Original subtitles

This is definitely not a rude awakening.

Mmm.

I pride myself on being courteous.

Mm.

But I wasn't sure if I was gonna wake you at all,

the way you tossed and turned all night.

But you're so beautiful...

Mmm.

They call that "model sleeping."

- Ah. - They teach it along with runway walking.

Mm.

I'm sorry if I disturbed you.

Worrying about Bill, hmm?

Which is nonsense,

because I'm sure he'll be fine if he follows doctors' orders,

- which is a big if in this case. - Mm. Mm.

There was this one time when we were married--

I don't remember what we were doing...

He threw out his back.

Yeah, I can see how that went.

You are quite the star athlete.

And every time he winced, Bill would go...

"Gas."

I mean, the man would rather die than admit a weakness.

The way you still care about Bill

after everything he put you through.

Man, you... you have one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen.

For real.

Okay, Chelsters, this is Dr. Montgomery.

Not only does she have a bunch of letters after her name

but doesn't she have major rizz?

Okay, I want to see all the heart eyes

for that gorgeous face.

Please, I thought I was here to talk about medicine.

Madison is a brilliant neurologist

who's taking care of...

a lot of patients here in this hospital.

Okay, Dr. Montgomery,

so how are you already a neurologist at your age?

Are you a genius or what?

No, not at all.

I'm kind of boring, to be honest.

All I ever wanted to be was a doctor.

So I graduated high school early and doubled up on courses

- in college and med school. - Hmm.

So I guess you didn't go to a lot of parties, huh?

Uh, try none.

I was basically the nerd with her nose always in a book.

Very few friends, no dates.

Come on, I've never seen a bookworm as beautiful as you.

Show 'em another copy of the deposition,

and that'll get 'em to raise the offer.

Yeah.

- Mr. Hamilton. - Okay, okay, listen,

since when have you been this formal with me?

It's "Bill."

Remember? Your bestie's dad?

Within these walls, I am a nurse

- and you are a patient. - Ooh.

Okay, Bill, if you want to get better,

how 'bout we start working on getting some rest

instead of working on work?

'Kay?

Rest is for the weak.

Okay? What I need to do is start walking around.

Well, that's Dr. Montgomery's call.

You can ask her when she comes in to see you.

I don't need a doctor's permission to walk.

Hospital protocols.

Now, listen, you pressed the call button.

Was there something else you needed?

Yeah, I-I dropped my Bluetooth headset on the floor somewhere,

but-- Oh, here it is.

I-I think I can reach it now.

Uh, okay.

Okay! Careful, careful, careful, Bill. -

Okay, take it easy.

Well,

somebody's feeling better.

Closing the door on the Articulettes reunion

and the past so soon?

The way I ordered Sharon and Tracy out the door

the other day, I think I slammed the door on that

with a vengeance.

Anita Williams Dupree,

you never give up that easily,

especially for something you want as badly as you want this.

Well, it's not up to me, Vernon.

Anyway, we need to focus on Dani.

I can only imagine what she's going through

after Bill's stroke.

Why don't we just go check up on her now?

Okay.

Oh, and along the way,

we can talk about--

Remind me to call the front gate

and have them revoke those temporary passes.

You can kick us out of Fairmont Crest

if you choose, Anita.

But first, I'm gonna have my say.

Thank you, baby.

What's all this?

I am revising a motion to dismiss.

I thought of an argument

that's gonna knock the judge's socks off.

Nice.

You know, you seem to have a lot of energy,

despite the fact that you were tossing and turning last night.

I know how worried you are about your dad.

Just a bad night's sleep. Everybody's got them.

Okay. So what time should we head to the hospital to see him?

Oh, I'm not going.

In the hospital room yesterday,

with Chelsea and Naomi and Hayley...

...we were all so connected.

We were all worried about this arrogant, exasperating man.

And at one point, I looked over at my daughters,

and I honestly couldn't remember why we hated Hayley so much.

It makes sense to me.

It's only natural that you would find common ground with...

- Hayley's husband being sick. - Mm.

"Hayley's husband." I see what you did there.

Yeah, and I see how you feel.

It's okay to worry about him, Dani.

After all, the man got you to take vows with him,

so he can't be all bad.

Sometimes you surprise me so much.

- Hmm? - You are too good in bed

to be this sensitive.

Stereotype much?

Let me show you what a, uh,

complicated and creative man I can be.

- Hmm? Come here. - All right.

Mm.

Sensitive.

You should check on Dani without me.

- Well, if you're sure... - I'm not.

But we know she's more of a wild card than they are.

All right, I'll go.

I'll let you know what I find out.

Can we make this quick?

Way to make folks feel welcome.

I see no point in rehashing the past.

It is very clear where we all stand.

Reuniting was a...

pleasant dream, but not every dream is meant to come true.

But some are.

You and Sharon have each said your piece.

Now it's time for you to hear mine.

So you might as well take a load off,

because I'm not leaving this house

until the two of you stop talking and listen for a change.

Mm. No, no, no, no.

Don't let me interrupt.

This isn't remotely what it looks like.

Oh, oh, oh, yeah, baby, this is exactly what it looks like.

This hot, beautiful young nurse here

was putting the moves on me.

Now, I demand

to be released from here immediately

or...

or I'll sue this hospital for ruining my marriage.

Nurse Morgan,

I thought Dr. Montgomery said

there were no signs of brain damage.

Oh, I don't know if his unique perspective

is a result of the stroke or something he came in with.

- Morning, baby. - Hey.

- Mwah. - Mmm.

From the looks of it, you seem to be recovering nicely.

Are you getting some sleep? When you're not assaulting nurses.

He has been on work calls since 6:00 a.m. - BILL: Hey!

Whose side are you on?

I thought you liked me.

I like my job more.

The last time I checked,

there's only one side when it comes to you and me, baby.

Now you're speaking my language.

Mmm.

To my complete and utter amazement,

that livestream was fun.

- And you were a natural. - I don't often get a chance

to chat with that many people.

And at the same time?

That must sound hopelessly lame to you.

Why would you say that?

You're this social media guru.

You post your life to millions

like it's the most natural thing in the world.

My carefully curated life.

My followers think that they know everything about me,

but they only know what I choose to reveal.

You're really something different.

Is that bad or good?

I'm still deciding.

- Hmm. - In the meantime, I've got to go.

Rounds.

Well, I hope to see you soon.

Same.

Can I be honest?

As long as it doesn't bruise my male ego.

Oh, please.

You know exactly how good you are in that department.

I want to say something serious.

Okay.

Everything inside me is screaming that I want you.

I'm liking where this is going.

Honest me some more.

But something inside me broke when Bill...

Let's just say it.

When he dumped me.

And I want to fix it.

But I can't figure out how to fix it.

Well, let me help you.

I can try.

Dani?

Sweetheart?

Daddy?

Be right there, Daddy!

Do... not... move.

Jacob.

Vernon. Hey. I, uh...

I need your help.

Naomi's acting kind of off.

She says it's nothing,

but I think it has to do with her concern for Bill.

I'd ask her mother, but--

Dani already has enough to deal with.

Where is Naomi?

We're at Orphey Gene's.

On my way.

Sweetie, I got to run!

I'll try to stop by later on!

Are you sure I can't get you a cup of coffee?

He's gone.

He's gone!

Oh, thank God.

Coffee?

With that shot of adrenaline?

No.

The last thing I need is for my father to walk in on me

in bed with someone.

You're allowed to have lovers.

Yes. Yes, I am.

Just nowhere near where my father can see,

hear, or suspect anything.

I love being with you.

But this, this feels so weird,

- especially with-- - You don't have to say his name, okay?

I get it. I get it.

I don't know if you've noticed,

but the woman you're sleeping with is an ungodly mess.

Wait, who snuck all this in?

Tomas or Caroline?

Uh, I...

refuse to answer on the grounds

- that my sources might dry up. - You know what,

you don't need all this annoying legal stuff.

I'll bring you some infant parenting books.

You know, since your daughters are old enough

to make you a grandfather, you,

you know, might not remember what you need to do

to raise a baby.

They'll remind you, okay?

Well, I'll have you know

that I happen to be an excellent father.

Oh, I know.

Why else do you think I'm having your baby?

Hmm.

How are you holding up, sweetheart?

I mean, I hope all of this hasn't

caused any undue stress on you.

I'm fine. But it'll be wise

not to scare me like that again. - Mm.

Hmm.

There's been enough fighting.

None of us behaved perfectly all those years ago.

Some a little more imperfectly than others.

But beating each other up about the past won't change anything.

And it certainly won't bring Barbara back.

So you're saying we should just forget about Barbara?

- Is that what you're saying? - As if we could.

No.

But even though we collectively

put Barbara through a lot of pain,

she loved us once.

And I don't think she would want us going on

hurting each other. So,

how do we move past the past?

Is there any future for the Articulettes?

Even if it's just one last performance?

I don't know

if we can ever get past the pain.

For once, Anita and I agree on something.

Well, I don't agree.

And I will prove both of you wrong.

Yesterday, you were shattered about your father's stroke.

And now, today, you're back at work and don't want to see him?

- What's up with that? - Jacob, connect the dots.

My father's getting the best care.

I have work to do.

He doesn't need me.

Nonsense.

Hi, Granddad.

What's that supposed to mean--

your father doesn't need you?

Because I'm the reason he's in the hospital in the first place.

It's all my fault.

Why don't we head over to Orphey Gene's

for some of that famous breakfast casserole?

I'm more of a country club kind of gal.

True.

But, uh, that works, too.

Hey, rain check, okay?

I got to-- I got to go to the hospital

and check in on Bill.

Okay. Um, not to sound like a stalker, but...

I need to go there, too.

Yeah, the hospital board wants me to bring over the raw footage

- of the nursing documentary. - Oh.

We could ride over together.

I thought we were keeping our situationship a secret.

Right.

You just say the word, Miss Dupree,

and I'll make an honest woman out of you.

Too late for that.

Come here.

Four little colored girls growing up in the projects,

bonding over our love of music

and our desire to be somebodies one day.

Remember the way we loved each other?

The loyalty between us?

I remember.

If one of us had a beef with someone,

we all had a beef.

To get to you, they had to go through me.

And me.

And I had y'all's back, too.

So did Barbara.

More than any of us.

I remember how devastated I was when I lost my father.

Didn't leave my room for days.

Until the three of you literally dragged me out of my bed,

back into the world.

Our world.

The best world.

The love was real.

The sisterhood was real.

And it's still here.

All we have to do is reclaim it.

I'm willing to put the past behind us

and walk into the future with my sisters again.

I know...

that we cannot be the same girls in this picture.

But we can be the women in this room.

We can put our differences aside and be friends again.

There's nothing I'd like more.

But we can't seem to do that.

Because some people make it difficult. - I know

- you're not talking about me. -None of that.

Okay?

Today is a new day.

This could be our last chance to be as close as we once were.

And...

grab some applause while we're at it.

Isn't that at least worth a try?

Talk to your granddad, baby.

I'll go take some calls from the station.

Ah. So, now

what's all this foolishness all about, huh?

You can't possibly blame yourself

for your father's stroke.

But I saw the signs, Granddad.

I know my dad better than anyone.

Certainly better than Hayley.

And I knew something was wrong.

The way he was dropping things and losing his words.

And I didn't make him get it checked out.

I just... I just let it happen.

Now you stop that right now.

I am not going to let you take blame

for something that was in God's hands,

not yours.

That kind of guilt can eat you alive, Naomi.

Hmm.

Someone close to me

blamed herself for her friend's death.

She carried that guilt for years.

Until it snuck up on her and nearly broke her.

Well, thank God Daddy's stroke didn't...

...didn't have worse consequences.

I agree.

You ask me,

man's damn lucky you and your sister

are still willing to be in his life.

MADISON: All right, close your eyes.

Raise your arms out in front.

All right, hold them up for a count of four,

three, two, one,

zero. Okay.

That's better than the last time, right?

- He's improving? - Your right arm and leg

are still weaker than your left.

Although your wife's right--

there's a slight improvement.

And I can hear that your speech is no longer impaired.

It'll take time and treatment,

but I think we're looking at a full recovery.

Wait, no. I thought the TNK treatment and the thrombectomy

were supposed to make me as good as new.

She's a doctor, Dad, not a miracle worker.

Your daughter's right.

While the treatment and the procedure

tend to have a high success rate,

you're gonna need to make a little more effort.

Wait, like what?

- Isn't it your job to cure me? -Bill.

The doctor obviously knows what she's doing.

Yeah, she's very good at what she does.

Just what I need.

- The Dani show. - Sorry. I'm not here

- to interrupt. -Mm.

- Since when? - I don't want to cause

any trouble. I just...

- I'm checking in. -I'm glad

you came, Mom. Madison--

Dr. Montgomery-- was just giving Dad his marching orders.

If you want to get better,

you're gonna need rehab.

I have been on an emotional roller coaster

ever since the reunion idea first came up.

What are you feeling now?

Hopeful.

I know I may not have acted like it,

but the Articulettes have always been my first love.

They say wisdom comes with age.

And I know we had something special.

I know that bond may be a little tattered,

in some ways broken, but...

if there is any way to salvage

even an iota of that sisterhood that we shared,

I am certainly willing to try.

Thank you for that.

Tracy is right.

Oh, hush.

Carrying around all that anger is exhausting.

Huh.

You know,

for years,

I thought,

"Just wait until I tell Anita what I think of her."

And then I did.

And then it didn't make me feel any better.

Not really.

For now, at least, I'm willing

to try and see if we can get back some of what we lost.

Maybe it'll work.

Maybe not.

But we'll never know

unless we give it a shot.

At friendship or...

a reunion?

Come on.

You know how we do.

No half-stepping.

We tackle both.

I like the sound of that.

I like the sound of that, too.

Better together,

sisters forever,

Articulettes strong!

Oh, this feels so good.

So damn good.

Believe me,

I know what I'm talking about where guilt is concerned.

I can't imagine you'd do anything

to feel guilty about, Granddad.

That's because young people think they invented mischief

and bad behavior.

Okay, I am officially intrigued.

Did I ever tell you about my Uncle Cornelius?

Yeah, he was pretty active in the movement, right?

The man often walked alongside Dr. King.

They were very close.

After the assassination,

Uncle Cornelius' health began to decline.

I swear, you could see him age right before your eyes.

You know what folks say-- it's mind over body,

but I think it's spirit over body.

One evening,

summer of '69,

Uncle Cornelius came home to spend some time

with our branch of the Duprees.

So we were shooting hoops.

Uh, playing HORSE, as I recall.

Suddenly, in the middle of the game, he fell to his knees.

And I-I ran to see if he was okay.

And he brushed me off, said

it was just a-a long day at work.

He was tired. And...

And I didn't tell anyone.

Oh, no.

Later that night, I was awakened by an ambulance

outside my bedroom window.

I pulled back the curtains to see

them take my uncle out on a stretcher.

Turns out he had a stroke.

Kept him hospitalized for months.

Couldn't walk,

couldn't speak.

Eventually, Uncle Cornelius made a full recovery.

But throughout that entire time,

I couldn't help but feel guilty

for not letting the family know

what had happened that afternoon.

But, Granddad, there's no way you could have known

a stroke was imminent.

No.

There wasn't.

After his recovery...

...I told Uncle Cornelius how I felt...

...and how I promised God

I would never play ball again

if only he'd pull through.

That must have hurt you to your heart, Granddad.

Oh, you know it did.

Mm. He assured me that his stroke had nothing to do

with our game that afternoon,

that it was a long time coming.

Uncle Cornelius and I

played many more games after that.

Now go tell your father

to focus on getting better.

You two have your own ball games to play.

You know, I was really hoping to go home today.

Well, that's not gonna happen.

But the good news is you can start your PT at the hospital

and continue it at home after you're discharged.

Do you have anyone the hospital can recommend?

We have an excellent physical therapist on staff.

Before her promotion, she was my go-to.

I worked with her myself when I threw out my back.

Oh. Can she start immediately?

Ask her yourself.

She's right outside.

Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton, I'm Shanice Johnson.

Yeah, we know who you are, Shanice.

Well, I'll leave you

in Shanice's capable hands.

Excuse me.

I have an important call to make.

I'm confused. I thought you were a nurse.

Supervisor of nurses.

But I started my career as a physical therapist.

How many years has it been since you've been hands-on

in rehabilitation?

Two days ago.

I've never really stopped.

I continue to do PT part-time

at multiple rehab centers in the DMV.

I'm happy to share references if you need them.

- Oh, that won't be necessary. -No,

they sure as hell will be necessary.

I'm not gonna have some nurse working on me.

Bill.

Remember that Dunlap boy--

had the, uh, neck injury last year?

Yeah. Diving accident.

Mm-hmm. Thanks to Shanice,

he's walking again.

He worked very hard.

Took my advice word for word,

and now he's fully recovered.

I'm so glad to see you.

- You, too. - Mm.

Though I hope that doesn't mean something's wrong.

- No. No. Thank goodness. - Good.

I'm actually here to drop off the drive

with the raw footage from the documentary.

Um, but the hospital admin secretary's not at her desk,

and I don't want to just leave it, so... - Hmm.

...could you please give this to her?

Come on. Please?

- No problem. - Thank you.

Though I hope... I can't help

- but wonder if their request... - Hmm?

...to see all the raw footage

has to do with the Leslie Thomas case.

I don't know.

I didn't think about that, but it certainly could.

Thank you for using your skills to help my dad.

While I'd like you to believe

I'm giving your father extra special care,

I treat all my patients the same.

Wouldn't expect anything less.

Bill fully intends to be fit enough

to teach our little Hamilton to swim, play T-ball,

ride a bike, and every other wonderful thing daddies do

with their kiddos, right?

- Absolutely. -You should do well, then.

I'll be back in a little while to start our first session.

You and I will be seeing a lot of each other.

Oh, joy.

That wasn't personal.

I'm not offended.

Thanks for stopping by, Dani.

Would you mind giving us a private moment now?

Of course.

-Dani? - Yeah.

Thanks for checking on me.

I appreciate it.

I'm glad you're doing better.

She was surprisingly

well-behaved.

Yeah,

- she can be. - Hmm.

Hey.

I'm cashing in my rain check

on that Orphey Gene's breakfast casserole.

Okay. Sure.

Sure.

Vernon,

there you are.

Tracy and Sharon have agreed to the reunion concert!

That's wonderful!

Wonderful!

Oh, these are your bags.

We're rehearsing in Chicago right away.

We need time to remember the old material,

get our harmonies back, not to mention the choreography.

- You're leaving for Chicago now? - I promise

to come back as often as I can. You'll hardly miss me.

And I tried to let the family know what's going on,

but nobody's picking up their phone.

Can you please explain to them why I have to do this?

I know. I know. I'm so sorry.

I know this is happening really fast.

Well, you know how eager I've been for you to do the concert.

Mm, even when I wasn't.

And I was thinking maybe you could come with me.

But then I checked your calendar.

Yeah, I do have teaching

and speaking commitments this month.

But you can get away on the weekends. -: Oh,

it'll be like the old days, uh... -

...me grabbing time with you in between rehearsals. - Mm.

Why Chicago, hmm?

Why can't you rehearse here in Maryland or D.C.?

We-we-we talked about that.

And you realized you all had to get back to where it began.

Mm-hmm. Exactly that.

- Mm. - I have to get back to my roots.

I have to reconnect with the past

and stop pretending that I came out of the womb fully formed,

- Anita Dupree... - Mm.

...and everything that happened between then and now

was some kind of fever dream that didn't matter.

It matters.

Tracy and Sharon and Barbara...

matter.

I have to confront what I've buried

and look at it up close and personal...

...and try to make things right.

If I don't, I'll be carrying around the past

and the mistakes I've made for the rest of my life,

and I just can't carry that weight any longer.

I understand.

You always do.

Be honest with me, Madison. Do you really think

that my father will make a full recovery?

I'm pretty confident he will,

- if... - Rehab.

He'll hate that.

Does he listen to you?

Sometimes.

I promise I'll do what I can.

But if you haven't already noticed,

Bill Hamilton doesn't do anything

that he does not want to do.

Well, Shanice is a force of nature,

so I'm sure she'll give your formidable dad

a run for his money.

And plus, I'm no wallflower myself.

Copy that.

I'm glad you're my dad's doctor.

So am I.

Catch you around?

Around.

I can't remember the last time I was here.

Yeah, that's your loss.

Orphey Gene's has the best soul food in all of D.C.

Maybe even the whole DMV.

Uh, you're hyping it up a bit much.

Nah. You got to order and judge for yourself. -

Well, eh.

Should we be doing this in public?

That's the least of my concern.

Dani, the only thing that I'm concerned about right now

is to make sure you're not in any more pain.

It's easier said than done.

Ah.

Was it seeing Hayley and Bill?

Bill and I were so kind to each other,

and it-it felt...

the way things used to.

Minus Hayley as a spectator, of course.

I'm-I'm so sorry, Andre.

I-I'm sure I sound like some pathetic woman

- yearning after her ex. - No,

there's nothing pathetic about you.

All right? I just wish that there was something I could do

to stop you from hurting so much.

You're doing it.

Trust me.

In more ways than you know.

The question is whether I can keep myself from hurting you...

...the way Bill hurt me.

So good to see you, sweetheart.

Good to see you, Bill.

- Feeling better? -Ah.

This is a big to-do about nothing.

Hope so.

I'm gonna get out your way,

let you and Naomi have some father-daughter time.

Are you trying to kick me out of my husband's hospital room?

I, um...

I haven't had the chance to thank you

for taking care of my dad.

We all owe you a debt of gratitude

for getting him here so quickly.

Thank you, Naomi.

From you, that means a lot.

So, Bill, I'm about to go to the cafeteria

- for an herbal tea, okay? - Oh, you don't have to leave

- on my account. - No, no, no, no.

Jacob is right.

You and your father need a little time together.

And remember-- Shanice will be back any minute

for your physical therapy.

Okay?

So...

How are you feeling?

Really feeling, Dad?

Well, you know, other than the fact

that they're forcing physical therapy on me,

I feel fine. You know?

The doctor expects a full recovery.

Well, thank God.

Mm.

Now will you promise me you'll take your PT seriously?

Aw. Maybe. I'll do my best.

And this reminds me--

you're overdue in preparing my will.

Oh, I don't want to talk about that.

- You're not going anyplace. - Yeah, I know.

I don't plan to. But, you know, as a lawyer,

you have to understand

that we have to plan for all eventualities.

We all live with death riding right beside us, so...

Is that for me?

Or you saving it for somebody else?

Well, it is fresh Orphey Gene's banana pudding,

so you tell me.

I'm telling you to give it to me right now.

Come on.

Hey.

Ah-ah-ah-ah. Not so fast.

That is not what the doctor ordered, Mr. Hamilton. - No. That...

So much for that.

Ready for physical therapy?

It's going to be a bit of a challenge

to tell the family that you decided

to head to Chicago overnight.

There's a lot of backstory they don't know.

Yeah, I know.

But...

it's what you need.

So go, my love,

with my blessing and full support.

And don't worry.

I'll hold down the fort here.

How did I get so lucky to find you?

You always understand,

even when I know

deep down inside you really don't. -

I love you, Vernon Dupree.

That's one thing I'm sure of.

And I love you more than life itself.

You take good care of yourself in that Windy City, hear?

Oh, you know I will.

I'll be thinking about you every day that you're gone.

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