-Hold on. We'll make it bigger. -Okay.
-Okay, there. -There?
-Like this? -Yes. Careful with the roots.
-We have to press it down like this. -Okay.
Will it be okay here?
It has water, light…
It has good soil, good substrate…
And fertilizer.
-Yeah. -It has everything.
I love this spot.
My parents used to bring me here when I was little.
You don't come anymore?
My parents died in a car accident when I was very young.
I'm sorry.
I think that's why I like coming here so much. It's like…
Okay, it's silly, right?
But I feel like they're close here.
It's dumb.
I don't think that's silly.
The Celts came to the depths of the forest to speak to those who were no longer here.
Hey, there's a…
There's a tavern nearby, super close.
It's an average place, but the food's incredible.
You in?
All the trees you see are eucalyptus…
In that solitary forest,
Elmer fell in love like a teenager
with the girl he was supposed to make disappear.
It always grows on the north side. That way, you can get your bearings.
My son had never felt what love was like.
The first moment alone.
The secret glances.
The distracted brush of a hand.
It must have blown his mind.
The bad thing about those moments is that they're very fragile.
The moment a foul wind blows,
it spoils them.
Right?
-Am I boring you? Because-- -No.
I was thinking I would've liked to have a teacher like you.
I bet you were a cute kid.
What's up, Violeta? What are you eating?
Potatoes. Delicious.
Sorry. I haven't eaten.
Damn! Haven't seen you in a while.
Hi, Mon. Nice to see you.
Honestly, it really bugs me to know you're still here.
Who's this? Your new boyfriend?
Hey, you know you're in danger, right? She's a killer.
-Don't you get tired of being a jerk? -Watch it or she'll hit us.
What? Didn't you tell him? No clue, huh? Careful with this one.
When she's done fucking with you, she'll throw you off a bridge.
-You want to fucking let it go? -Let what go?
Xoan killed himself!
Yeah? He killed himself? You know you're a terrible liar?
Enough.
Leave her alone. Go.
Good luck, bro.
You'll need it.
Look, that guy's a drunk. Don't listen to him. It's all lies.
Yeah, I know.
-Are you okay? -No.
You wanna go somewhere else?
I'm sorry, but I'm not in the mood. I'm gonna go.
See you around, okay?
What happened that day is that love brought rage along with it.
Rage is a much harder emotion to handle than love.
And Elmer didn't have the tools to control it.
All he knew was that man had hurt the girl that he was falling in love with.
And he wanted to make him feel that pain.
The hell are you doing here?
Are you here to beat me up?
You should be thanking me for getting rid of that bitch, damn it.
Help.
Being driven by such a primal instinct blinded him.
And he made a tiny mistake.
When he never left anything to chance.
As he drove home,
a storm raged inside his head.
He'd spent just one day with that girl,
and he was already starting to pay the price for being in love.
THE GARDENER
Hey! Elmer!
Where were you?
You already know.
The girl. All set?
Uh, no. Not the girl.
Oh, Elmer.
Why?
I was following her in the forest, but there were people, and I…
Well, it didn't seem safe.
So why'd you get back so late?
What happened there?
Oh, no. I just ran into some branches in the forest by accident.
Sure.
Well, come on. You can fill me in over dinner.
Okay. I'll be in the greenhouse. I have to do something.
-Don't wait for me. -Sure, no problem.
Who is he?
-His name is Mon. -Elmer!
What…?
Elmer!
This isn't you. It's not like you get up in the morning and come back…
What…?
-Elmer! -He was an asshole.
He got up and started yelling and said vile things.
-What? -He got violent, and it made me angry.
Yeah, I don't know. It made me really angry.
What do you mean it made you angry?
Elmer, you can't feel anything.
I think I can.
The other day, when we were watching the movie,
I had to go up to my room because…
I don't know. I felt like crying.
But I never cry.
I don't know what's going on.
Say something.
I don't know what to say, Elmer.
Why didn't you tell me?
Because I don't want to scare you.
You don't scare me.
Son, you never scare me.
Thank you, Mom.
Thank you for protecting him.
For watching over him.
For giving him back such a great, immense gift.
Guide him, please.
Guide him. Protect him. Give him clarity.
Help him understand so he doesn't stray from the agreed-upon path.
So he doesn't stray from the path we've set for ourselves.
Please.
Are you reading the diving unit's report?
What do you think?
That the sea won't return the swimmer to us.
Maybe it doesn't have him.
-What? -I'm going for a coffee.
-Wait, I'll go with you. -I'm getting it from the machine.
Here.
It was a gift.
Yeah, but you like it more.
Detective Luis Torres, Missing Persons.
Wait.
The parents aren't missing clothing or personal effects.
No signs of violence either.
It was on the seat. It's dead.
-How did you get into the car? -It was unlocked.
Do you know where he was Saturday evening?
He met up with friends to go to a tavern.
Shit. I'd say he made a night of it.
That tavern wine is deadly--
The neighbors didn't hear or see him come in.
He ran out.
I saw a bar on my way here. Maybe he went there for tobacco.
How about that coffee?
I don't feel like it anymore.
It's one of those modern joints you like.
They make a heart in your latte foam.
Can you stop acting like that?
Like what?
Like that. Like nothing happened between us.
-But nothing happened. -Right.
That's the problem. It did happen. Remember you rejected me.
You knew I was married.
I thought things weren't going well with your wife.
We've been together 37 years. Things aren't good or bad. They just are.
Great. I see you're able to get by in a neutral state.
I ask you to do the same with me.
I don't understand.
We're not gonna get coffee together. No more little gifts.
I don't wanna hear about your private life. You got that?
Yes, got it.
But if it'll cause problems, I can ask for a transfer.
No. There's no need.
Perfect.
I'm going to the station to file the report.
Okay, Galician Garden Prize 2022.
-Where does it say that? -He doesn't have many likes.
Isn't that much green a bit lame?
-Okay. That's enough. -Let's see if I understand.
You happened upon this guy in a solitary forest by chance.
It's weird.
That's no joke. He could be a stalker.
-I'd be the stalker. He was there first. -I don't know, girl.
You're like a magnet for intense, weird, toxic people, who--
Dude, a bit harsh.
Sorry. It came out worse than I meant. Sorry.
Elmer's not like that.
What? Are you catching feelings for the gardener or what?
Well, I kissed him.
-Seriously? -Yes.
Elmer.
Can we talk about last night?
I understand, Elmer, that this emotion thing is new to you.
That you have to learn. You have to understand it, but…
But, kiddo, you can't get carried away by things like that.
-You have to learn to control yourself. -It won't happen again.
First, because it's unfair to those people.
And second, Elmer,
because when you get carried away by your impulses, mistakes are made.
-And that alerts the police. -It all turned out fine.
I didn't make mistakes.
-I swear. -Look, where did you find that man?
-Where did you meet him? -At a tavern.
What were you doing in a tavern?
Were you with that girl?
We met in the forest because I went to fulfill my mission.
-And the situation got complicated-- -Yeah, complicated how?
Look, that guy showed up all of a sudden, no warning.
And he said terrible things to her. He got aggressive.
Elmer, no.
No. Get it through your head, no.
Just because I spoke harshly to that girl
doesn’t mean you can do something like that.
What are you thinking?
Can't she defend herself?
The macho man needs to defend the damsel.
Is she helpless, or what? Elmer, please.
If you keep delaying this job,
it'll end up being hell for us, son, please.
I can't take this anymore.
Hey, Elmer, I'm talking to you.
Elmer!
Heart rate is 110, blood pressure 120/80, and he's at 97.
-I'm sorry. You can't come in. -This is my son!
Wait here, please. We'll give you an update as soon as possible.
20 YEARS EARLIER
Oh, Paulino.
Excuse me.
Wow.
Oh, very nice.
China.
China, don't make a scene, I'm warning you.
I'm not making anything.
China.
China, I'm talking to you.
-You hear me? -Let me go. You're fired.
Oh, yeah? About time, woman.
-You disgust me! -You disgust me. Out of my sight.
-Disgusting! -Out of my sight!
You go.
-Out of my sight. -Don't touch me.
I said don't touch me!
Let me go!
Worthless freeloader!
Get lost!
Elmer.
-Elmer. -I'm tired.
No, sweetie, let's go.
Fucking Tony.
Fucking piece of shit.
Nancy.
Nancy, it's me.
I need you to take Elmer and me in, please.
Tonight. I had a bad fight with Tony.
Call me, please.
Where are we going, Mom?
You're not buckled in, Elmer. Buckle up.
What do you mean no? Buckle up, please. Can't you see what's it like out here?
-No! -Elmer! Damn it, buckle up!
-Yes! -No!
Elmer.
Son!
Please, wake up. Please.
-Hi, kids! How is everyone? -Good!
-You want to play? -Yes!
-You want treats? -Yes!
When I ask "Who wants treats?",
whoever raises their hand the fastest and shouts, "Me!", gets a treat.
-Who wants treats? -Me!
-Who wants gifts? -Me!
-Who wants candy? -Me!
Now, then… Okay.
The MRI has detected a benign tumor located in the frontal lobe of the brain.
This is undoubtedly the source of the dizziness, nausea, and headaches.
I have felt a bit off lately.
That's normal.
In some cases, these kinds of tumors can cause changes in demeanor,
in behavior…
So what now, Doctor?
Elmer should be treated to shrink the tumor,
and then we'll remove it.
-Okay. -But it's benign.
-Why do I need an operation? -Sweetie…
If it grows, the tumor could encroach on the brain structures
and cause anything from mobility loss to blindness
to edema, which could lead to death.
No.
It's okay.
Life can be like that.
Things happen for a purpose, Elmer.
Now we have to think about your treatment, the operation.
And how everything will be okay. You have to know it'll be okay.
You said I was a miracle.
And you are a miracle. Elmer…
You are a miracle, son.
These are opportunities for you to get stronger.
But I don't want to go back to how I was before.
Well, I get that.
But look on the bright side, son. If you don't feel, you don't suffer.
Elmer.
-Elmer, you're… -Special.
I'm special. You've told me that a lot.
Because you are special. You're not like everyone else.
Before.
You mean before.
I wasn't like everyone else because now I am.
I can't erase what I felt, Mom.
Hold on. What do you mean by that?
What…?
Violeta.
I want you to cancel the job. I don't want anything to happen to her.
Promise me.
Very well, then. I'll cancel the job.
On one condition.
I'll cancel it if you stop seeing that girl
and go ahead with your treatment and surgery.
Your call.
Good.
Violeta Álvarez?
Yes?
What is it?
Detectives Carrera and Torres, National Police.
Can we talk?
He was drunk and very unpleasant. That's all.
What's your issue with him?
I'm guessing his friends told you or you wouldn't be here.
Yes, but I'd like you to tell us.
He considers me responsible for the death of Xoan Costeira.
Why?
Xoan and I were together.
It was a complicated relationship.
Xoan was a very difficult person.
And, when we finally broke up,
he threatened to kill himself if I didn't get back together with him.
And that night, well, he did it.
In the report, Mon says you pushed him.
I didn't even see him that night.
Did Mon bother you regularly or frequently?
No, I…
I don't think I'd seen him since Xoan's funeral.
What happened after your encounter at the tavern?
I wanted to get out of there, and we left.
-You were with a friend, right? -Yes.
Can you tell us his name?
Elmer.
Elmer?
Elmer Jurado.
-Mrs. Jurado. -Excuse me, Mrs. Costeira…
For showing up like this, unannounced.
Has something happened?
Some questions have come up regarding your problem.
Come with me.
Days after Xoan's burial,
all these boxes arrived.
They're the pieces of a ship that Xoan was restoring.
Do you think someone who, just a week earlier,
had bought all these pieces
would commit suicide?
I understand, Mrs. Costeira.
It's just that the girl's case is growing rather complicated.
Is it a question of money?
It's…
No.
I told you I can be very generous.
I'll double my offer.
Will that be enough?
Hi.
They told me you were here in your landscapes.
Wow. They're incredible.
You like them?
I love them.
It's like out of a fairy tale.
The colors are incredible.
-That's because of the fertilizer. -Yeah.
I wanted to say I'm sorry about the other day. I was a bit blunt.
Oh. No, it's fine. I get that you wanted to go home.
But even so, I had a great time with you.
Right now I'm working on a thuja landscape.
And what you see to the left are camellias, sage…
Though they need time to--
My rowing club is hosting a party at the harbor.
And… I don't know. Maybe you'd like to go with me?
I can't. I have work.
It's at night.
I think it's best if we leave it here.
I'm sorry.
Okay.
Mon disappeared, and the police are looking for him.
They paid me a visit, and…
I gave them your name, so I don't know… They might get in touch with you.
Just so you know.
Bye, Elmer.
He was very unpleasant, and he got violent.
Did what Mon say to Violeta bother you?
I don't know what he was talking about.
I don't know Violeta well. I've only seen her a few times.
We ran into each other that morning by chance.
You defended her?
I got the impression Violeta was capable of defending herself.
What happened next?
We said bye at the door, and I went home.
When I got home, I watched a movie.
What movie?
The Notebook.
Honestly, poor thing, because I'm the one who chooses these movies,
and he has to put up with it.
What time did your son get home, Mrs. Jurado?
Well, Officer, I normally make my evening coffee around 5:30 p.m.
So around then.
I think that's enough then. Thank you very much for coming.
Thank you.
If they suspected something, we wouldn't be here, Elmer. No.
-No, I'm not worried. -Oh, good then.
Though I must say it's a good thing I stepped in, huh?
You sat there, stunned.
-Did you really watch The Notebook? -Of course.
Look, remember this, Elmer.
For every little lie, no matter how small,
you have to inject a bit of truth.
Anyway, what they're looking for is to pin something on that girl.
-Violeta didn't do anything to her ex. -Well, it's not your business.
You have more important things to think about.
Like your treatment.
I left your pills in your room, okay?
Look how pretty.
Do you think Mon might've made a bad decision like his friend?
He left his car at home and threw himself off a bridge.
But he was obsessed with his suicide.
Yeah, but it's been three days. The body would've turned up.
-There are other possibilities. -What? Like sharks in the rivers?
I'll submit an order to trawl the riverbed.
It won't do any good.
I'm surprised that with your experience, you can't see something's off about this.
-Maybe I'm getting old. -It's more like you're missing.
Which is fucking ironic.
It's getting late. I'll request the order on my way home.
-See you tomorrow. -See you tomorrow.
Where are you going?
To a party.
With Violeta.
We had a deal, Elmer.
I know.
-But I can't honor it. -Why not?
Because I want to feel things. I don't want my life from before.
What does that mean?
-I'm not going through with the treatment. -What are you talking about?
You think a tumor will go away thanks to love or lust?
Really?
I'm sorry, Mom, but this is what I want.
Elmer.
Oh, I feel like I'm gonna collapse.
I don't understand.
I don't know how you did it when I left, but I wanted to embrace life.
I wanted to live.
And he doesn't. I don't understand why he doesn't.
Please, give me the words. Show me the way…
to make him understand. I'm begging you, please.
-You had a good time? -A great one.
And help me make her disappear, please.
Make her disappear.
Make her disappear, Mom.
Make her disappear.
Subtitle translation by: Darina O'Hagan