Original subtitles

- Previously on Monarch... - And y'all saw her last night.

That was not a woman who was just about to die.

Something doesn't make sense.

She also left behind

letters for her children.

Nicky wrote these letters?

What the hell's my sister hiding?

♪ How do I live without you? ♪

So you stayed out of the spotlight because

you thought you'd outshine me?

Well, there can only be one queen.

My name is Catt Phoenix,

and my daughter Ana and I have an appointment with Luke Roman.

I am so sorry. We must have double-booked y'all.

There are millions of people

trying to be country singers, Mom.

Yes, but they're not you.

We can't play "Love of my Life."

There's an issue with the rights.

Hell I can't. We own the whole damn catalogue.

Please. We could get sued.

Nick, it's over, all right? I ended it.

How old is she this time Clive, hmm?

She able to vote?

Not me I'm worried about. It's Luke.

He's always alone.

This is wrong.

We have to stop this.

I love Gigi.

A Roman never forgets a friend.

Or an enemy.

Yeah, I need you to run some tags for me.

Good evening, Ms. Roman.

- Evening. - I hate to bother you this late.

You mind if I have a few words with your father?

Oh, he's in bed.

- Really? - Mm-hmm.

I just saw his truck down near the woods

by Enchanted Rock about an hour ago.

It's kind of late for him to be out there.

Yeah, he went for a drive.

Um, he got back and turned in a while ago.

Do you want me to go wake him up?

No need. Just wanted to make sure he got home okay.

All right. That's sweet. Thank you.

- Have a good evening. - Good night.

So? What do you think?

I think she's lying through her teeth.

All right, they're gone.

- Not for long. - What?

In about 40 minutes,

they're either gonna show up here with a warrant,

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

Right. So what are you saying?

I'm saying we better get to that body before they do.

♪ Mirror, mirror on the wall ♪

♪ Don't say it, 'cause I know I'm cute ♪

♪ Ooh, baby Louis down to my drawers ♪

♪ LV all on my shoes ♪

♪ Ooh, baby I be dripping so much sauce ♪

♪ Gotta been looking like Ragù Ooh, baby ♪

♪ Lit up like a crystal ball ♪

♪ That's cool, baby, so is you, that's how I roll ♪

♪ If I'm shining, everybody gonna shine ♪

♪ Yeah, I'm goals ♪ - ♪ Heard you say ♪

♪ I'm not the baddest chick, you lie, ha-ha ♪

♪ It ain't my fault that I'm out here getting loose ♪

♪ Gotta blame it on the Goose ♪

♪ Gotta blame it on my juice, baby ♪

♪ It ain't my fault that I'm out here making news ♪

♪ I'm the pudding in the proof, gotta blame it on my juice ♪

♪ Ya-ya-ee, ya-ya, ya-ya, ya-ya, ya-ya ♪

♪ Blame it on my juice, blame it, blame it on my juice ♪

♪ Aha Somebody come get this man ♪

♪ I think he got lost in my DMs What? ♪

♪ My DMs what? ♪

♪ You better come get your man ♪

♪ I think he wanna be way more than friends ♪

- ♪ What? ♪ - ♪ - More than friends ♪

♪ What you want me to say? ♪

♪ It ain't my fault ♪

♪ That I'm out here getting loose ♪

♪ Gotta blame it on the Goose ♪

♪ Gotta blame it on my juice, baby ♪

♪ It ain't my fault that I'm out here making news ♪

♪ I'm the pudding in the proof ♪

♪ Gotta blame it on my juice, ya-ya-ee ♪

♪ Ya-ya-ee Ya-ya, ya-ya, ya-ya ♪

♪ Blame it on my juice ♪

♪ Blame it, blame it on my juice, uh-uh. ♪

I cannot wait to see you

light up the Queens of Country with that!

I cannot wait to see her wipe the floor with Nicky.

Oh! Sister rivalry is the best rivalry.

Ugh. I hate that everything has to be a competition.

- I love Nicky. - Well, so do I.

But what can I say? People like a little

Game of Thrones with their country music.

When your mama won her first crown,

she sang circles around both Reba and Dolly.

I appreciate the support.

I'm gonna go out there and do my best,

but this is not a competition, and there is no rivalry.

Her naivete is adorable.

Sorry, Mom. I'm taking mine to go. Looks delicious, though.

Well, don't forget your meds and your... and your cleats.

Yeah, I got it. See ya.

And whatever else you're gonna call me about

- in the next two hours. - He's 18 now.

You could let him forget about it.

Maybe then he'd learn.

Well, in that case, shall I let you...

you forget this?

And here. Sweater.

You've had a cold. Put it on.

Too bad the Grammys don't have an award

for helicopter parenting. You'd finally get one.

- Mm-hmm. - Mm. - Hey.

What about me? What should I remember?

I'd say to keep it in your pants,

but I don't think that's possible.

I meant what I said, Nick.

It's all behind me.

I'm just about to go to therapy now

so I can deal with why I'm so compelled

to screw up the best thing that ever happened to me.

Nicky.

- Hello, Clive. - Luke.

Don't bother to knock.

Uh, what brings you here so early?

We need to talk. Now.

You're a bad liar, Nick.

Even worse forger.

This letter? The one that Mama didn't write?

- What, you gonna deny it? - Well, I had to do something.

You and Daddy were arguing,

me and Gigi were at each other's throats.

- I just thought... - What?

That making up some fairy tale

in Mama's handwriting was gonna make it all better?

We've all broken a commandment somewhere along the line.

I'm sure if you dig deep,

you'll be able to think of something.

Besides, with the Queens of Country concert coming up,

I just... I don't know.

I just want some peace in this family.

Well, speaking of, I'm working something for you.

Open Horizon's gonna come to your rehearsal today.

They're ready to offer me my tour?

Hmm. Think of it more as a... negotiation.

Fine.

Oh, and I also know that you've been

poking around Mama's death,

like one of us had something to do with it.

Now you have got to stop harping on

about these conspiracy theories.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

Just... sometimes

let my imagination get the better of me, I guess.

- Coroner's office. - Hey.

I'm tired of waiting. Tell me what you got.

Look, I need to go through the official channels on this.

We're talking about the potential, illegal,

assisted suicide of Dottie Roman.

Just tell me what you found.

The prelim tox screen showed us some questionable results.

We are running it again as we speak.

But brace yourself, Luke, because if my gut is correct...

Then a member of my family's going to jail.

♪ ♪

♪ Cause I can feel you breathe, it's washing over me ♪

♪ And suddenly, I'm melting into you ♪

♪ There's nothing left to prove ♪

♪ And baby, all we need is just to be ♪

Yeah. Great.

♪ Caught up in the touch ♪

♪ A slow and steady rush ♪ - Hey.

- Hi. - ♪ Baby, isn't that the way ♪

♪ That love's supposed to be? ♪

♪ I can feel you breathe. ♪

Nicky, meet Mackenzie Gates from Open Horizon.

- Hi. - Hi.

So you're the new Alec Graham.

Not really. I pride myself on my relationships with talent.

Discovering new artists, nurturing older ones.

And which one am I?

That's just it. I don't know.

You have something, no doubt.

But you took a back seat to your mother for years.

The spotlight doesn't find everyone.

Uh, no, it does not, you're right,

but I'm not everyone.

I just need a chance.

Chances aren't given. They're seized.

And if you're begging me for a tour, you've already lost.

Show me who you are at the concert this weekend.

Make me beg you.

Always a pleasure, Mackenzie.

Anything for the Romans.

Well, I don't think she replaced Alec Graham.

I think she ate him.

I told you, Nick. It's just gamesmanship.

She's a professional hard-ass.

No, it's not just that. She saw right through me.

- What are you talking about? - The whole thing.

The song, the photos, the whole performance.

It's like, my marriage is hanging by a thread, and...

it's not real.

It's not supposed to be real, Nick.

And anyway, you sounded great.

I know it's been a long road,

but just keep doing what you're doing, okay?

Your time will come.

♪ When you go to sleep tonight ♪

♪ And the stars are shining bright ♪

♪ And your day has been weary and long ♪

♪ Just know now far away ♪

♪ Someone'll say that they miss you ♪

♪ While you're away... ♪

Oh, Clive.

You son of a bitch.

Tell that to your therapist, Clive.

- You flushed 'em? - Luckily, it was

a low-flow toilet, so I fished 'em out,

and I donated them to the Austin women's shelter.

Good. Happy ending.

Disgusting but happy.

- That's good. - Yep.

Oh, Geeg, I still can't believe it.

I mean, I know he's done it before, but six months.

Look. This is her.

Imogen Lowe.

She's an actress.

He did that Hallmark movie with her in Vancouver.

Mm. Fake teeth, fake hair. Fake hoo-hahs, too, probably.

Yeah.

So does this mean you're finally gonna

kick his skinny British ass to the curb?

I can't.

According to Open Horizon,

divorce doesn't go with my brand.

- Nicky. - Well, Mama and Daddy had

the perfect marriage, and she proved

that a woman can have it all, so...

now I'm expected to keep up appearances.

For who? Is this what you want

your children thinking that a marriage is?

Lying and cheating?

So you picked the wrong guy. It's not your fault.

And not everybody can be as lucky as Mama was.

She and Daddy genuinely loved and respected each other.

Every marriage has got to start from there.

I know mine does.

Yeah.

Yeah, I guess so.

I feel terrible doing this to Gigi.

I can't keep coming here.

That's what you said last time.

- And the time before that. - Right.

Hmm. Who is it?

It's Nicky. She wants to have lunch with me tomorrow.

Do you have any idea what this is about?

Mama always told Nicky, "Keep your friends close."

Well, Nicky and I have never really been friends.

Then she's gonna keep you even closer.

♪ ♪

♪ Better days are on the way ♪

♪ Yes, they're on the way... ♪

I'm starving, Grandpa.

Well, we can't have that.

They're here.

You ready?

We didn't come all the way

from Albuquerque for nothing.

You've worked really hard on this.

So, come on. You can do it.

- Okay. Okay. - Go, go on.

♪ ♪

♪ 'Cause you are the rose ♪

♪ I go through the brambles. ♪

This is Ana, my daughter, so you won't forget.

Our number is right there on the back.

Call us anytime, day or night.

Anytime you're ready to sign her.

That was amazing.

Did you lose something?

No.

I mean, yeah, just must be in another jacket or something.

Yeah, it could be, or you might want to check Lake Buchanan,

'cause I'm pretty sure that's where the sewage ends up.

You know... after you've flushed.

- Oh, you wouldn't have. - I wouldn't?

Because... I think...

maybe I... did?

And, Clive,

I found, uh, this charging in the kitchen.

You invited Imogen to my house this weekend

on the Roman family jet?

For God's sake, Clive!

- It's not what you think. - You've been sleeping with her

for six months, and that's the best you can come up with?

It's a good thing that you are

an actor and not a writer. That's all I can say.

She's just coming here so I can end it,

- in person, face-to-face. - Oh. Okay.

- I mean, I owe her that! - Such sensitivity.

I'm really glad that I found you that therapist,

'cause she's clearing doing an amazing job.

Now the bed in the pool house is already made up.

I was gonna say, be careful about the rats,

but there's no need because... you're gonna fit right in.

♪ ♪

Yeah, I'm gonna stay with Dad again tonight.

He's still having a tough time, but...

oh, I hate to miss Summer's bedtime.

Can you put the phone up to her ear

so I can sing her a lullaby?

She's already fast asleep, baby.

But you can sing it to me.

♪ There's so much good I want to do ♪

♪ But God knows the bad that I've done ♪

♪ It only takes one look at you ♪

♪ To see the one I want to be become... ♪

♪ ♪

Geeg told me about Queens of Country. That's huge.

Sure is.

You haven't touched your lunch.

Yeah, I don't know. I'm not very hungry.

I don't know. Maybe it's the heat.

Or your conscience.

I know about you and my brother.

How could you do that to Gigi?

Do you know what that will do to her if she finds out?

It's wrong.

I love Gigi.

I will not let you hurt my sister. Do you hear me?

You need to end it.

Right. To Gigi Tucker-Roman,

who we're lucky enough to have in our lives.

You're not eating sushi, and you're not drinking sake.

How far along are you?

Not very.

Luke doesn't even know yet.

Well, I can't imagine the... burden that you're carrying.

But if this was to get out, it would hurt a lot of people

that mean the world to me.

Are you threatening me?

The opposite. I'm...

I'm asking you to let me handle it.

♪ ♪

Hey. What you got there?

Uh, just some old photos.

Queens of Country want to do a memorial reel on Mama, so...

Well, nobody's using pictures of your mama without my say-so.

Okay.

Understood. I'll, um...

I'll clear 'em with you first.

Oh, and by the way, you know what?

It'd be nice if maybe you MC'd or-or sang a song.

Nice for who?

After that mess at Mama's funeral,

we need to remind the world who you are.

You're the King of Country, Dad.

You're the Texas Truth-Teller.

Okay.

Seriously?

Yeah.

Damn.

Well, I didn't think you'd do it.

Well, there's something you need to do for me.

Find out who's got the rights to our music

and how the hell you're gonna get it back.

I'm into it, okay?

Don't worry.

Don't manage me.

This is about more than contracts and cash.

Those albums are a piece of me and your mama.

I've lost enough of her as it is.

I'm not giving up any more.

♪ ♪

♪ I work a double shift on Monday... ♪

I can't believe Mama saved all of her old wardrobe.

You find anything good, Miss Tanya?

Sorry, girls. Might as well give it up right now.

Not so fast, Tucker.

Damn. Looks like your mama just rose from the dead.

Right?

Geeg?

Where'd you get those?

Well, Mama left 'em to Daddy,

and Daddy's not gonna wear 'em, so...

Take 'em off.

- Give 'em to me. - What?

Take 'em off!

Uh, all right.

Um, I'm so sorry.

Geeg? Geeg? No, Gee... Oh!

Okay.

What has gotten into you?

Geeg, hold up.

Mama promised me these boots.

She knew what they meant to me.

Course, she never really paid me much mind in life.

Not sure why I thought she'd start after she died.

She did her best. I don't understand

why you're always tearing her down.

And why are you always building her up?

She made you kill her, Nicky.

What kind of a mother does that to one of her kids?

Now, I know that you're the smart one

and I barely graduated high school,

but seeing your parents for who they really are

does not make you bad, Nicky.

It makes you whole.

♪ ♪

♪ When someone's coming at you ♪

♪ And coming on strong... ♪

Mr. Roman?

Afternoon.

I wanted to ask you

why I haven't heard back from you

about signing my daughter Ana.

- Her heart is set on Monarch, and she's... - Listen.

No BS, all right? Your daughter's got chops.

- Yes. - But the business is handled by the suits.

And I don't look like one of them, do I?

- No. No. - Okay.

We were supposed to meet with your son Luke,

but we haven't heard back from him, either.

That's no surprise.

I'm sorry. I-I got enough issues with my son.

I'll let this one be yours.

Thank you.

Look, Mama. I'm the queen, just like you.

You are nothing like me. Nothing!

Don't you ever touch these boots again.

You hear me?

You are nothing like me. Nothing!

Mama, what were you hiding?

♪ Our love was built on lies ♪

♪ The truth is I closed my eyes ♪

♪ And I see the red taillights ♪

♪ Of our life fade away ♪

♪ She's where you want to be ♪

♪ But we both know you'll never leave me ♪

♪ So I'm left here bleeding ♪

♪ On these pages... ♪

She left this for him.

The pain in her voice.

Nicky, I think he cheated on her.

Daddy wouldn't cheat.

It's about heartbreak and cheating, yes,

but so is every country song.

- If that's true, then why not record it? - I don't know.

Maybe she wasn't done with it.

Or she just didn't want anybody else to hear it but him.

- You've been cheated on before. - All right.

But Daddy is not... he's not Clive.

Well, he ain't a saint, either.

Well, if that's true,

then all this time, I've been living up to their...

shining, perfect example, and...

Is anyone's marriage what it's supposed to be?

Mine is.

Well, with Mama gone, there's only

one way to find out the truth.

- Talk to Daddy. - Mm-hmm.

It's not fair. You get to take your anger out

on a pair of boots. I get...

I get to take mine out on a country legend.

Great.

- Mom? - Yeah?

Something just came in under the door.

Maybe it's your Monarch contract.

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!

Is it?

No.

No, it's nothing for you to worry about.

- Hmm. - Well, I have good news.

Yeah?

Ace Roman follows me on Instagram.

Mija.

Less social media, more guitar.

Eyes on the prize, baby.

My marriage is none of your business, Nicolette.

Of course it is. You and Mama set an example

that I've spent half of my adult life trying to live up to,

so if it's all a lie, I'd like to know.

I loved your mother.

Unconditionally, with all my heart.

But?

It was 40 years ago.

It was one night and a lifetime of regret.

Did Mama know?

The whole damn time.

She told me right before she died.

I guess she found a way to forgive me

whether I deserved it or not.

She made a choice,

and it kept our family together.

What choice would she want me to make?

Did that pasty limey cheat on you again?

You asked what Mama would want you to do.

Well, Mama's gone,

so do what you need to do for you.

♪ ♪

Clive! Hi, bunny.

Hello, Imogen.

Come on in.

I won't bite.

♪ ♪

♪ It's just a matter of time ♪

♪ Before I have to pay the price ♪

♪ For what I done ♪

♪ Back there ♪

♪ I am bound ♪

♪ For my fate ♪

♪ I got bad man's blood ♪

♪ In my veins. ♪

♪ ♪

- Hey. Thank you. - Wade!

- So who's going to win tonight? - Hey,

my money is always on Nicky Roman.

♪ Ooh! ♪

♪ Hmm, you've been wearing that crown ♪

♪ And tearing me down, it's been a while ♪

♪ Since you've treated me right, you've strung me along ♪

♪ For far too long 'cause I never gave up the fight ♪

♪ Oh, my, oh, my, huh ♪

♪ Mama always told me that I should play nice ♪

♪ But she didn't know you when she gave me that advice ♪

♪ I'm through with you ♪

♪ You're one bridge I'd like to burn ♪

♪ Bottle up the ashes... ♪ - For you.

Nicky, why are you in black?

Because this is the funeral of my marriage.

This is my friend, Imogen Lowe.

Why is Imogen here?

Because it's always the other woman

that's painted as a slut or a home-wrecker

or the wife that deserves to be cheated on

because she's cold or unloving.

So, instead of blaming one another...

We're joining together in solidarity

to hold accountable the only truly guilty party,

which is my lying, cheating husband.

♪ Delta Dawn, what's that flower you have on? ♪

♪ Could it be a faded rose from days gone by? ♪

♪ And did I hear you say ♪

♪ He was meeting you here today ♪

♪ To take you to his mansion in the sky? ♪

That was a real baller move out there with Imogen.

Thanks, Geeg.

- Hold on. - Mm-hmm.

Hello?

He's where?

Okay.

- I'll go get him. - What?

Daddy's on a bender down at the Shake and Take.

I got to go pick him up before the cops do.

Daddy will be fine. What are...? You need to perform.

Why? So that you can prove

that you're worthy of that tour by beating me?

No.

♪ Then a man of low degree... ♪

Yes.

I know I'm new to this business, but you don't have to

out sing me or Tanya to get what you want.

You just need to be yourself.

And what if I told you that I don't know who that is anymore?

Maybe that's not such a bad thing.

What are you talking about?

Well, just this last day, you surprised Clive

and you surprised Imogen.

Maybe it's time you surprised yourself.

♪ And did I hear you say he was meeting you here today ♪

♪ To take you to his mansion ♪

♪ In the sky? ♪

Here. Maybe this'll sober you up.

Get on back to the show, Georgina. I'm fine.

What I have to say can't wait.

Mama left something for you

in the heel of one of her boots,

like you were supposed to find it there.

When we'd be on the road,

some of the band hid drugs in their boots.

Me and Dottie would hide secret messages to each other

where nobody'd find them.

Well, I found it,

and here's her message.

♪ Our love was built on lies ♪

♪ The truth is I closed my eyes ♪

♪ And I see the red taillights ♪

♪ Of our life fade away ♪

♪ You ♪

♪ You broke my heart, my body and mind ♪

♪ The truth can't be spoken ♪

♪ But God knows I am broken. ♪

I'm looking forward to seeing what Nicky does tonight.

Well, prepare to be dazzled.

I don't need to be dazzled.

I need to believe that millions

of ticket-buying fans will be dazzled.

And now the next Queen of Country, Nicky Roman.

This is for all you

out there who've had your hearts

ripped apart...

and then rose from the ashes.

Who wants to burn something down?

♪ Forget your high society ♪

♪ I'm soakin' it in kerosene ♪

♪ Light 'em up and watch 'em burn ♪

♪ Teach 'em what they need to learn, ha! ♪

♪ And dirty hands ain't made for shakin' ♪

♪ Ain't a rule that ain't worth breakin' ♪

♪ I'm givin' up on love 'cause love's given up on me ♪

♪ Now I don't hate the one who left ♪

♪ You can't hate someone who's dead ♪

♪ He's out there holdin' on to someone ♪

♪ I'm holding up my smokin' gun ♪

♪ I'll find somewhere to lay my blame ♪

♪ The day she changes her last name ♪

♪ Well, I'm givin' up on love 'cause love's given up on me ♪

♪ Oh, yeah, whoo! ♪

It's not true.

Ah.

Ay, Dios mío.

- Mom. - Mm?

They're from Ace Roman.

Stay focused, mija.

What's that?

It's a contract from Monarch.

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

♪ ♪

I'll always be sorry for how much hurt I caused her.

More so now that I know how deep that pain went.

It wasn't just her you lied to and hurt, Daddy.

I'm sorry.

I carried this secret around for a long time.

I want to be better. I just don't know how I can

until I can make peace with what I did to your mama.

We can pay tribute to her here.

The world might not see it, but...

she will.

Good.

♪ Maybe I didn't love you ♪

♪ Quite as often as I could have ♪

♪ Maybe I didn't treat you ♪

♪ Quite as good as I should have ♪

♪ If I made you feel second best ♪

♪ Girl, I'm sorry I was blind ♪

♪ You were always on my mind ♪

♪ You were always on my mind ♪

♪ And maybe I didn't hold you ♪

♪ All those lonely ♪

♪ Lonely times ♪

♪ I guess I never told you ♪

♪ I'm so happy that you're mine... ♪

- Hey. - Well?

Full disclosure?

Your connection with the fans was electric.

You were all heart out there tonight, Nicky.

And that's a good thing, very good.

Great. So I get my tour?

We'll see.

I work my ass off, I blow the room away,

I change up my act, and all I get's a "We'll see"?

I didn't say no.

♪ I guess I never told you ♪

♪ I'm so happy that you're mine... ♪

Hey.

♪ Little things I should've said and done ♪

♪ I just never took the time ♪

Thank you for the flowers.

You're welcome.

♪ You were always on my mind ♪

♪ You were always on my mind ♪

♪ Tell me ♪

♪ Tell me that your sweet love hasn't died ♪

♪ And give me ♪

♪ Give me one more chance ♪

♪ To keep you satisfied ♪

♪ I'll keep you satisfied ♪

♪ You were always on my mind ♪

♪ You were always on my mind ♪

♪ You were always on my mind ♪

♪ You were always on my mind. ♪

Thanks for waiting for me, darling.

Heard you did your mama proud.

Thank you.

I feel good about it.

Listen.

What went on with that woman had nothing to do with your mama.

It was me.

So, whatever you're feeling because of Clive,

he's the messed-up one, baby, not you.

Thank you.

But as far as Dottie goes...

I'm a bad man, baby.

I mean, I'm the reason your mama died.

I broke her heart.

No, you didn't.

She was... beautiful and alive,

and then she told me what she knew, and...

I'm-I'm the one that deserved to die.

No. That's not why she died.

She died because she was sick.

You are a good man.

And you show that every single day, even today.

Hey. And I love you.

Thank you, baby.

Daddy?

Daddy, hurry. The police might be on their way.

It's not much further.

Just right down here.

Oh, hell.

Somebody got here first.

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