Original subtitles

[Grace] Previously, on Greenleaf:

If we don't pay the IRS $2 million in 90 days,

they'll come after us for tax evasion.

How could you let this happen?

Rochelle Cross had gotten awfully close with my father

and I feel like she's trying to cozy up to me, too.

-Gigi. -Hi.

[Kevin] You either leave him with me or you stay,

but you're not taking my son across state lines.

I can't go to Jackson, or come back on the tour.

But you signed a contract.

[Jacob] Bless these tithes and offerings, Father,

in Jesus' name, amen.

-Get out. -I am done feeling bad.

-I'm done feeling wrong. I'm done feeling dirty. -Get out!

-Get out! -I am done!

You had an affair with my sister.

I am divorcing your black ass!

Nice day, isn't it, Grandma?

It is. I noticed that.

So glad the rain stopped.

Mm-hmm. Everything washed clean.

I'm out.

You know, I'm going to that restaurant you like.

Want me to bring you something back tonight?

Uh, no, I'll find something.

Well, nothing would make me happier

than for you to join me for supper.

I'd love that.

Oh.

Mwah.

See you, honey.

Bye. Good morning, Maricel.

[Maricel] Good morning.

This just came for you, ma'am.

Oh, thank you, Maricel.

What is it?

Seriously?

After the way you spoke to me the other night.

If you weren't family,

you wouldn't even be living in this house.

[sighs]

¶ Amen ¶

[vocalizing]

¶ Amen, amen ¶

[vocalizing]

-[car door closes] -[engine starts]

[tires squeal]

[Darlene] Good morning, Bishop.

-Darlene. -It's a beautiful day.

Oh, another of the Lord's masterpieces.

-Mm-hmm. -Have you seen the First Lady?

I haven't. Do you want me to ask her in

-and find her for you? -Oh, no, no, no.

-She'll find me. -Okay.

Just a matter of when.

-God is good! -[Darlene] All the time.

-Hey. -Heads up.

Oh, it's my wife?

Charity.

What does she want?

I don't know.

I told her I'd have you called.

She insisted on waiting.

-[sighs] -Daddy, I've been thinking.

Good morning.

Oh. Good morning.

-About what? -My future.

Oh, yes, your music career has taken off, hasn't it?

We're going to miss you.

Daddy, I quit the tour.

-You quit? -Yeah.

I'm not going back.

Why? What happened?

Kevin. Kevin's just making it impossible.

Well, we're happy to keep you.

Listen... excuse me.

I want to preach, Daddy.

You want to preach.

Yes.

If I'm going to stay here,

I need to be moving forward in my career.

We've been through this multiple times, Charity.

You're a singer.

Daddy, why can't you just give me a chance?

You haven't heart me preach in years.

Well, that's true enough.

Look, the Lord gave me this idea last night.

Why is it so important to have God in our lives?

Because our souls are songs,

and God is the heavenly choir director.

Did I ever tell you how I wanted to be a baker?

But life got in the way,

and I decided to be the pastor of a church

instead of making cookies.

No, you never told me that story.

That's because it didn't happen.

And it never does happen like that.

The call to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ

is not anybody's... Plan B.

I'm sorry.

Charity.

Charity!

[phone beeps]

Have you gotten ahold of Lady Mae yet?

Not yet.

[sighs]

[groans]

[Grace] Miss Larson, thank you.

Wow. This is so generous. Thank you.

This Defense Fund of yours is such a worthy cause.

And a revolutionary one at that.

When I first heard about it, I wanted to give more.

But Rochelle said there's always next year.

[laughs]

She's not wrong.

-She really is. -[both laugh]

So, how did you two meet?

Oh, one of her clients is a friend. He introduced us.

I think my old money manager must have been

picking my investments by walking a chicken

around the bingo board, you know that old game.

Mm. So, Rochelle's done well for you then?

Oh, my, yes.

And everyone I know that uses her just swears by her too.

Well, praise God.

-Amen. -Thank you again.

-I'll see you next year. -Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

-Good morning. -Good morning.

Hey, Daddy.

Good morning, Gigi.

Good morning.

Are you all right?

Have you seen your mother?

Not here.

She got a letter or something

delivered to the house this morning.

Whatever it was, it really upset her.

She drove off in a state...

[sighs]

Do you know what it was?

I want you to hear this from me.

[sighs]

What's going on?

[Jacob] Hey, Tasha.

-What's up? -Uh, well...

I've just been noticing a lot of torn-open,

empty envelopes in the first service offering.

And, I mean, you know,

sometimes people get a change of heart

and take back a little cash, you know how that goes.

But I think someone might actually be stealing.

Any idea who?

I don't know.

That's why I wasn't even sure if I should bring it to you.

But I definitely think that you should know

-what's going on. -All right.

Can you draw up a list of the ushers from the first service?

I already did that. Here it is.

-Okay, thank you. -Mm-hmm.

Have these people meet me here in my office

before church tomorrow and we'll nip this matter in the bud.

I will sound the alarm.

-And Tasha? -Yes?

Don't make too big a deal of it.

If anybody asks you what the meeting's about,

just tell them I want to say thank you.

Now you're preaching.

[Lady Mae] My husband had me served

with these divorce papers this morning,

and I just want to know what my options are.

What's his issue?

His issue was that he cheated on me

with my own sister multiple times.

And now he's seeing a woman half his age.

And you said on the phone he's a pastor?

Shepherd of 4,000 souls.

Oh, it pains me to say it.

That gives me a lot to work with.

Hypocrisy, abuse of power.

Juicy.

Miss Davison...

are you a Christian?

No. And you'll be thanking Jesus

I'm not one when it's over.

How do we start?

You write me a check for 10 grand as a retainer,

and I'm all yours.

I should warn you, though...

I know.

You are going to be tough.

You can spare me that speech.

I am more than up for this challenge.

I was going to say, Miss Greenleaf,

I've represented a few First Ladies in my time.

Here, elsewhere.

And everyone wanted the same thing.

I just want what I deserve.

That's what every First Lady says.

And that's just what you won't get.

What the hell do you mean?

I don't care if you smiled every Sunday

and shook the old folks' hands.

Hosted every party, taught every class,

preached your pretty sermons to your ladies once a year.

Once your bishop is done with you,

it's Cinderella time.

What do you mean?

Midnight, the party's over.

[knock on door]

[yawns]

Bishop?

Bishop.

Oh.

Any word from the First Lady?

No.

Is everything all right?

No. Um...

No, everything's all right.

Everything's fine.

[sighs]

[vocalizing]

[band playing slow blues]

¶ I need to hear From you, baby ¶

¶ Right now ¶

¶ Won't be a minute Too soon ¶

What can I get you, ma'am?

Brandy Alexander, please.

[laughs] Brandy Alexander?

I don't get called for those too often.

I'll walk you through it.

One part fresh cream,

one part cognac,

one part crème de cacao,

with a pinch of nutmeg.

And chilled, please.

Wow.

I like a woman who knows what she wants.

And you know how to make it.

¶ Around midnight To high noon ¶

¶ High noon ¶

¶ When I first fell In love with you ¶

¶ You promised me The world on a string ¶

¶ And now I'm sitting at home All alone ¶

[playing notes]

[stops playing]

[sighs]

Call Jabari.

[cell phone ringing]

-Charity, hi. -[Charity] Is this a bad time?

I'm kind of slammed right now, why?

What's going on?

I don't know. I miss you.

I miss you too, but what's going on?

Just everything, you know?

Things with Kevin,

my parents.

-My dad was-- -Hey, Charity?

What?

Nothing. Look, I got to jump.

All right.

[stammers]

[sighs]

So, you ready?

[both chuckle]

So, I was thinking...

Are we still on for tonight?

I am. Why, are you not?

I am.

I'm sorry I called you a hypocrite.

Thank you.

No one's ever held me to a higher moral standard

than what's normally expected of a journalist.

Which is to say, a pretty low standard.

Well, thank you for understanding.

My father served my mother with divorce papers this morning.

-What was he thinking? -I don't know.

Well, let's talk about it later tonight.

Yeah. It'll be good to see you.

Same.

Bye.

[sighs]

Hi.

There's a reporter here.

-To see me? -No, the First Lady.

She had an appointment to do this interview

but now she's not here,

and the reporter's working on a deadline.

Today's not the day for the First Lady

to talk to the press.

Maybe you could talk to her?

Yeah, let me talk to her.

Come on.

-Hi. -Good morning.

Hello.

Hi, Grace Greenleaf.

Lisa Nolan, Memphis Monitor.

It's a pleasure. I understand you had an appointment

with the First Lady today, huh?

Yeah, and I really need to get this turned in before--

I used to be a journalist. I understand.

What's the story about?

The rise of women in leadership roles in the Church.

How it's all changing, or needs to change.

Huh.

Well, the First Lady's not here today, so...

What's your job?

I'm actually the head of outreach here.

Could I interview you?

Uh, yeah.

[sighs]

Pastor Greenleaf.

Hey, Pop.

How you doing?

Um...

Have you heard from your mother?

No, why?

Is she all right?

Yeah.

What's going on, Pop?

When I asked your mother to marry me the first time,

she said no.

She said she had other plans.

The day that she was leaving town

to pursue this other life she'd imagined.

I closed down my little storefront church.

Got out of my lease and moved out of my apartment.

I packed up my car.

Where were you going?

I didn't know.

I just wanted your mother to know how seriously I took

where she was going,

and that without her, I was done with my life.

So, what happened?

She didn't go.

Pop, why are you telling me all this?

You know as well as I do

that she's the same woman today as she was back then.

And if you're going to get her to change

her stubborn little mind,

well, you have to be bold!

I might...

I might have been a little too.

Pop, what did you do?

-What did you do? -I filed for divorce.

What?!

Pop!

I just want you to know...

that I was trying to...

I was trying to do the best.

What was best for your mother...

for me and for the family.

[knock on door]

Aaron. Of course.

[sighs]

You're early.

Am I? It's that kind of day.

Everything is going my way.

Come here, my sweet, sweet man.

Hi.

Hi. Miss me?

Where's Kevin?

He just ran to the store. He should be back any minute.

Nice. Real nice.

Hey.

We weren't expecting you until 5:00.

Is everything all right?

Yeah, why wouldn't it be?

What's this, snookums?

What is this?

That is Sophie, and he is a man obsessed.

Hasn't put her down since I gave it to him.

Right.

-You could take her with you. -Hmm.

Let it be something he just plays with here.

It'll give him something to look forward to.

All right.

Can I get the bag?

Actually, are you sure you can't wait a minute?

Kevin wanted to talk to you.

About what?

Well, actually, we both wanted to talk to you.

Why?

Are you moving in now?

[laughs]

I had an interview here yesterday,

which is actually why I'm in town for the weekend.

And they officially made me an offer.

We didn't want to say anything until it was a thing for sure.

So... yeah.

I know it's awkward.

No, it's-- it's not.

What's awkward?

I've got my own things going on too, so...

I mean, things-- I've been waiting, you know...

Whatever, can I have Sophie, and can you get the bag?

-Yeah. -Yeah, great. Hey.

All right, I'll get that.

You ready to go?

[band playing blues music]

-[applause] -Here you go, Miss Mae.

-Oh! -Let me take that.

Oh, wait, wait, wait...

Mm! You know, you really need to make these more often.

What was your name?

-Vernon, ma'am. -Oh, Vernon.

Now these may become your specialty.

-[laughs] -Yes, honey!

Well, I just might put it on the menu.

Just keep it all coming, honey. These are so delicious.

[woman sings, indistinct]

I mean, really, can you believe that crap?

Serving papers to your wife of 44 years, just to scare her?

And he teaches classes on marriage?

Have you heard back from her yet?

I mean, just briefly.

She said don't worry about it.

Said God's going to work it all out.

Oh.

Well, let's hope he does.

I mean, I know I've had my issues

with your mother in the past,

but a world where Bishop and her aren't together...

[inhales and exhales sharply]

That's a world that I don't understand.

[neon buzzing]

[band playing]

Come on down!

Shake a tail feather now, right?

[laughs] Shake a tail feather.

Would you ladies like to join me for a drink?

My treat.

-Yeah! Oh, yeah. -[laughs]

Rose and thorn.

I did my homework in three minutes.

That's my man. Good job. Now that's a rose.

What about you, Z?

Your father asked you a question.

I did homework all day. With a pen.

Can I please have my computer back?

We gave you back the TV.

Can I be done?

Because sitting here right now is my thorn.

Take your plates to the sink.

What?

Tasha said there was cash missing from the first service.

What, so you think Zora...?

Who else could it be?

She's the only new usher added to that service

since we came on.

Jacob!

She's a good kid.

Just because she's having a hard time

does not make her a thief.

I used to come here once upon a time, way back when.

But back then, it was different.

Yeah.

Oh, me and my best friend.

Have either of the two of you ladies

ever heard of Maxine Patterson?

The preacher that's on TV.

You're friends with her?

I was at one time.

Yes.

Well, we went to college together.

And then Maxine just got it into her mind

that she wanted to go

to Howard University School of Divinity.

Yeah, after she graduated.

And wanted me to apply too.

-We both applied. -Mm-hmm.

And we both got accepted.

Ooh, yes!

But then, the night before

we were supposed to get on that train to D.C.,

I sat right here,

right in this very bar with her...

and I told her I couldn't go.

What?

Because I had fallen in love.

Look, I don't know.

Who gives a damn about any of that?

All I'm just trying to say to you right now

is that you give your whole life to a man,

and in one fell swoop,

he just takes it all away.

[sighs]

You see all these fixtures

and furniture your grandmother surrounded us with?

Back in those days,

we couldn't even afford to dream about things like this.

But dreaming is free.

When you're as poor as we were, even dreaming's a luxury.

Your mind just won't let you do it.

That's so sad.

It's the way most people live.

[up-tempo blues plays]

Miss Mae?

Oh, that looks delicious.

Yes, indeedy.

-There you go. -Thank you.

Oh, this looks good.

Vernon...

Yes, ma'am?

What do you know about that hotel next door?

Is it decent? I just shouldn't be driving.

I know I shouldn't be driving.

But I don't do bugs.

Miss Mae, it may not be what you're used to, but it's clean.

Okay.

Mm.

[phone rings]

Hello?

Sophia?

-Grandma? -Hi.

There's my angel.

Let me talk to her.

Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry

that I didn't make it back for our special supper.

But I'll make it-- I'm going to make it up to you, okay?

Yeah.

Will you be my messenger

and tell everybody that I am fine,

everything's good,

and I will be back tomorrow?

-Where are you? -Huh?

I just needed a little me time.

Hang on. Grandpa wants to talk to you.

Hello, Mae?

[woman singing]

Mae?

Mae?

¶ And that's why That's why, that's-- ¶

-[phone signal beeping] -Mae?

Well, I'm happy you're having a good time.

Yeah, yeah, we'll-- we'll see you tomorrow.

[turns phone off]

No, honey...

I'm sure it's okay.

Yeah.

Uh-huh.

I'll see you soon, okay?

Bye, baby.

Oh, my God.

What now?

My mother called Sophia to tell her she's not coming home.

-Well, where is she? -I don't know.

Whatever. She's a grownup... I guess.

Give her a call.

She doesn't want to hear from me.

I can't help but think that this whole thing

is about Rochelle Cross.

She's the reason why this is happening.

You know that feeling

when you're interviewing someone for a story,

and you know they're lying? Hmm?

Yeah.

Well, I have a guy at the police department

who would check her out,

make sure she is who she says she is.

If you want me to.

Yeah. Thank you.

-[baby crying] -[shushing]

It's okay, baby.

Mommy's here.

Mommy's here, angel.

[melancholy music]

[door lock beeps]

[grunts softly]

[woman on TV] Maxine wants to change your life.

Show you the miracles God has waiting for you.

Don't move.

The Maxine Patterson Show is up next.

[sobs softly]

¶ The atmosphere has changed ¶

¶ Nothing stays the same ¶

¶ Heaven is waiting ¶

¶ For the mention Of the name ¶

¶ The spirit is moving ¶

¶ Burning like a flame ¶

¶ Heeling the broken ¶

¶ By the one we proclaim ¶

¶ Raise it up ¶

¶ Feel the sky ¶

¶ Chains will fall Mountains-- ¶

Stop.

Hey, that's what I'm talking about.

[indistinct chatter]

I'll be right back.

-Hello. -Charity, what are you doing?

You sounded busy.

I thought I'd make it easier and come to you.

How did you get here?

[Charity] We drove.

We took a little road trip.

You drove seven hours with Nathan?

-Yeah. -I thought Kevin

wouldn't let you take him across state lines?

I am done caring what Kevin will or will not let me do.

Okay?

How are you?

Really busy. Still really busy.

[Charity] Is she who took my spot?

[Jabari sighs] Yeah.

[Charity] Well, you don't need her anymore.

I'm here, and I'm ready to go. I warmed up on the ride over.

So... put me in, coach.

I got a contract with her, Charity,

which I'm going to honor,

like you could have honored yours.

Well, we can just come along.

I don't think that'll work.

Because of her?

Because I am busy.

[scoffs]

Yeah, you are.

That is not how it is, all right?

I thought you loved me.

I did!

You did?

-No, listen. I do, okay? But... -[laughs]

I'm so stupid.

Nobody wants me.

Nobody-- Get your hands off of me!

Look, I gave you what you said you wanted.

You went in another direction, not me.

That is not my fault. That is on you.

So why didn't you just break up with me

when I quit the tour?

Because I didn't know if I wanted to.

But I'm sure now.

All right? We're done.

Go home.

They don't want me at home.

Well, I don't want you here.

From the top!

[piano music plays]

¶ The atmosphere has changed ¶

¶ Nothing stays the same ¶

¶ Heaven is waiting ¶

¶ For the mention Of the name ¶

¶ The spirit is moving ¶

[Rochelle] And now that this old tax thing's about to blow,

that old man's ain't gonna know whether he's coming or going.

He's gonna be like Elijah in the whirlwind...

[laughs]

...except this time he's going straight to hell.

-How'd you do it? -Do what?

I do it all.

Get the IRS to reopen the case.

Child, I got connections.

And we know this world is run on money.

Got Jacob running around here, chasing you like a puppy,

buying diamonds.

Oldest trick in the book.

That wasn't a trick.

Mm.

No, I was trying to help.

Oh. Okay.

Whose side are you on?

Don't you ever worry?

-About what? -About God.

-Oh. -Your soul.

My soul?

You got everything that you want.

Why do this?

Tasha, James Greenleaf killed my father

by burning down his own church for a check.

A lousy check from an insurance man.

I just think that--

It wasn't just Basie's father.

I know, he was yours, too--

Okay, so don't question me about my soul.

Do I make myself clear?

Greenleaf's been around here making a mockery of religion

for two generations.

Hell, keep that little

high yellow thing of Grace's around, make it three.

Look, we're on the right side of this.

We just have to stay the course.

You hear me?

I hear you.

Good.

Because I ain't got no time for no backsliding.

We just got to keep the faith.

So Aaron said he told you he was moving in.

Yeah. Congratulations.

Look, I'm sorry you didn't hear it from me.

Kevin, it's fine, really.

I mean, I'm moving on too.

Charity, where are you at right now?

[thunder rumbles]

On tour.

[praying softly]

And while everybody else comes to worship, reflect...

and for some people, they just come here

to try to get away from their kids

for as long as they possibly can, I get that.

But you guys,

you're the ones putting in the time.

You're the ones putting in the work.

Wanted to let you know that I see you.

I know everything you're doing.

And it doesn't go unnoticed.

Amen?

[all] Amen.

Amen.

Hey.

I thought you didn't go to church.

I'm not here to worship.

You have some news about Rochelle.

She checks out, Grace.

That can't be true.

The actual reason I'm here...

-What else? -...someone at the IRS just released a memo

with a list of all these megachurches

whose pastors haven't been paying taxes

on their personal income.

Apparently, there's some guy on the inside at the IRS

that's been cutting deals with all these churches for a fee.

Calvary's on the list.

At the top.

[Kerissa] Well, I will have them all reviewed

by tomorrow morning, all right?

[laughs]

-Uh-huh. -Is Zora in her room?

Oh, Michelle, let me call you back, okay?

Yeah, what's up?

She stole that money.

Oh, baby, come here.

Go in the living room, okay? Go ahead, go sit down.

[jiggles doorknob]

Zora!

What?

Zora, open this door!

Jacob, don't do this.

Didn't we tell her not to lock this door?

-We did. -[Zora] Okay! Okay!

Open the door!

What? What do you guys want?

-Where's the money? -What money?

-Zora... -Wait, no, no, no, no.

Can you please stop going through my stuff?

Zora, just tell the truth. Did you take the money...

I don't know what you're talking about.

-I didn't take any money. -Did you take the money--?

I don't know what you're talk-- can you stop going through my--

I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't take any money.

[Kerissa] Jacob, please.

Please stop going through my stuff.

Where is it? Huh?

Where is it?

[Kerissa] Jacob!

What'd I tell you?

What'd I tell you?

You lied to me.

Karine, I need you to arrange the plane for the 17th,

returning that evening, please.

-Where to? -Atlanta.

Going to visit an old friend.

What is this?

Oh, yeah.

The reporter said she had a deadline.

Grace handled it.

Mae.

Mae, it was a stupid mistake.

I was trying to make a point, and...

I'm sorry.

Don't be.

Oh, I'm glad you did it.

Look, don't take such a position.

We both know he was petulant and foolish.

It forced me to take a hard look at myself.

And my choices.

And for that, I'm actually grateful.

Let's just start it over.

We can't.

But we have to. I mean, it's...

There's too much at stake.

We can't, James.

Listen to me.

I forgive you.

And I'm done pointing fingers.

That's over. Just...

It's just me I can't forgive now...

for marrying you,

and making our life my calling

when I knew that I was called by God.

To do what?

Who knows?

Anything other than this.

Anything other than being at the mercy of a man

who plucks at the web

of my absurdly constructed life.

Oh, no.

Uh...

My lawyer made some notes in the margins, and...

You'll figure it all out.

Don't do this.

I have to.

It's time to go.

[sniffles]

¶ I see the light ¶

¶ Everywhere I go ¶

¶ I see the light ¶

¶ That'll lead me home ¶

¶ Can feel this holy fire ¶

¶ Burning in my soul ¶

¶ Soul ¶

¶ Burning in my soul ¶