All language subtitles for Bel-Air.S04E06.en

- Previously on "Bel-Air."

- Coach Mac,
Stapleton University,

down in Orange County.

- It's a full ride scholarship
you're offering?

- Yes, ma'am.

- I heard the business program
out here is pretty solid.

- You are on scholarship.

Basketball is the major.

- You're not just going
to Princeton for you.

You're going for all the Black
kids who never got the chance.

- This kind of feels like four
more years of Bel-Air Academy.

- The last thing
I want to do is

look back and wonder, what if?

- You know,
I can't imagine living

life with that kind of regret.

- I need to wrap this shit up
with Dominique.

- This is the last of it.

Forget you ever met
the Banks family.

- What's your title
over there again?

House Negro?

- With this baby coming,
my family,

I'll protect them at all costs.

- Well, do you think
your role in their family

will ever be the same after
what you put them through?

- I've been seeing Jazz.
- That's your business.

- I'm not here
to judge you either.

- Charlie's was flagged.

- Me and the boys are about
to take Lucille for a spin.

You down?
- I'm about to call it a night.

- OK, another time then.
- Yeah.

- Tell me more
about this future.

- Oh, God!
Something's wrong!

[gasps]

- Sit up.
Let me get your coffee.

Here you go.
- OK.

- Let me get this up.
- OK.

- There, you want--
- OK, I think that'll do it.

- I just want to make sure
you're comfortable.

- Warm blanket,
fresh out the dryer.

- Added some electrolytes
for you, Aunt Viv.

- And I'm on call, so just ring
this bell if you need anything.

- Y'all, this is so sweet,
but I'm feeling so much better.

You don't need to fuss over me.
I'm pregnant.

I am not an invalid.

- Good thing I'm here,
because I can see

you already acting difficult.

- Oh, my baby's here!

What's up?
- Hey.

What up, cuz?
- Hey, Will.

What's up, guys?

Dad called me, and I hopped on
the first flight I could get.

- Yes.
Mwah.

I figured having her here
would cheer you up.

- Oh.
- [laughs]

- Oh, it sure does.

Aw, I love you.
- [giggles]

- I love the hair.

- Yeah, and this Afro
boho Erykah Badu look, wow!

[laughs]
- Yeah, Costa Rica was a vibe--

life-changing.

- Oh, well, sit down
and tell us all about it.

- OK.
So...

- * Yeah, it's like deja vu *

* I see it all the time *

* Yeah *

- How's my sis doing?
- She's better.

She's back from the hospital
and resting now.

- Oh, that's great.

I was praying hard.

- Yeah.
- And how are you?

You know, I've been bragging
to all my friends.

My son is going to Stapleton
on a full ride.

- [chuckling]
Yeah.

[inhales deeply]

- What's wrong?

- [sighs]

I just--
[sighs]

I just don't know
if Stapleton is right for me.

I know basketball
is gonna pay for school,

and I love the game, but--
- But what?

- But I want to
study business too.

And Coach made it very clear
that that's not his focus.

So it just doesn't feel right.

- Baby, I love
that you got dreams.

You know, I raised you
to have them,

and I know you're
gonna run the world.

But you don't have to be
a CEO at 18.

- I know.
I just--

I need a little bit more time
to make something shake.

That's it.
- Shake?

What--
what does that even mean?

- [sighs]

- You know, you've already
made big life decisions

that I wasn't a part of,

like quitting basketball
last summer.

But I'm still your mother,
and I have a say so

in your future too.
- Mom.

- You know, and you...
- Ma.

- Want to turn down
a great school

that wants you 'cause
it doesn't feel right?

- This is why I didn't
want to say anything.

- Yeah, well, you did.

And I'm gonna tell you
my two cents.

You don't have
any other acceptances

that you're excited about.

So you're gonna let these
people pay for your education.

And what you not gonna do...
- Look, just--

- Is block the blessing
right in front of you.

- Mom.
- I'm done.

[phone beeps]

- Mom?
[sighs]

- Shooting rubber bands
across the classroom, Will?

You could have put
that little girl's eye out.

What is going on with you?

- Nothing.

- Your teacher
doesn't think so.

Best grade in the class.

[soft dramatic music]

- I finish
before everybody else.

What am I supposed to do?

Sit, stare at the wall?

- So your teacher was right.

You're not being
challenged enough.

- [sighs]

* *

- Everything OK with Viv?

- Yeah, I hope so.

But all the stress
she's been going through

because of this doesn't help.

[sighs]
Found a specialist.

He's supposed to be the best.

But, uh,
that's not why you're here.

Jazz.

- That tip from Pamela
was spot-on.

The feds questioned him, and
the shop's financial records

were seized, which means
you should expect a knock

at your door very soon.

- Oh, I'm not gonna wait.

I'm going in.

I mean, might as well
get ahead of it, right?

All I did was buy
struggling businesses,

make improvements,
diversify my portfolio.

- Exactly.

You're a businessman,
not a criminal.

We're at the end.

Stay the course, Phil, and
everything will turn out fine.

- Anything else I need to know?

- I think
we covered everything.

- [sighs]

- Man, my mom
wouldn't hear nothing

about turning down Stapleton.

[chuckles]
She went off.

- See, that's exactly
why I don't want

to tell anyone that
I'm reconsidering Princeton!

- OK, look,
y'all need to chill.

Listen, in Costa Rica,
they have this phrase,

pura vida.
They say it all the time.

At first, I thought
it was like, it's a vibe,

or like, whatever happens,
happens, you know?

- Oh, like c'est la vie.
- Oh, or hakuna matata.

- Yeah, but it's
deeper than that.

It means to live with
your whole spirit

and to not be led by fear.

- Damn.

Costa Rica really
got you out here

on your shaman journey, huh?

- Oh, it was fantastic.

I mean, I walked barefoot
through the Rio Celeste River.

I swam in waterfalls.

And I just allowed
myself to feel.

- And all of this helped you
get past your grief?

- No.

But it taught me that grief
doesn't have to disappear

to make room for joy.

They can live together
side by side.

* *

It's still hard,

but I'm glad I took
the risk to leave.

Do the thing that scares you
while you still can.

* *

- I get it.

Coach Mac wants
to keep his job,

so he has to win games
to do that.

I completely understand that.

But shouldn't I be going
to college to--

to build my future,
not his, you know?

And I know--I know I should be
grateful for the opportunity.

And I am.
I promise that I am.

But it's like, why do I have
to let go of one thing

to get the other thing?

Why can't I just have both
things at the same time?

I mean, saying it out loud
sounds ridiculous, but--

- Not at all.

I agree with everything
you just said.

- You do?
- Yeah.

It's your future, Will.

You deserve to make it
look like what

you want for yourself.

- [sighs]
Man.

I wish my mom
felt the same way.

- Well, I get
why she's worried.

I mean, you're way past
the application deadlines.

And decisions are due
in the next few days.

Time isn't on your side,
nephew.

- Yeah, I know, but you
told me no isn't final.

It's just the beginning
of a conversation.

- Yeah, you're right.

Persistence is key.

You know, most people
give up at no.

[together]
Winners stay and negotiate.

- [chuckles]

This is the school
I wanna go to.

- You know,
getting into this school,

it's gonna take more than
grades and highlight reels.

- Yeah, I know.

- But you're surrounded
by a community

who wants to see you succeed.

Your network is your net worth.
- Mm.

- Mm.

Lean into that.

- Thanks, Uncle Phil.
- Of course.

* *

Go get 'em.
- Yes, sir.

* *

- You got this, son.
I believe in you.

Oh, don't forget
to carry the three.

- I'm just no good at math!
- Hey.

You can do anything
you set your mind to.

All right, you wanna
get into Bel-Air Academy

like your sister, you're gonna
have to pass the entrance exam.

Math is a big part.

- [sighs]
Don't worry.

I'll get it, Dad.

- [chuckles]
I know, son.

And even when you're in Philly
for spring break with your mom,

take your worksheets.
Keep practicing, OK?

I'm counting on you.

- [sighs]

* *

- Hey.
You good?

- Uh, yeah.
Hey. What's up?

- Listen, um,
I'm gonna need you

to step up and help out more,
especially looking out for Mom.

Whatever she needs,
make it happen.

- Yeah, of course.

- And, uh, I wanna give you
the key to my safe.

Account info,
important papers, cash--

it's all in there.

- Is there something going on?

- Just taking precautions,
that's all.

- All right, yeah.
Sure. Fine.

Whatever you need,
I'm here to help.

- Good.

I'm counting on you.

* *

- [sighs]

* *

- I do wish
the timing was better.

But Hilary's here now.

And Carlton's on point to help
with whatever you need.

- You're talking like you're
not coming back, Phil.

- It'll be fine.

Remember, it's all part
of the plan, OK?

* *

[sighs]

* *

[door clicks]

* *

- My guess would be
round ligament pain.

It causes a sharp feeling
in the lower belly

as the uterus expands.

It's uncomfortable,
but it's not harmful.

- OK, but passing out,
that's not harmless.

There's got to be another test.

- Testing for
every possibility,

it's stressful on patients.

No need to go fishing
for problems

that just aren't there.

- But what about
my hands and feet?

They're really itchy.

- Mm-hmm, and it's
only getting worse.

There's got to be cause
for concern, right?

- Tell you what.

Why don't I prescribe you
a mild hydrocortisone cream?

You're in the home stretch now.

Just make sure you're resting,
drinking plenty of fluids, OK?

- Rest, fluids, and lotion?

Thank you, big fancy doctor.
- [sighs]

I mean, I don't know.

Maybe it was just a scare,
a signal to slow down.

- Mom, no!
You know your body.

Don't let anybody
make you doubt that.

[soft dramatic music]

[sighs]

* *

- It started with the car wash.

People paying
singles, fives, tens.

It was easy to pad the numbers.

Then I got the laundromat--

coin machines,
vending, cash-heavy.

Then I got
the two parking lots.

I printed fake receipts,

claimed it was packed
every night,

even when it was half-empty.

The dispensary
was the last piece.

I couldn't even fake expenses
fast enough to cover

all the cash coming in.

- What else?

- The business owners
thought I was saving them--

cash infusions,
better bookkeeping.

They didn't know I was
using them to wash money.

So if you're looking to hang
this around their necks,

please, don't.

- Why are you copping
to all this now,

turning yourself in?
Why not run?

- Because it was always
meant to end this way.

And because I don't run.

- * Do what I should thing *

* Do it, do it, baby, *

* Do what I could thing *

* I ain't never rep a set,
baby, tsk, tsk *

* Ain't do no wrong *

* I could clean up
good for you *

* Oh, I know *

- Hey, Mr. Briggs.
How are you?

It's Will Smith, your favorite
pit pig from the country club.

[sighs]

- * Don't at me *

- Yo, Quentin,
it's Will Smith,

your young, gifted,
and Black superstar.

What's up, man?
How you doing?

[sighs]

Hey, congrats again on winning
that council seat, Yolonda.

Did I read that you started
your career working

for a collegiate think tank?
[grumbles]

- * She a bad lil mama,
she a diva *

* No matter what happens *

- I love the Hail Mary
attitude,

but what you're asking--

- Look, Doc, all I'm
looking for is an intro.

That's it.

- You don't take no
for an answer, do you?

- [sighs]
Right now, I can't afford to.

- All right,
let me see what I can do.

* It don't matter,
I know you never moved on *

- I--I know.
It's a big swing.

But if all these other pieces
fall into place,

I gotta know I can still get
a financial aid package.

Yes, I'll take a maybe.
Yes.

Thank you, Ms. Bassin.
Yeah, I'll talk to you soon.

- * I ain't never
rep a set, baby *

- Trent!

Uh, sorry, Mr. Cunningham,
it's, uh, Will Smith,

just leaving you
another message.

It's kind of time-sensitive.
I sent you an email.

You know what?
I'll just text you.

- * Do what I should thing *

* Hell, hell nah *

* Do what I could thing *

* Yeah, hell, hell yeah *

- [sighs]

- Along with your confession,

we have enough evidence
to charge you

with money laundering,
conspiracy

to commit money laundering,
and fraud.

You're looking at
20 years minimum.

- OK.

- OK.

Awfully calm for a man
who's about to lose

everything he's built.

- Because you don't want me.

You want the head of
an international crime

syndicate who's
expanded operations

in Southern California.

[tense music]

That must be my associate.

He can help clear all this up.

[dramatic music]

* *

- Fred?

- Jerome.

Sorry to keep you
waiting, Phil.

- Why don't we call the DA?

* *

- It's giving murder board.
- [chuckles]

Yeah, I took Unc's advice
to rally my village.

Get this, a'ight?

Doc used to get his hair cut

by the assistant coach's
barber.

Crazy, right?

And then I got
Ms. Bassin sweet-talking

one of her grad school homies
in financial aid.

I think they used to smash,
but that's none of my business.

- Painfully TMI.
- [chuckles]

Quentin Harrison?

Turns out his golf buddies
write donation checks

the size of small countries
to this college.

Big donors
can make big requests.

And the biggest of them all--

- Stop.
- Mm-hmm.

Except Trent's not answering
my calls right now.

He's the only shot I have
to get this late application

to the admissions committee.

- To be fair, the last time
we saw Drew's dad,

we were in handcuffs.

Not exactly glowing ambassadors
of the Blackccess brand.

- [sighs]
Thanks for the optimism, cuz.

- Well, I mean, you keep
doing what you're doing.

I'm just saying,
I'm screwed, is all.

- What's up, man?

Did you talk to Uncle Phil
about Princeton?

- No, I haven't told him yet.

He just seems under a lot of
stress with my mom's condition.

It's just really bad timing.

- Dude, stop playing,
all right?

Do the shit that
scares us, right?

If Uncle Phil helped me,
why wouldn't he listen to you?

- That's different.
He expects more from me!

[soft dramatic music]

- [chuckles]

All right, dude.

It's your future.

You have a gang of
acceptances to choose from.

But, hey, punk out if you want.

- [sighs]

* *

[ball thudding]

- Hey, C.
It's the last day to hang out.

What's taking you so long?

- I promised my dad I'd study.

- Let me see.

This one is 360,604
divided by 4.

So...

90,151.

- How'd you get
so good at math?

- My mom's out there
talking to Aunt Viv

about me taking
some big tests to get

to some big school in LA.

- Bel-Air Academy?
- Yep.

- Well, you'd hate it.

Everyone's super rich
and stuck up.

And I just don't
want you to feel bad

'cause you wouldn't fit in.

* *

Just keeping it real.

- Please, I'm not sweating
that bougie school.

* *

- Months ago, I was
approached by an associate

of a London-based
crime syndicate

to launder money stateside.

I refused.

The answer is no.

Just tell him I said so.

* *

I reported it to Fred
immediately.

* *

Yo, Fred, we need to talk.
This is urgent.

I couldn't go to the feds
because

I feared for
my family's safety.

My nephew had already
been kidnapped,

so Fred and I,
we came up with a plan.

- You'll need to collect
incriminating evidence--

bank statements, written plans.

And record all
your interactions.

- Phil,
this is Dominique Bridges.

- I've heard a lot about you.

Did Geoffrey ever
tell you about me?

Did he ever mention
he had a sister?

- But Dominique
had eyes everywhere.

I couldn't just walk
into the Fed Building.

She'd assume I'd flipped.

But if the feds
forced me to come in,

that's a completely
different optics.

- So you wanted us
to catch you?

- Yes.

I suggested high-risk
cash businesses

with dispensaries
at the top of the list.

- I became an investor
in Charlie's Vinyl,

which recently
acquired a license.

I knew that the DCC
would be monitoring

the accounts closely.

- We'd like to talk to you
about your business ties

to Philip Banks.

- And there'd be no legal
ramifications for the owner

as long as I kept him
in the dark.

- Are you vouching for this?

On the record?
- Every word.

[phone rumbles]

- [sighs]

Looks like your intel
on the syndicate's movement

in LA checks out.

- So you can take it from here.

- You're not off the hook yet.

* *

- He's been transparent
about everything.

What more do you need?

- For an airtight conviction,
a lot.

And I'm gonna need
an official informant,

more information on everyone
in the organization...

including the guy
who makes the deposits.

[dramatic music]

* *

- Oh.

Thank God you're back.

- I'm so happy to be home.

And what about you, hmm?

I heard the doctor
wasn't much help.

- Yeah, rest and
relaxation, I guess.

So what did the feds say?

- I need you to take care
of yourself.

- Phil, please.

- [sighs]

I gave them
everything I had.

- But?
- They want more.

Dominique's full confession.

And...

they want Geoffrey.

- [sighs]

I know that's not
what you wanted.

- It was always
my plan to loop him in,

but I'm not sure where
his head's at these days.

- Then maybe
you better find out.

[hip-hop music]

- * Yeah *

* You cannot stop me *
- Hey, hey!

- He's got a good game.

I can definitely
see him on the team.

- And he got that dawg in him.

You can't teach that.

- But preferred walk-on slots
are coveted, man.

And we got other cats
we're looking at.

- Come on, come on, come on!

- He wants a program that
values brains and basketball.

He's got both.

- I thought I heard that
he had an offer from Stapleton.

What happened with that?

- Just wasn't sure
it was the right fit for me.

[panting]

- Look, you get a chance
to be a big fish

in a small pond there.
You can be the star player.

Here with us,
you fighting for maybe

the eighth, ninth spot.

- Look, I don't have
a problem earning my minutes.

I've studied your team.

You've got great shooters,
but you need a player that's

gonna get in early, leave late,
and challenge your starters

to be better in practice,
and that's who I am.

- OK, I like that.

But every guy
on my roster fought

to be here, both academically
and athletically.

- Mm-hmm.

- You haven't even submitted
your admissions app.

- I'm working on it.
- Look, he's got a plan.

He just needs a real look.

- [sighs]

- All right, look, I can't
promise you a roster spot

without you being admitted,
but if admissions clears you,

come holla at me.

- My man.

Appreciate you.
- See you later, Doc.

- Ha, ha.
- There you go.

- Yes, sir.

* *

[indistinct chatter]

- You like that?
- Yeah.

- Thank you.
- [chuckles]

- Eli.

We have a dress code
for a reason.

- Um, I'm wearing
the Bel-Air Academy uniform.

- Skirts are not an
approved uniform for boys.

You know that.
- And my pronouns are he/they.

You know that.

- I'm not here to debate,
but I am responsible

for enforcing policy.

- Then the policy is
the problem, not Eli.

They're not changing.

- She's right.

I'm not.

- Then you leave me no choice.

You'll have to serve detention
for the infraction.

- [scoffs]
Are you serious?

That's stupid!

Who are they bothering?

- Ash, it's--
it's fine.

I'll take the detention.

[tense music]

* *

[laughter]

* *

- Hey, Mom.
Brought you some fruit.

Oh, wow.

You know, I think
she looks a little too classy.

Not like the she-demon
you described from college.

- Oh.
[laughs].

Well, you know, I could add
some horns and a pitchfork.

[laughter]

Oh, Regina wanted me to do
a big unveiling to the press

in DC,
but the doctors don't think

it's safe for me to fly, so...
- Good.

You should take it easy.

- You know,
when I was your age,

I dreamed of studying art
in college.

But telling my parents
scared me half to death.

And, you know, I almost let
that fear talk me out of it.

- [sighs]

- But I sent in my portfolio
to Howard

the last night that it was due.

- Wow, that is really
inspiring, Mom.

- I mean, this is testimony
now, but back then,

when I was sitting
in that moment,

all alone, it was scary.

- How'd you know
about Princeton?

- Motherly intuition.

Also, Hilary let it slip.
- [laughs]

- I mean,
she might be enlightened,

but she can't keep a secret.

If the path you're walking
doesn't feel right,

you owe it to yourself
to follow one that does.

- [sighs deeply]

Dad is gonna be so mad.

- Mm, he'll get over it.

Your next steps are yours
to determine, not his.

- Thanks, Mom.

- I can't believe
he didn't pass.

- He studied
his little heart out.

- Maybe he just needs a tutor.

- I know Carlton is bright,
but maybe there's a better fit

that isn't Bel-Air Academy.

- No, he deserves the best.

I'm not counting
my son out because

he can't do long division.

- Mmm.

The kitchen hasn't smelled
this good since you left.

- [chuckles]

- This was at
the front door for you.

- [gasps]
Yes!

Prime came through
in the clutch.

Girl, these are my spices--

ginger, turmeric,
a little dandelion root,

oh, for my broth.

- New recipe?
- Yeah.

I'm making this
anti-inflammatory soup for Mom.

- Sounds comforting.

I could use
some of that right now.

- I got your text.

I'm sorry about Eli.

- Thanks.

It just feels like
something every day.

- Well, you know,
sometimes it helps

to feel a little less alone.

I was gonna go live on IG,
do a little update.

You wanna join me?
- Me? With you?

I mean, I'm not even ready--
- And we're live!

Guess who's back
from Costa Rica?

And I'm here with
my little sis, Ash.

I know y'all been asking.

So we're gonna do
a little update.

- Hey, y'all.

- [chuckles]
OK, so Costa Rica.

I needed a place to go
and really let the grief hit.

I just wanted to feel
without somebody telling me

to make it inspiring.

It was exactly what I needed.

- Yes, she is inspiring.

And I'm so glad
she's back to check on her mom.

- Yes, our mom is
pregnant, y'all.

And she had a scare.

So she was complaining
of itchy hands

and feet, nausea, insomnia.

This bigwig doctor came over,
and he was no help.

You know,
so many of us are walking

around misdiagnosed
and ignored,

especially Black women.
- I know that's right.

- If it could happen to Serena,
it could happen to anybody.

That's what I'm saying.
- Whoa.

Someone had
the same symptoms as Mom.

- Oh, wow.

Y'all are amazing.
Yes.

Thank you.
Tell us more.

Tell us everything.

- 48 out of 50.

Baby, you killed
that entrance exam!

Mm, mm, mm.
Come on.

Why aren't you celebrating?

- I don't want
to leave Philly, Ma.

Who gonna show Tray
how to hoop?

- Tray's gonna be just fine.

[soft dramatic music]

- I don't want to go
where I won't fit in.

* *

- Wait.
Who said that?

* *

- [sighs]

Honey, you fit in
wherever you go.

And your crown is waiting
for you as soon

as you find the courage
to wear it.

* *

We'll figure it out.

OK?

- [exhales deeply]

[indistinct chatter]

- Mr. Cunningham.

- What are you
doing here, Will?

- Ah, Drew told me that you
had a trustee meeting today,

so I thought
I'd catch you since you're

not answering my calls.

- And there's
a reason for that.

- Mr. Cunningham, I just
need to get my app in

to the admissions committee.
That's it.

- Yeah, I heard all ten
of your messages.

Look, I helped you once,
and it ended up

with you getting arrested.

The answer is no.

- Mr. Cunningham, I already
talked to the coaches.

Just--

- It seems to me like
you could just hear him out.

- [sighs]
- That's OK, Ms. Frankie.

- And I know I'm just
a lady with keys and a mop,

but I've been cleaning
these halls for 20 years,

every student passing me by
like I'm invisible.

But Will says hello,

asks me how I'm doing,
how my husband's doing.

Now, a lot of these kids
have inherited open doors,

but this one has had to learn
how to pick the lock.

So what's it gonna be?

You wanna be
a part of his story,

a reason he's made it,

or just another hurdle
he has to jump over?

- [exhales]

You got five minutes.
- All right.

- Walk with me to my car.
- Yes, sir.

[bright music]

- [chuckles]

* *

- [sighs]

I'm just so grateful
to all those women

who shared their experiences.

I mean,
I would have never known

to ask for a liver panel test.

- So what did the doc say?

- I have cholestasis.

The pregnancy hormone
slowed down my liver function,

which caused all the itching.

Crazy.

- What's crazy is that
this world-famous

specialist dropped the ball.

- But we caught it
early enough.

So with diet changes
and monitoring,

I'll be back
to my old self again.

- [exhales]

- And how are you?

I mean, all this worry
with me and my doctors,

is this because of what
happened with LaMarcus?

Mm.

- I mean, doctors and their
misinformation is triggering.

And the thought of having to
lose someone else that I love--

- But because of you,
me and this baby,

we aren't going anywhere.

- Yeah.

You know, this has actually
made some things

really clear to me.
- Yeah?

- So when I was in Costa Rica,

I bonded with these
local women,

and they make
ancestral healing foods.

I wanna share that.

- [gasps, sighs]

I love that for you, Hilary.

- [chuckles]

- And as long as I can get
more of that soup, honey,

I support it.

- Mom, I got a whole menu
planned for your recovery.

You about to eat so good.
- Oh, bring it on!

Come on.

[laughter]

- It's been a minute
since we sparred, huh?

- Yeah.

- So how did it go
with the feds?

- I stayed cool,
like we discussed.

- Good.

As far as Dominique is
concerned, we're done.

- Oh, yeah?

Just like that?

- That was the deal.

[soft dramatic music]

* *

- Why'd you lie?
Huh?

When I called to take you
for a ride with the boys,

you said you were tired.

You were with her.

[both grunting]

- Were you gonna tell me
you flipped?

It wasn't too hard
to figure out.

You're lucky it was me
and not Dominique.

[both grunting]

* *

- I had no choice.

- Dominique was right.

You were gonna throw me
to the wolves.

- [grunts]

And you believe that shit?

- She promised me
my family back.

You made a deal
to protect yours.

Can these people
you seem to trust so much

promise me the same?

- All I can do is try.

That's a promise.
- [scoffs]

I can't gamble on a try, Phil.

- But you can gamble on her?
- [sighs]

- What happens when she tells
you to jump and you don't?

Look, the only way
I can protect you

is if you give her up.

Trust me, man, you don't want
to be on the other side

of this when it goes down.

* *

[dramatic music]

[sighs]

- [sighs]

Ashley,
what are you doing here?

- Dress code violation.

[laughter]

- Went a little crazy
in the art room?

You look ridiculous.

- [chuckles]

[soft dramatic music]

Sometimes it helps to feel
a little less alone.

- [chuckles]

- So I know you
couldn't go to DC

for the unveiling
of that portrait,

so I brought your
sorority sister to you!

- Regina Baxter is here?

In my house?
- She's in the family room.

What did I miss?

- Oh, my God.
- What?

- [sighs]
- What?

- [sighs]

Hey, Regina!

- I think you mean
Big Sister,

all-powerful,
all-knowing Regina.

I'm kidding.
- Oh.

[laughter]

- You look so cute
all knocked up.

And you have a little
boo-boo in there.

- Oh.
[laughs]

Oh, come on.
Come here. Yeah.

[exhales]
Ooh.

- Well, got Trent on board.

My app is in front of
the admissions committee

as we speak!
[laughs]

[sighs]
- [sighs]

- Man.

- Now, that is no surprise.

Sinking the buzzer-beaters
is kind of your whole thing.

- Right?

[both chuckle]

- Listen.

What I said earlier about
my dad expecting more

from me than you...

- Mm.

- The truth is...

I think I've always been afraid

that he will see something
in you that I just don't have.

- Nah.

Took us both a while to realize
it wasn't a competition.

- You've been inspiring me
since day one, Will.

- [chuckles]
Damn.

* *

OK.
[laughs]

Well, how about this?

How about you inspire
your ass on downstairs?

'Cause Uncle Phil
is in his office.

[chuckles]

* *

- Mm.

Yeah.

- Welcome to Bel-Air Academy,
Mr. Banks.

Thank you for the donation.

It was beyond generous.
- Oh.

- Sky's the limit.

Pick a university.

- Princeton.
- Ha, ha.

You know, Michelle Obama
graduated from there.

Great choice, son.

[sighs]
How you feeling?

Yeah.

[sighs]

You belong here.

Go show 'em.

[Sanders Bohlke's
"Screaming Underwater"]

- * I'm screaming underwater *

* *

* What you know I *

* Can't give you *

* *

- And if anyone
so much as breathed

an injustice
in my direction,

you and Mom would march
up into that school

demanding a meeting.

- Well, your teachers
hated to see us coming.

- [chuckles]

- I guess we were
on high alert.

We knew what putting
a little Black boy

in that space could look like.

- But you put me there anyway.

- Yeah, maybe it wasn't
the right choice for you.

I was just looking
for excellence.

- And on paper, I was.

Captain of the lacrosse team,
class president.

I got really good at making
people feel comfortable,

even though I wasn't.

[sighs]

I let way too many
white boys say the N-word.

- Hmm.

[sighs deeply]

I know it wasn't easy...

The anxiety,

panic attacks,

the drugs.

* *

- I could keep pushing.

You know, I--

I could just swallow it.

But it's just the thought
of bracing myself

for more of the same.

- Which is why

you want to
turn down Princeton.

You know, I get it.

Harvard was hell.
- Really?

- Mm-hmm.

Everybody had money,
connections,

names on buildings.

I felt out of place.

You know, I used to retype
my essays three times

because one mistake
would give them a reason

to say I wasn't a Harvard man.

- You felt like
an imposter too.

- I didn't walk across
that stage feeling proud.

I walked across it wondering
if I fooled everybody.

And when you were born,
I never wanted you

to feel that there
was a room that you

didn't deserve to walk in.

And so I pushed...

Maybe a little too hard.

- I know how much you wanted me
to go to Princeton, Dad.

- No.
No.

Princeton was never the goal.

The goal was freedom, choice.

And if saying no to Princeton

is you choosing
your own path...

* *

Then I know
I did something right.

- Thank you, Dad.

* *

- I can't even imagine
my mom pledging.

- Oh, you should have
seen your mama online.

Always talking back.
- Oh, here we go.

- Always had something to say.

- No, that's not true.

- Disrespect.
- Come on.

You're saying too much.

- Excuse me?

Pledge Vivian, you're late!

- Oh, no, I'm not!
- Oh, yes, you are!

- Oh!

[together]
I'm getting the last word!

Oh, no, you're not!
Oh, yes, I am!

Damn!

[laughter]

- See?
You bring it out of me.

- I think it's time.
- [gasps]

- I am so excited
to see this painting.

- OK.
- Can we unveil it now?

- [sighs]
Let's do it.

- OK.

- [exhales]

- I now present
Delta Pi Gamma's

31st National President,
Regina Baxter!

- Hmm.

I don't do teeth.
I don't do that.

- Well, I went with
a warmer palette

to show off your softer side.

- I don't have a softer side.

- That's why
I had to paint one.

- [laughs]
OK.

Clearly, my mom sees
something different in you,

something deep.

- No, that's just
how I was raised.

My mama said, baby,
this world tries

to bend Black women
until we break,

and you gotta bend it
right back.

- Teaching us strength
before they teach us rest.

- Amen.

- Well, I mean,
she did a great job--

congresswoman,
sorority prez, hello?

- Yeah.

She was dealing
with her own mess.

God, I inherited so much of it.

- You know, we tried prepping
our kids for the real world,

but sometimes our love
feels more like pressure,

and we don't even know it.

- I spent so much time
trying to be unshakable...

I forgot to be human.

I'm sorry.

- No, I'm sorry.

Maybe it's a reminder
to lean into your soft side.

- You know what
I'ma call this?

"Let That Shit Go."

- Oh.
I receive that.

Let that shit go.
- I like that.

OK, girls, how about pictures?
- Oh, OK.

- Yes!
- All right.

Say "sisterhood" on three.
One, two, three...

[together]
Sisterhood!

- So cute.

- * You are not your pain *

* I know that it's hard,
but you gonna be good *

* God promised me
when I pray *

* One of a kind that you are *

* You really deserve
everything that you hope *

* All of the things
you see in your dreams *

* Despite what it seems,
step out of the boat *

* Been learning to cope
with all of your pain *

* But really I'm praying
that you let it go *

* A lot of the times,
you doubt yourself *

- Dad?

I know where I'm gonna go.

- * You are a star *

* Don't let your scars
define you *

* You're free
to be who you are *

* I've been praying,
praying, praying for you *

* Praying for you *

- I got in, Ma.

Yeah, I finally know
where I'm going.

- Where?

- I'm coming home.

[bright chill beat]

* *