Vernon Dupree, what have you done?
Just a few appetizers to help
kick off our night.
-This is too much. -Oh, not nearly enough.
But if you prefer, I can take it all back.
Don't you dare.
I want you to remember this night
for lots of reasons.
You are so smooth.
But I didn't get you anything.
Well, a-a goddess just
floated down those stairs
and chose me all over again.
That's my gift.
-You are exquisite. -Mm.
Think of tonight as your getting back on the horse.
Mm.
-Giddyup. -Mm.
-And for your remount... -Mm.
...I contacted your stylist
and, uh, got her to pull a few new pieces.
She certainly knows how to dress me,
but undressing me has been your special skill.
Ooh... [chuckles softly]
And I-I picked up everything else myself.
Well, you have never gone wrong with a jewelry box.
Lastly...
...I stopped by your favorite lingerie shop.
Mine...
-or yours? -Mm.
French lingerie just makes me feel like
the most beautiful, desirable woman in the world.
Something about that silk against my skin.
And the lace.
I think we kept that shop in business.
Mm-hmm. Speaking of which...
let's get to it.
Oh, yes, please.
♪ Let me show you♪
♪ What it's like to be you♪
Oh!
Kat, we didn't hear you walk in.
Um, I wish I hadn't.
I can't tell you how much.
I have a thing. I got to go.
You two, um...
proceed.
But not now. Just-just
give me a second, please.
Just forget I was ever here. I know I will.
Thank you. I mean, I love you. Okay.
Bye.
[laughing]
Vanessa. I was gonna call you.
To what would I have owed that pleasure, Congressman?
You lending our family your firstborn.
Smitty and I couldn't have asked for a better gentleman
or friend to escort Samantha to the cotillion.
Donnell was happy to be on her arm.
And congrats again. I was so thrilled
she beat out that little Belleclaire for Platinum Deb.
Samantha must've been floating on air all night.
She was.
We all were,
until we learned what was happening
while we were celebrating.
I still can't believe it.
[door opens]
Hi.
[door closes]
How are things at the station?
-[keys clatter] -Hectic.
I wish I could've came home with you after the service.
I know, baby.
But please tell me you're in for the night.
Yeah, but there's still so much to do.
But it'll still be there in the morning.
All that matters right now is that you're home.
So I can do this.
♪ ♪
You know, I miss fun Bill.
What do you want, Joey?
I may need to retain your services.
Mm.
Well, what's the charge?
Well, with your help, there won't be any.
Our favorite police chief is throwing shade my way.
That business with the Red Market ring.
BILL: Hmm.
I think you'd be insulted
if he wasn't looking at you.
I'd be pacing a cell
if he had anything to tie me to it.
Elon's overcorrecting because his son almost wound up
in a body bag.
And my daughter came this close to being a widow.
See?
Emotions are running high all around.
What do you think, Joey? Hmm?
We all just take what almost happened lying down?
Hey, Hay-Hay.
Girl.
It's been a long time.
-Not long enough. -[Leslie chuckles]
So, did you say goodbye to that little friend of yours?
Which one?
Aw, pretending like you have more.
Oh, that little cute girl that you were hanging out with
at the Bowman when you and Bill last stayed there?
-Ah. -Or was your friendship
as temporary as your, uh, stay?
Lynette left town.
And, listen, before you apply for the vacancy,
let's just skip ahead to you being offended
when I say "no" again.
And, you know, we can just move this right along.
Buh-bye. Be free.
Or we can just get a mani-pedi
and start this beautiful friendship.
Game recognizes game.
I see you, Hayley, child.
Striving.
You've got layers beneath those lashes.
We are not the same.
LESLIE: Mm.
You're playing the long game,
doing the most to get to where you need to be.
Just like me.
I'm not playing at anything.
You just haven't gotten caught yet.
You know, you're not the only one who can recognize.
This little stream of crazy consciousness
is not all real, now, is it?
Hold up.
Did you just call me crazy?
Like a fox.
You just throw it all against the wall,
see what sticks,
who you can get a rise out of.
You know, you tried it with me more than once,
but why would I bite when you tell me
that my marriage has no chance in hell of succeeding?
You're still in the return policy window,
and he could just send you right back to the trophy wife store
without as much as a ding to his heart
or a ding to his bank account.
You know,
maybe if you had a man of your own,
he'd be in your business and you wouldn't be all up in mine.
Oh, but I do. Thank you very much.
Okay. Where do I send my condolences?
Ooh, cute. Actually, you send your congrats...
to Marcel Malone.
-Wait, the cop? -Oh,
that detective is not defective.
So, tell me, tiny little dancer,
what's it like having big bad Bill
swinging you all around?
Oh, no, better yet, let me guess.
I bet you close your eyes real tight,
and then you dream of the day
that you can cash out.
Am I right?
Or am I right?
Would you like a drink, Bill?
Maybe steady that hand.
There's nothing wrong with my damn hand.
You're just pissing me off.
I've angered many a man, but never got that result.
Your concern would mean more if I didn't know
that you just wanted to make sure I'm around to defend you.
Both things can be true, my friend.
I don't need my name associated with
the felling of an ex-fireman who worked at my clinic.
You know, Joey, why are you so bothered about something
that hasn't happened yet?
Making preemptive moves just shines a brighter light on you.
Elon can get wise, but his kid's a Boy Scout.
I'd hate for the younger Hawthorne to find out
that the ties between me and the Duprees
are deeper and...
much more unseemly than he ever imagined.
That threat works both ways.
I just want you to get the Hawthornes
to cease and desist,
which I'm sure you'll make happen
once this problem lands in your capable...
steady hands.
Derek's memorial was intimate and powerful.
Just a few friends. I was honored to say a few words.
Derek was doing such a wonderful job with the clinic.
Doug's clinic.
I can't make sense of it.
Losing this good young man so soon on the heels of Doug.
It's a reminder that we can't take a moment for granted.
We must hold space for the people we love.
Because you just never know.
NAOMI: Oh...
This isn't how I imagined your homecoming.
Me, either.
But you?
You were so brave, Naomi.
You held me up and reminded me why I was doing all of this.
You were proof that there was still good and beauty
in the world when I was surrounded by so much ugliness.
Okay, stop. Stop.
Please, just stop and don't say another word.
I am very happy to be
out of the house and here with you.
Mmm. Scotch.
What's going on?
Yeah. I'm trying to wipe an image out of my head.
Nope, still there. Bartender.
What happened?
The Grands.
I walked in on them while they were about to
you know what.
What?
No. Stop. Please shut up.
But... Wait, tell me more.
Yeah, they were still clothed, but they were
definitely on their way to...
Mm-mm. Mm-mm.
...happy town.
And then I crashed.
Awkward.
Understatement.
But also, aw,
they still have the fire for each other
after all these years.
Yeah, and they could've burned it
upstairs in their bedroom.
Well, when we Duprees got to have it...
Okay, don't hate.
You better be glad you didn't walk in ten minutes later,
because then...
I need all of my imagination
for when I have breakfast with them tomorrow.
[sighs]
Breakfast tomorrow, we'll...
take Kat's suggestion
and act like it never, ever happened.
Well, that should be a piece of cake for you, Miss EGOT.
Just tone down the granddad jokes.
Yeah, that's a good note.
Where were we?
Oh, I believe
we were right...
here.
Oh, not so fast.
What? Don't tell me that the mood is gone.
Hardly.
No, I got a little carried away earlier
because you were so...
...doggone intoxicating.
But I don't want to rush tonight.
[sensual music playing]
♪ ♪
I can't let you paint me as this perfect cop wife.
That's your mom.
I'm not a woman made of steel.
I was just doing this pale imitation.
Babe, you're 100% real.
Not when I was alone.
I would lay in our bed at night
missing you
and being so scared for you.
I pride myself on being meticulous
with attorney-client confidentiality,
but when it came to you, I made a dozen little missteps
that could've given you away.
My God, what if I had said something in front of Lia?
-But you didn't. -But I could have.
Meanwhile, you kept your cool under real pressure, like...
Because I'm trained for it,
and I was dealing with strangers.
But you had plenty Duprees keeping a close watch.
I just hate that you had to lie to 'em.
Yeah.
But knowing also...
...kept me sane.
And that burner phone you gave me,
with your voice on the other end of it,
was my lifeline.
And our time in that motel room.
Same, baby.
So I guess we can get rid of that damn phone.
As a matter of fact, we can break it into a million pieces.
-I'll go get the toolbox. -No, no, no, no.
No, this...
this night is not about me.
I want it to be.
I was out there being the job,
but you are my purpose.
So, whatever you want,
me getting it for you is why I'm here.
Well, then, if that's the case...
...I'll tell you exactly what I need.
Can you do something for me?
Can you be extra vocal?
Are you suggesting dirty talk?
Just tell me...
when it feels right
and when it doesn't.
Every moment.
Are you worried about my port?
Oh, honey, that port
helped save your life.
I just might kiss it.
No, I just...
I just want everything to be wonderful for you tonight.
Well, you know, I'm good at giving directions.
And I'm good at taking them.
♪ ♪
-MARTIN: Granddad, you here? -Oh.
Got a call about the fundraiser.
Whoa. Uh, I'm sorry.
Um, I didn't know you were getting busy.
I-I meant to say occupied.
Gran, I just stopped by to see how you were doing.
But now that I see-- not that I was looking.
Um, it seems like you're doing well.
Very.
Sweetheart,
I'm gonna head upstairs, and, uh,
I'll be waiting for you when you finish.
You're not going anywhere.
No. However, my grandson,
now, he was just leaving.
-MARTIN: Uh... -Weren't you, son?
My Grands did teach me how to take a hint.
Your first thought is always taking care of me.
And now you can.
By telling me how you really are.
Really.
I'm all right. Um...
You can say that to everyone else, but not to me, please.
I'm supposed to be the place where you can come clean.
I mean, you spent all this time being Rashad.
Well, it's time to put your cover behind you,
along with that phone.
-And that damn hoodie. -Yeah.
You did what you set out to do, Jacob.
You busted the ring open.
And because of you, the DMV's blood supply is safe,
along with the people the ring was preying upon.
Not everyone is.
You say that like I'm supposed to be proud.
Well, there's no pride.
There's no sense of accomplishment.
There's just me stuck in those last moments
when my best friend was still alive.
How was the memorial?
Heartbreaking,
but the tributes were so touching.
Derek was loved.
Few people lay their lives down like that.
Yeah.
Sitting there, I couldn't help thinking
of all his potential that will go unrealized.
He was a helper, and...
...he had so much more to do.
I... I've decided that I'm going to expand
our clinic's internship program and
add a scholarship in Derek's name.
That's generous and fitting.
But it's not much comfort, is it?
You're feeling the abyss.
That's not all you're sensing.
Jacob said something that's got me a bit shook.
About?
You.
I do miss having a sister on tap
to let my silk press down with.
You know, I respect you keeping it 100
after winning the inheritance game,
but, sis...
that ain't gonna happen.
-We'll see. -Wait, what the hell?
Oh, I just shared my info with you
in case you
are ever in need of a favor.
Why would I need anything from you?
I am Bill Hamilton's wife.
Girl, please.
All you got is a prenup and a ring on your finger.
I am Articulette by birth,
and I'm the business partner of Joey Armstrong.
Okay, and why would I need anything from him?
Oh, who knows?
Maybe you may actually need somebody dead someday.
Oh, hey, Bill.
He's gone.
Since when can a very grown man
not make love to his beautiful wife
in their own home
without interruption?
Is the universe laughing right now?
Oh, you know you love every second with our glorious family.
That reminds me, I need to make a plan for family night.
Oh, shush your mouth, woman.
Hey.
Unless you've got some sweet nothings to whisper.
We're losing the mood.
Are we?
And now, it's back.
I say we lock the door,
go upstairs,
and you can press my reset button.
I got an even better idea.
Uh-oh. Dupree cousins in the house.
[exhales]
Martin?
I was just at the Grands', and you won't believe
what I almost walked in on.
Oh, I can.
I did the same thing.
Got the hell out and came here for several drinks.
You, too? I can't unsee it.
It's not a misery contest.
They were going at it like two kids on prom night,
or a deb and her escort
-making out at cotillion. -MARTIN: Ugh.
You have no idea.
It's been a very busy week for this family.
-What can I get you, Congressman? -Scotch.
Trust me, it helps.
Make it a double.
Not today, Satan.
Find another table or find another establishment, now.
You can't kick me out of my own club.
Leslie, let's not make a scene.
Right.
You don't get to tell me
where to go ever again.
I am not scared of you.
But I am gonna give your wife the nod.
Listen, I really don't care who you give the credit to,
as long as you're out of my face.
Ooh.
I would definitely say the same thing about you.
Ugh.
Damn that woman.
Baby, don't let that bad business ruin our night, okay?
Yeah, it was already ruined before I came here.
Well, I wish Jacob's questions
could've waited until after today.
What did he say?
He gave me this pitying look
and asked me if I was there asking on your behalf.
Like you were pulling my strings.
I thought he was going that way.
I can take the heat,
but the thought of you taking any or...
thinking I had something to do with this...
I thought we put any questions of my involvement to rest.
Unless Jacob's suspicions are contagious?
I trust what you told me.
You had nothing to do with that warehouse, but...
there's more.
Jacob asked me to pass on a message to you.
And what was that?
Something along the lines of,
"Tell Joey I won't stop
"until I get every single man or woman
responsible for Derek's death."
He thinks you're the Impaler.
Message received.
He's knocking on the wrong door.
Look, I know it's a big ask.
Me not being able to tell you everything I know
and expecting you to just believe me.
I appreciate you took that leap.
Now I'm less concerned about Jacob
and more concerned about you.
Uh, what's in that gym bag has nothing to do
with working out, but...
...it has to be dealt with tonight.
Not our baby boy.
I mean, I knew there would be sneaking off
and making out at cotillion,
but when I found out they ditched,
that's next-level.
I bet little Romeo's tux was half off
before they even got out the parking lot.
-Ugh. It's not funny. -Okay, well, you got to admit
it's pretty baller.
Tyrell taking the girl that he loves
away for a tryst after a ball.
Oh, you were less than thrilled when Samantha
almost gave up her V-card.
Ugh, thank goodness she dodged that waste of space Nathan.
I don't want to even think about that awful kid.
I'm just glad that Tyrell is with someone
who's a good person.
The kids are growing up, and there's no stopping it.
Smitty and I just have to adult our way
through this new reality.
I mean, yeah, you would've liked him to wait longer,
but this was the kind of first time
you and Smitty preached about.
And when he's off to Banneker,
you've armed him with all the tools to be a good man,
just like both his dads.
That makes me feel a little better.
Where is Smitty tonight? Can we get him down here?
Let's call him.
Uh, he's wrapping up maybe his biggest story yet.
Ooh, is it top secret?
It was until the other night.
Smitty was the first person to tip Jacob off
about the Red Market ring.
They've been working together ever since.
I know that the circumstances are different, but, um,
all this fresh grief has made me realize
I'm still carrying my own for Doug.
-That's only natural. -I have to start owning it.
Which brings us back to the gym bag.
I cleaned out Doug's locker at the club.
It hit me really hard.
What was in the locker?
Toiletries.
Cologne.
His favorite pair of Jordans. He always kept them pristine.
A couple tracksuits.
[choking up]: That man could fold like nobody else.
And then, there was this, um...
...tiny, platinum four-leaf clover keychain
that he swore up and down was lucky.
He always had it in his pocket when he played.
He thought it gave him an edge.
I know it's just a keychain and a locker, but...
...I was a mess.
-It's done now. -No, I-I have--
I can't lose momentum.
-Then-- -It's not quite done.
I-I have more to do in the attic and, uh,
other areas of the house that were Doug's domain.
Well, there's no rule that says you have to do that now.
I can't stop now.
Well, then let me help.
I'll let you know if it gets to be too much,
but, uh, right now, I need to do this on my own.
For Doug.
NAOMI: Baby.
Will you talk to me?
It's on a loop in my head.
My best friend taking a bullet for me...
over and over.
I had my gun on Ren.
I was dialed in.
I had him.
I was finally about to cuff that sadistic thug
who got off on hurting people.
It was over.
And then, when I heard that shot,
I knew.
I knew that was it for me.
I saw your face.
And then I thought about Mom and Pops and Luke and Izaiah.
I just knew I was about to meet my fate.
And before I could even react, Derek was right there,
taking the bullet for me, saving my life.
Oh, baby.
When I was manning that door, getting ready
for the cavalry to rush in,
it was Derek who I let in.
What if I didn't?
Telling him to hide-- What was I thinking?
From what you told me...
it didn't seem like there was time. It was chaos.
I should've found a way.
Baby, you couldn't have known that he was gonna be there.
A good cop reacts in every moment,
handles every variable.
You can't control it, Jacob.
My best friend died because of me.
That's not true.
Ask his father.
He said it plain, and he was right.
Jacob, you can't do this to yourself.
We both know that I was the one that was
supposed to get shot that night.
So Derek's death falls on me.
Remember when we saw Jacob and Smitty
at the club acting all sus months ago?
Was that this?
Damn, you are a vault.
And I didn't know. You know, Smitty is devout
about keeping his sources quiet.
I knew the big story had some risk, but
I had no idea the level until it all went down.
CHELSEA: My sister knew.
I thought she was just missing Jacob while he was away
for "training," but really, she was terrified of losing him.
But he's home now,
because of the remarkable sacrifice Derek made.
Derek was such a sweet guy.
All those barbecues in Naomi and Jacob's backyard.
It's so unfair. I mean...
how are Jacob and Naomi holding up?
They're shattered and still processing.
CHELSEA: At least they're together now.
The healing can begin.
My heart breaks for Derek's dad.
But he didn't mean what he said.
He was just trying to make sense of the incomprehensible.
Derek's blood is not on your hands.
Derek was his own man.
He made his own choices, and...
some of those choices put him in front of that bullet.
-You can't blame him. -No, I'm... I'm not.
I swear I'm not.
I'm praising him.
I am thanking him.
Because of your friend...
...our friend...
...you are still in the world.
Derek was a first responder like you.
That is why he saved you.
He loved you, Jacob, like a brother.
And I know if the situation was reversed,
you would've done the same thing.
Yes, I would have.
But it still shouldn't have even--
And if Derek
were here to talk to you, he'd tell you to stop right there.
Then, he'd probably try to get you to laugh about it.
Yeah, maybe.
But it still doesn't change the fact
that I'm here and he's not.
I don't think I'll ever be able to accept the fact
that I won't be able to get a beer with him again
or check out a game or lift weights, go to the gym.
He was just starting to get his life back together
after all that Ashley mess.
But now, he'll never be able to find his woman.
He'll never be able to live that or experience that.
He won't be able to grow old like us.
He's just gone.
-How can he just be gone? -Mm.
Someone made an offer on our house the other day.
I didn't realize you'd put it up for sale.
Unsolicited offers are common behind the gates.
Well, the real estate agent in me was tempted,
but the mother in me had to say no.
Donnell and Deanna deserve to stay in their childhood home
and-and keep whatever good memories it holds for them.
And you can't take that away, given what they've lost.
But they're at school.
And it's just me in that house with Doug's ghost.
We picked out every piece of artwork,
every table and sconce.
You know... [sighs]
We have the world's most uncomfortable chair
in our living room that we kept because it matches so perfectly.
Doug was the only one who sat in it. He...
...claimed it helped his back, but...
...I know he was...
only using it for me. Uh...
I thought about redecorating everything
but Doug's study and the kids' rooms, but...
...I can't wallpaper over what I'm feeling.
So what's the remedy?
What if I'm what's haunted?
Maybe facing, uh, these bits of our past,
it will help exorcise me a little.
Well, then, you just need to let time
and me
take care of the rest.
And you always have a place to go
when yours becomes to be too much.
Thank you. Uh...
I won't be shy.
Well, you're many things, but you're never that.
-[phone buzzing] -Excuse me.
I'll make us some cocktails.
What's up?
The Impaler wants a meeting.
All right, we'll discuss this later.
In detail.
Well, I'm not even done pouring.
-All good? -Oh, yeah.
It was just Randy. Everything's fine.
It happened again.
My hand had another tremor.
When?
Well, at the office the other day.
You know, I thought it was a one-off,
but what if it's like the lead up to my stroke?
Maybe I should call Madison.
Yeah, we can go to Garland right now.
What? Wait. No.
We don't have to be dramatic.
[scoffs] Look, I don't want to take any chances.
I mean, Madison did give you a clean bill of health
like five minutes ago, but anything can be something,
and we are not going to sleep on that.
No, we're not.
Even if there is another plausible explanation.
-What's that? -[scoffs]
Babe, listen,
I know how worried you were about Anita,
and you came this close
to losing your son-in-law. It's a lot.
Yeah, I know, but, I mean,
Anita's fine and Jacob's safe now.
Why did my hand still shake after all the drama's over?
Well, maybe the body doesn't know the danger has passed.
Your body is holding on to all that tension.
[sighs]
Yeah, Madison did say that stress was a factor
when I had my false alarm.
This could be that again.
Yeah. Okay, listen.
Let's just get that hard body all checked out, okay?
I mean, all those needles and...
-machines are worth it... -Yeah...
...to make sure you're good to go, babe.
Well, I don't know. I don't want to volunteer
for another round of poking and prodding,
just for it to turn out to be nothing,
you know?
I'd rather see what you offer
in the way of relaxation.
So...
what do you have in mind, Nurse Hayley?
[chuckles]
Put yourself in my capable hands.
[Bill chuckles]
[sensual music playing]
Oh...
Vernon, how did you...
I'm motivated.
This takes me back to when you used to surprise me
when I was on tour.
And you'd transform my hotel room
into something more like home.
Well, if you couldn't come home to me,
I had to bring it.
Oh, those were magical nights.
And days.
You mapped out every city
so that I could see and taste everything
I usually missed.
Museums, restaurants.
Mm.
There are many more beautiful, uninterrupted days
and nights to come, my love.
-Mm... -Mm.
ANITA: Oh, Vernon...
Mother, not everything is about sex.
That's exactly what it's about, isn't it?
I think it's time you and I have
an honest conversation.
Sure hope you're being nice to my daughter,
because I'd hate to have your husband arrest me
-for beating your ass. -Try me.
I won't stop until the Impaler
and everybody associated with him is behind bars.
He clearly thinks you're the man
behind the Red Market ring.
What are we going to do about it?
Your hand is okay.
-You tell me. -Don't!
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