Here Today (2021) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Emma calls Charlie her adoptive dad on a whim while at the hospital as a playful way to cover for the fact that she had no one else to call during her allergic reaction to shellfish. She had won the lunch date at an auction as part of a revenge plot against her ex-boyfriend, so she didn't have genuine connections to rely on. The whimsical declaration also instantly created an unusual bond between them and gave Charlie an unexpected role in her life, setting the foundation for their evolving relationship.

• emma payge
• adoptive dad
• hospital
• shellfish allergy
• friendship origin

Charlie keeps his early-onset dementia diagnosis hidden from his children Rex and Lindsay, as well as his ex-wife Francine, primarily because he fears losing his identity and independence. As a comedy writer whose craft relies on sharp memory and wit, admitting his cognitive decline would mean confronting the loss of the very thing that defines him. He also doesn't want to burden his family with the painful reality of his condition until he absolutely has to.

• charlie burnz
• dementia
• secret
• family
• diagnosis

Charlie confronts a cast member on live television after the performer ruins one of his sketches with poor delivery. What appears to be a comedic outburst of frustration is actually a visible symptom of his declining cognitive abilities. The incident represents the moment when his condition can no longer be hidden, as his ability to control his emotions and distinguish appropriate behavior in professional settings deteriorates. Emma witnesses this and realizes the severity of his situation.

• charlie
• live television
• breakdown
• dementia
• sketch show

Lake Charlie is the name of a retreat that Charlie and his late wife Carrie purchased together. It represents their happiest memories as a family but also becomes a symbol of Charlie's regret, he was so focused on his career that he often neglected quality time with his wife and children. When Carrie insisted they spend time at the lake, Charlie arrived late after working, only to find her waiting alone in the car where she tragically passed away. The lake becomes the setting for the film's emotional conclusion.

• lake charlie
• retreat
• carrie
• memory
• regret

Charlie admits that his relentless dedication to his career as a comedy writer drove a wedge between him and his family, particularly his son Rex. While he found success and purpose in his work, his ambition meant he was often absent from family life. This neglect created emotional distance that persisted even into adulthood. Rex represents the consequence of Charlie's choices, prioritizing professional achievement over familial presence, a regret Charlie carries as his memory declines.

• rex
• charlie
• son
• strained relationship
• career vs family

Emma gently encourages Charlie to revisit his past by asking about his late wife Carrie and prompting him to share stories from his life. She sends him a message asking about the introduction to his wife, which ignites his motivation to finally write his memoir. Throughout the film, she coaxes out memories that might otherwise remain buried due to his dementia, helping him process unresolved feelings about his marriage, his career choices, and his relationships with his children.

• emma
• charlie
• memories
• past
• carrie
• memoir

When Emma visits Charlie's house, she notices an unfinished novel on his typewriter alongside a corkboard filled with family photos. The unfinished novel symbolizes Charlie's unfulfilled aspirations beyond his successful career in comedy writing. It represents the personal legacy he has been trying to create, a memoir about his life with his late wife Carrie, but his fading memory and fear of running out of words have prevented him from completing it.

• unfinished novel
• typewriter
• aspirations
• memoir
• creative goals

Charlie fears he may run out of words, meaning he will lose his memories, before he can complete the memoir about his life with his late wife Carrie. His early-onset dementia means his cognitive abilities are declining, and he worries that the memories of Carrie and their life together will fade before he can capture them on paper. This anxiety drives his urgency to write and reflects his deeper fear of losing the connections that define his identity.

• charlie
• memoir
• words
• memory loss
• carrie
• dementia

Emma and Charlie's relationship evolves from an accidental lunch date, where Emma originally intended to use Charlie for revenge against her ex-boyfriend, into a genuine friendship that bridges generational gaps. Their connection deepens through shared laughter, honest conversations, and mutual support as Emma helps Charlie confront his declining memory while he helps her find stability and purpose. Eventually, Emma moves in with Charlie to care for him, transforming their bond into something resembling family.

• emma payge
• charlie burnz
• friendship
• relationship
• evolution

In the final scene at Lake Charlie, Charlie sees the spirit of his late wife Carrie smiling at the gathered family. This vision represents a moment of clarity and peace amid his cognitive decline. It symbolizes the unbreakable bonds of love that transcend time and memory, suggesting that Charlie finds acceptance and closure. The film uses this moment to convey that despite his illness and regrets, Charlie is surrounded by love and can find meaning in his final chapter.

• carrie
• lake charlie
• vision
• ending
• spirit
• acceptance

The film opens with a flashback where Charlie faces a simple question about his identity but remains silent. This scene foreshadows his struggle with dementia and the loss of his sense of self. As his memory declines, he grapples with questions about who he is beyond his career as a writer and his roles as husband and father. The silence reflects his internal battle with diminishing cognitive abilities and the fear of losing his identity.

• charlie
• identity
• flashback
• dementia
• opening scene

Emma won the lunch date with Charlie at an auction for $22 as part of a revenge scheme against her unfaithful ex-boyfriend, who was a struggling actor that had used the auction as a method of embarrassing her. She initially saw Charlie as a means to execute her plan rather than as a genuine connection. However, their contrasting personalities, Emma's bubbly demeanor and Charlie's dry wit, create an instant connection that shifts the lunch from revenge to the beginning of a meaningful friendship.

• emma
• revenge
• auction
• lunch date
• ex-boyfriend