01x43 - Episode 43

[bunniefuu]

♪ ♪

Careful, Mr. Firestarter.

Isn't your job
putting fires out?

This is called the growth stage,
where the embers catch.

-You don't say.
-Mm-hmm.

You don't have to tell me twice.

Mm.

[knock on door]

Doug, what a nice surprise.

-Is, uh, is this a good time?
-Come on in.

I didn't know
where else to turn.

Is everything okay?

Everything we say
in here is confidential, right?

That depends.

Are you here as a friend
or as a patient?

Nicole...

I need your help.

Then yes, everything
you say in here is protected,

but you knew that already,

as a fellow doctor.

What seems to be the problem?

I...

I have a gambling problem.

Oh, hell, who am I kidding?

I'm a straight-up addict.

♪ ♪

JESSICA:
Queen to D5.

I thought you didn't
know how to play chess.

Oh, I don't.
But I did binge Queen's Gambit

during quarantine.

-How'd I do?
-Not bad.

Maybe too aggressive
for my taste,

but it'll definitely
make the opps fall back.

See? I know things.

Like that
that seat isn't taken yet.

It's all yours.

Thanks again for this morning.

Nothing like a good workout
to shake off the stress.

Feeling energized?

And amped for the day.

I guess I'm doing my job right.

We're lucky to have you.

Some of us more than others.

Ah, my next victim.

[laughs]

You better bring
your A game, cuz.

I hear Smitty is smoking you
on the court.

Not you putting
my business out like that

and forgetting
the part where I let him win.

Oh, is that your talking point?

Got it. Got it.

Well, I'm ready
when you are, Congressman.

I'll be right there, Diego.

I got to get caught up with
my favorite cousin real quick.

In that case, I'm gonna
go get me a protein bar.

-I'll be right back.
-See you.

We have got to do
another karaoke night soon.

The last one
wasn't punishment enough?

My ears are still
trying to recover

from Kat and Smitty murdering
Ariana Grande's entire catalog.

Okay, that was not as tragic

as what you and my husband did
to Bruno Mars.

Hey, we were slightly off-key,
but it wasn't that bad.

And luckily,
he got off work early.

Not so lucky.

The two of you put
a new meaning to "Uptown Funk."

[laughs]

Are things good
with Smitty and the kids?

Yeah, we're great.

You want to try that again
with the truth this time?

I got to admit,
my marriage and fatherhood

have seen better days.

What's going on?

No offense, Naomi,
but I'm gonna keep things

to myself for now.

We'll work it out. We always do.

I hope you don't hesitate
to reach out.

Tone deaf or not,
we are still family.

There's nothing more valuable.

How's my family doing?

Are we gonna
make this a real thing?

That depends.

Gonna keep acting like
you don't see me in the hallway?

I mean, you're always surrounded
by your cool friends and stuff.

You mean my overrated friends.

Nah, don't play.

Everybody's checking
for your squad.

Y'all stay winning.

Winning at what?

A popularity contest
no one's gonna care about

after graduation?

I take talking to you
over them any day.

At least you're real.

You probably just feel bad
for me or whatever.

Nah, it's facts.

It's probably
the reason why haters

have been so mad
in your comments lately.

What do you mean?

All the cyberbullies are pressed

because they can't
get under your skin.

Look at you, low-key winning.

Maybe I'll talk to you
in the hallway then.

And maybe
I won't be with my, uh,

so-called "cool friends"
when you do.

-So, queen 9 D5, right?
-Mm-hmm.

It's definitely gonna
make the opps fall back.

-Oh, it is?
-But if you do it
the correct way..

My way...

-Oh, you're so-- Oh, yeah, yeah.
-Exactly, exactly.

Okay, king nerd stuff
right here. Uh-huh.

Even as a kid,
I would bet my friends

over the smallest things.

I started off with
marbles on the corner.

Then I would watch
the old head sh**t dice

against the wall after school.

How old were you?

Um, 13, maybe 14.

The hustlers on the block
would have me

sh**t for them sometimes.

Said I was their lucky charm.

What was the attraction?

Was it the admiration
from the older guys?

The money?

It wasn't about
the money back then.

It was the winning
that I craved.

That moment
when everyone is watching...

...when you have
that dice in your hand.

You were drawn
to the adrenaline,

the validation.

That's partly why
I became a surgeon.

That rush you get
when you put it all on the line,

in the casino, the OR,

wherever.

Just like in those dice games,

it's all eyes on you.

Gambling became so important

that everything else
became second fiddle.

My-my career,

my friends.

[crying]

Even my wife.

Hey, Diego.

This is
the third time I've called.

I hope you're
getting my messages,

or maybe you're busy.

Anyway,
I'm doing a showing later

and I thought we could
squeeze in a session beforehand.

I could really
use a good workout,

if you catch my drift.

Call me back when you can.

Family?

The family aspect
of our relationship ended

the day you divorced my aunt.

Oh, come on now, Martin.

Actually, maybe it was before.

When did your dad start
sleeping with your best friend?

Was that before or after
the separation?

-Before. Long before.
-Right.

Well, all mistakes aside,

I was still your favorite
uncle growing up, wasn't I?

I believe
you were my only uncle.

Come on, man. Look,
I took you to R-rated movies.

I wrote a check
for every school fundraiser.

I even pulled strings
for all your internships.

We were always close.

That shouldn't
have to change

just because my marriage
to Dani didn't work out.

And you called me tone deaf.

At least I know
when the song is over.

Catch you later, cuz.

Yeah.

What was that about?

None of your concern.

Do you really expect
any of the Duprees

to still claim you as family?

Considering the decades
that I spent with your mother,

not to mention all the things
I've done for the family, yes.

Well, don't get your hopes up.

You're lucky we're still
on speaking terms. Geez.

Hmm. And it only took you
suing me for us to get there.

And speaking of which,

I hope your clients
don't mistake

my kindness for weakness.

What is that supposed to mean?

Well, if there's one thing
that everyone

in Fairmont Crest knows is that

I will never
be taken advantage of.

Not by them,

not by anybody.

JUNE:
Get your hands off me.

What, they don't teach you
about personal space

-at the academy?
-Hey, hey, hey.

Everything all right over here?

-No, it's not all right.
-Ma'am.

This is police brutality.

Where's Instagram Live
when you need it?

Stop it! I said stop!

Ma'am, relax.

No one's gonna hurt you.

My officer's just doing his job.

I remember this woman
from Tent City.

What's the problem?

-Detective, she--
-No.

This... this officer here

thinks that just 'cause a person

ain't got a roof,
they ain't got rights.

I was minding
my own damn business.

Ma'am, just let
my officer explain.

No, you work for me!

-Ma'am.
-You work for me.

I pay my taxes.

S-Sometimes.

JACOB:
Lady.

You want to
get out of here soon or not?

-Of course I do.
-All right,

well, then let my officer speak.

No one is trying
to get one over on you, Dad.

We agreed to a fair settlement,
now can we all

just move on, please?

Mm. Fine by me.

Good. So, how is...

how is your health?

Any episodes lately?

My health is fine.

Even I can't be too certain

when the great and powerful
Bill Hamilton is lying.

[phone vibrating]

Sorry.

Jacob needs me
at the station, so...

Well, give my best
to your husband.

-Mm-hmm.
-And to your sister, please.

I miss her.

Then call her.

Did you hear
about the purse line

she's marketing and designing?

Not from Chelsea, but yeah,
I heard about it though.

I saw some videos
of her fashion show.

Listen, can you just
mention to her

that I asked about her and
suggested she give me a call?

Yeah, I won't be doing that.

Just because I'm managing

not to go for your throat

every time I see you

doesn't mean all is forgiven.

And I'm certainly not
gonna lead my baby sister

to believe that she can
trust and confide in you.

You've broken
promises to us before, Dad.

If you want to talk
to Chelsea, you call her.

It's up to her
if she picks up or not.

I'm totally down
for ravioli tonight.

Yeah, but you'll
have to stop by the store.

I still have a long day ahead.

Smitty, Diego's waiting for me
to start this workout.

Love you. Bye.

So...

...pasta night
with the fam, huh?

Does Samantha
still make a mountain

out of her parmesan cheese?

I thought I'd made myself clear.

Unless you have a grievance
with your local representative,

then we have
nothing to say here.

Are you sure this is the route
you want to take, Martin?

Because something's telling me
that you need me.

Aw, you even got the berries
I love from the farmer's market.

And the frittata
is warming in the oven.

[laughs]

Just want to show
you how much you mean to me.

Aw.

[laughs]

But this does remind me,

there's something
I've been meaning to say.

Well, why don't you just
come out and say it

instead of telling me
you've got something

you've been meaning to say?

Well, some things,
important things,

need a little bit of a lead-in.

Are you trying to butter me up?

Maybe.

Well, please, just say it.
The suspense is k*lling me.

And so is the smell
of that French roast.

Okay, fine.

I'll just ask.

How long have you been
hiding this from Vanessa?

I don't even
know how to answer that.

I haven't been
up-front with her.

I can't tell you
how many times I lied

about having
a late night surgery

only so I could hit the tables.

My wife

goes to bed thinking

I'm out here saving lives.

Meanwhile, I'm out here

losing everything
we've built together.

So, you've lost more
than you can afford.

How have you been

managing your shifts?

By running myself ragged.

I've been sleep-deprived,

worried about the money I owe.

What made you call me, Doug?

Last week,
I was performing a procedure

and my hand was shaking

so bad, I couldn't finish.

Patient was fine, but....

...if that scalpel
would have slipped

a fraction of an inch,

I would have never
been able to forgive myself.

I heard that happened
after you lost a patient.

I slammed my fist on a desk

and broke a bone.

Doug, as your therapist,

someone who understands

the unique pressures
of our profession...

...and as your friend,

you're describing behavior

that puts patients at risk.

-I'm well aware.
-Are you really?

We began this conversation
with you describing

your gambling as
something fun and casual.

But it has systematically,
pervasively,

become something
that you can't just manage

with a single conversation
or by promising yourself

that you'll do better
in the future.

It is weaving itself
through your personal life,

your work, even your health.

I'm a wreck, Nicole.

And I don't know how
to pull myself out of it.

Can you help me?

Look at you,
bringing your man coffee.

Well, the way
you've been working,

I figured my husband
needed that good stuff.

None of that break room mess.

Wait, is this from
that bougie spot on Marshall?

The spot where
you first curved me?

Okay, you thought automatically
flashing your badge

was gonna get you my number?

Somebody learned
humility that day.

Well, good thing that lesson
didn't stick, right?

I got your text. What's up?

I got somebody
I want to introduce you to.

June?

I'd like you to meet Naomi.

What the hell do you want?

-You want to get married?
-God, no.

"God, no?" Tell me how you
really feel, why don't you?

I mean, not "no."

-I didn't--
-So you don't

want to get married?

No, of course I do.

I mean, I mean, sure, just...

just not this very moment.

Okay, why is it
suddenly so hot in here?

Whatever you've got to say,
it better be pretty good.

Such a train wreck.

I'm waiting.

Look, I had this
whole speech planned.

About... how you're
the first person

I want to tell about my day.

How your smile

makes every tough tour
at the station worth it.

And how I fall
even more in love with you

every single time
you set me straight.

And when you laugh at
some of my dumb jokes.

[laughs] You're still stalling.

I want to marry you
someday, Ashley.

I do.

But first...

[Ashley exhales]

...don't you think it's time
we start thinking about

moving in together?

Hey, Tyrell. How's it going?

Someone's acting sus.

Why are you cheesing
like Dad said

you can get tickets
to go see Sexyy Red?

My brother's got a girlfriend.

And not just any girl.

Jessica's got
Forten High on lock.

Everyone's been
trying to get at her,

and you got her attention.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Yeah, props to you, big bro.
I see your glow up.

Who put this in your head,
for real?

I saw you two
at Orphey Gene's today,

so don't even try to cap.

We were just talking.

I've hung out with Jessica,
and she is everything.

Cool, gorgeous.

[sighs]

I couldn't have
picked a better future

sister-in-law even if I tried.

Oh...

I am texting you a link

for some solid literature
on addiction recovery,

specifically for
medical professionals,

and information on

a support group that meets here
at the hospital weekly.

-[phone vibrating]
-I can't go public with this.

That's not an option.

This has to stay between us.

Then I have to ask,

how badly do you want
to manage this addiction?

What do you think?

Of course I want to manage this.

Hell, I want
to get rid of this thing

I have for gambling or else

I wouldn't be here,
talking to you.

As a cardiac surgeon, opening up
about your personal challenges

might feel
particularly difficult.

Try terrifying.

Forget going to a support group
in this hospital.

If I went to that type of
meeting anywhere in this town,

I'd run the risk of
someone recognizing me.

And what if they do, Doug?

You think you're protecting
your reputation by hiding?

No, you are dismantling it
piece by piece

every time you choose
silence over support.

And what's worse--

someone knowing
you're fighting your demons

or Vanessa finding out
that you let them win?

No.

No, I can't go
to a support group.

I-I can't do it.

"Need you?"

I'm one of the youngest
congressmen in D.C.,

from a family
that's been in politics

since they let us vote.

My party begs
for my endorsements.

I have the ears of
ambassadors and prime ministers.

I have enough committee seats
to make even titans of industry

check my calendar.

Why do I need you?

[chuckles] Okay, you have
an impressive résumé,

but come on, man.

You know, between the two of us,

your appetite runs deeper
than just committee seats.

I'm ambitious. So what?

Look, I know you think
you have certain people

in your corner,
but I'm telling you, man,

when it's time
to make a real play,

they scatter
like roaches in the light.

I don't need you
to explain politics to me.

And just because
you had a paralegal

write a letter of
recommendation over a decade ago

doesn't mean
I owe you a damn thing.

All I'm saying is that I gather
quite a few favors, Martin.

Especially in pockets
that even you can't reach.

Now, that kind of power
could be useful to you

when the time is right.

I don't take bribes.

Well, it's a good
thing I'm not offering any.

I'm reminding you
of how mutually beneficial

it will be for us
to remain on good terms.

Don't play stupid, Martin.

You know what I mean.

The only ones
that know about my gambling

are Joey Armstrong,
who owns the casino,

and Randy Parker
from high school.

He works for Joey now.

Well, you kept it
that way for a reason.

What do you think will happen
if somebody else finds out?

I lose.

My career,

my reputation,

my purpose, my...

What are you scared of, Doug?

Things haven't been going
well between Vanessa and me.

We've grown apart.

I'm sorry to hear that.

But her opinion means
everything to me.

I can't stand
the thought of letting her down,

for her to see how weak I am.

Let me tell you something,

weakness is not falling down.

It's not making a mistake.

It's not even addiction.

Weakness is letting your pride

destroy everything that you love

because you're too scared
to be honest.

-You don't understand--
-I understand

that right now, the only
people that know your truth

are a casino owner
and his employee.

The people profiting
off of your addiction

know more about your life
than the woman you...

you share it with.

Damn, when you
put it like that...

God, I'm such a fool.

You are not.

And you're not weak.

You're just scared,

and that fear
is costing you your marriage.

And who knows,
Vanessa might surprise you

with how supportive
she can be, but--

I haven't given her a chance to.

Tell your wife
you have a problem

and let her decide
how she feels

instead of making
the choice for her.

So, you want
to move in together?

Only if you think
it's a good idea.

Maybe you don't, which is

-totally fine.
-I'm just confused.

What brought this on?
I mean, why now?

Well, for one,

my lease is up
with my roommates.

Oh, how romantic.

That's not all.

Honestly, I...

I thought it was a good idea.

You're the first thing I want
to wake up to in the morning

and the last person
I want to see at night.

I mean, you're mine, too.

And... if not now, when?

Okay, let me
just get this straight.

So-so, you want
to move in here with me,

or-or you want
to move somewhere else?

Here seems fine, right?

I mean, it's a much better idea

than me extending my lease

and you moving in with me
and my roommates.

If it's your roommates'
or my place, then my place wins.

Game over.

See? I knew you'd say that.

Because I know you.

We know each other better
than most married couples.

[chuckles]

What could possibly go wrong?

[sighs]

[phone vibrating]

I've got the perfect TV
and movie watching plan

for you and Jessica.
First up, Get Out.

Nothing makes a girl
want to cuddle up more

than being scared.

-Can you stop?
-Nope.

It's Jordan Peele's
alien horror.

Or if you just want
to keep it more low-key,

you can always
just binge watch Insecure.

As long as you're
Team Issa and not Team Molly.

What don't you understand?
Jessica is not my girlfriend.

We've only hung out twice.

Define "hung out."

Sat, talked.

That's it?

Bro, Jessica's too fly
for you to be slacking.

Here we go.

She's probably got college boys

thirsting all over her
right now.

You need a plan.

What happened
to me being valid, just me?

You are,
just not enough for Jessica.

She's tier one, and I'm trying
to help you level up.

Says the girl that's
never even been on a date.

That's 'cause Pop won't let me,

not 'cause I haven't been asked.

Okay, actually, first

you need to get
your social media on point.

Delete all those
chess championship pics

and the ones of you
wearing basic fits.

I barely even post.

Also, Jessica follows
mad food content creators.

You should take her
to that boba spot

in Adams Morgan
that's been going viral.

We're not dating.

Also, you need
to match her energy.

If she posts something
about something

that she just finished reading,
hit up SparkNotes.

I can't.

[sighs]

Chelsea?

It's your dad.

Just thinking
about you, sweetheart.

Give me a call.

I'm drinking
your favorite liquor

because I need to tell Mom
that I want to quit modeling,

but, uh...

You don't want
to hurt your mother.

She's been weird lately,

and kind of manic
and unsure of herself.

Do you know what's going on?

Mm. I... I don't know.

Maybe she's, uh,

just been nervous about
the big deal she's negotiating.

Mm-mmm. I think it's about you.

Oh.

In what way?

I need you to pay more
attention to her, Dad.

I need you to make dinner
plans with her and keep them.

I need you to
whisk her off to the islands

for an afternoon,
or-or to the beach house

-for the weekend.
-Oh, okay, baby. What...

...what will that accomplish?

Well, it'll make her happy.

So that way,
when I tell her I want to quit

and break the news
and she's miserable,

she won't hate me.

I need you to do that for me,

and you know that you can.

Come on. You love her.

Look, I love you, baby,
but no amount of me

jumping through romantic hoops
is going to make

losing her position as
your momager any easier on her.

I was afraid you'd say that.

It was so much simpler to solve

you and your sister's problems
when you were tiny.

You wanted one of three things:

food, cuddles or a clean diaper.

You did not just go there.

Yeah, I did.

You know,

wishing I could, you know,

go back
and do it all over again.

Maybe do it better.

You know,
like noticing that my youngest

wanted me to see her,

you know,
and how brilliant she is.

Not just beautiful,
but creative,

smart, discerning,

compassionate.

Well, you know it now.

-That's all that matters.
-Yeah.

Now, how do I handle Mom?

Just tell her the truth, okay?

And knowing
that she'll not only survive,

but Dani Dupree will come back
tougher and stronger than ever.

-That's weird.
-Hmm?

You called her "Dani Dupree."

You normally
call her "Dani Hamilton."

[scoffs]

Either way, she's a force.

And so are you,
Chelsea Hamilton.

Just promise me
you'll be extra sweet to her.

I promise
that I'll do everything I can

to ease the way for you.

Best dad ever.

TOM:
Bill?

-You okay?
-Yeah, as always.

Excuse me.

Give my friend here
a, uh, club soda with lime,

and I'll have a...

You know, I think
I'm in the mood

for something stronger.

Really, Bill,
club soda's perfect for me.

I've still got
that Martinez brief to finish.

Ah, nonsense. A man should
know how to drink good scotch.

Bring us two glasses of the '25.

Thank you.

But jefe...

Tomas, when a senior partner

offers you a drink, take it.

Especially when that partner

controls your future
at the firm.

And when I get drunk
off of one drink?

Just go expensive.

You know,
that'll give you an excuse

to take small sips, you know,

relish in the liquor.

-Gotcha.
-Yeah.

You know the beautiful
thing about this place, Tomas?

There's no prying ears
from the office.

It's perfect
for candid conversations.

-I appreciate the invite.
-Mm-hmm.

We need to discuss the first
meeting with the review board

chaired by the three musketeers
who tried to sue us.

Why are you dodging me?

I'm busy.

Too busy
to return a member's call,

even when
you've had a cancellation?

You're icing me out, Diego.

Tell me why.

June stays out in Tent City,
under the interstate overpass.

I've been
seeing her around for months.

What's she facing?

Second degree as*ault,

but it was
a big misunderstanding.

From what I heard, a social
worker was clearing out carts

and thought
June's was abandoned.

And you know how it goes--
one person's trash

is another person's everything.

So, why'd you
text me to come down here?

Well, considering you just
wrapped up that lawsuit,

and I know you want to do
more work in the community...

And it seems like you already

-decided to talk to her.
-Let's go.

So, I hear you're facing
a second degree as*ault charge.

You would have snapped, too,
if someone was trying

to steal your stuff.

Everything I own
fit in that cart,

and they just decided
it was junk.

Must have been really upsetting.

You ain't
a social worker, are you?

You better not be.

I'm not.

Then you're a lawyer.

I am.

Then get gone,

'cause I ain't got
any money to pay you,

and I sure as hell
don't trust your kind

further than I can throw you.

-This could be a hard sell.
-Yeah.

What do you want from me,
Vanessa, besides a good workout?

I'd like to know
why you're treating me

like I'm
one of those basic girls

from back in your
Fake-It Fitness days.

I've been calling you.

Oh, so now you want to talk?

It's funny how that works.

[scoffs] So,
you really are mad at me.

How could I be, Vanessa,

when I don't even
see you enough?

Unless it's our scheduled
training time, right?

[Vanessa sighs]

Hey, V.

Hey.

What are you doing here?

Ah, just came to clear my head.

But since you're here,

do you mind if we talk?

Okay, but only
if it's good news.

I've used up
my drama quota for the day.

I'm not sure about that.

[phone vibrating]

Do you have a client?

You have to go?

Unless you need me to stay?

I'm all yours.

Is it the kids?

No.

Good, but...

you're starting
to scare me a little.

I have a confession to make.

I've been lying to you.

[door closes]

Is your dad home yet?

He's still out running errands.

But, Pop, it finally happened.

Your son is officially
in his romance era.

Tyrell has a girlfriend.

Are you seriously doing this?

I'm eager to hear.

There's nothing to tell.

Samantha's just making up
a whole bunch of fanfics.

Her name is Jessica,

and every guy at Forten High

has been trying
to sh**t their shot with her.

But guess who she's
kicking it with instead?

[laughs]

She sounds like a nice girl.

Maybe we should
invite her over for dinner.

Samantha,
could you stop already?

I barely know the girl.
We've hung out twice.

Now, can you just
both leave me alone?

Hormones.

[scoffs]

First thing they want is more
women hired at the firm.

Hmm. Expected, but I've got
no issue with that. What else?

Here's where it gets...
complicado.

They're talking about
major changes.

Mm-hmm. Like what?

Mandatory bias training,

restructuring departments,
new hiring protocols.

Excuse me?

They also want oversight

on partner selections

and the ability
to review all dismissals

from the past five years.

Not to mention an audit
of salary disparities.

[scoffs]

Sounds less like a review board

and more like
a hostile takeover.

It's a good thing
I didn't build this firm

by being a pushover.

You all right, boss?

[sighs]

Hey, look,

I'm sorry if I came on strong

about the whole
moving in thing.

-Derek...
-I respect your space,

and it's no big.

I'll just re-sign my lease,

even if my roommate's
dirty dishes

are starting
to grow their own roommates.

Let's do it.

-Wait, what?
-I mean, we don't have

any reason not to, right?

Plus, I kind of like
the idea of coming home to you.

Especially if you promise
to keep making me

those frittatas
like you did today.

We're living together.

Yeah.

[laughs]

It's about what
I told you last night,

when I said our lovemaking
didn't change anything.

-I lied.
-Doug--

It affected me in a major way.

I... I felt things I thought

had been long buried.

It reminded me
of how things were,

back when we were just us.

That feels like
another lifetime ago.

Look, I know you don't
feel the same way anymore.

I see the way you look at me.

Like I'm just some...
thing in your life

that isn't
what you quite ordered.

That is not fair.

This hasn't been easy
for me either,

living with
all this distance between us.

I don't need you
to say anything.

-[scoffs]
-I just,

I wanted
to get things off my chest.

It's one of the few
honest things I've done lately.

Doug, I...

...I'm sorry.

Me too.

So... so very sorry.

Yeah, babe,
you should have seen Samantha

go full matchmaker mode.

[laughs] Um,

rigatoni, ravioli.
Whatever works. See you soon.

Hey.

I didn't mean
to overstep earlier.

It's cool.
You know how Samantha gets.

She probably already has
our wedding hashtags picked out.

Want to share the real story?

Jessica's just...

...different.

Like, everyone at school
posted about me for clout,

trying to get reaction.

She stands up for me.

She sounds brave.

She says I'm the brave one.

Says that the way
I handle the hate

is inspiring or whatever.

Says that the clowns

are frustrated
because they can't rile me.

Only if they knew.

Knew what?

The amount of late nights
that I was staying up,

watching those comments,
thinking that it was me.

Jessica is the right one.

You are brave.

You're an amazing son,

and I'm always proud of you.

And if Jessica sees this in you,

maybe Samantha isn't bugging.

Pop, please

don't let Samantha
go through with this.

I'm just saying,

any girl who's
defending my son like that--

she clearly has good taste.

Baby, she's got a solid defense.

The social worker broke protocol
and was completely out of line.

Sure was.

She failed to identify herself

and just started
going through June's cart

like it was trash day.

She was probably
looking for drugs.

But do I look like
a drug addict to you?

And you were just trying
to stop her, right? That's all?

I should have hit her harder.

Coming for my stuff
like she owns it.

Come on.

Look, she's facing
five months in jail.

That's serious time.

You know what
you always say about the system,

how it's built
to criminalize poverty.

You really know
how to play me, don't you?

No, I just know your heart.

And I know that woman

needs an advocate like you
in her corner.

I don't know, she seems...

hard to wrangle.

So was I when you first met me.

But sometimes,
the more difficult ones

just need somebody
to believe in them.

Uh-uh, using our love story

to try to manipulate me
into taking this case?

That's low, and you know it.

You know I can hear
everything y'all saying, right?

My hand must have
fallen asleep again.

That's happened
a few times now, hasn't it?

Maybe you should see a doctor.

Or maybe I'm just dehydrated.

Look, I don't
need babying, okay?

Especially not
from my junior associate.

Sorry.

Nah, it's not that serious.
Trust me.

But, hey, do me a favor.

Don't mention this to
anyone, you understand?

Last thing I need
is for certain people

to think I'm compromised.

You got it, Bill.

Yeah. Good man.

Meeting's adjourned.

Go make me more money.

[chuckles] Sure thing, boss.

Always happy
to lend my expertise.

Great.
I want to talk about threesomes.

This is the beginning
of what will be, truly,

an epic anniversary celebration.

He cheated on his... wife?

No way!
Ted did not cheat on Nicole.

What in blue blazes?

Somebody needs to tell me
what the hell is going on here.

Why do I suddenly feel like
I'm about to lose my family?