Original subtitles

My parents were always doing good.

It was one of their core values, which sounds nice,

but sometimes it was a little much.

I just wanted to adopt a puppy.

And we did you one better and adopted a highway.

Truck!

Isn't this fun, kids?

- Who needs Disneyland, right? - Right!

See?

Doesn't it feel good to donate things you're not using?

But these are the one thing I own that makes me cool.

The less fortunate deserve to look cool, too, son.

- Yay! - Yay!

Now let's hurry and get this to the shelter.

Did you make a wish for Ethiopia?

No, but I did make a wish for a new family!

- Hmm? - Shouldn't have said it out loud.

Never happenin' now.

So it shouldn't have been a surprise when this happened.

Hey, everyone. This is Jay.

He's one of my students.

And he lives here now.

- Welcome. - He lives here now?

And yet everyone freaked out when I brought home lice.

Hypocrites.

♪ In the mix ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, they keep trying ♪

♪ But they can't stop us ♪

♪ 'Cause we got a love ♪

♪ That keeps rising up ♪

♪ In the mix ♪

♪ Life turns around ♪

♪ 'Round and 'round it goes ♪

♪ Ooh, it's a mixed-up world ♪ ♪ Ooh, it's a mixed-up ♪

♪ And that's for sure ♪ ♪ Mixed-up ♪

♪ In the mix ♪ ♪ Baby ♪

♪ We're gonna get by ♪ ♪ We're gonna ♪

♪ On our own, side by side ♪

♪ Love's all we need to be free ♪ ♪ Lo-o-o-ve is all ♪

♪ I got you, you got me ♪

♪ Yaaaaay us! ♪

♪ I-I-In the mix ♪

♪ Yaaaaay us! ♪

♪ I-I-In the mix-ish ♪

So when you say he lives here now, are we talking

a "Diff'rent Strokes," "Webster" thing, or what?

No, sweetheart. Jay's just gonna stay with us

for a little bit while his father's out of town.

College applications are due next week,

and I really want to help him succeed.

He's the best student I've ever had.

You've been a teacher for two weeks.

Y-Yeah, but because of classroom overcrowding,

I've had hundreds of students in that time.

Come on, guys. Every night at dinner,

we ask you how you've changed the world.

Here's your chance to do that.

So, who's in favor of Jay staying here?

- Not me. - Me neither.

And if you want a Black kid with a catchphrase,

you know you already have one.

Ho, ho, ho, it's Santi.

You've never said that before.

Okay. Guys, we're not gonna force you to do anything,

but your mother and I are for him staying,

and you guys are against it, so let's have your sister decide.

Rainbow! Can you come here?

We have a guest.

Who is... it?

I could've watched him

take that jacket off for hours.

And because it got a little caught on his elbow...

...I did get some bonus time.

I knew from that moment I would marry a Black man.

Rainbow? Rainbow.

Rainbow, are you okay if Jay stays with us?

- Yes! - Oh.

Oh. That was easy. All right, it's settled.

Jay, make yourself at home.

You can sleep in my room!

Great. And you can bunk with Johan and Santi.

Yeah, that's exactly what I meant when I said that.

- Thanks. - All right.

Thanks.

I tell ya, baby,

this is exactly why I got into teaching,

to make a... a positive impact on the world.

And what better way than by helping shape

the minds of young people?

Do you know who else can have a big impact on kids?

Role models.

You know what?

I'm gonna take Jay to work with me.

If he gets one look at a law office,

it may inspire him to take a whole new path.

Yeah, yeah, that... that... that's a great supplement

to the work that I'm already doing.

But, of course, as we both know,

teachers are the most impactful figure in a kid's life.

But having someone to look up to

can be just as or more important,

someone like an inspirational Black lawyer.

- Ah! - Not that this is a competition.

Of course it's not a competition.

If it was, it'd suck for you because I'd obviously win.

It feels like you're threatened by my ability to mentor Jay.

Well, would someone who feels threatened

be able to... mentor-crouch this well?

Hey, let me rap at you, buddy.

Paul, you do know what crouching like that

in front of a Black child means, don't you?

No. What does it mean? Is it bad?

You'll find out.

Are you messing with me?

Honey, I'm the only White teacher. I need to know!

Having put my dad on his back foot,

my mom was excited to show Jay the glamorous success

that was possible for a lawyer in America.

So this is what you do?

I know. It's exciting around here, right?

I bet Paul doesn't have that many fax machines at school.

Oh, we don't have many things at our school.

Desks, current textbooks, doors on bathroom stalls...

Well, just know that you can go from that

to redacting names of minors to protect their identity.

Hmm?

Oh. Rebecca Morgan. She's my daughter's friend.

Uh, you probably shouldn't have told him that.

Her dad dumped a bunch of medical waste near a day care.

I probably shouldn't have told you that.

So you guys have to go through all these files

before going to trial?

Oh, this is never going to trial.

We settle almost everything.

Fools go to court and make big arguments.

Real lawyers do a lot of paperwork and then settle. Hmm?

You can't lose a game you don't play.

- Mnh! - Alicia.

You are boring that poor boy to death.

Which I know isn't easy because he's used to Paul.

How can he be bored?

We're about to start stapling the redaction papers.

Asked and answered. Hey, Jay...

you want to make some long-distance phone calls?

It's three in the morning in Italy.

Let's wake up Chef Boyardee.

Isn't that expensive?

I don't know. It isn't my money.

I'm just gonna dial a bunch of numbers and say "bonjour."

Um, Jay, this...

My mom taking Jay to work was the perfect opportunity

for me to find something he and I had in common.

I was hoping to find a hot-pink diary with all of his dreams,

but instead I found...

Deodorant.

Rainbow?!

Just in my room doing normal stuff!

So, Jay, how'd it go at the law firm today?

Did you see Alicia change any kids' lives

or just contribute to the brutal machine of capitalism?

I'd say neither?

- She did cross out names, though. - Ooh.

Hey, is it cool if I play another game?

Absolutely. I had the guys at the factory flip the switch

so you don't have to put any quarters in.

There's a jar right next to it. You can put your money in there.

This is exactly what Jay needed...

video games and pizza and agreeing that Alicia

doesn't cut it in the inspiration department.

Kids can really flourish under the right kind of mentorship.

- Oh, yeah. - Since my kids moved in

with my wife's new boyfriend,

they've all gotten really emotionally stable.

You know, and Jay has the potential

to be anything he wants to be,

but the system has the odds stacked against him.

That's why these college applications and interviews

- are so important. - You know what?

If you want him to ace these interviews,

you should be sure he's got a new suit.

- A suit? - My ex-wife always used to say,

"You'll never change your life

if you just sit around in sweatpants."

So I put on a suit, I went out, and I got a job.

And she was right.

My life changed forever because while at that job,

she started seeing Big Carl, we ended up getting divorced,

and now I have the time to hang out with you all night, buddy.

So all's well that ends well, right?

I don't think that ended well, Griff.

It did not.

But the lesson of the story is there's power in the suit.

I'll get him a suit.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce the brand-new Jay!

♪ Clean shirt, new shoes... ♪

I never pictured myself being a suit guy,

but, oh, am I a suit guy!

He's a suit guy.

- It's very you. - Thanks.

Look at that confidence

you only get from a strong mentor,

not someone who advertises on the side of a bus.

You couldn't figure out how to inspire him with your mind,

so you had to use a paycheck?

Uh, no, babe. I used two paychecks.

And not only that, I called a buddy at Berkeley

who works in admissions and got him an interview.

Okay, you two are spending time and money

trying to help some kid, and now you're actually

fighting about how to do it?

You people are weird.

I think you look great, Jay.

Real handsome. I'd vote for you.

Thanks, but I'm not running for anything.

Speaking of running, I just did some running.

Slapped some deodorant right on my armpits so I don't stink.

Budding hormones making us smell...

Okay, okay, maybe you scored a couple of points

with your suit and your interview,

but you're gonna hit a wall in your ability to mentor Jay.

- How? - 'Cause you are a White guy

who grew up with a countryclub membership.

I mean, what's inspirational about that?

What he needs is someone

who can speak to him and his experiences.

Mm-hmm.

Do you wear deodorant?

- Yes. - Me too!

Because I have to.

Like right now. I'm gonna go put some more on.

You know, Jay, you and I have a lot in common.

We weren't born with silver spoons in our mouths,

unlike... some people.

We have to work for everything we have.

No one's giving us anything.

So I don't get to keep the suit?

Oh, you can keep the suit,

but don't expect those kinds of breaks.

We have to work twice as hard to get half as far.

Because out there,

no one's gonna help people like you and me.

Mnh-mnh.

But didn't Granddad help you?

Let me tell the story, baby.

Okay, so, you are gonna need drive like never...

He did help you. He gave you a job

when no one else would hire you.

Uh, someone else would've hired me, baby.

- Okay... - Are you sure?

Because for ten years,

you were dancing around the forest

pretending to be the Winter Sprite.

That was Mom?!

I think we get the takeaway here.

If you want the "good life," marry a White guy.

Hmm.

Are you saying I wouldn't have what I have

if I wasn't married to your father?

That's ridiculous, okay? Ridiculous.

Ridiculous. Ridiculous.

That's... That's so ridiculous. It's so ridiculous.

- Hey, babe. - Mm-hmm.

You just said "ridiculous" eleven times.

If... If you need someone to talk about this with...

I'm always down to rap.

Okay, that's... that's ridiculous.

Can you believe the kids think the only reason

I have my job is because it was handed to me?

What I don't get is why you're letting these White people

get in your head.

And, yes, for the purposes of my point,

your children are White people right now.

They don't understand.

I worked two jobs to put myself through law school,

and nobody worked harder than me.

Ooh! That's the truth.

You are the smartest person I know besides Cousin Scoot.

Well, his smarts are street smarts, so that's different.

The thing is, if my kids can't see

that I've worked for everything I have,

then how is everyone else going to?

Do you think the other lawyers in the office

think I'm only there because of Harrison?

Hey, just because you got a little help

doesn't mean you don't deserve to be at the top.

Hmm.

- You're just like Rebbie Jackson. - Mm.

Sure, Michael may have written and sang backup

on her hit single, "Centipede,"

but she's the reason it went to Number Four

on the R&B charts...

and Number One in my heart.

So you're comparing me to the least important Jackson?

Oh, no, baby.

The least important Jackson is Janet.

They say she got a little album coming out,

but ain't nobody gonna buy that.

Mm.

- Okay, Penny from "Good Times." - Yeah.

Good morning, Jay.

Can I make you something? Steak, maybe?

Well, mushroom steak. We don't eat meat here.

But I know my way around the kitchen.

I also have a 4.0 GPA, so I'm pretty much a complete package.

I'm gonna be a doctor.

It's true. I'm a doctor.

I'm good. Just had some cereal.

Because it's morning.

I'm so glad you're fed.

Let me clear your bowl.

It was finally time to make my move

and confess my love to him.

What are you doing?

You wouldn't understand! You're too young!

What's to understand? You were Frenching a bowl.

The suggestion that my mom got a leg up in her career

from my granddad was still in her head

when she went back to the office the next morning.

Morning, everybody.

So, last night, I took it upon myself to prep

all of our closing arguments for the waterpark case.

And I also was able to track down seven extra plaintiffs

from the motel fire,

which means we are now in class-action territory.

Guess I'll finish my golf story later.

It was a good one, too!

That's a lot of work.

You do remember

that we try to stretch our billable hours out.

Oh. That?

That is a normal amount of work for me.

I mean, maybe it takes your other guys longer to do it,

but perhaps I'm just really good at my job.

I'm plenty good at my job!

Oh, is that why you took a loss on the folding-crib case

and the folding steak-knife case?

First you ruin my story, now you're insulting me!

It was a good story, too! A seagull ate my ball!

Okay, Alicia, I appreciate the work,

but things are getting a little heated,

so I'm gonna give you the rest of the day off.

I don't need you to give me anything.

Jay and I will be here working all day.

Actually, Mrs. Johnson, I do have to get to school.

In that case, I'll be headed out

because I already did all of our work

for today and tomorrow.

- Is your eye twitching? - What?

How much sleep did you get last night?

Not a wink.

I bet Jay is crushing his interview right now.

You think I can win Teacher of the Year?

Ahh! What am I saying?

It's basically impossible for first-year teachers.

Hey, Griff, thanks again for letting me borrow

- your weed whacker. - Of course.

If you need anything, I'm your man.

Weed whacker, power tools, hug from a buddy.

Whatever.

Hey, George, I have a question for you.

There's a student in my class...

Uhp. I'm teaching at MLK. Hm. Not sure if you heard.

Hmm, yeah, no.

Anyway, my student Jay, he's a really great kid,

who's living with us now,

and it's time for him to start applying to colleges.

So I get him this interview at Berkeley,

and I got him a new suit for it,

and I just really want him to do well.

O-Okay. What's the question?

Oh, sorry. I just really want him to do well.

You know?

Mm-hmm. Yeah, I-I do know.

I got a question for you.

Is Jay Black?

I-I-I-I believe the preferred term is "Afro-ed American."

It is not.

Uh, I guess he is, yeah.

Ohh, so you're trying to save a brother.

S-Save a brother?

Uh, uh, "brother" is Afro-ed Am...

I mean "Black."

Yeah, I know what a... I know what a brother is, Griff.

But come on, George. I'm not trying to save anyone.

I'm just trying to do good, to help.

Hey, look, I'm sure you are, but let me ask you something.

Would you be as enthusiastic about helping this kid

if he was White?

Are you saying

that I'm only helping Jay because he's Black?

- I... - That's ridiculous.

Th-That's... ridiculous!

Ridiculous.

Ridiculous.

- Ridiculous! - Yeah.

Ridiculous.

I don't know how you talked me into this.

I don't even work this hard at work.

If there's anything you borrowed from Vivica, get it back,

because we're not talking to George again!

Can you believe he said I'm only helping Jay because he's Black?

I can believe it, yes.

What?

It's not your fault.

It's just White instinct to go out and help Black people

that don't need it.

How is it a bad thing that I'm doing

everything I can to help Jay succeed?

I mean, it might rob him of feeling ownership

of all of his future accomplishments just because

you want to feel good about yourself in this moment,

but it's not a huge deal.

Wait. What are you saying?

All she's saying is

there's a right way to help and a White way to help.

That's insightful. What does that mean, exactly?

Honestly, I came up with the rhyme first,

so I don't quite have a point yet.

Her point is, White people love helping Black people

so they can get credit,

sort of like what you're doing with Jay.

No, no, t-t-that is not what I'm doing.

Paul, think about it. It is.

And to be honest...

it's kind of gross.

I don't care that it's gross.

If you're helping out Black people, give me your watch.

That one.

Hey. You okay? What are you doing?

Oh, you know, just thinking about how I'm unconsciously

oppressing my student by giving him help.

I didn't say all that. I just called you gross.

You might as well have.

You know, because of our relationship, I get to see

firsthand how unfair the world can be for Black people,

and I'm just desperate to help change that.

Babe, I know your heart's in the right place.

But this week, I let it become all about me.

You know, the reason I became a teacher at MLK

was to help kids like Jay.

But it just feels like, because I'm White,

maybe I'm doing something else.

Okay, so you overstepped.

That doesn't mean you should quit helping altogether.

It's just, when White people are helping Black people,

they need to realize what it feels like

to be on the receiving end of that help.

Right. Okay.

I-I-I totally get what you're saying,

but assume for a second that I don't and keep talking.

It can make someone feel less-than,

which may be why I lashed out at you.

I've worked my whole life

to be seen for my talent and abilities.

And I kind of hate that part of my story

is the fact that your dad gave me a huge leg up.

Oh, but, babe, nobody gets there completely on their own.

Jack's dad is my dad's golfing buddy,

and... and the only law school that Bradley's ever gotten into

is the one that his family founded.

Do you think for a second that they doubt that they belong?

No, even when they should.

No. And regardless how you got there,

your track record speaks for itself.

I mean, I am pretty great.

Yeah, you are!

To be honest, I'm better than your dad.

Way better! That guy sucks!

And I'm a much better lawyer than you are.

- I mean, you didn't even finish law school. - Okay.

I am so much smarter than our kids.

- They can't even drive. - That's nice, yeah.

Get it out of your system, babe. This is good.

Oh, good. Jay, you're up.

Yeah, I mean, it's hard to go to sleep.

Rainbow keeps speaking at me through the bedroom window.

Uh, she's, uh... she's new to having friends.

Uh, but we just wanted to talk to you

because I know we've been pretty intense this week,

and I probably overdid it.

We both did. We're rooting for you,

and it came out in weird ways.

And I know I made a big deal about it,

but I don't care if you want to be a lawyer.

Cool, 'cause it looked super boring.

- It kind of is. - Look, whatever you choose,

we're always here to help you... at an appropriate level.

You know, not too much, but, uh, I'm just here for you

if... if you need it.

Uh, nothing overt, just if you need anything.

Not that you need anything. You know? I mean...

It's... It's...

Okay. Just know this.

Whatever you achieve in life,

- you will have earned it. - Yes.

But you probably won't achieve as much as me.

- Ohh! - I'm sorry!

I'm feeling really confident right now.

She is.

I get it. We're laughing.

I love laughing. And hugging.

So let's bring it in.

Okay. We're just gonna...

- If you need any help. - Bye, guys.

None of us will ever forget that week Jay stayed with us.

Just stay here for a minute.

My dad became a more conscious helper...

We may have gone a bit overboard before, so...

...and my mom realized that she didn't need to do

anything extra to prove that she belonged.

Hey! Some of the guys are getting drinks after work.

You in?

Actually, yeah. I can finish this tomorrow.

And as for me, I learned

just how hard true love is to protect.

Goodbye, Jay.

You were the best intern our office ever had.

You know I never worked there, right?

Oh, well, you were around a lot,

and showing up is half the battle.

You're gonna make a great lawyer.

He doesn't want to be a lawyer.

Well, then, why the hell was he around so much?

I'm so confused.

Bye, Jay. Think of me fondly.

Bye, kid.

A pet name?!

He loved me as much as I loved him.

Bye, kid. Bye, kid.

I don't know about you, Jay, but I'm excited

my parents let you stay for another week.

It'll really let us get to know each other

better than we already have.

After your snack, I was thinking

we could watch "Karate Kid" again.

I can tell it's your favorite.

No...