01x20 - Episode 20

[bunniefuu]

♪ ♪

[door opens]

CHELSEA:
Gran.

Chelsea?

Not that you need an excuse
to visit,

but I thought you
and your mother were finalizing

the fashion show today.

I know Dani's just bursting
about it.

Yeah, about that.

WAITER:
Mrs. Dupree.

-Oh.
-Good morning.

May I suggest
our elderberry bellini?

Um...

just an orange juice to start.

You got it.

On second thought,

maybe a splash of vodka.

-One screwdriver coming up.
-Thank you.

[phone vibrating]

Hello, Pamela.

Are you kidding?

Without you,
I could have been discovered

in the newlyweds' living room
like freaking Goldilocks.

Actually, we didn't
get away with it.

Hayley stormed into my place
and totally went off.

Broke one of my picture frames
like I broke hers.

To be honest, it shook me.

I would have called,
but I found a...

rather muscular shoulder
to cry on.

Oh, I got to go.
Daddy just got here.

Bye.

Mm! It's a nice surprise.

What brings you here?

Mm, breakfast with your mother.

Yeah. Glad I ran into you,
sweetheart.

I want to talk with you
about Bill and Hayley.

-Bill.
-Oh, hey, Mike.

Here are the case files,
complete with precedent rulings

and relevant statutes.

Always above and beyond, Tomas.

You know, why don't you sit in
with us while we discuss it?

Uh, I thought
you might want to review

Pender v. Harrison,too,
since it's on point.

-It's there on the bottom.
-[Mike laughs]

Speaking of bottoms,
have you heard the one

about the virgin, the prost*tute
and the stripper?

[Mike laughs]

Good morning, ladies.
Please sit.

Naomi, we want to start
by thanking you

for taking the time
to meet with us again.

-Of course.
-We know how busy you must be.

CARRIE:
So we'll make this quick.

We're here to tell you
that your services

are no longer needed.

Just forget we ever asked.

♪ ♪

You don't like the way
your mother's producing

the fashion show,
and you want more input.

Kind of the opposite.

Can you take a look
at something?

Oh, this is gorgeous.

Obviously couture
by the looks of it,

but I don't recognize
the designer.

It's a Chelsea Dupree original.

I designed it,

and Kat's gonna help me sell it.

You created this?

For our new company.

And the purse is just the start.

We want to expand
into a fashion house

on the levels of Telfar
and Brandon Blackwood

with me designing every piece

and Kat bringing in
the business.

Well, wouldn't that be difficult
to juggle with the modeling?

Oh.

And your mother doesn't know.

Bill and Hayley who?

Nice try,

but I know it's impossible
to forget about them.

And I will never,
never forgive that man

for putting you
through the wringer.

And then I did the same thing
to you and Mom.

Brought drama to the wedding,
the arrest.

Suffice it to say...

you've been a handful lately,
as always.

But you're my handful.

Know that I'm here
for you, baby.

Proud and duty-bound
to care for my girls.

And the next generation, too.

♪ ♪

[pounds desk]

Martin?

Babe, tell me what's wrong.

The prost*tute says
to the virgin and the stripper,

"Oh, you don't want
to compare poles."

[laughs]

And then,
and then there's the one...

Okay, that-that's enough,
Mike, okay?

Come on, man,
we talked about this.

You're the human definition
of NSFW.

What's that?

TOMAS and BILL:
"Not safe for work."

It's a joke.

Okay, then you're fortunate that
none of the female partners,

associates and paralegals were
around to find it not funny.

We realized, belatedly,

it was a massive overstep
asking you to represent us.

Yeah, it's public knowledge
that things

between you and your father
aren't copacetic.

But still, he's your dad.

And the lawsuit?

Oh, we still intend
to make those creeps pay,

even if it takes us a minute
to find representation.

We figured, when you didn't
get back to us, you had doubts.

I did. Um...

I had a tough time
with this decision.

See, I told you.

Until I realized

I not only know
how my dad works,

I know how to take
his firm down.

I'm yours, if you'll have me.

I know I sound like
an ungrateful, spoiled brat,

and there are a million girls
who would k*ll

to take my place on the runway.

I only care about
my granddaughter.

But, Chelsea,
I-I've seen you doodling.

But how did it go from

portrait sketches on the fridge
to this level of talent

without me knowing about it?

Remember how mom says
I used to pull clothes

into my stroller
when I was a baby?

[laughs]
Yes, your model origin story.

Well, we both thought
it was in my fate

to follow in her high heels.

But along the way,
I became much more interested

in how the clothes are made.

That's what got me hyped,
the designers' process.

Vision, brand identity,
creation, even production.

Business plan not so much,
but Kat's got that on lock.

And when I showed her
some of my sketches,

she was all in
on making my dream, our dream.

Kat would leave
her father's practice?

Well, Uncle Ted always knew
she wanted her own business,

so at least he'll be thrilled
about that.

And we started working
on prototypes months ago.

And then, all of a sudden,
it was more than just a dream.

Which means that
I have to be real with Mom.

I just really don't know how.

Well, tell her like you told me.

When her whole identity is
wrapped up in being my momager?

It's like I'm ripping the runway
right out from under her, Gran.

And I'm her last connection
to that world.

Listen, sweetheart.

My mother almost lost her mind
when I told her

that I was going to tour the
country with the Articulettes.

Really?

And your grandfather and I
did not want Dani

to go to New York to be a model.

You will be the third generation

of Dupree women
striking out on her own.

And I'm all for that.

So, you just better name
a bag after me.

-The Anita does have
a nice ring to it.
-Mm-hmm.

So, if your mother has
a dynamic reaction...

-She will.
-...we will all be here

to bring her back down to earth.

Now, give your grandmother a hug

and show me some more
of these designs.

-[laughs]
-Okay.

Can we just hold off
on show and tell for now?

I need to face Mom
before I lose my nerve.

You got this.

Chelsea Dupree is
made of formidable stuff.

[chuckles]

Trouble is, so is Mom.

Sorry, Daddy, I got to motor.

I don't want to be late
for the charity event planners.

So proud of you.

All those years, you helped
Bill to build his legacy,

and now you're building yours
with your daughter.

It's like you turned
your light back on.

How do you always know
exactly what I need to hear?

Years of practice.

[laughs] I love you.

I will see you in a bit.

Love you.

Good morning, Senator Dupree.

What can I get you?

Just coffee to start, Ford.

Mrs. Dupree will be joining me
momentarily.

Sounds good. I'll be right back
with your coffee and menus.

Mm. Don't mind if I do.

DANI:
Whoops.

I forgot my OJ.

Mmm.

Fresh squeezed.

See you, Daddy. Love to Mommy.

These blurry eyes
come from staying up late

working on the child tax bill.

I can't get the numbers
to add up right.

Don't say that around Tyrell.
He'll take it as permission.

They're changing every day.

And...

I know how dedicated you are
to your constituents,

but I don't want you
to miss time

with the ones who love you most.

I just need to get through
this critical time,

and then I'll be golden.

You have the district

in the palm of your hand,
Congressman.

[scoffs] Yes, but I can't
rest on my laurels.

It's imperative
that I grow my base.

If not, I'm just standing still.

You don't have
an election this year.

You almost sound like you're
ready to run for higher office.

I may not be
a senator any longer,

but I am still
on top of everything,

and I mean everything,
political in this town.

Especially if it involves

a certain bored congressman
who's itching to blow up.

By that I mean
run for president.

-ANITA: Sorry I'm late.
-Ah.

Is it possible
that you're even more stunning

than when I left you
this morning?

[chuckles] Charmer.

Actually, Chelsea stopped by.

She was on her way here
to meet Dani,

and she wanted some advice
from me.

I had a few minutes with Dani.

How does she seem?

Didn't you see her
on the way in?

Just a wave.

-She was busy.
-Oh.

Well, this time with Bill has
left quite the aftertaste.

True, but was she open,

receptive or...?

Well, for the first time
in a long time,

her energy was not
just flailing around

in reaction to Bill.

She was focused
on Chelsea and this show.

Never thought I'd say this,
but thank goodness for fashion.

This show and our granddaughter
might just...

Vernon, I'm gonna
stop you there.

'Cause I'm about
to burst your balloon.

Well, Chelsea is on model time,

but she's just as excited
as I am to dive in.

Well, while we wait,
we can bow down

to you
for that wedding performance.

Performance?

JONATHAN:
You were always this mysterious,

untouchable aspiration.

Then when you shot up
that wedding

with your feelings raw
and your pain on display,

you did it all looking fabulous.

You shot your way
right into our hearts.

Dani Dupree is brat.

And that live stream was fire.

And taking out those flowers?

-Fierce.
-So fierce.

They totally deserved it.

The flowers or Bill and Hayley?

JULIA and JONATHAN:
Both.

[laughter]

Well, as I said
at the press conference,

I do regret my actions.

But from a brand perspective,

I find your take
informative and uplifting.

Tell me more.

So, ladies,

will I have the honor
of representing you?

Can you be a shark?

Because anything less
isn't good enough.

Well, I've seen Jaws
a trillion times.

It's my dad's favorite film.

And he identified
with the shark,

not the innocent people, right?

Sorry, we shouldn't pile
on your dad.

No. No, no, no.

My dad deserves
every bit of derision he gets.

And I will use everything
I know about him

to take him and the firm on.

Because I believe
you were wrongly fired

and you deserve damages.

There's no doubt or hesitation?

You see,

sexual harassment claims can be
extraordinarily brutal.

You will have to each go
into explicit detail

about what Mike said
and did to you.

CARRIE:
We get that.

And they will
dissect everything.

Your wardrobes,
your social media presence,

your personal relationships,
and it's not fair.

It's not fair,
but it's where we are.

We get that, too.

We're ready.

In addition, the hostile
work environment claim

requires that you prove
that the firm itself

had knowledge
of Mike Davis's actions

and that they either
looked the other way

or punished you for speaking up
about that harassment.

And I know it wasn't easy
telling your story,

but that'll be a cakewalk
compared to what it'll be like

in front of a jury, the press
and the Hamilton legal team.

Wait, wait, so you're saying

your dad will be
named a defendant, too?

Under the letter of the law,
I have no choice.

I have to go after him.

I held a work dinner at a place

where the sushi bar was
a conveyor belt of naked models.

Okay. Mike...

Relax, Bill.

I'll be safe for work
from here on out.

Tomas and I will, uh, save our
sushi for off the clock, huh?

Leave me out of this, please.

BILL:
Look, look, hey.

What you do
outside of billable hours

is not my problem, all right?

But D.C. is a big, small town,
and I don't want

to see any blind items about
this law firm's aging bad boy.

Says the man
whose shot-up wedding

was just live streamed
on every device in the country.

Okay, look,
I'm not trying to take

the moral high ground
here, Mike.

I'm just being practical.

I can be a very good boy.

Of course, there are some women
who were put on this earth,

and sometimes
in this very office,

that can test a man's resolve.

-Like the new Mrs. Hamilton.
-Hey, hey, hey.

You keep Hayley's name
out your mouth, partner.

All right? You say one more
untoward remark about my wife,

you're gonna find yourself
on the other side of that window

dangling by your ankles.

And I might lose my grip.

And your ex, who replaced
champagne with light beer

and invited you to watch it?

Okay, that's
what I'm talking about.

Can I employ you two
indefinitely?

Oh, Chelsea bear, there you are.

I was just getting to know
Jonathan and Julia.

They're my new besties.

I'm such a fan.

Like, you're so authentic.

-Thank you.
-Okay, down to business.

Now, I have the specs
for the runway,

but I think we might want to go
with a more unifying theme,

especially if we want
the Silas Ryker dress

from the Smithsonian
as our showstopper.

I'm thinking
for the other pieces,

we can lean into the, uh,
First-Gen Grant foundation,

our family,
fashion through time,

you know, leaning into the
sort of the retro meets now...

While it seems Chelsea has...

given her plans
a lot of thought,

Martin is rushing headfirst
into danger.

Anita...

...he-he wants
to run for president.

No.

Oh, no, Vernon.

Not now, not ever.

We talked about him
leaving politics entirely

when all of this began.

But his abrupt resignation
would have brought suspicion.

If he were to run
for higher office,

he'd face
another round of vetting.

The scrutiny.

Our boy's secret
is so expl*sive,

it could decimate his life.

Forget about
political ambitions.

There'd be no...

no shielding Smitty
and the kids from the fallout.

They'd be collateral damage.

Ted and Nicole raised Martin
to be who he wanted,

and we encouraged him
every step of the way.

He was our golden boy.

We should have added a caveat.

Never make a mistake.

So how does he plan
to pull this off?

Martin thinks
he's diligent enough

to keep his secret hidden.

In this day and age?

Nothing is off-limits
or cannot be uncovered.

You can't walk down the street
with your dog off-leash

without the press
getting wind of it.

How could he be so naïve?

Or arrogant?

Well, now, I wonder
where he got that from.

All the more reason
that I should be the one

to head him off,
before it's too late.

[Smitty sighs]

I try to give you
the CliffsNotes

as much as I can,
but Samantha notices

if you get the name
of the boy she likes wrong.

And Tyrell needs to know

that you know which test
he got a "B" in.

All important
in the here and the now.

But for their future,

I want to make moves
that my kids are proud of.

Make you proud.

What are you trying to say?

Relax. I'm not revving up
for anything at the present.

-Okay?
-Okay.

And since, as you say, it's
a critical time for the kids,

maybe you should hold off

on returning to work
for a little bit.

Mm-mm. No.

No, we agreed that we wanted

the kids to have two parents
who are fulfilled.

Yes, and I should have been
on board sooner.

I couldn't have made it
this far without

you on my side, Smitty.

And when I think about politics

and serving our country,
I think of it as our dream.

-Not just mine.
-It is our dream.

But writing is
a piece of me, too.

One that I put aside
for way too long.

I get that.

I've been thinking
maybe fear stops change.

But it won't stop us anymore.

We're gonna get everything
that we want

in the present
and in the future.

You know,

it is very sexy
when you agree with me.

I'll have to remember that.

[phone vibrating]

Mm.

-[sighs]
-Do you have to?

Ah, take it.

VERNON:
Hi, Martin.

I'm here with your grandmother,

and we're hoping
you can join us at the club.

I'd love to have breakfast with
my two favorite grandparents,

but I'm wrapping up the tax bill
and some other pressing matters.

Son, this isn't a request.

We'll see you
as soon as you get here.

Does Vernon want you to drop
everything and meet him?

That's weird.

I thought he was just as anxious
to finish the tax bill

as you were.

You know Granddad.

It's probably
just family business.

I should change.

[sighs]

[chuckles]:
You should see your face.

I would never hit on Hayley.

It was just getting as heavy
as one of those

mandatory HR seminars.

Had to lighten the mood.

Well, you failed epically.

No disrespect, partner,

but I'd think a guy who fell
for his new wife in the office

would see the irony
in you schooling me

on what's appropriate
in the workplace.

No offense.

I was just feeling nostalgic
for the old Bill.

But...

[stammers]

...I know young love
will make you feel whi--

...sensitive.

I'll leave you guys to this.

Sorry about that.

If Mike didn't have
so many wins in court,

I'd buy him out yesterday.

And for the record,
I'm not sensitive.

You're a man in love.

And it's not my place
to say what Mike is.

[chuckles]
Out of line is what he is.

I normally can put Mike in his
place without breaking a sweat,

but when he went for Hayley,
patience took a hike.

I won't stand by and let him
or anyone else disrespect her.

Nor should you.

Pender v. Harrison.

What is it?

Naomi and I used to try
this case over dinner.

How'd that work out?

I, you know,
outlined the specifics,

then I challenged her
to argue against me,

and she was brilliant.

Who won?

Well, we're still debating
about that. [laughs]

I mean, that's--

Or we used to.

Look, it's just...

I don't know, just--
Naomi and Chelsea.

[sighs]
I never would've imagined

being this distant from them.

Any shot at reconciliation?

Well, yeah, sometimes
I see a glimmer of hope

with Chelsea, but Naomi?

I think I lost her.

As we discussed,
Bill Hamilton will be named

as a co-plaintiff
on the hostile workplace charge.

And Mike Davis
will be named alone

in the sexual harassment charge.

Yes, that's correct.

Are we ready to proceed?

Naomi, are you really prepared
to go all wrecking ball on Bill?

If you do this for us,
the consequences

for the relationship
with your father could be dire.

Only if we win.

And I assure you, we will.

You know, I thought time
would heal the rift

between Naomi and me,
but it's taking too damn long.

And if I don't do something
to mitigate this,

then hating her father
could be...

I don't know,
it could become a habit.

Have you tried talking to her?

Yeah.

Shut me down
right before the wedding.

Told me I'm dead to her.

Ouch. That's wild.

I mean, seeing
how Naomi was with you

before everything went down,

she used to look up to you
like you were

some kind of lawyer god.

Yeah.

Man, when she took the LSATs,
enrolled in law school,

mentally I was already adding
another Hamilton to the shingle.

I always wondered why
she never took her place here

as the heir apparent.

I just figured she didn't want
to be in your impressive shadow.

No, Naomi's not the least bit
intimidated by me.

But she got
disillusioned with me

before either of us met Hayley.

About what?

Ah, doesn't matter.

Yeah, I thought she'd get past
it once she started her own firm

and saw a little more of the way
the world and the law worked.

Then came Hayley.

-I wish I could help.
-[chuckles]

Yeah, nice offer, but it's gonna
take a lot of maneuvering

to get back into
my girls' good graces.

At least you haven't given up.

Have you met me?

Come on. Get out of here
and get back to work.

Those billable hours
won't rack up by themselves.

Yes, sir.

[door closes]

[sighs]

I want to make things right
with you and your sister.

That's why
I came looking for you.

To at least make a start
at getting us back on track.

Look, I'm not interested
in your justifications

for what's inexcusable.

As a matter of fact,
I'm not interested

in anything you have to say.

As far as I'm concerned,
my father is dead.

What's our next move?

I already made it.

I took the liberty
of drawing up the complaint.

[Naomi clears throat]

I've drafted so many of these,

but I've never seen one
with my name on it.

It hits different.

Makes it more real.

But nothing is official
until the papers are served,

which I can do right now
with your permission.

You've got it.

Can we ride along?

I would k*ll to see
Mike's smug face fall.

No, you can't. [laughs]

But I do need a verbal
affirmation from each of you.

Yes, please.

Yes, but there's
one other thing.

-About your fee.
-Oh.

I'm taking this case
on contingency.

So you won't make a cent
until we do?

When we're done,
you'll have more money

than you'll know
what to do with.

What about you, Stefania?

Am I doing this?

We want more than money.

We want justice.

And we want it to be loud.

Loud enough so it doesn't happen
to anyone else.

I want that, too.

Well, Counselor, you're hired.

Okay.

I'll get this paper served.

Thank you, Naomi.

Of course.

Thank you, ladies.

-We'll speak soon.
-Yeah.

-Thank you.
-Take care.

♪ ♪

[sighs heavily]

He can't make it
an hour without this.

-Good morning.
-Grandmother.

Who died?

Your career.

If you even think about
running for the presidency.

You told her.

Your grandmother and I have
no secrets from each other.

What do you plan to do
if this all were to come out?

I can control
the flow of the information.

Your information, yes.

But not the dirt

that your opponents
will spend millions to dig up.

And need we remind you
there are people

who know your secret,

and at least one of them
cannot be trusted?

Martin, you have the benefit
of our experience.

Heed it.

You need to let this thing go
before it's too late.

We will definitely
see you again.

-Yes.
-Cannot wait to work with you.

-Aw, thanks.
-[laughter]

Bye.

Wow, Mom,
you've really k*lled this.

And landing Jonathan and Julia?

They've been
the hottest planners in the game

since that
California Royals party.

Well, we are
way behind schedule.

The designers seem to think
they have months

to get these outfits together.

Media's all over me.

-And I'm loving every minute.
-[laughs]

I feel like a new woman.

Well, I'm glad
you've turned your life around.

And now it's your turn, baby.

What do you mean?

You think I don't know
how important it is

for you to put your name on
something you can be proud of?

Expanding your brand so you can
join the billionaire girls club?

So you know?

-I do.
-[exhales]

And that is why I have

negotiated
this contract for you.

You will be the face
of the fashion show

for the next three years,
ironclad and binding.

I love you so much, baby.

[phone ringing]

Yes, Caroline?

Who is it?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
Put her through.

Hayley. Hey, darling.

What's wrong?

Mm-hmm.

Uh, yeah, okay.

I'm sure that's the
perfect piece for our bedroom,

but you don't have to check in
with me every time

you buy something, baby.

That's why,
that's why I gave you the card.

Okay.

All right.

Well, you're the moon
and stars to me, baby.

Okay?

All right.

All right. Love you, too.

I have a dream,

and you two are the ones
who gave it to me,

even more so than my parents.

And now you're instructing me
to be satisfied,

sit back and settle
being congressman?

Leave it at that?

-Son...
-No, Granddad.

You ran for senator,
and you won.

And I thought the idea was
for every generation

to achieve more
than the one before.

And you still can.

Uh, Gandhi,

Desmond Tutu,

Mother Teresa, Greta Thunberg,

John Lewis,

and that great man
you're named after.

What is that list?

Men and women who have had
an impact on the world

that is the same or even greater
than that of the Oval Office.

Oh, I see.

This is your famous
carrot and stick trick.

Offer the loser something else,
and then convince him

it's better than
the thing he really wants.

You can still do work
that is consequential, Martin.

There are causes that are
screaming for attention,

from criminal justice
to ending poverty,

without sitting in that office.

A foundation might be
a good place to start.

-And we can certainly
support that.
-MARTIN: Mm-hmm.

Throw money at the problem,
since now I'm the problem.

That's not what we're saying.

No, what you're saying is
I'm not presidential material.

After a lifetime of teaching me
to reach for the sky,

now you're knocking me down
once it's in sight.

Naomi.

Hey. C-Come in, come in.

I'll have Caroline
make you a latte.

Have a seat.

I'm good.

Okay. You know, sit, stand.

I'm just glad you came.

I assume you got my text.

-Dad...
-Hey, listen, baby,

I know it's gonna take
a lot more than that

to fix everything
that's broken between us,

but I want you to know

I'm all in on making it
up to you and Chelsea.

I mean, you girls...

...you've always been my heart.

I believe you when you say that.

And that you mean it, too,
when you just said

to Hayley that she's
the moon and the stars.

[chuckles softly]

Hayley's my wife now.

And, yes, I love her.

But that's...
that's completely different

and separate
from the love I have for you.

Right. [clears throat]

Sweetheart.

You're my firstborn.

My heart nearly burst open
the first time I held you.

And now...

now to see you grow up
into this strong

and astute lawyer just makes me
love you even more now.

You're a part of me,
the best part, Naomi.

Can't you just be honest
and admit

you still love your old man?

Huh?

Can we start there?

I mean, otherwise,
what are you doing here?

Tomas, I'm in the middle
of something here.

I'm sorry, Bill,
this can't wait.

We have a problem.

That's enough, Martin.
Remember where you are.

I'm in the world you gave me.

And it would've meant
everything to me

to have your blessing.

But don't worry,
you can still sleep

in the Lincoln bedroom
when you come visit.

I will forever honor you both.

Even if you don't believe in me.

Martin.

[sighs]:
Well...

that went well.

[scoffs softly]

Where is that damn thing?

Looking for this?

Oh, thank goodness.

My whole life is
in that damn phone.

I know.

That's why I went to the club
to deliver it to you.

We must have just missed
each other.

Yeah.

Apparently,
I did miss something.

Now who's withholding
career plans, Mr. President?

I already had the lawyers
take a look.

It's all standard.

Three years guaranteed
as the headliner.

And all you have to do is sign.

I can't.

I'm done with modeling.

Bill Hamilton?

Yes.

You've been served.

Who'd have the nerve
to pull this crap?

I thought you came to reconcile.

And you're suing me?