- 10 hours ago
Beyond the Gates - Season 1 - Episode 177: Friday, November 21, 2025
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00:04I gave you at least three opportunities to come back, but you still couldn't capitalize.
00:10I was just taking it easy on you, Granddad.
00:13That's not what the score sheet said.
00:15And it didn't help that my phone kept blowing up.
00:18We're still trying to push this education bill, but we're losing votes one rep at a time.
00:23If you needed to work, we didn't have to keep our squash date.
00:27No. Time with you is important.
00:30And plus, I've been so preoccupied with putting my family back together, I needed to blow off some steam.
00:37I'm glad to hear that things with Smitty and the kids are back on track.
00:42However, it's not just been your squash game that has suffered.
00:46What do you mean?
00:47Your political career, Martin.
00:50I'm afraid if you don't get your head back in the game, and fast, the midterms are going to whip
00:56your butt worse than I just did on that court.
01:01Every time I look up, you're stuffing your face.
01:03I'm still grounded.
01:05No phone.
01:06No laptop.
01:07No life.
01:08This is my entertainment.
01:10Well, if you're bored, tonight you can join Tyrell and me.
01:15My contacts for the influencer piece, they gave me two virtual tickets to that big gaming stream thing.
01:21Isn't Mr. Beast in that?
01:23Yeah.
01:23And I show speed.
01:25We got Kai Sennett.
01:27It's Kai Sennett, Dad.
01:28Okay, maybe I'm not down with the Twitchers, or whatever you call them.
01:32But I was thinking maybe you could catch me up, and we could get pizza.
01:37What do you say?
01:38Sounds cool.
01:39But I planned on re-watching anime.
01:43Can't you do that anytime?
01:45He and Jessica are syncing up the stream together.
01:48They're going to FaceTime each other and see each other's reactions.
01:53Eavesdrop much?
01:54You seriously need a hobby.
01:56It's fine.
01:56We are going to have plenty of family time during Thanksgiving.
02:01About that.
02:04I was hoping to see if Jessica could join us for Thanksgiving.
02:07Well, isn't she going to want to spend it with her own family?
02:11That's just it.
02:12Her parents are attending this bougie brunch at Hay Adams with these corporate types.
02:17Jessica's going to be the only one out of the three.
02:19Okay.
02:21Yeah, let me ask your pop.
02:24So that's a no?
02:25Well, it's called co-parenting for a reason.
02:29Look, we are both happy that you found somebody that you enjoy spending time with.
02:34Then what's the problem?
02:35You're young.
02:36This relationship is new.
02:38I just want to make sure you're not getting too serious too quickly.
02:42In other words, Dad's worried that you two will be sharing more than just...
02:46cranberry sauce.
02:48All right, Dad.
03:21How is your speech coming along? The committee's been asking for a preview.
03:24I have all of my talking points prepared, but you know me.
03:28Brother always said I was the kind of child who would redecorate my birthday cake if she let me.
03:33That sounds about right. What are you envisioning?
03:36Oh, it might be a little too ambitious.
03:40For the pre-event, ambitious is the baseline.
03:43Okay, then. I would like to add a QR code that links to mental health services, hotlines, all of that
03:51sort of stuff.
03:52I was going to ask Samantha and Tyrell to help, and then I remembered Samantha's barred from everything tech
03:56and how hard it is to pry Mr. Tyrell away from his new girlfriend without a crowbar.
04:00You know I'm happy to help.
04:01Oh, I don't want to overload you, Laura. You are already doing so much to help with Winterfest.
04:07And Thanksgiving's coming up. You deserve a break, too.
04:09That's not a problem. I can do it.
04:13Oh, speaking of your mother, she just walked in looking regal as ever.
04:17Would you like to say hi?
04:20Actually, I have to go. Tell Mother I will call her back.
04:25You got a minute?
04:27Was that my daughter?
04:28Yes, ma'am. She actually wants me to help her with some presentation stuff.
04:33She wants to do a slideshow, and I know we were supposed to tackle these invoices,
04:37but are you okay if I get started on her presentation first?
04:41Of course.
04:42Nicole's segment sets the tone for the entire evening, and these bills aren't going anywhere.
04:47Thanks for being so accommodating.
04:50Oh, no, Laura. Thank you.
04:51We are so fortunate you took an interest in Winterfest and expanded your duties to help us out this year.
04:57It's been fun. I better get going.
04:59All right.
05:01Laura, we really do have to stop meeting like this.
05:05People are going to think that I'm stopping.
05:15Got a minute.
05:17Barely.
05:18Um, if you have forgotten, and really how could anyone with all the holiday displays screaming at us from every
05:24corner?
05:25Thanksgiving is coming up, and I am swamped trying to help my mother with Winterfest.
05:29I have always admired how you managed to juggle your family and philanthropic commitments with a full patient roster.
05:36Hmm.
05:37You make magic look rooty.
05:38Give Mona and Laura the kudos for that.
05:42If it wasn't for them, I would probably be prescribing medication to my potted plants and trying to water my
05:47patients.
05:48You don't give yourself enough credit.
05:50You truly are an incredible woman.
05:53Carlton.
05:54Landed on thick.
05:56Sorry.
05:57I can't help myself.
05:59It's fine.
06:00Just don't let it happen again.
06:03I'm assuming you didn't just come by to witness me drowning in paperwork.
06:07You could do me the honor of letting me escort you to Winterfest.
06:14It's okay, sweetie.
06:16Oh, I don't bite.
06:18Not hard, anyway.
06:24Anita!
06:26You saved me a trip.
06:31I was going to grave a drive to your state to deliver these personally.
06:36That wasn't until I saw Titus out in the parking lot.
06:39Well, don't trouble yourself with social niceties like waiting to be invited.
06:44Don't mind if I do.
06:45Here you go.
06:47The Winterfest invites hand-addressed as promised.
06:51What was that with Laura?
06:53What?
06:54Oh, that.
06:56That was just a friendly greeting between acquaintances.
07:00I know a performance when I see one.
07:03You know, to be honest, I just don't know why that girl jumps out of her skin every time we
07:08cross paths.
07:09Maybe I can chalk it up to those pesky rumors that I tried to hurt her.
07:14As if I would ever.
07:19I want you to listen to me very carefully, because I don't repeat myself.
07:23Nicole thinks of Laura's family, which means she's family to me.
07:27Do not trifle with her again.
07:31Oh, Anita.
07:32The last thing anyone would accuse me of being is trifling.
07:40Just because Samantha tried hooking up with Nathan in our living room doesn't mean I'm that stupid.
07:45Wow, so now I'm stupid?
07:47Your taste in guys is Nathan is trash.
07:50Can we literally talk about anything else?
07:52Like what?
07:53Your boring political podcasts?
07:56The fairness of my punishment?
07:58How annoying you've been lately?
08:00You're annoying.
08:00Okay, what is a topic that is neutral and has literally zero drama potential?
08:07Oh, what about colleges?
08:09By the looks of things, I will be applying when I'm in a nursing home.
08:13How about you, Romeo?
08:14Yeah.
08:15How did your conversation with Isaiah go?
08:17Did he give you the inside scoop on Banneker?
08:20I guess so.
08:21Don't sound too enthusiastic.
08:23Don't get me wrong.
08:25Banneker is one of the top HBCUs in the country.
08:27And you've been talking about the robotics program since freshman year?
08:31They're one of my top picks.
08:32I just want to keep my options open.
08:35What other colleges are you thinking about?
08:38I'm seriously considering UCLA.
08:44Tell me how you really feel.
08:47Sometimes a man needs less comfort and more clarity.
08:52It's November.
08:54You've got less than a year until re-election.
08:58And that clock is ticking louder than I think you seem to realize.
09:03I'm well aware.
09:04My team already has a strategy in place.
09:07I'm not questioning your staff's preparation.
09:10I'm questioning yours.
09:12You seem to be going through the motions.
09:14You think I'm going soft.
09:16You were a storm once.
09:19But lately, you're more like the calm that follows it.
09:25It's funny that you mention storms.
09:28Do you remember the summer of 2005?
09:31Do I?
09:32That was a nightmare.
09:34But weren't you too young for that to even register?
09:38Actually, I remember it vividly.
09:40Watching the national news with mom and dad about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
09:45Those images haunted me.
09:49Grandmothers stranded on rooftops.
09:51Lives floating down the streets where houses were.
09:54But we were here in Fairmont Crest with well-manicured lawns and security gates.
10:00And it was only a few states away where people were suffering and dying.
10:08You came to my study and asked, what were we doing to help?
10:13And you said, not enough.
10:15That it'd never be enough.
10:17But we had to continue helping to make it better.
10:20Not much of an answer.
10:22It stuck with me.
10:24Along with something else you gave me that day.
10:28Clarity.
10:29I didn't get into politics just to ride the Dupree name.
10:33I wanted to make sure that the most vulnerable weren't left behind when the waters rise.
10:40Literally and figuratively.
10:42Now, that's the firebrand we need back in this race.
10:47The question is, where'd he go?
10:56I thought I made it clear that I wasn't ready to date you or anyone else so soon after my
11:01divorce.
11:02This isn't about me not taking no for an answer.
11:04Then what is it about?
11:06Our friendship.
11:09Friendship?
11:10We are still friends, right?
11:14Thank you for addressing the envelopes.
11:17The calligraphy is adequate.
11:20Oh, I knew you would love it.
11:22My seventh grade teacher once told me that my penmanship had extraordinary charisma with untapped genius.
11:32Guess it runs in the family.
11:34Well, don't let me keep you.
11:36I'm sure you must be extremely busy with all of your various projects.
11:41No.
11:41It actually felt good to be useful again.
11:44Especially since I haven't been working.
11:47My schedule's been wide open.
11:50Thanks to your generosity.
11:52Don't mention it.
11:53Oh, but I must.
11:55That trust that you set up for my biological mother's heirs.
12:00Oh, that has given me such improvement in the station of my life.
12:08As well as Eva's.
12:10You have given my daughter something that I never could.
12:15Financial security.
12:17You know, you really, truly are like our very godmother.
12:23So, what do you want me to tackle next?
12:30Where is this coming from?
12:32UCLA's a good school, Dad.
12:34Sure.
12:35But you've been talking about Banneker since middle school.
12:38I know you've been looking at other schools, but Banneker was always the end game.
12:42Or so I thought.
12:43Banneker's still one of them.
12:46How can it not be?
12:48Growing up, the fam made it sound like it was Okanda.
12:51Just with homework.
12:52All those stories from Grandma Nicole and Grandpa Ted about how HPCUs were like a second family.
12:58And in California, Silicon Valley's right there.
13:01I can get connections to tech internships that would be hard to get here in D.C.
13:05Oh, please.
13:07It's the internships that are pulling you out west and not because that's where Jessica's planning to go.
13:14Why are you such a big mouth?
13:15Samantha, sweetheart, can you please give your brother and I the room?
13:20Sure.
13:21I will just take this and go continue serving my sentence upstairs.
13:31You pursued your congressional seat to change the system.
13:36But somewhere along the way, the system changed you.
13:40Now I spend more time proofreading amendments in subcommittees than doing anything that touches real people's lives.
13:48Well, the business of change is a messy one.
13:53After decades, I can count my true victories on one hand.
13:58And half of those came with compromises that still keep me up at night.
14:03The machine is designed to grind down the best of us, to turn idealists into pragmatists, pragmatists into cynics.
14:16But do you think John Lewis didn't wake up some mornings and want to quit?
14:23You think Shirley Chisholm didn't sit alone and wonder, is it worth it?
14:28And you, for that matter.
14:31But now that I know how the game is played, my second term would make my first look like child's
14:37play.
14:38We just have to make sure you have a second term.
14:42Our district's been a safe seat for a generation.
14:45No one on the other side can touch me.
14:48Who said the threat could come from the other side?
14:51You think I could face a primary challenge?
14:55I don't think so.
14:58Martin, I know so.
15:05Thank you for your generous offer, Leslie.
15:08But I won't be needing any more help from you.
15:10My daughters have taken the reins.
15:11And Laura has Winterfest well in hand.
15:14My husband has even carved out time to pitch in.
15:17Wow, imagine that.
15:19A man like Senator Dupree with so much on his plate.
15:23He still finds the time to have his wife's back.
15:26Such loyalty is inspiring.
15:29Especially with the powerful men these days who have such wandering attention spans.
15:38Well, Winterfest is as important to Vernon as it is to me.
15:41It's a family affair.
15:43Affair being the operative word.
15:46What does that mean?
15:47Oh, I meant that I've heard that Winterfest is quite the affair to experience.
15:55And I am simply honored to have played such a modest, supporting role.
16:03Been yet another triumph for the incomparable Dupree's.
16:10Oh, apologies.
16:12Oh, it's the hospital.
16:14Um, hello?
16:18Yes, this is she.
16:21Okay.
16:23I am on the way.
16:26Hey, I hate to cut this short.
16:29What a shame.
16:29We were having such a good time.
16:31I know, but, but the doctor, uh, he's overseeing the clinical trial for peaches.
16:39The woman who raised you?
16:40Yes, yes.
16:41Um, he's wanting me to come in for an update.
16:45You know she's in the hospital.
16:47No, I didn't know.
16:49Please tell her I'll hold a good thought.
16:51Thank you, Anita.
16:54Okay.
16:55Well, uh, oh, I still am going to stop by later because I do have some ideas that I want
17:02to run by you for Winterfest.
17:03That won't be necessary.
17:05Oh, no, no, no.
17:05I insist because I want to be of service.
17:09Doodles.
17:15Of course we are still friends.
17:18Why wouldn't we be?
17:20I know that I came in hot.
17:22Rushing things when your heart was still healing.
17:25The timing has never really been my strong suit.
17:28So, if that cost me the chance to be with you, pushing for something more, I would regret it.
17:35But accept it.
17:37What I won't accept is knowing that I've wrecked a friendship that we've built over so many years.
17:42Do you remember all the good times we had at those Winterfest after parties?
17:48Like when you started that ridiculous line dance?
17:53Your father jumped in like he was auditioning for Soul Train.
17:57Poor Anita could barely catch her breath from laughing, watching him cut loose.
18:00And Danny, Danny, Danny, trying that viral dance that Chelsea taught her.
18:05And six-inch Louboutins.
18:06Oh, that poor caterer.
18:08She nearly took him out with that fan kick.
18:10The hors d'oeuvres went flying.
18:18I missed this.
18:19So have I.
18:22I'm hearing from National Committee insiders that you're on track to face a serious primary challenger.
18:30How do we know this is not just rumors?
18:32Rumors don't book war rooms or hire pollsters.
18:37This has been brewing for weeks.
18:39Maybe longer.
18:41I must have pissed off someone really high this time.
18:44Or they were playing chess from the start.
18:49Keep you busy with subcommittees.
18:52Let you drown in red tape.
18:54Then come election year, claim you broke all your promises.
19:00But the why doesn't matter now.
19:03Now, now, we need to ensure your political career doesn't crash and burn after the first term.
19:10Yes, my focus has been divided.
19:13Even this education bill is toothless.
19:17Truth is, bureaucracy and minutiae are weighing me down.
19:24Take the holiday.
19:25Do some soul searching.
19:27Figure out the politician you want to be.
19:30Then try to tap back into that young congressman with fire in his belly.
19:36Understood.
19:38Good.
19:40And one more thing.
19:42I'm afraid to ask.
19:45Your first campaign, you were underestimated.
19:50They won't make that mistake again.
19:54It could get ugly.
19:56You need to make sure your family is ready for it.
20:01Jessica's not the only reason why I'm considering UCLA.
20:04But it's the main reason.
20:06Can we not do this right now?
20:09Well, I haven't even started saying anything yet.
20:13Yeah, but I already know the speech.
20:15Education is the foundation for your future.
20:18Four years that shape the next 40.
20:20Be smart.
20:21Think long term.
20:22And don't throw it away for a girl.
20:25So maybe the problem isn't me saying it.
20:28Maybe it's you knowing that it's true.
20:30But Jessica's not just some girl.
20:33She gets me.
20:34I don't have to be the charity case or the chess geek.
20:38I don't have to code switch or be a different version of myself.
20:40She sees me.
20:43Go on.
20:44We kept trading places in AP physics.
20:46I started helping her.
20:48She started helping me too.
20:49Jessica stayed with me on FaceTime until 3 a.m.
20:51quizzing me on formulas.
20:53And when I start overthinking, she'll be like,
20:57Tyrell, your brain's doing that thing again.
20:59She calms me down.
21:01And she noticed me spiraling before I even do.
21:05Well, it sounds like you two have something special.
21:08It is.
21:10Jessica's brilliant and driven.
21:13But still down to earth.
21:16But none of that matters if she's attending UCLA and dumping me for a Cali guy.
21:25You really care about her, don't you?
21:28But I just don't want to lose her.
21:34Thank you for being bold enough to speak your truth about wanting to preserve our friendship.
21:38I know that couldn't have been easy, especially given how long you've carried those feelings.
21:45Does that mean you'll attend Winterfest with me?
21:48I promise not to embarrass you with my dancing.
21:51Too much.
21:52You are persistent.
21:54I'm a big believer in manifestation.
21:57And right now I am manifesting you on my arm at your family's annual soiree.
22:02And after everything you've been through,
22:03you deserve a night where someone is thinking about your happiness for a change.
22:09Okay, smooth talker.
22:11You wore me down.
22:12Yes.
22:13I will let you escort me as my friend.
22:17I need that to be clear.
22:19That is more than enough for me.
22:25For now.
22:28You're always at math.
22:30Can you crunch some numbers for me?
22:32All right.
22:32Hit me.
22:33Okay.
22:34When you and your sister were at the foster home,
22:37what are the odds that you would have ended up here?
22:40In this life.
22:42Pretty slim.
22:43And what are the odds that a black legislator from the almighty Dupree family,
22:48with all their secrets,
22:50would fall head over heels for a white reporter who asks way too many questions?
22:55Even slimmer.
22:56Like Drake winning a Grammy for bluegrass level wear.
23:00Yeah.
23:01But it happened.
23:03And not because it was easy or because it made sense,
23:06but because we chose it.
23:08And we kept choosing it, even when it was hard.
23:13So what you're saying is if Jessica and I are real,
23:18Benneker versus UCLA won't break us?
23:21Exactly.
23:24If something's real, it doesn't die when it's tested.
23:28And if it doesn't survive, then maybe it's because it wasn't meant to.
23:33And we have these awesome inventions.
23:35They're called airplanes.
23:38And summer vacation.
23:41Yeah, yeah, I know.
23:45All I'm saying is, whatever you decide,
23:48if it's Benneker, it's UCLA, if it's any one of those schools,
23:53do it for you.
23:55Don't do it for me.
23:56Don't do it for Jessica.
23:58Don't do it for your pop.
23:59But do it for you because you are the one that's going to have to live with that choice.
24:06Promise?
24:08Yeah.
24:10I promise.
24:11Bring it in.
24:16Looks like you two are having a moment.
24:18What'd I miss?
24:19We were just talking about...
24:22Jessica.
24:24Yeah, don't you have that binge thing with her?
24:27That's her FaceTiming right now.
24:28Okay.
24:29Later, Dad's.
24:30Yeah.
24:35Is everything okay?
24:37Martin, we need to talk.
24:40Hello, my love.
24:42Well, hello yourself.
24:43How'd the match go with Martin?
24:45I beat the pants off him.
24:47He thought he had me in the third set, but he forgot.
24:51You know, I've been volleying with colleagues who are twice as fast
24:56and half as humble since the Clinton administration.
24:59Well, it sounds like your day is going better than mine.
25:03Did you discuss with him what you intended?
25:05I lit a fire under him about the midterms.
25:09He'll get his act together.
25:11Good.
25:12I know we once wanted him to walk away from politics altogether,
25:17but now that certain ghosts from his past are laid to rest,
25:23it's time our grandson stepped fully into the role he was born into.
25:27Amen to that.
25:29Well, speaking of ghosts, I feel like I'm being haunted all day.
25:34What's going on?
25:35Oh, nothing I can't handle.
25:37I'll have to call you back.
25:39I'll be counting the minutes until you do.
25:41Bye.
25:43Mrs. Dupree.
25:44Eva?
25:45You haven't seen my mother, have you?
25:47We're supposed to meet her for lunch.
25:49She just left?
25:50Of course.
25:51And without texting your calling.
25:53Typical.
25:54She got a call from the doctor about peaches?
25:57Well, nothing your mother said suggested an emergency.
26:01Oh, thank God.
26:03I hope she didn't wear your nerves too thin while she was here.
26:06Well, I would be lying if I said otherwise.
26:10But you needn't trouble yourself.
26:12I know exactly how to handle that mother of yours.
26:20We really have to stop meeting like this.
26:24What's the matter, little girl?
26:26Cat got your tongue?
26:28I am not a little girl.
26:30I am a grown-ass woman, and I'm telling you to get out of my damn way.
26:39No, no, no, no, no.
26:40Absolutely not.
26:42There is no version in reality where we sit back and let Tyrell chase some girl across the damn country.
26:47Babe, you need to breathe.
26:49The last thing we need is you erupting when he comes downstairs.
26:53All that'll do is drive him closer to L.A. out of spite.
26:56What is happening with our kids?
26:58I mean, Samantha's out here rebranding herself as this lovesick groupie, and now my steady, grounded, logic-driven son is
27:08about to throw away Banneker for a teen romance that might not even survive the first semester.
27:14He's 17.
27:17He's straddling the line between boy and man.
27:19You remember that age?
27:21Everything is life and death.
27:22This decision will indeed impact his whole life, but I'm not about to just sit back and watch him throw
27:29it away in pursuit of puppy love.
27:31I'm not saying he should do this.
27:33I'm just saying he could do a heck of a lot worse than UCLA.
27:36No.
27:37Banneker leads in their pioneering work, from science data to cybersecurity.
27:42Babe, you are preaching to the converted.
27:45I'm just saying, remember what happened last time that we tried to take control?
27:49You mean when I met with Tyrell's principal and created a mess for him at school?
27:55Yeah.
27:55I was being nice.
27:57I appreciate that.
27:59As well as being the voice of reason, as always.
28:04What's our play here?
28:06We wait.
28:07We watch.
28:09We guide.
28:10And we cross that bridge if and when it happens.
28:15Quite the opposite advice I received from granddad.
28:19He basically told me to batten down the hatches.
28:22Your squash game with Vernon was that bad?
28:24Oh, he handed me my ass twice.
28:27Once on the court and after, he dropped a political bomb on me.
28:34Once again, I'm sorry about my mom.
28:36And not just for today, honestly, for all of it.
28:44I hope you know that I will never forgive myself for helping Mama go after Nicole.
28:49She didn't deserve any of that.
28:52No, she didn't.
28:54But then you didn't deserve to have your head filled with lies, either.
28:58I still had free will.
29:00I could have seen through Mama's toxic narrative and done my own research.
29:04But you did, eventually.
29:06Once you got to know Nicole and Ted, you realized that they weren't the villains in your mother's little soap
29:13opera.
29:15As angry as I am at Ted and Leslie for what they did to my daughter,
29:19I do recognize that you are just collateral damage in all of this.
29:25I understand you and Ted have managed to forge a relationship.
29:29I wish I had him in my life from day one, but better late than never.
29:35It's definitely an upgrade from my stepdad who treated me like Mama's baggage.
29:39And when he got sick, it drained us for every cent we had.
29:42I'm thankful for what I had with Alan.
29:45Just makes me appreciate Ted so much more.
29:49The little monster finally decided to roar.
29:54I'm done being afraid of you.
29:56From the moment you ran me off that road, my life has been hell.
30:01Living in a prison in my mind while you've been walking around scot-free like nothing happened.
30:05Careful, Lola.
30:06If you insist on spreading these creative narratives,
30:11I'll have no choice but to file a suit of defamation that is so devastating,
30:17even your grandchildren will be paying restitution.
30:21I'm not lying.
30:24You tried to kill me, not once but twice.
30:27The police may not have found the evidence, but we both know the truth.
30:33Make no mistake.
30:35If I wanted you dead,
30:38worms would be feasting on your rotten flesh as we speak.
30:44I don't leave loose ends.
30:50I'm just kidding.
30:52Oh, you should see your face.
30:56Listen, I know everyone is casting me to be the big bad villainess,
31:01but that couldn't be further from the truth.
31:05Okay?
31:05So, how about we make a truce?
31:09Hmm?
31:12What's going on here?
31:14Your lovely assistant and I were just comparing notes about how magical it's been
31:20helping your family with Winterfest.
31:23Weren't we, Lola?
31:29Some chamomile with a little lavender to help settle your nerves.
31:34I'm so sick of letting that woman get to me.
31:37Every time I think I'm past it, she shows back up and I go right back to being terrified.
31:41You should be proud of yourself, Lola.
31:44Standing up to Leslie took a lot of courage.
31:46It took everything I had.
31:48The whole time my heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst.
31:53Is there anything you can prescribe that can help me with this anxiety that Leslie causes?
31:57I don't think medication is what you need.
32:00Leslie is banking on keeping you destabilized.
32:03But I can help you develop some coping skills to recognize her tactics and neutralize them.
32:09Please, anything.
32:11I'll start working on a plan.
32:13In the meantime, I do think there is something I can prescribe that might help.
32:17What?
32:19A hug.
32:30Oh, what a lovely surprise.
32:33Is it?
32:34Absolutely.
32:35I have been thinking about you quite a bit lately, Carlton.
32:39Oh, may I call you Carlton?
32:42Depends on why.
32:43Well, I want us to become better acquainted.
32:46I, after all, we do have so much in common.
32:50And what exactly would that be?
32:53For starters, our desire to make sure that Ted and Nicole never find their way back.
33:02You should have seen granddad's face when he told me about the primary challenger.
33:07It was like he was preparing me for war.
33:10Yeah, I have some friends who lateraled from investigative research for newsrooms to opposition research for campaigns.
33:17And, Martin, they leave no stone unturned.
33:20They dig through everything from financials to Facebook likes.
33:24This could get bad.
33:26Are you good with that?
33:27With them dragging our entire lives out in the spotlight again?
33:31You know, when I married you, I didn't just marry the man, I married the mission.
33:39That passion for public service, that is one of the things that made me fall in love with you in
33:43the first place.
33:46It's that passion that I need to find again.
33:48And you will.
33:50But I do need you to give me your word about something.
33:55What?
33:57This family needs to come first.
34:00Before the campaign, before donors.
34:03When Tyrell graduates, you're there.
34:06When Samantha has her cotillion, you show up.
34:11When you and I have our anniversary, cameras or no cameras, you're with me.
34:17Okay?
34:19I promise.
34:21Family over politics.
34:23Always.
34:25While I will never condone Leslie's antics, I can't help but feel a modicum of empathy for her.
34:31I can't imagine what it would have been like to raise a child without a stable partner.
34:38I thank God for my Vernon every day.
34:41Now, I know no one is perfect, but that husband of mine comes pretty damn close.
34:50You definitely are one of the lucky ones, Mrs. Dupree.
34:59Sharon, looking forward to seeing you again soon.
35:04Our last time together was one of the record books.
35:14Next, on Beyond the Gates.
35:18Isaiah, what can I say?
35:20I'm a fool for love.
35:22Loyalty matters a lot to me, Tomas.
35:24That's why I want to talk about your future at the firm.
35:27Hello there, pretty lady.
35:28You are a cop.
35:30Is that a problem?
35:32You knew that your ex would be here, and you brought me here anyway?
35:36Why would you do that?
35:37Where's your party?
35:38I'm not seriously.
35:38I'm going to sink.
35:42Oh, my God.
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