In Contempt (2018–…): Season 1, Episode 6 - Banned - full transcript

Previously on "In Contempt"...

What is the deal with you
and Bennet? And Charlie?

Who actually likes you,
by the way.

Charlie doesn'’t like
anyone but himself.

He can never be serious,
it is exhausting.

Charlie, you have
to get him a program!

Talk to his mother,
get her to plead his case!

You know it'’s insane to roll
the dice on this dash and cash.

Really?

Sorry, I stopped listening
at call his mommy.

I know you'’re sleeping
with my husband.



Frankly, he'’s done better.

I would think long and hard

before asking me
to recuse myself.

Yup. Thought about it.
We still want you to step down.

You recused Blackburn

even though I explicitly
told you not to

and you lost!

I just want a chance
to defend the innocent.

When you see one of those
walk by here, you let me know.

Does anyone care about
the law around here?

If you don'’t step back, you'll
be spending the night in jail.

Bennet is a real man.

He'’s not a scrub, he's not
a boy, he'’s not a game.

Just tell him how you feel.



Gwen, this is Alison,
my fiancée.

Step away from the vehicle.
Hands behind your head.

I didn'’t do nothing, man!
Get off of me!

You should'’ve seen
the way he looked at me.

Like I was garbage.

♪ Hey, yeah, shout-out
To my road dawg ♪

♪ I'm straight up
With this one boy I know of ♪

Who the hell is
Greta Constantine?

And why does her jacket
cost as much as an iPhone?

Well, she is a black guy
and an Asian dude.

I'’m so confused.

That'’s from last year'’s
collection. I got it on sale.

Damn! You don'’t ever
got to shop no more.

You got fresh tags,
new purses, new shoes...

- Your closet is a store!
- Get out of my closet.

What'’s up with you
not opening your mail and all?

Hey! Monthly bills.
To maintain my self-esteem,

I open the ones
I can'’t pay last.

Ah! Live like a superstar
on a reality star'’s budget.

You need an intervention
in here?

Hey, do you want to be my date
to a wedding shower?

It'’s Bennet and his fiancée,
Alison.

- Uh, thanks but I'’ll pass.
- Come on, why not?

'‘Cause you always say
we'’re friends with benefits.

And this feels more like
an obligation than a benefit.

- Fine. Forget I asked.
- You know what? OK.

Maybe she might have
some fine friends.

I suppose I can do you a solid.

Thanks.

Well, them benefits, this time.

- No, stop!
- Good morning!

[phone ringing]

Saved by the bell!

Oh shit, it'’s Tom!

Blackburn wants to see me
in her courtroom now.

What did you do this time?

♪ And I know how to get there,
don't follow me ♪

Judge, whatever it is,
it wasn'’t calendared.

I didn'’t know I was supposed
to appear in front of you today.

This isn'’t about you,
Ms. Sullivan.

Meet Juror no. 5.

I called for you because
he needs a public defender.

And he needs a public defender
because I am about to hold him

in contempt of court and
I don'’t want anyone to think

that he didn'’t have
the loudest defense.

Appreciate your
vote of confidence, Judge.

Let'’s just say the past
is the past, and I, for one,

- can let it go.
- That'’s beautiful.

Now, can I have a moment with
my client to speak to him

- and find out what happened?
- I'’ll explain what happened.

Juror no. 5
has a felony conviction.

Do you know what you cannot do
if you have a felony conviction?

- Sit on a jury.
- Precisely, and yet, somehow,

Juror no. 5 managed to get
himself seated on my jury.

I had to declare a mistrial
because of him.

- What'’s his name?
- Excuse me?

Well, you keep referring to him
as Juror no. 5.

I'’m just wondering what
his actual name is.

[sigh]

Anthony Henry.

He has disrupted
the proceedings of this court,

and I intend
to hold him in contempt.

Something that you are
quite familiar with.

I'’m also directing
the DA'’s office

to conduct
a perjury investigation.

Contempt and perjury, that'’s...
like going after him twice

for the same conduct,
or alleged conduct.

When he lied, he committed
an offence against me

and the good people
of the State of New York.

And lying during
pro forma questioning

and on his juror questionnaire
would technically be perjury.

Kiss-ass.

Ms. Sullivan,
let me make something clear.

When I said I wanted Mr. Henry
to have the loudest defense,

that wasn'’t a compliment.

♪ I ain'’t never gonna
Let '’em see me down ♪

♪ Promise I won'’t let'’ em
break me down ♪

We were deadlocked.

And the judge kept saying
"“keep trying" ”, right?

It got a little crazy
in the jury room.

Then I said,
that I didn'’t think

that anybody should go to jail
for a crime that wasn'’t violent.

Woo! All hell broke loose.

Okay, because a fellow juror
complained, the judge got upset.

Did some investigating,
and found your felony.

Felony? I ain'’t got no felony.
I picked up a marijuana charge

a while back, but I didn't
go to jail or nothing.

Even though you didn'’t
go to jail, your possession case

- was a felony.
- It was?

That was a lot of weed.

Yeah, I know. My wife keeps
saying I need to cut back.

It says here you bounced
a check for 356$

to a debt collection agency.

They bought by $5,000
credit card debt

and they have been coming
after me for like a year now.

They'’re calling me 247.
They even garnish my wages.

Look, I am trying to pay,
but I'’m struggling.

This wasn'’t
your first bad check.

Fifteen years ago,
I got caught up

with this bad guy, and he was
doing a check kiting scheme,

and I was helping him.

But I haven'’t done anything
like that for 15 years.

I have three kids.
I have a job.

I know it looks bad,
but I swear I did not know.

I mean, I thought
that my paycheck would clear.

It usually clears every Friday.

So, why are they
pressing charges?

My friend told me I didn'’t have
to talk to them on the phone,

but when I told them that,
they got really mad.

So, I don'’t know,
maybe that'’s why?

Okay.
I'’ll talk to the prosecutor.

Look, Anthony, I know
this whole thing seems crazy,

but perjury is a serious crime.

It'’s class D felony.
Up to seven years in prison.

I didn'’t want to be
on no jury or nothing.

I got the summons.
I figured I better show up

or they'’re going to drop
a warrant on me or something.

Any other judge would have just
excused you from the jury

and put in an alternate,
but Blackburn'’s pretty hardcore.

[sighing]

Okay so, what
are we going to do?

Well, first I'’m going to kiss
Blackburn'’s ring.

We'’ll tell her that no one was
trying to disrespect her court.

- Then maybe she'’ll drop it.
- Let'’s hope.

- Should I call my wife, or...?
- No. I think it'’ll be fine.

I'’ll see you in there.

What are you still doing here?
Go home.

I'’ll tell Blackburn
I gave the case to Tracy.

Forget it.
She'’s trying to hammer a guy

who was just doing
his civic duty.

I want to be the one
to stop her.

And don'’t you think
your history with Blackburn

is precisely
why Tracy should take the case?

Nuh-uh, no, it'’s mine.

Our history together
is precisely why I got this.

Mr. Hammond. Lottie Cox.
The bad check.

Thirty days.

- In jail?
- Uh-huh.

- That seems like a lot.
- Then $1,000 bail.

- For a bad check?
- She has a record.

- That was 15 years ago!
- Aw, let me guess.

You want community service
and we all sing Kumbaya?

People vs. Brenda McGuiness.
Step up!

I'’ve had the opportunity
to consult with Mr. Henry

and do some investigating,
Judge.

And I think this is all
just a misunderstanding.

Mr. Henry had no agenda,

or motive or intent
to mislead the court.

He really responded
to a jury summons.

And lied.
We ask 50 questions

explicitly to weed out people
who have been incarcerated.

Oh, Your Honor, Mr. Henry
has never been incarcerated.

He didn'’t even know
he plead guilty to a felony!

He understood what was going on
and he tried to undermine

the workings
of the judicial system.

He said as much
when he told his fellow jurors

that no one should be
incarcerated

for a non-violent crime.

I think that was just
his opinion, Your Honor.

I don'’t think
that that'’s evidence

that he was trying
to subvert the process.

It doesn'’t make any sense
that he would go

to such lengths
to screw up a trial.

Are you implying, Ms. Sullivan,
that this court

- doesn'’t make any sense?
- No, not at all.

I order the both of you
to be ready to proceed

on the contempt charge
this afternoon.

Mr. Patel,
I except you will have

completed your
perjury investigation by then.

I will do my best, Your Honor.

If you bring perjury charges
against him,

in addition to the contempt,
it'’s going to look

like you'’re punishing a juror
for wanting to acquit.

Gwen, I don'’t have a choice,
alright?

She already called my
supervisor.

You don'’t have evidence
of intent.

And a jury'’s never going
to convict him.

Just tell her you investigated
and you don'’t think

- you can make out the perjury.
- And have her come after me?

Oh my God, how do I actually
have bigger balls than you?

I'’m sorry.

Look, just tell Blackburn
you need more time.

That you'’ll convene
a Grand Jury.

It'’s not fair to do a hearing
on the contempt this quickly,

never mind the trial on perjury!

Come on.
It'’s the right thing to do.

Hammond wants 30 days
on a misdemeanor bad check.

Oh, please! Old Hammie knows
I'’ll never go for that.

So, what should we do?

- What did you say?
- She only has one prior.

Sorry, baby. I'’ll be right back.

Gotta make myself scarce
for a minute.

The prosecutor
is offering 30 days.

In jail?!

I have three kids
and a mother at home.

Thirty days I don'’t work
are thirty days they don'’t eat.

You don'’t have any
vacation days?

No.

And what about bail?

The prosecution is asking
for 1,000 dollars.

How am I supposed to afford that
when I can'’t even afford

- to pay the collection agency?
- I know.

But the judge
is not gonna let you out.

I think the offer is high.

I think we can put the case off
until tomorrow

and get a better deal
from the next prosecutor.

- And what happens if we can'’t?
- I think we can.

♪ I got this rhythm in my
bones This beat in my head ♪

♪ These lyrics in my veins
That manifest in my pen ♪

♪ Dance in my feet
Punctuation in my hips ♪

♪ Passion in my mouth
Escaping when I spit ♪

♪ Acoustics in my lungs
There'’s reverb in my throat ♪

♪ I got this harmony in my
eyes That you see in all I grow ♪

♪ Soul of a warrior
Strength of a queen... ♪

Gwen!

♪ Dedication of a martyr
Initiation of a star ♪

♪ Get right to the heart of
All that I am part of ♪

Hey!

Jesus, Bennet,
don'’t scare me like that!

Sorry, I'’ve been calling
your name.

I don'’t even know
if I want you in my room.

I heard you were cavorting
with the enemy.

Well, actually, to be fair,
they don'’t seem all that bad.

I'’m not listening to
you '‘cause you drank the juice!

- Tracy told me about your case.
- Ugh.

I do not know why I try to be
civil with Judge Blackburn.

She has all the compassion
of a pit viper.

You think she'’d screw your
client just to get back at you.

I think she is determined
to hammer Mr. Henry.

Her personally asking me
to represent him

just gives her a cover,
since everyone knows

I moved to recuse her
from my case.

Punishing me is
just icing on her crazy cake.

- Hi!
- Hi!

Um, okay.

What'’s a good dispo
on a bad check under 500$?

- Any priors?
- Just one.

I was thinking
ten days'’ community service.

For bouncing a check?

Bad check statutes
make it a crime to be poor.

Bounce too many
and you'’re guilty.

The DA doesn'’t even need
to prove intent to defraud.

You know, I never actually
bounced a check?

That is '‘cause you'’re rich
and you probably have

- overdraft protection.
- That'’s true.

My parents were crazy strict

about being
financially responsible.

Ten days'’ community service
sounds about right, Vanessa.

- Is that all?
- What?

- You need anything else?
- Oh, no! Thanks. Bye!

So. What are you going to do
about your case?

I don'’t know.
There'’s no jury

on a contempt charge
and it'’s pretty clear

Blackburn'’s
already made up her mind.

There'’s got to be something
she'’s afraid of.

Judges are only afraid
of two things:

a reversal on an appeal
and bad press.

And, as the saying goes,
no judge

ever made the front page
by being too hard on crime.

I think I know that look.

A story about a juror
spending time in jail

because he doesn'’t know
a misdemeanor from a felony.

- You'’re calling a reporter?
- Yeah.

I freelance for The Examiner!
Let me make a few phone calls

and I'’ll meet you
at the hearing.

- Okay.
- Hey, by the way,

you'’re still coming
to the wedding shower, right?

Of course.
I'’m bringing Charlie.

- Charlie from the office?
- Yeah, we'’re friends.

- The more the merrier, right?
- Right.

♪ Let time follow you
In your pursuit of happiness ♪

♪ You'’re never gonna get ♪

♪ Never gonna get what you'’re
Never gonna look for ♪

So this is the case
from yesterday?

Yes. I put it over
so we could get a better deal.

- Gwen said community service.
- Sounds right.

Campbell! Judge Dawson
wants to see you ASAP.

Sorry, Bambi.
Business elsewhere.

You got this. Be strong.
Have a backbone.

Fight like those Prada'’s
depend on it.

I know you have been texting me,
but I have been so busy that...

You have been ignoring me
all week.

I have been busy
and I'’m in court now,

so I'’m gonna have to
push our nooner.

I heard what happened
at the gala.

Oh, please, I could not give
a sweet damn about your wife.

- Are you upset?
- Why would I be?

- I'’m not married to her.
- I'’m cheating on her with you.

Well, if you'’re so worried
about it, stop cheating.

So, Ms. Milltown,
the bad check case?

- Ninety days.
- Ninety days?

Hammond offered me
30 days yesterday.

Well, that was his stupidity.
And that was yesterday.

Just because I'’m new
does not mean that

- you can take advantage of me.
- Maybe because you'’re new

you don'’t know that
a third offence equals a felony.

Statutory minimum
is one and a half to three.

So, 90 days is a gift.

I know the law.
My client only has one prior.

- From 15 years ago.
- Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.

She'’s got two.
The last one was six months ago.

Oh my God, I didn'’t see it!
It was under a staple!

Look, the best I can do
is 80 days.

Can'’t you just re-offer
the 30 days? It was my fault.

Don'’t mistake my generosity
for weakness.

She'’s a thief. 80 days.
Take it or leave it.

Docket no. 456,
The People vs. Lottie Cox.

Step up.

Counselor.
No cell phones in the courtroom.

What'’s going on?

- Your Honor, may we approach?
- Problem?

I made a horrible mistake.

I didn'’t see
my client'’s second prior,

so I rejected the People'’s
previous offer of 30 days,

and now they'’re offering
80 days.

And what would you
like me to do?

You can give her the 30 days.

Mrs. Cox should not pay
for my mistake.

Counselor, 80 days is
more than fair

for someone with three offences.

Your Honor, it was
a debt collection agency.

She was paying them back.

She thought her paycheck
had cleared.

Oh, please! She'’s got a history
and plenty of poor people

don'’t bounce checks
over and over.

Sorry, Counselor.

The offer is 80 days.

What?
Yesterday it was only 30.

You didn'’t tell me that you were
arrested a few months ago.

But it'’s the same company!
I told you, they keep

coming after me!
Can we do a trial?

I mean, that way I can explain
how it happened.

Unless we can prove that the
check didn'’t actually bounce,

there is no defense.
The fact that you didn'’t mean

for it to bounce
doesn'’t actually help.

Counselor, 80 days!
Yes, or no?

Your Honor, please, a moment?

You turn this down,
it only gets worse.

Your Honor, please.
I don'’t understand.

I work really hard,
I feed my kids. I didn'’t...

Ms. Cox, talk to your lawyer,
not to me.

- [whispers] I'’m sorry.
- Take the 80 days.

I can'’t. Oh my God,
why won'’t you listen to me?

Tomorrow it could be two years.

- Two years?!
- Please.

- Take the plea.
- Oh, my God!

Mr. Patel, have you concluded
your perjury investigation?

Um, not at this time.

I know Your Honor would want me
to be thorough,

so our office is considering
bringing the matter

- before a Grand Jury.
- Fine.

Are you ready on the contempt,
Ms. Sullivan?

- Yes, Your Honor.
- Alright, you may proceed.

Your Honor,
our evidence will show

that Mr. Henry'’s only crime
was to obey a jury summons.

To hold him in contempt would be
to penalize an innocent man

for fulfilling
a civic responsibility,

unlike most people,
who shirk jury service

with every excuse in the book.
Mr. Henry stepped up.

To penalize him for that

would be to make him
a second-class citizen.

Excuse me. Who are you?
Yeah, you. With the busy hands.

Oh. I'’m Bennet Thomson,
Your Honor.

What'’s your purpose here today?

I'’m covering this case for The
New York Examiner, Your Honor.

Yes, my client had a marijuana
conviction in his past,

but how many times
must he pay for that same crime?

Every time he applies for a job
or housing and has to check

- the conviction box...
- That'’s enough, Counselor.

- Your Honor?
- That'’s enough for today.

I am continuing these
proceedings until Mr. Patel

can bring the perjury charge
to a Grand Jury.

Thank you.

- What just happened?
- You happened.

Now maybe she'’ll calm down
off of the contempt,

I have more time to prepare
and I can lobby the DA'’s office.

- So, thank you.
- No, thank you.

You know, watching you work
is like having

a front-row seat
to an all-star game.

[music playing]

- He said what?
- Uh-huh.

You need to tell that man how
you feel before it'’s too late.

And you need to tell me you'’re
not doing the thing

that I know you'’re still doing

with a man
who shall remain nameless.

He'’s not Voldemort.

Then why didn't you tell me
about him.

Here I am spilling my guts
about the one who got away,

and my bestie
is having an affair

and not telling me
a damn thing about it.

- It doesn'’t mean anything.
- Bullshit!

- You'’re bullshitting.
- Where were you?

Calm down, Bambi.
Why so dramatic?

That bad check case,
she got 80 days.

- Christ on a cracker, how?
- I screwed up.

I didn'’t know
she had two priors.

What do you mean
you didn'’t know?

There was a second one
under a staple.

I told her to turn down 30 days.

I thought you were
supervising her.

I had to step out!
Jesus, Bambi, toughen up.

- Stop calling me Bambi!
- Okay, listen.

We all make mistakes.

I just don'’t want to end up
talking to myself in a closet

- like some weirdo. No offense.
- None taken.

Is there any way
that I can fix this?

Some things can'’t be fixed.

You just learn to deal
and you move on.

You guys keep saying this,
but it'’s not getting any better.

It'’s getting worse.

Okay, you want me to show you
what really helps?

- Yes.
- You want to join?

Honey, you know
I don'’t hit people.

♪ I go hard, I don't quit
I just win ♪

♪ I gotta get it grinding
I'm shining ♪

I'’m guessing there'’s
no Zumba classes.

No. No Jacuzzi, no spa.

Are we really going
to hit each other?

Just the bag. Baby steps.

Okay, how do you do that?

Years of Bikram yoga.
You should try it sometime.

Hot yoga, vagi-steam,
hot sauna...

You know, you need to stop
paying for hot shit.

You need to move your body.

Throw a few jabs,
take a few hits.

- What?
- I'’m not used to this.

You know, boxing didn'’t come
naturally to me, either.

Actually, I got the bug
from my dad.

We used to watch bouts
when I was a little girl...

No, I mean the way I grew up.

I'’m not used to being around
a lot of... people like us.

- People like us?
- You know, African-Americans.

Girl, you know you can say
black people, right?

I grew up
in Darien, Connecticut.

I'’m used to being the only
black person in the room.

I know how to be that person.

But our job,
even being here, I...

Usually I feel like
I'’m too black,

but lately I'’ve been feeling
like I'’m not black enough.

You know, it wasn'’t until
I was out of law school

that I actually stopped
trying to fit in,

and said to hell with
who my parents

and everyone else
thought I should be.

And you know what?

I actually started to love
my unpredictable,

stubborn, workaholic,
junk food-eating ass.

How '‘bout you try just
being Vanessa?

Personally, I think you'’ll find
she'’s pretty dope.

Dope is usually not the first
word people use to describe me.

Well, that is because most of
your friends are probably corny.

Come on. Time to show these boys
how the big girls fight.

"“The New Jim Crow
Alive & Well In New York?

When Anthony Henry plead guilty
to felony marijuana possession

in exchange for probation,
he began his descent

into second-class citizenship"”.

I'’ve been saying that for years.

"“Anthony'’s felony conviction
prevents him from sitting

on a jury and, in many states,
voting"”.

- 63,000 views!
- No!

Here'’s where you
bring it home, though:

"“With one in three black men
crossing paths

with the criminal justice system
at some point in their lives,

this second class is growing
and undoing many of the gains

of the Civil Rights movement.
If you act in violation

of this new Jim Crow,
you suffer.

This Anthony discovered when
he responded to a jury summons"”.

Ooh, Tom is going to love this!

The practice of jailing jurors
who lobby to acquit

might have a chilling effect
on the jury room.

Is Ms. Sullivan accusing
Judge Blackburn

of intentionally
intimidating a juror?

Your Honor, this piece
wasn'’t written by Ms. Sullivan.

This may not be her byline,
but it sounds exactly like her.

Did you guys check out some of
these comments? Listen:

"“Judge Blackburn'’s a witch
with a heart of stone...

With teats as shriveled
as walnuts"”.

You can'’t possibly
be holding us responsible

for anonymous comments
on an article we didn'’t write.

Look, Tom, you protect yours.
I protect mine.

Which means your office
is about to seriously regret

using the press to try
and strong-arm one of my judges.

- So we good on the continuance?
- Two weeks? That'’s fine.

Judge, the People consent

to our request for
a two-week continuance.

Sorry, I'’m sending you out
for trial.

The People have their
offices here.

Your Honor,
Mr. Kasden isn'’t available.

- He'’s engaged in trial.
- Too bad.

Get someone else
over here to try it.

- Jury 5. Next case.
- Docket ending 845,

People vs. Linda Curran.
Step up.

This case is up for
a Huntley Hearing, Your Honor.

Ms. Feynman is out sick and
requests a two-day continuance.

You can do the hearing,
Counselor.

I'’m not familiar with the case!

So many excuses today.

Here you go.
Your coffee, piping hot.

Thanks. Listen, your case
is last on the docket.

If I try to move it up,
I'’ll get my head chewed off.

Come on, are you serious?
- That Examiner article?

The judges are on a war path.
I wish I could help.

Oh, also, the clerk
in arraignments

has a client asking for you.

He was arrested for marijuana
possession last night.

Anthony!

I'’m already
out on a limb for you!

It was one joint.
It was stupid.

And guess who has a copy of your
article with him on the bench?

Docket ending 772
The People vs. Anthony Henry.

Step up.

Well, well.
Is that the Anthony Henry?

Judge, may we approach?

Looks like it'’s duck-hunting
season on you guys right now.

Give it a rest, Patel.

Judge, I'’m going to ask
that you ROR my client.

Ms. Sullivan, there'’s no way
in God'’s holy creation

- I'’m doing that.
- As I'’m sure you are aware,

he has a matter
in front of Judge Blackburn.

Oh, I'’m aware.
The whole building'’s aware.

The People are offering 90 days
on the new drug case.

- 90 days?
- I'’ll set $2,500 bail.

- On a weed case?
- It'’s a very serious charge.

Okay, 90 days to cover
the marijuana and the perjury.

We haven'’t voted
on the perjury yet.

You walk into Blackburn'’s
courtroom with a guilty plea

on the perjury,
she is completely validated.

Alright. But there'’s nothing
I can do on the contempt charge.

That is between you
and the Judge.

Good morning.

In light of Mr. Henry'’s guilty
plea to the perjury charge

in this case, I will dismiss
the contempt of court charge.

He has taken responsibility
for his actions,

and the court is satisfied.

- Thank you, Your Honor.
- That being said, Ms. Sullivan,

your behavior in this case
has been unpardonable.

- Your Honor, how is that?
- Uh-uh!

You have
a duty to defend your client,

but, first, you are
an officer of this court

and you must operate effectively
within the judicial system.

Instead, you conspired

to expose this court
to ridicule and mistrust.

For that reason,
you are hereby banned

from ever appearing before
or practicing law

in front of me again.

Your Honor...

I appreciate the fact
that you acknowledge that

in light of all that has
transpired between us,

you cannot be fair
to either me or my client.

- Oh no, actually...
- No, truly!

- Ms. Sullivan, that is not...
- That you can be bigger woman

and admit your bias
is truly exceptional.

So let me commend and thank you.

We are adjourned.

- Anthony, I am so sorry.
- It'’s not your fault.

Is there an official document
banning you, or something?

I don'’t think so, why?

'‘Cause I think I would like
a copy for inspiration

as I write the first
Veronica Sullivan novel.

Veronica? Is that her name?

Yeah. It means
"“She who brings victory" ”.

Except I didn'’t win.
I lost.

You fought for your client
like a mother-bear.

- And that'’s what counts.
- Thank you.

I should'’ve never answered
that jury summons.

You did the right thing.

Going'’ to jail,
for doing what'’s right.

- It'’s crazy.
- I know it is.

♪ Faces I love ♪

♪ Craving for some feeling ♪

♪ Game'’s up ♪

Look, I know this office
runs on gossip,

so I want to get
to hear it from your first.

- Blackburn had it coming...
- I'’m promoting Charlie

to supervisor.

Wait, what?
Because of Blackburn, seriously?

You know her banning me
was just punishment

for me recusing her
from my case, right?

Which I told you not to do.

Tom, she was gonna seriously
hurt my client!

You didn'’t think it through!

There was a full PD shutdown
because of it!

- And you'’re blaming me?
- Of course I'’m blaming you!

Tom, I went to bat
for my client!

You are punishing me
for giving a shit.

Charlie is damn good at his job
but nobody in this office

works harder
or cares more than me!

When you have tunnel vision,
you don'’t think things through.

You get obsessed with something
and you pursue it

with such
a single-minded purpose

that you don'’t look
at the wreckage around you,

what you'’re doing to yourself!
I see the crap that you eat.

You over-extend yourself.

And I know first-hand
what that does.

You'’re slowly killing yourself.

- But, Tom, that has nothing...
- There'’s no buts.

You need to get a handle
on your life, kiddo.

♪ I'm stuck here in my skin ♪

♪ I'm stuck, I'm stuck ♪

♪ I'm stuck with you ♪

♪ Tell me it gets easier ♪

♪ Tell me it gets easier ♪

- I only have 15 minutes.
- This won'’t take that long.

Don'’t undercut yourself, Mister.

I just wanted you to know

that I'’m not cheating
on Audrey anymore.

Really?

Well, what do you call this?

I'’m not cheating on her
because I left her.

- You what?
- Now we can really be together.

Of course,
I'’ll have to recuse myself.

What do you think this is,
exactly?

A relationship.

[laughing]

My daddy was a no-account
son of a bitch,

but he taught me one thing
that turned out to be true:

you don'’t look for love
where you look for sex.

Why did you have
to mess this up?

Well, listen, thanks so much
for coming by, Earl.

- I really appreciate it.
- Dad?

Gwen!
What are you doing here?

I came to try to make things
right with Judge Blackburn.

Well, your father already beat
you to it, Ms. Sullivan.

And it'’s only because
I respect him so much

I told him that
I would consider lifting my ban.

Alright, Earl,
always great to see you.

- Great to see you!
- You take care.

- Okay.
- Okay.

Thank you.

Dad, exactly what do you think
you'’re doing here?

Sweetheart, you were banned
from ever appearing

before a judge again.
I was just trying to help.

You weren'’t trying to help me!

You were trying to help
your reputation.

- That is not fair.
- You know you haven'’t set foot

in this building to come
and see me in court,

but you'll come here
to save face?

Why is it that you can'’t
accept my help?

You haven'’t even cashed
the check that I sent you.

You didn'’t send it to me.
You sent it to my roommate.

And I would appreciate it
if you did not get between us.

- And I don'’t need your help.
- Obviously, you do.

You know, you can'’t just throw

your money and
your criticism around

and call it parenting.

It didn'’t work for David
and it won'’t work for me.

Gwen!

[classical music playing]

Hamilton Heights money
must be nice.

You sure you'’re up for this?
After today?

Yeah, you won. Congratulations.

I'’m talking about
what happened with Blackburn.

Oh, sorry.
Seriously, no gloating?

Oh, I'’m gonna gloat.
Just later.

It'’s no fun kicking you
when you'’re down.

You really clean up nice.
You are killing that dress!

- Thank you!
- Oh, you know what?

- I saw that tag in the back.
- No, just... just tuck it!

My people. My people.

Gwen!
I heard you had a day.

It means so much to us
that you could still make it.

Oh, of course! Congratulations!

Oh, no, no.
The invitation said no gifts.

Yeah, but nobody ever
means that.

We do. Donations only.

To the Plentiful Hope
Children'’s Foundation.

Excuse me.

- Hey, glad you could make it!
- Bennet!

- Charlie!
- Thank you for having us.

Of course, of course.

Okay.
Groom'’s most romantic spot.

Oh, Montmartre! Next to the
Basilica du Sacré-Coeur,

- in Paris, where he proposed.
- Aww.

Correct!
His favorite drink?

Oh! Captain and Coke
back in college!

Bro. Where have you been?

Now he likes big Italian reds.
I'’d say a Barolo like Massolino.

Yes.
Favorite comfort food?

Oh, my dairy-free
Mac and Cheese.

- Chicken and waffles.
- Yes! Chicken and waffles!

Baby, you don'’t even eat meat
anymore.

A man can reminisce, can'’t he?

What'’s the one thing Bennet
would save in a fire?

- Photographs.
- His manuscripts.

Gwen got it!
Favorite athlete of all time.

- Oh, Michael Jordan!
- No, Bill Russell!

Damn, girl, you'’re killing it!

Hey, is she your sister
or something?

'‘Cause that'’s cheating!

What was the first car
Bennet drove?

I don'’t even know.

It was a 1974 Volkswagen
Karmann Ghia convertible,

orange with grey interior,
four-speed.

Shit! Shit!

Sorry!

Is this the bathroom?

No gifts, huh? That'’s some
passive-aggressive bullshit.

- I'’m sorry, uh...
- No, it'’s...

It'’s okay. I spilled something
on my dress and...

- We have a guest bathroom.
- I know, but...

Bill Russell changed the face
of basketball.

And you have always loved
chicken and waffles.

And your orange Karmann Ghia!

How does she not know
those things?

And why not me, Bennet?

♪ Wait, all that I did
Was wait ♪

♪ Wait, and I dreamed
That you said my name ♪

♪ Wait, but it only
Caused me pain ♪

♪ When I wait, no
I still didn't see your face ♪

♪ And you just left me
In your blind spot ♪

♪ Drive off, tell me
I'm your everything ♪

♪ Know I didn't mean a thing ♪

♪ Don't you tell me
That our time'’s up ♪

♪ My love, hit you
Like a bullet train ♪

♪ Now you want it
Back again ♪

♪ I've been over thinking ♪

♪ I was hoping hard
And hanging on for us ♪

♪ 'Cause you left me
Like a spirit ♪

♪ Just a ghost of you
To haunt me through the dust ♪

♪ I've been over thinking ♪

♪ I was hoping hard
And hanging on for us ♪

♪ 'Cause you left me
Like a spirit ♪

♪ Just a ghost of you
To haunt me through the dust ♪

Showing up the bride-to-be
must have been exhausting.

- What'’s your problem?
- No, no problem.

Just don'’t like being dragged
to some whack-ass bougie party

- just so you could...
- What?

Where did you disappear to,
anyway?

- I was talking to other people.
- Who?

- I was talking to Bennet.
- For that long?

Ah, hell no.

You had sex with him.
At the man'’s wedding shower!

That'’s cold.
Even I wouldn'’t do that.

It was a bad choice.

You are the queen
of bad choices.

Buy clothes you can'’t afford,
not paying your bills,

getting banned by a judge...

Maybe that'’s why Tom
didn'’t make you supervisor.

[bleep] you, Charlie.

Pull the car over, please.
I don'’t need this shit.

Hey, Sharon, it'’s me.

Yeah, I remember.
What are you doing tonight?

♪ It'’s not what you said
It'’s how you said it ♪

♪ And don't you say you love
me When you know you'll regret it ♪

♪ It's not what we did
It's what we didn't ♪

♪ We've been losing time And
don't know how to admit it ♪

♪ When love
Don't feel right ♪

♪ We get along
Get along on the outside ♪

♪ Head out the door
But our hearts on the inside ♪

♪ Love, hearts ain't gonna
Hearts ain't gonna lie ♪

♪ We're half of the same... ♪

♪ Don't take that the wrong
way You know what I mean ♪

♪ Hearts ain't gonna
Hearts ain't gonna lie ♪

♪ Won't do this again ♪

♪ Don't take that the wrong
way You know what I mean ♪

♪ Hearts ain't gonna
Hearts ain't gonna lie ♪

Next time on In Contempt:

There'’s obviously unfinished
business between the two of you.

I want you to finish it.
I'’m giving you 30 days.

Pack a bag.
That 30 days starts right now.

I'’ve been stopped like 40 times.

- Excuse me?
- Three times by this same cop.

That cop stopped my client for
no other reason than he'’s black!

You know it, I know it,
and she knows it.

Holy shit! Tessa?

Oh, I just saw on Twitter
you got engaged!

This must be your fiancée.
Alison?

No, actually, this is my sister.