Original subtitles

Titus, if you can bring the car around,

I'll be out shortly.

Okay. Thank you.

You're up and at 'em bright and early.

Why didn't you wake me up before you came downstairs?

Because as draining as this whole ordeal has been,

I've recognized that it's...

hasn't just taken its toll on me.

You haven't slept in weeks,

and all this pacing and worrying.

It's throwing off your circadian rhythms.

As soon as I can make love to my beautiful wife again,

it'll fix my...

circadian rhythms and everything else.

-Believe you me. -[laughing]

Vernon Dupree, you are incorrigible...

-Mm-hmm. -...and insatiable.

Oh, and you...

look like you are going somewhere.

Dr. Bauer's office.

Oh, hey, I...

I thought your appointment wasn't for a while.

I called this morning and see if we could move it up.

They had a cancellation, so I took it.

Any new side effects?

-It isn't dizzy spells, is it? -No.

No new side effects, no dizzy spells.

I'm just impatient.

I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired,

and the sooner I know what's next,

the sooner I can start my life again.

Big day coming up. How are you feeling?

Excited, nervous, scared?

All of the above,

plus me internally screaming "Run."

[laughs] That sounds about right.

I remember the cocktail of emotions all too well.

I've seen the old pics, Grandma.

You looked like you owned that ballroom.

Oh, honey, you can't tell by the photos, but I was terrified.

Really?

There were photographers and reporters--

Ebonymagazine, Jet, Town & Country.

The whispers, the hype, the eyes.

Ugh. There were so many eyes,

all watching to see if I measured up.

And if you fumbled your speech

or tripped in front of all of Barrington County,

you would have shamed the family name?

My family would have loved me nonetheless.

Besides, you won't have that problem.

Yeah, because everyone's already expecting me to mess up,

since I'm not really a Dupree.

I don't want to hear you talk like that.

Being a Dupree is not about blood.

It's about the heart behind it, which you have in spades.

I actually heard from Imogene last night, the cotillion chair.

About me messing up my interview during rehearsals?

That's what rehearsals are for.

No. About how you've been helping the girls

with their walks.

I just gave Jada some posing pointers

that I learned from Chelsea.

Most girls would spend cotillion week competing.

You are building a community.

How you make people feel

will outshine always a flawless curtsy.

And there is no chance

that you are going to shame this family.

Not when you already show everybody

exactly what this family stands for.

ANASTASIA: Hi, Shiloh.

We'd like a table for two please.

♪ ♪

Well, top of the morn to you, too.

-You're in a good mood. -Hmm.

Par for the course when one of my babies is in town.

When it's the one

who's not constantly furious with me anyway.

-So Donnell made it in? -Mm-hmm.

My heart's already lighter

just knowing he's under my roof, however briefly.

Well, I'm happy you can spend some time together.

Not as much as I'd like.

He'll be super busy with the cotillion.

Still, I can't wait to see my handsome son

and Samantha Richardson-Smith, dressed to the nines

and waltzing across that ballroom floor.

He will be every bit as striking as Dou...

It's all right, Vanessa.

It'd be strange if you weren't thinking about Doug today.

Of course, Doug doted on Deanna when she debuted.

But none of us expected the kick he got

out of helping Donnell prepare for the role of escort.

He made a whole production out of it,

giving his tux the final once-over,

checking cuff links, the pocket square,

even the shine on Donnell's shoes.

He called it sharpening his prince.

I looked everywhere for those cuff links.

I-I couldn't find them.

Now that Donnell doesn't have his dad,

I hoped that I could just give him...

He still has you.

And as someone whose mother is no longer in the picture,

believe me, that counts for something.

I suppose so.

I assume you won't be in attendance

since you'd rather wrestle alligators in the Potomac

than mingle with DMV society.

I knew that's why I liked you.

You get me.

I sure do.

I had a turkey wrap to go.

Oh, hell.

Well, look what the Lord dragged in.

Mona. Hey.

Tell me, does your big bad boss know

one of his so-called tough guys hides behind menus

when he sees a harmless church lady?

[chuckles] Sister Wilson, you and I both know

ain't nothing harmless about you.

-Is that right? -Woman, you put

the fear of God in me every time I see you.

That isn't me.

More like a guilty conscience telling you

to get your life together.

You're probably right.

I better... pick up my turkey wrap to go.

I got to get my day started.

Mona, wait.

-Yes? -You serious?

Turkey wrap?

Don't knock it till you try it.

Well, since you are hyping up

this holy wrap like it's the Second Coming,

why don't you let me, uh, taste what all the fuss is about?

-Randy Parker? -Mm-hmm.

Are you asking me to stay and break my fast with you?

Why rush back into doctor's visits

when you've only just finished chemo?

Baby, do I need you to remind me of that?

I still have the port, I still have nausea.

I still have sores in my mouth.

Believe me, my body has all the receipts.

It's my place to remind you to take care of yourself.

And this is how.

By kicking cancer out of the driver's seat

so I can take the wheel back.

Because if I've learned nothing else from this battle,

it's that no one is promised tomorrow.

So I don't want to wait two more weeks

or two more seconds.

I am ready to close this chapter of my life,

our lives, today.

-Are you coming? -Yes, ma'am.

I know people think cotillions are silly

and antiquated and elitist.

You left out pretentious, stuffy and snobbish.

I like to think they teach young women skills

that are severely lacking in today's society.

Such as?

Class, manners,

how to treat one another with respect.

How to treat yourself like you're someone

who belongs in this world.

And the importance of giving back,

because privilege without purpose is nothing more

than vanity dressed up in pearls.

All lessons that could be taught at home.

You ever hear, "It takes a village"?

Coming-of-age can be such a challenging time,

especially with this world constantly telling young people

they're never enough.

Cotillion gives them one shining moment

to be at the center of their universe and be seen as special.

Well, if you put it like that,

I guess there is some dignity to it.

Deanna was positively radiant

when she was crowned Platinum Deb.

I was kind of counting on her being here

to watch Donnell escort Samantha,

but she's again not returning my calls.

Well, I suppose I have some part to play in that.

Don't blame yourself.

It's just one more facet of who she's been

since Doug died so unexpectedly.

I hope in time my daughter can find peace and acceptance.

I want that for you, too.

More than you know.

How are you, Francesca?

Very well, Dr. Richardson.

Chessy, dear heart, it's Dr. Dupree now.

Our Nicole is...

-[whispering]: divorced. -Oh.

Yes, I am divorced,

something your grandmother knows quite a bit about.

How many times have we been married, Anastasia?

Five? Six?

Oh, who's counting?

NICOLE: No doubt your divorce attorney.

I'm sure he loves the billable hours.

You know, Nicole,

I really admire you.

Thank you.

ANASTASIA: I was referring to the way

you picked up the pieces of your shattered life

after discovering your husband's extracurricular offspring

during such a garish public display.

And now, to have to face life alone

while that dreadful Leslie woman

and the child she bore your husband claim membership

to this very club.

My heart simply... aches for you.

You know what, Anastasia?

Are you hyped about cotillion, Francesca?

You know it.

Same.

-It's going to be wild. -Mm.

Wild indeed, dear.

A maelstrom of utter embarrassment.

To think, Orphan Annie will be sharing the stage

with young women who actually

-deserve to be there. -[mouthing]

But not to worry.

My Chessy will bring grace and poise back to the event

once she is crowned Platinum Deb.

Come along, Chessy.

Coming, Glamma.

Grandma, where are you going?

To set Chessy's big-mouth glamma straight on a few things.

You wait here.

-Did you forget something? -No, Anastasia.

You have. Your manners.

But I'm here to remind you.

Chessy, dear heart,

why don't you run off and check your lip gloss

while your glamma and I finish our conversation?

It is one thing if you come for me or Dani or even my mother.

We are grown women,

and we have had years to grow accustomed

to your particular brand of rudeness.

But if you speak to or about my granddaughter in that manner...

Or what exactly?

I will lose every ounce of self-restraint I possess

and give you the comeuppance that you have been begging for.

Are we clear?

My, this is fascinating.

All this righteous fury

on behalf of two strays your son dragged home.

I mean, really, Nicole?

How dare you, Anastasia.

Tyrell and Samantha are family in every sense of the word.

Well, you may gather them into the Dupree bosom

as tightly as you wish,

but it won't rewrite their origins.

Not when their mother is a barely recovering drug addict

who was living under an overpass not long ago.

Do you hear yourself, Nicole?

June has turned her life around.

To what?

Slinging hash at that artery-clogging diner?

How very working class.

But that is the stock your Samantha comes from.

You don't honestly believe that a child born to that

should represent the Barrington County Debutante Society?

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with girls like Chessy?

[scoffs] It's just so-- ugh-- unseemly.

Forgive me for saying this,

but this is definitely more pleasant

than our last encounter.

You mean when I tried to knock some sense into your head

after catching you behaving indecently in public?

Come on now. I was just cleaning some ketchup

off this woman's finger.

With your mouth.

Disgusting.

Come on now. I'm sure you've done it before.

Well, what I do in private is none of your business,

but when you shamelessly, publicly...

Although I guess

ketchup removal is pretty low on the list

of indecent things you've done in your life.

You tell no lies.

You really are a mess.

I am. [laughs]

I will continue to bring my hands together

in prayer for you.

Or...

...I can think of a few things

you can bring these hands together for.

MONA: Have you lost your mind?

I'm a woman of substance, Randy Parker,

and you will treat me as such.

All right, my bad.

I just thought we were vibing.

You thought wrong.

Besides, I doubt

Little Miss Sticky Fingers would appreciate

you propositioning another woman.

You ain't got to worry about her.

She's out of the picture.

-Out of the picture as in...? -Gone.

For good.

I don't want to be some emotional mess around you.

Well, that's what partners do.

Rely on each other in the face of family drama.

I'm glad to hear you say that.

What's this?

I did some digging.

Called in a few favors with a realtor friend of mine

who has access to property databases

across multiple states.

Found a few homes your sister bought and sold over the years.

Unfortunately, the last sale was some time ago,

but it's a good place to start looking.

-Stop. -What?

I didn't ask you to look for Heather.

-I just thought that... -No, don't insert yourself

into my affairs like it's your inherent right.

-I asked you not to do that. -We are together, Joey.

I... This is what people do when they care about one another.

No, this is what you do when you think you know

what's best for everyone.

And you want to try and fix my life

so you feel less guilty about your own.

What did you just say to me?

You heard me.

Hmm.

Vanessa, wait.

I need to go see my family,

since you clearly have a problem with anyone

who tries to help you reconnect with yours.

[door closes]

I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.

ANITA: Not at all.

Thanks for fitting us in, Dr. Bauer.

Ah, I can't tell you how eager my wife is

to finalize where we go from here.

DR. BAUER: Of course.

We'll get into all of that,

but first, how are you feeling this morning?

Same old, same old.

I'm used to the side effects by this point, but knowing

that the chemo's finally behind me makes it all...

more bearable.

It's a major milestone.

You've done the hard part.

Now let's talk next steps.

Since you've completed chemo, we want to schedule new imaging.

Mammogram, ultrasound, maybe a breast MRI.

That'll help us measure what's left of the tumor.

My hair. When will that start growing back?

It usually takes three to four weeks

before patients start to see regrowth.

However, it might take a while before it's full again,

sometimes even a couple of years.

And the texture and color might change.

However it grows back,

you'll still be the most ravishing woman in any room.

-Thank you, sweetheart. -Mm-hmm.

So after this new imaging?

Surgery to remove the tumor.

During our visit before,

you said that a lumpectomy was an option,

instead of mastectomy.

That's correct.

Historically, the standard treatment

for BRCA-positive cancers has been double mastectomy.

Removing both breasts.

There have been more recent studies, however,

that demonstrates the patient can opt for breast conservation,

as long as they undergo postoperative radiation therapy

and close surveillance.

Well, that would be good news.

Given that you have a BRCA mutation,

a bilateral mastectomy generally

would be the strongest recommendation.

This approach reduces the risk of recurrence

and addresses the concern

of the cancer arising in the other breast.

Then there is the option

of removing your ovaries and fallopian tubes.

That can lower the risk of ovarian cancer,

which is difficult to detect early.

Well, that's overwhelming

and, uh, a bit disheartening.

You presented another possibility.

The lumpectomy.

That's still a viable option for you, Mrs. Dupree,

due to two very important factors,

and both have to do with timing.

You going to tell me what happened

to your little lady friend?

Ain't nothing to tell.

And I'd rather not get into all that.

So she ghosted you.

I could have called that from a mile away.

Is that a fact? Just like that, huh?

I'm an excellent judge of character, Randy.

-Well, usually. -Hmm.

One person got over on me.

Leslie Thomas?

Oh, don't trip about that.

That she-devil could sell snow to a snowman.

Yeah, well, fool me once, shame on you.

Fool me twice?

You better have damn good health insurance.

[both laughing]

Folk think forgiveness means foolishness.

Not me.

The Lord said, love thy neighbor.

He didn't say let them rob you blind twice.

You know you talk real tough for a church lady.

But if you are such a good judge of character,

why are you sitting here with a roughneck like me?

Hmm?

I've been asking myself the same question.

Maybe I see something in you that's worth my time.

♪ ♪

How did you know one of your hugs was exactly what I needed?

Because I know you,

and I can tell when something's up.

Sit down.

-Oh. -Talk to me.

It's nothing I can't handle.

I want to talk about you.

-How's Banneker? -Uh,

almost done with the semester, but can't wait for break.

Have you been studying hard for finals?

Yes, Mom. You don't have to worry about that.

Good. You know your mother does anyway.

How's your sister?

Deanna's cool.

Uh, she's socializing more.

Uh, uh, no major blowups.

I'm glad.

I was hoping she'd come with you for the cotillion.

But I get it.

The memories of her own debut,

dancing with your father-- that night was special for her.

And I know being on the outs with me

over Joey probably doesn't help.

We were doing so good, Mom.

Then let's continue.

I said I was done putting you in the middle

of your sister and me, and I meant it. I just...

What's wrong?

This is about Deanna?

-[door opens] -Then it's Joey?

I don't recall inviting you to sit.

That's because I didn't wait for an invitation.

-This is my family's club. -There it is.

That patented brand of Dupree entitlement.

You think your last name gives you the right

to do whatever you want,

including tainting our sacred events

by dragging in riffraff.

This conversation stopped being about cotillions

and debutantes the second you opened your poisonous mouth

to spew your classist garbage.

June and Samantha have more class in their pinkies

than you have in your entire dried-up, hate-filled body.

Oh, give it a rest.

Your granddaughter is the garbage,

and everyone here in this club knows it.

They're just too polite to say it to your face.

Go to hell, Anastasia.

Timing is everything when choosing a treatment option.

Beginning with detection?

Yes, in this case,

we caught this at a very early stage.

Imaging shows the tumor is small and localized.

Also, your earlier scan showed a good response to chemotherapy.

That doesn't happen for everyone,

even with early detection.

It gives us confidence

that you would have more treatment options available

should you ever need them in the future.

So that would allow us to proceed with the lumpectomy?

Exactly.

Can you explain each process?

A mastectomy is major surgery.

Two to three hours under anesthesia for each side,

longer if you decide on reconstruction.

-Plastic surgery? -If that's what you prefer, yes.

And the lumpectomy?

A lumpectomy removes only the tumor

and a small amount of tissue around it.

The operation takes one to two hours,

and recovery is relatively quick.

Although radiation therapy afterwards is standard.

That's much shorter.

That means more treatments.

It's nothing like chemo.

You'll be able to keep your daily routine.

Work, run errands,

even a spin class if you're up to it.

Yeah. You said there was a second factor.

DR. BAUER: Age.

When the patients are younger,

many of them want the more aggressive approach.

VERNON: That makes sense.

They're looking at 40 or more years,

where the cancer could come back or something else could show up.

Still, surgery is based

on how fit the individual is for surgery,

not necessarily age.

That said, patient preference is always a factor.

If you think you need some more time to think about it?

Four-hour chemo sessions gave me plenty of time

to stare down my life, Dr. Bauer.

I know what I'm going to do.

I've had a lot of surprises during this process.

Things that I would have bounced back from 20 years ago?

[scoffs] Not so much.

And the things you... never expect to go wrong,

somehow they do.

So, considering... the odds of recurrence

and the length of the surgery,

the time for recovery,

considering all of that...

Dr. Bauer?

I am going to opt for the less invasive surgery,

the lumpectomy.

So what's the plan?

Since you decided

against removing your fallopian tubes and ovaries,

we'll want to stay proactive.

That means regular gynecologic exams,

periodic ultrasounds.

Yours look good right now.

Blood work, especially checking your CA 125.

Thoughts?

You choose the course.

What matters to me is being a part of the journey.

When do we start?

Typically, we wait a month before surgery.

Then a breast surgeon would perform the procedure,

along with a sentinel lymph node biopsy.

That'll let us determine if any cancer cells have spread

to the surrounding tissue.

If everything's all clear,

radiation would commence right after that.

Okay, I'm ready.

I'll go to scheduling, and let's get this ball rolling.

-[door closes] -More waiting.

Well, look at the bright side.

You got a little reprieve before the surgery.

More time to worry.

And enjoy yourself.

There's the cotillion.

You can get back to your foundation work.

Madison and Chelsea's wedding to plan.

Mm.

Martin's primary.

And particularly his fundraiser.

And we know he'll benefit from your input on that.

Enjoying our daughters.

And reveling in this life that we made.

Thank you, Vernon.

For what?

For not always loving my choices,

but standing right by me nonetheless.

I appreciate the vote of confidence.

I'd like to think it's deserved, but, um...

Maybe that's a sign you're spending too much time

hanging around the wrong people.

The wrong people? You mean Joey, right?

And certain indiscreet, fast-tailed women

who don't have your best interests at heart.

Oh, sister.

Now, I'm sure there's some scripture out there

that says you shouldn't be judging folks.

There are several.

You'd know that if you came to church

instead of running the streets.

Oh, here we go.

Sister Wilson, Mona,

I, um, I don't know how much good

church will do me at this point.

I'm sure God has got his hands full

with much more deserving people than me.

That's the whole point of grace.

It's not about what you've done or how far you've fallen.

It's about Him meeting you right where you are.

I got to get going.

I have to run an errand before heading over to Nicole's.

Well, Mona,

it was an honor and a pleasure to see you again.

Take care of yourself, Randy.

And-and I know you have big, strong muscles,

but maybe... let the Lord do the heavy lifting for once.

Those two still at it?

Guess so.

I'm sorry for my grandmother's behavior.

Wow. Um, thanks, Chessy.

No prob.

I mean, I'm just surprised.

I thought that you still cosigned all that hateful stuff

about me not being right for cotillion or whatever.

Oh. No, I do still agree with Glamma.

But I learned it's in poor taste to say those things out loud.

It's just fact, Samantha.

You don't belong here.

I don't mean to intrude.

Didn't know if I'd see Donnell before the cotillion

and, uh, wanted to drop those off.

What's this?

JOEY: Open it.

VANESSA: They're beautiful.

Hold up. You bought me diamond cuff links for the cotillion?

I'm not that generous.

Those are on loan.

My favorite uncle gave those to me when I was young.

He said I should wear them to anything important.

Thought they might bring you some luck, too.

That is so sweet.

But unnecessary.

[box closes]

You shouldn't have done this.

-Donnell. -JOEY: No, it's all right.

I don't mean to overstep.

I should get back to the casino.

Have a good time at the cotillion.

-That was a very kind gesture. -DONNELL: Oh, Mom.

Come on. It was like something a dad would do for his son.

And he's not my dad.

He's a considerate man who's trying

to get to know you and your sister because you matter to me.

Is that so hard to understand?

I thought you were mad at Joey.

That was about something else.

-Was it, though? -I don't know!

I need you and Joey to get along.

I need the people

I care about to coexist,

even if it's just for my benefit.

Can you do that for me, please?

I'll call Titus and have him pull the car around.

I was just thinking about you.

Mona, look at you. You're glowing.

I'll let you two visit. I'll be right over there.

Glowing with purpose.

I've been doing some praying and some planning.

I want to start a cancer care team through my church.

Oh, Mona, that is wonderful.

It would be ministry

for patients and families,

providing emotional support, spiritual guidance.

Coordinating meals, rides, home visits, prayer circles,

even just sitting with folks during chemo

so they don't have to face it alone.

A cancer diagnosis...

[sighs]

The word "overwhelming" just doesn't even do it justice.

There were days when I didn't think

I'd be able to get out of bed.

Having the right support system,

even strangers who care, can make all the difference.

That's what I want the team to be,

and it's why I'm here.

I'm meeting with a hospital social worker

to see what we can coordinate.

Well, you have my full support, whatever you need.

I wouldn't have gotten this far without my support system,

especially that husband of mine.

Vernon has literally been an angel on Earth.

I should have known you were being fake.

Mm. Like how Nathan acted like he was into you?

The fact you actually bought it is pathetic.

No, what's pathetic is

you dumpster diving for my leftovers.

Nathan is just salty I curved him

once I found out that he's a grimy creep.

That's why he wanted to escort you.

Oh, that's the story you tell yourself?

Say whatever you want, Francesca,

but you can't get to me.

I don't need to.

We all know you're going to fall flat on your face

during the cotillion, proving me and Glamma right.

Samantha, honey, what did that girl say to you?

What's up, boss?

My guy just hit me with the hot goss on Jimmy Olsen.

Who did what now?

I got the info you wanted on Smitty.

Oh. That.

Okay.

I thought that was, uh, top priority,

finding out what he was investigating.

It was. That's why I took care of it myself.

I already know

that Smitty is investigating the blood plasma ring.

So how you want to play this?

-Keep your ear to the street. -Hmm.

And keep a close watch on our local Ronan Farrow.

I got you. Bet.

Yo, D! What's going on, nephew?

-Oh, what's good, man? -I know you better not be here

trying to score some extra money.

Uh, nah, nah. I'm here for Joey.

Well, I'll leave you to it.

-Stay safe, nephew. -You, too, man.

All right.

[door closes]

Uh... I wanted to apologize.

I shouldn't have been rude like that.

Water under the bridge.

And to be clear, I'm not trying to replace your old man.

There's a reason I never had kids.

Well, why is that?

Let's just say parenting isn't in my DNA.

Probably because my old man

would make a grizzly seem nurturing by comparison.

Yeah, I remember you telling me about that.

I'm not your dad, Donnell, and I won't try to be.

But I wouldn't mind being your friend if you're cool with that.

Um...

I... I think I can manage that.

Good enough.

Offer still stands.

Yeah, I-I don't know.

I'll tell you what.

Take 'em home with you in case you change your mind.

And if not, no harm, no foul.

Well, thanks either way.

[door closes]

See you around, kid.

My ears were burning over there.

I hope whatever my wife said about me was suitable

for public consumption.

Oh, it was all good... this time.

She was just telling me

how you carried her through this entire uncertain season.

VERNON: No, please.

Anita is the one who carried me and the whole family.

And in spite of everything she's been facing.

ANITA: Vernon, stop.

-You always do that. -Do what?

Play yourself down.

You are the best man I know.

I've been praying for you, for both of you,

from the second I heard about this diagnosis.

Thank you, Mona. That means so much.

VERNON: Yes, indeed.

Lord knows we Duprees need all the help we can get.

Talk to me. What did that girl say?

I'm fine. I just... I need a minute.

Okay. What'd I miss?

Um, the mood at this table is giving funeral, not brunch.

Oh. You two had a run-in with the Wicked Witch

of Fairmont Crest and her mini-me.

You could say that.

What'd the little brat say to you, sweetie?

It doesn't matter.

It does matter.

What's really getting under my skin is

how sophomoric Anastasia's being about all of this.

I expect such a base, vulgar and overtly competitive behavior

from Francesca, but Anastasia's a grown-ass woman.

She should know better than this.

It irks me, too. Cotillions are supposed

to be about service and excellence,

not petty potshots and tearing each other down.

NICOLE: She should be ashamed

of the example that she's setting.

That's who she is.

Remember when her daughter was a deb?

Oh, she was painfully shy.

Could barely get through her speech without a panic attack.

Carissa didn't even want to be a deb.

No, but battle axe extraordinaire Anastasia

insisted and then lobbied hard

for Carissa to be named Platinum Deb,

like it was some political campaign.

That's what she's doing now, but Francesca is into it.

I-I don't know what to do about it.

-Succeed, baby. -Mm.

That is what you do.

And that doesn't mean being Platinum Deb.

It means bringing your best self to this opportunity

and enjoying the ride.

VANESSA: And how could you not

when you'll be escorted by my handsome son?

Francesca won't even be able to compete.

I-I can't do this.

♪ ♪

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