[pop music playing]
All right, this is it, people!
We have one week to start over.
The Pride campaign, it's in the trash. It wasn't good enough.
Which means we have seven days to create and deliver a new one from scratch.
Yeah, it's gonna be hard.
But you know what's harder? Failure.
So get ready for some late nights, for some hard work,
because this is happening!
[crowd applauding]
All right.
All right, six days left. We can do this.
Plenty of time.
All right, five days left, people!
Plenty of time. Less time than yesterday. But still enough.
If we work around the clock, if we sleep at our desks, if we--
Oh, come on!
[AlyssaSays] That's mine!
[knocking on door]
You are better than this.
We can still do this, people.
Yes, it might seem hopeless.
It might even be hopeless.
Maybe I'm even ready to give up! But I won't.
Because we can do this! Right?!
We can still do this--
We can still do this.
[sighs]
She likes it this time. She did that thing with her hair, a very good sign.
She did that thing yesterday and she threw out that campaign too.
And the one we did Sunday and Monday.
-And Saturday-- -Can you just let me have this?
I haven't been home in six days. I am rocking a messy bun.
I need her to like this.
♪ Ca-ya-ya, ca-ya-pu-cci-no ♪
♪ Ca-ya-ya, ca-ya ♪
♪ I got Ben his own cappuccino ♪
♪ Double shot Just the way he likes it, yeah ♪
-I'm off dairy. -I can get you oat milk.
[AlyssaSays groans]
How's it looking? Think she likes it?
She did that thing with her hair this morning.
I don't know, gorge. I'm out of the loop on this one.
As is pretty much everyone here.
It's just her and those Post-its.
[door opens]
Good news, everyone. We're getting close.
Now, I know you're all tired. God knows I am too.
But my experience has taught me some campaigns come to you fully formed
while others, they need nurturing.
We overshot this one.
The models are too friendly.
We need to bring in some attitude and motion.
We need to fine-tooth this. Now, I promise you, we will get there.
Now... back to work.
[indistinct chatter]
We have until midnight.
If we don't upload our artwork, we cannot guarantee delivery
to our retail partners and marketing outlets.
Then there won't be a campaign.
Then there won't be a brand to save.
We miss this deadline and we die.
-No, we don't. -Okay, great.
You say that every day,
and then we keep on throwing out perfectly good campaigns.
Perfectly good does not equal perfect.
I know my stock with you has been on the down escalator lately,
but just because I hid bad financials and almost destroyed your company
doesn't mean I'm wrong here.
We have to end this.
Oh, stop being so dramatic. We're closer than you think.
Then I will stand by.
Oh, by the way, the Wi-Fi isn't working.
It's just the router acting up. I'll reboot it.
Another one of those jobs that's not sexy, fun or creative.
But if nobody does it, everything stops.
I am the router.
It's a metaphor.
[door closes]
You're really gonna ice Marco out?
I'm treating him the same way I'd treat anyone I worked with
who I wanted to avoid and never talk to again.
Okay. I get it.
He has another guy.
He jerked you around.
-He used you for attention. -Wow. Please keep going.
I love reliving it.
But you can still be his friend.
Not anymore.
[cell phone chimes]
Marco, come. Come here.
What's wrong? Did Legal hit a wall trying to clear the models' tattoos?
Nothing the makeup artist can't handle, the report's in your inbox.
Why have you been down?
You can't fool me with the busy-bee act, I know when you're upset.
I got dumped for being femme. I don't wanna talk or think about it.
-I just wanna do my job and do it well. -That's it.
You need a break. You're coming home tonight.
-No. -No?
Who taught you how to speak to your mother this way?
Mom, I know you're just trying to take care of me, but I'm taking care of them.
It's my job.
And as long as we are here, that is more important.
Ah. Okay. How very mature and independent of you.
As a mother, I love it.
But as a mother, I hate it.
Mom, how about I take care of you with a round of cappuccinos
-for the folks in Legal? -Fine. Fine.
It'll be here in...
ah, two hours.
Yikes, delivery's been a beast today.
Can't you just go downstairs and grab it?
I might run into that problem I'm trying to avoid.
As someone who doesn't wanna wait two hours to get her fix,
let me just say this: You can't DoorDash your way around this guy forever.
[pensive music playing]
-[elevator bell dings] -[door opens]
We have to end this.
You ambushing me in the bathroom with your plans? Yes, we do.
We have to end crunch.
We have to land this plane. So could you maybe please help me with my mother?
-You want me to rein her in? -Even better.
No. Because I believe in her. And maybe you should too.
No, the only person you believe in is yourself.
You just want a promotion. I have to be the bad guy and fix everything.
Like that router, which is a metaphor.
We haven't talked about my promotion in weeks.
You don't have to, you have it in the bag.
The organics release? Come on.
She hasn't promised me a thing.
You have to feel good about your chances.
You said it, I didn't.
Worst case, there's always Revlon. Right?
"Wait, how did Chad know about Revlon?" They called him to check up on you.
And now he-- Me, knows exactly what kind of person you really are.
It was just a lunch. I canceled.
When my mother was spinning out,
when we were in our darkest hour, you were looking for a way out.
It's not that simple. I was scared. And I did the right thing, eventually.
Okay. Well, you wanna do the right thing now? Do the hard thing.
Tell my mother what she doesn't want to hear.
Save this company while there's still a company to save.
[hand dryer whirring]
-[yawning] -[door opens]
Breakfast is served.
The best and only smoothie your office kitchen has to offer.
Mm.
Mm!
That's not bad. Did you mix that yourself?
Well, I shook it, then poured it in the cup.
I might be here for a while longer.
-Why don't I just Uber it home. -A man needs to work.
Can I ask you something?
What do these images say to you?
You're asking me?
For the first time, you don't have an opinion?
-I'll tell you what I do see. -Mm?
How invested you are. This campaign means a lot to you, doesn't it?
I have to get this right. A lot of people are counting on me.
-I feel like I'm standing on a ledge. -Trust yourself.
It's worked for you so far.
[Venetia over intercom] Madolyn, James is here.
James?
-Uh, send him in. -Didn't you get my texts?
We had breakfast plans, seems the only time you're available.
Oh, what--?
What time is it?
-I've been working all night. -I can see that.
-Looks like you've already had breakfast. -Oh, this? Teddy just whipped these up.
I just poured them into a cup.
-I'll wait outside. -Okay.
If you'd let me know, I could've grabbed some takeout for us.
-These can't be your normal hours, 24/7. -No, this is on me.
I'm sorry I forgot about breakfast.
The deli downstairs serves egg sandwiches till 11:00.
Well...
-that sounds pretty good. -Does it?
-Hi, order for Marco. -[Parker] Gotcha.
Oh, my God!
[sighs]
-Have you been waiting here all morning? -Yes.
Have you been leaving me on "read" to prove a point?
Yes.
So you still care about me and I still care about you.
That's worth three minutes. Your order's not ready yet.
So where'd you go?
I left.
After you lied because you're embarrassed about my beat,
my look, my glam, my me.
[sighs]
Okay, that's bad. I'm bad.
But am I really the first guy you ever dated to have an issue with this?
Yes!
Well, 'cause you're kind of the first guy
that I've really dated.
Wait, what?
How?
-Were you a virgin? Did I--? -Okay, not even close.
You were just the first time that things got serious.
Okay. Then...
we've both got a lot to learn.
I gotta get used to a guy that turns heads
and you gotta learn that people deserve a chance to grow.
You lied to me.
-And I'm gonna lie again. -Well...
And so will you.
What we have goes deeper than that and you know it.
It's never easy when it's good. But when it's good, it's great.
[barista] Order for Marco.
You know what's really great? Someone who doesn't lie to you.
Someone who likes you for who you are.
Someone who's always there, and I had that.
He was chasing me this whole time.
And I treated him like a friend while you treated me like crap.
But I'm gonna fix this. I'm gonna go back and get him back.
-Wait. -No, okay, we're done. It's over.
Monét X Change herself could hand me a hundred yellow roses
with a banner that says "Parker's sorry" and I would never change my mind.
-Who's Monét X Change? -Only the best drag queen in the world.
The fact that you don't know that is just another sign we can't be together.
I don't care what Chad says. It's not like I'm some soulless monster.
Madolyn is not just a stepping stone for me. I don't always choose myself.
Right?
Answer quicker, say I'm right.
Hey, I called out the red flags on our first date and I'm still here.
Hmm. Keep talking, I wanna see how long I'm still here.
You're not a soulless monster.
-But... -But...
You must admit, you do have a way of keeping your options open.
How dare you? I gave you my Wi-Fi password.
How about the door code next? I'm over almost every night.
If we give out the code to too many people,
the building manager changes it.
I'm following the rules.
You did the right thing with Revlon. That's what counts.
And you'll do the right thing again.
[cell phone chimes]
Madolyn. Madolyn!
We're almost there.
-Oh, yes! -[all cheering]
We just need one more session with our models.
No. No.
We can't start over, not with...
15 hours until delivery.
You heard her.
We have to. We have to believe.
You have to talk to her. Please.
If this is what Madolyn needs, we're gonna give it to her.
No!
Maybe I'm the only person who can say it or will say it,
but that doesn't make it any less important.
No.
I have done everything I can to keep this process on the rails,
while my mother has done everything she can to drive us off a cliff.
Well, I'm done playing her little conductor boy.
This train stops now.
When she's ready to face reality and make some adult decisions, I'll be here.
But until then, I'm on strike!
Who's with me?
Hey, it's all right. It only takes one man to change the world.
One man...
and a bag of Goldfish.
She's all yours now!
[door closes]
People...
we can't let one person stop us from what we are here to do.
And we won't!
Back to work!
The models have been booked. They'll be here in 30.
The photo kit is set. The wardrobe selects are three racks deep.
-We are good to go. -Except for Chad and his strike.
Never have children. You'll live longer.
These girls have attitude.
I wish they had more experience.
Can't they be coached?
-Hmm? -I mean, if anyone knows how to model,
it is the Madolyn Addison.
Me? No.
I haven't modeled in a long time.
This could be your MasterClass moment.
Working the camera Madolyn Addison-style.
I mean, something is obviously missing here. Maybe it's you.
[cell phone chimes]
I'll check to see if they need you on set.
-Hello, Venetia. -Hi!
What is this?
You're not supposed to be back until the Activation Event.
I'm here to make sure there is an Activation Event.
-Where's the campaign? Everyone's waiting. -We're putting on the finishing touches.
I'm worried, Venetia. And it looks like you are too.
It's nothing we can't handle. Madolyn's just being a little indecisive.
What, has she gone full Marie Kondo?
Throwing out everything that doesn't spark joy? It happens all the time.
Well, yes, actually.
But we will get there. I promise.
But if you don't get there, you might wanna work up a plan B.
Look through everything Madolyn's thrown out
and put together a last, best version of the campaign.
Something good enough to turn in, just in case.
Excuse me, what?
I'm not knifing my mentor like that.
Even if it saves this campaign and this sale?
And your promotion, which, what the hell,
I can make official, if you do the right thing.
I am doing the right thing.
I'm with Madolyn, ride or die.
No special treats you can dangle in my face to stop me.
-See you at the party. -See you there.
Blood Shroud now. Now.
He's summoning the Doomguard.
Chain of Lightning. Chain of Lightning!
Boo!
I can't talk. I'm raiding.
Raiding what, a closet?
'Cause I know a thing or two about that, darling dear.
It's a game. It's the only way I can keep my mind off the crap storm
of pointless work that could hit my folder at any minute.
Well, we could always waste time and kiki. Like we used to.
-[chuckles] -Haven't we already...
done all that?
Yeah. But, I mean, we can do it again.
-Right? -Don't you have work to do?
Yes.
Yes, I do.
I have two phones to cover all alone.
For our queen who is trying to save our company and our jobs.
While you just play on your little computer.
-Then get someone to help. -Oh. Did I just hear you volunteer?
Or is this little raid more important than pulling your weight?
Did you just challenge my work ethic?
I mean...
I just gave up an extremely limited drop for you.
Oh, don't worry. I'm worth it.
Right this way, computer boy.
Follow me.
[pop music playing over speakers]
Here we are.
You put this all together this morning?
I'd expect nothing less.
-Hmm. And in case you're thirsty. -Maybe later.
Oh, hey.
-Hey, Madolyn. -Wessy!
Ready to show the girls your Madolyn magic?
[Madolyn sighs]
-Hello, ladies. -Hi.
I like that color on her.
["Hot Girl Walk" playing]
No, no. No twirl.
-No? -No.
-Okay. -You don't need it.
♪ Follow everywhere I go, oh, oh... ♪
Okay, okay. We've gotta slow down.
-Not so jerky, really smooth. -Okay.
Okay?
♪ Do the hot girl walk ♪
♪ Hot girl walk ♪
♪ Do the hot girl walk... ♪
That's good. Yes. We like that.
♪ Do the hot girl walk ♪
♪ Hot girl walk... ♪
[Madolyn] No, sweetheart. It's right here.
This is your key light. Stick with that.
♪ She's atomic, so iconic ♪
♪ She's atomic, so iconic... ♪
Yeah.
She's great.
That's wonderful.
♪ Hot girl walk ♪
♪ Do the hot girl walk... ♪
That's great. We love that.
-Gorgeous. -That is it.
Hey. Legal needs a senior VP's approval on this and your mother's tied up, so...
Sorry. I'm not here.
I'm on strike.
How about you let your pen cross the picket line since I'm not the one
-you're trying to prove a point to? -This is a valid labor action.
And it will fix everything. You'll see.
Sorry to break it to you, but the place isn't falling apart without you, so...
No.
But she will.
She--? Huh.
So that's what all this is about. This is just a love test.
No, it's a valid labor action.
Think my son never ran up to his room hoping I'd run after him?
[chuckles] You don't care about us. You don't care about the company.
You just wanna prove she loves you.
[scoffs]
See that jersey?
It's my dad's.
The man who ran out on my mother when he found out I was coming.
And you see that last name? It's his, not mine.
Because I took her name. I took her side. I took her everything.
Even the mistakes that I've been making lately,
they have not been for me, they have been for her.
So, yeah, I'm pretty sure she loves me.
I mean, look at me.
I've earned it.
[pensive music playing]
Maybe you need too much from her. Too much approval, too much validation.
Maybe you're looking for something here you can't find.
I know she's gonna come. I know she's gonna fold.
I am going to save this company.
I hope so because I've started to put my résumé out there
and I'm not getting any bites, so...
-So do I initial or--? -Yes, please. Thank you. Here. Here.
Hmm. I'm liking that shot.
They look engaged, but we'll need more choices.
And they still feel staged. Don't you think?
-I can fix that. -Yeah.
Um, what was wrong?
You taught the girls how to model. We fixed it.
Venetia, they've been models for five minutes,
and it's never perfect the first few tries.
You should know that.
What about the first hundred?
A week ago, I walked backstage and it felt good to be there.
Reminded me why I got into this business. The fantasy, the glamour.
And that is what I am chasing right now. I'm going to keep going until I find it.
What if we don't?
You need a break, Venetia.
Come back later with a more positive attitude.
What are you doing?
Relaxing.
So the photo shoot's going that good.
Do I need to update my LinkedIn?
Where were we with the Pride campaign this morning?
Is it done? Is there anything left?
No. Just needed to be organized and compressed for uploading.
Do you think you could do that for me?
Get it ready for upload? Just in case.
Why?
Does Madolyn want it?
No.
But we might need it.
I just wanna have it ready.
Please.
It's important.
I'll get to work.
Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to walk in on this.
Looking for a place to hang while Madolyn does her thing.
Well, you found it, my man. Have a seat. Grab a drink.
-Buy a vowel. -Okay.
Go ahead.
So, uh...
Madolyn just lets you post up here?
Oh, when she's not here, sure. Sometimes even when she is.
How close are you guys? Does she ever... talk about me?
Uh, she would never because that would be unprofessional.
Fine, but, I mean, come on, I see what's going on here.
You're not just her employee.
You're her friend.
Yeah. Yeah, I guess I am.
And that's all that's going on here, right?
Fair question. I'm the new guy here.
It's hard not to feel special when she's around you.
But, no. We're just friends.
I-- Look, I hated to ask, but I'm glad I did.
And so I'm gonna bolt, but, hey, man, hope I see you around.
Hey.
You've lasted long with Madolyn.
You're not going anywhere.
That's right.
I'm not.
[knocking on door]
[door opens]
Mom? What's wrong? What happened? Do you need me?
Um, I'm greasy. Give me five, I can be back in the game.
Where's that magazine we were looking through?
Oh. The British Vogue.
Yeah, it is somewhere over here.
[clears throat]
Um...
Wait.
I thought you were on strike.
That's right.
I am.
But if you need me, you can ask.
I'm not giving up.
I'm not giving up either.
-But if the router acts up... -Mm-hm.
...I'll be here.
[phone rings]
-Madolyn Addison's office. -Pathetic.
That's the fastest you can answer a phone? If I answer that slow, I'd be fired.
-Yeah, you think you can beat me? -Ring my line and find out.
It's not that busy here, is it?
Wha--? I mean, it's quiet right now, but it gets nuts pretty soon.
Come on. Let's go. Are you scared I'm gonna snatch the crown?
-You don't really need me, do you? -Of course I do.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. I mean it.
Um, I...
I know about the other guy.
You do? That's why you've been so weird this week.
Okay. You do.
He's gone now.
So great. What, it--? Now it's my turn?
What?
I wasn't planning on him.
Or you. It just kind of all happened.
It's done. Okay, I'm here now.
You're here now.
Don't hate me.
I don't hate you.
I...
I've wanted you since the day that we met.
I talked about you. I thought about you.
I did everything that I could to figure you out,
so that I could be good enough for you.
Yeah, I, um...
-I know what that feels like. -The whole time, I was just a backup.
He was enough and I wasn't.
-No, but he's gone. It's not-- -No, no, he's not.
He's always gonna be there and I'll never be him.
So, what, we can't even be friends?
Of course not.
Why?
'Cause...
I don't know how to be this close and not want you.
[pop music playing]
I don't think any amount of makeup is gonna stick to that.
[all laughing]
What's going on in here?
-Are we celebrating? Did we get it? -We're just getting started.
-Yeah. -Oh, so you've just been socializing?
Oh, we're getting to know each other.
We need to know that everybody is natural and relaxed
like they were in the bar, right?
Oh. And more coffee.
Madolyn, I'm sorry. It's just, we only have four hours left.
-It's going so well. -Yeah.
Um, we still need to choose our selects, review our copy,
correct, design, approve, deliver.
We have been working so hard and we already have so many good options.
So if you just choose one now, we're done.
How about I let you know when I'm done? Hmm?
-[all laughing] -[cell phone chimes]
There you go. What did you think about that?
No naughty foundation. Fantastic.
-That's it? -Welcome to plan B.
The whole campaign from design review this morning.
Organized, compressed...
and ready to be delivered to our vendors' FTP.
Just plug it in and let it go.
-Do you really wanna do this? -No, I don't.
But I have to for her sake.
You're betraying her.
I am saving her.
By betraying her.
I am saving this company and the sale.
She's going to fire you.
She will understand. Well, she'll come around.
-This is Revlon all over again, isn't it? -It's worse.
You're running over that woman, pretending it's a good deed.
But you haven't been in it with her. She is up her ass.
-Then help her. -I have been.
Then help harder.
It's that commitment thing again.
You never go all-in with people.
I know it's messy.
It's hard. It's scary.
Without that leap, there's no risk.
There's no loyalty.
There's no love.
Someone has to be the bad guy.
No, they don't.
Not you.
[somber music playing]
-Oh, great. Thank you. -Yup.
-Madolyn, you have a moment? -Sure. What's up?
I'm worried. And I've been worried for hours.
I thought we were close, but we are getting nowhere
and this isn't working.
So Design put together a backup plan.
This morning's campaign, ready for delivery. It's a plan B.
You delivered a campaign without my approval?
No. I stopped it.
Even though this is a good campaign and we could deliver it by the deadline,
no one can make this choice but you.
It is all up to you.
Everything made sense that night backstage at the bar.
[chuckles] Of course it made sense.
You were back where it all started. The makeup table.
Connects us all, makes us feel like anything is possible.
I wish I could put that experience in a bottle.
Why can't we?
We could recreate that makeup table here full of life, full of friendship,
with mess, with love.
We can put you in it.
No. Between you and me, I haven't modeled in over 20 years.
It would make a lot of noise.
And if it doesn't work out, there's plan B.
What plan B?
People!
We are full steam ahead with the last campaign.
This is not a joke.
This is it.
I know you're all tapped,
but this is going to take everything you've got.
-So give it. 'Cause we are doing this! -[man] Yeah!
[all cheering]
["Looking Real Good" playing]
♪ I'll show you what's next ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah, I'm on my way Yeah, keeping it fresh ♪
♪ Yeah, like it's on display ♪
♪ It's a new cool, new look ♪
♪ Now or never ♪
♪ Uh-huh, yeah, looking real good ♪
-The photos just hit the server. -I'm color-correcting now.
-New copy's ready. Madolyn-approved. -Folding in for retail.
-We really did it, you guys. -[Julia sighs]
No, you didn't.
Your model's calf tattoo did not clear. We could not contact the artist.
We are not allowed to use any photos in which it appears. All in my report.
I sent it to you.
It slipped through the cracks. Sorry. What do we do now? Ditch them?
-Alt them. -Edit them.
There's no time.
-Ben can do it. -I can?
You're the best with computers that I've ever seen.
-He can paint them out. I know it. -Not this fast.
We only need 20% modification to fall under fair use.
I can't do that. It's too much. I'm not that good.
Hey.
You are that good. And if you don't treat yourself that way, who will?
[dramatic music playing]
Time to summon the Doomguard.
[inaudible dialogue]
Great.
-Done. -Yes!
Britt.
Two minutes.
-Done. -Send.
-Oh, no. Wi-Fi's down. -What's wrong?
-Again? -Try the downstairs network.
-Tether it to my phone. -Ninety seconds.
-Does anyone know how to reset the router? -I do.
[dramatic music playing]
-It's back. -Click "send."
-Five, four, three, two. -[all] Four, three, two.
-Done. -[all cheering]
Yes! Oh, my God.
We did it.
Are you sure you don't wanna come celebrate?
Mm-mm. Tell me, Venetia. This plan B was your idea, wasn't it?
I thought that I had to protect you.
Gonna miss you sitting outside there.
It won't be the same, you having your own office.
Madolyn.
Did you just promote me?
Consider it official as soon as the sale goes through.
Now, say good night and go celebrate.
-Thank you, Madolyn. -Go.
[all] Whoo!
-Let's drink. -[Britt] All right.
Oh. And if we run out, I have another special bottle stashed away.
-Uh, I think we'll be fine. -Okay.
-I don't need gum. -You haven't brushed your teeth in a week.
You need it, trust me.
["You!" playing]
You're welcome.
Proud of you.
Proud of me too.
Pound 3206.
That's my door code. In case you wanna write it down.
Don't worry. I won't forget.
So strike's over?
You're back?
For now.
You were right. I'm here for the wrong reasons.
I have to stop living my life looking for her approval.
Whatever I need, I have to find it somewhere else.
She doesn't know yet, but...
once the sale's done...
You're leaving.
There was another guy.
He made me feel like I was never gonna be good enough.
And that I had to work for him.
If I made you feel that way, then I'm so much worse than him.
'Cause you are so much better than me.
If we can't even be friends, I just...
Just wanted to say that.
So, what's next?
Ride the train home, sleep all weekend.
My place is closer.
If you're not too tired.
♪ Went to the park ♪
♪ And that's when I knew ♪
♪ That it's you ♪
♪ Yeah, you ♪
♪ Even if there's nothing new from now ♪
♪ I know that I haven't gone without ♪
♪ You ♪
♪ It's you ♪
♪ Gone without you ♪
Hello?
[gasps]
You Marco Mejia?
The [bleep] is this gig?
Got me here all night in some [bleep] Jersey bedroom
waiting for some Jersey twink to give him some Jersey roses?
You know what?
[bleep] this.
And [bleep] you.
-[chuckles] -Ah!
[theme music playing]