Nathan and Angela embark on another chapter of their parenting journey together in Season 1, Episode 4 of "The Rehearsal". To Nathan's astonishment, Angela unveils her tumultuous past, confessing her deep-seated resentment towards her father for his absence and revealing how her parents endured a living hell due to her alcoholism and drug abuse. They share a mutual hope that their own son won't repeat the cycle of suffering—but isn't the essence of the simulation to mirror reality as closely as possible?
Fortunately, Adam is just six years old when Nathan bids farewell to their Eagle Creek home, returning to the hustle and bustle of his real life in LA. It turns out that securing a consistent lineup of actors for his show in Eagle Creek proves to be an uphill battle. Hence, it's time for Nathan to head back to the Fielder Method Studio to hone actors for the arduous task of participating in "The Rehearsal".
Nathan conducts a class on his methodology, which his students mischaracterize as "stalking" (a moment of teacherly pride for Nathan). He assigns them a task: to identify a "primary," observe them meticulously, and return to the next class dressed as them. Initially, Nathan remains oblivious to the potential concerns his students might harbor about his teaching methods.
At the conclusion of his maiden class, Nathan is predominantly preoccupied with his students' perceptions of him. So, as is his custom, he relives the class experience by populating the classroom with actors, embodying the role of a genuine student from his class named Thomas. From Thomas' seat, Nathan notices that while his method captivates, the ambiance seems excessively formal and stuffy.
When the students reconvene for the subsequent class, they find the chairs arranged in a circle, creating a much-improved atmosphere, as Nathan believes. Most students share insights about their primaries, but Thomas—the actual Thomas—finds himself struggling to gather much information about his primary, an employee at an Açaí Bowl restaurant.
Nathan takes Thomas aside to offer guidance: "Disrupt the situation" to gain closer proximity to his primary. As Nathan relives this class from Thomas' vantage point, he feels content with the way things transpired.
Next, Nathan orchestrates an immersive experience for his students, placing them in real-world roles aligned with their primary interests. He observes a striking correlation: the more unconventional his teaching methods become, the deeper the respect his students hold for him. However, Thomas remains uneasy with this arrangement. When Thomas confesses his discomfort with deceiving others, Nathan finds himself compelled to reconsider. He cannot recall feeling similarly when he was in Thomas's shoes. Thus, he resolves to revisit the first day of class, this time meticulously endeavoring to grasp Thomas's perspective from within.
During this meticulous reenactment, Nathan delves into an internal monologue, essentially mirroring what he envisions as Thomas's own silent thoughts. Adopting the guise of an individual thrilled yet apprehensive about capturing Nathan's favor on camera, he transforms into a Thomas who is both ill at ease with his surroundings and eager to conform to the group's dynamics. This portrayal of Thomas begins to resonate with a palpable authenticity.
Nathan feels a sense of accomplishment with the rehearsal, yet he acknowledges that true understanding requires delving even deeper. Seeking a closer connection, he visits Thomas at the açai shop where he now toils. Through this visit, Nathan vicariously experiences Thomas's encounter with his primary job site.
Upon returning to a reenactment of the first day, Nathan is struck by the realization of how intrusive his teaching practices might appear to Thomas. Seeking an unparalleled comprehension of Thomas's mindset, Nathan concludes that there is no better way to achieve this than by making his methods even more engaging and, dare he say, intrusive. Nathan realizes he must immerse himself fully in Thomas's world; he must live in Thomas's home.
Nathan subtly诱导Thomas into considering an apartment akin to his own, harboring a clandestine agenda to seize Thomas's abode as his own. He even secures employment at another açaí establishment, ensuring he can keep a constant vigil over Thomas, round the clock. Yet, in the midst of his machinations, Nathan acknowledges the inevitable—there will always remain facets of Thomas that remain an enigma to him. "Deciphering the genuine emotions behind an actor's smile is an arduous task," Nathan ponders. "But occasionally, it serves as a comforting balm to feign that all is well."
As Thomas and Nathan's other students graduate from his program, the hour arrives for Nathan to return to his false family nest at Eagle Creek. Adam and Angela embrace him warmly, yet the reunion feels hollow to Nathan. Adam, now fifteen, stands as a stark reminder of the years Nathan has missed in his son's life, echoing the void Angela's father left.
Under Nathan's direction, the actor portraying Adam stages their reunion—this time, with a chilling detachment. "Excellent," Nathan commends, more impressed by the actor's prowess than his own role as a father wounded by estrangement.
From this juncture onward, Nathan and Angela are thrust into the turbulent world of teenage rebellion. Adam, fueled by his father's absence, finds solace in late-night revelries and indulging in drugs with his peers. To Nathan, it's all a meticulously crafted performance, yet Angela seems to resonate deeply with Adam's plight. She attempts to bridge the gap by sharing her own experiences with drugs and an absent father, but her efforts fall on deaf ears. The rehearsal's focus has subtly shifted; Nathan has all but commandeered it, steering it into his own narrative.
Feeling as though he had missed out on a significant portion of his son's life, Nathan inquiries Angela about her sentiments on the possibility of reversing time back to when Adam was just six years old. Her response is diplomatic, suggesting that whatever serves the narrative best would be her preference.
Shortly thereafter, Nathan dashes into his son's bedroom, only to discover Adam coughing violently and frothing at the mouth – a victim of an overdose. Urgently, an ambulance is summoned to transport him to the hospital. Yet, just as they prepare to depart, Adam flees the scene.
Nathan embarks on a desperate search for his son, eventually locating him the following morning in a park amidst his friends. But as the 15-year-old Adam slides down to meet his father, he emerges from the slide transformed once again into a six-year-old boy.
"It's all too easy to presume that others harbor negative perceptions of you," Nathan muses as he watches Adam in the park. "But when you assume what others think, perhaps all you're doing is conjuring up a character that exists solely within the confines of your own mind."
"The beauty of it all is that, at times, a mere shift in perspective is all it takes to render the world anew," he continues.
"Alright, Adam," Nathan says to his now six-year-old son with a renewed sense of purpose. "Let's head back home."
