02x04 - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

[bunniefuu]

Hm?

Oh!

Mm.

No! No!

[CLAMORING]

Detective Suarez.
What do we have?

Female, 28, goes by the name
"Amina Husein,"

found wet dreaming and
potentially bashing one out.

[GASPS]
A bit of the old downstairs DJ?

It's possible. We've detected
traces of residue on her.

What? No!
KFC bargain bucket for one.

Let's bring her in.

No.
Yes, sir.

You have the right
to remain silent...

[OFFICER CONTINUES]
[SCREAMING]

What had just happened?
Surely it wasn't a--

[GASPS]
SAIRA: Bro.

[GASPS]
You okay?

Oh! Heh. I'm grand.

I'm grand. Yeah.

Coffee?

Thank you.

Oh, Saira. Come on. Stay.
You don't have to go yet.

Nah, nah, nah. All good.
Don't want to impose.

Well, you're not imposing.

Come on, st--
[GROWLS]

Okay, fine.
See you at rehearsals.

No rehearsal this week.
Right. Yeah.

AMINA:
Together we had decided

that we each needed a break
from the band.

A few days to decompress

after the binfire
that was the photoshoot.

[SCREAMS]

Any fun plans for the day?

Fun plans? No. No plans.
Plan-free, me. Plan free.

AMINA:
Saira's behavior was indeed
a little peculiar...

but could you blame her?

Without rehearsals,
we were each flying solo.

Cast adrift.
Left to our own devices.

AMINA:
Bisma, in particular, had been
triggered by recent events

and was using
her timeout to reflect.

It's like everyone-- Everyone--
Everyone just tries to--

To Spice Girl us, you know?
Like-- Like, the band--

Everyone's-- Everyone's trying
to Spice Girl us.

Mm. I'm gonna need more words
than that.

[STAMMERS]

Ayesha's, like... Sexy Spice,
and Saira's Cool Spice.

Amina's Girl-Next-Door Spice,
and do you know who I am?

I am-- I am Mummy Spice.
I am... Wholesome, Boring Spice.

I am Desexualized
From Head-to-Toe Spice.

I'm Amoeba-Spice.

Okay. First of all,
you are wholesome and hot.

Ugh.
And, if anything,

it's giving Variety Spice.

I mean, what would you rather,
them sexualized you?

Yes!
Really?

No.
Mm.

I don't know.

Well, I do.

[♪♪♪]

Wow.

[BOTH LAUGH]

I--

Yes.
[CHUCKLES]

[CHUCKLES]
See?

So, how much do I owe you?

Hey, don't feel the need
to give me mates rates--

Are you really just gonna hide
my work like that?

Your scalp is literally
still raw.

How about we just
leave it out for a while.

Tobi.

What?

Come on. I'm Muslim.

Yeah, I know. I know.
But Bisma, we're Black.

Our hair is art.

It's a powerful part
of identity, too.

Oh, yeah. Sure. One sec.

[♪♪♪]

Yeah, man. Love this stuff.
This is my total jam.

That's marmalade.
Marmalade is my jam. Get it?

Marmalade is your jam?
Yeah, marmalade is my jam.

AMINA:
Ayesha was enjoying
time away from the band,

as she was taking
her relationship

to the next level.

Grocery shopping.

Now, this is totally fire.

You are lucky you're so cute,
because what the hell was that?

I mean--
You loved it.

Here it comes.

You're, Ayesha, no?

Yeah.

I thought so.

See? I told you. That's Nabila,
my eldest. She's 16.

Your music has really
helped her.

I mean, normally she barely
even talks,

but now she's singing
your lyrics all the time.

So, I suppose in a way,
you're speaking for her.

Mm. That's lovely.

You're pretty.

[CHUCKLES]
She's pretty.

Is this your girlfriend?
You're g*y, aren't you?

Oh, wait. Wait.
What's that word? "q*eer."

q*eer?
Just not heterosexual.

I think Nabila might be,
you know, not heterosexual.

She's not my girlfriend.

No, it feels like you're
embarrassed of me, okay?

You never acknowledge us
outside of us!

The band knows!
My brother knows!

No, your parents don't know,
Ayesha.

I don't subscribe
to the whole coming out thing.

I'm not gonna sit here

and make some
Shakespearean announcement,

uh, to invite, what,
further persecution

and hardship
into my personal life.

I'm sorry.
I'm not an emotional masochist.

Persecution?
You live in London.

Your parents
are literally so cool.

Like, your dad posts
Lady Parts on Facebook.

Honestly, he probably
already knows!

Sick.

Amazing.

Conversation's done then,
isn't it? A bit redundant.

You know, there's nuances
to being g*y and Muslim

that you're not gonna get.

Nice.

I can't argue with that now,
can I?

I just want you
to acknowledge me. Us.

[DOOR OPENS]

f*ck. Laura!

[FOOTSTEPS DEPARTING]

[♪♪♪]

WOMAN [ON TV]:
So, my great-great grandma
has been...I think...

AMINA:
As for me,
I was thrumming with anxiety.

Had my villain era led me
to a life of debauchery?

[♪♪♪]

[GASPS]

Amina?

Amina.
Sorry. Yes. No.

What's up with you?
Nothing.

It's not nothing.

Why won't you tell me?
Because.

As you're well aware, you have
a tendency to be somewhat...

judgey.

So... apologies if I'm...
not so forthcoming.

[CRYING]
Noor?

Sorry. I'm n--

You okay?
It's just hormones.

That's all. It's-- I'm sorry.
I'm sorry if I'm judgey.

It's okay. It's okay.

It's okay.
No, no. It's not okay.

What if my kid
doesn't wanna talk to me

because she thinks I'm judgey?

No, no, no, no. No. Oh,
I'm sorry. Okay. Listen. Listen.

Your kid will talk to you.
Okay? Okay, look. Look, um...

Listen, Billy--
[SNIFFLES]

[EXHALES]

Billy... kissed me, and--
I don't know. I lingered.

For a bit.
That's just what happened.

I know. I know. Okay?

It's a one-way ticket to the
fiery pits of hell, you know?

Bring on the factor-fifty,
'cause I'mma get a roasted.

[LAUGHS NERVOUSLY]
I feel awful.
I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

Please don't be angry at me.
I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.

Amina?

If you are going to hell,

then really isn't any hope
for the rest of us.

You're a good person, okay?

And I love you.

[CRYING]

AMINA:
It felt good to finally be
open and honest with Noor.

No more secrets.

You're the band I've been
waiting for a really long time.

Okay, I think
Lady Parts could be huge,

and I can help you get there.

Okay,
I'll talk to the others,

but, like I said,
we've already got management.

[SIGHS]
All right. How successful do
you want to be?

'Cause if you want to spend
your career playing weddings

and little venues across
the U.K., then yeah, sure, fine,

stay with your mate.

But if you want a real,
wide-reaching platform

for your voice,
which I think you can have,

then let me help you.

And right now you should be
recording an album.

I-- I know and, and we will.

We've actually got two days

with Dirty Mahmood
in Molico Studios.

Oh, wow. Dirty Mahmood's great.

Yeah. No, it's perfect
for you guys, actually.

And Molico is fantastic.
But two days?

I mean, you need two weeks
or a month.

It's your first album.
It's important.

I know. It's-- It's just--

Look, a record deal
would cover all recording costs

for a debut album
with Dirty Mahmood.

But done properly.

I mean, what he did
with Sister Squire,

the man's a genius, you know?
You can't be rushed.

I love Sister Squire!
Heh. She's incredible.

Yeah.
I listen
to her vinyl all the time.

Like, I need her
in my ears, you know?

Yeah, I know.
She's ahead of her time.

Yeah.
You-- Actually, you, Lady Parts,

you remind me of her, actually.

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

[GROANS LOUDLY]

AMINA:
Taz, on the other hand,

was spending the hiatus
hustling hard,

desperate to find the funds
for us to record the album.

He was the last promoter.
I just-- I--

I don't have the grease. Psh.

Chin up, kiddo.
"The dream is free.

The hustle
is sold separately."

Where'd you get that?

Inspirationalquotes.com

You know what this guy says
to me? This-- This prick?

He says, "Who are you?"

"Right? If your band
are so great

like you say they are,
then wh--

Why are they with you?
What-- Who are you?"

[SIGHING]
All right then.

[SIGHS]
[GRUNTS]

Who are you?
I don't know. What--?

You're doing all this insane
sh*t and "I don't know?"

I-- I-- I-- I--
What is Momtaz Records?

I don't know!

Momtaz, seriously?

[EXHALES]
Youth clubs.

You want Momtaz Records to be
a youth club? Like a... charity?

No, it-- Uh--
It's just-- I'm--

There are no youth clubs
or community centers anymore,

where kids can
play music together.

Uh, th-- There's no spaces.
Okay, so?

So...

Yeah, I guess--

Momtaz Records would be
a space--

A space.

Yeah, for--
For bands to grow themselves.

You know, find their sound,
have a platform.

Looked after by me
or something.

But it-- Right, it'll be
a business, somehow, with--

I mean, nights and events and--

Gosh, I don't know.

See? That wasn't so hard. Hm.

AMINA:
As Momtaz pondered
what her future could be...

Bisma, too,
was in deep contemplation.

Who was she? And how did she
want to be seen?

WASIM:
Is this a crisis of faith?

No. I've never been stronger in
my faith. It's not about that.

[SIGHING]
Okay, so...

It's-- Ah--

I love my headscarf.

It-- It gives me strength in
so many ways, different ways,

but-- I am also
a Black woman and--

And hair is an
important part of that.

[SIGHS]
Looking less Muslim
isn't gonna make you

more popular with fans.
Taifa wears a hijab.

I know that, Wasim!
It's not about being popular!

Are you even listening to me?
I'm just--

I'm just trying
to figure this out.

I'm just trying
to figure myself out.

Maybe a spa weekend?
And, um, get your nails done?

Oh, my God. What the f*ck?

I just wanna try a different
form of self-expression.

I-- I thought maybe
you'd be more supportive.

I know. Look, I know. I'm sorry.
I support you. I'm just scared.

You know how people are.

People are going to question
you and your faith.

And they can be mean.
Really, really mean.

[GROANS]
"Fake Muslim" and all that.

Look. I mean-- You know!

Look, any woman who we know
has ever tried to take it off,

they have a sh*t time of it.
Look, baby.

I love you.

And I believe that you should do

whatever it is
that you want.

But this--

Schoolgirl. Wife. Mother.

That was my journey, Wasim.

Schoolgirl. Wife. Mother.

You don't sound
so happy about that.

No, it's just-- Life,
it happened to me, you know?

And I'm--
And I'm an adult, and I--

And I wanna make choices
as an adult.

And-- And people, they--
They put these labels on me.

And the way they see me,
I don't see myself.

How-- O-- Okay. So, how exactly
do you want to be seen then?

I don't know!

Oh, is it that
you don't feel sexy?

Oh, my God, Wasim! Seriously?!

Well, what is it then?!
I told you, I don't know!

[SOBBING]
I don't know!

IMANI:
What's going on?

Um, baby-- Um... baby--

[CRACKLES]

[♪♪♪]

[SOBBING]

♪ Baby, you understand me now ♪

♪ If sometimes
You see that I'm mad ♪

♪ Don't you know
No one in life ♪

♪ Can always be an angel ♪

♪ When things go wrong
You see some bad ♪

♪ But I'm just a soul
Whose intentions are good ♪

♪ Oh, Lord, please don't let me
Be misunderstood ♪

♪ If I seem edgy
I want you to know ♪

♪ I never meant
To take it out on you ♪

♪ Life has its problems ♪

♪ And I've had
More than my share ♪

♪ But that's one thing
I never mean to do ♪

♪ 'Cause I love you ♪

♪ Oh, baby, I'm just human ♪

♪ Don't you know
I have thoughts like anyone ♪

♪ And then sometimes
I find myself alone ♪

♪ Regretting
Some little foolish thing ♪

♪ Some simple thing
That I've done ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm just a soul
Whose intentions are good ♪

♪ Oh, Lord, please don't let me
Be misunderstood ♪

[WIND WHISTLING]

TEACHER:
All right ladies.
Everyone on their ball.

AMINA:
After my breakthrough
with Noor,

she had invited me
to her pregnancy class

for some female bonding.

A little check in before we get
started. Around the room. Go.

Hi, everyone. I'm Reshma.

I'm at 5 months,
and I've stopped throwing up.

Nausea, all gone.
[CLASS COMMENTS]

But I have started
eating dirt, so...

[ALL GROAN]
Oh, my God.

Yeah.

I'm Farida.

Um, I'm at 8 months.

And I'm-- Yeah, I'm just gonna
have to say this, aren't I?

Apologies, sisters, um--
I'm just really horny.

Actually. Right now.
Every day, to be honest.

Yeah, and I just don't know
what to do about it. I--

You need to feel those feelings.
Feel those feelings.

I'm Amina.
I'm not pregnant.

[LAUGHS]

[MOUTHS]
Noor.

Um, I'm Noor.
I'm also eight months.

And, um... I'm scared
I'm not going to be a good mum.

And, um, this is Amina.
She's my best friend.

My only friend...
right now, in fact.

And, um...

I think the reason
that Amina feels so much shame

is because
I've made her feel that way.

And the truth is,
Amina--

Noor?

I'm no good.
Oh--

I'm sorry.

Noor, you're great.
What are you on about?

No! I'm a bad person.

I had sex!

That is abundantly obvious
to everyone here.

[INHALES DEEPLY]

Before I was married.

Oh.

Oh.
I'm sorry, Amina.

I'm sorry I made you feel bad.
When I'm the sl*t.

I'm the one going to hell,
factor-fifty, Roast Town.

Noor, you're amazing.

And you're going to be
a great mum.

Oh, my God. I--
I shouldn't be having this baby.

What?

I shouldn't be having this baby.
No, no, stop.

Oh, my God.
I shouldn't be having this baby.

Stop it.
I shouldn't be having this baby.

f*ck this sh*t!
Everyone up on their feet, now!

Anyone feeling shame
around their bodies,

their human desires.

We about to cast that sh*t out,
because we are women.

We aren't the pure image
of perfection.

We are messy, beautiful,
horny, and some of us,

heavily pregnant
and very hungry.

So hungry.
So, on your feet

and ground down
into your uterus.

[GROANS]

All right, ladies.

Now chant with me.

vag*na.
Hm?

vag*na, vag*na.

vag*na! vag*na!

vag*na! vag*na! vag*na!

vag*na! vag*na!
vag*na! vag*na!

vag*na!

vag*na! vag*na!

vag*na! vag*na! vag*na! vag*na!

vag*na! vag*na! vag*na!

vag*na! vag*na! vag*na!

vag*na!

[BEETHOVEN'S
"ODE TO JOY" PLAYING IN GERMAN]

[SIGHS]

AMINA:
Ahem. vag*na.

vag*na! vag*na! vag*na! vag*na!

Oh--
[YELPS]

Jeez.

I thought you were a badger.

Not a badger.

Just me. Heh-heh.

Amina. Okay,
I'm just going to, um--

I'm so sorry.
I-- I know it's late.

And, uh, it's weird
me being here.

[CHUCKLES]

I-- I just wanted to check
you're all okay.

Uh, Billy told me
what happened.

Yes, I got your texts.

I'm okay, Ahsan, really.
Nothing to worry about.

Tha-- Great. That's great.
Um, question.

I know
it's none of my business...

but do you think
you're gonna see him again?

Uh, Billy?

I think so.
And he's really sorry.

I should hear him out.

Cool, I just-- I--

I just think, um,
you should know something.

Uh, I-- I'm only saying this
because I care about you,

and I know it's weird.

Just say it.

I'm pretty sure
Billy is exoticizing you.

He's all, like, ex--
Excited about dating a hijabi.

Like you're some--
I don't know.

It's giving that...
forbidden f-- Fruit energy.

Wow.

Okay.
Yeah, I know, I'm sorry.

Is someone finding me
attractive

that unfathomable to you

that they must be
exoticizing me?

What? No, Amina,
that's not what I meant.

[SCOFFS]
Maybe I'm exoticizing him.

Ever thought of that?
I mean, I gotta say,

I do love me some, you know,
young, floppy-haired Don McLean.

"Ooh! Nom-nom-nom. Yummy."

[LAUGHING]
What-- Hey, wasn't your
last girlfriend white?

Was she--
Was she exoticizing you? Or n--

No, wait, it doesn't apply
to you, does it?

Because you're
this perfect man,

and I'm just
this unlovable freak.

Just because
you don't want me

doesn't mean
no one else will.

I do want you! Amina--

I do... want you.

Are you being serious
right now?

What?

So, now someone else
possibly likes me,

you like me, too,
all of a sudden?

That's really--

[SCOFFING]
That's really basic of you.

No, no-- Amina, um--
Just want--

No, just f*cking
leave me alone!

[SNIFFLING]

[DOOR OPENS, SLAMS]

[♪♪♪]

[♪♪♪]

AMINA:
It was a new day,

and Saira had asked us
to meet her at Molico Studios.

All our problems
were momentarily suspended

in this glorious presence.

It's crazy right?

We're in Molico Studios.

Molico f*cking Studios!

[LAUGHING]

Yo!
Wow! We've done it.

[CHATTING INDISTINCTLY]

BISMA:
How did Taz get us in?

Listen. I haven't invited Taz
to this, because I wanted

to talk it through
with you lot first, before--

Look, I know it's shitty but--

Okay, I'm just gonna--

I met this woman, Clarice,
she's a top manager

and she wants to sign us.

But we already
have a manager.

No, I know.
But if we sign with Clarice,

we're heading straight
into label meetings,

then getting a slot
at Glastonbury,

and touring this year,

and we'd have time to record
the album covered by the label.

We wouldn't have to do it
in two days,

we'd have weeks and weeks,
however long we need.

Clarice booked us this room
so we can see what it's like.

[SCOFFS] Clarice?
Who's Clarice?

[EXHALES]
We wouldn't have to do
any more shitty jobs.

We could make music for
a living, like a real band.

Yeah. I mean, sounds amazing.
But... what about Taz?

Well, that's the problem.

Clarice would be our manager.

So, yeah.
I don't know what to do.

MOMTAZ:
I do.

Taz? How did you--?
Amina texted me.

Sorry. I didn't know
I wasn't supposed to.

Guys, you have to do it.

[ALL TALKING AT ONCE]

You are doing it.

All right, you have to.

Listen, I can't get you
the gigs you want.

Oh, look-- Trust me, I've--
I've tried, and--

I don't know, it's--

It's more important
that Lady Parts

become the greatest band
in the world than my--

My whatever, ego.

You're doing it.
You have to do it. Right?

Lady Parts is more important
than any one of us.

Taz, we're still just talking.
Yeah.

Okay, Saira-- Okay-- It's cool.
I'll be fine. Okay?

I-- I've got other bands now,
remember?

[EXHALES SOFTLY]

Now you guys better go out there
and show the world who you are.

Who we are.

Capiche?

Taz.
Taz.
Taz.

And don't become rockstar
dickheads, all right?

SAIRA: Taz.
AYESHA: Taz.

Taz!
[DOOR CLOSES]

[SIGHS]
f*ck.

[TV DRONING INDISTINCTLY]

[CLICKS OFF]

[SOBBING]

[♪♪♪]

[RASHA NAHAS'
"HABBATEK" PLAYING IN ARABIC]