Fight or Flight

**Fight or Flight** is the tenth episode of the the fourth season of Snowfall. It is the fortieth episode overall and season finale.

Outline

Franklin's family fractures; Teddy makes a difficult decision; Gustavo chooses a new path.

## Summary

### Alton

In a flashback in the late 1960s, Alton, still a fervent Black Panther, arrives at an elementary school in full Panther attire and strolls down the hallways. He reached the library to meet with Principal Green and Franklin's teacher, Mrs. Gilliard, who informed him that Franklin refused to stand for the pledge of allegiance and refused to explain why. Alton makes it clear it was a waste of his time showing up to the school and informed them it was him to told Franklin not to. The faculty members are baffled as Alton defended his decision and Franklin's decision not to stand, calling it his right. Mr. Green realized at that point the decision Franklin made wasn't truly his to make and Alton made a decision at that point to pull Franklin from there school. After the meeting, Alton walks down the hallway with Franklin, rambling some nonsense about the faculty members, and Franklin stops for a moment and stares at a poster showing the state of California with a photo of Governor Reagan and some Mission locations. Alton turns around to see that Franklin paused and told him to speak his mind. Franklin made it clear he didn't want to leave school since all his friends were there. Alton tells his son not to worry about it, claiming he'll make some new friends at a better school. Alton then bends toward Franklin and lectures him on how to decide to live his life once he's a grown man and regardless of the decision, he would be proud of him. He tells his son he loves him and will always have his back.

### Franklin

Back to '85, Franklin is at the hospital, asking Cissy where Alton is, but is getting nowhere with her, claiming he needs to reach him before Teddy decides to off him the way he did Irene. Cissy then gives Franklin information from her husband that she should use the shelter in order to contact him. Franklin then kisses his mother and as he prepares to take off, Cissy stops him and explains that although he caused Franklin pain, he still loves him and wants to protect him. Franklin then walks away and leaves the hospital with Leon.

### Skully

Back in the Bottoms, Skully is loading his shotgun and Cornrows is telling him he has guys looking for the people who participated in killing Khadijah. After loading his gun, Skully places the barrel up Cornrows neck and tells him he wants to know where they're at, naming Franklin, his family, his partners, and anyone who was involved in Khadijah's death. He then tells Cornrows that he wants something, otherwise he would be the first victim in his rampage.

### Franklin

Franklin and Leon are driving down the road and Leon asked Franklin if he believes Teddy killed that reporter. Franklin then gets a page. They make a stop near a payphone and Franklin makes a call to Teddy, who is at his apartment listening to Alton on CO-INTELPRO telling Brother Jamal about Irene's death. Teddy hears the phone ring, knowing Franklin got his page, and answered the phone, asking him if he was listening to the radio. Franklin states he did and Teddy is not pleased whatsoever. Franklin ends the call, returns to the car, and changes the radio stations until he heard Alton tell the DJ on CO-INTELPRO that Irene's death was no accident, but a hit job by the CIA. He continues telling the listeners that it has been this way since they were brought to the mainland in chains and needs to wake up to this reality. Alton then stated that she played by their rules when she had solid proof of CIA corruption, which was why she was killed, but explains that he does not play by their rules. He even dropped the name 'Reed Thompson', stating he knows what the guy looks like as well as his real name, and vows to make it public, and wants to see what the CIA will do next. Franklin continues to listen as Alton goes off over the drugs and guns the CIA has smuggled into their neighborhoods, clarifying he is fed up with mess the CIA has brought to their doorsteps. Alton then proclaimed the CIA has messed with the wrong black man, and as they close to a commercial break, Franklin shuts off the radio. Later, Franklin and Leon arrive at Edgewood Shelter, searching for anyone who may know where Alton is. He comes across Joe, one of the staff members there, and asks him to get a hold of his father. Joe tells him Alton isn't there, and Franklin makes it clear how he knows how they can get in touch with Alton and need them to do that. Joe then claimed that if Alton wanted to get in touch with Franklin, he would have done that himself. Franklin then tells Joe that he personally has funded the shelter and specifically told him to tell him where Alton is and nothing would change there. Joe remained silent. Franklin then took action and told everyone in the shelter that the building is closed until further notice. Joe flips out, telling him he could not do that and Leon keeps him away from Franklin, who once again, tells everyone to exit the shelter. Leon then backs up Franklin and orders everyone out of the building. The homeless folks began exiting the shelter, distraught and upset. Joe is disgusted by Franklin's decision to close the shelter. Franklin then tells Joe the shelter will remain closed until Alton is found and wants everyone, staff included, to vacate until then. Joe agrees to leave and helps an elderly homeless man to his feet as well.

### Teddy

Despite his efforts to silence this article, including killing Irene, Teddy is having trouble shutting up Alton and bangs his body in a door way as he is thinking on his next move. The phone rings and Teddy answers, knowing it's Franklin, after constantly paging him. Teddy is going off at Franklin over his father is threatening to release his real name on the radio, let alone the fact the he has photos of Teddy. He then asks Franklin how it's possible that Alton had both his real name and pictures of him. Franklin claims he'll take care of it but it doesn't sit with Teddy as he informed Franklin he had his chance and demands Alton's location. Franklin tells Teddy he'll know once he finds him. Teddy grows even more paranoid and threatens to kill him and his family should Franklin cross him. Franklin then assumed that part of Teddy's role in being part of the CIA was to manipulate people in doing their dirty deeds and reminds Teddy that threatening him is not a wise decision. Franklin ends the call and Teddy tosses the phone in frustration.

### Cissy

Outside a storefront, Cissy is approached by Top Notch who presented her with an envelope of forged passports and documents. He then compliments her on Alton's bold move, heralding him as a hero. Cissy then shakes Top Notch's hand as a way to pass him some cash for his hard. Top Notch then requested to Cissy to give Alton his best should she sees him and wishes them good luck.

### Alton

Alton returned back to Cissy's house and upon seeing the home vacant, he swiftly blurted out for Franklin to see if he was inside. There was no answer and Alton immediately shut the door and walked straight to the back room behind the kitchen and toward Cissy's bedroom where he opened the closet and acquired a revolver hidden inside. He heard someone unlock the front door, then stashed the gun inside the waistband of his pants. He returned to the kitchen and noticed Franklin returned home, then asked if he was alone. Franklin made it clear he was alone, and just as Franklin was about to say something, Alton interrupted him and told Franklin to call Teddy and tell him to get a hold of him so they can meet. Franklin then asked why he would want to do something like that. Alton pulls out the revolver and tells Franklin he is ending this. Franklin calls out Alton for losing his mind, reminding him that Teddy is trained to kill. Alton then reminded Franklin that he's done his fair share of dirt as well. Franklin then points out how the CIA won't let the killing of one of their operatives slide that easily, and Alton claims the CIA won't care after Alton exposes Teddy and would sooner see him dead. Franklin then made it clear the CIA will put a stain on the Family should Alton succeed in killing Teddy. Alton then asked if Franklin is afraid of the CIA and Franklin doesn't deny it who then asks Alton the same question. There is a loud bang at the door and Alton and Franklin are curious to know who is knocking. They hear Skully yelling outside. Franklin then draws his gun and tells his father to find some cover. They do in separate rooms and then hear a window getting smashed. Skully gets inside the house through the back door with his shotgun in hand, still calling for someone. Skully is then calling out for Franklin, claiming he just wanted to talk. Skully is then searching through the hallways as Franklin and Alton are staying in the covers. Skully then spots Franklin in the bathroom via a mirror and as he raises his shotgun, Alton appears and fires a round into Skully. There is a massive shootout in the home, and Skully flees critically wounded, but not before wounding Alton himself. Franklin fires into Skully then noticed his father seriously injured from the gunshot wound and goes to check on him. In the aftermath, Franklin manages to wrap up the gunshot wound on Alton's left shoulder and tells him he needs to get him to a hospital. Alton refuses, but states he'll go once Franklin tells him to set up a meet with Teddy McDonald, dropping his real name, indicating he wasn't bluffing. Alton pointed out to Franklin that Skully broke into Cissy's house looking to kill him and anyone with him, and this was so often that no one bothers to call the police. He tells Franklin this life he is living is not worth it. Franklin then makes it clear to Alton that wherever he intends to go, it should be far away from South Central. Alton realized that Franklin will remain distant from him and agrees to leave. Without Franklin noticing, Alton grabs a trophy from the dresser and knocks Franklin out cold.

### Franklin

Franklin is discovered unconscious in his room by Cissy who is trying to get him to wake up. Franklin manages to regain conscience and Cissy asked why the back door is open as well as blood on his head. Franklin then asked how Cissy is there and Cissy tells him that Alton called her, telling her Franklin needed help. When Franklin asked how long ago that was, Cissy stated it was 30 minutes ago. Franklin then flipped out and discovered his pager was gone. He reached the phone in hopes of reaching Teddy, and Cissy is asking what is going on. Franklin then asked her if Alton said anything else to her or where he might be heading to. Cissy then stated something about how Alton loved her and apologized for hurting her, not knowing his intentions. Franklin is unable to reach Teddy, Cissy is demanding to know what is going on and what Alton is up to. Franklin tells his mother that Alton is about to make a huge mistake. Cissy is still confused. The phone rings and Franklin answers it, knowing it was Teddy, and asked if he heard from Alton. Teddy then tells Franklin he is about to meet him. Franklin then warns Teddy that if he even cares about their partnership, he should walk away. Teddy then clarifies that Alton made his choice and gives Franklin the location of the meet, which is their old exchange point that they used before Franklin was shot and suggested that Franklin hurries there. Franklin then hangs up and tells his mother that he needs to go. Cissy tells him she is coming with him, but Franklin refuses to drag his mother into this mess. Cissy then stands her ground and clarifies she is coming along with him.

### Interlude

Teddy is driving to the meet point packing heat. Jerome is still at Louie's bedside as she is recovering. Skully is in an alleyway patching himself up after being shot by Alton, all the while he is gazing at a photo of his dead wife, Khadijah and their deceased daughter, Tianna.

### Alton

Alton has finally arrived at the old exchange point. He shuts off the headlights to the car and checks the ammo in his revolver. Teddy then pulls up in his vehicle. Alton then opens his car door and sees that it's Teddy inside the car. He hops out and struggles a bit after being hit with a shotgun shell, even Teddy notices the injury. He shuts off his headlights and exits the vehicle as well, but casually and with his hands in the air. Alton isn't feeling fooled that day as he points his gun at him, showing he isn't playing game. Teddy asked if he is alright as he noticed Alton is favoring the shoulder he was shot in, but Alton orders him to keep his hands where he could see them. Teddy then states he has no plan to hurt him, but Alton pointed out the wetwork done on Irene. Alton then made his demand known to keep his distance from Franklin, stating he will no longer use his son to fund the Contra war in Nicaragua. Teddy then states it's truly on Franklin's own accord. He also clarified that Franklin is the largest distributor of rock cocaine in the world and convinced him he could get it done. Alton refused to accept that truth, claiming Teddy is spinning a story. He also brings up how the CIA is supposed to protect them, not wipe them out, claiming everything happening is another race war imploding. Teddy made it clear he is not the enemy or the system Alton hated so much. Alton disagreed and stated how intertwined Teddy is in white supremacy in the United States, while claiming how the country was founded for white men like Teddy, and suggested taking a look at the difference between living in South Central and living in Beverly Hills if he is in doubt of what Alton is saying. Teddy then clarified they are meeting because of Franklin, not because of an impending race war. Alton made it clear he'll kill to protect the one's he loves and Teddy shares the same value. Alton then sees Franklin and Cissy pulling up. Alton then keeps the gun trained on Teddy, demanding to know what he did. Teddy then states that if he wanted Franklin out, it should be Franklin's decision.

### Skully

A mortally wounded Skully walks down the hallway the hospital and enters Louie's room, who wakes up in a panic. Skully then demands to know where Jerome is. Louie states Jerome left, but Skully noticed Jerome's jacket on a chair, points his gun at her, and tells her not to lie to him.

### Franklin

Back at the meet, Franklin is telling Alton to put the gun away, but Alton is telling Franklin and Cissy to drive out of there. Teddy then tells Franklin that Alton thinks he can't make his own decisions. Franklin then pulls out his gun, tells Teddy to shut up, and once again orders Alton to put the gun away. Alton once again refuses and tells his son that if he wanted him gone, he would have to do it. Teddy then reminded Franklin that Alton sold him out to the newspaper, and put his family at risk. Franklin paused for a moment and agreed on Teddy's point as he pointed his gun Alton. Cissy flips out!

### Skully

Back at the hospital, Skully still has his gun trained on Louie and Jerome entered. Skully then turned his gun on Jerome, and then back on Louie. Jerome tells Skully he's got what he wanted while noticing a load blood coming off Skully. Jerome states it was him that killed Khadijah and offers himself up. Louie begs Jerome to keep quiet. Skully still has his pistol pointed in Louise's direction.

### Franklin

Franklin still has his gun drawn on Alton as Teddy reminded him how Alton put his family at risk. Everyone is watching for Franklin's next move as he lowers his weapon. Teddy then expresses his disappointment as he pulls his gun from the car door and draws it on Alton. Franklin then draws his gun on Teddy and Cissy runs between Teddy and Alton. Franklin then warns Teddy that if he kills Alton, he'll have to kill all of them. He then asked Teddy if that is who he really is.

### Skully

Back at the hospital, Louie tries to calm Skully down, and warns him that should he kill them, it won't end well for him, for he and his Blood set will be hunted down by the Family for the rest of his life. Louie managed to stall long enough for Jerome to disarm Skully and take him to the ground. We then watch as Skully begins to slowly fade from the gunshot wound.

### Cissy

Back at the meet, Teddy demands Cissy to get out of his way as she is blocking his shot of Alton. Cissy then suggested Alton leaves the States and never returned. She then asked Teddy if he would agree to that. She then turned to Alton and asked if he wanted her with him fleeing the country. She also states she has the passports and they could leave that night. Cissy tells Alton that he has fought long enough and Franklin needs to make his own choices. She then tells Alton this is their one choice to be happy again. Cissy then asks Teddy if he would let them live if she swore he would never hear from them again. Franklin, of course, still has his gun drawn on Teddy. Everyone is still waiting in anticipation as the guns are still drawn. Alton then lowers his weapons and agrees to Cissy's proposal. Teddy then lowers his gun and Franklin follows in suit.

### Franklin

It is the break of dawn and Franklin is now on the LAX tarmac in front of his private jet with Alton and Cissy. He tells Alton they'll land in Mexico City for refueling and make their destination to Havana. Alton then comes out and apologizes for his past mistakes and tells him he loves him. Cissy then approaches Franklin, who then reminds her they still have a business to run and how he cannot do it alone. Cissy then promises to get in touch once they get set up. Franklin's voice breaks and tells his mother he'll miss her. Franklin then breaks in tears and they hug away. Cissy then kisses him goodbye. Both her and Alton grab their luggage and began boarding the plane. She takes one last look at Franklin before entering. Alton then enters and pauses for a moment, then continues to his seat. Franklin then watches as the plane begins to leave the tarmac and Teddy appears. Franklin then asked Teddy if he needed to see the plane leave. Teddy then asked Franklin the same question. They prepared to leave the tarmac and Teddy tells Franklin he needs to take some time away. Franklin asks how long Teddy will be away and Teddy doesn't give an exact date to Franklin. He also informs Franklin that he'll continue working with Gustavo until the CIA brings Franklin his replacement and to just continue his deals as he has done. Franklin agrees and they both prepare to leave as the plane carrying Alton and Cissy ascends from the runway. Franklin later returns to the hospital to see the LAPD outside Louie's room speaking to Jerome. After being interviewed by the police, Jerome approached Franklin and told him that Skully was there. Franklin flipped out and asked if Louie was alright. Jerome tells Franklin she was able to talk Skully down, but not telling him the whole story. Franklin then states there will be a Family meeting and what they will be doing going forward. Jerome tells Franklin it's not a good at that point. Franklin agrees and tells Jerome to say hi to Louie for her, but Jerome tells him she doesn't want to see anyone at that time. He then tells Franklin they'll talk later and returns to Louie's room.

### Gustavo

Back at the warehouse, Gustavo is shelving up some kilos of cocaine and Stephen walks in to inform Oso that he should have someone in to take Teddy's place in a weeks time. Gustavo then tells Havemeyer that as long as the replacement stays out of his way, he could care less. Stephen then shows Oso a file and mentioned Lucia Villanueva. Oso then pointed at the table, letting Stephen to leave the file there, which he did and left the room. As soon as the room was to himself, Gustavo opened up the file consisting of photos of Lucia and documents of her exact whereabouts. Gustavo, knowing how to get to Lucia, has to decide should he pursue her and possibly put her in imminent danger or leave her be knowing she didn't want to be found in the first place.

### Louie

Jerome and Louie arrive at the nightclub from the hospital and Franklin and Peaches are at the nightclub awaiting their return. Jerome puts a pillow onto a chair helps Louie into that chair after the time spent recovery from a gunshot. Franklin asks how she is doing, and Louie states she is sore and tired. Louie then compliments how her club is still up to par and states she learned how business has been steady. Franklin then tells her and Jerome that it's been busy there as well as on the street. Louie then tells Franklin she and Jerome have something to discuss as Jerome brings Franklin a duffel bag full of cash. Jerome then tells Franklin they can start off with 10 kilos a week at $12,000 a key, which is 20% more than what Franklin is paying Teddy. Franklin is blindsided by the notion that his Auntie and Uncle are branching away from the Family. Franklin then asked what he plans to do with the cocaine, whether from rocking it up and selling to his demographic. Jerome reminded Franklin on how he said he wanted to do wholesale and focus on real estate, while Franklin pointed out how Jerome wanted to sell speakers and accuses him of trying to sabotage the business. Jerome tells Franklin that no one is trying to sabotage the business. Franklin then pointed out it would be bad for them to walk away just as the Family was getting stronger and this was not the right move. Louie then clarifies it was her and Jerome's decision, stating they have followed Franklin for a long time and followed his every word. She pointed out it was them who made it right with Skully, she also points out how they set up the operation in Little Rock and it's about time they run their own game their way. Franklin laughs at the idea and points out how they sounded like Leon a few months prior, and asked how it went for him. Jerome tells him they aren't Leon and Franklin states they can't do what Franklin is capably of. Louie then reminded Franklin she had done what he did when he was hurt, and Franklin reminded them how they begged him to come back because is was weighing down on them. Louie then tells Franklin they made their choice and want to buy from him and keep things in the Family, but warned it could go the other way, making it up entirely to Franklin. Louie tells her nephew to think it over and decide what he wants to do. Franklin and Peaches leave the nightclub while Jerome checks on his wife.

### Franklin

Franklin is now at Leon's apartment. Leon advises Franklin to just give them what they want, because attempting to pull them back into the fold will make things much worse. Franklin then tells Leon if Louise and Jerome continue down this path, it will get worse either way. Leon assures Franklin they'll come back to the Family should that happen, but if they figure the game out, Franklin may make less money yet Louise and Jerome will respect him in the end. Franklin then asked Leon when he became the wise one and Leon states he always was and Franklin never knew it. Franklin then states that should he let them go, he'll be focusing on the Projects, and asked Leon if there was anything they needed. Leon then tells Franklin that he doesn't know he can deal with the game anymore. Franklin then stated how he risked everything to protect Leon, not just from the cops, but from Manboy and Skully as well. He pointed out how everyone wanted Franklin to surrender Leon over to them, in which case he didn't. He then tells Leon he'll keep doing what he is doing, he'll get Jerome and Louie straightened out, and the Family will be whole again.

### Alton

Alton is in his bed at his new place in Havana, Cuba. He awakens and sees Cissy dressed up and in the kitchen. Cissy tells Alton she is heading to the outdoor market and will be back later. She then tells Alton the coffee is made and takes off. Later, Alton is enjoying a cup of coffee while reading Sam Greenlee's *The Spook Who Sat By the Door* and hears someone entering the home. Alton assumed it was Cissy and asked what she forgot, then he turns around and sees Teddy armed with a gun, knowing his fate is sealed. Alton then stated he hoped this was the beginning of something and advised Teddy to understand his place in the world before he ever meets his end. Alton then turns back to the table as Teddy raises his gun to him.

### Melody

In Odessa, Texas, Melody is finished teaching a small class at the church and dismisses her pupils then gets to work on collecting the bibles. She then hears Franklin say hello to her. Melody is then shocked by his appearance in front of her, knowing the last time they were together, she almost killed him. She sees that he is using a cane to help him move around. Franklin then tells her he went to the house only to hear from her Aunt Bernice that she is volunteering at the church. Melody is still startled by Franklin being in front of her, and states she is only volunteering for a couple of days a week. Franklin then approaches her and states why he is there, stating that Irene died in car accident a few weeks ago, seeing how she knew her from an interview and wanted to deliver the news in person. Melody then asked what happened to her and Franklin continued stating car accident, claiming it could happen to just anyone. Franklin the claims he isn't angry at Melody for shooting him, noting how the rock had a hold of her, yet he came out of it stronger. He then states how Melody went behind his back, told Irene about Franklin's business and caused problems for the Family. Franklin states he can't have issues from his past ruining his future. He then demands her to say what she has to say to him for he give her no more chances after this. Melody then demands Franklin to tell her the truth and she would never hear from her again. She then told Franklin to admit that he killed her father, and man up and give her that much. Instead of answering her, Franklin bids farewell to Melody then turns around and walks away. He then pauses for a moment and places his cane on a chair. Melody is still shocked to the core after her confrontation with Franklin, who is now exiting the church and walking casually without his cane.

## Cast

Main* Damson Idris as Franklin Saint
* Carter Hudson as Teddy McDonald
* Sergio Peris-Mencheta as Gustavo "El Oso" Zapata
* Michael Hyatt as Cissy Saint
* Amin Joseph as Jerome Saint
* Angela Lewis as Louanne Saint
* Isaiah John as Leon Simmons
* Kevin Carroll as Alton Williams

Recurring* Reign Edwards as Melody Wright
* DeRay Davis as Peaches
* Matthew Alan as Stephen Havemeyer
* De'aundre Bonds as Skully
* James Moses Black as Brother Jamal
* Damien D. Smith as Top Notch
* Corr Kendricks as Cornrows
* Eddie Goines as Joe
* Toni M. Youngblood as Mrs. Gilliard
* Joe Thornton Jr. as Mr. Green

## Episode Deaths

* Alton Williams - Shot by Teddy McDonald *(Revealed in Season 6)*