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Season 4 Episode 17 | 8m 4s | Video has closed captioning.
Iranian-born Rita Mahtoubian comes from a long line of doers and dreamers. But after she arrives in America alone in the 1980s, she seems destined for anonymity. After an inspiring Rosh Hashanah dinner at her neighbor's house, Rita sets out to change her life from ordinary to extraordinary. In the process, she also unwittingly attracts the attention of a Homeland Security agent.
Aired: 03/08/17
♪♪ Man: Despite evidence to the contrary, Rita Mahtoubian is not a terrorist.
To the best of my knowledge, it began with an invitation from her neighbor to a Rosh Hashanah dinner.
Feinstein: I've always found it interesting -- the phrase "the least I can do."
If it's the least you can do, why not do more?
As I see it, if you do the least, you'll live the least life.
But if you do the most, you'll live the most life.
Man: As she listened, Rita realized how from so much, she had become so little.
In 1949, Rita's grandfather fought to nationalize the British-owned Anglo-Persian Oil Company.
The police report states his death was caused by a malfunction in the machinery.
His body was found several days later.
In 1979, Rita's uncle, Rostam, a Marxist and revolutionary, was found dead.
The report states he died by his own hand at 769 Jalai Street.
Rostam's death radicalized Rita's father, Rousba.
But Rousba's prayers could not stop Sadam Hussein's bombs.
And by 1980, Iran and Iraq were at war.
As war raged on, Rousba was enlisted, but his family would be unable to bury him.
All that was found was his right hand.
The decision was made.
Rousba's only child would be sent to live with her father's uncle in Los Angeles.
Dariush: [ Speaking foreign language ] Woman: [ Sighs ] Dariush: [ Speaking foreign language ] [ Speaking foreign language ] Woman: What, uh -- What's her name again?
Dariush: Roshanak.
Woman: No, no, no, no.
We'll call her Rita.
Sweetie, do you know Rita...Hayworth?
Man: But this Rita did not grow up to be the kind of woman who demanded the spotlight.
Woman 2: I can't believe it's only 5:00.
Woman 3: I just need to turn these in to Jonathan, and I think we can still make happy hour at Acapulco.
Hey, hon.
You're sitting on my cardi.
Man: Mostly, she was a loner.
[ Cat meows ] Rita: [ Smooching ] Man: That is until the night Gayle Feinstein invited her to a Rosh Hashanah dinner.
Rita realized if she wanted to have the most life, she'd have to start doing the most.
Like her namesake, she would become a glamorous woman.
♪♪ Rita: Yes, uh, can I speak to someone in customer service?
I...think I bought the wrong kind of peroxide.
[ Beep ] Man: She would be the type of woman who traveled.
She would be the kind of woman who could cultivate a garden.
And instead of spending her Saturday nights alone, drinking Coca-Cola and eating olives... You're gonna eat those?
...she would become the type of woman who could host a lovely meal.
Rita: Did you read that article about Pete Webber in The New Yorker?
Apparently, he's the bad boy of bowling.
Mm.
I'm making my mother's afternoon fondue.
Oh, you're gonna love it!
It's...divine.
Ow!
Damn it!
[ Explosion ] [ Distant sirens wailing ] Woman: She always seemed like such a nice girl.
Woman 2: She's an Iranian.
Her uncle passed away last year.
Woman: Oh.
Rita: I was just trying to have some company.
♪♪ [ Knock on glass ] Man 2: We're heading down to get a drink.
You want to join us?
Man: I've still got things to do.
Man 2: Right.
Man: My investigation proves the suspect's actions at 119 Garden Terrace prior to the explosion on the night of September 12th, 2002, were not acts of terror but rather acts of self-improvement.
In conclusion, the U.S. government no longer considers Rita Mahtoubian a terrorist.
She is, however... a person of interest.
[ Insects chirping ] ♪♪
