It Was Never About the Corn

***It Was Never About the Corn*** is the fourth episode in the first season of the T.V. adaptation of *Paper Girls*. It was released on July 29, 2022.

## Synopsis

Larry may have a way for the girls get home to 1988…but it’s going to require a lot of adult Erin…and Mac may not want to go home to her old life after spending time with Dylan.

## Episode Summary

In a flashback, Erin and her sister Missy play a fortune telling game at home.

In 2019, Missy sits at a desk with a man and says “sorry about this”. He leaves and Missy screams in frustration.

Larry explains what the robot monster is - a battleship and a time machine. He tells Erin he needs her to drive it to which she emphatically says “hell no”. Larry explains that it’s paired to her. He tells them they have to go to 1999 to finish the war.

Erin decides that she’s taking the girls home to 1988 and Larry confesses that it might work. Larry tells her “Welcome to the Underground” and says they have 6 hours. KJ is determined to find Mac before they leave.

Mac and Dylan shoot off fireworks and play together. Dylan admits he was a dick back in the day. Dylan apologizes for her rough upbringing and for bullying her back in the day. Dylan explained that Alice never left Mac’s side when she was diagnosed, which is why he named his daughter Alice too.

Larry helps Erin calibrate the time machine system so she can control it. She jokes around with him but he tells her this is serious and that if they don’t pull off this mission they could all die.

Missy calls Erin and Erin apologizes for not showing up to sell their mother’s house. Missy demands to know where Erin is and Erin gives her Larry’s address. Preteen Erin is excited that Missy and adult Erin have a chance to reconcile. Adult Erin explains that Missy wasn’t there for her and their mom when her mom got sick.

Prioress talks to Donna about what happened with Mac. Donna egrees to give her Dylan’s name so she can do a quick follow up, “colleague to colleague”.

Tiff tells Larry she found their optimal entry point for going back to 1988. He explains what Ablution is and how the Old Watch erases everyone’s memories to fix things back.

Dylan explains to Mac his plan to adopt her eventually and get her enrolled in school. He introduces her to his kids, Wlider and Alice Jr..

KJ shows Erin that she found a way to Dylan Coyle’s house to track down Mac. They ride off on a motorcycle to find her.

Missy comes to Larry’s house and Erin pretends she’s dating Larry and that’s the reason she’s at his house. Larry goes outside and Missy asks Erin if she’s still taking her meds. Erin accuses Missy of just wanting the money from their mother’s house. Missy tells Erin she robbed her of final years spending time with their mother.

Larry finds Tiff in the time machine. He shows her his journal which shows when foldings in time happen, which allow them to time travel.

KJ looks into Dylan’s house for Mac but just finds Dylan’s wife, Jennifer. She invites KJ inside for a glass of water and a snack while she waits for “Jo” (Mac) to come back.

Prioress knocks on the Coyle’s door, pretending to be a new neighbor. KJ sees Prioress and drives off in her motorcycle. Prioress asks Jennifer where she’s going.

At the diner, Mac confronts Dylan about changing and being different than he used to. She conflicts with Wilder, Dylan’s kid. KJ catches Mac’s eye at the diner and waves her over. She explains that they have to go back to 1988 tonight and that the crazy murderer lady (Prioress) is after them. Mac agrees to leave with KJ but Prioress sees them drive off on her motorcycle.

At Larry’s farm, they see the folding happen in the sky. KJ and Mac just make it back in time. Prioress races to Larry’s farm but she hits the spikes that Larry laid out and her tires blow out. She gets out her gun and tries to find them.

Erin drives the robot time machine into the folding, while Prioress watches. They travel in time and Prioress stands there frustrated. Grand Father comes to talk to Prioress to tell her he’s disappointed.

## Cast

### Main Cast

* Riley Lai Nelet as Erin Tieng
	+ Ali Wong as adult Erin
* Camryn Jones as Tiffany Quilkin
* Sofia Rosinsky as Mac Coyle
* Fina Strazzaas as KJ Brandman
* Nate Corddry as Larry

### Recurring Cast

* Adina Porter as Prioress
* Cliff Chamberlain as Dylan Coyle
* Abigail Lue as Missy Tieng
	+ Jessika Van as Adult Missy
* Marika Engelhardt as Jennifer Coyle
* Jacqueline Williams as Donna Metcalf
* Clara Ditsch as Wilder Coyle
* Joely Taryn as Alice Jr.
* Jason Mantzoukas as Grand Father

## Quotes

> Lots of the stuff we dealt with was unacceptable, Mac.
>
> Dylan to Mac