Lessons in Chemistry – Her and Him

In a flashback to UCLA in 1950, Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) is in the midst of her Ph.D. Qualifying Exam. She nails the exam with her answers and hopes that it’s enough to get her into the program. Upon waiting the results and continuing her work, she is visited by her supervisor. Mistaking her enthusiasm for interest, he kisses Elizabeth. As she begins to rebuff his advances, he locks the door and begins to assault her. With Elizabeth face down at her desk, she grabs a pencil and stabs him in his side. Elizabeth is later informed that she can continue her candidacy if she apologizes for her actions. Instead, she advises that she wishes she had more pencils and drops out.

Back in 1951, Elizabeth tries to plead with Fran Frask (Stephanie Koenig) for her old job back in the Aminos lab. Still sore from Elizabeth leaving the pageant early, Fran denies her request and advises that the position has already been filled. With no other recourse, Elizabeth splits the lab into two sides….much to Calvin’s (Lewis Pullman) dismay. Rather than stay in the lab, Calvin leaves Elizabeth alone.

Elizabeth returns home that night to cook dinner for herself and finds a stray dog outside by her garbage. She befriends the canine by cooking them some dinner. But as Elizabeth tries to head back inside, the dog convinces her to stay.

Agreeing to babysit Harriet’s (Aja Naomi King) children Linda (Amentii Sledge) and James (Yasir Hashim Lafond), Calvin shows them how to extract DNA from a strawberry as Harriet arrives home. When the kids go to watch TV, Harriet asks Calvin to attend the next community meeting. If a white man can stand with the black community, it may sway the decision to not tear it down. Calvin agrees, despite his issue with Elizabeth weighing heavily on his mind.

The next day at Hastings, Elizabeth finds an apology note from Calvin. However, the biggest apology should be to Dr. Donatti (Derek Cecil) when he skips yet another monthly board meeting. The chairman (James Gleason) confronts Donatti and demands that Calvin Evans have a submission by February 1^st, or Donatti will lose his job. Angered by the no-show, Donatti heads to Calvin’s lab only to find Elizabeth there. Deciding to gaslight her, Donatti talks about how lack of funding would mean that the women would first lose their jobs at Hastings…and that he would have to blame Elizabeth if they asked.

Deciding to confront his absence, Elizabeth heads to Calvin’s house to inform him of Donatti’s ultimatum. Feeling pressured, Calvin admits that he has not felt inspired in his work until Elizabeth came along. The two reach a resolution and Calvin meets Elizabeth’s new dog, which she has named Six Thirty after the time he wakes her up each morning. He also invites her to come rowing with him the next morning.

On the water, Calvin learns that Elizabeth can’t swim when the boat capsizes. Getting them both safely to shore, the two share a quiet moment looking out onto the water. Unable to keep his feelings in any longer, Calvin admits to having feelings for Elizabeth. Believing that those feelings are not reciprocated, he is surprised when Elizabeth kisses him…their relationship taken to a whole new level. But Calvin’s happiness is Harriet’s misfortune when he does not show for the community meeting. Later when Calvin goes to visit Harriet, he realizes his faux-pas and tries to apologize, but it is too late – Harriet and the members of her community will have to move.

Meanwhile, Calvin and Elizabeth’s relationship begins to go beyond just the lab. Calvin gets Elizabeth out of her comfort zone by teaching her how to swim. Around Christmas, the two decide to work through the holidays and reach a scientific breakthrough. To celebrate, Elizabeth breaks into Donatti’s office to raid the bar and Calvin attempts to cook a Christmas dinner. Over that dinner, Elizabeth gifts Calvin a leash so that Six-Thirty can be his running buddy. In exchange, Calvin hands Elizabeth a key and asks her to move in with him. Elizabeth agrees on one condition: that she cook for them multiple times a week.

With groundbreaking research in hand, Calvin and Elizabeth are ready to present their findings to the board for their Remsen submission. While the board is eager to hear what Calvin has come up with, they are confused when Calvin delegates Elizabeth to present as she is the head writer. Immediately, the board begins to criticize and tear down Elizabeth’s work and lack of Ph.D….threatening to close Hastings before entering their submission. Although Elizabeth tries to take her name off the paper, Calvin refuses her request. Out in the hallway, he confesses his love for Elizabeth and they agree to submit for the Remsen on their own.

After being hard at work on their research, both chemists find themselves discussing the future in bed. Elizabeth admits that she does not want to get married or have children. Even though Calvin would like to get married and have children, he agrees to Elizabeth’s dream as his happiness is making her happy. Later that morning when Elizabeth is making breakfast, Calvin leashes Six Thirty for their morning run. With Elizabeth preparing a hearty breakfast for them, she is unaware of the tragedy about to strike. As Six Thirty refuses to cross the street despite Calvin’s tugging on the leash, Calvin is unaware and is immediately struck by an oncoming bus and killed.