NELLA: Previously, on The Other Black Girl...
[screams]
[inhales] - Nella, there's someone you have to meet.
Hazel, this is Nella.
Nella, meet Hazel-May McCall, my new assistant.
- Wait, Burning Heart? That's my favorite book.
- It's mine, too.
VERA: When Colin comes in, you are gonna tell him that
you love Needles and Pins and nothing else.
- S-Sorry? - You need me, I'll back you.
- Shartricia... is problematic.
- What did you think? - Uh, I really liked the book.
COLIN: [laughs] Yes.
[gasps]
[indistinct chatter]
♪ eerie music playing ♪
[panting]
[heavy breathing]
- Leave Wagner now.
♪ ominous music plays ♪
[lights crackle]
EDITORS [distorted]: Leave Wagner now!
- You don't belong here! - You don't belong!
- Leave Wagner now! - Leave Wagner now!
♪
[screaming]
[gasps]
[panting]
♪ theme music playing ♪
[deep sigh]
NELLA: Sorry, I'm not really explaining myself very well.
COLIN: Oh, no, no. I-I-I think I understand. It's dangerous.
HAZEL: Nella and I were talking. NELLA: It's dangerous. She's dangerous.
VERA: What was that? NELLA: It's problematic.
VERA: My office first thing tomorrow. NELLA: Problematic.
Ah, fuck!
OWEN: I'm just tryna understand why Jeremiah
even wants uniforms for the crossing guards.
We're a middle school.
It's gonna look like a... little fascist army marching a bunch of kids around.
Whoa... Uh-oh, pensive.
Everything okay?
NELLA: Yeah, fine, why?
- Your comfort book.
♪ hip-hop music playing through speakers ♪
- I'm gonna get fired.
- Whoa, whoa. That is not gonna happen.
Because of the Colin thing? - Yeah, fuck him.
- Definitely, he sucks,
and he'll probably be governor of Ohio one day,
but... all you have to do is apologize and it'll blow over.
- Well, why should I apologize for doing the right thing?
- You don't have to mean it.
- And suddenly, I'm worried about every apology you've ever given me.
- No, those were real. So, so, so, so real.
- Okay, so you're saying that I should just let Colin win?
- Let him think that he's won.
- But it's more than just about this book.
- There are bigger considerations here, I understand.
- Do you?
Do you know what I'm saying?
Because you're-- - Because I'm white?
- I mean... yeah... we know that. [slight chuckle]
But I was going to say diplomatic.
[sighs] I'm sorry. Stressed out.
Why don't you tell me about those little fascist kids?
[Owen snorts]
- They're cute. - Yeah?
- And scary.
There somethin' else on your mind?
[train rattling]
JESSE WATSON [on podcast]: Of course, it's trite
to call this episode "Unapologetically Black,"
but we need to remember not to make our Blackness smaller.
And if being yourself makes people hate you, well then, bitch, let 'em.
Because, deadass, people are gonna hate us no matter what.
- Damn, who's Wagner?
- What?
- Like, is he cheatin' or somethin'?
[elevator dings]
SOPHIE: Hiya! - Ugh, Sophie.
- Did you get the note? - Note? What, what n-- What note?
- Hazel's paperless post.
She told everybody to meet in the conference room for a surprise.
Come on.
[people chattering]
♪ Closer by Saweetie playing through speakers ♪
♪ It feels so good, don't want it to be over ♪
♪ When I ride it ♪
- What's going on?
- Hazel brought pastries from some bakery in Harlem.
Isn't she... rad?
I don't know what other word to use. She's just... [chuckling] rad.
♪ I'd do anything for you, you, you ♪
BRIDGET: [sighs] Nella, hey. - Hey.
- How are you feeling?
- Better now that I'm talking to you two.
BRIDGET: The thing yesterday with Colin was just--
SHANNON: Ugh, so complicated.
- [sighs] I just wanna let you know that everyone is, uh, thinking about it.
- Well, I should really get back to my desk.
- I'm not loving this music.
[sighs]
- Hey... Pastry?
They're from Lee Lee's. - I'm good, thanks.
- Uh, you don't seem good, and I'm not sure why
because there's iced lattes.
- Really? You're not sure why?
- Why don't you tell me, sis?
- Sis?
Right, okay.
It was your first day.
You didn't wanna... I don't know, wait a week
before setting me up with Colin like that?
- Okay... wow.
- And now you're bringing in pastries, and you're playing music,
and everybody's smiling before nine A.M.,
which has never happened here
on what's about to be the worst day of my professional life.
And what the hell are you wearing?
I mean, it's fucking awesome, but old people work here.
- I am sorry about yesterday,
but like you said, it was my first day.
And I said that I would have your back when the time was right,
and the time was not right.
It is not my style to just be brutally honest
with a big time client, right off the jump.
NELLA: Gotta be diplomatic, right?
- You say that like it's a bad thing.
- Just--
[sighs] I'm frustrated, it's... it's frustrating.
- And, yeah, I brought pastries
because I thought it would be a nice thing to do
for my new co-workers.
[music continues in background]
It's not about you.
- Did you send me that note?
- What are you talkin' about?
VERA: Nella?
We need to talk.
Well, so.
- Yesterday with Colin was not my finest hour.
I was out of pocket.
- Yes, yes you were. The pocket was way, way far away.
Is that what I get for valuing your opinion, Nella?
For trusting you?
You're my dog's godmother, for Christ's sake.
- I never meant to embarrass you.
I really appreciate how much you believe in me.
And I am so sorry.
- Well, thank you.
[sighs]
I know we want the same thing,
so, tomorrow,
when Colin comes here for his author's photo,
you... will apologize, hm?
And that'll be that.
Why are we still standing here?
- Well, I was thinking about it last night.
I was wondering, I thought that maybe we could suggest
bringing in an outside sensitivity reader
for Colin's new book.
- That is the opposite of an apology.
- We could be doing Wagner a favor.
Bringing in a professional might
save us down the line.
- Nella, that will only upset Colin more.
Do you want him to leave Wagner?
Do you want me to play the three crying voicemails
that he's left me over the last 24 hours?
- Was he really crying?
- I need you to get me a reservation at Le Bernardin.
I will take Colin to a very expensive dinner.
I will compliment his stupid hat,
and I will do my best to try and save your job.
- But just yesterday you said you were ready to talk
to Richard about my promotion.
- Promotion? Nella, you're lucky to be here today.
We all have our sacrifices to make.
I have to go watch Colin eat four kinds of steak
and tell him he's the next John Grisham.
You need to do the right thing and apologize.
Otherwise, the conversation I will be having with Richard
will be very, very different.
♪ tense music playing ♪
Oh, and Nella.
- Yes?
- Get me one of those cranberry things that Hazel has in the conference room.
- Okay.
♪ Consistency by Carneyval and Liza playing ♪
- I see you thinkin' 'bout leaving.
- I shouldn't have left the office. I have so much work to do.
- Girl, mm-mm, it is my housewarming.
You not even almost drunk yet.
- Ew.
- Yeah, sorry, I'm not even sure what it is.
I was expecting some nicer booze as a housewarmin' present.
What's wrong?
- Someone left a piece of paper in my coat pocket yesterday,
and all it said was [whispering] "Leave Wagner now," no name.
- Excuse me? That's a hate crime.
- Well, can it be a hate crime if it came from Hazel?
- You are not getting creepy, racist notes
from the only other Black girl in the office.
It's gotta be somebody else.
- There was this thing with Colin.
- Co-Co-Colin Franklin? [chuckles]
Incel King Colin? It's obviously him.
- I don't know.
- What's up?
- That little bitch Colin is leavin' her racist notes.
- What?
This is why you were weird with the eggs this morning.
Why didn't you tell me?
- I, I-I don't know, I was confused.
They don't exactly do HR training for this.
- Why are you puttin' up with that?
- Exactly. Job sucks, just quit.
- I actually think that I have to go back to the office, tonight.
- No!
- Well, this whole thing with Colin is undoing the past two years.
And I really need Vera to believe in me again.
Yeah, I-I gotta do it.
- Hey, Nell, are you okay?
- I'm okay.
- You need this, it cured my aunt's cancer, I swear to God.
- Oh, my God, we have got to start drinking wine.
- Oh yeah, quit!
[elevator dings]
[lights buzzing] - Ah!
Fuck these lights.
♪ tense music playing ♪
Dream job, dream job, dream job, dream job.
[yawns] Dream job, dream job, dream job, dream job, dream job.
♪
[scanner whirring]
Hello?
♪ eerie music playing ♪
Hello?
Sophie?
It's just me, Nella.
Rogers.
♪ eerie music intensifies ♪
[Nella grunts]
Wait a minute.
♪ percussive music playing ♪
Oh, yeah. What's good?
There's no one here.
♪ tense percussive music continues ♪
Oh, my God.
[elevator dings]
[sharp exhale]
Morning, Bridget. - Hey.
- Shannon! Sophie, how's the cat?
- Oh, my God, which one?
Trevor just started on wet food.
- Love that, go Trevor!
- [slight chuckle] Someone got extra shots in their coffee this morning.
Damn, okay.
So, I guess you don't wanna know that there's a huge hole
in the elbow of your sweater.
- Thanks.
Oh, Vera.
Sorry. Can I talk to you?
- So, what am I looking at?
- Well... just in time for its 35th anniversary,
a re-release of Burning Heart.
Um, I have a whole profit and loss breakdown in there,
and I even did a mock-up of a possible new cover.
I mean, I'm not an artist, so maybe, maybe don't look too closely at that.
And the best part, I was thinking
that we could get Kendra Rae Phillips involved.
- Kendra Rae?
- The original editor of the book.
The only senior Black editor that Wagner has ever had.
- I took her lunch order every day for a year,
I think I know who she is.
- Right.
Well, she was best friends with the author, Diana Gordon,
as you clearly know.
And she could do the foreword for the re-release.
Her and Diana.
It could be a really inspiring way
to re-contextualize the book for a new audience.
I mean, the effect of Black eyes on Black voices--
- I'm sorry, but Kendra Rae is not going to do that.
- I... I know that Kendra Rae--
Miss Phillips is a bit of a recluse, but I-- [chuckles]
- She has been off the grid for 35 years.
No one has seen her since the book's release.
How do you plan to find her, exactly?
- The... internet?
- Did you really think this was gonna get you out of apologizing to Colin?
- I wouldn't put it like that,
out loud.
[Vera sighs]
- Come with me.
The train is on the tracks, Nella.
- And if I don't get out of the way, the train is going to hit me.
I really thought I was just doing my job.
- [sighs] Matt?
- Huh?
- May we have the room?
- This is my office.
- Two seconds.
[Matt sighs]
- [whispers] She thinks she can bully me around.
- Nella.
This is the job.
Seeing beyond yourself and your feelings.
Seeing what other people need.
And not just your authors,
but... all the other people at the company.
I hoped I had taught you that.
- You have taught me so much, really.
- I think you need to think very hard about what kind of future you want.
♪ tense music playing ♪
[Nella grunts] [cutout clatters]
- I'm so sorry.
[sighs]
Could you please leave me alone?
I'm having yet another bad day.
I've had a lotta those since you've started,
and I really don't need advice on, like, a cool meditation class
led by Zoe Kravitz at your cousin's Black-owned day spa.
- That sounds pretty dope, though. - Please don't joke right now.
- Okay... All right.
You're right.
I know you've had a rough couple of days,
and I am genuinely sorry for whatever
I've done to contribute to that.
- I mean, throwing me under the bus with Colin is pretty high on that list.
- I didn't mean to put you in that position. I--
You know, at my old job,
I worked with this other Black woman who [chuckles]
really didn't like me.
I mean, she never looked out for me the way that we're supposed to.
You know what I mean?
And it hurt.
So, when I saw how heavy this Colin shit was weighin' on you,
I thought... maybe I could support you speakin' on it.
I wanted you to win... because you're right.
[Nella sniffles] It's messed up.
- Then why didn't you tell Colin that?
- I tried to, in a roundabout way.
Ya catch more flies with honey.
But it left you out to dry, and I'm sorry.
Maybe there's still a chance to do somethin'.
- Like a sensitivity read? - Yes. Yes, exactly that.
- Well, Vera already shut it down,
so now I get to apologize to that human cottage cheese.
- You shouldn't have to apologize for standin' up for what you believe in.
- Thank you.
I really appreciate you saying that.
- I got your back... from now on.
COLIN: Vera, le star has arrived. [chuckles]
- [cackling] You know we have hair and makeup here.
You don't have to arrive looking perfect.
[Colin chuckling] One quick thing before the studio.
Nella.
- She's still here?
Listen, Vera, my girlfriend's sister really wants to get into publishing.
- Didn't you have something you wanted to say?
- Uh,
I
like your hat, Colin.
- Well,
I'm glad to know where you stand
on the hat.
[Colin clears throat] Let's go, Colin.
- [sighs] Colin?
[Nella sighs deeply]
I also wanted to say [Colin clears throat]
about what I said about Shartricia?
I think that she's very--
I think sh-she has a lot of, um, layers.
So many that I did not
see them all in my first read
and
for that
[quietly] I'm sorry.
COLIN: What?
- I'm sorry. - You're right.
She does have so many layers.
Depth, right?
Thank you so much for finally recognizing that.
Nella, [chuckles] there's hope for you yet.
- I'll meet you at the elevator.
I'm proud of you.
♪ eerie music playing ♪
[sniffles]
[exhales]
[sharp exhale]
[sirens wailing, ambient street sounds]
♪ tense music playing ♪
[messages chiming]
♪
- What are you gonna do now? [Nella gasps]
♪ tense music continues ♪
[sighs]
♪
- Nella, are you coming to the marketing meeting?
- [softly] Yeah. [indistinct chatter]
- Microwave strudel?
- Oh. Thank you, Sophie. [Sophie chuckles]
- And finally, Colin had his author photos done today,
and I think we have some wonderful options to choose from.
[people reacting, chuckling]
MAISY: Oh.
- Oh, I love the pensive one. VERA: Mm-hm.
- It really speaks to the tragic subject matter of the book.
- Yes. - Agreed.
Um, also, apropos of nothing,
outside food will no longer be allowed in marketing meetings.
- Okay. Uh, well, great. Then we have settled on Colin's photo.
Just one more thing.
Um, the book is coming along so, so well.
It basically could go up to press as it is,
but, um, just in an effort to add even more polish,
I had an idea.
We should do a sensitivity read.
- That's a good call, Vera.
Due diligence.
BRIDGET: Great call. SHANNON: Great call.
- [mouthful] Not a bad idea.
[Nella scoffs]
- Sorry, I--
Sorry.
- Uh... well, okay. I'll make it happen.
- Uh, 'scuse me, Vera?
- Oh, yes, Hazel!
- Um, wasn't the sensitivity read Nella's idea?
I just wanna give credit where credit's due.
- Yes, you're right.
It was Nella's brilliant idea.
I'm so sorry, we just are such a good team.
It's like a mind meld.
Can't always remember where the ideas come from,
but I should say thank you, Nella.
In fact, Nella, stand up!
Great job!
- Good thinking, Nella. You've definitely got an editor's eye.
- Thanks.
- [mouthing] I got your back. - [mouthing] Thank you.
♪ ARE WE STILL FRIENDS? by Tyler, the Creator playing ♪
♪ Just dream ♪
♪ Are we still friends ♪
♪ Can we be friends ♪
♪ Are we still friends ♪
♪ I've got to kn-- ♪
♪ Know ♪
[Nella sighs]
- Bad day?
- Just fuckin' weird.
♪ Long ago, long ago, long ago ♪
- You wanna watch Bake Off?
The one with the precocious little kids with [chuckling] British accents?
- Yes. That's--
- Mm-hm. - Yes. [chuckles]
♪ I've got to know ♪
♪ Are we still friends ♪
♪ Can we be friends ♪
♪ Are we still friends ♪
♪ Can we be friends ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Are we still friends ♪
SINGERS: ♪ Friends, friends ♪
- ♪ I said are we still friends ♪ SINGERS: ♪ Friends, friends ♪
- ♪ Are we still friends ♪
SINGERS: ♪ Friends, friends, friends, friends ♪
- ♪ Don't get green skin ♪ SINGERS: ♪ Green skin ♪
- ♪ Keep contact ♪ SINGERS: ♪ Keep contact ♪
- ♪ Don't say goodbye ♪ SINGERS: ♪ Bye ♪
- ♪ Smell you later ♪
SINGERS: ♪ Later ♪
- ♪ Nah... I can't ♪
♪ I don't want to end this season on a bad episode, nigga, nah ♪
♪ Bouncing off things and you don't know how you fall ♪
♪ Your power is drained so you cannot go through walls ♪
♪ You're caught in this matrix ♪
♪ Don't know where you play it ♪
♪ You hate it, it could be your favorite ♪