Of course you know I want you to be happy, Vanessa, but I...
But not with him?
Not on my terms?
Only if it looks the way you think it should?
Well, I see we're at an impasse.
I'd call it more than that.
Tell me, Nicole.
Is our friendship worth saving at this point?
You know better.
I would never let one fight end years of friendship.
You mean too much to me.
Thank God.
I don't know what I would do without you.
♪ Happy second-to-last day of chemo to you♪
♪ Happy second-to-last day of chemo to you.♪
Just when I thought you could no longer surprise me.
I wanted to give you a...
a positive reminder that this part
of your journey will soon be in the past.
And you have.
You are a good man, Vernon Dupree.
I'm so happy to see you.
[groans]
What?
It's nothing.
No, don't give me that.
Okay? What happened?
I bruised a few ribs.
How?
It doesn't matter. I'm fine.
[scoffs] The hell you are.
Jacob, how much danger are you in?
♪ ♪
Oh.
Hello, Dani.
You're looking lovely, as always.
We have charming Bill Hamilton today.
And yes, I am looking particularly lovely. Thank you.
Are you eating alone?
Mm.
Looks like Pamela is running late.
Hm.
Well, do you care to join me while you wait?
Or do you think Pamela's head would pop off her shoulders
if she saw us together?
Do I care to join you at my family's table?
Don't mind if I do.
And Pamela is well aware that we have
reached a hopefully more than temporary detente.
Oh. How much
does she hate that?
She still has not forgiven you
for your many, many, many misdeeds.
She is certainly welcome to her opinion,
but I think you and I both know that she doesn't understand
the full scope of our dynamic.
This is true,
She has no idea how sweet on me--
I mean sweet tome--
you have been lately.
Flying solo today?
Uh, meeting Eva, but she got stuck at work,
so she'll be a little late.
I have some time before I meet Chelsea.
Why don't I grab a sweet tea and keep you company?
As long as the company doesn't come with
swipes at my lady, sure.
I'll behave. Promise.
Word about the malpractice suit
has probably gotten all around Garland by now.
I can practically hear the whispers
when I walk through the hallways.
So what? You know this suit is completely bogus.
Yeah, but they don't.
And telling me to just ignore people
who question my ethics like it's no big thing
when my reputation and entire career are on the line--
not helping.
-Ready? -VERNON: Not quite.
Pop one.
What on Earth?
Pop one and find out.
[laughs]
Ooh!
[both laughing]
Oh, Mardi Gras colors.
You are either two months late
or ten months early.
Well, I haven't
forgotten how disappointed you were
that we couldn't go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras
this year,
so I made plans for us to go there this fall.
Mm, fall might be too soon.
Well, if so,
we'll adjust to accommodate
your surgery or post-op therapy.
And your sense of taste
will be long back by then,
so that we can enjoy your favorite foods.
Dooky Chase, here we come.
[both laughing]
-Thank you, sweetheart. -Mm.
It's beautiful to be able to make happy plans again.
Only happy plans for us from here on out.
Well, I'm glad that we can communicate with mutual respect.
Sure, let's go with that.
-[phone chimes] -Hm.
Oh.
Take your time, just land the client.
I'm here catching up with Bill anyway.
-[phone chimes] -[laughs]
That woman has never liked me.
With good reason.
In addition to the fact that she's a great friend
and knows the hell you put me through
during our marriage and after,
you are also directly responsible
for taking a lot of money from her.
You'll remember that I was at the height of my career
when you swept me off my feet and the runway.
Well, I mean, Pamela had other clients.
Not at my level.
I was breathing some rare air in those days.
Well, with your return to the industry,
I have zero doubt that you'll come back
bigger and better than when you stepped away.
Are you trying to compete with my mother
in terms of boosting my confidence?
Well, I will gladly concede to Anita,
and I'm sure that she'll keep doing that
for a long time to come.
You know, when you called Naomi
and me about Anita's progress, I,
you know, I was just thrilled for your whole family.
So thrilled that you called me "baby"?
I'm sorry.
It's just, this lawsuit has me wound really tight.
Anyone who's spent more than five minutes with you
knows that you would never endorse
some random healing approach on your mom's blog.
Besides, great doctors get hit
with frivolous lawsuits all the time.
Knowing that doesn't make it any easier
when it happens to you.
I still have to alert my malpractice carrier
and notify the hospital and the state board in writing.
It is so frustrating to have to pour energy
into this lawsuit when all I really want is
to focus on my research and my patients
and planning our wedding.
My dad and sister will have this stupid case tossed
and everything will go back to normal.
I wish I had your faith.
I have enough for both of us.
[Jacob groaning]
[gasps]
Baby, these injuries are in no way fine.
They'll heal.
In fact...
What?
What were you gonna say?
That it could have been worse?
Exactly.
Look, I'm doing my job and I'm making progress.
Today, it's your ribs. What will tomorrow be, huh?
Instead of a fist, it-it could be a gun.
The same thing was in play when I was a beat cop.
Every day was a question mark.
You never knew what you'd walk into.
Right, but as a beat cop, you could call for backup.
Undercover, you are alone, surrounded by criminals
who all think you are a criminal.
There are no guardrails to keep them from hurting you.
Look, I see that you're scared, Naomi, and I hate that.
But this is the job I signed up for,
the job I was meant to do.
It's like how you fight
for the little guy in court.
I defend and protect them out in the streets.
Yes, and I love that about you, but--
And you know how long I wanted to be a cop.
But, baby, seeing you like this--
I need you to look past that
and trust that I can take care of myself.
Look, I can't say much,
but I'm in a position right now
where I can take care of not only
the most vulnerable people in our city,
but I can make communities all over safer.
You are too good a person, Jacob,
And sometimes that can put you at risk.
Be that as it may,
I believe that everything I've been doing
and everything we've both been sacrificing
will all pay off.
But, baby, please don't tell me to stop,
because I won't.
I'm in way too deep to walk away now.
Just because I want to be with Joey
doesn't mean I need my friends any less,
especially you.
Call me greedy, but I want it all.
You are greedy.
But you're also worth it.
I never saw it this way before,
but you and Joey do have something in common.
Ooh, I don't know how to take that.
The element of surprise.
I never expected Joey to become this huge part of my life.
And... the same goes for you.
Oh, they must be in here.
I know I packed them.
Lose something?
Nicole.
Lovely to see you, as always.
-You too, Vanessa. -I was just...
I was looking for my pack of cigarettes.
I-I... I assume you don't have any on you.
-Sorry, no. -I know it is
a terrible habit, but I allow myself one,
just one, at dinners like this.
Oh, we all have our vices. I am not above
nabbing most of Kat's chocolate out of her trick-or-treat bags,
telling myself I am protecting her teeth.
Exactly.
Doug likes to take advantage of the open bars at these things
and throw back a shot or two with his buddies.
While he's doing that, I like to slip away
and have a smoke.
I definitely understand needing a break from the festivities.
This is the third one of these events
that I've had the pleasure of attending this month.
I thought my schedule was bad.
I can't even imagine what yours must be like.
Actually, this event is one of the better ones.
Definitely better than that one back in February
with the guest speaker who was like a human tranquilizer.
I seriously thought I was gonna nod off
and face-plant into my salad
before he wrapped that endless speech.
[laughs] You nailed it.
He was a walking, talking benzo.
My eyes were glazing over like doughnuts.
Thank God, you are a real person.
On occasion, I can simulate a certain humanity,
unlike that, uh, snoozefest that we were saddled with
back in February.
Amazing surgeon, terrible public speaker.
He filled in last minute.
I've never seen this side of you before.
Few people do.
Most see the composure and think,
"Polite, boring.
I'll move on to someone more interesting."
Most look at me and think, "Ditzy doctor's wife. Next."
Huh.
You get it.
-Come on, let's go. -Where?
To find you a cigarette,
unless if you've suddenly kicked the habit
-in the last few minutes. -And maybe we can find you
-a chocolate bar while we're at it. -Ooh.
[both laugh]
I had no idea that moment would turn out to be so important.
And I had no idea I would be so grateful for tobacco.
But it is the reason we really saw each other,
and became real friends.
And for that, I will be forever grateful.
I hate to go back, but...
I only have a few minutes left on my break.
Um, babe, before you go,
have you spoken to your mom
since you were served?
She's called a few times, but I haven't picked up.
Bill and Naomi are gonna reach out and tell her
that since she's been named as a witness,
she shouldn't discuss the suit with anyone,
and that she needs to take that damn blog down.
But knowing my mother, I doubt that'll happen.
Chelsea, if I talk to her,
I would totally lose it.
I mean, she is the one that put that misinformation out there,
but I'm the one being sued
because I'm the one who actually has a job.
If only they saw my loans from med school.
Plus, which, I'm about to marry a Hamilton-Dupree,
so they probably think I have deep pockets.
Oh, which reminds me, we definitely need a prenup.
Baby, I owe you an apology.
Why? What's wrong.
You warned me over and over again
about your mom, a-and...
but I never thought her actions would hurt you like this.
As long as her mess doesn't touch you, I can handle it.
Baby, what's wrong?
Kat and I had to have a talk about any potential blowback
that the lawsuit might have on ChelseaKat,
but we have it handled.
I am so sorry for that.
None of this is your fault.
It's just my-my mother, she has this ability
to make people believe she's something that she's not.
I'm glad you're seeing the real person now.
It's awful what she's done, but my family--
our family-- has your back.
I really did appreciate the way you included Eva
and me in your birthday party.
Don't give me too much credit.
I didn't even know what was happening
until Tomas and everybody else surprised me at Uptown.
But if more people want to celebrate
my arrival to the planet,
who am I to say no?
You're appreciating my deep humility right now,
-aren't you? -Mm. Yeah,
when I think "humble," I think Kat Richardson.
Absolutely.
Hi.
I didn't know Kat was joining us.
You don't mind, do you, Eva?
I've never hated your job like this before.
Well, you weren't too crazy about it
when I arrested your mother.
No, I was pissed at you and you deserved it.
But now your life is on the line.
And you can't even tell me how you got injured.
Because knowing wouldn't help.
Anything.
Anything would be better than being kept in the dark,
sitting around and waiting for a text
to reassure me that you're still alive.
I can't wait until I come home to you, Naomi,
and I'm praying as hard as you are that it'll be soon.
That's what keeps me going when things get rough.
I hope that helps you, too.
-Good afternoon, Mother, Daddy. -Good afternoon, sweetie.
-Hi. -How are you feeling?
Oh, I slept fairly well and my energy is decent,
at least for the moment.
The important thing is that I'm heading
into this next to last chemo session
with the knowledge that the treatment is working.
I had no idea. That's wonderful news.
Well, we are all very thankful.
Mrs. Dupree, you can come back now.
Oh, okay.
I'll, uh, reach out after we get back home.
-Of course. I love you. -Love you too.
You-you go on, my love. I'll join you shortly.
-Oh, okay. -Mm-hmm.
Hello, Madison.
Hi, Vernon.
Uh, may I, uh, have a moment of your time?
Of course.
First of all, let me tell you how sorry I was
to hear about this outrageous malpractice lawsuit.
Kat mentioned it to me when she came home last night.
It's upsetting, but I know I'm in good hands
with Naomi and Bill as my attorneys.
So, please don't-don't-- don't worry about me
when you already have so much on your mind.
Oh, well, that takes me to the second reason
I wanted to speak with you, uh...
Um, I-I'd like to schedule an appointment.
Is Anita's treatment affecting her neurologically?
The appointment's not for Anita.
It's for me.
This must be a record, Kat.
Twice in a row we've ended up in the same place,
and neither of us has run for the exit.
I know. Must have taken a lot of restraint on your part.
But not yours?
Izaiah made me promise to behave.
[gasps] Did my baby do that?
-[chuckles] -Now, why am I up in this?
Oh, I'm sorry.
I never wanted to get you in trouble, Izaiah.
Oh, you couldn't even if you wanted to.
[both laugh]
You are the most incredible man.
He really is.
Better hold on tight to this one, Eva.
Well, I have to meet Chelsea.
Have fun, Eva.
Izaiah.
What?
You know what.
I'd advise you not to overthink it.
I just was so moved by Anita's good news
that I momentarily fell back into old habits, case closed.
That makes perfect sense, Counselor.
Well, Hayley was there when we spoke, wasn't she?
How'd she feel about your verbal fumble?
Oh, she hasn't mentioned it.
Yet.
I would know if my wife was upset.
She doesn't shy away from telling me exactly
what's on her mind, and speaking of younger spouses,
yours was eager to raise the issue with me earlier.
Was he?
So, you had no idea that Andre had feelings about it.
Interesting.
Why do you need an appointment?
Uh...
I've, uh, been misplacing a few things recently.
Forgotten little things in conversation.
Nothing too alarming,
but enough of a change to make me feel that...
I better see if there's anything here
that I should be concerned about.
Well, you're doing exactly the right thing.
I can certainly run a few tests,
but there could be a number of explanations
for the symptoms you describe, such as stress,
which you've had a lot of lately.
[chuckles] Well, that's a fact.
And you probably haven't been getting much sleep, either,
since Anita's diagnosis.
You know, caretaking for a loved one
can have its own pressures.
It's nothing compared to what she's been going through.
No, no, a few sleepless nights, it's nothing.
And your appetite?
You know, that chemo has all but killed Anita's appetite
and-and...
affected her sense of smell, you know?
So, I don't want to remind her of the foods she's missed.
Are you able to take a break?
To take your walks around the neighborhood?
Chelsea told me you love those.
I-I don't like to get too far away from Anita,
in case she needs anything.
I... I know what you're doing.
I'm perfectly fine, except for these little spells.
I just want you to check it out
and make sure there's nothing here to worry about.
I need to be 100%, for Anita's sake.
We'll figure out what's going on with you, okay?
But please, do not jump to the worst-case scenario.
I already feel a lot better just having spoken with you.
I'm glad.
Oh, Madison?
Uh, just to be clear,
I'm speaking to you as my doctor,
not my granddaughter's fiancée.
This stays between us.
Mrs. Dupree, do you have any questions?
-I know the drill. -Is there anything else
-I can get for you? -Mm,
I've got this.
-Okay. -[laughs softly]
[sighs]
There's still a ways to go, of course,
but after I heard the results of Mother's latest test--
oh, my God, I...
laughed, I cried, I felt...
so much relief,
and happier than I have been in months.
I just wish I could have been there for you.
And I-I'm sorry you felt you couldn't share
everything you were feeling with me because...
[sighs]
But that will never happen again.
And I am sorry if you felt that I...
I had no business
judging you for the way that you choose to live your life.
Thank you for saying that.
It is not worth fighting with my best friend
just to be right.
You're not right, though, when it comes to Joey and me.
I sincerely hope that I'm not.
I want you to have everything that you deserve, Vanessa.
I want you to be completely fulfilled
and excited about the future.
And that is exactly how I feel when I'm with Joey.
I'm sure it is.
But when the-the two of you
have to deal with the rest of the world
and the people that you love,
you can't cut your lives into two pieces
like it's some sitcom.
I know that, but you and I are already in a better place,
and I-I think, with some time and effort,
I'll be able to work things out with everybody else.
You know what?
I actually think you probably can pull that off.
And I will do everything I can to help.
If you, please, can listen to what I have to say
and take it to heart.
Uh, go on.
I know there's a connection between you and Joey,
and I don't doubt your feelings for each other.
That was never the problem.
So, what is?
I fear that you will get hurt.
I couldn't bear that.
We both know
love can be painful,
but Joey would never hurt me intentionally.
Okay. But the life that he leads?
I-- What-what if you turn out to be
some type of collateral damage?
So, for your own sake,
I need you to make me a promise.
I think you're exaggerating Andre's reaction.
No, no. I mean, I admit,
it wasn't a lengthy conversation, but...
he did go out of his way to bring up the "baby" slip.
Seems your little husband's a bit insecure.
He so is not.
I'm sure Andre just felt bad that you were strolling
down memory lane all by your lonesome.
Okay, if you say so.
[clears throat] Excuse me.
-This is for you. -Oh.
Well, you can set that down right here.
Thank you.
-Thank you. -Thank you so much.
"Dani Dupree."
"A year ago, I asked you to help found
"the Dupree/Curtis modeling agency,
"and though you kept me in suspense for a few days--
"in true Dani Dupree fashion--
"I say we seize this moment to celebrate ourselves.
Happy anniversary to my work wife."
[chuckles]
Well, she clearly set all this up beforehand.
I'm so sorry that she's not here to enjoy it.
She'd never want you sipping this vintage on her dime.
Oh, well, too bad.
Here's to seizing the moment.
[both chuckle]
Thank you, Pamela.
You know, I really have to hand it to her.
She encouraged me to spread my wings
and become a modeling agent after Chelsea forced me
-into momager retirement. -Hmm.
And then it was Pamela
who pushed me to go back into modeling myself.
She truly has always been my champion.
-Yeah, well, not the only one. -No, that's true.
Andre, my entire family, especially our girls,
have been 100% supportive of my second act.
Mm-hmm.
Now, I would like to offer
my heartfelt congratulations on your first year.
If anyone can reignite themselves
into an even brighter star, it's you, Dani Dupree.
Sweet on me, sweet to me.
I could get used to this version of Big Bad Bill.
[laughs softly]
So, how are you doing?
How's the Madison case?
Oh, you know, it's great.
I mean, don't get me wrong, Naomi and I have a ways to go
before we can get that lawsuit tossed, but, man...
...working with our daughter is...
I know how-- or knew--
-how that feels. -Yeah.
But you and Naomi legal-eagling together,
it's what you always wanted, right?
Mm-hmm.
D-Does she know about the whole amendment to the will thing?
Ah, no, no, just, uh...
uh, let's just keep that between us.
I won't say a word,
especially since you're not kicking the bucket
any time soon, right?
Hmm.
Now who's being sweet?
I think it is sweet
that you want Naomi to take over the family biz.
Which gives me a fabulous idea of my own.
[exclaims]
What did you decide?
Meeting, then mani-pedi, or mani-pedi first?
Business first. We just got an email from Lauren Fenmore.
Our purses are flying out of her stores
and off of the website.
We are crushing it.
Yes, we are.
Okay, understated?
Just preoccupied. Madison is really pressed
about this malpractice lawsuit.
Well, you know the Hamilton Dream Team
-will handle it. -But even they don't know
how long this could take, let alone what it's gonna
put Madison through.
So, for the time being, you're gonna have to be the CEO
of counting our blessings for the both of us.
Well, I can live up to that title.
My day's off to a great start.
Okay, fill me in.
Well, I ran into Izaiah and Eva.
Okay, coz, what did you do?
[high-pitched]: Well...
[sighs]: Oh, Lord.
Were you completely oblivious to the way Kat was acting?
-And those flirty vibes? Please. -[sighs]
It was innocent.
I mean, at least she was civil to you.
Okay, I'm not sure what's worse,
us going at each other or pretending things are better
when we both know nothing has changed.
JACOB: This feels good,
being here with you like this.
Hopefully, it reminds you of what you're missing out on.
Oh, I don't need any reminders.
Okay, I can hear you thinking.
What's up? You might as well say it.
I just...
I just still have so many questions.
[grunts]
Like, did you get roughed up
because you were in the wrong neighborhood,
or, or was it one of the people you're secretly investigating?
-You know I can't answer that. -Well, right,
-were they trying to send you a message? -Don't do this.
That's it... isn't it?
You're a target now?
Look, let's not spend what little time we have
debating this,
because as great as you are at arguing,
-you're not gonna win this one. -[phone chimes]
I got to go.
What?
No, you can't leave.
Jacob, I mean it. You cannot leave. Not now.
[footsteps approaching]
Oh, there you are.
I just went to the cafeteria to get you some tea.
Ah, I see you've been enjoying your music.
Chelsea and Kat put together a new playlist for me
with all kick-ass female artists,
from Chaka Khan to Jennifer Hudson to TLC.
Well, that's an appropriate theme for the day
since you are finally kicking cancer's bootay.
[both chuckle]
You look more relaxed in that chair than ever before.
It's probably because you can now say,
"One down, one last one to go."
[chuckles] Or it's more likely you and your balloons.
You made me smile so much
that even the red devil's antics can't shake me.
I am going to get through this and look forward to our trip
to one of the greatest cities in the world.
Mm. Mmm.
I got you some sugar to...
Ooh! [laughs]
Look at that.
If at any point you find yourself in danger
or even sense that you might be in danger,
promise me that you will come to me or Dani
or anyone you trust,
and I swear there will be no judgments,
no "I told you so's," just love and support.
Danger is not a possibility.
But...
on the very off chance that it does, I...
...I promise.
Then we have a deal.
Well, now that we're back to being BFFs...
Which we were always.
I can still come to my bestie to dish about my guy, right?
Oh, I'm back to "listening to you vent" duty, aren't I?
It is your primary responsibility as a girlfriend.
As long as you don't expect me to ever go on a double date
with you and Joey again, we are good.
[quietly]: Come here.
He signed? That's great.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Pamela, don't worry about it.
We'll reschedule.
Uh, yes, Pamela, I am still here with the appendage,
-but he's on his best behavior. -[chuckles]
-Thanks for the bubbly, Pamela. -[shushes]
Oh, while I still have you,
I have had a stroke of brilliance,
and I want your top-tier take on it.
So, I want to suggest to Tatum
that I carry a couple ChelseaKat purses
in our upcoming runway show.
Uh...
talk about lacking enthusiasm.
Uh, wha-- no, no.
I don't think one brand will overshadow the other.
What? What's that, Bill? You need me?
I'm so sorry, Pamela, I have to go.
Well, goodbye. Kisses.
-[groans] -[phone thuds]
Hmm. Well, as much as you don't like what she had to say,
for once I actually agree with Pamela.
And we were getting along so well.
Look, this is yourbig comeback, Dani.
Well...
There is enough room in the sandbox for two successes:
Chelsea's and mine.
Just like you and Naomi.
And, a-and I mean, we're talking about
such a small portion of the spotlight being hogged.
A speck, really. And it's great synergy.
Tatum's line will be introduced to ChelseaKat followers
-and vice versa. -Hmm. I suggest
that you, you know, step back a bit
and consider this before you present the idea
to Tatum or her people.
I hear you, and I understand your perspective.
Yeah, I can see that doesn't matter.
-Not really, no. -[chuckles]
I will run the idea past Chelsea first,
and she will love it every bit as much as you and Pamela don't,
and then I will make my pitch to Tatum.
I never expected you to suddenly be all sister-sister with Eva,
but I thought that things were getting better
since you invited her to stay at your birthday party.
Well, what was I supposed to do?
We just heard Gran's incredible news,
and you all were giving me these "don't be petty" looks.
How could I kick her out?
But taking the high road then paved the way for today.
Meaning?
Well, I played nice, so Eva had to.
She was all smiles, even though I was clearly
getting on her last nerve by flirting with Izaiah.
-You didn't. -He and I
both knew I wasn't being serious,
but poor little ratchet Eva was as green
as the tomatoes Orphey Gene's fries up.
Okay, I was just having a little fun.
It sounds to me like you were having a little too much fun.
I get where you're coming from with Kat,
but I'm still low-key hoping you two
might find some way to get along.
I mean, we can be polite and make things more comfortable
for the people around us, but beyond that?
Never say never.
I mean, look at me.
When I left the DMV, I didn't think I'd ever come back,
but here I am, building a new life for myself.
A great life.
Same goes.
Then don't let Kat get you jealous.
Okay? You've got no reason to worry.
I'm not going anywhere.
You could be walking into a trap.
[sighs] Can you tell me
that's not probable or at least possible?
-I love you. -[sniffles]
I love you, too.
[crying softly]
Captioning sponsored by CBS
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org
After being married for over a year now,
that you could call Dani "baby"?
BILL: Hayley.
Bill's theory is that you started Babygate
-because you're insecure about our marriage. -[scoffs]
Why the hell have you been ignoring my calls?
See, I told you there was a price for your mess.
Just didn't tell you who had to pay.
[grunting]
After the campaign, do I ease up or take on something bigger?
This could blow up your world. What are you doing, Martin?