[nova] previously on queen sugar...
I think, I've got covid.
You and your man talking about getting hitched, yet?
You wanna be husband and wife?
Do you want to be partners?
[darla] it's my mother.
She got blue into a d.C. Private school.
I think ralph angel's actually considering this.
[violet] blue is not going to d.C.
Baby, you out here fighting battles that ain't even yours.
What's really going on?
I don't see no house without blue, neither.
I mean, we could get his education handled here.
Blue's got everything he needs.
[upbeat song playing]
pops, have you seen my 1619 curriculum packet?
I thought I left it on the counter here.
What'd I tell you about leaving your stuff all over?
Huh?
That's how you lose it.
Go ask your mum.
[whispering] where did you put my history packet?
It's in the office, baby. I'll be done shortly.
-Namaste. -Namaste.
Huh.
Papers, papers...
"I am pleased to inform you that
blue bordelon's application has been accepted.
His standardized testing indicates a keen and advanced intellect.
We would like to offer your son a seat in our current fourth-grade class."
[ralph] hey, blue?
What you doing, boy?
Pops, this place sounds cool!
Am I going to school here?
Darla?
[clears throat]
looks awesome.
[theme song 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 ♪
♪ take flight ♪
it says I can continue my educational growth with them.
Yes. It does say that.
Which is perfect, because I'm going to make the world better one day.
Yeah, you are.
But you know that's not a summer camp, blue?
That's you going away, for a few months.
New home.
New everything.
Which means that, you'd have to go live with your grandmother.
Wait.
You mean, instead of living with you?
That's right, buddy.
That doesn't sound so amazing, after all.
I don't ever want to move away from you guys.
Well...
It's just a letter right now. That's all.
Ain't much to do with it.
Aight?
Okay.
Aight.
[loud banging]
that explains it.
I thought either...
I have a pounding headache with actual sound effects or...
Someone is down here with a whole hammer.
[chuckles]
the latter.
Was something loose, or...
No I, well, I had to break it.
When I came in a few days ago.
And then I covered it with some plastic real quick,
but I couldn't leave it here with it like that.
I don't even remember that.
Well, you were out of it.
And now you're not.
That's all that matters.
So, you feeling better?
You look better.
Thanks.
I think.
How bad was I?
Well, you couldn't look bad, charley, if you tried.
And you know how crazy I look when I get sick.
[chuckles]
you're nowhere close to that. [chuckles]
well, nothing could be worse than christmas 2001.
Oh-ho, yeah, it looked like freddy krueger had a party on my face.
[both chuckling]
[davis sighs]
well, I better not overdo it, I just...
Came down to see what all the noise was about.
Yeah, sorry, I'm almost done.
Oh!
I stopped by the store on the way back from my place,
when you were sleeping.
You know, just figured I'd get a few things you might need.
Thank you for this.
And for hanging out
over these days, while I get back on my feet.
I just don't quite trust how I feel yet.
Yeah, yeah, well,
you know not to push yourself too hard, too fast.
And I'm proud of you because, that hasn't always been the case.
[banging continues]
oh, I'm gonna bring up some soup in a bit.
You need to get some nutrients in you, you haven't eaten in a good 48 hours.
But you're about to.
[banging resumes]
[davis murmuring]
[banging harder]
-[davis murmuring] that's good. -[banging continues]
-hollywood? -Hmm?
Have you seen my phone?
Yeah, saw it around here somewhere.
Ah, here you go.
Thank you, baby.
How are the peepers working out?
They make me feel old.
Not being able to see what you're doing will make you feel even older.
You'll get used to it.
And how's the invite list going?
The list is fine.
It's the invite that I'm concerned about.
"the real spot.
Virtual men's support group.
Be there or be square.
Tomorrow night, 7:00 p.M."
does that sound boring to you?
You've never done this before.
How do you know how it's supposed to sound?
That's true.
It's gonna be great.
Who you calling?
Nobody.
Who are you calling, vi?
Nova.
I'm gonna have her check in on ralph angel.
Make sure this blue and d.C. School foolishness is put to bed.
You should call ralph angel yourself.
Speak to him direct.
Well, I thought you said I should stop meddling.
[chuckling] you still meddling.
Just hiding behind other people's backs to do it.
Don't you have a business to start?
[cell phone ringing]
yo, nov.
[panting] hey, ra.
What you doing? Running?
Yeah.
I had calvin pull my old treadmill out of storage,
before he left town for a job.
This covid got me snacking all the time.
My ass is just spreading like a rumor.
Heard that. [laughs]
shit, I need to be running myself.
[buttons beeping]
ooh! Hey!
I gotta be honest with you.
Don't know if I was supposed to know this or not,
but I heard about blue getting into sidwell friends school.
So what's going on with that?
Ain't nothing going on.
Decided it wasn't the best spot for him right now.
I'm trying to find something local, a better school, right here at home.
Stay with us.
Good. Made my day.
I hate these so-called elite places of higher learning
that cherry-pick our best and brightest, just to fill some diversity quota.
So what you trying to say?
He only got in 'cause he was black?
No, he's black and highly-gifted.
Blue had to check two boxes to get in.
Those white kids only had to check one.
And it wasn't the gifted one.
Weren't talking all that, when you had to go to tulane.
Forgot you went to an elite school, nova?
'cause I didn't know then.
But now I do. [panting]
I learned that just because it's white, don't make it right, little brother.
Don't make it better.
Blue's gonna thrive wherever he goes.
He's exceptional in every way.
And going to school in d.C.
With a bunch of silver-spooners, doesn't change that fact.
Look, schools in st. Jo may not be the best in the country,
but what they do provide, is a sense of pride.
And the reminder that you are not a minority.
You and darla made the right decision.
Appreciate that, nova.
[sighs]
[cell phone ringing]
wassup, aunt vi?
Well, I hear you've finally come to your senses regarding blue.
I see news travels fast in this family.
I had to light into your mother-in-law.
Thought I was gonna have to get at you.
That boy belongs here with us and I just couldn't see how you didn't see that.
Well, I do now.
I was just thinking things through.
See if it's a better opportunity.
That's the right thing to do.
Think things through on all sides.
-See, that's what's wrong with us sometimes. -Us?
We spend too much time thinking we have to go somewhere else,
to somebody else, to get or be the best.
Meanwhile, everybody else in the world is trying to look like us
talk like us, generally be us.
The way I see it, all we need to do is embrace who we are.
What we are.
Then we'll all be just fine.
Just like that, aunt vi?
Just like that, ralph angel bordelon.
Oh.
I bumped into patty moe the other day, parthena's daughter.
Well, she was so upset four years ago, when she didn't get into louisiana state.
Now, she's doing great.
She's in a management training program at the supermarket.
She's an essential worker and she will never be unemployed.
Well, good for patty moe.
But blue ain't patty moe.
I didn't say he is.
I'm giving an example, if that's okay with you.
Ralph angel...
People around here can have a good life.
Now blue is special, that's true.
But ain't nobody ever put "ceo" on a headstone.
The most important thing is love and family.
He'll be just great.
Here at st. Jo.
Guess that's true, aunt vi.
Yes. All right, baby.
I love you.
Love you, too.
Really?
[speaks indistinctly]
[host on tv] what's another term for contradictory?
What is an oxymoron?
[contestant] what is an oxymoron?
[host] that is correct.
[davis] and...
Lunch is served.
More chicken broth?
Wait, are you saying that like
you don't want anything more or you want something more?
A sandwich, maybe?
Ah. Excellent.
Hungry means you're getting better.
Well, I just, know I feel like I could eat.
[host] all right, let's talk about wars.
You know there've been a lot of wars, but there's only one...
-This is your jam, isn't it? -Yeah.
-World war I used to be. -Hmm.
Might be a little rusty.
[host] his assassination is widely attributed
to starting the first world war.
Who is archduke franz ferdinand?
[host] the correct answer is ferdinand.
Who is archduke franz ferdinand?
-Looks like you still got it. -[chuckles]
-what? I'm a nerd. -[chuckles]
if only your fans knew
you were a history scholar.
Ah, well, you didn't want folks to know that.
The gentleman couldn't be too smart, right?
Well...
No, it wasn't that.
My strategy was that being debonair
and classy, is attainable for any man.
Being phi beta kappa and knowing intimate details
of archduke franz ferdinand, on the other hand...
[chuckling] touche, touche.
Okay, let me get some real food going.
What do you feel like?
Something...
Substantial.
Something hearty.
Yeah, hearty.
Okay. I got you.
I can make lunch today and I can make dinner tomorrow.
I could throw down in the kitchen every night if you want.
Till you're fully recovered.
Every day?
Sure. Whatever you want.
Huh.
Well, that's an offer that's hard to pass up. [chuckles]
so, how do you cook?
Well...
I didn't stay healthy in the league
long enough to get four rings by eating out on the road all the time.
You taught me that.
Hmm.
Ah, I think I can do better than that.
I will be right back.
Well...
Maybe I can help.
Okay.
[sighs]
mmm, I love you in that hot, important bodyguard look.
You mean my hot, important, head of security look?
That's exactly what I meant.
How's business in baton rouge?
All's good.
Except my unit was just assigned to handle safety protocol too.
-For covid? -Yeah.
They're taking this word "safety" literally.
I spoke to the chief of staff and I told him my company only handles personal security.
And he said the covid virus, avoiding it, is a matter of personal security.
That's crazy.
Well, I hope you're charging extra.
Try triple.
[chuckling] that's what I'm talking about.
Well, I'm gonna be out here for a few more days.
I have to go through the covid screenings
and the precautionary training.
I get it.
Do what you need to do.
Just stay safe.
Well, what are you working on, now that the big travel article's done?
I got a lead on another case I'm looking into.
All right, well, I hope it leads to something juicy.
I'll call you tonight.
-Love you. -Love you.
[cell phone beeping]
[line ringing]
[cell phone ringing]
-hey, I'm gonna grab this. -Okay, I'll catch you later.
Hey, unc.
'sup, nephew?
How your mama doing?
Oh, she's aight.
You know it was a little tough when I told her
I was gonna leave town and come to minneapolis, but...
She know I gotta do my part.
I'm just not sure I'm making a difference, though.
It's pretty bad out here.
Yeah, don't beat yourself too much, aight?
Yeah thanks, unc, I appreciate that.
Hey, hold up.
-Hey, blue! Blue! -Yes?
-What? -Can you throw them rocks away from the house, please?
I don't need you breaking nothing.
[micah laughing]
you know, I miss blue so much.
I always say, like, if I have a son, he gotta be just like blue.
Yeah, speaking of blue.
We got a letter, not too long ago.
Got into one of these little private schools in d.C.
It's called, like, sidwell-something.
Wait, sidwell friends school?
That's the one.
Know it?
Yeah, that's one of the best schools in the country. The obama girls went there.
Blue got in?
Yeah, he did.
Did get in.
That's pretty big, huh?
Yeah, man, that's huge.
They don't even let kids apply, from what I hear.
Darla's mama sent in his application once we got his iq tests back.
But darla pretty much decided she ain't into it.
Why?
I mean, it sound good.
But I don't know nothing about that world.
I mean, I do.
The sidwells, the harvard-westlakes, the grotons of the world.
They can really open up some doors, uncle, I'm telling you.
I ain't mad at that part.
Yeah.
I mean, these elite schools do have their cons, though.
You turned out all right.
Better than all right.
Had your pick of schools and everything.
Yeah, I did,
but if I'm being honest, it's not because I graduated from st. Jo high school.
It's 'cause I had a rigorous elite la prep school on my transcripts.
It's not fair, but it's real.
You know.
This sidwell, it's not everything.
Especially for us, but...
It could be a real leg-up.
I mean, didn't you reject all that?
When you chose that hbcu over them ivy leagues?
[chuckles] yeah, I did,
but I made my choices and I'm happy with them.
You know I see that it was a privilege to have a choice to even make.
You feel me?
My mom and dad gave that to me.
I was fortunate, I could choose, you know, where I wanted to go.
And what I wanted to do.
If the world was fair, every kid would have that choice.
You know?
Yeah.
Yeah, I'mma catch you later, neph.
All right. Later, unc.
[ralph] just the man I'm looking for.
What up, buddy?
Nothing much.
Got something for you.
-You did? -Check it out.
[gasps] black panther!
I really wanted this when it came out.
I know.
Couldn't afford it back then,
but seemed right you had it.
Especially now.
I can't believe he's gone.
He ain't gone, blue.
That's a mighty man.
His spirit gonna live forever.
Look, man, when you good in this world,
you live on.
Even when you in a different place.
It's like your grandpa.
He was real good.
Oh, man, as good as they come.
I don't really play with those toys anymore.
So, I'm going to keep him in the box.
As a collectible.
That's a good idea.
But when you stopped playing with toys, blue?
I mean, you used to love them little dolls.
You remember kenya?
Dolls are for little kids, pops.
[chuckling] okay, big man, whatever you say.
[both chuckling]
man.
That's a good place for a king.
Yeah, it is.
[ralph kisses]
thank you for speaking with me, mrs. Baptiste.
It's not every day that I get to pick the brain of a journalistic trailblazer.
[chuckles] an invisible trailblazer.
I feel like that paper couldn't wait for me to retire
and then forget about the work I did.
Or tried to do.
Well, I never depended on an institution to do what I can do for myself.
Which is, honor those who ran the race, before I decided to pick up the baton.
Thank you.
I cross-referenced the date you gave me.
Over 20 years flew by.
Andre nixon.
I guess I was haunted by the kid.
He was so promising.
A sophomore in college, so bright.
I understand that feeling.
I looked for my field notes and found them.
Anything out of the ordinary?
Almost everything checked out.
Almost?
He was from the ninth and he turned up with injuries,
that felt like the mo of some of the good old boys,
who worked that beat at the time.
Those guys had a pattern.
Certain places they'd inflict pain on the body that were hard to trace back.
Did anything ever come of it?
Kid and his family wouldn't talk. Too scared.
Claimed he fell downstairs.
It never did add up.
I'll email you with my notes.
Maybe it'll help with whatever it is you're looking for.
I really appreciate it.
Mmm-hmm.
[hangs up]
[sighs]
[davis] who would've thought micah would be attending, let alone organizing a protest?
You know, he was on the news, charley.
In minneapolis.
The national news.
And they keep playing it over and over.
How did he sound?
You know, like his mother's son.
He was articulate, eloquent, compelling.
He was pitch perfect.
-That kid is something else. -That he is.
You know, and I'm surprised you let him go.
But, I'm really glad that you did.
It's not like I could stop him.
[sighs]
you know, one of the hard things people don't tell you about kids is,
that window where you can demand that they do something,
and they just do it.
-That window is like-- -six, seven years, max?
[sighs]
[laughing] and then after that everything is a battle.
Or a negotiation, at least.
Or a request.
Accompanied by your best,
"well, I know better than you, so you better listen to me" look.
And that only worked a few times.
[scoffs] yeah, mine was, "now, micah, I said what I said."
[chuckles]
yeah, I think that worked, literally one time.
Here, taste that.
More pepper?
A smidge.
For safety.
Right.
But, you know,
seeing him on the news like that, you know,
just schooling people left and right, I loved that.
I loved it.
I mean he is doing his thing, you know.
What I dig most about him is that his thing is all about other people.
And we were so worried about him becoming a spoiled brat.
Well, he did have that horrible phase.
Yeah.
Embarrassed me at that...
Toy store that one time, I don't think I ever went back to that store.
Yeah, well, I always knew it was just a phase.
But...
He is way stronger than I was at his age.
Better.
Than I ever was.
[marcus] well, I guess I'm picking fireman, nba player,
or a lawyer to be when I grow up.
Haven't decided which one yet.
What about you?
[blue] I thought about some of that stuff, but I think I'm gonna maybe be a farmer.
-Like my pops. -[marcus] yeah.
That's cool. I don't really like farms that much.
-Hey, babe. -'sup, baby?
I'm going nuts, trying to pick the color for our bedroom.
At first, I was thinking about this eggshell.
Then, I saw gravity.
I thought that gray was kinda cool.
What do you think?
You okay?
-Gotta talk, darla. -Okay.
It's about blue.
[exhales deeply]
-so there's this one-- -184!
What you all looking at?
We're getting ready for the perseid meteor shower.
There'll be shooting stars tonight.
[blue speaks indistinctly]
I don't see nothing.
You cannot see them in the day!
-Duh! -That makes sense.
I've only seen three so far this year.
One was super bright.
-Wish on them? -[darla] mmm-hmm.
Yep. Mom did too.
-I wished for all the dreams I dreamed for us. -Mmm-hmm.
-And for blue. -Mmm-hmm.
I had a dream last night.
-In bed? -[darla] yeah?
About what?
-It was a crazy one. -[ralph laughing]
first, I was an astronaut.
An astronaut?
[blue] then, I was an explorer.
And then I was the president of the united states.
I was number 50. Hmm!
You know, I heard you talking to marcus.
Said you wanna be a farmer.
Is that true?
Farmers help people.
They help people all around the world.
That's true.
But you ain't never thought about being nothing else?
Like maybe one of them things in your dream?
Papa was a farmer, you're a farmer, I'm gonna be a farmer.
And we need more black farmers, trust me.
What else would you want to be?
It's not a bad thing.
That's all I'm saying, if you don't want to be a farmer, it's all good.
You know, I've been thinking about that sidwell school, sometimes.
-Yeah? -Yeah.
Me too. Sometimes.
[ralph] hmm.
What do you think about?
Just...
How it would be, learning new things.
Meeting new people from all over the world.
Training to be...
A leader.
Would you want to go to that school,
even if it means having to leave us sometimes?
Coming back on the weekends.
Holidays.
[clears throat]
yes.
I would like to go.
That's really beautiful, blue.
That's beautiful.
-[blue] don't be sad. -[darla] I'm not sad.
I'm not sad.
Okay.
[all sniffling]
[kisses]
[davis] you know it was very precise.
So precise. [laughing]
[cell phone ringing]
it's ra.
About our family meeting he wants to do.
You gonna do it?
Well, I have to.
Or they'll know something's up.
Mmm-hmm.
You didn't let the council know you were sick either, did you?
We live in a world where half the people think it's your fault,
if you get sick.
-Especially if you're a woman. -Yeah, yeah.
I get that.
I disagree, but...
I get why you keep your business your business.
Yeah, I've been sitting here for the past few days, trying to figure out
where to even begin with getting back to work.
Or how to tell vi or nova or ra,
I can't keep dodging these phone calls.
But if I'm honest, just...
I just want to stay on the couch.
Listen.
This is your time to rest, charley.
It's hard to rest.
With the world in such a state.
You'll rush yourself to a halt.
Sound familiar?
-Using my words back at me. -Mmm-hmm.
That's exactly what you told me when I tore my rotator cuff and I needed surgery.
And when you tore your achilles.
-And when I had my appendix removed. -Oh.
That was the worst.
Hell, yeah, it was. That shit hurt.
[chuckles]
you always did have a low threshold for pain.
Hmm.
But not you. Tough as nails.
Yeah, I don't know if that's a good thing.
Mmm-mmm.
Listen.
Who you are is a good thing.
Every part of you.
Period.
Uh...
Maybe there's a lesson in all this somewhere.
I mean, when you're on the other side of this thing,
what will it all mean to you?
How do see the world now?
Your work now?
Micah now?
This could be a moment of real mindfulness.
This whole being sick, could maybe be the start of a new healthy for you.
You never know.
Yeah.
[upbeat song playing on earbuds]
[sighs]
[panting]
[cell phone chimes]
-[glass shatters] -damn it!
[cell phone ringing]
[clearing throat]
hello?
[man murmuring]
who is this?
All right, I'm hanging up.
Yeah, this is andre nixon.
I got your message.
Yes, sir, yes.
Mr. Nixon, thank you so much for calling me back.
I wonder if I could ask you a few questions, if that's okay?
[chuckling]
we got everybody?
-Yeah! -Hey!
[charley] we're all here!
Appreciate you all being here.
Got something to tell you all.
Hey, just so you know,
hollywood is a great baby name, just in case.
Yes, it is, but, no, it's not that.
Okay, well, what is it?
We gonna wait for the man himself.
There he is.
Hey, everybody.
-Blue! -What's up, man?
-[violet] hey, baby. -Hey.
Thank you guys for being here.
I have something to tell you.
I got accepted into this really cool school in washington d.C.
And I mean, really cool.
And mom and pop said that I can go.
-Wow, man. -Blue, good for you!
That's fantastic. [clears throat]
that's dope, man. I mean I'm so proud of you, congratulations.
Thank you.
I'm lost for words, blue.
You're incredible.
You're everything I wanna be when I grow up. Congratulations!
Good job, blue. You gonna do good up there, 45 better watch out.
Yeah, he better.
Congratulations, baby!
I'm sorry, aunt vi is just a little...
I'm surprised.
[blue] it's okay, aunt vi. I'm a little sad too.
I love you guys, you're my family.
But like pop says, family travels.
So you'll be with me everyday!
And washington d.C. Is only 1086.3 miles from here.
So you guys can come and see me.
Yes, yes, we can. And we will.
Okay!
Now that we've gotten all of that out of the way,
who's throwing me a party?
[charley] party, huh?
What kind of party?
[nova] I'll throw you a party.
[blue] we could do... [continues indistinctly]
[cell phone ringing]
-aunt vi? -Ralphie.
You are not your father's son.
How dare you put the weight of this world on that boy?
Look, I'm doing what I think is best, aunt vi.
You can't see that you're about to screw up your son's life?
Do you want that on your conscience?
Hasn't he been through enough of you and darla's shit?
That's a real question, I'm waiting.
Yeah, with all due respect, I ain't gotta answer to you, aunt vi.
Not you, not nova, not charley.
Only person I gotta answer, is my damn self.
So we done here?
Look, I'm trying not to hang up on you, aunt vi, I'm trying.
Go ahead.
You can't hurt me more than you done.
You done broke my heart already.
You know, deep down, that that boy is mine as much as he is yours.
And how dare you take him away from me?
That's not your son, aunt vi.
That's the problem.
You ain't his mama and you ain't--
you ain't even a parent, aunt vi.
And please don't disrespect me on this phone. I'm trying not to do the same.
What you say matters, but it's not the final word.
Look.
I appreciate all you done.
Really, I do.
But you can't keep telling me what I can and can't do with my son!
Ralph angel, you are a damn shame.
And your daddy would be ashamed of you.
'cause you just proved today,
that with all your huffing and puffing and strutting,
you are nothing but a boy yourself.
[hangs up]
hey.
So, uh...
I'm gonna get on.
There's a green smoothie in the fridge, okay?
And really drink that, it has a lot of good medicine in it.
There's kale, spinach, celery, ginger.
Sounds very green.
And I put some pineapple in,
because I know you won't drink it otherwise.
It's gotta be sweet.
[both laughing]
yeah.
Thank you
for...
I mean, I don't know what to say.
These last few days where you just
interrupted your life.
It was really good of you to drop everything and just do this.
You say that like I had a choice.
You're not a-- you're not an interruption, charley.
This isn't good of me.
There's no place I'll ever be,
if you ever need me.
Unapologetically, automatically, I'm here.
Okay?
Okay.
All right. [zips bag]
you promise you'll let me know if you need anything?
I will.
Okay.
♪ oh... ♪
♪ ooh-ooh ♪
♪ please don't stop your love♪
♪ ah... ♪
♪ ooh-ooh ♪
♪ ah... ♪
♪ ooh-ooh... ♪
andre?
[wheelchair whirring]
thank you so much for returning my call.
Oh, thanks for calling.
I'm a fan of yours.
I subscribe to tru papers.
Also, I read your book.
So I'm kinda surprised.
I try to keep my readers on their toes.
Thank you.
[andre] wait.
Aren't you here to ask me about my case?
Yes, I am.
Can you tell me in your own words, what happened that night?
Well, I was a stupid kid trying to manage being in college
while still being down with the boys from around the way.
One night, we decided to do a little dirt.
We lifted some rims from a car and tried to sell it, but...
We ended up getting caught.
Begged the police not to take me in.
I told them I had a scholarship and that
I wouldn't do this again.
All he did was look at me and say,
"I bet you won't."
then they took us all into a dark alley.
Took turns giving us ass whoopings, one by one by one.
For some reason, I got the brunt of it.
But the last one that hit me?
That was the one that literally broke my back.
I'm so sorry this happened to you.
It's not right.
It's evil.
Did you ever get their badge numbers or figure out their identities?
You think I'd forget the cops' faces who did this to me?
It was him.
Who?
You thanked him in your book.
-What? -I thought that's why we're here.
Calvin gaston.
The new guy.
The last one.
He's the one who did this to me.