
Spinal Destination
Episode 1
Episode 1 | 22m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
Tessa, hit with a mysterious illness leaving her paralyzed, is sent to a spinal unit.
Tessa Rivers, a successful journalist, finds herself paralyzed from the waist down after a mysterious illness. Sent to the Goldfield’s Spinal Unit, she’s reluctantly introduced to its residents and staff - including Todd, the eccentric unit psychologist. Also in attendance: her alter-ego Walking Tessa, a sardonic hallucination of her past-self that only she’s able to see.
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Spinal Destination is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS and RMPBS
Spinal Destination
Episode 1
Episode 1 | 22m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
Tessa Rivers, a successful journalist, finds herself paralyzed from the waist down after a mysterious illness. Sent to the Goldfield’s Spinal Unit, she’s reluctantly introduced to its residents and staff - including Todd, the eccentric unit psychologist. Also in attendance: her alter-ego Walking Tessa, a sardonic hallucination of her past-self that only she’s able to see.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Spinal Destination
Spinal Destination is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
[woman sobbing] Poppy!
[sobbing continues] [groaning, breathing heavily] Poppy!
-Can you help, Poppy?
-Mum!
[groans] Mum!
Sorry.
Dad!
Dad!
There's something wrong with Mum, she can't move!
Dad.
Dad!
[crowd cheering on TV] I have an idea.
Sorry.
Sorry.
[mother panting] Don't drown.
I'll get Dad!
Don't die in the bathtub.
[breathing heavily] Or naked.
[sports commentary playing on TV] [indistinct chatter] Hey, bro.
Hey.
Uh, just get her to sign here and here at the bottom.
Kia ora!
Kia ora!
Kia ora!
Nau mai!
Haere mai ki ta tatou whare.
Hello, and welcome to our slash your new home.
-Kia ora.
-Kia-- kia ora.
Okay, hi.
Yeah.
No, not you.
Kia ora.
Ko Todd Taniwha taku ingoa.
Um, my name is Todd Taniwha.
Ah, kaiwhakahaere o tenei, um... Spinal Unit, I am the Spinal Unit psychologist.
-Tessa.
-[Todd] Oh.
Oh, Tessa.
Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Tessa.
Shall we give you the grand tour?
Can I go to my room, please?
Ka koe!
Let's go!
Haere mai.
Haere mai.
Okay... Keep up, thank you, keep-- Oh!
Kia ora.
Yo.
-Karl.
-Hey, babe.
Thank you.
And Khalid.
Too many accessories.
Hey, where's Poppy?
She's just waiting in your room with a nurse.
I don't think she should, uh, be a part of this meeting.
You didn't think I'd want my daughter here?
Well, it's kind of a lot for a kid.
Don't you reckon?
Could I just cut in here?
Thank you.
A life-changing thing has happened to you, Tessa.
And it could be a very hard road forward.
Unified, we-- Yes?
What's wrong with me?
I've been in hospital for two weeks.
Now I'm here, no one can give me an answer.
What's wrong with my legs.
Unfortunately, the doctors don't have a diagnosis for you yet.
They need to do more... tests.
So... what?
I'm here until I walk again?
Maybe.
Or an alternative.
Alternatives, yeah.
We're not interested in alternatives.
Babe, let's just hear out, um... Doctor...?
Taniwha?
Yeah.
Kia ora.
There may be some unknowns moving forward.
We've found that it helps if you plan for all... scenarios.
Oh... Shall we introduce you to the rest of the gang?
Mm... -What was your name again?
-Karl.
Kia ora, Kar, it's a pleasure to meet you.
-Uh, with an L, it's got an L.
-Thank you.
Kati.
Thank you.
-[Todd] Okay.
Come on.
-My name's Karl.
I know.
Move the castle.
No, move the castle.
Kia ora e te whanau.
Hello, family.
I would like you all to welcome Tessa Rivers.
She's just arrived.
Oh, hello, Tessa Rivers-- Sorry, guys.
[sighs] It is an immense pleasure... [panting] ...to meet you.
[grunts] Sorry, guys.
-[grunts] Hi.
-Hi.
Hi.
[laughs] This is Daniel.
He likes pot plants.
Yeah.
Oh, it is a... very good day, isn't it?
To... meet-- Gosh, you've got really kind eyes, you know?
Really kind eyes.
-Hey?
-Mm.
-I can see your nipple.
-Oh, s**!
[grunts] Ooh, Daniel!
Betsy!
Betsy!
Quickly!
Quickly!
Come!
Daniel's hurt himself.
-Daniel] My nose.
-Sorry.
-Daniel.
Please help him back.
-[Daniel] Oh, man.
[Todd] Come, I'll help you.
Come.
-[Daniel] But... -[Tessa] You don't belong here.
These aren't your people.
Oh, he's no help.
You need to get out of here.
Say something.
Say something.
I need to go to the toilet.
[Daniel] What?
[Tessa] Maybe not that.
Of course.
Khalid.
Thank you.
And just don't take too long, okay?
Hey, bro, um, what room is she staying in?
[Khalid] Uh, she's in 253.
Down the hall.
-[Karl] Right.
Cool.
Shot, bo.
-[Khalid] Right side.
Yeah.
-You ready?
All right.
-Yeah.
[man] Are you deaf?
Am I talking to my bloody self?
I'm telling you, woman, I am effing close.
I can feel meerkats wanting to pop their heads out of their hole.
[Khalid] Is everything okay?
[nurse] Ah... -Well, my a**hole's on display.
-what do you think?
-Hoist is busted.
Oh, yeah.
Ah!
The battery's dead.
-I'll go get a new one.
-Aye, aye, aye.
-We're gonna need a bedpan.
-Won't be a moment.
Oh, god.
-And some paper towels.
-Oi, I can't.
-Karen!
You idiot human.
-Wait!
I can't-- And-- And here it comes.
[grunts] -[splats] -[exhales] Ooh... I'm John.
Tessa.
Do you enjoy sports?
-Not really.
-[splatting] How about... cooking?
I prefer activities that are... less limb dependent.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I'm new here.
Apparently.
Oh, well, don't be too scared of this place.
I'm not scared.
[laughs] You are new.
[chuckles] [Karen] Oh, wow.
Yes, Karen, I did s** on the floor.
Yes, you did, didn't you, John?
Oh, God.
Okay.
[Khalid] I'm so sorry, I'll take you to the bathroom now.
No.
Take me to my room, please.
[John] Eh?
Where's your head?
[Karen] Oh, right under your a**hole, mate.
-Now!
-Yes!
-Get me to the toilet now!
-Okay.
-Just don't s**... -Come on.
Karen!
-Poppy.
-Mum!
[exclaims] Missed you.
Hi.
I'm Poppy.
Hi, I'm Khalid.
You're pretty.
-Poppy.
-What?
You told me to say it to people when they do good things.
He didn't do anything to get a pretty face.
Can I help you put your stuff away?
-No, I'm fine.
-I'll just take you over there.
[grunts] Thanks for taking care of Poppy.
Yeah.
[Khalid] Let me show you how everything works.
So, this button makes the bed go up and down.
This one here is for the light.
And this one is if you need any help.
Someone will come.
Eventually.
Thanks.
Well, it was nice to meet you, Tessa.
[clears throat] And Poppy.
And Dad.
If you need anything else, you just let me know.
[Tessa] Thank you.
-[Karl] Oh, I can help.
Okay.
-I'm okay.
He was great.
Mum can you be friends with him, please?
I don't have time to make friends.
Um, can you help me put away the rest of my stuff?
Yeah, yeah, of course.
[Poppy] Mum, remember the school trip?
You put your name down as a helper.
-But... -But what?
You're in here.
Well, it's just a quick visit.
So, you'll come to the school trip?
-Yes, of course.
-You never have before.
Well, I will this time, I promise.
You said that you should never make promises you can't keep.
-I promise, Poppy.
-Okay.
Okay, relax.
That's good then, eh, Pop?
Hey... Are you sure you're gonna need...?
Yeah.
Stupid question.
[chuckles] So... is there anything else you need?
Actually, I'm really tired.
Maybe you could take Poppy home, and come back tomorrow?
Yeah, sure.
Come on, Princess.
-Bye, Mum.
-Bye, baby.
-[Tessa] Eh... -See you tomorrow, eh?
See ya.
[sighs] [Walking Tessa] Don't get too comfortable.
Come on, up, up.
You've got the awards dinner tonight.
Can't be late again.
Ooh... That's the one.
Beautiful.
Please not now.
You might actually win something this year, so up you get.
Come on.
Okay.
Nope.
This one always... I've tried.
F**ing legs don't work.
[sighs] Okay... Bull!
The doctors say there's nothing wrong with you.
They don't know what's wrong with me, there's a difference.
What are you gonna tell work?
-What do you mean?
-[man] Hi... Um, I'm Edward.
But, uh, everyone calls me Ed.
You're just a kid.
I'm 17 actually.
[Tessa] In a wheelchair.
Didn't mean to say that out loud.
That's fine.
There you go.
So what's your name?
Tessa.
[chuckles] Yeah, I already know.
I overheard you talking.
Who were you talking to?
Myself.
Were you praying?
Absolutely not.
It's okay.
Sometimes I curse during my prayers too.
I don't think the Lord minds.
He just enjoys listening to your burdens.
Jesus Christ.
Is anyone normal in this place?
We're gonna be roomies.
I haven't had a roomie in a week or so.
The last one, he used to, um... take care of himself every hour, so he had to be moved.
Wow, every hour.
The nurses said he was, like, bored, or something... I wouldn't know.
The Lord keeps me entertained.
I'm sure he does.
Hey, I need to get onto the Internet.
Oh, there's Internet in the library.
-Done.
-I can show you the way if you-- No, I'm good.
-Are you sure 'cause it's like-- -Yeah.
I couldn't be more sure.
Peace be with you.
Yep.
If you give me another one of those peach yogurts, I swear to God I will s** on the floor again.
I just want a damn plastic bag.
Haven't you heard, John.
They're bad for the environment.
F** the environment.
This is a paper bag.
-[Karen] Yep.
What am I supposed to do with this?
This will literally help me breathe, when all I want to do is suffocate.
[John] Can you open my brekkie please?
Get out of my head.
[clears throat] I'm the one that's gonna keep you focused.
I'm the one that's gonna get us out of here.
Because deep down, I know that you're a scared little baby who's terrified she might not ever walk again.
Read my imagined lips.
You will walk out of this mother f** place.
Do you hear me?
Yeah?
Debbie Down-buzz.
Smile.
Come on.
Come on.
Roll it.
Yeah.
How about these two?
Do you reckon it's a Tinder date?
Come on.
We're doing it!
We're doing it!
Come!
[downbeat music playing] [woman on phone] Where were you last night?
We cleaned up at the awards and Caleb won rookie of the year.
Where are you now?
I'm in a restaurant.
I'm about to meet my whistleblower.
-Oh.
-Yeah, this piece is totally gonna be worth the wait.
Okay, well, we've got a deadline to hit.
- Let's talk again tomorrow... -[knocking] ...and go over your article before you publish.
-[Tessa] Sorry... -[Karen] Any luck in there?
-Pardon?
-Oh, nothing.
-Uh, I've got to go.
Bye.
-Tessa...?
Tessa, are you-- I'm concentrating.
[makes grunting sounds] Classy.
Shut up.
When was your last bowel motion?
About a week ago.
Backed up to the gills, are we?
Mm.
You're gonna need some help with that.
Mm.
Well, if you don't open your bowels, you die, simple as that.
You don't s**, you die apparently.
If we're gonna die, I think we should at least be clean.
Leave you to it.
Don't take too long.
I'm leaving you.
[Karen] Are you sure you don't need any help in there?
No, I can shower myself, thanks.
Ah!
F**ing thing.
-[clatters] -Oh!
Oh... [sighs] Ooh... [grunting] Oh, for f**'s sake.
F**ety f**.
F** me.
[breathing heavily] [humming] Clean as a whistle.
Okay.
Tahi, rua, toru, wha!
I can't even shower myself.
Look around you, honey.
No one can.
[muffled grunts] [John] ♪ Waves rumble They rise ♪ ♪ They roll and they fall ♪ ♪ Water surrounds you Throughout it all ♪ ♪ Storms rolling Storms rolling ♪ ♪ Way out at sea ♪ Hello.
Hello.
Do your arms work?
Uh, not really.
Legs?
Nope.
Let me guess.
You are Tessa's kid?
Yeah, I'm Poppy.
Could you do me a favour?
Can you scratch my legs?
I am dying here.
What are--?
Where--?
What?
♪ When the light Starts dimming ♪ ♪ When the... ♪ You didn't think I was gonna touch you, did you?
You don't know where that broom's been.
Probably on the floor.
It's a broom.
Yeah.
Aye-aye-aye, that's bliss.
Ooh!
-[Sighs] -That'll be two bucks, please.
-What?
-Two dollars.
[laughs] I'll tell you what, for another three bucks, how about if you can get me some plastic bags.
Six bucks all up and you have a deal.
Deal.
[keyboard clacking] "I can't walk."
I can't walk, f**ing hell.
"I can't s**."
"Or shower, or shave, and I..." [Poppy] Hey, Mum.
Hey, baby.
What are you up to?
I've got a job.
-What?
-I need plastic bags.
[dramatic music playing] How dare you!
Asking my daughter for plastic bags so you can kill yourself!
Are you stupid or just an a**hole?
You know what?
You're both.
You're a stupid f**ing a**hole.
I'm an a**hole, but I can assure you-- She's 10!
Did you think about what this might do to her if she thought she had a part in you dying?
I just want... a plastic bag... You stay away from my girl.
I don't know if you've noticed, but I can't move.
So telling me to stay away from her is a little bit redundant.
Knock yourself out.
What do think you're doing?
John, no.
-[John] Yes!
-[Karen] Not on my watch.
-She gave this to me!
-[Karen] No!
[John] They're my plastic bags.
He put my daughter in a precarious situation.
So in return, you gave him multiple things that could help him kill himself.
[clears throat] [Todd] Most of the people in here are still coming to terms with their new normal.
You don't get to play with other people's realities, when you're still struggling to deal with your own.
What the-- [laughs] I'll be seeing you at therapy twice a week.
And you'll be attending group therapy every Monday and Wednesday.
I think it's time you should go back to your room.
I'll be watching you.
Well, you f**ed that up.
-[Tessa] We f**ed that up.
-Well, correction.
I am the leader, and you're the weakling.
I can walk.
And you can't do s**.
I am who you want to be.
And I'm never gonna let you forget it.
[quirky music playing] Wanker!
[theme music playing]
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Spinal Destination is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS and RMPBS