ANITA: I cannot believe I have not seen
your exquisite faces since the reunion concert.
Well, that's one that you created
by sending us on tour.
Now should we change? Because that calligraphy
on the invite read "festive casual."
You could have been more specific to the uninitiated.
Well, let's see what you got.
Okay, fabulous.
I believe you understood the assignment.
I love the name WinterFest.
It sounds like we're walking into a winter movie.
And we can give Vernon his due for the name.
Oh, he always did have a way with words.
Where are you keeping that handsome devil?
You can rest assured that there won't be
any trouble here tonight.
Not with me on the scene.
Anita told me she enlisted your services for tonight.
That's the only way I get into this club, is on the clock.
Or the police gala.
I've already coordinated with club security.
They'll handle everyone and everything else.
And I'll keep my eye on Leslie Thomas.
We want her to think you're here as a guest.
Well, no one's gonna mistake me for a member,
but I'll blend into the expensive wallpaper
and, uh, I won't take my eye off your little problem.
You could be disinvited from WinterFest
on your loungewear alone.
Well, I don't know what to wear, okay?
I can't show up ratchet to my first real society event
where I'm not doing a daddy reveal.
Aw, then my timing is impeccable.
I thought you'd still be at the hospital with Peaches.
How's she doing?
Peaches is resting.
She's binging out on our stories
and very glad that I'm not there hovering over her
so that I can take care of my other priority.
Yourself?
Yes.
And you as an extension of me.
Mm-hmm. This is your Cinderella moment,
and your daddy is going to introduce you,
princess to society, mm-hmm.
And your fairy godmother
has got her work cut out for her.
Tick... tock.
♪ ♪
Running late? Aren't you supposed to be getting
your holiday sweater ready for your in-laws' ball?
My calendar is my own.
Don't finals equal more student traffic for you?
I won't have to worry about that part of the job
until next semester. They're giving me time
to put my office together and put feelers out to get
businesses into the pipeline for internship programs.
Just setting a lot of hooks.
Okay.
And when you're not fishing, how are you spending your time?
Who's asking?
What do you mean?
I can hear somebody else's booming voice
behind that question.
Is the third degree coming from you or from Pops?
Tomas. It's been a minute.
It has. Just finished a client meeting.
Looks like you've been hitting it hard.
Have you traded pickleball in for squash?
Yeah, squash allows for a little more aggression.
-I take it you won. -No mercy.
It felt good.
You'll have to teach me sometime.
Oh, you think you'll have any time left to play
after you decide which one of my daughters you're sleeping with?
Damone, you have truly worked your magic.
They say an artist is defined by his canvas.
And if that's true, then working with the Dupree women
is my Michelangelo moment.
Well, no wonder Damone Roberts is always in such high demand.
You're talented and charming.
I know you only planned on working on my mom and Gran,
so thank you for squeezing us in too.
Mother and Dani just sent pictures of their makeup.
They say thank you again
and to confirm that you will be at WinterFest?
I'll be there with bells on.
Thank you.
Thanks, Damone. I love my look.
It was my pleasure.
I am so glad you can join us, Naomi.
Everyone is so scattered-- Mother with her Articulettes.
Chelsea's with Madison.
And Mom is with Andre.
Mona and Laura are working furiously
in my office on last-minute details.
Oh, how did the morning go?
Oh, round one with the littles was joyous.
But I do have "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?"
on a loop in my brain.
But it did take me back
to when the two of you and Chelsea and Martin
would build snowmen, snow angels,
and throw snowballs at WinterFests past.
You all were so adorable.
And competitive.
Kat was the tiniest thing ever,
but she always won all the games.
Oh? Did I-did I really?
Fishing for compliments again?
You never skip the bubbles
or the chance to gloat about being the queen of WinterFest.
Can you be one hundred with me?
Sure.
If your question is "who's the fairest of them all,"
I am a little biased when it comes to my girl.
I mean, I'm not asking if I'm pretty, I know that.
I'm asking
if I'm self-centered.
Rowena made this especially for us.
-Mmm. -And outdid herself. Yum.
Did Dani talk to you?
We love the Articulettes lunch idea, we're in.
And I pulled one of our albums, uh, for the auction
that we can all sign.
Oh.
It's trippy to go from
decades of not signing anything
except credit card receipts to this.
Doing supper clubs doesn't compare
to the stages we're playing.
But what a difference a few months make.
What a difference you made, Anita.
Reconnecting has been amazing.
But I want to know how your meeting went
with Devon Winters in Genoa City.
Like you don't know.
Devon has a special place in my heart
because of his father, Neil.
Neil did his part in keeping the jazz fires burning
with his nightclub and now Devon is carrying his father's torch
with the record label.
But I want to know how you felt after meeting him.
We felt very taken care of.
Trust makes all the difference.
And I want you to find your rhythm
with Devon musically before I join you.
You mean before you and Barbara join us?
I get goosebumps just thinking about recording with her voice.
ANITA: Me too.
Sharon? Are you with us?
TRACY: Sharon's been in never-never land lately.
I mean, dreamy, like now.
And hard to pin down for our rehearsals.
If I didn't know any better, I'd think she got a man
she's not telling us about.
Sounds like Leslie's a piece of work.
Dangerous woman.
Is the senator afraid?
He's wary.
She's pure chaos.
And now she's packing a trust fund.
Sounds like she'll fit right in around here.
I need your focus, not your comedy.
Don't lose sight of the goal, Detective.
Okay, "festive casual" are now my two least favorite words.
It shouldn't matter what I wear.
Mm. Or maybe you could just see what's in this bag.
That's not yours?
Now, where have I ever gone shopping
and not gotten something for my baby?
Let me count the times.
Well, this time, this is all you.
Do you hate it?
Oh...
-I love you. -Oh, I love you, baby.
And tonight is mine, too.
I get to watch my daughter take her rightful place
in front of all those people who ever doubted us.
You know those social pariahs wouldn't recognize me
if I weren't on Dad's arm
and if you hadn't been the one in charge of the ticket.
Oh, you don't get it, baby.
Your ticket was guaranteed.
You are half-Richardson, boo.
Half-Articulette royalty, okay?
No matter whose daughter you are.
Okay, and what else-- my big ol' heart?
Oh, well, our money is like a skeleton key
that can open any door.
We will never be on the outside looking in again.
-Dr. Richardson, I... -Aw, relax.
I'm not gonna throw you across the squash court.
Unless I don't like your answer.
Hurting either of your daughters is the last thing I wanted.
I'm embarrassed that there was a moment where there was...
confusion.
I take full ownership.
Mm.
Is that what you call it?
I'm clear-eyed now.
I'm beyond grateful Kat gave me another chance.
I love her and I have plans for us-- big plans.
Kind of plans you'd share with the father?
If Kat's in agreement, you'll be the first to know.
Well, it's good to know your intentions aren't casual.
Because Kat is not at all casual.
Neither is Eva.
I know that, sir.
My girls don't get along,
but the last thing they need is anyone making it worse.
-You feel me? -I do.
And trust me, I've been doing what I can to play peacemaker.
Hmm, how's that going for you?
Not great.
Honey, the real question is, do you think you're self-centered?
I have incredibly high standards for myself and for other people.
Some might call that high-maintenance.
But...
Okay, I'm very well aware of my muchness.
Listen, I love your muchness 99% of the time.
But that one percent doesn't make me a bad person.
It certainly doesn't.
What's putting this in your head?
What else?
Another fight with my so-called half sister.
The rundown has been double-checked.
-And I'm sending it to... -Us,
the participating Duprees, and Bill Hamilton.
And before, after, and during the auction...
We encourage everyone to explore the snowshoe races,
the sledding, the ice-sculpting,
and for the thirsty, the brandy bar.
Nicole's speech.
Do we have a finalized copy of her speech for the prompter?
-Laura? -Uh, prompter.
-Got it. -Do you?
Or are you shaking in those cute little booties
because Leslie will be in attendance?
I'm not scared of her.
She's just bullying me because I'm the walking,
talking reminder of what she did.
Well, she won't be walking or talking
if she so much as looks at you.
Consider me your personal bodyguard.
[chuckles]
Eva played all of us,
but everyone seems to be okay with it except for me.
Either I'm wrong or you all have been zombie-snatched.
You're a lawyer-- what happened to the Dupree sense of justice?
It's superseded by the Dupree sense of family.
-But she... -You and Jacob took a very close look
and didn't find anything connecting Eva
and the criminal acts against Laura, right?
-That's true, but... -And
-Eva's your sister. -Half sister.
You can say "half" all you want,
but she is all the way in your life.
And her blood absolves her sins?
Her path to redemption wasn't paved with good deeds.
It was lined with Gran's money.
And her loony mommy is trying to buy her way into our lives,
and we're just politely welcoming her in
with the occasional icy stare across the ballroom.
And now I have to watch Eva walk in on Dad's arm?
Do you remember your debut?
You and the other girls in your white dresses,
hair upswept, gloves up to there.
The choreographed dances,
the escorts in tails,
the father-daughter dance.
You got the pomp and circumstance, the history.
Eva is getting a stroll around a golf course.
You really begrudge her that?
I do.
Then maybe it is not forgiveness that you need to find, Kat.
Maybe it's acceptance.
It doesn't matter.
I can't forgive or accept her.
Well, you'll have to work through it,
because Eva is definitely not sitting this one out.
Then maybe I will.
You're worried I'll edge back into my bad old days,
just like Pops.
-I never said that. -You spent your whole life
following in the man's police-issued oxfords.
And lately we've found areas where we don't line up at all.
Well, you can tell him I won't be catching up
with any of my old boys.
They either locked up or in the ground.
I'm sorry to hear that. Truly.
I can't be more definitive
'cause I, I haven't even tried to reach out.
Try hearing my voice, Izaiah, not Pops'.
There's no suspicion in it.
I just want you to plant some roots.
I miss my brother.
I'm sorry.
I guess Pops doesn't have to be here
for me to feel his presence and judgment.
I get my backup.
[both chuckle]
Look, let's just reset.
What's it really like being back?
Did anything good happen outside of work?
Did you meet somebody?
I know you were dealing with that breakup before the move.
I told you, I've been feeling a spark with Eva.
And I told you she's trouble. Or is that the appeal?
This isn't too much?
Does it feel like too much?
Feels like I'm wrapped in a dream.
It's real.
You are freaking Cinderella, boo.
You should have had a hundred moments of feeling like this
way before now.
[laughs]
Oh, okay, that hem's not quite right.
-Is my kit still... -Right where you left it.
All right.
Something Samantha said got me thinking.
All right.
Go on, just hold still.
You hated being less than center stage
in WinterFest's planning, right?
Mm-hmm.
What if you can leapfrog up
the Fairmont Crest social ladder
and help some folks who had it worse than us at the same time?
I'm listening.
Samantha wants to start a clinic where someone
like her mom could have gotten the help she needed.
You want a check?
I was thinking more like our own nonprofit, like the Duprees.
Oh, mm-hmm, okay.
Yeah, help your mama, please, child.
Ooh. All right.
Now, here's the deal.
My name has to be in really big, big letters
right across the front, all right?
And, you know, we're going to need to do about
a hundred more do-gooderies
in order to catch up with the Duprees.
[chuckles]
But tonight...
...is the first step.
And you are going to take it for the Thomas womankind.
And every eye will be on you.
Even the Duprees'. [laughs]
No, man.
We haven't been as lucky in life or in love as you, Anita.
Well, that's the funny thing about life.
As long as you're still here, that can change.
Amen.
But that still doesn't explain why you've been M.I.A.
Oh...
You know...
I let my voice go quiet for too long,
and sometimes I just need a minute
to get used to hearing the sound of it again
before I start adding in other parts.
-Well, that I can understand. -Me too.
So take all the time you need.
But if I don't see more of you two,
I'm gonna come knocking at your door.
Now there's one more thing I want to show you.
Oh, Barbara's your cover girl.
Everything we raised tonight is going to go
to mental health services for musicians.
-Oh, Anita. -That's perfect.
It'll be raining donations.
If she can see us,
I hope she thinks we're carrying on her legacy.
Uh, you remember Leslie Thomas?
How could we forget Dupree enemy number one?
Well, she's become more than that.
Remember when I said I wanted to wait until I saw you in person
to fill you in on something?
What does that have to do with Ms. Troublemaker?
Well, there is no better way to say this.
Leslie is Barbara's daughter.
-What now? -Excuse me. No, that's not possible.
We'd have known.
I mean, she couldn't have kept a secret like that.
My lawyer confirmed it.
Wait.
That blind trust you established?
Makes her a very wealthy woman.
Some might call that karma.
-We wouldn't. -No, we wouldn't.
Well, I'm not interested in clawing it all back.
She's just not getting anything more from me.
Of course.
What a horrible shock.
I just needed you to know.
-Thanks, Anita. -[sighs]
Selfie time. We need to commemorate tonight.
-My phone's in the foyer. -Good idea.
[whispering]: Are we alone?
Vernon, I caught you.
Since when have you ever made a quiet entrance?
[both chuckling]
All right, we need to get a move on.
But first the selfie.
We need to commemorate us all being together tonight.
Yes, Vernon can take it. All right?
[chuckles] Get your formation, ladies.
Okay, okay, okay.
All right.
ALL: Better together, sisters forever.
Articulette strong.
My daughter's a supermodel. Ah.
Dana.
-You're here. -Hey.
Yeah, Mama helped me.
Well, she did an incredible job.
We did. We created a genetic marvel.
-We did. -Mm-hmm.
So, what's in the box?
Oh, it is for you.
It's beautiful.
And it's a Forrester Creations-- ooh la la.
I thought, uh, it's going to get chilly tonight.
You can exchange it if you...
It matches. I love it.
You ready for your first WinterFest?
As I ever will be.
Ooh, one more thing.
Oh, whew, I am glad you remembered.
Dana, ride with us.
Unless you got to get back to Peaches.
Oh, no, Peaches doesn't want to see my face until tomorrow.
And besides, you all don't need me riding along.
For stepping out in public with our girl.
You are giving her back a little of what she missed.
The good man, the good father she should have had all along.
Long overdue.
Okay, look, you guys get going and I will catch up later.
-All right. -Um... hey, you.
I want you to pretend like I'm not there at all, okay?
This is your night.
It's yours.
Thanks, Mama.
There are plenty other women in this town that are eligible.
Why would you choose one that's waving a dozen red flags?
Eva's not waving them.
[chuckles] You and some of Naomi's relatives are.
Her half sister in particular.
Why should their opinions hold more weight than my instincts?
Maybe because that same family is dealing with
the very real fallout caused by your new girl's actions.
Kat, why would you do this?
And after you got your hair and makeup done?
That's a Tuesday for me, not a reason to go...
WinterFest is not just about our history with the event.
It's about putting some good in the world
that has given our family so much.
There will be plenty of Duprees there.
No one will even notice I'm gone.
-I'll notice. -Me too.
Are you seriously going to give Eva the win by staying away?
I thought I was supposed to forgive
and accept her, not compete with her.
Consider this a peacemaking gesture.
I would be more inclined to believe you if you hadn't
timed your Thanksgiving getaway so perfectly.
And now you're choosing to skip out
on an event that your family worked so hard to put together.
That right there answers your very question.
Is that really how you see me?
When you admit that the only reason you're not going
is because Eva's going to be there,
how else am I supposed to see it?
Kat, rising above, giving back,
standing with your family, that is what we do.
It's one night.
It's a life sentence.
Look, I will think about it.
That's all my self-centered self's capable of right now.
Here's a new idea: don't go back to Banneker tonight.
Come with me and Naomi to WinterFest.
Hard pass-- I'll leave the social climbing to you.
You talked about setting hooks, right?
It'll be a club full of big fish-- CEOs, moguls, Big Tech.
Not my scene.
If all those members really cared,
they'd skip the party and just write the check.
[chuckles] Look, they get a lot more satisfaction out of opening
those checkbooks when they have an audience to watch them do it.
Come on, man. We can be miserable together.
That's what brothers do.
Plus, you haven't lived yet
until you had an ice sculpture made of you.
I'll see you for beers next week.
Come on, man, I'll leave your name at the gate.
[laughs] Always a dog with a bone.
Age is on your side, brother,
-but stubborn is on mine. -All right, man.
Oh, by the way.
Eva's going to be there with her dad.
I'll see you there.
TOMAS: Got your text.
Did the glam squad call it quits because you are
already a work of art?
That's not why I'm communing with my friend.
We have time. You don't have to...
chug it.
What happened?
Let's order another round.
That way I don't have to share anyone or anything tonight,
except maybe some alone time with you.
You don't want to go to the club?
Not necessarily.
Okay, I guess we're playing 20 questions.
Why do you want to skip the Dupree event of the year?
Thank you.
They're all staring.
That's 'cause you're the prettiest girl here.
The Duprees know how to throw a party, okay?
I've been serenaded by carolers,
dusted with snow, and there were already
so many toys in the donation bins that ours can barely fit.
Yeah, and seeing you holding those toys made me think
about how I missed seeing you play with them.
What were you into?
Oh, books, mostly.
But I played with Barbies way too long, you know,
dreaming up stories and lives for them.
Yeah.
But, you know, I spent most of my time with one of those
big old doll heads,
you know, the ones without the body,
and you can just do their hair?
I took it so serious, like it was a real job,
mainly because I knew I needed to be practical
because those other dreams were just pretend.
Well, you can dream now.
Those old dreams? I am way past them, okay?
Look at me. Look at this.
Sorry I missed those days.
Seeing those big beautiful eyes on a little you.
Oh, Mama has all those embarrassing pics
living in the cloud.
Oh, well, I'm going to have her AirDrop me
every one of them. Matter of fact,
let's take a picture right now. Come on.
[camera clicks]
-Uh-huh. -You know there's an actual selfie booth?
-The Duprees go hard. -And what'd you expect?
Um, not a Christmas village, a train ride,
and cross-country skiing across the 18th hole.
Okay, I've never been to a party that required
a theme park construction crew.
Well, get used to it.
And we're going to take full advantage
of that ice-skating rink.
You still know how to jump and spin?
I do.
Let's get our skate on.
Look, I don't want to fall in front of all these people, okay?
The point of tonight is a reset,
a more graceful entrance into Fairmont Crest society.
The point of tonight is us together.
You have nothing to prove.
These people see how extraordinary you are,
how proud of you I am-- that is the icing.
We should take the carriage ride over there.
Oh, it's pretty close. We can walk.
We'll take the long way, hmm?
-We got all night. -Okay.
Come on.
Welcome to WinterFest.
Oh, my goodness, it's like being inside a snow globe.
Of course you'd have real snow.
[laughter]
My wife can command the heavens themselves.
-Aw. -[laughs]
Oh, it's real the way my wig's real.
-You buy it, it's yours. -ANITA: That's right.
[laughter]
I thought the shine would have worn off
since the concert.
No, it's unmissable
and getting brighter by the second.
-Oh, excuse me one second. -Mm-hmm.
What a triumph.
[laughter]
-Nicole's on her way? -Yes, ma'am.
And Mona and I sent you the final rundown.
-I got it. Thank you. -Okay.
If I must say so myself, it is a thing of beauty.
Well, like the two of you.
-Where do you need us? -Oh, no.
Go, be free.
I don't even want to see you unless you're indulging
in hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps.
Thanks, Anita.
And, Laura, I especially want you to enjoy yourself tonight.
You see that gentleman over there?
His only job is to keep
an eye on our newest "volunteer."
Mrs. Dupree, you are simply the best.
You take such great care of us. It's the least we can do.
-Enjoy yourselves. -Thank you.
Have you been fairy godmothering?
Yes, I was just reassuring Laura
that Abominable Leslie
will not be coming for her tonight.
Can you two get any more in love?
Oh, Vernon knows this is me being proactive.
Well, how's that?
Have you seen the way these women look at my husband?
They are shameless.
I know the type.
You're skipping WinterFest because you think
it's Eva's coming-out party with your dad?
And because I'm a selfish bitch, I guess. Mom confirmed it.
-Your mom called you a... -Just the selfish part.
Ten-hut.
Dupree family duty time. Fall in,
don't pass go, don't collect feelings.
You know the drill.
Did I botch that?
Is "ten-hut" for football?
That's "hut," but I like how you worked Monopoly in there.
Well, it'll be all about Eva tonight.
No one will even notice I'm gone.
Sorry.
I know you hate it when I go to the Eva place.
You're not hating on Eva,
you're just hurt and you're not self-centered.
You're adjusting to a new sense of your place in the world.
I like the sound of that. Keep going.
You defined yourself as your father's daughter,
and now you have to share that role with Eva.
And while you usually charge into battle,
maybe it's okay to retreat and lick your wounds for tonight.
Or, with WinterFest out of my head...
I'm open to so many other things.
Whatever are you proposing?
Your place or mine?
Babe, are you still scanning for Kat?
She's probably doing pirouettes out on the rink.
You know she likes to show off.
Yeah, I'm more worried about her showing out,
but I'd rather her be here in her feelings than missing this.
How about some chocolate for my hot chocolate?
[laughs] Lead the way.
What's he doing here?
Go ahead and find out.
Marcel.
You're the last person I expected to see at WinterFest.
Relax, I'm not trying to join your club.
Just doing some private security.
That's odd, because the youngbloods at the station
usually pick up the club overtime.
Why should the rookies take all the Duprees' dough?
And I'm not too big to get myself closer
to my grand tour with Sheila.
And I want her in prime shape when that day comes,
if it ever comes.
Well, if I spot any bad guys,
I'll be sure to send them your way.
["The 12 Days of Christmas" playing]
I said alone time and you didn't even
raise your hand for the check.
Don't tell me I'm losing my touch.
Never.
There's no getting anything past you.
There is something I wanted to talk to you about.
Am I going to love it?
Unless I'm the one who's being selfish.
Tomas.
I would wait for the perfect moment to ask you this,
but we did promise we weren't going
to wait for perfect timing anymore.
What is it?
My bed feels empty when you're not in it.
I don't want to wake up even one morning
without your face next to mine.
And I don't want you cramming your things
into one drawer, having to lug them back and forth.
I want all of our things in the same place,
just like I want us in the same place.
Kat, let's move in together.
Be careful, it's hot. Like you.
[chuckles]
So, tell me where you want to start.
I like where you started.
We can go tubing.
Or we can head over to Santa's workshop and make something.
You know Santa's workshop is for kids.
Says who?
You are never too old to make a Christmas wish.
I bet you could sit in my lap right now
and I'll make sure one of your wishes comes true.
I got mine. I have you.
Same.
You know, couples therapy was the right move for us.
I already feel closer to you.
Me too, baby.
We were in such a rush earlier.
I forgot to ask you, how'd it go with Izaiah?
Did you convince him to join us?
We didn't fall once.
I've never been so cold and so hot at the same time, okay?
I could have done it all day.
Me too. Thank you for coming with me.
Not only did we create a new memory,
but this is the first Dupree family gathering on my own.
I didn't think about how hard this must be for you.
Being here without Nicole.
I haven't felt the least bit alone with my daughter here
to keep me company.
I'm going to go check on that hot cocoa.
-Okay. -All right.
Thank you.
Ah. I wasn't expecting you.
Good surprise or bad surprise?
Don't fish. You texted me and not a peep.
I had no idea I was going to see you here.
Well, that's the difference between us-- I knew.
My wife is a quadruple threat.
Adding event planner to her repertoire.
More like world builder.
Is Hattie trying to get your attention?
She sure is. She's a huge Articulettes fan.
-Chanel suit? -Mm-hmm.
Well, she likes us?
She loves us.
-Shall we give her a thrill? -I'll be right there.
I just saw that waiter again, and I want to get a slider.
Okay.
Slide.
-Gareth is here. -Oh, God.
-Your favorite lobbyist. -Yeah.
Do you want me to come with?
Only one of us needs to die on that hill.
-Meet you back here. -All right, babe.
["What Child Is This?" playing]
♪ ♪
[chuckles] Is this for me?
-Who else? -Ah.
I was wondering if I'd run into you tonight.
I've been trying to get a moment alone with you.
This is harder than I thought.
It's not easy with everyone around.
But here we are.
I mean, we do cross paths a lot.
That has to mean something.
You're tempting fate, you know?
She clocked me, so I took the charm offensive.
Still not the move.
Can't a daughter just drop by to see
her beloved father without an ulterior motive?
No.
You feeling that, or am I doing too much?
[group cheering]
Bill! Bill, wake up.
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