Original subtitles

[clears throat]

You know?

Mm, mm, mm, mm.

You-you can't be serious right now, Uncle Ted.

A bus full of men

with liquor and loud music is not...

An experience that the fellas will remember for a lifetime.

Mm. Including Shanice's brothers.

[stammers]

Man, I swear, you have to be the only groom in history

who's lobbying against his own bachelor party.

My parameters have not changed.

Keep it low-key and local.

Yeah, so Martin and Smitty can make it. I know.

Well, that's the hope.

But asking Martin, with so much on his plate,

to hop on a plane and act like he's in a good mood

while he's fighting for his husband's freedom?

Yeah.

Do you think Smitty's actually gonna be able to make it?

Maybe.

If he's not already behind bars.

[phone chimes]

[phone buzzing]

Martin.

Hey. Naomi and I made it.

We're at the neighborhood in Cabo.

And Manuela?

We're working the building. One door at a time.

Smitty, look... [sighs]

I'm not leaving here empty-handed.

Even if I have to knock on every door in Cabo.

-You can't promise me that. -I just did.

Love you. Talk soon.

It's another dead end.

That woman said she's never heard of Manuela or Max

or anyone connected to them.

Well, somebody here knows something.

NAOMI: Hi. Good morning.

Um, are you Manuela Rodriguez?

Who's asking?

We're looking for Manuela's cousin Max.

I don't know where Max is.

♪ ♪

So, has our caged bird been tempted to sing?

[laughs softly] Why? You're worried?

Well, a word from her in the wrong ear

could force someone to look into it.

Well, then, it's a good thing

the Fairmont Crest boogeyman is on the force.

Still can't stop a case from working its way up the chain.

Besides, I got my thing with Leslie.

I would hate for loose lips to ruin that.

Never mention yourself, Leslie and lips

in the same sentence ever again.

And don't worry about it.

Hayley has bigger concerns.

Bigger than staying aboveground?

She's pregnant.

Whoa.

-Hamilton's? -According to her.

Lord have mercy on that child.

Randy tells me she's thinking of skipping town.

That wouldn't benefit Randy.

Wouldn't benefit either of them.

I take it you made that clear.

I did. Randy understood.

Hayley got a more personal message.

She heed the warning?

Jury's out.

Hey, bestie.

Hi, Leslie.

Why are you looking at me like you want to stab me

with that fork?

Arm's still sore from the last time we saw each other.

Oh, when you were flirting with my daughter's man, you mean?

Izaiah and I were simply having a conversation.

Girl, please.

I know flirting. I invented it--

at least several styles of it-- myself.

But we don't need to rehash.

So, water under the bridge.

Good.

Now, tell me about this baby.

Is it a boy?

Is it a girl?

I mean, what have we always been hoping for?

Calm down, okay? We didn't get that far.

Okay, you did have an ultrasound, right?

-Yes. -Okay, so did the proud papa at least show up?

Yeah.

Bill was there, but

he was anything but proud.

Hey, Dad, we need your help with a legal matter.

And I need your help, too...

...with a more private matter.

Are you serious? He trashed the place?

A full grown-man temper tantrum.

The DNA results.

He's the father, isn't he?

Bill has many flaws,

but no matter what he was dealing with,

he always made the girls feel like he had it handled.

They never had to worry about him.

And this time, he didn't.

Chelsea's never seen him like that.

And you have?

Once.

When his mother died.

I haven't heard a lot of stories about her.

Well, he doesn't like to talk about her.

But the night it happened, I came home

and I found him

sitting in the middle of the floor,

crying so hard he could barely catch his breath.

I just stood there, Nicole, totally stunned.

Oh, Sissy.

Once I shook off the shock,

I got right down there on the floor with him,

held him and loved him through it

to the best of my ability.

Was that your first instinct here, too?

My first thought was to make sure the girls were okay,

and my second thought was to talk to my husband.

And how did Andre react?

You know, I fully expected him to tell me

that I should stay out of it,

to remind me that this is my ex-husband

and that his circus no longer belongs in my tent.

Well, given everything that has happened,

that would be a reasonable reaction.

I thought so, too.

So, you'd imagine my surprise

when Andre encouraged me to check in on Bill.

So, Andre wanted you to check up on Bill?

He did.

-And have you? -No.

It still feels disloyal.

I now know how...

how Andre gets when I'm swept away

in Bill's emotional tsunami.

I am putting my husband first this time.

I have to say, I am proud of you.

The fact that you're sitting here

considering Andre's feelings instead of...

Galloping off to Bill on my white horse?

I was going to say "reacting," but yes.

That is a major step.

Can I ask your professional opinion?

Now, that is unusual, but of course.

What does Bill really need?

And do you think I can give it to him

without getting dragged back in his orbit?

And the company was selling ChelseaKat fakes.

Hmm. And you found this out how?

Shanice. She saw the bags when she and my dad were in New York.

They were shopping on Fifth Avenue.

She sent us a picture of the knockoff,

and it was a bad one.

The stitching was all off.

Most people bring back souvenirs from vacation.

Shanice brought back receipts.

Naomi tracked down the company

and was preparing a cease and desist letter.

We wanted to circle back with her later.

Well, Naomi's clearly not here, honey.

I know that, Dad. She's in Mexico.

Mexico? Oh, good for her.

She and Jacob have been putting off that trip long enough.

Well, Naomi didn't go with Jacob.

She went with Martin.

So, this has something to do with Smitty's case.

Isn't that a little dangerous for both of them?

You know how Naomi is.

It's not like she discussed it with us first.

Okay.

All right, well, look, give me everything you can

on the knockoff company.

We'll handle it here.

-Thanks, Dad. -And while you're handling that,

I need a moment with my boyfriend.

What are you doing?

You know, I can put a couple of guys on Hayley.

Just say the word.

No need. She's being watched.

And...

...that other matter?

What about it?

I take it you're making headway.

You'll have what you need when the time comes.

Then I'll keep doing what I'm doing until then.

Discretion, my friend.

Discretion.

Wait, wait, wait.

What? We're burning daylight.

We need to keep it moving.

One of these doors is surely the one we're looking for.

What if we already found it?

You think that's Manuela?

Well, she said she didn't know where Max is.

Not that she didn't know him. So, possibly.

Ma'am, please.

My name is Martin Richardson.

I'm a U.S. congressman.

My husband Bradley Smith is being framed for murder,

and Max might be the only person that can clear his name.

We know you can hear us.

Please, if you could just open the door a-and talk to us?

No, wait, stop, stop, stop. You might scare her.

Leave, or I'll call the police.

She's bluffing. She's not gonna call anyone.

Okay, Martin? You have got to calm down.

No. In Mexico, police struggle with resources

each and every day,

and I'm sure they're busy with more important things anyway.

Even more reason for Manuela

to be hypervigilant, don't you think?

Especially if she knows they're not gonna come right away.

Look, I'm just trying to save my husband here.

And I'm trying to win this case for your husband.

But we are not at the Hill right now.

You can't just bulldoze your way through people.

That's not what I'm trying to do.

Okay.

Just think about the optics.

She is a woman with two strangers at her door,

and she's scared.

Then what do you suggest, Counselor?

Your job is talking and connecting to people.

That's why you got reelected.

Try using those skills.

MAX: Tranquila. Yo hablo con ellos.

You hear that? It sounds like a man's voice.

Yeah, I did.

Well, what did he say?

Your Spanish is better than mine.

Uh, it sounded like "hablo con ellos."

"I-I can talk to them."

Could that be Max?

What Bill really needs right now is time and patience.

A safe space to be able to speak his truth

without somebody taking it personally

or making him feel like he's being judged.

And you don't think I can do that?

I don't think anybody emotionally attached to him--

you, Chelsea, Naomi-- you're not gonna be able

to give him what he actually needs.

-We all love him. -Yes, but you're also angry

and disappointed and scared.

Bringing all of those feelings into a room

with a man who already doesn't know what to do with his own?

Here. I can refer a therapist.

Well, I don't know, Nicole.

I-I have to think about that.

I know that Bill might not be receptive.

He's not exactly the therapist type.

Most Black men aren't.

Bill grew up in a generation

where they raised their sons to be men,

but not to be comfortable with their own feelings.

This is a colleague friend of mine.

He is a Black man.

He speaks Bill's language,

and he has been a therapist for decades.

And this Franklin Sherman, is he any good?

He's exceptional.

Thank you.

Still, I don't know if I should be the one

to pass this along to Bill.

Trust yourself.

And that you and Andre's connection

is strong enough to keep you grounded.

You are not the same woman

who used to get lost in Bill's pull.

For all of our sakes...

...I hope so.

Kat, baby, I want to, but...

we can't do this here.

[sighs] Fine.

Where do you want to go?

[laughs softly] Back inside? Back to work.

That is the least sexy answer in all of human history.

How about a long lunch?

Kat. I-I can't.

It's been so long, Tomas.

We need this. I need this.

Baby, I know, but not now.

You remember what we mapped out?

The fast track to senior partner?

I have to make sacrifices now for what comes later for us.

BILL: Okay, thank you.

I just put an associate on it.

The cease and desist letter will go out today.

Thank you.

Because those knockoffs look like somebody made them

in a power outage.

I don't want anyone associating ChelseaKat with that.

Well, we're on it.

And now that your brand is protected,

maybe it's time to think about a change.

What kind of change?

Well, you're... [exhales]

...you're splitting your legal needs between two firms:

mine, Naomi's.

You know, that leaves gaps.

Things fall through. Letters get delayed.

Because Naomi left the country,

not because of some structural flaw.

Work with us, exclusively.

You want me to fire my sister?

[both laugh]

No. No, I want you to be honest

about why you brought a legal matter here

that your sister already had well in hand.

I wanted to lay eyes on you, okay?

When I walked in on you like that in the middle of...

-I had never seen you like that. -I know.

I know.

And I'm sorry I worried you, sweetheart.

You know? And thanks for the check-in,

but your old man's fine now.

You know, it's just a... a moment in time.

You know? One that I don't ever plan on repeating.

You promise?

I promise.

[door opens]

KAT: All good?

All good.

All right, then let's bounce.

I got to get out of here.

-I love you, Dad. -Love you more.

[chuckles] Mwah.

Girl, that studio was something else.

It's like all of them with their voices blending,

and then they brought in my mama's vocals,

and suddenly, she was there.

Making music again.

Sounds nice.

Girl. "Nice" is a vanilla-scented candle.

This was sacred.

Majestic, even.

And Anita felt it, too.

That is why...

she gave me this.

I know you are not carrying around

a framed picture in your purse.

Yeah, and I'm gonna scan it

and put it on my phone, eventually,

but for now, I just like holding it in my hands.

Mm, makes me feel close.

[laughs softly]

You don't remember her?

No.

But her voice felt like that missing piece...

...that reached across time and space to touch my soul.

Hmm.

It's true that the mother...

...and the bond between child is forever.

You're gonna feel that, too, soon enough.

What's with the eye roll, girl?

Are you having second thoughts about this baby?

I don't give it no thoughts.

I don't want to be a mother. [scoffs]

I've been where you are.

Doubt it.

Got the impression you wanted Eva.

Oh, I did.

No offense, but we're not in the same zip code.

Okay, let me finish.

Yes, I wanted my baby,

and I told Ted, thinking he'd actually stand up,

but instead, he folded like a damn lawn chair

and went running straight to Nikki.

She was pregnant, too.

The whole town's heard this story by now, girl.

Okay, well, then, listen up, heifer,

'cause you're gonna hear it again.

I was left

facing life as a single mother.

With a-a man who didn't even want to claim his own baby.

Sounds familiar.

I didn't know what my future looked like, Hayley.

I was scared.

I was scared as hell.

And on top of it, that raggedy...

[grunts] ...ex of yours,

[scoffs] Do you know he was threatening to snatch my baby

just because I was gonna have her?

Oh. Did you... ever consider other options?

No.

[scoffs]

I loved Eva.

She was conceived with love.

And I mean, she's the best part of Ted and me.

Before the worst parts took over.

Hmm. She was an innocent soul who represented hope.

Hope for what?

That Ted would eventually come around,

and yes, he finally did.

And would I have loved for him to be a part of Eva's life

from the start?

Absolutely.

Would it have made life easier for me?

Oh. Lord, yes.

But...

I wouldn't trade in that experience

of being a mother for the world.

You make it sound like a cult with diapers.

[laughs softly]

Girl, that's why Auntie Leslie is here to help you

and guide you through every step of the way.

Now...

let's go through baby names.

Um, I-I just remembered

that I-I have to be...

somewhere else.

-[sighs] -Oh.

Slow down, gym shoe.

-Ooh. -Hey.

Your best friend looked a little green around the gills.

Ah, always with the fisherman talk.

[chuckles] Well, baby, she is pregnant,

so she probably got morning sickness.

Hmm.

Thought it might have been me.

-Hi, Mom. -Hi, Nicole.

-Hey, sweetie. -Hi.

Hey, sweet niece-of-mine.

How's your father?

Well, he's swearing that the whole wrecking crew situation

was a one-time thing, but coming from him,

that either means he's furious, humiliated

or a few bad thoughts away from it happening again.

So, you can't get a read on him.

Okay. I need to go.

-All right. See you, sweetheart. -Okay.

Well, you seem to be in a mood.

-What happened? -KAT: Nothing.

-I'm fine. -She's not.

Tomas decided that his legal briefs

were more important than her lacey ones.

Are you and Tomas having issues again?

No offense, Mom, but the last thing I want to do

is debrief my sex life...

...or lack thereof with you. Gross.

Okay, so, a resort that does outdoor golf in December,

and just in case Mother Nature acts up,

they have simulators.

Yeah? Well, hey, best of both worlds.

-Book it. -Let's do it.

All right, um...

Next up, we have to pick a date.

-Mm-hmm. -Pick a weekend. Um...

So, we're staring down Christmas and family obligations.

Uh, holiday fundraisers. Do you have a preference?

Mm, we better check with my son and Smitty.

We wouldn't want to book a date

-that doesn't work for them. -On it.

[clears throat]

SMITTY [over phone]: Andre. Hey, what's up?

Hey, Smitty. Uh, got Ted here.

Hey, Smitty. How you holding up?

I'm fine. I'm trying to stay busy

and keep my mind off of things.

Look, we're trying to, uh...

book a date for the bachelor party.

We know you got a lot on your plate,

but we want to come up

with something that works for everyone.

ANDRE: Right, right. And you and Martin are nonnegotiable.

It wouldn't feel right without both of you being in the mix...

-That's right. -...so text me some dates.

I appreciate that,

but I don't really know Martin's schedule right now.

I might have to wait for him to get back in from out of town.

Oh. Did he go out of town for work?

Martin's in Cabo right now with Naomi.

Cabo?

Yeah, they're following a lead for my case.

I don't really want to say anything else right now

over the phone, but it could be something,

could be another disappointment.

Only time will tell.

Yeah. Hey, don't worry about the party logistics right now.

Yeah, your case takes precedence.

We'll work around you and Martin.

Thanks, guys.

Martin's not around.

I was hoping to congratulate him on his victory.

Yeah, well, you can send him an email

and somebody from his campaign staff will make sure he gets it.

You know, I came across some intel earlier.

I've been trying to decide what to do with it.

What does that have to do with me?

I'd like to talk to you about the Impaler.

MAX: Dijeron que Bradley Smith los mandó.

MANUELA: Cualquiera puede decir un nombre.

MAX: No. Smitty no mandaría a cualquiera.

Él sabe lo que está en juego.

Okay. Thank you.

Hey.

My investigator confirmed it.

We're in the right building.

There's a man in there.

-What's he saying? -Something about Smitty.

MANUELA: ¿Y si es una trampa?

MAX: Entonces ya estamos atrapados.

MANUELA: Aquí estás seguro, primo.

Nadie lo sabe.

MAX: Alguien tiene que saberlo,

o no estarían afuera de la puerta.

MANUELA: Más razón para no abrirla.

"Primo"means "cousin," right?

Yeah.

MAX: Get inside. Now.

You're being followed.

-I'll check it out. -No.

No, if someone's following us...

Then opening that door gives them exactly what they want:

a clear shot.

All right? These guys mean business.

You can't.

But we were careful.

We didn't see anyone tailing us.

Look, you shouldn't be here.

We had no choice.

Smitty is facing prison for something he didn't do.

Well, so am I, as an accessory to murder.

Well, we can combat that.

Yeah, I know, with the doctored video.

Look, I never gave Smitty those pills, all right?

So whatever's on that is not what happened.

Tell it to the court.

It'll clear your name and Smitty's.

No, no, no. I am not going back to D.C.

or the States, all right?

Hell, I barely escaped with my life.

You don't have to appear in person. Okay, Max?

A remote video testimony is an option.

And I can petition to admit your testimony

without your name being publicly disclosed.

Look, I left witness protection

because I didn't believe that they could keep me safe.

And that was the federal government.

So what makes you think that the court is gonna be any different?

-Uh, we can control what... -No, you can't.

Trust me.

The Impaler has eyes and ears everywhere.

You want to talk to me about the Impaler?

That's what I said.

Figured you and your contemporaries

have a chat for that.

Maybe a convention you all go to?

Shady Characters Anonymous, something like that.

[laughs softly]

You're under a lot of stress.

I'm gonna give you some leeway

in how you choose to speak to me.

This time.

Now, has he been in touch since the election?

Made any more threats?

Hasn't he done enough?

I'm still being framed for murder.

My name, my reputation, my family,

all dragged through the mud.

My kids had to see me as a punchline on social media.

Martin nearly lost his reelection because of me.

I saw.

The Impaler's operation's still going strong.

People are dying, suffering,

all because this malignant narcissist

likes to play mind games.

Well, at least you're still breathing.

Many who crossed the Impaler weren't so lucky.

You call this luck?

Excuse me.

Martin and Naomi fly to Mexico,

and I'm finding out after the fact.

With my own son?

It sounds like last-minute.

You know, maybe they didn't want to raise anyone's hopes

-if the tip didn't pan out. -[sighs]

You know, you and Dani have seemed to have figured out

how to talk through family issues, and I envy that.

Yeah.

It takes work, and it's not always easy.

Yeah, I heard. About Bill.

The paternity test.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Your boy did not take it well.

He trashed his place.

Chelsea walked in on the aftermath.

-Damn. -Yeah.

And she was rattled.

She went straight to Dani.

And let me guess, Dani ran straight to Bill?

Nah.

-Nah, not this time. -Hmm.

But I-I did tell her that she should.

You told your wife to go to her ex-husband after all that?

I know, but she was worried that her girls

weren't equipped with the emotional support Bill needs.

She probably was right.

That is not your problem or your priority.

I know. I-It's hard to explain.

You know, she did the same for me, though.

Is she over there with him right now?

No, she is not.

I know you told me I should see him, but I couldn't.

Not until I make sure you really want me to go.

I do. I meant every word, baby.

I don't want anything to come between us, Andre.

Neither do I. Look, this is different.

You know what?

I'm gonna give you guys some privacy.

-Thanks, Ted. -Yeah.

Look, babe.

When my parents died, Uncle Ted and Nicole,

they showed up for me,

and they didn't ask whether it was, it was time for it.

They just came.

Bill is the father of your children.

And yeah, I can't stand the sight of the man,

but he's hurting,

and I know what that's like.

You're probably the only one able to reach him.

I love you so much.

-[knock on door] -Come in.

What the hell are you doing here?

You've got some nerve, Hayley.

And you've got some mouth for someone

still crawling up Bill's backside.

Look, Tomas...

give us the room.

Make it quick or you'll be escorted out.

You got the results, didn't you?

Unfortunately.

So then you know it's not for show.

It doesn't matter.

I still don't plan on being a father to the baby.

And word has it, you don't even want to be the mother.

Naomi. What did she tell you?

The truth.

Are you saying she's lying?

I was hurt.

You were trying to cut ties with your own child

before you even knew it was yours.

Hey, whoa, whoa. Hands where I can see them.

It's the ultrasound, Bill.

Look at it.

This baby is the best parts of us

before the worst took over.

An innocent soul. One that represents hope.

Hope that I can be forgiven.

Look, you may hate me now, but we were in love...

Stop.

If some parts of me didn't love you,

I-I wouldn't have kept my vows.

That has to mean something.

Okay, look, I...

I just want our baby to feel protected.

Like how I felt protected when we first got together.

Don't you want that, too?

You'll get court-ordered child support

and not a penny more.

-But you don't want... -But nothing. Tomas.

Would you please escort Miss...

whatever she's going by out of the building?

TOMAS: Gladly.

Don't you dare.

Taking out the trash?

And why would you think that Hayley left because of you?

Well, it wouldn't be the first time.

My ex-wife's friend Darlene...

...she made her feelings about me quite known.

Please, Darlene walks around

with a permanent look of disgust.

Hayley ever ask you anything about me?

[scoffs]

Hayley knows better than to talk smack about my man,

and I put her on notice a long time ago.

I said, "Miss Thing,

"Marcel is my boo,

"and you better not even think

about taking a ride on that magic mustache."

So, I'm thinking we push the launch to January.

Do you know how long it's been?

-What? -Sex, Chels.

Sex. I feel like my body's turning into a virgin again.

Okay, well, that's not at all how it works. Once...

Kat. Chelsea.

What are we talking about?

A super-secret ChelseaKat holiday plan.

-It's very hush-hush. -Yes.

Oh. Uh, quick interruption?

-Sure, Dad. Sit. Talk. -Oh, yeah.

Yeah, I had to come by for my, uh, maple cinnamon latte.

Spotted you guys.

I wanted to thank you for helping Eva

finalize the wedding menu.

Yeah, well, Eva's ideas weren't that tragic, so...

Yeah, I heard, uh, Bill's having a rough go of it.

I'll reach out later, see if he wants to

grab a drink, you know?

Yeah, that would be great.

The less time my dad spends alone

in that big, empty house, the better.

TED: Mm.

Expecting Freddy Krueger?

You make jokes with all your house calls?

Only when my patients look paler than they already are.

I'm fine. Really.

Martin says you rub your neck when you're stressed.

You don't miss anything, do you?

Fine, yes, I'm spiraling a little bit. I...

If they don't find Max, I don't know what I'm gonna do.

Right now, we sit.

How's the search going in Cabo?

They have been canvassing all morning,

but Martin hasn't checked in, so honestly, I don't know.

August 24, 3:53 p.m.

If you can prove you were anywhere else at that time,

the state's evidence falls apart.

We need a footprint, like a receipt.

Or-or a time-stamped photo,

anything that corroborates your whereabouts.

Look, look, I-I don't remember. It's...

-Well, can you try? -Do you think I haven't?

I got out of witness protection to try to get to Manuela's

without the Impaler's people spotting me.

All right? I didn't swipe any cards or-or take any selfies.

Look, keeping a low profile was the whole point.

What about a bus or-or a cab?

D-Did you stop anywhere for food?

No, I used cash.

Maybe someone remembers seeing you?

-No, no, you're not hearing me. -MARTIN: No, please.

My husband's life is on the line here.

No, this was a mistake.

You need to go.

[phone chimes]

Send Bradley Smith's security footage to his defense team.

Now.

I hate this.

Sitting here doing nothing while my husband

and Naomi are in a foreign country.

-I should be there. -You know why you can't.

I know. It violates the terms of my bail.

But I could probably reach Max. I've done it before.

Do you remember when Martin ran for office the first time?

Yeah, he was confident and tenacious.

Until there was nobody else around,

and then, he was terrified.

And who talked him down when the polls started to dip?

Or when he was pacing at 2:00 in the morning

convinced he was a failure?

I did what any husband would do.

Okay, what about Tyrell?

When he started feeling self-conscious

about his body during gym?

Or Samantha, when she got her first "C"

and started to spiral?

What's your point? They're my family.

Exactly.

You have spent years being the one who showed up.

You have cared and comforted

and protected them more than anyone can count.

Now, it is time for you to let that same family protect you.

I will not fly back to Smitty and tell him that the one person

who could save his life won't even try.

Don't put that on me.

I sacrificed enough already.

[phone chimes]

-Do you have children? -Manuela's the only family that I have left,

and you put her in danger by coming here.

And my children are in danger of losing their father.

And you want me to just walk out of the door and abandon him?

Well, I can't.

So what will it cost me? Hmm? Money?

I can call in any favor you need,

but please, Max, save his life.

I'm sorry.

It was a good fight, but we should go.

Can I trust you to not tell them where we are?

We have no intention of exposing you, Max.

Smitty made us promise to protect you.

Apparently, he cares more about you than you do about him.

Damn. We were right there.

I just got an email from the state's attor...

What if Max was right and we were being followed?

That's true. We better get out of here.

Huh.

Well, I see the mother-daughter grapevine

is still operational.

Say you're okay and I'll go.

And if I don't want you to go?

Captioning sponsored by CBS

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