The Outer Threat

What is going on here?

This can't be right.

Safety.

Goddammit, Daniel.

Come on.

Boo!

Morning, Dad.

Very funny, sweetheart.

You're back early.

Telescope scared the birds.

Sorry.

Hey, Michelle, can you take a look at this?

Because this star was marked as a naked star,

but I think there might be exoplanets.

- Daniel, you know I'm done with this.

- No, I know that you're retired,

but this is really important.

- Not more important than our kids.

I think we need to rethink

this whole holistic homeschooling curriculum.

I can't do this without you.

- Traditional school isn't an option.

I think it is an option,

because that's what a school is for. Kids go to that.

- No, if our kids grow up learning the same way we did,

then there is no hope for future generations.

Was our generation that bad?

Ugh.

Michelle, please!

All I know...

- You're better at this than I am.

- ...is it wasn't good for our family

when you and I were down in that bunker,

our, our minds light years away.

I, I know but--

- You promised the kids that you wouldn't work on weekends.

We could spend more time with them.

Come on, kids, let's go!

Do you, uh, do you want us to get you an ice cream?

I'm good, thanks.

Okay.

Is it okay if you guys do the arcade without me?

I just gotta run a quick errand.

I'll give you 20 dollars each.

Really?

- Okay, just don't tell your mother.

What's the errand?

- I like the disguise, the fishing gear.

You fit right in.

- It's not a disguise, Daniel. I'm going fishing after this.

Oh. Salmon? Bass?

- So, uh, I appreciate you seeing me on the weekend.

I know you've got kids.

- Actually, it's really great timing that we're meeting today

because um...

- What was that? - What?

You looking over your shoulder

like you're checking for something.

Well, I'm trying to be safe.

I don't want anyone to hear this.

- You think anyone actually wants to listen to this?

- Well, I know this intel is classified.

Who told you that?

Well, I just assumed,

being off grid in the bunker, camouflaged.

- Uh, Cold War ended a long time ago.

Trust me, no one cares.

- Well, I think if you just take a look at what I have here,

you'll see that there's some anomalies.

- I asked for this meeting, so let me go first.

I'm retiring, Daniel.

And I get the distinct feeling that no one else at NORAD

wants or cares for your very detailed reports.

Hell, I barely look at them and I get paid to.

But--

But... I like you.

And I like Michelle, and I know you're patriots.

Also, I owe Michelle's father, Ming, a debt of gratitude.

A big one, actually.

So, on my way out of the agency,

I'm going to renew a 20-year contract for you.

You can email your reports to our server, so if anyone ever--

- Teddy, I am serious. I found something.

No, you didn't, Daniel.

Not this time, not the other times.

It's an error, or an omission.

Or maybe a subconscious game you play on yourself

to keep yourself interested.

But we both know that there's no discernible evidence

of life in space.

Even if there was something else out there,

you're never gonna find it with a 50-year-old telescope.

If you'd just take a look.

- With this contract... - Teddy--

- ...you can take care of your family.

You can live a good life, write a book, whatever.

Please--

- I am trying to help you, Daniel.

But if you open that file, I'm going to change my mind.

Now...

I'd like to go fishing.

I've enjoyed getting to know you over the years.

You're a smart man.

Now you have the freedom to do anything you want.

I hope you do something with it.

Just get the bill, please.

Come on, kids! Let's go!

Hello?

Hi, Ming.

Daniel... is that you?

- Can I trouble you for some help with my work?

- Don't you have colleagues you can call about this stuff?

- Nope. I only have you, Ming, unfortunately for us both.

Okay. What's on your mind?

I think I found something.

What's that?

- I don't know. I need a second opinion.

- You share a roof with an astrophysicist.

What does she say?

Well, she won't even look.

I miss her, Daniel.

Will she ever speak to me again?

Daniel?

Daniel?

I gotta go.

Please.

- Sorry. - Daniel--

Who was that?

It was your father.

- You know, you are a real piece of work.

- Most wives-- - I'm not your wife.

Well, darling, most partners--

I'm not your darling, either.

- What I'm trying to say is that I think you should look at it

as a good thing that I keep in touch with your father.

- I haven't spoken to my father in years,

and I'm supposed to be happy that you guys call each other

for pillow talk?

- I can't help it, he's a true genius,

one of only two that I know.

And since, y'know, you don't want to talk to me

about work anymore, I'm grateful he answers my phone calls.

- He answers because you are giving him hope.

False hope... that he's gonna be a part of this family.

You're right.

Sorry.

Thank you.

Come here.

Have a night cap with me.

Just one.

Okay.

- You think the kids know we're on a break?

- Please... can we just call it a fight?

Pretty smart, though.

They probably know something's going on.

Yeah, they are.

Smart, loving, and tough.

- Mm-hmm. - Hmm.

Thank you.

For being the star that keeps our family in orbit.

What?

Nothing. That was very sweet.

What is it?

- It's just, you don't think of anything else, do you?

I've always been this way.

You used to call it a passion, now you call it an obsession.

But whatever you call it,

I've had it the same way since we met.

I see you every day and I miss you so much.

How is that possible?

- I know what you mean, I miss you, too.

We miss you.

- I'm gonna be a better father. I promise.

I want you to admit something, though.

What?

- We had a lot of amazing times in that bunker.

- Oh yeah, that's easy. Of course we did.

Late nights, early mornings.

Do you remember when you found the black hole

in the 63 Messier galaxy?

Yeah, we just smoked a joint.

- And now on the list of largest black holes is 11-01C,

Holmgrun 15A, and Pac Man.

Pac Man.

- We spent more nights on that crappy couch

than we did our own bed.

I know you're up to something.

What? I didn't say anything.

- All right, I'll bite. What's in the papers?

- Oh, the papers? Oh, nah, you wouldn't be interested in that.

Oh, my God, forget I asked!

Okay, wait, wait, wait, wait.

You, you see that...

see the gravitational force here?

Yeah, I see. Wait.

- I think there may be an Exoplanet there.

Oh, my God.

Daniel, th-

Yeah?

- When's the next time the telescope is gonna have