Original subtitles

If you can't show respect, then we'll show you the door.

You need to pull it together.

But what about you?

It's not about you, like tonight.

So you think you can pull that off?

Cause I'm starting to have some doubts, buddy.

This dress is doing its job! [laughs]

That witch will not ruin Mother's night.

-Better together. -Sisters forever.

ALL: Articulettes strong!

[applause and cheering]

We are going to get back to the show in a moment,

but before we do, there is something very important

that needs to happen.

You may think you know the Articulettes,

but what you don't know is there's more to our story.

And it's time to come correct.

Once upon a time,

there were four girls

growing up in the projects of Chicago.

Not three, like you thought--

like we let you think.

There was another Articulette.

She was the one who dreamed us up.

She was the one who brought us together,

the one who made us sisters.

And she should be here tonight,

up on this stage,

reuniting with us,

celebrating with us.

But sadly, we lost her too soon.

So, before we sing another song

or take another step,

it's time to honor her,

remember her,

celebrate her.

♪ ♪

[quiet crowd chatter]

[piano plays soft, gentle melody]

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

[mouthing]

-[crowd chatter] -Everyone,

meet the lost Articulette,

our founder, our heart, our soul,

our sister, Barbara Mitchell.

[applause]

-Couldn't believe that. -How did you do this?

You brought her back to us.

[indistinct chatter]

That was everything.

You brought her back to life for my mother.

How can I ever thank you?

You just did.

Anything for your mother.

And for you, Dani.

Some of you may have heard of Barbara,

but most of you haven't.

Her life ended in tragedy.

And I'm to blame.

I failed her.

I should have stood up for her.

Instead, I walked away.

I didn't protect her.

And I am so sorry, Barbara.

But Barbara lives on in our music,

and in each of every one of you

who was touched and enriched by the group she created.

Tonight, finally, rightfully,

she joins us on this stage.

So, please, put your hands together for Barbara Mitchell.

Let's give her her flowers.

[applause]

At last.

Let's say her name.

Barbara!

ARTICULETTES: Barbara! Barbara!

ALL: Barbara! Barbara! Barbara!

Barbara! Barbara! Barbara!

Barbara! Barbara! Barbara!

[applause and cheering]

Barbara.

♪ You had me at hello with your smile♪

♪ Your charm and all your ways made me love your style♪

♪ I knew we could be more than friends♪

-♪ It's what you made me...♪ -Damn, you are so beautiful.

But even more so when you're happy.

I wish I could kiss you right now.

So kiss me already. [laughs]

♪ A game to play♪

♪ What I'm trying to find, I've lost myself...♪

Did you see that?!

You're not acting surprised.

Come on, Chelsea. You should have told me.

I guess I didn't want to ruin the moment.

And you're okay with this?

You're not? Mom's single.

He's hot, she's hot, and she's not mooning over Dad.

I just... I didn't expect to see Mom

making out with a guy that young,

and someone who's semi-related to us.

I don't know what to think.

Process later.

♪ All right♪ Listen to me.

♪ Big girls don't cry♪

♪ Big girls don't lie♪

♪ We don't ask why♪

♪ We say "Bye, Bye"♪

♪ I'm taking it one day at a time♪

♪ We're gonna be just fine♪

-♪ We're gonna be♪ -♪ Just fine♪

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah♪

-♪ Feeling good♪ -♪ Feeling good♪

-♪ Alive♪ -♪ Alive♪

♪ No matter what comes my way I will be all right♪

-♪ And I can't♪ -♪ No, I can't♪

-♪ Deny♪ -♪ Deny♪

♪ Got to learn to be on my own♪

♪ I will be all right, yeah!♪

[applause and cheering]

You did good, Anita.

Thank you.

I want you to know, I forgive you for all of it.

[applause, cheering swell]

Excuse us, excuse us. Excuse us.

Oh. Toodles.

I think I'm gonna call it a night.

Can't stand to see Mom with her new boy toy?

I guess I just need a minute to process.

And I have a mountain of work to get home to, so...

We were supposed to make a night of it, Naomi.

I will give Gran a proper good-night backstage.

So, what did you guys think of the show?

It was cool.

Tonight was a big night for Duprees.

And no matter what happens between your Pop and I,

the Duprees are still our family. Always.

Pop. Oh, my God.

Great Gran sounded even better than her old videos.

Time has been kind to Anita Dupree.

-Good to see you, son. -Yeah.

School tomorrow, but you and Dad should keep the party going.

Tell us who wins.

Not tonight. I'm wiped.

No pressure, I promise.

You're more than welcome to come to the after-party.

I know Gran would love to see you, and...

so would I.

I'll see what I can do.

KEVIN FRAZIER [on TV]: It was a night to remember

at Washington D.C.'s legendary Howard Theater,

where music royalty took center stage

for a once-in-a-lifetime reunion

that literally brought the house down, y' all.

NISCHELLE TURNER: Yeah, it did. Their songs

are the soundtrack of our lives.

And for the first time in decades,

these soulful divas were performing

in front of a sold-out crowd.

I am talking about the legendary Articulettes--

Anita Williams, Sharon Winger

and Tracy Tyler brought that girl-group magic

back to the stage.

Front and center in the audience for this colossal comeback,

the first family of Fairmont Crest-- the Duprees.

-♪ Alive♪ -♪ Alive...♪

[shuts computer off]

Gran, you were phenomenal.

-You pushed me out there. -No.

Nobody pushes Anita Dupree where she doesn't want to go.

All right, well, you made me admit it to myself.

Well, I'm just happy to be a part

of the greatest reunion concert of all time.

Oh!

Now, will you hate me if I have to miss the after-party?

Oh, no, of course not.

You were here for the most important part.

So go on back to your legal briefs,

and we'll celebrate with Jacob some other time.

-Okay. I love you. -I love you more.

Ooh. My hand hurts from signing autographs.

I never thought I'd say that again.

It's a good hurt.

Now you.

I know we said we would make all the decisions together.

We don't apologize for the good.

I have to believe she's smiling down on us.

Oh, I hope so.

Mmm.

Hug as long as you like.

But when you're ready, your chariot awaits.

-[Anita laughs] -Ooh la la.

-Thank you, Senator. -Thank you.

You've never been more radiant or sounded so beautiful.

Pinch me.

Because having them back is just a dream come true.

I know, baby.

I know.

[Anita chuckles softly]

What is wrong with that woman?

Welcome to my world.

Hayley's been everywhere for months.

At least Leslie's not flaunting a baby bump in your face.

No, she had her baby sitting next to her at the concert.

Touché, Sissy.

You win the award for most scorned Dupree woman tonight.

Please tell me that we rented out the entire country club.

Daddy wouldn't have it any other way.

It's as exclusive as we are.

I... don't see any Thomases.

You don't?

Well, I'm sure if you check again,

you'll see because we bought these ridiculously expensive

VIP tickets, and there is an after-party included, of course.

Oh. It's invited guests only, ma'am.

I'm sorry, Ms. Thomas.

Not as sorry as you're gonna be

if you don't make sure that we get in to this...

There's nothing that I can do.

Can we please leave

before we literally die of embarrassment?

[mutters]

You know that all that shame of yours comes

from your daddy's side of the gene pool.

Now, you did not have to follow me here, little girl.

Well, excuse me for not wanting you to go to jail.

Well, I did not get all dressed up

and looking fine just to miss this party, okay?

Last time I checked, the club doesn't have

a mother-daughter home-wrecker night.

How did you get past the gates?

My father wanted me to have a pass.

You know, since I'm his daughter, just like you.

Dad knows better than to show up on Gran's big night,

let alone bring his ho and the proof of his infidelity

on a night that means everything to my mom and her mom.

-We're not here to start any drama. -Okay.

You have two seconds

to get the hell out before I make you. One...

First of all, I got your ho.

Secondly, do you really think that your little Kit-Kat

manicured claws can compete with mine?

Our money is just as good as anyone else's here.

I confirmed. You're not on the guest list.

Y'all both need to go.

This concert was a shining example

of everything it means to be a Dupree.

And you want to remind everyone of the lie

that almost wrecked everything.

Well, it's not happening, and we're not broken.

I'm not here to hurt Nicole or you or anyone, okay?

I came to stop my mom,

so can we just take this down a notch?

We don't need anyone who doesn't need us.

Okay, I tried this the nice way.

Child, do you have another speed?

Come with me now, or we aren't the Gilmore Girls anymore.

We aren't anything.

Oh, that hurts.

I was just attempting to...

-Elbow your way in? -Mm. Fine.

I'm gone, children.

But those gates are merely an obstacle

that I can jump over,

limbo under,

or shove up your little

-trifling bougie... -Okay, okay. Good night.

I think my heart's gonna burst out of my chest.

Mother did the thing.

With gifts like hers, she could have been doing this

24-7 her entire life.

Instead, she took the time to raise us.

She was a star at being our mother, too.

There is not one minute

that Anita Dupree didn't do exactly what she wanted to do.

-I'm just glad she's doing this again. -Mm.

Hi.

Gran was on fire, wasn't she?

Then why the stank face?

Well, we just had an encounter of the Leslie-Eva kind.

What? Ted isn't even here.

Why would she crash?

All right, maybe I'd better go double-check.

Ease up, Mom. They're probably already at Orphey Gene's.

Eva was trying to drag her mama there.

Good riddance.

As if coming to the concert wasn't bad enough.

What is her game tonight?

I am not gonna let her ruin this night for us.

Nicole, what happened to "When they go low, we go high"?

That train left with my husband.

Reminder.

The Beyoncé's Lemonadebat belongs to me.

Well, I'm borrowing it. I will be back before the toast.

-Aunt Nicole? -Mom.

VERNON: Ladies and gentlemen,

may I present the Articulettes.

[applause and cheering]

All hail the queens!

You were magnificent, like not even a day had passed.

Oh, my hands were shaking like a leaf.

Felt like coming home.

Well, you wouldn't know it, Tracy.

Your voices were butter.

What's next? An album? Touring?

-Oh, we like the way you think. -[laughter]

I am just so glad you did this, Gran,

so that us grandkids got to see you and your groupmates live.

I will never forget this night, Gran.

Having you all there meant the world to me, too.

Samantha and Tyrell wanted me

to pass along their congratulations.

-They went home with Smitty. -Oh.

No wonder Martin's looking a little down.

But at least he and Smitty and the kids got

to experience the concert together.

ANDRE: Wow. Ms. Anita,

you were perfection.

Thank you, Andre.

-Yeah, man, wasn't she something else? -She was.

I think Kat was waving at me.

-I love you, Gran. -Oh, love you, too, baby.

Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt.

Oh, no, no, no. You were right on time,

giving me the opportunity

to tell you you were perfection, too.

Ah, it was not a big deal.

-Really. -No, Andre, truly.

I had a vision of what that video might look like

and make us feel, but your execution was...

I mean, the precision and the heart.

It'll stay with me always.

You brought Barbara back to life,

even if just for a night.

Well, what can I say?

-It's not every night that I get to help a queen. -Oh.

-Do you have time to do one more autograph? -Of course.

What's your mother's name? Oh, no, this is for me.

Sign it to Shanice, your favorite fan.

I just can't get over how many younger people like you are

out there cheering us on.

Thank you. Nice to meet you, Shanice.

Excuse me.

So how are you connected to this crew?

I'm a nurse/physical therapist

at the hospital where Ms. Anita's daughter works.

-Okay. -And when I'm putting a patient

through the paces, nothing inspires me more

like an Articulettes anthem.

♪ Baby, let's get closer.♪

-[laughs] -Well, aren't you something?

-Tracy. -Yes.

Thank you, Shanice. It was a pleasure meeting you.

ANITA: I was just thanking

this man for being a magician,

but he can't seem to take a compliment to save his life.

That video was the beating heart of this night.

Now, you all were incredible, okay?

We know. [laughs]

See what I did there with that compliment?

You know what? Um, you look like you could use some champagne.

So let me see what I can do about that. Uh, shall we?

That performance had everything.

Drama, beauty, mystery, redemption.

-Headlines are off the charts. -Hmm.

"A Diva Returneth," uh, not that there was any doubt.

Well, I hope they're not all about me.

Well, take a look yourself.

"Reunited, and It Feels So Good,"

"The Lost Articulette," "The Fab Four."

They're all acknowledging Barbara.

Yes, they are.

Now, are you ready for me to build a solo tour for you?

[laughs] I'm sorry,

but the home fires burn brighter when I'm stoking them.

Whenever you're ready...

Mrs. Dupree, I'm here.

Well, as for the tour, I know two divas

who could be the answer you're looking for.

And I'd move quick before somebody else snaps 'em up.

I can craft quite the story around that comeback.

-Mm-hmm. -Not to mention those voices.

But only if you promise

you'll call me the second you're ready.

Even if it's just a drop-in as a special guest.

I promise.

But I want to be at home.

Gran outdid herself.

She did.

Now, how are you holding up?

It felt great to have Smitty and the kids at the concert,

but Smitty was just being the stand-up dad that he is.

Well, maybe your grandmother inspired some forgiveness

into that man of yours, huh?

I thought he might return to the party,

and if he's here and you're here...

Thanks, Granddad, but I don't see them here.

And I don't think tonight is the night for...

Okay, I'm waiting. Where's the riot act?

No riot act, just love.

You get points for walking away peacefully.

No deductions for putting up a fight?

You wouldn't be my mama if you didn't.

-[laughs] -Mm.

Besides, no one changes overnight.

I mean, we just watched the perfect Anita Dupree sing

a freaking redemption song for one of her bandmates.

Or was that another Dupree

trying to make another woman's tragedy all about her?

You're judging someone making things all about them?

I really wanted us to have a nice night, okay?

Do you wish you hadn't come?

The opposite. You surprised me.

A good surprise.

You knew the words to every ArticuletteS song.

You were all lit up,

like you were remembering a happier, simpler time.

Before Ted, before me.

-Little Leslie. -Aw.

And I'm glad I got to see her.

Yeah, mm, I hate that all roads lead to the Duprees.

Even Nicole had dibs on the soundtrack of my childhood.

About that, Mama.

Look, I chose not to be mad at you before,

and maybe you can make a choice for me now.

I need the space to make a go of it with Ted, okay?

I want to have what neither of us had. I want my father.

So I need you to back off this feud and stay away from Nicole.

Okay?

You have trespassed on the Duprees for the last time.

I should have you arrested.

[scoffs]

I imagine Mom is giving Leslie another reason

to go scarf shopping.

But that's more you than Aunt Nicole.

So what's going on with her?

Perhaps recent events have shown your aunt

that she and I are more alike than either of us ever imagined.

I'm so glad you decided to come back and join the party.

When you took the kids home...

They did encourage me to come.

Tonight just confirmed what I already knew.

-You are a goddess, Anita. -Oh.

And you are a saint, Smitty.

Vernon and I owe you an apology.

What you did was out of love for my husband.

I can't say I'm over it yet,

but remembering that will help me get there.

CHELSEA: So,

will Aunt Nicole also be adopting a boy toy?

-What? -That's my mom you're talking about.

I'm just saying, I hope I'm still bagging baddies

half my age when I'm my mom's age.

You wish.

Listen, this is not the way that I wanted you to find out.

And I hope you never go through what I went through.

But if you do... that you find happiness,

whatever form it takes.

Mm. Am I gonna have to call him Stepdaddy?

I'm gonna go find my actual daddy.

-[grunts] -[Chelsea and Kat giggle]

Well, Chelsea, Kat.

-Uh, great evening, right? -Yes.

It is, just how I like it-- full of tea.

I was actually just talking to my mom

about what Naomi and I should call you now that...

What are you exactly?

-Chelsea... -KAT: Well, um...

there's Jim.

I need to get one of our bags

in one of his famous client's hands.

Hmm.

Yeah. So, are you asking me about my intentions?

Obviously, you're the reason

why Mom's been a lot less focused on dad lately,

so we owe you a family thank you.

But I hope that you're using protection,

'cause, um, I heard about your rep.

Okay, um, I have nothing but respect for your mother.

We're cool, Andre,

but if you hurt her,

you will have the entire family to deal with.

Oh, my girlfriend's here.

To be continued.

I'm so glad you could make it.

Oh, I was not about to miss meeting the famous Anita Dupree.

She's even more luminous in person.

Come on, let's break the seal. She doesn't bite.

No, no. Wait, wait. I know you're used to being around her,

like, all the time, but she's a really big deal.

Oh, God. I think I just need a minute

to just stand here and breathe for a second.

Dr. Madison Montgomery is starstruck.

Yeah, and not ashamed to admit it.

Gran doesn't bite.

The sooner she meets you, the sooner

she'll fall in love with you, just like I did.

Come on.

This concert is open to the public.

I am a lifelong fan, believe it or not,

so you should be thanking me, Nicky.

What on earth for?

The Articulettes have been over for years,

so this little attempt to resurrect them from the dead,

well, it needed all the support it could get.

I need you to dig way down deep into that well of jealousy

and see if there is even a shred of decency left.

My mom is telling the truth, Nicole. She's always been a fan.

She really wasn't trying anything this time.

I know what a big night this is.

If you knew that, then you wouldn't have been there.

And if you really are a big fan,

I'll make sure you get a signed vinyl.

But I will put it where the sun don't shine

if you don't step off.

Ooh. [roars]

Mm. That shrink needs to be shrunk, honey.

Gran, this is Madison.

I don't know whether I should curtsy or pass out.

How about we start with a hug?

[mouths]

Anita Dupree just hugged me. [laughs]

And I just said that out loud.

Sorry. I'm a big, big fan.

Well, it's mutual.

You are the legendary Dr. Montgomery.

Chelsea's been singing your praises nonstop.

Well, I'm crazy lucky that Chelsea picked me up.

I mean, that we met.

I need a glass of champagne. Anyone else need a glass?

You know, I'll just... I'll just bring us all glasses. Okay.

She's usually, um,

less fangirl, more girlboss.

She's charming.

I have the right to reserve judgment, but I like what I see.

I've seen it before.

What?

The look you two share.

It's the same look Vernon and I share.

I think you found yourself a keeper.

She's the one.

-Thanks, Gran. -[laughs]

Thanks.

I would have come over sooner.

It's okay.

Thanks for bringing the kids tonight.

I missed them. And you.

And us.

I watched Gran make peace tonight.

And... I'll do anything to do that with you.

But you can't, Martin.

You can't stand up onstage and shout your truth.

And even if you could,

it wouldn't erase the lies of the last two years.

Look, I wish that things were different between us,

but... they're not.

Wishing doesn't make it so.

Smitty.

Look, Nicole and Vernon asked me to be here for Anita.

And I don't want the kids to feel like

this isn't their family anymore.

So no part of tonight felt right to you?

I wish that I could get caught up in the magic of tonight,

the way you look in that suit,

and lean into you.

But when the lights come up,

so do the harsh realities of what you did.

And I don't think that I...

I can't just forget about that, Martin. I don't think I can.

You never bury the lede.

There are not enough explanations or sorrys.

I just hope, with enough time, you'll forgive me.

Take care of yourself, Martin.

I have to get home.

TYRELL: How do you trust Pops after all he hid from us?

The second that I saw those suitcases by the door,

I knew that I didn't want him to leave.

I am mad at Pop.

But I remember what it was like before Pop and Dad came for us.

I remember her.

I don't think about her.

Me either. Not usually.

But I can't forget.

She left us to the system, and we were all alone.

There was no guarantee that we would even stay together.

But Pop and Dad-- they saved us.

They made us their forever family.

They chose us.

The Duprees-- they chose us.

And they loved us like we were their own blood.

I'm not gonna just give up on Pop because he screwed up.

Yeah, they did their thing.

So many kids like us-- they don't get what we have.

We got the dream.

We have a family.

I don't want that to go away.

Me either.

And I will never forget what we have now.

Each other.

No matter what, that stands.

No matter what.

You ready to be publicly tied to Dani Dupree?

Uh, I think the question is, how are you gonna feel

about being tied to Andre Richardson

when it comes to all of your friends and family?

I thought it was hot having something private,

something that felt like it belonged to us.

Yeah.

But it was hot kissing you in that crowd, too.

I thought the earth would shake if everyone knew,

but nothing changed.

Doesn't change who we are to each other.

-It doesn't make us any more or less serious. -Yeah.

I just... I don't know

how the rest of the fam's gonna take it, though.

Yeah. Well, maybe the whole disapproval thing

begins and ends with Aunt Nicole.

Chelsea thought it was amusing more than anything.

-[grunts] That's one down. -Mm.

Still wonder what Naomi thinks, though.

But I guess we won't get our answer tonight.

What do you think, Dani?

That it's time to call it a night.

-Hmm. -And for you to take me home.

Okay. Happy to.

Now, am I taking you to your door or...?

-Maybe stay for breakfast? -[laughs]

You, me, a slow morning, tangled sheets, breakfast?

It sounds like a dream.

[Carlton clears throat]

Carlton.

Been looking all over for you just so I could tell you again,

now I see where you get it all from.

Oh, you must be talking about Dani. I am not a performer.

Oh, no. Yes, you are.

Especially the way you've handled everything

you've had to deal with.

Nothing short of Oscar-worthy.

[clears throat] Got time for some important shop talk?

-Handle your business. -[Nicole sighs]

I just wanted to get you alone to tell you

that Martin is heartbroken.

Smitty came, and then he went.

So, if you're looking for him...

Thank you.

How are you doing?

Gran did exactly what she set out to do.

And she did so flawlessly.

I'm in awe.

Agreed, but I asked about you.

It took her years to patch things up with the Articulettes.

I just hope it doesn't take that much time

for me to do it with Smitty.

Was it everything you wanted it to be?

More, in every sense of the word.

We've been looking forward to this night for so long.

And now Jim Price has offered to take us on the road.

But we really wish Anita would come with us, Vernon.

After everything she did to bring us back together,

bring us this chance,

bringing Barbara back to us the way she did.

I mean, it was amazing.

All these years, I sensed a...

a sadness

around Anita about the Articulettes.

I-I never knew why.

But owning it and having you back...

...I think that...

that she can finally heal.

I hope it was the same for both of you.

It is.

I should say that to Anita. Where is she?

Where'd she go?

Barbara.

Did you see that audience on their feet for you?

Did you hear the roar of that standing O?

In your letter, you gave me credit for dreaming big.

Also a lot of shade. [chuckles]

But you had the dream.

And you invited us in.

Four little colored girls singing into hairbrushes,

believing-- because of you--

that we could be more.

That our voices were magic.

Black girl magic that lifted us out of the projects

onto stages, into the world.

Without you...

Without you, there would be no Articulettes.

There would be no Anita Williams Dupree.

Thank you, Barbara, for everything.

And I am so sorry for all I did

and all I didn't do.

And I hope tonight bought me a little of that forgiveness

I've been seeking,

that I'm still not sure I deserve.

Captioning sponsored by CBS

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org