Original subtitles

Do you think if he makes it to the Senate

that Joey Armstrong won't come back sniffing around again?

He already has.

LESLIE: Well, look at you now, Ms. Nicky.

[exclaims] Got you a whole

buffet of fine men. [laughs]

You're welcome.

I'll give you what you've wanted this whole time.

The name of my boss at Garland.

Lia Whitmore.

The chief of staff at Garland?

And she's got everybody fooled.

The tumor shrank. Hallelujah.

I am so thankful my grandbabies tested negative

for that cursed gene.

Well, this is it, my love.

My last chemo session. Finally.

I've been counting down the minutes right alongside you.

The last four months has felt more like four years.

[knock on door]

Everything going smoothly?

Yes, but it'll be much better

when you unhook me from this contraption once and for all.

It shouldn't be too much longer

before you're ringing the bell and on your way.

Hallelujah.

Campaign talk done,

at least for the morning.

I hope yours is, too.

Why is that?

Well, the kids have a late start at school

and I was thinking we could all have breakfast together.

I was gonna keep working.

Well, Samantha already volunteered

to pick up all of our faves from Orphey Gene's,

and with our jobs, and the cotillion a few days away,

this is the calm before the storm.

I... guess I can put off my stuff

for a while.

No, yeah, you're right. Things have been crazy lately,

so we should take advantage and have some family time together.

I've been desperate to hold you.

To see you.

Feel your heartbeat.

I missed you, too.

I sent the text so late,

I didn't know if you'd get it in time.

[scoffs] That's impossible.

I am glued to that burner phone you gave me,

just waiting and hoping.

I'm glad you could slip away.

Nothing is as important to me as this.

I had to see for myself that you're all right.

Me?

It's you I'm worried about.

Your ribs, this case,

and what makes it so dangerous,

I feel like everything's been spinning out of control,

and I have so many questions.

Okay, I know we've got to talk,

but for now, can we just shut out the world

and pretend that nothing else exists except us two?

Yeah, for a little while.

? ?

- ANDRE: Hey, what's up, man? - What's up, man?

Bro. Glad you could make it.

Yeah, I couldn't turn down Ted for another game of hoops.

Well, this should be a friendlier game

of three on three with all of us on the same team.

And Kial and Carlton are nowhere in sight.

Yeah, that was a lot of things.

On the real, though, I'm just happy to be here.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah. Yeah, I think it's a good thing

that Eva's dad wants to hang out with me.

Or maybe it could mean something else.

Like what?

Eh, you know that saying,

"Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer"?

You serious?

I... I thought Ted and I were cool.

[chuckles] Psych.

- [chuckles] - I'm just messing with you, man.

All right, hey, you gonna pay for that on the court.

- Okay. - [laughs]

Thank you.

It's okay it's just the two of us, right?

Oh, I think it's better this way.

Mother's tired.

And I know the family was willing.

But if they came with gifts and congratulations,

it would have been too much. She'd be worn out.

Well, Andre has special dispensation

to stop by the house once we're back.

Son-in-law day pass?

Don't take this the wrong way, but I'm actually glad

that Andre is not here right now.

Is there another way to take that?

What I mean is I am glad

I have this alone time with you.

I really need your insight.

Well, I'm always full of opinions

and happy to share them, but insights?

Something happened last night, and it really threw me.

You? Thrown? Please, spill the beans,

my level-headed sister.

Carlton took me out.

We had a long and wonderful date,

and then we went back to my place.

Oh. He got freaky?

It's always the quiet ones.

What? No, it's me.

You're the freak?

That is not what I mean.

[laughs]

I was in bed with Carlton

and then I started thinking about Ted.

LESLIE: Well,

if it isn't my very own

knight in shining armor.

You know, it's my lucky day, running into you.

Mine too, 'cause I got something to say.

You're smart, Dana. We know this.

So, for once, keep quiet and listen before you speak.

Good morning to you, too.

Nothing good about it.

Okay. Maybe if you didn't stay up so late.

I had to FaceTime Jessica

after cotillion practice yesterday.

She told me she committed to UCLA,

so we won't be going to college together.

Ouch. That's tough news to hear, I'm sure.

But we're still proud you'll be at Banneker,

and I hope this doesn't detract from

how proud you should be of yourself for going there.

Can we not talk about Banneker?

This is about Jessica and me.

We couldn't even talk in person since you two

decided to ground me until cotillion

for kissing my girlfriend.

And be glad it wasn't for longer.

SMITTY: That's right, you took advantage

of our busy schedules to totally break house rules.

I'm legal. Reminder.

I'm going off to school in the fall.

When are you guys gonna stop treating me like a little kid?

Well, you're early.

The-the cook just started your takeout order.

Eh, no worries. I can just sit here till it's ready.

Sorry, Derek, I have no idea why Mama wants to see you.

She didn't mention anything to me.

Well, can I get you anything while you wait?

Yeah, no thanks.

I probably won't eat much of what Pop ordered anyways.

The cotillion is in two days.

Uh-huh.

Well, if you're dieting, that is not good for you.

No, not intentionally.

I just... can't eat.

Butterflies.

Oh. Well, a few small butterflies is natural, right?

This feels more like a whole prehistoric bird

trying to escape.

Thinking about guy number one when you're with guy number two,

it's not such a big deal.

In fact, it's natural that you would compare

your other lovers to Ted.

I wasn't comparing. I was enjoying myself.

Like, really enjoying myself.

And then Carlton said something that reminded me of Ted,

and then suddenly it's like Ted is there with me.

That has never happened before.

And I feel awful, like I was cheating or something.

My psychiatrist sister knows

that is her subconscious, right?

Of course, but...

Yesterday was your anniversary,

a day that you spent decades celebrating with Ted.

Of course he's gonna be on your mind.

I guess.

- Can I tell you something? - Of course.

In the beginning, with Andre,

I thought about Bill.

And not because I wasn't completely into Andre,

but because Bill and I had been together

for so long, and we had the girls.

And he will always have a special place in my heart

and in my life, just like Ted will with you.

So don't overthink it.

It's just a part of letting go.

Okay.

I guess it does make sense.

- Thank you, sissy. - Of course.

TED: What you did

the other day in my office is not okay.

And what exactly did I do that was so offensive?

Those comments you made to Shanice

about me not being able to keep my hands off of you.

Oh, hee-hee.

What's that supposed to mean?

Mm, just me picturing nursey giving you an earful

after finding you so close to your sweet side piece.

Former side piece. It's gonna stay that way.

Dana, if you're at all sincere about keeping the peace

between us for the sake of our daughter,

stop pressing Shanice's buttons.

Oh, Teddy-Weddy, you used to be so much fun.

Boo.

Do better.

Excuse me?

You thought you were the only one

that had something to say?

Hm.

What is it now, Dana?

All right. Well, there's a very important matter

regarding our daughter.

Her birthday is... it's almost here.

Yeah, I'm fully aware.

I would like for us to actually spend some time

doing something this year,

like take her out for a special dinner?

- Hm? - No, I can't.

That's the night of my granddaughter's cotillion.

[sighs] What about tonight?

Tonight?

Oh, surely you have time

for such a momentous occasion as this.

I mean, I understand that you managed to appear

at Kat's little surprise party, so...

I know you don't want to hurt Eva's feelings.

I'm assuming Eva is free?

She will be.

I'll make sure of it.

Until tonight, Teddy Bear.

Look at that, sweetheart.

Almost there.

[chuckles]

I am so proud of you.

I can't help but think of the first time

they gave you that red devil chemo.

I remember it like it was this morning.

I was filled with anxiety and dread.

But you, my angel,

you prevailed.

Ah, the devil tried his worst, but you stood your ground.

You fought like a champ,

and you kicked that chemo square in the teeth.

And I couldn't have done it without you by my side.

You have been my strength when I was weak,

the little voice in my ear telling me

not to give up when I was ready to let go.

And I know that came at a price to you.

It was nothing compared to what you experienced.

No, no, Vernon, I want you to hear me.

You are the light that got me through this,

and I have never been more grateful to have you in my life.

Glad you could make it, Uncle Ted.

I'm on the clock.

Really. Why?

I got to get over to Anita and Vernon's later.

What's going on? Is Anita all right?

Yeah, yeah. She, uh, finishes chemo today.

Oh, right. Uh...

Well, I'm thrilled the chemo is over for Anita.

It's been a tough fight.

Yeah.

Uh, glad you could join us, man.

Me too.

I'm always up for some hoops.

Look, uh, after the game, you have a few minutes to talk?

Something's come up.

Yeah. Yeah, sure.

All right, great.

Well, let's get out on that court,

show these fools what we made of, huh?

Eh...

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about.

Let's go.

You wanted to see me?

Let's talk about how you screwed up at the free clinic.

I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

Everything at the clinic's been going really smooth so far.

I got a call from the chief of staff from Garland last night.

Lia Whitmore?

Mm-hmm. And she's not happy

because you aren't letting the people

from the hospital volunteer at the clinic.

Uh, Grayson Perez,

for one.

Uh, seriously, the-the chief of staff

called you about him?

About you not doing your job.

Grayson is a problem.

Because he's slipping in between your ex's sheets?

Lia says that your judgment is very cloudy.

So, Mr. General Manager,

how about you get to managing correctly?

Can't have you out here making me look bad.

Don't think you need me for that.

Get on board, Derek,

or get in the unemployment line.

Leslie, you and I may not like each other,

but I am telling you that

- this Grayson guy is a problem. - Oh, okay, stop, stop.

Stop with all this rambling, all right?

I am trying to solidify a partnership with Garland

and I need Lia Whitmore to make that happen.

So Grayson will be donating his time whenever he chooses.

End of story.

Can't believe you're willing to let me come here last night.

Was it worth the risk?

Please say it was worth the risk.

It was worth the risk, babe.

I love you so much, Naomi.

And I've got people in place to make sure

you and Ashley are safe.

But...

But what?

We still have to be extra careful.

For how long?

It shouldn't be for too much longer.

This case is finally coming to a head.

But you have to keep acting like nothing's changed.

But why is this all happening now?

Like, why did you get hurt,

and then Grayson?

Why is somebody threatening Grayson?

I promise, when this is all over,

I'll tell you everything.

That's basically what he said to Ashley

right before she dumped him and kicked him out.

Well, she's better off keeping her distance from him.

But why?

Is it because Grayson's to blame

for all the crap going down lately?

Obviously, he's in deep with some vicious people.

Naomi, stop.

He acts like this nice guy,

but he's really a criminal, isn't he?

- Naomi. - How dangerous is he?

Is Grayson who you've been investigating?

You're barking up the wrong tree.

Then set me straight, Jacob, right now.

I'm not in the mood to have a talk.

Tyrell, how are you gonna say you don't want to be

treated like a child and then slump down in the chair

and refuse to have an adult conversation?

Okay, go ahead.

SMITTY: Listen, your Pop and I have been strict

with you and your sister

when it comes to things like dating.

- You think? - And I'm sure

that from your perspective,

it seems like we're being overprotective.

And Smitty and I know how a choice in the moment

can follow a person forever.

I'm not that irresponsible, Pop.

I know how to keep it wrapped up.

Good to know, but that's not the only responsibility

we're talking about.

You and your sister... you had a rough start.

And you've done good in spite of all of that.

So, when your Pop and I adopted you,

we promised to give you every opportunity for success.

I-I know that, and you've kept that promise.

You two have been amazing dads.

But at some point, you have got to take

the training wheels off and let me ride the bike.

Look, we know how excited you are

for the next phase of your life,

your freedom, your independence.

We get that. Not so long ago,

we were in your shoes. But you also

have to understand, as you're doing things

for the first time,

so are we, by parenting kids

at this age.

We're just feeling our way around.

But it's hard for parents to take a step back

- and let go. - But we will get there.

Eventually.

In the meantime, we all need to remember that...

trust is a two-way street.

And we need to keep lines of communication open.

At cotillion rehearsal,

I just got hit with a wave of stage fright.

Why? You're in front of the cameras

all the time with ChelseaKat.

Yeah, but that's different.

You don't see the people who are looking at you.

The cotillion is gonna be a room full of VIPs

and a boy that I used to like

escorting a girl who hates me.

Ugh. That sounds pretty nervous-making.

Right? And to top it all off,

Nathan and Francesca keep making nasty comments

at cotillion rehearsal and the deb luncheons.

You know you don't have to pay any mind

to what they say, right?

Yeah, I know.

But I... I just, I feel so much pressure

to be the Platinum Debutante.

I don't want to let the family down.

Oh, honey, please don't do that to yourself.

Your dads and the entire family don't need you to win.

They just want you to have a beautiful night

that you'll remember forever, same as I do.

It'll help having you there to cheer me on.

Excuse me a sec.

Mm-hmm.

Eva.

Hey, you. Excited for your debut?

I am, and thank you for offering

to do your hair magic on me and Jessica.

Ah, it's gonna be so much fun.

So, I was wondering,

do you have room for one more?

Sure. Who?

June. Since she is my mom

and this is a really exciting night for her, too.

All right, here you go.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Uh, Samantha and I were just talking about the big event,

and I was wondering if you wanted to join us

in some cotillion prep and pampering.

Doesn't that sound amazing?

It sounds expensive.

Oh, no, it'll be completely free.

My first love

is doing hair, but since taking on the free clinic

and working with my dad,

I don't get to style people much anymore.

Huh.

But you're Samantha's aunt.

Won't you be busy getting ready?

No, I-I invited Eva...

It's not really my thing,

but helping people look and feel beautiful is.

Just think of it as helping me maintain my skills.

Well, I keep my hair really short,

so there's not much for you to do.

Oh, you'd be surprised at how many different looks

you can rock, sweetie.

Uh... oh, okay.

[both cheering]

Team Samantha's gonna slay. Team Samantha's gonna slay.

Hey, hey, hey.

Surprise.

[laughter]

Mom, it's over.

You did it, Mother. You did it.

I have never been more thrilled

to have a patient finish their treatment.

We call this the victory bell.

It's a tradition here at Garland to commemorate

the end of chemotherapy by ringing it.

We recognize that getting through chemo, it's...

it's a major milestone,

This bell, it's... it's a symbol of perseverance

and it's a way for all of us

to acknowledge everything that you've gone through,

and hope for the days ahead.

Mrs. Dupree.

There it is.

This has been quite the morning.

Who knew that doing so much good

- could be such a pain in the... - What now, Mama?

Okay.

I had to resolve an issue

with the chief of staff at Garland about Derek.

Oh, no. What did you say to Derek?

Never mind. I handled that, all right?

What you need to know is that I spoke to your father

about us celebrating your birthday tonight.

I can't believe you don't remember when I was born.

Hint: it wasn't today.

You really think I need a calendar alert?

Lil' girl,

as if I'd ever forget

the 26 hours of labor.

And not one drop of pain meds, okay?

I felt every single last second,

thanks to your big old beautiful head that got stuck.

-My lady parts were never -Your lady parts were never

- quite the same after that. - Quite the same after that.

I have lost count of how many times you've told that story.

Mm, keep counting.

Teddy has an obligation

on your actual birthday, all right?

And he refused to reschedule.

But did you expect him to move the cotillion?

Yeah, well, he could have at least reached out to me

so that we could have discussed alternatives.

But no, I had to go find him.

It's like, the man could at least make an effort.

You are his daughter, after all.

- Whew! - Hey, that's how you do it, boys.

They got nothing on Team T.I.A...

Ted, Izaiah, Andre.

Yes, sir.

- Hey. - ANDRE: Uncle Ted, I saw you

out there, man, getting eye-level with that rim.

Yeah, you know, I tried. Yeah.

You see that guy on the other squad?

- Ball hog. - You know it.

Shooting bricks.

Yeah, had the nerve to act

like he ain't have no help.

I saw a couple elbows from you, Izaiah.

Well, you got to do what you got to do.

Speaking of which, I better hit these showers

and get going.

Give Anita my best.

Yeah, will do.

I don't know about you, but I'm starving.

How about I buy you breakfast,

uh, we can talk in the restaurant?

Yeah, yeah, sure.

But can you clue me in on what's up?

Eva's mother is, uh, planning something for this evening.

And this affects me how?

That's for you to decide.

Look, Grayson got himself caught up in some bad business,

but I don't think he's a bad guy.

- Why do you say that? - Because after he got stabbed,

he stepped up and helped save my ass.

I can't tell you any more about what happened.

So I owe him.

I just hate that Ashley got caught up

in this horrible situation because of him.

Yeah, I'm sorry about that, too.

At least with you, I knew you were undercover.

Ashley was blindsided, and that cannot happen again.

So, if Grayson's not who we need to be careful of, who is?

I can't tell you any more than I have.

- You know how this works, babe. - But, I'm...

Babe, I'm not asking for details.

If someone at

the hospital is a danger to my best friend,

I need to know.

There are hundreds of people that work at Garland.

Ashley can't be walking around, looking over her shoulder,

wondering if one of them's gonna be a threat to her.

How is she supposed to nurse people

if she is scared and paranoid?

You have to help her.

All right. All right.

Look, I'm only telling you this because Ashley

could be in danger if she trusts the wrong person.

But you and Ashley can't share this information with anyone.

- You got it? - Okay.

Yes, I swear we won't.

So who is it?

Does she even know them?

Yeah, she does.

And it's one of the last people you'd ever suspect.

Oh, God. Ah, Derek.

Sorry, Ash, I...

didn't mean to startle you.

I'm just, uh, so tired. I...

Overtime. I've been here since last night.

What are you doing here?

I came to talk to Lia, but

she's not around. I...

was hoping we could talk.

I don't like how we ended things last time we saw each other.

I didn't either. I-I...

I shouldn't have gone off on you about Grayson like that.

I-I get where you're coming from, and I...

I know how protective you can be of people you care about.

Makes you feel any better, turns out Grayson's

gonna be volunteering at the clinic after all.

You changed your mind?

It was changed for me.

Easy, my love.

Let me help get you comfortable here on the sofa.

- There. - Thank you.

Now, I know you're not up to much,

but I asked Rowena to pour us

- some sparkling cider... - Oh.

So that we could lift a glass

to mark the end of your long cancer battle.

Well, it's not quite the end of the cancer battle,

just the end of chemo.

There's still a few more hurdles before I'm fully in the clear.

We know, Mother, but we have to celebrate

every step.

- Hear, hear. - Hear, hear.

If I may, thank you all so much for letting me join you.

You and Vernon have always been good to me,

but now that I'm married to Dani,

I've never been more proud to call you guys my family.

Well, we are so happy

to have you as part of this family.

May I go first?

Of course.

When have you ever not held your piece?

And she's back.

But all joking aside, Mother,

you are an inspiration.

There was a moment where you thought

you couldn't go any further,

and you found your way through.

And when you are done with treatment and fully recovered,

I hope that you fully embrace

your new lease on life.

Take things to the next level.

Listen, this old broad from Cabrini-Green

will be living large.

I have all kinds of plans

with Vernon, this family,

the Articulettes

and the Dupree Heritage Foundation.

As they say,

ain't no stopping me now.

I'm busy on my birthday, too, Mama,

so no sense of you getting annoyed with Dad.

Okay, you are busy doing what?

What, you have plans with Izaiah?

Actually, I'm helping people get ready for the cotillion.

Who?

Samantha, Tyrell's girlfriend and...

Me.

[chuckles] Not so sure

how much of a difference it'll make, though.

Excuse you?

Look, I have a hard enough time

trying to get those snobs to, uh,

accept me, and I've got just as much money as they do.

You... Well, hell,

you-you still live under a damn bridge.

- Mama. - What?

You know what? You are partly right.

That is where I used to live.

But I now have a place of my own.

And more important, I'm going to the cotillion

to support my daughter.

Will you be there?

No, I haven't quite procured an invitation

to this particular event.

Oh, really?

That's too bad.

I hear everybody that's anybody

is going to be there.

Anyhoo, I'll be back to take your order.

Really, Mama?

I cannot believe that you're about to do that woman's hair

instead of partying it up.

These people aren't strangers.

I know June and Samantha is my niece.

Oh, you and Ted constantly choosing

the other side of your family.

What about me?

Where... where am I gonna be,

just left out in the cold?

That is so not true.

It's always been us against the world, Eva.

Now you got all these other people.

Besides you and Peaches, I mean, who do I have?

It's like my family tree has nothing

but a bunch of empty branches.

So, what'd I miss while I was playing fetch?

An attempt to find middle ground when it comes to

living under the same roof.

So you're ready to admit that you

treat Tyrell way differently than how you treated me?

Okay, there might have been some disparity,

but it was not because we were trying to push the patriarchy.

Lord, please, let's not go down this road again.

Tyrell will be out

of the house in a few months.

And, while he lives under our roof,

he still has to abide by our rules.

But we understand that he wants more freedom,

so we will meet him

in the middle.

Tyrell isn't even that much older than me,

and I'm way more mature.

Doesn't change the fact that you're a junior

and I'm a senior.

But, hey, you can lobby for your freedom next year.

How many more months until you move out

and I can turn your bedroom

into my extra closet-slash-dressing room?

Just try.

In my mind, I'm already decorating.

Ah, I'm gonna miss that when Tyrell moves out.

He'll always come home and he'll always be close.

But it'll never be the same, right?

To be honest, this whole thing is not helping

my opinion of Grayson.

But that is my issue to deal with, not yours.

I don't want my take on him to...

get in the way of my friendship with you.

So, don't worry, I'm...

I'm gonna be cool whenever I cross paths with you two.

Well, that's not gonna be a problem anymore

because, um...

uh, Grayson and I broke up.

Whoa.

- Are you okay? - Not really.

Derek.

You were right.

About him being shady?

About, um...

about him not being the man I thought he was.

What does that mean, Ash?

What did he do?

I was cheated out of knowing my own mother

by Anita Dupree's selfishness,

and she let Dante push Barbara out of the Articulettes.

Selfishness?

All those zeros in your bank account

come from that selfish woman.

Money can buy a lot of luscious things, baby girl,

but it can't buy time.

And that's something I'm asking for now.

A chance to make up for all the birthdays

that the three of us should have spent together.

I mean, don't you want that?

It does sound kind of nice.

It does.

Yeah.

I'm in for tonight.

Yes!

So Dana wants to celebrate Eva's birthday

with a dinner tonight since we all can't

get together on her real birthday,

and I was wondering if you wanted to join us.

Uh, Eva and I already have plans for her birthday night.

But I guess one doesn't really cancel out the other.

Hm. Look, I know you weren't expecting to break bread

with her parents, but, uh,

you two have been together for a while,

so I just wanted to extend the invitation.

You really are a gentleman, huh?

I try to be. It's important to me.

I respect that. A gentleman in life

but a... a beast on the court.

Look, I know Dana can be a lot to deal with.

No, I can roll with Eva's mom.

Yeah. Yeah, let's do it.

- All right. - But I got to ask you,

are you married to going out tonight?

Because I'm up for cooking for everyone.

Really?

You don't mind doing that?

No, not at all.

It'll be... it'll be a nice, intimate dinner for four.

That sounds perfect.

You know, I, um, I-I don't want to get into this all right now.

It's-it's complicated, and, um,

you know, just because I'm hurt

and angry, it doesn't mean that I've suddenly

lost feelings for Grayson, so, um...

I... I understand

why I'm not the shoulder you want to lean on right now.

I'm sure Naomi's stepping up

in all kinds of ways.

You'd have no idea.

That's 'cause she's the best.

And that's what you deserve, Ashley.

I'm so sorry you're hurting right now.

I know there's nothing I can do for you, but...

I'll always be around if you need me.

[sighs]

I just came from seeing Jacob.

Is he okay?

I'm gonna tell you something,

but he swore me to secrecy that I could only tell you.

Okay, you're scaring me, Naomi. What's going on?

The person you need to look out for...

the person who's been putting you in danger...

it's Lia Whitmore.

Okay. I got the list of the last-minute stuff

for the cotillion. Anything else to add?

Did you get studs for your shirt?

I kept forgetting about those.

Oh, yeah. You're ready. Not.

[phone chimes]

[Smitty sighs]

MARTIN: You gotta get to work?

Yeah, I got to go.

I loved this morning.

It was just what I needed.

I love you guys.

All right.

Mother, what do you think is your biggest takeaway

after all of this?

Oh, I've learned so many things on this journey, but...

I would have to say my biggest takeaway

is that it is actually possible

to love this beautiful, magnificent, resilient family

and the love of my life

even more than I did before.

Mm.

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