- 2 days ago
Catch up on everything that happened in THE MADISON Season 1 before the next chapter begins.
Starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell, this emotional Paramount+ drama follows the Clyburn family as they leave behind their New York City life and navigate grief, healing, and transformation in Montana's breathtaking Madison River Valley. After a devastating tragedy changes everything, the family embarks on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and human connection. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
This Season 1 recap revisits the biggest moments, key character developments, emotional turning points, and unforgettable scenes that shaped the story. Whether you're preparing for a new season or looking to refresh your memory, this recap has everything you need.
Stream THE MADISON exclusively on Paramount+.
Stay tuned for more recaps, trailers, and TV series updates.
Starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell, this emotional Paramount+ drama follows the Clyburn family as they leave behind their New York City life and navigate grief, healing, and transformation in Montana's breathtaking Madison River Valley. After a devastating tragedy changes everything, the family embarks on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and human connection. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
This Season 1 recap revisits the biggest moments, key character developments, emotional turning points, and unforgettable scenes that shaped the story. Whether you're preparing for a new season or looking to refresh your memory, this recap has everything you need.
Stream THE MADISON exclusively on Paramount+.
Stay tuned for more recaps, trailers, and TV series updates.
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Short filmTranscript
00:03it's so bright there what time is it seven full moon wow look at those stars
00:14my view is better well until your brother gets indoor plumbing i'll have to take your word for
00:19it oh there's plumbing of sorts i've got a sink a shower now well until the outhouse moves indoors
00:28then i'll have to rely on pictures you feel rested what time do you land tomorrow okay
00:35gonna have to push it back a day honey because paul has something very very special planned for
00:41tomorrow it's a stretch of river that can only be reached by pack horse takes like a week
00:46paul has permission to fly us into it honey this is like well it's virgin water oh now there's
00:54virgins involved nobody fishes this stretch honey nobody maybe a dozen people a year if that
01:04no no no
01:09it's a monster we should go
01:31what do you think what's this telling you here i'm just gonna pick my way through it
01:35it's gonna be a little bumpy over the mountains yeah
02:02jesus yep
02:11jesus
02:12what's the fuck
02:12boy
02:19jesus
02:20hmm
02:23do we know anyone in idaho well the greenbergs have a house in sand valley
02:28yeah presson didn't call me last night i'm just gonna um
02:34hello is this mrs cliburn it is who's this i'm officer shepherd with the u.s department of forestry
02:47yes is your husband preston cliber
02:54uh-huh ma'am your husband was involved in a plane crash on a mountain called bora peak
03:03can i is
03:06can i speak to him is he all right no ma'am
03:12i'm sorry to say both he and paul cliburn did not survive the crash
03:16uh-huh stacy
03:23what are you reading it's half diary half
03:29how-to guide
03:32then there's this
03:36about me
03:39there's a um spot
03:42up river
03:46and he calls it stacy's valley the elk don't graze there for some reason so the
03:52grass grows tall and it's yellow and it reminds him of my hair
03:58and i'm gonna bury him there
04:01and then i'm gonna take this book and i'm gonna visit every place he wrote about
04:11and you can tell me i'm crazy you can say i need to move on i have a whole life
04:16ahead of me and all
04:17that i am 65 years old i don't have a whole life ahead of me i have a very small
04:24window
04:25to be reckless to make decisions that feed this and never factor this into the equation and that's
04:33what i'm gonna do i'm gonna do what he begged me to do for 30 years
04:39i'm gonna finally see this place
04:46want some company
04:52i'd love some
04:56well then i'll see you in the morning okay
05:00i want to bury him
05:05here this was paul's home and
05:09in preston's heart i think it was his home too
05:13mom if you do that you can't visit him hey don't you want to visit him i will visit him
05:19and what if the new owners don't let you and why would there be new owners because
05:25because you can't keep this place i mean how are you going to take care of it take care of
05:28what
05:28it's three cabins only one of them has water what's to take care of the the land the land takes
05:35care
05:35of itself okay well mom who's going to take care of you while you're out here i mean page couldn't
05:39even go to the bathroom without needing a trip to the er i am not page fair enough do you
05:45think this
05:45is any more dangerous than walking to the pharmacy down first avenue yeah i i do actually yeah well
05:50i don't see it that way mom i don't know how you move on i have no intention of moving
05:56on ever
05:57i will never love again i won't even try holding on to him is the closest i will get
06:03and that is what i plan to do
06:07mom the girls are sleeping
06:21mom the girls are sleeping
06:22sorry girls
06:26mom
06:28mom
06:30mom
06:31mom
06:31mom
06:32mom
06:49mom
06:49mom
06:49what
06:53he built them for us
06:56that one is for you and your sister and that one was for me you don't know that no i
07:02read it
07:03I read his... his... his thought as it came to him.
07:09I'm so blind.
07:11So if I bury him here, I must protect him and this place.
07:16In order to do that, I will sell the townhouse in Manhattan,
07:18establish a trust with the funds that exists solely to preserve this place,
07:22so that nobody, that includes all of you, can lose it or ever sell it.
07:28Why sell your home?
07:29Because I can't afford to take care of all of you and this place any other way.
07:33We can take care of ourselves.
07:35Well, this is the way I've decided.
07:38This is my home now.
07:41I die here too.
07:43And when I do, you put me right next to him.
07:51You would like him laid to rest on the family ranch.
07:55Is that possible?
07:57Well, you'd need to go to the courthouse and register a portion of your land as a cemetery.
08:02Must be notated that way by both the county and the state.
08:05Why is that?
08:06Well, the state must certify each burial to prevent one from simply burying somebody somewhere in the woods.
08:13You can see how that might cause a few issues.
08:16Yeah.
08:18I can see that.
08:19But, um, this cemetery can be private just for my family.
08:25Absolutely.
08:27Is it best to use an attorney?
08:29Depends.
08:29You got the deed and a survey showing the proposed site?
08:34It sounds like this is a job for an attorney.
08:37I can recommend one if you like.
08:45Mrs. Clyburn, I knew your husband and I knew his brother very well.
08:51Well enough to know that his great wish would be to spend eternity on that place.
08:57I can guess the same of Preston.
09:00But I feel obligated to point something out to you.
09:03If you sell that land or your children sell it, the new owners have no obligation to allow you to
09:12visit him.
09:14And they can decide to remove the cemetery altogether.
09:17Have your loved ones exhumed and move their bodies to a new location or have them cremate.
09:24It may give you peace in your lifetime.
09:28But beyond that, the vessels of your beloved and maybe even you are at the mercy of strangers
09:35who do not know of your husband's love for that place and frankly don't care.
09:44You didn't ask me for advice, but I would advise you to think very carefully
09:51because this is not a decision that can be undone.
09:56Man's goal in society is to be remembered.
09:58In nature, it is to be forgotten, unnoticed.
10:03Leave as little proof I was here as I possibly can.
10:08That will be my gift to this place.
10:13Who wrote that?
10:15Preston.
10:21There's a man in here I barely knew, Lily.
10:27And he begged me to know him.
10:35I remember one Thanksgiving, I was back from college, I was laid up on the sofa with a hangover.
10:45And my father walked in and he asked me if I wanted to go for a walk.
10:51And I said, no.
10:54And I never thought of it again until 30 years later and all of his children are racing to Boston
11:01trying to beat death to his bed and say goodbye.
11:05And I asked him if he remembered inviting me to go on that walk.
11:09And he nodded and he smiled.
11:12And I asked him, do you remember what you wanted to talk about?
11:15And he shook his head and he said, I didn't want to talk.
11:20I just want to listen.
11:23This is not cheering me up.
11:25My point is, he told you everything that he wanted you to know while he was here.
11:31If he had wanted you to know what was in that book while he was alive, he would have told
11:36you.
11:38He's telling you now.
11:40Because now is when he wants you to know it.
11:46So, most planes this size do not have a flight data recorder.
11:51But because he flew for the Forest Service, one was installed.
11:55This information helps us understand better what happened.
11:59I am happy to explain what took place if you don't wish to listen.
12:02Play it.
12:10Jesus!
12:11Big Sky Approach, this is Cessna 185 Bravo Zulu.
12:15I need a swap.
12:16Copy that to your Bravo speed and altitude.
12:18130 knots at 8200.
12:20Maintain south-west heading, climb to 11,000.
12:23Copy that, 11,000, thank you tower.
12:25We'll get up over this.
12:27Jesus!
12:28Fuck!
12:28Hold on!
12:29Right!
12:31Stay safe!
12:34Oh my god.
12:37Okay.
12:52Well honey, I stand corrected.
12:55Your OCD did have a purpose.
13:06Now, did you tell me how to tie this on?
13:17Of course you did.
13:24Fish, right there.
13:31Oh!
13:33That's not how you do it.
13:35I'm aware.
13:38The book says, swing the rod between ten and two.
13:42What's ten and two?
13:44Uh, it refers to a time when watches had hands.
13:48Watches had hands?
13:50Okay, ten and two.
13:54Ten.
13:56Two.
13:58I think this is right.
14:03Okay, what does it say now?
14:05Point your hand where you want the fly to hit the water.
14:14Oh!
14:16You caught one!
14:17What do I do?
14:17What do I do?
14:18Uh...
14:19You're supposed to pull the line with your hand.
14:21Why?
14:21I don't know.
14:22That's what it says.
14:23I have a better idea.
14:32Get it!
14:33Get it!
14:34Get it!
14:35Oh, that might be a bit excessive.
14:37I got it!
14:38Get it!
14:38Oh!
14:39We got it!
14:40We got it!
14:41We got it!
14:48Lord, we stand before you with heavy hearts.
14:51With the glory of love comes the pain of loss, and we look to you for comfort.
14:58Remind us that it is a selfish pain because you have promised a place called heaven where our departed bask
15:06in the glow of your grace.
15:08They are no longer men.
15:10They are angels who guide us through darkness, lift us when we are weak, and nourish our souls and spirits.
15:20Our pain is a selfish pain because we do not know this place, heaven.
15:25We lean on our faith that it exists, and on your mercy that it holds a place for us where
15:34we may sit in your light beside our loved ones.
15:37And know only joy forever.
15:43I'll be in.
15:46Uh, if anyone would like a word.
15:50Stacy.
15:51It's not the first time you've given that speech.
15:54No, ma'am.
15:56It's a good one.
15:59You care to say something?
16:03I have plenty to say, but I won't be saying it today.
16:15I guess that's it then.
16:19Um.
16:22So, what happens now?
16:25We'll take care of everything.
16:30Wait, that's it?
16:32That's it?
16:32That's it?
16:33That's it?
16:33If he has anything to say, then say it, Paige.
16:34I don't know what to say.
16:37What are you supposed to say?
16:38I think that's her point.
16:41Okay.
16:44Which one's Paul?
16:47What are you supposed to say?
16:55Goddamn you for taking it from us.
17:11I love you.
17:16I'm thinking about it.
17:17I'm considering it.
17:20I know, I know, I know.
17:22I'm running away, running away from my problems.
17:25This problem goes with me,
17:26so I'm not running from anything.
17:31Would I miss my daughters?
17:34Honestly, I don't...
17:36I don't know.
17:37And part of me thinks it would be better for them,
17:40you know, live their own lives.
17:43Maybe they could move with you.
17:45I mean, it doesn't sound like either of them
17:46are bound to the city.
17:48That's what I said.
17:49My oldest daughter needs it.
17:51I actually threatened to cut her off if she didn't.
17:56That's not very nice.
17:58Oh, what do they teach?
18:01Sarcasm in therapy school these days?
18:04Well, if by therapy school you mean Dartmouth,
18:07then yeah, they kind of invented it there.
18:14Do you think I should?
18:18Not my place to say, but...
18:23I think you should consider it,
18:25and I'll tell you why.
18:27Because you are actively weighing your future,
18:30and the consequences are your choices in that future,
18:32and that's healthy.
18:33That's good for your soul.
18:34So whether you actually do it is irrelevant.
18:37But you should seriously consider it.
18:40You should consider moving to Europe.
18:44Spend a year traveling.
18:45You've got the financial means.
18:47No responsibilities here preventing it.
18:49You should consider everything.
18:54Wish I could have met him.
18:56Must have been a hell of a man.
18:58Because you are a hell of a woman.
19:00You know who you are, and you're not ashamed of it.
19:02And this, yelling and crying and pondering,
19:07this is what you're supposed to be doing.
19:09This is grieving.
19:10This is accepting an immeasurable loss in your life
19:13and racking your brain to try to find a way to survive it.
19:18And you will.
19:23Thank you, Phil.
19:25Memorial services this evening.
19:28How do you feel about that?
19:29A bunch of coworkers will stand in my living room
19:33and try to convince me how close they were with him
19:36and how much they're going to miss him,
19:38and I won't have a fucking clue
19:40who any of those people are.
19:42And then they'll say,
19:43oh, if you need anything, just call.
19:44Not that I have their number.
19:47And they won't offer it.
19:49Yeah, but how do you feel about it?
19:54How do you think I feel?
19:56I don't know.
19:57That's why I asked.
19:59Oh, big brain doctor from Harvard doesn't know something.
20:03You need to tell me.
20:06You need it.
20:06No.
20:08You need it.
20:12Fuck you.
20:13How do you feel, Stacy?
20:15Fuck you!
20:16You said that already.
20:18Okay, well, I'll say it again.
20:20Fuck you!
20:21How does it make you feel, Stacy?
20:23I'm terrified.
20:27It's almost over, and everyone is saying goodbye,
20:31and then on with their lives, everyone but me.
20:35And I can never say goodbye because he's stuck in there.
20:44And we used to joke about wheelchair races in the nursing home.
20:59But I just thought when it was our time, we would curl up beside each other and close our eyes,
21:10and that would be it.
21:15Don't want to go out there.
21:17I do not.
21:21Well, good news is you're a grown woman.
21:23Yeah, I'm aware of that.
21:27What I am trying to calculate
21:33is the consequences.
21:37Is there anyone in that room whose comfort you need?
21:41No.
21:43Is there anyone in that room who needs comfort from you?
21:48My children.
21:53That's not why they're here.
21:55They're here to support you.
21:58You are a compassionate and intelligent person
22:01who has known the answer to every question you've asked me.
22:06We talked about this earlier, Stacy.
22:09The permission is not mine to give.
22:11It's yours.
22:13If you want permission to stay in here,
22:17it's your home.
22:19Give it.
22:21If you want permission to leave your home until this is over,
22:26give it.
22:30I don't want to be here.
22:32We can handle the party, Mom.
22:37Well, right again.
22:38It's not about me being right.
22:41It's about you trusting yourself when you're right.
22:44I walked from 101st to 60th,
22:47took a cab downtown, checked hotel.
22:49What the fuck?
22:51You think something happened?
22:58Yes.
23:00I need to file a missing persons report.
23:06My mother.
23:09Stacy and Clyde.
23:29Oh, hey.
23:32Hey.
23:35Leaves changed.
23:38Yes, ma'am.
23:39They'll fall soon, next cold snap.
23:44I, uh, interrupt something?
23:50No.
23:52I came up early this morning.
23:55I wanted to see the sunrise,
23:56and I got a lions, tigers, and bears worry
23:59walking around here alone, so...
24:02We ain't got no tigers out here.
24:04The other two worth worrying about,
24:05but you, uh...
24:07You ought to let me teach you how to use that thing.
24:09Won't do you any good if you miss.
24:11I'll take you up on that.
24:16You okay?
24:17Yeah.
24:19I missed this.
24:27You okay?
24:35You okay?
24:42You okay?
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