Merritt?
Merritt Folding-- my partner--
was bribing a judge,
and selling verdicts to the highest bidder
and using our law firm as some sort of front?
TODD: Yes.
[stammers] And this whole thing was
under investigation by Lyle's girlfriend Alex,
who is actually FBI Agent Ariel?
Yes. Look, I know it sounds crazy
and the FBI has back-burnered Ariel's case,
but I have just opened mine
and I am sure, I am certain, and I am right.
All signs point to Merritt.
Ooh, Todd.
When you told me about the man being murdered
in your hospital room, I didn't believe you.
And that was a mistake.
Well... So...
I will believe you now, but...
these are very - serious allegations. - No, I know.
And they could - destroy everything. - Yes, absolutely.
- Yes, you're right. - And you're not to go back to the FBI...
No, I'm not going anywhere at all......or to the police
until you have some proof....until I have some proof.
[sighs deeply]
What are we doing in this box?
How did you get them to even let you in here?
Well, I told the lady it was urgent and she--
BARB: And how are we feeling?
Refreshed? Revitalized? Relaxed?
- No. - Actually, yeah.
BARB: But we look fantastic.
These herbal relaxation chambers
infuse our skin with a dewy moisture that helps...
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
But when does Reese's presentation begin?
We only did the demo
so that we could get passes to the beauty lecture.
Reese Walters will take the stage at any moment now.
- Okay, great. - Isn't it exciting?
- Yeah. - Right over there.
Thank you.
Wait, so you're here-- or we're here--
to see Reese Walters live, in person?
"America's Mom"? Really?
Yes, I got a hot tip.
La Brillance is the new "it" cosmetics line
since they acquired Reese Walters'-- excuse me--
"America's Mom" influencer brand,
and I've heard that they need a new attorney
for a case starting today.
Oh.[sighs]
La Brillance.
Landing this account could put an end
to all of our firm's troubles.
Well, except for the ones I just told you about.
"Everyday Glamour for Everyday Moms."
[Margaret chuckling] I know.
It is genius marketing.
They are raking in the cash. Excuse me.
And I am supposed to meet a La Brillance executive, Eve,
around here somewhere.
Who hooked you up with this client anyway?
- Why, we did! - Margaret dear.
MARGARET: Oh, girls!
Oh, I can't tell you how thankful I am
for making this introduction.
BOTH: Anything for you, Margaret.
We heard about this case from our friend Ruthie
who heard about it from Nicola...
- or was it Alex? - Oh. Oh!
But we just heard
that this Eve person can't make it here today.
MILDRED: Eve would rather meet you
later today, at the courthouse?
Oh. But the pretrial hearings start today.
Oh... It's okay.
I can make it work. It'll be fine.
TILLIE: Oh, here she comes!
[cheering]
Oh, oh.
Hello!
Hello, moms of America.
Oh, you all look beautiful.
Now, who wants a makeover
and to take home my full line
of easy, breezy cosmetics?
BOTH: Oh, she's lovely!
And she is going to save our firm.
Yeah, if there's anything left.
Crest, Folding and Song.
Barrett. You know, I met him years ago.
And Yamaguchi? I mean, who is he?
But what does all this prove, Todd?
- What does it mean? - What does it mean?
Why are these signs here?
Why are Merritt's gum wrappers here?
And what is he doing
with this whole empty 28th floor
- right above us? - I have no idea.
Who even leases the 28th floor?
Good question.
And approx three minutes after we get our mail down on 27th,
the answer should be here...
now.[elevator dings]
Oh, hi.
- 28th floor? - Yep, that's us.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
Have a good one.
I knew it. Somebody is getting mail up here.
And it's all addressed to...
Wait, the Portland Philanthropic Society? What?
I think it's a charity.
Yeah, they actually, they get a lot of mail.
Oh. Uh...
And... who picks it up?
Nobody. Ever. I just, I just recycle it all.
Hi, I am so sorry. I'm Judy.
Yeah, sorry, I was in the shower when you guys...
In the shower? What?
Oh, I actually have a thing.
I am Margaret, Todd's mother.
And you were the one
who was urban harvesting those bagels, weren't you?
[laughing] Yes, I was.
And I'm dating your son.
Um...
Yeah. I mean, yeah,
we just started. And it's great.
- Great. - But, uh,
this is my mom. Mom, Judy, you already did that.
- We did. - You know, this actually doesn't seem
like the greatest time to--
we're actually in the middle of, like,
two cases right now and you have wet hair.
So we're gonna go, but, um, s-sorry...
We're still seeing Akira at Cinema 21
tomorrow night, right?[elevator dings]
Yeah, probably. Yes. I mean, why not?
Sure. Um...
I'll talk to you later.
- Okay? - Okay.
Oh, shoot. I hit the lobby.
We're going - all the way down. - There's a lot going on.
Merritt, the FBI...
America's Mom, saving the firm... It's a lot.
So, does that girl live up there?
- I know, it-it's weird. - So, what is she?
Some sort of a mole person - living inside the walls? - I don't know.
She's a freegan?
Living in empty office spaces around the city.
But I really like her.
Don't I?[chuckles] It wasn't that long ago
that you were living in a garage.
Well, I'm not a mole person.
Am I?We don't have time for this.
I need to focus on that new La Brillance account.
And saving the firm.
And you should focus on Merritt Folding.
Yes, I will find proof and root him out. Yes.
We can do this.
Together. Remember.
We're a team.
[phones ringing]
[elevator dings]
What is going on? Where is everybody?
They're all "out sick."
Every single assistant, paralegal, receptionist...
- It's a sick-out? - All of them?
Ugh. Unbelievable.
Well, they were promised overtime
for working all last weekend
and somebody didn't pay.
But I will, Francey.
I will make everyone whole again,
- including you. - I've heard all that before,
Margaret.
Can we talk? Privately? In your office?
Unfortunately, I am rushing off to court
right now. Wh--?
Has someone told Beverly what is going on?
I mean, someone has to answer these phones.
Todd!
- Huh? - Go sit down at reception.
What? Are you kidding?
I'm about to crack a career-defining case
and you want me to answer the phone?
Just until I'm able to get a temp in here.
Those phones have to be answered, Todd.
It could be Eve Parsons
calling from La Brillance,
or Reese Waltersherself.
We have to keep up appearances.
Todd, sit down. Answer the phone.
Now.[slapping]
Sit down.
Crest, Folding and Todd Wright--
I can't believe I'm doing this-- What?
You what? Who am I? Who are you?
- Um, Beverly. - Margaret.
Seems like our staff are staging a grand mutiny.
W-We have to find the funds to pay their overtime.
Until then, I will hire someone to answer the phones--
No use rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
It's over, Margaret.
This ship is going down.
I just spoke to the accountant.
We have enough money to limp through the summer,
and then, I suppose we'll start selling off the furniture.
No, Beverly, wait.
I have a lead on a new client.
La Brillance. And Reese Walters.
This is the beginning - of our recovery. - Margaret,
let me take this chance to apologize to you.
Apologize?
I threw you into an impossible situation.
To be perfectly frank,
I was testing you.
- Testing me? What for? - I wanted to make sure
that my chosen ally was strong.
Strong enough to face
what we're really up against.
What are we up against?
Beverly, what do you know
about Merritt Folding and the 28th floor?
TODD: Mom? Mom!
Get out here!
Beverly?
- Hold, please. Mom? - What?
Okay. No calls from your client
but this lady wants legal advice
about a big puddle in her backyard,
and this guy needs a quickie divorce,
as if there were such a thing.
Shame on you, sir, - shame on you. - Todd,
these are potential clients. Be professional.
I am being professional. Goodbye forever.
Oh, and also,
Susan needs - to speak with you. - What?
Margaret. Listen, this is really awkward,
but I have been asked to...
I really don't know
how to put this, but you've been served.
What? Served? By whom?
By me. I want payment in full
for every single case for which
I have provided free medical expertise.
You can't be serious.
The puppet case,
the slip-and-fall, the stabby teacher,
the bank robbery girl,
the poisoned juror... the list goes on.
I would like a framed
certificate of participation
and $87,000.
What? And you're her lawyer?
Well, no. I only agreed to serve someone for you
before I knew it was you.
Oh, my God!
- Todd! - Huh?
Susan, Allison,
pull yourselves together
and hold down this fort.
I have to get to court right away
to meet a potential - new client. - TODD: Wait, wait, wait.
You can't leave me here with these phones.
This is crazy. I've got a case to solve,
things to do, a charity to investigate.
Todd, do you know what happens to the tapeworm
when the body dies?
- Huh? - The tapeworm dies, too.
Wait, wait, wait, wait. Am I the tapeworm
or am I the body in this situation?
You keep this place alive until I return.
Crest, Folding and tapeworm, what do you want?
Eve Parsons?
- Hello. Finally. - Yes. Margaret Wright?
Thank you so much for meeting me.
I can't tell you - how thankful I am. - The pleasure is all mine.
I have been a devotee of La Brillance Cosmetics
since my grandmothergave me
my first pink blush lipstick.
Oh. Um, that is nice.
I-I was a devotee, too. Until...
Until...? Until what?
Until Reese Walters slammed my hand in a door
because she was "angry."
I have permanent nerve damage
and I can't work - as a cosmetologist anymore. - A cosm--?
I'm sorry, that-that's awful, but are you
an executive at La Brillance?
No, no, no, no, no.
I'm hiring you to sue La Brillance.
To sue La Brillance?
All right. Representing La Brillance? From Granger Zisk?
And the new attorney for the plaintiff
is Margaret Wright?
♪ ♪
Eve, I'm so sorry, there's been a terrible miscommunication,
but I am not able to represent you at this time.
No, no, please, please... [stammers]
I-I can't lose another lawyer.
You have to help me.
I understand...[phone buzzing]
One second. Hello?
TODD: Oh, Mom? I didn't mean to call you.
Wait, what does this button do?
Sorry.
Margaret.
I'm a widow. [stammers]
Oh, I'm so sorry.
I have three children.
And-and no way to support them.
I understand.
Perhaps more than...
you even know, but I'm just not
able to take a pro bono case at this time.
No, this-this isn't pro bono.
I-I have your full retainer here.
Um, $30,000, right?
Oh, yes, but h--?
But this is signed by a Jordana Jecko?
Who is that?
She's my benefactor, um...
- My angel. - I see.
But I-I would still have to meet this person.
And then I would hand you over to another lawyer.
Because I am not able to--COOPER: Ms. Wright?
Just so you know, we'll be requesting a competency exam
- for your client. - Really? On what grounds?
Someone who makes claims Reece Walters did this
and can't keep a lawyer is clearly delusional.
Excuse me!
She is not delusional.
She is a mother
who has been wronged by your client.
And I am her lawyer.
No, Cheryl is... sick?
Uh-huh, yes, tell me more.
Mm-hmm, and you want a lawyer because...?LYLE: Crest, Folding & Wright.
She's not available. - Can I take a message? - Oh, she's mean to you, huh?
Maybe you should call her dad then.
LYLE: Okay, thank you, bye now.
- Uh-huh. - Crest, Folding & Wright.
TODD: Oh, my God, the green ducts.
That's the 28th floor.
No, sorry, talking to somebody else, hold please.
Lyle, look. Hold on.
"The International Mouths of Joy charity provides free
dental care worldwide with state-of-the-art mobile units."
That's what the 28th floor is for.
Folding's just keeping up appearances.
- Folding? - Yes!
For all anybody knows, there is a real charity up there.
And that's how they're taking in the money.
Bad guys donate to the charity,
but really they're just buying verdicts.
Hey, um, about your sister?[phone rings]
What? Hello? Hold, please. Yeah?
I really don't want to get in the middle
of a fight between her and your mother.
Smart, it's awful. Hello. Hold.
Gosh! How am I supposed to look into this charity,
when I am handcuffed to the front desk?
Just forward all the calls to your cell.
- You can do that? - Yeah.
Remember when I was a receptionist the summer
- after freshman year? - Uh-huh.
All right, look.
Just dial pound, four, three, two, transfer.
And then the number you want to transfer the call to.
Crest, Folding and Dental.
Thank you for agreeing to come in and speak
with me, uh, Ms. Jecko.
Jordana?
Margaret.
Well, let me cut to the chase.
Behind the scenes,
Reese Walters, America's Mom,
has anger issues.
She's abusing her staff
and ruining their lives.
Well, that is certainly not the America's Mom
we've come to adore.
It's very ugly, but let me ask you something.
What's in it for you?
Why would an outrageously successful venture capitalist--
yes, I looked you up-- bankroll
a case like this?
I represent a sisterhood of powerful women
seeking to protect other women like Eve
who don't have the resources to defend themselves.
A sisterhood.
We call ourselves "The Roses."
And if you win this case, you can join us.
And I will bring all 23 of our businesses to you.
- Oh. - We should've come to you sooner.
You have a solid reputation for looking
beyond the paycheck, protecting the little guy.
We can't let monsters like Reese get away
with destroying one more hardworking mother.
Okay.
I'll do it.
Excellent.
[chuckles softly]
But let me warn you.
- Hmm? - Billions are at stake.
And they will stop at nothing to protect their brand.
They will come after you in every possible way.
Exploit every skeleton in your closet.
It's going to be very dirty.
And very personal.[knocking]
Hey there, I'm sorry to interrupt.
Are you on this La Brillance case?
I saw your name on the paperwork.
They signed me as outside counsel this morning.
What?
Good luck.
Oh, I'm sorry, I--Thank you.
I just, I-I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it.
You're working for La Brillance?
Yes, and you're suing us.
But don't worry about it, I'm-I'm not
even at the table. I'm just deposing a few
key assets, and look at this, you got me talking.
I can't be sharing - any of this with you. - Mm-hmm.
What, is this gonna be awkward?
Should one of us maybe step off the case?
I'm not stepping off the case. And, Gus,
they're only throwing you a bone so that they can rattle me.
Throwing me a bone?
- I'm Gus Easton. - Exactly.
And what they want--Hang on,
hang on, hang on, let, let's... What?
...let's relax here a second.
Oh, don't tell me to relax.
I meant both of us, okay?
So we can maybe figure out some rules of engagement?
Okay.
Maybe we start with: we don't talk about the case
outside of court and-and... I would never discuss a case outside court.
...we don't keep score.
We don't holdgrudges.
We go easy on each other, huh?
We keep our mutual happiness and...
our future in mind at all times.
I'm only outside counsel.
- Eh, nothing. - Which is really
too bad 'cause I would love a chance
to whup that butt in court.
Please.
You'd lose again.
Are you really suing America's Mom?
Magpie, this case is un-winnable.
They have endless resources.
They're gonna stretch this out forever.
They're gonna bury you.
And I'm Margaret Wright.
Okay, now you two sneak in there... Okay.
...to La Brillance corporate headquarters.[ringtone playing]
And I-- [groans] Will do. Understood.
Crest, Folding & Wright. - Please hold. - Here, give it to me.
I will answer the calls myself while you two get in there
and find proof that Reese Walters abuses her employees.
Yes, and you're gonna stay right here, right?
- You're the getaway driver. - No.
I can't be discovered on the campus
of the company that I'm suing.
Well, don't worry about that.
I've got a mask for you in my go bag.
- Here. Yes. - A mask?
Okay, so I think we should pretend
to be a married couple or something like that?
- Well, then fine. - You understand your assignment?
- Yes, I understand. - Okay.
I can see changing your outfit one time,
but three times before we leave the apartment, that...
Okay, well, let's not talk about you calling for the car service
- five minutes late. - Miles?
We are in public. Hi. We are so sorry
we're late for our appointment. It was his fault.
Don't you blame me, Jesse.
I told you we were going to be tardy.
You know, I hate that you have to see him like this.
He's usually so gentle with his words. So where do we go?
Up? You're here
for the photo shoot, manscara?
Yes.
And we're late.
Colin? Some more normy models have arrived.
Hmm? For the "Of the People" campaign.
Yeah, they're perfect. Super dorky.
Super dorky?
Thank you. Tell Colin we'll be right--
Miles?
You see how he leaves me in the dust?
[chuckles] Miles Elizabeth Curtain.
I'll walk out on you next.
TODD: "Of the People."
I'm not "of these people."
I mean, maybe you are.
And what the heck is "manscara" anyway?
Mascara for men.
Can you tell I'm wearing it?
Yes.
Also, did you get any dirt on Reese?
The cosmetologist who created this charismatic pirate look
thinks Reese is lovely.
Hi, you're next.
Just follow me.
Oh, gosh, this is so exciting.
I'm such a big fan of Reese.
- What's she like? - She's lovely.
- She's America's Mom. - Ah.
Oh, hi there. Hi.
I heard Reese Walters is a total monster.
Have you heard that?
She's lovely. She's America's Mom.
Right, hmm, great. [coughs]
Sorry, ca--? Uh, wait.
Becky, with the nametag and the brown hair.
Oh, my God, hi.
My friend Eve Parsons wanted me to say hello to you.
- Eve? What happened to her? - Uh-huh.
- Wait, are you talking about Eve? - Yeah, Eve.
And what about Diana, how is she? Is she okay?
Oh, yes, Diana.
Oh, good question.
REESE: Good morning!
Hello, everyone. Great day for a photo shoot.
Am I right? Wow.
Who is this?
I think we've found our cover boy.
- Grab him. - Wha--? Oh, oh, okay!
Lanie, Becky, come.
Cover boy? Me?
Have fun. You're gonna be famous.
Oh.
Hi again. Hi.
Oh, my God.
Uh, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me!
Pound, four, three, two, transfer.
[both scream]
Oh, God.
- You told me to wear this. - Sorry.
I forgot. Okay, go.
- Where's Lyle? - He's not coming.
He's the new manscara cover boy.
It's a long story.
Would you just go, please?
And take that mask off, my God!
Okay, so they're all afraid of Reese.
And there's another woman, like Eve,
who is no longer there. Her name is Diana.
Maybe this Diana is another victim.
And if we can locate her, our case
is much stronger case.
TODD: Wait, is that--?
Todd, what-what are you looking at?
TODD: "Mouths of Joy."
Mom, follow that molar.
[kids shouting]
[bell rings]
Dentist!
[kids screaming]
Dentist! Dentist!
What?
This is nothing like the mobile dental unit
on the website. This is so beat-up.
It's sepsis on wheels.
Okay, so follow my lead.
I ask a few questions, let him glance at my pearlies,
and try to suss out his connection to Folding.
Todd, I'm the lawyer, I should be asking the questions.
No, you back me up.
I answered - your little phones. - Thank you.
And now you're my wing-mom, so...
Whatever happens, you go along with it.
It's like improv. "Yes, and."
- Okay? - Yes.
And.
Hey, there. You need some dental work?
- Yes. - And I'd like to watch.
Cool, yeah, whatever.
Come on in.
Yes, and you go first.
Well, we'll start - with a basic exam. - Uh-huh.
Can't do X-rays though, - the machine kind of melted. - Okay.
DEXTER: Ooh, and I can give you a brush and floss if you want.
Oh, that sounds refreshing.
- And-and this is all free? - Yeah.
Wow, what a wonderful, charitable service.
Yes, and...
who's behind all of this?
No idea. Never met them.
But who pays you for your services?
Some organization. They fund all this.
Not too shabby for a guy
who flunked out of dental school, huh?
Hey, wait, what? You flunked out of dental school?
Open up and say, "Ah."What do you mean, you flunked...
[Todd screams]
Oh, honey, smile. You look so cute.
[camera clicks]
- Yes. Good. - DEXTER: Whoa,
you got a lot of teeth in there. Ah.
Good for you. Thank you.
Oh, that tooth
- looks like a cavity. - Hmm.
You want me to open it up and have a better look?
Yes. And...?
And? Well, I could pull it.
Yes.[speaking gibberish]
Yes, and...?
- Full root canal? - Oh, my God.
Yes, a-and...?
Let me get drill and we'll start it up.
[all screaming] Oh, no!
DEXTER: - Okay, appointment's over. - Oh, God.
DEXTER: Sorry about that.
But I'll be back by here in a month or so.
And, hey, uh, I'm not really supposed to do this,
but if you want to leave me a tip,
here's my CashDown link.
Ah, uh, "Dexter Snodgrass."
You can call me "Dex."
Ugh. You were gonna let him drill on me?
You told me the "yes, and" thing.
Yeah, but not to the point of a root canal.
[phones ringing][sighs]
[humming softly]
LYLE: These are all La Brillance phone lines?
TODD: Uh-huh.
You get anything interesting yet?
Well, Yvonne in sales is mad at Jenny in HR,
who's bogged down with Kiersten's
bronzer etiquette complaints,
whatever that means.
Meanwhile, Katherine's-- oh.[phone ringing]
Hi, Katherine.
Did David from maintenance change that bulb yet?
KATHERINE [over phone]: Not yet. Who is this again?
Oh, um, Ish Shmer-- Ge-- ka--
but I... [imitates static] can't hear you-- thank you.
They're gonna figure this out very soon.
Well, until then, we keep going.
Meanwhile, what have you got?
Your dentist friend Dexter Snodgrass
forgot to make his history private on the CashDown app.
And he takes in $400 a month from "Donate PPS."
PPS. The Portland Philanthropic Society.
I tried to send Donate PPS
a dollar, and CashDown converted that dollar
into Swiss francs.
Swiss bank accounts.
That's how Folding is hiding the money.
Crooks donate in, Folding pays out to the judge
and the whole thing is hidden behind
this fake charity and that janky-ass
nightmare dental caboose.
Okay. W-- uh, well, with this information,
and the charity license your mother sent a photo of...[phone ringing]
I reached out
to my friend back at the NSA.
- Uh-huh. - He's gonna get
whatever information he can
about who owns that Swiss bank account.
Great.[phone ringing]
Oh, I stopped answering that one.
It's just somebody yelling in a foreign language.
ALLISON [distant]: ...for years, soliciting medical expertise,
with no contract, no remuneration... Speaking of yelling.
ALLISON: ...and no - recognition whatsoever. - Allison?
Y-Yeah-- okay, I see your point,
and I definitely hear - the frustration in your voice. - Oh, my God.
Good job on the sensitivity training, Susan. That rocks.
Oh, great, you're gonna saunter in here with some witty quips
and try and calm me down and then get me to barf up
some magical medical fix-all info?
It's not happening, okay? It's over.
I'm not doing it again.
And I want him on my witness list
or my-my contingent list or whatever list
that people who are suing have, I want him on it.
Hey, Al, I think you need to...
No, I don't. And I'm leaving.
And do not FaceTime me,
asking for, "Hey, Al, what's the blood type
of a serial killer with red hair?"
Wait, is that a thing? They all have the same blood type?
- No. - Huh.
You know,
I was like that when I was 16,
but my mother was not having it.
Yeah, I think she's just dealing with a lot right now.
[phone buzzing]
SUSAN: Ooh. Judy.
- How's that going? - Oh, um,
I don't know, uh...
I mean, she's great, but... she's different
than me-- or not different than me,
she's just... her living situation is odd,
and I-I guess I'm just not sure where she's headed in life.
Or-or where I'm headed.
Or what a future with her might look like.
So now you know how I felt when I was dating you.
Hmm.[phone ringing]
What is with that phone?
MARGARET: Your Honor, Eve Parsons' journals
would corroborate the abuse she endured from Reese Walters.
And we object.
These journals amount to nothing more
than a silly teenage girl's diary.
[chuckles] Your Honor,
I've sent the pages out for testing
to authenticate the date, the handwriting,
the legitimacy of... LANSDELL: I'm afraid I agree.
You haven't met your burden, Attorney Wright.
Motion denied.
We'll take a 15-minute recess.
[gavel bangs]
- We're gonna lose, aren't we? - Uh, uh, no, no.
It's a setback, not a loss.
Will you excuse me for just one second, please?
I have been trying to reach you all day.
I know, I'm sorry, I've been busy.
Look, I know we're not supposed to talk about the case
but there's been a big, weird development, they've...
they've added a new expert,
and I've been trying to let you know...
Who is the new expert?
[cries softly]
Hello, Margaret.
Harry.
[crying]
- What is he doing here? - I love your blouse.
- Oh, my God, stop, Harry. - Margaret, no, no, no.
You cannot speak to him.
Listen, Harry McDonald is privy
to privileged attorney-client information.
Information that he cannot share
- and you cannot hear. - Oh, what information could you possibly have?
Margaret, they're gonna see you talking to him
and they're gonna bump you off this case.
It-it may be a dirty tactic,
but you got to cool it.
I still love you, Margaret.
Oh, my God.
And you should cool it, too.
Hey, Easton, need you a second.
Be right there. Listen, Harry, go back to our prep room.
Wait. But I...Come on, go. No, no.
Do not say one more word to her. And Margaret?
Same applies to you.
Both of you, no more talking.
- Margaret. - Oh, God.
Margaret.
I know something.
I can help you win this case.
Shut up and go away. God.
[phones ringing]
- Oh. - Weird. Hi.
I was gonna say you've been avoiding my calls,
but it seems like you actually have a lot
- of calls coming in. - No, I'm not avoiding your calls, I'm just...
Look, I get it, you're-you're freaked out
that I am squatting in the building.
Uh... it's weird.
And I'm weird, to you.
No, no, I guess-- look, I'm weird, if anything,
I'm just...[phone ringing]
- Oh, whoa. - No, no, no, don't-don't get that.
MAN: Hello! [speaking Portuguese] Oh.
It's Portuguese.
Wait, he's looking for a paper?
No, no, no, he's looking for a check.
Someone owes him some money? Yeah.
[speaking Portuguese]
You speak Portuguese?[man speaking Portuguese]
Okay. It's not for him.
It's a reimbursement for someone named Diana.
Diana? Wait, no, no, no.[phones screeching]
They're all turning off.
They must've shut down - the phone transfer. - Oh, no.
They're onto me. Ugh!
If only we had just one minute with that guy.
Where is my...
I've got it. Well, partially.
I-- oh, hello.
Hi. Wow, you look
so much younger without the...
I was thinking about growing it back...
Lyle? What are you doing?
Okay.
Swiss bank accounts are anonymous,
but my friend at the NSA Shannet...
- "Shannet"? - Like Janet with a "shh."
- Oh. - He was able to locate an application
for an international funds transfer.
And while most of the data was redacted,
he was able to pull a photo
of the PPS Swiss bank account holder.
No way.
- Weird photo. - It's encrypted.
And it's gonna take about 24 hours to decrypt.
Well, wait-wait-wait, what does this mean, guys?
Okay, this is a photo of a guy
who runs the fake charity upstairs,
and this guy Merritt
takes in money and buys off the judge,
but by tomorrow at this time we'll have a photo of him.
Hard, fast evidence that we can take to the FBI.Okay.
We did it. We cracked the case. We beat Folding.
- Oh, my God. - Yep.
Now all we have to do is... Wait?
- We need to talk. - I know.
I know, I've been meaning to, but...
It-It's too late for all that now.
I've been offered a job, and I'm gonna take it.
Oh-- Francey, no, no, no, no.
No, please, please understand...
It's triple my current salary,
reasonable hours, room for advancement
and six weeks paid vacation.
Triple your current salary?
Who's offering you this?
La Brillance Cosmetics.
Oh, no, Francey.
No, they-they are a miserable company.
This is not a real offer. They are just trying to...
I don't care what they're trying to do.
They gave me a solid contract.
I had Susan look it over, and I'm taking the job.
I am. I'm taking it.
There's just one thing.
What?
You have to fire me.
They won't take me on until I'm formally released
from my contract here, so...
you need to fire me.
No.
I won't do it.
Margaret.
I have taken on more responsibility
than any person alive could handle,
and I did it all for you.
So, please, Margaret, do this
one thing for me.
Fire me.
Say it.
♪ ♪
Okay.
You're fired.
[phone ringing]
[phone clatters]
[phone chimes][grunts]
[phone continues chiming]
♪ ♪
Well, I'm not coming to you.
Ah, yes, of course.
Of course. Sorry. I knew you'd come.
Did they put you up to this?
[laughs] Oh, they must be really afraid of me
to have sunk so low.
No, no, no, nothing like that, honestly, I just...
I came to help you.
Why?
So that you'd forgive me.
When they approached me about being an expert on the case,
I knew it was all malarkey.
They asked me more questions about you
than about my qualifications.
I'm just a tactic, to hurt you.
And you've been hurt so much already.
So why did you say yes?
I need the money.
I can't find a job. I-I need health insurance.
When I went in to meet La Brillance at Granger Zisk,
you know, the attorney's--Yes, I know who they are.
- They have gorgeous offices. - Get to the point.
Well, there were so many people, so much going on,
experts and witnesses,
and this woman who was sitting near me
left this on her chair.
It's marked "confidential."
It's got all sorts of information about the case.
I didn't understand most of it,
but I thought maybe...
maybe it could help you.
Help you to win.
No.
Hey, there's gotta be something
useful in here, Marg-- Margaret.
Margaret, look. Wait, you can't just take off.
Wait. Wait, wait, wait. There's something--
There's some woman, some woman from Cape Verde.
She's, uh, she's sick or something.
With Grenfell syndrome? Grenfell syndrome!
- Allison, please be reasonable. - Come on, get on board, Alison.
- I could lose the firm. - We're your family.
No.
Okay. Allison,
I value you.
I don't have a favorite child, but if I did,
you would be in the top two.
Allison, I am so grateful for all of the medical expertise
that you have very-- I've heard it all before.
Why don't you just search Grenfell syndrome?
The Internet is free, but I am not.
I did search it, and I got nothing,
and then I searched it with Cape Verde,
where they speak Portuguese, by the way,
and anyone ever named Diana,
and still got nothing.
Who gave you this tip anyway?
It befell me against my will.
That's all you need to know.
Okay, Allison. Okay, okay.
What do you want?
A helipad. Hey, if she gets one, I get one.
And $87,000.
The firm is out of money. What else?
I've always admired that bracelet.
Your grandmother gave that to me.
Her silver then.
What are you going to do with that in this hovel?
- Hey! - Melt it down and make a sword.
Allison, this is nonsense.
Okay, okay, you can have the bracelet,
and you can have the silver.
And when the firm recovers,
you can have exactly what you are owed. Okay? Deal?
Oh! No deal.
I'm not dropping
the lawsuit. I want my day in court.
Well, if this isn't about the money,
the bracelet and the silver,
then what-- Oh, oh.
We're back to solving the mystery of your life.
The mystery of my life?
I didn't ask for help solving the mystery of my life.
What does that even mean?
Hey, don't look at me, I've already
solved the mystery of my life.
That is right, Todd. You have.
And I am so proud of you.
But you didn't do it alone.
I have been there for you and helped,
Allison helped, and, Allison,
Todd and I will be there for you
as you are figuring it out, okay?
Right, Todd?
TODD: Yeah, of course we will.
But right now, there is
a very desperate woman
who needs our help, so, please,
tell us, what is Grenfell syndrome?
[sighs]
Okay, you couldn't find Grenfell syndrome online
because the name is actually Granfeldt syndrome...
Whoever tipped you off is a real idiot.
Oh, you have no idea.
...and it is a very rare and late-stage complication
affecting people recovering from serious burns.
- Burns? Like skin burns? - ALLISON: Mm-hmm.
And, occasionally, there are complications that arise
which require endless follow-up surgeries at great cost.
Costs that they would need to be reimbursed for.
So, this Diana was burned,
and they sent her away to Cape Verde.
TODD: Is this enough for you to win the case?
I am going to make it enough.
Now, you need to get back to the office
and downcrypt that-- Decrypt.
Decrypt that NSA photo.
Okay. This is so Mission: Impossible.
I can't even-- Wait, are you good?
Yes, I'm fine. I need a minute.
- Yes! - MARGARET: Great. Very grateful.
This is great. Wait, Mom. Yes, okay.
Seriously, we're on it. Oh, sorry.
- Make contact. - No, I'm doing it...
Line it up with the elbow. Ah!
There you go. Yes, great.
Oh, thank you.
[door closes]
Your Honor, we would like to
recall our witness Lanie Friedbook.
[grunts]
[sighs]
Lanie, what is your opinion
of Reese Walters?
She's lovely.
She's America's Mom.
[chuckles] Were you coached to say that?
Because don't you think it's a little bit funny
that every single cosmetologist,
every employee, in fact,
at La Brillance says the exact
same thing about Reese Walters?
"She's lovely, she's America's Mom."
Well, no, because she is lovely.
And she's America's Mom.
And do you think that Diana
would also say she was lovely?
- Diana who? - That's a good question,
because when you asked my investigator
about Diana,
I cross-referenced
all of the employee records at La Brillance
with Social Security records, and it appears
that Diana's been scrubbed
from the system, but...
why would that be?
I don't know anything.
[pen clicking]
But do you think that it's possible
that Diana also had a run-in with Reese
where she was left hurt?
And burned.
You... you know about the burns?
MARGARET: Yes, I do.
Was she burnt so badly
that she was sent away to Cape Verde?
No, it wasn't Diana.
Diana wasn't burned.
Oh. No, no, I...
I mean...
Am I protected by being up here?
They made us sign all these NDAs,
and I'll lose my job
and they threatened us with fines.
Lainie, I will protect you,
and you are under oath.
If it wasn't Diana, then who was it? Who got hurt?
What did Reese do?
Reese was so mad at Diana,
and they were arguing and...
and-and Reese threw a cup of hot, scalding coffee at her.
[people gasping, murmuring]
But it... it landed,
it splashed all over on Diana's daughter.
A baby.
[gasps]
She threw hot coffee all over Diana's baby.
[people murmuring]
Thank you.
Here we go.
Okay.
[sighs]
How's it going?
We're almost there. 98%.
All right. Good work,
Portland's best number one private detective.
[chuckles] Hey, uh,
I brought some cake to celebrate.
Somebody had a birthday
- down on 14. - You know what?
What? [gasps]
["Feeling Good" by Nina Simone plays]
♪ Fish in the sea ♪
[gavel bangs]♪ You know how I feel ♪
Ah.
♪ River running free
♪ You know how I feel ♪
♪ Blossom on the tree, you know how I feel ♪
Thank you.
♪ It's a new dawn, it's a new day ♪
[computer beeping] Oh, um...
This... Yeah, you can. Yes.
♪ For me ♪
♪ And I'm feeling good ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Dragonfly out in the sun ♪
♪ You know what I mean, don't you know? ♪
Here we go.
♪ Is a new world ♪
♪ And a bold world ♪
♪ For me ♪
♪ Stars when you shine ♪
♪ You know how I feel ♪
♪ Scent of the pine ♪
♪ You know how I feel ♪
♪ Oh, freedom is mine... ♪
Francey, I have news. You have to call me
as soon as you get this message.
I need to talk to you.
It's urgent. Call me.
Aw.
Thank you.
Hmm.
Finally.
Oh.
Susan. Hmm?
Susan, I am promoting you
to senior associate effective immediately.
The promotion is yours.
- What? - Yeah.
Oh, here.
- Congratulations. - Okay.
♪ I'm feeling good. ♪
Um, I am so sorry,
but I, uh, I may need to call you back.
But thank you.
Thank you for the offer.
Todd, I did it.
[laughs]
I won. I won.
And, Todd, I signed 23 new clients. 23.
In a day.
That must be a new record.
But, Todd,
I did it. I saved the firm.
Ha-ha. Things are looking up. [laughs]
Well, not everything.
What? Didn't you-you get that photo?
Do you have proof that Merritt is a criminal?
Well, I have proof that the criminal is...
...you.
Oh, my God. That's my passport photo.
Yeah.
This photo says that
the owner of the fake charity upstairs
is you.
Oh, my God.
All of those checks that I've been signing.
Those duplicate vendor bills.
Sam's Bagels?
Who have I been paying?
Maybe Alistair Song didn't actually
embezzle from the firm.
Maybe by making you name partner,
Merritt Folding--
Is setting me up to take the fall for his crimes.
He's framing me.
Look,
this is going to be hard.
And-and complicated.
But we will figure it out together.
Remember,
- we're a team. - We're a team.
Oh,
Merritt Folding. BEVERLY: Speak of the devil.
He's on his way up.
Wait, Merritt Folding is here?
Gird your loins.
[elevator dings]
Captioning sponsored by CBS
and TOYOTA.
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org