[Sondi] Previously onRun the World...
-Oh, shit. -What is that?
[Matthew] So wait. You still have the apartment?
[Radha] I was wondering if you put any thought
into who you'll be sponsoring
for the professionals of color event.
She's too green. I need this.
You need to sponsor me.
[Whitney] Welcome to the big leagues.
It was really great seeing you again.
I was just about to ask you out.
I'm just here trying to network, not date.
I am the network.
[Renee] "You're talking to Preston Thurgood,
the creator of Prestify."
[jazz music plays]
[Doechii's "Persuasive" plays]
♪ ♪
[Doechii] ♪ She's so persuasive ♪
♪ That marijuana ♪
♪ She's so flirtatious ♪
♪ How does it feel To be you? ♪
♪ How does it feel To be alive? ♪
♪ Let me break it down Till it feel right ♪
♪ How does it feel I'm so alive ♪
[person sings indistinctly]
[Renee] What the hell?
I mean, I thought we were going to dinner.
[Preston] Oh, we are.
Said you like Cuban, right?
I got a little spot in Miami with the bomb lechón asado.
-I figured you might like that. -[chuckles]
I can't just fly to Miami with you.
You want to go to Cuba? Let's do Cuba instead.
You have your passport? Any warrants?
I know you from Chicago.
Was you stealing GUESS jeans in high school?
-Keep it real. -No, crazy-rich Negro.
That's not what I'm saying. I'm...
I was just thinking, you know,
a Michelin restaurant, a little live music.
This is just, um...
-It's a lot. -[Preston] Mm.
I think you worth a lot.
Anybody could take you down the street,
get you something to eat at some little local spot.
And if that's what they think you worth, that's on them.
I think you worth this.
-Okay, fuck it. -Fuck it.
-Let's go. [laughs] -Let's go.
But, look, if you try to traffic me,
I'ma kill you.
I got goons in Chicago.
-I got you. -All right.
-Living with the goons. -[laughs]
♪ We runnin', we runnin' We runnin' ♪
♪ We run the world ♪
♪ We run the... ♪
[Anna] Cash bail is one of the few ways
that peaceful all-American citizens
can protect themselves
from thugs who don't belong in our communities.
Proposing to get rid of it allows liberals
to turn us into a-a lawless society.
[Jeremy] Interesting perspective.
Sondi, what do you think?
Well..
I think, why say "all-American,"
when what you really mean to say is "white,"
or "thugs," when we all know what you mean to say
is "Black"?
But my real question is for you, Jeremy.
What are you getting out of this?
Me? What do you mean?
You invite me on here to face off
against a public-access Ann Coulter
so I can, what, pop off on her
so you can have a little viral moment on your show,
all while I come off as the angry Black woman?
I'm just trying to facilitate civil discussion.
Don't you think it's important to hear both sides?
Both sides doesn't work when one side is predicated
on fundamentally racist beliefs,
which yours are, by the way.
When Blacks and Latinos
are twice as likely as whites to live in poverty,
a system that allows poor, nonviolent offenders
to remain locked up,
while their rich counterparts cut a check
that allows them to go free,
that is a system that is designed to enslave
Black and brown people.
But you knew that already.
Um...
and... and now a word from our sponsors.
[jazz music plays]
Well, I think why say...
[Matthew sighs] You know, this apartment
has grown on me the last few weeks.
However, coffee from a Keurig, unacceptable.
Why you got to hate on my Keurig?
[both chuckle]
You know, it actually works out that you kept the place.
Although you are going to give it up
once the repairs are done, right?
Absolutely. I can't wait to move back in.
It is so weird seeing my face on Twitter.
You know, I'm not surprised at all that it's resonating.
You handed that wishy-washy punk his ass
and said what needed to be said, so...
-I did, didn't I? -You did.
-[chuckles] -[cell phone chimes]
Oh.
Eight a.m. emails from work.
"Dear Dr. Powell, this message is to notify you
"that the Board of Trustees
have officially approved your application for"--
Holy shit, I got tenure.
Oh, my God!
-Matthew, congratulations. -Ah...
Oh, finally.
-We got to celebrate. -Yeah.
-[cell phone ringing] -Oh, word must be getting out.
Dr. Johnson, hello.
Yeah, I just saw the email.
Yeah, thank you.
This is a real honor. It feels great to be locked i.
[Sondi] Sorry, I'm just...
still adjusting.
[Dr. Monica] A new therapist is a big change.
We'll take it slow.
No need to take it slow, Dr. Monica.
I know Dr. Nancy spilled all my tea.
Are you allowed to let me see my file?
I won't tell Dr. Nancy,
and I don't think it violates that oath thingy,
'cause she retired.
Why did she retire? Can you tell me?
We are ten minutes in.
How much of today's session do you want to spend on Dr. Nancy?
Good point.
[inhales deeply]
Well, did she at least catch you up on Matthew
and Amari and Naomi?
She did.
In a nutshell...
since Amari's mother returned, things...
feel off with Matthew.
You don't feel like the two of you
are on the same page anymore.
That's right
And also,
you recently confessed to Matthew
that you lied about moving out of university housing.
Okay, you are all the way caught up.
[chuckles] Sondi...
what's changed with you and Matthew?
[sighs]
[Sondi] When I did the podcast,
I was honestly just so happy to have my voice heard.
Like, I never expected all of this attention.
-[both laugh] -[Nicole] Come on.
A brilliant Black woman giving an eloquent read,
and that twist-out was poppin'?
As soon as I saw the video,
I told my editor I had to interview you.
Thank you.
And I will give you my hair regimen,
off the record, of course.
-[both laugh] -Okay?
Oh.
-[Matthew] Hey. -Hi.
Um...
this is Dr. Matthew Powell,
newly tenured professor of African American studies
and my boyfriend.
This is Nicole from The Cut.
Pleased to meet you, Nicole.
Dr. Matthew Powell...
you wrote that engaging essay
in support of Black nationalism.
Wow. You know your stuff.
[Nicole] What are you working on now?
Uh, right now I'm just enjoying my tenure
-and my family, of course. -[chuckles]
-Oh, you two have kids?
-No, we don't have-- -[Matthew] Not technically.
Um...
Sondi's actually been an unofficial mom
to my daughter, who loves her very much.
-[chuckles] -[Matthew] We both do.
But, hey, I'm gonna let you guys get back to it.
-Pleasure to meet you, Nicole. -You too.
-All right, good seeing you. -Okay.
Have a good day.
All right, next question.
So you don't feel like you and Matthew and Amari
are a real family.
[Sondi] Definitely used to.
[sighs] Maybe I was just...
living in a fantasy.
You know?
I always knew that Naomi was going to come back.
But it was just so abrupt.
And we were just starting to get back
into the groove, you know?
[sighs] I just feel like...
now that Amari isn't around as much...
I am starting to notice how different Matthew and I are
and how differently we see our futures.
Like, he is fine
being a professor for the rest of his life,
and I want...
Okay, honestly, I don't know exactly what I want.
All I know is,
I have never felt more excited than when I was on that podcast
and all those people were hearing my voice.
I've never felt like that in a classroom.
And I-I want to keep exploring that.
And there's just something about staying with Matthew
-that makes me feel-- -Stuck.
Yeah.
I hadn't seen Dr. Nancy in months,
so let me just bring you up to speed.
I'm fucking a millionaire who genuinely likes me
and can give me everything, but for some fucked-up reason,
I'm having mixed feelings about it.
Is this the millionaire you met at the mixer with Whitney,
who you initially thought
was "broke as shit but kind of cute
but even cuter once I saw that net worth"?
How do you know that?
Well, you canceled sessions,
but you drunkenly texted Dr. Nancy this information
at two a.m.
Damn, I sound shallow as fuck when I'm tipsy.
I really do like him, though.
How's it going?
And I've already compiled a list of macro-influencers
that I think will really help get your brand out there.
And with some targeted social-media promotion,
we can really make a mark in the "CBD dog treats" space.
Love it! We are so excited to work with a Black-owned agency
and someone who loves dogs as much as we do.
[squeals]
[Dawn] We'll be in touch soon.
Okay. Looking forward to it.
-Woof, woof! [laughs] -[knock at door]
[sighs]
Let's go. Get you out of here.
Are you finished with Sissy yet?
Wait, wait, Renee.
Bye.
Ugh.
-Ooh. -[Preston] What's up, baby?
-Hey. -How was the meeting?
Mm, great.
I'm selling weed gummies for mutts--couldn't be happier.
-[scoffs] -Listen, it's a start.
Come on, now, this shit gonna take off very fast.
You should be proud of yourself.
You know what? I am proud of me.
Rich people love dogs and weed, so...
I know there's an audience for it.
[Preston] Speaking of, I want the non-dog weed.
Don't go crazy with it.
My weed man is on vacation till next week.
-Is that right? -Mm-hmm.
All right. Oh, you got the goodies.
[siren wailing outside]
Yo, you know who loves dogs?
-Who? -The Weeknd.
He be sending me pictures of him and his dog all the time--
matching outfits, matching afro wigs.
The dog be looking like a Black Panther, low-key.
-Man, whoa. -Okay, well, if he's ever
in the market to promote for some doggy CBD,
let me know.
Text him right now.
Are you serious?
-Yeah, that's done. -Shit.
Let me back that ass up for you, 'cause...
that's sweet.
-[Preston] You like that? -You're just so sweet.
-You better stop, see? -[Renee] Mmm.
-[Preston muttering] -Mmm.
Ah, ah, wait, wait. I got to go.
I got meetings all day. I can't even do it.
But I want to see you tonight, though.
-Okay. -Yankees game, box seats.
Me, you, Swizz, Alicia. I want you to meet the crew.
-Swizz Beatz? -Yeah.
Ooh, shit. [chuckles]
A bitch is a Yankees fan today.
-Okay. -You crazy.
-Oh, the cups are-- -I know where the glasses are.
It's my third night here.
[soft music plays]
You know, um, I forgot.
I got plans tonight with the girls.
-Really? -Yeah.
-All right, you sure? -Yeah, I'm sure.
-Rain check? -Of course.
[Renee] And then I ghosted his ass.
So you're worried about the lines being blurred.
Oh, we're way past blurred, Monica.
This was supposed to be a casual thing
with occasional business benefits.
Now he all up in my house, drinking all my good water,
-knowing where my cups are. -[chuckles]
[sighs] He's moving too fast and getting way too familiar.
[Dr. Monica] Let's be honest, Renee.
This is the first genuine connection you've made
outside of Jason,
and you're feeling scared.
I don't think I'm ready.
[Dr. Monica] I get it.
If you're not ready to date, it's fine.
But...
if you like Preston,
which it seems like you really do,
you might regret pushing him away so soon.
♪ ♪
What's making you angry?
[inhales deeply] Well...
What's making me angry? My coworker Chad...
who can't hold a conversation without bringing up Joe Rogan,
and he'll probably make partner before me,
uh, the fact that I'm paying for a three-bedroom apartment
and I'm the only one living there,
climate change,
the fact that I was tricked into seeing Ola.
Hold on.
Why didn't you lead with that?
I'm sorry, Pastor Burks, I got caught up with some work thing.
Uh, you said this was a one-on-one session.
Uh-huh, yeah, same. What's going on?
I'll explain, but, please, sit.
Now, I'm sorry for misleading you,
but as the pastor who was going to wed you,
well, I felt responsible
for helping you two work this thing out.
I mean, y'all... y'all are the image of #BlackLove.
And I know... I know you went through some issues,
but for both of you to heal,
there's one big thing that needs to happen,
and that's for you to forgive Whitney, Ola.
Wha--Excuse me?
The Bible says "forgive each other,
just as Christ forgave you."
-Uh, wha-- -You heard the man.
He speaks for God.
Forgive me, Pastor, but I-I don't remember
Jesus getting cheated on
right before His wedding.
I can't do this...
with you anymore.
Look, Pastor, I appreciate what you're trying to do,
but I'm out.
No, you stay.
I'll leave.
[Pastor Burks sighs]
No, you lied the last time we were here, you know?
What... what are you talking about?
In our last counseling session,
you said that you weren't asking for me to be perfect,
but, actually, you really fucking were.
Ooh, i-if we could cut back on the cussing.
This is my fault now? Are you fucking serious?
-Oh, Lord. -I gave up a full scholarship
to Stanford Business School to stay with you at Harvard.
I cooked for you. I cleaned for you.
I never asked you to do any of that, Whitney!
Well, I fucking did it anyway!
And I was great at it.
God.
[door closes]
He pulled a Parent Trap?
-That is messed up. -Thank you.
[chuckles] Renee was ready to go set his office on fire.
I wouldn't put it past her.
I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to say that aloud.
[chuckles] I'm glad you did, actually.
You agreeing that Renee's a little crazy, too,
makes me trust you some more.
[sighs] Look...
I know that I fucked up in a major way.
I know that it's gonna take a lot to get through it.
And I even started to feel even worse for him
when Sondi told me that she bumped into him on the street.
But the fact that he didn't even want to try...
You know, if the tables were turned,
I'd at least give us a chance.
I'm curious, Whitney.
What exactly did you think would happen
when you told Ola you'd cheated?
What do you mean?
Well, you made all these sacrifices
willingly for years,
and yet you still told him about the cheating.
Why do you think that is?
I didn't do those things 'cause I wanted to.
Why did you?
Because...
...because I was afraid if I didn't, I would lose him.
Mm.
But as the wedding got closer and closer,
I just felt like I was walking into a future
where I would have to keep doing that.
I'd have to keep pretending
to be this perfect partner that always said yes.
[sighs]
So I guess I...
told him because I secretly wanted to...
blow us up...
or at least the version of us that was built on this lie.
[Dr. Monica] Listen...
maybe one day Ola will give you forgiveness.
And maybe he won't.
And while you did do a bad thing,
it is time to give yourself permission
to heal and move on.
[jazz piano music plays]
♪ ♪
So you mentioned that your feelings have been changing
since Amari hasn't been around.
Is there any chance
that maybe they were changing earlier than that?
No, Matthew and I have always been solid.
Okay, so maybe we haven't always been solid.
It's probably why I kept my apartment,
because deep down, I knew it wasn't gonna work out.
Ooh, um...
I'm so glad that you got there,
because that's our time for today.
[upbeat electronic music plays]
♪ ♪
[Sondi] I cannot believe there's an actual class
-for this. -Right?
My dog-treat people put me onto this.
Those the people Preston introduced you to?
Yeah.
Oh, how are you two doing?
Well, I'm glad you asked.
Um, I've decided to stop playing games
and give Preston a chance, a real one.
-[Sondi] I bet you have. -[Whitney] I bet you did.
-[Renee gasps] -[Whitney and Sondi] Jinx.
[Renee] Forget both of y'all.
I really do like him.
He's nice and sweet
and funny and cute. [chuckles]
The financial security is definitely a bonus,
one I'm not even taking advantage of, okay?
Sondi, you look really good.
I know you didn't get that dressed up
just to come to a joint-rolling class.
Mm-hmm, you looking real fancy.
Matthew and I are going to Melba's
to celebrate him getting tenure.
And are you and Matthew doing better?
Um...
actually, I've been thinking about--
Renee is rolling?
Ah, ha ha ha ha.
I would've assumed you already had this talent.
[Renee] Mm-hmm.
Hey, Whitney.
-[Whitney] Hi. -[Barb] Shemeika.
Yeah, I would think the same about you.
What are you doing here?
Oh, I'm an investor in this place.
-[Renee] Really? -[Barb] Mm-hmm.
Cannabis, the next big thing,
and I'm making sure that Black women don't miss out.
You know, Barb, maybe you and I should join forces.
If there's one industry
that could use some brand management...
it's cannabis.
Oh, no, I already have ten of those cards at home.
You are relentless. [chuckles]
-Let's take a walk. -Hmm.
[mouth full] Taking a walk.
Oh, yeah, what were you about to say?
Oh, nothing. We can talk about it later.
[soft jazz music plays]
[knock at door]
[assistant] Hi, Miss Ross.
-Come on in. -[Renee] Hi.
[assistant] You can have a seat.
-[Renee] Oh. -[door closes]
-Oh. -Mr. Thurgood
is just finishing up some things.
Any idea how long he'll be?
[assistant] Oh, he'll just be a moment.
But I am heading out for the day,
so if you need anything, just text that number.
[footsteps departing, door opens]
Okay.
-[door closes] -Text the number?
[jazz piano music plays]
[scoffs] He on some Bruce Wayne shit.
Gonna give me a number.
[muttering] What kind of shit is that?
♪ ♪
[sighs]
♪ ♪
[waiter] Excuse me, sir.
[soft music plays]
♪ ♪
Hoo.
You know, um...
getting tenure has been
the greatest accomplishment of my life,
outside of Amari, obviously.
But I think there's one more thing
that I want to add to that list.
Oh, well, what's that?
Sondi, since the day I met you...
I've known you are just an incredible woman.
And you... you prove me right every single day.
I mean, the way you fit into our family,
the way you love Amari,
I couldn't ask for a better partner.
♪ ♪
[laughing] Matthew, what... what are you doing?
-[chuckles] -Sondi Hill...
will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?
♪ ♪
Sondi?
Did you hear me?
♪ ♪
[gasps] Um...
-[inhales deeply] I... -[waiter] Ma'am?
-Are you okay? -[Sondi] Yeah.
[hyperventilating] Sorry.
I can't breathe.
I need f-fresh air. I'll be... I'll be right back.
Okay.
[wheezes]
♪ ♪
[grunts softly] Uh...
Uh-uh.
Some bullshit.
[soft music plays]
♪ ♪
Hello?
♪ ♪
[scoffs] Oh, hell, no.
This motherfucker better not be up in this bitch.
♪ ♪
Where the fuck you been?
Look who decided to come find me.
[laughs]
-You petty as hell. -Oh, trust me, I know.
[Renee] You know that?
[Preston] You beautiful as hell.
Mm, thank you.
♪ ♪
[Preston] There you go. And I made dinner.
But you can't have none till I get my apology.
-Apology? -Oh, yeah.
-Apologize for what? -Oh, I don't know.
Maybe something like, "Oh, my God, Preston,
"I'm so sorry I ghosted you and that big old dick.
I don't know what I was thinking."
[laughs] All right, fine. Okay.
[sighs]
I apologize for ghosting you.
-Okay? -Okay.
But, you know, things were messy with my ex.
You know, they still are.
And I haven't really dated anyone since we separated.
You know, Renee, I get it, you know.
I don't know if you realize it, but I'm rich as hell.
Oh, yeah, I noticed.
You know, I like you.
And I'm so used to people just blowing smoke up my ass
and telling me what I want to hear.
I get a little excited when I find somebody real.
Well, I like you, too.
I can't promise you it's gonna be perfect with me.
I really can't.
But I do promise, though, is that I'm gonna enjoy
the ride of getting to know you,
and hopefully you enjoy getting to know me, too.
Well, I promise...
not to disappear on you again.
-Oh, thank God. -[Renee laughs]
But can we just slow it down a little, just a touch?
[Preston] I can do slow.
-We still fucking, right? -Oh, hell, yeah.
[Preston] Oh.
[singer] ♪ You've got to be with someone you like ♪
Great. I'm glad you guys are still open.
Here you go.
Yo, are you giving those away?
Uh, yeah, I'm donating them.
Do you want them?
Retro Jordans?
Size 12s, though.
I'ma just wear two pairs of socks.
Hold up. You can't steal from the church.
It's not the church's yet. She's donating them to me.
Oh, my God.
Why are you giving this stuff away, anyway?
Your man cheat on you or something?
Actually, I did, right before the wedding.
For real?
Okay, savage.
[teen 1] Jordans?
[teen 2] I can't believe you took 'em.
[cell phone chimes]
[smooth electronic music plays]
♪ ♪
[inhales deeply]
I thought I had a panic attack...
and I sent the SOS.
[inhales deeply] I just, like--
I can't believe that Matthew even proposed.
I can't believe you just left that man
at that restaurant like that.
He probably still sitting there,
waiting for you to come back.
Everybody just looking at him
while he order more water, looking all awkward.
I didn't know what else to do.
I-I...
was literally sitting there,
trying to figure out how to tell him that...
maybe we shouldn't be together anymore...
-[Renee] Mm. -...and then he pulled out
this frickin' ring.
And it was gorgeous.
It was perfect.
But you're not marrying the ring.
You're marrying the man.
I can't believe I ain't see this shit coming.
I can usually sniff out a proposal
six months in advance.
[Sondi sighs]
It sounds to me like Matthew was scared of losing you.
Oh, my God.
What am I doing?
Like, am I really gonna walk away from a man who loves me
and wants to marry me?
Oh, my God, and Amari.
-I have to say yes. -Oh, no.
-[Renee] Oh, no, no. -I should've said yes.
No, no, Sondi.
No, I am not letting you do that.
Listen, I have done a lot of reflecting
on my relationship with Ola.
And I made a lot of decisions that I wasn't always happy with
for the sake of our relationship.
And we all know how that turned out.
[Sondi sniffles]
I don't want that same thing for you.
[Renee] Whitney's right.
You got to listen to your heart and follow that.
If Matthew ain't the one, that's okay.
[chuckles]
But you got to talk to him.
[dramatic piano music plays]
[Sondi exhales deeply] Oh, God.
-[Renee exhales deeply] -[all sigh]
♪ ♪
-[Renee] Oh, sis. -[Whitney chuckles]
[Sondi sniffles]
♪ ♪
[door closes]
[siren wailing outside]
I'm guessing you didn't come to say yes.
[Sondi sighs]
[Onyx Collective's "Baby" plays]
♪ ♪
[singer] ♪ Baby, you're my everything ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Without you I'm not anything ♪
♪ ♪
♪ You give my soul The sweetest love ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Without you I would never know ♪
♪ Never know ♪
♪ Freak into another zone ♪
♪ ♪
♪ The only thing I've ever known ♪
♪ Ever, ever known ♪
♪ So hold me close ♪
♪ And love me slowly, yeah ♪
[woman] Whoo-hoo![giggles]