Monarch (2022) s01e01 Episode Script

1
A Roman never forgets a friend.
Or an enemy.
Lifetime Achievement Award. Wow.
Y'all sure know how to
make a girl feel special.
And old.
But then again, this
honor cements in history
Albie and my long and beautiful
relationship with our fans.
So thank you.
Okay, we have time for
one last question.
Dottie! Dottie! Dottie!
Dottie! Dottie, you've been
the queen of country music
for nearly 40 years.
In all that time, any regrets?
Regrets?
No, ma'am. Not a one.
Sorry, that's all the time we have.
You'll see Dottie at the musicale.
Dottie! Dottie! Dottie!
The rumor making the
rounds is that you're sick.
That's why you're not performing.
She said no more questions.
That you've got cancer.
That you're even beyond
the doctors' help.
Now I'm saying no more questions.
American cowgirl ♪
I rope your heart and take the reins ♪
I got a love as big as Texas ♪
Running through my veins ♪
I'm a don't back down girl ♪
I saddle up and stake my claim ♪
Put the wild in the wild, wild West ♪
And live up to my name ♪
Red lips, blue jeans ♪
White pearls ♪
I'm an American cowgirl ♪
I'm an American cowgirl ♪
Yeah. ♪
- Good, thank you.
- Hey, thanks, y'all, thank you.
Hey, Bobby, the, uh, the
light's about 15 degrees too low.
It's making me squint. You
know what squinting does.
Causes wrinkles.
- Supposed to not make me look my age.
- That's my sister,
professional bitch.
Oh, yeah, that's right, a woman
can be Mother Teresa
every day of her life, and
she doesn't say "please"
or "thank you" one time,
and she's a bitch forevermore.
- Hey.
- Hi.
You, uh, see the news this morning?
Daddy still knows how
to use his right hook.
Yeah.
All right, come on, say it.
- Say what?
- Whatever it is you came here to say,
'cause I know that look.
I ain't saying it as
your brother, all right?
I'm saying it as the CEO of Monarch.
Oof. Sounds ominous.
The CMAs don't want you
performing "Cowgirl" tonight.
They don't want the song
or they don't want me?
They want you,
they just want you to harmonize
with Daddy on "The Brambles."
They don't see you as a solo act, Nicky.
Okay, so, a lifetime in this
business, and I'm still
I'm still looked at as a sidekick.
How am I supposed to make it on my own
if I don't get a chance?
Mama cuts a long shadow, Nick.
You're gonna have to
make your own chance.
Oh, I intend to.
And I won't forget to say "please."
Who would do such a thing?
And what have I ever done
to a single living soul
- to leak that I'm dying?
- Well, never know it to look at you.
Thank you, Jesus and Crème de la Mer.
But I don't understand. Why not deny it?
That's not what the Roman family does.
We tell the truth even when it hurts.
Dot
Is there really nothing
more they can do for you?
This isn't terrible.
"The Romans will kick off
their legendary Family Weekend
with a long-deserved
lifetime achievement award."
Look at that.
"Will the Roman era go on without her?"
You bet your sweet Texas ass it will.
There's my girl. Now
let's get that hair did.
Dottie, look this way!
Dottie, over here?
- Dottie, over here.
- Dottie, how long do you have?
Don't believe everything you read, now.
Let's keep it light, Felicia.
This is a joyful night.
Hey. I need to get in.
- I'm on the list.
- Badges only, ma'am.
- Nicky. Hey.
- Oh, my goodness.
I know, I know,
it's hard to believe,
but they are my family.
Hi, excuse me?
That-That's my sister. She's with me.
You couldn't even pretend to
care? You look like roadkill.
I look like a mom that
left work and raced here
to support her parents, Nicky.
If that keeps me off the
cover of Vogue, then so be it.
- Over here, Nicky.
- Let's get inside. Come on.
And now, to present the CMA
Lifetime Achievement Award,
Martina McBride.
The Texas Truth-teller and
his Rose have 12 Grammys,
18 CMAs, and more hits than I can name.
I mean, y'all don't
even need this award.
You are the king and
queen of country music.
We'll take it anyhow.
Performing the iconic hit
that declared his love for Dottie
and started it all "The Brambles"
Albie and Nicky Roman.
There's so much good I want to do ♪
God knows the bad that I've done ♪
It only takes one look at you ♪
To see the man I want to become ♪
Mm-hmm ♪
Oh, this ain't the kind of pain ♪
That you don't go through ♪
So let all the mountains just fall ♪
Into the devil's sea ♪
There's nothing I would undo ♪
I'd run through the thorns for you ♪
'Cause you are the rose ♪
For your love I'd go ♪
I'd go through the brambles ♪
For your love I'd go ♪
Go through the brambles. ♪
Thank you very much, Martina.
Thank you. Uh
Well, I think you know,
this is my my last
time on this stage.
But we've had some
good times, haven't we?
And the Roman family
legacy will continue,
with Albie, of course, and my children
Nicky, Gigi and Luke.
And I promise, they will
always entertain you.
I love y'all.
Mama?
Hey. Well, you were amazing.
- What a night, huh?
- We got to talk business, baby.
You mean the People article?
- I know.
- We got to show the world
that the Roman family legacy
will carry on beyond me.
We are the first damn
family of country music.
This is my last musicale.
It's our chance to show
who we are now and forever.
I need you to make sure it goes
perfect so I can die in peace.
And then it's your turn, baby.
Starting with the world tour.
Mama, don't talk like that.
The doctors said you had months.
- You're not dying anytime soon.
- Oh, yes, I am.
I'm dying Saturday night,
right after the concert.
And you're gonna help me do it.
Nicky.
You okay?
Yeah. No.
It's Mama. Um
You can't take it all on.
Dottie dying is not in your control.
Uh, I'm sorry, but, um
I've got to fly to L.A.
tomorrow for reshoots.
No. No, come on, we've
got the Family Weekend
and I really need you there, Clive.
I know, and I want to be there, babe,
but I'm at the mercy of James Rathbone.
The director of an $80 million movie
doesn't care if it's a big
weekend for my wife's family.
You'll be fine without me.
You always are.
Hey, Mom.
Hey, guys. Breakfast?
- I'll have some.
- I'll have pancakes.
Me, too.
Alec, of course we understand,
things are gonna have to pivot.
You know, without Mama it's not
the Roman Legends tour anymore.
Right, so it's gonna be
more of a tribute to Mama.
As the promoter, I'm telling you,
without her, there is no tour.
Now, your father is a legend,
but he hasn't had a hit in a decade.
- He's got me.
- And, Nicky, you're very talented,
but you're not her.
- I will be.
- All due respect,
you're on the wrong side of forty
Don't you dare.
- Should we get some orange juice?
- With all due respect,
you're on the wrong side of knowing
your ass from your elbow.
See, I've been dancing in her footsteps
since the day I was born.
I've been preparing for
this moment my entire life.
Tell you what, you come to our
family concert Saturday night.
You think I can't continue this legacy?
You just watch.
I signed as always,
- but it's double the amount.
- They saw the People article.
They know they don't
have forever anymore.
- That was not the deal.
- The deal was,
you pay them what they
demand every month.
For the rest of my life.
What guarantee do we have
that they'll give us the
documents after I'm gone?
You have my word.
You've always been good to us, Marty.
Like family.
And Lord knows, family is
the most important thing
in this world. Thank you.
See you next month, Mrs. Roman.
Well, yeah, according
to Graham, I'm not enough
to carry the tour on my
own, so I pitched instead
a family legacy tour in honor of Mama.
He's gonna come see us
at the musicale Saturday, so
we got to bring our A game.
And, Geeg, that would mean you singing.
Right you are, Nicolette.
Yeah? Thank you.
- Bye, baby.
- See you, Daddy.
I love you, too, Dad.
Hmm, what's he gonna
do when Mama's gone?
Booze and blunts all
the way to the horizon.
You hear what I said about the musicale?
Yeah. I heard you. Now hear me.
I'm sorry Graham said
you weren't enough.
But Mama's been telling
me that my whole life.
There's a reason I gave up
on music all those years ago.
Come on, please, this is important.
To her. And I know
y'all want to please her,
but this is what Mama
wanted for you, Nicky.
So
if y'all want to fight
for her love, go for it.
But I'm done.
Well, the midnight headlights ♪
Blind you on a rainy
night, steep grade up ahead ♪
Slow me down, making no time ♪
But I got to keep rolling ♪
Hey, baby.
Nuh-uh. Don't you "Hey, baby" me.
We need to talk about what
you asked me last night.
I didn't ask you anything.
- Don't be cute, Mama.
- I can't help it.
- How's the preparation going
- No, what do you mean,
"How is the prep going?"
You said you were gonna kill yourself.
No God is killing me, Nicolette.
I just want to get it
done on my own terms.
Now, I want to die the way I lived,
with a smile on my face
and flawless hair.
Oh, my God, you're serious.
It is a sin.
Child, if there's a hell, I
booked my ticket years ago.
What if I can't?
If you're not ready for this,
then I guess I didn't do my job right.
Well, who do you think I should ask?
Your daddy? I mean, you
think he's gonna understand?
Or Luke? That sweet
boy, I mean, he'd rather
gobble those pills himself
than give them to me.
And Gigi? Well, I mean,
that child's a wild card.
Nobody knows what
the hell she's gonna do.
And they can't know, ever.
Got to let them think God took me.
And how would I ever look any
of them in the eyes ever again?
You don't know what you're asking.
Yes, I do.
It's no secret, Wade,
you're the hottest act
in Nashville, but Monarch's
more than just a boutique label.
We take a back seat to nobody.
Our A&R team is cutting-edge.
We're always developing new talent.
You see, every artist, there's
a different road to the top.
For Wade Stellings, well
I intend to make you a legend.
I appreciate it, man, but
I got to be honest with you.
You've already heard the
same thing from Warners
and Sony Nashville.
Yeah.
No surprise.
You know why?
'Cause it's all a bunch of crap.
Come on.
You see, Monarch is a family company.
The shareholders my mama,
my daddy, my sisters and me.
Do you think those other
labels know that your father
was a fishing guide in South Georgia?
Or that your last single was
about trawling for bass with him
- before he got sick?
- "River Run."
That song means a lot to me.
Now, I'm not trying to
one-up that memory, but
you ever been fishing off a glacier?
A glacier?
Hey.
Hey.
- Thanks, darling.
- You're welcome.
I'm sorry I lost my
cool with that reporter.
I just don't take
kindly to being reminded
about what it is you're facing.
Baby, you're gonna have to face it.
I mean, for you, for me, for the family.
I feel like I failed you, Dot.
Oh, no, you haven't failed me.
It's just my body's
failed me. That's all.
I mean, not in every department,
as you well know, but
If that reporter had asked
you if you have any regrets,
what would you have said?
I think you saw what
my answer would've been.
All right, if I asked
you if you had any?
Well, then I'd say
I don't believe in regret.
He's been working hard ♪
All week, and now is not ♪
- James, hi.
- Nicky, yeah, hi.
Uh, sorry we missed you earlier.
We would love to come to
your musicale Saturday night.
What about the reshoots?
What reshoots? We're locked.
And we're, uh, looking
forward to seeing Clive, too.
To be honest, when your mother's
team pushed to cast him,
I was skeptical, but,
uh, he surprised me.
He does that.
I'll see you soon. Bye.
Okay, ciao. Bye-bye.
You mother
Well, I guess you didn't hear.
We just signed Wade Stellings.
Yeah, I heard.
Hired a private
helicopter, flew him out,
landed him on a glacier,
took him ice fishing.
So? You know talent.
Sometimes you got to
bring out the big guns.
Dad, this is good for Monarch.
Well, what is it you want?
A reward for doing your job?
You get one every two weeks.
It's called a paycheck.
You know, most artists don't talk
to the CEO of their label that way.
Mm. Yeah, well,
most CEOs ain't handpicked by Mommy.
What have I got to do? Tell me.
For you to look at me the way
you look at Nicky and Gigi,
what's enough?
When am I gonna be enough?
You know why Mama brought me on board?
'Cause she needed someone
to bring us into the future
and stop living in the past.
But if that ain't working for you,
maybe I should just step aside.
Yeah.
Maybe you should.
Come on, dog.
So, uh, I figured out who,
who leaked that People article.
You did.
Now, how could you keep
what you're going through
from your fans?
You deserved to write your own tribute.
That's what I would've done.
It's time to show you what
you're wearing tomorrow
at the musicale.
Ta-da.
Oh
It's perfect.
You're perfect.
You know, Nicky, I never
wanted just to be a star.
I wanted to create a dynasty, and I did.
We always knew that, with your
God-given beauty and talent,
that it was gonna be your
destiny to continue our legacy.
Mama, America fell in
love with you and Daddy
when, when you were 19.
Just because I'm your
daughter doesn't mean
that they're, they're gonna
love me like they love you.
After the concert, your
daddy's gonna be whooping it up
with his buddies and
playing till dawn as usual,
and I need you to come to my room
and help me go out on a high note.
Please don't ask me to do this.
I want to be looking
at my baby as I leave.
I want to be looking in your eyes.
Heavy is the head that
wears the crown, baby.
Yes, you are.
Want to see me, Mama?
Yes, I do. Is it true
that you are threatening
to leave Monarch?
Well, tell me, what's the point anymore?
The point is that you
are part of this family
and Monarch is our legacy.
The music's the legacy.
And Dad made it pretty clear long ago
that he didn't think I had what it took.
And so, what did you do?
You used that big brain of yours
to build up this company
to what it is today.
And now you're talking
about just walking away?
Don't be a horse's ass.
Oh, sorry, no offense, Miss Cassie.
Look, your father is an
artist, he is not a businessman.
He doesn't appreciate what you do
because he doesn't understand it.
But he does need you.
He knows that, trust me.
Well, he has a hell
of a way of showing it.
That's him.
- Yeah.
- You know how I feel, huh?
You're my sweet boy.
And I am so proud of you.
You can do anything. Anything.
And that's why I am leaving you
I'm leaving you all my
voting shares in Monarch.
When I'm gone,
I need to know that our
legacy is in good hands.
- Your hands.
- No, Ma, I'm not talking about this.
We have to talk about it,
that day is coming fast,
we want it or not.
I need you to promise me
that you will stay where you belong.
Come on, you're not gonna deny
a dying woman her last wish?
Mama, stop. Okay.
- Okay, I promise.
- Thank you.
Love you, Luke.
Uh, what are you doing? We need to go.
We're meeting my family at Gigi's bar.
Flight's in a couple of hours. L.A.?
Rathbone didn't call you?
The reshoots are off.
In fact, it's like they
never existed at all.
Nicky, it's over.
All right? I ended it. I'm sorry.
Yeah, I know, you're sorry,
you have your reasons.
How old is she this time,
Clive, hmm? Is she able to vote?
Nick, could you just try
and see our life from
my point of view, eh?
I know, it's so hard
being Mr. Nicky Roman.
You know what is hard, is
never having visible roots.
Or taking a red-eye from Japan
to make Tatum's horse show
or Ace's therapy
or taking a photograph
with every single fan
until your feet are
swollen from six-inch heels.
What's hard, Clive,
is having to be so damn perfect.
We'll talk about this later.
Because this weekend's about celebrating
two people who have actually
been true to each other.
Even when things got hard.
There.
Oh, get down, turn
around, go to town ♪
- Love you, Nicky.
- Thank you.
Hey, pretty.
Hey, gorgeous.
Look who's got hot young
cowboys hanging off of her.
Yeah. I'm married, marginally.
Not again.
He's lucky he's not sucking
crumpets through a straw by now.
You know, I always thought
I had the perfect marriage,
like Mama and Daddy's, but I guess
I guess this is what marriage is.
Well, that's a steaming
pile of horse manure.
You deserve what I have.
Now, you wouldn't
be trying to steal this
legend in the making out
from under me, would you?
Hey, Luke.
Well, seems like you two power brokers
have some business to discuss.
So I'll be seeing y'all later.
I've missed you.
You haven't been avoiding me, have you?
Honestly? Yes.
What happened between us was a mistake.
I feel terrible. I am married.
I know.
Kayla.
All right, welcome!
We love you, Gigi!
Welcome to Roman Family
Weekend 2022, y'all.
Hey, Luke, you want to come
up here and start us off?
- All right.
- My brother Luke
usually avoids the spotlight,
but get on up here, don't be shy.
Luke, you're so hot!
It's all yours.
Country music singers ♪
Have always been a real close family ♪
But lately some of my kinfolks ♪
Have disowned a few others and me ♪
I guess it's because ♪
I kind of changed my direction ♪
Lord, I guess I went and broke ♪
Their family tradition ♪
So don't ask me ♪
Why do you drink? ♪
Why do you roll smoke? ♪
Why must you live out ♪
The songs that you wrote? ♪
Stop and think it over ♪
Try and put yourself
in my unique position ♪
- Oh, yeah ♪
- If I get stoned ♪
And sing all night long ♪
It's a family tradition ♪
One more time, yeah ♪
If I get stoned and
sing all night long ♪
It's a family tradition. ♪
All righty, just a few announcements.
The musicale is on Saturday
at 7:30.
And I believe
you know my wife Kayla.
I like smoke, neon lights ♪
Country music when
it's played right ♪
So, about an hour. All right.
Nicolette,
you didn't tell me that you had
breakfast with Alec last week.
I didn't? That must've slipped my mind.
I've been trying to convince
him I can carry the tour.
I'm glad to see you wearing
the crown. It suits you.
Don't you think so, Alec?
I got to go.
Gigi?
- What?
- Get on over here.
I hear you're not singing tonight.
Mm-mm.
You are so stubborn
and strong and know who you are.
And I just love that about you.
Look, we both know that what
I needed to do to be a star
did not make me mother of the year,
but I did do one thing right.
I raised my kids to
look out for each other.
So if you don't want to
sing for me, then I get it.
But then again,
I'm not the one asking, am I?
Welcome to the musicale.
A long time forgotten
are dreams that just fell ♪
By the way ♪
The good life he promised ♪
Ain't what she's living today ♪
Hi.
Well, so much for the family tour.
Gigi's out.
Oh, good God.
What's your plan?
My plan?
Well, my plan was to outwork everyone,
And, uh, have a solo career in my 20s,
a hit single in my 30s,
and by now I'd be selling out
world tours, but instead
I'm being told that I'm not good enough.
I'm so sorry, Nick.
- We don't need this tour.
- No?
Mama needs it. And she
hasn't got much longer.
And I need it.
I mean, how many years
do I even have left
to make a name for myself?
So you want to know my plan?
My plan is that I'm gonna
go out there and I'm gonna
I'm gonna face that world
that says I'm not good enough.
All right?
'Cause a semi-wise man
told me that I got to make
my own chances.
So, as heartbreaking as it is
Here I go.
All right, our next guest,
my daughter Nicky Roman,
who I know you'll
appreciate as much as I do.
Nicky!
How do I ♪
Get through one night without you? ♪
If I had to live without you ♪
What kind of life would that be? ♪
Yet I ♪
Need you in my arms,
need you to hold ♪
You're my world, my heart, my soul ♪
If you ever leave ♪
Baby, you would take away everything ♪
Good in my life ♪
And tell me now ♪
How do I live without you? ♪
I want to know ♪
How do I breathe without you? ♪
- If you ever go ♪
- Thank you, Lord.
How do I ever ♪
Ever survive? ♪
- How do I ♪
- How do I ♪
How do I ♪
Oh, how do I live ♪
Without you? ♪
There'd be no sun in my sky ♪
There would be no love in my life ♪
There'd be no world left for me ♪
And I ♪
Baby, I don't know what I would do ♪
I'd be lost if I lost you ♪
If you ever leave ♪
Baby, you would take away everything ♪
Real in my life ♪
And tell me now ♪
How do I live without you? ♪
I want to know ♪
How do I breathe without you? ♪
If you ever go ♪
How do I ever ♪
Ever survive? ♪
- How do I, how do I ♪
- How do I ♪
- How do I, how do I ♪
- Oh, how do I ♪
Live? ♪
Please tell me, baby ♪
How do I live? ♪
Where have you been hiding her?
We Romans like to choose our moment.
Thank you.
Thank you for making
Mama happy. Thank you.
- I did it for you.
- I knew you would,
- and I love you for it.
- Gigi! Gigi!
Gigi! Gigi!
- Gigi! Gigi!
- You see?
You see? You were afraid for nothing.
I wasn't afraid.
I love it out there.
All right. Well, then,
why haven't you done it before?
Well, this is what you always wanted,
and I wasn't gonna step
on your toes or just
Hold up. So you stayed
out of the spotlight
because you thought
You'd outshine me?
Well, there can only be one queen.
Isn't that what Mama always said?
Hmm?
You want to be a star?
Bring it on, sister.
Oh, good night, Dot.
Will you touch me up
a little bit, sweetie?
Now?
- Yeah.
- Well, of course, my queen.
You know I love you.
I love you.
Perfect.
- There we go.
- Night.
Night.
It was a beautiful night, my Rose.
Oh.
Well, hey.
You asked me something the other day.
And my answer wasn't truthful.
I do have one regret,
and I've lived with it for 40 years.
It was in the first
days of our marriage.
We'd just bought this place,
and there was a caretaker.
A woman.
She was young and very flattering.
I don't know why
I did it.
Maybe I was just dumb.
Maybe I didn't feel worthy
of the good fortune that brought me you.
I don't know.
But after the barn fire
She took off.
Ever since that day,
I'd never stray from you again.
Well, thank you for finally telling me.
You knew?
I've always known.
I just didn't say anything
to you because I wanted this life,
and I have had a hell
of a time enjoying it.
Texas Truth-teller, my ass.
Albie Roman,
you are a liar and a cheat.
And I will love you forever.
Oh, there she is.
Tonight was perfect.
How are you feeling?
I'm feeling nice and relaxed.
And I started partying without you
and had a bit of these and
Sit down.
Promise me
that you won't give up on
your dreams no matter what.
I promise.
How do I look?
You look beautiful as always.
Well
I'm ready.
Those twister things, they
How many?
All of them.
Nicky.
Come on.
That's my girl.
That's my princess.
Now, don't you worry.
I'm not in any pain.
Hey.
It's okay.
You are
You are everything I
ever dreamed you'd be.
All because of you.
I will love you forever.
Dear Mama.
So wonderful. Yeah.
- Good night.
- Good night.
Gigi.
You were amazing.
You're the future of country music.
You are the Roman legacy.
Mama?
How do you feel?
I feel nothing but love.
I'm not your father's Rose.
You
I've done things that
can never be forgiven.
Mama's gone.
It was her time.
Her time?
What did you do?
Rest in peace.