Original subtitles

[Lady Mae] "My dearest children,

it is with the heaviest heart I write to tell you

it is official.

Your parents are legally divorced.

The family your father and I started over 40 years ago

when we met so tenderly has ended,

but the new family we will still all build together

is being born tonight as you read these words.

I hasten to remind you of the promised land

God gave to those wanderers before us.

Such is the land we are, all of us, entering now.

Let us take possession of it with hope,

ready to meet the challenges ahead with hearts tempered

in the forge of honest struggle,

aware of our past sins, but ready to grow.

God asks no more of us than that.

I've copied your father on this email."

"For though we are no longer married,

we are still your parents and always will be.

With endless gratitude for the love and beauty..."

[Lady Mae] "...for the love and the beauty in all of you,

my angels.

Mama."

[neon buzzing]

-[theme music playing] -¶ Amen ¶

¶ Amen ¶

¶ Amen ¶

¶ Amen ¶

I know. It broke our hearts, too.

Oh, I'm sure Tasha knows that, Gina.

And she will carry that love with her

wherever the Lord takes her next.

Now, you just put those worries aside,

and I'll see you on Sunday.

Stay blessed.

What was that all about?

Oh, just another parishioner

calling to process the news that Tasha quit.

I knew it was gonna be a risk,

me keeping my job at the school

and not being at that church.

But now I'm really starting to feel it.

You know they're treating this like she was still the First Lady,

and, "Oh! Oh, how will Triumph ever survive?"

Yeah, I don't know about that.

Well, Devon is covering for me at Excellence today,

and I'm going in there, I'm gonna take that office

that should have been mine in the first place,

and I am making it clear to all of those folks

who's the real First Lady.

Well, hey, you'll get no argument from me.

And Tasha didn't give you any indication whatsoever

as to why she quit?

No. Like I said before,

she just packed up her stuff and left.

[sighs]

Maybe Basie's back in town.

No, if he was here, we'd know.

What makes you so sure?

Well, you know, Memphis ain't that big,

and Basie's not that small.

We'd know.

[sighs]

I still think it's so odd.

Yeah. Well, you know, Tasha's odd.

[chuckles]

I'll see you at the church.

Winkie! Let's motivate, little guy!

Can you believe that woman's story?

Unfortunately, I can.

I mean, I guess I'm glad that we met with her,

but I don't know where we're gonna find the money to help her, too.

It's not like we can go back to your clients again.

Coralie's case hasn't come to trial.

Coralie?

What are you doing here?

[Grace] I thought the clock ran out

on the offer of a plea deal

the day after the D.A. made it? What happened?

He's offered it one last time.

That's 'cause he didn't have a case.

At least meet with this attorney that we hired for you,

please.

He has a great track record,

and he believes that you have a strong case.

I do!

Then why would you take this deal?

Are you that worried about me,

about the presence I'm having on this case?

Aren't you?

Fine. I will step aside.

I cannot risk getting life in prison

when I know I can get 20.

I have kids, and I have to think about them.

I'm sorry, but I do.

But, Coralie, if you are exonerated,

there are so many women out there

for whom this case could set a precedent.

[sighs]

I'm not a hero,

and I have kids.

I have a daughter.

I get it.

I'm sorry, I...

Thank you for finding me.

I know I would not have gotten this deal

if you hadn't taken my side, but I am going to take it.

-Don't. -Coralie, wait.

You're not gonna change my mind.

Yes, I am.

My mother went to jail when I was younger,

and my sister and I were thrown in that system.

We were passed from house to house

like two hot potatoes that nobody wanted.

It wasn't good.

He says there's no way I'll win.

Yeah, and I'm telling you that there is no way

that you're gonna put your children in that system

if you can help it.

Look, Grace got you an attorney,

a great one.

And I know you don't believe in Jesus,

but you gonna have to have some faith.

I'm telling you,

you've been doing a lot of losing.

But you got a win coming.

Can I just meet this lawyer before I decide?

I just want to meet him.

Yeah. Yeah, we can set that up.

It's good to see you. Hallelujah!

Oh, shh!

God's gettin' ready the move all up in here,

I can feel it!

-Oh, shh! -Ooh, child.

She's just like a person.

As opposed to what?

I just mean she's real.

Isn't Lady Mae?

[Bishop] Well!

Pastor Patterson.

Bishop Greenleaf.

One week before Mae's big day.

You ready?

Well, how do you prepare for such an event?

You know, I wouldn't presume to know.

For you, sackcloth and ashes.

After that, maybe palms.

[laughing]

Well, who's the donkey?

You or her?

Neither.

But you the ass.

Ooh!

[clicks tongue]

-[Bishop] Mae. -[Lady Mae] James.

Child, that man is scared for his life.

Mmm. You know, I feel sorry for him?

He looks a bit lost in his own church.

But it won't be his for long. Ha ha!

[dialing]

Hey.

I think I finally got something.

Oh. On what?

Rochelle Cross.

Bishop!

Miss Cross.

[laughs]

Miss Cross, uh, what's all this?

Well, this is the temporary office

for your daughter's Legal Defense Fund

until it gets a building of its own.

[chuckles] Well...

Well, thank you for your help with that.

Yeah. Well, whatever the Lord needs.

[chuckles]

Uh, if you'll excuse me.

Are the rumors I'm hearing true?

Which ones?

So hard to keep track.

Hmm.

That you're finally divorced?

Who'd you hear that from?

Oh, just shy of everyone.

And not just here. It's all around town.

Well, yes.

The rumors are true.

Mae and I are officially no longer together.

Aw. Well...

maybe you and I can do some daytime drinking to celebrate.

Or console, as the case may be.

Actually, I'd love that.

Thanks.

Oh, Bishop, it's the least I can do.

And then you'll just walk out

the door of that courtroom and go home.

You really think I can get off free and clear?

That's possible?

If I thought I could lose this case, Coralie,

I wouldn't take it.

Trust me.

Okay. I'll do it.

-Hmm. Hallelujah. -[Grace] Counselor Garner,

thank you.

Thank you. Thank you all.

I'll be in touch.

Who isn't the hero?

I'm scared.

It wouldn't be courage if you weren't.

Those kids are gonna thank you.

You just wait. You're saving their lives.

Thank you.

Mr. Obi?

[Nigerian accent] Yes, hello, that is me.

Kerissa Greenleaf.

[laughs]

Joseph. Nice to meet you.

Oh. As the First Lady, I thought I would come by

and officially welcome our new accountant to the Triumph family.

Thanks, ma'am. I'm honored.

Well, we're very happy to have you here.

We've been operating without a real accountant for about three months.

It's quite evident.

Oh. In what way?

Nothing too dire.

It's just irregularities in her use of Excel and FlockBase.

-Oh, mm... -But there's this.

Well, what's the problem?

I see Pastor Greenleaf on several occasions

transferred a portion of Sunday's offering

into this external account.

Do you know what this is for?

This account?

[DJ Disciple Truth] So what can we expect

from this new album, Crossroads?

Look, man, you know, I been through a lot of...

a lot of stuff this past year,

tribulations on tribulations.

So, uh... So you're gonna hear, like, a...

like an amalgamation of all that pain, feel me?

[laughs] Got me out here

blessing y'all with new vocabulary and whatnot.

Amen. Amen. Right on, brother. Right on.

An amalgamation.

Well, I'm definitely looking forward to hearing that.

And I know we've got some callers on the line

who are looking forward to hearing about it, too.

-All right, let's do it. -All right.

First caller on the line,

what's on your mind for our dear brother, Mr. Hambrick.

Hey, y'all, this is Kimora.

Hey, hey, what's up, K?

I just want to know when you're going back on tour,

and can I get some floor seats for me and my girls?

[Isaiah laughs]

Well, the dates are not finalized yet,

but it's definitely gonna pop off this summer.

DM me about those seats, okay?

[Kimora] Mm. I'm gonna do that right now.

-All right. -All right.

Well, next caller on the line,

what's on your mind with Mr. Hambrick, Sister Eve?

-[Eve] Hi. -Hey, hey.

I just wanted to say I was watching live

when you were at some mansion with all that drama.

Yeah. I don't really want to talk about that.

Is that your girlfriend,

or, like, what's going on with that?

[giggles]

Everything is everything.

You know, I'm good. We're good,

-because God is good. -[cell phone chimes]

Amen.

Well, look, that's about all the time

-we have for callers. -Sorry, sorry.

But the new album, Crossroads,

will be out on November 3rd

by none other than our dear brother,

Isaiah Hambrick.

-Thank you for coming by, sir. -Appreciate you.

All right. Good show, bro.

[announcer] You're listening to 104.8 FM.

[music playing]

You really making a lot of mistakes lately.

[playing notes]

[knock on door]

Miss Greenleaf?

Yeah, that's me. Come in.

Are you the new hymnal salesman

I've been hearing so much about?

Because, I have to be honest,

right now is just not the time to buy hymnals.

I just-- There's no telling...

I'm not the new hymnal salesman.

Oh, good.

I am Pastor Patterson's music director.

She told me to find you and introduce myself.

Oh. Hey, yes, perfect.

Charity Greenleaf.

Michael Kenilworth. Pleasure to meet you.

Great to meet you.

Uh, please. Please sit.

After you.

So where should we start?

Um, I've heard all about this band that we're flying in,

and I just got all of the choir arrangements.

I'm sorry, before we get into all that,

would it be all right if we prayed?

I just find that it makes things go so much more smoothly.

Don't you?

Yeah. Um...

I love that idea.

Father God, just want to thank you for Sister Greenleaf here

and the opportunity to work by her side.

I know that she is going to be such a blessing

and a mentor to all of us.

Amen.

Amen.

Okay.

So who do you have speaking before lunch?

Jacinta Butler?

[laughs]

Well, she's a friend of mine,

and she's been doing research

into pay equity for women who work in government agencies.

Just stop right there.

What's the title of this event?

Tsk, girl.

"She Changes Everything."

Right. Not "She Puts Everyone To Sleep."

-Oh! -Why don't you have Grace speak?

Oh, no.

[knock on door]

I'm sorry, First Lady--

No, no, Boo-boo.

She's Pastor Greenleaf.

She's no man's First Lady anymore.

[laughing]

What is it, Karine?

Lionel Jeffries is on the phone.

Call back.

Is Lionel that one that you--

Uh, you know, I promised Jacinta this slot a long time ago.

Well, I'm gonna give Grace mine.

Maxine.

I'm just saying, you've got momentum here, Mae.

I don't know what Jacinta's got on you,

but that daughter of yours is on the trail of the Spirit right now.

She's gonna bring in young people! We need that!

Get her up there and let her talk!

The answer is no.

Well, I think you're missing a big opportunity.

I'm not sure why,

but it is your day, Mae.

[door opens]

Lionel.

You don't know what it is?

I-- I mean,

I feel like Tasha told me something about Real Church, maybe,

but, honestly, I don't remember.

[sighs]

I'm just gonna have to call her later.

Or I can call her right now.

No, would you just let me handle it?

Would you?

I told you, Jacob, taking charge!

[door closes]

[line ringing]

[cell phone vibrating]

Yeah, now you want to talk.

[doorbell rings]

-[cell phone vibrating] -[doorbell ringing]

[doorbell ringing]

[rapid knocking]

[Rochelle] Tasha, I ain't playin' no games with you now!

Open this door!

-[knocking] -Okay!

Something wrong with your phone?

I don't feel like talking.

Why aren't you at Triumph?

I quit.

What do you mean, you quit?

Just what I said.

I quit.

What do you think you're doing?

Well, I'm looking at TMZ right now,

'cause they have a lot--

-The hell you are! -Hey!

You're gonna break that!

Let me tell you something.

I don't know what kind of games you're playing,

but you got a job to do, and you better get to it.

Yeah, well, they already hired someone else.

Yeah, somebody that's gonna find

all your sloppy loose ends you left there.

And what does it matter?

It's over.

The funds have already been transferred from Triumph.

Bishop has already withdrawn it.

I'm done!

I don't know what else you want me to say

or how you want me to say it, Rochelle,

but I did what I did and I'm done!

I'm not doing anything else!

You're messing with an innocent man.

Who? Jacob Greenleaf?

-Yes, Jacob Greenleaf. -[laughs]

He's a good man, Rochelle.

Are you in love with him?

No.

You are, aren't you?

Why wouldn't I be?

-[laughs] Oh! -What?!

I wouldn't even be in this mess

if I was with a man like him

and not some no-account, nothing brother of yours!

Seriously?

And you gonna say that to my face?

You know it's true.

[bottle thuds]

Basie is out here risking his life for you,

paying his debts off,

to rush back to your ungrateful ass.

-Ungrateful? -And you are out here

disrespecting him by mooning over

some Jacob Greenleaf?!

Huh?!

What would Basie say?

Nothing.

Basie wouldn't say nothing, because Basie's dead!

What the hell makes you think that?

Well, if he's not,

where the hell is he then?

Get the hell outta my house.

Get outta here! Don't ever come back!

And if you do, I will call the cops!

And I might just forget what story I'm supposed to tell them.

You get out.

[door opens and closes]

[line ringing]

We got a problem.

Well, I have to say,

that was the most pleasant worship planning meeting

I've been a part of in a long time.

Well, see? I told you.

You get God on your team, everything just works better.

Amen.

Hey, uh, is there any chance that you're free for dinner tonight?

I heard of this place. Uh, Flight?

Ooh. Flight

[laughs] That is good.

It's really the best.

Well, I'd love to have you

as a guest of Patterson World Ministries, if you're around.

I would like to take you up on that.

Great.

But I gotta get home to my son tonight, so...

Oh, wow, Maxine didn't mention you were married. I'm sorry.

It's sweet you think

those two things go together in that way,

but, um, no. Divorced.

Almost a year now.

Oh, wow. I'm so sorry.

It's for the best.

My ex-husband-- and I only mention this

because you might see him if he picks up Nathan this week--

he's gay, so...

-Oh. -Yeah.

Well, then I'm doubly sorry.

But I'll pray for him.

That sort of deception is one that's very susceptible to prayer.

Right.

So I will see you tomorrow?

Can't wait.

-Yeah. -Great meeting you.

You, too.

[door opens]

Oh! Maxine!

They tell me this is your drink.

Black drip with an extra shot?

That's the one.

Thank you so much.

I need this today.

Okay, so where's it all at, Pastor?

Where's what all at?

This Legal Fund of yours.

You started it. It's news.

Where's it at?

How can I help?

Well, you can talk about it,

tweet about it.

We're getting so many requests for help

from these women with these cases.

Shoot me an email.

Saying what?

What you want me to say.

I'll have my foundation cut you a check,

and while we're at it, double-dip.

You don't have to do that.

Yes, I do.

God just told me.

Well, amen to that then!

Amen!

-Thank you! Yes. -Thank you.

You and your mama.

Yeah?

What's that all about?

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Mm-hmm.

Give me that email.

Yes, ma'am, I will.

Mm. Thank you.

-Bless you. -God bless you.

-[phone ringing] -Oh.

Hey. What'd you find out?

Me? Nothing. But I heard from my cop friend.

He found three girls named Rochelle in the system.

Any last names?

They're juvenile records.

They hide identities.

But there is good news.

Please.

Based on the days they spent in the foster system,

only one of the Rochelles could be your Rochelle.

And how about any family she lived with?

Flannery.

And they still live

at the same address in Portersville.

Want to take a little drive?

[Bishop, laughing] No, no, no, you're right.

I mean, I'm gonna have to find more permanent digs.

Hmm.

I can't keep running a church

from the guest room of a house

next door to a mortuary.

I'll help you find a place.

Would you?

Come on.

You know me.

That'd be great.

Thank you.

The pleasure's all mine.

[glasses clink]

Mmm.

That goes down easy.

[sighs]

I told the man I wanted a bottle

fit to christen a ship for a long journey

into a bright future.

Yours or mine?

Ours.

[clink]

¶ ¶

¶ ¶

Babe, your pre-sales are through the roof.

Are you getting the alerts I'm getting?

¶ ¶

I'm sorry about earlier.

I forgot I even applied to Spelman.

They wanted me to come in for some interview.

Too bad you can't do it.

Well, why can't I?

I mean, we're in Atlanta.

It won't take an hour.

Did you come here for Spelman,

or did you come here for me?

It could be both, couldn't it?

Babe, I need you with me on this tour a hundred percent, you know?

Yeah, but...

But now you want to run off.

After everything I done for you.

Had me at your grandfolks' house lookin' hella pressed,

and now you want to just leave?

Who does that?

Well, you couldn't even tell some ho on the radio

that we were together.

Why do you care? "Everything is everything."

What does that even mean?

What was I supposed to tell her?

The truth.

I am your girlfriend, that we are together.

I'm sitting right behind you,

holding your jacket, making sure your schedule is on time.

Then you could have asked her

if she preferred Dasani or Aquafina to quench her thirst.

I would have shipped her a case of the stuff.

I'll claim you

when you start acting like someone who deserves me.

And it's funny.

Last time I checked,

Spelman doesn't accept high school dropouts,

so, yeah.

[dish breaks]

You know I'm watching my carbs right now.

[cell phone vibrating]

[beeps]

Tasha, it's Kerissa.

[Tasha] Kerissa!

Don't hate me.

I'm sorry. Why would I hate you?

I'm not a bad person, Kerissa.

Tasha, have you been drinking, or are you high?

Although I guess you can't really say that,

since bad people do bad things,

and I guess you can't really say that you're not bad if you really are.

But I really didn't mean to do anything bad.

I just did.

What bad thing did you do?

Why are you calling me all mad?

Because the new accountant said that the--

What? It was just a kiss.

I promise.

[exhales]

Is that why you left?

That's-- That's why you quit?

Don't hate me, Kerissa.

Tasha, I need you to answer me.

Did you leave because you and Jacob...

-[phone beeps] -[sniffles]

Hello?

[sighs]

[hangs up]

[Maxine] ¶ I sing ¶

¶ Because I'm happy ¶

¶ I sing ¶

¶ Because I'm free ¶

Come on, girl.

¶ His eye ¶

¶ Is on ¶

¶ The sparrow ¶

¶ And I know ¶

¶ He watches ¶

¶ Me ¶

That's right.

-Girl. -Better sing, honey.

-Oh, no, girl, I can't do this. -Yes!

-Okay, say what you want. -Too many things.

But on the day, you're gonna be singing.

I will think about it.

That's the thing about you, Mae.

You're a triple threat.

Preaching, singing, good-looking.

It is the start of you firing on all of those cylinders

you don't remember having.

Hmm.

If I could just do half of what you say.

Speaking of which,

talk to me.

Well, upon what theme would you have me speak, sister?

Grace.

See, right there,

what's with you and that girl of yours?

Did you see the time?

Oh, my dear.

No, you didn't. Don't do that, Mae!

-Uh, listen. -What?!

I am gonna have Karine...

Uh-uh! Don't do that!

...bring your car around to pick you up.

-And I will see you... -Mae!

...at the restaurant at eight.

Right?

Eight.

[door opens]

How is your triflin' ass

gonna lie to me in God's own house?

How?!

What did she tell you?

What did who tell me, Jacob?

Huh?

-Nothing happened, Kerissa. -Really?

'Cause I just got off the phone

with that gold-plated hussy, who, by the way,

is three Egyptian cotton sheets to the wind

at 4 p.m. on a weekday!

And she said it was just a kiss.

So what was it?

Nothing? A kiss? Or what?!

It was just a kiss.

Oh, so now it just went from nothing to just a kiss?!

Stop lying to me, Jacob!

I'm not lying, okay?

It was just a kiss.

And it was a nothing kiss, because I shut it down.

I told her I don't play like that anymore.

I'm faithful!

You're faithful?

You're just faithful to yourself, Jacob.

That's why Zora left.

Maybe Winkie and I should go, too.

All right, now, watch that.

The man is supposed to be the tent pole of the family.

The strong tower that holds it up!

You're just a twig!

I'm the problem, right?

You're not even a twig.

You're just a puddle.

A puddle of need and desire and bad ideas and...

How could you do this to me again?!

I trusted you.

[knock on door]

-[Jacob] What? -[Joseph] I'll come back.

What is it, Joseph?

-I'll come back, truly. -Joseph, please,

just come in and say what you have to say.

It's about the account.

Well, I talked with the woman who was handling the books,

and she doesn't seem to know.

I-- I don't think she did anything.

Then someone did, very much so.

Meaning what?

Over $200,000 was deposited into it

over the past three months, then withdrawn.

But I can't seem to find where it went.

[gasps]

-Good afternoon. Hi. -Hello.

You Jehovah's Witnesses?

-Uh... no, ma'am. -Uh, no.

We'd like to ask you a few questions, though,

about a girl who lived here once.

Rochelle Cross?

She had a sister.

The sisters, Rochelle and Tara.

But Cross wasn't their last name.

What was it? Do you remember?

Let me think.

Shoot.

James. That's right. James.

Rochelle James.

Mm-hmm.

You came.

What do you want, Lionel?

I want to talk about my daughter.

[cell phone vibrating]

Hello?

Hey, Charity? This is Michael.

From today?

Oh, yeah. Hey, what's up?

I hope I didn't wake you.

No. I, uh... I just put Nathan down.

Oh, okay.

How's Flight?

Uh, I didn't go.

Oh. Why?

Well, you were busy tonight,

and I figure I'm gonna be here all week.

Maybe if we plan it in advance...

And go another night?

Yeah. Yeah, if you want to.

No pressure. [chuckles]

Yeah.

Uh, yeah, that's...

That's fine. Let's do it.

All right. Are you sure?

You don't sound too...

Yeah. No, I'm sure.

Let's-- Let's go.

Okay. Cool.

Cool.

Actually, Michael, you know, you said something earlier

that kind of bumped me.

What?

What'd I say?

[sighs]

Kevin is the father of my son,

and that whole "deception" thing was...

Well, he is gay, right?

Well, yes, he is, but...

Then he's been deceiving you about his struggle with that sin.

And he's deceiving himself still.

Michael, it's not that simple.

Why are you defending him

after what he put you through?

Charity, you deserve better.

You're right, I do.

And maybe that's not you.

Goodbye, Michael.

[knocking]

Gigi!

-Daddy. -[laughs]

Hey!

Hope it's not too late.

-No, no, no. No problem. -Hey.

I don't see myself getting much sleep tonight anyway.

Come in, come in.

What has got you so excited?

Well, you first.

I haven't seen you this happy in a while.

You must be relieved to have the whole divorce final, I guess, huh?

Well... What's your news?

Your tone on the phone had me concerned.

Uh, yeah. It should.

You tell me.

Whatever it is,

we'll work it out, I promise.

Daddy, what I'm gonna tell you,

you are not gonna believe.

Well, it's that kind of a night.

Rochelle Cross.

What about her?

And...

be sure you know what you're talking about

before you say a word against her.

Daddy, she is Daryl James's daughter.

She's the half-sister of Basie Skanks.

-[TV playing] -[Isaiah lightly snoring]

[cell phone dialing]

[line ringing]

[line clicks, beeps]

Went to voicemail.

She probably knows why we're calling.

Or she's passed out.

Or she skipped town.

How could you do this again?

I barely did anything.

Don't even start with the minimizing.

You are sick, Jacob.

You're sick, and you need help.

I won't disagree.

Call again.

She's not gonna pick up.

Just call her. I want her scared.

I want her to know that we know,

and that we're not giving up.

Just call!

[line ringing]

[cell phone vibrating]

[vibrating]

[knock on door]

Go away, Rochelle!

-[knocking faster] -Are you--

Now, I already done told yo' ass,

and I'm not playing with you!

[Rochelle] Open the door, Tasha!

You got about five seconds to run.

Basie?

Tasha.

Tasha.

B.

Tasha.

Tasha.

I heard you been a bad girl.

[music playing]