02x03 - That Dog Won't Hurt

[bunniefuu]

[intriguing music playing]

[Yancy] Here's the thing about trust.

Hard to win, easy to lose.

Easier still to take for granted.

And an absolute necessity when swindling
someone for all they're worth.

If you try to con someone,
you better be sure

you know who they are and what they want.

[Ellie] So you're basically stalking.

Much obliged.

-[Yancy] It's more profiling.
-[chuckles]

Honestly, El,
the less you know, the better.

This is an ugly part of me. I just…

I need you to know I'm never
taking your trust for granted.

It's not you I worry about.

You got nothing to worry about.

Neither of you. I'm yours forever.

[sighs]

He's got all the power,
none of the perks, been back home what?

Five months. Election was a public
humiliation, so he pivoted.

He can't compete with Staten
on ranching skill alone,

which is why he's trying to reinvent
the Double K,

he's over-promised on profits.

-Gambler needing a big score.
-Like a secret oil field.

Had an affair some years back
if we trust the scuttle.

So a horndog.

-That's always your angle.
-[chuckles]

Okay, so you think you

can seduce the richest man in Ransom?

Honey, if it has a p*nis and portfolio,
yes. I'm actually undefeated.

[Yancy] Let's talk about money.

I'm on Sam's sh*t list after the auction,
so whatever the play is,

he's gotta feel like
he's getting one over on me.

-Messy divorce.
-Messy divorce.

[Sidney] That's the play.
You and I are on the rocks. We're…

Yeah, we, uh, don't have to get
in the weeds. We got an angle.

Let's get out of here. I don't want you
to be late. We'll talk logistics tomorrow.

Waiting with bated breath.

Careful. It'd be so sad if you suffocated.

I know it's a leap to book him
on a first-time festival,

but I promise you,
you won't be disappointed.

Right.

Yeah, no, I understand.

Thank you for hearing me out.

-[Ellie] Hey.
-Hey.

Oh, no. Sour face. What happened?

More like, what didn't happen?

-Still no musicians?
-No.

And I'm gonna have to call
the one person I didn't want to call.

Who?

She's a music manager
who happened to go to Ransom High.

Not Mary Lou.

Didn't you say
she used to call you Quaint O'Grady,

gave a kid a handy
to put it in the yearbook?

True.

Maybe she's changed.

One way to find out.

Ask Staten.

-Staten?
-Mm-hm.

They were in here a couple months ago.
I guess she was back in town.

Hm.

Maybe like a catch-up.

She grabbed his junk.

Right. Right.

Yeah.

[gentle melodic music playing]

What's happening over there?

I don't really know.

He hasn't talked to me
since Yancy proposed.

I mean, little things, you know,

like pleasantries
when we pass each other in the street.

[music stops]

-I hate it.
-Yeah.

You know, you're so close with someone
one day, and then there you are.

Talking about the weather.

Sorry, Kai.

It's a bad beat.

-It's life.
-Yeah.

You got plans tomorrow night, Andrews?

I… Uh… Well…

Well, what?

I don't know. You just trying to make
conversation, or do you want to hang out?

I want another uniform
at that homecoming game.

[clears throat] Sir. Yeah, I can do that.

Do I want to hang out?

[contemplative music playing]

[door bell jingles]

[music stops]

Staten Kirkland.

On his phone?

-Just texting.
-Mm.

Don't tell anyone.

Everything okay?

Yeah. Why?

More "feeling like sh*t" steak and eggs.

Oh, no. [chuckles] No, this is the number
three. See, there's… there's bacon.

Ah. What was I thinking?

You want some?

I want intel on Mary Lou Daniels.

-What do you mean?
-You've gotten to know her better.

Ellie said she saw you at the bar
together a few months ago.

-Yeah, she was in town for a family thing.
-Ah.

Yeah, with a side of Staten Kirkland.

She's in town for homecoming, and she reps
some of the biggest artists in Nashville,

and I need some of those artists
to headline Ransompalooza.

-Ransompa… That cannot be the name.
-It's not.

It's a placeholder.

Look, she doesn't like me.
She never has.

And I need her on board.

I need an in.

I just need help figuring this out.

Okay.

[clears throat]

-This is hopeless.
-No, wait. Hold on now.

I could be your in.

She begs me to go to that king
and queen halftime thing every year,

and I always, I always… I always say no.

She does love making the entrance
at that dinosaur parade.

I don't blame you. It's very cringy.

I could do that for you.

-No, you can't.
-Yeah, I'll do the dinosaur parade.

I'll do the lame bullshit,
then I'll have Mary Lou come to Gracie's.

I'll talk the place up, I'll talk you up.

I'll drink responsibly,

I'll dance exquisitely,
and charm the pants off her.

Again?

Then you come in and seal the deal.

You'd honey pot her for me?

I'm gonna honey pot her for you.

Well, there is one tiny problem.

What's that?

I've seen you dance.

sh*t.

[both chuckle]

Thank you.

It would be very,
very nice of you to do that.

I'll do anything for you, O'Grady.

[gentle melodic music playing]

Well, I will take a piece of that bacon.

-Crunchy.
-Crunchy. I know.

-[school bell rings]
-[music fades]

Hey, you.

Hi.

Wait, I thought you had work,
'cause it's open block.

-I have open block, I'm not going to work.
-Why?

Kit did Sam's bidding
and brought in extra hands.

Staten's boys are kicking up about it.
Place is like a powder keg right now.

-Whatever, it's not a big deal.
-What's not a big deal?

Boring ranch dynamics.
I wouldn't listen to me either.

No, I am listening.
I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.

Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything.

[sighs and stammers]

-The thing is, I just… I've been--
-[alert over speaker]

[man] Howdy, Ransom Spartans, it's the big
announcement you've all been waiting for.

It's homecoming court.

-[man] That's right. Homecoming court.
-[people cheer]

Our contenders for Ransom's
2025 homecoming queen are…

-You got this in the bag, Lauren.
-[man] Riley Harris.

[people cheer]

Ashley Keo.

-[girl] Yeah, Ashley!
-[man] And Brittany Montgomery.

[girl] Okay. Okay.

Wait, what?

[melancholic music playing]

-It's fine.
-Lauren.

-Honestly, it's fine. I said it's fine.
-Lauren.

[man] And now for our homecoming
king contenders.

First up, Tim O'Grady.

-Oh. h* h* h*!
-[people cheer]

-It means nothing. You know that.
-I know. I know.

-It's… Honestly, I'm good.
-[man] Next up, Cooper Lockwood.

[Lauren sighs]

-Thank you.
-[man] Last, but certainly not least,

-Lucas Russell.
-Wha…

-No.
-Yes!

-No, without you…
-No, that's amazing.

Lucas!

Yes! Congratulations!

-No, this is crazy. No, guys, I'm sorry.
-[excited chatter]

[music fades]

[rock music playing]

Tortilla chip?

[sighs]

-Hey, I'm heading out. You okay?
-Yeah.

Oh, I get it.

I never was one of the popular girls.

Yeah, well…

I was.

It's whatever, it's fine.

Hey.

It's not whatever.

You've been through a lot
while I was gone.

And I don't know if I can help,
but I want you to know that I know.

And I'm here.

If you want to talk about any of it.

Okay?

Okay.

I mean it.

I will, thank you.

Okay.

-Okay.
-Yeah.

I was so embarrassed, I just…

I just kept the coach seat.

-That was very gracious of you, Claire.
-[Claire chuckles]

-Hey.
-[Quinn] Hey.

This looks fun.

[Oliver] Mm-hm.

[Quinn and Oliver] Hey.

Hey, kiddo, I thought about what you said,

and I cannot let you
buy this place from me, I just can't.

I'm going to.

-I ca--
-That's the end of discussion.

-I can't.
-Mom.

Please.

Okay, all right.

Okay.

Will you sit
and have a glass of wine at least?

I'm tired.

Quinny, I come in peace, really.

I am done interfering in your life.

Oh. [scoffs] Can I hold you to that?

Scout's honor.

I'm pretty sure that's Star Trek.

-It's not.
-[Quinn] Yeah, I think it is.

She's coming in intergalactic peace, so…

How was your day, darling?

Well, you know, a thousand hurdles.

I might've found an in for some acts.

-Babe, that's amazing. Who?
-[Quinn] Yeah.

This music manager who grew up here.

Mary Lou Daniels?
You reached out to Scary Lou Daniels?

Yeah, kinda. I put Staten on it.

Oh, Staten.

Ah.

Does he… Does he know her?

-Yeah, carnally, in fact.
-[Claire chuckles]

Well. Okay, and he's just happy
to wield that for you?

Yeah, it was actually kind of his idea.

[Oliver] Right.

Well… that deserves a cheers.

To, um…

To one hurdle at a time.

-One hurdle at a time.
-Go Spartans.

-[lively pop music playing]
-[crowd cheering]

♪ It's our time
It's go time ♪

♪ It's lights up
It's showtime ♪

Go! Get him!

Let's go!

-That's what I'm talking about!
-Are you having fun?

Yeah, you kidding me?
Just like the movies.

Actually, would you come
with me for a sec?

-Yeah.
-Come on.

[marching band playing]

[cheering continues faintly]

-[Oliver clears his throat]
-[giggles]

[gentle pop music playing]

I've always wanted to do this.

What?

Mm.

It's always magic with you.

Kiss me again.

[chuckles]

[announcer] Once again, into halftime.

[sighs]

Sorry.

I really wanna see this.

I'm sorry. Is that okay?

Yeah, of course.

Hey.

Thank you for this.

Mm.

[exhales deeply]

[marching band playing]

-You should be out there with me.
-No, I'm right where I need to be.

-Go on, go win the crown.
-We both know that's not happening.

Mm. Well, then just meet me
in the loser circle.

Deal.

[music ends]

[sighs]

[contemplative music playing]

[crowd cheering]

[announcer] Here they are, the Ransom High
homecoming kings and queens of yesteryear.

Including the king and queen
Staten Kirkland and Mary Lou Daniels.

[Staten] My queen!

My king!

[both chuckle]

You know, I did not take you
for a second date kind of guy, Staten.

I mean, for Mary Lou Daniels?
Come on, now.

[bluesy country music playing]

Hello, boys.

-Mrs. O'Grady.
-Don't you f*cking dare.

-Claire. How you doing this evening?
-[chuckles]

Great. Who's your friend, Kai?

-This is Andrews, new guy.
-Ma'am.

Are you single, Andrews?

As a matter of fact, I am.

Good to know. My daughter Angie's
separated, has been for some time.

She likes a man in uniform.

Strong hand, tender touch.

Give me your phone.

[Andrews clears his throat]

Call me if you want a date.

With Angie?

Whatever you like.

[chuckles]

What, bro? Don't be jealous.

[chuckles]

[man] All righty.

-[Sam] Thank you.
-Yep.

[intriguing music playing]

I'm pissed. These were promises you made
me for the years we have been together.

-Shh.
-[Sidney] Don't shush me.

You betrayed me.

-I'm not doing this here.
-Okay, let's do it in court then.

Enough.

I'll find out what you're sitting on.
What the old man left you.

Just stop, all right?
You're embarrassing yourself.

Oh, I'm the embarrassment?
I'm the embarrassment?

I'm not the one
who knocked up Ellie Estevez!

[quietly] What the f*ck, Sid?

And now… Now?

Now you are going to lose
your precious land, as*h*le!

Got him.

[music stops]

I'm sorry.
We had to make a scandalous debate.

And smear my reputation, just out that
I'm pregnant in front of half the town?

She went off-book. But it worked.

And we are one step closer
to getting rid of Sid, forever.

Uh-huh. But that's not why you're excited.

You're excited because you got to play
mean pretend with your sexy ex.

We talked about this.

I warned you what was involved.

I guess I should've listened.

[marching band playing]

[announcer] Let's hear it
for our homecoming kings and queens.

Stay tuned, as these folks will pass
the torch to your new king and queen

in just a few minutes.

I hear the votes
are just about done being tallied.

-Is that, is that her?
-Yeah.

-Scary Lou Daniels?
-Mm-hm.

She doesn't look that scary.

That wasn't so bad, was it?

I had a leech once, that was worse.

[snickering]

Well, thank you for coming.

Yeah, well, you owe me.

You know, you should
come to Gracie's later.

I mean it.

Okay.

Okay.

[gentle melodic music playing]

-Hey.
-Hey.

-I did pretty good, right?
-Mm-hm.

-And I got her to come to Gracie's.
-[chuckles]

Wait till I get her on the dance floor.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

You know, you look pretty good.

For a dinosaur.

[chuckles] Could've left
that last part out.

Hey, there you are.

-Staten.
-Hey.

-How are you, mate?
-Uh…

Just a little uncomfortable, you know.

-How are you?
-Ah, a little bit lost.

Just trying to keep up with the customs.

Staten, over here! Come on!

Uh, if you'll excuse me.

Come on! Come on!

[dramatic music playing]

f*cking scabs, all of you.

Step back and watch your mouth?
We're just taking a job.

-You're taking our jobs. Did you know?
-No one knew.

-I was talking--
-Easy!

[grunts]

Hey! Hey!

-[all grunting]
-[tense music playing]

-[hard thud]
-[Staten gasps]

Stay back!

Get the hell out of here.

-What was that about?
-Your old man sh*t-canned us.

-What?
-[groans] Yeah.

-Who?
-All of us.

Me, Jake, rest of the boys, we're gone.

He's just keeping his new guys.

[man groans]

-All right, get out of here.
-Sorry, boss.

Get.

[music fades]

-[expl*si*n]
-[announcer] Congratulations, Ashley Keo,

our new homecoming queen.

And now, homecoming king, folks.

Good luck, man.

I'm on a roll tonight, bro.

[announcer] And the winner is…

Lucas Russell!

[crowd cheers]

Whaaa… That's right.

Don't forget, king hosts the after-party.

Good luck squeezing half the school
in that trailer of yours.

[hip hop music playing]

Come on, Russell, keep going!

Whoo hoo hoo!

-Okay!
-There we go.

No.

-Let's go, Russell!
-Oh, yeah, here.

Sorry. Sorry.

Oh my God.
We gotta stop meeting like this.

Huh?

The tornado, peas, my ankle.

-Right. Right.
-Yeah.

-What happened?
-[groans]

Let me see.

-It's nothing.
-I can do it. Let me help. Yes.

[Kit sighs]

-[chuckles]
-[moans]

Tough guy, huh? What happened?

[groans] What do you mean?

-It's nothing.
-It's not nothing.

Sam Kirkland's what happened.

Up and fired all of Staten's ranch hands.

Tried to convince him not to, but the
only one I could manage to save was Luke.

-Jesus, does Lucas know?
-No.

Let the king have his moment.

Plenty of time for him
to hate me tomorrow.

I'm willing to play the bad guy

if it means making money
to get Luke out of here.

And, uh, class villain's my sweet spot.

Class villain, huh?

Yeah, shoe fits.

Uh… Who's she?

[shouting]

Um…

Most likely to get ushered
out of a Walmart in handcuffs.

[chuckles] That's good, yeah.

Um…

The, the guy in the back.

Most likely to start
a billion-dollar company.

Okay, what's he sell?

Hats for cats.

It just takes off. [chuckles]

Come on, I wanna show you something.

[lively country western music playing]

[Mary Lou] Whoo! Let's go! Another round?

-Well, someone's popular.
-Mmm. Every day of her life.

What are you waiting for?

Staten.

Yeah.

Do I have anything to worry about there?

-With me and him?
-Mm.

I loved that man
for a very large part of my life.

I won't stand here and tell you I didn't.

And I don't think that kind
of connection ever dies completely.

But I need something
that he can't give me.

That ship has sailed.

You sure?

I'm sure.

Because the man is f*cking handsome.

[chuckles] I'm sorry,
have you seen this face?

[chuckles]

Just go and talk to her.

[sighs]

Oh, please.

You know what my favorite thing
about playing a show in New York is?

The drink after, yeah.

Oh, McSorley's.

It's watching you.

When you're playing a solo,
just so into it.

So perfect,
you'd have Rachmaninoff in tears.

[quiet thoughtful music playing]

A thousand tuxedoed
New Yorkers just… listening.

All eyes on you, but

you don't falter.

Because you're that f*cking good.

So, who the hell is this…?
Was it Mary Lou Daniels?

[Quinn] Mm-hm.

This is Quinn O'Grady.

And she's f*cking fearless.

[country rock music playing]

Shot of tequila and ranch water.

[Sidney sighs]

Someone's looking to jumpstart a hangover.

-[Sidney exhales deeply]
-Everything all right?

Can I ask you something?

What is the actual point
of falling in love?

You're Yancy Grey's wife, right?

You were at the game.

If it makes you feel any better,
and it won't,

I went through a divorce myself.

Messy, to say the least.

Worst time of my life.

To the worst time of our lives.

-Cheers.
-Mm-hm. Cheers.

Staring's not gonna make it less awkward.

Hi.

Congratulations.

I'm sorry, I was…

trying to keep it a secret,
but there that goes.

Oh, it's amazing, Ellie.

Honestly, I'm really happy for you.

Thank you.

I didn't think you'd take it this way,
so I appreciate it.

You're gonna be a mama.

An incredible one.

I don't know how
that could be anything but good.

So you're still
in that situation then, with him?

I mean… [inhales deeply]

it's complicated.

But I'm fine. Really.

Boiling water feels like a jacuzzi
when you're the frog.

Just trust when I say
that it's not what it looks like. Okay?

Okay.

[door opens]

[door closes]

We couldn't look that cool if we tried.

Speak for yourself, as*h*le. [snickers]

Feels poetic or something, doesn't it?
Like they're watching me leave.

No, well, you're not leaving. None of you.

-No?
-No.

Sam changed his mind?

He's gonna be gone soon enough.

Board votes in a month and change.
It'll go by just like that.

[melancholic music playing]

I'm sick of you anyway.

-Nah, I'm sick of you.
-[chuckles] I don't doubt that.

But a few weeks, okay?

Take a vacation.

Vacation?

You got family in California, don't you?

-The f*ck am I gonna do in California?
-I don't know, go surfing?

-You know I can't swim.
-[chuckles]

It's been an honor, brother.

Hey. I'm gonna figure this out.

You have my word.

If you say so.

[sighs]

So she… she hits the gas, and blam!

She comes running up covered in soot

like they do
in those old cartoons, you know?

[laughing]

-That is too funny!
-Mm.

-Um…
-[sighs]

Hey, you, what,
you know, that you might want to… Mm.

-Thank you.
-Mm.

What a gentleman.

Yeah, well…

I know one, given who you're married to.

Separated from.

You're making a mistake, darling.

All those years in D.C.,
I can smell an opportunist a mile away.

You're going through a rough time,
and you have all my sympathies.

But if you want to go gold digging…

that dog won't hunt.

Thanks for the drinks.

Mary Lou.

-Hi.
-[chuckles]

What do you think?

Oh, it's really nice for Ransom.

It's really nice for anywhere.
Come on, you know it is.

It's nice for anywhere.

I mean, I built it
all the way down to the last detail.

And I want to build something else.

I want to build a music festival.

-Here, in Ransom?
-In Ransom.

Boy.

Charley Crockett comes to town
and the dreams sure get bigger.

I've kept tabs on you.

-You have?
-New York Phil?

You've been doing some big sh*t.

So have you.

So what happened to Quaint O'Grady?

[chuckles]

She grew up.

[Mary Lou] Hm.

So she did.

Think about all the artists you represent.

This could be amazing for both of us.

I know you love this town.
I love it too, and I want to save it.

I want this festival to go on forever.

Well, forever is a long time.

My advice, just focus on the first one.

Do it with me?

The first one, and…

We can worry about forever another time.

[gentle inspiring music playing]

What do you say?

I think it sounds like a plan.

Chat Monday?

Yeah, sure. Chat Monday.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[music fades]

[hip hop music playing]

[Lauren] Oh my gosh!

-Hello!
-[meows]

-Who is this?
-This is Mr. Scratch,

trying the indoor thing.

Might even get him a little hat
if Poindexter gets that business going.

Wait, can I hold him?

I mean, the name's
not false advertising, but I can try.

-[cat meow]
-Oh!

Not really a party guy.

[chuckles] Yeah, I get it.

Yeah.

It's just seeing Ashley out there,
homecoming queen…

I just can't help
but feel like it should've been me.

Which probably sounds stupid, but…

Uh, I mean, it is kind of stupid.

[scoffs]

-Did you want to be homecoming queen?
-Yes, I wanted to be homecoming queen.

Wait, why?

Because it's… like

who I am.

Or was.

Mm. Well, maybe it's time you moved on
to being something different.

[crowd] Lucas! Lucas! Lucas!

-Lucas! Lucas!
-[crowd cheers]

What?

[hip hop music continues]

[man] Let's go!

[crowd cheers]

sh*t.

Oh my God.

Whoo hoo!

-[vomits]
-[crowd groans]

[Lauren gasps]

-Yeah!
-[crowd cheers]

[crowd] Yeah!

I love you guys, you know that, right?

-I really do.
-Yeah.

My bro and my girl
and my brother and my girlfriend.

Love you too, kid.

Here.

[sighs]

[quiet contemplative music playing]

I'm gonna go get him some water.

Hey, Quinn, I'm sorry I'm late.

All good.

Might want to grab a drink
before last call.

-Where is she?
-She's gone.

What? [sighs] I'll call her tomorrow.
I will save this, I promise.

Don't worry about it.
I didn't need you after all.

Pitched her myself, I think I got her.

What?

You got it? It's done?

[soft rock music playing]

Ha!

I'm proud of you, Quinn.

-What happened to your eye?
-It doesn't ma… I'm…

-What's going on?
-Doesn't matter.

What matters is that you pulled it off.

I did pull it off.

-I didn't even need to watch you dance.
-Oh, okay.

-[chuckles]
-Okay.

-You wanted to watch me dance.
-You're a terrible dancer.

[Claire] Quite a night, isn't it?

Certainly is.

Lot of history over there.

That's what I've heard.

-Uh, you want some advice, honey?
-Mm.

Don't take your eyes off the prize.

Lord knows Staten hasn't.

Evening, Ellie. Just a whiskey.

Got it.

Wanted to say congratulations.
You know, one hears things.

Well, thank you, Sam.

You were really close to Cap, right?

You know I was.

Something on your mind?

Nah, it's just been a weird day, is all.

Met that fool Yancey's
thirsty little wife.

And?

Did you think Cap would be
rolling over in his grave if he knew,

with you carrying his heir,

that those two were
about to chop up his legacy? Hm?

There's something going on there,
something big.

Might be worth looking into the what.

What is the first thing I ever taught you,
is to listen more than you talk.

But no, you pushed him too much,
too fast, and now we are out of luck.

Okay, we'll pivot.

What is up your a*s?

You! You are. Telling the whole
g*dd*mn town about my kid.

You set this into motion.

Don't come bitching at me when
I saved the thing from going sideways.

[Ellie] He took the bait.

What? Sid said he bailed.

As much as I hate to admit it,
that fake fight worked.

He doesn't like either of you, but he's
convinced you're sitting on something big.

Okay?

I'll take a beat
and then I'll make another pass.

No.

It needs to be someone who Sam trusts
and someone who knew Cap.

[intriguing music playing]

-Ellie, no.
-Yes.

It has to be me.

[music fades]

[gentle upbeat music playing]

[music fades]