Original subtitles

[narrator] Last season onQueen Sugar...

I choose love. I choose you.

[Nova] Everyone'’s telling me, write your own story,

speak your truth.

-Does your family know? -[Nova] No.

I thought you said you had a gift for me.

The only name on the deed to this building is yours.

-You know what prison is? -It'’s where bad people go.

I regret the things I done.

I ain'’t ever going to do them again.

You made a deal with a woman who would stab her

own brother in his back...

The devil I know, the devil I don'’t.

I'’ll conquer them all.

I'’m an American.

And my family is an American family.

And like all American families,

we want the dream.

Homes.

Land.

Space.

Love.

Being an American means we are beautiful.

But it also means we have a secret:

that ugliness is also within us.

I believe it is our secrets that are killing us.

So in my book, Blessing and Blood,

I am offering my truth as a sacrifice,

an example of how we can all be free.

And I hope that all who believe

our lives depend on being better truth tellers

will go on this journey with me.

[clears throat]

[sighs]

Excellent. How did that feel?

Uh, fine, I guess.

Did I do okay?

I could see your nerves a little.

But that'’s why we do this.

Maybe we should grab lunch, talk over a few things?

-Mm-hmm. -Okay.

[sighs]

[theme music playing]

♪ Dreams never die

♪ Take flight as the world turns ♪

♪ Dreams never die

♪ Take flight As the world turns ♪

♪ Keep the colors In the lines ♪

♪ Take flight

♪ Dreams never die

♪ Keep the colors in the lines ♪

♪ Keep the colors in the lines, take flight ♪

[Deborah, on phone] This will push your book over the top.

-That'’s amazing, Deborah. -Are you excited?

No! No, no, no, I'’m very excited.

TV, it'’s just...

I'’m just... thankful.

As are we. Congratulations.

We'’ll talk soon.

-And I'’ll keep you posted. -Okay.

-Stay tuned. -Bye.

Huh!

Another good-news phone call?

My editor just told me that I'’m getting

a New York Times book review.

Comes out in a few days.

That is not surprising at all.

Nova, I truly believe you'’ve written

the next great American novel.

Except it'’s a memoir.

Didn'’t stop Dave Eggers from becoming a superstar.

That'’s what we want, right?

Yes.

It'’s important folk know that I didn'’t write this

to gossip rag my famous sister,

or kick my brother when he'’s just getting on his feet.

So let'’s address the elephant in the room.

You'’ll need to be prepared for those who will say

that kicking your family is what you'’re doing.

Yes.

Including maybe my own family.

Wait.

They know about your book, don'’t they?

They know it'’s coming.

But they don'’t know what'’s in it...

exactly.

It'’s official.

You'’re spoiling me.

Good.

That means my plan is working.

Well...

your plans feel heavenly.

But I'’m warning you, I could get used to this.

I can'’t believe I let you whisk me away like this.

The real world awaits.

The real world.

Mm.

Harvest waits for no one.

Not even me.

And Micah'’s coming home soon.

So...

Yeah, the real world does await.

But not yet.

[woman] I'’m done, sir.

Thanks.

[woman] Enjoy your day.

[sighs]

[speaking Spanish]

[sighs]

[speaking Spanish]

Mi amor.

I wait for you,

for us...

for however long it takes.

Gracias.

Your Spanish is good.

Yeah.

A lot of things are getting good.

Oh, those look good!

Oh, I'’m going to get me a mess of these militrons.

What you going to do with them ugly things?

They look like a pear that couldn'’t make up its mind.

[Violet] Don'’t judge a book by its cover.

They'’re going to be delicious.

I'’m going to stuff them with shrimp, and bake them,

and serve them as a special menu item in my diner.

Oh, your diner? I love the sound of that.

Now you know I'’m all for you experimenting,

but these folks don'’t want nothing

but some delicious pie and a burger.

Yeah, well, they'’re getting more than that.

They'’re coming to Vi's,

they'’re going to have to keep up with me,

as I am a world traveler with fancy tastes now.

-Yes, you are. -Mm-hmm.

And an ever-expanding palate.

[chuckles]

And the next trip... Australia.

I don'’t know about all that.

No, man.

You know how long that damn flight is?

We'’re better just going to the moon.

No, Thailand was good enough for me.

Well, that food was on point, that'’s for sure.

Mm-hmm.

Maybe I should do a Thai night.

Maybe we can do a thigh night?

[both laugh]

All right.

Thank you for a dream honeymoon, baby.

No, thank you.

But you know your dream is just now started, right?

Goodbye, High Yellow.

Hello, Vi'’s Prized Pies...

-And Diner. -...and Diner.

-Yeah. -[laughs]

Oh, it'’s going to be good too.

Everybody coming. Cardale, Prosper.

Remy going to make it back in time?

No, Remy still moving his folks down to Houston.

-Mm. -But you know who is coming?

Boogie'’s cousin Junior. And he'’s going to sing.

[laughs]

I ain'’t never met nobody called Cousin Junior that could sing.

No, I didn'’t say, "Sing." I said, "Sang."

You'’re going to see. I don'’t do nothing bootleg.

You know what the best part of all this is?

That I get to do my dream at home.

[merchant] That'’ll be $20.

Yeah, it'’s going to be a good day, brother.

[both laugh]

[sighs]

[Ralph Angel] Queen Sugar holding that afternoon grind spot for us.

You good, Benny? Know what we doing?

Yeah. I'’m watching Mr. Ignacio here.

Learning and taking notes.

That part. Roll out, fellas.

Postman dropped this off while I was by the house.

It looked important.

Thank you for your time and everything, Mr. Prosper.

You don'’t need me looking over you.

You harvest 800 acres, you'’re doing just fine.

Everything okay?

State'’s been backed up a few months.

I think this might be it.

"To Ralph Angel Bordelon...

on behalf of the state of Louisiana

and the Board of Probation and Parole...

this letter serves you

as your official notice.

The parole period for Ralph Angel Bordelon concluded...

on May 13th of this year.

No further obligations in connection

with the below listed conviction

are due to the state of Louisiana."

-[sighs] -Look at that.

If the sun ain'’t shining on you today.

That'’s your daddy.

Yeah, looking at you, pleased and proud.

[laughs]

[truck door slams]

[hip-hop music playing]

♪ I said, baby, I'’m okay ♪

♪ Why you gotta act so strange? ♪

♪ I said, baby, I'’m okay ♪

♪ Why you gotta act so strange? ♪

♪ No matter how far the hood seems ♪

♪ I always wanted to get picked on the cool team ♪

♪ But alone is exactly how I should be ♪

♪ I wanna do right

♪ And it doesn'’t matter ♪

♪ We got all the shine

♪ We need to find

[yells]

[panting]

♪ Oh-oh need to find ♪

[yells]

Yeah!

Band leader.

- Take these. - Oh.

Violet Bordelon,

could you please come take your place?

-[laughs] -Come on, now.

Okay.

Thank you, baby.

Band leader! Let'’s go!

One, two,

one, two, three, four.

[band playing upbeat Dixieland music]

[laughs]

Vi'’s Pies. Hey!

-What you say? -Vi'’s Pies. Vi's Pies.

All right, now.

[indistinct chatter]

[man whooping]

I see you, Aunt Vi.

[band playing continuous]

[indistinct chattering]

[women laugh]

[Violet] How quickly the story changes.

[Nova] Absolutely.

Yeah.

[Nova] All right, Aunt Vi.

Don'’t hurt nobody.

[Violet laughing]

[Violet] Oh, you all,

that was so much fun!

Yes!

Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait.

I'’m forgetting something.

[clears throat]

A crown...

for a queen.

[Ralph Angel] Yeah!

-My lady. -[applause]

[all laugh]

Thank you, baby.

[all] Speech!

Speech!

All right, at the insistence of my husband,

I am going to say just a few words.

But words don'’t capture this moment for me.

And I just want to say thank y'’all for being here.

And I want to say thank you to my ancestors

for being everywhere.

And...

I got you.

[kisses]

-[laughs] -Congratulations.

Thank you, baby.

And I just want to say,

welcome to Vi'’s Prized Pies and Diner!

-[all cheer and whoop] -Whoa!

[laughs]

[upbeat dance music playing]

[Charley] You ready for round two?

Yeah.

And... go.

[laughs]

[Blue] I got chocolate bars with nuts.

I'’ve got chocolate bars without nuts.

I got pies with gluten, pies without gluten.

You want it, I got it.

Hey, baby, let'’s get them

some of our specially made mini pies.

Let y'’all in.

I got a sweet cream pecan peach pie.

[laughter]

[Charley] Really, gentlemen?

The only prize we have is more pie.

-[all laugh] -Really?

[Charley] It'’s Vi's Prized Pies and Diner.

[indistinct chatter]

I got one banana cream deluxe

and three fresh lemon strawberries right here.

Good to see you, Councilwoman Barrera.

-Thanks for coming. -Please. Just "Isabel."

No re-election campaigning today.

I just came by to celebrate Vi.

Violet looks amazing, and so happy.

[Ralph Angel] All the pies. All of Vi'’s Pies.

[clears throat]

Ah, what you say, Kev?

Ah!

-What you say? -What'’s going on, boy?

Good to see you too, man.

-Thanks for coming by. -Yeah, man. Of course.

-Man. -Give me some.

Come on, man.

-All right. -How you been?

I'’m good, man. I'’m good.

-Thank you for coming. -Yeah, nice...

nice turnout, man.

Two presents for Violet. Generous.

One'’s from me, and the other is from Frances Boudreaux.

She sends Violet her best.

You and Frances are friends?

Landry Enterprises made a sizable donation

to my re-election.

I thought you knew about that.

You are still a partner?

I don'’t own enough shares to attend board meetings.

I get the minutes and an occasional check.

That'’s it.

Kevin asked me to talk to you

about setting up a re-entry program.

I already got a worker.

Benny.

I don'’t see how I could need much more help.

Now, look, you got a farm and it'’s harvest time.

It needs working.

It may as well be someone you know

needs a second chance.

Frances has certainly been very generous as of late.

Hmm.

She even paid for my new consultant.

Really?

Well, you know, we do what we need to do

in order to get the job done.

In the end,

as long as it benefits St. Jo'’s, that'’s all I care about.

Now if you'’ll excuse me,

I'’m going to go give Violet my love.

Yeah.

Hey, maybe this is a way

you pay your pops back for not giving up on you.

I'’m telling you,

it'’ll make you feel right inside.

Mom!

Hey!

How'’s Blue's Corner going?

Done. Sold out like...

-[snaps fingers] -...that.

It'’s always nice when things work out like that.

-You have your overnight bag? -In Aunt Vi'’s office.

I'’ll be right back.

Hey, don'’t run, Blue. Slow down.

So when'’s this cousin Junior gonna be here?

[man] Soon.

Oh, here comes Darla.

Congratulations, Miss Violet.

Oh. Thank you.

Well, there'’s plenty of food

if you want to make yourself a plate before you go.

I would like that. Thank you.

[Violet] Hey, baby.

Come on, Aunt Vi.

You ain'’t have to do her like that.

What? I didn'’t do nothing to that child.

I said hi, took her gift, and offered her a plate.

What else you want?

She'’s trying.

And we doing all right trying to raise Blue together.

Good, even.

Well, y'’all need to raise your standards,

because passing Blue between you

like a plate of day-old bread every weekend

ain'’t going to win you no parenting awards.

Day-old bread?

Love you, though.

Come with me, baby.

[sighs]

[clears throat]

I, um...

I need a little favor.

[both laugh]

Do you, uh...

do you think that you could take Blue

on one of my days next week?

-Everything all right? -Oh, yeah.

It'’s just, um...

just something I need to do.

Why you being all vague, Darla?

[sighs]

It'’s personal.

Personal?

What kind of personal something going to keep you from Blue?

I have a date, Ralph Angel.

[scoffs]

A date?

I mean, you got a right and all.

Just ain'’t know it was happening like that, but...

[laughs]

...I could, uh...

I could get him in the morning.

I'’m ready, Mom.

Hey. Give your dad a hug.

Bye.

I'’m going to see you, boy.

-[Blue'’s voice muffled] -Be good.

-[Blue] I will. -Love you too.

Bye.

[Hollywood] Vi! Vi!

What? Who'’s here?

Boogie'’s cousin, Junior.

Really? Now? What'’s he going to sing?

I just told him to go for it. Improvise. Come on.

I'’d like to dedicate this to Violet Bordelon.

[giggles]

I heard this is one of your favorite songs.

♪ Amazing grace

♪ How sweet the sound

♪ That saved a wretch

♪ Like me

♪ I once was lost

♪ But now I found

♪ Was blind

♪ But now

♪ I see

[applause]

Wow, I guess he really can sing.

[both laugh]

Whoo!

Congratulations, baby.

[dance music resumes]

Go, Junior! Go, Junior! Go, Junior!

-[laughs] -Hey! Hey! Hey!

Come on, pretty boy. Come on, pretty boy.

Yeah, come on now.

Okay, we'’re going to take it--

[laughs]

God bless you, Nova.

My sister lives in New York.

Says she saw a big sign

about Nova'’s book coming out in about two weeks.

How come you ain'’t tell nobody?

[Parthena] Walking around here serving pies like you need a job.

This the last time we'’ll see her serving anybody.

Now St. Jo'’s my home. Always will be. Y'’all know that.

Yeah, but it'’s exciting having all this happening for you.

I'’m excited about my book tour.

It'’s small. Just a few cities in the south.

-But-- -No, no. No buts.

Don'’t apologize for success.

Life is short, enjoy all of it.

You hear me?

Yes, sir.

So, what'’s the book about?

Can we get a little preview? Maybe a little taste?

You'’ll just have to buy yourself a copy.

[laughs nervously]

Mm-hmm.

[dance music playing]

[laughing]

[blues music playing]

Hey, '’Wood, Vi wants some more Dutch apples.

You know where I can find them?

So when do we get to read your book?

Now Nova, you ain'’t never been shy about anything you ever did.

But you ain'’t even going to tell me and Vi the book coming out?

I got to hear it from other folks?

Something ain'’t right about that book.

-Hollywood-- -What you put in the book?

How you think it'’s going to make your auntie feel

when she find out?

It'’s been harder to talk about

than I thought it would, but I will.

Thank you, guys. Thank you so much.

Nova, I took a vow.

And what I meant is more important than what I said.

And what I mean is to make that woman

as happy as I possibly can,

come hell or high water.

I respect that.

Yeah?

Because if you even writing about 25%

of the family secrets that I know,

then we need to be prepared.

You owe us that, at least.

In the pot right here.

-[birds tweeting] -[wind growling]

[wind roaring]

[chain creaking]

[children laughing]

[Young Nova] You ain'’t gonna tag me, Charley.

Better get after little Ralph Angel.

Nova, be for real. He'’s too easy to catch.

Am not. I can tag y'’all too. Just play fair.

I always play fair.

-Really, Nova? -[Trudy] Nova!

Charley! Ralph Angel! Dinners ready!

Yes, Mama. Coming.

Playtime'’s over.

Come on, race you to the front porch.

[all laughing]

[wind gusting]

[ominous music playing]

[cell phone alarm chiming]

[gasps]

[turns phone alarm off]

[groans]

[sighs]

Did you like it?

Stop fishing for compliments.

You know I did.

I'’m not. I'm just saying I could use less pimento next time.

-Wow, less pimento. -Yeah.

Makes all the difference.

Look, I don'’t want to assume anything.

We had a great time over the summer.

But Micah'’s coming home tomorrow, and--

And what?

Our summer romance is over?

Stop.

It'’s...

I just know it'’s a...

a big deal to introduce me to him, is all.

See, that'’s what I love about you.

Love?

What I appreciate about you

is how thoughtful you are.

But, honestly, I'’m not even thinking about next steps.

I'’m just...

living for the moment.

Is this new for you?

But that doesn'’t mean I want it to stop.

This.

Us.

Neither do I.

I have harvest.

And then the dinner event.

Mm-hmm.

What is it called again?

The Boss Women of NOLA.

What?

I think it sounds kind of hot.

Women in charge?

Yeah.

Well, get to work.

[laughs]

[Ralph Angel] Come on, come on.

Ah, I like that little flair.

A bit up like that. You got to catch that thing.

-I can catch it on the run. -I know you can catch it.

All right, you a big boy now?

-Yeah. -All right, go far.

Go long now. Come on, Blue. Go far.

That'’s a perfect throw.

I got it!

-Oh! -That was for me to catch.

You weren'’t going to get it, butterfingers.

So, finders keepers.

You better give me back my ball.

Take it.

Joie, give that nice boy back his ball.

-It'’s all good. -[Joie] Want to play "fight"?

Or how about we just go use the bouncy house instead?

Okay.

Hey, be good, Blue.

And be nice.

I mean it.

Joie can...

be without boundaries sometimes.

That'’s cool, honestly.

Blue'’s kind of easy.

Blue?

Yeah. Blue.

That'’s a wonderful name.

It'’s strong. Creative.

Full of feeling.

I like it.

It'’s kind of beautiful, huh?

Just like him.

Of course, half the girls Joie plays with

think she'’s too tough.

She'’s a one-play-date-and-out kind of girl.

Yeah, well, my boy plays with dolls, so...

I get it.

It'’s cool you're good with that.

It'’s a toy.

Kids play with toys.

I'’m Deesha. Brown-Sonnier.

Grew up not too far from here.

St. Thomas.

-St. Thomas? All right. -Mm-hmm.

I'’m Ralph Angel.

Bordelon.

The Johnsons are three hours late for their mill time?

No, no, get them on the phone. They can'’t back us up like that.

Yes, ma'’am.

Nova? Everything okay?

Yes. I know you'’re busy with Harvest.

I thought maybe we could grab a bite together?

Oh, uh, well, I would love to,

but I'’m going to a Women in Business panel

-tonight in NOLA. -Well, I could go with you.

No, it'’s not that big of a deal.

I'’m barely going to get there myself.

What'’s going on?

Well, my book will be out soon.

Oh! Why didn'’t you say anything?

I thought it was coming out in a few months.

-Congratulations. -[laughs nervously]

Oh...

They moved the publication date up.

I'’ll be going on a small tour soon.

Maybe you could--

Yes, yes. Soon as harvest is over,

I will help you with whatever you need.

Okay, great. Thank you.

But before you come over,

I wanted you to have this, please.

Read it.

Yeah, of course. Can'’t wait.

I'’m just nervous about the book coming out and doing well,

and being received well.

[clears throat]

[man] Miss Charley, I have the Johnsons on the phone.

I got to take this. We'’ll talk soon?

Yes. Absolutely. We'’ll catch up.

[Charley] Yeah.

Hi, Mr. Johnson.

[sighs]

[inaudible]

[laughs]

You want to paint

and don'’t think you're going to get no paint on you?

-[car door slams] -Auntie Nova!

-[Nova] Hey! -[Ralph Angel] Hey, big sis.

[Nova laughs]

Hey. That paint'’s going to be nice.

I got your message.

But you didn'’t say why you was coming.

I can'’t just come see my favorite baby brother?

Your only baby brother, actually.

-So, what brings you by? -[Nova] Well, nothing much.

Just dropping this off for you, for later.

No rush. It'’s my book.

Hey, now, you got it done.

It comes out soon, and I wanted you to have it.

But I could just leave it on your desk for later.

That'’s cool.

That'’s a big deal, Nova.

Congrats.

Thank you.

[Blue] Close your eyes!

Close your eyes.

[Ralph Angel] All right.

Okay, you can open them.

Do you like it?

No.

I love it.

It'’s one of Aunts Vi's pies.

I'’m proud of it.

You should be proud of it.

-You know what? -What?

I want to show you something I'’m proud of too.

Came in the mail for me the other day.

It'’s a letter from the government

saying your daddy ain'’t on parole no more.

What'’s "parole" mean?

It'’s another one of them "P" words

we be talking about.

Penal system. Parole.

Prison. Police.

When you had your big "time-out"?

Because of some things I did a long time ago.

Yeah.

You know how Mr. Jarvis be checking on me sometimes?

-Yeah? -See if I'’m doing good?

-Yeah? -That'’s parole.

Out of prison, but you could go back real quick.

[sighs]

This letter says I'’m done with all that.

You passed the test?

That'’s right. I did good.

Good job, Pop.

Thanks, buddy.

[woman] As the first black woman

to own a sugar mill in Louisiana,

she has had to blaze her own path.

It gives me great pleasure to present Miss Charley Bordelon

with our 2019 Groundbreaker of the Year Award.

Please, everyone, give a big NOLA congratulations

to Charley Bordelon.

[applause]

Thank you. Wow.

[laughs]

Thank you.

Thank you for this honor.

To begin with,

I would say we as women, we have to stick together.

No matter what.

[applause]

Even when it'’s not easy,

we have to show each other grace

-and push-- -Excuse me?

Excuse me. Miss Bordelon-West?

Yes. And it'’s simply Bordelon now.

Apologies. I'’m a reporter with the New Orleans Daily News,

-and I have some questions-- -Well perhaps we can do this at another time.

Would you say you'’re generally supportive of all women?

Excuse me?

Of course I am.

I'’ve read an advanced copy of your sister'’s memoir,

Blessing and Blood, by Nova Bordelon.

And in it, she reveals some disturbing truths

about your role during and especially after

your ex-husband Davis West'’s sex scandal.

[audible gasps]

[camera shutters click]

I don'’t know what you'’re talking about.

Okay, I'’ll be more specific.

The book details the threatening actions you took

towards Melina Galoudian,

the woman who accused Davis of orchestrating her assault

by several members of the L.A. Gladiators.

The book alleges you made a payment

of several million dollars to keep her quiet.

Anyone can allege anything.

So now your only sister is just "anyone"?

Nova Bordelon calls you-- And I quote--

"A tragic example of the American woman'’s

unwitting but still complicit role

in perpetuating gender inequality and rape culture

as the price of full participation

in patriarchal capitalism."

Oh, my God.

I have no comment about that. Now, as I was saying--

Do you feel you mishandled the Melina Galoudian incident?

[cork pops]

[cell phone ringing]

[sighs]

Charley?

Rah.

We need to talk.

You all right?

It'’s early.

Yeah, yeah. I'’ve been up all night.

Did Nova give you her manuscript yet?

Yeah, I got it.

Why?

Do not read it.

Not yet.

Let me talk to you about it before you do.

Okay?

Promise me, Rah.

Charley, I don'’t know.

Promise me, Ralph Angel.

All right, I'’m going to wait for you.

I'’m on my way.

I'’ll be there soon.

[answer machine] Please leave a message after the tone.

[beep]

Hi, Olivia. It'’s Charley.

Call me back as soon as possible.

It'’s urgent.

I need you to draw up some papers

regarding my sister'’s memoir.

An immediate cease and desist.

Just call me back, please.

[phone beeps off]

[sighs]

♪ Well, now from moaning And groaning ♪

♪ Can I continue this fight

♪ But where can I go?

♪ But how would I know?

♪ There'’s no relief in sight ♪

[Nova] America'’s curse is its thin sense of freedom

that demands we all pretend to be free.

We lie. This is what we do.

InBlessing and Blood,

the lies I have lived are laid bare.

The lies and shame that have shackled my family

are dragged into the light of truth,

because what is real can heal.

We see this clearly in the life of my Aunt Violet,

a strong black woman who lived much of her life

as anything but that.

Blessing and Blood is a declaration of independence

from the shame that binds us, cripples us, suffocates us.

I break my family'’s inbred silence

around our country'’s naughty questions of ownership

by asking the questions we dare not speak.

Does the existence of my sister'’s bribes

endorse traditional notions of women as property?

Does the circumstance of my nephew'’s conception and birth

make my brother Ralph Angel less of a father?

Less of a man?

Does America'’s sense of virility

really know more than that of my brothers?

A 20-something ego so fragile

that we as a family have, until now,

maintained the lie that his beloved child

came from his loins?

Daddy...

I know you'’re having a great, unending day up there.

I pray it'’s full of sunshine,

peace and joy beyond all understanding.

I'’m afraid, Daddy.

Everyone is not going to understand what I'’m doing.

But I'’m offering up my work,

hoping it will help us to...

see better.

To be better.

Because I grew up with too many secrets.

[sniffles]

You did too.

And it'’s time we were all set as free

as you wanted to be.

So, please...

give me the strength

to see this through.

[sobbing softly]

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