Dre: There are moments in your life, whether you know it or not,
that are life-changing.
And so far, one of the biggest moments in Junior's life
has been that he took a...
-Gap year. -Gap year.
-Gap year? -Gap year.
-Gap year.
-Gap year?
-Gap year. -Gap year.
-Gap year?
I took a gap year.
As his gap year was coming to a close,
Junior had made some real progress.
In just one year, he'd gone from intern
to Josh's assistant
to his greatest accomplishment of all --
getting me as a mentor.
And it didn't stop there, which is why we took him out
to an old-fashioned steak dinner to celebrate.
[ Glass clinking ]
All right. Uh, everyone. Cheers.
Uh, let's raise our glass to Junior.
-Aww! -Junior.
I am proud of you and your new summer job...
as a Twitter nerd.
[ Laughter ]
Well, my official title is
Social Media Marketing Coordinator.
Social Media say what tuh tey?
Oh, I'd be helping to build and maintain
an online presence while --
Junior, that don't help Grandma, baby.
[ Chuckles ]
Well, anyway, I'd like to propose a toast
to Mom and Dad.
-Aww. -Aww.
I love that. Okay.
Thank you, guys, for patiently waiting
during my gap year.
You know, I know it was a slow start.
More like no start.
[ Laughs ] Count it! Mm-hmm.
[ Chuckles ] But if this new job is an indication of anything,
it is that I made the right decision.
So, Mom, Dad...
...I've decided not to go back to college.
Boy, what the hell are you talking about? Pops: Uh-oh.
Ruby: Oh, Lord. Excuse me?
This wasn't a life-changing moment.
It was a life-ending one.
♪♪
Sit your ass down.
Either I heard you wrong
or we're about to get kicked out of this restaurant.
No. I mean it.
I'm not going back to Howard.
I -- I don't understand.
Uh, Junior made you a promise,
and now he's breaking it in a public place
so you won't make a scene.
Well, I...
am not afraid to make a scene.
Me either.
You are going to college.
Baby.
So, let me tell you how we got here.
Like a good summer jams playlist,
it all started with Migos.
My colleagues were pitching Quavo from Migos
for them to do a tour sponsored by one of our clients,
as well as a series of commercials.
It...wasn't going great.
We basically are feeling
that Migos would be a perfect match
with one of our -- our favorite brands,
which is Boxable.
It's an off-brand UPS.
Tell Quavo about the boxes.
All right -- "Boxable.
They drop packages
faster than Migos drops dope tracks."
It seem like a poor fit.
Mm. I was hoping to hear
more of a social-media angle.
Aw, well, we don't want to bore you with all the details.
[ Laughter ]
Now, details -- I love details.
That's why I handle the Migos marketing business.
Hm. Takeoff handle the jets.
Skrrt, skrrt!
And Offset, he on the logistics.
Brrt!
Mm, well, you know who else is also about logistics?
Boxable.
Brrt! [ Chuckles ]
Phone call. Charlie: Joshua!
You're being a culture vulture.
♪♪
So, we understand it's a "no,"
but hopefully we can still find a project
to work on someday.
Well, why don't you tell them about your idea?
Uh, y-yeah. Um, it's no big deal,
but you mentioned social media,
and I think the best kind of ad
is one that you don't know is an ad.
So, what would've been cool is if you guys posted videos
of you sending tickets to your fans using Boxable.
That way, everybody looks good.
You know, we are looking for some new drip
to add to our social media.
Why don't you come down to our concert tomorrow?
Let's chop it up.
Yeah. I-I-I'll be there.
[ Chuckles ]
Hey! See? [ Laughs ]
Is -- Is -- Is that okay?
Did you -- Did -- Did I just poach your client?
And become friends with Quavo? Hey!
Am I best friends with Quavo?!
Fool, you are not friends with Quavo.
But you did impress him.
Nothing wrong with taking your shot.
Good for you, son.
And Quavo's job offer led us to this.
No...college?
Explain yourself.
Well...
I've been thinking about it for a while.
It's like I said to Jack, I don't know --
You told Ja-- [ Plate clatters ]
You knew, Jack?
Explain yourself.
Uh -- D-- Diane knew, too!
What? He's not my kid.
Why is nobody explaining themselves?!
Shh, shh. Shh, shh. Dre.
Guys. Listen, I mean,
people with a four-year college degree
are desperately applying
for the kind of job that I have.
And -- And I already know
what I'm gonna be learning in school, and --
No, you don't. College isn't just about the academic stuff.
When I was in college, I fell in love,
I learned how to live on my own.
You should try that again sometime.
I -- [ Chuckles ]
Well, if it's about learning,
then I can get a library card for cheaper,
and if it's about life, that's what I'm gonna be living.
He's got a point.
You forget who's paying for dinner?
Listen to your parents, boy.
Dad... tell me the last time
you used your Howard education at work.
I use my degree every day.
Mm-hmm.
When I'm saving lives.
Every day.
I cannot believe this.
Our son is going to throw his future away
to manage some hashtags
for the guys in Migos. Okay. Okay.
Pops: Wait a minute.
Migos is a group of guys?
Well, how many guys is in Drake?
[ Plate clatters ]
What the hell was he thinking?!
He wasn't thinking.
He's lost his mind!
Dre, this entire year has been a waste!
Yeah, well, yes, it has. And you know what?
It's your fault! Oh. What?
For supporting him!
I miss the old days, Dre, when you would deal with him
by just chopping him in the throat!
You spent 18 years trying to get me to support him,
and now that I finally do, you're mad?!
[ Sighing ] Okay. Make up your mind, woman!
[ Sighs ] This was not the plan.
The plan was he was gonna go to college,
then he was gonna go to medical school, and then in 10 years,
someone was gonna call out "Dr. Johnson,"
and we were both gonna turn around,
and we would laugh and be like, "[Laughs]
Which one? Do you mean him, or do you mean me?"
That was the plan.
[ Sighing ] God.
What if he becomes an advertising lifer
with no higher education?
So, Junior, what do you got?
[ As Charlie ] I, uh, failed to complete my assignment,
as my computer was compromised
by the possums squatting in my home office.
Now, if you're wondering
why didn't I just do my work in my kitchen nook,
simple --
more possums.
Hmm.
That makes sense to me.
Wonderful vest.
My son, he has that one. Hm.
[ Chuckles ]
[ Gasps ] [ Gasps ]
Eustace. Eustace.
♪♪
[ Groans ]
Who would've thought that dragging him
into Stevens & Lido would've led to this?
Seriously, what are we gonna do?
[ Sighing ] Oh, my God. You know what, Bow?
After a dinner like that,
he's gonna expect us to scream and go crazy.
Mm-hmm. All right?
But he and I have been developing
a new relationship over the past few months.
I'm gonna talk to him at work tomorrow --
and not as his angry father,
but as his mentor.
Fine. Mm-hmm.
You try that, Dre. I will.
But if it were up to me,
I would not talk to him as his mother,
but as my foot up his ass!
♪♪
[ Sighs ]
Damn.
That was sexy.
So, right now...
I'm not your father.
I...am your mentor.
And your mentor uses his degree in every pitch,
every brainstorm, every client meeting.
The life experiences I got at Howard
inform my work every day.
Well, that's great. Mm-hmm.
But who's to say my different life experiences
won't bring a different flavor?
I mean, after all, if we all take the same path,
then the view never changes.
Ohh.
You know who the view never changes for?
Hmm?
My friend Tony from the neighborhood.
He didn't go to college.
And now he's dead.
[ Scoffs ]
Yeah, but he didn't die from not going to college.
Excuse me?
Are you some kind of cause-of-death scientist?
I don't think so.
Because you didn't go to college.
Be smart.
Tracking hashtags for some hip-hop group?
Where does that lead?
Who knows?
If I do well, there is no telling
how many other artists will want to work with me.
Exactly, son.
There is no telling.
Uh-huh.
So, you're telling me
you've never wanted to break out on your own?
Set up your own shop?
I mean, yeah,
eventually, maybe, when the time is right.
Well, I'd rather take a risk now
than wind up at a job that I hate for 20 years.
Hey. I never said that.
You don't know what you're talking about,
and you don't know what you're doing.
I know what I'm doing.
I'm betting on myself.
Don't be mad at me because I'm dunking
while you're shooting granny free throws.
[ Chuckles ]
Granny free throws, huh?
♪♪
Okay.
Ah.
Here you go.
Wait. What are you doing?
Well, you said some stuff, so...
I packed some stuff.
Mom, are you okay with this?
You made your decision.
♪♪
Take care of yourself out there.
[ Sighs ]
♪♪
So, uh...
can I get a charger?
No!
[ Chuckles ]
Congratulations, Dre!
You kicked your first child out the house.
Mnh.
There will be many more,
but you'll never forget your first.
Oh, by the way...
you're running low on Scotch.
You know what?
How about we go to the store and get them some more?
Come on.
You know what?
You really did know how to kick a kid out of the house.
Sure did. [ Laughs ] Yeah.
[ Laughs ]
This really is the best thing for him.
[ Door closes ] [ Sighs ]
We can't keep enabling his delusions.
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
He needs tough love. You know?
Let him fail -- and fail hard -- and then boom!
He will come to his senses.
Okay, hold on. This, I know.
All right, I didn't kick him out because I wanted him to fail.
It happened because he disrespected me.
Granny shots!
Okay.
You know, maybe I did make some compromises,
but we had a big family, and we needed security,
and I never gave up on my dreams, Bow.
You know that.
You know I always wanted to open up my own agency,
but it was just hard for me to find the space. Mm-hmm.
Hell, how can I wow clients
with an office next to a Curves in Tarzana?!
You know, Stevens & Lido, they gave me opportunities. Mm-hmm.
They gave me vacation days. Mm-hmm.
[ Gasps ] Oh, my God.
Is he right about me? Okay. Okay. Okay.
Dre, babe, settle down. It's okay.
Okay, look.
For real. Mm-hmm.
How much further would I be
if I went out on my own and took bigger risks
when I was Junior's age?
Andre...
I know that he struck a nerve.
♪♪
But instead of obsessing about what could've been,
you just need to ask yourself the question --
are you happy with what you have now?
Of course. Okay.
I love my life.
Could I have more shoes? Yeah.
[ Sighs ]
Hey, but I have you. Yes.
And great kids.
Mm-hmm.
Well, most of them are great.
You wouldn't have all of this
if you had done one thing differently.
Every choice you have made has been intentional.
And I know that because I've been right here next to you!
You're right.
I'm proud of the life that we chose.
Yes. You should be.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
And guess what. What?
You're gonna tell our son
when he comes crawling back in here
in two days.
Mm. Tops!
Actually, it's gonna be one day
if you didn't pack his Zyrtec.
Did you pack it, Dre?
No. Ha ha!
Wow, these Russian bots are really after Migos.
Hey there. Zion: Hey!
Oh, I remember this.
An open door's a lot cheaper than AC.
Plus, I don't even have AC.
But I'm Zion. You must be Pop-Pop.
Oh, just Pops. [ Chuckles ]
More than one "Pop" in the name,
I'm a step away from being in a diaper.
Okay. I'm...gonna go do something else now.
[ Chuckles ] Okay.
[ Chuckles ]
Shacking up with an older woman?
Now, that, I can understand.
She's just a friend. Okay? I'm crashing on the couch.
"Just a friend." [ Laughs ]
You kids, boy.
Here. Here's your allergy pills.
Don't want you to die on us while you're out here on your own.
If you're coming to convince me to go back to college,
it is not happening.
I got no business telling anybody
what they should be doing with their lives.
I live in my son's guest house
and I got a credit card with Jack's name on it.
Came to talk to you about what you said to your dad.
He told you? Hell yeah, he told me.
If you'd have said that to me,
I'd have shot you.
Well...shot at you.
But I'd have come close enough to make you wonder
whether or not I missed on purpose.
Learned that from your Grandma.
I wasn't trying to be disrespectful.
You don't understand what kind of sacrifices
he's made for you, Junior.
I couldn't do what he did for two kids,
let alone five.
I was just trying
to make him understand where I'm coming from.
Well, maybe it's time for you to try to understand where he's coming from.
[ Sighs ] Your father's a good man, Junior.
Don't you tell him I said that.
[ Chuckles ]
Thanks, Pops.
Uh, wait.
W-Why do you have a credit card in Jack's name?
'Cause I ruined your credit a long time ago, boy.
♪♪
Hey.
Thanks for not changing the locks.
They come tomorrow.
Dad, I'm sorry.
I never should've said any of those things to you.
What things? Hm?
When you called me a coward?
Or when you said I wasted my life?
Well, this is kind of a blanket sorry.
Mm-hmm.
I was way out of line.
And I wouldn't even be able to make any choices
if it wasn't for the sacrifices that you made for me.
Thank you for saying that, son.
But for the record, I didn't sacrifice anything.
I went after what I wanted, and I got it.
See, I'm just trying to do the same thing.
But I never wanted to disappoint you guys.
I just... have to go out there
and follow the path that's best for me.
♪♪
Hm.
I guess I have to respect that.
You do it, man.
Oh, hello.
What's going on?
Well, uh...
just coming to an understanding with Junior.
Oh!
Finally!
You're going back to school!
Oh! I'm -- I'm not going back.
And Dad's okay with it.
Wh--
What's going on?
Well, it's not what I would choose for him, but...
it's not my choice to make.
So that's it? Yeah.
I should just go [bleep] myself?
♪♪
Mom --
No, Junior. Please, no.
Not right now. I just can't. Unh-unh.
I don't understand.
I thought you would be the one who would get this.
[ Sighs ]
I don't. I don't get it.
And so I don't know what else there is to say.
Okay?
I never thought I could do anything
that would make you this angry.
[ Sighs ]
Listen.
Junior, your entire life,
people have joked that you're my Junior,
not Dad's.
You were supposed to follow in my footsteps.
That was the plan!
Mom...
I love you,
and I am in awe of your career.
But being a doctor was never my plan.
For starters, I'm afraid of blood.
And needles.
And you know how I can't be in the room
when you're cutting chicken.
Look.
The person you want me to be and the person I am
are two totally different people.
I just wish you were okay with who I am now.
♪♪
I wish I was, too.
[ Sighs ]
♪♪
Hey. How long are you gonna stay out here?
Till it's safe to go back in.
Uh-huh. I get it.
Very funny.
I'm sorry I sold you out.
You feeling better?
No, I am not. Mm.
And don't tell me I should be over it.
I wasn't.
I guess it's just easier for me because...
Junior has never been the son that I thought I would have.
So, I will say to you
what you have always said to me.
"Don't eat that. It's decorative"?
[ Chuckles ]
Yes. Okay.
And "You should support him,
even though you might not get what he's doing."
So you do listen?
Sometimes.
You might be right. [ Sighs ]
Mm.
But I still want to chop him in the throat.
Oh, babe.
That feeling never goes away.
♪♪
Since Junior was settling in at his new place,
we brought him some stuff to make it feel like home --
a little comfort...
Where do you want your fan?
Dad couldn't spring for an AC unit?
I talked him out of it. Oh, yeah. You would.
...a little support...
Oh, Lord, is this it?
[ Chuckling ] This place smell like zoo trash.
Or is that you, Devante?
[ Sniffs ] Ooh, Black Jesus.
Did anybody change this baby diaper today?!
...a little cautionary advice...
Oh, hey. I'm Zoey.
Hey. Zion.
If you make me an aunt, I'll kill you.
She's just a friend. Mm.
Kids these days, right? Mm-hmm.
Zion: So, Pops, what can I get you?
I got some pear cider, I got some drank.
And for the first time in my life,
I will say, "No, thank you."
Okay.
...and a little love.
Hi.
Hey, Mom. Hey.
Thanks for coming.
I didn't bring anything,
because I'm still not on board with this,
but I-I love you.
I'll always love you.
Love you, too.
Dre: Uh, everybody?
Um, I propose...
Oh. ...a toast to Junior.
[ Rainbow chuckles ]
For stepping out on his own.
Ah, you know, he might blow it.
He might not. Dre.
[ Chuckles ]
To Junior!
All: Junior!
Okay.
Mnh!
What is that?
Drank.
Oh, no. Don't drink that.
Uh, Dad -- Don't drink that.
You know what? Somebody put some music on.
[ Indistinct conversations ]
He's so heavy. Ugh!
I want some of that.
This is my room. This is your room?
♪♪
Hello, sweetheart.
I know you're bummed about Junior, Mom.
Yeah.
I've been thinking about my future, and...
I can be the one who follows in your footsteps.
Aww.
Buddy. [ Chuckles ]
S-- S--
What would that even look like?
Time of death -- 5:25.
♪♪
I'm alive!
It's a miracle.
Announcer: This fall, on ABC, Jack Johnson is
The Bad Doctor.
-Mom! -Shh! Daddy's working!
♪♪