This episode opens with Lou Reed's,
Perfect Day, playing and Nick floating in the pool and Travis out for a jog, waving at neighbours as he runs past. Daniel looks out the window as Liza treats Griselda's clearly infected foot. I think the song choice on this one is absolutely awesome. I'm shocked to see Nick in the pool because other than Daniel and Ofelia, he is the only one to really get a bit of a grip on what is going on.
Chris is up on the roof making a video report of what is going on. From him we learn that the military has been gathering people up people in the DZ (read: demilitarized zone) and loading them up like cattle. Each person is allowed to take one suitcase each. No one knows where the people are being taken and instead, the only information available is in the form of rumors. Didn't I say that military occupation wouldn't be a breeze? Chris goes on to add that they are all safe inside the fence but outside, everyone is gone. He notes that it's been nine days since the end began and that mother nature has taken back what is hers. Chris notices a flashing light at a distance. It looks as though someone is trying to indicate where they are.
Madison watches the the clock waiting for the moment when the power will turn on. It seems that electricity is restricted to certain times during the day. When Alicia joins her in the kitchen, Madison announces that they have to paint the living room again because she can still see the blood stains. Alicia thinks that this is a waste of time, snarking, "No one is coming to the open house." I think I agree with Alicia on this one. With all that has happened, who cares what the walls look like. Travis is back from his run, and talks about the fact that he could see the ocean on his run. Travis notes the restrictions on the power and assures Alicia and Madison that the military probably doesn't want to strain what is left of the grid and will get things back to normal soon. There we go again with the whole glass half full thing.
Travis informs Madison that he has to get going because Moyers is making an announcement and specifically asked Travis to attend. Cue the bickering. Madison is pissed off that her house is a "refugee camp", that Alicia's room is an IC unit for strangers, that someone has to cook and clean and keep an eye on Nick. It seems that Madison feels that Travis is not doing his fair share around the house. It's Alicia who breaks up the argument pointing out that it's ridiculous for them to argue about domestic responsibilities while the world is falling apart. Alicia is adamant that nothing they are going through is normal. Alicia demands that Madison and Travis stop acting like everything is normal.
Chris is still up on the roof and now he is trying to signal back at the light he recorded earlier. Travis heads outside and demands the Chris get off the roof and help Madison. Chris asks him to look at the video that he shot. Travis shows very little patience with his son but Chris manages to get him to look at the recording. Travis is absolutely dismissive of the flashing light, asserting that there's no one outside of the perimeter. Travis believes it's just the reflection of the sun; he's dismissive and walks away from a disappointed Chris.
Madison heads out to the pool to confront Nick about the fact that he left his drugs on the counter. Nick says that he simply forgot to take his pill. I don't believe that shit for a minute, he damn well has a source for drugs. Nick tells Madison to give it to Griselda because Griselda needs it more. Why the hell isn't Madison more suspicious? Madison is shocked and points out the plan to wean and so puts the pill on the side of the pool in case Nick needs it.
A group of people are gathered in front of commanding officer Moyers for his announcement. Moyers announces that they are infection free for 6 miles around the base. The DZ is off limits while they dispose of bio-hazard materials, anyone who tries to get around the border will be detained, sanitation will return as they get to total containment. When the people ask about the people outside of the fence, they are informed they are but one of 12 camps and are lucky to be able to stay in their homes.
Alicia and Ofelia submit to a check over. Travis is called to the side by Moyers to deal with Doug Thompson because he won't do the screening. Moyers wants Travis to talk to him so that he isn't forced to take Doug down. Given those options, Travis agrees to go and talk to Thompson. When Travis enters the Thompson house, he sees Maria Thompson and the Thompson children in hazmat suits. Maria says that Doug has locked himself away since dinner last night. Apparently, Doug has always liked Travis, so Maria suggested that rather than having the military talk to Doug that it should be Travis.
Travis walks through a bedroom and finally finds Doug hiding out in the bathroom. Doug is in full panic mode saying he doesn't think he can do it. Doug is freaking out because his kids keep asking him if everything is going to be okay and he doesn't know how to respond. Travis tells Doug that it's his job to tell the kids that everything will be okay and points out that his family needs him. Hmm does this mean that Travis is not really the eternal optimist and actually has some doubts? Travis advises Doug to show the military and his family that he is okay.
Alicia is making her way through Susan's yard and in the process sees Madison painting the living room. Alicia enters Patrick and Susan's home. The pill bottle still lies ominously on the table. Alicia makes her way into Susan's bedroom and looks at a framed drawing she made Susan when she was younger. Clearly, the Clarke family meant a lot to Susan. Alicia cries as she reads Susan's suicide note.
Liza is checking in on one of her patients. Liza has a clearly sick Hector hooked up to a feeding tube. When Liza moves to leave, a grateful Cynthia offers her some soup for the road, clearly desperate to show her appreciation for all that Liza has done for her husband. Nick gets out of the pool and spies through the fence, as Liza leaves with the soup and Cynthia steps outside.
Chris takes the video to Madison and explains that though Travis dismissed it, there's a pattern to the flashing light. Madison believes if someone is out there and needs help they would go to the soldiers. Chris points out that it may not be possible for them to do so and so Madison agrees to look at the footage.
When next we see Nick, he is under Hectors bed having removed Hector's medical drip and placing it in a vein between his toes. A junkie will be a junkie I suppose. I knew he was feeding his mother a complete line of bull.
Ofelia is making out with a soldier in a military vehicle beside the perimeter fence. When things get a little intense, Ofelia asks that they slow down. The soldier tells Ofelia that she is the only thing that makes him believe that they are still good people. Ofelia asks about medicine for her mother and learns that the drugs are all locked up and that he has no access to it. A message comes over the radio interrupting their conversation.
That night, Madison and Travis have sex in the garage. Madison hops out of the car and says that she has things to do. Travis asks her to come back but Madison continues to get dressed. Travis asks what's going on and Madison brings up quarantine camps. Travis clarifies to say that he wants to know what is going on with her. Madison asserts that Nicks needs to be watched and that Travis needs to pay positive attention to Chris. Madison brings up Chris's video and Travis says that it's all a part of Chris's imagination. Madison however believes that the video did show something. Travis and Madison argue about what the soldiers have done in nine days and Madison questions why the military cannot seem to get the phones working. Travis thinks that Madison and Chris are being paranoid.