Diggstown (2019) s04e01 Episode Script
Larissa Crooks
1
Previously on "Diggstown."
I'll finance all of it.
I won't interfere in your day to day.
What's in this for you?
You don't trust easily, do you?
No.
All I'm saying with you and Rolanda,
you gotta let it go.
Rolanda was sad.
The sadness,
it led her to take her own life.
Stay outta my business.
Your business is my business.
Barry Costello:
You tell Reverend Crawley
I'm not gonna be so nice
to his girl next time.
Okay, I'll see you tonight, Jo.
Where are our babies?
Butcher!
Where are our babies?
We will not be silenced.
Where are our babies?
Where are our babies?
You took away our choice!
Where are our babies?
- This was not your choice!
- Where are our babies?
- Move.
- Butcher!
Where are our babies?
Stay back!
Get away from me!
Get him up, let him go.
Look, we made our point.
- Get outta here before I
- I need you to get up.
You're under arrest.
But this is a peaceful protest.
Oh yeah, it looks real peaceful.
Get back!
We warned you this could happen.
Don't worry, Babe.
My people will clear this up.
Hey.
In Halifax this morning,
a group of complainants
in a class action lawsuit
against a prominent Halifax doctor
decided to bring their
fight to his doorstep.
At the heart of the
lawsuit is the allegation
Dr. Lawson sterilized fifteen
women without their consent.
You went to the man's house?
- I thought we discussed this.
- But it worked.
Man, look at this coverage.
He looks like an ass.
Don't be too cocky.
Anyway, you still
coming over tomorrow?
Yeah, but, uh, Michelle can't make it.
Ah, that's too bad.
I take it you've seen the news.
- Good, right?
- I'd say "I told you so"
but heck, I told you so.
Vivian, you really
think that having these women
confront this doctor at
his home helps our case?
He sterilized fifteen Black
women without their consent.
This is about hearts and minds.
No, this is about convincing a judge
that our facts fit the law.
You would know this
if you were a lawyer.
I was just telling Ellery
I guess it pays to travel
in the right circles.
Doesn't it though, baby?
Everybody's home safely
and mission accomplished.
You're really proud of
yourself, aren't ya?
You're thinking too linear.
I'm not playing your game.
We have footage.
We control the narrative.
Keep up.
Encouraging clients to
physically assault defendants,
doctoring video tapes?
Oh, you're right, this is not my game.
Are you good with this?
Reg, his lawyers
are planting racist stories
dismissing our clients as a
pack of welfare moms and addicts
who are trying to extort money
from a respectable OBGYN.
No, I don't like it but let's move on.
We're all on the same side, Reggie.
I wish Marcie was here.
Marcie, you always know what I need.
I'm glad you're having a good time.
The best.
You're the best.
You comin'?
Aunt Rolanda, attach your ankle cuff.
You know that's dangerous.
Oh no, no.
No.
No, you don't wanna go with him.
It's good, baby.
No you-no you,
you don't wanna go with him!
You don't wanna go with him!
Rolanda, no.
This is our secret.
Don't go.
Rolanda!
That trip.
It's one of my happiest memories.
Barry Costello, I don't know
why he keeps showing up.
Sounds like a kind of synchronicity.
Two unrelated memories
have somehow become
intertwined or connected in
this dream you're having.
I-I thought all this would stop
once I got out of the hospital
and I knew I didn't have to testify.
The death of your shooter
doesn't mean the residue
of trauma just vanishes.
Tell me more about this vacation
you and your Aunt Rolanda took.
Why?
I don't see how it's relevant.
Sometimes trauma can bond with trauma.
Maybe if we unpack the
trip we can find the,
the sticking point
between the two events
and separate them.
But there's nothing to tell.
I already told you,
it was one of the
happiest times of my life.
I got a call
from the Minister's office.
And?
Told them how beneficial
your talents would be
to the Court of Appeal
and how fortunate
they'd be to have you.
I owe you.
Oh, are you kidding me?
I'm so grateful to you for helping me
make sense of all of
this judge business.
Still, I won't forget it.
Larissa, you've never had issues
with fertility in the past?
Never.
I've got three kids.
I've had two miscarriages.
Getting pregnant was never a problem.
When Reece and I decided
we wanted to get pregnant,
I didn't understand why
we seemed to be having
so much trouble.
I went to see a specialist
and the first thing
that Dr. Casey asked
after examining me was,
"When did I have my tubes tied?"
I think I laughed
just 'cause, I don't know,
the idea seemed so foolish to me.
I'm an only child.
I always wanted lots of kids.
Did you and Reece, your fiancé,
end up conceiving children together?
No.
Dr. Casey said
with how the tubal ligation was done
and the amount of
time that had passed,
the chances of a reversal
surgery being successful were
It wasn't good.
Were you able to determine
who performed the tubal ligation?
Dr. Lawson, right there.
And how did you
come to this conclusion?
Dr. Lawson delivered my last child.
During our initial conversation,
he asked if I was certain
I wanted to bring another child
into my situation.
"Your situation"?
A single mother
on welfare with two kids
living in social housing.
He told me it wasn't too
late to have an abortion.
I told him I wanted my child.
Did he ever raise the topic
of abortion with you again?
No.
But he said because he
was doing a C-section,
he could tie my tubes if I wanted.
Larissa, did you want
Dr. Lawson to perform a tubal ligation?
No, I didn't.
No further questions.
Okay.
And you weren't in
the best shape mentally
when you first met
Dr. Lawson, correct?
Your blood pressure was sky high
and you were suffering from
depression, isn't that right?
Yes.
And isn't it true that you're the one
that initiated the
conversation with Dr. Lawson
with the possibility of
terminating the pregnancy?
No!
You didn't break down in tears
and tell him that you'd wish,
and I quote,
"gotten my tubes tied
"so I wouldn't be in
this situation again"?
Ms. Crooks?
- Yes, but I-
- No more questions, Your Honour.
You sure you don't
wanna change your mind?
I'm just not up to it.
I get it.
You sure?
Or do you always pack
with this much intensity?
Marcie, I just really wish
you would've told me this sooner.
The whole reason I set this up
was for you and my
folks to meet properly.
I know, I just
I don't feel safe.
Marcie.
Listen, Barry Costello has
been dead for three months.
You don't have to worry
about seeing him in court.
He's not gonna hurt you.
I know, I just
I just wanna curl up in a
ball and go in my closet.
Okay, look, I'm-I'm not gonna go.
What?
- No, I won't, I won't go.
- No, no, no.
- No, no, no, no, no, no.
- No, it's okay.
You need to go, you've been
you've been so amazing
but I need a break.
I'm sure you could use a break too.
I mean, go have fun with your folks.
Go have fun and-and-and
I will try to shower
at least once before you get back.
Oh, well,
you smell like heaven.
Nice try.
I'll see you in a couple days.
I love you.
Dewey's husband is the Chair
of the Advisory Committee.
Dewey is Chief Justice.
She can recommend which
Trial Division Judge
gets to be a part of that committee.
You know how long it's been
since an openly queer judge
has been on that Advisory Committee?
Not since she's been Chief Justice.
That's four years.
We need representation
on that committee.
What do you want me to do?
Reach out to the
Chief Justice of the province.
She's out, isn't she?
Darcy's a political animal.
She's just gonna say
wait until Dewey's husband
is no longer the Chair.
Besides, everyone knows
you're Dewey's pet.
What did you say?
I'm sorry.
I meant to say she's fond of you.
Look, all we're asking is for
you to make the suggestion.
Yeah.
Hey, heard you
got spanked in court today.
Wasn't my best day.
None for me.
Oh.
I'm gonna need you to pull
back on this Larissa stuff.
Ah, just in case.
Is this about Reggie?
I don't mind you colouring
outside the lines a little,
but this thing with the doctor
and fighting with Reggie.
It's gotta stop.
You're right.
I was completely out of line.
I just had my assistant send over
a case of that "Quebec beer" he likes.
This Jay Redbird is stunning.
Michelle set me up with that.
Your girl's got a killer eye.
She's so excited for your wedding.
She's my one bright
spot at the moment.
You know what?
I think I have something
that may change your mood.
Is this what I think it is?
The Eskasoni office of
Marcie Diggs & Associates.
We're getting it done.
Privately run,
fully-funded legal services
for your community.
Happy, friend?
Your Honour, these consent
forms simply cannot be relied on
as a basis to dismiss
my clients claims.
My clients consented to giving birth,
not having their reproductive
futures taken from them-
Your Honour, doctors
have to be in a position
to make split second decisions.
Allowing this lawsuit to proceed
undermines that entire system.
Informed consent does
not begin and end
with a signature at the
bottom of a printed form-
That's not for you to decide,
with respect.
Your Honour,
we deserve the opportunity
to properly put forward
our claims of duress,
incapacitation and,
in some cases, fraud,
with respect to these consent-
Your Honour, this constant
slander of my client-
Tread lightly, Mr. Paul.
Having heard the arguments of counsel,
I've decided to give Mr. Paul a chance
to present his evidence
supporting his argument of duress
regarding the signed consent forms.
In that case,
we'd ask that the evidence
to support their duress argument
be limited to the time period
directly before the
signing of the consent
and not include the
consultations months earlier.
Objection, Your Honour.
Counsel's request narrows
the scope of our argument.
Yes, it does.
The defendant's request is granted.
Complainant's duress
argument can only relate
to discussions that
occurred within 24 hours
of Dr. Lawson's patients
signing the consent form.
We're adjourned.
Cancel whatever plans you have.
If we don't thread this needle,
we're done.
What about this one?
Hmm, um
Fails on time period.
This one could be good.
Single mother, four kids,
works as an EA at the
Department of Finance.
Oh, I remember this one.
She said he performed
her tubal ligation
after she gave birth
and she consented,
but her psychiatrist told Dr. Lawson
that she was suffering
from postpartum depression.
She recommended against the procedure.
Why isn't she on our witness list?
You know why.
Ms. Jefferson's strategy
of "Black women only".
Do we have a retainer
agreement with her?
She was poached by another law firm.
We found one, we'll find another.
I think I found something.
Morgan Quinn.
That doesn't ring a bell.
Morgan Elizabeth Quinn.
She was in a serious car accident
when she was eight months pregnant.
Unconscious. No consent form.
Jackpot.
She gave birth to a
healthy baby and two years later,
she found out that Dr. Lawson
performed a tubal ligation
without her consent.
That means even if we lose the motion
we're still in the game.
Oh, Iris, you got his pronouns wrong.
Morgan's a "he". He's a trans man.
We need to track down Morgan.
Nope, he revoked his retainer
agreement three weeks ago.
I thought you were
staying on top of our complainants,
keeping 'em on side.
Our "named" complainants
at the forefront of the case.
Find Morgan Quinn,
convince him to testify.
For count one,
a sentence of six months in jail.
For count two,
the sentence of-
I still can't get over it.
Live feed access into
everyone's courtroom.
Provides a different
perspective, doesn't it?
Fascinating.
Um, I was gonna come see you-
Actually, my husband is
chairing the Advisory Committee
for the next round of hiring
for Nova Scotia Trial Division Judges.
We want the committee
to be more inclusive.
That's exactly what I
wanted to speak to you about.
I mean, we could really use
more LGBTQ+ representation
on that committee.
So we're agreed.
That was easy.
No. Oh, sorry.
No, I mean, thank you
for thinking of me.
Ah, I was thinking Judge Pinch
would be perfect for that job.
She's a progressive thinker-
Brittney Pinch is fine,
but your experience as a
manager of Halifax Legal Aid
and the fact that you ran
your own firm in Toronto.
You have the practical
recruitment experience
a lot of your colleagues lack.
And, the fact that you are also
a member of the LGBT+
community is a real plus.
I'll definitely think about it.
Are they green?
There you go, yeah.
Oh, you want this guy?
I can't talk to you.
Morgan, we're really
sorry about how we-
No, I really can't talk to you.
You settled with Dr. Lawson,
didn't you?
I haven't heard from anyone
at your firm in over a month.
It was obvious that nobody
cared about me or my story.
So yeah, I took the money.
I'm sorry, he's not a good guy,
but I needed to take
care of my family.
Doug, I can't do this.
Larissa, we need you. See, right now-
I'll sit in the gallery.
I'll support the other
women on the case,
but I just can't.
I can't be out there
like you and Vivian want.
Larissa, please.
That's enough, Doug.
She says she's out.
Your father had
the great idea to start a garden.
"Start" being the operative word.
Dad's busy?
Well, for a man
who's supposed to be retired,
he doesn't know how to say no.
He's been filling in over
at the ER in Fredericton
for the past two weeks.
I've already told him if he gets sick
I'll kill him.
Well, Dad loves taking care of people.
Anyways.
How you doing?
How's Marcie?
She's not here with you so
I'm guessing it's still a struggle.
Yeah, one day at a time.
You, for better or worse
are so much more like me.
Be patient with her, okay?
Just it's hard sometimes, Mom.
Come inside.
I got a pan of lasagna.
And I know that'll cure what ails you.
Colleen, I'm not trying to
diminish your capabilities
but this is about you
"straight passing".
I'm not "straight passing".
Right, but I have heard
people describe you
as someone who happens to be gay.
Well, don't put their
assumptions on me.
You know, you're right.
You're right.
Loretta likes you.
And, even though I know you're private
and don't like to lead
with your sexual identity,
you being in the room means
that we're in the room with you.
You'll fight for us.
I don't even know if
we have a case anymore.
I'll speak to Larissa.
You.
You're the problem.
This happened because
Morgan doesn't fit the story
that you want to tell.
Why don't you just leave,
if you're not gonna be helpful?
- Viv, that's enough.
- Helpful? Like you?
You made these women believe in us
and then you, you screwed them.
Not Doug, not us, you.
Man, you need to get off my ass.
Remember who pays the bills here.
Can you stop?
Just stop.
You have no right, Vivian.
Not after what happened.
The shooting.
Reg.
She was out of line. That
shouldn't have happened.
But it did.
She has no right to
treat me like that.
She's acting like I'm the enemy.
I'll talk to her.
Talk, huh.
No, this was inevitable.
With Marcie gone,
I mean, it's not you.
She doesn't respect the
rules that we live by.
She just does what she wants.
And I'm telling you my friend,
I am too old for this shit.
It's a lot of food for one person.
Your dad's coming by tonight,
isn't he?
I'm sure he needs a home-cooked meal.
So what's going on
with you two anyway?
Nothing.
He's enjoying his freedom,
I'm enjoying mine.
Mhm.
Your mom's a hot property.
Men have been after me
like flies at a picnic.
Little old to be starting
your "ho phase",
don't you think?
And you're not too old for
me to slap across the mouth.
I'm not sure I even want
another man in my life.
It's kind of nice being able
to spread out on the bed,
not fighting about
whose side is whose,
not having your father's cold feet
wake me up in the middle of the night.
God, it's like his feet die
and are revived in the morning.
Maybe we could go on a double date.
That's not gonna happen, Mom.
Can we talk?
It's really ugly, Marcie.
Doug is now realizing that
if you give Viv an inch,
she's gonna take a mile.
If you don't come back I'm
certain Reggie's gonna quit.
I'm not ready.
Then get ready, Marcie.
You hear that, Mom?
She says, "get ready."
How many times have I heard that?
Every day.
Look, I spoke to Doug last week.
He said everything was fine.
Vivian moved into your office.
Trust me, everything is not fine.
Look at ya.
Doing dishes.
- Good to see you, son.
- Hey, Dad.
I'm glad I didn't miss ya.
Mom says you got tied up.
Yeah, yeah, whole system been
on life support pre-COVID.
Now, something's gotta change.
Where's Marcie?
Ah, she couldn't come.
How's she feeling?
Did she finish her outpatient therapy?
Yeah, I mean, she's-she's
coming around.
Yeah.
Physically, anyway.
It's just psychological stuff.
Yeah, yeah.
It's unpredictable for sure.
Hmm.
Well, I need to take a shower.
- We'll catch up in a few.
- Okay. Yeah.
Hey, Vangie, did you
give Avery that letter
that came from the government?
Is it going somewhere?
Well, I don't know, dear, is it?
Come on, come on.
All right.
Letter?
What letter, Mom?
Government's
opening up the books finally.
Kids who were adopted
can get their birth
parents information
unless the birth parents file a,
a veto asking,
asking not to be contacted.
If you're curious, you know, now's,
now's your chance.
Doug tells me you wanna
take your name off the case.
It's too much.
You made me believe
that the courts cared
about Black women who were
butchered by that doctor.
You remember my grandma,
she had that unit just across
from your mom's in Jellybean?
She revered her doctor.
He was like God.
Then, she had a stroke,
couldn't swallow.
Perfectly healthy,
just couldn't swallow.
Doctor wanted to put a
feeding tube down her throat
and be done with her.
To hell with that, I said.
But Grandma thought
her doctor was God.
She died with that
feeding tube in her belly.
Look, I wasn't being naive about this.
Even if we lose, we win.
Dr. Lawson will think twice
about pulling that shit
on another one of us.
If we don't have a client,
we don't have a case.
Marcie, you're back.
Vivian.
That's subtle.
You and I both
know setting up shop here
was a breach of our agreement.
Just trying to be of help.
And I appreciate that, I do.
But I'm back now.
You don't gotta tell me twice.
Your things?
Trash it.
I'll be seeing ya, partner.
You're really doing this?
You're going?
Ah, I've been at this long enough
I don't have to put up
with that bullshit.
And what about,
I don't know, this?
Us?
I think that our relationship
can withstand a, a three hour drive.
How about you?
Hey, there she is.
I heard a rumour you were back.
Yeah.
It's really good to see you, Reg.
- Hey, Louise.
- Hey, Marcie.
I'll catch up with you later.
Okay, bye.
Bye.
Well, you're resigning to
take a teaching job at UPEI.
I thought you'd had
enough of academia.
Enough of Ms. Jefferson.
Vivian's gone.
Is she?
You weren't in the hospital a week
and she put Doug in charge,
which is the one good call she made.
Why not you?
I don't know.
You were lying there
unresponsive in the hospital
and then the-the Reverend was dead.
And I mean, to be perfectly honest,
I think I was done then.
Doug was doing you proud,
but he got too close to Viv.
They like each other, go figure.
So he let the fox in
with the chickens.
Don't go.
I'm, I'm back.
Things will get better.
Ah, don't kid a kidder.
I love you but this is a
Vivian Jefferson production
and until she's out, all the way out,
you're stuck.
Dr. Lawson followed his
MO on Morgan's delivery:
C-section followed by tubal
ligation without consent.
Except with Morgan he screwed up
because Morgan was incapacitated,
didn't sign a consent form
and there was nobody there
to sign on his behalf.
And we didn't want him as a witness
because he wasn't Black?
Uh, Viv said he didn't
fit the narrative.
I need to speak to a lawyer now.
It's what, money?
Here, here, take it.
It's all I've got.
I need someone to help me.
Hi, I'm Marcie Diggs.
Basil Allen.
This is my lady, Trudy Willis.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Why do you need a lawyer today,
Mr. Allen?
Basil's from Jamaica.
He's a migrant worker out in Stewiacke
at Goldenview Fields.
Tell her what's going on.
I need to know how to
quit and get another employer
to sponsor my permit.
These people are no good, Miss Diggs.
Them rotten.
Mr. Allen, this doesn't sound like
a five minute conversation.
Look, we're in the middle
of a trial this week.
Can you come back in two weeks
and I promise you I will get you
untangled from your employer.
She a woman of her word?
Absolutely.
I'll see you in two weeks, Ms. Diggs.
Call me Marcie.
Basil, Trudy, I'm sorry but we,
we really have to go.
I'll see you.
I was going through
one of the happiest
experiences of my life.
Every aspect of the healthcare
system was telling me that
a pregnant person who
doesn't identify as a woman
doesn't belong.
And whether they intended it or not,
your firm made me feel the same way.
I didn't fit so I was just discarded.
I am sorry that you went
through all of that.
Dr. Lawson hurt a lot of
people but we need you.
Honestly, if you don't testify,
he just gets away with it.
He gets to go home and feel like
he was right to sterilize you
and all of those other people.
Don't let that happen.
Don't just go away quietly.
Testify.
They paid me $350,000.
That money changes my life.
Never see that in a class
action suit, would I?
I can't risk it.
I can't risk losing that money.
I can't risk Dr. Lawson's
lawyers coming after me.
I can't, I'm sorry.
I think when we get
back that we just fire your lawyer.
You need somebody with some muscle.
Marcie.
Somebody to put the fear of
God into these prosecutors.
- Oh, Marcie.
- Um?
Okay, okay.
But right now can we just
focus on this beautiful place?
Marcie, this is our time.
Okay.
You didn't mention Costello this time.
Yeah, no, Costello wasn't there.
Um, it was just Rolanda
and me this time.
But it-it still
it like, it doesn't feel like
it was joyful.
And in the dreams,
it's like
What is it?
Tell me what happened.
I have to go.
Marcie, whatever this thing
is that you're holding onto,
you're gonna have to get real about it
or it will continue to eat at you.
Unbelievable!
Little baby just had to go
running to momma, didn't she?
Oh, go to hell, Viv.
I brought Larissa to the firm.
It was my case to manage.
Your case?
I made the introductions,
Viva did the outreach.
You are delusional, Viv.
You're not a lawyer.
You don't have cases.
Had you not interfered,
Morgan Quinn would've
been able to testify
and this would've been
a victory for Larissa,
but now it's too late.
Of course your fearless leader
couldn't make everything better?
You mean she couldn't
fix what you broke?
He already agreed to a
settlement with Dr. Lawson.
And we could subpoena him
but Marcie's unwilling
to go that route.
Of course.
I think it's over.
We were over the moment
you went running to Marcie.
That's 90,000 per.
That's not gonna cut it.
- Give me a number.
- 700,000.
Your case is in pieces.
The only reason we're talking
is because of Dr. Lawson's
sense of generosity.
Well, I'm sure the negative publicity
isn't helping his practice.
You subpoenaed him?
We're done, Sigmond.
You signed an NDA.
You testify,
we'll come after you for
every cent of the settlement.
He robbed me of my
reproductive rights.
He deserves to be punished.
If you'll excuse us,
we need to speak with our witness.
It was tough some days
just going to my
prenatal appointments.
Everything is gendered.
All the printed material
referring to
"Your New Journey as a Mom"
or "Welcome to motherhood".
But you
are a mother still, aren't you?
I'm a father.
My pronouns are "he", "him".
I understand that
but biologically you're still a woman.
Your Honour, my client
identifies as "male".
I'm not contesting your
witness' gender identity.
But that's actually what you're doing.
Counsellor, continue
with your witness.
Morgan, prior to giving birth,
did you ever indicate to Dr. Lawson
that you wanted a tubal ligation?
No.
I'd been in a car accident
and I was unconscious.
So you intended to have more children?
Maybe, I don't know.
I wanted that option but
he took that from me.
But you identify as a man,
you want to be a man.
No, I am a man, Your Honour.
So why would
you continue to have babies?
Something that is the
sole enterprise of women.
I guess some people want it both ways.
- What the?
- Your Honour!
Counsel, my questions
fall within the scope of the law.
Your Honour, I would like to
continue questioning my witness
without interruption.
Morgan, you didn't sign a consent form
when you were admitted to the hospital
to give birth, did you?
No, I did not.
And no one with
your medical power of attorney
signed a consent form on your behalf?
No.
And when you regained consciousness,
did Dr. Lawson or anyone on his team
tell you that they had
performed a tubal ligation
during your C-section?
No, I, um
I only learned that
after a couple of years
when my partner and
I were looking into
having another child.
Thank you.
Mr. Reichert.
Isn't it true your
pregnancy was unplanned?
Yes, but I-
In fact you were scheduled for a GRS,
gender reassignment surgery,
prior to learning of your pregnancy,
isn't that right?
Yes, but I-
Didn't you breakdown in
tears in Dr. Lawson's office
because you were so upset
about your pregnancy
and having to cancel your GRS?
I-I wasn't upset.
Ah, but you were seeking
abortion counselling.
Objection!
Sit down, Ms.
Diggs. I wanna hear this testimony.
You did tell Dr. Lawson
that you wanted to be referred
to Planned Parenthood
because you were seeking
abortion counselling.
Shouldn't every pregnant
person have that option?
Morgan, I'm curious,
you're in a loving,
stable relationship
with a decent home and job.
Sounds like a great
place to raise a child.
So why were you seeking
abortion counselling?
Morgan?
'Cause I didn't wanna be in that body.
Right, 'cause you're a man
and men don't have babies.
Objection, Your Honour!
Isn't it true
that you asked Dr. Lawson
to perform tubal ligation
after giving birth
because you didn't want
any more children?
Objection, Your Honour.
Isn't it true that
you created this entire narrative
because you wanted to save
face with your partner?
Judge Dewey!
Ms. Diggs, there's nothing wrong
with Mr. Reichert's questions.
In your earlier testimony,
you mentioned that
you and your partner
were considering having more children.
But you,
you don't wanna have another child,
do you, Morgan?
You're under oath, Morgan.
Don't forget.
It wasn't his choice!
It was my choice!
Mine!
Thank you, Morgan.
Your Honour, I'm done.
If you're not going to tell me
why you want to withdraw your
recommendation of Loretta
to the Court of Appeal,
then I'm not comfortable.
She's transphobic, homophobic.
I mean, her conduct in
court today was astonishing.
If I could have her removed
from the bench, I would.
That's strong.
Look, you're the boss
of every judge in the province.
After what I've just told you,
do you think Judge Dewey
deserves to be on the bench?
Judges.
We're a tiny family.
We put our dirty laundry in the dryer,
not on the line.
I want you to call
the Minister's office
and rescind my recommendation.
And if they ask why?
Don't hide the truth on my account.
I'm not gonna give
shelter to a homophobe
and neither should you.
If there is
nothing further from counsel,
I shall proceed with my ruling.
This court finds the
defendant Dr. Brad Lawson,
not liable.
What?
What do you mean?
We're adjourned.
All rise.
Your Honour I would
like an opportunity to be heard.
Your Honour.
Judge Dewey!
Marcie.
The way that you
just treated my witness Morgan,
your openly transphobic
behaviour is disgusting.
- This robe that you wear-
- I would stop if I were you.
You should be ashamed.
You know, I'm sitting here wondering
whether or not justice
can actually be obtained
in a courtroom anymore.
You have managed to
change this courtroom
into a place where fear resides,
like a-like a haunted house.
You know, you're a ghoul.
Ms. Diggs,
you clearly continue
to suffer the effects
of the violent assault you endured.
However, for your sake,
I hope to never see you
in my courtroom again.
Hey, Marce.
Here you go.
Take care.
Listen to it purr.
You look great in that.
Did you pay him to testify?
Your stuff is in the front hallway.
Hey, what?
Look what I got!
- Oh wow.
- There you go.
Delicious.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Hey, Marce.
Hm?
I want you to know that I love you.
You understand?
I know.
Like, I love you.
Going for a walk?
Yeah. Hit me!
Mwah!
Rolanda!
Oh my God, what did you do?
What did you do?
Oh my God, no!
No, no, why?
- Rolanda.
- Marcie.
- Help!
- Marcie.
Somebody help me,
we need an ambulance.
Let me go, baby.
Let me go, please!
Why did you do this?
You're gonna be okay.
You're gonna be okay,
you're gonna be okay.
You're gonna be okay.
Thank you.
You okay, kid?
Yeah, I'm okay.
I'm all good.
I'm sorry, excuse me.
Marcie?
Marcie?
It's okay, baby.
Whatever it is, it's okay.
Previously on "Diggstown."
I'll finance all of it.
I won't interfere in your day to day.
What's in this for you?
You don't trust easily, do you?
No.
All I'm saying with you and Rolanda,
you gotta let it go.
Rolanda was sad.
The sadness,
it led her to take her own life.
Stay outta my business.
Your business is my business.
Barry Costello:
You tell Reverend Crawley
I'm not gonna be so nice
to his girl next time.
Okay, I'll see you tonight, Jo.
Where are our babies?
Butcher!
Where are our babies?
We will not be silenced.
Where are our babies?
Where are our babies?
You took away our choice!
Where are our babies?
- This was not your choice!
- Where are our babies?
- Move.
- Butcher!
Where are our babies?
Stay back!
Get away from me!
Get him up, let him go.
Look, we made our point.
- Get outta here before I
- I need you to get up.
You're under arrest.
But this is a peaceful protest.
Oh yeah, it looks real peaceful.
Get back!
We warned you this could happen.
Don't worry, Babe.
My people will clear this up.
Hey.
In Halifax this morning,
a group of complainants
in a class action lawsuit
against a prominent Halifax doctor
decided to bring their
fight to his doorstep.
At the heart of the
lawsuit is the allegation
Dr. Lawson sterilized fifteen
women without their consent.
You went to the man's house?
- I thought we discussed this.
- But it worked.
Man, look at this coverage.
He looks like an ass.
Don't be too cocky.
Anyway, you still
coming over tomorrow?
Yeah, but, uh, Michelle can't make it.
Ah, that's too bad.
I take it you've seen the news.
- Good, right?
- I'd say "I told you so"
but heck, I told you so.
Vivian, you really
think that having these women
confront this doctor at
his home helps our case?
He sterilized fifteen Black
women without their consent.
This is about hearts and minds.
No, this is about convincing a judge
that our facts fit the law.
You would know this
if you were a lawyer.
I was just telling Ellery
I guess it pays to travel
in the right circles.
Doesn't it though, baby?
Everybody's home safely
and mission accomplished.
You're really proud of
yourself, aren't ya?
You're thinking too linear.
I'm not playing your game.
We have footage.
We control the narrative.
Keep up.
Encouraging clients to
physically assault defendants,
doctoring video tapes?
Oh, you're right, this is not my game.
Are you good with this?
Reg, his lawyers
are planting racist stories
dismissing our clients as a
pack of welfare moms and addicts
who are trying to extort money
from a respectable OBGYN.
No, I don't like it but let's move on.
We're all on the same side, Reggie.
I wish Marcie was here.
Marcie, you always know what I need.
I'm glad you're having a good time.
The best.
You're the best.
You comin'?
Aunt Rolanda, attach your ankle cuff.
You know that's dangerous.
Oh no, no.
No.
No, you don't wanna go with him.
It's good, baby.
No you-no you,
you don't wanna go with him!
You don't wanna go with him!
Rolanda, no.
This is our secret.
Don't go.
Rolanda!
That trip.
It's one of my happiest memories.
Barry Costello, I don't know
why he keeps showing up.
Sounds like a kind of synchronicity.
Two unrelated memories
have somehow become
intertwined or connected in
this dream you're having.
I-I thought all this would stop
once I got out of the hospital
and I knew I didn't have to testify.
The death of your shooter
doesn't mean the residue
of trauma just vanishes.
Tell me more about this vacation
you and your Aunt Rolanda took.
Why?
I don't see how it's relevant.
Sometimes trauma can bond with trauma.
Maybe if we unpack the
trip we can find the,
the sticking point
between the two events
and separate them.
But there's nothing to tell.
I already told you,
it was one of the
happiest times of my life.
I got a call
from the Minister's office.
And?
Told them how beneficial
your talents would be
to the Court of Appeal
and how fortunate
they'd be to have you.
I owe you.
Oh, are you kidding me?
I'm so grateful to you for helping me
make sense of all of
this judge business.
Still, I won't forget it.
Larissa, you've never had issues
with fertility in the past?
Never.
I've got three kids.
I've had two miscarriages.
Getting pregnant was never a problem.
When Reece and I decided
we wanted to get pregnant,
I didn't understand why
we seemed to be having
so much trouble.
I went to see a specialist
and the first thing
that Dr. Casey asked
after examining me was,
"When did I have my tubes tied?"
I think I laughed
just 'cause, I don't know,
the idea seemed so foolish to me.
I'm an only child.
I always wanted lots of kids.
Did you and Reece, your fiancé,
end up conceiving children together?
No.
Dr. Casey said
with how the tubal ligation was done
and the amount of
time that had passed,
the chances of a reversal
surgery being successful were
It wasn't good.
Were you able to determine
who performed the tubal ligation?
Dr. Lawson, right there.
And how did you
come to this conclusion?
Dr. Lawson delivered my last child.
During our initial conversation,
he asked if I was certain
I wanted to bring another child
into my situation.
"Your situation"?
A single mother
on welfare with two kids
living in social housing.
He told me it wasn't too
late to have an abortion.
I told him I wanted my child.
Did he ever raise the topic
of abortion with you again?
No.
But he said because he
was doing a C-section,
he could tie my tubes if I wanted.
Larissa, did you want
Dr. Lawson to perform a tubal ligation?
No, I didn't.
No further questions.
Okay.
And you weren't in
the best shape mentally
when you first met
Dr. Lawson, correct?
Your blood pressure was sky high
and you were suffering from
depression, isn't that right?
Yes.
And isn't it true that you're the one
that initiated the
conversation with Dr. Lawson
with the possibility of
terminating the pregnancy?
No!
You didn't break down in tears
and tell him that you'd wish,
and I quote,
"gotten my tubes tied
"so I wouldn't be in
this situation again"?
Ms. Crooks?
- Yes, but I-
- No more questions, Your Honour.
You sure you don't
wanna change your mind?
I'm just not up to it.
I get it.
You sure?
Or do you always pack
with this much intensity?
Marcie, I just really wish
you would've told me this sooner.
The whole reason I set this up
was for you and my
folks to meet properly.
I know, I just
I don't feel safe.
Marcie.
Listen, Barry Costello has
been dead for three months.
You don't have to worry
about seeing him in court.
He's not gonna hurt you.
I know, I just
I just wanna curl up in a
ball and go in my closet.
Okay, look, I'm-I'm not gonna go.
What?
- No, I won't, I won't go.
- No, no, no.
- No, no, no, no, no, no.
- No, it's okay.
You need to go, you've been
you've been so amazing
but I need a break.
I'm sure you could use a break too.
I mean, go have fun with your folks.
Go have fun and-and-and
I will try to shower
at least once before you get back.
Oh, well,
you smell like heaven.
Nice try.
I'll see you in a couple days.
I love you.
Dewey's husband is the Chair
of the Advisory Committee.
Dewey is Chief Justice.
She can recommend which
Trial Division Judge
gets to be a part of that committee.
You know how long it's been
since an openly queer judge
has been on that Advisory Committee?
Not since she's been Chief Justice.
That's four years.
We need representation
on that committee.
What do you want me to do?
Reach out to the
Chief Justice of the province.
She's out, isn't she?
Darcy's a political animal.
She's just gonna say
wait until Dewey's husband
is no longer the Chair.
Besides, everyone knows
you're Dewey's pet.
What did you say?
I'm sorry.
I meant to say she's fond of you.
Look, all we're asking is for
you to make the suggestion.
Yeah.
Hey, heard you
got spanked in court today.
Wasn't my best day.
None for me.
Oh.
I'm gonna need you to pull
back on this Larissa stuff.
Ah, just in case.
Is this about Reggie?
I don't mind you colouring
outside the lines a little,
but this thing with the doctor
and fighting with Reggie.
It's gotta stop.
You're right.
I was completely out of line.
I just had my assistant send over
a case of that "Quebec beer" he likes.
This Jay Redbird is stunning.
Michelle set me up with that.
Your girl's got a killer eye.
She's so excited for your wedding.
She's my one bright
spot at the moment.
You know what?
I think I have something
that may change your mood.
Is this what I think it is?
The Eskasoni office of
Marcie Diggs & Associates.
We're getting it done.
Privately run,
fully-funded legal services
for your community.
Happy, friend?
Your Honour, these consent
forms simply cannot be relied on
as a basis to dismiss
my clients claims.
My clients consented to giving birth,
not having their reproductive
futures taken from them-
Your Honour, doctors
have to be in a position
to make split second decisions.
Allowing this lawsuit to proceed
undermines that entire system.
Informed consent does
not begin and end
with a signature at the
bottom of a printed form-
That's not for you to decide,
with respect.
Your Honour,
we deserve the opportunity
to properly put forward
our claims of duress,
incapacitation and,
in some cases, fraud,
with respect to these consent-
Your Honour, this constant
slander of my client-
Tread lightly, Mr. Paul.
Having heard the arguments of counsel,
I've decided to give Mr. Paul a chance
to present his evidence
supporting his argument of duress
regarding the signed consent forms.
In that case,
we'd ask that the evidence
to support their duress argument
be limited to the time period
directly before the
signing of the consent
and not include the
consultations months earlier.
Objection, Your Honour.
Counsel's request narrows
the scope of our argument.
Yes, it does.
The defendant's request is granted.
Complainant's duress
argument can only relate
to discussions that
occurred within 24 hours
of Dr. Lawson's patients
signing the consent form.
We're adjourned.
Cancel whatever plans you have.
If we don't thread this needle,
we're done.
What about this one?
Hmm, um
Fails on time period.
This one could be good.
Single mother, four kids,
works as an EA at the
Department of Finance.
Oh, I remember this one.
She said he performed
her tubal ligation
after she gave birth
and she consented,
but her psychiatrist told Dr. Lawson
that she was suffering
from postpartum depression.
She recommended against the procedure.
Why isn't she on our witness list?
You know why.
Ms. Jefferson's strategy
of "Black women only".
Do we have a retainer
agreement with her?
She was poached by another law firm.
We found one, we'll find another.
I think I found something.
Morgan Quinn.
That doesn't ring a bell.
Morgan Elizabeth Quinn.
She was in a serious car accident
when she was eight months pregnant.
Unconscious. No consent form.
Jackpot.
She gave birth to a
healthy baby and two years later,
she found out that Dr. Lawson
performed a tubal ligation
without her consent.
That means even if we lose the motion
we're still in the game.
Oh, Iris, you got his pronouns wrong.
Morgan's a "he". He's a trans man.
We need to track down Morgan.
Nope, he revoked his retainer
agreement three weeks ago.
I thought you were
staying on top of our complainants,
keeping 'em on side.
Our "named" complainants
at the forefront of the case.
Find Morgan Quinn,
convince him to testify.
For count one,
a sentence of six months in jail.
For count two,
the sentence of-
I still can't get over it.
Live feed access into
everyone's courtroom.
Provides a different
perspective, doesn't it?
Fascinating.
Um, I was gonna come see you-
Actually, my husband is
chairing the Advisory Committee
for the next round of hiring
for Nova Scotia Trial Division Judges.
We want the committee
to be more inclusive.
That's exactly what I
wanted to speak to you about.
I mean, we could really use
more LGBTQ+ representation
on that committee.
So we're agreed.
That was easy.
No. Oh, sorry.
No, I mean, thank you
for thinking of me.
Ah, I was thinking Judge Pinch
would be perfect for that job.
She's a progressive thinker-
Brittney Pinch is fine,
but your experience as a
manager of Halifax Legal Aid
and the fact that you ran
your own firm in Toronto.
You have the practical
recruitment experience
a lot of your colleagues lack.
And, the fact that you are also
a member of the LGBT+
community is a real plus.
I'll definitely think about it.
Are they green?
There you go, yeah.
Oh, you want this guy?
I can't talk to you.
Morgan, we're really
sorry about how we-
No, I really can't talk to you.
You settled with Dr. Lawson,
didn't you?
I haven't heard from anyone
at your firm in over a month.
It was obvious that nobody
cared about me or my story.
So yeah, I took the money.
I'm sorry, he's not a good guy,
but I needed to take
care of my family.
Doug, I can't do this.
Larissa, we need you. See, right now-
I'll sit in the gallery.
I'll support the other
women on the case,
but I just can't.
I can't be out there
like you and Vivian want.
Larissa, please.
That's enough, Doug.
She says she's out.
Your father had
the great idea to start a garden.
"Start" being the operative word.
Dad's busy?
Well, for a man
who's supposed to be retired,
he doesn't know how to say no.
He's been filling in over
at the ER in Fredericton
for the past two weeks.
I've already told him if he gets sick
I'll kill him.
Well, Dad loves taking care of people.
Anyways.
How you doing?
How's Marcie?
She's not here with you so
I'm guessing it's still a struggle.
Yeah, one day at a time.
You, for better or worse
are so much more like me.
Be patient with her, okay?
Just it's hard sometimes, Mom.
Come inside.
I got a pan of lasagna.
And I know that'll cure what ails you.
Colleen, I'm not trying to
diminish your capabilities
but this is about you
"straight passing".
I'm not "straight passing".
Right, but I have heard
people describe you
as someone who happens to be gay.
Well, don't put their
assumptions on me.
You know, you're right.
You're right.
Loretta likes you.
And, even though I know you're private
and don't like to lead
with your sexual identity,
you being in the room means
that we're in the room with you.
You'll fight for us.
I don't even know if
we have a case anymore.
I'll speak to Larissa.
You.
You're the problem.
This happened because
Morgan doesn't fit the story
that you want to tell.
Why don't you just leave,
if you're not gonna be helpful?
- Viv, that's enough.
- Helpful? Like you?
You made these women believe in us
and then you, you screwed them.
Not Doug, not us, you.
Man, you need to get off my ass.
Remember who pays the bills here.
Can you stop?
Just stop.
You have no right, Vivian.
Not after what happened.
The shooting.
Reg.
She was out of line. That
shouldn't have happened.
But it did.
She has no right to
treat me like that.
She's acting like I'm the enemy.
I'll talk to her.
Talk, huh.
No, this was inevitable.
With Marcie gone,
I mean, it's not you.
She doesn't respect the
rules that we live by.
She just does what she wants.
And I'm telling you my friend,
I am too old for this shit.
It's a lot of food for one person.
Your dad's coming by tonight,
isn't he?
I'm sure he needs a home-cooked meal.
So what's going on
with you two anyway?
Nothing.
He's enjoying his freedom,
I'm enjoying mine.
Mhm.
Your mom's a hot property.
Men have been after me
like flies at a picnic.
Little old to be starting
your "ho phase",
don't you think?
And you're not too old for
me to slap across the mouth.
I'm not sure I even want
another man in my life.
It's kind of nice being able
to spread out on the bed,
not fighting about
whose side is whose,
not having your father's cold feet
wake me up in the middle of the night.
God, it's like his feet die
and are revived in the morning.
Maybe we could go on a double date.
That's not gonna happen, Mom.
Can we talk?
It's really ugly, Marcie.
Doug is now realizing that
if you give Viv an inch,
she's gonna take a mile.
If you don't come back I'm
certain Reggie's gonna quit.
I'm not ready.
Then get ready, Marcie.
You hear that, Mom?
She says, "get ready."
How many times have I heard that?
Every day.
Look, I spoke to Doug last week.
He said everything was fine.
Vivian moved into your office.
Trust me, everything is not fine.
Look at ya.
Doing dishes.
- Good to see you, son.
- Hey, Dad.
I'm glad I didn't miss ya.
Mom says you got tied up.
Yeah, yeah, whole system been
on life support pre-COVID.
Now, something's gotta change.
Where's Marcie?
Ah, she couldn't come.
How's she feeling?
Did she finish her outpatient therapy?
Yeah, I mean, she's-she's
coming around.
Yeah.
Physically, anyway.
It's just psychological stuff.
Yeah, yeah.
It's unpredictable for sure.
Hmm.
Well, I need to take a shower.
- We'll catch up in a few.
- Okay. Yeah.
Hey, Vangie, did you
give Avery that letter
that came from the government?
Is it going somewhere?
Well, I don't know, dear, is it?
Come on, come on.
All right.
Letter?
What letter, Mom?
Government's
opening up the books finally.
Kids who were adopted
can get their birth
parents information
unless the birth parents file a,
a veto asking,
asking not to be contacted.
If you're curious, you know, now's,
now's your chance.
Doug tells me you wanna
take your name off the case.
It's too much.
You made me believe
that the courts cared
about Black women who were
butchered by that doctor.
You remember my grandma,
she had that unit just across
from your mom's in Jellybean?
She revered her doctor.
He was like God.
Then, she had a stroke,
couldn't swallow.
Perfectly healthy,
just couldn't swallow.
Doctor wanted to put a
feeding tube down her throat
and be done with her.
To hell with that, I said.
But Grandma thought
her doctor was God.
She died with that
feeding tube in her belly.
Look, I wasn't being naive about this.
Even if we lose, we win.
Dr. Lawson will think twice
about pulling that shit
on another one of us.
If we don't have a client,
we don't have a case.
Marcie, you're back.
Vivian.
That's subtle.
You and I both
know setting up shop here
was a breach of our agreement.
Just trying to be of help.
And I appreciate that, I do.
But I'm back now.
You don't gotta tell me twice.
Your things?
Trash it.
I'll be seeing ya, partner.
You're really doing this?
You're going?
Ah, I've been at this long enough
I don't have to put up
with that bullshit.
And what about,
I don't know, this?
Us?
I think that our relationship
can withstand a, a three hour drive.
How about you?
Hey, there she is.
I heard a rumour you were back.
Yeah.
It's really good to see you, Reg.
- Hey, Louise.
- Hey, Marcie.
I'll catch up with you later.
Okay, bye.
Bye.
Well, you're resigning to
take a teaching job at UPEI.
I thought you'd had
enough of academia.
Enough of Ms. Jefferson.
Vivian's gone.
Is she?
You weren't in the hospital a week
and she put Doug in charge,
which is the one good call she made.
Why not you?
I don't know.
You were lying there
unresponsive in the hospital
and then the-the Reverend was dead.
And I mean, to be perfectly honest,
I think I was done then.
Doug was doing you proud,
but he got too close to Viv.
They like each other, go figure.
So he let the fox in
with the chickens.
Don't go.
I'm, I'm back.
Things will get better.
Ah, don't kid a kidder.
I love you but this is a
Vivian Jefferson production
and until she's out, all the way out,
you're stuck.
Dr. Lawson followed his
MO on Morgan's delivery:
C-section followed by tubal
ligation without consent.
Except with Morgan he screwed up
because Morgan was incapacitated,
didn't sign a consent form
and there was nobody there
to sign on his behalf.
And we didn't want him as a witness
because he wasn't Black?
Uh, Viv said he didn't
fit the narrative.
I need to speak to a lawyer now.
It's what, money?
Here, here, take it.
It's all I've got.
I need someone to help me.
Hi, I'm Marcie Diggs.
Basil Allen.
This is my lady, Trudy Willis.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Why do you need a lawyer today,
Mr. Allen?
Basil's from Jamaica.
He's a migrant worker out in Stewiacke
at Goldenview Fields.
Tell her what's going on.
I need to know how to
quit and get another employer
to sponsor my permit.
These people are no good, Miss Diggs.
Them rotten.
Mr. Allen, this doesn't sound like
a five minute conversation.
Look, we're in the middle
of a trial this week.
Can you come back in two weeks
and I promise you I will get you
untangled from your employer.
She a woman of her word?
Absolutely.
I'll see you in two weeks, Ms. Diggs.
Call me Marcie.
Basil, Trudy, I'm sorry but we,
we really have to go.
I'll see you.
I was going through
one of the happiest
experiences of my life.
Every aspect of the healthcare
system was telling me that
a pregnant person who
doesn't identify as a woman
doesn't belong.
And whether they intended it or not,
your firm made me feel the same way.
I didn't fit so I was just discarded.
I am sorry that you went
through all of that.
Dr. Lawson hurt a lot of
people but we need you.
Honestly, if you don't testify,
he just gets away with it.
He gets to go home and feel like
he was right to sterilize you
and all of those other people.
Don't let that happen.
Don't just go away quietly.
Testify.
They paid me $350,000.
That money changes my life.
Never see that in a class
action suit, would I?
I can't risk it.
I can't risk losing that money.
I can't risk Dr. Lawson's
lawyers coming after me.
I can't, I'm sorry.
I think when we get
back that we just fire your lawyer.
You need somebody with some muscle.
Marcie.
Somebody to put the fear of
God into these prosecutors.
- Oh, Marcie.
- Um?
Okay, okay.
But right now can we just
focus on this beautiful place?
Marcie, this is our time.
Okay.
You didn't mention Costello this time.
Yeah, no, Costello wasn't there.
Um, it was just Rolanda
and me this time.
But it-it still
it like, it doesn't feel like
it was joyful.
And in the dreams,
it's like
What is it?
Tell me what happened.
I have to go.
Marcie, whatever this thing
is that you're holding onto,
you're gonna have to get real about it
or it will continue to eat at you.
Unbelievable!
Little baby just had to go
running to momma, didn't she?
Oh, go to hell, Viv.
I brought Larissa to the firm.
It was my case to manage.
Your case?
I made the introductions,
Viva did the outreach.
You are delusional, Viv.
You're not a lawyer.
You don't have cases.
Had you not interfered,
Morgan Quinn would've
been able to testify
and this would've been
a victory for Larissa,
but now it's too late.
Of course your fearless leader
couldn't make everything better?
You mean she couldn't
fix what you broke?
He already agreed to a
settlement with Dr. Lawson.
And we could subpoena him
but Marcie's unwilling
to go that route.
Of course.
I think it's over.
We were over the moment
you went running to Marcie.
That's 90,000 per.
That's not gonna cut it.
- Give me a number.
- 700,000.
Your case is in pieces.
The only reason we're talking
is because of Dr. Lawson's
sense of generosity.
Well, I'm sure the negative publicity
isn't helping his practice.
You subpoenaed him?
We're done, Sigmond.
You signed an NDA.
You testify,
we'll come after you for
every cent of the settlement.
He robbed me of my
reproductive rights.
He deserves to be punished.
If you'll excuse us,
we need to speak with our witness.
It was tough some days
just going to my
prenatal appointments.
Everything is gendered.
All the printed material
referring to
"Your New Journey as a Mom"
or "Welcome to motherhood".
But you
are a mother still, aren't you?
I'm a father.
My pronouns are "he", "him".
I understand that
but biologically you're still a woman.
Your Honour, my client
identifies as "male".
I'm not contesting your
witness' gender identity.
But that's actually what you're doing.
Counsellor, continue
with your witness.
Morgan, prior to giving birth,
did you ever indicate to Dr. Lawson
that you wanted a tubal ligation?
No.
I'd been in a car accident
and I was unconscious.
So you intended to have more children?
Maybe, I don't know.
I wanted that option but
he took that from me.
But you identify as a man,
you want to be a man.
No, I am a man, Your Honour.
So why would
you continue to have babies?
Something that is the
sole enterprise of women.
I guess some people want it both ways.
- What the?
- Your Honour!
Counsel, my questions
fall within the scope of the law.
Your Honour, I would like to
continue questioning my witness
without interruption.
Morgan, you didn't sign a consent form
when you were admitted to the hospital
to give birth, did you?
No, I did not.
And no one with
your medical power of attorney
signed a consent form on your behalf?
No.
And when you regained consciousness,
did Dr. Lawson or anyone on his team
tell you that they had
performed a tubal ligation
during your C-section?
No, I, um
I only learned that
after a couple of years
when my partner and
I were looking into
having another child.
Thank you.
Mr. Reichert.
Isn't it true your
pregnancy was unplanned?
Yes, but I-
In fact you were scheduled for a GRS,
gender reassignment surgery,
prior to learning of your pregnancy,
isn't that right?
Yes, but I-
Didn't you breakdown in
tears in Dr. Lawson's office
because you were so upset
about your pregnancy
and having to cancel your GRS?
I-I wasn't upset.
Ah, but you were seeking
abortion counselling.
Objection!
Sit down, Ms.
Diggs. I wanna hear this testimony.
You did tell Dr. Lawson
that you wanted to be referred
to Planned Parenthood
because you were seeking
abortion counselling.
Shouldn't every pregnant
person have that option?
Morgan, I'm curious,
you're in a loving,
stable relationship
with a decent home and job.
Sounds like a great
place to raise a child.
So why were you seeking
abortion counselling?
Morgan?
'Cause I didn't wanna be in that body.
Right, 'cause you're a man
and men don't have babies.
Objection, Your Honour!
Isn't it true
that you asked Dr. Lawson
to perform tubal ligation
after giving birth
because you didn't want
any more children?
Objection, Your Honour.
Isn't it true that
you created this entire narrative
because you wanted to save
face with your partner?
Judge Dewey!
Ms. Diggs, there's nothing wrong
with Mr. Reichert's questions.
In your earlier testimony,
you mentioned that
you and your partner
were considering having more children.
But you,
you don't wanna have another child,
do you, Morgan?
You're under oath, Morgan.
Don't forget.
It wasn't his choice!
It was my choice!
Mine!
Thank you, Morgan.
Your Honour, I'm done.
If you're not going to tell me
why you want to withdraw your
recommendation of Loretta
to the Court of Appeal,
then I'm not comfortable.
She's transphobic, homophobic.
I mean, her conduct in
court today was astonishing.
If I could have her removed
from the bench, I would.
That's strong.
Look, you're the boss
of every judge in the province.
After what I've just told you,
do you think Judge Dewey
deserves to be on the bench?
Judges.
We're a tiny family.
We put our dirty laundry in the dryer,
not on the line.
I want you to call
the Minister's office
and rescind my recommendation.
And if they ask why?
Don't hide the truth on my account.
I'm not gonna give
shelter to a homophobe
and neither should you.
If there is
nothing further from counsel,
I shall proceed with my ruling.
This court finds the
defendant Dr. Brad Lawson,
not liable.
What?
What do you mean?
We're adjourned.
All rise.
Your Honour I would
like an opportunity to be heard.
Your Honour.
Judge Dewey!
Marcie.
The way that you
just treated my witness Morgan,
your openly transphobic
behaviour is disgusting.
- This robe that you wear-
- I would stop if I were you.
You should be ashamed.
You know, I'm sitting here wondering
whether or not justice
can actually be obtained
in a courtroom anymore.
You have managed to
change this courtroom
into a place where fear resides,
like a-like a haunted house.
You know, you're a ghoul.
Ms. Diggs,
you clearly continue
to suffer the effects
of the violent assault you endured.
However, for your sake,
I hope to never see you
in my courtroom again.
Hey, Marce.
Here you go.
Take care.
Listen to it purr.
You look great in that.
Did you pay him to testify?
Your stuff is in the front hallway.
Hey, what?
Look what I got!
- Oh wow.
- There you go.
Delicious.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Hey, Marce.
Hm?
I want you to know that I love you.
You understand?
I know.
Like, I love you.
Going for a walk?
Yeah. Hit me!
Mwah!
Rolanda!
Oh my God, what did you do?
What did you do?
Oh my God, no!
No, no, why?
- Rolanda.
- Marcie.
- Help!
- Marcie.
Somebody help me,
we need an ambulance.
Let me go, baby.
Let me go, please!
Why did you do this?
You're gonna be okay.
You're gonna be okay,
you're gonna be okay.
You're gonna be okay.
Thank you.
You okay, kid?
Yeah, I'm okay.
I'm all good.
I'm sorry, excuse me.
Marcie?
Marcie?
It's okay, baby.
Whatever it is, it's okay.