Original subtitles

[twinkling music]

[twinkling music]

Previously on Beyond Black Beauty...

Baltimore is our new home. So, while I go look for a job,

you're going to school today.

Yo, my hand's empty,

and you heard what happens when you're late.

[Ronnie] Look, just steer clear of

her. I pay Serena to leave me alone.

I'm not the only one.

- Good to meet you, cuz. - Cuz?

My mom doesn't like the company he keeps.

You got some cowgirl in you, huh?

[Jolie] I'm an Olympian in training.

I just need to get back in the saddle and back to work.

Beauty can't be trained.

[Jolie] Maybe she just needs someone who understands her.

Your father, he committed fraud.

We had to sell everything.

[breathes deeply]

[horse whinnies nearby]

[horse neighs nearby]

Mm, that's my girl.

Not so bad.

Not so bad.

[whinnies, neighs continue nearby]

There you go. See?

You might be ready for a saddle.

[Ronnie] Hello?

Can you hear me?

[man] Mm-hmm.

- How can I be your hero today? - Shut up.

Nah, for real though, what's up?

- Serena.-She still dogging you, huh?

- You want me to handle it? - No.

I don't want you getting into any trouble on my account.

And I don't want you getting into any trouble, period.

So you know what you gotta do.

I'm not telling Mom.

Yeah, well, she'll shut it down.

She has plenty to worry about, I can't be another thing.

So, how do I handle this myself?

All right. Look...

I know Serenas.

So you gotta meet her at her own level. Know what I mean?

End this,

once and for all. It's gotta be big

and it's gotta be public, so that

her and everyone else knows

not to mess with you.

- Right. -Hey!

Come on, now.

You're Ronnie Parrish.

[Jolie clears throat]

- Who are you talking to? - Mind your business.

- You look rested. - Why wouldn't I be?

Oh, so I didn't hear you yelling at your dad last night?

Mind your business.

Anyway, I found an Olympic facility nearby.

What do you know about Stonepointe Equestrian Center?

Not much.

Bougie as hell. Actually, you might like it there.

Why do you care?

Going on a tour. It's not like I can train here.

You know what I mean.

This place is great for trail rides and rodeos,

- but not for the Olympics. - Right.

- You don't have to come. - I wasn't gonna.

Good.

Good.

So...

How 'ya doing? With the new job, I mean.

Do you mean, how am I doing working with my cousin

who is now dating my high school boyfriend?

- I mean, ex-boyfriend. - Right.

I didn't think it was important.

I mean, you are still rocking that wedding ring.

You gotta be kidding me.

I'm sorry, I didn't know.

[Janelle] How much is this going to suck?

[Yvonne] Maybe just a little.

Nana. Pop Pop [chuckles]

- Come here, dear. Baby. Yeah. - What a surprise!

[Michael chuckling]

My, how beautiful you are!

Finally, we meet. Wish it didn't take so long.

Better late than never.

Give the kid some space. You're hovering.

That's what happens when the grandchildren are kept from me.

- Mom. - [Doris chuckles]

- Oh, Dad. - [Michael chuckles]

I didn't know that you guys were coming.

Yes,

so everyone keeps saying.

[Alvin] Don't mind me.

Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Chambers.

We should go. We... we have that thing.

Um, Jolie...

She... she reeks of tourist. We're

gonna show her around some more.

[Jolie] Bye.

What was that about?

Trust me. We just dodged a bullet.

So, where is Cédric?

Do husbands not greet their in-laws in Belgium?

He's not here.

And on that note, I have to go as well.

Surely, you can cancel.

Unfortunately not.

[scoffs]

[main theme playing]

[theme fades]

I have never seen my mom like that.

My mom turns into a child whenever Nana comes around.

She has a secret stash of candy just for the visits.

It's comedy.

So, where are we taking Jolie first?

We can go into D.C. I got a cousin at Howard.

We can hit him up.

Negro, we're not actually taking her anywhere.

But, my dad lent me the car.

I'm all yours until the game, so...

What's on the Jolie agenda?

Stonepointe. I have an appointment for a tour.

I'd love the company.

Stonepointe, huh?

I mean, I don't mind helping you out.

As long as you don't forget the little people.

[Jolie] Done.

Cool.

Coming? Or do you want to stay behind to manage the children?

Fine.

Fine.

- [Ronnie sighs] - Come on, Ronnie.

[Ronnie chuckles hesitantly]

[phone ringing]

[ringing continues]

- [phone beeps] - [ringing stops]

So, your phone does work.

Have you spoken with Jolie?

Well, hello to you, too, Cédric.

We live together, so yeah, I've spoken to Jolie.

About... about me. We had some words last night.

You did?

Yeah, she said some things that, uh,

were pretty hard to hear.

And, well... I want to make it right.

[scoffs, chuckles]

Hmm. That's it?

I'm not sure what you want.

You've been dodging my calls, and now all of a sudden...

Look, I know. I know. I'm sorry. But she's my girl.

Jolie just needs time.

She'll figure it out, her way.

So will we.

You disappeared.

To shield you.

That wasn't for me.

You did that for yourself.

You're a coward. At least own it.

Look, I know you're upset when I'm--

No, I'm pissed!

And trying really hard to figure out how not to hate you.

Cédric, I'm holding it together because our kid needs me to.

You're right.

And I was wrong.

[Doris chuckles] Do I hear wedding bells?

[Ester] Only church bells, Auntie.

[Doris chuckles]

What are you... Are you hiding?

I gotta... gotta go!

You have really turned your life around.

[scoffs] I am so proud of you, Ester.

[Ester exhales] Thank you.

I should get back. Heh.

Now...

you're sure you don't know anything

about this whole Janelle situation?

No. Sorry, Auntie.

All right.

- I'll see you, darling. - All right. Take care.

You can come out now.

Thank you for not telling her I was here.

It's not really even any of my business,

but, maybe you should try being open with her.

Vulnerability invites vulnerability.

You just might be surprised at what could happen.

I doubt that.

You know how she is.

She obviously loves you, even if she has trouble showing it.

She came all the way here just to see you, after all.

Didn't she?

- Damn, they got real money. - Come on, guys.

Seriously.

[hooves clopping nearby]

[Alvin exclaims] Ah!

Okay... so this is how the other side lives.

Stonepointe has trained dozens of equestrians

who've all made it to the Olympics.

[Jolie inhales, exhales]

Maybe I'll be one of them.

Well, there's nothing wrong with ambition.

And we'll help you get there. Right, Ronnie?

What she means is, of course. Fam over everything.

[horse whinnies nearby]

- [Alvin] Mm. Mm-hmm. - Oh, my God.

It's Gretchen Müller!

Two-time Olympian, and the youngest to win five Grand Prix.

- [whinnies continue] - Huge fan.

I'm flattered.

And you are?

I'm uh... I'm Jolie Dumont.

Nice to meet you.

I've been following your career.

I want to do what you do.

I've only won one Grand Prix so far...

Oh, you have?

Uh, do you train here? I feel like I'd remember.

Oh, no. I mean, not yet. I want to.

Well, hopefully you like the place.

My parents co-own it. So, I'm here often.

I look forward meeting your horse, see what you two got.

My horse?

Oh, right. She's great.

- Beauty's a champion. - Love it.

Jolie, a pleasure, really. I hope to see you around.

- Me too. - Mm-hmm.

I need to call Nora.

[phone beeps]

- [line ringing] - [phone beeps]

Okay. Stonepointe is perfect.

And Gretchen Müller trains here.

The goddess? Her family prints money in their sleep.

What does she smell like?

- Tell me everything. - Am I missing something here?

This is Alvin.

Hello.

Pan down Jolie.

[giggles] And this is my cousin, Ronnie. The pessimist.

More like, realist.

When they don't list the prices it's

code for, "Ma'am, you can't afford this."

[whinnying continues]

Come on, Ronnie, it can't be that bad.

Jolie, a place like that,

you're looking at six, seven thousand Euros... a month.

Mm. I mean, unless you have some

money hidden under your mattress,

it might be time to hang up the saddle.

Nora, back me up.

Sorry, babe. I'm with the realist.

Great. You guys don't have faith, that's fine.

But I will find a way.

[train horn blaring in distance]

Saving my love for you

I heard you spoke to your dad.

Anything you'd like to talk about?

No. I'm over it.

He's not.

[Doris clears throat]

Heavenly Father, thank you for this bountiful meal

we're about to receive.

Please shine your blessings upon this family

and provide guidance for my wayward children

so they may find the path forward...

Amen.

[collectively] Amen.

So... how was everyone's day?

Jolie, we've barely had a chance to speak, ever.

- How's your training, dear? - On an indefinite hold...

until now.

I actually found a great training center

so I can stay on track. Stonepointe.

- Heard of it? - [Michael] Uh-huh.

- Is that across town? - [Michael] Mm-hmm.

You mean, the fancy place no one can afford?

Most people in the neighborhood just go to the Gonzales' Ranch.

I respect the Gonzales, but

they don't really train Olympians.

They said I could start right away.

I don't think that's a good idea.

Qualifiers are next year.

How do you expect me to win if you insist on benching me?

Jolie, let's just--

If this is about the money, I'm

sure we can pull something together.

- Really? - [Michael] Mm-hmm.

[Jolie] Thank you.

- Thank you. - No!

But thank you.

Why are you being like this?

[Janelle] Watch your tone.

Now, this may be a chance

for you to explore other activities.

Aren't you going to Alvin's football game later?

[dog barking nearby]

So, I'm just supposed to join the cheer squad.

Typical mom. You don't get it

'cause you've never had a dream of your own.

That's enough!

Or spend the rest of the night in your room.

[barking continues nearby]

[school bell rings]

[squad cheering, exclaiming]

Bruh, you are so moody.

I'm allowed. Leave me alone.

- Should we... - Nah.

This ends now.

[chuckles] Well, well, well. Came to pay up.

- No, I'm done. - Oh, she is? Well, that's cute.

'Cause I'm not.

Just back off.

[chuckles] Damn, Ronnie. You ever fight your own battles?

[Ronnie grunts]

That all you got? Why don't you tricks go home?

Yeah, go and get Mommy and Daddy to kiss it all better.

Right. Daddy's not here.

- What did you say? - [Serena chuckles]

You heard me.

Daddy's not here.

- What's the matter with you?! - [Serena grunting]

How could you do this to me?

You should've known better!

You should've been better, Papa!

- [grunting continues] - I hate you! I hate you!

[faucet running]

I know you have something to say, so can you just say it?

[Doris scoffs]

You're a grown woman, Janelle.

Far be it for me to tell you what to do.

- But? - But maybe someone should.

You are clearly spinning out.

Leaving for Europe on a whim.

Keeping my granddaughter from me.

Coming back to the ranch 20

years later, like a thief in the night.

I had a life in Belgium.

I was happy. Jolie was happy.

We had people who cared about us, who counted on us.

Yes, I know. You've told us so many times.

You only hear what you wanna hear, don't you?

We're here...

We're here because we're in trouble, Mom.

Cédric stole from his clients.

I don't have a dime to my name.

I had to come home.

[Doris inhales, exhales deeply]

Poor, Janelle.

[whimpers]

- [door creaking] - [indistinct chattering nearby]

Thank you for jumping in.

You're the only one that had my back.

To be honest, I didn't think you had it in you.

Me neither.

[Ronnie] I get the sense that this

wasn't just about Serena though.

You can keep ish bottled up like that, or...

Don't you Americans have an

expression about a pot and a kettle?

I'm sorry it didn't work out with Stonepointe.

Maybe you got more going for you than you think.

Family that loves you. Horse that needs you.

More than most folk.

Oh, you love me.

Did I say that? I meant lil' man.

[both chuckle]

Good girl!

Maybe you'll let me ride you soon.

[Beauty whinnies]

Yeah, we'll take it slow.

Easy. Easy. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa!

Whoa.

[Jolie] Come here.

Yeah, good girl.

You're good with her.

Thanks. I think we're simpatico.

[Doris] I've been following your career all these years.

You have?

Of course, you're my granddaughter.

And I couldn't be more proud.

Ronnie's been teaching me how to use social media

so we don't miss a thing.

We caught your last tournament before you left Belgium.

You're incredible.

Be a shame to waste all that great potential.

Who knows how long that will last if I'm not training.

About that.

I'd like to help you.

It's not much.

But it's a start.

Dreams are important.

It'd give me such joy to help you achieve yours.

Especially after all I've missed.

I have so much to make up for.

- Thank you, Nana. - [Doris chuckles]

But, Mom--

Let me worry about your mom.

You just focus on getting us to the Olympics, hm?

[Doris chuckles]

[upbeat theme playing]

[Jolie] All right. Time to get you in Stonepointe shape. Hm?

You ready for more?

Easy girl. See?

There you go. Easy. It's okay.

There we go. See? Good girl.

[Beauty neighs]

All good.

Whoa.

[chuckles]

[horse whinnies nearby]

You two are really coming along.

Listen, I know you're disappointed.

And I'm sorry.

I know all these changes have been really hard on you.

They've been hard on me, too.

I also had a whole life in Belgium

and plans.

But with time and patience

we'll find our footing, together.

I was a brat.

I'm sorry.

Listen, I can't afford it right now, but we will find a way

to help you get back on track.

For now, as we adjust to our new normal,

we'll find the beauty around us.

Are you in?

I'm in.

[Janelle chuckles]

- [Beauty exhales] - [Jolie laughs]

Oh, good. You're here.

Ronnie! Now!

Their school just called.

Jolie and Ronnie got into a fight.

Jolie!

The principal wants to speak with us.