Original subtitles

And now, for the last item on our agenda.

Mm.

The Virginia humidity has been replaced by a chill in the November air.

It is that special time of the year where we all start looking for something,

or someone, to keep us warm.

-And you know what that means, don't you? -Mm-hm.

It is cuffing season, y'all.

And if you wanna survive it with your heart and your edges intact,

I need you to listen up.

I have seen it too many times.

Look, family, I've seen it too many times.

It always starts with, "Nah, man, she a'ight, I don't care."

And it ends with checking your phone every five minutes

trying to figure out why she leaving you on read.

But look, cuffing season is about making connections, not babies.

Say it with me.

-Take no steps with hoteps. -No steps with hoteps.

I got it written.

Mm-hm. Thank you. It is an emotional jungle out there.

And it's really easy to lose yourself in it.

Oh.

Dismissed.

I don't know about you lot, but I'm already cuffed.

You see, me and my Compton cutie, we've been doing our thing.

And soon, we may actually do our thing.

-Uh-oh. -Hold on, you... you ain't telling me you...

Uh-uh, a gent... A gentleman never tells.

-Good man. -You see, Rashida, that's wifey.

And she got this fire.

She knows how to mellow me out and hype me up all at the same time.

Well, Kojo and I are basically on boo time.

-Mm-mm. -Okay?

-It's been nice getting to know him. -In the biblical sense?

Girl, we're having a good time.

-Uh... Okay. -Okay?

And he even planned a date for us.

-Date? I love that for you. -That's so cute.

Koshida has a nice ring to it.

-Yeah. -Koshida.

-Stop. -Yeah.

My DMs runneth over, but all eggplants and no effort.

I think I need to get off of HBCU UP.

No, what we need to do is get you out in these streets.

So you just want me to go out and approach somebody IRL?

That's suggestive of your lack of social boundaries.

I will be your wingman.

No, we will be your wing men.

No, we will not.

No, look, love y'all boys.

But I'm not about to be out in these streets.

See, look, me and Deborah, we just got on the right path.

And I ain't trying to F that up.

What about you and Shaquille?

Nah, I don't even have the bandwidth for anything serious right now.

Especially with me and Ellington trying to get my grades right.

And my new job at The Pit, paying Dwayne and Whitley back. I...

I got to be focused on my focus.

Believe it or not, I'm more of a one-woman kind of man.

-Word? -Even though I've never been successful.

-Yeah. -Yeah.

-We fall down. -But we get up.

-My guy. Mm. -My brother.

-Come on. -Yeah.

Oh. Speak of the devil. Shaquille wants to meet up tomorrow.

-Oh. Ooh. -Mm.

Well, obviously you're gonna go.

No, only because we're friends.

-Right. -Uh-huh.

-See, now your mouth is saying one thing... -Mm-hm.

But all of this is picking out baby names.

Shut...

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ It's a different world ♪

♪ Than where you come from ♪

♪ Oh ♪

Uh-uh. No.

No mouth sex. Not in public.

-Girl, get off that boy lap. -Damn.

I seriously cannot thank you enough for hiring me, Nellie.

Getting cut off by my parents felt like them throwing me into the ocean

without them actually ever teaching me how to swim, so I'm excited.

Well, baby girl, you are family, okay? So now, what do you know how to do?

Uh, well, I'm... Uh, I'm a people person, and I'm a whiz at making lattes.

They actually used to call me the Debo-rista in a past life.

Okay, she just learned how to use a washing machine.

Maybe we should start her off with washing dishes.

Great idea. See?

This is why I put Rashida in charge.

Do everything she tells you to do, you'll be just fine.

Okay.

Time to go.

-Go where? -To work.

Ugh. Ah!

We coming at you from Hillman College's Marshawn Lynch Serenity Garden,

with QB Shaquille Johnson.

Now, I know my boy must have paid a grip for this zen little spot,

'cause I know Marshawn, and he ain't never been serene.

Let's chop it up, Five Star.

You had offers from all across the country.

Tell me why you brought your talents here to Hillman.

Um, I believe in Black athletes using their talents and high profiles

to uplift HBCUs.

Basically, I give to Hillman, and Hillman give to me.

That's beautiful. Almost poetic, like a light-skinned Shakespeare.

Shakespeare.

Our viewers wanna get to know the real you.

-Yeah. -Because being here...

-Mm-hm. -you not gonna get the coverage

you would at, say, Ohio State or Alabama.

That make you feel some type of way?

I came here to make this program bigger, which will make Hillman bigger.

So you saying Hillman's too small for you?

Nah, I like how small it is here.

You got this team on an eight-game win streak,

on the verge of its first-ever Celebration Bowl game.

Transfer portal's gonna be wide open for you as Hillman College's savior.

Savior?

Ah, I don't know about that, Cam.

I mean, of course, I definitely put Hillman on the map.

Before I got here, college football fans didn't even know we had a team.

Far as the transfer portal goes, that's always gonna be open.

-But I love it here, so all good. -You heard it here first, fam.

Hillman Football would be nothing without this five-star Jesus.

What? No. No, no, wait. I... I did not mean it...

-And that's all the time we got today. -What...

Coming from the greatest Jordan ever.

This is Lights! Cam! Action!

Cam?

I appreciate you letting us dissect your interview today in class, Shaquille.

-Yeah, I'm definitely regretting that now. -I bet you are.

Five-star Jesus got crucified.

Hey, all right, take it easy on my boy.

Look, when you have a platform, you have to own the message.

No, he was interviewing me though. I just answered the questions he asked.

But you said stuff you didn't really wanna say.

You can use those answers to redirect the narrative.

Look, a trained public speaker has the power to take any platform

and turn it into a vessel for their own message.

Look, man, y'all was born with iPhones in your hands.

You were on lockdown during the most pivotal part of your development.

That wreaked havoc on your perception for social cues.

I'mma need you to stop dragging us.

I'm not trying to drag y'all. Which leads me to your next assignment.

I want y'all to go out into the world and talk to people.

Wonderful, right?

Ask questions, listen, be direct about your intentions,

and report back to me.

You got it?

-All right, sounds fair. Fair enough. -Yeah.

Major?

-Early childhood education. -Mm.

We're walking down the sidewalk. Which side are you walking on?

-Whichever side is closest to the street. -Mm.

Biggest pet peeve?

Condoms.

Okay, did you clean out and empty out the fridge?

-I did, and I also organized the pantry. -Okay.

Yes, I think it was actually kind of therapeutic.

At one point, I kind of became one with the cans.

Keep it up, girl. I like the hustle.

Once I'm done bus sing, I'm gonna clock out

so, you know, I have time to go home, take a shower,

maybe do some homework.

Bed rot for a sec, 'cause you know how that be.

And then I think I'm gonna meet up with Shaquille after.

Uh, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. We have a whole lot more work to do.

See, you ain't the only person who has a date tonight, okay?

Now go out there and take out that front trash.

And be careful, because there's a group of possums,

and their mama like to tussle.

Oh, I can't do this.

Hey, Nellie, can I have a $14,000 advance so I can pay my parents off faster?

Child, please.

All I got for you is some advice.

One, if what I'm paying you isn't enough,

then go out there and find you a second job.

-Oh, but I can't get a sec... -Two.

Take that trash out before you lose this job, okay?

-Mm-hm. -I tried to told her.

Oh.

I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go.

You work here?

First day.

Wow, okay.

Um, you gonna be able to balance this with your schoolwork?

I kinda have to.

But thanks to you, I have a study schedule,

and it is giving booked, busy, getting at least a B.

That's a lot of B's. I think that means something.

Yeah, um, about that.

-I just finished grading exams. -Mm-hm.

I got some bad news for you.

What?

All right, gang, two-a-days coming up.

Dismissed.

Shaquille.

Chop it up with me for a sec.

What's up, Coach?

What the hell were you thinking with that interview?

You got the whole team pissed at you, and it's clearly got you off your game.

Look, I didn't come here to be a distraction.

How can I fix this?

You're team leader. Lead.

Let it be known that our success isn't about you.

Yes, sir.

And maybe start with your boy.

-Coach... -Andre's cleared to play.

But I'm sticking with you in spite of that interview.

Gotta think, son.

Yo, good throwing out there today, man.

-Yeah, you was on point, for sure. -You ain't gotta tell me that.

Man, look. Look, bro. All that beef, we gotta squash that.

Come on, man, for the team.

-For the team? -Yes.

What did you tell Cam in the interview?

You put Hillman on the map.

This was supposed to be my year.

It would be a shame if somebody told Coach what really happened that day.

I know it was supposed to be just us, yeah,

but you should have seen the state of this man's face when I was leaving.

So I figured we could just be his wingman and wing woman.

But I got suttin' to make up for it tomorrow night.

-It's gonna be very special. -Ladies and gentlemen.

-Special? -Mm-hm.

I love that for me.

It's time for the articulated, melanated...

Um, tonight is not '90s R&B karaoke night. It's spoken word.

I can't catch a break.

-Excuse me? -...and only Marquise.

-Oh my God. -What's going on, y'all?

Uh, this one is called "The Room."

They want me in the boardroom But I'm bored

Room to room, just chasing their approval

But is there room in your sheets?

In your peace?

See, I code switch by day But tonight, I'm just me

Black boy joy meets Black boy free

You look like liberation

♪ You make me feel like it's all right ♪

♪ I'm starlight ♪

♪ It's like I realize... ♪

Uh-oh.

What's up, girl?

No. You did this for me?

Why you say it like that?

Look, you deserve it, girl. Come on, what else you want?

I just wanted to show how much I appreciate you.

You know, after the interview and the whole team being pissed at me,

it really means a lot that you always got my back.

Hey, you all right?

I got a C minus on my exam for Professor Brooks' class.

-Mm-hm. -And I'm thousands of dollars in debt.

-Oh. -Yeah.

And even with this Pit job,

I am going to be paying off this money for the rest of my life.

-Oh. -So.

-I feel that. -Mm-hm.

But look, this too shall pass.

I hope so.

-It will. -It is entirely too much.

But look, let's...

Let's put all the outside world stuff aside right now.

Um, I wanna talk to you.

Let me see your hands.

Give me your hands, please.

I wanna give us a chance.

For real this time.

-For real, for real? -For real, for real.

I mean, uh, wh...

Shaquille, we've had so many chances already.

Why now? 'Cause it's cuffing season?

I do not care about cuffing season.

I care about you and what we got.

I don't know.

I don't... I... I don't know. Um...

I... I just... I have a lot going on right now.

Uh, I mean, it's... it's... it's slippery.

You know, one wrong move, and it's over for me.

Hey, no, no, no. I... I'm not... I'm not saying no.

I... Just, um...

Just let me think about it.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, of course.

Okay?

♪ ...the sunshine for the first time ♪

We have this really rich protein.

-Candace! Oh! -Oh.

I would like to officially submit my application for Miss Gilbert Hall,

the beginning of an era.

Okay.

Oh, girl, you've got 100 signatures here.

You need 150.

-Come on. -Oh, shit balls.

Hey, Candace.

Oh gosh, can I not have a moment of peace?

Do you ever feel like you're drowning?

Well, I'm on the Student Activities Committee E-board.

I'm the captain of both the golf and the volleyball team.

I'm an RA, have to put up with you guys.

And then on top of that, I look this good.

So yeah, sometimes I feel like I'm drowning.

Damn.

Um...

how do you get through it?

Uh, discipline, systems,

an unapologetic commitment to being that bitch,

and watching my show.

This show.

Alone and in the quiet.

I hear you.

Do they always make the food look this desirable, or is...

Yes, they do. This is why I wanna watch my food porn in peace.

-Please. Thank you. -Oh. Oh.

I'm sorry. Sorry. I... I didn't know it was that deep.

It is.

Food is the universal language. It breaks all barriers.

It's the great unifier. I mean, look at somebody like Keith Lee.

That's it.

That's it.

Time to tap into my Keith Lee era, yes.

Oh my God. Thank you. Thank you, Can...

You know... you're all right.

You know that? Okay.

Your water pressure is excellent.

That felt like my own private waterfall in Tulum.

-Mm. -Not that I've been, but you know, it did.

Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

And, um, maybe I'll take you to Tulum one day.

Mm.

Mm-hm.

Mm.

-I'm just gonna say it. -Mm-hm.

I could get used to this.

I'm not the love-bombing type, but your energy is different.

Something I've been looking for, and we should definitely run it back.

Mm.

I love that.

But just so you know, I have a boyfriend.

A boy what?

A boyfriend.

We're open and poly.

But transparency is a big thing for me,

so I had to tell you before this goes any further.

Wow.

Um, this is what open and healthy communication feels like.

Mm-hm.

Can't say that I love it, but thank you for being honest.

Of course.

Mm.

Can I ask you another question?

What are you looking for in a potential partner?

Me, myself, personally, when it comes to females,

I want a female who really knows how to play her role as a female.

Did you just triple female me?

Oh, no, honey, you gotta go.

Um, but can you sign this before you go? Thank you.

So today we have The Pit's famous hush puppies and mash.

Nellie usually uses Tabasco for this,

but I think today I'm going to use some yuzu kosho

that I borrowed from my dad's crib for a little Japanese flair.

Damn.

So come on down to The Pit, and come get your life.

Deborah? Deborah? Where are you?

Okay, well, that's all we have for today, but remember when you come to The Pit,

be sure to use the hashtag #DeboSentYou, you know what I'm sayin'?

Okay, period, goodbye.

Okay, yeah.

What are you doing?

Influencing.

Why is it that I'm the only one that's actually working, again?

Every time I need you, you're doing something other

than what you're supposed to be doing.

You know what? I never should've told Nellie to hire you.

Excuse you? Nellie hired me because I'm family.

I'm the one that put in a good word for you, remember?

But I actually made you look good for recommending me.

It's like you be doing too much and not enough at the same time.

Actually, I'm doing exactly what Nellie told me to do.

-Right. -Find another gig.

I'm getting my side hustle on while I'm on the clock.

-Genius. -Not genius.

You should be focusing on the job that's paying you,

instead of getting distracted by one of your many, many problems.

Many...

I am facing my problems head-on

and handling them like a bad bitch,

which is way better than being a mad bitch.

-Look at you. -You wanna see a mad bitch?

I'll show you. You're fired.

First a C minus, then I get fired.

Why am I even trying?

Fired on your first day?

Second.

-Oh. -It's too much pressure.

I know exactly what you need.

Hum with me.

Dude.

I'm sorry, but the hell?

Um, okay, so when I was a kid,

my grandmother would hum to me when I was upset.

It's all about the soothing vibrations.

Stimulates your vagus nerve, takes you out of fight or flight.

-Close your eyes. -Mm-mm.

Come on.

-♪ Do it with me ♪ -Oh.

Uh, okay.

How do you feel?

Better.

Uh...

Uh, so is that how you survived... ...uh, freshman year?

Stimulating your... Las Vegas nerve thingy?

You know, doing this every day could help quiet the noise in your mind.

I saw you were struggling to focus during our first session.

You might also consider getting tested for learning disabilities.

Wait, are you serious?

That's what you got from this? No. No. No.

No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

I... I went to school with kids who were neurodivergent,

and they were all over the place.

That's not me. I...

I have my stuff way... way together. Uh...

I thought we were cool.

♪ This is the day for incense burning ♪

♪ Kick up your feet And close the curtain ♪

Oh my God.

Like it?

I mean, if this is what making it up to me looks like,

you should bring Amir on all of our dates.

Uh, I've... I've never been to a real-life jazz show before.

Me neither.

I thought my man on trumpet was gonna pass out.

Capped with a walk along the river.

Golden hour with my girl hits different.

-Oh, sorry. -It's okay.

Um...

Yeah.

Uh, we can't do this.

What? Sure we can.

Uh, I'm on my period.

Okay.

And?

-Ew. -What?

Uh, well, my tummy hurts.

Tummy rub?

Actually, I have to study tonight, yeah?

So I'll see you tomorrow? Okay.

♪ Chilling with you, baby Feels terrific ♪

♪ Let's elevate the mood... ♪

I pushed our beds together.

Uh-uh, no.

You trying to be slick? No, it's after hours.

No, I need to see some I... D.

There a problem, Officer?

Hm, it's been a long day.

And I got a California King calling my name.

Sorry. I thought you was one of these horny kids.

You know, they been on this nonsense with this cuffing season mess.

I don't know.

But, um, you have a good night, Coach Coles.

Coach Coles? Boo Boo, please. Call me Bryce.

Okay.

Chilly night.

How late they got you working?

-How you doing? -Hi.

Let me get the hush puppies and mash. Debo sent me.

And I don't wanna do the yuzu kosho.

I, uh... I got a real sensitive tummy thing.

Okay, Magellan.

#DeboSentYou ain't here, so there's no more yuzu anyways.

Did you say Magellan?

What do you know about One Piece, little lady?

I know that I watched all 1,155 episodes over one summer.

-Did you? I don't believe it. -Yeah. I did.

Okay.

Well, then maybe we should start a club.

Uh, hello.

All these orders. Where is Deborah?

I fired her.

Girl, you got a little too much dip on that chip, don't you?

You don't have the power to fire anybody.

You don't understand, Nellie.

Debo, she be having my... my nerves in a choke hold.

-She just be choking... She be... -Uh-huh.

-She be choking... -Like you got mine right now.

Go apologize to that girl, and get her to come back here to work.

And tell her #NellieSentYou.

Yo.

-Bruh, I just wanna eat. -Man, look, just give me a minute.

All right.

Look...

when we had got into it, you had said something about my parents.

See, a couple years back, my mom, she... she passed away.

I know you ain't know, but, uh, that shit

triggered me.

Dang, bruh.

Look, I had no idea.

For real.

Uh, I don't play about people's moms, okay?

Consider that all the way squashed.

-We straight? -Yeah. For sure.

All right.

-Almost got done with your food now. -Yeah. I've been waiting, man.

-All right, I'mma see you around. -I'll catch you.

So your cold streak is over.

-I took our homework very seriously. -Mm.

That's one way to put it.

Last night, I set up this mad sexy vibe for Rashida.

Yeah.

Next thing, she dipped with the quickness.

-Bro, same with Deborah. -Damn.

Bro, I laid it all on the line for her.

-Mm. -Still ain't give me no answer.

-Women, am I right? -I'm telling you...

I hope y'all got y'all's assignments.

Some more than others.

Well, I met someone,

and instead of fantasizing about how amazing it could be,

I approached him, I stated my intentions, and he was on the same page, you know?

And so a time was had,

and I'm gonna stop right there 'cause I don't want y'all in my business.

See, that's the thing about communication.

It's also about delivery...

And we'll finish this conversation later.

I would like to introduce a very special guest,

Hillman's newest writer in residence

and my brother, the renowned poet, Marquise!

What's up, baby?

-What's up? -What's up?

How you doing? Good to see you.

Pop it up. Pop it up. Do better than that. Do better than that.

Mm.

Mwah.

I know you. I saw your interview.

It was really, mm...

Well, you were moisturized.

Shady, but I'll take it. At least somebody appreciated somethin'.

I'm Candace.

Look, I get it.

Us athletes have to be perfect at all times.

It's the cost of being number one.

Plus, if everybody had our discipline, excellence wouldn't be so rare.

All right, now.

Can you spot me on this one?

Uh, yeah, yeah. I got you.

You just sad 'cause Mommy and Daddy can't see you play. Huh? Huh?

You just sad 'cause Mommy and Daddy can't see you play. Huh? Huh?

Can you say that last part again?

Oh God.

I'm sorry I let my non-existent power go to my head.

Wow.

How could I not accept an apology so delicate and sincere?

You'll come back to work?

Definitely.

Especially 'cause I don't think this influencer life is for me.

It's too much work, and I haven't seen a single penny.

Why is everything so hard?

Tell me about it.

Well, since you asked...

Ellington thinks I have a learning disability.

Wait, you don't?

What? Girl... No.

-Oh. I just... -No, no, no. No, no, no, no.

I know I can be a little scatterbrained sometimes, but...

I mean, Shaquille did

ask me out,

and I threw myself into the culinary arts instead of answering him.

Well, you're not the only one that's flaky.

What do you mean?

I mean, Kojo had this super cute date planned out,

and it ended all romantical,

and I feel like I led him on.

Mm-mm. No. No, no, no, no, no.

Hey, look at me. Look at me. You do not have to rush into anything.

Just... Just talk to him, okay?

Uh... Uh, tell him you need some time.

Why haven't you talked to Shaquille yet?

Um, well, I'm afraid of messing things up with him

like I do everything else.

We fall down...

But we get up.

Great.

Oh.

-My bad. -Hi.

-Um, Hazel, right? -Uh-huh.

Yeah. Okay, I peeped you walking from Bible study the other day.

I mean, like, I got mad respect

for women who keep it 100 with the big guy in the sky and stuff.

You trying to get cuffed?

Yeah.

Uh... Um, no.

Uh, as tempting as that might sound,

um, I'm looking for something real.

You know, a husband.

You are so cute.

Well, I see you need help getting signatures.

Um, I could hook you up with, like, beaucoup signatures

from my boys at the Jesse Jackson Tower if you wanna get out of here.

Yeah.

I have something to tell you.

And I don't know how to say it,

because I'm just afraid about how you might react

and what that might mean for us.

I'm a virgin.

-Hello, I said I'm a virgin! -Yeah, uh, just processing.

Okay.

So that's why you bailed?

Yeah.

To be 100, I was embarrassed.

I like you.

And I know it's a lot,

and I completely get it if you don't wanna wait for me to be ready.

But I just... I just...

I like you too.

And you know what they say.

Good things come to those who wait.

So I'll check back in tomorrow?

Ugh, boy, shut up.

It's open.

♪ 'Cause I know a place I can hide 'em ♪

♪ And it's inside you ♪

♪ Oh, hey, baby, say my name ♪

♪ Oh, spell it out ♪

♪ Safe space, I'm trained ♪

♪ And if you start to shake ♪

♪ I can hold you down on this bed frame ♪

♪ Hands mingle ♪

♪ She said she single But that ♪♪♪♪♪ only tingle for me ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Ooh, girl, I bet it do I bet it do, oh ♪

♪ You gonna do what I, I, I ♪

♪ You gonna do what I say ♪

♪ You gonna do what I, I, I ♪

♪ You gonna do what I say ♪

♪ You gonna do what I, I, I ♪

♪ You gonna do what I say ♪

♪ You gonna do what I, I, I ♪

♪ You gonna do what I say ♪

♪ Huh, leave the lights on I don't want it dark ♪

♪ Want you in the mirror So I can see it all ♪

♪ And make sure you remember When I'm been and gone ♪

♪ Huh, better leave your mark Huh, 'cause I'm high in demand ♪

♪ Couple years older I ain't scared at all, huh ♪

♪ You seen how I handle it, criminal ♪

♪ And I wanna do The unspeakable thing that you said ♪

♪ Said with your chest ♪

♪ But before we start breaking Each other off ♪

♪ I'mma ask you, baby ♪

♪ Will you rev me up? ♪

♪ Start by yourself And leave it in drive ♪

♪ Picture you against the wall naked ♪

♪ You said it's mine, so show me, baby ♪

♪ Don't say a word I got everything you need and want... ♪