04x08 - Know Thyself

[bunniefuu]

I can see why Georgetown
is Amira's first choice.

It's a very strong school.

- Strong.
- Mm-hmm.

This the home of AI.

Dad, they did not invent
artificial intelligence.

I'm talking about
Allen Iverson, The Answer.

Well, hello, there.

I'm Lynn Parsons,
the admissions counselor.

Welcome
to Georgetown University...

[chuckles] Unofficially,
but hopefully officially.

I'm Amira,
and these are my two dads.

- I'm the biological.
- And I'm married to her mother.

Ms. Lynn, dig on this.

My daughter
is cream of the crop, okay?

And if you want her
to pick your school,

you got to come correct.

We want cars,
shoe endorsements, the works.

I'm talking about, like,
Jesus Shuttlesworth

in "He Got Game."

You do know it's ill*gal
for colleges to do any of that.

I know. I was just taking
your temperature.

Oh.

I f*ck with you.

Oh, well.

Thank you, I think.

The presentation
will begin shortly.

I'm gonna go say hello
to my friends.

I don't think I ever saw
Amira this excited.

Well, it's
a really good school.

But you know what?

Don't take anybody else's
temperature while we're here.

Come on, you know I like
to play night nurse.

- Look...
- Hmm.

- Pull that off your face.
- Right in the butt.

I know where it go...

Actually, people
don't do that anymore.

[thunder booms]

*THE LAST O.G.*
Season 04 Episode 08

Episode Title: "Know Thyself"
Aired on: December 07, 2021.

Okay, I want to cancel
this storage locker.

So everything has to go.

You either take it to the trash

or to that donation center
a few blocks away from here.

Can't I just set it on fire?

You want to be Casanova
and an arsonist?

Don't test me today, boy,
please.

Get your little a*s in there
and do some work.

[creepy music]

[♪ ♪]

Hello, future Hoyas!

AI!

Patrick Ewing!

Dad, shh!

Georgetown admits
a record number

of National Honor Society
scholars,

many of whom are with us today.

Please stand
when your name is called.

Melissa Anderson, Chloe Barnes,
Madison Brey,

Hannah Fulson, Josh Nolan,

Noah Turner, Elizabeth Ward.

Let's congratulate
all our NHS attendees.

They skipped Birkeland.

Stand up anyway.

No, no, it's okay.

- No, you earned this.
- Stand up.

[applause]

Um, excuse me.

Excuse me, you forgot to
call my name... Amira Birkeland.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Your name wasn't on my list,

but congratulations.

And now, for the student-led
portion of our program,

please welcome
Georgetown seniors

Zachary Feldlin
and Andrea Gruber.

They'll answer your questions.

You right here in the front.

Is it mandatory to live
in the dorms?

It's not mandatory, but it's
recommended for freshmen

just to help make you familiar
with the campus,

meet new people.

- Saw some other hands.
- You.

Oh, um, I was just wond...

Oh, no, sorry, behind you.

- Me?
- Yes.

Is the food in the cafeteria
any good?

You see this sh*t?

Amira had her hand up
way before this one did.

And they can't be disrespecting
my baby girl like this.

She ain't got to go
to Georgetown.

She could go
to Bronx Community College,

- right uptown.
- Tray.

- You have to calm down.
- I know people there.

- Calm down, okay?
- It's a little bit odd.

You're right,
but let's not make assumptions.

[upbeat music]

[♪ ♪]

[sighs]

[♪ ♪]

Oh, Grandma and Grandpa,
no way.

[giggling]

[creepy music]

Oh, sh...

Thank you all for coming.

Hopefully we'll see you
in the fall.

[indistinct chatter]

Um, I'm gonna go say bye
to my friends.

Think Amira is having
second thoughts

about going to this school.

Yeah, I wouldn't blame her.

You know, she ain't ask
one question out of her book.

And she worked so hard on it.

I never went to college,
but I do know

you supposed to be way
more excited than that today.

Both: We're all going
to Georgetown!

[all scream]

[indistinct chatter]

She looks
pretty excited now.

[hip-hop music]

[♪ ♪]

Amira liked the presentation,
but I didn't, man.

They ain't call on her once,

and she had her hand raised
the whole entire time.

- You know what that is?
- Them g*dd*mn microaggressions.

That's exactly why
I dropped out of ITT Tech.

- That's online, right?
- Yep.

Cyber racism...
It's the worst kind, my n*gga.

- What up, young bull?
- What up, Jay?

Yo, Dad, check out what I found
in Grandma's storage.

I hope it ain't them little
black dolls she used to keep.

No, those are still there.

I remember
when I was little, man,

I felt like they was
following me around

like a couple
of little Black Chuckies.

I know what you mean.

Look at this.

- [laughs]
- Look at that.

That's your grandmother,
and that's your grandfather.

- I know.
- That's my man.

- I know.
- Did you, uh...

Did you know Grandma and
Grandpa were in a band?

- A band?
- Uh, yeah, they made a record.

Wow! This looks legit,
like the co-ed O'Jays.

- That football m*rder*r guy?
- No, the R&B group.

And, plus, OJ didn't do it.

If he did, they wouldn't have
gave him a Twitter account.

Yo, Jaybird, come here.

Check out these pictures
of my parents

- that Shahzad found, man.
- Oh, word?

They look so young
and vibrant, full of life.

Yeah, this had to be
before you was born,

'cause look at your mama
with these pre-Tray t*tties.

- I like that.
- Give me my mom's pictures.

Don't be looking
at my mom's t*tties, man.

Focus on her big,
beautiful smile.

- I'm focused.
- Let's listen to the album.

Well, we did have
a record player,

but one of the kids
out of the art class

made it into a pottery wheel,
so that's out.

I can't believe that my mom
didn't tell me about this, kid.

I knew my pops had dabbled
in music 'cause he had a voice,

but I ain't know
he took it this far.

[R&B music]

I know they didn't feed you
at that little seminar.

[chuckles]

So how did it go?

Grandma, it was amazing.

- And...
- Uh-huh.

I've decided
I'm going to Georgetown.

Mm.

But you didn't do
the Hampton presentation yet.

Yeah, but I don't even feel
like it's worth going to.

I just... I know that Georgetown
will be a better fit for me,

and I will know people.

I just feel like
I can be myself there.

Just because something is
familiar don't mean it's right.

I'm just saying, I think you
should give Hampton a chance.

That's all. That's all.

- Ma?
- What?

Look what Shahzad found
in the storage.

Yeah, this is so cool.

I did not know you
and my pops was in a group.

Grandma, you look so good.

I don't want to talk
about it.

What? Why?

Ma, you look so happy
in this photo.

At least tell me
who the third dude is.

I said, "I don't wanna
talk about it."

You know what?

You act like this every time
I wanna talk about my pops.

Now, I got a right to know
who he is and what he's about.

- You're right, baby.
- Let me see the picture.

[soft music]

[♪ ♪]

I said I didn't want to talk
about it.

I asked you to do one thing...

That was clean out
my storage unit.

I didn't ask you
to r*fle through my life.

[♪ ♪]

- Hey, Miss Miller.
- Hey.

- How was class today?
- It was good except for...

Somebody got to talk
to Mr. Drayton

and tell that man to put on
some damn undergarments.

What, his hernia ba*ls
dripped out again?

I'll give him a talk.
I bought this for you.

Thank you.

So sweet.

Miss Miller,
can I talk to you for a minute?

- Sure!
- Mm-hmm.

You my mom's
best friend, right?

- Since seventh grade.
- Wow, long time.

So why won't she tell me
anything about my father

and this band
that they had... 100% Pure?

I tried to ask about it,
and she shut me down.

- She won't tell me nothing.
- Yeah.

This album.

- What?
- You knew about it?

You know, I bet your kids had
a bunch of hard-a*s questions

for you when you got
out of prison.

Yeah, but I told 'em
everything.

I even took them
to the graveyard

and showed them
where they were conceived at.

But you're a very different
breed, Tray Barker.

You get that from your daddy.
But my point is,

is that this
is a part of your mother's past

that she obviously
doesn't wanna share.

Yeah, but I deserve to know
anything about my father.

Sure you do, but that part
of her life was traumatic.

And you owe her
the grace and space

to let her feel about it
the way she gonna feel about it.

And when she ready to share,
she'll tell you.

Thank you, Miss Miller.

I get it.

Mm, mm.

Sorry.

I forgot my water.

[hip-hop music]

[♪ ♪]

[indistinct chatter on TV]

Can I help you?

I just wanna say, Ma,
I'm giving you the grace

for all the trauma you've been
through in your life.

You could tell me whatever
you want when you ready.

Well, I would like
to say something.

Anything, Ma.

- Get the hell out of my face!
- That's good.

Let it out.
Let it all out.

I'm here for you.

Could you be here for me
in another room?

'Cause I am trying
to watch my show.

[cell phone vibrating]

- Hello?
- I'm here for you, Mommy.

Love from the other room.

[cell phone thuds]

[♪ ♪]

[indistinct chatter]

[♪ ♪]

Man, it smell like sex
between Erykah Badu

and André 3000 in here...
Magical, unicorn!

Hey, I know
it's not Georgetown,

but give it a chance, okay?

Smile.

Hey, I'm Malia!

- Oh.
- [laughs]

Amira, and my two dads.

- He's the biological.
- She got papers on him.

- [laughs] Welcome.
- She has your eyes.

Are you guys having
peach cobbler

or something cinnamon-y
for lunch?

It smells really good.

Oh, no, girl, that's just me.

Well, us.

This is basically
a shea butter convention,

but I heard that lunch
is shrimp and grits.

Mmm. Sounds delicious.

These bags are the sh*t!

Y'all got everything in here
a Black person needs

except for a VHS tape

of "Three the Hard Way"
and some Funyuns.

You know that welcome bag
is hers.

But I can grab some extra
for y'all from the back.

Just take a seat.
We're about to get started.

It's like academic Wakanda
in here, man.

I ain't seen
this many smart n*gg*s

since Diddy did
f*cking Broadway.

All right, everyone,
let's take a seat.

Let's take a seat.

Good morning, everyone,

and welcome future Pirates
of Hampton University!

[cheers and applause]
Home by the sea!

- All: Home by the sea!
- All right, all right.

As I look at all you
prospective students,

I think about how I was
sitting here just like you.

I went to a prestigious
private high school,

extremely competitive,
and, frankly, not very diverse.

At times, I felt invisible.

But at Hampton,
I feel seen, heard, challenged.

At HU,
we learn from new voices,

not white guy
after white guy after...

My bad.

No offense.

I'm sure you're a nice dude.

But keeping it 100,
it just feels good

to be around folks
who look like us!

- Yes.
- Am I right?

[cheers and applause]

[♪ ♪]

Hey, excuse me, do you know

if the Goodfill donation center
is this way?

Yeah, it's about two blocks
up on the right.

- Can't miss it.
- Thank you.

- Oh, wow.
- Is this a fondue set?

Very nice, so retro.

Got yourself a rare beaut here.

I don't know what fondue is,
but you like it?

I could take it
off your hands.

I've got a nice herbed Brie

I'd love to get this thing
wrapped around.

Um, no,
I'm actually selling it.

I thought
you were donating it.

Nah.

Ooh!

Can I get a package deal
on these historical figurines?

- No, no...
- You like these way too much.

But, uh, let's talk numbers
on that fondue set.

All:
HU!

We are Hampton U!

[stomping rhythmically]

[crowd whooping]

HU!

HU!

U!

[whooping resumes]

The home by the sea!

[grunting]

HU.

[cheers and applause]

What do fraternities do
at white colleges?

They drink, party,
and they drink again.

[cheers and applause continue]

all:
♪ Facing the rising sun ♪

♪ Of our new day begun ♪

- ♪ Let us march on ♪
- Let's march on.

All:
♪ Till victory ♪

♪ Is won ♪

Thank you all for coming,
and see you all next year.

[applause]

How did you know the song?

Beyoncé, Coachella.

It's pretty emotional,
isn't it?

Did you know there was
a Black national anthem?

Yeah, but I thought it was
"f*ck Tha Police."

What's up with those
extra gift bags?

Hold on, excuse me.

Uh, 'Mira. Amira.

Ha ha,
that was dope, right?

I'm getting really good vibes
from Hampton.

I think it's a good school, and
I think it'd be great for you.

- Well, I'm glad you liked it.
- It was definitely something.

But I think I'd rather go
to Georgetown.

Wait a minute.

Was we at two different
presentations right there?

'Cause what I saw on that stage
is more than just something.

And you still choose
Georgetown?

Yeah, I just... I think
I'd do better there.

Amira, come here.

You're like a kid genius.

I'm still in awe
that you come from me.

Now, Shahzad, I know he mines.

But you gonna shine
wherever you go.

So, baby girl,
what's the real problem?

I just...

I feel like I'm not gonna
fit in at Hampton.

What if I'm not Black enough?

You Black enough to fill
any space you choose,

so don't you ever
question yourself.

I'm sorry, Dad, but my
decision is not gonna change.

I just... I want to go
to Georgetown

where I'll feel
more comfortable.

Was you comfortable
being ignored

at that Georgetown
presentation?

- No.
- No, of course, not.

So you'll be more comfortable

being uncomfortable
around white people

than you would be
around Black people?

Yes.

[hip-hop music]

[♪ ♪]

- What's going on?
- It's Amira.

She don't think she
Black enough to go to Hampton,

so she's choosing Georgetown.

What? Wait.

Amira, why are you calling
your Blackness

into question all of a sudden?

Can you not be a white dad

in an HBCU hat
asking me that right now?

Touché, right?

As promised...

Can I borrow her for a second?

Sure.

I saw you back there.

It's a little
overwhelming, huh?

You could tell?

Girl, I didn't even know
there was

a Black national anthem
until my orientation day.

Okay, thank you
for saying that.

Look, I know it's a lot,

but it's not meant
to isolate you.

It's meant to reassure you.

I was totally having
an identity crisis.

I get it, but sometimes
what feels like a crisis

is actually the beginning
of an awakening.

And I promise I'm not trying
to get all T.D. Jakes on you.

I'm just saying it because
I've been in your shoes.

It took me a while,

but the thing I learned
the most at Hampton,

is that Blackness
is so many things.

There isn't one way
to be Black,

and you decide
what that means for you.

Well, you and Black Twitter.
[both chuckle]

- Thanks for talking to me.
- Of course.

Look, college is hard.
It pushes you.

It's uncomfortable no matter
where you choose to go.

But I know at Hampton,

you wouldn't be alone because
I would be your big sister.

- Wait, for real?
- You would do that for me?

- [chuckles]
- Why?

- Because that's what we do.
- We look out for each other.

[♪ ♪]

I wonder what she said
to Amira that I didn't.

Well, sometimes
it's not what you say.

It's how you say it.

[♪ ♪]

[door opens, closes]

Tray, come in here
for a minute?

I want to talk about
what happened the other day.

[♪ ♪]

I, uh...

Ma...

I'm sorry for the way
I came at you the other day.

I promise to do a better job
of listening

and respecting your boundaries
moving forward.

That's all I want to say.

Well, I appreciate
you saying this.

Sometimes
it's just hard to get...

And I've got
something else for you.

Your granddaughter
listened to your advice...

and she's going to Hampton.

- What?
- Really?

Wow!

Well, that's wonderful news!

You know, I used to fantasize
about you going to an HBCU.

I would've went to Hampton
and got everybody pregnant.

You know I got to spread
this Black excellence, Ma.

- If you don't stop...
- You are delusional.

[both laugh]

Well...

I just want to say, um...

I apologize for my reaction.

When your father got back
from Vietnam,

he was dead set
on pursuing this music career.

He wanted to be
the next Berry Gordy,

and then had the nerve
to talk me into it.

[both chuckle]

So I took all our savings

and put it in this record,

and we had
a good time doing it.

- Wow.
- [laughs]

I can tell by looking
at these pictures.

And you look good, Mommy.

Thank you.

And Jimmy was sexy.

I mean, I'd never seen a man
turn so many heads

with a powder-blue tuxedo
and a ruffled shirt.

- And that big-a*s bow tie.
- That's true.

[both laughing]

Oh, gosh.

Well, the record bombed...

and, uh, we lost all our money.

We had to go on welfare
for a little while,

which is no shame,
but it broke him.

He could not accept the fact
that he couldn't provide,

and that broke my heart.

I just want to say
to you, Mommy,

me and your grandkids

thank you for everything
you did for us.

- Ma, can I ask you a question?
- Yeah.

Who is this third dude?

Oh, let sleeping dogs lie.

[laughing]

[upbeat R&B music playing]

♪ One by one ♪

♪ Save each other ♪

[♪ ♪]

♪ One by one ♪

[person vocalizing]

[♪ ♪]

♪ And we can ri-i-i-i-de ♪

[vocalizing]

[♪ ♪]

♪ One by one ♪