All American: Homecoming (2022) s03e06 Episode Script

[Alarm pings]
Mm
Mm
Woman: Hold on when you
think that it's over ♪
[Alarm pings]
Troubles are a thing
you can't get around ♪
One step, just a
little bit closer ♪
Ahh.
[Alarm pings]
Woman: Don't let
anything stop you now ♪
[Alarm pings]
Weight of the world
laying on your shoulders ♪
Oh, when you think
you lost your way ♪
And it's more
than you can take ♪
You'll walk through fire ♪
Come out a fighter ♪
Hold your head higher ♪
You're a real-life survivor ♪
Ooh ooh ♪
Real-life survivor ♪
Ooh ooh ♪
[Gasps]
[Panting]
Oh
[Michael Minelli's
"Eye to Eye" playing]
Minelli: I change the way
that I write for you ♪
[Door opens]
Nate: Hi.
Please tell me you're not
still obsessing about Cam.
It's been two days, and he still
hasn't responded to
any of my messages.
Well, when your man gets a shot
at writing hooks for
a big-time producer,
you can't become Miss Clingy.
It's just, things have
been off since homecoming.
Did you tell him that?
Of course I did.
He keeps saying that
everything's fine.
Well, then stop
borrowing trouble.
We have enough.
Hmm.
How was the rally?
I'm sure Ezra's relieved
that his attackers were caught.
Watching Ezra step
into his power
and speak out about his attack
was hella inspiring,
and, even though
his attackers apparently have
some new hotshot lawyers,
this case is gonna
be a slam dunk.
[Chime]
Mm whoever is on
your phone this late
is definitely not your man.
No. It's OK. It's
nothing, nothing.
[Door opens]
I can't sleep.
Oh, tomorrow you
find out your stage,
and this diagnosis becomes real.
If you could sleep,
I'd be worried.
Yeah. Well, they said
I'm probably stage one,
but what if they're wrong?
OK. I'm gonna need you to take
the worst-case
scenario off repeat.
You won't know until you know.
And when you do,
your village is here for you,
minus a few VIPs.
Look. I know you don't
agree with my decision,
but Auntie is putting in work
for HBCUs at the White House.
My mom is lead attorney
on a huge case in Japan.
I just
I refuse to
interrupt their lives
until I know what
I'm dealing with.
I hear you. I do. I just
Simone should probably
try and get some rest
because tomorrow
ain't gonna do itself.
Yeah, especially since
it's including tennis.
You're going to practice?
Nate, I want things to
be as normal as possible
for as long as I can.
Oh, but
Which we completely understand.
Now you should try
and go get some sleep.
Just try.
OK. Good night.
- Good night.
- Good night.
I love you.
Love you, too.
Stop, stop.
I know what you're gonna say.
Well, then let me say it
out loud with emphasis.
None of this is normal.
Nate
She needs to accept the fact
that her life is
going to change.
[Cell phone chimes]
Uh-uh, uh-uh, uh-uh.
We only got room for one
distraction right now.
Babe, it could be
important. Wait.
Ha!
I just got an interview with
T.L. Robinson and Associates.
Really? That's the top
engineering firm in Atlanta.
And they're considering me
for the design
engineer position.
Well, baby, that's amazing,
but why why didn't
you tell me you applied?
I don't know.
I mean, you've been
really busy with classes
and baseball training,
plus it seemed like a longshot.
Ah, that ain't a longshot.
They know the real
deal when they see it.
Thanks. OK.
My head is spinning.
I got to go prep
for this interview.
Boom. Let's do it.
Let me help you.
No. Don't worry about me.
You study, and
I'll see you later.
Oh
[Whistle blows]
Hey, are you OK? I noticed
Dragging. I know.
I'm just sore from my biopsy,
and I just didn't sleep well.
Your appointment is today.
The lack of sleep
isn't surprising.
If you saw me dragging, then
Coach Loni will see it, too.
Especially since it's Hell Week.
Don't tell me you've forgotten.
Huddle up. Huddle up.
Huddle up. Come on.
Let's all welcome Thea Mays
back from the pro tour.
She'll be spending
this week with us
observing and sharing
her experience.
This week, you will be tested
in a series of timed
fitness drills.
Your performance
will help us solidify
the season lineup,
so it's do or die.
Simone, why don't you run them
through their paces today?
Um, Coach Loni, if
Simone's cool with it,
can I just do it,
for old times' sake?
I think it's a great idea.
OK, then.
Thea, practice is all yours,
but everyone stay ready.
You'll receive a text
with the day and time
of your test, all right?
Get to it.
Thea: All right,
guys. On the line.
Lando: Nate. Yo, Nate.
Hmm?
I've been calling
your name. You good?
Not not really.
I keep thinking the Good Lord
won't give me more than
I can handle, but then
Your best friend
got cancer. Right.
If that weren't enough,
my cousin Val wants
to go get coffee.
I take it, this cousin is
of the long-lost variety.
Well, it wasn't always that way.
I mean, despite the age
gap, we used to be tight.
We dreamed of
going to law school
and changing the world.
Why don't you tell
her you're busy?
Life is too short to do things
you don't want to do.
The last thing I
need are my aunties
blowing up my phone asking why
I'm not showing up for family.
Then I guess you're just gonna
have to trust that
the Lord is not
giving you more
than you can handle.
Dr. Sandoval: I have
good news for you.
Based on your biopsy results
and the size of your mass,
your cancer is most
likely stage one.
My recommendation
is that we schedule
a lumpectomy to remove the tumor
and confirm there are no
cancer cells remaining.
Um, what about chemotherapy?
Fortunately, I don't think
chemo will be necessary,
but optimal treatment will
include hormone treatments
and 5 weeks of
radiation therapy.
Simone, you OK?
I know this is a lot,
but I'm quite confident
you will be fine.
And what's the timeline?
How long will it take
until she's fully recovered?
Post-lumpectomy,
best-case scenario,
6 to 8 weeks.
6 to 8 weeks?
Yes. That's correct.
No. That I can't.
That timeline is well
into my tennis season,
and not even counting
the training,
I'll miss the tennis
season altogether.
J.R.: Simone's appointment
must have been intense.
Is she OK?
No, but she will be.
It's a lot to take in
cancer, losing tennis.
How are you?
Couldn't have been
easy on you, either.
I'm fine. I'm not
the one with cancer.
What I'm curious about
is why you texted me
asking me for recommendations
about 5-star restaurants.
I got to step it up with Gabby.
What'd you do?
- I didn't do nothing.
- Yeah, you did.
- No, I didn't.
- You're lying.
That's the problem. I
haven't done anything.
I've just been so
focused on myself,
I haven't realized how
distant we've become.
Man, I might be guilty
of the same thing.
Cam says that
we're good, though.
Gabby said the same thing.
It just don't feel
good because you
You could still lose somebody,
even if things are good?
Yeah.
I don't want that
for either of us,
so guess what I'm gonna
help you plan your date.
- Hmm?
- Yeah.
Dinner at an overpriced
restaurant where portions
are so small, you
can't even see them
on the plate is not the move.
All right. Slow
down. I got feelings.
Pop quiz her favorite food,
favorite color,
favorite dessert.
Italian, red, carrot cake.
Does she have any
guilty pleasures?
Ooh, now, that's what
she might kill me for,
but she is obsessed with
this romance book series
called "Fire and Silk."
The O.G. trilogy
or the prequels?
Is she Team Cravenhart,
or is she Team Gregmoore?
Oh, no. She's definitely
Team Cravenhart.
The question is,
how didn't I know
this about you?
No. Seriously, you
you don't have to do this.
I know. I want
to. It'll be fun.
- Nathaniel.
- Valerie.
Oh, my goodness. Hee hee!
Oh, my, why, you're
stunning, fabulous.
I I can't believe
I haven't seen you since.
This look really suits you.
It's not a look.
It's who I am.
Well, and I think that's great.
I really do.
Uh, so how is lawyer life?
Some days, it sucks,
but other days, it's
just how we imagined.
Oh, last year, my boss said
he wanted a friend to
consult on my case.
Guess who it was.
Sherrilyn Ifill.
Where is this firm,
and how do I join?
She said she appreciated
how thorough my brief was
OK, period.
Then quickly schooled me
on everything I did wrong.
Girl, someone telling
you you're wrong
must have been something else.
It was until she said
she loved watching
strong Black sisters
make their mark, and I said,
"Just you wait.
My baby cousin is
on the come-up."
- You spoke about me?
- Of course.
I told her you were
applying to law school.
She said she'd be
happy to connect.
Why would you do that?
We haven't spoken in years.
We're family.
I love and miss you.
I don't even know
why we lost touch.
Seriously? I do.
You're looking at her.
It was all fun and
games when I was playing
with heels and dresses,
but when things got real,
you made it very
clear how you feel
about nonbinary people.
When and how did I do that?
You know exactly what you did.
Can we take a beat and rewind?
Nathaniel, I honestly don't know
what you're talking about.
You cut me off cold.
You know what?
This was a mistake,
but enjoy your trip.
Nathaniel!
Keisha said I might
find you here.
Well, I spent today
learning all the ways
cancer is destroying my body.
Well, I saw the group chat.
I'm really happy your
prognosis is good.
Me, too.
Still have a tough
decision to make.
Wait. What
I thought you didn't need chemo.
Why are you thinking
about freezing your eggs?
Well, after
treatment, the cancer
could come back but
more aggressive.
I might not have time
to freeze them later.
So doing it now is like
an insurance policy?
A very expensive one.
I have to use my financial aid
just to pay for it.
You know, I should be worried
about my backhand
or whether my footwork is solid,
but instead, I have to worry
about pumping
hormones into my body
to harvest eggs.
Hey, a lot of women
our age are doing both.
Women on the circuit
are freezing their eggs
so that they can play
as long as possible
without sacrificing
their future.
I mean, I've even
thought about doing it.
You want to be a mom?
I'm gonna choose to
ignore your tone.
Ha ha!
I I don't know
if I want kids,
but I do want the choice.
You know, I had to
give Baby Shay up
when I was 17,
and I'm so grateful that
his adoptive parents
let me have a
relationship with him,
but I'm not raising him.
I want to get married one day,
have more children,
raise a family
Hmm.
And I can't risk cancer
taking that dream from me, too.
It's already taken tennis.
I've worked so hard
to get back here,
and it's just so many
delays and setbacks.
Hey, you will fight your
way back here again.
It just won't be this season.
Thea, what if it could?
Simone, where are you going?
[Knocks on door]
I have a question,
and I need you to
be brutally honest.
OK. Ask away.
Am I crazy to think that I can
fight my cancer without
giving up tennis?
You can't ignore
that you're sick.
I learned that the hard way.
I'm not ignoring anything.
I have a treatment
plan and 3 months
before we have to compete,
but if I have the chance
to play in the spring,
shouldn't I try?
Simone, when I got sick again
at the end of sophomore year,
I wasn't sure if I'd ever
be able to play again.
I thought I had more
time to figure it out,
but then the program got
cut, and my dream died.
Well, that's why I'm here.
J.R., if you could
do things over,
what would you do?
I'd fight like hell to get
back on the field sooner.
You ain't crazy.
Nate: What? Val said what?
I did not throw a fit.
I have class.
No. Please don't call back.
Damn.
I'd ask how the
cousin meet-up went,
but if the aunties
are activated,
it can't be good.
Val was acting like
she has no clue
why I'm upset.
Which you clearly are.
You want to talk it out?
You and I don't do that.
True, but I know you
well enough to know
that you don't want
to burden your crew with this,
given everything
happening with Simone.
She needs their support more
than anything right now.
My my drama is
inconsequential
compared to that.
But it's not
inconsequential to you,
so how about a trial run
with me as a sounding board?
[Exhales]
OK. We'll see if you're
temp-bestie material.
[Clears throat]
Uh, well, basically,
when I was 14,
I was still figuring
out who I was,
and Val, she reposted this meme
mocking nonbinary people.
That's what devastated me.
Did she ever explain
why she shared it?
No. I never talked about it.
She was at college, and
I had so many things
that I had to figure out,
I just stopped talking to her,
but the thing is, she
wasn't just my cousin.
She really was my best friend,
and in one of the
most challenging times
of my life, I felt like I
couldn't even go to her.
Did you ask her about it, today?
I kind of lost my temper
and then bailed before we
could even get into it.
Our friend was just
diagnosed with cancer.
We don't know what life
is gonna throw at us.
Don't let things go unsaid.
OK, Orlando,
and here, they said
pretty people lack depth.
Mm, nah. I got layers.
See ya.
OK.
All right.
- You like it?
- I love it.
- Oh, good.
- This is dope,
Oh, I'm glad. I'm glad.
I talked to my friend
who works in the lounge,
and it looks like they
don't have any bookings
for tomorrow, so the
whole place is yours.
Ha! Oh, man.
Ooh, and
I may have gotten some
Regency-era costumes
from the Drama Department.
Ooh, heh heh.
Well, Gabby'll love this,
but if there's any tights
in here, you're dead.
I make no promises. Look.
Cravenhart can rock
a pair of tights.
Ha! Can't thank you enough.
Yeah. No, really,
it's no big deal.
Yes, it is.
This morning, you was
at the doctor's office
with Simone, which clearly
left you drained and upset,
even though you're
trying to hide it,
and now you're here helping me?
- Keisha, talk to me.
- It's really not a big deal.
- Let's just drop it.
- It's OK to be scared.
I'm scared, too, but
Simone's prognosis was good.
Look. She's gonna be OK.
We just got to keep
telling her that.
Um, I actually got to go.
We're helping make
Simone dinner tonight,
so I'll talk to you later.
I'll finish decorating tomorrow.
Well, at least finish
talking about
I'll see you later.
Woman: It'll be all right ♪
- Hey.
- Hey.
Woman: Let's get a date ♪
I just want to party ♪
Can't get away ♪
I see you ♪
Keisha, are you OK?
Yeah, girl. I'm fine.
Are you sure?
Because it looks
like you're having
a little bit of a
moment over there.
I'm OK. I'm good.
OK.
[Boop]
Thea: Hi. What's
wrong with you?
Considering Mercury's
in retrograde,
I'm right as rain.
OK. I'm so happy
I don't live here.
Remember, everybody, positivity
and being as upbeat as possible.
Why do I get the feeling
that was directed at me?
No. That was for me.
Apparently, I need to chill.
Mm, look at all of
us on the same page.
- Hi.
- Hi.
What is all this?
Spaghetti Bolognese
for our girl.
It's your favorite.
You know carbs make
everything better.
Thea: We know you've
had one hell of a day,
one tough blow
after another, so
About that,
I, um
I found a solution
to one of the blows.
I'm not giving up tennis.
Have you lost your damn mind?
Keisha: Simone, you heard
your doctor's schedule for you.
I did, which is why I got them
to move up my lumpectomy
to Thanksgiving week.
Guys, they can fast-track
my radiation, 3
weeks instead of 5.
Which means you'd be
dome with treatment
in time for competitive play.
Exactly.
My doctor says this
is a legitimate option
that they do all the time.
My radiation dosage
would be higher
since it's a shorter
treatment span,
but I can handle that.
I even managed to get
a fertility appointment
for tomorrow so I can start
the process of freezing my eggs.
I'll have just
enough of a window.
Everything really
is aligning for me.
Thea: Whoa. What did
Coach Loni have to say
about all of this?
Because Oh, wait.
Who am I talking to?
You haven't told her,
and you don't plan on it.
Thea, I cannot risk
her redshirting me,
and besides, if this works,
I don't have to
tell her anything.
OK. I guess I'm gonna have
to be the one to say it.
Simone, I know you want
things to be normal,
but they're not.
You have cancer.
I'm very well aware
of that, Nate,
but I need something
to hold on to
and fight for right now.
Well, then you
should be fighting
for your life, and not tennis.
It is the same thing.
I don't support this.
Then I'll do it without you.
OK. You do you, girl.
So, what, you think
I'm crazy, too?
No.
Simone, if anybody can
pull this off, it's you.
Nate'll come around.
I'll go check on her.
You're abnormally quiet.
[Cell phone chimes]
Ohh
What? What's wrong?
I just got the time
for my fitness test
tomorrow at 2 P.M.
That is the same time as
my fertility appointment.
If you miss your fitness test,
you forfeit your
spot on the team.
So it's either give up
tennis for the season
or I risk never
being a mom again?
Why can't I catch a
damn break for once?
I'm glad you texted.
I didn't like how things ended.
I didn't, either.
I want you to know
why I've been so upset with you.
Do you remember sharing this?
Ohh
I was a kid
struggling with so
many big questions
about who I was
and who I wanted to be,
and my favorite person
in the whole world
made it clear that
when I accepted
who I was, she wouldn't.
I think I blocked that post out.
It was my freshman year.
You were still Boy Nate.
You hadn't even hinted
about any questions
or struggles with
your gender identity.
That's your defense?
I'm just saying,
there was so much
about the world
that I didn't know.
Well, in case the grown
woman in front of me
needs an education,
you do not choose
to be nonbinary
because you want
to be different.
You are nonbinary because it's
the only way to live your truth.
I know that now.
I'm ashamed that I
was ever that person.
Nathaniel, I love you.
I'm so sorry I hurt you.
I'm sorry I hurt anyone
by sharing that post.
I'm a different person.
I really want to believe that.
I've carried this for so long,
and the truth is,
I've missed you, too.
Well, I want to keep
talking about this
and anything else
that's on your mind,
because there's something else,
isn't there?
One of my best friends has
She has cancer
Oh, Nate
and I want to support
her through this,
but the way she's going
about dealing with it
Uh-uh, uh-uh.
Hey, hey, hey,
um, I have meetings for
the rest of the day,
but can I see you tonight?
We could talk about all of it.
OK.
Um, dinner at my place?
I'll cook, but you
bring the wine.
[Both laugh]
Don't you have class?
Yeah.
I was on my way, but I
just needed a minute.
Heard things got a
little intense with Nate.
Oh, yeah.
Group chat is definitely
working overtime.
Do you think I'm being foolish
for wanting to
hold on to tennis?
It doesn't matter
what I think or Nate.
This is your life.
It is my life
and I have to decide
between tennis
or my health and my future,
and right now, as
crazy as it sounds,
I don't know which one
I can live without.
What I'm about to
say is relevant, OK?
Just go with it.
I told you my mom is a
plastic surgeon, right?
No. I thought she
was a painter.
That's her hobby.
Medicine is her calling.
Helping people is her purpose.
After residency,
she went on to work
for a thriving
plastics practice.
For years, she helped
grow the practice
while battling insurance
companies and
[Scoffs]
turning away patients
who needed her help
for various
reconstructive surgeries
but couldn't afford treatment.
So she had to choose between
helping the practice and
helping her patients.
Yeah.
Which one did she pick?
Both. She opened
her own practice
and got grants and donations
to help those who need it most.
So the takeaway
for me is to keep
my fitness test and my
fertility appointment.
Yes.
Lando, as amazing as I am,
there's no possible way I can be
in two places at once.
Simone, you are
the type of person
who deserves to have it all.
You just got to figure out how.
Well, if I'm gonna
make my treatment
and recovery timeline,
I can't move my
fertility appointment.
OK. Then the fitness
test needs to move.
Coach Loni is not about
to let me reschedule.
To her, there is nothing
more important than this test.
There's got to be something.
You are right.
You know what?
You're kind of a genius, Lando.
I I feel like
the friend group
is just starting
to figure that out.
Hey.
Hey.
Well, judging by the
look on your face,
you actually managed
to convince Coach Loni
to move your test.
What's the one thing Coach Loni
cares more about than tennis?
Uh, academics?
Exactly. I told her
I had a study group
that conflicted with
my fitness test.
So you lied.
I did what I had to do.
Simone, you were dragging
during warmups the other day,
which is why I covered for you.
Now, how are you gonna make it
through your fitness test,
and what about
after your surgery
or radiation?
I mean, the exhaustion's
gonna be next-level, so
I'm aware.
I've done the
research, you know.
I'll figure it out.
Well, you know who else
is gonna figure it out?
Coach Loni.
How are you gonna
hide this from her?
I don't know.
Well, "I don't know"
isn't a plan, Simone.
Well, I didn't plan
to get cancer, Thea.
I'm doing the best that I can.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I have an appointment to get to.
[Cell phone chimes]
[Pen drops]
Woman: It's like a
hundred moves so easily ♪
I move in like a ♪
Val: My name is Valerie Hardin.
I'm a lawyer with Parker,
Wright, and Associates,
the attorneys for the young men
accused of assaulting
Ezra Hayes.
While this case has received a
great deal of media attention,
we ask the public
to reserve judgment
until the defendants
have their day in court.
Thank you.
[Exhales]
[Typing]
[Smooth jazz music playing]
J.R.: I got to be honest.
I had my doubts,
but I look damn good
in these tights.
The lasagna's in the warmer,
the carrot cake
is in the fridge,
and I already sent
you the playlist.
- Keisha, we got to talk.
- Gabby'll be here soon.
How many people told you
your mom would be OK?
After she got cancer,
how many people
told you that she would be OK?
Everyone
doctors, my dad.
Even my mom said that
she would be fine,
and then 6 months
later, she was gone.
I realized Simone's prognosis
wouldn't make you this upset
unless it reminded
you of your mother.
I was really young
when she was diagnosed.
I didn't understand what
she was going though.
So now through Simone,
you get a front-row seat.
How am I supposed
How am I supposed to help Simone
if every time I look at her,
I just see my mom?
By leaning on me,
Cam, Nate, Lando,
same way we told Simone to.
We lean on each other
so she can lean on us
and have faith that
everything is gonna be OK.
Ain't nothing gonna
happen to Simone.
I got your back, OK?
Thank you.
[Sniffles]
Now be honest with me.
Hmm?
My speech was giving
Gregmoore and Ariella.
Ha! OK.
Did you already read
"Fire and Silk"?
Of course not.
Reviews and recaps are
a man's best friend.
Ha ha!
Now, now, I do have a question.
What?
How can anyone not
be Team Gregmoore?
Boy, do not start a fight
that you are bound to lose.
I might like losing that one.
- You
- [Gasps]
Oh, this is amazing.
OK. This looks like
the dinner scene
when Cravenhart finally
seduces Ariella.
- Yes, girl. Yes.
- Yes.
J.R., you did all this?
I had a little help.
No, he did not. I
am not even here.
Well, you make a
dapper Cravenhart.
- Well, thank you
- Oh.
Lady Ariella.
Why'd you do all this?
This to celebrate the interview?
Nah. You deserve
to be celebrated.
I know that between baseball
and trying to get my
future back on track,
you've gotten lost
in our relationship,
but that ends tonight.
Mm.
[Chime]
You're something else.
- Let me help you to your seat
- OK.
J.R.: like how a queen's
supposed be treated.
- Oh.
- There we go.
Thank you.
Hey, girl.
Hey.
How was your
fertility appointment?
It was good.
The doctor said,
based on my cycle,
I can start hormone
injections today
and complete my egg freezing
right before surgery.
Girl, your plans be planning.
Yeah.
Medication I have to take
has to be mixed together first.
The nurse gave me
a tutorial because
she said it has to be perfect
the mix, the timing.
Woman: Others say
I cannot wait ♪
I have to take two
injections a day.
Keisha, what if I can't do this?
You can. You can.
Woman: Change,
yeah, yeah ♪
Simone, your future child
is going to be so
lucky to have you,
just like I was with my mom,
who stood strong
in her battle against cancer
just like you already are
Woman: Oh, I cut
myself loose ♪
and, lucky for you,
I studied premed
in another life, so
[Both laugh]
I got you on mixing these meds.
Woman: I didn't want to ♪
I'm ♪
Haunted by dreamer's age ♪
I cannot say ♪
Say ♪
Let me know when you're ready.
Woman: 'Cause I changed ♪
There's a lot that's
happening right now
that I want to run
from, but I can't.
I have to do it.
Woman: Through it
all, I'll find a way ♪
I will survive
though I change ♪
Breathe.
- OK.
- Ohh
I cannot believe
I almost let you
back into my life.
What are you talking about?
Our entire childhood,
we talked about
helping the vulnerable,
and here you are,
representing the people
that target them.
You saw the press conference.
Who you choose to represent
is a reflection of who you are.
You assume I had a choice.
I'm a junior associate.
I take the cases I'm given.
Guess you haven't changed.
You're still the same freshman
that shared that
post that has so much
to learn about the world.
Really sorry you feel that way,
but here's the truth, Nate.
Everything isn't
black-and-white,
and being a good lawyer means
living in that gray
area sometimes.
Does that include
hitting up your cousin
to get dirt on the
victim of the case?
I came to Atlanta for work.
I came to Bringston to see you.
I know you probably
don't believe that.
- I can't say that I do.
- Believe this.
Sometimes people are
gonna move in ways
you don't like because that's
what they need to do to survive.
If you don't learn
to accept that,
you're going to keep hurting
the people you love.
[Whistle blows]
[Sobbing]
What's up with Alexis?
Well, she just failed
her fitness test
and is now out of the lineup.
Coach Loni is showing
no mercy today.
Hope you know what you're doing.
Thea, I can pull this off.
OK. I just think you're
gonna get yourself hurt.
Wow. Thanks for the support.
Simone, you're up next.
Man: I'm runnin'
the gauntlet ♪
I'm runnin' the ooh ♪
I'm runnin' the gauntlet ♪
[Whistle blows]
I'm changing the game ♪
When I'm at the top,
yeah, remember my name ♪
[Whistle blows]
I come for the battle
and stay for the fight ♪
Takin' what's mine,
and I'm doing it right ♪
[Whistle blows]
Givin' my all, yeah,
got mo' in the tank ♪
[Whistle blows]
Let's get down to business,
you know I don't play ♪
I'm somethin' to witness,
so legendary, yeah ♪
I'm runnin' the gauntlet ♪
I'm runnin' the ooh ♪
[Panting]
Coach, how'd I do?
I want to see you and Thea
in my office right now.
I just got some
interesting news,
so we need to
discuss what the rest
of your preseason looks like.
Val: Sometimes people are gonna
move in ways you don't like
because that's what they
need to do to survive.
If you don't learn
to accept that,
you're going to keep
hurting the people you love.
[Typing]
[Boop]
At first, I thought
what Thea was proposing
was unacceptable, but
she was quite persuasive,
so, Simone, I will
allow her coach
to train you for the
rest of preseason.
I'm sorry. What?
Thea didn't tell you?
I wanted to clear it with you
first before
Well, I do see the
value in having someone
as highly regarded as your coach
training my star player,
whose times were good
but down from last year.
I'm sorry, Coach.
Don't slack on your cardio.
You're representing Bringston.
Show Thea's coach
what we're made of.
I won't let you down.
Good. Now get out of here.
[Cell phones chime]
Do you know what this is about?
No. You want to
head out together?
Sure, after you tell me
what that was back there.
OK. That was me
lying to Coach Loni
to give you a plan
for how to get
through treatment and recovery
without her knowing.
Yeah, but why?
Because I thought
about what you said
and, I mean, you've
worked really hard
to find your way
back to the court
and cancer shouldn't
get to take that,
so I knew if I could help you
hold on to your season,
then I have to try.
Can I hug you?
Can I stop you?
No.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
J.R.: Hey, I got
your text. What's up?
All in due time.
Just make yourself useful
in the kitchen for once.
- A'ight now.
- Ah ah ah.
- Hi.
- Hey.
How was your date?
Ah, it was perfect.
Got a chance to
reconnect with Gabby.
I can't thank you enough.
Mm, yeah, of course.
I'm really happy for you.
Can I be happy for you?
Did you get a chance
to talk to Cam?
Um, yeah.
He texted back
OK.
But it's the kind of
text you send someone
when you don't want them
to text you anymore.
But, look, I'm sure y'all
gonna figure it out,
you know, just like
me and Gabby did.
- You think so?
- For sure.
All the things that
was putting distance
in between us and the
people that we love
is all gone.
Y'all gonna be good.
Let me try a piece of
that chicken, though.
It is. It look like it.
I'm sorry to hear about Val.
At least now you know
who she really is.
True, but she did help me see
that I need to make amends.
[Door opens]
Well, I know, and
that was awesome.
What is all this?
Take two on family dinner
and an apology.
This may surprise y'all,
but I'm not always right
- Oh, my.
- Really?
That's actually crazy.
I mean, honestly, I
could write a list.
But when I am wrong,
I try to be the
person that admits it.
Simone, I don't
know what it's like
to be in your shoes, and
I shouldn't have judged
how you choose to
handle having cancer,
so I don't care if you
want to play tennis
or climb Everest.
I've got you
I needed to hear that.
Keisha: I told you she
was gonna come around.
Nate: and I'm ready to
help kick cancer's ass,
which is why I have created a
schedule for your treatments.
You'll need us to get
you to your appointments,
and I've created a
meal-prep schedule
so you'll be eating good
This is really dope.
Thank you.
Nate: but that's not all.
I know you are fighting cancer,
but you're still that girl.
- Ooh.
- Period.
Nate, you know Simone is
not doing chemo, right?
Absolutely,
but radiation is no joke,
so on days you're not
feeling like yourself,
these bad bitches will
help give you strength.
Simone: Well, I have
always wanted an alter ego.
You know I wanted so badly for
things to just be normal
but, Nate, you're right.
They're not, and
I finally realize
I have to accept and
embrace my new normal.
Well, you see, the thing is,
your new normal
is our new normal.
I love you guys.
I love you.
[Gasping]
She's hugging?
Oh, my God, that
means I'm getting in.
Don't make it a thing.
You need to hurry up, then.
- Don't make it a thing.
- Oh, wow.
Thea: Come on, Lando.
That's really great.
Keisha: Yeah. Look
at this Black love.
[Laughter]
Man: Greg, move your head.