03x05 - Between a Rock and a Hard Place

[bunniefuu]

Previously, on Family Law...

- While I house-hunt...
- She's going to move in with me.

When you break up...
and I emphasize when...

I will not be forced to choose sides.

This is Sabrina Bass...

soon-to-be ex-wife
of Connery Bass.

What does a lesbian
bring on the second date?

A U-Haul! Heh.

I've been suspended from practicing law.

[♪♪♪]

You're not allowed to come to work.

That's a recommendation,
Danny, not a requirement.

[LUCY] Dad, maybe time
off will be good for you.

- Where'd you get all this?
- Isabelle.

- "Isabelle"?
- She's Dad's new friend.

I met her on the weekend. She's nice.

[♪♪♪]

[SIREN WAILS IN DISTANCE]

Harry... it's only a month.

Why not treat it like a vacation?

Enjoy yourself.

I enjoy going to work...

putting on a nice suit,

watching my staff snap to attention.

My ungrateful children
have driven me into exile.

[SCOFFS WITH A CHUCKLE]
You aren't King Lear!

Stop wallowing.

Come house-hunting with me.

- No, thanks. I'd rather...
- Mope around in your housecoat all day?

Go.

Shower. Dress.

We're leaving
in half-an-hour.

[♪♪♪]

So, now I'm actually arguing
that an orchid is property,

and not a child of the marriage.

- [MEN CHUCKLE]
- Hey, Frank.

We'll catch up later.

Everything all right? Kids okay?

Oh, yeah! Yeah. The kids are peachy.

In fact, yesterday,

Nico told me he made a new friend.

But you already knew that,
because you introduced them.

What's her name again?
Oh, yeah. Isabelle.

- Isabelle is the woman I've been seeing.
- Mm.

Nico and I ran into her at
Granville Island Kids Market.

You just happened to "run
into" her at the Kids Market?

She's a preschool teacher, okay?
She was buying art supplies.

A preschool teacher?

- Could you get any more cliche?
- A fireman?

Does she cut the crusts
off your sandwiches?

- Don't start, Abby.
- I'm not the one

"running into" my
girlfriend with our kids.

It wasn't ideal, okay? I'm sorry.

But now that we're talking about it,

I was hoping that you'd let me
introduce her to the kids early.

- Officially.
- Ho... so this is why

you were suddenly okay
with Aidan meeting the kids?

I was trying to build some trust.

When it serves you.

You tried to control my life.

You dragged us through court,

and now you want to change a clause

you insisted on

because you're hot for teacher?

Sorry, no.

We're not changing anything.

You made this bed.

You can lie in it.

Morning.

How'd the rest of the move go?

- Kelly return the U-Haul okay?
- It's not getting funnier.

Come on! There was an actual
U-Haul parked out front!

You handed me that joke on a platter.

- What was I supposed to do?
- It's stereotyping, Abby.

You people need to
learn how to take a joke.

"You people"?

[♪♪♪]

Psychologists.

[DANIEL] Good. You're here.

Jerri, get the rest
of the staff together.

[♪♪♪]

I know some of you are worried
about my father's suspension,

but rest assured,

- my steady hand is steering the ship.
- Um, Mr. Svensson?

Please hold your
questions until the end.

Now, if you have concerns, at any time,

bring them directly to me.

When's the new copier coming?

Can I talk to you about
my banked vacation days?

[QUICKLY] Unless your concerns are about

office management, H.R., I.T.,
health and safety... those go to Jerri.

Okay!

[CLAPS THREE TIMES]

Thank you.

Yes, Abby?

Do you think your office is big
enough to hold your new ego?

Mm.

Winston, what was your question?

Not so much a question as

there are clients who've
been waiting in the boardroom.

- Who'd they request?
- No one.

They haven't been assigned a lawyer yet.

No. No dibs. Abby, you take them.

I have an entire firm to run.

[QUIETLY SCOFFING] Oh.

Hello. Sorry to keep you
waiting. I'm Abigail Bianchi.

Thanks for meeting with us. I'm Paul.

This is my wife, Margo,
and our son, Rory.

- [RORY] I have math class now.
- I know, love.

Remember, we talked about
meeting a lawyer today?

I'm supposed to be in math!

Let's get you a snack, okay?

Rory's upset because
his school expelled him.

- No! No! I have the banana first!
- We just have the orange today.

Pretend you ate the banana already.

We want to sue his school for
refusing our son an education.

Okay, why was Rory expelled?

No. I have the banana first!
I have the banana first!

I have the banana first! [BANG]

["UH-OH" BY JEREMY FISHER BEGINS]

[♪♪♪]

♪ You can't prove it ♪

♪ Uh-oh ♪

♪ You got nothing legit ♪

♪ Uh-oh ♪

♪ The glove don't fit ♪

♪ Uh-oh ♪

♪ You got to acquit ♪

♪ Uh-oh ♪

♪ The charges won't stick 'Cause ♪

♪ I ain't no sucker ♪

♪ Ain't your lollipop ♪

♪ But ♪

♪ You can kiss my sweet ♪

♪ Uh-huh ♪

♪ Never gonna stop ♪

♪ Never gonna stop Never gonna
stop Never gonna stop ♪

Every morning, Rory eats
a banana, then an orange.

In that order.

[MARGO] He's on the autism spectrum.

Changes to his routine
are destabilizing.

Coming here instead of
school, the wrong snack...

- He gets overwhelmed.
- That must be tough.

It was manageable...

but ever since he hit puberty,

he gets triggered more
easily... his outbursts are...

It's a lot to handle.

And it's hard on Maisie.

She's our seven-year-old.

We need his school to take him back.

Are there any specialized schools

- that might be a good fit?
- Yes. But they're private.

We can't afford that.

Rory has a right to a public
education, just like any other kid.

Without the school,
we are caretaking 24/7.

You're not doing Rory any good
if you're running on empty.

No one expects raising a child
with special needs to be easy,

but should the school board
be allowed to abandon us?

The school has hundreds
of other students.

If Rory exhibited dangerous behaviour,

they had no choice but to expel him.

I heard he went Hulk on that mandarin.

Remind me how any of this
revokes his right to an education?

Homeschooling may be their best option.

Easy for the guy with no kids to say.

One of them would
have to quit their job.

They'd lose half their income.

Not to mention, the
hours Rory's at school

are the only break his parents get.

Parents of children with special needs

are expected to become teachers,
caseworkers, therapists.

It's completely unrealistic.

We looked after Eleanor's mother

for almost a year after her stroke.

Caregiver burnout's no joke.

Fine, head to the school.

Chances are, they'll fold at
the first whiff of legal action.

But get back here A.S.A.P.
I need you on other cases.

Aye-aye, Cap'n.

I need to speak to you privately.

Word is out about Harry.

Winston's been taking calls
from nervous clients all morning.

We need to do damage control.

He's only out for a month.
How much damage can there be?

Plenty. Harry's suspension has

rattled people's confidence in the firm.

All right. Get me a list
and I'll make some calls.

Starting with Sabrina Bass...
she's about an inch from jumping ship.

Connery Bass is a social-justice icon.

She's a vacuous gold-digger.

Maybe losing her as a client
won't be such a bad thing.

[POINTEDLY] Yes, Daniel.

It would be an incredibly bad thing.

Fine.

- She'll be my first call.
- No. Not call.

Take the "vacuous gold-digger" to lunch.

[DOOR OPENS]

I'm off to Rory's school.

While I'm gone, I need you
to find all of the "Isabelles"...

last name unknown...
working at Vancouver preschools.

Yeah. Sure thing. Uh, which
client are we billing this to?

Not allowed to say. It's top-secret.

I don't think we have
a client code for that!

[♪♪♪]

I'm under strict instructions
from Sofia and Nico

that the new house must have a pool.

Oh! And look at that.

And the privacy...

[GASPS]

We'd never have to wear
bathing suits again.

What?

Oh, yeah... Mm-hmm.

Yes. It's nice.

[EXASPERATED SIGH]

You're k*lling my shopping buzz, Eeyore.

Do you live around the
corner or something?

No.

The chef's a personal friend.

- We met at Forty Under 40.
- "Forty Under 40" worldwide?

- No. A different one.
- My ex would love this place.

He was always saying
"Don't flaunt your wealth."

The food is incredible.

I can stomach second-rate
dining on occasion,

but what I can't stomach
is a second-rate legal team

for my divorce.

I'm not Harry's understudy.

I'm a full partner with
an impeccable reputation.

I Googled you and the
first thing that came up

was a talking pug.

- Daniel.
- Chef Martina.

I would like to introduce
you to Sabrina Bass.

She's a very important client.

In that case, I'll bring
out our new tasting menu.

Fine, as long as we start
with Wagyu beef tartare.

I'm afraid we don't serve that.

- We do have quail sh*ts in-shell.
- [SABRINA] Quail?

That is so last year.

[♪♪♪]

[SCHOOL BELL RINGS]

Was Rory ever intentionally
violent in class?

No, never. But he was disruptive.

Deliberately?

I hate that it's come to this.

Rory's a sweetheart,
but he's easily set off,

and when he's set off...

I have 27 other students to think about.

What did his individual
education plan recommend?

One-on-one support, but
the school board denied it.

Really?

Isn't it their job to make
sure kids are supported?

Well, it's easy to vilify the board,

but they can't pay for things
with money they don't have.

I've been doing this a long time.
I have never worked in a high school

with funding for
one-on-one aides.

[SCOFFS] How is this not news?

- Do you have kids, Ms. Bianchi?
- Yeah, two.

I'm guessing neither of them
have learning challenges.

When Connery and I were dating,

he loved... that I was
creative and ambitious.

We were gonna be two
pillars... blah, blah.

Then we get married,

and suddenly, I'm supposed
to be head cheerleader

for Connery Bass.
Not what I signed up for!

No, who would sign up for that?

I wasted years of my life on him,

and now he has the balls to
say my spending is "unseemly"?

That's why we're committed

to getting you your fair
share of the marital assets.

My "fair share"?

Is that a joke?

Harry Svensson promised to bring
me my husband's head on a platter.

Well, we're lawyers, not assassins.

Heather Mills was married to
Paul McCartney for four years,

and she got 48 million.

- I put in seven years with that dud!
- To start...

handmade trofie pasta

baked in truffle sauce
with a gruyere cheese.

So, mac and cheese?

Is that what you think
I'm worth? Cafeteria food?

You're no better than my husband.

You are not seriously going after her?

She's worth a fortune to the firm.

Bring her in here again,

and I will drag her out
by her hair extensions.

[♪♪♪]

- How did it go?
- She's a nightmare, Jerri.

She acted like Fodder
was a fast-food joint.

You took Sabrina Bass to Fodder?

Martina is a Forty Under 40 chef!

Sabrina Bass is a top 1% client.

Do better.

[♪♪♪]

I've got a new strategy
for the Gardiner case.

- Sue the Ministry.
- You want to sue the government?

Rory's not some delinquent.

He's got a developmental disability.

If the school had enough
funding to support him,

he'd never have been expelled.

They're clearly in breach
of their responsibilities!

It's also a massive bureaucracy
with endless resources.

You'd be tied up in court for years.
The Gardiners can't afford that.

- I'd do it pro bono.
- No! No pro bono right now.

- I gotta think about our bottom line.
- Is it Freaky Friday?

Because Harry is not a good look on you.

I feel for these people,
but this isn't charity.

We need to focus on
clients who pay our bills.

Drop... the case.

[♪♪♪]

Want to swap?

Bubblegum for Espresso
Flake? I don't think so.

Dad's friend from last week, is
that the first time you met her?

Yeah.

- Did you do anything with her after?
- We checked out Dragonspace.

- Is she pretty?
- I don't know. I don't think so.

- How old is she?
- Old?

- Older than me?
- Not that old.

Did you catch her, uh, last name?
Or what school she teaches at?

Why are you asking
all these weird questions?

I don't know. Just curious.

- Need some help with that dribble?
- Nice try.

One of my old colleagues
is in the obits today.

- Oh.
- Where are you off to?

Tennis with Gabby Lipton. Girls' brunch.

More house-shopping.

Should I, um, join you?

Harry, we can't gossip
about you at girls' brunch

if you're there. You
have your own friends.

They're dropping like flies.

Well, then call a live one.

[♪♪♪]

Have you dropped the Gardiners?

I'm taking the termination
papers to them now.

I've got that top-secret information
you requested, Ms. Bianchi.

[♪♪♪]

What top-secret information?

Wouldn't be top-secret
if I told you, would it?

[♪♪♪]

I found three Isabelles
who work at preschools.

Here's... the first one.

If only.

Frank's not dating a grandma, Cecil.

[SCOFFS] Seems a
little ageist, but okay.

Meet contestant number two.

She's pretty.

[WINSTON] She plays for the other team.

Because she plays cricket?

Because of the wedding
photo of her and her wife.

Let's see who's behind
door number three.

The third Isabelle teaches
at a preschool in Point Grey.

Sounds about right. Let's see her.
Need to know if she has bangs.



- That's awfully young!
- How old was Aidan?

I combed her social
media, but no selfies.

Her entire feed is
just nature and baking,

and quotes about gratitude.

- She seems down-to-earth.
- She's a phony.

- Or ugly.
- Or both!

[JERRI] Ahem!

Cecil? Winston?

I'm sure you both have work to do.

Abigail, a word?

[♪♪♪]

[DOOR CLOSES]

We are trying to
staunch the bleeding here

and you have Cecil stalking
a preschool teacher?

Staunch the bleeding?

Harry's been gone a
day! Dial back the drama.

You and your brother woefully
underestimate your father's value.

I just wanted to see Frank's
new girlfriend, that's all.

- I didn't know Frank was dating.
- Neither did I.

Till he sprung it on me

that he wanted to
introduce her to the kids.

Are you gonna let him?

After what he put me through? Hell, no!

"Revenge is a dish best
served cold," like you said.

I said, "The best revenge
is a life lived well."

Same diff.

Punishing Frank for the past

won't help either of you move forward.

Maybe you should give Isabelle a follow.

Sounds like one of the
saccharine sayings she'd post.

Here's another one for you...

"Mockery is the last
refuge of the bitter."

[♪♪♪]

[DOORBELL CHIMES]

[PAUL] Ms. Bianchi, come in.

Did you make any headway
with the school board?

Uh, unfortunately, no.

I have to go to school!
I have to go to school!

I play Uno with Scott
and Javi at recess!

I know, love, but you can't
be on school grounds right now.

I have to go to school!

You need to stay here. I'm sorry.

- [RORY SHRIEKS]
- Rory, you can't go today.

Okay? You need to listen, please.

I have to go to school!
I have to go to school!

- Rory... Rory, No.
- I have to go to school!

- I have to go to school!
- Rory.

- [YELPING]
- Rory, it's okay.

- Ah!
- That's enough!

[THUDDING]

Rory! You need to breathe, Rory!

- [HYPERVENTILATING]
- Breathe!

- Ah!
- Maisie! Get in the car!

Lock the doors!

- [RORY THRASHING]
- Call 9-1-1, please.

- [HYPERVENTILATING, SHRIEKING]
- Rory, breathe! Breathe, Rory!

[♪♪♪]

[RORY THUMPING HEAD AGAINST GROUND]

Tuesdays, Tuesdays...

Tuesdays at recess, I play Uno.

Nobody likes to have
their routine disrupted.

You should see me if I don't
get my Americano before work.

Super-grouchy.

Would you like to stay
with us today, Rory?

I think we might have a deck
of Uno cards around somewhere.

Okay.

I can play with you.

Maybe you'll even let
me win once in a while?

Seems so comfortable with them.

Rory's landed himself in
this hospital so many times,

he knows them all by name.

[INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENT CRACKLES]

Hi, love.

How are you doing?

Feeling better now?

Better now.

[GASPS]

I'm all right...

I'm all right.

There was too much. There was too much!

I know.

- I know, it was scary.
- [RORY] Yeah! Scary.

- We know you don't want to hurt anyone.
- Hate it!

We're doing okay.

Got you yogurt and
onion... your favourite.

[PAUL] It's a terrible thing
to be grateful for, but...

at least, when he's here,
Rory gets the care he needs...

and everyone's safe.

[♪♪♪]

She finds out he's been
sleeping with the neighbour,

so she takes his pet fish...

the $200,000 pet fish...
batters it, fries it, eats it.

[HARRY CHUCKLES] Classic.

Oh, Phil... I got to say,

I do not enjoy sitting on the sidelines.

Oh, come on. It's only four weeks.
You're not Drew Bledsoe.

- Who?
- Drew Bledsoe.

Starting quarterback for the Patriots?

Until he had to sit out a
few weeks with an injury.

His backup was a kid named Tom Brady.

Guess who never got his job back.

- Not helping, Phil!
- Sorry.

We appreciate the vote
of confidence, Mr. Gupta.

[KNOCKING]

See you Thursday.

I have it on good authority

that Sabrina was out for dinner
with Eric Russell last night.

She's shopping for a new lawyer.

Seriously? I sent her flowers
and a bottle of Dom after our lunch!

Daniel, any fool can
buy flowers and wine.

She owns a vineyard in Tuscany.

You have to give her
something she needs.

- What does she need?
- I have no idea!

Get inside her head...
that's what Harry would do.

How did I not see the
writing on the wall, Phil?

The world is changing so damn fast.

Come on, Harry.

You think there's a man our
age practicing family law

who hasn't done what you did?

Look, the Law Society
needed to set an example.

You drew the short straw.

[JUDGE CROMBIE] Look who's here.

- Judge Crombie.
- Sterling.

- Always a pleasure, Harry.
- Get on, Phil.

Slept with what's-her-knobs, huh?

You should've known that was
gonna blow up in your face.

The firm is in excellent
hands in my absence.

Sure!

Pukey and the talking Pug
have it all under control.

[CHUCKLES SMUGLY]

Ah!

[♪♪♪]

[GIRL] Miss Isabelle...
Braiden pushed me!

Okay.

Stay here for a second, okay?

Braiden?

You having some big feelings right now?

What can we do instead of push, huh?

♪ If... ♪

♪ You're mad and you know it ♪

♪ Stomp your feet ♪

♪ If you're mad and you know it ♪

♪ Stomp your feet ♪

Hi! Are you here to pick up a child?

Uh, n... no. I'm just... casting
for a juice box commercial.

[♪♪♪]

[MOCKINGLY] ♪ If you're
mad and you know it ♪

♪ Stomp your feet ♪ [GAGS TWICE]

She was committed to the bit.

- Did it calm the kid down?
- It's not the point, Winston.

The point is Frank's
new girlfriend is so sweet,

- she made my teeth hurt.
- Is she pretty?

I suppose. In a certain light.

I read, in my sister's Cosmopolitan,
that people tend to rebound

with someone who's the
polar opposite of their ex.

So I'm the polar opposite
of pretty? Or sweet?

How's that, uh, moral
inventory coming along?

Great. Why do you ask?

Oh, because obsessing about
your ex-husband's girlfriend

seems like a step in
the wrong direction.

[♪♪♪]

You all suck at gossiping.

♪ If you're mad and you know it ♪

♪ Stomp your feet
♪ [TAPS BOARD TWICE]

[♪♪♪]

Any tips for getting
inside a narcissist's head?

Short answer? Don't.

She's a client I need
to win over, or Dad

will never trust me
to take over this firm.

Okay. Wow. Hmm. Lots to unpack there.

- Let's just stick to the narcissist.
- I'm not endorsing mind games,

but if you figure out what she's
insecure about and big that part up.

She's a hot 29-year-old with
more money than a small country.

She's not insecure about anything.

Everyone is insecure about something.

Where have you been? I've
been calling you all day.

Sorry, I've been busy
running a law firm.

- Did you drop the Gardiners?
- No, I didn't, because when I arrived,

Rory had a violent outburst.

He's in the hospital...

which you'd know, if you
checked your messages.

It was a nightmare, Daniel.

If you'd seen it, you'd understand

why we have to take this case pro bono.

I don't have time for this, Abby!

I have to figure out what
makes a trophy wife tick.

My clients' son is in the hospital,

and kissing Marie Antoinette's
ass takes priority?

That poor family.

The staff were amazing with him.
He needs trained careworkers.

Ironically, if he didn't
have supportive parents,

he'd have a better
chance of getting them.

Autistic teens in the system

often get placed in group
homes with professional support.

[PAUL] Ms. Bianchi, hello.
We weren't expecting you.

We were about to go get Rory.

Uh... just hear me out.

I think I know how you can
get your son the help he needs.

How?

Don't pick him up from the hospital.

You want us to ditch our


If you refuse to pick him up,

you'd be surrendering
Rory to the Ministry.

That would make him the legal
responsibility of the government.

So, what? Rory gets
put into a foster home?

He'd be placed in a group home,

with caregivers trained
to support autistic youth.

I think Nurse Wendy
worked in a place like that

- when she was in nursing school.
- No! No way!

- He'd think we've abandoned him.
- I understand.

It was a radical suggestion.

But if we pick him up as planned...

then we keep living in triage mode.

- We're doing okay.
- Are we?

I don't even know if Rory's okay.

And I don't know how much longer

I can keep him from
accidentally hurting someone.

And what about Maisie?

She has to lock herself in the car

because she doesn't feel
safe in her own home?

Could he still come home when he wants?

Yes.

- [PHONE BUZZING]
- _

[BUZZING CONTINUES]

[♪♪♪]

I thought you said you were
getting out of the condo.

I did. Yesterday.

It did not go well.

I thought you liked Phil.

It's all... shop talk on the course.

- So?
- So... I don't have a shop.

There must be somebody's
company you enjoy...

who isn't a lawyer.

Call them.

And put this housecoat in
the wash, I'm begging you!

[SNIFFING]

Hello? I was wondering
if you might be available

to grab a quick bite to eat later?

[♪♪♪]

[CHUCKLING]

Oh, sorry. Didn't know you had company.

Hello, Kelly.

Your... hair looks very nice today.

What is it, Abby?

Oh. I just wanted to let you
know, that I did what you said...

the Gardiners have surrendered
their son to the Ministry,

- so thanks for that.
- What?

- That's not what I said!
- Yes, you did.

Y-You said he'd be entitled

to placement in a group
home with professionals.

Do you know how many kids are "entitled"

to services that they never get?

They could stick him in a
home that's understaffed,

or with foster parents
who can't cope! Abby!

Well, somebody had to do something.

[DOOR SHUTS]

I would never advise anyone
to surrender their child!

- Obviously, you wouldn't.
- I mean, what is she thinking?

There are so many ways
this could go wrong.

Why do you let her wind you
up like that all the time?

It's not... all the time.

- Abby doesn't do it on purpose.
- No, of course not.

She whips up drama because
she was neglected as a child.

It's trauma. She can't help it.

Hey.

Just looking out for my Lucy.

Oh.

And...

I...

Ooh!

Love that.

[BOTH CHUCKLING]

[♪♪♪]

Jerri...

truthfully...

how bad would it be if
I can't win her over?

Well, we can survive
without Sabrina Bass.

But the danger is, these West
Van wives are like lemmings.

If one jumps... they all follow.

[FOOTSTEPS RECEDE]

[SIGHS]

[CLICK]

[DANCE SONG STARTS]

♪ Sabrina Bass Champagne glass ♪

♪ All the boys stare
at my turnt-up ass ♪

♪ Spending cash And rocking jewels ♪

♪ Top to bottom So [BLEEP] cool ♪

♪ Income in the stratosphere ♪

♪ Mirror, mirror On the wall ♪

♪ Who's the hottest of them all? ♪

♪ You think I care About your snub ♪

♪ Drinking Cristal in the club ♪

♪ Drinking Cristal ♪

♪ In the clu-u-u-u-ub ♪

♪ Baby ♪

♪ Cristal in the club ♪

♪ In the club ♪

♪ Cristal in the club ♪

[HITS KEY, VIDEO RESTARTS]

♪ Sabrina Bass Champagne glass ♪

♪ All the boys stare
at my turnt-up ass ♪

♪ Spending cash... ♪

[♪♪♪]

Thank you for taking time out
of your busy schedule to see me.

Sorry I couldn't come sooner.

- School gets out at three.
- Mm.

I've never seen you wear a shirt
without buttons before, Grandpa.

- Are you okay?
- Yeah... Yes.

I'm not going into the
office much these days.

Why not?

Powers that be decided...
I broke a rule.

- But you didn't?
- Well, no, I did.

It's just a stupid rule.

I reject the premise that
my actions were harmful

and therefore should be
eligible for punishment.

Like when I got suspended
for forging signatures?

Exactly! And now I have to
stay home from work for a month.

[INHALES SHARPLY]

I feel for you. I had serious F.O.M.O.

when I had to stay home from school.

- "F.O.M.O."?
- "Fear of missing out."

Ah!

Yes! I-I most definitely have F.O.M.O.

The only thing that got
me through my suspension

was my homework mole.

You know, my friend, Steph,
made notes for me in every class,

so that I wouldn't miss out on anything.

Are you ready to order?

Yes, I'll have the
rib-eye steak, medium-rare,

with a baked potato...
all the fixings...

and a Shirley Temple, please.

Uh, make that two.

Sub the Shirley Temple for
a dry martini, two olives.

[♪♪♪]

I need to see Ms. Bianchi.

Unfortunately, Ms. Bianchi's
currently on a call.

She needs to get off the call!

Mr. Gardiner?

- Can I get you a cup of tea or coffee?
- No. I-I don't want coffee!

What's wrong?

Is Rory all right?

We have been accused of
child abuse and neglect.

The Ministry has applied
for a protection order

to stop us from having
any contact with Rory.

[CHOKES UP] We could lose Maisie, too.

[♪♪♪]

What were you thinking?

I wouldn't have had to make this play
if you hadn't Scrooged-out

- and forced me to drop their case.
- No way this is on me, Abby.

If word gets out that
you advised clients

to surrender their
child to the Ministry,

and the parents end up
losing both their children,

the firm's reputat...

[ROARS] we could get sued!

Congratulations.

Now I have to let you work pro
bono for these people. Fix this!

[♪♪♪]

♪ Sabrina Bass, champagne glass
All the boys stare at my turnt-up ass ♪

♪ Spending cash, rocking jewels
Top to bottom so damn cool ♪

♪ Income in the stratosphere ♪
[HUMMING ALONG]

I need to pull you in on something.

No, Jerri said I can't do
any more top-secret projects.

I need you to draft an expedited
motion for the Gardiners.

[♪♪♪]

You're working late.

When Cecil filed the
emergency application,

they offered us a slot this week.

If we didn't take it,

the Gardiners could go months
without seeing their son.

Don't worry. I already added
"reckless" to my moral inventory.

Abigail...

yeah, maybe it was reckless...

but those people were stuck,

and no one else was helping them.

[♪♪♪]

[MINISTRY LAWYER, COLIN] Mr. Vagas,

is it true the child was
brought to your group home

because his parents
abandoned him at the hospital?

My understanding is that
his parents were trying...

Yes or no, Mr. Vagas.

Yes.

Is it true, that when he arrived,

he'd sustained injuries

to his head, his face, and his hands?

[VAGAS] Yes, but those
types of injuries...

[COLIN] Just a yes or no.

[HESITANTLY] Yes.

And according to his file,

he was confused and
distraught on arrival?

Would you say that's
an accurate description

of his mental and emotional state?

- Yes or no?
- Yes.

But he's adapted quickly.

He's bonded with the staff,
made friends, joined activities.

[COLIN] Well, that's wonderful to hear.

I'm not surprised he's thriving.

Now that he's been
separated from his parents...

parents who did not want to put the time

or money into their autistic child,

so they... off-loaded him.

- Objection, prejudicial!
- Sustained.

No further questions.

Mr. Vagas, how many
trained professionals

are on the clock at your
group home at any given time?

Three or four.

- And how long are your shifts?
- Eight hours.

So, if there are three
shifts in a 24-hour period...

times three staff... that means it
takes nine trained professionals

to care for the child?

And yet the Ministry somehow believes

his parents, with no training,

working full-time jobs,
with another young child,

should be able to do
it just as successfully?

Objection. Leading the witness.

Sustained.

Did the Ministry support
the Gardiners at home?

They got monthly consults
with Ministry therapists.

So, once a month,

someone talked to them,

and then left them alone to
do the work of nine people?

Yes.

Do you believe the
Gardiners harmed their child?

No. Scrapes and cuts like those
could happen in a meltdown.

Thank you.

Insinuating abuse

is just a low blow

from an institution desperate
to distract from the fact

they are woefully failing

families of children with special needs.

- Objection. Improper characterization.
- Is it, though?

The Gardiners didn't leave
their son at the hospital

because they're neglectful.
They did it because they had

no other way to get
him the care he needs.

The only one guilty of abandonment

is the Ministry.

They've shirked their responsibilities

- and deserted this family in crisis.
- Objection!

Is Ms. Bianchi even going to
pretend to question the witness?

The only reason they're
pretending to care now

is to scare other families away
from a last-ditch gamble

no one should ever be
desperate enough to use!

[♪♪♪]

Nice little speech in there.

Well, it's easy when you're
on the right side of things.

Oh, give me a break.

No one forced them to have kids.

There's the compassion I'd expect
from Children's Services.

You know as well as I do,

the court's default is
to defer to the Ministry.

Anything else means serious blowback.

There is no way in hell

that Lee risks that her
second year on the bench.

[♪♪♪]

Shall we start with some Wagyu tartare?

I'll stick with water. I
have another meeting in 15.

In that case, I'll get right to it.

You gave me an ear-worm.

What are you talking about?

♪ Think I care about your snub ♪

♪ Drinking Cristal in the club? ♪

- You listened to "Cristal".
- I did.

Now I can't get it out of my head.

How can I get my hands
on more of your tracks?

Connery only paid for one single,

and then he buried it.

He sabotaged your career

to keep you as his
full-time trophy wife.

That's exactly what he did.

If not for him... you could've
been the next Beyoncé.

Your ex-husband robbed you
of a lucrative singing career,

and in my professional opinion,

the bastard needs to repay every cent.

Nothing would give me more pleasure

than to sue him

for the biggest support
claim the court has ever seen.

In addition to half
of everything he owns...

obviously.

Would you allow me that honor?

Are you ready to order?

We'll start with the Wagyu beef tartare

and a bottle of your best champagne.

[♪♪♪]

[JUDGE LEE] There is no evidence
of child abuse here.

I'm dismissing that claim.

But for the allegation of neglect,

the Ministry's argument holds.

In their desperation,
the Gardiners did abandon their son.

- Your Hon our...
- However...

I can't ignore the conditions

that led to the Gardiners' desperation.

This is what I can do...

the Gardiners' custody of their daughter

is not in question.

And while the government
has guardianship

of the older child,

the parents will have full
physical access to him.

- You can see your son.
- [MARGO GASPS]

We'll review the matter in 12 months.

I strongly suggest the
Ministry review its policy.

This family should
never have been forced

to choose between their parental rights

and getting their son
the resources he needs.

[BANG]

[♪♪♪]

I'm so sorry... you
had to go through this.

I'll be back here in 12
months' time to fight this again,

- if I have to.
- We appreciate that.

I heard what that other lawyer said.

"Their kid, their problem."

You're supposed to
take care of your kids.

That's what makes you a parent.

I couldn't take care of my son.

[♪♪♪]

[WHISPERS] It's okay.

[♪♪♪]

[JERRI] How are we low on toilet paper?

We just received a
new shipment last week.

I think someone in the office has IBS.

[ELEVATOR DINGS]

Proofed and ready for Ms. Bass to sign.

Great.

I took on the Ministry and won!

Is there anything I can't do?

Hit your billable hours target?

'Kay, I have your back from now on.

We'll manage with
Harry out of commission.

We're already managing.

I bagged Sabrina Bass.

Um... isn't that how
Harry got suspended?

Not like that, Cecil.

Let's just say, as of noon today,

Svensson and Svensson
will be very well retained.

Good job, Daniel. Do you
need the boardroom booked off?

Sabrina requested we meet
at a recording studio.

She's staging a comeback.

A comeback from what?

Seems the "Harry" gene kicked in.

Yeah, for better or for worse.

So, I've decided

I'm going to let Frank
introduce Isabelle to the kids.

Oh, so you realized

the best revenge is a life lived well?

I realized Sofia's gonna
eat that sugar cookie alive.

- [WINSTON] Mr. Svensson!
- Hello, Winston.

- What are you doing here?
- Anything I damn well please, Daniel.

It's my name on the lease.

Cecile!

Am I fired again, sir?

On the contrary.

You are going to be my "homework mole".

It would be an honor, sir.

[♪♪♪]

[ABBY] How's he doing?

He's adjusting.

It's good. I think.

Oh, Rory, we have a visitor.

Hey, Rory. I don't
know if you remember me.

Ms. Bianchi the lawyer!

Yeah! That's right.

I brought you a little
housewarming gift.

I don't eat bananas for dinner.

Maybe my friends will eat the bananas.

We play Uno every night at eight.

Dad's supposed to be driving me now.

"Thank you for the fruit, Ms. Bianchi."

Thank you for the fruit, Ms. Bianchi.

Dad! It's time to go.

Okay, okay. We're leaving.

Okay. Love you, Mom. Maze.

[♪♪♪]

Love you.

[♪♪♪]

[ABBY] Honey, I'm home!

[JARS RATTLE ON DOOR]

- Hi.
- Hello, Abby.

What's going on?

This has some real intervention vibes,

and I've been sober almost a year.

Can you sit?

I'm good.

So, I've been taking stock, and...

I realize that I need to
start making healthier choices.

That's great.

I'm glad you think so,

because part of that
is setting boundaries.

And while there's some positives
to us sharing a space...

I, um...

[CHUCKLES WEAKLY]

I think it would be best...

if you started looking

for somewhere else to
stay during your off weeks.

You're kicking me out?

I'm just saying...

I'm not sure if this
is the best situation

- for either of us, long-term.
- This your idea? Or hers?

- Um...
- You know what?

Doesn't matter.

I didn't mean you should
leave right this second, Abby!

[♪♪♪]

[SLAM]

♪ Sabrina Bass Champagne glass
Boys stare at my turnt-up ass ♪

♪ Spending cash rocking jewels
Top to bottom I'm so cool ♪

♪ Income in the stratosphere
Mirror, mirror, on the wall ♪

♪ Who's the hottest of them all? It's me ♪

♪ You think I care about your
snub Drinking Cristal in the club ♪

♪ Drinking Cristal In the club ♪

♪ Baby Cristal in the club ♪

♪ In the club Cristal in the club ♪