Grace and Frankie: Spec script
Abstract
Grace and Frankie is a Netflix Original television comedy starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston and Martin Sheen. The series is a modern retelling of The Odd Couple, in which two very different 70-year-old women are forced to live together after their husbands leave them for each other. The following script includes an original storytelling of what would be the first episode of the season four. In order to prepare for writing this television script, I studied all three existing seasons through re-watching, as well as reading previous scripts from Grace and Frankie. I then outlined my episode, which included detailed story arcs, subplots, and its major plot. Following this, I developed character summaries that included biographical details, personality traits and defining characteristics of the four main characters, as well as for their children who play secondary roles. Through these methods, I was able to create a solid foundation for the storyline and strong dynamics for and between characters. In this episode, the theme of secrecy runs throughout each of the characters' stories. While Grace keeps her new relationship with a slick, businessman from her family, Frankie struggles with keeping the secret from everyone and with accepting it, herself. Sol and Robert continue to hide that they were arrested from all family members except Bud and Brianna, who bail them out. Coyote and Mallory attempt to hide the fact they slept together in a tiny house not long after Mallory's sticky divorce with Mitch and Coyote's two-year sobriety mark. Bud still continues to mull over the news of his girlfriend, Allison's pregnancy and becomes wearier after she cuts off all communication. The episode comes to its climax in the telling of Brianna's secret engagement to her dorky, former accountant, Barry. In the final scene, all secrets are revealed in a fiery family bout over dinner.