All language subtitles for Bel-Air.S01E09.WEBRip.x264-ION10

- Previously on "Bel-Air"...
- You have a gift, Viv.

The world needs
to see your talent again.

- Let's talk about
the Neeman artistic fellowship.

- This is Judge Robertson.

- Heard a lot about you, Will.

- Hey, I'd rather
meet you out here

at a fancy dinner party
than in a courtroom.

- And I can do it my way,
without you.

- If you leave,

all the content
you've created in this house

belongs to me
and you owe me a kill fee.

- This special election
has gotten complicated

since you jumped in.

Our debate should decide
which one of us

continues to stand
in the election.

Loser bows out, throwing his
full support behind the winner.

- Hey, Mom.
Can we talk?

- About what, baby?

- About my dad.

I need you to do me a favor.
Look into my pops?

- Maybe you should try
a different tact

with Will's dad, huh?
- If you knew Lou,

you wouldn't say that.

He's not someone Will needs
in his life right now.

- Now, why'd you
really leave Philly?

- I came here from Philly...

[all shouting]
[gunshot]

For a better education.

- [whispering]
I trust you, Will.

[lo-fi hip-hop music]

* *

- [sighs]

[knock at door]
Come in.

- Morning, Will.
- Morning.

- Your uncle wants you
to hurry up.

- I'm almost done.
Yo, can you help me fix my tie?

- Of course.

Boy.
What have you done here?

* *

There.
- Thanks G.

Yo, uh...

about what I--
what I asked for--

- It's in the works, but today,

all you need to worry about
is your uncle.

This is important for him,
you understand?

- Yeah.

- * I don't wanna tell you
too much *

* *

- Okay, but how do we know
what kind of

political environment
we're walking in on?

- Ashley, you were baptized
at Lily of the Valley.

It's one of the oldest
Black churches in Los Angeles.

Besides, everyone there
votes just like us.

[gasps]
Okay, I see you, Will.

- Happy Sunday, y'all.
- Yeah. So handsome.

- You know, I wish I was
speaking after your solo, son,

'cause you're gonna
bring the house down.

- Yeah, I'll try not
to steal your thunder, Dad.

- Wait, um, "solo"
as in Carlton singing?

- Yeah, you didn't know?

Your cousin has
an amazing voice.

- Carlton,
you look so handsome.

- Thank you, Mom.

- You too, baby.
You look great.

- Thank you.

Hold up, Will,
we don't have time for that.

Just grab an apple
or something.

Hilary will be here in
a second, then we're leaving.

- Course she's late,
per usual.

- Viv, Reverend Lamonte
is eager to showcase

our big, happy family.

Folks don't want
to see no drama.

- And by folks,
you mean voters?

- [laughs]

- Prepare yourselves.
I'm here.

- Mm.
- Oh.

- Okay!
- Hilary, you look gorgeous.

- Hey, Hilary,
get off my neck, yo.

- What does that even mean?
- I'll tell you later.

- Oh, okay.
Come on, everybody.

We don't want to be
in the last pew.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hold up. Hold up.

You know, looking at you all
makes me realize

how blessed I really am.

Not just today, but every day.

- Amen.
God has been good to us.

- He sure has.

Let's go give Him
proper thanks.

And if we're worthy enough,

hopefully He'll continue
to shed His blessings.

- Hey, won't He do it?

- Oh, won't He will!
- Won't He will.

[Easy McCoy's "Déjà Vu"]

* *

[upbeat organ music]

* *

- Man, I cannot wait
to hear you sing today.

So wait,
so what type of singer are you?

- I don't know, it's just
kind of, like, my own thing.

- But, like, if you were, like,
in Boyz II Men or whatever,

like, would you be, like,
Wanya or, like, Nate, like--

oh, yo, what up, Reverend?

- Gentlemen, how are you?
- Good, good.

- Good. Morning.
- Good morning.

- I promise I won't
do no stepping this time.

- Well, you never know where
the Spirit might lead you.

[chuckles].
I'll see you guys in there.

Lookin' forward to it,
all right?

- Thank you, sir.

- Ooh, okay, Ashley,
here's your chance.

- Well, I was saying
that the church needs

to put more people
who identify as LGBTQ+

in higher positions
beyond the choir director.

- That's a thoughtful
observation, Ashley.

And a work-in-progress here,
but, uh,

I'll keep it in mind, okay?

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

- Reverend Lamonte.
- What's up, brother?

- I'm good. How are you?
- All is well.

- Listen, I was wondering
if the church was gonna

mobilize its Turn Out the Vote
shuttle service

for this special election.

- Oh, you just--just curious?

- You know--

- That question
just came to you

for no reason?
- It just dropped down.

I mean, I admit it would
aid in my campaign

and, you know,
it wouldn't hurt to show that

our people do turn out to vote
whenever there's an election.

- All right.
I'll see what we can do.

- All right, appreciate that.
- Yes, sir.

- All right.

- Ivy?

- Oh, my God, Hilary?
[both laugh]

- Yes!
both: Mwah, mwah.

- Look at you, girl.
All grown up.

It's been a minute
since you came through here.

- I know.

Girl, do you remember
when you taught me

how to use eyeliner
in the bathroom?

- Oh, my God, I was
such a bad influence, but you?

You were a quick learner.
- It's true.

So speaking of influence, okay,
Miss 10 Million Followers.

- 10.2, but who's counting?
- Okay!

Well, you know, I'm also
in the business myself.

- Oh, I know.
Love your stuff.

- Really?
- Mm-hmm.

- Okay, well,
we should definitely collab,

if you'd be open to that.

[bells ringing]

- Excuse me, ladies.
Hilary, we gotta get inside.

- Okay.

- We'll talk.
- Yes. Okay, bye.

- It's good to see you.
- Yes, it's gonna be great.

- Hey, how you doin'?
Will Smith, nice to meet you.

- Hi. Ivy.
- Will, stop.

- Good to meet you.
- Hey, Ivy, what's up?

[faint organ music playing]

* *

- Wait, wait, wait, hold on.
[indistinct]

- Yo. C.
Talk for a second, man?

- Yeah, what's up, Will?

- Um...

look, there's something
that's been bothering me.

- Okay.

- So it's like
this door, right?

And it's like,
I really want to open it

but everyone's been
warning me not to.

- Yo, whoa,
what are we talking about?

- My dad, man.

Man, I have
the opportunity to know

who he is and why he left me,

but I don't know
if it's a good idea.

What do you think?

- Um, jeez, Will, that's big.

[sighs]
Look, I'm sorry.

I don't really know
what to say.

But you're in a place
where people come

to see signs and find answers.

Look, I'm sorry,
I have to go back

and join the choir,
but you're all right?

- Yeah.
Man, good luck, man.

- Thanks.

* *

- Steven tells me
that the Thirsty Chef's

been scrubbed from every corner
of the internet.

- Yes, you and your
campaign manager can relax.

I'll be perfect
till Election Day.

- Look, I know
we've been hard on you.

But you should know
that we're very proud

of how you handled
that situation with Kylo

and got out of that contract.

Who knows?

Maybe law school's
still in your future.

- Hey, yo, Aunt Viv,

my mom used to tell me stories

about how you used to sing
off-key at church.

Is that true?
- No!

Because, unlike Vy,
I can harmonize.

- Ah!
[chuckles]

- The Bible warns us
not to have two masters.

[congregants murmuring]

Because we cannot divide
our devotion and our ambitions

any more than we can divide
our hearts and our souls.

[congregants murmuring]
- Mm.

- I see a lot of you all
out there trying to serve

three and four
different masters.

[congregants agreeing]
You want money,

fame, power, and...
come on now.

- Preach!
[congregants murmuring]

- Eternal life.

- Hmm.
- Now hear me.

Lily of the Valley Church,

you better choose the one
who loves you back!

[scattered applause
and agreement]

- Preach!
- Mm.

- You better choose God.

[applause]

Now for the real reason
you all come here

and tolerate my words.
[laughter]

This young man hasn't
graced our church

with his voice in a few years.

I'm so glad to have
Carlton Banks back here

with us today
to share his gift.

Come on.

[applause]

- Yeah!
Carlton!

[gentle organ music]

- Yeah, in His name now.

* *

- * He saw the best in me *

[congregants
murmur approvingly]

* When everyone else
around me *

* Could only see
the worst in me *

* I wish I had
a witness tonight *

* He saw the best-- *
[voice breaks]

- Come on, C.

- [voice breaking]
* When everyone else *

* Around me *

* Could only see
the worst in me *

- It's all right, baby.
- You got this.

- It's okay, son, you got this.

- Come on now.
- Just breathe. Breathe, son.

- * He saw the best in me *

[tense music]

* *

- My God.

[congregants muttering]

- I'm sorry, I-I can't--

I'm sorry, I can't.

[mic feedback whines]
[indistinct chatter]

- Amen, amen!
Amen.

Have somebody check in on him.

Jess, could you play something
for the church choir, please?

[phone keyboard clacking]

[knock at door]

- Hey.
- Hey.

Is Carlton okay?

There's not something wrong

you're not telling me about,
right?

- No, why would you think
we'd hide anything from you?

- I don't know,
it just seems like you and Dad

like to keep things from me
for my own good.

- Listen.
Your brother's fine.

- So what's up, then?

- Yeah, I was
just noticing that

you've gone from promoting
climate change

to championing LGBTQ causes,

and I was just
checking in about that.

- Civil rights
and climate change

are both very vital
social issues.

- I agree.

- And I haven't traded one
for the other.

I'm just advocating
on multiple fronts.

- I get that--
in fact, I love it.

I was just wondering
if there was a reason why

gay rights has become
more important to you.

- Seriously?

I mean, the real question is,

why aren't the human rights
of any social group

at the top
of everyone's concerns?

- Of course, I mean,
that's why your father

and I donated
to marriage equality.

- Commendable,

although those issues
have advanced beyond that.

- Listen,

I just want you to know that
you can talk to me

about these issues,
or other issues.

I mean,
whatever's on your mind.

Okay?
Hmm?

- Okay.
Thanks.

- Good.

[light music]

Okay, I'll talk to you later.

* *

- [sighs]

- God, I felt so bad
for Carlton up there.

Yo, he was killing it too.
- I know.

He can really sing.

I can't believe he just got
stage fright like that

all of a sudden.

- You really think
it's just nerves?

- Yeah, what else would it be?

What do you know, cuz?
- I don't know nothin'.

I mean, you do know your
brother likes to party, right?

- Yeah, this is Bel-Air.
Everyone likes to party.

- No, I'm talking about
the hard stuff.

Coke?
Xanax?

- What?

How bad is it?

- I've seen it get scary.

Wait, you really
don't know about this?

- No.

I guess
I just wasn't paying attention.

Okay, this is bad.

Okay, Will,
you need to go talk to him

and figure out
what the deal is.

- I don't know if
he wants to talk to me.

- Look, sometimes, family means
checking in with people,

whether they want that or not.

You think I want my parents
all up in my business

all the time?
- Why don't you go talk to him?

- Well, I haven't seen
what you've seen,

so it'd be different
coming from me.

Besides, you two are really
getting along now, right?

- Yeah, we are actually.

[sighs]
Okay, I'll talk to him.

- Thank you.

- Oh, you mean,
like, right now?

- Yeah, I'll keep
your plate warm for you.

- Just one sec...

- Will.
- Mm-mm-mm.

- [scoffs]

[line trills]

- Yo, what's good?

- Hey.
Are you free right now?

[car engine whining]

[knock at door]

- Come in.
- C, you all right?

- I'm fine.
[tires squeal]

- Are you sure?

- What do you want, Will?

- I honestly just want
to know how you're doing

and what happened up there.

- I didn't eat
anything this morning,

the church was hot as hell,
and I felt dizzy.

And I didn't want
anyone to see me fall out.

Happy?

- Okay...

- Don't give me "Okay."
What are you getting at, Will?

- Listen,
last time you got stage fright,

you were supposed to do
that poem with Lisa,

but instead, you were
doing coke in your closet.

And today I could tell
you were nervous, so--

- I wasn't nervous.

You don't know shit, Will.

I suffer from anxiety.

And the sad part is,
I have anxiety

about telling people
I have anxiety,

and so then
it just builds on itself,

and it just keeps going,
and it gets louder and louder,

and, you know,

I use the drugs to--
to cope with it.

You know, it's funny 'cause
I didn't even use them today.

I probably should have.

I knew I was gonna struggle.

I saw all the red flags,

but my dad was just
so excited to have me sing.

I just want
to make my dad proud of me.

The grades, the sports...

- Carlton...

your dad thinks
the world of you.

And if you need me, I'm there
for you whenever, wherever.

You're struggling?
Let me know.

If you think
you need them drugs?

Look at me.

Let me know.
No judgment.

This shit won't be so heavy if
you let me carry it with you.

- I really appreciate
you saying that, Will.

Really.

I think right now, I just
need to be alone, though.

[tense music]

* *

- * Hopscotching all over
these niggas *

* Kick rocks, baby,
let me count my figures *

* You know I'ma deliver
every single time *

* I'm a long-term winner *

* You couldn't survive
in a stone-cold blizzard *

* Daddy need his North Face *

- Okay, good.
Nobody's here.

- * I'ma need a new place
to be a believer *

- Kinda wish Kylo was here
so I could slap his tall ass.

- Look, I brought you here

to help me get my stuff
and keep lookout.

I don't need you
fighting anybody.

But I appreciate the sentiment.
- Hey, whatever it takes.

You know, I've been looking for
a opportunity to impress you.

- Oh!
- Mm-hmm.

- Well, I'll be impressed

if you could get up there
and get my sign for me.

- Not a problem.
[both chuckling]

- * I ain't even trying
to fuck my ex *

- Hilary,
I got a question, though.

- Yes?

- I just don't understand
why we're in here

stealing your own stuff.

Like, can't you just borrow
50 Gs from your dad

and all this be over with?

- Let's not go there, okay?
I need to do this on my own.

- Oh, you gotta do things
on your own?

Okay.

- Well,

with a little help from you.

But don't tell nobody, okay?

But no, I do owe you one.

- Oh, well, in that case,

I was thinking
that maybe after here,

we can go back to my crib.

Now, I'm not
the type of cook that you are.

But I can show you
my cooking skills,

cook you a little din-din.

- Hmm, that could be cute.

Or...I'm staying
at this bungalow

at this five-star hotel.

Maybe we could go there
and order room service.

- Yeah.

- Okay.

[both laughing]

- * Bitches on a mission
to demolish my existence *

* But I'm too persistent
with my talents *

- Three, two, one, oh!

Anything is possible!

[knock at door]
Yo, what up, G?

- Hey.

A comprehensive report
on your father.

[soft dramatic music]

- Is he alive?

- Yeah.
Very much so.

* *

- Have you read this?
- Of course.

- Do I want to read this?

- That has to be up to you.

Look...

what I will say is that
if you do pursue this,

it won't only change
your life or your father's.

It will impact
this entire family.

- [sighs]

* *

[sighs]

- These are great.

If Wilkes wants
to go for the jugular,

we're ready for him.

And I'll tell you
something else.

Female voters are
gonna abandon him

when they find out
that he cheated

on his first wife
while she was dying of lupus.

Game over, fellas.
- All right.

Is using this an option
or the game plan?

- Well, I guess
that's up to you, Phil.

The winner
of this debate takes all.

- You're awfully quiet,
Geoffrey.

- It'll make
for a lively debate.

Two Black men up on stage,

tearing each other down--
they'll love it.

- That's politics, Geoffrey.

- Right.

- Feels too personal.

- Well, I can't see it
any other way.

Let's say
Wilkes wins the coin toss

and he gets
to start the debate.

What happens
when the first words

out of his mouth are about

the unsavory clients
that you represented?

Or he paints a picture
that you and your family

are too rich and out of touch?

What do you do then?
Hmm?

- If you're gonna look
at me like that, Geoffrey,

you might as well
speak your mind.

- You want this as bad
as you've ever wanted anything.

- And?

- So let's just
be honest about it

so we can be
in the best position to win.

- You think I'm pretending
to be uncomfortable

about airing out
that man's personal life?

- Not pretending outright.

It's just that you prefer
to feel like you've been

talked into doing things
that cross the line.

You need to tell yourself
you had no choice, right?

- I think
I'm in the wrong room,

because I came here
for debate prep,

but it feels like I walked
into a therapy session.

- Apologies.
I said more than I should.

- Look, Phil,
you worked hard for this.

And you could make
a huge difference if you win,

but playing nice is
not gonna cut it, brother.

- All right.

You've both given me
a lot to think about.

Ask me some debate questions.

- That's what
I'm talking about.

Can we put
the tea and crumpets away?

Let's talk politics.

[funky music]

* *

- Right,
it's absolutely gorgeous.

- How many students
does he have?

- He usually only takes
about two or three fellows.

- Really?

- Gorgeous.

- Oh.
- Mrs. Banks.

You weren't expecting to see
the likes of us, were you?

- No.

Well, it's usually white men
sitting in those chairs.

- And it's usually
a 25-year-old sitting in yours.

- Yeah, well,
I guess a lot of things

changed in the art world
since I left.

- And I suppose both changes
represent progress.

- Indeed.

Shall we begin?

- Yes, I'm ready.

- All right, then,
Ms. Vivian Banks,

tell Janice and I why
you deserve this fellowship.

- Well, my paintings aim

to capture the beauty
and strength

of ordinary Black folk
in portraiture.

I don't typically pose
my subjects.

Instead, I just try
to depict them as they are.

My intention--
- We--we know all that.

But what we would
like to know today is,

why did you stop painting
for so long?

- You know,
I'm supposed to tell you

that the demands of marriage
and motherhood

swept the paintbrush
out of my hand.

But the truth is...

I just got tired
of all the battles

I had to face being
a Black, female artist

once the painting was done.

Because painting
is the easy part.

It's natural.
It's my gift from God.

But once the paint dries,

you have to explain
who you are,

then you have to explain
your work to these men,

and then you have to fight
to get into an exhibit,

fight to be noticed,

and I got tired of trying
to twist whatever I was doing

to fit into whatever
was popular on the scene.

And then
you have to fight even harder

just to get your work
to be sold.

It's just too much.

- Then what brought you back?

- My nephew,
he moved in with us.

And he is just...

so free and...

unapologetically himself.

Got this fire
to just take life head on,

and I was like,
"I used to be like that."

And I realized,
I can still be like that.

That realization got me excited
to create again.

And once I got started, I just
wanted to do it more and more,

and so now, my perspective,
after all of these years,

is that my work can resonate
out in the world

without me having to define it
on anyone else's terms.

So I just want to work
and I just want to shine and...

- [chuckles]

- I know you have
a lot to think about, so...

- Well, actually, we don't.

We decided
before you came in today

that we want to offer you
the fellowship, Vivian.

[soft music]

* *

[chuckling]
- What?

- And your answers just
reinforced our decision.

But we can't make it official

until you take the time
to think about

what the demands
of accepting this fellowship

would mean for you.

- What demands do you mean?

- Travel,
speaking engagements, press.

We just want to be sure

that anyone
who accepts the fellowship

can fulfill all
of the expected requirements.

- So take 24 hours
to think on it,

and then let us know
your decision.

- Yes, you
and Councilman Tompkins

have been very supportive,
and I assure you--

[knocking at door]
Yeah?

[whispering]
I'm on the phone.

Agreed, agreed.

Our ideas on reform align.

Thank you.
All right, goodbye.

What's wrong, nephew?

- I-I asked Geoffrey
to find my father.

So he did.

He found him.

He said that there could be
some stuff in here

that could cause some problems.

Which is why
I don't want to open it.

I don't want to know him
because the truth is,

you've been
more of a father to me

than any man ever has.

- And I love you
as if you were my own boy.

- [crying]

* *

- And I'm thankful
that you're in our lives

and in this family.

- That's why I don't need this.

- You're your own man, Will.

I'm proud of you,
and I'm always here for you.

- I know.

- Good.

[somber piano music]

* *

- Yo.

You good?
- Yeah.

I, um...

I know I was talking to you
in church about it, but...

I decided not to try
to learn more about my father.

- Oh, why not?
- I'm happy.

And I just feel like

whatever I learned
would hurt that.

- Oof, that sad-ass tune came
from happiness? Okay.

- No, that's how I feel

every time I think
about my pops.

- Well, just so you know,

you can still feel the same way

even if your dad
is part of your life.

You, uh...

you stopped me
from using today.

I was this close
right after you left.

But then I thought
about what you said.

So I'm letting you know.
Thank you.

- Yeah.
I'm glad I could help.

Proud of you.

I think you should
toss that stuff, though.

- Yeah.

I flushed it.

I'm done with that stuff.
No bullshit.

- Good.

- [sighs]

Well, I'm about to get
something to eat,

if you're hungry.
- Oh, man.

I was actually supposed
to be linking with Lisa,

but she's not answering
her phone.

Have you heard from her?
- No.

We kind of
eased up communication

after her dad joining the
campaign race against my dad.

Isn't that weird for you guys?

- Oh, no,
we keep that church and state.

You know what I'm saying?

- Good.
I'm happy for you.

But don't worry about it.
Right, her phone probably died.

She's usually pretty bad
with that.

You're good.
- Okay.

[line trilling]

- Don't even think
about answering that.

We're not done.
- Dad, I'm telling you,

you're wrong about him.
- I wish I was,

but I know for a fact
he's trouble.

You have to stop seeing him.
- You keep saying that,

but how could you know
anything about him?

- Judge Robertson sent me this

after he decided to back me
and my campaign.

Will was arrested
after a fight in Philadelphia.

There was a gun involved.

Philip Banks reached out
to Robertson for a favor

to make it all go away,
which he did, unfortunately.

- I can't believe you'd stoop
this low to win the election.

- "Stoop"?

A man who would
circumvent the law like that

doesn't deserve to be DA, Lisa.

- You're assuming
that it really happened

and it's not just some lies
Robertson told you?

- Well, go ask Will yourself,
if that's what it's gonna take.

But once you know the truth,
that better be

the last time
you speak with him.

[tense music]

- How did you get
your hands on that?

- He gave it to me.

Yeah, apparently,
even Will realizes

he doesn't need Lou
in his life right now.

- Or he was too scared
to open it alone.

Maybe, instead of taking
the answer from him,

we should have helped him
to confront the truth.

- [chuckles]

[clears throat]

Why, man?
Hmm?

Why?

I asked you not to.
Hmm?

I asked you not to,
and you just,

what, went behind my back?

- I told you.

I wasn't comfortable
with your ask.

- So all of a sudden,
you don't trust me

to do what's right?

Is that it?

- What I'm saying is that
the boy has the right to know.

- You work for me, Geoffrey.
You work for me.

How could you forget that?

- Oh, come on, man.

We both know my real job
is to protect

you and your family.

Sometimes
those two things don't align.

- You mean
protect them from me?

- I mean to protect them
from your ambitions.

Because once those start
stirring up inside you,

everything and everyone
gets steamrolled.

- Bullshit. Bullshit.

The only reason
you sided with Lou

is because you feel guilty

about leaving
your own boy behind.

[tense music]

* *

- I've watched you attain
every dream you ever wanted,

and that finish line
just keeps moving.

- Yeah, well,
that's how my children get fed

and how you get paid.
- Oh, come on, man!

You keep going on
about me being an employee,

but because I love you
and your family,

I just can't keep
my mouth shut,

even if it is my job.

- By all means.

Don't stop now.
- All right.

Your wife's dream
drowned underneath yours.

Your son didn't even get
a chance to develop his dream

because he's just
an extension of yours.

Your daughter--
- Hey!

You're treading on very
dangerous territory, my friend.

- All right.
Fred Wilkes.

He's a flawed man,
but he's also a good man,

and you are going
to destroy him,

because when push
comes to shove,

you always do what it takes,

even at the expense
of the people who love you.

* *

- [scoffs, chuckles]

[sighs]

Sadly,
I can't trust you anymore.

You're fired.

- If you fire me,

it'll raise too many questions

that you don't really
want to answer.

So let's just say I'm going on
an immediate leave of absence.

- You had a family emergency.

You have to attend
without delay.

- Right.
- Right.

* *

- Prove me wrong, Phil.

Because if you don't,

your family is going
to split under the pressure.

[somber music]

[fists thumping]

[lo-fi hip-hop music]

* *

- Hey.
- Hey.

- Everything all right?

- Yeah.

I just wanted
to let you know that

Will came to see me earlier

and said he didn't want to know
anything about his father.

I know you've been talking
about telling him

the real story, so I just
wanted to let you know.

- Just like that?

But why?

- Well, he just didn't
want to know.

Maybe it was church.
I don't know.

Or maybe he knows that
no good could come from it.

I figured you should tell Vy.

- Well, I'm not so sure
the issue's settled.

- Well, I just had it out
with Geoffrey over this,

so I think it should be settled
until Will unsettles it.

I mean, it's his choice,
clearly.

- Speaking of Geoffrey,
what is this about

that he has a family emergency
that he's got to attend to?

- [sighs]
I'm not sure actually.

Well, you know, Geoffrey,
he's so vague about it.

- It couldn't come
at a worse time.

Your DA race
couldn't be crazy enough,

and if I get this fellowship,

we're gonna need someone
to be looking out for the kids.

- Viv,

whatever the kids get into,
we can handle it.

We always do.

- It won't be that simple

when we're both busier
than ever, and for once,

I just can't drop everything
to take care of it.

- You're saying
I'm not doing my part?

- I'm saying that

maybe I shouldn't accept
this fellowship.

I mean,
they'd want me lecturing

all over the world for a year,

and we're gonna
need somebody here

to hold down the home front.

- I can do that.

Let me do that.

- As DA?

Phil, you are not superhuman.

- Excuse me?

Viv.

Hey.

Look at where we started

and look at where we are.

I can do this.

And I don't want you
to be worried or concerned

about anything
when it comes to this family,

because this family is strong.

And when things get rough,
I'll be here to handle it.

Anyway,
this is all a moot point

unless I do well
in the debate tonight.

I should get going.
I'll see you there?

- Absolutely.

Phil.

Look, I know I've been busy

and I haven't been
around as much...

But I am so proud of you.

I love you.

Go out there
and win this thing, hmm?

- I will.

And I love you too.

[gentle music]

* *

- [sighs]

- * Over the moon *

* To the stars *

* We flying around town *

* Sipping that Crown Royal
on ice *

[Love, Mae C.'s "Go"]

* Ooh *

* 'Cause you make me *

* You make me go *

* You make me, oh *

* Light it up, ride it tough *

* Bonnie, I'll Clyde with ya *
[line trilling]

- Hello?
- Hi, Janice.

This is Vivian Banks.
- Vivian!

I didn't expect to hear
from you until tomorrow.

- Yeah, well, I've been doing
a lot of thinking

since our meeting today,

especially the part where

you went over the guidelines
for everything.

- Did you have a question?

- No, I...

Listen, it's like this.

My husband is
in the middle of a campaign,

running for district attorney,

and I think he has
a real shot of winning.

And then my nephew
just moved in with us,

which has been an adjustment,
to say the least,

then my son, who has had
anxiety issues in the past,

seems like he's starting
to struggle with that again--

oh, and then I have
a daughter walking around

hiding secrets from me
because she thinks

I can't handle it,
and I got another daughter

who's sharin' all her business
on social media,

so when I put
all that together,

in terms of what I should do,
instead of what I can do,

I really just don't think
this is the right time for me--

- Vivian,
as I told you,

our policy is to give artists
24 hours

to consider
whether or not to accept.

Now we have good reasons to be
strict about that policy.

So I cannot
and I will not accept

an answer from you right now.

- I understand.

- Great.

Well, we'll speak
to you tomorrow

after you've fully considered
the matter.

- Okay, well,

I guess I'll talk to you
tomorrow, then.

- Buh-bye.

- * I don't wanna stop now *

* I don't wanna stop now *

* Ooh, mm *

* You got that type of feelin'
reach the ceiling, baby *

- [sighs]

- Damn, man, we're out
of my mom's leftovers.

- Yeah, you can
blame me for that one.

- Well, you better be hitting
up some delivery apps then,

'cause I was looking forward
to reheating them greens.

And I am not
going to the debate

on an empty stomach,
you feel me?

[doorbell chimes]

[doorbell chimes]

You gonna get that?

- Are you?

Okay, wait, where's Geoffrey?

[door clicks]

- Hey.
What's up?

- Tell me this isn't you, Will.

[dramatic music]

* *

- How'd you find that?

- Does it matter?
Is it you?

- This isn't
what it looks like, Lis--

- Shut up, Carlton.

Are you gonna speak?

[scoffs]
- Lisa, hold on.

Hold on, hold on.
Don't leave, don't leave.

- Well, then tell me something
that doesn't make it

seem so bad that you lied to me

about who you really are
and why you're here.

- Lisa...
- I took up for you

every time my dad told me
to stay away from you,

and, like an idiot,
I defended you

when he told me
that you were trouble.

Oh, I can't believe
he was right.

- Lisa...

can we talk?

Alone?
Please.

* *

- [sighs]

- Lisa, listen.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry,
and I have no excuse.

- This is so fucked up, Will.
Why would you lie?

- Because I felt like I needed
to respect Uncle Phil

when he told me not to tell--
- I hid nothing from you.

I caught hell for you,
and damn it, Will, we had sex,

and I--

I feel like I don't know
the first thing about you.

- Lisa, please, don't say that.

I'll tell you everything.

I will tell you everything.

- Okay.

- [sighs]

- Did you shoot someone?

- No.

I shot a gun into the air
to break up a fight.

- So your uncle did
break the law.

- Yeah, to help me.

Shit, I wouldn't even be here
if it wasn't for him.

- Well, thank you
for finally being honest.

But my dad knows, Will.

And he's gonna use it against
your uncle at the debate.

Judge Robertson told him.

- Fuck, Lisa, please,
you cannot let that happen.

- There's nothing
that I can do.

You did what you did,
and he did what he did.

You can't blame anyone else
for what happens now.

I gotta go.
- Lisa...

* *

[sighs]

Ah, fuck.

[knock at door]

- If you get nervous,
just picture everybody naked.

- I think you've wandered into
the wrong green room, Carl.

- We had a rock-solid plan,
Phil.

- Hmm.

- Too bad you couldn't
stick to it.

- Well, it turns out
I've done better

without your endorsement.

- Whoa, this is
a restricted entrance.

Unless you got campaign passes,
you can't go backstage.

- Hey, you don't understand.
Philip Banks is my father.

- Yo, trust me,
it's an emergency.

We need to see him.
- Then call him.

- Yo, we already tried, man.

He's not answering.

- Yeah.

Feels good to be my own man,

unshackled from your agenda
and political favor bullshit.

- Those favors got your nephew
out of prison, didn't it?

The high road has
no place in politics.

Just remember,
it didn't have to be this way.

[somber music]

* *

- Sir, you can
escort us if you want,

but I need to go in there
and see my father now.

- Can't leave my post.

- Yo, Uncle Phil!

Uncle Phil!

- Hey, hey, hey,
I got your texts.

What's going on?

They're all right--they're
with the Banks campaign.

What's got you two
so worked up?

- It's a family matter.

- Uncle Phil, I'm so sorry.
We tried to stop it.

- Dad, you need
to call off the debate.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

One at a time.
Carlton, what's the matter?

- Fred Wilkes knows
about Will's arrest

and the strings you pulled
to get him out of, uh...

trouble.

- How does he know?

- Lisa said something
about a judge telling her dad.

- Look, it's gotta be
Judge Robertson, right?

- Wow.
Yeah.

- Dad, what are you gonna do?

- Don't worry about it.
It's okay.

I, um...

yeah, I know
how to handle this.

- W-wait, but if you
go out there, he's gonna--

- It's gonna be fine.
I promise.

And I appreciate you both
trying to keep a lid on this

and racing down here
to warn me.

- Uncle Phil,
I swear, man, if I could go

back to that night,
I'd tell my mom

not to drag you
into all of this.

- And that would have been
a waste of your life,

and you wouldn't have been
the only one

who was worse off for it.

Okay?

I don't regret a thing.

[knock at door]
- It's time.

You still good?
- We're ready to go.

Places, everybody.

- Yeah.
I'm ready.

Let's do this.

[upbeat music]

* *

- Ladies and gentlemen,
can I ask everybody...

- Good luck, Daddy.

- You're gonna do great.
- Thanks, girls.

- Bye.
[indistinct chatter]

- Hey.

If you feel at any moment he's
got you on the ropes, remember,

you've got the knockout punch.

- I know.

Thanks, Steven.

- Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome our candidates

Fred Wilkes and Philip Banks
to the stage.

[applause]

- Welcome to
the "LA Pacific Post" debate

for the Los Angeles
District Attorney,

and thank you
to our two candidates,

Police Chief Fred Wilkes
and Philip Banks.

Tonight's debate will be
90 minutes long.

Candidates will have one minute
to answer each of my questions

and then 30 seconds
for rebuttals.

We will begin with opening
statements by the candidates.

By virtue of a coin toss,

Mr. Banks will make
the first opening statement.

[tense music]

* *

- Good evening.

When I launched my campaign,

I did so with my family
by my side.

I believe you can tell
a lot about a person

by taking a hard look at how
they treat their loved ones.

* *

Are they loyal?
Are they trustworthy?

Do they put the needs of their
family above their own desires?

Now, as a husband and a father,

I have strived to put
my family ahead of all else.

I have failed at times.

But not today.

No, today...

* *

Today...

I'm withdrawing from the race

to be the next
district attorney.

[audience gasping
and whispering]

I need to be a dependable
husband and father

more than I need
to be district attorney.

And because I'm no longer
seeking public office,

I'm asking that the press
respect the privacy

that my family and I
cherish and deserve.

Lastly, I want everyone to know

that I've made my decision
wholeheartedly

because I am confident

that Fred Wilkes will be
the greatest district attorney

that this city has ever had.

Fred, you have my support.

And I urge everyone
who was gonna vote for me

to cast their ballots for you.

God bless you all,
thank you, and good night.

[indistinct chatter]

Congratulations. Do me proud.

- Thank you.

- Oh, my God, babe.

- Promise me
you'll take that fellowship.

- Phil!
- Promise me.

[BadBadNotGood's
"Time Moves Slow"]

- * Time moves slow *

* When you're all alone *

- You're gonna be great.

- * And the time moves slow *

* When you're out
on your own *

- Come on. Come on now.

- We're gonna be okay.

- * When you're missing
a friend *

* And the time moves slow *

* When you get to the end *

* *

* Running away is easy *

* It's the leaving
that's hard *

* Running away is easy *

* *

* Running away is easy *

* It's the living
that's hard *

* And loving you was easy *

* It was you leaving
that scarred *

* But what was I to do? *

* *

* Just couldn't help myself
falling in love with you *

* *

* And what could I say? *

* Oh, if I had another chance
to make you stay *

* 'Cause when you ran away *