I will never care about anyone
as much as I care about you.
And I wanna be with you.
If... I mean, if you can forgive me, 'cause...
We've reached 250,000 subscribers!
I'm so psyched y'all wanna do another campaign.
MARIANA: We've been approached by this brand,
for people who have periods.
Wait, why "people" and not just "women"?
Trans men and non-binary people can also get periods.
[scoffs] Whatever.
That vacant lot you chose for the women's center
is occupied by an unhoused encampment.
If you don't like the way we're doing things,
feel free to present me with a better idea.
I tried to offer the city
a chance to buy apartment buildings,
but they're penny wise and pound foolish.
We think you should give the baby up for adoption.
OFFICER: Isabella Tavez,
we have a warrant for your arrest.
GAEL: Wait, wait. Whoa, whoa, whoa!
MR. TAVEZ: Isabella has a history
of erratic, dangerous behavior
and anger management issues.
She's not fit to be a mother.
You said that you wanted to marry me weeks ago,
and you haven't said anything about it since.
You just wanted to be with me because I'm having...
Isabella, stop. Stop!
[grunts] Shit!
ISABELLA: Oh, my God! Oh, my God.
Gael, I... I didn't mean to hit you.
Don't. Don't. Don't touch me. Just get away from me!
[gasps]
What's going on?
I'm really freaking out, man.
"No One Is Alone" by Bernadette Peters playing...
♪ No one here to guide you
♪ Now you're on your own
♪ Only me beside you
♪ Still you're not alone
♪ No one is alone
♪ Truly no one is alone
♪ Sometimes people leave you
♪ Halfway through the wood
♪ Others may deceive you
♪ You decide what's good
♪ You decide alone
♪ Just remember someone is on your side ♪
♪ Some else is not
♪ While you're seeing your side ♪
♪ Maybe you forgot
♪ They are not alone
♪ No one is alone
♪ Pa-pa-paa, pa-pa-pa-pa-pa *GOOD TROUBLE*
♪ Pa-pa-paa, pa-pa-pa-pa Season 04 Episode 16
♪ Then we'll find our peace of mind ♪
♪ You and me, Bel Ami
♪ Pa-pa-pa, pa-paaa
Episode Title: "Mama Told Me" Aired on: August 18, 2022.
[♪♪]
LUCIA: Burning the midnight oil again, I see.
Uh, just trying to nail this pitch to LAHSA.
How's it coming?
We're pulling out all the stops,
so fingers crossed.
I'm looking forward to it.
And, uh, how are things between you and Angelica?
I only ask because you've been working late a lot,
and... that's one of the main reasons
why she and I didn't make it.
I would hate to see you make the same mistake.
ANGELICA: I just don't think I can do it anymore.
Loving you is starting to hurt.
[Angelica crying]
Things are great.
Good.
[exhales]
Oh, my God.
That... was... incredible.
I aim to please.
Wha... Uh-uh. Stay.
No, no, stay here with me.
- Why? - Please.
Cuddle for a second.
- Don't you want me to... - No.
No, no, no. I... I'm so good.
I'm so good.
Totally satisfied.
Okay? I promise.
Um, Kelly's salon is today, by the way, don't forget.
We have to go and support since everyone else is at work.
What's the subject?
Uh, personal, uh, inventory, I think.
Yeah, something like that.
Um, you'll love it.
We're supposed to bring a blanket.
- Blankets? - Mm-hm.
Hm. Interesting.
GAEL: I just need some time to think.
About what?
Whether you still wanna be with me?
Isabella, I haven't had a moment alone
since you showed up and told me you were pregnant!
It's all just been a lot!
It's just one night, okay? I'll be back in the morning.
Okay.
I understand.
I'll be here.
I love you.
Okay, so our app subscribers have more than doubled
since hiring Zelda to promote BB.
And our actual sales are up 30%.
- That's huge! - That's incredible!
And we'll have the money to pay Evan's dividend.
And hire Zelda for another campaign.
I guess the question is...
Are we worried about the scoff?
The scoff.
- Scoff. - You can stop.
I think we just ask her what she meant by it.
Agreed.
So what are you gonna say?
Me?
You know her the best.
But you can't exactly ask her, "Hey, are you a TERF?"
What's a TERF?
Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist.
What's their deal?
They're a group of women
who oppose equality for transgender people,
and don't think that trans women are real women.
And go after parents who are trying
to get medical care for their trans kids.
Yeah, they're trying to arrest parents
for child abuse.
- It's insane. - [knocking on door]
Hey, y'all!
Kari, our reporter from Teen Metro, has arrived.
Great!
Oh, shit. Our int... Our interview was...
- CLAIRE: It's today. - Now!
Okay.
[Davia sniffles]
DAVIA: Hi, Mom.
DAVIA'S MOM [on video call]: Oh!
- Um, is this a good time or... - Uh, yeah, go ahead.
DAVIA'S MOM: Ugh, well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news,
but your high school music teacher, Mrs. More land,
honey, she passed away.
Aw. Did you know she was sick?
No.
I... I didn't, um...
I hadn't checked in for a while.
DAVIA'S MOM: Aww.
Well, the service is tomorrow
and I know that you can't miss work,
but I... I thought you'd wanna know.
I'll never forget how brave she was
to cast you as Sandy inGrease
despite everyone thinking you weren't leading lady material.
ASHER: Hey.
Are you okay?
Um, Mom, I'll... I'll call you back.
- DAVIA'S MOM: Oh... - What's wrong?
I just found out my favorite teacher from high school passed away.
Oh, my God.
I'm so sorry.
[softly] I'm here.
[Davia crying]
DAVIA'S MOM: They did a really good job on her.
She looks just like she's sleeping.
Mom, what're you doing here?
I came to pay my respects.
What are you doing here?
Were you just gonna sneak into town without telling me?
[♪♪]
KARI: So why did you decide to partner with Zelda?
Um...
Oh, uh... Why wouldn't we?
[all laughing]
She's fun and stylish.
And she shares our passion for beauty
and earth-conscious sustainability.
KARI: I wanted to ask you
about your new partnership with Per Tutti,
a brand that prides itself in inclusivity.
What do you think about their brand of menstrual products
being for people with periods,
not just women?
[♪♪]
- Oh, we think it's great. - Yeah.
[all laughing nervously]
Uh... Don't be modest.
This collaboration is huge!
I mean, Per Tutti is the perfect fit
for a company like Bulk Beauty.
They both share the same inclusive values
that I'm super happy to be representing.
Whew. [Laughs]
- [softly] Okay, not a TERF. - Phew!
I'm sorry I didn't call you,
but I'm in town for only one day,
and I knew I wouldn't have time to see you,
and I didn't wanna hurt your feelings.
And coming into town and not telling me
is supposed to make me feel good?
I mean, God forbid you fly in to see your own mother!
I guess I'll have to die for that to happen.
- Oh, God, that bitch is here. - Mom!
Come on, do you remember how she tortured you
when Miss More land cast you as Sandy instead of her?
DAVIA [whispering]: Okay.
Davia, hi.
Hi, Tatiana.
Uh. Oh.
You remember my mother.
Yes. Hi, Bonnie.
Hi, it's so nice to see you.
This is just so sad.
I saw Mrs. M a few weeks ago,
but it's still a shock, you know?
Uh, you... You kept in touch?
Oh, yeah, she was my favorite teacher.
Yeah, uh, mine too.
But how are you doing?
Last I heard, you were in New York?
I was, but I'm in LA now.
You're kidding!
I always thought that you'd be on Broadway someday.
Well, we all did,
but then she gave up after just a year
and we're all very disappointed.
So, Tatiana, what have you been up to?
Married with two kids
and loving being a stay-at-home mom.
Oh, wow! Two kids!
You look fantastic!
And Davia has lost some weight.
Doesn't she look so good?
TATIANA: Yes, you look great.
Thank you.
- A... Are you Davia? - Yes.
I'm Katherine, Nancy's wife.
Uh, N... Nancy wanted me to give you this letter
and, um, I brought it with me
in case you came today.
DAVIA: Oh, um, thank you.
And I'm... I'm so sorry for your loss.
I really loved Mrs. M.
Thank you.
We all did.
I had no idea Mrs. More land was a lesbian.
- She always wore dresses. - TATIANA: Yeah, me neither.
Okay, nope.
[♪♪]
Welcome, everyone.
Today, we're going to take a personal inventory
on your own sexual pleasure.
Let's talk labias.
Yes!
Amongst each other?
- Hey! - Hey!
The interview went great!
Right?
Yeah, I gotta be honest,
we were a little worried when Per Tutti came up.
What do you mean?
Well, you know, just when you seemed to scoff
about people having periods. [chuckles]
We were scared you might be a TERF!
[both laughing]
Oh, God, no!
I'm not a TERF!
Oh, my God!
The term TERF is so offensive!
I prefer gender critical.
Which... is the same thing.
Gender identity isn't a thing.
You are born the sex that you were born,
and we can't change that.
And I mean, come on, "people with periods"?
Can't women have anything of their own anymore?
B... But what about everything you just said in the interview
about promoting inclusivity?
Yeah, that's a business strategy.
And you don't have to worry about me
airing out my opinions publicly.
The last thing I need
is a bunch of woke mouth-breathers
flooding my mentions.
I can't wait to sign the new contract!
[♪♪]
Your fantasies
are your own private well of inspiration.
Writing them down can give you the confidence
to articulate them to a partner.
Does anyone wanna share what they wrote?
We make it in my loft, naked.
They rip my shirt,
exposing my heaving chest.
They tickle me
until I'm crying from laughter.
Have tantric sex, naked.
I feel her legs squeeze my head
as she shouts my name in ecstasy.
And then we bake cookies after.
Also naked.
- Nice. - Lovely.
Really nice.
Alice, would you like to share your fantasy?
Oh, sure.
Um...
My fantasy...
is...
fast forwarding to the end of this salon.
Who... [chuckling]
Who's coming with me to the future?
And that's okay.
We can move to the next exercise.
Vagina-gazing.
- Oh! - Uh, whose vagina?
Okay, so Zelda is definitely a TERF.
She just unmasked herself like a Scooby-Doo villain!
Full-on transphobe!
Ugh, what do we do?
I mean, she's more than doubled our business.
That's capitalism talking, not me.
I mean, she said she would never go public.
No one would ever have to know.
"Unfortunate Love" by Hayden Calnin playing...
♪ I finally figured it out... ♪
DAVIA [narrating]: "Dear Davia,
I'm so happy that you were able to be here today.
I probably shouldn't say this,
but you were my favorite student of all time.
And not just because you had the most incredible voice,
but because you were the most beautiful
inside and out as well.
I'm sorry we lost touch after you left New York,
and I hope it's not because you thought I was disappointed
that you gave up on your dream of Broadway.
I've always been so proud of you.
All I ever wanted
was for you to love and believe in yourself.
To choose a different path is not a failure
as long as you're running towards your dreams
and not away from them.
I will be rooting for you from beyond,
no matter what path you choose.
If you don't mind,
I do have one last favor to ask of you.
If you will do me the honor.
♪ This is all right Wasn't done yet ♪
[♪♪]
♪ I finally figured it out... ♪
ISABELLA: So did Gael ask you to babysit me?
No.
Just asked me to check in, see how you're doing.
Did he tell you he asked me to marry him?
No, he didn't.
Well, I think he took that back since I was arrested.
I think he wants to take everything back.
What if he doesn't love me anymore?
Gael's not someone to wantonly fall in and out of love.
What if my baby doesn't love me?
DENNIS: It's not about the love that you get from a child.
It's about the love that you give.
Babies just know how to eat, sleep, poop,
and look cute.
They're completely dependent upon you for everything.
You know, you gotta be ready to put them first
and not expect anything in return.
Were you ready?
When you had your son?
I thought I was.
I thought I was putting Jacob first
by working tirelessly day and night to provide,
but... all he really needed from me
was to... be present.
Just to be there.
But I didn't realize that until he got sick.
I think the mistake that people make with a kid
is thinking that it's gonna fill up
all these empty spaces inside of them.
It's gonna fix what's broken.
But being a parent can bring out the best in you,
and it can bring out the worst in you.
[♪♪]
♪ Sometimes people leave you
♪ Halfway through the wood
♪ Others may deceive you
♪ You decide what's good
♪ You decide alone
♪ But no one is alone
♪ Hard to see the light now
♪ Just don't let it go
♪ Things will turn out right now ♪
♪ We can make it so
♪ Someone is on your side
♪ No one is alone
[whispering] You still got it.
Ten more pounds and you'd be leading lady material.
[♪♪]
WOMAN: What are the first words or feelings
that come to your mind?
Beautiful.
Powerful.
[Kelly meows and purrs]
Soft.
Hungry.
Happy.
Alice,
what are you feeling?
[♪♪]
[wind blowing]
[gunshots]
Confused.
[♪♪]
Hey!
Are you leaving?
I have a plane to catch.
BONNIE: And you weren't gonna say goodbye?
I mean, I know you're upset about your teacher,
but you... You don't have to be rude!
Oh, my God, this is not about me being sad
about Mrs. More land.
This is about me being angry with you!
You know, unlike you,
Mrs. More land helped me believe
that I was beautiful and talented,
and that you didn't need to be skinny
to play Sandy in Grease.
And you know why I gave up on Broadway, Mom?
It's because Broadway is so brutal on women.
And every time I went into an audition room,
all I could hear was your voice telling me
that I wasn't good enough because I was fat!
You know, maybe if you hadn't torn me down my whole life,
I would've been tough enough to stick it out.
But it didn't take much for them
to break what was already broken in me.
Well, I am sorry that I wasn't the perfect mother.
I never expected you to be perfect!
I just wanted you to love me just the way that I was.
- Davia. - No.
I can't take care of you this time.
I have to choose me for once.
[car door closes]
[♪♪]
This is a surprise.
- Do you have a minute? - Sure.
I can take a break.
Have a seat.
What's up?
Lucia has been asking about our relationship
- and I was... - Mmm.
...hoping we could keep our breakup on the down low
just until I get the women's center approved
by the council.
You weave a tangled web, Williams.
I won't say anything.
Thank you.
But do you think it's healthy working for someone
who may be looking for an excuse to fire you?
MALIKA: Probably not.
But I can't quit
until I make the center a reality.
I mean, I didn't leave activism to fail.
I guess I just don't like seeing you undervalue yourself.
You should trust
that you are an asset to Lucia.
And let her know it!
[Malika scoffs]
Okay, although I don't miss talking about Lucia, I...
I do miss you.
I've missed you too.
I should get back to it.
Of course.
[exhales]
Mom.
What're you doing here?
You asked me to come.
I did?
You know, I had an awful relationship with my mother,
and a very unhappy childhood.
And I thought
having a baby would heal those wounds.
But you were a colicky baby and a needy child.
You always wanted to sit right next to me.
Everywhere I went, there you were.
Your father would say,
I should be happy you wanted to be close to me.
But, frankly, it was annoying.
It was all I could do not to push you away.
Why are you saying this to me?
MRS. TAVEZ: Because you're so desperate
for the love I could never give you
that you latch on to anyone who will show you any attention.
Do you really love Gael?
Or do you just need him to love you?
And being a mother
isn't going to fix what's wrong with you.
The way you strike out in rage,
you have no impulse control.
And one day,
you might really hurt someone.
Perhaps your child.
And you'll pass all that hurt and rage onto her.
Does this world need another sad little girl?
In any case,
you need to prepare yourself.
Gael will leave you, Isabella.
Because you just sit too close.
[echoing] Sit too close.
[Isabella gasps]
[♪♪]
[knocking at door]
Have you heard from Gael?
No.
DENNIS: Come in.
But he... he said
he was gonna be home this morning, I...
He will. It's gonna be fine.
No, it's not!
He's gonna come home and say that he doesn't...
He doesn't wanna be with me anymore.
- I... I know it's gonna happen! - Okay. Breathe.
[Isabella breathing deeply]
[crying]
You gotta breathe.
Come on, breathe, breathe, breathe.
It's okay.
It's gonna be okay.
- It'll be all right. - [Isabelle sniffling]
[♪♪]
MALIKA [on video]: We have over 40,000 unhoused people
in the city of Los Angeles.
And with the lack of rent control
and affordable housing,
more than 200 people a day are losing their homes
and entering homelessness.
And with the camping ban,
the city is investing more in temporary shelters
than in supportive, permanent housing.
WOMAN: I found a full-time job,
but my hours violated the temporary shelter's curfew.
You gotta be in by seven o'clock at night.
Well, people line up by 04:30,
and I couldn't make it back in time to get a bed.
It's not fair!
MALIKA: Overcrowded shelters and tiny home sheds
cost too much and help too few.
They don't end homelessness,
they sustain it.
And they advance the idea
that unhoused people are subhuman.
Think about the idea of a government that suggests
you must deserve to be housed, not sheltered,
that does not allow you to bring your pets in,
that does not allow you to stay with family.
WOMAN: This is Crishell.
She's 21 months old.
We were in one of those emergency shelters,
but you can't stay past 90 days, so they kicked us out.
And I have a kidney disease,
so I have to take the bus three days out of the week
for dialysis.
It usually takes all day.
If it wasn't for the people in this encampment,
to help me watch Crishell,
I don't know what I'd do.
What you see, immediately,
when a person is placed in an environment
that is service-rich,
it's like the caterpillar to the monarch.
When people are brought inside,
they will blossom.
Yeah, so we call this the pantry.
It's all honor system.
Everybody contributes equally.
Got right here...
For some of us, this is the only family we have.
We watch out for each other. There's no violence.
You can leave for work,
or go get a shower, or something to eat,
and there's always someone to watch your stuff.
We share food, socks, blankets,
whatever anyone needs.
They move us into shelters, we lose all this.
We lose our friends. We lose our community.
We lose our family.
And who will have our backs?
Man, I'm sorry. Can you...
PETE: The challenge starts with us.
The solutions are within us.
And it's time for us to house Los Angeles.
Very moving presentation.
Our committee and the mayor are focused
on permanent housing solutions.
But emergency shelters are also necessary
to meet the growing homeless population.
Well, the population is growing
because the city isn't focused on taking measures
to keep people at risk in their homes.
And part of the problem has been
this city council standing by and allowing corporations
to purchase 43% of the apartments in this city!
And all they wanna do is evict people
so they can raise rents.
Meanwhile, it's taken the city years
to build affordable housing.
You're spending between 700,000 and 800,000
to build one unit,
as opposed to the 100,000 per unit
that purchasing this apartment building would cost.
Still, three million dollars is a big ask.
And the people of the encampment
would also need supportive services.
Well, they will need less services housed.
I know because... I was homeless.
I was living in my car for over a year,
and it wasn't until I had permanent housing
that I could pull my life together.
I mean, without a... a roof over my head,
a... a place where I felt safe,
honestly, I would not be here in front of you all today.
You have the funds to make this purchase
and to place the people
of the 3rd and Temple encampment
into housing... now,
to keep their tight-knit community,
their... their chosen family together.
You have the resources.
You just need to act.
So... I couldn't help but notice
that you didn't take the salon very seriously.
[Alice scoffs]
Yeah, well, you didn't see what was in my mirror.
Sumi, I don't need a sexual pleasure workshop,
because my pleasure comes from pleasuring you.
Yes, and I want to get pleasure
from pleasuring you.
We had the same dynamic when we were together before.
You never had a problem with it.
I know, but I was selfish then.
And the person
who is unwilling to receive in a relationship
is actually the one that holds all the power.
I want to give you an orgasm.
[scoffs] You have!
When?
Gosh, uh, I don't know.
That... That one time we were stuck in the elevator.
Remember?
Or... Or when we celebrated me having no cavities.
That was a good one.
Are you being honest?
Yeah. Yes.
- Alice? - Yes.
Okay, fine, I... I maybe... Maybe faked it a little.
So what?
Uh, but it's not you!
I... I just... I've...
I've never had an orgasm with another person.
Really?
I mean, sorry, I didn't mean to sound judgy.
I just...
I would really love it
if I was the one you trusted enough
to be your first.
And your last.
And your only.
If you'll just give me a chance.
Okay, you know what?
This all feels like too much pleasure...
Pressure!
Too much pressure!
Can... Can we just stop talking about this?
Right now?
Anything else but this.
Okay.
I'm afraid we have bad news.
Uh, LAHSA turned us down.
[disappointed mumbling]
I'm so sorry.
I can't say I'm surprised.
Though, we appreciate you trying.
And I won't stop trying.
I mean, I promise you here and now,
I am not gonna let them use the excuse
of building my women's center here to move you out.
You have my word.
Thank you. It means so much that you have our backs.
And we're sticking together.
No matter what.
There is one positive thing that came out of this.
My councilwoman was able to find
a permanent housing apartment for Grace and her baby.
- [Grace gasps] - [all cheering]
Wow, thanks, Malika. That's amazing!
Of course.
Don't think this means I'm not babysitting anymore.
I don't.
[both laughing]
GRACE: That's awesome.
[indistinct chatter]
Hey! Hey, Nicki, are you okay?
Anything I can do for you?
Look, you don't have to come around here
like you're better than us now.
I... I don't think that.
I'm... I'm just trying to help.
I'm trying real hard to be happy for you,
being inside.
But it's like,
"Why you?"
I guess you just got lucky.
[♪♪]
ZELDA: Hey!
What's up? Did somebody's dog die? [Chuckles]
Zelda, we're not gonna continue with the new contract.
[scoffs] Seriously?
Why?
What you believe about transgender people
is offensive.
And not just to trans people but to us too.
Do you have any idea
how much pain and suffering
those biases cause people
that are just trying to be their true selves?
Okay, stop.
Please, spare me the lecture.
You know, you're just shooting yourselves in the foot.
BB is nothing without me.
Dare I say it?
You're gonna be sorry.
♪ She wants to set me free ♪
♪ She wants to fuel the fire ♪
I have some good news.
I've found money in my discretionary fund
to build the women's center
without going through the city council.
Wow! [Chuckles] That's amazing!
But what about the encampment?
They'll have to move.
Any way you look at it.
I told everyone in the encampment
that I wouldn't move them for the women's center.
I gave them my word.
Isn't it better that the encampment is moved
for something that's gonna help the community?
Isn't that why you took this job?
Think about it.
Okay.
By the way, um,
Angelica and I broke up.
Oh.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Going forward, I would really appreciate it
if you didn't ask about my personal life.
Of course.
[♪♪]
Uh, guys?
Why are our subscribers dropping?
And fast.
Oh, shit. Uh, um...
Gu... Guys, you're gonna wanna see this.
ZELDA: Announcement time!
So, yeah, Bulk Beauty and I
have parted ways on bad terms.
Turns out, they're not such a women-friendly brand after all.
She isn't...
- Yeah, she is. - Okay, shh, shh.
But I had to bow out once I found out
that Bulk Beauty was stealing ideas for their app
from two of my friends, Raisa and Ava.
- No! She didn't... - Yes, she did.
But it's not true!
It doesn't matter, it's on TikTok.
And so, I can't, in good conscience,
represent them any longer.
- GINA: No, no, no, no. - MARIANA: No.
Oh, no.
ZELDA: And, yay! Moving on!
Did we just get canceled?
ZELDA: Don't forget to like and subscribe.
[♪♪]
TREA: Alice, I did not raise you to look at your vagina!
Trea speaking in Mandarin...
Shit!
[exhales] Why?
Hey. Uh, Elliot's upstairs taking his last break.
Ah, good!
So, uh, how'd it go at your teacher's funeral?
It was nice.
Sad, but I'm really glad that I went.
- Thank you for the time off. - Oh, yeah, of course!
We missed you.
I missed you guys too.
- Stop! That's for your kid! - Oh, sorry!
ELLIOT: All done with my break.
Very good!
I'll let you guys get back to work.
All right, let's see if we can knock out
some of these fractions.
Do you like my dad?
Well, of course, I like your dad.
I mean, like-like him.
'Cause if you do, it's okay with me.
Okay, let's get back to work.
[Gael sighs]
So I...
I've thought about everything.
And I really wanna work this out with you, Isabella.
And I understand you're upset
because I pulled away after you were arrested,
and I'm really sorry.
I love you.
To be honest, I'm not sure if I love you.
I don't know if I know how to love
anyone.
Which is why I think we should place the baby for adoption.
[♪♪]