Tiny Pretty Things (2020) s01e09 Episode Script
It's Not the Waking, It's the Rising
["The Tide" by Jade Moon playing]
We fight 'em all
We had it all, we're so fun… ♪
[Cassie] Every ballet starts as an idea,
a vision passed from choreographer
to dancer to audience.
You receive those ideas,
but they don't come through words.
Leaving no traces, leaving… ♪
[Cassie] At its worst,
the limits of dance can feel like a trap,
but when it works,
ballet is more eloquent
than anything ever written.
- Madame!
- This had better work.
Come with me right now.
[Cruz] Monique DuBois.
[Selena] Oh, boy.
- [Monique] You're not allowed here.
- Least of your worries.
I'm making an arrest
in the attempted murder of Cassie Shore.
Who? Who pushed her?
But we can't escape the tide ♪
No, we can't escape the tide ♪
When it all goes down ♪
Archer School of Ballet. Yes.
Yes. Yes, ma'am. I'll be sure to share
your opinion with Madame DuBois.
Thank you for holding.
I-I'm afraid the director has no com
Oh, I… I see.
Uh, yeah. Thank you, sir.
Of course.
- [Monique] We can weather this.
- Thank you.
It's not a perception problem.
It's threatening our students.
That article could not be clearer.
The school has been selling donors access
to underage ballerinas.
We provided an opportunity
for certain girls to make an income.
By pimping them out.
[Monique] By fostering a partnership
with those who love the art form.
How was I supposed to know
there was a fox among the hens?
How can you assume there wouldn't be?
We cannot recover from this.
Let's not called the coroner yet.
National Arts Foundation just phoned.
Next quarter's installment is secure.
One lurid article
will not take down the Archer.
Except maybe it should.
I suppose you'd like that, Alan,
since I know you're already out there
scavenging other academies for a job.
Uh, not true.
In fact, it is.
- Well, can you blame him?
- I can repair this.
- Then do something. Admit we messed up.
- [Monique] We haven't.
Travis Quinn is being held without bail.
Justice will be served.
[Ramon] Not in time for Ripper.
Ticket sales are tanking.
There's cancellations.
[Monique]
People will look where we tell them to,
and right now that's
at the talent inside this building.
The show will go on.
You think?
- 'Cause I can put on a better one.
- I'm doing just fine, Katrina.
Yes, you had your name scrubbed
from that article.
If only the great Monique DuBois showed
the same concern for our dear school.
I've given my life to this place.
And have now so little left to offer.
Clearly, you're compromised.
And clearly you want nothing more than
to swoop in here and claim this office.
If that's what it takes
to fix the place, yes.
You're my executive committee,
and I serve at your pleasure,
but you all know
that I'm the one thing here
standing between you and oblivion.
You've seen me do it before,
let me do it again.
Please.
[Neveah]
Paige, hey, when do your parents get here?
You mean when do they tear Paige away
because you couldn't keep your mouth shut?
Neveah fought back,
stood up to what was happening here.
- Talking to that reporter was not cool.
- Neither was locking me on a roof, Bette.
At least Neveah was trying
to do the right thing.
And we're not done here.
I am.
Whatever you guys do to fix this place,
it's too late to keep me here.
We can build this school back into a place
where your parents will let you live.
Maybe.
[Oren] We turn the Archer around
starting with Ripper.
- Show the world what we can do.
- [Bette] How?
Scouts and company directors are bailing.
So we win 'em back. Neveah's right.
We're the Archer's best chance
at turning things around.
But how?
We do what you did. We make a video.
- What?
- [Nabil] Come on.
Sienna Milken's went viral.
Yeah, because she's Sienna Milken.
So? We have our own truth,
and it's time we told it.
Madame DuBois will not be happy… with you.
Some things are more important.
[inhales]
Join me for a drink.
[Selena] Madame, it would be my pleasure.
[sighs, joints crack]
- [drink pouring]
- [Monique grunts]
[sighs]
My mom saw pics online
of my face all over Chicago.
She's pretty proud.
Glad one woman in your life is happy.
- You okay?
- Yes.
My position's never been stronger.
- [Caleb] Doesn't look like it.
- [sighs] Caleb.
I'm here to fix things. I got a way
to have folks see past the bad buzz.
- You can sell tickets.
- No, no, no, no.
We shoot, like, a promo video of Ripper.
Not happening.
- You can't stop us.
- Of course I can. It's not your material.
But it is our school.
We got every right to fight for it.
[Monique clicks tongue]
I know you mean well, Caleb,
but I have this under control.
Okay?
Don't swan in here
and start messing things up.
- Madame, I'm ready to roll those calls.
- [Monique] Yes.
Thank you, Caleb.
Let's do this.
[exhales]
You came.
To see my daughter
dance a principal role?
Wouldn't miss it for the world.
[June gasps]
[monitor beeps]
Heard she was awake.
How's she doing?
They call it a minimally conscious state.
She comes and goes.
[Cassie exhales]
[Nabil] Despite everything, officer,
I'll never forget you saved Cassie's life.
I'm sorry for what I put you through.
You were on a hunt.
[Cruz] Well, I never did find
what I was looking for, but I do know…
That I did not push her.
- Uh, formidable.
- [both laugh]
So many of the facts pointed to you.
But the way I saw grief cut you open…
I saw myself in that.
Just wished I saw it earlier.
[gurgling]
- Cassie.
- It's okay, Cassie. You're okay.
Here.
Press and hold, got it?
Now talk.
- [straining] Pushed.
- [Nabil] No, no. You're okay.
Didn't didn't… f-fall.
Pushed.
Did you hear that? She said "pushed."
[Cruz] Who? Who pushed you, Cassie?
Cassie, we'll get you back.
We will.
["Crash The Party" by Blacc Beard playing]
Don't wanna hurt nobody, nobody ♪
It's three in the morning, morning ♪
We're crashing the party, party ♪
Hold up, hold up
Just can we get naughty, naughty? ♪
Feel the vibe coming on ya, on ya ♪
When we're crashing the party, party… ♪
[chuckles] How did Caleb do with Madame?
Eh, she killed the idea.
- That means we're all dead.
- Uh-uh. No way. We make that video.
We just… dance something else.
What else do we have?
[Neveah] You're giving me ideas.
Oh, yeah?
Hold up, hold up ♪
Don't wanna hurt nobody, body ♪
It's three in the morning, morning ♪
We're crashing the party, party ♪
Hold up, hold up ♪
- Just came to get naughty, naughty… ♪
- [both laughing]
Feel the vibe coming on ya, on ya ♪
When we're crashing the party, party ♪
- We step in cooler than Maine ♪
- Hey! ♪
- Outfit be the same ♪
- Hey! ♪
Better cuff your chick
'Cause if I see her, she's fair game… ♪
[laughs]
He he don't want no problems ♪
DJ, play my joint
Lemme get my groove on ♪
[Alan] That's it.
Press more into your three-quarter pointe.
Okay, now dome the arch.
Good.
Wrench…
you rebuilt me.
- [Alan] Well, with your hard work.
- [scoffs]
Never thought I'd say it,
but this place is lucky to have you.
Hmm. Yeah, well, I just wish I'd known
the truth about what happened with Paige.
You look around and wonder
why you kids tell us anything.
- You're done with the boot.
- I need that.
- Not anymore, you don't.
- Oh, my God, really?
Totally, seriously?
You're not fully healed, but you are ready
to get back on your feet and dance.
["I'm Yours"
by Elijah Woods and Jamie Fine playing]
Let me take you home… ♪
My sock. My shirt.
Your sexy underwear.
- They're like Fruit of the Loom.
- Who knew normcore could be so hot?
Neveah texted me.
She and Caleb got this big plan
to bring in the masses.
A sellout show won't be enough.
I've seen the numbers.
The Archer school is underwater.
So we fix it.
This place goes down,
I'm back to Asscrack, Colorado.
Not an option.
Hell, no.
'Cause I don't even cross town
for a booty call.
That was fun last night.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Good.
Seemed a little squirrelly.
Probably 'cause it's been a while since
I messed around with a guy who knew me.
You realize
I barely know anything about you.
Well, you know my name.
The real one.
It's kind of new for me.
Wow, I'm touched…
George… or was it Fred?
[laughing]
I know you're wanting to show me ♪
What you're wanting, what you need ♪
Feels better when you're putting it
On me, wanna take you home… ♪
Looking good!
- I ain't giving up.
- [both chuckle]
I think we should work together.
Tell a new story.
I sure could use a new one.
Wanna come up with something?
Hell, yeah, I do.
After class, then.
[Gwen laughs] The bitch is back!
First you're back on the poster.
Now you're back on your feet.
That's what hard work gets you.
Ease up before you tear something.
Cassie, she speak today.
She what?
Speak. Tell me someone push her.
Who? What did she say?
I was right. That cop was right.
This was no accident.
Who was it? Who's she blaming?
She didn't say.
But that truth will come in time.
Hello, team. Nice to see you all.
Today, I want to focus
on the ensemble finale.
But while the rest of you warm up,
let's see the first pas de deux.
Second entrance.
That's me.
Actually, Junebug, it's not yours now.
But thank you so much
for filling in while I recovered.
Best backup ever.
Oh, yeah, forgot to mention,
Whitlaw has been cleared to return.
Good on you.
Sir.
I won this role fair and square.
It was Bette's part before it was yours.
She earned it back.
There's no way
Bette can dance the choreography.
So I modify a few steps.
Wait, so you shrunk your vision
and dumbed down the dance for her?
June…
you dance like a virgin.
That's because, sir…
I am a virgin.
Why should you or anyone else care?
Look at the role. She's a prostitute.
And I'm here selling myself.
Nabil, step in.
Now!
I know what it's like
in the shadows, June.
Except this time, I actually won.
Oh, this isn't over.
Mr. Costa.
You'll be sorry you ever did this.
Places, please.
[winces] Damn bursitis,
rearing its swollen head
at the worst time.
Yeah,
we've been fighting this for years now.
[groans] I blame 40 years
of demanding the best from my body,
and now it's taking its revenge.
Well, when I can't alleviate a symptom,
I think it's because
I'm not addressing the root cause.
Emotional flare-ups
can cause physical flare-ups.
[gasps] What are you saying, my hip hurts
because Daddy never loved me?
Something like that.
A lot of women carry trauma in their hips.
For God's sakes.
Topher's told me things
that happened to you when you were young.
Things you tried to hide.
If you don't know how to help me
I do, Monique, but you won't go there,
and with everything that's happening here,
the accusations, the assault on Paige…
Do you have any idea
what I've done to keep this place going?
Perhaps more than you should have.
Yet, here I am with a dazzling ballet,
a story of hope
in the shape of Cassie Shore,
and two monsters facing jail.
So in the course of kicking ass
around here, if my hip gets sore,
I'd say I'm entitled to relief,
not some idiotic psychobabble.
Take a cue from me, Alan.
Get in there. Fix it.
[grunts]
[Neveah] Everyone else out there is
talking about who we are and what we want.
[Caleb] We're the ones with no voice.
- [Neveah] So we speak the best way we can.
- [June] To say what?
To show them who we are.
Just us, our dance moves,
and a kick-ass song.
Could be majorly lame.
Could also rock. We gotta try.
Madame would torpedo the idea
and kill us.
Not if we succeed.
Folks aren't up
for supporting the school right now.
- If we can show who we are…
- They'll buy tickets to the real thing.
I think it's a great idea.
You would.
Another episode of The Bette Show.
- It won't be that.
- [Bette] Your mom flew out to see you.
You want her showing up
to an empty theater?
No, I want her to watch me dance a solo,
but thanks to you
- [Neveah] June!
- [all] June!
All right. Bette.
- You can break us into the studio?
- Matteo can. Yeah.
- We shoot it on our phones?
- And we make it ours.
'Cause we were bitter rivals… ♪
[group chattering]
[Cassie] When you have no words,
when you're forced to press your message
through the keyhole of dance,
there's a distillation.
You render down the idea
until it's like you,
lean, perfect, nothing wasted.
And in that difficult process,
you become as sharp as a knife's edge,
capable of cutting through anything.
So are you saying… you want it back?
I guess I'm saying I never let it go.
We're talking about foul play.
Cassie said so herself.
And all your leads?
Dried up. I got nothing.
This is attempted murder.
We're talking ten to life.
I'll be taking this up the chain to folks
who've never been on the inside.
I'd say you got one day
before this gets taken away from you.
It's not enough. I need more time.
Yeah, where you gonna get it?
Look, if the puzzle doesn't come together,
you go looking for the one piece
that won't fit and cram it in there.
'Cause I'll tell you,
there's nothing worse
than watching the guilty walk.
We were bitter rivals
We were bitter rivals ♪
Bitter rivals ♪
We were bitter rivals ♪
We were bitter rivals
We were bitter rivals ♪
Shane sneaks out to Dev's some nights.
It wouldn't be hard
to find some time alone.
Maybe after we change the world
with this video?
You know you're cruel.
And you know I'm right.
So this video,
we'd kill it on camera together.
Yeah, and everyone would see it.
What, you're not sure about us?
Of course I'm not sure.
We need to figure out
what we are to each other
before we just broadcast it to the world.
Three years I dated a girl
who all she cared about
was what people thought.
About her, about me, about us.
I'm trying for once here to get real.
And if we dance the way we do,
they'll see it.
- You shouldn't care.
- But I do.
So, I think it's best if…
we dance solos tonight.
[Oren exhales]
That role was mine.
For every prima,
there are a dozen in the corps,
framing her, lifting her.
There is no center without a periphery.
Except when you danced,
you were the star.
The rest of us shouldn't
have to live on crumbs.
I offered you
a grand buffet you failed to enjoy.
You knew what was happening at the club.
I had no idea
they were using the girls like that.
Then you weren't paying attention.
Every ballerina
is the object of attention.
A real dancer courts it,
uses it.
That day in the studio,
I told you to stand your ground,
push back if you had to.
- I was scared.
- You were weak.
[shudders] Is that what you think?
Maybe you also think a girl dances better
after she's been raped.
Is that what you told yourself
[grunts, exhales]
[gasps] Don't you dare.
Don't you dare.
I'll take that as a yes.
When you have beautiful ballerinas
and wealthy men, it happens.
Romance.
I saw it.
I lived it.
I survived it.
That was no romance.
Paige will carry that pain forever,
and I bet Travis has done worse.
My guess, he pushed Cassie.
She was a Michi Beach girl.
All of this is on you.
Now, excuse me. I got what I came for.
["Spotlight" by Lex Junior playing]
- Ooh! ♪
- Don't stop fighting ♪
- Ooh-ooh! ♪
- The end's in sight now ♪
- Ooh-ooh! ♪
- Don't look behind you ♪
Stand up 'cause you're
In the spotlight ♪
[vocalizing]
Stand up 'cause you're
In the spotlight ♪
In the spotlight… ♪
[Torri] Gotta say,
I was surprised when you called.
When you bunk down in a dorm room,
[chuckles] you don't find yourself
entertaining very often.
And this here is my latest project.
[Cruz] Someone's got quite the fan club.
It's Cassie's shrine. I took it down.
I'm taking it all down to the hospital,
now that she's awake and up for reading.
That's kind of you.
- I'm a kind person.
- [chuckles]
So, word is she may spill the beans.
There may be an arrest coming.
It's one of my kids, isn't it?
I know the drill. You can't tell me.
Right now it's just
another mystery that's beyond me.
What was the last one?
Complicated.
[chuckles softly]
Try me.
I was married.
Her name was Zoe,
and we met serving in Afghanistan.
And you think
this is a tough place to connect.
But we finally got out,
got married, new life.
But the problem was that
Zoe couldn't shake the things she'd seen.
I mean, me, I'd seen the same shit,
done the same terrible things,
and I was…
Kept telling her to tough it out.
Just focus on the positive.
So many times Zoe tried
to show me the dark inside her, but…
I couldn't… look at it…
until she took that pain,
and she cut it out.
Oh, my God, Isabel.
Should have seen it coming.
If you're not on the front lines,
you can't
I was Zoe's front line.
And I failed her.
And this was the first chance
I had since to do something good,
and just like her, I let it slip away.
[sniffles, sighs]
[sniffles]
I shouldn't be here.
You work for the Archer's biggest donor.
It's time you saw what we can do.
And if this goes south
and he finds out I knew about it?
Please?
I've never had a guy before,
someone who I'm crazy about.
I've never been able
to show him what I can do.
- I've seen what you can do, Shane.
- Okay, then…
stay because your phone,
it's got a great camera
and we could use it.
[Dev scoffs]
[students chattering]
June.
If Bette takes over this
for even a minute, I am walking out.
We're all here for a bigger reason.
And you have no idea the ways
that girl can get what she wants.
[Caleb]
Okay, guys, so, for the two of you…
we're gonna do the individual list first,
and then we'll throw in your tour en l'air
section before the big trio lift. Cool?
Are you sure you should be here?
Why not? This here's a chance to go viral,
and this time not for
a drug-induced freakout at some hospital.
- Madame will see this as a betrayal.
- I'm the fricking face of this place.
What's she gonna do? Kick me out?
Except I know
there's more at stake for you.
You're damn right.
I show Madame I can do this,
I will finally, finally get her respect.
Now, I got you lined up
to dance soon so you can get to your girl.
Thank you.
And the part I dance tonight…
I would like to dance it with you.
All right, bitches, let's do this.
["Ooh Baby Baby" by Priscilla G playing]
Like ooh, baby, baby ♪
This new outfit
I know it really drive him crazy ♪
Like a lighter, I'm on fire
And I'm here to take the roof off ♪
Let's get it, we the business
This will knock your shoes off ♪
- She's so bad ♪
- Yeah, that's true ♪
Right here is brand-new, I get up
With my whole crew ♪
Let me show you what they can do ♪
Tell 'em that we run it
And we here to get up ♪
We do it like nobody
Ever did it before ♪
Sexy, kind of crazy body
Out of control ♪
I get up, stay shaggy from my head
To my toe ♪
I get up, I know I got it
So I let it all show ♪
I get up, never coming down
Up is all that we know… ♪
June, don't hog the floor!
Bette, easy.
It is never enough with you, is it?
I just want the boys looking good.
No, you just want more and more and more,
all the while
whilst choking the life out of me!
It's a sickness.
June, we'll get another take.
[June] No, the first one was great.
I'm off the clock.
Good on you, girl.
[scoffs]
Caleb, Nabil, you're up next.
["Feel Alive" by Fake Shark playing]
That's pure nostalgia ♪
Let me feel alive ♪
You make me feel alive ♪
[vocalizing]
Gotta do what you gotta do
To feel alive ♪
Hey-hey! [vocalizing]
Gotta do what you gotta do
To feel alive ♪
Hey, hey! ♪
Feel alive ♪
Let me feel alive ♪
You make me… ♪
[laughing]
- You did good!
- Thanks, man.
Hey. You did a good job, man, seriously.
All right, next group.
- [Ramon] Look at you.
- [shuddering]
Alive and kicking.
These days, not so high.
[Ramon] Cassie, you're not calling anyone.
[grunts]
To think you were once so perfect,
so strong.
Now scuttering along like a cockroach.
Word is you got your tongue back.
I'm glad.
It has many uses.
But when it comes to me
and the stories you tell,
you better hold it or that fall of yours
will feel like a warm-up act.
I have a right to the truth.
Not if it hurts me,
because I swear to God,
I will hurt you right back.
After everything?
Impossible.
No.
I can find the tiny pretty things you love
and tear their wings off.
What are you doing?
Nabil, look at your girlfriend.
Even now, pushing herself to the limit.
[grunts]
[Nabil]
Mr. Costa, you have no business here.
You should leave.
You hear that, Costa, huh? Go.
I mean you, Nabil.
- [Nabil] Not with him still here
- We're done.
Over.
- What did you say to her?
- Me? This is all on you, buddy.
It was never real.
No.
No, that's not true.
Huh? Do you forget?
Our summer? Our love?
I was here for you every day.
Don't you remember, don't you…
Don't you know we love each other?
What we had, Nabil…
A fling.
A stupid summer fling.
[scoffs] Come on, that's not true.
- Cassie.
- You're upsetting the girl.
What did you do?
- What did you say to her?
- Calm down, kid.
He's the man, yes?
That photo of you,
it was him in the picture.
Leave, Nabil.
Now.
I can't believe this is what you want.
Sorry. You didn't cut it.
[Nabil panting]
[sobs]
[Ramon] Good girl.
["Adore You" by Harry Styles playing]
Strawberry lipstick state of mind ♪
State of mind ♪
I get so lost inside your eyes ♪
Would you believe it? ♪
You don't have to say you love me
You don't have to say nothing ♪
You don't have to say you're mine ♪
Honey, I'd walk through fire for you ♪
Just let me adore you ♪
Oh, honey… ♪
You like that?
It's a bit weird you want to kiss
your boyfriend in front of me, but hey.
Shane, you rocked it. Let it go.
This room right here, it's sacred.
You shouldn't be here.
Except Matteo's the reason
we even got in here tonight.
- That means he can call me a faggot?
- [laughs] Get over it.
I want to punch you in the face!
- Go for it.
- Hey! We are not fighting here tonight.
We are making a thing of fucking beauty,
and that's all I'm about to stand for!
Shane, out.
- Are you kidding me?
- Dead serious.
Matty, make it right. Just say it.
[sighs] All right.
I'm sorry.
- Fuck you!
- All right, we're out of here.
- No, we're not.
- He apologized.
- Sure, when he had to.
- It's like nothing's ever enough for you.
Why should I settle for scraps?
I had enough guys like him in Colorado.
Yeah, well, guess what.
They're here too.
I mean, this guy is trying to do better.
Well, I don't have to take it.
No, you can just
live your life in your ballet bubble,
chip on your shoulder,
looking for something to punch.
Well, at least I hit first.
And you hit everyone
until there's no one left.
The guy's offering.
If you won't take it,
that means you are now the problem.
[sighs]
- The boyfriend. Nice guy.
- [Bette chuckles]
Yeah, and clearly no prince.
Well, princes are overrated.
I mean, you look good and all,
but when the going gets rough?
[Oren] Yeah.
We cheat on you with a dude.
Well, this princess did the same.
Honestly?
I think the guy's scared.
Of what?
Of you, Bette.
You know what you want,
and it's scary how often you get it.
That's not true.
I think you found someone
who gives a damn.
So give him a shot.
I'll deny it
if you ever tell her I told you…
but inside and out…
Neveah Stroyer's the best one here.
Still not sure she's feeling it.
[chuckles] Trust me.
I know love when I see it.
[huffs]
[shuddering]
June! Get down! Stop!
What were you doing?
What do you think?
You could have died!
I was so close to the prize.
So close to getting my mother back.
[sighs] You still can.
Anyone can see there's goodness
I'm sorry.
Why? I'm the one who kissed you.
Look, we've been locked out
of here once before.
It won't happen again.
I'm going to show that little bitch
I won't be pushed around.
["Nina Cried Power" by Hozier playing]
It's not the waking, it's the rising ♪
It is the grounding
Of a foot uncompromising… ♪
Let's do this.
It's not the waking, it's the rising ♪
It's not the shade
We should be past it ♪
It's the light
And it's the obstacle that casts it ♪
It's the heat that drives the light ♪
It's the fire it ignites… ♪
Can we talk?
It's not the song, it is the singing ♪
It's the heaven
Of a human spirit ringing… ♪
It is the bringing of the light… ♪
What?
It's not the waking, it's the rising ♪
- And I could cry power, power! ♪
- Power, power! ♪
Power, Nina cried power ♪
Billie cried power ♪
Mavis cried power ♪
- And I could cry power, power! ♪
- Power, power! ♪
Power! ♪
Power! ♪
Curtis cried power ♪
Happy cried power ♪
Nina cried power ♪
It's not the wall but what's behind it ♪
Lord
The fear of foul men is mere assignment ♪
And everything that we're denied
By keeping the divide ♪
It's not the waking, it's the rising ♪
- And I could cry power! ♪
- Power! ♪
- Power! Oh-oh! ♪
- Power! ♪
Power! ♪
Nina cried power ♪
Lennon cried power ♪
James Brown cried power ♪
- And I could cry power ♪
- Power! ♪
Power! Power! ♪
Power! ♪
Billie cried power ♪
Joni cried power ♪
Nina cried power ♪
And I could cry power ♪
Power has been cried
By those stronger than me ♪
Straight into the face that tells you
To rattle your chains [laughs]
If you love being free ♪
- Ah, Lord, I could cry power! ♪
- Power! ♪
'Cause power is my love
When my love reaches to me ♪
James Brown cried power ♪
Seeger cried power ♪
Marvin cried power ♪
Yeah, yeah! Oh, power! ♪
James cried power ♪
Lennon cried power ♪
Patti cried power, yeah, yeah! ♪
Billie cried, Dylan cried, Woody cried ♪
Nina cried power ♪
[footsteps approaching]
- [grunts]
- Straighten your knees.
- [exhales, grunts]
- It's for your own good, Monica.
It hurts so much.
It has to. And again.
- I'm tired.
- [Bette] I can help.
Please, it will make me feel better.
No.
I'm taking it away.
If you do that, I'm nothing.
Teach her.
Now.
I could never make it hurt enough.
When you're taller, thinner,
- higher, firmer.
- [grunting]
- [grunting]
- It's too late, Madame.
- This cannot be corrected.
- It's my fault. [grunts]
My failure. The only way I'll learn.
[grunts]
- Not true. There's another.
- [grunts]
- [door opens]
- [gasps]
Caleb. [sighs]
For God's sakes.
I want you to know I did it… the video.
And it's dropping tonight.
- Good Lord.
- It's gonna be epic.
- This is not amateur hour.
- No, it's war.
I need to fight for what really matters.
Hell, I know you won't.
Everything I've done is for you,
for every student here.
And I'm more than a student,
so stop treating me like a child.
But I should, Caleb.
That's my job.
Not to wound and weaken you,
but to help you grow.
Which is why I need to end this.
No. No, no, that's not what I'm saying.
I get it. The heat's on, people crack.
But not me.
Sooner or later, we all do.
It was me that came on to you, Monique.
I ached so hard.
And you took that away.
I am the adult in the room,
Caleb, and I'm telling you…
I've done you harm.
That ends tonight.
We end tonight.
Don't you get it?
I want this.
You might not see it now,
but the day will come
when you see everything,
and it will hurt.
It will all hurt.
And I'll be the reason why.
[Cassie] What if I don't remember?
I think you do.
And I think you're scared
you'll name names, and we won't convict,
and then they'll come back for you again.
Some would have done anything
to get what you had,
and I suppose that one
of these students did.
But with me out of the picture,
there was a new queen bee, wasn't there?
Whoever pushed you certainly benefited
from your fall.
[gasps]
Help me, Cassie.
I can't be wrong again.
You want a name?
I've got one.
["I'm a Dreamer" by Tom Belton playing]
I'm a dreamer, I'm a dreamer
I'm a dreamer ♪
What you gonna do about it?
I'm a dreamer ♪
I'm a dreamer, I'm a dreamer
I'm a dreamer ♪
How you gonna stop a soul like this
From flying? ♪
I'm a dreamer, I'm a dreamer
I'm a dreamer ♪
Man on the phone tries
To lock me down… ♪
[Cassie]
A good dance is a series of pathways,
a way forward that leads the body
to its inevitable expression.
It's a strength you can't give up…
a truth that no one can deny.
You may think words are
the strongest thing we have…
but sometimes it's our own bodies
that can be even more eloquent.
What you gonna do about it?
I'm a dreamer ♪
I'm a dreamer, I'm a dreamer
I'm a dreamer… ♪
Really small HD camera. Mom, don't.
What? I can't sneak one photo
of you up dancing on stage?
It's your first big solo,
and I'm not letting this moment pass.
Mum, I lost it.
I had it in my hands, and…
I let it slip.
I'm back dancing in the corps.
I failed again.
You did not fail.
You fought to stay in the school enough
to stand up to me.
You supported yourself and still had
the good grace to invite me here.
And every day, dear June, you danced.
You are your mother's daughter.
You're stronger than you think.
[Topher]
Like it or not, we're seen as a package,
and you out scavenging for another job,
that's not a good look for me.
How can you want to work here?
Because, as you know…
[sighs] …things heal.
Sure, you may find a job in another city,
but what about me?
The world isn't crying out
for an aging ballet master.
You don't think it's time
Monique DuBois was canceled?
Of course I do,
but then who replaces her?
[Alan] Topher…
you do.
You're insane.
No, the board respects you. Plenty know
you're behind the school's success.
I mean, you basically built Delia Whitlaw
from the ground up.
- All Monique does is
- [Topher] Swan in and take credit, I know.
But running this place,
that… that's beyond me.
So together, we fix what's broken.
And we'll be ruined
the same way Monique was, trust me.
Ballet is the great destroyer.
But you'd have my support.
It's no match for what we'd be up against.
I love you for thinking that
I even stand a chance to run this place.
But I'm sorry.
I'm not that man.
["The Tide" by Jade Moon playing]
When it all goes down
Comes tumbling down ♪
Leaving no traces, leaving no traces ♪
This is where we break the ties ♪
Head to head, face to face… ♪
The night is nearly sold out.
And so we stand in the spotlight.
[camera shutters clicking]
Thank you for joining us this evening
to celebrate the talents who live
and work in the Archer School of Ballet.
No doubt you're here to ask
about any involvement
with the Michi Beach Club scandal,
but I'd rather celebrate
the video I commissioned
which lets our students' passion
speak for itself.
Our young dancers refuse to be seen
as victims and will not be silenced.
Today, we celebrate their futures.
Thank you.
[woman] Madame.
When it all goes down
Comes tumbling down ♪
When it all goes down
Comes tumbling down… ♪
The buzz is back.
Would you believe I'm already getting
calls for a professional tour of Ripper?
I would not.
Those things are booked far in advance.
I guess we're all looking
for a last-minute opening.
Relax, Topher.
I'll be gone soon.
You'll have the place to yourself.
I'm counting the hours.
You don't belong
in this building, in this city,
in this art form.
I remember another opening night
years ago.
You slipping me the tongue.
I was a young, drunk idiot.
It's true.
[Topher] Hey! Hey!
But you still want your hands on it,
don't you?
The balls to go and get the job done.
Oh, wait, you don't have them.
Thank you, Ramon.
Moving on.
Yes.
At least one of us is.
What happened?
You're right.
This place deserves better.
And you and I
Time's right. This school
Is ours for the taking.
When it all goes down
Comes tumbling down ♪
When it all goes down ♪
Oh-oh! Oh-oh! ♪
But we can't escape the tide… ♪
- Madame!
- This had better work.
- Come with me right now.
- [Cruz] Monique DuBois!
[Selena] Oh, boy.
- [Monique] You're not allowed here.
- Least of your worries.
I'm making an arrest
in the attempted murder of Cassie Shore.
Who? Who pushed her?
[students chattering]
Elizabeth Whitlaw, you are under arrest
for the attempted murder of Cassie Shore.
- Excuse me.
- [handcuffs ratcheting]
[Cruz]
You have the right to remain silent.
You have the right to an attorney.
If you cannot afford an attorney,
one will be appointed to you.
Is this some kind of joke?
It wasn't me.
I didn't do it! I didn't do it!
It's okay. It's okay.
You're gonna be okay.
Oren!
Mom! Please help me.
Mom!
Mom, you can't let them do this to me!
[Katrina] I'll call your father.
Nabil, are you okay?
This is not the truth I hoped to find.
- [Caleb] Who knew Bette had it in her?
- Bette did not do this.
Then why'd they arrest her?
'Cause end of the day,
they still need a guy.
She's got nobody. What do we do?
We'll cut Bette's solo.
Repeat the opening pas de six,
go straight to the coda.
Have everyone shift one place stage right
and exit a wing further downstage.
No pas de deux.
The whole piece hinges
on Bette'spas and the solo that ends it.
So I dance it.
- Oh, June.
- I'm selling myself, sir.
And let's face it…
you're buying.
Wow!
I guess I am overdressed.
Bette was arrested.
The girl in the coma,
they think it's because Bette tried
to kill her.
What? Who are you people?
Here's the deal.
I'm not a fan of Bette.
She's tried to crush me since day one.
But she didn't do this.
Why do you give a damn?
Because I know what it's like
to have no one.
Right now that's what she's feeling.
Go find her.
Tell her we're here dancing,
making sure she'll still have a school
to come back to.
[Matteo panting]
[Cassie] When you dance
a choreographer's vision,
it can be hard to make sense of it.
Sometimes they don't know what they mean.
But you know what you do.
At the end of the day,
you don't need someone else
telling you how to say what's inside you.
My daughter's dancing in the corps.
I'll point her out.
I should get to the station.
- There's no point. They won't talk to you.
- [sighs]
Off to cover up your next scandal
now that Bette was arrested?
Enjoy tonight.
It'll be the last show you ever dance.
Which makes me the one person here
with nothing to lose.
So I'll do everything I can, Madame,
to destroy you.
["Known Better" by Nuela Charles playing]
I didn't think you'd be bad for me ♪
Bad for me ♪
'Cause I thought you were so charming ♪
So charming ♪
'Cause everywhere you go
Everywhere you go ♪
Everybody says look at how he rolls ♪
See it in his eyes, incapable of lies ♪
But I can't be mad ♪
I can't be ♪
I should have known better ♪
You'd reel me in
And then let me go slow ♪
I should have known better ♪
The higher we go
The further down we fall ♪
La-la-la, la-la-la
I should have known, la-la-la… ♪
[Cassie] Your turn to fly.
[gasps]
[gasps, grunts]
La-la-la, la-la-la ♪
Everywhere you go, everybody knows
I should have known ♪
["When Everything is Gone"
by Geoffroy playing]
[vocalizing]
Don't get caught up
If I treat you well ♪
I'm too short of attention
Short on space ♪
I'll phase you out like a coward ♪
Oh, I don't mean to hurt you
I know you're a sweetheart ♪
But it might be best for you ♪
It might be best
To keep your distance now ♪
I'm only trouble
I care for my own heart ♪
Cared enough
Now I’m back at the start ♪
[vocalizing]
We fight 'em all
We had it all, we're so fun… ♪
[Cassie] Every ballet starts as an idea,
a vision passed from choreographer
to dancer to audience.
You receive those ideas,
but they don't come through words.
Leaving no traces, leaving… ♪
[Cassie] At its worst,
the limits of dance can feel like a trap,
but when it works,
ballet is more eloquent
than anything ever written.
- Madame!
- This had better work.
Come with me right now.
[Cruz] Monique DuBois.
[Selena] Oh, boy.
- [Monique] You're not allowed here.
- Least of your worries.
I'm making an arrest
in the attempted murder of Cassie Shore.
Who? Who pushed her?
But we can't escape the tide ♪
No, we can't escape the tide ♪
When it all goes down ♪
Archer School of Ballet. Yes.
Yes. Yes, ma'am. I'll be sure to share
your opinion with Madame DuBois.
Thank you for holding.
I-I'm afraid the director has no com
Oh, I… I see.
Uh, yeah. Thank you, sir.
Of course.
- [Monique] We can weather this.
- Thank you.
It's not a perception problem.
It's threatening our students.
That article could not be clearer.
The school has been selling donors access
to underage ballerinas.
We provided an opportunity
for certain girls to make an income.
By pimping them out.
[Monique] By fostering a partnership
with those who love the art form.
How was I supposed to know
there was a fox among the hens?
How can you assume there wouldn't be?
We cannot recover from this.
Let's not called the coroner yet.
National Arts Foundation just phoned.
Next quarter's installment is secure.
One lurid article
will not take down the Archer.
Except maybe it should.
I suppose you'd like that, Alan,
since I know you're already out there
scavenging other academies for a job.
Uh, not true.
In fact, it is.
- Well, can you blame him?
- I can repair this.
- Then do something. Admit we messed up.
- [Monique] We haven't.
Travis Quinn is being held without bail.
Justice will be served.
[Ramon] Not in time for Ripper.
Ticket sales are tanking.
There's cancellations.
[Monique]
People will look where we tell them to,
and right now that's
at the talent inside this building.
The show will go on.
You think?
- 'Cause I can put on a better one.
- I'm doing just fine, Katrina.
Yes, you had your name scrubbed
from that article.
If only the great Monique DuBois showed
the same concern for our dear school.
I've given my life to this place.
And have now so little left to offer.
Clearly, you're compromised.
And clearly you want nothing more than
to swoop in here and claim this office.
If that's what it takes
to fix the place, yes.
You're my executive committee,
and I serve at your pleasure,
but you all know
that I'm the one thing here
standing between you and oblivion.
You've seen me do it before,
let me do it again.
Please.
[Neveah]
Paige, hey, when do your parents get here?
You mean when do they tear Paige away
because you couldn't keep your mouth shut?
Neveah fought back,
stood up to what was happening here.
- Talking to that reporter was not cool.
- Neither was locking me on a roof, Bette.
At least Neveah was trying
to do the right thing.
And we're not done here.
I am.
Whatever you guys do to fix this place,
it's too late to keep me here.
We can build this school back into a place
where your parents will let you live.
Maybe.
[Oren] We turn the Archer around
starting with Ripper.
- Show the world what we can do.
- [Bette] How?
Scouts and company directors are bailing.
So we win 'em back. Neveah's right.
We're the Archer's best chance
at turning things around.
But how?
We do what you did. We make a video.
- What?
- [Nabil] Come on.
Sienna Milken's went viral.
Yeah, because she's Sienna Milken.
So? We have our own truth,
and it's time we told it.
Madame DuBois will not be happy… with you.
Some things are more important.
[inhales]
Join me for a drink.
[Selena] Madame, it would be my pleasure.
[sighs, joints crack]
- [drink pouring]
- [Monique grunts]
[sighs]
My mom saw pics online
of my face all over Chicago.
She's pretty proud.
Glad one woman in your life is happy.
- You okay?
- Yes.
My position's never been stronger.
- [Caleb] Doesn't look like it.
- [sighs] Caleb.
I'm here to fix things. I got a way
to have folks see past the bad buzz.
- You can sell tickets.
- No, no, no, no.
We shoot, like, a promo video of Ripper.
Not happening.
- You can't stop us.
- Of course I can. It's not your material.
But it is our school.
We got every right to fight for it.
[Monique clicks tongue]
I know you mean well, Caleb,
but I have this under control.
Okay?
Don't swan in here
and start messing things up.
- Madame, I'm ready to roll those calls.
- [Monique] Yes.
Thank you, Caleb.
Let's do this.
[exhales]
You came.
To see my daughter
dance a principal role?
Wouldn't miss it for the world.
[June gasps]
[monitor beeps]
Heard she was awake.
How's she doing?
They call it a minimally conscious state.
She comes and goes.
[Cassie exhales]
[Nabil] Despite everything, officer,
I'll never forget you saved Cassie's life.
I'm sorry for what I put you through.
You were on a hunt.
[Cruz] Well, I never did find
what I was looking for, but I do know…
That I did not push her.
- Uh, formidable.
- [both laugh]
So many of the facts pointed to you.
But the way I saw grief cut you open…
I saw myself in that.
Just wished I saw it earlier.
[gurgling]
- Cassie.
- It's okay, Cassie. You're okay.
Here.
Press and hold, got it?
Now talk.
- [straining] Pushed.
- [Nabil] No, no. You're okay.
Didn't didn't… f-fall.
Pushed.
Did you hear that? She said "pushed."
[Cruz] Who? Who pushed you, Cassie?
Cassie, we'll get you back.
We will.
["Crash The Party" by Blacc Beard playing]
Don't wanna hurt nobody, nobody ♪
It's three in the morning, morning ♪
We're crashing the party, party ♪
Hold up, hold up
Just can we get naughty, naughty? ♪
Feel the vibe coming on ya, on ya ♪
When we're crashing the party, party… ♪
[chuckles] How did Caleb do with Madame?
Eh, she killed the idea.
- That means we're all dead.
- Uh-uh. No way. We make that video.
We just… dance something else.
What else do we have?
[Neveah] You're giving me ideas.
Oh, yeah?
Hold up, hold up ♪
Don't wanna hurt nobody, body ♪
It's three in the morning, morning ♪
We're crashing the party, party ♪
Hold up, hold up ♪
- Just came to get naughty, naughty… ♪
- [both laughing]
Feel the vibe coming on ya, on ya ♪
When we're crashing the party, party ♪
- We step in cooler than Maine ♪
- Hey! ♪
- Outfit be the same ♪
- Hey! ♪
Better cuff your chick
'Cause if I see her, she's fair game… ♪
[laughs]
He he don't want no problems ♪
DJ, play my joint
Lemme get my groove on ♪
[Alan] That's it.
Press more into your three-quarter pointe.
Okay, now dome the arch.
Good.
Wrench…
you rebuilt me.
- [Alan] Well, with your hard work.
- [scoffs]
Never thought I'd say it,
but this place is lucky to have you.
Hmm. Yeah, well, I just wish I'd known
the truth about what happened with Paige.
You look around and wonder
why you kids tell us anything.
- You're done with the boot.
- I need that.
- Not anymore, you don't.
- Oh, my God, really?
Totally, seriously?
You're not fully healed, but you are ready
to get back on your feet and dance.
["I'm Yours"
by Elijah Woods and Jamie Fine playing]
Let me take you home… ♪
My sock. My shirt.
Your sexy underwear.
- They're like Fruit of the Loom.
- Who knew normcore could be so hot?
Neveah texted me.
She and Caleb got this big plan
to bring in the masses.
A sellout show won't be enough.
I've seen the numbers.
The Archer school is underwater.
So we fix it.
This place goes down,
I'm back to Asscrack, Colorado.
Not an option.
Hell, no.
'Cause I don't even cross town
for a booty call.
That was fun last night.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Good.
Seemed a little squirrelly.
Probably 'cause it's been a while since
I messed around with a guy who knew me.
You realize
I barely know anything about you.
Well, you know my name.
The real one.
It's kind of new for me.
Wow, I'm touched…
George… or was it Fred?
[laughing]
I know you're wanting to show me ♪
What you're wanting, what you need ♪
Feels better when you're putting it
On me, wanna take you home… ♪
Looking good!
- I ain't giving up.
- [both chuckle]
I think we should work together.
Tell a new story.
I sure could use a new one.
Wanna come up with something?
Hell, yeah, I do.
After class, then.
[Gwen laughs] The bitch is back!
First you're back on the poster.
Now you're back on your feet.
That's what hard work gets you.
Ease up before you tear something.
Cassie, she speak today.
She what?
Speak. Tell me someone push her.
Who? What did she say?
I was right. That cop was right.
This was no accident.
Who was it? Who's she blaming?
She didn't say.
But that truth will come in time.
Hello, team. Nice to see you all.
Today, I want to focus
on the ensemble finale.
But while the rest of you warm up,
let's see the first pas de deux.
Second entrance.
That's me.
Actually, Junebug, it's not yours now.
But thank you so much
for filling in while I recovered.
Best backup ever.
Oh, yeah, forgot to mention,
Whitlaw has been cleared to return.
Good on you.
Sir.
I won this role fair and square.
It was Bette's part before it was yours.
She earned it back.
There's no way
Bette can dance the choreography.
So I modify a few steps.
Wait, so you shrunk your vision
and dumbed down the dance for her?
June…
you dance like a virgin.
That's because, sir…
I am a virgin.
Why should you or anyone else care?
Look at the role. She's a prostitute.
And I'm here selling myself.
Nabil, step in.
Now!
I know what it's like
in the shadows, June.
Except this time, I actually won.
Oh, this isn't over.
Mr. Costa.
You'll be sorry you ever did this.
Places, please.
[winces] Damn bursitis,
rearing its swollen head
at the worst time.
Yeah,
we've been fighting this for years now.
[groans] I blame 40 years
of demanding the best from my body,
and now it's taking its revenge.
Well, when I can't alleviate a symptom,
I think it's because
I'm not addressing the root cause.
Emotional flare-ups
can cause physical flare-ups.
[gasps] What are you saying, my hip hurts
because Daddy never loved me?
Something like that.
A lot of women carry trauma in their hips.
For God's sakes.
Topher's told me things
that happened to you when you were young.
Things you tried to hide.
If you don't know how to help me
I do, Monique, but you won't go there,
and with everything that's happening here,
the accusations, the assault on Paige…
Do you have any idea
what I've done to keep this place going?
Perhaps more than you should have.
Yet, here I am with a dazzling ballet,
a story of hope
in the shape of Cassie Shore,
and two monsters facing jail.
So in the course of kicking ass
around here, if my hip gets sore,
I'd say I'm entitled to relief,
not some idiotic psychobabble.
Take a cue from me, Alan.
Get in there. Fix it.
[grunts]
[Neveah] Everyone else out there is
talking about who we are and what we want.
[Caleb] We're the ones with no voice.
- [Neveah] So we speak the best way we can.
- [June] To say what?
To show them who we are.
Just us, our dance moves,
and a kick-ass song.
Could be majorly lame.
Could also rock. We gotta try.
Madame would torpedo the idea
and kill us.
Not if we succeed.
Folks aren't up
for supporting the school right now.
- If we can show who we are…
- They'll buy tickets to the real thing.
I think it's a great idea.
You would.
Another episode of The Bette Show.
- It won't be that.
- [Bette] Your mom flew out to see you.
You want her showing up
to an empty theater?
No, I want her to watch me dance a solo,
but thanks to you
- [Neveah] June!
- [all] June!
All right. Bette.
- You can break us into the studio?
- Matteo can. Yeah.
- We shoot it on our phones?
- And we make it ours.
'Cause we were bitter rivals… ♪
[group chattering]
[Cassie] When you have no words,
when you're forced to press your message
through the keyhole of dance,
there's a distillation.
You render down the idea
until it's like you,
lean, perfect, nothing wasted.
And in that difficult process,
you become as sharp as a knife's edge,
capable of cutting through anything.
So are you saying… you want it back?
I guess I'm saying I never let it go.
We're talking about foul play.
Cassie said so herself.
And all your leads?
Dried up. I got nothing.
This is attempted murder.
We're talking ten to life.
I'll be taking this up the chain to folks
who've never been on the inside.
I'd say you got one day
before this gets taken away from you.
It's not enough. I need more time.
Yeah, where you gonna get it?
Look, if the puzzle doesn't come together,
you go looking for the one piece
that won't fit and cram it in there.
'Cause I'll tell you,
there's nothing worse
than watching the guilty walk.
We were bitter rivals
We were bitter rivals ♪
Bitter rivals ♪
We were bitter rivals ♪
We were bitter rivals
We were bitter rivals ♪
Shane sneaks out to Dev's some nights.
It wouldn't be hard
to find some time alone.
Maybe after we change the world
with this video?
You know you're cruel.
And you know I'm right.
So this video,
we'd kill it on camera together.
Yeah, and everyone would see it.
What, you're not sure about us?
Of course I'm not sure.
We need to figure out
what we are to each other
before we just broadcast it to the world.
Three years I dated a girl
who all she cared about
was what people thought.
About her, about me, about us.
I'm trying for once here to get real.
And if we dance the way we do,
they'll see it.
- You shouldn't care.
- But I do.
So, I think it's best if…
we dance solos tonight.
[Oren exhales]
That role was mine.
For every prima,
there are a dozen in the corps,
framing her, lifting her.
There is no center without a periphery.
Except when you danced,
you were the star.
The rest of us shouldn't
have to live on crumbs.
I offered you
a grand buffet you failed to enjoy.
You knew what was happening at the club.
I had no idea
they were using the girls like that.
Then you weren't paying attention.
Every ballerina
is the object of attention.
A real dancer courts it,
uses it.
That day in the studio,
I told you to stand your ground,
push back if you had to.
- I was scared.
- You were weak.
[shudders] Is that what you think?
Maybe you also think a girl dances better
after she's been raped.
Is that what you told yourself
[grunts, exhales]
[gasps] Don't you dare.
Don't you dare.
I'll take that as a yes.
When you have beautiful ballerinas
and wealthy men, it happens.
Romance.
I saw it.
I lived it.
I survived it.
That was no romance.
Paige will carry that pain forever,
and I bet Travis has done worse.
My guess, he pushed Cassie.
She was a Michi Beach girl.
All of this is on you.
Now, excuse me. I got what I came for.
["Spotlight" by Lex Junior playing]
- Ooh! ♪
- Don't stop fighting ♪
- Ooh-ooh! ♪
- The end's in sight now ♪
- Ooh-ooh! ♪
- Don't look behind you ♪
Stand up 'cause you're
In the spotlight ♪
[vocalizing]
Stand up 'cause you're
In the spotlight ♪
In the spotlight… ♪
[Torri] Gotta say,
I was surprised when you called.
When you bunk down in a dorm room,
[chuckles] you don't find yourself
entertaining very often.
And this here is my latest project.
[Cruz] Someone's got quite the fan club.
It's Cassie's shrine. I took it down.
I'm taking it all down to the hospital,
now that she's awake and up for reading.
That's kind of you.
- I'm a kind person.
- [chuckles]
So, word is she may spill the beans.
There may be an arrest coming.
It's one of my kids, isn't it?
I know the drill. You can't tell me.
Right now it's just
another mystery that's beyond me.
What was the last one?
Complicated.
[chuckles softly]
Try me.
I was married.
Her name was Zoe,
and we met serving in Afghanistan.
And you think
this is a tough place to connect.
But we finally got out,
got married, new life.
But the problem was that
Zoe couldn't shake the things she'd seen.
I mean, me, I'd seen the same shit,
done the same terrible things,
and I was…
Kept telling her to tough it out.
Just focus on the positive.
So many times Zoe tried
to show me the dark inside her, but…
I couldn't… look at it…
until she took that pain,
and she cut it out.
Oh, my God, Isabel.
Should have seen it coming.
If you're not on the front lines,
you can't
I was Zoe's front line.
And I failed her.
And this was the first chance
I had since to do something good,
and just like her, I let it slip away.
[sniffles, sighs]
[sniffles]
I shouldn't be here.
You work for the Archer's biggest donor.
It's time you saw what we can do.
And if this goes south
and he finds out I knew about it?
Please?
I've never had a guy before,
someone who I'm crazy about.
I've never been able
to show him what I can do.
- I've seen what you can do, Shane.
- Okay, then…
stay because your phone,
it's got a great camera
and we could use it.
[Dev scoffs]
[students chattering]
June.
If Bette takes over this
for even a minute, I am walking out.
We're all here for a bigger reason.
And you have no idea the ways
that girl can get what she wants.
[Caleb]
Okay, guys, so, for the two of you…
we're gonna do the individual list first,
and then we'll throw in your tour en l'air
section before the big trio lift. Cool?
Are you sure you should be here?
Why not? This here's a chance to go viral,
and this time not for
a drug-induced freakout at some hospital.
- Madame will see this as a betrayal.
- I'm the fricking face of this place.
What's she gonna do? Kick me out?
Except I know
there's more at stake for you.
You're damn right.
I show Madame I can do this,
I will finally, finally get her respect.
Now, I got you lined up
to dance soon so you can get to your girl.
Thank you.
And the part I dance tonight…
I would like to dance it with you.
All right, bitches, let's do this.
["Ooh Baby Baby" by Priscilla G playing]
Like ooh, baby, baby ♪
This new outfit
I know it really drive him crazy ♪
Like a lighter, I'm on fire
And I'm here to take the roof off ♪
Let's get it, we the business
This will knock your shoes off ♪
- She's so bad ♪
- Yeah, that's true ♪
Right here is brand-new, I get up
With my whole crew ♪
Let me show you what they can do ♪
Tell 'em that we run it
And we here to get up ♪
We do it like nobody
Ever did it before ♪
Sexy, kind of crazy body
Out of control ♪
I get up, stay shaggy from my head
To my toe ♪
I get up, I know I got it
So I let it all show ♪
I get up, never coming down
Up is all that we know… ♪
June, don't hog the floor!
Bette, easy.
It is never enough with you, is it?
I just want the boys looking good.
No, you just want more and more and more,
all the while
whilst choking the life out of me!
It's a sickness.
June, we'll get another take.
[June] No, the first one was great.
I'm off the clock.
Good on you, girl.
[scoffs]
Caleb, Nabil, you're up next.
["Feel Alive" by Fake Shark playing]
That's pure nostalgia ♪
Let me feel alive ♪
You make me feel alive ♪
[vocalizing]
Gotta do what you gotta do
To feel alive ♪
Hey-hey! [vocalizing]
Gotta do what you gotta do
To feel alive ♪
Hey, hey! ♪
Feel alive ♪
Let me feel alive ♪
You make me… ♪
[laughing]
- You did good!
- Thanks, man.
Hey. You did a good job, man, seriously.
All right, next group.
- [Ramon] Look at you.
- [shuddering]
Alive and kicking.
These days, not so high.
[Ramon] Cassie, you're not calling anyone.
[grunts]
To think you were once so perfect,
so strong.
Now scuttering along like a cockroach.
Word is you got your tongue back.
I'm glad.
It has many uses.
But when it comes to me
and the stories you tell,
you better hold it or that fall of yours
will feel like a warm-up act.
I have a right to the truth.
Not if it hurts me,
because I swear to God,
I will hurt you right back.
After everything?
Impossible.
No.
I can find the tiny pretty things you love
and tear their wings off.
What are you doing?
Nabil, look at your girlfriend.
Even now, pushing herself to the limit.
[grunts]
[Nabil]
Mr. Costa, you have no business here.
You should leave.
You hear that, Costa, huh? Go.
I mean you, Nabil.
- [Nabil] Not with him still here
- We're done.
Over.
- What did you say to her?
- Me? This is all on you, buddy.
It was never real.
No.
No, that's not true.
Huh? Do you forget?
Our summer? Our love?
I was here for you every day.
Don't you remember, don't you…
Don't you know we love each other?
What we had, Nabil…
A fling.
A stupid summer fling.
[scoffs] Come on, that's not true.
- Cassie.
- You're upsetting the girl.
What did you do?
- What did you say to her?
- Calm down, kid.
He's the man, yes?
That photo of you,
it was him in the picture.
Leave, Nabil.
Now.
I can't believe this is what you want.
Sorry. You didn't cut it.
[Nabil panting]
[sobs]
[Ramon] Good girl.
["Adore You" by Harry Styles playing]
Strawberry lipstick state of mind ♪
State of mind ♪
I get so lost inside your eyes ♪
Would you believe it? ♪
You don't have to say you love me
You don't have to say nothing ♪
You don't have to say you're mine ♪
Honey, I'd walk through fire for you ♪
Just let me adore you ♪
Oh, honey… ♪
You like that?
It's a bit weird you want to kiss
your boyfriend in front of me, but hey.
Shane, you rocked it. Let it go.
This room right here, it's sacred.
You shouldn't be here.
Except Matteo's the reason
we even got in here tonight.
- That means he can call me a faggot?
- [laughs] Get over it.
I want to punch you in the face!
- Go for it.
- Hey! We are not fighting here tonight.
We are making a thing of fucking beauty,
and that's all I'm about to stand for!
Shane, out.
- Are you kidding me?
- Dead serious.
Matty, make it right. Just say it.
[sighs] All right.
I'm sorry.
- Fuck you!
- All right, we're out of here.
- No, we're not.
- He apologized.
- Sure, when he had to.
- It's like nothing's ever enough for you.
Why should I settle for scraps?
I had enough guys like him in Colorado.
Yeah, well, guess what.
They're here too.
I mean, this guy is trying to do better.
Well, I don't have to take it.
No, you can just
live your life in your ballet bubble,
chip on your shoulder,
looking for something to punch.
Well, at least I hit first.
And you hit everyone
until there's no one left.
The guy's offering.
If you won't take it,
that means you are now the problem.
[sighs]
- The boyfriend. Nice guy.
- [Bette chuckles]
Yeah, and clearly no prince.
Well, princes are overrated.
I mean, you look good and all,
but when the going gets rough?
[Oren] Yeah.
We cheat on you with a dude.
Well, this princess did the same.
Honestly?
I think the guy's scared.
Of what?
Of you, Bette.
You know what you want,
and it's scary how often you get it.
That's not true.
I think you found someone
who gives a damn.
So give him a shot.
I'll deny it
if you ever tell her I told you…
but inside and out…
Neveah Stroyer's the best one here.
Still not sure she's feeling it.
[chuckles] Trust me.
I know love when I see it.
[huffs]
[shuddering]
June! Get down! Stop!
What were you doing?
What do you think?
You could have died!
I was so close to the prize.
So close to getting my mother back.
[sighs] You still can.
Anyone can see there's goodness
I'm sorry.
Why? I'm the one who kissed you.
Look, we've been locked out
of here once before.
It won't happen again.
I'm going to show that little bitch
I won't be pushed around.
["Nina Cried Power" by Hozier playing]
It's not the waking, it's the rising ♪
It is the grounding
Of a foot uncompromising… ♪
Let's do this.
It's not the waking, it's the rising ♪
It's not the shade
We should be past it ♪
It's the light
And it's the obstacle that casts it ♪
It's the heat that drives the light ♪
It's the fire it ignites… ♪
Can we talk?
It's not the song, it is the singing ♪
It's the heaven
Of a human spirit ringing… ♪
It is the bringing of the light… ♪
What?
It's not the waking, it's the rising ♪
- And I could cry power, power! ♪
- Power, power! ♪
Power, Nina cried power ♪
Billie cried power ♪
Mavis cried power ♪
- And I could cry power, power! ♪
- Power, power! ♪
Power! ♪
Power! ♪
Curtis cried power ♪
Happy cried power ♪
Nina cried power ♪
It's not the wall but what's behind it ♪
Lord
The fear of foul men is mere assignment ♪
And everything that we're denied
By keeping the divide ♪
It's not the waking, it's the rising ♪
- And I could cry power! ♪
- Power! ♪
- Power! Oh-oh! ♪
- Power! ♪
Power! ♪
Nina cried power ♪
Lennon cried power ♪
James Brown cried power ♪
- And I could cry power ♪
- Power! ♪
Power! Power! ♪
Power! ♪
Billie cried power ♪
Joni cried power ♪
Nina cried power ♪
And I could cry power ♪
Power has been cried
By those stronger than me ♪
Straight into the face that tells you
To rattle your chains [laughs]
If you love being free ♪
- Ah, Lord, I could cry power! ♪
- Power! ♪
'Cause power is my love
When my love reaches to me ♪
James Brown cried power ♪
Seeger cried power ♪
Marvin cried power ♪
Yeah, yeah! Oh, power! ♪
James cried power ♪
Lennon cried power ♪
Patti cried power, yeah, yeah! ♪
Billie cried, Dylan cried, Woody cried ♪
Nina cried power ♪
[footsteps approaching]
- [grunts]
- Straighten your knees.
- [exhales, grunts]
- It's for your own good, Monica.
It hurts so much.
It has to. And again.
- I'm tired.
- [Bette] I can help.
Please, it will make me feel better.
No.
I'm taking it away.
If you do that, I'm nothing.
Teach her.
Now.
I could never make it hurt enough.
When you're taller, thinner,
- higher, firmer.
- [grunting]
- [grunting]
- It's too late, Madame.
- This cannot be corrected.
- It's my fault. [grunts]
My failure. The only way I'll learn.
[grunts]
- Not true. There's another.
- [grunts]
- [door opens]
- [gasps]
Caleb. [sighs]
For God's sakes.
I want you to know I did it… the video.
And it's dropping tonight.
- Good Lord.
- It's gonna be epic.
- This is not amateur hour.
- No, it's war.
I need to fight for what really matters.
Hell, I know you won't.
Everything I've done is for you,
for every student here.
And I'm more than a student,
so stop treating me like a child.
But I should, Caleb.
That's my job.
Not to wound and weaken you,
but to help you grow.
Which is why I need to end this.
No. No, no, that's not what I'm saying.
I get it. The heat's on, people crack.
But not me.
Sooner or later, we all do.
It was me that came on to you, Monique.
I ached so hard.
And you took that away.
I am the adult in the room,
Caleb, and I'm telling you…
I've done you harm.
That ends tonight.
We end tonight.
Don't you get it?
I want this.
You might not see it now,
but the day will come
when you see everything,
and it will hurt.
It will all hurt.
And I'll be the reason why.
[Cassie] What if I don't remember?
I think you do.
And I think you're scared
you'll name names, and we won't convict,
and then they'll come back for you again.
Some would have done anything
to get what you had,
and I suppose that one
of these students did.
But with me out of the picture,
there was a new queen bee, wasn't there?
Whoever pushed you certainly benefited
from your fall.
[gasps]
Help me, Cassie.
I can't be wrong again.
You want a name?
I've got one.
["I'm a Dreamer" by Tom Belton playing]
I'm a dreamer, I'm a dreamer
I'm a dreamer ♪
What you gonna do about it?
I'm a dreamer ♪
I'm a dreamer, I'm a dreamer
I'm a dreamer ♪
How you gonna stop a soul like this
From flying? ♪
I'm a dreamer, I'm a dreamer
I'm a dreamer ♪
Man on the phone tries
To lock me down… ♪
[Cassie]
A good dance is a series of pathways,
a way forward that leads the body
to its inevitable expression.
It's a strength you can't give up…
a truth that no one can deny.
You may think words are
the strongest thing we have…
but sometimes it's our own bodies
that can be even more eloquent.
What you gonna do about it?
I'm a dreamer ♪
I'm a dreamer, I'm a dreamer
I'm a dreamer… ♪
Really small HD camera. Mom, don't.
What? I can't sneak one photo
of you up dancing on stage?
It's your first big solo,
and I'm not letting this moment pass.
Mum, I lost it.
I had it in my hands, and…
I let it slip.
I'm back dancing in the corps.
I failed again.
You did not fail.
You fought to stay in the school enough
to stand up to me.
You supported yourself and still had
the good grace to invite me here.
And every day, dear June, you danced.
You are your mother's daughter.
You're stronger than you think.
[Topher]
Like it or not, we're seen as a package,
and you out scavenging for another job,
that's not a good look for me.
How can you want to work here?
Because, as you know…
[sighs] …things heal.
Sure, you may find a job in another city,
but what about me?
The world isn't crying out
for an aging ballet master.
You don't think it's time
Monique DuBois was canceled?
Of course I do,
but then who replaces her?
[Alan] Topher…
you do.
You're insane.
No, the board respects you. Plenty know
you're behind the school's success.
I mean, you basically built Delia Whitlaw
from the ground up.
- All Monique does is
- [Topher] Swan in and take credit, I know.
But running this place,
that… that's beyond me.
So together, we fix what's broken.
And we'll be ruined
the same way Monique was, trust me.
Ballet is the great destroyer.
But you'd have my support.
It's no match for what we'd be up against.
I love you for thinking that
I even stand a chance to run this place.
But I'm sorry.
I'm not that man.
["The Tide" by Jade Moon playing]
When it all goes down
Comes tumbling down ♪
Leaving no traces, leaving no traces ♪
This is where we break the ties ♪
Head to head, face to face… ♪
The night is nearly sold out.
And so we stand in the spotlight.
[camera shutters clicking]
Thank you for joining us this evening
to celebrate the talents who live
and work in the Archer School of Ballet.
No doubt you're here to ask
about any involvement
with the Michi Beach Club scandal,
but I'd rather celebrate
the video I commissioned
which lets our students' passion
speak for itself.
Our young dancers refuse to be seen
as victims and will not be silenced.
Today, we celebrate their futures.
Thank you.
[woman] Madame.
When it all goes down
Comes tumbling down ♪
When it all goes down
Comes tumbling down… ♪
The buzz is back.
Would you believe I'm already getting
calls for a professional tour of Ripper?
I would not.
Those things are booked far in advance.
I guess we're all looking
for a last-minute opening.
Relax, Topher.
I'll be gone soon.
You'll have the place to yourself.
I'm counting the hours.
You don't belong
in this building, in this city,
in this art form.
I remember another opening night
years ago.
You slipping me the tongue.
I was a young, drunk idiot.
It's true.
[Topher] Hey! Hey!
But you still want your hands on it,
don't you?
The balls to go and get the job done.
Oh, wait, you don't have them.
Thank you, Ramon.
Moving on.
Yes.
At least one of us is.
What happened?
You're right.
This place deserves better.
And you and I
Time's right. This school
Is ours for the taking.
When it all goes down
Comes tumbling down ♪
When it all goes down ♪
Oh-oh! Oh-oh! ♪
But we can't escape the tide… ♪
- Madame!
- This had better work.
- Come with me right now.
- [Cruz] Monique DuBois!
[Selena] Oh, boy.
- [Monique] You're not allowed here.
- Least of your worries.
I'm making an arrest
in the attempted murder of Cassie Shore.
Who? Who pushed her?
[students chattering]
Elizabeth Whitlaw, you are under arrest
for the attempted murder of Cassie Shore.
- Excuse me.
- [handcuffs ratcheting]
[Cruz]
You have the right to remain silent.
You have the right to an attorney.
If you cannot afford an attorney,
one will be appointed to you.
Is this some kind of joke?
It wasn't me.
I didn't do it! I didn't do it!
It's okay. It's okay.
You're gonna be okay.
Oren!
Mom! Please help me.
Mom!
Mom, you can't let them do this to me!
[Katrina] I'll call your father.
Nabil, are you okay?
This is not the truth I hoped to find.
- [Caleb] Who knew Bette had it in her?
- Bette did not do this.
Then why'd they arrest her?
'Cause end of the day,
they still need a guy.
She's got nobody. What do we do?
We'll cut Bette's solo.
Repeat the opening pas de six,
go straight to the coda.
Have everyone shift one place stage right
and exit a wing further downstage.
No pas de deux.
The whole piece hinges
on Bette'spas and the solo that ends it.
So I dance it.
- Oh, June.
- I'm selling myself, sir.
And let's face it…
you're buying.
Wow!
I guess I am overdressed.
Bette was arrested.
The girl in the coma,
they think it's because Bette tried
to kill her.
What? Who are you people?
Here's the deal.
I'm not a fan of Bette.
She's tried to crush me since day one.
But she didn't do this.
Why do you give a damn?
Because I know what it's like
to have no one.
Right now that's what she's feeling.
Go find her.
Tell her we're here dancing,
making sure she'll still have a school
to come back to.
[Matteo panting]
[Cassie] When you dance
a choreographer's vision,
it can be hard to make sense of it.
Sometimes they don't know what they mean.
But you know what you do.
At the end of the day,
you don't need someone else
telling you how to say what's inside you.
My daughter's dancing in the corps.
I'll point her out.
I should get to the station.
- There's no point. They won't talk to you.
- [sighs]
Off to cover up your next scandal
now that Bette was arrested?
Enjoy tonight.
It'll be the last show you ever dance.
Which makes me the one person here
with nothing to lose.
So I'll do everything I can, Madame,
to destroy you.
["Known Better" by Nuela Charles playing]
I didn't think you'd be bad for me ♪
Bad for me ♪
'Cause I thought you were so charming ♪
So charming ♪
'Cause everywhere you go
Everywhere you go ♪
Everybody says look at how he rolls ♪
See it in his eyes, incapable of lies ♪
But I can't be mad ♪
I can't be ♪
I should have known better ♪
You'd reel me in
And then let me go slow ♪
I should have known better ♪
The higher we go
The further down we fall ♪
La-la-la, la-la-la
I should have known, la-la-la… ♪
[Cassie] Your turn to fly.
[gasps]
[gasps, grunts]
La-la-la, la-la-la ♪
Everywhere you go, everybody knows
I should have known ♪
["When Everything is Gone"
by Geoffroy playing]
[vocalizing]
Don't get caught up
If I treat you well ♪
I'm too short of attention
Short on space ♪
I'll phase you out like a coward ♪
Oh, I don't mean to hurt you
I know you're a sweetheart ♪
But it might be best for you ♪
It might be best
To keep your distance now ♪
I'm only trouble
I care for my own heart ♪
Cared enough
Now I’m back at the start ♪
[vocalizing]