Original subtitles

[Jax Stewart] Previously on Reasonable Doubt...

[Lucy Wargo] We have charged Shanelle Tucker with first-degree murder.

We can't put our house up for her bail.

The only way that I can win her case

is if I dedicate myself fully.

Which is why I can't be her lawyer.

[Corey Cash] My name is Corey Cash.

[Jax] You know Toni, right?

-Apparently, JT knocked her up. -That's crazy.

"We're excited to offer you a place in McCartney Art School!"

Let's go!

The baby is mine.

You hurt me, I hurt you.

I should go.

[Lewis Stewart] If you don't want to be with me anymore, that is fine.

But you can't stop me from loving you.

I put this house up as part of her bail.

Do you really think I would help her run and risk losing the bond?

We will lose the house that we both live in.

[Lewis] We lost the baby. Call me when you can.

Looking into a casket at my son, I can't do it.

I told you I didn't need you. Just go.

Mrs. Tucker, you are ordered to be released.

Lena's not the only one who deserves a promotion.

-Ohh. -We should do it again.

You mean like a date?

[Dr. Vernon Webb] Are you two looking to reconcile or uncouple?

-Reconcile. -Uncouple.

-[Jax] What's that about? -Toni's suing us.

For Jaden's death.

[knock on door]

[knocking continues]

Hey, it's me. Can I come in?

[sighs]

Hey. [gasps]

Oh, my God. Oh, my God, no.

[crying] No, no, no!

Somebody please help me!

Please!

[continues crying]

[screams]

[♪ "Throw Some D's" by Rich Boy playing]

[singer] I used to think about immature things...

[buzzing]

...you know, like, "Do you love me?

"Do you want me?

"Are you gon' call me like you said you would?

Is this really your real phone number?"

♪ Gangstas in the house ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

-♪ Get money ♪ -♪ Get money ♪

-♪ New money ♪ -♪ New money ♪

♪ This what they been waiting on ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Rich Boy sellin' crack, broke niggaz wanna jack ♪

♪ Shit tight, no slack, just bought a Cadillac ♪

♪ Throw, throw some D's on that bitch ♪

♪ Just bought a Cadillac ♪

♪ Throw some, throw some D's on that bitch ♪

♪ Just bought a Cadillac ♪

♪ Throw, th-throw ♪

♪ Rich Boy sellin' crack, broke niggaz wanna jack ♪

♪ Shit tight, no slack, just bought a Cadillac ♪

Good morning.

♪ Th-throw some D's on that, bitch ♪

[Jax] It is now.

♪ Th-throw some D's on that bitch ♪

-♪ Just bought a Cadillac ♪ -♪ Throw, throw... ♪

♪ Rich Boy sellin' crack, broke niggaz wanna jack ♪

♪ Shit tight, no slack, just bought a Cadillac ♪

♪ Took it to the chop shop ♪

♪ Got the damn top drop ♪

♪ Candy-red lollipop ♪

Ah. Good morning, family.

Good morning... again.

Ooh. And hopefully again and again and again.

I will cancel this whole fuckin' day, you hear me?

[car horn honks]

[Naima Stewart] Ugh, oh, my gosh.

Literally the only time I wish it was me at boarding school

and not Spenser.

[Jax] Um, okay, bye. Love you, baby.

-[door opens, closes] -Have a good...

You know, she been a real bitch since Spenser left.

So, it's not just me. But how...

How did Spenser become the good one?

Um, by not being here.

Speaking of bitches... you ready?

♪ Throw some D's on that bitch ♪

Shall we get started?

[Jax clears throat]

Let's.

[♪ theme music playing]

♪ From La Brea to Slauson ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ The Sun, Central Ave Jazz ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ Where we at? ♪

♪ Hit the Maverick Flats ♪

♪ Leimert and right back to the ark ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ We coastin' on the west between sets and wealth ♪

♪ We toast the sunset in the Dons ♪

♪ Take flight into the night under Cali stars ♪

♪ In a world on wheels, it's all us ♪

♪ It's the world we feel ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ From the Hills to Hollywood ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ No doubt we all we got ♪

♪ Hold it down black and brown ♪

♪ In a city of dreams ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

My clients will agree to dismiss their emotional distress claims

against Miss Holley, pay for her attorney fees,

and pay an additional 10K to settle and close this matter.

That's a far cry from the 750K Miss Holley's asked for.

But...

[Ben] My clients have already decided--

Ben, let opposing counsel know this is our final offer

and to inform Miss Holley if she insists on taking this to trial,

we will prevail and then sue her for malicious prosecution.

Mrs. Stewart, I think that the best thing--

No thoughts. Just let opposing counsel know. Thank you.

Jax.

[sighs]

-[softly] Absolutely not. -[Angela Simon] Mm-hmm.

[Toni Holley] That's not what we talked about...

-[whispering] -Yeah.

Miss Holley will not sign the agreement

unless your clients admit liability for the death of her child.

-And that's-- -Well, my clients have alrea--

That violates the whole point of a settlement agreement,

which is to resolve the dispute and end the litigation.

It's not an admission of wrongdoing

whether based in statute, regulation, common law, or otherwise.

Tell her, Benjamin.

Mrs. Stewart, you are an exceptional lawyer,

but you are not the attorney on this case.

Yes, but I refuse to bend over and allow this...

garden tool to extort us in a baseless lawsuit

that has been going on for, what, over a year now?

-And whose fault is that? -Ooh, it's no one's fault.

It's just taking longer than any of us thought it would.

[Ben] It's taking longer because, yes,

Miss Holley is being unreasonable, but don't you wanna end this?

Yes. By winning.

[Ben] Then let me do my job, and I will end this once and for all.

You're right. Let's end this.

-You're fired. -Jax.

Best news I've heard all week.

[♪ peppy music playing]

Don't you think we should have talked before you fired him?

[Jax] Ugh. I know, but, look, I-I'm sorry.

I just couldn't watch him pander

to Toni and her punk-ass lawyer any longer.

-But he was our third lawyer. -[sighs]

I mean, you might as well represent our case yourself at this point.

Lewis, you know I don't have time for that.

Look, all we have to do is keep fighting, and we will win.

Toni will cave. She has no choice.

So far, she's shown us she's got a lot of choices.

Caving isn't one of them.

[Jax] Hmm.

I gotta go to work. We can talk about it later.

Alright? Love you.

♪♪

[car engine starts]

Since you started law school, are you thinking you wanna be

like old Jax or present-day Jax?

What do you mean?

Well, I mean like a lawyer that helps poor people win,

like Jax did when she was a public defender,

or a lawyer that helps rich people win like Jax does now?

The version that wears Gucci.

-[chuckles] -I expected better of you, Krystal.

I don't know why.

-Ooh. -Good afternoon, children.

-[Krystal Walters] Hi. -Thank you.

[Krystal] So, what happened with Van Dusen?

[Jax] He took the plea.

OMG, LOL.

That is wiggida, wiggida wack.

-Wha... -[Jax] Right?

I'd already written my opening statement.

What a waste.

Maybe this is a good thing.

I mean, you have had enough drama to last a lifetime.

Well, I agree on the personal drama,

but I need some professional drama, some courtroom action.

You know, lately it's been more pleas and less pop, pop, pop!

Let's just say I prefer criminal cases over civil cases.

I'ma need someone rich and/or famous

to pierce some flesh before the end of Q4.

I'm just sayin'.

[Krystal scoffs]

Is she wishing for a murder?

Ah, kinda sounds like it.

But, hey, I respect a woman that knows what she wants,

so let her cook. [smacks lips]

You just watch TikTok and repeat words you hear?

That part.

Mm-mm.

So, despite the fact that I reiterated to Mr. Van Dusen

that I believe that we, meaning I,

could win his case at trial, he chose to plead out.

Oh. Cool, that sucks.

A lot of billable hours lost.

I'm aware.

Well, hopefully, you'll be able to make it up

by the end of this quarter.

Don't worry, I will.

I know how much you all depend on me to keep the lights on.

[chuckles]

[all laugh]

Next item, Bill Sterling.

Just won that Erickson embezzlement case

and locked down the Crawford Company as a client.

Don't see any reason why we shouldn't promote him to equity partner.

Time to pay Billable Bill his due.

Well, I mean, Bill's only been at the firm for six years.

Most partners work at least seven. I did eight.

He's brought in notable clients,

and he bills more than twice as many hours as anybody at his level.

Maybe we should trust Bill to continue to prove himself.

Okay, but just a few years back, Bill made a crucial mistake

as first chair on the Ryder case.

And we'd all agreed right here in this room

that Bill needed to think more macro over micro.

Look, I'm not saying he can't get there, but...

I'm sorry, he's just not there yet.

[Stephen clears throat]

Let's put a pin in that and, uh, circle back.

-[Jax] Great. -Yeah.

[♪ "Let Her Cook" by GloRilla playing]

Anything else?

No? Okay.

♪ Never gave a damn ♪

♪ I ain't never gave no fuck, no ♪

♪ Fell out with them hoes ♪

-♪ We ain't never makin' up ♪ -♪ Fuck 'em ♪

♪ Back for everything I ever lost ♪

-♪ I'm on a mission ♪ -♪ Let's go ♪

♪ We turnt the whole house into a booth ♪

-♪ We in the kitchen ♪ -♪ Woo ♪

♪ Unh, let her cook ♪

Jax Stewart. Hi. Monica Wilson.

What a pleasure to finally have a reason to meet you.

-This is my client, Ozzie Edwards. -[Jax] Of course.

My kids love your show, watched all six seasons.

-[Monica Wilson] Hmm. -[Jax] It's nice to meet you.

[Monica] And this is his father, Sal.

And manager.

Along with Ozzie's mother, Rosie.

So, a manager, actor, agent, and attorney walk into a bar.

Wait, there's got to be a joke in there somewhere, right?

[laughter]

So, what seems to be the issue?

Ozzie's up for a leading role in what will be a huge franchise

and a perfect transition for him,

as we want him to go from beloved child star

to legitimate movie star.

We also wanna clean up some personal matters that,

given Ozzie's status, would be detrimental to his image.

Uh-huh. What kinda personal matters?

There's a stylist that Ozzie's had relations with and--

Now it's over.

-[Jax] I see. -[Sal] Mm-hmm.

So, you wanna make sure that during her post-breakup anger,

she doesn't go run her mouth to a tabloid

and derail Ozzie's movie star career before it begins.

Precisely. Right, Ozzie?

I guess.

Okay.

So, have you tried asking her to sign an NDA?

-Mm-hmm. -She's refusing.

Well, then a non-disclosure agreement with appropriate compensation

would give her more incentive to sign.

Compensation?

That's extortion.

It's not extortion.

We have to offer her compensation for the agreement to be valid.

Look, if you want this stylist to go away, this is your only option,

or else it will drag on.

Trust me.

[Monica] Well, Jax, how do you propose structuring the agreement?

-[Ozzie] Actually... -Well, the first thing I--

I wanna think about it.

-Ozzie, don't do this. -Think about what?

Well, more time means more trouble.

I just want to get through tomorrow and then we can figure it out.

[Jax] Okay.

-Well, I hope to speak soon. -[Sal] Mm-hmm.

♪♪

Man, we talked about this.

[Jax] I feel bad for him.

Yeah, why's that?

Well, I mean, this man has been famous since he was like, 10,

won multiple Emmys, starred on a hit TV show.

And now he's 24,

and he's still surrounded by people who treat him like a child.

You know, it just... It made me think of Spenser.

I hope we're doing the right thing,

letting him go to this performing arts school.

I mean, Spenser chose this school and said that's what he wanted to do.

Maybe this guy didn't get to choose.

Maybe he's living a life he's been told to live, you know?

Mm. I certainly do.

-Mm. -[sighs]

Oh, you know, so the, the OBPA,

the Outstanding Black Professionals Association?

They are honoring Corey Cash for his work on Shanelle's case.

Just Corey?

-Yep. -Hmm.

He was the face of the trial, so... it is what it is.

Hmm. Yeah, fuck that nigga. Bullshit is what it is.

[Jax chuckles softly]

-You gonna go? -I don't want to.

[Lewis] Hmm.

You know, but he invited me.

Feels like the right thing to do.

That is very mature of you.

-I know, right? -Hmm. [chuckles]

Look at me.

Where's Naima?

Uh, she, uh, said she wanted to spend the night

at Hattie's house tonight.

Guess we should be grateful that

Toni hasn't told Hattie about the baby.

How do you still have anything nice to say about this woman?

I thought we were maturing.

[Lewis exhales]

This is not about maturity.

This is about the fact that Toni is an emotional terrorist

who put us through hell this entire year.

She's had a bad year, too, Jax.

Oh, so you've taken her side then?

No, I'm... I'm not.

Toni is just mad...

that she doesn't have what we have.

-And what is that? -Hmm.

I can show you better than I can tell you.

-Oh, yeah? -Hmm.

Where you wanna show me?

-On top of that. -And over there?

[Lewis] Mm-hmm.

And definitely up against that.

-[Jax] Mm-hmm. -[Lewis] Mm-hmm.

-Okay. -Okay.

[♪ "The Way" by Jill Scott playing]

[♪ vocalizing]

♪ 4:30, can't wait to get home ♪

♪ I know you're coming out ♪

♪ Nah, girl, I got somethin' else to do ♪

♪ Damn, Jill, don't be fronting on your girls, for real ♪

♪ Go 'head, really, get your groove on ♪

♪ 'Cause tonight, my man's coming through ♪

[♪ "Is It The Way" by Saweetie playing]

♪ Arch yo back, toot it up ♪

-♪ Damn, I'm cute as fuck ♪ -♪ Fuck ♪

♪ Quick to cut a nigga off ♪

♪ Damn, I'm rude as fuck ♪

♪ Yeah, you know it be goin' down ♪

♪ Have 'em choosin' up ♪

♪ Up ♪

♪♪

♪ Is it the way ♪

♪ Is it the way that I walk? ♪

♪ Is it the way that I talk? ♪

-♪ Is it the way I keep it G? ♪ -♪ Yeah, I do ♪

♪ Maybe it's the way that I do me ♪

[Corey] There she is.

Corey. It's been a while.

Too long.

You ready?

Let's go.

[♪ upbeat music playing]

[indistinct conversations]

[Corey] A year ago, I couldn't get rid of you.

Now you don't call, you don't text.

-Ha, ha. -I mean...

You know, I usually don't come to these things, you know?

But the OBPA has really been showing up this year.

Though, it seems like they're dishing out legal awards to just anyone.

-Oh, oh, is that right? -[both laugh]

So, how are things in Chicago?

Good, good. I'm staying busy.

Got a big case coming up.

-Just closed on a place... -Hmm.

...with Brandy.

As in Dr. Brandy?

Yeah, well, hopefully, she'll be Dr. Brandy Cash one day.

Okay. Wow.

Well, I am happy for you, Corey, truly.

Congratulations on everything.

Thank you. How's everything at the firm?

Great. Yeah, it's great.

It's fine. Wonderful. I'm, I...

[Corey] Hmm.

-Okay, it's wack. -[both chuckle]

Every client wants to take a plea deal now.

What happened to not going down without a fight?

Okay, no, hold on. It's no secret that you crave

these complex cases and these messy criminals.

Just like you crave those cigarettes we're both trying to quit.

Corey Cash. Right?

Man, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Ozzie.

[Corey] Ozzie Edwards. Man, I am familiar.

Pow, pow. Gotcha.

Hey, congrats on your awards, too.

This is my, uh, my colleague, Jax Stewart.

-Oh, we've already-- -Nice to meet you, Jax.

It's nice to meet you as well.

Corey, I just have to tell you, your tux is absolutely fire.

Oh, thank you.

And, Jax, this dress, it's impossible to ignore.

Thank you.

This is my girlfriend, Wendy.

[Wendy] And stylist.

Hence, the appreciation for the haute couture.

Oh, you're a stylist.

Yeah, I've been styling Orsel for years, amongst other things.

Well, Wendy, it's clear that you have impeccable taste.

Oh, thank you.

Well, alright. See you guys in there?

-[Corey] Alright, cool. -Alright.

Bye.

[Corey] He seems cool.

Let's hear it for Mr. Cash, ladies and gentlemen.

[Jax] Congratulations.

-[host] Now, for our next guest... -[Corey] Thank you.

-Wanna feel it? -[scoffs]

-I can't with you. -[Corey chuckles]

And, no.

[host] ...and television.

Well, I meant what I said. This is just as much yours as mine.

Thank you, Corey.

[♪ upbeat music playing]

[announcer] From playing Caleb Kensington on My Cousins and Them...

Pow, pow. Gotcha.

[announcer] ...to his character work on various independent films

and recurring television roles,

Ozzie Edwards has had the career many people dream of,

and he's just getting started.

The Ozzie Edwards Arts Foundation

allows underprivileged children...

♪♪

[indistinct chatter]

-[bartender] What can I get you? -Um...

-Just a club soda. Thanks. -[bartender] Of course.

Oh, hi again.

I'm not sure if you remember me. My name is Jax Stewart.

And you are?

Yeah.

Figured it was better to pretend than explain.

Makes sense.

Sure would be awkward if your girlfriend knew

that you were trying to pay her off.

It's complicated.

How so?

How 'bout this?

If I guess right, you take a shot.

If I'm wrong, bottoms up for me.

-Alright, I'm in. -Hmm.

Can I have a shot of peanut butter whiskey, please?

Oof. Nice.

Your father and your agent don't want you with Wendy.

But they're not opposed to you having a woman on your arm.

Because a new role in a new movie guarantees money

but not necessarily success.

But a new relationship?

That's visibility, increased followers.

I mean, hell, some people even win Super Bowls off of it.

But they don't want your newfound and loyal Black female audience

to hop on Google and get their hearts broken

when they see you posted up with white-ass Wendy.

So, if you not gon' level up with a Sabrina Elba type,

then that non-Black woman on that red carpet

next to you needs to be an ambiguously ethnic,

undeniably bad bitch.

But Wendy the stylist?

An unoriginal woman 10 years your senior?

She ain't it.

And you flaunting her around here

is like a big-ass "fuck you" to your father,

to your team...

and to the system.

[audience cheering faintly]

-Ain't no way I'm wrong. -Oh, you are.

-Ah. -But only about one thing.

-[Jax] Which part? -The last part.

She's it.

I am in love with her.

[cheering continues]

-[Jax] Hmm. -[exhales]

You know, when I was a little girl,

my father wanted me to be a lawyer.

He told everyone, you know,

"My daughter is gonna be Clair Huxtable."

Meanwhile, he's running around town

being Pookie from New Jack City.

Your father was a drug addict?

[Jax] Still is.

At least, as far as I know. We don't speak anymore.

But the point is that I went to law school for him,

but I became a lawyer for me.

When's the last time you did something for you?

Okay, unlike you, if I don't eat, no one eats.

I'm not an individual. I am a corporation.

Maybe that's the problem.

So what do I do?

[Jax] Well, if you think she's using you because of who you are,

then get the NDA and move on.

But if you think she really loves you for you,

then tell your father and everyone else to fuck off.

Look, here's my card.

You call me if things get messy.

I took that shot because I wanted to.

I was still right.

♪♪

[Lewis] Hey, Sam. Thanks for coming in.

I thought I knew all the Black coders.

Aren't very many of us around.

Yeah, I just moved here from Jersey.

There's not many there either, so.

Nice. I mean, I'm from Philly.

-[Sam] Okay. -Fly, Eagles, fly.

-Okay. -[Lewis] I saw your last gig was with EXP

and, before that, EA.

Yeah. If it's in the game...

[in unison] "It's in the game!"

-[both laugh] -That's funny.

Uh, yeah, I mostly worked on 2K and F1

but I wanted to spread my wings, so I moved out west.

Okay. Nice.

Uh, so your programming languages are?

C++, Python, and the regular ones.

Well, that's good. We don't work exclusively in C++,

so it's nice to know you have experience in the others as well.

-Cool. -Our team is a great one but a small one.

-Meaning that-- -More responsibility.

But that's alright. It's not a problem.

Um, I've led teams in the past,

and, obviously, I've been on 'em, so I'm down to support however.

-Music to my ears. -[Sam] Cool.

Alright, let's go meet the rest of the team.

Cool.

-[Jax] A Black coder? -[Lewis] Hmm.

Wow, baby. That's awesome.

I know, right? His résumé is solid,

and it's just nice to have another Black face

besides me and Lena in the office.

-Yes. -I mean, I love Cliff,

he's my guy, but...

there's just a comfort

that comes from being around your own.

-[Jax laughs] -You know what I mean?

-I know you know. -[Jax] Yes, yes. You know

you are preaching to the choir, okay?

And, you know, it's interesting, because I know I just met the guy,

but it made me realize that all my friends were back east

-or are the parents of my kids' friends. -Hmm.

It'd be nice to have a work friend that I have something in common with.

-Mm-hmm. -Of course, you're my best friend,

but it's like completely different.

-It-- I w-- -I'm your best friend?

Yeah.

Every time I think I couldn't be more in love with you,

you sweep me off my feet all over again.

[♪ pop song playing over speakers]

You know what? Cheers, baby.

-Cheers. -To us.

To us. Eyes.

-Eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes? -Eyes.

[speaker] Sorry to interrupt, but you're Jax Stewart, aren't you?

Michael Johnson from Tyler, Ashley, and Johnson.

Oh, right. Right.

It's good to see you. This is my husband--

Lewis?

Oh. You all know each other.

[Toni] Quite well.

They killed my baby.

[chuckles uncomfortably]

You know, the truth, Michael, is that Toni had a baby with my husband,

because that's what she does, fuck married men.

Oh, wait, and women too, right?

So, Michael, it's gonna be a great night.

But make sure you wear protection.

You don't know what's swirling around in that swamp.

Enjoy your dinner, though. I hear the cornbread is bomb.

[Michael Johnson] Uh...

Fuck you, Jax.

You already have, Toni.

[Jax] What the fuck was I supposed to say?

[Lewis] You caused a scene in a restaurant

-I'd like to go back to one day. -Hmm.

[Lewis] Look, why can't you just ignore her?

Why do you have to match her petty every single time?

It's fuckin' embarrassing, Jax.

Oh, you, you think that was embarrassing?

What about the fact that I still have to deal

with the woman you had an affair with?

Why do you always have to be her biggest defender?

Look, can, can you, can you please stop saying that?

Can you stop doing it?

Okay, you know, tell me how I'm supposed to feel

since you got all the answers, Jax?

-Tell me what to do. Huh? -[Jax] You know what?

I really don't think you wanna get into feelings here.

Right, right, because your feelings are the only ones that matter, right?

I never said that.

[sighs]

[inhales and exhales]

Look, we're here because of me.

I should've just gone to Jaden's memorial, but...

I couldn't.

And now, after all this, I am...

ashamed...

that I did not give her closure.

And may, maybe she still needs it, but...

making her feel bad just reminds me that I fucked up.

[♪ gentle, somber music playing]

[Lewis sighs]

I hate that she made you feel that way.

It's not your fault at all.

And that's why I get so mad, Lewis, because I-I'm...

[sighs]

...'cause I'm scared.

I'm scared that one day, somehow, someway,

she's gonna come between us again, and I don't...

I trust you. I do. I just...

I'm scared.

Baby...

I hear you.

And I understand.

But you are my wife, and only God is above that.

I have made my choice.

And it is you.

And nothing will ever come between us again.

I love you.

-Despite your Virgo ways. -[scoffs]

I love you, too, my stubborn Taurus.

-Ah. -[chuckles]

You know what?

I'm going to call Ben in the morning and apologize.

But we are not hiring him back.

And we'll handle Toni together.

A'ight?

Sounds good.

[Jax moans]

So, uh, does a nigga still get his dick sucked tonight?

'Cause you was talking that real good stuff earlier.

A nigga got his hopes up. Talking that good-good.

Yeah, it's a no for me.

Well...

Okay.

We gotta fix this Toni shit.

[♪ "Say Hello" by JAY-Z playing]

♪ It's that Roc-A-Fella music ♪

♪ Soulful ♪

Bill. We wanted to let you know that we're not going to be

able to make you partner at this time.

I see.

I'm sorry to hear that.

[Vince] Don't worry about that.

It's, uh, just a stutter step.

Precisely.

But we want you to know we believe you exemplify hard work and commitment.

Your contributions to this firm have been invaluable,

and, honestly, you make us a lot of money.

-Billable Bill! -[Vince laughs]

But the feeling is that you need more time.

Understood.

♪♪

But let me say this.

Honor, respect, and devotion to duty are core values

ingrained in me from my 10 years at the Coast Guard,

and I've taken them from there to law school

to being an associate at this firm.

I would love to know what I can do to make this happen sooner than later.

♪♪

There may be a way to fast-track.

♪ I come from the bottom... ♪

Have a seat.

♪ They say I'm a menace ♪

♪ That's the picture they paint ♪

♪ They say a lot about me ♪

♪ Let me tell you what I ain't ♪

♪ Say hello, hello ♪

♪ Hey, hey ♪

♪ They say a lot about me ♪

♪ Let me tell you what I ain't ♪

♪♪

[exhales deeply]

[Sal] Ozzie. What are you doing here?

-Sal. -[Sal chuckles]

Our son doesn't need a reason to come see us.

Oh, no.

Hi, baby.

Good to see you.

You know, I'm actually glad you're here.

I had lunch with a producer at Hulu who's dying to meet you.

I need to talk to you guys.

-Okay. -[Sal] About what?

Is every, everything okay?

Uh, I've made my decision,

and I am not moving forward with Wendy's NDA.

Sal, why don't you give Orsel and I a moment?

[Sal] Mm-hmm.

[both chuckle softly]

You know, if you were trying to ruin my day,

you could've done it over the phone.

I'm not trying to ruin your day.

No, you're trying to ruin my life.

After all I've done for you.

I am very aware of what you and Dad have done for me.

But it's time I stand on my own.

I'm firing you and Dad as my management team.

Is that so?

And I don't wanna do this movie.

I'm sorry? And you're also not doing the movie?

No.

We feel that the script needs more specificity

and nuance, and we don't understand

the main character's motivations throughout.

And we think it needs another pass.

Who the fuck is we?

Me and Wendy.

[laughs]

So, you've been fucking this cradle-robbing cougar

for what, six months, and now she's gonna be your manager?

[Ozzie] Two years.

And, no...

she's gonna be my wife.

Ma, I'm in love with her.

And she doesn't treat me like a commodity. She treats me like a man.

She doesn't emasculate me the way that you do with me and Dad!

I don't deserve that.

And he certainly doesn't deserve it,

given all the years he's put up with your shit.

Well, look who's been colonized.

Let me ask you something.

Who was taking you to your auditions?

Going on international press tours,

giving up their jobs to be by your side?

That was your father and me.

And now you have the audacity to fix your mouth

and say we didn't love you?

This is and always has been a family business,

but if you want to kick us to the curb, do you.

[♪ dramatic music builds]

But before you put a ring on your cum-guzzling snow bunny...

there's something you should know.

-[Wendy] The fact that you believe her-- -[Ozzie] You're not denying it.

So, is it true? Is it fucking true, Wendy?

It doesn't matter what I say, because you're not listening to me.

-Do you even love me? -Of course, I fucking love you.

I'm destroying my entire life for you!

You think this shit is easy for me?

I am blowing up my whole family for you,

but you're just gonna run away like you always do!

Because you're always doing shit to sabotage this

and acting like a goddamn child!

Don't fucking talk to me like I'm some nigga off the street.

I'm Ozzie fuckin' Edwards, baby. Ozzie fucking Edwards!

You think I give a fuck who you are?

I'm not one of those Instagram bitches trying to slide into your DMs!

I know you.

And you're fucking delusional if you can't see

how far your parents are willing to go to manipulate you.

You know what? I'm done.

I love you.

But if you don't get your shit together, you're gonna lose me forever.

[Ozzie] Where the fuck are you going? Hey!

I'm not done with you!

Wendy!

♪♪

Hey, Jax? Jax, are you off to lunch?

Yeah. Yeah, I'll be right back.

Mind if I join you?

[Jax] Thank you for taking me to lunch, Bill.

I appreciate the gesture.

Wait, am I paying for this?

[both laugh]

The reason I wanted to take you to lunch today is because...

well... the truth is, I've admired your work for a long time.

And although we haven't crossed paths much with you in criminal

and me mostly in civil litigation--

I do civil as well.

Yes. And...

I just want to see where I stand with you,

given that I'm trying to make partner.

Hmm. Getting right to it, huh?

Well, I believe if you want something, ask.

Let them say no, or yes.

I agree. Look, you're on a solid track,

and it's great that you bill a lot of hours.

You just need more criminal case experience.

And that comes with time.

You've only been here for six years, so I'm curious.

What's the rush?

I...

just believe I deserve to be a partner with all of you.

I see.

Well, in due time, you will.

-Fair enough. -[Jax] Hmm.

Hey, you got a family?

-Yep. Married with two kids. -[Bill] Same.

But, uh, two boys and one girl.

-[Jax] Hmm. -And she is a piece of work.

[Jax] Ohh! [chuckles]

-Adorable. -Thank you.

Wow, and I did not know that your wife was Black.

[Bill] Yeah.

-How'd you two meet? -On Black Planet.

Oh.

I'm kidding.

-[both laugh] -I'm dead.

We met in law school.

Uh, she took some time off when the kids were young,

but now she's a lawyer for the city.

-Hmm. -Buildings and inspections.

God, I wish I had done that.

You know, that time with them is so precious,

and you don't get it back.

I'm just trying to cherish it before they become teenage assholes.

Oh, listen, you've got to,

because let me tell you, that shit is inevitable.

-No, please do not tell me that. -[Jax laughs]

Ugh.

Look, let's do this.

Let's eat lunch, get to know each other a bit,

and I promise I'll consider it.

-I'll take it. -[Jax] Hmm.

♪♪

So, Miss Holley is pleased

that you have finally decided to agree to settle.

However, the terms of the deal have changed.

We're now seeking $1.5 million and removal of the non-disparagement

and confidentiality clauses in the agreement.

A million and a half dollars?

Also, my client doesn't feel safe,

given you recently intimidated her while she was out on a date.

-Intim... Oh. -Are you serious?

Very.

It's clear that this is no longer about Jaden's death.

So, let's be honest.

Attorney to attorney, what is it going to take to end this?

You're dealing with a wounded woman, okay?

And on top of that, an angry one.

My feeling is what she really needs is closure.

[Jax] Hmm.

I'll be in touch.

[door opens, closes]

So, what should we do?

I, maybe, maybe I should just talk to her.

Without lawyers, just... human to human.

♪♪

Her name is Wendy Collins.

[officer] How long has she been missing?

Since yesterday.

These things usually resolve themselves.

No, you don't understand. She missed our shoot.

Look, trust me. My girl is missing.

Age, height, and build.

She's 34 years old, she's like a little bit taller than me,

and she's white.

Were you the last person to see her?

No. Her boyfriend was.

And when I called him, he said he don't know, and he don't care.

What's her boyfriend's name?

[Jerry] Ozzie Edwards!

[laughs] Oh!

Pow, pow. Gotcha.

Ah!

-Thanks for coming in, man. -Of course.

We appreciate it, really. We're gonna get you outta here quickly.

We just got a few questions for you, is all.

-[Vic] Do you need anything? -Cool.

-[Vic] Water? Soda? -Uh, no.

I'm good, but thank you.

-[Vic] Mm-hmm. -[Jerry] Of course, man.

Wendy's assistant told us about a tracker in her handbag.

We were able to locate her purse and phone.

Okay, that's great. Right?

Uh, well, not if they were both dumped on the side of the 91 Freeway.

Oh. Okay, that's weird,

but, I mean, Wendy does a lot of weird shit when she's mad.

Wendy was mad?

You guys have an argument the other night?

I bet you've had plenty of girlfriends, right?

Ah, girls are just throwing themselves at you.

Did she catch you with another girl or what?

There were no other women.

That wasn't even what we were fighting about.

Oh, so you guys did get into a fight.

That's why she needed to cool off, right?

Look, everyone has domestic issues.

Uh, just ask one of my ex-wives.

[laughs]

Fellas... it wasn't a big deal.

Okay, so then why didn't you report her missing?

[Ozzie] 'Cause she's not missing.

Look, she does this.

Gets mad over nothing and runs off to some hotel.

[Vic] Well, did you try to call her, find her?

No.

[Vic] So, you were at home all night?

Yeah.

Is there someone who can corroborate your whereabouts?

♪♪

I'm gonna stop talking now.

[cell phone buzzing]

Hello?

[Ozzie] [on phone] Jax, it's me, Ozzie Edwards.

[Jax] Everything okay?

[Ozzie] Remember when you said to call you if things got messy?

Well, now they're just...

They're just fucked.

♪♪

Thank you for coming.

Okay, so what memo did I not get?

I called him first.

And when he didn't answer, I called you.

You're the better option anyway.

[Jax] Hmm.

When's the last time you saw Wendy?

Last night.

We got into a fight.

Anyway, the cops called and asked if I could--

You talked to the cops? Alone? What did you tell them?

Just that Wendy ghosted me after we argued.

And I don't really remember.

Then they started, uh,

talking to me like I did something to her

and that I was their only person of interest.

Fuck.

[exhales]

Can you give us a minute?

Of course.

[Ozzie exhales deeply]

Look, if you're mad at me for calling him first,

I only called him because as a man, particularly a Black man,

I figured he'd be more empathetic.

I don't give a shit who you called first,

but I'm here now, okay?

And I'm not saying this to fight for the job

because I don't need to.

So, for the love of optics, as a Black male actor

whose white girlfriend is missing,

a Black female lawyer is who you need.

Now, have you tried calling Wendy to apologize or see where she is?

[Ozzie] No.

So, you haven't tried to find her?

The cops asked me the same thing.

-And what did you tell them? -The truth.

No, I didn't...

I haven't tried to find her.

[cell phone buzzing]

This is my dad. I have to... I have to take this.

[Corey] So, what do you think?

He done already fucked up and talked to the police.

He's actively not looking for his girlfriend.

A famous Black man and a missing white woman?

[scoffs]

If the police haven't gotten a search warrant for his place yet,

they will have one by the end of the week.

He was right. This shit is already a hot mess.

Sounds like he needs a lawyer.

And look who's right on time.

-[door opens] -Sadly, I might be too late.

Sorry about that.

So, what's the plan here?

Depends. Are you officially retaining me as your counsel?

-Yes. -Okay.

Then the plan is that you talk to no one, you go nowhere,

and I'm gonna figure out everything I can

about this investigation, including how you fit into it.

Is there anyone you trust that can stay here with you?

Um, yeah. My sister, Kristin.

Good. Call her.

Because I hate to say this, but it's only gonna get worse.

So, rest up.

♪♪

You know you love this shit.

Shut up.

[Daniel] Ozzie Edwards?

-Really? -Yes.

His girlfriend, Wendy, is missing.

And Ozzie just went and talked to the police.

Oh, hell, no. Wait, what did, what did he say?

Well, that's what I need you to find out.

Call your source at the LAPD.

-Do you think he hurt her? -I don't know yet.

I mean, he said they fought before she left.

And according to him, after they argue,

she usually lays low somewhere for a few days

and then comes back with a hangover and new filler.

-[scoffs] -I bet it's hyaluronic acid.

Well, hydration and volume, the combination is quite remarkable.

K beauty. If you don't know, you need to know.

Good to know.

Look to see if she checked into a, a nearby hotel or Airbnb,

some place exclusive and expensive.

Find missing white woman above Wilshire. Got it.

-[Jax] Hey, hey. -Hey.

[Jax] Thanks again for yesterday.

It was nice getting to know a colleague.

No, thank you.

The pleasure's all on this side of the desk.

Okay, that sounded weird once it came out of my mouth.

[Jax chuckles]

So, I have this new client, the actor Ozzie Edwards.

Oh, yes, I'm familiar.

His girlfriend is missing.

I have my investigator looking into it,

but maybe you'd like to help out.

It's not criminal but could be.

Hell, yeah.

I'll check the coroner's office for any Jane Does.

That way, we can tiptoe through the minefield

before they see us coming.

Okay, Bill. Welcome to the team.

[♪ "Mask Off" by Future playing]

♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪

♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪

♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪

♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪

♪ Percocets, molly, Percocets ♪

♪ Chase a check, never chase a bitch ♪

Wow. What, are you following me?

Can we talk? Please.

Just us.

Hollywood stylist Wendy Collins has been reported missing.

The LAPD has shared there is, in fact, a person of interest,

but that name has yet to be released.

Sources say Collins is the alleged girlfriend

of actor Ozzie Edwards,

best known for playing the role of Caleb Kensington,

the mischievous neighbor on the popular sitcom

My Cousins and Them.

♪♪

[screams]

♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪

-♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪

[Jax] Hey. Oh.

[chuckles]

Oh, I see you brought out the Maestro Dobel tequila.

That's the good shit.

Which means it's either very good news or very bad news.

Both.

-Talked to Toni. -[Jax] Hmm.

Let me guess. Toni went Toni.

Well, she said she'd drop the lawsuit.

But under one condition.

[Jax] Mm-hmm.

More money?

No.

She wants me to spend one night with her.

♪ Oh, Lord, rescue me ♪

[Jax] Fuck!

-♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪

-♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪

-♪ Percocets, molly, Percocets ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪

-♪ Chase a check, never chase a bitch ♪ -♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Don't chase no bitches ♪

-♪ Ford or Maybach, I drive anything ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪

-♪ Buy my Range, make 'em go insane ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪

♪ Oh, Lord, rescue me ♪

♪ My guillotine, drank promethazine ♪

♪ TEC and beams ♪

♪ Go to those extremes ♪

♪ Let's go, let's go ♪

♪ Parliament, calamari Wednesday ♪

♪ Parlay in Vegas ♪

-♪ We was in attendance ♪ -♪ Let's go, let's go ♪

-♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪

-♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪

-♪ Percocets, molly, Percocets ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪

-♪ Chase a check, never chase a bitch ♪ -♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪

♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪

♪ Mask on, fuck it, mask off ♪

♪ Gas gone, never nod off ♪

[♪ fanfare playing]