Off the Grid

**Off the Grid Episode Synopsis**

**Full Episode**

**Full Transcription**

***Trigger Warning: Emotional abuse, manipulation, and toxic relationships.***

A robotic voice is heard: *“Jump Point Initiative tape A, side two: Off The Grid*”

The TV is playing an ad about the local ISAT branch. The governor has allocated $8.8 million into space and science research, which comes from a recent $25 million grant. There’s a knock at the door.

A man asked for Emily Hayes. Emily says “That’s me,” and asks who the man is. The man introduces himself as Jackson Flores. He works with the city and has been tasked to randomly select residents to take part in a survey in order to better shape the longevity of what makes Spokane an attractive destination. Emily tries to deny the survey and states she doesn’t have the time. Jackson insists it will only take 5 minutes of her time. Emily asks if she knows him from somewhere. Jackson slyly says no, but that she could get to in the next 5 minutes. They both laugh, but Emily again insists she’s too busy. After some back and forth and Jackson promising to come back, Emily gives in and agrees to the survey.

The questions in the beginning aren’t really focused on Spokane at all but are geared around Emily and Hudson’s relationship and if Hudson is a good husband or not. They go into talking about family more in depth and bringing up parents. Jackson tells Emily she should call her father. Jackson weirds it up by asking Emily if he can hug her. Emily is obviously caught off guard. Jackson hugs her anyway as Hudson is walking in the door.

Hudson does *not* like that some random dude is hugging his wife. Jackson introduces himself and explains the survey. Emily tries to diffuse the situation and ask Hudson why he’s so tense. Hudson explains he doesn’t like that Jackson is “conducting a survey” and hugging his wife in his own house. Jackson leaves his card and vacates the house.

As Jackson leaves, Hudson asks Emily what the hell that was about. Emily gets defensive and asks Hudson why he got so irate. Hudson says Emily would have felt the same way if the roles were reversed. Emily disagreed. Emily asked for an example of when she’s ever gotten jealous. Hudson can’t think of one. Hudson apologized but Emily won’t let it go. She wants to know *why* he’s apologizing to make sure it’s coming from the right place. Hudson argues it doesn’t matter, an apology is an apology. They continue fighting for a while and then finally settle down before Hudson tears up Jackson’s card.

Emily gets mad at him and says she had full intention to finish the survey and asked for the pieces. Hudson objected but Emily persisted. “Do you trust me or not?” Hudson said he trusted her.

Emily’s voice over fades in to let us know that was the only lie Hudson had ever told her, “I trust you”. She didn’t believe him. She said she understood putting herself in his shoes, but that didn’t make her stop. She wanted to finish the survey, so she agreed to meet up with him, coincidentally at the coffee shop she and Hudson went to on their first date at Jackson’s suggestion.

The survey starts up again with some routine questions (When did you move to Spokane?) and Emily goes into detail about her bad breakup with Bill. Jackson says he’s here for Emily if she wants to vent, but Emily would prefer to continue the survey. They talk about the most unique aspect of Spokane (The people are so kind) and light flirting happens. Jackson calls Emily a pimple(so romantic).

Emily’s voiceover fades in again explaining how they never finished the survey and sat there talking for hours. But then, there was nothing and Emily didn’t hear from him.

Emily confronts Hudson and asks if he deleted Jackson’s number and blocked him on everything. Hudson admits he did. Emily asked why and Hudson deflects. Hudson informs Emily her phone is ringing. She ignores it. “Better make sure it’s not Jackson.” Emily assures Hudson he doesn’t have to worry about that since he blocked him. Emily acknowledges it’s her mother calling and that she can wait. She confronts Hudson about going through her phone. Hudson admits he was annoyed and feels he has a right to be. He thinks there is more going on than a survey. He reminds Emily her phone is ringing. Emily ignores it, it’s just her mom again. Hudson asks if the survey is really still going. Emily says no. Hudson says how he can’t even find anything about the guy, how there isn’t a Jackson Flores that works in the city. Emily gets defensive but Hudson explains that Emily is oblivious to the fact that Jackson doesn’t exist to the government, let alone work for them. Hudson tries to explain he has a bad feeling about him.

Emily gets defensive and doesn’t like how Hudson is speaking to her. She accuses him of speaking to her as if she’s stupid. Hudson says he’s just concerned. Emily asks if he’s concerned or just jealous. Emily finally answers her phone and finds out her father died. Hudson tries to comfort her. Emily confesses she never called her dad when Jackson told her to, which upsets Hudson all over again.

Hudson’s voiceover fades in and admits a bad, ugly side of him was starting to come out. He couldn’t even help Emily grieve properly because he was so blinded by his hate for Jackson. He couldn’t process his emotions properly.

Emily’s voiceover fades in admitting she gravitated towards Jackson again and tried to be more discreet.

A TV ad is playing about a unique job with a high end income with the International Space and Time Research Lab. They’re looking for participants for their new Jump Point Initiative. Participants will receive a whopping $1.2 million stipend for a 10 year period.

Emily comes in informing Hudson she’s heading out to meet a friend for coffee. Hudson asks if it’s the same friend she went hiking with. Emily says yes. Hudson gets upset and states he’s losing her. Emily denies that fact. Hudson tells her to be honest with herself. He’s had sleepless nights because his mind is racing about the things he doesn’t know and can’t change. He says Emily has disconnected. They argue for a bit and Emily finally admits she’s seeing Jackson. Emily tries to say he’s not acting fairly. Hudson gets more upset. Emily tries to assure him she needs him in her life. Hudson won’t have it (don’t play games.) Hudson asks Emily to cut Jackson out of her life. Emily says no. Hudson says she’s been cheating and Emily doesn’t agree. Hudson admits he’s lost this battle and  that they’re done. They argue a bit more and Emily gets all gushy about Jackson. Hudson tries to kick her out but Emily refuses. Hudson leaves to stay at a friends. That’s the day their 5 year marriage ended.

Later, Bruce comes by to pick up Hudson’s stuff. Jackson is there and he and Bruce get into it a little bit. Emily and Bruce try to be civil with each other. That doesn’t last and Emily and Bruce start arguing about Hudson. Jackson tries to step in and Bruce  shuts it down. Bruce makes it clear he doesn’t approve of Jackson before leaving.

Emily’s voiceover fades in explaining how she was going to give herself time to breathe after the split, but she couldn’t. Hudson’s anger pushed her towards Jackson. Jackson ended up moving in, but she noticed he was paranoid. He was scared of something.

A robotic voice says: “*Jump Point Initiative Tape A completed. To continue, insert tape B face up.”*