Monarch (2022) s01e11 Episode Script

1
Previously on Monarch
Meet Mackenzie Gates from Open Horizons.
You took a back seat to
your mother for years.
The spotlight doesn't find everyone.
Skyfair Media Group
have made an offer to acquire
a majority stake in Monarch.
I vote no.
Without my yes vote, this merger dies.
So I want a tour.
She went for it.
Everything you asked for and then some.
You ready for your dreams to come true?
To what Monarch was and
to what Skyfair can be.
Nothing says "I love you" more
than sleeping with the brother-in-law.
I might have a solution
that-that suits all of us.
What if we fast-track
this whole thing and ask Luke
- to be our donor?
- Luke? My brother?
I am so sorry
that I pushed you away
and I'm so grateful
to have you in my life.
Nicky, I'm not who you think I am.
Clive was the blackmailer, wasn't he?
Sure sounded like it.
What about the body?
Trust me, I ain't forgetting.
I think you killed Clive.
So I'm gonna give you 24
hours to turn yourself in.
This all ends tomorrow.
Everyone, please remain
in your seats.
- What the hell's that?
- Daddy?
Just hold on a minute, folks.
There must be some kind
of misunderstanding.
What the hell are you doing here, Tripp?
- We had a deal.
- Sorry, friend.
I just can't take the word of
a man with a passport and a jet.
- Cuff him.
- You son of a
Albie Roman, you are under arrest
for the murder of Clive Grayson.
Well, go on. Tell him what
you told me last night.
What?
After you killed Clive that night,
I moved his body, and
buried him in the state park.
Why would you do that?
To make sure your father
went down for Clive's murder.
I knew you were up to something.
This doesn't make any sense.
Oh, it will.
Tell him why.
When I was a kid, three years old,
my father was killed by a drunk driver.
The man arrested for his
death was Albie Roman.
And you came here to get even,
- you son of a bitch.
- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Let's hear him out.
Then you can have at him.
I assume Nicky told you
it was Tripp behind the
wheel that night and not me.
Yeah. Yeah, she did.
So, you hid
Clive's body months ago.
You could've called
the cops at any time.
Right. Or planted it
here to get a conviction.
Why didn't you?
Because I fell in love.
And when I did, I knew I
couldn't hurt Nicky like that.
I knew I couldn't hurt
any of y'all like that.
My whole life,
I wanted the man who
took everything from me
to feel the pain that I felt.
I just had the wrong man.
I'm sorry.
I understand why you did it.
But there are things in
life that can't be forgiven.
And betraying my trust,
breaking my daughter's heart,
top of the list.
So you need to gather
your personals and leave.
If you ever step foot
on the Brambles again,
I promise, I'll dig a hole for you.
Hey, Jamie.
One more thing.
Hey, Nick. You okay?
Albie.
Tripp.
I hope you're not here
to back out on our deal.
No.
No, I'm gonna turn myself
in tonight, like we agreed.
But there's something
I need to know first.
Why?
Why?
After everything we've been through,
this can't just be about politics.
You did a damn nice
thing for me 40 years ago.
And you held it over
my head every day since.
Has to end.
All right, Daddy, there must
be something that we can do.
You can't just let
Tripp win like this.
I wish there was, but
he's got me in a bind
- and he knows it.
- Well, then, leave.
Take the jet and find
a white sandy beach somewhere
in a country without extradition.
If I run, he'll come after all of you,
and I won't let that happen.
But there's one thing you can do for me.
I want us to take the
stage one last time
and do what we do best.
Like a farewell concert?
That's exactly what I mean.
You think you can get
a venue for tonight?
- How big?
- Big as you can find.
And you think that we can
fill it on such short notice?
Albie Roman's final performance?
You post it on social,
we'll have a line from here to El Paso.
Good.
And no more sad looks.
My job is to protect this family.
And yours
is to stick together,
no matter what happens.
Can you do that for me?
Yeah.
Yes, sir.
Good.
Eat up. I'll see y'all later.
Doesn't make any sense.
It's not like Daddy to give up.
He's not giving up.
You heard him. He's protecting us.
And now, we have to stick together.
Just like Daddy said.
As a family, no matter what.
Agreed?
Yeah.
Hey, bae, what's going on?
- Oh. Are you okay?
- Hi.
- Where is the doctor?
- Geeg, I'm fine,
but there's something
we need to talk about.
Yeah, your five months
pregnant and going into labor.
I'm not great at math, but
I know this ain't right.
Yeah, so, um
Gigi, how are you?
I'm worried, to be honest.
Understandable, but no need.
Kayla came in for her
checkup, her water broke,
but she's only a few centimeters,
so you made it in plenty of time.
But it's too soon.
I'm sorry?
We only did IVF five months ago.
She can't be having this baby yet.
You got to make these contractions stop.
Your wife is seven months pregnant.
But the baby is healthy and viable,
and that's all that matters right now.
Um, can we have a moment, please?
Of course.
Look, before you say anything
I'm not talking.
I'm listening, because I
want to hear it from you,
and I want all of it, now.
Okay.
Geeg.
So, you know how you said you're
gonna miss me when I go on tour?
Wade has pulled out
Surprise, surprise
And I was wondering if
you wanted to open for me.
Well, isn't that great?
What do you think?
Geeg.
I know, Nicky.
- What?
- Everything.
Kayla went into labor and told me.
About, um,
her affair with Luke.
And the pregnancy.
And your little plot
to cover it all up.
Gigi, I'm so sorry.
You're my big sister.
You're supposed to protect me.
- I did, I swear.
- That wasn't for me.
That was protecting the family
name and the sacred Roman image,
just like Mama.
But at least when Mama shivved you,
she didn't lie.
She didn't smile
and pretend to be your very best friend.
I'm not lying and I'm not pretending.
You are my best friend.
You'll always be my best friend.
Geeg, I-I never wanted you to get hurt.
What Daddy said,
some things you can't forgive.
We're done.
As friends, as sisters, as family.
Get the hell off my porch, Nicky.
And don't ever come back.
I have to say, when it comes
to Roman palace intrigue,
I thought I had heard it all.
But what your wife and
brother tried to pull off,
that really takes the gluten-free cake.
Did they actually think
they'd get away with it?
I think they just crossed their
fingers and hoped for the best.
Well, they should've crossed their legs.
This whole thing wouldn't have happened.
Sorry, I tend to hide behind humor
- at times of emotional distress.
- Mm.
I tend to hide behind tequila.
You know what the worst
part of all this is?
Might be hard to narrow down, but go on.
Nicky.
She pretends to be my
best friend and champion
and all the while she's
choreographing a cover-up
like she's Alvin Ailey.
And now she gets to
ride off into the sunset
on her very own stadium tour.
Now you tell me how that's fair.
It's not, honey bear.
But the merger is a done deal.
Not even Dottie Roman
herself could change that.
Then why change it,
when I can burn it all to the ground?
Thanks, Earl.
No. No, no, no, no. No.
That's not what I meant.
Why is it everybody always
takes my advice the wrong way?
- Hello.
- Hello.
Usually, when a Roman
walks through my door,
they're here to make
big, dramatic demands.
Actually, I'm here for you.
To keep you from making a huge mistake.
I know you're investing
millions of dollars into Monarch.
Oh, hundreds of millions.
Well, I think you should know
exactly what you're getting.
- And what is that?
- A world of hurt.
The Romans seem to destroy
everything they touch.
- Go on.
- Well, Nicky, for instance,
daughter of legendary Dottie Roman,
heir apparent to the
Queen of Country throne,
until the fans find out that
she helped kill my mother.
The law calls it assisted
suicide, but still,
the press, social media?
It'll be a feeding frenzy.
Why in the world would you go
public with that kind of story?
Oh, pack a lunch and pitch a tent,
'cause I'm just getting started.
Before I turn myself in
tonight, I wanted to
talk to the two of you about
what happened that night
that your daddy died.
You mean the night that you killed him?
Dad tried to kill Mom, Tate.
Tried to kill me, too.
He left me no choice.
Why should I believe you?
'Cause I've never lied to you.
And I ain't about to start now.
I truly wish things would've
gone different that night,
but that doesn't make me any less sorry,
because it's the two of
you that got hurt the most.
You have no idea how I feel.
Grampa's just trying
to tell us the truth.
And he's going to prison for it.
That's all right, Ace, she's right.
You know, the world believes
that my job is to sing and play guitar,
but my real job is to
protect this family.
And the thing I'll be thinking
on the most while I'm away
is how I'm gonna make
this up to you two.
But in the meantime
take care of each other.
And don't forget,
it's family first.
Now and forever.
Now, I know that Gigi's upset.
But I can assure you that
the Romans do not like
to air their dirty laundry in public.
That may be, but I can't go forward
on your assurances alone,
so I'm gonna have to
hit pause on the tour.
- For how long?
- Six months.
Six months? Well, that's not
"pause," I'd say that's "stop."
Skyfair is a multinational company
with a variety of businesses,
and if an artist gets "canceled,"
things can snowball very quickly.
I'm very sorry, Nicky, but
it's better this way.
For who? For the shareholders
or some hedge fund?
'Cause it's certainly not better for me.
Well, I don't want to have to remind you
that it was my vote that
made the merger happen
in the first place.
Is that a threat?
You can take it how you
want, but no tour, no merger.
You know, nine times out of ten,
I am sitting across
the negotiating table
from some old white man who
underestimates me from the jump.
So if you think that
you're calling my bluff,
I assure you, I'm not bluffing.
The tour's off.
Then so is the merger.
I'll see myself out.
Sorry, I didn't think
anybody would be here.
I can come back.
No, no, I was, I was just leaving.
Nicky.
Look, I know you can't forgive me,
nor would I expect you to,
but I just want you to know
that I meant everything I said.
Which part?
The truth or the lies?
I never lied about how I feel about you.
And I'm sorry about your tour.
Even the greatest artists
go through hard times.
Jamie, stop. Come on.
Your entire reason for
being here was a lie, so
I deserve that. I do.
And you don't have to believe
me or listen to a word I say,
but the one person you
should never stop believing in
is yourself.
I can pack up another time.
I just can't believe
he's going to prison.
- I know.
- My grandfather's my best friend, Ana.
Or was. I don't even know anymore.
It was self-defense, Ace.
Your dad went all psycho.
Yeah, but he's still my dad.
And now that my grandpa's
going away, it's just
it feels like I'm losing
everyone who's close to me.
Well, you're not gonna lose me.
What's going on here?
Nothing.
Ace is upset. We're friends, Mom.
Well, ever since you became friends,
my daughter has stopped listening to me.
Come on, let's go.
- We're leaving.
- No, Ace cares about me.
And not just because I can sing.
So stop trying to control me.
How dare you talk to me like that?
You better get used to it.
'Cause this little girl that
you dressed up and paraded around
is tired of being told what to do.
Ana.
You understand, right?
Just don't feel up to singing tonight.
I'm sorry.
I'm the one who's sorry,
for what that brother
of yours did to you.
You've gotten through worse, Georgina.
You'll get through this.
Like that song says,
what doesn't kill you
makes you stronger.
That's right.
Only, that's a lie, Daddy.
'Cause what doesn't kill you
just makes you feel really, really bad.
Come here.
Hey.
You're not staying for the
the-the planning meeting
for Daddy's concert?
The only thing I'm planning
is what family to join next.
LUKE: Nicky?
Skyler just called.
Hi. Hi, Geeg.
You backed out of the deal?
Well, yes, because
she canceled the tour.
- What, so you killed the merger?
- For the record,
I'd like to think that
I killed the merger.
Geeg, I know you must hate me right now,
and there's probably nothing I
can say to ever make it right,
but that merger was worth millions.
Well, I like to think that
my marriage was priceless.
Luke, at least try
and apologize to her properly.
- I'm trying.
- Well, try harder.
Don't pretend like you're
not just as guilty as he is.
I did not sleep with Kayla.
As far as we know.
No, no, don't you dare
make this about me.
For the last time, I was
trying to fix your mess.
How? By making a bigger one?
That plan was ridiculous.
You know what plan
was ridiculous is mine.
The one about "till death do us part"
and "happily ever after."
That ship has sailed, thanks to you two.
In eight hours,
I'm turning myself in.
I'm asking one thing:
for the three of you to
find a way to be a family,
because pretty soon,
you're all you're gonna have left.
I know being inside
ain't gonna be no picnic,
but being out here and
facing the world alone,
pretty sure that ain't much better.
He's right.
Can we not just do what Daddy's asking
and please, please forgive each other
before his farewell concert?
I hate to say no to Daddy
But this time,
there's no chance in hell.
I don't know what to say, I
I did my best.
- I really thought we had it this time.
- You got us close.
Families are complicated.
And mine is in a league of their own.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I-I wasted your time.
I don't believe in wasted time.
In fact, sometimes the best deals
are the deals that you don't make.
Optimism. Yeah.
I remember what that felt like.
Then let me share some of mine.
You should be glad this
is a drink in my hand
and not a .45.
Look, I know I'm not welcome here.
I heard you. But I wanted
to tell you something
that I didn't get to say earlier.
I didn't change my plans
just because of my feelings
for your daughter.
The time we spent
together making music
well, it was one of the
highlights of my life.
And I never really knew my father,
but I like to think
well, I like to think
he would've been something like you.
Have a good show.
Putting you through to Mackenzie Gates.
Nicky Roman.
- It's been a minute.
- Hi.
You still breaking the
hearts of country stars
all over the world?
I prefer to think we make dreams happen.
Not mine.
Seems like we're in good company.
I heard about your deal
with Skyfair falling through.
That's why I'm calling.
I've got a proposition for you.
Hey, there you are.
I've been looking everywhere for you.
I'm just really not in the
mood right now, Aunt Nellie.
Then I'll make it quick.
'Cause I've got some news for you
you're gonna want to hear.
A little bird told me
that Nicky got Mackenzie Gates,
from Open Horizon, to
come to the show tonight.
- Okay
- Gigi,
they're coming so she can convince them
to give her a tour.
Now, I know I've told
you that my biggest regret
was allowing your mama to
claw her way ahead of me
and snatch all the fame for herself.
Okay. So
So I am telling you
No, I am begging you.
Do not let this happen to you.
If you've ever wanted
it, you snatch first.
Thank you for coming last-minute.
I know this concert's
a bit of a mystery,
but the truth is, I'm
gonna be gone for a while.
And I just wanted to
stand up here and make music
with y'all one more time.
So I'm gonna bring out one
of my favorite performers,
my amazing daughter
Gigi Roman.
What?
I didn't think you were singing tonight.
You're not the only one
full of surprises, Daddy.
As I was saying, my
amazing daughter Gigi Roman.
You know the bed feels warmer ♪
Sleeping here alone ♪
You know I dream in color ♪
And do the things I want ♪
You think you got the best of me ♪
Think you've had the last laugh ♪
Bet you think that everything ♪
Luke, did you know about this?
Think you left me broken down ♪
Think that I'd come running back ♪
What the hell is she
doing? That's my song.
Then get out there.
What doesn't kill
you makes you stronger ♪
Stand a little taller ♪
Doesn't mean I'm
lonely when I'm alone ♪
What doesn't kill
you makes a fighter ♪
Footsteps even lighter ♪
Doesn't mean I'm over
'cause you're gone ♪
You heard that I was starting over ♪
With someone new ♪
They told you I was moving on ♪
Over you ♪
You didn't think that I'd come back ♪
- I'd come back swinging ♪
- I'd come back swinging ♪
You tried to break me, but you see ♪
What doesn't kill
you makes you stronger ♪
Stand a little taller ♪
Doesn't mean I'm
lonely when I'm alone ♪
What doesn't kill
you makes a fighter ♪
Footsteps even lighter ♪
Doesn't mean I'm over ♪
'Cause you're gone ♪
What doesn't kill
you makes you stronger ♪
Stronger ♪
Just me, myself and I ♪
What doesn't kill
you makes you stronger ♪
Stand a little taller ♪
Doesn't mean I'm
lonely when I'm alone ♪
What doesn't kill you
makes you stronger. ♪
I cannot believe you did that to me.
Believe it, 'cause the
days of me sitting back
and watching you be queen
bitch are over, Nicky.
I am not your damn pawn.
Oh, I don't know who you are anymore.
Everyone please remain in your seats.
What the hell's that?
Just hold on a minute, folks.
There must be some kind
of misunderstanding.
What the hell are you doing here, Tripp?
We had a deal.
I knew we couldn't trust Tripp.
I already notified our legal team.
Hold on there.
There's been a mistake.
Let Mr. Roman go, please.
Bill, hold on a second.
There's no mistake here.
Albie Roman is guilty of murder.
Then explain how Clive Grayson's body
was found on your property.
What the hell are you talking about?
How is that even possible?
Anonymous tip came in.
I'm sorry to say it checked out.
Why would I want to kill Clive Grayson?
Well, it seems he's
been blackmailing you
about an old hit and run.
The money was in his account.
Guess you got tired of paying him off.
No, Bill, this is ridiculous.
- This is ab
- Tripp DeWitt, you are under arrest
- No, this is ab
- For the murder of Clive Grayson.
What the hell did you do?
This isn't over, pal,
not by a long shot.
What just happened?
I have an idea.
It was you, wasn't it?
All my life I've dreamt
of punishing the man
who killed my father.
Like I said, I just had the wrong man.
- So you
- Planted the body
at Tripp's lake house.
Tipped the cops.
It was easier than you
might think, actually.
Well, my family's grateful, but
I didn't do it to win you back, Nicky.
I did it 'cause Tripp had it coming.
But now that we're talking,
you want to tell me
how the concert went?
Well,
let's just say that
I don't think a tour is in
the cards for me anymore.
So you're giving up, then.
I did what you said.
I doubled down, I bet on myself, and
nothing I tried worked.
Well, then, maybe you
misunderstood my advice.
Because the time to double down is after
nothing you tried worked.
Hell of a night.
I reckon.
Let me ask you something.
What's it like for everything
to always just work out?
You kill a man. Nothing.
You don't want a merger.
Goes away.
Life does what you want
without you lifting a finger.
I suggest you go home and sleep it off.
Before you say something you'll regret.
No, I'm done with
regret. I'm tired of it.
I'm tired of being judged.
That's funny, coming from a man
that slept with his sister's wife.
Said the man who
knocked up the gardener.
Or was she Was she the caretaker?
It's hard to keep track.
Come on, Pops, we finally
have something in common:
bastard children.
This is not a road you want to go down,
I assure you.
Oh, it looks like you
want to take a swing at me.
Well, I ain't Jamie, boy.
I'm gonna hit you back.
Oh, my God.
How hard you are
on the rest of the world.
How easy you are on yourself.
If you don't like this family, leave!
Way ahead of you, Pops! Way ahead.
Skyler Samms offered me
a job running a new subsidiary
ten times the size of
Monarch, and I took it.
But you know the best
part? Is I get to watch you
run Monarch into the ground.
Then the whole world gets to
see you for what you really are.
Just a tired old man
with nothing but his
ego and a six-string.
Well, that's all you really need
if you actually have talent.
And pretty soon, Skyler
will see what I see,
which is everything
that you'll never be.
Damn.
Looks like I learned more
from you than I thought.
Mackenzie, wait.
Uh, thanks for the invite.
That was, uh, quite the
show your family put on.
I promised you it wouldn't be boring.
The Romans never are.
You can't change who your family is,
and truth be told, I wouldn't want to.
But if you look past the drama,
I can put on one hell
of a show all by myself.
Country music needs a new queen,
and, no, I'm not my mama.
But the world's changing; it
doesn't want perfect anymore,
it wants real.
Beat up and knocked down,
and standing back up again and fighting.
And that's what you saw last night.
That was me. That was real.
It sure was.
So back my tour, and I promise you
there won't be an empty seat,
because I will not sleep
until every ticket is sold.
Nicky
I don't know what to say.
I think the word you're
looking for is "yes."
Mr. Roman.
I came here because there's
something I need to tell you
about the man you just hired.
You mean your son.
Boy's been a pain in my ass
since he was born,
but he's damn good at what he does.
I never gave him a fair shake,
and I hope you do.
You're lucky to have him.
Albie Roman, who knew under
that Stetson was nothing
but a soft caramel center.
And, Albie, when you're
done mourning your wife,
I know a Dallas girl
made good who's still
a sucker for cowboys.
I'm sorry.
Really I am, Geeg.
I don't know why it took
me so long to say it.
I know I could say it every day
for the rest of my life,
and you'd be right to never forgive me.
I hope you can.
Me, too.
But today ain't that day.
He's beautiful, isn't he?
Yeah, he is.
Geeg
Don't.
I love you,
and I know I screwed up.
Just take care of him,
and be there for him.
He's gonna need you.
What about you?
What about us?
I don't know.
Your own tour, Mom? That's awesome.
Now, are you sure that you
don't want to come? Hmm?
I still haven't got an opening act.
Yeah, come on. It'll be fun.
I don't know. I think I'm
gonna stay with Grandpa.
I don't like thinking
of him being all alone
- in that big house.
- Oh, my God.
You know, whatever I
did right in my life,
I can see it in both of you.
But, Mom, I do have an
idea for your opening act.
- Hey.
- Oh.
Note to self: next house
get a gate, or a moat.
It's way too easy for y'all to
be popping around all the time.
I saw Mackenzie from, um,
Open Horizon this morning.
She offered me a a world tour.
But me being me, I said, I said
she had to sweeten the deal.
Nicky, if the credits
roll with you getting
a happy ending while I end
up eating a frozen pizza
crying myself to sleep alone,
I'm not really sure
this is the amazing story
that you think it is.
I said I wouldn't take it
unless you were part of it.
- As your opening act.
- No, co-headlining.
The Roman Sisters Tour.
You and me, equal billing.
Taking the world by storm,
like we used to dream of as kids.
Well, come on, say something.
For real?
Gigi, Mama was wrong.
There can be two queens.
So what do you say?
So how about making both
our dreams come true?
They're there for your first year ♪
They give you your first beer ♪
When you get your heart broke ♪
They're there for your worst year ♪
Don't get you at all
but your apple don't fall ♪
Too far from 'em ♪
They own too much wicker ♪
Uh, can we just make sure
that this lot stays together?
And, Hunter,
can you put that Hey.
You might look just like 'em ♪
- Hey.
- Hello.
You're like 'em but you love 'em ♪
- I'm so glad you're coming.
- Me, too.
Oh. Won't be a minute.
They're there ♪
Mom, have you seen my backpack?
And remarried, you
fall out of touch ♪
I'm so proud of you.
All I ever wanted for
you was everything.
Yeah, well, being Nicky
and Gigi's opening act,
- I'd say you did it.
- You did it.
Family is family ♪
In church or in prison ♪
You get what you get ♪
And you don't get to pick 'em ♪
They might smoke like chimneys ♪
But give you their kidneys ♪
Your friends come in handy ♪
But family is family ♪
Hey.
Hi.
Uh, you're not gonna, uh, take
a swing at me, too, are you?
No.
I wish it hadn't come to this.
Stayed at Monarch, like Mom wanted.
She'd have been proud of you.
I'm proud of you. And it's
the right move for you.
Yeah.
Well, if you ever want to
switch to a bigger label
Luke!
They're there when you're married ♪
Divorced and remarried ♪
You fall out of touch ♪
But then someone gets buried ♪
And you're right back together ♪
Like no time has ever gone by ♪
- I'm gonna miss you.
- Me, too.
Better not fall in love
with anyone on the road.
Promise not to fall in
love with anyone back home.
Deal.
I am so proud of you, Gigi.
But one last word of advice.
I know I told you about
all the mistakes I made,
but there's one I didn't tell you about.
I didn't just take a
back seat to my sister.
- I did something worse.
- What's that?
I trusted her.
Family is family ♪
In church or in prison ♪
You get what you get ♪
And you don't get to pick 'em ♪
They might smoke like chimneys ♪
But give you their kidneys ♪
Yeah, friends come in handy ♪
But family is family ♪
You might look just like 'em ♪
That don't mean you're like 'em ♪
But you love 'em. ♪
- You called?
- Yeah. With Luke leaving,
I'll be running Monarch.
I could use a man that
knows the music business.
That a job offer?
We'll see.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Things are changing, Nellie.
Yeah, all these goodbyes
make me so thirsty.
- Sip it slowly. It burns.
- Mm.
I'll meet you girls in San Antonio.
No bronzer without supervision.
We came here for one reason.
To punish the Romans for
everything they've done
to both of us.
We had a plan.
Yeah, well, plans change.
I'm done, Catt.
Well, not my plans.
So, Jamie, if you're wondering,
you're done when I say you're done.
Hey, thank you for everything.
Don't thank me yet.
Party's just getting started, sister.
Mm-hmm.