Original subtitles

I'm heading to the brownstone.

What are you doing over there?

I have to question Smitty.

Now, what would you like to ask my client?

Is Lia's death now a murder investigation?

If they want to use Barbara's vocals,

then they will make me producer.

Swallow your pride, Anita, and give Leslie

the damn producer credit.

You are entitled to exactly one thing:

to sit in a chair and be quiet.

I am sure that Ted and your brothers are gonna

get along just fine.

You could do so much better than this, sis.

Enough is enough.

Now, you both need to back the hell up off me

and just be happy for me.

You lied about getting an ultrasound.

You do believe me, don't you?

Got your text about riding home together.

I hope you and Naomi had a nice little celebration.

Yeah, we did.

Okay. So, ready to go?

Not just yet.

You and I have a conversation to continue.

Oh. I thought we cleared everything up.

The story you told me about why you showed me a fake sonogram

just left me with more questions.

- Daddy. - Mm.

I hope you didn't humiliate your opponent too badly.

Oh, I kept it close.

Only won by two.

Well, I was trying to persuade my CEO opponent

to do a guest lecture at Banneker's law school.

Did it work?

Have you met me?

He's even agreed to do a lunch

with some of our selected students after the lecture.

Is one of those students your great-grandson?

No.

But I will admit that I've spent a lot more time

on Banneker's campus now that Tyrell is there.

Smitty and Martin gave him a great send-off at the house.

- Mm. - But I think his departure

is really starting to sink in.

Well, they still have Samantha.

For a while, at least.

Like I had Kat for a while after Martin left the nest.

But Dani and I left home at nearly the same time,

Hmm. Thanks to Dani launching her modeling career

at such a young age.

I think it hit your mother hardest.

[piano playing] -? Let's get closer... ?

? Let's get close... ?

[clears throat]

? Let's get closer... ? [clears throat]

? Let's get clo... ?

[clears throat]

? Let's get closer... ?

? ?

Naomi is just like her mother.

As manipulative as they come.

Look, I'm just saying.

If you don't watch your back,

Naomi could steal everything you worked so hard for.

Thanks for coming.

Since you didn't respond to my text,

I wasn't sure that you would.

I almost texted you, but then I figured,

since you were the one who blew up at me...

For no reason... and stormed out,

you should be the one to initiate contact.

And now that you have,

what do you have to say for yourself?

Hey, Mom. What's with the apple?

I know when you're focused on something you don't eat,

so I brought you a healthy snack.

I ate before my shift started.

And your shift ended an hour ago, but here you are,

still at your desk, nary a meal in sight.

I don't want to leave until I've done everything I can

on the Impaler case.

Just like your father.

He'd get obsessed with getting enough evidence for an arrest,

barely eat or sleep, and wind up making himself sick.

Okay, fine. You win.

I'll call it a night on one condition.

Which is?

I need you to give me some information about my case.

SMITTY: So, get this.

Tyrell forgot to pack

his socks.

I'm sure he'll be back in a few days to pick them up.

This house feels so empty.

Not for long.

Samantha is at Keesha's house working on a group project.

She'll be back home before curfew.

And much as I already miss Tyrell,

we have been complaining about lack of privacy.

Now that we've got some,

how about we take advantage of it?

Yeah, now that Tyrell's off to school,

I can dive back into my investigation

into the Impaler.

Do you think Jacob interrogating me

about Lia means anything?

Of course not.

She overdosed. End of story.

I don't want my investigation to cause problems

for either of us down the road.

And it won't.

What did Shonda say when you talked to her about it?

It's Shonda's job to be pessimistic

and plan for worst-case scenarios,

no matter how implausible.

Okay, now I'm really worried.

Don't be.

- We need to relax. - It's just the way

that Jacob questioned me, Martin.

We need to consider the possibility

that maybe this time, Shonda's pessimism is justified.

Maybe she's right to worry.

You're worried over nothing.

Anything that anyone in this family does

can impact your campaign.

Yes, and your role in exposing the crime ring

had a positive impact.

Maybe before.

But then Lia died, and I broke the cardinal rule of journalism.

I became part of the story.

And I'm sure Jacob questioning you

was just an excess of diligence on his part.

I think that you should discuss this with Vernon.

That, I'll do.

And not because I'm worried,

but because I want my husband to have peace of mind.

What information could I possibly have

about that Impaler?

You could tell me whether anyone from the prison called 911

when Lia supposedly overdosed.

Fine. I'll look up the call logs,

but then I'm walking you out of the station.

Okay, deal, deal.

Let's see.

No calls from the prison to Barrington County 911

the morning Lia was found.

Is that unusual?

No, since the prison has their own infirmary

with medical staff, they'd only call if an inmate

had an issue too complex for them to treat on their own.

Okay, so, if Lia was already dead

- when they found her... - No need to call 911.

- Sounds open-and-shut to me. - Yeah, I don't know, Ma.

My gut tells me something's off.

Probably because your gut is hungry.

Boy, if you don't eat that apple

before I march you down to Orphey Gene's

and shovel food into you...

Okay, Ma, fine. I'll leave and I'll eat.

You better. Mm.

And since you're acting like your father in other ways,

I can only assume you're ignoring your wife, too?

Uh, we've both been busy.

Last thing I want is for my boys

to make the same mistakes your father did.

You need to spend some quality time with your wife.

Now.

Does chemotherapy permanently impact vocal cords?

HAYLEY: My miscarriage

was one of the most painful experiences of my life.

I don't know why Naomi is raking it all up again.

Well, you created this issue

by lying to me in the first place.

I thought you understood.

When I could feel that something was wrong with the baby,

I was scared to get an ultrasound.

That's why I showed you a fake sonogram.

Wait, did Naomi bring this up again after I left?

Is she still trying to turn you against me? Huh?

You really think I'm that easily manipulated?

- Of course not. - My questions are my own,

and the answers are long past due, so...

I will tell you everything.

The last thing I want is for you to have any doubts about me.

If you want me to dredge up all those horrible memories, I will.

What do you want to know?

Why, when you started to feel that something was wrong,

did you have a perfect stranger

drive you to the hospital instead of calling 911?

I wasn't thinking clearly, Bill.

O-Okay, that-that's understandable,

but why that particular stranger?

- What does that matter? - Because the only way

this makes sense is if Sammy or Randy,

whatever the hell his name is

was never a stranger to begin with.

Hayley, was that really the first time you met him?

I'd never seen Sammy

before the day of my miscarriage.

Okay, well, then, why did you choose him, though?

Was there something about him that drew you?

Attracted you?

He could have been anyone.

Look, I'd just been arguing with Dani at Uptown

and stressing myself out,

and then, suddenly, I-I felt cramping.

And when I went to the ladies' room

and saw that I was bleeding, Bill,

the blood... it-it was so scary.

Why didn't you have Dani drive you?

She offered, feeling guilty, I suppose. I...

I guess...

- What? - I was,

so out of my mind with pain and-and fear.

And after everything Dani's done to me and you in the past,

I don't know, I thought she might have left me

on the highway or done something else to harm me,

- or who knows what she... - Oh, come on!

Like I said, I wasn't thinking clearly.

So, you deliberately chose a perfect stranger

who could have done God knows what to you

while you were in his car?

I was lucky, I suppose, that Sammy

turned out to be a good guy.

Yeah, well, "luck" is one word for it.

Yeah, so, you happened upon a stranger who was trustworthy

and happens to work for Joey Armstrong.

I mean, the coincidences just keep stacking up here.

The only way this makes sense is if you already knew him.

Okay, look, I don't know how to prove

that I didn't know someone.

What, do you want to scroll through my phone

to see if I ever called Sammy before the miscarriage?

Here. Look, I don't know if calls are saved

from that long ago, but it's worth a try.

Put your phone away.

And like you said, it's not gonna prove anything.

Especially since my real concern

is what's going on between you and Randy right now.

Are you back to thinking that he and I are having an affair?

Look, if a man rescues a beautiful woman

and goes to the trouble of cultivating

a friendship with her, then yes,

it is his intention to get in your pants,

- Hayley. - Okay, that is nonsense.

So, what, are you saying that men and women

can never just be friends?

Not when the woman looks like you, no.

And not when she's as on the ball as you.

You picked up on what was going on between us

before I did,

and you were the first one to mention our connection.

- You remember that? - Of course.

- But that was different. - Oh. Was it, though?

Because you spotted my attraction to you,

and you probably spotted Randy's, too.

Yet you allow him to stick around,

which means you're enjoying this flirtation

or whatever this connection is between you and him.

If you and Mother had managed to stop Dani

from launching her modeling career when she wanted to,

she would have made your lives so miserable,

you probably would've ended up kicking her out

with a flamethrower.

You're probably right.

About the kicking her out, not the flamethrower.

Dani is so strong-willed.

You both are.

Just like your mother.

And I realized... very soon I realized...

That there's no stopping either of you

once you get your mind set on something.

That is because you raised us to believe in ourselves.

Hmm.

I might need to break out some of those old affirmations

for your mother.

MARTIN: Hi, Mom.

Hi, baby.

- Hi, Granddad. - Hey.

Your mother was just telling me about Tyrell's send-off

and the empty space that his absence leaves.

- It's a little harder than we thought. - Mm.

As I recall, when Dani and your mother moved out,

your gran and I soon enjoyed

- having the house to ourselves. - [Martin laughs]

I hear you.

And I know that Tyrell's only a Metro ride away.

Granddad, there's something I want to discuss with you.

I will leave the two of you to it.

There's someone I need to talk to myself.

Please do not overthrow the world

one squash game at a time.

I make no promises.

[laughter]

You must not know many lawyers, Madison.

We always have a plan B.

Hell, I have a decision tree of alternate strategies.

Even if we can't find the information

to support a motion for summary judgment,

the odds will be in our favor at trial.

You will be an incredible witness,

and my dad will make mincemeat of the plaintiff

on cross-examination.

But one way or another,

we won't rest until we clear your name.

You, your dad, all of Chelsea's family

has been so incredibly kind and supportive.

I can't thank you enough.

Oh, please. There's no thanks needed.

We are your family now, too.

[laughs]

My strained relationship with my mother

has distanced me from my own family.

I'm so grateful to be sharing Chelsea's.

Are you kidding? We're happy to have you.

I hope you know how lucky you are, Naomi,

to have a parent who shares your profession

and-and wants you to succeed

instead of one who has utter disdain for what you do

and tries to undermine you.

Yeah, Dad's really good about encouraging his daughters.

As much as you two seem to enjoy working together,

I don't understand why you don't want to work with Bill

on a permanent basis.

I was a complete and total ass.

Agreed.

I took my frustrations about my work situation with Naomi

out on you, which was unfair.

A man who claims to love me shouldn't treat me that way.

There's no excuse for my behavior.

All I can do is promise that I'll do better in the future

and try to make amends now.

What kind of amends, exactly?

A beautiful and expensive dinner.

That better be the first of many, many things.

Oh, it is.

And while you're enjoying your lobster,

I'll be eating crow

because everything you told me about Naomi's role at the firm

was spot-on.

The judge granted her motion, so obviously her strategy

was the right approach to take.

I'm not surprised.

My cousin is a rock star.

And so are you.

Thanks.

And I'm mortified that I got so bent out of shape

about that lovely gift you offered me.

It will bring me great joy to send it to my abuelita.

Can you bring it to dinner?

Too late. I already gave it to someone else.

Who?

Izaiah.

Oh, hey, Chelsea.

Madison working late?

You know it, so I'm here celebrating alone.

Ooh. What's the occasion?

Naomi had a big victory in Madison's case,

and this whole bogus lawsuit might get dismissed.

Go, Naomi.

She recently helped me out, too.

She stepped in to represent me last-minute.

[pats chair]

You had a legal problem, Smitty?

Jacob wanted to question me after Lia Whitmore's death.

I interviewed her right before she died.

Was Jacob hard on you?

I've testified in court before,

but, no, this was different and not in a good way.

Well, it could be a sign that you might need to pivot

back to your sweatshop investigation?

Seems safer.

Yeah, that's probably true.

Yeah, then you could go back to your normal life

below the radar.

Well, that's the last thing that I want.

NICOLE: Hello, Mother.

Well, this is a pleasant surprise.

I had some free time, so I thought I'd swing by,

check in, see how you're doing.

I am doing just fine.

It is nice to see you on your piano.

I remember when I was little, I would love

to hear you sing and vocalize.

Creating something new?

Oh, no, I was just, uh, working on one of the old songs.

For the, uh, rerecording?

Yes.

Since my voice isn't what it was prior to chemo,

I've just been playing with lowering one of the keys.

Well, I'm sure if you practice a little bit more...

Well, not necessarily.

I was just doing some reading

and

though it's uncommon,

chemo can permanently damage vocal cords.

And if you lower the key of the song?

Then that would mean tampering with Barbara's vocals

to compensate for me not being at top form,

and that just feels wrong.

I mean the whole point

was to present Barbara to the world

as the unique vocalist she was.

And my voice being

off

is putting the whole project in jeopardy.

This project must really stir up some emotions for you.

Hearing Barbara's vocals again?

It stirred up the guilt that I feel

for my role in pushing her out of the group.

You know

the cause of your vocal difficulties

could actually be psychological.

Granddad, I did my best to reassure Smitty

that Jacob's questioning wasn't a big deal.

But I have to admit, this situation makes me

a little nervous.

Why is that?

We've both seen how campaigns

get derailed by inadvertent comments

or by someone giving an incident a negative spin.

I might need a plan to see what I can do about this.

I think all you need to do here is to tell the truth.

I'm sure Jacob will confirm

that he just asked Smitty a few routine questions.

But what if that isn't enough?

Our family didn't go through hell

for it all to fall apart now.

And I don't know how I would handle

if my political career were to end

because of these ludicrous insinuations about Smitty.

If you lost the election

it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

My father put you up to that?

Saying that I should continue working with him?

- Not at all. - No, no, no.

I'm, I'm kidding.

Sort of.

After winning the hearing, Dad really tried

selling it to me that I should join the firm,

and that is the last thing I want.

Why? Everyone says you two are a-a dream team.

I don't know how much Chelsea has told you about our father,

but he's usually not on the right side of things.

Mm.

I know all about the way he used to cheat on your mother.

Yeah, well, he applies those loose ethics to his work, too.

As lawyers, we are obligated to zealously represent our clients,

and he takes that as "Do anything you can

to get your client off, just don't get caught doing it."

Okay, you're exaggerating.

Girl, I wish I were.

I became a lawyer to help the people

who don't have money or power.

And in a battle of David versus Goliath,

my dad is Team Goliath all the way.

I love him, but honestly,

our values are almost as far apart as you and your mother's.

Awful, isn't it?

It can be. Yeah.

- [phone vibrating] - Oh, sorry. One second.

Hey, what's up?

It's been too long since the two of us had a date night.

I like the way you think.

- Uptown? - I'll meet you there.

I love you.

Love you back.

- Sorry, that was... - I know.

I recognize the love. Go meet him.

Thanks.

Granddad, I don't believe what I'm hearing.

After everything you've done

to guide and protect my political career,

now you're saying it wouldn't be a big deal

if I were to lose the election?

Oh, it would be a very big deal,

just not as much as I used to think.

Granddad, are you sure a squash ball

didn't hit you upside the head?

Because that's the only thing I can think of

as an explanation for why you're saying this.

When your grandmother was diagnosed with cancer.

I realized no work,

no legacy, nothing matters

as much as the people you love.

Of course, but...

My teaching,

my consulting,

my advocacy,

uh, any of the other work that I do,

it could all disappear tomorrow.

I'd be all right.

Granddad, I appreciate the sentiment,

but I think you would be bored to tears

if you didn't have all of your pursuits.

If you weren't in Congress,

you'd still have Smitty and the children,

your mind, your talent, your health.

Priorities, son.

I suppose, after all these years

of Smitty being a stay-at-home parent

maybe it's my-my turn.

Then I could spend lots of time with Samantha at home,

it being her last year and all.

It'll be a very different life

but one that's still rich and fulfilling.

Sorry, I did not mean to blurt that out like that.

It's giving mad unenthusiastic about the way things used to be.

Were you that unhappy?

No. Of course not.

I just... I spent years in the background

being the perfect political spouse and father, and,

so it's nice to have some attention on me again.

Yeah, and it should be.

You're incredible in your own right.

Ever since I've been publishing the articles about the Impaler,

I've been getting more interesting assignments,

public attention, and I don't want to give that up.

And in light of Lia's death and Derek's death,

I realize how shallow that sounds.

Hello? Influencer.

Folks say the only reason we have sense enough to come in

out of the rain is because we can live stream it.

- [laughs] - And I-I get it.

I used to love having all eyes on me, but

things are different since Allison.

But there's absolutely nothing wrong

with wanting to be the star of your own life.

So keep at it,

and I hope you become the most famous reporter

since Clark Kent.

Mm. Okay.

Is that your best example?

Okay, I should probably read the newspaper more often,

or ever.

[laughs]

Well, here is to hoping

that you learn to love the limelight again,

and then you can use your social media presence

and influencer powers for good.

Bet.

Why would you give Izaiah a purse?

He's gonna give it to his mother.

He and I have had great conversations

about ChelseaKat's design process.

He's very interested in my work.

I'm interested, too.

Really?

Have I ever told you about ChelseaKat's

ten-step leather dyeing process?

Let's get champagne,

celebrate me crushing it at the hearing.

- Congratulations, babe. - Hmm.

But of course you did. No surprise there.

With any luck, I'll win this case

and then I'll win the one for June's friend, too,

and I can finally be done with my dad's firm.

I know it's a relief that your dad

won't be in your face all the time.

Well, it's not even just him, it's Hayley and office politics.

And Tomas treats every interaction we have

like he's in armed combat.

Then you might want to put on your flak jacket.

There's no flirtation between Sammy and me.

I'd be disgusted if he ever tried to make a move on me.

So glad to hear that.

Look, babe, I know how strange

our friendship may seem to others,

which is why I kept it quiet.

No, which is why you kept seeing him in secret.

Look, there's nothing secret or sordid about it.

Sammy just doesn't have any friends.

He's an outsider like me.

My wife is not an outsider.

Bill, I am no more welcome in Fairmont Crest now

than the day we got married.

Now, tell me that's not true.

Sammy and I, we can talk to each other.

And listen, I-I hope you won't mind, but...

I've confided in Sammy about your health problems.

I just needed someone to talk to

who wouldn't blame me for everything.

And turns out, he's a really good listener.

Oh, well, then he's definitely playing the long game,

waiting to comfort you with a kiss or more.

- Absolutely not. - Hmm.

All the bonding and confiding.

You know, it sounds like an emotional affair to me, Hayley,

which can be just as bad as a physical one.

And some may argue it's even worse.

- You've got this all wrong. - I think that part of you

likes being the woman in lonely Randy's life.

There is a woman in Sammy's life, yes,

but it's not me.

It's Mona.

You can take off the shrink's hat.

My vocal problems have nothing to do

with any kind of phobia or emotional trauma.

NICOLE: If I were in shrink mode,

I would tell you that that sounds like classic avoidance.

- Don't get smart with me. - Mother, you just said

that the way your voice is now,

you can't sing the original version,

but the rearranged version won't work either.

Could it be possible,

on some level, that you are trying to avoid

getting back in the recording studio?

And it makes sense,

the way that all of the emotions Barbara stirs up in you.

I told you, it's the chemo.

I'm not making excuses to try to get out of something

that I've been wanting to do since the reunion concert.

And if my voice would just cooperate,

we would have been in the recording studio yesterday.

Sometimes our subconscious protects us from pain.

It can be so powerful that it affects us even physically.

Leslie

being involved in this project,

even though she has every right to be,

since she has the rights to Barbara's vocals,

has made the process a bit more complicated.

Is she making ridiculous demands?

Oh, well... But that's not the problem.

She and Eva came by unexpectedly,

and they wanted to hear Barbara's voice.

The only thing I had here was a recording

of Barbara singing "Happy Birthday" to me

when I turned 17.

[clears throat, coughs]

Your daddy was here.

And so we all sat down and listened

to the recording together.

And it brought it all back so strongly. .. [coughs]

The love and the, um... loss

and the guilt. [Coughs]

It was as if Barbara,

you know, were in the room with us, haunting me.

[coughs]

I can't believe Tomas is here.

It's like my father's law firm is following me everywhere I go.

Yeah, I know the feeling.

I can't stop thinking about Lia's death,

even though everyone at the station

is starting to treat me like I'm wearing a tinfoil hat.

You know what? Maybe I should take advantage

of Naomi being here and, uh, go over there

and tell her what a great job she did.

Do you actually want to go over there

and offer her a compliment,

or are you doing it for my benefit?

Why can't it be both?

Mona?

Yeah, Mona who works for Nicole.

That's who Randy's seeing?

Nicole's house manager Mona Wilson.

Okay, so you're telling me that the most God-fearing person

that I've ever met is dating one of Joey's thugs?

I think Mona will be a good influence on Sammy.

And who knows? He'll maybe even

get her to loosen up a little bit.

No, no, no.

Something still doesn't track.

How come you never mentioned this before?

Because I didn't want to put Sammy's business

out in the street.

And you know, after I told you the truth,

I didn't think you were still taking Naomi and Chelsea's

ridiculous theory about me having an affair seriously.

Look, I am not and never have been

physically, let alone romantically, involved

with Sammy, not ever.

Bill,

now that you know everything,

baby, can you just please let this go?

- [piano playing] - [vocalizing]

[singing high note]

- [clapping] - Uh...

- [laughs] - I'd say you're ready

- to win another Grammy. - Oh, please.

While I appreciate your attempt to always hype me up,

we all know you're a little more than just slightly biased.

I agree with Daddy.

And you are no more objective than he is.

Well, then you should decide for yourself.

What have you...

[piano playing over phone]

[Anita vocalizing over phone]

[singing high note]

All right.

I suppose that

it's... I am getting a bit better.

Just a bit.

"A bit" nothing.

All your practicing has paid off.

That,

and our brilliant number one daughter

had a little bit to do with that, too.

- What's all this? - SMITTY: Well,

I know how much you love milkshakes from Orphey Gene's,

so I figured that they would soften the blow

of whatever bad news Vernon had to give you.

I will gladly take a milkshake anytime,

but no bad news was delivered.

You're kidding.

Granddad agreed that your extremely tenuous connection

in what happened with Lia

won't be a problem for my campaign.

Well, that is a relief.

He was actually in a philosophical mood today.

He said even if I lose the election, life would go on.

But that's never been his or your attitude.

Maybe it should be.

Granddad reminded me, all I need to be happy

is you, Tyrell and Samantha.

And I know you had that epiphany years ago.

I was just a little late, as usual.

As wonderful as our family is,

I think you and I both need a little bit more than that.

Well, we do have the place to ourselves.

Might as well take advantage of it.

- [elevator bell dings] - MADISON: Hey, honey.

Hello, sweetness. Mmm.

Great news about the lawsuit,

and I was being good by waiting until the end of your shift

before coming over and gloating all over you.

Okay, okay, well, don't gloat too much,

- it's only a first step. - Will you please

have a little faith?

I found out Naomi helped Smitty with a legal problem, too.

She's like the guardian angel attorney

of Dupree significant others.

Although I think you'd look really cute in a tinfoil hat,

you're asking solid questions about Lia's death

and you have real reasons for pursuing this case.

You are not a conspiracy theorist, Jacob.

And then there's the part where you're worried about me.

Cop's wife.

It's in the job description.

And if you were less determined to bring the Impaler to justice,

you wouldn't be the guy I married.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up.

Especially since my mother told me

that you and I need to spend more time together

as a break from work.

Are you saying you only asked me on a date

because your mother told you to?

- Hey, you know my mom. [Laughs] - [laughs]

No, but seriously, she's right.

We both need an escape from our respective jobs

and stresses.

Ugh. You want another drink?

I was talking about a real escape.

How about we blow this place?

- Yeah? - Yeah.

Go home and spend the rest of the night

shutting the rest of the world out.

- Ooh, I really like the way you think. - Yeah?

I suppose if you're willing to make nice with my cousin,

then it's a sign that you're willing to change.

So consider your apology accepted.

Thank you.

I was gonna take you on a shopping spree,

but since that's no longer necessary...

Oh. Who said?

I plan on melting your credit card.

Mm. Love the way you keep me on my toes.

I believe you, sweetheart.

Oh, thank God.

I was scared I was gonna lose you over nothing.

No, not gonna happen.

I love you too much to ever let you go.

Mm.

I hope you've learned to never keep anything from me again.

- Never again. - Mm.

Secrets are toxic.

No one knows that better than I do.

Yeah, and I don't want anything toxic to destroy our marriage.

Mm, and I'm gonna do everything I can

to make sure that that never happens.

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