01x13 - Episode 13

[bunniefuu]

Oh, thank goodness.
What a day for my laptop to die.

How is the symposium?

I am now fully read in
on the advances

of psychopharmacology
and very far behind

on my to-do list
for this award ceremony.

-No worries.
-Isn't that Ted's computer?

I told him yours died,
and he said to use this one

until we can get yours fixed.

Eva, you are a marvel.

Now, if we could just get
someone here to arrange

a hard copy of the draft
of my speech.

I thought you might need it.

I am upgrading you
from marvel to godsend.

I hope you won't mind
me saying this, Nicole,

but you seem a little tense
today.

It's this award ceremony
tomorrow.

It is getting
on my penultimate nerve.

Is there
anything I can do to help?

I know I'm new, but I'm happy
to do what little I can.

Little? Eva, if you weren't
available and able to fill in

for Laura, my office and
schedule would be in complete

chaos, leaving me no time to
finish things like this speech.

I don't suppose you would
like to take care of that, too?

If you want.
I'm glad to do it.

I read through the draft
and have a few ideas,

but only if you're interested.

[elevator bell dings]

All right.

Stay just like that. Beautiful.

Hey, partner.

I'm not sure I can give you
photo approval on those.

Why not? You up in
those scrubs-- catwalk ready.

But, hey,
don't take my word for it.

Andre, how did you...

ANDRE:
It was tough picking only a few.

You know,
you might be the first person

I've ever met
who doesn't have a bad side.

Well, you grew up around
Dani Dupree,

so I know that's not true.

But these pictures, they're...
they're fun, and...

I love them.
They're stunning.

Hey, that's on the model,
Ashley. Not the photographer.

It's yours if you want it.
Just a little token.

Well, imagine having so
much talent that you could

be this chill about
a wonderful gift like this.

I can see why you score all
those glamorous photo shoots.

[sighs] You know
what I see looking at this?

I see someone who's at the very
start of a wonderful journey.

It makes me
want to know who she'll be

and where she'll go.

-[phone rings]
-Ah.

-This is Ashley.
-[clears throat]

-Got it. Sorry.
-Yeah.

MAN [over P.A.]:
Nurse Hugo to ICU.

[elevator bell dings]

Oh, my God. Wait, Derek.
This way, this way.

All right.

♪ ♪

You're sure
they said Bradley Smith?

Yeah, that's interesting.

Hey, babe, I'm home.

I'm in the middle of something.

Another thrilling
afternoon in the neighborhood.

Big whoop of my day--

they were out of the heirloom
tomatoes at the supermarket but

never fear,
your husband went hunting,

and I found some
at the green market.

So we can have the caprese salad
tonight, just like you wanted.

Or not.
What's wrong?

I heard you're still
asking around about going back

to work as a freelance
investigative journalist.

Do you take me
as some fool, Smitty?

[water pouring]

Oh. Oh, Doug.

This is a surprise.

A man greeting his wife?

In this particularly
affectionate way.

Yes, it's been a minute

since I saw you
in this good a mood.

Well, you better
get used to it, Vanessa,

because your sexy, romantic,

husband...

is back.

JOEY:
Spill it.

-Just thinking.
-Hmm.

Well, it must be
something pretty consequential

if you come to Orphey Gene's
and your mind's not on the food.

I'm just wondering about
the way you handle your clients.

-You filing a complaint, Randy?
-Hell no, Joey.

Working for you is
the best gig I've ever had.

It's just that you're
so good at reading clients.

How do you zero in and
pull just the right string?

Well, with gamblers,
it's simple.

There's only one:
the need to gamble.

Makes you wonder if gambling
really is better than sex.

I wouldn't know.
I haven't got laid in a while.

Well, I hope you're not coming
to me to remedy that situation.

No need.

-I'm being selective.
-Which goes to my point.

You can do without.
You're not addicted.

Some gamblers,
throwing the dice is better than

food, than sex--
almost any pleasure imaginable.

I don't get it myself.

I've never had
an addictive personality.

But you sure are good at
manipulating them, aren't you?

Oh, you're, uh...

You're referring to
your old buddy Dougie.

[laughs]

He actually hates being
called that. Ever since--

Did I say anything
to indicate that I give a damn

what Dougie prefers
to be called?

I didn't think so.

The man's name matters as
little to me as the man himself.

Then why are you so
concerned about what he does?

I'm not.
Dougie doesn't matter to me.

What matters
is what he can get me.

Ooh, what about...

Scratch that.
You've probably written

hundreds of speeches
and don't need my two cents.

Eva, I'm enjoying this.

Yes, this speech
was fine before,

but your input is helping
me think outside the box.

What were you thinking?

Here. Maybe say more about
how your parents inspired you.

Wouldn't that just
make it another speech

about the great
Vernon and Anita Dupree?

-I guess.
-What would you do instead?

Maybe I'd talk about
the hard times. If you had any.

Yeah, we had them.

Lots of arguments and tears.

It's still too tender
to talk about publicly.

[clears throat]

You and Ted are such a unit.

It's hard to imagine
you guys arguing about anything.

Ted is pretty even, funny, kind.

But that man will throw down
if he is fighting for

the well-being of
his family or his patients.

What kind of thing
makes him angry?

Consistently? Lies.

If you want to stay on
Ted Richardson's good side,

never, ever lie to that man.

-Hey, how's he doing?
-Doctor's in with him now.

He regained consciousness,
but that's all I know.

-What happened, Liam?
-We thought people were still

in the burning house,
but he would not wait

for confirmation.
Then the ceiling came down

and knocked him out.

We had to drag him out of there.

I'm gonna update the team, okay?

All right.

Hey, hey, he's gonna be okay.

-I don't know about that.
-What did the doctor say?

I have to be careful
of Derek's privacy.

Yeah, but whatever
he told you, it scared you.

Concerned me.

Okay, according to Liam,
Derek got slammed on the head.

Yeah?
So logically, concussion.

Yeah.

And in that case,
he might be out for a couple

of days, but most likely
fine after that.

Well, thank you
for that diagnosis,

Mr. Not-a-Doctor Richardson.

I may know next to nothing
about medicine, but...

I know way more than
I would like to know about

the worst happening.

From when you lost your folks.

Yeah, take it from someone
who's been through it.

Don't go there, Ashley.

Derek is here.

He's conscious and he's
getting excellent medical care.

-Hold on to that. Hmm?
-Mm-hmm.

[indistinct P.A. announcements]

Okay. Um...

I got to meet my aunt,
or I would stick around.

I'm glad you're here
to help calm me down.

-It's getting to be our thing.
-Yeah.

-I'll see you later.
-Yeah.

Oh, the collage.
I almost forgot,

-in the middle of everything.
-No, don't worry about it.

Um, I'll have Shanice
stash it someplace for you.

-Thanks. That'd be great.
-Yeah, go.

-See you later, partner.
-All right.

[door closes]

[softly]:
Hey.

Hey, babe.

Hi.

Why do you look upset?

If I were in the hospital,
how would you look?

Oh, right.

Hospital.

What happened?

Burning building.

A ceiling fell on you.

Oh, that explains the headache.

Yeah, well, they just gave you
something to relieve that.

It should start working soon.

-[sighs]
-I'm just glad

they got you up here
so fast from ER.

Yeah, they...

They try to move things along
with firefighters.

Well, probably
because they know when one

of you is injured,
it's got to be serious.

Yeah. [sighs]

[labored breaths]

I'm in the hospital.

What happened?

Concussion.

CT scan confirmed it.

-The rest of my team's okay?
-All good.

God, I can't remember
anything about the fire.

It'll come back to you.

I--

I think I rescued a cat.

Okay.

No, for real.

There was a cat there.

Unless...

Did-- did I fall on him?

[chuckles weakly]

I don't think so.

Can you check?

Sure.

So nothing I said the other day

had the slightest impact on you?

Of course it did.

But as much
as I love you, Martin,

I have to do
what's right for me, too.

Even when what's right for you

hurts everyone
you claim to love?

Who's supposed to be
taking care of our children

when you're sticking your nose
in places

where it could get cut off?

You mean the two near adults

who barely say two words to us
on a daily basis?

Our children can pretty much
take care of themselves.

Time out, you two.

Pop, Dad's right.

You haven't been this cheerful
and carefree in a long time.

In fact, the gloomy way
you've been going around,

I was beginning
to worry about you.

Nessa, baby,
there's no need to worry.

Everything is fine,

and getting better all the time.

[laughs]

I'm glad to hear it.

Well, not as glad as I am

to be spending a little time
with my wife.

[chuckles]

Is something wrong?

Oh, no, it's just...

that woman over there ordered
something really interesting.

I might have what she's having,

once I'm done working out.

-Mm.
-[chuckles]

Joey, you got all kinds
of people on your string

who can get you
whatever you need.

So, I'm curious.

Why the sudden interest
in some random cardiac surgeon?

You looking for a new heart
or something?

A heart just gets in the way
in my line of work.

There are thousands of idiots
out there

who can't push themselves away
from the poker table.

What is so special about Doug?

That's my business.

Sure. Sorry.

All right, you've been
dancing around me all day

looking for clarification.

Here it is.

I don't give a damn

if you and Dougie have been
besties since the cradle.

You need to stop giving a damn
about what happens to him.

As of now.

What's Pop stressing about now?

This doesn't concern you
and Samantha, Tyrell.

Oh, but it does,
since you insist

my decisions affect all of us.

So, everybody,
I have decided

that I would like
to go back to work.

That's it?

That's not even interesting.

Do your thing, Dad.
Chase that dream.

Samantha, you don't like
when your dad's around

to take you wherever
you need to go?

Not when I can just get a car.
Dad set up an account for us.

And what about
when Smitty is attending

all of your debate competitions?

He's way more present
than the rest.

And I'm way past needing
you guys there to cheer for me.

It's fine when you guys
show up for stuff,

but it's not that serious.

I-I mean, why are you so twisted
about dad going back to work?

I'm not twisted.

Have you been
discussing this with them?

Absolutely not.
This is pure them.

No cap.

We do get to have
our own opinions.

Yes, but you're predisposed
to pick Smitty's side.

Only when he's right.

Dad wanted to get back into
his reporter hustle,

just like you with politics.

He's into it, so why
shouldn't he get to do it?

All of my friends'
moms and dads work.

We're not like
your friends' parents, Samantha.

Uh, yeah, you are.

I have two dads,
Kayla has two moms.

Jill has a single dad.

Shawna's got, like, six moms

'cause her dad's always
switching it up. [laughs]

Nobody's like everybody else.

And you worry way too much

about things
that don't matter anymore.

I wish that were true.

But you two have to understand

that how people view you
can impact your life.

Oh, I-I get that.

And if Samantha and I
didn't have Dad around

while you were out there putting
in mad hours campaigning...

A lot of things
would've been messed up.

But we don't need
all that hovering anymore, Pop.

We shouldn't
have to convince you

when you're
representing families

where every adult
in the household is working.

Why shouldn't Dad have a life
when the rest of us get to?

What's wrong with that?

I cannot tell
that story in public.

Ted and I would die
of embarrassment.

But maybe if
we trim this section?

That will leave you room
to talk about

how you and Ted had to
come back from vacation early

because Martin was sick.

[phone buzzes]

Go ahead. You can take it.

It's nothing.
I'll call them back.

So the Martin story
will go here.

Oh, my aunt, the psychiatrist,

and her assistant chopping it up
at the country club.

I almost didn't
want to interrupt.

Do not talk nonsense, Andre.

You are welcome
everywhere you go.

ANDRE:
Mm.

Everywhere there's
a pretty girl, that is.

That's the kind of welcome
I like.

[laughs] As far as a
pretty girl that is off-limits,

-ANDRE: Mm-hmm.
-you must have met
my temporary assistant, Eva.

Subtle, Aunt Nicole.

And yeah, Eva and I have
certainly had the pleasure.

Nice to see you again, Andre.

NICOLE:
I apologize, Eva.

Not only did I let the time
get away from me,

I forgot to ask you to put
Andre on my calendar.

We are gonna
talk about the shots

for the award ceremony.

Do you have time later?
Like in about an hour?

EVA:
You don't have to cancel.

But we're working on the speech.

She means she's teaching me

how to construct
an effective speech.

Um, I could do a markup,

make the changes you want
and email it to you.

You're stopping by
the hospital later, right?

Yeah, I can print it out there,

but you don't have to go through
all that trouble.

I've already taken up
way too much of your time

on something
that's not even your job.

Making your life easier
is my job, Nicole.

And this was fun.

Your nephew's a witness.

Oh, yeah. Seemed fun to me.

Are you sure it's not a problem?

No problem.

All right.

-Uh, Andre, can you help me?
-ANDRE: Uh, sure.

NICOLE: Andre, let's find
the events manager,

do a walkthrough,

and Eva,

I will find a way
to pay you back

for all of your help.

-Bye.
-All right. See you.

[chuckles] Bye.

[phone buzzing]

Leslie, why do you keep
calling me while I'm at work?

I hate hearing you call me that.

I want to be your mama again,

at home and everywhere else.

Soon. Now, what do you need?

Nothing, really.

Just want to make sure
that everything

is going like we planned.

Everything's fine.

I'll tell you all about it
when I get home.

Good. I can't wait.

But we need
to remember the plan.

[sighs] Delayed gratification
is such a pain.

Be patient.
It'll all be worth it.

Those Richardsons
won't know what hit them.

For my...

amazing wife.

Oh. Hydration is vital.

You know, speaking of amazing...

Well, speak on.

As of this morning,
I've sold four

multimillion-dollar properties
this month.

Now, that is what
I'm talking about.

Congratulations, sweetheart.

My commissions are gonna be
through the roof this quarter.

You certainly
have the magic touch.

[chuckles]

I'd definitely buy anything
you're selling.

-[phone buzzes]
-[chuckles]

Oh...

And you know I'd always
give you the very best deal.

-Mmm.
-[chuckles]

I feel responsible.

It was me who brought Doug
to your place in the first--

He would've found his way
to my casino,

with or without you.

You know that.

Yeah, but I never thought
he would be this out of control.

He's my friend.

I'm not trying to... interfere.

But I'm asking you, Joey...

...please don't hurt my friend.

Or worse.

I have no reason
to harm your friend, Randy.

In fact, I think
business runs more smoothly

when everyone's agreeable.

He's of no use to me unless
he's alive and functioning.

He's simply a means to an end.

Now you got me
all the way curious.

What's Doug got that you were--

Enough with the questions.

Unless you want me to reconsider
my decision to treat him gently.

-No, sir.
-That's what I thought.

You want to protect your friend,

do your job.

Which means have him
in my casino, tonight.

Meal's on you.

Thanks.

[Randy sighs]

[sniffles]

[phone buzzes]

That's not the hospital, is it?

I feel like I've kept you here
for a while.

Nope. I just happen to have
a rare free afternoon

from surgeries
and realized there was no place

I would rather be
than here with you.

Really?

Lately, you haven't been
inclined to spend

more time with me
than absolutely necessary.

Then I am glad

I have this opportunity
to apologize.

I've been a fool, Vanessa.

I am sorry

for giving you reason to doubt
how much you mean to me.

Whatever's causing
this change in you,

-I like it.
-[both chuckle]

Well, I'd better
get on with my workout

before it gets too late

and the adrenaline
keeps me up all night.

Oh, that doesn't
sound too bad to me.

[chuckles]

We'll see how long
this new Doug lasts

back at home.

Looking forward to it.

Mm.

[both chuckle]

[phone buzzes]

[sighs]

[sighs]

I'm in the hospital
because I have a concussion.

This will work,
as long as I don't lose

this piece of paper.

All right, well, I'll
write it down on the board

across the room for you, too.

And I'll be here
most of the time.

But if I'm not,
just buzz for a nurse.

We'll answer
any question you have,

as long as it takes.
Do you need anything?

Maybe you could
stop moving around.

It's kind of making me dizzy.

-Ha.
-I'm just messing with you.

But you really don't
have to try so hard, babe.

I keep telling you, I-I'm fine.

Do I tell you
how to fight fires?

Hmm. Can't remember.

Well, if you're joking around,
then you must be feeling better.

I am.

Another thing
I keep forgetting...

...is your name.

You want me
to write it down for you?

I want to remember on my own.

I just don't want you to think--

Hey.

Memory lapses are a symptom
of the concussion, Derek.

Please, don't stress about it.

And besides, "babe" works.

Just don't call
anybody else that.

Never would.

And when you're all better,

no more unnecessary risks.

Don't worry. I don't plan
on leaving you anytime soon.

And t-this risk paid off.
Guy said I saved a cat.

-[chuckles]
-Yeah, and it didn't

make it easy, look.

Look at that.

It's probably gonna
leave a huge scar.

I'll make sure to call
for a plastic surgery consult.

DEREK:
Mm.

Do I get a kiss at least?

On your imaginary scar?

I don't think so.

-Ashley.
-Mm-hmm.

I might forget again.

I know how to remind you.

[Ashley sighs]

How about
we take one assignment...

...and see how it goes?

And when it goes
really, really well?

Let's take the win, Samantha.

And let your pop off the hook.

You three are everything
I dreamed of growing up,

but never thought I'd have.

I would walk through fire
for my family.

One, two, three.

The Richardsons!

[laughter]

SAMANTHA:
Wait, are we actually--

-[laughter]
-Ow.

[laughing]

[elevator bell dings]

And, um,
so you're giving me the go

on those
behind-the-scenes shots?

Are you sure footage of me
doing yoga isn't silly?

You recommend that
for your patients, right?

For their mental health?

You know I do, but
it's different when it's...

It's human, Auntie.

It makes the great lady
seem more approachable.

-Great lady? Please.
-Yeah.

Oh, there's Ashley.

-Ashley, hi.
-Hi.

Andre told me what happened.
Is Derek okay?

So far, so good, Dr. Richardson.

He's with the attending now.

And how are you doing?

[sighs]:
Uh...

Well, a good friend
told me to stop

going to worst-case, so...

not going there.

It's about time.

Sorry. I had to stay late
working on Nicole's speech.

Her what?

You know how she's being honored
at that gala tomorrow night?

Well, she kind of let me
help with her speech.

She really liked my ideas, Mama.

So you trying
to be a writer now?

I'd never call myself that.

But the speech
was only part of it.

Nicole had all these things
on her to-do list

that I got to help with.

So her designer dress
was getting altered

and that needed to be picked up.

And some shoes
that was specially shipped.

The local stores
didn't have her size.

She got big feet or something?

This gala is probably
gonna be on the news,

and I'm helping put it together.

Sounds like you have good reason
to be excited, Eva.

I am, too.

It'll be spectacular.

I hope so,

because that'll make it
the perfect opportunity

to expose Ted and Nicole

for the reprehensible
human beings they really are.

-My lucky day?
-Could be.

Ready to throw
some hands tonight?

-Oh, you know it.
-All right.

Dr. McBride. Always a pleasure.

As you can see, we have some
high rollers in here tonight,

and I think you are just
the man to take their money.

Sounds like it may be
a little too rich for my blood.

I think I'm gonna stick
to my regular tables.

Oh, that's a disappointment.

If it's cash
that's bothering you,

I'd be happy to front you.

Really? You wouldn't mind?

It's only money.

Here you go.

Don't worry.
I'm sure you'll pay us back

before you know it.

[laughs]:
Oh, my.

I could use some expert help
with a few muscles.

Care to spot me?

The lady's not interested.

Move along.

Tell me, Vanessa,

how many men is it gonna take
to satisfy you?

Coming on to random guys
where you know I'll clock it?

Vanessa, what is your deal?

You don't own me, Diego.
I see who I want when I want.

Yeah, and that's
how you found out

-nobody could do you like I can.
-[laughs softly]

No, you're good.
I'll give you that.

But I'm not looking
for commitment.

Not now. Maybe not ever.

I bet I could
convince you otherwise.

Nice sitting in.
I'll catch you next time.

Dr. McBride. How's it going?

Um, all tapped out.

I'm sorry, Joey, I know you
thought I'd get lucky, but...

Well, don't give up so soon.

No choice. Out of money.

I have faith in you.

Now...

now why don't you give it
another try?

I-I can't, this is...

-this is, this is too much.
-I have no problem staking you.

We both know you'll
pay us back before you know it.

Well...

I have a feeling my luck
is about to turn.

Thanks, Joey.

Hey.

How's the headache?

Barely there.

I'll feel a lot better after
they spring me from this place.

Especially if you
take me home with you.

Well, we may have
to put a pause

on the hold care for now.

They want to observe you here
for at least another day,

maybe longer.

Can you be the one
to nurse me back to health?

At your bedside?

In this bed, by my side?

Not a chance, Superman.

You are on official time-out.

At least until you promise me
that you're not gonna try

to k*ll yourself again.

Cross my heart.

-Unless there's...
-You better stop
with the crossed heart

if you know what's good for you.

You're good for me. I know that.

LESLIE:
I've been thinking.

We can't just let
this gala pass us by.

Mama...

Oh, it'll be perfect, baby.

Oh, we'll spill all that
Richardson dirt right there.

Not just in front of the cream
of Fairmont society.

It'll probably be
on the local news, too.

Imagine the looks
on their smug faces.

They're not both smug.

I mean, what my father did
wasn't Nicole's fault.

And this is celebrating her
and not him,

so there's no reason for us
to ruin her big day.

No reason?

Eva, has been working
with that woman gotten to you?

Of course not.

It's the timing, Mama.
It's too soon.

It sounds like an excuse.

Are you still committed
to taking them down

for what they did to us?

And don't you dare
lie to me, Eva.

Thanks for agreeing
to me going back to work.

One assignment,
and we'll see how it goes.

One assignment, for now.

Smitty.

Why don't you come upstairs
so I can thank you?

As enticing as that sounds,
I have work emails to deal with.

Are you trying to exhaust
yourself so you don't dream?

No, just trying
to get some work done.

Okay.

Don't keep me waiting too long.

If you're going back
on our plan to take down

your father
and his high-and-mighty wife,

tell me right now.

I'm not doing that.

In fact,
to prove how committed I am...

This straw will give us
a sample of Ted's DNA

for the paternity test.

-Oh...
-Just like you wanted.

Oh, my sweet baby girl.

-Mm-hmm.
-Mm.

This is the icing.

Ruining his precious wife's
big night

is gonna hit that b*stard
right where he lives.

Oh, my God,
and when he claims

that I'm lying...
[laughs]

I can throw the truth...

[imitates whoosh]
right back in his face.

Ooh, wait, Mama, we can't do it
at the award ceremony.

Why not? I've got everything
in place.

Because the DNA test results
won't be ready by then.

We want to get this right,
right?

It'll be a better chance later.

If that's what you feel.

Don't worry, Mama.

-We'll see this through.
-[laughs softly]

-Soon.
-Mm-hmm.

-[laughs]
-Soon.

I need a favor.

♪ ♪

You love playing with fire.

I love playing.

With me.

Until a better game comes along.

[laughs softly]

Must be tempting.

Gambling, for me?

Not at all.

I'm talking about
this compulsion you have

to save your friend.

You need to do what Dougie
never does until after the fact.

Consider the cost.

And what I do to people
who get in the way of my plans.

And what's the next plan?

I'm gonna put that moron
so far into debt

he doesn't know what hit him.

[gasping softly]

[grunting]

No! No.

-SMITTY: Martin.
-No!

[panting]

I'm fine.

-What's going on?
-SAMANTHA: I heard yelling.

SMITTY:
Nothing, kids, just...

Just go back to bed.

Go.

You come to bed, too.

I told you sleeping on the couch
wasn't good for you.

I'm just doing my routine,
double-checking the locks,

-making sure my family's fine.
-Okay. Okay.

Okay.

Do your thing.

But Martin, we're safe.

[footsteps receding]