03x05 - Someday We'll All Be Free

[bunniefuu]

So this is what happened
last time on Star.

- Rusty?
- Musty?

When's the last time
I seen your ass?

Don't you think you're doing

a little much with
this Olivia girl?

- Why are you so worried?
- Because I can be.

I was hoping you
could take a look

- at my contract with Karma.
- Maurice's club.

I need somebody who
knows his weaknesses.

This thing between you and

Auntie Cassie has gone too far.

You don't know who she is

and what she's capable of.

You can't keep walking around

with all this pain
in you like that.

You got to figure out
how to release it.

You ever thought about
going to get some help?

I'm good. At least
I-I'm getting there.

Can't believe I'm
about to say this,

but I feel like maybe we
should call the cops.

I agree.

Yo, the cops are not
gonna do nothing.

This is not even
an emergency yet.

Girl, my mama left the house
without a purse and a phone.

How that's not an
emergency to you?

I don't know, maybe we're
overthinking this.

I mean, she hasn't slept here in
the past few days anyway, right?

She could come in at any moment.

Hey, y'all, I can't
find C nowhere.

The hell y'all got "Steppin'
to the Bad Side" here for?

- Really, Bruce?
- Come on, y'all.

Let's stick together
for Mama, please.

Cotton, you can't get rid of no
storm with thunder on your back.

She part of the
reason we're here.

You know it's not just me.

You know Carlotta's
done this before.

Really? You're a evil
bitch to bring that up.

You know that ain't got
nothing to do with this.

What are y'all talking about?

That's your mama's business.

Cassie, why are you still here?

Know what?

Let me know when y'all find her.

Okay, so what are we
supposed to do now?

You gonna do exactly what
Carlotta would want y'all to do.

You gonna pray and
keep it moving.

Now, she got a meeting
set up tomorrow

with Chris Mackey from
Bling Lifestyle Brand

- to sponsor Rhythm & Bells.
- Bling?

Wait, they sponsored
Coachella last year, right?

Exactly, they'll
give us the capital

and the street cred
this festival needs.

And her plan was to have
y'all to seal the deal

- with the performance at Karma.
- Okay.

So, we're supposed to perform
when Miss Carlotta's missing?

Carlotta's been here for all of us...
when I ain't have nothing

and when y'all decided
to come to Atlanta.

The least we can do is make
sure we handle this business

till we find her.

Remember this?

Oh, you did not whip that out.

Ah, look at the face.

What's wrong with that?

All right, Kid 'n Play.
Kid 'n Play.

Here we go. This'll be good.

Oh!

- One more. Hey!
- Yeah.

That's what I'm talking about.

♪ Gonna try to move your feet ♪

- Go left.
- Uh-oh.

♪ I'd like to say hello ♪

♪ To the black, to the white ♪

♪ The red and the brown ♪

♪ The purple and yellow... ♪

I don't know about
that move right there.

That's not gonna work,
but I know what will.

My winter music festival.

It is gonna be crazy;
you're not even ready.

Lottie, I'm so proud of you.

I mean, you're doing this
bigger than we ever imagined.

- I wish you could stay.
- But wait a minute.

That's my part. Ah!

♪ And the rest is F-L-Y... ♪

- What? Huh? Huh?
- Come on.

♪ You see, I go by the code... ♪

Hey.

♪ And I dress to a tee... ♪

We sure looked like that.

♪ And I dress so viciously ♪

♪ I got bodyguards, I
got two big cars ♪

♪ That definitely
ain't the wack ♪

♪ I got a Lincoln Continental ♪

♪ And a sunroof Cadillac ♪

♪ So after school I take
a dip in the pool ♪

♪ Which is really on the wall ♪

♪ I got a color TV ♪

♪ So I can see the
Knicks play basketball ♪

- ♪ Hear me talkin' 'bout checkbook... ♪
- MAN: Ma'am.

Ma'am.

Ma'am! You can't sleep here.

- Name and I.D. now.
- What time is it?

- I got to get to my meeting.
- She's homeless.

And she's been trying to
leave without paying.

No, I'm not.

Just bring me a phone and

- I-I'll give you wh-whatever I owe you.
- Ma'am, you're bleeding.

And you smell like
you peed yourself.

You got blood all over you.

I was drinking.

- The bottle broke.
- Drinking?

Yeah, she was drunk when
she came in last night.

I ain't drunk now and I'm
not homeless, either.

I own a salon and-and
I-I run a music label.

Yeah, well, I guess doing
deals with Diddy in your PJs

really wore you out, huh?

- What is your problem, lady?!
- Hey, hey, hey.

- You got a bad-ass attitude!
- Calm down. Hey, hey, hey.

- That's it, you're out of here!
- Get off of me.

♪ I bring me ♪

♪ Get mine, 'bout
mine, go hard ♪

♪ Looking for another like me ♪

♪ Boy, stop ♪

♪ I bring me ♪

♪ Whose love is the tightest? ♪

♪ Whose kiss is the nicest? ♪

♪ Me ♪

♪ Whose touch is the rightest? ♪

♪ Me ♪

♪ I bring me ♪

♪ I bring, I bring me. ♪

Hmm.

♪ I don't mean to be rude. ♪

So, what do you think?

The contracts I can critique.
Your music, not so much.

Come on, now, you got
to give me something.

All right, you're the first
person to hear this song.

And you're my audience:

fine, educated sister.

There you go with
all that charm.

Is it working?

The music is good.

It reminds me of
your first album.

Yeah, my first album
was on a major label.

Now I'm on an indie.
Good has to be great.

I left the biggest law firm
in Atlanta after my divorce.

Started from scratch,
became my own boss,

just like you're doing now.

And I regretted it, just
like you're doing now.

But trust me, it's worth it.

Thanks.

I got to go.

I'm going to meet Maurice
and see what he thinks

about these new terms,
so wish me luck.

Wish me luck on this song.

You don't need it.

Hey.

I just got an e-mail

that our check for
Orange Night bounced.

Do you know anything about that?

I don't know. It's
probably a mix-up.

Are you gambling again?

Damn it.

You promised me that would stop

once we started Gravity Media.

How bad is it?

I just borrowed some
money to sit at a table

with some major players
in the media business.

You're stealing money
from our investors

to feed your addiction?

We could end up in jail.

I'm sure we can find a
way to pay it back.

- "We"?
- Yes, and once we fix it,

I promise I'll get some help.

♪ I'm the boss, I'm the king ♪

♪ Pick a team, pick a team ♪

♪ Yeah... ♪

Mr. Mackey, this festival

is gonna be Atlanta's
version of Coachella.

The girls are on fire and
I think the platform

is the right target for
Bling Lifestyle Brand.

- Listen, Mr. Bruce...
- It's Miss Bruce.

Right.

My meeting was with Carlotta
Brown; is she coming?

I'm filling in for her, and
this is her business plan.

Well, I'm not turning
over a $10 million check

- to someone like you.
- Like me?

I'll continue this with
Carlotta tonight at the club.

She will be there?

Yes, sir. She will be.

Mateo Ferrera.
Pleasure to meet you.

You, also.

Tonight, gentlemen.

We'll see you later.

- Where the hell is she?
- Look, she had something to do.

You tell Carlotta to get her
ass to the club tonight.

- She'll be there, Mateo.
- Well, she better be.

Because we need to land Bling.

The officer who
brought you in says

he found you in a
concerning condition.

Any time a black woman does
anything other than smile,

they think she crazy.

How'd you hurt yourself?

I told you, I had an accident.

Look, there is nothing
wrong with me.

I've just been under a
lot of stress lately.

I can see that; you
seem agitated.

Because I keep trying to
explain to you that...

Calm down.

Don't tell me to calm down.

It's not against the law
to walk down the street.

I ended up in a coffee shop,
and the next thing I know,

is the sun came up before
I did, that's all.

Have you ever had any
issues with mental health?

Look, I do not need
to be in here;

I have meetings to get to.

My name is Carlotta Brown.

I am the CEO of Gravity Records.

All you have to do is google it.

I did and it appears this
isn't your first incident.

You had a bit of a
break in the past.

- What?
- Karma.

You had a very public
argument with the owner.

There appears to be
a loss of control.

I had a fight with my sister.

And another public
incident this morning.

Look, you are not about to
put a mental case on me.

Now let me out of this place!

Miss Brown, I'm afraid
I can't do that.

With your behavior, you
leave me no choice.

For your safety, you'll be
placed on a 72-hour hold.

♪ Who's your mama
and your daddy? ♪

♪ Is they rich like me? ♪

♪ They screaming "I bring me" ♪

♪ Bish, I'm the one that
brought the table ♪

♪ I'm the boss, I'm the king ♪

♪ Pick a team, pick
a team, yeah. ♪

Ooh. This feels different
when you're pregnant.

Hey, y'all. Cotton called.

Cops found Carlotta.

She was in a diner, asleep.
Poor thing peed herself.

They got her in the hospital,
under psych evaluation.

But she ain't even crazy.

Being locked in
them kind of places

can make you think you crazy.

So, I think the biggest
thing for us right now

is to make sure we nail
this performance tonight.

Did you have your
meeting with Bling?

I got mine covered on this end.

You make sure you
figure out how to twerk

without that baby falling out.

Olivia. Hi.

I'm so sorry; I
completely forgot

that you were coming.
It's a weird, crazy time.

- Carlotta's in the hospital.
- Oh, my God.

Carlotta, she's like a
second mother to you.

Should we go see her or...?

Girl, back off. You
don't even know her.

I need some air.

Yo, so this might not be
a good time for you to,

you know, hang out and do
whatever you do with Alex.

Uh, I can help. Maybe
run errands, something?

I just want to keep my
mind off tomorrow, okay?

It would've been
Bianca's birthday.

Oh, of-of course. No, stay.

Okay, it's... We can figure
out something for you to do.

Okay.

This is what my client wants.

I know you can do
better, Maurice.

- I hope you know he's using you.
- Excuse me?

Of all the lawyers in Atlanta,
he trots you up in here?

He's trying to get to me so
I can cave to his demands.

You always make
everything about you.

Has he tried to press
up on you yet?

That is none of your business.

- You didn't answer the question.
- Ah.

I still love you, and he's
taking full advantage...

Bring something to the
table for my client

so we can sign and finish this.

Megan...

Hey.

Hey, I was looking for you.

You okay?

Just family stuff.

I'm just worried.

You know, Miss Carlotta
wandered off last night,

and the police found
her this morning,

and they decided to put her
on a 72-hour psych hold.

And we're all trying to
be strong for her, but...

I know what it's like
to have to be strong

when you don't know if you can.

Hey, listen, I... came
to find you to say,

if you need help with the
script thing, I can help.

Thanks. I'll think about it.

Nina?

Yeah, I should probably get
back to rehearsal, though.

Mm.

No word from Carlotta.

She's not gonna call you back.

She's in the hospital.

She's not showing up tonight.

Well, no Carlotta, no
money, no festival.

Since when do you care so much
about this damn festival?

Two months ago, you wanted
to close Gravity Records.

And I still might, but if this
festival could be the answer

for our financial problems,
of course I'm gonna do it.

Listen to yourself.

We're gonna find another way
to fix your damn problem.

I appreciate you taking me last
minute, know what I'm saying?

I mean, I know you're busy.

Look, cutting hair
keeps me calm.

I don't know what to do
with Carlotta being stuck

in a hospital like that.

How are things with y'all?

You and Noah getting along?

You know that boy
always pushing me.

As he should.

You can't disappoint
somebody over and over.

That boy almost took his life.

- And I saved it.
- Okay, well, Bobby,

you ain't getting no trophies
handed to you over here

'cause of something you caused,
and I ain't about to waste time

telling you how you need all
the black b*at off your ass

for what you did to your son.

I've got my own mess.

This Carlotta stuff is...

I guess it brings you back to your pops...
the pastor, right?

I know you used to talk
about it all the time.

You know, he locked
me up like Carlotta

when I told him I was gay.

Had them folk call me
everything but a child of God.

Yet, that's exactly what
they wanted me to be.

You know, Stevie Wonder could
see more than church folk.

Oh, I know that laugh.

The one you push out
so you don't feel.

You're gonna have to face it.

Now, who are you supposed to be?
Iyanla?

Did you come to get a haircut,

or you came to fix my life?

Can't nobody fix your life.

Hold your head still

so I can cut these little
nappy edges of yours.

Oh.

Mama?

Hey.

I left you some clothes
at the front desk.

Okay.

Hey, they're not trying
to hurt you in here, huh?

No, I'm okay.

Better than they think I am.

Mama, we were so worried. We
all went looking for you.

The girls, Miss Bruce,
even Auntie Cassie came...

Cassie?

That bitch is the
reason why I'm here.

- She ain't tell you that?
- Mama,

Tita Cassie don't have
nothing to do with this.

This is about you
doing too much.

She told us how you
used to wander...

Don't listen to a
word she has to say.

Cassie wanted Andy dead.

That b*llet that hit your
father was meant for him.

Cassie k*lled your daddy.

But-but Mama, she was...

How...?

I'm sorry.

- But you told me, Mama...
- I did not want to hurt you,

but this lie has been
weighing itself down on me,

and I can't hold it no more.

I'm just too tired.

Oh...

It looks a lot better on Alex.

She asked me to bring
a few things for her.

Mm.

I heard about how you jumped in

on her solo performance
the other night.

That was weird.

I just want to let you
know, if you try something

- like that tomorrow night...
- What you gonna do? Hmm?

Oh, it's not what, baby.
It's how.

Where'd you come
from, by the way?

Hong Kong.

Oh, you're funny.

Okay. Good to know.

I could be funny, too. Watch.

Don't watch too hard.

You know, it's dark outside.

I wouldn't want you to trip
and fall with that baby.

thr*aten my child's life again,

and you'll be buried next
to your dead sister.

- I got to go.
- What up?

Hey. Any news on Carlotta?

Nothing yet.

But you know who actually
needs to be locked up?

That Olivia girl.

She's crazy.

You see the irony there?

Calling somebody else crazy?

All right.

Then nobody knows crazy
better than me, right?

I'm dead-ass worried about Alex.

I can't keep up with you.

One minute you're making
a diss track about Alex,

the next, you're telling the
man at home in a wheelchair

- that you're worried about her.
- Yeah.

Alex and I are family.

We fight, but I would never
let somebody hurt her.

So tell me you don't think
there's something wrong

- with this Olivia girl.
- I didn't trust her from the jump.

Then look into her.
We got to get that ho

away from Alex before she starts

wearing your girlfriend
like a jacket,

'cause that's the
type of vibe she got.

Cott,

I've had people looking
for your mama all day.

Cotton, have you heard anything?

She's fine.

She was at a coffee shop, some
white lady called the cops.

She freaked out.

They arrested her
ass, didn't they?

They put a 5150 on her at
Saint Paul's Hospital.

Damn.

They always trying
to find new ways

to lock a bitch up.

But you know what? This might
be good for your mama,

'cause she's been
trippin' lately.

She said the same
thing about you.

Look, I just wish I could
find a way to help her,

but you know she's not
asking nobody for no help.

Even when she was 12, when
Mama was out trappin',

she damn near ran the house.

Even had Daddy taking orders.

She was the only one he paid
attention to, anyway, so...

- Cassie, you got a minute?
- Not now, Maurice.

I'm talking to my niece.

No, I got to go
check on the salon.

Cott, you okay?

I just got an interesting call
from Mateo at Gravity Media.

He's looking for a big name

to hook a sponsor for
his winter festival.

- Hmm.
- He doesn't think Take 3 is big enough.

So he wants Noah?

I told him we'd consider.

In return, he guarantees Noah's
headlining for the R&B fest.

Tell him no.

Uh, what do you mean "no"?

We get Noah headlining, we can
start making bigger moves.

We already took her
biggest artist.

Now we could take
her festival, too.

Maurice, I need you to chill.

Okay, she is my blood, and
you better watch your back

before you find
yours on the floor.

And that's not a thr*at.

Ask about me.

You went to Derek about Olivia?

Yeah, because you
don't know the girl.

I know that her
sister just d*ed,

and she's going through a very
emotional time right now.

- Why don't you get that?
- Yeah, but that bitch h*jacked

your first solo performance,
and you didn't even blink.

Yeah, well, that's not the
first time that's happened.

And I checked her for that.

Okay. Well, you reacted very
differently, didn't you?

So obviously, she's
in your head.

She is grieving, just
like Carlotta is.

All right. Before you say
anything, we're rehearsing.

We just had to switch up
some of the choreography.

Forget about the performance.

- It got chopped.
- What?

Straight Ricky Martin says
he doesn't need Take 3

to land the sponsor.

He has somebody bigger...
Noah Brooks.

You have got to be kidding me.

So they're taking us out of
Rhythm & Bells, too, or what?

I don't know. Mateo's
taking over the event.

He says he can handle
the sponsor himself,

and he knows about Carlotta.

How did he find out about that?

Only Satan knows.

Uh, let me call you back.

Simone, how's Carlotta?

What do you mean,
"How's Carlotta?"

How did Mateo figure
out about her?

- What did he do?
- Don't act like you don't know.

I know y'all are a team.
I trusted you.

I thought that we were friends.

Mateo's my husband,

and you're my artist.

Right.

I didn't thr*aten her baby.

I told her to be careful

because she was getting
herself worked up.

Look, I'm really not here to
play she-said, she-said, Olivia.

She's jealous of our friendship.

She's probably lonely.

I mean, the real is,
nobody likes her,

not even her sister.

Yeah, well, that's Star.

Okay, she is who she is.

And no matter how complicated
it is between us,

you have got to respect
her, both of them,

or we just can't
hang out anymore.

I was wrong. Okay? I admit it.

Look, I get we both
have a lot going on.

So maybe you should just spend
some time with your family.

Since you're not
performing anymore,

maybe you could come, too.

Meet my mom. Tell her about
your last conversation

with Bianca. We
could go tonight.

I'm...

Yeah, sure.

Yeah, I'd love that.

Oh, okay.

Ms. Brown. You awake?

You have another visitor.

I don't want to see
no more visitors.

So tell Christine
Brown to leave?

No, you can let her in.

Nurse, get her out of here.

Wait.

- What happened to your hand?
- Don't...

I'd rather let the devil himself

sit on this bed before
I let your ass.

You're my sister.

I don't care what's going on.

They told me they had
you up here on a hold.

I just came to lay
my eyes on you.

Well, now you see me. Now go.

Nobody's ever seen
you like this.

But I remember when Daddy left,

- you ran away...
- I'm not doing this with you.

Now go. Get out!

- Get her ass out of here!
- All right!

I'm-a go.

You must be off the wagon,

'cause you done lost
your damn mind.

How the hell you gonna
work with Mateo

while Carlotta down like this?

Partly because you
left her high and dry.

What are you talking about?

Carlotta in the hospital.

We were all trying to save

this festival 'cause that's
what family do for family.

I know your daddy
messed you up good,

but that ain't what
we do around here.

What happened to Carlotta?
I-I didn't know.

Probably 'cause you were busy
worrying about yourself.

Sober don't mean selfish.

W-Wait.

What can I do?

I just got Noah a
headlining spot

in the biggest
festival in Atlanta.

I'll have my client
sign the deal

- first thing tomorrow.
- Good.

Mateo also asked me to
come on as a consultant

for the festival.
So let's celebrate.

Let me get you a drink.
Still sauvignon blanc?

Jack, straight up.

But not tonight.

Yeah, maybe next time.

Didn't I tell you where your
blood would fall, bitch?

Listen, I ain't nobody's bitch.

Second, I know you not
gonna sh**t me in here.

Now, I just got our artist into
the biggest music festival

in Atlanta. Maybe it's time

you start thinking about who's
really running things in here.

Enjoy the show, Cassie.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

I want to thank everybody.

Thank you so much for being
here tonight, y'all.

I want to send a special
shout-out to Chris Mackey.

That's why you see me in this
full Bling Lifestyle gear.

Give it up for Chris Mackey.
Yeah, yeah.

Appreciate you, brother.

- Where is Alex?
- A'ight, now let's kick this night off...

I don't know. I
tried calling her.

- She's not answering her phone.
- Ladies and gentlemen,

give it up for Take 3.

Yes.

- Where's Alex?
- Just keep it going.

Tonight is very special.

We'd like to dedicate
it to Carlotta Brown.

Ms. Carlotta couldn't make
it with us here tonight.

But none of us would be here

without her, so we
want to make sure

tonight is poppin' for
Carlotta, all right?

Yeah.

♪ Late night, we could
meet up late night ♪

♪ Bet we'd do some things you
thought you'd never do ♪

♪ If it feels right ♪

♪ I bet you wonder
what it feels like ♪

♪ To see me dancin', take
it all off just for you ♪

♪ You'd like to lay
your body down ♪

♪ Next to me ♪

♪ You know I like
to play around ♪

♪ Such a tease ♪

♪ Maybe one day it can go down ♪

♪ How we think ♪

♪ Don't lose your
concentration ♪

♪ Use your imagination ♪

♪ You can use your ♪

♪ Imagination ♪

♪ You better use your ♪

♪ Imagination ♪

♪ Let your mind run free ♪

♪ Tell me what you want
to do to me, use your ♪

- ♪ Imagination ♪ - ♪
You better use your ♪

♪ I be doing them things
you want to see me do ♪

♪ Doing them things
like I need to do ♪

♪ Doing them things
have you sprung like ♪

♪ Like, whoa, like, yo, yo ♪

♪ I'm never losing ♪

♪ And you ain't no fool, that's
the reason you choosing ♪

♪ That's the reason we do this ♪

♪ Baby, you better use it ♪

- ♪ You can use
your ♪ - ♪ Your ♪

♪ Imagination ♪

♪ You better use your ♪

- ♪ Imagination ♪
- ♪ Imagination ♪

♪ Let your mind run free ♪

♪ Tell me what you
want to do to me ♪

- ♪ Use your, yeah ♪
- ♪ Imagination ♪

♪ You can use your ♪

♪ Imagination. ♪

Yeah, for sure.

- Whoo!
- Thank you so much.

You know what? I think it's
about time we announced

Atlanta's answer to Coachella.

Y'all give it up for
Carlotta Brown's

Rhythm & Bells.

Thank you. Give
it up for Take 3.

♪ Let's go, let's go, let's go ♪

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

I thought Alex was with y'all.

- She ain't been answering her phone.
- No.

And I think she's still
with the Olivia bitch.

- I told you to look into her.
- I did.

All I got was her
parents' number,

- so...
- Did you call them?

- Call them.
- All right.

- Hello?
- Hey.

This is Derek. Alex
Crane's boyfriend.

Oh, Alex, yes. She's
been so generous,

the way she's reached out.

Yeah, we were just trying
to get ahold of her.

I know she was going over
there with Olivia today.

- Olivia?
- Bianca's sister?

Olivia is not Bianca's sister.

She tried to hurt my daughter.

You better stay away
from her, baby.

I thought I got rid of you.

I'm back.

- ♪ Use your ♪ - ♪ Imagination ♪

♪ You better use your ♪

♪ Imagination... ♪

They all k*lled it
tonight for you.

All for you.

You know, you the
reason I'm here.

You and that blood
constantly dripping

off your dirty-ass hands. Andy.

Jahil.

Who you gonna k*ll next, huh?

I didn't k*ll Andy.

I swear to God!

- What is wrong with you?
- Why?

- Why is...? Why?
- Jahil's death is on me.

But you got to let it go.
You got to give it to me.

You don't have to
be the big sister

you were when Daddy left.

You don't even know
who your daddy is.

I know he loved you
more than he loved me.

And Mama, too.

I'm good. You can go now.

You're not good.

Look, me and Maurice
ain't gonna fight you

while you're down like this.

We need you on
your "A" so we can

whup your ass that way.

Come on.

I want to show you some
of Bianca's things.

Um...

where are your parents?

They're not home.

- Where's my pizzas?
- Shut up!

That's just my aunt.

You care more for that damn
iguana than you do for me.

Just stay here.

I'll be right back.

- Who the hell is this?
- Don't worry about it!

I have to get out of here.

Are you looking for something?

Olivia, where's my phone?

I took it.

"I took it" means "it ain't
yours no more, bitch."

I underestimated you guys.

The show was legit.
I'm down to invest

- in Carlotta's festival.
- Sounds great to me, man.

Business affairs can
start drafting contracts

first thing tomorrow. You'll
have access to the funds

- right away.
- Oh, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Legal counsel will complete the
terms upon Carlotta's return.

Until then, the money
will stay in escrow.

Mr. Mackey wanted a guarantee
of her involvement.

This is our guarantee.

That sounds fair.
Great doing business.

My pleasure.

♪ I'm like a janitor ♪

♪ Brushing up everything
in my parameter ♪

♪ You just an amateur ♪

♪ I'm making money from
Cali to Canada... ♪

We've decided to release you.

Your vitals look good,

and I've determined
you're not a danger

to yourself or anyone else.

But I suggest you continue
to seek help for yourself.

Black women

are the strongest
beings on Earth,

but we're still not invincible.

I was...

I am struggling.

My husband d*ed a
few months ago.

Nobody even knew
he was my husband.

We kept it quiet.

Almost so quiet that...

my heart forgot, too.

Until he was gone.

He was the only
person who knew me...

inside and out.

The only person who
knew everything.

The only one you ever let in.

It's okay to let
other people in.

Not with this.

I got all this anger and pain.

I always tried to
protect Cassie,

but all she wants to
do is compete with me.

She has no idea
what I did for her,

how I protected her.

I always took it.

- Always.
- Took what?

She thinks Daddy loved
me more than her.

But that wasn't love.

You have to deal with this pain.

Take some time to yourself.

It's not selfish, I promise you.

It's freedom.

♪ ♪

Why did you bring me here?

I want to be your friend, Alex!

It's simple. But you were
listening to that bitch, Star.

Look... okay, I am your friend.

Get up.

Don't lie to me. I've been
watching you for a while.

And then... I read that Bianca

was sitting next to you on the
plane, and I got jealous.

Your sister is different.

That wasn't my sister.

Okay? That was some
girl at high school

that didn't talk to me.

I saw you posted on her page.

That's when I
reached out to you.

- You tricked me?
- People like me

don't get to be friends
with people like you!

Okay? I wanted to...
see what it was like.

See wh... what what was like?

To be seen.

To be famous.

Okay? To be happy.

A girl d*ed because
of my fame, okay?

I promise it won't
make you happy.

I would give anything to
not be seen sometimes.

Because you take it for granted!

Do you know how different
my life would be if...

if I could be seen?

Look, everybody's gonna
see you like this.

Is that what you want?
To be seen...

like this?

I will explain everything
to them, okay? I swear.

You won't have to.

You all right?

Ms. Crane.

- You okay?
- Yeah.

Baby! We're here.

Alex, are you okay?

They better lock that bitch up.

They said she did this to Bianca, too.
She's crazy.

What did she do to you?

She just needs help.

Let's get you home.

♪♪

Well, Lord have
mercy, she's risen.

Miss C!

Missed you.

I missed you, too.

Hey, y'all.

Mmm.

Thank you so much
for holding me down

- while I was gone.
- I mean, Mateo ruined his pretty face

running his damn mouth, but...

- we got it together.
- Well, good. You should be able

to handle him while I'm gone.

There's this retreat in Jamaica

that Ayanna told me
about a long time ago.

Don't look so sad. I'll be back.

I just need to... finally
deal with some things

I've been holding
in for a long time.

So I'm gonna get me some
therapy, some sun...

And find a fine-ass man?

- Like Idris?
- Mm-hmm.

As long as he ain't a preacher

- or a record label executive.
- Yep. None of those.

Give me a minute.

Listen.

I know I should have told
you a long time ago,

but promise me you won't do
nothing to Cassie when I'm gone.

Mama, she's a monster.

I can't protect you
while I'm not here.

That's only gonna
cause me more stress.

Please, Cotton.

I got you.

All right.

Hey. It's Bruce.

Look, can you meet me somewhere?

I need to get something
off my chest.

How you doing?

I've been through so much
crazy stuff this year...

I'm just numb to
it at this point.

Yeah, but, Alex, don't
push down those feelings.

You know, that's
what Carlotta did,

and look what happened to her.

You're a good person.
Okay, you cared

about Bianca, but you can't
let this guilt take over.

It wasn't even your fault.

Yeah, but you weren't there.

I stopped that girl
from having a life.

There's nothing that you
could have done about that.

Get off that plane, Alex.

You're alive; act like it.

And we got an album to make,

so if you could get it together,

that'd be great.

You are a broken record.

I know. I said it for effect.

But you have been around us
long enough to know crazy,

so I kind of feel like
you should've seen

- that loony tunes bitch coming.
- Yeah, that's true.

I mean, I clocked you guys were
insane from the jump, so...

- But here you are.
- Yeah. I don't know why.

♪♪

You want a hug?

Not really.

- Hey...
- You do.

Mm.

Hey.

I'm good. I don't know why
I called you down here.

I'm here. So you can stop acting
like you don't need nobody.

How you feeling?

Stuck.

The strongest woman I
know found healing today.

Now I got to find it, too.

Daddy.

This place still looks the same.

Yeah, but you not the same.

I'd be lying if I said
some Sunday mornings

I don't still hear that little
boy's voice in my head...

praying, asking God
to make him normal.

I wish I can tell him
he was already normal.

Not just him.

Everybody.

Then tell them.

You really got me
everything I asked for.

There's just one more thing.

♪ ♪

♪ Yes ♪

♪ Jesus ♪

♪ Loves me ♪

♪ Yes ♪

♪ Jesus ♪

♪ Loves me ♪

♪ Yes ♪

♪ Jesus ♪

♪ Loves me ♪

♪ For the Bible ♪

♪ Tells me ♪

♪ So ♪

♪ Jesus loves me ♪

♪ This I know ♪

♪ For the Bible ♪

♪ It tells me so ♪

♪ Little ones ♪

♪ To Him belong ♪

♪ They are weak ♪

♪ But He ♪

♪ Is strong ♪

♪ Yes ♪

♪ Jesus ♪

♪ Loves me ♪

♪ Yes ♪

♪ Jesus ♪

♪ Loves me ♪

♪ Oh, yes ♪

♪ Jesus ♪

♪ Loves me... ♪

You always knew me better
than anybody, Jahil.

You held me up.

Thank you.

Good-bye.

Good-bye, Lottie.

♪ Yes ♪

♪ Jesus ♪

♪ Loves me ♪

♪ Yes ♪

♪ Jesus ♪

♪ Loves me ♪

♪ Oh, yes ♪

♪ Jesus ♪

♪ Loves me ♪

♪ For the ♪

♪ Bible ♪

♪ It tells ♪

♪ Me... ♪

♪ So... ♪

He must really love you

to make you black and gay.

Why do you say that?

We're the only ones
that come close

to suffering like he did.

And yet we rise.

Yeah, I suppose we do.

♪ ♪

I'm really sorry I
didn't believe you.

I'm just happy you're safe.

Mm.

Of course.

- Star, what do you want?
- Yeah.

- Go online.
- Why?

Now.

♪ ♪

What the hell is this?

- _ - Olivia.

She said she'd been
watching me for a while.

♪ ♪