01x09 - Can't Knock the Hustle

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Bel-air". Aired: February 13, 2022 –; present.*
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Re-imagination of the beloved sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" set in modern-day America.
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01x09 - Can't Knock the Hustle

Post by bunniefuu »

- Previously on "Bel-Air"...
- You have a gift, Viv.

The world needs to
see your talent again.

Let's talk about the
Neeman artistic fellowship.

This is Judge Robertson.

Heard a lot about you, Will.

Hey, I'd rather meet you out here

at a fancy dinner party
than in a courtroom.

And I can do it my way, without you.

If you leave,

all the content you've
created in this house

belongs to me and you owe me a k*ll fee.

This special election has gotten
complicated since you jumped in.

Our debate should decide which one of us

continues to stand in the election.

Loser bows out, throwing his
full support behind the winner.

Hey, Mom. Can we talk?

About what, baby?

About my dad.

I need you to do me a
favor. Look into my pops?

Maybe you should try a different tact

- with Will's dad, huh?
- If you knew Lou,

you wouldn't say that.

He's not someone Will
needs in his life right now.

Now, why'd you really leave Philly?

I came here from Philly...

- [ALL SHOUTING]
- [g*nsh*t]

For a better education.

[WHISPERING] I trust you, Will.

[LO-FI HIP-HOP MUSIC]

♪ ♪

[SIGHS]

- [KNOCK AT DOOR]
- Come in.

- Morning, Will.
- Morning.

Your uncle wants you to hurry up.

I'm almost done. Yo, can
you help me fix my tie?

Of course.

Boy. What have you done here?

♪ ♪

- There.
- Thanks G.

Yo, uh...

about what I... what I asked for...

It's in the works, but today,

all you need to worry
about is your uncle.

This is important for
him, you understand?

Yeah.

♪ I don't wanna tell you too much ♪

♪ ♪

Okay, but how do we know what kind of

political environment
we're walking in on?

Ashley, you were baptized
at Lily of the Valley.

It's one of the oldest Black
churches in Los Angeles.

Besides, everyone there
votes just like us.

[GASPS] Okay, I see you, Will.

- Happy Sunday, y'all.
- Yeah. So handsome.

You know, I wish I was
speaking after your solo, son,

'cause you're gonna
bring the house down.

Yeah, I'll try not to
steal your thunder, Dad.

Wait, um, "solo" as in Carlton singing?

Yeah, you didn't know?

Your cousin has an amazing voice.

Carlton, you look so handsome.

Thank you, Mom.

You too, baby. You look great.

Thank you.

Hold up, Will, we don't
have time for that.

Just grab an apple or something.

Hilary will be here in a
second, then we're leaving.

Course she's late, per usual.

Viv, Reverend Lamonte
is eager to showcase

our big, happy family.

Folks don't want to see no drama.

And by folks, you mean voters?

[LAUGHS]

Prepare yourselves. I'm here.

- Mm.
- Oh.

- Okay!
- Hilary, you look gorgeous.

Hey, Hilary, get off my neck, yo.

- What does that even mean?
- I'll tell you later.

Oh, okay. Come on, everybody.

We don't want to be in the last pew.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up. Hold up.

You know, looking at
you all makes me realize

how blessed I really am.

Not just today, but every day.

Amen. God has been good to us.

He sure has.

Let's go give Him proper thanks.

And if we're worthy enough,

hopefully He'll continue
to shed His blessings.

Hey, won't He do it?

- Oh, won't He will!
- Won't He will.

[EASY MCCOY'S "DÉJÀ VU"]

♪ ♪

[UPBEAT ORGAN MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Man, I cannot wait to
hear you sing today.

So wait, so what type of singer are you?

I don't know, it's just
kind of, like, my own thing.

But, like, if you were, like,
in Boyz II Men or whatever,

like, would you be, like,
Wanya or, like, Nate, like...

oh, yo, what up, Reverend?

- Gentlemen, how are you?
- Good, good.

- Good. Morning.
- Good morning.

I promise I won't do
no stepping this time.

Well, you never know where
the Spirit might lead you.

[CHUCKLES] I'll see you guys in there.

Lookin' forward to it, all right?

Thank you, sir.

Ooh, okay, Ashley, here's your chance.

Well, I was saying that the church needs

to put more people
who identify as LGBTQ+

in higher positions
beyond the choir director.

That's a thoughtful observation, Ashley.

And a work-in-progress here, but, uh,

I'll keep it in mind, okay?

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

- Reverend Lamonte.
- What's up, brother?

- I'm good. How are you?
- All is well.

Listen, I was wondering
if the church was gonna

mobilize its Turn Out
the Vote shuttle service

for this special election.

Oh, you just... just curious?

You know...

That question just came to you

- for no reason?
- It just dropped down.

I mean, I admit it
would aid in my campaign

and, you know, it
wouldn't hurt to show that

our people do turn out to vote
whenever there's an election.

All right. I'll see what we can do.

- All right, appreciate that.
- Yes, sir.

All right.

Ivy?

- Oh, my God, Hilary?
- [BOTH LAUGH]

- Yes!
- BOTH: Mwah, mwah.

Look at you, girl. All grown up.

It's been a minute since
you came through here.

I know.

Girl, do you remember when you taught me

how to use eyeliner in the bathroom?

Oh, my God, I was such
a bad influence, but you?

- You were a quick learner.
- It's true.

So speaking of influence,
okay, Miss Million Followers.

- . , but who's counting?
- Okay!

Well, you know, I'm also
in the business myself.

Oh, I know. Love your stuff.

- Really?
- Mm-hmm.

Okay, well, we should definitely collab,

if you'd be open to that.

[BELLS RINGING]

Excuse me, ladies. Hilary,
we gotta get inside.

Okay.

- We'll talk.
- Yes. Okay, bye.

- It's good to see you.
- Yes, it's gonna be great.

Hey, how you doin'? Will
Smith, nice to meet you.

- Hi. Ivy.
- Will, stop.

- Good to meet you.
- Hey, Ivy, what's up?

[FAINT ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING]

♪ ♪

Wait, wait, wait, hold on. [INDISTINCT]

Yo. C. Talk for a second, man?

Yeah, what's up, Will?

Um...

look, there's something
that's been bothering me.

Okay.

So it's like this door, right?

And it's like, I really want to open it

but everyone's been warning me not to.

Yo, whoa, what are we talking about?

My dad, man.

Man, I have the opportunity to know

who he is and why he left me,

but I don't know if it's a good idea.

What do you think?

Um, jeez, Will, that's big.

[SIGHS] Look, I'm sorry.

I don't really know what to say.

But you're in a place where people come

to see signs and find answers.

Look, I'm sorry, I have to go back

and join the choir,
but you're all right?

Yeah. Man, good luck, man.

Thanks.

♪ ♪

Steven tells me that the Thirsty Chef's

been scrubbed from every
corner of the internet.

Yes, you and your
campaign manager can relax.

I'll be perfect till Election Day.

Look, I know we've been hard on you.

But you should know
that we're very proud

of how you handled
that situation with Kylo

and got out of that contract.

Who knows?

Maybe law school's still in your future.

Hey, yo, Aunt Viv,

my mom used to tell me stories

about how you used to
sing off-key at church.

- Is that true?
- No!

Because, unlike Vy, I can harmonize.

Ah! [CHUCKLES]

The Bible warns us not
to have two masters.

[CONGREGANTS MURMURING]

Because we cannot divide our
devotion and our ambitions

any more than we can divide
our hearts and our souls.

- [CONGREGANTS MURMURING]
- Mm.

I see a lot of you all
out there trying to serve

three and four different masters.

- [CONGREGANTS AGREEING]
- You want money,

fame, power, and... come on now.

- Preach!
- [CONGREGANTS MURMURING]

Eternal life.

- Hmm.
- Now hear me.

Lily of the Valley Church,

you better choose the
one who loves you back!

[SCATTERED APPLAUSE AND AGREEMENT]

- Preach!
- Mm.

You better choose God.

[APPLAUSE]

Now for the real
reason you all come here

- and tolerate my words.
- [LAUGHTER]

This young man hasn't graced our church

with his voice in a few years.

I'm so glad to have
Carlton Banks back here

with us today to share his gift.

Come on.

[APPLAUSE]

Yeah! Carlton!

[GENTLE ORGAN MUSIC]

Yeah, in His name now.

♪ ♪

♪ He saw the best in me ♪

[CONGREGANTS MURMUR APPROVINGLY]

♪ When everyone else around me ♪

♪ Could only see the worst in me ♪

♪ I wish I had a witness tonight ♪

♪ He saw the best... ♪ [VOICE BREAKS]

Come on, C.

[VOICE BREAKING] ♪ When everyone else ♪

♪ Around me ♪

♪ Could only see the worst in me ♪

- It's all right, baby.
- You got this.

It's okay, son, you got this.

- Come on now.
- Just breathe. Breathe, son.

♪ He saw the best in me ♪

[TENSE MUSIC]

♪ ♪

My God.

[CONGREGANTS MUTTERING]

I'm sorry, I-I can't...

I'm sorry, I can't.

- [MIC FEEDBACK WHINES]
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Amen, amen! Amen.

Have somebody check in on him.

Jess, could you play something
for the church choir, please?

[PHONE KEYBOARD CLACKING]

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

- Hey.
- Hey.

Is Carlton okay?

There's not something wrong

you're not telling me about, right?

No, why would you think
we'd hide anything from you?

I don't know, it just
seems like you and Dad

like to keep things
from me for my own good.

Listen. Your brother's fine.

So what's up, then?

Yeah, I was just noticing that

you've gone from
promoting climate change

to championing LGBTQ causes,

and I was just checking in about that.

Civil rights and climate change

are both very vital social issues.

I agree.

And I haven't traded one for the other.

I'm just advocating on multiple fronts.

I get that... in fact, I love it.

I was just wondering if
there was a reason why

gay rights has become
more important to you.

Seriously?

I mean, the real question is,

why aren't the human
rights of any social group

at the top of everyone's concerns?

Of course, I mean,
that's why your father

and I donated to marriage equality.

Commendable,

although those issues
have advanced beyond that.

Listen,

I just want you to know
that you can talk to me

about these issues, or other issues.

I mean, whatever's on your mind.

Okay? Hmm?

Okay. Thanks.

Good.

[LIGHT MUSIC]

Okay, I'll talk to you later.

♪ ♪

[SIGHS]

God, I felt so bad for Carlton up there.

- Yo, he was k*lling it too.
- I know.

He can really sing.

I can't believe he just got stage
fright like that all of a sudden.

You really think it's just nerves?

Yeah, what else would it be?

- What do you know, cuz?
- I don't know nothin'.

I mean, you do know your
brother likes to party, right?

Yeah, this is Bel-Air.
Everyone likes to party.

No, I'm talking about the hard stuff.

Coke? Xanax?

What?

How bad is it?

I've seen it get scary.

Wait, you really don't know about this?

No.

I guess I just wasn't paying attention.

Okay, this is bad.

Okay, Will, you need to go talk to him

and figure out what the deal is.

I don't know if he wants to talk to me.

Look, sometimes, family
means checking in with people,

whether they want that or not.

You think I want my parents all
up in my business all the time?

- Why don't you go talk to him?
- Well, I haven't seen what you've seen,

so it'd be different coming from me.

Besides, you two are really
getting along now, right?

Yeah, we are actually.

[SIGHS] Okay, I'll talk to him.

Thank you.

Oh, you mean, like, right now?

Yeah, I'll keep your plate warm for you.

Just one sec...

- Will.
- Mm-mm-mm.

[SCOFFS]

[LINE TRILLS]

Yo, what's good?

Hey. Are you free right now?

[CAR ENGINE WHINING]

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

- Come in.
- C, you all right?

- I'm fine.
- [TIRES SQUEAL]

Are you sure?

What do you want, Will?

I honestly just want
to know how you're doing

and what happened up there.

I didn't eat anything this morning,

the church was hot as
hell, and I felt dizzy.

And I didn't want anyone
to see me fall out.

Happy?

Okay...

Don't give me "Okay." What
are you getting at, Will?

Listen, last time you got stage fright,

you were supposed to
do that poem with Lisa,

but instead, you were
doing coke in your closet.

And today I could tell
you were nervous, so...

I wasn't nervous.

You don't know sh*t, Will.

I suffer from anxiety.

And the sad part is, I have anxiety

about telling people I have anxiety,

and so then it just builds on itself,

and it just keeps going, and
it gets louder and louder,

and, you know,

I use the dr*gs to... to cope with it.

You know, it's funny 'cause
I didn't even use them today.

I probably should have.

I knew I was gonna struggle.

I saw all the red flags,

but my dad was just so
excited to have me sing.

I just want to make my dad proud of me.

The grades, the sports...

Carlton...

your dad thinks the world of you.

And if you need me, I'm there
for you whenever, wherever.

You're struggling? Let me know.

If you think you need them dr*gs?

Look at me.

Let me know. No judgment.

This sh*t won't be so heavy if
you let me carry it with you.

I really appreciate
you saying that, Will.

Really.

I think right now, I just
need to be alone, though.

[TENSE MUSIC]

♪ ♪

♪ Hopscotching all over these n*gg*s ♪

♪ Kick rocks, baby, let
me count my figures ♪

♪ You know I'ma deliver
every single time ♪

♪ I'm a long-term winner ♪

♪ You couldn't survive
in a stone-cold blizzard ♪

♪ Daddy need his North Face ♪

Okay, good. Nobody's here.

♪ I'ma need a new
place to be a believer ♪

Kinda wish Kylo was here so
I could slap his tall ass.

Look, I brought you here

to help me get my
stuff and keep lookout.

I don't need you fighting anybody.

- But I appreciate the sentiment.
- Hey, whatever it takes.

You know, I've been looking for
a opportunity to impress you.

- Oh!
- Mm-hmm.

Well, I'll be impressed

if you could get up there
and get my sign for me.

- Not a problem.
- [BOTH CHUCKLING]

♪ I ain't even trying to f*ck my ex ♪

Hilary, I got a question, though.

Yes?

I just don't understand
why we're in here

stealing your own stuff.

Like, can't you just
borrow Gs from your dad

and all this be over with?

Let's not go there, okay?
I need to do this on my own.

Oh, you gotta do things on your own?

Okay.

Well,

with a little help from you.

But don't tell nobody, okay?

But no, I do owe you one.

Oh, well, in that case,

I was thinking that maybe after here,

we can go back to my crib.

Now, I'm not the type
of cook that you are.

But I can show you my cooking skills,

cook you a little din-din.

Hmm, that could be cute.

Or... I'm staying at this bungalow

at this five-star hotel.

Maybe we could go there
and order room service.

Yeah.

Okay.

[BOTH LAUGHING]

♪ b*tches on a mission
to demolish my existence ♪

♪ But I'm too persistent
with my talents ♪

Three, two, one, oh!

Anything is possible!

- [KNOCK AT DOOR]
- Yo, what up, G?

Hey.

A comprehensive report on your father.

[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]

Is he alive?

Yeah. Very much so.

♪ ♪

- Have you read this?
- Of course.

Do I want to read this?

That has to be up to you.

Look...

what I will say is that
if you do pursue this,

it won't only change your
life or your father's.

It will impact this entire family.

[SIGHS]

♪ ♪

[SIGHS]

These are great.

If Wilkes wants to go for the jugular,

we're ready for him.

And I'll tell you something else.

Female voters are gonna abandon him

when they find out that he cheated

on his first wife while
she was dying of lupus.

- Game over, fellas.
- All right.

Is using this an
option or the game plan?

Well, I guess that's up to you, Phil.

The winner of this debate takes all.

You're awfully quiet, Geoffrey.

It'll make for a lively debate.

Two Black men up on stage,

tearing each other
down... they'll love it.

That's politics, Geoffrey.

Right.

Feels too personal.

Well, I can't see it any other way.

Let's say Wilkes wins the coin toss

and he gets to start the debate.

What happens when the first words

out of his mouth are about

the unsavory clients
that you represented?

Or he paints a picture
that you and your family

are too rich and out of touch?

What do you do then? Hmm?

If you're gonna look at
me like that, Geoffrey,

you might as well speak your mind.

You want this as bad as
you've ever wanted anything.

And?

So let's just be honest about it

so we can be in the
best position to win.

You think I'm pretending
to be uncomfortable

about airing out that
man's personal life?

Not pretending outright.

It's just that you prefer
to feel like you've been

talked into doing things
that cross the line.

You need to tell yourself
you had no choice, right?

I think I'm in the wrong room,

because I came here for debate prep,

but it feels like I walked
into a therapy session.

Apologies. I said more than I should.

Look, Phil, you worked hard for this.

And you could make a huge
difference if you win,

but playing nice is not
gonna cut it, brother.

All right.

You've both given me
a lot to think about.

Ask me some debate questions.

That's what I'm talking about.

Can we put the tea and crumpets away?

Let's talk politics.

[FUNKY MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Right, it's absolutely gorgeous.

How many students does he have?

He usually only takes
about two or three fellows.

Really?

Gorgeous.

- Oh.
- Mrs. Banks.

You weren't expecting to see
the likes of us, were you?

No.

Well, it's usually white
men sitting in those chairs.

And it's usually a
-year-old sitting in yours.

Yeah, well, I guess a lot of things

changed in the art world since I left.

And I suppose both
changes represent progress.

Indeed.

Shall we begin?

Yes, I'm ready.

All right, then, Ms. Vivian Banks,

tell Janice and I why you
deserve this fellowship.

Well, my paintings aim

to capture the beauty and strength

of ordinary Black folk in portraiture.

I don't typically pose my subjects.

Instead, I just try to
depict them as they are.

- My intention...
- We... we know all that.

But what we would like to know today is,

why did you stop painting for so long?

You know, I'm supposed to tell you

that the demands of
marriage and motherhood

swept the paintbrush out of my hand.

But the truth is...

I just got tired of all the battles

I had to face being
a Black, female artist

once the painting was done.

Because painting is the easy part.

It's natural. It's my gift from God.

But once the paint dries,

you have to explain who you are,

then you have to explain
your work to these men,

and then you have to fight
to get into an exhibit,

fight to be noticed,

and I got tired of trying
to twist whatever I was doing

to fit into whatever
was popular on the scene.

And then you have to fight even harder

just to get your work to be sold.

It's just too much.

Then what brought you back?

My nephew, he moved in with us.

And he is just...

so free and...

unapologetically himself.

Got this fire to just take life head on,

and I was like, "I
used to be like that."

And I realized, I can
still be like that.

That realization got me
excited to create again.

And once I got started, I just
wanted to do it more and more,

and so now, my perspective,
after all of these years,

is that my work can
resonate out in the world

without me having to define
it on anyone else's terms.

So I just want to work and
I just want to shine and...

[CHUCKLES]

I know you have a lot
to think about, so...

Well, actually, we don't.

We decided before you came in today

that we want to offer you
the fellowship, Vivian.

[SOFT MUSIC]

♪ ♪

- [CHUCKLING]
- What?

And your answers just
reinforced our decision.

But we can't make it official

until you take the time to think about

what the demands of
accepting this fellowship

would mean for you.

What demands do you mean?

Travel, speaking engagements, press.

We just want to be sure

that anyone who accepts the fellowship

can fulfill all of the
expected requirements.

So take hours to think on it,

and then let us know your decision.

Yes, you and Councilman Tompkins

have been very supportive,
and I assure you...

- [KNOCKING AT DOOR]
- Yeah?

[WHISPERING] I'm on the phone.

Agreed, agreed.

Our ideas on reform align.

Thank you. All right, goodbye.

What's wrong, nephew?

I-I asked Geoffrey to find my father.

So he did.

He found him.

He said that there could
be some stuff in here

that could cause some problems.

Which is why I don't want to open it.

I don't want to know
him because the truth is,

you've been more of a father to me

than any man ever has.

And I love you as if
you were my own boy.

[CRYING]

♪ ♪

And I'm thankful that
you're in our lives

and in this family.

That's why I don't need this.

You're your own man, Will.

I'm proud of you, and
I'm always here for you.

I know.

Good.

[SOMBER PIANO MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Yo.

- You good?
- Yeah.

I, um...

I know I was talking to you
in church about it, but...

I decided not to try to
learn more about my father.

- Oh, why not?
- I'm happy.

And I just feel like

whatever I learned would hurt that.

Oof, that sad-ass tune
came from happiness? Okay.

No, that's how I feel

every time I think about my pops.

Well, just so you know,

you can still feel the same way

even if your dad is part of your life.

You, uh...

you stopped me from using today.

I was this close right after you left.

But then I thought about what you said.

So I'm letting you know. Thank you.

Yeah. I'm glad I could help.

Proud of you.

I think you should
toss that stuff, though.

Yeah.

I flushed it.

I'm done with that stuff. No bullshit.

Good.

[SIGHS]

Well, I'm about to get something to eat,

- if you're hungry.
- Oh, man.

I was actually supposed
to be linking with Lisa,

but she's not answering her phone.

- Have you heard from her?
- No.

We kind of eased up communication

after her dad joining the
campaign race against my dad.

Isn't that weird for you guys?

Oh, no, we keep that church and state.

You know what I'm saying?

Good. I'm happy for you.

But don't worry about it.
Right, her phone probably d*ed.

She's usually pretty bad with that.

- You're good.
- Okay.

[LINE TRILLING]

Don't even think about answering that.

- We're not done.
- Dad, I'm telling you,

- you're wrong about him.
- I wish I was,

but I know for a fact he's trouble.

- You have to stop seeing him.
- You keep saying that,

but how could you know
anything about him?

Judge Robertson sent me this

after he decided to
back me and my campaign.

Will was arrested after
a fight in Philadelphia.

There was a g*n involved.

Philip Banks reached out
to Robertson for a favor

to make it all go away,
which he did, unfortunately.

I can't believe you'd stoop
this low to win the election.

"Stoop"?

A man who would circumvent
the law like that

doesn't deserve to be DA, Lisa.

You're assuming that it really happened

and it's not just some
lies Robertson told you?

Well, go ask Will yourself,
if that's what it's gonna take.

But once you know the
truth, that better be

the last time you speak with him.

[TENSE MUSIC]

How did you get your hands on that?

He gave it to me.

Yeah, apparently, even Will realizes

he doesn't need Lou
in his life right now.

Or he was too scared to open it alone.

Maybe, instead of taking
the answer from him,

we should have helped
him to confront the truth.

[CHUCKLES]

[CLEARS THROAT]

Why, man? Hmm?

Why?

I asked you not to. Hmm?

I asked you not to, and you just,

- what, went behind my back?
- I told you.

I wasn't comfortable with your ask.

So all of a sudden, you don't
trust me to do what's right?

Is that it?

What I'm saying is that the
boy has the right to know.

You work for me,
Geoffrey. You work for me.

How could you forget that?

Oh, come on, man.

We both know my real job is to protect

you and your family.

Sometimes those two things don't align.

You mean protect them from me?

I mean to protect them
from your ambitions.

Because once those start
stirring up inside you,

everything and everyone
gets steamrolled.

Bullshit. Bullshit.

The only reason you sided with Lou

is because you feel guilty

about leaving your own boy behind.

[TENSE MUSIC]

♪ ♪


I've watched you attain
every dream you ever wanted,

and that finish line just keeps moving.

Yeah, well, that's
how my children get fed

- and how you get paid.
- Oh, come on, man!

You keep going on about
me being an employee,

but because I love you and your family,

I just can't keep my mouth shut,

even if it is my job.

By all means.

- Don't stop now.
- All right.

Your wife's dream
drowned underneath yours.

Your son didn't even get a
chance to develop his dream

because he's just an extension of yours.

- Your daughter...
- Hey!

You're treading on very
dangerous territory, my friend.

All right. Fred Wilkes.

He's a flawed man, but
he's also a good man,

and you are going to destroy him,

because when push comes to shove,

you always do what it takes,

even at the expense of
the people who love you.

♪ ♪

[SCOFFS, CHUCKLES]

[SIGHS]

Sadly, I can't trust you anymore.

You're fired.

If you fire me,

it'll raise too many questions

that you don't really want to answer.

So let's just say I'm going on
an immediate leave of absence.

You had a family emergency.

You have to attend without delay.

- Right.
- Right.

♪ ♪

Prove me wrong, Phil.

Because if you don't,

your family is going to
split under the pressure.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

[FISTS THUMPING]

[LO-FI HIP-HOP MUSIC]

♪ ♪

- Hey.
- Hey.

Everything all right?

Yeah.

I just wanted to let you know that

Will came to see me earlier

and said he didn't want to
know anything about his father.

I know you've been
talking about telling him

the real story, so I just
wanted to let you know.

Just like that?

But why?

Well, he just didn't want to know.

Maybe it was church. I don't know.

Or maybe he knows that no
good could come from it.

I figured you should tell Vy.

Well, I'm not so sure
the issue's settled.

Well, I just had it out
with Geoffrey over this,

so I think it should be
settled until Will unsettles it.

I mean, it's his choice, clearly.

Speaking of Geoffrey, what is this about

that he has a family emergency
that he's got to attend to?

[SIGHS] I'm not sure actually.

Well, you know, Geoffrey,
he's so vague about it.

It couldn't come at a worse time.

Your DA race couldn't be crazy enough,

and if I get this fellowship,

we're gonna need someone to
be looking out for the kids.

Viv,

whatever the kids get
into, we can handle it.

We always do.

It won't be that simple

when we're both busier
than ever, and for once,

I just can't drop everything
to take care of it.

You're saying I'm not doing my part?

I'm saying that

maybe I shouldn't
accept this fellowship.

I mean, they'd want me lecturing

all over the world for a year,

and we're gonna need somebody here

to hold down the home front.

I can do that.

Let me do that.

As DA?

Phil, you are not superhuman.

Excuse me?

Viv.

Hey.

Look at where we started

and look at where we are.

I can do this.

And I don't want you to
be worried or concerned

about anything when it
comes to this family,

because this family is strong.

And when things get rough,
I'll be here to handle it.

Anyway, this is all a moot point

unless I do well in the debate tonight.

I should get going. I'll see you there?

Absolutely.

Phil.

Look, I know I've been busy

and I haven't been around as much...

But I am so proud of you.

I love you.

Go out there and win this thing, hmm?

I will.

And I love you too.

[GENTLE MUSIC]

♪ ♪

[SIGHS]

♪ Over the moon ♪

♪ To the stars ♪

♪ We flying around town ♪

♪ Sipping that Crown Royal on ice ♪

[LOVE, MAE C.'S "GO"]

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ 'Cause you make me ♪

♪ You make me go ♪

♪ You make me, oh ♪

♪ Light it up, ride it tough ♪

- ♪ Bonnie, I'll Clyde with ya ♪
- [LINE TRILLING]

- Hello?
- Hi, Janice.

- This is Vivian Banks.
- Vivian!

I didn't expect to hear
from you until tomorrow.

Yeah, well, I've been
doing a lot of thinking

since our meeting today,

especially the part where

you went over the
guidelines for everything.

Did you have a question?

No, I...

Listen, it's like this.

My husband is in the
middle of a campaign,

running for district attorney,

and I think he has a
real sh*t of winning.

And then my nephew
just moved in with us,

which has been an
adjustment, to say the least,

then my son, who has had
anxiety issues in the past,

seems like he's starting to
struggle with that again...

oh, and then I have a
daughter walking around

hiding secrets from
me because she thinks

I can't handle it, and
I got another daughter

who's sharin' all her
business on social media,

so when I put all that together,

in terms of what I should
do, instead of what I can do,

I really just don't think this
is the right time for me...

Vivian, as I told you,

our policy is to give artists hours

to consider whether or not to accept.

Now we have good reasons to
be strict about that policy.

So I cannot and I will not accept

an answer from you right now.

I understand.

Great.

Well, we'll speak to you tomorrow

after you've fully
considered the matter.

Okay, well,

I guess I'll talk to you tomorrow, then.

Buh-bye.

♪ I don't wanna stop now ♪

♪ I don't wanna stop now ♪

♪ Ooh, mm ♪

♪ You got that type of feelin'
reach the ceiling, baby ♪

[SIGHS]

Damn, man, we're out
of my mom's leftovers.

Yeah, you can blame me for that one.

Well, you better be hitting
up some delivery apps then,

'cause I was looking forward
to reheating them greens.

And I am not going to the debate

on an empty stomach, you feel me?

[DOORBELL CHIMES]

[DOORBELL CHIMES]

You gonna get that?

Are you?

Okay, wait, where's Geoffrey?

[DOOR CLICKS]

Hey. What's up?

Tell me this isn't you, Will.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

♪ ♪

How'd you find that?

Does it matter? Is it you?

This isn't what it looks like, Lis...

Shut up, Carlton.

Are you gonna speak?

- [SCOFFS]
- Lisa, hold on.

Hold on, hold on. Don't
leave, don't leave.

Well, then tell me something
that doesn't make it

seem so bad that you lied to me

about who you really
are and why you're here.

- Lisa...
- I took up for you

every time my dad told
me to stay away from you,

and, like an idiot, I defended you

when he told me that you were trouble.

Oh, I can't believe he was right.

Lisa...

can we talk?

Alone? Please.

♪ ♪

[SIGHS]

Lisa, listen.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, and I have no excuse.

This is so f*cked up,
Will. Why would you lie?

Because I felt like I
needed to respect Uncle Phil

- when he told me not to tell...
- I hid nothing from you.

I caught hell for you, and damn
it, Will, we had sex, and I...

I feel like I don't know
the first thing about you.

Lisa, please, don't say that.

I'll tell you everything.

I will tell you everything.

Okay.

[SIGHS]

Did you sh**t someone?

No.

I sh*t a g*n into the
air to break up a fight.

So your uncle did break the law.

Yeah, to help me.

sh*t, I wouldn't even be
here if it wasn't for him.

Well, thank you for
finally being honest.

But my dad knows, Will.

And he's gonna use it against
your uncle at the debate.

Judge Robertson told him.

f*ck, Lisa, please, you
cannot let that happen.

There's nothing that I can do.

You did what you did,
and he did what he did.

You can't blame anyone
else for what happens now.

- I gotta go.
- Lisa...

♪ ♪

[SIGHS]

Ah, f*ck.

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

If you get nervous, just
picture everybody naked.

I think you've wandered into
the wrong green room, Carl.

We had a rock-solid plan, Phil.

Hmm.

Too bad you couldn't stick to it.

Well, it turns out I've done better

without your endorsement.

Whoa, this is a restricted entrance.

Unless you got campaign
passes, you can't go backstage.

Hey, you don't understand.
Philip Banks is my father.

Yo, trust me, it's an emergency.

- We need to see him.
- Then call him.

Yo, we already tried, man.
He's not answering.

Yeah.

Feels good to be my own man,

unshackled from your agenda
and political favor bullshit.

Those favors got your nephew
out of prison, didn't it?

The high road has no place in politics.

Just remember, it didn't
have to be this way.

[SOMBER MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Sir, you can escort us if you want,

but I need to go in there
and see my father now.

Can't leave my post.

Yo, Uncle Phil!

Uncle Phil!

Hey, hey, hey, I got your texts.

What's going on?

They're all right... they're
with the Banks campaign.

What's got you two so worked up?

It's a family matter.

Uncle Phil, I'm so sorry.
We tried to stop it.

Dad, you need to call off the debate.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

One at a time. Carlton,
what's the matter?

Fred Wilkes knows about Will's arrest

and the strings you pulled
to get him out of, uh...

trouble.

How does he know?

Lisa said something about
a judge telling her dad.

Look, it's gotta be
Judge Robertson, right?

Wow. Yeah.

Dad, what are you gonna do?

Don't worry about it. It's okay.

I, um...

yeah, I know how to handle this.

W-wait, but if you go
out there, he's gonna...

It's gonna be fine. I promise.

And I appreciate you both
trying to keep a lid on this

and racing down here to warn me.

Uncle Phil, I swear, man, if I could go

back to that night, I'd tell my mom

not to drag you into all of this.

And that would have been
a waste of your life,

and you wouldn't have been the only one

who was worse off for it.

Okay?

I don't regret a thing.

- [KNOCK AT DOOR]
- It's time.

- You still good?
- We're ready to go.

Places, everybody.

Yeah. I'm ready.

Let's do this.

[UPBEAT MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Ladies and gentlemen,
can I ask everybody...

Good luck, Daddy.

- You're gonna do great.
- Thanks, girls.

- Bye.
- [INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Hey.

If you feel at any moment he's
got you on the ropes, remember,

you've got the knockout punch.

I know.

Thanks, Steven.

Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome our candidates

Fred Wilkes and Philip
Banks to the stage.

[APPLAUSE]

Welcome to the "LA Pacific Post" debate

for the Los Angeles District Attorney,

and thank you to our two candidates,

Police Chief Fred
Wilkes and Philip Banks.

Tonight's debate will
be minutes long.

Candidates will have one minute
to answer each of my questions

and then seconds for rebuttals.

We will begin with opening
statements by the candidates.

By virtue of a coin toss,

Mr. Banks will make the
first opening statement.

[TENSE MUSIC]

♪ ♪

Good evening.

When I launched my campaign,

I did so with my family by my side.

I believe you can tell
a lot about a person

by taking a hard look at how
they treat their loved ones.

♪ ♪

Are they loyal? Are they trustworthy?

Do they put the needs of their
family above their own desires?

Now, as a husband and a father,

I have strived to put my
family ahead of all else.

I have failed at times.

But not today.

No, today...

♪ ♪

Today...

I'm withdrawing from the race

to be the next district attorney.

[AUDIENCE GASPING AND WHISPERING]

I need to be a dependable
husband and father

more than I need to
be district attorney.

And because I'm no longer
seeking public office,

I'm asking that the
press respect the privacy

that my family and I
cherish and deserve.

Lastly, I want everyone to know

that I've made my
decision wholeheartedly

because I am confident

that Fred Wilkes will be the
greatest district attorney

that this city has ever had.

Fred, you have my support.

And I urge everyone who
was gonna vote for me

to cast their ballots for you.

God bless you all, thank
you, and good night.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Congratulations. Do me proud.

Thank you.

Oh, my God, babe.

Promise me you'll take that fellowship.

- Phil!
- Promise me.

[BADBADNOTGOOD'S "TIME MOVES SLOW"]

♪ Time moves slow ♪

♪ When you're all alone ♪

You're gonna be great.

♪ And the time moves slow ♪

♪ When you're out on your own ♪

Come on. Come on now.

We're gonna be okay.

♪ When you're missing a friend ♪

♪ And the time moves slow ♪

♪ When you get to the end ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Running away is easy ♪

♪ It's the leaving that's hard ♪

♪ Running away is easy ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Running away is easy ♪

♪ It's the living that's hard ♪

♪ And loving you was easy ♪

♪ It was you leaving that scarred ♪

♪ But what was I to do? ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Just couldn't help myself
falling in love with you ♪

♪ ♪

♪ And what could I say? ♪

♪ Oh, if I had another
chance to make you stay ♪

♪ 'Cause when you ran away ♪
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