Speaking Truth

**Speaking Truth** is the second episode of the second season of Peacock's modern-day reinterpretation, *Bel-Air*. It aired on March 2, 2023.

## Synopsis

Will pursues opportunities in love and basketball with the help of some new South LA friends.

## Plot

Will fails to impress Doc at his next game. With their opponents double-teaming Will, Coach Johnson instructs Tyler to inbound the ball to Will and for Will to kick it out to Kirk for the win. Will argues against the decision to give the ball to Kirk, but coach insists. Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv watch as this unfolds, with Viv noticing Geoffrey in the opposite bleachers. Phil is reluctant to talk to him, but Viv insists.

Will and Tyler run the play as instructed by Coach Johnson, but when Kirk gets the ball, he fails to make the game winning shot, much to Will and Doc's disappointment. Will approaches Doc and explains that his coach called that last play, but Doc isn't swayed. He's disappointed with the outcome and tells Will that D1 scouts are looking for gamers, and the pros, they're looking for people to take over the game, because in the end, all that matters is if they win.

Carlton knows that his parents are talking to Dr. Richardson tomorrow about lowering his meds, and he's wondering where they are on the matter. Phil and Viv are currently uncertain. And so, Carlton explains that it's gotten worse. The meds are disrupting his sleep, and so his grades are slipping, which is unfortunate with him applying for colleges soon. In all actuality, his anxiety medication is giving him more anxiety.

Uncle Phil checks in on Will after a tough loss. In Philly, everybody knew Will was the go-to when the game was on the line, but in Bel Air, it's different. Uncle Phil wonders if the friction between Will and his coach has anything to do with Doc, who Will reveals is connected with one of the best travel teams in the country. Will is seeking a D1 scholarship, which will springboard him into the league, and he believes Doc is his best chance at that. Still, Uncle Phil advises him to be careful who he associates himself with.

The next day, Will continues to express his frustrations with the game's ending on the way to school, but this time with Carlton, who advises Will to talk to coach about how he feels. On their way to class, they cross paths with Yazmin, who ensures that Carlton will be at their next BSU meeting tomorrow, which he will, but he has no ideas to offer at the moment.

Mrs. Hughes encourages her class to go deeper in their book reports. Olivia questions how she is to do that if she didn't understand the book. Mrs. Hughes replies that she should then write a paper saying that the novel is convoluted. Ashley, on the other hand, believes she could write a better version. And so, Mrs. Hughes challenges her to write a shorty story and prove it. As class comes to an end, Ashley returns Mrs. Hughes book by Robin Spencer. She asks if she has any other books along the same lines, all the while Olivia watches from the classroom door. Mrs. Hughes hands her *I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness*.

Hilary stops by the record store, surprising Jazz with a sandwich, hoping to win him over before asking if she could borrow his Impala, which he initially refuses. Hilary explains that she only needs it for a couple of hours to film and promote the influencer house. Only Jazz has driven the car since its original owner, and despite his initial reluctance, Jazz hands over the keys.

Lisa encourages Carlton to run for the Founder's Award, which is the closest thing to a guaranteed ticket to IV league, but with no black student having ever won, Carlton is hesitant. However, Lisa believes he could be the first. She isn't interested because she's going to be a fourth legacy generation at Howard, whilst Carlton seeks to attend Princeton to start a new legacy.

After practice, Will insists that he didn't mean to offend anyone after the game and that they're not going to make it to the playoffs if they continue to play the way they have. They all need to step up, but Kirk pushes back, reminding Will that they're not in Philly and that they're not his homies in the hood. If Will is going to be on their team, Kirk tells him to watch his attitude and chill out. Realizing that this is how Tyler and the rest of the team feels about him, Will leaves.

Ashley discovers that Mrs. Hughes has been fired. When she asks why, Mrs. Hughes says that she's not allowed to answer any questions that may be asked. She tells Ashley not to worry about her and to keep being the brilliant young woman who she is and to never allow anyone to change her.

As Planned, Phil and Viv speak with Carlton's doctor. Any change to his medication would require their consent. Part of the reason he had panic attacks was because Phil was putting too much pressure on him. He's since stopped and Carlton is doing better, but Viv worries that may not be the only pressure in his life. Dr. Richardson reminds them that soon Carlton will be an adult, and they won't have a say in the matter, so it would be in their best interest now by earning some good Will by showing him that he has their trust, as weaning off meds isn't something they want him doing on his own.

Hilary drives Jazz's car for their promotional video. However, Ivy doesn't like their current take and decides that she will drive the car. Hilary tries to explain that she's the only one allowed to drive, but Ivy insists she won't wreck the car, and so Hilary relents. Unfortunately, Jazz arrives moments later with flowers in hand to make the discovery.

Jazz is upset with Hilary, accusing her of lying, but she says that Ivy decided to switch it up, leading Jazz to question the nature of their relationship and how she's always forcing Hilary to do things. He wonders if Hilary would've even called him her boyfriend if Ivy hadn't kissed him, but Hilary explains that was the moment she realized how much she cared for him. Jazz also realized that only he posted about their relationship on IG. Hilary never said she'd do that because she has to maintain an aura of obtainability, which frustrates Jazz.

Carlton asks Will if he's going to tell Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv that he quit the basketball team, which he claims he didn't. He left over differences. Phil then notices Ashley is upset, the reason being that Mrs. Hughes got fired. Viv decides then to call an immediate meeting of the parental advisory board to get some answers.

Phil and Viv reveal to Carlton that they've decided to lower his meds dosage. But they need him to keep them in the loop if he begins to experience any side effects or has any stress or triggers. Carlton hugs them and expresses his gratitude.

Will calls Jackie, claiming that he wants to get to know her better, asking when he can see her again. She's free later and asks if he can meet her somewhere at an after hours spot in Inglewood.

Due to the recent events surrounding Mrs. Hughes sudden firing, Viv feels that they need to get a handle on the situation. Mrs. Kwan reveals that her firing wasn't sudden; the administration has had to talk to Mrs. Hughes several times prior about teaching outside of the approved curriculum. She willfully ignored their system. The room seems rather divided, with some arguing that it's the system that needs to be changed, while others claim she broke the rules. Bottom line, Mrs. Kwan tells Viv that Mrs. Hughes was fired for a clear violation of the school's policy and that there's no way around it.

Phil tracks Geoffrey down to a lounge to discuss the tension between the two of them. Phil was angry when Geoffrey told Will about his father, but he knows Geoffrey had a good reason. Phil also knows that Geoffrey's been thinking about his son, Frederick. Geoffrey isn't feeling great about the decision he's made. In his head, the arrangement makes sense, but in his heart, it still troubles him, as that's the only family he has. Phil reminds Geoffrey that they're family as well, but Geoffrey isn't so sure after how easily Phil disposed of him, and for that Phil is apologetic, assuring Geoffrey that he would never let that happen again and that he loved him and wants him to come home. Geoffrey seemingly accepts his apology and hands Phil a cigar.

Will tries to sneak out to meet with Jackie but is caught by Carlton, who tells Will the only way to sneak out in exchange for allowing him to tag along. Wills agrees, and he and Carlton hop the gate to find Jazz waiting.

Will, Carlton, and Jazz arrive at the club, where Jazz instructs them to behave as it will reflect poorly on him should they get into trouble. Carlton makes eye contact with a girl, who Will encourages him to approach. Will then finds Jackie, who offers to give him game on Doc, but only if he earns it by dancing. Will breaks from Jackie to check on Carlton, whose now dancing with two girls and is having more fun than he's had in recent memory. Will returns to Jackie, and moments later, is approached by her uncle, who, much to Will's surprise, is Doc. He wants to talk about Will's game, wanting to know why a D1 prospect from Philly popped up in Bel Air halfway through the school year. Doc believes that Bel Air has made Will and his game soft. He has to showcase his talents where they'll be appreciated, that being AAU, where real players are guided to the best colleges. There's a way that Doc came to make it work where Will plays for Bel Air, as well as Doc's team.

Will and Carlton are both exhausted from the night before, but they keep it between the two of them. To their surprise, Geoffrey arrives, announcing his return. Will blames Geoffrey's initial departure on himself, but Geoffrey tells him not to worry about it and that he's happy they both found their way back. When wondering how he and Uncle Phil resolved their issues, Phil says it's between the two of them and that brotherhood is precious and should be held on to. After the kids leave for school, Viv hangs up the phone with Reid, revealing that he thinks she's only upset because the entire article was about him. Viv argues that it should be about her and her perspective, given that it's her art.

Ashley asks if they've heard anything about Mrs. Hughes, to which Viv reveals that the school is claiming they fired her for just cause. One of Ashley classmates told their parents that they saw Mrs. Hughes giving books that weren't a part of the approved curriculum. Viv can't give any promises, but what she can say is that if no one disrupts the system, then the system doesn't change.

Jazz gets a text from Hilary, who asks to meet for lunch. She's sorry for allowing Ivy to drive his car and admits that he's right about some of the things he said. She thinks they should take their relationship to the next level and introduce him to her parents, who have already arrived. Unbeknownst to Phil and Viv, they're also being blindsided by this lunch date with Jazz, who Hilary introduces as her boyfriend.

At the BSU meeting, Carlton reveals that the middle school fired Mrs. Hughes after caving to a few white parents who are upset with her. He urges them to do something about it, as it reflects on the entire Bel Air Campus. Mrs. Hughes has looked after so many of them, Lisa included. Carlton wants to rally, and Yazmin agrees. Will then proposes that they protest, much to Ms. Bassin's dismays. They could organize a walkout, which Will refers to as a black-out.

Viv arrives at Reid's office, but she discovers that he canceled their meeting for an art emergency. She instructs his assistant to relay a message, that she will no longer need his services, as she doesn't need him explaining her work in the press or controlling her narrative.

Ms. Bassin confronts Carlton about the black-out. She was surprised to hear him speak about Mrs. Hughes today with such passion. She agrees that while Mrs. Hughes deserves justice, protesting is the wrong way to handle things. Carlton claims that they're not actually going to walk out. Ms. Bassin is relieved, because as the person who suggested BSU take up this case, his reputation will be tied to it.

Tyler checks in with Will to ensure things are cool between him, coach, and Kirk. Will insists he has no problems with anyone and assures Tyler he will be there for the team. Will is then approached by Carlton, who wants to talk him out of the black-out in fear that they're going too far, but Will insists that they're all in this together. In fact, he tells Carlton to come to his game. Coach has been all over his back, but tonight, Will is going to show him the 'real West Philly Will.'

Phil and Carlton are in the stands for Will's game as he scores on the opposing team with ease. Among the watching crowd is Doc, which doesn't go unnoticed by Uncle Phil. After getting his team in a significant lead, up 15 by the end of the game, Coach Johnson calls a timeout to work on their perimeter game. Coach wants to swing the ball to Kirk, who, by Will's account, has been cold all game, but coach is insistent that Will follow his lead and run the agreed upon offense. However, Will gets on the court and takes the shot himself. With only a few seconds left, Will manages to steal the ball and score the final point. Doc is impressed and reminds Will that he was right about no one arguing with a winner, which is why the coach didn't bench him. Should Will agree to work with him in the AAU, the sky is the limit. They are joined by Uncle Phil, who introduces himself to Doc and tells him that any further discussions about Will should go through him. And so, Doc hands over his card.

## Cast

* Cassandra Freeman as Vivian Banks
* Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey Thompson
* Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks
* Coco Jones as Hilary Banks
* Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks
* Simone Joy Jones as Lisa Wilkes
* Jordan L. Jones as Jazz
* Adrian Holmes as Philip Banks

Guest starring* Karrueche Tran as Ivy
* Brooklyn McLinn as Doc Hightower
* Sam Daly as Coach Johnson
* Shelley Robertson as Ms. Bassin
* Charlie Hall as Tyler Laramy
* Jazlyn Martin as Jackie
* Riele Downs as Yazmin Staats

Co-starring* Aimee Li as Phanta
* Alex Staggs as Thomas
* Andi René Christensen as Monica
* Beth Fraser as Rebecca
* Cesar Ramos as Adam
* Chris Pentzell as Larry
* Debbie Fan as Mrs. Kwan
* Eddie Blackwell as Michael
* Martha Woldu as Female Assistant
* Maxwell Ross as Kirk
* Quintin Mims as Dr. Isaac Richardson
* Reagan Marum as Olivia