Original subtitles

[door closes]

How do you do it?

Do what?

Steal my breath away. [chuckles]

Oh, you need to quit. [laughs]

Woman, you slay me.

-[chuckles]: Oh. -Mmm...

Oh, and you got the nerve to smell good, too.

So do you. [chuckles]

But dinner awaits.

It can await longer.

You're going to need some energy.

For my squash game with Martin?

-For what comes after. -Oh...

-Let's get this show on the road. -[laughs]

I'll go have the car pulled around.

All right.

-[doorbell rings] -[scoffs]

-[door opens] -Well, this is a surprise.

Who is it, darling?

I can show you better than I can tell you.

Only your soul sisters.

[laughing]

They say doomscrolling is bad for your health.

Yeah, I believe it. [sighs]

Are you ready for your squash game with Vernon?

Yeah. The grands are grabbing something light

at the club beforehand,

but I got some time before I leave.

Unless you want to come with me and we can eat with them.

I don't have much of an appetite.

Gran and Granddad would love to see you.

Thank you for the invite, babe, but...

...I don't think that I'd be the best company tonight.

Something on your mind?

I can't stop thinking about Lia.

I just saw her the other day, and now she's gone.

This is what you call haute cuisine. [chuckles]

Aren't you two glad that you came?

Well, I am happy as a bottomless mimosa

that you were able to join me for dinner.

Yeah, well, you didn't leave us much choice

after you insisted we come to you

or you'd come to the apartment.

LESLIE: Girl, hush, please.

Ain't like y'all had something to do anyway.

Ain't that right, Izaiah?

We, uh...

We can think of a few things.

Well, there's nothing better than spending

quality time with your mama.

Hmm?

Yeah, nothing at all.

[stifled coughing]

You okay, Mama?

Um, I can bring the waiter to get you more water.

Know what you can really give me?

What I really want is that one right there.

Do y'all know who that is?

No clue.

That is none other than Lionel Belleclaire.

Right, yeah. Yeah, that is him.

I think he sits on the public safety council with my pops.

Well, any relation to those snooty Belleclaires

that tried to ruin my niece's cotillion experience?

Lionel is the first of Anastasia's four husbands.

They have children, grandchildren together,

including that saditty little mini-me of hers, Chessy.

You know, the Platinum Deb wannabe.

Well, if she married three dudes after him,

then why does she keep his last name?

Because, baby girl, the Belleclaire name... [scoffs]

...it looms very large and carries a lot of weight

-around these here parts. -Mm-hmm.

-Well, they got pull, for sure. -Mm-hmm.

Hell, the only other name with clout in Barrington County

is Dupree.

[Leslie sighs]

How do I look?

Mama, what are you doing?

Not only is Lionel Belleclaire a ranking member

of the Fairmont Crest Homeowner's Association,

he is the chair over the architectural association

as well-- the committee.

So guess what that means. [laughs]

He can help me get these people off my back

about building my shouse.

Yeah, he is the man.

[stammers]

What about our fancy dinner?

Oh. It'll be here when I get back, child.

Okay, I don't have a good feeling about this.

♪ ♪

Hungry?

Uh-oh.

Design issues?

The casino remodel off to a bad start?

No, that's not...

No.

Do I have to have a talk with the designer?

[chuckles] No need for that.

Your soon-to-be brand-spanking-new

high roller suite is coming together nicely.

-Wonderful. -In fact, I've been assured

it'll be completed in no time.

That's all good news.

Yeah, it is.

Really great.

Then why are you so glum?

It's Doug.

He died a year ago this month.

Oh, well...

no wonder you're upset.

I'm meeting Deanna at Uptown to go through

some more of her father's belongings.

[sighs]

You know, I really don't enjoy seeing you like this.

What can I do?

You're doing it.

Just by being here for me.

[sighs] Of course you are.

He's all tangled up in your bra strap.

DOUG: I can't believe your mother.

Daddy?

Hey, Deanna Doll.

What are you doing here?

I'm just sitting here wondering

how your mother can be by that man's side

at a time like this.

-It's so good to see you. -Oh, likewise, sis.

And check you out, over here serving looks, too.

-Is that what the kids say? -Uh-huh.

-Wearing the mess out that fit. -[laughs]

-Absolutely stunning. -Aw.

Well, thank God I don't look like

what I've just been through.

Oh, even in your worst days of chemo,

everyone who laid eyes on you was touched by your radiance.

That's right, honey chile.

He is telling you like it T-I is.

Or he's just making deposits that he can cash in on tonight.

[laughter]

Well, we know you look good, but how are you feeling, Anita?

Stronger every day.

Ah, that's what we love to hear.

Well, since you're feeling so strong and whatnot...

SHARON: Why won't you bring your behind

out there onstage with us at DC Jazz Fest?

I would love to help you, Leslie, but...

So help me, Lionel.

Hmm?

You are a man of action, aren't you?

Well, I would certainly like to think so.

Mm, and I can tell that you admire those

who strive to achieve, don't you?

-Certainly. -Yes.

So I am not asking for much.

Only that you use your considerable influence

to help me achieve my dream shouse.

I'm sorry. Your what?

It doesn't look like Mr. Bougie Belleclaire

is taking Mama's bait.

I wouldn't count her out.

You and I both know how persistent your mama can be.

[sighs] Speaking of, do you have any idea

how hard it was for me to leave your apartment,

considering the way I was about to devour you?

[chuckles] No, tell me.

How hard was it?

[laughs]

You're something else, Eva.

What can I say? I get it from my mama.

Feel better?

A splash of cold water helped, but I feel...

I'm feeling sick to my stomach.

You know, I would never say this

to Deanna about her father, but...

I am dreading going through more of Doug's things.

I, uh...

thought you'd gone through that already.

I did. [sighs]

Doug saved some sentimental items specifically for Deanna.

They were always so close.

She left them with me because, oh, she just wasn't ready to...

I'm sure she'll appreciate the memories.

Yeah.

Can't say I enjoy seeing the effect it's having on you.

Well, we both thought it best to wait until she was home

and in a good headspace before looking at them.

You're a good mother, Vanessa.

She's finally starting to feel like herself again, Joey.

I can't get in the way of that.

She's lucky to have you help her through it.

She shouldn't have to grieve him at all.

The way Doug died...

drinking and driving,

my husband did not have to go out like that.

I can't believe how long it's taking for your mother

to get from under Joey's thumb.

I-Is it just me?

[sighs] They can't come up off each other.

But I've been taking your advice, though.

I've managed to convince Mom that I'm okay with them dating

to gain their trust.

That's good.

It's progress, but...

payback's long overdue.

I just need more time to figure out a way

to expose Joey for the monster he really is.

More time?

Sweetheart, it's been a year

since that son of a bitch put me in the ground.

You think that I don't know that?

NOAH: Deanna?

Who you talking to?

Yeah, Mom, I'm already here. I'll see you soon. Bye.

-Sorry, I was on a call. -It used to be when people were

talking to themselves, you called them nuts.

-Now they're just on their phone. -I know, right?

[laughs]: Thanks to these things.

-So what's up with you? -I just grabbed something to eat

and then I was thinking about trying to chill out

with a walk before I head back to the clinic.

This late?

Well, one of the volunteers asked me

to pick up part of their shift tonight, so...

How about you?

Just trying to chill, too.

Not having much luck.

I might have something for that.

It's worth a shot.

All right. Here goes.

Two of the Articulettes are performing at Jazz Fest,

and I got tickets for tomorrow night

if you want to join me.

Um, sounds fun, but I'm not really in the mood

to be around a bunch of people.

Is everything okay?

It's just...

a year since losing my dad.

Keep 'em coming.

It's about Doug.

I want...

I need to do whatever it takes not to end up

in a ditch like my friend.

I'd say the odds of that are going up.

I should get going. Deanna's waiting for me.

You can do this, Vanessa.

You're stronger than you think.

Doesn't feel like it.

Strongest person I know.

Because you've had to be.

That means a lot, coming from you.

I'll see you later.

I'd tell you to give Deanna my best...

Yeah, that-that probably isn't a good idea.

Not just yet.

She's come so far in terms of accepting your place in my life.

I... would hate to cause a setback.

[door opens]

I know this isn't what you want to hear,

but I have not changed my mind.

But why?

I am not ready for the stage, not yet.

That's not a real reason.

And there's more than enough time for us to get ready.

We've performed spectacularly

with far less prep time in the past.

Why don't you use some of that Dupree charm

to help us out here, Vernon?

TRACY: Your powers of persuasion

helped you get reelected into the Senate so many times

that your opponents were inspired

to just start squawking about term limits.

Surely you can cajole your wife into joining us.

I've tried convincing Anita to perform during Jazz Fest,

but her mind is made up.

And it's not gonna change.

I am not gonna fall on my face in front of thousands of people,

not to mention the armchair critics

and couch potato pundits

just waiting to trash me on social media.

You can't be worried about the naysayers and nobodies.

You both know that that has happened to more than

a few of our peers from the good old days.

And I am not gonna be somebody's silly meme.

Anita Williams Dupree,

you have always been such a stubborn perfectionist.

No performance is ever good enough in your eyes.

Tracy's right.

So you may not be at peak performance level.

I know those golden pipes of yours are still

the envy of many a lesser songbird.

And appealing to my vanity is not going to work.

Not this time. Look.

Vernon and I have to meet our grandson at the club,

and don't the two of you have

a performance you should be getting ready for?

That shi-shi-foo-foo club

that y'all love to hold court at can wait.

Sharon, you just don't quit, do you?

Nope. You say your voice ain't up to snuff?

Prove it.

All right.

All right, then.

Let's do the chorus of "Let's Get Closer."

Oh, okay.

Tracy, give us the notes.

Okay.

♪ Babe, babe, babe♪

Three, four.

[harmonizing]: ♪ Baby, let's get closer♪

♪ Closer to me♪

♪ Live out our fantasy♪

♪ No need to keep dreaming and wishing, hoping♪

♪ Baby♪

[voice breaks]: ♪ Let's get closer.♪

[clears throat]

[voice cracks]: ♪ Close--♪

-You see? -TRACY: Well...

Chile, you ain't nowhere near ready.

[laughter]

MARTIN: It's tragic.

Lia went from being a well-respected trauma surgeon,

head of a hospital, to a criminal locked away in a cage.

She seemed so strong to me.

At least after the arrest.

And since then?

In retrospect, sad, I guess.

I can see how falling so far down for a person can make them

desperate enough to want to take matters into their own hands.

But what if she didn't, though?

She didn't what?

Take matters into her own hands.

You don't think Lia's death was a suicide.

You'll be back to normal in no time.

What she said. Ugh.

Cancer-- and the treatment it takes to get rid of it--

takes a toll on the... the body,

the mind, the spirit and the voice.

-Mm-hmm. -I am making some progress,

but I'm not where I want to be, not yet.

TRACY: Well, when you're back to normal,

you'll be belting out the hits better than ever.

Speaking of hits,

before you and Vernon head to dinner,

we need to discuss the EP and

our plan to rerecord the tracks with Barbara's voice.

Great. What are we talking? Timeline?

Reworking the arrangements?

When Sharon and I talked to Devon Winters recently, um,

he brought up a slight problem.

Which is?

You're not gonna like this, but...

Devon said we need permission from Barbara's heir

to use her voice,

which means we need you

to get that hot mess Leslie to play ball.

As awful as it sounds,

I really hope that Lia took her own life.

[breathes deeply]

Because if she didn't...

Finish it. Tell me what you're thinking.

If Jacob's theory is right

and the Impaler was tying up loose ends...

Go on.

Then it was me.

It was me visiting Lia that had her murdered in prison.

I'm such an idiot.

Every day, I walk past your dad's plaque at the clinic.

Don't be ridiculous. You had no way of knowing.

I should have tuned into the fact

that it's been a year since he left you.

Why would you commit the scribblings

on a plaque to memory?

Besides, anyone who knew my dad

has already moved on with their lives.

He's just a distant memory for them.

Just not for me.

Never for me.

They say the first year is the hardest, and that's BS.

Every year is hard, especially anniversaries.

This time last year, people were inundating my family

with emails and text messages

and people stopping me, Donnell and my mom on the street

to tell us how much of an impact he had on their lives.

Wow.

They talked about how he saved their family member,

gave them their quality of life back.

Where are all of those people now, Noah?

Sometimes it feels like I'm the only one still mourning him.

Just 'cause it feels that way doesn't mean it's true.

Except it feels like my mom has already moved on.

And since she's on her way here,

I shouldn't let myself get all worked up.

[breathes deeply]

Thanks for listening.

Hey, I'm always gonna be here for you, okay?

If you change your mind about Jazz Fest, you let me know.

I'll hold on to the tickets, okay?

Mm, that's sweet, but don't count on it.

All right. Bye.

DEANNA: Noah?

Will you wait here with me?

Yeah.

Of course.

I just... I don't want to be alone.

[phone buzzing]

Boss.

Where are you?

At a bar.

Trying to drown these feelings.

Thinking about my best friend who's gone.

[chuckles, sniffles]

He ain't here no more.

All right, have another drink on me,

then get over here.

[sighs]

Hit me again.

[Leslie sighs]

Well, someone seems pleased with herself.

Never underestimate your mama's way with...

[inhales sharply, clears throat]

...words.

-Mama! -LESLIE: What?

-EVA: Sorry. -LESLIE: Sorry for what, girl?

Listen, there is nothing wrong with using

your womanly wiles every now and again.

Okay, well, you are wildin' out with your wiles a bit much.

Well, you got to use what you got, baby girl.

And your mama had Lionel ready to sop me up with a biscuit.

Ugh!

-[laughing, coughing] -Ugh.

I wonder what Marcel would have to say about that.

Who?

Look, what Marcel don't know can't hurt me.

Shouldn't it be "won't hurt him"?

Hush, chile.

All right? Ain't nobody thinking about him.

Okay? Now, what are we gonna have for dessert?

Hmm? Some tiramisu? Cheesecake? What?

Uh... you know what?

I-I... I think we're gonna pass.

Yeah, can't-can't fit anything else up in here,

you know what I mean?

Yeah.

Um, we have some dessert of our own at home.

-Thanks for the invite, Mama. -LESLIE: Mm-hmm.

You're welcome.

Yeah. [chuckles]

LESLIE and EVA: Mwah.

So, where you two running off to so fast?

[clears throat]

[Leslie laughs]

Yas. [chuckles]

Have fun!

[phone buzzing]

Well, if it isn't Anita Mind-Her-Own-Business.

[sighs]

If you are calling to try to get me to change my mind

about rebuilding my dream shouse, save your breath.

I need to see you.

It's about your mother.

Smitty, you are in no way responsible for what happened

to Lia Whitmore, whether it was foul play or not.

But I might be.

You were just doing your job.

Precisely.

What if the Impaler found out that the same reporter

who's doing stories on him is visiting Lia in lockup?

And it's still not your fault.

The way that I've been going about this story, Martin,

I've been so relentless.

That very well could have cost a woman her life.

Look, Jacob is a smart cop,

and you are a brilliant investigative journalist,

but both of you could be wrong on this.

It's much more likely that Lia's overdose

was a suicide than not.

Maybe you're right.

Maybe I am too close to this to have a clear perspective.

And that's because you're a wonderful, kind human being.

And like you said,

you just saw Lia.

And finding out she's no longer with us, it's a blow.

[phone chimes]

It's Granddad.

He and Gran got a visit from the Articulettes,

but they're headed back to the country club.

I can text them and tell them I can't make it.

No, no, no, it's fine.

It's fine. Go see the grands.

They will understand.

I can't leave you like this.

I am fine.

Really. And I could probably use some alone time.

Seriously, go have fun,

and I will be here when you get back.

Are you sure?

I am.

[breathing heavily]

Whoa, cowboy!

[laughs]

I just can't get enough of you.

Okay, babe, the feeling is mutual,

but you promised me slow and sexy tonight.

[both chuckle]

♪ ♪

Okay.

That's more like it, okay?

-Now, where were we? -Mm.

And if you didn't get the memo, I'm setting the pace tonight.

Mwah.

[chuckles]

Your dad...

was so proud of you and Donnell.

He thought you two hung the moon.

I just-- I miss him so much.

Yeah, I know.

I miss him, too.

Mom, how can you say that when you're with Joey?

You all go ahead and get settled.

I'll, uh, wait here for Martin.

Loins fully girded, ladies?

Yeah. You ready for this?

As ready as I'll ever be.

Wow.

Can't imagine why you're all here.

Let me guess.

So your conscience was bothering you

because you never followed through with that meal

that I won fair and square with the Articulettes at WinterFest.

So you're here to make good with Barbara's daughter, right?

This is about Barbara,

but it has nothing to do with WinterFest

or a guilty conscience.

-May we sit down? -Of course.

Please, do.

So what's it all about?

This is about business.

Ooh, now we are speaking my language.

I'm all ears.

Sharon, Tracy and I are planning to go back into the studio

and rerecord some of the songs that Barbara was on.

Okay.

In order to use her voice, we need permission.

Whose permission?

Yours.

Hey. I'm glad you're still up for this.

Where's Gran? You two already have dinner?

Oh, not yet. No, no.

She and the other Articulettes are in the restaurant

meeting with Leslie Thomas.

[chuckles] Did she bring her shield and force field?

No, but, uh...

I think she probably should have.

Run that back by me again.

You heard me the first time.

Did I really?

Because for a minute there, it sounded like you needed me.

You are Barbara's daughter and legal heir

and have the rights to her voice and likeness.

Hmm.

I do, don't I?

Leslie, I may not know you very well,

or at all, for that matter...

And whose fault is that?

Okay, see, here we go. This was a mistake.

-Let's go. -Anita, please.

Uh, we need to deal with this

if we want the world

to hear Barbara's voice again.

Now, you do want that, don't you?

As I was saying, Sharon and I may not know you very well,

but we knew and loved your mother.

Anita did, too, from the day we met her.

So how'd you all meet?

Uh, we've actually never told the full, real story, have we?

TRACY: No. The record label

made us make up some phony polished yarn

about being lead vocalists in rival church choirs

that eventually would come together at school.

But the real deal

was that me, Sharon and Barbara

were best friends.

Blood sisters.

[laughs]: I mean, really.

We pricked our fingers with the thorn of a holly bush leaf,

-rubbed them together and everything. -TRACY: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

And we had lived in the same building in Cabrini-Green.

Anita lived in another building,

so we pretty much grew up together.

The four of us were really close since we were itty-bitty.

Yeah. Anita was in and out for a while,

hanging with new friends.

SHARON: [scoffs] Stuck up,

nose in the air, way too good for the likes of us hood rats.

ANITA: Oh, please. Girl, stop.

I was a hood rat, too.

[laughter]

We weren't as close as we came to be, eventually.

Anyway, walking through Cabrini-Green one day,

all of a sudden we heard somebody sangin'.

I had the window open while I was doing my chores.

I was basically the housekeeper for the family,

and so I needed to do something to make it fun.

I didn't think anybody was paying attention.

Oh, we were paying attention, all right.

And that voice sounded real familiar.

But we weren't surprised when we followed

that amazing sound right up to Anita's apartment,

and we knocked on that door with a vengeance.

-I thought it was the po-po. -[laughter]

But I opened the door and... and Barbara said that she needed

another voice to, uh, fill out the girl group.

Yeah, everybody was starting groups back then,

but we were determined to be the best.

Sounds like, um... [clears throat]

...the four of you were very close friends at one point.

We were sisters.

Well, let's just say...

...that I did give you permission--

and I'm not saying that I will.

But if I did...

...what do I get in exchange?

[laughs]

Here we go.

Uh...

You would get

financial compensation, of course.

A percentage of the proceeds.

And we'd all split it evenly.

And what else?

Wh-What else do you want?

Oh, nothing much.

Just to be in the sound booth during the rerecording.

I think we can do that.

No problem.

Great.

Oh, and a producer credit,

nice and big in the liner notes.

Now I know you've lost your mind.

♪ ♪

Wait.

What is it, baby?

I just need a second.

Okay.

[breathing heavily]

Mmm, don't stop.

Like this?

Yeah.

Like that.

I thought you were coming to terms

with my relationship with Joey.

Some days, like today,

it's harder to accept that you moved on.

You just started up with Joey so fast

after Dad died, Mom, it hurts.

Sweetheart, I wish I could take your pain away.

But you can't, because you can't bring back Dad.

I wish I could.

Maybe I should go through what Dad left for me alone.

No. I am here for you, baby.

Yeah, but I don't want you to be.

[voice breaking]: I'm not trying to push you away,

but I need to do this alone.

Are you sure?

All right.

Uh, if you think that that's what's best, I will...

I do.

[sobs]

My bad, boss.

I shouldn't have snapped on you earlier.

Yeah, it's going around.

Vanessa's all up in her feelings, too.

But she gets a break.

You don't.

So it's time for you to get over it and do your job.

I'm on it.

I got Marco covering Heather.

Well, this isn't about my sister.

I asked you to find out

if Doug had a safe-deposit box somewhere, remember?

Yeah, I do.

Well?

I don't know if he had one or not.

We really didn't talk about that sort of thing, you feel me?

Randy... [chuckles]

...what do I pay you for if I can't rely on you

to complete a simple task?

Doug was my best friend, boss.

Which means you have access.

To offer services.

You could ask Vanessa if she needs any help

closing down an account

or a safe-deposit box at the bank.

That's personal.

Yes, it is.

Which means it would raise all sorts of red flags

if I were to do it.

But with you, it's expected.

Simple.

With all due respect, boss,

you asking me to capitalize on my personal relationships?

Yeah, I don't think that's fair.

You want fair?

You're playing the wrong game, Randy.

All right.

I'm gonna give you a break.

You be all in your feelings tonight, but tomorrow morning,

I want you back here and ready to go to work.

What do you say we hit the squash court

and give Anita and the others

a little time to handle their business?

Granddad, would you mind if we take a rain check?

Still worried about Smitty?

You know me too well.

Well, that can happen when you used to

change a person's diapers.

[both laugh]

Go on home, son. Take care of your husband.

-Thanks for understanding. -Mm-hmm.

Ah.

Well, I take it that, uh, your discussion

reached a positive outcome?

Oh, well, that depends on your wife.

Do me a favor.

Tell Anita not to take too long to consider my proposal.

It won't stay on the table.

-Well, that went well. -I think so.

-Ladies. -Oh, where's Martin?

Did he leave?

I sent him home to see about his husband.

And of course, I ran into Miss Leslie.

She mentioned something about a proposal on the table.

Do I even want to know?

She's holding the rights to Barbara's voice hostage.

And what is she asking for?

To be present in the studio for the rerecording.

And a producer credit.

[Vernon scoffs softly]

What say you, my love?

What say I?

I say hell no.

What's Leslie know about producing?

Anita, it isn't unheard of for people to get credit

for something they aren't well-versed in.

Sis, I'm afraid your ginormous pride

is gonna have to take a back seat,

because we can't do anything without Barbara's voice.

Well, fine.

But if you two force me to negotiate with that woman,

it will not turn out well.

What choice do we have?

Fortunately...

I am married to the consummate diplomat.

EVA: Mmm.

Yummy.

-IZAIAH: Mmm. Well, that's good. -[chuckles]

It almost tastes as good as you.

-Mmm. -[chuckles]

This is way better than

the chocolate banana bread pudding at the club.

Mm-hmm.

Ah, that's facts.

Yeah, no dress code here.

Come as you are.

Again?

[both laughing]

[both moan]

How tough was it?

Impossible.

I just hate to see Deanna still hurting so much.

Uh, well, give her time.

She deserves the space to feel what she feels.

No, I thought she was coming out of the dark.

Sh-She has this new guy she likes.

He was there with her when I arrived.

She seemed happier.

-Ebbs and flows, Vanessa. -[murmurs]

There's no timeline on grief.

I guess I just have to accept that she hasn't moved on

when all I want is to see her thrive.

-She'll come around. You'll see. -Mm-mm.

Not if she's...

It just-- it feels like she's gonna be

stuck in place forever.

♪ ♪

DOUG: Go ahead.

Open it.

What's in there?

It's for you.

But, Dad, I can't.

Don't worry.

I'm right here.

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