Previously on "Queen Sugar"...
You're a real inspiration around here.
This is my big sis, Nova.
You have quite a reputation.All good, I hope?
I don't shy away from bad, either.
I'm worried about you falling so far behind on your mortgage.
Keke. I'm actually here to take a class with this photographer.
Rahad Stevens?Oh, you know his work?
I run his NFT accounts.
It's been a long time since I've felt like this.
Are you asking me out?Get back in the car.
You are not welcome here, Sam.
Parker's a living descendant of the massacre.
It's gonna take a lot more than your pathetic daughter
to overturn the marker.We'll see.
♪♪
Where did I put that address book?
You want to talk about it?
We can't let Parker get away with this.
I don't believe what Sam said.
Betty was my best friend, a good person.
She would never allow her daughter or Sam
to do us wrong.
Baby, that was a long time ago, and people change.
And the bottom line is, she is still Parker's mother.
When's the last time you saw her?
It's been awhile.
But I knew her.
Hollywood, I knew her.
I'm going to find her.
♪♪
♪ 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
Ernest: And that's my granddaddy, Angel,
my grandmama, May.
Nova: There's my name.
It sure is,
and Ralph Angel's name is right under yours.
Vi, get all of us together.
Oh!
Oh. I got it.
Alright, it messed up a little bit,
but at least it didn't tear.
We really gotta get these digitized.
Yeah, before they're lost forever.
Micah: Yeah.
I've never seen Pops like that.
[ Chuckles ]He looks so young.
Yeah. Younger than you.
Now it's all lost...
'cause of them.
We're still here, but now it's all lost.
It's not over.
We are going to stop them from overturning the landmark.
We've got the council meeting tomorrow.
Dominic's in Baton Rouge,
meeting with the historic preservation society,
and I've reached out to all the living descendants.
With all of us standing shoulder-to-shoulder
at the city council meeting, we can stop Parker and Sam.
[ Sighs ]
♪♪
This photo halted development at Congo Square.
This one re-opened an unsolved murder case.
This photo was shared over one million times,
brought in protesters from across the world.
Keke helped me upload it as an NFT.
We sold it for almost $100,000.
I donated the proceeds to the Movement for Black Lives.
The value of an image.
Is the one with the dollar amount worth more
than the one that brought peace to a grieving family?
We can talk about the details on NFTs later,
but right now, let's just go over the basics.
What is an NFT?
It stands for "non-fungible token."
It's a one-of-a-kind piece of digital art stored online,
secured on the blockchain.
Artists buy and sell NFTs to make a living all the time,
but whatever value an image may have comes first from you,
the photographer.
All you have to offer as artists is your perspective,
so I want you all to show me the world through your eyes.
Show me you.
Now, the first NFT was minted on May 3rd, 2014...
[ Indistinct conversations ]
Hey, um... so how do I upload an NFT?
So they're generally run through aggregator sites
with access to collectors who pay top dollar.
So, um, you think that there's anyone
that might be interested in my work, or...
Keke introduced me to a guy, Zane.
He's always sweating me to post more.
I'll be honest with you -- he's a little slippery,
but you can handle him.
Okay.
You know, thank you. Thanks.
Thank you, Joaquin.
Can I get you anything else?
I'm good, son.
Full as a tick.
So I hear you finally asked Sandy out on a date.
I see you, playa.
[ Both chuckle ]
Yeah, and I gotta do something special for our first date.
Yeah, yeah, don't stress that, man.
I'm sure she'll like whatever you come up with.
Just as long as you two are together,
that's all that matters.
Wood, this is a classy lady.
She's been to every fine restaurant in New Orleans.
I can't take her to just any place.
Well, give me something to work with.
What does she like? Where does she want to go?
Well, she talks about Jamaica a lot.
Well, there it is. Jamaica it is.
[ Laughs ]
I can't afford a trip to Jamaica.
But you can afford the Real Spot.
So let's say we make that into a Jamaican paradise --
palm trees, reggae music,
have Vi make some jerk chicken and rum cake.
We gon' make that first date with Sandy a night to remember.
Okay. Jamaica in St. Jo. I like it.
Uh-huh.
Been rotating our crops lately,
practicing the George Washington Carver method.
Yeah, our soil nutrients have doubled.
Have y'all considered aeroponics in the greenhouse?
It uses less water, mostly air.
50 years, never heard no farming with air.
Well, it's the same concept as the Carver method.
You just need the right amount of nutrients.
After we set up aeroponics,
we doubled our yield in one year.
Wow.
I have something for y'all, actually.
Seeds from my land.
From my mother's people.
Plant them, save the seeds,
so you can pass them to the next generation.
I hope they'll bring you luck
for the council meeting tomorrow.
You've come a long way.
Didn't happen overnight.
It takes a village.
Well, that's one of the perks of a co-op.
Community, yeah?Right. Mm-hmm.
You ready for your interview?
Yeah, I am.
Us farmers need that star treatment, too.
Encourage folks to get back to the land.
Heard that.How about we talk over lunch?
How about over a drink?
Even better.
Well, it was lovely seeing you again.
You as well.Prosper.
Y'all don't need anything from me?
No, we're good.
[ Chuckles ]Y'all ladies have fun.
[ Laughs ]
So where we going?
Show me St. Jo, Nova Bordelon.
♪ Young Felipe, never been concerned ♪
♪ About the he say, she say, every day, all day ♪
♪ But I do not eat cake, and I do not see hate ♪
♪ Stinkmeaner, my demeanor with the Nina ♪
♪ Señoritas want to meet me at the Catalina ♪
[ Cellphone rings ]
[ Music continues indistinctly ]
The last time I did that, he was at a café
across the street and saw me ignore the call.
Well, he's in Chicago.
Mine's in New York, so we should be safe, then.
[ Laughs ]
I love your jacket. You look great in it.
Thank you.
Listen, this might be TMI,
but when I was avoiding calls, it didn't end well.
Yeah, well, it is definitely headed in that direction,
but I still love him.
He's a great guy. He always has been.
It's the reason why I chose him.
Why am I telling you my whole life story?
I'm so sorry.
Look, I say just rip off the Band-Aid.
It'll hurt at first, but then it'll get better.
Yeah, I'm just not sure if I'm ready yet.
You don't know until you try.
[ Chuckles ]
Call him.
Hi, I'm Billie Denton.
My mother calls me Imani.
That's a beautiful name.
It's really nice to meet you, Imani.
Great meeting you too, Billie. Make the call.
I'm thinking, I'm thinking.
♪♪
Yeah, this remind me of Montego Bay vibes right here.
And this one give you what?
Hedonism, 1999.
Ochos Rios.
Uh-oh, I found it. Look at this.
Oh, here we go. Yes.
Oh! Boom! Boom!
[Jamaican accent] How do I look, man?
Keep the hat, but lose the accent.
How you gonna do me like that, Prosper?
Come on, now. [ Laughs ]
Ah!
Yeah, thanks again for everything, Wood.
There's no way I could have done this all by myself.
We're just so glad that Sandy make you so happy.
Do anything to keep that going.
[ Reggae music plays ]
[ Sighs ]
You know, it's -- it's always a good thing
when you got two good people and they into each other.
Sometimes, you just gotta dig deep, go through it,
but when you do, there's nothing better than love.
Yeah, you right about that.
It's about time you got off the market.
No more flying solo.
Ohh. Yeah, I've been solo for a long time.
Kind of got used to being alone.
Oh, man, nobody needs to be alone.
Sometimes it just takes a moment to find your better half.
I tried for a long time, but I found my queen.
Claire was my better half...
Yeah, the only woman I ever loved.
Thought it was forever. [ Chuckles ]
Didn't think I'd need to be out here looking again.
A little rusty, but you know, back then,
you didn't have to be smooth or know the right words to say.
Just being me was enough.
Oh, it still is.
Hey, being real is never going out of style.
Well, I hope you're right, 'cause I'm sweet on Sandy.
[ Chuckles ]
Mm.
I was born into it.
Both sides of my family were farmers --
Cherokee and African.
From day one, all I ever wanted to do.
Take care of the land, it takes care of us.
You're Native American?
Both, and neither, depending on who you talk to.
Ah.
Not Black enough or Indian enough for some.
I don't always fit in either.
That little pouch that you gave my brother of the seeds --
that's a beautiful way to honor your mother.
The seeds remember the land they came from.
My mother used to tell us about how girls would braid
rice and okra into their hair
when they were stolen from Africa to remember home.
Yeah, yeah, lots of African plants and crops
are here in the Americas because of those women.
You know, our -- our mother would tell us a story about
when her people were removed from their lands,
they took their seeds with them to Oklahoma,
but the crops wouldn't grow there,
and the white settlers' food wasn't growing here either,
so the white people begged our people
for seeds to grow food and survive, right?
Our people deliberated, and ultimately, they --
well, they shared them.
But you see, the seeds needed to be in their soil,
where they came from, in order to survive.
Mm-hmm.
I feel that.
[ Chuckles ][ Notification sounds ]
So, uh, what's your story, Nova?
You got someone tending your garden at home, waiting on you?
Well, not at the moment.
He's out of town, but yeah, I do.
You?
I'm still looking.
But good for you.
Mm.
Okay, shall we? Um...Okay, what do you got?
What inspired you to start your co-op?
♪♪
It's gorgeous, isn't it?
Yeah.
Hey, uh...
while I have you, I-I wanted to show you some of my photos
for the art show at the end of the summer?
Sure. Let's see what you got.
Working hard on some stuff, you know.
Hm.
This is my recent stuff.
Mostly black and white, but --
Hm. I like it.
I see you coming through.
Yeah. This is nice work, Micah.
Oh, thank you.
I really want to be a part of the art show.
You should talk to Keke. She's curating.
Oh.
Oh, I didn't know.
Yeah, I, um...
I don't know if she told you, but --
Yeah, she told me.
But she's the boss, so you got a way in.
See you in class.
[ Zipper unzips, zips ]
You looking like a cat that swallowed a canary.
Well, I don't want to brag,
but we did sell out all of my pies today.
Yeah, there were a lot of tourists in here today,
but the rest of them, nah.
They like real butter, cream, and sugar --
no substitutes, baby.
Substitutes can be tasty if you know what you're doing.
I can show you a few tricks.
Alright, Mr. I-Can-Show-You.
You can help me whip up a Jamaican feast
for Prosper's big date.
We'll see. [ Chuckles ]
Plantains are my speciality. My mom taught me.
Did you tell her that I asked about her?
How is she?
She's good.
Just...busy working.
You would tell me if there was a problem, right?
Of course.
I'm gonna see if anyone needs anything.
♪♪
Well, I don't know what happened, Parthena,
but I don't have any record of you ever filing an extension.
Please, check your records again.
Miss Parthena filed more than three months ago,
but she hasn't received the extension.
Sorry, I can't help you.
Mr. Miller, I put that application in your hand.
You told me I was good to go.
I don't recall that. You got a receipt?
Oh, you know you ain't never gave me a receipt --
not in the 35 years I been coming in here.
Miss Parthena's USDA funds --
they haven't come through, either.
That's why she's been late with her payments.
Yeah, well, those funds are tied up
because of the lawsuit from the white farmers.
You know, it's just not fair to give folks something
because of their race.
That's reverse discrimination.
Never stopped them from giving the white farmers
everything they need.
And that lawsuit affects USDA loans, not extensions.
Alright, well, I'll tell you what I can do.
Now, I know some folks that'd be very interested
in buying that land of yours.
Okay, he's not gonna help us, so --
Just hold on a second.
Now, because I've known you for nearly 40 years,
I'm gonna make you an exception.
You get that payment into this office within 48 hours,
this whole matter'll be settled.
Where am I gonna get $25,000 by Monday?
We'll be in touch.
Let's go, Miss Parthena.
I'll see you guys -- I'll meet you guys at the car.
Excuse me. You were listening in there.
Yes, I was.
Anything you can do to help us?
I wish I could, but it's not my case.
Miller takes all the Black farmers.
He's been slowing down the process.
He's waiting out the clock.You're right.
Look, call me.
I can't talk freely here.
Files get lost with Miller when it come to the Black farmers.
And he said 48 hours, but if you can come up with the money,
best to do it now.
I heard him talking to the sheriff earlier.
He's not to be trusted, so be careful.
Give me a call.
[ Sighs ]
Roy Miller ain't never been a friend of Black farmers.
Every interview I've done, Miller's name comes up.
Is he the only rep at the local USDA?
Mr. Randolph told me he claims
all the Black farm cases personally.
Easier to control the system that way.
I know I put that extension in his hands.
I swear.We believe you.
First it was Ralph Angel, and now this?
The vultures are circling.
If the council votes to overturn our historical landmark,
our home is gone.
I got to come up with $25,000 by Monday,
otherwise I'm gonna lose my farm.
You're not gonna lose your farm, Miss Parthena.
If we pool together all our settlement money,
chip in a little bit more each, we can make that payment.
Not going out like that this time.
That's my word.
Thank you.
♪♪
♪ Pull up to the parking lot
♪ Boombox inside of my car
♪ Ooh, you need to toughen up
♪ Whole place jumpin' right now ♪
Uh, excuse me?
Hi. Sorry to interrupt. I'm looking for Zane.
Man: Beige jacket, by the shark.
Thank you.
♪ Whole place jumpin' right now ♪
♪ Pull up to the parking lot
♪ Boombox inside of my car
♪ Ooh, you need to toughen up
Hey. Hey.
You must be Keke's friend.
Yeah, man. Micah West.
Full disclosure, I've been a Davis West fan
since he first got in the league.
Oh, man.Your old man was a beast.
Hey, man, no lies detected.Yeah.
Let me show you around.Alright.
We printed out a few of our favorite NFTs for the walls,
but, uh, most of the art lives in there,
in the blockchain.
We only acquire what sells,
and if we bring you into the Ivory NFT Art Show,
you need to sell and keep selling.
Otherwise, you're dead weight.
Want a drink?Yeah, please.
It's got adaptogens.
No booze until the sun sets, then all bets are off.
Alright, so... how do I get into this?
This overprivileged, totally entitled crew
works on crypto tokens...
Okay. ...and good vibes.
We're aggregators.
People come to us because they know we have real artists.
I mean, here I am.
Oh, yeah? [ Chuckles ]
Alright, well, first I need to take a look at your work.
If it's a fit, we'll go from there.
Sounds good. I'm in.
Let's do it. Let's do it.
Very good to meet you.Nice to meet you as well.
Yeah. Peace. Alright?
See you.
♪♪
Mercy, looks like the whole parish turned out.
They think numbers will make the difference.
We can't afford a setback here.
We got too much riding on this.
We'll get them to overturn the landmark
and finally get the land.
Just let me do my job.
Your mother would be ashamed of you, baby.
You have no idea what my mother wants.
All you had to do was get your nephew to take the deal.
You didn't, so it's my land now, Violet.
I don't give a good goddamn whose daughter you are.
You watch your tone with me.
Say, let's just go find a seat.
Vi...
I hope your family's prepared to accept the council's ruling.
I know we are.
Sam...
not much is ever in our favor, never has been,
and we are still here.
We're still fighting.
We never give up. You should know that by now.
Come on, Daddy.
[ Notifications sound ]
Councilman: Welcome.
We're here today to vote on a proposal
from Landry Enterprises
to develop an outlet mall on their land.
This would mean overturning a historical landmark.
Speaking for the opposition, Nova Bordelon.
We'll hear from her now.
[ Sighs ]
This land needs to remain untouched.
It is the final resting place for the victims
of the Thibodeaux Massacre.
But it is also my family home -- our home.
My ancestors, our ancestors,
have endured enough suffering in life.
In death, we need to allow them to rest in peace.
The land was designated a historical landmark
by the state.
I ask that the council respect that
and not allow it to be destroyed for greed.
If we do not honor our past, we dishonor our future.
Thank you.
[ Applause ]
♪♪
Thank you, Ms. Bordelon.
And Ms. Campbell?
I, too, have ancestors buried on my land.
I too share the pain of their suffering.
I want to honor those brave souls
and have them disinterred and given a proper burial.
This locket was given to me by my mother.
It was my grandmother's.
She always told me to remember my ancestors,
and that is what I am determined to do.
I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the council
for giving me this opportunity to speak.
I agree with Ms. Bordelon.
We honor the past and the future.
Excuse me.
[ Sobbing quietly ]
We share a deep commitment to both.
I want to bring life back to St. Jo.
This development will create hundreds of jobs,
boosting a weak economy.
It is my honor to bring this to my mother's hometown.
Thank you for your time.
[ Applause ]
♪♪
St. Jo needs a financial lift.
Our business community took a hit due to COVID,
and we need to get back on track.
I move for a vote.
All in favor of keeping the historical landmark,
raise your hand.
♪♪
All in favor of removing the landmark
and going forward with the land redevelopment project,
raise your hand.
[ Gallery murmuring ]
♪♪
The motion is approved.
The development will move forward.
The meeting is adjourned.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Did you call him?
♪♪
What the hell is wrong with you?
Like I said, just trying to bring life back to a dying town.
It's over. You can move the bones.
Or we will.
[ Chuckles ]
Excuse us.
Bye, Billie.
Hey.
This isn't the end.
Come on.
♪♪
We're not giving up, but you gotta take a minute.
Restore, rest up for the long fight ahead.
Come on, now.
Clear skies. Calm water.
And you, preoccupied with all the fishing you could be doing.
Woman, who's steering this fantasy, me or you?
I'm sorry, go ahead.
Thank you. Now, where was I?
Oh, yeah, nothing for miles
except us and the waves, just all alone.
Hmm, that sounds like heaven.
You know I love a full house, but this?
Just you and me?
Baby, you can have me out here whenever you want.
♪♪
Even in the worst of times, we have to remember our blessings.
Ain't nobody here but me and these waves.
[ Chuckles ]
Catch the other one. Catch it, catch it, catch it.
[ Both laugh ]
[ Indistinct singing ]
♪♪
[ Knocking on door ]
♪♪
Hey. Hey, bro.
What's up, man?Come in.
How are you?Good. What about you?
Good, man. Chilling. Getting some work done.
Oh, snap. This the good stuff.
Yeah, man, we had a few bottles laying around the office.
Thought you might like it.Oh, yeah. Well, yeah.
Come on in. Make yourself at home.
Uh, take your shoes off, if you don't mind.
Yeah.
Do you want some of this now?
If you are.
Pshh! Alright.
It's so nice.
Great taste.
That's mostly my mom's taste, but --
Charley Bordelon West.
She's hot.
♪♪
[ Liquid pouring ]
So, talk to me, man. How do I, uh, upload an NFT?
Like, can I do it just whenever I want, wherever I want?
Like, I don't know the ropes, man.
Chill, chill. Let's just relax.
Let's take a look at your photos.
Alright. I, uh...
This here.
Check that out. Okay.
You just keep swiping that way to see everything.
♪♪
This is that heat.
This your boyfriend?
No.
No, that's just a friend.
♪♪
Cool.
I know some collectors that might be interested
in something like this.
Really? Yeah.
But listen, no one sells their first time out,
so don't get discouraged.
I'll show you the ropes.Alright.
You ready? I'm ready.
I don't think they ready. Look at this.
Fact.
[ Laughs ]
You know, and then she told me her name was Imani.
And we just vibed.
I mean, I-I thought she was just another cool sister.
I-I can't believe it.
We're not 16 anymore, okay?
We can do better. [ Laughs ]
Where's the fun in that, though? Cheers.
[ Both laugh ]
So did you call him?
I did. Mm.
I did.
I told him that I need more time.
Mm!
So "Imani"... [ Laughs ]
...was right. You need to pull that Band-aid.
Yeah, but I still love him, Nova.
♪ No one really cares what happens ♪
What if I let him go and I-I never find anybody else?
[ Sighs ]
You know you've always had one foot out the door.
Okay? Either step in or out.
Make a choice.
Yeah.
This place has not changed at all.
[ Chuckles ]
Only place we could smoke, drink, cuss.
Dream.
You know, all you talked about back then was law school.
What happened?
Life. [ Chuckles ]
I got distracted.
Babies, bills, you know.
I thought I was gonna be the next Pauli Murray.
What's stopping you? You still can.
Stop thinking and just do.
I'm gonna need you to get a new catchphrase.
[ Gasps ]
It works for me. Oh, does it?
[ Laughs ] Whatever.
[ Laughs ]
♪ No one really cares what happens ♪
[ Sighs ]
I can't stop thinking about that council meeting.
I talked to Mo earlier, and she gave me an idea.
We can stage an event on our land as a protest.
[ Clicks tongue ]
Well, maybe stop thinking and just do.
Huh.
[ Chuckles ]
See how I turned that around?
You -- You know, you using my words against me, okay?
I see you. Touché.I'm kind of clever.
[ Both laugh ]
You're right. You're absolutely right.
[ Cheers and applause ]
What?
Alright, why are we clapping?
[ Laughs ]
Hey. Not bad, rookie.
10K your first time out.
Wait, I sold?
You sold.
Yo! Let's go!
Yo. Man, I couldn't have done this without you.
You're damn right, yeah.
Just remember, you're only as good as your last sell.
Micah, great job, Bro.
Welcome to Ivory.Thanks.
Let's party.
Yo, thanks, team.
Yo, let's go.
Where are we going?You'll see. You'll see.
Why do I have to close my eyes? Where we going?
Okay, here we are. You can open them now.
Prosper, this is beautiful.
It's like we're right here next to the ocean.
♪ Give thanks to the most high
Oh, this is just too much.
Ohh.
Wow.
Thank you.
Mm.
[ Sighs ]
[Jamaican accent] And welcome to Cafe Jamaica.
Yeah, mon!
It's irie. [ Laughs ]
What do you think?
I think you should have lost the accent.
[Jamaican accent] Oh, him been workin' on it all day.
Yeah, mon.[ Laughter ]
And on the menu for tonight...Look at that!
we have jerk chicken,
rice and peas, steamed cabbage,
and Joaquin's special plantains, and rum cake for dessert.
Oh, Vi! Everything looks so delicious.
It sure does.
And thank you for this blessing.
Well, you two enjoy.
Baby, why don't we let the lovebirds
have some privacy, right?
Oh, yes, yes. Okay, so, behave yourselves.
Maybe we can have some alone time, too?
Yes. Right?Whatever that means, y'all.
Okay?
Oh.
I can't believe you did all this for me.
Oh!
[ Sighs ]
I know you talk a lot about Jamaica,
and I couldn't take you there,
but I hope this will do instead.
It will.
Thank you.
♪♪
[ Breathing heavily ]
[ Chuckling ]
How was your meeting?
It was good.
What have you two been doing?
Well, nothing.
She couldn't sleep, so I decided to show her her grandparents.
[ Clicks tongue ]
Your parents look so happy.
There's nothing better than love.
I wonder how Prosper and Sandy's first date went.
He was so nervous.
[ Chuckles ]
Well, probably better than our first date.
You remember? Mm-hmm.
Hella awkward.
But it ended up smooth.
We left that fancy place in New Orleans
and ended up getting take-out catfish and shrimp at, um...
Willie Mae's.Willie Mae's, yeah.
Took it to the river and just stayed up all night.
Mm-hmm.
The same place you proposed to me.
I made a lot of mistakes in my life,
but falling in love with you ain't one of them.
I love you forever.
I love you forever, too.
[ Cellphone vibrates ]
Prosper?
Wait, hold up. Hold up, hold up, hold up.
Slow down.
Wait, what happened?
Right now?
Okay, bye.
What happened?
Miss Parthena.
It's happening.
I gotta go. Okay. Okay.
I'mma call you.I'll come as soon as I can.
♪♪
Hey!
[ Sobbing loudly ]
They're taking -- They're taking my house.
Hey! They're taking my house!
[ Police radio chatter ]
Hey, man. Came as soon as we could.
We'll start putting these bags in the truck.
I got a couple of guys coming.
Is this really necessary?
The bank wants this house locked up by end of day.
Anything left will go up for auction with the house.
♪♪
Excuse me.
Sir, I have the loan-extension paperwork right here.
We just need one more day.
Well, that's nothing to do with me.
I just follow the orders that I'm given,
and my orders are to make sure
Miss Gilmore is out of this house.
What am I gonna do, Vi?
Where am I gonna go?
[ Sniffles ]
Don't you worry about that.
We will figure it out.
You are not in this alone. You hear me?
♪♪
Alright.
♪♪
Baby.
Back in the car.
♪♪
[ Sobbing ]
Come on.
It's alright.
♪♪