Previously, on Family Law...
[ABBY] Hey! Probably not a good idea
to bring your latest fling this close to the courthouse.
This is Sabrina Bass...
soon-to-be ex-wife of Connery Bass.
[SHEEPISH CHUCKLE]
I have to try to make things work with Quinn.
- You have to? - I want to.
[ABBY, WROUGHT] You want to be a father.
I can't be the reason you're not.
Ms. Steele was the only client
that Mr. Svensson has dated?
These complaints were launched earlier today...
and they demonstrate a troubling pattern of behaviour.
I've been suspended from practicing law.
[HARRY] I have some news to share.
In time...
you will hear about this from other sources, so...
- best to hear it from me first. - What's going on?
You haven't heard? Harry's third-quarter life crisis.
The Law Society has suspended me for one month,
effective today.
Suspended? But why?
Because I am the victim of a witch hunt.
All you need to know is this hiccup
won't affect the firm,
or your employment.
I promise... we'll be as strong as ever.
[CECIL CLAPS]
And during Harry's absence,
I will ensure everything continues to run smoothly.
I won't be absent, Daniel.
I'll still be coming into the office... every day.
It'll be business as usual.
If anyone here has any questions about anything,
including your cases,
my door is always open.
[CHUCKLES] Unofficially, of course.
Thank you.
Wait... so who's in charge?
Dad. What happened? Why were you suspended?
[SIGHS] Crystal Steele
has filed an entirely fictitious complaint against me.
Wow. If only there had been signs that she was a terrible person.
You're not allowed to come to work!
That's a recommendation, Danny. Not a requirement.
Doesn't matter!
Being here gives outsiders the perception
- you're practicing law. - I have so many questions.
Dr. Svensson, your 9:00 is waiting.
And Mr. Svensson, Zander Davenport is here.
Hey, is he the guy from those cheesy detective movies?
The Peach Pie Mysteries!
Eleanor and I love that franchise.
It's like a warm hug...
minus the murders! [GIGGLES]
What should I tell him?
[FIRMLY] Put him in the boardroom, Winston.
I will be there shortly.
Okay.
Tell me what I need to know.
Zander and his ex were in a common-law relationship.
I helped him draw up the separation agreement.
Zander is extremely private about his personal life.
[ABBY] Is he? The tabloids show him pawing
a different Bratz doll every week.
- An actor? Great. Abby can take him. - [ABBY] What? No, no, no, no.
- No. Pepe Le Pew is all yours. - I want both of you on this.
Surely, you don't need both of us.
It's for the benefit of my client.
Two of you equals one of me.
- Well, almost. - [ABBY SCOFFS]
- Zander! Good to see you. - Harry!
Ha! Last time I saw you was at a Lions' game, I think, huh?
Oh. Zander, this is Daniel and Abigail.
What is this, a law firm or an agency for supermodels?
Thought I'd bring these in myself.
Did you put on fresh lipstick?
Mr. Davenport, wonderful to meet you. I'm a huge admirer of your work.
- Aw. What's your name, sweetheart? - Jerri.
Jerri! Beautiful name, for a beautiful lady.
[SMOOCH]
- Jerri. Separation agreement? - [SMACK]
W-What's he doing with those?
Zander, you know I'd help you personally, if I could,
but there's an emergency I must handle.
No, no, no, no. I don't like where this is going.
These are two of the best lawyers in town,
who promise their absolute discretion.
I'm gonna need them both to sign NDAs.
It's all covered
under lawyer-client confidentiality.
- [KNOCK-KNOCK] - The others are here.
Why is he being so cagey?
Please tell me his ex isn't a child bride.
All right, Zander. I'm here.
What is it this time?
[♪♪♪]
["UH-OH" BY JEREMY FISHER BEGINS]
♪ You can't prove it ♪
♪ Uh-oh ♪
♪ You got nothing legit ♪
♪ Uh-oh ♪
♪ The glove don't fit ♪
♪ Uh-oh ♪
♪ You got to acquit ♪
♪ Uh-oh ♪
♪ The charges won't stick 'Cause ♪
♪ I ain't no sucker ♪
♪ Ain't your lollipop ♪
♪ But ♪
♪ You can kiss my sweet ♪
♪ Uh-huh ♪
♪ Never gonna stop ♪
♪ Never gonna stop Never gonna stop ♪
♪ Never gonna stop ♪
- Synced and corrected by ChrisKe - -- for www.addic7ed.com --
Topher violated his NDA.
I've done no such thing.
- He wrote a play about me. - What play?
I wrote a one-man show that's running at a local theatre,
but it's about my life, not his.
The sign clearly said "no filming".
[TOPHER IN VIDEO] My third ex...
let's call him... "Zaddy".
Yes, he is an older man...
and also an actor.
There's no indication that this "Zaddy" is Mr. Davenport.
Now, Zaddy is best-known for starring in
those cozy TV murder mysteries...
- the... "Fruitcake Mysteries"? - [AUDIENCE SNICKERING]
We would go out into public
and he would see a "fan" and go,
"Oh! Quick! Hide in that trash can!"
- [LAUGHTER] - And I'd hear Zaddy,
he'd be all, like,
[AS ZANDER] "Why, hello there.
Is this a dumpster alley,
or a catwalk for supermodels?"
[CLUB AUDIENCE LAUGHING]
[AUDIENCE LAUGHTER CONTINUES]
- [ZANDER] You outed me! - Oh, come on.
It's not like I used the name "Zander".
- You called the character "Zaddy". - It's gay slang!
Telling me not to use it is homophobia.
- [SCOFFING] - You mentioned his profession,
his television show.
You were dropping breadcrumbs.
Clearly, you wanted people to find them.
Which violates the non-disclosure clause
in your separation agreement.
Both parties are barred
from sharing information about their relationship.
Okay. W... My client will agree to drop
the "Fruitcake Mysteries" reference
and change the name "Zaddy".
But this play had no negative impact on your client.
No negative impact?
I got fired!
No one at Kindred Broadcasting knew about my private life,
and then this comes out,
and then Kindred calls and says
they're recasting my part in the next movie!
That's not a coincidence.
Maybe it is. You're not exactly Daniel Day-Lewis.
Okay, Mr. Merigan's play outed my client.
This... blatant violation of their non-disclosure clause
- damaged his livelihood. - Well, good luck proving that.
Even if you can,
this is a small fringe play with no money attached to it.
I don't want his money! He doesn't have any money!
Except for the exorbitant amount that I have to pay him every month.
I want this play shut down! That's it!
I-I want him to honor h...
[♪♪♪]
Are you writing all this down?
No.
You know this can't go to court, right?
Anybody with too much time on their hands
can just waltz in, hear everything.
Abby and I will make a request for arbitration,
- to maintain your privacy. - [SKEPTICALLY] Mm-hmm.
Zander?
- How'd the meeting go? - Relationships aren't worth it.
- Better to die alone. - I will put that on a t-shirt.
Abigail, I'd like you to meet Maeve,
my personal assistant and dear friend.
I'd be lost without her.
Maeve and I have known each other...
how long have we known each other?
Six years. I had just graduated from film school and...
[CUTS HER OFF] That's right.
[LOUDLY] Yeah, six years we've been together.
Six happy years.
- [SMOOCH] Wow. - [MAEVE, FORCED CHUCKLE] So happy.
[ABBY] Honestly? It makes a strange bit of sense.
- He was almost too straight. - I feel for him.
The pressure to stay closeted is real.
I only worked up the nerve to come out to my parents last year.
You mean they didn't already... know?
I was school president, World Scholar's Cup winner...
they assumed I was too busy for girls.
"Best Little Boy in the World".
- Thank you. - No, it's a theory.
Closeted men work extra hard to be the best...
it deflects attention away from their sexuality.
Explains a lot about our client.
The John Wayne impression? Cheesy pickup lines?
[MOCKINGLY] "Beautiful name, for a beautiful lady."
It's called chivalry, and thanks to people like you two, it's dead.
You really think they fired him because he's gay?
It's the 21st century.
Not on Kindred. Have you seen their movies?
No queer characters. No people of color.
And you don't see any gay actors playing leading men.
[CONVERSATION STOPS]
What? Last I checked,
recaffeinating doesn't violate the terms of my suspension.
I'll get Cecil to look into Kindred.
Being in the closet is hard enough.
Imagine someone laying it out there in a play,
for everyone to see.
[HARRY] I agree. Imagine trusting someone,
then they turn around and air your dirty laundry,
and suddenly you become a pariah to all your peers.
For the love of God, Harry, your suspension is one month!
Take your coffee and go!
Wow. Your girlfriend has a label-maker now?
Drop it.
Well, you don't have to worry about me stealing your lunch today.
I'm going out.
With my ex.
Who aired all my dirty laundry in court, so...
Would anyone watch a revenge play about her?
- [♪♪♪] - [SMACK]
Mr. Svensson, Sabrina Bass is on line one.
You need to tell her, Harry.
High-priority clients should hear the news face-to-face.
Put her through. I'll tell her I'm taking her to lunch.
[♪♪♪]
I was surprised you wanted to meet. Is everything okay?
Everything's fine.
Sofia got an "A" on her chemistry quiz.
And, um, Nico now spends hours locked in the bathroom.
Yeah, I know.
- You don't think he's... ugh. - Don't tell him I told you.
- [PHONE CHIMES] - No.
- Uh... - _
Who's that?
Harry's paranoid client...
- who just became my paranoid client. - _
Right. Because of Harry's suspension.
How do you already know about that?
Ha! Family law is a small, incestuous world.
Ah.
So what's your case about?
Bickering exes and their novel-length separation agreement.
That's actually why I wanted to meet with you.
I realize I was being unreasonable
when I insisted on waiting a year
before introducing new partners to the kids.
If you and Aidan are serious, you should let him meet the kids.
I won't stand in your way.
That's sweet...
but unnecessary.
Aidan and I broke up.
- [PERKS UP] Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. - No, you're not.
[LAUGHS] I am! He seemed... nice.
For a calendar boy.
- [CHUCKLING] - [TEXT CHIMES]
_
Sabrina.
This was certainly out of the way.
I thought we could speak more freely here...
away from prying ears.
What was so important we had to meet?
I'd like to... postpone your court date.
Postpone it? Why?
I think your ex may be trying to hide personal assets
in offshore accounts.
Give me more time,
and it will be that much better for you, financially.
How much longer do you need?
Not much longer.
We could be in court, in, uh, oh...
about a month from now?
Zander was Kindred's male lead of choice
for all their Rom-coms in the last 15 years.
Lucy wasn't exaggerating. There's a definite pattern.
[ABBY] Notice how Zander ages, but these women don't?
Who's the target audience? Creepy uncles of Middle America?
Winston said we're all entitled to our "problematic faves".
[CECIL] Then I called the casting director
of The Peach Pie Mysteries.
She told me, off the record,
about some wrongful termination suits
filed against Kindred.
Allegations of homophobia, racism... all settled out of court.
One time, Kindred re-shot an entire scene
because a lesbian couple was holding hands
- in the background. - A history of hiring discrimination...
bolsters our case.
We'll figure out what to do about Kindred later.
Our immediate goal is to shut down Topher's play.
Cecil... [GASPS]
For the love of...
Harry, how long have you been standing there?
Have you tried to convince the source to act as a witness?
[♪♪♪]
Cecil... try to convince the source to act as a witness.
Why can't we have nice things?
Should've taken that life-line when I offered it.
It's only a suspension.
Plus, this gives me a chance to show everyone I can lead the firm.
You mean Harry.
Who knows?
- Maybe he'll get a taste for retirement. - [LAUGHS]
How are things going with that chef?
Still got your junk in a vice?
Her name's Martina and we're just friends.
You're telling me nothing happened between you two?
Actually, her boyfriend's back in town.
I've been showing him around.
Wait. So all those times you've flaked out on me recently,
you've been hanging out with your crush's boyfriend?
She's not my crush. And Quinn's pretty cool.
His name is Quinn?
We're heading out for drinks. You should join.
I'll think about it.
"Quinn".
[♪♪♪]
Abigail, I'd like you to meet my dear friends here.
Uh, Maeve you've already met.
- Hi. - This is Kendra.
Hi. I'm Zander's stylist and life coach.
Yep. And this is, Donov...
Donovan, what the hell are you wearing?
This is a neckerchief.
All the guys wear them in Milan.
What's the Italian word for "take it off right now"?
Uh, is it all right if my friends sit in on the hearing?
You mean the hearing you specifically asked me to make private?
Please? They've all signed NDAs,
and I could really use the moral support.
[TERSELY] Yeah, okay, fine, bring your entourage.
Oh... my god!
You're Zander Davenport!
- From The Peach Pie Mysteries! - [ZANDER CHUCKLES]
- Uh, this is Abigail, my... - Strictly platonic work colleague.
- What's your name, sweetheart? - I-I'm Martha!
Your biggest fan!
Martha! Beautiful name, for a beautiful lady.
Gotta give the guy credit... he plays a convincing straight sleazeball.
Speaking of which, guess who our judge is?
[♪♪♪]
Shortly after Mr. Merigan's play outed him,
my client was fired by Kindred Broadcasting...
a network with a history of workplace discrimination.
We'll be dealing with that issue separately,
but... in the meantime, I ask that Mr. Merigan's play
be shut down for the remainder of its run,
before it further causes damage
to my client's employment opportunities.
- Anything to add, Mr. Krol? - Just a question. Mr. Davenport...
are you sure Kindred fired you because of your sexuality?
I am.
An email chain...
shared anonymously by a Kindred employee.
Can you read this... out loud?
"Let's cast a wider net for Zander's replacement.
We need to go... younger."
"There's only so much we can do in post about his...
jowls."
Your Honor, Kindred terminated Mr. Davenport's contract
because of his age... that's unfortunate,
but it has nothing to do with my client's play.
I've heard enough, Mr. Svensson.
There's no proof this play damaged your client
in any measurable way.
Your Honor, Mr. Merigan violated his NDA.
I dismiss your petition to shut down the play.
[BANG]
[♪♪♪]
We can't give up.
Isn't there more we can do?
We'll file a wrongful dismissal suit against Kindred.
Go after them for ageism.
No, no, no. I'm talking about the play.
It's on for another three weeks, you know?
Topher's agreed to cut the identifying references.
I promise you, in a month,
no one will even remember this play.
- Kindred didn't know anything about it. - Yeah. No, that is true.
They only fired me for being too old.
Age never stopped other leading men, did it?
It stops leading women in their tracks. But lucky for you,
we still live in a world of double standards.
[DANIEL] Exactly! Think of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Josh Brolin.
You know, I've been told I could be Josh's older brother.
This might be a blessing in disguise.
You got comfortable at Kindred.
Now you can go after other roles...
challenging ones.
Sometimes, you have to move out to move up.
I like that.
Excuse me.
[♪♪♪]
[INCOMING TEXT CHIMES]
[♪♪♪]
Who was that?
[♪♪♪]
Sir?
I have something for you.
Oh! Brownies? What's the occasion?
I told my mom about your situation and she made them for
- you to cheer you up. - Aww!
She also said, if she were your client,
she'd date you in a heartbeat.
She told me to tell you that last part, sir,
several times.
I'm... uh, speechless.
You don't have to say anything.
This is a gift. Accept it.
Well, can I at least ask how things went in court?
It didn't matter how well prepared we were.
- You lost? - Chip Crombie was our judge.
He's still holding a grudge against someone.
Don't put this on me. We lost because you got blindsided
by your buddy, Yannick.
This is why I can't leave the firm for one second.
At this rate, I won't have any clients to return to.
Return to?
You never left!
[♪♪♪]
So I want Harry to stop hovering,
but I also want him to annoy Daniel.
It's a quandary.
Well, it must be hard for Dad to step away.
He put his whole life into the firm.
Also, can you stop leaving your dishes
- in the sink overnight? - I was letting them soak!
Whoa!
Kelly's really putting that label maker to good use.
A necessary precaution when someone won't buy their own groceries.
Why is she here so much anyway?
Doesn't she have her own place? With her own fridge?
Kelly doesn't like her roommate.
She's 40 and has a roommate?
Abby! You're 40 and have a roommate.
- Oh, god. - Sorry.
Came for a snack.
[♪♪♪]
How was your day?
I listened to that podcast. Wow.
Oh, I should've given you a trigger warning.
No trigger warning?
Hope you had your smelling salts on hand.
[♪♪♪]
Abigail. Abigail.
- Zander. How're you doing? - Listen, listen, listen.
I was reading lines with an actor friend last night, okay?
He got an audition for this new sitcom.
Okay.
- Guess who the writer is? - No one ever knows who the writer is.
It's Topher!
And the show is about me, so forget some local stupid play...
- the whole world's gonna see this. - Okay, slow down, Zander.
Are you sure this show's about you?
"'Who's Your Zaddy?' follows Alex, an aging gay actor,
who goes to humiliating lengths to pass as straight,
terrified he'll lose his place in the industry."
Hmm!
♪♪
This show can't get made.
If people see this, they'll know it's about me.
Not necessarily.
You don't know Topher like I do, okay?
He'll let something "slip" in an interview.
Besides, some of this "Alex's" dialogue
is taken verbatim from texts that I sent Topher.
Like when "Alex" tells...
when Alex his boyfriend to walk ten feet away from him
when they're out in public.
Verbatim?
You mean Topher copied the dialogue
directly from your texts?
Word for frickin' word!
[DANIEL] A plagiarism suit?
I compared Zander's texts and Topher's script.
They're identical.
So he copied 40 words.
Topher can claim it was an accident, apologize, and rewrite it.
We're not just talking a small fringe play anymore.
This is a network show!
If we win, we can make Topher buy life rights,
negotiate a percentage of profits.
And wouldn't it be nice to rub Harry's nose in our win?
Still.
We're talking about a couple of text messages.
The infringement's too small.
We need to see more of the script.
[CRAIG PANTS]
These are all the audition sides my agent could come up with.
"Having a secret doesn't make me self-hating.
Clark Kent has a secret, and he's an American hero."
Wait.
Superman's gay?
I sent that text to Topher right after the first time we broke up.
"Cherie is not committing to her role as my beard.
Her 'love-struck' face looks constipated
and she smells like hot dogs."
I never sent that one to Topher.
These aren't scenes from one script.
They're from multiple episodes.
Topher built an entire series around you and your private texts.
[ABBY] This is good.
It proves that Topher stole your words.
We can negotiate... force them to buy your life rights.
Absolutely not!
This is my life!
Topher is not going to get the rights to it.
This show will not get made.
- I'd totally watch it. - Okay, out!
- I need a moment alone with our client. - I'm a partner!
You can't just kick me out of my own meeting.
[♪♪♪]
[DOOR LATCHES SHUT]
How are you feeling?
Like how Dicky Gray must've felt.
- Who? - Mm. Exactly.
An actor who used to play the lead in all the Rom-coms,
and then, about 15 years ago, he came out.
And now, his most prestigious role of late
is "Gay Flight Attendant" in "Hyenas on a Plane"... "Part Two".
Gets his face chewed off before the opening credits.
Poor Dicky!
I don't want to play a flight attendant
or some gay, sassy college roommate.
Well, if it helps, I doubt you'll get college roles.
[WORDS CATCH]
Zander, don't underestimate what this show can do for you.
If we win this case,
you don't have to worry
about whether or not you'll get other roles.
You're not getting it.
Acting is my calling.
It's what I do.
I need air.
[♪♪♪]
Is he okay?
Yesterday, I saw one of Zander's friends texting Topher.
What if, this whole time,
they've been sharing all the cringe-y things he says?
We can subpoena Topher's phone service provider.
Cecil, prepare an application for disclosure
and set a hearing date.
And whatever you do, make sure we don't get Judge Crombie.
How am I supposed to do that?
And you want the hearing booked for tomorrow?
Yes, please.
And, uh, preferably not with Judge Crombie?
We don't customize hearings.
Does this look like a Starbucks to you?
Oh! [LAUGHS]
Because people customize their drinks.
- That's funny. You're funny. - I take improv.
- You read Night Lotus? - Sure do!
Tried to get tickets to the movie premiere,
but the hardcore nerds snatched them all up.
Well, allow me to introduce you to one of the hardcore nerds.
- You? - Got my tickets months ago.
But, unfortunately, my plus-one bailed on me.
- Girlfriend? - My mom.
- [LAUGHS] - So now I've got this extra ticket
but no one to go with me.
Hmm.
[KEYS CLACKING]
Looks like Judge Boyte's available tomorrow.
[♪♪♪]
- A revenge TV show? Poor Zander. - At least Cecil loves it.
- Hey, are you busy tonight? - No. Why?
I was thinking you can join us for dinner?
- By "us"... - Kelly wants to know you better.
All you've done this week buried yourself in your room.
Why do you care so much what I think of her? Fine. Fine.
- Come. - No.
- Daniel. - Quinn.
- Quinn, this is Yannick. - Yannick. Glad you could join us.
You must be Martina, the Forty Under 40 chef.
- That's me. You came. - Quinn invited me. Is that okay?
Yeah of course, I just assumed you'd have other plans.
We need more drinks. I'll be right back.
- So how's the... - There's Tracey. I'm just...
- Yeah. - That was unspeakably awkward.
So someone tidied my work space.
[LAUGHS]
I wanted you to have one less thing to worry about.
You've been so busy these days.
And I like doing nice things for you.
So this looks great, Kelly.
- You were saying it was, uh... ? - Ancho cauliflower enchiladas.
Mm.
[SURPRISED] Oh.
This is delicious.
And healthy!
- Oh. Are we making you uncomfortable? - [UNCONVINCINGLY] No.
We've become one of those couples.
The annoying PDA ones.
[GIGGLING]
Uh... Lucy told me you just went through a breakup.
Did she?
I have been there.
Last relationship I got out of... total wreck.
Couldn't eat. Didn't shower for a week.
That's why it's so important
to force yourself to do things that make you happy, you know?
Something creative.
Excellent... albeit unsolicited, advice.
What else has Lucy said about me?
- [OVEN BELL DINGS] - Oh. Cobbler's ready.
I'll help you get the plates.
[♪♪♪]
Hey! Rocky Mountain oysters are a delicacy.
- They're bulls' testicles. - They taste great with ketchup!
- Have you tried 'em? - Hell, no.
Neither have I.
But one time, I found this place in Florida...
[QUINN] Florida. Yes! I ever tell you guys
about that time my friends and I ordered blowfish?
I'm sure you will.
So, this place is really sketchy, and, like, 20 minutes after we eat,
I start feelin' sick... big sick.
First, it's this tingling around my mouth,
then, suddenly, my tongue is...
Well... this has been fun, but I have an early start.
I'll walk you out.
And this is the most deadly toxin in the world.
You've got just ten minutes
to get it all out of your system.
- Martina seems nice. - She's all right.
Tell me one thing.
You have a good job. Make good money.
Some might call you adequately handsome.
- Thank you for that. - So why spend all this time
chasing some girl through her boyfriend?
Again, we're just friends.
Friends don't look at each other like that.
Dude, it's obvious.
You slept with her.
[♪♪♪]
And then she says, "I like doing nice things for you."
You're right. She's a monster.
No, you weren't there, 'Kay? It's her whole vibe.
And she's always just there... one jump-scare away.
So don't stay there. Go to Mr. December's.
That's not an option. We broke up.
Ah. Now I get it.
You resent Lucy's relationship because you're single,
so you're taking it out on Kelly.
Excuse me. I'm not the one who's been single
for, what, a year?
- That's by choice. - Yeah. Keep telling yourself that.
- Is it really that obvious? - Is what obvious?
Oh, that you and your "friend" banged?
Yeah, it is.
- But would it be obvious to him? - You mean the boyfriend?
Nah. He's way too up his own ass to notice.
Wait. You don't like Quinn?
Take it from a bullshitter. That guy's a bullshitter.
What are you talking about?
That story about the puffer fish in Florida?
Two years ago, Florida banned the harvesting of puffer fish.
- He lied. - Why do you know so much about Florida?
- I did some Googling last night. - Oh, you're jealous.
Jealous? Of that jacked Anthony Bourdain knock-off?
I know it's tough seeing your friends make other friends,
but no one can replace you, Yannick.
Don't make me punch you in court.
[♪♪♪]
Mr. Merigan. Did you base your TV series on Mr. Davenport's life?
All writers draw from people in their lives.
Knausgard. Hemingway.
You don't think that's plagiarism?
No. It sets a dangerous precedent when you limit artists
to writing only about their own experiences.
Thank you.
Ms. Bianchi?
Ahem.
Mr. Merigan, this is a text written by my client.
Could you read it out loud, please?
"Gay teens think they have it rough,
but they don't know true hardship.
Gay men my age had to marry women."
That sounds more sexist out loud than it did in my head.
[ABBY] Now can you read this excerpt from your script,
Who's Your Zaddy?
[TOPHER] Ahem...
"Gay teens think they have it rough... "
- The passages are identical. - Objection!
This is a small section of the script,
which my client is happy to change.
We're not just talking one section.
Subpoenaed phone records of more than 200 text messages.
Turns out Mr. Merigan and my client's "friends"
have been corresponding.
A DM from Donovan De La Cruz...
"So cringe... use this for your series... "
He shared a post my client made about manscaping,
which Mr. Merigan lifted for his pilot.
Another DM, sent by Maeve Adams, April third,
with a link to a voice message Mr. Davenport sent privately.
[ZANDER] Topher keeps asking when we're getting married.
I'm gonna say it...
I wish this country had never legalized gay marriage.
Didn't your "Alex" character
use those exact words in episode four?
Do you know what it was like living with him?
How many times I had to pretend
to be his "bro" when we were out in public?
This may be based... on Zander, but it's my story, too.
Then you should've used your own words.
Not my client's.
[♪♪♪]
There is enough evidence here to suggest Mr. Merigan plagiarized
Mr. Davenport's intellectual property.
If Mr. Merigan wishes to pursue this series,
he must first negotiate to buy Mr. Davenport's life rights.
Mr. Davenport is entitled to financial compensation.
As for you, Mr. Davenport,
the people sitting behind you are not your friends.
I suggest you find yourself new ones.
[BANG]
[♪♪♪]
Zander...
Zander, maybe don't...
Why did you do it?
I trusted you.
I told you things about me I never told anyone.
Zander, I don't know anything about you.
None of us do!
You're always feeding this lie.
I'm not the bad guy here!
You told Donovan his wardrobe was gayer than an Easter Egg!
You chastised me
for daring to kiss my girlfriend in public!
I'm sorry you're too afraid to come out,
but it feels like you want us to suffocate with you.
[CHOKES UP] You were my friend.
I was your employee.
Goodbye, Zander.
[♪♪♪]
I don't want this show getting made.
I don't want this show... I don't...
I don't want people... I don't want people...
- Is he about to pass out? - People...
He's having a panic attack. Baby. Baby, are you all right?
Remember what we do. Look at me. Look at me.
Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
- Don't. - Don't what, baby?
[WHEEZING] Don't... Don't call me "baby" in public!
[ZANDER WHEEZES AND SOBS]
You wonder why I wrote a show about him?
[ZANDER HYPERVENTILATING]
Zander...
- [SOBS] - Zander.
Do you have someone you can talk to?
No one. I have you. I have you.
Well, no. I mean, a professional.
[HE BLOWS AIR]
I tried to come out, once, when I was 18.
I told my best friend,
and the look on his face...
Well, I said I was kidding,
and we never talked about it again.
And have you ever told anyone else since?
Yeah. He made my life into a TV show.
[SCOFFS]
After you trusted him with something so personal?
Well...
I'm not blameless.
Maeve was right. I-I suffocated them.
I've just been in the closet for so long,
I wanted them in there with me.
You know... I'm almost 60
and I've never even been to a gay bar.
I've never done any of it. [LAUGHS SADLY]
No... No parades, no... parties.
I woul... [LAUGHS]
I wouldn't know where to start!
I don't know how to be gay.
I've been playing this role for so long.
What if it's too late for me?
We think of... coming out as this huge event.
You announce your truth to the world and it's done.
But being queer... it's not a role.
You don't need an audience for it to be real. It's you.
You discovered that part of yourself,
kept it safe, until you were ready to share it.
- With all the wrong people. - And you learned from that.
There's no gay checklist...
things you need to cross off.
Your queerness is yours.
And whatever the next phase of your life looks like,
your experiences are there to help you.
I don't know what my life would look like,
if it wasn't about hiding.
[♪♪♪]
To be clear, you're agreeing to sell your life rights to Topher,
which means he can make his TV show.
Mm-hmm.
Financially, it makes sense.
I looked at my savings...
turns out fake girlfriends are expensive.
You know, there's a good chance this show will out you.
Let it.
It's not like anyone's showering me with auditions anyway.
Mm. It's noon.
It's usually the time Maeve got me a protein bar.
I'll get you something from the kitchen.
- Will you? - Actually, I would love a...
[♪♪♪]
- Hey. How's Zander? - He's doing okay.
Whatever happened in your session seems to have helped.
Hey, so I've been thinking.
I can, on occasion, be a bit...
critical.
- Okay? - And maybe I could make...
more of an effort with Kelly.
She makes you happy, so...
maybe she's not a total dud.
Well, thank you.
But you're still doing your own dishes tonight.
It's good to see Zander back.
Now that you two have gotten to know him a little better,
you should give one of his movies a shot.
No, thanks.
- Contrived plots and bad acting? - Bad acting?
If this has proven anything,
it's that Zander is a great actor.
He's been playing "Zander Davenport" for so long...
give the man an Oscar.
[♪♪♪]
Oh, did you find something low-carb?
You ever heard of Larry David?
Uh, we're in the middle of settling.
Yeah, why?
Well, the guy plays a heightened version of himself on TV,
and people love him. Why?
Well, 'cause they're afraid of him?
Because he's not afraid to make fun of his foibles...
foibles most of us share.
Well, Larry David can't play me in the show.
He's way too old!
[♪♪♪]
Look, Cherie is just not committing to her role as my beard!
Her "love-struck" face looks constipated
and she smells like hot dogs.
[LAUGHTER]
He seems to be slipping into the role nicely.
[TOPHER] His notes are endless.
Creative input on all episodes...
that was part of the deal.
The cast likes him.
They have to. He's number-one on the call sheet.
Though, I will admit...
he's perfect for the part.
- Let's grab a beer after this. - Oh, you don't have plans with Quinn?
I'll have to check my schedule. It's a busy week.
Sure, it is.
[APPLAUDING]
Thank you.
Um...
Folks, before you all leave,
there is something I would like to share with you all.
I am a gay man.
Oh.
That's all. Thank you.
[APPLAUDING]
[♪♪♪]
So, I was thinking, on Sunday, I'd make dinner.
- And by "make", I mean... - Uber Eats?
Oh, before I forget, Kelly and I have decided...
[CECIL] Mr. Svensson! Sabrina Bass called.
She says, "I've been thinking about our meeting and you're right...
let's postpone our court date by one month."
Harry... did you or did you not tell Sabrina you're suspended?
I saw no need. I was acting in her best interests.
No, you were acting in your best interests.
You pushed her court date until your suspension is over.
[♪♪♪]
- You lied to your client! - I didn't lie.
There are valid reasons to postpone a court date.
Reasons that only popped into your head because of your suspension.
Sabrina will never figure that out!
[ABBY] Mr. Bass's lawyers will.
You think Cordelia Bernstein doesn't know?
If they hear you've been suspended...
What do you think will happen
once they figure out you breached your terms?
The whole firm will be in hot water!
You need to take a step back.
You built a great team here, Dad.
Things can run without you for a bit.
Yes. I'm sure.
So, what, you don't trust us, any of us here?
Not on a case like this!
Even with your sister's help, Daniel,
you're no replacement for me.
[CALMLY] That's it.
If you try to give legal advice to any of your clients,
I will report you to the Law Society myself.
- Don't be so dramatic. - I will not have this firm suffer
because you can't sit on the sidelines for one month.
- Can you believe what you're hearing? - Daniel's right, Harry.
If you continue like this, forget suspended... you'll be disbarred.
Dad, maybe time off will be good for you.
Take stock.
Think of what you want for the future.
[♪♪♪]
Hey, what's the box for?
Right. Uh... I was trying to tell you earlier...
Should we just stack these in the bedroom, babe?
Oh, hey, Abby!
Wait. Those are yours?
Kelly's moving in!
Her roommate was becoming unbearable.
[KELLY] And my lease is almost up.
So we figured... why not? [CHUCKLES]
Huh.
I guess there's some truth to that old joke.
What joke?
What does a lesbian bring on the second date?
A U-haul!
[ABBY CHUCKLES ALONE]
[♪♪♪]
It's because of the U...
[♪♪♪]
- You made the U-haul joke? - It was supposed to feel
- like they were in on it! - Abby!
There was an actual U-Haul parked outside!
We've been through this.
Before an Abby joke... read the room.
- [LAUGHS] - Remember Sofia's Christmas pageant?
- Hey, that kid was pitchy. - He was eight!
And his parents were sitting right behind us!
[LAUGHING]
I was starting to make progress with Kelly, too.
Ah, she'll warm up to you.
You have that effect on people.
Even if your jokes are from 1993.
Hey.
Hey. I'm planning my next campaign.
Can I run a scenario by you?
Sure.
Wow. Hi.
- Where'd you get all this? - Isabelle.
Isabelle... is she the girl from your math class?
The one who wrote you that Valentine?
No.
- She's Dad's new friend. - Dad's new friend?
Yeah, I met her on the weekend.
She's nice.
[♪♪♪]
- Synced and corrected by ChrisKe - -- for www.addic7ed.com --