The Earth is about 4.5 billion years old.
In the Cosmic Calendar, it's... Shelly,
we need to talk to you.
All right.
(TV shuts off)
Meemaw spoke to Dr. Sturgis...
And?
And...
he was open to you staying.
Yes! When can I go?
Now, hold on. Before you get ahead of yourself,
this is just a trial run, for one night.
And even if it goes well,
you're not starting college tomorrow.
It's just to see if this is an option for the future.
GEORGE SR.: You understand? Yes.
(guitar version of Tetris theme playing)
ADULT SHELDON: The prospect of advancing
to the next stage of academia had me feeling giddy.
And, on top of that, I got to pack a suitcase,
which is like playing Tetris but with underwear.
(beeping)
(beeping continues)
You know, Shelly, it's okay if you're a little nervous.
You can tell me.
I'm not nervous.
All right.
When I was your age, a lot of times,
I'd have to spend the weekend with my grandparents,
and that always frightened me,
'cause they'd leave their teeth all over the place.
I never told anybody, but I wish I had.
That does sound upsetting. Good thing I'm braver than you.
I'm just saying, it can be tough
sleeping in a new place without your mom.
Dr. Sturgis will be there. He's like a mom.
But he's really smart.
Welcome!
Come in, come in!
You like chalkboards, huh?
Indeed, I do. Huh.
In fact, I even have one in the bathroom.
You never know when inspiration will strike.
I may be the luckiest boy in East Texas.
I know it's Thursday,
so dinner will be spaghetti and hot dogs.
And, for fun,
I have a few episodes of Cosmos recorded.
Forget "maybe." I am the luckiest boy.
Remember, it's a school night, so his bedtime is 7:30.
(gasps) Mine, too!
("So Far Away" by Carole King playing over radio)
♪ So far away ♪
♪ Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore? ♪
(music stops) Shut up, Carole King.
♪
Watching Cosmos while we're eating dinner?
Am I awake? Because this feels like a dream.
Oh, not for me. In my dreams,
I'm usually running for my life from a giant praying mantis.
That's the insect
where the female eats the male after mating?
It is.
I think I understand why you're not married.
This little piggy's looking good.
Hey, baby.
Hey. Need any help?
No.
Do you want to do mine next?
Why?
Well, just seems like a thing mothers and daughters might do.
What's wrong with you?
Nothing.
Never mind.
Georgie, what you up to?
CARL SAGAN: All my life,
I've wondered about life beyond the Earth.
On those countless other planets that we think circle other suns,
is there also life?
Might the beings of other worlds resemble us,
or would they be astonishingly different?
Do you believe there's
intelligent life in the universe?
I have no doubt.
Why is that?
The Drake Equation claims that there are at least
20 detectable civilizations in our Milky Way galaxy alone.
Interesting.
My sister likes to say that I'm an alien.
I've often been called that.
Once by the praying mantis in my dream.
Maybe we are aliens.
Perhaps.
Or maybe people like you and me
were the original inhabitants of Earth,
and everyone else is from outer space.
Ooh, I like that better.
SAGAN: In the great dark between the stars, there also are...
After dinner, want to toast marshmallows
on a Bunsen burner?
Good gosh, yes.