(theme music)
♪♪
(crowd): We want Bobby! We want Bobby! We want Bobby!
(TV reporter): We're here at the Ambassador Hotel,
Los Angeles, California, awaiting the arrival
of Senator Robert Kennedy
who, we were told, will shortly address
his triumphant supporters here in the ballroom.
(crowd): We want Bobby! We want Bobby!
We want Bobby! We want Bobby!
(TV reporter): Bringing back memories of the glory
that became known as Camelot, Senator Kennedy tonight has won
the California primary. A giant step
toward becoming the Democratic Party's nominee
for president of the United States. As in the past,
this was a campaign in which almost the entire Kennedy family
took part, crisscrossing the Golden State to insure victory.
Senator Robert Kennedy's brother
is here with his wife Joan. Junior senator
from Massachusetts: Edward M. Kennedy!
(cheering)
- (phone ringing) - (indistinct chatter)
Yes, of course.
Mrs. Kennedy, I have Mrs. Kennedy.
Grab yourself a drink, Mary Jo.
Jackie, you've been watching? David, put your sister down!
You're gonna knock something over.
Ethel, I'm so thrilled.
May I say hello to Bobby?
We're going all the way, kiddo. Nothing's gonna stop us.
It'll be wonderful when we're back in the White House.
What do you mean, "we"? It's our turn now.
(phone clicks)
(dial tone)
We are a great country and a selfless country
and a compassionate country, and I intend to make that
my basis for running over the period of the next few months.
(crowd cheering)
So it's my thanks to all of you.
And now it's onto Chicago and let's win there.
(crowd cheering)
(crowd cheering on TV)
(turning off TV)
State senator.
(crowd): We want Bobby! We want...
♪♪
(indistinct chatter)
(inaudible talking)
(indistinct chatter)
♪♪
(indistinct talking)
Congratulations, Senator!
(laughing): Bobby!
(screaming)
Someone, get that!
(gunshot)
(indistinct chatter)
Bobby? Bobby?
I don't know! Oh, God!
Somebody, get a doctor!
Get a doctor!
♪♪
(distant siren)
- (indistinct chatter) - (phone ringing)
As long as we're here,
we should go to Hawaii for a couple of days.
I have nothing to wear.
Good.
Senator, Bobby's been shot.
(TV reporter): Here we are now.
This is the ballroom in the Ambassador Hotel,
in Los Angeles, California. Four doctors
- are working over him now. - (doctor): Blood on the floor.
(TV reporter): There's blood on the floor.
♪♪
(phone ringing)
Bobby!
- Oh, God! - (gunshot noise)
(gunshot)
(TV reporter): Prior to the start of emergency surgery,
a spokesman here at Good Samaritan Hospital said...
- Please turn that off. - ...the senator's condition
is extremely serious.
I don't want Caroline or John to leave the apartment.
Please keep the shades drawn.
Make sure they don't see any newspapers or watch TV.
It's OK.
Mommy.
Hey.
Are we going to the aquarium tomorrow?
- You promised. - I'm sorry.
I have to go see Uncle Bobby.
Can you tell him that I said hi, please?
(phone ringing)
Kennedy residence.
It's Mr. Onassis.
Ari...
it's so horrible.
We just heard the news, my dear.
(crying)
This can't be happening again.
How can I help you?
You want me to be with you?
I'm... I'm about to get on
the flight to Los Angeles.
And I'll call you when I land.
Of course. Of course. Yes.
I don't know if I can do this.
The family will be relying on you.
But please, Jackie, rely on me.
Everything, whatever I have is yours.
You're so good to me.
We're praying for him
and for you, my dear.
Thank you, Ari.
Of course. Bye-bye.
(hubbub)
Very sorry for your loss.
There were people here.
What? Where?
On the property. Photographers.
(indistinct chatter)
I'm sorry. It's so late.
Thank you for coming over.
♪♪
How are the children doing?
They're much more resilient than we are.
Caroline loves her new school.
I have a parents' night next week.
That will be awkward.
Jackie, I can go with you if you...
need someone there. It's no trouble.
Bobby, I'm so grateful,
for everything.
It's fine.
No.
You have a family.
You're my family.
- (indistinct chatter) - (man): We were gone last night
and then today. If you have anything, you might...
(mechanical ventilation) (regular beeping)
(indistinct PA system messages) (phone ringing)
He's gonna be alright.
What?
The doctors say it'll never be more than this.
No. If we pray hard enough...
He'll never regain consciousness.
Then I'll take him home.
- (Joan): Ethel-- - I'll take him home!
I'll take care of him.
You think that's what he'd want? To be taken care of?
We both know what needs to be done here.
I won't give the doctors permission
- to turn off the machines. - This is no life!
I won't do it, Teddy. Ifod wants to call him, then--
- We're standing in God's way! - Then you do it!
♪♪
Fine.
Yeah. There gonna be some expenses...
Let's just wa for Jackie.
I don't want her near him.
♪♪
(hubbub)
- Turn this way, please. - Tell us if he's gonna make it.
(phone ringing)
(indistinct conversations)
Jackie.
I know. I know.
(regular beeping)
(indistinct PA system message)
Now I know how you felt.
How do I do this?
I can't lose him, Jackie.
- (Ethel sobbing) - You just lean on me.
Just like I leaned on you.
No, you didn't.
You leaned on him.
He was the one you called in the middle of the night.
He left his own children to be with yours!
So don't say that you leaned on me!
We had a talk about you and him.
Did you believe it?
I trust him.
And you have every reason to.
But you have to let him go.
I can't.
Out of love for him,
Ethel, you have to let him go.
Will you do it for me?
Yes, of course.
(Ethel sniffling)
(regular beeping)
♪♪
(sob)
(sniffling)
♪♪
(Beep-beep-beep!)
- (Ethel gasping) - (regular beeping)
(faster beeping)
(long, continuous beep)
(Ethel and others): Hail, Mary, full of grace.
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God,
pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death.
- Amen. - ♪♪
He's in heaven now.
He's happy.
♪♪
Thank you, God,
for relieving him of his earthly burdens...
- ...for receiving you. - (gunshot noise)
(gunshot noise)
And for all the other blessings he bestowed upon us.
"Thank you, God"?
Look what he's done.
How can any of this be a blessing?
Jackie.
If there is a God, he's a cruel God.
(A bell tolls.)
My brother need not be idealized
or enlarged in death
more than he was in life
to be remembered simply as a good
and decent man
who saw wrong and tried to right it,
saw suffering and tried to heal it,
saw war and tried to stop it.
As he said many times,
in many part...
in many parts of this nation
to those he touched
and those who sought to touch him,
"Some men see things
"the way they are and say, 'Why?'
"I dream things that never were..."
...and say, 'Why not?'"
♪♪
(sobbing)
(piano music)
(door opening and closing)
Mommy? Mommy?
I'm hungry!
- Don't cry. - Could we have breakfast?
Just leave me alone.
Come on. We'll make it ourselves.
♪♪
(boy): You mean you didn't watch cartoons?!
Well, we read them in the papers.
When I was your age, there was no television.
- How old are you?! - (priest chuckling)
Shhh!
I'll be right there.
Thank you for seeing him every week.
He looks so forward to it.
You're doing an excellent job.
Father...
...it's me who needs the help.
It's all too much.
Is it wrong to pray to die?
If it's what you really want...
If it means I'll be with Jack.
And Bobby.
(sniffling)
(exhaling)
But then I'd miss my children growing up.
And they need me.
(sniffling)
Oh, but I'm not much use to them
in this condition.
You can change your condition
with time, with faith!
♪♪
I'm not strong enough.
You held your family together when Jack died.
You held the country together.
You are strong enough.
(seagulls squawking)
"President Nixon."
Hope you like the sound of it
'cause that's what we're looking at come November,
Republicans in the White House,
if you don't pick up what Bobby left off.
I run Chicago. The convention's in my town.
I can make it happen.
Tell him, honey. All he's gotta do
is snap his fingers and the nomination's his.
- Mayor Daley, I-- - Picture it.
- Ticker-tape parade on State Street. - They don't want me.
100 000 people in Soldier Field!
I may be up there, but they'll be seeing Bobby.
They'll take what they can get.
Look, I know it's tough,
but think of the big picture.
You're the hope of the party
and the country.
It's what Jack would have wanted.
And Bobby and your dad.
It's what Kennedys do.
Don't tell me what we do.
♪♪
It's not right.
It's cruel of him to even ask.
You're not ready. You may never be ready.
But certainly not now.
Bobby's only been dead two weeks.
♪♪
Teddy!
Talk to me!
When do I get included in all this?
Daley says I'm the only hope for the party.
We've already got California,
and he says he can bring in Illinois and Ohio.
We'll have New York and the Northeast.
I can bring in the unions,
the negroes and the Jews,
everyone who would have voted for Bobby.
No.
I don't want you to run.
But I have to.
Daley says I'm the only one who can pull the country together.
We owe the country nothing. This is about the family.
We're not like other families.
You and Dad always said we had an obligation--
Bobby fulfilled it.
And Jack.
Let it stay buried with them.
And I agree with your mother.
Oh! So it's Bobby or no one?
My God, Ted. After what we've just
been through.
(scoffing)
You don't think I can do it.
That's not the point.
Sure it is. You don't like
the idea of anybody replacing the saint!
- Least of all, me! - (Rose): Teddy!
How dare you!
What I hate is the idea of some idiot
with a gun killing the last brother.
Jack and Bobby's children
have no father. Right now,
your obligation is to them and to your own children.
It's the only obligation that matters.
(gentle music)
rickets chirping)
♪♪
(doorbell ringing)
I got it. I got it.
Hi.
♪♪
Where is everyone?
Tonight is for us, alone.
- Where should we sit? - Choose.
(owl hooting)
You have done more grieving
than anyone could bear.
Life is for living.
Let me give you a new one.
Let me take you to Skorpios.
I love you.
Marry me on my island.
I know you want to say yes.
Great men know what women want.
It's a gift from God.
Say yes.
Then I'll say it for you in Greek.Nai.
- Nai. Nai. - (Jackie laughing)
I love it when you laugh.
I want to hear your laughter in every room, in every house.
- What about the children? - They will have
- everything they need. - What about your children?
Hmm, they will come around to the idea.
But the most important thing is that your children
will have a mother who is happy.
Is it crowded in here?
(man): ♪ Let it be me ♪
♪ Who comes to hold you ♪
♪ When the world outside ♪
♪ Has been cold to you ♪
♪ Who set you free ♪
♪ Let it be me ♪
♪ Ooooh ♪
(woman): ♪ I can make you smile ♪
♪ Yes, I understand you ♪
- ♪ I will comfort you ♪ - Can I wear 'em to school?
- It will drive the nuns crazy. - Hmm.
- (phone ringing) - Here.
Margaret?
(phone ringing)
man: What it's like, Mrs. Kennedy,
having the most famous kids in the world?
- Who is this? - We know their schedule,
we know where they go to school
and we know the route they take to get there.
Who is this?
We can grab them anytime we want.
The secret service won't be able to do a thing about it.
So if I were you, I'd make--
(John): Caroline, wait up!
- Don't go too far. - Let them have fun.
I want my children to be safe. They're a target.
But I'll take care of you. I'll protect you all.
New York is my children's home.
You have two homes.
Skorpios will be a paradise for them and for you.
And I've already lived in a gilded cage.
- I can't do it again. - "Cage"?
What cage?
Sit with me.
You'll be free. Free from fear.
I believe in the power of faith. (Ari speaking Greek)
Faith brought us together,
and it's up to you to decide if we stay that way.
Say yes.
(dog barking)
You want to ask me something.
Will you come to Hyannisport and meet the Kennedys?
To kiss rings, or asses?
(both laughing)
Both.
If it's important to you,
I'll win them over. I know they don't like me,
but I've dealt with presidents and prime ministers and kings.
But you've never dealt with Rose.
♪♪
I'm gonna run, Dad.
I'll make you proud.
I'll get it all back for us.
I'll get us back
to the White House.
(light tapping)
I've decided not to run.
Actually, that decision got made for me.
Nah, it's for the best.
But look at it this way, Annie:
we'll have a lot more time together.
I'll, uh, see you soon.
(Ted hanging up phone)
I'm, uh...
not gonna run.
Awww...
No White House for Teddy Bear.
Why don't you invite Annie over for dinner.
- We can all sit around the table. - You're drunk.
And you're a bastard.
♪♪
(indistinct conversation between Rose and Ethel)
- (door closing) - Hi, Rose.
Hello, dear.
This is Ari.
I'm glad you could join us.
Delighted.
A Greek bearing gifts.
"Beware of Greeks bearing gifts,"
- Mr. Onassis. - (Onassis laughing)
- May I? - Oh, this is quite unnecessary.
But I insist.
Quite unnecessary.
Hut!
Oh no, no, no, no!
Here, go long!
- Ohh! - (kids and Jackie laughing)
♪♪
Mustard... A bit of ketchup on it.
♪♪
You don't need her approval.
You don't need it from any of us.
But I want it.
My family.
Why do you care?
(indistinct chatter)
I, uh, understand
you've been divorced.
We're Catholic;
divorce is not acceptable in the Church.
♪♪
Are you, uh,
close to your children?
They are my life.
Of course, we have our disagreements.
Of course.
You know why I'm here.
You plan to marry our Jackie.
There will always be a place
in her heart for your son.
That place is sacred.
I love her more because of it.
And...
I'm willing to share.
♪♪
- (inaudible conversation) - I don't remember
seeing her laugh like that since Jack died.
It's hard though.
Would be harder if he were young and handsome like Jack.
If Ari is the one she wants,
then we have to, all of us,
make him feel welcome.
(Ted): I haven't seen Ethel.
Oh, uh...
She, uh... she has a migraine.
So...
what is your answer?
Yes or no?
Nai i ochi?
If I have to wait any longer,
you'll be too old!
- I like making you wait. - (Ari laughing)
- I don't like waiting. - (Jackie chuckling)
(romantic music)
- Yes. - Yes!
- Nai! Nai! Nai! - laughing):Nai.
(kids laughing)
You would enjoy sailing on my yacht.
I named her Christina after my daughter.
Oh, that would be wonderful, but, um,
what would I do there all by myself?
I would be with you, my dear!
- (both laughing) - Ari.
Careful, Mother.
- (Ari laughing) - Hiya, kiddo.
Glad you're feeling better.
I'm Ethel, Bobby's wife.
Ari.
Who wants dessert, mhm?
(indistinct chatter)
He's the man I'm going to marry. For that alone, he deserves your respect.
What kind of respect are you showing Jack?
Jack wouldn't want me to be alone.
- I hope the same from you. - I'm not the one who's leaving.
You said you'd always be here.
I'm not leaving, Ethel; I'm living!
I'm doing what I have to do
- for myself, for my children. - You mean, what you want to do.
Yeah! What I want to do.
I deserve it, Ethel.
After everything I've been through, you don't think I deserve it?
Then marry the Greek. I hope it works out,
but you will never be part of us anymore.
(tap water running)
(crickets chirping) (waves lapping shore)
Hi, Teddy.
- I'm sorry about Ethel. - (Jackie chuckles.)
Ethel is just being Ethel.
(Jackie sighs.)
Teddy...
can I ask you something?
Anything.
Ari wants to
give me a dowry, and...
I don't want to talk to him about money.
Will you speak to him for me?
Thank you.
(crickets chirping)
(inaudible conversation)
♪♪
(Ari laughing)
I just have one question.
Do you love her?
Of course.
But that's not your question,
Teddy. Your question is
why would a man like me
who can have any woman in the world,
why do I want her?
To the rest of the world, she's unattainable,
out of reach,
but to me...
...there's no such thing.
(crickets chirping)
You'll never have to worry again.
Thank you, Teddy.
Why don't I make you some coffee.
So will you go back to the Senate this fall?
What else would I do?
Take some time
for you and Joan.
I think she's in trouble.
I've tried to get her to stop drinking.
But she gets worse every day.
She feels alone.
She needs you.
She told you that?
Please help her.
♪♪
Please help her.
♪♪
Nice shot!
Thank you for bringing him to see us.
I appreciate the gesture.
I hope this doesn't mean we'll be losing you.
You're a part of who I am,
and you always will be.
Camelot.
This, uh,
opera singer
he has been involved with, uh, Maria...
Callas.
Have you talked to him about her?
Don't worry.
It will all be OK.
Come visit.
I will.
♪♪
(car door closing)
Jackie!
(car door closing)
(car engine revving up)
Some suntan lotion for Greece.
It'll keep you looking young.
♪♪
(traditional Greek guitar music playing)
(indistinct chatter)
Opaaa!
(Ari laughing)
Come on! Come on! Come on here and dance. Come in here.
- Come in here. - (indistinct chatter)
She's evil. He'll regret this.
You hate Maria. You hate Jackie.
♪♪
Her spirit's cursed the Kennedys.
Sooner or later, we'll suffer like they did.
(people chattering)
- (woman cheering) - (man):Opa!
(inaudible words)
♪♪
- Opa! - Opa!
(Ari laughing)
- Hey, it is my wedding today. - (indistinct chatter)
The Christine. Do you have a yacht?
(indistinct chatter)
No? It's so beautiful.
(unsettling music)
(waves lapping shore)
(indistinct chatter)
(people laughing)
(woman retching)
(woman coughing)
(toilet flushing)
- What's this? - Thought you'd be
over it by now.
The morning sickness.
- Teddy. - Oh! There's gonna be a party.
A little thank you for people who worked
- on Bobby's campaign. - Where?
Chappaquiddic!
Paul and Joe set it up.
It's just burgers and beers for a bunch of kids.
- Kids? - It's nothing.
You mean girls.
What are you getting so upset about?
Well, I'll go with you then..
In your condition, you need to rest.
Ted...
You know what?
Just go.
(people cheering and chattering)
♪ And love will steer the stars ♪
♪ This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius ♪
♪ Age of Aquarius ♪
I should be getting back to Edgartown.
♪ Aquarius ♪
- That's where you're staying? - ♪ Aquarius ♪
That's where I'm staying.
♪ Harmony and understanding ♪
♪ Sympathy and trust abounding ♪
Ferry stops running at midnight.
♪ Golden living dreams of visions ♪
♪ Mystic crystal revelation ♪
♪ And the mind's true liberation ♪
- (rock music) - ♪ I meddled with my heart ♪
♪ There's no one else ♪
♪ 'Cause my baby loves me ♪
Do you know where you're going?
- ♪ Oh yeah, oh yeah ♪ - Mhm.
- ♪ My baby loves me ♪ - Slow down,
- there might be cops around. - Oh, forget about
the cops!
♪ Is something wrong with me ♪
♪ Who'd ever think that she would ever leave ♪
What are you doing all the way over there?
- Come here. - ♪ My baby loves me, yeah ♪
♪ Yeah! My baby loves me ♪
(disquieting music)
Teddy!
♪♪
(gasping)
Mary Jo?
♪♪
(gasping)
(screams)
♪♪
(panting)
(distant, indistinct rock song)
(people laughing)
- (man): Excuse me. - (man): Oh!
(indistinct chatter)
- (indistinct rock song playing) - Hey!
- Yeah? - Is that all we got?
These girls drink more than we do.
Well, we're gonna need more!
It's midnight. Store's closed.
- Teddy? - What the hell happened?
♪♪
(gasping)
(crying): No!
Left the girl in the car?
The currents. There were currents.
Do you think she came back here?
Come on!
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners.
(dramatic music)
- MARY JO! MARY JO! - Don't move!
Nothing!
It's too murky.
Paul! Can't see a thing!
Joey, did you... find her?
It's pitch black, Teddy.
Well, she got out, didn't she?
I mean, she could have gotten out.
We would have seen her on the road.
If she's in there, she's dead.
The windows are closed.
Doors won't budge. How did you get out?
I don't know. I don't know.
Now, now, listen, listen.
You gotta go to the police and file a report.
♪♪
What am I gonna do?
I'm with you, kid. Been through a lot of scrapes.
But you gotta pull yourself together.
United States senator for Christ's sake.
When we get to Edgartown, I'll go with him and make
the report. You're his cousin.
If you're part of it, it'll look like we're stacking the deck.
Go back to the cottage; get rid of the girls.
After Teddy makes the report--
We can say Mary Jo was driving.
She was driving, and I fell asleep.
Ted, for Christ's sake!
She didn't know the roads, and there were no lights!
You're out of your mind.
Or we could say she was alone!
I was never near the car!
(Joey): I saw the two of you drive off, Ted!
Well, here's a good idea: don't tell anyone that!
If they depose me, I'm not gonna perjure myself.
Well then, we'll tell them you were driving the car.
- You lost control-- - Not taking the rap for you!
- You owe us! - (Joey): I owe you?
Who took in poor Joey when your mother died?
And you wouldn't be a lawyer if my father hadn't paid for it!
- You let go of me! - Knock it off, will ya?
Knock it off! That's all we need!
- Stop the car. - What?
- Why? - Stop the car!
Teddy! Where are you going?
What the hell are you doing, Teddy?
Let him go!
Let's get back to the cottage; we'll call it in.
Nah.
What if our story doesn't jibe with his?
We look guilty and run the risk of getting disbarred?
Been covering for him since we were kids.
He's on his own.
♪♪
(exhaling)
(dial tone)
- (Beep!) - (phone ringing)
Yes. Is this the front desk?
This is Senator Kennedy from room 5.
Some idiot's been blasting their radio down the hall
for the last three hours.
The Beatles, I don't know.
I've just been just lying here trying to sleep
since 10 p.m.
Do something about it.
♪♪
(screams)
(birds singing)
♪♪
(dial tone)
(phone ringing)
Hello?
Mrs. Kopechne?
Yes.
This is Senator Ted Kennedy.
I'm afraid I have bad news.
Your daughter, Mary Jo, was in an accident.
- She's dead. - No.
No!
Mrs. Kopechne, I... I wish I could--
- Mary Jo's... dead? - What is it?
She drowned.
What was she doing in the water?
She's afraid of it.
She was...
(Mary Jo): Teddy!
...in a car that drove over a bridge.
She didn't have a car up there.
That's all the information
I have right now. I'm terribly sorry.
- (phone clicks) - (dial tone)
(knocking on door)
(knocking on door again)
(birds singing)
I've been watching TV since dawn;
there's been nothing on the radio or the newspapers.
What did you tell the police?
You didn't go. Ted, it's been nine hours!
- Are you crazy?! You motherfucker! - Alright. Alright. OK. Alright.
Who are you?
It's me. It's... it's Dun Gifford.
- What does he want?! - Tell him.
Paul called me. I'm here to help.
We'll get coffee. You'll tell Paul
exactly what happened. He'll write it down,
and then we'll take it to the police.
♪♪
(chime)
- Christina. - Babas.
(speaking Greek)
Speak English in front of my wife.
Don't worry.
I won't spend all of his money.
At least not today.
(speaking Greek)
- Christina! - (Christina answering in Greek)
I didn't get the last part.
She...
I think you are amazing.
(Jackie chuckling)
(kids laughing and chattering)
- (girl): Never mind! - (man laughing)
Spanish?
- Mm-hmm. - French?
And now you're learning my language?
You're so much smarter than me!
- (both laughing) - Oh, Ari.
I wanted to surprise you for your birthday.
(kid): Mom!
But after what she said, I couldn't wait.
I apologize for my daughter.
I'm sorry.
(girl): Look at me!
- (kids chattering) - Wow!
Good job!
- Good job! - (Ari laughing)
- Did you see that? - (boy): I'll get you!
(girl): Come in the water with me!
♪♪
(kids laughing)
I know you'll recognize the writing.
It came from Maria Callas.
♪♪
She sent it on our wedding day.
"One heart. One soul."
You waited this long to show me?
♪♪
She has her life, in Paris.
We have ours, here.
You have given me so much,
and you've made me want to live again,
but, Ari...
♪♪
...I love you and respect you...
...but you don't have the power to hurt me.
Jack did,
and he's the last man who will.
I understand.
♪♪
(boy): I got it!
(Ari laughing)
(kid chuckling)
- Watch her head. - OK.
- I got her there. - (indistinct police radio)
- Easy. Easy. - (indistinct chatter)
Chief Arena.
DMV says the car is registered to Senator Kennedy.
Jesus!
(siren)
- It's a bit on this side. - Yeah, lift it.
- Ready to go. - Alright. Nice and steady.
OK. There, you can go for it.
I'd like to start pulling the line a little.
(indistinct police radio)
- It's a bit on this side. - No sign of blunt trauma.
Chief Arena?
Detective George Killen.
This is a local matter.
We were notified an hour ago
as soon as DMV got your request.
Young lady expires
in a vehicle owned by the senator himself,
be surprised how local it isn't.
♪♪
Let's take her in. Yeah.
I came to the surface
and then I dove back down in an effort
to see if the passenger was still in the car.
I was unsuccessful.
How many times?
How many times did you dive down to see if she was in the car?
You think I'm lying?
I'm not saying you're lying;
I'm saying they're gonna want to know how many times
you dove down to see if she was in the car.
Repeatedly!
How many times is "repeatedly"?
Repeatedly is lots and lots of times!
Many, many, many times!
(indistinct chatter)
Pardon me, sir. Dun Gifford. I'm with Senator Kennedy.
It's a terrible tragedy. Uh, I'm wondering
if you've figured out cause of death yet.
- I'll be looking on your side. - Thank you, sir.
- Pull on? - Yeah, secure.
- Good? - Yeah.
I think we're good!
Yeah. Let's go.
More torque! That's it, that's it.
- Starting to move. - Some guy and his kid
on their bikes, they're the ones who found the car.
Chief Arena, I'm Dun Gifford on behalf of Senator Kennedy.
- It's an awful thing. - You're his lawyer?
Friend of the family.
Detective George Killen, Massachusetts State Police.
- Hello. - Where's the senator?
- We'll need a statement. - He's on his way
- to your office to deliver it. - We're gonna need
more than a statement. Problem with a coroner's autopsy
when there's an unintended death in questionable circumstances.
I know what the Commonwealth requires.
Circumstances seem pretty obvious, don't they?
(diver): To you maybe.
Uh, your coroner, Dr. Mills, says he believed
- she drowned as a result of-- - (diver): He's wrong.
- What makes you say that, John? - She's not the first
body I've pulled out of the water. She didn't drown.
♪♪
Can we go now?
Gotta wait 'til Dun gets back.
And we get the hell out of here, go back to Hyannisport.
(door opening)
Dun, what is it?
Mary Jo didn't drown.
What the hell are you saying?
She was alive when you left.
According to the diver, she may have been
alive for two hours.
If you'd reported it
when it happened,
she might still be alive now.
♪♪
Oh, my God!
here was an air pocket in the car.
Once the oxygen was gone,
- here was she asphyxiated. - I could have saved her.
Where was she?!
You were in shock.
Anybody would be. You still are.
What am I gonna do now?
Dun, you said the coroner called it a drowning.
And signed the certificate. If everybody goes along,
they could write Ted up for leaving an accident scene.
But this State detective, he's all about procedure.
An autopsy?
If it proves
she died from asphyxiation...
...you could go to prison for involuntary manslaughter.
♪♪
I... need to make a call.
(Ari):I don't understand.
What did Teddy say?
He says he needs me.
That's all? And you're running
back to them, even though you don't know what for?
- They're my family. - No!
I'm your family! And I forbid you to go!
You can't forbid me. I won't allow it.
Jackie, you wanted to be safe!
You can only be safe here with me!
Why do you want to go? Whatever's happening
to the Kennedys is their problem, not ours.
You're rht. It's not ours;
it's mine.
So,
you're choosing them over me.
If that's a question, the answer's no.
If that's a threat,
we have a lot more to talk about.
Don't go.
♪♪
(man on TV):Late last night,
a car driven by Senator Edward M. Kennedy
drove off Dike Bridge on the island of Chappaquiddick.
This morning, the body of a 28-year-old woman...
(phone ringing) ...Mary Jo Kopechne, was found
- in the vehicle. The body's... - Hello?
...been brought to the Vineyard Haven Funeral Home.
Sources close to Edgartown Police Chief Dominick Arena
have confirmed that Senator Kennedy
managed to extricate himself from the submerged car
and was able to reach shore despite the swiftly moving current.
He's alive. Teddy is alive.
That was Joey Gargan. They will be home soon.
Once again, the Kennedys are at the centre of controversy and tragedy
leaving many to wonder if there isn't
some type of curse that hangs over
the most prominent political family
in the United States.
(rotary phone dialing)
(phone ringing)
I-I want to talk to the senator.
He called me--
Don't you tell me he's unavailable.
My daughter died in his car!
♪♪
(female singer vocalizing)
(calm music)
We're getting close to the gate.
(indistinct chatter)
- Senator! - Yes, please move here.
- Senator! - (indistinct chatter)
Get that camera away.
- OK? - We're through.
♪♪
I'm, uh,
OK, Mother.
I almost drowned, but I'm OK.
I don't know what you know,
what you've heard.
- I just wanted-- - The Holy Mother lost her son.
I've lost three.
I, uh,
thank God for sparing you.
Why he did, I don't know,
but he does nothing
without a purpose.
We need to pray to find out what that purpose is.
Please forgive me.
You need his forgiveness
and your wife's.
♪♪
(crickets chirping)
The funeral director was set to embalm her. There was hardly
any water in her lungs. Now, he's recommending an autopsy.
And that State detective is already on the warpath.
- They're gonna crucify Ted. - Who was that?
A buddy of mine from the Associated Press.
- This is bigger than us. - What do you mean?
What I mean is we need to call in Ted Sorensen, Bob McNamara.
What are they gonna do that we can't?
- The heaviest hitters we know. - The point is we need to get
- that body shipped and buried. - This is getting out of hand.
- I need to make a statement. - You already made one
- to the police! - A public statement.
The longer we wait; the more it looks like I'm trying to evade responsibility.
Teddy, you're not thinking straight. If you make
a mistake now, the press is gonna eat you alive.
(door closing)
What's this all about?
Welcome home, kiddo. It never ends, does it?
I probably should have told you.
This whole thing's been...
I didn't think you'd come if you knew.
But now you're here,
and everything's gonna be OK.
We've always counted on you,
and...
I'm really grateful that you're here.
Teddy, Jack would be so disappointed.
♪♪
(distant, indistinct chatter)
(indistinct chatter)
- One question! - Thank you.
Get the shot.
The men of Camelot are together again.
A milestone moment.
Former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara
and speechwriter Ted Sorensen,
key figures in President Kennedy's
administration, arriving at the family compound
in Hyannisport to join his chief of staff, David Burke,
and advising Senator Edward Kennedy.
♪♪
Wear it if you go out,
so the photographers see it.
Anything Ted says in public;
he's gotta be scripted, he's still in a daze.
This Coroner Mills, what do we know about him?
He doesn't drink, gamble or carouse.
A paragon of virtue. It happens.
- Killen, the State detective? - Ambitious, political animal.
Alright, boys. Ham, turkey or Swiss.
I made it myself.
How's Rose holding up? We may need her.
She's... Rose.
She's unbelievable.
What about Joan?
Heard it was rocky between her and Teddy even before this.
Joanie is a doll,
but she's only sober 20 minutes a day.
You need somebody reliable.
I'll do it.
Due respect, that'd only bring up more questions.
And the fewer, the better.
We've had more rain than usual.
More inches this month than the averages too,
but I... I still
walk along the beach
every day. Mile up, mile back.
This must be so hard for you.
Jack
and
Bobby...
...brought honour to the family.
And their brother Joe.
But this is...
What Teddy has done
is indefensible!
That poor girl and her family.
I'm just as angry at him as you are.
Why is he like this?
He's handsome,
wealthy,
he holds high office, he has a beautiful wife and
healthy children.
God has given him a charmed life and...
...he's squandering it.
♪♪
I can't get him to change.
I remember something you told me
when I married Jack.
You said these men have great gifts
and great flaws.
We can't change them; all we can do is love them
because they are who they are.
It's what saw me through.
It still does.
Why don't you take a rest, hmm?
♪♪
If there's anything this family is known for,
it is standing up for one another.
And the American people love your mother.
- Leave her out of it. - She's the matriarch--
I'm not getting her involved in this!
She's been through enough.
OK.
There are other Kennedy women.
Joansie...
...have you seen Jackie?
♪♪
Without her, you're finished.
I'll get her on board.
She's a team player.
(Joan): I'm your wife, and you called Jackie first!
I... I didn't want you to find out on the phone!
You've been home since yesterday, and you still
- haven't told me what happened! - I wasn't sleeping
- with Mary Jo! - Teddy, you think I care?
- Joansie, I know I've hurt you. - Oh, please.
- If apologizing could erase this-- - We're so far past that.
I've never needed you more than I need you now! Please, don't leave me!
- This one last time! - No! Don't!
If I louse it up again, if I hurt you again, you can go.
I'll give you everything I have.
Please, Joansie.
- Joansie, I-- - Stop.
Whatever you do...
don't say that you love me.
♪♪
I know I've got a problem.
Everyone thinks it's Ted
and Scotch,
but it's me.
I know how you feel.
Yeah?
You've never had a weak moment.
Joan, of course I have.
Was Ari upset about you coming here?
He understood.
Ted wants me to go to Mary Jo's funeral.
I'm worried about the stress and everything.
With the baby.
- You don't owe it to him. - (Joan laughs sadly.)
What he's put you through,
- he's lucky you're still here. - Yeah.
But I think it would look bad if you didn't go.
Years from now, it'll be important to your children
to see that you were there for him.
Will you go with me?
(gentle piano music)
(Joan sniffling)
Joan, this is the last time I'll be here.
♪♪
I'm finished with this.
All of it.
Stop kidding yourself.
Belonging to this family is like being an addict.
They've got us, Jackie.
We're hooked
for the rest of our lives.
Joan.
♪♪
I'll go with you to the funeral.
- You don't have to. - I know.
- But I-- - I took a terrible situation
and I made it worse.
I embarrassed my family.
I embarrassed you.
Joansie, I'm so sorry.
I'm gonna go on the air and tell the truth.
I'll resign from the Senate. (door opening)
I won't ever run for president.
No, Ted.
You'll carry on.
But when Bobby died,
you were the one who told me not to run for president.
I know what I told you then.
But God won't send us
a cross that's heavier than we can bear.
You will find his purpose
and you will fulfill it.
You received the gift of obligation
from your father, and you have a memory
of your brothers to sustain you.
This will not be the end.
I won't allow it.
They took Mary Jo back to the coroner's office.
The only reason
- they do that is for the autopsy. - We have to get the Kopechnes
- working with us. - It's risky.
If they think we're trying to sway them, the whole thing will backfire.
If the parents oppose the autopsy, that'll carry weight with the coroner. It'll be--
Ted already talked to them; it didn't go well.
- Then we'll find somebody else. - He said he won't involve Rose!
And if it's not her, who?
What if she asks me questions?
What if she wants details?
This is not the time for details;
this is a condolence call. Just you and Mrs. Kopechne.
One mother consoling another.
(phone ringing)
Hello?
Who is this?
♪♪
This is Joan Kennedy, Ted's wife.
Oh.
Mrs. Kennedy.
I just...
I just wanted you to know how
terribly sorry the whole Kennedy
family...
- I have a daughter too. - They were so many
things we don't understand about
- what happened. - We've had tragedy in our own family.
And as a mother, I know how you feel.
My husband and I,
we've mourned with all of you,
- but we're confused about-- - We're praying for Mary Jo.
Just know that our hearts are with you.
Goodbye, Mrs. Kopechne.
- (phone clicks) - (dial tone)
What did she say?
Not a damn thing.
Well done.
Thanks, Joansie.
Maybe you should lie down
and have a little rest.
That was nauseating.
- Absolutely not! - Then why did you come here?
Because... Teddy called.
Because it's what Jack would have wanted.
But this is a tragedy,
and I'm not going to make more
of a spectacle out of it than it already is.
♪♪
Where is she going?
Jacks!
To the airport, Mrs. Kennedy?
It's Mrs. Onassis.
♪♪
Thank you, Chief Arena.
The coroner refused to change his mind
about the cause of death so no autopsy.
- Oh, thank God. - Mary Jo's body will be
embalmed, casketed and returned to her parents in Pennsylvania.
- So what now? - We position Ted
to return to the Senate. We throw his career
into the hands of the people in Massachusetts.
We have him ask them to search
their consciences as he's searching his.
You mean, bring them into the decision?
- Exactly. - (phone ringing)
Hello?
Ted, it's Gifford. He wants to talk to you.
Hello?
Wait. What?
When?
♪♪
Teddy.
He said the Kopechnes are demanding an autopsy.
It's too late.
- The body's going to be embalmed. - No, it isn't.
They had it stopped! They called the State and had it stopped!
- What?! - They think we've been lying
the entire time. My call, Joan's.
They want to know how their daughter died.
And they'll do whatever it takes.
♪♪