Original subtitles

There should be an award for a flawless shopping mission.

I think the closest thing is the CFDA Stylist Award.

Well, we should come up with our own award

for how we cleaned up.

-Did Mom text back yet? -Mm-mm.

She's usually more responsive when shoes are involved.

I put ten toes down on her being busy with Andre.

Or ten toes up.

Ew.

You know, I went over there the other day, and

Mom is still smitten.

She and Andre are really good.

You know, having the sickness and health part

of their vows down before he and Mom were barely over

their Vegas wedding hangover and standing up like he has,

Andre should be getting a hubby reward.

And, maybe, right now.

Okay, enough.

None of us were prepared to watch Gran

go through the wringer.

Mom has it double because she might be facing

the same fate with the BRCA gene looming.

It has to be haunting her,

no matter how bright she shines for us.

Hell, I think the only thing that's saving her

is knowing that her daughters don't have it, too.

You know what's saving her?

Is seeing us all pull together

like the Dupree boss family that we are.

Like Gran says, we love each other through it.

All right, how's that?

Don't come at me again.

Courtesy of Rowena.

I was thinking, between my mocktails

and your juices, we could start our own mocktail line.

Imagine that.

Let me guess, there'll be Dani-tinis.

-And Anita-garitas. -And Dr. Hot-To-Trottys.

Look who I found.

I know we're supposed to stagger our visits, but...

You couldn't have had better timing.

-Does that mean...? -We have some news.

-Good news? -Good news and some bad news.

Which do you want first?

The worst first.

Well, I'm more of a dessert first kind of girl, but...

Have it your way.

I have to have a couple of more rounds with the Red Devil.

Oh, Gran.

And I am continuing this...

wretched courtship because

that Red Devil juice is working.

The tumor has shrunk far more than I dared hope.

Fantastic news.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

[footsteps approach]

-Hey. -Hey.

We could've carpooled.

Would I be crowding to ask you and Izaiah to join me?

I think I would be the one crowding. No Izaiah today.

I'm expecting Mama.

-You're welcome to... -Ah.

It's okay. I get it. No need to make an excuse.

Do you feel completely restored

after what we just did back there?

Yes. Was it good for you?

Beating another couple at tennis is so hot.

Does you being available for lunch mean you finished

your latest assignment and are free for the rest of the day?

It means I hit a brick wall

and need to recalibrate.

And privilege blocks you from sharing details?

Doesn't block you from guessing.

Not Lynette.

Okay, this is kind of fun.

I get to piece together what I know.

So, you told me Bill was acting suspicious,

but he's siccing you on her now?

Okay. Close, but not quite.

Not siccing you, exactly.

Private eye?

But you're supervising?

Assuming I'm right-- you can answer this

'cause it's not about your client.

What's that?

Do you think Hayley's in the loop

or did Bill go rogue?

[scoffs]

-How was discovery? -Granted.

Got permission from the court to dig like you know I know how.

-Ooh, and to the victor goes the spoils. -Mm-hmm.

-Lunch? -Rain check?

Naomi booked me to talk about Madison's case,

and I got the impression she wanted me to herself.

You know, for reasons.

Do you remember how you lied to my dad about that sonogram?

Okay, I wouldn't exactly phrase it like that.

You claimed you went and got checked out,

but we both know that didn't happen.

I could've blown your whole cover, but I didn't say a word.

You think she's ready to talk about her missing hubby?

Uh, yeah. I mean, what else could it be?

Yeah. It's great that she's finally sharing.

Okay, well, I can go grab something with Caroline.

Okay, great. Thanks.

Well... I should head out.

Wait.

There's something else.

I need to make a confession.

Oh, shoot, it's almost dead.

Since when does my sister not keep it at 100?

Oh, my gosh, no charger.

What kind of self-respecting influencer am I?

One too busy running an empire to be posting every minute.

Sure you don't want to come with?

You know I'm hella grateful for you and Dad

crushing Madison's malpractice nonsense,

but I'd just be extra with all my questions.

What? You ask great questions,

but you have ChelseaKat business calling.

Which I'll be tending to solo while Kat hangs with Tomas.

[phone chimes]

Oh, Mom texted. I should get back to her.

Go, say hi to Dad.

Okay. Well, I will see you later, but we should

start more days like this.

Yes, we should.

-Bye. -Bye.

Can we trade the club's burger for the atrium's wings?

Okay, all right. See you.

Look, I will always tolerate Dana for your sake,

but today is just not the day.

But having your parents tolerate one another

is every kid's dream.

-Eva... -Grown woman here.

Okay? Besides, Mama's glaring

would've killed the vibe for you and Shanice.

Shanice is not my lunch date. Andre is.

Oh. Well, tell my cousin we're overdue.

Hmm.

You and Shanice still dealing with friction?

We had a talk,

thanks to my insightful daughter's advice, and, uh...

...I told her I needed to slow things down.

That's not exactly my advice, but if it worked, then great.

You know, I'm learning that being

on the same page makes everything better.

-I wouldn't say all that. -Well, then what would you say?

Uh, whatever it takes, we'll talk it out

instead of going to the break-up place.

Sounds like she's making all the right noises.

Mm.

But Nicole casts a pretty perfect shadow.

-What does Nicole have to... -Nicole is in her face

at work every single day, being all the things.

A Dupree, a famous psychiatrist, a veritable goddess.

Shanice might not want to compare,

but I don't know if she can help it,

any more than she can wonder if you are comparing, too.

But I would never.

-I got to go. Yeah. All right. -Mm, yeah, yeah, okay.

-All right, all right. Good talk. -Good talk, good talk.

-Love you. -Love you.

Bill thinks Lynette orchestrated Hayley's attack?

-I didn't say that. -You didn't have to.

It's logical.

But would that mean Lynette

was working with Sledgehammer?

Facts already in evidence since he was the accused mugger,

but from what I hear,

his name is the most violent thing about him.

Tracking him down will hopefully get us some answers.

-Us? -You and Bill's PI,

which I'm betting he can find anyone.

Mm-hmm.

Just don't start investigating.

I'm merely a concerned citizen.

I mean it, Kat. This cannot get back to Hayley.

No tipping from me.

But you need to be careful. You just got your job back.

Sniffing around the woman who almost got you fired

could put you back in a tricky situation.

Don't worry. I'm no longer in the line of fire.

The tide's turned.

All morning, I've been revisiting

every interaction I've had with Lynette,

and if maybe she was playing me after all.

Hmm. What brought you to that conclusion?

I don't know. She was just so good

at making herself poor Lynette.

The bank was persecuting her.

She was shook from the mugging, and you know,

I almost forgot I was on the receiving end

of that punch, and she was just a bystander.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I've been trying to tell you.

Instead of knowing what I was doing was its own reward,

Lynette kept putting her hand out for more,

like, we made her case pro bono.

We paid for a hotel,

and when she hinted hard for that apartment...

I should've known something was off.

But instead, I-I volunteered.

Because if Lynette wasn't a good person, then I was a damn fool.

And you know how embarrassing that was?

Oh, hey, hey.

Anybody can get played, right?

But I'm glad you have a big heart.

I should've listened to you from the beginning.

Honey, listen, nothing and no one

is gonna change how I think about you, okay?

You're my wife.

So, Dr. Bauer says, after the final chemo treatments,

they will repeat breast imaging to confirm the tumor's size

and move on,

probably to lumpectomy.

I am not eager to go under the knife,

but if it will excise this cancer once and for all...

After the surgery, what's the recovery like?

Will it be radiation or reconstruction?

We're managing this one step at a time.

The doctor's been clear that Mom's relationship

with cancer doesn't end with treatment.

No, I have to remain vigilant.

But you are winning, and cancer is losing.

And is it okay for me to just say how in awe I am of you?

Your whole life has been a study in courage.

But this?

Why? Because you've never seen me so scared?

Because I've never seen you so human.

Maybe that's a mistake we Duprees have made,

not showing how fallible we are.

My courage wasn't always accessible.

There were many times

I reached out and it wasn't there,

but your granddad

was just a touch away.

His courage never wavered.

Thank you for taking such good care of Mother.

Yes. Thank you.

You don't thank a man for fulfilling his purpose in life.

Oh, stop. You are the reason waterproof mascara was invented.

She is right.

But these tears are different, right? Happy tears.

They don't sting.

And I know Kat shed a few when you told her.

Well, since you're planning on seeing her later,

I thought that you could tell her the good news.

She will be thrilled.

Oh, and Smitty and the kids

might like to hear this directly from you.

I would love that.

I can surprise them

on our debutante strategizing call later.

And I am going to call Andre. Where did I put my phone?

Excuse me.

You should get in touch with Tracy.

She must be worried after your earlier conversation.

That was Sharon I spoke to then.

Tracy was having some kind of wardrobe issue.

Oh, right, right.

Well, I think you should call them both.

[phone buzzing]

What's the word?

Mom is beating cancer's butt.

She still has a few sessions of chemo and surgery,

but she is headed toward remission.

That is the best thing I've heard.

-Give her a kiss for me. -I will.

Promising news from the Anita scans.

Oh, man.

Thank goodness.

There's no one tougher than Anita Dupree.

Even so, she was struggling when I saw her last.

Nicole must be dancing right now.

Well, what happened in court today

is not a license to repeat offend.

Yeah, well, see that you don't.

I'm sorry. Where were we?

You were refraining from "I told you so."

And I was thinking of ways to make it up to you.

-Oh, yeah? -[knock on door] -HAYLEY: Mm-hmm.

Oh, hey, sweetheart. Uh, Hayley and I just need

-a couple more minutes. -Okay. I can...

Uh, no. Stay, Naomi.

I need you to hear this, too.

Ooh. What's the big drama?

Kat told you about the red flag I raised

about Tomas and our client Lynette,

but it seems she has some red flags of her own.

Yeah, and you know, I should be saying this to Tomas.

Hey, no. He just wants to keep rolling.

Thanks for not throwing it back in my face.

Hey, you want to join us for lunch?

No, I don't want to intrude.

Oh, no. Naomi, you don't mind, do you?

Of course not.

What you said before reminds me: we need to celebrate.

Oh? What are we celebrating?

Did you seriously think I'd forgotten?

Okay, you had me going.

How could we not toast

to you getting ChelseaKat into Fenmore's?

[Kat groans]

Not today with these two.

Can we relocate?

-Uptown? -Anywhere but here.

-Ladies. -Pepé Le Pew.

Mama, don't.

Consider it a birthday present to Kat.

Oh, that's right, you and Kitkat are mere weeks apart.

Where's her tiara?

-I'm sure that'll happen at some point. -Mm.

Oh.

EVA: Izaiah wanted to surprise me, so he gave it to me early.

Class act, pre-gift.

Amuse-bouche. Movie trailer.

Reminds me of that cake I gave you last year

on, uh, Kitkat's birthday.

Great minds, baby. Great minds.

Uh, it's not a pre-gift. It's an actual gift, Mama.

Yeah, well, if he wants to stick,

he better give you a present on your day.

He had it made for me, for us.

Like, these strands, they're braided together.

They symbolize me and Izaiah,

how we're better together than we are apart.

Baby, did he steal that from the, uh, Articulettes?

I mean, it's really sweet and everything, but, you know,

I've been doing your box braids since you were just a baby.

All right? So...

um, braids don't have magic in it.

Now, maybe a diamond does.

That might, but on a Banneker salary...

Okay, so how did Izaiah go from marriage material

last week to you dragging?

Well, I had to make a course correction

after meeting his judgy, 911-dispatching mama.

Okay, so you're rejecting Izaiah

on the basis of his meddling mama?

You have to know how hypocritical that sounds

when looking at her is like you staring in the mirror.

Lookie there.

Naomi Hawthorne slumming it.

Huh?

Yeah.

She'd sooner dangle that little tiny dancer from her ankle

than sit down and break bread.

Have you figured out which stamp you're gonna put

on Shanice's passport yet?

Well, I can hook you up anywhere.

I do know of some Vegas spots, but...

You best be careful or you'll end up

rolling up to that chapel like Dani and me.

Ah. Shanice and I had to have a little talk

about where we are and aren't.

Hmm. And what brought that on?

Some unfortunate miscommunication.

I told her how much I loved how her mind works.

She heard I loved her.

It was hella awkward.

Because it's not true

or because it's too soon to say?

We're still new.

I mean, I told her, as much as I enjoy and respect her,

I'm not there.

And she was mortified, and I felt like an absolute ass.

Damn.

But-but, you know, the road to love

is paved with cringe and honesty.

Hmm.

Yeah, I may have told her the truth,

but am I giving her false expectations?

I mean, if I'm not ready and Shanice is,

am I wasting her time?

Well, that depends on if you think you ever will be.

Uncle Ted, what...

or who... is holding you up?

And I think we both know the answer to that.

And remember to exit through the kitchen.

Oh, I haven't forgotten my mission.

I expect nothing less.

Bye, baby.

Mother, I cannot believe you went to all of that trouble.

Oh, no, your daddy did most of the heavy lifting.

How's that?

He, uh...

occupied Kat by asking for podcast recommendations.

She terrified him. The man couldn't sleep a wink.

Naomi, hit me back. You'll want to hear the happy.

Hey, Dad.

How are you holding up?

Well, if you're referencing that slip of the tongue

in there, uh... no cause for alarm.

Who's alarmed?

If I had a nickel for every time I called Chelsea Naomi

and Naomi Chelsea while they're running around my house...

But I do want to make sure you're still taking care

of yourself while you're taking care of Mother.

I'm tired.

But it's the kind you feel when you can let yourself

relax a bit

after the worst of the storm has passed.

And the fight has been worth it, Daddy.

Mother's gonna be all right.

From your lips...

-Oh, can I join in? -Chelsea Bear!

Mom told me the good news.

This is just a congrats drive-by, if Gran is up for it.

[British accent]: Oh, the queen is in wonderful spirits.

I think we can get you an audience.

[British accent]: Oh, lovely.

Listen, did you see your sister earlier?

It's going straight to voicemail.

[normal voice]: Oh, dying phone.

But she's heading to lunch. Try Dad's.

-Oh, okay. -Mm-hmm.

Well, we're gonna have to, um...

We'll have to take another look at Hall, too.

-Mm. The grandfather of all malpractice cases. -BILL: Mm-hmm.

Mm, plus recent liability cases against influencers.

FOMO is supposed to be for people you actually like,

not a table full of people

who would rather have you dangling, too.

The only thing I'm afraid of missing is the moment that

little shorty over there gets hers.

Now, no one gets that close to that monster of a man

without living to regret it.

Yeah. Look, Hayley, honey, I promise, we're almost done.

-Oh. I'm fine. -[phone buzzing]

I love seeing this father-daughter-lawyer act

-in action. -BILL: Hmm.

Hey, Dani.

I hear you're with Naomi, right?

What, are you stalking me, woman?

You wish.

Oh, well, she's right here. Hold on.

It's your mom.

-Hey, Mom. -Hi, baby.

I wanted to tell you that the tumor's shrinking.

Oh!

Mom...

Wait, when can I see Gran?

Oh, gosh. There-there are people here, so maybe tomorrow.

Okay, let her know to expect me.

All right. Love you.

Love you more.

-Did you hear? -Yeah, I got the gist.

-Dani? -Still here.

Tell Anita that I'm glad

that we'll be able to squabble up for many years to come.

How are you feeling?

Like I can finally see light at the end of this hellish tunnel.

Oh, baby, I'm so happy for you.

All right. I'll talk to you soon.

Bye.

Shanice lights me up.

But when we get deeper...

Am I being fair if I'm not ready to be all the way in?

Dani and I were right where you are.

She didn't think it was fair to cross

the relationship Rubicon with me

when parts of her were still hung up.

And what made you okay with that?

Well...

there was a moment when my ego made me walk.

Yeah.

I wanted all of her or nothing.

Oh.

-And what made you come back? -Eh, I did the math.

The hell do I care if that man has ten percent of her heart

when I have the other 90?

And what we have is different from what

Dani had with Bill.

It's-it's real, and it's, and it's new.

-It's-it's more fun. -Hmm.

Why would I walk away from that?

Nah, as long as I have Dani, I can't lose.

-I see you, Andre. -Mm-hmm.

But unlike Dani, who's trying to give up

the ghost of an unworthy spouse...

...I'm trying to let go of a perfect one.

And a perfect marriage...

...I ruined.

And there's the difference.

You ruined it, Uncle Ted.

And Nicole shut the door to it.

There's no getting around that, so are...

Are you gonna move on and find happiness

with someone else?

Or are you gonna spend the rest of your life

pining for what you'll never have again?

'Cause I sure as hell don't want that for you.

And I hope it's not the future you're choosing for yourself.

Oh. Well, that was pretty painless, right?

Oh, it was something.

But just because we were able to hold it together for a meal

doesn't mean your efforts to bring about

a reproachment between Naomi and me have succeeded.

I think you mean rapprochement.

It's French.

That's what I get for reaching above my pay grade.

Hey, we never stop reaching.

And I'll never stop trying to put you and Naomi back together.

Mm, we'll see.

Yeah, well, I got to get back to the office.

Did I make you miss your Pilates class?

Oh, I-I thought I'd try boxing instead.

I thought it would be a great idea

right after Sledgehammer.

Oh. Well, I'm sure you'll enjoy it,

and we can practice sparring when we get home later.

-Bye. -Bye.

Rapprochement. I don't need all those fancy degrees

to take all your money. Man, you can kiss my ass.

Rapprochement, please.

You want to sign up for his mama

whispering in her boy's ear

about how you're not good enough

till death do you part?

Do you hear yourself warning me about her?

How many people in Izaiah's life do you think

have warned him about you behaving the same way?

She's practically your twin.

Oh, no, I don't share anything with that heifer, okay?

She is strip mall boutique. I am couture.

Look at your mama. Look at me now.

Okay, I'm not talking about your makeover, Mama.

Your MO.

Ugh. Girl, do you know I rolled out

the red carpet for your boy?

Opened my checkbook planning your play wedding.

That I didn't ask for.

Darlene is a mama bear just like you.

She thinks her child's life is her territory to rule, too.

Are you ordering me to back off?

Like that could happen.

No matter what, you and Darlene

are gonna mama,

and me and Izaiah,

we're gonna live in love

without paying our mothers any mind.

Toodles.

[scoffs]

I already put in our order.

Telepathically?

Weeks ago, when I first started planning.

Someone order cake?

-No, you didn't. -CHELSEA: We did.

ALL: Happy birthday, Kat.

-Perfect. -Dessert first.

You remembered.

"Why save the best for last when you can have it first?"

How could I forget such a sweet tradition?

I thought you didn't know what today was.

What kind of boyfriend would that make me?

A gone boyfriend.

Is that the Pont Neuf?

Gran's cake.

She doesn't need to be overexerting.

There's more than one way to bake a cake.

-Gran supervised. -How?

I live there, and I didn't even get a whiff.

Granddad showed up in your wing for podcast recommendations.

Our grandparents are sneaky.

This morning, I literally thought

I'd woken up in one of those movies

where the girl's entire family forgot her birthday.

Okay, take back that grandparent blasphemy.

-MARTIN: Mm-hmm. -Oh, it wasn't like that.

I was actually proud of myself for adulting

and understanding that there are more important things

to worry about than Kat Day.

And yet, you still call it Kat Day.

All the adulting can't happen at once.

Like, there's a little piece of me that misses

Mom and Dad being disgustingly adorable together

and partying almost harder than me 'cause

it was their day, too.

Together or apart, you know they are still doing that.

-I'm gonna go grab us some plates. -Okay.

-You invited her? -No.

Then she followed us here.

I didn't know.

Showing up accidentally on purpose

to one birthday, maybe,

but two years in a row?

-That's a pattern. -Okay, well, you don't believe me?

Well, believe these. My text chain.

Whatever.

I'm gone. Enjoy.

You know what?

I'm just really glad that you got positive news

about your grandmother. I've been praying.

What fresh crazy are you on about now?

You don't know?

That was going to be your second surprise.

Gran found out today

that her chemo's really doing its thing.

What?

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

This is the best birthday present ever.

Thank you for your prayers.

Again, I didn't mean to be a spoiler.

Hey, Eva.

Um...

I can't be mad at anyone right now, not even you.

There's...

plenty of cake if you want to stay.

Really?

I mean, um, thanks.

So, where are my candles?

I need to make a wish because

anything I wish for is gonna come true.

-I got 'em right here. -I'll set up the presents.

"To my darling Nicole. It's our baby girl's birthday,

"but it's also the day I thank you

"for bringing her into the world.

-All my love, Ted." -Mm.

That man is gonna put your father to shame.

Aunt Nicole. I'm so glad about Anita's news.

NICOLE: Me, too.

Uh, your bride just went upstairs.

Cool. Um, I'll be right back.

What is this?

Just because we aren't married anymore

doesn't mean the tradition can't live on.

You will always be the mother of our miracle girl.

And no matter what separates us,

I will never stop being grateful

for the gift you gave me on this day

many years ago.

Ted...

If you can't accept, I'll understand.

Maybe Dani will like them.

To celebrate Anita's news.

Andre told you?

Did my heart some good.

I can only imagine what it meant to you.

-Thank you, Ted. -Mm-hmm.

They're beautiful.

Dani.

Ah, some good news.

Hey, hey.

What happened to our good news?

Best news ever.

But it could've gone the other way.

-But it didn't. -But it could've.

I was so scared.

I didn't know how much until I heard it.

Come here.

Hey, it's gonna be okay.

It's gonna be okay.

Did you reach Sharon?

I dropped the good news in our group chat,

and she and Tracy immediately asked

about getting into the studio with Devon

and laying down the new tracks with Barbara's vocals.

Oh, those tracks are gonna be incredible.

-Mm. -Whenever you're ready.

I know we're focused on the happy right now, but...

I wasn't sure

I would ever be capable of singing again.

I wasn't sure I'd be capable of doing a lot of things.

Well, I knew.

Of course you did.

And here we are.

And we get to celebrate

our granddaughter's birthday tonight.

Oh, look at those smiles.

Wait.

Is that Eva?

-Mm-hmm. -[laughs]

ANITA: And Kat couldn't look happier.

Will wonders never cease?

I like knowing that

a weight has been partially lifted off

our girls and-and the family.

Look, if you want to go over and join the festivities,

you don't have to babysit me.

I can curl up right here with a good book.

Or you could curl up right next to me,

and we can both get a good night's rest.

I want to make sure you're in tip-top shape

for all the Articulette-ing in your future.

You helped bring me back.

Well, that's what we do.

One of us holds the line at all times.

And I am done being scared.

We've got this.

Damn right we do.

Oh.

Tomas, I love this.

TOMAS: And I love you.

It's supposed to represent grace, beauty, and lasting love.

-Oh, it is beautiful, Tomas. -Way to step it up.

Are you knocking last year's gift?

We were new. I didn't want to scare her off.

I thought it was adorable.

It was a calculator.

I wanted her to know that I believed

in the business she was building.

And now, ChelseaKat's here.

It is.

I was thinking of skipping my birthday inventory

this year because of Gran.

Because her health was all that mattered.

But now, I have everything I wanted.

Our purse line, my bestie,

my coz, my brother, my man.

And that damn calculator.

[gasps] Oh, my gosh, you came!

Oh, Tomas said you opted out

because you were each gonna take me to dinner.

-This is much better. -I love it.

I knew you'd crash.

Little girl, I have never missed a Kat Day.

Is it real, Mom?

Baby, sunny days ahead for all of us.

I'm glad you and Aunt Dani could make it.

Oh, yeah. It's the perfect way to cap the Anita news.

Listen, she's demanding her own personal slush fund,

and you know I am nowhere near being able to make that happen.

And you are nowhere to be found. Fix this.

Hey, hey.

You know, when I pound the bag,

I get all relaxed.

Were you so tiny that the bag just bounced back and hit ya?

You need to work on your spying skills, okay?

Look, I decided to forgo boxing

and had a drink in the card room instead.

And yet, it still did not liven your little aura.

-So sad. -Oh, my mood is none of your business.

Oh, but it could've been.

And, girl, we could've been besties.

I mean, come on, how many times did I offer?

-What, once? Twice? -And somehow,

the answer's always been the same.

Hard pass.

You know, when you were in your newly-wedded bliss,

I thought maybe we could help each other.

I mean, we did have similar interests.

And both of our men were dazzled by the Duprees.

I mean, they just couldn't stay away from them heifers.

Okay, listen. There's no problems

-in my marriage. -Right.

That's why your man called her "baby."

And it wasn't even a bedroom slip.

It was in the throes of compassion.

Dani Dupree is where his heart is.

Okay.

Where his heart will always be, baby.

And inevitably, when she is ready

to throw over that little boy-toy snack

and take OG Bill back...

...who you gonna call?

-[Hayley chuckles] -[Leslie chuckles]

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