Grown-ish (2018) s04e12 Episode Script

1 This is Nomi and Phil.
A seemingly average pair whose relationship was unconventional to say the least.
But it hadn't started that way.
The first time they met went pretty well.
The second time they met went even better.
But it was after those two magical evenings that things between them changed forever.
This is your daughter, Luna.
Oh.
And the hurt Nomi felt from Phil's silence never went away.
The idea of having a living, breathing human being depending on me was starting to freak me out.
[Inhales, exhales deeply.]
But I did think about her every single day.
It's really nice that you thought about her, Phil.
Look, I know that I handled things wrong, and I'm sorry.
But I want to try and do the right thing now and be a father to my daughter.
[Indistinct conversations.]
I need to meet her first to do that, though.
So can I? And with that question, it felt like Phil was trying to steer the relationship out of the unconventional, right his wrongs, and bring them into the functional.
Watch out, world, I'm grown now I'm grown Learn something new every day I don't know, so I'mma feel my way Got the weight of the world on me But no regrets, this is what I say Watch out, world, I'm grown now - I'm grown - You can tell me My heart beating so loud Mama, look, I'm grown now I'm grown Okay.
Let me just fix this.
Okay.
I think that looks good.
Okay, baby girl.
Now, you make sure you smile for your daddy, okay? Let me see that smile.
Let me see.
Yeah! Just like that.
You know, they say the first man a little girl ever falls in love with is her father.
And for some of us, it's our uncle.
- Yes, it is.
- Phil: Hello? - He's here.
Okay.
- Good luck.
[Whispering.]
Thank you.
[Birds chirping.]
Hey.
Phil, this is, um this is Luna.
Luna, this is your f Phil.
Hi.
It's so nice to meet you, Luna.
I brought you something.
It's mine? [Down-tempo music plays.]
Mine? Hi! Hi.
[Laughs.]
Wow.
This trench coat is amazing.
Yeah? I really don't know what came over me.
I was just so inspired, I guess.
You know, I can run downtown, if you like this sketch, to get some fabric and make a prototype of the design.
You got a company card? No.
Uh, there isn't one.
Petty cash? I have some cash in a safety-deposit box in Brussels.
Okay.
What do you do when the company needs to buy something for the company in America? Well, typically, Doug and I just overcharge for one of our parties, buy what I needed, and just hope there's a little surplus left over.
But I'm off Doug.
Then what's the alternative, Luca? Because I really don't understand how we're gonna make this company operational if we're broke.
Broke is a state of mind, Zoey.
I cannot believe I sacrificed my relationship for this.
[Register beeping.]
I just don't understand why it's so weird - to sit on the same side.
- [Sighs.]
Listen, if you want to sit next to me, we can go to the counter, but customarily, two men don't sit next to each other in a booth.
You know what? How about you talk to your new co-workers about this in the break room tomorrow? Too controversial a topic.
I don't want to draw any attention to myself at this new gig, seeing as I lied on my résumé to get in there.
Ah! God.
I have so much anxiety.
Maybe I made a mistake.
You need to let that go, man.
Anxiety for what? So you lied about a misdemeanor.
It happens.
You realize that the system is designed to work against people of color, especially those who have been in legal trouble.
So you did what you had to do.
Yeah.
You're right.
It's not about how I got the job but what I do when I get in there.
Exactly, so you go in there and you show them who Vivek Shah is.
- Mm-hmm.
- All right? - Who is Vivek Shah? - Me.
Right.
Is that rhubarb? There.
[Mid-tempo music playing.]
Imagine how much easier that would've been if we were seated next to each other, thigh to thigh.
You know what? Screw it.
You and the rhubarb, get over here.
Quickly.
So no one sees.
[Cellphone ringing.]
[Down-tempo music plays.]
Shit.
Okay.
That was a wake-up call.
We need to get out this bed.
[Chuckles.]
Yeah, but I can't help it.
I just like having you all to myself.
Mm.
[Laughs.]
I want to take you out, show you off.
How about you come with me to the track banquet? I want you by my side to celebrate the end of the season.
[Chuckles.]
Um But, you know, but wouldn't that be, um, a little weird, being around my old teammates? Oh, come on.
Everybody misses you anyway.
Don't make me beg.
[Chuckles, sighs.]
Fine.
Fine.
I'm in.
Hey.
Okay.
It's gonna be amazing.
I promise.
We're gonna We're gonna drink.
We're gonna dance.
We're gonna turn up.
We're gonna be dressed to the nines.
It'll be a night you'll never forget.
- Oh, I'm sure I won't.
- [Down-tempo music plays.]
In my house Everybody's So, as time went on, Nomi gradually found a way to let Phil in.
They had fallen into a routine, with trips to the park, story time at the library, and family picnics in the backyard.
Okay, so, I'm, um, actually in the process of planning Luna's second birthday party.
And I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come and, like, invite your family or - Absolutely.
- Yeah.
Yeah? - When were you thinking? - Uh, the 14th.
Her birthday you know, the day my body changed forever.
- [Luna shouting indistinctly.]
- Shoot.
The 14th.
Yeah.
Is that a problem? - Uh, no.
- [Footsteps approaching.]
Well, actually, y-yeah.
I'm I'm gonna be out of town.
It's something that's been planned for a while, but I already booked my flight, so Is there any way we could do it, like, the weekend after or even the Monday after? - I get back late Sunday night.
- Yeah.
No.
This is also something I've been planning for a while like, since her first birthday, and I'm kind of a stickler for celebrating a birthday on a birthday, so No, no, no.
Totally.
I-I-I totally get that.
But, um, I promise I'll get her a great gift.
Cool.
Hey, honey.
And of course I'm happy to go half on the party.
No.
It doesn't even matter.
I mean, she's probably not even gonna know the difference.
I'm gonna get you more juice, okay, baby? - Yeah.
- Okay.
I'll be right back.
[Speaking indistinctly.]
Mm.
I snapped photos of you guys through the window.
Super adorable.
Hang on.
Let me find them.
Oh, there's one of Phil giving Luna a piggyback ride that you could totally use for your family Hanukkah card.
Okay.
Ana, just stop.
It's weird and it's stalkery, and we're not even close to the family-holiday-card stage.
- Oh, but look how cute.
- [Luna crying.]
Oh, my God.
What happened? What happened? What happened? It's okay, it's okay, it's okay.
I was checking a text, and she fell.
It's just a bump.
- I promise she's fine.
- What are you thinking? You can't take your eyes off of a toddler.
- It was a mistake.
I'm sorry.
- No.
You know what? This whole thing is a mistake.
Just go.
- Just go.
Just go.
- What? Just go! Phil, go! You're serious? I'm serious.
Go.
- [Crying continues.]
- It's okay.
I know.
I know.
I know.
I know.
I know.
I know.
I know.
You're tired.
And how long do you plan on keeping Phil on ice for a simple accident? Mm, probably until she forgets who he is.
Gosh.
Nomi, come on.
He is trying.
It was one little accident that could've happened to anyone.
Aren't you being just a little ridiculous? Okay.
Ana, seriously.
What's wrong with you? Are you my best friend or are you his best friend? - That's a stupid question.
- Is it? It doesn't really feel like it, because ever since I got pregnant, you've been riding for this guy.
Obviously, my loyalty is to you and your baby.
But part of that loyalty is being honest - and to encourage you to do what's best for all of you.
- Mm.
Look, after seeing how much happier you've been as a little family rather than a single mother, I-I-I just Look, I think you're making a mistake with this whole Phil situation.
Look, I hinged the fate of my graduation on this internship, so I am coming to you for help.
But why? Because you're the person that could really bridge the gap of communication between Doug and your brother.
But why would I do that for you? Obviously because you're a strong Black woman who wants to see another strong Black woman succeed, sister.
Mm.
Okay.
Uh, Zoey Mm-hmm? please don't race-card me.
- Mm-hmm.
- Also, I've noticed a pattern where you're constantly dragging my brother into your drama, and now you're trying to do it to me, and I'm just I'm not down with that, so, um, you can go find yourself another strong Black woman to guilt into helping you.
Well, a little birdie told me that somebody named Kiela played a pretty big role in why Doug and Luca aren't cool right now.
So I guess we're both responsible for dragging your brother into some drama.
I'll be borrowing these.
Thank you.
[Mid-tempo music plays.]
Okay.
Here's what happened.
The new job was going great until it wasn't.
Ding-dong! What up, boy-boy? - You Vivek? - Yeah.
I'm Matt, your new supervisor.
Just wanted to introduce myself.
Cool.
Um, nice to meet you.
I'm excited to be part of the User Interface team and code for you guys.
Wait.
Do I know you from somewhere? You do not.
Oh, Ding Dong definitely knows his boy-boy from the copious amount of drug-drugs I'd previously sold him.
Ding Dong boy-boy? What kind of workplace is this, man? One where it seems my past is gonna keep haunting me.
I don't see how, though.
Listen, if this guy figures you're the one that sold him drugs, right, what can he even say? He bought the drugs.
So you cancel each other out.
You're right.
Yeah.
I know.
[Gasps.]
Okay.
Now, this is giving me "cover of GQ" vibes.
This would be perfect for the banquet.
Mm, I don't know.
I am thinking of something more along the lines of this.
Mm.
That look is so overdone.
I feel like all the guys are gonna be wearing dresses that night, and I feel like wearing pants would make more of a statement.
- [Laughs.]
Y you're kidding, right? - I don't know.
I think you should go a little more GQ and a little less Glamour magazine.
Okay.
This is an odd conversation I'm sensing has a little more to it.
So what's the deal? Seriously.
Uh, okay.
I really was trying not to say anything, but the night when we hung out and you showed up in a dress, that was very surprising for me.
And usually surprises are a really good thing, but in that case it was a very confusing thing.
Got it.
You had a problem with my dress.
I did.
I do.
And and and I know that's really messed up.
I I just have really conflicted feelings about dating a guy who wears a dress.
Look, this is my issue.
This isn't your issue.
I just need some more time to plow through it, and I'll be fine.
[Mid-tempo music plays.]
All right.
Cool.
If it makes you more comfortable I'll wear the suit.
Seriously? Yeah.
It's not a big deal.
Oh, thank you.
I really appreciate it.
Thank you.
[Laughs.]
Broccoli? [Knock on door.]
Hold on a sec.
Hey.
What are you doing here? Uh, I came here to see Luna.
[Luna laughs.]
Without asking me first? Don't do that.
I called you.
I texted you.
- You didn't respond.
- Oh.
Okay.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to check in and validate your schedule.
I don't really have a lot of time as a single mom.
Not that you would know, but I have to get her ready in the morning, put her to sleep at night, um, plan her birthday party.
So that's what this is about? The fact that I can't be here for her birthday? No, it's not.
It's about the fact that you're choosing not to make it to her birthday party.
You don't just get to cherry-pick as a parent.
You have to show up every single day.
And so far so far, you've been really bad at that.
Well, I think we could agree that part of that was you keeping her a secret from me for the first six months of her life.
Oh, okay.
So should I just not, you know, depend on you for anything, let you off the hook from all your responsibilities, and never depend on you for anything ever? - [Luna coughing, choking.]
- Wait.
Is she choking? - What? - Luna.
Luna! Luna! [Whimpers, coughs.]
[Exhales deeply.]
It's okay.
You're okay? It's okay.
Shh.
[Down-tempo music plays.]
[Knock, door opens.]
Hey.
How's my sweet little girl? Nomi: She's good.
Good.
And how's Luna? It was really scary, and I was an asshole to Phil and to you.
- And I'm sorry.
- Oh, sweetie, it's okay.
You're always an asshole.
Oh.
I hate seeing you like this.
She's good.
Okay.
[Sniffles.]
So, it says here we can make some serious money just letting strangers on the Internet watch us eat a large spaghetti dinner.
Sounds legit.
Yeah.
- Hey.
- Luca: What's up? We need to talk.
Hey, uh, can we have the room for a minute? Yeah.
I should probably be heading out anyway.
And, uh, Luca, I'll grab those antacids for spaghetti dinner.
- Yeah? - Okay.
Thank you.
Can I ask you something? So, do you just, like, not want to win? [Sighs.]
What are you talking about? Doug and I are having, like, this little fling, and you're just not gonna make the money you need to operate your company? I mean, I still got this Brussels thing.
Luca, come on.
I-I'm sorry for the part I played in all this.
But you got to stop letting these petty differences get in the way of you and your bag.
Give me your phone.
What? Why? Just give me it.
Come on.
[Down-tempo music plays.]
It's that easy.
Just hit "send.
" [Cellphone chimes.]
So, how'd it go at the job? Did homeboy realize you were his dealer or what? Sure did, and to make matters worse, he wants me to hook him up again.
Mm.
Sounds like something boy-boy would do.
- Right? - Yeah.
And I thought my biggest issue was lying on my résumé.
Now I have the added wrinkle of my supervisor wanting me to sell him coke.
Well, why don't you just tell him you're out the game? Yeah, right.
I don't think it's smart to make an enemy out of my boss.
What if he starts poking around about why I took this modestly paying desk job instead of dealing drugs and making racks and racks of dough? - Mm-hmm.
- He'd immediately know I was lying on my résumé about the misdemeanor, about the degree, about my proficiency in Excel and my fluency in Cantonese.
- It's like a house of cards, man.
- Okay.
- So, I mean, there's only one option here.
- Clearly.
I have to sell him a bad batch of drugs and hope his heart stops.
Or just, you know, come clean.
That's what I was gonna say.
Just go to him, be the nice little brown boy that you are, and say, "Hey, look, the odds were stacked against me.
I had no choice but to lie," and he will totally understand.
Mm.
What am I saying? You're right.
You got to kill him.
Yeah.
[Down-tempo music plays.]
Des: What's good? [Music stops.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
Hey.
Uh, I I-I didn't think I know what you thought.
And I really, really wanted to wear that tux you picked out for me and to show up to the formal with you on my arm and for us to have an amazing night.
But putting on what you wanted me to wear instead of what I wanted to wear took the amazing out of everything.
And as much as I'm feeling you, I don't think I could be with someone who doesn't accept me.
It's just I have one hang-up, and I-I said I'm going to be working on it.
But I'm good with who you are.
Look, I know you're good with me being into all types of people, but it's the dress thing you seem to be so stuck on.
And that's also a part of who I am and how I express myself.
And I'm happy with all of me, a-and I don't want to wait for someone who isn't.
Des, I-I think you're taking all of this the wrong way.
Fine.
If I am come with me to the banquet like this, as I am.
[Down-tempo music plays.]
I'm s I'm sorry.
That's, uh, that's what I thought.
You you really do look beautiful tonight.
[Birds chirping.]
- Hey.
- Hey.
Thanks for stopping by.
What time's your flight? Uh actually, I'm not going.
Uh, can I help you with these? Look, I wanted to apologize for everything.
I, uh, should not have flipped out on you over what was seriously just an accident, and, um, it was it was way out of line.
I appreciate that, but I was being stupid about the birthday thing.
Obviously, I'm I'm not a good parent yet, but I'm trying.
Yeah, I know.
And honestly, I could see you trying.
You know, the last few weeks together felt really nice, like a weird little family, which scared me, 'cause I was like, you know, "What if I get used to this and and it goes away?" So I did what I always do, which is I lashed out.
Look, I get being scared.
I mean, this whole situation is freakin' terrifying.
Yeah, it is.
What's this? That is Luna's birthday gift.
You got her a studio apartment on Riverside? No, I got me a studio apartment on Riverside.
That way, I can practice being a dad day to day.
[Down-tempo music plays.]
This is Nomi and Phil.
So after a sexy one-night stand followed by a baby bomb drop, a yearlong rift, and then a few rocky weeks of getting reacquainted, Nomi finally got it right.
She learned how to step out of her own way and give her and her daughter a chance at happiness by allowing Phil in and letting the three of them become their own little family.
- Okay.
You ready? - Yeah.
We don't have to "Lady and the Tramp" this stuff, now, do we? Oh.
No.
Obviously not.
They'd have to pay extra for that, which they didn't.
So forks up.
We are going live.
Okay.
[Siren wailing, horns honking in distance.]
Mmm! Wow.
This spaghetti and meatballs is so delicious! Yeah.
[Clears throat.]
I'm very much enjoying this dinner you've made me.
- [Computer chiming.]
- [Down-tempo music plays.]
[Whispering.]
Hey, Luca.
I think this is kind of sexual for them.
Yeah.
Of course it is.
So you gonna rub that meatball in my face or