01x66 - Episode 66

[bunniefuu]

♪ ♪

Vernon, there's something
I have to tell you.

Something I should have told you
a long time ago.

[pop music playing]

Whoa.

That...

was different.

Good different?

Magnificent.

[both laugh]

Maybe we should do
this more often.

We just did.

No, I'm-I'm saying that...

that argument,

it took us someplace
we'd never been before.

It left us open to...

this awesomeness.

All the world should solve
their problems like that.

I think we just discovered
the key to world peace.

Nah, we just discovered
something.

That you are
the most perfect human specimen

that I am lucky enough
to call my Mr. Right Now.

I thought we decided that

we were gonna be real
with each other.

Especially after the way
we just connected.

I'm thinking...
I might be more than that.

My father needs a doctor.

Uh, Mr. Hamilton,
let's sit you down.

Naomi, what's the problem?

Nothing's the problem. I don't--

I'm fine.
I don't need you to--

Okay, as a lawyer,
you know the hospital has

a responsibility
to keep you safe.

Sit, and I'll get a doctor
to check you out.

-Look, I--
-Baby, sit.

Take your suit jacket off,
please.

I'll need to check your vitals.

Uh, Dr. McBride,
we can use your help over here.

Bill?

What's going on?

He was talking,
started stuttering,

then he couldn't find his words.

Can you believe that one, Doug?

The irony.

Let's call in a neuro.

Wait, wait. Neurology?

Wait, hold on a minute, babe.

No.

Any other symptoms?

Um, he's been having some
numbness in his right hand.

-DOUG: For how long?
-Rarely.

Doug. Man, please,
will you tell my wife

and daughter that they're making
something out of nothing?

I'll be right back
to take a medical history.

Name?

Bill Hamilton.

-Shanice?
-DOUG: Where are you?

-Did my dad have a stroke?
-BILL: Garland Memorial.

♪ ♪

♪ It's time to dance♪

-♪ It's time to dance♪
-♪ All right, all right♪

♪ Baby, it's time to dance♪

♪ Baby, it's time to dance♪

♪ Baby, it's time
to dance...♪

[phone buzzing]

♪ Wash away our sins♪

♪ I'm all caught up...♪

Leslie cornered me
at Orphey Gene's.

And now she's threatening
to sue me for defamation.

We need to lock
that murderous b*tch up

before she realizes
she's out of legal options.

I'm glad you came to me
about Leslie crossing

yet another boundary,
but she's not the only one.

Are you-- You talking about me?

Kat, there is no "we."

I decide when, where, and how
Leslie gets brought in.

You should be investigating
stores to market your new bags.

And I'd be cool falling back

if I knew you had a plan
to shut her down.

So what's the move, Jacob?

I don't report to you.

Sorry.

It's just that...

Leslie's been
really present lately,

and it's kind of
freaking me out.

Just know I'm doing my job.

And I'm closing the walls in
on Leslie Thomas,

whether she knows it or not.

Oh, heck no.

I know exactly who you are.

[French accent]: Are you
confusing me with someone else?

You're Leslie,
aka Anna, aka Sherry,

aka the witch
that broke up the Richardsons.

You were mixing me up
with someone else, I'm sorry.

You dressed up as
one of my nurses and tried

to k*ll one of my patients.

No one dishonors the uniform.

Out. I'm calling security.

Uh, this is a public place, no?

[stammers]
If your claims were true,

then I'd be in jail
instead of free

to get my steps in
wherever I please.

You take a step
towards any one of those rooms,

and I will stop you myself.

[normal accent]:
I'd actually love
to talk to you.

Shanice, right?

You're the one that's running

this whole show
around here, yeah?

And I could really
use your help.

I'm here to prove my innocence.

I was gonna take this
to my grave, but...

...no matter
how deeply I buried it,

I just couldn't let it lie.

Maybe that's
why I wanted to bring

the Articulettes back together.

[sighs]
I know this hasn't gone as...

as well as we had hoped
for the three of you.

There were four of us.

I don't understand.

There was a fourth Articulette.

Her name was...

Barbara.

She started the group.

She gave us our name.

She gave us...

Take your time, sweetheart.

Barbara.

She grew up with us.

In the old neighborhood.

Had a beautiful voice.

And this fire.

She brought us together.

She kept us together.

Sisters forever.

And then we met Dante.

Your manager.

Dante wanted us to do
our best imitation

of girls who didn't come
from the houses.

Girls next door.

We were all
diamonds in the rough,

but Dante felt that Barbara was

even rougher
than the rest of us.

And he felt
he couldn't polish her up,

make her over.

I never liked that man.

So Barbara walked away?

We listened to him.

We were so ambitious.

No.

I...

I was so ambitious.

And Tracy and Sharon, well,
they would follow me anywhere.

I thought Dante was
our only way to stardom.

So I didn't back Barbara up.

And I let Dante push her
out of the group she started.

And I have spent decades

trying to distance myself
from that girl

who would do that.

What I did to Barbara?

Turning my back on her?

That's who I am.

Oh, baby.

You were so young.

And Dante Green could have sold
snake oil to a snake.

I was old enough to know better.

I chose fame over family,

because that's who Barbara was,

and I left her behind
without a second thought.

That's why this reunion was
so fraught for you.

There's no way
to bring all the girls

back together
because Barbara's gone.

She passed.

I-I'm so sorry.

I k*lled her, Vernon.

Just as surely as if I had
pulled that trigger myself.

SHARON:
I've been thinking.

If Anita can use us for backup

and then throw us away...

...why can't we do the same?

I'm all for resurrecting
my career

on Anita Williams's back.

So you give me some
admittedly mind-blowing sex,

and now you're demanding
a new title?

Okay, okay.

What do you want to be called,
the-the CEO?

The Chief Executive of Orgasms?

Well, all I know is that
when things fall apart for you,

you look to me

-to pick up the pieces.
-Wait.

-That is not only--
-One-sided.

No, it's not.

I was feeling down earlier
when I texted you,

but you lifted me right up.

Indeed I did.

Dani, why can't you admit
that above and beyond being

excellent co-CEOs,

that we're each other's
ports in a storm?

Why can't you just fess up
that we've moved

from being casual
to something real?

So in this situationship,

you want to declare to the world
that we have moved

from c*ck
to business attire?

You are set on making
this a joke.

I am recovering.

And my brain can't handle
anything that deep.

Besides,
since we both work in fashion,

it's shared terminology.

Okay, I can roll with that.

-Okay.
-So...

-business suits?
-Mm-hmm.

You're saying that I'm right
and that we have moved on

and we're more than mingling?

[groans]

Or are you just trying
to shut me up?

-I know how to shut you up.
-[phone ringing]

Ooh, daughter interruption.

Hold that thought.

Naomi.

What do you mean?

What's happened to your dad?

Look, I have work to do.

I need to get unhooked from this
thing and get back to my office.

Not until neurology weighs in.

Do we know what's wrong
with my dad?

Not a damn thing.

Well, from your symptoms,
something is wrong, Bill.

Somebody mentioned something
about a possible TIA?

Transient ischemic attack.

What exactly is that?

Well, isn't that something
like a stroke?

I-I did not have a stroke.

A TIA is a disruption of the
blood that flows to the brain.

More like a mini-stroke.

I'm glad we got you here
so fast.

You did the right thing.

Mini-strokes can be
a little bit scary,

but symptoms usually abate
within 24 hours.

[stammers]
See? See? No biggie.

More like a medium biggie.

A TIA can be a warning
for an actual stroke.

I expect them
to keep you here overnight

for observation and testing.

No way. No, no.

And what do you know about it?

You're a heart guy.

I did book you a consult
with a neurologist

to see if she can pinpoint
the cause

of the numbness in your hand

and your trouble
you had speaking.

And see what
the next steps forward are.

I am perfectly healthy.

You know,
people die in these hospitals.

I don't plan
on being one of them.

I keep kicking myself
for putting on that jacket.

What if I messed up
our only opportunity

to nail Leslie and Eva
with DNA evidence?

I've got it handled.

Tell me. You know
I'm always here for good news.

I had an analyst from DC Metro
compare the jacket

you gave me to the video
of Laura's hit and run.

There's still no proof
that the jacket

actually belongs to Leslie.

Oh, my God.

Do they need her
to ride around in here

on a motorcycle waving
a potassium syringe

for the D.A. to believe us?

[phone ringing]

Detective Hawthorne.

All right, thanks.

Boom.

I got exactly what I wanted.

I don't have time
for this chaos.

Go bother security
on the first floor.

And do not mention my name.

This could just
as easily be you.

[scoffs] In what universe?

Well, the one that is run
by the Duprees

and owned by the Duprees.

I mean, they decide
who's naughty and nice.

Kat Richardson.

They've been picking on me
because

I upended
their perfect little world.

[scoffs] No, sweetheart.

Kat is on your tail because
you tried to k*ll Laura twice.

I would never
be in that position.

Well, did you see
what they did to Dani?

They washed
all of her sins away.

I need the connection
to divine Wi-Fi

because the signal is weak.

Listen, all I'm saying

is that I would love to watch
the footage with you.

I am working
with the sick and dying.

I don't have time for your--

We working girls have
to stick together, okay?

Listen, I tell you what.

Just give me the number
to security, honey.

-I will dial them myself.
-Ah, ah!

Do not touch hospital property.

[stammers] Ooh!

Can't you see I'm desperate?

Please, Shanice.

Just-- I mean, what would you do

if you were in my position?

Do you not see that we don't
have anything in common?

And there is
no footage to see here.

So if I were you, I would
skip right on past security

and head to the police.

They may
not have nailed you yet,

but I could spot
a lace-front wig a mile away.

And it was you on that security
footage Andre found.

Andre? As in Andre Richardson?

[upbeat pop song playing]

We are both too gorgeous
to be drinking alone.

Did you just say that out loud?

I have a habit
of telling the truth.

Well, thanks.

I think.

I'm not used to honesty.

No?

Well, here's some more.

You were checking me out.

I was checking you out.

I figure I save us
and the bartender

a few steps and come over.

I, um, just have a habit

of staring off into space.

Hmm.

Then why don't you share
some of those deep thoughts

and throw in your name, too?

Or I could just call you
"Gorgeous."

Refusing care is riskier than
hanging out here for one night.

Baby, listen to Naomi
and the doctor.

BILL:
Okay? See?

See, now I know
I'm in the Upside Down.

My wife just told me
to listen to you.

We're both right.

Look, if I stay here,

all they're gonna do
is watch me.

Hayley, you can do that,
can't she?

Actually,
one third of TIA patients

usually choose to go home.

See? Great. Now, unhook me
from this thing.

-Babe, get my clothes.
-What happens to them?

The ones
who refuse medical advice?

Most experience
no adverse effects.

Most, but not all.

Dad, this is not the lottery.

You can't legally keep me here.

Well, that wouldn't stop me
if I had a reason to.

But I don't.

If you guys are determined,

I'm gonna need you
to do three things.

Name 'em.

I'm gonna need you
to get some rest.

Take an aspirin daily
as a precaution.

I'm gonna need you two
to monitor him,

just like we do in here.

And, Bill,

I'm gonna need you to be honest.

If anything changes,

I need you to immediately

contact the nurses here.

Oh, he can't lie to me.

He can try with me,
but I won't believe him.

It's a small price to pay
to get out of this death trap.

Thank you, Doctor.

I'll send in a nurse
with the paperwork.

Okay.

-Doug.
-Hey.

Thank you so much
for being here.

Of course, of course.

Dani, we are not in the mood
for one of your tirades.

Neither am I.

I need to know
you're all right, Bill.

You think you know me,

but you didn't realize
you married a woman

who was capable of--

I ravaged a lifelong friend

and never looked back.

My stone-cold ambition
crushed Barbara

to the point
where she k*lled herself.

I did discover
something about you today.

You've been endowed
with godlike powers.

You know what I'm saying.

And now you know what I did.

You were self-serving.

Short-sighted, like most of us
in our younger days.

-No, you make it sound like--
-Normal?

Huh? Forgivable? Yes.

Regrettable.

But you didn't do this
to Barbara.

Only God knew what
was going on in her head.

Her depression, her loneliness,

her inability to see

a way past her deep sadness.

That's what took her away
from this world.

No, you make it sound
like it just happened to her.

No, Vernon, I happened to her.

And it's right here
in black and white.

I could have said no to Dante.

The four of us could have
knocked on other doors together.

But I didn't have enough faith

that there would be
another door.

Opportunities were few
and far between back then,

even for talent like yours.

So it was worth it to throw
my sister under the bus?

You didn't take
that decision on your own.

Vernon, stop making excuses
for me.

See, this is the real reason

why I didn't tell you.

Because you always know
how to make me feel better,

no matter how bad things are.

No matter how horrible I am.

And I don't deserve that.

I deserve this.

And believing that does what?

Hmm? Changes what?

Tell me, hmm?

Does making yourself hurt now

make up
for what you did back then?

Does it bring Barbara back?

Nothing can do that.

Then stop wishing away
your life,

and minimizing Barbara's

by indulging

in this useless self-blame.

But I need--

You need...

forgiveness.

You need to honor her.

You need to forgive yourself.

And you need to stop this.

For years,

I dreamed of attempting
a comeback.

But realistically,
there aren't a lot

of second acts
for divas of a certain age.

I would need

a miracle hook.

So you're in?

Whether it's one night
or the whole tour.

Anita will be the draw.

But once we're up on that stage,

we'll steal that spotlight
right out from under her.

And people will remember
they loved my voice.

They loved me, too.

And the second they do,
I'm gone.

Flying solo again.

But we can't let
Anita run the show.

We've got to insist
on lead vocals.

We'll split the songs
three ways,

like it always should have been.

Should have been four ways.

Are you really
not gonna tell Anita

that your reasons are
purely selfish?

You say that like
Anita needs to be protected.

After what she did?

Abandoning us
so she could become a superstar.

She, of all people,
should understand

selfish is the only way to win.

Sorry to disappoint, Dani.

The rumors of my demise
are greatly exaggerated.

What, did you come to see
if I faked having a stroke?

-Stroke?
-A mini-stroke.

The doctors are sending him home
with instructions to rest.

I can call the doctor
back in to testify for you.

Like you'd fake this.

You are terrified of this place.

[stammers]
No, I wouldn't say all that.

No, you'd say, "You can check
in, but you can't check out."

When I went into labor with
this one, I think you were

more scared than I was.

I know how debilitating
this is for you.

I'm sure it's all you can do
not to climb

out of this bed right now.

Yeah, well, it sounds worse
than it feels.

Otherwise, they treat it
with more than just aspirin.

That doesn't mean
that it didn't scare

the pontificating arrogance
right out of you.

Big bad Bill can't stand
to be out of control

for even more than a minute.

Now, wait, that's not it at all.

Well, for all the space
that you take up out there,

you are just a man in here.

And you can either
bark at the world

and all the nurses
and the doctors,

or you can tap into that Bill
that you usually use

to bend everyone else
to your will

and take care of yourself.

Drop the pride.

Do whatever those doctors say

so that you can get back
into fighting shape.

I know you can do this.

Because I know you.

Yes, you do.

And don't you dare insult me
by saying

that I wished this on you.

What would ever give you
that impression?

If I wanted you dead,
you would be.

[Bill laughing]

-I'm Madison.
-Chelsea.

What were you thinking about
if it wasn't me?

Vacillating between
saving the world

and did I turn off
my curling iron this morning?

Come to any conclusions?

I was interrupted by someone
with what on her mind?

Well, you, obviously.

And I'm starting
my own fashion label,

so that's always occupying
mental real estate.

But I love it.

What do you do?

It's my day off.

I like to separate work
from everything else.

You're a first.

I don't think
I've met anyone in this town

not willing to flex
or complain about their job.

You want to take a guess?

Sure.

We live in D.C.,

home to both the CIA
and the FBI.

Maybe you're mysterious
for a living.

Am I flirting
with Jane Bond right now?

If I was a spy,
wouldn't I lie about it?

-Good point.
-[both laugh]

Well, if you are going
to be a woman of mystery,

I'll be all facts, no filter.

Ask me whatever you like.

I thought you left.

After you saying "boom"
and being all happy?

Of course I'm still here.

What's the good news?

Judge Faraday's granting
the search warrant

for Leslie's apartment.

The standard for warrants
are lower than for arrests.

You wouldn't have gotten
that warrant win without me.

I'm just saying
someone owes someone an apology.

How about you just settle
for a begrudging thank you?

Close enough.

So, um, what do you think
you'll find at the apartment?

Well, some perps hang on to
things to remember the crime by.

The syringe, the helmet.

Leslie's proud of what she did.

Maybe she can't quite let go.

If you find a direct link
like that...

Then I'm one step closer.

Fantastic.

You're Andre, right?

I'm gonna stop you right there.

You don't want to talk to me.

Your reputation precedes you.

So does yours. [meows, chuckles]

World-class playboy photographer

who was slumming it,

capturing every moment
at the anniversary party.

Ah, so that's your play here,
hmm?

You want to see the footage?

Well, that's tough, because
it'll never hit your timeline.

Well, it's nice to know that

my work is appreciated.

Look, I don't remember
saying all that.

-Hmm.
-Excuse me.

I, uh...

..am very interested
in another one of your videos.

I'm not a streaming service,
Leslie.

So you made this, uh,
nurse documentary, right?

And you were working
with some footage

-from a-a security camera.
-Yeah.

-Mm-hmm.
-So you want to see your cameo?

Well, innocent people
have the right to...

see the evidence
that's against them,

so that they can refute it.

I want to see it now.

Bill needs to get dressed,
so I can take him home.

When you were role-playing
as nurse,

did you actually learn
how to take out an IV?

There. A nurse is on her way.

NAOMI: Okay, Dad,
promise me you'll actually

follow the doctor's orders.

Mm, there goes my plan to
conquer Everest this afternoon.

I'll be texting religiously.

I'll be fine, baby.

Dani?

Yeah, Bill?

Thank you for coming.

[laughing]:
So, I swear.

I'm feeling this.

What have you got next?

Mm.

What's the meaning of life?

-Seriously?
-Mm-hmm.

I don't think I know yet.

But whatever it is, I'm game.

I just realized

that is the meaning
of life for me.

I'm game for anything.

I want to experience

people and places and things,

and I want them
to be interesting.

I want to be surprised
and-and fed.

And I want to know that I ate.

You know?

Respect.

So which experience
fed you the most?

Well, now we're headed
into X-rated territory.

Are we there yet?

PG it is.
Okay, let me think, um...

Oh.

I was in Milan once,

wandering
those cobblestone streets,

and I took a wrong turn.

Next thing I know,
I'm in front of this huge float.

I had stumbled into a parade,

but instead of somebody waving
me off or telling me to move,

the people riding the float

actually reached out
and offered me their hand.

And just like that,

I'm on this float with these
beautiful Italian strangers

who don't know me
from a can of paint,

but they welcomed me like
I belong.

Bellissima.

And maybe that's just it.

You're never really lost.

Maybe...

there's always
something beautiful

waiting just around the corner.

Well...

sounds like you ate.

Thank you.

Oh.

I got to go.

You just straight-up said it.

Don't worry, I can act, too.

Oh, Anita.

I've given it a lot of thought,

and I'm so sorry

for letting my emotions
run away with me.

I'm all in.

Well, you and Anita need to work

this out on your own.

Not without a referee.

You and me

have still got a bond, Tracy.

I'm only faking it with Anita.

I'll come with,

but only if you come clean.

Why? We don't owe her
a damn thing.

But we owe
someone else something.

Barbara.

We can't come back together
with lies between us.

Would it help if you did
something for Barbara's family?

I thought it would.

What did you do?

Gave them money.

Did they turn it down?

I made sure they didn't
know it was from me.

It would have been
what Barbara had made

if she'd stayed with the group.

Or maybe
a little more than that.

All the money in the world

will not replace what they lost.

I don't know
what I was thinking.

Trying to regain what's gone
only stirred up more pain.

-Baby, don't--
-No.

The reunion is off.

The Articulettes will not
be getting back together.

Actors ride around
with cops all the time.

Okay, Zendaya, do you really
think you're getting deputized?

Do you have a few years
to spare to go

to the academy and train
in a special investigative unit?

I was thinking more
that I would consult.

Listen, I can't have you
go in there,

and I'm worrying about you.

Leslie's unpredictable.

You mean cray cray.

You can't say that on a search.

And your presence
could be grounds

for any evidence I find
to be thrown out.

You cutting me out is
a big mistake.

Huge.

I'm gonna make sure Leslie
gets what she deserves.

With or without you.

You're not in court yet.

No one owes you discovery.

I'm Uncle Ted
and Aunt Nicole's nephew,

all right?
This is personal to me.

And Laura.

She was completely innocent.

And yet you hurt her because
she stood in the way of what?

Your twisted little revenge?

I didn't touch that girl.

Not with a motorcycle
or a syringe.

You know what?

I'm gonna show you
the security tape.

Cameras don't lie,
even when you do.

There you are,
headed into Laura's room.

And check out
the dates and the time.

Within minutes
of Laura's cardiac event.

-There.
-[Leslie laughing]

Wait, that isn't me.

Clearly, I am
way hotter than that,

playboy.

Hello.

-I'm a photographer.
-Mm.

I know I work behind
the camera, but I also see

what's in front of it.

Stylists can layer
all they want to,

you know,
with the wigs and the outfits.

But my lens, it cuts through.

I see you.

I see the way you shift and
the way your eyes hold weight.

You can't hide that.

There's no disguising you.

Excuse me.

You and Ted would just love
to put me away

and have Eva all to yourself,
wouldn't you?

You and the police have
nothing on me.

[chuckling]

Actually, now I do.

What the hell?

Maybe the police need an assist.

I have all kinds of software.

You know, this picture
might be the very key

we need to taking off
your disguise.

I didn't expect you
to show up here, Mom.

I was just

freaking out,
and I didn't know--

Baby...
that's why I had to come.

How did you do it?

I mean, you weren't just polite.

You were
the damn daddy whisperer.

Same as you.

Saw him in that bed
trying to puff himself up,

and my mind went to...

...what if he didn't make it?

Same.

And I was so mad at him
for springing that baby news.

And then I got scared that
he might not ever talk again.

I just needed to make sure
he's still in the world.

I'm not done
being mad at him yet,

and he doesn't get
to slip away to hell on me.

Oh.

What's this for?

I just want you to know

I'm glad you're in the world,
too, Mom.

I love you.

I love you more.

I know what you're thinking,
Hayley.

All right?

Hey, come here.

Dani and I are done, okay?

I mean, we were together
for a long time

and you can't just
completely sever

a connection like that entirely,

especially not during
stressful moments like this.

Well...

I'm glad she was able
to talk you down

before you hulked out
and tried to escape.

But...

yeah, I-I was a little jelly

that I wasn't the one
to do that for you.

Look.

She is my past.

And you and this baby

are the future.

Mm, careful.

The doctor warned you
about that blood flow.

Oh, come here.

You're worth any risk,
Mrs. Hamilton.

Mm.

You think
I owe Anita a fact check

about my intentions?

Fine.

This diva can handle
laying it out for her.

I'll be honest

about using the reunion

to relaunch my career.

Might make things
a little tense,

but if Anita thinks I'm doing it
for the wrong reasons,

so what?

I think Anita will respect that.

And I'll respect it
because I don't want

to be stuck in the middle.

[phone buzzing]

You and that phone.

Answer your call.

I'll be right back.

Well, hello there, Senator.

VERNON:
Hello, Tracy.

Uh, there's no other way
to say this

except to come
straight out with it.

Anita has decided that

she doesn't want
to do the reunion concert.

And she couldn't
tell me that herself?

I am calling you

because I need you
to understand something.

If backing out

of the concert was
what you and Sharon want,

then you don't need
to do a thing.

But if you can see the value
in getting together...

...like you were before,
one last time--

I hear you, Vernon.

Thank you.

I am so spent.

Well, I sure understand.

You've been through
quite a lot today.

I know it wasn't easy
for you to tell me...

...about Barbara.

You have no idea.

Anita, my love,

I do.

I know that carrying
around that kind of guilt,

it's like drinking poison.

As if suffering

can rewrite the past.

But it won't.

It's time to let it go.

I'm here right now,

and I won't let you
go through this alone.