[upbeat hip-hop music plays]
♪ ♪
[Monet] Previously on Ghost...
- What you doing here, Frank? - I got out early.
[Tariq] Your uncle Frank's a fucking rat.
[Cane] Welcome home, Papi.
A real welcome home gift would've been
a proper introduction to that connect.
Yeah, I'll make that happen.
[Tariq] I went on this family trip with the Westons.
Sweeney was there. I saw a secret photo album.
Whole lot of weird, inappropriate shit
that'll get an elected official
in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
So you help me get up out of here,
and I'll help you get your hands on that.
What I'm going to do is release Mr. St. Patrick
on a 10% bail bond.
You'll still be required to wear an ankle monitor.
I have never seen Judge Lucas conduct himself that way.
Judge Lucas and I go way back.
[Monet] I made a deal with Davis McLean
to get us some inside information.
I gave him 250 bands,
but he wants double.
[Lauren] I never agreed to testify.
I can't take the stand.
[Jenny] Sweetie, you signed the paperwork.
It's a part of your deal.
Life lesson, never sign anything without reading it.
I know you like to be invisible and shit,
but Pops, he wanna link,
he wanna talk business.
My relationship is with you.
Far as I'm concerned, we never have to meet.
Look, I think it would be best for everyone
if this is the last time we see each other.
What about my son? I still need to meet him.
[Monet] You stay away from Zeke, and you stay away from me.
- You gotta get her back to me. - Uh-uh.
- [all talking convivially] - All right.
- This is my dog right here. - Carlito.
[Kino] We're not locked up anymore, Renzo.
I'm doing my own thing now.
Who you running for, man?
Broad Street killers.
I've been asking around about Kino.
We can recruit his men.
I'm taking your advice.
We're making a move on Kino.
[tense music]
[Joe] ♪ They say this is A big, rich town ♪
♪ I just come From the poorest part ♪
♪ Bright lights, city life ♪
♪ I gotta make it This is where it goes down ♪
♪ I just happen To come up hard ♪
♪ Legal or illegal, baby I gotta make it ♪
[50 Cent] ♪ I never took A straight path nowhere ♪
♪ Life's full of twists And turns, bumps and bruises ♪
♪ I live, I learn ♪
♪ I'm from that city full of Yellow cabs and skyscrapers ♪
♪ It's hard to get a start In these parts without paper ♪
♪ Homey, I grew up in hell A block away from heaven ♪
♪ That corner every 15 minutes They moving seven ♪
♪ Pure snow, bag it Then watch it go ♪
♪ Occupational options Get some blow or some hos ♪
♪ Shoot the ball or the strap Learn to rap or to jack ♪
♪ Fuck it, man In the meantime ♪
♪ Go head and pump a pack ♪
♪ This my regal, royal flow My James Bond bounce ♪
♪ That 007 That's 62 on my count ♪
♪ I'm an undercover liar I lie under the covers ♪
♪ Look a bitch in the eyes ♪
♪ And tell her Baby, I love ya ♪
♪ You're my inspiration You're my motivation ♪
♪ You're the reason that I'm Moving with no hesitation ♪
[Joe] ♪ They say this is A big, rich town ♪
♪ Yeah, I just come From the poorest part ♪
♪ Bright lights, city life ♪
♪ I gotta make it This is where it goes down ♪
♪ Oh, yeah, yeah ♪
♪ I just happen To come up hard ♪
♪ Legal or illegal, baby I gotta make it ♪
♪ ♪
[tense music]
♪ ♪
[labored breathing]
♪ ♪
Ready?
One, two...
♪ ♪
[in Spanish] What the fuck!
Fucking traitor!
Fuck you!
Ahh!
♪ ♪
[in English] Nice work.
With him out the way, I'm counting on you
to clear out the space and push our expansion into the streets.
I got you.
You didn't see anything tonight.
Do you understand?
I understand.
You got her?
I got it, hermano.
♪ ♪
What the fuck?
- That wasn't the plan. - Yeah,
if I would have taken the shot on Kino,
but I can't risk anyone naming you.
Rule number one: no loose ends.
♪ ♪
Monet Tejada.
Evelyn.
Long time.
Look, I wasn't expecting any surprise visitors.
Yeah, funny thing about surprises.
The last time I saw my Frank,
he was on his way to surprise you.
I haven't seen him since.
Well, I guess he didn't make it.
Last time I saw Frank, he was looking at some serious time.
How'd he get out so early?
He didn't tell me.
I was just happy to have him home.
But I hate that my boys have to pay for their father's sins,
and I would hate for you to be in my position,
left behind to pick up the pieces of a broken family.
Consequences of the life. We all know the rules.
Anyone who violates is at risk.
♪ ♪
To make your family whole again.
♪ ♪
Tell Lorenzo I said to be careful out there.
♪ ♪
[door opens, closes]
[ankle monitor beeps]
Good, you're here.
I assume you're not planning to go
to the Jabari Reynolds memorial dinner.
- That's what was so important? - No.
We received the prosecution's discovery tonight,
and there's something you need to see.
They found security cam footage of the Ramirez murder,
and they're claiming it looks like you.
Hell no, that's not me.
I was with Paula at Rockefeller Center that night.
Okay, wait. You met with Paula?
That's great, we'll just get her to corroborate the alibi.
That won't be easy.
You were fucking her, weren't you?
Mm! I knew it, I knew it.
[Davis] All right, Tariq, look.
If this isn't you in the video, then who is it?
The same gun was used in both murders.
Then Ramirez's badge was found in your room.
So whoever that is probably planted that badge.
Who would want you to go down for this?
- I don't know. - Bullshit. You're lying.
He's lying.
Someone who has access to you is framing you.
Just tell us who.
Uh...
Tariq, we can take it from here.
But lay low.
That dinner is gonna have Stansfield campus
swarming with people who would love to see you
locked away for good.
A'ight.
♪ ♪
For the first time, I think that kid may
actually be innocent of something,
and he won't even help us prove that he's being framed.
You don't understand the street, Saxe.
Maybe he won't say shit because he can't say shit.
♪ ♪
Where have you been? Y'all forgot about dinner?
Sorry, Mo. We had to handle some business.
What kind of business?
Go upstairs, Dru.
Night, Mom.
Why do I have this feeling you put my son at risk tonight?
He's my son, too.
And you got to stop babying him.
He's already been shot.
This bullshit is exactly why I took
our business off the streets.
This is the game.
And there is a safer way to play it.
If we wanted safety,
we would have bought a car wash.
But we wanted money, right? A better life for these kids.
A better life, huh?
We got to get out of here while our family is still alive.
What the hell are you talking about?
Get out?
- This is what we do. - What if it wasn't?
Look, Zeke's entering the draft this year.
We could finally hang this shit up and live a good life, safe.
I'm never gonna live off another man ever.
Protecting this family, that's my life.
And I'm not afraid to die doing it.
I made sure Dru was safe tonight.
♪ ♪
I'm always gonna make sure that you're all safe.
♪ ♪
Come to bed, babe.
♪ ♪
My God, my dad was such a douchebag in college.
Must be where Trace gets it from.
What in here could possibly help you?
- Dude, what the fuck? - What?
Not that one. It'll ruin my dad.
It has nothing to do with your dad, a'ight?
It's all about Sweeney.
I'm sorry, 'Riq, but no means no.
I gotta keep that picture to protect my family.
And I need it to save mine.
I'm sorry, Tariq, but I-I can't.
It's a no.
Bro, you always talking about how much
you hate what your family stands for,
yet you're just like 'em.
Fuck off, dude.
I'm just saying, bro, you're talking
about how much you hate white privilege
until you might actually lose it.
Bro, that's not fair.
You know I'd fucking ride for you, okay?
Till the wheels come up.
But I-I can't let you leak a photo of my dad with a guy in--
Blackface?
Yes, blackface.
It was from some Halloween party.
Sweeney was dressed up as O.J.
You know, doing the Heisman with a bloody knife.
He even had dead Nicole in a headlock.
Incredible.
But what do they say around here?
Pics or it didn't happen. What's up?
I could definitely get you that pic.
I just need to be sure of one thing.
- What's that? - The Westons.
They-they can't get dragged into this.
Why would they?
Well, Brayden's father... he's in the picture as Nicole.
And I told Brayden--
Yo, fuck what you told your little punk-ass friend.
You're on trial for murder, Tariq, all right?
And even if you get acquitted,
I'm your only hope of you getting your sister back.
So you know what?
I need that photo before Sweeney's filing date
for re-election.
Do we have an understanding here,
or am I still wasting my time fucking with you, boy?
♪ ♪
I got you.
♪ ♪
[chatter]
How could a judge grant him bail?
Mm, I have no idea.
♪ ♪
Okay, class, so far, we've explored
ethical questions in the theoretical.
But today we'll dive into something
a little more empirical.
Based on experience, your own and humanity as a whole,
should we make decisions
for other people without their consent?
And if so, when and how?
Welcome back, Tariq.
Would you like to get us started today?
Well, whether we like it or not, decisions are made
for people without their consent all the time.
It's a fact of life.
Like a professor exploiting a student?
Did you have something to say, Lauren?
Just according to Harm Principle,
"The only purpose for which
"power can be rightfully exercised
"over any member of a civilized community
against his will is to prevent harm to others."
Yeah, but who has the authority
to determine what harm is,
and to say who's the victim?
Right, like with the police.
The authorities might argue that the use of brute force is
is to protect the citizens from harm,
but in reality, they're actually the perpetrators.
Yeah, and that happens everywhere.
People in power are constantly making decisions
for us without our consent.
Elected officials.
Voters give elected officials consent.
And then politicians make shady deals behind their backs.
[class chuckles]
- What about media outlets? - [BruShaundria] Shit.
Stansfield makes decisions for students all the time.
Dorm raids, anyone?
Yeah, like what happened to Lauren.
It was so unfair.
Uncool, yes, but not unfair.
People consent to be a part of the system.
Lauren signed the student housing agreement
like the rest of us.
So if you're gonna have drugs in your dorm,
you gotta be smart enough to not get caught with it.
Or Stansfield needs to stop targeting BIPOC students
to drag down to the police station.
Lauren! Lauren, wait up.
What was they talking about in there?
- Your room got raided? - Yeah, it was crazy.
The drugs weren't even mine, but they still brought me
into the station for questioning.
What the fuck? Why didn't you tell me?
I thought you heard. Clearly, everybody else did.
And why do you even care?
They were talking about drug dealing on campus,
which has nothing to do with you, right?
Look, I care that you kept it a secret, okay?
Are you kidding me?
All you ever did was keep secrets from me.
That was to protect you, Lauren, okay?
You know what, that's what people always say
when they want to make decisions for others.
But you know what?
You also decided to end this relationship,
which means I don't have to finish this conversation.
Lauren, just give me a minute and talk to me.
That's all I'm asking you.
[Lauren] Tariq, save it, okay?
I have to write my speech for the memorial dinner,
and I probably shouldn't even be seen out with you.
♪ ♪
[soft piano music]
♪ ♪
Ah, thanks for meeting me.
Bartender, scotch and a vodka soda.
[bartender] You got it.
You look beautiful.
What do you want, Davis?
Okay, I'll get right to the point.
Tariq St. Patrick is up for double homicide
and named you as his alibi.
- What? - [Davis] Yeah.
Says he was with you in Rockefeller Center the night
NYPD Detective Danilo Ramirez was shot.
♪ ♪
So it's true?
I did meet him, but not for long.
I looked at the file.
He still could have made it to Long Island City
in time to kill Ramirez.
And what about the other body? Is that on him?
Do you even care?
I care if I can defend him or not.
Ah, yes, the company motto.
And you came down here for what, exactly?
Because we both know I can't take the stand.
The first question they'd ask me is,
what was I doing meeting with Tariq that night?
What would you like me to say,
that I was showing him a video
in which he confessed to killing his father?
Illegally obtained by your now-partner, no less.
It's not gonna do you any favors, Davis.
- And neither am I. - Okay, Paula, wait.
You are unethical as shit.
And Tariq's a murderer. Get him a deal.
Okay, look, y-you know I don't do deals.
Okay, here, look. Come on.
Have a drink with me.
I hated the way things ended between us,
and I forgive you
for going behind my back to Tariq.
[hip-hop music]
♪ ♪
Wish Tariq good luck for me. Clearly, he needs it.
Put your ring back on.
♪ ♪
That's a bad bitch right there.
Son of a bitch.
We need to talk.
Yeah, you got that right.
Rockefeller Center isn't gonna hold up.
The timeline doesn't work, and even if it did,
we can't put Paula on the stand.
She's um, not a friendly.
Fuck.
Yeah, so we need to pivot.
Do you have an alibi for the Jabari Reynolds murder?
[Tariq] I was with my little sister
at my grandmother's house that night.
Ah, the grandmother you called a drunk
and stripped of custody?
Yeah, we're better off with the kid.
Nah, I'm not putting my sister through that.
- You crazy? - He's right, Davis.
We can't put a nine-year-old on the stand.
Okay, both of you, we don't have any other options.
We'll make sure she passes a competency hearing.
It'll be fine.
You cannot ask my little sister to take the stand.
It's not happening.
What's better for her,
you in jail or you out of jail?
Yeah, that's what I thought.
But that's not why you came here.
What's the emergency?
My ex-girlfriend.
Cops brought her in after they found some drugs
in her room, and I'm wondering if that has anything
to do with this.
What do y'all think?
It seems unlikely. What's her name?
Lauren Baldwin.
Well, the prosecution hasn't sent over
their witness list as of yet--
What does she look like?
Okay, why does that matter?
[tense music]
Yeah, no, I--it... it doesn't. It doesn't.
But just in case, probably a good idea
to stay away from her till we know more.
A'ight, keep me posted.
♪ ♪
Okay, that was weird even for you.
That girl was in Jenny's office last night.
She's a prosecution witness for sure.
[sighs]
[soft music]
♪ ♪
You got any deliveries from CourseCorrect lately?
- I could use a smoke. - No.
Ain't fucking with that anymore.
Campus is too hot,
especially since they found that dead cop's badge
in Tariq's dorm.
What?
Yeah, good thing he ain't living with Zeke anymore.
I mean, Zeke really could've gone down
for that if they found it in his room.
[knock at door]
[Whitman] Everett Neal. NYPD. Open up, please.
♪ ♪
I'm Everett Neal.
I'm Detective Kevin Whitman,
lead investigator on Professor Jabari Reynolds' murder.
You gave a statement about a gang attacking one
of your teammates, Ezekiel Cross.
I have some additional questions.
Uh... I-I don't have anything to say about that.
♪ ♪
You seem a little nervous. You okay?
I'm fine. I wish I could help.
But I don't have anything to add.
You're sure?
If we could just go over the details--
I'm sure.
Good night, Detective Whitman.
Well, if anything comes up, be sure to reach out.
♪ ♪
He's gone.
♪ ♪
He'll be back.
[upbeat hip-hop music]
♪ ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
You up for a little one-on-one?
Nah, man. Just focusing on my form.
Sweet stroke.
One foot half a size bigger than the other, right?
Yeah, how you know that?
Me too.
It runs in our family.
Our family?
Yeah.
[tense music]
Listen, Zeke, I know this is gonna sound fucking crazy.
My name is Dante Spears, and I'm your father.
♪ ♪
Nah man, sorry. You got the wrong guy.
- Listen, son-- - Hey!
Get the fuck away from me, dog.
♪ ♪
You ever wonder how you got your name, hm?
Check it.
It's from the book of Ezekiel.
I've had that since I was 16 years old.
Your mother was with me when I got it.
You should ask her about it sometime, son.
♪ ♪
Ask her.
♪ ♪
Get the fuck outta my way, little girl.
Where the fuck are my keys?
- Ma, why you so stressed out? - [phone buzzing]
I got a meeting with Zeke's agent,
and it needs to go well.
Gotta clear up all these off-the-court issues and shit.
Why do you care? You got what you wanted.
Your father's home, and you're goin' to school.
No, I wanted to go to Stansfield.
And I told you to stay the fuck away from Tariq.
You thought I was gonna let you out of my sight up there?
You're out of your fucking mind.
Go Red Storm.
[soft music]
[Luis] His second book was so didactic,
like he was drowning in his own thesaurus.
[BruShaundria] Yeah, but Raw was visceral as shit.
You gotta give him that.
I heard it was based on Professor Milgram.
I think they were hitting again before he died.
[Ashley] What?
I thought she was sleeping with Zeke Cross.
[BruShaundria] A bitch gets around.
- No hate, though. - [knock at door]
- Men have been getting away... - Hey, do you have a minute?
Um, ah, not really.
Of course. Um, listen.
It's just the strangest thing.
I, uh... I didn't receive my invitation
to the Jabari Reynolds dinner tonight.
Well, it's limited capacity.
I imagine they wanted to keep the guest list
to people who actually knew him.
Dean Wong.
I was just working on my speech for the memorial dinner.
Yeah, w-we need to talk about that.
Rashad, can you give us a minute?
Of course.
[Wong] Carrie, it seems there are
some disturbing rumors circulating campus right now
about your personal life.
I think it would be best if someone else
addressed the donors and alumni tonight.
Dean, I-I assure you--
Dean Wong.
Your, um, impulse to replace Professor Milgram
reeks institutional sexism.
Our colleague here is clearly being harassed,
and we should be standing behind her
rather than shaming her into silence.
I mean, why don't we just slap a scarlet A
on her chest for how anti-feminist that is?
You make an excellent point, Professor Tate.
All right, Professor Milgram, I'll see you at the event.
You will.
[hip-hop music]
♪ ♪
What do you want?
I assume you get a plus-one?
Where the fuck were you, Zeke?
You missed the meeting with the agent.
We need that nigga to put you on.
Where the fuck you going?
I need to go see my mom.
Before the Princeton game?
The fuck's got into you? Why?
A man came on the court.
Says he's my father.
Real light-skinned dude, but, uh...
he had this tattoo.
I gotta talk to Ma. I need answers.
He said he was your father? Sit down, Zeke.
No disrespect, Auntie, but this ain't about you.
Everybody said he was dead, and I need the truth.
Sit the fuck down, Zeke.
[tense music]
I know you heard what I just said.
♪ ♪
I need to tell you something.
♪ ♪
Your father's in prison for life.
For real? What for?
That's all I know.
I promised I'd never say anything.
Your mother thought it'd be best this way.
But he's gonna die in there.
I'm sorry, baby.
This... man claiming to be your father is a liar
trying to hitch a ride to the league.
I told you that we gotta be careful now.
But he had this tattoo.
Look, who you gonna believe, a stranger or me?
♪ ♪
He's just a con man looking for a come-up.
Don't let him distract you.
You need to focus all your energy toward preparing
for this game.
And I'll work on convincing that agent
to give us a second chance.
Okay?
You're right, Auntie.
I'm sorry.
It's all right, baby.
I got you.
♪ ♪
We had an agreement, Dante.
Why the fuck did you go behind my back to Zeke?
Because we had an agreement.
You forced my hand, Nene.
I want to know my son. I want time, hmm?
I want to make up for all those years I missed
that you stole from me.
Because I don't remember choosing not to be
in Zeke's life.
That decision was made for me.
I was 16.
You don't think people were making decisions for me?
Why didn't you tell me?
Because you disappeared.
No, no, no, no, no. I got arrested.
Arrested.
And then, when they offered me the military, I don't know,
I-I fucking took it 'cause I didn't know
I had anything to live for.
Do you really think that if I knew
I was missing basketball games, graduations,
that I wouldn't have made different choices?
I needed him. I needed both of you.
Well, what about Zeke's needs?
You gonna ruin everything we worked so hard for.
Is that what this is all about?
He's like, what, a fucking retirement plan for you?
Oh, fuck you, Dante.
I love that boy more than you would ever understand.
He's my son.
So maybe you should tell him that.
And while you at it, tell him he's my son, too.
Don't fuck this up.
Zeke doesn't need you, and neither do I.
♪ ♪
Miss Washington, I appreciate you
meeting me under the circumstances.
What's all this about, Tariq?
Davis...
Davis wants my little sister
to take the stand to speak to my alibi.
But I just can't let her--
Lie for you?
Look, she's just a little kid, right?
She shouldn't be dragged into this.
I need your help, Tameika.
Tariq, do you remember the last time
you came to me for help, what you told me?
That my father was a monster.
And you weren't. Is that still true?
Was it even true then?
I didn't kill that cop.
You didn't kill this cop.
And the other one, the professor?
♪ ♪
Maria Suarez, Laquisha Grant, Felipe Lobos.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
I thought when James died, the killing would stop,
but it hasn't.
Bodies continue to pile up around you, Tariq.
I'm not gonna help you become your father.
And I'm not Davis.
If you want my help, I need the truth.
I didn't go to kill Professor Reynolds, all right?
I was forced to. I had no choice.
- It was him or me. - Who forced you, Tariq?
Was it the same person who killed the cop
and forced you to kill Reynolds?
Here's something Davis will never say.
I can get you a deal.
You won't go free,
but you won't serve more than five years max.
If you name this person, he'll take the weight.
You're smart, Tariq.
If you're not smarter than your father already,
you will be.
You have all the tools to be better than he ever was.
But it's your decision.
[soft music]
Take the deal. Do your time.
You'll still be in your 20s when you get out.
You can finish school, go on to live a full life.
But Tameika, that's five years
that my baby sister has to spend in the system
with a target on her back because I snitched.
♪ ♪
Tell me how I'm supposed to make that decision for her.
Camera caught two men approaching, not one.
You know anything about that?
Look, I told him to come alone.
Better not be any more surprises.
Hey, ain't nobody tell you to come,
so you gotta wait outside.
Now, now, Cane, we can be more hospitable than that.
I'm sure my son has told you I'm someone you can trust.
Oh, yes, and I'm someone who rarely trusts,
and even when I do, I always have to verify.
It's nothing personal.
I'm sure you understand, Lorenzo.
Mm-hmm.
And when Cane first said you wanted to meet,
I have to admit I was pretty hesitant.
I'm a very private man.
But as a favor to him, I changed my mind.
What can I do for you?
I wanted to come meet you directly,
considering the amount of weight requested.
Hm.
We're getting ready to take over Queens.
We just need to make sure we got the product to match.
Fuck.
Are you sure you can handle an order that big right now?
Oh, I can handle even more when we get the soldiers.
We're working on that.
All right.
Well, if it's soldiers you need, I got you covered.
For an extra cut.
Let me handle some things on my end, but as of right now,
all my product goes to you.
Perfecto.
It's a pleasure to meet you, man.
I look forward to working with you.
Likewise.
♪ ♪
Fuck.
♪ ♪
[chamber music playing]
♪ ♪
Lauren, I wanted to talk to you earlier.
I have nothing to say to you.
I saw you with Tariq.
It's not safe, Lauren.
He is a drug dealer and a murderer.
It's very dangerous.
The only danger I see here is you.
Professor Reynolds, Zeke Cross, me, and now Tariq?
Funny, but the common denominator
in all of those, again, is you.
And how much do you actually know about Tariq, huh?
Actually, his parents, his sister,
and best friend are all gone.
Maybe he's a product of decisions made for him, too.
I should've known that, but so should you.
Shit, there y'all are.
Dean Wong is looking for us. Everything good?
'Cause I'm getting a little vibe.
- Yeah. - Cool.
Why are we even fucking here?
Like, did any of us know
this Jabari guy's name before he got killed?
No.
Because I sit on the alumni board,
and this is what good alums do.
I, for one, read his novel for book club
and found it quite provocative.
You only read the sex scenes.
You literally highlighted them with a marker.
[Trace] Oh, stop, that's gross.
[Nicole] Becca, slow down on the wine.
These people will decide if you get into Stansfield.
LOL, Mom. The endowment already did that.
- Can you talk to her? - I could overdose on the stage
for all they care.
Yes, honey, but at least pretend.
Yeah, I'm gonna go get one
of those lobster roll fucking things, whatever.
[Trace] Yo, get me one, too.
Robert Weston, Jr.
Rashad Tate. It's a pleasure.
Councilman.
I saw they brought you in here, well, when, you know.
A smart next step after missing the governor's mansion.
Yes, well, there's certainly
more than one way to serve the community.
Hey, listen, I want to give you a heads-up about a, uh, photo
that's gonna come out of Rick Sweeney.
Excuse me? Rick and I go way back.
Exactly, so I wanted to make mention of this
because it could blow back on you, too.
Yeah. Now, on the other hand,
if you, uh, can help convince your old buddy to step down,
we might be able to avoid this whole thing entirely.
And of course, I'll be more than happy
to, uh, honor any kickbacks
that are currently in place.
[both chuckle]
I don't take blackmail lightly.
Right, only blackface.
[tense music]
Son of a bitch.
♪ ♪
Fuck.
Good evening, distinguished guests.
As two of Professor Reynolds' top Canonical Studies students,
we are honored to welcome you
to tonight's dinner in his memory.
And with your help,
his legacy will continue
for future generations of Stallions.
[applause]
And it is our... privilege
to introduce esteemed author
and his well-respected co-worker, Caridad Milgram.
[applause]
Thank you, ladies.
Jabari Reynolds was an enormous talent
with an even bigger heart.
[clears throat] Was his heart in his pants?
His ability to render the truth of a character
on the page...
Did you hear what she did?
...uh, was only matched
by his compassion in the... in the, um...
in the classroom.
[alumni muttering]
[alumnus] Her track record is... interesting.
And, um...
- uh... - [guests murmuring]
Excuse me, uh, his, um...
- Professor and the student. - Oh, really?
- [Nicole] Oh, yeah. - Um...
[alumni muttering grows]
I'm sorry, I, uh... I can't do this.
[crowd gasps]
What?
♪ ♪
Excuse me.
- I... - [alumni muttering]
[soft music]
♪ ♪
- Hey, you okay? - Oh, please leave me alone.
Look, I've been where you are, and let me just tell you--
I know what you're gonna say. It's not as bad as I think.
No, no, it is. It's bad.
You know what? I'm not gonna lie.
Those people in there, they were talking about you.
Tate, I know. And my career is over.
No, it's not.
This is not the end of the road for you, okay?
Believe me, I know what it looks like
to be circling the drain.
The reason why I wanted to go to that dinner tonight
was to corner an alum about saving my political career.
W-well, did it work?
That's the fun of politics.
The story is never over.
And neither is yours.
So don't be too hard on yourself, Carrie.
If you're anything like me,
you'll always find a way to survive.
Good night.
♪ ♪
Hey, can we talk?
What's up?
I just... I wanted to apologize for not supporting you.
I forgot about everything you told me and your life,
and I judged you by the same standards as others,
and I was wrong.
But, Tariq, there's something that I need to say to you.
Oh, shit. Um... sorry, I'll go.
No, Di, you're good. Come in.
♪ ♪
Um, Lauren,
I'm sorry, but to be honest, my lawyers said
I shouldn't be speaking to you, so...
♪ ♪
Damn, I hope I wasn't interrupting anything.
No, you're good. It's whatever.
So how are you holding up with everything?
Davis has gotta be expensive.
You found a new plug for CourseCorrect yet?
I know Monet shut you down.
Yeah, Monet ain't fuckin' with me right now.
Too hot.
But I know you ain't come up here
to talk about no CourseCorrect.
And I'm tired of everybody playing with me,
so if you need something, or if there's something you want,
just let me know, Di.
A'ight, well, I know you can't leave campus,
so I came up here to talk to you about my parents
in private.
Look, 'Riq, you know all of us,
but you ain't got no stake in the game.
And ever since my dad got out--
- Which was your doing. - It was.
And I thought it would bring our family closer together.
But, shit, if anything, it's torn us further apart.
More secrets than ever.
And my dad and Monet, they ain't on the same page at all.
He want to take the business back to the streets,
and she wants out.
Do you know somebody she does business with named D?
Wait, hold on, you said she wants out?
Monet wants out, and Dru, he wants his nigga Everett,
but my dad wants him working for him instead.
Hmm, what about Cane? What he want?
You never know with that nigga.
As for me, I get to go to school.
- Oh, yeah? - Yeah, St, John's.
[Tariq] I mean, shit, it's still fire.
Yeah, but...
what I really wanted was to be up here with you.
Now, you know damn well Monet would not like that.
Okay,
but you ain't in business with her anymore, right?
That was the problem.
♪ ♪
Problem solved.
♪ ♪
Listen, Di.
If we're gonna do this, I need you to be sure of two things.
Okay.
You gotta be sure.
♪ ♪
I'm sure.
And Monet, she can't ever find out about this.
Say less.
♪ ♪
Grover, your neighborhood about to turn
into a Cracker Barrel.
Look!
Yo, what the fuck's your problem, bro?
- Don't have a problem. - [Dru] Clearly, you do.
Trying to kick me out the meeting earlier.
Yo, what's good, man?
Oh, you think you invincible now with Papi on your side?
He really got you thinking
you running shit, but don't forget,
I'm the one putting food on your plate.
Nigga, pump your brakes.
You are not smart enough to run shit.
You're just a guard dog with a new master.
[ominous music]
What the fuck you just say to me?
How did Ramirez's badge end up in Tariq's room, Cane?
Yeah, and if I figured it out, you think Tariq's lawyer
isn't already running to the DA with your name?
And how you know about that, your snitch-ass boyfriend?
- Everett's not a snitch. - [Cane] No?
If your boy wasn't running his mouth,
that professor nigga would've never known your name.
He might even still be alive.
Everything I did was to protect this family.
It was to protect you.
So how about you stop worrying about me
and start focusing on how much Everett knows,
'cause that nigga ain't got ten toes to stand on?
Fuck you!
[dramatic music]
Fucking stupid kid!
[grunting]
Shh--
Get the fuck off me, man! Get off me!
Yo, yo, get the fuck up. Get the fuck up, man.
Chill, chill, chill, chill, chill.
Chill the fuck out, man.
What the fuck is going on here?
He's mad his boyfriend's a fucking snitch.
Shut the fuck up!
Yo, Dru, Dru!
Is Cane right about this boyfriend of yours?
'Cause we can't have any loose ends.
It's fine.
I promise it's fine.
It better fucking be.
Clean this shit up.
You know, you better handle this shit
before somebody else do.
♪ ♪
Hi, Yasmine.
Do you remember the morning at your grandmother's house
when you burnt some bacon making breakfast?
Yes, Tariq saved me.
He put out the fire with baking soda.
Good, good, and did Tariq wake up there,
or had he come over that morning?
No, he came downstairs when the smoke alarm went off.
He slept over.
Did you see Tariq the night before?
Yes, we watched Disney together.
Then he put me to bed.
I love Disney. Excellent.
One more question, okay?
When Tariq arrived at home, was it still light outside,
or was it already nighttime?
I think it was a little light.
Thank you.
And Yas, do you think you can give those same answers
in a courtroom in front of a jury?
I think I can.
That's all, Your Honor.
Am I done?
Not quite, Yasmine. I'm Jenny.
Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?
Okay.
Did you do anything else that night that Tariq stayed over?
Big Mama wanted something to drink,
so we went to the store.
And did Tariq stay at home, or did he go with you?
No, he wasn't there yet.
And when you went to the store,
was this before or after you watched Disney with Tariq?
I think after.
Okay.
So Tariq was not yet there when you went to the store,
and it was dark out.
But when he arrived at the house,
it was still a little light?
That's not usually how sundown works.
I-I don't know. Could you say it again?
Yasmine, you'd do anything
to help your big brother, wouldn't you?
Yes.
And if someone asked you to say
that he was there that night, that's what you would say--
- Objection, Your Honor. - Your Honor.
This child is clearly either lying or confused.
She can't possibly withstand the pressure of trial.
Stop, all right? She's not testifying.
- Tariq, let's not be hasty. - No, she's done, I'm done.
We're done. That's it, let her go.
♪ ♪
What the fuck is so important?
I'm handling some shit for Zeke and I--
Mecca cut off our supply.
All the product now is going to Papi,
so we don't got nothing left.
So our little side hustle with Tariq, dead.
Shit, the money coming in from Stansfield
is the only thing keeping your name out of the trial
and your ass out of prison.
- If we don't pay Davis the 500 - K that we owe him,
our fail-safe falls apart.
You got that, right?
Fuck.
So what you gonna do about it?
[tense music]
Can I get a sugar-free vanilla latte with soy, extra foam?
- Oh, sure thing. - Saxe, we need to talk.
Ahh, I know.
I know people think soy is bad for sperm count,
but that's actually just a myth.
We both know Tariq didn't kill Ramirez.
I think he knows who did, but he won't take a deal
and do time because of his sister.
But if you can get Yasmine out of the system,
maybe he'll sign.
Yeah, Davis will never go for it.
He doesn't take deals.
You have no defense.
Tariq is gonna go to jail as a cop killer,
and he didn't do it.
You are his sworn counsel. You have to protect him.
I hear you, but you know how I feel about Tariq.
Maybe it's time a body finally caught up to him.
You saw him with his sister. There is still good in him.
A lot of bad decisions were made for Tariq.
But it's not too late for us to give him the chance
to decide for himself who he is.
He can be better.
But does he want to be better?
I believe he does.
If we don't do something now,
he'll become a bigger monster than his father ever was.
♪ ♪
Hey, my man, what's up?
Good to see you.
[indistinct conversation]
♪ ♪
[phone buzzes]
[soft music]
♪ ♪
What are you doing here?
Auntie thought it'd be best if I spend the night.
There's this, uh, Rick Fox- lookin' nigga out there
named Dante claiming to be my dad.
She said it's safer if I'm here.
Shit, for real?
It's not true.
Are you okay?
Monet says it's... it's impossible.
He's just trying to use me to get on.
Damn, Zeke, I'm sorry.
I'm good, D.
Some doors are... are better left closed.
You feel me?
♪ ♪
Gee, boy.
[ominous music]
[Cane] Now, the only person that go down for these murders
is Tariq, you got that?
So I guess the kid didn't do it.
I assume you planted the Ramirez badge in his room.
You talk too fucking much, man.
Look, you pull that trigger,
and you're killing the only person
that can get you off for it.
Whether you like it or not,
you and Tariq are in this together.
They don't care about that professor.
They want the cop killer.
You're the one they're looking for.
Listen--
Look, Tariq had the chance to say your name
but didn't take it.
But if he goes down for this, yeah, so will you.
So me helping him is me helping you, too.
I mean, none of us would be here
if you hadn't planted that badge.
[tense music]
Yeah, whatever, nigga.
That might sound good for now,
but if I hear my name mentioned--
Hey, I ain't saying shit as long as the money rolling in.
That's what I like to hear.
♪ ♪
Hey.
Tell your mother I said hello, Cane.
[tires squealing]
Wow, what's all this?
It's to make up for all those years you spent
wearing old lingerie in a cold bed upstate.
I love you, Mo.
It's all gonna work out the way I say it will.
You'll see.
I know.
There's one thing I need to know.
You're not still working with Tariq, are you?
No.
I shut it down...
just like you wanted.
[hip-hop music]
♪ ♪
Go.
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
[people screaming]
♪ ♪
[phone buzzes]
[knock at door]
Okay, Tariq, we worked it out.
What the fuck is she doing here?
She is here to save your life.
Five years in exchange for the name of Ramirez's killer.
I pulled some strings and can get Yasmine back
into that foster care family that she liked.
And we'll send your grandmother into rehab.
Once she's clean, Yasmine will go back into her custody.
If you sign.
My father always did whatever it took to save himself.
You know, people always telling me how they don't want me
to end up anything like him, but if I snitch,
I sign this paper, I'll... I won't be anything better.
[tense music]
It's unbelievable.
Jesus Christ.
Tariq, this is your last lifeline.
You really think I'ma be safe in jail if I snitch?
You think my grandmother and my... and my baby sister
could just walk the streets safely?
I'm not taking that risk, Tameika, I'm sorry.
Then we'll see you in court tomorrow.
♪ ♪
Good luck at trial, Tariq. You'll need it.
♪ ♪
And don't call me again.
♪ ♪
[soft jazz music playing]
♪ ♪
Two, please.
♪ ♪
You went behind my back to make a deal with our client?
It was the only way to win.
Please. Five years in is not a win.
Tariq refused to take it anyway.
So nothing lost, right?
Yeah.
Tariq's girlfriend, the one you saw with Jenny.
We need to find out what she's gonna say.
Who was her legal counsel at the police station?
♪ ♪
Oh.
♪ ♪
Holy shit.
[tense music]
♪ ♪
Yo, I got ten minutes before I gotta get back to campus,
or 12 is pulling up right here, come on.
Then I'll get straight to it. Supplier cut us off.
No more product.
What the fuck you mean no more product?
I gotta be able to pay my lawyer.
I know, and if you don't, that's both our asses.
So you need to figure some shit out and figure it out fast.
What the fuck you mean fast, bro?
My trial's tomorrow.
That sounds like a you problem.
Cane, what you expect me to do with no product?
I don't understand, bro.
Well, you supposed to be the smart one, right?
Right?
There's money out here.
There's more than one way to get it.
[scoffs, sighs]
I always knew you were unhinged, Carrie,
but using a student to sabotage my client
under the guise of being her counsel?
I should have you up before the ethics committee.
[chuckles] Ethics?
You don't have an ethical bone in your body, Davis.
And what bone haven't you had in yours, counselor?
Hmm? Because by my last count, you've slept with, hmm,
four people involved in this case.
Or am I missing any?
You know, it can be hard to keep track.
Fuck you, Davis.
Your body count is exponentially higher than mine.
And you're married.
How is Marilyn, by the way?
You're playing a dangerous game here, Carrie,
and bringing innocent people down with you.
If Lauren Baldwin is called as a witness,
rest assured, I'm going to rip her apart on the stand.
This has nothing to do with Lauren.
- You made it about her. - No.
If Tariq finds out what she did...
Davis, it's not safe.
You can't mention her name to him.
And miss the joy of eviscerating her on cross?
Never.
But you can be sure of one thing.
My client is going free.
Whatever it takes.
[singer] ♪ Claim they want war But they ain't ready ♪
♪ Keep that on me, Waistline heavy ♪
♪ Only conversate 'Bout that Fetty ♪
♪ Neck go on the side ♪
♪ You know I keep my shit wetty ♪
♪ Run it up ♪
♪ Pop a shit It ain't adding up ♪
♪ This shit make a game Ante up ♪
♪ Throw that ass back Get them panties up ♪
♪ Run it up, run it up, Run it ♪
♪ Pop a shit, It ain't adding up ♪
♪ This shit make a game Ante up ♪
♪ Throw that ass back, get them panties up ♪
♪ ♪
♪ Claim they want war But they ain't ready ♪
♪ Keep that on me, Waistline heavy ♪
♪ Only conversate 'Bout that Fetty ♪
♪ Neck go on the side ♪
♪ You know I keep my shit wetty ♪
♪ Run it up ♪
♪ Pop a shit, it ain't adding up ♪
♪ This shit make a game Ante up ♪
♪ Throw that ass back Get them panties up ♪
♪ Run it up, run it up, Run it ♪
♪ Pop a shit, It ain't adding up ♪
♪ This shit make a game Ante up ♪
♪ Throw that ass back, get them panties up ♪
♪ ♪