01x114 - Episode 114

[bunniefuu]

Should have saved
that big joker, big brother.

-[grunts]
-MARTIN: Hey!

Another book.

You owe over $10,000?

Eh, well, debt is nothing
but a number.

Aw, that's so sweet.

Derek can't feel his legs.

They just rushed him
into surgery.

What are we celebrating?

My impending divorce.

They honored, um,
Barbara something or another.

That "Barbara something
or another"

is your birth mother.

Hold up now.

You expect me to believe

that I'm the daughter
of an original Articulette?

And that me, Dana Leslie Thomas,

has classic soul magic
running through my veins?

And on top of that,
that-that my mystery mama

left me a whole fortune.

I mean, think of it
as family money.

Okay. All right, so-so, how much

of this family money do I get?

Oh, I-I don't know
what the actual amount is,

but I have heard
it's a lot of zeros.

Mm.

Okay, all right, next question.

[chuckles]

How much did Miss High
and Mighty Nicky Nicole pay you

to come over here
and spin all this fairy tale?

What? What are you
talking about?

I am talking about
that calculating,

devious little headshrinker

who thinks she can
play games with me.

[laughs]

[Nicole sighs]

-Do you know
what has been eating at me?
-Hmm?

The way you mentioned
that your marriage to Doug

isn't worth sticking with.

Drink. Remember the rules.

Every time
someone brings up men.

[laughs]
Girl, that party is over.

Those rules expired
with that last bottle.

But honestly, Vanessa,
I'm worried about you.

I don't want to be throwing
another divorce party

anytime soon.

[scoffs]

Oh, you're k*lling the vibe,
Nicole.

Tonight was so good.

All right,
we can talk about somebody else.

Joey Armstrong is not somebody
you play games with.

What's good, brother?

Mm.

So now I'm your brother.

After you tried
to play me at work?

Come on, Doug,
you're still not salty, are you?

Well, I figure a brother
wouldn't try to question

my surgical skills
or besmirch my reputation.

Okay, I did come in
a little hot.

I probably could have
handled it better.

But I'm not out here
dragging your name.

You know how word travels
at that hospital.

Your little
come-to-Jesus moment

probably hit the group chats

before I could even call
the chief of staff

to officially quit.

I was trying
to look out for you.

I-I even asked the chief
to let me handle it in-house.

You see,
that's where you messed up.

I didn't need it handled.

I was having a bad day,
and then here you come,

swooping in like a superhero,
pushing me out.

Yeah, seems I've been doing that
a lot these days.

Uh, I guess we're
both taking L's, huh?

What is that supposed to mean?

Nicole, uh...

filed for divorce.

♪ ♪

Girl, you need to go home,

get some real rest
in a real bed.

I promise I will text you

the second
Derek gets out of recovery.

You sound just like my mom.

You know what, I'm not leaving
until I get to see him.

Hmm. Have it your way.

I'll leave you to wear
a hole in the floor.

No. You know what?
Hey, wait, wait, wait. Um...

I have a favor to ask you.

Dr. Montgomery said that Derek
needs extensive therapy.

It's gonna be a long road
and a hard one.

I want what's best for him.

Will you be
his physical therapist?

To think, for a hot second,

I actually
let myself believe it.

Should have known better.

Nothing in life comes that easy.

Everything I got
I had to scratch

and I had to claw for it.

You tell your little employer,
"Nice try."

[scoffs]

She thinks she's so damn smart,

with all her
little fancy degrees,

sitting behind the gates
in that big ol' house.

She don't know me, all right?

I got a PhD
in them streets, baby.

And I know a hustle
when I see one, Peaches.

-Dana. Take...
-Hmm.

Come sit and tell me
about this Nicole woman

that has you spun
like a tornado.

Nicole Richardson.

She's big mad
because I had the nerve

to show up to her mama's concert
and act like I belong there.

So now she's orchestrating all
this little inheritance nonsense

so she can watch me
crash and burn.

Look at me.

Swear on my mother's grave--

and you know
I don't take that lightly--

I do not know Nicole
from the man on the moon.

But what I do know...

You are about to become
a very, very rich woman.

As much as I hate to admit it,
you're the best,

and Derek trusts you.

And he likes you.

Well, who doesn't?

Do you have experience
with paralytic patients?

More than a few,
and it is a long road

for everybody involved.

But when you see someone
push past

what everyone thought
was impossible--

something special about that.

So do you think
that it's possible

that Derek-- he could...
Um, sorry. That's not fair.

-You haven't even evaluated him.
-Ashley, I promise you this.

I will push that man
to his absolute limit

and a step beyond that, okay?

I will be there
every painful step of the way.

Derek really needs
that tough love.

Look, I-I know
that our history is complicated,

but Derek needs us both.

I don't want our issues to get
in the way of his recovery.

Listen, whatever happened

between us
in the past stays there.

This? This is about getting
our boy back on his feet.

Literally.

You can see Derek now.

-I'll be in a minute.
-Okay. Okay.

God, how am I supposed
to go back in there

knowing that
he might not walk again?

I mean, what if he reads it
all over my face?

Okay, it looks like
you need tough love, too.

You know what? No, I don't.

I got this. I just...

I have to keep him comfortable,
I have to keep him fighting.

That's my only job, right?

Yeah. Look at you,
already knowing the game plan.

You want to go in there with me?

No. This moment belongs
to you two.

Go.

You know what
I find fascinating?

Do tell.

How Joey Armstrong's name seems

to fall from your lips
every time we get together.

It makes me wonder
who's really obsessed.

Maybe it's because
I see something

that you are not willing
to admit is there.

The only thing between me
and that man is escrow.

Oh, Vanessa,
I've known you way too long.

I know
when you're telling half-truths.

I could see it
whenever his name is mentioned.

Why are you letting a dangerous
man get his hooks in you?

Dangerous? Based on what?

Do you know something?

Don't you?

[phone buzzing]

Hello?

Yeah, yeah.
No, sure. Not a problem.

I'll be over there shortly.

I need to go meet a colleague
at Uptown.

What a coincidence.
Doug's there, too.

Family finder app.

Had to start keeping tabs
after he went rogue.

Well, perfect.

I will order a car,
and we can ride over together.

Gives us more time
to talk about Joey.

Can't wait.

Man, my sympathies
for the death of your marriage.

That's... that's rough.

I'm convinced
it's not dead, but...

maybe on life support, you know.

The Duprees think there's hope
if I can put in work.

You know what's funny?

I can reconstruct
a person's entire face,

make them look like
whatever they want to be,

but I cannot figure out

how to make my wife look at me
like she used to.

Sometimes the solution isn't
as complex as it seems.

Hmm.

Need to identify
what's blocking your blessing

and eliminate it
by any means necessary.

What's good, guys?

Detective.

I got some business to handle.

Yeah, don't mind me.

JACOB: I wasn't expecting

to hear from you, big dawg.

-Everything all right?
-Yeah, yeah.

I, uh...

I need
some professional insight.

Okay, yeah.

Do you know Marcel Malone?

I wish I didn't.
But, yeah, we're partners.

But Marcel and I-- we don't
really ever see eye to eye.

That guy writes his own rules.

He cuts deals with people
he probably shouldn't.

But me? That's not my style.

I keep it clean, by the book.

Then you're the right person
that can help my friend.

He's having a problem
with his employer,

Joey Armstrong.

Decades of eating
Dollar Store noodles.

Decades
of dodging bill collectors

like they were the plague.

And you come up in here
with some story

about a miraculous inheritance?

When that doctor gave me
the news,

finding you became
my top priority.

I had to make sure that
I told you everything.

Here's proof.

Birth certificates,

legal documents, correspondence.

Papers can be faked.

Lord knows I've done it myself.

Can't you see?

I am too sick
and too tired to play games.

-This is real.
-Okay.

Tell me how we got this, uh,

family money,
and I'll look at your documents.

After she couldn't
take it anymore,

the family was notified

about an inheritance
that had been set up

to benefit all
of Barbara's descendants.

And they didn't know about you,
which is how Barbara wanted it.

So you never got
your fair share.

But you will now.

Your aunt-- she passed.

She was the last of the line.

So, it's all yours.

And just
who's funding this windfall?

That part's kept secret,
but it started big.

And like clockwork,

every six months,
they add more funds.

[laughs]
Oh, come on, Peaches.

Sound way too good to be true.

Well, you don't have
to believe it.

The paperwork tells the story.

And one more thing.

A brush?

It was from your mother
when she was a little girl.

One of the last things she left
that we could pass down to you.

A true blessing

since DNA can still be tested

from a hair follicle
even years and years later.

If it's stored right.

-I need to get it tested?
-Already done.

Those papers
from the trust executor...

show the results.

Absolute proof
that you are Barbara's daughter.

You're about to go
from a have-not

to having it all and then some.

-[door opens]
-EVA: Mama?

Mm-hmm.

I ran three stop signs
to get here.

Your text had me thinking
something was wrong.

Well, I can tell you
what isn't wrong.

You remember that tribute video
at the concert?

For Barbara something?

The original member,
the one who...

Yes, the one who died.

Also the one
who gave birth to me.

That's right.

Barbara is my mother.

[laughs]
Oh, okay, okay. I get it.

This is your get-back

because I took
that lawyer's letter to Tomas

when you wanted me to drop it.

And now you're feeding me
this line about being

a long-lost Articulettes heir?

[laughs]
I mean, what's next--

you're gonna tell me that
you inherited her voice, too?

Or-or her money?

Oh, you haven't
just lost your mind.

It's completely gone.

Joey Armstrong?
Yeah, I know him well.

Man moves like he's bulletproof.

Then let's prove he's not.

We're talking
legal channels, right?

'Cause that's the only lane
I ride in.

Come on, man.

You know I wouldn't
disrespect your badge.

My friend has intel on Joey
that would interest you.

Okay, cool.

Okay, so your friend can work
as an informant

and work with the department
to help build a case.

He don't-he don't have time
for all that.

He needs Joey Armstrong
to go down now.

Would proof that Joey
ordered my friend

to commit m*rder do the trick?

Whoa, whoa, whoa, hang on, man.

Before you go any further,
I need you to know

anything you say can
and will be used

in an official investigation.

That's what I'm counting on.

When it's time, my friend
is gonna go to Naomi

to talk about a plea deal,
but for right now,

what do you need to make sure

Joey Armstrong is taken out
of circulation?

VANESSA:
A cop,

a cardiac surgeon
and a realtor walk into a bar.

Sorry I'm running late.

You know how DMV traffic is.

You know,
I should apologize to you

for asking you to meet me here.

I just needed to escape those
hospital walls for a minute.

So, what's been weighing on you?

I've got this case,

and I'm getting
emotionally involved.

That's not me. I don't do that.

I can't do that.

Derek?

Took you long enough.

How are you?

A little fuzzy
from the anesthesia,

but surgery went well.

Let's wait for Dr. Montgomery's
official word, okay?

Don't need to wait.

I can feel my legs already.

What do you mean?

The tingles, Ash.

I can't move 'em yet, but...

I can feel 'em.

That's got to be the anesthesia
wearing off, right?

Looks like
I'm going to bounce back quick.

All those hours at the gym had
to be for something, right?

Mm.

Why are you looking at me
like that?

You don't believe me?

I can prove it.

Touch my leg.

I won't peek,
but I'll tell you exactly where.

-Derek, please.
-Come on, Ash.

Trust me.

Okay, I'm ready. Go for it.

I just did.

Try the other one.

This is wild.

I could have sworn
I could feel everything,

like a tingly pressure.

I... I swear it was real.

It's what we call
a phantom limb sensation.

It's-it's actually really common
in cases...

um...

in situations like this.

Go ahead.

Get it over with.

Get what over with?

The lecture
you've been practicing

since they wheeled me in here

about how I'm wild and reckless,

and I was bound
to end up here sooner or later.

That's actually
not what I was thinking.

Yeah, well,
that's who I am, Ash, remember?

Derek the Daredevil?

No, Derek,
that's not who you are.

Every risk you took was
for someone else.

Running into burning buildings,

climbing trees for trapped cats.

You did that
because someone needed you.

But this time,
this was different.

This... accident...

What was this really about?

MADISON:
Lately,

I find myself more invested,

rather than detached
from my cases.

Nicole, what if I freeze up
during surgery

because I'm too deep
in my feelings?

Or what if I hurt someone
because I care too much?

Before we tackle these issues
head-on,

let's dig a little deeper.

Has anything changed recently

that would have brought
all this to the surface?

Chelsea.

DOUG:
I thought

you were hanging out
with Nicole tonight.

Well, she's with a colleague.

I saw you were here
and decided to surprise you.

Turns out,
you had surprises of your own.

I know the drill.

One of you concoct
some half-baked story,

I pretend to buy it,

you congratulate yourself
on fooling the little lady,

and I figure it out eventually.

Or we can skip
the song and dance

and you can tell me
what the hell's going on now.

Okay, you have a thing
for creating wild stories.

But, Mama, this is too much.

Peaches,
come meet your grandbaby.

Oh, sweet Jesus.

Look at you. Ah.

Uh, hold up.
What's happening right now?

This is Peaches,

the woman who raised me
when nobody else would.

Like, for real?
You raised my mom?

I guess that makes me
your grandmother.

Oh! You're so beautiful.

Well, how come I never
heard you talk about Peaches?

PEACHES:
We had a few hiccups
in our relationship,

but, you know, we hadn't seen
or spoken in years.

Yeah, well, we'll get
into all the details later,

but, uh, Peaches has something
to tell you.

So, baby girl,
I need you to listen real good.

Now, I was
your biological grandmother's

best friend
since high school, right?

Now, when she found herself
in the family way,

I knew Barbara
couldn't raise a baby.

See, I was trying to conceive
and couldn't.

So then she said, "Well,
you know, you take my baby."

And I was like, "Okay."

She knew I was going
to love that child

like my very own, your mama.

Yeah. And, um, well, yeah.

But there was one condition.

Dana could never know
who her biological mother was.

Sadly, the Lord
called Barbara home

right when your mama
started walking.

Wait.

This is the story
you used when we moved here.

Mm-hmm, same story.

And I mean, had to tell them
something, all right?

But forget all that, all right?

Uh, tell her
about my biological mother.

Oh. Barbara Mitchell,

one of the original
Articulettes.

-No way.
-Mm-hmm.

So all the things you said?

The whole truth,
according to Peaches.

So that letter was legit?

And if it was, baby,

we are about
to level all the way up.

Well, I'm gonna
get out of y'all's hair.

Y'all need time
to sit with this. Mm.

I know your story
and how it started.

Oh, God.

The pain of Barbara
not wanting you,

giving you up like she did.

And what she did after.

But look at God
working in mysterious ways.

Oh. All these years later.

And how
he made something beautiful

from all that pain. Mm.

LESLIE:
Thank you. Not just

for bringing us this news.

You know,
folks are always talking

about how
they don't have a mother,

-but that's not my story.
-Mm-mmm.

I had you, even when
I was out there acting a fool

-Ooh, child.
-and wilding out
in them streets,

you were there.

-Mm.
-Mm.

Thank you.

Now, listen,
if you need anything--

and I do mean anything--
you better let me know.

-That's sweet of you.
-[Leslie laughs]

Do you mind if I get a hug, too?

[laughs] What she said.

I need my grandmother
in my life.

Grandmother.

Ooh. Makes it sound
like I'm pushing a walker.

-[Eva laughs]
-You can call me Peaches.

Bet.
I'll see you soon, Peaches.

My girls.

LESLIE:
Oh, I got it.

Am I in your dream
or are you in mine?

Oh! This is wild.

Stuff like this doesn't happen
to folks like us.

-I know.
-So are we

really about to be rich, rich?

Wait. Hold up.
What's all this "we" business?

-Ah! [laughing]
-[laughing, screaming]

Oh, my gosh.

This little lady's waiting.

I'll fall back
and give you two some space.

Think about what we discussed.

You know where to find me.

Any more drama with Leslie after
the run-in at Orphey Gene's?

Oh, you mean besides

Dana stealing
an Articulettes ticket?

-What's the sentence for that?
-Look, I'd love to help,

but petty theft's not exactly
priority one.

I got bigger fish than your
baby-mama drama. No offense.

DOUG:
You figure it out yet?

Please, please tell me

you weren't discussing Joey
with Detective Hawthorne.

What about Chelsea?

She's the problem.

I love her, Nicole.

I love, love her,

and it scares the hell
out of me.

It's natural to spiral

when confronted
with unexpected feelings,

especially when it's been
packaged as a pretty girl

who's come to steal your heart.

I have seen you
in case conferences

and psychosis evaluations.

Madison, you are brilliant.

I am positive that you can
compartmentalize when necessary

and continue to provide the care
that you always have.

So you think I can handle this?

Oh, I know you can,

but you might not like
what I have to say next.

Answer my question, Derek.

Why did you take that curve
so fast?

Oh, looking good, Derek.

How's your pain level?
And don't sugarcoat it for me.

Well, I won't be running
a four-minute mile anytime soon.

Please. You couldn't do that
before the accident.

Well, never say never.

We could make it one
of our goals.

One of our goals,
as in you and me?

Turns out
I am your physical therapist.

Damn. I hit the jackpot.

[laughs] You won't be saying
that when we set our sessions.

When I say "stretch,"
you stretch.

When I say "bend," you bend.

When I say "rotate,"
I expect you to do so

without as much of a fuss.
Do you hear me?

Yes, ma'am.

Seriously, how...
how did I end up

with the best therapist in D.C.?

Well, let's just say someone
put in a special request.

Ash.

-Aw, Jacob.
-What happened?

Derek was in a bike accident
during the triathlon.

He just had surgery,
and we're just waiting

for Dr. Montgomery to update us.

-I have to see him.
-Yeah, I'll-I'll take you.

But listen, um,

Derek's doing that thing
that he does.

You know, he's cracking jokes,
he's playing it cool.

But I think
he's slowly realizing

that his whole life
is about to shift.

We're talking weeks,
if not months, of recovery. I...

I don't know
if Derek's ever gonna

be the guy that
we know and love again.

Come on.

[door opens]

DEREK:
Oh!

There he is.

Detective Hawthorne,
looking clean as always.

Come on, man.
You know how I do.

I can't have these
hospital folks thinking

a brother don't stay sharp.

I got to look rough if you're
coming at me with that face.

Nah, Nah. You're good, man.

It's just that hospital gown
isn't your normal drip.

Listen, Naomi sends her love.

She'll be by as soon as she can.

I'm guessing
Ashley filled you in?

Yeah, she did.

That curve did you dirty, huh?

I took it way too fast.

I messed up my back, which...

messed up my legs.

But Dr. Montgomery's
got me together, though.

Is there anything
I can do to help, bro?

Actually, yeah.

I could use
your detective skills.

All right, yeah, for sure.
What's up?

I need you to find my bike.

You mean the one
that's probably all banged up?

Yeah, I got to get it fixed

so I can get back out there.

I'll make sure
I find your bike for you.

Thanks.

Buy a lady a drink?

I appreciate the offer,
but I'm not here to socialize.

Oh. Well, how about
you let me buy you one, then?

-I'll pass, but thanks.
-Ah.

Let me get
a Manhattan, top shelf.

Now, this isn't my usual scene,

but recent events
made me realize

that, you know,
every once in a while,

got to...
a lady got to treat herself

-to the finer things.
-Mm-hmm.

I'm Peaches.

Ted.
Uh, and I wouldn't dream of it.

Oh.

Mm. And here you are passing up

all this full-body
spicy vintage for that...

younger wine across the room.

Yeah, that younger wine
is my wife.

Oh. Then, so,
why do you look at her like

you're a lost puppy
afraid to go home?

Uh, it's, uh... complicated.

Oh. Anything worth having
always is.

Child.

Me and my daughter.

We didn't speak for years.

She crossed a line
I thought I couldn't forgive.

-Hmm.
-And then,

pride and fear kept me
from reaching out,

even though
my heart was screaming to.

-I did something
unforgivable myself.
-Hmm.

I want to save my marriage,
but...

...I don't think
I have a choice in the matter.

You always have a choice.

Get up off that bar stool
and go to her.

Every minute you sit there
feeling sorry for yourself

is a minute
you can't get back. Mm.

Don't wait for fate to force
your hand...

like it did mine.

Sometimes, having
a deep connection

with patients can be the most
healing thing for both of you.

That's... terrifying.

Growth usually is.

If the opportunity
presented itself,

would it be the worst thing
in the world

for you to have a deep
connection with a patient,

and then figure out
how you feel afterwards?

It'll be a challenge,
but I can try.

I should get back.

Go, but remember
my door is always open.

Thanks, Doc.

Hey, there.

I saw you
with your bar companion.

Glad you're taking my advice
and moving on.

Come on, Nicole.
You think I'd be out trying

to get with some random woman?

Don't worry, Ted.

Unlike my marriage,

I have managed
to keep my sense of humor.

About the club.
I was out of line.

The divorce papers threw me.

Oh, kind of like finding out

your husband
has a secret love child.

Can we not turn this
into a weird competition?

Oh, that ended a long time ago.

Since it's looking
like a blowout.

You can stop all this, you know.

How, exactly?

By miraculously fixing
your gambling problem,

play happy family
like we used to,

and stop seeing Joey?

That'd be a start.

The audacity of you
to make demands

when it was your mess
that dragged us into this.

Or did you forget who saved
your a*s when cutting that deal?

With you unemployed,
I'm holding the cards,

so you better pray
this lady stays happy.

Or you can kiss this lifestyle
you're accustomed to goodbye.

It's wild how everything
can switch up so fast.

Like, one minute
you're existing...

Just trying to make it
through another day.

Going through life on autopilot,

then boom--
something major hits.

Yeah.
Usually, it's bad news.

But sometimes it's good news.

And suddenly,
everything hits different.

Like, like,
the whole world got an upgrade,

and you're just running,
trying to keep up.

Child, sometimes you...
you don't catch up.

Sometimes
life just keeps pushing,

and then it leaves you
in the dust.

Like with Peaches?

Yeah, like with Peaches.

I mean, the only reason
she reached out to me

is because she got sick,

and she was trying
to tie up all her loose ends.

But if this money is real,

the first thing I'm doing

is getting her
the best care it can buy.

'Cause at the end of the day,
that's my mama.

And she was the only one
who showed up for me.

-But you guys
haven't talked in years.
-Mm.

Doesn't matter
if you talked yesterday

or 20 years ago.

Don't matter if you got beef

or you got
to swallow your pride.

Just got to do what you got to
do when it comes to your mamas.

EVA:
And that's what a family is.

-Mm.
-And that's

what love is.

DEREK: Finally.

Give me some good news, Doc.

The surgery itself
was a success.

We moved aggressively
to relieve the pressure

from that broken bone
on your spinal cord.

Great.

So, when can I get out of here?

Derek, I need you
to understand something.

This isn't like
patching up a broken arm.

We're looking
at weeks of recovery.

Weeks?

PT starts tomorrow.

Now, physical therapy will help,
but when you leave here,

you'll be in a wheelchair.

For how long?

I can't give you
an accurate timeline.

I'm a firefighter.

That's not just my job,
that's who I am.

MADISON:
I understand. But right now,

you'll need to look
at other opportunities

within the department.

What, like a desk job?

I need you to give it to me
straight, Doc.

If I do everything right,

work twice as hard,
follow every single order,

I'll be able
to walk again, right?

I wish I could tell you
it was just about willpower.

It might be possible.

Then again,

it might not.