S05 E10: “Horizon”

Episode: S05 E10, “Horizon”
Premiere date: 16 August 2026
Written by: Scott Andrews
Guest starring: Mariska Hargitay (as Beth Reynolds); Marci Miller (as Jessica Smithson)
Warning: This episode contains explicit language

CARRAWAY COMPOUND
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948

“So, how are you two doing with all of this?” he questions. Looking confused, Riley responds, “‘All of this’ what?” “This. The move. The new home. How are you handling it?” Mason sits on an adjacent chair to the couch where his daughters are sitting, watching some reality television. “Oh,” Riley responds again. “I’m fine. I like the change. It’s been pretty chill and cool thus far. I’ve been in the city a couple of times, and it seems like there’s a lot going on and a lot that I can get my hands into.”

“Well, that’s fantastic, sweetheart,” Mason assures Riley before turning to Kendall and asking, “How about you, Ken? How are you adjusting?” Disgruntled, Kendall quietly and without much enthusiasm responds, “I hate it.” “Oh, why do you feel that way?” “Because,  this isn’t home. It doesn’t feel like home. Nothing feels familiar. My life is just… stalled, and I feel out of place.”

Standing up and distancing herself from her father and sister, Kendall continues, “I just don’t understand why we have to leave. Everything was fine before.” Taking a brief moment, Mason assures Kendall, “I know this hasn’t been easy and I understand your feelings, but this was not a move made on a whim, Ken.”

Mason stands and joins his daughter, comforting her, before continuing, “This isn’t just about where we live, either. It’s about where this family is going.” “But why did we have to go with it?” Kendall snaps in anger. “Because this is about your future. You may not see or know it now, but Carraco is your future. You and your sister are the company’s future. The legacy built by your grandfather. It all comes down to the both of you.”

Realising he may not be getting through to Kendall, he changes his intention.

“Look, outside of the company and why the family as a collective moved, focus on the opportunities you both could have here. Liberty City has so much more to offer than what back home had for us, especially as you grow up. You’re still young; you’ve got your whole lives ahead of you, and I want you to have better than what I had, and you can have that here.”

Riley seems receptive to her father’s thoughts. Kendall, on the other hand, remains sceptical of everything.

Hoping to lure both of his daughters into more middle ground, Mason reasons with them.

“Look, I’m not asking you to love it tomorrow. I’m asking you to give it a chance. That’s all I can ask you.” He motions more towards Kendall as opposed to Riley, continuing: “You might be surprised by what you find here. You’re not facing this alone, either. You’re with your family. We’re all adjusting. Me, your grandparents, your aunts and uncles – we’re all adjusting to being here.”

As Riley nods in agreement, Kendall reluctantly nods, still unconvinced. Mason acknowledges both of his daughters, praising, “Those are my girls.”

As Mason heads out of the living room, Riley turns to Kendall and gives her a playful look.

“Come on, it can’t be that bad,” Riley states. Kendall, smiling despite herself, responds: “We’ll see.”

Mason watches his daughters for a moment before walking away, hopeful that the move will eventually feel less like something they have lost — and more like the beginning of something bigger.

DOMESTICO
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948

The dining area of Domestico is sophisticated without being ostentatious—lush with its maroon wine seating, brick walls, warm lighting, and sleek marble-top tables. The staff appear discreetly attentive, a detail that appears appealing to Penelope Carraway. There, she is enjoying a leisurely lunch alone, dressed impeccably, and clearly comfortable in an environment where one’s appearance matters. Since arriving in Liberty City, Penelope has been making a deliberate effort to establish herself among those who are the “who’s who” of Liberty City, and the Liberty City Country Club is her most attentive conquest. As she enjoys a bite of her meal, she glances at her phone, seeing a message confirming that her memory inquiry is moving forward; this causes a small smile to come across her face.

Across the restaurant, Logan Johnson enters into the restaurant for a quick midday lunch break from her busy day of work at Johnson Industries. Unlike Penelope, she is not there as a way of socialising or making nice with the patrons, outside of issuing semi-familiar introductions with the staff, who recognise her from previous visits. Upon sitting at her table, she places a business folder beside her, where she intends on spending most of her time reviewing notes between bites of her meal.

Peering over, Penelope notices Logan’s presence immediately in the restaurant, and given her family’s presence in the business world, she is aware of Johnson Industries and the presence it as a company has in Liberty City, as well as the Johnson family themselves. She watches for a moment before deciding to be nice and introduce herself.

Penelope approaches Logan’s table with a warm, confident smile. “Logan Johnson,” she questions. Looking up, Logan responds, “Yes?” “Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Penelope Carraway.”

As Penelope explains her recent relocation to Liberty City with her family, Logan sits and half-listens. She herself is aware of the Carraway name but does not immediately reciprocate Penelope’s polite enthusiasm. As Penelope continues to explain in a good manner, Logan politely acknowledges what has been told to her. However, the interaction remains cordial—but distant.

In an attempt, not desperately but in good faith, to maintain the conversation, Penelope mentions her process of joining the country club as a member. She expresses, “I thought it would be a wonderful way to become more involved with the community.” Logan pauses with a subtle shift in her expression at Penelope’s statement.

“The country club isn’t exactly a community centre,” she curtly mentions. This causes Penelope’s smile to slightly tighten. Logan continues, “The country club has existed for generations, long before my late husband’s family moved to Liberty City, and membership isn’t simply about having money or the right surname.”

Taking a sip of her wine, she continues, “You can’t just arrive in Liberty City, write a cheque, and expect everyone to suddenly make room for you.” The comment lands a bit harder than Logan likely intended for it to be. Remaining composed, Penelope responds, “I’m not expecting anyone to make room for me.” Logan gives her a measured look before retorting, “Good, because some people there have been waiting their entire lives for their place.”

This response makes it clear that Logan is speaking from her own experience. Internally, this offends Penelope. She is used to being treated with deference. The implication that she is some outside attempting to purchase her way into Liberty City’s upper echelon irritates her considerably; however, she refuses to outwardly show this. Instead, she smiles gracefully.

“I appreciate the advice,” she states. Logan returns to her lunch, but not before returning with, “It’s not advice. Just an observation.” Nodding politely, Penelope returns, “Then I’ll keep that in mind.” She turns, walking back to her table. Only once her back is turned does her expression harden.

Back at her table, Penelope takes another sip of her drink. She watches Logan from across the restaurant. She is irritated—but also intrigued. Logan was not dismissive of her because she was unaware of who Penelope was. She was dismissed because she was aware of who she was. This causes a revelation: getting into Liberty City’s elite is not going to be as simple as leveraging the Carraway. She will have to make herself someone who is impossible to ignore.

As Logan gathers her belongings and exits the restaurant, Penelope watches her disappear through the restaurant entrance, with a faint smile returning to her face.

“Challenge accepted,” Penelope says to herself, quietly. She turns back to her lunch, outwardly calm and completely composed. She is not merely going to join Liberty City’s elite—she is going to make them regret ever questioning whether she belonged there.

JOHNSON FAMILY HOME
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948

Rebecca Flynn sits at her vanity, finishing her makeup and preparing for a late afternoon and evening. The room is quiet, almost peaceful, despite the ongoing tension that has become increasingly familiar within the home, between her and her husband, Michael Johnson. For a brief moment, she remembers a previous encounter between the two of them that still remains ever-present in her mind.

“Well,” Rebecca admired, “don’t you look nice?” Smiling at his wife’s compliment, he reciprocates, “You look quite beautiful yourself.” Smiling, she responds, “Thank you. Look, I was wondering what you might want for dinner tonight. Steak? A pot roast? Maybe some fettuccine?”

As Rebecca begins to wrap her arms around her husband from behind him, he immediately jets towards the front door before dismissing, “Uh, I’ll grab something at the hospital. I don’t know when I’ll be home.”

Confused, she exclaims, “Stop,” before continuing, “We both agreed we’d start spending more time at home together. I made sure to clear my schedule for tonight, and I was under the assumption you were doing the same.”

“Well, clearly you assumed wrong. I have a long day of meetings ahead of me, and then I’ve got to make my rounds,” Michael responds. “Surely you understand, yes?”

“No,” Rebecca coldly responds, “I do not understand. We both agreed to make an effort in this marriage and to be here for each other, especially if we are going to, at the very least, try and have a baby. I took that seriously, Michael, and I thought you were, too.”

Rebecca flashes out of her mind and begins to finish touching up her makeup before returning to the encounter several moments later.

Stepping towards her husband, Rebecca begins to plead, “What are we doing, Michael? We get to a point where we communicate, and we come up with these plans, and somehow we never follow through.”

“I know,” Michael says in comfort, “but we also have obligations to our patients and our clients and our jobs. I will do my best to be home as soon as I can, but, like I said, my schedule is packed.”

As Michael leans forward and kisses Rebecca on the forehead, he states, “Now, I have to go. I’ll call you on lunch, I promise.”

Coming out of her own memory, once again, Rebecca finishes getting ready, reaching for her jewelry to finish her day’s look. As she finishes, the bedroom door opens as Michael Johnson enters, somewhat dressed down from his morning shift at the hospital. For once, he appears hopeful and bright; he admits to his wife for a moment before approaching her.

“I was thinking maybe we could have dinner together tonight,” he opens. Rebecca pauses at her husband’s idea, appreciating the effort he is making. “No phones. No work. Just us,” he assures her. For another brief moment, Rebecca looks genuinely happy and tempted. Then, she remembers a conflicting event. “Michael,” she compassionately responds, “I have a late meeting.”

With this, Michael’s expression immediately changes. She continues to explain: “One of my clients has a difficult issue that I need to be sure to work out with them, and if I don’t, it could derail the entire case we’ve been building. It’s likely to run late, and I probably won’t even be home for dinner tonight.”

Michael’s disappointment quickly turns into anger. “Of course,” he curtly says. Taken aback by the sudden shift in tone, Rebecca questions, “What is that supposed to mean?” Bursting with continuously building anger, Michael blurts out, “You do nothing but bitch and moan about me not being home for dinner. It’s never enough for you, is it?! I can’t do anything fucking right for you!”

“This isn’t about me or you,” Rebecca contests. “It’s about us! Our marriage! And everything I have ‘bitched’ and ‘moaned’ about is true—you have not been home for dinner. But it isn’t just about dinner. It’s about just being here.”

Michael opens his arms and gestures around the room, almost as if mocking his wife in that moment. “Well, I’m here,” he sarcastically responds. “And I’m trying to be here. And now you’re telling me you’re the one who’s not going to be home?”

Rebecca’s expression hardens. “Oh, I have tried, too,” she reminds him. “Don’t act like I haven’t. Lunches. Dinners. Weekends together. Time away from work. I’ve mentioned it all. And you’ve done nothing but shut me down. It’s you who avoids these opportunities, not me. Don’t make this sound like I’ve been sitting here waiting for you to suddenly decide you want a marriage.”

Michael bristles as he walks away from her. She follows him, increasingly frustrated.

“I’ve made attempts, Michael,” she argues. “You know I have.” “You know my schedule is different,” he counter-argues. “My patients depend on me.”

In that moment, Rebeca seizes the moment on the word, mirroring his tone: “Your ‘obligations’.” The response immediately causes Michael to pause. “That’s what you call them, isn’t it?” Rebecca continues. “Your ‘obligations’.”

Feeling her emotions overcome her, Rebecca turns around. “Well, I have obligations, too,” she lets out, holding back the innate desire to burst into tears. “Just like your patients rely on you, my clients rely on me. When you can’t walk away from your patients, I do my best to understand. I don’t tell you that you’re choosing them over me.”

Leaning over at her vanity, feeling the exhaustion of her marriage, she takes a subtle deep breath in and out, barely lifting her head to the mirror, choosing to look at Michael through the mirror rather than face-to-face. In that moment, Rebecca blurts out, “So don’t expect me to cancel on my clients because you suddenly decided tonight was the night you wanted to be my husband.”

Visibly hurt, Michael expresses, “That’s not fair.”

Snapping back into anger, Rebecca immediately turns herself around, directly facing Michael, rebutting: “None of this is fair, Michael. We’ve spent months accusing each other of putting work ahead of our marriage, ahead of our plans to expand our family. Neither of us is willing to admit we’re both guilty of this.”

“I’m trying to fix this,” Michael exclaims as his voice rises in tone. Enraged and hurt, Rebecca blurts out, “Then stop trying only when you’re afraid I’m finally done.”

The words leave the room still and silent. Both of them were exhausted from the confrontation. Michael looks at Rebecca, wounded by her belief and words. For a moment, neither knows what to say.

“Fine,” Michael says, shaking his head and breaking the silence. Rebecca looks on as he gathers himself while walking towards the bedroom door. Before leaving, he turns back. “I don’t know what you want from me anymore,” he admits.

Rebecca turns away, choosing not to answer, leading Michael to storm out of their bedroom, slamming the door behind him. The sound of the door echoes throughout the room. Rebecca remains frozen by the hostile encounter. The anger drains from her face, replaced by something closer to fear and sadness. She turns back towards the mirror; her hair remains perfect and her makeup only slightly smudged from her holding back tears. Despite outwardly looking the part of the perfect wife, she remains emotionally exhausted.

She slowly collapses at her vanity. For the first time, she seems to question whether her marriage can actually survive the cycle it has stumbled into. Outside of the bedroom, Michael’s footsteps disappear down the hallway. And back in the bedroom, Rebecca remains alone, both physically and emotionally.

CITY ART GALLERY
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948

The day’s light shines through the front windows of the City Art Gallery. It is currently closed to the public due to ongoing inventory protocols. Jessica Smithson moves throughout the exhibit floor with a clipboard, checking inventory and carefully inspecting the gallery’s newest collection, due to go public shortly. She is acting in place of her mother, Jamie Spencer, who is unavailable due to personal matters. She moves carefully from one piece to another, dressed professionally in all-black attire, with her hair loosely waved and down. Peering at a sculpture against her mother’s inventory sheet, she sees everything as routine as possible.

Suddenly, the front door to the gallery opens behind her. Hearing footsteps enter into the gallery, Jessica loudly expresses, “I’m sorry, but we’re closed right now.” “Well, that’s not the greeting I was expecting,” a male voice echoes through the gallery. A familiar voice to Jessica, who immediately pauses, turning around, as her professional expression turns into one with more personality.

“I was wondering when I would be seeing you,” Jessica greets Jason Spencer, her ex-husband, who is standing there in front of her. “Well,” he responds. “It’s nice to be wondered about. I was beginning to think I’d have to introduce myself.” Letting out a brief chuckle, she responds, “I’m sure you could have found a way.”

As Jason saunters around the gallery, loosely peering at the newest exhibit, he questions, “So, this is how you greet long-lost friends?” Raising an eyebrow, Jessica retorts, “Long-long friends,” gesturing between the pair of them. “I don’t think it’s particularly normal for ex-husbands to be categorised as long-lost friends.” Jason lets out a grin, succumbing. “Fine. Former husband. Occasional friend. Familiar face?”

“Getting warmer,” Jessica indulges. The playful banter keeps the air between the exes a bit warmer than one may think. Together, the pair move through the gallery’s exhibit floor, where Jason asks about her life in Italy. In response, Jessica explains that her life as a gallerina has kept her traveling, working with various artists, attending exhibitions, and learning the business from a completely different perspective from her experience at the City Art Gallery. In response, Jessica asks about how Jason’s career at the hospital is going. Jason echoes the positives that Jessica shared with him, explaining that he’s shadowing his father, Derek Spencer, at the hospital while taking on some shifts at the medical centre when he can.

Jason questions what brought Jessica back to Liberty City. In response, Jessica explains that her family is the primary reason for her return. She explores that because of the ongoing concerns over Thomas’ condition, she has stepped in to help her mother out with the gallery while plans are put into place for Thomas’ life support to be ended soon, a decision which takes Jason aback.

“I’m sorry,” Jason tells her, sympathetic to the news. Nodding, Jessica appreciates it, assuring him, “It’s been… a lot. This return home has been complicated, navigating everyone’s emotions, as well as my own. Being here, just helping out at the gallery, is a nice distraction right now.”

As the two continue their walk, Jessica pauses as her demeanour changes. She looks at Jason for a brief moment before speaking, “There is something I’ve actually wanted to thank you for.” Jason, looking confused, clarifies, “Me? Thank me? For what?”

Taking a brief moment, Jessica responds, “For being the one to call me and tell me what was going on with Thomas’ condition and just how serious it’d become. You took a huge professional risk by contacting me and letting me know. Clearly no one was going to. But you did. And it means a lot. You probably shouldn’t have done it, but you did.”

Jason nods in acknowledgement; he risked his medical professional career by teetering dangerously close to violating Thomas’ privacy and HIPAA obligations by filling Jessica in without anyone else’s knowledge. Breaking the momentary silence, Jessica continues, “But you did it anyway.”

Shrugging, almost embarrassingly, Jason responds, “You’re family. And you deserved to know.” “That’s not the answer I’m talking about,” Jessica expresses, leaving Jason a bit taken aback. “You calling me, letting me know, reminded me of the man I married and the man I, at one time, had fallen in love with. Who had such care and compassion about life and those who care for it.”

The sentiment catches Jason off guard, and for a brief moment, the years between the exes seem to disappear. And in that moment, Jason sees that Jessica still recognises him, which becomes a comfort to him, without outwardly showing it in that moment.

“Whatever happened between us,” Jessica remarks, “I’ll always be grateful for that.”

Nodding, Jason agrees, “I’m glad I could do something.” With that, a quiet understanding between them is found. Their marriage ended. Their lives took them in different directions. But whatever affection existed between them hasn’t completely disappeared.

Checking his watch, Jason decides it is time for him to return to work and allow Jessica to continue her inventory checklist. As they both head towards the entrance, Jason warmly expresses, “It was really good seeing you.” Smiling, Jessica echoes the sentiment: “You too.” They exchange one final look.

“Take care of yourself, Jess,” Jason states. Letting out a subtle smile, Jessica echoes the sentiment, “You too, Jason.”

Jason opens the door to the gallery, pausing to turn back and look at Jessica.

“Don’t be a stranger,” he states to her, leaving her with a smile as he exits and closes the door. Jessica watches through the gallery window as Jason walks away. A smile remains on her face for a moment longer. Then she looks back towards the artwork surrounding her. Her life in Italy. Her family. Thomas. Her past. For the first time since returning to Liberty City, the collusion of all of these worlds doesn’t feel entirely painful. She picks up her inventory clipboard and resumes her work. However, there is a difference in her expression now. A little warmth and nostalgia. And, just perhaps, a part of herself she thought she’d previously left behind.

LIBERTY CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948

Outside of the Liberty City Police Department, Daniel Smithson pulls into the parking area for employees, stepping out for the first time in quite some time. He is dressed in his detective’s work attire, a change from his usual t-shirt and jeans. Walking towards the main entrance, he pauses for a moment. The weight of his decision catches up with him. Taking a deep breath in, he continues his walk towards the front entrance and makes his way through the front doors. Inside, the familiar sounds of the precinct immediately surround him—phones ringing, officers moving through the bullpen, conversations happening over desks. A few heads turn, noticing his entry. Then, suddenly, a voice calls out: “Smithson!” In that moment, Daniel smiles. He is back in familiar surroundings.

There, Daniel is greeted warmly by several of his colleagues, who have anticipated and prepared for his return. Handshakes turn into shoulder pats and embraces. Some tease him about his return from civilisation. That’s when his partner, Detective Garrett Gregson, approaches, not bothering with a formal greeting; instead, he simply embraces Daniel.

“About damn time,” Garrett expresses, leading Daniel to laugh in response. “You missed me,” He questions. “Don’t push your luck, Smithson.” A familiar banter that they once both shared has immediately returned as if no time had passed at all. Their partnership has not lost its rhythm. As he drops his belongings at his desk, which is decorated with silly mementos and decorations, the doors to the precinct open again. Daniel looks up and notices his ex-wife, Leah Brighton, standing there with their young children, Claire and Robert. This leads Daniel’s expression to immediately soften at the comforting sight of his children, who rush toward him, and he embraces them both, moved that they’re there.

“What are you two doing here?” he questions as he warmly hugs them both tight. Claire smiles, responding: “Mom said we should come see you!” Daniel looks up at Leah, who offers a polite smile. “That’s awfully nice of you,” Daniel says. Nodding in agreement, Leah cups the back of Robert’s head before responding, “We wanted to support your first day back.” There is a brief, slightly awkward silence between the former spouses.

As Claire and Robert toy around at Daniel’s desk, he takes the moment to approach Leah closer. In response, she reveals: “I want you to know I’m here because you’re their father. There’s nothing beyond that with this. This is too important for them not to be here, seeing you coming back to work.”

“I appreciate that,” Daniel responds in thanks. Leah nods in reciprocation. “Come on, you two,” Leah says to the children. “We better let your dad get to work. He’s got a lot to catch up on, and we’ve got things to do.”

As Daniel says farewell to his children, he turns back to his desk and notices his boss, Lieutenant Beth Reynolds, approaching him. “Welcome back, Detective,” she greets him. Nodding, Daniel responds, “Thank you, Lieutenant.” “Nice little welcome back soiree I see is happening, but there is a lot of catching up we’ve got to get through.”

“I expected as much.” “Good,” Beth states. “Because I’ve got plenty for you and for Gregson.”

As she walks back to her office, Daniel turns towards Garrett, who jokingly states, “Ready?”

Looking around, Daniel takes a deep breath out and responds, “Let’s see what I’ve missed.”

The pair of them head towards Beth’s office to get debriefed on things, settling back into their partnership as if no time has passed at all.