Black-ish (2014) s07e08 Episode Script

1
DRE: Everyone reps the place
where they're from.
Where you're from
tells people a lot about you.
Think about it.
Bagpipes aren't big in Japan.
But when you're from Minnesota,
you love Prince.
Ooh!
And where I'm from
has arguably the hardest rep of all.
Yawk, yawk, yawk, yawk
The city of Compton.
Yeah, it can be a tough place,
but it's also an incubator
for some of the most influential
music, sports, and art
in the entire world.
Compton is where I'm from.
And although it wasn't easy,
I wouldn't have it any other way.
Because pressure makes diamonds.
Yawk, yawk, yawk, yawk
Now Christmas can start.
Come on, Dad. "Compton's Own"?
You're more of a Valley boy now.
Whoa. Oh. Oh. Hey, it's okay.
It's Christmas, Dre.
Just having a nice time.
[Whispers] Don't do that.
- Throw his presents in the fire, Bow.
- Uh-huh.
Do it now.
Okay.
DRE: I had a Jheri Curl!
Boy, Dr. Dre's high school
girlfriend's little sister
was one of my babysitters!
I'm everything Compton!
Don't make me have to make you witness
the strength of street knowledge.
Junior, you know my baby reps the 3-1-0.
- You know it, Mama.
- Mm-hmm.
And 3-1-0's gonna be my first tattoo.
Whenever I get over my fear of needles.
Look, we all know Dre is from Compton.
- Just like I'm from Detroit.
- Mm.
I mean, these are the places
that make us who we are.
Thank you, Pops.
It's the one thing
I can't take away from you,
unlike my respect for you as a father.
- What?!
- If you came for me the way Junior just did,
[Scoffs] I'd put you to sleep
till New Year's.
JUNIOR: Come on, Dad.
While you're "from" there,
you've lived in the Money
Earnin' Oaks of Sherman
longer than you ever did in Compton.
Boy, you don't know how long
I've lived in places.
Dad, this is your lifestyle now.
You are a typical suburban Black man,
in-ground pool and dad bod to boot.
You're like, uh Uncle Phil,
except you stayed
with the first Aunt Viv.
Yeah. You're as Sherman Oaks as we are.
Remember that Friday we didn't go
to the Cheesecake Machine
at the Galleria,
and they called us to make sure
we were all right?
You straight Valley, son.
Unh-unh.
Being from Compton is
is one of the things that
people know about me first.
That's 'cause you never give us
a chance to forget.
Then in Compton
Here in Compton
From Compton
Outside of Compton.
They see me as just a kid from Compton.
Guess who went to Compton
and got some barbecue?!
You bring up being from Compton
more than I bring up being a doctor.
- No, he doesn't.
- All right.
Me and my brothers and sisters
from the 90221
have a grit and determination
that you cannot buy.
That's right.
So, while you can take the man
out of Compton,
you can never take Compton
out of the man.
Dad, I did not say it was a bad thing.
It is what you worked so hard for.
You got out.
Hey
proud of you.
I bet you Dr. Dre ain't gotta
put up with this nonsense!
Yeah, I don't know
what I'm gonna get everybody
this season, Mom.
Oh! [Scoffs] No, Ruby is easy.
Are you kidding me?
I tell her I donated to her church,
and then I give
to Planned Parenthood instead.
I do the same thing every year.
[Chuckles] I know.
Oh, I gotta go.
I'll talk to you later.
I love you, Mom. Bye.
Hey, you two.
I need your Christmas lists.
We don't have to do
the whole dance this year.
- Cash is fine.
- Huh?
Yeah. You can just Venmo me.
Maybe add some Christmas emojis,
make it all festive or whatever.
But hey, we know you have
a lot of kids to buy for,
so if it's under four figures,
that's okay.
You can just make it up to us
on our birthday.
When did my kids get so transactional
about the holidays?
Our dad owns Gucci shower shoes.
Yeah.
- You figure that out.
- Okay.
Since you two don't want
Christmas gifts,
I have a better idea.
I want you to think of something
that you can do for someone in need
this holiday season.
Tell Junior nobody wants
to see his feet on Instagram.
Oh, my gosh. Perfect.
- No. No.
- Right?
Strangers.
Show kindness
with your time and your effort.
You know what?
That sounds like
a great New Year's resolution.
- I'll write that down. Thank you.
- Yes. Perfect.
Today.
I want you to do that today.
- [Scoffs]
- Okay.
Mm-hmm.
I told you we should have
just asked for a Jet Ski.
[Groans]
The next day, I still couldn't get over
Junior shading me about Compton,
and neither could the guys at work.
Well, Dre, we have your ingrate son
down in the basement
alphabetizing our HR complaints.
He will be down there for months.
Yeah, that is mostly me. You're welcome.
DRE: You know, how can they doubt
that I'm still from Compton?
I remind my family this constantly
so they can appreciate
how hard I work to make sure
they had an easier path than I did.
Come on. We all respect your journey.
H-How can you not?
Look, in my mind, it's like
you grew up in World War II France,
you know, except with, you know,
more sneakers up on the power lines.
Okay, Compton is more
than stereotypical images
in your head, all right?
It's about families trying to make it,
like everywhere else.
Dre, it's still impressive
that you survived the place.
One time, when my car broke down
just near Compton,
I left it there and ran home.
I didn't grow up in a "Mad Max" movie!
Whoa! I don't want any trouble, okay?
So, I'm just gonna give you,
for no reason at all,
all the money in my wallet.
Really, Connor?
Now, you can't blame us.
The place does have a reputation.
It's the same reason why I flinch
whenever I see someone
come out of a bathroom
- in a Mafia restaurant.
- Yeah.
Of course you would see it that way.
But you know what?
I'm proud to go out in the world
and represent the CPT.
That's how I feel
about Darien, Connecticut.
- Birthplace of the salad fork.
- Oh.
What are you talking about?
It's not like that at all. I
You know what? Forget you guys.
All that matters is
that my family recognizes
I go hard for Compton.
And if they forgot
it's time that I remind them
who their daddy is.
Now, is that because they're not sure
or he's not sure?
- Not sure.
- I think he's not sure.
To be honest.
- That makes sense.
- There are a lot of kids in that house.
- JACK: Mom.
- Yeah?
You will be happy to know
that we have done
our part to help the less fortunate.
- Mm-hmm.
- Is that a trash bag?
- Yes. It's my donations.
- Wh
These are all of last season's looks.
Who knew helping the homeless
could lead to so much closet space?
Okay, please tell me
that you were more thoughtful
than your sister?
Oh. Of course I was.
I did a video.
- Okay.
- Watch this.
Definitely gave you screens
way too young.
JACK: Hey, fam.
If you're struggling out there,
I want you to know I realize
I took my Christmas privilege
for granted.
- What?
- From the heart.
So I'm here.
Here for what, Jack?
Just here.
- What
- While they're out there.
- All right, I am going to delete this
- What?
so that you still have
a chance to get into college.
I need you guys to clear your schedules.
I'm gonna teach you that real service
comes from real sacrifice.
We're gonna donate our time
to a community.
- I'm gonna do a little research
- [Door opens]
- gotta figure out where
- DRE: Family!
Assemble!
JUNIOR: Dad, why am I here?
Mr. Stevens had me on a big project.
The company is in a lot of trouble.
Like, a lot of trouble.
You're here because
I want you all to hear this
- at the same time.
- What's up?
We are all going to Compton.
Perfect!
We are gonna volunteer in Compton!
R-Really, babe?
'Cause you never really, uh,
just agreed with me like that.
Yeah, well, you've never barged
in on a situation
and said exactly the right thing, so
Okay. Well, look at us.
- Look at us.
- All right!
You all get to see exactly
where your dad is from.
And damn it!
I'm gonna get that tattoo.
- What?
- You know, considering I, uh,
you know, find the
the artist that I like,
- and, uh
- A what?
he has an opening in his schedule
or her schedule.
DRE: Inked up or not,
my kids were going home this Christmas.
My home.
Meanwhile, I was thinking
about a rose design.
Or maybe a skull.
That weekend, the whole family
packed up and drove down
to volunteer at the Compton rec center.
While Bow checked us in,
I checked Junior
about how real his dad was.
I'm starting to feel it already, son.
You know, being here,
it brings back so many memories.
You know, it's days like this
that Beyoncé
made "Homecoming."
Dad, I hate that I've already
had to tell you this multiple times,
but stop comparing yourself to Beyoncé.
Hate all you want, son.
Your daddy is a legend around here.
- Okay.
- RUBY: [Laughs] Yeah!
The legend of the boy
who got stuck in the tube slide.
- [Laughs]
- Okay. It was too curvy.
Eh Why'd you come, Mama?
I'm on the lookout for people who said
your father and I wouldn't last.
[Chuckles]
There are scores to be settled.
Hey!
Bishop Sanders!
Bishop! I got some bad news.
- They had a thing.
- RONNIE: My boy!
- Oh!
- Hey!
It ain't Christmas till
Starbucks changes their cups
- and Dre comes through.
- What's going on, baby?
My friends Ladarius, Ronnie, and T-Will
have been with me since jump.
They were as Compton as it gets.
Just like me.
Welcome home, friend.
Hey, it's good to be home,
especially when everybody's
coming together
to do something great.
Hey, Compton looks out for Compton.
- Yeah, we do.
- We do.
And thanks for showing
those pictures to Bow.
Glad I ain't got ringworm.
You didn't send me anything.
Oh, no.
I must have texted the wrong Dre.
What?
That's why things been weird
with my boss.
I gotta fix this!
Don't end up like him, son.
Are you guys ready to reap
the rewards of service?
That warm, fuzzy feeling
that you have in your belly right now
that's what I feel every day
when I walk into the hospital.
Mm-hmm. That's why I'm a doctor.
Okay, volunteers. I'm Cameron.
- Hi, Cameron!
- Hi.
Let's get you your assignments.
You'll start here, and you'll hold
someone's tray while they wait.
Mm. Let's talk about that
for a second, shall we, Cameron?
While yes, it's probably good for Jack
to get some experience
in the food-service industry,
I'm more on the management track
Diane, there is no "I" in "service."
- Yes, there is.
- Yes, there is.
Charity? Nope.
Selflessness.
All right? So, you guys
take your assignments
and you be good sports about it.
Let's go. Come on, now.
Oh, my God, Cameron,
I am so sorry about my kids.
It's so embarrassing.
I'm trying to teach them
the joy of volunteering
comes from giving
of oneselves to others.
So, how will I be giving of myself?
You're in the kitchen on potatoes.
Oh.
Isn't that kind of like
putting the star on the bench [Chuckles]
with that assignment, don't you think?
Isn't volunteering about selflessness?
Eh, it is. [Chuckles]
It is, but I'm a doctor,
so these hands are for holding lives,
not roots.
Potatoes aren't roots.
I went to med school, so I can
actually say what potatoes are,
but come on, I'm here. I'm here.
Put me to use.
Use me.
All right, Doctor.
Just pretend this peeler
is your scalpel,
and just try to see as
many patients as you can today.
Well, lucky for you
there is no job too small for me!
[Laughs]
[Scoffs]
Like this is medical grade.
Garbage.
Ah! Ooh!
I still got it!
Just like when we set the Compton record
for most pick-up wins in a day.
We even beat Werewolf Isaiah's squad.
He was only good 'cause no one wanted
- to guard all that body hair.
- Uh-huh.
The point is,
those were the good-old days.
Look, we would meet here,
we'd go play some hoops,
- head over to the Friendly.
- Ohh.
- The Friendly.
- The Friendly.
What's the Friendly?
Friendly Corner Market, man,
but you could get anything
at the Friendly
fireworks, fly swatter,
eh, off-brand candy.
Ooh, love me some Skattles.
I even bought my copy
of "Thriller" from the Friendly.
It was missing two songs.
I still haven't heard "Human Nature."
You know what?
I'll take you by the Friendly
a little later
and get you some M-and-Thems.
It's gonna be great.
Uh, Dre,
the Friendly's been closed
for like eight years.
What?
Nobody told me?
Yeah, it became Friendly Pager,
Friendly Mobile,
Friendly Screen Repair
Friendly Wings?
The best wings of all time.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Right, right.
Th-Th-That chicken. Mm-hmm.
And that Branch sauce.
What's that? Buffalo ranch?
No.
Where you been, man?
He's been having too much
of that bougie Valley salad dressing.
- [Laughter]
- Wow, Dad.
Looks like we're both learning a lot
about Compton today, huh?
Well, I know what's not closed
the Grill Prince on Central.
What do you say we all go by there
and get five Dre Specials?
You know, the thing I ordered so much
that they named it after me?
- The Grill Prince is cool.
- Mm-hmm.
Oh, man, if they had
a Branch burger, though?
- [Whistles]
- Well, you know what?
I'm not gonna get you anything, Ronnie.
Son, come help me over here.
CAMERON: Ah.
- There you are.
- Oh, hello, Cameron
The kitchen wants to know how
it's going with the potatoes.
Well, actually,
I know Chef was thinking mashed,
but I would suggest au gratin potatoes,
'cause I don't know if you can see here,
but I have done a rustic peel.
Do you know why?
Because the vitamin
is in the skin, Cameron.
The skin of the potato.
Yeah.
I'm sure you've heard this before,
but just be less.
I'm sorry.
I just I have so much help to give.
Maybe if you gave me a position
that was more engaging, with people.
How about you engage me
with a fully peeled potato,
and we can talk.
Uh-huh.
Maybe we can talk about
your management style,
because I have
some thoughts.
Junior may not have believed
I was Compton through and through,
but a guided tour through
the old neighborhood
on the way to the Grill Prince
would prove him wrong.
Ooh, hey, son, you see
that alley right there?
- Mm-hmm.
- That's where I broke
Ben Harkins' ankle playing football.
Ruined his prom.
- Man.
- [Chuckles]
Am I gonna be nostalgic
about the horrible things
I've done someday?
It's like these streets raised me.
[Inhales sharply] I can almost smell
the burgers cooking
from around the corner.
Is it behind that laundromat?
Oh, no.
Uh, I was confused.
It's after the laundromat.
- Dad.
- Hmm?
You know, we've passed
that funeral home twice now.
Are you sure you don't want me
to look it up on my phone?
Boy, who am I? Ronnie?
All right, he's the one that's
not from Compton anymore.
He moved to Long Beach
to take care of his daddy,
like we wouldn't notice.
Dad, it's okay if you're lost.
I am not lost!
The Grill Prince is across from
the third check-cashing spot
on the left-hand side after Rosecrans,
before you get to the lamp store,
where Rocky Travis
used to have his seizures.
Yeah. My map says it's miles away.
Okay. Uh
It's before Rosecrans.
Oh.
Guess again.
Even if I didn't know
what street I was on,
I knew exactly where I was
right by my old middle school.
Nope.
I was right by where
my mama got her hair done.
Damn it. I was lost in Compton.
- Oh!
- [Car horn honks]
Hey, there's the rec center!
[Door opens]
Uh-oh.
I know sad whiskey when I see it.
You guys raised me right.
You gave me the ball, and I fumbled it.
I'm sorry.
Baby, it's okay.
You got lost in Compton. It happens.
Yeah, you think I still know
my way around Detroit?
Last time back, I couldn't
even find the Silverdome.
Turns out, they blew it up.
But I did not change
my birth certificate.
You know, so much of what makes me me
comes from growing up in Compton,
and now I feel like I'm turning my back
on who I am for living here.
Well, at least you know why you did it.
Better schools, bigger houses,
fancy driveway for your fancy car,
and most of all,
you did it for your kids.
Can you imagine Junior
growing up on the streets
you grew up on?
- [Chuckles]
- Mm-hmm.
He wouldn't even last a day.
A day? An hour.
I mean, it's crazy
that it has to be like that.
- Talk to him.
- All right, listen.
Now, that's enough
with the pity party, okay?
[Ruby scoffs]
No self-respecting Black man
has ever had the time
or the mental bandwidth
for a downward spiral.
Not even Muhammad Ali,
and he had to fight
the United States government
and George Foreman.
You? You stuck on some White [bleep].
- Yeah.
- Okay.
- Like somebody from Sherman Oaks.
- Mm-hmm.
Come on, Ruby, let's get out of here
- before he orders a Peloton.
- [Chuckles]
You're okay.
Too late.
[Sighs]
- Hey, guys.
- Hey!
I'm really sorry about today.
Next time, we are gonna volunteer
for Habitat for Humanity.
[Chuckling] They know how
to treat talent.
Actually, today was awesome.
Yeah, we had a really good time.
What You did?
We realized that volunteering
- isn't about just holding a tray.
- Mm.
It's about a connection
with someone that's less fortunate
and being grateful
for all the things that we have.
Go on.
I never thought I'd say this,
but it was nice.
Wait a minute.
You guys spent time with strangers
and actually gained something
from the experience?
Yeah, Mom. Isn't that what you wanted?
Yes. Yes. Of course I did.
That's the lesson
I wanted you guys to get.
I mean whether you are
bonding with strangers
or peeling potatoes
you make the same difference.
Uh
I don't know
if that's the same difference.
- Yeah.
- Yes, it is.
That's the lesson
that I was teaching you.
Is it, though?
Um [Chuckles]
I'm sorry. Who's the parent here?
- [Chuckles]
- You?
Yeah.
So, when you guys
have your own children,
then you can decide
what the lessons are.
Yeah? Okay.
Good job, Bow.
I did it, huh?
Yeah?
- Okay.
- All right.
Do you know I'm not in the
Compton delivery zone anymore?
I'm surprised this
is only just now hitting you,
and not when you realized that you lived
in the same neighborhood as Billy Bush.
Babe[Sighs]
It just feels
sometimes like something
is missing here.
Oh, Dre.
Sweetheart, you're not a fraud
because you moved.
People move.
Like your parents.
One day.
God willing.
What's home to you?
- The commune?
- [Scoffs]
The suburbs? Your medical school?
You don't remember
what it's called, do you?
I know it starts with a U.
All of those places
are a part of me, Dre,
but this
this feels like home,
and mostly because
you and the kids
you make it that way.
It's not about the where.
- It's about the who.
- Yeah.
USC Medical School!
Too late.
I'll be home for
This one is for you.
Why, thank you.
And this one is for you. [Laughs]
Hey.
You can count on me
Pops, why aren't you
wearing the jammies?
I'm here. Not at the Bellagio.
That should be enough.
Earl, if you be a good boy,
I'll let you sit on my lap.
Maybe Bow was right.
Compton will always be where I'm from,
but these people were my home.
- Hey, Dad?
- Hmm?
This one's from me.
I'll be home for Christmas
Oh.
A framed menu from the Grill Prince.
[Chuckles] Yeah.
Oh.
The Dre Special.
[Laughs]
Cheese instead of lettuce.
And cheese instead of tomatoes.
[Chuckles]
When you took us down there,
I saw the passion
in everything you showed us.
Compton is a part of you,
just like a part of you is here.
Merry Christmas, Dad.
Oh.
I'll be home for Christmas
Merry Christmas, Junior.
Thanks, son.
If only
So
You feel better now?
in my dreams
If only in myyyy
[Laughs]
Yes.
Dreams
Definitely.
Yeah
How'd Zoey get out
of setting up for Christmas dinner?
Man, sometimes it feels
like she's living in a different world.
Okay.
So, we'll have Olivia,
Mops, Grandma Alicia,
Aunt Santamonica,
Uncle Johan if he catches his train.
[Chuckles]
Ooh! Aunt Rhonda, my god-daughter,
can't forget about
Aunt Gigi and her crew.
Oh, I forgot about Aunt Gigi.
- Kyra's going to lose it.
- Yeah.
- We're gonna need more chairs.
- Mm-hmm.
This feels like its
own holiday, you know?
Special.
- Hmm.
- [Doorbell rings]
[Devante cooing, Baby Get-Right barking]
Baby Get-Right, leave Devante alone.
- That dog. [Scoffs]
- Yeah.
Gotta get rid of him.
ALL: Aunt Denise!
You didn't think I was gonna
miss another Christmas, did you?
You have to tell me your secret.
You haven't aged a day.
Well, it all started in the '80s.