Male singer: ♪ Got a vibe
♪ Make the room shake, turn their neck ♪
[Elevator bell dings] ♪ Got a vibe...
Uh--
OK.
It's giving...
a "Mighty Morphin Power" baddie.
That's not what you're wearing to your audition, are you?
Is it--is it too much?
I'm not mad at it.
I know switching your major to dance was a huge step,
but you were made for this, Keish.
And you got this.
This audition determines
whether or not I get into the program at all.
Uh-uh, ah, no, stop it.
You got it. You are fine,
and you're gonna get in this dance program. Period.
Period.
[Women laughing nearby]
Keisha: Aw. Look at Thea making new friends
to fight with later.
She's not new. That's Tootie.
Since Thea's out, she slid into the number one spot on the team.
What, so injured players don't go to practice still
'cause she's the only one in street clothes
looking like she got somewhere else to go.
Coach Loni banned her from practice.
OK. I mean, I can give you a moment
since that seems like it shook you so much.
Am I happy the girl's injured? No.
But am I happy I don't have to deal with her mess?
Hell, yeah. Now I can just focus on bonding with the team.
You can't tell me there's not some part of you
that's low-key sad that the two of you aren't cool right now.
Damon: In between Bringston and Hawkins,
we found a café, a restaurant,
coffee shop, and a movie theater.
Mm-hmm. That's a place for every meal,
studying, and whatever stupid superhero movie
you want to see.
Heh. Check us out.
We got this mini- long-distance thing on lock.
Yeah. Definitely.
And whenever we're not in class,
or have a match or game of our own,
we'll be sure to be at each other's.
For sure.
Well, that doesn't really apply to me
since I've been benched from all practices and matches.
Hey, hey. You're not gonna be riding anybody's bench
for long, all right?
-Think so? -I know so.
And to prove how much faith I have in you being a badass,
when you get a good report on your PT today,
well, I'm taking you to one of them fancy,
little bougie restaurants you like.
-Really? -Oh, yeah. Yeah.
[Cell phone ringing]
You know, you're gonna have to talk
to Coach Marcus at some point.
I don't know if I'm ready to have that conversation
about not only leaving Bringston
but playing for our rivals, too.
Listen...
you got this.
Get out there.
[Cheering and clapping]
What's good, bro?
Uh, look, I just... make sure we're gonna be good
considering we about to be teammates and all.
[Exhales]
Yeah, well, it's not like we got much of a choice, right?
Shaw: Heh heh! You got something for me?
Uh, yeah.
There we go.
Male singer: ♪ I don't like my...
Seals the deal! Ha ha!
[Players and cheerleaders cheering]
Welcome to Hawkins Georgia.
Singer: ♪ Where you will take your time ♪
♪ Clearly I'm drowning
♪ Save me, I'm drowning
[Knock on door]
What's up, Coach?
Good to see you, son. Now come on in.
Thanks.
Listen, I know things was a little awkward right after--
Man, um, that's not why I've been avoiding you, Coach.
We all got issues, all right?
You're my coach for life, no matter what.
OK. Then why have you been avoiding my calls, son?
I turned in my official paperwork
to transfer to Hawkins today.
I didn't want to be talked out of my decision.
Look, I understand.
Do you?
I don't know, Coach. I feel like--
like I'm letting you down or something.
Nah, nah, nah. It's not your fault.
It's mine. Look, all of this is happening
because I didn't take better care of myself, son.
How are you doing?
I'm taking one day at a time,
but I'm feeling a lot better.
That's good. Can you take care of the guys on the team
after I leave?
They'll need you.
I promise to try.
You figured out how you're gonna say your good-byes to them?
Nah. Um...
honestly, I don't think I can, Coach.
Well, trust me, son.
Don't leave without saying what needs to be said, OK?
♪ I put the time in...
Coach: Good job, Derek!
-Let's go. Let's go. -Come on, guys.
Y'all looking good. Keep it up.
Yes, Megan! Nice return.
♪ ...Coming through the door with... ♪
Too late.
You need to be inside the strike zone, Six.
It's Simone.
And I meant to hit it down the line.
Yeah, but it was weak. Your timing is off.
You want to take control of your points or not?
♪ ...Can I taste the greatness, no, you can never fake this ♪
♪ I'm 1 out of 1, I'm the first... ♪
Six, you're looking like trash.
Athlete: Oh, you're not tired already, are you?
No. I'm catching my breath. I'm good.
You're sure? 'Cause you ain't falling out on my watch.
She says she's good. Mm-kay.
Athlete: Looked a little shaky there.
♪ Knock you out!
The closer we get to the studio,
the less I feel like I can breathe.
Oh, you got them good nerves.
See, my grandma says you get them
when you're doing something that scares you,
and if you don't shake things up,
you ain't living life right.
Well, then I must be killing the game
because these butterflies are real.
Well, I'm proud of you.
You about to do the damn thing, and I know it.
I'm proud of you, too,
but I am low-key annoyed that you're so Zen about
starting music this semester.
Well, I'm too excited to be nervous.
Look, I'm registered.
Plus, I got into that History of Black Music class
I was on the wait list for.
I don't know. It just feels like
after everything I've been through,
things are finally starting to turn around, you know?
-I do. OK, us! -Ha ha.
Keisha: Wait. What the hell?
I'm supposed to be auditioning in 10 minutes
and my name's not on the list anywhere.
This isn't how you're supposed to start an epic semester.
Is everything OK?
Uh, yeah, yeah. Um, look, why don't you just try and find your professor?
Maybe there's just some sort of mistake
that just got to get worked out.
I got to run past the registrar's office anyway.
[Kiss] Good luck.
Thank you.
♪ Baby, take it all off for me
♪ Just take it all off
♪ Hey, you're bad, let me tell you where to... ♪
What's up, fellas?
Uh, look,
I'm sure you all feel some type of way,
but I'd really like to leave Bringston
and this team on a positive note if that's possible.
So if you all don't mind, um,
I still want to play
this upcoming Bringston vs. Hawkins charity game
as a Bringston Lion.
Well, don't look at me.
Look, I know it's an unofficial game
and just a friendly charity match
for the KEK Mindfulness Center, but...
come on. I want to play one last game with my boys, man.
Guess I deserve that.
[Laughter and applause]
Santiago: Look at that face.
Of course you can.
We wouldn't have it any other way.
Hey, you all are messed up, man. Ha ha!
But, look, I, um...
I just didn't want you all to take it personally,
you know, me leaving and--
Save it, bro. You ain't even got to do
all that, all right?
Between the family stuff and the situation with our dad,
they get it.
You're doing what you got to do to take care of yourself.
We can respect that.
Well, let's get this win, then, baby.
[Chuckles]
[Applause]
Well, I'm glad you're all cool with it,
but it's not your decision.
Where you about to go, Six?
To my room. Why?
I need you to stay and pick up all these balls.
And why is that my responsibility?
You might've made the sixth slot,
but you're still at the bottom of the lineup,
and top dawg, which is me,
says you need to stay and pick up all these balls.
Period. Welcome to the new world order.
Damon: Yo, Coach Raymond, hold up, man.
I don't understand why you want to play
the charity game as a Lion.
You're prolonging the inevitable
and hurting your teammates more by
dragging this out.
Can't you see that we built a bond?
Look, I just want to support my team
and enjoy the time that I have left
before I transfer.
I don't see the big deal with that.
If you really wanted to support this team, you'd stay.
Because without a star pitcher,
our season's shot before it's even started.
This is what I meant by you being selfish.
You don't consider how your actions affect everyone around you.
You just continue the same pattern--
leave teams whenever it benefits you.
Because you know you'll always be good wherever you go.
I mean, think about it. How many teams have you left?
Can I play or not?
You can play.
But as soon as it's over, I'mma need you
to clean out your locker.
[Scoffs] Whatever, man.
You say I always leave. I guess it's in my DNA.
Cam: I just received a notification that says
I'm dropped from all my classes due to nonpayment.
That's correct.
That's a mistake.
I have a grant that should've covered the first installment in my payment plan.
I don't see any grants credited to your account.
Well, that doesn't make any sense.
It should've been there days ago.
Can you at least hold my classes until I figure this out?
If I did that for every student that were waiting on funds,
Bringston would be out of business by tomorrow.
But, yo, that ain't fair. It's not my fault.
I have the funds. It just ain't cleared yet.
Deadlines are deadlines for a reason,
so I'm sorry, but unless you're making a payment,
you're holding up my line.
Next.
[Clears throat]
Forgot one.
Thanks.
May I?
You may not remember me.
New Year's Eve.
Ah, ha ha. So you do remember me.
Yeah, but the question is,
why don't I remember seeing you last semester?
I was injured, but I'm back now.
And kissing complete strangers
at the stroke of midnight apparently.
Heh! I don't normally do things like that.
Neither do I.
[Tennis ball collector clanks]
But New Year's Eve was New Year's Eve.
So now it's back to the real world.
And how's it going in the real world?
You saw. You were at practice.
Ha. You seemed to be handling yourself.
I guess I'm just used to it.
First it was Thea, and now it's transferred over
to her next little minion in line.
Don't let it get to you.
Yeah. Easy for you to say.
You're right, 'cause I've been there as well,
my freshman year
and the first half of my sophomore year.
So then how did you weather the storm?
I just decided to give my teammates
the same energy that they were giving me.
That's the thing. I'm not a mean girl.
I'm not just gonna put that karma out into the world,
even if the person deserves it.
Eat or be eaten. It's up to you.
[Sighs]
Speaking of, I'm actually on my way to get some food.
I can give you some more tips over dinner.
New Year's Eve was New Year's Eve,
but I appreciate the advice.
I should get back to it.
I'll see you at practice.
Mm-hmm.
[Chuckling]
[Knock knock]
Hey.
What's all this?
Resumés. Apparently, I need to find an assistant.
Know of anyone?
Good enough to work for you?
Um, no. Ha ha.
But I am here to ask about a job.
Look, Amara, my baseball team is falling apart.
Look, I need you to reinstate me
as head coach of the baseball team.
Marcus, I can't do that. I'm sorry.
Why not?
You told me you're searching
for an outpatient therapist, right?
Have you found one yet?
I'm working on it. I'm sure I'll find one.
It's hard to tell if I'll connect with a therapist by
looking at a long list of headshots, Amara.
I get it.
I just think you need to take the time
to make the decision that feels right.
Be honest. Do you truly feel ready to come back?
[Laughing]
Hi. Dr. Pace? I'm Keisha McCalla.
I was, um, supposed to audition today,
but I think that there was some mix-up.
There wasn't.
I removed you from the list
so I could make room for another student.
[Stifled chuckle] Wait. Um, sorry.
So some other student gets my spot
just because you wanted them to?
Yes. There are students here who have been pursuing dance seriously
from the time they could walk,
who made themselves known to me
before they even arrived on campus.
I don't know you.
And since there are so few spots in the program,
I need to do what was necessary to make room.
Unfortunately, that meant you had to be bumped.
That's not fair. I registered,
and I did everything I needed to
to make sure that I could make this class and audition.
This is a tough industry, my dear.
And if your hobby-like love of dance can't survive in here,
it definitely won't survive out there.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
[Knock knock]
Hey, sweetie, what's going on?
I need some help, Dr. P.
I, um, I just got dropped from all my classes
because my partial grant didn't come in on time.
Oh, Cam, I am so sorry.
I just got off the phone with the organization.
They say the funds are still pending,
but it won't hit my account for another few days,
so I was wondering if there was something you could do.
Like, is there some sort of emergency fund
for situations like this?
I mean, technically, I have the money.
It just ain't cleared yet.
Cam, as much as I wish I had a better answer,
Bringston is strapped for cash.
Yeah, but by the time this is cleared up,
the music classes could be gone.
I gave up my football scholarship
so I could pursue music.
If I lose out on those classes,
it'd be like my sacrifice was for nothing.
[Heavy sigh]
This is crazy, man.
There's no reason why me or any other student
should lose out on starting on their future
over a few days.
OK. Well, thank you. I appreciate it.
I'll see you next time.
What's up, babe?
Hi.
Well, how did it go?
Well, I just found out that
my shoulder is worse than I thought.
My new PT said that the inflammation
hasn't gone down as expected,
which means that my recovery is pushed back by a few more weeks.
Oh, damn. I'm sorry.
But, hey, look, I know you gonna come back even better.
Yeah, it's just so frustr--
Thea, I'mma need you to talk to Tootie
and the rest of your little minions.
The hazing has to stop.
What?
Damon: Hey, uh, Simone, maybe you could pick this up anoth--
Thea: No, no, no, no, no. Damon, it's OK.
This will be quick because I have no idea
what Simone's even talking about.
Nice try. I didn't have any issues with Tootie
or any of these other girls last semester.
Now, all of a sudden, they coming at me heavy?
OK, well, that doesn't mean that I told them to.
That's on them. They are grown women who I don't control,
and neither do you.
I'm focused on my recovery.
And I really suggest that you focus on your own game,
and maybe they wouldn't have anything to come for.
Uh-uh. You are not about to sit here
and act like you didn't see that.
Simone, come on. What do you want me to say?
I want you to talk to her.
Damon, she is unfairly
making my life a living hell right now.
Look, whatever's going down between you and Thea,
that's between y'all, all right?
Wow.
I'm sorry, Simone.
So I thought we were friends,
but I guess not?
Are you serious?
So it's like that now?
Yeah, it's like that.
Because a real friend wouldn't stand by
and let their girl do something that
everybody knows is dead-ass wrong.
Hey, Simone--
♪ Why don't we take a...
[Knock knock]
Damon, what are you doing here?
What, you thought I was gonna leave Bringston with us beefing?
Plus, I still have some of your stuff.
I think I have a hoodie of yours.
[Exhales]
And, also, um, you were right.
You should have led with that.
This thing between you and Thea sucks.
Both of you all are two people that I care about,
so, yeah, I want to stay out of it the best I can.
But if Thea were throwing heat your way,
I couldn't stand for that.
"If"? So let me guess.
You talked to her, she denied it,
and now you just believe her? Shocking.
Look, I'm not saying that Thea is 100% innocent, all right?
She low-key enjoys watching you suffer,
But lying about siccing the team on you, Simone,
that ain't her.
The hell it's not.
Damon, she said it to my face that she's coming for me.
Exactly.
Simone, she said it to your face.
If Thea was behind this, she would tell you.
Thanks.
I heard you playing one last game with your team.
Sounds pretty dope.
Is it?
Jessie thinks I'm selfish.
Damon, why are you listening to that noise?
Maybe because he has receipts.
No matter what team I've been on,
my needs came first--
Jackie Robinson Little League,
my 15U national team, where I met J.R.
If my parents felt there was a better opportunity,
they moved me.
Well, that's your parents. That's not you.
Nah, this one's on me.
I'm making the same decision by leaving Bringston,
only this time, I finally feel like I'm
a part of something bigger than myself.
But yet I'm rolling out,
even though I know everything will likely fall apart.
Well, self-care is a thing.
You shouldn't feel bad to do something
you feel like you need to do.
Keisha: How unfair is it that I was supposed
to audition today, and then the professor was
just, like, "Nah"?
So what you gonna do?
Try again next semester, I guess.
Cam, what do you think I should do?
Did you hear a single word I just said?
I heard you. You want to know what I think?
You're giving up too damn easy.
J.R.: Whoa, bro. Chill. Kee having a bad day.
No. I'm having a bad day.
I just lost my classes because some computer somewhere is
taking its sweet-ass time posting money to my account.
Babe, I'm so sorry.
Let me guess. Ms. Robinette.
That woman needs love or Jesus
or something, like, for real.
You ain't lying.
Well, what can I do? How can I help?
Fight for your spot.
One of us still needs to have that epic semester.
[Indistinct chatter]
[Exhales]
Tootie, what is your problem with me?
Are you trying to stay loyal to Thea or something?
[Scoffs] Not even.
I'm not one of her little minions.
But don't get me wrong. I do have mad respect for Thea,
which is why when she was queen,
I didn't come for her spot, but now that she's out,
it's my time to shine.
OK, well, do you, but what does that have to do with me?
Because you have all of the qualities to be a queen,
which makes you a threat to my rise.
Well, in order to be a queen, people have to want to follow you.
I know, which is why I've made sure that
at least half of them won't be following you.
See, I don't really care about your beef with Thea,
but it does make for a nice unifying narrative.
You told the girls that I caused Thea's injury.
Tootie, that is messed up, and it's unnecessary.
We can all shine.
That's not the way the world works.
Get used to your new normal, Six.
Amara: I'm saying the financial aid
and registrar rules are penalizing students
for things beyond their control.
Our processes are tried and true.
Perhaps Mr. Watkins should use this as a teachable moment.
Or maybe we shouldn't miss the moment
and evaluate how financial aid and registration are done.
Dr. Patterson, there are some faculty members
who are rooting for you.
So a little word of advice:
if it ain't broke--
Listen to my words:
Reevaluate financial aid and registration.
This is not optional.
In that case, I'll get right on it.
[Scoffs]
Hey, sweetie, come on in.
What can I do for you?
Simone: I mean, I was coming to get some advice.
But don't mind me. What's up with you and her?
I knew being president would be hard,
I just assumed faculty and staff
would have my back.
Now you see people on your team who ain't for you.
Auntie, look, this is your moment.
Be the president you want to be,
the one who fights for her students
and makes sure their voices are heard.
You're right. I can't let anyone stand in my way.
I need to change my approach,
go around or through whoever I need
to get things done.
OK! Look at you coming through with the wisdom.
Well, you know.
Hey, that's supposed to be my job.
[Laughter]
Enough about me. What did you need advice on?
Actually, I think you gave me everything I needed.
♪ Yeah, we get stronger and faster ♪
♪ Mm mm mm
♪ One blink, and we pass ya... ♪
All right. Try it again now.
You just can't seem to drop that cape, can you, Super-Negro?
Bro, you're gonna have to let that go, all right?
You know we about to be teammates, right?
Yeah, and why is that?
I thought you loved Bringston, Damon.
Why leave?
I just can't seem to escape you, can I?
[Scoffs]
You want to tell me what the hell's going on?
Just Lando being Lando.
I'm talking about you.
You helping Kris with his fastball.
An hour ago, it was Cole on his swing,
and this morning, it was drills with Eli.
I mean, yeah.
If I'm gonna leave you guys at the start of the season,
I can at least make sure that everybody's solid.
OK. Then while you making sure everybody else good,
who making sure you good?
What are you talking about? I'm straight.
[Whistle blows]
Jessie: Bring it in. Hustle up, now. Hustle up.
Let's go, now.
Jessie: Pick it up.
Jessie: Now, this here is Chuck, fellow KEK brother
and owner of East Side Chuck's Autos & Trucks
in Decatur.
Right off the 20 on Candler Road.
Now, we've been offered a proposal.
I got 10 racks,
but I want to see Sims play against Bringston
and Lando against Hawkins.
Wait. I'm not doing that.
I don't care who this dude is or how much money he got.
He can't just roll in here and change the game.
I think that's a great idea.
Shaw: Listen, it's all good, Damon.
Chuck just like to throw a wrench in things, spice it up.
And the KEK Mindfulness Center could use the cash.
Chuck: You really gonna turn down 10K
to an important cause over your ego?
Hey.
Look, babe, I know this isn't how you saw things going--
No. Look, me and Lando, we barely get along as it is, Thea.
This right here, this is just gonna add fuel to the fire.
Look, we are about to be teammates.
I just wanted things between us to be cool.
Unlike what I'm doing with Simone?
-No, it's-- -OK.
That's not what I'm saying, Thea.
But since we on the subject, why don't--
No. Let's just focus on what you have in front of you...
-Right. -a game to win.
Yeah. A game that just got a whole lot more complicated.
Not really, because we both know this isn't even about Lando.
This is about you having to say good-bye
to the Bringston team before you're ready.
And if I were a mushy person,
I would tell you all the right things about
how they'll still love you or whatever.
Yeah, but you ain't, right?
No.
All right, then.
Lay it on me Thea Mays style.
You made your decision.
Hawkins is your team now, whether it's today or tomorrow.
So focus, step up, and do what you do best.
Win.
Tootie: It's been a tough week.
I'm sure some of you have some pent-up frustration,
so we're gonna play rush and crush 'em.
[Scattered applause]
Now for you freshmen who aren't in the know,
everyone will get paired with an opponent.
You play to 3, and the winner will get the chance
to serve and hit their opponent with a tennis ball.
Basically, butts up, tennis-style.
Get your gear.
Man: Line 'em up.
Simone: Tootie.
You been coming for me. Let's just settle it on the court.
That's cute, but you'll have to play a few of these girls
before you get to me, Six.
You'll be playing Jade.
All right. Let's go! On your courts.
♪ Yeah, drop, ha
♪ Listen, one time for the one time ♪
♪ Got a life and a mind for the sunshine ♪
♪ Yeah, sometimes got to unwind ♪
♪ Yeah, a vibe like this hard to come by ♪
♪ Yeah, I work too hard to not play even harder ♪
♪ Got my squad here, oh, yeah
♪ Can't stop here, the party's started ♪
♪ Singing I'm hypnotized by the lights on this dance floor ♪
♪ I feel so right, this the life I was made for ♪
♪ When the feeling is good...
[Cheering and applause]
♪ When the feeling's good
♪ You know you got to do a little dance ♪
♪ Spinnin' like, ooh...
Strike!
♪ Got to hear the sound when the feeling's good ♪
♪ Driving now while the feeling's good ♪
♪ I said, ay yi yi, yeah, yeah
♪ Ay yi yi, yeah, yeah
♪ Ay yi yi, yeah, yeah, ay yi yi, yeah, yeah ♪
[Soft applause]
Man: All right, batter, batter, batter.
Man: There we go, Damon.
Umpire: You're out.
[Cheering and applause]
Woman: OK, you can do it...
[Cheering]
Man: As a pitcher, it's just you.
Yes, you play on a team,
but you're special, always separate,
a man on his own island.
Never forget that.
Strike! [Crowd applauding]
Kid: Yo, why are you standing here all by yourself?
I don't know. I'm always by myself.
Not anymore. I'm J.R.
Damon, Damon Sims.
Nice to meet you, Damon, Damon Sims.
[Both chuckle]
Come hang with the rest of the players.
[Cheering and applause]
[Kids laughing]
Coach: Hey, I heard your parents are taking you to another team.
Don't worry. Wherever you go, you'll be good.
Just remember, it's you and that island.
[Crowd cheers]
Come on, Six. What are you waiting for?
[Laughter]
Tootie: I mean, you might as well have lost
'cause this ain't worth watching.
Come on, L.A., or don't you have it in you?
Tootie: ♪ Yeah, Jade...
[Tootie laughing]
Unh!
Ohh.
You were really trying to hurt me.
Jade: I should've known you'd take it too far
just like you did with Thea.
You know what? If you all really believe that,
then you deserve everything coming for you,
and best believe I'm coming for you all next.
[Players cheer and applaud]
Yo. All right.
Y'all killed it out there.
Ah, you gave us a run for our money, though, man.
[Chuckles]
Look, I just wanted to come over and say that
I'm gonna miss y'all fools.
You know, as a pitcher, I was taught
that I'm a man on my own island,
part of the team yet separate.
And that's the dude I was when I first met y'all,
but that's not who I am now.
Not only did y'all boys teach me that
I don't need to be alone,
y'all showed me that I don't want to be alone.
For that, I'll forever be grateful to you all.
I'll see you out on the field.
Hey, Damon, you all right?
You know, this whole time I was worried about
what would happen to you all without me?
Well, I should've been checking on
what would happen to me without you all.
'Cause, unfortunately, this time, when Damon Sims
leaves this team, he won't be good.
Man. I don't want to go.
And I don't want you to go.
Yeah, but it's done, bro.
No, it's not, bro. We can fix it.
No. Look--
I got to own this mistake, J.
All right? I got to follow through with my decision.
I got to leave Bringston, man.
Coach.
Oh!
Man, it's good to see you.
I wanted to support you guys, man.
I wanted to support the team.
You boys looked good out there. Keep that up.
Y'all gonna be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Thank you.
This is a little donation
to the KEK Mindfulness Center.
Can you run it in for me?
Yeah, for sure! Thank you.
You know, this charity means a lot to me.
It helped me deal with a lot of family drama last semester.
Well, this semester, too.
That explains why you seem so chill.
I'm not 100% chill yet, Coach.
Well, whatever the percentage,
it's translating to you performing on the field, son.
Has your therapist been good?
Pssh. Coach, they've been clutch.
Having a therapist that wasn't just a KEK brother
but a Black man, heh, look,
Coach, it just all seemed to click for me.
Yeah.
Hey, but let me ask you a question:
were you serious about supporting the team?
Because we need your help with something.
Excuse me. You can't just interrupt.
I have another audition in 5 minutes.
I just need 30 seconds.
Please.
Look, Dr. Pace, I know that I started dance late,
but people have different journeys in life,
and I know for a fact that my journey is
exactly what it needed to be to get me here.
And I won't let anyone shame me for that.
With all due respect, not even you.
This is my passion.
And if that means I have to fight a little harder for it, I will.
[Chokes up] I deserve a shot at this.
Give me a shot...
please,
and I promise, I promise I won't disappoint.
I have 3 more auditions.
After the last one, I'll give you two minutes.
Don't be late.
After that, I'll be making my final decision.
Thank you.
I've thought a lot about your situation
and the type of institution I want Bringston to be.
We shouldn't be making things harder for our students.
We should be helping you.
That's why I'm extending the tuition payment deadline.
Are you for real?
I get to register for my classes?
I'm sorry this happened to you.
Oh, no. We are good. Trust.
[Amara chuckles] Thanks, Dr. P.
You're welcome, sweetie.
[Chuckles]
I just heard the news.
You're bending the rules for one student?
Amara: It's a new policy for all students, actually.
Bringston needs to adapt to the needs of our students.
Anyone unwilling to do that
can find employment elsewhere.
I've been here over 20 years.
I've seen presidents come and go,
especially those who think they're being innovative.
It doesn't work.
But be blessed.
Nah, Ms. Robinette, you be blessed.
This right here is President Dr. Amara Patterson.
You come correct when you step to her,
or don't step at all.
Don't look at me.
I'm President Dr. Amara Patterson,
and I approve that message.
Have a nice day, Ms. Robinette.
My bad, Dr. P. I know that was mad disrespectful.
I'll give you a pass.
Now, I've been looking for an assistant,
someone who is smart, capable, reliable,
who isn't afraid to speak truth to power,
even if that truth is being spoken to me.
I think you are that person, Cam.
Not only is it an opportunity
for you to earn some extra money,
I could use an ear to the needs of the student body.
Of course. I'm in.
-OK. -Thank you.
Thank you.
Who are you two negroes supposed to be,
Batman and Robin?
We're here to ask you to rescind
Damon's transfer to Hawkins.
It's the only way he'll be able to stay here at Bringston.
[Sarcastically] Ha. OK, I'll get right on it.
J.R.: Well, look, Damon threw a near-perfect game today,
and Hawkins still lost.
You know why that is, sir?
Because my brother's heart's not in it.
That's the kind of player you're gonna get.
I'll take my chances.
J.R., give us a minute.
All right?
Take a seat.
Listen, Shaw,
now, I know you're competitive, all right?
Stop looking at Damon as a baseball player
and think of him as a young man
whose world has been shattered.
Now, his instinct was to run from it,
but if he doesn't fix his issues with his father head-on,
it will plague him.
Now, you remember what you told me after your father passed?
That don't matter. I was drunk.
But that doesn't make what you said any less true, man.
You said your single biggest regret in life was
not making things right with your pops
before he left this earth, man.
That's what you told me.
Now, is that what you want for Damon?
Amara: All right, y'all, let's finish loading up this food.
Damon, just in case you need to hear this,
you are family.
That doesn't change now that you're over at Hawkins.
-Thanks, Dr. P. -Mm-hmm.
Yeah, bro, you can roll through at any time, man.
You will be missed but not by me.
I'mma be enjoying the single dorm room life,
you feel me?
Damon: Thanks, Cam. Ha ha! Thea: Ew.
[Knock on door]
[Music playing]
Hey.
Hey, guys, you are just in time.
We are loading up.
Look, if you don't mind, I have an announcement to make.
-Yeah. -OK.
J.R.: What's up, bro?
What's up?
Hey, look, I heard what you said about
not wanting to leave Bringston.
And I want you to know I know you thought it was over,
but Coach Marcus and I, we talked to Coach Shaw.
We got him to rescind your transfer.
You ain't going nowhere.
Amara: What? Ha ha!
Cam: Yeah, yeah. Thea: Really? Really?
OK, boy, welcome back, little bro.
What! [Applause]
Marcus: Come on, now... J.R.: Welcome back, little bro.
Marcus: OK, bring it in.
So much for my single dorm room.
Whatever.
Oh, stop.
Better now.
Simone: Congrats. Damon: Thanks.
[Music playing]
Niniola: ♪ Nini de...
♪ Will, Will, Will, Willis Giddem ♪
♪ Thinking we should, we could get on ♪
♪ Oya je ka start the marathon ♪
♪ And, baby, make we go
♪ We could get down, down the aisle ♪
♪ Some people like to, like to do gbeborun ♪
♪ And these people don't know o ti temi lorun ♪
♪ Phenomenal, we should get on
♪ Let's get it on, baby
♪ You're my pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty baby ♪
♪ You're my igi igi igbepe
♪ You're my igi igi igi igi baby ♪
♪ You're my pretty, pretty
♪ See as I dey shayo for you
♪ While I'm waiting for you, you dey shaki my head ♪
♪ Shaki my brain...
Where were you trained?
My bedroom. I took dance classes here and there when I could,
but I'm mostly self-taught.
You can wait outside.
I'll have an answer for you shortly.
Keisha: What are you all doing here?
Well, since you couldn't make family dinner...
We decided to bring dinner to you.
Damon: Yeah, you know we wanted to come support you.
Marcus: Waiting to hear if you get into the dance program is a big moment.
And when you get in, we gonna eat.
And for some reason, if they tripping and you don't...
Then comfort food is in order.
Y'all gonna make me cry.
Please can I have a hug?
[All speaking at once]
Amara: We love you.... Marcus: No doubt.
Bring it on in. [All speaking at once]
Ms. McCalla?
Your form is a bit off,
and your precision could use some fine tuning,
but for someone with no formal training,
I must admit, I'm intrigued.
You could've fooled me.
Welcome to the program.
[Cheering and applause]
-Yes! -I knew all along...
Simone: Aw.
Go, Keisha. Go, Keisha...
Others: ♪ Go, Keisha, go, Keisha... ♪
Simone: ♪ Hey, hey, hey
Ohh, thank you for helping me
bring all this back.
I'm happy to help.
Look, I wanted to talk to you alone.
Mm-hmm.
I found a therapist at the KEK Mindfulness Center.
Marcus, that's great.
Yeah, I thought I needed someone who understands
not only my struggles with bipolar disorder
but my struggles as a Black man, too.
That makes a lot of sense.
[Chuckles softly]
I am happy you found a place you feel comfortable with.
Is there something else?
You were right about me not being ready
to come back as head coach, but I was thinking,
if I can come onboard as assistant coach.
It's funny you said that.
Jessie suggested the same thing.
I think it's a great idea.
Well, all right, then.
[Cell phone chimes]
Welcome to Bringston, son.
Thank you, sir.
It feels good to finally be here.
[Chuckles]
Greg, move your head.