Joan of Arcadia (TV Series)

The Boat (2003)

Mary Steenburgen: Helen Girardi

Quotes 

• Will Girardi : Helen, if I was killed on the job...

  Helen Girardi : Will...

  Will Girardi : Hypothetically. I get killed in the line of duty. What's your first question?

  Helen Girardi : I... would want to know if it was awful for you. If you were frightened when it happened. If you felt any pain.

  Will Girardi : I love you, too. And if, say, I suddenly bought you something really expensive, that you always wanted.

  Helen Girardi : I'd ask "Who's the girl?".

  Will Girardi : I have to go out again.

  Helen Girardi : Why?

  Will Girardi : Because Milner's wife asked me the wrong question and bought him a new camera.

• Helen Girardi : Lately, you have found these, um... let's call them enthusiasms; chess, chemistry, boat-building.

  Joan : I'm an adolescent searching for my purpose in life.

  Helen Girardi : I can't help but think of my second cousin Florine.

  Joan : The one who talks to flowers? Oy. Mom, I'm not crazy.

• Will Girardi : It's not like her to skip your barbecue chicken.

  Helen Girardi : Joan is totally focused on that boat. I have never seen her so industrious and happy.

  Will Girardi : That's great.

  [seeing her look] 

  Will Girardi : Not great.

  Helen Girardi : Cousin Florine is industrious and happy.

  Will Girardi : Joan is not your second cousin Florine.

• Helen Girardi : This family is off-balance.

  Will Girardi : Off-balance or unbalanced?

  Helen Girardi : Don't be funny. Kevin is mad at you. Joan's turning into second cousin Florine, we have no friends in town, you arrested the fire chief, somebody's killing cops, and you can't tell me your job's getting any easier.

  Will Girardi : The rank and file don't know me yet. They don't know if they can trust me. It's normal. Takes time.

  Helen Girardi : It was supposed to get better when we moved here. You said it would get better. When exactly is the "better" going to start?

  Will Girardi : We haven't found our places yet, that's all.

  Helen Girardi : You know what I need? I need to see something good. Some sign that says the Girardis will be okay.