[narrator] previously on queen sugar...
A hollywood producer wants to turn my book into a movie.
I need everyone in my family to approve.
This is a once in a lifetime offer. Ask them.
You want to know what sells? It's hot.
Your dad's an nba star.
Holy shit, that's what I'm talking about.
I'm with social services.
It's my mom. The ice got her.
They need us.
I'd like to request legal guardians.
The boys can stay with you while you complete your application.
-He looks a lot like chase. -No.
-You and chase did have a moment. -I was unconscious.
[man laughing]
oh, okay, let's see if I can...
[inaudible conversation]
-come on. -[woman] oh, stop.
-[man] all the more reason. -[woman] put the card down.
[woman] put it down.
[woman laughs]
you sure? Because I'm planning to win it. [laughs]
nova, did we wake you, honey?
Baby girl, come over here and help your papa.
-The others coming? -They'll be by later.
Ralph would be so happy to see you.
We can't stay long. Nobody cut the cane this season.
Don't go.
I can't believe you're here. I've missed you so much.
[breath trembling]
we missed you too.
You know what to do.
You always have.
[voice shaking] mama.
-Oh, my baby. -Mama.
[cell phone ringing distantly]
[cell phone ringing]
♪ dreams never die ♪
♪ take flight as the world turns ♪
♪ dreams never die ♪
♪ take flight as the world turns ♪
♪ the colors in the lines, take flight ♪
♪ dreams never die ♪
♪ keep the colors in the lines ♪
♪ take flight ♪
oh, shoot.
[sighs softly]
hey. [laughs nervously]
uh-huh. Mmm. No, absolutely not. [laughs]
♪ every day my light turns off ♪
♪ I need you to turn it on ♪
[sighs]
♪ I don't care if I've got no fire ♪
[whispering] come on, come on.
♪ I've got you to keep me warm ♪
[chuckles softly] [whispering] shit, okay.
[clears throat]
mmm mmm.
[whispering] jeez.
[camera shutter clicks]
[chuckles]
about time that insurance money came in. [chuckles]
don't worry, we got it.
Charley, I said I got it. Just focus on your speech.
All right, love you, too.
What did she say?
She's on her campaign bus right now.
Asked if we can meet with the insurance adjuster at the mill.
Can't imagine campaigning, trying to deal with the mill too.
-I know. -It's crazy.
I was just thinking about her and the mill the other day.
It's been almost two years since the fire,
[scoffs]
and I don't know how people are supposed to rebuild after tragedy
when these companies purposefully drag their feet.
Took me years ...
It really does.
How bad is it?
That's with the csa earnings, too?
It's everything. I mean, without ... Land and her crops
we're deep in the red again.
Co-op can't lose no more land.
That'll be it.
Yeah, I mean, that's what I was thinking too
with charley,
-[sighs softly] -we should see if she'd be willing
to put the mill into the co-op.
I mean, she's been talking about selling, divesting.
The worst she could do is say no.
I mean, if she did it would be at a loss.
She's already at a loss,
and at least this way she'll be giving back to the community,
which was her original intention.
-Who's going to take care of it? -We could.
Babe, it's not even operational.
-How are we gonna take care of it? -Exactly,
we don't have to operate it.
We just hold it on the books.
The land is still worth something.
A lot, in fact.
And the future potential is always there.
All right, that's a good idea.
Mmm-hmm.
[cell phone chimes]
[whispering] shit.
-[in normal voice] hey. -[nova] is that how you answer the phone now?
You were supposed to be here an hour ago.
Leaving me alone
to prep for this family gathering.
You forgot, didn't you?
No, I didn't forget. I'm...
I'm walking out the door now.
Oh, hey, and don't forget to pick up the fried catfish and ...
And get the extra sauce. It's ... And darla's favorite.
-Micah, are you listening? -Yeah.
I got it. I'll see you soon.
Ah, suspect.
Does your mommy and daddy leave you with a dirty diaper every time?
Every time?
Every time right there?
Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh, no running please.
Oh, no, not you too.
-Seriously? -Baby, I'm sorry, we just got these bolt parts.
Got to get started on this carburetor.
Trying to have that sucker up and running
by the end of the summer.
You go wash your hands.
Hollywood, can I see you?
[whispering] you're in trouble.
Just go wash your hands.
Let me talk to your uncle for a second, okay?
Here. There you go.
What's wrong?
Hollywood, don't get too attached to those boys.
Their father could return any day now.
I know, baby, and I hope you're right, god knows I do.
But this whole system is broken.
Ain't no telling when ignacio don't come back home.
We need to be ready for that, too.
Hey, look, babe, you know we've been talking about fostering, right?
Who knows? Maybe this is our chance.
Maybe.
No matter how you slice it, this is cruel,
-especially to those boys. -You preaching to the choir, baby.
-Mr. Hollywood? -Yes?
Oh. Are we gonna fix the carburetor?
Son, what do you know about a carburetor?
It makes the engine go... [imitates car engine]
[laughing] well, you gonna learn today.
-Babe, I have to go make the... -Come on.
We have to go make the engine go vroom, baby.
We got to go make the engine go vroom, right? Let's go.
-It's a big dream. -Mmm-hmm, and she did it.
She really did.
That's when you know you different.
Something like this is one of the big things you did.
It runs in the family.
You're all like that though.
You definitely are.
It's true, you know? Your father...
He had a vision for his farm and his family,
and he held it in his heart.
He never let it go.
And nova, she stands up for what she believes in,
and she fights for it even when everyone else disappears with her.
-Micah's a go-getter. -Hmm.
Even at his young age.
You know, with his photography and his activism.
Vi is a marvel.
What she's endured, what she's built,
and you're right up there with them,
protecting the land, pushing the legacy.
-Mmm, you've made some mistakes but... -[chuckles softly]
your whole family has.
But you do it all with love and vision.
Each of you.
You know, I see you, too.
That's right. You're smart, brave, thoughtful.
I don't know where you got that mind from, but I see you.
I'm grateful
that someone like you see me,
little old me.
-[chuckles softly] -hmm.
-[knock at door] -hey.
-Hi. -I was up early,
helping at the farmer's market,
and I thought you might like these for your party.
Oh, okay, [clears throat] you didn't need to do that, but thank you.
I haven't spoken to vince since he left.
He usually checks in.
Well, you and vince just ended a 20 year relationship.
-There's nothing wrong with not being okay about it. -It was my idea.
And now it's really sinking in.
I have been spinning out all night.
Did I make the right choice? I'm second guessing everything.
You did what you needed to do for you,
and that's not easy.
What if you came to stay with me for a little while?
I can use the company while dominic's away,
and maybe a new environment, a friend to talk to
might, you know, help a little?
[scoffs]
wow, that is beyond generous. Thank you.
Girl, we've been friends for almost three decades.
We may have had some downtime in between,
but now it's a perfect time to really catch up.
And I'm not being generous, I'm being greedy.
Yes, I would. I'd love to stay here for a bit.
I mean, I've been feeling like a third wheel at home.
-Ah. -I mean, don't get me wrong, I am really happy for them,
but daddy and sandy need their own...
Girl, they need their own space.
-[laughing] yeah. -[laughs]
well, you won't be a third wheel here.
Just me and you, hmm? Come here.
[chuckles]
-thank you, nova. -Any time.
I thought you said it was too early for a fiesta.
Well, I was wrong. I like that song.
Oh, my goodness, what on earth did you put in there?
Ah.
Ooh, uh, that's delicious. Ooh!
That is really... You have a gift, baby.
Talking about babies.
That's aunt vi.
Hello, baby.
[juaquin] dante, food's ready.
Dante, what did I tell you about running?
Sorry.
Boys, um, why don't you go to your room for a minute, all right?
Now.
Oh! Oh, no, hey, it's okay, all right, it's all right.
Just a little grown folk business.
All right, come on, let's go.
So what on earth's going on?
I'm sorry I have to tell you this, but it happens.
What happens?
Your application to foster the avila boys has been denied.
Denied why?
[belinda] we ran background checks.
It's challenging, because the law is black and white,
but real life isn't.
But clearly you have a wonderful home for those boys.
But by law, foster children can't live with an ex-felon.
Imma take her to sleep, all right?
-[tru vocalizing] -come on. Come on, come on. It's okay.
It's okay, come on.
The boys need to pack and we'll get them relocated
to another home as soon as possible.
Their father asked us to watch after them.
[belinda] I see you have a good home here.
There's just no way to get around the law.
I already paid for my past.
Them boys' innocent.
They shouldn't have to pay for it too.
They're safe here.
You're gonna take all of that away
because of one mistake that happened years ago.
There has to be something that we can do, right?
Once you're flagged an unfit home, it's hard to reverse it.
My hands are tied.
What if I go?
We've been talking about it.
Just need some time to sort it out.
I'm sorry, I don't make the rules.
Ralph angel has done so much for this community.
He runs a successful co-op.
He's a good man.
He's a great father, great husband.
When he got out, the first thing he did was
create a reentry program to help other people get on their feet
and you are telling me that none of that matters.
Look, I'll hold the paperwork until Monday, but that's it.
If you can find a new place by then, maybe.
They were so vivid, like, they were sitting right here.
Oh, that's a good sign, right? For this?
I've got the ascended on my side,
now I just have to convince the living.
I really want this to work out.
I just can't believe they're making a movie about us.
Like, that is very cool.
Right, but I gotta do it right this time, you know, uh, no surprises.
Oh, yeah, but, you know, if you didn't have the guts
to do it, like, your book may not have seen the light of day.
That's one way of spinning it.
Yeah, I've just been thinking a lot about my next nft.
Like, you know, I wanna follow the trends,
but I also wanna follow my gut.
Well, let's see it.
Um, okay. Okay.
Um, this piece is about reclaiming a public moment
and making it mine.
It's wild, right?
And look at the bids, it's up to 100k already.
Has your mom seen this?
Uh, no.
-Just you. -Take that down.
That's not your moment to sell.
I was there too.
How's this any different from what you wrote in your book?
You're auctioning off your parents' worst day
in the middle of your mom's campaign, it's different.
[door closes]
[violet] knock, knock.
-[nova] hey. -Hey, baby.
Hey.
Okay, uh, boys, you can put those pies down in the kitchen.
And hollywood, nova set up a movie upstairs for the boys.
Come on, let's go upstairs.
Okay, I know that we're early, but I wanted the inside scoop.
So what's this big news? Is there a bun in the oven?
You know, or a ring on that finger?
Mmm, neither, but I wanted to tell you all together. Where's ra?
-They'll be here. I'll tell you more later. -Okay.
Uh, hello?
Hey.
You okay?
Yeah, I'm just, um...
Can you excuse me for a moment?
[chuckles] I don't know.
[outgoing video call]
micah, what's up?
Yo, um, I'm locked out of the site, I need you to delete that nft.
No can do, brother, once there's a bid, I can't take it down.
No, I made a mistake, man, there's gotta be a way to take it down, please.
Micah, I take it down now, it makes us all look bad.
You'll be put back on ice, is that what you want?
I don't care, just delete it.
All right, chill, I'll see what I can do.
[dial tone beeping]
[door opens]
-oh. -Hey.
She's asleep, what's up?
I'm about to take her to the room.
Okay, straight back there. Hey, people.
-There, come on in. -[ralph] oh, boy, smells like aunt vi.
Hi.
-[violet] hey, baby. -[cell phone ringing]
um, one second, I think this is preschool.
-Hello. -[man over phone] hi, darling.
Our mutual friend jordan saw you in dc last week
and I had to reach out and say hello myself.
It's chase, chase livestone.
Uh, you quiet now.
But you had a lot to say to jordan.
Go to hell.
[chase] telling her a lot of bullshit about me,
like what we did wasn't consensual.
I'm a family man. I'm running for office.
Stop this shit right now, you hear me?
Do not call here ever again.
Okay?
[chase] this isn't over.
[hollywood] how's that apartment hunt going?
Been tough, I went to six places and everybody keep asking for a background check.
I thought they banned the box.
For work applications, not with housing.
Well, don't let that box hold you down. Own it.
Lead with honesty, people appreciate that.
And some might even be okay with it.
Yes, sir.
[hollywood] knock, knock, knock.
-Yeah, you stuffed, aren't you? -Who you telling?
-Um, hey... -[grunts]
hey, y'all, I, uh...
I wanna, um, talk to you about something.
[hollywood] well, just spit it out, baby, this hype is kicking in.
Now you done fed us good, what you gonna do?
Um, all right, I mean, as you all know,
I've made some mistakes in the past that have hurt you all.
I've learned from that and I pledged to never go down that path again.
Um...
A path that has me thinking about what I want,
what I think is right, without understanding
and hearing and acknowledging your feelings.
Or getting your blessing.
Well, good, nova.
Go on, baby, just get it out.
Um, I've been approached to adapt blessings and blood into a movie.
[ralph] a movie?
Like, movie, movie?
But unless the whole family gives their blessing, it stops here.
Oh, nova.
Baby, that book caused a whole lot of pain for all of us.
I know, I'm sorry.
But, baby, it also aired a lot of dark secrets
that needed light in order for us to heal.
Um, guess who wants to play you, aunt vi. [laughs]
oprah.
-Wait, the oprah? -Really? Oh, my god.
[hollywood] it's gotta be tracy morgan to play wood
and lakeith stanfield to play you, yeah?
Or how about idris elba?
[violet] yes, baby.
Hold on one second, um, this is how much they want
to buy it for and we can split the money between us evenly.
It's our story.
Damn, could buy a new house with this.
[violet] oh, lord, have mercy.
-And I would share mine with the co-op. -No.
Ooh, you know what? I would too.
[laughing]
oprah is perfect, pam grier...
Nova.
What you thinking about? Pam grier to play you?
I said no.
[shouting] I said no!
[vocalizing]
nova, you go.
[whispers] okay.
[exhales]
[nova] darla?
-Darla. -[whispers] no, god, leave me alone.
[nova] I didn't mean to upset you.
-I'm sorry. -Don't you dare make this about you!
You ruined my life and now you want forgiveness.
I relapsed because of you and that book.
Did you really think I'd be okay with a movie? Are you that selfish?
I won't do it without your permission.
Ralph angel and I keep trying to let the past go
and you keep bringing it back.
Do you really think that I wanna watch
my assault with actors in costumes?
Do you think that I want that out there?
For blue and tru to see
any more than you've already exposed it?
All this shit you stirred,
do you think I want that rewound and streamed
on people's tv for years, nova?
Hollywood finding me unconscious,
telling ralph angel about blue?
Which almost killed me.
You think these are great scenes, nova?
Are you crazy?
[screaming] are you out of your mind?
I've seen the past.
I've seen the past, I've seen the past, okay?
I just need the past to stay in the past.
It will, I promise.
I just want it to stop.
I asked you to take it down.
Take it down? I said I could see what I could do.
Oh, did you not see how crazy it got?
The bids were wild, there's no way I could bury those.
I don't care.
You made the single largest sale in our company's history.
Congrats, man, look.
Sportscenter, cnn, fox, twitter.
You did it, micah, you put us on the map.
My parents are gonna kill me.
That image was already out there.
Someone else was cashing in on your family's pain and you took it back.
Okay? Own it.
Look, look, look, look, look, I need you to buckle in,
because we hooked a whale, bro.
Wants to commission more of your work.
For real?
Yes, he wants to fly us on his jet, private, bro.
Ivory, come in, this is the guy, micah west.
The largest sale in the company's history.
Give it up for him, thank you, come on! Let's go!
[crowd whooping and clapping]
talk to darla yet?
No.
I'm giving her space tonight.
You know, if ralph angel doesn't find a place, we can't force them out.
Especially now, with tru and darla feeling so hurt.
[hollywood] what about the boys, though?
What if they get split up? Different houses.
-We made a promise to ignacio. -I know.
We just have to keep an eye on them.
Make sure belinda finds them a really good home.
They need us, vi.
And angel and darla are our family.
But now the boys are our family too, I don't know what to do.
Check it, what if I could find a place for ra and darla to rent
and put it in my name?
-We could handle their security deposit. -[hollywood] yeah.
We could keep the boys. Oh, that's good, hollywood.
You are just good.
Thank you.
It's nice.
It is nice.
There's something really warm about it.
[agent] washer and drier's out back.
The ac rattles when it's real hot, but it works.
We really appreciate you showing us this place at the last minute.
No trouble, I live right next door.
-[ralph] they got a little patch out front for tru. -Oh, yeah?
-Let me see. -Check it out.
[darla] oh, and so much sunlight.
Y'all looking for long-term or month-to-month?
We can promise you a year
if, um, if we can move in as soon as possible.
[ralph angel] miss olivia...
I just wanna be real with you.
My record...
My record ain't clean.
But I live a clean life now.
My wife.
-Our new baby girl. -[darla] mmm.
Our son [chuckles softly] goes to one of the top schools in dc.
In the country, really.
But, I'm a farmer by trade.
Been working on a fish boat.
It's a long story.
I guess what I'm trying to say is...
...We're good people,
and we'd treat this place like our own.
My husband did time too.
And what's passed is the past,
as long as we learn from it and grow.
All I need to see is honest eyes
and hardworking hands.
I can see you have both.
-And you got this queen, too. -[all chuckle]
thank you.
So you're doing just fine.
Thank you, ma'am. You won't regret it.
Let's get this paperwork started.
Thanks again.
I don't wanna do this.
Shh.
It's okay.
You know, if you're planning the great escape,
you might wanna do it at night.
And where the hell y'all think y'all going?
Somewhere we can stay together.
-I don't wanna go. -You don't have to go.
You got me and violet right here.
And who's gonna help me fix that boat if y'all run away?
What about ralph angel?
Ralph angel's got his own place now.
And he needs us to help him move.
So go back, put your stuff in there.
I need y'all.
[whispers] thank you.
Joaquin...
When I make a promise, I don't break it.
Anything you need,
just let me know.
Please tell me you're kidding.
I've been getting calls about this project all day.
With the campaign and everything,
charley hasn't gotten back to me, but...
...Another family member is a firm no,
so I just can't.
Okay, well, we're willing to cut characters.
We can move story around.
As long as the tentpoles stay, the family and the farm--
as much as I would like this to happen,
I'm sorry.
I'm gonna let you think about it.
Okay? Whoever it is can just not be in the movie.
Well, no, but all the stories are connected.
Just let the filmmakers work their magic...
...And let them pay you handsomely.
I'll delay things on my end.
You just think about it.
Okay?
We'll talk again soon.
[call ends]
♪ we got something oh yeah ♪
[sighs]
♪ let's work it out ♪
♪ you've been working I've been working ♪
♪ so we should relate ♪
♪ how time gets lost schedules criss cross ♪
♪ we both got heavy plates ♪
[knocking at door]
-girl. Girl! -[knocking continues]
[laughing]
[gasps]
-[screams and laughs] -[billie] hey, hey, hey!
[nova] new orleans isn't ready for us.
-[laughing] -come on in, girl.
Thank you so much for letting me stay.
-I need this girl time. -[chuckles] yeah.
And, you know... [sighs]
like I said, daddy and sandy need their space.
[both laugh]
[sighs] I'm sorry, um...
Ever since vince left, I don't know what I'm doing.
I don't know where I'm going. I don't...
You're gonna settle in and make yourself completely at home
for as long as you want.
You're gonna walk around in your pjs as you please.
Get something from the fridge whenever you want.
Come and go as you need.
But first, you need to find something cute to wear,
'cause we're going out for drinks.
-Oh. -Lord knows I need one.
[both laughing]
[hollywood] there we go. Hit that, dante.
Do y'all know what the most important part of the engine is?
[dante] mmm...
Spark plugs?
[joaquin] the fuel injector?
Well, you're both right.
See, the engine is a symphony of moving parts,
and each piece has to be well-oiled, well-loved,
in order for it to work.
So, why is it called true north?
Well, it's named after ralph angel's mama,
and it's also a reminder to keep your direction in life
on a center, a soul, right where the heart is.
You know, you keep sight of that...
...Everything will be good,
no matter if the waters get rough
or what life throws at you.
You find your direction, and you'll stick with it.
Just like your parents.
Y'all their true north.
They risked everything for the both of you,
and now, they're risking everything again
to get back to you.
All right, dante, pass me that carburetor.
Let me show you something.
[lively brass music playing]
I was talking to his sweet, frozen face on my phone.
-[laughs] -it ain't right.
-[laughs] -when's he come home?
Next week. Counting down the days.
-That's right. -[laughing]
[clears throat]
that hot trombonist keeps eyeing us.
[muffled] look right now. Look right...
[trombone flourishes]
[laughs]
-okay. [laughing] -I know you still possess some of them majorette moves.
You still got it.
-Come on. [laughs] -[billie] okay, wait.
Let's see if I can still move these old bones.
Ready on the one, it's five, six, seven, eight.
It's one, hit two, put some stink on it, pop, again.
One, hit two, put some stink on it, pop.
[both laughing]
-oh, you're... -I know, right, right?
[both laughing]
girl, he's still looking.
I dare you to go home with him.
What? Nova, you know I am not that kind of girl.
And he looks like he's wearing way too much cologne.
Oh, you can scrub that off.
-Take a shot with him. -[laughing] I'm...
-What? -Girl, I wouldn't even know what to do.
[softly] oh, come on.
It has been a long, long time.
You know what I mean?
And besides, me and vince... [sighs]
I mean, you know.
Wait.
Is vince your first and only?
Well, would that be a bad thing?
Well, there's no judgment,
but this shortlist needs to get fixed.
-Soon. Hmm... -Okay, how long is your list, ma'am?
-You know... -[laughs]
-really? You out of fingers and toes already? -Um...
I've lost count.
[both laughing]
you know what, you've been a riot
ever since camille, your first crush.
You ever talk to her after high school?
Let's see if she's still in town. [phone clicks on]
[sighs] what are you doing?
Don't you worry about what I'm doing.
-[exhales sharply] -you found her? Let me see.
[coughing] go and get it. Go and get it.
-What? -[man] sashay?
Um, all right. Why not? [chuckles]
[man] come on.
[exhales]
♪ all we do is win ♪
♪ here we go again ♪
[zane] hey, look, I know you're used to private cars and private jets.
I ain't too cool to admit this is new to me, bro.
I like it.
-[sighs] yeah, never gets old. -[zane] yeah.
[cell phone ringing]
this investor's about to drop major stacks.
Make sure he knows he needs you
more than you need him.
Let him know you ain't new to this.
[both] we true to this. [laughing]
-always. -[laughs]
[exhales] yo, we're almost at the hangar.
So dope.
Yo, where are we going? Like, what cities?
[zane] fam, where are we not going?
First stop, your old stomping ground.
City of angels, baby. La.
Here we come.
Yeah.
Now, if it could all just magically fall into place...
We ain't gotta do it all at once.
[both chuckle]
[laughing]
-mmm. -Well, some things, we do.
-Feels good, huh? -[chuckles]
-no shower schedules with aunt vi, hollywood. -[darla sighs]
a whole fridge to ourselves.
-So quiet. -Mmm-hmm.
You know, I thought it was tru...
-...But it was vi. -[laughs]
[inhales]
I love her to the moon, [sighs] but she can talk.
[both] mmm.
-We ain't got nobody interrupt us now. -[chuckles]
[tru crying]
-mmm. -Mmm.
-You know one thing we don't have now? -Hmm?
-Aunt vi on night duty. -[chuckles]
we're doomed.
-I'll get her. -[whispers] okay.
-[crying continues] -I'm gonna make this ours.
We're gonna make this home, okay?
Home's wherever we at.
Facts.
Don't forget it. [chuckles]
-I'll be back. -Okay.
-Facts. -[chuckles]
[sighs]
[cell phone ringing]
[exhales]
[chase on phone] my star.
I told you to leave me alone.
[chase] picked up a copy of blessings and blood.
Filthy little book, full of lies.
I told you to leave me alone.
[chase] you think I'm gonna let some crackhead slut ruin my life?
I will take you and your family down.
-You better watch your-- -[hangs up]