The Good Fight (2017) s05e01 Episode Script
Previously On...
1
♪♪
I'm retiring.
- DIANE: What?
- LIZ: Why?
I've done as much as I can do here.
I will stay until the end of the year,
but after that I should move on.
STR Laurie wants a 20% downsizing
of the firm.
Okay. I retire.
That'll be cut in half.
Do you believe him?
This is some selfless act?
Are you kidding me?
This is about the Democratic Party.
Four years from now, we need
an African American candidate
- that can go the distance.
- So, how can I help?
You can be that candidate.
Step one to running: you write a book.
A political statement.
And a memoir.
Got you a contract with Simon & Schuster
to write about your political awakening.
♪♪
Years ago, I wanted to create
a law firm run entirely by women,
but it never worked out.
So, why not now?
- What, Reddick/Lockhart?
- Just you and me.
- We don't bring in a third.
- Partners?
- (GLASSES CLINK)
- DIANE: Partners.
Stella Corben. I am Inspector General
at the Department of Justice.
I say this with a heavy heart,
but Judge Cain is guilty
of accepting a bribe.
This carries a sentence
of up to 15 years.
Isn't this retribution
for Judge Cain's coming to your office,
requesting whistleblower protection?
Of course not.
You're here as a whistleblower, Julius.
DIANE: Didn't Judge Cain
come to your office
with accusations about
something called Memo 618?
I have no idea what
you're talking about.
DIANE: Memo 618 is a document
used to intimidate judges into ruling
for the more powerful party.
And you are testifying that Judge Cain
didn't come to your
office regarding this?
I'm testifying that Judge
Cain came to my office
to put pressure on me to
drop the bribery charge.
Well, it's a good thing
I recorded that meeting.
Objection.
Counselor, is that a one-party
consent recording?
It is, but in federal court,
one-party consent is permissible.
We're in Illinois, a two-party state.
Sustained.
- They're going to destroy me.
- We'll move for a recusal.
She'll just deny it.
Not if we threaten to
expose her complicity
- regarding Memo 618.
- How can we do that?
The itsy bitsy spider ♪
- Crawled up the water spout ♪
- (PHONE RINGING)
Down came the rain and
washed the spider out. ♪
Who died?
(CHUCKLES)
That is the Lucca I know and love.
(WHISPERS): Bianca.
Um, what time is it?
12:30. Are you asleep?
- No.
- (JOSEPH LAUGHING)
No, no, no. What do you need?
- What are you doing?
- Bianca, you always ask me that.
My life is not that interesting.
I go to work. I go to bed.
I don't jet off to exotic places.
I need you to fly to England.
- What?
- I need you to go to England
to buy the St. Lucia resort for me.
Be my proxy. Get a good price.
Okay. Uh, when?
Tomorrow. Hold on.
(SPEAKS FRENCH)
- Mm-hmm.
- Bianca,
I-I've never been outside
of the country.
You went to St. Lucia.
For three hours.
Well, now you're going for three weeks.
Call me when you get there.
Bianca.
- I have a son.
- I know.
I have a nanny for you
and Joseph on the plane.
Call me when you get there.
The rain and washed the spider out. ♪
(JOSEPH CHATTERING)
So, what I have in mind is
a book called Ten Cases,
outlining my top ten
police brutality cases,
making the connection between
police and systemic racism.
Oh, I love it.
So, how about this?
Talk about your ten cases
but how they opened your mind
about how white and
Black can work together.
But that's not really
the book I want to write.
I understand. I understand
but consider it.
Your Honor, this is a
high-conflict divorce.
And the key is this psychological study.
(WHISPERING): I wouldn't present
it as a psychological study.
Just use the evidence.
When I want your legal
opinion, I'll ask for it.
David, this judge rejects psycholog
Your Honor, I'd like to submit
as evidence this study
that the respondent has narcissistic
JUDGE: Don't bother, Counselor.
Psychiatrists can make
anything sound bad.
Lucca, I have a friend who's frustrated.
I need some advice for her.
LUCCA: Marissa, where are you?
In court. Why? Where are you?
In London.
Good, say hi to the queen for me.
This friend is getting
frustrated with her job,
and she maybe wants to be a lawyer.
What's the quickest way
she could become one?
- What do you mean, the quickest?
- I don't know, like,
is there some way to
accelerate the process?
Some schools offer a 3+3 program.
You can go to law school
during your last year of college.
No, no, she's not in college.
She has a job.
She just
Okay, it's me.
- You want to become a lawyer?
- I don't know.
I'm just checking. I hate
being talked down to.
Okay. First of all, you'd be great.
I would, wouldn't I?
- I could wipe the floor in court.
- Second of all,
enroll at law school.
Take summer programs.
You can get it down to two years.
- Oy.
- I know.
It's it's not easy.
- (BELL TOLLING)
- Where are you, in church?
No. That must be Big Ben.
Okay, uh, let's talk when you get in.
Marissa, I am actually really in London.
Okay, I'll come by your
office this afternoon.
(CHUCKLES)
(GASPS)
(GROANS SOFTLY)
(GASPING)
(PANTING)
(LINE RINGING)
(PHONE VIBRATES)
Jay, hey, uh
Can I call you back, man?
I'm kind of, kind of busy.
(WEAKLY): Who-who is this?
It's Adrian, Jay, you called me.
Why did I call you?
Jay, I'm trying to write right now.
I I think
I think you're my father.
(CHUCKLES): Okay.
All right, get some rest.
We'll talk tomorrow.
- All right?
- Something's wrong.
I'm having trouble seeing.
Where are you, Jay?
(SIREN WALING)
(GROANING)
Jay, listen to me.
Did you take anything?
No. I don't like pills.
Where are we going?
We're going to the hospital.
There's something very wrong with you.
What?
I-I I don't know.
There's this thing from China.
Have you been with
anybody from overseas?
(COUGHING)
I don't know. (GASPING)
- What-What's from China?
- Just stay still.
Don't try to get up.
(SIGHS)
(SIREN WAILING)
♪♪
Hello, Diane. Thanks
for meeting with us.
How could I not?
What can I do for you, Mr. Bloomberg?
Let me take you back to 2016.
- Pre-Trump?
- No.
Post-Harry Dargis.
Remember that name?
Of course.
Four years ago, I represented
him in federal court.
His daughter was shot and killed.
With an illegally purchased gun.
- And we lost.
- But we had a good case,
and now we're working on the appeal.
We have a date in front of the
Supreme Court later this year.
Really?
♪♪
DIANE: What were you working on?
- My book.
- Oh, right.
How is that going?
It's bullshit.
(LAUGHS)
What about you?
Oh, it's this Supreme Court
gun control case.
Could be really momentous.
But ?
They have the wrong strategy.
They're making technical points
when they really should be
trying to sway Chief Justice Roberts.
Okay.
Tell 'em that.
(SCOFFS) D.C. lawyers.
- They don't want to hear it.
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
(GASPS)
(BOTH SCREAM)
What the fuck?!
- (PANTING)
- (DIANE GASPS)
- Whoa!
- The fuck?
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
Can I tell you what I really want?
Sure. What?
I want to argue in front
of the Supreme Court.
If that's what you want,
you fucking tell 'em that.
I'm telling them my book is shit.
(SNIFFLES)
Tell 'em.
- Bottoms up.
- (GLASSES CLINK)
(LAUGHS)
Mr. Bloomberg.
Oh, yes, sorry. Mike.
Yeah, I think we have a real case here,
and I want to be involved.
But I think it's essential
that I be the mouthpiece
- in front of the Court.
- (PHONE RINGS)
- Hello?
- Well,
I'll tell you, the key is
- to bring Chief Justice Roberts over to our side.
- Yeah, hold on.
Uh, Adrian's calling.
Uh, no, and I think I have
a John Roberts secret weapon.
- She's gonna have to call you back.
- I already talked to the client
- and he agrees.
- (PHONE BEEPS)
Yes. Great.
So, I-I will call you back.
Good news?
(SIGHS) For me.
I am arguing in front
of the Supreme Court.
For you, eh
I'm getting your beloved
guns off the street.
My beloved guns?
Now I need something
from you, my darling bear.
Oh, God.
What?
Be my John Roberts.
Hey, Julius.
- How is he?
- They just closed the doors.
- They're not letting anybody in.
- Why not?
It's this coronavirus thing.
They're afraid it's spreading.
- Where are you going?
- To see him.
- The doctors said no.
- Well, then they can stop me.
(BUSY CHATTER)
J.B. PRITZKER: They've come back to
me with one inescapable conclusion.
To avoid the loss of potentially
tens of thousands of lives,
we must enact an immediate
stay-at-home order
for the state of Illinois.
So that is the action
that I'm announcing today.
We have looked closely at
the trajectory of this virus
in countries like Italy and China.
Left unchecked, cases in
Illinois will rise rapidly.
ADRIAN: All we know
is that this stay-at-home
order will last
until April 8th.
At that point, you'll all
be getting invitations
- to come back to work.
- Are we all being asked back?
We hope so,
- but we really don't know.
- How do we know
- whether we still have a job?
- We'll be calling you guys
hopefully within a week.
- So we just wait by the phone?
- In the meantime, we're setting up
a teleconferencing infrastructure.
So download a program called Zoom.com.
Z-O-O-M.
ADRIAN: Get on your computers.
Zoom.com.
I hate saying this, but
Yeah. I'm thinking the same thing.
It's a better opportunity for us
to start laying off our 20%.
- Are you kidding me?
- You weren't at the office,
so I just wanted to be
the one who told you.
So you're firing me?
No, but given this pandemic,
there's just no practical
work for an investigator.
I'm sorry, Marissa.
I'm sorry, too.
(PHONE BEEPS)
(LINE RINGS)
Okay, I'm going to law school.
Where should I go?
Let me think about it, Marissa.
I'll call you back.
Okay.
So
let's take a break.
How are the negotiations going?
We're still ten million off.
That's good enough.
You can say yes if you want.
Why am I more concerned
about your money than you are?
'Cause you're good at your job.
- Now, what'd you need?
- Actually, it's not for me.
It's for a friend.
She wants to go to law school,
and I know you gave an
endowment to Chicago-Kent
because I approved it.
So I was hoping you can make a call.
You call. You represent me.
They're not gonna take
a call from Lucca Quinn.
They will because they know you're me.
Now I have a proposal for you.
Okay.
(PHONE RINGING)
- Hello?
- LOGGINS: Hello?
I was given this number
for Marissa Gold.
This is she, but I don't
work here anymore.
Ms. Gold, my name is Rasputin Loggins,
and I work for the admittance office
of the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
And we want to congratulate
you for joining
our first-year program.
What?
Welcome to the world of law.
Are you sure you want to do this?
We're sheltering-in-place.
Why not together?
Mm.
You could end up hating me.
It's a risk.
- Or I could end up hating you.
- Mm-mm.
No way in the world.
I'm way too lovable.
(LAUGHS)
NEWS ANCHOR: Breaking news.
We're getting eyewitness
footage out of Minnesota
of a deadly police encounter.
A warning to our viewers,
this video contains graphic violence.
A 46-year-old Black man was stopped
for allegedly buying cigarettes
with a counterfeit $20 bill.
Eight minutes and 46 seconds later,
he was dead when a
Minneapolis police officer
kneeled on his neck, suffocating him.
Ruth!
- Adrian.
- Yeah.
I'm writing the book I want to write.
Now, y'all do what you want to do.
Now is not the time to,
you know, "talk positive".
Adrian, Adrian, just listen to me.
Yeah, I-I saw what happened, too.
I saw it.
But the only way to bring change
is to not give in to anger.
You're kidding me, right?
Giving in to anger is the
only sane response right now.
- Understand? Look at that.
- I understand!
- You're not hearing me!
- Look at the fucking screen!
You think I didn't see it?
Are you hearing me?
- Are you watching?
- Listen to me.
- I've seen it all!
- Don't tell me I'm not listening!
- You got nothing to say to me right now.
- I'm
Goddamn it! Nothing!
Stop talking and listen.
NEWS ANCHOR: The United
States has been rocked
by another night of
protests over the death
- of Mr. George Floyd
- LIZ (ON LAPTOP): Listen,
they are closing down
travel from London,
so we think you should
come back home now.
Oh, uh, but Bianca wants me to stay here
till the end of the month.
Then you might get stuck
there for a long time, Lucca.
I know. Um, something else
She's offered me a permanent job.
- Really?
- Yes.
(TYPING)
- ADRIAN: Lucca.
-
You'll give the firm a
chance to counter, right?
She's offered me $500,000 a year.
Well, still give the firm
a chance to counter.
- Sure.
-
Um, one other thing.
You have to click "private"
to keep me from seeing your chats.
Uh, good to know.
- Talk to you soon.
- Yeah.
Bye.
Shit.
NEWS ANCHOR: Cities
across the U.S. remain
in a state of high tension tonight.
So
Is it just us?
Yeah, it's just us. We
cannot beat $500,000.
You want to keep her, you
offer her a partnership.
Okay. I'll call you back.
What a What are you guys doing here?
Same thing you are.
Trying to get away from
our loved ones at home.
Who's replacing Boseman?
Uh we-we don't know.
We? You mean you and Diane don't know?
Yes.
- I told you.
- What-what is
All right, what-what's what's wrong?
- We're an African American firm, right?
- Yes.
What Black firm has
a white name partner?
She-she-she was a name partner
long before I got here.
Yes, and she jumped the line then.
Some of us had more seniority.
But she brought in Chumhum,
- a client we don't even have anymore.
- Okay.
- I'm going home.
- No, Liz,
we have to address this.
We're losing a lot of our associates,
and most of them are Black.
What is this firm if it's
not African American?
It's just another midsized all-service
Midwestern law firm, one of 50.
You need to replace Diane
and promote two African
Americans to partner.
(CHUCKLES)
- You two?
- Any two.
Start counting up how
many Black associates
we're letting go, Liz.
It's not right.
MARISSA (ON IPAD): Jay?
- (GROANS)
- Jay?
Are you there?
LUCCA: Over here, Jay.
Jay, over here.
MARISSA: Jay, how are you?
Uh I don't know.
My power is fading.
- Jay, can you call a nurse?
- No.
No, the power on the
on the this thing.
- Jay, you have to tell Lucca to stay at the firm.
- Marissa.
She's being offered a shit-ton
of money to abandon us.
JAY: I'd better go.
Someone is here.
LUCCA: I can hire you away.
You can come and work for me
Who are you?
Are you a doctor?
Who are you?
MAN: Haven't you forgotten something?
(JAY GROANS SOFTLY)
Are you ?
You're Frederick Douglass?
(JAY EXHALES)
What did I forget?
Are you going out into the world
with your hair looking like that?
Oh. Oh.
(CHUCKLES): Okay. Okay, uh
It's, uh Things have changed.
It's not called "the natural" anymore.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I've been watching
our people's progress,
and I'm quite familiar
with "the natural".
(LAUGHING)
I'm also aware that it's worn
as an outer expression
of pride and dignity.
You seriously think
my hairstyle is going
to impact race relations?
Have you forgotten?
Oh. Right.
My Afro Sheen Comb-Easy
and Hairspray for Sheen.
Wow.
That makes complete sense.
My life doesn't pass before my eyes.
(GRUNTS)
Commercials from Soul Train do.
♪♪
Mr. Chief Justice, and
may it please the Court.
Let me start by stating
what this case is not about.
It is not about the Second Amendment.
Why is it not about
the Second Amendment?
Because this is not about
the right to bear arms.
- This is about
- But the result that you're looking for
- is to restrict arms sales.
- No.
Injured parties only ask
to be allowed to sue
But you've been employed
by Michael Bloomberg,
- have you not?
- Kurt, that's not fair.
- Of course it's fair.
- Wait.
Who-who are you at this point?
The Chief Justice or Kurt?
- What's the difference?
- Well, I-I just want to know.
Is this about us arguing?
Or-or about my oral argument?
Your oral argument.
Counselor, please maintain decorum.
My apologies, Chief Justice.
You just look so sexy in that robe.
- Mmm, look at that. Sexy Judge.
- (SIGHS)
- New this fall. Mmm
- Mmm.
I can't. I have a motion.
- Yeah. God, I got a motion, too.
- (LAUGHS)
PLAINTIFF: Your Honor, we're
ready. And you're muted.
- Let's do it while you're muted.
- (GROANS)
CHARLOTTE: Is the defense ready?
Yes, Your Honor.
(CLEARS THROAT)
This is Judge Charlotte Hazlewood
(SIGHS)
So, what's going on?
John and Madeline came to me
about the firm losing its culture.
Yeah, I was wondering
when somebody would raise
- that issue again.
- They want me to demote Diane.
But that's not up to you, right?
You can't demote her.
They could vote her out.
But will they?
Well, I mean, we're-we're
losing you and-and Lucca
and-and and 15 Black associates.
I mean, we're only losing
four white associates.
- So, what are you thinking?
- I'm thinking that
if Biden wins, there might be a reason
to be a Black firm again.
(INHALES SHARPLY)
Well, if you're thinking it,
then Diane's thinking it, too.
White guilt.
It runs very deep on that one, huh?
CHARLOTTE: Memo 618 is
just for brinksmanship.
MAN (OVER LAPTOP): That's
not what I'm hearing.
They don't have a case.
Diane is just preening.
Julius will make a deal.
He's been resistant up till now.
I'm the judge on the case.
Just make the offer.
He'll come around.
- (TYPING)
- (LAPTOP BEEPS)
Well, this is highly secretive.
Just drive around the block, Diane.
Okay.
I can't tell you how I know this,
but the judge in Julius's case
- Judge Hazlewood?
- Just let me talk.
It's better that you don't say anything.
There was a discussion
about using the case to pressure
Julius into taking a deal.
A discussion with whom?
I really shouldn't know this,
but I do.
I checked their Internet history.
If you tell me, I will use it.
And that is why I'm taking
a minute right now.
The recipient's name
is Josiah Nile.
Five e-mails were sent to him.
You have a motion to recuse, Counselor?
I do, Your Honor. We ask
to approach the bench.
If you think it'll make a difference.
Josiah Nile.
CHARLOTTE: Meaning?
We ask that you recuse
yourself, Your Honor.
Or we'll need to call him as a witness
and read five e-mails
that you wrote to him.
These are from Adrian?
I can't say, Your Honor.
You've made a big mistake, ma'am.
You're probably right,
but we need you to recuse yourself.
The defense's motion is granted.
A new judge will be assigned
in the next two days.
Good luck.
What?
(CHUCKLES): God.
How's everybody doing today?
Oh, my God.
So, what are we doing here?
It's a burglary charge, right?
(CLICKS TONGUE) A judge, too.
That's awful.
Resorting to burglarizing.
Am I supposed to be wearing
a mask or something?
- You headed out, huh?
- Home.
Are we sick of each other, then?
That's not what this is
about, and you know it.
Okay.
Come on. Let's talk this out. Come
You made your choice, Adrian.
Julius Cain over me.
The choice was about
right and wrong, Charlotte.
Well, maybe you can ask him
to move in and suck your dick.
Oh.
It was about getting
you to recuse yourself.
Oh, come on.
Fuck!
You listened in on my Zoom calls.
You checked my e-mails!
E-mails from some motherfucker
who will destroy your career
and wreck this relationship, Charlotte.
You understand?
Some Trump administration stooge.
- For God's sake!
- Your friend Julius
is the Trump administration stooge.
He is a Republican judge!
He is also a partner in the law firm
that I've helped build for five years.
This is work I have dedicated
my whole fucking life to,
- Charlotte.
- You said the choice
was between right and wrong.
- Yes, I did.
- No.
Turning over my e-mails was the choice.
Oh, God.
Listen to me, Charlotte.
Listen to me. Listen to me.
I love you.
(SIGHS)
- It's too late, Adrian.
- No, it's
(STAMMERS)
(QUIETLY): No.
Okay.
Charlotte Charlotte.
Maybe you won't be with me,
but you keep down this path
you'll be done, I'm telling
you, you'll be done.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
I loved you, too
Adrian.
The only man.
But that's not enough.
Goodbye.
NEWS ANCHOR: The choice is historic.
Kamala Harris is the
first African American
vice-presidential candidate
in American history.
(CHUCKLES): Wow.
Hey, that's bad for
Adrian, though, isn't it?
Oh yeah.
Yeah. They only need one Black
face on that stage in '24.
Mm-hmm.
Maybe we should invite him
to stay on as partner?
Hmm. I don't know.
I was liking the idea of a
all-female firm, weren't you?
Uh, yeah, I
I was.
You know, if it if it works.
Uh, let's look again at
which associates to fire.
I'm worried we're losing
too many African Americans.
Black.
You can just say Black people.
Oh. Right.
(QUIETLY): Black. Thank you.
Why do I give a shit
about summary judgments?
LUCCA: Because you are a 1L.
But the whole point is to win in court.
Yes, but you have to
figure out how to win.
- I win by fucking them up.
- Marissa.
I know that you know
how to play the game,
but you have to pass the
bar to get in a position
- to play the game.
- But all these other 1-Ls are idiots.
And the teachers
If I kill someone tonight,
I will hire you to defend me.
But only if you get a degree
and pass the bar.
Really? You'd hire me
if you killed someone?
I might go out tonight and kill someone.
I love you, too.
(GROANS) Why are you
leaving here? I'll miss you.
Because they won't
pay me what I deserve.
Anyway, I thought they fired you.
But they didn't mean it.
It's like the smoothie place
they kept trying to fire me,
and I just kept showing up.
Then why don't you
(IN ACCENT): come over to England?
(REGULAR VOICE): We can work together.
I mean, people over here, they are weird
about me.
I mean, they love me.
Well, you're lovable.
No, this is something else.
They like that I'm Black and American.
I'm exotic.
I want to be exotic.
So come over here.
No, I'll just be Jewish.
The Brits don't like Jews.
- (CHUCKLES)
- (NOTIFICATION DINGS)
Uh-oh.
I have this news feed alarm
for American news.
Whenever I hear that ding,
I know that it's bad.
Well, maybe it'll be good this time.
No.
So, the oral arguments are done
over teleconferencing these days.
You'll talk into this camera here.
- That one?
- Yes.
And there are home Zoom screens
of the Supreme Court justices
on these three screens.
And the Chief Justice is
- on this screen.
- Okay.
- And they can see me?
- Yes.
- Do you want to see yourself?
- No.
Okay.
- Who's this?
- Oh. My husband.
- Hi. Leopold.
- Kurt.
No! Don't shake hands.
I'm sorry about this, Kurt.
We're setting up for oral arguments.
Do you want the guns in the background?
Yes.
They think that makes me
seem like less of a nut.
- Maybe you should have a
- (PHONE CHIMES)
ammunition belt over your shoulder.
DIANE: Thank you, Kurt.
Hey, Diane.
- Hmm?
- Sir, please. Can you step away?
I need a minute with my wife.
MAN: Yeah, can you grab that
light, move it over there?
KURT: Close the door.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER NEARBY)
What?
(VOICE BREAKING):
Oh, no.
- I'll send them away.
- Oh, no.
- 2020 just won't let go.
- (SIGHS)
I'm so sorry.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Oh, no.
It's over.
He gets to nominate someone.
Another Kavanaugh.
We'll have a conservative
court for the next 20 years
- my whole fucking life!
- (KNOCKING)
- MAN: We're all set.
- (TAKES DEEP BREATH)
They don't want an oral argument now,
- not with RBG gone.
- (KNOCKING)
- MAN: Ms. Lockhart.
- Give us a minute.
(SIGHS): Oh, babe.
I don't deserve you.
Oh, stop.
(SNIFFLES) You don't agree with me.
I can still feel bad for you.
What do we do?
They're killing us.
Who are they killing?
Black men, women, the young.
What do we do?
Talk. Understand. Unite.
Even with white supremacists?
I would unite with anybody to do right,
with nobody to do wrong.
Mm, no. Why am I talking to you?
You're just a Soul Train commercial.
MAN: What about me?
Karl Marx?
I'm guessing you're from
a college extension course
- I took on economics.
- Why don't people think
I am about more than economics, huh?
- I have a life, too.
- But you can't tell me nothing
about Black people being killed now.
And what about me?
You're from my mother.
That's why you're here.
So, you don't believe in me?
I guess I do because you're here.
- Can I say something?
- Yeah.
- You're Jesus. Go ahead.
- I'm a historical figure,
like Napoleon or Cicero.
So I don't understand
why people have to talk
about believing in me.
Because you're an opium for the masses.
See, that is such nonsense.
I am the salvation
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Wait. Wait, wait, wait,
wait. Let me ask you
What do I do about George Floyd?
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Whoa, hold up, hold up,
hold up. Please, please.
Please, please, please, please.
When else can I get you three together?
MAN: Four.
Okay, good.
That fills a poker table.
The four of you.
What do I do about George Floyd?
- (OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
- Wait, wait!
Wait, you all are talking
at the same time.
Jay is right. Let's start
chronologically.
- Jesus Christ.
- Thank you.
The key is to avoid the violence.
Violence poisons the perpetrator,
but it also poisons the cause.
- Karl.
- This is all about
the upper class versus the lower.
Race is just an avatar
for issues of class.
- Malcolm?
- It is criminal
to teach a man not to defend himself
when he is the constant
victim of brutal attacks.
And these are brutal attacks.
- Brutal attacks? Brutal attacks?
- JESUS: Now, wait a minute.
So you would have Jay lash out?
No.
But until the oppressors are
ready to follow you, Jesus,
or even you, Mr. Douglass,
Jay
you need to fight the oppressor.
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
This is your test.
♪♪
GARRETT: So, we're looking at Arizona,
more to the West Coast, obviously,
where you can see Joe Biden is
right now 34,035 votes ahead.
The question: can Biden
hold on to this lead?
Kurt, you don't have to stay here.
Watch Fox in the other room.
I'm fine. I think you need it more.
It would be the first
time this red state
has turned blue since 1996.
Yes, but, Kurt, if you stay,
I know this isn't sensible, but
Trump seems to get more votes
whenever you're sitting on this couch.
Are you serious?
I am so deathly serious.
Whenever you're sitting here,
Arizona goes for Trump.
Humor me, please. Just
go in the other room.
No, no, no. No kiss.
If you kiss me, we'll lose Georgia.
Uh, if you lose, we'll be fine, right?
Kurt, let me just say this.
I'm only saying that we won't be fine
so that the universe
will grant me a win.
Understood.
Phoenix voted for a Republican
candidate every election
since 1952.
That means you have to
go back to Harry Truman
to find the last time it went blue.
- (SIGHS)
- Will 2020 be the year that Maricopa changes?
Will it be enough for
Biden to win it all, or
- Here.
- That's the
that's the champagne from
the back of the fridge?
- Yeah.
- That was for when Hillary won.
I-I can only drink it if Biden wins.
It's odd you progressives
resisted religion.
You seem to have a hundred
religions to take its place.
Go away, Trump. I mean, Kurt.
I'm going.
Uh, love me even if, uh, you lose.
it's called Maricopa County,
located in the South Central
part of the state.
- I'll think about it!
- Moving over to Pennsylvania now.
Right now, Trump is up
by about 130,000 votes,
but the most Democratic
counties are still out.
The question: does
Biden have enough votes
to make up the difference?
As the night wears on,
we see that Diane has found more pockets
of blue blood cells in Pennsylvania,
and fewer red blood
cells in these regions.
You'll see here,
right around the red blood clot
blocking the coronary artery.
That is what local officials
call the myocardial infarction.
And as you see here,
bringing it up again,
I bring up the right heart valve.
The coronary arteries bring
blood and oxygen to the heart.
- Oh, my God.
- If the blood flow is blocked,
the heart is starved of oxygen
and heart cells die.
So Biden needs to win the commonwealth
of the right ventricle,
or Diane will have a
coronary event of some kind.
Okay, God.
If the blue blood cells
of the inferior vein
You know I don't believe in you,
but I will believe in you
if Joe Biden wins.
then the district of Lockhart
will avoid a myocardial
I'm sorry. I know that
that's not what Jesus taught.
There's nothing in the
New Testament that says,
"Believe in me, and I'll make
sure your candidate wins",
but I need Joe Biden to win.
I'm sorry, God, but I just do.
locked in a basement in Delaware
I need some faith.
MARISSA: Anything?
Military votes in Arizona.
Georgia thinks they'll be done
counting votes tonight.
Oh, I thought you were
checking in on Jay.
Oh, no, sorry.
MARISSA: He was texting me.
I think he's getting out today.
BAILIFF: All rise.
The Honorable Judge
Trig Mullaney presiding.
It is like I am being smothered
in these things. You can sit.
Do we have a new president yet?
- Not as yet, Your Honor.
- Well,
whatever they say about Trump,
he was good for the courts.
Anyway, I've made my
decision on this case
the, uh the bribery one.
Oh. Do you want us to stand, Your Honor?
I thought you were. Yes, I do.
So, bribery is a bad thing,
and the state can't condone it.
Neither can I.
"Nee-ther", "ni-ther".
"Nee-ther" can
"Ni-ther" can I?
"Ni-ther" sounds better,
right? "Ni-ther".
- Neither can I.
- I have a sick feeling.
- Either way we appeal.
- So, that
is why I find you guilty
and sentence you to
seven years in prison.
We plan to appeal, Your Honor.
Yep. Yep. Go for it.
Anyway, that's it, I guess.
Thank you. Have a nice day.
- Oh-oh, my God. Seven years?
- Don't worry.
- Julius
- Seven years?
- We're going to appeal. Don't-don't worry.
- Seven years?
- Tell my wife.
- I will. I will.
- (HANDCUFFS CLICKING)
- But, Julius, don't worry.
Why not?
GARRETT: It is official.
By a 306 to 232 margin,
the Electoral College has made
Joe Biden president-elect.
Vice President Mike Pence will
preside over the certification
according to the Electoral
Count Act of 1877
You opening it now?
Now many eyes will look
to the date of January 6,
when a joint session of Congress
counts the electoral votes.
- Many expect a contentious debate.
- Nope.
If I open it now,
something bad will happen.
I've waited four years.
I can wait another few weeks.
The former vice president
will take the oath of
Lucca,
this firm doesn't want to lose you.
This is the best and final offer.
We can't afford to get into
a bidding war with Bianca,
so we're going to need a yes
or no answer from you
by the end of this call.
Okay.
I'm ready.
With Adrian leaving,
we have one spot open
for an equity partner.
We will give it to you.
You will be the youngest equity partner
in the history of this firm.
And the firm will match Bianca's offer
of $500,000 a year.
Great.
DIANE: But again, we can't
have a bidding war.
It's yes or no now.
ADRIAN: Lucca, look.
History is being made right here,
right now in America.
Now, you need to be part of
that, part of that tradition.
England is not yours.
America is.
We are a Black firm, Lucca,
and we need you.
(CUTTING OUT): I don't Wi-Fi is
- Hello? Hey, guys ?
- LIZ: Lucca?
- Can you Hello?
- Can you call us back, Lucca?
- Hello? Prob
- Lucca, if you Just call us back.
You think she did that on purpose?
I would have.
She's probably on with Bianca right now.
They used George Floyd
because they want you for less.
They have never appreciated
you as much as I do.
All those scars,
all that times being taken
for granted and undervalued
has made you a fighter.
It's made you someone I now want.
Do you have your legal pad ready?
Yes.
I don't like bidding, so here it is.
I want you, Lucca.
$1.3 million.
You are my new CFO.
Go ahead, call them back.
My guess is they won't
be able to beat that.
LUCCA: So it wasn't just a
ton of money, it was CFO.
- And a ton of money.
- MARISSA: So this is goodbye?
- I can't believe it.
- It's not goodbye.
I'll be seeing you.
Yeah, but like this, on a screen.
Marissa, we don't have to
work together to be friends.
- And you're gonna be a lawyer anyway.
- What?
I've been going to law school.
You're kidding?
Y You didn't tell me.
She's been using her time.
You should have, too.
LUCCA: How are you, Jay?
Getting better.
I lost my taste buds.
It was weird.
And I carry a gun now.
What?
It's performative.
Stay safe, Jay, okay?
What are we talking about?
- COVID or the protests?
- Both.
Give me a ride on your
private jet, Lucca.
When I get one, I will, yes.
I have a-a confession to make.
Sure.
I stole
your breakfast sandwich one morning.
You got a-a bagel egg sandwich.
And I said it was Jay that
took it, but it was me.
What a bitch.
Oh, my God.
Your Birkin bag is still here.
I can't believe you just
left this here during COVID.
(SCOFFS) I had to leave in a rush.
Well, do you want me to just put it in
with all the other stuff?
No. You keep it.
What? No.
Yeah.
Okay.
- I'm keeping it.
- (CHUCKLES)
Because of the bagel.
- Think of me when you use it.
- No.
You think of me when I use it.
God, I'm gonna miss you guys.
I'm gonna miss this.
You make me smile. (CHUCKLES)
I didn't smile much before you guys.
I smiled all the time,
but I didn't mean it.
So then this is goodbye?
(GROANS SOFTLY)
I think I'm crying, so probably.
I have to go. This is
getting too emotional.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Lucca.
You were one of the best.
No.
But together
we really were.
- (TAPS KEY)
- (LAPTOP DINGS)
♪♪
God, have you ever
seen anything like it?
It's so
It's so fucked.
But there's a good side.
Trump's people bring,
what, 63 cases against the election?
They lose 62.
Seems to me the
guardrails held just fine.
- System worked.
- Yay
Liz. Liz.
Sometimes when things work out,
there is no parade.
There's no congratulations,
but I'll tell you this.
We live to fight another day.
Yeah? Then why are you leaving the law?
Hmm.
I am moving to Atlanta.
- I'm s What?
- What?
(LAUGHING)
I am moving to Atlanta.
I-I read this op-ed by a man
named Charles Blow.
He's talking about Black people
returning to the South
to create and consolidate
real political power.
Those wins in Georgia inspired him.
- Mm.
- And I'll tell you.
Inspired me, too.
- Have you ever lived there?
- No.
But if today told us anything,
it's about starting over.
I am starting over.
Here's to you.
What about you two?
- Ooh (CHUCKLES)
- Well, we lost Lucca.
We're losing you. I
But my guess is that
the-the Biden administration
is gonna be better for Black businesses,
- so
- (QUIETLY): Mm-hmm.
Will you replace me?
I think the big question is,
are you replacing me?
Well, I
(CHUCKLES): It's not my intention.
DIANE: No.
Well, I can't change
the color of my skin.
(CHUCKLES): I know.
Hey, I'm gonna fight for my partnership.
I know.
I will leave it there, ladies.
(GRUNTS)
Aw.
Bye, boss.
We're all gonna miss you.
- Come on.
- (LAUGHS)
- Mmm
- (SIGHS)
You sure you know what you're doing?
No.
But I'm all about improvisation, right?
- What about you two?
- (CHUCKLES): Well, it
I-It's going to be interesting.
Yes.
Diane is a terrific lawyer,
but this firm belongs to you.
Your dad built it.
- Uh, n
- He did, Liz.
Despite all his faults.
You got to run this place
the way you want.
This is a Black firm.
And after today
the world needs Black firms.
You got me?
I got it.
I'll see you.
(SNIFFLES)
♪♪
- (QUIET CHATTER)
- (LAUGHING)
- Hey! - Hey.
- What's up? What's up?
- Hey.
- What you guys doing here?
Packing for Lucca.
MARISSA: It's weird.
Everybody fun is leaving.
- Hey! Hi. Hello.
- (CHUCKLES)
- Okay, everybody except for us.
- Okay.
- How you doing?
- Uh
Well, I think I'm what
they call a long-hauler.
- But I'm feeling good.
- LIZ: Oh!
Oh, oh, oh! God!
(STAMMERS) Wait, wait, wait.
H-Have you guys heard?
- What?
- Well, uh, Trump
Trump pardoned all of the convicted
and corrupt Republican officials.
Makes sense.
And Julius got a pardon, too.
- What?
- Yes.
- Julius?
- Julius.
You're kidding?
- (LAUGHING)
- Oh, my God!
♪♪
(MEOWS)
(MEOWS)
(GRUNTING SOFTLY)
♪♪
(CHEEPING)
(BLEATING)
♪♪
(BLEATS)
♪♪
I'm retiring.
- DIANE: What?
- LIZ: Why?
I've done as much as I can do here.
I will stay until the end of the year,
but after that I should move on.
STR Laurie wants a 20% downsizing
of the firm.
Okay. I retire.
That'll be cut in half.
Do you believe him?
This is some selfless act?
Are you kidding me?
This is about the Democratic Party.
Four years from now, we need
an African American candidate
- that can go the distance.
- So, how can I help?
You can be that candidate.
Step one to running: you write a book.
A political statement.
And a memoir.
Got you a contract with Simon & Schuster
to write about your political awakening.
♪♪
Years ago, I wanted to create
a law firm run entirely by women,
but it never worked out.
So, why not now?
- What, Reddick/Lockhart?
- Just you and me.
- We don't bring in a third.
- Partners?
- (GLASSES CLINK)
- DIANE: Partners.
Stella Corben. I am Inspector General
at the Department of Justice.
I say this with a heavy heart,
but Judge Cain is guilty
of accepting a bribe.
This carries a sentence
of up to 15 years.
Isn't this retribution
for Judge Cain's coming to your office,
requesting whistleblower protection?
Of course not.
You're here as a whistleblower, Julius.
DIANE: Didn't Judge Cain
come to your office
with accusations about
something called Memo 618?
I have no idea what
you're talking about.
DIANE: Memo 618 is a document
used to intimidate judges into ruling
for the more powerful party.
And you are testifying that Judge Cain
didn't come to your
office regarding this?
I'm testifying that Judge
Cain came to my office
to put pressure on me to
drop the bribery charge.
Well, it's a good thing
I recorded that meeting.
Objection.
Counselor, is that a one-party
consent recording?
It is, but in federal court,
one-party consent is permissible.
We're in Illinois, a two-party state.
Sustained.
- They're going to destroy me.
- We'll move for a recusal.
She'll just deny it.
Not if we threaten to
expose her complicity
- regarding Memo 618.
- How can we do that?
The itsy bitsy spider ♪
- Crawled up the water spout ♪
- (PHONE RINGING)
Down came the rain and
washed the spider out. ♪
Who died?
(CHUCKLES)
That is the Lucca I know and love.
(WHISPERS): Bianca.
Um, what time is it?
12:30. Are you asleep?
- No.
- (JOSEPH LAUGHING)
No, no, no. What do you need?
- What are you doing?
- Bianca, you always ask me that.
My life is not that interesting.
I go to work. I go to bed.
I don't jet off to exotic places.
I need you to fly to England.
- What?
- I need you to go to England
to buy the St. Lucia resort for me.
Be my proxy. Get a good price.
Okay. Uh, when?
Tomorrow. Hold on.
(SPEAKS FRENCH)
- Mm-hmm.
- Bianca,
I-I've never been outside
of the country.
You went to St. Lucia.
For three hours.
Well, now you're going for three weeks.
Call me when you get there.
Bianca.
- I have a son.
- I know.
I have a nanny for you
and Joseph on the plane.
Call me when you get there.
The rain and washed the spider out. ♪
(JOSEPH CHATTERING)
So, what I have in mind is
a book called Ten Cases,
outlining my top ten
police brutality cases,
making the connection between
police and systemic racism.
Oh, I love it.
So, how about this?
Talk about your ten cases
but how they opened your mind
about how white and
Black can work together.
But that's not really
the book I want to write.
I understand. I understand
but consider it.
Your Honor, this is a
high-conflict divorce.
And the key is this psychological study.
(WHISPERING): I wouldn't present
it as a psychological study.
Just use the evidence.
When I want your legal
opinion, I'll ask for it.
David, this judge rejects psycholog
Your Honor, I'd like to submit
as evidence this study
that the respondent has narcissistic
JUDGE: Don't bother, Counselor.
Psychiatrists can make
anything sound bad.
Lucca, I have a friend who's frustrated.
I need some advice for her.
LUCCA: Marissa, where are you?
In court. Why? Where are you?
In London.
Good, say hi to the queen for me.
This friend is getting
frustrated with her job,
and she maybe wants to be a lawyer.
What's the quickest way
she could become one?
- What do you mean, the quickest?
- I don't know, like,
is there some way to
accelerate the process?
Some schools offer a 3+3 program.
You can go to law school
during your last year of college.
No, no, she's not in college.
She has a job.
She just
Okay, it's me.
- You want to become a lawyer?
- I don't know.
I'm just checking. I hate
being talked down to.
Okay. First of all, you'd be great.
I would, wouldn't I?
- I could wipe the floor in court.
- Second of all,
enroll at law school.
Take summer programs.
You can get it down to two years.
- Oy.
- I know.
It's it's not easy.
- (BELL TOLLING)
- Where are you, in church?
No. That must be Big Ben.
Okay, uh, let's talk when you get in.
Marissa, I am actually really in London.
Okay, I'll come by your
office this afternoon.
(CHUCKLES)
(GASPS)
(GROANS SOFTLY)
(GASPING)
(PANTING)
(LINE RINGING)
(PHONE VIBRATES)
Jay, hey, uh
Can I call you back, man?
I'm kind of, kind of busy.
(WEAKLY): Who-who is this?
It's Adrian, Jay, you called me.
Why did I call you?
Jay, I'm trying to write right now.
I I think
I think you're my father.
(CHUCKLES): Okay.
All right, get some rest.
We'll talk tomorrow.
- All right?
- Something's wrong.
I'm having trouble seeing.
Where are you, Jay?
(SIREN WALING)
(GROANING)
Jay, listen to me.
Did you take anything?
No. I don't like pills.
Where are we going?
We're going to the hospital.
There's something very wrong with you.
What?
I-I I don't know.
There's this thing from China.
Have you been with
anybody from overseas?
(COUGHING)
I don't know. (GASPING)
- What-What's from China?
- Just stay still.
Don't try to get up.
(SIGHS)
(SIREN WAILING)
♪♪
Hello, Diane. Thanks
for meeting with us.
How could I not?
What can I do for you, Mr. Bloomberg?
Let me take you back to 2016.
- Pre-Trump?
- No.
Post-Harry Dargis.
Remember that name?
Of course.
Four years ago, I represented
him in federal court.
His daughter was shot and killed.
With an illegally purchased gun.
- And we lost.
- But we had a good case,
and now we're working on the appeal.
We have a date in front of the
Supreme Court later this year.
Really?
♪♪
DIANE: What were you working on?
- My book.
- Oh, right.
How is that going?
It's bullshit.
(LAUGHS)
What about you?
Oh, it's this Supreme Court
gun control case.
Could be really momentous.
But ?
They have the wrong strategy.
They're making technical points
when they really should be
trying to sway Chief Justice Roberts.
Okay.
Tell 'em that.
(SCOFFS) D.C. lawyers.
- They don't want to hear it.
- (ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)
(GASPS)
(BOTH SCREAM)
What the fuck?!
- (PANTING)
- (DIANE GASPS)
- Whoa!
- The fuck?
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
Can I tell you what I really want?
Sure. What?
I want to argue in front
of the Supreme Court.
If that's what you want,
you fucking tell 'em that.
I'm telling them my book is shit.
(SNIFFLES)
Tell 'em.
- Bottoms up.
- (GLASSES CLINK)
(LAUGHS)
Mr. Bloomberg.
Oh, yes, sorry. Mike.
Yeah, I think we have a real case here,
and I want to be involved.
But I think it's essential
that I be the mouthpiece
- in front of the Court.
- (PHONE RINGS)
- Hello?
- Well,
I'll tell you, the key is
- to bring Chief Justice Roberts over to our side.
- Yeah, hold on.
Uh, Adrian's calling.
Uh, no, and I think I have
a John Roberts secret weapon.
- She's gonna have to call you back.
- I already talked to the client
- and he agrees.
- (PHONE BEEPS)
Yes. Great.
So, I-I will call you back.
Good news?
(SIGHS) For me.
I am arguing in front
of the Supreme Court.
For you, eh
I'm getting your beloved
guns off the street.
My beloved guns?
Now I need something
from you, my darling bear.
Oh, God.
What?
Be my John Roberts.
Hey, Julius.
- How is he?
- They just closed the doors.
- They're not letting anybody in.
- Why not?
It's this coronavirus thing.
They're afraid it's spreading.
- Where are you going?
- To see him.
- The doctors said no.
- Well, then they can stop me.
(BUSY CHATTER)
J.B. PRITZKER: They've come back to
me with one inescapable conclusion.
To avoid the loss of potentially
tens of thousands of lives,
we must enact an immediate
stay-at-home order
for the state of Illinois.
So that is the action
that I'm announcing today.
We have looked closely at
the trajectory of this virus
in countries like Italy and China.
Left unchecked, cases in
Illinois will rise rapidly.
ADRIAN: All we know
is that this stay-at-home
order will last
until April 8th.
At that point, you'll all
be getting invitations
- to come back to work.
- Are we all being asked back?
We hope so,
- but we really don't know.
- How do we know
- whether we still have a job?
- We'll be calling you guys
hopefully within a week.
- So we just wait by the phone?
- In the meantime, we're setting up
a teleconferencing infrastructure.
So download a program called Zoom.com.
Z-O-O-M.
ADRIAN: Get on your computers.
Zoom.com.
I hate saying this, but
Yeah. I'm thinking the same thing.
It's a better opportunity for us
to start laying off our 20%.
- Are you kidding me?
- You weren't at the office,
so I just wanted to be
the one who told you.
So you're firing me?
No, but given this pandemic,
there's just no practical
work for an investigator.
I'm sorry, Marissa.
I'm sorry, too.
(PHONE BEEPS)
(LINE RINGS)
Okay, I'm going to law school.
Where should I go?
Let me think about it, Marissa.
I'll call you back.
Okay.
So
let's take a break.
How are the negotiations going?
We're still ten million off.
That's good enough.
You can say yes if you want.
Why am I more concerned
about your money than you are?
'Cause you're good at your job.
- Now, what'd you need?
- Actually, it's not for me.
It's for a friend.
She wants to go to law school,
and I know you gave an
endowment to Chicago-Kent
because I approved it.
So I was hoping you can make a call.
You call. You represent me.
They're not gonna take
a call from Lucca Quinn.
They will because they know you're me.
Now I have a proposal for you.
Okay.
(PHONE RINGING)
- Hello?
- LOGGINS: Hello?
I was given this number
for Marissa Gold.
This is she, but I don't
work here anymore.
Ms. Gold, my name is Rasputin Loggins,
and I work for the admittance office
of the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
And we want to congratulate
you for joining
our first-year program.
What?
Welcome to the world of law.
Are you sure you want to do this?
We're sheltering-in-place.
Why not together?
Mm.
You could end up hating me.
It's a risk.
- Or I could end up hating you.
- Mm-mm.
No way in the world.
I'm way too lovable.
(LAUGHS)
NEWS ANCHOR: Breaking news.
We're getting eyewitness
footage out of Minnesota
of a deadly police encounter.
A warning to our viewers,
this video contains graphic violence.
A 46-year-old Black man was stopped
for allegedly buying cigarettes
with a counterfeit $20 bill.
Eight minutes and 46 seconds later,
he was dead when a
Minneapolis police officer
kneeled on his neck, suffocating him.
Ruth!
- Adrian.
- Yeah.
I'm writing the book I want to write.
Now, y'all do what you want to do.
Now is not the time to,
you know, "talk positive".
Adrian, Adrian, just listen to me.
Yeah, I-I saw what happened, too.
I saw it.
But the only way to bring change
is to not give in to anger.
You're kidding me, right?
Giving in to anger is the
only sane response right now.
- Understand? Look at that.
- I understand!
- You're not hearing me!
- Look at the fucking screen!
You think I didn't see it?
Are you hearing me?
- Are you watching?
- Listen to me.
- I've seen it all!
- Don't tell me I'm not listening!
- You got nothing to say to me right now.
- I'm
Goddamn it! Nothing!
Stop talking and listen.
NEWS ANCHOR: The United
States has been rocked
by another night of
protests over the death
- of Mr. George Floyd
- LIZ (ON LAPTOP): Listen,
they are closing down
travel from London,
so we think you should
come back home now.
Oh, uh, but Bianca wants me to stay here
till the end of the month.
Then you might get stuck
there for a long time, Lucca.
I know. Um, something else
She's offered me a permanent job.
- Really?
- Yes.
(TYPING)
- ADRIAN: Lucca.
-
You'll give the firm a
chance to counter, right?
She's offered me $500,000 a year.
Well, still give the firm
a chance to counter.
- Sure.
-
Um, one other thing.
You have to click "private"
to keep me from seeing your chats.
Uh, good to know.
- Talk to you soon.
- Yeah.
Bye.
Shit.
NEWS ANCHOR: Cities
across the U.S. remain
in a state of high tension tonight.
So
Is it just us?
Yeah, it's just us. We
cannot beat $500,000.
You want to keep her, you
offer her a partnership.
Okay. I'll call you back.
What a What are you guys doing here?
Same thing you are.
Trying to get away from
our loved ones at home.
Who's replacing Boseman?
Uh we-we don't know.
We? You mean you and Diane don't know?
Yes.
- I told you.
- What-what is
All right, what-what's what's wrong?
- We're an African American firm, right?
- Yes.
What Black firm has
a white name partner?
She-she-she was a name partner
long before I got here.
Yes, and she jumped the line then.
Some of us had more seniority.
But she brought in Chumhum,
- a client we don't even have anymore.
- Okay.
- I'm going home.
- No, Liz,
we have to address this.
We're losing a lot of our associates,
and most of them are Black.
What is this firm if it's
not African American?
It's just another midsized all-service
Midwestern law firm, one of 50.
You need to replace Diane
and promote two African
Americans to partner.
(CHUCKLES)
- You two?
- Any two.
Start counting up how
many Black associates
we're letting go, Liz.
It's not right.
MARISSA (ON IPAD): Jay?
- (GROANS)
- Jay?
Are you there?
LUCCA: Over here, Jay.
Jay, over here.
MARISSA: Jay, how are you?
Uh I don't know.
My power is fading.
- Jay, can you call a nurse?
- No.
No, the power on the
on the this thing.
- Jay, you have to tell Lucca to stay at the firm.
- Marissa.
She's being offered a shit-ton
of money to abandon us.
JAY: I'd better go.
Someone is here.
LUCCA: I can hire you away.
You can come and work for me
Who are you?
Are you a doctor?
Who are you?
MAN: Haven't you forgotten something?
(JAY GROANS SOFTLY)
Are you ?
You're Frederick Douglass?
(JAY EXHALES)
What did I forget?
Are you going out into the world
with your hair looking like that?
Oh. Oh.
(CHUCKLES): Okay. Okay, uh
It's, uh Things have changed.
It's not called "the natural" anymore.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
I've been watching
our people's progress,
and I'm quite familiar
with "the natural".
(LAUGHING)
I'm also aware that it's worn
as an outer expression
of pride and dignity.
You seriously think
my hairstyle is going
to impact race relations?
Have you forgotten?
Oh. Right.
My Afro Sheen Comb-Easy
and Hairspray for Sheen.
Wow.
That makes complete sense.
My life doesn't pass before my eyes.
(GRUNTS)
Commercials from Soul Train do.
♪♪
Mr. Chief Justice, and
may it please the Court.
Let me start by stating
what this case is not about.
It is not about the Second Amendment.
Why is it not about
the Second Amendment?
Because this is not about
the right to bear arms.
- This is about
- But the result that you're looking for
- is to restrict arms sales.
- No.
Injured parties only ask
to be allowed to sue
But you've been employed
by Michael Bloomberg,
- have you not?
- Kurt, that's not fair.
- Of course it's fair.
- Wait.
Who-who are you at this point?
The Chief Justice or Kurt?
- What's the difference?
- Well, I-I just want to know.
Is this about us arguing?
Or-or about my oral argument?
Your oral argument.
Counselor, please maintain decorum.
My apologies, Chief Justice.
You just look so sexy in that robe.
- Mmm, look at that. Sexy Judge.
- (SIGHS)
- New this fall. Mmm
- Mmm.
I can't. I have a motion.
- Yeah. God, I got a motion, too.
- (LAUGHS)
PLAINTIFF: Your Honor, we're
ready. And you're muted.
- Let's do it while you're muted.
- (GROANS)
CHARLOTTE: Is the defense ready?
Yes, Your Honor.
(CLEARS THROAT)
This is Judge Charlotte Hazlewood
(SIGHS)
So, what's going on?
John and Madeline came to me
about the firm losing its culture.
Yeah, I was wondering
when somebody would raise
- that issue again.
- They want me to demote Diane.
But that's not up to you, right?
You can't demote her.
They could vote her out.
But will they?
Well, I mean, we're-we're
losing you and-and Lucca
and-and and 15 Black associates.
I mean, we're only losing
four white associates.
- So, what are you thinking?
- I'm thinking that
if Biden wins, there might be a reason
to be a Black firm again.
(INHALES SHARPLY)
Well, if you're thinking it,
then Diane's thinking it, too.
White guilt.
It runs very deep on that one, huh?
CHARLOTTE: Memo 618 is
just for brinksmanship.
MAN (OVER LAPTOP): That's
not what I'm hearing.
They don't have a case.
Diane is just preening.
Julius will make a deal.
He's been resistant up till now.
I'm the judge on the case.
Just make the offer.
He'll come around.
- (TYPING)
- (LAPTOP BEEPS)
Well, this is highly secretive.
Just drive around the block, Diane.
Okay.
I can't tell you how I know this,
but the judge in Julius's case
- Judge Hazlewood?
- Just let me talk.
It's better that you don't say anything.
There was a discussion
about using the case to pressure
Julius into taking a deal.
A discussion with whom?
I really shouldn't know this,
but I do.
I checked their Internet history.
If you tell me, I will use it.
And that is why I'm taking
a minute right now.
The recipient's name
is Josiah Nile.
Five e-mails were sent to him.
You have a motion to recuse, Counselor?
I do, Your Honor. We ask
to approach the bench.
If you think it'll make a difference.
Josiah Nile.
CHARLOTTE: Meaning?
We ask that you recuse
yourself, Your Honor.
Or we'll need to call him as a witness
and read five e-mails
that you wrote to him.
These are from Adrian?
I can't say, Your Honor.
You've made a big mistake, ma'am.
You're probably right,
but we need you to recuse yourself.
The defense's motion is granted.
A new judge will be assigned
in the next two days.
Good luck.
What?
(CHUCKLES): God.
How's everybody doing today?
Oh, my God.
So, what are we doing here?
It's a burglary charge, right?
(CLICKS TONGUE) A judge, too.
That's awful.
Resorting to burglarizing.
Am I supposed to be wearing
a mask or something?
- You headed out, huh?
- Home.
Are we sick of each other, then?
That's not what this is
about, and you know it.
Okay.
Come on. Let's talk this out. Come
You made your choice, Adrian.
Julius Cain over me.
The choice was about
right and wrong, Charlotte.
Well, maybe you can ask him
to move in and suck your dick.
Oh.
It was about getting
you to recuse yourself.
Oh, come on.
Fuck!
You listened in on my Zoom calls.
You checked my e-mails!
E-mails from some motherfucker
who will destroy your career
and wreck this relationship, Charlotte.
You understand?
Some Trump administration stooge.
- For God's sake!
- Your friend Julius
is the Trump administration stooge.
He is a Republican judge!
He is also a partner in the law firm
that I've helped build for five years.
This is work I have dedicated
my whole fucking life to,
- Charlotte.
- You said the choice
was between right and wrong.
- Yes, I did.
- No.
Turning over my e-mails was the choice.
Oh, God.
Listen to me, Charlotte.
Listen to me. Listen to me.
I love you.
(SIGHS)
- It's too late, Adrian.
- No, it's
(STAMMERS)
(QUIETLY): No.
Okay.
Charlotte Charlotte.
Maybe you won't be with me,
but you keep down this path
you'll be done, I'm telling
you, you'll be done.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
I loved you, too
Adrian.
The only man.
But that's not enough.
Goodbye.
NEWS ANCHOR: The choice is historic.
Kamala Harris is the
first African American
vice-presidential candidate
in American history.
(CHUCKLES): Wow.
Hey, that's bad for
Adrian, though, isn't it?
Oh yeah.
Yeah. They only need one Black
face on that stage in '24.
Mm-hmm.
Maybe we should invite him
to stay on as partner?
Hmm. I don't know.
I was liking the idea of a
all-female firm, weren't you?
Uh, yeah, I
I was.
You know, if it if it works.
Uh, let's look again at
which associates to fire.
I'm worried we're losing
too many African Americans.
Black.
You can just say Black people.
Oh. Right.
(QUIETLY): Black. Thank you.
Why do I give a shit
about summary judgments?
LUCCA: Because you are a 1L.
But the whole point is to win in court.
Yes, but you have to
figure out how to win.
- I win by fucking them up.
- Marissa.
I know that you know
how to play the game,
but you have to pass the
bar to get in a position
- to play the game.
- But all these other 1-Ls are idiots.
And the teachers
If I kill someone tonight,
I will hire you to defend me.
But only if you get a degree
and pass the bar.
Really? You'd hire me
if you killed someone?
I might go out tonight and kill someone.
I love you, too.
(GROANS) Why are you
leaving here? I'll miss you.
Because they won't
pay me what I deserve.
Anyway, I thought they fired you.
But they didn't mean it.
It's like the smoothie place
they kept trying to fire me,
and I just kept showing up.
Then why don't you
(IN ACCENT): come over to England?
(REGULAR VOICE): We can work together.
I mean, people over here, they are weird
about me.
I mean, they love me.
Well, you're lovable.
No, this is something else.
They like that I'm Black and American.
I'm exotic.
I want to be exotic.
So come over here.
No, I'll just be Jewish.
The Brits don't like Jews.
- (CHUCKLES)
- (NOTIFICATION DINGS)
Uh-oh.
I have this news feed alarm
for American news.
Whenever I hear that ding,
I know that it's bad.
Well, maybe it'll be good this time.
No.
So, the oral arguments are done
over teleconferencing these days.
You'll talk into this camera here.
- That one?
- Yes.
And there are home Zoom screens
of the Supreme Court justices
on these three screens.
And the Chief Justice is
- on this screen.
- Okay.
- And they can see me?
- Yes.
- Do you want to see yourself?
- No.
Okay.
- Who's this?
- Oh. My husband.
- Hi. Leopold.
- Kurt.
No! Don't shake hands.
I'm sorry about this, Kurt.
We're setting up for oral arguments.
Do you want the guns in the background?
Yes.
They think that makes me
seem like less of a nut.
- Maybe you should have a
- (PHONE CHIMES)
ammunition belt over your shoulder.
DIANE: Thank you, Kurt.
Hey, Diane.
- Hmm?
- Sir, please. Can you step away?
I need a minute with my wife.
MAN: Yeah, can you grab that
light, move it over there?
KURT: Close the door.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER NEARBY)
What?
(VOICE BREAKING):
Oh, no.
- I'll send them away.
- Oh, no.
- 2020 just won't let go.
- (SIGHS)
I'm so sorry.
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
Oh, no.
It's over.
He gets to nominate someone.
Another Kavanaugh.
We'll have a conservative
court for the next 20 years
- my whole fucking life!
- (KNOCKING)
- MAN: We're all set.
- (TAKES DEEP BREATH)
They don't want an oral argument now,
- not with RBG gone.
- (KNOCKING)
- MAN: Ms. Lockhart.
- Give us a minute.
(SIGHS): Oh, babe.
I don't deserve you.
Oh, stop.
(SNIFFLES) You don't agree with me.
I can still feel bad for you.
What do we do?
They're killing us.
Who are they killing?
Black men, women, the young.
What do we do?
Talk. Understand. Unite.
Even with white supremacists?
I would unite with anybody to do right,
with nobody to do wrong.
Mm, no. Why am I talking to you?
You're just a Soul Train commercial.
MAN: What about me?
Karl Marx?
I'm guessing you're from
a college extension course
- I took on economics.
- Why don't people think
I am about more than economics, huh?
- I have a life, too.
- But you can't tell me nothing
about Black people being killed now.
And what about me?
You're from my mother.
That's why you're here.
So, you don't believe in me?
I guess I do because you're here.
- Can I say something?
- Yeah.
- You're Jesus. Go ahead.
- I'm a historical figure,
like Napoleon or Cicero.
So I don't understand
why people have to talk
about believing in me.
Because you're an opium for the masses.
See, that is such nonsense.
I am the salvation
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Wait. Wait, wait, wait,
wait. Let me ask you
What do I do about George Floyd?
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Whoa, hold up, hold up,
hold up. Please, please.
Please, please, please, please.
When else can I get you three together?
MAN: Four.
Okay, good.
That fills a poker table.
The four of you.
What do I do about George Floyd?
- (OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
- Wait, wait!
Wait, you all are talking
at the same time.
Jay is right. Let's start
chronologically.
- Jesus Christ.
- Thank you.
The key is to avoid the violence.
Violence poisons the perpetrator,
but it also poisons the cause.
- Karl.
- This is all about
the upper class versus the lower.
Race is just an avatar
for issues of class.
- Malcolm?
- It is criminal
to teach a man not to defend himself
when he is the constant
victim of brutal attacks.
And these are brutal attacks.
- Brutal attacks? Brutal attacks?
- JESUS: Now, wait a minute.
So you would have Jay lash out?
No.
But until the oppressors are
ready to follow you, Jesus,
or even you, Mr. Douglass,
Jay
you need to fight the oppressor.
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
This is your test.
♪♪
GARRETT: So, we're looking at Arizona,
more to the West Coast, obviously,
where you can see Joe Biden is
right now 34,035 votes ahead.
The question: can Biden
hold on to this lead?
Kurt, you don't have to stay here.
Watch Fox in the other room.
I'm fine. I think you need it more.
It would be the first
time this red state
has turned blue since 1996.
Yes, but, Kurt, if you stay,
I know this isn't sensible, but
Trump seems to get more votes
whenever you're sitting on this couch.
Are you serious?
I am so deathly serious.
Whenever you're sitting here,
Arizona goes for Trump.
Humor me, please. Just
go in the other room.
No, no, no. No kiss.
If you kiss me, we'll lose Georgia.
Uh, if you lose, we'll be fine, right?
Kurt, let me just say this.
I'm only saying that we won't be fine
so that the universe
will grant me a win.
Understood.
Phoenix voted for a Republican
candidate every election
since 1952.
That means you have to
go back to Harry Truman
to find the last time it went blue.
- (SIGHS)
- Will 2020 be the year that Maricopa changes?
Will it be enough for
Biden to win it all, or
- Here.
- That's the
that's the champagne from
the back of the fridge?
- Yeah.
- That was for when Hillary won.
I-I can only drink it if Biden wins.
It's odd you progressives
resisted religion.
You seem to have a hundred
religions to take its place.
Go away, Trump. I mean, Kurt.
I'm going.
Uh, love me even if, uh, you lose.
it's called Maricopa County,
located in the South Central
part of the state.
- I'll think about it!
- Moving over to Pennsylvania now.
Right now, Trump is up
by about 130,000 votes,
but the most Democratic
counties are still out.
The question: does
Biden have enough votes
to make up the difference?
As the night wears on,
we see that Diane has found more pockets
of blue blood cells in Pennsylvania,
and fewer red blood
cells in these regions.
You'll see here,
right around the red blood clot
blocking the coronary artery.
That is what local officials
call the myocardial infarction.
And as you see here,
bringing it up again,
I bring up the right heart valve.
The coronary arteries bring
blood and oxygen to the heart.
- Oh, my God.
- If the blood flow is blocked,
the heart is starved of oxygen
and heart cells die.
So Biden needs to win the commonwealth
of the right ventricle,
or Diane will have a
coronary event of some kind.
Okay, God.
If the blue blood cells
of the inferior vein
You know I don't believe in you,
but I will believe in you
if Joe Biden wins.
then the district of Lockhart
will avoid a myocardial
I'm sorry. I know that
that's not what Jesus taught.
There's nothing in the
New Testament that says,
"Believe in me, and I'll make
sure your candidate wins",
but I need Joe Biden to win.
I'm sorry, God, but I just do.
locked in a basement in Delaware
I need some faith.
MARISSA: Anything?
Military votes in Arizona.
Georgia thinks they'll be done
counting votes tonight.
Oh, I thought you were
checking in on Jay.
Oh, no, sorry.
MARISSA: He was texting me.
I think he's getting out today.
BAILIFF: All rise.
The Honorable Judge
Trig Mullaney presiding.
It is like I am being smothered
in these things. You can sit.
Do we have a new president yet?
- Not as yet, Your Honor.
- Well,
whatever they say about Trump,
he was good for the courts.
Anyway, I've made my
decision on this case
the, uh the bribery one.
Oh. Do you want us to stand, Your Honor?
I thought you were. Yes, I do.
So, bribery is a bad thing,
and the state can't condone it.
Neither can I.
"Nee-ther", "ni-ther".
"Nee-ther" can
"Ni-ther" can I?
"Ni-ther" sounds better,
right? "Ni-ther".
- Neither can I.
- I have a sick feeling.
- Either way we appeal.
- So, that
is why I find you guilty
and sentence you to
seven years in prison.
We plan to appeal, Your Honor.
Yep. Yep. Go for it.
Anyway, that's it, I guess.
Thank you. Have a nice day.
- Oh-oh, my God. Seven years?
- Don't worry.
- Julius
- Seven years?
- We're going to appeal. Don't-don't worry.
- Seven years?
- Tell my wife.
- I will. I will.
- (HANDCUFFS CLICKING)
- But, Julius, don't worry.
Why not?
GARRETT: It is official.
By a 306 to 232 margin,
the Electoral College has made
Joe Biden president-elect.
Vice President Mike Pence will
preside over the certification
according to the Electoral
Count Act of 1877
You opening it now?
Now many eyes will look
to the date of January 6,
when a joint session of Congress
counts the electoral votes.
- Many expect a contentious debate.
- Nope.
If I open it now,
something bad will happen.
I've waited four years.
I can wait another few weeks.
The former vice president
will take the oath of
Lucca,
this firm doesn't want to lose you.
This is the best and final offer.
We can't afford to get into
a bidding war with Bianca,
so we're going to need a yes
or no answer from you
by the end of this call.
Okay.
I'm ready.
With Adrian leaving,
we have one spot open
for an equity partner.
We will give it to you.
You will be the youngest equity partner
in the history of this firm.
And the firm will match Bianca's offer
of $500,000 a year.
Great.
DIANE: But again, we can't
have a bidding war.
It's yes or no now.
ADRIAN: Lucca, look.
History is being made right here,
right now in America.
Now, you need to be part of
that, part of that tradition.
England is not yours.
America is.
We are a Black firm, Lucca,
and we need you.
(CUTTING OUT): I don't Wi-Fi is
- Hello? Hey, guys ?
- LIZ: Lucca?
- Can you Hello?
- Can you call us back, Lucca?
- Hello? Prob
- Lucca, if you Just call us back.
You think she did that on purpose?
I would have.
She's probably on with Bianca right now.
They used George Floyd
because they want you for less.
They have never appreciated
you as much as I do.
All those scars,
all that times being taken
for granted and undervalued
has made you a fighter.
It's made you someone I now want.
Do you have your legal pad ready?
Yes.
I don't like bidding, so here it is.
I want you, Lucca.
$1.3 million.
You are my new CFO.
Go ahead, call them back.
My guess is they won't
be able to beat that.
LUCCA: So it wasn't just a
ton of money, it was CFO.
- And a ton of money.
- MARISSA: So this is goodbye?
- I can't believe it.
- It's not goodbye.
I'll be seeing you.
Yeah, but like this, on a screen.
Marissa, we don't have to
work together to be friends.
- And you're gonna be a lawyer anyway.
- What?
I've been going to law school.
You're kidding?
Y You didn't tell me.
She's been using her time.
You should have, too.
LUCCA: How are you, Jay?
Getting better.
I lost my taste buds.
It was weird.
And I carry a gun now.
What?
It's performative.
Stay safe, Jay, okay?
What are we talking about?
- COVID or the protests?
- Both.
Give me a ride on your
private jet, Lucca.
When I get one, I will, yes.
I have a-a confession to make.
Sure.
I stole
your breakfast sandwich one morning.
You got a-a bagel egg sandwich.
And I said it was Jay that
took it, but it was me.
What a bitch.
Oh, my God.
Your Birkin bag is still here.
I can't believe you just
left this here during COVID.
(SCOFFS) I had to leave in a rush.
Well, do you want me to just put it in
with all the other stuff?
No. You keep it.
What? No.
Yeah.
Okay.
- I'm keeping it.
- (CHUCKLES)
Because of the bagel.
- Think of me when you use it.
- No.
You think of me when I use it.
God, I'm gonna miss you guys.
I'm gonna miss this.
You make me smile. (CHUCKLES)
I didn't smile much before you guys.
I smiled all the time,
but I didn't mean it.
So then this is goodbye?
(GROANS SOFTLY)
I think I'm crying, so probably.
I have to go. This is
getting too emotional.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, Lucca.
You were one of the best.
No.
But together
we really were.
- (TAPS KEY)
- (LAPTOP DINGS)
♪♪
God, have you ever
seen anything like it?
It's so
It's so fucked.
But there's a good side.
Trump's people bring,
what, 63 cases against the election?
They lose 62.
Seems to me the
guardrails held just fine.
- System worked.
- Yay
Liz. Liz.
Sometimes when things work out,
there is no parade.
There's no congratulations,
but I'll tell you this.
We live to fight another day.
Yeah? Then why are you leaving the law?
Hmm.
I am moving to Atlanta.
- I'm s What?
- What?
(LAUGHING)
I am moving to Atlanta.
I-I read this op-ed by a man
named Charles Blow.
He's talking about Black people
returning to the South
to create and consolidate
real political power.
Those wins in Georgia inspired him.
- Mm.
- And I'll tell you.
Inspired me, too.
- Have you ever lived there?
- No.
But if today told us anything,
it's about starting over.
I am starting over.
Here's to you.
What about you two?
- Ooh (CHUCKLES)
- Well, we lost Lucca.
We're losing you. I
But my guess is that
the-the Biden administration
is gonna be better for Black businesses,
- so
- (QUIETLY): Mm-hmm.
Will you replace me?
I think the big question is,
are you replacing me?
Well, I
(CHUCKLES): It's not my intention.
DIANE: No.
Well, I can't change
the color of my skin.
(CHUCKLES): I know.
Hey, I'm gonna fight for my partnership.
I know.
I will leave it there, ladies.
(GRUNTS)
Aw.
Bye, boss.
We're all gonna miss you.
- Come on.
- (LAUGHS)
- Mmm
- (SIGHS)
You sure you know what you're doing?
No.
But I'm all about improvisation, right?
- What about you two?
- (CHUCKLES): Well, it
I-It's going to be interesting.
Yes.
Diane is a terrific lawyer,
but this firm belongs to you.
Your dad built it.
- Uh, n
- He did, Liz.
Despite all his faults.
You got to run this place
the way you want.
This is a Black firm.
And after today
the world needs Black firms.
You got me?
I got it.
I'll see you.
(SNIFFLES)
♪♪
- (QUIET CHATTER)
- (LAUGHING)
- Hey! - Hey.
- What's up? What's up?
- Hey.
- What you guys doing here?
Packing for Lucca.
MARISSA: It's weird.
Everybody fun is leaving.
- Hey! Hi. Hello.
- (CHUCKLES)
- Okay, everybody except for us.
- Okay.
- How you doing?
- Uh
Well, I think I'm what
they call a long-hauler.
- But I'm feeling good.
- LIZ: Oh!
Oh, oh, oh! God!
(STAMMERS) Wait, wait, wait.
H-Have you guys heard?
- What?
- Well, uh, Trump
Trump pardoned all of the convicted
and corrupt Republican officials.
Makes sense.
And Julius got a pardon, too.
- What?
- Yes.
- Julius?
- Julius.
You're kidding?
- (LAUGHING)
- Oh, my God!
♪♪
(MEOWS)
(MEOWS)
(GRUNTING SOFTLY)
♪♪
(CHEEPING)
(BLEATING)
♪♪
(BLEATS)