Original subtitles

Anybody up for a drink?

[laughs] Well, clearly you are.

And far be it from me to stop your drinking roll

or make you drink alone.

I knew I could count on you.

There is actually a reason for this impromptu vino visit.

I wanted to RSVP in person for your anniversary party.

Thought I could combine it with us catching up

over a glass of wine.

If you're not too busy, that is.

Oh, no. I was just finishing up some patient notes.

-How's the search going? -Search?

It can't be easy finding a house for a dead woman.

Overtime for the dealers.

Feds are really cracking down on casinos.

Do I have to do everything?

No. But when people don't do things

the way you like them, it tends to get tense.

Competence. Is it too much to expect?

Don't answer that.

What I want to talk about is Doug McBride.

What about him?

Where is my favorite loser?

DOUG: Nurse Morgan, can you confirm the updates

I input from Mr. Brown's case that's in the system?

Yes, they are right here, Dr. McBride.

Great. I'll call the primary to report.

Mr. Brown is such a nice man. How'd the surgery go?

I'll answer your question if you can answer mine.

Okay. What's the question?

How much money do you have on you?

♪ ♪

[piano playing gentle tune]

[Anita humming]

[vocalizing]

[playing ends]

[laughs]

Naomi, sweetheart.

Please don't stop on my account.

You know I love to hear you play.

Please, I was just noodling.

You know my grandchildren's visits

take priority over everything.

[both laugh]

Hi, Gran.

Samantha's gonna be the perfect face

for our new teen purse line.

You can tell from her social media feed

that the other girls will follow where she leads.

Just another way of saying she's a Dupree.

Facts. But how do we weave her

into our current marketing strategy?

In time, she'll be a rock star.

But right now...

Our brand-new business is gonna have to market

a brand-new product line using a brand-new face.

Mm-hmm. Same wavelength.

I've been thinking about it, and I've got an idea.

That's my coz. Always on it.

So, what's the play?

Chels, I'm gonna need you to stay out of your feelings

and put your big girl business mogul panties on for a second.

Okay...

Just remember, you're Queen Creative,

and my eye is on the bottom line.

That's your superpower. And...?

When I say there's a major resource

at our disposal that we're not tapping into?

So let's get to tapping. What is it?

Uh, it's not a what. It's a who.

I'm talking about your mother.

It's 5:00 somewhere.

Ooh.

PAMELA: Yoohoo.

Hope you don't mind if I let myself in?

Pamela, you know you are always welcome.

I was just about to fix myself a ginger ale.

-Would you like one? -Oh, no, not yet.

I was wondering how you're feeling

about the whole Chelsea situation.

I feel like I made the right decision for my daughter.

Allowing her to go off and run her own business

is what any mother who loves her child

more than herself would do.

Mm-hmm. And the unfiltered version?

I've heard that getting back up

after a series of knockdown punches is a process.

Right now I'm feeling those punches

deep down in my soul.

Well, lucky for you, I am here to help.

I have a proposal to make.

ANITA: Well, you're looking none the worse for wear.

I suppose suing Bill and his law firm for sexual harassment

wasn't as taxing as I would have thought.

Oh, no, it was stressful and enlightening.

But not in the way you'd think.

When these women came to me,

I didn't think there would be a problem.

I believed in their story,

and I wanted to advocate for them.

Yeah, you seemed very determined when we talked.

I was.

And our conversation left me feeling secure in my position.

Oh, I knew exactly how to litigate this case,

and I was itching to argue it before a judge.

And if I'm honest, Gran,

I also wanted to make Dad pay for trashing our family.

Believe me, honey, you are not the only one who felt that way.

But I was the one who had the chance

to use her education and ability

to hit him where it would hurt the most.

I was primed and I was ready.

But while I was busy getting my case together,

I was hit with the fact that...

Bill Hamilton is still my father.

The father I've always loved and the only one I'll ever get.

So how are you handling all these conflicting emotions?

Well, um, I got my clients a new attorney,

and she's gonna finalize the settlement offer

that my dad and I agreed to.

-Oh. -I know.

I know you're surprised, but are you disappointed?

In you? Never.

What I am is proud of the way you stepped up

and became a fierce advocate for those women.

Thanks, Gran.

So, now that you've removed yourself from the case,

how does that leave things with you and your father?

In a better place or further apart than ever?

[laughs softly] I don't know.

You know, there was this moment with...

Let's just say I've realized Bill Hamilton is mortal.

Despite his claims to the contrary.

[laughs] Yes.

So I guess that leaves us somewhere in the middle.

And that's the best I can do right now.

Then that's just gonna have to be good enough.

ASHLEY: How much money do I have?

Nurse Morgan, do not answer that question.

Dr. McBride has been playing

these childish betting games all morning

and does not need one more victim.

There are no victims, Shanice. Just a little game of chance.

Yeah, that ends up getting all my nurses fleeced.

I have won a grand total of $3.75.

I'm pretty sure your nurses will survive.

So how much, Nurse Morgan?

Well, right now, nothing.

Shanice frowns on us having our personal items

at the nurse's station.

Fine. You owe me.

I will bet you one dollar

that I can make this shot from here.

So where is he?

It's not like he could've quit.

Not cold turkey.

I'd have thought that, too, but...

seems like he's really gotten it under control.

Says he's throwing himself into his work

to keep his mind off of hitting the tables.

Well, then I guess you'll need

to get his mind back on the tables.

Let him know how much we miss him.

Meaning?

Meaning you get his ass back in that chair or I do.

I already told you about that.

Joey explained why he fibbed

about buying a house for his mother.

Uh-uh. Children fib. Men lie.

You saw how angry I was.

I was very firm with him

and threatened to drop him as a client.

And after you intimidated him into submission,

how did he explain himself?

He... had his reasons.

Oh, if you don't want to repeat it,

this must be good.

Come on, Vanessa. Let me hear how Joey spun it.

What did he tell you?

That his mother rose up after three days or something?

You are going to hell for joking like that.

No, the explanation was simple.

The house is for Joey.

Then why the subterfuge?

Why did he feel the need to come up with

such an elaborate and unnecessary lie?

Basic male vanity.

He didn't want me thinking of him

as a frail, old man, as if.

And you bought that?

That sounds like a load of bull to me.

I don't think I like where this is heading. My mother?

I think we should bring Aunt Dani into the business.

-As what? -Head of marketing?

You want to make my mother our CMO?

Have you lost every bit of your mind?

Aunt Dani would be totally invested in our success,

and you know it.

Plus, when Dani Dupree takes something on,

she takes it on all the way.

Yep, and that's exactly the problem.

Okay, I'll bite. What kind of a proposal?

Well, I was thinking about our talk.

The one where you said you needed to get your fire back?

The fire you had when you were a world-renowned model?

Oh, Pamela, that train has left the station.

Well, maybe the solution is a journey to a new destination.

One where we create and run

the Curtis-Dupree Modeling Agency.

You want us to start an agency?

Dani, together we would rock the fashion industry.

I mean, we know everything about the business.

We know it inside and out.

Plus, with your experience

managing Chelsea's career and mine managing yours?

I mean, clients would be coming to us in droves.

Plus we would have a blast working together again.

What do you think?

Oh, but what about the spa?

I thought you loved working there.

If the agency works out, they can find a new director.

This. This is life-changing stuff.

So what do you say, girl? Want to have a crack at it?

There is no way that I'm gonna bet you a dollar

that you'll miss that shot.

Okay, a quarter.

You'll hardly even know if you lose.

I mean, it's only a quarter.

Okay, okay, fine. I'll bet you a quarter.

[laughing]

Told you. Fleeced.

All right, fine. You win, Dr. McBride.

Of course I do. I am on a lucky streak.

Okay, well, a little advice-- at a quarter a bet,

I wouldn't quit your day job.

It's not really a tough job, Randy.

[groans] Look, Joey,

surgeons make serious bread, okay?

Maybe... maybe Doug can pay you back a little over time.

I mean, the man is literally

cutting into folks right now, in overtime, as we speak.

He's got to be racking it in.

Have I taught you nothing?

Do you really think I give a damn what a doctor makes?

I expect to rake in

a hundred times whatever it is.

But if Doug's just digging himself in deeper and deeper,

how will he ever be able to pay you back?

Randy, I'm not after him for what he has.

I'm after him for what he can get me.

Which is?

His wife.

Why would Joey lie to me?

You mean lie to you again.

He's already lied about his mother.

Because he was embarrassed.

About getting old? Right. Come on, Vanessa.

That man is far from over the hill.

I know that.

But he didn't want me to think of him that way.

Which is kind of sweet.

From what I've heard,

Joey Armstrong doesn't seem like the kind of person

that cares about what other people think.

But then you don't know him, do you?

You're right, I don't.

-Do you? -Yes.

I mean, I'm starting to.

He really opened up to me the other day.

Not just his worries about getting older,

but about his failed marriage.

He told you something so personal?

He was devastated when his wife cheated on him.

I know everybody thinks of Joey as this tough guy,

but you should have seen his face.

My heart went out to him.

There's no surprise there.

What's that supposed to mean?

It all just seems very calculated, Vanessa.

Tell me this.

Did all of this emotional unloading about the ex

happen before or after you caught him

in the lie about his mom?

I don't remember. Why does it matter?

Because timing says a lot.

If he opened up after you caught him,

it could be to distract or deflect.

But if it was before...

he might just be messy

in a whole different kind of way.

I'm just saying it's worth taking note.

Or not. We're building a friendship, Nicole.

Isn't it normal for us to start sharing things with each other?

Depends. Who's confiding more, you or him?

Now you're being ridiculous. I'm not keeping score.

It just seems you and Joey are spending a lot more time

exploring your personal lives than looking for houses.

It's all part of the whole.

One of the reasons I'm a successful Realtor

is because I care about my clients.

Vanessa, do you have feelings

for Joey Armstrong?

Uh... [chuckles]

I think Joey Armstrong is a very attractive man.

And so do you. You said so yourself.

Of course I did. I'm not blind.

My eyes tell me that Joey Armstrong

-is easy to look at. -Very easy.

But so are a lot of men.

You can, and frequently do,

admire a good-looking man

without having feelings for them.

So my question stands.

Do I have feelings for Joey Armstrong?

Yes.

You're interested in Vanessa McBride?

To be precise, in her real estate firm.

You want to use her company to launder your money?

It's the perfect setup.

Vanessa let slip that they turn over

millions every month. That's the perfect setup.

So we get Doug in so deep, he has to go to her.

Then we get Vanessa to open her books to us.

And then that's the perfect place

for us to clean cash.

It's a win.

Okay.

Now, I know you don't want to hear this,

but your plan-- it won't work.

Why not?

Two things.

Doug would never get Vanessa involved.

He loves her, and he wouldn't want to bring her

into a mess that he created.

And the second?

Vanessa would never play along.

She acts all bold. Hell, she is bold.

You might be right.

It's a good thing I don't have to do anything.

That's Dougie's job, isn't it?

You expect him to...

I expect him to get Vanessa to play along.

And if not, then to find a way around her.

Either way, it's his problem.

Got it?

Yeah. I got it.

Good. One more thing.

You, um...

You wouldn't be planning on telling anyone

about this, would you?

Joey...

I wouldn't hurt you, Randy.

You'll just wish I had.

By the way, how's your, uh, your ex and your kid?

Good.

Good. Let's keep it that way.

I believe in you, Randy. I do.

Now let's get Doug back to the table.

DOUG: Ah. [laughs]

SHANICE: Dr. McBride, you have surgery in five minutes.

And Nurse Morgan was asking if she could observe.

Is that okay with you?

-Uh, yeah, as long as she can get here on time. -Oh, she will.

Shanice, I have a question for you.

Why were you talking to my wife about me yesterday?

Because I was concerned.

You have been pushing yourself so hard lately.

You driving yourself into the ground

does our patients no good,

and it does you a whole lot of harm.

I'm just doing what's best for everyone.

Hope so.

[phone vibrating]

-Yo. -Hey, man.

I got, uh, more of that Scotch you like.

Tell you what. I'll have a bottle next to your chair

at the table tonight.

Give it to someone else.

No, man. Not this fancy-ass Scotch.

Listen, it'll be waiting for you when you get back.

I told you, I'm not coming back.

So give the Scotch and my seat to someone else.

Permanently.

Y-You sure, man?

You know, I've been clocking your timing,

and you are primed for a lucky streak.

Wait, what?

You are the one that's been telling me to walk away.

Oh, this is Joey talking.

Well, you tell him I'm gonna pay back every cent

that he loaned me.

I don't know how and I don't know when,

but I'm going to make it happen.

Don't get me wrong. I love my mother dearly,

but if I have to work with that woman

for one more day, I fear that one of us

is going to have to die.

Cool head, Chels. Business mogul panties.

Yeah, and my cool head is filled with a million reasons

why hiring my mother is not a good idea.

She's driven, but she's demanding and controlling,

and the woman does not play well with others.

All of that.

But I think all of that could work for us.

For us, maybe, but not for me.

You keep reminding me to stay in my boss girl mode.

Well, do you know how hard it is to keep that energy

in front of her?

She stays bringing me back to being a kid.

She tells me to stand up straight

and she's side-eyeing all of my outfits.

Like, seriously.

And in front of other people, too.

Like important clients and designers

that I want to collab with.

She says whatever, whenever, like it's no big deal.

And then I'm back to being 13, ready to cry or snap,

and I can't bring that vibe into my business.

Okay, I guess Aunt Dani can be a little intense, but...

And it's not that she's trying to be mean

or inconsiderate.

She just wants me to be the best that I can be.

Which is why it's that much harder to tell her to back off.

After everything I did to get out of her control,

there's no way I'm opening up that door again.

I'll admit, it would be nice

to get back to who I was before Bill Hamilton

took a flamethrower to my life.

There's no better way to put that bastard

in your rearview mirror.

I did feel a tingle on the runway

at the fashion show.

Pam, it's probably the most alive I've felt in ages.

Face it, the fashion world needs Dani Dupree

and Pamela Curtis back.

It's gotten far too boring without us.

It's true.

There is one problem, though, and it's a big one.

Oh, what is it?

The name.

What's wrong with it?

It would need to be Dupree-Curtis Modeling Agency.

You know I need top billing.

NAOMI: I love all these old Articulettes pictures.

Emphasis on old.

Gran, except for your hair,

which is an extremely elegant color, I might add,

you look exactly the same.

Those were incredible days.

And it wasn't just being young.

Though that didn't hurt.

It was singing. Doing what I loved.

I can see how much from the videos online.

Oh, those videos don't tell half of it.

There is nothing...

nothing like standing in front of an audience,

feeling that energy.

One minute we were girls from the projects

singing in our hairbrushes, and the next...

The next, we were performing in clubs

and arenas and on television.

Must have been really exhilarating and terrifying.

Yeah, it was.

Stepping out on that stage...

...finding our spots...

feeling the vibrations shift

as the crowd settled into a hush.

The band playing the intro, the lights hitting just right

and circling us in the glow.

Taking that breath...

before the first note

and feeling the weight of it.

Their anticipation.

All those people waiting for you to bring it.

And then...

when you start singing...

...it's not just you and your friends anymore.

You're part of something that

will never be repeated the same way ever again.

Something unforgettable.

And after?

After? [laughs]

After, you'd step off that stage,

and for a few minutes you were flying.

No matter what was happening in the world

or in your life...

...in that moment you just felt blessed.

That you gave people something... real.

Something that spoke to them,

something that moved them.

I miss it sometimes.

Not just the music, but...

experiencing that with my friends.

And the audience.

There's nothing like it.

No, I would give anything to get in a time machine

and see you perform in person.

[laughs] Me, too.

See the Articulettes up there doing their thing.

But...

...those days are gone.

They were over a long time ago.

And I am no longer that girl.

Which is fine.

Time passes for all of us.

And it has passed for me in the best way possible.

I have a beautiful family.

My days are full with my charity work.

Not to mention making sure your mother

doesn't self-immolate.

Yeah, I-I agree.

Mom has been quite the handful lately.

Yeah.

But to be fair,

Dani's been through an awful lot.

We should do something for her.

A fun night out with the family.

A distraction.

You're right. Something to lift her spirits.

Will you help me pull it together?

Of course, if you like.

Okay. Great. Okay.

You make the calls, you invite everyone.

After all, no one turns down

an Anita Dupree command appearance.

And I want her to be surrounded by her family.

I want her to know just how much she means to us.

That is a wonderful idea.

And don't you worry. All the family will be there.

I won't take no for an answer. So, when and where?

Tonight at Uptown.

-Oh-- Okay. -Yeah.

Okay. You wrangle your mother,

-and I'll take care of the rest. -Okay.

See, this is exactly what I meant

by you being all up in your feelings.

My mother went from controlling my life growing up

to controlling my career as my manager,

and you're asking me to go back to the way things were.

But there's a big difference.

Aunt Dani wouldn't be the boss of you anymore.

It would be the other way around.

This purse line

and our soon-to-be activewear line

is going to be ours.

And your mother-- she would be working for us.

I was going alphabetically with Curtis-Dupree,

but if that is the only thing that's in your way,

I would be happy to take second billing.

-I was joking. -Were you? Really?

Because I remember how you were about the font size

your name had to be in the program?

Okay, I mean, if we were to do this,

I would prefer top billing.

Does that mean you're in?

Let me think about it for a bit.

But in the meantime, thank you for everything.

I don't know what I would do without you.

Oh, you know I got you.

Like I always say, I'm your ride-or-die, Dani.

-Bye. -Bye.

[phone vibrating]

[sighs]

[grumbles]

Mm. Hi, honey.

Mom, drop whatever you're doing

and come to Gran's dressed for a night at Uptown.

I don't feel like going out tonight, Naomi.

-Some other time, huh? -No, no, no.

No is not an option. And I'll tell you why.

I admit, I'm surprised.

Really?

Because I know how you like to think

you know everything about me.

Oh, let me clarify.

I am not surprised that you have feelings for Joey Armstrong.

That writing has long since been on the wall.

I'm surprised you're admitting it.

I see. Well, let me clarify.

I'm not admitting that I have romantic feelings for him.

There are all kinds

of different feelings out there, you know.

For example, I have a powerful feeling

I could make a whole lot of money selling him real estate.

And how many houses does a shriveled little old man need?

Nobody used the word "shriveled."

And that does not surprise me

because Joey Armstrong is a very powerful man,

from everything I've heard about him.

And we both know that power is quite an aphrodisiac.

Joey, I tried, okay? I did.

I offered him the expensive Scotch.

I even told him he was due for a lucky streak.

He said to tell you

that he will pay you back somehow.

I asked for competence.

I live in disappointment.

Well, like they say, if you want something done,

do it yourself.

[door closes]

Being the boss of my own mother does have a certain appeal.

And even more than enjoying a little karmic payback,

hiring Aunt Dani would be the right thing to do.

Mm. No one would be able to say no to her.

And it would be good for Aunt Dani, too.

Making your mother our head of marketing

would give her a positive place to put her focus.

Plus, with Samantha in the mix,

our purse line becomes a Dupree family project.

And you know those are always lit.

I'm right about this, Chels.

Aunt Dani is the last piece of the puzzle.

[sighs]

-Where is she? -Calling the troops.

And you really think all this subterfuge is necessary?

You know if I told Gran this was about her

and not you, she would turn me down and refuse to come.

And you think she's what, depressed?

Well, I wouldn't go that far. But a little sad.

Nostalgic.

It just seems like every time I'm over here lately,

she's noodling at that piano.

And when I ask her about it, she shuts me down.

But she lights up when

she's talking about the Articulettes, though.

And I just think she misses that part of her life.

And I want to help her get it back.

Help her get back to her roots.

You are such a kind and thoughtful person, Naomi.

-Oh! -Oh, my goodness.

-Let's do it. -Okay. Okay. Okay.

Uh, do you remember it, though?

Okay, there's that part with, what, the hands?

-The ripple. The ripple. -Okay, so who goes first?

She's in the middle, so you go, you go first.

-Okay, I'll count it off. -Okay. Yeah.

-One, two, three. -Three.

Right, and then we go, turn, right?

-Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. -Yeah.

[both muttering]

And then how does it go?

-Is it...? -No, but does it go fast?

ANITA: What in the world?

What are you two up to?

Okay, sure, power is attractive. And Joey Armstrong has power.

God, does he have power.

And, okay, maybe I was the slightest bit

turned on when he...

Oh, my God. What did he do?

When he told me about his wife.

Get your mind out of the gutter, girl.

He told me about how his wife cheated on him

and how he ran her boyfriend out of town.

Mm. Does enjoying that idea make me an awful person?

Ugh, definitely not.

I remember reading this study a couple years ago

about the appeal of the so-called bad boy.

Women are drawn to the charm, the confidence,

the unpredictability that men like Joey have.

What concerns me is you.

You thinking that you can break through this tough exterior

to reveal some softer side that only you can access.

I've seen this kind of situation before, Vanessa,

and it never tends to end well.

And I know short-term relationships can be fun,

even thrilling.

Especially when you think it can fill an unmet need.

Unmet need?

Are you referring to my husband?

Dr. McBride, are you okay?

Oh, I'm fine.

I just lose a patient every day.

I know.

I was watching everything, Dr. McBride.

It wasn't your fault.

And you know this by your vast experience?

I know I'm new and I was just observing,

but from what I could see,

that patient's heart just gave out.

Thank you for your wonderful layman's description

on heart failure.

Something that I was supposed to prevent.

Doctor, from the file, it looks like the patient was high risk.

There were a number of comorbidities,

and he waited too long to seek help.

I'm sure you did everything you could.

Well, whatever I did clearly wasn't enough.

And that's terrible.

And it will always be terrible.

But what you're doing now

is hurting yourself for no good purpose.

Give yourself time,

and then maybe you'll see something that you learned

that could help patients.

I made every single basket this morning.

But what use are these hands

if they can't even do what they're meant for?

Ah!

-Well? -I don't know.

The idea still isn't hitting me right.

We don't have to decide now.

Just promise me you'll think about it.

Mom and I were just practicing the latest viral dance trend,

and we are terrible at it.

Oh, Lord, everybody is all into these viral videos.

It's good to see smiling, Dani.

-Thanks, Mom. -What brings you by?

Naomi invited me out for a night on the town.

A night on the town? That sounds fun.

Do you want to join us, Gran?

I'd love to.

-Shall we head out? -DANI: All right.

Right behind you, Mom.

Oh, you don't have to be on your high horse about it.

Not after we've already discussed your marriage to Doug.

How it started out as something passionate

has now turned into something cooler.

Which led you to look for companionship elsewhere.

Doug doesn't meet my every need. That's true.

And I'm not insisting that he has to.

That wouldn't be fair to either of us.

But I still care about him.

Like I was telling Shanice yesterday.

Wait, you were talking to Shanice about Doug?

I happened to be in the hospital.

She mentioned to me all the hours

Doug's been putting in there

and that she's worried about him.

And the truth is, so am I.

Dr. Shah's writing a prescription

to help with the pain.

He said it was a clean break, so it should heal nicely.

Frankly, you're lucky it's not a lot worse.

I'm still not clear on exactly what happened.

He also said you won't be performing

any surgeries anytime soon.

No surgeries?

Is that really necessary? For how long?

Remember, you are the patient here, Dr. McBride.

You'll need to discuss your condition with Dr. Shah.

[sighs] But I think there's a silver lining

for you taking a break from surgeries for a while.

I think you could use the break.

No pun intended.

Thanks, Shanice.

So what's the diagnosis, Shah?

When will I be able to perform surgery again?

How would I know?

But I'd say we have a problem.

Don't we?

It's good to see you.

I don't have much time, but, um...

there's something you need to know.

You are such a liar.

A diabolical, pathological liar.

I feel like a piece of meat.

Wagyu all day, baby.

Good enough to eat.

[chomps]

If I didn't know better,

I would say you sound scared, Anita.

Scared?

Well, if you want to be technical,

this is terrified.

Captioning sponsored by CBS

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