Monarch (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Stop at Nothing - full transcript

A Roman never forgets a friend.

Or an enemy.

Lifetime Achievement Award. Wow.

Y'all sure know how to make
a girl feel special.

And old.

But then again,
this honor cements in history

Albie and my long and beautiful
relationship with our fans.

So thank you.

Okay, we have time

for one last question.

Dottie! Dottie! Dottie!



Dottie! Dottie, you've been
the queen of country music

for nearly 40 years.

In all that time, any regrets?

Regrets?

No, ma'am. Not a one.

Sorry, that's
all the time we have.

You'll see Dottie
at the musicale.

Dottie! Dottie! Dottie!

The rumor making the rounds
is that you're sick.

That's why
you're not performing.

She said no more questions.

That you've got cancer.

That you're even beyond
the doctors' help.

Now I'm saying
no more questions.



♪ American cowgirl ♪

♪ I rope your heart
and take the reins ♪

♪ I got a love as big as Texas ♪

♪ Running through my veins ♪

♪ I'm a don't back down girl ♪

♪ I saddle up
and stake my claim ♪

♪ Put the wild
in the wild, wild West ♪

♪ And live up to my name ♪

♪ Red lips, blue jeans ♪

♪ White pearls ♪

♪ I'm an American cowgirl ♪

♪ I'm an American cowgirl ♪

♪ Yeah. ♪

Good, thank you.
Hey, thanks, y'all, thank you.

Hey, Bobby, the, uh, the light's
about 15 degrees too low.

It's making me squint.
You know what squinting does.

Causes wrinkles.

- Supposed to not make me look my age.
- That's my sister,

professional bitch.

Oh, yeah, that's right,
a woman can be Mother Teresa

every day of her life,
and she doesn't say "please"

or "thank you" one time,

and she's a bitch for evermore.

- Hey.
- Hi.

You, uh, see the news
this morning?

Daddy still knows
how to use his right hook.

Yeah.

All right, come on, say it.

- Say what?
- Whatever it is you came here to say,

'cause I know that look.

I ain't saying it
as your brother, all right?

I'm saying it
as the CEO of Monarch.

Oof. Sounds ominous.

The CMAs don't want you
performing "Cowgirl" tonight.

They don't want the song
or they don't want me?

They want you,

they just want you to harmonize
with Daddy on "The Brambles."

They don't see you
as a solo act, Nicky.

Okay, so, a lifetime in this
business, and I'm still...

I'm still looked
at as a sidekick.

How am I supposed
to make it on my own

if I don't get a chance?

Mama cuts a long shadow, Nick.

You're gonna have
to make your own chance.

Oh, I intend to.

And I won't forget
to say "please."

Who would do such a thing?

And what have I ever done
to a single living soul

- to leak that I'm dying?
- Well, never know it to look at you.

Thank you, Jesus
and Crème de la Mer.

But I don't understand.
Why not deny it?

That's not what
the Roman family does.

We tell the truth
even when it hurts.

Dot...

Is there really nothing more
they can do for you?

This isn't terrible.

"The Romans will kick off
their legendary Family Weekend

with a long-deserved
lifetime achievement award."

Look at that.

"Will the Roman era
go on without her?"

You bet your sweet
Texas ass it will.

There's my girl.
Now let's get that hair did.

♪ It's all about tonight ♪

♪ Good times, and the music... ♪

Dottie, look this way!

Dottie, over here?

Dottie, over here.

Dottie, how long do you have?

Don't believe
everything you read, now.

Let's keep it light, Felicia.
This is a joyful night.

- Hey. I need to get in. I-I'm on the list.
- Badges only, ma'am.

- Nicky. Hey.
- Oh, my goodness.

I know, I know,

it's hard to believe,
but they are my family.

Hi, excuse me?

That-That's my sister.
She's with me.

You couldn't even pretend
to care? You look like roadkill.

I look like a mom
that left work and raced here

to support her parents, Nicky.

If that keeps me off the cover
of Vogue, then so be it.

- Over here, Nicky.
- Let's get inside. Come on.

And now, to present
the CMA Lifetime Achievement Award,

Martina McBride.

The Texas Truth-teller
and his Rose have 12 Grammys,

18 CMAs, and more hits
than I can name.

I mean, y'all don't
even need this award.

You are the king
and queen of country music.

We'll take it anyhow.

Performing the iconic hit

that declared
his love for Dottie

and started it all...
"The Brambles"...

Albie and Nicky Roman.

♪ There's so much good
I want to do ♪

♪ God knows the bad
that I've done ♪

♪ It only takes
one look at you ♪

♪ To see the man
I want to become ♪

♪ Mm-hmm ♪

♪ Oh, this ain't
the kind of pain ♪

♪ That you don't go through ♪

♪ So let all the mountains
just fall ♪

♪ Into the devil's sea ♪

♪ There's nothing I would undo ♪

♪ I'd run through the thorns
for you ♪

♪ 'Cause you are the rose ♪

♪ For your love I'd go ♪

♪ I'd go through the brambles ♪

♪ For your love I'd go... ♪

♪ Go through the brambles. ♪

Thank you very much, Martina.

Thank you. Uh...

Well, I think you know,

this is my... my last time
on this stage.

But we've had some
good times, haven't we?

And the Roman family legacy
will continue,

with Albie, of course,
and my children

Nicky, Gigi and Luke.

And I promise,
they will always entertain you.

I love y'all.

Mama?

Hey. Well, you were amazing.

- What a night, huh?
- We got to talk business, baby.

You mean the People article?

- I know.
- We got to show the world

that the Roman family legacy
will carry on beyond me.

We are the first damn family
of country music.

This is my last musicale.

It's our chance to show
who we are now and forever.

I need you to make sure it goes
perfect so I can die in peace.

And then it's your turn, baby.

Starting with the world tour.

Mama, don't talk like that.
The doctors said you had months.

- You're not dying anytime soon.
- Oh, yes, I am.

I'm dying Saturday night,
right after the concert.

And you're gonna help me do it.

Nicky.

You okay?

Yeah. No.

It's Mama. Um...

You can't take it all on.

Dottie dying is not
in your control.

Uh, I'm sorry, but, um...

I've got to fly
to L. A. Tomorrow for reshoots.

No. No, come on,
we've got the Family Weekend

and I really
need you there, Clive.

I know, and I want
to be there, babe,

but I'm at the mercy
of James Rathbone.

The director
of an $80 million movie

doesn't care if it's a big
weekend for my wife's family.

You'll be fine without me.

You always are.

Hey, Mom.

Hey, guys. Breakfast?

- I'll have some.
- I'll have pancakes.

Me, too.

Alec, of course we understand,
things are gonna have to pivot.

You know, without Mama it's not
the Roman Legends tour anymore.

Right, so it's gonna be
more of a tribute to Mama.

As the promoter,
I'm telling you,

without her, there is no tour.

Now, your father is a legend,

but he hasn't had
a hit in a decade.

- He's got me.
- And, Nicky, you're very talented,

but you're not her.

- I will be.
- All due respect,

you're on the wrong side
of forty...

Don't you dare.

- Should we get some orange juice?
- With all due respect,

you're on the wrong side

of knowing your ass
from your elbow.

See, I've been dancing
in her footsteps

since the day I was born.

I've been preparing
for this moment my entire life.

Tell you what, you come to our
family concert Saturday night.

You think I can't
continue this legacy?

You just watch.

I signed as always,

- but it's double the amount.
- They saw the People article.

They know they don't
have forever anymore.

- That was not the deal.
- The deal was,

you pay them what
they demand every month.

For the rest of my life.

What guarantee do we have

that they'll give us
the documents after I'm gone?

You have my word.

You've always been
good to us, Marty.

Like family.

And Lord knows, family
is the most important thing

in this world.

Thank you.

See you next month, Mrs. Roman.

Well, yeah, according to Graham,
I'm not enough

to carry the tour on my own,
so I pitched instead

a family legacy tour
in honor of Mama.

He's gonna come see us

at the musicale Saturday,
so we got to bring our A game.

And, Geeg, that would mean
you singing.

Right you are, Nicolette.

Yeah? Thank you.

- Bye, baby.
- See you, Daddy.

I love you, too, Dad.

Hmm, what's he gonna do
when Mama's gone?

Booze and blunts
all the way to the horizon.

- You hear what I said about the musicale?
- Yeah.

I heard you. Now hear me.

I'm sorry Graham said
you weren't enough.

But Mama's been telling me that
my whole life.

There's a reason I gave up
on music all those years ago.

Come on, please,
this is important.

To her. And I know
y'all want to please her,

but this is what Mama
wanted for you, Nicky.

So...

if y'all want to fight
for her love, go for it.

But I'm done.

♪ Well, the midnight
headlights ♪

♪ Blind you on a rainy night,
steep grade up ahead ♪

♪ Slow me down, making no time ♪

♪ But I got to keep rolling... ♪

Hey, baby.

Nuh-uh. Don't you
"Hey, baby" me.

We need to talk about
what you asked me last night.

I didn't ask you anything.

- Don't be cute, Mama.
- I can't help it.

- How's the preparation going...
- No, what do you mean, "How is the prep going?"

You said you were gonna
kill yourself.

No... God is killing me,
Nicolette.

I just want to get it done
on my own terms.

Now, I want to die
the way I lived,

with a smile on my face
and flawless hair.

Oh, my God, you're serious.

It is a sin.

Child, if there's a hell,
I booked my ticket years ago.

What if I can't?

If you're not ready for this,

then I guess I didn't
do my job right.

Well, who do you think
I should ask?

Your daddy? I mean,
you think he's gonna understand?

Or Luke? That sweet boy,
I mean, he'd rather

gobble those pills himself
than give them to me.

And Gigi? Well, I mean,
that child's a wild card.

Nobody knows what the hell
she's gonna do.

And they can't know, ever.

Got to let them
think God took me.

And how would I ever look any
of them in the eyes ever again?

You don't know
what you're asking.

Yes, I do.

♪ Welcome to the show,
welcome to the home of... ♪

It's no secret,
Wade, you're the hottest act

in Nashville, but Monarch's
more than just a boutique label.

We take a back seat to nobody.

Our A&R team is cutting-edge.

We're always developing
new talent.

You see, every artist, there's
a different road to the top.

For Wade Stellings, well...
I intend to make you a legend.

I appreciate it, man,
but I got to be honest with you.

You've already heard
the same thing from Warners

and Sony Nashville.

Yeah.

No surprise.

You know why?

'Cause it's all a bunch of crap.
Come on.

You see,
Monarch is a family company.

The shareholders... my mama,
my daddy, my sisters and me.

Do you think those other labels
know that your father

was a fishing guide
in South Georgia?

Or that your last single was
about trawling for bass with him

- before he got sick?
- "River Run."

That song means a lot to me.

Now, I'm not trying
to one-up that memory, but...

you ever been fishing
off a glacier?

♪ Welcome to the show... ♪

A glacier?

Hey.

Hey.

- Thanks, darling.
- You're welcome.

I'm sorry I lost my cool
with that reporter.

I just don't take kindly
to being reminded

about what it is you're facing.

Baby, you're gonna
have to face it.

I mean, for you, for me,
for the family.

I feel like I failed you, Dot.

Oh, no, you haven't failed me.

It's just my body's failed me.
That's all.

I mean, not in every department,
as you well know, but...

If that reporter had asked you
if you have any regrets,

what would you have said?

I think you saw
what my answer would've been.

All right, if I asked you
if you had any?

Well, then I'd say...

I don't believe in regret.

♪ He's been working hard ♪

♪ All week, and now is not... ♪

- James, hi.
- Nicky, yeah, hi.

Uh, sorry we missed you earlier.

We would love to come
to your musicale Saturday night.

What about the reshoots?

What reshoots? We're locked.

And we're, uh, looking forward
to seeing Clive, too.

To be honest, when your mother's
team pushed to cast him,

I was skeptical,
but, uh, he surprised me.

He does that.

I'll see you soon. Bye.

Okay, ciao. Bye-bye.

You mother...

Well, I guess you didn't hear.

We just signed Wade Stellings.

Yeah, I heard.

Hired a private helicopter,
flew him out,

landed him on a glacier,
took him ice fishing.

So? You know talent.

Sometimes you got to bring out
the big guns.

Dad, this is good for Monarch.

Well, what is it you want?

A reward for doing your job?

You get one every two weeks.
It's called a paycheck.

You know,
most artists don't talk

to the CEO
of their label that way.

Mm. Yeah, well,

most CEOs ain't
handpicked by Mommy.

What have I got to do? Tell me.

For you to look at me the way
you look at Nicky and Gigi,

what's enough?

When am I gonna be enough?

You know why Mama
brought me on board?

'Cause she needed someone
to bring us into the future

and stop living in the past.

But if that ain't
working for you,

maybe I should just step aside.

Yeah.

Maybe you should.

Come on, dog.

So, uh, I figured out who,
who leaked that People article.

You did.

Now, how could you keep
what you're going through

from your fans?

You deserved to write
your own tribute.

That's what I would've done.

It's time to show you
what you're wearing tomorrow

at the musicale.

Ta-da.

Oh...

It's perfect.

You're perfect.

You know, Nicky, I never
wanted just to be a star.

I wanted to create a dynasty,
and I did.

We always knew that, with your
God-given beauty and talent,

that it was gonna be your
destiny to continue our legacy.

Mama, America fell in love
with you and Daddy

when, when you were 19.

Just because I'm your daughter
doesn't mean

that they're, they're gonna
love me like they love you.

After the concert, your daddy's
gonna be whooping it up

with his buddies
and playing till dawn as usual,

and I need you
to come to my room

and help me go out
on a high note.

Please don't ask me to do this.

I want to be looking
at my baby as I leave.

I want to be looking
in your eyes.

Heavy is the head
that wears the crown, baby.

Yes, you are.

Want to see me, Mama?

Yes, I do. Is it true

that you are threatening
to leave Monarch?

Well, tell me,
what's the point anymore?

The point is that you
are part of this family

and Monarch is our legacy.

The music's the legacy.

And Dad made it
pretty clear long ago

that he didn't think
I had what it took.

And so, what did you do?

You used that big brain of yours

to build up this company
to what it is today.

And now you're talking
about just walking away?

Don't be a horse's ass.

Oh, sorry, no offense,
Miss Cassie.

Look, your father is an artist,
he is not a businessman.

He doesn't appreciate
what you do

because he doesn't
understand it.

But he does need you.

He knows that, trust me.

Well, he has a hell
of a way of showing it.

That's him.

- Yeah.
- You know how I feel, huh?

You're my sweet boy.

And I am so proud of you.

You can do anything. Anything.

And that's why
I am leaving you...

I'm leaving you
all my voting shares in Monarch.

When I'm gone,

I need to know that our legacy
is in good hands.

- Your hands.
- No, Ma, I'm not talking about this now.

We have to talk about it,
that day is coming fast,

we want it or not.

I need you to promise me

that you will stay
where you belong.

Come on, you're not gonna deny
a dying woman her last wish?

Mama, stop. Okay.

- Okay, I promise.
- Thank you.

Love you, Luke.

Uh, what are you doing?
We need to go.

We're meeting my family
at Gigi's bar.

Flight's in a couple
of hours. L. A.?

Rathbone didn't call you?
The reshoots are off.

In fact, it's like
they never existed at all.

Nicky, it's over.

All right? I ended it.
I'm sorry.

Yeah, I know, you're sorry,
you have your reasons.

How old is she this time,
Clive, hmm? Is she able to vote?

Nick, could you just try

and see our life
from my point of view, eh?

I know, it's so hard
being Mr. Nicky Roman.

You know what is hard,
is never having visible roots.

Or taking a red-eye from Japan
to make Tatum's horse show

or Ace's therapy

or taking a photograph
with every single fan

until your feet are swollen
from six-inch heels.

What's hard, Clive,

is having to be so damn perfect.

We'll talk about this later.

Because this weekend's
about celebrating

two people who have actually
been true to each other.

Even when things got hard.

There.

♪ Oh, get down, turn around,
go to town... ♪

- Love you, Nicky.
- Thank you.

Hey, pretty.

Hey, gorgeous.

Look who's got hot young
cowboys hanging off of her.

Yeah. I'm married, marginally.

Not again.

He's lucky he's not sucking
crumpets through a straw by now.

You know, I always thought
I had the perfect marriage,

like Mama and Daddy's,
but I guess...

...I guess this
is what marriage is.

Well, that's a steaming pile
of horse manure.

You deserve what I have.

Now, you wouldn't
be trying to steal this

legend in the making
out from under me, would you?

Hey, Luke.

Well, seems like
you two power brokers

have some business to discuss.

So I'll be seeing y'all later.

I've missed you.

You haven't been avoiding me,
have you?

Honestly? Yes.

What happened between us
was a mistake.

I feel terrible. I am married.

I know.

Kayla.

All right, welcome!

We love you, Gigi!

Welcome to Roman Family Weekend
2022, y'all.

Hey, Luke, you want to come
up here and start us off?

- All right.
- My brother Luke usually avoids the spotlight,

but get on up here,
don't be shy.

Luke, you're so hot!

It's all yours.

♪ Country music singers ♪

♪ Have always been
a real close family ♪

♪ But lately
some of my kinfolks ♪

♪ Have disowned
a few others and me ♪

♪ I guess it's because ♪

♪ I kind of changed
my direction ♪

♪ Lord, I guess
I went and broke ♪

♪ Their family tradition ♪

♪ So don't ask me ♪

♪ Why do you drink? ♪

♪ Why do you roll smoke? ♪

♪ Why must you live out ♪

♪ The songs that you wrote? ♪

♪ Stop and think it over ♪

♪ Try and put yourself
in my unique position ♪

- ♪ Oh, yeah ♪
- ♪ If I get stoned ♪

♪ And sing all night long ♪

♪ It's a family tradition ♪

♪ One more time, yeah ♪

♪ If I get stoned
and sing all night long ♪

♪ It's a family tradition. ♪

All righty, just
a few announcements.

The musicale is on Saturday

at 7:30.

And I believe...

You know my wife Kayla.

♪ I like smoke, neon lights ♪

♪ Country music
when it's played right... ♪

So, about an hour. All right.

Nicolette,

you didn't tell me that you had
breakfast with Alec last week.

I didn't?
That must've slipped my mind.

I've been trying to convince him
I can carry the tour.

I'm glad to see you wearing
the crown. It suits you.

Don't you think so, Alec?

I got to go.

Gigi?

- What?
- Get on over here.

I hear you're not
singing tonight.

Mm-mm.

You are so stubborn

and strong and know who you are.

And I just love that about you.

Look, we both know that
what I needed to do to be a star

did not make me
mother of the year,

but I did do one thing right.

I raised my kids
to look out for each other.

So if you don't want
to sing for me, then I get it.

But then again,

I'm not the one asking, am I?

Welcome to the musicale.

♪ A long time forgotten
are dreams that just fell ♪

♪ By the way ♪

♪ The good life he promised ♪

♪ Ain't what
she's living today... ♪

Hi.

Well, so much
for the family tour.

Gigi's out.

Oh, good God.

What's your plan?

My plan?

Well, my plan was
to outwork everyone,

And, uh, have
a solo career in my 20s,

a hit single in my 30s,

and by now I'd be selling out
world tours, but instead...

...I'm being told
that I'm not good enough.

I'm so sorry, Nick.

- We don't need this tour.
- No?

Mama needs it.
And she hasn't got much longer.

And... I need it.

I mean, how many years
do I even have left

to make a name for myself?

So you want to know my plan?

My plan is that I'm gonna go
out there and I'm gonna...

...I'm gonna face that world
that says I'm not good enough.

All right?

'Cause a semi-wise man
told me that I got to make

my own chances.

So, as heartbreaking as it is...

...here I go.

All right, our next guest,

my daughter Nicky Roman,

who I know you'll appreciate
as much as I do.

Nicky!

♪ How do I ♪

♪ Get through one night
without you? ♪

♪ If I had to live without you ♪

♪ What kind of life
would that be? ♪

♪ Yet I ♪

♪ Need you in my arms,
need you to hold ♪

♪ You're my world,
my heart, my soul ♪

♪ If you ever leave ♪

♪ Baby, you would
take away everything ♪

♪ Good in my life ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ And tell me now ♪

♪ How do I live without you? ♪

♪ I want to know ♪

♪ How do I breathe
without you? ♪

♪ If you ever go... ♪

Thank you, Lord.

♪ How do I ever ♪

♪ Ever survive? ♪

- ♪ How do I ♪
- ♪ How do I ♪

♪ How do I ♪

♪ Oh, how do I live ♪

♪ Without you? ♪

♪ There'd be no sun in my sky ♪

♪ There would be no love
in my life ♪

♪ There'd be no world
left for me ♪

♪ And I ♪

♪ Baby, I don't know
what I would do ♪

♪ I'd be lost if I lost you ♪

♪ If you ever leave ♪

♪ Baby, you would take away
everything ♪

♪ Real in my life ♪

♪ And tell me now ♪

♪ How do I live without you? ♪

♪ I want to know ♪

♪ How do I breathe
without you? ♪

♪ If you ever go ♪

♪ How do I ever ♪

♪ Ever survive? ♪

- ♪ How do I, how do I ♪
- ♪ How do I ♪

- ♪ How do I, how do I ♪
- ♪ Oh, how do I ♪

♪ Live? ♪

♪ Please tell me, baby ♪

♪ How do I live? ♪

Where have you been hiding her?

We Romans like to choose
our moment.

Thank you.

Thank you for making Mama happy.
Thank you.

- I did it for you.
- I knew you would,

- and I love you for it.
- Gigi! Gigi!

Gigi! Gigi!

- Gigi! Gigi!
- You see?

You see? You were afraid

for nothing.

I wasn't afraid.

I love it out there.

All right. Well, then,

why haven't you done it before?

Well, this is
what you always wanted,

- and I wasn't gonna step on your toes or just...
- Hold up.

So you stayed out
of the spotlight

because you thought...

...you'd outshine me?

Well,
there can only be one queen.

Isn't that
what Mama always said?

Hmm?

You want to be a star?

Bring it on, sister.

Oh, good night, Dot.

Will you touch
me up a little bit, sweetie?

Now?

- Yeah.
- Well, of course, my queen.

You know I love you.

I love you.

Perfect.

- There we go.
- Night.

Night.

It was a
beautiful night, my Rose.

Oh.

Well, hey.

You asked me something
the other day.

And my answer wasn't truthful.

I do have one regret,

and I've lived with it
for 40 years.

It was in the first days
of our marriage.

We'd just bought this place,

and there was a caretaker.

A woman.

She was young
and very flattering.

I don't know why

I did it.

Maybe I was just dumb.

Maybe I didn't feel worthy

of the good fortune
that brought me you.

I don't know.

But after the barn fire...

...she took off.

Ever since that day,

I'd never stray from you again.

Well, thank you
for finally telling me.

You knew?

I've always known.

I just didn't say anything

to you
because I wanted this life,

and I have had
a hell of a time enjoying it.

Texas Truth-teller, my ass.

Albie Roman,

you are a liar and a cheat.

And I will love you forever.

Oh, there she is.

Tonight was perfect.

How are you feeling?

I'm feeling nice and relaxed.

And I started
partying without you

and had a bit of these and...

Sit down.

Promise me

that you won't give up
on your dreams no matter what.

I promise.

How do I look?

You look beautiful as always.

Well...

I'm ready.

Those twister things, they...

How many?

All of them.

Nicky.

Come on.

That's my girl.

That's my princess.

Now, don't you worry.
I'm not in any pain.

Hey.

It's okay.

You are...

You are everything
I ever dreamed you'd be.

All because of you.

I will love you forever.

Dear Mama.

So wonderful. Yeah.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Gigi.

You were amazing.

You're the future
of country music.

You are the Roman legacy.

Mama?

How do you feel?

I feel nothing but love.

I'm not your father's Rose.

You...

I've done things
that can never be forgiven.

Mama's gone.

It was her time.

Her time?

What did you do?

Rest in peace.