- 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 kill 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] [gunshot]
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 10 Million Followers.
- 10.2, 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 killing 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 shit, 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 drugs 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 drugs?
Look at me.
Let me know. No judgment.
This shit 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 niggas *
* 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 fuck 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 50 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]
- * Bitches 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 25-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 24 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 died.
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 gun 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 shot 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 24 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]
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 fucked 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 shoot someone?
- No.
I shot a gun into the air to break up a fight.
- So your uncle did break the law.
- Yeah, to help me.
Shit, 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.
- Fuck, 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, fuck.
[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 90 minutes long.
Candidates will have one minute to answer each of my questions
and then 30 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 *