Notorious (2016) s01e09 Episode Script
Choice
1 Previously on "Notorious" It's Dana Hartman.
I desperately need your help.
Julia: Her daughter, Maya, is the one who found the body.
She said she could be a suspect.
That's Willow and Preston.
They're the other roommates.
Someone just sent this video to Louise anonymously.
You were actually having sex with your daughter's boyfriend? What do you want not to air it? What if Dana agrees to be a guest on your show? - Air the tape, Julia.
- I made a deal with Dana not to air it.
Air the tape now.
Jake: Dana went on the show.
She did everything you asked.
We had a deal.
The gun used to commit the murder belongs to singer-performer Ray J.
Several other celebrity homes have also been broken into, in these so-called Bling Ring burglaries.
Maya and her roommates are the Bling Ring.
At best, you might have her on possession of stolen property.
Her roommates rolled on her for shooting Johnny Weston.
Rushing water [Beeping.]
One keeps to corner [Camera shutter clicking.]
Woman: Step out.
- [Knock on door.]
- Come in.
Thanks for coming.
We need to talk.
Fine.
I need to talk.
I feel like you're blaming me for running Dana's sex tape, and that's not fair.
I said you didn't do enough to stop it.
I don't believe you purposefully violated our agreement, Julia, but, um But I could have done more to prevent it.
- So, what happened? - I don't know.
I've been mad at Dana for so long.
Maybe I let our past affect my behavior.
But at the end of the day, it's on me.
And I'm sorry.
Thank you.
How's Maya? She is looking at murder one, so not great.
I'm hearing the D.
A.
is your guest tonight.
That's true.
Is there any way you might invite me into the control room? Just to keep things fair and balanced.
It's the least I can do.
In breaking news, Maya Hartman, the 21-year-old daughter of disgraced news anchor Dana Hartman, has been arrested for the murder of her roommate, Johnny Weston.
A possible connection between the murder and the recently reported Bling Ring has come to light.
Our guest tonight is Los Angeles District Attorney Max Gilford.
Mr.
Gilford, tell us what this Bling Ring has to do with Johnny Weston's murder.
Cue the photo.
We believe that Maya Hartman, along with her roommates Willow Ferrera, Preston Mann, and Johnny Weston, acquired a gun belonging to performer Ray J when they broke into his home several weeks ago.
Evidently, this so-called Bling Ring doesn't just take objects of monetary value.
Well, entering a celebrity's home, touching their personal items is a brush with fame.
Maya and her friends wanted to feel part of the in-crowd.
That's the dark side of celebrity culture.
Have you even noticed that the D.
A.
has incredibly small hands? Oh, his hands are fine.
Louise: I hear Preston and Willow are cooperating - in the state's case against Maya.
- That's right.
They will both be appearing as witnesses for the prosecution.
- What'd they get in return? - Ask about the deal.
Were they offered immunity in the robberies in exchange for their testimony? Yes, but that's just a part of the prosecution's case.
The gunshot residue on Maya's sleeve, the ballistics report, and Maya's discovery that her boyfriend had slept with her mother All of it adds up.
Maya Hartman killed Johnny Weston.
And yet there's no murder weapon.
Louise, ask about the gun.
Louise: The gun hasn't been found yet.
That's of little consequence.
Not only do we have an abundance of forensic evidence We also have a written statement by the suspect that reads And I quote "I want to kill Johnny.
" It's rare to get an admission in writing, but there you have it.
That is pretty compelling.
I think anyone would agree.
- How does Ma - [Remote clicks.]
Don't watch the news.
It's never good.
[Car alarm chirps.]
Don't be scared.
Put down what you're reaching for.
My wallet's in my purse.
I don't want your wallet.
I'm here to present an opportunity.
Really? What's that? An interview with Carlos Mora.
You know him as "El Toro.
" Come on.
[Scoffs.]
He likes your show.
He watches when he can.
He's got 10,000 Federales searching for him since his prison break, and he's watching my show? He watched it tonight Live in Mexico.
There is a plane ready to take you.
You have 48 hours to decide.
[Chuckles.]
I don't just hop on a plane to interview mass murderers without working out the details first.
El Toro wants to tell his story to the world, his legacy.
If you say no, we will find somebody else.
But if you accept my invitation, you tell no one.
You can call me on this.
My number is programmed.
[Vehicle door closes.]
[Sighs.]
[Chuckles.]
I saw that Jake didn't seem too happy about my interview.
I don't want to talk about Jake right now.
I mean, I don't want to talk at all.
I wasn't wasting your time [Cellphone rings.]
[Doorbell rings.]
Even when I'm by your side I don't care.
- Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh - [Knock on door.]
Okay.
Shh.
I'll be right back.
- Shirt.
- Ooh! Thanks.
- What took so long? - I'm busy.
That's no way to speak to the talent.
We [Door closes.]
Mr.
District Attorney.
I see you're ready to present your case.
[Clears throat.]
Louise, it's obviously not a good time.
This can't wait.
Sorry.
Max, would you mind opening us a bottle of Pinot? Sure.
This better be so good.
El Toro wants me to interview him.
El Toro? The biggest narco trafficker since Escobar? He's the most wanted man in the world.
He's not coming out of hiding to go on our show.
He wants me to go to him.
He's gunned down women and children.
He's a monster.
Julia, I became a journalist to cover stories, not to play it safe.
El Toro could be the biggest get of our lives.
How do you even know it's real? The guy who approached me, Eduardo Nogales he's El Toro's longtime lieutenant.
What's the plan? We call him on a burner phone, tell him we want to do the interview, and then El Toro's private jet whisks us off to wherever he's hiding.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but you have to clear it with network.
You need to tell Darin.
Eduardo said we can't tell anyone.
- You told me.
- Well, I'm not going without you.
Well, good, but you also have to tell Darin.
[Sighs.]
Fine.
I'll talk to him.
Carry on.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
[Door closes.]
You are not gonna interview El Toro.
You should not eavesdrop on people's personal conversations.
Your safety aside, he's just gonna use Louise to drum up support so the people he gets rich off think he's some kind of Robin Hood.
I don't feel like talking anymore.
That's not fair.
I don't understand why they denied bail.
The judge thinks Maya's a flight risk.
You still haven't seen her? She won't let me.
Dana, right now, my priority is creating reasonable doubt.
I need your help.
Anything.
You need to go back on "LHL.
" Are you kidding me? Louise has it out for me, and Julia won't protect me.
Why would I ever go on that show again? For Maya.
Maya called her diary a burn book, right? The theory, as I understand it, behind a burn book is to write down your feelings so that you don't actually act on them.
That takes away her motive.
And we need to start steering public opinion in her favor right now.
Now, for better or worse, your sex tape got huge ratings.
You go back on that show, people will tune in and listen to whatever you have to say.
- Jake, I can't do it.
- [Sighs.]
I mean, last time, Louise hijacked the interview, and and Julia let her do it.
How do we know that won't happen again? Let me handle that.
You want me to put Dana Hartman back on the air? Yes, I do, for a good reason.
The last time I saw Dana, she told me to stay away.
And even if I said yes, how in the world would you convince her to come back on the show? Why would she ever trust me again after that sex tape? Good question.
She's meeting you at noon for lunch.
- I suggest you figure out how to convince her.
- Come on.
Julia, you want her to believe you're sorry about airing that tape, then prove it.
Maybe you should start by forgiving her.
Hmm? All of it adds up.
Maya Hartman killed Johnny Weston.
Frankly, Louise, I wish they were all like [Keyboard clacks.]
This is a law firm.
Please act accordingly.
My apologies.
Mm.
[Chuckles.]
I brought you some apartment listings.
[Breathes deeply.]
Some of them are amazing.
The others are in your price range.
That's sweet, but I don't have time to look.
Jake has me analyzing the D.
A.
's interview on "LHL.
" Ella, you are so smart, and you're very beautiful, but you live in a motel.
It's time to move.
The first step's always the hardest.
Dana, thanks for coming.
[Clears throat.]
I'll get right to it.
I should have done more to prevent Louise from airing that sex tape.
I take responsibility, and I'm sorry.
Thank you.
I never understood why you fabricated the interview, and then I realized I never asked you why.
I just made assumptions.
I'm a reporter, and I should have asked the question.
I was pregnant.
What? That's why I never met my source in Cambodia.
That's why I lied about the interview.
I was pregnant, and I had terrible morning sickness.
There's no crime in being pregnant.
The network would have understood.
The father was Ronald Teller.
The chairman of the network.
That's why I couldn't say anything.
Because what you're thinking, everyone else would have believed That the first female to solo anchor the news slept her way to the top.
Well Ronald had been harassing me for years.
- You know his reputation.
- I do.
So, one night, at a company retreat, he pushed me too far.
So I pushed him back.
Told him to stay the hell away from me.
He just laughed, and then he threatened to end my career.
What did you do? I got rip-roaring drunk.
And slept with him? [Sighs.]
Biggest mistake of my life.
Six weeks later, I had morning sickness in Phnom Penh so bad that I couldn't make my interview.
I wasn't sure what I was gonna do.
I needed to buy myself some time, so I submitted the bogus interview.
But my source was real.
My facts were real.
I just never conducted the interview.
And then I blew the whistle on you.
Two weeks later, I lost the baby.
And soon after that, I lost my entire career.
[Chuckles.]
But Ronald Teller kept running the network until the day he died.
I'm so sorry.
[Breathes deeply.]
Right now, the most important thing is helping Maya.
So, Jake wants me to go back on "LHL," and I don't trust Louise.
I can't control her questions.
Well, then I can't do the show.
Actually, you can.
So, you're claiming that when your daughter, Maya, wrote, "I want to kill Johnny," that it had nothing to do with his murder? That's right.
Under the direction of her therapist, Maya was writing down her raw, unfiltered thoughts.
There was no intent.
Maya is a sweet, loving person.
She wouldn't hurt anyone.
So it's just a coincidence that Johnny Weston ended up dead two days after Maya wrote, "I want to kill Johnny"? Intensive journaling That's what Maya was doing.
It's an established form of therapy pioneered by a renowned psychotherapist, James Pennebaker.
I wonder what Dr.
Pennebaker would make of your sleeping with your daughter's boyfriend.
I didn't know he was Maya's boyfriend at the time.
I also didn't realize the extent of the hypocrisy surrounding the issue of women of a certain age - having sex with younger men.
- You prepped her, didn't you? I might have given her a few hints.
[Cellphone rings.]
The death of a young man who was sleeping with both a mother and daughter is a compelling story, regardless of age.
Don't you think? Maya had no idea that I was sleeping with Johnny.
Therefore, she didn't have motive to hurt him.
In fact, Maya didn't find out about Johnny and me until you aired that tape on this show.
Louise, go to commercial.
Thank you, Dana.
And with that, we need to take a break.
Man: And we're clear.
[Bell rings.]
What's going on? Jake just got a call from the warden.
Maya's being rushed to the hospital.
She tried to kill herself.
[Sighs.]
Dana, I spoke with the warden.
He's gonna move Maya to the psych ward.
- Oh, Jake, thank you.
- Yeah.
Maya: Mom? Yeah, baby.
[Voice breaking.]
I'm here.
[Sniffles.]
Hey.
We're all here.
Not the waterworks, okay? [Breathes deeply, sniffles.]
Oh, Maya, I'm so, so sorry for everything.
I know, Mom.
I know.
You're gonna be okay.
Everything's gonna be okay.
I'm gonna get you out of jail, I promise you.
I love you, Maya.
[Smooches.]
I love you so much.
The good news is that Maya's okay, but the press is already taking her suicide attempt as an admission of guilt.
We need to get in front of that.
Start pointing the finger at somebody else, and soon.
Let's go back to the roommates.
Good.
Now, the night of the murder Preston and Willow said that they were bowling.
Time of death for Johnny was between 8:00 and 10:00 p.
m.
I want to account for every minute of their alibis.
I've tried reaching out, but they won't return my phone calls.
Jake: Willow.
Yeah.
Willow and Preston.
No.
I mean Willow She's here.
Willow, I'm Jake.
- What can I do for you? - Is Maya all right? They're saying on the news that she tried to kill herself.
Willow, yes or no Did Maya kill Johnny? No.
Absolutely not.
Maya loved Johnny.
Did you love him, too? What are you talking about? Come in my office.
I want to show you something.
Oh, my God.
Where did this come from? That doesn't matter.
No one else will see it, but clearly, you, Johnny, and Preston were very close.
Now, once again, Willow, did you have feelings for Johnny? No.
What about Preston? Was Preston in love with Johnny? Preston is only in love with Preston.
And And this This was just sex.
Nothing more.
Did it ever lead to fights or jealousy between the roommates? The only arguments in the house were over the Bling Ring, between Preston and Johnny.
What kind of fights? Johnny wanted out, but Preston said that we made pact.
So, Preston was the leader? Yeah.
He's a total fame junkie.
Look, I want to go to the D.
A.
and change my statement.
That's why I'm here.
- Will you help me? - Yes.
But if you really want to help Maya, for now, I want you to do nothing.
- Why? - 'Cause with your testimony, the D.
A.
feels like he's got an airtight case.
It makes him overconfident.
So, please, can you hold off on recanting for now? If that's what's best for Maya.
Julia.
Louise, it's morning.
What are you doing here? Darin doesn't want us going to Mexico.
[Scoffs.]
I'm not surprised.
He said and I quote "Under no circumstances are you to get on a plane to an undisclosed location and interview the most dangerous man in the world.
" He's not wrong.
El Toro assassinated the head of the Sinaloa cartel and made it look like the Calaca cartel did it.
It's the opportunity of a lifetime.
How do we say no? If we pass, it will just go to "60 Minutes" or "Dateline.
" I can't let that happen.
I'd rather regret going than not going, no matter the risk.
I still have safety concerns.
We should meet with Eduardo and get some answers.
I can call him, but I doubt he'll be too receptive.
- Oh, he'll agree.
- How do you know? Because El Toro wants you to do the interview and it's Eduardo's job to make that happen.
- Yo.
- What's up? I think I figured out why Preston won't call us back.
All the celebrities whose homes were robbed they were represented by the talent agency where Preston worked in the mailroom.
- That's how he knew when they'd be out of town.
- Yes.
I think so.
Is there any footage of Johnny and Preston arguing on the tapes? Um, Ella didn't mention it.
Why? Willow said that Johnny wanted out of the Bling Ring.
If we could show they fought We could start pointing to Preston as a suspect.
Mm-hmm.
But that only works if we can poke a hole in Preston's alibi.
Well, they said they were at the bowling alley.
Ella and I are meeting with the manager this afternoon.
Okay.
Well, keep me posted.
- Will do.
- All right.
So, what do you think? I think that my lunch hour is almost over, and I'm meeting Bradley at a bowling alley.
Yeah, I can totally see you living here.
[Sighs.]
The kitchen's tiny.
It's got an excellent fêng shui.
You know fêng shui? Don't you feel it? Eduardo wanted to meet here? He didn't want to meet at all, but I told him we insisted.
[Door opens, footsteps approach.]
Here he comes.
[Door closes.]
Señoritas.
Louise: This is Julia George, my executive producer.
Like I said on the phone, no interview without Julia.
El Toro makes the rules, not you.
You're only here because he already agreed.
[Laughs.]
You've got huevos.
I hear that a lot.
You want to know about your safety.
Here's your guarantee.
Carlos wants his interview on your show.
If he harms you, that won't happen.
And if there is one truth, it's that El Toro always does what is best for El Toro.
How do we get there? At midnight, you'll board a plane cleared for international travel.
You'll spend the night in a small town.
And in the morning, you will be driven to meet El Toro.
What about our crew? We will provide everything.
I'll call you on that phone with the flight information one hour before departure.
Or you can walk away now.
But let me make something very clear.
If you accept, and you tell anyone where you're going, if anyone follows you, El Toro cannot guarantee your safety.
Are you in or not? We'll see you at midnight.
So, are you still gonna interview El Toro? I would like to know.
You told me not to.
Uh, that's not an answer.
Max, I'm not a witness you're cross-examining.
Okay, fine.
I can help protect you.
Protect me how? By calling some friends I have at the D.
E.
A.
You want to use my interview to catch Mora? No.
I want you to forget about the whole thing.
But if you're determined to be reckless, at least let me do what I can to ensure your safety.
This is a story, not a manhunt.
Ignacio Enriquez probably thought the same thing.
He was the lead reporter for Las Noticias.
He went to interview El Toro three months ago.
That was the last anybody heard from him.
I know all about Ignacio, and El Toro has denied any involvement - in his disappearance.
- You believe that? Max, thank you for your concern.
But you're still gonna go.
Just try and come back in one piece.
Jake, we got Preston.
We busted his alibi.
Preston and Willow were bowling, like they said.
They started bowling at 7:34 in a group of eight.
But Preston stopped bowling at 8:03.
We know that because the bowling alley has electronic scoring.
He started bowling again at 8:57.
- It's a 54-minute window.
- Good job.
Plenty of time for Preston to kill Johnny and return to the bowling alley.
Willow seemed certain Maya didn't do it.
Maybe it's because she knows Preston is the real killer.
It's a good theory and more than we need for reasonable doubt.
[Voice breaking.]
Johnny was 22 years old, murdered in the backyard of a home owned by Dana Hartman.
And I don't know the circumstances around his death.
I don't know if it was Maya Hartman or not.
What I do know is, coming to L.
A.
, leaving his hometown That was the worst mistake of his short life.
The city stole my boy from me.
That poor man.
Heartbreaking.
He's so lost.
Megan Hmm? Louise and I are going out of town tonight, and we won't be here for the show tomorrow.
Where are you going? Close the door.
We're going to interview Carlos Mora.
El Toro? You can't tell anyone.
That's insane.
No, Julia.
Tomorrow you tell Darin that Louise and I have food poisoning, and then you will executive produce your first show.
- I'm not ready.
- Yes, you are.
Julia, I really think this is a bad idea.
I'm gonna be fine.
And you're gonna be awesome.
I'll see you soon.
[Woman speaking indistinctly on P.
A.
.]
Sign here, please.
Thanks.
[Monitor beeping.]
Hey.
You're looking better.
How you feeling? Other than trying to hang myself? Fine.
That's something that you'll never try again, right? You know what I was thinking about as I was passing out? What? You teaching me how to swim.
I was, like, 8 years old and scared to death of the water.
Yeah, but once we got you in the pool, you took to it like a fish, remember? And when you let go of me and I kept swimming on my own, I felt free.
But I also knew that you were there to catch me.
Does that make any sense? I'm still here.
And so is your mom, and now so is Jake.
We're gonna get through this together.
You believe me, right? Yeah.
I, uh I have to go away for work for a few days.
But, um, you can call me any time you want.
I cleared it with your doctors.
Thanks.
Hey.
Any news? We caught a break.
Not sure what it means, but it's progress.
If you two will excuse me, I'm gonna head in.
Yeah, of course.
Um, Julia, listen.
I was thinking After I talked to Maya, maybe we could go grab a drink? Um, I'm headed out of town tonight on an assignment.
Really? Right now? Yeah.
I-I can't really talk about it.
Then I won't ask.
What was that for? For helping with Maya.
For trusting me.
For everything.
Have a safe trip.
Did you know El Toro was one of 11 children? He was lucky number six.
All but three of his siblings are dead now.
He's close with his older brother Raul, but there's been tension recently.
He also owned two soccer teams, which the government took ownership of after he was arrested.
He built thousands of homes for poor people in his hometown of Moralia.
And then he destroyed them after they turned on him.
We just flew into Mexican airspace.
Thought you'd like to know.
Is it true El Toro got his nickname because when he was 8, he got trampled by a bull? The next day he went out and slaughtered it with a machete.
I have a question.
A reporter named Ignacio Enriquez from Las Noticias disappeared while interviewing El Toro.
What happened to him? He didn't ask the right questions.
Darin? Hi.
Um, Julia just called me.
Apparently, she and Louise had bad sushi, and they're both down with food poisoning.
So, Louise took Julia to interview El Toro? I don't know anything about that, but Julia asked me to run the show.
We have some great segments ready to go and a line on excellent subs for Louise.
Get Dana Hartman to anchor.
Uh, excuse me, but Dana Hartman lied to the American people.
She's a pariah.
She drew huge ratings as a guest.
We can do better.
America loves a comeback story.
Plus, it'll drive Louise insane.
Serves her right.
Why would Dana agree to do it? You're the acting executive producer.
Go get her.
It's your job.
You want Dana Hartman to sub in for Louise? Yes.
Louise and Julia are both sick.
Julia told me she was on assignment.
That's what I meant.
Okay.
I'm sorry, but no.
Jake Dana will have the keys to the kingdom.
Will she be able to pick her own guests? Yes.
Hmm.
I'll get back to you.
[Door opens.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
Is there something wrong with the lease? There's just some language I'm not comfortable with.
You're a lawyer.
You can sort it out with the landlord.
Or I could just stay where I am.
You can do better.
We talked about this.
Actually, we didn't.
You told me I needed to move and then dragged me around to a bunch of places that I didn't want to see.
If you weren't down for it, you should have said something.
Ryan, don't try to change me.
Ella, it's not normal to live in a motel.
[Chuckles.]
You're right I'm not normal.
That's not what I said.
I got to go.
They want me to host the show? That's right, and if we can get Preston and Willow to be your guests, we should be able to firmly establish reasonable doubt.
Why would either of them agree to it? Willow already agreed to recant.
She came to see me, said she regretted turning on Maya.
What about Preston? We want to point the finger at him.
We think he could be the killer.
Okay, how the hell are you gonna get him on the show? We're working on it.
[Indistinct conversations.]
I appreciate the drinks.
But you'll never get me drunk enough to say yes to going on your show as Dana Hartman's guest.
I don't blame you.
I'm just worried about what Willow's gonna say about you.
She's She's agreed to come on? Yeah.
And she's gonna talk about the Bling Ring, about how you and Johnny fought about his wanting out.
[Scoffs.]
People argue! Like, big deal.
But you had the most to lose if the Bling Ring blew up because of your contacts at the talent agency.
Former talent agency.
They fired me.
How do you know all this, anyway? It's my job.
Mm.
It's Maya's lawyer, isn't it? Jake Gregorian.
He's the one who's trying to blame me instead of his client.
I wouldn't put anything past that guy which is why you need to defend yourself in person on air to 10 million people.
[Vehicles approaching.]
[Tires screech.]
I'm going to need your cellphones, computers, any other electronic devices.
I need my phone and my laptop to do my work.
- That is not a request.
- [Guns cocking.]
We'll get these back after the interview, right? Hey.
What are you doing here? I wanted to apologize.
Oh.
Ryan, you're a good guy - but - Oh, God.
You're breaking up with me.
No.
I wanted to explain something.
You know how I told you when I was a kid, we moved around a lot? It's because my mother had a habit of using other people's credit cards after she stole them.
She was a thief? One lesson she taught me was that when things are good, they don't last.
No offense to your mother, but that's nuts.
When things are good, that's when you dig in, and you believe they'll only get better.
You and I had very different childhoods, and I'm not sure I can do that.
Look, you're not ready to commit to some lease.
I don't care.
I'm not going anywhere, no matter what stupid crap your mother taught you.
[Chuckles.]
And if you hate the hotel so much, we can spend more time at your place.
No.
Hell, no.
No, you've always got clean sheets and fresh ice.
[Chuckles.]
[Chuckles.]
[Horn honks.]
[Vehicle door closes.]
This is where you'll be spending the night.
I've slept in worse.
Eat, drink, be merry.
It's all on Carlos.
Delightful.
But be ready.
A car will pick you up at 6:00 a.
m.
[Man speaking Spanish on TV.]
Tequila, por favor.
Bartender: Claro que sÃ.
Salud.
What should we drink to? Survival.
¿Disculpe, podria cambiarle al "Louise Herrick Live" en WCN? - Claro.
- Gracias.
Wonder who Megan got to replace me.
Not a clue.
Good evening.
Welcome to "LHL.
" I'm Dana Hartman, and tonight I'm filling in for Louise Herrick.
Son of a bitch.
We've got a great show tonight.
We should have never left town.
It's been nine years since I've sat in an anchor chair, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.
But this isn't about me.
It's about finding justice.
It's about the truth.
I bet you this was Darin's idea to get back at me for coming here.
When we win a Peabody, he'll apologize.
Well, I'm not gonna watch this woman ruin my show without a lot more alcohol.
I'm a mother, just like many of you.
And now my daughter, Maya Hartman, has been arrested for the murder of her roommate Johnny Weston.
My guests tonight are the two other roommates who were living in the house on that tragic night Willow Ferrera and Preston Mann.
Thank you both for being here.
So, you cut a deal with the district attorney, in essence blaming my daughter, Maya Hartman, for the murder of Johnny Weston in exchange for not being charged for the Bling Ring robberies.
Is that accurate? I wish with all my heart that I had never made that deal.
But I was scared, and I was coerced.
And you'd like to recant your testimony? Yes, because Maya didn't kill Johnny.
How can you be so sure? Because I know Maya, and Maya's not a killer.
She's one of my closest friends.
Tell Dana to wipe that smirk off Preston's face.
Pivot to Preston.
Preston, I sense by the expression on your face that you don't agree with Willow? That's correct, and I'm not recanting.
Is that because you're the leader of the Bling Ring, and, as such, you'd have the most to lose - if you were to recant? - No.
It's because your daughter is the killer.
Well, you seem defensive.
Are you worried about being a suspect in this murder case? I mean, Johnny did want out of the Bling Ring, and you two fought about that.
Isn't that correct? I didn't kill Johnny, and I can prove it.
I was bowling from around 7:30 to 11:00 p.
m.
, when Johnny was killed.
There are dozens of people who saw me there.
Not from 8:05 to 8:57.
What are you talking about? I'm talking about their electronic scoring system.
You sat out a full round of bowling.
You left the bowling alley for 54 minutes.
That's plenty of time to drive back to the house, kill Johnny, and return to the bowling alley.
That is insane! Tell her that I did not kill Johnny.
He didn't.
He's telling the truth.
Well, how do you know that? Preston and Willow slept together.
She could be lying to protect him.
Preston and Willow slept together.
Willow, is it possible you're defending Preston because the two of you are in a relationship? What? N-No, we're we're not in a relationship.
You two have slept together.
Isn't that right? Oh, my God.
Did Jake Gregorian tell you that? So, Preston left the bowling alley, went back to the house, where he shot Johnny, and you're covering for him.
- Isn't that correct? - No, no.
That's not what happened.
Preston: The truth I left the bowling alley to scope out Gwen Stefani's house, 'cause we were gonna break in next week.
Well, now, that's a convenient lie.
I took video while I was casing her house Time-stamped and everything.
Here.
It's on my phone.
I can show it to you.
That's the front yard.
Well, that just backfired on Dana.
That is the side gate.
That is the backyard.
Cut to commercial.
N-Not yet.
I get that you're a mother trying to defend her daughter.
But Maya killed Johnny.
She's the only one without an alibi, the only one with gun residue on her hands.
And she's the one who wrote that she wanted Johnny dead.
And that guy pulling all the strings, Mr.
Gregorian, he thinks that he can get his client off by blaming me.
Let's take a break, Megan.
Jake, this is gold.
It's clear you had no idea what she was going through.
Maya was in love with Johnny.
He didn't feel the same way, obviously, - since he slept with you.
- Okay, enough! You don't know what you're talking about.
You have no idea! The truth is I killed Johnny Weston, because he was predator.
He was sleeping with me and my daughter at the same time, and when I found out, I went crazy, and I killed him.
I give the police permission to go to my safety-deposit box at Pacific Access Bank on Melrose.
There, they'll find the gun that I used to kill Johnny.
My daughter's innocent.
That's it.
End of story.
Go tight.
Hold on her face.
[Voice breaking.]
Maya, I'm so sorry.
Oh my God.
Jake: Dana? Dana.
Go away.
I'm not going anywhere.
We need to talk.
I have nothing to say to you.
You just confessed to first-degree murder on live TV.
I know exactly what I did.
But you weren't thinking straight, Dana.
You You were upset clearly.
The The pressure of being back on air, you know? - The The pills you may have taken - [Chuckles.]
to calm your nerves.
You're not my lawyer, Jake.
You represent my daughter.
You know, given what you just admitted to, you are the one that needs the lawyer.
Now, look, Dana, I-I get it.
You confessed because you want to help Maya.
So do I.
This is not the way.
Please, let me help you.
- You want to help me, Jake? - Yes.
Get Maya out of jail.
I want her home.
I want her free.
I want her to have a normal life.
I promised her that.
Please, Jake.
Help me do right by her.
[Voice breaking.]
For once in my life, help me do right by her.
Please! Please.
[Crying.]
Louise: Stop moping.
Dana Hartman is a survivor.
She'll do just fine in prison.
Probably be running the place.
It's not just Dana I'm worried about.
It's Maya.
She's gonna think her mother killed the man she loved.
Yeah, after she slept with him.
You know what? We should get some rest.
We have to get up at the crack of dawn.
I know I have my issues with Dana, but I also know how hard this is on you.
I promise No more wisecracks.
You want to talk, I'm here to listen and not judge.
Thanks.
I think I just need to get some rest.
[Footsteps approaching.]
Mr.
District Attorney.
Go ahead.
Didn't take you very long to get here, did it? Well, I'm a big fan of the show, Jake.
- I have heard.
- Stand, please.
- Surprising turn of events.
- [Handcuffs click.]
Not so surprising, if you think about it.
You are going to be dropping the charges against Maya, right? Releasing her, considering that you are now arresting another suspect? Oh, I'll drop the charges as soon as I find the gun and run a ballistics test.
[Sighs, clears throat.]
Jake, have you, um, heard from Julia? No.
Why? No reason.
[Gasps.]
[Grunting.]
[Muffled shouting.]
[Muffled shouting.]
[Engines start.]
I desperately need your help.
Julia: Her daughter, Maya, is the one who found the body.
She said she could be a suspect.
That's Willow and Preston.
They're the other roommates.
Someone just sent this video to Louise anonymously.
You were actually having sex with your daughter's boyfriend? What do you want not to air it? What if Dana agrees to be a guest on your show? - Air the tape, Julia.
- I made a deal with Dana not to air it.
Air the tape now.
Jake: Dana went on the show.
She did everything you asked.
We had a deal.
The gun used to commit the murder belongs to singer-performer Ray J.
Several other celebrity homes have also been broken into, in these so-called Bling Ring burglaries.
Maya and her roommates are the Bling Ring.
At best, you might have her on possession of stolen property.
Her roommates rolled on her for shooting Johnny Weston.
Rushing water [Beeping.]
One keeps to corner [Camera shutter clicking.]
Woman: Step out.
- [Knock on door.]
- Come in.
Thanks for coming.
We need to talk.
Fine.
I need to talk.
I feel like you're blaming me for running Dana's sex tape, and that's not fair.
I said you didn't do enough to stop it.
I don't believe you purposefully violated our agreement, Julia, but, um But I could have done more to prevent it.
- So, what happened? - I don't know.
I've been mad at Dana for so long.
Maybe I let our past affect my behavior.
But at the end of the day, it's on me.
And I'm sorry.
Thank you.
How's Maya? She is looking at murder one, so not great.
I'm hearing the D.
A.
is your guest tonight.
That's true.
Is there any way you might invite me into the control room? Just to keep things fair and balanced.
It's the least I can do.
In breaking news, Maya Hartman, the 21-year-old daughter of disgraced news anchor Dana Hartman, has been arrested for the murder of her roommate, Johnny Weston.
A possible connection between the murder and the recently reported Bling Ring has come to light.
Our guest tonight is Los Angeles District Attorney Max Gilford.
Mr.
Gilford, tell us what this Bling Ring has to do with Johnny Weston's murder.
Cue the photo.
We believe that Maya Hartman, along with her roommates Willow Ferrera, Preston Mann, and Johnny Weston, acquired a gun belonging to performer Ray J when they broke into his home several weeks ago.
Evidently, this so-called Bling Ring doesn't just take objects of monetary value.
Well, entering a celebrity's home, touching their personal items is a brush with fame.
Maya and her friends wanted to feel part of the in-crowd.
That's the dark side of celebrity culture.
Have you even noticed that the D.
A.
has incredibly small hands? Oh, his hands are fine.
Louise: I hear Preston and Willow are cooperating - in the state's case against Maya.
- That's right.
They will both be appearing as witnesses for the prosecution.
- What'd they get in return? - Ask about the deal.
Were they offered immunity in the robberies in exchange for their testimony? Yes, but that's just a part of the prosecution's case.
The gunshot residue on Maya's sleeve, the ballistics report, and Maya's discovery that her boyfriend had slept with her mother All of it adds up.
Maya Hartman killed Johnny Weston.
And yet there's no murder weapon.
Louise, ask about the gun.
Louise: The gun hasn't been found yet.
That's of little consequence.
Not only do we have an abundance of forensic evidence We also have a written statement by the suspect that reads And I quote "I want to kill Johnny.
" It's rare to get an admission in writing, but there you have it.
That is pretty compelling.
I think anyone would agree.
- How does Ma - [Remote clicks.]
Don't watch the news.
It's never good.
[Car alarm chirps.]
Don't be scared.
Put down what you're reaching for.
My wallet's in my purse.
I don't want your wallet.
I'm here to present an opportunity.
Really? What's that? An interview with Carlos Mora.
You know him as "El Toro.
" Come on.
[Scoffs.]
He likes your show.
He watches when he can.
He's got 10,000 Federales searching for him since his prison break, and he's watching my show? He watched it tonight Live in Mexico.
There is a plane ready to take you.
You have 48 hours to decide.
[Chuckles.]
I don't just hop on a plane to interview mass murderers without working out the details first.
El Toro wants to tell his story to the world, his legacy.
If you say no, we will find somebody else.
But if you accept my invitation, you tell no one.
You can call me on this.
My number is programmed.
[Vehicle door closes.]
[Sighs.]
[Chuckles.]
I saw that Jake didn't seem too happy about my interview.
I don't want to talk about Jake right now.
I mean, I don't want to talk at all.
I wasn't wasting your time [Cellphone rings.]
[Doorbell rings.]
Even when I'm by your side I don't care.
- Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh - [Knock on door.]
Okay.
Shh.
I'll be right back.
- Shirt.
- Ooh! Thanks.
- What took so long? - I'm busy.
That's no way to speak to the talent.
We [Door closes.]
Mr.
District Attorney.
I see you're ready to present your case.
[Clears throat.]
Louise, it's obviously not a good time.
This can't wait.
Sorry.
Max, would you mind opening us a bottle of Pinot? Sure.
This better be so good.
El Toro wants me to interview him.
El Toro? The biggest narco trafficker since Escobar? He's the most wanted man in the world.
He's not coming out of hiding to go on our show.
He wants me to go to him.
He's gunned down women and children.
He's a monster.
Julia, I became a journalist to cover stories, not to play it safe.
El Toro could be the biggest get of our lives.
How do you even know it's real? The guy who approached me, Eduardo Nogales he's El Toro's longtime lieutenant.
What's the plan? We call him on a burner phone, tell him we want to do the interview, and then El Toro's private jet whisks us off to wherever he's hiding.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but you have to clear it with network.
You need to tell Darin.
Eduardo said we can't tell anyone.
- You told me.
- Well, I'm not going without you.
Well, good, but you also have to tell Darin.
[Sighs.]
Fine.
I'll talk to him.
Carry on.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
[Door closes.]
You are not gonna interview El Toro.
You should not eavesdrop on people's personal conversations.
Your safety aside, he's just gonna use Louise to drum up support so the people he gets rich off think he's some kind of Robin Hood.
I don't feel like talking anymore.
That's not fair.
I don't understand why they denied bail.
The judge thinks Maya's a flight risk.
You still haven't seen her? She won't let me.
Dana, right now, my priority is creating reasonable doubt.
I need your help.
Anything.
You need to go back on "LHL.
" Are you kidding me? Louise has it out for me, and Julia won't protect me.
Why would I ever go on that show again? For Maya.
Maya called her diary a burn book, right? The theory, as I understand it, behind a burn book is to write down your feelings so that you don't actually act on them.
That takes away her motive.
And we need to start steering public opinion in her favor right now.
Now, for better or worse, your sex tape got huge ratings.
You go back on that show, people will tune in and listen to whatever you have to say.
- Jake, I can't do it.
- [Sighs.]
I mean, last time, Louise hijacked the interview, and and Julia let her do it.
How do we know that won't happen again? Let me handle that.
You want me to put Dana Hartman back on the air? Yes, I do, for a good reason.
The last time I saw Dana, she told me to stay away.
And even if I said yes, how in the world would you convince her to come back on the show? Why would she ever trust me again after that sex tape? Good question.
She's meeting you at noon for lunch.
- I suggest you figure out how to convince her.
- Come on.
Julia, you want her to believe you're sorry about airing that tape, then prove it.
Maybe you should start by forgiving her.
Hmm? All of it adds up.
Maya Hartman killed Johnny Weston.
Frankly, Louise, I wish they were all like [Keyboard clacks.]
This is a law firm.
Please act accordingly.
My apologies.
Mm.
[Chuckles.]
I brought you some apartment listings.
[Breathes deeply.]
Some of them are amazing.
The others are in your price range.
That's sweet, but I don't have time to look.
Jake has me analyzing the D.
A.
's interview on "LHL.
" Ella, you are so smart, and you're very beautiful, but you live in a motel.
It's time to move.
The first step's always the hardest.
Dana, thanks for coming.
[Clears throat.]
I'll get right to it.
I should have done more to prevent Louise from airing that sex tape.
I take responsibility, and I'm sorry.
Thank you.
I never understood why you fabricated the interview, and then I realized I never asked you why.
I just made assumptions.
I'm a reporter, and I should have asked the question.
I was pregnant.
What? That's why I never met my source in Cambodia.
That's why I lied about the interview.
I was pregnant, and I had terrible morning sickness.
There's no crime in being pregnant.
The network would have understood.
The father was Ronald Teller.
The chairman of the network.
That's why I couldn't say anything.
Because what you're thinking, everyone else would have believed That the first female to solo anchor the news slept her way to the top.
Well Ronald had been harassing me for years.
- You know his reputation.
- I do.
So, one night, at a company retreat, he pushed me too far.
So I pushed him back.
Told him to stay the hell away from me.
He just laughed, and then he threatened to end my career.
What did you do? I got rip-roaring drunk.
And slept with him? [Sighs.]
Biggest mistake of my life.
Six weeks later, I had morning sickness in Phnom Penh so bad that I couldn't make my interview.
I wasn't sure what I was gonna do.
I needed to buy myself some time, so I submitted the bogus interview.
But my source was real.
My facts were real.
I just never conducted the interview.
And then I blew the whistle on you.
Two weeks later, I lost the baby.
And soon after that, I lost my entire career.
[Chuckles.]
But Ronald Teller kept running the network until the day he died.
I'm so sorry.
[Breathes deeply.]
Right now, the most important thing is helping Maya.
So, Jake wants me to go back on "LHL," and I don't trust Louise.
I can't control her questions.
Well, then I can't do the show.
Actually, you can.
So, you're claiming that when your daughter, Maya, wrote, "I want to kill Johnny," that it had nothing to do with his murder? That's right.
Under the direction of her therapist, Maya was writing down her raw, unfiltered thoughts.
There was no intent.
Maya is a sweet, loving person.
She wouldn't hurt anyone.
So it's just a coincidence that Johnny Weston ended up dead two days after Maya wrote, "I want to kill Johnny"? Intensive journaling That's what Maya was doing.
It's an established form of therapy pioneered by a renowned psychotherapist, James Pennebaker.
I wonder what Dr.
Pennebaker would make of your sleeping with your daughter's boyfriend.
I didn't know he was Maya's boyfriend at the time.
I also didn't realize the extent of the hypocrisy surrounding the issue of women of a certain age - having sex with younger men.
- You prepped her, didn't you? I might have given her a few hints.
[Cellphone rings.]
The death of a young man who was sleeping with both a mother and daughter is a compelling story, regardless of age.
Don't you think? Maya had no idea that I was sleeping with Johnny.
Therefore, she didn't have motive to hurt him.
In fact, Maya didn't find out about Johnny and me until you aired that tape on this show.
Louise, go to commercial.
Thank you, Dana.
And with that, we need to take a break.
Man: And we're clear.
[Bell rings.]
What's going on? Jake just got a call from the warden.
Maya's being rushed to the hospital.
She tried to kill herself.
[Sighs.]
Dana, I spoke with the warden.
He's gonna move Maya to the psych ward.
- Oh, Jake, thank you.
- Yeah.
Maya: Mom? Yeah, baby.
[Voice breaking.]
I'm here.
[Sniffles.]
Hey.
We're all here.
Not the waterworks, okay? [Breathes deeply, sniffles.]
Oh, Maya, I'm so, so sorry for everything.
I know, Mom.
I know.
You're gonna be okay.
Everything's gonna be okay.
I'm gonna get you out of jail, I promise you.
I love you, Maya.
[Smooches.]
I love you so much.
The good news is that Maya's okay, but the press is already taking her suicide attempt as an admission of guilt.
We need to get in front of that.
Start pointing the finger at somebody else, and soon.
Let's go back to the roommates.
Good.
Now, the night of the murder Preston and Willow said that they were bowling.
Time of death for Johnny was between 8:00 and 10:00 p.
m.
I want to account for every minute of their alibis.
I've tried reaching out, but they won't return my phone calls.
Jake: Willow.
Yeah.
Willow and Preston.
No.
I mean Willow She's here.
Willow, I'm Jake.
- What can I do for you? - Is Maya all right? They're saying on the news that she tried to kill herself.
Willow, yes or no Did Maya kill Johnny? No.
Absolutely not.
Maya loved Johnny.
Did you love him, too? What are you talking about? Come in my office.
I want to show you something.
Oh, my God.
Where did this come from? That doesn't matter.
No one else will see it, but clearly, you, Johnny, and Preston were very close.
Now, once again, Willow, did you have feelings for Johnny? No.
What about Preston? Was Preston in love with Johnny? Preston is only in love with Preston.
And And this This was just sex.
Nothing more.
Did it ever lead to fights or jealousy between the roommates? The only arguments in the house were over the Bling Ring, between Preston and Johnny.
What kind of fights? Johnny wanted out, but Preston said that we made pact.
So, Preston was the leader? Yeah.
He's a total fame junkie.
Look, I want to go to the D.
A.
and change my statement.
That's why I'm here.
- Will you help me? - Yes.
But if you really want to help Maya, for now, I want you to do nothing.
- Why? - 'Cause with your testimony, the D.
A.
feels like he's got an airtight case.
It makes him overconfident.
So, please, can you hold off on recanting for now? If that's what's best for Maya.
Julia.
Louise, it's morning.
What are you doing here? Darin doesn't want us going to Mexico.
[Scoffs.]
I'm not surprised.
He said and I quote "Under no circumstances are you to get on a plane to an undisclosed location and interview the most dangerous man in the world.
" He's not wrong.
El Toro assassinated the head of the Sinaloa cartel and made it look like the Calaca cartel did it.
It's the opportunity of a lifetime.
How do we say no? If we pass, it will just go to "60 Minutes" or "Dateline.
" I can't let that happen.
I'd rather regret going than not going, no matter the risk.
I still have safety concerns.
We should meet with Eduardo and get some answers.
I can call him, but I doubt he'll be too receptive.
- Oh, he'll agree.
- How do you know? Because El Toro wants you to do the interview and it's Eduardo's job to make that happen.
- Yo.
- What's up? I think I figured out why Preston won't call us back.
All the celebrities whose homes were robbed they were represented by the talent agency where Preston worked in the mailroom.
- That's how he knew when they'd be out of town.
- Yes.
I think so.
Is there any footage of Johnny and Preston arguing on the tapes? Um, Ella didn't mention it.
Why? Willow said that Johnny wanted out of the Bling Ring.
If we could show they fought We could start pointing to Preston as a suspect.
Mm-hmm.
But that only works if we can poke a hole in Preston's alibi.
Well, they said they were at the bowling alley.
Ella and I are meeting with the manager this afternoon.
Okay.
Well, keep me posted.
- Will do.
- All right.
So, what do you think? I think that my lunch hour is almost over, and I'm meeting Bradley at a bowling alley.
Yeah, I can totally see you living here.
[Sighs.]
The kitchen's tiny.
It's got an excellent fêng shui.
You know fêng shui? Don't you feel it? Eduardo wanted to meet here? He didn't want to meet at all, but I told him we insisted.
[Door opens, footsteps approach.]
Here he comes.
[Door closes.]
Señoritas.
Louise: This is Julia George, my executive producer.
Like I said on the phone, no interview without Julia.
El Toro makes the rules, not you.
You're only here because he already agreed.
[Laughs.]
You've got huevos.
I hear that a lot.
You want to know about your safety.
Here's your guarantee.
Carlos wants his interview on your show.
If he harms you, that won't happen.
And if there is one truth, it's that El Toro always does what is best for El Toro.
How do we get there? At midnight, you'll board a plane cleared for international travel.
You'll spend the night in a small town.
And in the morning, you will be driven to meet El Toro.
What about our crew? We will provide everything.
I'll call you on that phone with the flight information one hour before departure.
Or you can walk away now.
But let me make something very clear.
If you accept, and you tell anyone where you're going, if anyone follows you, El Toro cannot guarantee your safety.
Are you in or not? We'll see you at midnight.
So, are you still gonna interview El Toro? I would like to know.
You told me not to.
Uh, that's not an answer.
Max, I'm not a witness you're cross-examining.
Okay, fine.
I can help protect you.
Protect me how? By calling some friends I have at the D.
E.
A.
You want to use my interview to catch Mora? No.
I want you to forget about the whole thing.
But if you're determined to be reckless, at least let me do what I can to ensure your safety.
This is a story, not a manhunt.
Ignacio Enriquez probably thought the same thing.
He was the lead reporter for Las Noticias.
He went to interview El Toro three months ago.
That was the last anybody heard from him.
I know all about Ignacio, and El Toro has denied any involvement - in his disappearance.
- You believe that? Max, thank you for your concern.
But you're still gonna go.
Just try and come back in one piece.
Jake, we got Preston.
We busted his alibi.
Preston and Willow were bowling, like they said.
They started bowling at 7:34 in a group of eight.
But Preston stopped bowling at 8:03.
We know that because the bowling alley has electronic scoring.
He started bowling again at 8:57.
- It's a 54-minute window.
- Good job.
Plenty of time for Preston to kill Johnny and return to the bowling alley.
Willow seemed certain Maya didn't do it.
Maybe it's because she knows Preston is the real killer.
It's a good theory and more than we need for reasonable doubt.
[Voice breaking.]
Johnny was 22 years old, murdered in the backyard of a home owned by Dana Hartman.
And I don't know the circumstances around his death.
I don't know if it was Maya Hartman or not.
What I do know is, coming to L.
A.
, leaving his hometown That was the worst mistake of his short life.
The city stole my boy from me.
That poor man.
Heartbreaking.
He's so lost.
Megan Hmm? Louise and I are going out of town tonight, and we won't be here for the show tomorrow.
Where are you going? Close the door.
We're going to interview Carlos Mora.
El Toro? You can't tell anyone.
That's insane.
No, Julia.
Tomorrow you tell Darin that Louise and I have food poisoning, and then you will executive produce your first show.
- I'm not ready.
- Yes, you are.
Julia, I really think this is a bad idea.
I'm gonna be fine.
And you're gonna be awesome.
I'll see you soon.
[Woman speaking indistinctly on P.
A.
.]
Sign here, please.
Thanks.
[Monitor beeping.]
Hey.
You're looking better.
How you feeling? Other than trying to hang myself? Fine.
That's something that you'll never try again, right? You know what I was thinking about as I was passing out? What? You teaching me how to swim.
I was, like, 8 years old and scared to death of the water.
Yeah, but once we got you in the pool, you took to it like a fish, remember? And when you let go of me and I kept swimming on my own, I felt free.
But I also knew that you were there to catch me.
Does that make any sense? I'm still here.
And so is your mom, and now so is Jake.
We're gonna get through this together.
You believe me, right? Yeah.
I, uh I have to go away for work for a few days.
But, um, you can call me any time you want.
I cleared it with your doctors.
Thanks.
Hey.
Any news? We caught a break.
Not sure what it means, but it's progress.
If you two will excuse me, I'm gonna head in.
Yeah, of course.
Um, Julia, listen.
I was thinking After I talked to Maya, maybe we could go grab a drink? Um, I'm headed out of town tonight on an assignment.
Really? Right now? Yeah.
I-I can't really talk about it.
Then I won't ask.
What was that for? For helping with Maya.
For trusting me.
For everything.
Have a safe trip.
Did you know El Toro was one of 11 children? He was lucky number six.
All but three of his siblings are dead now.
He's close with his older brother Raul, but there's been tension recently.
He also owned two soccer teams, which the government took ownership of after he was arrested.
He built thousands of homes for poor people in his hometown of Moralia.
And then he destroyed them after they turned on him.
We just flew into Mexican airspace.
Thought you'd like to know.
Is it true El Toro got his nickname because when he was 8, he got trampled by a bull? The next day he went out and slaughtered it with a machete.
I have a question.
A reporter named Ignacio Enriquez from Las Noticias disappeared while interviewing El Toro.
What happened to him? He didn't ask the right questions.
Darin? Hi.
Um, Julia just called me.
Apparently, she and Louise had bad sushi, and they're both down with food poisoning.
So, Louise took Julia to interview El Toro? I don't know anything about that, but Julia asked me to run the show.
We have some great segments ready to go and a line on excellent subs for Louise.
Get Dana Hartman to anchor.
Uh, excuse me, but Dana Hartman lied to the American people.
She's a pariah.
She drew huge ratings as a guest.
We can do better.
America loves a comeback story.
Plus, it'll drive Louise insane.
Serves her right.
Why would Dana agree to do it? You're the acting executive producer.
Go get her.
It's your job.
You want Dana Hartman to sub in for Louise? Yes.
Louise and Julia are both sick.
Julia told me she was on assignment.
That's what I meant.
Okay.
I'm sorry, but no.
Jake Dana will have the keys to the kingdom.
Will she be able to pick her own guests? Yes.
Hmm.
I'll get back to you.
[Door opens.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
Is there something wrong with the lease? There's just some language I'm not comfortable with.
You're a lawyer.
You can sort it out with the landlord.
Or I could just stay where I am.
You can do better.
We talked about this.
Actually, we didn't.
You told me I needed to move and then dragged me around to a bunch of places that I didn't want to see.
If you weren't down for it, you should have said something.
Ryan, don't try to change me.
Ella, it's not normal to live in a motel.
[Chuckles.]
You're right I'm not normal.
That's not what I said.
I got to go.
They want me to host the show? That's right, and if we can get Preston and Willow to be your guests, we should be able to firmly establish reasonable doubt.
Why would either of them agree to it? Willow already agreed to recant.
She came to see me, said she regretted turning on Maya.
What about Preston? We want to point the finger at him.
We think he could be the killer.
Okay, how the hell are you gonna get him on the show? We're working on it.
[Indistinct conversations.]
I appreciate the drinks.
But you'll never get me drunk enough to say yes to going on your show as Dana Hartman's guest.
I don't blame you.
I'm just worried about what Willow's gonna say about you.
She's She's agreed to come on? Yeah.
And she's gonna talk about the Bling Ring, about how you and Johnny fought about his wanting out.
[Scoffs.]
People argue! Like, big deal.
But you had the most to lose if the Bling Ring blew up because of your contacts at the talent agency.
Former talent agency.
They fired me.
How do you know all this, anyway? It's my job.
Mm.
It's Maya's lawyer, isn't it? Jake Gregorian.
He's the one who's trying to blame me instead of his client.
I wouldn't put anything past that guy which is why you need to defend yourself in person on air to 10 million people.
[Vehicles approaching.]
[Tires screech.]
I'm going to need your cellphones, computers, any other electronic devices.
I need my phone and my laptop to do my work.
- That is not a request.
- [Guns cocking.]
We'll get these back after the interview, right? Hey.
What are you doing here? I wanted to apologize.
Oh.
Ryan, you're a good guy - but - Oh, God.
You're breaking up with me.
No.
I wanted to explain something.
You know how I told you when I was a kid, we moved around a lot? It's because my mother had a habit of using other people's credit cards after she stole them.
She was a thief? One lesson she taught me was that when things are good, they don't last.
No offense to your mother, but that's nuts.
When things are good, that's when you dig in, and you believe they'll only get better.
You and I had very different childhoods, and I'm not sure I can do that.
Look, you're not ready to commit to some lease.
I don't care.
I'm not going anywhere, no matter what stupid crap your mother taught you.
[Chuckles.]
And if you hate the hotel so much, we can spend more time at your place.
No.
Hell, no.
No, you've always got clean sheets and fresh ice.
[Chuckles.]
[Chuckles.]
[Horn honks.]
[Vehicle door closes.]
This is where you'll be spending the night.
I've slept in worse.
Eat, drink, be merry.
It's all on Carlos.
Delightful.
But be ready.
A car will pick you up at 6:00 a.
m.
[Man speaking Spanish on TV.]
Tequila, por favor.
Bartender: Claro que sÃ.
Salud.
What should we drink to? Survival.
¿Disculpe, podria cambiarle al "Louise Herrick Live" en WCN? - Claro.
- Gracias.
Wonder who Megan got to replace me.
Not a clue.
Good evening.
Welcome to "LHL.
" I'm Dana Hartman, and tonight I'm filling in for Louise Herrick.
Son of a bitch.
We've got a great show tonight.
We should have never left town.
It's been nine years since I've sat in an anchor chair, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.
But this isn't about me.
It's about finding justice.
It's about the truth.
I bet you this was Darin's idea to get back at me for coming here.
When we win a Peabody, he'll apologize.
Well, I'm not gonna watch this woman ruin my show without a lot more alcohol.
I'm a mother, just like many of you.
And now my daughter, Maya Hartman, has been arrested for the murder of her roommate Johnny Weston.
My guests tonight are the two other roommates who were living in the house on that tragic night Willow Ferrera and Preston Mann.
Thank you both for being here.
So, you cut a deal with the district attorney, in essence blaming my daughter, Maya Hartman, for the murder of Johnny Weston in exchange for not being charged for the Bling Ring robberies.
Is that accurate? I wish with all my heart that I had never made that deal.
But I was scared, and I was coerced.
And you'd like to recant your testimony? Yes, because Maya didn't kill Johnny.
How can you be so sure? Because I know Maya, and Maya's not a killer.
She's one of my closest friends.
Tell Dana to wipe that smirk off Preston's face.
Pivot to Preston.
Preston, I sense by the expression on your face that you don't agree with Willow? That's correct, and I'm not recanting.
Is that because you're the leader of the Bling Ring, and, as such, you'd have the most to lose - if you were to recant? - No.
It's because your daughter is the killer.
Well, you seem defensive.
Are you worried about being a suspect in this murder case? I mean, Johnny did want out of the Bling Ring, and you two fought about that.
Isn't that correct? I didn't kill Johnny, and I can prove it.
I was bowling from around 7:30 to 11:00 p.
m.
, when Johnny was killed.
There are dozens of people who saw me there.
Not from 8:05 to 8:57.
What are you talking about? I'm talking about their electronic scoring system.
You sat out a full round of bowling.
You left the bowling alley for 54 minutes.
That's plenty of time to drive back to the house, kill Johnny, and return to the bowling alley.
That is insane! Tell her that I did not kill Johnny.
He didn't.
He's telling the truth.
Well, how do you know that? Preston and Willow slept together.
She could be lying to protect him.
Preston and Willow slept together.
Willow, is it possible you're defending Preston because the two of you are in a relationship? What? N-No, we're we're not in a relationship.
You two have slept together.
Isn't that right? Oh, my God.
Did Jake Gregorian tell you that? So, Preston left the bowling alley, went back to the house, where he shot Johnny, and you're covering for him.
- Isn't that correct? - No, no.
That's not what happened.
Preston: The truth I left the bowling alley to scope out Gwen Stefani's house, 'cause we were gonna break in next week.
Well, now, that's a convenient lie.
I took video while I was casing her house Time-stamped and everything.
Here.
It's on my phone.
I can show it to you.
That's the front yard.
Well, that just backfired on Dana.
That is the side gate.
That is the backyard.
Cut to commercial.
N-Not yet.
I get that you're a mother trying to defend her daughter.
But Maya killed Johnny.
She's the only one without an alibi, the only one with gun residue on her hands.
And she's the one who wrote that she wanted Johnny dead.
And that guy pulling all the strings, Mr.
Gregorian, he thinks that he can get his client off by blaming me.
Let's take a break, Megan.
Jake, this is gold.
It's clear you had no idea what she was going through.
Maya was in love with Johnny.
He didn't feel the same way, obviously, - since he slept with you.
- Okay, enough! You don't know what you're talking about.
You have no idea! The truth is I killed Johnny Weston, because he was predator.
He was sleeping with me and my daughter at the same time, and when I found out, I went crazy, and I killed him.
I give the police permission to go to my safety-deposit box at Pacific Access Bank on Melrose.
There, they'll find the gun that I used to kill Johnny.
My daughter's innocent.
That's it.
End of story.
Go tight.
Hold on her face.
[Voice breaking.]
Maya, I'm so sorry.
Oh my God.
Jake: Dana? Dana.
Go away.
I'm not going anywhere.
We need to talk.
I have nothing to say to you.
You just confessed to first-degree murder on live TV.
I know exactly what I did.
But you weren't thinking straight, Dana.
You You were upset clearly.
The The pressure of being back on air, you know? - The The pills you may have taken - [Chuckles.]
to calm your nerves.
You're not my lawyer, Jake.
You represent my daughter.
You know, given what you just admitted to, you are the one that needs the lawyer.
Now, look, Dana, I-I get it.
You confessed because you want to help Maya.
So do I.
This is not the way.
Please, let me help you.
- You want to help me, Jake? - Yes.
Get Maya out of jail.
I want her home.
I want her free.
I want her to have a normal life.
I promised her that.
Please, Jake.
Help me do right by her.
[Voice breaking.]
For once in my life, help me do right by her.
Please! Please.
[Crying.]
Louise: Stop moping.
Dana Hartman is a survivor.
She'll do just fine in prison.
Probably be running the place.
It's not just Dana I'm worried about.
It's Maya.
She's gonna think her mother killed the man she loved.
Yeah, after she slept with him.
You know what? We should get some rest.
We have to get up at the crack of dawn.
I know I have my issues with Dana, but I also know how hard this is on you.
I promise No more wisecracks.
You want to talk, I'm here to listen and not judge.
Thanks.
I think I just need to get some rest.
[Footsteps approaching.]
Mr.
District Attorney.
Go ahead.
Didn't take you very long to get here, did it? Well, I'm a big fan of the show, Jake.
- I have heard.
- Stand, please.
- Surprising turn of events.
- [Handcuffs click.]
Not so surprising, if you think about it.
You are going to be dropping the charges against Maya, right? Releasing her, considering that you are now arresting another suspect? Oh, I'll drop the charges as soon as I find the gun and run a ballistics test.
[Sighs, clears throat.]
Jake, have you, um, heard from Julia? No.
Why? No reason.
[Gasps.]
[Grunting.]
[Muffled shouting.]
[Muffled shouting.]
[Engines start.]