All language subtitles for The Best Man s01e03 Brown Girl Dreaming.eng

[upbeat funky music]

- * Yeah *

- * I don't wanna think
about nothing *

* Just watching you dancing *

* Feel like the beginning
of something *

* In the end,
in the end *

* All I wanna do
is just fall in *

* I don't wanna think
about nothing *

- Obama out.

* *

- * Every time
we push it away *

* Every day a new reason
to stay *

* 'Cause we got a big love *

* Won't ever give it up *

* We got
a one-way ticket love *

* We ain't going no place
but up *

* Nothing can stop this *

* No one can top us *

* We got a big love *

- Ladies, dinner.

- I'm so hungry.

- Me too.

- All righty.
- Thanks, Dad.

- For you.
- Thanks!

- Morning, ladies.
What can I whip up?

Eggs? Pancakes?

- I'm good. Got a granola bar.

- Pop-Tart. But thanks.

- Okay.

- * 'Cause we got a big love *

* *

* Won't ever give it up *

* We got
a one-way ticket love *

* We ain't going no place
but up *

* Nothing can stop this *

* No one can top us *

* We got a big love *

* *

* 'Cause we got a big love *

* Nothing can stop this *

* No one can top us *

- COVID-19 can be
characterized

as a pandemic.

- * I don't wanna think
about nothing *

* The world feels like
it's crumbling *

* Every day
another new something *

* But in the end,
in the end *

* Can't nobody do us in *

* I just wanna think
about loving *

* 'Cause we got a big love *

* Won't ever give it up *

* We got
a one-way ticket love *

* We ain't going no place
but up *

* Nothing can stop this *

* No one can top us *

- Stephen, you don't even know
what you talkin' about.

Ain't never set foot
on a football field

except to jock other players
for information.

And now you want to play
Monday morning quarterback.

Get the [bleep] out of here,
man.

- Look like some people need
to go

back to broadcast school.

By the way,
did you finish school?

- Well, have I finished--
yeah, I finished school, yeah.

This--you know, this is easy.
- Really?

- I could do your job.
I got the rushing record.

- Then what you here for?

You're the one looking
for a job.

- * We got a big love *

* One that will give it up *

* We got
a one-way-ticket love *

- Oh, my God.

[indistinct chatter]

- These Bumper G books are
the best beach reads ever.

- Right?

- I read this in two days.
When's the next one coming?

- I mean, I don't know.

- These books are
almost as hot as the author.

- * No one can top us *

* We got a big love *

[upbeat funky music]

- Do you have any threes?
- So there you go.

- [chuckles] Yo.
Man, thanks for this, Harp.

[sighs] It never gets old
having a best-selling friend.

- Aw.
- I can't wait to read it.

- Thanks, Murch.

Um, this is the last
of Bumper G, though, for real.

- What, really? Why?

- Yeah, well--
- I-I thought I read

that this new one is selling

even better than the last one.

- Yeah, no, it did.

Bumper G is just not
where my head's at these days.

I'm here.
Next time I write a book,

I want to be on a panel
like tonight's lecture.

- Mm. Heavy hitters.

- I know.
- Yeah.

- Wait, are you--
are you saying

that I can't hang--
- No, no, no, no.

It's not that at all. Not that.

It's--
branch out, for sure.

You definitely have it in you.
- Right?

- But there is nothing wrong
with the populist stuff.

I mean, you own this lane,
Harp.

- And don't get me wrong,

I mean, the royalties
are great.

Those and all the movie money,

they have me checking out
this-this crazy listing

on the Upper West Side.

- Wait, you're leaving Harlem?
- Well, maybe.

Obviously, I gotta check it out
with Robyn, but...

- Right. Of course, of course.

- Go fish. Who has a two?

- Dang. Gosh.

Here, look. Another one.

- I win. Can we play again?

- Boom
- Ha.

- Listen, thank you two
for watching Mia tonight.

We appreciate it.
- No problem.

We're gonna play more games
and make some cupcakes.

- Cupcakes.
- Cupcakes? Yay!

- [giggles]
- One cupcake.

But only after you finish
your dinner, Mia.

- Save one for me.
- So sorry. I'm ready.

I got caught up on the phone
with my dissertation advisor.

She just keeps trying
to steer me

away from my proposal.

- Mm. Is this
the medical cannabis thing?

- Yeah, well, it's not
just cannabis, you know.

There's a whole slew
of other plant-based medicines

and research out there
that I-I really believe

are worth exploring.
- You know, every time

you talk about this
you seem stressed?

Is it worth battling
your advisor over?

- Well, yeah. I want to find
alternative and natural--

really, natural ways
to just treat social disorders.

Maybe you can meet
in the middle.

Compromise.
- We better.

Otherwise I won't be getting
a PhD.

[all chuckle]

But, silver lining,

I got accepted
into Dr. Temple's class.

- What?
- Yeah, I know.

He is an academic, whoo,
rock star.

[laughter]

So at least now I have
an excuse

to go
and introduce myself tonight.

- Hey, Mom,

I still need all my supplies

for my Ancient Egypt project
due tomorrow.

Will you be back in time
to take me?

- Baby, it's due tomorrow?

How come you didn't remind me?

- Now, don't worry about it.

Listen, you go introduce
yourself to Dr. Temple.

And I'll come back
and take Kellie.

- Uh, after my violin lesson?

- Oh.
- Right.

After her violin lesson.
Yes, of course.

- Uh, you got this?
- I got this.

- Oh, my God.
- I got it.

- Thank you, baby.
- Yes.

- I owe you.
- I got it.

- Yeah.
- All right, should we go?

- Yeah.
- Yes.

[sensual music]

- Lance.

Oh, Lance.

- When it's time to play
night games,

Passion by Dior
is always in my playbook.

- Uh, but Lance--
- Yeah, I--

- Lance, use your other hand.
You're block--

[clapper snaps]

- Passion by Dior
is always in my playbook.

Yeah. Oh--

[clapper snaps]
Always in my playbook.

* *

[clapper snaps]
Oh, wait. I'm sorry.

I'm so--I-I'm sorry.
I sp--it got in my eye.

[clapper snaps]

When it's time
for night games--

when it's time for games--
when it's time for--

[clapper snaps]
They normally don't use lines

on the--
on the cologne commercials.

Look, can I just do one
where I don't--I'm sorry.

[clapper snaps]

* *

Lance will help you score.

* *

- Oh, Lance.

- Well...I-I'm gonna--

I'm gonna say this
to you with love,

but you're not an actor.

- Yeah, well, that's why--
that's why I'm not--

I-I don't act, right?

Yeah, see, with that
I was just letting the, uh--

letting the smolder
put in the work.

- The problem is,
is, it doesn't even seem

like you're having fun
doing this.

- Well, look, it keeps me busy,
pays the bills.

- Lance, you do not need money.
You already have money.

But speaking of smoldering,
how's the, uh--

how's the dating life going?

- It's all right.
- Mm.

You know what you need?
- Hmm?

- You need to find something
you're passionate about.

Like, redefine your purpose.

And I promise you
the minute that you do,

you're gonna feel it like this.

- Hmm.
- Because this, my brother,

is not it.

- Purpose.
- Dad! What are you doing here?

- Uh, yeah, and it's good
to see you too, son.

- Hey!
Coffee right on time.

- I mean, I'm just surprised.

- You know, my godson has
only been here a week,

and he's killing it.

- Of course he is. He's my son.
What'd you think?

[both chuckle]
Well, listen, son,

I-I came to grab you
because the trainers

are at the house.

Want to get those reps in
we talked about.

- Well, I'm supposed to be here
till 6:00.

- Well, you know,
we'll beat the traffic.

- Exactly.
And it's fine for me.

You've been doing great.
Keep up the good work.

And I will see you next week.

[funky music]

- Passion, huh?
- Exactly.

Passion, purpose,
with a little bit of smolder.

- I'm on that.
Thanks, Jordan.

[phone buzzing]

- Anita, hi. How's it going?

Nope, absolutely.
We are definitely still on.

[chuckles] No, you are--

you are a huge priority.

[whistle tweets]
- All right, let's go.

* *

- Here, here.
Right here. Right here.

Ohh.

- Yeah.
Way to go, LJ.

Way to get the ball
at the highest point.

- Hey, come on, man.

- Good work, man.
- All right.

- I'ma see you at practice.
I'ma see you at practice.

[chuckles]
- Appreciate it, Coach.

That was a good practice, son.

But you need to work
on that pass coverage.

- Come on, Dad.
My last game I had

two interceptions
and a touchdown.

- Yeah, but you still have
some work to do.

Okay, you gotta drill down
on your footwork

like we talked about.

That's how you get
to the next level, okay?

All right? Give me some.

[both chuckle]
Let's get something to eat.

[gentle piano music]

* *

[car horns honking]

- Just check back in later.

- Okay, great.

- Wow.

- I know, right?

Wow.

Four large bedrooms. A den.

Gourmet kitchen with an island.

And, baby, a pasta faucet.

I don't know
what a pasta faucet is,

but it sounds dope, don't it?

- It's definitely a lot.

- You worried about the price?

- For starters.

And it's the Upper West Side.

You know
how much I love Harlem.

- I know. I know.
I do too, baby.

But the schools over here,
tops in the city.

And if you're worried
about the money,

one Hollywood paycheck alone

takes care of the down payment.

This is, like, the house

that "Unfinished Business:
The Movie" bought.

- I love seeing you
so excited, Harper,

but this is a big change.

And I'm gonna need more than
five minutes to decide.

- Of course.
Of course, baby.

I know.

I want you to love it
the way I love it.

So take your time.

Sleep on it.

Enjoy the-the pasta faucet.

There's a court-courtyard.

Come on, you want to see?

- Okay.
- Yeah.

- [inhales]

* *

- I wined and dined Anita,
made her feel appreciated,

and explained to her
why we had to cancel her show.

But the time we got to
dessert...hmm.

She was thirsty
for the fourth seat

in "From the Culture."

- Great. Great.

So you're confident
you'll still meet

your new slate target dates?

- Oh, absolutely.

I'm gonna renegotiate
her contract, shoot the pilot,

and follow suit
with the rest of the slate

in Q1 as planned.

Beautiful job, ladies.
Thank you.

Ooh, I love that.
- Sounds great, Jordan.

There's a lot riding on this.
Make it happen.

- Oh, come on, Patrick.

You do know
that that is what I do.

[laughs]

I'll talk to you later.

- Wow. You are so chill
and boss at the same time.

How can I be you?

- Oh, Nicole,
you just have to work hard,

believe in yourself,
listen, learn,

trust your gut,
and follow your vision.

[phone buzzes]
Ooh.

Uh, okay, I need to take
this call.

Do you mind go finding us
a delicious latte somewhere?

Add some vanilla.
I'm feeling a little spicy.

- You got it.
- [chuckles]

Hey, Shelby, what's up?

- Have you been following

this clapback hashtag
on Twitter?

[laughs] Megan Thee Stallion
is a beast.

I love her. All righty.

Pitch me some names
on my new exercise app.

- I am in the middle

of preproduction craziness,
Shelby.

- Stop. Stay on topic.

- Oh, I don't know.
How about

"Move Like You Got Too Much
Time on Your Hands"?

- Okay, hate is not help,
Jordan.

Hate is not help.
We've discussed this.

[sighs]

- What?
Did Megan clap back already?

- Not yet.

But you should on this one.
- Are you--

- These people are dragging you
all up and down Twitter

over this Anita Roberts thing.
- Oh, my God.

"Jordan Armstrong is just
another self-centered,

"corporate token
willing to sell a sister out

to make her own star shine."

Part one of 12?
- Oh, boy.

Black Twitter has memed you
in a bonnet on a pancake box.

- Ugh! Oh, no!

- Calm down, Jordan.
It's not that bad.

- Oh, God.
No, no, no, no, no!

- Okay, all these are going
to Harlem's women's shelter

and Meals on Wheels.

Scotty, Amir,
you want to take that run?

These are for
the voter suppression protests.

- Oh, and that reminds me,
Christopher asked

if we could bring
signage like last time

and volunteer
for on-site voter registration

after we march?

You down to hang with me
and do that?

- Robyn, you know
I'm always down for the cause.

[both chuckle]

- Harper.
[laughter]

What are you doing here?
Hi! I didn't see you.

- What's happening?
- You been here long?

- A minute.

Watching you do your thing
is kind of a turn-on.

- Here you go.
- Good-lookin', Harp.

- Thank you...
- Mm-hmm.

- For dropping Mia
at her playdate.

And the Tsion Café--
- Um, yeah, yeah, yeah.

You never have to thank me
for being that girl's daddy.

And you know I like to support
local businesses, so--

Um, speaking
of local businesses,

I noticed that you upped
our community contribution

quite a bit.

- We make more.
We can give more.

- Oh, is that so?

- That "Unfinished Business"
money.

- Okay. I hear you.
- [chuckles]

- Um, have you given
any more thought

to the-the new house?

- Uh, some.

But I don't want
to get into it at work.

It's not about that place.

That place is beautiful.

It's about any new place.

I-I don't--
I'm not trying to move, Harper.

- Okay. But just why not?

- My kitchen is here.

The community we serve is here.

I don't want
to abandon all that

just so we can play
George and Weezy somewhere.

- Okay. Okay, I hear you.

We can serve our community
from anywhere, all right?

But why not do it
from a beautiful spot

that has top-notch schools?

- I like being
around my people.

- I do too.
Black people are everywhere.

And I'm sorry,
but gentrification is

here in Harlem now.

I mean, look at all these
Beckys and Liams.

Baby, we need a new spot.

- Need or want?

- I ain't allowed to want
to give my queen a castle?

Can't I want that?

- Your queen is fine.

- Fine.
- And what's driving this?

Harper, what--why do you
all the sudden want

a fancy new home or to be

a MacArthur Genius-type writer?

- Because I want more.

I want more space.
I want more respect.

I want--isn't that okay?

- Yeah, that's fine.

But why can't we just be happy?

- I'm--
- Instead of always chasing

after some elusive "better"?

* *

- [sighs]
- I, um--

I'm headed to Candace's
for book club.

- All right, talk more later.
Love you.

- Okay.

* *

[laughter]

- Okay.
- Oh, my goodness.

Thank you.
- Is everybody excited

to dive in?
- Oh, my God.

I cannot believe
that Black Twitter

is still dragging me like this.

This is craziness.

People are really lucky
I keep it classy,

'cause I could really go in
on these coward-ass,

clapbacking,
Twitter finger wannabes.

- Ooh, now that is some
tweetable shit right there.

Come on, let me do it.
- Shelby, don't.

- Don't what?

During my "Housewife" days
I was dragged more times

than the East River.
I know how shitty it feels.

I think you should respond.

- I am not gonna say anything.

You know why?

I am not gonna give her
that satisfaction.

And I don't have to,
because I am the fucking boss.

- Well, maybe discussing
the book

will help get
your mind off it--

- That saditty schoolmarm was
all pontification, no punch.

Look, love us or hate us,

at least "Housewives" know
how to keep eyes on screens.

Cheers.
- That part.

Okay, Candace. I know you.

What you over there
thinking about?

Because you are sitting
in judgment.

- Well, look.

You know how important
her show was to the culture,

and you--
you didn't save it.

That's why people have
questions.

- I have questions.
Discussion questions.

- Do you not understand?

Candace, I gave her
the perfect segue.

I invited her to a new show

with three Black female
co-hosts.

And now I am scrambling
to try to find

a fourth personality
that's relevant

and that can move the needle.

- Loyalty.
- Oh, boy.

- Betrayal.
- Mm.

- Community conflict.
- Please.

- All themes touched upon
in "The Sum of Us."

Can anyone besides me
find some connections here?

- Don't just read the book,
Robyn.

Read the room, boo.
You're flying solo here.

- Is that true?
- Kind of.

- Well, I--the kids and,
you know, my dissertation.

And the weather--it's so cold.

- It's, like, 3,000 pages,
okay?

And maybe activists will, like,
cancel me for this,

but...say less.

- It's 300 pages.

As the one who's been
to more protests and rallies

than any of you,
I'm not lettin' y'all

off the hook from at least
reading about the issues.

- Okay, fine. Let me get
my little gold star from you

so I can drink in peace.

Okay. What do we have here?

- Oh, God.

- "Black people, white people,

wage stagnation,
no healthcare."

What she's basically saying is

that racism fucks up
everybody's bag?

- [chuckles] Okay, it's--
yes, with way more nuance...

but essentially yes.
[laughter]

- Okay, well I can tell that
to my 1.3 million followers

in one tweet. Okay?

Fuck a book club.
Join my tweet club.

Boop.

- Hold up,
how many followers you got?

* *

[indistinct chatter]

Maybe it's just the stress
of all of this.

- Is it one
of those headaches again?

I-I can get you something.

Do you--do you need anything?

Water? Coffee? Lunch?

- All I need is Advil
and for this to go well.

- It will.

The concept is amazing

and your casting is brilliant.
[phone buzzing]

- What's up, Lance?

- Hey, yo, Jordan,
you got me messed up

with all this
"find your purpose" shit.

Like, all the Google searches
yield

are adult coloring books
and Pinterest boards

with "Live, Laugh, Love"
pillows on them.

That ain't me.
- Lance...

- I've been praying.
I've been doing yoga,

meditation.
I even tried pickleball.

Pickleball, Jordan.
- Lance!

I am not Iyanla Vanzant.

Is there not anybody else

that you can use as your
sounding board right now?

I am in the middle
of production.

Jordan, you made a suggestion,
and this time I agree with you.

Okay? I-I need to--

I need to get back
into that zone.

Need to get that feeling back.

- Okay, Lance.
I've been listening

to this new podcast.
It's wonderful.

It will help you find
and get into your zone.

I'll send it to you.
- A podcast? Really?

- Yes, a podcast.
Bye, boy.

- Jordan, li--
J--

- First team headed in
for intros.

- Fantastic.
Let's go, ladies.

- Okay, we're in places.

- Whoo!

Yes! Whoo!

- Pull back.
I want to go to a two box

with Harris on the left.

Nice. Okay.

- Watch me work.

- I see you, girl.

- Counting down in five,
four, three--

- This has to work.

- Uh, a'ight, look. A'ight.
So black queens are wild.

- [chuckles]
- The best ones always are.

- And stubborn, too.

- [chuckles]
- Took Robyn to see

this bomb-ass apartment
on the Upper West Side.

Beautiful bathrooms,
four big bedrooms,

even a-a pasta faucet.

- Pasta faucet?
- Mm-hmm.

It's like a bidet for noodles.

- No. No thanks.
- Mm-mm.

- [laughs]
- It's fancy--

it's some fancy shit.

But she's trying to tell me
it's all about my ego.

Talking about some "why now?"

But I'm like why now?
Why the fuck not now?

- Robyn don't just say shit,
dawg.

Now, she been down with you
from the jump.

You might want to consider
her POV on this one.

- Shit, you better.

I mean, I wish y'all had shared
with a brother years ago

about those six
perfect syllables

to keep you in a good
marriage--

"happy wife, happy life."

- Nah. No, no, no, no doubt,
but I do understand

wanting to be
the man of the house.

Protect and provide
for the family.

It's job one.
- Thank you.

I mean, between Robyn
and my agent,

it's, like, they got a brother
feeling a little insecure

about his shit.

Look, I want to write--

I want to write something
that matters.

Richard Wright. Baldwin.

Look, is that so wrong?

- Well, not if you want
that house.

I mean, those cats,

they didn't make their money
selling books in Costco.

And if Costco is keeping
your pockets fat,

do what works, man.

- Yeah, but maybe Harper wants
to express something

that's burning deep inside,
and he needs to get it out.

- That part.
- Nigga, please, man.

Those cats paved the way
for talented writers like you

to tell stories about us
for us.

If you've got success
taking this particular walk,

stay where you at, man.
Stay in your lane.

- But that's why I want
to change.

- Look, you know what?

I'ma tell you
a story about change.

I changed my father's
business plan

because I wanted to expand

into all these other
territories.

COVID hit.
We damn near go bankrupt

because of my changes.

Now we've gotta work
twice as hard daily

just to get to half
of where we were before.

- Wow.

I-I didn't know that, Q.
- Yeah, man.

I didn't know that either.
- You know a brother gotta keep

some mysteries.
[laughter]

But I'ma do
whatever I gotta do

to rebuild my pop's legacy
back to where it was before.

Yeah.
- I get that, dawg.

And you too, Harp.
I get it, man.

I wish I had something

that was driving me
on the daily.

Know what I mean?
'Cause I still just--

I'm out here, man,
I'm just trying

to find my purpose.

- I thought
you found your purpose

with that perfume commercial.

That shit was--[chuckles].
- When you were selling

the cars.
- Wait, wait--

- Or choking out
Stephen A. Smith.

- [chuckles]
- National TV.

- Right. So how about
a fuck all y'all?

How about that, right?
[laughter]

Hey, look, okay,
that wasn't my calling.

Okay? I get that.

But, look, raising the kids,
man, I--

I don't know.
It's good, but it's just weird

not having something
that's just--

that I'm passionate about
every single day.

- It looks like taking
an ass-whoopin'

is your passion.

[chuckles]
- Oh!

- A boat for your moaning ass

- Shit.
- [laughs]

- Q, you had the cards
down here.

- No, I did not.
No, I did not.

- I saw you.
- No, I did not.

He gave me these two
straight up.

- That was some
light-skin shit.

- I gotta go get
the girls dinner, all right?

- Oh, so soon, so soon?

- Yeah, Candace's study group
is tonight.

- Yeah, well,
"Happy wife..."

[together]
"Happy life."

- This was good, fellas.

We should put this
in the regular rotation.

- All right.
- I mean, it's

a little more challenging
than a quarantine Zoom,

but I think it's worth it.

- 100%.
- Yeah.

Even if I'm gonna take
your little lunch money.

- [chuckles]
Take all your money.

Take it back.
- No, he went all-in

with, like, $2.50.
- Later, fellas.

- Be safe. Be safe.
- You got bus fare?

- Outsourcing allows
third-world workers

to stave off poverty
and Americans

to afford basics.

Should toasters cost us
$200 just to keep

unskilled jobs in the U.S.?

- Well, I'd pay the Orkin man
$200 to zap

that bug up your ass, so--

- Shelby, let's not do that.

- These are the numbers?
- Data doesn't lie, Jordan.

The African American demo
loves the show's concept

but hates Shelby.

And the white demo is confused,
amused, or offended by Shelby.

- Points for trying something,
but it's a fail.

Maybe get ahead of it?
Recast and reshoot?

Or Patrick might rethink
the whole slate.

- The metrics are not good.

[light piano music]

- [clears throat]

- Probably not the best time

for our mentor/mentee dinner?

I'll reschedule.

- Shit.

- So early testing on the movie

went well for the most part.

The director needs to tweak
a few scenes.

Studio's already approved
the reshoots.

- They want to make changes?

So do I--
- No, no. It's tiny.

Director's got it covered.

Something about the Cleavon
character.

- Murch.
- Look, all anybody needs

from you right now is
another Bumper G.

And your publisher has offered
a six-figure bonus

on top of increased royalties

if you deliver
by next holiday cycle.

- [groans]
I mean, it's flattering, but--

- Dude, just crank it out.
[chuckles]

I mean, look,
do you even have an idea

for this "serious" opus
of yours?

- It's a concept.

Like-like a feeling.

I'm still noodling around,
but--

- Harpie, this new deal
will make you

set-your-family-up-for-life
rich.

I mean, are you really gonna
leave that on the table?

[telephone rings]

Yeah, go for Stan.
- [sighs]

- Take another deep breath.

Hold it, and now...

- Okay.
- Exhale

sighing the biggest sigh
you've sighed all week.

- [sighs] What-fucking-ever.

[inhales]

[exhales]

Oh.
- Auntie Jordan, you okay?

- Should I call a doctor?

- Uh, hi. No.

No, you don't need
to call a doctor.

[sighs]

Um, Nicole,
take LJ to the concept meeting.

Please teach him
how I like my notes taken.

And, LJ, you don't need to wear
your school uniform to work.

You can wear whatever you want.

- We're on it.
- Thanks, guys.

[phone buzzes]

[groans]

[sighs]
Okay.

All right, you need
to pull it together, sister.

- Police clashed
with protesters today

in Union Square.
- I-I could do

100 things right,
and that's a feather in my hat.

And I do one thing wrong,
and it's tar and feathers.

Harper, "From the Culture"
has to work.

Do you understand me?
It has to work.

Otherwise I-I just--

I don't know.
I feel like I could be done.

- Oh, that's not gonna happen.

No Black woman gets
to where you are

without great instincts.

So whatever your next move
is gonna be

will be the right one.

- Well, thank you for that.
- Yeah.

- So what's up with you?
- Hmm?

- I don't know.
You seem stressed.

You seem like you signed
a deal with the devil.

- [sighs] This sounds nuts,
but my publisher wants

to pay me crazy dollars

for shit that I don't want
to write anymore.

Like, I want to--

I want to write something
meaningful.

Like--I need to write
something meaningful--

something important.
You know what I mean?

- Yeah.

Well, no one--
no one wants to feel stuck.

What does Robyn think?

- Oh, she wants me
to figure out

if it's coming
from a place of ego.

- [chuckles]

- Or if I--if I need, you know,
"external validation."

- Well, do you?

- I don't know. Maybe.

But every fiber in my body

is pushing me
towards this thing.

- Well, then Harper,
that's what you have to do.

- Right?
- No one thinks

the way you do but you.

- Besides you.
- Well...

- The fewest number of arrests
thus far

out of any of last week's
demonstrations.

They mayor's proposed curfew
may increase that number.

- I might need
something stronger.

They all hate me?
Black? White? Everybody?

- Uh, pretty much.

Sorry.

- [sighs]

Well, I guess haters
are part of the game.

- Shelby, this isn't a game.

But I do have your back.

I mean, my team is
basically telling me

that I have no chance
of salvaging the show

if I don't replace you.

- Okay then.

I guess it was nice
while it lasted.

- I'm not firing you.

I don't want to fire you.

Because I really believe
that you can do this.

It's just that
"From the Culture" needs

less "Housewives" Shelby

and more college debate team
Shelby.

You know, like, less Bravo,
more BBC?

You gotta trust me on this.

- Okay, fine. I trust you.

And obviously I can do that,

but who is really gonna tune in
to see that?

- If you want
this thing to work,

you're gonna have to make
an adjustment.

I mean, would you wear
a bikini to the Oscars?

[upbeat funky music]

- Who's the designer?

- [laughs]

- [sighs]

Robyn!

Mia! Y'all home?

[phone buzzing]

Hey, baby.
You must have heard me,

'cause I was--

Janet? Okay.

Well, I understand that.

Why are you on Robyn's phone,
though?

Okay, hold up.
Why would you tell me

that Mia's fine?
Why wouldn't she be fine?

Where's Robyn?

The police station?

Wait, wait.
Slow down. Slow down!

- It's okay.
- They hurt people

who weren't doing
anything wrong.

- Mm-hmm.
- Even Mommy. Why?

- That's okay.

Ohh.

You're okay.
- [weeping]

- All right?
- Yeah.

[indistinct chatter]

- [whimpering]

- I'm sorry.

[indistinct chatter]

I'm doing my job.

- Thanks for helping with Mia,
J.

Yeah, I--it was going great
before the cops came.

[sighs] But we'll be back.

Okay. See you tomorrow.

Be safe.

[exhales]

- What were you thinking?
- Excuse me?

- As soon as those cops came

you should have had Mia
out of there.

Robyn, you can't be
out in these streets.

You are a mother.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
We had every right

to be there and to resist
unlawful intimidation.

In fact, it's kind of our duty

if we want to live
in a democracy.

- Not if it puts you
and Mia's life in danger.

- Hey, enough.

I made sure Mia stayed safe.

And I'm also making sure
she knows how to stand up

and make a difference.
- Well, we gotta figure out

a better way to teach her
than you getting hauled off

in handcuffs by cops
in riot gear.

- [sighs]

- She was terrified.

She's probably traumatized.

- Well, then enlighten me,
Mr. Hotshot Hollywood Writer,

how should we teach her?

By clout-chasing?
Or by moving

into multimillion-dollar
brownstones?

- There it is.

I knew it.

- Mm-hmm.
- Don't you ever have

my daughter
out in those streets

like that again.

- And don't you ever tell me

what I can and cannot do
with my daughter.

- All right.

- Damn. What you stressing
over there about?

- Ugh. I'm elevating.

- [chuckles]

- Don't laugh.
I'm being serious.

- Look, baby, you got this.

I mean, if--and if they
don't like the redo, fuck 'em.

It's just their loss.

- Quentin, I'm not like you.

I can't just say "fuck it."

I want this.

I didn't know that I did,
but I do.

And that kind of scares me.

I mean, what are people
gonna think?

Men only want me hot,
not smart.

And women only love
when I stir shit up.

- [chuckles]

- What if people don't love
or--

what if they hate
serious Shelby?

- Ain't nobody gonna hate you.
- Oh. [scoffs]

They love to hate me.

I just--

I just want to be good.

- You are
Shelby Victoria Taylor Spivey.

The baddest bitch
in the whole damn game.

Because you're the only woman

that could've gotten me
to marry her.

- Aw, babe.

Just Taylor though.
- [chuckles]

- Shelby Spivey? Yuck.

- Well, you are fierce,
fine, fabulous,

and fully educated.

You play to win.

You always come back
with the W.

You go in there and remind them
of who you are

and then surprise them
with what they don't know

about you. Okay?

- Thank you.
- You got this.

You got this.

- [sniffles, sighs]

- The Giants' Davion Goodwin?

This brother's the truth.

He's gonna dust
all the dinosaurs--

Sanders, Smith, and yes,
Lance Sullivan, too.

Them old records
about to be buried

under the cleats
of this youngblood.

He is that special.

- Shut the fuck up.

Talking heads.
You never even played

a down in the league.

And Goodwin--

Goodwin and all these highlight
generation cats,

y'all need to stop worrying
about breaking records

and how about winning
some championships?

Some bullshit.
[remote clatters]

[indistinct chatter]

[light funky music]

* *

- Which is why
it's so specious

to read the data that way,
Harris.

- Oh, hard agree, Simone.

The Stockton study proves

that when adults received
a universal income,

unemployment rates went down,

health and wellness rates
went up.

It's literally the opposite
of the Biggie song--

mo' money, less problems.

- Exactly.
[laughter]

- Shelby Taylor scored 93%

in the top two boxes
as did the show.

- The data doesn't lie.

- Well done.

- Thank you, Patrick.

- Congratulation, Jordan.

We will buy across the board--

line up "ET," "O,"
maybe "Time" for February...

- Black History Month blitz
for sure,

and prime slots all quarter.

- * Feds can agree,
paper on green *

* She a whole product
watch how she move it *

* Don't see you, I CEO *

[indistinct chatter]

- What are you doing here?

I said I would call you.
- You took too long.

What happened?
- We did it.

[sighs] They loved you.

- * Who is you? I CEO *

* You can't see me I CEO *

- Shh. Stop, stop.

- Of course they did.
I did smart girl all day long.

Okay, now, first priority--

we need to triple
my wardrobe budget.

- Okay.
- Second, you need to fire

your assistant.
It was way too easy

for me to get up in here.
- Okay, you need to calm down.

- * I CEO *

* *

[gentle music]

- "He tried
to express the depth

"of his feelings for her.

"All she heard was fear
disguised by anger.

"How could his words describe
the space in him

"that goes beyond emotion,
beyond definition.

"The space where he holds her
ever sacred, ever protected,

"where the outside world
could never touch

"until she was taken.

"He was powerless.

"All he could do was wait,
hope, and pray

"she'd hold that space again."

Did you lose
your charger again?

- Harper...

this is beautiful.

You gotta keep going on this.

- Thank you. I, um--

I needed to hear that.

- Is this
why you wanted to move?

- Well, yeah, to be sure
that you and Mia are

safe and protected
and provided for.

That's-that's all I ever--

- When you show your heart
like this,

all I want is to live
wherever that energy is.

Now, I know you get all weird
and ritualistic

when you're vibin' something,

but I want to hear
the rest of this story.

Do you think
that you could keep writing it

in our new brownstone?

- Are you being serious?

Uh, yeah. Yes.

[both chuckle]

I love you.
- I love you too.

* *

[phone buzzes]
- Hey, pal.

- Stan, listen up,

because I'm only gonna say
this once.

My next book is going to be

cultural, topical,
and meaningful to me.

- Yeah, Harp, wait just a--

- No more fluffy Costco reads.
You understand me?

Harper Stewart
has something to say,

and I'ma say it. Cool?

- Yeah.
- Thank you.

It's been a good talk. Bye.

- [sighs]

- Even when you're
in a position of power,

there's always gonna be someone
that you have to answer to.

So your word has to be
impeccable.

You've gotta do your research.

And always have an answer.

"I don't know" is not
in your vocabulary.

Okay?
I'm so sorry, Nicole.

I'm here. Hi.

Are you catching these pearls
I'm dropping,

because you seem completely
preoccupied right now.

- Yes, I'm catching
all the pearls.

I just--
- Okay.

[squeals]
- Hi there.

- Hi!
- What's happening?

- How are you?
- What's all this...

- Hi.
- About pearls?

- Oh, my gosh, what are
you guys doing here?

- I invited them as a surprise.
- Mm-hmm.

- Okay, well, number one,
I hate surprises.

Number two, thank you.
This is the perfect time

to celebrate with my boys.

- Hey, you ain't never lied
to me.

I mean,
Shelby's out in the valet

talking to one of those
girls from "Housewives"...

- Oh, boy.
- That she ran into

bragging about the new show.

- Look...

[laughter]

- I might as well throw
me and Robyn's new place

on the celebration list
as well.

- Wait, hold up,
you're moving?

- Mm-hmm.
- Where?

- Deluxe apartment in the sky.

- [laughs]
- Mm. Apparently.

[laughter]

It's about time.

- [laughs]
- It's about time.

- I see you are still drinking
Old Fashioneds.

Good to know some things
never change.

- Oh, Demetrius. Hi.

How are you?
- I'm well. How are you?

- You can't speak?
- Did you say hello?

- Hey.
- The man don't--

the man don't speak?
- He always ignoring is anyway.

So go on, go on
back to school.

- It's been a long time.

- Too long.

- Hold up, is that Lance?

- My IG family,
you guys are gonna be

the first to hear this.

Now, I've discovered
that the game that I love

is a game that I have
unparalleled passion for.

So mark this day as the day

Lance Sullivan officially
returns to pro football.

I am back, baby. I'm back.

- Oh, my God.

- Oh, my God,
my dad loves him.

He'll be so happy.

- Did I send him
the right podcast?

- * Movin' on like I should *

* Should *

* I just wanna feel good *

* I've been down,
I'm gettin' on with that *

* Going up
till I'm over that *

* Movin' on like I should *

* Should *

* I just wanna feel good *

* I've been down,
I'm gettin' on with that *

* Going up
till I'm over that *

- * Tight body girl,
out of sight, out of world *

* Mind like, honor roll *

* Talk like, she can get me
hot with the convo *

* Fuck then we fight
like Battle of the Alamo *

* What you do?
I don't know *

* Here we go skin caramel,
fine like baby hair *

* Cute but she gon' raise
a lotta hell *

* Truth is I'm running out
of lies to tell *

* New chick after new chick,
I done lost count of excuses *

* 'Bout why we can't
be exclusive *

- * Yeah *

- * But I'll be damned
if I lose it *

- * Yeah *

- * I can't say
I never knew it *

- [giggles]

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