Original subtitles

[cheers and applause]

I'm proud to announce your Platinum Deb for 2026,

Miss Samantha Richardson-Smith! - [gasping, chuckling]

OFFICER: Shots fired! Shots fired! Move in!

He's losing a lot of blood.

ASHLEY: Gunshot victim.

Take him to OR 3, down the hall.

Derek.

Something went wrong.

Derek is dead and I'm never gonna see him again.

I had to call

his parents.

I had to tell them that their pride and joy died.

Please just go.

Would you believe that I love your mother?

What happens when someone decides they want to get to you

through her?

- Deanna. - [gasps]

Daddy?

Are you sure Donnell is any more accepting of Joey

than Deanna?

Or is he playing the good son

and telling you what you want to hear?

I-It's not like that.

Donnell and Joey really have bonded.

Yes, Donnell had concerns

early on, after Doug passed...

rightfully so... but...

they're moving forward

and establishing their own relationship.

Then I am sure it must make you feel good

that your son and partner are getting along.

Nothing makes me happier.

Which is why I'm holding out hope

that Deanna will come around and see Joey for the good man he is.

Your children are grown

and are living their own lives, Vanessa.

I know you want them both to accept your relationship,

but is there more to this?

Well, what more could there be?

I'm just wondering if there's an underlying reason

that you want the twins to love Joey as much as you do.

Like maybe you're hoping that, one day,

he'll step into a currently vacant paternal role?

I've been trying to let the past stay where it is.

But something about this...

about you...

it just keeps bringing me back.

So I'm gonna ask you this one last time,

and I just need the truth.

Did you have anything to do with my father's death?

[sighs] Donnell, we've been over every factor

of the night your father died.

I arranged for you to speak directly to the bartender

who overserved him. You saw the video footage

with your own eyes.

I did.

Then why question what you already know?

Because maybe I'm not buying what you're selling.

My sister can get worked up sometimes, that's for sure,

but she's always been really good at reading people.

There's a reason

- she doesn't trust you. - I'm in no way

dismissing your sister's instincts,

but isn't it possible that her pain

might be coloring her judgment?

Maybe.

Deanna took Dad's death harder than anyone ever expected.

But that's not just it.

You know what people say most about you online?

Oh, I can't wait to hear what social media trolls

have to say about someone they've never even met.

That you never get held accountable

for who you really are.

And who am I, Donnell?

That's what I'm still trying to figure out.

It makes sense that you never get caught

if you use other people to do the actual dirty deeds.

Which might be how you got off the hook for my dad's death.

- Deanna. - [gasps]

Daddy?

Daddy, is this real?

Are you just gonna stare

or are you gonna come over and see for yourself?

[cries]

Oh, I missed you so much, Daddy. [shudders]

Mom and Donnell are insufferable without you.

[sniffles]

I missed you, too, baby girl.

You don't know how much.

? ?

Lia went out of her way to let lab guy volunteer.

She convinced me.

Meanwhile, all she wanted was access

so that she could steal from me.

The idea was that having people from the hospital

working with us would make people trust the clinic more.

[sighs] You know what gets me?

- Mm. - [Eva sighs]

Is that woman wasn't even a good crook.

Okay? She didn't even have an ounce of street smarts,

with all that education.

Now I got to do damage control.

Look, Mama, I know you're upset,

but let's not lose sight of what really matters here...

Derek's death.

[sighs]

I will send little Ashley some flowers.

Mama, he died. Don't be insensitive.

Girl, that is more than he'd do for me, and you know it.

Excuse me if my mind is on saving this clinic

and finding a new manager.

Tell me you didn't say anything to the cops about Lynette.

Now, why would I snitch on myself, all right?

Lynette was the last thing on their minds.

They wanted to question me about the blood plasma ring.

Wait, so Joey had you wrapped up in that mess, too?

Nah.

The police saw me at the warehouse,

you know, near where everything happened, and...

they assumed Joey was involved.

[sighs] Man, you have to be more careful.

You can't be out here getting arrested.

Not when I need your help now more than ever.

See?

And for a brief second there, I thought you actually cared

that I was almost in a shoot-out.

Come on now.

You know you're my favorite cousin.

- [scoffs] - I mean, I'd be devastated

if something happened to you.

How else would I get the special elixir

I'm feeding Bill every day, hmm?

[Randy scoffs]

[sighs]

I have a quick update on Lynette, boss.

- Is now a good time? - Yeah.

[sniffs]

There's a barista at The Bowman's cafe

who got close to Lynette.

He said she never missed a single morning

to chat with him over coffee.

Coffee?

That's what you have?

According to him, Lynette was going on and on

about loving D.C.

and had even shown him pictures of the penthouse.

Okay, so she had a crush on this guy.

And her leaving caught him by total surprise.

Especially since she'd just invited him

to a one-on-one housewarming

- once she had the keys. - [chuckles]

Well, that is interesting,

but it's not proof that she just didn't change her mind.

I thought you had your own suspicions

- about her leaving. - Uh, yeah.

Yeah. Initially, I was sure Lynette was conning Hayley.

But without Keegan finding any evidence, it's just a theory.

But when Kat spoke

- to the barista... - Kat?

Kat is your source?

Despite what I've repeatedly told you.

[scoffs]

[sighs] We've used enough resources on this.

All right?

Drop it, Tomas.

[sets down mug]

[sighs]

Would I love Joey opening presents with us

on Christmas morning or...

taking road trips together to Chincoteague?

Absolutely. But...

I don't know what the future holds.

We've agreed to be partners, and it's working for now.

And how does Joey feel about it?

Since he's never had children himself.

We haven't exactly discussed it.

Right now, it's all about keeping the peace with Donnell

and finding a way to create it with Deanna.

I understand.

It was a much easier ask in my situation with Kat and Martin.

I thought you were going to stop being so judgmental.

That was not a shot at Joey.

I just mean that Kat and Martin still have Ted in their lives.

I'm not asking them to accept another man in that role.

Mm. Especially when that man is still so prominent

in that mind of yours.

Have any more spicy thoughts about that ex-hubby of yours?

Whatever that was seems to have...

solved itself.

So Carlton gave you literal sexual healing.

Mm. I take it that means

that he's got the coveted top spot over Kial?

[phone chimes]

[chuckles]

You have spoke him up.

- It's Kial. - Mm.

He's in the neighborhood and wants to come by.

So, the verdict is still out on who's number one.

Looks like it.

- I'm so proud of Samantha. - Mm.

- Yeah. - She set her sights on Platinum Deb

- and won it fair and square. - Mm-hmm.

Seeing her wear that tiara

transported me right back to when you graced that stage.

- Aw. - [chuckles softly]

Is that why you were making eyes at Mom?

You were, uh, feeling nostalgic?

"Making eyes"?

Come on, Dad.

Every deb in there could see it.

Hmm. Well,

if I was, it wasn't intentional.

Hmm.

I noticed you didn't bring a date.

And?

And...

neither did Mom.

I can't help but wonder

if maybe it meant something.

Mm.

How are you real?

I'm here

because my Deanna Doll needed me.

You were right, baby girl.

Your mother and Joey Armstrong are gaslighting you.

I knew it.

My gut told me something wasn't right.

But he's got everybody convinced

he's this great guy who cares about Mom.

It's all a facade.

You have to get your mom away from him

before it's too late.

I tried. It's like she's under his spell.

Then find a way to break it.

Joey is the reason I'm dead.

He took total advantage of my...

condition.

He stole my money

and my wife.

So they were still together while you were alive?

Mom was lying about that, too?

They flaunted it in my face every chance they had.

But this isn't all your mom's fault.

This is on Joey.

I refused to go along with his sick conditions,

and he took it upon himself to...

teach me a lesson.

DONNELL: At the end of the day,

your bartender is on your payroll,

which means he would do whatever you asked.

And the forensic report and the video you saw?

I could hop online and make a deepfake of that right now.

Yes, you could. You could use AI

to fool a few people on the Internet.

But we're talking about a professional CSI team.

They combed through every frame of that footage,

and they determined that it hadn't been doctored.

Now, do I have them on payroll, too?

Well, who's to say?

Donnell, I know this isn't easy to hear,

but from the moment your father got up from that card table

and everything after that

is on him.

He crashed his car into a ravine

miles away from here.

Which worked out perfectly for you, didn't it?

Despite what you see on the Internet,

I'm not the boogeyman of the DMV.

I thought you realized that.

So you're not a monster.

But you're definitely an opportunist.

You watched as my dad wrecked his life in your casino

night after night.

That gave you the perfect opportunity

to swoop in and play my mother's savior.

Tell me I'm wrong.

Yeah, I can't speak for your mother,

but maybe she came to cotillion stag

because she couldn't decide

between Carlton or Kial,

so she brought neither.

Can you imagine if she walked in

- with both of them? [chuckles] - [chuckles]

Your mother's far too considerate to do that.

And you?

I didn't see you leading Shanice onto the dance floor.

Uh, I thought about it.

But in the end, I thought it'd be better if we...

kept the spotlight on Samantha's big night.

I doubt Samantha would have cared.

We all like Shanice.

Yeah. Well, uh...

Shanice is not too fond of me these days.

I doubt she would have come anyway.

Dad, what did you do?

Uh, we had an argument,

and I've been trying to, uh...

smooth things out and get back in her good graces, but...

I don't know. It's still pretty, uh, tense.

I thought things were going well with you two.

They were. Until...

Don't you dare say that woman's name.

Until Shanice walked in on me

comforting Leslie.

LESLIE: I'm in a bind

and you're in a committed relationship

with that dang phone.

Well, I was reading the posts about Derek.

He was really loved by his firefighting crew.

May he rest in peace.

And may his replacement accept my offer.

No.

Okay, what about "I have a job" don't you understand?

[sighs] You are familiar with the clinic, baby.

And you are great every time you work there, okay?

Don't you want to work alongside your mama?

No, I don't.

- Really? - And, look,

I'm not quitting on Dad.

Are you gonna let this clinic just fall apart

after everything we've put into it?

Maybe I could help you out.

Ooh! Ooh.

I knew my baby would come through

- for her mama. - Okay.

- It's temporary. - [chuckles]

Just until you can find a replacement.

And I still have to get Dad's permission.

Okay. You work on that, and

I'll work on getting us out from under

this dark, looming cloud.

RANDY: So,

forget my freedom.

All that matters to you

is taking down your happily ever after.

- Man, don't get soft on me. - [sighs]

You know I got love for you, Randy.

But, listen,

it's time to switch things up.

I've increased the dose on my end.

But with Bill's "built like a tank" ass,

it's still not working.

What are you expecting to see?

Poison is slow-acting.

Yeah, easy for you to say.

You get to be a junior mobster with that boss of yours

- and play the slots all day. - Oh.

Boohoo. Cry me a river.

Big house,

unlimited black card.

Yeah, spare me.

Stay on the plan.

Everything is working exactly as it should be.

Well, it needs to move faster.

Okay? I'm ready to be on a beach

with that pi�a colada, like, yesterday.

Okay.

[sighs] Okay.

Mm.

[sighs]

Of course I noticed your mother's beauty,

but I didn't plot against her and Doug.

And in case you hadn't noticed,

it's not like your mother is easily controlled.

She makes her own decisions.

That part's true.

My sister got it honest.

Never in a million years would I have predicted

that we'd be in a relationship.

But even as friends,

could you not tell that she was in love with him?

Why would you let him

come in here and completely obliterate himself?

The right thing would have been to just cut him off.

We were aware that your father had a problem.

But, Donnell, this is a business.

Casinos make a lot of money off of people's problems.

So you're proud of exploiting people's weaknesses?

I believe adults have the right to self-govern,

even if that means coming to an unfortunate consequence.

No, what that means is, as long as the house wins,

who cares who you have to bleed dry?

All right, I understand that you need someone to blame.

Doug made his choice.

His death doesn't keep me awake at night.

But I am grateful that I can be there for Vanessa

as she tries to move forward in spite of it.

No one can say you shy away from the hard conversations.

Not my style.

Are we good?

I appreciate you telling me the truth.

We can leave it there.

[door closes]

DOUG: I came

to my brilliant daughter

because you are the only one...

that can see through his arrogant lies.

I'm worried.

About your mom... [sighs]

and you.

[sighs] I'm trying really hard to be okay.

You are more than okay.

You are perfect.

We just have to

get your brother and mom from under Joey's grip.

He'll just end up hurting 'em both.

Mom isn't even mourning you anymore.

I mean, she parades Joey around town like he's your replacement.

If he breaks her heart, it'll be karmic retribution,

- if you ask me. - Hey.

I don't want you carrying that.

Yes, your mom made some mistakes,

but she loves you.

And she deserves grace.

Right?

[mouths]

I guess.

This isn't some score you need to handle, Deanna.

This is about making sure you're both safe.

Can you do that for me?

[gasps]

Daddy...

I was going to tell you not to let me keep you from Kial,

but it seems you're already on go.

I knew you'd understand.

[chuckles softly]

I am enamored

with this liberated version of you.

But I have to ask...

are you sure Kial is who you want

when Carlton has been taking such good care of you?

I'm not saying that Kial is who I'm picking overall.

They both bring something unique and interesting to the table.

And to the bedroom, I'm sure.

You know it is more substantive than that.

My relationship with the both of them goes...

- beyond sex. - Mm-hmm.

Whatever you say.

- [door rattles] - Oh. That'll be my cue.

[chuckles softly]

Hello, ladies.

Hmm.

Wanda let me in.

Didn't mean to interrupt.

Oh, not at all.

I was just leaving.

You two enjoy yourselves. [chuckles softly]

I'm sorry. I didn't know you had company.

It's fine.

You are right on time.

You'll never guess who I just saw.

Who?

Miss Violet, our old tennis coach.

Uh, you should, uh, get back into lessons with her

and burn off all that hyped-up energy.

What's with the mood?

Where are you coming from?

Joey's.

I was returning the cufflinks.

Good. I hope you told him

you're never wearing anything of his ever again.

All right. You need to chill, Deanna.

I went over there to confront him

because I let you get in my head.

Uh-huh.

And he was the perfect, upstanding man?

No. But he was honest.

I really think you need to cut him some slack.

-He's lying to you and Mom. I know it. -I don't.

We share a birthday, not a brain.

I'm leaving it alone.

Just the person I was looking for.

I highly doubt that.

You know, you should be more confident.

A lot of people are into the strong, silent type

like yourself.

- Is that a fact? - Mm.

What do you want?

Well, I was searching for your boss,

but I'm having some trouble.

[chuckles] Well, if Joey is ignoring your calls,

I'm sure he has a reason.

Well, I want to make sure that he isn't upset

with little old me.

Certainly not over something that I have no control over.

So, come on.

Tell me what you've heard.

KAT: What is it

with Leslie?

How do you keep letting her get her claws in you?

Okay, it's not what you think.

You just said...

I was at the hospital,

and I walked in on Anita reading Dana for filth.

And I mean tearing her all the way down.

And you didn't get it on video for me?

Dana was genuinely hurt,

and I couldn't help feeling for her.

And I was holding her hands when I told her that...

Which Shanice saw

- and didn't like. - [sighs]

Yeah.

Dad, you've got a good heart.

But that woman will take a kind gesture

and turn it into a Jumbotron proposal.

Mm-hmm.

Oh, would you look at that?

One mention and we conjured up the sequel.

Excuse me for popping by like this.

I saw on your calendar that you would be here.

Nice. Becoming more like your stalker mother every day.

Kat, please.

Wh-What's up, Eva? You okay?

I'm fine. It's work.

I just needed to run something by you.

Is it, uh, that urgent?

It'll be quick.

I really don't mean to interrupt.

Sorry, Kat, do you mind?

Have at it. Since this clearly can't wait

until normal business hours,

we'll finish the cotillion recap tomorrow.

- TED: Okay. - Oh, Samantha texted me

that she won Platinum Deb.

Congrats. I'm sure all of your hard work made a difference.

Thanks.

And...

you did a good job with her hair.

TED: Mm.

I'll call you later, sweetheart.

- Mm-hmm. - Mm.

- Bye. - Bye.

[sighs] Okay, so Mama has asked me to manage

the clinic until they can find a replacement for Derek.

[sighs] Okay, what about R&F?

I was hoping that I can cut my hours by half?

So did the boys get along this time?

[chuckles]

No near fights this trip.

Noah, he had a show,

and Connor was able to get out of work to make it.

We enjoyed ourselves.

Good.

Having a son as musically talented as Noah

must be something.

As a daughter of an Articulette,

I can understand why you would appreciate that.

However, I had a hard time

accepting Noah's musical pursuits.

Ah, you weren't inspired by the, uh,

- struggling artist life? - No.

I didn't want him to be.

I was encouraging him to get his business degree as a backup.

What made you change your mind?

Their mother.

She supported Noah's musical dream, and...

she just wanted the boys to be happy.

And Noah... [chuckles]

he reminded me of that.

And then I realized that I needed to stop nudging him

in the opposite direction.

I'm sure that made your relationship stronger...

him knowing that he could rely on your support.

I would say yes.

The boys and I have come a long way since she's passed away.

I think she'd be happy where we landed.

Doctor...

Are you...

asking me if I fantasize about my late wife

when we're together?

I am. But there is a method to my madness.

No.

I don't.

Sarah, she was an extremely meaningful part of my past.

But you are my present.

And you have my...

entire...

focus.

You're asking me because this has happened to you?

Do you fantasize about Ted when we're together?

Not with you.

With Carlton.

It has only happened once,

and I'm still trying to make sense of it.

What you got?

The only logical explanation

is that it was our anniversary

and Ted was on my mind.

Does that bother you?

No.

I think it's important that we continue to keep things open.

If I have learned anything from the downfall of my marriage

is that secrets will ruin a marriage faster

than money problems or communication issues.

I am leaning full tilt on radical honesty.

You know...

becoming a widower...

has changed my complete perspective.

It made me stop,

you know, sweating the small stuff

and focus on what really matters.

Well, I am glad to benefit

from your introspection.

[laughs]

You are very easy to talk to.

What can I say?

- I'm the perfect gentleman. - Hmm.

- And modest, too. - [laughing]

What a catch.

[door closes]

Donnell told me earlier he had an errand to run, and...

now I know what it was.

He came by to return these.

And to give me the third degree about us.

[sighs]

Deanna's gotten in his head.

What did he say?

Oh, he was curious.

About the part I played in his father's death

and exactly how our relationship started.

I'm sorry he sprang all that on you.

The twins are still...

struggling.

They're loyal to their parents.

They just want the best for you.

Mm. Thank you.

[both chuckle]

For being patient with them.

I know you don't usually explain yourself to anyone,

so...

I appreciate you making concessions for my family.

I've spent way more time here than you, Deanna.

Joey's not all that bad.

All that time you've been spending with him,

it's done nothing but brainwash you like Mom.

- Dad would agree. - Well, Dad's gone.

We need to lean on each other, Deanna.

Because as much as it hurts,

we're never gonna see Dad again.

Maybe you won't.

What's that supposed to mean?

There's nothing you can do or say

that's gonna make me take Joey's side.

Okay, you know what? Whatever.

I'm going back to campus.

There's no getting through to you.

[gasps] Oh.

Ready to blow off some steam?

Absolutely.

Bill chewed me out for bringing up

your latest discovery about Lynette.

Why?

That barista gave me solid intel.

Lynette wasn't planning to leave town.

He's upset you're still digging.

[sighs] Who cares about the messenger

when the message is so good?

- [scoffs] - Mamita,

I love you, but you're not listening.

All we've presented are theories.

Lia getting revenge,

Hayley being involved,

or even Dani saying they were friends...

it's all...

unfounded.

He said Dani will go out of her way to disparage Hayley.

And since Keegan couldn't corroborate, he's...

closing the file.

But I haven't even had a chance to talk to Jacob yet.

If Bill finds out you're still digging

and he thinks it's on behalf of me,

it'll put everything I've been working for in jeopardy.

So whatever you're so hellbent on doing,

keep me out of it.

Seriously, Kat. I-I don't want any part of it.

[footsteps approaching]

HAYLEY: Hey, honey.

- Hey. - Ready to head home?

Uh, well, well, not just yet.

I still have to finish notating this brief for Pauline.

Oh. Well, since you're keeping at it,

- I will make you another coffee. - No, no.

No more coffee for me. [chuckles]

I'm already shaky enough.

Oh, no. Well, let me get you some water.

I-I wouldn't want you too wired.

- For how long? - Only until Mama hires someone qualified.

And trust me... your practice won't suffer.

I already do most of the scheduling from my tablet

and your recurring supplies are on auto-order

and emergency calls are routed to my cell.

Sounds like you thought of everything.

You really want to do this?

I do.

For Derek.

We became friends while working at the clinic together.

And making sure it continues to run smoothly

is what he would want.

That's a nice way to honor his memory.

It's very sweet of you, Eva.

[chuckles softly] So you're okay

with me pulling double duty just for a little while?

I am.

You were brilliant with Nicole.

You're a godsend to R&F.

I have no doubt you'll bring that same care and commitment

to the clinic, too, hmm?

Thanks, Dad.

And I promise I won't let anything

slip through the cracks.

I know.

I trust you.

So now that we're all hydrated,

why don't we go upstairs and see where I measure up

against all your fantasies?

Oh, I would love to put you to the test.

But I do have some session notes I need to review tonight.

- I'm sorry. - It's all good. I can finish

the novel I started on the plane while you work.

You want to stay?

If it's okay.

I enjoy your company,

whether it's stimulating our minds

or our bodies.

Make yourself at home.

- I'm gonna grab my tablet. - Okay.

- [chuckles] - Shall we?

- We shall. - [chuckles]

Actually...

what about a-a scotch?

Uh, well, you know, I'd like a nice drink, but...

I can't be buzzed while I'm working on this.

We can't afford any mistakes.

As if a tipsy Bill isn't sharper

- than a thousand sober attorneys. - [chuckles]

I know what you're doing, Hayley.

Mm-hmm.

You want me nice and loose

so you can take advantage of me tonight.

Told you you were sharp.

- Caught me. [chuckles] - [chuckles] Okay.

Well, I'll allow it.

- But just a little, okay? - Okay.

Coming right up.

[pouring]

Hmm.

Mm. [chuckles softly]

- You love taking care of your man, don't you? - Mm.

Making sure you're taken care of is my most important duty.

[chuckles softly]

I'm sorry, who are you again?

[chuckles]

Hunty, please.

This town can't stop talking about me since I came back here.

- Mm. - Aw.

You're just being discreet.

You know, I respect that.

We do work with a, um...

[chuckles softly] complicated man.

One who wouldn't appreciate

conversations like this behind his back.

If Joey wanted to reach you,

trust me,

you would be reached.

Okay, look,

I just need some answers, all right?

Because if Joey really is ticked off

and blames me for allowing that ring to infiltrate the clinic...

then he may pull his finances.

And that would just...

Leave you up the creek without a paddle.

I don't want to lose my clinic.

Oh, I'm sorry, sport.

It's not my problem.

How about this?

What if I come across anything that affects you or your boss

and I just come straight to you with it?

And you tell me if you hear anything about me and Eva.

Deal?

So, you want to form an alliance

like one of those reality survival shows?

[chuckles]

Isn't that all life is?

So what do you say?

I say...

I respectfully decline.

I've met my quota for crazy women in my life.

We're partners.

We show up for each other,

even if it's in the face of angry college students.

[chuckles softly] Well,

we both know we were never gonna be

Fairmont Crest's most popular couple.

Well, you've proven you don't care about outside opinions.

But does that apply to your own kids?

My kids love me.

And when they get to know the real you,

they'll love you, too.

That's what I care about.

DEANNA [whispers]: Daddy,

come back.

Daddy.

Daddy, I need you here.

Nobody understands me like you do.

Daddy, come back.

[sobs]

Daddy...

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