Reasonable Doubt (2022) s04e01 Episode Script

1
[LEWIS STEWART] Previously
on Reasonable Doubt
I'm not sure if you remember
me. My name is Jax Stewart.
Monica Wilson. What a pleasure
to finally have a reason to meet you.
This is my client, Ozzie Edwards.
[JAX] They found Wendy's body.
You are going to be charged
with second-degree murder.
Just closed on a place with Brandy.
As in Dr. Brandy?
Hopefully she'll be
Dr. Brandy Cash one day.
Seems like you want me to be a snitch.
[STEPHEN BINDER] No, we
want you to be partners.
It's nice to meet you, Sally
from the Valley. I'm Bill.
You should join us. [CHUCKLES]
[MONICA WILSON] I was
his first experience.
And how old was he?
- Thirteen.
- Monica!
Stay the fuck away from him, Monica.
I never wanna see you again.
This is all your fault, Jax!
You're gonna regret this!
[JURY MEMBER] We the jury
find the defendant not guilty.
[JAX] Ozzie. Ozzie, wake up!
Somebody help me, please!
I wanna open my own firm.
- [KRYSTAL WALTERS] Girl, what?
- [LEWIS] It's your first day. You ready?
- [MOUTHS] No!
- [GUNSHOT]
[SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]
- [DEFIBRILLATOR BUZZES]
- [DOCTOR] Clear!
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]
- [GUNSHOT]
- [MONITOR BEEPING]
- Clear.
- [GUNSHOT]
[HEART THUMPING]
- [MOUTHS] No!
- [GUNSHOT]
[MONITOR BEEPING]
["SONG CRY" BY JAY-Z PLAYING]
[SINGER VOCALIZING]
I can't see 'em coming down my eyes ♪
So I gotta make this song cry ♪
I can't see 'em coming down my eyes ♪
So I gotta make this song cry ♪
Good dude, I know you
love me like cooked food ♪
Even though a nigga gotta
move like a crook move ♪
We was together on
the block since free lunch ♪
We shoulda been together
havin' Four Seasons brunch ♪
We used to use umbrellas
to face the bad weather ♪
So now we travel first-class
to change the forecast ♪
Never in bunches, just me and you ♪
But what if Jax can't hold
on? Are we gonna be okay?
I don't know what
made me leave that shit ♪
Made me speed that
quick, let me see, that's it ♪
It was the cheese helped
them bitches get amnesia quick ♪
I used to cut up they buddies,
now they sayin' they love me ♪
[SINGER VOCALIZING]
[LEWIS SIGHS]
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
[LEWIS] Hi, Dr. Ross.
Hi. I'm here with an update.
There's still swelling around the
spine near the bullet exit wound.
Uh, it's slowly reducing,
but I'm afraid that trauma
and prolonged inflammation
could cause severe nerve
damage and affect brain functionality.
So, so, what are you saying?
- Why don't we get a social worker
- No, no, no.
Just tell me.
Okay.
Um, best case, she wakes up,
recovers, and resumes her life.
Worst case, she remains comatose,
which means you will have to decide
if you wanna prolong her life
dependent on machines or
or prepare to say goodbye.
[MONITOR BEEPING]
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]
From La Brea to Slauson ♪
It's all us ♪
The Sun, Central
Ave Jazz, it's all us ♪
Where we at, hit the Maverick Flats ♪
Lemeirt and right back to the ark ♪
It's all us ♪
We coastin' on the west
between sets and wealth ♪
We toast the sunset in the Dons ♪
Take flight into the
night under Cali stars ♪
In a world on wheels ♪
It's all us ♪
It's the world we feel ♪
It's all us ♪
From the hills to Hollywood ♪
It's all us ♪
No doubt we all we got ♪
Hold it down, Black and brown ♪
In a city of dreams ♪
It's all us ♪
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
- [INAUDIBLE]
- [GUNSHOT]
Hey, Lewis. Uh, are
there any updates on Jax?
Uh, she's still in a, uh, a
medically induced coma.
Uh, I've been fielding
calls from reporters
for almost two weeks.
I wish they'd show some damn respect.
Yeah, they've been,
they've been calling me too.
Um, we should have a
better idea in-in a week or so.
Okay, but either way,
we-we have to figure out
what to do with the
firm and the, the clients
that followed Jax over.
Oh-Oh, well-well, I
I'm-I'm s-still in law school
so, clearly, I can't represent clients,
but, um, but maybe we can
bring in another lawyer to help out.
Eric Cropper was the first client
Jax was gonna meet
with before the shooting,
and given that he
is her biggest client
- She can't lose him.
- Yeah.
We, uh, we have a meeting with Eric
on the books for next week,
but I'm sure that our old firm
is already trying to poach him.
[SIGHS] But we can't let that happen.
Please, find someone good and soon.
[SHEMARI] Got another delivery.
[DANIEL KIM] Oh, thank you.
Oh! These are from my
best friend, Corey Cash.
Yeah, no, he's been asking about Jax.
Maybe we need him to send
more than a bouquet of flowers.
I mean, that would be great, but
I'm not sure he's got the bandwidth.
I mean, isn't he off doing some
important honorable work in Chicago?
["BANDZ A MAKE HER
DANCE" BY JUICY J PLAYING]
Mike WiLL Made-It ♪
Bands'll make her dance,
bands'll make her dance ♪
Bands'll make her dance ♪
Hey, Corey. ATL don't disappoint.
[COREY CASH] Nope. [LAUGHS]
[LAMAR] Drink up, my boy.
You must be the bachelor.
Oh, wow, well, maybe.
You must be the dancer.
I can be whatever you
want me to be, Mr. Bachelor.
Oh, I bet you could, but listen,
I gotta be a good boy tonight
because future wife is right over there.
Well, whatever happens
in the champagne room
Stays in the champagne
That's what the fuck I'm
talking about. Let's go!
- [PHONE BUZZING]
- She don't need a loan ♪
Start twerkin' when
she hear her song ♪
You're gonna hurt my
feelings if you answer that.
So nasty when she rollin' ♪
You're going to LA? When?
I'm going to Chicago first
'cause I have to take care
of some stuff at the firm
and then I'm headed right out to LA.
Listen, Jax, she's not doing well.
Daniel asked me to come out there,
help keep her firm up and
going until she gets better.
Did he say when that would be?
They don't know when or if.
Oh.
I didn't realize things were that bad.
- Okay, I'll go with you.
- [COREY] No, no, no.
You don't have to cut your
night short. Go back in there.
Turn up. Have a good time.
Okay.
But, [SIGHS] Corey, the
wedding is in two months.
You'll be back before then, right?
Do we have to talk about this right now?
Well, we're not really
talking about it at all.
You didn't ask me how I felt about this.
You just informed me of the
decision that you already made.
Does that sound like partnership to you?
You're right. You
know what? You're right.
I will do better with my
communication in the future, okay?
But until then, we'll see how Jax is
and then I'll be back for
our wedding and for you.
- Okay. Okay.
- Promise, okay?
- Alright.
- Go have a good time.
- Alright. Okay.
- Go turn up.
Maybe we should have canceled
the meeting given Jax's condition.
It's because of Jax's condition
we're having this meeting.
Her clients still need representation.
We're merely seizing the
opportunity presented to us.
As a recording artist,
producer, entrepreneur,
and now, owner of your
own streaming platform,
you've already made your
mark on the music industry.
Now, it's time to expand
your rising empire.
Jax represented you well in the past,
but she had the weight
of our firm backing her.
On her own,
she doesn't have the connections
or capital to be effective.
We will help you usher in
the era of Eric Cropper 2.0.
[BILL STERLING] If you allow
us to handle your accounts,
there is no problem we can't solve.
[ERIC CROPPER] That's good to hear
'cause I happen to have a serious issue
that has just come to my attention.
[KEYBOARD KEYS CLICKING]
[BROOKE] [ON TV] No, you're leaving
mid-dinner to go fuck her, Eric.
[ERIC] [ON TV] Let go, bitch.
[BROOKE] I planned this
dinner. We are staying.
[ERIC] Look, you better lower
your motherfuckin' voice.
I'm not one of your little
friends you can fuckin' play with.
How 'bout this? Them
designer shoes I got you in,
let those help you find
your way home, dumbass ho.
My brother, Tyger, acquired the video.
It hasn't been released yet,
but I'd like to keep this quiet.
I've made my career off of singing,
writing, and recording love songs.
So, this isn't exactly the picture
of fucking romance, you feel me?
[LAUGHTER]
Well, it's difficult to keep
something like this from getting out,
but we have contacts at
all the major media outlets.
Our first plan would be to
issue a cease and desist letter
citing invasion of privacy.
And then what? Wait to see
if they take that shit seriously?
I'm not looking for damage control.
I'm looking to abort
this thing in the womb,
and if your focus is
only mainstream media,
you are thinking too small.
Baby bro
how many lawyers you see?
[TYGER CROPPER] I
count about eight of 'em.
- [ERIC] Eight?
- [TYGER] Mm-hmm.
[ERIC] Wow. That's a lot.
So, the eight of you white men combined,
with all of your
connections and capital,
can't match the skill and
hustle of one Black woman?
You think it makes you
ruthless to come in here
and try to poach me while
she's laying in a coma,
but it actually makes you spineless.
And see, the funny thing is
I'd already decided to stick with
Jax way before you came in here
and created your little
weak-ass PowerPoint,
but since you wasted Jax's time, shit
I figured I'd waste yours.
Good day, gentlemen.
Black ♪
Get the fuck out of my office.
Black, black, black ♪
["BLACK" BY BUDDY FT. A$AP FERG PLAYING]
Black on black, black ♪
And make sure you don't validate
them motherfuckers' parking either.
Okay, black, black,
black, black on black ♪
Black, my thoughts so
black, black, black, I'm black ♪
My skin is so black, I'm
rockin' that black on black ♪
Black rims on these black wheels ♪
In this black whip
with this black bitch ♪
I'm so black on black on black ♪
Black, black, black, black on black ♪
Black, my thoughts so
black, black, black, I'm black ♪
My skin is so black ♪
I'm rockin' all black,
everything is black ♪
Black rims on these black wheels ♪
In this black whip
with this black bitch ♪
I'm so black on black
on black on black on ♪
Black ♪
Black, black, black ♪
Did you miss me?
[DANIEL GRUNTS EXCITEDLY]
Oh, settle down.
Hey, black, black, black ♪
Okay.
Yeah, see, this feels more
like Jax than that other firm.
Listen, I hate that it's
under these circumstances,
but it's good to see y'all.
I missed you so much, Cash.
[GRUNTS] You know, sometimes
when I can't go to sleep,
I'll just pull up your IG
and I'll just look through
every single one of your pictures
and just be like, "Look
at Cash being Cash!"
- Uh, can we get started?
- I missed you so much.
- Please.
- [KRYSTAL] Come on.
Nice art piece.
This is Eric Cropper.
He's been Jax's
client for over 10 years.
Jax's big client is Eric
Cropper, the R&B singer?
- Yep.
- I used to keep Chocolate Playground
- on repeat. That album's a classic.
- Oh, it is.
But he's gone from
R&B thug to music mogul.
He formed his own record
company called CROP Records.
Creating Rhythm Outta
Pain. Poetic, if you ask me.
He then started his
own streaming platform
with his wife, Brooke, that
allows independent artists
to control more of their own
publishing and promotion.
He likes to stay behind the scenes.
And Jax usually helps him
squash any problems that come up.
- What kinda problems?
- Varies.
Bar fight here, lawsuit there.
Some are public, some
not so much, but most
Forgotten, thanks to Jax.
Right now, though,
Brooke is at number one.
- He wants to divorce her?
- Well, we don't know all the details.
Just that Jax and Eric were
supposed to meet before the shoot
You know, but she did
write information in her notes
about Brooke's shares and
that Eric wants to buy her out.
Interesting.
Alright, Krystal, pull all of Jax's
files on Eric so I can prepare.
When's he coming in?
Already done.
And, uh, Eric doesn't
come to us. You go to him.
[CHUCKLES] Yeah, that's
a power move, but okay.
Any other clients I should meet with?
Yes, but we have competition.
I mean, BHS, or GCBH,
or whatever their newly
merged company is called,
they've been putting
on a full-court press
to woo as many of
Jax's clients as they can.
I can't say I'm surprised. They
always moved dirty with Jax.
Yeah, white gon' white.
Yeah, well, we're just gonna have
to beat them at their own game.
Set up back-to-back meetings
with all of Jax's clients.
We're gonna fight
for them on her behalf.
["FIGHT THE POWER" BY
PUBLIC ENEMY PLAYING]
Did he always smell that good?
Yes.
[INAUDIBLE]
Welcome to The Stewart Firm.
1989 ♪
- The number, another summer ♪
- Get down ♪
- Sound of the funky drummer ♪
- [INAUDIBLE]
Music hitting your heart
'cause I know you got soul ♪
Brothers and sisters ♪
Hey, say fight the power ♪
Fight the power ♪
We got to fight the powers ♪
Well, that wasn't great,
but it wasn't that bad either.
- [SIGHS]
- I was hoping to retain more clients.
My last meeting's with
Eric Cropper tomorrow,
so hopefully that'll go well.
Yeah, as long as we can keep Eric,
then BCH can have
the rest of those fools.
Indeed. Hey, uh, anybody else hungry?
Wanna go grab a bite to eat?
Some other time. I got
someplace I gotta be.
- Offer still stands.
- Nah, I'm good.
- [GENTLE, SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
- [MONITOR BEEPING]
[MUSIC FADES OUT]
Jax, I don't know if you can
hear me or not, but I'm here.
And I'm gonna keep the firm
going as long as I can for you
because I don't give a
fuck what happened that day
or where you are right now.
This is not the end of your story,
so I'ma need you to fight.
Fight like I know your
Virgo ass loves to do.
Hey, man.
I, um just got into
town this morning.
I figured I'd pay my
respects, see how she's doing.
Thanks, Corey. I, uh, appreciate that.
She's hanging on, and, uh, thank
you for coming to help the firm.
You know, I know you
got your own shit going on.
Oh, no, there's nothing
more important than this.
If it it wasn't for Jax,
my firm wouldn't be as
successful as it is now.
It's the least I can do.
Well, either way, I know she
trusts you as a person and a lawyer.
I just wanna make sure she
has a firm to come back to.
Oh, no, she will. I promise you that.
[LEWIS SIGHS DEEPLY]
[SIGHS]
So, I'm assuming you've
been here since it happened.
Oh, yeah. Day and night.
I, uh went to work, uh, once.
Now it's mostly Zooms, go
home and shower in the evenings,
cook, see the kids.
Wait, you've been
sleeping here every night?
[LEWIS] Oh, yeah.
Wow, that's some dedication.
No.
It's marriage.
Yeah, I guess so.
You're getting married soon, right?
- Yeah, yeah. A couple months.
- Mmm.
Well, I mean, it depends on
what happens with everything.
[LEWIS SIGHS]
How long you guys been together?
[SIGHS] Uh
in a few months, it'll be
20 years since our first date.
Twenty years. Damn.
That's a long-ass time.
Not long enough.
Listen, I, um, I know we
don't know each other that well,
but if you ever wanna talk,
and not on some doctor shit,
you know, some, some,
like, nigga shit, I'm around.
I'll keep that in mind.
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
["LET'S TALK ABOUT IT" BY
PEEZY & BABYFACE RAY PLAYING]
It's ghetto ♪
You down bad, I know it hurt ♪
Your situation could be worse ♪
We had to grind from out the mud ♪
This shit here came
from out the dirt ♪
We ain't have a lot ♪
But we took what we
had and made it work ♪
We gon' get rich
or get indicted trying ♪
You scared, then go to church ♪
You tryna grind it
up, let's talk about it ♪
Let's talk about it ♪
Tryna change your situation ♪
- Shit, let's talk about it ♪
- Yeah ♪
Bitch complainin'
while you hustlin'? ♪
- Shit, let's talk about it ♪
- Let's talk about it ♪
We get it done and we
don't never, ever talk about it ♪
- Never, ever talk about it ♪
- Yeah ♪
One time for the hustlers ♪
Two times for my
peoples down the way ♪
Put my life up on the line,
I'm prayin' three times a day ♪
Started from the bottom,
bitch, now I got bank ♪
I feel like Chase,
you ain't no baller ♪
You just talk about the ballers ♪
You like Mase, call me Deon Wilder ♪
I'm still gettin' paper to this day ♪
- Oh, yeah.
- She gon' call me when she in a bind ♪
- [STOPS MUSIC]
- Yeah, you heard of Peezy, Babyface Ray?
No, actually, I haven't.
Well, shit, you will.
When I tell you these mofos
coming outta Detroit ain't no joke,
making my city proud.
Eric Cropper.
Corey Cash. Nice to meet you, brother.
This house, incredible.
Oh, thank you, man.
Let me get you a drink.
What's your poison, man?
Bourbon, one ice cube.
- Bourbon, one ice cube.
- [COREY] Yeah.
A man that knows what he
wants and has good taste.
I'm already impressed,
Mr. Cash. [CHUCKLES]
This right here is
a 13-year straight bourbon whiskey,
aged in cabernet casks.
It is what I like to
call straight, smooth,
smoky, and luxurious silk.
[COREY] What happened to the ice?
Oh, you don't put no ice in that.
Trust me. That's smooth.
- Wow. It's very smooth.
- Yeah.
[LAUGHS] Yeah, and it's Black-owned.
Sit. Let's get started. [CLEARS THROAT]
Shit, how's Jax doing?
Is she awake or
Not yet, but I'm hopeful she'll
be back before you know it.
Now, I read in her notes that
you wanna buy your wife's shares
of the music streaming
company you founded together.
- That's right.
- 'Kay, why is that?
'Cause it seems to me that if
she's no longer part of the company,
that could create some type
of discord in your household.
Perhaps.
You want a divorce?
Brooke does.
Apparently, she's been meeting
with divorce attorneys in Beverly Hills.
Oh, okay, so you want to buy
her shares as punitive revenge,
or to limit the amount that she's
entitled to in case you separate,
or both?
Okay.
You's a smarty, arty-ass nigga.
[ERIC CHUCKLES]
But yeah, both.
Well, I would suggest that you wait
to counter her number
for about a month or so
to keep her wondering
what your next move is
and then you go above her number,
but you add in an
apology when you do that
No, no, no, no, no. Absolutely
What? You talkin' 'bout wait a month?
Apologize?
Brother, I don't have the
patience or the personality
for any of that shit.
I'm trying to fuck her like
I did when we first met,
fast and dirty.
Okay, but why the rush?
[CLEARS THROAT]
I've gotten some offers
on my streaming company.
I'm talking the kind that'll
make me stanky rich.
I see, and Brooke doesn't know that.
No.
So you're trying to get
her to sell her shares
before she finds out the
true valuation of the company.
Hence the rush.
[ERIC] Ding, ding. You gotta understand,
Brooke is my second wife.
I'm already paying
alimony to the first one
and she gets some of my royalties,
so I can't have another
bitch eating off of my career
just because she know
how to ride good dick
and like to swallow.
You religious or something?
What makes you ask that?
I mean, you seem put
off by the way I'm talking
when this is the way I talk.
Look, I need a lawyer I can be
myself around. You good, bro?
Man, I want you to
feel free to be yourself,
but I'm just not a fan
of the oversexualized
misogynistic talk, that's all.
Misogyn What, nigga? [LAUGHS]
I don't even know what
the fuck you just said,
[LAUGHS] but it sound like
some bitch shit for real.
[ERIC LAUGHS]
This nigga.
Some would consider
that crossing an ethical line.
Or a good tactic.
Not according to The
Stewart Firm, it's not.
You sure? 'Cause
it was Jax who told me not to tell her.
You know why I fucks with Jax?
I fucks with Jax because
she plays in the gray.
She gets the victory at all costs
without all the moral
right and wrong bullshit.
She wins for me, point blank, period.
See, it's not personal.
It's just business, baby.
Well, I don't play in the gray.
Maybe we should hold off on
handling my shit 'til Jax is back.
In the meantime, good
luck with all them ethics.
Big words, bougie-ass, punk-ass nigga.
Okay. Don't let this
suit fool you, nigga.
I'm from the south side of Chicago.
I'll beat your goof-ass, nigga.
- [KNOCKS]
- Your three o'clock is here.
[CHUCKLES]
Thank you, Maddie.
Please see Mr. Cash the fuck out.
[SONG RESUMES]
Collectin' dust, don't
give a fuck about it ♪
- [SINGING ALONG]
- Don't ask me 'bout that bitch ♪
'Cause when she leave,
I don't think nothin' 'bout it ♪
Fuck yo' rent, my cup a thousand ♪
I done sipped a couple houses ♪
Ninety-nine things I'm worried
'bout, but it ain't money problems ♪
Don't ask me about that bitch! Yeah.
[REGINA HARRIS] So,
just an update for you.
Since Ms. Wilson didn't make bail,
she will be in jail until trial.
Please sit.
However, since being
incarcerated, she's been injured
and she is currently in the infirmary.
Look at God.
As a result, there has been
a delay in her arraignment
until she's feeling better.
Right now, my team
and I are in discovery,
and then we will prep
for the preliminary hearing
where we will show that
we have probable cause
that Ms. Wilson tried to kill
you, Mr. Kim, and your wife
when she walked into Mrs.
Stewart's office and opened fire.
Once we prove that,
then we'll go to trial.
And that's when I testify?
Yes, but we will prep you first,
and then, yes, at the trial,
you will tell the world
how Ms. Wilson's actions
have affected you and your family.
Then we will prove,
beyond a reasonable doubt,
that she is guilty of attempted murder,
and then I will ask the
judge for a life sentence.
But wait, what-what about Jax?
Doesn't she have to testify?
What if she isn't awake or she
I pray that Mrs. Stewart is awake,
and God willing, she will testify,
but if, God forbid, Mrs.
Stewart passes before the trial,
then Ms. Wilson will be
charged with first-degree murder.
Like, is she remorseful or mad?
I keep going over that day
wondering why she did this.
She claims that Mrs. Stewart made
the Ozzie Edwards case personal.
I don't know.
She has her own delusional
reasons and I wouldn't focus on that
because, no matter what, it
will never make sense to you.
It will only make you angry.
I'm already angry.
I understand, but she isn't.
So don't get angry.
Get justice.
[SIGHS]
[KRYSTAL] Late night?
Oh, yeah. Uh, had another
date, and let me tell you
Oh, please do not.
- No, I
- Huh, hold on.
You look like you didn't take a shower.
You know we don't play
about hygiene around here.
It was a threesome, and yes,
- I did not take a shower
- What?
but Koreans do not produce body odor.
- Just give me a smell.
- That is dis
- No.
- I do not smell.
- I don't wanna smell you.
- I smell like flowers.
- Daniel, I do not Hey!
- I do.
How'd it go with Eric?
Brooke's attorney should reach out soon
about the counter offer for her shares.
Well, that won't be necessary
because we're not representing him.
That man is
An asshole? Yeah, just
the way Jax likes 'em.
Well, an asshole, I can handle,
but that brother's dangerous.
Uh, what do you mean, dangerous?
Uh, he's erratic, narcissistic,
pompous. Shall I continue?
His behavior keeps the lights on.
Yeah, well, if we represent him,
he may be the reason the lights go off.
Trust me. All money ain't good money.
We'll find other clients.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
[SINGS IN SPANISH]
Wake up in the morning next to me ♪
Nothing else makes you more complete ♪
[OFF-KEY] Than you and me ♪
Ugh! [SPEAKS SPANISH]
Cut the track. Listen, I'm
gonna go holler at her, bro.
- I gotchu.
- No, I got it.
You sure?
Yeah, I got it.
[HUMS]
Hey, Layla.
[SPEAKS SPANISH], Eric. I
don't I don't know what's wrong.
I just, I I I just can't. I
It's all good. It's all good.
Put these down.
[LAYLA EXHALES]
What do we say?
[SPEAKING SPANISH]
- Hmm.
- [ERIC] Let's go.
- We good?
- [ERIC] Oh, yeah.
- Alright. Alright, cool.
- [ERIC] Let's get it.
[TYGER] Okay.
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
[SINGS IN SPANISH]
Wake up in the morning next to me ♪
Nothing else makes you more complete ♪
Than you and me ♪
Aye! Yes, baby!
We goin' international, bro!
- I told you!
- [BROOKE] Eric.
Eric, did you really think
that I wouldn't fuckin' find out?
Everybody out.
So, I went to the Women
In Music luncheon today,
and you could imagine my surprise
when Sheryl Holland congratulated me
on the $685 million
acquisition valuation.
No wonder you keep pressuring me
to accept only two
million for my shares.
You're trying to fuck me!
Woman, I ain't tried
to fuck you in years.
I just want my money.
Your money?
I've been acting COO since
you expanded CROP Records,
and I helped build
the streaming platform.
Babygirl, you were just an
assistant taking messages
when I promoted you
to wife taking my loads.
The only thing I'll be taking from you
is a fat-ass check with my name on it.
You can fuck yourself.
I don't care how many awards you get,
how many panels you sit on,
I control everything
around this motherfucker,
even your employment.
- You're fired.
- What?
- Yeah. You heard me.
- No. Hell no.
- You can't fire me.
- I just did!
You think you can go meet with
divorce attorneys with no repercussions?
You don't drop Eric Cropper.
Eric Cropper drops you.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
You are going to pay me
every cent that I am owed,
'cause if you don't,
I'm gonna fuck you in
ways you can't even imagine.
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
- Promise?
- [SCOFFS]
[MAMA LU] [MUFFLED] and give her
the strength to pull through this. Amen.
- Hey.
- Dr. Ross, any updates?
Overall, her vitals are
improving, which is a good sign.
However, her blood
pressure isn't consistent,
so the next few days will be crucial.
If her blood pressure suddenly drops,
she could potentially
go into cardiac arrest,
but let's just take
it one day at a time.
I'll check back.
[VOICE BREAKING] Oh, I feel so
helpless. I don't know what to do.
Oh, tell me what to do.
I wish I knew what to do.
- [LEWIS SIGHS]
- [SOBBING]
I'm so sorry, angel.
[PRISON DOOR BUZZES]
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
Hello, Monica.
Rosie, I
I am so sorry about
Orsel?
I'm sure, but I didn't
come here for eyes of pity.
I've had enough of those
in the past three months
to last a lifetime.
Okay.
When Orsel died, I spent a lot of time
thinking about what I
could've done differently.
I should've never left
you alone with my son.
That was the worst thing I ever did
or so I thought, 'til I found out
what you did to Jax Stewart.
Allegedly.
Oh, no, we're-we're not
being recorded in here.
I made sure of that.
And don't ever interrupt me again.
Anyway, when you put a gun in
Jax's face and tried to kill her
I had a strange reaction.
No thoughts, no prayers, just peace.
The night I found out,
I slept better than I
had in almost a year,
and even now, when
she fights for her life,
I keep wishing she loses.
Now, if you're wondering why that is
Trust me. I'm not.
Sorry.
So
now I realize the
worst thing I did was
hire Jax as Orsel's lawyer.
She's the reason Orsel isn't here,
and she pushed Kristin to tell
the truth about what happened
and sent my husband to prison
and led my daughter to
stop speaking to both of us.
I have nothing left except you.
Me? What are you gonna do to me?
Well, the question is, what
am I going to do for you?
First of all, I heard they
stuck you in Gen Pop,
which is absurd.
Giving your penchant for young boys
and seeing how fucked up you look,
it is going the way any
moron could expect.
Second of all, you have a shit lawyer,
which I'm sure you can barely afford.
Now, I'm I'm not a soothsayer
but it is giving you die in here.
While that does bring
me some satisfaction,
I have a bigger fish to fry.
[MONICA] Can I speak now?
Go on.
So you're forgiving me
in order to get back at Jax.
No.
I will never forgive you,
but when I think about
what makes me smile,
it's Jax's dying and
you getting away with it.
As of today, you'll have one
of the best lawyers in California.
Thank you.
No, Monica, fuck you.
- [DOOR OPENS]
- [SIGHS]
[PEPPY JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING]
Listen, I appreciate this, bro.
A couple of beers is gonna make sleeping
at the hospital tonight a lot easier.
Ah, man, don't even mention that.
Look, you've been there for me
through all this stuff
going on with Sally.
Come on, man. That's what we do, bro.
- Exactly.
- Mmm.
Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa. I
thought we was doing beers.
[SCOFFS] Bro, fuck beers.
This night calls for
vodka and lots of it.
Bro, we've been through it.
Shit, ain't that the truth? Cheers.
So, how you doing, man?
Not great.
I can't imagine my life without Jax.
Fuck.
Like, whose husband would I be?
Wh-wh-what place would I
have here or anywhere, really?
[SIGHS]
Look, before I got divorced,
I thought being a
husband, a provider, a father
was all that I was too
but now, I'm discovering sides
of myself I never knew existed.
Man, I wish I would've figured
out who I was before I got married.
Maybe it's time to
figure out who Lewis is.
Yeah. Yeah, maybe.
[SIGHS] Or maybe it's
time for some shots.
Oh, okay.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
- What the fuck?
- My bad, bro.
The fuck, you gonna
spill your drink all over me?
Dude, chill. It's a bar, man.
- Bitch, the fuck did you say
- Dude, fucking chill, man.
Bro, what the
- Dude!
- Whoa, whoa, whoa!
- I didn't do shit to you, man!
- Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, relax.
- Bro, relax, relax, relax.
- Get your boy.
- You, outta here. Outta here, man.
- Fuck you.
Hey, bro, relax, relax.
You good?
What happened to the shots?
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Right.
I'll be back.
[SIGHS]
[AMBIENT STREET NOISE]
- [KNOCK ON DOOR]
- [TYGER] Big bro.
Hey, you know that podcaster
I've been trying to call for weeks
to get Layla an interview?
He finally hit me back and he
said he can get her on next week.
Yeah, he told me he would
call you today to confirm.
Wait, you talked to him already?
Yeah. You said he
was dodging you, right?
So I put in the call. You
know I make shit happen.
Yeah, uh
Yeah, I appreciate your
effort, bro, but, you know,
I've been making a lot of things happen
with this Layla project on my own too.
I noticed, little bro, for real,
and I listened to that new
song you produced on Layla.
Fire shit.
- You think so? Yeah. Okay, okay.
- Yeah. [LAUGHS]
Matter of fact, I'm so impressed,
I wanna be in all of Layla's
sessions moving forward.
Uh, yeah, I mean [EXHALES]
Sure, if you think it's necessary,
I can send you the schedule.
Uh
Speaking of the studio, what
was that with Brooke earlier?
Don't even worry about it.
That bitch will get what
she deserves soon enough.
- Wait, um
- Anything else, little bro?
I got work to do.
Nah, I'm good. Nope.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[LEWIS GROANS SOFTLY]
[KEYS JANGLE]
[GRUNTS]
Ooh. [EXHALES]
Jax?
Baby, you here?
[CHUCKLES]
No, you are not
here.
[CHUCKLES]
[SNIFFLES]
[SOBBING]
[WHIMPERS]
[SOBBING CONTINUES]
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
[YELLS]
- Fuck!
- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES]
Oh, I'm sorry.
I I decided to sit outside
and enjoy the view until I
You didn't drink and drive?
Uh, yes to the drinking,
but no to the, to
the, uh, to the driving.
But I'm gonna, I'm
gonna, um, I'm gonna just,
I'm gonna shower and then
I'll get back to the hospital.
I don't think that's a good idea.
No, no. Don't worry.
I'll ju I'll catch a
Uber and it'll be great.
- But Lewis, you need to sleep.
- [YELLS] I don't need sleep!
[SIGHS]
Oh, my gosh. I know. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING]
I'm so sorry.
[SNIFFLES] I'm just so angry.
At Monica?
[SIGHS]
Yeah, but also
Jax?
I've been having nightmares,
like, seeing the gun, hearing
the screams, and the blood.
I told Jax her job was too dangerous,
but did she listen to me? [SNIFFLES]
[SHANELLE TUCKER] Well, when
does Jax ever listen to anyone?
But isn't that one of the
reasons why we love her?
I wish she would put up
s-some fucking boundaries.
Like, not walk around like she's
skipping in flowers under rainbows
when she's amongst murderers,
criminals, psychopaths,
and whoever the fuck
else walks through the door.
It's like I can't.
[LEWIS EXHALES]
It's okay to feel all those feelings.
After everything happened with JT,
it was weird to-to hate him
and miss him at the same time.
Marriage comes with a lot of feelings,
but you, you need to
take care of yourself
and stop running around
here like Superman.
Spense and Naima need their dad.
I know.
Good.
Now, please, go rest.
[LEWIS SNIFFLES]
[LEWIS SIGHS]
- [LEWIS GROANS SOFTLY]
- Hold on now. Just
- I got this.
- Alright.
[LEWIS SIGHS]
[BILL] But, Sally, you don't understand.
They keep asking me to double cross Jax.
Why can't they just move on?
'Cause they resent her having
success on her own terms.
You know they wanna undercut
her any chance that they get.
It's getting out of hand.
Yes, I know it's hypocritical
considering the part I played,
but it's gone beyond
competition to outright bullying,
and I refuse to beat up on a woman
in a hospital bed
who's in a fucking coma.
I just wish there was something
more I could do besides send flowers.
Well, she just started her firm.
Why don't you help out there?
I would, but my workload as
partner is significantly heavier,
and I need every bit of that
work to pay for this divorce.
I, I don't have the bandwidth
to take on more cases.
Bill, we are all busy.
The girls and I are helping out
with the kids around the house
to help support Lewis
on top of our jobs,
and, hello, I'm also
going through a divorce.
Right.
We make time for the
things that we value.
Wow, Shemari, those are
beautiful. Who are those from?
Me.
You got some caucasity.
Want me to escort him out?
No, it's fine. Thanks, Shemari.
Corey Cash. It's a
pleasure to finally meet you.
- I'm Bill Sterling.
- I know who you are.
Just hear me out.
I'm here to offer my sincerest
apologies for how I treated Jax.
I would apologize a
million times if I could,
but sometimes words aren't enough,
so I'm here to try
to make this right,
and plus, Stephen and Vince
have been using all the resources
at the new firm to take
Jax's clients one by one.
It's disgusting, so I'm here to help
if you'll have me.
Who have they taken?
The talent agent, Amanda Baker,
decided to keep all
of her clients at GCBH.
Uh, that fintech startup founder, Tim,
and the football players,
Jamal Higgins and Malik Lamb.
Not the Black clients.
But Eric Cropper made it very
clear he would never leave Jax.
Huh. Well, look at that.
But I get the feeling that
the longer she's down,
the more likely they're gonna try again.
Haven't they taken
enough of her clients?
And why do they want Eric?
Because it'll ruin Jax's firm
before it gets off the ground.
Jax choosing to leave
was a slap in the face
to their fragile egos.
Well, we appreciate the inside scoop,
but, Bill, why are you really here?
You weren't exactly an ally to Jax
when you used her to get that promotion.
Oh, that part, and I know you
didn't quit your job at the plantation.
I have alimony that I need to pay.
I need the position, but
I can work without pay.
It's the least I can
do 'til she's back.
I promise you, there is no
hidden agenda or ulterior motive.
Just me trying to make amends.
Once a snake, always a snake.
Mm-hmm. Especially
after it sheds its skin.
That's not a saying.
- Yes, yes, it is.
- No.
Thanks for the offer, Bill, but, uh,
we'll call you if we need your help.
You think he's for real?
Who knows?
Are you sure you don't wanna
give Eric a chance again?
One hundred percent.
Mom, I'm in court. I can't.
Uh, can you ask Blanca to do it?
What? Why don't you like her?
- [CALL ENDS]
- Mom?
- [REGINA EXHALES]
- Morning, counselor.
Seth? What are you doing here?
Waiting for my client.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
[REGINA] Monica Wilson.
- Since when are you
- Since now.
[SCOFFS]
Hi, Ms. Wilson. I'm Seth
Edelman, your new attorney.
Nice to meet you.
You don't have to worry
about anything anymore.
I'm here and I'll be
speaking for you from now on.
Hmm. I know that's white.
All rise. The Court is now in session.
The Honorable Judge Nelson presiding.
You may be seated.
Good morning, everyone.
In the case of the
People v. Monica Wilson,
case number 522187A.
How does your client plead, Mr. Edelman?
My client pleads not guilty, Your Honor.
Additionally, we request
protection under Ad Seg
due to her status as a public figure.
Your Honor, the defendant
is not a public figure.
She simply represented celebrities.
My client's safety will be at risk
if she's placed back in Gen Pop.
I grant the defendant's
request to be moved to Ad Seg,
and I order her to undergo
a psychiatric evaluation
to assess her mental state
at the time of the offense.
[GAVEL POUNDS]
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
You know, I hope that "not guilty" BS
isn't a bellwether to an insanity plea.
Guess you'll have to see.
You have my number, if
you wanna make a plea deal.
- I'll see you in court.
- Okay.
[GROANS]
["TWICE ON SUNDAY"
BY DAJAH DORN PLAYING]
I don't care what people say ♪
- [JAX] Mm.
- [LEWIS SIGHS]
I'm telling you, when I
walked out of that office today
- [LEWIS] Hmm.
- [JAX SIGHS DEEPLY]
I felt lighter than I have in years.
I mean, I didn't, I didn't know
how unhappy I was there.
[LEWIS] I mean, I did.
I could see it chipping
away at you slowly
which is why I wanted
you to quit years ago.
[JAX SCOFFS]
Oh, you you mean
when you told me to choose
between my job or our marriage?
- Mmm. [COUGHS]
- That's what you talking about?
- Hmm?
- Wow!
Why You Why are
you bringing up old
Why you bringing up
old stuff? That's crazy.
[CHUCKLING] That's crazy.
Man.
- [LEWIS EXHALES]
- I think I wanna start my own firm.
Is that crazy, or am I
just really, really high?
Oh, no, you high-high.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
You high, high, high,
high, but, no, that's, uh
that's not crazy.
I mean, Jax, you can do anything.
Oh. You really believe in me?
You my nigga.
[JAX LAUGHING]
Mwah!
[SIGHS] Baby, I don't know, though.
Starting a new firm is
tough and expensive.
If I don't retain my biggest clients
within the first six months, I'm
I may need your help financially.
Ohh.
[CHUCKLES] Oh-ho-ho, you
want me to be your sugar daddy?
- 'Kay, but under one condition.
- What's that?
You gotta call me "Daddy."
- Oh. Oh, I'll call you daddy.
- Mm.
[SOFTLY] Daddy.
Daddy?
[NAIMA STEWART] Dad?
Dad?
Dad?
[LEWIS GRUMBLES]
- [LEWIS] Hmm. [CHUCKLES]
- We made you eggs and toast.
And a Powerade. Thought
you might need it this morning.
[LEWIS GROANS SOFTLY]
[SIGHS]
I'm supposed to be
taking care of you two,
not the other way around.
Nothing's the way it's
supposed to be right now.
Mama Lu's outside to take me to school.
- Bye, Dad. Love you.
- Love you too.
- Bye, Spense.
- Have a good day.
[NAIMA] You too.
And I appreciate you
stepping up, Spense,
and then I know school's
letting you take classes online,
but hopefully you can get back.
[SPENSER STEWART]
Listen, it's all good, Pops.
Naima and I, we're gonna
hang out at Mama Lu's tonight
so you can stay at the
hospital longer with Mom.
Don't worry about us.
It's my job to worry.
Well, not anymore.
- Hey, Spense.
- Yeah?
I love you, son.
Me too, Pops.
[SIGHS]
[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
- [CELL PHONE BUZZING]
- [GROANS]
This is Lewis Stewart.
[NURSE] [ON PHONE] This is Nurse Allie.
- Can you come to the hospital?
- Yeah, I'm on my way.
["THIS WOMAN'S WORK" BY MAXWELL PLAYING]
[SINGER VOCALIZING]
[TIRES SCREECHING]
[ENGINE ROARING]
Pray God you can cope ♪
I'll stand outside ♪
This woman's work ♪
This woman's world ♪
Ooh, it's hard on a man ♪
I know you've got ♪
- [MOUTHS] Jax.
- A little life in you yet ♪
I know you've got ♪
- [MOUTHS] Jax, please.
- A lot of strength left ♪
I should be crying,
but I just can't let it go ♪
Should be hoping, but I can't stop ♪
Thinking and thinking and thinking ♪
Of all the things we
should've said that ♪
[NURSE ALLIE] Mr. Stewart? Mr. Stewart?
We moved your wife out
of the ICU. Room 34-17.
Right this way.
[BREATHES DEEPLY]
Lewis.
Just make it go away ♪
[LEWIS] Jax.