Bel-Air (2022) s02e07 Episode Script
Under Pressure
1
Previously on "Bel-Air "
- Erika?
- Philip?
[LAUGHTER]
Are you still upset
about the Erika thing?
- 'Cause it's not a thing.
- It was a thing.
A very big thing, so please
don't play me like I'm crazy.
Keep posting, okay? And tag them.
Visibility for the artist,
visibility for the house.
Well, who is this
artist? It says anonymous.
What?
Have you talked to Jazz recently?
He's been acting really distant.
Finding out you dated
a top NFL draft pick
could hurt a brother's pride.
- I have no agenda.
- Good.
- 'Cause I have a man.
- So why isn't he here then?
We know you been looking for Frederick.
- Yeah.
- Lord knows we learned
the consequences of
keeping family apart.
Know this has to be your decision.
Not ours.
It's so cool that both
Will and Carlton got nominated
for the Founder's Award.
Okay, I'm focused on AAU, and that's it.
Founder's Award is Carlton's thing.
D-1 schools they looking
for leadership skills too.
Don't be so quick to count yourself out.
I'm not afraid of a little competition.
- You should stay in the race.
- Oh, that's good,
- 'cause I was gonna do that anyway.
- [LAUGHS]
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
♪
They're coming, they're
coming, they're coming.
Okay, table's set. Everything's ready.
- [CLEARS THROAT]
- Good morning, boys.
- Good morning.
- Hey.
BOTH: Surprise!
I hope you're hungry for some pancakes.
- You need something.
- What's the occasion?
Well, we just thought that
we'd do something special
that says congratulations.
We have two Founder's
Award nominees in the house.
- That's a big deal.
- Yeah.
And an even bigger deal
that you both decided to run.
I mean, yeah, you know, this
could be a huge deal for me.
Scholarships, internships.
I mean, becoming a
multi-million-dollar CEO.
[CHUCKLES] Whoa, CEO? Slow down.
- What's funny about that?
- Oh, nothing.
It's just that you finally have
ambitions higher than the NBA.
Oh, yeah, baby. I'm
coming for everything.
I'll beat you on the
classroom and on the court.
I'm pretty sure I have
a higher GPA than you.
- Debatable.
- Okay, see?
That's exactly what I was talking about.
She's just worried about
the two of you going
up against each other.
That's a lot of competitive
energy under one roof.
Don't act like you
two don't have history.
Look, I understand how,
as a mother, it's your job
to obsessively worry about
everything, but we're fine.
Yeah, it's all good, Aunt Viv.
Just some healthy
competition between cousins.
- That I'm gonna win.
- Not quite.
[NATE ROSE'S "EGOS"]
Uh, I heard they checking for me ♪
No one checking on me, so
I had to go run up a check ♪
I got the message homie,
ain't no flexing on me ♪
My attorney gon' call and collect ♪
Blessings on blessings for me ♪
My success has only
made them envious ♪
Ah.
Damn, man.
- Why does that keep happening?
- Because, Will,
rule number one of golf is,
never take your eyes off the ball.
And also [SIGHS]
- you suck.
- [SCOFFS]
Let's see what you got,
and it better be good.
- Damn.
- Yes, there it is.
- Nice shot, son.
- You know, I'm not so sure
Will is cut out for this
level of competition.
Yeah, well, sticking tiny balls
into holes is your thing, Carlton.
Give me the rock and I'll
show you what I can do.
Ah, it's a shame a dunk contest
isn't a Founder's Award event.
- Founder's Award event.
- You know, he's right, Will.
The alumni golf tournament will
be an opportunity to impress,
and I just want to make sure
that both of you make a good showing.
Nice one, Dad. [CHUCKLES]
And I'm sure Will could use the help.
And I'm sure you could use the height.
But it's not really fair
when you have a ten-year
head start, so
Well, the links are
a corporate boardroom in disguise.
It's where money and deals are made.
Ain't that right, Geoffrey?
Yeah. Absolutely.
Hey, back up, man.
Uh. [GROANS]
It's all right. We'll
help you get there, Will.
Just takes practice
and a lot of patience.
- Thanks, Uncle Phil.
- Course.
You know, I was thinking,
maybe later, I could
help you pull together
some of your talking points
for the "Meet the Nominees" forum.
Yeah, that'd be dope.
You know, you're looking at
a Distinguished Toastmaster.
Wait, you never told me
you were a Distinguished Toastmaster.
I don't know what that is,
but if it's gonna help
me win, that's cool.
[PHONE RINGS]
Viv, hey.
Yeah, we're all right here.
All right, I'll let him know.
Love you too.
It's that time. You ready?
Yeah. Of course.
Are you good?
- Just need a minute.
- Yeah.
Hey, you got this, G.
[SIGHS]
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
Frederick.
Geoffrey.
So nice to see you.
[EASY MCCOY'S "DÉJÀ VU"]
It's like déjà vu ♪
I see it all the time ♪
Yeah, it's like déjà vu ♪
I see it all the time ♪
♪
Yeah ♪
I was pleased to know
that you got adopted pretty early
out of the care system.
Five years old.
One of the lucky ones, I guess.
So what? You're not a big eater?
No, I am. Just not today.
I'm not usually this quiet either.
It's just
this whole this is just feels
unreal.
Yeah.
I get it.
When I was a kid, I
thought maybe I made you up
and you was a story I told
myself just to get to sleep.
It's easy to pretend
you never really existed.
[UNEASY MUSIC]
But clearly, you do.
♪
Frederick,
I know it can't be easy.
After all these years,
suddenly getting a call
and a plane ticket from
a complete stranger.
Not a complete stranger.
I run into people that
claim they knew you.
Lots of stories.
Yeah, well,
you can't believe everything you hear.
And that's why I came.
I want to find out for myself.
And I'm prepared to tell you everything.
Looks good, son. Love the photo.
[CHUCKLES] I'm going for a 2008 DNC vibe
kind of mixed with an early
Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
Well, it's good to see
you're focused on your goals.
Thanks, Dad.
So tell me, how's Will
doing on his side of things?
We're in the Colosseum, Dad.
- He's my competition.
- Right.
Let's hope you're okay with
the extra push I've been giving him.
He's not quite as focused as you.
You know, the Founder's
Award competition
is a much bigger stretch.
I just wanted to make sure that
he's getting the support that he needs.
Of course.
Will needs you more
than me, so support away.
Great. I'm glad you understand.
Yep.
[WHISTLES]
All right, here you go, man.
- Take care.
- Thanks, brother.
So anything going on
with you and Hilary?
Since when are you so invested
in our relationship?
Since all she does is
ask about your ass, boy.
- Word?
- Yeah, man.
Look, look, she just wants
you to take charge, okay?
Make your presence felt
before it's too late.
Why would it be too late?
No reason.
And he feels really bad that
he let the whole LaMarcus thing
get to his head, but trust
me. He wants to fix things.
Then why didn't he just say that?
Well, I think he's just
trying to give you your space.
Space? Why would I need space?
No. No, no, no.
Space is the last thing she needs.
Look, man, you just need
to get out your feelings
and step your boyfriend game up.
She really say that?
No, no, no, no. I'm just saying, man,
you two have been trippin' long enough.
Y'all gotta get it together. A'ight?
Now's the time.
I just feel like something like this,
it should've made us stronger.
Like we should be solid at this point.
Yeah, I hear ya.
Listen, Will, it's just that
I need him to make an effort.
You know, so I don't
think I'm the only one here
- who's miserable.
- I feel you.
So when you say making an effort
Anything. Literally
anything. Try. Show up.
- Plan a date or something.
- Okay, I get it.
So you mean like Netflix and chill.
- Bigger.
- Dinner and a movie.
Bigger. I'm talking about,
like, super expensive,
super impressive. Like hella Hilary.
- Okay.
- Can you handle this? ♪
- Yeah.
- Yeah. Tomorrow at eight.
- I miss you.
- I miss you too.
All right, well, it's a date then.
- Bye, Jazz.
- All right, bye.
Bow chicka wow with it ♪
Bow bow chicka wow with it ♪
Can you handle this? ♪
Come on in, James. Have a seat.
No thanks. Listen
everyone at the firm is
getting a little nervous.
Phil, hell, I'm getting
a little nervous.
Losing Garrison Automotive as a client,
you know, that put us
at a huge disadvantage,
so where are we?
Are we bringing that business back?
It's just taking a little
longer than I anticipated.
Okay, now, what's that even mean?
I mean, if Garrison doesn't return,
that's 0% chance of us
stopping this acquisition.
I know. Tell the partners to chill.
I just need a little more time
and they need to trust that
I'm working all the angles. Sound good?
No. That sounds like a
lot of bullshit actually.
Look, we been riding
together for over 20 years.
Have I ever not delivered
when I said I would?
- No, but
- So don't worry.
We're gonna make this
work. We'll get it done.
Well, we better,
'cause right now, we don't
have any other options.
Yeah?
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]
"Banks' show offers tasty
morsels of fascinating new art,
but never enough of a full entrée."
What is going on? Is
Janice dragging you again?
This woman has way too much free time.
She keeps emailing me
negative reviews of my art show,
and you know she condemned
the anonymous piece as being
way too provocative?
Okay, this woman is way off base.
That piece was the
highlight of the night.
I mean, look.
It's my most popular post.
746,365 likes.
My piece is getting this much attention?
Hold up, hold up.
You're the artist behind
"Living in Silence"?
Why didn't you say anything?
People are obsessed. I'm obsessed.
Everyone's trying to figure
out who the artist is.
What?
I mean, I guess I'm just
trying to be respectful
- of my role in the fellowship.
- Uh-uh.
Mom, you need to ignore the noise
and tap into this new audience.
Look, don't worry. I'll
teach you everything.
Okay. [SQUEALS]
Okay, so basically, this is how it goes.
When you post something,
you wanna tag whoever's important.
[PHONE RINGING]
Hey, Will, you almost
here? Ready to rock?
Hey, I'm not gonna be able
to make it, Uncle Phil.
Doc just called an extra team practice.
I thought you wanted to work
on talking points for
the nominees event.
Well, I do, but I can't
just miss a practice.
I still gotta show my
commitment to Doc and the team.
Well, what about your
commitment to the Founder's Award?
I'm still committed.
I'm just trying to balance it all.
But it's good. I got
it, though, all right?
Hey, I got to go, Uncle Phil.
- Thanks for understanding.
- All right, nephew.
You're late, Bel-Air.
- Hustle up.
- All right.
Got here as fast as I could.
What y'all standing around for?
[HEAVY HIP-HOP MUSIC]
♪
Oh, the overachieving angle. Original.
Let me guess.
LAX bros for life meets
polos in white paradise?
Just giving the people what they want.
Yeah, well, I'm pretty sure the people
don't want another
pompous, cocky asshole.
Then you definitely won't win.
- [CHUCKLES]
- [SCHOOL BELL RINGS]
Good luck, Banks.
Lisa. Lisa.
Can you just can you just wait?
Look, I know you been icing me out
since I had that fight with Carlton.
He's my friend, and I
don't do bullies, Drew.
That's not who I am.
And I don't want you
thinking the worst of me.
Look, I like you a lot, and I fucked up.
Yeah, you did.
Maybe tomorrow we can
catch up after school.
Grab a bite. Start over.
- We'll see.
- Okay.
So where's our BSU nominee?
Right, to be clear, I'm only
doing this as a favour to you.
Okay? No commitments.
Well, I'm just glad you came in.
You left me no choice.
You've been blowing up
my phone for two weeks.
Viv really appreciated that, by the way.
My bad. Yeah, I didn't get this far
not being persistent. I
know how to get what I want.
Everyone, this is Philip Banks.
Philip, this is the top
leadership of the firm.
Well, I wasn't expecting a full house.
I would've worn a nicer suit. [LAUGHTER]
You took time out of
your schedule to be here.
The least we could do is
give you a proper welcome.
- We have partners from our offices in D.C
- Thank you.
New York, Tokyo, London, Paris,
Sydney, Dubai, Toronto, Frankfurt,
Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh.
Wow. Okay. Hello.
We're grateful that
Erika got you in the door,
but it's our job to
make sure you come back.
What you've done at
Banks, Johnson, and Lewis,
evolving it into a general practice,
handling criminal
defence, class actions,
commercial transactions,
it's beyond impressive.
Thank you.
I put my life's work
into building that firm.
But we know times are changing.
But we'd like to bring
you in as an equity partner
to control our West Coast team.
That's ten offices, over
five times as many lawyers
as your entire firm.
An army of seasoned attorneys
and top law school graduates,
all ready to go to
work for Philip Banks.
And to make some real progress
on those social justice reforms
you wanted to implement as DA.
Okay. What's the catch?
Offer's already in your inbox.
Comb through it. You won't find a catch.
Sky's the limit here.
You can create whatever future
you envision for yourself.
We just want to be a part of it.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
♪
And this is home, sweet home.
You didn't mention nothing
about living in no castle.
[LAUGHS]
I manage the affairs
of family operations.
Real talk? Living here is just a perk.
- No big deal.
- Ah, this house may not be a big deal,
but Geoffrey certainly is.
Good to see you, Frederick.
How was your first night in LA?
Yeah, I was a little
jet-lagged, but all good.
Hi, Frederick. I'm
Hilary. Nice to meet you.
- Pleasure to meet you too.
- Okay, accent.
Thank you for having me.
This is a lovely home.
- [SQUEALS]
- [LAUGHS]
That's all thanks to
your father Geoffrey.
I mean, because of him,
this place is like
a well-oiled machine.
That's a fact. We wouldn't know
what to do without
Geoffrey. He always knows
what's going on. When
I was a little girl,
he stopped me from
running away three times.
Three?
The point is, we are just
so blessed to have Geoffrey
as a part of this family.
Which means you're family, too, okay?
It's nice to be included out of choice
instead of circumstance.
That's definitely new to me.
He's here.
So as you know, my family was
a big part in building this
great institution, right?
So the foundation and
the legacy of this school,
they run through my blood.
And look, I absolutely understand.
Right now seems like a
dire time to be a student,
but my good friend, Obama, says
that we, as a generation,
were born in the best time in history.
We're more likely to be literate,
healthy, and free to pursue our dreams.
I want to use this award to
make good on those dreams.
- Really
- Sorry I'm late.
Oh, man. [GROANS]
Will, what are your thoughts
on the history of the Founder's Award?
Yeah, what are your thoughts, Will?
Right.
History of the Founder's Award.
Boy, there's a lot of history.
Uh, I do have notes.
I'm just trying to find them.
Okay, fuck the talking
points. I don't have an agenda.
Obviously.
But this is me. The real me.
And my mom, Viola Smith
she always raised me
to speak from the heart.
You know, it's about who you are
and what you believe in.
You know, what you'll stand
for and what you won't fall for.
You know, it's not about
how good you look in a suit.
Or on paper.
You know?
'Cause once all that
shit is stripped away,
what do you have left?
I don't know. I think
I think that'll show you
what a true leader looks like.
But can you contextualise that
within the five principles
of the Founder's Award?
Uh, the five principles.
Yes. Let me figure that out for you.
Right. Well, as painful
as this is to watch,
I can tell you that
as the award recipient,
I look forward to visiting
the leadership summit
in Washington, D.C.,
and learning valuable
things about civic, social,
- and business leadership skills.
- [PHONES CHIMING]
It's not about looking good or uh
sounding good, I I
I need to make sure that
He done dropped niggas ♪
And Trigger, he be
wilding, he some hot nigga ♪
Tones known to get busy
with them Glocks, nigga ♪
Try to run down and you
can catch a shot, nigga ♪
Hey, yo! Whoa, hey!
Yo, watch your mouth, boul.
- Or what?
- Or I'ma watch it for you.
You don't get to say
"nigga." None of y'all do.
Oh, I'm pretty sure I just said it.
And I'm also pretty sure, I don't know
- who the fuck you are.
- How about I show you
- who I am?
- Hey, hey, relax!
Okay, yo. This is my cousin Will.
Chill the fuck out, dude.
Yo, you really gonna
cosign his bullshit?
Fuck.
You know, they really rolled
out the red carpet, babe.
And the package they offered mm
is a pretty sweet deal.
Wow. I'm happy for you.
I mean, am I happy that
another woman has my
husband this worked up?
Baby, baby, listen.
There is only one woman
who gets me worked up,
and you know that will never change.
- Ever, ever.
- Wow.
Haven't seen you this
excited in a long time.
Yeah. Yeah, it feels good, you know?
To be wanted,
valued for what you do.
So you seriously considering this?
- I think I have to.
- Hmm.
I'm not really one who likes to
put myself out there.
I prefer to let my art speak for me.
I mean, it's why I became
an artist in the first place,
but lately.
I've been feeling like
I'm suffocating in silence,
which is what led me to create this.
I stepped out my comfort zone,
but I was afraid to claim it as my own,
which, ironically,
is what it represents:
being afraid, unheard, silenced.
Why is it a battle
to allow my voice to break
through the way I need it to?
When it is my time to
feel valued and wanted?
[SCHOOL BELL RINGS]
Well, just withdrew my name.
You know, I don't need a dumb award
to get into an Ivy.
Hell, my mom's a trustee at Yale.
That's the privileged spirit.
Well, you might want to direct
some of that energy to your cousin, bro.
What the fuck are you talking about?
Who do you think sent that video?
The one person in it
who comes out looking like a hero.
With you and me both
benched, that award's all his.
Bro, I did not send the video.
I cannot even believe you
would accuse me of that.
Oh, right. So it's just convenient
that you were dying up there
and the video came out just
when you needed a lifeline.
You know what your problem is, Carlton?
You always wanna blame
somebody when you fuck up.
- That's your problem.
- Hey, what is happening?
Hey.
You heard your mother.
Somebody better start speaking.
Fine. This video came
out of me letting the guys
on the lacrosse team say the N-word,
and now everyone thinks I'm the villain.
- Whatever.
- Wait. What?
And Carlton thinks I leaked it.
See? I told you all this competition
was gonna lead to a problem.
Yes, it is a problem, because
I actually care about this,
and Will showed up late and unprepared.
Because I had practice.
Unlike you, I'm juggling a real life.
It's disrespectful to everyone
that actually cares about
this and takes it seriously.
Will, you have a problem focusing.
Dad, you said it yourself. That's why
- you're helping him so much.
- What?
- So that's what you think.
- Hold up.
That is not what I said.
I was talking more about
your lack of commitment and preparation.
Okay, so because I don't do
things like you and Carlton,
- it's a problem.
- No, but I do think
that you could be more disciplined
when it comes to your future.
You would say that.
He didn't even want me to
keep my name in the running.
- No, it's not true.
- Yes. Yes, it's true.
You said it was more of Carlton's thing,
but Doc told me not to count myself out.
- Doc?
- Yeah, Doc.
At least he believes in me.
After everything we've
done to support you,
you can form your mouth
to even say those words?
- Hey, Phil?
- No, no, Viv.
Yeah, we'll see how much
Doc still believes in you
when I stop putting money in
his bank account every month.
You know what?
It's cool.
I'll just take care of myself.
Always have.
Got practice.
- [LAUGHS]
- A brother is starving.
I'm about to order the whole damn menu.
- [BOTH LAUGH]
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
- Okay. Okay.
So wait a minute.
How did you know this was
my favourite restaurant?
Come on now.
It's me. [LAUGHS]
Only the best for my baby. Come on.
Well, hold on. Hold on.
- I feel a toast coming on.
- Oh.
Lift your glass. Lift your glass.
[LAUGHS]
Hilary, I just wanna
say I'm proud of you.
You know, congrats on
the Simply Spiked deal.
I know how hard you worked on it.
You deserve the world,
and I wanna give it to you.
Oh, and I'm gonna take it.
[LAUGHTER]
Thank you, babe. This is perfect.
Fire. [LAUGHTER]
Whoo.
Man, I see what coach is doing.
Spread the ball around,
get everybody involved,
but this is my squad.
Dude, I'm the point guard.
Like, put the ball
in my hand and make
- Damn, Bel-Air.
- Oh, wow.
- This you?
- It's all me.
- Man, this baby's sweet.
- Hey, back up off my car, man.
Just imagine what type of car he'd have
if he got some playing time.
[LAUGHTER]
He's funny. You funny, man.
- I do what I can.
- But trust me,
I'm not gonna ride the bench for long.
- Yeah, we'll see.
- If I was pushing this
I'd have honeys up in here every day.
- I heard that.
- Yeah, you know my aunt
got tired of me taking her ride, so
Word. Well, yeah, we about
to grab a bite, hang a little.
Wanna dip?
Uh, yeah. That's cool.
I'll meet y'all there.
Nah. You driving, rook.
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Let me up in here.
I guess the car's big
enough to fit your head.
Oh, so you wanna be chauffeured, huh?
Hold on. You got a foot rest?
Yeah, man. When you back there,
you can just relax,
kick your feet up on the ottoman,
recline, get a little massage.
Damn. Yo, we can watch
our games in here.
Y'all can see how I just
drop the dub on them bums.
[LAUGHTER]
- Let's drive, rook.
- Let's go, man.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC]
♪
So I was thinking maybe
tomorrow, I could take you
to one of my favourite English pubs.
It's not as good as the ones back home,
but at least they play
premiership football. You get me?
Yeah, I'm starting to
get a bit knackered.
- Thinking about heading back.
- Jet lag tingles, yeah?
- Mm-hmm.
- No problem.
I can drop you back to your hotel.
- Just tell me
- No, back home.
Gonna grab an early
flight back to London.
I still got some Cs.
♪
Something wrong?
I mean,
- you just got here.
- It's just it's weird to me
that you're very important
to a lot of people,
to these people.
All the stories and the history.
It's like they can't seem
to get on without you.
But I did
for years.
I told you my reasons.
That doesn't make it hurt any less.
Frederick, please.
Come on, man. We've
waited too many years
for this to end in a bad memory.
Well, then let's go out
on a high note, yeah?
I'm doing fine and
you're doing fine, right?
Look, I don't hate you. I don't.
I just don't know you.
Maybe we leave it at that.
So we got fries, we got sodas,
we got four types of wings.
I'm talking about buffalo, lemon pepper,
honey, barbecue, and Cajun.
- Hey, thanks, man.
- It's all good.
- How much I owe you?
- Ah, it's my treat.
Hell, yeah.
So what school you looking at next year?
I got a scholarship to UCLA.
I already signed my letter of intent.
That's what's up, bro. Congrats.
- Thanks, bro.
- That's crazy.
I got to make this pro shit pop.
Buy a real crib.
Look after my sister, my grandma.
Change the game.
You know what I'm saying?
Damn good.
I'm trying to do the same thing.
Take care of my mom. Make my own way.
Man, you already made
it. Livin' in Bel-Air.
[CHUCKLES]
Bro, that's my aunt and uncle's house.
I'm telling you, I'm really from Philly.
- Word.
- Yeah.
- Respect.
- Born and raised, man.
What, y'all over here
on a date or something?
What's up, Jackie?
Mm.
Damn, girl. Hey, you good?
Not as good as I'm about to be.
You partying with me tonight or what?
Yeah, I'm just I'm kind of
in the middle of something right now.
Hey, Jackie, why don't
you come sit with us?
- Yeah, come sit with us.
- Nah.
I know when a dude's
trying to blow me off.
Fuck you, Bel-Air.
♪
What?
♪
It's all you, bro.
What the fuck just happened?
Congratulations.
Your motherly superpowers are spot on.
- What are you talking about?
- You called it.
You knew that competition
between me and Will
was gonna end badly, and here we are.
Oh, I can't say I enjoy
being right this time.
It doesn't even matter, right?
Because this gonna be over soon.
Right, there's no coming back from this.
Does dropping out need
to be the only solution?
When they're saying I'm an Uncle Tom,
a sellout, and, my personal favourite,
Yeezus reincarnated,
yeah, I think it's a wrap.
Apparently, I just can't
get away from being that kid.
You know what I see?
That kid who is so bold
to be in any space that he isn't welcome
and who's just trying to fit in.
I was trying to be someone different.
All right, the BSU, the protest,
the Founder's Award.
Yazmin.
All people see are my mistakes.
That's high school,
and it is par for the course.
I made plenty of mistakes.
The only difference is,
it wasn't being recorded
on somebody's phone.
Evolving it never stops.
I mean, I am still on my own journey,
- even at this age.
- What? Even at 32?
Mm-hmm. Even at 32, I am
still learning new tricks.
Did you know that I have
been posting on social media?
- Wait. You?
- Mm-hmm.
Right, but what I've learned,
more than anything else,
is that, whatever we're going through,
there is someone else
who's feeling the same way.
Listen, summer in the wintertime ♪
Smoke back on this beat
act like it's dinnertime ♪
Four packs, no receipt, no LoJack ♪
Hold my heat in case I have
to throw that in the river ♪
After sinnertime ♪
I'm good, I'm good, I swear I'm good ♪
Hey, Jackie.
- Jackie, Jackie.
- Hmm?
Going kind of hard for a
school night, aren't you?
Been that kind of week.
Right. Well, look, I'm not trippin'.
I'm just saying, you
might want to slow down.
Hey, hey, hey. Come on.
Damn. Be careful, bitch.
Bitch?
Funny, I didn't catch
your mama anywhere.
- [ONLOOKERS EXCLAIM]
- [SCOFFS]
What did this girl just say to me?
Oh, you're mad?
- Girl, what's up?
- [LAUGHS]
What's up with it? No, no, let's go.
- Yeah, that's cute shit.
- Just be cool, Shay.
- Relax, relax.
- Let go of me.
Relax, Jackie.
Okay, I'm not your enemy.
You don't know shit about me, Will.
Think you the shit ♪
Really this shit ain't
for the faint-hearted ♪
Think you've been hip
then take a two-piece ♪
And on that note,
looks like it's on you
to get her home, rook.
But yo, don't mention our name to Doc
- when you explain it to him.
- Wait, Doc?
- Yeah, she lives with him.
- No.
[LAUGHS] You didn't know?
Good luck, bro.
Peace.
Come on. She's so drunk.
Doc's gonna be pissed.
[SIGHS]
If you don't get it
it's a shame on you ♪
Shit.
[LAUGHS]
Today was everything, babe.
And I missed you.
I missed you too.
And I was thinking maybe we could,
you know, go back to
the way things were.
I'm so sorry.
Sir, do you happen to have another card?
- This one's been declined.
- That's not even possible.
I just put money in the
account this morning.
It's not declined. Can
you just try one more time?
Do you have another
card you'd like to try?
No, I don't have another
card I would like to try.
- This is the card.
- [CHUCKLES]
You know what? Babe, maybe the deposit
- just hasn't cleared yet.
- No.
The money is in there, babe. I saw it.
Let her just run it one more time.
- I'm sure everything's fine.
- You know what?
- Actually, I got it.
- No, you don't.
- No, I do.
- I got it.
Can you just take
this? Please. Thank you.
Sure.
- Are you serious?
- Yes, please. We're in a public place.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
Jackie. Jackie, come on.
Hey, one step. All right, you got it.
[SIGHS]
[DOORBELL RINGS]
- You're in trouble.
- Shh.
- You're gonna get it.
- Stop. Stop.
- Stop.
- [LAUGHS]
- Jackie, come here.
- Mm.
God, don't let this man kill me.
I like your chain.
Oh.
- Come on, baby.
- I okay.
Bye. Bye. Bye, Will.
- Hang tight for a second.
- I just wanna go to sleep.
You will.
[SIGHS] Shit.
[SIGHS]
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]
She's asleep.
I appreciate you looking out.
Yeah, of course.
Yeah, Jackie's strong, man,
but she got her demons, too, you know?
Yeah, I ain't never
seen that side of her.
My little sister had her
when she was in high school.
Pretty much raised Jackie myself.
I'm trying to make sure
she doesn't have to pay
for her mom's mistakes.
Well, hey,
it's pretty dope that
you stepped up like that.
We family. It's what we do.
[CHUCKLES]
You know, I would be
in a cell or
in a casket if it wasn't for my uncle.
[SIGHS]
Just wish he would stop
trying to control my shit.
- You feel me?
- Yeah, man.
He's from a whole different world
than what we used to.
That's what I'm saying. [SCOFFS]
So he got you out of some
kind of trouble back in Philly?
Yo, it's cool if you don't
want to talk about it.
No.
It's cool.
I trust you.
I got you.
Hey.
Car should be here any minute.
Thanks again for the
hospitality, Mr. Banks.
You know, Geoffrey
isn't just a good man.
He's extraordinary.
So I've heard.
And I know your mother and your father,
your adopted family, they
took good care of you.
It's the only family I've ever known.
You grew up in a
two-bedroom flat in Brixton.
You ever wonder how they could afford
your private education at Dulwich?
Or those British street
gangs you tried to run with
and they turned you away.
The GAS, MZ, and 150.
They wanted no part of me.
Or that time when your
dad was on disability
and your mother lost
her receptionist job.
And the both of them was
out of work for a full year.
But you, your siblings,
a meal was never missed.
Groceries were always on the table.
Heat and lights on.
Geoffrey?
He's always been in your life
even when he couldn't be.
I know this is something that
you're gonna have to process
on your own, and I respect that, but
I just couldn't let you leave here
without knowing who
your father really is.
Thanks again, Mr. Banks.
[DOOR CLOSES]
And my pieces they have
something powerful to say.
That's what an artistic voice should be,
so if this is unbecoming of
the Neeman Fellowship brand,
then so am I.
Many days and nights gone by ♪
Some left me so empty and lost ♪
Wonder anything made sense ♪
[DOOR CLOSES]
I checked my account, Hilary.
If you would've just let the
woman run the damn card
- Look, I had the money.
- Okay.
You have the money. I have the money.
- We both have the money.
- That's not the problem.
The problem is, you didn't
believe that I had the money.
- Be real.
- What are you talking about?
I bet if you were at
dinner with LaMarcus
Oh, my God. Really?
You're not seriously still on that.
Let me finish.
I just know you would've given
him the benefit of the doubt
before you pulled out
your platinum card.
Okay, Jazz, you're really making this
more than what it needs to be,
and you're ruining the night.
- I'm ruining the night?
- Yes.
You're ruining the night,
and you know what else?
I am so, so tired of dancing
around your insecurities.
[LAUGHS] Here we go.
The truth comes out. Come on. Tell me.
- Okay, you want the truth?
- Yeah. I do.
You want the truth?
What was up with the fake-ass date?
- Fake-ass date?
- Yes.
You wasn't saying that
when you was swallowing
- that $100 lobster.
- Okay, so what?
How much money you have or spend,
that doesn't even matter to me.
You say that now, Hilary, but come on.
You know damn well
you don't want to walk
red carpets with a fucking Uber driver.
[SCOFFS]
Is that what you really think I am?
You really think I'm that obsessed
with the superficial shit in life.
Look, I see how people look at us.
All your little influencer friends.
You're just a come-up for
me and I'm a setback for you.
So just admit it, or you
can keep lying to yourself.
I can't do this anymore.
I mean, we act like our
differences don't matter,
but you can't get past them.
And that's a you problem.
That's not me.
I'm in your neighbourhood ♪
For your darkest times ♪
All you all good? ♪
Are you all right? ♪
So this is how it ends?
I guess so.
Are you all good? ♪
Are you all right? ♪
I'm in your neighbourhood ♪
For your darkest times ♪
Are you all good? ♪
Are you all right? ♪
I'm in your neighbourhood ♪
For your darkest times ♪
And you know what the crazy part is?
If Carlton stayed in the running,
chances are, his ass would've beat
the system like he always does.
He would've won the whole thing.
At least the video
takes him out for good.
Carlton Banks is someone
else's problem now.
You been coming for
Carlton since the first day
- we walked into the BSU meeting.
- What?
And then he whooped your ass.
You're the one who AirDropped the video.
You're welcome.
You had me and Carlton out here beefing
when it was you the whole damn time.
Oh, but can you prove it, though?
Oh, no, you can't, can you?
[LAUGHS]
- Ready to grab lunch?
- Yeah, of course.
See you around, William.
If I was to die today ♪
What is it I would tell you? ♪
Maybe I could share my pain ♪
Flight got delayed.
I hope it never fells you ♪
Yeah?
Sit down, my son ♪
Let me talk to you ♪
On this race you run ♪
I guess I got time for one more game.
But please don't let it be the end ♪
Let's see what you got.
And you said it's funny how the luck ♪
Gives and takes ♪
Not bad. That was lucky.
[LAUGHS]
- You ready for this?
- Yeah.
♪
Let me show you a few things.
- [WHISTLE BLOWS]
- Everybody on the line.
Let's go. Hustle up. Hustle up.
Will, you running with the ones today.
Wait. For real? Where's Brian?
- He sick?
- Does it matter?
You finally getting to start.
- I could find somebody else.
- No, we good. We good.
Let's hustle up, West
Philly. We got work to do.
We going medium speed.
Half court and back.
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
Okay, well, if I'm gonna get cancelled,
I figured I might as well
spread a little raw truth.
Is the video going
around of me fake news?
No. It's real.
Very real.
But you want to know what else is real?
The ups and downs
I've experienced trying
to figure myself the fuck
out at Bel-Air Academy.
Say what you want to say ♪
Can't help if this is us ♪
Things I've said to fit in.
Nice.
Things I've done to not stand out.
The times I chose not to
ask the tough questions
and instead just look the other way.
The times I felt like a fraud.
The times I became my own worst enemy
because I couldn't just
get out of my own way.
The times I made selfish choices
at the expense of others.
The times I second-guess myself
and wrestle with self-doubt.
I know it wasn't you in the video,
but we've all laughed a
little too hard at a joke
we probably shouldn't
have or remained quiet
when we should've said
"That's not okay."
It's part of the culture here.
A million little moments
never caught on camera.
And I know I'm not alone.
No.
I'm just the only one you see.
Take me where you wanna go ♪
You're in control ♪
Oh ♪
Oh ♪
[SIGHS]
Call me when you wanna stay in touch ♪
Ooh ♪
Lie together just to gain trust ♪
Say what you wanna say ♪
Can help if this is us ♪
[SIGHS]
♪
[UPBEAT HIP-HOP MUSIC]
♪
Previously on "Bel-Air "
- Erika?
- Philip?
[LAUGHTER]
Are you still upset
about the Erika thing?
- 'Cause it's not a thing.
- It was a thing.
A very big thing, so please
don't play me like I'm crazy.
Keep posting, okay? And tag them.
Visibility for the artist,
visibility for the house.
Well, who is this
artist? It says anonymous.
What?
Have you talked to Jazz recently?
He's been acting really distant.
Finding out you dated
a top NFL draft pick
could hurt a brother's pride.
- I have no agenda.
- Good.
- 'Cause I have a man.
- So why isn't he here then?
We know you been looking for Frederick.
- Yeah.
- Lord knows we learned
the consequences of
keeping family apart.
Know this has to be your decision.
Not ours.
It's so cool that both
Will and Carlton got nominated
for the Founder's Award.
Okay, I'm focused on AAU, and that's it.
Founder's Award is Carlton's thing.
D-1 schools they looking
for leadership skills too.
Don't be so quick to count yourself out.
I'm not afraid of a little competition.
- You should stay in the race.
- Oh, that's good,
- 'cause I was gonna do that anyway.
- [LAUGHS]
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
♪
They're coming, they're
coming, they're coming.
Okay, table's set. Everything's ready.
- [CLEARS THROAT]
- Good morning, boys.
- Good morning.
- Hey.
BOTH: Surprise!
I hope you're hungry for some pancakes.
- You need something.
- What's the occasion?
Well, we just thought that
we'd do something special
that says congratulations.
We have two Founder's
Award nominees in the house.
- That's a big deal.
- Yeah.
And an even bigger deal
that you both decided to run.
I mean, yeah, you know, this
could be a huge deal for me.
Scholarships, internships.
I mean, becoming a
multi-million-dollar CEO.
[CHUCKLES] Whoa, CEO? Slow down.
- What's funny about that?
- Oh, nothing.
It's just that you finally have
ambitions higher than the NBA.
Oh, yeah, baby. I'm
coming for everything.
I'll beat you on the
classroom and on the court.
I'm pretty sure I have
a higher GPA than you.
- Debatable.
- Okay, see?
That's exactly what I was talking about.
She's just worried about
the two of you going
up against each other.
That's a lot of competitive
energy under one roof.
Don't act like you
two don't have history.
Look, I understand how,
as a mother, it's your job
to obsessively worry about
everything, but we're fine.
Yeah, it's all good, Aunt Viv.
Just some healthy
competition between cousins.
- That I'm gonna win.
- Not quite.
[NATE ROSE'S "EGOS"]
Uh, I heard they checking for me ♪
No one checking on me, so
I had to go run up a check ♪
I got the message homie,
ain't no flexing on me ♪
My attorney gon' call and collect ♪
Blessings on blessings for me ♪
My success has only
made them envious ♪
Ah.
Damn, man.
- Why does that keep happening?
- Because, Will,
rule number one of golf is,
never take your eyes off the ball.
And also [SIGHS]
- you suck.
- [SCOFFS]
Let's see what you got,
and it better be good.
- Damn.
- Yes, there it is.
- Nice shot, son.
- You know, I'm not so sure
Will is cut out for this
level of competition.
Yeah, well, sticking tiny balls
into holes is your thing, Carlton.
Give me the rock and I'll
show you what I can do.
Ah, it's a shame a dunk contest
isn't a Founder's Award event.
- Founder's Award event.
- You know, he's right, Will.
The alumni golf tournament will
be an opportunity to impress,
and I just want to make sure
that both of you make a good showing.
Nice one, Dad. [CHUCKLES]
And I'm sure Will could use the help.
And I'm sure you could use the height.
But it's not really fair
when you have a ten-year
head start, so
Well, the links are
a corporate boardroom in disguise.
It's where money and deals are made.
Ain't that right, Geoffrey?
Yeah. Absolutely.
Hey, back up, man.
Uh. [GROANS]
It's all right. We'll
help you get there, Will.
Just takes practice
and a lot of patience.
- Thanks, Uncle Phil.
- Course.
You know, I was thinking,
maybe later, I could
help you pull together
some of your talking points
for the "Meet the Nominees" forum.
Yeah, that'd be dope.
You know, you're looking at
a Distinguished Toastmaster.
Wait, you never told me
you were a Distinguished Toastmaster.
I don't know what that is,
but if it's gonna help
me win, that's cool.
[PHONE RINGS]
Viv, hey.
Yeah, we're all right here.
All right, I'll let him know.
Love you too.
It's that time. You ready?
Yeah. Of course.
Are you good?
- Just need a minute.
- Yeah.
Hey, you got this, G.
[SIGHS]
[SOFT MUSIC]
♪
Frederick.
Geoffrey.
So nice to see you.
[EASY MCCOY'S "DÉJÀ VU"]
It's like déjà vu ♪
I see it all the time ♪
Yeah, it's like déjà vu ♪
I see it all the time ♪
♪
Yeah ♪
I was pleased to know
that you got adopted pretty early
out of the care system.
Five years old.
One of the lucky ones, I guess.
So what? You're not a big eater?
No, I am. Just not today.
I'm not usually this quiet either.
It's just
this whole this is just feels
unreal.
Yeah.
I get it.
When I was a kid, I
thought maybe I made you up
and you was a story I told
myself just to get to sleep.
It's easy to pretend
you never really existed.
[UNEASY MUSIC]
But clearly, you do.
♪
Frederick,
I know it can't be easy.
After all these years,
suddenly getting a call
and a plane ticket from
a complete stranger.
Not a complete stranger.
I run into people that
claim they knew you.
Lots of stories.
Yeah, well,
you can't believe everything you hear.
And that's why I came.
I want to find out for myself.
And I'm prepared to tell you everything.
Looks good, son. Love the photo.
[CHUCKLES] I'm going for a 2008 DNC vibe
kind of mixed with an early
Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
Well, it's good to see
you're focused on your goals.
Thanks, Dad.
So tell me, how's Will
doing on his side of things?
We're in the Colosseum, Dad.
- He's my competition.
- Right.
Let's hope you're okay with
the extra push I've been giving him.
He's not quite as focused as you.
You know, the Founder's
Award competition
is a much bigger stretch.
I just wanted to make sure that
he's getting the support that he needs.
Of course.
Will needs you more
than me, so support away.
Great. I'm glad you understand.
Yep.
[WHISTLES]
All right, here you go, man.
- Take care.
- Thanks, brother.
So anything going on
with you and Hilary?
Since when are you so invested
in our relationship?
Since all she does is
ask about your ass, boy.
- Word?
- Yeah, man.
Look, look, she just wants
you to take charge, okay?
Make your presence felt
before it's too late.
Why would it be too late?
No reason.
And he feels really bad that
he let the whole LaMarcus thing
get to his head, but trust
me. He wants to fix things.
Then why didn't he just say that?
Well, I think he's just
trying to give you your space.
Space? Why would I need space?
No. No, no, no.
Space is the last thing she needs.
Look, man, you just need
to get out your feelings
and step your boyfriend game up.
She really say that?
No, no, no, no. I'm just saying, man,
you two have been trippin' long enough.
Y'all gotta get it together. A'ight?
Now's the time.
I just feel like something like this,
it should've made us stronger.
Like we should be solid at this point.
Yeah, I hear ya.
Listen, Will, it's just that
I need him to make an effort.
You know, so I don't
think I'm the only one here
- who's miserable.
- I feel you.
So when you say making an effort
Anything. Literally
anything. Try. Show up.
- Plan a date or something.
- Okay, I get it.
So you mean like Netflix and chill.
- Bigger.
- Dinner and a movie.
Bigger. I'm talking about,
like, super expensive,
super impressive. Like hella Hilary.
- Okay.
- Can you handle this? ♪
- Yeah.
- Yeah. Tomorrow at eight.
- I miss you.
- I miss you too.
All right, well, it's a date then.
- Bye, Jazz.
- All right, bye.
Bow chicka wow with it ♪
Bow bow chicka wow with it ♪
Can you handle this? ♪
Come on in, James. Have a seat.
No thanks. Listen
everyone at the firm is
getting a little nervous.
Phil, hell, I'm getting
a little nervous.
Losing Garrison Automotive as a client,
you know, that put us
at a huge disadvantage,
so where are we?
Are we bringing that business back?
It's just taking a little
longer than I anticipated.
Okay, now, what's that even mean?
I mean, if Garrison doesn't return,
that's 0% chance of us
stopping this acquisition.
I know. Tell the partners to chill.
I just need a little more time
and they need to trust that
I'm working all the angles. Sound good?
No. That sounds like a
lot of bullshit actually.
Look, we been riding
together for over 20 years.
Have I ever not delivered
when I said I would?
- No, but
- So don't worry.
We're gonna make this
work. We'll get it done.
Well, we better,
'cause right now, we don't
have any other options.
Yeah?
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]
"Banks' show offers tasty
morsels of fascinating new art,
but never enough of a full entrée."
What is going on? Is
Janice dragging you again?
This woman has way too much free time.
She keeps emailing me
negative reviews of my art show,
and you know she condemned
the anonymous piece as being
way too provocative?
Okay, this woman is way off base.
That piece was the
highlight of the night.
I mean, look.
It's my most popular post.
746,365 likes.
My piece is getting this much attention?
Hold up, hold up.
You're the artist behind
"Living in Silence"?
Why didn't you say anything?
People are obsessed. I'm obsessed.
Everyone's trying to figure
out who the artist is.
What?
I mean, I guess I'm just
trying to be respectful
- of my role in the fellowship.
- Uh-uh.
Mom, you need to ignore the noise
and tap into this new audience.
Look, don't worry. I'll
teach you everything.
Okay. [SQUEALS]
Okay, so basically, this is how it goes.
When you post something,
you wanna tag whoever's important.
[PHONE RINGING]
Hey, Will, you almost
here? Ready to rock?
Hey, I'm not gonna be able
to make it, Uncle Phil.
Doc just called an extra team practice.
I thought you wanted to work
on talking points for
the nominees event.
Well, I do, but I can't
just miss a practice.
I still gotta show my
commitment to Doc and the team.
Well, what about your
commitment to the Founder's Award?
I'm still committed.
I'm just trying to balance it all.
But it's good. I got
it, though, all right?
Hey, I got to go, Uncle Phil.
- Thanks for understanding.
- All right, nephew.
You're late, Bel-Air.
- Hustle up.
- All right.
Got here as fast as I could.
What y'all standing around for?
[HEAVY HIP-HOP MUSIC]
♪
Oh, the overachieving angle. Original.
Let me guess.
LAX bros for life meets
polos in white paradise?
Just giving the people what they want.
Yeah, well, I'm pretty sure the people
don't want another
pompous, cocky asshole.
Then you definitely won't win.
- [CHUCKLES]
- [SCHOOL BELL RINGS]
Good luck, Banks.
Lisa. Lisa.
Can you just can you just wait?
Look, I know you been icing me out
since I had that fight with Carlton.
He's my friend, and I
don't do bullies, Drew.
That's not who I am.
And I don't want you
thinking the worst of me.
Look, I like you a lot, and I fucked up.
Yeah, you did.
Maybe tomorrow we can
catch up after school.
Grab a bite. Start over.
- We'll see.
- Okay.
So where's our BSU nominee?
Right, to be clear, I'm only
doing this as a favour to you.
Okay? No commitments.
Well, I'm just glad you came in.
You left me no choice.
You've been blowing up
my phone for two weeks.
Viv really appreciated that, by the way.
My bad. Yeah, I didn't get this far
not being persistent. I
know how to get what I want.
Everyone, this is Philip Banks.
Philip, this is the top
leadership of the firm.
Well, I wasn't expecting a full house.
I would've worn a nicer suit. [LAUGHTER]
You took time out of
your schedule to be here.
The least we could do is
give you a proper welcome.
- We have partners from our offices in D.C
- Thank you.
New York, Tokyo, London, Paris,
Sydney, Dubai, Toronto, Frankfurt,
Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh.
Wow. Okay. Hello.
We're grateful that
Erika got you in the door,
but it's our job to
make sure you come back.
What you've done at
Banks, Johnson, and Lewis,
evolving it into a general practice,
handling criminal
defence, class actions,
commercial transactions,
it's beyond impressive.
Thank you.
I put my life's work
into building that firm.
But we know times are changing.
But we'd like to bring
you in as an equity partner
to control our West Coast team.
That's ten offices, over
five times as many lawyers
as your entire firm.
An army of seasoned attorneys
and top law school graduates,
all ready to go to
work for Philip Banks.
And to make some real progress
on those social justice reforms
you wanted to implement as DA.
Okay. What's the catch?
Offer's already in your inbox.
Comb through it. You won't find a catch.
Sky's the limit here.
You can create whatever future
you envision for yourself.
We just want to be a part of it.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
♪
And this is home, sweet home.
You didn't mention nothing
about living in no castle.
[LAUGHS]
I manage the affairs
of family operations.
Real talk? Living here is just a perk.
- No big deal.
- Ah, this house may not be a big deal,
but Geoffrey certainly is.
Good to see you, Frederick.
How was your first night in LA?
Yeah, I was a little
jet-lagged, but all good.
Hi, Frederick. I'm
Hilary. Nice to meet you.
- Pleasure to meet you too.
- Okay, accent.
Thank you for having me.
This is a lovely home.
- [SQUEALS]
- [LAUGHS]
That's all thanks to
your father Geoffrey.
I mean, because of him,
this place is like
a well-oiled machine.
That's a fact. We wouldn't know
what to do without
Geoffrey. He always knows
what's going on. When
I was a little girl,
he stopped me from
running away three times.
Three?
The point is, we are just
so blessed to have Geoffrey
as a part of this family.
Which means you're family, too, okay?
It's nice to be included out of choice
instead of circumstance.
That's definitely new to me.
He's here.
So as you know, my family was
a big part in building this
great institution, right?
So the foundation and
the legacy of this school,
they run through my blood.
And look, I absolutely understand.
Right now seems like a
dire time to be a student,
but my good friend, Obama, says
that we, as a generation,
were born in the best time in history.
We're more likely to be literate,
healthy, and free to pursue our dreams.
I want to use this award to
make good on those dreams.
- Really
- Sorry I'm late.
Oh, man. [GROANS]
Will, what are your thoughts
on the history of the Founder's Award?
Yeah, what are your thoughts, Will?
Right.
History of the Founder's Award.
Boy, there's a lot of history.
Uh, I do have notes.
I'm just trying to find them.
Okay, fuck the talking
points. I don't have an agenda.
Obviously.
But this is me. The real me.
And my mom, Viola Smith
she always raised me
to speak from the heart.
You know, it's about who you are
and what you believe in.
You know, what you'll stand
for and what you won't fall for.
You know, it's not about
how good you look in a suit.
Or on paper.
You know?
'Cause once all that
shit is stripped away,
what do you have left?
I don't know. I think
I think that'll show you
what a true leader looks like.
But can you contextualise that
within the five principles
of the Founder's Award?
Uh, the five principles.
Yes. Let me figure that out for you.
Right. Well, as painful
as this is to watch,
I can tell you that
as the award recipient,
I look forward to visiting
the leadership summit
in Washington, D.C.,
and learning valuable
things about civic, social,
- and business leadership skills.
- [PHONES CHIMING]
It's not about looking good or uh
sounding good, I I
I need to make sure that
He done dropped niggas ♪
And Trigger, he be
wilding, he some hot nigga ♪
Tones known to get busy
with them Glocks, nigga ♪
Try to run down and you
can catch a shot, nigga ♪
Hey, yo! Whoa, hey!
Yo, watch your mouth, boul.
- Or what?
- Or I'ma watch it for you.
You don't get to say
"nigga." None of y'all do.
Oh, I'm pretty sure I just said it.
And I'm also pretty sure, I don't know
- who the fuck you are.
- How about I show you
- who I am?
- Hey, hey, relax!
Okay, yo. This is my cousin Will.
Chill the fuck out, dude.
Yo, you really gonna
cosign his bullshit?
Fuck.
You know, they really rolled
out the red carpet, babe.
And the package they offered mm
is a pretty sweet deal.
Wow. I'm happy for you.
I mean, am I happy that
another woman has my
husband this worked up?
Baby, baby, listen.
There is only one woman
who gets me worked up,
and you know that will never change.
- Ever, ever.
- Wow.
Haven't seen you this
excited in a long time.
Yeah. Yeah, it feels good, you know?
To be wanted,
valued for what you do.
So you seriously considering this?
- I think I have to.
- Hmm.
I'm not really one who likes to
put myself out there.
I prefer to let my art speak for me.
I mean, it's why I became
an artist in the first place,
but lately.
I've been feeling like
I'm suffocating in silence,
which is what led me to create this.
I stepped out my comfort zone,
but I was afraid to claim it as my own,
which, ironically,
is what it represents:
being afraid, unheard, silenced.
Why is it a battle
to allow my voice to break
through the way I need it to?
When it is my time to
feel valued and wanted?
[SCHOOL BELL RINGS]
Well, just withdrew my name.
You know, I don't need a dumb award
to get into an Ivy.
Hell, my mom's a trustee at Yale.
That's the privileged spirit.
Well, you might want to direct
some of that energy to your cousin, bro.
What the fuck are you talking about?
Who do you think sent that video?
The one person in it
who comes out looking like a hero.
With you and me both
benched, that award's all his.
Bro, I did not send the video.
I cannot even believe you
would accuse me of that.
Oh, right. So it's just convenient
that you were dying up there
and the video came out just
when you needed a lifeline.
You know what your problem is, Carlton?
You always wanna blame
somebody when you fuck up.
- That's your problem.
- Hey, what is happening?
Hey.
You heard your mother.
Somebody better start speaking.
Fine. This video came
out of me letting the guys
on the lacrosse team say the N-word,
and now everyone thinks I'm the villain.
- Whatever.
- Wait. What?
And Carlton thinks I leaked it.
See? I told you all this competition
was gonna lead to a problem.
Yes, it is a problem, because
I actually care about this,
and Will showed up late and unprepared.
Because I had practice.
Unlike you, I'm juggling a real life.
It's disrespectful to everyone
that actually cares about
this and takes it seriously.
Will, you have a problem focusing.
Dad, you said it yourself. That's why
- you're helping him so much.
- What?
- So that's what you think.
- Hold up.
That is not what I said.
I was talking more about
your lack of commitment and preparation.
Okay, so because I don't do
things like you and Carlton,
- it's a problem.
- No, but I do think
that you could be more disciplined
when it comes to your future.
You would say that.
He didn't even want me to
keep my name in the running.
- No, it's not true.
- Yes. Yes, it's true.
You said it was more of Carlton's thing,
but Doc told me not to count myself out.
- Doc?
- Yeah, Doc.
At least he believes in me.
After everything we've
done to support you,
you can form your mouth
to even say those words?
- Hey, Phil?
- No, no, Viv.
Yeah, we'll see how much
Doc still believes in you
when I stop putting money in
his bank account every month.
You know what?
It's cool.
I'll just take care of myself.
Always have.
Got practice.
- [LAUGHS]
- A brother is starving.
I'm about to order the whole damn menu.
- [BOTH LAUGH]
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
- Okay. Okay.
So wait a minute.
How did you know this was
my favourite restaurant?
Come on now.
It's me. [LAUGHS]
Only the best for my baby. Come on.
Well, hold on. Hold on.
- I feel a toast coming on.
- Oh.
Lift your glass. Lift your glass.
[LAUGHS]
Hilary, I just wanna
say I'm proud of you.
You know, congrats on
the Simply Spiked deal.
I know how hard you worked on it.
You deserve the world,
and I wanna give it to you.
Oh, and I'm gonna take it.
[LAUGHTER]
Thank you, babe. This is perfect.
Fire. [LAUGHTER]
Whoo.
Man, I see what coach is doing.
Spread the ball around,
get everybody involved,
but this is my squad.
Dude, I'm the point guard.
Like, put the ball
in my hand and make
- Damn, Bel-Air.
- Oh, wow.
- This you?
- It's all me.
- Man, this baby's sweet.
- Hey, back up off my car, man.
Just imagine what type of car he'd have
if he got some playing time.
[LAUGHTER]
He's funny. You funny, man.
- I do what I can.
- But trust me,
I'm not gonna ride the bench for long.
- Yeah, we'll see.
- If I was pushing this
I'd have honeys up in here every day.
- I heard that.
- Yeah, you know my aunt
got tired of me taking her ride, so
Word. Well, yeah, we about
to grab a bite, hang a little.
Wanna dip?
Uh, yeah. That's cool.
I'll meet y'all there.
Nah. You driving, rook.
- Yeah.
- Okay.
Let me up in here.
I guess the car's big
enough to fit your head.
Oh, so you wanna be chauffeured, huh?
Hold on. You got a foot rest?
Yeah, man. When you back there,
you can just relax,
kick your feet up on the ottoman,
recline, get a little massage.
Damn. Yo, we can watch
our games in here.
Y'all can see how I just
drop the dub on them bums.
[LAUGHTER]
- Let's drive, rook.
- Let's go, man.
[MELANCHOLY MUSIC]
♪
So I was thinking maybe
tomorrow, I could take you
to one of my favourite English pubs.
It's not as good as the ones back home,
but at least they play
premiership football. You get me?
Yeah, I'm starting to
get a bit knackered.
- Thinking about heading back.
- Jet lag tingles, yeah?
- Mm-hmm.
- No problem.
I can drop you back to your hotel.
- Just tell me
- No, back home.
Gonna grab an early
flight back to London.
I still got some Cs.
♪
Something wrong?
I mean,
- you just got here.
- It's just it's weird to me
that you're very important
to a lot of people,
to these people.
All the stories and the history.
It's like they can't seem
to get on without you.
But I did
for years.
I told you my reasons.
That doesn't make it hurt any less.
Frederick, please.
Come on, man. We've
waited too many years
for this to end in a bad memory.
Well, then let's go out
on a high note, yeah?
I'm doing fine and
you're doing fine, right?
Look, I don't hate you. I don't.
I just don't know you.
Maybe we leave it at that.
So we got fries, we got sodas,
we got four types of wings.
I'm talking about buffalo, lemon pepper,
honey, barbecue, and Cajun.
- Hey, thanks, man.
- It's all good.
- How much I owe you?
- Ah, it's my treat.
Hell, yeah.
So what school you looking at next year?
I got a scholarship to UCLA.
I already signed my letter of intent.
That's what's up, bro. Congrats.
- Thanks, bro.
- That's crazy.
I got to make this pro shit pop.
Buy a real crib.
Look after my sister, my grandma.
Change the game.
You know what I'm saying?
Damn good.
I'm trying to do the same thing.
Take care of my mom. Make my own way.
Man, you already made
it. Livin' in Bel-Air.
[CHUCKLES]
Bro, that's my aunt and uncle's house.
I'm telling you, I'm really from Philly.
- Word.
- Yeah.
- Respect.
- Born and raised, man.
What, y'all over here
on a date or something?
What's up, Jackie?
Mm.
Damn, girl. Hey, you good?
Not as good as I'm about to be.
You partying with me tonight or what?
Yeah, I'm just I'm kind of
in the middle of something right now.
Hey, Jackie, why don't
you come sit with us?
- Yeah, come sit with us.
- Nah.
I know when a dude's
trying to blow me off.
Fuck you, Bel-Air.
♪
What?
♪
It's all you, bro.
What the fuck just happened?
Congratulations.
Your motherly superpowers are spot on.
- What are you talking about?
- You called it.
You knew that competition
between me and Will
was gonna end badly, and here we are.
Oh, I can't say I enjoy
being right this time.
It doesn't even matter, right?
Because this gonna be over soon.
Right, there's no coming back from this.
Does dropping out need
to be the only solution?
When they're saying I'm an Uncle Tom,
a sellout, and, my personal favourite,
Yeezus reincarnated,
yeah, I think it's a wrap.
Apparently, I just can't
get away from being that kid.
You know what I see?
That kid who is so bold
to be in any space that he isn't welcome
and who's just trying to fit in.
I was trying to be someone different.
All right, the BSU, the protest,
the Founder's Award.
Yazmin.
All people see are my mistakes.
That's high school,
and it is par for the course.
I made plenty of mistakes.
The only difference is,
it wasn't being recorded
on somebody's phone.
Evolving it never stops.
I mean, I am still on my own journey,
- even at this age.
- What? Even at 32?
Mm-hmm. Even at 32, I am
still learning new tricks.
Did you know that I have
been posting on social media?
- Wait. You?
- Mm-hmm.
Right, but what I've learned,
more than anything else,
is that, whatever we're going through,
there is someone else
who's feeling the same way.
Listen, summer in the wintertime ♪
Smoke back on this beat
act like it's dinnertime ♪
Four packs, no receipt, no LoJack ♪
Hold my heat in case I have
to throw that in the river ♪
After sinnertime ♪
I'm good, I'm good, I swear I'm good ♪
Hey, Jackie.
- Jackie, Jackie.
- Hmm?
Going kind of hard for a
school night, aren't you?
Been that kind of week.
Right. Well, look, I'm not trippin'.
I'm just saying, you
might want to slow down.
Hey, hey, hey. Come on.
Damn. Be careful, bitch.
Bitch?
Funny, I didn't catch
your mama anywhere.
- [ONLOOKERS EXCLAIM]
- [SCOFFS]
What did this girl just say to me?
Oh, you're mad?
- Girl, what's up?
- [LAUGHS]
What's up with it? No, no, let's go.
- Yeah, that's cute shit.
- Just be cool, Shay.
- Relax, relax.
- Let go of me.
Relax, Jackie.
Okay, I'm not your enemy.
You don't know shit about me, Will.
Think you the shit ♪
Really this shit ain't
for the faint-hearted ♪
Think you've been hip
then take a two-piece ♪
And on that note,
looks like it's on you
to get her home, rook.
But yo, don't mention our name to Doc
- when you explain it to him.
- Wait, Doc?
- Yeah, she lives with him.
- No.
[LAUGHS] You didn't know?
Good luck, bro.
Peace.
Come on. She's so drunk.
Doc's gonna be pissed.
[SIGHS]
If you don't get it
it's a shame on you ♪
Shit.
[LAUGHS]
Today was everything, babe.
And I missed you.
I missed you too.
And I was thinking maybe we could,
you know, go back to
the way things were.
I'm so sorry.
Sir, do you happen to have another card?
- This one's been declined.
- That's not even possible.
I just put money in the
account this morning.
It's not declined. Can
you just try one more time?
Do you have another
card you'd like to try?
No, I don't have another
card I would like to try.
- This is the card.
- [CHUCKLES]
You know what? Babe, maybe the deposit
- just hasn't cleared yet.
- No.
The money is in there, babe. I saw it.
Let her just run it one more time.
- I'm sure everything's fine.
- You know what?
- Actually, I got it.
- No, you don't.
- No, I do.
- I got it.
Can you just take
this? Please. Thank you.
Sure.
- Are you serious?
- Yes, please. We're in a public place.
[CLICKS TONGUE]
Jackie. Jackie, come on.
Hey, one step. All right, you got it.
[SIGHS]
[DOORBELL RINGS]
- You're in trouble.
- Shh.
- You're gonna get it.
- Stop. Stop.
- Stop.
- [LAUGHS]
- Jackie, come here.
- Mm.
God, don't let this man kill me.
I like your chain.
Oh.
- Come on, baby.
- I okay.
Bye. Bye. Bye, Will.
- Hang tight for a second.
- I just wanna go to sleep.
You will.
[SIGHS] Shit.
[SIGHS]
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]
She's asleep.
I appreciate you looking out.
Yeah, of course.
Yeah, Jackie's strong, man,
but she got her demons, too, you know?
Yeah, I ain't never
seen that side of her.
My little sister had her
when she was in high school.
Pretty much raised Jackie myself.
I'm trying to make sure
she doesn't have to pay
for her mom's mistakes.
Well, hey,
it's pretty dope that
you stepped up like that.
We family. It's what we do.
[CHUCKLES]
You know, I would be
in a cell or
in a casket if it wasn't for my uncle.
[SIGHS]
Just wish he would stop
trying to control my shit.
- You feel me?
- Yeah, man.
He's from a whole different world
than what we used to.
That's what I'm saying. [SCOFFS]
So he got you out of some
kind of trouble back in Philly?
Yo, it's cool if you don't
want to talk about it.
No.
It's cool.
I trust you.
I got you.
Hey.
Car should be here any minute.
Thanks again for the
hospitality, Mr. Banks.
You know, Geoffrey
isn't just a good man.
He's extraordinary.
So I've heard.
And I know your mother and your father,
your adopted family, they
took good care of you.
It's the only family I've ever known.
You grew up in a
two-bedroom flat in Brixton.
You ever wonder how they could afford
your private education at Dulwich?
Or those British street
gangs you tried to run with
and they turned you away.
The GAS, MZ, and 150.
They wanted no part of me.
Or that time when your
dad was on disability
and your mother lost
her receptionist job.
And the both of them was
out of work for a full year.
But you, your siblings,
a meal was never missed.
Groceries were always on the table.
Heat and lights on.
Geoffrey?
He's always been in your life
even when he couldn't be.
I know this is something that
you're gonna have to process
on your own, and I respect that, but
I just couldn't let you leave here
without knowing who
your father really is.
Thanks again, Mr. Banks.
[DOOR CLOSES]
And my pieces they have
something powerful to say.
That's what an artistic voice should be,
so if this is unbecoming of
the Neeman Fellowship brand,
then so am I.
Many days and nights gone by ♪
Some left me so empty and lost ♪
Wonder anything made sense ♪
[DOOR CLOSES]
I checked my account, Hilary.
If you would've just let the
woman run the damn card
- Look, I had the money.
- Okay.
You have the money. I have the money.
- We both have the money.
- That's not the problem.
The problem is, you didn't
believe that I had the money.
- Be real.
- What are you talking about?
I bet if you were at
dinner with LaMarcus
Oh, my God. Really?
You're not seriously still on that.
Let me finish.
I just know you would've given
him the benefit of the doubt
before you pulled out
your platinum card.
Okay, Jazz, you're really making this
more than what it needs to be,
and you're ruining the night.
- I'm ruining the night?
- Yes.
You're ruining the night,
and you know what else?
I am so, so tired of dancing
around your insecurities.
[LAUGHS] Here we go.
The truth comes out. Come on. Tell me.
- Okay, you want the truth?
- Yeah. I do.
You want the truth?
What was up with the fake-ass date?
- Fake-ass date?
- Yes.
You wasn't saying that
when you was swallowing
- that $100 lobster.
- Okay, so what?
How much money you have or spend,
that doesn't even matter to me.
You say that now, Hilary, but come on.
You know damn well
you don't want to walk
red carpets with a fucking Uber driver.
[SCOFFS]
Is that what you really think I am?
You really think I'm that obsessed
with the superficial shit in life.
Look, I see how people look at us.
All your little influencer friends.
You're just a come-up for
me and I'm a setback for you.
So just admit it, or you
can keep lying to yourself.
I can't do this anymore.
I mean, we act like our
differences don't matter,
but you can't get past them.
And that's a you problem.
That's not me.
I'm in your neighbourhood ♪
For your darkest times ♪
All you all good? ♪
Are you all right? ♪
So this is how it ends?
I guess so.
Are you all good? ♪
Are you all right? ♪
I'm in your neighbourhood ♪
For your darkest times ♪
Are you all good? ♪
Are you all right? ♪
I'm in your neighbourhood ♪
For your darkest times ♪
And you know what the crazy part is?
If Carlton stayed in the running,
chances are, his ass would've beat
the system like he always does.
He would've won the whole thing.
At least the video
takes him out for good.
Carlton Banks is someone
else's problem now.
You been coming for
Carlton since the first day
- we walked into the BSU meeting.
- What?
And then he whooped your ass.
You're the one who AirDropped the video.
You're welcome.
You had me and Carlton out here beefing
when it was you the whole damn time.
Oh, but can you prove it, though?
Oh, no, you can't, can you?
[LAUGHS]
- Ready to grab lunch?
- Yeah, of course.
See you around, William.
If I was to die today ♪
What is it I would tell you? ♪
Maybe I could share my pain ♪
Flight got delayed.
I hope it never fells you ♪
Yeah?
Sit down, my son ♪
Let me talk to you ♪
On this race you run ♪
I guess I got time for one more game.
But please don't let it be the end ♪
Let's see what you got.
And you said it's funny how the luck ♪
Gives and takes ♪
Not bad. That was lucky.
[LAUGHS]
- You ready for this?
- Yeah.
♪
Let me show you a few things.
- [WHISTLE BLOWS]
- Everybody on the line.
Let's go. Hustle up. Hustle up.
Will, you running with the ones today.
Wait. For real? Where's Brian?
- He sick?
- Does it matter?
You finally getting to start.
- I could find somebody else.
- No, we good. We good.
Let's hustle up, West
Philly. We got work to do.
We going medium speed.
Half court and back.
[WHISTLE BLOWS]
Okay, well, if I'm gonna get cancelled,
I figured I might as well
spread a little raw truth.
Is the video going
around of me fake news?
No. It's real.
Very real.
But you want to know what else is real?
The ups and downs
I've experienced trying
to figure myself the fuck
out at Bel-Air Academy.
Say what you want to say ♪
Can't help if this is us ♪
Things I've said to fit in.
Nice.
Things I've done to not stand out.
The times I chose not to
ask the tough questions
and instead just look the other way.
The times I felt like a fraud.
The times I became my own worst enemy
because I couldn't just
get out of my own way.
The times I made selfish choices
at the expense of others.
The times I second-guess myself
and wrestle with self-doubt.
I know it wasn't you in the video,
but we've all laughed a
little too hard at a joke
we probably shouldn't
have or remained quiet
when we should've said
"That's not okay."
It's part of the culture here.
A million little moments
never caught on camera.
And I know I'm not alone.
No.
I'm just the only one you see.
Take me where you wanna go ♪
You're in control ♪
Oh ♪
Oh ♪
[SIGHS]
Call me when you wanna stay in touch ♪
Ooh ♪
Lie together just to gain trust ♪
Say what you wanna say ♪
Can help if this is us ♪
[SIGHS]
♪
[UPBEAT HIP-HOP MUSIC]
♪