[upbeat music playing]
[rap music playing]
Mac, give it. He's open! He's open!
Pass it, Mac! Pass the puck!
[cheers]
Come on, man. I gotta do everything out here.
I was open.
- You'd have got bumped. - All right, Mac.
I like your tenacity, but next time, make the pass and see what happens, okay?
All right, coach.
[Anton] Nico, go in defense.
[Nico] All right, coach.
- I'll chat with him before the game. - That won't be necessary.
- If we drop him back, it might force him... - I know what I'm doing, Luke. Thank you.
So here's the thing.
I know we can't skate,
but that doesn't mean we can't talk about it or watch it, and...
Yeah, you're right. It sucks.
It does, but...
it's no one's fault.
We're still friends. Nothing has to change.
You wanna check your phone.
Jacob's here.
Wait, Jacob, as in Jacob? Is here, as in here?
Well, not quite here, but he's in the country.
He hasn't told me why, though.
- Do you think he came to surprise me? - Maybe, but why would he...
I think he came to surprise me.
Right. [chuckles]
[phone chimes]
Oh, he stopped.
We should beat him to the surprise.
You really think that's a good idea?
Uh, no, I think that's an awesome idea.
Come.
[rap music playing]
Mac! For Pete's sake, pass!
[thuds]
- [thuds] - [grunts]
- Oof. - [Nico] Woo-hoo-hoo!
See? That's the problem with being a puck hog.
Your teammates won't warn you when you're about to eat ice.
[chuckles]
That was for my bag.
[exhales]
Hey. Amazing run, mate. Like, right up to the moment you got crushed.
[grunts]
Okay. Cool down.
Hey, good talking to you.
You have to understand.
Stars don't try to shine, they just do.
If you attempt to do it all, you'll burn out.
I need you playing big minutes tonight. Twenty minimum. Okay?
Yes, coach.
Good talk.
One thing you gotta know about Anton. He does not use the word "star" lightly.
I got about 100 game tapes to watch.
[sighs]
[Sam] Mac doesn't know how good he's got it. Luke's proper ace, isn't he?
- Let's shower. I smell your pads. - Yeah, I think that's your breath.
Hey.
[slurping]
[Ava's mom] First pizza, now slushies?
Mum, I was just holding it for... Uh... For...
For my friend.
Um...
It's all right, Ava.
[chuckles]
I know I've been pushing you hard, and I know you want a break from the ice.
So...
I've arranged a treat for you this evening.
What kind of treat?
[chuckles] You will have to wait and see, but I can tell you this.
You need to meet me back here, and you won't be needing your skates.
But I'm fairly confident you will be...
[chuckles]
...jumping for joy.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
Thank you.
Hammers, here I come.
[upbeat music playing]
[sighs] Okay.
Kayla, wait up!
He's gonna be psyched to see me.
Don't you think it's a bit weird that he flew here without telling you?
And by "a bit," I mean massively.
Well, it wouldn't have been much of a surprise if he told me.
You thought your mom was protective? You should meet Jacob's parents.
They take his phone. They limit his screen time.
I mean, that could be...
- [phone chimes] - Oh, we're here.
Maybe he got the wrong rink?
[suspenseful music playing]
[Kayla] I don't understand.
Why would he come all this way just to go to some random rink?
[scoffs] You looking for me?
Listen, I'm flattered you went to the trouble of tracking me down,
but this ain't never gonna happen.
I don't know how I'll ever move on, but I have to try.
[chuckles]
Well, pairs camp is certainly the place for that.
Pairs camp...
Okay, just because Jacob's here doesn't mean he's got a new partner.
There could be another completely reasonable explanation.
There isn't.
["Sucker Punch" by Sigrid playing]
♪ Meet me in the hallway ♪
♪ For a cup of coffee by the stairs ♪
♪ We're both in a hurry ♪
♪ Let's steal a minute When there's no one there ♪
♪ Both our hoodies red ♪
♪ You're in my head ♪
♪ It hit me like a sucker punch ♪
♪ Just one look and I'm out of touch ♪
♪ I'm freaking out 'Cause I'm scared this might end bad ♪
♪ But I still come back for that ♪
♪ Sucker punch ♪
♪ Just one look and I'm out of touch ♪
♪ I'm freaking out 'Cause I'm scared this might end bad ♪
♪ But I still come back for that ♪
♪ Sucker punch ♪
[audience cheering, clapping]
[Jacob] I... I'm sorry.
Okay, so you're... you're probably wondering what I'm doing here.
[Kayla] Yeah.
Okay. Well, there's this international pairs taster...
Yeah, yeah. No, I got that.
What I don't understand is what you're doing here.
[sighs]
Okay. Um.
Ever since you left, my mom and dad have been
trying to find me a new partner.
And you didn't think to tell me?
What was I supposed to do?
All right? I mean, I'm a pair skater without a partner,
and it's not my fault you moved halfway around the world.
But I'm not the only one moving on, am I? I mean, what about this new guy?
He sounds great.
Um.
His name is Sky.
Oh.
Um.
Okay, so that's not ideal for comps.
Um. But, I mean, you guys can still skate together.
Her mom has forbidden her from skating.
Oh.
[both chuckling]
It's, like, the worst luck.
You were so excited. [chuckles]
I know. She's amazing.
She's... She's great, just...
Only in shoes.
[chuckles]
It's good to see you.
It's good to see you too.
[indistinct chatter]
You think some of those balloons cushioned your fall?
It was a cheap hit by a sub-par player who I'm about to outscore big time.
Impossible.
How could a forward ever outscore a defenseman?
All right.
How about I score more than you and the rest of this team combined?
Do you wanna bet?
Mac, I don't wanna stop you scoring, but maybe...
You're on.
So, how's the burger?
Oh. Yeah. Uh.
Pretty good.
Anyone wanna try?
I never order meat.
Not only is it killing animals for pleasure, but also killing the planet.
I better not. Just had my glucose tablets. Might take the edge off.
[chuckles]
He's so disciplined.
I can see why you like him.
And he's so lucky to have your support.
I think I'd be very jealous of being replaced.
I'd feel like I had lost a part of myself somehow.
That I was incomplete.
- [Jacob sighs, clears throat] - Right.
Are you done already?
- May I? - I thought you didn't eat meat?
I choose not to order it.
Once it's on the plate, it's worse to waste it.
There are so many starving children in the world.
Guess you better get used to a vegetarian diet.
[scoffs] Look, it's... It's just a chemistry test.
Nothing's signed. My parents didn't know about Maia till last week.
- Last year. - What?
What?
Your parents reached out to my team months ago.
Apparently they wanted their son
to be paired with someone who was more motivated to win championships.
Someone like moi.
If they had a trophy for brutal honesty, you'd win that too.
Merci.
Kayla. Kayla, wait.
Excuse me.
[rap music playing]
Let's skate hard, avoid penalties,
but most importantly, play together.
Sure.
And remember, this is supposed to be fun.
Don't worry.
It will be.
Let's go, Hammers!
[team] Let's go, Hammers!
[Jacob] I didn't know, Kayla.
I'm sorry.
Well, if you did, that was an Oscar-winning performance.
Lucky for you, I happen to know you're a terrible actor.
[scoffs]
I'm an award-winning actor, actually.
That was a kindergarten talent show.
You were the only one not crying or taking a nap.
[chuckling]
Oh.
So, Maia seems...
Oh, yeah. Tell me about it.
Hmm.
Mom and Dad are big fans, though.
[soft music playing]
Sky seems cool.
Yeah, she really is.
Hey, so, are you around at all? Do you wanna hang out?
It is a tight schedule.
Oh.
You know how these things go.
Yeah. Yup.
Of course I wanna hang out. Listen, I'll talk to...
Maia!
You even think about her, she appears.
[Maia] Jacob.
Your parents did not fly you over from Canada to sit on a bench.
[sighs]
Listen, I'll call you tonight. Okay?
After I've had my glucose tablets.
- Sounds good. - Jacob, let's go.
[Jacob] Could you slow down, please?
Oh, I'm gonna miss her.
[chuckling]
It's so quiet.
Are you getting the whole arena to shout surprise?
- Oh! Be careful! [chuckles] - Sorry.
Don't be silly. They'll be too busy watching the hockey.
Wait, what?
Ta-da!
It's...
- [sighs] What is it? - A jump harness, of course.
I booked it for the whole evening. Come.
Wow.
Thanks, Mama.
Mm-hm.
Málásko,
it's worth it
to see the look on your face.
[chuckles]
[kisses]
[upbeat music playing]
Mac, pass it!
Woo!
[cheering, clapping]
[air horn blaring]
When you take it in the zone, drop it back for Nico in the slot.
Put the puck in the net, Mac. Let Nico worry about the rebounds.
Yes, coach.
Hey. Ready to concede yet?
[air horn blaring]
[audience cheering]
[air horn blaring]
[audience cheering]
Woo woo woo!
- Now he's just showing off. - At least we're winning, bro.
Come on!
We need to score, man. Get me the puck and move up the ice.
Oh, yeah.
[Nico] Go, Bear!
[air horn blaring]
Woo!
Yeah, bro!
[cheering]
Yes!
Aah!
Do you like that?
He can't take them at night.
Huh?
Glucose tablets.
He takes them in the morning. He always takes them in the morning.
The one time he took it at night,
he stayed up till 4 a.m. building a pillow fort.
Sky, it's code.
- He's trying to send me a message. - To build a fort?
That he wants to skate with me.
[sighs] What can either of you do? He lives in Canada, and you're here.
But Maia lives in Europe,
and surely his folks are letting him stay with her.
Yeah, but didn't Jacob say his parents weren't going to let you...
Jacob's parents think that I don't wanna win competitions,
and that I don't have what it takes to be a champion.
They think I give up too easily.
- They don't know me at all. - [Sky] Kayla!
[whimsical music playing]
Wow. I love your skates.
What size boot do you wear?
What now?
Now we run a little interference.
Yeah, I guess I was sad to lose Jacob at first,
but that was before I met Archie.
Yeah, Archie's so...
small.
But also spectacular on the ice.
- A real pint-sized dynamo. - You think?
Yeah. Definitely.
I mean, who else our age can pull off a quad loop?
And jump!
[straining]
This is as far as my arms and legs will go.
I don't want excuses.
I want execution.
And jump!
Well, this feels like an execution.
Do you think this is funny?
No.
[scoffs] Wait. Yes.
Which answer will get me out of this thing?
What sort of attitude is this, Ava?
Do you think this opportunity comes around every day?
Do you think an Olympic skater whines to be let out of their harness?
Still listening.
Coming back around.
[grunts]
What would your father say if he saw the recording?
Do you think he would be pleased?
I'm trying my best.
Your best has to be perfect!
And jump!
["Here With Me" playing]
- I thought you hadn't cracked my code. - Please.
No one forgets a call at four in the morning
to hear all about a pillow fort.
[chuckles]
♪ Can I tell you something... ♪
- Is this... - Our music?
I know.
♪...I know I'm finally free ♪
[Jacob] Wait.
Where's Maia?
[Archie slurping] At the moment, I'm kind of playing the field,
but if you wanna put your hat in the ring,
or rink...
[clicks] ...to be my new partner, then that would be cool.
But just to warn you,
there is a lot of competition.
[slurping]
- And you can do a quadruple loop, right? - [spits]
[coughs]
What?
No. No. That's ridiculous.
[sighs]
Uh. So, how tall are you?
♪ Can I tell you something Just between you and me? ♪
♪ When I hear your voice I know I'm finally free ♪
♪ And I need you here with me ♪
♪ Every day ♪
♪ You're saying the words That I want you to say ♪
♪ There's a pain in my heart And it won't go away ♪
♪ Now I know I'm falling in deep ♪
♪ 'Cause I need you here with me ♪
♪ Every day ♪
♪ You're saying the words That I want you to say ♪
♪ There's a pain in my heart And it won't go away ♪
♪ Now I know I'm falling in deep ♪
♪ 'Cause I need you here with me ♪
♪ Can I tell you something Just between you and me? ♪
♪ 'Cause I need you here with me ♪
[audience clapping]
Oh, we can't give up on this. You know that, right?
My parents don't care that we like skating together.
The only thing they care about is trophies and bragging rights.
Well, then we'll enter Blade Star.
Surely your parents will have to admit
that we stand a better chance getting on Team GB than Team Canada.
But you don't care about winning competitions.
If it means that you get to stay in the UK and we get to skate together...
Jacob. This is eating into our bonding time.
So get over here and bond with me right now!
Please tell me there's a way out of this?
Coming!
[suspenseful music playing]
Nico, pass!
Mac, that was mine!
[cheering]
[air horn blaring]
- What? - That pass wasn't meant for you, man.
[Mac] Really?
Huh. Tell that to the scoreboard.
All right.
He wants to play alone? We'll leave him alone.
[phone rings]
Kayla. Where are you? You're missing the game.
[referee whistles]
What?
Okay. All right.
[rap music playing]
[groans]
That's what you get.
[Anton] Mac!
- Where's the support? - Get it out of there!
Ref!
[Bear] Mac!
- [audience cheering] - [air horn blaring]
[air horn blaring]
So, you're just not gonna help?
Help? You were doing so well on your own, huh?
Anton, look, I gotta go. It's Kayla.
- She's in trouble. Okay. - Yeah, yeah. Okay.
- [whistles] - [booing]
Okay, MacBentley, I'm subbing you off.
What?
No. Coach, I gotta stay on.
You had a great game. You give me 20-plus, but tired players are reckless players.
You're done. Let's go.
[chanting] Mac! Mac! Mac! Mac!
Mac! Mac!
Come on, listen! They want me on.
They're not your coach!
I am.
Now get off the ice.
[somber music playing]
[Mac] Come on. Blow the whistle. Let's go.
- [whistles] - Come on.
Come on!
Bye, Mac.
Adams!
[referee whistles]
[Ava's mom] Jump!
[grunts]
- [Ava's mom] Wonderful. - [sighs]
Listen.
I know you thought you were going to your father's game.
Why you would want to is beyond me.
- You knew. - [Ava's mom] Of course I did.
I was testing you.
And you passed with flying colors.
Skating glory takes sacrifice,
and although this may not be how you wanted to spend your evening,
you stopped complaining, and you dug deep.
I'm proud of you.
Thanks, Mama.
You know, if we hurry, we could catch the last period.
Didn't you hear what I just said?
Skating glory takes sacrifice!
But I did what you wanted.
This was for you, Ava.
You know what?
I have the harness booked for another half an hour.
That should give you plenty of time to develop the winning mentality you need.
You're going to leave me in this thing, Mama?
- Jump. - Mama, wait!
Wait!
[sighs]
[inspirational music playing]
[thuds]
[clangs]
- [Bear] Well, that went well. - Are you kidding? It was great.
Mac nearly scored a double hat trick.
You're just happy they weren't against you for once.
Hey, you know Jonny's dad's car has heated seats?
- Oh, yeah? - And he comes to pick up Jonny every day.
You know what the bus has that Jonny's dad's car doesn't?
A top deck.
Bear, I'm not seven.
Okay, fine. We'll sit on the lower deck.
But the view's rubbish on the lower deck.
Hey, how about we get some cheesy chips on the way back.
Bet Jonny's dad doesn't let him eat cheesy chips in his car.
- Exactly. - [chuckles]
[laughing]
- [Jenny] I'll go get the car. - [Mac] Where's Dad?
[chuckles] He's probably baking Anton a year's supply of banana bread.
Getting yanked from your first game.
Classic.
I've never seen coach that angry before.
Don't you worry about me and the coach, okay?
- We have an understanding. - [Nico] Sure you do.
That's why he wants a word with you.
[somber music playing]
MacBentley.
Coach, look, you don't have to say anything.
I know. I know.
- [sighs] I'm sorry. - Tell me, Mac.
What was your favorite thing about Gretzky?
Well, uh, I wanna say his goal record.
But I think it's 'cause he listened to his coach?
No.
The correct answer is goal record.
What about Ovechkin?
- His one-timer? - Nice.
Buccoski?
Um...
I... I don't know him.
Whew, what a player.
Dimitri Buccoski had the lowest center of gravity of anyone I knew.
Knocked off balance, boom! Straight back up.
Of all the players I played with, he was the best.
- Can't say I've heard of him. - He was late for training twice.
Coach demoted him, he had a tantrum,
got a bad reputation, the rest isn't history.
There are two big differences between you and Buccoski,
and I want you to remember them.
One, he was better than you.
And two...
you won't be allowed to do this twice.
You disobey me again,
and you'll be on the first flight back to Canada.
[somber music playing]
[Luke] There'll be other Jacobs, you know that, right?
I mean, not necessarily other Jacobs, but...
[Kayla] I get it, Dad.
People will be clamoring to skate with you.
You'll see. They'd be crazy not to.
[scoffs]
It's gonna get easier, I promise.
Honestly, Dad, I'm cool about the whole Jacob thing.
- Oh, yeah? - Yeah. Yeah.
Some things just aren't meant to be.
[suspenseful music playing]
And some things totally are.
[theme music playing]