Chuck is bi?
-So you guys are okay? -Yeah.
-We're fine. -Ida B.!
Oh, uh, this is Hattie. She is an amazing young writer.
[Hattie] It hurt, don't it,
getting rejected by somebody you like?
I can't be your shoulder to cry on
every time she breaks your heart.
[Ben] I know "Cocoa's Butter" is a good show,
but at some point, you're gonna have to move on.
-Move on to what? -Movies.
I'm tired of being in shit
when I don't really know what it is.
I know we could just keep playing these games,
but at the end of the day, I'm gonna lose.
[Nia] Grand arriving!
Show me what you working with
Show me what you got
Hey, everybody. [giggles]
Did you remember to meditate today?
[giggles]
Get ready for a good time
Are you ready for a good time?
Ooh, mango.
[Jamaican accent] Jamaica, Jamaica.
[normal voice] Fruit as fresh as me.
Crank it up
Oh. [giggles]
Won't you turn it up?
Won't you crank it up?
If you're ready for a good time
A good time
Work with me, work with me now
Work with me
Ah!
Oh, thank God your screen didn't crack.
Are you talking to your phone?
Oh, my God.
Tristan! What are you doing here?
I wanted to try this guy's edibles.
Oh, so you can just buy drugs on the street now?
Oh...[laughs] Yeah. It is legal.
-I know. -[chuckles]
So how've you been?
I don't know why you askin'.
You know you be all up in my stories.
-I do not. -I see your name pop up
in the views, like, all the time.
-[laughs] -I need a burner account.
[both laugh]
So how are you?
I mean, you follow me, too. Don't you already know?
-I know you got a new gig. -Yeah, I do.
I'm proud of you.
I'm glad you stopped talking about your purpose
and started walking in it.
Since when did your purpose lead you to social media?
[both laugh]
When we were dating,
you didn't even have a flip phone.
Now you're going live every other Thursday?
I realized my choice not to have a phone
was a selfish one.
-Finally. -[laughs]
And I got somethin' to say. Know what I'm sayin'?
I'm tryin' to spread a message of love and peace.
And your phone helps you do that?
Yeah. Sometimes I have
over a thousand people in the room at a time.
And they'll just be in there, listening to me talk.
And even though I'm in a room sittin' there by myself,
when I'm talking to them, I don't feel alone.
Sometimes I feel like I have
more support from my followers than my own family.
Your family ain't got your back?
They don't get it.
My sister has, like, a real job and a husband.
-Okay. -So I look like the daughter
that can't get her life together.
And even though I'm not exactly where I wanna be,
at least I know I'm on my way.
-Mm-hmm. -You know what I mean?
I know exactly what you mean.
I'm the black sheep of my family, too.
-[laughs] -Really?
Yeah. Damn. Look at that.
Another way of associating Black with something bad.
Mm.
What's wrong with a black sheep?
A black sheep sound kinda cool to me.
So, instead of saying that, I'ma just start saying,
"I don't fit in with my family."
I like that.
I'm gonna say that from now on, too.
Oh, Nia...
[both laughing]
You, uh...
you wanna go on a hike with me?
I don't know. Are you gonna ghost me again?
-[sighs] -[laughing]
I promise to not ghost you ever again.
No more Casper. I promise.
Okay.
upbeat music
Is that a yes or...?
Won't you turn it up?
You ain't even got my number. What's up?
Won't you crank it up?
Work with me, work with me now
[thunder rumbles]
mellow music
[Idina] Flower's better for you.
Yo, you followin' me now?
Please. I put you on this spot.
[Hattie scoffs] You right. You right. That's true.
So what happened the other night?
Oh, so you're just gonna come right out and ask?
You know I don't like playing games.
Well, I, uh, I told her
I wasn't gon' keep bein' her little plaything.
I also told her that I needed a break.
[Idina] Good for you.
How you feelin' about it?
Honestly, I feel good.
I mean, I was a little sad,
but I feel like I'm getting back to the old me.
I like the old you.
Yo, you-- you wanna go on a date?
What?
I asked if you wanna go on a date with me.
I heard you.
I guess I'm just surprised
to hear you say what you just said.
I mean, look, we-- we got a vibe, right?
And ever since you gave me that whole speech
about not judging a book by its cover,
I've been wondering what it would be like
to get to know you in a real way,
in a--in a deeper way, in a...
more intimate way.
Hattie, if you're askin' me out,
you gotta be able to really handle that.
I know. I am.
I'm not just a toy you can pick up and play with
'cause you got tired of your old one.
That's not what this is. I promise.
I-I really wanna get to know you better.
-[sighs] -Give me a chance.
Okay.
You can take me out.
Okay.
But, damn, you gonna make me work for it, huh?
And you gonna keep workin' for it, too.
Okay.
All right.
Well, look, show me where the good weed at.
I don't work here.
But you might as well, right?
-Get you a little part-time. -It's over here.
You be here enough.
soft music
Black-chinned sparrow.
Which way you think it's coming from, though?
What's wrong?
I'm just getting some not-so-nice comments.
Who would be mean to you, Nia?
Apparently @PutGodFirst1987.
Okay. That's kind of crazy.
Just ignore it.
What kind of advice is that?
You can't give negativity attention.
Whatever you pay attention to will grow.
Hey.
How are you this Zen all the time?
[Tristan] Silent retreats.
[sighs]
Hey, you good?
People are saying my character
on "Cocoa's Butter" is offensive.
She is a little over the top.
It's a soap opera.
It's supposed to be over the top.
White people soap operas are over the top, too.
True, but...
Black folks are only on TV so much.
I guess we gotta be mindful of our image.
I'm finally on a TV show, and I'm being attacked for it.
Nia, no one ever said
walkin' in your purpose was gonna be easy.
How much farther are we going?
We can turn around if you want.
-No, we can keep going. -Okay, look...
I'm working on being honest,
and now is a good time to put that into practice.
People you don't know
are commenting on decisions you made about your life,
and their opinions are starting to affect your mood.
We are here to spend time together,
and now that precious time is being interrupted
by people we don't even know.
Now your energy is negative,
and I don't want to be around it,
so if it's cool with you, I'd like to head back
so I can take you to the car and take you home.
-Okay. Take me home. -Okay.
upbeat hip-hop music
[Tristan] God, help me.
mellow music
[loud knock on door]
[loud knocking continues]
Who is it?
[Vanessa] It's your sister, silly goose.
Vanessa?
What, were you napping?
What are you doing here? Why'd you bring me flowers?
Well, it is nice to see you, too.
I didn't bring those.
They were waiting at your front door.
Oh, my gosh.
Well, your career is in shambles,
but at least your love life isn't boring.
My career is not in shambles,
and my love life is a hot mess.
So then who are those from?
Um, my friend Ben.
Ooh, nice penmanship. That's a good sign.
I can't date Ben.
Why wouldn't you want to date someone
that would give you flowers for no reason?
Because he's corny and he has this weird obsession
with making movies everyone likes.
I like him already.
I love you, but what are you doing here?
Mommy and Daddy are worried.
You didn't have to drive here to tell me that.
They sent me here to just talk some sense into you.
I'm finally on a TV show. I'm doing what I love.
Acting was cute when you were five.
It's not a real career.
Vanessa, this is my purpose.
Your purpose is to get a real job,
get married, have children,
and be a respectable daughter.
That is it. I'm not you and Mom!
I'm sorry! I'm just not built that way.
You're a Baptiste.
You were bred that way.
Great. You've given me the talk.
You can leave now.
Well, I'm actually staying for a little while.
Uh, Hattie's staying with me right now.
-Oh, she is? -[Hattie] Nia!
Guess who's got a hot date tonight.
[Vanessa] Well, look who it is.
-Vanessa! -Hattie.
Yo, it's so good to see you!
Mm. What you doin' here?
I'm staying with Nia for a little while.
I was sent here by our parents to help her get her life.
Well, shit, can you help me with mine, too?
I can, but first you need to find a new place to live.
-What? -Mm-hmm.
What the hell she talkin' about?
I can do one houseguest, not two.
[mouthing words]
I was just gettin' comfy!
-How long you staying? -As long as it takes.
Damn, that long?
Where am I supposed to go now?
Welcome home, roomie.
This is only temporary.
Uh, I hope not.
Living alone has made me weird.
Living alone did that?
[laughs]
You're funny. Okay.
So I'm thinking...spa night.
-Mm. -[gasps]
We'll do each other's toes, braid each other's hai--
My gosh, Vanessa, I am so happy to see you.
-[Vanessa laughs] -Your skin looks amazing.
[Vanessa] Facials twice a week. I swear by it.
[Hattie] Yo, how are the fur babies?
Coco and Chanel, they are great.
They're keeping their father company until I come home.
And when will that be, again?
Don't rush me.
Well, I, for one, am very happy you're here.
I've been trying to talk some sense into these two
for the last few years
and, clearly, I'm not making much progress.
-Wow. -I know you ain't talking.
What? My career is steady, and I'm engaged to be married.
But are you ready for marriage?
-Right. -Oh, that's a good question.
-[Hattie] Mm-hmm. It's true. -Of course I am.
We're in premarital counseling now.
Well, y'all gonna need more than that to make it.
See, that's why I'm waiting on my soul mate.
[Vanessa] Let me tell you all something.
Soul mates are overrated.
What you need is someone that you can make it work with.
So many people spend their lives
waiting to find this magical person
that's gonna make love to them all night long
and that it has to be someone that your friends like
and that your parents approve of,
and they've got to be gorgeous,
and they have to like all of the things that you like.
But it doesn't exist, and it's never gonna happen.
You need someone that you can travel with
and that's willing to put up with your family.
And if you have a similar sleeping pattern,
that's even better, but, ladies, please don't waste
your time waiting to fall head over heels in love
or to be swept off of your feet,
because it is a long journey,
and you need someone you can depend on.
I don't want to depend on anybody.
[scoffs] Yes, you do.
What you wanna do is get a solid teammate.
I promise you, your life will be so much happier.
Yo, that might be the saddest thing I've ever heard.
Better learned now, little sisters, than later.
[Nia] Don't listen to her.
She's just mad she's stuck in a boring marriage.
At least I'm stuck in something.
I'm just gonna eat my food 'cause...
...feel like a family thing.
[laughter]
mellow music
Hey, babe.
I'm home.
You here?
I can't understand what I'm doing
Don't understand where we're goin'
Please understand where I'm comin' from
Understand that it's all in me
But not plain to see
Please understand that we're strong
And I understand where we're going
I understand life be flowing
Please understand that we're strong
And I understand where we're going
I understand life be flowing
Dreamin' as you be talking to me
About where we'll be
I'm wearin' your gold
You whisperin' that it's over
To yourselves
Creepin' up my shoulder
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Oh, oh, I understand where we're coming from
Understand my devotion
Don't understand what we're doin'
I understand that it's plain to see
I'm Jason.
Chuck.
I feel like this is your first time in a gay bar.
That would be correct.
[laughs] Well, don't look so scared.
We don't bite.
What you drinking?
-Uh, Cabernet. -Oh, okay.
Can I buy you another?
Oh, uh, no.
I gotta pace myself.
If I drink too fast, I start singing.
And I'm in a room full of strangers.
And first impressions are lasting.
So you don't want to sing for me?
Not tonight.
But at some point in the future?
Maybe.
[knock on door]
Well, hello, handsome.
Oh, hey.
[Vanessa] How can I help you?
I'm looking for Nia.
You must be Ben with the great penmanship.
[laughs] Nah.
I'm Tristan, the hippie with no phone?
Although I have a phone now.
Huh? Okay. I-I'll go get her.
-Okay. -Hmm.
[knocks]
There's a Tristan at the door.
Oh, my gosh. What did you say to him?
I hope you didn't embarrass me.
Who knew you had so many suitors?
-[groans] -Okay.
-Hey. -Hey.
So dudes sending you flowers now?
Yeah. Don't be jealous.
Oh, I don't do jealousy.
That's a wasted emotion.
mellow music
Um, now that you have a phone...
Mm-hmm.
...please call before you come over?
Ahh, I'll remember that next time.
Look, I came by...
to say I'm sorry about what I said earlier.
I know I'm practicing honesty,
but that doesn't mean I have to be brutal about it.
And...
I could have been softer with my delivery.
-Yeah, you could have. -[scoffs] Yeah.
Look, I appreciate your apology,
and I receive it,
but we have very different experiences online.
We just do.
So you can't judge how I react to my experience
when you have no idea what I go through.
[sighs] I get that.
Do you?
[sighs] I'll work on being better
about putting myself in your shoes.
I appreciate that.
Yeah.
You wanna hang out again?
Mm, I'll think about it.
[Tristan] Ah, come on.
Do I gotta buy you flowers first or what?
Maybe. Okay, I'll text you.
-Finally! -Yeah. [laughs]
Oh, my gosh. Yeah, thanks for coming.
Yeah. You look good.
I know.
[Hattie] Yo, I swear I never thought
I would see the day when I would order vegan spaghetti.
[chuckles] I never thought I'd wake up at 3 a.m.
craving a oxtail taco.
[both laughing]
So what got you into writing?
Why do first dates always feel like job interviews?
It's weird, but, I mean, I gotta ask questions, right?
Yeah, but let's ask weird questions.
Okay, like what?
-Like, what if... -Mm-hmm.
...you had to choose between eating ice cream
or macaroni and cheese for the rest of your life?
Which one would you pick?
Well, I'm lactose intolerant,
so I guess I would just starve to death.
[laughing]
You're lactose intolerant.
-Yeah. -That's good to know.
-[laughs] -Now ask me something.
What's something you wish you weren't good at?
I wish I wasn't good at givin' advice
'cause then maybe people
wouldn't always come to me with their problems.
Ooh.
Is that shade towards me?
-Not at all. -[Hattie] Oh, okay.
I'm just sayin' I'm always helpin' people
with their problems, but when I have a problem...
I don't have anyone to turn to.
Well, you might need to start
holdin' folks accountable.
-Oh, is that right? -Yes.
And, you know, if people come to you with their shit,
you should just start goin' to them with your shit.
What if I don't like askin' for help?
[Hattie] Okay, well, then that's your shit.
I guess it is my shit.
You're also great at helping others.
Yeah, I like fixing things.
And people.
But you don't wanna be fixed.
I guess not. [laughs]
soft music
Do you believe in soul mates?
Of course I do.
My friend's older sister
was tellin' us that soul mates are bullshit.
Damn, that's cold.
But I think both can exist.
[Hattie] Say more.
Well, my--my parents have been together forever.
And some days they're madly in love,
and then other days they feel like roommates.
Mm.
But I think that's what a great relationship is.
It can be passionate one day and boring the next.
I don't know.
I think I need some passion in my life.
But you can't have that all the time.
But, I mean, can you really be happy
with somebody if you're bored with them?
Things aren't always gonna be exciting.
And they aren't always gonna be easy.
But you can't run when the going gets tough.
[Hattie] I guess.
I understand.
What do you wish you were good at?
Love.
No one's good at that.
I feel like you might be.
Why is that?
I just feel like you got a lot of love to give.
I've given out a lot of love in my life.
Now I wanna receive it.
Me too.
Why, why, why, why, why, why, why?
You and I were standing
[Hattie] Why the hell am I nervous?
I've done this many times before?
Have you ever made love to somebody?
Trust me.
-I ain't new to this. -[scoffs]
I know you've had sex, but when was the last time you...
slept with somebody who wasn't itching to leave
in the morning?
Girls do tend to bounce
before I can wipe the crust out my eyes.
You know we don't have to do anything.
Then what are we supposed to do?
Well, I would love to kiss you
and mess around.
That sounds nice.
Never, ever feel the same inside
Always gonna say my name
Mm...
damn, that was beautiful.
You also don't have to narrate the whole time.
Got it.
Denial
You and I, we stay in denial, denial
Oh, oh, oh, denial, denial
Phantom kisses tickling so...