Original subtitles

♪ I want you... ♪

♪ Hold me ♪

♪ Feel my body ♪

♪ Kiss me softly ♪

♪ Taste me slowly ♪

♪ I wanna feel it ♪

Come. Okay, S.

Mm.

-I missed you so damn much over break. -Mm, is that so?

-Yes. -Good morning. Good morning.

Yuck!

Get a room.

We're in one, pookie.

My Auntie Pookie did time for disturbing the peace.

This is disturbing my peace.

-Shall I build my case? -Mm.

Don't he got football or something to do?

Rashida, sensitive topic.

-A sensitive topic. -Nah, nah. Look, it's cool. It's all good.

And since I ain't got to worry about being on my A-game for once,

thanks to yo new man...

-He is not my new mans. -Uh-huh, right.

Yet.

I got a comp VIP table at this new club opening tonight courtesy of my boy Durag.

-We could... -Mm, you had me at VIP.

I knew I did.

Okay, even if I was okay with going outside,

how we supposed to get inside?

None of us is 21.

Be worried about what y'all need to be worried about.

Leave the formalities to me.

G, I'm worried about you being in here.

-Candace! Candace! -Come on.

-Rashida, you gonna trip us. -Ooh, ooh, ooh! Get...

Get out!

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ Oh ♪

Chat, it's a new semester,

and your boy's employed now, healing the young minds of Hillman.

Well, mainly booking appointments, but it's essential.

The breaking news, I finally secured my reparations.

Your working-class hero has finally got a single room.

Fit for a king, and even though the bed is a twin, I feel I'm about to show out!

Hi!

-Oh, I missed you! -I missed you too.

-Okay. -What up?

Oh! Ooh!

-This is nice. -Party.

Ooh, silk sheets?

My mom and dad only pull those out around their anniversary.

-Oh. Okay. -Oh.

Well, I mean, safe to say you guys had a better time over break than I did.

My parents had me spending all my time at Elgin Almighty Tabernacle,

but that place has really fallen off.

-Oh yeah. -Really?

Well, it was Smash tournament city over here.

Mir Mir definitely the homie.

-You know what I'm saying? -Mir Mir.

"Mir Mir," I love that.

Class is in session.

Now, do you lot see how her jacket and the denim speak?

I mean, this is cohesion.

-Mm. -You're doing your thing.

-Thank you. -Mm-hm.

-♪ Good love ♪ -♪ Deserves an encore ♪

♪ Deserves an encore ♪

-♪ Your love ♪ -♪ Can't get enough ♪

The hemorrhaging stops when the donors start writing checks.

Oh, I love it when you talk dirty to me.

Speaking of, are you still working

on that big donor angle for later this week?

-Of course, Dwayne. -Yeah.

It's Alpha Delta Rho's chapterversary.

Uh-huh.

The crème de la crème of Black women will be gracing our yard.

Mm.

Not to mention

that I have a pretty big fish on the line for later today.

Come on now. Let's go. Who is it? Tell me, tell me.

I'll wait till it pans out. I don't wanna jinx it.

-I took a red-eye out... -Hey, Ron.

To convince the damn coach to reverse Shaquille's suspension,

only to have my son screening my texts and calls.

Then I discover...

he's been holed up in your daughter's dorm room

since he got back on campus last night.

Ain't no way. After he broke my baby's heart last summer? Nah.

Their little dalliance literally went up in flames.

They would not go back to that.

Maybe they're working on a project.

Oh, they're working on something.

Well, our hard-headed kids bring out the worst in each other.

So I say we shut it down.

Those hotcakes look tasty, Ma.

Tasty, tasty, tasty, tasty, tasty, tasty, tasty.

All right, girl, thank you so much.

Oh boy.

Deborah, you are just glowing.

Is it the job, or is it someone?

Yeah, kid, what's new with you?

What's this? What's going on here, huh?

We're on to you, missy.

You've been spending your precious time with that Shaquille Marlon Johnson.

Uh...

Listen, although you're not on academic probation anymore,

co-ed overnights are a clear violation of dorm rules.

Hell no. Please, no, just stop.

Who snitched?

Know what? After everything I've been through in the last month...

This is just what we're saying, sweetheart.

With your new diagnosis,

you have to find a way to adjust to your new normal.

Now, your father and I, mostly your father,

may have missed the early signs...

Okay, okay, we just wanna help guide you.

First of all,

we don't have to refer to it as my "diagnosis."

I have ADHD.

And yes, it was difficult to grow up undiagnosed,

carrying the burden of some mysterious condition.

But I'm just glad to have an explanation as to why my brain ticks the way it does

and a supportive boyfriend.

Turns out I'm not the screw-up that you always thought I was.

I'm a neurodivergent baddie. I'm an attention-deficit diva.

And I've got it all under control.

So when they say justice was served,

first ask yourself, for whom?

Is it served for 16-year-old trafficking victim Kendra,

prosecuted as an adult for prostitution on a dating app?

Um, what about her abusers?

Sadly, adultification bias plus a legal loophole

means this young sister is the only one behind bars.

Let that sink in.

But Kendra's story won't end here.

I am pursuing action against her exploiters and the platform,

because unchallenged precedents stand.

This will be our case study this semester.

And I could use a research assistant.

So make your case.

-Excuse me, sorry. -Hi, excuse...

-Professor Brooks... -Mm-mm?

This is the job that I wanna do.

Um, how do I apply?

Well, hold your launch, little rocket. Upperclassmen only.

I'm sorry.

Mm, bye!

Hey, Rashida?

Um, how's Deborah doing?

She fine.

Yeah? Okay, cool. I just haven't seen her in a while, so...

She still, uh, studying and whatnot?

Studying?

Studying.

So I heard about the suspension.

Yeah, it's whatever.

Now I got a little more time to wild out, so it's they loss for real.

-Okay. Oh. -I got you, I got you, I got you.

You know, you don't have to do all of that with me. I know it sucks.

Been trying to stay busy, keep my mind off of it,

but I ain't gonna lie, it's been tough.

Mm.

I just need a night to, like, feel something else, you know?

Mm.

Shaquille! I've been calling you.

-All right. Yeah. -Talk to you later.

Come on now, you gotta answer my calls.

Uh, what's up, Pops?

Now listen, son, you know I love Deborah like she was my own.

But you remember what happened the last time y'all tried it?

You were crying all night over being blocked.

-I was not crying. -Oh, you were boo-hooing.

Shed a couple tears, but how do you even know about me and Deborah?

Shouldn't worry about that.

Now I know why your season is down the drain.

What?

Coles is holding firm to his nonsensical decision

to keep you benched for the Celebration Bowl.

I've been busting my behind trying to get right with the team.

Deborah had nothing to do with my problem.

Come on, boy.

I was your age. All those late nights.

Mm? Yeah.

You need to get your mind back in the game.

And as your manager, I need to start making some serious moves.

Hold on. What type of moves we talking about?

Damn.

Exactly. Early psychology helped invent the idea of Black inferiority.

You know, skull measurements, IQ testing.

I mean, just to justify segregation.

Outrageous.

Black psychology flips that script.

Bottom line, when the academy erased us...

Hi.

Yes, Deborah?

Hm?

Oh.

Um, yes, yes. If... If someone were to keep having dreams about... something,

that wouldn't mean anything... ...real, right?

-Girl, what? -Girl, what?

-What the hell's she talking about? -Hm.

Um, I'm afraid that dreams are beyond the scope of today's lesson.

-I'll see y'all next week. -You good?

Deborah, let me talk to you real quick.

-Ooh... -Uh-oh.

Dream girl's gonna have a bit of a nightmare.

Hey.

-Hey. -Uh...

So how are you settling in?

You're adjusting to your accommodations and therapies?

I'm good, cuzzo. I'm sorry I spaced.

Look, I didn't really get much sleep last night.

Well, you know, the first day back from break could be a lot,

especially when boys are on the brain.

Right.

-No. No... -Yeah, it's pretty obvious.

No need to confirm or deny.

-It ain't none of my business. -Well...

Well, I know the timing was off,

but I could still really use your take on dreams.

Dreams? What dreams are you having?

-Okay... -There's my baby girl.

-Mommy! -Auntie Kimmy!

Looking cute!

-Oh! Deborah! -What are you doing here?

You know I'm not gonna miss seeing my daughter

teach her first class at our Alma mater.

-Plus the Alpha Delta Rho chapterversary. -Mm?

-Okay? -Okay?

-Rho-wee! -Rho-wee!

Whitley Gilbert.

Like fine wine.

London Fog, extra hot, extra froth, and just a drizzle of honey.

You remember.

Well, you're not exactly forgettable.

-Thank you for seeing me, Senator. -Mm-hm.

I know you're busy, so I'll get right to it.

I need you to work the Hill to save our dear Alma mater.

I've heard of, uh, Hillman's financial challenges,

and I'm happy to help in any way I can.

-Really? -Mm-hm.

-You mean it, Byron? -I'm as serious as a groom at the altar.

Speaking of which, does your husband know that you came to see me?

I didn't come here to talk about my personal life.

I apologize. But I am glad to hear that you're still happily married.

I'm sure you saw in the press that...

You finalized your divorce.

Number three.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I suppose they were all doomed from the start.

Always compared them to the one who got away.

But let's get down to brass tacks.

Yes, I... I do have some good ideas to run by you.

Okay, good.

Appreciate you.

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Don't need no man, got yo own bands Put up yo hands ♪

-♪ If you a top-notch ♪ -♪ Oh ♪

♪ Let me hear you holler ♪

-♪ Bend it over ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Touch ya toes ♪

♪ Whip it out Show them ♪♪♪♪ ya bankroll ♪

All right, L.S. Rho-wee!

Is this a rave?

We never should have let the millennial sorors plan this.

And I should have never joined this culty cotillion after-party

without my micro dose gummies.

Come on, guys. Focus, ladies. We have not been out in years.

We're not gonna let these infants think they invented fun.

You're right.

And we have a lot to celebrate.

-First and foremost, the award-winning... -Oh.

Heart surgeon, Dr. Kimberly Reese Boyer.

Thank you, thank you.

Uh... Ooh. Oh, oh, oh.

Hey! Oh... Hey, uh-uh.

I am old enough to be your mother.

Back that thing away.

I still got it.

Yes, we do. Thank you, sea moss.

Hey.

♪ Blessings ♪

-You look good. -Thank you.

-Yeah. -Thank you.

♪ Yet she out here dancing Like she from a different world ♪

When did you start slinging drinks, stranger?

Since the department cut some of my classes,

but in the words of Dr. King, I have a dream... to get paid.

I have never been more uncertain of my future at Hillman.

They'd be fools to let a light like you slip away.

Mm...

Um, who is this, uh, handsome, muscular specimen of a man?

-Oh, he's my professorial colleague. -Thank you.

He asked me to dinner once, but I turned him down.

-Mm. -I just... I can't get past the age gap.

I can see why.

You never wanna be the December

in a May-December relationship, Freddie-la.

Freddie, all I see is a grown man

that's not afraid to go after what he wants.

Well, since we're putting everything on the vermilion table, I'll go next.

-Okay, okay. -I've reconnected with Byron.

Dang, dang, dang, dang, dang, dang!

A French 75, extra splash of lemon.

-Yes. -Gotcha.

Bye.

We don't have long. I don't know what to do.

I'm having sex dreams about Ellington.

It's like I'm fantasizing about him everywhere.

The big soft lips, the hot brown sugar bedroom eyes.

-Deborah! Infidelity is a bad sin! -Yes, hello?

Okay.

Well, it was strictly professional at first, and then he started to flirt.

And I felt... good.

Dwayne hasn't given me that kind of attention in months.

Are you saying you want that old thang back?

Is that why you were acting so weird in Black psych?

Ooh, I knew I peeped tea when he asked about you after class.

-He asked about me? -Yeah.

What did he say? Come on, spill.

Okay, girl, take it from a girl with two men after her,

choose one and avoid the drama.

Mm.

Jalen fits in perfectly.

I'm so glad God sent me my king already. Oh!

Whitley,

opening up the door to Byron means opening up the door to leaving Dwayne.

You're actually considering this?

No, no, no. I... I mean, I do... I don't know.

I just need this to end, y'all.

Uh, I am so happy with Shaquille. I don't wanna screw all this up.

It's okay.

-You better be taking out a PowerPoint. -I know that's not a computer.

Uh, my econ assignment is due at 11:59.

-Work-life balance, besties. -Well, you know, she's a scholar.

-I'll give it to her. -What can we say?

-Oh my God! Oh my God! -Uh, what?

I've been selected as an official finalist for Miss Gilbert Hall!

Oh my God!

Girl, we gotta dance! No, we have to...

Oh, later. I gotta finish this.

-Can we... Can I... -Yeah, go ahead.

There you go.

Yeah, that's me.

Hey, y'all ain't up to dress code, man.

-What? -Uh...

Y'all gotta bounce. Respectfully.

-I get it. -Yeah?

I... I can see you a man about your business.

I... You know, I used to own a nightclub.

Um, perhaps these two C-notes might help smooth things over.

Man, code is code. And your slacks, bruh?

Ah, your slacks have said enough.

♪ All I see is dollar signs I don't see these ♪♪♪♪♪♪♪

♪ I don't see these ♪♪♪♪♪♪♪

♪ That ♪♪♪♪♪ fallin' off the bone Bae, it's tendernism ♪

♪ Money talks, ♪♪♪♪♪ hatin' I know how to kill him ♪

♪ Too many Ben Franks on me I just gotta spin 'em ♪

♪ Lil' ♪♪ blowin' up my phone Like she need a ♪♪♪♪♪♪

Oh, so man is invisible now, yeah? Can't even chat to me?

Rashida has left the chat.

Do you take me for a proper mug?

What are you really trying to do throwing this man in my face?

Don't act brand-new. You were out at every Hillman party over break.

-You think I didn't see your stories? -What are you on?

Rashida, I was grafting for the spring fashion show.

Only reason I went out

is to keep my mind off you.

Excuse me.

♪ The Tesla drive itself Ain't even gotta drive it ♪

♪ I lay back, she give me ♪♪♪♪ While it's on autopilot ♪

-Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Ah, ah. -Ooh, it's a cousin cameo in the club!

-You know what? I love this for us. -Yeah.

The aunties are hovering.

-If I was you, I'd dip. -Yeah, good looks, cuzzo.

-All right, baby. -I'll catch you later.

Hey, babe.

Baby, you all right?

-Uh... We got a problem. -What you looking at?

-What's going on? -We got a... Come on. Come on. We gotta...

Yeah.

Deborah, you have the nerve to lather a guilt trip on us

while you continue to make these... these calamitous choices.

Shaquille, you're underage, son.

How many times are we gonna have the same conversation

about how damaging an arrest or even a citation is for you?

Everything we've worked for, it goes away.

-After that disastrous fire last summer... -Oh.

Oh, here we go. Please.

Tired of hearing about this.

It proves the two of you are bad influences on each other.

And nothing has changed.

Oh come on, guys.

You guys were young, dumb, and in love once too.

And some of you guys are still dumb.

Truly, give peace a chance, man.

This barely registers compared to the nonsense you used to pull.

-Come on. -They are good kids.

Yeah. Yep.

Look, kid, I'm choosing to trust you

because that's the only way it's gonna work out.

-Do you trust me? -You not listening?

No, seriously, 'cause this feels like gaslighting.

You know, I may not be old enough for the club,

but I'm definitely old enough to decide who I wanna be with, and that's Shaquille.

Worry about your own messy relationship.

Hm.

-Oh. -That mouth.

That's your daughter. Come on.

I would never talk to my parents like that.

I wanted one night to forget about how I messed up my freshman season.

Do you think I need you telling me about my future?

Yeah, you do.

As a matter of fact, I think it's time to get you in the transfer portal.

What are you talking about? You can't put me in the transfer portal.

That's my decision to make.

Looking out for your best interests is my job.

But I never even hired you.

One day you just woke up and said that you was my manager, and I let it happen.

-Boy, be careful. -And now you got me looking like a liar.

I specifically told Coach Coles

that I wasn't gonna enter the transfer portal.

You think that's in my best interest?

You know what?

It's time I take back control.

You're fired.

Yo, Mir Mir.

Yo, your boy's got a hangover, so Smash Bros. is the only cure.

Uh, bet. Let me get myself out this bed.

Nah, nah, nah, no worries.

I'mma grab some Pedialyte, and I'mma slide to yours.

It's just my roommate keep blasting Kirk Franklin.

Uh, all right, bro.

All right, bro.

About to get you to work.

-All right, peace. -Peace.

Okay, pause?

Let's pick this up again next week before the blood moon.

Hey, hey, hey, move slow.

A lot of powerful energy in this room.

-Excuse me. -Namaste.

Oh.

What is this?

My application for the research assistant position, Professor.

Rashida, you are a couple of years too early and several credits shy

to apply for this position, but I love the hunger.

Well, I pulled the relevant briefs from similar U.S. cases.

Purple tabs mark the winners.

My home state, California,

holds one of the highest trafficking rates in the U.S.

It's an epidemic, and it's personal for me.

Relentless.

And well-studied.

And clearly indestructible,

'cause I could never knock this out after a night at the club.

Ow.

Relax, little renegade.

You're gonna make a great assistant on my case.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Oh, thank... thank... thank you. Thank you. Uh, you can keep this.

-Don't slam the door. -Yes!

Oh!

Yes. God, thank you for coming.

Things went left last night. I'm...

I'm sorry.

I just could really use your guidance right now.

I've been waiting 18 years to hear those words.

Don't ruin it.

-Okay. -So, um...

Obviously, you know I'm dating Shaquille, right?

-Yes. -Yes.

I kissed somebody else.

Oh, sweetheart.

Yeah. He... He really kissed me.

He really kissed me, but I didn't exactly stop it.

And it made me feel things, and now I'm dreaming about him.

-Before I got with your father... -Mm-hm.

-We shared a dance at a party... -Mm-hm.

And just like that, I had dreams.

-Lovemaking dreams. -Oh my God.

-About him. -Oh my God.

-In the evening, the day, in the shower. -Oh my God. Oh my God.

Okay, okay, okay. Okay. Wait, oh my God.

Please, no. It's not just about the kiss.

The day that we met,

I felt some things.

-Mm. -Now it's like I don't...

Ellington, Shaquille...

-I don't know what I want. -You don't know what you want.

I understand. I have been there.

When I was at Hillman,

I had, uh, several entanglements, not just with your father.

-With who? -It's not important.

But over time...

I have learned that honesty

is the best way for me to sort my feelings.

So you're telling me I should

tell Shaquille about Ellington?

Well, if you want to be with Ron Johnson's son, yes.

But I do love the name Ellington.

-It's so elegant. -I know. Me too.

-Where's his family from? -I don't know.

Um...

So you're telling me I'm not a terrible person?

-No. -No?

-You're a Gilbert woman. -Ooh.

-It's a blessing. -Ooh.

-And a curse. -Ooh.

It's not our fault everybody wants us.

Hug? Hug.

-My baby girl. -Thank you.

God. Jesus.

Yes.

What... Uh...

Senator.

Uh, to what do I owe the pleasure?

I was in the neighborhood. Thought I'd drop in and offer my support.

What support is that?

You know, um,

Whitley came to see me.

She told me all about the mess you've gotten yourself into here,

and it would be a shame if you were the one

to bring our great institution to its knees after more than a century.

Whitley wouldn't turn to you. She actually turned away from you.

Hm.

But she did, Dwayne.

She did.

Apparently, she needed a powerful man.

Which is why she married me.

Yeah.

You can get the fuck out of my office, Byron.

You never should be too proud to ask for help.

But if memory serves,

you're not above begging.

"Baby, please."

"Please."

Damn. He got me on that one.

-Shaquille? -Yeah?

What's up?

I don't know how to tell you this...

But before break,

Ellington and I...

♪ I ain't stickin' 'round no more ♪

He kissed me.

♪ I seen you with the girl at the party ♪

♪ Oh ♪

What?

♪ You think I'm just gon' stand on by And watch you waste my time? ♪

-♪ Boy, I am way too fine ♪ -♪ So I'm out ♪

Great news, Dwayne!

One of my sorors just cut a massive donation check.

I spoke to Byron.

What you mean he kissed you?

Okay. Okay, wait. Hey, relax.

-What... -It only happened once.

What the hell you mean relax?

-We kissed. -You telling me you kissed dude?

After you said in my face

and you gas lit me every time I asked you about him.

Do... Nah, don't... Don't touch me right now, bruh.

I blew up my relationship with my pops over you, Deborah.

What are you talking about?

-I... I never asked you to do that. -You never had to.

You don't get it, do you?

I chose you.

I chose... I choose you too.

You don't choose shit.

How the hell could you not see the betrayal?

We were running out of options.

And you didn't stop for one moment to think about why he took your call?

-What? -No? Yeah.

You left him at the altar for me.

This.

This is why I didn't want to rush things with you.

It is always the fight, defend, explode.

-You don't listen. -Well, I'm damn sure listening right now.

You're not.

And I'm...

I'm done trying to make you.

I'm cool off this shit.

Leave.

♪ I guess I'm unloyal, baby ♪

♪ Mm-mm ♪

He's not here to help us.

No, Dwayne. He said that he was gonna do...

Come on, your big fish is big bullshit, Whitley.

Thank you, but no, thank you. I don't need your help.

♪ Tell me how a grown man so childish ♪

♪ Always in Kevin Samuels' comments ♪

♪ You think I'm just gon' stand on by And watch you waste my time? ♪

-♪ Boy, I am too damn fine ♪ -♪ Damn fine ♪

♪ Baby ♪

I'm happy you came through last night.

Touchdown.

♪ I seen you with the girl at the party ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ You think I'm just gon' stand on by ♪

Shit.

♪ And watch you waste my time? ♪

Fuck.

♪ I guess I'm unloyal, baby ♪

♪ Mm-mm ♪

-♪ I guess I'm untrue ♪ -♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ I guess I'm unloyal, baby ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ We'll call it what you want ♪

-♪ I guess I'm unloyal, baby ♪ -♪ Baby, baby ♪

♪ I guess I'm untrue, oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

-♪ I guess I'm unloyal, baby ♪ -♪ Baby, baby ♪

♪ Oh, oh, so call me what you want ♪

♪ You think that I need you? Boy, you funny ♪

♪ Got my own money ♪

♪ So I'mma show you ♪

♪ Ayy, you swear that I'll be lonely ♪

♪ I guess you don't know me ♪

♪ Guess you don't know ♪

♪ I said you can come And pick up your ♪♪♪♪♪

♪ No ♪

♪ Actin' like you payin' for ♪♪♪♪♪

♪ Broke ♪

♪ With your Bow Wow durag ♪

♪ Outside... ♪