01x102 - Episode 102

[bunniefuu]

I just need some time
to think about it.

What's there to think about?

I'm not saying no, but...

You're not saying yes, either.

Oh, how things have changed.

Back in the good old days,
when I said jump,

everybody asked, "How high?"

Is that a flex, Great-Granddad?

How long ago was that?

Never you mind.

But I do miss

those days when snapping
my fingers made things happen.

Now, I can't even coerce
my grandson-in-law

to attend a concert
that I know he'll enjoy.

I can't believe it either.

I just said no
to the great Vernon Dupree.

But it wasn't a no, was it?

You did agree to think about it.

Tyrell... what do you say

I take you out for some ribs

while we give
your dad some time?

To do what?
Say, like, "I don't know"?

Well, to come to his senses.

'Cause no one
in their right mind

would pass up a chance
to see Anita Dupree

belt it out onstage.

A solo spot
during our reunion concert.

[sighs]

Well, maybe
there'll be some time left

for a few Articulettes songs.

Or did you plan
a whole jazz set?

Like I said,
this was not my idea.

The agent who put this concert
together-- he asked.

-Jim Price?
-Yes, that's right.

But you're the one
bringing it up.

You want to do it, right?

Well, I could be convinced

once I got over my nerves.

Those nerves are legend.
Yeah, some things never change.

That's what I'm saying.

Here we go again.

Okay, so Sharon is a no.

Tracy, how do you feel?

Don't put the ball in our court.

I want to hear you say it.

-Say what?
-That it's a good idea

for you to do a solo after
everything we've been through

to get here.
The three of us.

Reunited.

Let us hear, why would you
mess with that, Anita?

No hedging, no BS,

just the truth.

♪ ♪

Let's see.

DANI:
The decision

is clear.

I'd be a distraction.

By showing up at
your own grandmother's concert?

[scoffs]
The press conference I canceled

is still being discussed
in certain circles.

Nobody is wondering why
you canceled

a silly press conference

in a town
full of press conferences.

Someone stubs a toe,
press conference.

Someone gets a new hairdo,
call the media.

Who is keeping track?

Your aunt is blunt,
but she has a point.

I know,

and being honest--

something that I'm striving
to do more of these days--

I guess it's not the politics.

Then what is it, honey?

It's me. I mean,
I'm still in a bad headspace,

and both of you know why.

And I can't do this to Gran.

Especially after everything
she's done for me.

She deserves
zero distractions tonight.

And I'll just be one. So, sorry.

Please tell her
to break a leg for me,

and I'll be there in spirit.

But not in person.

Aunt Dani, I'm not
changing my mind on this.

I'm sorry.
And I need to phone

the office.

Hmm.

-Dani.
-How about that?

Your son seems to be
under the impression

that his word is actually final.

Martin really is kind of
a pain in the butt.

You know that, right?

-Careful.
-That's all I'm saying.

I know he's going through a lot.

Well, at least he's not
sh**ting up a wedding venue.

Maybe I could be more sensitive.

Hmm, that's better.

But don't you tell anyone
I caved on that,

because I will deny it
until my last breath.

Oh, I promise
to never tell anyone

about your better qualities.

Good, because my bad
reputation is making me

more famous than ever.

-[laughs]
-Okay,

we need to focus.

Martin cannot miss
Mother's concert.

It's been a long time
since she's sung in public,

and he needs to show up
for her, for our family.

We need to show
full Dupree support.

Although I was hesitant
as well, you're right.

But we can't force Martin to go.

Want to bet?

I'm almost afraid
to ask what you're thinking.

I am thinking
divide and conquer.

You go your way, I go mine,

we both get what we want.

Say more.

Okay, listen up.

I know it would mean
a lot to you

to have your dad there tonight.

But I also know that it's
a tough situation for him,

but he...

You know, I love this place,

but we could try something new.

There's a great crab house
just up the street.

Would you like to go there?

No, it-it's fine.

I just need
to talk to somebody first,

-if that's okay.
-Of course.

What do you want?

Just came to say hi.

Haven't seen you in a minute.

That's because I was at Stanford

for a pre-college program
since June.

Just got back.

Sweet.

It was. And guess what.

Nobody accused me of trying
to stab them in the back

since the last time I saw you.

Sharon, this is not
me going back

on what I said before.

I am not trying
to upend everything

we rebuilt
over the last few weeks.

Working with the two of you
has meant the world to me.

But honestly...

being a jazz performer
meant a lot to me, too.

The Articulettes is who I am.

But I am also the singer
who branched out, went solo,

found new ways
to express herself.

That's why Jim suggested it.

He thinks there's
a whole segment of the audience

that expects
to hear jazz from me

when they show up
at the concert.

Oh, we wouldn't want
to disappoint them.

You know what?

There was a time when I wouldn't
have asked what you thought.

I would have said, "Here it is.

This is what I'm doing.
Deal with it."

But I am not that woman anymore.

That's why I asked your take.

Because what you think
matters to me.

Oh, does it now?

But, Sharon,

Sharon, the woman
isn't finished yet.

Thank you, Tracy. I'm not.

I am not trying
to ignore our history.

What happened with Barbara.

And then what I did
to the two of you,

I carry that. But...

I can't carry
any more weight right now.

A long time ago, I said I wasn't

gonna be that needy woman,

so desperate
for attention and validation

that she would do
almost anything.

So...

if you're not in, I'm not in.

Give the word,

and I'll tell Jim Price.

It's Articulettes strong,
and that's it.

Words, Anita, lovely words,

but you're leaving
something out.

-Am I?
-Yes.

Anita Dupree the solo act
was well known.

Fine. But if it was
that important to you,

you just schedule another
concert date for yourself.

But for some reason,
it has to be tonight.

Why?

Well, can't it just be
that I love singing jazz?

That's who I became,

and-and ignoring
it would just feel phony.

We both know you, Anita.
There's more.

There are members of my family

who know every word
of an Articulettes album.

They have watched every
grainy Soul Trainvideo

they can find on the Internet,

and, of course,
they love that stuff.

Our music is timeless.

But as far as my other career...

...the only time my family
gets to hear me sing

is right here

or at the occasional fundraiser.

I gave up my jazz career
when Nicole and Dani were young,

and my grandchildren
have no connection

to that part of me.

And I want them to.

I want them
to be proud of their gran.

And I guess I...

I want to impress them
with the other side of who I am.

So that bit before
about not being needy

and desperate for approval?

I said
I don't want to be that way.

I never said
I'd beat it completely.

[laughter]

I have a solution.

Well, let's hear it,
because I am ready

to step out of
the mea culpa spotlight.

[chuckles]

If Jim Price
is handing out solos,

why don't we all take one?

Unless you think
that's stealing your thunder.

[phone vibrating]

[sighs]

Nicole?

Where are you?

NICOLE:
At your front door.

May I come in?

I know I never said it,

but I'm sorry about that night.

I thought we were friends.

About to be more, maybe,

and then you got all weird.

I guess I couldn't see
someone like you

being booed up
with someone like me.

Even though I told you
I liked you? Over and over?

My parents are having problems.

Yeah, so I-I can't talk
about it,

but it's kind of complicated.

But the main reason is
because they didn't communicate.

One of them
should have been honest

about something, but he wasn't.

So it got hard for them.

And now...

I don't think
they're gonna make it.

You're telling me this
so I feel sorry for you?

I'm telling you this
because I...

I did that with you.

Yeah, so I should have talked

about what was
going on in my head.

We should have talked it out.

But...

...instead, I kept it inside
and let it eat away

until finally I realized...

Boom, you...

you kissed me.

And then it just
came out like a volcano,

and I said things
I didn't really think.

And I made you mad.

I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry.

I'd give anything
to get a do-over,

'cause I messed up.

I guess.

I'm asking...

did I mess up for good?

Maybe. I'm not sure.

Sorry, it's the best
I can do for now.

-Ah, Senator Dupree.
-[chuckles]

Big day for the family.

Yes. Yes, it is.
Have a seat. Have a seat.

Ah. Okay.

Speaking of family,

I hear you're having
an affair with my baby girl.

I'm just curious,

what are your intentions
where Dani's concerned?

Where did Mom go?

Somewhere she had to be.

Which is good,
because Nicole would

probably be mad at me.

Because?

Because of what
I'm about to say,

which surprises even me.

I never thought I would have to
have this conversation with you,

Congressman Nephew,

but you are one selfish
son of a b*tch, you know that?

I beg your pardon.

As well you should.

Why?

Because you have everybody
walking around

like we'll shatter you
if we say the wrong thing

or don't show proper sensitivity
to your situation.

Fine. You have been
through a world of trauma.

I get it.

And, baby, I sympathize
with you, of course.

But, Martin, sometimes
you need to suck it up.

Put on your big boy boxers

and show up.

Sometimes it's not about you,

like tonight is not about you.

So, you think
you can pull that off?

'Cause I'm starting
to have some doubts, buddy.

How are you?

Uh, one foot
in front of the other.

That's about
all I can manage right now.

I hope that's a path
that leads you back to Martin.

Sorry. Pushy mom, I guess.

I just--
I can't wrap my head around

the two of you
not being together.

Not sure I can either.

When I think about our family,

I always thought if any
of us could overcome hardships,

disappointments, disaster,
it would be the two of you.

I always thought the same thing
about you and Ted.

I appreciate that.

But right now
my focus is on you and Martin.

Well, this didn't just
come out of the blue, Nicole.

We had issues
leading up to our split.

We had fights,
we had frustrations.

And Martin kept me in the dark.

It's hard to fix things when

you're only getting
part of the story.

Does it help to know
how crushed Martin is?

How deeply he's paying
for the choices that he made?

You're the shrink.

You tell me.

Should knowing that help me?

Or do I have a right to
my feelings about being lied to?

And, Nicole,
it wasn't just a little lie.

It was a lie
that lasted for two years.

You know what
everyone says about you?

The people
you represent, I mean.

That you will go
to the mat for them

each and every time.

That you are someone
who is always dependable.

So if you can do that
for your constituents,

surely you can summon
what it takes to sit through

a concert
for our family's matriarch.

Two hours, Martin. That's it.

And then I promise
you can go back

to being Eeyore, moping around
your grandparents' house.

But if you don't show up for us,

for Mother...

...then you are not the amazing
nephew I thought you were.

[scoffs]

Damn it.

"Damn it." Which?

Attend or-or get told more
about yourself by me?

"Damn it," I am the selfish
son of a b*tch you said I was.

I'll go to that concert,

and I'm gonna sit
next to my kids.

And when
that spotlight hits Gran,

I am gonna cheer
twice as much as any of you.

Good man.

Excuse me,
my intentions with Dani?

Yes.

Got it.

Okay. Um, sir,
I want to be careful

with how I answer your questions

because I know that,

you know, I have a lot
of respect for your daughter.

Decent start.

Right. Um...

I intend to be grateful

for any time that she allows me
to spend with her.

Honestly.
Because I know that it's...

it's not always that I-I'll be
that lucky to have that.

My advice? Make it good.

You know, I... I intend to

always remember
that Dani is a...

is an amazing person.

First and foremost.

Uh, she's fully herself.

And she's a strong woman

who makes
her own choices in life.

And she also accepts
responsibility for them.

Who she's not is someone
who craves protection

and, uh, needs someone
to look after her.

I believe what
she wants most is respect.

She reminds me
of her mother in that way.

Well stated.

Yeah.

It seems you know
my daughter quite well.

[chuckles] Yeah, I kind of
make it my mission to, uh,

know Dani.

To care about her,
be her friend,

someone she can, can count on.

Hmm. I like you, Andre.

Always have.

Thank you, sir.

Don't give me any reason
to change my opinion.

Sure thing.

Hey,

if either one of you,
or both of you,

want to take a solo,
it is fine by me.

In fact, that is something
I'd love to hear.

Hold on. Let's not get
too far down the road here

just because Sharon wanted
to put you on the spot.

I wasn't trying to do that.

You were, and you know it.

Now, for the purpose
of this reunion,

I am a backup singer
and proud of it.

And truth be told,
so are you, Sharon.

Let's not pretend that Anita
didn't do just fine without us.

Now, meanwhile,
I ended up a cabaret solo act

and you became a choir director
and vocal coach.

No shade intended,
but that's our reality.

Now, Anita didn't just stumble

into the spotlight.
She earned it.

And if she wants
to shine for her family,

if she needs that,

and not ashamed to admit it...

...all power to her.

I only have a handful of people
from the area out there.

Kissing kin.

Now, who do you have?

My mother, my sister,
my brothers,

and my nieces and nephews.

So let's just be gracious
and let Anita

sing for her fam.

And did you tell your family
that you were a lead singer?

No, they know I sing backup.

What do you get
out of being so petty?

I don't think I was being petty.

I just don't want
Anita stepping on my...

Crabs in a barrel, Sharon.

Crabs in a barrel.

-But don't be that way.
-[sighs]

Anita,

you do have
the most beautiful family.

-Thank you, Tracy.
-And while I don't

regret my choice to stay single
and not have kids,

if I went that direction,
I suppose I'd want

to show off
in front of them, too.

Thank you for understanding.

Sharon.

Say the words.

[sighs]

Go on.

Sing your solos,
Anita Williams Dupree.

Sister, we will be
cheering you on from the wings.

-[laughs]
-Thank you.

-Thank you, my sisters.
-Mmm...

-Thank you so much.
-[chuckles]

Well, color me surprised.

[chuckles]

A pleasant one, I hope.

Hmm, can't you tell by my smile?

Yeah, I was kind of hoping
that extra sparkle was for me.

You didn't know I was
gonna be here, did you?

Would you believe me
if I told you

that I have a sixth sense
when it concerns you?

Might, given some of the times
that we've spent together.

But somehow I think
this isn't one of those times.

So what's the big secret?

What are you talking about?
What do you mean?

You're just hanging out
in my parents' foyer

like it's the most
normal thing in the world?

Why do you suspect I'm here?

Don't tell me you're here,

asking my dad
for my hand in marriage.

So, tell me
about your young lady.

Very pretty.
Someone you know from school?

Yeah, she's a friend.

Mm. Important to have those.

Especially right now.

That's why
I brought you out for a bite.

I figured.

[both chuckle]

And I'm your
great-grandfather, of course.

But I'm also your friend.

I hope you know
you can count on me.

Hmm?

Thanks, Great-Granddad.

Now, you and your sister
are going through a lot,

and I want you to know
that you can lean on me

and you lean on your grandma.

Lean on your great-grandma, too.
We love it.

Family, right?

Exactly.

What is it, Tyrell?

The whole family thing.

We talk about having
each other's backs,

but the way I see it,
some people's backs

are covered better than others.

Why do you say that?

My dad and my pop
sat Samantha and me down

to talk about
why they were splitting up.

They didn't exactly tell
the full truth.

They left some out.

Even like Grandma Nicole,
when she took us out for lunch,

she didn't exactly lie.

She didn't exactly
tell the truth either.

Why do you guys
treat us like that?

I am the last person
in the world to stand here

and say that Martin
didn't make mistakes.

Thank you for that, at least.

You do know
that his grandparents

played a big role in him
making those fateful decisions

in the first place, right?

They thought they were
keeping him out of harm's way.

And I don't need to tell you

how upset I am with both
Vernon and Anita right now.

Oh, I am right there
with you, Smitty.

I was outraged, in fact,
when I found out the truth.

But Martin has
a mind of his own.

Anytime over the last two years,

he could have been
honest with me.

And that's not all of it.

I mean,
just because of who I am,

a white guy
from a different background,

doesn't mean I don't understand

the larger context
of the attack.

[sighs deeply]

I mean, what happened to them

on that deserted road
is unimaginable.

Yes, it is.

But that's not it for me.

It's the cast of characters

that came together
to protect Martin.

A crooked cop is one thing,

but Martin invited that
criminal element into our lives.

Joey Armstrong is not somebody
that just helps for free.

There will be a quid pro quo.

-You don't know that.
-I do.

I am a journalist,
and I know who these men are.

So what do we do now?
We just... we just wait

for Joey to come calling

with his price tag
for the favor?

Is Martin gonna have
to compromise himself?

Will I? I mean...

[sighs]

We just don't know.

I have had some experience

with being saddled
with an unsavory element

thanks to my husband's secrets.

Did you forgive Ted for that?

There are moments
where I managed

to see things from Ted's side.

But it's easier to have
compassion for your son

than it is
to have for your husband.

I get that.

I also believe our situations
are very different.

Ted initiated behavior that led

to the destruction
of our marriage.

Martin was thrust into
a terrifying life-or-death event

and then followed
the advice of people he trusted.

But he didn't come to me,

include me.

Sometimes it's easier
to share your fears

than reveal your shame.

Fear asks for comfort.

But shame...

shame begs for forgiveness

that you don't even
think you deserve.

And even with
the person that loves you

the most, you wonder,

"If they saw that part of me,

would they still
look at me the same?"

I love Martin.
That didn't just evaporate.

And I hate seeing the toll

that our separation
is having on the kids.

And I wish
I could just snap my fingers

and say, "All is forgiven.

Come back home."

But...

...I don't know how to do that.

How do I live with a man
that I don't trust?

When things were spiraling

and Samantha and Tyrell
were in literal danger

because of that r*cist b*stard,
he didn't tell me.

And that hurt,
and that confused me,

and, yeah, I am angry about it.

Martin kept you in the dark

so that you would
remain blameless.

You realize that, don't you?

So that if
the worst should happen,

there'd be somebody there
to take care of the kids.

I believe that's true.

And that's logic.

But what I'm feeling right now,
it is not logical.

It is something
that is deep inside of me.

It's this pain and
this confusion, and...

I...

I don't know how to start
bringing that to the surface.

I can suggest a place,
if you'll let me.

The Howard Theatre, tonight?

I just told you that...

You're mad at my parents.
So am I.

For choices
that they made two years ago.

Choices that they believed
would save your husband, Smitty.

They told him to shut me out.

And now they realize
they were wrong.

Does it matter?

Let's punish them
for keeping us in the dark?

For how long?

-I don't know.
-Me either.

But until we figure that out,

how many of these moments,
incredible moments,

will we miss
with the people that we love?

Starting with tonight.

A night that is
decades in the making,

one we will never get back.

I do love Anita,

-and I want to be there for her.
-One night, Smitty.

For one night,

set aside your anger, confusion,

hurt, and...

experience this incredible night

with your kids and your husband.

Or spend a lifetime wishing
that you guys were there.

Together.

I'll go.

Good decision.

But I don't want to get there

and have some awkward
interaction with Martin

in the lobby.
The kids deserve better,

so I'm gonna talk to him first.

Well, has it
occurred to you that

they're putting your and
your sister's welfare first?

Now you're doing it, too?

You're being
all careful with your words.

There's more to the story
that you're not saying.

You're telling me
how loved we are, like...

You and your sister
are smart and mature,

but you're not grown.

So that means we don't
deserve to know the truth?

I'm saying that, as teenagers,

parents and older loved ones

get to choose
what you're privy to.

Why do you guys get to choose
what Samantha and I can handle?

When we were
in the foster care system,

we had to deal with a lot.

There were kids that had
better situations than ours

and kids that had a lot worse.

We talked to them all.
We lived with them all.

Then we're here...

in this family,

being treated like babies.

I hate it.

Fair enough.

Why don't I tell you what
I think you're entitled to hear?

It was a joke, Andre. Okay?

-I know.
-You so didn't know.

But let me clarify.

I am no more ready to marry you
than you are to marry me.

So why you so weirded out?

Aftershock.

I had a very
intense conversation

with your dad earlier.

Oof. I'd imagine.

-Yeah.
-How fun for you.

Is that all of it?

What do you mean?

Did it have anything
to do with your cutie pie nurse?

Don't sharpen your claws, Dani.

They stay sharp.
But that's not the point.

The point is, you can tell me

your feelings for Ashley,

whatever they are, because I've
never lied to you about still

having feelings for Bill,

no matter how many times
I tried to bury them.

You see, you and I
are what my sister

would call each other's
transitional relationship.

Yeah, I enjoy having

a official, nonbinding title.

How about
Superstars of the Sack?

-We are that.
-Great.

Well, now that
we've got that settled...

-Mm-hmm?
-...why don't I give you a tour?

I could show you my old room.

Maybe there's sheets on the bed.

Uh, rain check. I'm otherwise
engaged at the moment.

Aha. The real reason
you're here. Which is?

-[door opens]
-I, uh...

-Oh.
-Oh, hello, sweetheart.

Andre, you're here. Good.

Yeah, Rowena let me in.

I was giving you guys a second
to finish your rehearsal.

She said
you have a whole studio.

Ah, yes, in the east wing.

I guess I never saw that.

Why would you?

True, true.

Um, I guess that's
just a reminder of how

this house
really does go on and on.

Oh, yeah, well,
we added it when the prices

were a little less astronomical.

[chuckles]

Sweetheart, um,

uh, Andre and I
have some business.

Could you, um, excuse
yourself for the moment?

And they say
I'm too old for him.

Danielle.

Excuse me.

I have a sudden urge
to visit my old bedroom.

Andre, thank you for coming.

Of course.

-Here's what I want.
-Okay.

And five and six
and seven and eight,

and-- sh**t.

Sharon, come do this move
into the chorus with me.

It's a little tricky.

What do we do after
the step ball change?

Sharon?

Sharon.

What's wrong?
Don't you feel well?

[gasping]

[door opens]

ANITA:
Ladies.

What's going on?

I'll start by assuring you
that your instincts are right.

There's more to the story
than you've been told.

I knew it.

But that doesn't mean
that I can tell you

all the missing parts.

But you just said that...

I can't
because it's not my place.

That's for your parents to do.

You see, Tyrell, there's...

...there's a lot more
to being grown.

It's not about age or a number.

It's about maturity
and discernment,

knowing what to say when.

When to push, when to hang back.

I'm Martin's grandfather.

When it comes to
how he and Smitty

decide to include you in
the challenges they're facing,

well, I understand.

And I'm speaking as someone

who's lived long enough to know.

I understand when
it's time for me to step back.

They're your parents.
It's their call.

But if they ask my opinion,

I would tell them to consider

that you're more mature
than they might think.

Thank you, Great-Granddad.

Now, what could I use

as an argument
to plead my own case?

Oh, you're almost an adult.

You're only
a year away from voting

or serving in the military.

And?

And there's a conflict
in every family.

The older generation wants

to see the younger
generation grow.

We want to see
your dreams fulfilled.

But at the same time,

it's very easy
for us to get stuck

seeing you as you were

when we first got to know you,

frozen in time.

But that's not fair.

No, it's not.

It's not fair.

And hovering like that
is unhealthy, too.

But it comes
from a place of love.

And I can promise you this:

you'll always have my respect,

because today you've shown me
that you're a man.

I've heard you...

...and I will
respect you as one.

Thank you
for getting here so fast.

I wasn't sure what you wanted.

Has anything happened?

Nothing bad. [clears throat]

I just felt like you should hear

what I have to say in person.

Okay.

Okay.

How would you feel if I came

to Anita's concert tonight?

Oh, the concert.

Okay.

Hey, I'm getting the hard sell
from Tyrell and others,

but I didn't want to go
without checking with you first.

I know it could be awkward
if I go, for you,

and Lord knows
it's awkward enough as it is.

Tyrell said
he wanted me to come.

He does.

Yeah, he's still torn about
everything you did, but...

that boy
is all about the family,

and it would mean a lot
for him if everyone was there.

Even me?

I think that
this would work better

if we make this less about us
and more about

what it would mean
to Anita and the family.

Yeah.

That's why I've decided
to go as well.

And I'm glad you'll be there.

I think you and I can

set our differences aside

and help make this
a great night for Gran.

I think so, too.

Thank you.

Thanking me is not needed.

You don't owe me anything.

Well, um... [clears throat]

I guess I will see you there.

See you soon.

[door closes]

What is going on?

I don't know. At first,
I called Sharon's name,

I didn't think
she heard me, but...

but look at her.

Sharon... are you okay?

[gasping]

-All right, that's a no.
-No, what?

I can't.

I'm sorry to let you both down.

But I just can't. I can't.

[gasping]