The Money
My Brilliant Friend | Season 1 | Episode 2

The Money

TV-MA | 1 HR 3 MIN

Written by: Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci and Saverio Costanzo

Directed by: Saverio Costanzo

As fourth grade draws to an end, Elena and Lila fight with their families for the chance to continue their educations. Aware of Lila's potential, her brother, Rino, offers to pay for her schooling if their father will pay him for his work in the shoe shop. Elena's parents reluctantly agree to tutoring so she can take the middle school entrance test, but Lila's parents are staunchly against their daughter aspiring to more.

The two decide to walk to the sea, but turn around when they get caught in the rain. When Elena returns to her worried mother she is beaten badly but allowed to continue her studies. Lila gets sick and writes a book. She gains the confidence to demand more schooling from her parents, but her furious father tries throws her out the window. She passes the elementary school test but is not allowed to take the middle school test.

Elena aces both tests and her family, encouraged by her father, celebrates her achievement.

A neighbor interrupts with news: Don Achille has been murdered. Carmela's father is arrested, but Lila tells Elena it was really a woman who killed him.

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