NARRATOR: Last season on "Queen Sugar."
I read your sister's book.
We're more alike than not.
You threw Darla's past right up in her face.
Don't relapse.
My past led me to you, and that led
me to want to be a better man.
All we did was support groups for women at St.
Jo's, and not one from them.
The migrant workers that were killed during the hurricane,
why didn't you tell me?
It cost the men their lives.
I am officially announcing my candidacy for city council.
Fighting for what's right, that's what I want to do.
I rescinded my acceptance letter to Harvard this morning.
How dare you, Micah.
Don't know man have the right to take advantage of you.
That's rape.
CHARLEY: The mill's on fire.
Whoever did it, I'm glad for it.
OFFICER: You're under arrest for conspiracy to commit arson.
Don't you dare put those things on me.
Please send my father in.
What on earth?
And I will take your land.
It'll never happen.
What I see now is more brave and more beautiful I ever seen.
To my ancestors on high, I thank you for growth, grace.
I thank you for this step forward into redemption.
(SINGING) Started like a summer day.
Thank you for the gift you've given to this family
after generations of strife.
Today will be a win for us all.
With the sacrifice, I invite your wisdom,
your love, your light into the center of my being.
(SINGING) Should have seen it coming,
but you were what I wanted.
Wash me clean.
Restore my purpose.
(SINGING) Twilight.
Twilight flying out the window.
Nothing else to say.
Out with the old.
In with my new.
[MUSIC - ME'SHELL NDEGEOCELLO, "NOVA"]
(SINGING) Dreams never die.
Take flight as the world turns.
Keep the colors in the lines.
Take flight as the world turns.
Keep the colors in the lines.
Take flight.
Dreams never die.
Keep the colors in the lines.
Take flight.
[heavy breathing] Ralph Angel Bordelon, I am your father.
Also breakfast is ready.
You really like that movie, huh?
Yeah.
It smell like you burnt that toast again.
I did not.
I was just saying.
Come here.
No.
You're not too big for no kisses.
- Ugh. - Come on.
Shall we?
Yeah, we shall.
I'm definitely hungry.
I hope you didn't burn it.
I said, I did not.
I definitely know you didn't brush your teeth though.
Rise and shine, mommy.
Rise and shine.
Breakfast in bed the fourth time this week.
You're spoiling me.
You both are.
I got the toast right this time.
Taste.
OK.
Go ahead and taste that.
Mm.
Very good.
Yes.
Very good.
Somebody got to get ready for school.
Got to drop you off for the family's big day.
Every day is a big day now that mom lived here.
That's right.
OK, bye.
DARLA: Bye.
You know that toast is burnt.
Why do you lie to that boy?
While it's a little charred, it's not burnt.
I'm happy.
Me too, especially today.
I'm just saying, baby, it bothers me.
Now we're 20 years into the 21st century,
but I still feel like folks ain't
really party like it was 1999.
Well, maybe you didn't, but I sure did.
But you didn't know me back then.
I was what the old folk called too much.
I bet you was.
Now, uh-uh, that's too much of that coconut flavoring.
Just a touch is good.
All right, baby.
I got it.
How many of these soul cakes we need by the end of the week?
Well, she's expecting 300 people, but I don't know.
We ain't never done nothing like this before.
The feast of Saint Josephine.
You can count on Charley to think of a new way
to celebrate her new term.
Uh-uh.
I'm proud of her.
And all this time and folks just now realizing that Saint Jo
was named after a Black woman.
Uh-uh.
Well, you know, I think everything should
be named after a Black woman.
Listen, now you're just trying to get some.
I sure am.
I ain't tell you about a new recipe, have I?
It's a dessert.
I call it Hollywood's afternoon delight.
Stop.
Go.
[laughter]
Come on.
And save all that for your own business,
and, in fact, when is the real spot opening?
Oh, soon.
Soon, but you know I ain't going to do nothing until it's right.
But in the meantime, in between time--
uh-huh. [music playing]
Uh-uh.
Uh-huh.
[laughs]
Uh-huh.
We can't be late for the big day.
Charley is expecting us.
Oh.
Let's keep hope alive, baby.
Come on, baby.
Let's do it for Black love.
Look, these are folks in St. Jo's.
They need something to believe in.
Baby, baby, I ain't even going to be that long.
Just give me 10 minutes, all right?
I ain't got nothing to prove.
Like, hell you don't.
20, 10, 10, and you better not make me late.
20.
Oh.
VIOLET: Come on here.
After Councilwoman Bordelon's successful budget maneuver this
summer to delay movement on the incoming highway,
all eyes in the local area are focused here at the St.
Josephine courthouse today, where a closed-door
proceeding will take place.
MICAH: Hey, mom.
Micah.
Hey.
Hey, I've been calling you.
I know.
I'm sorry I didn't make it over for dinner last night.
I know you're busy.
Thank you for trying though.
MICAH: I'm actually not going to make it today either.
Oh. Yeah.
I understand.
Of course.
You are busy.
So busy.
You wouldn't believe it.
It's just I haven't seen you in almost two months.
I thought with you being so close--
I mean, you might as well have gone to Harvard.
Micah, we've got to go.
Ma, I got to go. I got to go.
I'll call you later, all right?
Good luck with the big day.
Oh--
REPORTER (ON RADIO): There are currently 58,106 active cases
of coronavirus in China.
DJ (ON RADIO): Well, thank you for that update.
I've got a new tune that will hopefully lighten the mood.
Check it out.
(SINGING) I know that you don't like losing.
Oh, there she go.
Hi.
Hey.
You're beautiful.
Thank you.
Hey.
Hi.
Good luck, Charley.
[laughter]
- I like. - Thank you.
Yeah.
Well, let's do this.
Frances Boudreaux, would you like
to address the court before your sentence is handed down?
Yes, I would.
Despite the so-called evidence presented against me,
I maintain that I am innocent of the charges
for which I stand accused.
You are not accused, Mrs. Boudreaux.
You have been tried and convicted
of a conspiracy to commit arson against the Queen Sugar mill.
The fact that we have allowed you to receive your sentencing
behind closed doors is a favor based on your previous standing
in this community, but you do not
get to rewrite, for the record, the official court findings.
I am the victim of a circumstantial case constructed
against me because I refused to apologize for being
a successful businesswoman.
You'll know what that feels like one day, Charley.
All of you will.
Mrs. Boudreaux, in the case of The People versus Frances Anne
Boudreaux, this court hereby sentences you
to seven years imprisonment in the Louisiana
State Penitentiary.
May God bless you.
[gavel]
Lord have mercy.
[laughs]
RALPH: About time.
Let's go.
VIOLET: Have fun.
and you're washing the dishes.
I always wash the dishes.
Stop playing.
Not since I moved in.
Kidding.
Hey, you going to Nova's launch party tonight?
I really think you should go.
Support Nova.
Be the bigger person.
I'll think about it.
OK.
[knocking]
Mr. Bordelon?
What's that?
Don't know.
I need your signature to leave it with you though.
Thank you.
Ralph Angel, what's wrong?
[music playing]
Want me to top that off for you?
Sure because when in Rome I'll buy you Saint Jo.
Stop it.
There's nothing fancy about launching my Tru Papers site.
It's the opposite of fancy.
It's on the ground by us, for us always.
I'm just saying, we're in here sipping,
and I'd rather be smoking.
Me too, Rid, truth be told, but doing this work means I get
to stay connected to the night.
Connected to the night, but not living in the night.
You done moved on up as they say.
Not up, forward.
I'm just moving forward in my personal life.
You ain't never been too good at keeping
the personal and professional separated, Nova.
People can grow.
Wow.
CARMELLA: Hold up.
Hold up.
What if you run into folk you used
to rouse when you were a cop?
Well, that's a problem for cops who, you know, profile.
I didn't do that.
I never mistreated folks when I had a badge.
I just tried to--
To be one of the good guys, the proverbial
mythical good cop?
You know, being a good cop, I think, is the best
way to make more good cops.
So you down for the cause?
100%.
I mean, that is if the cause will have me.
Carmella, you're not over here giving my man a hard time,
are you?
No, no, no, we just talking.
It's great actually.
We all good in the hood.
Thank you for coming, everyone.
Let's get started.
Tru Papers is a dream I didn't even
know I had because it was birthed with a lot of pain,
a lot of healing, and truth, and a ton of mistakes on my part,
but they got us here.
I see Tru Papers as a community forum and digital advocacy
website that will be unapologetic and supportive
of the cause of justice whenever and wherever it's needed.
Of course, this venture is named for my mother, Trudy Bordelon.
She was a complicated woman, but she was also a beacon of truth,
therefore the proceeds from my memoir
will serve as a seed fund.
So Tru Papers will always be an independent publication
that tells it like it needs to be told.
All right.
[applause]
Let's do this.
3, 2, 1.
I was born right here in Oklahoma.
I lived and worked here in this bustling small town
my whole life.
I gave my life to this town, and for many, many years,
this town gave me life right back.
Then the Beckington Group showed up, made a lot of promises
they didn't keep, and they left us with this.
WOMAN: Growing up here, I had a childhood--
Thank you for coming.
I didn't know if you were going to be able to make it.
We've got to talk.
What's going on?
Is everything OK?
- It's starting. - What started?
It's starting.
Here, look.
[cell phones chiming]
Did y'all see this?
CHARLEY: Thank you to my fellow council members
for heeding my call.
I called this emergency council meeting--
In the middle of the night.
Let the record show that despite the fact that half
the Black-owned farms just received a notice invoking
an eminent domain seizure of their land,
Councilman Jackson Fotenot is more concerned
about his beauty rest.
Because I warned you, Councilwoman.
That red tape would only hold Beckington Group off
for so long.
You gave the farmers false hope.
At least I'm trying to give, not just take.
What have you been doing, Jackson?
Oh, wait.
I remember.
You've been running around telling everyone in Saint Jo
that the highway would actually be good for them.
It would be better for all of us.
You're a sell out, Jackson.
That's what you are.
Look, I hear you, but listen.
Y'all said we would have enough time to figure things out,
right?
That's right.
Y'all said y'all will put the highway where
it didn't hurt too many folk.
Exactly, which is why I am trying.
Man, I appreciate you trying, Charley, for real,
but it shouldn't all be on you.
What about all y'all, huh?
Yeah.
A fixture just dropped on half the town like a damn bomb.
What y'all going to do about it?
All y'all got to do something.
[chatter]
[knocking]
You all right?
I'm straight.
Whatever happens, I ain't letting nobody
take what my daddy gave me.
He bled for it, so I'm going to bleed for it too if I have to.
That's my land, period.
And our mother's resting place.
We can't let her peace be disturbed.
Listen, I ain't playing with these fools, Nova.
Yeah, I'm going to figure things out.
We'll figure it out.
We?
We.
I love you.
I always have and always will.
I've grown, learned, and I pray that you find it in yourself
one day to forgive me fully.
I'll try.
Thank you.
You don't have to do this alone.
ererererself as fighting
on behalf of her constituents.
Because I am.
But my clients actually see her
use of bureaucratic red tape these last few months
as an attempt to defy the will of the people
while also saving her family's sugar cane farm.
You got to be kidding me.
Fact, the people voted for the highway to proceed.
They also voted me in to stop it.
Or to work with us to move this town forward in as
peaceful a way as possible.
We issued the eminent domain notices now
so those affected will have plenty of time
to make arrangements.
How kind of.
Charley.
Oklahoma.
What does Oklahoma have to do with what's
happening in Saint Jo?
Everything, Your Honor.
I recently published an expose on the Beckington Group's
disregard for the local environment in a recent project
they completed in Oklahoma.
The town was recently classified as a cancer alley.
Which confirms their pattern of reckless behavior.
That was one isolated circumstance
out of dozens of projects that haven't
had any problems at all.
According to you.
Saint Jo needs more time to complete
an independent environmental impact
report before any of the eminent domain evictions
can be carried out.
Your Honor, the people voted so--
I'm issuing a stay on those notices
until the independent environmental impact
report can be completed.
Thank you, Judge.
I'm also ordering that the proposal include
alternate routes for the highway, routes that don't
include the Bordelon farm and will impact the least amount
of people losing their land.
Are we clear?
Thank you.
[music playing]
Congratulations.
Thank you.
This day is a win for you, and coming
on the heels of Frances's conviction and sentencing,
I'd say you're having a pretty good week from one badass
Black woman to another.
What do you want, Parker?
A respectful conversation alone.
You don't get to dismiss me ever.
Whatever you got to say, you can say right here right now.
Fine.
I'm thinking maybe we can find some areas where we agree.
I don't know if there are any areas in which we agree.
Well, if you change your mind, I'm happy to be
with you any time, any place.
Your call.
[music playing]
Y'all think this color work here?
[laughter]
What's so funny?
You owe me $10.
I ain't got no cash, Mr. Prosper.
We took a bet that you were going to change
the wall's color again.
Oh, man.
We're happy to come by and help when you call,
but you're the only one that knows what goes on in your head
when it comes to this place.
Hey, look, it's a man's space, all right?
It's a place we can hang out at, like a clubhouse.
Like the one that Spanky and Alfalfa
had on "Little Rascals?"
Oh, you got jokes, Martin.
Good to see you smiling again.
I know you got a whole lot on your mind.
Yeah, you know how it go.
They going to do what they do.
Always have.
Always will.
Yeah, it ain't over with yet.
Trust me.
This fight just getting started.
Appreciate that, Mr. Prosper.
Well, I better get going.
Darla said Blue making dinner tonight.
Prosper.
Yeah, you better get going.
I heard Baby Blue prompt about that mealtime.
Yeah, that's right.
Catch you up. - All right.
Later.
You got to caulk that before you paint it.
Prosper, what you doing, man?
Oh, Jesus.
You acting like Ralph Angel over here.
ANNOUNCER (ON TV): --cross-dribbles.
Riley passes off.
Defense on the march as Vernon drives.
I'm sorry.
The game started, and I missed my lunch today.
It's OK.
I'm still getting used to having a television in my bedroom,
but it's very real couple of us, eating
and watching TV like an old married, but still hella--
Calvin!
You are not eating on my silk-covered pillow.
Is something wrong?
I sleep on that when I don't have time to wrap my locks.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't know it was too important.
I mean, you cut your hair.
I just didn't know.
Is it something I need to put on my list?
Yes.
You should definitely add this to the list.
Unbelievable.
God, we thank you for this food.
Amen.
I want pops to say something too
because you never say grace.
DARLA: You never say grace.
Plus I heard you tell mom that you had a good day today.
I did.
Got some good news from your Aunt Charley.
Well, we should be thankful for that and all
the other good stuff, right?
Know what?
You right.
Come on.
Give me those hands.
I want to thank the Lord for my amazing home.
I want to thank the Lord for my amazing son.
I want to thank the Lord for my--
for all the love in my life, and, all right, let's eat.
That was a good job. High five.
I appreciate that.
Amen.
I'm glad you called.
I understand you'll be getting a big insurance check soon.
Plan to rebuild?
Let's walk.
Charley, I think we got off on the wrong foot.
Because I'm trying to save Saint Jo and you're
trying to destroy it?
I'm also trying to save Saint Jo.
By taking people's land?
By pushing them into the future,
by breaking our sentimental dependence
on an agrarian-based economy that was never meant for us.
Your insistence on keeping Saint Jo tied to farming
is so Booker T. Washington of you.
Hm.
And you think you are W. E. B. Du Bois himself?
You're the one to lead us into the New Black Reconstruction.
Give me a break.
Progress never promised we'd feel good
about every step along the way.
Look, sister, we are--
Sister?
We have the same goals.
But two different ways getting there.
I believe the truth, no matter how painful, is a gift.
Your sister argued the same thing in her memoir.
Invoking my sister's words to camouflage a threat,
that's very clever.
I'm not here to make threats.
I'm just here to sweeten the deal for the farmers.
The Beckington Group is now prepared to take eminent domain
off the table, speed things up, and pay
double what the government will likely offer.
That way, everybody wins.
You have no sense of how your Wharton
School econ theories play out in the real world, do you?
I brought you here to see the damage Frances caused
on your behalf, not just to the mill,
but to the pride of ownership the community had
in supporting it.
It wasn't just mine.
It was ours.
We're not taking a deal.
You speak for all of Saint Jo?
You sure?
You know this fight has just begun.
I know how to fight.
We'll see.
We shall see.
[music playing]
Hey, it's time to go.
Already?
Look, Brother Nate added two to that.
Not right now.
Come on.
I know.
It's just I still have work to do, man.
I thought we were good.
I thought we were done.
It don't matter what you thought, bro.
Plans change.
This isn't even on our official schedule.
Oh.
Yeah, I was right, but we still got to bounce.
You cool?
I'm good.
Are you cool, bro?
I'm good.
Let's go.
Hey.
Is that for the feast tomorrow?
Sure is.
It's beautiful.
It's going to look great up there.
I promise I won't be that weird white guy
when I'm with your family.
You're not that.
You're great with them, and I'm going
to be great with your family.
When your grandfather's party again?
You know what?
We don't have to go to that.
Your grandfather's 85th birthday?
You're the one who said it was time I meet your family.
It is, and I want you to.
It's just the truth is my grandfather's not very nice.
So you're concerned what he might say when you
show up with your Nubian lover.
[laughter]
Calvin, I love that you're considering my feelings,
but maybe it's time we rip the bandage off.
We said no more hiding, right?
It's time I meet your family.
You met mine, my friends even.
I know.
I just-- I feel I try to hard.
You do with my friends anyway, but at least you're trying.
We just need to give it more time, and who knows?
Maybe it'll be a little awkward when I meet your grandfather,
but I know that we'll get through it together.
Are you ready to become new men?
When we first started, there were 20 of you
that we thought might have what it
takes to join New Zeta Gamma.
New Zeta Gamma!
Now there are only seven of you
who have been found to possess the scholarship, leadership,
and spirit of service it takes to reach
the precipice of becoming a new man, but you're not there yet.
Cross arms together.
You are now connected.
What one does, the others must honor.
Step forward.
[grunts]
Kneel before our sacred receivers.
Stand up.
Look to your right.
Look to your left.
No matter what happens or what life throws at you,
the man standing next to you is your new brother.
Relax.
Take off your masks.
Remove your hood.
You have now crossed over.
You are now new men.
You are now New Zeta Gamma!
New Zeta!
- Gamma! - New Zeta!
[grunts]
Impress your fellow man.
[applause]
Gamma!
Gamma New!
Gamma!
Gamma New!
Gamma!
Gamma New!
[MUSIC - GREGORY PORTER, "REVIVAL"]
(SINGING) Oh, I long to soar on the wings like an eagle.
But I look down, and I'm afraid.
But you lift me higher out of the fire, out of the flames.
I lost the feeling, but you give me meaning again.
I'm singing revival.
Revival song.
[applause]
Welcome to the first Feast of Saint Josephine.
Every February at the end of Black History Month,
we will gather here to honor the Black woman
for whom our town is named.
[applause]
Saint Josephine was born enslaved,
but she became an inspiration and a Saint.
So I honor Saint Josephine the woman,
and I thank you for making me the first Black councilwoman
in the history of her parish!
[cheering]
In honoring her today and all who've come before us,
we now mark this moment with silence.
Now let's eat, drink, and celebrate!
[cheering]
[music playing]
You know, I think the last time this much of Saint Jo
came out to support, it was for Ernest's homecoming.
Everybody knows what you've done in getting the eminent
domain postponed, Charley.
They appreciate you.
This is a great reason for us to come together.
No more sitting around waiting for things to get good.
I think we all should do what Charley did, create a day.
Create your day.
CHARLEY: Create your day.
VIOLET: Create your day.
Finally, we'll hear from our primary sponsor,
the Bank of Saint Josephine.
[applause]
Thank you.
I'm Parker Campbell, the Beckington Group's community
liaison rep, and I'm honored to have
recently been appointed to the board
of the Bank of Saint Josephine.
[applause]
What the hell?
Charley, this isn't good.
I want to thank Councilwoman Bordelon for her efforts
in putting on this event and for always voicing your concerns.
[applause]
Thanks to Charley, we, at the Beckington Group,
have heard you.
We now know the location of the incoming highway
is untenable for Saint Jo.
It tears up too many farms and too many homes,
including the Bordelon farm, and that's
just not what we're about.
So we're making some changes.
[applause]
We're happy to announce that the Beckington Group has decided
to propose and push through a new route
for the highway, one that will affect
significantly fewer farms.
[applause]
We're proposing the highway now run from North Main Street
and up to 21st Road.
Thanks again to Councilwoman Bordelon for her hard work.
[applause]
Wait. Wait.
21st Road?
Isn't that right in the middle of the Saint
Jo's cemetery about?
Charley, is it right?
Miss Charley, y'all going to tear out that cemetery?
Wait.
It's not a done deal.
It's just--
I've got three generations of family in that cemetery.
And what they going to do, dump them in the street?
No. No.
We haven't even approved this.
Everyone, just give her a second.
Hold up. Hold up.
HOLLYWOOD: Everybody, please.
Everybody, just give a moment, all right?
Give her a chance.
[music playing]
(RAPPING) They counted us out.
We hammered it out.
This time around no more playing around.
We here now.
Come on.
Witness the power.
This ain't amateur hour.
God damn it.
(RAPPING) No stuttering and stammering now.
Look.
You woke up the beast, so get ready.
We the king of the streets.
We too heavy.
You OK, baby girl?
No, but I will be.
So how you going to respond to all this?
I know what I'm not going to do.
I am not going to lose.
I can't.
I won't.
What a week.
It's nice to just take a little break.
Helps with the stress.
A lot going on, but it's nice.
Blue is so excited about the festival.
He wants to bring his new mac and cheese dish.
I mean, that kid--
That kid.
--he going to break our heart one day.
Grow up and leave us.
Us.
Just been thinking about the future a lot.
And is it good, your future?
I'mma make it good.
Right?
Right.
You know, there's a lot going on.
You shouldn't punish yourself because times are tough.
I'm not punishing myself, Darla.
I'm pushing myself, you know?
I just feel like it's time I take my life
in my own hands no matter what.
I realize it never really feels right unless it's you and me.
You give me strength.
You give me purpose.
Your love is like my superpower.
It helps me create more love.
I just want a chance to do for you what you do for me.
Darla Sutton, would you give me the privilege
of becoming your husband?
Take my last name?
Yes. RALPH: Yes?
Yes.
Come here.
[laughs]
I love you.
[music playing]
I love you.
We're getting married, y'all!
This is my wife!
That's my wife right here!
[music playing]
SPEAKER: Go, Ray Ray.