All American (2018–…): Season 4, Episode 8 - Walk This Way - full transcript

- Willie: Stop touching my stuff!
- Jordan: Hey, grandpa...

- Woman: I'm just trying to do my job!
- Willie: I don't care!

Woman: Tu abuelo es imposible.
I quit!

Willie: Don't even think
about coming back!

Uh, ok, I'm...

I'm not really sure
what just happened there,

but didn't the doctor say you
shouldn't get worked up?

That woman's a menace.

Kept changing
the settings on my TV.

I'm trying to watch the news,
not a telenovela!

And just now, I saw her poking around
in my drawers drawer.



What is
a "drurs drur"?

It's the drawer where
I keep...

Ah, never mind.

Just tell your father

I am sick and tired

of strangers
in and out of my home.

Just 'cause I had a heart attack don't
make me a damn invalid.

I... I... [sighs]

I... I'm fine on my own.

I don't... I don't need
any... any help.

I don't need...
[Exhales]... Any help.

Mm-mmm.

[Knock on door]

What's good, J.?



What's up, Spence?

Hey, you got a minute?

Chris said you got a meeting
with Carter today.

You think he's circling back
about the break-in

- at Beverly and the trophy?
- Spencer: I told you not to worry

about what went down prom night, man.
You good.

Ain't me I'm worried
about; Carter said

he'd expel you if you didn't turn
anyone in, right?

If Carter was gonna expel me, he woulda
done it by now,

but it's been a month, and he ain't
mentioned expulsion

since that night,
a'ight?

Maybe he put
the investigation on hold

'cause he doesn't want
to go after coach's team

while his old man's
in the hospital.

Or maybe he's letting it all blow
over because it was just a prank.

No, Carter don't seem like the type of dude
who believes in pranks.

Jabari, let it go.

I can't, man!

You putting yourself out
on a limb protecting me.

What happens to golden
Angeles if you get expelled?

G.A.U. would revoke
my scholarship,

but that ain't
gonna happen.

I earned that diploma,
and in two days,

Carter's gonna put it
right in my hand.

Is that clear
enough for you?

*ALL AMERICAN*
Season 04 Episode 08

Episode Title: "Walk This Way"
Aired on: February 21, 2022.

"My reflection" playing...

Male singer:
♪ When it all falls apart

♪ Who picks up the pieces
to your heart? ♪

♪ That little glimmer
of light in the dark is ♪

♪ The reason
we keep on pushin' ♪

♪ Always try to remember
how we felt... ♪

- Preach: Finally. What took you so long?
- [Door closes]

What happened?

Amina,
I'm not playing.

Who did that
to your eye?

For the past few weeks, you've
been talking back to your teachers,

not turning in your homework,
and now you getting into scraps?

I want answers, now.

Where are my answers?
I asked you why

aunt Coop shot my mom,
and all you keep saying is...

Auntie Coop
wasn't involved.

- So why is everybody saying...
- I warned you.

Quit listening to folks
in the street.

They ain't got no clue
what they talking about.

But you do.

Daddy, I deserve to know
what happened to my mom.

Just tell me.

I told you everything
you needed to know.

The rest is
grown-folk stuff,

but right now, I need to
know why the hell you look

like you went two
rounds in the boxing ring.

If you won't tell me your business,
you need to stay out of mine.

Female singer: ♪ Got it good
now, gotta get it, get it ♪

♪ When the good comes down

♪ Gotta move your body,
move around, child... ♪

Simone: Girl, whatever
is bothering you,

that robe is innocent, ok?
[Sighs]

My dad is insisting
I meet the music chair

at coastal California,
even though he swore

he was fine with me
taking a gap year.

Wants me to discuss
my options,

but no pressure, so now
I'm trying to fit in

this meeting and write
my valedictorian speech.

Simone: Let me get
this straight.

Before you give
your speech on us, like,

being grown and, you know,
seizing the day

or whatever,
you have to first meet

- with your daddy's friend?
- Layla: Yeah.

- The irony is not lost on me.
- Olivia: At least you know what

you're doing next year.
I mean, I got

into all of these
schools, and I still

don't know which one has the
best journalism program for me.

Simone: I thought the acceptance
deadline's passed already.

She got extensions
to her top 3 schools.

Simone: Well,
aren't you special?

All right, gun to your head.
What's your gut telling you?

I mean, I'm drawn
to the one at g.A.U.

Simone: Wow. G.A.U.?
[Layla giggles]

Where did that come from?
I wonder why.

Exactly.
I don't want to be

one of those girls
that just, like,

follows her boyfriend
to college.

I mean,
it's so thirsty.

What am I saying? I mean,
if Spencer gets expelled,

then he might not even
get to go to college,

so I might not even get
a chance to be thirsty.

Simone: All right, guys,
well, I think that Spencer

will be fine,
and as for you,

my aunt Amara's actually coming
in for graduation this weekend...

Olivia: Oh. Simone: And she has
all the tea on journalism programs,

so, with her advice...
[Dramatically]

You will live to thirst
another day, darling.

Nice.

Principal London: Well,
the grace period's up.

The school board
and alumni are livid.

They want the guilty
students found now.

Carter: Look, I agreed to
this meeting as a courtesy,

but I expect Spencer
to tell you the same thing

that he told us
at prom... nothing.

Isn't this all a bit much

for a silly high-school prank?

But it stopped
being a prank

when the sprinklers
caused a half

a million dollars
in damage to the gym.

Someone must be held responsible,
even if it's Spencer James.

Spencer is my student. The Beverly
school board doesn't have a say...

They went to
superintendent Barry.

She's commissioned
a disciplinary committee

to decide Spencer's fate
tomorrow afternoon.

Spencer is only guilty
of returning the trophy.

London: Look, no one wants
Spencer going down for this.

Spencer: But I will if I don't
give 'em anybody else, right?

Spencer.
You're early.

I figured I'd get a workout
in. Did I get that right, sir?

London: Spencer...

You may think it's noble
protecting your teammates.

The disciplinary committee
will not. They will expel you,

but it doesn't have
to come to that.

Give 'em a few names to expel
so it won't happen to me, right?

Give me one name, and
everyone can get back to their lives.

Everybody except
the person I name.

They committed a crime.
You didn't.

It was an accident.
You know that.

And they will have
the opportunity

to give their side of the story.
Look, I just want everyone to face

the consequences
of their own actions.

You don't deserve
any of this.

- Spencer: I can't.
- London: Spencer,

your future is
worth too much.

You know what?
You right.

I don't deserve this,

but I can't
give you a name

because their future's
got worth, too,

even if you
don't see it.

♪ Hip and hip
[Snapping fingers]

♪ All the way down the aisle,
ball change ♪

Olivia: I don't care what
you did in the stone ages, ok?

I'm not two-stepping
down the aisle

- at graduation.
- Billy: Come on, now.

Two steps puts the pomp

in pomp and circumstance.

- Olivia: Dad!
- [Door closes]

Why are you letting
complete strangers

- take care of G.W.?
- Billy: Oh, is that what

he's calling them?
'Cause they're not strangers.

They're qualified
medical professionals,

and judging by the tone
of your voice,

I probably need to
hire a new one.

No, no, no, don't hire
someone else; Go down

- there yourself, dad.
- Billy: That's not a good idea.

Well, why not? I mean,
aren't you guys finally

in a good place? Billy: We are,
and I'm trying to keep it that way.

He's your dad, right?

Why are you looking for
excuses not to go see him?

You haven't been down
there since what, what...

- He... he got released from the hospital?
- Laura: Jordan.

- Jordan: You're ridiculous.
- Laura: Hey. Jordan!

- Olivia: I'll go talk to him.
- Billy: Please.

[Sighs]

So when are we gonna go
two-step on over there?

[Scoffs]

[Quietly]
Aw, boy.

Grace: Because I am
angry, d'Angelo!

After all the things he's
done for that damn school?

Are you kidding me?
It's disgusting!

[Door opens]

I got to go. He's home.
[Door closes]

Dillon: Yo, did you
really get expelled?

No. Not yet.

Dillon: "Not yet"? Dawg,
I cannot believe this is happening.

- Grace: It doesn't have to.
- Spencer: Ma, listen, I know you angry...

"Angry" does not even
begin to describe it!

Spencer, I thought,

hoped that Dr. Spears
had finally gotten you

over this need
to save everybody!

It's bigger
than that, ma.

It's about fighting a system
that's forgotten it's supposed

to be protecting students,
not feeding them to the wolves

over the smallest mistake.
Grace: But this is your future!

What type of example
are you setting for Dillon?

Stand up for what
you believe in.

[Sighs]

Grace: I get it,

but graduating

is important.

It's something that
a lot of ignorant folks

don't expect from
boys who look like y'all.

Listen, I'm trying to make
sure that when it's Dillon's time,

he don't have to make
a choice like this.

[Sighs]

Your father graduated
in these.

This was before we
were married...

Before you were born.

We were just
two kids in love,

dreaming of our son and how
one day he would wear them.

I know you think what
you're doing is right,

and one day, maybe
I'll understand,

but not while I'm still
mourning this dream.

Male singer: ♪ It's been a
minute since I've been home... ♪

If you're considering a future as
fancy gym guy, this is an intervention.

[Chuckles]
Asher: No, no,

it's coastal California's
athletics orientation package.

JJ let me borrow it.
Look at this.

They've got hydrotherapy
pools with underwater treadmills,

they've got antigravity
trainers for injury rehabilitation.

- I mean... - Jaymee: Looks like
something they'd use to train astronauts.

[Both chuckle] Asher: I
don't know about the moon,

but a bowl game is definitely
within reach with this team.

I mean, they're... they're young, but
slotting jj into weak-side linebacker

would make them one
of the best front 7s,

honestly,
in their... Conference.

Sorry. I, uh, I can
get carried away.

No, I think it
sounds great

for jj and for you.

I'd be risking my life the
second I stepped on that field.

I wasn't talking about playing; Your
heart condition wouldn't affect coaching.

No... but a-as cool

as it sounds, it's just
not possible, Jaymee.

They don't have student
coaching assistants?

Occasionally,
but they're rare.

Jaymee: Well,
rare still leaves room for possibility.

I can't take $200,000
in student loans

o-on the chance that I might
get a gig like that if I go to coastal.

Jacob: Hey, you two,

I need your opinion.
Working on a new dish here,

and I don't know. It's... it's
missing something.

Singer: ♪ Hanging by
a thin string, I... ♪

Hmm.
Cinnamon, maybe?

Jacob: Hmm. Asher: Uh,
honestly, I think it tastes great.

Gonna have to work on
your palate, ash.

It looks like we have similar
taste in health clubs, though.

How much?
Jaymee: About 200,000.

Asher: Jaymee. Jacob: Dollars?

Yeah, but it's
a 4-year membership.

Ok.
"4-year membership."

I see what you did there.
[Jaymee chuckles]

Jacob: But I thought
football was off the table.

Asher: Well...
Jaymee: Well, playing is,

but Asher was just saying how
he'd love to pursue coaching,

and coastal's
an amazing program.

- Asher: Wait. I didn't...
- Jacob: Hell yeah, it is.

That would be awesome.
Your mom said how much

you took to coaching
at Beverly.

- It... it's more of a pipe dream...
- It's not a pipe dream.

The only real issue
is the membership fee.

You know, I'd be happy
to help with that.

In fact, I'll talk with your mom
about it this evening

when I'm done
with my crazy-busy day.

Jacob, really,
you don't need to...

I know I don't need to.

I want to, Asher.

Dreams are worth
investing in.

[Footsteps retreat]

[Exhales sharply]

[Footsteps retreat]

[Distant dog barking]

[Silverware clinking]

- Billy: You ok?
- Willie: I'm fine.

I just don't know why I'm
suddenly required to eat rabbit food.

In my day, a man had a
coronary, he just got on with it.

In your day, cats dropped
at the age of 40.

Laura: Ok, it's what
the doctor recommended,

but maybe next time,
we can spice it up

a little bit
and put, um...

- Raisins in the mashed potatoes.
- Billy: Hey.

- Willie: Uh...
- Billy: Raisins.

[Fork clanks loudly]

Oh, I got it.

- I can pour my own damn water!
- Dad.

Billy, honey, maybe
you should sit down.

Billy: I got it, pops.
Damn it!

[Pitcher clanks]
Willie: Get outta my house!

Hey! Don't you talk

- to us like that!
- Laura: Uh...

- Billy: We are here to help you!
- Laura: Ok, calm down.

I'm not talking
to her,

I'm talking to you!

She can stay,
but you gotta go!

I'm not dead yet,

and I won't have you
watching my every move

like I'm about
to croak at any second!

- Billy: Pops, I'm just trying...
- Willie: Don't!

Don't you dare say one
more time you're trying to help!

You're not here for me!

You're here
for your guilt!

Well,
too damn bad, Billy!

I refuse to be
the good deed you do

so you can sleep
at night.

Laura: All right, all right.
Everybody just calm down

and take a beat before you say
something you can't take back.

I think it's a little bit
late for that.

Ok, you want me gone,
I'm gone.

[Slaps napkin on table]

[Door closes]

- [Hip-hop music playing]
- Singer: ♪ Work it

Singer 2: ♪ Who, me?

[Singing continues
indistinctly]

Look, I'm scared, Coop.

I ain't never seen
Amina act like this.

You guys, Amina's
nobody's fool, you know,

and she's suffering, and maybe
y'all should just be straight with her.

Yeah,
maybe you're right.

She deserves
to know I shot mo.

Hell no. I can't even believe
you're considering this.

If you tell her
you shot her mama,

you're gonna have to
tell her the truth.

So what? You're gonna
look in your daughter eyes

and tell her that her mama
was such a bad person

that you had to put
her down so she didn't

- hurt anyone else?
- Patience: Coop, what's the alternative?

Like... thanks.

Amina's not gonna
let this go.

Look, Preach,
let's not forget,

ok, you tell her
the truth,

it's gonna change how
Amina feels about you.

And telling her you shot mo,
that's like taking one bullet

and killing both
of her parents.

Maybe we're
underestimating her.

Maybe she'll understand.
Hell, I've been

in these streets since I
was knee-high to a curb,

but I still found a way
to push through.

And how long did you
spend locked up again?

Patience: Damn, Coop, ease up.
This isn't easy for anyone,

and, you know, if Amina
keeps asking questions...

Coop: Look,

she's a kid, and
her curiosity, it's...

It's like them people
setting off fireworks.

It's so loud
that you think

you ain't gonna
never get to sleep.

But then you wake up and it's
morning and there's silence again.

Amina's questions
will stop.

We just got to wait out
the fireworks.

[Sighs]

You afraid those are gonna be the
last colors you're ever gonna wear?

[Billy grunts]

You sure you want
to go through with this?

I don't want to.
I have to.

The kid that I'm
protecting...

This could put him
back behind bars, coach.

But I can't let
that happen.

You're not gonna
try to talk me out of it?

I have fought too many
losing battles already today.

- G.W. Putting you through it?
- Oh...

Nothing is
ever easy with him.

It's impossible for him
to show any signs

of weakness,
especially with me.

You ever consider it
might also be hard for you

to see him weak
and vulnerable?

You know, when I found
my pop's body in that chair,

it's the scariest
thing I ever saw.

It didn't make
any sense.

I mean, there was
this man, right?

This... giant...

Who always seemed
larger than life

to me...

And there he was...

Human...

Slumped over...

Gone.

Yeah. I mean,
I have to admit,

walking in here
and seeing pops just...

Yeah, it was, uh...
It was not easy.

You know, Dr. Spears
would say the word

you're looking for
is "traumatizing."

[Clears throat]
Talk to G.W., man.

Lashing out and walking
away is a pattern for y'all.

Only way to break it
is to talk.

[Sighs]

I really appreciate you
taking the time to sit with me.

I mean, getting
to see you in class

at bringston last homecoming
weekend was really inspiring.

Sweetie,
it's my pleasure.

So you have a little
option paralysis.

What's that?

You're totally overwhelmed
by your choices.

Well, all these
universities dig

into the fundamentals.

Georgetown has
a great course

on journalistic
objectivity, and both

NYU and golden Angeles
spend a whole year

on fact-checking alone.

Those programs will
really prepare you

for a career
as a journalist.

But none
of that matters.

I'm sor...
I'm sorry. What?

Why do you want to be
a journalist, Liv?

Because I... I want to use my
voice to get the truth out there.

Truth?
That's commendable,

but not the world
we're living in anymore.

Today, journalists would
rather break an untrue story

and release an apology
for it later.

Um, I've
noticed that lately.

Now, all that seems
to matter is being first.

You can spend years putting
together a story, only for

some toddler with a social
media account to just tweet it out.

As for professional
objectivity,

try maintaining that while
competing against teens

dancing out the news on
tiktok, and in the rare case

you do manage to break a
real story, you will be deluged

with backlash all because
you dared to do your job.

Honey, if you want
my advice,

if there is anything,

anything else you can
see yourself doing,

do that instead.

[Background singers
vocalizing]

Female singer: ♪ Oh-oh-oh

♪ Oh-oh-oh

Jaymee: Hey...

Where's the fire?
And hi to you, too.

I'm here to see Jacob.

Feel free to thank me
on your way out.

- Thank you?
- Or you can apologize

for being a jerk for
no reason. Up to you.

Jaymee, you completely
humiliated me earlier today.

- What are you talking about?
- You basically guilted Jacob

- into offering to pay for my tuition.
- Jaymee: I am so sorry

that you get to go to the
college of your dreams now,

and I didn't guilt
Jacob into anything.

Look, I am not
a charity case,

but you successfully
made it seem that way

to my mom's rich fianceé,
so now I got to go

tell Jacob, "thanks, but no, thank
you," which is also very humiliating.

You're giving up
the tuition money? Why?

Didn't ask for it
to begin with,

just like I didn't ask you
to solve all my problems.

I've already
dated that girl.

Guess we both
dodged a bullet.

Jaymee.

- Layla: What?
- Clay: All right, I got

a new version on the track
that I want you to hear...

Ok, do you know what the
"analysis of post-tonal music" is?

No? Ok, um, what about the
"music of the great liturgies"?

What's going on with your
eyes right now? Are you good?

No. [Sighs]
Um, that meeting I had

- with coastal California's music chair?
- Clay: Mm-hmm.

Yeah, he felt the need to point out
my lack of education in music theory.

Ok, so whatever. None of these
gonna make you a better producer.

How do you know that?
You know, the chair's

not wrong about my lack
of technical knowledge.

But he is wrong to imply
you stop learning

just because you're not
doing it at college.

Look at all the stuff you
taught yourself already.

You got major artists
dying to work with you.

Why? Because you're damn
great at what you do, that's why.

Ok. Heh! Let's not, um,
let's not take it that far.

You don't
believe me, do you?

It... it's fine.
Whatever.

Hey, meet me at slauson
cafeé tomorrow morning.

Uh, no, no, I can't.
I got to finish

my valedictorian speech,
it's graduation tomorrow...

Clay: Mm-hmm, yeah, yeah,

I promise you,
it will not take long.

Tomorrow.

Sure.

Yeah.

[Whispers]
Ok.

Male singer:
♪ We're playin' hopscotch...

Asher: Look, whatever we do,
it needs to be...

Chris: Ok, yo, yo,
guys, guys, guys,

guys, guys, we're all
here for Spence, ok,

but we're not gonna be any help if
we can't hear each other talk, all right?

I bet we could
change London's mind

with a little...
[Thumps table] Talk.

Asher: JJ, we're not
beating up principal London.

Chris: Yo, is he good?
Is he serious?

Jordan: Wait a minute.
Hold on, JJ's right...

- Thank you.
- About one thing, ok?

I mean, we need to put
pressure on the administrators.

They're the ones pushing
Spencer's expulsion, right?

- It's more than just London.
- Yeah, it's the alumni

and the school board. I could call
them out in my valedictorian speech.

Or we could just ditch
the graduation altogether.

- Jordan: That's not a bad idea.
- Chris: Yeah.

That's not a bad idea at all;
I mean, think about it...

A walkout between Beverly
and south crenshaw.

There's no way that they
can ignore that.

What do you guys think?

Patience: Screw it.
Uh, I don't have time

for half-measures.
I'm in.

- Chris: She's in.
- Patience: Yep, I think

- that's a good idea.
- Jordan: Patience is in.

Chris: That's what
I'm talking about.

Spencer:
What is all this?

Just a few of your friends
strategizing how to stand up for you.

Chris: So it's a big move, but it's
gonna leave a serious impression.

Coop: About as serious
as the impression that

your mom's switch is
gonna leave on your behind.

- JJ: Heh!
- Layla: Look, we gotta act fast

and we gotta act now.
If not a walkout, then what?

Then nothin'.

Not a walkout,
not anything.

Look, graduation
is too special

for y'all to
give up, for real.

- What, so we do nothing?
- No, you celebrate.

Spencer: That's what
graduation's supposed to be...

A celebration.
I appreciate y'all

coming together for me,

but there is no way
we can stop this.

Just how it is.

Asher: Wait.
That's it?

We go all-out to have
his back, he just says no?

Says the guy that won't
accept Jacob's help

for his college tuition?

Jabari: Yo, I need
to holla at you.

Look, I appreciate
what you doin',

but it ain't true that none of us
can stop you from getting expelled.

I can. Yo, I'MMA
turn myself in.

$500,000 in damage
is felony vandalism,

and with your record, homie,
I ain't letting you get locked up again

just so I can walk a stage.
Jabari: We both know

you walkin' off that stage
into great things, man,

and as for me, even in
my brightest future,

I ain't throwin' away
all that much.

Stop it.

That ain't true.

Look, these fools
at the school board...

The administrators,
the Beverly alumni...

They all think that
my future's valuable

and yours is expendable,
but that is crap.

Listen to me.

You cannot believe
that nonsense.

Both our futures matter, and
I'MMA be damned if I let you

sacrifice your life at the
value they chose for it!

We all got worth!

Laura:
Anything interesting?

Sure.
The sun went down,

and then this morning,
it came up again.

Can't wait to get tomorrow's
paper to see what happens next.

Ok, well, we'll just
skip the small talk

and get straight to
the big stuff, then.

Aw, hell. Can't a man get any
peace and quiet in his own house?

Uh, Willie, I think,
if that's what you wanted,

you would not have
asked me to stay.

I love you.

I know... shocking,
considering

everything that we've
been through.

I don't know if you said I could
stay because you just wanted

to poke at Billy, or you
genuinely don't mind my company

anymore, but whatever
the reason, I wanted

you to know
that I am here

because I love you,

and nothing
you do or say

or throw is gonna
change that.

And I know he has a
hard time of showing it,

but the same is true
for Billy.

I told Preach that
Amina would get over it,

but, honestly,
I don't know.

I mean,
her mom was murdered,

and she thinks I did it. How
do you get over a thing like that?

I don't know, but it sounds like
you're doing your best by her,

giving her a shot
at a bright future.

We all deserve
that, you know?

All of us.

You ready for your disciplinary
committee meeting today?

Yes and no.

It's killing my mom that
I might not graduate.

It's not just your mom.

You know
that corny poster

about footprints
in the sand,

and the single footprints are the
times when god was carrying you

'cause you was too weak
to walk alone?

[Scoffs]

You walking across
that stage at graduation,

that was for you, yeah,

but it was also for me

and for Shawn.

I always saw it as

you carrying us
across that stage

'cause obviously, we
can't walk it alone.

I wanted that, too.

I know.

Hey, you're doing the right
thing, but what about you?

What about me?

I mean, you've spent
most of your life

carrying everyone.

If the tables was turned,
would you let us carry you?

Hey, ma.

Hey. D'Angelo said

I'm not allowed in,
but I can wait

- out here for you.
- Spencer: Oh.

I didn't want you
to be alone.

That means a lot.

I'm sorry I put you
through this, ma.

You don't need to be.
[Chuckles]

This is just
who you are,

isn't it...

Everyone's champion?

- Marrow-deep.
- Spencer: Heh!

Yeah, I don't know
about that.

It's just I, uh...

I don't know
how else to be.

I just, um, wish it wasn't
so hard on you, though.

- Mmm.
- [Sighs]

Look at me, Spencer.

Sometimes it
scares me...

Purpose god has put
over your life,

but the way
you stand in it,

I will forever be proud
to be your mother.

Know that

and stand tall,

ok?

Yes, ma'am.

[Sighs]

Chairman: Mr. James, if you
continue to protect the guilty parties,

this committee will have
no choice but to expel you.

Well, this is a shame,
Mr. James.

By all accounts, you were
one of the good ones.

"One of the good ones."

That's what's wrong with
this entire system, man.

Mere turn of phrase, sir.
Now, if you'll please...

you know, that's funny.

You turn a phrase, and
some kid turns into a criminal.

Watch yourself, sir.

That's how you all see
us at south crenshaw high.

On one side,
it's the good ones,

and on the other side are the kids
who only need to make one mistake

before you write their whole
lives off as collateral damage.

Y'all are supposed
to be our champions...

Our educators,
our defenders.

[Door opens]

Chairman: This is
a closed session.

Spencer: Jabari, what are you
doin'? Jabari: It was me. I did it.

I stole the trophy, and
I set off the sprinkler.

Mmm, actually, I did it.

Coop:
I did it, too.

Chris:
Nah. I did it.

Frausto: I stole the trophy.
[Students shouting]

Jordan: I set off
the sprinklers.

JJ: I stole the trophy.
London: From your own school?

You don't know me, sir.

[Students shouting]
Frausto: I stole the trophy.

I did it.

[Shouting continues]

What is this?

"Flashmob Spartacus."

According to JJ,
they can't expel you

without expelling
all of us.

What do you think?

I think it feels good to let
somebody else be the hero.

[Shouting continues]

[Knock on door]

[Door closes]

Just rip
the band-aid off.

Uh, is Spencer
gonna be expelled?

No one's gonna
be expelled.

[All sigh]

You telling me flashmob
Spartacus worked?

Carter: No. Actually, the
committee was furious about that.

Spencer, I'm sorry,

but you won't be able
to walk at graduation.

[Sighs]

[WHISPERS]
It's OK.

Grace:
Well, a diploma is...

more than I could
have asked for, so...

Uh, if they were so angry,
why not expel me?

Because, while flashmob
Spartacus didn't work

on the committee,
it did work on me.

You offered yourself.

Made an argument that
as y'all's principal,

I encouraged the
senior-prank behavior,

so the buck should stop
with me, and they accepted.

You're all looking at
the former principal

of south crenshaw high.

Grace: D'Angelo. Carter:
Oh, babe, it's... It's fine.

Just getting a head-start on
those plans to get back into politics.

Maybe next time the school
wants to expel someone

like Spencer, I'll have
the power to stop it.

- Spencer: Listen...
- Carter: Now, Spence,

don't try
to change my mind.

It's done.

I'm not.

I'm getting used to this
whole "being saved" thing.

Thank you.

I got you.

Asher: Watching my friend
struggle to accept help...

It made me realize that life
is... is hard enough already,

so if the offer stands, then...
Jacob: Of course it stands.

[Sighs]
Thank you.

But... but I won't let you
cover 4 years' tuition.

Just a loan for the first
year, and if you'd be willing...

A job at your restaurant
so I could pay it back.

I respect that.

You got yourself
a deal.

[Chuckles]

I'm kind of surprised
you have any money left,

what with Jaymee offering
stacks of it away and all.

[Scoffs]

Look, Asher,
Jaymee's worked here,

I don't know, a little
over two years now,

but she's never asked for
anything close to $200,000,

not for anyone.

That girl
really likes you.

[Pats Asher's leg]

[Sighs]

- [Hip-hop music playing]
- Male Singer: ♪ Oh... [Singing indistinctly]

[Overlapping chatter]

Ok, my valedictorian speech is currently
just the "we're all in this together" song

from "high school musical,"
so I've got, like, two minutes.

This will be
worth it, I swear.

[WHISPERING] Oh, my
God, oh, my God, oh, my God.

- You're sabine.
- Sabine: Layla keating...

A woman I've been
dying to meet.

- Layla: Heh! You're kidding.
- Sabine: Dead serious.

I... I love everything you're
doing in the game, as a woman,

a producer,
business owner.

I want to collaborate
on something together.

Uh...

Clay: I told you not
to take my word for it.

Heh heh! I'll give
you two a minute.

- Sabine: Perfect.
- Layla: Oh, uh, gee, ok.

So...

I hear some dude's got you
questioning your natural-born talent.

Something like that,
yeah. Um...

- Look, I'm good at what I do. I know that.
- Sabine: Mm-hmm.

I just want to make sure I'm not
missing an opportunity to be great.

Wow.

Dude really shook your
confidence, didn't he?

Listen, I've been making
music since I was 10 years old,

so I have more than a decade's
experience of people telling me

I couldn't do what I was
literally already doing.

[Layla chuckles] Sabine: And
most of the time, they're talking about

their limitations, their
constraints, not mine.

You just gotta let 'em talk,
Layla, and keep doing you

'cause life, it's like
music, you know?

There's more than one
way to lay down a track.

Please don't take this the
wrong way, but I've gotta run.

I think you just, um, gave
me my valedictorian speech.

All good. I'll get with
Clay, and in the next

couple weeks, we can
set up a time and talk work.

- Great, yeah.
- Valedictorian, huh?

- Yeah, I... heh!
- I'm not surprised.

Thank you.

- You got this.
- Thank you.

[Knock on door]

- Billy: Hey.
- Willie: Uh...

[Sets down bag]

Just let him speak,
Willie.

Billy: Ok,

so, um...
[Door closes]

I'm not gonna say I'm
only here...

To help you.

You were right, pops.

I'm here for me, too,

but I'm also here
for Laura and the twins.

I'm... I'm here
for the family.

It's really hard
seeing you in pain,

but I'm sure
it's not as hard

as actually
being in pain,

and I shouldn't have
had to be reminded

of that,
so I'm sorry.

I won't have you
coming in here

trying to cut up
my food, Billy.

[Chuckles]

I know.
Laura can do that.

All right. Heh!

Hmm.

You are the only parent
I have left...

So no more pushing
each other away.

So you can bark all
you want, but Laura

and I... Are not
going anywhere.

[Exhales sharply]

Look, I know you're
mad at your pop

'cause he ain't been
straight with you.

I get it.
I'd be pissed, too.

If this is the part where
you tell me you're on my side

and you understand
my feelings, save it.

Actually...

This is the part where
I tell you the truth

because the moment
your mama died,

you stopped being
a little girl,

and it's not fair that we
keep treating you like one.

So tell me.
Who shot my mom?

I did.

I killed mo.

- But my dad said...
- Look, he lied, all right?

He knows how important
our relationship is

to me, so he was
trying to protect it.

He was trying
to protect me, so if

you're gonna blame someone,
if you're gonna be mad

at anyone,
be mad at me,

not your dad.

I shot your mama.

I never want
to see you again.

- Olivia: Ok, bye. Yeah.
- Amara: Hey, Liv.

Olivia: Hey. Um, you know,
I... I took in what you said, about

the journalism industry
just being like

a giant dumpster fire
of tweeting toddlers,

and I don't... I don't
care, 'cause I still believe

that good journalism
breaks through the noise.

- Olivia... - I'm not gonna
allow you or anyone else

to scare me away from making
a difference in my community.

Well, if you can't be dissuaded
from pursuing the truth,

then it sounds like you would
make a fantastic journalist.

- You were testing me.
- And you passed, Liv.

Flying colors. Heh heh!
Olivia: Wow. [Snickers]

I also have a couple
thoughts about j-schools

that'll be a little more
helpful than our last chat.

[Chuckles]
Olivia: I would love that.

- Yeah? Ha ha!
- Yeah. Ok.

Voicemail greeting:
This is Jaymee. Please don't.

[Beep] Asher: Hey,
um, look, I... I know

that you were just trying
to help, and I was being

a total ass,

and, um...

Look, I'm really
sorry, Jaymee.

If you feel
like forgiving me

or giving me
a second chance,

I... I'll be
at this thing later

and, um, I'll
text you the address.

All right, um,
I hope to see you.

Mmm.

Come on. Come on.

- Olivia: I know, I know, I know.
- Jordan: We're gonna be late.

- Olivia: Ok, let me see. Ok.
- Layla: Ahem.

You're gonna do great.

[Layla sighs]
Ok.

Layla: Voice-over: As we move
on to this next phase in our lives,

we're gonna encounter a lot
of people who tell us

there is only one way
to meet the future.

They'll say that we must choose
from the well-trodden paths...

- [Choir vocalizing]
- Layla: But it's up to us

to go out and carve
our own paths,

to make our own decisions,

our own mistakes.

It's up to us

to build the way forward
as we walk it.

- Male singer: ♪ When you're
bruised and broken... ♪ - Spencer: Ma,

your graduation
surprise was the beach?

You know, the waves
kinda gave you away.

- [Chuckles]
- ♪ When you're losing hope

- ♪ And can't find your way out
- Grace: Well...

See for yourself.

- Male singer: ♪ And the light is fading
- Spencer: Ok.

- Here.
- ♪ And all but gone

♪ It will shine again

All: Con-graduations!

[Clamoring]

[Applause]

Spencer: What is this?

Jordan: Well, that was
a really bad pun.

Um, we're sorry,
but, uh, this is

your graduation,
our alternative graduation.

Olivia: We got to thinking
how graduation just wouldn't be

complete without you, so we
teamed up with your mom and ta-da!

Singer: ♪ Your way

- ♪ Hold on
- Spencer: I don't know

- what to say.
- Singer: ♪ For a brighter day

don't say anything.
Just walk.

Singer: ♪ Sunshine's
comin' your way ♪

[Applause and cheering]

♪ Hold on

♪ For a brighter day

♪ Sunshine's

♪ Comin' your way

♪ Hold on

♪ For a brighter day

♪ Sunshine's

♪ Comin' your way

♪ Hold on

♪ For a brighter day

♪ Sunshine's

♪ Comin' your way

Choir: ♪ Ooh

JJ: I mean,
I appreciate it.

Simone: You are
pretty good, JJ.

- Jordan: JJ, we got to go on tour sometime.
- Simone: I didn't know

you could play the guitar
like that. It's really nice.

- Chris: Almost makes up for the cheating...
- And so... - Funny.

Spencer:
It's crazy, right?

Everybody's about
to scatter

in different
directions.

Uh, not all of us.

I decided to go to G.A.U.'s
Journalism program.

Wait. For real?

- Heh heh!
- That's amazing!

Ok, calm down.
I didn't do it for you.

Oh. Yeah, ok.

Proud of you.

Yo, guys,
we really did that.

We survived
high school.

Yeah, we did.

That is a hell of
a lot of memories.

I wouldn't have made it
through without you guys.

Hmm...

You all think we gonna
stay this close?

Man, I wish they would
try to separate us.

- [Patience and Coop chuckle]
- Coop: No. No, no, no.

- Layla: Oh.
- Patience: Ok,

- we're linkin' up.
- JJ: Ha ha ha!

Coop: Yeah. Nice.
Chris: Ok.

- JJ: Yeah, we got you.
- Chris: I guess you got it. Come here.

- Simone: Ok.
- Chris: Come on, Simone.

Simone: It's cute.

To new beginnings.