Original subtitles

Previously on Monarch...

So you stayed out of the spotlight because you thought

you'd outshine me?

Well, there can only be one queen.

The deal was, you pay them

- what they demand every month. - What guarantee

do we have that they'll give us the documents after I'm gone?

I'm dying Saturday night,

right after the concert.

- And you're gonna help me do it. - What did you do?

The prelim tox screen showed us

some questionable results.

Then a member of my family is going to jail.

Mama wrote this song.

Yeah, I think Daddy cheated on her.

Isn't anyone's marriage what it's supposed to be?

Mine is.

We have to stop this.

You're not eating sushi

and you're not drinking sake.

How far along are you?

Luke doesn't even know yet.

Evening, Ms. Roman. Mind if I have a few words with your father?

They're either gonna show up here with a warrant

or they're gonna go back out there and start digging.

We better get to that body before they do.

Oh, hell.

Somebody got here first.

Oh, my God.

One job.

You had one job... just get rid of the damn body.

- Watch yourself, boy. - Or what?

What are you gonna do, old man?

I prefer to show, not tell.

Hey. What are you doing?

Stop it. The only way we're gonna get through all this

is if we stick together and stay calm.

Calm?

There's a dead body out there, somewhere,

and we're complicit. All of us.

Let me remind everybody who we're protecting here.

I think we all know it ain't just me.

_

Just one, Earl.

Um, Geeg, have you seen Luke?

No.

- Actually. - He would never miss a signing party.

Hey.

I can't believe this is all for me.

You deserve it.

You okay?

Totally.

I'm lying. I'm so nervous.

Don't be.

We're just like any other super famous,

overprivileged, always-in-the-public-eye family.

Excuse me. If I could have

all your attention just for a minute.

Ana.

We would like to introduce Ana

to our Monarch label.

- Whoo-whoo! - When we sign

a new artist, we have a little Monarch tradition.

Tatum has collected slips of paper.

Each one has a song on it.

You're gonna stick your little hand in there.

Yeah. And you're gonna pick one out.

And whichever one you pick,

- you have to sing. - Drumroll.

Hmm?

What'd you get?

That one's mine.

"Sugar" in "G."

One, two, three.

? Tastes like strawberries ?

? On a summer evenin' ?

? And it sounds just like a song ?

? I want more berries ?

? And that summer feelin' ?

? It's so wonderful and warm ?

? Breathe me in ?

? Breathe me out ?

? I don't know if I could ever go without ?

? I'm just thinking out loud ?

? I don't know if I could ever go without ?

? Watermelon sugar high ?

? Watermelon sugar high ?

? Watermelon sugar high ?

? Watermelon sugar high... ?

? Breathe me in ?

? Breathe me out ?

? I don't know if I could ever go... ?

Hey.

I need to talk to you right now.

Where have you been?

? Watermelon sugar high ?

? Watermelon sugar high... ?

? I just wanna taste it ?

? I just wanna taste it ?

? Watermelon... ?

Why would you do that?

Why would you go and tell the coroner about Mama?

I told you... I wanted answers.

She had months left to live.

They found oxycodone in her blood, Nick.

Someone gave her the pills that night.

Someone tried to kill her, Nick!

Not someone! It was me-me.

I gave her those pills. I-I did that.

What are you talking about?

Because she wanted to go out on her own terms.

And when's the last time someone talked Mama out

of doing what she wanted?

Nick, who else knows about this?

- Only Gigi. - Why didn't you come to me first?

I know. I don't...

No, you don't.

Assisted suicide is a felony in Texas, Nick.

That means, if the D.A. files...

What, that the cops are coming for me?

Synced & corrected by QueenMaddie www.addic7ed.com

Now, I know we've all been through a lot lately.

Some of us more than others.

But I've got a prelim schedule for the Founder's Day Rodeo.

I need y'all to take a good look

and make sure that y'all are comfortable.

Page four. What's...

- "Gigi or Nicky" mean? - We all know

that, every year, Mama debuted a new song at the rodeo.

It means only one of you is gonna pick up

Mama's mantle and debut a new single.

- One of us? - One of us?

If you go by the metrics,

Gigi's on fire right now.

- I'm sorry, what? - Gigi literally

has notebooks full

of new material the fans have never heard.

It's true. I have been writing up a storm.

Right. And what about my new song called "Hell No"?

Nicky, have you got a new song?

Yes. I have.

And it has number one written all over it.

Good. It's settled then.

You're both gonna sing.

May the best song win.

Oh, hey, baby. What are you doing?

I'm trying to pick a song to perform at the rodeo.

Okay, you can't pick some old song from a notebook.

You need something, you know, incredible.

I guess.

- You guess? - I know.

You got a lot of heat on you right now, Geeg.

It's rare, and it's fleeting.

This is a pivot point.

All eyes are on you right now.

Hey.

Be honest.

With both of us.

Do you want to be a star like your mama?

You know I do.

Okay, then.

We need to level up and release the most jaw-dropping song

they have ever heard.

I've got an idea... for one.

It really tears your heart out.

- But... - No, no, no. No buts.

Just do it.

You work on the song.

I'll handle the rest.

Starting with your look.

Trying to write a song for the rodeo, huh?

How's it going?

It is going well.

Really? 'Cause it looks like a serial killer wrote that.

Writing is a process, Tatum.

Well, your process is pretty wack.

You've been scribbling on that pad for hours, Mom.

Has it really been that long?

Let's just be honest... Aunt Gigi's gonna win this competition.

It is not a competition.

Keep telling yourself that.

Maybe you should just ask Gigi for one of her songs.

Let's be honest

about how every single time I think it's my moment, it's not.

And about how if I don't get out

of my family's shadow very soon, I never will.

Too honest?

I mean, you always tell me it's okay to ask for help.

Yeah. And I think I need help

from some of the best songwriters in the business.

Gas up the jet, 'cause Mama's going to Nashville.

Oh, yeah. Thank you.

? And tell me now ?

? How do I live without you? ?

? I want to know ?

- ? How do I ever ? - ? Ever ?

? Ever survive? ?

- ? How do I ? - ? How do I ?

? How do I ?

? Oh, how do I live? ?

So, what'd you think, Mama?

What I think, baby,

is we got a hit.

I've quietly set pitches with Nashville's best and brightest.

They're all coming to give you what you need.

Which is a new look.

Lillian Tsai's the best stylist in all of Austin.

But I need you...

To keep an open mind.

What I'm looking for is a power ballad. Something that's, like,

strong and sexy, undeniable.

Say no more.

Damn.

Forgot to charge it.

Got a power cord?

These outfits are... They're nice.

Well, at least you didn't say "pretty,"

like that Maren Morris.

I don't work with her anymore.

This is our mama's favorite.

It's like an older, white lady version

of "Old Town Road."

All the Real Housewives love it.

I want something that'll blow people's minds.

Something outrageous.

- Bold? - Please.

- Vicious? - Yeah.

Just finished one last night,

and you're the first to hear it.

These are for the risk takers.

? Keep up ?

- Ooh. - ? Keep up ?

? Oh, yeah, keep up ?

? Keep up ?

? I bet you can't keep up. ?

? Sometimes ?

? I get a little too high ?

? And I can't see ?

? Myself through the fire and the smoke ?

? But you ?

? You're like a neon light ?

? Shining through a door ?

? That I can't keep closed ?

? I still feel high. ?

Well, it's... I-I don't even know what to say. It's perfect.

It's absolutely, exactly what we're looking for.

Sorry, Nicky, but...

I think I need to keep it for myself.

I do have a song

that I wrote about my grandma's rocking chair

that I think would be perfect.

You want to hear that one instead?

Did you know, when John Anderson played this

for the record company, they told him it was a B-side?

'Cause suits wouldn't know a hit if it kicked them in the jewels.

Forgive the intrusion, Mr. Roman.

I'm Jamie Burke.

Let me guess, music producer.

Well, go ahead, do your thing.

Tell me how you're gonna change my life.

Reinvent Albie Roman.

It's nothing I ain't heard before from guys like you

sitting on stools like that.

Yup.

You're right. I'm in the business.

I know your story.

Three years behind bars for manslaughter,

a dozen top tens after that,

each one better than the last. Shoot,

I should know, I grew up listening

to every damn record you ever made.

Before your music turned to crap, anyway.

What'd you just say?

Come on now.

Last 20 years, you've been getting screwed

by 28-year-old record execs

who've been yessing you to death.

- Look, when your wife passed... - Oh.

Be very careful what you say next.

When Dottie Roman passed, the world...

they lost the Queen of Country.

But you lost your North Star.

She focused you, polished you,

pointed you to stardom.

But I got to ask, Mr. Roman,

do you even know who you are without her?

If you ever want some help

remembering who Albie Roman was...

And who he still can be...

Give me a call.

Is this where we come

to pitch songs to the legendary Nicky Roman?

- Word's out, you're on the hunt. - Wade.

- You got a song for me? - You'll tell me.

But my style does tend more towards the, uh...

Lovesick young cowboy?

Ouch.

Did I offend you?

We'll call it even if...

You agree to have a drink with me tonight.

Sorry. Hey.

I'm just checking in.

How's it going up there?

It's going well. I've, um...

I have lots of-of good options.

That's good because bar's been set high.

I'm at the church now, I'm listening to Gigi's song.

I got to tell you, it's...

it's haunting and sweet.

It's heartbreaking.

Now, is that her in the, in the, in the background?

Hold the-the phone up so I can hear.

Have a listen.

? Ooh ?

? You broke my heart ?

? My body and mind ?

? Yeah, you... ?

No.

That's Mama's song.

What was that?

- That's Mama's song. - Anyway,

it's amazing.

Honestly, I didn't think Gigi had it in her.

Neither did I.

All right.

Well, if that's how you want to play it,

game on, little sister.

She has no right. If anybody should sing that song,

it is me. It is a cheating song, for God's sake.

All good country songs are cheating songs.

Nobody knows more about heartbreak

and betrayal than I do.

I'm sorry, I'm so mad at her,

I can't even think straight right now.

Luckily, you don't have to.

The bar's right there, for that drink you promised me.

I'm sorry, it's been an exhausting day.

Aren't you sober, anyway?

I still need fluids.

Look, normally I'd say fine,

bail on my ass, I can take a hint, but...

you still need a song, right?

I can be useful to you.

What you need is a break,

dinner maybe, get your energy back.

Ugh. What I need is room service and a bath, and...

I don't even know what floor I'm on.

I could be talked into that.

Talked into what?

Bath.

Room service.

Right. I didn't, I didn't say that.

Now, my guess would be you're staying...

the penthouse.

Well, thank you. That is very helpful.

Now, my only other question

is, just how fast do you want to get there?

Not very fast.

When's the band getting here?

I sent 'em home.

You did what now?

I'm not gonna let you hide behind the best session players

in the business. It's just me and you in here today.

Listen, hoss, this...

truth-teller Rick Rubin act of yours

is starting to wear a little thin.

Really?

Thought that was the exact reason that you called me.

I saw that Insta video of you and your daughter Gigi

playing in the truck.

That wasn't nothing. That was just a daddy

singing with his little girl.

Yeah, well, someone leaked it for a reason,

and I'm happy about that because that's

the old Albie Roman again.

And that's what we're gonna find in here today.

Take your time. Feel it.

Let it flow.

? A cowboy ain't easy ?

? To love, he's harder ?

? To hold ?

? He'd rather give you ?

? A song than silver or gold ?

? Budweiser buckles and soft faded ?

? Wranglers, and each night ?

? Begins a new day ?

? If you can't understand him ?

? And he don't die young ?

? He'll probably just ride away ?

? Mamas ?

? Don't let your babies grow up to be ?

? Cowboys ?

? 'Cause they'll never stay home ?

? And they're always alone ?

? Even with someone ?

? They love ?

? 'Cause they'll never stay home ?

? And they're always alone ?

? Even with someone ?

? They love. ?

Yeah.

Hey, Dad.

Hey, son.

Jamie Burke, producer out of Atlanta.

Yeah, charmed. Dad, can I have a word?

I'll just go check out the hydrangeas.

What's so important?

Come on.

You have seen a thousand

pied piper producers come and go.

Why didn't you come to me?

- You? - Yeah. I'm your son.

And that's why I came to you to get an answer

- about the music rights. - And I told you,

she sold them. Publishing and masters.

- Sold them? Why? - I don't know.

She must have had her reasons.

That's not an answer.

See? Businessmen are the problem.

They're not the solution.

Guess you wouldn't understand that.

Why? 'Cause I'm not an artist?

I'm not a real Roman?

Okay, fine, you know what?

You want to hear the truth? Here it is.

Ever since Mama died...

no, no, it was long before that,

you've been lost, and that makes you

an easy target for sharks

like that Jamie what's-his-name.

I mean, can't you see what he's trying to do?

Yeah. Make me relevant again.

I got to go.

Good morning.

Hi. That is not fair.

Waking up before me.

Why? 'Cause now you can't sneak out?

Uh, no, 'cause it's my hotel room.

Okay. I'm busted.

But I do have to get back to Austin.

Start rehearsing something, anything.

- You know, it's gonna be okay. - Is it?

'Cause it's supposed to be my moment, and...

my little sister, who I've protected and cared for

my entire life, is trying to take it from me, so...

Well, listen,

like I was telling you yesterday, before we got, uh...

sidetracked,

I think I can help.

But I got to tell you,

this song is not just for you,

it's about you.

Take a listen.

? Check it out ?

? Got a girl from the Southside ?

? Got braids in her hair... ?

That's you. ? First time I seen her ?

? Walk by, man, I about fell up out my chair ?

? I had to get her ?

? Number ?

? It took me, like, six weeks ?

? Yeah, now me and her go way back ?

? Like Cadillac seats ?

? Body like a back road ?

? Driving with my eyes closed ?

? I know every curve ?

? Like the back of my hand, you know ?

? Doing 15 in a 30 ?

? I ain't in no hurry ?

? I'm-a take it slow, just as fast as I can... ?

That's right.

? Na, na, na, na ?

? Na, na, na... ?

Come on. ? Na, na, na, na ?

? Na, na, na, na, na ? Do you like it?

- Mm-hmm. - ? Na, na, na, na ?

? Na, na, na ?

? Na, na, na, na ?

? Na, na, na, na, na. ?

I can, um...

Push that jet back by, like,

two, three hours.

- You can? - I can.

That would certainly interest me.

- That sounds good. - Oh!

It just doesn't make any sense,

why Dottie would sell those songs.

You do know something about this.

Albie, I've worked for the Roman family

longer than I've had one of my own.

Dottie trusted me implicitly.

I swore I'd take this to my grave.

Which may be sooner than you think.

A few years back, Dottie needed money.

A lot and quickly. She didn't want anybody to know.

- Money for what? - Dottie was being blackmailed.

Started about five years back.

$50,000 a month, every month.

Paid to who?

If she knew, she wasn't telling.

I tried to get to the bottom of it.

Hell, I even put a P.I. on it. I never could find out.

I swear, it's all I know.

All right, well, here's what you're gonna do now.

You reach out to those spineless bastards,

and you tell them that this ends today.

You tell them that Albie Roman ain't paying them another cent.

- Hey. - You're back.

Yeah. I got to start rehearsing my song for the rodeo.

So you found something?

I did. I'm not gonna say much about it yet,

but I hear that yours is great.

You want to... want to, um...

You want to give me a sneak preview?

I'd rather not.

It's, um, something very personal to me.

I bet.

You know, uh, all the time I was in Nashville,

I kept thinking about Mama's song.

You know, the one that she left for Daddy.

Just kept

going around and around in my head.

Like she knew all the pain I was...

I was going through with Clive.

I'm...

real sorry you've been feeling that.

Me, too.

Being betrayed by someone you trust is painful.

I hope you never have to feel that.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Monarch Entertainment presents

the Austin Founding Days Rodeo. Welcome, everyone.

- Hi! - Hi!

- Hi, Dad. - Hey, Luke.

Remember Jamie Burke?

Yeah, how could I forget?

Seems like you're everywhere all of a sudden.

I was just thinking,

you remember when you taught me to ride those things?

Remember that?

That was a lifetime ago.

Come on, boy, I'll show you around.

- See you later, son. - Yeah.

Hey, baby.

So excited for her.

Following in her mother's footsteps.

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!

It's-it's on. Nicky's song is on.

All right, babe.

? And tell me now ?

? How do I live without you ?

? I want to know... ?

Nicky, that ain't you.

That's Mama.

? Without you, if you ?

? Ever go, how do I ?

? Ever, ever survive? ?

Hello? Come in.

Ms. Roman?

- You decent? - Yup.

Sorry to interrupt. I-I know you're about to go on. I...

I-I just wanted to introduce myself.

- I'm Jamie Burke. - Yeah, I-I know who you are.

My brother warned me about you.

Oh. Guess I made quite the impression, then.

Us Romans can be

a very protective bunch. Don't take it personally.

Hey, can I ask you...

- what song are you singing today? - I'm...

I'm singing something I've had tucked away for a long time and,

well, thinking of recording it.

May I ask why you haven't?

Because it wasn't ready.

Now, are you fooling yourself or are you trying to fool me?

- Excuse me? - Come on.

We both know what's at stake here today.

You're singing in your mother's shadow

first year she's been gone,

and so is your sister, the overnight viral sensation.

My sister and I are not in competition.

Well, that's not what I hear.

Nicky, you're so talented and beautiful.

In fact, you're spectacular.

But you're not your mama.

Well, now I know why my brother loves you so much.

No, what I'm trying to tell you is, don't be

some Gen Y clone of Dottie Roman.

If you go out there and serve these folks

some recycled song that you-you meant to record way back when,

but there's probably a damn good reason why you didn't,

your sister's gonna leave you in the dust.

With all you've been through,

what you need is to...

is to let your heart bleed out there.

Or you're better off not going on at all.

Anyway...

I want you to know it really is a pleasure meeting you.

You're on in 15, Ms. Roman, right after your sister.

Change of plans.

Folks, put your loving hands together

for the one and only

Nicky Roman!

What the hell? I'm supposed to be next.

How y'all doing?

Now, as you all know,

my mama used to perform here

every year for her most loyal fans.

And today I'm gonna continue that tradition

by singing a song that was real close to her heart.

This one's for you, Mama.

- Whoo! - Nicky, we love you!

? Our love was built on lies ?

? The truth is, I closed ?

? My eyes ?

? I see the red taillights ?

? Of our life fade away... ?

That bitch stole my song.

? 'Cause I can say that ?

? You ?

? You broke my heart ?

? My body and mind ?

? Yeah, you... ?

? Tore me apart ?

? What gives you the right? ?

? I'm drowning in all of the tears I can cry ?

? You threw us away for a moment in time ?

? Now I got to carry this pain till I die ?

? The truth can't be spoken ?

? But God knows I am broken ?

? I am broken ?

- How dare you? You stole Mama's song! - What?

You mean before you could? What did you think I was gonna do?

Huh? You think I was gonna sit back quietly and let you take

every single thing I've worked for my entire life?

I even gave you the chance to come clean.

- All you had to do was be honest. - And then what?

Screw me in plain sight, instead of behind my back?

You'll do anything to get what you want.

- No, I wouldn't. - And you don't care who you hurt.

Of course you helped Mama die.

You're just like her.

Gigi!

The queen is dead.

Long live the queen.

You sure about this?

Yup.

Eight seconds can feel like forever.

Whatever he's got, I can take it.

Coming up next,

a late entry in the amateur bull-riding competition.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Mr. Luke Roman!

Did you hear that? Mom?

I-I did. Come on.

Come on, Tatum, hurry up.

Daddy? Daddy, have you heard?!

Have you heard what Luke's doing?

Well, I didn't think I heard right.

Oh, my goodness.

- Yeah. - Watch your arms, though.

Watch your arms.

As we get ready to go now to the next bucking champ.

Lord, is that boy trying to kill his self?

Well, Luke Roman is ready.

He nods his head.

Hang on, son!

Oh, man, he is hurt.

This cowboy is down.

- Oh, my God. Luke! - As soon as we get

the bull back in the chute, please stand by, paramedics.

Dr. Saffron, please report to ER 1.

Oh, come on, Daddy.

You know why he did this, don't you, right?

Boys will be boys, I reckon.

No, Daddy, he was trying to prove something to you.

He was... Well, it's not fair.

No one should have to fight for their father's love. It's...

He's never gonna be like you.

Okay? No matter how many bulls he rides.

Anything? Any news?

No, we're still waiting for him to come out of surgery.

You-you should sit, Gigi. It could be a while.

I'm sorry. Did somebody say something?

You okay, baby?

Of course.

I'm just worried for all of you, you know?

Good. You're all here.

Is-is... is he... is he gonna be okay?

Well, there was more internal bleeding than we anticipated.

But he came through fine.

Well, can we see him?

He's resting. Just one at a time.

All right.

You sit back down.

I got this.

- Hey. - Hey, son.

Hey, Dad.

You got your sisters in a panic out there.

Not a very nice thing to do to 'em.

I'm sorry.

Well, the good news is, you're gonna be okay.

But maybe...

Maybe we rethink this bull-riding thing, huh?

I don't think it's a good career move for you, hoss.

I can't replace you as CEO.

What would Monarch do...

without you?

Hmm. Yeah.

_

- I'm gonna let you rest. - Okay.

Look, Luke, I'm not very good at putting things into words.

Unless it's song lyrics.

But you know how I feel, don't you?

Yeah.

All right.

Uh, I'm gonna get a soda.

Give you two a minute.

Can I get you guys something?

Other than a new sister, no.

Right. Okay, I am not sorry for what I did.

You do not understand the pressure I'm under.

I'm not a new, fresh discovery.

And thanks to you, neither am I.

Oh, come on. There's gonna be other songs and other chances.

So I should sit patiently and wait for my chance?

Like you waited for Mama?

How'd that work out for you?

No, it's-it's different for you. You're just beginning.

You think it's my fault

she never made good on any of the promises to you?

And you think it's helped you?

Always doing everything on her terms,

playing by her rules?

News flash, Nicky.

She made up those rules to ensure that she'd always win.

No. I think she did what she did to stay on top.

She had to be ruthless.

Now you are, too.

Mission accomplished.

You may not feel it now,

but today you got a little bit stronger.

Now come on down

and celebrate Mama's bit hit.

Put your prettiest smile on, okay?

Show must go on.

I can't.

I can't ever sing that song again. She broke my heart.

Yes, you can, Nicky, because I'm gonna be right next to you.

No matter what she ever makes you do,

I'll always be here for you.

I just thought you should know.

- Hey. - I better go.

How you doing, soldier?

- I'm good. - Yeah?

Yeah. Mm.

So, I'm guessing, um,

she told you about the pregnancy?

Yeah, she told me.

And, uh, how do you feel about that?

Happy? Scared?

I don't know.

I'm on a lot of morphine.

Well, we'll deal with it when you're back up and about.

All right?

- Mm. - Good?

- I think there's something else. - What?

The D.A.'s been read in on the oxycodone levels

in Mama's blood.

He's not gonna let it go.

So, what next?

We do the only thing we can do. We wait.

Come on, Marty.

Well, I delivered the message that you're done paying.

And?

They didn't take too kindly to it.

Now... they want double.

Next payment's due tomorrow.

_

All right. It's all clear.

Come on.

This, too.

_

Synced & corrected by QueenMaddie www.addic7ed.com