Original subtitles

-Do you love Andre? -I love Andre enough.

I like having power over people like Andre Richardson.

You never know when it'll be useful.

EVA: You pulled that fire alarm last night at Ted's hotel.

-Yeah, I did it. -When is enough enough?

When I say it is.

HAYLEY: Bill had his first dose last night with his evening tea.

We have to take this slow and smart.

I thought you were coming to say you were forgiving me.

I am forgiving you, so I can move on

past our marriage.

Hello.

-This necklace. -Right?

I saw it, and I just had to have it.

You should treat yourself more often.

Perfectly armored for a skirmish with your nemesis.

Tell me she isn't here.

If you want, we can go somewhere else.

Nope. She can worm her way into whatever community she wants,

but I am the one who belongs here.

She's like a frequent flyer everywhere I go.

I'm surprised she hasn't set up a cot.

Don't tell me.

Every time I'm in the locker room, she's there,

like a gargoyle, sitting, staring, spewing her contagion.

You give her the least amount of air, she fouls it up.

Well, I am proud of you for showing restraint.

I almost didn't the other day.

If Mother's call hadn't interrupted me...

I hope you can show some self-control today.

Making no promises.

You send up a signal, I'm on it.

Sure, I might disappoint Mother, Daddy, the ancestors,

but I tell you what, they're gonna put a plaque on that wall

for how I show out for you, Sissy.

Danielle Dupree, the hubbub of the country club.

It'll be historic.

Drop what you're doing and join me at the club.

I was just about to order some lunch at Uptown.

You ought to see these specials.

I've got my eye on something special over here, too. Later.

♪ ♪

I know it may seem like I'm nagging you

with all these questions, but trust me, you'll thank me later.

You got to stay on your toes with the prosecution, all right?

-It's all about agility. -Got it.

Doesn't sound too reassuring, Tomas.

-You're ready for this, right? -Backwards and forwards.

All right, 'cause you got to,

you know, you got to bob and weave, bob and weave.

Be ready for anything, man.

-Oh. -What's going on with you?

I'm fine. Just need to catch up on some sleep.

Giving him the dose

of the Law Offices of Bill Hamilton, Esquire training.

Your signature, when you get a minute.

Or ten.

What can I say? You're an important guy,

and since you like hard copies...

Well, it helps give me a complete perspective.

CAROLINE: You don't look so good.

Maybe a visit from your girlfriend

-will put a smile on your face. -Kat's here?

I'll meet her in my office.

No, no, no, no. Bring her on in.

I miss my niece. It's been too long.

Be right back.

I better get back to it.

No, no, stay. The fun's just beginning.

Kat, hey. Dressed for an adventure, I see.

I hope you didn't meet any big bad wolves out there.

This close to Halloween?

The streets are crawling with them.

Okay, well, we should clear out, let you get to work.

Mm-hmm.

-What's in the bag, Little Red? -Lunch for two.

Huh. I thought it might be ice packs or something.

-Excuse me? -You know, for the swelling.

After the, uh, accident.

Oh, uh, Tomas got injured on a bike ride.

-Kat. -Mm-hmm.

-BILL: Tomas. -Sir?

The lesson is, it stands firm,

whether the topic is bike riding or other sundry activities.

Funny seeing you here in the middle of the day.

I'm not ditching school. It's my work-study project.

I'm checking to see if we have the inventory

to meet the demands of our consumers.

Oh. Those bags have taken on a life of their own.

-Right? It's so exciting. -Mm.

It's just so crazy how the ChelseaKat bags

are taking off after our first drop.

Not crazy at all. It's well-deserved.

Now, what can I get you? Lemonade?

I think I'll wait till my friend gets here to decide.

Okay, well, you know where to find me.

You made it.

Come on.

Like I was gonna pass up an opportunity to chill with you.

I was a little bit surprised, though.

I wanted to at least give you a chance to explain.

Explain?

Why you ghosted me.

-I didn't ghost you. -You never texted me back.

I was on punishment. Just got my phone back.

It was locked in my dad's office. He was doing the most.

What did you do?

I think the better question is why you think I'd ghost you?

Because I didn't want to smash.

Girl, I'm cool with that.

Y-You are?

What do you think? I'm just some sex-crazed hormone monster

that you see in one of those old teen movies?

I could use more friends, to be honest.

Oh, you want to be friends.

I'm not gonna front like I wouldn't be down for more,

but that's up to you.

'Cause let me tell you,

that pic that you posted on your story the other day,

damn, girl, you made your boy feel something.

You saw?

Don't play shy. You know you fine.

Oh, stop. You think so?

You ain't see those guys look at you when you pass by?

Not really.

Well...

if they weren't looking then,

they're definitely checking you out now.

Too bad there's only one boy that I like.

[dishes clang loudly]

-You told him? -Never.

Then how does he know?

We're just one big family around here, aren't we, Tomas?

If you say so.

Yeah, there's no reason to get all bent out of shape.

Oh, my God.

Listen, take it easy on our boy this weekend, Kat.

He's working a big case, okay?

And I know you two are consenting adults,

and what you do is your business,

but try not to leave any bruises

that he'll have to explain to the judge and jury.

Kat, don't go. Bill's just having some fun.

I'm sure it's all out of his system, though, right?

Yeah, yeah. Nothing to worry about.

-See? -You know, I-I'm sure

it can't be easy or pain-free,

but I know that, in the end, you'll be glad

when you get everything all, uh, straightened out.

KAT: Call me when we're able to be adults.

Hmm?

So how was Martin and Smitty's ceremony?

Intimate, just like they wanted?

Beautiful.

Despite my personal struggle of hearing two people

exchange vows just after my divorce was finalized.

Oh, Nicole.

Or the fact that Ted was there, too.

Not surprising. Martin is still his son.

But talk about adding insult to injury.

I was standing there telling myself,

"Be present, there in the moment.

"Don't think about the day you got married

"or the day you found out it was all a lie,

or that I still..."

Why didn't you call me or come over?

You know where my rocky road is.

A divorce party with my sister who just got married?

I always have your back. Plaque on the wall, remember?

What did you do without me there?

Dearest, darling sister, what have you done?

You have no right to question my choices

after some of your recent "leap before you look" decisions.

This smells an awful lot like projection.

Running off to Vegas, eloping.

Totally expected from someone like me.

-But you? -Enough out of you.

I saw Ted.

[gasps]

At the ceremony, you mean?

After the ceremony?

On purpose? [gasps] My God.

I had a moment.

Of insanity or clarity?

Do not make more of this than it is.

We had unfinished business.

You of all people know exactly how it is.

I would thank you to think before you...

Speaking of thoughtlessness.

I'm sorry for interrupting, but

I wanted you to know that Bill told me absolutely everything.

About what?

Your divorce from Ted being finalized.

And you came over to offer your condolences?

-I did. -No one called for you, Hayley.

Why don't you keep it moving before I react.

So, I take it your job interview went well.

Banneker couldn't pass on all this.

-They made an offer? -On the spot.

Ooh, impressive.

No, seriously, I love my work,

and that kind of passion shines through, so I'm told.

People usually get tripped up

when they're trying to be someone they're not.

It's been my experience.

So I'll be seeing you around?

Definitely a possibility.

A possibility?

All of that and you didn't accept their offer?

I have to consider other factors first.

Like being around family again?

Some of that and some of something else.

Someone else, perhaps?

Ooh, okay. So Izaiah's got a past.

Mrs. H. Psst. Hey.

Come over here and join me.

I'm fine. Thank you kindly.

Ooh, listen to you.

Beg your pardon?

Begging even. Now, see, that's a nice touch.

The nice manners and that real sweet

church meeting smile sitting over there

because what would the neighbors say

about the two of us together?

Tormenting the locals is your specialty, not mine.

Oh, so I see you've heard about my new residence.

Across from the Dupree estate.

That little hubby of yours tried his best to kill my dream

with remarkably little success.

I wouldn't underestimate him if I were you.

Girl, you are not me, that is for sure.

What we have in common, though,

is that we're both so horribly misunderstood.

I'm not sure that I know what you mean.

We are both revolutionaries.

Our very existence inside these gates

meant to keep us out.

Shaking up the status quo in our very own way.

Imagine what we can accomplish

if we pooled our resources.

Befriending someone who despises my husband is...

Is the smartest thing you can do.

I mean, think about it.

Everybody caters to Bill--

family, friends, employees.

I mean, if anything goes south,

whose side do you think they'll take?

Step out of line, and you are left out in the cold.

But I don't have those worries.

I don't need anything from anybody.

Not their money, not their approval.

Ooh, child, I am free as a little birdie.

You're a wild card is what you are.

Exactly.

I make things happen.

What do you think would've happened if that fire alarm

hadn't gone off?

We'll never know.

I imagine...

When one is mourning a relationship

that has been the foundation of their life...

Trust me, I've been there.

What if I open that door just a little?

What would happen if I stepped back on the timeline?

The two of you back together,

still trying to grab at happily ever after.

But there's no going back.

I know that now.

But I am glad I went to go see him.

You have been so much nicer

than most other women would've been.

The truth is he is mourning this loss just as much as I am,

and I think talking to him,

it helped me let go of all of that anger

that I was holding on to,

and I forgave him.

That must've been some conversation.

It's the beginning of what is probably going to be

a lifelong process of forgiveness.

We'll toast to that.

Mm-hmm.

I tell you what we'll never toast to.

Whatever the hell is going on over there.

-Oh, I do not like that. -Mm-hmm.

Why don't you show me some pictures

you haven't posted online? You know,

something that no one's ever seen?

-What do you mean? -Not like that.

I do have some proofs from this other look we were trying.

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

I could judge before you post.

Let you know how the guys will respond.

At the very least, I can hype you up.

I know the pics are fire.

I... [laughs] I'm ready to take your order.

Uh, I-I'm not sure what I want yet.

-At least you know that much. -Come back in a minute.

I've given you ten minutes.

You still haven't even glanced at the menu.

What's the rush? It ain't like y'all busy.

It's okay. I will have the turkey club, please.

Let me get a vanilla shake.

I'll be right back.

I hope she ain't expecting a tip.

She's new here. Why make it harder for a person?

You are saying very disturbing things.

Aw.

You've got that little sweet Sunday schoolgirl act

all sewn up tight, don't you?

But I see straight through you.

And I know when time is running out on a relationship.

Your insinuations are insulting and demeaning,

and you couldn't be more wrong about...

What's your endgame, huh?

His money, reputation?

Ooh, you greedy girl. All of it?

Should've known better than to come here.

Yet you don't have a friend in the world.

But I see you.

And listen, girl, whatever it is that you are up to, mm,

keep it up 'cause it couldn't happen

to a better bottom feeder than Bill Hamilton.

Oh, and-and if you need some-some help,

please let me know.

I would love to volunteer my time

and my expertise to this wonderful cause.

You don't know a thing about me, lady,

and you'll be sorry that you said those things.

Mm.

Who you gonna tell, Hay-Hay?

I'm telling you, stay out of my way.

Don't look now, methinks your nemesis

is more repugnant than mine.

Even the tiny demon can't stand to be near her.

To be my nemesis, she would have to have power over me,

which she does not.

She is not standing between me and what I want.

She isn't?

If you tell me you've forgiven her, too...

If anything, I pity her.

Throwing herself at a man who hasn't looked at her

since the "Macarena" was number one.

Say it.

Whatever it is you're not saying,

tell me before I become relentless.

Ted might've done more than just look at Leslie

not that long ago.

You're saying...

Oh, hell no. Excuse me a moment.

-I will not. -Let go of my hand.

Remember who we are. We belong here. She does not.

Which is why I need to give her the beatdown she deserves.

Are you coming with me?

No. We will sit, enjoy the rest of our beverage,

and pretend like everything is fine and proper like we do.

She doesn't know how lucky she is that I have good manners.

You are too nice.

That stops now, today.

No more rules, no more appropriate. Screw that.

Ted has given you the ultimate hall pass

to do whatever you want with whomever you desire.

I would never use Carlton to get revenge.

Who said revenge?

But since you brought up Carlton...

I have said nothing.

No, no, I get it. He's this kind, charming--

I would say sexy, but I'm married-- physician

who has been so patient, so understanding...

Who is also Ted's friend and business partner, so stop.

You are allowed to have friends.

And if Ted has an issue with who you choose,

tell him to take it up with the department

of Who Gives a Flying Fig.

Ooh. Listen to you in your indoor voice

using Mother-approved words.

Call him.

Give the man an offer he can't refuse.

Absolutely not.

You reach out to him right now.

Or you'll what?

Go over to Leslie's table

and make the biggest stink this club has seen this week.

I will and you know it.

Don't tempt me, I already want to do it.

Note to self, don't bring up an ex

in early conversations with someone.

-Mm. Fresh breakup? -Still warm to the touch.

-Ouch. -You don't even want to know.

Breakups like that never really leave your mind, do they?

You sound like someone with recent experience.

A little heartache goes a long way.

There was once a guy named Tomas.

Mine was Yolanda.

I applied for the job at Banneker

one of those long, dark nights

when you're questioning everything,

trying to find a way out.

But now that I'm here...

You're asking yourself if it's really what you want.

It's like, do we need distance?

Does moving mean completely shutting things down?

Is our story over?

I'm sorry. I forgot my note to self in mere seconds.

No, no, it's okay.

You're too easy to talk to.

My oversharing is really your fault.

No, it's-it's cool that we're getting everything out there.

It's refreshing.

Most people usually hide the important stuff

-behind a firewall. -Very true.

So, I'm gonna tell you straight up,

I'm not really looking to be anybody's rebound girl.

Good to know.

But if you're looking to hang out with someone

until we both figure things out,

I'm down for that.

Sounds like a plan.

Get your number?

Don't take it unless you plan to use it.

Gotcha. Thanks, Izaiah.

A pleasure, Miss Eva.

Tell me she hasn't roped you into one of her schemes.

You know her?

KAT: No one knows what goes on in that twisted mind.

That bitch is crazy.

And you're obsessed.

Tell me you're kidding,

and this is one of those things girlfriends do.

Oh, we're not friends. We just have a very complicated history.

I didn't realize you two were acquainted.

And I didn't know you two... So how do you know each other?

Let's start with how we met, Eva.

When I caught you snooping in my mom's private patient files.

She's leaving out the fact that I was her mother's

personal assistant.

And you took that job very seriously.

Why don't you tell the nice man why.

IZAIAH: What's going on?

It's a long, very unflattering story,

but every word of it is true.

I'd love to give you a highlight reel.

Pleasure meeting you, Izaiah.

Best of luck with all your decisions,

and I hope you land where you're happy.

You can't go yet.

Let her. It's better.

But your food.

Just add it to your lucky streak,

or you can share it with my sister.

Sister?

Yeah. You thought your family was complicated.

[scoffs] Just wait.

Excuse me.

Welcome back. You owe me a drink.

For what?

Saving your life.

NATHAN: Damn.

These are hot.

You sure you just started modeling?

Bad ain't even the word.

-You're just saying that. -No.

-This one? -Yeah?

The way that you're not even looking at the camera,

like you're keeping a secret.

If you ever make copies, this is the one I want.

But don't give it to anyone else.

I want it to be a little something for the two of us.

-Do you get to keep the clothes? -Sometimes.

I want to see this one on you,

so I can take it off you.

Just what you ordered.

-What the actual... -Oh. Oh. Oh, my goodness.

Look what I have gone and done.

Bad waitress has butterfingers.

You know what? You need to run some cold water on this,

so you could go ahead and just cool yourself off.

Yeah, the donation will be in the name

of Bill and Hayley Hamilton.

You know what?

Why don't we double what I gave last year?

Yeah. Look, it's always a pleasure

to be able to give, okay?

Give my best to the rest.

All right. You, too.

-Hey. What do we have here? -Hey.

I picked up a little lunch for myself

and thought maybe you'd like some, too.

Okay, but I thought you were going to the club.

Ran into Dani. She was her usual charming self, but

then I ran into that Leslie woman.

I hope she didn't give you any trouble.

She actually frightened me a little.

That woman is diabolical.

Yeah, well, that's not news to me.

Bill, I'm worried.

Why? Did she say something?

Yeah. Ranting about how she wants to ruin you

and leave you with nothing.

-She... -Okay. Okay. Okay.

I'll lodge a complaint with the manager at the club.

You know, start a paper trail of her harassment.

That membership will be revoked,

regardless of how much money she throws at it.

If we start poking that beehive, I don't know.

-Now, babe... -She had this look in her eyes.

Now, baby, it's all about a performance for her.

Well, I hope that's all it is,

but for my sake, promise me you'll be careful.

Oh, come on.

I'm not worried about a thing, little mama. I got this.

You got my text. Come in.

I hope this is a good time.

Oh, I am in a much better place than I was last time I saw you.

I keep thinking I'm past the bursting into tears stage.

-Then I prove myself wrong. -You survived an earthquake.

There will be aftershocks. All part of healing.

That is a generous way of putting it. Thank you.

Was there anything else?

I, uh, I just wanted to say that...

...I appreciate your understanding.

Well, that's good because the feeling is mutual.

Whatever feeling would be associated with that.

Great. Okay, then...

Okay, then I'll just...

Carlton.

Actually, there is one thing.

I don't know how to say this or even what to say.

Well, if I can make whatever it is easier for you, just...

See? That right there.

You are always so kind and supportive.

You have seen me at my most...

Most human.

And what I'm trying to let you know is...

Allow me.

There are no expectations.

I've known you for a long time.

Decades.

As a friend.

And I'm good with that.

-You are? -Of course.

Unless there's something...

Ooh, okay, help me out here.

I am not trying to let you down easy.

Then I'm a little lost.

-That would make two of us. -Okay.

Up until a few days ago, I was still a married woman.

You and my ex have had

a longstanding friendship.

-You're business partners. -True.

And now that I'm on the other side of that,

I worry that any move that I make towards you will seem...

...inappropriate,

and I don't know how to navigate those waters.

Wow.

Did I say something funny?

No, I just have to revel in this for a bit, uh,

because "inappropriate" is as close

as I will ever get to "bad boy."

But, yeah.

You could definitely get me into some trouble.

I hope none of that milkshake splashed on you.

You spilled that on purpose, and now he's gone.

Klutzy me.

You wanted to ruin my date.

Now hold on a minute now.

You said you were meeting with a friend, now he's a date.

Also mysteriously here instead of school.

You lied about who I am.

I just didn't go into all the details.

Is that why you're angry?

That boy doesn't respect you.

He ghosted you. You said it yourself.

It was a misunderstanding.

Silence is silence.

Well, he was grounded. His-his parents took his phone.

A boy like that doesn't have an extra phone

in case of consequences?

-How do you know about... -You know better than that.

Extra phones? Baby, please.

I see kids coming in here all the time,

tossing the phones that their parents gave them in their bags.

Meanwhile, they're busy scrolling and texting

on some second phone they got who-knows-where.

Don't tell me you believe that boy.

I believe him.

Baby, reach higher on the tree.

You deserve so much better than...

You're worse than my parents.

They may not be wanting me to date boys,

but at least they're not assaulting them.

And I can just tell by looking at him,

the way he is with you,

that that boy is no good.

So, Eva is my sister-in-law, Naomi's cousin's half sister.

There's no blood relation in there, so no problem.

Huge problem, Izaiah.

She and her monster of a mother are obsessed with my family.

They'll do anything to be one of us, which is how Eva was born.

Her mother trapped my father into a relationship,

got pregnant, and when she couldn't use that baby

to force my father into marrying her,

she ran off

and became the bitter Betty she is today.

So the mom is using Eva as a weapon to get revenge?

Straight out of Dickens.

Mm, I'm not sure she'd understand that reference,

but she'd definitely latch on to that crumb of information.

How do you mean?

Eva finds out a guy can read?

She'll rave about something she heard on an audiobook

once upon a time.

Then, she'll tell him to drop by.

She has a bunch of books that she's almost finished,

and once he's in her lair, boom,

another notch on the bedpost.

Can't see that happening much these days.

Who even reads anymore? Even audiobooks.

I do. You do.

My cousins, the Grands,

and even Tomas.

Who's Tomas?

My boyfriend.

Hope you don't mind. I needed a jacket that I left behind.

It's getting cold out there.

Almost as cold as it is in here. What's bothering you?

I met a guy.

The wrong kind, obviously.

We hit it off, and then she shows up.

Should've been happy that I was moving on

with someone who is smart and cute and available.

You're talking about your twisted sister.

She wants everyone to believe she's some kind of angel,

but you don't get that cold and that bitchy overnight.

She's been marinating in that brand of evil for years.

Finally catching on.

You mean to tell me that she doesn't have

a whole slew of people who despise her?

She's nasty. You'll never guess what she did.

Told him all kind of lies about you,

what she thinks of you, where you can go.

Of course she did.

And if you're expecting anything differently,

baby, you're being foolish.

That mac and cheese alone should be arrested

for attempted murder.

Does this mean you're giving up on trying to extend my lifespan?

Facing facts.

If I'd brought tofu and broccoli,

you'd just sneak in a burger and fries after.

Well, I could lie and deny.

Or you could have one cheat day

instead of having daily secrets from your ever-loving wife.

Yeah, well, you're right.

I'll try to do better.

Knock-knock. Don't mind me.

Just here to pick up those papers you signed.

-All yours. Mm-hmm. -Thanks.

Oh, before I forget. Hayley, did you get that number you needed?

Yeah, I did. Thanks.

-All good. Mm-hmm. -Great. Back to the grind.

What number?

Whose number did you need?

It's nothing important.

A client wanted an update on his case.

I took a message while you were in deposition.

Aw.

-You always got my back. -Mm-hmm.

When you're not around, I pick up the slack.

Oh, you know, I saw Tomas earlier.

I thought he would be recovering at home.

He probably wished he had.

Tell me you didn't give him hell.

Baby, come on. You know I had to.

The man broke his manhood.

It's up to the elders to poke fun.

As if we haven't had a million bedroom adventures of our own.

Yeah, but the difference is we managed to keep it

in the bedroom and stay out of the emergency room.

Although, I do have my suspicions

about what caused my second stroke.

Oh, Bill Hamilton, do not start with that again.

Come on, baby, you know you put me through my paces.

What can I say?

You inspire me.

And we shouldn't be talking like this in the office.

Okay. Yeah, you're right. You're right.

So why don't you let me, um, take you home? Go exploring.

I promise I'll leave you in one piece.

BILL: Mm.

If you are done being amused by my choice of words...

No, I imagine this smile will last for a bit,

but don't stop on my account.

Our seeing each other could cause a variety

-of problems for the both of us. -Possibly.

There is your friendship and partnership with Ted.

-There's my family to consider. -Mm. Eldest-child syndrome.

-It shows? -Yes.

If a time should come

and I make the choice to leave my partnership with Ted...

...it'll be my decision.

I tend to get ahead of myself.

When there is something that I want,

I examine every possible outcome. Sorry.

Don't be.

I like a woman that looks at the bigger picture.

Especially when I like that woman.

And I'm in the picture. If that's what you're saying.

What I am saying...

...is...

...how would you like to go to dinner with me?

Glad to hear you and Tomas could work things out.

Despite Eva's predatory tendencies.

She didn't strike me as the dangerous seductress type.

Scammers gonna scam.

So should I keep my distance?

I warned you, and I've given you the information you need.

It's up to you what you do next.

I can handle what she's dishing out.

Look, you may have been around, Izaiah,

but you haven't been around here in a while.

Watch your back.

What happened with the new man?

I mean, did you at least defend yourself at all?

I left.

Lord.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Whose child are you? 'Cause you can't be mine.

Listen, I hate to be the one to break it to you,

but you will never get what you want

if you just keep making space for people

who are not making space for you.

Sacrificing for folks who don't give a damn about you.

I mean, don't you want to be happy?

You know I do, Mama.

Then demand it. Girl, look.

Stop letting them win.

Oh, Eva, baby.

Happiness is not something that just happens.

It's created by the choices you make every single day.

If you want him, go get him.

Somebody who will love you and somebody that you can love back.

But if you don't, then...

that Kat brat sister of yours

is never gonna know who you are.

♪ ♪

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