Matlock (2024) s02e08 Episode Script
Call It a Christmas Gift
1
I'm Madeline Matlock. I'm
a lawyer, like the old TV show.
Most of what you know
about me is based
in truth, but it's also a lie.
Who the hell are you,
Madeline Kingston?
I wasn't like this
before your firm protected
the pharmaceutical company
that killed my daughter.
Why are you hiding a missing
Wellbrexa study about opioids?
My dad told me to get rid
of the study.
I'd like to call a vote
to remove you as managing partner.
A coup.
Well, the law firm Lamar and Olson
want to merge
with very favorable terms.
The vote was never even called.
He clearly knew it was coming.
He's gonna be out for blood.
Senior asked me to take photos
of Julian's datebook.
JULIAN: My dad somehow
got wind of drinks I had
a while back.
You ever see him lurking around?
I-I-I did not.
I actually need your help again.
How do we get Debra Palmer's NDA?
I have it. It specifically
mentions the Sydney Opera House.
Julian also found an SD card with it.
Thousands of photos
from Senior's Australia trip.
1,568 photos.
Debra Palmer didn't have
one meal in Australia
that she didn't photograph.
From every angle.
Where do we even start?
At the Sydney Opera House.
Her NDA centers around it,
so that's got to be
where the decision was made
to remove the document from discovery.
Jacobson Moore's expense report
says four tickets were purchased.
Senior took Debra,
so the other two people
must be in this pile.
We have to identify the people
in the pictures.
And tell Julian be careful
when he puts the SD card back.
And no using him again.
I'll give it back to him tonight.
We're taking the kids to see
the Rockefeller tree lighting.
Oh. We got to get our tree, kiddo.
("JINGLE JANGLE"
BY REHYA STEVENS PLAYING)
All right, ready to decorate?
(STAMMERS)
(SIGHS)
Organized. Finally.
Two piles. People. Everything else.
(AUSTRALIAN ACCENT):
Mostly shrimp on the barbie.
And here's photos of everyone
who's been in upper management
for Wellbrexa the last 15 years,
so we can easily match faces.
EDWIN: Anyone want to trim the tree?
While we work?
ID'd three more people,
emailed the names over.
Hey, are we exchanging gifts?
Gifts hadn't even occurred to
me. I-I don't need more stress.
Then why'd you say yes?
Because I want to see
what she gives me.
Darling, Olympia emailed
with three more names.
- Can you
- Add them to the board, yes.
Only four names left.
Three. I recognized the bald guy
in the Bermuda shorts
when I was revising
my opening statement.
Great. Did you get my notes,
by the way?
"That's not brotherhood,
that's betrayal." Loved it.
Almost as much as the kids
are gonna love
these gingerbread people.
You know, I am a domestic goddess.
Either that,
or you're overcompensating.
First Christmas post-divorce.
Okay, see, that is the part
that you are not supposed to say
out loud. (CHUCKLES)
KATHRYN: We're home, Mom.
OLYMPIA: Oh, got to go. Who's ready
to decorate some cookies?
- Hi.
- Hey.
Hey.
Did you put the SD card back?
Put it right back where I found it.
MATTY: That's it.
Everyone who was in Australia.
All 13 members of the
Wellbrexa board of directors,
their CEO, CFO, COO,
- and spouses.
- I put them in the shape
of a Christmas tree.
What do you think?
I think that's some
serious holiday magic, kid.
It's Christmastime again. ♪
Now, we just have to figure out
who went to the opera
with Senior and convince them
to flip on him.
MATTY: Went through the photos again.
- Mm-hmm.
- Nothing in their box from the opera.
There's a clue in that stack
somewhere. I know it.
How's your opening statement?
Almost as good
as my gingerbread cookies.
Hey now, don't bring 'em up,
- if you didn't bring 'em in.
- (ELEVATOR DINGS)
Morning, Senior. Excited
for tonight's merger meeting?
Everything okay?
You tell me.
- What was that?
- I don't know.
Are you sure Julian was careful
when he put the SD card back?
Of course I was careful.
Sam let me into the building.
I was out in five minutes.
Maybe he was preoccupied
with the merger.
It's all he talks about now.
Have you looked at the pictures?
- Started. Uh, there's a lot.
- Then let me help.
I've got a system.
I'll let you know what I find.
- Okay.
- Just go talk to your dad.
Let me know if he seems suspicious.
I have to prep for court.
Okay.
SARAH: I have a backup copy
of your opening statement,
a table of authorities in the back
in case anything is challenged,
a profile on the judge,
and a promise that
Billy's personal day will not
interfere with your workflow.
Never crossed my mind.
And I've noticed you've been
on fire lately, Sarah,
and I completely trust you.
- (ELEVATOR DINGS)
- I'm serious.
Go prep Phil.
SARAH: Good luck in court.
- OLYMPIA: Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
Hey, Billy. I hope you're okay.
I-I don't want to bother you.
I don't want to pry,
but Olympia just said
that she trusts me,
and I'm kind of spinning out
about the
the Julian datebook thing.
AUTOMATED VOICE (OVER PHONE):
If you are satisfied
with your message, press one.
To erase and rerecord, press two.
To review your message, press three.
To resume re Message erased.
- Ready to run through your testimony?
- Yeah.
Hoping once this is over,
things will get back
to some kind of normal.
I mean, not with the captain.
Lost my mentor.
Phil, coming forward
like you did is really hard.
I really admire it.
I had no choice.
Captain Wilson knew
what those guys did to Diego.
He should've done something.
Right is right.
OLYMPIA: One of
the hardest things in life
is to hold our heroes accountable.
And let me be clear,
the Staten Island Fire
Department is full of heroes.
Men and women my client
Diego Castillo idolized.
But then, there were some
that were not heroic.
And as a result,
Diego suffered severe
and pervasive harassment
due to his sexual orientation.
So, he followed protocol
and reported the behavior
to Captain Mack Wilson.
But unfortunately, that is when
the retaliation started.
You will hear Phil Hartley
testify under oath
that Diego's air hose
was intentionally detached
by Seth Timpkins and Trevor Ramos.
Let me repeat that again,
intentionally detached.
That's not teasing. That's not hazing.
That's life or death.
What happened to my client Diego
wasn't banter.
It wasn't brotherhood.
It was betrayal.
And at the end of this trial,
we will ask you
to hold the city accountable
for what it allowed
to happen under its badge and banner.
(PHONES BUZZ AND CHIME)
FIREMAN: We got to go, guys.
Uh, Your Honor,
permission to approach?
I'm concerned that the firemen
seated in the gallery
are distracting the jury.
To preserve my client's right
to a fair
and impartial trial,
I request that the court
consider clearing the gallery
- from this point forward.
- Let's break for lunch.
Afterwards, we're closing
the court to spectators.
Thank you.
That's exactly what I had
to deal with at the station.
It's-it's pack mentality.
It's going to backfire against
them when we lay out our case.
- Okay.
- (PHONE BUZZES)
How'd opening arguments go?
- What is it?
- I got an email that Senior's office
cancelled the big merger meeting.
- What? Why?
- I don't know, but maybe
that's why he was acting weird
this morning.
Or-or maybe he knows that
I was involved in the coup.
Or maybe he's onto us
and he's lawyering up?
I'm gonna go talk to Stuart.
See what I can find out.
(DOOR OPENS)
Hey.
Do you know where Senior is?
I have a question about a case.
Why don't you ask Julian?
Apparently, I work for him now.
- What?
- Julian texted me out of the blue
to cancel Senior's entire day.
As if I don't have
enough to worry about
with the holiday party
and no Mrs. Belvin.
- Good talk.
- JULIAN (OVER RECORDING): This is Julian Markston.
Leave a message.
Julian's not answering his phone,
and it went to voicemail twice.
- Try him again.
- I just, I need to, I need to think.
What if they're
covering it up together?
- (PHONE RINGING)
- He's calling. Shh.
Where have you been?
JULIAN (OVER PHONE):
Sorry. Uh, it's just, um
- What's wrong?
- Um, are you alone?
- Yes.
- Okay.
You said my dad
was acting strange earlier.
- Very suspicious.
- (PHONE BUZZES)
Did you say something?
It's so loud in here.
Hang on. Uh, let me
find somewhere quieter.
Where are you? What's going on?
I am at the hospital.
My dad had a stroke.
- Any news on Senior?
- MATTY: He's alive.
Stable. They don't know
the extent of the injury yet.
- He'll pull through.
- And if he doesn't, what happens?
- In terms of our justice?
- Edwin,
I can't think about that.
It's ghoulish.
- Any news?
- MATTY: Just that he's stable.
Well, I just found something
in Debra Palmer's food tour
of Sydney. Take a look.
That's Senior's hand.
I matched it up with
another photo of his watch.
And look, that looks like
(GASPS)
- The Wellbrexa study.
- ALFIE: Maybe.
So, if Senior had it in Australia,
that's it, that's the proof.
We need to compare it
with the copy that Olympia has.
I'll text (SIGHS)
Ghoulish.
Do you remember what
our old neighbor in Palo Alto
used to say?
Lean in.
I'll check in. How's that?
(PHONE BUZZES)
- JULIAN: Oh, thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
I'll have to figure out
what to do about the firm,
- who to tell
- Not now.
Not now, right.
If you hadn't told me,
if I hadn't found him
slurring his words
But you did. And he's here.
And he's tough.
I was his emergency contact.
Which, uh, shouldn't mean
anything, but
Of course it does.
Well, you have to get home.
You have to be in court
in the morning.
Of course I'll take over the case.
- I'll get up to speed tonight.
- OLYMPIA: Thank you.
How is he?
In a medically induced coma.
The doctors have to get
the swelling down.
But do they think he'll be okay?
Return to form?
They don't know yet.
And how are you doing?
Sad.
We were really close for a long time.
He's my kids' grandfather.
It's just hard seeing him like this.
Well, of course it's hard.
Anything you need, I'm here.
Okay, bye.
- Stop.
- I didn't say anything.
Well, stop thinking it.
I wanted to be a firefighter
since I was four.
It was my dream job.
And did you get along with
the other guys in the firehouse?
DIEGO: At first, uh, yeah.
Sure, they're a rowdy group,
but that's just what happens
when guys spend
a lot of time together.
And when did things change for you?
I brought my boyfriend to a
barbecue on the Fourth of July.
And after that, the hazing
became all about my sexuality.
And it was relentless.
Led by Seth and Trevor.
They called me Diva Diego.
Posted naked pictures of men
on my locker.
They painted my boots pink.
And did you report those incidents?
I told my lieutenant.
He held a meeting.
He said there'd been a complaint.
Uh, it was "the end of fun"
because someone
was "overly sensitive."
- And what happened after that?
- Things got worse.
I didn't know what to do.
I just wanted to keep
my head down and do the job,
but then, before a call,
Seth and Trevor messed with my gear.
They detached the breathing hose
in my apparatus.
Objection. Speculation.
Sure, I can't prove it, but Phil
said that they were doing
- Objection. Hearsay.
- Sustained.
MATTY: And what did you do after
you realized that your breathing
apparatus was detached?
I reported it to Captain Wilson.
And did Captain Wilson investigate?
No. He said I was being paranoid.
Things like this just happen,
which is just not the truth.
And is that why you resigned?
When you're a firefighter, you
trust your team with your life.
I didn't feel safe.
You testified earlier that the
firehouse is a "rowdy group."
Did you ever participate
in that rowdiness?
Just a part of the culture.
A way to blow off steam.
So, yes, I joked around.
But when you were
on the receiving end,
it suddenly tipped over
into discrimination.
Objection. Argumentative.
CARLOTTA: I'll rephrase.
But first, I'd like to enter
this exhibit into evidence.
A card for your colleague Ted Kane
on his 42nd birthday.
Would you please read the message
that you wrote inside this card?
"Hope your Viagra prescription
comes through in time
for you to celebrate, old man."
CARLOTTA: "Old man." Hmm.
What about your colleague
Francisco Romero?
Did you have a nickname for him?
- We called him Tiny.
- CARLOTTA: And why was that?
Uh, he was a bigger guy.
I mean, it was a joke.
I didn't come up with it.
- But you went along with it.
- Because I was trying to fit in.
These things are not the same, okay?
They sabotaged my equipment.
Your Honor, would you please
instruct the plaintiff
- to stop speculating.
- DIEGO: If I didn't discover it
- when I did, I could have died!
- Enough.
The jury will disregard
the witness's statement
in regards to his breathing apparatus.
This is your last warning.
Sorry, Your Honor.
How'd Diego hold up on cross?
Oh, he lost his cool a little,
but it's a hell of a setup for Phil.
- Oh.
- How come you're here?
Moral support. Julian's making
an announcement to the firm.
Reassuring everyone
that things are fine.
Are they?
We don't know yet.
Well, I-I'm hoping for the best.
So we can put him in jail?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
For a whole bunch of reasons,
but yeah, sure,
for that one.
Alfie found a picture.
We think it's Senior
holding the document.
We can't know for sure until
we compare it with the real one,
which you have.
In the safety deposit box
in Greenwich.
I know, but
if I bring a notarized letter,
maybe they'll let me
pick it up, or Edwin,
so you don't have to
deal with it right now.
You know, that, uh, that could
create a risky paper trail.
It's easier if I do it.
Just give me a beat
to figure out when.
Hey, sorry to interrupt,
but we have a problem.
Phil just called
and said he changed his mind.
He's not testifying.
Well, what exactly did Phil say?
Just that he was dropping out,
and then he hung up.
- How was his prep?
- SARAH: He was nervous,
but he was ready. Though, he did
leave me a voicemail last night.
Play it, please.
PHIL (OVER RECORDING):
It's Phil Hartley.
- (CHATTER IN BACKGROUND)
- I had a question
about my deposition.
- You know, actually, let me
- (SHIP HORN BLOWS)
We can talk tomorrow, I guess. Bye.
Sounded like a Staten Island
Ferry in the background.
Also like he's had a few drinks
to take the edge off.
Something must've happened
to make him change his mind.
I'll track him down.
(SIGHS) Phil's testimony
was going to prove
that the captain was lying.
You're going to have to find
another way to attack his credibility.
Should I lead
with his public accolades
- or his medals of honor?
- I know.
The jury's going to eat
Captain Wilson up
like a Christmas ham.
Okay, new strategy.
I'll have to lean in.
Please, no Sheryl Sandberg.
(CHUCKLES) Terrible neighbor.
I'll keep you posted on the case.
Will you let me know
if you need anything?
Thanks.
JULIAN: This is very difficult,
but my father believes
in giving bad news quickly
and without fanfare, so,
uh, recently, he suffered
a medical event.
- (MURMURING)
- JULIAN: Luckily, he is stable,
and doctors are optimistic
his condition will improve.
In the meantime, Barbara Greer
will be stepping in
as our interim managing partner.
Happy to be here. Wish it were
under better circumstances.
I hope you'll all understand
why we're cancelling
the holiday party.
Bonuses will be emailed out shortly.
I appreciate everyone's support,
and I know my father does, too.
I am so sorry. I hope Senior's okay.
He will be. Doctors are optimistic.
He's a fan of yours, by the way.
- Mine?
- And you are going to feel it in your bonus.
What do you mean?
I put in a healthy number,
but Senior upped it.
He did?
JULIAN: Probably because I told him
you were instrumental
in landing Incognity.
- Oh. Thanks.
- (PHONE BUZZING)
Oh, it's my mom.
I tracked down Phil,
so I better do some
bonus-worthy investigating
and figure out
what's going on with him.
Great.
Any update?
Uh, my mom says he's the same,
and, um, she wants the kids
to sleep over.
They'll eat sugar
and stay up till midnight.
- So yes?
- Thank her.
What?
Last night, I was looking
through my dad's phone
for medical info,
and I opened his contacts.
There's one that's saved
as "Australia."
That's it, just "Australia."
And I took a picture of it
while my dad was lying there
and the machines were beeping,
and I took this photo,
and I don't know
what to do with it, or
what kind of person I am.
- But, uh, I knew I didn't want to
- (CAMERA CLICKS)
lie to you or not help you.
You've helped me.
And look, now it's off your phone.
You don't have to do anything
but be a son.
(SIGHS) The nurse keeps
telling me to talk to him
in case he can hear.
Have you?
(SIGHS) I don't,
I don't know what to say.
Just focus on the good stuff.
- (SCOFFS)
- This is the time to reorient.
You won't call the number now, right?
Or do anything while he's like this?
Of course not.
You are a three-time winner
of the Fire Captain of the Year Award
and a recipient of
the Presidential
Medal of Valor, correct?
Correct.
And what was your reaction
when Diego claimed
that men in your own firehouse
intentionally sabotaged
his breathing apparatus?
I was furious.
Because if that was true,
that is a line we do not cross.
So what did you do?
I inspected the equipment
and the area that we stored it in.
I spoke to everyone on shift
the day that it happened,
and I grilled Seth and Trevor
for over two hours.
And what did your
thorough investigation reveal?
It's just an unfortunate accident.
Diego, the poor kid,
was just feeling like
he was being picked on,
and he's just seeing everything
through that lens.
Just to be clear,
if you had suspected that
there was even a remote chance
that this was intentional,
you would have taken action?
Objection. Leading.
Overruled.
You can answer.
WILSON: I have gotten a perfect score
on our safety inspections every
year that I've been captain.
I have zero tolerance
for any action that puts any of
my firefighters' safety at risk.
CARLOTTA: No further questions.
That's quite an impressive record.
It sounds like you really value
your guys and gals.
And my client was just
telling me about those
big old barbecues you
and your wife throw every month.
- Is that right?
- Yup.
The whole house is always
invited, including Diego.
Must be a lot of fun.
Don't you also invite
the inspectors from the City
Bureau of Fire Prevention?
Objection. Relevance.
MATTY: Your Honor,
they're the folks who conduct
the safety inspections
that the captain just mentioned.
I'll allow it.
WILSON: If you're implying
that I got any of those scores due to
being friends with the inspectors,
you are sorely mistaken.
We deal with life and death.
So, I have to have records and reports
and detailed receipts.
MATTY: So, after you determined
that Diego's air hose malfunctioned,
what records, reports,
and detailed receipts
did you file to make sure that
this life-and-death incident
never happened again?
Here are the safety reports
from last year.
Would you be so kind as to show me?
I didn't file any.
(HORN BLOWS)
PHIL (OVER RECORDING):
Not here, leave a message.
- Unless it's a four-alarm.
- (BEEPS)
Phil, hey. I am literally
outside the station,
so unless you want a lawyer
marching in, you'll come out.
(SIGHS)
(PHONE CHIMES)
PHIL: Sarah.
SARAH: Phil, hi. I have been trying
- to get ahold of you.
- Yeah, I know.
- You shouldn't be here.
- Well, what happened?
Yesterday, you were so committed.
I-I just changed my mind.
I'm not really sure what I heard,
and I realized I can't
get up there if I'm not 100%.
What happened to your face?
- What?
- Is that a black eye?
I was drinking and fell.
- Please don't contact me again.
- Wh
MATTY: You think
somebody gave him a shiner?
May be the reason he changed his mind.
Stay here.
Hey, there, uh
Sorry I was a little hard on you.
They don't call me
the Velvet Hammer for nothing.
I get it. We all have jobs to do.
- Yes, sir, we do.
- (CHUCKLES)
Black eye, bruised hand.
Math is pretty simple.
We have to prove
the captain coerced Phil.
We're watching the falling snow ♪
BART: What can I get you?
Just FYI, we're already out
of Ginger Bells.
Oh, just water for me, but can I
ask you a quick question?
Look, I need to make, like,
30 Rum Rum Rudolphs,
and I work on tips, so let me
know when you're ready to order.
One Rum Rum Rudolph, and
was this guy here last night?
- I-I think so, yeah.
- Okay.
Wait!
(SIGHS)
(BUTTONS BEEPING)
(LINE RINGING)
Hello?
Hello?
(LINE CLICKS, BEEPS)
(PHONE DIALING)
(LINE RINGING)
MAN (OVER PHONE): G'day.
You've reached the concierge desk
at The Belmont Sydney Hotel.
(PHONE CHIMES)
Are there a lot of Santas in here
or am I having a senior moment?
Well, hell's bells.
If I'd known, I would've worn
my sexy elf costume.
Darling, my dogs are barking.
- Hop off that stool.
- (SIGHS)
All right, tell me what you learned.
Bartender confirmed
that Phil was here,
but I just need to show him
a photo of the captain
to confirm that they were together.
But I lost him to the
rowdy reindeer in the corner.
What are you drinking?
Oh, the house special,
the Rum Rum Rudolph.
Highly recommend.
It tastes like a Jolly Rancher.
Well, that there's your problem.
Those are pre-made.
(WHISTLES)
Gin martini, London dry, shaken,
just a kiss of vermouth.
Olives and pickled onions.
You got all that?
- Yeah, I got it.
- MATTY: Good. While you're here,
uh, is this who our guy was with?
Yeah, that's her.
- Her?
- The captain's wife?
You guys cops?
Lawyers. Uh, any chance
this fella here showed up
and clocked him?
Nope. Lady talked to him.
He stayed, got pretty drunk.
Then fell on his way out.
- (ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
- (LAUGHTER, CHATTER)
It's Christmastime ♪
Question is, what did
the captain's wife say to Phil?
"Don't testify, or else
I will punch you in the face."
He wasn't punched.
The bartender said Phil fell.
Phil fell. Phil fell.
- (LAUGHS) Phil fell.
- Okay.
Your limit is one drink from now on.
Agreed.
Can I ask you a question?
As long as it's case related.
You're not gonna whine
about nachos again.
No. No nachos.
I'm just wondering
How much did you get
for your holiday bonus?
Same as last year.
I'm gonna use it to pay for my
grandson's robotics tournaments.
Oh.
Why? Did you get less
than you expected, hon?
No, I got more.
Well
But I just feel so guilty.
I mean, you're a single grandma
- who's trying to buy robots, and I just
- O-Okay.
Let me stop you right there.
Guilt is for when you do
the wrong thing,
not for the right thing.
And that's what we
got to get Phil to understand.
Testifying is the right thing.
Wait. This is weird.
The captain had bruises in this photo.
Yes. We know he has bruises.
No, Matty, look.
The captain had the same bruises
a month ago.
(GASPS) I think I know
where those bruises are from.
Everybody keeps saying just talk.
The question is what to say.
I mean, if I was like,
"Oh, you were this great dad
who was always there for me,"
you'd-you'd laugh.
You were never there for me.
Missed games, practices.
Prioritized everything else.
But
you also taught me
what hard work is, uh,
and made sure I wasn't
spoiled and lazy and
took me on adventures
around the world.
Got into a fight
with my school principal
when he accused me of cheating,
even though you knew I did.
And you told me to marry Olympia
when I was, uh,
dragging my feet, which
turned out, uh
complicated, right?
Like all of it.
All of us.
I want to
I want to move on
from the resentments.
So
I'm-I'm letting go of mine.
You're my dad.
Captain is sick, isn't he?
How did you, uh?
Bruises on his hand from an IV port.
That's what his wife
told you in the bar.
Diego's air hose
was detached before a call.
His life was put in danger.
You think I don't know that?
Well, then why aren't you testifying?
Because if I do, the captain
gets dishonorably discharged
and loses his health insurance.
That's a death sentence right there.
Yeah, that's terrible.
But it doesn't change the facts.
It changes things for me.
And what about Diego? What
happened to him doesn't matter?
You're in a four-alarm blaze,
ceiling about to collapse,
you got people screaming
in two different rooms.
In one,
a guy you've known for 12 years,
your mentor, your friend.
Know his wife, his kids. In the other,
a guy you've known for nine months.
You got 15 seconds.
Who you gonna grab?
Whoever I said I'd grab.
I'd keep my word.
Well, I've made my decision.
I'm not doing it.
(PHONE CHIMES)
(SIGHS)
MATTY: It says right here.
"Do not crush tablets,
"or it leads to rapid release
and absorption.
If this warning label is added,
opioid addiction will spike."
That's quite the smoking gun.
Is it a match to the document
in the Australia photo?
EDWIN: Unfortunately, no.
The margins, the typeface,
totally different.
Oh, hold on.
I would really love
to read that tonight.
This is the first time we've seen it.
I have to get home.
Well, leave it here,
we'll put it in our safe.
I think it's better
if I hang on to it.
Why?
Because that's where it's been safe.
You don't trust us?
I trust Matty.
EDWIN: As do I.
What if Senior doesn't make it?
- Then we find someone else.
- EDWIN: We have someone else.
Julian.
We put that to bed.
Okay? And, look,
whoever was at the Opera House
must've been important.
Olympia, that was
a Wellbrexa executive.
We know the role the
pharmaceutical companies played
in the opioid epidemic.
Our mission has always been
to expose the lawyers
who enabled them.
So what are you saying?
I hope Senior recovers.
Truly, I do, but if he doesn't,
we still need justice.
Giving up is not an option.
I didn't say it was.
But the document stays with me.
I'm heading home.
I'll let myself out.
Good night.
♪
(SIGHS)
First, I'd like
to acknowledge something.
My team made you a promise
we couldn't keep.
We told you we had another
firefighter who could testify
that Diego Castillo's gear
was intentionally sabotaged,
but you didn't get to hear
that testimony.
You did get to hear from a captain
who prides himself
on an impeccable safety record
and on protecting the very lives
of the men and women
he considers family.
And yet,
when he determined that
a malfunction had occurred
that could mean the difference
between the life or death
of one of his firefighters,
he did nothing.
Perhaps because
he thought it'd cost him too much.
The goodwill of the rest
of the house, for one.
Friendships.
People who'd been coming
to those barbecues longer.
People who fit in better.
But here's the thing,
there is always a cost
to telling the truth.
Morality is hard
because it's about
the choices that you make
when everything feels impossible.
It's about what you do
when you have everything to lose.
You have a choice.
And your verdict isn't about
taking away anyone's badge
or tarnishing anyone's legacy.
It's about acknowledging the truth.
That you can be a great civil servant.
That you can be a husband,
a father, a best friend,
but you still need
to be held accountable.
Please, hold these men accountable.
Thank you.
JUDGE FLORES:
Has the jury reached a verdict?
FOREPERSON:
In the matter of the plaintiff,
Diego Castillo v. the
Staten Island Fire Department,
we find the defendants not liable.
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Really good work
and really tough loss.
I know, because Phil didn't show.
And I don't want to be Phil.
So, I'm going to tell you something
because standing up in these
moments is important, right?
What's going on?
Senior asked me to do him a favor.
To take pictures of Julian's datebook.
What?
When?
About two months ago, and I know
I should've come to you then.
I-I promise
that nothing like this
will ever, ever happen again.
I know it won't, Sarah.
Because I am going to move you
off my team.
What?
Trust is important, and you lost mine.
(PHONE BUZZING)
(SIGHS)
Billy, hi.
So much to talk about.
But first, how was your day?
It was so weird not knowing
what was happening with you.
A miscarriage?
Oh, no, no, no.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Yeah. (CHUCKLES WEAKLY)
I can imagine. Um
Send her my love. Both of you.
My day? Oh
It was fine. Um, no,
nothing important to talk about.
I'm just
so sad that this happened.
Here you go. That's sweet.
Oh. Um, I'm gonna
go talk to your mom for a second.
Talked to my dad, like you said.
- And?
- It was good, actually.
Things feel different.
Thanks again for being here.
Always.
♪
- I'll go pack up the kids.
- Thanks.
Hey, Matty, are you still in the city?
Can you meet me at the
brownstone in about an hour?
It's about Senior
and how to move forward.
It's like you said,
morality is what you do
when you have everything to lose.
So
You hold on to this.
I don't know what's going
to happen in the next few days
or weeks or months,
but it shouldn't change the math.
What if Senior's not fit
to stand trial?
Then I hope to God
you don't turn in Julian.
But what happened
was wrong,
and you get to hold
someone accountable.
Call it a Christmas gift. (CHUCKLES)
Damn.
What the hell am I gonna get you?
(BOTH LAUGH)
♪
- What's wrong?
- JULIAN (OVER PHONE): Um, are you alone?
- OLYMPIA: Yes.
- (PHONE BUZZES)
I was looking through my dad's phone
for medical info,
and I opened his contacts.
There's one that's saved
as "Australia,"
with a foreign number.
You won't call that number now, right?
Or do anything
while-while he's like this?
- (LINE RINGING)
- OLYMPIA: Of course not.
Hello?
Hello?
(LINE BEEPS)
(PHONE DIALING)
(LINE RINGING)
MAN (OVER PHONE): G'day.
You've reached the concierge desk
at The Belmont Sydney Hotel.
Things feel different.
Um, I'll go pack up the kids.
Thanks.
OLYMPIA: Hey, Matty. Can you
meet me at the brownstone in an hour?
It's about Senior
and how we move forward from here.
sync & corrections awaqeded
I'm Madeline Matlock. I'm
a lawyer, like the old TV show.
Most of what you know
about me is based
in truth, but it's also a lie.
Who the hell are you,
Madeline Kingston?
I wasn't like this
before your firm protected
the pharmaceutical company
that killed my daughter.
Why are you hiding a missing
Wellbrexa study about opioids?
My dad told me to get rid
of the study.
I'd like to call a vote
to remove you as managing partner.
A coup.
Well, the law firm Lamar and Olson
want to merge
with very favorable terms.
The vote was never even called.
He clearly knew it was coming.
He's gonna be out for blood.
Senior asked me to take photos
of Julian's datebook.
JULIAN: My dad somehow
got wind of drinks I had
a while back.
You ever see him lurking around?
I-I-I did not.
I actually need your help again.
How do we get Debra Palmer's NDA?
I have it. It specifically
mentions the Sydney Opera House.
Julian also found an SD card with it.
Thousands of photos
from Senior's Australia trip.
1,568 photos.
Debra Palmer didn't have
one meal in Australia
that she didn't photograph.
From every angle.
Where do we even start?
At the Sydney Opera House.
Her NDA centers around it,
so that's got to be
where the decision was made
to remove the document from discovery.
Jacobson Moore's expense report
says four tickets were purchased.
Senior took Debra,
so the other two people
must be in this pile.
We have to identify the people
in the pictures.
And tell Julian be careful
when he puts the SD card back.
And no using him again.
I'll give it back to him tonight.
We're taking the kids to see
the Rockefeller tree lighting.
Oh. We got to get our tree, kiddo.
("JINGLE JANGLE"
BY REHYA STEVENS PLAYING)
All right, ready to decorate?
(STAMMERS)
(SIGHS)
Organized. Finally.
Two piles. People. Everything else.
(AUSTRALIAN ACCENT):
Mostly shrimp on the barbie.
And here's photos of everyone
who's been in upper management
for Wellbrexa the last 15 years,
so we can easily match faces.
EDWIN: Anyone want to trim the tree?
While we work?
ID'd three more people,
emailed the names over.
Hey, are we exchanging gifts?
Gifts hadn't even occurred to
me. I-I don't need more stress.
Then why'd you say yes?
Because I want to see
what she gives me.
Darling, Olympia emailed
with three more names.
- Can you
- Add them to the board, yes.
Only four names left.
Three. I recognized the bald guy
in the Bermuda shorts
when I was revising
my opening statement.
Great. Did you get my notes,
by the way?
"That's not brotherhood,
that's betrayal." Loved it.
Almost as much as the kids
are gonna love
these gingerbread people.
You know, I am a domestic goddess.
Either that,
or you're overcompensating.
First Christmas post-divorce.
Okay, see, that is the part
that you are not supposed to say
out loud. (CHUCKLES)
KATHRYN: We're home, Mom.
OLYMPIA: Oh, got to go. Who's ready
to decorate some cookies?
- Hi.
- Hey.
Hey.
Did you put the SD card back?
Put it right back where I found it.
MATTY: That's it.
Everyone who was in Australia.
All 13 members of the
Wellbrexa board of directors,
their CEO, CFO, COO,
- and spouses.
- I put them in the shape
of a Christmas tree.
What do you think?
I think that's some
serious holiday magic, kid.
It's Christmastime again. ♪
Now, we just have to figure out
who went to the opera
with Senior and convince them
to flip on him.
MATTY: Went through the photos again.
- Mm-hmm.
- Nothing in their box from the opera.
There's a clue in that stack
somewhere. I know it.
How's your opening statement?
Almost as good
as my gingerbread cookies.
Hey now, don't bring 'em up,
- if you didn't bring 'em in.
- (ELEVATOR DINGS)
Morning, Senior. Excited
for tonight's merger meeting?
Everything okay?
You tell me.
- What was that?
- I don't know.
Are you sure Julian was careful
when he put the SD card back?
Of course I was careful.
Sam let me into the building.
I was out in five minutes.
Maybe he was preoccupied
with the merger.
It's all he talks about now.
Have you looked at the pictures?
- Started. Uh, there's a lot.
- Then let me help.
I've got a system.
I'll let you know what I find.
- Okay.
- Just go talk to your dad.
Let me know if he seems suspicious.
I have to prep for court.
Okay.
SARAH: I have a backup copy
of your opening statement,
a table of authorities in the back
in case anything is challenged,
a profile on the judge,
and a promise that
Billy's personal day will not
interfere with your workflow.
Never crossed my mind.
And I've noticed you've been
on fire lately, Sarah,
and I completely trust you.
- (ELEVATOR DINGS)
- I'm serious.
Go prep Phil.
SARAH: Good luck in court.
- OLYMPIA: Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
Hey, Billy. I hope you're okay.
I-I don't want to bother you.
I don't want to pry,
but Olympia just said
that she trusts me,
and I'm kind of spinning out
about the
the Julian datebook thing.
AUTOMATED VOICE (OVER PHONE):
If you are satisfied
with your message, press one.
To erase and rerecord, press two.
To review your message, press three.
To resume re Message erased.
- Ready to run through your testimony?
- Yeah.
Hoping once this is over,
things will get back
to some kind of normal.
I mean, not with the captain.
Lost my mentor.
Phil, coming forward
like you did is really hard.
I really admire it.
I had no choice.
Captain Wilson knew
what those guys did to Diego.
He should've done something.
Right is right.
OLYMPIA: One of
the hardest things in life
is to hold our heroes accountable.
And let me be clear,
the Staten Island Fire
Department is full of heroes.
Men and women my client
Diego Castillo idolized.
But then, there were some
that were not heroic.
And as a result,
Diego suffered severe
and pervasive harassment
due to his sexual orientation.
So, he followed protocol
and reported the behavior
to Captain Mack Wilson.
But unfortunately, that is when
the retaliation started.
You will hear Phil Hartley
testify under oath
that Diego's air hose
was intentionally detached
by Seth Timpkins and Trevor Ramos.
Let me repeat that again,
intentionally detached.
That's not teasing. That's not hazing.
That's life or death.
What happened to my client Diego
wasn't banter.
It wasn't brotherhood.
It was betrayal.
And at the end of this trial,
we will ask you
to hold the city accountable
for what it allowed
to happen under its badge and banner.
(PHONES BUZZ AND CHIME)
FIREMAN: We got to go, guys.
Uh, Your Honor,
permission to approach?
I'm concerned that the firemen
seated in the gallery
are distracting the jury.
To preserve my client's right
to a fair
and impartial trial,
I request that the court
consider clearing the gallery
- from this point forward.
- Let's break for lunch.
Afterwards, we're closing
the court to spectators.
Thank you.
That's exactly what I had
to deal with at the station.
It's-it's pack mentality.
It's going to backfire against
them when we lay out our case.
- Okay.
- (PHONE BUZZES)
How'd opening arguments go?
- What is it?
- I got an email that Senior's office
cancelled the big merger meeting.
- What? Why?
- I don't know, but maybe
that's why he was acting weird
this morning.
Or-or maybe he knows that
I was involved in the coup.
Or maybe he's onto us
and he's lawyering up?
I'm gonna go talk to Stuart.
See what I can find out.
(DOOR OPENS)
Hey.
Do you know where Senior is?
I have a question about a case.
Why don't you ask Julian?
Apparently, I work for him now.
- What?
- Julian texted me out of the blue
to cancel Senior's entire day.
As if I don't have
enough to worry about
with the holiday party
and no Mrs. Belvin.
- Good talk.
- JULIAN (OVER RECORDING): This is Julian Markston.
Leave a message.
Julian's not answering his phone,
and it went to voicemail twice.
- Try him again.
- I just, I need to, I need to think.
What if they're
covering it up together?
- (PHONE RINGING)
- He's calling. Shh.
Where have you been?
JULIAN (OVER PHONE):
Sorry. Uh, it's just, um
- What's wrong?
- Um, are you alone?
- Yes.
- Okay.
You said my dad
was acting strange earlier.
- Very suspicious.
- (PHONE BUZZES)
Did you say something?
It's so loud in here.
Hang on. Uh, let me
find somewhere quieter.
Where are you? What's going on?
I am at the hospital.
My dad had a stroke.
- Any news on Senior?
- MATTY: He's alive.
Stable. They don't know
the extent of the injury yet.
- He'll pull through.
- And if he doesn't, what happens?
- In terms of our justice?
- Edwin,
I can't think about that.
It's ghoulish.
- Any news?
- MATTY: Just that he's stable.
Well, I just found something
in Debra Palmer's food tour
of Sydney. Take a look.
That's Senior's hand.
I matched it up with
another photo of his watch.
And look, that looks like
(GASPS)
- The Wellbrexa study.
- ALFIE: Maybe.
So, if Senior had it in Australia,
that's it, that's the proof.
We need to compare it
with the copy that Olympia has.
I'll text (SIGHS)
Ghoulish.
Do you remember what
our old neighbor in Palo Alto
used to say?
Lean in.
I'll check in. How's that?
(PHONE BUZZES)
- JULIAN: Oh, thank you.
- Mm-hmm.
I'll have to figure out
what to do about the firm,
- who to tell
- Not now.
Not now, right.
If you hadn't told me,
if I hadn't found him
slurring his words
But you did. And he's here.
And he's tough.
I was his emergency contact.
Which, uh, shouldn't mean
anything, but
Of course it does.
Well, you have to get home.
You have to be in court
in the morning.
Of course I'll take over the case.
- I'll get up to speed tonight.
- OLYMPIA: Thank you.
How is he?
In a medically induced coma.
The doctors have to get
the swelling down.
But do they think he'll be okay?
Return to form?
They don't know yet.
And how are you doing?
Sad.
We were really close for a long time.
He's my kids' grandfather.
It's just hard seeing him like this.
Well, of course it's hard.
Anything you need, I'm here.
Okay, bye.
- Stop.
- I didn't say anything.
Well, stop thinking it.
I wanted to be a firefighter
since I was four.
It was my dream job.
And did you get along with
the other guys in the firehouse?
DIEGO: At first, uh, yeah.
Sure, they're a rowdy group,
but that's just what happens
when guys spend
a lot of time together.
And when did things change for you?
I brought my boyfriend to a
barbecue on the Fourth of July.
And after that, the hazing
became all about my sexuality.
And it was relentless.
Led by Seth and Trevor.
They called me Diva Diego.
Posted naked pictures of men
on my locker.
They painted my boots pink.
And did you report those incidents?
I told my lieutenant.
He held a meeting.
He said there'd been a complaint.
Uh, it was "the end of fun"
because someone
was "overly sensitive."
- And what happened after that?
- Things got worse.
I didn't know what to do.
I just wanted to keep
my head down and do the job,
but then, before a call,
Seth and Trevor messed with my gear.
They detached the breathing hose
in my apparatus.
Objection. Speculation.
Sure, I can't prove it, but Phil
said that they were doing
- Objection. Hearsay.
- Sustained.
MATTY: And what did you do after
you realized that your breathing
apparatus was detached?
I reported it to Captain Wilson.
And did Captain Wilson investigate?
No. He said I was being paranoid.
Things like this just happen,
which is just not the truth.
And is that why you resigned?
When you're a firefighter, you
trust your team with your life.
I didn't feel safe.
You testified earlier that the
firehouse is a "rowdy group."
Did you ever participate
in that rowdiness?
Just a part of the culture.
A way to blow off steam.
So, yes, I joked around.
But when you were
on the receiving end,
it suddenly tipped over
into discrimination.
Objection. Argumentative.
CARLOTTA: I'll rephrase.
But first, I'd like to enter
this exhibit into evidence.
A card for your colleague Ted Kane
on his 42nd birthday.
Would you please read the message
that you wrote inside this card?
"Hope your Viagra prescription
comes through in time
for you to celebrate, old man."
CARLOTTA: "Old man." Hmm.
What about your colleague
Francisco Romero?
Did you have a nickname for him?
- We called him Tiny.
- CARLOTTA: And why was that?
Uh, he was a bigger guy.
I mean, it was a joke.
I didn't come up with it.
- But you went along with it.
- Because I was trying to fit in.
These things are not the same, okay?
They sabotaged my equipment.
Your Honor, would you please
instruct the plaintiff
- to stop speculating.
- DIEGO: If I didn't discover it
- when I did, I could have died!
- Enough.
The jury will disregard
the witness's statement
in regards to his breathing apparatus.
This is your last warning.
Sorry, Your Honor.
How'd Diego hold up on cross?
Oh, he lost his cool a little,
but it's a hell of a setup for Phil.
- Oh.
- How come you're here?
Moral support. Julian's making
an announcement to the firm.
Reassuring everyone
that things are fine.
Are they?
We don't know yet.
Well, I-I'm hoping for the best.
So we can put him in jail?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
For a whole bunch of reasons,
but yeah, sure,
for that one.
Alfie found a picture.
We think it's Senior
holding the document.
We can't know for sure until
we compare it with the real one,
which you have.
In the safety deposit box
in Greenwich.
I know, but
if I bring a notarized letter,
maybe they'll let me
pick it up, or Edwin,
so you don't have to
deal with it right now.
You know, that, uh, that could
create a risky paper trail.
It's easier if I do it.
Just give me a beat
to figure out when.
Hey, sorry to interrupt,
but we have a problem.
Phil just called
and said he changed his mind.
He's not testifying.
Well, what exactly did Phil say?
Just that he was dropping out,
and then he hung up.
- How was his prep?
- SARAH: He was nervous,
but he was ready. Though, he did
leave me a voicemail last night.
Play it, please.
PHIL (OVER RECORDING):
It's Phil Hartley.
- (CHATTER IN BACKGROUND)
- I had a question
about my deposition.
- You know, actually, let me
- (SHIP HORN BLOWS)
We can talk tomorrow, I guess. Bye.
Sounded like a Staten Island
Ferry in the background.
Also like he's had a few drinks
to take the edge off.
Something must've happened
to make him change his mind.
I'll track him down.
(SIGHS) Phil's testimony
was going to prove
that the captain was lying.
You're going to have to find
another way to attack his credibility.
Should I lead
with his public accolades
- or his medals of honor?
- I know.
The jury's going to eat
Captain Wilson up
like a Christmas ham.
Okay, new strategy.
I'll have to lean in.
Please, no Sheryl Sandberg.
(CHUCKLES) Terrible neighbor.
I'll keep you posted on the case.
Will you let me know
if you need anything?
Thanks.
JULIAN: This is very difficult,
but my father believes
in giving bad news quickly
and without fanfare, so,
uh, recently, he suffered
a medical event.
- (MURMURING)
- JULIAN: Luckily, he is stable,
and doctors are optimistic
his condition will improve.
In the meantime, Barbara Greer
will be stepping in
as our interim managing partner.
Happy to be here. Wish it were
under better circumstances.
I hope you'll all understand
why we're cancelling
the holiday party.
Bonuses will be emailed out shortly.
I appreciate everyone's support,
and I know my father does, too.
I am so sorry. I hope Senior's okay.
He will be. Doctors are optimistic.
He's a fan of yours, by the way.
- Mine?
- And you are going to feel it in your bonus.
What do you mean?
I put in a healthy number,
but Senior upped it.
He did?
JULIAN: Probably because I told him
you were instrumental
in landing Incognity.
- Oh. Thanks.
- (PHONE BUZZING)
Oh, it's my mom.
I tracked down Phil,
so I better do some
bonus-worthy investigating
and figure out
what's going on with him.
Great.
Any update?
Uh, my mom says he's the same,
and, um, she wants the kids
to sleep over.
They'll eat sugar
and stay up till midnight.
- So yes?
- Thank her.
What?
Last night, I was looking
through my dad's phone
for medical info,
and I opened his contacts.
There's one that's saved
as "Australia."
That's it, just "Australia."
And I took a picture of it
while my dad was lying there
and the machines were beeping,
and I took this photo,
and I don't know
what to do with it, or
what kind of person I am.
- But, uh, I knew I didn't want to
- (CAMERA CLICKS)
lie to you or not help you.
You've helped me.
And look, now it's off your phone.
You don't have to do anything
but be a son.
(SIGHS) The nurse keeps
telling me to talk to him
in case he can hear.
Have you?
(SIGHS) I don't,
I don't know what to say.
Just focus on the good stuff.
- (SCOFFS)
- This is the time to reorient.
You won't call the number now, right?
Or do anything while he's like this?
Of course not.
You are a three-time winner
of the Fire Captain of the Year Award
and a recipient of
the Presidential
Medal of Valor, correct?
Correct.
And what was your reaction
when Diego claimed
that men in your own firehouse
intentionally sabotaged
his breathing apparatus?
I was furious.
Because if that was true,
that is a line we do not cross.
So what did you do?
I inspected the equipment
and the area that we stored it in.
I spoke to everyone on shift
the day that it happened,
and I grilled Seth and Trevor
for over two hours.
And what did your
thorough investigation reveal?
It's just an unfortunate accident.
Diego, the poor kid,
was just feeling like
he was being picked on,
and he's just seeing everything
through that lens.
Just to be clear,
if you had suspected that
there was even a remote chance
that this was intentional,
you would have taken action?
Objection. Leading.
Overruled.
You can answer.
WILSON: I have gotten a perfect score
on our safety inspections every
year that I've been captain.
I have zero tolerance
for any action that puts any of
my firefighters' safety at risk.
CARLOTTA: No further questions.
That's quite an impressive record.
It sounds like you really value
your guys and gals.
And my client was just
telling me about those
big old barbecues you
and your wife throw every month.
- Is that right?
- Yup.
The whole house is always
invited, including Diego.
Must be a lot of fun.
Don't you also invite
the inspectors from the City
Bureau of Fire Prevention?
Objection. Relevance.
MATTY: Your Honor,
they're the folks who conduct
the safety inspections
that the captain just mentioned.
I'll allow it.
WILSON: If you're implying
that I got any of those scores due to
being friends with the inspectors,
you are sorely mistaken.
We deal with life and death.
So, I have to have records and reports
and detailed receipts.
MATTY: So, after you determined
that Diego's air hose malfunctioned,
what records, reports,
and detailed receipts
did you file to make sure that
this life-and-death incident
never happened again?
Here are the safety reports
from last year.
Would you be so kind as to show me?
I didn't file any.
(HORN BLOWS)
PHIL (OVER RECORDING):
Not here, leave a message.
- Unless it's a four-alarm.
- (BEEPS)
Phil, hey. I am literally
outside the station,
so unless you want a lawyer
marching in, you'll come out.
(SIGHS)
(PHONE CHIMES)
PHIL: Sarah.
SARAH: Phil, hi. I have been trying
- to get ahold of you.
- Yeah, I know.
- You shouldn't be here.
- Well, what happened?
Yesterday, you were so committed.
I-I just changed my mind.
I'm not really sure what I heard,
and I realized I can't
get up there if I'm not 100%.
What happened to your face?
- What?
- Is that a black eye?
I was drinking and fell.
- Please don't contact me again.
- Wh
MATTY: You think
somebody gave him a shiner?
May be the reason he changed his mind.
Stay here.
Hey, there, uh
Sorry I was a little hard on you.
They don't call me
the Velvet Hammer for nothing.
I get it. We all have jobs to do.
- Yes, sir, we do.
- (CHUCKLES)
Black eye, bruised hand.
Math is pretty simple.
We have to prove
the captain coerced Phil.
We're watching the falling snow ♪
BART: What can I get you?
Just FYI, we're already out
of Ginger Bells.
Oh, just water for me, but can I
ask you a quick question?
Look, I need to make, like,
30 Rum Rum Rudolphs,
and I work on tips, so let me
know when you're ready to order.
One Rum Rum Rudolph, and
was this guy here last night?
- I-I think so, yeah.
- Okay.
Wait!
(SIGHS)
(BUTTONS BEEPING)
(LINE RINGING)
Hello?
Hello?
(LINE CLICKS, BEEPS)
(PHONE DIALING)
(LINE RINGING)
MAN (OVER PHONE): G'day.
You've reached the concierge desk
at The Belmont Sydney Hotel.
(PHONE CHIMES)
Are there a lot of Santas in here
or am I having a senior moment?
Well, hell's bells.
If I'd known, I would've worn
my sexy elf costume.
Darling, my dogs are barking.
- Hop off that stool.
- (SIGHS)
All right, tell me what you learned.
Bartender confirmed
that Phil was here,
but I just need to show him
a photo of the captain
to confirm that they were together.
But I lost him to the
rowdy reindeer in the corner.
What are you drinking?
Oh, the house special,
the Rum Rum Rudolph.
Highly recommend.
It tastes like a Jolly Rancher.
Well, that there's your problem.
Those are pre-made.
(WHISTLES)
Gin martini, London dry, shaken,
just a kiss of vermouth.
Olives and pickled onions.
You got all that?
- Yeah, I got it.
- MATTY: Good. While you're here,
uh, is this who our guy was with?
Yeah, that's her.
- Her?
- The captain's wife?
You guys cops?
Lawyers. Uh, any chance
this fella here showed up
and clocked him?
Nope. Lady talked to him.
He stayed, got pretty drunk.
Then fell on his way out.
- (ROCK MUSIC PLAYING)
- (LAUGHTER, CHATTER)
It's Christmastime ♪
Question is, what did
the captain's wife say to Phil?
"Don't testify, or else
I will punch you in the face."
He wasn't punched.
The bartender said Phil fell.
Phil fell. Phil fell.
- (LAUGHS) Phil fell.
- Okay.
Your limit is one drink from now on.
Agreed.
Can I ask you a question?
As long as it's case related.
You're not gonna whine
about nachos again.
No. No nachos.
I'm just wondering
How much did you get
for your holiday bonus?
Same as last year.
I'm gonna use it to pay for my
grandson's robotics tournaments.
Oh.
Why? Did you get less
than you expected, hon?
No, I got more.
Well
But I just feel so guilty.
I mean, you're a single grandma
- who's trying to buy robots, and I just
- O-Okay.
Let me stop you right there.
Guilt is for when you do
the wrong thing,
not for the right thing.
And that's what we
got to get Phil to understand.
Testifying is the right thing.
Wait. This is weird.
The captain had bruises in this photo.
Yes. We know he has bruises.
No, Matty, look.
The captain had the same bruises
a month ago.
(GASPS) I think I know
where those bruises are from.
Everybody keeps saying just talk.
The question is what to say.
I mean, if I was like,
"Oh, you were this great dad
who was always there for me,"
you'd-you'd laugh.
You were never there for me.
Missed games, practices.
Prioritized everything else.
But
you also taught me
what hard work is, uh,
and made sure I wasn't
spoiled and lazy and
took me on adventures
around the world.
Got into a fight
with my school principal
when he accused me of cheating,
even though you knew I did.
And you told me to marry Olympia
when I was, uh,
dragging my feet, which
turned out, uh
complicated, right?
Like all of it.
All of us.
I want to
I want to move on
from the resentments.
So
I'm-I'm letting go of mine.
You're my dad.
Captain is sick, isn't he?
How did you, uh?
Bruises on his hand from an IV port.
That's what his wife
told you in the bar.
Diego's air hose
was detached before a call.
His life was put in danger.
You think I don't know that?
Well, then why aren't you testifying?
Because if I do, the captain
gets dishonorably discharged
and loses his health insurance.
That's a death sentence right there.
Yeah, that's terrible.
But it doesn't change the facts.
It changes things for me.
And what about Diego? What
happened to him doesn't matter?
You're in a four-alarm blaze,
ceiling about to collapse,
you got people screaming
in two different rooms.
In one,
a guy you've known for 12 years,
your mentor, your friend.
Know his wife, his kids. In the other,
a guy you've known for nine months.
You got 15 seconds.
Who you gonna grab?
Whoever I said I'd grab.
I'd keep my word.
Well, I've made my decision.
I'm not doing it.
(PHONE CHIMES)
(SIGHS)
MATTY: It says right here.
"Do not crush tablets,
"or it leads to rapid release
and absorption.
If this warning label is added,
opioid addiction will spike."
That's quite the smoking gun.
Is it a match to the document
in the Australia photo?
EDWIN: Unfortunately, no.
The margins, the typeface,
totally different.
Oh, hold on.
I would really love
to read that tonight.
This is the first time we've seen it.
I have to get home.
Well, leave it here,
we'll put it in our safe.
I think it's better
if I hang on to it.
Why?
Because that's where it's been safe.
You don't trust us?
I trust Matty.
EDWIN: As do I.
What if Senior doesn't make it?
- Then we find someone else.
- EDWIN: We have someone else.
Julian.
We put that to bed.
Okay? And, look,
whoever was at the Opera House
must've been important.
Olympia, that was
a Wellbrexa executive.
We know the role the
pharmaceutical companies played
in the opioid epidemic.
Our mission has always been
to expose the lawyers
who enabled them.
So what are you saying?
I hope Senior recovers.
Truly, I do, but if he doesn't,
we still need justice.
Giving up is not an option.
I didn't say it was.
But the document stays with me.
I'm heading home.
I'll let myself out.
Good night.
♪
(SIGHS)
First, I'd like
to acknowledge something.
My team made you a promise
we couldn't keep.
We told you we had another
firefighter who could testify
that Diego Castillo's gear
was intentionally sabotaged,
but you didn't get to hear
that testimony.
You did get to hear from a captain
who prides himself
on an impeccable safety record
and on protecting the very lives
of the men and women
he considers family.
And yet,
when he determined that
a malfunction had occurred
that could mean the difference
between the life or death
of one of his firefighters,
he did nothing.
Perhaps because
he thought it'd cost him too much.
The goodwill of the rest
of the house, for one.
Friendships.
People who'd been coming
to those barbecues longer.
People who fit in better.
But here's the thing,
there is always a cost
to telling the truth.
Morality is hard
because it's about
the choices that you make
when everything feels impossible.
It's about what you do
when you have everything to lose.
You have a choice.
And your verdict isn't about
taking away anyone's badge
or tarnishing anyone's legacy.
It's about acknowledging the truth.
That you can be a great civil servant.
That you can be a husband,
a father, a best friend,
but you still need
to be held accountable.
Please, hold these men accountable.
Thank you.
JUDGE FLORES:
Has the jury reached a verdict?
FOREPERSON:
In the matter of the plaintiff,
Diego Castillo v. the
Staten Island Fire Department,
we find the defendants not liable.
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Really good work
and really tough loss.
I know, because Phil didn't show.
And I don't want to be Phil.
So, I'm going to tell you something
because standing up in these
moments is important, right?
What's going on?
Senior asked me to do him a favor.
To take pictures of Julian's datebook.
What?
When?
About two months ago, and I know
I should've come to you then.
I-I promise
that nothing like this
will ever, ever happen again.
I know it won't, Sarah.
Because I am going to move you
off my team.
What?
Trust is important, and you lost mine.
(PHONE BUZZING)
(SIGHS)
Billy, hi.
So much to talk about.
But first, how was your day?
It was so weird not knowing
what was happening with you.
A miscarriage?
Oh, no, no, no.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
Yeah. (CHUCKLES WEAKLY)
I can imagine. Um
Send her my love. Both of you.
My day? Oh
It was fine. Um, no,
nothing important to talk about.
I'm just
so sad that this happened.
Here you go. That's sweet.
Oh. Um, I'm gonna
go talk to your mom for a second.
Talked to my dad, like you said.
- And?
- It was good, actually.
Things feel different.
Thanks again for being here.
Always.
♪
- I'll go pack up the kids.
- Thanks.
Hey, Matty, are you still in the city?
Can you meet me at the
brownstone in about an hour?
It's about Senior
and how to move forward.
It's like you said,
morality is what you do
when you have everything to lose.
So
You hold on to this.
I don't know what's going
to happen in the next few days
or weeks or months,
but it shouldn't change the math.
What if Senior's not fit
to stand trial?
Then I hope to God
you don't turn in Julian.
But what happened
was wrong,
and you get to hold
someone accountable.
Call it a Christmas gift. (CHUCKLES)
Damn.
What the hell am I gonna get you?
(BOTH LAUGH)
♪
- What's wrong?
- JULIAN (OVER PHONE): Um, are you alone?
- OLYMPIA: Yes.
- (PHONE BUZZES)
I was looking through my dad's phone
for medical info,
and I opened his contacts.
There's one that's saved
as "Australia,"
with a foreign number.
You won't call that number now, right?
Or do anything
while-while he's like this?
- (LINE RINGING)
- OLYMPIA: Of course not.
Hello?
Hello?
(LINE BEEPS)
(PHONE DIALING)
(LINE RINGING)
MAN (OVER PHONE): G'day.
You've reached the concierge desk
at The Belmont Sydney Hotel.
Things feel different.
Um, I'll go pack up the kids.
Thanks.
OLYMPIA: Hey, Matty. Can you
meet me at the brownstone in an hour?
It's about Senior
and how we move forward from here.
sync & corrections awaqeded