Original subtitles

Nicole. Perfect timing.

-Ted. -I just saw your mother

on CBS Mornings.

When did she decide to go public?

Well, since you are no longer part of the inner circle,

you don't get a play-by-play.

Inner circle? Funny.

When she needed an IV, I was the one the family called.

That was about expedience, not privilege.

Or maybe 'cause they know I wouldn't run my mouth.

Look, I'm not here to spar with you.

Truth is, I'm relieved that I don't have to whisper anymore.

-With whom? -Tyrell and Andre.

We were at the Wizards game, surrounded by

hundreds of prying ears.

We had to call Anita "Aunt May," so nobody caught on.

Like the Spider-Man character.

Yeah, Tyrell got a kick out of that one.

Mother didn't have much of a choice.

She had a dizzy spell at the club

and had people talking.

-Mm. -She wanted to control the story

before the story controlled her.

Hmm. Dehydration again, huh?

-Or worse? -She was fine when she got home.

Daddy's making sure that she adheres the doctor's orders.

-Reaction to chemo. -With every round,

it's taking longer and longer for her to bounce back.

I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier.

You were there for Mother when she...

when we needed you.

No problem.

Hope I didn't hold you up.

Actually, Ted, there is something

I want to discuss with you.

The anniversary of Laura's accident.

That's been on my mind, too.

How's Kat taking it?

Just about as well as you would expect.

I swear I will find a way to expose you

for the murderous snake you are.

I will make you pay

for what you did to Laura and my mother

if it's the last thing I do.

Still out here recycling grudges like last season's Prada bag?

Everybody's moved on, Kitty.

Even Teddy Weddy has certainly moved on.

And your mama?

Oh, oh, should I call her Naughty Nikki?

Okay, can we please not do this today?

Oh, yeah, that's right.

I hear all the hot goss.

Seems like Nikki is just entertaining herself, mm,

by sexing it up with not just one but two doctors.

Mention my mother again-- either one of you--

and see what happens.

You know, I was actually

going to offer little Nikki one of my wigs,

but it sounds like she prefers

to wear as little as possible when she's on the prowl. Rawr.

-She doesn't mean that. -Yeah, Eva's right.

Actually, I'm glad she finally

found her freak flag and let it fly, honey.

Now, maybe if she had done that sooner,

then Teddy wouldn't have been coming to me,

crawling and begging to play with a new pussycat.

-Mama, enough. -What?

No, baby girl, I am just getting warmed up.

♪ ♪

[phone dings]

"Running late. Be there soon."

I'm so glad you called.

It means a lot that

you carve time out for me while you're in town.

I wasn't about to send you a "we'll catch up soon" text.

I would have understood.

-You're slammed. -Nonsense.

I always have time for my old friends,

and some things deserve a face-to-face.

I need to lay my eyes on you myself, Smitty.

Make sure you're not drowning under all this pressure.

-Times have been better, but... -Mm.

Naomi! Hey.

-Hey, Smitty, -This is Naomi Hawthorne,

Martin's cousin.

Oh, this is the Naomi.

I have heard a good bit about you.

-You have? -Mm-hmm.

-I'm sorry, um, and you are? -Oh, Monica.

-Pleasure to make your acquaintance. -Yes.

Naomi, this is Dr. Monica McCormick.

She's a top oncologist at MD Anderson in Houston.

Wow, it is so nice to meet you.

How do you two know each other?

Oh, we met years ago, back when Martin and I were still dating.

-Yeah, it's been quite a while. -Oh.

I interviewed Monica

as an expert for one of my pieces,

and then, honestly,

she became a godsend ever since.

And now she's answering questions

that Martin and I didn't even know we had

regarding Anita's situation.

Please, I am not a superdoc.

I just am passionate about my work.

Yeah. Martin wanted to be here to thank you in person,

but the campaign had other plans.

-Oh. -[phone vibrates]

Oh, and that is him now.

Hey, babe, your ears burning?

Oh. Please excuse me.

Um...

Mind keeping me company until Smitty gets back?

Um, sure. I have some time before my client meeting.

Good.

Then I can say what I wanted to.

Okay.

I saw Mrs. Dupree's interview.

-Mm. -Um...

Your grandmother has always been a remarkable woman.

Her career, her good works.

But when she went public,

that took extraordinary strength and compassion.

Yeah. I just wish she didn't have to go through it.

Of course. Uh, but tell me, um,

if you don't mind my asking,

how are you holding up?

I'm fine.

Kat still hasn't laid off of it, huh?

Does she actually ever let go of anything?

The question is, is it more about her friend Laura

or her vendetta against Leslie?

And...

Well, everything that happened, yeah.

-Both. -Mm.

As strong as Laura looks now,

the person who tried to kill her never paid for it.

We have made peace with that.

Kat can't.

Even worse, it seems Eva and Leslie

have become lightning rods for our daughter.

Every fear, every insecurity, she hurls it all at them.

Some of it is misplaced,

but Kat is going through a rough time right now.

Her grandmother fighting cancer.

Chelsea halfway packed to Copenhagen

just to turn around and end up engaged.

-Mm-hmm. -ChelseaKat blowing up

faster than anybody expected.

Then both her parents having moved on to new relationships.

I am glad we are finally at a place

where we can talk like this.

You mean without knives being thrown?

I'm just grateful you, uh...

looped me in.

We will always be a team for our kids.

That's a bond that not even Leslie can break.

When you talk about my mother, we both know what you're doing.

-Standing on business. -Performing.

That's chapter one

in your Deflection for Dummies handbook.

LESLIE: Oh, you read it twice, huh?

You push my buttons, I go off,

and then all of a sudden

people forget you're a homicidal maniac.

News flash, Miss Priss.

The cops took a real hard look at me

and they came up emptier than your so-called style.

That's because your hood-rat helper

disposed the evidence before they could find it.

Okay, the back and forth is pointless, guys.

I can't wait for the day

karma drags you by your wig du jour

and serves you exactly what you deserve.

You'll be old, gray and saggy before that day comes, honey.

Bet on it.

-What's up, Kat? -I warned you.

And when it blows up in your face,

don't come crying to me.

Well, this is a pleasant surprise--

getting together twice in a day.

I'm glad you could do coffee.

I hated cutting things short earlier, but duty called.

Real estate client?

Uh, if the "real estate" is six foot, two,

broad-shouldered and renting by the hour.

Ooh, the service.

One of my important clients had a crisis.

Needed a date to a big premiere.

The ballet?

-I saw it was opening tonight. -Mm.

Several of my employees will be gracing

that prestigious event with their presence.

Somebody's been busy.

Apparently, the demand is sky high

for men who can rock a tux

and hold a halfway decent conversation

with DC's blue bloods.

Heart Attach.

Perfect company, perfectly dressed.

That could be your new slogan.

I might have to steal that.

But I didn't invite you to brainstorm branding.

Tell me you took my advice. That you ditched the guilt,

shame and all the nonsense that's been holding you back.

I did.

Your words really stuck with me, believe it or not.

Good. Because you, Nicole,

deserve a sex life that is full and unapologetic,

and the right to date whomever you damn well please.

I'm letting go.

Letting myself embrace this newfound freedom.

It feels intoxicating.

This is your story.

You hold the pen, not Carlton or Kial.

Generally speaking, yes,

but there has been a plot twist,

one I definitely didn't see coming.

What did I just walk into?

Same story, different day.

Kat came in hot, Mama fanned the flames.

You know how she feels about us.

Boy, don't you worry your pretty little forehead.

That's just Eva's sister being all hardheaded

and then inserting her scrawny little behind

into business affairs that don't concern her.

Okay, You're one to talk.

With y'all, there's never a dull moment, that's for sure.

Facts, honey, we are the show.

Hell, we are the best thing

that ever happened to this dry-ass borefest

-that they call a community. -Your mama is wild.

And protective.

Which is why I'm glad that we are having

this little sit-down today.

Mama bear to Eva's boo.

Thanks for coming, coz.

Trust me, I'd rather be here

than back there with those two criminals.

It's maddening.

Leslie and Eva shredding around

like they own the damn place.

How they're not in orange jumpsuits right now

is beyond me.

Chels?

I was listening.

-Were you? -Yeah.

And I know you don't want to hear this,

but, girl, you have got to exhale.

You're holding on to all this anger and it is not cute.

You think Leslie is the least bit bothered by you?

No. She's not even giving you a second thought.

There was a moment there where she...

You're right. I know. It's just that...

Never mind.

Well, what did you want to run by me?

If it's about the shipping delay or the sponsor deal--

Oh, no, this isn't about business.

We can do that later. This is personal.

Your personal preferences

on cold weather silhouettes for winter?

The wedding.

Oh. Uh, I didn't realize you and Madison had set a date.

Well, we haven't, but there's so much to do.

And if we really want this place...

I mean, it just works, right?

But the thing is, we have got to book it a year in advance.

So, what do you think?

Uh, with the day I'm having, I'm not really in the mood

to discuss your happily ever after.

Okay.

There. No more distractions.

You have my full attention.

But you don't want to hear about "she who must not be named."

We can talk about whatever you want.

Well, actually, I do have something

you might be interested in.

-Oh, yeah? -I'm moving out.

From the time I was five,

while other kids were playing house,

I was playing hospital.

My dolls had charts, symptoms, treatment plans.

I was writing those two little letters

after my name, "MD," when I was still in crayons.

Wow.

You know, I totally relate.

I've always wanted to be a lawyer,

-just like my dad. -Mm.

And it never felt optional. More inevitable.

Exactly.

So, when did you know that oncology was your lane?

-Med school. -Mm.

We'd rotate through... through specialties, and...

Every time I saw cancer patients,

they were never suffering alone in their pain.

It was a mother holding her son's hand

and a husband pretending not to cry.

A daughter breaking down in the hallway.

And it just clicked for me.

If I could just do a tiny bit to tip the scales

and hand them hope in the middle of that nightmare,

I had to.

I really admire that.

But doesn't it... doesn't it take a toll?

Never gets easy to lose a patient,

but then you get to tell someone they're in remission.

Or, better yet, cancer free.

And, Naomi, to watch their whole world brighten up

makes it all worthwhile.

I pray that Gran will hear those words one day.

Mm-hmm.

After all of this, after everything she's endured.

That is a good prayer to hold on to.

And not just for your grandmother,

but for others dealing with that ripple effect.

When I asked you earlier, Naomi, I was not trying to pry.

I just know how brutal it is

to watch someone you love suffer.

And with breast cancer,

especially with, of course, with daughters and granddaughters,

you start wondering if fate is coming for you, too.

-It's crossed my mind. -And that's normal.

Anger, fear, guilt.

Whatever you are feeling, it's okay.

Thank you for saying that.

[clears throat]

You know, lately...

I feel like my feelings have been spilling everywhere.

I'm the logical one,

-the strong one, you know? -Mm-hmm.

Those feelings are gonna keep happening,

so you better prepare for it.

-How? -Find a place to put them.

A safe space, a person you trust.

And if you don't have that right now, you can use me.

Whatever you say stays here.

-I might take you up on that. -Oh, well,

let me beam you my information.

Find my...

SMITTY: Sorry about that.

What did I miss?

I did have a very happy Galentine's Day.

Of course you did.

But I did end up spending the entire evening

texting both Carlton and Kial.

Keeping the fires burning and options open.

Love it.

Last time I saw Carlton, I invited him to the theater,

thought it would be nice.

He turned me down, said he already saw the play.

I had the feeling that he didn't see it alone.

Ooh. And that's a problem?

Carlton is allowed to see whomever he wants, but...

I was surprisingly disappointed.

And then I spent the entire time wondering who else is he seeing?

Translation: you like being shared

but don't want to do the sharing.

Apparently not.

So are you willing to give up Kial

-to be with Carlton? -Oh, definitely not.

But you're clearly not ready to give up Carlton, either.

And I'm not ready to commit to anything more than he wants.

And I know that means he might move on.

I want them both.

I want all the fun.

Mama, this coffee date was for Isaiah to come see me,

not to get grilled like a witness on the stand.

Child, ain't nobody trying to grill nobody.

All right?

Especially since this hot young thing

seems cooked all the way through and ready to eat.

Okay, look, I-I just want to say

how beautiful it is that you two have so much in common.

I mean, all three of us, really.

All three of us?

IZAIAH: I'm gonna regret asking this,

but what exactly are we talking about?

I know how rough it has been

and the things that you've been through with your family.

Okay? But...

Lord knows I'm not one to judge.

And I don't know the details, nor do I need to know.

But what I see in front of me is a respectable

and well-mannered young man.

Yeah. Yeah, it wasn't easy.

-Things could have went left. -Yeah, but they didn't, okay?

And you worked hard to improve yourself, Izaiah,

and it shows.

Look at us.

Living proof that reinvention, honey, is possible.

Hmm? Me?

Well, the leading light of Fairmont Crest

and getting my Oprah on by funding my brand-new clinic.

What?

Eva running her father's illustrious office.

And you...

shaping the next generation of Banneker men and women.

Hmm?

But most important

is that you treat my baby girl right.

And I expect you to keep it that way.

-Mm. Absolutely. -Mm.

Eva's very special to me.

Mm... Finally, a man who isn't afraid of commitment.

Okay. Thank you, Mama. I think we got it from here.

Mm. I am sure you do, baby girl.

EVA: Mm-hmm.

And I want you two lovebirds

to enjoy the rest of your date.

Okay?

Aw, you're so cute.

Have fun.

Ooh, boy, just a little finger exercise there.

Don't mind me.

Bye.

Ciao.

Okay.

Yeah, I think I'm gonna need something

a little stronger than coffee.

Okay, beers are on me.

Unless you want to bolt, like Kat suggested.

After when my mother just put you through,

nobody would blame you.

Never.

So, Martin swears he will never try chitlins again.

He said...

he said his stomach still hasn't forgiven him,

but the crowd couldn't stop laughing.

Oh, that is Martin for you.

Doubled over and queasy and he's spinning it for optics.

That man is a politician to his core.

And yet, beyond all of the flash,

he has a husband at home,

counting down the minutes until he gets back.

Is it that obvious?

MONICA: Mm-hmm.

Oh, uh, that is my client.

I am so glad Smitty introduced us.

Likewise. Don't be a stranger.

Take care.

-Bye, Smitty. -Bye.

Hey. Talk to me, Smitty.

Why are you looking at that woman

like she's standing on the edge of a cliff?

Naomi is carrying a lot these days.

Aside from the obvious, she and her husband

are under crazy pressure at work,

and he...

He's not around a lot these days.

That's rough.

Not having her partner around when all of this is going on.

Sorry if I seemed distracted before,

but don't you think you're doing the most right now?

This is not about me being overdramatic.

This is about me being realistic.

I am not trying to be that roommate

who overstayed her welcome.

-That's not what's happening. -Not yet.

But let's not play dumb.

You and Madison are engaged.

And that ring didn't come with a plus-one for me.

And as thrilling as it sounds

to be a permanent third wheel, I'm good.

You're acting like Madison and I are

turning our place into Married at First Sight.

Nothing's changing, at least not yet.

See?

You keep saying nothing's changing,

but let's be real: it already has.

Like what?

Like you blindsiding me with Copenhagen, for starters.

Okay, but we're not going, and you know that.

That is so not the point, Chels.

It was how you did it. Out of the blue!

No heads-up. No conversation

about how it would torpedo ChelseaKat's momentum.

Just a casual "I'm out." End of story.

So that's what this is really about.

You're not moving out. You're punishing me.

I am so sorry.

For my mom, for the circus,

for the way she sucks all of the air

out of the room.

Thought that's what these were for.

Nah, the beer is a palate cleanser.

This is the real apology.

Look, does it look like I'm tripping?

You never need to apologize for your mom.

-Not to me. -You say that now,

but wait until you hear how she pulled up on your dad

and try to use our relationship like a coupon

she can just cash in for a favor.

Maybe she'll get more out of him than I ever did.

That's so sad.

Now that Ted's in my life,

I can't imagine not talking to him.

It is what it is.

[chuckles]

What's so funny?

It just hit me.

Look, I get next to nothing from my pops.

You get way too much from your mama.

Maybe that's why we meet so well in the middle.

Oh.

Dana.

What's wrong, Teddy?

Isn't it obvious?

Let me guess.

You were hoping for Nosy Nurse?

Or Naughty Nicky?

Hard to know with your ex

putting all that sex appeal on display,

letting everybody know

that she is wide open for business.

Your little digs, Dana,

the lines you think are so clever--

they're tired.

And I don't have time for games.

Then you better squeeze me in.

You know damn well I am not going anywhere

or leaving a room until I've had my say.

Yeah, then spit it out.

-But if this is about Kat-- -Oh!

Lord have mercy, that little pest.

She just itches my butt.

Do you know...

that if somebody isn't spending five seconds

listening to her mess,

she could be shouting my name to the heavens,

and it wouldn't matter because she still means less to me

than some lint in my pocket.

That's my daughter you're talking about,

so watch your mouth.

Relax, Daddy of the Year. All right?

It's your other daughter that is more important to me right now.

Eva. What about her?

Well, she's too proud to tell you herself,

but... she needs her father.

I don't want you feeling like you got to keep up

appearances with me. Okay? I want to know all of you.

The good, the messy.

Shoot, even the stuff you think will scare me off.

Careful, Drake.

You ain't ready for all these feelings.

Might be more than what you bargained for.

Try me. I'm here for it.

I'll keep it a buck with you, too.

A little mystery isn't so bad.

Keeps things interesting.

I mean, if we're talking about movies to watch or gifts,

but we can't have something real

if either of us is holding back secrets.

EVA: I need to know

what I was a part of.

I need to know if you put that girl in that hospital

and then try to keep her there.

I did it for us, baby.

Because no one in this life

would have done it for us.

Eva, you good?

Is Eva all right?

"All right" is relative.

Dana, the games.

Okay, okay, she's fine. All right?

But she could use a little more paternal attention.

Or rather, so could her boo.

So, Eva and Izaiah are getting very serious.

And I'll admit, you know, it warms my heart.

Mm. That boy is foine!

And he's just tall and handsome,

and he's got that smolder thing on lock.

-You know, it's like an art. -Again.

-The point is, Dana? -Okay.

How much do you, her father, know about him?

I know Naomi is married to his brother.

-But outside of that-- -Nada.

Zilch.

Okay, so what I need you to do is learn everything you can.

All right? Take him out. Shoot some hoops.

Talk about cars.

Whatever it is you men do to sniff each other out.

Just-just please bond with your future son-in-law.

Okay, you're jumping too far ahead.

A mama knows.

And even if I'm wrong-- which I'm not--

I mean, don't you want to be more on top of this?

I j-- Don't you want to know

who your daughter's investing in her heart in?

I'll reach out.

So are you saying that because

you, uh, actually will?

Or because you want me out of your office?

Both.

So tell me, do you feel Carlton's been pulling back?

I'm not getting that impression.

I just feel like he is not as available as he once was.

That's easy, then.

Convince him that you're the priority.

-How? -Remind him

why he makes time for you.

Put a little extra effort into your next date.

-I can do that. -And if you really want to

go for the gold, I have a leather corset and a blindfold.

It will leave him begging for more.

I think I will pass. Thank you.

I think I know Carlton well enough

that I can plan something special without your props.

That's the spirit. Mm.

Speaking of priorities, I've got an appointment.

Another client in desperate need of companionship?

Well, this one's actual real estate.

For Kat.

Oh.

She didn't mention anything to me about moving.

Guess she wanted to keep things quiet.

She didn't tell me why she's looking for a place,

but I'm about to find out.

-Bye, baby. -Bye.

I thought we were past Copenhagen-gate,

but clearly you're still pressed about it.

You couldn't be more wrong. I am not that petty.

Okay, maybe I can be,

but not right now.

I don't resent you or Madison,

who, by the way, is fantastic.

What I resent is you pretending like your life

isn't swerving into a whole new lane.

Kat, I'm not trying to fight with you.

Madison may be my number one girl,

but you're still my number one cousin,

my partner, my ride or die.

I'm not ready for you to just bounce.

That's just it.

Why is it okay for you to level up,

but I'm expected to stay stuck in the same place?

You're not stuck.

You're in love with Tomas.

It's not the same!

Especially when I'd be a party of one.

W... Wait.

You're not moving in with him?

That was the plan, but...

No way. He turned you down?

Plot twist. I know.

He said that I was right before,

that we aren't ready.

It just feels like my life is

one step forward, two steps back.

Well, if you're not gonna be with him,

then why leave?

Unless...

Unless it's too hard for you to be around me and Madison.

-I am not jealous. -I didn't say you were.

I'm just...

asking if maybe with where you and Tomas are

and where Madison and I are, if it's too hard for you...

Wow, Chels.

You really have some nerve.

Promise you'll stay in touch.

I will.

Hey, is your meeting finished?

Finished enough.

My client's still camped out with a martini,

but I didn't feel like joining in.

Although maybe I should have.

-How are you, really? -I'm managing.

It's what Duprees do, right?

Right.

I should get going.

I hope I didn't upset you. Okay?

I-I don't want it to seem like I'm accusing you of something.

No, you didn't. It's just, you keep

pushing this whole "getting real" thing.

It makes me wonder if this is really about me

or if this is ghosts from your past.

You could say that.

Yeah, my ex did keep a lot of things from me.

And I would ask and she'd avoid and then get emotional about it,

so I just stopped asking.

And called myself giving her space and more space

until we just kind of evaporated.

That's why I'd rather face the ugly truth straight-up

than get blindsided by a lie.

And we've been honest from jump.

You know, I just want to keep it that way.

Well, if we're being honest...

You're the best guy I've ever been with.

See? How easy was that?

Mm.

[phone vibrates]

Oh.

Hey, Dad. What's up?

Hey.

Uh, I was hoping you could send me Izaiah's number.

Well, I guess, sure,

but he's sitting right here next to me.

Oh, even better, uh...

put him on.

Uh, good afternoon, Dr. Richardson.

Izaiah, I'd like to meet with you tomorrow.

Does that work with your schedule?

Yeah.

-Yeah, I can make that work. -Excellent.

I'll send Eva the details. All right?

See you then.

Hi, honey.

I hope you are feeling better than you were earlier.

I hear that you are looking for a new place.

Is there news that you would like to share with me

about you and Tomas?

Give me a call back when you can.

Well, well, well.

Mm.

I got to hand it to you.

Not a trace of Naughty Nicky in sight.

Excuse me?

Your alter ego. Yeah.

Everyone thinks that you're Wonder Woman,

saving the wounded and broken.

But me? I see Catwoman.

All claws and leather, slinking through the night.

I have no interest in how you see me.

Ah, but, you know,

it's funny, though, how everyone at Fairmont Crest

thinks that you are the do-gooder shrink,

when actually, you're a spicy seductress.

And here, all this time, girl, I thought

I was the mistress of disguises.

Hmm. You don't have to worry.

You haven't been unseated.

You are still the reigning queen of costume drama.

Today's look just happens to be "upstanding citizen."

But don't worry. Nobody believes that act.

You will always be the despised queen of the deranged.

As a psychiatrist,

shouldn't you know better

than to joke about mental health, Nikki?

Take it up with Naughty Nikki.

She's the one that said it.

Mm.

Do you hear yourself right now?

All this defensiveness is giving guilty.

Or maybe your ego's so overinflated

you think any girl who doesn't have

a diamond on her finger must feel depressed or deprived.

Wow, Kat.

All I wanted was for us to be real with each other.

Okay, Chels, let's be real.

Did it ever cross your mind

that maybe I just wanted some damn space?

[Vanessa clears throat]

Hello.

Sorry to interrupt. Kat, do you want to reschedule?

-Absolutely not. -Reschedule what?

I made an appointment with Vanessa.

She's showing me some condos.

-Already? -Why not?

I found one that I'm really excited about.

I would have asked you to come,

but you were too busy crapping on my life.

You need to check yourself, coz.

Right back at you.

I'd like to see more than one, just in case.

-I do have a few lined up. -KAT: Great.

Are there any available immediately?

Some, yes.

Perfect. Because I'm moving the hell out,

as soon as possible.

Can't happen soon enough for me.

-Bye. Bye. -Bye, Vanessa.

Think you're ready to start trying for a baby again?

"Nikki" came out last time

you goaded me to put my hands on you.

You do remember how that ended.

ANITA: I might not win my battle with cancer.

I don't know if I'm gonna be able to handle this.

[singsongy]: Happy anniversary!

I would be remiss if I didn't do something

to commemorate this very notable occasion.

I don't know what you're implying.

Remember, Mama,

you taught me everything I know about revenge.

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