Original subtitles

So it's true? You left Smitty and the kids?

It's not exactly like that.

Don't prevaricate, Martin Richardson.

I spoke to Smitty.

-What did he say? -To come to you for answers.

So here I am. What happened?

You're right.

Smitty asked me to leave.

And, honestly, I don't blame him.

What is going on?

Yo, Pops.

Tell me about that robbery victim at Stance Park.

Nothing to tell.

John Doe. Looks like robbery-homicide.

Well, they're gonna identify the body, though, right?

Sure, in time.

"Sure, in time"?

You act like it's not important.

He's a person, Dad. A dead person.

Yeah. That no one seems to be missing.

Which means we should want to know who he is,

even if it's just to identify his next of kin, right?

Is there something else you're attempting to say right now?

? ?

Hey, Dad.

Hey, sweetheart.

Do you have a minute?

For you, always.

What's up?

Are you ever gonna let Pop come back home?

It's not about me letting Martin do anything.

And he understands that.

He's my husband, and I love him, but...

...I can't live with him after all that he's done.

At least not right now.

That's not what I was hoping you would say.

I don't think secluding ourselves was necessary.

I just wanted to give you the space to speak freely.

Now, honey, tell me, what could you have done

that was so bad that Smitty would kick you out of the house?

Oh, Martin. You weren't unfaithful, were you?

Of course not.

I wouldn't cheat on Smitty.

That's a relief.

It shouldn't be.

What I did was a hell of a lot worse.

Certainly, the two of you have had your differences.

What couple doesn't?

But for the most part, you and Smitty

have a close and loving relationship.

-Or so I thought you did. -We do.

Well, we did.

What's changed?

Has whatever this is been going on for a while?

Some trouble that I know nothing about?

Martin, I am your mother.

I could have helped.

Why didn't you tell me?

There were some considerations.

On your part?

Someone in this family think I was too delicate or damaged?

It's not like that.

Then what other reason could there possibly be

that I wasn't told what this thing is?

This issue that is so serious

you packed your bags and moved out of your home

with your husband and your children.

Daddy, what is this about?

And who made the decision I shouldn't be informed?

Nicole, sweetheart,

I think everyone was just trying to give you some space.

Because of everything that you've been through.

I was hurt.

That doesn't mean I don't need to know

what's going on with my own son.

And, Mother, I'm more surprised at you.

Exactly how long have you been back?

How about...

did it even occur to you to call your daughter?

Nicole...

Not to reveal some deep, dark secret

but simply to say, "Hi, I'm back.

-I'm home." -Darling,

there's been a lot going on.

Give your mother some grace.

For?

For the family situation that's unfolding right now.

It's serious and complex.

And...

yes, you've been kept in the dark long enough.

Just because I'm your father doesn't mean

that all protocol flies out the window.

I'm also the chief of police.

Don't question my authority, Jacob.

I'm not questioning your authority, Dad.

I'm just asking about the victim in the park.

Don't we give you enough to do around here?

Yeah, but we should all keep our eyes open, right? Pitch in?

Of course.

Look, we'll pursue all the usual channels.

We'll run the prints, DNA test,

check Missing Persons- all that.

But, son, this is not your case, so not your problem.

Copy that.

And speaking of people

sticking their noses where they don't belong,

has your reporter friend agreed

to back off of Detective Malone?

Marcel is the one who discovered the body in the park, right?

And?

And nothing.

I-I was just being curious.

Rein that in, Detective.

I don't know why you're harping on this, but you should stop.

[whispers]: Before you get hurt.

Blow on this, 'cause it is hot.

Oh. You put marshmallows in it?

Is there any other way to drink hot chocolate?

You know I'm not trying to be cruel, right?

I guess.

From where you're sitting, I know that it could seem harsh.

And I don't want to upset you more than I already have, but...

you and I have always been honest with each other.

And I-I don't want to give you any empty promises.

I don't want that, either.

I just wish that everything could go back

to the way that it was.

Me, too.

More than you know.

But, Samantha, this isn't a new thing.

That assault that your pop told you about,

that happened two years ago.

I know.

And...

...he never once told me about it.

It-it started with these nightmares,

-and... -Yeah. Um...

I remember him yelling in his sleep.

But then they got worse.

They changed. They...

became these...

waking visions.

Almost like hallucinations.

That sounds so scary.

I didn't know that.

Well, I didn't want to worry you.

But isn't that the same thing?

Pop didn't tell you about Kenny

because he didn't want you to worry.

No, Samantha, it's not the same.

You see, we are your parents.

It is our job to protect you.

You didn't have to know about those nightmares.

But by Martin not telling me and confiding in me,

he put us in a dangerous situation.

He didn't tell me what the nightmares were about.

He didn't tell me about that incident two years ago.

He didn't tell me that there was a violent man in town.

So do you see how it's a bit more complex?

How the situation's a little different?

Sort of.

Our marriage... [sighs]

...it's been really strained because of this.

For a while, I would beg him to tell me,

and he would just say that nothing was wrong.

He had so many chances.

And the saddest part is,

if the circumstances didn't force his hand,

I don't think that he would have come clean.

So, at the risk of oversharing,

I wanted you to know why my decision is what it is.

I just- I can't...

I can't be around him, knowing all that.

Come here.

Okay, I'm all ears.

The floor's yours.

Why would Smitty,

who I've always known to be pretty levelheaded,

kick you out of your own house?

It's a lot, Mom.

And as much as I want to tell you all of it right now,

I just...

I just need to step away from the situation.

Clear my mind. [shuddering]

I'm exhausted, and...

[sighs] I'm just drained.

I-I haven't had anything to eat. Uh...

I can have Rowena make you something.

I'd rather go out and grab a bite somewhere.

I could use the fresh air.

All right. Well, Vernon will go with you

-to the country club. Won't you, dear? -Yes.

And, uh, I will explain everything to your mother.

Oh, baby.

Martin, I am your mother.

You have to know that whatever problems you're facing,

-you can come to me. -I know.

And you're amazing.

And you're already going through a lot,

and yet you're here seeing about me.

And I know I can come to you.

And I will, soon, but... [sighs]

I'm just drained with this fight with Smitty,

and I don't have the bandwidth

to go through the horrible story again.

Okay, don't worry, Martin.

I will walk your mom through everything.

Are you going to be all right?

Honestly,

I don't know.

[shuddering]

Gran'll walk you through.

[sighs] And we'll talk later.

Okay. I understand.

What's this?

Hot toddy.

You do know that I'm a professional, right?

People come and tell me hard things on a daily basis.

Well, those people unburdening themselves

are not your own family.

Please, Mother, can you just simply get to the point

without all the theatrics?

Just be honest with me.

When have I not been honest?

You want a list?

Now, I know you are...

bitter because of what Te...

...what was kept from you so many years.

You can say his name.

It's Ted.

And he lied to me.

And, yes, I am bitter about it.

Well, this is not that.

So don't conflate your marriage with this situation.

And I have always tried to be honest with you.

Let's test out that theory, then.

Tell me, is it personal?

Is what personal?

What makes people think

that they can hide things from me?

Nicole.

Am I cold?

Distant? Unapproachable?

What possibly makes people think that I can't handle the truth?

No one thinks that.

Because, let me tell you,

it is insulting, diminishing,

and I've had just about as much of it as I can take.

This is my family

as well as yours or Martin's or Daddy's.

And I want to know what is going on.

Now.

I am so sorry for what has happened-

is happening with you right now, Martin.

Thanks, Granddad.

I just wish I could snap my fingers

and it would all be lifted from your plate.

I am...

so, so sorry.

You have no reason to keep apologizing.

You have been my rock through all of this.

If you hadn't been there

and done the things you've done in the last two years,

it might have been a much worse situation.

I don't think anyone

outside of you and I would understand

the horror and fear from that night.

So maybe you're the only one that will understand

my biggest regret.

Which is?

Not telling Smitty.

But even if you had told him earlier,

you might have ended up in the same situation,

feeling the same way.

Or even worse-

be in this situation without a job.

Without constituents to think about.

We need you here to help the greater community.

But you know the worst thing about all of this?

Smitty and the kids are who I would turn to when...

I was feeling down.

But I can't even do that now.

It's killing me to be away from them, Granddad.

[Samantha sniffles]

I'm not saying take him back.

From everything that you've been through,

I get that that's a lot.

Like, a lot a lot.

I just want you to keep talking,

to keep trying to find a way through everything.

We're a family, and we love each other.

That's what you told Tyrell and me when you brought us home.

Do you remember that?

Yeah.

I remember.

We're gonna get through this, Dad.

And I know that it won't be easy,

and I know that it won't happen overnight.

But if we keep trying, we can find a way to being us again.

That's my biggest hope.

I know that you may be too hurt to hear this,

but you need to.

Pop is hurting, too.

And when he's hurting, there's nobody

-that he needs more than us. -[sighs]

Than family.

So I want you to promise me.

Promise me that you won't completely give up on him.

That you'll keep trying.

When did you get so grown-up?

Born this way.

Anybody ever tell you you're wise beyond your years?

[chuckles softly] Yeah.

You and Pop tell me that all the time.

Promise me, Dad?

Come here.

[sighs]

I promise.

Yeah, that's right.

Because there might be security footage at the back entrance,

and I'd like to see it.

You would?

All right. I owe you a coffee at Orphey Gene's.

-All right. -[chair scrapes]

Very proud of you, son.

You are?

Yes. You are a cop's cop.

Interesting delineation.

But what's a cop's cop?

You're smart, you're thorough,

stubborn when you need to be and occasionally when you don't.

And I'd like to think that Marcel taught you some of that.

Marcel?

Yeah, I don't think he's the role model you think he is.

Sorry to interrupt, Chief.

I have that footage of Congressman Richardson

at the press conference that you wanted.

-Thank you, Mills. -No problem, sir.

Martin had a press conference?

About what?

I'll find out.

But you know politicians- always looking for attention.

Probably a whole lot of hoopla about nothing.

Without Smitty and the kids, I feel... adrift.

Smitty is who held me together

when I woke up from those nightmares.

He's the one who taught me the breathing techniques

to help me get through it.

I'm lost without him, Granddad.

If I could offer a little wisdom

from a man who's been married a long, long time.

Sure.

What else do I have to lose?

Well, your marriage,

if you can't see the longer view.

You have to believe in something larger

than your present circumstances, Martin.

But what if those present circumstances

are smacking you in the face?

Then you have to remember

the love you and Smitty have for each other.

You're still a team.

I'm not too confident in that.

I know it may feel like the whole world is crashing down

on your marriage.

[sighs] But feelings are just that-

feelings.

You know, when you learn to separate feelings from reality,

that's when you win.

What do you see when you look at our present circumstances?

I mean, what are the redeeming qualities here?

Well, that the relationship between you and Smitty is solid.

It has been from the beginning.

How you were when...

when you adopted the kids.

How... how you agreed that this is how your life would work.

He sacrificed so much for me.

And he didn't do that for anyone else but you.

His love for you is very deep.

And you wouldn't be here all out of sorts

if your love for him wasn't equally strong.

Still, you didn't see Smitty earlier.

You didn't see how he looked at me.

What did you see?

The end.

Of everything.

And it-it cut like a knife.

He didn't just ask me to leave because I lied to him.

It was what the lies were about.

The murder.

Yes.

So I hear you.

But the truth is...

...I don't know if there's any way to get back to us.

I didn't expect to see you again so soon.

I didn't expect to hear that Martin abruptly called

a press conference at Orphey Gene's earlier,

only to call it off before he could explain what it was about.

What's your point, Jacob?

Funny thing is, you left that part out

when you were supposed to be confiding in me,

your cop friend, about all these supposed conspiracies.

Up until now, you haven't had to deal

with the hardships in life that make you tough.

Seriously?

What about my miscarriages?

The implosion of my decades-long marriage?

What I'm saying is you have always followed

the straight and narrow,

done everything we've all expected of you.

So, somehow it's my fault

that I followed the guidelines that were set in front of me?

No, no, no. I'm just trying to put it into context, sweetheart.

You have built a beautiful career,

involved yourself with charity work,

sought to be of service.

You're kind and generous and...

delicate as a bouquet of flowers.

Your life has always been wonderful and...

pristine.

So your take is that I can't handle hard truths

because I've had a soft life?

You have not known the hardships

that your father and I have known.

Now, maybe we sheltered you too much. I-I don't know.

Mother, for the love of God, can you just get to it?

Not until you prepare yourself.

Because what I'm about to tell you...

will demand not only your attention

but your willingness to confront the aftermath

in all its ugliness.

Wait.

You're saying that this isn't about Smitty

and Martin's marital problems.

Yes.

It was two years ago.

Your sweet baby boy and Vernon

were coming back from a political event.

They were driving down a...

deserted country road.

They got a flat.

When Martin got out of the car to change the flat tire,

a pickup truck pulled up behind them.

At first, they thought it was someone who had stopped to help,

but...

they soon became disabused of that notion when...

two men...

White men?

They approached them.

One of them asked,

"What color's your money?"

They taunted them.

They must have seen the congressional plates.

All they cared about was that they were Black,

unprotected,

and on what they considered their turf.

And that no one was around to witness...

anything they might do.

They wanted to rob your father and Martin,

but not before making them pay.

-[sighs] -For what, I don't know.

Being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Fixing a tire while Black.

-Horrifying. -They began calling them "spook"

and "boy."

What did Daddy do?

Well, your father isn't new to this kind of...

situation. He tried to deescalate everything.

He just wanted to get himself and Martin home safely.

But those men only had one thing on their minds.

One man went for Vernon's pockets.

And when Vernon tried to defend himself...

Mother, no.

-[sighs] -Now, your father takes care of himself, but...

he is in no shape to defend himself

against a couple of racists clearly out for blood.

That man punched him so hard he knocked him down.

And Martin witnessed it all.

Seeing his grandfather treated

like they were in the Jim Crow South

ignited something in Martin.

He wasn't gonna stand by

and allow his granddaddy, his hero,

to be brutalized like that.

What did he do?

Martin was still holding the tire iron.

The other man pulled out a gun.

Martin struck him with the tire iron

with all of his might.

He hit him. Hard.

And the man laid there.

Not moving.

Not breathing.

Martin killed him?

Then the brother-

we found out later that they were brothers...

...came at Martin in a rage.

Martin hit him in the ribs.

He crumbled,

fell to the ground.

And Martin kept hitting him.

Over and over and over and over.

My God.

Finally, Vernon got him to stop.

There was blood everywhere.

Martin disfigured that man's face.

[sighs]

Mother,

did he kill the other man, too?

-No. -[exhales]

Vernon went into crisis mode... [sniffles]

...and he called Ted.

Ted?

Ted took the man to his clinic

and performed reconstructive surgery.

And that is the man who has been stalking Martin.

[sniffling]

Insinuating himself into Martin's life.

Getting a job at the country club.

Connecting with Tyrell and Samantha under false pretenses.

And Martin didn't recognize him because of the surgery.

[sniffles] The man eventually made himself known

and demanded Martin pay him for his silence.

Ted performed this surgery and I never knew?

Yes.

Martin killed...

a man

and I never knew.

How could you all have kept this from me?!

Vernon and I didn't want anyone to know

what happened on that horrible night.

I am not just anyone!

I am Martin's mother!

Did it occur to you and Daddy that maybe,

just maybe, I could have helped him cope?!

All of the strain he was under.

The nightmares.

But, no,

I wasn't allowed to help my own son

because you and Daddy decided to play God.

I understand the world in which we live.

I understand...

...that no matter how much progress we've made,

a Black man defending himself against a racist attack

will most likely end up in the system.

So, no,

I am not apologizing.

And in that moment,

Vernon could not get past protecting his grandson.

Which is why I signed on to keep this quiet

for the very same reason.

And how did that all turn out?

My son was plagued by nightmares.

Harassed, stalked.

God knows the psychological damage he's suffering.

[sighs]

My God, Mother.

[sighs]

Explain to me why Martin called off his press conference

around the same time a body was found in the park.

You expecting me to think that was a coincidence?

I am not sure what you think I know.

'Cause I wasn't there.

I have kids to deal with, remember?

I didn't even know the press conference was happening.

Why do I feel like you know more than you're telling me?

If you have something to say, Jacob, spit it out.

What was Martin planning to say at Orphey Gene's tonight?

-SMITTY: Again, I don't know. -Check it out, Smitty.

You came to me, all right?

You pressed me about the bank accounts,

the deposits, the payoffs,

my partner- all of it.

You were the one that wanted to know

what happened to trigger it all.

And, all of a sudden, you're acting

like it's not important anymore?

Circumstances have changed.

Martin's in this, isn't he?

He's not just a victim of a unfortunate stalking situation.

Martin's involved,

and it's everything you ever feared.

[phone buzzes]

Fine. Stay quiet.

But I'm-a tell you what this looks like.

Martin was gonna say something tonight.

Maybe he's starting to feel guilty.

And you know what it usually means when people feel guilty?

They are.

My son has blood on his hands.

And to make matters worse,

the person whose face he destroyed

was reconstructed by his own father, of all people?

So the circumstances

of how this all happened means nothing to you?

You are all unbelievable.

Yes!

We went to extreme measures to protect this family.

And maybe we simply should have called the police.

But have you heard one word

of what I just told you?

Vernon and I thought what we always think-

to protect this family, no matter what.

Such a noble justification

for telling lies and keeping secrets.

"We did it for the family."

You sound like a crime syndicate, a mobster.

You and Daddy put my son through two years of hell

so we almighty Duprees could save face?

That is not noble.

It's disgusting.

Look, Martin,

I've believed in your marriage since day one.

Hmm? Smitty is loyal,

committed, deeply ethical,

and you will survive this.

But you're gonna have to find the fight.

I hear you,

and I will consider it.

But the way I'm feeling, I...

I couldn't even fight a fly.

[sighs]

Come on. Let's get out of here,

'cause I need to lie down.

This may be hard to believe...

...but this, too, will pass.

You're gonna be all right, my son.

And your family's gonna be all right, too.

Is that what you think about this family?

This family who has supported you and elevated you

and stood by you through thick and thin?

This is what you say when things get difficult?

That's what this is?

A difficulty?

[scoffs] No.

Finding out my husband has a child the same age as our own

is a difficulty.

This? This is...

-I don't even know what this is. -Okay, I know you're angry.

I get it.

And-and maybe Vernon and I deserve your contempt,

and that's just the price we'll have to pay

for the decisions we made that night.

Amongst others.

But you are completely wrong if you think we give a damn

about how what happened made us look.

This was never about saving face.

This was about protecting Martin and nothing else.

I am sure that's what you have to tell yourself

so you can sleep at night.

Nicole, wait.

Nicole, don't go like this!

[shudders]

I think you should leave, Jacob.

It's getting late, and the kids are sleeping.

I have more questions.

Well, you're not gonna find your answers here.

Come on, Smitty. At least meet me halfway.

What do you think halfway is?

You're family.

I wouldn't do anything to hurt you or Martin.

I just want to get to the bottom of this mess once and for all.

Well, I can't help you.

You and I worked together closely for weeks.

Don't quit now.

You know, Jacob, you're a good detective,

which means you know the law,

including the definition of spousal privilege.

Oh, man. Don't go there.

The protection of confidential communication between spouses.

Really?

Well, it also applies to police questioning

before a trial in D.C.

So, legally,

I don't have to answer your questions.

Funny thing is, you just did.

Look, whatever happened, Smitty,

I'm sorry.

I really am.

[door closes]

[sighs]

[sniffles]

[chuckles]

I got gummy bears, cookies, juice pops,

and these chips that are supposed to explode

-in your mouth with flavor. -Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Pump the brakes. Did you get anything

that is remotely healthy?

-Did I screw up already? -[sighs]

-They're gonna love it. -[scoffs]

They are gonna love everything about this place.

I'm grateful we got approved.

Wait, was that even a concern?

-You are going to be an amazing dad. -[chuckles]

"Pop." I want them to call me "Pop."

That's what my grandfather used to call his dad.

Deal... Pop.

And you?

I think I'll be good old-fashioned "Dad."

-Okay. -How's that?

-Pop and Dad. -[laughs]

Are you ready to begin the best chapter

of the rest of our lives?

From here on out,

every day gets sweeter and sweeter.

I like the sound of that.

[sighs]

Tyrell, wake up.

-Tyrell. -What?

What?

I know I probably shouldn't have,

but I was eavesdropping on Dad and Jacob talking.

Okay. You woke me up for what?

I think you're right.

I think that there's more to what happened

than what they've been telling us.

We're back.

I'll start getting settled.

I had your bags taken up to the bedroom in the garden wing

and unpacked.

And when Tyrell and-and Samantha come over,

they can have the extra two bedrooms

if they want to stay over.

Thanks, Gran.

-Don't mention it. -No.

I mean thank you.

For all of it.

For loving me,

protecting me,

and letting me stay here while...

while I figure things out.

[sniffles]

You are my heart, baby,

and I will do anything for you.

[sniffles] And you can stay here as long as you need.

[sniffles]

Are we horrible people?

Nicole lashed out.

She said we were protecting ourselves

with no regard for her son.

We know that's not true.

Dani will probably think the same thing

when we tell her what we were hiding. [sniffles]

I was just... sitting here,

wondering...

how do our children really see us?

[shuddering]

Granted, we could have...

Maybe this mess we're in could have been avoided.

We used to call situations like this

"the chickens coming home to roost."

Call it what you may...

...but I am not gonna let you sit there

and doubt our intentions for a second.

Intent isn't impact.

No.

But we were protecting our grandson

in the only way that seemed feasible at the time.

How is he? Really?

[sighs]

Haunted.

Hurting.

And ashamed.

He's exhausted.

Oh, Vernon. [sniffles]

What are we gonna do? [sniffles]

What we always do.

We'll hold this family together until it heals.

What about that dead man?

May God have mercy on his soul.

And mine.

I've been calling you for hours.

Cannot believe that you put us in this position.

I know how this looks.

Then you will understand

why I'm taking these next steps.

I could lose my family for good.

TED: Eva wouldn't go after Tomas

when she knows you're seeing him.

That's not who she is.

I have never been more proud

to be a Dupree when I'm defending us.

And last time I checked,

you were one of us.

I think you need to prepare for this.

May not stay covered for long.

I'm the one that saved your baby boy.

I am the fixer now!

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