01x28 - Episode 28

[bunniefuu]

She says he's buying a house
for his elderly mother,

which I guess is sweet.

Wait, his mother?

-Are you sure?
-Yeah. Why?

[scoffs]
Joey Armstrong's mother
died last year.

You must be thinking
of someone else.

-You remember Ernie Flekk?
-Yeah.

He did a simple nip-tuck
on Armstrong's mother.

Mrs. Armstrong
was of advanced age,

so she died on his table.

Ernie was so afraid of Joey
that he skipped town.

Well, that compounds my worry.

He was freaked.

What would Joey Armstrong gain
by faking his mother's... life?

And what does he want
with Vanessa?

Someone's intense.

It's not all baking cookies
and collecting commissions.

I take matching the right house
to the right client seriously.

And now you're trying
to play love match

for a sketchy old guy.

If Joey Armstrong's old,
he's like fine wine.

And if I trafficked in rumors,

I wouldn't be able to sell
anyone a house in this town.

Um, there's a...

saturation point

where, when enough people
are telling you something...

...you should consider that
there might be something there.

Mm.

Similarly,
there's a tipping point

where your jealousy goes
from very hot to not so hot.

Shouldn't you be off correcting
some club member's form?

Bill Hamilton's wife
just canceled.

I guess she finally realized
Team Dani has canceled her.

Derek?

Oh. Hey, Hayley.

I thought firefighters
only rescued cats

from trees in the movies.

You're in the lifestyle section
of the Record.

Yeah, I was hoping
nobody would see that.

Well, now I can thank you on
behalf of cat ladies everywhere.

I forgot how much
you love animals.

There wasn't a stray
you wouldn't feed.

Now, a few months ago,
I probably would have been

on the same chain as you,
Ashley, Naomi, and Jacob

texting about your heroism
instead of reading it online.

Probably so, but that was before
you married Naomi's dad.

You know what?

You just can't
get past your anger

for me leaving your mother.

I swear, Dad,
you are the most arrogant,

selfish narcissist
on the planet.

You know what?
Enough of this nonsense.

Okay, Naomi? Now, you need
to listen to me so you can see--

start seeing the sense in the...

Daddy, what's wrong?

My hand's going numb.

Okay, Daddy, I'm right here.

-Wait, what are you doing?
-What do you think I'm doing?

I'm calling 911. Okay.

Okay.

♪ ♪

That looks good. Hey, uh,
can we swap out that table

and that chair, please?
Thank you.

Yeah. That looks good.
Looks good.

-Hey, buddy.
-Hey, director.

What's up? Um,
we'll be ready for the nurses

just as soon as
I nail down the setup.

-Looking forward to it.
-Hope you're ready
for your close-up.

[laughs]

[sighs]

I know Naomi hates me,

so you guys
have to hate me, too.

No, it's not that deep.

I mean, as much as we
were around each other,

we were just getting
to know you before...

Before I entered my villain era,

you and Ashley
were pretty welcoming.

Now no one is.

I could reserve
a pickleball court all day,

and no one would be my second.

And those club ladies
love their pickleball.

Can't be that bad.

[chuckles] Dani Dupree's
Queen D around here.

This is her social world,
and we're just living in it.

[chuckles] Or in my case,

hanging on the outside
looking in.

Well, who else
have you contacted

to replace Chelsea, Jonathan?

All nice models, but none
of them have the following

that she does.

And whoever we find
has to fit that dress.

Uh-huh. Understood.

Okay, well, you and Julia
create your wish list,

and I will make the calls
and do the hard sells.

Yeah. Bye.

[grunts]

[sighs]

[footsteps approaching]

[laughter]

-Hi, Aunt Dani.
-Hi, Mom.

I thought you would be
deep in the handbag cave,

designing away.

Well, we got our first bag back
from the shop.

If I like it,
will you throw it away?

I'm not quite sure
how this focus group works.

I always want your opinion, Mom.

Lay it on us. No filters.

It is... a revelation.

An absolute triumph of design,

with youthful details.

You should be proud.

And while I am glad that you are
making your place in the world,

I need to go replace the place
that you are leaving.

Not to mention find someone

who can fit
into that Smithsonian dress

without any alterations.
Any suggestions?

Just one.

Me.

I'll walk
the charity fashion show

wearing that fabulous dress,

as long as I can do it
carrying this bag.

CHELSEA:
This will be my finale.

The last time I walk a runway.

Well, until it's me taking a bow
after the models are done.

What do you think?

I am glad that Chelsea

will have a proper goodbye for
her dazzling, if brief, career.

And I'm glad
that you are going to save

the show for the charity.

That they don't
have to be embarrassed

in front of the whole town.

Well, I'm glad
the charity is happy.

Me, too, Aunt Dani.
We didn't want

to leave you or the charity
in the lurch.

What caused the change of heart?

And please don't tell me
you have joined

the "be careful
with Dani" brigade.

A model-less show
is not on my trigger list.

Well, Mom, I know you're fine,

but, uh, Hayley said you broke
into her and Dad's new place.

That... is...

a complete misunderstanding.

So you didn't break in?

I replaced a broken wine bottle.

That is not the same thing
as grand theft.

And how dare she
say that to you?

Gonna go to my daughter
and make it seem like

the slightest whiff
of disappointment

will blow me into insanity.

I hope you did not believe
that one rejection

would force me to go
on some crime spree.

No, Mom, this isn't about
Hayley or the wine or whatever.

We believe you.

-We swear.
-So what changed your mind?

You. Like you said,
I made a commitment,

and I can't go chase my dream
and bail on all of these

other college students,

especially when they rely
on this charity for theirs.

Yeah, and your idea
of having Chelsea carry

our bag down the runway?

It's the perfect way
to kick off the line.

And we wouldn't have
thought of it if not for you.

So you're using me
and the charity

to launch your new career?

Well, now, how come
when you said it the other day,

it didn't sound so selfish?

No worries, baby girl.
You can change the world

and help yourself
at the same time.

I'm fine.

Dad, pain in the arm is
a classic heart attack symptom.

-What...
-Naomi.

It was my hand, okay?
Not either of my arms.

My hand doesn't hurt.
It just went to sleep.

All right, look, see?
It's better now.

-Blood's moving again.
-Are you sure?

I'm positive. See?

What if all this fighting
between us

is having a physical effect
on you, Dad?

[chuckles]
Well, then your mother

would've k*lled me years ago.

Hey, look, I swear, sweetheart,
I am fine, okay?

And this isn't some ploy
to get you to drop

the hostile work environment
case either.

Well, your sense of humor
is intact, so...

-maybe you are okay.
-Yeah.

I want you to be
in tip-top shape

for when I beat you in court.

Hayley can't even get anyone
to join her for a drink.

-You can't buy company or class.
-Yeah.

But the Hamiltons can buy you.

-Excuse me?
-You sold them their house.

I sold to Bill Hamilton.

I'm not letting that bougie
wannabe hurt my bottom line.

Dani understands that.

I'm a judgment-free zone,

whether it's Dani's
or Hayley's mess playing out,

or what a couple of consenting
adults do in a certain closet.

Meet me in our spot.
Five minutes.

I really wish I could,
but I have to finish this.

Your loss.

I heard it from Ernie himself.

Careful.

This body makes miracles happen
at the OR every day.

You had it coming. You told me

Ernie wanted
to circumnavigate the world,

not that he was trying to escape
some vengeful casino owner.

Why would you
not mention this to me?

I don't want Joey Armstrong's
name to be in your mouth.

I thought if he was scary enough
to have Ernie running forever,

the least you knew, the better.

He was exceedingly charming,

which is a classic sign
of a narcissist.

Or he could just be
a likable guy.

All I know for certain is,
I can't go another minute

without my best friend
knowing the truth.

Do not disturb.

Voicemail.

Nicole.

I need to save my friend

from the big bad wolf
before he shows his true face.

Tell me,
if I confide in your wife

about our affair,

is she allowed
to confront you about it?

I warned you
to stay away from my wife.

And I thought about it. I did.

But then I decided you don't
get to tell me what to do.

What is it gonna take to get you
out of my damn life?

I'm thinking 50 stacks
ought to cover it.

Your mess. Your cleanup.

Hey, Derek.

Thanks for making me feel
a little less despised.

-I'll see you around.
-[chuckles]

Now you're just being polite.

Given your friend circle,

we won't be
crossing paths again.

The other day I ended up
talking fantasy football

and wine with a dude
I legit thought

was from an alternate timeline.

Just saying. Maybe the door
between you and Naomi is shut,

but there are other doors
and other potential friends.

Maybe it's time
for you to find them.

Goodbye, Hayley.

Damn, I look good.

I must sound good, too.

You know, I've been
in medicine a minute,

so there's a lot of knowledge
in this package.

It has not been that long.

Has medicine really changed
that much since you started?

I mean, just in
the last five years or so.

You've got telehealth, AI,
advances in automation,

got more doctors
using holistic practices.

Unfortunately, we also have more
burnout and staffing challenges.

Listen to me
expounding on this wisdom.

Andre might have to build
a sequel around me.

-Well, my money's on you.
-[laughs]

ANDRE:
So, I'm not the first to compare
nurses to superheroes,

but I can't think
of a better term.

Can you tell me,
what's your superpower?

Seeing the patient.

I want him
to know that I see him.

I really see all of him.

Nobody listens like a nurse.

Really?

Like that. You see how
I just heard you?

ANDRE:
So, Shanice,
a lot has changed in nursing

over the last few years.

How have things changed
since you've started?

Uh, well,
yesterday was yesterday,

and today is...

I got it. I got it. All right.

Can you talk about
a particularly, uh,

harrowing experience
that you witnessed?

I saw one of my nurses
in a clinch recently.

-Mm-hmm.
-Nurse Morgan.

Excuse me,
did you say Nurse Morgan?

[clears throat]

It's a runway miracle. [laughs]

Thank you. Mm.

Yes, I'm sure the show
would have been just as good

with my return to the runway,

but I am thrilled that my baby

will be on that stage again,
even if only for one night.

Uh-huh. Yeah,
Chelsea's gonna do it all.

Backstage videos,
live streaming.

Now, you all start working

on how we're gonna break
the Internet.

-Okay, I'll talk soon.
-[door closes]

Naomi. What is...

What is it? Oh, sweetness.

Oh...

You need a little extra courage

now that
you're suing your father?

Did Dad tell you?

-He did.
-[sighs]

He tried to get you to get me
to drop the case. Of course.

I didn't even let him
pose the question.

Baby, I am so proud of you
for helping those women.

You're gonna clean his clock.

Ooh, it's gonna be rich.

Just imagine Bill
on the witness stand

with his daughter
questioning him

about every detail
of his and Hayley's affair.

Is that the plan?

-You know I can't tell you that.
-Okay, okay, okay.

But maybe you can
tell me precisely

the look on Bill's face
when he found out

that you'd be suing him.
He must've had a heart attack.

What is it?

What'd I say now?

Hey.

Oh, I'm glad
that you're becoming

a regular at Orphey Gene's.

Well, it's
the only place in town

that I am completely welcome.

Oh, well, not for long.

You were so excited
about joining the club.

I'm not gonna let anyone
take that away from you.

Leave it alone, Bill, okay?

You can't blackmail them
into liking me.

You know, I already gave up
on making friends.

Thought I could at least
work out there, but...

those snobby b*tches
are never going to defrost.

Vanessa.

[chuckles] Nicole.

You were serious when you said
you wanted to make up

for lost time. Twice in one day,

after not seeing you in forever.

I called, but your phone
went straight to voicemail.

You know, real estate
isn't exactly nine-to-five.

I have to steal
those moments of self-care.

I'm just glad
you're here alone and safe.

Safe?

Can you just tell me
exactly what Joey Armstrong

told you about this
house-hunting he's doing?

On this again.
It's sweet of you to be worried,

but I told you,
Joey Armstrong's harmless.

Indulge me, please.

I am helping him
find a home for his mother.

She's getting on in years
and needs a few comforts

so that she can stay
in her own home.

Elevators, a massage room,
a hot tub for her aching limbs.

Mrs. Armstrong died
on the operating table.

-I heard it from Ted myself.
-That's terrible.

I-I have to reach out to Joey
and send my condolences.

Vanessa.

She died a year ago.

Uh...

SHANICE: All nurses find
themselves having to improvise.

In Ashley's case,
it was with a woman in labor

on a stalled elevator.

On day one Ashley had to handle
the moment with no hesitation

and all by herself.

Well, she did have
a little help.

Okay, so I can hear your pride
in this class, but...

the men and women here
have all benefited from the...

the experience
and the leadership

of those who came before.

And everyone under this roof
says, if Garland Memorial

had a beat, if it had a pulse,
it would be you.

When did you know
that you wanted to be a nurse?

Uh...

When other little girls
were playing princess,

I was fixing arms,
legs, and necks.

I had a very vivid imagination.

I never wanted
to do anything else.

And the moment I stepped into
Garland Memorial, it sealed it.

Uh, can you tell us
more about that day?

Well, you're gonna
have to turn the camera around

on yourself for that one.

I couldn't have done it
without you.

Did Bill launch
directly into threats,

or did he try to butter you up
first using the father card?

Well, he couldn't hide his anger
at me for taking on this case.

You know, Mom,

I don't think Dad and I
have ever been this far apart,

on the law
or as father and daughter.

Baby.

I believe you're on
the right side of this case,

but is it too late
for you to back out?

Maybe let someone else
close the book on your father?

Well...

If you happen
to change your mind

about the women at the club...

I know where to find you,

but I think you have
enough on your hands

with Mike's harassment case and

the hostile environment case
against the firm.

Yeah, yeah.
Man, I had those women

in the palm of my hands, babe.

They were this close to settling

after they got a taste
of the Hamilton charm, but...

I know firsthand how effective

your charisma offensive can be.

Let me guess, Naomi happened.

Yeah, she convinced them
that the settlement offer

was riddled with loopholes.

Well, you know, maybe
they need a woman-to-woman chat

with the defendant's wife.

Hayley, how is it
you think you can

fight my battles,
but I can't fight any of yours?

This is our battle, Bill, okay?

Naomi is trying
to weaponize our relationship

in court to hurt you
for loving me,

and I just want
to do my part and stop it.

Well, when you put it
that way...

I forgot biscuits.
I, um, have to go back.

You know, and if I just happen

to run
into my former colleagues,

wouldn't that be
a fortunate coincidence?

[laughs]

Kat, this new
appointment terminal and me,

we are not friends.

I can't get past the admin page.

You just click here, and boom.

What am I gonna do
when you leave?

You're gonna be off
conquering the fashion world,

and I'm gonna be here
trying to access my calendar.

[laughs]

I promise you
I'll find a perfect replacement.

The transition
will be so seamless,

you won't even miss me.

That's impossible.
I miss you already.

With Chelsea's design
and your blueprint,

you girls have something.

How did you two
keep it a secret all this time?

It was more Chelsea's secret.

But now, miraculously,

she's walking
in the fashion show,

our bag gets its debut,

and Chelsea and Aunt Dani
get to not hate each other.

Mom will love that part.
Is she at the hospital?

She's off to save the day.

And you're sure Ted's sure?

The doctor confided in Ted
before he left town

that he was scared Joey was
gonna retaliate for her death.

It wasn't the doctor's fault.

There's an inherent risk
in plastic surgery.

Mrs. Armstrong was just
one of the unlucky ones.

And in a way
I guess Ernie was, too.

He hasn't been in touch since.

My gut's never this off.

There's got to be
some kind of explanation.

Vanessa, does it matter
why Joey Armstrong did this?

He said his mother is alive
when she is dead.

Joey.

I need to see you right now.

You are the last person
I expected to tell me

to drop this case against Dad.

The scorned woman
in me would like to see you

leave nothing
but scorched earth.

But the mother in me

thinks you should take
a step back.

After what he did to you?
To our family?

What he allowed
to happen to my clients?

I would pay good money to erase
Bill from my heart and soul.

But I wouldn't
wish that for you, Naomi.

That daddy's girl
who thought he hung the moon?

She's still in there, baby.

And when you go
after your father,

what are you doing to her?

Daddy doesn't deserve her.

And you don't deserve
to lose his love, his hugs,

his protection,
his comfort, his laughter.

Just because he fell
to some clichéd instincts.

Those women have
a strong case without you,

so why not let
some other lawyer run with it?

Mom, those other lawyers
are all scared of Dad.

And I'm not.

Because that little girl's just
as much yours as her father's.

And she is ready to get justice
for those women and for you.

Yeah, well, that... Uh...

Hey, let's pick this up later,
okay? My daughter's here.

Hey, lucky me. I get to see
both my girls in the same day.

Just because my step-monster
tried to broker peace

does not mean that I'm ready.

Hayley approached you?

We ran into each other,

and she couldn't resist
lobbying on your behalf.

Or maybe it wasn't so much
a run-in as an ambush.

I had no idea she did that.

Well, I'm glad to know
that you didn't use her

to manipulate me.

'Cause that would not be okay.

Okay. Noted.

Did anything that she said
make an impression?

I'm here.

You ready to be
a father and daughter again?

Naomi told us not to talk
to Mike or Bill or Tomas.

Didn't hear my name
on that list. Join me?

Bill has no idea we're meeting.

I'm here because,
before any of this went down,

we were friends.

Friends don't take a job
a friend trained for.

Or not even call
when a friend gets fired

because they were harassed
and spoke their truth.

You're right.

Everything happened so fast
with Bill and me.

This suit woke me up.

I'm Bill's wife, Becky,

but I'm a woman, too.

Mike putting his hands on you
should have never happened.

And, yes, I should have
turned down that paralegal job.

Thanks for the apology.

You can spend years of your life
pursuing the lawsuit

or you can accept
your settlement now

and work inside the firm
to change it with me.

You've got to be... kidding me.

Together, we can make
Bill's law firm a place

any woman
would be proud to work.

Holding that baby inside
that elevator was the moment

I was sure that being a nurse
isn't just my dream.

It's who I am.

Yeah, I wish I would have gotten
a picture of that moment.

In a way, it was kind of
you birthing your dreams.

Well, if you had done that,
then they wouldn't have

-named the baby after us.
-[elevator bell dings]

[clears throat] Uh...

-What'd I miss?
-Oh, no.

Do we have to do it again?

No, it's okay. Cut.

MAN [over P.A.]:
Nurse Hugo to ICU.

[mouths]

I've got this, Nicole. Go.

And leave you here
alone with him?

Hardly alone. And this
will be quick and simple.

If Joey truly does think
his mother's still alive,

I'll suggest he see a shrink.

And if he's been playing me,
I'll throttle him.

Kidding. I'll walk away.

Be careful. And text me
the second you're done.

Yeah.

I came as soon as I could.
Is everything all right?

The worst feeling
washed over me,

like something awful
had happened.

And you were worried about me?

I can see you're okay.

How about your mother? Is she?

Well, you know,
she has good days and...

Oh.

You know.

How?

The better question is why?

Why am I shopping
for a house for a dead woman?

Is it possible that you miss me
as much as I miss you?

That's... I got to say, babe,
I hate not knowing

what's going on
with you firsthand.

I heard about you
starting the purse line.

I hated that I couldn't call

to congratulate you
or offer my help.

And we worked it out.

You gave up your right to help.

So I guess you're still
Team Dani, too, huh?

How do you go from
telling Mom you love her

to just ditching her?

And if you can do that to her,
who's next, me or Naomi?

Hey, hey, hey. No.

You and your sister
are my heart and soul.

And Mom's ours.

The dad I knew would have never
treated her like that.

Trust is gone.

And I have no clue who we are
to each other anymore.

Hey, come on. You're my baby,
Chelsea-bear.

And as long
as I got breath in my body,

that bond
will never be destroyed.

You hear me? It endures.

Honey, you won't believe...

Kat, I had no idea
you were here.

I came by to help Dad
with software and...

...return the earrings
I borrowed.

-[gasps] Ah.
-[chuckles]

-You okay?
-I am better now.

I was this close to buying
a new pair for me.

-Well, I can take them back.
-Ha-ha. [laughs]

Um, or you could wear them
to the fashion show.

Chelsea's back in
for one night only.

-Dani must be ecstatic.
-Yeah, I think she likes

that Chelsea's now a
multi-hyphenate model-designer.

I, uh, better go.

Good luck
with your delulu patient.

-Thank you, baby girl.
-Mm-hmm.

Delulu patient?

My mother defined herself
by her beauty,

and by clinging
to that beauty...

...it led her to pay
the ultimate price.

That stupid surgery.

I'm so sorry
for your loss, Joey.

But it doesn't negate the lie.

I couldn't tell you
the real reason

why I needed a house
fitted for someone older

because that someone is me.

Are you sick? Do you have
some sort of condition?

I have the same condition that

ultimately took
my mother's life.

Vanity.

I can feel my mortality,

so I hit the gym
and I eat right, but...

...my knees are telling
another story.

I can see it coming,
and I want to be ready.

Now, how can I tell you
something like that?

You just did.

You're missing the point.
Vanessa...

...you are

"men trip over themselves
in the street" beautiful.

But you challenged yourself
to explore

the other parts of who you are.

Enterprising,
brilliant, ambitious.

My mother never did
any of those.

I understand if you
don't want to work with me.

But I do hope you'll forgive me.

Mm. That man should be
on camera all the time.

You realize he's my man.

Mm, you should be flattered.

Sorry, wh-what was
the question again?

-Uh, your name.
-Oh, right. Derek.

My last name's Baldwin,
if you need that.

-I can't remember if you...
-Hey. [chuckles] It's okay.

Um... So you have experience
with Ashley

as both a patient
and as a partner.

Can you tell us
what is it like being a...

being with a superhero?

She's, um, super.

You know what? I think we're
gonna get Ashley to join us.

Yeah.

Uh...

I know danger
comes with the territory,

dating a firefighter,

but when I saw Derek
on that gurney,

I was scared to death.

Could you tell us
about how you were injured?

There was a burning house.

I thought the owner
was still inside.

But you ended up saving a cat.

His owner
brought Pooneil to visit,

and it was almost worth it.

He was the most adorable thing
in the world.

So Derek was a good patient?

[both laugh]

Nurses have the only job
where comforting people

is part of the equation.

Seeing Ash do her thing...

I'm in awe. She's amazing.

[phone buzzing]

Dani, if this is
about the beach house...

I'm calling about our daughter.

You've put Naomi in a position

where she has to face
her own father in court.

Wait, wait, no,
wait a second now.

She chose to sue me
and my firm, all right?

Now you want me
to take it easy on her?

I know how low you can get

when you're defending
the thing you love most.

Hayley?

That firm is as much your baby

as your actual children.

As strong as Naomi is, Bill,

the person
who can hurt her most is you.

BECKY:
I can't. I can't.

HAYLEY:
Becky. Becky,
listen, listen. I...

I don't want to tell you
how to feel, okay?

I'm just suggesting options
so you can make a r...

What the hell
do you think you're doing?

It's called a conversation.

-Naomi, I-I...
-Becky, you did nothing wrong.

We can talk tomorrow, but
you might want to go home now.

You could have at least
let Becky take something to go.

You know, I wonder

how a judge will view a witness,

who's married
to the firm's founder,

making an end run to try to coax
another witness.

Sitting down to meet
isn't a crime, Naomi.

Look, I know you have
no reason to believe this,

but I've been reminded more
than once today that the fallout

from Bill marrying me
runs deeper than I thought.

I never wanted
you or Bill to be hurting.

Tell me what I can do
to make things whole.

You really want to help?

I do.

Stay the hell away.

I said you have a patient

that believes his dead mother's
still alive.

-[both laugh]
-You are the worst liar.

But I am glad
you did not discuss

-the details with Kat.
-How's Vanessa?

Right now
she's confronting Joey.

How do you think he'll take it?

Best case, she fires him
as a client and he goes quietly.

Mm. Worst case?

Maybe your mother's death

brought on thoughts
of your mortality prematurely.

Look at you. You're a zaddy.

I'll have to look that up,
but it sounds good.

It is, but we need to get
something straight.

You lied. And not just because
you're vain. Aren't we all?

You lied because
you underestimated me.

I don't care how old you are.

Does that mean
we can get past this?

Because I would love for you
to help me find my home.

Same requirements.

Only if you can promise

there won't be any more lies
between us.

I don't want
anything between us.

You have a deal.

And now, what you have all
been waiting for.

Fashion.

Andre, I swear,
if you give a damn about me,

you'll delete
that footage right now.

We'll lay low for now,
let Ted think he's won,

and then,
at the big anniversary bash,

when he least expects it,

we'll make our move.

I have fear, Vernon.

Fear that this
isn't going to end

any other way than terribly.