Original subtitles

[Daniel Kim] Previously on Reasonable Doubt...

-Are you Lewis Stewart? -Yeah.

-I'm Austin Kyles. -And-And I'm Webster DeMarco.

So, what do you guys do?

We're gonna be making, uh, games for smart glasses.

You mind if we keep in touch?

-I know about the pills, Jax. -What pills?

[Eric Cropper] The ones you asked Steve for.

You ain't gotta lie to kick it, Jax.

I'll talk to security

and make sure they get you whatever you need.

Did you notice Jacqueline acting strange the other night?

She kept sitting down, and bouncing back up.

Have you kept track of

how many pills she takes every day?

Your mom told me that she's worried about you.

She's worried that you have a problem.

[Jax Stewart] You talking shit about me to my husband?

Because you told my husband that I was a drug addict.

I'm looking into your eyes,

and you look just like your father.

And I'm not talking genetics.

I'm talking addiction.

Stay the fuck out of my life!

Yo, Jax, just heard from my contact at the LAPD

that Devonte Reese will be arrested soon.

Wait, please! [pants]

I wanna make a deal.

-[video recording chimes] -So, y'all ready?

Okay.

So, I go on here and talk about Eric Cropper a lot

because he's not a good man, to say the least.

However, do you know what's worse than a bad man?

The person who defends him.

And her name is Jax Stewart, and she is the...

? Worst ?

-[? "Worst Behavior" by Drake playing] -? Muhfucker never loved us ?

? Fucker never loved us ?

? You ain't know, now you know now ?

? Still at it, scrub J's with a toothbrush ?

? Shit ?

? Niggas still playin' my old shit ?

? But your shit is like the police askin' us questions ?

? Nigga, we don't know shit ?

? Flex ?

? Nigga, I'm just flexin' ?

? Look at you, look at you, and look at you ?

? Ah, I'm glad that they chose us ?

? Command, it's a mission ?

? Tryna fight to the finish just to see am I finished ?

? On my worst behavior, no? ?

? They used to never wanna hear us ?

? Remember? ?

? Hold up, hold my phone ?

[buzzing]

? Muhfuckers never loved us ?

? Fucker never loved us ?

? Now you wanna roll one ?

? Muhfucker never loved us ?

? So everywhere we go now, full cup ?

? Always hated the boy, but now the boy is the man ?

? Muhfucker, I done growed up ?

? You know ?

? You know ?

[? song fades out]

Hey. Where are the kids?

Oh, with Mama Lu.

Uh, she wanted to make sure she still had a relationship with them

since, apparently, she doesn't have one with you.

When were you gonna tell me you cut your mom out of your life?

[scoffs]

I mean, wh-what did you expect me to say?

She accused me of being a drug addict. [chuckles]

I mean, I can think of many other reasons

for her not to be in my life.

She better not show up at my birthday party.

That's what I do know.

[Lewis Stewart] Look, I know you're mad,

but I told you she was concerned, which is understandable.

I mean, given everything that-

Okay, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Are you saying that you believe her?

I didn't say that.

Okay.

Okay.

[Lewis] Jax.

-[Jax] Hmm? -[toilet flushes]

Alright?

No more refills, okay?

Those were the last of 'em.

[Lewis] Where are you going?

To get myself a drink.

Or do I need your permission for that too?

[? mischievous music playing]

[sighs]

??

[inhales sharply]

[exhales deeply]

[? theme music playing]

? From La Brea to Slauson ?

? It's all us ?

? The Sun, Central Ave Jazz, it's all us ?

? Where we at, hit the Maverick Flats ?

? Lemeirt and right back to the ark ?

? It's all us ?

? We coastin' on the west between sets and wealth ?

? We toast the sunset in the Dons ?

? Take flight into the night under Cali stars ?

? In a world on wheels ?

? It's all us ?

? It's the world we feel ?

? It's all us ?

? From the Hills to Hollywood ?

? It's all us ?

? No doubt we all we got ?

? Hold it down, Black and brown ?

? In a city of dreams ?

? It's all us ?

[Det. Annie Zhang] Devonte Reese, you're under arrest.

Wait! [pants]

I wanna make a deal.

[Daniel] Since Devonte Reese's arrest,

half of the top 20 trending tags on socials

are about Eric's trial.

And the 21st is a hashtag "side-eye-judge"

for a look that Judge Gibson made during testimony last week.

[Jax] [chuckles] Yeah, he would love that.

He got new glasses the other day

after seeing his face everywhere.

[Krystal Walters] Oh, I can understand that.

I mean, People v. Cropper

is literally the biggest trial LA has ever seen.

Well, figuratively.

It's not "literally" the biggest.

Uh, so, since Devonte pled guilty

to kidnapping and attempted murder,

do we think he'll testify?

Oh, he better not. Our motion for a mistrial is Monday.

Well, why are we asking for a mistrial?

Because Reese is the one who committed the crime,

so his trial should go first.

We believe the district attorney moved too fast on Eric,

and this train needs to be stopped with a mistrial.

Okay, but if-if Judge Gibson denies the motion for mistrial,

can you still fight against Reese testifying?

Yeah, well, that depends on what he says.

-[cell phone buzzes] -But, you know, that's tomorrow's problem.

Today...

Everything good, CC?

Yeah, yeah, sorry.

Apparently, my father's flying in late next week.

Wants to grab dinner.

Anyway, we need to worry about these people coming out saying how

CROP Records cheats its artists like Dark and Stormy,

Reese and Fabian Cruz's old R&B duo.

Because despite the jury instructions,

we all know

that jurors are influenced by what they see and hear outside of courtroom.

[Jax] Mm-hmm, that's true.

Daniel, find out who from Eric's team

has broken their NDA and is adding to this rumor mill.

'Til then, I'm gonna go talk to Eric.

Cool, I'll go with you.

No, no need. You stay here. Deal with your, your father.

I'll let you know next steps on Star

after I speak with Eric, alone.

Okay, why is she hating on Poppa Cash?

Well, my father has a way of rubbing people the wrong way.

You mean like Jax is doing right now?

It's giving pot and kettle.

[? pensive music playing]

Hell no. Fuck no!

I'm not stepping down from CROP Records.

Just until this internet frenzy passes.

Your deal with Star Music is on thin ice.

So, you need someone to lead in the interim to improve optics.

What happened to loyalty?

Muthafuckas used to live by a code.

Look, we have no idea what Devonte's gonna give prosecutors,

which is why we need to secure this deal.

And Brooke, you find out who she was going to see that night?

Not yet, but we're on it. Look, Eric, I need you to focus.

Who do you want to lead in your absence?

Is it Tyger?

Yeah, maybe.

Smart choice.

I'll have Corey set a meeting with the Star execs.

Fine. But if the judge doesn't go for the mistrial

and Devonte testifies, we are fucked.

Why, what does he know?

[sighs] I did some shit to him and Fabian

that I don't want people to know about.

-[Jax groans] -Not illegal, um, some business type shit

that I'm just not trying to have held against me.

But based on what that motherfucker did to Brooke,

he definitely trying to take me down.

So, what? You saying this nigga's in his feelings?

[sighs]

Then maybe you need to figure out a way

to make him feel better.

[? dramatic music playing]

What are you saying?

Nothing, Eric.

I've said nothing.

??

[Shanelle Tucker] Y'all need to stop hating.

-I swear, I wish Autumn was here, right? -I know.

-I know. Mm. -[Jax laughing]

Yeah, she and Kendall been going through it with the baby, y'all.

[Sally sighs]

Aria, she just- she won't eat.

-She's crying through the night, you know? -[Jax] Mmm.

Autumn said she had to take a day off work just to sleep.

Oh, my God. I-I didn't realize it had gotten that bad.

You know, we should give Autumn and Kendall a night off.

Send them to a hotel,

and then we could take turns watching Aria.

-Ooh. -[Jax] That's sweet.

Cute! I'm in.

Jax?

Well, I'm... Y'all know I'm in the middle of this trial,

so, I mean, I probably couldn't do anything 'til next week.

Oh, girl, don't worry about it.

[Jax sighs]

Well, look, I- I'll figure it out, okay?

-Count me in, I'm in. [laughs] -[Sally] Okay.

-I'll book the hotel. -[Shanelle] Go ahead.

[Sally] Ooh! I'll get the wine. I'm bringing the wine.

[Shanelle] Yeah. We need a triple king suite.

-[? soft music playing] -? This is not really happening ?

-? Oh ? -[? music fades out]

[Lewis] This place is cool.

And I don't make it to this side of town very often.

I'm more of a Crenshaw, West Side, South Bay kinda dude.

[chuckles] Yeah, this is Austin's favorite place.

Apologies again, he couldn't make it.

But, uh...

we aim to please.

-[patrons chattering] -[? upbeat music playing]

Wow, this is, uh...

This is quite the offer.

This is from both of us.

-But again, we aim to please. -Aim to please.

And this is, uh... Yeah, this is, uh... [chuckles]

pleasing, for sure.

But... [sighs]

I'd have to move up north,

and I, I am, am just not in a position right now

to uproot my entire family.

Yeah, hey, look, I get it. We're a startup.

All hands on deck until we're up and running,

but eventually, you choose your own schedule.

One of our key investors is a billionaire

looking to leap into the augmented reality space.

Given your experience and your talent...

man, we really think that you are the perfect person

to shepherd us into that space.

-For real? -Look, you've worked

at Trista Vision for a long time.

My guess is

you're already making the maximum

they're willing to pay you,

which means that you are already

not getting paid what you are worth.

Listen, Lewis, could this whole thing crash and burn?

Yeah.

That's the risk with any startup.

Well, maybe it doesn't crash and burn.

And then you go from

visiting a few wineries in Napa

to making enough to own a few wineries instead.

[Lewis] Hmm.

You know, I've always been more of a, a whiskey guy, but, uh...

I could be open to a good pinot.

-[? pensive music plays] -[? music stops abruptly]

[Jax] Your Honor, we respectfully submit

that our motion for a mistrial should be granted

because another individual has already been arrested,

charged, and pleaded guilty to the very offense

for which my client is being charged.

If the district attorney wishes to continue

to pursue charges against my client,

they must do so on the basis of new charges

and new evidence arising from this newly found information.

Your Honor, the People wish to continue this trial.

We have proof that the defendant and Mr. Reese collaborated

in orchestrating the crime against Mrs. Cropper.

Mr. Reese's involvement does not absolve the defendant of the offenses

with which he is being charged.

Having considered the arguments presented by both parties,

I conclude that this trial shall proceed,

and that the motion for a mistrial is hereby denied.

Your Honor, that would be fundamentally unfair to my client.

Counselor, the motion is denied.

-You just wanna be on the news. -Jax, Jax...

[Corey whispering]

[softly] Come on, you gotta be fucking kidding me.

[cell door buzzes]

[exhales, scoffs]

My mama said I wouldn't see the devil 'til after I died,

-and yet here you are. -[door slams]

Is that who I am to you?

The devil?

Damn sure you're no angel.

How the fuck you get in here?

Cash, my nigga.

It buys access.

And no one will know I was here 'cause it buys silence too.

You know I cut a deal, right?

Twenty to life means I gotta testify.

Yeah.

But you don't gotta say what they want.

You can say what I want.

Why?

You're not innocent.

[Eric sighs]

Twenty to life.

That's a long stretch.

Even if you make a few allies, it won't matter.

See, my money already lets me walk through walls unseen.

The state of California ain't doing shit to protect you now

and you ain't even testified.

So, you think they gonna give a shit about you

after you take the stand?

Meanwhile...

I'm just trying to keep you safe.

I'd hate for you to be beat so bad

you shit out your own teeth.

[? tense music playing]

What do you want me to say?

[? upbeat music playing]

[? vocalizing]

Yeah, the song's off.

[? vocalizing]

I got you, I got you.

-? Gently, you send me... ? -[sings in Spanish]

Hold on. Layla. Layla.

-What up, little bro? -Oh. Yo, what's good?

How's it going?

[Tyger Cropper] Um, they're looking good.

-Definitely be ready for the show. -[Eric] Good, good.

Uh, listen... I'ma need you to run CROP

until everything dies down with this trial and shit.

-[? music resumes] -Okay, yeah, yeah. [chuckles]

I got you. I won't let you down, bro.

-Better not fucking let me down. -[chuckles]

So, who you got coming tonight?

You got Nick Rydell?

You know he got the YN's on lock right now.

Lili Pang?

Her TikTok and IG is breaking artists.

Come on, bro, you gotta think about this shit.

Nigga, I ain't a virgin in this.

Yes, we've got journalists, bloggers, influencers confirmed,

-so we're good. -A'ight, a'ight, I hear ya.

But I still might stop by, catch the show.

[groans, exhales]

I mean, if you come through, you're gonna take over the show,

kill the vibe, steal her shine.

Our guests need to be thinking

about Layla's music, not your trial.

It's called innocent 'til proven guilty, nigga.

And last I checked, this is still my record company.

Of course it is,

and, and I appreciate you

for trusting me to run it temporarily.

But I'm trying to follow your number one rule.

Secure the bag.

-Secure the bag. -Yeah.

-I'm glad you finally listened. -[both laughing]

-Come on, man, I got you. -A'ight, a'ight.

[? "LET 'EM KNOW" by T.I. playing]

-[crowd chattering] -? Woo, woo, woo ?

? Woo, woo, woo, woo ?

? Woo, woo, woo, woo ?

[Desiree Grant] Day six of the Cropper trial,

which continues after Judge Gibson's shocking decision

to deny the defense's motion for a mistrial.

We expect to hear more expert testimony today,

but folks are chomping at the bit,

waiting to see what Devonte Reese

and Brooke Cropper have to say

when they each take the stand later this week.

The People call...

Ethan Tran.

I'm a rental agent at Wheels Up.

My name is Detective Adam Hart.

I'm an LAPD detective in the Robbery-Homicide Division.

[Regina Harris] I'm now showing you People's Exhibit 1.

Do you recognize where this video was taken?

Yes, this is security footage from the kidnapping.

We used it to ID the make and model of the van.

Plates were stolen, but we caught a partial view

of a rental sticker, which led us to Wheels Up.

[Regina] I'm now showing you what has been marked

as People's Exhibit 18.

Do you recognize this document?

It's a receipt for a gray van rented by Devonte Reese.

He reserved and paid for it online

with a CROP Record corporate credit card

in Mr. Cropper's name.

And are you able to trace the locations

of your rental vehicles?

Usually, yes, but the GPS cut out of the van shortly after rental.

[Regina] Hmm.

So, were you able to find the van?

Yes. Mrs. Cropper received a call that activated her location.

My team traced that call to a storage facility in Torrance,

which is where the van and phone

were ditched before they switched to a car

and drove the victim to a warehouse in San Pedro.

So, Mr. Tran, you did confirm with Mr. Cropper

that Mr. Reese was authorized to use his corporate credit card, correct?

-No. -No?

So, Mr. Reese could have stolen

Mr. Cropper's credit card in order to purchase

-the rental van? -Objection, calls for speculation.

-[Judge Gibson] Sustained. -[Corey Cash] Withdrawn, Your Honor.

Detective Hart, were Cruz's and Reese's fingerprints found in the van?

Yes.

Were my client's fingerprints found in the van?

They were not.

Did you find any other fingerprints in the van?

Yes. There were quite a few prints in there.

It's a rental.

Did you test every single one of them?

We tested whatever prints we determined to be viable.

So that's a no. Nothing further.

??

-[knock on door] -[Cliff] Hey.

I had Lauren grab us a lunch reservation at Spago.

Spago, huh?

[sighs, chuckles softly]

You heard about my dinner with Bandit Kings.

Hey, it's a small tech world,

and you're great at what you do.

So, I can afford Spago, but I can't afford to lose you.

Thanks, Cliff.

But, uh-uh, it sounds like you're ready to negotiate.

That depends.

What are they promising?

Uh, [chuckles] uh, more than Spago.

Fuck.

You're killing me.

Look, I'd- [sighs] I'd like to stay here

and not have to figure out how to make a job

that's 400 miles away work,

but... until you can make time for me

to go to Spago every day and pay for it,

you might be looking at my two weeks sooner than later.

Alright. [inhales]

Let me see what I can do.

For real.

[? pensive music plays]

[cell phone buzzes]

[sighs]

[Daniel] Yo, boss.

So, I was thinking about what you said in court today

about the untested set of prints in the van,

and it hit me-

I told you to find out who violated their NDAs,

not play Ace Ventura.

Am I the only one who remembers how to be competent in their work?

My idea might not be what you asked for,

but it may be what you need.

Because if I'm right,

it could be potentially exculpatory for Eric.

I reread the forensic reports.

And while, yes, there were many fingerprints in the van,

there was one set of prints that were all over

right behind Fabian and Devonte's.

In addition, the same set of prints were found at the warehouse,

but since there was no match in the system,

they decided it just must have been a case of cross contamination.

But I think that they could actually belong to-

A third kidnapper.

I should have our independent forensic analyst look at them.

Yep.

[text message whooshes]

Oh, and, um, maybe instead of checking me,

you should check your emails.

I sent you the list of who violated their NDAs this morning.

[? dramatic music playing]

Hey, where are those batteries you had?

What the hell are you doing?

I found this behind a box of tampons in the bathroom.

I looked up the pills, and this is bad.

You should put them back.

-They're probably Mom's. -Duh.

But why aren't they in a normal prescription bottle?

-You know, I'm telling Dad. -What? No.

Look, Naima, it's already been too much going on,

with Grandma, Mom getting shot.

We finally good in this bitch.

Don't say anything.

-Alright? -[door closes]

[Jax] Who's home? I brought Dulan's.

[Spenser Stewart] Hey.

[softly] Better not say nothing.

[? tense music playing]

[Regina] The People call Devonte Reese.

Mr. Reese, it looks like there was two smaller payments

and one larger one of $538,429.

Can you tell us who these deposits were from?

They were from CROP Records to Fabian and me.

And can you please tell the jury what those payments were for?

I don't remember.

Mr. Reese, the largest payment was on the day of the kidnapping,

which was less than six months ago,

but you don't remember that?

[? slow, tense music playing]

Are you scared of Mr. Cropper?

No.

Nothing further.

Mr. Reese, you claim Mr. Cropper was a giving man.

Have you always felt that way about him?

No, there were times that I wasn't happy

with the way he handled me and Fabian as artists.

But... a few years back, I let it go.

[Jax] I see.

Your Honor, I'd like to introduce Defense Exhibit 1.

Do you recognize that exchange, Mr. Reese?

Yes.

These are texts between me and Eric from a couple months ago.

Can you read that last text to Mr. Cropper out loud?

"If you think I'm gonna go on this fucking reunion tour

"to make money for you after all the shit

"you've put me and Fab through,

"then you got me all the way fucked up.

"One day, you're gonna learn that fucking with me

was the worst mistake you ever made."

[jury murmuring]

Doesn't sound like you let it go.

That sounds like someone

who came up with a plan to punish Mr. Cropper

by kidnapping his wife.

-Is that correct? -Objection, argumentative.

Sustained.

No further questions.

[? pensive music playing]

[Regina] I know what you did.

What do you mean "you know what I did"?

I prepped Devonte.

I know his story inside out.

I know everything Eric did to him throughout his career,

and he would not have gone rogue,

unless he was prompted or intimidated.

Regina, are you accusing me

-of witness tampering? -[Regina] Well, I don't know.

Isn't it ironic that this all occurs after your motion was denied?

Witnesses switch things up on the stand all the time.

That's not new.

Regina, your key witness was ineffective.

-This isn't about me. -[Regina sighs]

But let this serve as a reminder to be cautious

about who you trust and who you make deals with,

as they may not always be reliable.

And...

maybe keep your baseless accusations to yourself.

[chuckles]

See you in court.

??

[Jax scoffs]

Look, Regina must be hella desperate

to think I had anything to do with Devonte changing up.

I mean, clearly, she knows she's losing this case.

Maybe, but is it a possibility that Eric threatened him?

No, and I would never advise him to do such a thing.

If you say so.

I plan on asking him myself, though.

Well...

Well, maybe, we should wait.

I mean, look, Eric's already under a lot of pressure, right?

And Brooke is about to testify.

I mean, I don't wanna, I don't wanna rattle him, you feel me?

Jax, I am not gonna get myself caught up

in a legal quagmire 'cause of this dude.

Okay, hear me out, alright?

I've known Eric for a long time,

and he is many things, but...

I don't believe he would go this far.

-[elevator dings] -Alright?

Let me handle it.

[indistinct chatter]

??

[Jeremiah Cash] Glad to catch up with you, son.

[Corey] Yeah, I'm glad too.

Brandy's sorry she couldn't make it,

but she had a conference in New York this week.

Oh, next time.

You know, I just wanna say I am loving Dr. Brandy for you.

-Really? -Yeah.

You know, I'm happy that you took my advice

and found someone you could settle down with.

And I was hoping that you don't get any second thoughts or distractions.

Well, I mean, Brandy, she's, you know, she's patient, she's open.

I mean, she really makes me feel like we're in a partnership...

-Hmm. -...which I never had before her.

Now, of course, I still need to be reminded to be a good boy.

I guess old habits die hard, as you know.

-Is that old habit Jax? -What?

Well, you know, I've seen the way she moves.

Passionate, ambitious, gorgeous-

Yo, yo, D-Dad. It's not like that.

Oh, now, son, you dropped everything.

You postponed your wedding to come to LA.

Now, if it wasn't for Jax, then, uh,

who or what was it for?

Marriage is a big step, and just have to make sure I'm ready.

I can see that you're afraid of following in my footsteps.

And you should be.

But you're working so hard to avoid my footsteps

that you didn't notice that you walked straight

into a burning building.

-[? pensive music playing] -My advice...

is that you take Brandy back to Chicago...

-and you stay there. -No, I can't do that.

I'm in the middle of a big trial right now.

Hmm. Oh.

So, would you rather lose the trial or lose Brandy?

Because if you keep prioritizing one over the other,

you might lose both.

[crickets chirping]

[Jax] Hey.

Hey.

Okay, so, look, I'm sorry about the other night.

Okay? My mom has just been driving me crazy

and I have been... very stressed.

All good. I get it.

And...

Okay.

-How was your day? -Really good.

I, uh, got an offer from a rival gaming company.

What? Today?

Well, I met with them a couple weeks ago

and didn't think anything would come from it,

but [inhales] now, Cliff wants to negotiate a counter.

[Jax] Oh, baby, come on. That is fantastic!

Look at you.

Kids, y'all hear your daddy over here? Making big boss moves.

-Aye. -[Naima Stewart] Congratulations, Dad.

-Yeah, that's what's up, man. -Thank you, guys, thank you.

Look, I know you don't like bigging yourself up,

but I'm telling you, make those fools pay you what you're worth.

If not, bye, Felicia.

Oh, and you know this.

-Man. -Man.

-Come here. Hey. -[Jax laughs]

-And I'll tell you what... -Hmm?

...we gonna have a private celebration, boss man, okay?

-[Lewis] Oh, okay, is that right? -[Jax] Mm-hmm.

-[Lewis] I thought it was your birthday. -I mean...

You see? Everything's good.

-[Jax] You hungry? -[Lewis] I am.

-That looks delicious. -[Jax] Alright, let me see.

[? upbeat music playing]

[singing in Spanish]

? Nothing can keep me from falling so deeply ?

? In your eyes ?

? Your eyes ?

[? song ends]

-[speaker] Yeah. -[Tyger] Whoo!

Yo, it sounds great.

Hey, we're close. We're close. We're so close.

-Fuck. -[Eric] No, you're not.

The music is drowning her out.

Her voice is the star.

[Tyger] Everybody, take five. Yeah?

[indistinct chatter]

E, what are you doing here?

Let me do the job you've given me.

Trust. I got this shit under control, bro.

I trust that you believe you do,

but I don't have faith that you actually do.

Which is why I had to come down here,

see this shit for myself, you know, in person.

Because I'd hate to watch you waste

such a rare and beautiful talent like Layla.

-You're fucking her, aren't you? -Fucking her?

[Eric laughs]

Come on, man.

Abso-fucking-lutely.

But please tell me that's not what you think this is about.

Okay, so, then what is it about?

Because, in case you forgot,

I'm the one that discovered Layla, not you.

[Eric sighs]

Remember your 13th birthday?

I was 18.

I'd just got a big check from the record company.

And what did I do?

I threw you a Black bar mitzvah.

It'd only been a year since we lost Mom and Dad,

so I planned a perfect celebration

for you to step into this world as a man,

just like you watched damn near most of your Westside classmates

do all year long.

You loved them fucking Lakers.

You big-ass Laker fan,

so I had the Laker girls come through.

It was grown-ass men jealous

of the man my little brother was becoming.

[chuckles]

That is...

until the skills challenge.

There you were out there embarrassing me

for what must have been five minutes

before you ran to the bathroom

and threw up the coconut shrimp and Shirley Temples

you had been chugging all night.

And here you are... a grown-ass man.

And I keep waiting for someone

other than that 13-year-old boy to show up.

I let you produce a show for a fine-ass Latina star

because I thought it'd be an easy fucking layup for you.

But seeing you with Layla just told me

what I've always known since that birthday.

Is that if I ever trusted you with something again...

you would just let me down.

Because you don't got it, bro.

And that's what this is about.

That is what the fuck this has always been about.

Break's over.

We got a lot of shit to do.

Start by turning the sound down first.

And then, Daniel was like,

"Well, maybe instead of checking me, you should check your email."

-[chuckling] -Bloop! Okay!

Krystal never told me you were bold.

Krystal talks about me at home?

-All the time. Uh- -Never.

She said you're smart, funny, chatty, low-key annoying.

[Daniel] O-M-G.

Krystal, I am all of those things!

I knew it! Thank you so much.

-I'm gonna give you a hug. -You- No, you sit down.

-You sit down right- No, sit. -Ohh!

-We are best friends. -[Krystal] No, we are not best friends.

-We're basically best friends. -[Krystal] Daniel, you a'ight.

You a'ight, baby.

Listen, the only reason I invited you to date night

is 'cause you went all Bia Bia on Jax.

I mean, you deserve a drink or two for that.

Hell, we both do.

I mean, between Jax sending emails

or 2:00 a.m. texts about the case-

[Daniel] And she doesn't even react to my jokes anymore.

She just gives me a blank stare.

At least you roll your eyes and scoff.

[Krystal] Yeah, exactly.

Do you think her behavior could be from the shooting?

Like, trauma, or a side effect of the coma,

or bad medication reaction?

[Krystal] No. No, no, no.

-I think she's just being a bitch. -Ooh. That part.

To trauma bonding.

[Angela chuckles]

-To trauma bonding. -[Krystal] Mm.

-[all laughing] -Man.

[crickets chirping]

[both exhaling]

[Lewis] Mm, mm, mm.

[Jax chuckles softly]

[both exhale]

[Lewis] Mm.

Whew.

You know, I have to get job offers more often

'cause you put your back in that.

-[toilet flushes] -Literally. [chuckles]

We both needed that.

-You're going out? -No.

Just going back to the office to do some work.

[sighs] Really? I mean, it's the night before your birthday.

You act like I'm going to the club or something.

Brooke is testifying tomorrow, so I need to focus.

I mean, come on, Jax, it's late.

Way too late to be working alone on Crenshaw.

Okay, there is 24-hour security at that office.

Plus, I have Vesela during the day

and Steve at night, who are both armed,

sitting outside to make sure I'm safe.

I can't live my life in fear, Lewis.

You got shot in that office, Jax.

I apologize if I'm not in love with the idea

of you being there so late.

I don't need the constant reminder

that I got shot, Lewis.

But that's-that's what you want, right?

To keep me scared,

so I'll come running home to Daddy Lewis for safety.

[Lewis] No.

What I want is for you to behave like a fucking grown-up with kids

and not some legal vigilante who thinks they're unstoppable.

You know what, I am unstoppable.

I'm a fucking extraordinary machine of a human

who came home, cooked dinner for this family,

fucked you and sucked you dry, and somehow still manages

to keep my body right and the bills paid,

yet I still gotta hear your fucking mouth?

-My- -My job, that pays for most of this shit

-in this motherfucking house? -Whoa, whoa, whoa, okay.

We still telling that story?

When it's my check that keeps the lights on in this bitch,

check your motherfucking tone.

Now, I didn't ask you not to work.

I asked you to stay here and listen to what the fuck I'm saying,

but, no, you're deciding to talk to me

like we haven't been through a shit ton of therapy

to avoid arguments like this.

Look, are you fucking Eric?

Am...

-Am- What? -Are you fucking him?

-No, nigga. -Hmm.

Something's going on, Jax.

Your mom thinks it's drugs. I think you're having an affair.

But in the meantime, you have no explanation

for the way you've been acting.

I got fucking shot, Lewis!

[? tense music playing]

So, like I said...

I don't need the constant reminder

that I almost died.

I live that reminder every day.

Damn, have you ever stopped to think that maybe that's what's wrong?

That maybe I'm tired of having to defend myself

to everyone all the fucking time.

Hmm.

Yeah, this...

this isn't who you are.

You're better than this, Jax.

No, this is exactly who I am.

A confident, bad bitch,

only child who does what I like to do

-when I fucking like to do it. -Hmm.

Well, you can say whatever you want...

but that's not the woman I married.

I'm still the same. You just keep hoping I'll be different.

Yeah.

-But that's your problem, not mine. -[Lewis sighs]

-See you in the morning. -Yeah.

-[soft chuckle] -[door opens]

-Happy birthday. -[door closes]

[? pensive music playing]

[crowd chattering]

Mrs. Cropper, could you describe exactly

what happened on the night in question?

[Brooke Cropper] Yes.

I was leaving the house to meet up with a friend

when suddenly a van pulled in and blocked me.

A masked man jumped out... and grabbed me.

He put a cloth over my nose and mouth.

When I woke up, I was alone in a room in a warehouse,

tied to a chair, still blindfolded.

I screamed for help.

I thought I was going to die.

Uh, but then the other masked man told me

that they just wanted ransom from Eric.

So, we waited.

Did you recognize these masked men?

[Brooke] No. No, I was still blindfolded,

so I could only see shadows with masks

and they used a voice changer.

But the cops later told me that it was

Devonte Reese and Fabian Cruz.

I knew those guys.

They couldn't plan their way out of a paper bag without help.

[Regina] Did they hurt you?

When Eric missed the first ransom,

uh, one of the men held me down

while the other used pliers to rip off my nail.

My doctor said it will never heal correctly.

[jury groans]

And when the police asked you who was behind your kidnapping,

what did you say?

Eric.

One of the kidnappers told me that it was Eric who wanted me dead,

and that they would get their money either way.

And it made sense to me once Eric warned me

that if I ever tried to divorce him,

he would make money off my demise.

When one of the guys was planning to kill me,

I could tell he was hesitant,

so... I convinced him

to let me see light one more time

and take the blindfold off.

And that allowed me to see him

and kick the shit out of him so I could save myself.

[jury murmurs]

You are very brave, Mrs. Cropper.

I don't know how else to be.

[Regina] Have you recently been in touch

with either Devonte or Fabian?

[Brooke] Yes. I-I contacted them, but we never connected.

[Regina] And what was to be the nature of that call?

Eric has a habit of scamming his artists out of their money.

So, I wanted them to help support my claims

to Star Media that Eric was hiding debt

and was not fit to lead the company.

And how much money do you stand to gain

in the event of a divorce?

Since I am the brains of Aura...

I could claim north of $300 million.

-Wow. -[jury murmurs]

Nothing further.

[? slow, suspenseful music playing]

[Jax] Mrs. Cropper, we've established

that you slept your way from an assistant

to a millionaire's wife,

and that you, allegedly, helped found Aura.

You would describe yourself as smart and ambitious, right?

-Not in the way that you're implying. -Let's move on.

You admitted to calling both Devonte and Fabian, yes?

Yes, but we never spoke.

I'd like to introduce Defense Exhibits 2 and 3.

Exhibit 2 is from Mr. Cruz's phone records.

Exhibit 3 belongs to Mr. Reese.

Now, Exhibit 2 confirms your testimony

that you did not connect with Mr. Cruz.

However, Exhibit 3 shows a three-minute phone call

between you and Devonte Reese

the week of the kidnapping, right?

We didn't actually speak.

Maybe my phone just didn't hang up?

So, the three minutes you connected with Devonte Reese

wasn't a conversation?

It was because you forgot how to end a call?

Yes. I-I don't know how this could be.

Maybe there was a glitch.

A gl-?

[Jax laughs]

So, wait, you're supposed to be smart enough

to help build a streaming empire,

but yet somehow too stupid to understand how a phone works?

So, let me help you, Mrs. Cropper.

You admitted to calling both Devonte and Fabian,

and the phone record shows the conversation

between you and Devonte Reese, right?

Objection, badgering the witness.

[Jax] Your Honor, I'm not badgering. I'm trying to get to the truth.

My client's life is at stake,

and we should know why the phone record

shows the conversation that she denies happened.

Overruled.

Watch your tone, Ms. Stewart.

Witness may answer.

[Brooke] I can't explain it.

-It must be a mistake of some sort. -A mistake or a plan?

You also called Devonte Reese,

a man that could help you put my client away for life,

leaving you to enjoy his millions

before taking off with the next unlucky rich man in your path.

-Objection, argumentative. -Mrs. Stewart.

Mrs. Cropper, we established that you are a very ambitious woman

who's not above using sex to get what she wants.

But this wouldn't be the first time you use your body as a come-up

if your marriage to my client is any example.

So, was Devonte Reese the only one

or did you break Fabian off a piece as well?

Was that your payment to them too?

Objection, badgering.

I was not sleeping with Devonte Reese or Fabian Cruz.

They kidnapped me.

They maimed me.

I thought I was going to die.

-Your Honor. -[Judge Gibson] Mrs. Stewart.

That's exactly what it was like.

So, save your tears for prison, Brooke!

-[Regina] Objection, Your Honor. -[gavel pounds]

[Judge Gibson] Mrs. Stewart, that's enough.

I agree.

Nothing further.

??

[Regina] The People have nothing to add.

-[laughing] -Jax, listen to me.

-You did this shit! -I know.

Look at what they saying.

-"Brooke set this whole thing up herself." -See?

Hashtag "jealous diva". Hashtag "bitch-set-herself-up".

-See, that's what I'm talking about! -You understand I'm talk-

-That's what I'm talking about. -I told you.

-You did this. -I told you.

Jax, hey, hey, Jax, I need to talk to you.

A-Alone for a second, please.

[Jax] What's up?

Damn.

What was that in there?

What, I killed it in that courtroom,

and on my birthday, nigga, what?

Well, maybe to you, but not to the jurors, Jax.

-[Jax groans] -You came off unhinged.

There's a fine line between being aggressive and being callous.

No, I was direct and on point.

No, no, you were so focused on destroying her.

You didn't bother to gauge the jury's reaction.

Jax, every last one of them, they were squirming in their seats.

Okay, well, look, I'm glad you had time to sit

and observe from the sidelines.

You know, you pretending to be here for me

when, really, you just trying to distract yourself from your own life.

Look, either grow some balls or get the fuck on, Corey.

I mean, come on.

You told Eric to intimidate Devonte, didn't you?

I didn't wanna believe that, but that's what you did.

Say I did.

At least I laid it all on the line for my client, right?

And at the end of the day, that is my sworn duty.

What have you done to help us win this trial, huh?

-[chuckles softly] -Tell me.

What have I done?

[Corey chuckles softly]

You know what?

You wouldn't even have a firm if it weren't for me.

Coming out here to save your ass

when you could barely save yourself.

Now you run around here treating everybody

like they're your servants who failed you

instead of employees who work for you,

who sacrifice for you.

But I guess you have everything under control, right?

So, it's time for me to go back to Chicago

before I end up going to jail fucking with you...

and this goof ass nigga.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your birthday.

You know what? Go back to Chicago then, Corey.

You gonna regret this. Watch.

Watch what I tell you.

[Eric clapping slowly]

[tires screeching]

Fuck that legacy bred house negro.

It's new money over here.

Look at me, Jax.

What you did in there, chef's kiss.

You feel me? Fuck what he talking about.

Let's get out of here, let's pop some bottles,

and let's turn this thing up

because it's somebody birthday. Hmm?

-It's somebody birthday. -[laughing]

? It's your birthday ?

[both] ? It's your birthday ?

-? Huh ? -[both] ? Bad bitch contest ?

? You in first place ?

-[both] ? Ah ? -? You in first place ?

[Eric] Let's go, Jax!

-All we do is win around here. -[Jax screeching]

The fuck I'm talking about.

[? "Pursuit Of Happiness" by Kid Cudi playing over speakers]

-Fuck Brooke and Melina. -[Jax laughing]

Them trick ass, lying ass hoes.

They knew who I was when they got with me...

-Uh-huh. -...and now they in their feelings

crying like some little girls.

-Come on. -Man, women can be so fucking stupid.

Except you.

-Except you. -Mm-hmm.

'Cause you a real one.

You my nigga.

Nigga in a skirt.

-Ha! You gonna bring that back? -[both laughing]

Yo, I love that. Come on.

Let's get this birthday popping.

-Let's. It's my birthday. -[Eric] Let's go. One for you.

-Uh-huh. One for me. -Mm-hmm.

Here we go. You deserve this, Jax.

Deserve it, come on.

-? ...happiness and I know... ? -[Jax] Mmm.

I loved seeing Brooke squirm on that stand.

You know what I'm saying? Like, she was...

-Ooh, you did that. -[laughs]

Did that.

-Mm. -You alright?

You need a little pick-me-up?

Shit, you read my mind.

Well, you know I got it for you.

Hell, yeah.

Just a little somethin' right here.

Put your hand out right there. Hey, uh...

-Thank you. -...tell me the truth.

You was fucked up in court, weren't you?

-When you was going after Brooke. -I was good.

I could be better, though.

Come on, OG.

-[Jax chuckles] -We go way back, alright?

Whatever this is, it's winning.

-[laughing] -Alright? And I'm cool with it.

But be careful.

I don't wanna catch you out on Slauson

sucking dick for cheeseburgers.

Not cheeseburgers, nigga. What?

If I knew Brooke was gonna accuse me of murder,

I'd have... I'd have murked her

and that bitch-ass nigga Devonte a while ago.

[Jax] Look...

you a lot of things, Eric,

but you definitely ain't no killer.

? I'm on the pursuit of... ?

[Brooke] Fuck Jax.

She's not a fucking lawyer.

She's a snake who should be disbarred.

We had a plan.

We had a goddamn plan, and that bitch tripped me up

and she ruined everything and, fuck!

We cannot let him win.

We have to figure out another way to take him down.

-We just- -Baby, baby, baby.

Baby, baby, breathe.

It's gonna be okay, yeah? It's gonna be alright.

When are you gonna stop taking his shit

and stand up to him, Tyger?

When-When-When the time is right, just be patient.

Trust me.

-Do you think he knows about us? -No.

And... I don't give a fuck and neither should you.

Let me make you feel better.

Hmm?

Uh, no, stop. No.

You wanna make me feel better?

Make sure your brother goes away to prison

for the rest of his life.

Okay, and how the fuck do you expect me to do that?

You're a creative exec, right?

Get fucking creative.

[? dramatic music playing]

[sighs]

Hey, I got your texts. Is everything good?

Listen, I know the party's in a few hours,

but I'm not going to be able to make it.

I'm headed back to Chicago to handle some stuff with my firm.

Plus, to prioritize my future wife as well.

Yeah, of course, family first.

Listen, but I didn't wanna leave without coming to talk to you.

Remember when you asked me to come to you

if I thought you should be worried about Jax?

Well, you should be.

[? tense music playing]

You my nigga too.

[Eric] Mm-hmm.

[Jax chuckling]

[Eric] We ride together.

[Jax clears throat]

-Damn, I'm high. -[Eric] Mm-hmm.

What time is it?

-[cell phone buzzes] -[Eric] Mm.

Mm. Shit, it's my birthday party.

I gotta go. I gotta go.

My husband's gonna be pissed!

Oh. [chuckling]

Uh-uhh.

[both laugh]

Okay, I just need a minute.

I just need a minute.

[sighs]

[? light, tense music playing]

[Jax grunts, groans]

[groans]

[Eric] You are way too fucked up to drive.

Steve will take you home.

[Jax] Okay.

-[Steve] I got you. -[Jax] [groans] I got it.

I'm good. I am good.

-You sure? -I promise you I'm fine.

-Just fine. -[car door closes]

Ooh, why are there so many steps?

Why are there so many steps?

Okay.

Okay.

[keys jangling]

Fuck!

[chuckling]

Okay.

Fuck. 'Cause it's your birthday.

Surprise!

[silence]

[laughs] Damn, what kinda party is this?

[door slams]

[Lewis] Jax.

Sit down.

[Jax] What is this?

-An intervention. -[Jax scoffs]

You can't be serious, okay?

Jax... sit down.

[? gentle music playing]

Now.

[? theme music playing]

[? music continues]

[? music fades out]

[? fanfare playing]

Repair and Synchronization by Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0