Original subtitles

It's impossible to think about growing up in the black church without thinking

about the pastors that led them.

And even though women weren't allowed in the pulpit back then,

you better believe they still made their voices heard

through the choir.

Give it up for Sister Shirley Weems, everybody.

That was Grandma Shirley, Daddy's mom.

Now, we're all familiar with the stories of mothers -in -law who hate their

daughters -in -law. But in our family, it was the exact opposite.

Grandma Shirley loved Mama a lot. Moving forward. And she made sure everybody

knew it. I'd like to invite anyone who wants to come and share their testimony

on this morning. Is there one?

But once the singing was done, I was ready to go.

Who has time to hear how good God has been to everybody?

All I could do was sit there and pray, please, dear God, please do something to

make this stop.

Always with the floods.

This isn't funny.

Stannis just passed out.

Uh -oh. I mean, I didn't pray for that to happen.

Nah, she gonna be all right.

She did.

The doctors did everything they could, but I guess it was just her time.

I was certainly feeling guilty for praying that God would do something to

service, but I just meant a hurricane or an earthquake. Nothing deadly.

I thought the woman had been dead for years.

I don't know what I'm gonna do to replace her.

She was my best alto.

Can't we talk about something else?

Like what the preacher said in his sermon.

About that guy.

You mean Jesus?

Mama, you have any singers in mind?

Not yet, but I better get somebody sooner than later.

Lillian, you want to join my choir?

Well, Mother Williams, if it's what you need, then I'm here to help.

This is great.

Who would have thought that my beautiful daughter -in -law would be in my choir?

Well, you know, Mama, I'm a bit of a singer myself.

Well, my tenor section is full, baby. Actually, I'm more of a baritone.

You're so handsome.

Everyone's attention for a moment. I want to introduce you to our newest

my daughter -in -law, Lillian, who has taken time out of her busy schedule to

help all of us out in our time of need.

With that said, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the tragedy that happened

on Sunday. And that tragedy was how terrible you sounded.

It's a wonder more people than dropped dead from that embarrassing performance.

Damn, Grandma, tell us how you really feel.

Sister Patterson, you're five minutes late.

I'm so sorry, Sister Williams, but I had trouble getting my walker off the

church steps, you know? You've had that walker for eight years. I think you

would have figured it out by now.

Don't help her!

Sister Williams, I'd be happy to take over the head alto duties since we no

longer have Sister Henderson. Sister Joyce, that won't be necessary.

I've already decided who's going to be our new head alto.

And it's Lillian.

Wait, are you sure?

Lillian, move down to the head alto seat.

Jesus is on the main line.

Tell him what you want. Jesus is, Jesus is on the main, main...

You've been at it for over an hour.

Maybe let Jesus off the main line. Maybe it's time for you to get off the phone.

I'll call you back.

Take it easy on your mother.

She's working hard.

And I think you sound free.

I just don't want to mess up on my first Sunday.

And I definitely don't want people to think I didn't earn my spot.

I'd hate it if folks thought that Mother Williams was favoring me.

My mother favors you over everyone.

Rather than Jesus, maybe.

Your mother can be very demanding of the choir.

She can be quite a stickler.

She just knows how to get things done.

That's why the choir is so good.

And why they're so terrified.

Your grandmother is a monster. She made several choir members cry, and I think

she was glad about it. What? Grandma?

I've never seen her be mean to anyone.

Child, exactly.

But she's from a different generation, so I guess that's just how they were

raised.

I am lucky. You and Daddy aren't like that.

For instance, there is no way someone from Grandma's generation would let me

to a party on a school night.

Well, you're not going to that party.

I'm glad Grandma's mean to you.

Oh, baby can't sleep because they put me to sleep.

Why

are

you making so much noise? People are trying to sleep. Jim, I have to confess

something. On Sunday, I was so put in church that I prayed and asked God to do

something in church early.

And the next thing I knew, Sister Henderson died. But I didn't want that.

now I think she's haunting me. Well, if she's haunting you, that means she wants

something from you.

And if you don't figure it out, she'll be haunting you forever.

dug Sister Henderson up, and she would have sounded better than whatever y 'all

were trying to do.

Well, I would just like to say, Mother Williams, that I believe the

enjoyed the choir today.

In fact, a few people got the Holy Spirit.

Well, I guess the Holy Spirit must have lower standards than I do.

Well, thanks for bringing me home. I'll see you next time.

So, how was church?

It was fine.

She's a different person in front of the choir, isn't she?

Wait, you knew?

Yes. You see, your mother -in -law has something that I call a takeover spirit.

When she joined the choir 20 years ago, she was just supposed to play the piano.

But two weeks in, she'd run the choir director off and took over.

Maybe a little feedback will help.

I know all about organizational communication from work.

Maybe I could help her.

Best to leave it alone.

Clisby? Yeah?

Come on in here now. I'm about to run your back.

I've already took my path, but I'm not going to tell her so she can have her

way.

Things like these are scary in this marriage.

What Edgar Allan Poe is illuminating here is the overwhelming guilt the

feels. as well as the crushing weight of knowing he's committed the most

unspeakable of acts.

Why is she only looking at me?

Dean. Dean!

Dean!

Why'd you do it? Tell me!

Why did you do it?

You want to see a dead old lady standing at the front of class? You mean other

than the teacher?

Dean, you need to let this go, man. It's all in your head.

I know, but you don't think God killed Sister Henderson because of me. I'm

pretty sure God doesn't work that way. Yes, he does. God kills people all the

time. Just read the Bible.

I really don't want to go to hell for this.

I don't see any way you won't.

Dean, there's only one way to make up for what you did.

Seek guidance from a higher power.

Okay. Sister Henderson, are you here?

Mr. Henderson, are you mad at Dean?

Well, what can Dean do to make amends with you?

D.

I.

E.

Come on, Satan, please add a T, add a T.

Kim, you're pushing the printer. No, it's not me, I swear.

D.

When all you got to do is talk to me.

If Jesus hadn't already died with your sins, that last number would have killed

him.

I'll see you all at the next rehearsal on... Mother Williams, can I interrupt

for a quick second?

I took the liberty of passing around a suggestion box.

I found it to be an effective communication tool in the workplace.

Huh. Why don't you read some right now?

Let's see.

Oh, okay. How about this one?

Each choir member should be responsible for taking their own robe home and

cleaning it. That sounds like a great idea. Well, Sister Joy.

Mother Williams, the suggestions are anonymous. I take the robes home with me

because I wash them using an unscented detergent. That way, they don't end up

smelling like the inside of a prostitute's purse.

It would be nice if the choir could learn some new songs. Was that you,

Edna? Or you, Sister Wilma?

You, Lillian?

At least Judith would have kissed me first.

Mother Williams, I admit no disrespect.

I just felt like our repertoires were getting a little familiar. You know,

Lillian, with your experience in the workplace, you seem to have a grasp on

the choir needs.

So my suggestion is for you to take over as choir director.

Mother Williams, no one wants that. We were just merely suggesting that... Do

it, Lillian.

I'm more than happy to resign and just play the piano. But Mother Williams...

It's okay, Lily.

This is what the people want. Nobody blames you.

You fried my life.

I didn't fire anyone.

Mother Williams chose to step down.

Well, the worst part is that she's not running the choir, she's running me.

A woman has to run something. Nice on a sound like Lil.

Mama's nothing like that. Come on, Bill.

Lil's right.

Your mother's a monster. I didn't say that.

And I don't think that.

You remember the time she took your class to the museum all by herself?

Well, that was because she had told all the parents that they weren't qualified

to chaperone the children.

Their own children.

I don't remember like that. And that time she did all the baking for the

school's bake sale, she had told all the mothers that their food wasn't fit for

flies or goats.

Maybe she meant flies and goats in a good way.

Look, there are a lot of disgruntled choir members who wanted to have their

voices heard, so I owe it to them to try to make this work.

Well, you better hope it works.

Otherwise, I'll be spending a lot more time over here than at home.

And nobody wants that.

Oh, that's right.

I'm the nice one.

Unfortunately, it seemed everybody was on CP time.

Choir people time.

What did you think I meant? Where is everybody?

Rehearsal's at 7 o 'clock, and it's already 7 .15.

Did you call them to remind them to be on time? They have to be reminded to

to rehearsal? I thought rehearsal was the same time for the last 20 years.

If it was that simple, they would have been here already.

Oh, good to see everybody.

Next time, let's try to be on time. Please.

It's the director's responsibility to call and remind us about rehearsal.

All right, then, everybody, let's make a phone tree.

Each one of you will be responsible for calling someone else to remind them

about rehearsal. I did it with my staff.

It's a great way for everybody to keep accountability with one another.

Well, um, let's go ahead and get started with who we have here.

Has everyone familiarized themselves with the new song?

Nobody? I couldn't find my reading glasses.

Well, since rehearsal is starting a little late, we'll push through to 8

All right? It'll give us time to familiarize ourselves with the new

Uh, Sister Patterson?

I was just saying we'll end rehearsal at 8 .30. I heard you.

And by the time I get to my car, it'll be 8 .30.

One thing I knew for sure is I didn't want Sister Henderson haunting me

I figured maybe she'd stop visiting me at my place of rest if I visited hers.

Brought these as a peace offering.

I couldn't afford roses, so hope you like carnations.

I hope they make up for everything, and I'm sorry.

Sorry for what?

Agnes? Hi, I'm Donna.

Agnes was my grandmother.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm Dean.

I... Don't say you killed her grandmother. Don't say you killed her

Don't say you killed her grandmother. I didn't kill her.

Of course not.

She was sick.

Doctor told us she only had a few months left.

And that was three years ago.

So we're just happy for the extra time.

Oh, great. Thank God. The doctors killed her. Perfect.

Grandma always kept a butterscotch in her purse.

Would you like one?

Uh, sure, yeah.

Dean? Dean, baby, you okay?

I'm fine.

Okay.

Well played, Sister Henderson.

Well played.

It's time for the choir to start marching in.

How can they march in when half of them aren't here?

And half the ones who are forgot to bring back their choir robes.

Sister Patterson, where's Sister Tammy? Did you call her? No, I did not.

I do not speak to that woman ever since she called herself dirt with my late

husband in the supermarket in 62.

Lord have mercy, you were number four on the phone tree, which means nobody else

got their calls. You're the choir director.

It is your job to know that I do not speak to that woman.

Can we have five more minutes, please?

In all the years that I've played piano, Sunday services were never late.

I don't know what to do.

How would you fix it at that job of yours?

That was absolutely divine.

I think the Lord has humbled me.

Well, you know I couldn't have done it without you, Mother Williams.

Now we see what your plan was all along.

My plan?

Your plan to steal all the glory, while the rest of us sit back here like you're

Donna Ross and we're just the Supremes.

Half of you didn't show up, and the rest of you didn't know the song.

You know, it's called a choir, not... A Lillian.

All right.

You know what?

You're right.

You're right.

Mother Williams, would you be willing to return and get the choir back on track?

Because clearly, I'm in over my head and humbled.

I suppose I could do that.

And maybe I can open my ears to more of your thoughts.

Well, thank you for being a team player, unlike Lillian.

I tried to warn you.

You did.

And you're right.

I'm sorry if I overstepped.

I guess I have a little bit of the takeover spirit, too.

Girl, you've been talking to Clisby.

I think it's just better if I go back to being your favorite daughter -in -law

and not a member of your choir.

After Mama and Grandma got back to normal, Grandma even added a new song.

And Mama eventually found a place where her takeover spirit was a perfect fit.

Do something to make this stop.