Commitment

**Commitment** is the second episode of the the fifth season of Snowfall. It is the forty-second episode overall.

Outline

Teddy forces his way back into the CIA's operation in Los Angeles; Franklin and Veronique have a business proposition for Jerome and Louie.

## Summary

### Stephen

Eleven months prior to the beginning of Season 5, back in Washington D.C., Agent Stephen Havemeyer is at the restaurant with the Agency Accountant who is informing him about the numbers for a budget coming in. Stephen then sends him off and spot Teddy at the bar, bringing more ire upon him. At the bar, Teddy was discussing what he was up to while out of the CIA in his own terms, even though Stephen ain't buying the story. There are flashbacks of Teddy running through the jungle in his boxers and camping near a river. Teddy, of course, claims he's been in on the op to long and should have taken the R&R. Stephen, however, shows he is no fool, claiming Teddy followed him to that restaurant. Teddy then brings up Tehran, knowing it is a mess for Havemeyer to handle, yet Stephen denies it. Teddy then points out to Havemeyer that he should tell his boss that he has a possible asset whose been to Tehran and brings up the seven hostages that were there. Havemeyer then asks Teddy what it is he really suggesting. Teddy suggested he knows the region, can be an asset since he is officially discharged from the CIA, and can be of great value to Stephen. When the bartender reaches for Teddy's empty glass, he tells him it's a club soda, and the bartender grabs the glass to refill it. Stephen then brings up Julia and Paul, and there's a flashback of Teddy spying on them boating with another man, assuming she moved on. Teddy brushes them off, claiming the country needs him. He tells Havemeyer he'll be spending the next few days at the InterContinental in case he has something to discuss. Teddy pays his tab, not even touching his refilled soda, and walks away.

### Teddy

Six months prior to the events of Season 5, Teddy is now in Friedrichshafen, West Germany, where Avi is interrogating a suspected war criminal at a warehouse, talking about using a blowtorch. Teddy makes his appearance known. The prisoner yells out to Teddy in German and Avi demands him to shut up. Avi approached Teddy and warned him the Iranian Revolutionary Guard cannot be trusted. Teddy asked about Avi's hostage, whom Avi claims is a possible Avi, but digresses from his interrogation. Avi then states how even after bribing the guards, they were still screwing them over. Teddy then asked about the hostages and Avi claims the Hezbollah kept changing the terms. Teddy is livid, knowing they cannot be trusted, let alone, keep getting played. Avi then asked about his 'commission'. Teddy states he'll handle the Iranians and tells Avi to get rid of the Nazi. Avi corrects Teddy, stating he is a possible Nazi, who would walk away if he is innocent. He then asks Teddy what else was he to do in Germany, the land responsible for the genocide of Jews. He returns to the German who is begging for help and Teddy departs. A month later back stateside in D.C., Teddy addresses the issue to Havemeyer that they're being screwed over by the Iranians and Hezbollah. Everyone except the U.S. is making money, and no hostage was released yet. Stephen informs Teddy that some of the profits for their missile system is being shipped to the Contras. Teddy blasts the decision since it was only a few millions, which is hardly making a dent in the op. Teddy then tells Stephen he needs to get out of the mess with Iran. Stephen points out he has directives from the top brass and North will not hear a word of it, let alone, stay the course. Teddy reminds Stephen that time is of the essence and Central America is losing their trust for the United States, let alone, the Sandinistas are winning the PR war and soon the actual war. Stephen claims Teddy is exaggerating for making the conflict dire. Teddy then informs Havemeyer that every contact he has informed him that the arms and weapons flown into Nicaragua has slowed. Teddy then demands to know what is happening in LA. Havemeyer soon realized Teddy is seeking to return back to his good graces, prove he is back on his game, and possibly have no choice but to reinstate him should LA become a disaster. Teddy realized that LA is compromised and asked Stephen who else knowns the op better than him. He claims he can identify the problems quickly if there are any. Havemeyer then asked Teddy that after everything that happened, he would go back, and Teddy answered yes. He tells Stephen it's been a year, no follow-up articles, and no reporters on this. Stephen then brings up some politicians asking questions, and Teddy refers to these politicians as PR-hungry rookie congressmen looking to make a name for themselves, stating everything thinking of them as conspiracy theorists. Teddy then blatantly tells Stephen to just let him back on just so he can find the problem. Back in the present, 3 days prior to "Comets", Teddy arrives to Grady's home in Los Angeles disguised as a LAWDP inspector, and the first thing he spots is a Black Ferrari which he photographs as well as the Black Porsche. He then pulls a clipboard and a hard helmet out of his truck. He then takes a screw driver and scratches Grady's Ferrari as he approaches the house. He is then checking a meter as Grady asks about him being forced to work a Sunday. Teddy, under his guise, claims that his bosses want to keep up with the backlog and suggested if he was looking to file a complaint, he wouldn't stand in his place. Teddy then makes it known he sees the mess, indicating Grady threw a pool party and spots Black Diamond in a robe exiting the house. He then returns to his vehicle and goes over the photos, mostly consisting of Franklin Saint. In those photos, he spots Black Diamond along with Dallas with Franklin, indicating them as enforcers, meaning Grady is screwing one of Franklin's crewmembers, which was all the information he needed..

### Franklin

Franklin is back home as he is drinking his coffee and reading the paper, mentioning Thad Brenner, who is still at large, but nothing else on his whereabouts while the news is playing in his home. Later, he is accompanied with Black Diamond and Dallas and meets with Grady and El Oso at the hangar. Grady makes a bold remarks on Franklin's airplane and talks about the Cessna Dragonfly he flew in Laos, saying it handled like a '57 Chevy, which Franklin helped finished that sentenced, knowing he knew about that. Grady assumed he mentioned that once to Franklin and asks Franklin to excuse him, for cocaine doesn't keep his memory intact. Grady could tell there was something off with Franklin, who then declares he needs to talk about the price break while Gustavo is making the exchange with Black Diamond and Dallas and checking the bags. Grady tells Franklin he'll get the price break on one condition. Franklin assumed Grady wanted his plane. Grady say yes, but kids with Franklin, and states he wants a joyride instead. Franklin agrees and they take off from the runway with Grady going over the checklist. They are up in the air flying over the mountains and Grady assures Franklin the business will work itself out, and Franklin states it will as long as he makes it. Grady then asks about Veronique, and Franklin points out things are getting serious. Grady points out he had 4 good ladies in his lifetime, all ex-wives. Franklin is shocked to learn of such baggage and asked about kids. Grady states he had a few kids, and quoted he loved the kids, but hated the mothers. They both had a laugh and Grady then asked Franklin if he had ever considered having kids. Without revealing Veronique's pregnancy, Franklin says he would. Grady tells Franklin those kids would be lucky to have him someday.

### Teddy

Back in the Capital, Teddy approached Stephen near a public sitting area and informed him that Grady is compromised. He then brings up the disparity between the amount of product flowing and the money reaching Nicaragua, assuming that Grady is getting greedy and skimming around seven figures for his personal taste. He also points out he is in business with the asset. He then points out to Havemeyer that Grady is screwing one of Franklin's crewmembers. He makes it clear Grady is off reservations and it won't end well unless Stephen gives Teddy the green light. Stephen is wondering if he could work with the asset, and Teddy points out he made Franklin rich, got him off of the murder charge, and dealt with Irene Abe personally, claiming he can do the job just fine. Stephen, of course, brought up what Teddy did to Alton Williams back in Cuba. Teddy denies that allegation and Stephen tells him to get Grady in line but to be discreet.

### Franklin

Franklin returns home from the exchange and sees Veronique overlooking some calendars on the floor. Franklin observes the calendars and spots the day the baby is due. Veronique states the due date sticks as long as 'she', hoping it's a girl, sticks to the plan. Franklin then suggests it might be a boy, and Veronique claims the universe would not do her that way. Franklin compliments her on using different colored post-it notes and Veronique goes over the schedules, from the deadline where they need to sign off on all trusts for her and their future child, and the deadline for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit corp. She then points to a yellow post-it notes and asks Franklin if he remembers what that color was for. Franklin asked if it was something about sex. He got the answer wrong, yet Veronique say sure, calling it the sacral chakra, yet it's the OB-GYN visits. Franklin, of course, claims to be close on the answers. Veronique then points to him the deadline to submit for the building. Veronique then states the color represent imagination, freedom, and trust. Franklin then suggested green colors, for the money they will be making. Veronique then pointed out that the building they are looking to start their venture on will be a massive deal since Franklin trusted her instincts to go through on which will provide for generations to come. Franklin then states she should have a personal equity stake in which she would own a piece as well. Veronique then pointed out the network just cancelled Diff'rent Strokes and she is really sensitive at that moment. She then asked Franklin if he is serious. Franklin then asked if he would lie to his pregnant woman as he begins to fool with her, rolling her to the floor, and kissing her womb where the unborn is. He makes his case known to Veronique that he is serious and has the paperwork in his briefcase as they are lying together on the floor. Veronique thanks him, but Franklin suggested she should thank the universe. Veronique claims to be serious as she had seen his value. Franklin then promises her the world as a kiss and make out. At Louie's, Franklin is with Veronique and Peaches informing his Auntie Louie and Uncle Jerome of a better way to invest her money. Veronique tells her that the LA Community Redevelopment Agency is working to revitalize the area in Downtown, which they are making a bid for. Franklin then suggested to them that they use their shell companies to repatriate their money in Panama, seeing how the U.S. Treasury is starting to investigate money laundering in Central America. Jerome then asks for the definition of 'repatriate' and wants to know what they want to do with their money. Franklin clarifies he wants to move it from Panama to the States and invest it in the project he and Veronique are preparing for. Louie then asked for a price tag, and Veronique states that in order for them to be competitive and retain majority ownership, it would be $10 million. Jerome then states that is almost all the money they have. Franklin points out the more they put up for private equity, the more they will own, meaning the less the banks are involved. While Jerome can't wrap his head around the idea, Louie then asks if they would have legit ownership. Franklin assured her of it and points out that once the building is erected, they will get commercial rent, and their stakes will appreciate as the economy jumps. Jerome then asked how long it would take for them to get their money back. Franklin stated it would take no more than 3 years, possibly less. Jerome is not impressed, but Franklin states they are looking at a long-term investment and returns in the area are at 8% annually. Taxes will be sheltered and the money will be clean as Franklin states, making it passive income. Veronique also states if they ever plan to sell, their initial investments could double, maybe triple. She points out the file to Louie that everything they discusses is on file along with the comparative analysis of other commercial properties within the area. Louie looks into the file and states they need to discuss the decision. Veronique tells Franklin she needs to return to the office as she kisses him good-bye and leaves. Louie then asked about Rob Volpe and Thad Brenner. Franklin tells them it is taken care of and Rob and Thad are out. Louie then asked for the definition of 'Out'. Franklin made it clear they were out, indicating dead of course, as he clarified that Rob was on the crack pipe and betrayed his trust. Jerome expresses his shock that Franklin capped his friend.

### Wanda

Wanda is busy entertaining a caller and tells the caller to always ask for her, calling herself Karen. She then received an envelop consisting of her paycheck. She then checks the paycheck and is livid as she hangs up and bangs on Johnny B's office door. He claims to be busy, yet Wanda barges in to see him with another woman, claiming her paycheck is too short. Johnny B sends the woman away and claims the FCC is jumping down his throat with complaints about bill cramming so he needs to take a bigger cut for funds. Wanda claims that his issues aren't her problems. Johnny B claims that fines could make his business go under, and girls like her would be out of a job. Wanda is is disbelief and Johnny B defends his stance, asking her how much the phone company takes after each call, answering it at 40%. While he is cutting up some cocaine with his credit card, he then brings up the rent, the upkeep, the equipment, claiming that he is barely above water as it is. Wanda shows she could care less. Johnny B states it's part of the new deal and if she didn't like, she should quit. He then snorts a line of cocaine and suggests an alternative for Wanda, that they might work something out if she would party with him. More than a year sober, Wanda approaches Johnny B at his desk and sits on his lap. Johnny B then holds the pipe to her, and instead of breaking her sobriety, Wanda knocks the tray of ye-yo off of his death, storms out, and quits with Johnny B shouting at her. Wanda grabs her stuff, give Johnny B the finger, and leaves.

### Gustavo

Gustavo is walking both Cedro and Carlo to school, letting them both know they were running late. Both boys began blaming each other for being tardy and Oso tells them to say it is on him, not the both of them. Oso gave them a cover story of him being sick in the bathroom. Cedro and Carlo are disgusted and they run inside. Teddy then approaches Gustavo. After the morning bell rang, they are walking down the sidewalk and Teddy points out his nephews seem happy. Gustavo notes it took awhile. Teddy then asked about Xiamara, and Gustavo points out that she likes this life, maybe too much. Next, Teddy was about to ask about Lucia, even Gustavo knew the question and answered, stating that instead of tracking her down in Miami, he would rather stay with his family. Oso finally asked Teddy what brought him back. Teddy then clarifies that Grady is compromised and the mission is falling apart because of him. Gustavo is surprised that the CIA is pulling Teddy back in the field despite being sacked they way he was. Gustavo warns Teddy that Grady loves it here and won't like the idea of being pulled. Teddy reminds Oso this decision is not his to make and asks him if he can still count on Oso, which he nods and clarifies he only wants to take care of his family. Teddy then promises to look out for Gustavo as he did prior to before he was axed. Grady does however explain that Grady ain't a bad person and the fun that he is more for than Teddy, who then show offense and claims to be fun. Gustavo disagrees with him as they vacate the school ground.

### Jerome

There is an arms deal going down at Avi's personal club where Jerome and Louie are purchasing some heat from Avi, who is offering AK's, Mac-10's, and Mini Uzi's. He then suggests his friend, Major Uziel Gal, invented it. Jerome claims the Uzi feels like a toy gun and Avi tells him that 'toy' can fire 950 rounds per minute and never jams. Now Jerome and Louise are interested. Avi then compares both Jerome and Louie to Bonnie and Clyde. Jerome then points out how it ended badly for them. Avi suggests ignoring that part and asks them to consider it as having a partner in crime. Avi then claims he is jealous that they have the money, the city, and each other. Avi then requested that next time they should stay a bit longer. His men then begin loading up the back of the truck with the merchandise Jerome and Louie purchased. Louise then pointed out the weird moment in the club and asked Jerome if something was up with Avi. Jerome then suggests Louie might be going crazy if she thinks like that. Louie scoffs and asks Jerome if Avi is right, that he is happy. Jerome points out that he is rich and alive, got her is his life as well as the Raiders in LA which was all he needed. Louie then expresses her appreciation for Jerome, since there was a time he wanted nothing to do with the yeyo game, yet he is all in because of her. She then tells Jerome that meant everything to her. Louie then tells Jerome that he is a king among men as Avi's men finish the load up and Jerome starts the truck.

### Franklin

Franklin is at home making a collect call to Havana, Cuba. He attempts a call transfer since he had issues making a direct call. He then gets in touch with his mother, and there is massive static on the line. He points out to Cissy that the connections are getting worse and needs to find a better way to contact her. He then breaks the news to her that she is to be a grandmother soon for Veronique is pregnant. She is ecstatic over the phone and then the call dropped. Franklin then hung up.

### Leon

We see Leon exiting a school bus outside the Projects with a bunch of school kids. He then sees Franklin and Peaches awaiting Leon, assuming he was chaperoning school field trips. Leon states he was just opening up their world a bit and paid off the bus driver. He tells Franklin they went on a trip to Santa Monica at one point, until they were hassle by the police, so they went to El Segundo. Franklin then asked Leon if he remembered the time both them and Kevin went to the beach. Leon reminds him it was the first time they have seen the ocean. Inside Leon's crib, Franklin is overlooking a book and Leon asked if Franklin ever read the book he gave him while fixing lunch. Franklin states he hasn't gotten around to it and brings up the development opportunity he's been looking into. Leon states he'll need to pass on the opportunity. Franklin clarifies that he could care less about what Leon does with his money and hopes he has a plan. Leon then points out that he has more money than he already needs. Franklin states that Leon would need to do more than just burying it or stashing it somewhere. Leon states he would rather not build a building for white folks to keep blacks folks out. Franklin folds, knowing Leon isn't convinced. Leon then tells Franklin that Jerome told him about Rob. Franklin clarifies that Rob was on the pipe, in which Leon stated he could have been cleaned up. Franklin then stated that Rob broke his trust as he said things that never should have left his mouth. Franklin then states to Leon, who is eating his sandwich, that is wasn't easy killing Rob, but it needed to be done. Franklin then breaks it to Leon that Veronique is 6 weeks pregnant. Leon is surprised and Franklin states that no one else knows, despite attempting to tell Cissy. Franklin then explains that is why things need to be kept tight. Leon has something on his mind and Franklin could tell, suggesting to him to speak his mind. All Leon states is that he is just happy for him to be a daddy.

### Grady

Nightfall has come as Grady is wondering around his house. He enters his living room and is spooked by Teddy who is fondling with a bottle of wine. Grady immediately recognized him as the DWP Inspector, noting he was lacking the wig. Grady then assumed Teddy was some kind of button man. Teddy then makes it known that he knows about the money he's been cheating the Contra's out of for his own lavish lifestyle. Grady now realized he was CIA and made an excuse for his people looking in too many directions and figured he was included. Teddy states he isn't. Grady then suggests to Teddy he should just return back to the top brass and inform them he did his job. Teddy then takes a seat at the table and informs Grady that ship has sailed, his contract is cancelled, and it's over. Grady refuses to accept that answer as he removed his gun from his robe and placed it on the table. He then takes a snort of coke from his coke tray on the table and sits down, claiming he is tight with the Colombians and can get 500 keys across the border, knowing he can move it. Teddy then points out that if anyone showed up to Grady's home, there would be repercussions. Grady soon realized the CIA agent he was speaking to was the guy he replaced and slightly insulted him, claiming he almost went down with the ship. Teddy is not amused as Grady asked how the CIA put him back on. Teddy then stated that Grady can keep the cars and whatever money he skimmed. Grady then further put the pieces together, realizing he volunteered to return. Grady then claims that he has come across folks like Teddy claiming how they want to feel important, like they matter, not like a joke. Teddy then warns Grady he would be the next day and expects him to be gone. Grady further pushes the envelop, involving his ex-wife, suggesting she is screwing another guy and brings up his children, even though Teddy has one. Grady then further pours the salt on the wound with his parents, mainly his father, and how he was pushed around like he didn't matter. Teddy stands up and Grady believed he struck a nerve as he began to walk away. Grady then states he knew this day would come, and suggested Teddy should go back and tell the hierarchy's that he knows an awful lot that the CIA doesn't want declassified. He then yells out that he is the operation and the CIA should think twice before returning to his house again. Teddy then departs.

### Wanda

Wanda is at the Projects the next day with Leon, who asks her if he needs to send some people to give Johnny B a loud and clear message. Wanda shrugs that idea, claiming it was just a dumb job and the people running the place were unbearable. She then states it took her months to get a gig like that. Wanda then complimented returning back and explaining the 2 years she spent on the rock as Leon looks over at Juan, who is on crutches and has a foot wrapped in a cast, as Leon did to him in the previous episode. Leon states she should not bring up her past as a base head and to make up another story. Wanda tells him that being honest with herself and the world is part of her recovery. She then states that staying clean is much harder than the detox, especially with the dept she built while she was high. She now makes it clear she is desperate and needs some work. Leon reminded her that she was part of their operations and left for a reason. Wanda states it has been a year. Leon then asks Wanda if she really wants to be around the crack, knowing she could easily relapse. Wanda states she may not have a choice. Leon tells her that there is nothing for her in the Family and she'll have to figure something else out.

### Grady

It is the middle of the night and Grady is locking up his home for the night, apparently ignoring the warning the Teddy gave him. He is now at his bedside sipping his glass of whiskey. He then drops his glass and falls to the floor coughing and gasping for air. He then starts crawling near his bedroom door as Teddy approaches him. Blood then spews from Grady's mouth as Teddy warned him he should have taken the out. Teddy then grabbed a dying Grady by the hair and told him this was not because of the insult, but because he did a lousy job on the op and cost people their lives. Grady then lays there dead as Teddy walks away.

### Franklin

There is a ring at the doorbell and Franklin assumed it was Veronique who forgot her keys. He opens it to find Teddy outside the door. Surprised, yet speechless to see him again, Franklin invites Teddy inside, who is checking out Franklin's new crib and gives some tedious compliments on the house. Franklin then asked when he returned, and Teddy states he's been around for a while and LA is one of those places that can grow on someone. He then compliments Franklin for his rise, the fact that he now has his pilots license, and that there is a woman in his life. Franklin then offers a cigar, which Teddy agrees to. Franklin then tells Teddy that things were running smooth and he should call Grady on the job he's done. Teddy then states he knows that Grady may be easy to work with and looking out for him, but that was only his job. He then breaks it to Franklin that Grady was getting sloppy. Though he could let the parties slide, Teddy points out to Franklin that Grady was screwing on of his crewmembers and that fact that they were now in business together. Franklin soon realized that Teddy was referring to Grady in past tense, knowing something was amiss. Teddy then clarifies that getting close with a contact is not part of the job. Franklin assumed if there was a problem, he should have been notified, and Teddy states that was why he was there. Teddy bluntly states to Franklin that Grady wasn't his friend and his negligence would have put a lot of people in trouble, but states that things were dealt with before everything went out of hand and it was time they should get back to work the proper way, immediately. Franklin claims he's been getting things done with Grady before and doesn't see why they can't get things done right away. Teddy then clarifies that the stakes have never been higher than they were, meaning there can be no more mistakes, no more screw-ups, and no more loose ends. Teddy then informs Franklin that he'll be in touch about the next drop and requests Franklin to sell Grady's house, in which he will need the cash for the sale. He then states he doesn't carry a lighter anymore as he picks up a glass lighter on the desk and asks if he minds taking it. Franklin states it's his world and all he does is sell the dope. As Teddy approaches the exit, Franklin, still calling him Reed, told him that Grady agrees to a price cut to 9K a kilo and wants him to honor it. Teddy then states it was stay at 10K for the time and tells Franklin that Reed is gone and should refer to him as Teddy from here on out as he leaves the house. Franklin then ganders into his cigar box, consisting of his pistol, and closes the lid.

## 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
* Alon Aboutboul as Avi Drexler
* Devyn A. Tyler as Veronique Turner

Recurring* Gail Bean as Wanda Bell
* DeRay Davis as Peaches
* David Sullivan as Grady Williamson
* Peta Sergeant as Julia
* Matthew Alan as Stephen Havemeyer
* Christine Horn as Black Diamond
* Taylor Polidore as Dallas
* Marcel Pullard as Juan
* Steve Suh as Johnny B
* Steve Gutierrez as Cedro Zapata
* Thom Nemer as Carlo Zapata

## Episode Deaths

* Grady Williamson - Poisoned by Teddy McDonald