Original subtitles

Previously onMonarch...

- You stole Mama's song. - You mean, before you could?

You are my brother-in-law.

We were a mistake.

What if we fast-track this whole thing and ask Luke

- to be our donor? - Luke, my brother?

This is Ana, my daughter. I'm Catt Phoenix.

Call us any time.

Dottie was being

blackmailed.

She didn't want anybody to know.

You remember that barn fire?

Rosa, your lady friend,

died in that just

as Dottie intended.

A Roman never forgets a friend.

Or an enemy.

There's a dead body

out there somewhere.

And we're complicit, all of us.

I saw it all.

Talk to me. What can I do?

I'm fine.

Uh, just remember, I...

I could tell a friend from an enemy.

Come here.

It's all gonna be okay.

Everything's gonna be fine.

It's all gonna be fine.

Daddy?

We're in here, Nick.

Hi.

- Where's the boy? - He's okay. He just wanted to be alone.

Well, we need to make sure

- that he's not... - He's not

gonna say a thing to anybody.

He's a Roman.

He's such a good boy.

Barely 18. How could I let him get involved in any of this?

Well, we're family, and we take care of one another.

He understands that.

Yeah, that's great, but we've got bigger problems.

Yeah, a missing corpse.

Who does that?

Who digs up a body?

Maybe someone trying to protect us.

With all due respect, Nick, that wouldn't be my first guess.

Well, whatever we do, we have to stay on the same page.

Like Mama said, "Family above all else."

I don't think she meant murder.

I'm not so sure about that.

The CML nominations are about to start.

Guys, where is everybody? Come on.

Hey, Grandpa, aren't you gonna stay for the nominations?

No. Watching people in boots that ain't never seen a barn

pat themselves on the back ain't my thing.

Well, where you going?

It's bad luck to leave before the announcements.

I got a recording session with Jamie.

And it's called "work," not luck,

and the more you do, the luckier you get.

Jamie.

He has got that old man brainwashed.

Hey. Oh.

Hey, y'all. Did we miss anything?

- Oh, I'm so glad you came. - Oh, wouldn't have missed it,

- it being Mama's tradition and all. - Yeah.

Yes, but thank you for putting family first.

Yo, Roman ladies, put the fake Kumbaya on pause, please.

It's starting.

Okay. Hello, hello, hello

- Day drinking? Really? - What?

The CMLs are my Super Bowl.

It's an honor just to be inebriated.

Welcome to the Country Music Legacy Award nominations.

Oh, Lordy, old Roger is not aging well.

- Is that a hairpiece? - I would say "possum."

'Course it could be any number of large rodent.

Are you ready for this year's CML nominees?

First up, we have...

No matter what happens, I already have

my two best achievements right here.

My kids.

- Mm. - You say the same thing every year, Mom.

So did Dottie. She didn't mean it, either.

Well, I mean it.

Not that an award wouldn't be nice, too.

...Valerie Valentine.

She sure does like alliteration, doesn't she?

Carrie Underwood...

...and Luke Combs. Next up...

Wow. That competition is gonna be fiercer than...

This is an absolute disaster.

I know. Nothing? Not one nomination?

Monarch's never been shut out before.

You guys have any idea what this is gonna do to our bottom line?

- Hey. Shh. It's not over yet. - You ready for the big one?

Country Music Legacy Award Single of the Year.

I know I am. Our first nomination.

Can you say daddy-daughter duet?

- Come on! - It's Gigi and Albie Roman

for "You Were Always on My Mind."

- Yes! - Oh...

What?

You just got nominated for Single of the Year.

Awards ain't good for nothing but sitting on shelves.

Come on. We got work to do.

All right.

Okay, I'm gonna organize an afternoon presser for you

and Dad to do the humble thing, all right?

Just say you're honored and then yada, yada, yada, okay?

- Yeah. Sure. - Gigi, I'm so happy for you, girl.

- Thank you, Aunt Nellie. - See?

I told you this is gonna be your year.

- Wow. - Ooh.

You all right, Mom?

Of course she is. She has us. That's all she needs.

- Right, Mom? - Uh, yes, it is.

Okay, one nomination left.

And... the final nominee for Country Music

Legacy Single of the Year is...

Nicky Roman, "God Knows."

Mom, it's you.

Did you hear that? What? Huh?

This is the year for Monarch. I'm so proud of you.

- I'm so proud of you. - No... way.

Aunt Gigi and Grandpa versus Mom.

- It's on. - No. No, it is not on.

We're both very happy for each other, right?

- So happy. - Mm-hmm. - Margaritas

and cat fighting. Sign me up.

May the best Roman win.

Did the prosecutor say anything else?

No.

You nervous?

Uh, with a murder indictment hanging over me? No.

Uh, could you imagine what my ass'd look like

in an orange jumpsuit?

Look at the bright side.

Uh, what bright side?

- Merle Haggard wrote three number ones behind bars. - Yeah.

Hey, Luke.

- Uncle Tripp. - Hi. - Hey, Nicky.

- Come on in. Have a seat. - Hey. - Hey.

I thought we'd be meeting one of your deputies.

- Uh, yeah. Hi, sweetie. - Hi.

That was the plan, but, um,

this is an extraordinarily serious charge...

The assisted suicide of your mother, Dottie Roman.

And my job is to make sure that justice is done.

I already feel bad enough.

She asked me for help, and...

it's what she wanted.

I don't doubt that.

Doesn't change the facts, though, does it?

No.

But...

I know something about this case that my prosecutors don't.

I know you, Nicky.

I know your character.

Not to mention, your father is one

of my oldest friends in this world,

and to say that I owe all of this

to him would be an understatement.

So, the way I see it,

your family has suffered quite enough.

- Oh, good. - Let's leave this all to Uncle Tripp.

Really? Oh, my gosh. Thank you.

- Oh. - Thank you.

Look, my daddy doesn't know about this, so can we...

- can we keep it that way? - Sure. He doesn't have to know.

It'll be our little secret.

- Okay. - But Nicky, just one thing.

Don't make a habit of killing off family members.

Okay?

- Hi, honey. Are you hungry? - Uh-uh. No.

I can't even look at food.

I just relocated breakfast in the guest bathroom.

Oh, no, honey. I'm so sorry.

- I guess we should be glad, huh? - Why?

Well, how many times does IVF work out on the first try?

Yeah, I'm not sure.

Guess my brother has some kind of... super sperm.

You're in a really good mood.

- Why wouldn't I be? - Uh, I don't know.

Nicky got a solo nomination for a song she stole from you,

and you have to share a duet nomination with your dad?

I mean, I'm pissed, as your manager and as your wife.

You know what? We have too many good things in our lives,

and I'm not gonna let my sister ruin it.

I love that. I just have one question.

Who are you, and what have you done with my wife?

Just keep digging.

Fraud, IRS, jaywalking, for all I care.

Just get me everything you have on Jamie Burke.

Mr. Roman?

Your sisters are here for their meeting.

Okay. Okay, keep me posted.

Okay. This will not be fun.

How are my favorite sisters this morning?

- Good Lord, this cannot be good. - What is it, Luke?

I have great news. The CML people called,

and they are very excited about your nominations,

and they see an opportunity for... a duet

at this weekend's award show.

You mean, me and Daddy?

No.

I mean you and Nicky.

Is that gonna be a problem, Geeg?

Actually, it is.

Okay. Why?

- Why do you think? - Come on, Geeg.

- I've said I'm sorry. - Did you?

I must've missed your apology

while I was pulling the knife out of my back.

Geeg... you do realize what this could mean for Monarch, right?

Yeah, I do. And I'm sorry.

I've tried to be the bigger person, but

I've got my own career to think about,

and I don't need to stand up there

and help make her look good.

And what about if I made you look good?

- Oh, yeah, 'cause that's your MO. - Okay, look.

This ain't about you. This ain't about you, either.

It's about Monarch.

There are gonna be millions of people watching this show,

and it's the people that buy your albums,

and it's the people that stream your songs.

This ain't a request.

It ain't a debate, neither.

It's happening. Both of you are doing it. Together.

- Yes, sir. - We clear?

Mm-hmm.

I thought you said lunch.

What do you think this is?

Give me another and a double for my buddy here.

He's got some catching up to do.

How you doing?

Haven't seen you since the funeral.

Yeah, I'm getting by.

Something's come up, though, uh,

and I need your help, but...

just between us.

Sure.

You coming to me as the D.A.?

As my friend.

You remember, back in '80, big fire out at my place,

the back barn burned to the ground?

Yeah, sure.

I have reason to believe

that Dottie set that fire.

Dottie?

Okay, so,

Dottie set a fire and burned down your barn.

Worst things have been said about people.

Let me finish.

Nellie says...

someone was inside at the time.

Might have died in that fire.

One of the caretakers.

Rosa.

Mm-hmm. She the woman you were involved with?

I need you to help me look into this.

Find out if it's true.

I can do that.

But Albie?

Sometimes it's best to let the past just, uh...

rest, you know?

If Dottie started that fire,

if my wife was a murderer,

I need to know.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait.

Wait. Okay.

How is this a duet

if I only come in on the chorus?

Uh, she's right. Now, who picked this song, anyway?

It was me.

- I did. - Good.

All right, well, I'm glad you're here

because I don't mind saying that it's...

The-the song's a little bit on the nose, don't you think?

I mean, my brand's more sophisticated than this.

And my brand doesn't put people to sleep.

Oh, for God's sake. Let's be honest.

Neither one of you has a brand.

- I'm sorry? - Excuse me? - And, frankly,

I'm happy that you've found a target besides each other.

You know that Wade Stellings has more TikTok followers

than both of you combined?

I'm sure the CMLs would be happy

to fly him in to sing the damn song

except they can't because he's too busy

headlining a sold-out world tour.

Either one of you doing that? No, I didn't think so.

You know, you two used to love each other.

Why don't you work on remembering that?

Where's Sandy? Sandy, neither one of these girls leaves

till I say so, okay?

Well, he does have a point.

You think we can be mature enough to get through?

- I know I can. - Good.

Uh, uh.

Very mature.

All right, let's go again.

- Hey. - Hey.

I was just gonna leave this for you

'cause I figured you'd be partying

in every bar on 6th Street by now.

Um, yeah, every bar. That's me.

Well, then, just, uh, save it for when you win.

Or we could pop it now for good luck.

I like it.

I mean, he's such a piece of work.

When I told him he was nominated,

he didn't even crack a smile.

When he won, he didn't even crack a smile, so...

Yeah. One little nomination, and suddenly, I'm popular again.

- Seriously? - Uh...

- You changed the locks? - Well, yes.

It was supposed to keep the riff-raff out.

Believe me, I'd rather be at the hotel

having my evening massage, but turns out

that hotels don't take kindly to credit cards being canceled.

So, unfortunately, I'm gonna have

to remind you about this bottle.

Or should I say murder weapon, you know?

The one you put the pills in you used to kill your mother.

I'm sorry. You clearly haven't heard the good news.

The D.A. doesn't anticipate bringing charges.

What?

You don't believe me? You want to call him?

Which number should we try?

His house or the lake residence?

Oh, I get it. Uncle Tripp to the rescue, eh?

The Roman family's above the law.

Yeah, unbelievable. You people think

- you can get away with anything, don't you? - Clive,

you're the father of my children, and I would

really appreciate it if we could co-parent in a healthy fashion.

But the gravy train has come off the rails.

Look, Nick, come on, let's just...

Let's just try and work this out, eh?

I've always loved you.

You know that.

It was only one girl.

Clive, it was our entire marriage.

God, you really are a bad actor.

Everything all right in here?

- Who's this? - Jamie Burke.

Seriously, this is the new guy?

Well, what happened to your boy toy, Wade?

Well, at least I waited till the end of our marriage

to start dating, so, um...

Hate to ruin the fun, but it seems like

this conversation has run its course.

You look like you want to take a swing at me.

No need. By the looks of it,

Nicky could take you all by herself.

You'll be hearing from my lawyer.

Oh, yeah, I know. The one I'll be paying for.

Sorry about that.

I didn't mean to overstep. He's your husband still.

No, no. I'm the one that's sorry.

I think it was the English accent that got me.

Champagne?

Okay. One more time from the top.

He didn't want you to see that yet.

- He don't think it's done. - Well, he's wrong.

It was amazing. I haven't seen him

that invested for a long time.

Thank you.

Just doing my job.

Well, you're doing it well.

So I wanted to apologize for the other night.

None needed. Divorces ain't easy.

Plus, I lost my best friend.

People always say that.

Uh, no, no. I'm talking about Gigi. No.

Can you imagine if Clive was my best friend?

So she's still going full Wynonna on you, huh?

Mm-hmm. And now Luke has us performing a duet at the CMLs.

Said that'd be good for Monarch.

- Well. - What?

He's right. It will be.

You can't buy that level of exposure.

I'm sorry. You're taking his side?

You don't want to hear what he says about you.

The boy does not trust you at all.

He shouldn't.

It's called being a good CEO.

Guys like him should always be suspicious of guys like me,

especially when they take a liking to their sister.

Hey, listen,

on the off chance you don't have a date for the CMLs,

let's just say I know a guy.

I have a date.

Mm-hmm, and it's with a younger man.

Wade Stellings, hmm?

No. Ace Roman, my son.

Oh. Well, in that case,

I'd be happy to step aside for the better man.

Speaking of, I better get back to the old man.

I'll text you as soon as I get there.

Love you.

Oh, I love you more.

Bye.

It's all right. It's okay.

Okay.

Well, take good care of your mom, eh?

Nicky.

It's all gonna be good.

Just 'cause Daddy's gone back to London

for a while, it doesn't mean he's gonna...

We know exactly what it means, Mom.

We're in this family, too,

and some things you just can't hide.

He loves you very, very much, more than anything.

- You know that. - We know, Mom.

We get it. It's nobody's fault.

Hey, I know it's gonna be hard,

but we're gonna find a new way how to be as a family.

Okay, go try those tuxedoes on.

I want to see which one goes best with my dress.

Oh, yeah, about that.

Um, change of plans.

I'm taking Ana.

Did Ace just dump me?

Like father, like son.

I don't recall you having an appointment.

I don't.

But I've been getting calls from a few friends

in Nashville and L.A. telling me

that Luke Roman has been asking questions about me,

trying to dig up dirt.

I was. Turns out, you're a choir boy.

You are beloved...

from coast to coast.

Good. So then we're cool?

No. No, because in my experience,

you don't get very far in this business

without getting just a tiny bit dirty.

So now you're even more suspicious

because I'm too clean?

Just seems a bit tidy to me.

It's almost like...

like you're trying to cover your tracks.

Didn't ever cross your mind that maybe you haven't found anything

'cause, you know, there ain't nothing to find?

Did, but then I thought, if that's the case,

wouldn't hurt to keep on digging. Right, Jamie?

Well, then.

Knock yourself out.

Oh, don't I plan to.

Listen up, because this is important.

You know, the press doesn't miss a thing

so you need to be on your best behavior tonight.

Because even though you and Nicky are feuding

right now, you're both...

Still sisters, I know.

That's right. So, if she goes low...

I go lower.

No.

That is not the point of tonight.

The point is to...

Fake it. Fake smiles...

Fake air kisses.

Don't give the press anything to write about.

So... just pretend Nicky didn't steal my song?

And just pretend that Gigi hasn't been

a complete and utter diva.

Exactly, because this is show business.

It's not about what's real.

It's about what people see,

so you think you could pretend you guys are still BFFs?

And have no desire whatsoever to kill each other?

Hard to say. I guess...

We'll see, won't we?

- Gigi, can I get a picture? - Who are you wearing?

- Hey. - Ace, who's your date?

This beautiful young woman is Anastasia Phoenix,

a new Monarch artist,

and you'll be hearing a lot from her soon.

Gigi!

Gigi, I love your outfit.

Ah, thanks.

Nicky, can we get a shot with you and your sister?

Yeah, of course. Hi, Geeg.

Excellent. Come on up here, sis.

- Hey. - Hey.

- Okay. - That looks great.

Oh, my Lord.

I think they listened to us.

As long they get through tonight,

they can kill each other tomorrow

as far as I'm concerned.

- Good? You look great. - Yup.

- You look great. - You look fantastic.

Thank you.

It's amazing how you've hidden all that bang.

I know. Listen, they don't call me

Earl "Hide-A-Bang" Clark for nothing.

- You look great. - Yeah?

You look sleek, you look elegant.

And later, we'll do '70s glam meets early aughts bedhead

with a soupcon of Loretta Lynn for the history buffs.

You have outdone yourself, Earl.

- You think? - Mm-hmm.

Really? Oh, thank the Lord.

Why? What's wrong?

Well, uh, honestly?

- Uh-huh. - With your mama gone and all,

I was afraid y'all was gonna kick me to the curb.

Hey, you are part of this family.

You always have been, always will be.

Hey!

You know how much I loved her.

I was at her first award show,

- the one that made her a star. - I know.

And tonight...

you are shining just as bright.

Thanks.

Well, hi.

- How are you doing? - I'm doing well.

Oh, my God.

Oh.

Nice dress, Roman.

At least you're wearing it different.

Did your people seriously not call our people

about the gowns that we pulled?

Well, pardon me for not combing

through your sloppy seconds, Karen.

I was told it was one-of-a-kind.

Well, you look good.

Even my dress is two-timing me.

Well, if that ain't a country song, I don't know what is.

- We should write it. - Let's do it, girl.

Nice taste.

Hey.

The A-level pass, huh?

You know someone who knows someone?

- I'll have what he's having. - Better believe it.

They don't give just anyone access to the jumbo shrimp.

- Thank you. - You know, I'm a big boy.

If you didn't want to come with me,

you could have just told me the truth.

Oh, I was telling the truth.

Ace had a change of plans.

Is that right?

His loss.

Well, if you can tear yourself away from the free drinks...

I'll see you after the show.

So what changed your mom's mind

about letting you go with me?

Nothing. I, uh...

just told her I was going to a party with a friend.

Which isn't totally a lie, right?

No.

I'm a terrible daughter.

My grandma always said, "It's better to ask

for forgiveness than permission."

Ladies and gents, we are in

for a treat tonight as two of our nominees

have agreed to team up for a duet.

Please welcome two of Dottie Roman's greatest hits...

Her daughters: Nicky and Gigi Roman.

Geeg? Geeg, thank you.

I knew we could do it and put all that stupid crap behind us.

It's always sisters first.

Yeah, if Mama taught me anything,

it's that the stage is sacred.

Whenever you're out there,

whatever you're going through just disappears.

- That's right. - But Mama also taught me

that once you exit stage right, all is fair game.

So, we might make magic out there,

but on this side of the curtain, sister,

it changes nothing.

Thank y'all.

This next award is for Single of the Year.

This year is really interesting

because we have a bit of a family rivalry going on.

Mm-hmm.

And the nominees are:

Albie and Gigi Roman, "You Were Always on My Mind."

Chris Stapleton, "You Should Probably Leave."

Miranda Lambert, "If I Was a Cowboy."

Walker Hayes, "Fancy Like."

And Nicky Roman for "God Knows."

Exciting. Let's get to it.

And the winner is...

And she's best dressed, if I may say so...

Nicky Roman for "God Knows" for Single of the Year.

It's taken a very long time.

Um, "God Knows" was written by our mama,

and I knew as soon as I heard it, that, uh,

I wanted to perform it.

It shows us that we're never really alone,

even in our darkest hours.

That, I think, is what country music is all about.

And there is one person here tonight

that I'd really like to acknowledge.

She's the reason that I never truly feel alone.

She's my inspiration and,

without her, uh, I wouldn't be up here.

So, I share this award with Gigi Roman, my sister.

Thank you all. Uh, thanks.

It means more to me than you'll ever know.

Thank you.

Hey.

Hope you don't mind.

Your, uh, house manager said I could wait for you in here.

And did he say you could help yourself

to my best brown liquor?

Should I guess why you're here, or you gonna break the suspense?

Rosa Flores.

That's her, right?

That's the woman that you, uh...?

Yeah, yeah.

And you're sure you want to know what I...

Hey, we're long past the time for secrets now, Tripp.

Okay.

What you were told...

was true.

Rosa died in that fire.

The fire that Dottie set.

But, buddy, that's not it.

You were gone most of that year, right?

- You were touring? 1980? - Yeah.

So, you didn't know

that Rosa gave birth that summer.

A little girl.

Mine?

According to her birth certificate...

yes, sir.

My God.

So they both died in that fire, Rosa and...?

So I thought,

but then I had my investigators dig a little deeper,

and that little girl surfaced at an orphanage

in Albuquerque a few years later.

She's alive?

Likely.

We lost the scent after that.

But it does mean that your daughter...

Could be anywhere right now.

I promise, Mama.

I won't let them forget you.

One for the winner.

And one for the winner's friend.

What should we toast to?

Anything good happen recently?

All right, I don't mean

to sound ungrateful, but is this what it feels like?

What?

Winning.

My whole life, I've been waiting

for a moment outside of my mama's shadow,

and now I don't really feel any different.

Give it some time.

Yeah, I guess.

'Cause right now, I can't focus on what I've won.

I can only think about... what I've lost.

You and Gigi will work it out.

My mama and Nellie never did.

And my marriage.

Even divorces that are overdue are still divorces.

And, um, then there's us.

As in you and me?

Well, I don't know how that's supposed to work

'cause I don't even have the "me" part yet.

And my kids need me, and my daddy's not in a good place,

and my brother thinks you're the anti-Christ.

- Okay. - Yeah.

- I get the point. - Yeah.

Timing.

Something I've never really been good at.

But you know, some things are worth waiting for.

So, cheers,

Nicky Roman,

to being absolutely one of those things.

On that note...

...I'd best be going.

- Good night. - Night.

She's sound asleep.

Because she doesn't yet know the world's a cruel place

where lying and cheating win.

Dark.

Hey, look, you know, it really is an honor to be nominated?

And you've only been performing in public for a few months.

Don't act like I'm a sore loser while my sister wins an award

for a song that she stole out from under me.

I mean, come on, we know who she is.

She's a woman who feels like her window's closing.

That's why she did what she did.

And that speech.

She thinks by doing the Dottie Roman charm routine

that she can make everything all right.

Please.

You want some unpopular advice?

I think you should forgive her.

I'm serious.

You guys have always been best friends,

and you are happier when she is in your life, believe me.

I think you should go over there and make things right.

You know what?

I half-agree with you.

I'm gonna go over and see Nicky right now.

- Okay, good. - But I have no intention to make things right.

I'm going to go over there and tear that bitch a new one.

Gigi.

Mom.

Hi. I thought you'd be asleep.

How could I sleep when my daughter lies to me?

What are you talking about?

Oh, don't even start. I saw you... on TV.

Mom, we came here for my career, right?

- Mm. - Do you know how many music people I met tonight?

- And I have, like, a jillion new followers. - I told you

I didn't want you around the Romans outside of work.

Ace is the sweetest guy I've ever met.

- I don't know what your problem with him is. - And you know what?

Maybe you're right. I don't have a problem with Ace.

- It's with his family. - No.

They've just never learned to take "no" for an answer.

No, Mommy, Ace isn't like that.

Maybe it's time I had a word with Nicky Roman.

Set that woman straight once and for all!

No. Don't!

Hey, I'm coming.

What are you doing here?

Hey, kiddo.

Daddy?

Daddy, will you come? Something, um...

Something really terrible has happened.

I don't know what to do.

Don't move. I'll be right there.

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