Previously on "Bel-Air"...
LaMarcus is my ex-boyfriend.
When he got drafted to Philly,
I didn't want to do the long distance.
But you invited him here, Hilary.
- Erika? - Philip?
- Uh...[chuckles] - [chuckles]
She wants me to join her firm as a senior partner.
Have you spoke to Viv about this?
Not until there's anything to say.
Well, you know, we are hosting
Phil's family reunion this year.
I'll, uh, stock up on the alcohol.
For you, of course, not for them.
[both chuckle]
It's so cool that both Will and Carlton
got nominated for the Founder's Award.
Do you even know what the Founder's Award is?
Carlton, relax.
Carlton had a panic attack at the protest.
I don't want this to overshadow
your nomination for the Founder's Award.
Just know that it means the world to Carlton.
I will gladly take myself out of the running.
You got leadership skills.
And D-I schools, they lookin' for that.
Don't be so quick to count yourself out.
We have a problem with Geoffrey.
What is he looking for?
Not what, who.
He's looking for his son.
[upbeat music]
* Bring that bag, don't be late ♪
♪ The man in the mirror never looked so great ♪
♪ Highrise views ♪
♪ Feelin' good, feelin' ♪
♪ ♪
And if I don't have a card of the same suit...
You can play any card in your hand.
- Except that one. - What? You said any card.
Yeah, but you just played the most valuable card
- in the entire game. - [groans]
It's about strategy, too, boo.
Okay, Phil, I don't play Spades like that.
You and your family are just so hardcore.
I mean, every game ends in tears or a fist fight.
Which is why I'm giving you a crash course
before the family reunion.
And I still have a lot of work to get done
before everyone gets here, so...
I know you must be exhausted from your art show,
and it was my idea to host the reunion,
and I said that I would handle all the details...
Mm-hmm. But...
- I need your help. - [sighs]
Mama just decided that she doesn't wanna stay
in the suite we got her.
So if you can make sure the guest room's ready,
and also pick her up,
and find a place for her to get her nails done...
I mean, who doesn't want to stay at a penthouse
- at the Four Season hotel? - Right?
I mean, Julius probably got in her head.
- Here we go. - Yeah, ever since Dad died,
he's been trying to control everything
and keep it on his turf.
Please don't let this competition
between you and your brother ruin this family reunion.
Okay.
So... you helpin' me out with Mom, then?
'Cause, I mean, if I send a car service or Geoffrey,
I...I'll never hear the end of it.
Yeah, I guess just my emails and phone calls
- will just have to wait. - Aw, I love you.
- You're a saint. - Mm-hmm. I know.
- Thank you. - Mm-hmm.
Hey, Geoffrey.
Everything okay?
Do you have time for a private word?
♪ Ayy ♪
Gettin' it in kinda early, huh, C?
Yeah, just gotta make sure I'm ready.
Ready for what, the apocalypse?
The flag football game
is a Banks family reunion tradition
that my dad and Uncle Julius take way too seriously.
Oh, yeah, they take it way too seriously.
Yeah, a little family competition.
Nothin' wrong with that.
Speaking of which, um,
I wanted to talk to you about this Founder's Award thing.
- Yeah? - You know, you were right
when you said I didn't know anything about it.
Yeah?
Yeah, so I did some research.
And I'm not sure yet,
but I wanted to see how you would feel
if I possibly, you know, stayed in the race.
[laughs]
- Wait, seriously? - Yeah.
What, you're dying to get into an Ivy all of the sudden?
I mean, grades and leadership.
D-I schools look at all of that stuff.
And this could really help me stand out.
Yeah, sure. Whatever, Will.
See, man, this is exactly why I wanted to rap with you.
Look, I'm not trying to stress you out.
Why would it stress me out?
Because everyone is worried about you,
especially after the protest.
And so am I.
[hip-hop music playing indistinctly]
Uncle Phil thinks
us competing against each other...
could be triggering.
Right. 'Cause with you in the race,
there's no possible way
I could stand a chance at winning.
- That is not what he said. - Yeah, he didn't have to.
- Heard it loud and clear. - Carlton...
Let me finish my reps, Will.
♪ Tippin' juice ♪
♪ Run my crew ♪
♪ Gettin' loose ♪
♪ You don't know about us ♪
♪ We don't know about you ♪
♪ Shorty talking 'bout trust ♪
[panting]
I haven't been honest with either of you.
And I'm not proud of it.
We know you've been lookin' for Frederick.
Yeah.
I've been trying to locate his adoption papers.
Thank you for being honest, G.
Keepin' him safe has been our first priority.
Mine too.
You know, our family's been through a lot already.
Lord knows we learned the consequences
of keeping family apart.
That ended bad for all of us.
You know, G, we wanna help you
weigh out all the options.
But know that this has to be your decision, not ours.
Thank you.
But until then,
I know it's not exactly what you've been looking for,
but I hope it helps.
[Easy McCoy's "Déjà Vu"]
[chuckles softly]
♪ It's like déjà vu ♪
♪ I see it all the time ♪
♪ Yeah, it's like déjà vu ♪
♪ I see it all the time ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
- [door closes] - Look who's here.
Whoo, that ride was surely an adventure.
- Mm. - Ooh, I guess my nerves
are not good enough for this LA traffic.
Well, I didn't realize you'd be
- such a nervous passenger. - Grandma. Aw.
- Hey! Ooh. - You look so young.
Thank you. [both chuckle]
I know you lookin'
more and more like your daddy every day.
Oh, Hilary, the supermodel.
- Hi, Grandma. - Hi, darling.
Ooh, and this is my baby.
Ashley, you still got your grandpa's dimples. [laughs]
- And this is my nephew. - That's not William?
- Yes. - No!
The last time I saw you, you were a little bitty thing.
You better come over here. Give me some love.
Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am.
- Good to see you. - Oh, good to see you.
Mama, you made it.
Oh, my son.
Ooh, lookin' good.
Ooh. [chuckles]
Too good to even pick up his own mother.
No, no, no. Now, see, you just got here
and you're already startin' trouble.
- No. - I was handling the details
to make the day perfect.
- Oh. - And plus I knew
you were in good hands with Viv.
Oh, if you call ridin' 80 miles an hour
and runnin' the red lights good hands.
I was driving under the speed limit
and it was a yellow light.
Okay, okay, let's, uh-- let's get Mama settled.
- Yup. - Yes, yes, yes, yes.
I will show you to your room, Grandma.
- Okay. - Let me get her bags.
Yeah, not that bag. Put that down.
'Cause those are my greens from my garden.
Oh, so these have been in a hot luggage compartment
for hours. Yum.
I bet you can't find those kind of greens here.
Well, now who can I get to help me clean and pick 'em?
- Oh. Yes, ma'am. - Yes, we can do that.
- Oh. - That's us.
[chuckles] You don't have to.
- No it's fine. - You are something else.
- We love doing this. - Ooh.
Those pants are very tight, Hilary.
Thank you, Grandma.
Remember, Grandma 'Nita said
we need to keep some of the stem.
That's where the flavor and the nutrients are.
Hey, Ash, I got this, a'ight?
I used to help my mom in the kitchen all the time.
[chuckles]
So it seems like everybody has a role at this reunion.
What did Uncle Phil put you in charge of, Ash?
Lookin' out for older relatives.
Lots of dietary restrictions
like no dairy, no sugar, no red meat.
Hey, Will, have you talked to Jazz recently?
He's been acting really distant, busy,
taking his time responding to my texts.
Mm. Really?
I even invited him to the family reunion
and he left me on "read."
Yeah, well, you also asked your ex-boyfriend
to come to Mom's art show.
I would have left you on "read" too.
I talked to Jazz about LaMarcus
and he said it was fine.
[chuckles]
Is it not fine?
These are some really leafy greens.
- Will! - Look, I'm not trying to be
in the middle of you and Jazz.
But finding out that you dated a top NFL draft pick,
that may hurt a brother's pride.
- I'm just sayin'. - Yup.
Oh, my God. Okay. I'm going over to Jazz's house
and we're gonna talk this out, 'cause this is crazy.
Uh, Jazz can wait. The dessert cannot.
So how's my sweet potato pie lookin'?
Your pie?
Daddy wants to win the family pie contest.
Oh, for a pie you didn't even help make.
So you just out here cheatin', huh?
Little more nutmeg.
See? I helped.
[scoffs]
Yo! 'Sup, G?
- What go on, Will? - So where you been at, man?
I'm not trying to be the only non-Banks at this reunion.
[chuckles] And if you are?
I mean, I love Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv,
- don't get me wrong, but-- - It's a bit overwhelming.
- Hmm. - I get it.
But here's a little secret about reunions.
Nobody cares, you know?
Everyone's family.
- Yeah? - Yeah, man.
But I got you.
I'll be right by your side to tell you
who's who and what's what.
- My man. - [chuckles]
- Appreciate that. - In a bit.
A'ight.
[uneasy music]
♪ ♪
Uh, you left it in the bedroom.
- It was ringing. - Oh, thanks. I didn't realize.
That you missed calls from Erika Baker?
Care to explain why she's calling you?
Yo, C.
Come here.
Yo, did you notice anything, uh, goin' on with Geoffrey?
Um, no. Why?
Well, I walked into the office
and he was looking at a photo
of some dude who looks just like him.
I wonder if it was a picture of his son?
- Geoffrey's a dad? - Shh. Yes. Yes, relax.
It's just one of those things no one really talks about.
Uh, yeah, obviously.
Look, all I know is, it's complicated.
[groans] But don't you want to know more?
Shit, I know I do.
Look, good luck with that. You know how secretive
Mom and Dad are about that stuff.
♪ ♪
All right, I was trying to find
the right time to tell you,
but you were so busy with the art show.
Then why don't we make now the right time?
Now?
But the family...
Look, with everything that's been goin' on
with my firm, word is getting out.
So it's only natural
that people are gonna come looking for me.
Uh-huh, and Erika is one of those people?
Yeah, she's working in LA.
She wants me to consider an offer with her firm.
Oh, seriously?
Which is why I didn't bother bringing it up.
Look, I promise you, I am not gonna make
any big moves without talking it out with you first.
They're here, they're here!
[The Math Club's "When We Come Thru"]
[upbeat music]
* We see cash in the instant ♪
♪ Rags like a misfit ♪
♪ Flash through the district ♪
[horn honking]
♪ Chain [indistinct] ring for 60 grand ♪
[indistinct]
* It sounded right, I see your hands ♪
[indistinct chatter]
Oh! All right.
That's Frank and Gail and their kids,
Duane, Sheena, Dominique.
All second cousins.
That's Uncle Chuck and Aunt Pokey.
Pokey?
Yeah. Pokey.
Ah, the twins, Nadia and Nicole.
The aunties,
Teresa, Shari, Patricia, JoAnne,
Val, Dorothy, and Imogene.
And all their kids--
Spencer, Kayla, Madison,
George Junior, and George Senior.
You got all this?
Uh, just give it to me one more time.
'Ey.
Frank, what's up?
How you doin'? Good to see you.
Pookie. Pokey, right?
Uh, Michael, right?
Good to see you, bro.
What's goin' on? I ain't seen you since--
oh, my God. It's been so long.
- Auntie. - [chuckles]
Auntie, Auntie.
Hi, Uncle Earl. I'm Ashley.
Let me know if there's anything you need help with.
Yeah.
Don't be offended, Ash.
Uncle Earl is like that with everybody.
Rude?
He's a man of few words.
Our oldest living uncle.
He has a lot of stories to tell.
[upbeat music]
♪ ♪
- Come on in, everybody. - Welcome, everyone.
Make yourself at home, please.
Our house is your house.
There is plenty of food.
Oh, and a lot of drinks back there.
- Is that my sister-in-law? - Ah!
Girl, aah!
- Welcome, Julius. - Good to see you.
- Baby bro. - Big bro.
- Come on. - I see you dressed up.
I try to get fly for you. Come on, now.
- Look at you. - Hey.
- Always clean. - Kyle?
I can't believe it. Last time I saw you,
you were, like, half this height.
Now look how big you are.
Oh, welcome.
- Hey, Aunt Viv. - Oh.
[chuckles] And speakin' of growin',
you didn't do much.
Hey, ready to get slaughtered
in this flag football game, cuz?
Yeah, yeah. Keep talkin' trash.
The trophy's a lock for us this year.
That's right.
Anyone thirsty? We have sparkling water,
uh, juice, champagne.
Ah, I'd be more comfortable
with a double Hennessy on the rocks.
Uh, are you sure about that, bro?
'Cause, uh, you gonna need all your faculties
when we whup your ass in this game.
Drunk or sober, you ain't whuppin' shit.
- Uh-oh. - Uh, language, boys.
But I wouldn't mind a little taste, now.
- Mama. - Okay?
- What? - Since when you be tastin'?
- Since I'm grown. - Um, yeah, Mama, I got you.
- Thank you. - Mm-hmm.
- Yo, they a trip. - Yo, Kyle,
what's in the bags?
[chuckles] Ha!
Yeah, I'm a little surprised.
Didn't know we were doing T-shirts this year.
No one even wears them after reunion weekends.
No T-shirts? Mama, you hear this?
Daddy'd be rollin' over in his grave right now.
- Hey, Frank. - "Banks Family Reunion,
rooted in love." I like that.
It also looks like free advertising.
- My brother's a car salesman. - Get your facts right.
I own ten dealerships across North Carolina.
Voted number one dealership
in the Southern United States just last month, Philip.
Yeah. Says so right here.
'Scuse me, Junior.
And if you need that family discount,
Unc got you.
Got my son right here a SUV last year
'cause he finally turned in some decent grades.
Okay, my grades only slipped
'cause I cracked a rib playing lacrosse
and had to miss school.
Everybody break a rib.
Yo, Carlton plays lacrosse.
Oh, yeah. We made playoffs last year.
Oh, really?
Well, we went all the way to state, so...
Hmm. Mm.
Wow. Must run in the family.
Mm-hmm. It's revolutionary.
All right, Banks family...
[cheers and applause]
Now, as Viv knows,
I have been anticipating this day for a long time.
And we all appreciate you traveling
out here to California.
Now, I may live out here on the West Coast,
but my roots remain in the South.
- Ain't that right, Mama?
- Yes, they do. - Yes. Right.
And my goal is to hold tightly to the Yamacraw tradition
that my father Joe started many years ago.
- Mm. - All right.
Doesn't matter where we are,
it's who we're with.
- Mm. - Okay.
So, please, enjoy the day.
Our house is your house.
- Whoo. - Yo, yo, yo, hold up.
Okay, okay. [chuckles]
Come on, now, you see me.
Yes... Julius. Did you have a question?
Yes.
I was just thinkin', if we're, you know,
keepin' in tradition
and it is indeed our real intention...
- Mm. - Then we all know
we are not celebrating nothin'
without giving God his due. Amen?
- all: Amen. - Amen.
- I said amen. - I said amen to you.
Amen.
I see the devil stays busy out here
in the city of so-called angels.
All right? [laughter]
- Mm. - Anyway, as the eldest,
I would like to do the honors.
Thank you, thank you.
So ski-doot-doot-doot.
Oh. [chuckles]
All right, everybody, can we, uh,
bow our heads, please?
Heavenly Father, we are gathered here today...
Mm-mm-mm. Not while God's watching.
Thank you for bringing the Banks family together.
[The Math Club's "Drink Somethin'"]
* Let's go a little deeper, I'm a people pleaser ♪
[indistinct chatter]
- Boom. Ten points. - Ah.
- Ooh. - My son.
- Okay, C boy. - My boy.
I didn't know you knew how to play dominoes, okay.
It's just basic grade school math.
- [both chuckle] - Right.
So Uncle J, when'd you get started at the dealership?
Oh, I used to help out
in the body shop in high school and I never left.
Created the largest network
of Black-owned dealerships in my 20s.
- Wow. - Yeah.
So did you go to business school for that?
No, come on.
College, fancy degrees, that's Phil's lane.
There's more than one path to success,
and I'm living proof of that--
that application is more important than theory.
- 15. You got that, nephew? - Oh, sh--
Oh, yeah. I got you. Got you, got you.
- [laughs] - Yeah, well,
there's nothing wrong with a solid education, and...
- Ooh. - Bam. I'ma take that same 15.
- Okay. - Write that down, nephew.
Okay, well, there's nothing more valuable
than hustle, bare hands, and grit.
But you still gotta have a vision
for how you make your next fortune.
Self-made man. I like that.
Yeah, and Kyle, once he gets hisself focused,
we're gonna put him in the family business too.
I mean, I am already workin' part-time
and helpin' out on a new ad campaign, so...
[clears throat]
I'm sorry, nephew, but, uh...
you just left 15 on the table.
- Ugh. - Oh, hey, hey, hey.
If you don't call it, it doesn't count.
- [chuckles] - [grimaces]
How many times I tell you you got to call your money?
My bad. Sorry.
Sorry's for suckers, Kyle.
In business and life, pay attention.
Damn.
It's all good, little man.
I hope everyone brought their swimsuits,
because I am lookin' forward to relaxing,
drinkin' some cocktails in the hot tub.
- Mm-hmm. - Question, Viv.
- Mm-hmm. - Exactly how does any of this
fit into our fish fry theme?
Fish fry?
Well, Phil didn't say anything about a fish fry.
He did miss some of the family Zoom calls.
[chuckling] Don't worry, baby.
We got this.
I'm gonna need some cornmeal
and some seasoned salt.
Okay? And flour.
And oh, you know we gonna need some white bread...
- [sighs] - And some hot sauce.
And about, uh, three bags of, uh, sugar
for the sweet tea. [chuckles]
Where are you, Jazz?
Hey, Mr. Banks.
It is always good to see you, frat.
You know I'm always down
for a good time with the family.
Uh, uh, uh, that is not LaMarcus.
[both chuckle]
Boy, you better come here and hug me.
Come here.
- Oh! - Hey, LaMarcus.
[indistinct chatter]
Daddy, why is LaMarcus here at our family reunion?
Well, I mean, you invited him to your mother's art show.
- I assumed you'd be fine. - What?
Plus, your Uncle Julius hasn't had
a pro ball player at his reunion.
See, this is my reunion.
This how we do things.
- Mm. - Mm-hmm.
- I'm team Jazz all day. - Okay, then great.
So you agree he can know nothing about this.
So keep your mouth shut, cuzzo.
[sighs] Thanks.
[scoffs]
What? Thank you so much.
I'm so glad you all like them.
You know, that's actually one of my most recent pieces.
My queen, we are up for Spades.
Uh, well, they wanted to see my collection
so I don't want to be rude.
Uh, ladies, do you mind if I borrow her for a second?
I need my teammate. Thank you.
- See? - Oh. So we're a team?
Oh, 'cause teammates usually talk
and share information.
Are you still upset about that Erika thing?
'Cause it's not a thing.
It was a thing. A very big thing.
So please don't play me like I'm crazy.
We were in college.
Baby...
So... Spades?
[sighs] Fine. Let's do this.
- Let's do this. - Mm-hmm.
- Who's your favorite son? - Ooh.
- [both laugh] - It's all right.
- So, Mama... - Yeah.
Phil seems to think that once you sell your house,
you gonna come out here and live with him.
I told you, Mama not leavin' North Carolina.
And, Mama, I said
that you have a mind of your own
and that maybe you'd like a change of scenery.
You ain't got the time to take care of nobody.
And all that weight's gonna fall on Viv.
You ready for that, sis?
Baby, don't let him throw you, all right?
All he's trying to do is get in your head,
- in your head, that's all. - I'm just trying to pay
- attention to the board. - Oh, well, good,
'cause it's your turn. [both laugh]
- Shit. - Just pay attention
to the first card that was played, all right?
- So you know what--ah, ah. - Ah, ah, ah.
No board talk. She is a grown woman.
- Handle your bid-ness. - Yes, baby,
'cause when she sat down at the table,
we thought that she could hold her own.
Study long, study wrong, baby, baby.
It's all right, baby. Take your time. Take your time.
Do what you can.
[sighs]
- Oh! - Oh!
- Boom. That's game. - Oh!
That's my partner right there.
- That's my partner. - Oh. This is my house.
Mama, I told you to stop drinkin' when we play.
Okay, say one more thing about my drinkin',
and I'ma kick your ass.
- That's my dear. - Who house is it?
Come here. Chest bump, babe. Come here.
Ohh! Mm.
I wasn't sure what you wanted,
so I got you a little bit of everything.
Sweet tea and Hilary's biscuits are my fave.
So I got you two.
[gentle piano music]
♪ ♪
[applause]
Yay. Whoo.
[chuckles] Come on.
Let's go, let's go.
[chuckles]
Hey, can I talk to you for a sec?
- Yeah, sure. - Uh, without the child.
All right. Come on.
I need to be clear.
Us getting back together,
no matter how good all of this feels,
that's not happening.
A'ight, so this feels good?
We split up for a reason.
[sighs] You broke my heart.
Because I had bigger dreams than just being your arm candy.
Look, I've matured since then.
Oh, but I need to be clear too.
I'm not the one who started this.
You called me.
Now I'm here again doin' a solid for your father.
Right. And I appreciate that.
Look, I have no agenda.
I mean, beyond visitin' the fam
and grabbin' a plate of Grandma 'Nita's catfish.
Good. 'Cause I have a man.
So why isn't he here then?
Hey, LaMarcus,
Julius wants to do a pushup challenge.
- We're taking bets. - Duty calls.
Hilary, your father wanted me to tell you
it's almost time for the anonymously judged
pie contest.
Oh, also, his one is called Hot Pie Summer.
[JS aka The Best's "No More Mr. Nice Guy"]
♪ ♪
Okay, we've got five votes
for pie A, Hot Pie Summer.
- [cheers and applause] - Ooh.
Five votes for pie B, Super Fly Pie.
[cheers and applause]
Hey, uh, can we disqualify a pie
just based off the name alone? [chuckling]
Okay, Hilary.
It's down to the last two.
- Time for you to pick a winner. - Let's go.
Mmm. Mmm, mmm.
This is so good, y'all.
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
Uh-huh, I can taste the nutmeg.
Definitely a hot pie summer.
- All right. All right. - Okay. Okay.
Ooh, but it's definitely Super Fly Pie for me.
- Oh! - [laughs]
Yes, I knew baby girl's taste buds
could not deny the secret of my pie filling.
- What is it, lemon flavor? - Yes, it is.
- Okay. - Wait, wait, wait.
I'm supposed to believe that you would vote
- against your own recipe? - Huh?
What? Wait a minute.
Did Hilary make the pie or did you, Phil?
Oh, okay. Okay.
- Guys, you know what? - What's goin' on?
It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.
It's all in good fun anyway.
Yes. And you know what? We have water balloons,
- drinks, everything in the back. - So, uh,
we're doin' anything to win now?
Cheating's okay? Well, maybe that's what they do
out here in these LA streets.
- Cheating? Cheating? - Yes.
Okay, okay. Like that time I caught you
dealing from the bottom of the deck in poker?
- Huh? How about that? - Man, that was two years ago.
Oh, two years ago?
Two years, two months, it don't matter.
Two weeks. It don't mean-- cheating's cheating.
Phil, you gotta let go. Release.
Hey.
Yo, G.
Yo, man, you missed it.
Yo, I'm pretty sure Hilary tanked
Uncle Phil's pie on purpose. [both chuckle]
There was, yeah, a little revenge move
for inviting LaMarcus to the party, I'm sure.
Hey, you gotta love the family drama.
- [both chuckle] - Mmm.
- Right? Mm-hmm. - Yeah. Hilary don't play.
Look, G, I don't mean to be all in your business,
but, you know,
I just been thinkin' about it all day and...
He's 22. Lives in London.
His name's Frederick.
I thought we always kept it real with each other?
How come you never told me?
[pensive music]
♪ ♪
To be honest with you,
I wasn't sure what you might think.
Only one way to find out.
So it was a closed adoption,
but Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv know where Frederick is?
Mm-hmm. Your uncle had some people
look into it for me years ago.
I asked him to keep tabs on Frederick
so I could see how he was being raised,
if he was... happy.
- And he is? - Hmm.
And I'm grateful for that.
But I also asked Phil to promise me
never to give me the details of his whereabouts.
And why is that?
[soft pensive music]
I've lived a life, Will.
I, uh...
Used to move with a gang in London
who made me believe hustling was the only way to succeed.
And it was true for a good long time
until it wasn't, you know?
So what happened?
I had a sort of Uncle Phil too.
Promised me he'd look after my family.
But I had to cut off all contact
or my family might be in danger.
So you left to protect them?
Mm.
I came to the States. Started a whole new life.
Frederick's mum couldn't handle it alone.
So she, uh...
gave him up.
Damn, G.
So what now?
I don't know, Will.
I mean...
disruptin' his life now seems selfish and unfair.
I'm not even sure if I'm ready to face
how he feels about me, you know?
Yeah.
I'm not sure anybody's ready for that conversation.
I mean, at least I have answers now.
And I'm...
pretty sure Frederick would love
to hear the real story.
Not just the one he's makin' up in his head.
Perhaps.
I bet he'll see, uh, what a good dude you are.
[both chuckle]
♪ ♪
Someone any son would be proud to call his dad.
I appreciate you, Will.
[sighs]
Hey, son.
So, uh, we up next for flag football.
This is our big shot at bringin' home that trophy.
Oh, yeah. Cool. I feel good about this.
- Me too. - [chuckles]
Me too 'cause we need this win.
Absolutely.
Which is why I'm bringin' in a secret weapon.
Yo, Carlton, ready to do this?
Yeah. I am.
[indistinct chatter]
Don't I get dessert?
So you do talk.
I got a mouth, don't I?
Well, you haven't had much to say with it all day.
Uh...
Get me a couple of those cookies,
and I'll talk plenty.
[characters grunting]
[knock at door]
Yo.
So I hear your dad brought in a ringer for the game.
[chuckles]
Definitely a dick move my dad would make.
Yeah. Yeah, um...
I guess they're cut from the same cloth.
Is it me or have they gotten worse?
Oh, definitely worse. [both chuckle]
[sighs] Man.
Is that gonna be us in 30 years?
You know, fuckin' with our sons' heads?
Questionin' all their life choices?
Taking out all our shit on them,
making sure that they don't feel
- like they're ever good enough? - [chuckles] Yeah.
[sighs] Well, anyway,
at least with LaMarcus on your team,
you're gonna win the game, so that'll make your dad happy.
Yeah. I guess.
[chuckles] And I'll just get another speech
about bein' a weak-ass piece of shit.
It's fine. I'm used to it.
Do you play?
Uh, yeah. Yeah, I do.
Thanks.
Round one. Fight!
So you fought in World War II?
Retired Lieutenant Colonel.
332nd Fighter Group.
They called us the Red Tails.
Wait, so you were in the Tuskeegee Airmen.
Oh, girl, I flew missions all over Europe.
Here.
- Wow. I've read about you. - [chuckles]
So you helped integrate the military.
- That's right. - You guys were all heroes.
I didn't die for this country,
but I sure as hell fought for it.
[indistinct chatter]
I heard you got some skills on the court.
Yeah, I get down a little bit.
Yeah, I played football at Bel-Air,
so I know it can be tough
being labelled angry and defiant
when you're really just driven and ambitious.
Yeah, man. All the time.
They mad 'cause I like winnin'.
I bet that AAU team hit different, right?
- Keep raisin' the bar. - Yeah.
Hey, I bet it gets real at the pro level.
[sighs] Man, I gotta get on the field
and prove myself every day.
Every workout, every practice, every game.
- [together] No days off. - [chuckles]
It's all or nothin' for me. [sighs]
Which is why I'm not gonna stop until I get Hilary back.
[indistinct chatter]
Wait, what was that? [chuckles]
I thought y'all was, like, you know,
- cool like that. - I mean,
that's what I told her.
I'm playin' the friend role for now, but...
I'll get back in there.
And when I do, I'm not lettin' her go again.
♪ ♪
We're gonna eat y'all up.
This ain't no peewee football, you feel me?
[cheering]
So we gettin' players out the combine, Philip?
[whistle trills]
- Hike! - One Mississippi,
two Mississippi, three Mississippi.
[Montell Jordan's "This Is How We Do It"]
Come on, Kyle.
Yeah! That's my son right there.
Ahhh!
It's okay, keep your head in the game, son.
It's too easy.
♪ This is how we do it ♪
- Oh! - Good catch.
Here. [whistle trills]
Will, get inside! Defense, defense!
- Whoa! Oh! - Ah! Get him!
How you like that shake 'n' bake, Little C?
[yells]
- It ain't tackle! - Let's go.
Kyle, what the hell is that?
* I'm kinda buzzed and it's all because ♪
♪ This is how we do it ♪
Mm. [giggles]
Got it!
Get out of here.
Got him!
Ah?
Yes! Come on. Come on, babe.
All right, boys, we need a touchdown to tie the game.
You're gonna post, you're gonna slant,
- I'm gonna find you. - Yellow team leads 28-21.
Break.
Phil, this is your last chance.
[laughs] [whistle trills]
Can't even beat me with a pro player, bro.
Man, just make sure you wipe your prints
off my trophy before you hand it to me, a'ight?
Hike the ball.
Don't mess it up, son.
Hike!
Let's go!
Go long! Go! Go!
Kyle, damn, get your ass up.
[groans]
[groaning, applause]
- [laughs] - Yeah!
Let's go, baby! I don't even play football!
We won! We won!
Good job, Kyle! [laughs]
- Feel it, son! - Whoo!
This is how we do it, Philip.
That's what I'm talkin' about.
Number one dealership in the southern US.
Hey, man. Hey, man.
And I know how to win a game
when the game is on the line.
Banks Family Reunion. We did it again.
- You okay, Mom? - Oh.
- You need Phil. I'll get him. - No, no, no, no.
- Have a seat. - Oh.
This was a good day. Thank you, Viv.
You're welcome.
I mean, but this was all because of Phil, so...
Please.
Behind every good reunion
is a man takin' all the credit
and the woman doin' all the work.
[both chuckle]
Joe and I planned a million of these.
Mm, mm. I know what it takes.
He was a big part of these things.
- I know you miss him. - I do.
But at the end of the day, I don't remember
any of the arguments I had with Joe
or how busy my own life was.
It's these moments, like now,
being with family,
that's what stays with you.
You know, you don't have to be alone.
We have more than enough rooms here,
- so whenever you're ready-- - Oh, no, no, no, no.
Thank you. But no, thank you, honey.
[laughing] I would not live
with neither one of those boobs.
No, baby, I love my independence too much.
- Mm-mm. - Uh, you need a refill?
I won't tell Phil.
This time, put a little more vodka.
[giggles]
- But shh. - Amen.
[groaning]
[both laugh]
[sighs] How's the knee?
Better than your back. [both chuckle]
Two grown-ass men trying to keep up
with a pro baller. What were we thinkin'?
Yeah, I was thinkin' I was gonna kick your ass.
[chuckles] Of course.
Can't stop trying to one-up me, huh?
Me?
If Dad told us to clean our rooms,
you had to do it faster.
You were the first to get dressed.
You were the first to the breakfast table always.
'Cause I had to be good at something.
Come on, I'm the big brother
and you the one Dad believed in.
We both know that's not true.
Yes, it is.
I asked him one time, I said,
"Hey, Dad, can I go to college?"
He said, "Nah. That's a Phil thing."
You was the one he was always bettin' on to win.
Not me.
But I proved him wrong, though.
You know, for me, you are the big brother.
Takin' care of Mama. Right there doin' your part.
[soft sentimental music]
You know, hostin' this reunion,
I just needed to feel like I was doin' mine.
Losin' Denise, it's been tough.
Bein' a single father, man, and wearin' all the hats...
[sighs]
Then let's share the load.
Maybe we can hold on to some stuff together.
♪ ♪
* Just lookin' back at our past ♪
Hey, son. [grunts]
I'm sorry, Dad.
I know how bad you really wanted
to bring home the trophy.
And I know that you've never missed that pass.
Uh, I guess it just, uh, must not be my day.
Love you, son.
Love you, too, Dad.
[sighs]
I'm proud of you.
And, uh, I never want you to think
that I don't believe in you, okay?
I'm always betting on you to win.
Always.
What's goin' on, huh?
What up, man?
Job well done out there, Will.
Thanks for being our third man.
- Well, that's what I do, man. - [chuckles]
I, uh, appreciate you sharing your story too.
- Yeah. - You know?
- The hustle. - Mm-hmm.
Fightin' for everything you get.
- Yeah. - Yeah.
[chuckles] I feel like that's me all the way.
Listen, you never stop goin' for yours.
People might underestimate us,
but they never see us comin', either.
- [chuckles] - Prove 'em wrong.
- All right? - Sure.
There you go.
[chuckles]
- [sighs] Yo, C... - Hey, what's up?
Wanted to talk to you about the Founder's Award.
Oh, actually, yeah, I, uh...
you know what? I changed my mind.
I'm not afraid of a little competition.
- You should stay in the race. - Oh, that's good.
'Cause I was gonna do that anyway.
[both chuckle]
Hey, man, I'm warning you,
I'm not playin' to lose.
Oh, well, I'm quite adamant
that, uh, I'm gonna kick your ass.
- You sure about that? - Oh, yeah.
- We'll see. We'll see. - May the best man win.
[chuckles]
Trust me, he will.
[indistinct chatter]
- Damn good day. - Yeah.
Thanks for all you did to make it happen.
I know you had a lot going on too.
Work and life will always be there.
I'm sorry again for not bringing up Erika.
Although, I do think that it makes sense
for me to keep my options open.
Which means she'll be back in our lives again.
Yeah, but it's nothin' that we can't handle together.
Hmm?
Yo.
This is a pretty dope reunion, Uncle Phil.
- I really like your family. - Thanks, nephew.
And I'm not surprised you fit right in.
Oh, me either.
You know, family's really important.
Which is why I feel like we need to help Geoffrey.
He needs to see his son.
[clears throat]
Can I get everybody's attention, please?
First off,
I have Phil's permission to speak.
I'm just gonna say that.
[laughter] Okay. Okay?
All right. All right. [grunts]
Don't want no trouble with my brother.
Okay.
I want to take a moment to personally thank
Phil and his beautiful family for hosting
the most incredible Banks Family Reunion.
[cheers and applause]
Did we have a good time?
all: Yeah!
Did we have a good time?
- all: Yeah! - Yeah.
[hooting]
Um... Phil, come up here, man.
- All right, Phil. - All right.
All right, all right. [applause]
- Love you, bro. - I love you, bro.
Hey, uh, we have one more order of business.
Yes. Yes.
Now, J and I, we want to start a new tradition
of honoring family.
We have true heroes in our lineage
that we would like to recognize.
- Yes. - Amen.
Uncle Earl, this is for you.
Thank you for your service.
Whoo! Whoo! [cheers and applause]
We love you, man. We love you.
Let's get the party started, shall we?
Huh? all: Yeah!
Soul Train line! Whoo!
[Maze's "Before I Let Go"]
♪ Whoa, whoa ♪
[upbeat R&B music]
♪ ♪
♪ You made me happy ♪
♪ ♪
♪ This you can bet ♪
♪ You stood right beside me ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ And I won't forget ♪
♪ ♪
♪ And I really love you ♪
♪ You should know ♪
♪ I wanna make sure I'm right, girl ♪
Hey, there you are.
[humming]
Come on, everybody's havin' fun, come on.
[chuckles]
[sighs]
Okay, okay.
Ah. It's our song, remember?
I remember. [phone chimes]
[tense music]