Matlock (2024) s02e11 Episode Script
Tail Lights
MATTY: The law firm Jacobson Moore
hid documents that could have
taken opioids off the market.
My dad told me
to get rid of the study.
I was the one who wrangled the votes
to unseat you as managing partner.
MATTY: I need you to
apologize to my family,
and to accept responsibility
for what you've done.
I am so sorry, Matty.
SARAH: Olympia
and Matty's new
associate is a total bro.
I'm fired up to be on this team.
SHAE: Hi, there.
I'm here to help
you ladies win your case.
Merger's happening. Why would you
turn away a free jury consultant?
I didn't know you were adopted.
And you never tried
to find your birth parents?
Now, I'd be intimidated if
I didn't have my own
three all-stars as backup.
My brains,
my looks and my mom.
Wait, Julian texted you?
I'm not friends with the guy.
I can work with him.
- You telling her about Milton?
- Sure am.
Milton, Massachusetts.
Maybe the study
was done at a lab in Milton.
Martex Behavior Lab, but it's closed.
If Milton had to be bought or buried,
we might have a whistleblower.
OLYMPIA: How's the rental car?
The steering wheel is heated,
and it turns on with a button
and I'm getting a massage
even as we speak.
- (LAUGHS)
- Oh, I got to run, Olympia.
Good luck.
Let her rip, tater chip.
Oh.
What the
(HONKS HORN)
Ow! Ow, ow, ow!
Ow!
What in the heckadoody?
You slammed
straight into my car, you knucklehead.
Okay, all right.
Well, let's just calm down.
- Calm down?
- Yeah, it's just a little fender bender.
You entitled little "man-scone."
Did you even
look where you were going?
You were probably on your Bluetooth,
talking to Wall Street.
Lady, I had the right-of-way.
I'm gonna wipe that grin
off your face the right-of-way.
- Not another word, not
- Oh, ow!
another word.
Let's let a lawyer
do the talking for you, yeah?
Ron Henson Jr.,
esquire.
What even is a "man-scone?"
Oh, I don't know,
it just flew out my mouth.
The point is I am now represented
by the lawyer who dissolved
Martex Behavioral Lab.
Can't believe that guy actually
filed the right paperwork.
Well, he did. And that paperwork
has the name of the scientist
who ran the lab. The one
your father either bought or buried.
And the one that
ties him to the cover-up.
We're getting close. I can feel it.
Is Senior still planning
to come back to the office this week?
Couple hours, Tuesday and Thursday.
He's not firing you. He promised.
Well, that's a pie-crust promise.
- Easily broken.
- OLYMPIA: He's gonna want
- a pound of flesh at least.
- JULIAN: Yeah, I'm telling you,
my dad is focused on the merger
and he's different.
He had a stroke, not a lobotomy.
Hands on the wheel,
eyes straight ahead, right?
Right.
EDWIN: A "man-scone?"
He's bland,
he crumbles under pressure,
He might as well have been a muffin
in the first place.
So, you are liking Julian
more and more, huh?
I don't have to like him,
I just have to work with him.
And I can do that now that he's
accepted responsibility
for his actions.
- Hm.
- Unlike
Brian Fitzpatrick,
the owner of 800 Rivington.
Is that the collapsed building?
Yep.
I mean, there's no way in hell
Fitzpatrick repaired it to code.
If he had, that building
would never have
- collapsed.
- Oh.
Human beings were buried alive.
It just makes me sick to my stomach
to think about
Did you finish your essay?
Whoa.
Vibes.
Oh. Sorry.
Good morning, Alfie. May I look at
your application essay
before I head into the city?
I didn't finish it.
Why not? San Francisco has competitive
high schools. When we head back,
you're gonna want options.
Just I don't
want to switch schools.
I'm making friends here.
Finally.
And Joey's here, too.
Well, we can talk about it.
But you should apply, regardless.
Go grab your laptop
and show Grandpa
what you've written so far.
Oh, don't give me that look.
I know you want to stay, too.
I just want
to make sure Alfie's happy.
Well, I have a life in San Francisco.
Here, I'm stuck in the house.
Well, nobody's locking you in.
Well, we didn't know
how long we were gonna be here.
I had to man the fort.
Which you have done beautifully.
And now,
the fort will not crumble
if you take your class
on the Middle Ages.
Oh, no, no, no.
You are contractually obligated
to take that with me.
Okay. Italian, then.
- (SCOFFS)
- Maybe we'll finally
get a decent risotto out of you.
Oh, ho. Shots fired.
(IMITATES GUNSHOT)
He shoots, he scores!
And he focuses.
Shae's gonna be with us on this one
'cause it's a big 'un.
Blanca Suarez,
she's our named plaintiff,
but we represent all the tenants.
She wins, they win.
Let's go. Yeah, I remember seeing
that building collapse on TikTok.
MATTY: Let's just make
sure you're caught up
on all the non-TikTok details,
- Okay.
- 'cause without
a smoking gun, it's gonna
take some work to convince a jury
that Fitzpatrick told his
contractor to do subpar work.
I'm up to speed, coach.
I prepped the exhibits and I reread
the depositions
last night on the treadmill.
I'm sorry, you were-you were running?
Oh, well, I had to
hop off a few times.
Got emotional reading
Blanca's testimony.
Want to quiz me?
No, no quiz. You just make sure
you got a lock on this,
'cause after our evidentiary hearing,
we're gonna go, go, go.
Let's go!
- Please go.
- Huh?
- What?
- Oh!
I wanted to give you this, Sarah.
I overheard you asking
for a PI recommendation yesterday,
- and I used this guy one time
- You should focus on the case.
Hunter.
You're a puppy dog.
And she's a cat.
You just let her come to you.
Okay, the dude is officially
driving me crazy.
Who? He's fired.
- Kidding.
- (WEAK CHUCKLE)
You know Gwen, right?
She heads the merger integration.
Uh, we were just wrapping up.
Was that a yes?
Conditional to a quid pro quo.
Since your father trusts you so much,
as I start to
snip support staff,
I might need to bop in
every now and then
and put a name in front of you.
Which ick. But also business.
Well, bop in anytime.
You should thank him.
Did you just save my job?
Actually, Gwen just approved
a new office for you.
- What?
- Mm-hmm.
Small, private, on this floor.
Unless you'll miss H-dog and
his gnarly three-pointers.
I am so ready to never see
a grown man grip a foam ball again.
(LAUGHS)
(SIGHS) Okay, so that is
two things that you've helped me with.
Oh, look at me, on a roll.
What's the other thing?
I emailed the PI you found.
We set a call
to talk about the process
of finding my birth parents.
MATTY: You nervous?
So nervous.
I can't believe the trial
is finally happening.
(PHONE VIBRATES)
Hang on.
Hi. Yes, this is Blanca Suarez.
Thank you for calling me back.
Um, I just wanted to tell you
that I might be a few minutes
late today for Camila's PT.
Yeah.
Thank you.
How's Camila's
recovery going?
Slow. It's hard.
But we have
the best physical therapist.
Thank God for all of the donations.
Total strangers
are keeping things afloat.
You're keeping things afloat.
No.
The way you stopped your life
to take care of your sister.
I didn't have a choice.
What was I gonna do, stay in college?
Well, I think you
very much did have a choice.
And I admire the one you made.
I want Fitzpatrick held responsible
for my mother's death.
The man is evil.
That's why we're here.
REMY: Olympia Lawrence.
Remy Hodges.
- You got a case here?
- No, but
I saw your name
on the docket and I thought
you might want some intel
on Judge Maynard.
You want to give me intel?
Maybe over coffee?
Huh. See, I'm remembering
I wiped the floor with you
the last time we faced off.
I'm all set.
Just trying to help.
Huh.
Help me understand
what I'm looking at here.
Exposed wiring, rotting windows,
crumbling stairs,
fire escapes ready to snap.
Dangerous conditions
defendant Brian Fitzpatrick
ignored in his buildings.
None of which existed
at 800 Rivington Avenue,
the building actually in dispute.
Well, that building
collapsed, so no pictures.
This is classic improper
propensity evidence, Your Honor.
Problems elsewhere don't
prove anything here.
The cracks in
the foundation at 800 Rivington
- had been flagged at inspections.
- And my client
- had those repaired.
- Again, the building collapsed.
Your Honor, those photos
go to knowledge,
a well-established exception
to the propensity rule. Your client
had complaints, said he
repaired them. Clearly, he didn't.
Those buildings aren't even
owned by my client.
They're separate corporations.
OLYMPIA: Corporations he controlled,
until they went
belly-up and disappeared.
Well, companies fail.
Welcome to capitalism.
MAYNARD: Sound
argument, Counselor Lawrence.
Still, the prejudice
outweighs the probative value.
Exhibits excluded.
Then we request additional evidence.
Since counsel agrees
those corporations
are insolvent, we'd like a snapshot
of the defendant's finances.
We're concerned
he may attempt to hide assets.
There isn't even a judgment.
We only need financial records
since the collapse.
If there's nothing to hide,
there's nothing to hide.
Still here.
How did it go?
Lost some Trojan Horse exhibits,
got what I really needed.
I could have helped you get it all.
Are you serious right now?
Is everything all right here?
I'm not sure, Your Honor.
I might need a restraining
order on this clown.
See, I wouldn't say he's a clown.
But then again, I am his mother.
Oh.
- Ready for lunch?
- Sure.
The judge hates you, and I am not
- using that word lightly.
- You weren't even there.
You called her son a clown.
Doesn't take a mentalist
to predict the fallout.
Okay, even if the judge
isn't exactly fond of me
- Hates you.
- the jury is mostly
renters and working parents.
That's a solid
six-four split in our favor.
Which is good, but we need
to assume that Maynard's ruling
against you every single time,
so Blanca's testimony needs to be
Pixar-level heartbreaking.
I want really painful details.
How much she misses her dead mother,
every dream she's ever
had which is now roadkill
because she had
to stop her life to care
for her now disabled sister.
Can you deliver that, Matty?
Roadkill? No.
But, um, I'm sure
Blanca will be emotional.
And Olympia
got the financials, don't forget.
Exactly. Fitzpatrick
told his contractor
to cut corners.
Once the building collapsed,
he must have needed
to keep that contractor quiet.
I'm assuming that involves
hush money, so we need to flag
any and all suspicious transactions.
I'll get Hunter on the treadmill.
- I assume that's a metaphor.
- It is not.
- (CHUCKLES)
- (PHONE VIBRATES)
Okay.
We know what we need to do.
Senior wants to talk tonight.
He's not gonna fire you. He's focused
on the merger.
- He ain't gonna taint that.
- Taint what?
Taint none of your beeswax.
SHAE: It is if it's
about this building case.
The Gwen Reaper has
got me on the chopping block,
which means I need to deliver a win
for those people who got pancaked.
Oh, Shae,
how comforting for the families
of the pancaked people.
Fitzpatrick is slick enough
to bury a bribe,
so flag anything funny,
like a $400 cup of coffee,
or payments
just a skosh under ten grand
or a vendor's name
with one letter misspelled.
Oh, and also anything made out to, uh,
"CONTRACTOR" WITH "MEMO: Bribe."
I'm messing with you, coach.
Yeah, I got you, rookie.
Keep your eye on the ball.
(CHUCKLES)
You got a new case, kiddo?
Actually,
I'm just packing up.
Julian just got me my own office.
Well, isn't that great?
Thanks, I'm excited.
Congratulations, hon.
I'm-I'm proud of you.
Work those financials,
Hunter. I got to scoot to my
- doctor's appointment.
- Everything okay?
Oh, yeah, everything's fine.
After 70, it's held together
with tape and bubblegum.
Ms. Shapiro.
Welcome.
May I call you Cindy?
Please do.
And I'm so sorry that I'm
I'm early, but,
you know, I've just been
too nervous to drive since my wreck.
Traumatized. That's what you've been.
You've been too traumatized to drive.
I see what you did there.
Give me a second
while I grab your file, okay?
- Oh!
- Um, are you sure
you can handle this case?
You look a little disorganized.
That hotshot lawyer seemed
pretty slick.
And, um, I have to be honest.
I'm looking for a payday.
That is music to my Oh.
Here he is.
That's music to my ears.
You know who else seemed disorganized?
Mozart.
- (GASPS)
- He did just fine, didn't he?
Don't worry, there is something of
a method to my madness.
Oh, yeah? What is it?
New cases on the top.
- Mm-hmm?
- Old cases
on the bottom.
See, I'm prone
to these terrible back spasms
just right in here.
Every time I bend over oof
- it's like a roll of the dice.
- Ah.
I'm gonna be honest with you, Cindy.
Once this Julian fellow finds out
that I've got
the whole incident on camera,
he is gonna be
coughing up a cash settlement
on the spot.
Oh, you have
the whole thing on camera?
No. I mean, I wish.
But he doesn't know that, does he?
Wait a second.
- I got something to show you.
- Okay.
So, how's the knee?
Oh, you know,
it's it's a little bit better.
Oh, no, it's not. Cindy?
Pick a cane.
Any cane.
BLANCA: Mr. Fitzpatrick
lied all the time.
He repainted over mold
instead of removing it. When we said
we had rats, he just
sealed the walls
so they died in there.
The smell was horrible,
lasted for about a year.
Sounds awful.
You were the person who reported
the cracks in the foundation, correct?
Yeah, and he said he got it fixed, but
I know he didn't do it right.
If he did, my mom would be here,
my sister would be walking.
Objection. Beyond the scope.
Agreed.
You will disregard the last part
of Ms. Suarez's testimony.
No more questions.
Your testimony is that Mr. Fitzpatrick
was a negligent landlord?
BLANCA: My testimony is that
he was a grossly negligent
slumlord.
Why don't you read aloud
these notes you left
- for him with your rent checks?
- Objection.
More prejudicial than probative.
These statements
are a result of a clear
power imbalance.
I'll allow it.
But earlier, on a similar issue
Yes?
Apologies.
MAYNARD: You can read the notes.
"Thank you so much for the new
heater. You're a lifesaver."
"We're all so grateful
for you fixing the burst pipe."
"Nice and toasty
"thanks to our new radiator.
You are my superhero."
And for the record, that-that
last note it comes with
hearts and a smiley face.
It's awfully effusive
for someone who was
grossly neglecting you.
- Objection.
- Withdrawn.
Why did you write these things?
I was just sucking up so
he would do the bare minimum.
So you'll say
whatever it takes in the moment
to get what you want?
No. But I will make nice
with a man I despise
if it means that my family is safe.
RON: My client is in real pain.
It's been a living hell,
hasn't it, Cindy?
Pure D hell, Ron.
I hope I can get back
to my full strength,
but who knows if I ever will?
Well, you keep that hope alive,
my darling.
As you can see, Julian,
Ms. Shapiro is a very,
very sympathetic witness.
Yeah, right.
She's also the same little old lady
who said she was gonna
- clock me.
- I will, too, buddy-boy,
if you give me that
- smug smile one more time.
- Oh!
RON: Uh, Cindy, why don't you,
- uh, come this way.
- That was battery,
by the way.
Step out here and we can, uh,
- you can wait in the waiting room, yeah?
- Well
Let the, uh, lawyers do the talking.
I'm just gonna use the ladies room.
Oh, you can-you can leave that open.
Oh, you'll thank me.
I had nachos supreme for lunch.
JULIAN: So that's your,
uh, perfect witness?
RON: Oh, I can train her.
Plus, I've got video footage.
Oh, yeah? Show me.
Sure.
It's, uh, it's a little weird.
Looks like my, uh, my phone
backed it up to the wrong cloud.
Well, there's only one cloud.
Uh, my home computer
is actually my other cloud.
Yeah.
I'll cut to it, professional courtesy,
I'm willing to settle this
right now for 20k.
But as soon as that video comes out,
the price goes up.
This is a comparative negligence case.
RON: This is nothing. I got
100k for a kid for exactly
this same kind of accident.
You never got 100k
- for a fender bender.
- Are you accusing me
of mendacity, Little Lord Fauntleroy?
I'm gonna show you that settlement.
It's in my "Ron Hall of Fame" file.
No, no, no. No need.
No, no, no, I-I believe you.
Oh, you're gonna see that settlement,
you little trust fund punk.
(JULIAN EXCLAIMS)
No!
What did you do?
- Ms. Shapiro!
- JULIAN: Sorry, it was
an accident, I was reaching
for a pen and
(GROANING)
My back.
Ms. Shapiro,
I need you to take a video
and upload it to the cloud.
To the right cloud.
I need a witness,
that this man has desecrated
the memory of my father.
Was that his vase?
It's not a vase, it's an urn.
And those
these are my father's ashes.
So you didn't get it?
No, I didn't get it.
What were you thinking?
I I wasn't.
Who keeps their dad's ashes
on a shelf next to a fidget spinner?
I think you've got
a little bit (CHUCKLES)
- bit on your nose.
- Oh, are you s
(LAUGHS) God.
(LAUGHING): Oh, God.
(LAUGHS)
Oh! (SPITS)
(LAUGHS)
No, my allergies are bad enough
without Ron's dad all up my sinuses.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Oh, God.
(MUTTERS)
Oh.
EDWIN (ITALIAN ACCENT): Spaghetti,
Mona Lisa.
Leaning
Tower of Lasagna.
No, none of that is actually Italian.
Of course not, Mamma mia.
This is why we have a-classes.
(REGULAR ACCENT):
Italian for beginners,
Westchester Cultural Center.
First class tomorrow.
(ITALIAN ACCENT): So, how you like-a
that risotto?
(ITALIAN ACCENT): I like it a lot.
(BOTH CHUCKLING)
Oh, don't worry.
You're gonna get that
scientist's name when
you go back to Ron's office.
(REGULAR ACCENT): I'm sure we will.
And I know exactly
where those files are now.
What's wrong?
I was laughing with Julian.
I don't know why I did that.
I just I can't forget who he is.
Well, I don't think
that's gonna happen, whether
or not you laugh with him.
Not worth the risk.
Better to focus on our goal.
You know,
when I left my mother's house,
I was the same age as our client.
Oh.
But Blanca made a U-turn.
She went back,
cared for her sister.
I was taillights.
But
it was the only way
I could make it out of there.
Hands on the wheel,
eyes straight ahead.
Until we get to Senior.
Thank you for wanting to talk.
I know you're hurt,
and you have every right to be.
I was working behind your back
to oust you as managing partner.
And as your daughter-in-law,
I'm ashamed.
But as a lawyer,
I put the firm first.
Just like you taught me to do.
People were unhappy,
and I agreed
leadership had to change.
And I didn't think you'd change.
Please say something.
Neuroplasticity.
Uh
After a stroke.
You get to reorganize the brain.
Neurons form
new pathways.
Change, as you say.
Some people wake up speaking German.
Did you?
No.
I woke up with forgiveness.
I don't know how long I have left.
And I do not want to spend it
at war with the people I love.
Well, I love you too.
And also,
if that were it,
we'd be having
this meeting at your home.
Too many Jacobson Moore
partners took the buyout
and left.
So, I need
all the rest of 'em behind me.
So you stay in power
after the merger?
I am in this position
because you
rallied the troops against me.
So, can you rally them back?
I'll talk about the neurons.
(CHUCKLES)
OLYMPIA: Mr. Coleman, as
the contractor on this project,
you did all of
the repairs on the building?
Absolutely.
By the book and up to code.
Although, the inspector
never got to confirm that
because the building
collapsed, which
- Objection.
- MAYNARD: Sustained.
Stick to the facts, Ms. Lawrence.
Here are the facts.
We collected bids
from ten reputable contractors
for this same job.
They all estimated it would cost
twice as much as you charged
and take twice as long.
Brian Fitzpatrick
owns tons of buildings.
- I wanted his business, so I
- So you gave him a break
on the price, despite
the fact that you couldn't
do the work required
for that price?
Objection. Argumentative.
Sustained.
Ms. Lawrence, watch it.
Uh, did your crew
use low-grade materials?
- No.
- Did they cut any corners?
- Of course not.
- So, how did you finish the job so quickly?
I run a family business.
Most of my crew
are my relatives.
You work faster
when your name's on the truck.
OLYMPIA: Got it.
We took concrete samples
from the basement of the building
where you were did
the foundation work.
Now, high-rises contain
grade 53.
So, why did the debris
at 800 Rivington contain grade 33?
'Cause I mixed them.
There's nothing wrong with that
as long as you use the proper ratio.
But of course,
we can't confirm the ratio
- because the building collapsed.
- Your Honor.
Ms. Lawrence, one more aside,
I'll hold you in contempt.
My courtroom is not a circus.
There is no room for clowns.
Of course, Your Honor.
Apologies. No further questions.
Hey, Remy. It's Olympia.
Just calling to take you up
on that cup of coffee,
get that intel on the judge
you were offering.
Anyway, call me back.
Oh, hey.
Matty went to the library.
Not sure where Hunter went.
Congratulations on the new office.
Oh, yeah. Thanks.
Mm-hmm.
So, how did it go with the contractor?
Did he crack on the stand?
Landed some blows,
despite the judge trying
to block me left and right.
And I still don't have proof of payout
- between him and Fitzpatrick.
- You might. Sorry I'm late.
- Did you stop at the drugstore first?
- Because I saw on
the financials that Fitzpatrick
took a lot of trips there,
so I hit up the stores that he went to
to see if any
of the clerks recognized him,
and they all did,
because he was buying Visa gift cards.
$75,000 dollars worth.
That's how he must have
paid off the contractor.
I think we have our smoking gun.
(PHONE VIBRATES)
Oh, it's Ron, the greatest legal mind
- of the 21st century.
- Take it.
I have to walk back a coffee date.
Hey, Ron.
Yeah, I'm in the supermarket.
I'm about to hop on the bus.
Wait a minute. W Slow down.
What do you mean?
JULIAN: Ron dropped you as a client?
Apparently, it would be
a conflict of interest,
given his intention to sue the pants
off you for his father's ashes.
For what?
I should sue him.
I mean, no amount of Listerine
can get the taste
of his dad out of my mouth.
We need that file.
Okay. Well, um
we'll-we'll figure out another way.
Here's the way.
You call him at 5:30,
start an argument.
I'll get there right after,
demand to talk. He'll tell me to wait,
and that'll give me enough time
to nab the file.
Got it?
Yeah, no problem. Got it.
Mr. Fitzpatrick, how long have
you owned 800 Rivington Avenue?
Ten years.
I've watched kids
take their first steps
in the lobby, celebrated
holidays with the with the tenants.
They're like family.
And you responded
to their maintenance needs?
To the best of my ability, always.
I mean, owning property isn't simple.
High taxes, rent control,
margins get tight.
But I never ignore repairs.
CRAIG: Including the foundation?
FITZPATRICK: Oh, come on.
That's serious, of course.
As soon as the city inspector
identified the problem,
I hired Mr. Coleman to fix it.
It's all documented.
It-It's clear as day.
CRAIG: Well, what's
clear as day is that you
met your duty of care.
Your witness, Ms. Lawrence.
Your contractor Mr. Coleman.
He gave you quite a deal, didn't he?
He did, along with
a fully itemized invoice
explaining exactly
how he could do the job
for the amount that he bid.
A bid over half
a million dollars less
- than all the others.
- That's correct, yes.
OLYMPIA: So you don't
think half a million dollars
in savings was connected
to why the building fell down?
No. Absolutely not.
But if it were connected,
it'd be a good idea
for you to make sure
that Terrence Coleman
didn't blab.
Maybe through,
I don't know,
$75,000 in hush money?
CRAIG: Objection.
Zero foundation
for any of this so-called hush money.
I'm about to build it, Your Honor.
Make it fast and clean.
Any sign of gamesmanship,
I strike the entire line
- of questioning.
- Understood.
Your business expenditures,
with highlighted purchases from
your local drug stores.
Always in $5,000 increments.
Now, were those Visa gift cards
you purchased?
- They were.
- And did you give
those Visa gift cards to Mr. Coleman
as under-the-table payouts
so he would keep quiet
about the subpar work
you asked him to do?
No, of course not.
Okay, then, were they
for his construction crew?
No, they were
Who, Mr. Fitzpatrick?
Look
I know I did not cause this collapse.
But I felt so badly.
I didn't think Blanca
would take money from me.
So I bought the gift cards
and I used them
to set up anonymous recurring payments
for the tenants' GoFundMes.
We just lost the jury.
This doesn't break our case.
Olympia's already pivoting.
We'll put every construction
worker on the stand,
and one of them will admit
to the shoddy work.
(SNIFFLES SOFTLY)
Blanca.
Those donations
have been everything to us.
I would get them
in these $5,000 chunks.
I used to call
the anonymous donor my angel,
so to know that they were coming
from Mr. Fitzpatrick, I
He felt guilty.
He cut corners, and that's why
the building fell.
(SCOFFS)
I keep replaying
the last time I saw my mom.
I was heading to class,
and we had this fight
before I left.
I told her she was selfish.
(SHORT SOB)
She worked three jobs.
Well, you couldn't have known
what would happen.
But it's almost like I did.
I was out the door,
and I was angry.
And then
I don't know what happened, I
but I went back and I apologized.
And thank God I did,
because if I would have
left things like that,
if I would have left things
unfinished
REMY: Quite the
emotional roller coaster.
You want coffee,
you don't want coffee.
I'd ask if it's me,
but it's definitely not me.
Correct. It's your mom.
Hmm. Great lady, right?
Uh, y-yeah. Uh, tough lady
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
who does not like me.
- Hmm.
- Which is understandable.
But I can't let
this building collapse.
Aha. So, I'm your support beam.
Extra rebar.
You want to talk strategy?
I want you to talk to your mother,
because I'm about to put up
the rest of my case,
and she is ruling against me
every single time.
Are you implying that
she's unfairly prejudiced?
No. I am just asking
if you could casually mention
that you and I are on good terms,
in case that's a concern
for her. Nothing improper.
- Just say
- But now you're giving me notes
on how to speak to my mother?
- Uh, of course not.
- All right, good.
Because that would be
twice as improper.
(SIGHS)
(PHONE DINGS)
Hi, there.
You're Shae Banfield. The legend.
What a pleasure. Gwen Easton.
Oh. Nice to officially meet.
I've heard a lot about you.
Same, same.
Very excited to sit down soon,
find out why a firm
like Jacobson Moore
needs an in-house jury consultant
instead of contracting that job out.
Y I can't wait to sit down
and discuss the benefits.
- Yay.
- Yay.
I'll get a meeting on the books.
SHAE: Ah. She's certainly
friendly.
(CHUCKLES)
Don't let the smile fool you.
Never do.
I'm glad you're back.
I believe that. From you, kid.
Good.
So, I don't have to be worried, do I?
About my job.
Eh, you should win the case.
Well, of course, but
you will look out for me, right?
I mean, you created
the position for me.
You should win the case.
Hmm?
For your new office.
Double-wick candles are a fire hazard.
Too much puppy energy?
Barely a tail wag.
It's not about you.
(DOOR OPENS)
Been a long time
since I've been up here.
Hmm. Me too.
I'll apologize to Hunter.
Not why I'm here.
Why did we stop coming up here?
Oh
I don't remember.
We got busy. (SNIFFLES)
- It got cold.
- Hmm.
Sometimes things
change, slowly.
Yeah.
Sometimes all at once.
(SIGHS)
I've never been good with change.
Well, you've had a lot.
Your boss, your office.
Your mom getting married.
I might look
for my birth parents, actually.
Oh, yeah?
Had a call with a PI guy
that Julian found.
He did the research, vetted the guy.
He's been great.
Glad to hear it.
So, what's giving you pause?
It's always been this option
for me. (LAUGHS SOFTLY)
And I'm scared that if I look
and I don't find them,
then that option's gone, you know?
Well
I can't speak to your
specific situation, but
as someone quite
a bit further down the road,
I can give you my perspective.
I didn't have a great
relationship with my own mother.
I think I told you
she was an alcoholic.
When I left, I left.
I was afraid to look back.
I carry regret.
So, you think I should do it?
I think
you shouldn't let fear
grab ahold of the wheel,
whatever you decide.
Hmm.
Well, maybe after I reach out
we could come back up here to talk?
- Although it does get cold.
- (LAUGHS SOFTLY)
Would you ever consider holding out
for an office with a window?
Staying put for now?
'Cause when I saw that moving box
like to break my heart in two.
SARAH: I'll stay.
Text Julian. Heading to Ron's.
- ETA 30 minutes.
- (PHONE DINGS)
(PHONE RINGING)
- (BEEP)
- Hey, sweetie.
ALFIE: Hi, Grammy. I don't feel good.
And Grampa's at his class
and I've been throwing up.
I know you're on your way
to Ron, but can you come home?
- On my way.
- Thanks, Grammy.
(BEEP)
Text Julian. We need to reschedule.
(PHONE CHIMES)
Take me home.
VOICE ASSISTANT: At
the next right, make a U-turn.
Okay, we start questioning
the crew tomorrow.
- I'll push hard
- Yeah, but not too hard. Jury won't like
a wealthy lawyer
berating construction workers.
- I'll ride the line.
- Yeah, but get them to say something concrete.
"Concrete" was the financial
records, which didn't pan out.
Well, find something else.
I have a lot riding on this.
And you think I don't?
Hey, sorry to interrupt,
but Maynard's clerk just called.
She wants to see you in chambers.
- What? Why?
- Some kind of misconduct.
The clerk wouldn't get into it
over the phone.
(SIGHS) Olympia.
What did you do?
In all my decades on the bench,
I've never encountered
this situation. I'm shocked.
And believe me, I don't get shocked.
But any allegation involving
misconduct with the jury
must be taken very seriously.
- What kind of jury misconduct?
- I'm not at liberty
to say more while
the investigation is pending.
In the meantime,
I have no choice
but to declare a mistrial.
OLYMPIA: So, listen,
I wanted to apologize.
I shouldn't have asked you
about your mother.
Can we go out for that coffee?
And not mention
- your mom at all?
- (LAUGHS SOFTLY)
As long as we're clear on the terms.
Is this an apology coffee
or are you asking me out, Counselor?
I'm asking you for coffee.
Ugh, and I've waited
too long for coffee.
Let's have dinner.
Oh. I agree to these terms.
Talk to you later.
- Pretty happy for a mistrial.
- We were about to lose.
Divine intervention,
like I told Blanca.
We get another bite
at the apple, and if Fitzpatrick
had anything to do
with that jury misconduct,
he's going down fast.
- Mm-hmm.
- Wait, aren't you supposed to be
at Ron's office with Matty right now?
Matty's grandson is sick,
so she went home.
- (DOOR OPENS)
- EDWIN: Hi.
How was it?
Incredibile.
- (BOTH LAUGH)
- Really?
How's our patient doing?
Oh, he's so much better.
He went to sleep about 20 minutes ago.
He finished his all applications.
- Ah.
- Three of his buddies called to check in
- and see how he was doing.
- Aw.
I just want him happy.
That's the most important thing.
- Oh, I know.
- I'm sorry you had to come home.
- I turned off my phone in class.
- Oh, no, no, it's fine.
Ron can wait. You want some?
D-Do I ever.
(SIGHS) You know, my mom made
the best grilled cheese.
(EXHALES)
Even during her worst binges, she
she used to make 'em
for me when I was sick.
I couldn't eat anything else,
I just
Sometimes I'd fake getting a cold
just so she'd make one for me.
Never heard that story.
Oh, well, maybe it's 'cause
hard to remember the good things
when there was so much bad.
I guess I used the resentment
to fuel me.
Maybe I didn't n-need to?
Wh-Why am I realizing
all of this too late?
Oh, it doesn't sound too late at all.
No, it's-it's inspiring.
The way you keep changing
and growing.
(EXHALES)
Took me a year and a half
to sign up for Italian class.
But you
you're in fresh snow all day long,
carving up the mountain.
(SNIFFLES)
- (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
- (DOORBELL CHIMES)
- EDWIN: Oh. Come in.
- MATTY: Ah!
Oh, I can tell
by those deranged smiles
you might have some good news.
(CHUCKLES)
We got the name of the scientist
who owned and ran Martex Lab.
But how?
Matty's grandson is sick,
so she went home.
(SIGHS)
Why don't we take care
of it ourselves?
Little improv, for old times' sake.
(SNIFFLES)
(JAMAICAN ACCENT): Hello, Ron.
U-Uh, hello. Do-do I know you?
Oh, no. But you do know
my lunkhead ex-husband,
who came through here
like a bull in a china shop.
- Hey! Get in here.
- (ENTRY BELL CHIMES)
You, sit here.
And don't you even think
about touching anything.
Let the grown-ups talk, eh?
There is no way that I am gonna
settle for less than 20K.
- My father's ashes were
- Ha! Were sitting on the edge
of a credenza.
Unsafe premises.
RON: Unsafe premises?
T-This is my office.
OLYMPIA: Exactly.
Which means you violated
a duty of care.
Here is what I am willing
to offer you.
RON: (SCOFFS) This is ridiculous.
I can't even buy
a replacement urn with that.
OLYMPIA: Then I am
preparing a countersuit
for harassment, defamation,
and you'll be shopping for your
next urn at a yard sale, Ron.
(REGULAR ACCENT):
The scientist who ran the lab
is named Priva Kapoor.
What?
I think maybe you have
a little bit Ron's dad
- still on your nose.
- (LAUGHING)
(PHONE VIBRATES)
Oh, it's Sarah.
- Hey.
- SARAH: Sorry to call.
I was working late
and I heard a commotion.
OLYMPIA: What's going on, Sarah?
Shae is getting arrested.
What? Why?
For bribing the jury on your case.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
sync & corrections awaqeded
hid documents that could have
taken opioids off the market.
My dad told me
to get rid of the study.
I was the one who wrangled the votes
to unseat you as managing partner.
MATTY: I need you to
apologize to my family,
and to accept responsibility
for what you've done.
I am so sorry, Matty.
SARAH: Olympia
and Matty's new
associate is a total bro.
I'm fired up to be on this team.
SHAE: Hi, there.
I'm here to help
you ladies win your case.
Merger's happening. Why would you
turn away a free jury consultant?
I didn't know you were adopted.
And you never tried
to find your birth parents?
Now, I'd be intimidated if
I didn't have my own
three all-stars as backup.
My brains,
my looks and my mom.
Wait, Julian texted you?
I'm not friends with the guy.
I can work with him.
- You telling her about Milton?
- Sure am.
Milton, Massachusetts.
Maybe the study
was done at a lab in Milton.
Martex Behavior Lab, but it's closed.
If Milton had to be bought or buried,
we might have a whistleblower.
OLYMPIA: How's the rental car?
The steering wheel is heated,
and it turns on with a button
and I'm getting a massage
even as we speak.
- (LAUGHS)
- Oh, I got to run, Olympia.
Good luck.
Let her rip, tater chip.
Oh.
What the
(HONKS HORN)
Ow! Ow, ow, ow!
Ow!
What in the heckadoody?
You slammed
straight into my car, you knucklehead.
Okay, all right.
Well, let's just calm down.
- Calm down?
- Yeah, it's just a little fender bender.
You entitled little "man-scone."
Did you even
look where you were going?
You were probably on your Bluetooth,
talking to Wall Street.
Lady, I had the right-of-way.
I'm gonna wipe that grin
off your face the right-of-way.
- Not another word, not
- Oh, ow!
another word.
Let's let a lawyer
do the talking for you, yeah?
Ron Henson Jr.,
esquire.
What even is a "man-scone?"
Oh, I don't know,
it just flew out my mouth.
The point is I am now represented
by the lawyer who dissolved
Martex Behavioral Lab.
Can't believe that guy actually
filed the right paperwork.
Well, he did. And that paperwork
has the name of the scientist
who ran the lab. The one
your father either bought or buried.
And the one that
ties him to the cover-up.
We're getting close. I can feel it.
Is Senior still planning
to come back to the office this week?
Couple hours, Tuesday and Thursday.
He's not firing you. He promised.
Well, that's a pie-crust promise.
- Easily broken.
- OLYMPIA: He's gonna want
- a pound of flesh at least.
- JULIAN: Yeah, I'm telling you,
my dad is focused on the merger
and he's different.
He had a stroke, not a lobotomy.
Hands on the wheel,
eyes straight ahead, right?
Right.
EDWIN: A "man-scone?"
He's bland,
he crumbles under pressure,
He might as well have been a muffin
in the first place.
So, you are liking Julian
more and more, huh?
I don't have to like him,
I just have to work with him.
And I can do that now that he's
accepted responsibility
for his actions.
- Hm.
- Unlike
Brian Fitzpatrick,
the owner of 800 Rivington.
Is that the collapsed building?
Yep.
I mean, there's no way in hell
Fitzpatrick repaired it to code.
If he had, that building
would never have
- collapsed.
- Oh.
Human beings were buried alive.
It just makes me sick to my stomach
to think about
Did you finish your essay?
Whoa.
Vibes.
Oh. Sorry.
Good morning, Alfie. May I look at
your application essay
before I head into the city?
I didn't finish it.
Why not? San Francisco has competitive
high schools. When we head back,
you're gonna want options.
Just I don't
want to switch schools.
I'm making friends here.
Finally.
And Joey's here, too.
Well, we can talk about it.
But you should apply, regardless.
Go grab your laptop
and show Grandpa
what you've written so far.
Oh, don't give me that look.
I know you want to stay, too.
I just want
to make sure Alfie's happy.
Well, I have a life in San Francisco.
Here, I'm stuck in the house.
Well, nobody's locking you in.
Well, we didn't know
how long we were gonna be here.
I had to man the fort.
Which you have done beautifully.
And now,
the fort will not crumble
if you take your class
on the Middle Ages.
Oh, no, no, no.
You are contractually obligated
to take that with me.
Okay. Italian, then.
- (SCOFFS)
- Maybe we'll finally
get a decent risotto out of you.
Oh, ho. Shots fired.
(IMITATES GUNSHOT)
He shoots, he scores!
And he focuses.
Shae's gonna be with us on this one
'cause it's a big 'un.
Blanca Suarez,
she's our named plaintiff,
but we represent all the tenants.
She wins, they win.
Let's go. Yeah, I remember seeing
that building collapse on TikTok.
MATTY: Let's just make
sure you're caught up
on all the non-TikTok details,
- Okay.
- 'cause without
a smoking gun, it's gonna
take some work to convince a jury
that Fitzpatrick told his
contractor to do subpar work.
I'm up to speed, coach.
I prepped the exhibits and I reread
the depositions
last night on the treadmill.
I'm sorry, you were-you were running?
Oh, well, I had to
hop off a few times.
Got emotional reading
Blanca's testimony.
Want to quiz me?
No, no quiz. You just make sure
you got a lock on this,
'cause after our evidentiary hearing,
we're gonna go, go, go.
Let's go!
- Please go.
- Huh?
- What?
- Oh!
I wanted to give you this, Sarah.
I overheard you asking
for a PI recommendation yesterday,
- and I used this guy one time
- You should focus on the case.
Hunter.
You're a puppy dog.
And she's a cat.
You just let her come to you.
Okay, the dude is officially
driving me crazy.
Who? He's fired.
- Kidding.
- (WEAK CHUCKLE)
You know Gwen, right?
She heads the merger integration.
Uh, we were just wrapping up.
Was that a yes?
Conditional to a quid pro quo.
Since your father trusts you so much,
as I start to
snip support staff,
I might need to bop in
every now and then
and put a name in front of you.
Which ick. But also business.
Well, bop in anytime.
You should thank him.
Did you just save my job?
Actually, Gwen just approved
a new office for you.
- What?
- Mm-hmm.
Small, private, on this floor.
Unless you'll miss H-dog and
his gnarly three-pointers.
I am so ready to never see
a grown man grip a foam ball again.
(LAUGHS)
(SIGHS) Okay, so that is
two things that you've helped me with.
Oh, look at me, on a roll.
What's the other thing?
I emailed the PI you found.
We set a call
to talk about the process
of finding my birth parents.
MATTY: You nervous?
So nervous.
I can't believe the trial
is finally happening.
(PHONE VIBRATES)
Hang on.
Hi. Yes, this is Blanca Suarez.
Thank you for calling me back.
Um, I just wanted to tell you
that I might be a few minutes
late today for Camila's PT.
Yeah.
Thank you.
How's Camila's
recovery going?
Slow. It's hard.
But we have
the best physical therapist.
Thank God for all of the donations.
Total strangers
are keeping things afloat.
You're keeping things afloat.
No.
The way you stopped your life
to take care of your sister.
I didn't have a choice.
What was I gonna do, stay in college?
Well, I think you
very much did have a choice.
And I admire the one you made.
I want Fitzpatrick held responsible
for my mother's death.
The man is evil.
That's why we're here.
REMY: Olympia Lawrence.
Remy Hodges.
- You got a case here?
- No, but
I saw your name
on the docket and I thought
you might want some intel
on Judge Maynard.
You want to give me intel?
Maybe over coffee?
Huh. See, I'm remembering
I wiped the floor with you
the last time we faced off.
I'm all set.
Just trying to help.
Huh.
Help me understand
what I'm looking at here.
Exposed wiring, rotting windows,
crumbling stairs,
fire escapes ready to snap.
Dangerous conditions
defendant Brian Fitzpatrick
ignored in his buildings.
None of which existed
at 800 Rivington Avenue,
the building actually in dispute.
Well, that building
collapsed, so no pictures.
This is classic improper
propensity evidence, Your Honor.
Problems elsewhere don't
prove anything here.
The cracks in
the foundation at 800 Rivington
- had been flagged at inspections.
- And my client
- had those repaired.
- Again, the building collapsed.
Your Honor, those photos
go to knowledge,
a well-established exception
to the propensity rule. Your client
had complaints, said he
repaired them. Clearly, he didn't.
Those buildings aren't even
owned by my client.
They're separate corporations.
OLYMPIA: Corporations he controlled,
until they went
belly-up and disappeared.
Well, companies fail.
Welcome to capitalism.
MAYNARD: Sound
argument, Counselor Lawrence.
Still, the prejudice
outweighs the probative value.
Exhibits excluded.
Then we request additional evidence.
Since counsel agrees
those corporations
are insolvent, we'd like a snapshot
of the defendant's finances.
We're concerned
he may attempt to hide assets.
There isn't even a judgment.
We only need financial records
since the collapse.
If there's nothing to hide,
there's nothing to hide.
Still here.
How did it go?
Lost some Trojan Horse exhibits,
got what I really needed.
I could have helped you get it all.
Are you serious right now?
Is everything all right here?
I'm not sure, Your Honor.
I might need a restraining
order on this clown.
See, I wouldn't say he's a clown.
But then again, I am his mother.
Oh.
- Ready for lunch?
- Sure.
The judge hates you, and I am not
- using that word lightly.
- You weren't even there.
You called her son a clown.
Doesn't take a mentalist
to predict the fallout.
Okay, even if the judge
isn't exactly fond of me
- Hates you.
- the jury is mostly
renters and working parents.
That's a solid
six-four split in our favor.
Which is good, but we need
to assume that Maynard's ruling
against you every single time,
so Blanca's testimony needs to be
Pixar-level heartbreaking.
I want really painful details.
How much she misses her dead mother,
every dream she's ever
had which is now roadkill
because she had
to stop her life to care
for her now disabled sister.
Can you deliver that, Matty?
Roadkill? No.
But, um, I'm sure
Blanca will be emotional.
And Olympia
got the financials, don't forget.
Exactly. Fitzpatrick
told his contractor
to cut corners.
Once the building collapsed,
he must have needed
to keep that contractor quiet.
I'm assuming that involves
hush money, so we need to flag
any and all suspicious transactions.
I'll get Hunter on the treadmill.
- I assume that's a metaphor.
- It is not.
- (CHUCKLES)
- (PHONE VIBRATES)
Okay.
We know what we need to do.
Senior wants to talk tonight.
He's not gonna fire you. He's focused
on the merger.
- He ain't gonna taint that.
- Taint what?
Taint none of your beeswax.
SHAE: It is if it's
about this building case.
The Gwen Reaper has
got me on the chopping block,
which means I need to deliver a win
for those people who got pancaked.
Oh, Shae,
how comforting for the families
of the pancaked people.
Fitzpatrick is slick enough
to bury a bribe,
so flag anything funny,
like a $400 cup of coffee,
or payments
just a skosh under ten grand
or a vendor's name
with one letter misspelled.
Oh, and also anything made out to, uh,
"CONTRACTOR" WITH "MEMO: Bribe."
I'm messing with you, coach.
Yeah, I got you, rookie.
Keep your eye on the ball.
(CHUCKLES)
You got a new case, kiddo?
Actually,
I'm just packing up.
Julian just got me my own office.
Well, isn't that great?
Thanks, I'm excited.
Congratulations, hon.
I'm-I'm proud of you.
Work those financials,
Hunter. I got to scoot to my
- doctor's appointment.
- Everything okay?
Oh, yeah, everything's fine.
After 70, it's held together
with tape and bubblegum.
Ms. Shapiro.
Welcome.
May I call you Cindy?
Please do.
And I'm so sorry that I'm
I'm early, but,
you know, I've just been
too nervous to drive since my wreck.
Traumatized. That's what you've been.
You've been too traumatized to drive.
I see what you did there.
Give me a second
while I grab your file, okay?
- Oh!
- Um, are you sure
you can handle this case?
You look a little disorganized.
That hotshot lawyer seemed
pretty slick.
And, um, I have to be honest.
I'm looking for a payday.
That is music to my Oh.
Here he is.
That's music to my ears.
You know who else seemed disorganized?
Mozart.
- (GASPS)
- He did just fine, didn't he?
Don't worry, there is something of
a method to my madness.
Oh, yeah? What is it?
New cases on the top.
- Mm-hmm?
- Old cases
on the bottom.
See, I'm prone
to these terrible back spasms
just right in here.
Every time I bend over oof
- it's like a roll of the dice.
- Ah.
I'm gonna be honest with you, Cindy.
Once this Julian fellow finds out
that I've got
the whole incident on camera,
he is gonna be
coughing up a cash settlement
on the spot.
Oh, you have
the whole thing on camera?
No. I mean, I wish.
But he doesn't know that, does he?
Wait a second.
- I got something to show you.
- Okay.
So, how's the knee?
Oh, you know,
it's it's a little bit better.
Oh, no, it's not. Cindy?
Pick a cane.
Any cane.
BLANCA: Mr. Fitzpatrick
lied all the time.
He repainted over mold
instead of removing it. When we said
we had rats, he just
sealed the walls
so they died in there.
The smell was horrible,
lasted for about a year.
Sounds awful.
You were the person who reported
the cracks in the foundation, correct?
Yeah, and he said he got it fixed, but
I know he didn't do it right.
If he did, my mom would be here,
my sister would be walking.
Objection. Beyond the scope.
Agreed.
You will disregard the last part
of Ms. Suarez's testimony.
No more questions.
Your testimony is that Mr. Fitzpatrick
was a negligent landlord?
BLANCA: My testimony is that
he was a grossly negligent
slumlord.
Why don't you read aloud
these notes you left
- for him with your rent checks?
- Objection.
More prejudicial than probative.
These statements
are a result of a clear
power imbalance.
I'll allow it.
But earlier, on a similar issue
Yes?
Apologies.
MAYNARD: You can read the notes.
"Thank you so much for the new
heater. You're a lifesaver."
"We're all so grateful
for you fixing the burst pipe."
"Nice and toasty
"thanks to our new radiator.
You are my superhero."
And for the record, that-that
last note it comes with
hearts and a smiley face.
It's awfully effusive
for someone who was
grossly neglecting you.
- Objection.
- Withdrawn.
Why did you write these things?
I was just sucking up so
he would do the bare minimum.
So you'll say
whatever it takes in the moment
to get what you want?
No. But I will make nice
with a man I despise
if it means that my family is safe.
RON: My client is in real pain.
It's been a living hell,
hasn't it, Cindy?
Pure D hell, Ron.
I hope I can get back
to my full strength,
but who knows if I ever will?
Well, you keep that hope alive,
my darling.
As you can see, Julian,
Ms. Shapiro is a very,
very sympathetic witness.
Yeah, right.
She's also the same little old lady
who said she was gonna
- clock me.
- I will, too, buddy-boy,
if you give me that
- smug smile one more time.
- Oh!
RON: Uh, Cindy, why don't you,
- uh, come this way.
- That was battery,
by the way.
Step out here and we can, uh,
- you can wait in the waiting room, yeah?
- Well
Let the, uh, lawyers do the talking.
I'm just gonna use the ladies room.
Oh, you can-you can leave that open.
Oh, you'll thank me.
I had nachos supreme for lunch.
JULIAN: So that's your,
uh, perfect witness?
RON: Oh, I can train her.
Plus, I've got video footage.
Oh, yeah? Show me.
Sure.
It's, uh, it's a little weird.
Looks like my, uh, my phone
backed it up to the wrong cloud.
Well, there's only one cloud.
Uh, my home computer
is actually my other cloud.
Yeah.
I'll cut to it, professional courtesy,
I'm willing to settle this
right now for 20k.
But as soon as that video comes out,
the price goes up.
This is a comparative negligence case.
RON: This is nothing. I got
100k for a kid for exactly
this same kind of accident.
You never got 100k
- for a fender bender.
- Are you accusing me
of mendacity, Little Lord Fauntleroy?
I'm gonna show you that settlement.
It's in my "Ron Hall of Fame" file.
No, no, no. No need.
No, no, no, I-I believe you.
Oh, you're gonna see that settlement,
you little trust fund punk.
(JULIAN EXCLAIMS)
No!
What did you do?
- Ms. Shapiro!
- JULIAN: Sorry, it was
an accident, I was reaching
for a pen and
(GROANING)
My back.
Ms. Shapiro,
I need you to take a video
and upload it to the cloud.
To the right cloud.
I need a witness,
that this man has desecrated
the memory of my father.
Was that his vase?
It's not a vase, it's an urn.
And those
these are my father's ashes.
So you didn't get it?
No, I didn't get it.
What were you thinking?
I I wasn't.
Who keeps their dad's ashes
on a shelf next to a fidget spinner?
I think you've got
a little bit (CHUCKLES)
- bit on your nose.
- Oh, are you s
(LAUGHS) God.
(LAUGHING): Oh, God.
(LAUGHS)
Oh! (SPITS)
(LAUGHS)
No, my allergies are bad enough
without Ron's dad all up my sinuses.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Oh, God.
(MUTTERS)
Oh.
EDWIN (ITALIAN ACCENT): Spaghetti,
Mona Lisa.
Leaning
Tower of Lasagna.
No, none of that is actually Italian.
Of course not, Mamma mia.
This is why we have a-classes.
(REGULAR ACCENT):
Italian for beginners,
Westchester Cultural Center.
First class tomorrow.
(ITALIAN ACCENT): So, how you like-a
that risotto?
(ITALIAN ACCENT): I like it a lot.
(BOTH CHUCKLING)
Oh, don't worry.
You're gonna get that
scientist's name when
you go back to Ron's office.
(REGULAR ACCENT): I'm sure we will.
And I know exactly
where those files are now.
What's wrong?
I was laughing with Julian.
I don't know why I did that.
I just I can't forget who he is.
Well, I don't think
that's gonna happen, whether
or not you laugh with him.
Not worth the risk.
Better to focus on our goal.
You know,
when I left my mother's house,
I was the same age as our client.
Oh.
But Blanca made a U-turn.
She went back,
cared for her sister.
I was taillights.
But
it was the only way
I could make it out of there.
Hands on the wheel,
eyes straight ahead.
Until we get to Senior.
Thank you for wanting to talk.
I know you're hurt,
and you have every right to be.
I was working behind your back
to oust you as managing partner.
And as your daughter-in-law,
I'm ashamed.
But as a lawyer,
I put the firm first.
Just like you taught me to do.
People were unhappy,
and I agreed
leadership had to change.
And I didn't think you'd change.
Please say something.
Neuroplasticity.
Uh
After a stroke.
You get to reorganize the brain.
Neurons form
new pathways.
Change, as you say.
Some people wake up speaking German.
Did you?
No.
I woke up with forgiveness.
I don't know how long I have left.
And I do not want to spend it
at war with the people I love.
Well, I love you too.
And also,
if that were it,
we'd be having
this meeting at your home.
Too many Jacobson Moore
partners took the buyout
and left.
So, I need
all the rest of 'em behind me.
So you stay in power
after the merger?
I am in this position
because you
rallied the troops against me.
So, can you rally them back?
I'll talk about the neurons.
(CHUCKLES)
OLYMPIA: Mr. Coleman, as
the contractor on this project,
you did all of
the repairs on the building?
Absolutely.
By the book and up to code.
Although, the inspector
never got to confirm that
because the building
collapsed, which
- Objection.
- MAYNARD: Sustained.
Stick to the facts, Ms. Lawrence.
Here are the facts.
We collected bids
from ten reputable contractors
for this same job.
They all estimated it would cost
twice as much as you charged
and take twice as long.
Brian Fitzpatrick
owns tons of buildings.
- I wanted his business, so I
- So you gave him a break
on the price, despite
the fact that you couldn't
do the work required
for that price?
Objection. Argumentative.
Sustained.
Ms. Lawrence, watch it.
Uh, did your crew
use low-grade materials?
- No.
- Did they cut any corners?
- Of course not.
- So, how did you finish the job so quickly?
I run a family business.
Most of my crew
are my relatives.
You work faster
when your name's on the truck.
OLYMPIA: Got it.
We took concrete samples
from the basement of the building
where you were did
the foundation work.
Now, high-rises contain
grade 53.
So, why did the debris
at 800 Rivington contain grade 33?
'Cause I mixed them.
There's nothing wrong with that
as long as you use the proper ratio.
But of course,
we can't confirm the ratio
- because the building collapsed.
- Your Honor.
Ms. Lawrence, one more aside,
I'll hold you in contempt.
My courtroom is not a circus.
There is no room for clowns.
Of course, Your Honor.
Apologies. No further questions.
Hey, Remy. It's Olympia.
Just calling to take you up
on that cup of coffee,
get that intel on the judge
you were offering.
Anyway, call me back.
Oh, hey.
Matty went to the library.
Not sure where Hunter went.
Congratulations on the new office.
Oh, yeah. Thanks.
Mm-hmm.
So, how did it go with the contractor?
Did he crack on the stand?
Landed some blows,
despite the judge trying
to block me left and right.
And I still don't have proof of payout
- between him and Fitzpatrick.
- You might. Sorry I'm late.
- Did you stop at the drugstore first?
- Because I saw on
the financials that Fitzpatrick
took a lot of trips there,
so I hit up the stores that he went to
to see if any
of the clerks recognized him,
and they all did,
because he was buying Visa gift cards.
$75,000 dollars worth.
That's how he must have
paid off the contractor.
I think we have our smoking gun.
(PHONE VIBRATES)
Oh, it's Ron, the greatest legal mind
- of the 21st century.
- Take it.
I have to walk back a coffee date.
Hey, Ron.
Yeah, I'm in the supermarket.
I'm about to hop on the bus.
Wait a minute. W Slow down.
What do you mean?
JULIAN: Ron dropped you as a client?
Apparently, it would be
a conflict of interest,
given his intention to sue the pants
off you for his father's ashes.
For what?
I should sue him.
I mean, no amount of Listerine
can get the taste
of his dad out of my mouth.
We need that file.
Okay. Well, um
we'll-we'll figure out another way.
Here's the way.
You call him at 5:30,
start an argument.
I'll get there right after,
demand to talk. He'll tell me to wait,
and that'll give me enough time
to nab the file.
Got it?
Yeah, no problem. Got it.
Mr. Fitzpatrick, how long have
you owned 800 Rivington Avenue?
Ten years.
I've watched kids
take their first steps
in the lobby, celebrated
holidays with the with the tenants.
They're like family.
And you responded
to their maintenance needs?
To the best of my ability, always.
I mean, owning property isn't simple.
High taxes, rent control,
margins get tight.
But I never ignore repairs.
CRAIG: Including the foundation?
FITZPATRICK: Oh, come on.
That's serious, of course.
As soon as the city inspector
identified the problem,
I hired Mr. Coleman to fix it.
It's all documented.
It-It's clear as day.
CRAIG: Well, what's
clear as day is that you
met your duty of care.
Your witness, Ms. Lawrence.
Your contractor Mr. Coleman.
He gave you quite a deal, didn't he?
He did, along with
a fully itemized invoice
explaining exactly
how he could do the job
for the amount that he bid.
A bid over half
a million dollars less
- than all the others.
- That's correct, yes.
OLYMPIA: So you don't
think half a million dollars
in savings was connected
to why the building fell down?
No. Absolutely not.
But if it were connected,
it'd be a good idea
for you to make sure
that Terrence Coleman
didn't blab.
Maybe through,
I don't know,
$75,000 in hush money?
CRAIG: Objection.
Zero foundation
for any of this so-called hush money.
I'm about to build it, Your Honor.
Make it fast and clean.
Any sign of gamesmanship,
I strike the entire line
- of questioning.
- Understood.
Your business expenditures,
with highlighted purchases from
your local drug stores.
Always in $5,000 increments.
Now, were those Visa gift cards
you purchased?
- They were.
- And did you give
those Visa gift cards to Mr. Coleman
as under-the-table payouts
so he would keep quiet
about the subpar work
you asked him to do?
No, of course not.
Okay, then, were they
for his construction crew?
No, they were
Who, Mr. Fitzpatrick?
Look
I know I did not cause this collapse.
But I felt so badly.
I didn't think Blanca
would take money from me.
So I bought the gift cards
and I used them
to set up anonymous recurring payments
for the tenants' GoFundMes.
We just lost the jury.
This doesn't break our case.
Olympia's already pivoting.
We'll put every construction
worker on the stand,
and one of them will admit
to the shoddy work.
(SNIFFLES SOFTLY)
Blanca.
Those donations
have been everything to us.
I would get them
in these $5,000 chunks.
I used to call
the anonymous donor my angel,
so to know that they were coming
from Mr. Fitzpatrick, I
He felt guilty.
He cut corners, and that's why
the building fell.
(SCOFFS)
I keep replaying
the last time I saw my mom.
I was heading to class,
and we had this fight
before I left.
I told her she was selfish.
(SHORT SOB)
She worked three jobs.
Well, you couldn't have known
what would happen.
But it's almost like I did.
I was out the door,
and I was angry.
And then
I don't know what happened, I
but I went back and I apologized.
And thank God I did,
because if I would have
left things like that,
if I would have left things
unfinished
REMY: Quite the
emotional roller coaster.
You want coffee,
you don't want coffee.
I'd ask if it's me,
but it's definitely not me.
Correct. It's your mom.
Hmm. Great lady, right?
Uh, y-yeah. Uh, tough lady
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
who does not like me.
- Hmm.
- Which is understandable.
But I can't let
this building collapse.
Aha. So, I'm your support beam.
Extra rebar.
You want to talk strategy?
I want you to talk to your mother,
because I'm about to put up
the rest of my case,
and she is ruling against me
every single time.
Are you implying that
she's unfairly prejudiced?
No. I am just asking
if you could casually mention
that you and I are on good terms,
in case that's a concern
for her. Nothing improper.
- Just say
- But now you're giving me notes
on how to speak to my mother?
- Uh, of course not.
- All right, good.
Because that would be
twice as improper.
(SIGHS)
(PHONE DINGS)
Hi, there.
You're Shae Banfield. The legend.
What a pleasure. Gwen Easton.
Oh. Nice to officially meet.
I've heard a lot about you.
Same, same.
Very excited to sit down soon,
find out why a firm
like Jacobson Moore
needs an in-house jury consultant
instead of contracting that job out.
Y I can't wait to sit down
and discuss the benefits.
- Yay.
- Yay.
I'll get a meeting on the books.
SHAE: Ah. She's certainly
friendly.
(CHUCKLES)
Don't let the smile fool you.
Never do.
I'm glad you're back.
I believe that. From you, kid.
Good.
So, I don't have to be worried, do I?
About my job.
Eh, you should win the case.
Well, of course, but
you will look out for me, right?
I mean, you created
the position for me.
You should win the case.
Hmm?
For your new office.
Double-wick candles are a fire hazard.
Too much puppy energy?
Barely a tail wag.
It's not about you.
(DOOR OPENS)
Been a long time
since I've been up here.
Hmm. Me too.
I'll apologize to Hunter.
Not why I'm here.
Why did we stop coming up here?
Oh
I don't remember.
We got busy. (SNIFFLES)
- It got cold.
- Hmm.
Sometimes things
change, slowly.
Yeah.
Sometimes all at once.
(SIGHS)
I've never been good with change.
Well, you've had a lot.
Your boss, your office.
Your mom getting married.
I might look
for my birth parents, actually.
Oh, yeah?
Had a call with a PI guy
that Julian found.
He did the research, vetted the guy.
He's been great.
Glad to hear it.
So, what's giving you pause?
It's always been this option
for me. (LAUGHS SOFTLY)
And I'm scared that if I look
and I don't find them,
then that option's gone, you know?
Well
I can't speak to your
specific situation, but
as someone quite
a bit further down the road,
I can give you my perspective.
I didn't have a great
relationship with my own mother.
I think I told you
she was an alcoholic.
When I left, I left.
I was afraid to look back.
I carry regret.
So, you think I should do it?
I think
you shouldn't let fear
grab ahold of the wheel,
whatever you decide.
Hmm.
Well, maybe after I reach out
we could come back up here to talk?
- Although it does get cold.
- (LAUGHS SOFTLY)
Would you ever consider holding out
for an office with a window?
Staying put for now?
'Cause when I saw that moving box
like to break my heart in two.
SARAH: I'll stay.
Text Julian. Heading to Ron's.
- ETA 30 minutes.
- (PHONE DINGS)
(PHONE RINGING)
- (BEEP)
- Hey, sweetie.
ALFIE: Hi, Grammy. I don't feel good.
And Grampa's at his class
and I've been throwing up.
I know you're on your way
to Ron, but can you come home?
- On my way.
- Thanks, Grammy.
(BEEP)
Text Julian. We need to reschedule.
(PHONE CHIMES)
Take me home.
VOICE ASSISTANT: At
the next right, make a U-turn.
Okay, we start questioning
the crew tomorrow.
- I'll push hard
- Yeah, but not too hard. Jury won't like
a wealthy lawyer
berating construction workers.
- I'll ride the line.
- Yeah, but get them to say something concrete.
"Concrete" was the financial
records, which didn't pan out.
Well, find something else.
I have a lot riding on this.
And you think I don't?
Hey, sorry to interrupt,
but Maynard's clerk just called.
She wants to see you in chambers.
- What? Why?
- Some kind of misconduct.
The clerk wouldn't get into it
over the phone.
(SIGHS) Olympia.
What did you do?
In all my decades on the bench,
I've never encountered
this situation. I'm shocked.
And believe me, I don't get shocked.
But any allegation involving
misconduct with the jury
must be taken very seriously.
- What kind of jury misconduct?
- I'm not at liberty
to say more while
the investigation is pending.
In the meantime,
I have no choice
but to declare a mistrial.
OLYMPIA: So, listen,
I wanted to apologize.
I shouldn't have asked you
about your mother.
Can we go out for that coffee?
And not mention
- your mom at all?
- (LAUGHS SOFTLY)
As long as we're clear on the terms.
Is this an apology coffee
or are you asking me out, Counselor?
I'm asking you for coffee.
Ugh, and I've waited
too long for coffee.
Let's have dinner.
Oh. I agree to these terms.
Talk to you later.
- Pretty happy for a mistrial.
- We were about to lose.
Divine intervention,
like I told Blanca.
We get another bite
at the apple, and if Fitzpatrick
had anything to do
with that jury misconduct,
he's going down fast.
- Mm-hmm.
- Wait, aren't you supposed to be
at Ron's office with Matty right now?
Matty's grandson is sick,
so she went home.
- (DOOR OPENS)
- EDWIN: Hi.
How was it?
Incredibile.
- (BOTH LAUGH)
- Really?
How's our patient doing?
Oh, he's so much better.
He went to sleep about 20 minutes ago.
He finished his all applications.
- Ah.
- Three of his buddies called to check in
- and see how he was doing.
- Aw.
I just want him happy.
That's the most important thing.
- Oh, I know.
- I'm sorry you had to come home.
- I turned off my phone in class.
- Oh, no, no, it's fine.
Ron can wait. You want some?
D-Do I ever.
(SIGHS) You know, my mom made
the best grilled cheese.
(EXHALES)
Even during her worst binges, she
she used to make 'em
for me when I was sick.
I couldn't eat anything else,
I just
Sometimes I'd fake getting a cold
just so she'd make one for me.
Never heard that story.
Oh, well, maybe it's 'cause
hard to remember the good things
when there was so much bad.
I guess I used the resentment
to fuel me.
Maybe I didn't n-need to?
Wh-Why am I realizing
all of this too late?
Oh, it doesn't sound too late at all.
No, it's-it's inspiring.
The way you keep changing
and growing.
(EXHALES)
Took me a year and a half
to sign up for Italian class.
But you
you're in fresh snow all day long,
carving up the mountain.
(SNIFFLES)
- (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
- (DOORBELL CHIMES)
- EDWIN: Oh. Come in.
- MATTY: Ah!
Oh, I can tell
by those deranged smiles
you might have some good news.
(CHUCKLES)
We got the name of the scientist
who owned and ran Martex Lab.
But how?
Matty's grandson is sick,
so she went home.
(SIGHS)
Why don't we take care
of it ourselves?
Little improv, for old times' sake.
(SNIFFLES)
(JAMAICAN ACCENT): Hello, Ron.
U-Uh, hello. Do-do I know you?
Oh, no. But you do know
my lunkhead ex-husband,
who came through here
like a bull in a china shop.
- Hey! Get in here.
- (ENTRY BELL CHIMES)
You, sit here.
And don't you even think
about touching anything.
Let the grown-ups talk, eh?
There is no way that I am gonna
settle for less than 20K.
- My father's ashes were
- Ha! Were sitting on the edge
of a credenza.
Unsafe premises.
RON: Unsafe premises?
T-This is my office.
OLYMPIA: Exactly.
Which means you violated
a duty of care.
Here is what I am willing
to offer you.
RON: (SCOFFS) This is ridiculous.
I can't even buy
a replacement urn with that.
OLYMPIA: Then I am
preparing a countersuit
for harassment, defamation,
and you'll be shopping for your
next urn at a yard sale, Ron.
(REGULAR ACCENT):
The scientist who ran the lab
is named Priva Kapoor.
What?
I think maybe you have
a little bit Ron's dad
- still on your nose.
- (LAUGHING)
(PHONE VIBRATES)
Oh, it's Sarah.
- Hey.
- SARAH: Sorry to call.
I was working late
and I heard a commotion.
OLYMPIA: What's going on, Sarah?
Shae is getting arrested.
What? Why?
For bribing the jury on your case.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
sync & corrections awaqeded