Diggstown (2019–…): Season 2, Episode 6 - Dani Ewing - full transcript
[sombre music]
♪
[blues singing]
♪ I am in love again
Mm hmm. - Still got it.
Oh yes you do.
Stewy:
Wow, looks like someone's
house is on fire.
Marj: Honey, that's our house!
Marj, Marj, stay in the car!
Marj: Stewy! Stay back, Stewy!
Stewy:
My name is Stewy Brooks,
my house is on fire!
1552 Johnson Road, hurry!
Stewy, stay back!
Our house, our house!
Oh my god.
Boy: Come on.
That's enough!
Charlie!
Man: Over here on the side.
Right here!
Man 2:
Honey, get away from there,
get away from there!
[flames roaring]
[sirens wailing]
[sombre music]
♪
♪
Velma:
I know that may be
what you think,
but it's not your
grandmother's land.
Never was and never will be.
Timothy: My grandma said
you and your husband
gave it to her.
As a place to keep her trailer!
So she'd have a home!
Hey.
Is everything okay?
Everything's fine.
This young man's just
got the wrong idea.
Listen, I don't want a fight.
Grandma paid the taxes,
she took care of
the maintenance.
And the bank allowed her
to take a mortgage
out on the property.
I'm telling you right now,
if I see your guys
tearing up this land,
I'll be calling the police.
Okay, uh, you need to go.
Thank you.
You try to do good.
Colleen:
Most of you at this office
are used to a relative
amount of freedom.
You swap case files,
you start working
on client files
before the vetting
process is complete.
You make ethical judgments
that compromise this office.
No more.
I shouldn't have to tell
you how to conduct yourself
in a professional manner,
but just so there's
no misunderstanding,
if you act in a manner
that puts yourself,
or this office into disrepute,
you will no longer
work in this office.
Period.
Stewy: It shook me.
Seeing all that flame and smoke.
It felt like my world
was coming to an end.
Mr. Brooks, in your statement,
you said that you
saw a white woman
in a red hoodie
racing from the fire.
Do you see that woman
in this courtroom?
Mhmm.
She's right over there.
Avery:
Let the record show
that Mr. Brooks
pointed to the defendant.
No further questions,
Your Honour.
Ms. Diggs?
Has Wingrove Insurance
paid out your claim?
Objection. Relevance?
I'm getting there, Your Honour.
Let's make it
a short road,
Ms. Diggs.
Answer the question.
No, they have not.
Have they asked if
you set the fire?
Stewy: No.
Marcie:
Have they asked if you
had the opportunity
to start the fire?
Isn't it true that
your insurance claim
hasn't been paid out
because Wingrove Insurance
is considering that you
may have set your home
on fire for the payout.
Stewy: So hold up,
this white girl sets
my home on fire,
and I'm the one being
treated like a criminal?
What happened to my family,
my community,
that there is a hate crime.
You're the hate crime.
[spectators murmur]
Judge Lawrence:
Settle your client, Ms. Diggs.
Marcie: Yes, Your Honour.
Mr. Brooks,
did you see my client
holding a molotov cocktail?
No, but the police
found her hoodie
with traces of gasoline.
Marcie:
Objection, Your Honour.
Non-responsive.
I'll ignore it.
Marcie:
In fact, all you saw
was a woman on a bike
in the aftermath of the fire,
isn't that correct sir?
I know it was her.
You do?
[spectators murmuring]
How do these three women
differ from who you saw?
Objection!
Judge Lawrence:
Ms. Diggs, I did not allow
these stunts in family court,
and I will not allow them here.
Are you done with the witness?
Yes, Your Honour.
[spectators murmuring]
Iris: At her last shelter,
the boyfriend shows up,
sends her to the
hospital with a
split lip
and a concussion.
Pam:
And that wasn't enough
to get his bail revoked?
That's how we
got the no
contact order!
This guy is a capital C creep.
Colleen: Hey!
Hey!
Colleen: Hi Iris, Pam.
Um, Colleen, I just
wanted to follow up
on the meeting
from this morning.
So, is that friends
and family jump the
queue thing
still a thing?
Never mind.
[Colleen exasperatedly sighs]
How's your plate?
I was just telling Pam,
I'm trying to find a shelter
for one of my
domestic violence
clients and her kid.
I'm waiting for a
callback from the
MacAdam House.
You should call Ona Reeves.
I think she ran
the MacAdam House
before she moved to Halifax.
Thanks!
I totally forgot that.
Colleen: Happy to help.
Fire Inspector:
From what we've been
able to determine,
the fires were caused by a
homemade molotov cocktail.
Avery:
Did you find any
common elements
in the three fires?
Fire Inspector:
Each of the burns was
caused by the same accelerant,
same ignition source,
a similar level of damage.
Avery:
So what you're
saying, Inspector,
is that there's a
pattern to these fires.
It would seem so.
Thank you.
Marcie: A pattern?
But would this
pattern suggest
arson or mischief,
considering the amount
of damage that was done?
Fire Inspector:
I can't testify to
what was in the head
of the fire starter.
Marcie:
The shingles on the houses
were made from fire
resistant asphalt.
Isn't it possible that
whoever set the fires
was aware of that?
It's possible.
Marcie:
Which would mean it's
possible the assailant
did not intend for the homes
to be seriously damaged,
as the molotov cocktails were
thrown against the houses
and not through the windows.
Fire Inspector:
You're asking me to
speak to state of mind.
Once again, I can't answer that.
Velma:
We were just doing a
favour for someone
who'd fallen on hard times.
Clara had dedicated
most of her life
to our church community.
It wasn't right that
she ended up homeless.
So we let her put up
a trailer on our land.
It wasn't our intention
to give the land to her.
Isn't that right, Austin?
She was there for a
long time though.
I can see where the
confusion comes-
Can you?
I can't.
Well, Clara had dementia
in those final years.
Who knows what happened?
Reggie: Exactly.
Listen, let me dig
into this a little,
look up the laws on
squatter's rights,
adverse possession,
and I'll get back to ya.
[gentle music]
Thank you so much, Wendy.
Iris.
Iris: Hey!
Were you looking for me or
is this a happy accident?
You know I don't
believe in no accidents.
Girl at your office said
I might catch you here.
What do you need?
I've, uh, got a little situation
with one of the kids at school.
More the parents than the kid,
and they're intent
on making a fuss.
They're trying to get me fired.
What did you do?
What did I do?
Hm, lord.
The kid can't sing and
they don't wanna hear it.
That's what happened.
Why are you blaming me?
I'm not, Mom.
Anyway, I need to know if
I can have a quick talk
with one of the lawyers at
your office about my rights.
Something that won't
cost me an arm and a leg.
I can't.
My boss just said we
can't do that anymore.
Forget it.
You're always so
deeply disappointing.
I don't even know why
I bother with you.
Crown Psychologist:
Mrs. Ewing is
taking Lorazepam,
which her family
doctor prescribed.
I would say she's
suffering from depression.
My understanding is
that she has been
referred to a psychiatrist,
but with the wait times here
she still hasn't seen one.
Doctor, can you take us through
the typical psychological
markers of an arsonist?
Crown Psychologist:
Fire-starting, especially
with female fire-starters,
can be the manifestation
of an underlying
psychiatric condition.
They often feel more isolated
or lack connection to
their environment.
Avery:
Doctor, in your
expert opinion,
is it possible that Ms. Ewing's
psychiatric illness
would manifest in this
type of behaviour?
Fire-starting, specifically.
Crown Psychologist:
Well it's hard to say without
knowing Mrs. Ewing's history.
Typically,
fire-setting manifests as
a pattern of behaviour,
not a one off.
Pattern.
Doctor, you're aware that the
defendant's husband and child
died in a fire along
with her in-laws,
Freddie and Gladys Ewing
last year.
No, I was not.
Mrs. Ewing was not
very forthcoming.
Relevance, Your Honour.
I'm allowing.
Given your testimony
about patterns,
and fire starting,
is it possible the defendant
could have been the one
that started the fires
that resulted in the deaths
of her in-laws,
husband and child?
Objection, Your Honour!
That is a lie! - Settle.
Dani:
I'd never hurt my family,
they were all I had.
Judge Lawrence: Settle!
Dani: Why are you lying?
Why?
[intense music]
Reporter:
Mr. Mueller, are you
charging Mrs. Ewing
in connection with the deaths
of her husband and child?
Will she be taken into
custody for the crime?
Reporter 2:
Will the investigation
into the fire
that killed Dani Ewing's
family be reopened?
You know that she
didn't set the fire
that killed her family!
Come on, Avery, be fair!
Like you?
Don't go there.
Marcie, what am I supposed
to do just pretend that we
didn't almost-
Yeah, since I'm friends with
and work with the woman
that you were dating.
Yeah, let's pretend
this didn't happen.
Fine then, let's just
keep it professional.
Yeah.
Keeping it professional.
And no more arguing
baseless theories either.
I never said
anything about that.
Timothy:
My grandma, she
used to play piano,
back in the day when session
musicians didn't make much.
She taught me how
to play guitar.
She couldn't read
a speck of music,
but that was her gift.
Listen, I think
Mr. and Mrs. Diggs
may have the wrong idea
of what I'm about.
I'm trying to create a place
where kids can pick
up an instrument,
learn to read music.
My grandma would love that.
No it sounds neat.
But it can't be on
my client's land.
I already spoke with my lawyer
and she said my adverse
possession claim is solid.
I know the Diggs'
don't like that but-
Reggie:
Son, you're trying
to take something
that doesn't belong to you.
Not your son.
And I'm not taking anything.
They gave it away.
Reggie:
They were trying
to do a good deed.
Now you're coming in and you're
not even offering to pay them
for the use of the land.
Mr. Thompson,
do you know what I was doing
for a living before I got here?
I was washing dishes in
the kitchen at the Sofitel.
Everything I'm trying to do here
has been on a wing and a prayer.
I get the land
rezoned as mixed use,
I can apply for grants
and try to get this
thing on its feet.
Reggie:
What if I told you that your
adverse possession claim
was weak?
Well I'd say let
the courts decide.
Sheriff:
To the best of your
knowledge and belief,
so help you God.
Yes.
Avery: Ms. Ewing,
you and your cousin Tony,
you were close?
He was like a brother.
Avery:
So his death must have
hit you pretty hard.
Hard just doesn't get it.
Tony, Uncle Freddie,
Aunt Gladys,
that precious little boy.
It's something I still
can't get my head around.
And Tony's wife, Dani,
I assume you two were close?
Her?
That girl ain't
close with no one.
Thought she was too
good for Preston.
Avery:
What do you mean
by "too good"?
Belinda:
Tony was big on his community.
He spent time coaching
at the rec centre,
never missed a Sunday at church.
She, she never came.
Only time she'd show up is
to give him a hard time.
Always fightin' with
him about nonsense.
That is not true.
- That's messed up.
Belinda:
I hated how Dani
was always on him.
What do you mean
by being "on him"
about hanging out in Preston?
'Cause she's a racist.
[spectators gasp]
Objection, Your Honour.
Judge Lawrence: Sustained.
Belinda: She married a black man
but didn't realize she
was marrying a black man.
Settle.
Belinda:
He wouldn't give up his
community for the likes of her,
and she hated it. - Settle!
She hated all of us for it.
Leave her alone.
Quiet in the courtroom.
[murmuring]
Take control of your witness,
Mr. Mueller.
No further questions,
Your Honour.
Judge Lawrence: Ms. Diggs?
[murmuring]
Even though Tony,
my client's husband,
was "like a brother" to you,
you didn't attend his wedding,
did you?
No, I did not.
And why is that?
I was feeling sick that day.
Marcie:
Isn't it true that you didn't
attend your cousin's wedding
because you didn't like the fact
that he was marrying
a white woman?
Belinda: Like I said,
I was feeling sick that day.
Marcie:
Did you ever
refer to Dani as
"Becky with the good hair?"
[scoffs] I don't recall.
Marcie: What about "pale face"?
Well, she is pale.
Avery:
Objection, Your Honour,
relevance.
Marcie:
Your Honour, Ms. Ewing was
called as a Crown witness
to support this theory that
my client has a grudge
against the people
of North Preston.
That she's a racist.
I think it's pretty
clear who the racist is.
Black people can't be racist.
That's right. - Yeah!
Judge Lawrence: Let's move on.
By the way, Mr. Mueller,
when you're going
to call a witness,
prepare them for the courtroom.
Avery:
Guess I should've
expected you to go there.
You accused my client of
killing her child and husband.
Like you said,
I'm just trying my case.
All right, let's do two years
plus three years probation,
call it a day.
Ah, you were just in there
reaching for a motive,
your ID is garbage and
you have nothing concrete
to tie Dani to the fire.
You're lucky I didn't try
to convince Judge Lawrence
that the cousin did it.
Okay Marcie, you're
forgetting we have her bike,
the accelerant that she used
to start the fire at her house.
Yeah, commercially
available accelerant
that most people use.
Despite what you even think,
we have a rock solid ID.
If your rock is talc.
What? He saw a white
woman on a bike?
So Marcie Diggs got
jokes now, huh?
Look, the press has been
eating this case up.
And you already
know Judge Lawrence
is gonna wanna be on the
right side of this one.
Yeah, that's what I'm hoping.
Then talk to your client.
Of course.
[phone rings]
Marcie Diggs.
Emily: Mom, just think,
maybe you could do some
teaching at this music school.
Alexa:
Well I can tell
you the last thing
I'm thinking about
is moving out here.
But I get it, it's yours.
Who's this guy to just
come try to take it away?
Thank you, Alexa.
Marcie: Hey.
Hey.
So, everyone's in the know.
No point in keeping it a secret.
Austin:
So, Marcie, your
sisters have made it clear
they're not interested
in that piece of land.
How about you?
Worth fighting over?
You can't miss what
you didn't know you had.
What the hell does that mean?
Mom, I always thought the
land belonged to Miss Clara.
I didn't know that you and Dad
were just giving her
a place to stay.
Honestly, I think the
idea of a group home
where at risk kids can
get a music education
is-is a great idea.
I never said it was a bad idea.
Alexa:
Well couldn't she just
rent it out to him
or something, Marce?
Mom?
Emily:
He's a really smart
young man, Mom.
You should talk to him.
We've talked.
Not really, Vel.
Emily and I-
Oh, you and Emily?
Emily: Yeah, Mom.
Timmy, he just want to
do things the right way.
We need to be supporting
young men like him.
He's lovely, but I'm not
gonna just let some kid
come and take what
doesn't belong to him,
no matter how well
intentioned he is.
Austin:
But it's not just
your decision, Velma.
We, we do this together.
[Velma sighs]
[keys jingle]
[Iris gasps]
Where's Sonia?
There's a restraining order.
You're not supposed to be here.
The fact that I'm
here should tell ya
I don't give two damns
about any restraining order.
You need to get
your hand off me.
Michael:
You're getting in the way
of me putting my
family back together.
Just calm down.
Bitch, look!
I don't want any trouble,
just tell me where
Sonia's taken my kid!
[sombre music]
[grunting]
Iris: Who's the bitch now, huh?!
[Iris screaming]
Who's the bitch now?
Doug: Stop, Iris, Iris!
[Iris sobbing]
[Michael groaning]
It's okay, Iris.
You wanna tell me what
that was all about?
He assaulted me and
I defended myself.
[sombre music]
Doug: Okay, but,
you didn't seem like
you were in control.
You're a psychiatrist now?
Why are you here anyway?
Doug:
Left my keys for my
cabin in my desk.
Are you sure you're okay?
I'm good.
I'm good.
[door slams]
[intense music]
♪
♪
[loud thrash metal music]
♪
Marcie: Dani!
Hey, Marcie!
[loud thrash metal music]
Marcie:
What's going on here, Dani?
I've been going
from room to room.
I just need to know that
the wiring is up to code.
To feel safe.
[sombre music]
I know a guy, he's a contractor.
He's a good guy.
I can get him to take
a look at this for you.
Sure.
I've still got the upstairs
and the living room to do.
I'm here to discuss a
plea offer I received.
It's two years in custody-
Stewy Brooks and those
people took away my family.
They're not gonna
take away my freedom.
Dani-
Ask him!
He and those Ratepayers
were supposed to make sure
that everyone who needed it
got home improvement grants.
Tony's parents had
applied three times.
Three times and each time
the Ratepayers' Association
denied them.
All of Stewy's
friends and relatives
got their upgrade though.
[dramatic music]
My husband and child are dead
because of those people
and they're trying
to blame me for this
because they know
I'm not gonna stop
until they've been exposed.
It's all there.
They're trying to silence me
by blaming me for
something I didn't do.
You won't let them though,
will you, Marcie?
How can we settle this business
with Clara's grandson, Reggie?
Reggie:
I looked into the kid's
adverse rights claim,
[stammering] it might not work.
However, it is possible
that he could argue
that there was a contract
between you and Austin
and the late Mrs. Horne
where you gave the land to her.
We never "gave" anything!
Reggie:
Well listen, young Timothy
has done his homework.
The good news is that the
property is only zoned
for single family
residential use.
He'd have to apply
for a variance,
so we'll see.
Velma:
"We'll see" is not
a plan, Reggie.
Reggie: Don't worry, Velma.
Give me the day and-and
I'll take care of it.
[suspenseful music]
♪
Jane: Ms. Diggs?
Marcie: Mr. Lincoln.
Percy: Marcie.
I am familiar with
these programs.
Marcie: That's why I called you.
Hm.
A lot of these programs
were set up in the '80s
to address racial
bias in the system.
Ended up just being hush money,
if you know what I mean.
So-called leaders
of the community
taking money meant for their
struggling brothers and sisters,
and lining their pockets.
Disgrace.
People died.
Ain't nothin' new for us there.
And so no one's accountable?
Nah, that's garbage.
What about this "Charles Ryan"?
His name's all over
these documents.
Percy:
If you could draw a
cartoon of apathy,
it would be Charles Ryan's face.
You know what apathetic people
care about more than anything?
Themselves.
Think you'd be interested
in teaching music?
Austin: I'll think about it.
Hey man, did we
have something set?
Reggie:
No no, I just wanted to
talk to you and, uh, Velma.
I'll give you some space.
All right.
I think I may have found a way
to solve your issue
with Mr. Horne.
I found three or four errors
in Clara Horne's application
for adverse possession.
Now the one big error that
we can rest our head on
is that she missed the 20 year
requirement by three months.
The application should
never have been processed.
So based on that,
I drafted a motion to have
the land conveyance voided.
Who asked you to do this?
Did she ask you to do this?
Hi, Reggie.
Hi, Velma.
I was just telling-
Austin:
Did you ask Reggie to put
this paperwork together?
I asked him to look
into our options, yes.
But we agreed not to move
forward with legal proceedings
without us being
on the same page.
Austin, you're lettin'
that boy turn your head.
You need to think of the family.
You represent both of us, right?
I don't want this.
Austin.
I've said all I'm gonna
say about it, Velma.
[sombre music]
Marcie:
I'm just trying to
make sense of this.
So this application
was submitted
on behalf of
826 Simmonds Road but,
see this document
shows that the application
was filed by her in-laws,
with the original
address crossed out
and then replaced with
845 Simmonds Road.
I'm not gonna lie,
that happened.
Lots of illiteracy
in the community,
people being given the
wrong street number
when the city first
made assignments.
We used the Ratepayers'
Association as a go-between
the department and
the community.
So, yeah.
I'm sure mistakes were made.
Mr. Ryan, once or
twice is a mistake.
[suspenseful music]
17 times?
The Fire Marshall's report
says that it was faulty wiring
that caused the fire
that killed my client's
husband and child.
The money intended for
upgrading her in-law's home
went into the pockets of
the Ratepayers' Executives.
They then took that money
and upgraded their own homes,
and the homes of their
friends and their family.
Listen, we did-
Marcie: Everything right?
Did you?
Not really.
What do you want?
Based on what I've
just shown you,
one would argue,
well, I would argue
that you are just as guilty
as the Ratepayers' Executive
for what happened to
my client's family.
Now I'm giving you the
opportunity to decide.
Do you wanna be the
whistleblower in this story?
Or the co-accused?
Ona: Dumb move, baby. I'm sorry.
What was I supposed to do?
Let him beat on me?
I'm not saying that.
But you had time to
call 911, right?
Yes, but the-
You let some asshat
get under your skin.
You think this is the last time
someone's gonna try
and step to you?
Baby, I don't know
what's going on,
but it's obvious this
man triggered you.
Whatever stuff you've
got to deal with,
deal with it.
Otherwise, your career
as a social worker's
gonna be over before it begins.
[suspenseful music]
Marcie: Damn.
Go home, Marcie.
What's in the bag?
What's in the bag, Dani?
I am done waiting, Marcie!
[glass tinkles]
Just stay out of this!
Marcie:
You said you didn't do this.
Listen, I read the
files that you gave me.
I talked to the guy at housing,
the guy that was the
official on the case?
People are going to know
that you were right.
That what happened to
Tony and Devin was wrong.
Dani: It wasn't wrong, Marcie.
Stewy Brooks and all his pals
on the Ratepayer Executive
killed them!
They killed my family.
And they need to pay.
And they will.
But the right way,
not like this.
No, just like this.
Marcie:
Dani, you're in trouble, Dani.
Look, if we change your plea,
I can get you the
help that you need.
We can get you well.
And what about my justice?
You go after these
people like this,
there's no coming back.
All of this grief and anger
that you are holding onto,
it's scorched earth.
Dani, please.
[soothing music]
♪
Velma:
How do I move this
motion business forward?
I have something to show you.
You're not gonna like it but-
Austin wrote a letter in support
of Timothy's Horne's
rezoning application.
If you go to the
Registry of Deeds,
the original Crown Grant, 1794.
That plot of grass,
it's been in my
family since 1794.
That's more than
200 years, Reggie.
200 years of my blood,
putting in their effort
and sweat into that soil.
I know it may be just an
abandoned field of grass
to Austin and my girls,
but the blood of my ancestors
runs through that ground.
I can't just let
someone take it.
I can't.
Velma.
[sombre music]
♪
[keypad beeping]
[phone rings]
Yeah, Gil, it's Reggie.
Well you're the one that said
if I ever needed anything,
well now I need something.
There's a young man
named Timothy Horne
with a rezoning
application in your office.
Yeah, he wants to
change it from, uh,
residential to mixed use.
No, no, Gil.
I want you to reject
the application.
Marcie:
Mr. Brooks, thank
you for coming back
and answering a few
more questions.
I'd just like to
clarify a few things.
I'd like this entered
as Exhibit D35.
Thank you.
Mr. Brooks, this is a copy
of a tax assessment letter
for your home on Simmonds Road.
Yes.
According to the document,
what is the value
of your property?
It says, uh, $90,000.
How much money are you due
from the insurance company?
I don't have that
information with me.
I would have to,
uh, to look it up.
Oh, let me help you out.
In the event of a fire,
Wingrove Insurance
will pay you $400,000
to buy a new home or
rebuild your existing home.
That's more than four
times the current value.
Objection, Your Honour.
Relevance?
Marcie:
Your Honour, Mr. Mueller
floated a narrative
that my client, Dani Ewing,
set Mr. Brooks' and his
neighbours' homes on fire
because she has a
racist vendetta
against the community
of North Preston.
I'd like an opportunity
to challenge this.
Continue, Ms. Diggs.
Isn't it true that you
recently purchased a condo
in Halifax for $300,000
and have no intentions
of rebuilding your home?
I don't know where you're
getting your gossip from,
but it's not true at all.
Marcie: No?
I have a deed registered
to a numbered company
that you are the
sole shareholder of.
Would you like to change
your answer, sir?
Stewy:
I don't understand
what's going on.
I'm the victim here, remember?
I'm a good man!
[Dani scoffs]
Marcie: Since you brought it up.
Weren't you in charge of a
housing improvement program
for the people of Preston?
Stewy: Yes.
Along with the other members
of the Ratepayers' Executive.
We did some good work out there.
There's that word again.
Objection, Your Honour.
Where is this going?
Where is this going, Ms. Diggs?
If I could just ask the court
for a moment's indulgence?
In conducting all of this
"good work" that you mentioned,
did you ever have cause
to assess an application
by the defendant's in-laws,
Freddie and Gladys Ewing?
Mr. Brooks,
if you need a reminder I do
have a copy of the application.
I remember.
Do you remember if the
application was approved?
I don't think we
ever heard back.
No, because you used the
details of their application,
the fact that the wiring in
the house was knob and tube,
the roofing needed repairing,
and the fusebox needed upgrading
to obtain funding for
your first cousin
to build an addition
on their home.
Stewy: No, no, that is a lie.
Your first cousin lives
at 845 Simmonds Road?
This is a photo of that home.
However,
this is the home that you used
to represent 845 Simmonds Road
when you applied for
the improvements
with the Department of Housing.
826 Simmonds Road,
the home that belonged to
Freddie and Gladys Ewing
who died in a house fire
along with their son
and their grandson.
Can you explain
this discrepancy?
Stewy:
There was a lot of paperwork.
Things got misfiled.
Marcie:
Isn't it true that you and
your fellow executive members
of the Ratepayers' Association
were funnelling money to
your friends and your family
through this program
that was actually set up
for poor people
in the community.
Objection, Your Honour.
I feel Ms. Diggs is taking
us way off course here.
Ms. Diggs, regarding
the matter before me,
I must agree with Mr. Mueller.
But, Your Honour, I-
Judge Lawrence: I'm not done.
Mr. Mueller, I expect that
you'll be providing a transcript
of Mr. Brooks's
testimony to the RCMP,
so that they can investigate
the very serious allegations
made against Mr. Brooks
here today.
Of course, Your Honour.
Marcie:
I have no further questions.
Judge Lawrence:
You're excused, Mr. Brooks.
Let's adjourn until two p.m.
Counsel, my chambers.
Bailiff: All rise!
Noel Crockett:
Mr. Nef is saying your
employee assaulted him.
And he wants to press charges.
She needs to apologize to me.
I'm sorry but I'm
having a hard time
with this allegation.
She nearly broke my ribs!
Honestly, I'm
extremely embarrassed.
Michael: You should be.
Apologize and tell me where
Sonia's taken my child.
Noel Crockett: Michael.
Noel, how do you always
end up with these guys?
Mr. Nef, let me be clear
about what's going on here.
Violating a restraining order,
uttering threats, assault?
Do something!
I-I'm the victim here,
look at what she did to me!
Tape tells a different tale,
doesn't it?
Thank you, officers.
[dispatch radio crackles]
Officer:
Mr. Nef, you're under arrest.
You have the right to obtain
and instruct counsel-
Thank you, Colleen.
You're too smart to act dumb.
I don't know why you
did what you did,
but it never happens again,
do you understand?
That was your free pass.
Marcie:
Is there a fair deal
we can come to?
It needs to meet public interest
that any risk involving
Ms. Ewing is under control.
Well, my client's ready to
take full responsibility
for her actions.
Three years probation.
Marcie:
With access to a court
appointed psychiatrist?
I think we have a deal.
So.
How about a drink to celebrate?
Maybe another time.
[soft music]
[intense music]
Percy:
So, this is what
it feels like
to be on Marcie Diggs's
good side.
I just wanted to thank you.
Yes, you set a white lady free
and sent a black man to jail,
and I'm not even mad at you.
You know it just occurred to me
that I know nothing about you,
besides your politics, that is.
You gonna act like
you never creeped me?
Maybe just a little.
You know, this
looks really cozy.
Marcie: Avery?
Hey, man.
Ah, can I have a word
with you, Marcie?
I'll just be one second.
♪ Tell me who you are
♪ Show me who you are
Avery:
Marcie, are you
trying to punish me?
Percy Lincoln, really?
What are you taking about?
Avery:
I'm single, you're single.
It's our turn,
Marcie, it's my turn!
And you, you got this guy
that's sitting in my seat.
That's my seat, Marcie.
You need to stop.
Marcie, it's just...
Get off me.
You need to go home and sober up
and I will pretend that
this never happened
so that I can respect my
friend in the morning.
Doug:
I never thought
it was so easy
to fill your days when
you're not working.
I never realized how much
I missed gaspereau fishing.
Gaspereau?
Reggie:
I hope you brought
me a couple.
You almost had company.
Yeah, Iris went all
Cleopatra Jones on some client.
Doug: Oh, I was there.
You did not wanna see that.
Anyways, I always keep a couple
of spare fishing rods around
for my friends.
Iris: Ting-ting.
Hey!
Pam: Hey. Hey.
Give me your keys.
I'm driving you home.
♪ I'm thinking you
move those seats
♪ Remain true, time is money,
your talk is cheap ♪
Hi Mom.
Double whiskey rocks, please.
Bartender: You got it, Iris.
Found a lawyer yet or
is everything settled?
All these parents care
about is the grade.
Change the C to a B,
you're teacher of
the year again.
Girl, what are you doing?
I am out for a
drink with friends.
Not alone.
Here we go.
Come on.
Tell your mom how she's
supposed to live.
Yeah, I'm not doing
this with you.
What'd I tell you
about the sass?
Let go of me, Mom.
Or what?
You gonna do something?
Mhm.
Useless.
[sombre music]
I don't understand, Mom.
Why are you always
so mean to me?
Did I do something wrong?
You want me to tell
you how smart ya are?
How talented? How pretty?
Like they used to do me.
So when you realize
there are people
smarter, more talented,
prettier,
you're left with
nothin' to hold onto?
Not my girl.
My daughter is gonna know,
don't take nothin' for granted.
You're gonna have to
fight for everything.
You might hate me,
but you ain't never
gonna end up like me.
Another, please.
[sombre music]
♪
Can you go back to your
friends and leave me in peace?
[sombre music]
♪
♪
Pam: Keep it together, okay?
Officer:
Ma'am, licence
and registration.
Just one second here.
This is my licence and
registration is here.
I'm driving my friend's car.
I'm driving him home 'cause
he had too much to drink.
Officer: And how about you?
Have you consumed any
alcohol this evening?
Um, not really.
Not a lot.
Officer:
Ma'am, can you step
out of the car?
[gentle rock music]
♪
♪ You and I we unite
like the sunshine
♪ Oh lately
♪ You are mine
♪ You and I we unite
like the sunshine
♪ Only you
♪ You and I
♪ Oh no
Where are you going?
Home?
Just get in the car.
♪ So hold on tight
♪ You set me free
♪ You set me free
♪ We're on this ride
♪ Together
♪ You and I we unite
like the sunshine
♪ Only you
♪ You and I
[phone ringing] ♪ You and I we unite
like the sunshine
♪ Only you and I
Marcie Diggs.
♪ There was a time when
I would cry ♪
♪ But then you
♪ Held me tight
♪ You set me free
♪ Until you came along
♪
[blues singing]
♪ I am in love again
Mm hmm. - Still got it.
Oh yes you do.
Stewy:
Wow, looks like someone's
house is on fire.
Marj: Honey, that's our house!
Marj, Marj, stay in the car!
Marj: Stewy! Stay back, Stewy!
Stewy:
My name is Stewy Brooks,
my house is on fire!
1552 Johnson Road, hurry!
Stewy, stay back!
Our house, our house!
Oh my god.
Boy: Come on.
That's enough!
Charlie!
Man: Over here on the side.
Right here!
Man 2:
Honey, get away from there,
get away from there!
[flames roaring]
[sirens wailing]
[sombre music]
♪
♪
Velma:
I know that may be
what you think,
but it's not your
grandmother's land.
Never was and never will be.
Timothy: My grandma said
you and your husband
gave it to her.
As a place to keep her trailer!
So she'd have a home!
Hey.
Is everything okay?
Everything's fine.
This young man's just
got the wrong idea.
Listen, I don't want a fight.
Grandma paid the taxes,
she took care of
the maintenance.
And the bank allowed her
to take a mortgage
out on the property.
I'm telling you right now,
if I see your guys
tearing up this land,
I'll be calling the police.
Okay, uh, you need to go.
Thank you.
You try to do good.
Colleen:
Most of you at this office
are used to a relative
amount of freedom.
You swap case files,
you start working
on client files
before the vetting
process is complete.
You make ethical judgments
that compromise this office.
No more.
I shouldn't have to tell
you how to conduct yourself
in a professional manner,
but just so there's
no misunderstanding,
if you act in a manner
that puts yourself,
or this office into disrepute,
you will no longer
work in this office.
Period.
Stewy: It shook me.
Seeing all that flame and smoke.
It felt like my world
was coming to an end.
Mr. Brooks, in your statement,
you said that you
saw a white woman
in a red hoodie
racing from the fire.
Do you see that woman
in this courtroom?
Mhmm.
She's right over there.
Avery:
Let the record show
that Mr. Brooks
pointed to the defendant.
No further questions,
Your Honour.
Ms. Diggs?
Has Wingrove Insurance
paid out your claim?
Objection. Relevance?
I'm getting there, Your Honour.
Let's make it
a short road,
Ms. Diggs.
Answer the question.
No, they have not.
Have they asked if
you set the fire?
Stewy: No.
Marcie:
Have they asked if you
had the opportunity
to start the fire?
Isn't it true that
your insurance claim
hasn't been paid out
because Wingrove Insurance
is considering that you
may have set your home
on fire for the payout.
Stewy: So hold up,
this white girl sets
my home on fire,
and I'm the one being
treated like a criminal?
What happened to my family,
my community,
that there is a hate crime.
You're the hate crime.
[spectators murmur]
Judge Lawrence:
Settle your client, Ms. Diggs.
Marcie: Yes, Your Honour.
Mr. Brooks,
did you see my client
holding a molotov cocktail?
No, but the police
found her hoodie
with traces of gasoline.
Marcie:
Objection, Your Honour.
Non-responsive.
I'll ignore it.
Marcie:
In fact, all you saw
was a woman on a bike
in the aftermath of the fire,
isn't that correct sir?
I know it was her.
You do?
[spectators murmuring]
How do these three women
differ from who you saw?
Objection!
Judge Lawrence:
Ms. Diggs, I did not allow
these stunts in family court,
and I will not allow them here.
Are you done with the witness?
Yes, Your Honour.
[spectators murmuring]
Iris: At her last shelter,
the boyfriend shows up,
sends her to the
hospital with a
split lip
and a concussion.
Pam:
And that wasn't enough
to get his bail revoked?
That's how we
got the no
contact order!
This guy is a capital C creep.
Colleen: Hey!
Hey!
Colleen: Hi Iris, Pam.
Um, Colleen, I just
wanted to follow up
on the meeting
from this morning.
So, is that friends
and family jump the
queue thing
still a thing?
Never mind.
[Colleen exasperatedly sighs]
How's your plate?
I was just telling Pam,
I'm trying to find a shelter
for one of my
domestic violence
clients and her kid.
I'm waiting for a
callback from the
MacAdam House.
You should call Ona Reeves.
I think she ran
the MacAdam House
before she moved to Halifax.
Thanks!
I totally forgot that.
Colleen: Happy to help.
Fire Inspector:
From what we've been
able to determine,
the fires were caused by a
homemade molotov cocktail.
Avery:
Did you find any
common elements
in the three fires?
Fire Inspector:
Each of the burns was
caused by the same accelerant,
same ignition source,
a similar level of damage.
Avery:
So what you're
saying, Inspector,
is that there's a
pattern to these fires.
It would seem so.
Thank you.
Marcie: A pattern?
But would this
pattern suggest
arson or mischief,
considering the amount
of damage that was done?
Fire Inspector:
I can't testify to
what was in the head
of the fire starter.
Marcie:
The shingles on the houses
were made from fire
resistant asphalt.
Isn't it possible that
whoever set the fires
was aware of that?
It's possible.
Marcie:
Which would mean it's
possible the assailant
did not intend for the homes
to be seriously damaged,
as the molotov cocktails were
thrown against the houses
and not through the windows.
Fire Inspector:
You're asking me to
speak to state of mind.
Once again, I can't answer that.
Velma:
We were just doing a
favour for someone
who'd fallen on hard times.
Clara had dedicated
most of her life
to our church community.
It wasn't right that
she ended up homeless.
So we let her put up
a trailer on our land.
It wasn't our intention
to give the land to her.
Isn't that right, Austin?
She was there for a
long time though.
I can see where the
confusion comes-
Can you?
I can't.
Well, Clara had dementia
in those final years.
Who knows what happened?
Reggie: Exactly.
Listen, let me dig
into this a little,
look up the laws on
squatter's rights,
adverse possession,
and I'll get back to ya.
[gentle music]
Thank you so much, Wendy.
Iris.
Iris: Hey!
Were you looking for me or
is this a happy accident?
You know I don't
believe in no accidents.
Girl at your office said
I might catch you here.
What do you need?
I've, uh, got a little situation
with one of the kids at school.
More the parents than the kid,
and they're intent
on making a fuss.
They're trying to get me fired.
What did you do?
What did I do?
Hm, lord.
The kid can't sing and
they don't wanna hear it.
That's what happened.
Why are you blaming me?
I'm not, Mom.
Anyway, I need to know if
I can have a quick talk
with one of the lawyers at
your office about my rights.
Something that won't
cost me an arm and a leg.
I can't.
My boss just said we
can't do that anymore.
Forget it.
You're always so
deeply disappointing.
I don't even know why
I bother with you.
Crown Psychologist:
Mrs. Ewing is
taking Lorazepam,
which her family
doctor prescribed.
I would say she's
suffering from depression.
My understanding is
that she has been
referred to a psychiatrist,
but with the wait times here
she still hasn't seen one.
Doctor, can you take us through
the typical psychological
markers of an arsonist?
Crown Psychologist:
Fire-starting, especially
with female fire-starters,
can be the manifestation
of an underlying
psychiatric condition.
They often feel more isolated
or lack connection to
their environment.
Avery:
Doctor, in your
expert opinion,
is it possible that Ms. Ewing's
psychiatric illness
would manifest in this
type of behaviour?
Fire-starting, specifically.
Crown Psychologist:
Well it's hard to say without
knowing Mrs. Ewing's history.
Typically,
fire-setting manifests as
a pattern of behaviour,
not a one off.
Pattern.
Doctor, you're aware that the
defendant's husband and child
died in a fire along
with her in-laws,
Freddie and Gladys Ewing
last year.
No, I was not.
Mrs. Ewing was not
very forthcoming.
Relevance, Your Honour.
I'm allowing.
Given your testimony
about patterns,
and fire starting,
is it possible the defendant
could have been the one
that started the fires
that resulted in the deaths
of her in-laws,
husband and child?
Objection, Your Honour!
That is a lie! - Settle.
Dani:
I'd never hurt my family,
they were all I had.
Judge Lawrence: Settle!
Dani: Why are you lying?
Why?
[intense music]
Reporter:
Mr. Mueller, are you
charging Mrs. Ewing
in connection with the deaths
of her husband and child?
Will she be taken into
custody for the crime?
Reporter 2:
Will the investigation
into the fire
that killed Dani Ewing's
family be reopened?
You know that she
didn't set the fire
that killed her family!
Come on, Avery, be fair!
Like you?
Don't go there.
Marcie, what am I supposed
to do just pretend that we
didn't almost-
Yeah, since I'm friends with
and work with the woman
that you were dating.
Yeah, let's pretend
this didn't happen.
Fine then, let's just
keep it professional.
Yeah.
Keeping it professional.
And no more arguing
baseless theories either.
I never said
anything about that.
Timothy:
My grandma, she
used to play piano,
back in the day when session
musicians didn't make much.
She taught me how
to play guitar.
She couldn't read
a speck of music,
but that was her gift.
Listen, I think
Mr. and Mrs. Diggs
may have the wrong idea
of what I'm about.
I'm trying to create a place
where kids can pick
up an instrument,
learn to read music.
My grandma would love that.
No it sounds neat.
But it can't be on
my client's land.
I already spoke with my lawyer
and she said my adverse
possession claim is solid.
I know the Diggs'
don't like that but-
Reggie:
Son, you're trying
to take something
that doesn't belong to you.
Not your son.
And I'm not taking anything.
They gave it away.
Reggie:
They were trying
to do a good deed.
Now you're coming in and you're
not even offering to pay them
for the use of the land.
Mr. Thompson,
do you know what I was doing
for a living before I got here?
I was washing dishes in
the kitchen at the Sofitel.
Everything I'm trying to do here
has been on a wing and a prayer.
I get the land
rezoned as mixed use,
I can apply for grants
and try to get this
thing on its feet.
Reggie:
What if I told you that your
adverse possession claim
was weak?
Well I'd say let
the courts decide.
Sheriff:
To the best of your
knowledge and belief,
so help you God.
Yes.
Avery: Ms. Ewing,
you and your cousin Tony,
you were close?
He was like a brother.
Avery:
So his death must have
hit you pretty hard.
Hard just doesn't get it.
Tony, Uncle Freddie,
Aunt Gladys,
that precious little boy.
It's something I still
can't get my head around.
And Tony's wife, Dani,
I assume you two were close?
Her?
That girl ain't
close with no one.
Thought she was too
good for Preston.
Avery:
What do you mean
by "too good"?
Belinda:
Tony was big on his community.
He spent time coaching
at the rec centre,
never missed a Sunday at church.
She, she never came.
Only time she'd show up is
to give him a hard time.
Always fightin' with
him about nonsense.
That is not true.
- That's messed up.
Belinda:
I hated how Dani
was always on him.
What do you mean
by being "on him"
about hanging out in Preston?
'Cause she's a racist.
[spectators gasp]
Objection, Your Honour.
Judge Lawrence: Sustained.
Belinda: She married a black man
but didn't realize she
was marrying a black man.
Settle.
Belinda:
He wouldn't give up his
community for the likes of her,
and she hated it. - Settle!
She hated all of us for it.
Leave her alone.
Quiet in the courtroom.
[murmuring]
Take control of your witness,
Mr. Mueller.
No further questions,
Your Honour.
Judge Lawrence: Ms. Diggs?
[murmuring]
Even though Tony,
my client's husband,
was "like a brother" to you,
you didn't attend his wedding,
did you?
No, I did not.
And why is that?
I was feeling sick that day.
Marcie:
Isn't it true that you didn't
attend your cousin's wedding
because you didn't like the fact
that he was marrying
a white woman?
Belinda: Like I said,
I was feeling sick that day.
Marcie:
Did you ever
refer to Dani as
"Becky with the good hair?"
[scoffs] I don't recall.
Marcie: What about "pale face"?
Well, she is pale.
Avery:
Objection, Your Honour,
relevance.
Marcie:
Your Honour, Ms. Ewing was
called as a Crown witness
to support this theory that
my client has a grudge
against the people
of North Preston.
That she's a racist.
I think it's pretty
clear who the racist is.
Black people can't be racist.
That's right. - Yeah!
Judge Lawrence: Let's move on.
By the way, Mr. Mueller,
when you're going
to call a witness,
prepare them for the courtroom.
Avery:
Guess I should've
expected you to go there.
You accused my client of
killing her child and husband.
Like you said,
I'm just trying my case.
All right, let's do two years
plus three years probation,
call it a day.
Ah, you were just in there
reaching for a motive,
your ID is garbage and
you have nothing concrete
to tie Dani to the fire.
You're lucky I didn't try
to convince Judge Lawrence
that the cousin did it.
Okay Marcie, you're
forgetting we have her bike,
the accelerant that she used
to start the fire at her house.
Yeah, commercially
available accelerant
that most people use.
Despite what you even think,
we have a rock solid ID.
If your rock is talc.
What? He saw a white
woman on a bike?
So Marcie Diggs got
jokes now, huh?
Look, the press has been
eating this case up.
And you already
know Judge Lawrence
is gonna wanna be on the
right side of this one.
Yeah, that's what I'm hoping.
Then talk to your client.
Of course.
[phone rings]
Marcie Diggs.
Emily: Mom, just think,
maybe you could do some
teaching at this music school.
Alexa:
Well I can tell
you the last thing
I'm thinking about
is moving out here.
But I get it, it's yours.
Who's this guy to just
come try to take it away?
Thank you, Alexa.
Marcie: Hey.
Hey.
So, everyone's in the know.
No point in keeping it a secret.
Austin:
So, Marcie, your
sisters have made it clear
they're not interested
in that piece of land.
How about you?
Worth fighting over?
You can't miss what
you didn't know you had.
What the hell does that mean?
Mom, I always thought the
land belonged to Miss Clara.
I didn't know that you and Dad
were just giving her
a place to stay.
Honestly, I think the
idea of a group home
where at risk kids can
get a music education
is-is a great idea.
I never said it was a bad idea.
Alexa:
Well couldn't she just
rent it out to him
or something, Marce?
Mom?
Emily:
He's a really smart
young man, Mom.
You should talk to him.
We've talked.
Not really, Vel.
Emily and I-
Oh, you and Emily?
Emily: Yeah, Mom.
Timmy, he just want to
do things the right way.
We need to be supporting
young men like him.
He's lovely, but I'm not
gonna just let some kid
come and take what
doesn't belong to him,
no matter how well
intentioned he is.
Austin:
But it's not just
your decision, Velma.
We, we do this together.
[Velma sighs]
[keys jingle]
[Iris gasps]
Where's Sonia?
There's a restraining order.
You're not supposed to be here.
The fact that I'm
here should tell ya
I don't give two damns
about any restraining order.
You need to get
your hand off me.
Michael:
You're getting in the way
of me putting my
family back together.
Just calm down.
Bitch, look!
I don't want any trouble,
just tell me where
Sonia's taken my kid!
[sombre music]
[grunting]
Iris: Who's the bitch now, huh?!
[Iris screaming]
Who's the bitch now?
Doug: Stop, Iris, Iris!
[Iris sobbing]
[Michael groaning]
It's okay, Iris.
You wanna tell me what
that was all about?
He assaulted me and
I defended myself.
[sombre music]
Doug: Okay, but,
you didn't seem like
you were in control.
You're a psychiatrist now?
Why are you here anyway?
Doug:
Left my keys for my
cabin in my desk.
Are you sure you're okay?
I'm good.
I'm good.
[door slams]
[intense music]
♪
♪
[loud thrash metal music]
♪
Marcie: Dani!
Hey, Marcie!
[loud thrash metal music]
Marcie:
What's going on here, Dani?
I've been going
from room to room.
I just need to know that
the wiring is up to code.
To feel safe.
[sombre music]
I know a guy, he's a contractor.
He's a good guy.
I can get him to take
a look at this for you.
Sure.
I've still got the upstairs
and the living room to do.
I'm here to discuss a
plea offer I received.
It's two years in custody-
Stewy Brooks and those
people took away my family.
They're not gonna
take away my freedom.
Dani-
Ask him!
He and those Ratepayers
were supposed to make sure
that everyone who needed it
got home improvement grants.
Tony's parents had
applied three times.
Three times and each time
the Ratepayers' Association
denied them.
All of Stewy's
friends and relatives
got their upgrade though.
[dramatic music]
My husband and child are dead
because of those people
and they're trying
to blame me for this
because they know
I'm not gonna stop
until they've been exposed.
It's all there.
They're trying to silence me
by blaming me for
something I didn't do.
You won't let them though,
will you, Marcie?
How can we settle this business
with Clara's grandson, Reggie?
Reggie:
I looked into the kid's
adverse rights claim,
[stammering] it might not work.
However, it is possible
that he could argue
that there was a contract
between you and Austin
and the late Mrs. Horne
where you gave the land to her.
We never "gave" anything!
Reggie:
Well listen, young Timothy
has done his homework.
The good news is that the
property is only zoned
for single family
residential use.
He'd have to apply
for a variance,
so we'll see.
Velma:
"We'll see" is not
a plan, Reggie.
Reggie: Don't worry, Velma.
Give me the day and-and
I'll take care of it.
[suspenseful music]
♪
Jane: Ms. Diggs?
Marcie: Mr. Lincoln.
Percy: Marcie.
I am familiar with
these programs.
Marcie: That's why I called you.
Hm.
A lot of these programs
were set up in the '80s
to address racial
bias in the system.
Ended up just being hush money,
if you know what I mean.
So-called leaders
of the community
taking money meant for their
struggling brothers and sisters,
and lining their pockets.
Disgrace.
People died.
Ain't nothin' new for us there.
And so no one's accountable?
Nah, that's garbage.
What about this "Charles Ryan"?
His name's all over
these documents.
Percy:
If you could draw a
cartoon of apathy,
it would be Charles Ryan's face.
You know what apathetic people
care about more than anything?
Themselves.
Think you'd be interested
in teaching music?
Austin: I'll think about it.
Hey man, did we
have something set?
Reggie:
No no, I just wanted to
talk to you and, uh, Velma.
I'll give you some space.
All right.
I think I may have found a way
to solve your issue
with Mr. Horne.
I found three or four errors
in Clara Horne's application
for adverse possession.
Now the one big error that
we can rest our head on
is that she missed the 20 year
requirement by three months.
The application should
never have been processed.
So based on that,
I drafted a motion to have
the land conveyance voided.
Who asked you to do this?
Did she ask you to do this?
Hi, Reggie.
Hi, Velma.
I was just telling-
Austin:
Did you ask Reggie to put
this paperwork together?
I asked him to look
into our options, yes.
But we agreed not to move
forward with legal proceedings
without us being
on the same page.
Austin, you're lettin'
that boy turn your head.
You need to think of the family.
You represent both of us, right?
I don't want this.
Austin.
I've said all I'm gonna
say about it, Velma.
[sombre music]
Marcie:
I'm just trying to
make sense of this.
So this application
was submitted
on behalf of
826 Simmonds Road but,
see this document
shows that the application
was filed by her in-laws,
with the original
address crossed out
and then replaced with
845 Simmonds Road.
I'm not gonna lie,
that happened.
Lots of illiteracy
in the community,
people being given the
wrong street number
when the city first
made assignments.
We used the Ratepayers'
Association as a go-between
the department and
the community.
So, yeah.
I'm sure mistakes were made.
Mr. Ryan, once or
twice is a mistake.
[suspenseful music]
17 times?
The Fire Marshall's report
says that it was faulty wiring
that caused the fire
that killed my client's
husband and child.
The money intended for
upgrading her in-law's home
went into the pockets of
the Ratepayers' Executives.
They then took that money
and upgraded their own homes,
and the homes of their
friends and their family.
Listen, we did-
Marcie: Everything right?
Did you?
Not really.
What do you want?
Based on what I've
just shown you,
one would argue,
well, I would argue
that you are just as guilty
as the Ratepayers' Executive
for what happened to
my client's family.
Now I'm giving you the
opportunity to decide.
Do you wanna be the
whistleblower in this story?
Or the co-accused?
Ona: Dumb move, baby. I'm sorry.
What was I supposed to do?
Let him beat on me?
I'm not saying that.
But you had time to
call 911, right?
Yes, but the-
You let some asshat
get under your skin.
You think this is the last time
someone's gonna try
and step to you?
Baby, I don't know
what's going on,
but it's obvious this
man triggered you.
Whatever stuff you've
got to deal with,
deal with it.
Otherwise, your career
as a social worker's
gonna be over before it begins.
[suspenseful music]
Marcie: Damn.
Go home, Marcie.
What's in the bag?
What's in the bag, Dani?
I am done waiting, Marcie!
[glass tinkles]
Just stay out of this!
Marcie:
You said you didn't do this.
Listen, I read the
files that you gave me.
I talked to the guy at housing,
the guy that was the
official on the case?
People are going to know
that you were right.
That what happened to
Tony and Devin was wrong.
Dani: It wasn't wrong, Marcie.
Stewy Brooks and all his pals
on the Ratepayer Executive
killed them!
They killed my family.
And they need to pay.
And they will.
But the right way,
not like this.
No, just like this.
Marcie:
Dani, you're in trouble, Dani.
Look, if we change your plea,
I can get you the
help that you need.
We can get you well.
And what about my justice?
You go after these
people like this,
there's no coming back.
All of this grief and anger
that you are holding onto,
it's scorched earth.
Dani, please.
[soothing music]
♪
Velma:
How do I move this
motion business forward?
I have something to show you.
You're not gonna like it but-
Austin wrote a letter in support
of Timothy's Horne's
rezoning application.
If you go to the
Registry of Deeds,
the original Crown Grant, 1794.
That plot of grass,
it's been in my
family since 1794.
That's more than
200 years, Reggie.
200 years of my blood,
putting in their effort
and sweat into that soil.
I know it may be just an
abandoned field of grass
to Austin and my girls,
but the blood of my ancestors
runs through that ground.
I can't just let
someone take it.
I can't.
Velma.
[sombre music]
♪
[keypad beeping]
[phone rings]
Yeah, Gil, it's Reggie.
Well you're the one that said
if I ever needed anything,
well now I need something.
There's a young man
named Timothy Horne
with a rezoning
application in your office.
Yeah, he wants to
change it from, uh,
residential to mixed use.
No, no, Gil.
I want you to reject
the application.
Marcie:
Mr. Brooks, thank
you for coming back
and answering a few
more questions.
I'd just like to
clarify a few things.
I'd like this entered
as Exhibit D35.
Thank you.
Mr. Brooks, this is a copy
of a tax assessment letter
for your home on Simmonds Road.
Yes.
According to the document,
what is the value
of your property?
It says, uh, $90,000.
How much money are you due
from the insurance company?
I don't have that
information with me.
I would have to,
uh, to look it up.
Oh, let me help you out.
In the event of a fire,
Wingrove Insurance
will pay you $400,000
to buy a new home or
rebuild your existing home.
That's more than four
times the current value.
Objection, Your Honour.
Relevance?
Marcie:
Your Honour, Mr. Mueller
floated a narrative
that my client, Dani Ewing,
set Mr. Brooks' and his
neighbours' homes on fire
because she has a
racist vendetta
against the community
of North Preston.
I'd like an opportunity
to challenge this.
Continue, Ms. Diggs.
Isn't it true that you
recently purchased a condo
in Halifax for $300,000
and have no intentions
of rebuilding your home?
I don't know where you're
getting your gossip from,
but it's not true at all.
Marcie: No?
I have a deed registered
to a numbered company
that you are the
sole shareholder of.
Would you like to change
your answer, sir?
Stewy:
I don't understand
what's going on.
I'm the victim here, remember?
I'm a good man!
[Dani scoffs]
Marcie: Since you brought it up.
Weren't you in charge of a
housing improvement program
for the people of Preston?
Stewy: Yes.
Along with the other members
of the Ratepayers' Executive.
We did some good work out there.
There's that word again.
Objection, Your Honour.
Where is this going?
Where is this going, Ms. Diggs?
If I could just ask the court
for a moment's indulgence?
In conducting all of this
"good work" that you mentioned,
did you ever have cause
to assess an application
by the defendant's in-laws,
Freddie and Gladys Ewing?
Mr. Brooks,
if you need a reminder I do
have a copy of the application.
I remember.
Do you remember if the
application was approved?
I don't think we
ever heard back.
No, because you used the
details of their application,
the fact that the wiring in
the house was knob and tube,
the roofing needed repairing,
and the fusebox needed upgrading
to obtain funding for
your first cousin
to build an addition
on their home.
Stewy: No, no, that is a lie.
Your first cousin lives
at 845 Simmonds Road?
This is a photo of that home.
However,
this is the home that you used
to represent 845 Simmonds Road
when you applied for
the improvements
with the Department of Housing.
826 Simmonds Road,
the home that belonged to
Freddie and Gladys Ewing
who died in a house fire
along with their son
and their grandson.
Can you explain
this discrepancy?
Stewy:
There was a lot of paperwork.
Things got misfiled.
Marcie:
Isn't it true that you and
your fellow executive members
of the Ratepayers' Association
were funnelling money to
your friends and your family
through this program
that was actually set up
for poor people
in the community.
Objection, Your Honour.
I feel Ms. Diggs is taking
us way off course here.
Ms. Diggs, regarding
the matter before me,
I must agree with Mr. Mueller.
But, Your Honour, I-
Judge Lawrence: I'm not done.
Mr. Mueller, I expect that
you'll be providing a transcript
of Mr. Brooks's
testimony to the RCMP,
so that they can investigate
the very serious allegations
made against Mr. Brooks
here today.
Of course, Your Honour.
Marcie:
I have no further questions.
Judge Lawrence:
You're excused, Mr. Brooks.
Let's adjourn until two p.m.
Counsel, my chambers.
Bailiff: All rise!
Noel Crockett:
Mr. Nef is saying your
employee assaulted him.
And he wants to press charges.
She needs to apologize to me.
I'm sorry but I'm
having a hard time
with this allegation.
She nearly broke my ribs!
Honestly, I'm
extremely embarrassed.
Michael: You should be.
Apologize and tell me where
Sonia's taken my child.
Noel Crockett: Michael.
Noel, how do you always
end up with these guys?
Mr. Nef, let me be clear
about what's going on here.
Violating a restraining order,
uttering threats, assault?
Do something!
I-I'm the victim here,
look at what she did to me!
Tape tells a different tale,
doesn't it?
Thank you, officers.
[dispatch radio crackles]
Officer:
Mr. Nef, you're under arrest.
You have the right to obtain
and instruct counsel-
Thank you, Colleen.
You're too smart to act dumb.
I don't know why you
did what you did,
but it never happens again,
do you understand?
That was your free pass.
Marcie:
Is there a fair deal
we can come to?
It needs to meet public interest
that any risk involving
Ms. Ewing is under control.
Well, my client's ready to
take full responsibility
for her actions.
Three years probation.
Marcie:
With access to a court
appointed psychiatrist?
I think we have a deal.
So.
How about a drink to celebrate?
Maybe another time.
[soft music]
[intense music]
Percy:
So, this is what
it feels like
to be on Marcie Diggs's
good side.
I just wanted to thank you.
Yes, you set a white lady free
and sent a black man to jail,
and I'm not even mad at you.
You know it just occurred to me
that I know nothing about you,
besides your politics, that is.
You gonna act like
you never creeped me?
Maybe just a little.
You know, this
looks really cozy.
Marcie: Avery?
Hey, man.
Ah, can I have a word
with you, Marcie?
I'll just be one second.
♪ Tell me who you are
♪ Show me who you are
Avery:
Marcie, are you
trying to punish me?
Percy Lincoln, really?
What are you taking about?
Avery:
I'm single, you're single.
It's our turn,
Marcie, it's my turn!
And you, you got this guy
that's sitting in my seat.
That's my seat, Marcie.
You need to stop.
Marcie, it's just...
Get off me.
You need to go home and sober up
and I will pretend that
this never happened
so that I can respect my
friend in the morning.
Doug:
I never thought
it was so easy
to fill your days when
you're not working.
I never realized how much
I missed gaspereau fishing.
Gaspereau?
Reggie:
I hope you brought
me a couple.
You almost had company.
Yeah, Iris went all
Cleopatra Jones on some client.
Doug: Oh, I was there.
You did not wanna see that.
Anyways, I always keep a couple
of spare fishing rods around
for my friends.
Iris: Ting-ting.
Hey!
Pam: Hey. Hey.
Give me your keys.
I'm driving you home.
♪ I'm thinking you
move those seats
♪ Remain true, time is money,
your talk is cheap ♪
Hi Mom.
Double whiskey rocks, please.
Bartender: You got it, Iris.
Found a lawyer yet or
is everything settled?
All these parents care
about is the grade.
Change the C to a B,
you're teacher of
the year again.
Girl, what are you doing?
I am out for a
drink with friends.
Not alone.
Here we go.
Come on.
Tell your mom how she's
supposed to live.
Yeah, I'm not doing
this with you.
What'd I tell you
about the sass?
Let go of me, Mom.
Or what?
You gonna do something?
Mhm.
Useless.
[sombre music]
I don't understand, Mom.
Why are you always
so mean to me?
Did I do something wrong?
You want me to tell
you how smart ya are?
How talented? How pretty?
Like they used to do me.
So when you realize
there are people
smarter, more talented,
prettier,
you're left with
nothin' to hold onto?
Not my girl.
My daughter is gonna know,
don't take nothin' for granted.
You're gonna have to
fight for everything.
You might hate me,
but you ain't never
gonna end up like me.
Another, please.
[sombre music]
♪
Can you go back to your
friends and leave me in peace?
[sombre music]
♪
♪
Pam: Keep it together, okay?
Officer:
Ma'am, licence
and registration.
Just one second here.
This is my licence and
registration is here.
I'm driving my friend's car.
I'm driving him home 'cause
he had too much to drink.
Officer: And how about you?
Have you consumed any
alcohol this evening?
Um, not really.
Not a lot.
Officer:
Ma'am, can you step
out of the car?
[gentle rock music]
♪
♪ You and I we unite
like the sunshine
♪ Oh lately
♪ You are mine
♪ You and I we unite
like the sunshine
♪ Only you
♪ You and I
♪ Oh no
Where are you going?
Home?
Just get in the car.
♪ So hold on tight
♪ You set me free
♪ You set me free
♪ We're on this ride
♪ Together
♪ You and I we unite
like the sunshine
♪ Only you
♪ You and I
[phone ringing] ♪ You and I we unite
like the sunshine
♪ Only you and I
Marcie Diggs.
♪ There was a time when
I would cry ♪
♪ But then you
♪ Held me tight
♪ You set me free
♪ Until you came along