Dylan McCormick

Twentysomething Brooklynites Mara and Jo have been close friends since middle school. Gradually, it becomes apparent that the increasingly unstable Jo has troubles that may be the result of substance abuse, or an even deeper problem. Over the course of a decade, the more stable Mara tries to help.

Mimi and Michael are close friends after a brief and unsuccessful dating interlude years before. Michael has remained in love with Mimi over the years, but Mimi, who has just broken up with her long-time boyfriend, seems willing to try romance with Michael a second time. The spark between them is kindled again, however, during a weekend picnic outing, Mimi, suddenly enthusiastic, proposes to Michael abruptly. The two marry and head off on a honeymoon to Pennsylvania without ever having slept with each other.

A well-observed, plausibly troubled love story

Mary (Kate Lyn Sheil) lives alone. She is waiting for something to happen in her life. Riding the elevator to work, a strange man, Hayward, grabs her shoulder and speaks to her telepathically. “Do you believe in magic?” This triggers a nervous breakdown. After a visit to the emergency room, Mary goes to stay at her sister’s house, and goes into therapy. Mary can now hear people’s thoughts, and she starts hearing music that seems to be broadcast from her mind. Adapted by Gary Walkow from his novel of the same name.

Evelyn Bell, a Catholic professor of theology, and her younger sister Virginia are reunited after many years when Virginia returns home in a depression after being ejected from a religious cult. At a lakeside retreat in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the sisters try to reestablish their relationship, talking about their very different systems of belief, and about the oppressive childhood that still hangs over them.