Original subtitles

"Need your Super Bowl..." [sighs]

Super Bowl picks?

Yeah, I've been running around so much,

I forgot who's even in it.

HAYLEY: Need a cheat sheet?

I couldn't tell you if a tight end was a position

or a compliment, but apparently you don't need to know much

to run the firm's fantasy football league.

Bill's so busy, he forgets he's even in it half the time.

And I'm busy, too.

Matter of fact, I was just about to leave.

No. Andre, wait.

You don't have to be like that.

I know we're not exactly friends, but...

[scoffs] Not exactly?

Hayley, I wouldn't even consider you a saved contact in my phone.

Fair.

But Bill's clocked in for another late night,

and I could use the company.

Promise to make it worth your while.

And all these years later, you still love torturing me, I see.

What are you going on about?

Dani, plea-- come on. Come on.

You know you went home and put that dress on for my sake.

The way it hugs your frame and accentuates those legs.

What? You wanted to get a reaction out of me?

See how Big Bad Bill would handle it? Hmm?

My God, the ego on this man

could power the entire East Coast.

Still continuing to be the center

of your own delusional universe, I see.

Dani darling, please don't indulge him with an answer.

I don't mind.

I hate to disappoint you, but when I left earlier,

I hadn't yet made plans with Vanessa,

and when I chose this dress, I didn't know

that you would still be here lurking about.

Mm.

But a part of you had hope?

Oh. [laughs]

Eagle's landed, boss.

Send him in.

Come on.

There he is, the man of the hour.

Glad you could make it.

I was surprised by the invite.

Private room, no-limits table.

Definitely a first for me.

You're an important man in this community.

-Mm. -And I decided it was time

that we put that little misunderstanding

with Ms. McBride behind us.

Yeah, she was completely out of line.

Raising her voice to me in public like that.

Well, she's still learning the nuances

of how to run an escort service.

Now, what are you drinking?

A Scotch, neat.

Well, that's perfect. I just opened a bottle

I picked up at an auction

from a distillery that no longer exists.

Huh.

Wow.

I feel special.

Honor's all mine.

I believe in treating men like you

in the way they deserve.

♪ ♪

Sorry I'm late.

A patient's family was dealing with some difficult news.

If you're too drained or bogged down,

we can do this another time.

I'm equipped to handle difficult conversations, Chelsea.

Of course.

[sighs] This is awkward.

Look, I don't want it to be like this between us.

Neither do I, and I'm so glad that you reached out

so we can discuss the other night.

Yeah, I'm sure it was weird to see me

pop a pill and wild out like that.

I've heard stories, and I've seen Instagram posts.

But that was partying, not drugs.

I came here because I was hoping that you would tell me

that what happened at Uptown was a one-time thing.

Wasn't it, Chels?

Not exactly.

KAT: Oh, my God.

That dress, the hair.

-She looks... -Fine as hell.

That's my mother you're gawking at.

You mean mamacita?

[chuckles]: Okay, calm down.

I'm only admiring the source of my girlfriend's beauty.

Now I know whom to thank.

Nice recovery.

But seriously,

I've never seen my mom embrace her sexy side like that.

Good for her.

Is it?

What can I get you?

Mix me something unrestrained.

Let's see here.

I got to ask,

why is a beautiful woman like you...

...drinking alone?

She's not.

I hope you don't mind me being presumptuous.

Not at all.

And your timing is impeccable.

Must be my lucky night.

♪ ♪

-Mind if I field this one? -Be my guest.

I still marvel at how a man can be so full of himself

and pathetic at the same time.

Dani's happily married to a loyal and caring man,

and judging by the glow on her face most mornings,

I'd say his cardio game puts yours to shame.

-What she said. -Do us a favor, Bill.

Go home to that trophy wife of yours

and undress her with those wandering eyes.

Well done, Vanessa. Well done.

Your opinion holds as much weight as your wedding vows,

so don't waste your breath.

-Never mind. -Mm-hmm.

VANESSA: Is it true?

What you said about Andre's stamina?

Cardio doesn't quite cut it. What we do is a contact sport.

That dress-- did you wear it to get a rise out of him?

It is not what it looks like.

Yes, it was nice to have Bill's attention again.

I twisted myself into knots

trying to make him regret our divorce.

Now it seems like he actually might.

I am all for Bill choking on the bitter pill of regret.

Just please don't let that despicable man turn your head.

-I hear you. -Good.

Because we know how Bill Hamilton operates.

It's all about the chase until boredom sets in.

Then on to the next shiny toy.

Miss Hayley is on the verge of swallowing that bitter pill.

And it couldn't happen to a more deserving woman.

What do you need, Hayley?

Company.

And my curiosity satisfied.

Hot date with the wife?

Something like that.

-Hmm. -It's a 2009 Bordeaux.

Oh. Before Bill, I was on box wine.

-Hmm. -If it had a spout, I was good.

But I assume

someone of your refinement knows nothing about that.

Yeah, my parents invested

in vineyards all around the world,

so I was raised learning about tannins and varietals,

-[murmurs] -But also the, uh,

occasional gas station vintage, too.

[chuckles]

Must be nice having parents to expose you to so much.

My dad disappeared while my mom was pregnant with me,

and I barely knew her when she died.

You know, sometimes I wonder what's worse,

never having a connection with your parents

or having one and... and losing them.

Can't say.

I only know about my own experience.

Mm. Yeah.

I was orphaned so early and an only child.

That's why I want to have kids with Bill so badly.

I've always dreamt of having a family.

Right, yeah.

So that's how you justified tearing apart someone else's?

Excuse you?

Wait. You should be thanking me that I did.

Otherwise, you and Dani wouldn't even be a thing.

But she also wouldn't have gone through the hell

that you and Bill caused her.

Oh, please. She gave it as good as she got it.

Trust me.

Besides, aren't you happy?

I assume you want it to stay that way.

Ah, and here it comes.

Here what comes?

The real reason for this little performance that you just gave.

I'll give you credit.

Pulling the orphan card was inspiring,

but it's still the same tired game, Hayley.

And for the last time, I'm not playing.

Ha! The Salinger touch strikes again.

[laughing]

Oh.

After a torturous day's work of endless Zoom meetings,

this is just what the doctor prescribed.

I could get used to this. [sighs]

I think situations like this are best handled

in person, man-to-man.

Couldn't agree more.

I-I don't know what Vanessa was thinking,

trying to do business in Fairmont Crest.

Poor Doug.

He's probably rolling over in his grave as we speak.

[grunts] The hell?

Now you listen to me, you trust-fund parasite.

If you ever lay a hand on Vanessa, you speak to her,

you even breathe in her direction,

you conjure her name in that pebble you call a brain,

I'll know it.

And I will kill you.

You understand?

I asked you a question. Use your words.

Yes. Yes, Joey, I understand.

Good. Good.

Now...

Glad we could have this little talk.

Oh, Lance, one more thing.

[grunts, coughs]

Guess the Salinger touch wasn't so lucky after all.

♪ ♪

When we first started dating, we went from zero to 100

in the blink of an eye.

-It was a whirlwind, wasn't it? -And don't get me wrong.

Falling for you has been the only good thing

that's happened to me lately.

Everything else has been one train wreck after the other.

I mean, divorces and cancer.

The whole genetic testing nightmare.

And being stalked and kidnapped

by my own personal Single Black Female.

I'm not trying to trauma dump.

I'm just saying, it's been a lot.

And I've watched you navigate it all so well.

It's amazing how strong you've been.

Strong?

I'm barely keeping it together.

You hide it well.

Well, because I'm working overtime

to keep my head on straight.

But it's been heavy and exhausting.

Which is why you needed to let loose.

I'm not trying to go back to my party-all-the-time grind.

Okay? It's just been so dark around my family.

And I miss disappearing into the music

and-and the lights and being able to breathe again.

I miss...

I miss the feeling of being free.

I got to say, I'm enjoying seeing this side of you.

Not that you didn't look incredible before.

Why, thank you.

You keep finding new ways to knock me off my feet.

It's intriguing to me.

No big mystery or grand reveal here.

I just simply was ready for a change.

So I don't need to worry about

-some secret double life you have? -[chuckling]

You know, this brilliant medical professional by day

and a, uh, seductive superheroine at night?

If only.

But alas, no capes, no aliases.

Just me choosing to live a little louder in this moment.

Well, Doctor, mission accomplished.

Look at how she's leaning into him, smiling at him.

What does she even know about this guy?

I'm pretty sure he was your mom's date at WinterFest.

What are you doing?

Research.

I glanced at the WinterFest photos, but...

Kial Rollins, orthopedic surgeon.

-See? Perfectly respectable. -[stammers]

Not when I'm looking at my mother

eye-lock with a whole zaddy.

You know what? I got to get over there.

I wouldn't recommend that.

I'm not gonna cause a scene. I just want to say hi.

And conduct a casual round of 20 questions?

Thirty.

50 tops.

Things can get messy

when you don't let people keep their private moments private.

Trust me on this.

She's not just people, she's my mother.

I'm tired, Hayley.

I'm tired of you,

tired of this dance we keep doing,

tired of your repeated attempts at making me your pawn,

and whatever psychological

chess game you're playing with Dani and Bill.

We're on the same team here,

whether you want to admit it or not.

I'm just looking out for both our interests.

[scoffs] But I'm not interested.

And this constant insecurity

you have in your marriage is your problem.

Yeah, you say that now, but I'm telling you,

Dani's fixation with Bill has gone

to an all-time level of crazy.

She's just gotten better at hiding it

and acting like she's moved on, but she clearly hasn't.

Do you really hear the words

that are coming out of your mouth?

Do you?

Look, I want you and Dani to go the distance.

But you need to keep that wine cellar full

and those romantic gestures flowing,

or else we'll both end up on the outs

while Bill and Dani ride off in the sunset together.

If the world ran out of air tomorrow,

I would give my last breath to Dani without hesitation.

That's how special what we have is.

Now, I'm sorry that you and Bill don't have the same,

but you need to take that up with him.

I saw how you reacted

when he and Dani took the umpteenth walk

down memory lane together.

You know what's up, Andre.

You know what you have to do.

Yeah. Yeah.

Walk away from this conversation.

Excuse me.

You know what?

Mind your own house, Hayley, and stay the hell out of mine.

Hey, thanks for always keeping me honest

when it comes to my ex.

Can we please not waste another breath

on Bill and his toxicity?

This is supposed to be girls' night

and more importantly a celebration.

You're right. I am so relieved.

I feel like I can breathe again

knowing that my girls are BRCA negative.

Mm. That makes two of us.

Well, a toast?

Yes, but first, spill.

I want to hear everything that is going on

in the fabulous life of Vanessa McBride.

And do not leave out one juicy detail.

-Oh, well, for starters... -[phone chimes]

Oh.

Andre is back early.

So what are you still doing here?

I am visiting with my friend,

and we haven't even started catching up.

I want to hear all about...

And you will hear it all

after you spend some time with that fine man.

-Vanessa... -I insist.

Go. Have fun.

Okay, but for interrupting girls' night,

my man is gonna have to put in some work.

And by work, I do mean peeling this dress off with his teeth.

Live the dream.

If you insist.

[chuckles]

Funny seeing you out in public.

I'm surprised you still showed your face

after your husband blew up at me like a teenager.

Vanessa, I am so deeply sorry.

Lance had absolutely no right to speak to you that way.

I was mortified when I found out.

Imagine how I felt.

He called me everything but a child of God

over a transaction you initiated.

A transaction you've enjoyed before, multiple times.

That's what made him snap.

He saw the charges and assumed it was fraud.

When he called the bank, they told him

I had approved the charges.

And he felt humiliated, and he lost it.

Lolly, I need to know.

Does he get violent with you?

Yes, Lance has a temper, but he's not the kind of man

who would ever lay a hand on a woman.

He was raised better than that.

Don't be so sure.

He put his hands on you?

Hard enough to leave his calling card.

I suppose I should be grateful he didn't break anything.

This doesn't sound like the man I married.

Lance is actively involved

in several charitable organizations.

The Lance Salinger Foundation has donated millions

to women's causes.

[scoffs] Writing checks

and actually respecting women are very different.

Any sociopath with a trust fund

can buy themselves a humanitarian reputation.

But you are right to be concerned.

I am?

Fairmont Crest can be unforgiving

when it comes to scandal,

especially if I were to press assault charges.

We're women of a certain stature.

Surely, we can handle this with some discretion.

I'd be willing to give you that opportunity.

I'd hate for your family or our business relationship

to implode because of Lance's poor judgment.

Mm.

-[snapping fingers] -LANCE: My usual.

Vanessa, you have my word.

This will never happen again.

Excuse me.

-Oh, Lolly. -Vanessa McBride told me

you put your hands on her, grabbed her.

Do you realize what you're doing

and how this could come back and bite us?

What were you thinking?

I have always been the good daughter.

The one who colored inside the lines,

followed all the rules, exceeded every expectation.

Perfect grades, perfect career, perfect marriage.

Well, until it wasn't.

And the sister?

Dani? [chuckles]

Polar opposites.

-She pushes boundaries. -Hmm.

Refuses to live according to anyone else's playbook.

She's wild, reckless, unapologetic,

-like a walking middle finger. -[chuckles]

And follows her heart, consequences be damned.

Sounds like the typical

first and second child personality types.

The eldest gets to be the...

carrier of the weight of the world,

and the younger gets to be the free spirit.

We are a textbook example.

While I don't regret who I became

and all of my accomplishments,

there are times I envy my sister.

Sounds more than just envy.

I might have been a little jealous, too.

So the glow-up, it's a rebellious act?

I would say it's more of a coming-out party.

For the first time, I am not a doormat.

I am choosing to put me first.

Finding out who Nicole Dupree is

when she is not trying to be perfect.

Hmm. So it's Independence Day.

That explains the fireworks.

Can I ask you something?

You can plead the Fifth if it feels too personal.

Shoot your shot, Counselor.

Do you secretly hope your parents might get back together,

and seeing your mom move on now is making that door slam shut?

That fairy tale's been expired.

I have zero problems with my mother having a social life.

I can't expect her

to be holed up in the office for all time.

Then what's really eating at you?

It's this Nicole Dupree reboot

that's happening in front of my eyes.

That woman over there?

I don't recognize her.

I think a reboot is pushing it.

I don't.

When my mom started seeing Carlton,

I thought, okay, this is weird.

It's my dad's business partner.

But he's a family friend.

He's a good guy.

Like, I could wrap my head around it.

But now she's just flipped this switch.

McSwagger's over there looking like

he just stepped off the set of Grey's Anatomy.

And who knows?

Maybe there's a third doctor, a McChisel,

who she's got on speed dial.

Maybe a McTrouble, who she's got on standby.

I don't know.

Your McCharming thinks you need perspective.

More like McBlind.

You need to get your vision checked

if you don't see those clothes or that attitude.

It's only a dress, Kat.

It's a flag.

A sartorial revolution wrapped up

in silk and sex appeal.

And I don't like it.

Not at all.

I can't help but take what you said personally.

That I was lecturing you.

Not the best choice of words.

Sorry.

What you call being free and spontaneous,

I see as...

Never mind.

No, no, no, no, don't stop on my account.

What? Irresponsible? Immature?

I don't want to fight with you.

Look, I'm not looking to fight either,

but we need to stop dancing around this

and just be real with each other.

The good, the messy, the complicated, all of it.

I'll go first.

I want to have fun when I feel like it,

and I want to embrace my spontaneous side

without having to explain it and without being judged

by the person that's supposed to love me unconditionally.

So you think I'm controlling?

I didn't say that.

It tracks perfectly with everything else

you've been saying.

I know exactly how you feel

about the way I deal with my mother

and how I handle stress,

how I approach my life in general.

Look, Madison, please.

I'm just trying to be honest,

and I'm asking you to meet me in the middle.

I'm trying, too.

But it seems like everything that makes me me

is suddenly a problem for you.

You have to understand where I'm coming from.

I spent years where everything I wore,

ate and said was dissected under a microscope.

Where my mother and what felt like the entire world

was watching my every move

and having a bajillion opinions on it.

So, yeah, I rebelled,

and-and maybe too much sometimes,

but-but most of the time,

I was just trying to find my voice

within all the noise, because I had no control.

I know that that was difficult and complicated for you,

but you have control now, Chelsea.

Look at you.

You're thriving physically, mentally.

You even started your dream business with Kat.

Yeah, and I found the love of my life.

Which is why I'm hoping we can learn to accept each other.

[sighs]

The fact is, we are very different people.

Your idea of freedom feels like carelessness to me,

and my concern feels like judgment to you.

Well, different doesn't have to mean incompatible.

I don't ever want you to feel

like you can't be true to yourself.

So if I'm the one making you feel caged...

...I love you enough to walk away.

♪ ♪

Game time.

[phone chimes]

BILL: I should've seen your pain.

And I see it now.

And I should have...

I could have handled everything a lot differently.

But I didn't want to face myself.

I was a damn coward.

You gave me your promise and your youth

and our two beautiful daughters who are the pride of my life.

I should've honored that.

Should've honored you, and I'm...

[sighs] Dani, I'm... I'm truly sorry for all of it.

[romantic R&B music playing]

Oh, my God.

-Andre, what is all this? -[chuckles]

Welcome home, beautiful.

Damn. This is what missing you looks like.

I am the one who is supposed to surprise you,

Mr. Just Got Back From The Big Apple.

It works both ways, doesn't it? [chuckles]

Besides, you think I'm gonna let you walk through that door,

looking like a goddess and not worship you accordingly?

Come on.

How do you expect me to behave when you're dressed like this?

I don't.

That's half the fun.

Now, I know we spoke earlier,

-but I want to hear more about your trip. -Yeah.

-I assume the photo shoot went well? -Mm-hmm.

The client was practically writing a blank check

for the next campaign

before I ever finished showing them the proofs.

With your genius eye behind the lens, I am not surprised.

Yeah, and New York was as fabulous as ever.

Yeah.

I had dinner at Tatiana.

Next time we'll go together.

Paint the town red and maybe a little bit more.

Mm-hmm.

You really missed me.

Even though you were only gone for one night.

Ah, one night is too many.

For now on, I don't want to wake up in another bed

that doesn't already have you in it.

-♪ Promise♪ -♪ I'll promise, baby♪

♪ Promise♪

♪ You don't worry about a thing, no, I promise.♪

Oh.

Now, this is a pleasant surprise.

I thought you had plans tonight with your partner in crime.

Oh, Andre's back early.

You know how photographers are with their dramatic flair.

So you found yourself with a free night.

And what do you know?

My car practically drove itself here.

-[laughs] -Funny how muscle memory works

when a woman's thinking about her man.

JOEY: Mmm. Mmm.

How's your night going?

Oh, uh, very productive.

But now that you're here, the office is officially closed.

-You have my full attention. -Hmm.

If you play your cards right, you'll have more attention

-than you can handle. -Try me.

But let's start with getting you out of this coat.

Mm.

Uh, it-it looks worse than it is. [chuckles]

You know how I am with my fair skin.

I bruise like a peach.

Please don't minimize this.

I swear to you on everything I hold sacred

that you will never be hurt because of my business again.

I asked you to leave this alone.

Promise me you listened.

So what if we're different, okay? That's the point.

You're math, and I'm music.

You anchor us, and I make us fly.

Okay? We're perfect together.

We were perfect, but lately,

it feels like we're speaking different languages.

No. I love you more than I even thought was possible.

You make me want to level up in every way.

There's nothing wrong with who you are now, Chelsea.

You're absolutely incredible.

Then why are you trying to leave?

If I'm so incredible, why not fight for us?

I don't know how.

You problem-solve for a living.

Why don't you use that big beautiful brain on us?

Because when I do,

when I analyze the situation from every angle,

run scenarios, weigh the variables,

consider all the outcomes,

I land at the same conclusion every time.

Anything that concludes in us breaking up is wrong.

Maybe...

Maybe we're not right for each other.

And that's okay.

[sighs] Madison, this is just an obstacle, okay?

It-it doesn't have to mean it's the end.

It-it can't.

-Chelsea... -No.

I want to get married to you

and build something beautiful and real and lasting.

Madison, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

Hold on.

Was that...?

Did you just propose?

You asked me to leave the Lance situation alone,

-and I heard everything you said. -Good.

Doesn't make me any happier about the situation

or the risks you're taking working for me.

We can't keep going round and round about this.

I like running the business.

I'm good at it, and I'm making you money.

If I were any other name on your payroll,

we wouldn't be having this conversation.

Well, forgive me for feeling differently about you

than I do about Randy.

Lance's fragile ego took a hit, and his emotions ran amok.

He's the one who needs to adjust his behavior, not me.

I don't disagree,

but the bastard never would've manhandled you

if you weren't in that position in the first place.

One insecure man throwing a tantrum changes nothing.

And I've already ensured

he won't be a problem moving forward.

Really?

This new version of my mom is a stress response.

The divorce, Gran's cancer,

finding out Aunt Dani is a high risk

for the same thing.

The ground must feel like it's moving from under her feet.

Are we still talking about Dr. Dupree?

Obvi.

Why-why would you ask something like that?

It kind of sounds like you might be projecting just a little.

Okay.

Maybe it's happening to me, too.

But I'm still standing,

still kicking ass and taking names.

As always.

And I owe a lot of that

to one constant in my life.

My rock.

Mm.

Well, you have managed to dance around

the elephant in the room quite gracefully.

I'm not much of a dancer. I'm more of a side-stepper.

I was talking about the plastic surgeon at the hospital.

You haven't asked me about him once.

The end of a marriage,

no matter how it comes about, is deeply personal.

There's no reason for you to feel obligated

to talk about your ex-husband.

And I don't.

I was referring to Carlton.

Oh. [chuckles]

Dr. Fitzgerald.

When he found out you were my date for WinterFest,

-he got a little, um... -Competitive.

Who can blame him?

I hope that's not an issue.

Not for me.

I mean, if I felt he was such a threat,

I wouldn't have found you here drinking all alone.

Tonight, I wanted to leave my options open.

And I am extremely happy that I did.

♪ ♪

I just told you I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

This is one of the most important decisions

that two people can make.

It should be intentional and meaningful,

not some panic proposal

because you're scared I might walk away.

I say something real, and now I'm trying to manipulate you?

This is what we talked about.

I'm-I'm being spontaneous,

and I'm letting my heart lead by showing you how much I love you.

Your feelings are real.

But this?

This isn't love, Chelsea.

It's fear.

And that's not fair to either of us.

♪ ♪

I know you're probably daydreaming

about making Lance swallow his veneers,

but the situation's been contained.

Has it? Do tell.

Well, I had a chat with Lolly about his unacceptable conduct.

I simply reminded her how fast she'd fall out of favor

with the crème de la crme of Fairmont Crest

if her husband's arrested for assault

and that's plastered all over the local news and beyond.

Social exile.

Savage but not always a sure thing.

It was this time.

The threat alone was enough to ensure

Lolly will keep him in line.

How do you know that?

Lance showed up at the club.

I had a front row seat to Lolly delivering the message,

and that man deflated like a balloon.

He couldn't even look at me.

I'm quite proud of myself.

As you should be.

-You know, I just realized that I... -[murmurs]

I just realized that maybe you don't even want wine.

Maybe you're in the mood for something else.

-I could get you some... -Don't you move,

and don't be ridiculous. Gimme.

[both chuckle]

-Okay. -Mmm.

Oh, I love this Bordeaux.

-It's so rich and velvety. -Mm-hmm.

Like someone else we know.

It's like you. [chuckles]

Yeah, it's complex, full-bodied

and leaves a man wanting more.

You feel so good.

Oh, not half as good as you.

-Andre? -Mm-hmm.

I have a confession.

Yeah. Talk to me.

I missed you, too.

So much more than I should have.

The bed felt empty without you in it.

And I think we need to remedy that.

-Mmm. [chuckles] -Posthaste.

Say less.

[both laughing]

♪ ♪

Mmm. Let's go, Big Daddy.

I'm gonna make all your dreams come true tonight,

even the ones you didn't know you had.

[Bill snores]

You can't be serious right now.

-[snoring] -[scoffs]

Captioning sponsored by CBS

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