The Family Lawyer
Updated 2008-10-09 09:40:41
In case you didn't realize, this show is getting soapier ! And more scandalous! We open with a fake tabloid newsmagazine type show called "VIP Insider," which is redundant, but that's sort of the least of my concerns with this new direction, so I'll shut up. We have a faux-grey-haired (it's either a wig or the fakest-looking real head of hair I've ever seen) faux-Anderson Cooper type -- though not nearly as good-looking or charming or smart -- talking about the Darlings managing to get even dirtier than anyone ever thought (uh, yeah, tell us about it).
Faux-Anderson gets us up to date on the scandals: Patrick's wife, Ellen, died suspiciously in a fire (except we know it's even dirtier than that), and the Darlings have retreated to the Imperial, their "palatial Manhattan home." Patrick walks in and asks those in front of the TV (Jeremy, Karen, Patrick's kids) to turn off the TV, but his kids want to watch because their friends at school said Daddy killed Mommy. Awww, kids say the darnedest things. Karen says this is why she's never having kids. Which, good for her, really. Possibly the first smart decision she's made since we've known her. Patrick explains it was an accident and that even the police say so. He also tells them he loved their mommy very much. Now, now, Patrick, you had them at "accident"; you didn't have to lie.
Faux-Anderson continues that Darling Enterprises is facing troubled times on Wall Street (this show must not be set in the current economy, or one company facing troubled times wouldn't exactly be headline news). And then he goes on to say the stock has been downgraded because of the arrest of Letitia Darling. When we pan out on the TV again, it's a screen in a lobby at Darling Enterprises, and Brian's the viewer. A redheaded secretary (excuse me ... administrative assistant) type comes out to tell Brian that the board will see him.
Back on the TV, Faux-Anderson explains that Nick won't be representing Letitia, because of some sort of conflict of interest or something. Instead, Nick's at a press conference introducing Terry Deramian, who will represent Letitia in court for Dutch's murder. His record gives Nick every confidence Letitia will be found innocent. A reporter asks him if he believes in the Darling curse now that his father is the victim, and Nick tells her the only curse is being asked questions like that. Which is awesome, except it makes me wonder what happened to the old Nick who actually wanted to solve his father's murder . Will he return, possibly?
When we zoom out from the TV this time, Lisa's watching, and she's at home with Nick. She tells him he looks cute on TV, and he says she should see him in high-def. Yes, Lisa, if you haven't, I highly recommend it. He looks pretty awesome. You do too, actually. The only ones on this show who really suffer on high-def, in my estimation, are Jeremy (and, hey, you're the one who kissed him) and Karen (what happened to her face?!). But I digress. Nick's calling Mayor Bloomberg (Lisa is shocked!) to thank him for "making this tribute possible." He hangs up and Lisa asks if Bloomberg's coming to Ellen's service. Nick isn't sure, and he snarks about the media frenzy surrounding Letitia's trial overshadowing Ellen's service.
Lisa asks if Nick's sure he doesn't want her to come to the arraignment, and he says he'll be fine. He's just going to be holding a lot of Darling hands. She asks who will be holding his, and he says Jeremy's pretty fond of the family. This is the point where, if I were Lisa, I'd say, "Well, at least it's not Karen," because he's been bad too. But instead she gets defensive because he said he wasn't angry anymore. He says he's not but "forgiveness isn't amnesia." Oh, how I wish it were, though, because that would make it a lot easier to never bring this crap up again. Lisa calls Nick closer to her and tells him she's ready to have a baby. Is it just me or is this the totally wrong time to bring that up? Because that makes it seem like you don't really want to, but are just saying it to detract attention or to make it seem like you are more committed to this marriage than you really are. He can't talk about it now because he has to help figure out the entertainer for Ellen's memorial service. Um, an "entertainer" at a memorial service? I believe that sort of defeats the point of the memorial. Lisa can't believe how much the Darlings ask of Nick and is surprised they haven't asked him to take Letitia's case. He says even the Darlings have their limits.
Which is the perfect segue to cut to Tripp telling Brian, "I want Nick to defend your mother." He thinks Deramian should make a graceful exit and Nick should take over the case. Brian smartly but snottily asks Tripp if he really expects Nick to defend the woman accused of killing his father, and Brian's father. Tripp points out that woman is Brian's mother and she's innocent, and must not go to jail. He proves that he's continuing his trend of being completely and totally manipulative by adding, "What jury could possibly convict her if she's being represented by the victim's son?" Seriously, why did they have to make Tripp less human this season? He seems so cold and calculating in every decision, whereas last season we got these poignant moments that made me want to trust him and even love him a little. Now? Not so much. Brian looks irked, so Tripp points out that something's troubling Brian, but then moves right on to business, asking what the board had to say. Brian says they're not happy, and want Tripp to name a successor, because they all think "she's going up the river tout de suite . " Tripp believes she'll be proven innocent, but thinks a succession plan might keep people happy for the time being, so he's okay with it.
Lucy Liu is getting dressed after a night of love-making with Jeremy. She has to leave, and tells him he has to go. He can't believe she'd wake him at 8:05, when his day doesn't start until noon (especially since she kept him up until 5 in the morning). She says she has to get to work, but won't tell Jeremy what that work is. Well, she tells him she's a superhero, which I'm thinking is a lie. I mean, I know this show is getting less believable, but let's hope it's not going to meld with Heroes or something. She says that no matter what happens, all of this with him has been real and blah, blah, blah. Jeremy! Wake up. When someone says that, you instantly get defensive and ask what the hell is going on. Because otherwise you'll be surprised with bad things later. He does manage a weak, "What does that mean?" but Jeremy's not exactly the brightest bulb, so he lets her leave.
Nick and the kids (Patrick, Karen, and Jeremy) are trying to plan the service. Nick's wondering what kind of song they'd like after Patrick's eulogy. Jeremy suggest Elton John, saying that "he'll play "Candle in the Wind" for anyone." Karen, drinking a bloody Mary, thinks this is "genius." Nick decides to bring Patrick into this discussion, asking if there's anyone whose music Ellen liked. He sort of shrugs, "Kenny ... G?" And Karen agrees: "That is so Ellen." People, she's dead. Don't insult her memory by claiming she likes Kenny G. Just so not cool. Even Jeremy agrees. And Nick says he'll call Kenny G.
Before he can do that, though, in walks Tripp, with his shadow Brian in tow. Tripp gives a sickeningly sweet greeting to Karen, his " 'Darling' girl," and then explains he's happy to find them all gathered because he's going to have to name a successor to Letitia to placate the board. He explains that, as their father, he can't really choose because he loves them all equally. And then there's a lot of build-up to him telling Nick he'd like him to do it, even though we would all know that was coming even if we hadn't seen the previews. ... And opening title card.
Establishing New York City skyline shots. Then Simon Elder is putting a necklace on a half-clothed Karen and telling her it should be her. She says she thinks it kind of is. And he's like, "No, I mean you should be the one to run the company." She explains that Nick would never recommend she be in charge of anything, because he doesn't see her that way. Simon's all, "How does Nick see you?" She takes off even more clothes and says that he sees her as a silly rich girl who doesn't know what she wants. Simon says that's not what he sees. And you can tell it's actually getting to Karen because she starts free-associating about who Nick will pick. She says Patrick's busy with running for Senate, and business isn't his thing; Jeremy's "just a bubble of goo"; Juliet's off on an island somewhere (thanks for finally giving us something about Juliet); and Brian's not even really Tripp's son. Simon brings up Karen's MBA from Columbia, and, well, is it possible she's the best choice? I'm still going to go with Brian, whether he's related by blood or not. She also says she's loyal because she's sleeping with Simon to get secrets for Tripp. Except that she's not doing that anymore because she's in love with Simon, so the loyalty thing is not so much true as a big fat lie. She says it really should be her, and right after she and Simon get it on, she'll go talk to Nick.
Jeremy is buttering Nick up, for some reason, and I can't think it's because of the business because Jeremy seems like the type who wouldn't want that type of responsibility. They're on the way to the arraignment. Jeremy asks if Nick's going to hit him again, and Nick says they're cool if he doesn't kiss Lisa again. Jeremy asks what kind of lawyer is on his mom's case. Nick says "a real pitbull," the type of person the state uses if they want to make an example of someone. Jeremy hates "this guy" already. Nick's like, "It's not a guy," and the crowds clear out to show us attorney Lucy Liu. Jeremy's shocked, but he could try to find some solace in the fact that he kept her up until 5 a.m. the night before her big trial, right? Or maybe this is a different day. I cannot keep track of the timeline. Anyway, Nick says hi to her and we find out her name is "Nola Lyons." Jeremy stutters through the introduction and they pretend not to know each other. She's very cold and Jeremy wants to kill himself.
In the courtroom, Letitia is brought in wearing your typical orange jumpsuit. Tripp greets her warmly. Letitia's lawyer, with a thick Southern accent, enters a plea of not guilty, and Nola objects. Plot contrivance alert! She says that as an out-of-state lawyer, Deramian needs the sponsorship of local counsel to proceed. Deramian says he filed the paperwork yesterday, and the judge says it didn't make it through. Gee, I wonder who they'll get to step in. Any important lawyers in the courtroom? It's almost as if Tripp caused this by stopping the paperwork, but it would be so unlike Tripp to manipulate a situation to his own benefit. The judge says the hearing is adjourned, and Patrick asks if he should take care of it, but Tripp says, "No, Nick will take care of it." He looks at Nick, who jumps up and steps in. Nick says he'll act as local counsel only until Deramian can file the necessary paperwork. We'll just see about that, Nicky boy. Nola sighs.
Nick begins by asking that Letitia's bail be waived. Nola objects, asking if the message the judge wants to send is that the rich are above the law. She adds that Letitia could have a Gulfstream V waiting for her to flee the moment she's released. The judge listens and sets bail at $20 million, to which Nick replies, "Who cares? We have bail ready and waiting" (though not in those exact words) and in walk a bunch of guys in suits with metal briefcases handcuffed to their wrists. Nola rolls her eyes, and the judge says it's the first time she's seen that. She tells Letitia she's free to go but will be under strict house arrest. As they're leaving the courtroom, Deramian says he just can't imagine what happened to that paperwork. Tripp says it's okay, that these things happen (especially when Tripp Darling is involved). Tripp is disgusted that the only thing that went off flawlessly is the "shameless parade of our wealth." Um, okay, Tripp, but you're the one who lets everyone in your family constantly parade your wealth shamelessly, so the feigned disgust is sort of ridiculous at this point. Except that I get that you'd rather them parade it in the streets and the tabloids than in court.
Deramian leads the Darlings down a set of stairs that he says is a secret way he knows about that "should be quiet as church." But they come out to greet hordes of media, of course, asking, "Did you murder Dutch George?" And, "Is this going to be a repeat of the Harvey Sutton trial?" (Who?) Deramian says his client is innocent, just like Harvey Sutton was innocent, despite his subsequent confession (must be an old Deramian client?). Nick's in the background asking if Deramian planned this, since the car isn't there waiting for them. It's all crazy chaos and Letitia has a meltdown and screams a barely decipherable "I just want to go home!" and it looks like she might have collapsed, but it cuts away weirdly on her head turned to the side and a palm over the camera. Because we are the voyeurs watching the media circus. Get it?
Nola enters her office to find an angry Jeremy. "Nothing personal?" he says. She breezes, "Don't be a hater." And I am sort of falling in love with Lucy Liu for not giving a shit what the Darlings think or say or do, other than to try to take one down. He's like, "You slept with me and then arrested my mom." She says, "It's called a hit and run." He says he thought it was called a setup. She's indignant. He says if it wasn't a setup, what was it, and she tells him that if it were a setup, she'd probably have asked him a few questions, don't you think. He says, "Yeah." She says the only thing she asked him for was to do a certain thing a little bit harder (I'm sure she asked him to "try"), and that she told him it's real. She really likes him. It's just complicated. He totally wants to kiss her, but instead he says he'll see her tonight so they can "talk" about this. She says that's not going to happen, but it was fun while it lasted. Then he leaves her to think seriously for about three-quarters of a second, so it's not clear yet if she's lying to him, or what is going on exactly.
Deramian's trying to defend his actions to Tripp. He couldn't have predicted that degree of mayhem. But Tripp points out that he also failed to turn in the papers, in addition to "standing there preening in the silvery light of the cameras while ... my beloved wife was unraveling like tape from a cassette." Dude, Tripp, you are totally aging yourself with your cassette references. Kids these days don't even know what a cassette is. Update your metaphors, would you? (By the way, Nick, Letitia, and Brian are all in the room.) Tripp goes on to say that he doesn't care how many heiresses Deramian has saved from conviction, he will no longer be defending Letitia. Deramian's like, "Fine." Nick looks skeptical, to say the least. Brian asks Nick if he's ready to take the case. Nick says that heading into a court with the victim's son is not going to fly, but Brian says it exonerates Letitia by design. Nick says it doesn't; it makes them look like they're all in bed together (um, you all are or have been in bed together, so what's the big deal?). Tripp agrees with Nick, but for some reason I'm thinking it's the beginnings of another Tripp Manipulation Session. Nick says he'll have a new list of attorneys in the morning, and Tripp thanks him. Nick leaves, and Brian follows him. Letitia asks what's going on and Tripp tells her all will be well.
In the hall, Nick tells Brian there's nothing he can say to change his mind. Brian says, "I can't believe you. We ask you one friggin' thing." Nick: "Brian you ask me to do everything!" Brian: "Why shouldn't we? You don't think you owe this family? Your whole life we've treated you like a friggin' prince." Nick says he's not so much a prince as the clean-up crew: "I'm the guy who clears your tickets, plans your funerals, and calls Kenny G." Yeah, that is asking a lot. I mean, who would want to have to call Kenny G? Nick acknowledges that he's sometimes allowed to sit at the main table, but only until someone drops their plate and he's sent for a mop. Brian says that's what family is: "We're all expendable until we're needed. At least you get paid for it." Nick reiterates he's not taking this case, "now or ever." Yeah, we'll see about that. Nick storms off and Brian looks pissed.
Tripp approaches Patrick in an office and asks him if he's given any more thought to what he's going to say at Ellen's memorial service. Tripp says this eulogy could be a political milestone. Patrick, with a conscience, says it's bad enough they covered up her death, and do they have to capitalize on it? Tripp says they don't have to, but that no one is served by missing this opportunity, and that Ellen wanted nothing more than for him to win. Tripp says Patrick needs to be a human being (because Tripp is so familiar with what it means to be one). Patrick says he'll try.
Nola and Nick in the courthouse. She asks if he's Letitia's lawyer now, adding "Because that would be gross." He says he's not but he still represents the family and wants Letitia to be able to attend Ellen's memorial service. Nola thinks that's crazy talk, because Letitia should be in jail and that Nick should be thanking her for finding his father's murderer. He asks what kind of case she has, and she says, "Golden." Her evidence: a 40-year affair gone bad, a plane that's been tampered with, an eager witness, and eagerness to arrest Letitia if she shows her face outdoors. She adds: "Try me."
Nick's back at his office, where Karen's waiting. She's disappointed he's late, but he thinks maybe he should get a pass since he's been all caught up in trying to find someone to defend her mother in a murder trial. He guesses correctly that she's there to ask him to let her take over the company. She guesses that he wasn't even going to consider her. He's aware of her virtues (business experience, work with the Family Foundation) and he promises to take all of those things into consideration. Karen has an epiphany: "You're not going to pick me." Nick says he doesn't want to pick anybody, and that he was handed a live grenade. She says if she'd known when she was 10 that letting him see her with her shirt off would cost her the company, she wouldn't have done it, but she guesses she didn't know him then ... and apparently doesn't know him now. Oh, and Natalie Zea has her crazy bangs swept aside, and is looking much better. And her acting is back on track, too. I'm going to try to pretend that most of the first episode didn't happen as far as she's concerned.
Karen and Simon are in a car, and she says she's going to kill Nick, because he doesn't take her seriously. Simon doesn't understand how he could not take her seriously, because Simon's time sleeping with her means he would let her run his company, I presume? She tells Simon to ask Nick why he doesn't take her seriously, and Simon says he might just do that. She was kidding, but he gives her a speech about how he got where he is by recognizing his own talents and the talents of others, and that Nick might not be able to see all of her gifts. She tells him he can go talk to him.
Patrick enters Nick's office and Nick promises he's taking all of his leadership qualities into consideration. Patrick says he doesn't care about the company and that's not why he's there. Nick's pleasantly surprised, and asks what's up. Patrick explains that Tripp wants the heartfelt, election clinching eulogy, and Patrick can't find the feelings, let alone the words, and the service is tomorrow. Nick doesn't understand how Patrick can't have feelings for the mother of his children, and Patrick reminds him that Ellen shot him in the leg once and then tried to kill him with a fire poker (yes, I was wrong in thinking it was a golf club last week ). He doesn't know what to do. All he can think about is Carmelita. Nick asks if they're seeing each other again. Patrick says she's still missing, but is all he can think about. Nick wisely tells him to write it about her and just replace her name with Ellen's. Patrick acknowledges the greatness of this totally schiester idea. And on his way out, he does say, "You're going to pick me to run the company, though, right?"
Simon's standing on a corner with sunglasses on, waiting for Nick. He approaches him when he exits his office building, saying he's glad he caught him. Nick's hoping he'll feel the same way. Simon says he needs a favor about Karen. Nick assumes the same thing we do, but Simon says Karen's capable of handling a lot of things but running a corporation isn't one of them. He goes on to tell Nick Karen doesn't trust him to make the right decision and doesn't really trust him much at all anymore. Simon lies that he was reluctant to get involved, but Karen insisted. Nick asks why he's telling him this, and Simon says he's doing it because Karen asked, but that he can't in good conscience sell Nick something he's too smart to buy. And I cannot tell who Simon is trying to trick here. Is he trying to reverse psychology Nick into choosing Karen because he really wants her to have it? And if he does, is it to get information or to ruin the company, or ...? Simon just asks that Nick not sell him down the river if Karen asks what he said. Mysterious music plays as Nick watches Simon get into his car and then walks into the subway.
And now Nick's entering Tripp's office. He gives Tripp his recommendation for the new vice chair of Darling Enterprises. Tripp looks at it and asks, "Really?" Nick says that in terms of loyalty, commitment, and brains, that's the person who's best equipped to guide the company. Tripp says that secures the future of Darling Enterprises.
Ellen's funeral. In front of a small lake or pond. Patrick eulogizes Ellen as embodying the American spirit of transformation. Heh. Karen's like, "Does that sound like Ellen to you," and Brian replies that Patrick must be delirious with grief. Patrick actually starts crying, as he says not a moment goes by that he doesn't miss her, but her spirit lives on in his heart. It's actually a very sad speech when you think about how much he loves Carmelita, and that she's gone.
And then Kenny G. starts playing Amazing Grace and the cops pull up. Nola gets out to arrest Letitia, saying Nick put Letitia in this position by letting her attend. Kenny G., to his credit, doesn't stop playing. Then the cops walk up to arrest her, and Tripp says no. They step in to take her and Brian steps up, telling them to back the eff off. Okay, he actually tells them to get the hell away from this mother, but it is seriously awesome. The cop tells him to step away or he'll be arrested. Brian says that actually the cop should step away unless he wants to be working a crosswalk, and he calls him "Chubby," apparently because he's chubby. Karen whispers, "You're not helping." Brian removes his sunglasses, and the media cameras swarm in. Nick tells Nola she did a good job getting all the major news outlets to record the brutal arrest of a grief-stricken woman. Nola thinks it will play as a cold-blooded murderer whose sense of entitlement knows no bounds. Nick says she's a grandma, and Nola says she's a sociopath.
Letitia chooses this moment to faint (when did she become such a frail little thing, anyway?), and everyone calls for a doctor. Nola decides it is getting a little icky and she'll let her go with a warning. Nick walks off and Nola stands there looking disappointed. Then Jeremy jumps up and grabs her from behind, whisking her behind a gigantic brick structure that I'm really hoping is not a ginormous mausoleum. She asks what he's doing, and he asks her the same thing. She's doing her job. He doesn't answer, but says he needs to see her tonight. She says it's not possible, and Jeremy says he'll go sing a duet with "Mr. G." (is that what people call him?) about how she slept with the defendant's son before she arrested his mother. She thinks he's bluffing, but he says they paid for two songs. So she agrees to meet him at 10 at her place, but that he will be gone by 10:05.
Nick tells the cops to let her go. He says he's the family lawyer and that he consulted with their boss (so, Nola's the cops' boss? How is that, exactly?) and there's been a misunderstanding. "Chubby" is like, "Oh, okay, then," without question, but Brian has to smart off once more telling him to get his jollies somewhere else. The cop says he's had it, and Brian says, "Why don't you bring it, Donut Hole?!" Nick steps in and says he'll take care of it, but the cop pushes him aside, and Brian PUNCHES THE COP. Seriously. It's both awesome and crazy.
Brian and Nick are in jail. I'm not sure why Nick was arrested, but apparently he got into the scuffle, too. Brian asks if Nick knows a good lawyer, but Nick doesn't think that's funny. Brian says he gets that Nick wants the company, and Nick says he doesn't. Brian misinterprets their conversation about Nick being "cleanup crew" as Nick saying he was always so close to the prize but never had it in his hands, and now he can. Brian continues: "Far be it from you" to pick a fight with Tripp, who can hand you the whole thing on a silver platter. Nick blurts out, "Dammit, Brian, I picked you!" Brian doesn't believe it, but Nick says to ask Tripp because he handed him a memo yesterday. Brian's still skeptical: "Why would you do that?" Nick says he's the best person for the job. Before I continue, I have to say that this is where it gets good in the way it was good last season -- those moments that elevate this show so far above a soap that I hate for anyone to use that word in association with it. Nick tells Brian that he's been the black sheep of the family his entire life, and he's still willing to do anything for them. Like sabotaging court documents to get people like Terry Deramian fired. Brian: "You found out about that?" Nick continues that Brian's a real pain in the ass, which is a pretty good thing to be when you are running a $50 billion company. Brian looks so beautifully sad and scared here, while Nick compliments him. It's a sweet brotherly moment, but not brotherly in the Supernatural , we've been brothers our whole life and would do anything for each other way. It's this new brotherly thing that neither of these guys quite understands how to deal with. But they both know it's something. You can see it all over their faces.
Then Brian asks Nick again to take Letitia's case. Nick asks why he's so committed to getting him to take it, and Brian says he knows his mom didn't do it, and if the only way to get her off is to have Dutch's son stand up and say she didn't do it, then that's what Brian needs to happen. He says, "She's innocent. And you used to be the kind of person who cared about stuff like that." Nick's frustrated, but it's Brian's turn and he's not stopping yet: "Besides, we both know who killed our dad." Nick asks who, and Brian says, "Who do you think? The woman he loved, or the guy he betrayed for the past 40 years?" Nick states the obvious: "Tripp?" And Brian confirms it, but says neither of them will be able to do anything about it, because "We all know how that works." And I think I am finally getting what Peter Krause was referring to when he said that "last year there was concern on behalf of the studio and network that the characters all be likeable and nice." Tripp is that character that they're going to sort of let be ruthlessly bad, which is why those moments of humanity we saw in him last season seem to be gone now. But if that means we get more moments like this between Brian and Nick, I am totally on board with that decision.
In comes Nola, telling them the officers don't want to testify against the Darlings. Brian mutters, "Sissies." But they leave. Nick tells Nola it's tough luck. She says he's not the Darling she wants anyway, and he says he's not a Darling. She says, "Aren't you? Come on. You're the Darling-est Darling of them all," and leaves Nick speechless.
Patrick's picking up the kids from school, when a mother approaches him. His daughter whispers that she's the one who thinks he killed Ellen. She introduces herself and compliments him on the eulogy, saying it felt like he was speaking straight from his heart to anyone who's ever lost a loved one. She adds that he'll make a great Senator. And we may have just turned this campaign around, folks. Nice work, Patrick. He thanks her, clearly overjoyed that it worked.
Jeremy knocks on Nola's door, and she says he's four minutes late. He stopped to get flowers, but she tells him he has only 60 seconds. He just wants to know if she set him up. She says she set herself up. She says she's such a good lawyer that she has developed a bad habit of getting involved with someone close to the case to create a challenge, and that's all this was. She starts to close the door, but he stops her and asks, "So, I'm, like, your handicap?" When characters as dumb as Jeremy call themselves a "handicap," I don't really have to add any commentary, now, do I? She says that the way she screamed when they did it in the limo proves he's not a handicap. He wants to come in and do it again. She tries to refuse, but he makes such a compelling argument, all, "I know you're trying my mom for murder, but I want you so much." She says it's just sex, and he says it's not about sex. She has the most beautiful face in the world, and, uh, have we heard this somewhere before? Oh, right, last week , when he told Lisa the Exact. Same. Thing. He elaborates this time, though, about her freckles, her ear, the back of her head. She says it can't happen, but he says it can, and that no one will ever find out. They do it.
And then Simon and Karen are in the tub, and he's telling her he made his case to Nick, but Nick didn't seem interested. He says he wrapped it up after about an hour and thanked Nick for his time. Man, this guy is shady. Karen figures Nick's not going to pick her, and Simon says he thinks she's right because at the end of the day Nick doesn't take her as seriously as Simon does. He really is good, because he sort of got both Nick and Karen on his side with his lies here. Although it would be pretty easy for Karen to tell Nick that she can't believe he didn't take Simon seriously, or something, and the truth would come out. But for now, she turns and kisses Simon. I think she's really, truly falling for him. I know there's some argument about this on the forums, but I think she is. I think he, on the other hand, is totally playing her. And all of this lying with her and Nick this week basically confirms that, as far as I'm concerned.
Tripp tells Nick that NBC will air the succession announcement live. Nick tells Tripp that's good and then adds that he'll take Letitia's case. Tripp acts surprised, but says it's wonderful news. He asks what caused Nick to change his mind, and Nick says, "We both know she didn't do it." Tripp just says, "Okay." And Nick adds, "And besides, Tripp, we're family." Tripp smiles what I think is a slightly worried smile, and Nick has a much more knowing, but still subtle, smile.
Lisa and Nick are in the kitchen. She's in a simple but lovely black dress, and he tells her she looks good. She says she has an interview at a gallery. He says that's good, but she says she's overqualified, and won't get it, but it doesn't matter, because she doesn't care. He asks her why she's going then. She says she has to do something with her life, with Kiki in school all day (ah, so that's where she is? "School"?) and since they're apparently not having a baby. She starts to walk out, but Nick brings her back with four words: "I took the case." She can't understand why, and he says it's because she's innocent, and it's complicated. Lisa says it's not complicated; it's that he can't say no to the Darlings. He asks her to please listen to him, because he knows what he's doing (thanks to Brian!). He asks her to have some faith in him. She says okay and that she'll see him at the press conference.
Tripp and Brian are in Tripp's office and Tripp congratulates Brian on getting Nick to take the case. Brian says he made a compelling argument and Nick finally saw the wisdom (which is actually exactly what happened, even though Tripp isn't privy to the whole "argument" and "wisdom" involved). Tripp tells Brian that it's very impressive and calls him "Son." Then he tells him there are good things ahead for him, and he shouldn't doubt it. They head downstairs to the press conference, where Tripp talks about how difficult the task of choosing a successor to Letitia has been (as if he'd know how difficult it was, since he passed the buck), and that all of the candidates were terrific. He starts the introduction, and Brian starts to stand, but Tripp introduces the new vice chair ... Nick George. And because my love for Brian is so deep, my heart goes out to him here and I want to throw things at Tripp, who they really have made ruthless and terrible in every way. Nick looks stunned, and not in a good way. He whispers something to Lisa, and walks forward. Karen receives a text from Simon that says, "It should've been you." Brian's clapping, and I can't tell if he's angry or upset or okay with this. Nick gets to the front of the room with Tripp, who whispers to him, "You're the guy, Nick. You can do it." Nick looks shocked and angry. But not as angry as Lisa looks in the back of the room. And Brian looks like he's verging on tears.
We don't get a speech from Nick before it cuts to the post-conference celebration. Nick is surrounded by extras -- oops, I mean party guests, of course. Karen asks Brian if he knew Tripp would pick Nick. Brian says he thought he was going to pick him, actually, and she busts out laughing and says, "That was never gonna happen." And I hate her again. She looks at Lisa across the room, and says to Brian that she must be so happy (I wouldn't bet on that). Brian responds, "Yeah, Tripp spreads joy wherever he goes." We cut to Nick and the extras, but he's excusing himself to go talk to Lisa. He tells her she looks beautiful. He swears he didn't know. She asks if he thinks it's because he took the case, and he says he has no idea. (I'm thinking it is.) She asks him if this is what he wants. He says he can't say he's thought about it until now, but it's not so bad. He adds that maybe he was wrong about having a baby, since they're at a really good place right now. She says no, saying she doesn't think it's a good idea anymore. He's confused. Tripp pulls him away, but he tells her he wants to continue the conversation later. She says she's not going anywhere. Nick follows Tripp into a room and they close the door as Lisa looks on tearfully. That's of course symbolic: He's turning his back on her and closing the door. It's pretty sad, except that she kissed Jeremy just last week. I feel like last week's episode should not have existed and was just thrown in to wrap up those open plots. So, I'm going to try from this point on to look at all of this without considering the stupid stuff that happened in the premiere. Because, some of those dropped threads notwithstanding, I actually do think this show is as excellent as it was last season, if this episode's any indication.
In two weeks: Brian's freaking out. Nick has a problem. Letitia's worried about something. Patrick wants to clear his conscience. Tripp's rolling his eyes. Jeremy and Karen are both half naked with their respective playmates. And it looks like Carmelita's back. Drama!
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