Original subtitles

Abishola needs fuel for the day,

not diabetes.

She's taking the MCAT,

so I'm making her a cat face pancake.

It looks like an elephant.

That's not a trunk, that's his tongue.

You want one?

Sugar reduces production

of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

So, no?

You do not care about my daughter's neurotrophic factor?

I'm just having a little fun.

I see now that was a mistake.

Good morning.

There she is. EBUNOLUWA: Good morning.

Mwah.

Have a seat, future doctor.

We made you breakfast.

It's more like dessert. Hey.

Sorry.

You did not have to do this.

How you feeling? Nervous?

Ah, it should be nothing for Abishola.

Every half-witted physician has passed that test.

But we will love you no matter what happens.

I do not share that sentiment.

I'm not taking the test today.

Oh, no, honey, it's today.

I put it in my calendar. "Abi MCAT.

"Make pancakes.

Keep mouth shut. Keep Ebun's mouth shut."

Eh-eh. Sorry.

I postponed my test. What?

Are you dying? No.

Is Bob dying?

No. Dele,

are you dying? I don't think so.

There, no one is dying.

But if you do not take the test, it will kill me.

It is not the right time.

The right time was 15 years ago.

It would be better if we wait

until Bob's factory is fully operational.

The factory's gonna be fine.

And if not, we need you to be a doctor.

Can we talk about this later?

Well, at least eat something.

Sugar reduces the production of the...

You know what?

("Ifanla" by Sola Akingbola playing)

Hello, Christina.

Oh, hey, Kofo.

What are you doing?

Oh, I'm done dusting,

so I thought I'd start doodling.

You doodled a marketing campaign?

It's a plan to get more children into our socks.

We hook them when they're young

and then they become lifelong customers.

Like a cigarette company.

Goodwin will love it. Oh.

I hope so. I never updated my LinkedIn to janitor

and I'm starting to feel like a liar.

Have faith. Things worked out for me.

Oh, it was awesome to watch you get promoted over Goodwin.

I will admit, it was a baller move.

It's too bad he got promoted over you again.

Yes, it is unfortunate.

You know, sometimes I sit in Goodwin's chair

and pretend that I became president. Hm.

I bet you'd make a wonderful boss.

No, even in my fantasies I'm a pushover.

Morning, everyone.

Good morning. Good morning, boss.

Let's get to it. Douglas, what is on the agenda?

Marketing ideas.

Oh, well, then I guess you'll need the board.

Thank you, Christina.

Douglas, please erase those doodles.

On it.

Wh... I'll give you a tip.

If you want to impress Goodwin, he loves a clean board.

A little help?

(low, indistinct conversations)

What?

You know what.

You should be on the second hour

of the MCAT with a cramped hand and a full bladder.

It is not a good time.

Well, I cannot wait much longer.

I already have family members counting on your prescriptions.

Why would you make these promises?

Because I had no idea you'd become a lazy failure.

I am doing what is best for my family.

I have known you 20 years.

How long have you known Bob?

He's practically a stranger.

Honey, you have a chance I never got.

Don't waste it.

We need more women doctors.

Hell, we need more Black doctors.

And look at you, you can be both.

I do not need you telling me what to do.

This is my life

and my decision.

She's not even storming off.

Just like I said. Lazy.

Well, maybe it's good.

Now that she's not studying all the time,

she can do more things she likes.

What is it she likes to do?

Study.

It is obvious what is happening here.

What?

I've seen it many times over the years.

Seen what?

Especially with Nigerian women.

Tell me what it is.

Abishola has given up her life's dream

to help you achieve yours.

There's no way she's giving up prescribing compression socks

to watch me make them.

My mother stayed home so my father could be a doctor.

My auntie did the same thing with my uncle.

She even supported him when he gave up his law practice

to become a magician.

He calls himself the Amazing Chinedu.

He is anything but.

Well, I'm not the Great Bob-dini,

but Abishola's dreams are just as important as mine.

Well, that must be why we are in a factory

that she did not want.

I did this for the both of us.

That is what my uncle tells my aunt

every night before she climbs in a box

and he cuts her in half.

Christina, come in.

Uh, before you say anything,

the humane ant traps are working

and I plan on releasing the colony into the wild.

I do not care.

Sit, I want your opinion on a marketing strategy.

Oh, my God, you do see me.

I'm considering a new sock promotion:

"Find A Foot."

People send in pictures of feet

for a free pair of socks.

Whose feet?

Any foot will do.

A foot on the beach. A foot in a taxi.

A foot in the spa.

This seems less like a marketing campaign

and more like a pending lawsuit.

Very well.

I will tell Kofo that his perverted idea is terrible.

Oh, uh, yeah, I-I didn't realize it was Kofo's idea.

You know, it might work.

Even perverts need to buy socks.

I have been unsatisfied with Kofo's performance.

Come up with an alternative campaign,

and I will consider promoting you.

Wow, thank you.

I-I won't let you down.

So, if-if I move up, what-what happens to Kofo?

Do not worry. He will be taken care of.

You don't mean "taken care of" in a good way, do you?

No. I didn't think so.

Dottie, I'm looking for private nursing work.

Do you know anyone who may need help?

Oh, let me check my Facebook.

You want bedridden or wanders out of the house

in their underwear?

Who's in their underwear?

Your mother's friends.

She's helping me find at-home patients.

Mom, keep your dying friends to yourself.

You sure?

Right off the bat, I got two broken hips

and a botched face-lift.

I'm not losing you to the Stepford Grannies.

We're signing you up for the MCAT.

I do not need you to do that.

You can't be a doctor without taking the test.

Eh, here's one in a couple of weeks.

Three spaces left. Bob, stop.

I can't live with myself knowing

you gave up your dreams for mine.

That is not what I am doing.

Good to know.

So, what are you doing?

Nothing.

Come on, this isn't like you.

I'm not dropping this, level with me.

I'm not sure if I want to be a doctor anymore.

Okay, I hear your words, but they're not making any sense.

I know.

So, what's changed? I don't know.

Come here.

(quietly): It's okay.

Agnes Snyder. Osteoporosis.

She's got bones like a cooked chicken.

Have you seen my work ID?

You're going to work? (scoffs)

It's Monday. What else would I be doing?

You made a pretty big declaration last night.

I think you should take the day off.

And I think you should stop talking nonsense

and help me find my ID. Come on.

Don't you guys get mental health days?

Yes, and I laugh at the people who take them.

Where is it?

Bob, can you please keep your shoes in the closet?

Those are actually slippers. They're meant to look like...

I do not care what they are.

Okay.

I had it yesterday.

Did you touch it?

Oh, yeah. I like to set up

little morning scavenger hunts for you.

This is not the time for your silly jokes.

Abishola.

No more talking until we find my ID.

Abishola. Shh.

I know it is close.

Abishola! What?

Oh.

Now get my phone. Yeah.

(ringing)

Cardiology, how can I help you?

Hey, Abishola.

Uh-huh.

Oh, so it's like a mental health day.

Okay, I didn't mean any offense by it.

We'll see you tomorrow.

A mental health day.

My God.

I will alert her loved ones.

Where's Abishola?

I don't know.

What kind of useless husband

does not keep track of his wife?

One that knows when his wife needs space.

What kind of useless husband gives his wife space?

I'm worried about my daughter.

Me, too.

It is not like her to give up on something

she has worked so hard on for so long.

I know.

I tried to talk to her, I'm not sure what else to do.

Sometimes a child just needs her mother.

I want to be there for her.

To hold her hand, pull her close

and tell her she is being an idiot!

Wow. You almost had me.

E kaale. Oh, my poor, sweet grandson.

Do you know where we can find your mother?

Dele, it's a trap. Go to your room.

(machines whirring)

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Hey, Abishola. Are you free right now?

I don' think I've ever truly been free.

Okay, great. So, I have an opportunity.

I can climb the corporate ladder, but to do it,

I have to step on Kofo's cute little fingers.

Who cares?

So, I should just keep climbing up

and ignore his screams?

What do I know?

I'm taking a mental health day.

(laughing)

Yeah, right.

Can you imagine?

Oh, God, you'd want to die. (laughs)

Oh. I see what you're doing.

Do you?

Please, tell me.

You aren't gonna provide me with the answers

'cause it's time I start providing them for myself.

Thanks, girlie.

I'm gonna let you get back to work.

Oh, well, sorry.

"Mental health day."

(whirring)

(cheering and applause over video game)

Wait, is that goalie's name Bob Wheeler?

I name the players in my soccer game after my family members.

Ah, they just scored on me. Yes.

You're quite slow.

(video game crowd cheering)

How come I can't be the guy that scored?

That was Auntie Olu. She's amazing.

So, how you doing?

You know, in the real world.

I'm fine.

You don't have to pretend.

I mean, your mom is going through something right now

and we're all a little worried.

She'll be fine.

She always figures it out.

That's why I made her the coach.

It's natural to be freaked out. Uh-huh.

Especially if you feel like you're not allowed

to be part of the solution.

Uh-huh?

And you don't want to overstep, but you want to be supportive.

I'm her husband, she should be sharing these things with me.

And instead, you're here sharing them with me.

(crowd cheering)

Oh, look, I blocked a goal.

That wasn't you.

You got subbed out for Auntie Kemi.

She's amazing.

Abishola?

Ah. Auntie, Uncle.

How did you find me?

Nothing calms your worried mind like tumbling linens.

We always knew when you were struggling because

all the comforters would be missing.

(sighs)

Kemi told us about your mental day.

(whispers): Ah. Lower your voice.

I used to always be thinking about what was next.

What I had to do, who I had to be.

But lately, my mind has been... quiet.

Quiet?

When I am at home with Bob,

I have this strange and unnatural feeling

that everything is okay.

What is wrong with me?

This will come as a shock, but I believe you are happy.

Oh. That is ridiculous.

We are as surprised as you are.

I have sabotaged my own career and I don't even care.

The-the symptoms sneak up on you.

It happened to me the day I met Olu.

I was in the library studying for my chemistry exam

and I heard the giggle of an angel.

I was the angel.

That sweet sound led me to my soulmate.

I was the soulmate.

And from that moment on,

I did not care what I got on that chemistry exam.

I wanted to hear that laugh.

(giggles)

Oh, Tunde.

(giggling)

It never gets old.

So what do I do now?

Enjoy yourself.

But hide it from others.

Most people find happiness irritating.

(knocking on door)

Hey, Kofo, you busy?

Just deleting pictures of feet from my laptop.

I'm giving you a heads-up.

Goodwin asked me to present my own marketing campaign.

Oh.

I didn't want to do it without telling you.

I want you to know...

your fingers matter to me.

Thank you?

I'm so sorry, Kofo.

Do not be.

You deserve the opportunity.

But you should know,

I will not be giving up without a fight.

Oh, of course.

May the best marketing executive win.

I will even wish you good luck.

That is how confident I am.

I'm not afraid either.

I hope you knock 'em dead.

I am going to, right in front of you.

Bring it on.

Then you can watch me hit it out of the park.

Yes, we will both be watching each other hitting it hard.

I'll hit it harder.

I will also be hitting it harder.

Hm. Will you now?

Yes, I will.

We'll see.

(whispers): Won't we?

Oh, my.

If you're gonna be in here for a while,

I'd turn the lamp off so your mom doesn't find you.

Hmm. Good to know.

I had a very nice conversation

with Auntie and Uncle today.

Ah, they're the best. Mm-hmm.

They helped me see that the crisis I'm having

is all your fault.

Well, why do they get the credit?

I knew it was me yesterday.

The problem is that you make me happy.

I'm sorry, that was never my intention.

Happy people are lazy.

They lose their ambition

and lie around eating salami and cheese

with their husband.

I thought you loved charcuterie Tuesday.

I do. And the wine pairings.

And the way we snuggle during movie marathons.

That is the problem.

You have loved me into complacency.

So you're not a doctor because I'm a great husband?

Exactly. I will not let you get in my way.

This is where I'll be every day after work

until I accomplish my goals.

Okay. (chuckles)

Why are you smiling?

Right, sorry, no happiness.

Now kiss me and get out.

Can I at least bring you some snacks?

Stop making things nice. All right.

It's kind of chilly in here,

but I'm not gonna turn on the heat.

Thank you.

And I won't bring you a blanket.

Enough flutzing, I'm trying to study.

All right.

(giggling)

(giggling)

Hello.

Hello.

I am Babatunde Temitope Olatunji.

But you may call me Tunde.

Hi. I am Olu.

You may call me Olu.

I love your laugh.

I love your hair.

It is my best asset.

(giggles)

Sister.

What are you doing talking to this ragamuffin?

We are here to study.

Yes, Ebun.

I will meet you by the periodicals tomorrow.

Yes, I will be there.

So will I.

With bated breath.

I cannot wait. EBUNOLUWA: Olu!

(gasps) Ooh.

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