Original subtitles

You're here early.

I could not sleep.

Me either.

BOTH: Delivery day!

(both laugh)

Before long, this room will be filled

with the satisfying hum of sock ovens and knitting machines.

Do they hum?

It's more of a... (imitates mechanical purring)

Still satisfying.

Damn right.

It's delivery day!

Who's excited?

I was.

What are you doing here?

She is our angel investor.

What?

Oh, you're putting the knitting machines here.

Interesting.

We thought so.

That means she hates it.

When I grew this mustache, she said, "Interesting."

When she met Abishola, she said, "Very interesting."

Are you sure you don't want to use this area for finishing?

I am sure. Thank you for checking.

No, you want to be able to look out your office

and see the final product.

That is a good point.

What?

Finishing is in the other room.

But should it be?

It's my factory, and it's my call.

Interesting.

Ah, I hear it now.

("Ifanla" by Sola Akingbola playing)

Hello, sisters.

What a blessed day

God has provided.

Is she talking to us?

I would like to introduce you to my successful lawyer son,

Funmbi. E kaasan, Aunties.

E kaasan. Hello there.

He's come all the way to Detroit to visit his mother.

No, I am here to settle a class action lawsuit.

Well, I hope you stick it to the man.

Actually, I will be sticking it to the people

who believe petroleum products contributed to their hair loss.

Oh, you work for that side.

The winning side.

Funmbi, you are so grown-up now.

I remember when you were this high.

I finally hit my growth spurt my first year at Harvard.

Harvard Law. He's a successful lawyer.

Yeah, you mentioned that.

I worked very hard to fulfill my father's dream for me.

Oh, it was mine, too.

God answered my prayers, giving me a son who could

come to the aid of all these helpless megacorporations.

You should join us for lunch.

They try to get me to eat with them every day.

But they know I use my lunch hour

to read the Bible to coma patients.

Oh.

Of course.

How could I have forgotten?

Yes, they tell us all the time how much they love it.

When they wake up. Yeah.

Come, Funmbi. I want to introduce you to some doctors.

Goodbye.

Well, have a blessed day, sister.

Peace be unto you.

What the hell was that?

I have no idea.

It's not too cold for you, is it?

Ah, this gives me a good excuse to snuggle with you in public.

(chuckles) (sighs)

We've been so busy.

I've missed this. Me, too.

The closest we've gotten to a hug lately

was when my watch got caught in your sweater.

I told Gloria I was going to take ten minutes,

but we can take 15.

You're breaking the rules for me?

Shh.

(chuckles)

I'm in no rush to get back to the factory.

(scoffs)

What about delivery day?

You were so excited.

That's before Dottie got her groove back.

What? Mom showed up this morning

telling me how to do my job.

You should be proud of her.

When we first started physical therapy,

she was scared.

She did not think she'll ever be herself again.

You never let her give up.

No, I did not.

You pushed her every day.

Yes, I did.

So this is all your fault.

Not only would we be providing the children

with soccer uniforms,

but the jerseys would be free advertising.

Is the team good? What is their record?

They're kindergarteners. They don't really keep score.

Find out. MaxDot only backs winners.

Mr. Wheeler. Hey, guys.

I'm surprised to see you. It is delivery day.

Well, I was worried about you guys

since you're so shorthanded.

We are? Who's out today?

We had a very productive morning.

Well, I don't know how well you could do

without the old engine that keeps this place running.

Seriously, who are you talking about?

Mom. I'm talking about Mom.

I meant to thank you

for taking her off our hands.

You're welcome.

And thank you for taking her back.

Oh, no. Uh, we have had her for so long.

I would not want to be a Dottie hog.

The CEO of MaxDot is telling you you're taking her.

And the president is saying no, thank you.

There is far more work to be done at the factory.

Please. She lives in my house,

works at my company.

I started an entire new division to get a break from the woman.

I'm begging you.

Feels like this is probably about you.

My successful lawyer son

has not lost a case in five years.

Six years, Mummy.

Please boast accurately.

I should hire you for our next workman's comp claim.

No disrespect, but we work with large corporations,

not mom-and-pop shops.

Oh, no, he was making a joke.

I'm not really a joke person.

You hide it well.

Shall we go inside?

Oh, go ahead.

Uh, we are going to stay a bit longer

so that everyone can see my

(loudly): successful lawyer son.

I don't know if you caught it,

but Kemi's son might be a successful lawyer.

If it were Dele, I would bring it up even more than she does.

Hello, my dear.

Mr. Mborata.

Mr. Mborata?

I do not think it would be appropriate for me

to embrace my pharmacist.

What is going on, Kemi?

She is your elder. Show some respect.

I am more than just a pharmacist.

Yes, he's also my real estate agent.

Come, my son. We should not be late for service.

Your son?

I will collect my reflux pills on Tuesday.

But, Kemi... Goodbye, casual acquaintance!

Good morning, family.

Morning. Morning, Bob.

Do you want breakfast?

Uh, no, thanks, buddy. I got to run.

Dele, tell him. Tell me what?

I heard the state is offering grants for businesses

who install solar panels on their roofs.

That's a good idea. I'll think about it.

If it is a good idea, just do it.

I said I'd think about it.

(ringtone playing)

Hello.

I had a thought.

(groans)

You should reach out to other companies that are

importing socks and tell them we can supply at a better rate.

We're not there yet, Mom.

Well, if you set it up now, you'll be ready to go day one.

I'll think about it.

What is there to think abou... Bobby?

What are you guys doing here?

Oh, we're just

chitchatting about our factory.

(groans)

You know, I think you should make a climate pledge

that MaxDot Manufacturing will be carbon neutral.

I'll think about it.

You should also consider adding a third shift.

That way, we can churn out our socks 24/7.

I'll think about it!

You know, your mother made a great point about the factory.

It might be better for workflow...

(muffled): I'll think about it!

(sighs)

Unwrapping day.

Yay, unwrapping day.

I have been saving these for a special occasion.

A couple of Cubans to welcome our new friends from China.

Thanks. Maybe later. Let's just do this.

Has anyone seen my friend Bob?

He's normally filled with a contagious whimsy.

I'm sorry. I'm here, I'm here.

I will take photos for the 'gram.

That's what the kids say.

Everybody's got an opinion. (camera clicking)

But when there's some real work to be done,

where the hell are they?

Okay.

None of these are usable.

I know what you need.

A new family?

Of sorts.

Tonight I am taking you to my Christian men's group.

Uh, no, thanks.

Uh, when you are lost, sometimes you need your brothers

to help you find the path.

I said no, Tunde.

I really think it could help.

I think I'd rather stick my head in this sock oven,

so just freakin' drop it!

Do you feel better yelling at your friend?

No.

And do you want to go home tonight?

No.

So where do we need to go?

The Christian men's group.

Tonight I am making you a feast.

Of course I know you are vegan.

Which is why, as we speak, I am brining

a soy-based goat head.

Mummy loves you.

(smacking lips)

Soy-based goat head?

I used olives for the eyes.

Only the best for my boy.

Are you always this strange around him?

What?

More kind? Loving?

Devoted to someone other than myself?

Yes. It is nothing like you.

You should let Funmbi see the real Kemi.

What would you do if Dele stopped answering your calls?

Cancel his cell service.

Or kept your grandchildren across the country

without even sending pictures?

How would Dele do that?

Bob and I will be living with him and his family until we die.

Okay, I'm done discussing this.

You will never be truly close to Funmbi if you keep on

pretending to be Kemi the Bible-thumping missionary.

Enough.

This is none of your business.

It is my business.

It is none of your business.

It is. No!

(crowd cheering over TV)

(groaning) (knocking)

Bob!

I am so glad you could come.

I, uh... I brought a Bible.

That is adorable.

Bob brought a Bible!

(chuckling)

This is Christian men's group,

not Bible study. Right.

Those don't sound like each other at all.

Care for a beer, Bob?

Hey, Pastor. (chuckles softly)

You sure that's all right with the Big Guy?

Proverbs 27:17 says,

"As iron sharpens iron,

so one person sharpens another."

So no praying?

If we are losing at halftime.

(laughs)

You sold this all wrong.

Next time, lead with beer and sports.

I am just happy to see you smile again.

(chuckles) Uh, Wole!

Unless you're going to sand off the water marks,

use a coaster!

Hey, buddy.

Do you ever feel like your heart is an open wound?

Do you need this?

The love of my life walked by me like I was a common houseplant.

You need this.

I should have been a lawyer.

Maybe then Kemi would introduce me to her son.

You're way too likable to be a lawyer.

Funmbi, on the other hand, born for it.

I'm proud to be with Kemi.

I wish she felt the same way about me.

Well, you can't let people walk all over you.

You got to fight for what you want.

I have always been a lover, not a fighter.

And now I have lost my lover.

I know how you feel.

I've been miserable, too.

Yeah, today was my unwrapping day.

Oh. Is that like a bar mitzvah?

Kinda. But bigger.

My mom ruined it.

I'm sorry to hear that.

You know what?

You and I are gonna stop being victims and take the power back.

If you promise not to give up,

neither will I.

I still do not really understand your situation,

but I'm inspired by your tone.

You're a good friend, Bob.

Ah, you, too, buddy.

Mazel tov.

All right.

(indistinct chatter)

The soup's good. ABISHOLA: Mmm.

You cannot even tell it's fake goat.

My vegan son took one bite

and accused me of using chicken stock.

It does kind of taste like that.

Because it is!

Who makes a soup without chicken stock?

Hello.

Chukwuemeka. Hello.

Hi, cutie.

Kemi, can we speak privately?

Of course.

You look especially sculpted today.

Do not flatter me.

But thank you. I bought a new pull-up bar.

So, what's new?

I want you to introduce me to your son.

As your man.

(chuckles softly)

That won't be necessary.

Funmbi will be gone soon.

We only have to live a lie till Tuesday.

You are not hearing me.

If you will not tell him we are together,

then we will not be together.

Chukwuemeka, wait.

This is the first time my son's come home in 15 years.

That is very disrespectful.

I live with my mother, and I still call her twice a day.

What?

Separate issue.

Funmbi was always his father's son.

And when he died,

I could never measure up.

That's not fair.

Four years after my husband's death,

I went to tea with a man

and Funmbi stopped speaking to me.

I'm sorry.

I did not know.

I have never told anybody.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Because I am angry with you.

But I also want to hug you.

Well, then hug me, you beautiful idiot!

BOB: This is

our final stop.

Quality control and finishing.

After this, the sock goes to our distributor.

And who's our distributor?

MaxDot.

I was testing you.

Well done.

What do you expect your daily output to be?

Any run-of-the-mill factory would be happy with 10,000.

But I'm a crazy son of a bitch, so we're gonna do 12,000.

That's great.

He's nuts.

What do you think?

This is wonderful.

I had such low expectations.

Thanks, honey.

Just one little thing.

Uh, are you married to this color for the walls? I just--

I don't think it's gonna inspire the workforce.

They'll be inspired by their paychecks and health insurance.

They're getting benefits?

That'll cut into our profits.

Healthy workers make more socks than sick ones.

The guy's good.

All right,

this concludes our first annual shareholders' meeting.

(chuckling, clapping)

Yeah. Now everybody get the hell out.

Excuse me?

This factory is my baby.

I'm gonna feed it, nurture it,

and keep my family from screwing it up. Well,

it's my money, so I'll screw up whatever I damn well please.

Uh, no, you won't.

Excuse me?

If this arrangement doesn't work for you,

you're free to back out.

I'm gonna make this happen with or without you.

Damn it, I'm in, Bobby.

Me, too. (chuckles)

You're nuts, but we believe in you.

Appreciate it.

Your father would be proud.

Thanks, Mom.

Do I need to say it again?

Everybody out!

My husband is building an empire.

I have a bit of legal experience as well.

I once

represented myself

in traffic court.

The ticket was dismissed because the officer did not appear.

(sighs) Why would you say that?

The headline is, I won.

I have somebody I'd like you to meet.

We met. He is your pharmacist/Realtor.

He is much more than that.

Chukwuemeka... is my man.

CHUKWUEMEKA: I want you to know I have

the best intentions with your mother.

Ah-ah. This is your boy toy?

He is not a boy.

He's a full three years older than you.

I love this man, and I will no longer hide it.

You are making a fool of yourself

and sullying the memory of my father.

Listen to me, Funmbi.

I want you in my life,

but I will not allow you to dictate how I live it.

I am too vibrant to dry like a raisin in the sun.

There's my Kemi.

Also...

...your mother is fun.

Now, you may come into church with us

or you may leave.

That was very sexy.

I know.

What are you doing?

Get in the church.

Use that brain, Harvard.

(sucks teeth)

Captioning sponsored by CBS

and TOYOTA.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org