All language subtitles for Bel-Air.S01E02.480p.WEB-DL.x264

- Previously on "Bel-Air"...

- Your flight to LA
leaves in 45 minutes.

Stay in Bel-Air
with your aunt and your uncle.

- My family and I would like
to welcome you all to our home.

- What type of party is this?

- Oh, it's a fundraiser
for your Uncle Phil.

He's running
for district attorney.

- You're a long way
from home, Will.

- What up, Carlton?
How you been, bro?

- Hey, Lise.
So you met my cousin.

- Yeah.

- "Haute Cuisine" is the top
food magazine in the country,

and I have a interview
with them next week.

Mom hooked it up.

- As long as you're under
my roof, you follow my rules.

- Man, you don't even know
what happened.

- Now what?
- I know you got arrested.

[gunshots]

I also know that your
fingerprints were found

on an unregistered Glock.
- Better use it.

- You'd still be sitting in a
jail cell if it wasn't for me.

- Rashad wants you dead, bro.
I think I'm next.

- Mom and Dad said that
you were out here

for a better education?

- I'm curious how well
you know Carlton

and what he's been through.
- What do you mean?

[ominous music]

* *

- [shouts]

- What the fuck
is wrong with you?

- What the fuck is wrong
with you?

Relax, Lise.
He's okay, all right?

He's just doing this
for attention.

- Chill out, bro.
- [grunts]

[crowd gasps]

[overlapping shouting]

- Carlton, stop.
Will, get off him.

- Yo, Aunt Viv, that ain't all
that happened and he knows it.

I was defendin' myself.

- You had him flat on his back
and you didn't stop.

- That's 'cause
he's a goddamn thug.

- Watch your mouth.

You're not innocent.
He could've drowned.

- I'd be in a body bag
right now

if it wasn't for this jawn,
Lisa.

- Lisa?

Got it.
- He was crowding her.

- We were just talkin',
you idiot.

- You know what? Stop it.

Both of you get out of my face
and go to your rooms now.

Now.

I was talking to you too.

- Why are you taking his side?

- I know why he acted
the way he did.

But what's your excuse?

[mellow hip-hop music playing]

* *

- How'd it go
with Connor's mother?

- Well, she promised not
to press charges against Will

if we invested in a hedge fund
she manages.

- She's always hustlin'.

Well, how'd you tell her
to go to hell?

- Well, I pointed out
that she and her husband

allowed a bunch
of underage kids to throw

a drug and alcohol-fueled party
on property they own.

- I'm glad at least one of us
got to enjoy ourselves tonight.

- Mm.

Only to a point.

I can't tolerate
anymore of this, Viv.

I mean, first, it's a gun,
and now Carlton's hurt.

And now that video
of the fight is out there.

It's bound to affect
my campaign.

- This is our campaign.

We all signed up for this.

- You're right.

And to that point, Carlton does
share some of the blame tonight.

But maybe Will just isn't
cut out for Bel-Air.

- You know he can't go back
to Philly right now.

And there's no one else
to take him in.

- There's boarding schools,
military academies.

- Oh, come on, Phil.

We cannot just throw our hands
up in the air like this.

We brought Will here
to keep him safe

knowing it would be difficult.

- But it seems impossible, Viv.

I mean, why we workin' so hard
to save a boy

who doesn't want to be saved?

- Because we owe it to him.

- That doesn't mean we can right
every wrong in his life.

Not to the detriment
of our family.

- He is our family.

And I just know in my heart

that he is not a lost cause.

- That may be true.

But I'm not sure
we're the answer he needs.

- Then I'll talk to him then.

- We will talk to him.

And if he doesn't respond

in a way that makes us
both comfortable,

he's gone.

[knocking on door]

- Will?

My God, what's wrong?

- My mom called.

She said my boy Tray...

got shot.

They don't know
if he's going to make it.

- What?

- [cries]

- It's okay.
- [sighs]

[Easy McCoy's "Déjà Vu"]

* *

chorus: * Gloria *

* *

* Gloria, Gloria *

* Glo... *

* *

- Ugh.

I can't believe I have
to speak at the assembly

this morning looking like this.

- I know, Carlton.
What're you gonna do?

'Cause your face
is your moneymaker.

Did you tell the top designers

you're not walking in the runway
this fall?

- No one thinks you're funny,
Hilary.

- I do.

- Guys, I was assaulted.

- Son, you start a fight,

you don't get to complain
about how it ends.

- Good morning, Will.

- Good morning.

- Hey, Will.

I heard about your friend.
Is he gonna be okay?

- Um, yeah.

Mom says the bullet went clean
through Tray's shoulder,

but, um, I haven't had a chance
to talk to him yet.

* *

- [chuckles]

- Hilary, looks like
Will loves that new recipe.

- Mmm, this was smackin', cuz.
[laughs]

- Thank you.

I used my signature spice mix.
And you know what?

I was thinking
of using this recipe

for the taste test for
my "Haute Cuisine" interview.

- Why don't you go with
the shrimp po'boy?

- Mom, I don't go
to your college

and tell you how to teach.

- I'm not telling you
what to do.

I'm telling you "Haute Cuisine"

will want something
a little fancier.

- Okay,
but that's not my brand.

- What exactly is your brand,
Hilary?

- My brand is meals
you can make

without a double oven
or a proofing drawer.

- Differentiating yourself
is smart.

Why not expand their audience?

- Daddy gets it.

I mean,
how am I gonna be a star

if I do the same thing
as everybody else?

- Mm, speak on it, Hil.

You can't rise if all you do
is play white.

- Right.

So I'm a sellout just because
I enunciate my words?

- Stop it, both of you.

- You two boys need to put
last night behind you.

Am I clear?

- Yes, sir.
- I got no beef, Uncle Phil.

- Yay, harmony.

What every home needs.
- [sighs]

- I gotta get ready for my
radio interview with Big Boy.

- No offense, Daddy, but doesn't
he interview cool people?

- [chuckles]
Exactly.

- [laughs]

- That's why Judge Robertson
set it up for me.

- How kind.

I wonder what he'll want
in return.

- Just to ensure his candidate
shores up the base.

But don't worry.
Got it in the bag, babe.

I'm out. Love you.

Have a great day, everyone.
Muah.

Will, have a good first day
at school.

- Bye, Dad.
- Bye, Dad.

- The rest of you better
get a move on it too.

It's a new day.

Make the most of it.

[hip-hop music]

- * Card ain't got no limit,
let me tell you how I feel *

- Yo, Carlton,
can we talk for a second, man?

- I gotta find my keys
so we can get out of here.

- Look,
what happened last night,

it wasn't cool.
- Yeah, no shit.

My parents are actually
grounding me because of it.

- Word?

Look, man, I just think
you crossed a couple lines.

- Look, we can just skip
to the part

where you apologize
and say you're sorry.

- For what?
You laid hands on me first.

Where I come from,
that's a green light

to ground a nigga up.

- You know, it's funny how
the N-word magically appears

whenever you talk about
getting violent

with a Black person,

yet you think you're better
than Connor.

Let's see how far your ghetto
code gets you at my school.

If you're gonna be able
to get there, that is.

[door slams]

[engine turns over]

- So what happened
to your ride to school?

- Carlton wants no part of me.

- Did you apologize?

Oh, I see.

You expected him
to shrug off a beatdown.

- Look, I tried to explain
to him

that what him and his boy did
set me off,

and I did what I had to do.

- Like when you pulled a gun
on a drug dealer?

Will,

I didn't say that to hurt you.

I said that to remind you
what happens

when you act before you think.

You were an honor roll student

with a basketball scholarship
coming your way.

All those years of hard work

could've been just wiped out.

- I get it.

I messed up.

I owe you two everything.

- You want to repay us?

Drop the street code bullshit.

You almost ruined
your entire life

because you did
what you had to do.

Be the Will
who charmed West Philly

with his swag and his talents.

Because if that Will turns up
at Bel-Air Academy,

it won't be long
before you runnin' that jawn.

Know what I'm sayin'?

- I know what you sayin'.
[chuckles]

- But to do that,

you're gonna have
to get there first.

- Which one am I drivin'?

[Emmanuel Martin Harmon's
"Infinity Flow"]

* *

- * Let's get it,
let's go *

* I would just leave it
on flow *

* Yeah, I'm on top
of this blow *

* I can't see no more,
I can't see no more *

* Tell you,
don't know where to go *

* This the infinity flow *

* Baby, you know how it go *

* You know I can't see
the flow *

* You know I'm living off
high in the center... *

[line ringing]

- Yo, this is Tray.
Leave a message.

[beep]

- [sighs]
Um...

What up, bro?

Look, man, I--
I heard what happened, bro.

And I know you're all right,

but I'm just tapping in, man.

Hope everything's cooling off
back home.

[sighs]

And I'm sorry.

I'm sorry about
how everything went down.

And I swear, I would take
that shit back if I could.

* *

But, uh, man.
[laughs]

Yo, I gotta tell you
about this shit, man.

On my first day
at this new school, man...

[laughs]

They got your boy wearing a
uniform on some Hogwarts shit.

[laughs]

Yeah, this shit drawn.

Um...

But, uh, you know,
I'ma carry it.

I'ma show 'em how we do it
in West Philly.

For real.

But, uh, I miss you, bro.

I'll talk to you soon,

and, uh, next time I call you,
you better pick up, all right?

* *

[phone beeps]

- * Tell me you know
where to go *

* This the infinity flow *

* Baby, you know how it go *

* You know I can't see
the floor *

* You know I'm living as high
as a sinner, what's up? *

* Going at you, baby *

* I'm late, a little late *

* I'm up high, upgrade *

* I can see y'all faces,
let's go *

* At night, I raise the bar *

* You know the key
gon' blow up *

* I'm dancing with the stars *

[indistinct chatter]

* Getting' beyond the Grammy,
you know we gon' blow up *

* They try to weigh you down
at night *

* You on your way up *

[indistinct chatter]

- Let's go.

- * Let's get it, let's go *

* I would just leave it
on flow *

* Now I'm on top of the blow *

* I can't see no more *

- Aww, man, the Louis Vuitton.
Crazy fit, for real.

I'm feelin' it. I'm feelin' it.

Yo, king, what's up, man?

Tch.

You two,
I'm lovin' the tie, the plaid.

[bell rings]

- Hey, whatcha doin' there?

Not supposed to be over here.

Let's see your student ID.

[tense music]

[siren whoops]
- [shouts]

- Hey. Hey!

* *

- We all agree.
It's time for a change.

We shouldn't just be--

- Ooh, shit.

[students murmuring]

- Uh, you know what, Jerry?
It's fine.

Don't even worry about him.

He's with me.

Maybe you can help us decide
on a new initiative to support.

Yeah, come on over.

Will, this is the junior class.

Everyone,
this is my cousin, Will.

It's his first day
at Bel-Air Academy.

Clearly, he's gotten
a little lost this morning,

but, uh, give it time,

and I'm sure he'll catch on
and find his place.

Let's give Will
a round of applause.

Come on, let's give him
a warm welcome.

Yeah!
[applause]

Whoo!

Yeah.

So, Will,

can you tell us
about the public school

you attended in Philadelphia?

- Uh, yeah, I went to
West Philly High School.

- How many A.P. classes
did they offer?

- A few, I think.
Yeah, I don't know.

- What about
a study abroad program

or a student wellness center?

- Nah.

- [sighs]
Mm.

See, this is why
I think we need a change.

You know, instead of supporting
some wildlife initiative

halfway across the world,
why don't we sponsor

a struggling public school

right here in the L.A. area?

'Cause not all of those kids
are gonna be as lucky

as Will here to transfer
to a school like ours.

- Hey, y'all, don't get it
twisted 'cause--

- And you know what, Will?
Thank you so much

for your help today, Will.

You can go.

And again,
welcome to Bel-Air Academy.

Come on,
let's give him another hand.

Whoo!
[applause]

- Carlton,
that was some bullshit.

- Hey, you don't wanna
start shit with me.

Look around.

These are my people.

- So I became a lawyer because

growing up on a farm
in Yamacraw, North Carolina,

I saw the law used
to take advantage of people

who didn't fully understand it.

My parents lost most of their
farmland to eminent domain

because they didn't know
how to fight it.

Once I got my law degree,

one of my first court cases
was in Yamacraw.

I got my parents' money
for the land

that was taken
when I was a boy.

- Man, I love that.

You know, you're a good son,
man, and I love the fact

that you were able
to get your parents paid.

And also, when we were
going through your bio,

I see that you did win
some, like,

huge class action cases against
slumlords in Los Angeles.

- Yeah, yeah, my firm and I
were able to win millions

of dollars in compensation
for our clients.

- And you kept a few million
for yourself

I--I imagine, right?

- Well, I am financially secure.

- Financially secure?
That means rich.

- I'm not as rich
as my opponent

would have you believe.

He refers to me
as Billionaire Banks,

which isn't accurate.

- You know, I'm glad that you
were able to clear that up.

Now you are
the only Black candidate

that's running
for District Attorney, correct?

- Yes. Yes, I am.
- All righty.

I feel like that gives you
this unique responsibility

to speak directly
to the Black community,

and I want to give you
that chance

to speak directly
to our community right now.

- Uh, okay.
[doorbell rings]

- Caller one, you're on
with your partner Big Boy

and L.A. District Attorney
candidate Philip Banks.

- I got one thing.
Can you repeat after me?

Black lives matter.

- Of course.
All day, every day.

Black lives matter
and always will.

[audio whirs]

- Next caller, hello?

- Yo, how much you pay
for your crib?

- I'm not getting into all that.

- I mean, come on.
It is a nice crib.

It's in Bel-Air.
I've been there, bro.

- You got a nice house too.
- I do have a nice house,

but I'm not running
for District Attorney, am I?

[cow bell rattles]

Next caller, hello?

- How many millions
are you sitting on?

- There are more
important issues

to talk about besides money.

- And there are
more important issues,

and I want to get to the issues.

[doorbell rings]
Next caller, hello?

- So are you
seven figures rich,

eight figures rich,
or nine figures rich?

[Johnny 2 Phones'
"22 and Confused"]

- Okay.

- [clears throat]
- All right.

- Whoo!
- * So baby tell me... *

- All right,
let's work on the zone.

I want to see at least four
passes before a shot goes up.

Here we go.

- * Fuck am I supposed to do?

* I got ninety-nine problems,
a hundred including you *

- Excuse me. You the coach?

- I am. Coach Johnson.

And you are?
- Nice to meet you, man.

I am the Will Smith,
at your service.

D-1 recruit, you know,
listed in "Ball is Life" twice?

Matter of fact, man, just
let me show you my highlight--

- Nah, I've already been privy
to your highlight reel, kid--

that fight you got in
this weekend.

- That, um,
wasn't what it looked like.

- Yeah, look.

I'm not clear on what brings
a D-1 recruit from Philadelphia

all the way to Los Angeles

in the middle
of a critical school year

when it comes
to college recruiting.

But despite your stats,

I have no interest
in entertaining the drama

that comes along with you
joining my basketball team.

- All right.

What's this going to take
to change your mind?

- What it would take any player
who wants to be part of a team.

Tryouts tomorrow after school.

- [scoffs] Are you jokin'?
Yeah, I was scouted.

- Then you have no issue
proving you're a player

instead of a problem.

- Okay. A'ight, bet.
I'll try out.

And once you realize I'm the
answer to this team's prayers,

I want my number back
from Philly, a'ight?

[whistle blows]
- All right, let's bring it in.

Here we go.
Who's ready to run?

- Hey, yo, Lisa. Lisa.
Can I talk to you for a second?

- Sure, so long as this isn't
about you and Carlton.

- What, are you mad at me
too now?

- I'm not mad at you.

It's just when I broke up
with Carlton,

it's all anyone could
talk about for months.

He was their heartbroken hero,

and I was
the cold-hearted bitch.

I'm not trying to be
in the sequel.

- I get that, but Carlton's been
out here telling people

that he accidentally
knocked me in the pool,

and I just got out
and went ham.

- Yeah, I know.

- A'ight, so help me
tell people the truth.

- And have everyone think

that I caused the fight
between you and Carlton?

- I mean, you are the reason
he pushed me in the pool.

But you're also the reason why
I didn't drown,

so thanks for that.

- You're welcome.

You know, you ought
to learn to swim, right?

- Can you teach me how to swim?
- [laughs]

I don't mess with beginners.

- [laughs] Oh!
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

So are you going to help me,
or not?

- Even if I did, I'm not
even sure it would work.

Carlton's word is like gospel
to these sheep.

- Tch.
That's what I'm saying.

Yo, how is it possible
that Carlton

is the coolest brother
in this jawn?

Being the captain
of the lacrosse team

and junior class president
wouldn't even

come close to making you
a top dog in Philly.

- There's more to it.

Carlton's charming
when he wants to be.

He remembers everyone's name
and birthday

and he knows how to make
a person feel special.

- So that's how he got you?

- Goodbye, Will.
- Yo, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just be
sayin' shit to try and be funny.

See, I'm not a thug.
I'm a smartass.

- [chuckles]
[bell rings]

I can't be late to French.
Madame Simmons goes nuts.

- A'ight, I guess
it's au revoir then.

[Amindi's "Telly"]

* *

- * Deep in my bag, it ain't
a Birkin, it's a Telly *

* Don't got a man but I got
niggas on my celly *

* They got a script *

* And it's the same thing
that they tell me *

* They wanna cater to me
like Michelle and Kelly *

* They want me but I'm not
the one to choose *

* On a scale of one to ten,
love is a one or two *

* They want all my lovin'
'cause it's underused *

* They be like,
Mindi, can I get... *

- Thank you guys so much
for this opportunity.

I hope you enjoyed the food

as much as I enjoyed
preparing it.

- I must say, Hilary,
we are quite impressed.

- Absolutely. Bravo.

- I would never have thought
something so down market

would be so amazing.

- Thank you.
So did I get the job?

- You've certainly given us
a lot to consider.

Before we would move forward
with any kind of an offer,

I need to be sure that you're
okay with our requirements.

- Lay 'em on me.

- We would wanna weigh in
on your wardrobe.

We prefer more classic,
neutral colors.

- Not that what you're wearing
isn't beautiful.

- We just don't want the clothes

to be more eye-grabbing
than the food.

- Okay.
- Before you post anything,

you'd have to submit
all your recipes for review.

- And just a heads up,

the food you prepared today
was a bit spicy.

We definitely want you to,
you know, tone it down.

- But that's what people love
about my cooking.

I mean, my family
was just complimenting

my spice mix this morning.

- All due respect,

I don't think your family
is our target audience.

- Not yet, anyway.

[bell rings]

[indistinct chatter]

- Welcome to Algebra II, Will.

It's your first day so feel
free to sit this quiz out.

- Oh, no, actually,
I'm down, Mr. Clark.

I can do the work
like everybody else.

- How refreshing, a student
who wants to do the work.

Good luck.

Late again, Tyler.

- Actually, Mr. Clark,
I can't be late, right?

'Cause time is just
an arbitrary social construct

used primarily
in the capitalist system

to maximize
the exploitation of laborers--

- All right, forget it.
Just take the quiz, huh?

- You got it.

- [whispers] Nice going.
- [whispers] Thanks.

Yeah, the trick is
to be too annoying to punish.

- Oh, got you.
[chuckles]

Hey, I'm Will, by the way.
- Tyler.

And it's an honor to meet you.

I've wanted to punch Connor
since like the sixth grade.

[laughs]

- Hang on.

Hey.

Hey, I'm talking to you.

- What?

What is this?

- It says you have to stay
at least 10 feet away

from me on school grounds

and at least 50 feet
anywhere else.

Everyone's a witness.

My uncle is a federal judge,
so from now on, steer clear.

- A'ight, bro, I get it.
It's your school, your domain.

Look, I'm sorry I hit you.
I apologize.

- Nah, see,
it's too late for that.

Lisa's been running her mouth

telling everyone
that I attacked you

because I got jealous
when I saw you talking to her.

- Because that's what happened,
Carlton.

How hard did you hit your head?

- This whole thing
could have died down,

but now you and Lisa
made me look weak.

So we need to fight.
You and me.

Right here, right now.

Let everyone see how
a fair fight would turn out.

- Look, see,
I'm not about to fight you--

- You scared to fight me
when I'm not half-drunk?

- I ain't scared to do shit.

And unless you want me
to bust you upside

your smartass mouth again,
I suggest you back the fuck up.

- Or what? Hmm?

[students whispering]

- If I lose, I lose.

And if I win, I lose.

You know what?
You got it.

- They made an offer.

So tell me why
we're not celebrating

you having a paying job?

- Because, Mom, I'm not sure
about some of the requirements

they were asking for of me.

- It's a position
at "Haute Cuisine."

Is this not what you've been
building towards?

- What I've been
building towards?

Or what you been
building towards?

- You asked me for help,
so I called in a favor

to get you this interview.

If you get this job,
it'll put you on the map

as the top culinary
influencer, Hilary.

- Okay, fine.

But if I'm gonna build
towards something,

I want to build
on my own terms.

- Honey, I know how you feel,

but this is how professional
opportunities work.

An agreement is made
between you and an employer.

As an artist,
going into a collaboration,

you're bound to have
to give up some things.

- Like your soul.
- Ashley, please.

- No, she's right.

I mean, that's how
it's starting to feel.

I mean, they want me to tone
down my signature recipe

because it's too dynamic
for their core audience.

- By core audience,
they mean white people, right?

- Yes.

- So push back and negotiate.

Nobody gets through life

without having
to compromise a little.

- Right, like deciding to be
an art history teacher

instead of actually
being an artist.

- It's your life.

Whatever decision you make,
I'll support you.

[relaxed hip-hop music]

* *

- Yo, man, I appreciate you
coming in the clutch.

- I mean, I ain't nobody D-1
recruiter or nothin' like that,

but I can hold my own
on the court.

- Yeah?
- What you mean, oh, yeah?

- All right, man, come on.
Ignore that chit chat.

- All right, all right.
- All right? For real.

- I won't talk.

- Let's get it.

- All right, man,
Check it out.

- I--I checked it.
What's up?

Come on, D-1.

I'm here.

[ominous music]

* *

Ah.

- Tch. Shoot the ball, man.

- Give me this.
Come on, D.

Come on, D-I.

[overlapping shouting]

Hey, move, come on.

Ahh.

Just goin' leave me
open like that?

[somber music]

In the hood,
they call me stun.

- Check up, man.

- Yo, you good?

Man, you ain't got to tell me
everythin' but--

but you better
tell me somethin'.

* *

- [sighs]
So me and my, uh,

my boy Tray was
playin' basketball in Philly.

And, um, placed a bet
with this--

this d-boy.

And, uh, shit went left
when we won.

Cops showed up.
I ended up out here.

Tray ended up shot.

I feel like it's my fault.

And, um...

I haven't touched a ball since.

- Yeah, I get you.

I seen some shit
I can't shake neither.

- Yo, Jazz, man,

if I'm going to survive
in that school,

I gotta find a way to shine.

And I always did on the court.
Always.

Until now, man.

* *

Gotta get on that team, man.

[sighs]

[phone buzzes]

[phone buzzing]

- Hey, Vy, how are you?

- In no mood to chit chat.

What's this about your son
targeting my son?

- I'm on top of it.
Carlton is grounded.

It will not happen again.

- Good,
because I didn't send my boy

across the country
to be picked on.

- Picked on?

For what it's worth, Will won
that fistfight hands down.

- You know--damn it.

You swore to me that you would
look after Will.

- I am.

- You know,
I would bring him home now

if Tray hadn't got shot,

but it's still dangerous
in these streets.

- [sighs]

[soft dramatic music]

- Will probably
has to stay with you

until Christmas break, at least.

I'll be sending his stuff
out to him

if that's okay
with you and Phil

after what happened.

- Vy, we can handle this.
Please.

Let me do this for him.

[A Tribe Called Quest's
"Rhythm" playing]

- The usual rhythm.

* *

- * Devoted to
the arts of moving butts *

* The rhythm's happening
and it's moving up *

- The Tribe has been on hold
for much too long.

- [chuckles]
- Nah.

The Tribe.

Takes me back
to when Viv and I saw him

at The Civic Center
with Biggie and Wu-Tang.

That was a great night.
Cheers.

- Cheers.

- * Rhythms of the Tribe
which is passed outright *

* Night after night,
day after day *

* Questing for the rhythms
of the Native Tongue way *

- So, Geoffrey, what are we
gonna do about Will?

- Give him some real time
to adjust.

- * Poly-rhythm addict
with a big fat boom *

- Come on, man.

It was a big culture shock
for me

when I left Jamaica for London
as a boy, you know.

What I'm saying is,
Will needs more than a few days

to find his footing
around here.

- I fear the more time
we give him,

the more trouble
he's gonna cause--

for himself and this family.

- I've seen him
in his unguarded moments,

lookin' around,

checkin' to see
if he's doing the right thing.

Little man's trying, Phil.

You need to meet Will
where he is.

* *

- [growls]

- Oh! Damn, Unc.
[laughs]

I didn't know you ball
like that.

- Don't get it twisted,
youngblood.

I still got it.

It wasn't the plan
initially though.

I put this up for Carlton,

and then he went
and fell in love

with lacrosse and race cars.

- [growls]

- You seem a little off
your game, Will.

What's weighing on you?

- Nothing you don't
already know.

- Humor me.

- You ever been arrested?

- No.
No, I can't say that I have.

- It's like a movie
playin' in my head.

I get thrown to the ground.

Handcuffed.
Picked up like garbage.

Thrown in the back
of a cruiser.

And the whole time, I know.

Any movement, any sudden move,
my life could be gone like this.

[soft dramatic music]

Every time I touch a ball,
it plays over and over again.

- I'm sorry you had
to go through that.

- Did I have to?

Like, I didn't fight back,
I didn't resist,

and they still roughed me up.
- I know.

I know. It's tragic.

It's proof how broken
the system is.

- See, that's the thing.
To me, the system isn't broken.

To me, the system
is doing exactly

what it was designed to do.

- I hear that.

But from where I stand,
things have gotten better.

Incrementally.
- For you.

Look at where you at.

Look how you live.

What are the rest of us
supposed to do?

- Look, I don't know what
everyone else is supposed to do.

But I know that neither of us
should give up.

You ever quit on a court?

- Never.

- Don't start now.

The easiest way
to get back in the game

is when we can get out
of our own heads.

* *

See? Just like that.

Again. All right.
Gettin' that rhythm, right?

There you go. There you go.

Beautiful, Will. Come on now.

[shot whooshes]

Oh! Hey.

[laughs]

Come on, now.
- Ugh.

- What?
- [laughs]

- All right, nephew.
- Yes, sir.

[basketball dribbling,
shot whooshes]

- There you go. There you go.

Beautiful, Will.
Come on now.

[shot whooshes]
Oh, hey!

[laughs]

[Yung Major's "Mudd"]

- * Out the mudd,
out the mudd *

* Out the mudd *

* Out the mudd, out the mudd *

* Yo *

[line ringing]

- Yeah, yo!
Tray, what's up, bro?

- Will?

Bro. [laughs]
I almost didn't pick up, bro.

You got a new number
or something?

- Yeah, yo, hey, yo, lock me in.

Yo, what happened
to layin' low, bro?

- Man, Rashad's lookin'
for us both, bro.

He still think you out here
in Philly.

His crew caught me slippin'
outside the papi store.

- Shit.

Yo, I should've
been there, yo.

- So you coulda got shot too?

Yo, I'm a'ight, Will.

This is just
a flesh wound, bro.

[laughs]
A'ight?

Hey, I miss you though, boul.

- I miss you too, bro.

Yo, I gotta go to school,

so I'ma holla at you later,
a'ight?

- All right, bro.
- A'ight.

- Love you, bro.
- Love you too, bro.

Duces.

[line beeps]

* *

[laughter, chatter]

* *

- Carlton?

A word, please?

- Um, sure. Yeah.

What's up, Lise?
- Look, Carlton.

Despite everything
that's happened between us,

I have zero interest
in stirring anymore shit

between you and your cousin,
so stop bringing me into it.

- That funny 'cause
you clearly had a lot

to say about Will and I
yesterday.

- You need to cut him a break

and call your pusher off him
while you're at it.

Is that...

- I just--I just did a little
this morning

'cause of all the drama.
It's not--

- Not my problem anymore.

But Will?
He doesn't deserve your wrath

or a restraining order
from that asshole.

- You know, I can't believe
you would just flip on two guys

you've known since grade school
because of my cousin.

Look, you don't even know him.

- But I know you,
and from what I can see,

you need to get away from Connor
and get some help.

- Your sudden concern
is duly noted.

But my advice?
Stay away from Will.

And not just for me,
but your own safety and future.

He's troubled.

[somber dramatic music]

* *

- Hey, yo, Tyler.
- Yo, what up, Will?

- Yo, man.
- How we doing?

- Good, bro.

- Are those
the Lightning Fours?

- Oh, yeah, just a little
somethin' somethin'.

Nah, I saw you
in the gym though.

I think I might try out
for the team.

Nah, but tell me something.

Is this tryout just another
setup for me to get played,

or do you think
I really have a shot?

- Coach Johnson's
a straight shooter.

I mean, if you really want
a spot, you can earn it.

Even if you did knock the shit

out of two top athletes
in the school.

- Well, at least they didn't
play basketball, right?

- [laughs]
Yeah, true.

- [laughs]

So how do I impress Coach?

- Coach J's all about the work.

You know, learn the blueprint,
come to play, and hustle hard.

Oh, when you score,
don't celebrate.

Just sprint down the court
and get back on defense.

Yeah, no showboating.
- [clears throat]

- Hi, Hilar-istas.

So I was talking to someone
the other day

and the conversation made me
want to ask y'all.

What are you willing to give up
for a high-profile job?

- * I just wanna do my thing *

- Your boo? Damn!

You may want to reconsider
that relationship.

Okay, so look.

I was offered
a high-profile job,

and I turned it down
because they were trying

to make me change my recipes.

[scoffs]

Um, I'm perfectly sane, okay?

And what they were offering
is irrelevant.

Okay, so look, here's the deal.

I feel like
I can't be successful

if somebody's trying
to change me,

and I can't be myself.

My recipes,
they are my culture.

I mean, some of the food
that I showed y'all

was passed down
from my grandmother,

and I'm not watering down
a recipe so Becky in Ohio

can feel more comfortable.

Oh, and also, they told me
that my ethnic family

was not their target audience,
so "Haute Cuisine"

probably doesn't like
your family either

if you're a person of color.

So how about you let them know
what you think about that,

Hilar-istas?

- Let's do this.

[Moneybagg Yo's
"Rookie of the Year"]

[whistle blows]

- All right, here we go.

- * Turn me up, YC *

* Turn me up *

- * Jersey,
my city on my back *

* I got 'em reppin' me,
heard me *

* Know I play with M's, must
be stupid if she curve me *

- Hey, Will.
- Hey, hey, hey.

- Here you go.
- Hey.

- * Dressin' like
I'm servin' *

- Ah!

- * I got the ball
and they got nervous *

* 'Member havin' mask on
way before Corona hit *

* Told 30 not to cross
the plug *

* He went behind me,
set the pick *

* I play like a beast
but my demeanor humble *

* Go so hard they got
to retire my number *

- Hey, hey, hey!

- * Unranked underdog,
trained to go when I ball *

* Losses turn to lessons *

* I can't see myself
fallin' off *

* And I'm havin' accuracy *

- Let's go, let's go, let's go.

- Come on, bro, hey.

You got this.
It's all you.

- * Don't check for me,
respectfully *

* I can't let my kid down,
I'm buildin' up my legacy *

* Ain't competin'
with nobody *

* I'm just tryna be
a better me *

* Introduction,
'bout to show you *

* Somethin' that
you ain't never see *

* Five rings, five chains *

* Two watches, that's twelve *

* Come through and slam
on you, I'm in the air *

* 'Fore it's all
said and done *

[overlapping shouting]

* True to it, not new to it,
I'm rookie of the year *

* Love the game,
it relate to me best *

- Yeah, yeah!

- * Work better under pressure
when I'm put to the test *

* Strategic how I move,
I just treat it like chess *

* Team Morant, the Grizzlies
on my Mitchell & Ness *

* Straight from Memphis *

- Tyler, Tyler!

- * Take a risk to win,
that's key *

* Put a show on
for them people *

* Give 'em what
they came to see *

* How you tryna teach me
somethin'? *

- Let's go, let's go.

- * I deserve the keys to it,
I'm my city MVP *

* Swoosh, Bagg, if you ain't
got no check for me *

* Don't check for me,
respectfully *

- Oh!

- * I can't let my kid down,
I'm buildin' up my legacy *

* Ain't competin'
with nobody *

* I'm just tryna be
a better me *

* Introduction, 'bout
to show you something-- *

[whistle blows]
- Hold the ball.

Mr. Smith.

Welcome to the team.

- You serious?
Thank you so much, Coach.

Proud to be
a part of this team.

- You better be. Go celebrate.

- [laughs]
Yo.

- Come on.
- [laughs]

- I mean, was it ever really
a question? [laughs]

all: Hey!

- All right, all right, let's
celebrate with some suicides.

Huh? On the line. Let's go!

all: [groan]
- Here we go. Come on!

[whistle blows]

- What up, cuz?

- Yo, what the fuck
are you doing here?

The P.T. rooms are
for athletics teams only.

- Mm.

Well, I guess I'm exactly
where I supposed to be.

- How the hell did you
hustle your way

into the athletics department

after the shit
you pulled last weekend?

- Just like last weekend,

I rocked the hell
out of the competition--

this time
at basketball tryouts.

- You know what?

Congratulations.

You must be the first
inner city Black kid

to use basketball
to earn his place at school.

- You think you can
get in my head?

But the crazy thing is,
I already set up shop in yours,

and it's only a matter of time
before this hood nigga

is running your school--

pulling every chick who mistook
your goofy ass for cool

and takin' up the throne people
make you feel so worthy of.

Newsflash, cuz, you ain't.

So watch out, a'ight?

'Cause I'm comin' through.

[gritty hip-hop music]

- * Uh, let's go *

* You already know
what's gonna happen *

* When I pull up
over the back though *

* Got ten models and bottles *

* All stood in a line,
tic-tac-toe *

* Everybody know what it is
in the club *

* With your drinks up high
and never sit down *

* I'ma keep it going
all night, get right *

* Ain't stoppin'
till the daylight, no *

* *

- Mr. Smith.

Let me search your bag.
- [scoffs] What, yo?

[dramatic music]

- Look, kid,
we can do this the hard way,

or we can do this the fast way.

- Bro, I don't want
no smoke, bro.

Check it.
Check it, bro.

Bro, I ain't got
nothin' to hide.

[soft dramatic music]

* *

What you lookin' for, bro?
It's not in there. Look.

[tense music]

- Nothin' to hide, huh?

- [scoffs]
Come on, bro, what is that?

What is that? That's not mine.
- Oh, shit.

- Oh, come on, that's not mine.
Why would I use that?

- Come on.
- Bro, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Someone put that in there.
Yo, why would I use that?

I'm a athlete, bro.
Why would I use that?

Yo, bro, wait.
Yo, wait, wait, wait, bro.

Yo--hey, yo.

- Told you I'd handle him.

* *

- Don't make a scene.
- Yo, it's my first week, bro.

Where would I get
that stuff from?

Bro, come on.

- Come on.

[moody hip-hop music]

* *