02x02 - To Usward

Episode transcripts for the 2016 TV show "Queen Sugar" Aired September 2016 - current.*
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"Queen Sugar" follows the life of two sisters, one a formidable journalist & activist from New Orleans, and the other a modern woman, who, with her teenage son Micah, leaves her upscale apartment in Los Angeles and moves to the heart of Louisiana to claim an inheritance from her recently departed father: an 800-acre sugarcane farm.
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02x02 - To Usward

Post by bunniefuu »

- Charley: Previously on "Queen Sugar"...
- (siren wails)

Get out of the car now!

They won't give me
the loan for the mill.

- What are you talking about?
- Charley: Unless Davis signs off on it.

I think it's best for both of us

if we just keep things professional.

Things didn't end right.
I wanna see you.

Me, too, baby.

Charley: You have my son in custody.
This is your fault!


- Davis: These things happen.
- These things?

You know what your damn problem is?

For once you don't have the answers.

It just feels like all of this
has been moving really fast.

You're breaking up with me?

- Do you want a receipt?
- No.

Thank you.

(music playing on car stereo)

What's going on, Darla?

- Hey.
- Hey.

What are you doing here?

Oh, you know, I just wanted
to see you, that's all.

Come here.

Hey!

Hi.

Pop's taking me out on an errand, Mama.

What? That sounds like a special day.

Wanna come with us?

Can't. Wish I could. Working.

I got you something.

Beignets and that café au lait.

- That's the thing you like, right?
- Yes.

- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.

(clears throat)

So, I wanted to know about us, uh...

taking it slow and all.

But I was hoping I could
take you out tonight.

(laughs)

- On a date.
- (gasps)

A real date.

A proper date.

(horn honks)

You better get going.

No.

Not till I get my answer.

Is that a yes?

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

- You heard that, Blue?
- Yep.

- Bye, my loves.
- Bye.

(theme music playing)

♪ Dreams never die, take
flight, as the world turns ♪


♪ Dreams never die, take
flight, as the world turns ♪


♪ Keep the colors
in the lines, take flight ♪


♪ Dreams never die ♪

♪ Keep the colors in the lines ♪

♪ Keep the colors
in the lines, take flight. ♪


(music playing on stereo)

- (clippers buzzing)
- (chatter)

- Morning, y'all!
- Men: Morning.

How is everybody?

Looking like a queen as always, Nova.

Got some heads up in here
this morning, D.

No doubt. Business been good.

(chuckles)

Thank you.

- (scoffs)
- (change rattles)

This can's a little light, y'all.

Psst, psst.

Take this to the lady.

Thank you, honey. You're a sweetie.

If you come back through a little later,

I promise you it'll be straight.

Tips today... I want 'em
in this here can, fellas.

Y'all feel me?

Every one of y'all know somebody
sitting up in the OPP now

or did some time there in the past

'cause they couldn't raise
, $ to post bail.

A community bail fund could change that.

I'm not here to call anybody out.

I appreciate y'all giving what you can,

but do this for me.

Come out to the community
fundraiser tonight

and show your love
with your presence, too?

- Yeah?
- Man: Yes, ma'am.

And you, too?

I'll see y'all later.

- (door opens)
- Man: All right, girl.

Man # : Take care, now.

(news radio playing in background)

- Hey.
- Violet: Hey!

Dang! You got it going
on in here, Aunt Vi!

Yeah, and the last batch
will be out in a few minutes.

(grunts)

(sniffs) I don't know how I'm
gonna repay you for all the time

- and energy you're putting into this.
- Repay me?

I'm grateful, Aunt Vi.

And I know our volunteers will
be, too, once they get a taste.

- Charley here?
- Yeah.

She fixing to take Micah
to summer school.

He went back already?

Back? He's been for three days.

How's he doing?

Well, he ain't eating much of anything

and acting like nothing's
happened, so I don't know.


Nephew!

(knocking)

Hey, nephew.

Hey.

How's school?

It's all right.

Anything you wanna...

talk about?

No. I just...

I'm fine.

I don't know what
those police said to you...

or what they did...

but we can talk about it.

We can talk about anything.

I'm fine... Aunt Nova, really.

Mill loan come through?

Yeah, should close the next day or so.

At least it better.

You've got this, Charley.

Harvest is right around the corner,

and I've gotta get
these renovations going.

So it's back to NoLa
for another dog and pony show?

I'm meeting with Davis this morning.

Divorce mediation.
It's our final session.

- Why didn't you say something?
- Violet: Say something about what?

What?

My final divorce mediation with Davis

is scheduled for this morning.

- Oh, Charley, baby...
- I'm coming with you.

No, no one is coming with me.

This is why I didn't say anything.

- I know how y'all are.
- That's right! We're family.

Look, I am perfectly capable
of dealing with this by myself.

And what about Micah?

How's he dealing with this?

I know it's hard, but he's resilient.

It's a process.

Well, that boy has a lot
to process right about now

between this and being
stopped by the police.


I'm here for him. He knows that.

Hi. You ready?

Violet: Hey, baby.
Let me fix you some breakfast.

- No, thank you.
- Micah, you need to eat something.

We'll stop on the way.

Bye.

Man: Well, since you're going in late,

I'm thinking hybrid soybean
be your best bet, MG V.

Now, it's gonna cost you
a little more up front,

but it grows to canopy faster

so you'll save on weed control later.

(chicks chirping)

How much more?

(music playing on stereo)

Blue. Hey!

You can't just go in
people's stuff like that.

I'm feeding the chicks.

I think they're hungry.

You know the drill, don't you, Blue?

Ernest used to bring him here.

Come on, Pop, I'll show you.

Just go ahead while I
work you up a price.

- All right.
- (chuckles)

(chirping)

- You can pet it.
- I could pet it?

It's really soft.

What's up, buddy?

(chuckles)

You know, your working
the farm with your sisters,

this soybean planting,

you're thinking like a real farmer.

I appreciate that, Mr. Cyrus.

Ernest is smiling.

(chuckles)

(scoffs)

, ?

Come on, Blue.

- (piano music playing)
- (keyboard clicking, printer whirs)


- The seeds are for Blue's Corner?
- That's right, Blue's Corner.

I'm sorry, but your account is...

- What? Not enough money?
- Oh, no, it's not that.

The signatory requirements have changed.

It now requires another
signature for withdrawals...

Charley Bordelon-West.

Can you let this slide now,
and I'll talk to her?

I can't. Bank policy.

Bank policy.

Come on, let's go, buddy.

Oh, uh, can he have this?

- Yeah.
- Thank you.

- You want one, Pop?
- I'm good, Blue. Come on.

(music playing)

- Roberta.
- Yes, ma'am?

Excuse me, miss. Come on.

What's going on, fellas?

We're a little backed up,
but I'm gonna take care of you.

Okay? All right.

- Aunt Vi!
- Wai... hey.

I'm glad to see you.
What you been doing?

- Helping Pop.
- Well, that's good.

- He needs help, huh?
- Back taking orders?

- I thought you was managing.
- Don't mess with me.

I am down two waitresses,
I got a leak in the kitchen,

and the freezer broke.

Can't serve any bacon or sausage

on account of the health department.

These folks was ready to fight
up in here this morning.

- Damn, that's rough.
- So, if y'all want something to eat,

you're gonna have to be patient.

Matter of fact, I was hoping
for a favor, Aunt Vi.

Well, what's that?

I was wondering if you
could watch Blue for me.

- Where's Darla?
- She working.

I got some business I need
to handle on the farm.

Well, you know Blue is welcome
here with me anytime.

- Thanks, Aunt Vi.
- Mm-hmm.

Can we have spaghetti for dinner?

Dinner, baby?
What are you talking about?

Pop is taking Mama on a date.

- Ralph Angel: Ain't nobody ask
you all that... - (smooching)

All right, baby. Listen, I'm working.

Go behind the counter
and get the sugar packets

and restock the tables.

- Okay.
- Go.

I wanna do something special for Darla.

So?

Well, yeah, you know I'm not
gonna turn down a chance

to spend time with that boy.

Thank you.

You sure you know what you're doing?

Ahem, look, you talk to Charley today?

Not since this morning. Why?

I need to talk to her, that's all.

Well, today is
Charley's divorce mediation.

I didn't know.

I don't know what's going on between
the two of you at the moment,

but I need you to give her
some grace today.

- Remy: Farm account?
- Roberta: Y'all good?

Yeah, baby, thanks.

Why would she have said
anything to me about it?

Y'all been working
on the mill loan together.

You was organizing the farmers for it.

- I figured you probably...
- You figured wrong.

I didn't mean no disrespect.

Oh...

your sister and me...

Look, it's just about that mill.

It's about the mill and getting
through the harvest, and that's all.

And if there's something
on that farm that needs fixing,

I'm sure Charley will spend money on it.

I'm planting a soybean crop.

Got it.

And you need to buy seed?

I'm tired of going to Charley
every time I need something.

This is about the future, right, man?

Pops wanted me to keep farming.

He held on long as he did
so we could build a business,

and that's what I wanna do.

Look here.

I can see you wanna make
your own moves, all right?

Why don't you try to get a microloan

from the Farm Services Agency?

Ain't nobody gonna give me money, Remy.

Not on parole.
sh*t, no credit, too? Come on.

Don't be so quick
to say what somebody gonna do.

Look at... listen to me, man.

I believe in you,
and I believe in that farm.

And whatever's happening or not
happening between me and your sister,

that's not gonna change
the love I got for your daddy,

for your family, and
that land, you hear me?

That microloan program is for
young farmers like yourself

with no capital, little credit,
but who are actually farming

and have small needs here and there.

So long as you got a job,
a farm to work,

and you never been convicted of growing

or distributing dr*gs...
which you haven't been, right?

- (laughs)
- Right?

That means you're eligible.

S-so maybe I could, like...

do it by myself?

Yeah, maybe you could do it by yourself.

Ralph Angel: I'll see y'all.

- Hey.
- What's going on?

Aunt Vi here?

Yeah, she with Blue. They in the back
office.

Where you headed?

I got stuff to do, Nova.
Farm don't just run itself.

I know it don't!

I know you working hard, bro.

Like I said, they in the back there.

Listen, I got a bunch of food
and stuff that I'm hauling

to this fundraiser tonight.

- I was wondering... maybe...
- I can't. I got errands.

- Maybe I could use your truck.
- Plus my truck's already loaded up.

You oughta come and check it out.

Raising money for a bail fund.

Could always use more brothers
supporting the cause.

Nova, I ain't got time
for this right now. Bye.

Excuse me, brother, how you doing?

You wanna come out
to the community bail fund?

Yeah, all right.

You, too. Wanna come? Check it out.

We'll just take a few deep
breaths before we go in.

We should have you out in plenty of time

for you to do what you need to do.

And remember, they have agreed
in principle to everything.

You're in great shape.

(sighs) I just want this to be over.

Eyes on the prize, Charley.
You're almost there.

Woman: Charley, Davis,

this is the last of our
scheduled mediation sessions.

I know it hasn't always been easy,

but I want to commend you both
on your willingness

to seek out common ground
during this process.

It's an emotional time in your lives...

Davis: Excuse me.

I'd like a moment alone with Charley.

Davis, so far this
has been an open process

with open communication.

I know that.

I'm asking for a moment.

Just the two of us.

Davis, what are you doing?

Charley, please.

(door opens)

(door closes)

We're paying them all by the hour.

You know that, right?

(chuckles)

I don't care about the money, Charley.

- You've never had to.
- Well, neither of us has.

And not for a long time.

Look, Charley, we built something
incredible, you know that?

And we did it together.

What is it you're looking for, Davis?

Our assets are all
accounted for in there.

So, this is what our
years comes down to.

Hmm? Just ink and paper.

Okay, so what is it you want, Davis?

We've already agreed on how
we're dividing everything up,


but clearly you've had second thoughts.

So, what is it?

Is it the house in LA,
Aspen property, what?

The property?

That's what you think this is all about?

Well, here. Here you go, Charley.

Take your first pick.
Doesn't really matter to me.

Fine. Let's call everyone
in here and wrap this up.

- I want to talk about Micah.
- What about Micah?

I want to revisit the arrangement.

I want joint custody.

No.

Charley, the reason
I signed with the Stingers

is so that I can spend
more time with Micah.

You don't need joint custody
to spend time with your son.

You simply need to make it a priority.

I want my attorney back in here.

And I don't want
to just see him, Charley.


I want to raise him. He deserves that.

Charley, after what
happened with the police,

it's important that I'm
in his life, his father.

You ain't sh*t, Davis, you know that?

You're the last thing Micah needs.

Okay. Well, look, I've already
spoken with him about it.

You what?! You are a damn liar!

No, no, no. Charley, we
talked about it, all right?

He's in favor of me
having joint custody.

♪ The thin line between love and hate ♪

♪ Battle with myself ♪

♪ And w*r on my own... ♪

- (line ringing)
- ♪ How much of this can I take? ♪


- (cell phone buzzing)
- Hello?

Micah?

Where are you, baby?

- I'm... with friends.
- Who?

Kiki?

Uh, no, I'm just...

I'm just checking out the city, Mom.

Micah, I'm here at your school.

Baby, you just left?

Mom, I'm okay.

I know you keep saying that,
sweetheart, but...


but it's okay if you're not.

- Just tell me where you
are and I'll come to you.


Mom, I'm okay.

I just... I just couldn't
be there today.


I just need you to give me some space.

Okay.

But you have to call me.

Later.

- Promise me, okay?
- I will, I will.

Bye.



(crying)

Like you said, they was
up in the shop this morning.

(both laugh)

You want me to walk you to your car?

Come on, now, D.

Folks know me around here.

Listen, you've done enough,
brother, really.

Nova, Nova...

anything for you.

D'Andre, about the other night,

what happened between us...

Yeah, I can't stop thinking
about it, about you.

Listen...

it was cool.

But, uh, let's... let's
just leave it at that.

You can't blame a brother
for trying, can you?

All I'm saying is that you can call me.

Don't matter what time of day.

You hear me?

I hear you.

- Can I have the can?
- Mm-hmm.

Can I go? Can...

Bye.

(music playing)

Bertie, you look like
you done seen a ghost.

- What is it?
- I'm not even sure I heard it right.

Heard what?

You know the name of
that rig Hollywood's on?

The Octo Oleum? Out in Vermilion Bay?

I need you to start talking. What?

Mona and Jack just left out of here.

Did something happen to their son Leon?

They were talking about an
electrical problem on that rig.

Electrical?

Was there a fire?

You need to spit it out, girl.

What did they say, Roberta?

They were saying that rig
just had an expl*si*n.

(touch tones beeping)

- Okay, baby, pick up.
- (line ringing)

Hollywood, pick up.


This is Hollywood.

Can't get to the phone right now,

but you know what to do.

(bus hissing)

Transfer?

Uh, um, I'm not sure.

- Can I just...
- You need a Jazzy Pass.

- I don't know what that is.
- Or cash. $ . .

Sir, you need to step aside.

Let this other lady
get on the bus, please.

Sorry, sorry.

Excuse me.

(bell tolling)

(bus door closes)

(sighs)

- (music playing)
- (man vocalizing)


(police radio chatter)

♪ Magnetic light in the blue-high haze ♪

♪ A magnifying glass upon my face ♪

♪ It's so hot,
I've been melting out here ♪


♪ I'm made out of plastic out here ♪

♪ You touched down
in the base of my fears ♪


♪ Houston, can-can-can you hear? ♪

- (men chattering)
- ♪ And we both had to harness our pain ♪

♪ Close it and hope it decays ♪

♪ Oh, inhale and I'm up and away ♪

♪ I'm up and away ♪

♪ You dare know
what the scarecrow hears... ♪


- (music playing)
- How's your food?

- It's really good.
- (chuckles)

- How's yours?
- Good.

I kind of forgot how to do this.

I know.

I didn't think I'd be so nervous.

It's been a minute.

I think my last official date was...

definitely before Blue.

Don't act like you forgot.

They let us stay up in the Apple Barrel

- till : AM.
- (Blue squealing)

I remember how you was dancing.

Can you play a little softer
with Kenya, please?

And you have to eat, too, Blue.

(whispers) We have to play quiet now.

So, um, how was your day?

It was big.

Yeah. I'm getting a loan.

- What? - At least I hope
it comes through, mm-hmm.

- (Blue humming)
- That's amazing.

- Mn-hmm
- How is that even...

Making moves.
Make more money on the farm.

Without Charley having
her hands all in it.

- (Blue playing) - Went down to the
FSA today, filled out the paperwork.


- What about your parole?
- They said it doesn't matter.

They wanna help farmers like me.

I'm happy for you.

- (mutters)
- (Blue humming tune)

- Blue, sit down.
- He just playing.

- They're trying to have dinner.
- Darla, they don't mind.

That's not how I want him
to act when we're out.

Hey.

It's just new for you, right, buddy?

It's okay. It's new for us, too.

- I like that.
- Thank you.

(line ringing)

Female voice:
Your call is being forwarded

to an automated voice messaging system.

At the tone, please record your message.

When you're finished
recording, you may hang up


or press for more options.

- (beeps)
- Hi, Mom.

It's me.

I thought...

I was hoping you'd pick up.

I was thinking about
when I was a little girl.

You always knew what to say
when the days didn't go my way.

Okay, then.

Look, I miss you.

Uh...

just call when you have a chance.

- (music playing)
- (laughs)

- Would you like anything else?
- Oh, we good.

- Dessert menu?
- Me and Kenya want dessert!

- That's your doll?
- Uh-huh!

You know, you should get Transformers.

Those are really cool.

Ralph Angel: Ahem.

Uh, we're gonna get
two ice cream sundaes,

all the toppings y'all got,

one for my son and one for his doll.

You got me?

- Not a problem.
- All right.

Hi.

Everything okay?

Tough day?

Yeah, things didn't go
exactly as I planned.

Thought I'd be divorced by now.

I don't normally receive visitors today

on account of it being the
anniversary of Shauna's death.

Oh, my God. I am so sorry, Remy.

- It's okay.
- I-I should go.

- No.
- I don't even know why I'm here.

You're here now.

You may as well keep me company.

Please.

This is a beautiful place.

Yeah.

It belonged to Shauna's grandmother.

(chuckles)

We worked on it together.

- Is that hers?
- Yeah.

Shauna was in the, uh, Army Reserves.

She genuinely loved serving her country.

She was assigned
to a transportation unit

and stationed in Afghanistan
near Kandahar, and...

We talked most nights and...

it was late here.

(music playing)

Remy: She said it was
sunny that morning there.


She sounded really...

at peace.

Remy: The truck she was in...

ran over an...

ran over an IED.

And that was four years ago today.

- I'm so sorry, Remy.
- It's okay.

It's okay.

Your daddy, he, um...

I wouldn't have got through it
if it wasn't for him.

♪ ...covered in shame ♪

♪ Your subtle weight... ♪

(crying)

♪ Oh, as trouble lands... ♪

Oh, God, I miss her.

♪ ...face first in our bed ♪

♪ I hide it all away
at the sound of your face ♪


♪ I am safe, here and now. ♪

Didn't think I'd be here today.

But then I never thought I'd end up

in Orleans Parish Prison neither.

(chatter)

I went in for a misdemeanor charge.

Didn't have the $ to post bail,

so that's where I stayed.

Long enough to lose my job.

My lady and my baby boy
got put out of our apartment.


Like I said...

didn't think I'd be here today.

But when I saw Nova Bordelon this
morning over at the barbershop...

(siren approaching)

something put it in my heart
to come and tell my story,

to let folks know
this bail fund is important...

- (crowd agrees)
- ...and that we have a voice.

- (light applause)
- And we should speak up.

And I guess just...
that's why I'm here today.


(crowd cheering and applauding)

Nova: Thank you, Trevor.

- That's why we're here.
- Man: Hell, yeah!

We're here for those whose
voices cannot be heard tonight,

men and women locked up
for no other reason

than because they're poor and black.

These brothers and sisters
find themselves


caught up in a system
meant to destroy them,


falling into an abyss
that has swallowed up

too many of our people for too long.

These police officers,
they're trying to intimidate us.

They want us to fear them.

- But we're not afraid.
- Man: They don't scare us!

They want us to fade away, but we won't.

They want to erase our humanity,

to act as if we don't exist,

but these black bodies are real!

Precious!

We cannot allow black bodies

to simply be disposed of like trash!

(scattered cheering, clapping)

(music playing)

(thuds)

Mmm...

You leave enough?

I got it.

The tip, though.

He don't deserve no tip
after what he said to Blue.

He lucky he getting paid.

We have to leave him a little something,

show him we're not on his level.

Don't you want to set
an example for Blue?

Look, I only brought a certain
amount of money for tonight.

I wasn't planning on that extra dessert,

but the waiter got me.

What you doing? No.

- I want to. I want to.
- You can't do that. No.

You're not supposed to.

This is me taking you out.

I'm trying to do this right.

You are doing this right.

Ralph Angel...

you don't have to play a role for me.

We are so beyond that, right?

Let's just be us.

Who we are.

Honest with each other.

Okay?

All right.

Me and Kenya wanna go now.

All right, we... we getting outta here.

This is Ralph Angel Bordelon.

I got your message about my application.

Sounds like it's looking real good.

Did my best with projections
and budgets.

Mr. Newell helped me out with it.

Um, I'm leaving this message,
let y'all know

that I'ma get that letter
from my employer

and the title as soon as I can.

All right, I appreciate it.

(sighs)

Charley: You made this?

What?

It's good, that's what.

You think Violet's the only person

- can make pie in St. Jo?
- Mm.

She'd cut you if she heard different.

You're right about that.

I owe you an apology.

Remy, stop.

I'm the one who showed up at
your door unannounced tonight.

I... I should be the one
saying I'm sorry.

I just meant I was in a hurry.

Trying to make up for what feels like

four years of lost time, you know?

Pushing you to make a choice
before you were ready...

while you were trying to figure out

if what you had with Davis
was worth fighting for.

It wasn't.

I know that now.

Maybe so.

But it doesn't change my part in it.

You've got nothing
to apologize for, Remy.

I appreciate that, but I've been there.

Hell, it feels like
I'm still there sometimes.

So angry about what I lost,

about what was taken from me.

It just clouds everything
some days, you know?

Yeah.

(sighs)

You are the first woman
that I wanted to know

since my wife, Charley.

And I want to know everything.

But before that can happen,

you need to mourn
the loss of your marriage.

You need to push past the anger
and allow yourself to grieve.

♪ We share a story... ♪

Nova, faint: We're here to advocate...

♪ You are ♪

♪ We are ♪

♪ I am you ♪

♪ I am you ♪

♪ We share a story ♪

♪ We share a story ♪

♪ You are ♪

♪ We are... ♪

You're here.

I just couldn't go to school today.

And I didn't know where to go
or what to do, so I just...

It's okay, Micah.

It's gonna be okay.

(music continues)

♪ You are ♪

♪ We are ♪

♪ I am you ♪

♪ I am you ♪

♪ You are ♪

♪ We are ♪

♪ I am you. ♪
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