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...thanks to you.
Excuse me.
Where's Madeline?
Uh, I haven't seen her yet.
If I know her, she's still in the lab.
I hope not.
Give her a call.
There are some people I want to introduce her to.
The trajectory, the timing...
- This is it! 0[phone ringing]
Oh, no.
Christmas party.
Okay...
[laughs]
[♪]
Naomi!
Oh, excuse me.
- Where have you been? - At the lab.
I found it.
Come here.
What did you find?
A new meteor shower.
I told you it was there.
There's a five-day window starting Saturday,
and the best place to watch is upstate.
Upstate! In the mountains!
I'm going to go up there tomorrow.
You wanna come with me?
This is fabulous.
Um...
Saturday?
Wouldn't that put the last day
on... like, Christmas Eve?
The day before.
We'd be back for Christmas.
Maybe.
Uh...
Glad you could join us.
Dr. Meadows.
I found it.
What? Found what?
A new meteor shower.
Off the top, it seems to me
you're counting on an unusually long comet tail.
Not at all. The science is there.
What's your percentage of this event actually occurring?
78%.
That's not horrible.
It's scientifically acceptable.
Enough to go look, and I know you've been looking
for a discovery you can call your own
since you got here.
No, no.
Since the day that we met at graduate school.
Comet Madeline.
Madeline's asteroid.
Come on.
It's for science...
but, yes, like everybody else here,
I do want a discovery of my own...
and it's going to happen.
Is this where you ask me
for time off and equipment
and a crew to take to record this meteor shower?
Wouldn't you?
Actually, I would.
But I can't give you a crew.
I'm sorry. It's Christmas.
I'd really like to take
the Takahashi triple refractor...
Okay, wait, where do you want to take it?
Upstate.
There's a mountain top outside of this town...
Summit View.
You made that name up, didn't you?
No, it's a real place,
and the coordinates work.
I called the weather service.
Snow now, but starting Friday,
clear skies until after Christmas Day.
Okay.
Two requirements.
One, you're back in time to chair the endowment committee
to find a location
for the new satellite observatory.
Second, if this shower happens,
you be ready to write a paper about it
for the planetarium to issue.
That work for you?
Of course.
Thank you.
Madeline!
You can't leave yet.
There's a guy I wanted to introduce you to tonight.
It's fine. I don't really have time right now.
Yes, you do.
You choose not to make it for anything but your job.
That's not true.
I had dinner with Andre from the French observatory
just last month.
Mm-hmm, because you wanted to get the newest information
on the Cat's Eye Nebula.
That had nothing to do with dinner.
That's not dating.
Plus, he left for France the next day.
But he was nice.
Nice and safe.
Okay, I have to go pack.
You have fun.
Okay.
Yeah, there it is.
Have a look through there. I found it.
That's the Big Dipper.
It looks like a soup ladle.
How can stars be a soup ladle?
Well, actually, how can they be two soup ladles,
because there is the Little Dipper, as well,
and there's a bull, and an archer...
You're making that up.
No, no, no, I'm not.
Have a look. Have a look.
Look for the handle
and the four stars that make up the bowl.
- Yeah. - Yeah!
It's... it's a soup ladle made of stars.
I told you.
What else could we find?
What do you think's in the ladle?
Oh...
I'm gonna imagine there's chocolate sauce.
Well, let's be realistic.
There's no chocolate sauce in the Big Dipper.
That's in the Little Dipper.
In the Big Dipper, there's butterscotch.
Everyone knows that. How do you not know that?
Which star is Mommy?
The brightest one, sweetheart.
She's the brightest one.
Okay, maybe if you look up...
Your dad said you'd be out here.
Hey, Celeste.
Hi, Mr. Brown.
Hey, Cal.
Me and Dad are looking at Mommy and star ladles.
Well, that sounds fun.
Can I talk to you privately for a sec?
Yes, sir.
See what else you can find.
I just came from a very long County Supervisors' meeting.
- Uh-huh? - No luck.
The money isn't there.
I tried every argument in the book.
Like, I have to close down two stations,
and I gotta lay off...
How long, Cal?
First of the year.
Well, I need this job.
It's everything to me, outside Celeste.
Look, what if I went in there,
I talk to them...
They're not happy about this either.
It was a tough call.
County finances are stretched to the max,
and... we're the loser.
I'm putting you on reserve as of tonight,
so you can use up
all the vacation weeks you've accrued.
Be ready to work if I need you,
but, um, your time is yours.
And you're getting a great severance package.
I don't want a severance package.
I want my job.
Look, do me a favor.
Don't tell my family, especially Dad,
until after Christmas.
Okay.
Thanks.
Look, I'm not done trying to fix this,
not by a long shot.
I know. I appreciate you, Cal.
I love working for you, what can I say?
I thought you were going to take my spot
when I retired.
I don't know what to say. Hang in there.
Thanks, Cal.
Oh, yeah.
Your dad told me to remind you
about the extra lights for the tree.
Said you promised Mayor June.
Yeah. Thanks.
[Madeline] It's definitely flat.
No, I can't change it,
because I never got the spare fixed
from last time.
I know...
Oh, there's a truck coming.
I'll call you back, Naomi.
- Hi. - Hi.
You okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
Thanks for stopping.
No problem.
Uh...
I'm Ryan. Wilson County Ranger.
Madeline.
Hi, Madeline.
What's the problem?
I've got a flat tire.
That's not good.
I can help you change it.
Thanks, but I don't have a spare either.
It's also flat.
I've been meaning to replace it.
Well, in that case, I can give you a lift to town.
My friend Jimmy's got a gas station
and a tow truck.
A ride? Um...
I don't think...
Can I see your badge again?
Sure.
Everything okay?
Yep.
I'll take that ride now.
I sent your I.D. to my friend, Naomi.
Oh.
I mean, please don't take it personally.
It's just you said that you were a County Ranger,
but you don't have a uniform,
and your truck is full of Christmas decorations.
Well, it is good to be careful.
You have any luggage?
It's not exactly luggage.
What have you got in here? Rocks?
Optics. It's a telescope.
A telescope that big?
Thank you for your help.
It's my pleasure.
So, uh, why the telescope?
I'm taking it up to a place called Porter's Peak?
Porter's Peak?
Yeah, uh, a mountain outside of Summit View.
Yeah, yeah, I know it well.
So you can tell me how to get up there when I need to?
Uh, yeah, with my eyes closed.
Yeah, you're from here, aren't you?
It is my home town.
So, how's the Gingerbread Inn?
How is it to stay there?
It is the best place in town, yeah...
as long as you got a reservation.
Well, I made one online last night.
Last night?
Okay.
Well, here we are.
This is out of a storybook.
Welcome to Summit View.
It's pretty busy.
Yeah, the only reason people come here this time of year
is for the Christmas Fair...
though not as many people as there used to be.
You have a Christmas Fair?
Yeah.
I love Christmas Fairs...
but I can't. Porter's Peak.
Right.
Uh, I'll unload your stuff, you go check in.
- Okay. - Okay.
And don't forget to join us
for some fresh gingerbread cookies
right here in the lobby later.
Follow me, gentlemen.
Oh, hey. Can I help you?
Hi. Madeline Baggett.
I've got a reservation for the Candy Cane Suite.
Candy Cane Suite...
Wait, are you sure?
I have a party named Myers in that suite
right through Christmas.
I have my reservation right here.
Oh, honey.
Did you look at this?
Hmm. You made your reservation for next year.
We haven't had a room available for this week
- in a couple of months. - Wait. What?
I'm so sorry. I wish I could help you.
No, this can't be happening.
I called Jimmy.
He's gonna go get your car.
Please, I need a room for a week.
It's very important.
Is there a problem?
Yeah. There's no room at the Inn.
Well, that's pretty standard at Christmastime, isn't it?
Did you book for next year by mistake?
All I can do is put you at the top
for any cancellations.
Do you get very many?
Never used to,
but, well, these days, maybe?
Don't have any now.
What am I gonna do?
I need a room.
Is there somewhere else you know of that I can stay?
- I'd really appreciate it. - Any ideas?
I could call the Motel 8 in Weaverville.
It's about an hour away.
That'll have to do.
Thank you.
You know what?
Can you just give me a moment?
Sure. Anything you can do to help.
Would you like a fresh gingerbread cookie?
Thank you.
I could use some comfort food.
What's in your case?
Mm.
It's a telescope.
Really?
That's cool.
My dad has a little one.
We look at the stars with it.
I do that for work.
You get paid to look at stars?
I want that job.
I'm Celeste.
I like that name.
I'm Madeline, and this is a really good cookie.
Thanks.
You think I could look through your telescope
while you're here?
I don't see why not...
if they can find me a room.
Seems like they're all sold out.
You don't have a room?
Hey, are you bothering this nice lady?
No, Daddy. She has a big telescope.
Mm-hmm.
She doesn't have a room, though.
Can she stay in the barn?
The barn?
Yeah. We could put up a tent so the horses don't bother you.
Uh, thank you, honey, but I'm not sure about the barn.
Well, under the circumstances,
I don't think you've got a choice.
I'm joking.
I think we have a non-barn solution for you.
Let's see if we can get it figured out.
So, we were thinking,
as one of the owners of the Inn,
my sister, Darlene, has a room here,
but she went to Paris for the holidays
with a couple of girlfriends.
And she wouldn't mind?
I'm an owner, too, and I say it's okay.
[sighing] This is so amazing.
You have no idea how much you're helping me out.
You are more than welcome.
Ryan says that you're up here for some kind of work thing.
At Christmas?
Oh, I love Christmas,
but this is something I have to do.
It's for my job.
Ah.
I still get to look through your telescope, right?
Absolutely.
Celeste. She's here for work.
No, it's okay. She's a bright kid.
I want to encourage her interest in the stars.
And yours.
She told me about your telescope.
Well, my telescope's a toy compared to yours.
No telescope is a toy.
It's a way of seeing the universe.
I love that you use one with your daughter.
Yeah, but your job is to look at the stars.
We just do it for fun.
It's fun for me, too.
Pretty cool, huh?
You know, you're going to be here at Christmas,
you have to spend it with us.
I insist.
No one should be alone for the holidays.
Oh, that's so sweet.
Ah, it's Christmas.
It's what you do.
You don't even know me.
That's okay.
My mom can take a picture of your license.
So, you want a tour?
Yeah, that would be great.
This is incredibly generous.
I'm the tour guide. Come on.
Stop trying to match-make, Mom.
This is the common room where everyone eats breakfast.
That's my Christmas village...
and that's my sled.
Wow, it's a nice one.
These are the horses I told you about.
That one's Comet, and that one's Stardust.
They were my mom's horses.
She's not with us anymore.
Daddy says she's a star now.
Well, they're beautiful,
and very appropriately named, as far as I'm concerned.
Okay, why don't you continue the tour,
and I will take your bags to the room?
Thank you.
You are welcome.
That's the Christmas tree...
I can't believe I fell asleep.
Thank you for keeping the kitchen open for me.
Aw, I'm not surprised you sacked out.
That bed is wonderful.
Ah, and the room is beautiful.
Gosh, so is that tree. Wow.
It's my favorite Christmas symbol.
The star that guided the Wise Men.
It was the first star that fascinated me as a kid.
Is that what you're here looking for?
The Christmas star?
Nope.
I'm looking for something else.
Well, there you all are.
Am I working alone tonight?
So sorry.
My fault.
It's probably my fault, Dad.
Dad. Okay.
Just making notes, who belongs to who.
You're a family.
You've got that right. What's going on?
Pops, this is Madeline.
Her job is looking at stars.
Oh, you don't say.
She's staying in Darlene's room for a couple of days.
Okay, I'm sure there's a story there,
but we gotta get to work.
There's a hotel full of guests, and they all need gingerbread.
I hear them howling in the streets.
"Gingerbread!" they cry. "Give us gingerbread!"
Will you excuse us?
Come on, Celeste.
There you go, sweetheart.
Thank you again for everything.
It's beyond anything I could expect.
Lovely.
Yes, they are.
Is it okay if I stay here and use the Internet?
Oh, of course, you can.
Uh, I want to ask you, uh...
...do you want to have lunch with me tomorrow,
maybe tell me a little bit more about your work?
I mean, think of it as payback for the room.
Oh, okay, so it's... it's blackmail.
Yeah. Yeah, I guess it is.
Yeah, that sounds fun.
Great.
Okay, I'll leave you to it.
Okay.
- Good night. - Good night.
Yep. A barn.
And you believed him?
Almost.
It's a long story, but I got a room,
and it's nice, and so are the people,
and I'm not going to miss any Christmas here,
because it's... everywhere.
Well, that's good.
Are you sure you're okay?
Yes, I'm fine,
and the equipment is safe.
The ranger who gave you a ride is cute.
Stop it.
[laughing]
I am here to work.
But yes, he is really...
helpful.
Mm-hmm.
And not a safe scientist.
Definitely not.
...but it's a job that I loved,
and for now, it is gone.
And there's nothing you can do?
Well, I have it till the end of the year,
but I'm hoping for a reprieve.
If that doesn't happen,
I'll probably get a job at the Inn.
I know Mom and Pops would love that.
It's not what you want, is it?
I love the outdoors.
Nothing better than working in nature.
So what about you?
I work as far as I could be from the nature I study.
I'm an astronomer
at the New York Planetarium in Central Park.
Well, I've never met a real astronomer.
It's not exactly what you might think.
We don't spend all our time looking through telescopes.
But you brought your telescope here,
so you must be planning to use it.
You're right about that.
I've discovered a new meteor shower,
and I'm here to watch it and record it.
Here? In Summit View?
Mm-hmm.
And you can know exactly when it's going to come?
It's complicated, but yes.
Down to the time of night.
It's a pretty exacting science.
So are we going to be able to see it from town?
There's a five-day window starting Saturday.
That's the entire run of the Fair.
Then everybody here should be able to see it,
as long as they can get themselves
outside of the city lights,
which is also why I need to get my car back,
so I can get up that peak.
Okay, so we...
Ryan Sparks, there you are.
Were you able to get all the extra lights we needed
for the tree-light ceremony?
Yes, Ma'am. Back of my truck.
You gonna introduce me?
Madeline, this is the Mayor of Summit View,
June Jackson.
You can call me June, please.
Nice to meet you, June.
Nice to meet you as well, dear.
You're here for the Christmas Fair?
Oh, I wish I was, because it sounds so great,
but I'm here on business.
Oh, well, I hope you'll be able to make it
at least one day.
We could use all the people we can get.
Excuse me, I see Milt Harris over there,
and I have not received his check for his booth.
Well, that is Mayor June in a nutshell.
[chuckling] She's something.
Oh, yeah.
She got elected on a platform
to make the Fair as successful as it used to be,
so she's on high twitch right now.
You want, uh...
you want a tour of the town?
Yeah.
Yeah, I would.
Wow, look at this.
Oh, yeah. Well, this is nothing.
Just wait until Saturday night when the Fair kicks off.
We take our Christmas very seriously.
Well, it's a beautiful Christmas Fair.
Oh, yeah.
Just wait until the tree gets lit,
streets get lit...
big ceremony, booths, food, and Santa.
People come from all over.
It used to be huge.
It's still fairly big.
If it snows, we go into the school,
but it's not supposed to snow until after Christmas.
I'm hoping that's the case.
I don't think I've seen any town
do Christmas this big.
Yeah, I mean, these stores here,
they do a huge percent of their business
this time of year.
It used to be a go-to Christmas destination,
but I think over the years,
people have kinda taken it for granted.
Well, I wish I had known about this Fair years ago.
Hey, you want to, uh...
you want to go see my soon-to-be-ex office?
Yeah.
- Yeah, let's do it. - Okay.
This is gorgeous.
It is pretty beautiful.
Where does the trail go?
Well, this one here is a four-mile loop,
comes back around.
Beautiful hike...
and luckily, I think they're gonna keep this one open.
This is hard for you, isn't it?
Yeah.
I mean, they're closing ranger stations, campgrounds...
it's a mess.
I didn't think they'd actually do it.
It's a shame.
I get it, though.
We operate completely on grants
and government contracts and endowments.
It's always a money game.
Well, if you ever have any to spare,
it's the Wilson County Parks Department...
[chuckling]
Okay, you have some work to do.
Shall we?
Can we stay here
and look at this a little while longer first?
Absolutely.
Thank you for the tour.
I really do wish I could come to the Fair,
but I've got to get up the mountain.
Speaking of, I could really use a tour guide for that, too.
Well, you know I'm available.
Yeah? That would be amazing.
But I do need to talk to you
about how we're going to get up to Porter's Peak...
- Madeline! - Hi!
I've been waiting and waiting for you to get back.
Can we do the telescope tonight?
You bet. Meet me... uh...
Out by the barn is good.
Okay, we'll set up the telescope after dark,
if it's okay with your dad.
Oh, it's okay...
as long as I can come, too.
Sure.
I'll go tell Grandma!
All right, I've, uh, taken enough of your time today.
No.
I've enjoyed every minute...
though I do need
to make some adjustments to the scope
if we're going to use it.
I know you're interested in this stuff.
Do you want to watch?
Sure, if you don't mind.
We can use the common room.
Great.
It might be a little boring, but...
Oh, I doubt it.
I'll go grab it.
Okay, I'll meet you there.
Okay.
I told you this would be boring.
Are you kidding?
No, I've never seen anything like this.
I, uh, I don't know what you're doing,
but it looks... it looks pretty impressive.
I am talking to the telescope.
Setting some parameters.
We want to see something close,
we're looking in our galaxy,
so I have to tell it that.
You can use this thing to look at other galaxies?
Oh, yeah.
Nebulas... yeah, other galaxies.
Do you have to, uh...
uh, calibrate it?
That's what I've got to do with mine.
You mean a collimation.
No, this a refractor.
I'm sure yours is a reflector.
Okay, yeah. I get it.
I don't get it. I don't get it at all.
I'm sorry.
I deal with so much technical stuff...
Yeah. That's okay, it's your job.
I just... like looking at the stars
for fun.
It's time with Celeste,
and my wife loved it.
We... we lost her a few years ago.
I'm sorry.
Thanks.
But I can think of no better reason
to look at the stars.
Agreed.
I think this will be really fun for Celeste.
Definitely.
[Celeste] Wow.
It looks close enough to touch.
I wish they were,
but the nearest star to Earth
is still over 92 million miles away.
I know that one.
Dad told me. The sun.
That's right.
Your dad knows his stars.
Okay, do you see these three right in a row?
That's Orion's belt.
They look like they're right next to each other,
but they're actually hundreds of light years apart.
I knew of Orion's belt. I didn't know that, though.
There's more.
Each light is a different kind of celestial body,
so, the first one is an entire star system,
the middle one is a star,
but the last one is a super giant,
which means it's 90,000 times brighter than the sun.
This is fascinating.
It's almost as bright as you.
Aw... you're too sweet.
[laughing]
There's a Christmas component to them, too.
They're called the Three Kings,
after the three wise men
who followed the Christmas Star through the desert.
Do you have to do a lot of school to be an astronomer?
You do.
I went to college for eight years.
That's a lot.
Well, I have a Doctorate in Astronomy...
and a couple of degrees in Physics.
Whoa.
Does that mean math?
It's a ton of math...
but if you want something bad enough,
you do whatever's required to get it.
I wanted to be an astronomer.
If you do, too, you gotta do the math.
Okay.
I'll work harder on my math.
Thank you.
My dad knows where the butterscotch ladle is.
The butterscotch ladle?
Don't listen to her.
In the sky.
The Big Ladle.
The Big Dipper?
Yeah.
He said that it was filled with butterscotch.
I didn't believe him.
Mm.
Smart girl.
We might make an astronomer out of you yet.
You are something.
Stop it.
I know about space,
but you probably know more about the outdoors
than I could ever learn...
except for the stars.
Butterscotch?
Yeah.
Butterscotch.
And the Little Dipper is full of chocolate.
I bet you didn't know that, did you?
Hey, do you think I could hire you
to come up with me?
I mean, you know the road,
you know the mountain.
I can pay you.
Mm-hmm.
Hire me?
Firstly, you don't have to hire me.
I would love to help you.
Secondly, I've been trying to tell you,
there is no way up that mountain this time of year
in any vehicle.
Wait, what?
There's... there's a road on the map.
There's a road on the map,
uh, but it's an old logging trail,
meant for hikers and parks vehicles.
Could we take your parks vehicle?
Not in the winter.
Then how do people get up there in the winter?
Follow me.
This way.
Seriously? Horseback.
Unless you want to hike up.
There's no other way?
I've been riding exactly once.
You'll be fine. I'm going with you,
and I want to see this meteor shower, too.
All my equipment,
the telescope,
I don't really see how...
Well, we'll take it on a sled.
Both horses have done it before.
I'll take it up with Comet.
This is nothing new.
I would need your help every day.
Isn't that too much?
We only got to pack it in once.
There's a ranger station up there
we can store your equipment.
I got a key.
It's just...
Okay.
I mean, I told Celeste that if you want something,
you gotta do what you gotta do,
so I guess I'm gonna ride a horse
to see a meteor shower.
Right.
You'll be fine.
In fact, we can practice tomorrow.
They're really good horses.
Can I send their I.D.s to Naomi?
[laughing]
Okay, we'll let these boys get their beauty sleep.
I really feel like I should pay you.
What? No.
You don't have to pay me.
What you did with Celeste tonight,
you inspire her,
and that's priceless to me.
Besides, it's the same old Christmas Fair every year,
and... I wanna do this. Okay?
I can't keep you from Christmas.
Don't you take Celeste?
Mom and Celeste go to the tree-lighting ceremony
every year.
It's their thing.
I've seen it, like, a million times.
No one's gonna miss me.
I don't believe that.
Madeline, I could not think of a better Christmas light show
than a meteor shower with you.
Okay. You talked me into it.
Good.
I would love the help.
We should see it...
right around there somewhere.
[laughter]
Wow, that's perfect.
Well, you two look like you're having fun.
We are.
Why is his nose in his eye?
It's not his nose.
It's his telescope.
Oh, yeah.
Now I see it. It's nice.
So, ready for a little bit of horse-ridin' practice?
Oh, can't today.
I traded the use of the horses this week
for lunch with Celeste and an astronomy lesson later.
Oh, really?
They're my horses.
She's got a point.
That's no problem.
Whatever makes you happy, sweetheart.
It will be fun.
We got to get to it.
- Yeah. - We got a full day.
[♪]
This is my mom's star.
Dad says she's the brightest star in the sky.
I think your father's right about that.
That was fun.
I love Celeste.
She's funny and smart.
She's special, that's for sure.
Definitely her mother's daughter.
I'm sorry we didn't get to the horses today.
Oh, it's okay.
It's not a taxing ride. You're gonna be fine.
Just get some good rest.
I'll try.
See you tomorrow.
So, how's it going?
This whole town is a gorgeous Christmas village,
where the only way up
to where I need to go to watch the shower
is by horseback.
Horseback?
In the winter?
Then tell me you're coming home.
No. I'm staying.
I have a park ranger helping me get up there.
The same cute one?
One and the same.
He just volunteered to help you?
Yes.
He has a very real interest in the stars.
So you just talk about science?
No, we talk about more than science.
You? Yeah, sure.
I... barely know him, but he's real.
Tell me more.
It's beautiful.
Hey, Cal.
Thanks for meeting me, man.
Yeah. What's this about?
I mean, if it's about...
No, no, no.
I wanna reopen the station up on Porter's Peak.
What for?
I mean, it's closed for the winter.
It's gonna be closed permanently in January.
I know.
There's an astronomer here from New York
who's here for a big celestial event.
It's official parks business
in conjunction with the planetarium in New York.
You being straight with me?
Of course.
We're going to head out there tomorrow
on horseback,
and I promise
nothing outside regulation.
Why are you doing this?
Uh...
Well, I like this woman, Cal.
She's different.
I want to be a part of what she's doing,
to help her.
Think of it as my farewell tour.
Okay. Be safe.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Yeah.
Yeah, that's right, we were high-school sweethearts.
What was your wife's name?
Meg. Megan.
That's a nice name.
Thanks.
She's the one that bought me the telescope,
and we would spend hours looking at the stars.
She's the one that named Celeste.
Well, I love the name Celeste,
because... celestial.
So did she.
I think I would have liked her.
I don't think there's any doubt.
Okay, uh, let's get moving.
Let's do this.
Wow.
Ho.
This is quite a... quite a spot you have here.
It certainly is.
It's pretty beautiful this time of day.
The sun's setting.
Comfortable?
Yeah.
Okay.
Good?
Mm-hmm.
- Okay. - Thanks.
We gotcha. Yeah.
It's over here.
Pretty beautiful, huh?
This is incredible.
Look at this view.
I never get tired of this place.
So, we should probably get your equipment inside.
I have a coffee pot,
no running water,
but bottled water, propane gas,
so, want a hot coffee?
I'd love some.
Coming right up.
So, this a good spot for you?
You kidding?
I've got an unobstructed view of the sky,
no real light pollution from the town,
which I was a little worried about
with the Christmas lights,
but it's gonna be okay.
Look at this image.
It's really amazing.
So, this five-day window, how does it work?
Exactly what it means.
Could be tonight, could be any of the next four...
but I'm hoping for tonight.
One and done, huh?
Done?
No.
There'll be a ton of work to do afterwards.
It'll be fun, though.
You're fun.
Thank you.
I will be when these meteors show up.
Welcome, everyone,
to the opening night of the 63rd annual
Summit View Christmas Fair!
[cheering]
Tonight, we light our town
with the best and brightest celebration ever!
[cheering]
Summit View, we wish you a very merry Christmas!
Wait, what's going on?
Where did all that light come from?
Oh, man.
It's got to be the lights from the Christmas Fair.
They must have lit the town and the Christmas tree.
I didn't think it would make that much difference.
This is a disaster.
I thought the lights were already on.
We need to get them shut off.
Seriously?
Just for like an hour during the meteor shower.
Uh, it's the Christmas Fair.
They're not going to turn the lights off.
Yeah, but look at this image.
I won't be able to get any decent recording or data
with this much light pollution.
I'm really sorry.
Well, I'm no longer hoping it comes tonight,
I can tell you that much.
If it doesn't, can you help me talk to the Mayor?
I need to explain to her
the historic and scientific significance of this event.
Uh, you want me to ask them to turn all the lights off?
That's a really big ask.
Yeah, I understand that,
but what else can I do?
Well, uh, I suppose we could try another mountain.
We got until tomorrow night.
Look, this is the mountain. There is no other mountain.
Okay. Uh...
so, do you want to wait here?
Yeah, I have to know.
If it comes tonight, we'll just get what we can,
and I'll be out your hair in the morning.
No, you're not in my hair.
I appreciate that.
Let's work out the Christmas lights tomorrow,
but for right now,
is there anything at all I can do for you?
Pray that the shower doesn't come tonight?
I can do that.
[sighing]
I'm sorry about all the frustration
back on the mountain.
If it makes you feel better, the lights do look beautiful.
No, I'm just happy the shower didn't happen tonight.
You have no idea how happy I am.
[chuckling]
You made it.
So, what do you think?
It's never been better,
or brighter.
Well, it didn't do any good.
It's been the slowest opening day ever.
I don't know what I'm going to do.
I may have a way to get more people here.
Really? How?
I'm sure Ryan's told you
that I'm an astronomer
with the planetarium in New York City.
He did not.
Oh, well,
I'm here to record a special new astronomical event
taking place in the skies
right over your magnificent town.
Right here, where the people could see it?
Imagine dozens of shooting stars
flying across the night sky
all at the same time.
It would be an exclusive
Summit View Christmas spectacular,
only to be viewed from right here.
Would we be on the news?
Honestly, there's...
there's a good chance...
and written up in scientific journals
all around the world.
And there's a cooperation component as well.
In fact, you two should talk with the council.
Guaranteed to have more people here, Mayor June.
A council meeting?
Okay.
I could set up a special council meeting tomorrow.
11:00 a.m.? Would that work?
That's perfect...
and the town does look beautiful.
It does, doesn't it?
Well, I will leave you two alone,
and I will see you tomorrow.
This is very exciting.
Merry Christmas.
- Merry Christmas, Mayor June. - And to you.
That went well.
Yeah. Well, you still gotta convince them.
Getting these lights off, that's going to be a tough ask.
Not all of them.
Just the Christmas lights, and only for an hour.
Well, I'm in your corner.
So, you think this little town is beautiful, huh?
I do.
It looks amazing.
Listen, I love Christmas and all that it has to offer,
and any other year...
You wouldn't be here.
[chuckling]
Tell me the truth.
Why are you helping me like this?
You've gone way beyond...
Oh.
Well, this morning,
I woke up to my daughter studying math,
and it's Christmas vacation--
my daughter,
who I almost have to tie down to get to do schoolwork.
Ah.
And there's, uh, a little something else.
I like spending time with you.
Nothing more complicated or scientific than that.
I'm enjoying your company, too.
Come on.
Scientific history right here in Summit View?
And we can publicize and tell people about it?
You should.
Get people to come and see it.
A beautiful Christmas light show in the sky?
What could be better than that?
Could we set up tables from the high school
in town square so people could watch and sit?
Sure, yeah, we could do that.
We moved them before
so everyone could watch those guys
pull the logging truck out of the ravine.
And I'm willing to pay whatever it costs
to move them, too.
All you have to do
is just shut off all the Christmas lights,
just the Christmas lights,
between 8:00 and 9:00.
I'll do whatever it takes.
Just think of
all the coffee and hot chocolate you could sell, Dave.
I mean...
sitting people get colder than walking people, right?
And you promise it'll be good?
It will be spectacular.
It'll put your town in the record books.
I know this is a big sacrifice for you,
but it could be major news.
Well, I know the guy
who runs the radio station in Lake Placid.
He could get the word out.
We could double our attendance.
It's certainly a possibility.
Double attendance?
Look, besides the radio station,
you can all reach out to the newspapers,
get it online, let the people know.
Double attendance.
This better happen, that's all I can say.
There's a 78% chance
that it will happen in the next four days.
Well, 78% doesn't sound very good.
Uh, no, those aren't bad odds at all.
Okay. Let's take a vote.
Do we turn off the Christmas lights tonight?
You don't get to vote.
Tonight, the Christmas lights go out in Summit View,
but there better be a meteor shower this week,
and lots of people.
So, you haven't dated anyone in four years?
Not really.
Some dinners, but that's not dating.
I mean, they were pretty much business dinners,
because all we talked about was science.
Wait.
You were with these guys,
they didn't even ask you about you?
No, not really,
but I didn't ask them about themselves either.
Well, I feel special, then,
'cause you've asked a lot about me.
- I guess I have, haven't I? - Yeah.
So, I'm curious.
What do you do for fun?
I go horseback riding with a nice man occasionally.
Oh, really?
Who is this man?
I think I might be a little jealous.
You should be.
You, um... you want a coffee?
- Yeah. - Okay.
Oh, yeah.
Coming right up.
My father had a telescope.
He the one that got you interested?
That and the Christmas star.
I wasn't kidding about that.
I heard the story
about the star guiding the Wise Men,
and I asked him to show it to me in his telescope.
You ever see it?
No, never.
I'm still looking.
Anyway, in high school,
I had this teacher, Miss Donner.
She taught physics, and she was amazing.
Physics?
I avoided physics.
You don't hold that against me, right?
The fact that you're no scientist
is points in your favor...
Oh, that's good.
...but I loved physics,
so when Miss Donner sponsored an Astronomy club,
I was the first one in line.
I never had any idea that physics and astronomy
were so closely tied.
Oh, like an old married couple.
Hmm.
I love it here.
I just feel free.
Is it hard for you at all, coming up here like this?
No.
No, I love it here.
Being here with you at this ranger cabin,
helping you do something historic...
I might as well go out big.
You love this job so much.
I wish you didn't have to go out at all.
Hardest thing is going to be telling the family,
especially Celeste.
Mm, no.
They'll only support you.
Hope so.
I got a good feeling.
You're probably right.
I'm definitely right.
All these people weren't here yesterday.
Nope.
Lot more people here today.
I've talked to a lot of them.
They're here for the shower,
but they are loving the Fair, too.
This is all good.
Everyone...
count down with me.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One!
You got your dark sky.
They ought to give you credit for your powers of persuasion.
We'll see.
I may be able to convince the town council,
but this meteor shower, it's a whole other thing.
Well,
maybe I can distract you.
You know, if you're not looking, then they will come.
Works all the time when you're expecting company.
Yeah, you're right about that.
Okay, so how are you going to distract me?
Dancing might work.
Sing for me.
Guaranteed to keep the meteors away.
For sure, that's the truth.
You're a forest ranger.
How about you tell me a campfire story?
Hmm. Now, that I can do,
but usually I'm telling them to Celeste and her friends.
Well, just think of me as a big kid.
I don't think I could do that.
I'll tell you what.
How about I tell you a love story?
Go on.
Is that a meteor?
Nope. Airplane.
Unless meteors have flashing lights.
Then where are they?
Oh, be patient, honey.
[laughing]
She... she hit him with a what?
No, she didn't hit him with anything.
She ran over his foot driving a team of horses
for a Christmas hayride.
Was his foot okay?
No. He said it really hurt. A lot.
And this is a love story?
Yeah.
Well, I hope so.
I wouldn't be here otherwise.
That's a good point.
So they fell in love over a hurt foot?
Kind of.
So Mom's parents own the Inn,
and she made her parents put Dad in a room for the night,
'cause she felt guilty.
And then they fell in love.
Well, he fell in love with her at first sight,
but she didn't give him the time of day...
so he put his foot under that wagon on purpose.
That's a little extreme.
Absolutely.
He was 19.
He needed to get her attention.
And, you know, guys' brains at 19
are a little...
That's true.
You didn't have to agree so fast.
[laughing]
But in the end,
he won her over,
and their true love lasts to this day.
It's strange...
and kind of romantic.
He sacrificed his foot for love.
♪ He sacrificed his foot for love ♪
Sounds like a Country song.
[laughing]
Nobody's ever done anything like that for me.
Well, maybe they have,
but you were maybe too focused on your career goals?
But you are definitely worthy of a foot sacrifice.
You're just saying that to make me feel better.
No, I'm not.
But I'd probably do something a little less painful.
[laughing]
Well, you do know how to distract a gal
who's waiting on a meteor shower.
Told you.
Speaking of which...
Yeah, well, maybe tonight's not the night.
Oh, it's so frustrating.
I've been waiting for this since I was little.
It's like the ultimate confirmation
of your life choices.
Yup.
I absolutely get that.
Good odds?
Mm. 78% is good odds, June.
And she made it very clear it could be any night this week.
Turn on the lights.
I know it could happen any night,
but the people are here tonight.
I mean, do we need to explain it again?
I don't want them leaving disappointed.
It's not that bad.
They're having fun,
and we've have never had this many people
any night in the last few years.
And we have sold a lot of coffee.
Yes, but it's embarrassing.
We kinda promised them a show.
No. The astronomer promised the show.
You're right.
Well... it's not so bad.
No?
I need to ask them
to turn the lights off again tomorrow.
Hmm.
Yeah.
Hey...
you ever consider dating a non-scientific guy?
Well, I've been going steady with my job for years.
Oh, yeah,
your job ever give you its letterman sweater?
Was it that serious?
Well, we didn't pinky swear or anything.
Oh, whew!
Good to know.
That's all? That's all you want to know?
Yeah, for now.
You know, you made a disappointing night
pretty fun.
So did you.
[Celeste] Madeline!
Hi, Dad.
What happened?
The meteors didn't come.
Tonight's not the night.
A lotta people in town tonight were watching.
They still have fun?
Yeah, I think so.
Most people seemed to be having a good time.
Anyway, it's the Christmas Fair, so...
You think it'll come tomorrow?
I hope so, honey.
Oh, I have to tell you,
the Mayor called,
and she wants to see Madeline tomorrow.
11:00 a.m., City Council room.
It's not like I didn't expect it.
Yeah.
Who is in the mood for something sweet?
Oof, me.
Ooh, hot chocolate?
Huh?
I ran out of words trying to explain to people
why there was no Christmas show in the sky.
I know I made it clear
we were in a five-day window originally.
There are three days to go.
You did.
I mean, she did.
Just telling the truth.
Uh, but...
Hey... you're right, she can defend herself.
Sorry.
You did, but people will hear what they want to hear,
so are you asking us
to turn off the Christmas lights again tonight?
I can't tell you enough how much I would appreciate it.
Well, I'm inclined not to
because the lights are a big part of the festival.
I understand that, but...
But...
there were a lot of people in town for the meteor shower.
If this event does happen,
it could be a boon to us for years to come,
but no one really understands it.
The whole window thing.
Is there any way to really explain it to people?
Yes. I could do that.
Happy to.
Well, how would you do that?
A presentation.
I do them at the planetarium all the time,
the how and why of the meteor shower.
Questions and answers, visuals, the whole thing.
I still don't know.
Well, since it's Christmas,
maybe we could take
an astronomical look at the Christmas Star,
put everything into a holiday perspective.
I don't know about you,
but I've always wanted to know about it.
I like that.
Mm-hmm.
Tie it into Christmas.
It's too late to do that today.
You'd need to do it tomorrow
if there's a meteor shower tonight or not.
Either way.
It would... be my pleasure.
And we need to get back on the radio, and Internet.
Want to get people back up here for it.
Done.
And you can do it right here in this room.
Works for me.
- Thank you. - Thanks.
The Christmas Star?
That was quick thinking.
Well, it is the star
that got you into astronomy in the first place.
Yeah, but you remembered.
That means a lot.
I also told you that nobody's ever found the Christmas Star.
I haven't either...
but we do know it was there.
Well...
you haven't found the Christmas Star yet.
Just tell them what you know.
I mean, I wanna know the story
about the star that got you started.
That's what I'll do.
Good.
One more minute.
I don't think they're coming tonight.
They have to.
Well, maybe she was wrong about tonight.
Not Madeline.
I don't believe it.
Everyone should be as loyal a friend as you, honey.
[throwing switch]
You'd better come tomorrow.
[chuckling] You tell 'em.
Well, why don't you pack up the computer,
and I'll take the telescope inside.
Thanks.
Hey.
Maybe tomorrow.
What, you're doubting it now?
No, no, not at all.
I just don't want you to be discouraged.
No, the science is there.
I know it.
We have two more days.
Two more days.
That is a win in my book.
And I have to give a presentation tomorrow.
That's right. That's right.
I can't wait for that,
and I know Celeste is going to love it.
Well, you do know how to make a girl feel better.
- Aw, shucks. -[laughing]
They're making you teach a class?
It was my idea.
I mean, I'm asking so much of them,
it's actually the least I can do.
You still have your ranger helping you, I hope?
I do.
He's pretty great.
[gasping] Really?
Is this a thing now?
No.
Maybe.
I like him,
and his family and his daughter...
but I look at him and I think,
what do we really have in common?
Well, you're a scientist.
You know opposites attract.
In physics.
People aren't physics.
Why are you fighting this so hard?
Stop looking at everything like an equation.
I know that you're right.
I completely forget about work sometimes when we're together.
Scary is good.
Give your ranger a chance.
Ryan.
Nice name.
It is.
[chuckling]
But how did you get a presentation like this
together so quickly?
Oh, it's not my first rodeo, partner.
If I do well,
maybe they'll turn the lights off again tonight,
so wish me luck.
Oh, no luck needed.
You, uh... you got this.
Oh, this is great.
Even if she's wrong,
it's bringing in more new people.
Well, I'd rather she be right.
This is the Perseid Meteor Shower.
It recurs every summer.
Like I said, the vast majority of showers
are the tail ends of comets,
and since we're dealing with space,
we can only predict an overall time, like a week,
not a specific date.
Yes.
How do they get their names?
The people who discover them get to name them, usually.
So do you get to name this one when it happens?
I do, but I'm not saying yet.
Don't wanna jinx it.
Yes, the young man in the front.
Uh, yeah, how big do these meteors get?
Like, could they hit Earth?
What you're seeing here
are meteors completely burning up
in our atmosphere.
Believe it or not,
a lot of them are no bigger than a grain of sand,
but they hit our atmosphere at such high speeds
that you can see the flames from Earth.
Let's talk about the Christmas Star.
Oh.
When the star appeared on Christmas
to denote the birth,
and, historically, it's pretty much agreed that it was there,
there was no scientific explanation,
and there's still one unscientific theory
that remains...
it was...
a miracle.
"And the star they had seen went ahead of them
and stopped over the place where the Child was."
Yes, Celeste?
You think it was a Christmas miracle?
In science, you can never rule anything out.
Thank you all so much for being here today.
Tonight, starting at 8:00, look skyward,
and maybe we'll see another miracle.
One based on science, right?
And math.
Yes, absolutely.
[applause]
We need her back here every year.
Mm-hmm.
You heard June.
Christmas lights go out again tonight.
Way to go.
I had to promise to come back next year.
Win-win, as far as I'm concerned.
Can I come up with you tonight to see it?
Sorry, honey.
Two horses, two riders, in the dark.
You know the rules.
Plus, it's my job--
...to keep everyone safe.
[chuckling]
I knew you were gonna say that,
but I had to try.
Don't you ever change. Okay?
How about I cook you both a good early dinner
before we go up the mountain?
If I can use the Inn's kitchen.
You cook, too?
Of course.
The science of cooking
is just a combination of chemistry and physics.
Or cooking is just
throwing a bunch of stuff that tastes good in a pot.
Well, in either case,
I can guarantee the use of the kitchen.
- Right? - Right.
Mm-hmm.
What are we waiting for?
Ladies first.
Dad?
Why was He born in a barn?
I mean, if He's a king, why not in a palace?
Because He didn't come for just the rich,
but for everyone,
so He was born humbly to represent all people.
What's humbly?
Humble.
Humble people are the ones
who put others before themselves.
Well, in that case,
Emily from school, isn't humble.
Everything is about her.
It's ready.
Please have a seat.
Oh, and speaking of humble?
Tonight's chef. Let's go.
Well, I love single-dish meals.
Especially in a pot.
Oh, yeah. It's mostly all I make.
Easier when you live alone.
I even liked the asparagus.
Wait. Math and asparagus?
It's another Christmas miracle.
[chuckling]
Madeline, I think
the Christmas Star was a miracle.
Hmm.
Sometimes, when you eliminate every other explanation
and all that's left is a miracle,
then you may be right.
Well, the only stars I see around here are you two.
Dad!
Did I just say that out loud?
- Yes! - Yes.
Aw...
It's okay, Dad.
I like it.
Thanks, sweetheart.
You're welcome.
So you think I'm a star, huh?
I don't think anybody's ever called me that before.
Well, you're welcome.
Uh, look, if you decide to stay for Christmas
with my family,
that would be great, I'd love that,
but...
I'd like you to stay for New Year's with me.
That's a lovely offer...
but it'll depend
on how much time I need to process all the data.
You understand.
- Mm-hmm. - But...
...yeah, I'd love to, if it works.
Good.
Well, of course, work comes first, so...
no pressure.
Little bit of pressure.
A lot of pressure.
I feel it.
[laughing]
No pressure, just a beautiful Christmas speech.
I feel like this is one of those time-loop movies.
The same day over and over again.
I get it.
Waiting for anything you want is hard.
Like Christmas morning when you're a kid.
This is exasperating.
If it doesn't happen tonight, it's over.
We can't have the lights turned off
on the last night of the festival.
As much as I would love to see a meteor shower,
I think the Council would agree.
We can't have people leaving here disappointed.
It's like we brought them up here
under false circumstance.
We can't have that.
I don't believe it.
Well, it's not your fault.
I wanted it to be tonight.
Me too.
It's okay.
You still got one more night.
No, you don't understand.
I may never get this chance again.
These come once in a career.
You're right, I don't understand.
I thought you said
these meteor showers happen once a year.
Not one I discover.
Well, you've got other chances.
Come on, I mean, we got to meet each other,
and your effect on Celeste as a role model
has been really great...
so that's a little bit more important to me
than some fiery grains of sand in space.
Okay, no, you don't get it.
This is scientific discovery.
This is what I live for,
and if it doesn't happen,
any chance of me putting my name on a cosmic event is gone.
What?
The Baggett Meteor Shower.
So all this,
the lights, the people you put out,
the people who believed in you...
all that was so you could name something after yourself?
It was all about you?
No, of course not...
but it's my job.
There's more to life than a job.
That's not what you said about yours,
and I get that.
No, no, no, no. You misunderstand me.
I loved my job,
and I'm brokenhearted to lose it,
but it's not my life...
and I would...
I would lose my job a thousand times
if it meant Celeste was happy.
Uh...
yes, of course,
but I didn't mean it that way.
That's okay.
You know, we should... probably pack this up,
head back down the mountain,
and maybe you should come up here
by yourself tomorrow.
No, no...
'Cause I thought we were feeling something for each other
beyond the jobs...
'cause I haven't spent any time with a woman...
since Meg passed,
and you know that...
it's my mistake.
I feel the exact same way. I just...
Yeah, your job.
It's the most important thing.
I really understand that now.
[Naomi] I told you.
I warned you.
I know. I know.
I blew it with this wonderful man
because all I can think about is meteor showers.
I might as well have kicked him in the teeth.
What do you want me to say?
You know you can have a career and a relationship.
You choose your job...
maybe because it's safer.
No, that's not completely true.
We were on the verge of something amazing.
You're not talking
about the meteor shower now, are you?
No. I don't think I am.
Guess it's just you and me today, huh?
[sighing]
So... you sent her out there by herself?
Stardust is tacked up.
If she's going up there alone, at least she'll be safe.
[sighing]
Don't you think you're being a little hard on her?
I do.
She shook this town out of its Christmas complacency.
I mean, you certainly couldn't say
that this was the same old Fair this year.
It was like the old days.
She brought in a lot of new people,
and that oughta count for something.
She's got you there.
Look, I love you both,
but can we please just drop this conversation?
Are you sure you're not just tripping over your own pride?
It's complicated. Okay?
She lives in the city.
She has a job there, a life there.
We've known each other for a short time,
and I didn't think that I would ever feel like this again,
but I do...
and best of all, Celeste loved her.
But it can never...
I still love her!
I heard everything.
I'd want to name it after me, too.
If you won't go up there with her, then I will.
Celeste!
She's already gone.
[sighing] Aw, sweetheart,
don't worry.
She's perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
Plus, she's on Stardust,
and he knows the way up and back.
She already flew the coop, huh?
Celeste, honey,
your grandmother needs your help back at the Inn, okay?
You go ahead.
I'm just going to talk with your dad for a second...
...about his job.
Calvin told me everything.
Did he?
Calvin wasn't supposed to say anything to anyone.
About my son losing the only job he's ever had...
or wanted?
You can't blame him.
He was just thinking of you
getting the support you need at home.
And how am I going to tell Celeste?
How am I going to tell my friends?
How was I going to tell you?
The truth always works.
You didn't do anything wrong, son.
He also told me that you've known about this
since before the star-lady even got here.
The star-lady. Her name is Madeline.
I know her name.
I also know that you can't think about your job or anything else
when you're around her.
It's impossible not to see.
She's special, okay?
And you sent her alone up a mountain
because she wants to name some meteors after herself?
That's not you.
Why'd you really do it?
To sabotage myself, okay?
You happy?
If you are.
Maybe I see a relationship with this woman.
But I don't have a job.
What can I offer her?
She's like a genius.
How long before she gets tired of me?
Give her some credit.
She knows a good thing when she...
she knew a good thing when she saw it.
Stop thinking so much,
and for sure stop doing her thinking for her.
It'll be okay.
Will it?
Because I just sent her up a mountain alone.
There's another horse right there.
Thanks, but, um...
I blew it.
Besides, going back up there
is like returning to a scene of the crime.
She's going to be fine.
I'm going to be fine.
Okay.
Gonna start getting dark soon.
Ryan.
Too bad about no meteor shower.
It could have been good for the town.
Well, it still could happen, according to her math.
The City Council took a vote,
and we're going to keep the lights on tonight.
Last night of the festival with no lights? No.
Yeah.
I guess I was just hoping for something special.
Well, I guess we were all taken in.
Well, no one was taken in.
It's real. It's based on real science,
and look what she did for the town,
the people that came because of it.
Who'll remember us for not keeping a promise
for something special?
Well, a 78% promise isn't a promise.
It's a chance.
A good chance.
And I don't know, Mayor June...
I was kind of hoping for some Christmas magic this year.
Me too.
I'll see you later.
Hello, if I could just have everyone's attention, please?
First, I just wanted to say thank you
for coming out to Summit View's
Annual Christmas Fair this year.
[cheering]
I know we've had some disappointment
with meteor showers,
and...
Hey! When are you turning out the lights?
Well, it's the last night of the Fair,
so we wanted to make sure the lights stayed on
so you could enjoy
all the hours until closing at the Fair.
Maybe I can help you.
Madeline?
Dad, she's here.
Hi, everyone.
For those who don't know me, I'm Madeline Baggett,
astronomer with the New York observatory,
and the person who's had you sitting in the dark all week.
I was sure the meteor shower
would happen the past few nights,
but I've been wrong so far...
but right or wrong,
that's not what's really important.
It'll be 8:00 in a couple of minutes.
Should I be on top of a mountain
waiting for some meteors?
Yeah, I should...
...but I couldn't.
I've packed my telescope into my car...
Oh, yeah. Is Jimmy here?
Hey! Thanks for fixing my tire.
[laughter]
[sighing]
I came here tonight to apologize...
and to say thank you...
To Summit View.
To you, Mayor June, and the Council.
You turned out the lights on your Christmas Fair
every night for me.
I know what a sacrifice that was.
To all of you,
the people who came out every night, from what I hear,
to see my dream come true.
And to this marvelous and humble man,
who reminded me
there are more important things than meteor showers,
and that Christmas is the very definition
of putting others ahead of yourself.
Thank you, Ryan,
for putting up with me...
...for your family,
and for the lesson in humility, and...
for just being who you are.
Jobs are just jobs.
People are forever.
It's 8:00.
The perfect time to go.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
Celeste! What are you doing?
Turn off the lights!
You heard them.
Turn off the lights!
[cheering]
[laughing]
[cheering]
I owe you an...
Nothing.
I owe you.
Look!
You were right.
Wow.
It's wonderful.
Pops? Get yourself and anyone there outside.
It is on!
Pretty amazing closing night, huh?
[laughing]
It's so beautiful.
It's much more than I expected.
Your telescope?
All your equipment?
Already in the car.
But this is perfect.
Honestly, you think this would have been better
alone on a mountaintop?
No.
I don't want it to be over.
Me either, but that's not the way it works.
Madeline, what's that?
Gigi, can I see those, please?
Yes, yes.
Thank you.
I don't know what that is.
You think it's the Christmas Star?
You know, given the circumstances,
I wouldn't be surprised.
Or it was your mom.
She's the brightest star up there, right?
I can't believe it's the last night of the Fair.
I can't believe it's almost Christmas Eve.
I can't believe the snow held off
until after the meteor shower.
Best Fair ever.
Yes, it was. One to remember.
Madeline!
I'm sorry I ever doubted you.
Don't worry about it.
After the first few days, I would have, too.
Well, everyone's starting to put it onto the Internet,
so we're going to be famous.
Yes, you are.
I've decided to call it the Summit View Meteor Shower.
You sure?
I'm very sure.
Uh, excuse us.
I do hope she'll say something to that account
in the Town Square.
I'm sorry, Mayor,
but I don't think that's going to happen tonight.
Oh...
I don't know what to say.
Well, I can't believe you didn't get your recording.
Aren't you gonna get in trouble?
Probably...
but I made my decision.
I'm not about to second-guess it.
I've been second-guessing myself
for the last 24 hours.
I was...
I was a little hard on you.
As important as my job is to me,
it's not my whole life.
You reminded me of that.
You're really something.
But you're so much more than your job, too...
but it's still a job you deserve to have.
Thank you, Madeline.
I need to make a phone call.
One second.
Okay.
Hi, Chuck.
Wait, what?
It's trending online.
Wow.
Yes, I will be making a full report,
including the star sighting.
Uh, no, I can't do that.
I won't be available to speak about it
until after New Year's.
It's Christmas.
I'm spending it with the people most important to me.
Oh, one more thing.
I've decided on my recommendation
for the satellite observatory,
and it will involve working closely
with the County Parks system here.
Yeah, I've already found the perfect spot,
and it has a Ranger Station on site.
Yeah. I'll be meeting with the County Supervisors soon,
and I will send you more info ASAP.
Well, it's exactly what the endowment calls for,
so it should be a quick approval.
Great.
Merry Christmas to you.
Did you just save my job?
Uh, well, if doing my job means saving your job,
then, yeah, I guess that's a good thing.
How did you pull this off?
Christmas miracle?
You think so?
Well, if you exhaust all the scientific data,
then, yeah, it's definitely a possibility.
Okay, so in that case,
if you can't prove
there's no butterscotch in the Big Dipper,
then that's a possibility, too?
I think that might be your celestial journey to go on.
Okay.
You know what?
What?
I think I found my Christmas Star.
Where?
Right here.
[♪]