House of Ho (2020–2022): Season 1, Episode 6 - New Year, New Ho - full transcript
Mounting family pressures implode at Judy's Lunar New Year party. Meanwhile, Washington's drinking becomes a family affair, forcing him to decide where his loyalties fall.
[music]
SINGER: ♪ Can't nobody
hold me down ♪
♪ I'm steady walking
like I got ♪
♪ Three commas in my bank
account, living loud ♪
♪ So get your cameras out ♪
♪ I probably do the same thing
if I was you ♪
♪ Looking at me now ♪
♪ Now ♪
♪ Put up your lights ♪
♪ And keep 'em flashing ♪
♪ Don't ever put 'em down,
down, down ♪
♪ Look at me now ♪
SINGER: ♪ Black was white
and white was black ♪
♪ You gave me a heart attack ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ I am shaking all over ♪
♪ Oh, I got the chills ♪
♪ And the fever ♪
[music]
LESLEY HO: Oh, I'm so excited
for dinner tonight.
- You are?
- Yeah.
- We get out of the house.
- Yeah.
We haven't been out
in a long time.
You know when my glam team
comes in sometimes?
- Yeah.
- I feel like
I don't even look Asian.
That's why I married you.
I thought you married me
because I was Asian
and Catholic.
I always liked big eyes
and beautiful nose.
We do have cute kids.
Right.
[laughs]
I'm excited to go out with Judy.
I don't know we ever double-
dated with her.
Well, let's show some love
to my sister's new relationship.
Yeah, that's exciting.
And I wanna enjoy my San
Pellegrino or some lime.
- Are you gonna tell Nate...
- What?
- That you're not drinking or...
- I mean,
- if it comes up, I mean...
- Uh-hmm.
- What's the big deal?
- Will you just...
- Are you gonna be embarrassed
when I tell him
I'm not drinking?
Not... it's not embarrassed.
It's just, you know, I want us
to have a good dinner.
I want us to have fun.
It's the first time
we've been out in a long time,
and it's just a hard subject
to talk about,
especially, you know,
in a culture aspect
when the men think
that, you know,
drinking is a strength.
Traditionally, drinking
amongst Vietnamese men,
it's to celebrate closing deals
and a sign
of how powerful they are.
The alcohol is always around.
Even with just Nate and Judy,
you're still surrounded by it.
And Nate's Asian obviously,
so how do you think
he's gonna react
to you saying
you're not having a drink?
Let me tell you something,
I've decided to quit
for my family, for you,
for the future.
Being sober, it's gonna be
the most difficult thing to do.
But when I drink,
I am super unmanageable.
When I don't drink,
I'm barely manageable.
Let's just go in there,
have fun, celebrate life.
- Love you.
- I love you, too.
[music]
JUDY HO: Hey, Nate.
You got to get
this potato, this is so good.
NATE: Get whatever you want.
That's my favorite thing
about you,
because you always say,
"Whatever you want."
[clicks tongue] That's gonna be
the mantra, right?
- Keep Judy happy.
- Keep Judy happy.
JUDY: Lunar New Year
is only two days away,
and it's a very significant time
in our culture.
It's a time for new beginnings,
so now that I'm dating Nate
I just want him
to be a part of everything
that's important to me.
- Hi.
- NATE: Hey.
- Hi, guys.
- Hey, guys, how are you?
Hello. Hello.
Good to see you.
I want to hug Wash.
WASHINGTON HO: I've known Nate
for about 20 years,
kind of like 90210,
everybody knows each other.
He's a good guy.
So, I'm really happy for Judy.
Who picked this restaurant?
- I love it.
- I know.
It's good to see y'all
outside of the house.
- LESLEY: Yeah.
- Judy, for you to go
from where you were to now,
I'm happy for you.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
NATE: Where were we...
Where is she now?
I like... I like
this choice a lot better
than your past choice.
- Oh, me? Okay.
- Oh.
That's what a divorce would do
for you, you move on.
Oh, good evening.
How are we doing tonight?
- Good to see you, sir.
- Hey, it's good
- to see you again.
- Oh, somebody does know
who you are here.
Everybody knows this gentleman
right here. It's a lovely time.
Are we celebrating
anything special?
Just two couples in love.
Ah, very special indeed.
- Definitely, yeah.
- So right here,
we have all
of our simple cocktails
and martinis to choose from.
Thank you.
Do you have Litchi Martini here?
Unfortunately we don't have
the Litchi...
- No, they don't have that.
- [hisses] Judy.
They're not catering
to the Asians here.
Do you have anything
that's a virgin?
WAITER: I can certainly
bring something
- delicious for you.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- Thanks, Dylan.
- He knew, too.
Are you not drinking?
I've decided to stop drinking.
That's good that you can
stop on your own.
Well, you know,
it's been an ongoing
battle for me.
I just wanna be more committed
to my family.
I've seen him drink
and be just fine.
- Right.
- He has a point where beyond
that there's no one
that can talk him down.
I mean, I'm just... I'm grateful
that he loved me enough
to do something about it.
Well, you know, Washington's
been dealing with this issue...
- I know.
- Even before you.
Yeah, I think you're just
self-medicating yourself,
you know, drinking to get rid
of, like, depression.
I appreciate
you always being honest with me.
I remember we hang out
at the clubs and you come up
to me and you're like,
"Wash, I have a younger brother
and you remind me of him.
And he just partied
his life away.
And I just don't want you
to be like him."
I'm surprised you remember that.
- But, yeah, I do remember that.
- Oh, you do?
That's why I have such
a soft spot for you.
So when I found out
she's dating you,
I was like, "Wow."
I never forgot that
and that's why
I always loved him.
I love you for always
being there for me,
and I'm gonna make you
proud, too.
- Good. glad you,
- All right?
So cheers to love,
family, and hope.
- JUDY: Oh. We all need that.
- LESLEY: Cheers.
I'm proud of you, Wash.
Yeah, me, too.
I love that Judy and Nate
support Wash not drinking.
I feel like
I finally have allies.
I love that, you know, Nate
is my brother
because it's like...
He's not your brother yet,
- so don't give him ideas.
- Next year.
I'll marry him myself.
- [laughter]
- I love double dates.
- Can we do more double dates?
- [Nate chuckles]
Especially if Washington pays,
it's the best.
[chuckles]
- JUDY: Oh.
- WASHINGTON: Oh.
SINGER: ♪ I'm louder than aye ♪
♪ And I'm feeling so good ♪
♪ I do what I want
and it's understood ♪
♪ There's no stopping me
when I'm doing my thing ♪
♪ I'm doing my thing ♪
♪ I'mma do me ♪
♪ I got happy feet ♪
♪ You know what I mean ♪
♪ I got happy feet ♪
♪ I'm on fire ♪
AUNT TINA: Do you think
the tea is strong?
JUDY: Yeah, because I felt
really awake.
I got something
will really make you strong.
LESLEY: What's that?
In tea?
JUDY: Let me see.
Let me smell it.
Ugh.
- You like tequila.
- No, I don't. I don't like it.
- I drink it to get drunk.
- Uh-huh.
- Not to enjoy it.
- Oh.
- I enjoy champagne, not this.
- Oh.
Have fun!
Relax.
- That will help you more.
- So nasty.
It's a good stuff.
I love fun Judy.
Disgusting.
I've had a long day,
I don't mind.
AUNT TINA: We need to go a pool.
- JUDY: That's like...
- Ugh.
- I wanna get drunk so I don't
have to think.
- How long is that
been in your purse?
No, it's new.
You better hide that.
We're in a nice, classy place.
This look nice
and fancy, so... [laughs]
JUDY: It doesn't look
appropriate
at the St. Regis.
Oh, Tina.
I can't take you anywhere.
Yesterday, I had a good talk
- to your dad at lunch.
- About what?
- About Nate?
- About you.
- About my boyfriend?
- Yeah. He say...
I'll say, if I brought
out my boyfriend now
and you started talking to him,
you'd probably scare him,
- like...
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
You know, your dad
is a manipulating person anyway.
He know... he know
how to do what...
JUDY: He's been doing that
since birth.
AUNT TINA: Yeah.
- For my 16th birthday...
- LESLEY: Yeah?
So I was dating this guy
at the time.
- Uh-hmm.
- And my dad was like,
"Okay. Well, if you're gonna
have a boyfriend
then we're just gonna cancel
this whole party."
- What?
- Yeah.
- He said that?
- So I was like, "Fine.
- Cancel it."
- For real?
So I didn't have
a 16th birthday party.
- Shut up.
- Oh, shut up.
- You serious?
- JUDY: Uh-hmm.
So that was his way of, like,
"I'm gonna hurt you
because you're not doing
what I want."
Yeah. He's manipulating.
- This is true.
- Okay. I've never seen
that side of him.
You have that viewpoint
because you're married
to Washington.
- When he is with Washington...
- Right.
He will go out
of his way to make it
as easy as possible for him.
Where we with me, you know,
it's not that way.
So, um, Washington's doing
pretty good
with not drinking and...
- Oh, that's good.
- Yeah.
But, you know,
we still have issues.
That's normal in a marriage.
Washington have
a very soft heart.
- What do you mean by soft?
- He's very good. Yeah. Uh-hmm.
But if you know how to...
hit it, he got it.
Hit it?
What does that mean, sex?
- Hit it right.
- Right.
Yeah. Hit it right.
He may have been
hitting it wrong.
- [sighs]
- All men are like that.
So is that your marriage advice?
Yeah.
I know how to hit it.
And he love it.
I said, "Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
You can go sleep, done, next."
[laughter]
This is how you control men.
Try it. Try it.
Because men is simple,
a little bit stupid
but they're simple.
It sounds easier being single.
- Oh, my God.
- [Lesley laughs]
SINGER: ♪ You got
that heartbeat ♪
♪ Run out of control ♪
- ♪ It's that new feeling... ♪
- [bell dings]
JUDY: Hi, Danny.
Your favorite clients are here.
[chuckles]
- How are you doing?
- Good.
We're here to pick up our Lunar
New Year Ao Dai.
Y'all are special
so it's not rent,
so it's good.
Danny, Danny, Danny,
sometimes I just like
to go to his shop
to see what he's wearing.
We wanna stand out
from everybody else.
Yeah. And all our customer
is pretty standout
so that'd be great.
But let me go get the dress
- for you, okay?
- JUDY: Yeah.
- Okay.
- JUDY: A Danny Nguyen original.
Yeah, I know.
What do you think the dresses
are gonna be like?
I hope they're extravagant.
- Uh-hmm.
- And bling.
Bling?
I'll be hosting Lunar New Year
in my new home.
We have a lot of superstitions.
One of the biggest ones
is that we should not be arguing
on Lunar New Year Day
because that will bring conflict
for the rest of the year.
Yeah, I didn't know people still
use that word but go ahead.
- I love bling.
- Uh-huh.
Wish us luck.
DANNY: Yes. Let me see.
Wow. Look at that.
JUDY: You look like
a Vietnamese Elsa.
- I love it.
- Or that you're gonna be
- in a... oh, yeah, a pageant.
- Wow. Very beautiful.
Love that bling I put on there?
I think that was at least
500 stone
we put on the neck and in arm.
And he put each one
by hand by himself.
- Yeah. One by one. Yup.
- Sow it by hand? [laughs]
All the hard work I do it.
- Looks good.
- Yeah. Uh-huh.
Yeah. This is what I envisioned.
- I love the color palette, too.
- I know.
And the ostrich feather
is very, very nice.
Why did you choose
this exact color?
Because blue means hopeful.
- Oh, I did not know that.
- So I think that was... yeah.
I did not know that either.
Blue is hopeful so it's hopeful
for the New Year.
2020. That's the vision,
right? Yeah. So...
LESLEY: Perfect. And your turn.
You wanna try yours on, Judy?
- Yes, I'm ready.
- Yeah? Let's try it on.
LESLEY: How do you sit in this?
Whip it to the side
and sit down.
This is so formal.
It's made for like a girl
that's a proper Vietnamese girl.
- I have arrived.
- DANNY: Wow.
LESLEY: I love it.
Look at this.
- Danny, you outdid yourself.
- Wow, the queen.
I feel like the princess
of Vietnam.
[laughter]
Very royal.
Lunar New Year, bring it.
LESLEY: Big hair,
big makeup, big dresses.
I'm thinking about inviting Nate
to the Lunar New Year party.
Good idea or bad idea?
I...
Speak your truth.
Don't know that's a good idea.
- Why?
- It's not even been a year.
And your parents
have made it so very clear
- they're not ready.
- Yeah.
And you're all of a sudden gonna
- bring him.
- Uh-hmm.
You don't think that's
a little bit disrespectful?
It's not like I'm 26 again
asking for their blessing
for a marriage.
Your divorce
isn't even finalized
and there's been
kind of tension between
- you and your parents.
- The tension is that
I have moved on.
And they have not.
I don't know why Judy feels
like she has to push
her opinions
onto her parents.
I'm completely
different than that.
I hear their opinion,
I embrace it,
I respect it,
and that's how it should be.
And your daddy even said
he's been so adamant
about I'm not ready.
And I'm very adamant
about I'm ready.
And you don't think that's
a little bit disrespectful?
Does he respect me?
I think it's a two-way street.
I am living my truth.
I do not have time to sit around
and wait for everyone else
to get on board.
You asked for my opinion.
- I know, girl.
- I just gave it to you.
[music]
SINGER: ♪ So I sing doo doo
doo, doo doo doo... ♪
SARA RAZAVI ZAND:
How's everything?
JUDY: Well,
you know why I'm here.
- I know. I know.
- I want to move on
with my life.
I just need
to finalize this divorce.
It's been dragging on forever.
- It has. It has.
You know, we still... we still
have to go to mediation.
We're not gonna be able
to keep this trial date.
I mean, do I have to, like,
give in with him
when it comes to the assets?
- Uh-hmm.
- If I gave him
a little bit more,
it would almost be enough for me
to just move on.
I don't wanna drag this into
- the next chapter of my life.
- I know.
That's why we have to
just keep pushing him,
because if we don't,
he's gonna keep dragging it out
and dragging it out.
JUDY: To get divorce,
it seems like
I need to throw
more money at the problem.
But for me to throw
more money at the problem,
it requires me to be more
dependent on my dad.
I like hanging out with you
but I don't wanna pay
to hang out with you anymore.
I'm stuck
in a Vietnamese pickle.
The value
of being divorced is a lot.
- Yes. It's priceless.
- And...
It's more than
just giving him 10% more.
No. I mean, I can tell you
he does not wanna get a divorce.
He will do anything
to keep you as his wife.
[sighs]
[music]
SINGER: ♪ I have a secret ♪
♪ It's someone I love ♪
JUDY: Our favorite,
Mimosas on a Sunday.
NATE: [chuckles] That is nice.
It always puts me
in a good mood.
It puts me in a good mood, too.
I wish I can start
all my day like that.
- I know.
- Mimosas.
- You look nice.
- Thank you, babe.
- I really like your dress.
- Yeah?
Remember when you got
the belt with a scarf?
[laughter]
You we're like, "Why is your
scarf on a buckle?"
[laughter]
Oops.
My baby.
It's not supposed to touch
the floor.
It's an Asian thing, right?
All your money
is gonna disappear.
Oh, I didn't know about that.
- You didn't know that?
- No.
Your purse is not supposed
to touch the ground.
I never had a purse.
- Oh, your wallet? Your wallet?
- Murse, a murse.
It's not supposed
to touch the ground?
- Yeah.
- Hmm.
JUDY: Coming from my
attorney's office,
it's so frustrating
knowing that my divorce
is taking so long.
But I'm not gonna carry
that over
into my time with Nate.
So what do you think about
maybe taking that first step
and going to the Lunar
New Year party at my house?
So, if that's the kind of stuff
we need to think about, right?
- Because, you know...
- Yeah.
Your whole family
is gonna be there.
- Yeah.
- Your mom, your dad, the kids.
- What are you worried about?
- It's not like I'm worried
about anything. I'm just
thinking about things, right?
- Okay.
- Like, can we have, like,
- coffee first?
- [laughs]
First, it's like meet
your parents
in front of everybody.
[sighs]
JUDY: My dad wants to meet Nate
but on his terms, one on one.
And I just don't wanna do it
his way anymore.
You got to face the fire
sometimes, babe.
I mean, you've got
Washington's approval, right?
I have, but he's a lot easier
than your dad
that I didn't care
about his approval.
It would be nice.
- It would make it easier...
- Yeah.
- Like, for family functions.
- Right.
Well, we... you don't need it.
You know what I mean?
I'm trying to think
long-term, baby.
So that's a no?
Yeah.
[sighs]
You know, don't you think?
- Long term.
- Thank you.
- Thank you so much.
- WAITER: Pleasure.
- You look great.
- Hey, are you all doing today?
- Good, how are you?
- Excellent.
- Good. This is for you, Nate.
- Oh, thank you.
And a truffle caprese for you.
- JUDY: Oh, thank you.
- WAITER: Thank you, guys.
- NATE: Thank you.
- WAITER: You all enjoy.
I'm turning 40.
I need to move on with my life.
I need to take the next steps
- to become my own woman.
- Right.
Like, I feel like I'm chained
to my family.
I agree. Either be independent
or you're not
and be stuck with them.
I cannot believe Nate
has said no to me,
but I have faith
that he's thinking
of the long game,
so I'm okay with that.
I know I make looking
like Judy Ho easy
- but it's not easy.
- [laughs]
Cheers.
What are we cheering to?
To 2020 and you
to be independent, right?
Yes. To us.
- To us.
- [glass tinkling]
- [laughs]
- You are welcome.
[music]
BINH HO: Another year
in the books.
Cheers.
So, it's that time
of year again.
Right.
You brought some cash?
Let me show you.
- Oh.
- 8, 8, 8, 8.
Right here, one,
two, three, four.
Yeah, everything 8.
- So...
here, you do the 5s,
I'll do the 2s, right?
- All right.
Lunar New Year very, very
happy time for me.
The red envelope to us
is really the lucky.
So when they give the kid
the red envelope,
that mean we wish them
good fortune for the year come.
You know, last year was a...
It was a pretty tough
year for me.
[sighs]
Well, you know,
I have a weakness,
which is drinking.
And I wanna quit drinking.
[music]
My dad might not
like it or agree with it,
but I don't love alcohol
enough to...
risk my family.
[sigh]
You know, I hope
you're not disappointed,
but now is the time.
[music]
Hi. Hi, sweetie.
- Mommy, watch this.
- What?
- Yay. Look daddy caught it.
- I fixed it.
All right. Are you guys ready
to go see Grandma and Grandpa?
- Hi, honey.
- I want this.
Do you remember what to say
to Grandpa for Chinese New Year?
What do you say? Come here.
- I'm so proud of you.
- Okay. What do you say?
[Speaking Vietnamese]
LESLEY: Oh, I love that.
- WASHINGTON: Roosevelt.
- Okay. We go see
Grandma and Grandpa
for Chinese New Year.
- Hmm.
- What do you say to them?
I wanna go back home?
- WASHINGTON: Oh.
- LESLEY: No.
We'll go over there and we can
give them some gifts, right?
What do you say?
[Speaking Vietnamese]
- Good job.
- WASHINGTON: Good job.
- [laughs] What?
- Family hug, family hug,
- family hug.
- All right, family hug.
My mom and dadda -
LESLEY: I love Lunar New Year.
I love the traditions.
In Oklahoma, we go door to door
to our family's side.
We give them some kind of gift.
It's traditionally Asian pears
and we wish them health,
happiness for the New Year.
I definitely want to keep
that tradition alive.
- Ring the doorbell.
- Look.
- Over here.
- Oh, you give it to me?
- Oh, yeah.
- I got you a present.
- You look beautiful.
- LESLEY: Come back. Not yet.
- Happy New Year.
- Thank you. Thank you.
- I love money.
Money, money, money. Yeah.
BINH: Okay. Here's for you.
- Happy New Year.
- LESLEY: Say in Vietnamese.
- WASHINGTON: Thanks, Dad.
- I want you to have
good health and happiness
for the New Year.
- Thank you both.
- And that, too.
- Yes. Thank you.
- I wish both of you
and your family
a peaceful and happiness.
- Uh-huh.
- Thank you.
When you get lucky,
you get everything.
Do you mind if I take
one pair of that right now?
- Yeah, you do it.
- Can I have one?
- You can have two.
- I can take two?
- GIRL: Mommy.
- Thank you.
- Bye, Grandma. Bye, Grandpa.
- Bye-bye.
SINGER:
♪ This is the good life ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ This is the good life ♪
♪ Oh oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ This is the good life
Oh, oh, oh ♪
- Oh!
- SINGER: ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ Out in the sunshine
nothing but good life ♪
Okay. There's a bag missing
that's Lincoln's áo dài.
BOTH: I took everything in the
kitchen table into the cayenne.
You took everything
out of that Uber, right?
- Oh, yeah, got it...
- Okay.
- Everything in the Uber.
- And you put it
- on the kitchen table.
- Table.
- Into the cayenne.
- Okay.
I should... I should
go check the cayenne.
Okay.
I better check the cayenne.
I'm anxious about tonight
'cause it's Lunar New Year.
And I already know there's
gonna be a lot of drinking.
It's the first time that Wash
is gonna be around
all his friends in alcohol.
I mean he says he's
giving up drinking,
but I think tonight's
gonna be a true test.
Here, son. Your favorite
and my favorite, too,
- Don Leon.
- Oh, my God.
It's from 2009, 10 years ago.
Forget about the past.
Yeah. We'll forget the past.
Move forward in the future.
Let's celebrate.
[music]
LESLEY: It fell at my house.
- Where did it fall?
- I don't know.
You were supposed to carry
all the áo dài over here.
- Where did it fall?
- In the kitchen.
I'm freak... I'm freaking out
Judy.
Look at Lincoln
not having an áo dài?
We had it done for her.
Maybe I shouldn't
have given it to you.
Mom life.
It's like juggling
10 plates at once.
- WOMAN: Yeah.
- Roosevelt.
Come over here. Dad and Grandpa.
- Yeah?
- BINH: Yeah. Here, here, boy.
WASHINGTON: You're the next
generation of American Hos.
You're the next leader
in our family.
BINH: Let's open the champagne.
Celebrate New Year.
- Oh, wow.
- Ugh.
I feel like my dad
doesn't understand
my decision to stop drinking.
Of course, it hurts,
but I'm not gonna give up.
Well, Happy New Year, Dad.
- I love you.
- Thank you.
[glasses chiming]
- Let's go.
- Okay. Yeah.
- Let's go to Judy's.
- Yeah.
Let's go to the party
and let's do what we do.
SINGER: ♪ Woo. Yeah. Oh ♪
oh, oh, oh. Woo ♪
I like the flowers.
You look so good, Judy.
SINGER: ♪ There's no
better time than right now ♪
- Good to see you.
- JUDY: Hi. Happy New Year.
SINGER: ♪ To feel it all
and let it ring out ♪
- Hi, guys.
- WASHINGTON: Happy New Year.
Buddy, how are you?
This Lunar New Year
is very significant to me
in that we're celebrating
in my new home.
- A lot of food.
- I hope we have enough food.
- Yeah.
- JUDY: I have been working
on the house for a long time.
- New house, new you.
- Remember when we
used to be at the club.
And now, look at us.
- What club?
- [Judy laughs]
JUDY: The kids are here.
They enjoy themselves
with the red envelopes.
And everything
is beautifully decorated.
So, say Happy Lunar New Year
and then
you just hand it to them.
It brings you good luck.
The band's back together.
It's everything I would want.
Thank you.
Except that I don't have Nate
next to me,
and it feels incomplete.
REAGAN HO: I'll take it to you.
MAN: No, no. We need to see
- your driver's license.
- But why?
Yeah. I don't drive.
I have a chauffeur.
[laughs] Good one.
- Reagan.
- What's up?
Oh, shit.
Give me two of them.
My sister's gonna drink with me.
- What are we drinking to?
- Chinese New Year.
- What else?
- Cheers. What is this?
- Tequila.
- Oh, cheers.
You don't have to chug it.
Just sip it.
So how's everything been
since brunch?
Since brunch? Mom and dad
haven't changed her mind.
I don't think anything's
gonna change her mind.
Just got to do
what you need to do and...
- Be happy, right?
- They'll come around.
Oh, look who it is.
You want some tequila?
JUDY: Just try it, mom.
See if you like it.
It's good for you.
[Judy laughs]
Every night you drink like that?
Don't worry, Mom.
He's a big boy.
Yeah.
Happy New Year.
Happy New Year, Mom.
I hope that New Year's
something new
is good come to you.
Something new did come to her.
- Yes. And to you, too.
- Yeah.
You're the best
mom in the world.
REAGAN: I love you.
HUE HO: Thank you.
[glasses chiming]
JUDY: Go this way.
You can get drinks outside.
There's a bar.
It's out there.
The bar is out there.
Is this your first
Lunar New Year party?
- Yeah.
- Asian food and the bar
is outside. So, help yourselves.
Okay. I'm gonna go get...
MAN: Um, I see a new Regan...
LESLEY: Drinking is very much
a part of Asian culture.
I understand
it's confusing for Wash
because that's how
he spends time with his dad.
Hey, Happy New Year.
Happy New Year.
- Am I invited?
- Yeah.
LESLEY: And now,
he has to sit there
with a glass of water
and all the other men,
you know, pressure him to drink.
It's not comfortable, for sure.
- I love you.
- Mwah.
Cheers. Happy New Year.
- Hi, guys.
- WOMAN: Hello.
- New boy.
- WOMAN: I know.
What do you think
of the decor, Lesley?
- Uh.
- What do you think, Wash?
It looks kind of like
Valentine's Day.
I didn't realize cherry blossoms
and Chinese symbols
and lanterns
for Valentine's Day.
- I think you need more rats.
- I do have one.
- Where?
- I bought the right one,
- one stunning piece.
- Where?
It's over there.
I'm saving it for the dessert.
- Nice.
- That's the only rat you have?
I only need one rat.
Lesley is definitely finding
her voice in this family.
Unfortunately, it sounds like
an old traditional
control freak.
So, basically my mom.
You know what really matters?
Having your family
and friends around,
not all of the external things.
You asked me about the decor.
What's wrong with the decor?
And I'm telling you
my answer, Lesley.
- I'm telling you my answer.
- Oh, when you walk
into other people's house
and they ask you about it,
you should say,
"I love it," period.
I didn't know.
Okay. I love it, Judy.
I love it. I love it. I love it.
It's the year of the rat.
If your theme was
family get together,
then we just could of
had Friday night dinner.
If you're gonna stick
with a theme,
stick with the theme, Judy.
Have more rats.
Do you all see
what I deal with lately?
[laughter]
- Ok. Talk about something else.
JUDY: Thank you. Let me
get back to my real lfriends.
- Bye.
- I see how it is.
Not the ones I was born into.
I just wanna thank everyone
for coming over today.
I'm so grateful that all of you
have been here
for us through a tough time.
A new home, a new year,
a new me.
- Yeah.
- [crowd cheering]
WASHINGTON:
Welcome to the neighborhood.
The mayor
of River Oaks has spoken.
You know what? There's
a new Ho on the block, brother.
Oh, really?
Are you all ready
for the dragon dance?
- Let's go.
- [crowd cheering]
New Year, the Hos.
It's a celebration.
[music]
- Let's go, children.
- It's all about starting over.
We forget the yesterdays
and we're brand new.
It brings together family.
Oh, look. They're coming.
Get behind, get behind.
We realize
how significant it is.
And we treasure those times
that we have together.
Oh, there's the Buddha.
- Are you guys ready?
- [cheering]
- [music]
- [cheering]
Let the past gone.
Let the old gone.
- Start fresh.
- JUDY: Oh.
It's a way for the elders...
[cheering]
LESLEY:
to give wishes and hope
and dreams
to the younger generation.
The zodiac for this year
was a golden rat.
See? They're cute. It's the rat.
I know. They got the rat.
New day, new year.
It's all about keeping culture.
Reminding us that life is short.
And at the end of the day,
my own happiness is enough.
It's just all of our traditions.
I love it.
[crowd cheering]
[music]
[crowd cheering]
- Everybody, say Ho.
- Ho!
- One, two, three.
- Ho!
[crowd cheering]
- The wind did not work.
[music]
- [birds chirping]
- [music]
WASHINGTON:
You take off your shoes, baby.
LESLEY: I can't bend over here.
- You got it?
- Yeah. Hold on, baby.
Seriously,
I can't bend over in this.
So, what do you think
about Judy's decorations?
What do you think about it?
Now, you can be honest with me.
I thought it was cool.
I don't know why you made
such a big deal out of it.
I didn't make
a big deal out of it.
- Your take on my sister.
- She asked my opinion.
I just told her.
I said it looked kind of like
- Valentine's Day.
- I know, but...
I'm just saying. If you wanna do
a Lunar New Year party,
do a Lunar New Year party.
Yeah. Do you have lotion?
You need to put lotion
on your feet.
No, I've been walking
on them all night.
- Yeah. They're very dry.
- They need some saliva?
- [Washington laughs]
- Just kidding.
- They need some lips.
- Gross.
Some of these big-ass lips.
- Ow, you're hurting me.
- Damn.
Okay. Stop.
I'm trying to kiss
the pain away.
Oh, my God. You're crazy.
So, who did you talk to
at the party?
Everybody. It was nice to see
some of Judy's old friends
from the past
that I haven't seen
that we kind of grew up with.
I didn't like that she only had,
like, liquor there.
I couldn't find water anywhere.
I had water.
- You did?
- Yeah.
I had water with lime.
And I had like...
- I saw something dark, though.
- Hmm?
I had apple juice, too,
with the wineglass.
And that's all you had?
- What do you mean?
- I'm just...
I already told you, I'm done.
- I know. I'm just asking...
- Yeah.
'Cause, you know,
your dad was there.
His friends were there.
I saw you sitting with him.
And I don't know
if you're drinking.
So, I'm just asking.
Your questioning me now
- and we're through here...
- I'm just asking. I trust you.
That means you're always
gonna be wondering.
- It's just...
- Do you blame me?
I didn't drink.
- You probably just...
- I know it's gonna take time
to develop your trust.
I promise.
Give me a little time to work on
how I'm gonna come out
and be like,
"Hey, I'm done," you know.
You know, Washington
tried to give up drinking
for good in the past.
But it's hard.
I don't know where he's at.
I can't gauge it.
So, I guess
I just got to trust him.
That's the only way
that we're gonna move forward.
- I love you.
- I love you too.
[music]
- I love you.
- I love you too.
[music]
SINGER: ♪ Don't you know
we're just better together ♪
♪ I can't do better by myself ♪
♪ I'm not giving up
live better together ♪
♪ So, say you are... ♪
Lunar New Year
is about setting intentions,
and I intend
for Nate to be by my side.
- Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.
- Hi.
JUDY: I'm not gonna wait
until my divorce is over.
I'm not gonna wait
for anyone's approval.
I'm about to turn 40
and it's my time.
You come to visit us?
Well, I wanted to come
to talk to you.
BINH: Oh.
We're gonna have a party
for my 40th birthday.
- I wanted to invite you.
...Great.
- Oh.
- Yeah.
Turning 40
is a big milestone for me.
It's not just a party.
That's half the whole life,
right? Forty.
Well, I hope
the second half of my life
is better than my first half.
That's what I want you.
I want you to be there.
So, I'm gonna be have
my friends there.
All right.
I'm glad to see them again.
Yes. And then, you know,
Washington, Lesley
and my boyfriend will be there.
- Uh-oh.
- Uh-oh. What is the uh-oh for?
[music]
Your boyfriend,
who's the guy I don't know yet.
But I would like to invite him,
come here,
talk to me and meet with him.
You can meet him at the party.
And then afterwards,
we can have dinner
- and you can speak more...
- Hey, Judy.
In-depth with him. Yes?
I don't come to him.
He should come to me.
- But it's my birthday.
- He wants to marry my daughter?
- He comes to talk to me.
- We're not talking
about marriage, Dad.
It's just my birthday.
That means you intend to.
You didn't say so,
but I read your mind.
I'm having a birthday party
and I want you to be there
to celebrate me.
- Uh, Judy, honestly...
- Uh-huh.
I don't wanna hurt
your feelings.
But right now,
I can tell you no.
- No?
- Yeah.
Just because my boyfriend
is there?
Yes, ma'am.
[music]
I have done everything
you have asked of me
my whole life.
I know that you would have
preferred that I stay married.
But I'm not asking
for your approval anymore.
- That's what I'm telling you.
- Uh-uh.
Trust me that I made
the right decision
for me and for the kids
and just try to see what
I'm trying to do with my life.
We're better off now
than we were.
I'm just inviting you
to my party
because I want you there.
I'll leave it up to you.
I'm sorry.
I got to be say no right now.
But this party is gonna happen.
My boyfriend is gonna be there.
My life is gonna go ahead.
It's gonna happen.
This is my fear
that I would have to choose
between my parents
and my future with Nate.
And right now, I choose Nate.
I think I've heard everything
I need to hear.
I need to leave.
[Judy sighs]
[music]
SINGER: ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Make it rain,
make it rain, I don't care ♪
♪ 'Cause it's all about
the same ♪
♪ I'mma make
the best of any situation ♪
♪ Make it rain, make it rain ♪
♪ I don't care, I'mma be happy ♪
♪ No, you can never rain on me ♪
SINGER: ♪ Can't nobody
hold me down ♪
♪ I'm steady walking
like I got ♪
♪ Three commas in my bank
account, living loud ♪
♪ So get your cameras out ♪
♪ I probably do the same thing
if I was you ♪
♪ Looking at me now ♪
♪ Now ♪
♪ Put up your lights ♪
♪ And keep 'em flashing ♪
♪ Don't ever put 'em down,
down, down ♪
♪ Look at me now ♪
SINGER: ♪ Black was white
and white was black ♪
♪ You gave me a heart attack ♪
♪ Oh ♪
♪ I am shaking all over ♪
♪ Oh, I got the chills ♪
♪ And the fever ♪
[music]
LESLEY HO: Oh, I'm so excited
for dinner tonight.
- You are?
- Yeah.
- We get out of the house.
- Yeah.
We haven't been out
in a long time.
You know when my glam team
comes in sometimes?
- Yeah.
- I feel like
I don't even look Asian.
That's why I married you.
I thought you married me
because I was Asian
and Catholic.
I always liked big eyes
and beautiful nose.
We do have cute kids.
Right.
[laughs]
I'm excited to go out with Judy.
I don't know we ever double-
dated with her.
Well, let's show some love
to my sister's new relationship.
Yeah, that's exciting.
And I wanna enjoy my San
Pellegrino or some lime.
- Are you gonna tell Nate...
- What?
- That you're not drinking or...
- I mean,
- if it comes up, I mean...
- Uh-hmm.
- What's the big deal?
- Will you just...
- Are you gonna be embarrassed
when I tell him
I'm not drinking?
Not... it's not embarrassed.
It's just, you know, I want us
to have a good dinner.
I want us to have fun.
It's the first time
we've been out in a long time,
and it's just a hard subject
to talk about,
especially, you know,
in a culture aspect
when the men think
that, you know,
drinking is a strength.
Traditionally, drinking
amongst Vietnamese men,
it's to celebrate closing deals
and a sign
of how powerful they are.
The alcohol is always around.
Even with just Nate and Judy,
you're still surrounded by it.
And Nate's Asian obviously,
so how do you think
he's gonna react
to you saying
you're not having a drink?
Let me tell you something,
I've decided to quit
for my family, for you,
for the future.
Being sober, it's gonna be
the most difficult thing to do.
But when I drink,
I am super unmanageable.
When I don't drink,
I'm barely manageable.
Let's just go in there,
have fun, celebrate life.
- Love you.
- I love you, too.
[music]
JUDY HO: Hey, Nate.
You got to get
this potato, this is so good.
NATE: Get whatever you want.
That's my favorite thing
about you,
because you always say,
"Whatever you want."
[clicks tongue] That's gonna be
the mantra, right?
- Keep Judy happy.
- Keep Judy happy.
JUDY: Lunar New Year
is only two days away,
and it's a very significant time
in our culture.
It's a time for new beginnings,
so now that I'm dating Nate
I just want him
to be a part of everything
that's important to me.
- Hi.
- NATE: Hey.
- Hi, guys.
- Hey, guys, how are you?
Hello. Hello.
Good to see you.
I want to hug Wash.
WASHINGTON HO: I've known Nate
for about 20 years,
kind of like 90210,
everybody knows each other.
He's a good guy.
So, I'm really happy for Judy.
Who picked this restaurant?
- I love it.
- I know.
It's good to see y'all
outside of the house.
- LESLEY: Yeah.
- Judy, for you to go
from where you were to now,
I'm happy for you.
- Thank you.
- Yeah.
NATE: Where were we...
Where is she now?
I like... I like
this choice a lot better
than your past choice.
- Oh, me? Okay.
- Oh.
That's what a divorce would do
for you, you move on.
Oh, good evening.
How are we doing tonight?
- Good to see you, sir.
- Hey, it's good
- to see you again.
- Oh, somebody does know
who you are here.
Everybody knows this gentleman
right here. It's a lovely time.
Are we celebrating
anything special?
Just two couples in love.
Ah, very special indeed.
- Definitely, yeah.
- So right here,
we have all
of our simple cocktails
and martinis to choose from.
Thank you.
Do you have Litchi Martini here?
Unfortunately we don't have
the Litchi...
- No, they don't have that.
- [hisses] Judy.
They're not catering
to the Asians here.
Do you have anything
that's a virgin?
WAITER: I can certainly
bring something
- delicious for you.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
- Thanks, Dylan.
- He knew, too.
Are you not drinking?
I've decided to stop drinking.
That's good that you can
stop on your own.
Well, you know,
it's been an ongoing
battle for me.
I just wanna be more committed
to my family.
I've seen him drink
and be just fine.
- Right.
- He has a point where beyond
that there's no one
that can talk him down.
I mean, I'm just... I'm grateful
that he loved me enough
to do something about it.
Well, you know, Washington's
been dealing with this issue...
- I know.
- Even before you.
Yeah, I think you're just
self-medicating yourself,
you know, drinking to get rid
of, like, depression.
I appreciate
you always being honest with me.
I remember we hang out
at the clubs and you come up
to me and you're like,
"Wash, I have a younger brother
and you remind me of him.
And he just partied
his life away.
And I just don't want you
to be like him."
I'm surprised you remember that.
- But, yeah, I do remember that.
- Oh, you do?
That's why I have such
a soft spot for you.
So when I found out
she's dating you,
I was like, "Wow."
I never forgot that
and that's why
I always loved him.
I love you for always
being there for me,
and I'm gonna make you
proud, too.
- Good. glad you,
- All right?
So cheers to love,
family, and hope.
- JUDY: Oh. We all need that.
- LESLEY: Cheers.
I'm proud of you, Wash.
Yeah, me, too.
I love that Judy and Nate
support Wash not drinking.
I feel like
I finally have allies.
I love that, you know, Nate
is my brother
because it's like...
He's not your brother yet,
- so don't give him ideas.
- Next year.
I'll marry him myself.
- [laughter]
- I love double dates.
- Can we do more double dates?
- [Nate chuckles]
Especially if Washington pays,
it's the best.
[chuckles]
- JUDY: Oh.
- WASHINGTON: Oh.
SINGER: ♪ I'm louder than aye ♪
♪ And I'm feeling so good ♪
♪ I do what I want
and it's understood ♪
♪ There's no stopping me
when I'm doing my thing ♪
♪ I'm doing my thing ♪
♪ I'mma do me ♪
♪ I got happy feet ♪
♪ You know what I mean ♪
♪ I got happy feet ♪
♪ I'm on fire ♪
AUNT TINA: Do you think
the tea is strong?
JUDY: Yeah, because I felt
really awake.
I got something
will really make you strong.
LESLEY: What's that?
In tea?
JUDY: Let me see.
Let me smell it.
Ugh.
- You like tequila.
- No, I don't. I don't like it.
- I drink it to get drunk.
- Uh-huh.
- Not to enjoy it.
- Oh.
- I enjoy champagne, not this.
- Oh.
Have fun!
Relax.
- That will help you more.
- So nasty.
It's a good stuff.
I love fun Judy.
Disgusting.
I've had a long day,
I don't mind.
AUNT TINA: We need to go a pool.
- JUDY: That's like...
- Ugh.
- I wanna get drunk so I don't
have to think.
- How long is that
been in your purse?
No, it's new.
You better hide that.
We're in a nice, classy place.
This look nice
and fancy, so... [laughs]
JUDY: It doesn't look
appropriate
at the St. Regis.
Oh, Tina.
I can't take you anywhere.
Yesterday, I had a good talk
- to your dad at lunch.
- About what?
- About Nate?
- About you.
- About my boyfriend?
- Yeah. He say...
I'll say, if I brought
out my boyfriend now
and you started talking to him,
you'd probably scare him,
- like...
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.
You know, your dad
is a manipulating person anyway.
He know... he know
how to do what...
JUDY: He's been doing that
since birth.
AUNT TINA: Yeah.
- For my 16th birthday...
- LESLEY: Yeah?
So I was dating this guy
at the time.
- Uh-hmm.
- And my dad was like,
"Okay. Well, if you're gonna
have a boyfriend
then we're just gonna cancel
this whole party."
- What?
- Yeah.
- He said that?
- So I was like, "Fine.
- Cancel it."
- For real?
So I didn't have
a 16th birthday party.
- Shut up.
- Oh, shut up.
- You serious?
- JUDY: Uh-hmm.
So that was his way of, like,
"I'm gonna hurt you
because you're not doing
what I want."
Yeah. He's manipulating.
- This is true.
- Okay. I've never seen
that side of him.
You have that viewpoint
because you're married
to Washington.
- When he is with Washington...
- Right.
He will go out
of his way to make it
as easy as possible for him.
Where we with me, you know,
it's not that way.
So, um, Washington's doing
pretty good
with not drinking and...
- Oh, that's good.
- Yeah.
But, you know,
we still have issues.
That's normal in a marriage.
Washington have
a very soft heart.
- What do you mean by soft?
- He's very good. Yeah. Uh-hmm.
But if you know how to...
hit it, he got it.
Hit it?
What does that mean, sex?
- Hit it right.
- Right.
Yeah. Hit it right.
He may have been
hitting it wrong.
- [sighs]
- All men are like that.
So is that your marriage advice?
Yeah.
I know how to hit it.
And he love it.
I said, "Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
You can go sleep, done, next."
[laughter]
This is how you control men.
Try it. Try it.
Because men is simple,
a little bit stupid
but they're simple.
It sounds easier being single.
- Oh, my God.
- [Lesley laughs]
SINGER: ♪ You got
that heartbeat ♪
♪ Run out of control ♪
- ♪ It's that new feeling... ♪
- [bell dings]
JUDY: Hi, Danny.
Your favorite clients are here.
[chuckles]
- How are you doing?
- Good.
We're here to pick up our Lunar
New Year Ao Dai.
Y'all are special
so it's not rent,
so it's good.
Danny, Danny, Danny,
sometimes I just like
to go to his shop
to see what he's wearing.
We wanna stand out
from everybody else.
Yeah. And all our customer
is pretty standout
so that'd be great.
But let me go get the dress
- for you, okay?
- JUDY: Yeah.
- Okay.
- JUDY: A Danny Nguyen original.
Yeah, I know.
What do you think the dresses
are gonna be like?
I hope they're extravagant.
- Uh-hmm.
- And bling.
Bling?
I'll be hosting Lunar New Year
in my new home.
We have a lot of superstitions.
One of the biggest ones
is that we should not be arguing
on Lunar New Year Day
because that will bring conflict
for the rest of the year.
Yeah, I didn't know people still
use that word but go ahead.
- I love bling.
- Uh-huh.
Wish us luck.
DANNY: Yes. Let me see.
Wow. Look at that.
JUDY: You look like
a Vietnamese Elsa.
- I love it.
- Or that you're gonna be
- in a... oh, yeah, a pageant.
- Wow. Very beautiful.
Love that bling I put on there?
I think that was at least
500 stone
we put on the neck and in arm.
And he put each one
by hand by himself.
- Yeah. One by one. Yup.
- Sow it by hand? [laughs]
All the hard work I do it.
- Looks good.
- Yeah. Uh-huh.
Yeah. This is what I envisioned.
- I love the color palette, too.
- I know.
And the ostrich feather
is very, very nice.
Why did you choose
this exact color?
Because blue means hopeful.
- Oh, I did not know that.
- So I think that was... yeah.
I did not know that either.
Blue is hopeful so it's hopeful
for the New Year.
2020. That's the vision,
right? Yeah. So...
LESLEY: Perfect. And your turn.
You wanna try yours on, Judy?
- Yes, I'm ready.
- Yeah? Let's try it on.
LESLEY: How do you sit in this?
Whip it to the side
and sit down.
This is so formal.
It's made for like a girl
that's a proper Vietnamese girl.
- I have arrived.
- DANNY: Wow.
LESLEY: I love it.
Look at this.
- Danny, you outdid yourself.
- Wow, the queen.
I feel like the princess
of Vietnam.
[laughter]
Very royal.
Lunar New Year, bring it.
LESLEY: Big hair,
big makeup, big dresses.
I'm thinking about inviting Nate
to the Lunar New Year party.
Good idea or bad idea?
I...
Speak your truth.
Don't know that's a good idea.
- Why?
- It's not even been a year.
And your parents
have made it so very clear
- they're not ready.
- Yeah.
And you're all of a sudden gonna
- bring him.
- Uh-hmm.
You don't think that's
a little bit disrespectful?
It's not like I'm 26 again
asking for their blessing
for a marriage.
Your divorce
isn't even finalized
and there's been
kind of tension between
- you and your parents.
- The tension is that
I have moved on.
And they have not.
I don't know why Judy feels
like she has to push
her opinions
onto her parents.
I'm completely
different than that.
I hear their opinion,
I embrace it,
I respect it,
and that's how it should be.
And your daddy even said
he's been so adamant
about I'm not ready.
And I'm very adamant
about I'm ready.
And you don't think that's
a little bit disrespectful?
Does he respect me?
I think it's a two-way street.
I am living my truth.
I do not have time to sit around
and wait for everyone else
to get on board.
You asked for my opinion.
- I know, girl.
- I just gave it to you.
[music]
SINGER: ♪ So I sing doo doo
doo, doo doo doo... ♪
SARA RAZAVI ZAND:
How's everything?
JUDY: Well,
you know why I'm here.
- I know. I know.
- I want to move on
with my life.
I just need
to finalize this divorce.
It's been dragging on forever.
- It has. It has.
You know, we still... we still
have to go to mediation.
We're not gonna be able
to keep this trial date.
I mean, do I have to, like,
give in with him
when it comes to the assets?
- Uh-hmm.
- If I gave him
a little bit more,
it would almost be enough for me
to just move on.
I don't wanna drag this into
- the next chapter of my life.
- I know.
That's why we have to
just keep pushing him,
because if we don't,
he's gonna keep dragging it out
and dragging it out.
JUDY: To get divorce,
it seems like
I need to throw
more money at the problem.
But for me to throw
more money at the problem,
it requires me to be more
dependent on my dad.
I like hanging out with you
but I don't wanna pay
to hang out with you anymore.
I'm stuck
in a Vietnamese pickle.
The value
of being divorced is a lot.
- Yes. It's priceless.
- And...
It's more than
just giving him 10% more.
No. I mean, I can tell you
he does not wanna get a divorce.
He will do anything
to keep you as his wife.
[sighs]
[music]
SINGER: ♪ I have a secret ♪
♪ It's someone I love ♪
JUDY: Our favorite,
Mimosas on a Sunday.
NATE: [chuckles] That is nice.
It always puts me
in a good mood.
It puts me in a good mood, too.
I wish I can start
all my day like that.
- I know.
- Mimosas.
- You look nice.
- Thank you, babe.
- I really like your dress.
- Yeah?
Remember when you got
the belt with a scarf?
[laughter]
You we're like, "Why is your
scarf on a buckle?"
[laughter]
Oops.
My baby.
It's not supposed to touch
the floor.
It's an Asian thing, right?
All your money
is gonna disappear.
Oh, I didn't know about that.
- You didn't know that?
- No.
Your purse is not supposed
to touch the ground.
I never had a purse.
- Oh, your wallet? Your wallet?
- Murse, a murse.
It's not supposed
to touch the ground?
- Yeah.
- Hmm.
JUDY: Coming from my
attorney's office,
it's so frustrating
knowing that my divorce
is taking so long.
But I'm not gonna carry
that over
into my time with Nate.
So what do you think about
maybe taking that first step
and going to the Lunar
New Year party at my house?
So, if that's the kind of stuff
we need to think about, right?
- Because, you know...
- Yeah.
Your whole family
is gonna be there.
- Yeah.
- Your mom, your dad, the kids.
- What are you worried about?
- It's not like I'm worried
about anything. I'm just
thinking about things, right?
- Okay.
- Like, can we have, like,
- coffee first?
- [laughs]
First, it's like meet
your parents
in front of everybody.
[sighs]
JUDY: My dad wants to meet Nate
but on his terms, one on one.
And I just don't wanna do it
his way anymore.
You got to face the fire
sometimes, babe.
I mean, you've got
Washington's approval, right?
I have, but he's a lot easier
than your dad
that I didn't care
about his approval.
It would be nice.
- It would make it easier...
- Yeah.
- Like, for family functions.
- Right.
Well, we... you don't need it.
You know what I mean?
I'm trying to think
long-term, baby.
So that's a no?
Yeah.
[sighs]
You know, don't you think?
- Long term.
- Thank you.
- Thank you so much.
- WAITER: Pleasure.
- You look great.
- Hey, are you all doing today?
- Good, how are you?
- Excellent.
- Good. This is for you, Nate.
- Oh, thank you.
And a truffle caprese for you.
- JUDY: Oh, thank you.
- WAITER: Thank you, guys.
- NATE: Thank you.
- WAITER: You all enjoy.
I'm turning 40.
I need to move on with my life.
I need to take the next steps
- to become my own woman.
- Right.
Like, I feel like I'm chained
to my family.
I agree. Either be independent
or you're not
and be stuck with them.
I cannot believe Nate
has said no to me,
but I have faith
that he's thinking
of the long game,
so I'm okay with that.
I know I make looking
like Judy Ho easy
- but it's not easy.
- [laughs]
Cheers.
What are we cheering to?
To 2020 and you
to be independent, right?
Yes. To us.
- To us.
- [glass tinkling]
- [laughs]
- You are welcome.
[music]
BINH HO: Another year
in the books.
Cheers.
So, it's that time
of year again.
Right.
You brought some cash?
Let me show you.
- Oh.
- 8, 8, 8, 8.
Right here, one,
two, three, four.
Yeah, everything 8.
- So...
here, you do the 5s,
I'll do the 2s, right?
- All right.
Lunar New Year very, very
happy time for me.
The red envelope to us
is really the lucky.
So when they give the kid
the red envelope,
that mean we wish them
good fortune for the year come.
You know, last year was a...
It was a pretty tough
year for me.
[sighs]
Well, you know,
I have a weakness,
which is drinking.
And I wanna quit drinking.
[music]
My dad might not
like it or agree with it,
but I don't love alcohol
enough to...
risk my family.
[sigh]
You know, I hope
you're not disappointed,
but now is the time.
[music]
Hi. Hi, sweetie.
- Mommy, watch this.
- What?
- Yay. Look daddy caught it.
- I fixed it.
All right. Are you guys ready
to go see Grandma and Grandpa?
- Hi, honey.
- I want this.
Do you remember what to say
to Grandpa for Chinese New Year?
What do you say? Come here.
- I'm so proud of you.
- Okay. What do you say?
[Speaking Vietnamese]
LESLEY: Oh, I love that.
- WASHINGTON: Roosevelt.
- Okay. We go see
Grandma and Grandpa
for Chinese New Year.
- Hmm.
- What do you say to them?
I wanna go back home?
- WASHINGTON: Oh.
- LESLEY: No.
We'll go over there and we can
give them some gifts, right?
What do you say?
[Speaking Vietnamese]
- Good job.
- WASHINGTON: Good job.
- [laughs] What?
- Family hug, family hug,
- family hug.
- All right, family hug.
My mom and dadda -
LESLEY: I love Lunar New Year.
I love the traditions.
In Oklahoma, we go door to door
to our family's side.
We give them some kind of gift.
It's traditionally Asian pears
and we wish them health,
happiness for the New Year.
I definitely want to keep
that tradition alive.
- Ring the doorbell.
- Look.
- Over here.
- Oh, you give it to me?
- Oh, yeah.
- I got you a present.
- You look beautiful.
- LESLEY: Come back. Not yet.
- Happy New Year.
- Thank you. Thank you.
- I love money.
Money, money, money. Yeah.
BINH: Okay. Here's for you.
- Happy New Year.
- LESLEY: Say in Vietnamese.
- WASHINGTON: Thanks, Dad.
- I want you to have
good health and happiness
for the New Year.
- Thank you both.
- And that, too.
- Yes. Thank you.
- I wish both of you
and your family
a peaceful and happiness.
- Uh-huh.
- Thank you.
When you get lucky,
you get everything.
Do you mind if I take
one pair of that right now?
- Yeah, you do it.
- Can I have one?
- You can have two.
- I can take two?
- GIRL: Mommy.
- Thank you.
- Bye, Grandma. Bye, Grandpa.
- Bye-bye.
SINGER:
♪ This is the good life ♪
♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ This is the good life ♪
♪ Oh oh, oh, oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ This is the good life
Oh, oh, oh ♪
- Oh!
- SINGER: ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪
♪ Out in the sunshine
nothing but good life ♪
Okay. There's a bag missing
that's Lincoln's áo dài.
BOTH: I took everything in the
kitchen table into the cayenne.
You took everything
out of that Uber, right?
- Oh, yeah, got it...
- Okay.
- Everything in the Uber.
- And you put it
- on the kitchen table.
- Table.
- Into the cayenne.
- Okay.
I should... I should
go check the cayenne.
Okay.
I better check the cayenne.
I'm anxious about tonight
'cause it's Lunar New Year.
And I already know there's
gonna be a lot of drinking.
It's the first time that Wash
is gonna be around
all his friends in alcohol.
I mean he says he's
giving up drinking,
but I think tonight's
gonna be a true test.
Here, son. Your favorite
and my favorite, too,
- Don Leon.
- Oh, my God.
It's from 2009, 10 years ago.
Forget about the past.
Yeah. We'll forget the past.
Move forward in the future.
Let's celebrate.
[music]
LESLEY: It fell at my house.
- Where did it fall?
- I don't know.
You were supposed to carry
all the áo dài over here.
- Where did it fall?
- In the kitchen.
I'm freak... I'm freaking out
Judy.
Look at Lincoln
not having an áo dài?
We had it done for her.
Maybe I shouldn't
have given it to you.
Mom life.
It's like juggling
10 plates at once.
- WOMAN: Yeah.
- Roosevelt.
Come over here. Dad and Grandpa.
- Yeah?
- BINH: Yeah. Here, here, boy.
WASHINGTON: You're the next
generation of American Hos.
You're the next leader
in our family.
BINH: Let's open the champagne.
Celebrate New Year.
- Oh, wow.
- Ugh.
I feel like my dad
doesn't understand
my decision to stop drinking.
Of course, it hurts,
but I'm not gonna give up.
Well, Happy New Year, Dad.
- I love you.
- Thank you.
[glasses chiming]
- Let's go.
- Okay. Yeah.
- Let's go to Judy's.
- Yeah.
Let's go to the party
and let's do what we do.
SINGER: ♪ Woo. Yeah. Oh ♪
oh, oh, oh. Woo ♪
I like the flowers.
You look so good, Judy.
SINGER: ♪ There's no
better time than right now ♪
- Good to see you.
- JUDY: Hi. Happy New Year.
SINGER: ♪ To feel it all
and let it ring out ♪
- Hi, guys.
- WASHINGTON: Happy New Year.
Buddy, how are you?
This Lunar New Year
is very significant to me
in that we're celebrating
in my new home.
- A lot of food.
- I hope we have enough food.
- Yeah.
- JUDY: I have been working
on the house for a long time.
- New house, new you.
- Remember when we
used to be at the club.
And now, look at us.
- What club?
- [Judy laughs]
JUDY: The kids are here.
They enjoy themselves
with the red envelopes.
And everything
is beautifully decorated.
So, say Happy Lunar New Year
and then
you just hand it to them.
It brings you good luck.
The band's back together.
It's everything I would want.
Thank you.
Except that I don't have Nate
next to me,
and it feels incomplete.
REAGAN HO: I'll take it to you.
MAN: No, no. We need to see
- your driver's license.
- But why?
Yeah. I don't drive.
I have a chauffeur.
[laughs] Good one.
- Reagan.
- What's up?
Oh, shit.
Give me two of them.
My sister's gonna drink with me.
- What are we drinking to?
- Chinese New Year.
- What else?
- Cheers. What is this?
- Tequila.
- Oh, cheers.
You don't have to chug it.
Just sip it.
So how's everything been
since brunch?
Since brunch? Mom and dad
haven't changed her mind.
I don't think anything's
gonna change her mind.
Just got to do
what you need to do and...
- Be happy, right?
- They'll come around.
Oh, look who it is.
You want some tequila?
JUDY: Just try it, mom.
See if you like it.
It's good for you.
[Judy laughs]
Every night you drink like that?
Don't worry, Mom.
He's a big boy.
Yeah.
Happy New Year.
Happy New Year, Mom.
I hope that New Year's
something new
is good come to you.
Something new did come to her.
- Yes. And to you, too.
- Yeah.
You're the best
mom in the world.
REAGAN: I love you.
HUE HO: Thank you.
[glasses chiming]
JUDY: Go this way.
You can get drinks outside.
There's a bar.
It's out there.
The bar is out there.
Is this your first
Lunar New Year party?
- Yeah.
- Asian food and the bar
is outside. So, help yourselves.
Okay. I'm gonna go get...
MAN: Um, I see a new Regan...
LESLEY: Drinking is very much
a part of Asian culture.
I understand
it's confusing for Wash
because that's how
he spends time with his dad.
Hey, Happy New Year.
Happy New Year.
- Am I invited?
- Yeah.
LESLEY: And now,
he has to sit there
with a glass of water
and all the other men,
you know, pressure him to drink.
It's not comfortable, for sure.
- I love you.
- Mwah.
Cheers. Happy New Year.
- Hi, guys.
- WOMAN: Hello.
- New boy.
- WOMAN: I know.
What do you think
of the decor, Lesley?
- Uh.
- What do you think, Wash?
It looks kind of like
Valentine's Day.
I didn't realize cherry blossoms
and Chinese symbols
and lanterns
for Valentine's Day.
- I think you need more rats.
- I do have one.
- Where?
- I bought the right one,
- one stunning piece.
- Where?
It's over there.
I'm saving it for the dessert.
- Nice.
- That's the only rat you have?
I only need one rat.
Lesley is definitely finding
her voice in this family.
Unfortunately, it sounds like
an old traditional
control freak.
So, basically my mom.
You know what really matters?
Having your family
and friends around,
not all of the external things.
You asked me about the decor.
What's wrong with the decor?
And I'm telling you
my answer, Lesley.
- I'm telling you my answer.
- Oh, when you walk
into other people's house
and they ask you about it,
you should say,
"I love it," period.
I didn't know.
Okay. I love it, Judy.
I love it. I love it. I love it.
It's the year of the rat.
If your theme was
family get together,
then we just could of
had Friday night dinner.
If you're gonna stick
with a theme,
stick with the theme, Judy.
Have more rats.
Do you all see
what I deal with lately?
[laughter]
- Ok. Talk about something else.
JUDY: Thank you. Let me
get back to my real lfriends.
- Bye.
- I see how it is.
Not the ones I was born into.
I just wanna thank everyone
for coming over today.
I'm so grateful that all of you
have been here
for us through a tough time.
A new home, a new year,
a new me.
- Yeah.
- [crowd cheering]
WASHINGTON:
Welcome to the neighborhood.
The mayor
of River Oaks has spoken.
You know what? There's
a new Ho on the block, brother.
Oh, really?
Are you all ready
for the dragon dance?
- Let's go.
- [crowd cheering]
New Year, the Hos.
It's a celebration.
[music]
- Let's go, children.
- It's all about starting over.
We forget the yesterdays
and we're brand new.
It brings together family.
Oh, look. They're coming.
Get behind, get behind.
We realize
how significant it is.
And we treasure those times
that we have together.
Oh, there's the Buddha.
- Are you guys ready?
- [cheering]
- [music]
- [cheering]
Let the past gone.
Let the old gone.
- Start fresh.
- JUDY: Oh.
It's a way for the elders...
[cheering]
LESLEY:
to give wishes and hope
and dreams
to the younger generation.
The zodiac for this year
was a golden rat.
See? They're cute. It's the rat.
I know. They got the rat.
New day, new year.
It's all about keeping culture.
Reminding us that life is short.
And at the end of the day,
my own happiness is enough.
It's just all of our traditions.
I love it.
[crowd cheering]
[music]
[crowd cheering]
- Everybody, say Ho.
- Ho!
- One, two, three.
- Ho!
[crowd cheering]
- The wind did not work.
[music]
- [birds chirping]
- [music]
WASHINGTON:
You take off your shoes, baby.
LESLEY: I can't bend over here.
- You got it?
- Yeah. Hold on, baby.
Seriously,
I can't bend over in this.
So, what do you think
about Judy's decorations?
What do you think about it?
Now, you can be honest with me.
I thought it was cool.
I don't know why you made
such a big deal out of it.
I didn't make
a big deal out of it.
- Your take on my sister.
- She asked my opinion.
I just told her.
I said it looked kind of like
- Valentine's Day.
- I know, but...
I'm just saying. If you wanna do
a Lunar New Year party,
do a Lunar New Year party.
Yeah. Do you have lotion?
You need to put lotion
on your feet.
No, I've been walking
on them all night.
- Yeah. They're very dry.
- They need some saliva?
- [Washington laughs]
- Just kidding.
- They need some lips.
- Gross.
Some of these big-ass lips.
- Ow, you're hurting me.
- Damn.
Okay. Stop.
I'm trying to kiss
the pain away.
Oh, my God. You're crazy.
So, who did you talk to
at the party?
Everybody. It was nice to see
some of Judy's old friends
from the past
that I haven't seen
that we kind of grew up with.
I didn't like that she only had,
like, liquor there.
I couldn't find water anywhere.
I had water.
- You did?
- Yeah.
I had water with lime.
And I had like...
- I saw something dark, though.
- Hmm?
I had apple juice, too,
with the wineglass.
And that's all you had?
- What do you mean?
- I'm just...
I already told you, I'm done.
- I know. I'm just asking...
- Yeah.
'Cause, you know,
your dad was there.
His friends were there.
I saw you sitting with him.
And I don't know
if you're drinking.
So, I'm just asking.
Your questioning me now
- and we're through here...
- I'm just asking. I trust you.
That means you're always
gonna be wondering.
- It's just...
- Do you blame me?
I didn't drink.
- You probably just...
- I know it's gonna take time
to develop your trust.
I promise.
Give me a little time to work on
how I'm gonna come out
and be like,
"Hey, I'm done," you know.
You know, Washington
tried to give up drinking
for good in the past.
But it's hard.
I don't know where he's at.
I can't gauge it.
So, I guess
I just got to trust him.
That's the only way
that we're gonna move forward.
- I love you.
- I love you too.
[music]
- I love you.
- I love you too.
[music]
SINGER: ♪ Don't you know
we're just better together ♪
♪ I can't do better by myself ♪
♪ I'm not giving up
live better together ♪
♪ So, say you are... ♪
Lunar New Year
is about setting intentions,
and I intend
for Nate to be by my side.
- Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.
- Hi.
JUDY: I'm not gonna wait
until my divorce is over.
I'm not gonna wait
for anyone's approval.
I'm about to turn 40
and it's my time.
You come to visit us?
Well, I wanted to come
to talk to you.
BINH: Oh.
We're gonna have a party
for my 40th birthday.
- I wanted to invite you.
...Great.
- Oh.
- Yeah.
Turning 40
is a big milestone for me.
It's not just a party.
That's half the whole life,
right? Forty.
Well, I hope
the second half of my life
is better than my first half.
That's what I want you.
I want you to be there.
So, I'm gonna be have
my friends there.
All right.
I'm glad to see them again.
Yes. And then, you know,
Washington, Lesley
and my boyfriend will be there.
- Uh-oh.
- Uh-oh. What is the uh-oh for?
[music]
Your boyfriend,
who's the guy I don't know yet.
But I would like to invite him,
come here,
talk to me and meet with him.
You can meet him at the party.
And then afterwards,
we can have dinner
- and you can speak more...
- Hey, Judy.
In-depth with him. Yes?
I don't come to him.
He should come to me.
- But it's my birthday.
- He wants to marry my daughter?
- He comes to talk to me.
- We're not talking
about marriage, Dad.
It's just my birthday.
That means you intend to.
You didn't say so,
but I read your mind.
I'm having a birthday party
and I want you to be there
to celebrate me.
- Uh, Judy, honestly...
- Uh-huh.
I don't wanna hurt
your feelings.
But right now,
I can tell you no.
- No?
- Yeah.
Just because my boyfriend
is there?
Yes, ma'am.
[music]
I have done everything
you have asked of me
my whole life.
I know that you would have
preferred that I stay married.
But I'm not asking
for your approval anymore.
- That's what I'm telling you.
- Uh-uh.
Trust me that I made
the right decision
for me and for the kids
and just try to see what
I'm trying to do with my life.
We're better off now
than we were.
I'm just inviting you
to my party
because I want you there.
I'll leave it up to you.
I'm sorry.
I got to be say no right now.
But this party is gonna happen.
My boyfriend is gonna be there.
My life is gonna go ahead.
It's gonna happen.
This is my fear
that I would have to choose
between my parents
and my future with Nate.
And right now, I choose Nate.
I think I've heard everything
I need to hear.
I need to leave.
[Judy sighs]
[music]
SINGER: ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Make it rain,
make it rain, I don't care ♪
♪ 'Cause it's all about
the same ♪
♪ I'mma make
the best of any situation ♪
♪ Make it rain, make it rain ♪
♪ I don't care, I'mma be happy ♪
♪ No, you can never rain on me ♪