Original subtitles

-Keegan. -I'll have those pictures to you

ASAP for the Gondry case.

Great, then you can dive deeper into Andre Richardson.

There's no way that an indiscriminate playboy like that

doesn't have skeletons in his closet,

and I'm paying you to dig them up.

Listen, talk to the women

that he hooked up with in Europe,

all right?

We need dirt that we can verify.

I got you, boss.

Investigating a "model-izer" is way more fun

than class action suits.

You know, one more thing.

Yeah, name it.

Put a tail on him.

-That serious? -Guys like that,

they don't just stop trolling.

And if he's already stepping out on my...

daughter's mother, I want to know about it.

[Dani laughs]

-Wow. -Yeah.

You know, sex is some of the best cardio.

You just assume your wifey is content with her exercise.

Oh, it's like that?

Are you saying that I didn't get the job done?

No, I'm just messing with you. I am very satisfied.

Mm. That makes two of us.

My heart is just knocking looking at you.

You know, you get finer every single day, Danielle Dupree?

Don't you mean Danielle Richardson?

Come here, hubby.

I think I might need some more reps.

♪ ♪

VANESSA: Donnell.

Baby, what are you doing here?

I was going to ask you the same thing, Mom.

Am I interrupting?

Never.

You know how much I love when family comes by.

I was just sitting here by my lonesome,

waiting up for your father.

I thought Daddy might be teaching at Banneker tonight.

He is.

And you are catching up on a good book.

Oh, finding out who done it can wait.

I'd rather catch up with my firstborn.

What's wrong?

You're assuming.

I don't need Walter Mosley or Alyssa Cole to know

that my daughter's got something weighing on that big,

beautiful brain of hers.

More like my heart.

My mystery is Martin.

And how I can help him save his family.

-Thank you. -Mr. Richardson, Mr. Smith,

lovely to have you back.

Can I get you two started with some drinks?

I'll have an amaretto sour, please.

And for you, Mr. Richardson?

And I would like--

A rum and soda,

but make it top shelf.

Little kick, light ice.

All right. I'll return shortly with your drinks.

Also, we're featuring a sharable duck risotto this evening.

Rich, beautifully dressed

and truly worth trying.

Thank you.

Was I being too presumptuous?

Your drink order could have changed.

You still know me better than anyone.

Well, at least you did before.

Hey, we're not here to look back.

My eyes are on you and a future that includes both of us.

I thought you were headed straight home from the station.

That was the plan, but--

I hijacked your mother.

I saw her in the parking lot and how hard she was trying

to keep everything together,

and I thought maybe she could use some company

rather than go home

to a house that's full of food and flowers.

Boy, there's an irony.

The one time the entire world is sending you food

and you don't even want to touch it.

I didn't think about that.

And seeing that footage of Dad's last moments, that...

that was tough.

JOEY: I want to remind you both.

The man you saw on that tape,

gambling and drinking, that was not Doug McBride.

Even good men get lost.

I'm sorry. I should have held off today, of all days.

No, it was me who kept pushing.

Just thinking about what I needed.

No, baby.

I thought if I could

piece together Dad's last day,

I could piece together Dad.

You know, make the guy in that video make sense

with the guy I know.

Or knew.

And loved.

It's like that show we liked

where they split people's lives in two.

I didn't know that side of him,

but if I could put him back together, then I could start--

or we could start to say goodbye.

We can't crack Dad's life like it's some kind of mystery.

That was just pillow talk earlier, right?

You're not really thinking about being Mrs. Richardson?

Knowing when it's me talking and the sex talking.

That is a marital milestone.

I feel like I'm just getting back to being

completely Dani Dupree.

-Shaking off Dani Hamilton. -Mm.

I know you're all kinds of shades of evolved, but...

...does it bother you if I don't take your name?

No. To me, you'll always be a one-name woman.

Dani.

You know, you're part of me getting back to me.

Aw, you'd have gotten here.

We've got something real.

On our own terms.

I've never felt so... so full and so free with anybody.

Same.

And I wouldn't want it any other way.

Look, getting Richardson out of my ex-wife's life

and out of her bed, is top priority, you understand?

So find me something I can use.

You know I always deliver.

Yeah, you better.

Look, I got to go.

Keep me posted.

Hayley, how long have you been here?

Long enough.

Ms. Dupree, I'm still learning you,

but that face says you're hungry.

Ravenous.

Okay, in that case, I'll order us some sustenance.

You melted over that vegan spot's

new kale salad the last time.

-I did. -Yeah, I know.

He remembers my order. [giggles]

Well, I'm going to need something with some more

spice and heft.

You know what I can't stop thinking about?

What?

Those duck barbecue sliders you showed me

-on Orphey Gene's secret menu. -Mm.

Ooh, with the fried green tomatoes

and collards on the side.

And cornbread.

Damn, woman. You...

-I don't play. -...you don't play. Damn.

Well, you got me to this place.

It's only fair that you feed me before you feed me again.

Okay. Well, say less.

I'll be back as fast as I can.

Oh. In that case,

take the Maserati.

Dani, you are a walking, talking, toxic storm.

You are a heartless,

manipulative bastard.

And you are...

...incredibly beautiful.

Get out of my head, Bill.

Baby, it's not what you think, all right?

-What you just heard-- -You have zero boundaries,

after all this time, all these promises.

Hayley, I can explain--

Why you had to check your business on our time again?

I know Keegan's voice. You're still micromanaging

the class action suit.

You got me, baby.

I've tried everything

to make our home a work-free zone.

Most of it involved lingerie.

But this is just who you are, isn't it?

I have to take it or leave you.

And your decision is?

I'm not going anywhere.

You are my...

happily ever after till death do us part.

[Bill chuckles]

I feel it, too, the seesaw between

it not feeling real and this ache

where Doug's supposed to be.

Whatever you need, I am right there with you.

Even if it crushes you?

Mom, you were destroyed by that video,

and I did that to you by having Jacob show us the footage.

I don't want to pile on.

No, baby.

You and your sister are what are keeping me upright.

I just can't quiet this voice in my head that wants answers.

I know. I-I know, baby, and I wish I could

give that to you, but...

I think we should get a server over here,

and we should probably get some food into you, too, Donnell.

Jacob had the same idea, but now I don't know if I can.

I appreciate all the levers you're pulling just for us to--

I'm happy to.

Well, I hope Drake was of some service.

He was forthcoming.

I laid into him for not calling Dad a rideshare.

He said he wanted to, but...

Dad was already out the door.

What Drake said lines up with

what we saw on the tape.

I told him to stay in town just in case

anything else comes up about that night.

I can't imagine he has anything else to offer,

but that's a good idea.

We may not be able to bring Doug back,

but I think we all want the same thing,

and that's for you to feel that

the answers to your questions

have been answered.

Thanks, Joey.

Think nothing of it.

You know, I know a bit about where you're at.

A reckless decision by my mother ultimately led to her death.

Drunk driving?

No, she was a beautiful woman who believed

that the scalpel was the fountain of youth.

She was addicted.

To plastic surgery.

And it didn't matter that she was already beautiful

or that she had a son who would have traded all that beauty

just to spend some more time with her.

I'm sorry about your mom.

Yeah, well, like you, I did my due diligence.

I would not rest until I had her medical records in my hands,

and I could see that she had been doctor shopping

until she found one who was unaware of her medical history.

Once you had the receipts?

Then I did what I wasn't ready to do.

I mourned her.

Once you have all of your questions answered,

you can look at the entirety of your father's life,

not just his last moments.

Thank you for helping me accomplish that, Joey.

Think nothing of it.

I feel like it's a first date.

I see you got a new sweater. I got a whiff of new cologne.

And I'm a little nervous

I might forget which fork to use.

You know what people don't do on first dates?

Dissect them.

What are you in the mood for?

So, what did we decide?

Everything looks good to me.

I'll take it all.

You know, no one ever really shows their entire self.

But the version of your father

that he showed you and your sister,

that's the only truth that counts.

I should go.

Can't you stay for one more scotch?

Joey, stay.

I'd like to buy dinner. It's the least I can do.

I'm honored,

but your mother has spent the entire day

hosting people who respected your father

and softening the loss for the rest of us,

so I think the two of you could probably benefit

from a little quiet time without people coming

to get something from you,

even if it's just to wish you well.

So, rain check?

Yeah, that'd be cool.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

Thank you, Joey, for everything.

Now that we have the tea,

let's explore what's troubling you

so I can serve up some sympathy.

Oh, we both know empathy and a healthy dose

of tough love is more your strong suit.

It's a mother's job to make sure her children

have the skills to navigate through life.

You don't need me fighting your battles.

You and Dani...

have been battle-ready for a long time now.

Oh, I don't know about that part.

You and your sister just have different ways

of taking on your challenges.

Dani pointed out we have matching scars

from our cheating exes.

And my way of coping lately can accurately be described

as very "Dani-esque."

That's overstating.

I confronted my husband's mistress in public

and went for her throat.

A momentary lapse.

And you have come nowhere close to mimicking Hurricane Dani.

Well, talk to the id because logic has left the building

and feelings are running the show.

Or... they're buried deep.

You're not here to discuss the state

of my grandson's marriage, are you?

What else could it be?

I think you're here because you're questioning

the state of your own heart.

Did you pick up on what I'm wearing?

That's your outfit from our first date.

That takes me back.

To a good place, I hope.

Has me thinking about our first few dates.

All outside the DMV, of course, because

we didn't want anybody to know until we knew.

I wanted to show you off on the first day.

Yeah, me too.

But I kind of like that time I was able to take you places

few Duprees had ever gone.

Drive-in movies, every chain restaurant

-there ever was. -[both laugh]

I'm surprised we didn't gain like 20 pounds.

Well, we sweat it off waiting in line at those theme parks.

Your face the first time you had funnel cake.

You remember when we went to that pirate-themed putt-putt

and you swung the club like you were at the Masters?

I never had been on a course that small.

I think you made a hole in one

three holes over.

It was four, but who's counting?

I like that you remember.

How could I forget?

How do you think the kids would react

if they saw us right now?

Samantha would be thrilled.

Tyrell would front, but he would be afraid

that it wouldn't stick.

Hmm.

Oh, hey, isn't that Mr. and Mrs. Cortez?

Isn't he one of your VIPs?

You can go over and schmooze. I can wait.

I'm on a date.

Yeah, but now your mind's going to be over there.

My mind is on you.

Is that what it was like for you all of this time?

Waiting for my attention,

waiting for the truth while I go do my thing?

Some of the time.

Well, let me paint the picture for you,

since that's what they do on first dates.

I'll ask you questions

about where you see yourself in the next ten years

and if that matches up with what you need and want.

Go on.

I see myself in love with my handsome,

sexy, kind, generous husband.

And we got back to sharing our first love:

Politics.

We both share that, climbing the Hill.

And we share another dream.

The family we built together.

Our son is a chess champion,

and our daughter, who modeled a bit,

has decided on something else that she loves

just as much, but way safer.

Okay.

Yeah, way to dream big.

That's the only way.

Our hair is grayer and thinner,

but we are more in love

since the day I lent you that pen

and you wrote your number on a card.

You still have my RSVP anywhere you want to take me.

If we hadn't met, you would have had a Pulitzer by now.

There's still time.

Plus, I wouldn't have our crazy wonderful kids.

Sitting here, I don't recognize the me

who would stand in the way of your work.

You were making desperate moves 'cause you were scared.

I'm still scared.

Of what?

We're doing all the things-- therapy, this date--

but what if it's not enough?

What if I still lose you?

Mr. Hamilton,

-our bed is calling. -[phone chimes]

Whoa.

Oh. Well, sorry, babe.

As much as I'd like to answer that call,

Caroline just pinged. I have to meet with Gondry.

-This late? -Yeah.

Well, our bed and I are very disappointed.

Oh, look, I invested too much of myself in the firm

not to keep an eye on it.

But the rest of me belongs to you, okay?

I won't be long.

-Okay? -Okay.

[line ringing]

Hey, Caroline.

Since my husband can't stay away from work,

I figured you'd be working late, too.

I was confirming the time of tonight's meeting for him?

No meeting?

Okay. We must have our wires crossed.

Thanks.

Oh, you don't have to worry about my heart.

It has been demolished like that house

across the street, and I do not plan on rebuilding.

If you shut down your life, that twisted woman

and that disappointment of a man win.

You're really okay with Dani having a loveless marriage?

There's all kind of love, Nicole,

and I am for a healthy relationship

that keeps Dani from having a Bill Hamilton-shaped relapse.

Dani can't close off her heart forever, and neither can you.

And I'm not saying that you need a man to be happy.

But...

having the right person beside you

just makes life so much sweeter.

I could have had an extraordinary life

without that man that I'm waiting up for.

But what he's given me--

the light, the love, the heat...

[Nicole laughs]

...I want that for you, too.

I don't know if I do anymore.

Oh, I don't think that's true.

I've seen the sparkle in your eye with a certain someone.

I haven't minded spending time with Carlton.

And he's been there all along,

not that I ever looked at him that way.

But now...

He's handsome, he's smart, he's kind.

Sweetie, he doesn't have to be your forever.

Both you and your sister married so very young.

I think you missed out on the fun of dating.

And you had that fun?

You think your father was the first man I dated?

Remind me to tell you about the time

back in the day when I had

five gentlemen callers come a-knocking.

I'm not saying that you should settle down

with Carlton, or run off to Vegas.

But date.

Get dressed up, feel yourself a little.

Ugh, you sound like Dani,

although she was way more crass.

Then I guess the stars really have aligned.

[laughs]

I don't want to revisit that hurt.

I would have understood what happened on that road.

It's the lies after that broke us,

but we both know that now.

There's no way to take those mistakes back.

I wish we lived in a world where I could take full ownership.

I tried. I tried. I wanted to, Smitty.

I believe you.

But there are other ways to build back trust.

What does that look like?

You painted the picture before.

And I'm watching it come to life.

You are being considerate and romantic.

And nervous.

I hoped you wouldn't notice.

I appreciate it.

Because it means that you're not taking me for granted.

What you did earlier with Cortez,

being present with me?

That and being okay with me

being who I need to be.

That's where we went wrong.

Martin, you hid parts of yourself,

but I gave up parts of myself.

And I'm not going to do that anymore.

And I never would ask you ever to do that again.

I want us the way we should have been all along,

equals and partners.

And I won't stop trying to win you back, Smitty.

Well, you can stop now.

Why, because you can't?

Because you already have.

Martin, I know we still have work,

but I think we're ready.

I'm ready.

Come home, Martin.

You just aged me ten years, watching you sip that beer.

You are still supposed to be this tall.

With your dad holding onto the back of your bike,

letting you go while I helicoptered nervously

in the background.

Doug had so much faith.

Was he reckless?

You know he wasn't.

Never with his babies.

He knew he could run fast enough to catch you

and Deanna if you fell.

But we weren't there when he did.

Doug's accident is not on you, kid.

I should head home, too.

Jacob, don't let what Joey said run you off.

You-you can stay.

We'll get dinner on the books with Naomi soon.

There's no question what a good man and father Doug was.

I was lucky to know him.

-Well, thanks, man. -Yeah.

What's wrong, baby?

Maybe this isn't the best idea.

What are you talking about?

How can I be tossing back a beer when we just buried Dad?

He would want you to raise a glass to toast his life.

And Dad would still be here if he hadn't

raised a glass and got into a car.

And here I am, doing the same thing.

What if I end up just like him?

Thanks for the rush.

My wife just had to have it.

Leaving so soon?

You've got it all wrong. Your father wasn't an alcoholic.

He was addicted to gambling.

He spun out.

The alcohol was a symptom,

not a cause.

But I didn't see that weakness in him.

I mean, what if I don't see it in myself?

Or in Deanna?

We both know how fragile she is, Mom.

I mean, what if that was something

she inherited from Dad?

She couldn't even come to the funeral.

-Because she had the flu. -Because of more than that.

I mean, you checked on her a gazillion times

in our text chain even before Dad died.

Your dad's struggles are not some curse

passed down from McBride to McBride.

How can you be sure?

We both know how hard it was

for Doug growing up.

He felt so lucky to be where he was,

but he was always testing that luck,

whether it was

challenging other surgeons to cup stacking

or if he could make you or your sister laugh first.

He was looking

for that rush of affirmation, and it was...

...it-it was never enough.

Well, he had us.

And he already had money.

I mean, what was he missing that he had to roll a die for?

Like Joey said,

he got lost.

We should have been there to check on him.

Like he did with me with that bike.

Hey, I will not let you think for a second

that what happened to your father

could happen to you or Deanna.

You are the best thing we ever made.

And you are going to thrive

and thrive and thrive.

And that is what he would say if he was here right now.

Today was supposed to be about celebrating Dad's life and...

...I just turned it into something completely different.

-Mm-mm. Mm-mm. -I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

You were looking for some peace.

Answers, and-and, hey, now...

...we will celebrate him.

Dad...

...we love you.

You always picked up on the first ring...

[laughs]

...never left us hanging.

You always wanted to talk.

You were always there for me.

You were there for me when I broke up with my first girl.

When I wanted to change my major

and just even there just to shoot the--

You always made us laugh.

You took care of us.

You're...

everything I want to be.

A good man,

an accomplished man.

A loyal friend.

And the best dad.

To Doug.

To Dad.

Have you considered obedience school?

He does run off and hump anything that moves.

Bill, I know you're here!

Come face me, damn it!

[Dani laughs]

He's not here, Hayley.

Bill, come here!

Get down here right now!

Oh, wow.

She projects.

You know, I thought I would enjoy this moment more.

Oh, no. [gasps] Oh, yeah, there it is. Wait.

The unmitigated satisfaction of karma

coming to call.

What excuse did he give you?

Client meeting? Golf?

The kids?

Gets awfully cold

when Bill's spotlight on you dims.

Bill, don't you dare make me come find you!

You know he wouldn't hide.

He'd get off on the catfight he set up

for us from the beginning.

Don't you ever get tired of being a pain in the butt?

Take's one to know one.

Oh, go to hell.

So, since it's not me,

you're wondering, do I know her?

Is it a client? A lady at the club? Caroline?

That's low, even for you.

I tried to warn you.

Past is prologue, but you thought your little act

was so special, he wouldn't stray.

I'm the one warning you, bitch.

Ooh. She's spicy today.

You have your own husband. Stay the hell away from mine.

[door slams]

Now, where are you, Bill Hamilton?

Hey, check out the sliders. I got to get home to wifey.

She likes everything nice and hot.

[chuckles] A comedian and a gigolo.

"Gigolo."

Okay, vintage vocab.

Well, yeah, that pretty much sounds right.

Yeah, I'm just a guy who makes a living off of

lonely women with deep pockets.

Oh, would you prefer gold digger?

Nah, I've got my own money.

And Dani wasn't some desperate rich lady.

She's the sexiest woman in the world.

Only a damn fool would have kicked her to the curb.

Or maybe you're the gigolo.

Of the two of us, you were the one

who was barely surviving when you met Dani.

-You better watch yourself. -Mm-hmm.

You weren't even pulling your own pants up

-when you met Dani, you little-- -Hey, hey, don't stop

because we got an audience.

-If you hurt her-- -Hurting Dani

is your deal, not mine.

I'm taking better care of my wife than you ever did.

I'm watching you, Richardson.

Yeah, I tend to have that effect.

Hey, Gran, you don't have to wait up for me.

I was waiting up for Vernon,

but I'm a chapter away from finding out

if Missy is going to kiss or kill Gray.

Juicy.

Ah, when I finish it, I'll let you borrow it.

Mm-hmm.

So, your mother was here a while ago.

I owe her a call.

She's worried about you, as am I.

It is so clear that the love is still there

between you and Smitty.

But it's taking its sweet time.

And I know you, my boy,

like to be in control of your own destiny.

I was worried about me, too.

But all that changed tonight.

Tell me.

Smitty asked me to come back home.

For real this time.

[footsteps approaching]

Oh, Nicole. Hey.

I used my key.

I was out running errands, wanted to say hi to the kids.

Yeah, I wish I would have known. I would have saved you the trip.

They're out with some friends.

I gathered. I left some gift cards.

Yeah, they're never too old to get excited

about the little gifts you leave on their pillows.

I love spoiling them.

Well, I will let you get back to enjoying your night.

Actually, your timing is kind of perfect.

Oh?

I just asked Martin if he would move back in.

Yeah, that's where I was.

I thought you'd be happy for us.

I am prepared to be ecstatic.

But I do need to ask you something first.

Yeah, anything.

Are you absolutely sure you're ready

to give this marriage a chance?

I'm glad that Joey was with you today.

But now that I'm here,

you don't have to look to outsiders for support.

That's what Dad would want, too.

Your instinct is a beautiful one.

You just want to step up and take up

the mantle of the man of the family.

But I want you to be a kid a little longer.

I'm not a kid.

I'm stronger than you think, and...

Joey's not an outsider.

Well, but I just met him.

Yeah, he's my business partner.

He-He's more than that.

Joey's come to...

take up a place in my life that I didn't expect.

-Mom? -He's a friend

who I rely on and trust.

I need my friends right now.

I need you to be okay with that.

Of course.

Why wouldn't I be?

I know how it must look from the outside,

with the revolving door that Martin's been through,

in and out of this house.

I hate that we're in the same club,

being lied to by the people that we love the most.

But Martin is not Ted.

Forgiveness was not for me.

But is it for you?

Because I don't think Martin is equipped

for the back-and-forth.

You sharing with me, it did make me feel less alone.

But I think that Martin and I have reached a tipping point

back to each other.

What clicked?

That door.

When Martin shut it behind him,

this house never felt more empty.

I never felt more empty.

It was like...

it's like he took a piece of me with him.

Missing him is not forgiving him, Smitty.

It's a process.

But I've seen Martin making changes.

He acknowledges what went wrong.

And he's willing to reset the ground between us,

with us as equals.

No more secrets, just...

...just love.

And that is where we start.

Oh, Smitty, you just made

your mother-in-law so happy.

I knew it was just a matter of time.

But Granddad and I are going to miss

having you under our roof, though.

We're not going to give up on our movie nights.

I'm just going to bring Smitty and the kids, if you'll have us.

Plus, I need to see how that new snow thriller ends.

I'm going to hold you to that.

How are the kids taking the news?

We're waiting to tell them together tomorrow afternoon.

We didn't want to surprise them tonight.

That's a good plan.

This has been such a roller coaster for them.

I hope that ride ends here.

I'm going to go up and pack.

Hey, baby.

The client is taken care of,

and now it's your turn. Come here.

Get off, Bill.

What's wrong with you?

When I left, you were raring to go.

The mood has passed and I'm going to bed.

Could you imagine if my Vogueor Essenceeditors

could see me now?

Barbecue sauce practically dripped on my couture.

They'd do a whole spread trying to make us believe

that supermodels, they're just like us.

But I know for a fact that you are a goddess.

Two seconds flat, you turn my mood right side up.

What'd I miss?

Hayley stopped by.

Apparently, she misplaced her husband.

I could have saved her a trip.

You got a tail on my ex?

Yeah, he was with me.

♪ ♪

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