught,
which is probably why I caught him.
Then I kicked him out, and he was never good
at being a bachelor before we got married,
so he begged to come back and I let him,
and then he bought me a Porsche.
An American fairy tale.
The date of separation has to be ratified
through a two part test.
First, physical separation of spouses, as in,
one has moved out of the family home.
And, second, at least one spouse must have intent
to end the marriage.
If these two conditions are met,
court will order reimbursement of any and all traceable funds
expended on the other spouse from that date forward,
such as, uh, when someone makes a down payment on a new house
that they never intend to live in.
For a while, it felt like Dan had started to think
his true self was who he was with other people,
that their praise meant more to him than mine,
because theirs was new.
Then he remembered what it is to be known
truly to be known by someone, what a gift that is.
Some people never get that, ever.
Like, he knows that now.
He just put me through hell first.
Remember, divorce is one of those words.
Once you've said it, it can never be unsaid.
When you're ready to tell her, before you tell her,
never hurts to think about how you would want to be told.
Yeah?
Hey.
Doug, you remember Linda. Yeah, of course.
Merry Christmas, hon. Merry Christmas.
Hi. Hi.
But unless something is extended to the victim
that says, "You are not crazy. This has happened.
"You are not wrong to have these feelings
"of absolute unsupport,
"self hatred, anger toward everyone, but here they are.
Let's go on."
As long as there is no resolution
for the victim at all, healing does not take place.
I was wondering when you were coming to bed,
mostly because I wanted to show you this,
which I think would be such a great color on you.
What are you doing?
Dan? Dan.
I need to think.
I never have time to think about anything.
If I could just have some time
by myself, maybe
What do you need to think about?
I don't know, my life.
What about it?
I don't know.
I just know I need to figure out
If I don't take this time,
I'm not going to be any good to anyone.
You're going to be with her.
I'm not, Betty. I'm just going.
Just for a while.
Look, I don't know what the best way to do this.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to spring it on you like this.
Should I...
Should I leave now or in the morning?
Leave when you want to.
I'm not gonna tell you when to go.
Come on, you guys.
Oh, my gosh, I am so hungry.
Is there waffles? Maybe in the freezer.
Is Dad here?
He left already? Why so early?
Work, duh.
I need to tell you all something.
Because why shouldn't you know? You should.
You should know.
Daddy's gonna be spending some time away from the house.
Alone, just to think.
Just to figure out things he needs to do.
And he says he loves all of us all of you.
How much time?
We'll find out when he's done.
When? Mm...
Tuesday night. He told you he was leaving?
What did he say?
That he needed space and time.
Well, what does that mean? How much space?
I don't know, but it's fine.
Sounds wonderful, actually. I'm jealous.
Who couldn't use a break from everything?
But he never said "divorce."
Did he say "separating"? I told you, no.
Why would he?
We're moving into the house in La Jolla together.
Mmm.
All she thought she knew is being called into question.
What that tends to create in the victim
is a tremendous sense of unreality about her very being,
when, particularly over the course
of a protracted infidelity, every day is filled with lies.
Oh, someone had a fun night.
You couldn't have called? Or or come over earlier
to help me unpack?
Well
The kids are asleep!
It's okay.
So says you.
How about the couch?
I can bring things here on one of my trips, I don't mind.
You just have to tell me which things you want.
Don't worry about that right now.
Okay, but you can't just leave all your stuff
at Coral Reef indefinitely.
I won't.
I'm moving back in there.
You're what?
For how long?
I don't know.
What about Lake Henshaw?
We promised the kids for August.
I don't think so.
And it's my dad's 75th birthday back east.
Are we going?
You don't have to say that you're ready to be finished
needing space, to take a fun family trip back east.
Maybe not, but, in the meantime,
you guys should go to the lake.
All right. Oh, my God, big bag.
Smells weird in here. It's just musty
'cause we were gone.
Mom, what are we doing for dinner?
We're gonna have to go out. Can we get fish tacos?
Well...
Oh, my God, rats!
Rats!
There are rats everywhere!
Yes? There are rats!
What?
Rats all over this place! You have to come now!
We need you!
I don't
I can't just Why can't you?
How can you not? You hear that?
It's time to act like a goddamn parent,
not a college kid who leaves his family
in a rat infested goddamn house!
You have 13 credit cards,
the resources to call an exterminator,
and you can stay in whatever hotel.
What more can I do for you? Good luck.
What is this how long have you been here?
I wanna go home. Since dark.
Where is she?
New York for Grandpa's birthday.
Yeah, she said you'd be back eventually.
And that you've been having a lot of fun lately.
And you needed to be reminded
that there's more to it than fun.
Yes, it was a lovely party,
even though my parents warned me I was ruining it
by talking about our marriage troubles
in front of the rest of the family
What kind of person does what you did?
What kind of mother? Their mother is what I am.
Not a babysitter. I'm not your babysitter.
You wanna destroy our family for her, that's your business.
But I'm not here to make your life easier for you
while you do it, or her life.
Let her see what this really is,
what all the fun turns into.
Now.
The kid are at camp,
where you are not listed as next of kin.
So if you show up there and try to take them away,
you will not be allowed to. What?
When they come back, they'll be living with me.
I'm seeking an emergency judgment.
I know what you're trying to do.
You're trying to prove that I can't do this without you.
Maybe that's 'cause I never tried.
You have such a wonderful first day, Anthony.
Are you so excited?
But, sweetheart, you're gonna know everybody
from kindergarten. It's gonna be the same kids,
and I heard the teacher is so nice.
Aww, don't be sad.
You're gonna have the best time.
And I can't wait to hear all about it.
Elizabeth Broderick? Yes?
You have 30 days to respond.
I've been retained by Dan, Bets.
You keep saying that,
but can't you just represent both of us?
Doesn't really work that way.
Well, can you look this over, though?
I'm not used to having to parse legalese about
when I can see my children.
Um
Look, Dan's been granted temporary physical custody.
You get them Wednesdays and alternate weekends.
You need to be a good soldier here, Bets.
Otherwise, you risk not being able to see them at all.
Is this about what you spend a month on groceries?
Yeah. Mortgage?
Uh, insurance premiums, groceries, household items.
Uh huh, yeah. That look about right?
Yeah.
Your credit card bills are astronomical.
I'm sorry, hon.
I will pay them down,
but then they're your responsibility.
I'll notify the companies to that effect.
Fine. $9,000.
Half for the mortgage, half for everything else.
More than enough, since the kids are with me.
S
Okay, when you have a lawyer, let me know.
Oh, okay.
What the person wants more than anything else
is to be relieved of this pain and this burden.
And anything that will begin that process
is going to be a relief, no matter how painful it is.
It is going to be as if that spout on the pressure cooker
is finally open and the steam can get out.
Happy Wednesday.
Hi! Mom, Mom!
Hi! No car outside.
Is Dad not even here? He just left you alone?
We were fine. Okay.
Come on. One more time.
You ready or what?
You were early. God.
Hi. Hey.
Mom, you're not supposed to let yourself in.
Boston cream pie? What's the occasion?
Oh, someone just made Dad's favorite for no reason?
Who?
Too often the infidel will run further and further away
as the person presses to gain that release,
and of course that just increases the victim's pain
and confusion and anger, making them feel their life
has become a mockery that they barely exist.
A pressure cooker must have some type of release.
Court order. Signed by a judge.
From now on, you come on the Coral Reef property
with my permission or you go to jail.
How am I supposed to see my kids?
With my permission. You are such a fool.
Wait.
Betty.
Dan.
Come on. What are you doing?
We have a wonderful family. I love you.
We have everything we ever wanted,
and we're gonna lose it. Linda is gonna take all of it.
Everyone whose last name is Broderick is gonna lose.
I wish you could hear yourself.
Why, because I'm wrong about her?
But if I'm wrong about her, that means I'm not wrong,
that there is a her, that I'm not crazy.
Why not just admit it?
There's no reason not to now.
Was I imagining it?
No.
I'm in love with her.
Okay.
Was I ever imagining it?
No.
You were right the whole time.
In fact, that was the problem.
They were taken off the market, pressure cookers.