01x52 - Episode 52

[bunniefuu]

[Anita playing piano]

[Anita scatting]

[laughing]
Someone's feeling frisky.

[laughs]

Well, you were humming
a love song.

Wasn't that
the intended purpose?

I know you miss those days,

grandstanding
on the national stage.

But not everything
is about you, Mr. Dupree.

Well, what other purpose
could there be?

Besides...

I know. You're practicing

for the Articulettes reunion.

Well, I won't lie and say

it hasn't been
on my mind lately.

What's holding you in place?

I've told you already.

In theory,
reuniting with the girls,

that would be...

That would be something.

But in actuality,
getting everyone together

after the way I treated them
when I went solo,

that's something
entirely different.

You're assuming
it will go badly,

but you won't know
until you pick up the phone.

Here.

Do it.

Set this thing in motion.

Your fans demand it,
including your number one, me.

Anything for you, Mr. Dupree.

Except that.

[playing soulful tune]

God--

The hell?

-[sighs]
-What's wrong?

Oh, nothing, babe.

Just some incompetent junior
associates wasting my time.

And here I am,
here to waste more of it.

I should've knocked,
shouldn't I?

Permission to enter, boss?

Oh, well, that depends.

Are you here as my employee
or my wife?

That entirely depends...

on you.

So glad I caught you.

And to what do I owe
this surprise visit?

You know, I just wanted
to come and see you.

You know, make sure
all was good in the hood.

Well, now you see me.

Yeah. I mean, you look well.

Like you're ready
to take on the world.

What, did you expect me to be on
the couch in the fetal position,

mascara-stained
tissues everywhere?

What? No. Uh--

Is that why you kept quiet
about Leslie?

To protect little old me

because you think
I'm so weak and fragile?

DANI:
Nicole.

Give the man a break.

♪ ♪

-Dani, you don't have to--
-I absolutely do.

You told me
Ted confided in Andre.

You also told me you understood
the position that put him in.

I did.

So what changed?

I don't know.

Everything. Nothing.

It's complicated.

Okay. Then let's play this out.

If I was your patient,

sitting in your big,
fancy office,

telling you
that my husband's nephew

knew he was cheating,
what would you say?

-That's different.
-What would you say?

I'd say...

anger is natural.

That betrayal makes us want
to burn everything down.

And then?

[sighs] That sometimes
the people

caught in the middle
are victims, too.

Damn you for making me
be my own therapist.

Thanks. I'll be right over.

Hey. Need help?

No, thank you. I got it.

Wait, Dad, is that kale
in that bag?

We talked about this.

What's wrong with kale?

Some of us actually care
about our skin.

Like you and your 15-step
morning routines?

Don't worry about what I do.

SMITTY:
Do you have a work function?

I was hoping we would have
dinner together tonight.

I, um, left something
at Orphey Gene's.

I'll be right back.

Please do not take too long.

These two have been going at it

since I picked them up
from school.

How about we save
the cooking for tomorrow

-and have pizza night instead?
-I'm down.

SAMANTHA:
Ooh, can we order extra
this time?

We never get enough.

And you know how this one eats.

Don't start.

We'll order a ton.

You never know when
we'll come across a stray.

True. You never know.

-Hey, is there something
going on with you?
-We'll talk later.

Permission to approach?

Are we really doing this
right now?

Looks like.

If you're about to talk about
some "being friends" stuff,

you'd be wearing this.

Looks like we'd finally
be sharing something.

Look, I'm not saying
we have to handle this today,

but for real, are we ever
gonna work through our issues?

I don't have any issues.

I just need you
to stay out of my sight.

Well, I'm not going anywhere.

So whether you're
in your feelings or not,

we're stuck with each other.

[scoffs]

Martin was on some
twin connection stuff,

saying how because
we're the same age,

maybe there's some
subliminal bond, or whatever.

That's kind of deep.
What do you think about it?

Let me break this down
to you, real simple.

That will never be us.

No tea, no shade. Just facts.

-Say less.
-Mm.

Can't say I didn't try.

We're still half sisters,
and that's forever.

But you do you, I guess.

♪ ♪

MARTIN:
What's good, baby sis?

Hey.

That's all
your big brother gets?

Someone's in a bad mood.

Can you blame me?

I just had a run-in
with the homewrecker helper.

Let's not dwell on that again.

Hey, I know we talked
about meeting for dinner,

but how about
having it at my house?

What's the occasion?

We're having pizza night.

Plus, when have you
needed a special occasion

to see your niece and nephew?

Maybe that wouldn't be so bad.

I could use a break
from all the Eva/Leslie drama.

Speaking of Eva,
you remember what I said

about us trying to figure out
how to be family?

Vaguely.

Maybe we should try tonight.

Wait a minute.

I just said I needed
a break from the drama.

You're not seriously
thinking of inviting her?

-Ah, look what we have here.
-Ah!

If it isn't the sound
that made the whole world

-stop and listen.
-Oh, please.

Look at y'all.
Three queens on one throne.

What do you say?
Let's give it a spin.

You are about as transparent
as a glass of water.

And besides,
that thing has nothing

but pops, clicks and scratches.

Sadly, it's gone
the same way as my voice.

Oh, not this nonsense again.

Your voice is not worse.

It is just different.

Aged, like a fine cognac.

Cognac is harsh to some people.

But not to those
who have good taste.

Come on. People be lining up
to see you perform.

Especially
if you're paired with--

Two partners I cut loose?

[sarcastic]:
But that's not a recipe
for disaster.

You won't know...

Until I try.

I'll tell you what,
husband of mine,

I have an idea.

Why don't we not debate this
and have a sing?

-A sing?
-Mm.

With whom?

The one partner
I didn't turn away.

-Me?
-Yes, you.

Maybe it'll satisfy that urge,

that sudden urge
to be Dante Green.

You know I can't sing.

There is no "can't"
in this family.

Let's just say you've been...

vocally challenged.

But maybe you're better now.

Oh, I don't think
it works that way.

The Music Man said,

"Singing is just
sustained talking."

And you love to talk.

So, why don't you just pretend
like you're giving a speech

and just hold the words
a little longer?

Fine. You win.

I'll give it a go.

But I swear, if you start

with those Broadway musicals
again...

Just sing.

♪ ♪

I get that it's complicated.

I didn't mean
to stir anything up.

I only stopped by
so I could see you.

But maybe I should
give you some space.

Hey, no one is leaving
until we fix this.

Hey, Dani, it's okay. Really.

Wait.

You know what you mean to me.

I'm just raw right now,

and I can't do anything
about that.

My heart's in pieces,

and I don't know
how to trust anyone.

Yeah.

Watching you hurt like this
has been k*lling me, too.

Ted put you in
an impossible position.

Do I wish that you had told me

what he confided in you
about Leslie,

the affair and that
she was actually in town?

Of course.

But I understand why you didn't.

I will always treasure

what you mean to me,

even if it seems like

it's getting buried
under the crush of things.

You're family, Andre.

And that doesn't disappear

just because everything else
is falling apart.

Girlfriend, I got you covered.

Don't even worry about it.
Oh. Gotta go.

Bye.

Who you plotting with now?

Dad, can you please
tell my brother

that every phone call
isn't a federal investigation?

SMITTY:
Tyrell, can you please
give your sister

some breathing room?

You look sus,
and I know that look.

SAMANTHA:
Chill. It's not that deep.

Just someone from AP Bio
who needed my notes.

[scoffs]
Watch, when your friends

get that Georgetown
acceptance letter and you don't,

you're gonna be saying
your brother warned you.

Okay, come on.

Will you please tell my brother

that looking out
for friends and family

isn't the crime
that he thinks it is?

Especially when he'll
be thanking me later.

The fact is, you and Eva
need to handle this,

and it might as well be
over a couple of slices.

Come on, it's not
that bad of an idea.

You're right. It's worse.

How long are you going
to hold on to this grudge?

Until I'm ghosting
from the grave.

Maybe you like to "Kumbaya"
with the other side of Congress,

but this ain't that.

No, it's family.

And you're making my point
for me.

We have a half sister, and
my kids should get to know her.

That's your vibe.

But your full sister
is not interested.

Even if pizza is involved?

Ah!

I need to find
a new place to chill.

♪ ♪

That was about me, wasn't it?

Look, I hope I'm not
making things weird

between you and Kat.

Nothing more than
the normal sibling animosity.

I guess I can't really relate

since I never had any of that.

Well, you kind of do now.

Maybe we should get
to know each other better.

For real?

I love that.

We're having pizza night.

You want to hang
with my family and me?

That's unacceptable.
You understand?

I don't care if it takes
all night. Get it done.

[sighs]

Sorry, babe. Duty called.

Oh, is that his name?

You are in a mood today.

You noticed.

Oh, careful now. Careful.

I may have to report you
to the new HR board.

-[laughs] That'll be the day.
-Yeah.

Bill Hamilton gets so woke,
he won't let a paralegal,

who happens to be his wife,
flirt with him.

-Unheard of.
-[chuckles]

Not that I'm not enjoying
all this attention, but, um,

am I supposed to guess
what you're working up to here,

or should I just labor
in eternal ignorance?

Hmm.

Oh...

you're about to find out.

[chuckling]

The last thing I want
is for you to be in a position

where you feel like
you have to explain yourself.

You will never
have to do that with me.

I appreciate that.

Hey. Come here.

Talk soon.

[mouthing]

Auntie.

[Andre clears throat]

All right, Sis,
ready to break out that wine?

First, do you want to tell me

what's going on
with you and Andre?

-Hi, baby.
-Hey, babe.

[coughs]

Ugh.

Get a room.

[coughs]

Here, you can keep these.

I take it you didn't
have trouble tracking her down?

At the underpass.

Exactly where she told us
she'd be.

You know that hotel room offer
still stands.

It's not safe.

Less safe than sleeping
under the highway?

I know the people
at the underpass.

Those charity hotels,

they're full of people
pretending to be

better than they are.

They'll smile in your face
and rob you blind.

Let's discuss your arraignment.

So, they'll likely charge you
with second-degree as*ault.

But I can argue that
you thought the person

going through your cart
was stealing

and not a social worker
looking for drugs.

-That doesn't guarantee that--
-[coughing]

[sneezes]

That doesn't guarantee
that you'll--

[coughing]

June, how long
have you been sick?

I'm not sick.

I'm fit as a fiddle.

Now, about this guarantee--

[coughing]

[Anita playing
"I Love You Truly"]

♪ ♪

♪ I love♪

♪ You truly♪

[singing off-key]:
♪ Truly, dear♪

♪ ♪

♪ Life with its sorrows♪

♪ Life with its tears♪

[laughing]

Seems like that's
directed towards me.

[laughing]:
I'm sorry, baby,

but you were right.

You are not better now.

[laughter]

You can't say I didn't warn you.

Do you know
how embarrassing it was

to lead all those
civil rights marches

with everybody belting out
"We Shall Overcome"

at the top of their lungs,

and me lip-syncing every word?

Well, it shows
how much I love you.

It's our little secret
I kept all these years.

The lady marching next to me

said I had the best voice
she ever heard

and I never sang a single note.

You were the best lip-syncer
I ever saw.

And that's coming
from somebody who watched

every episode of Soul Train

and did my own share
of lip-syncing.

Well, in a family of singers,
it's like being

the tallest person
in a tribe of pygmies.

Oh. [laughs]

[Vernon chuckles]

-[knocking at door]
-I wonder who that is.

-You should get it.
-Why don't you?

Oh, I wish I could be
back in high school

so I could fight about the most
inconsequential things ever.

Get the door.

TYRELL:
Jessica?

I heard it's pizza night.

Come on in, Jess.

And I kept my promise.

You have veggie?
Good looking out.

You invited her?

Why not? We're pals.

And rumor has it,
so are you two.

I am happy to be here.

And I think it's cute
your little sister

thinks she can play matchmaker.

So, are you gonna
introduce us, Tyrell?

I'm Jessica.

Jessica, as in...?

-She was the one
that got sent the picture.
-SMITTY: Got it.

Everyone is starting
to leave him alone now.

Looks like we got a full house.

You all know Eva.

You mean thatEva?

A honeymoon?

That's what this is about?

Maybe you forgot,

but you still owe me one,

or at least two-thirds
of the one

that we had to cut short.

[sighs] Baby...

I will never cheat you out
of what you got coming, okay?

Especially if
it involves you and me,

the most romantic place
imaginable

and lots of champagne.

I-I'd whisk you away today
if I could.

Okay, then what's the problem?

Why aren't we halfway
across the world by now?

Well, Mike's gone now.

And filling in for him
hasn't been easy.

It'll just, you know, take us
a little time before we can go.

I figured you'd say that.

Which is why, you know,
if we can't go have a honeymoon,

I thought I'd bring
the honeymoon to us.

BILL:
Mmm.

Oops.

What do you mean,
what's up with me and Andre?

I don't know
what you're talking about.

I'm just wondering.

Andre? Your Andre?

That's who you think I'd choose
for a little release?

I thought I picked up
on something.

Well, maybe what
you're picking up on is...

how we got to know each other,

when he worked miracles
with Chelsea

on that Ebonyphoto sh**t.

Oh, right.
That was a great spread.

I mean, I got to be nice
to the guy.

He did my daughter
a super solid.

Of course. What was I thinking?

The last thing I am looking for
is a relationship right now.

You should understand
that more than anyone.

You're right.
Well, how about that drink?

-I definitely could use one.
-Yeah.

It's tea with honey.
It's an old remedy,

but it still works.

[coughs] Not for me.

This cold is
the price of admission.

[coughs]

Wait, what does that mean?

You call yourself a cop?

It was freezing at the underpass
last night.

And the cold concrete
don't care about comfort.

So, is this the part where I
tell you I told you so, or...?

No, Ms. Smarty Pants, it is not.

It's just something
I'm used to, is all.

And I like it better
than having my stuff swiped

at some charity hotel.

We just want to make
sure you're good, June.

-That's all.
-It's a cold.

You don't survive on these
streets without catching a few.

You know, you're lucky
I'm an ethical attorney,

or else I might try
to get on the judge's bad side

so he'd throw you in jail
till your trial.

At least then you'd have
a roof over your head

and three square meals a day.

Who said you were ethical?

That's still yet
to be determined.

[coughing]

JACOB:
June, are you okay?

[exhales deeply]

I don't think
I'm feeling too well.

Baby, feel her forehead.

Oh, my gosh, she's burning up.

[laughing]:
What are you doing?

It-- [laughs]

It was supposed to be sexy.

Oh, oh, oh, it was sexy.

It was sexy, yeah,
till I heard my phone crack.

-Oh, my...
-What's this?

You know what?

To hell with all of this.
Everything's ruined anyway.

Look, look. The Morrison case.

The Thompson brief.

Next quarter
budget protections.

Oh, my goodness.

Come here.

[laughter]

Oh, you're something.

Mm, mm, mm. [chuckles]

Still think my...

movie moment was a mistake?

Mm-mm.

Mmm.

Look, I am sorry
I asked about Andre,

but you know that I had to.

And I am telling you, I'm alone

and I'm good with it.

Yes, I lost my damn mind
for a minute when Bill left.

He took a chunk of my life.

But now I see it as a blessing.

No man, no drama.

That is a great way
of looking at it.

And I cannot tell you
how freeing it is.

No commitments, no compromises.

I can blast Beyoncé
at 3:00 a.m.,

take random trips to Paris.

Hell, I can even let
my grays come in

without someone asking me
if I'm letting myself go.

Not that I would.

That sounds great, Dani,

but some of us are still working
on that liberated woman part.

-And that is why you have me.
-Mm.

Look, today was lovely.

You dragging me out to brunch
and being my shadow and all,

but I really just need
to be alone right now.

-You sure?
-I'm fine.

I'm just tired.

You look all right.

Don't think I won't know
if you're lying.

Cross my heart.

I'm out, then.

But tomorrow
we're doing something fun.

No arguments.

[chuckles] I am your girl.

One phone call, Sissy.
That's all it takes.

I know.

-Love you.
-I love you.

[sighs]

Eva is my half sister

and this is her first time here,

so we're going to give her
a warm welcome.

Pops, Eva,
this is Jessica from school.

Try not to embarrass me.

Hi, Jessica.
I've heard a lot about you.

That makes two of us.

Sorry. This is insane.

I mean, your speech on student
debt was all over socials,

but this is the first time
I am seeing

a congressman in real life.

Actually, he was my first, too.

That's what's sending me.

So you two didn't know
you were related until recently?

You could say that.

Hey, how about I show you two
a tour of the place?

Eva, how are you finding
your way around D.C. so far?

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, it wasn't my intent

just to bring my new half sister
without any warning.

A warning wouldn't have helped.

She is the woman
who went after Grandma.

It's a lot more
complicated than that.

How? Eva ruined
your parents' relationship

and now you want
to have pizza with her?

Eva is blood.

Her mother orchestrated
all of that.

She just got caught in the
crossfire like the rest of us.

That's not how I see it.

Listen, if this is too much,
I can go, it's fine.

Great. Thanks for coming.

No, stay.

Join us for a minute.

Just because Jessica says
she liked one of your speeches

doesn't mean you have
to show off now.

[sarcastic]:
Yeah, because Pops would never

grandstand for the cameras.

I don't see any cameras around.

All I see is family.

Eva's entry
into the Dupree family

wasn't the smoothest,

but complications
are the stuff of life.

And regardless,

she will be having dinner
with us tonight.

I hate keeping secrets,
but this one

has been percolating
for a while.

I've been considering
a run for president.

But I've put those plans
on hold for now.

I don't have to tell you guys

how a national campaign
can be brutal.

I've learned
from watching you all

for the past few months

that the biggest moments in life

don't always make headlines.

Sometimes, they're just this,

in this room, family.

Figuring it out together.

I have a husband who I love,

who's just getting back
into his career.

Parents who just had
a very public breakup.

Two children who I adore,

who need their father

and not
a national campaign schedule.

And now, a sister
I can get to know.

So, no, I'm not running
for president.

Some things matter
more than ambition.

Some things-- some people--

deserve to be my priority.

Anyone have any questions?

Pizza's getting cold.
Can we finally eat?

Taking a trip down memory lane?

You know why I keep
pushing for that reunion?

It's not just because you would
light up the stage again.

Not because your family
would just burst with pride.

But because...

it-it could help you...

...let go of how things ended.

All three of you.

The weight you've been
carrying for so long.

The temptation is there,
believe me.

Don't tell me
my off-key warbling

got you considering it.

Not exactly, but sort of.

Talk to me.

That sweet attempt at a duet

made me remember something.

What's that?

That you are
still the man for me.

After all these years,

I can shine with you anywhere.

State dinners.

Hole-in-the-wall joints
in Adams Morgan.

Right here,
the two of us, just...

with you singing
every wrong note

and me loving each one of them,
because it's you singing.

You built this life with me.

Made it beautiful.

And then, when all this
reunion talk started...

...suddenly, I was scared.

Yes. Me, Anita Dupree, scared.

I don't believe it.

For a minute,
I was that girl again.

The one who knew
she had it to sing,

or die trying.

Who had to dig deep to find
the courage to chase that dream.

Then I was worried
she was gone,

and I couldn't find
that fire again.

But then I remembered
one important thing.

I'm not that woman anymore.

And we have shared a lot of life

between that Anita and this one.

And I know

that if I have to do
anything terrifying,

you are right there
to hold my hand.

Damn straight.

Can you forgive me
for forgetting?

You don't need to ever ask
my forgiveness for anything.

But...

...does this mean...?

Yeah, I'll do it.

Let's have
an Articulettes reunion.

That's my baby!

[laughter]

But I need to remind you
of one important fact.

And what is that?

This could be truly wonderful,

or it could be
a complete disaster.

June, wake up. June!

We got to get her
to the hospital now.

You don't have to tell me twice.

JACOB:
Stay with me, June.

-Yeah, I got her.
-Go, go, go, go.

-Come on.
-[June wheezes]

[June coughing]

[contented sigh]

-Ooh. Mmm.
-[laughs]

Well, you just made

all the work that I have
to do over worthwhile.

Mm. Glad to be of service.

Mmm. It was good to meet you.

You know, hopefully
I made this an experience

you'll never forget.

Listen, I know I say
this to you all the time,

but you are everything to me.

And, yes, I was married to Dani,

and it was good
for a long time, but...

oh, never like this.

I can't imagine what life
would be without you.

And I sure as hell
don't want to try.

Mm, mm.

♪ ♪

[laughs]

[breathing heavily]

As your wife, this was fun.

But as your employee,
I can help

put your office back in order,
if you need.

No, baby,
that won't be necessary, okay?

I can handle it, trust me.

I got everything under control.

HAYLEY:
Okay...

I'm glad you could read lips

and knew what I was saying,
before, at Nicole's.

I got the message all right.

Nicole nearly did, too.

Wait, say what?

[laughs]

'Cause she picked up
on something,

asked me right out.

And you said...

You know that joke
about how the Nile

is more than just a river?

Yeah.

I'm sorry she took out
her anger at Ted on you.

Because her mood,
it just swings back and forth.

-I get it. You know.
-I do, too. But still...

You didn't see him
the day he told me.

He knew what
he had with Nicole, and...

he knew that she was the most
important thing in his life.

It k*lled him that he had
had that weak moment.

If only.

You feel about it as you will,
all right?

And so will I.

After all, I love them both.

I know you do.

I guess I have to be
an adult about this.

I will if you will.

Can I ask you a question?

Yeah, name it.

What took you so long
to wind up in my bed?

[chuckles]

KAT:
How are you, Mom?

I'm fine. Or at least I will be.

You seem a little off, though.

Well, can't hide anything
from you, now, can I?

What's going on?

Nothing.

If I could stop running into
that trifling trash Eva Thomas.

So, my dad says
you're a hairdresser.

I was, then I detoured.

Now it looks like
I'll be doing it again.

It's a good way
to pay the bills,

which is kind of
important right now.

Where are you working?

Oh, you probably
haven't heard of it,

but it's a place
called Serenity Beauty & Hair.

MARTIN:
Clearly, you don't know
my daughter,

the mini fashionista.

She's up on all the hotspots.

It's only one
of the premier salons in D.C.

Like, their IG feed
is everything.

Samantha was actually
just saying

how she wanted
to change up her look.

Maybe Eva can offer a few tips.

Oh, I don't know.

Actually, Samantha has
a great look already.

But change is fun.

I could definitely see
a few different looks

that would flatter her face.

For some of us
who can't visualize

what that looks like...

-you want to do it now?
-Pop, it's not like

she travels with her stuff.

[laughs] Actually, I do.

But only if you're interested.

♪ ♪

MARTIN:
Nice.

[laughter]

[cheering]

♪ You know, you know, baby,
we can go...♪

So nice.

♪ You know, you know, baby,
we can go♪

♪ Wherever, come find♪

♪ To see that
our world's fine...♪

Yes.

[laughter]

-Wow.
-EVA: Mm-hmm.

You were really in your bag
with this one.

So you love it?

-Yes, I love it.
-Yay. [laughs]

[line ringing]

Sharon?

Hello?

Sharon, it's Anita.

But, of course, you know that.

[call beeps off]

[sighs heavily]