The Slap Episode 1.04 Manolis

For perhaps more than anyone, the event that occurred at Hector's party (and the subsequent court case that looms in its wake) weighs heavy on the mind of Manolis. He replays the moment from memory and vows to fix things, to make them right for his family and to return their lives to the status quo. As the patriarch, he believes it's his duty - and more than anything, he wishes their impending trip to Greece to be stress-free.

These motivating factors send Manolis to his old, dear friend - and high-powered, downtown attorney - Thanasis. He presents Thanasis with Harry's case, all the while stressing the importance of a return to normalcy. Thanasis agrees to explore the case as a favor to his friend, and he insists that he share his findings with Harry, Hector and Manolis over an expensive dinner. His treat. The kindness of Thanasis leaves a spring in Manolis' step, and he senses the beginnings of a happy ending.

Meanwhile, Gary, Rosie and Aisha meet with an attorney of their own named Bridget Saltire, who advises them to prepare for uncomfortable questions related to Hugo's character and any accompanying tendencies. Saltire also brings up Harry and Hector's family connection and points to Aisha for context - has Harry encountered violent incidents in the past? Aisha appears to hold back her response...

Emboldened by the good news about Thanasis, Manolis invites both Hector and Harry's families over for a Sunday lunch. Aisha remains tense around Harry, and he expresses worry to Manolis that she could present a problem as the case progresses. Later, Manolis and Aisha share a moment in the yard and they speak in general terms about safety and parenting, with the background of the slap clearly the true subject. Manolis stresses the importance of family - and the trip to Greece. Aisha remains hesitant to commit or to speak freely about whom she plans to support.

At the exploratory dinner, Thanasis launches into Gary and Rosie's troubled history - had Hugo out of wedlock, Gary's arrests during Occupy Wall Street and his DUI, Rosie's run-in with social services. Hector advocates to keep the personal smears out of the case, but offers no retort to Thanasis' response: what about their smear on Harry? Who's the priority, friend or family? In the end, Harry places all his faith in Thanasis, eager to put an end to the crisis... while Manolis feels all control of the situation slip away. The burden of this revelation - that his move to help Harry may destroy his son's friends - manifests itself later in the form of an anxiety attack that Manolis suffers alone on the sidewalk.

He manages to make it to Aisha's clinic, where she sneaks him in between appointments. Once a few tests prove he remains in fine health, Manolis warns her (in a genuine way, without vitriol) that Thanasis will hit Rosie and Gary hard, and that if she can convince them to drop the case they may thank her later for it. Aisha refuses, and informs him that not only does Rosie represent family to her, but that Harry's wife Sandi once came to her with an injury she sustained from a violent argument with Harry. Although Aisha agreed to keep it a secret, she maintains that Sandi to this day covers a scar from the event. The news shocks Manolis, and he stays silent as Aisha reiterates her alliance.

Contemplative, Manolis stops by Harry's shop and confronts him about Aisha's accusation. Did Harry ever hit Sandi? Harry denies it - not that he and Sandi enjoy the perfect relationship, but he never did and never will strike her. This seems to appease Manolis, still troubled by the whole ordeal, and his discontented mind leads him to an unlikely locale - the house of his dying friend Dimitrios.

Manolis apologizes to Dimitrios for not seeing his friend more often, but rather than dwell in regret, Dimitrios insists they celebrate, and the two old friends drink, laugh and dance. Manolis returns home to Koula and laments his decision to contact Thanasis. She reminds him that he never consulted her. Either way, he wonders whether they failed as parents - Koula assures him they did their best. She further explains that at this stage in their lives, her responsibility is plentiful food and his is plentiful advice, whether or not their children understand. Because the truth of the situation is, their children no longer need them. But they do need each other.

As Manolis and Koula head to bed, so too do Rosie, Gary and Hugo; Hector and Aisha; and Harry and Sandi, each family closing the day in their own way. But in the small light from Sandi's tablet, while she reads and Harry sleeps, a secret emerges from a simple, subtle act. Sandi tucks her hair behind her ear and exposes a scar over her temple.

Turns out Aisha was right.