The Strength to Smile

**The Strength to Smile** is the sixth episode of the first season of Peacock's modern-day reinterpretation, *Bel-Air*. It aired on March 3, 2022.

## Synopsis

The Banks family supports Lisa when they host an event in memory of her mother at the mansion.

## Plot

The Banks family are preparing for the annual fundraiser in Gayle's honor, however, Vivian becomes even more overwhelmed when the caterer cancels on them, forcing her to look to Hilary for assistance. Ashley joins them and ask if they've seen Will, who is being roasted on Instagram by all his friends back in Philly after Tray posted a pic of him, calling Will a snake. Aunt Viv goes to check on Will, who simply wants to be left alone. Uncle Phil asks to talk to Will, who, in a fit of rage, accidentally knocks over an expensive vase. Uncle Phil calls Will into his office, where Will explains that he and Tray are no longer friends. Uncle Phil embraces Will and tells him that he's not alone, as both he and Aunt Viv have experienced similar struggles. However, they are all going through something, and they could really use Will's help with the fundraiser.

Hilary begins recording for her first video at the influencer house, but her clip is interrupted by Nathan and Jared, who are recording a video of their own. They offer to assist her, but she isn't interested and tells them that her content focuses on cuisine, not craziness. That said, they do at least warn Hilary that she doesn't want Kylo checking in with her, as he doesn't play when it comes to his deadlines. She then gets a call from her mom, asking for help with the fundraiser.

As Vivian and Geoffrey go over set up and servers for the fundraiser, Hilary arrives to cater the event. Vivian worries that she's taking too much on her plate, but Hilary insists that she can handle it.

With the family gathered around, Philip reminds everyone that today is about honoring the memory of Lisa's mother, Gayle. So, they're all expected to put aside any differences they may have with other people, such as Aunt Viv's issues with Angela, Fred's wife, who he got engaged to less than a year after Gayle died. Speaking of which, Viv hopes that Phil will take his own advice and avoid any political confrontation with Fred. Lisa arrives not long after in preparation for her final rehearsal with Carlton.

Hilary gets a FaceTime call from Kylo, who tells her that she's approaching the 24-hour exodus, referring to the fact that if she goes a whole day without posting, she's going to lose 3% of her followers. Hilary explains that she has to help her family, but Kylo reminds her that social media doesn't wait for family matters. She offers to make a cooking tutorial, but Kylo warns her that they're repetitive and advises her to try something else.

Carlton and Lisa go through the final rehearsal, but she's having trouble, as she doesn't actually believe the poem she's expected to read. Her mother being gone wasn't the dawn of anything good. The only people who may believe that are her dad and stepmother, who are having a baby and plan to move into a new house. Lisa can't help but feel as though Angela is trying to erase her mother. Carlton comforts Lisa, which doesn't go unnoticed by Will.

Ashley assists Hilary with catering for the fundraiser, but Ashley can't help but notice how on edge their mother is. Hilary explains that losing Gayle was like losing another sister. Hilary elaborates that Gayle became a sister to their mom when she and Aunt Vy stopped talking, which Hilary suspects has something to do with Will, but before they can get to speculating too deep, Philip reveals that the "Times" pulled their endorsement. Geoffrey's looking it, but their mother's dealing with enough as is, so he asks that they keep this to themselves.

Lisa approaches Will before leaving, but he's very standoffish, leading Lisa to inquire why that is. Will claims that he simply wanted to give her space, especially after seeing her and Carlton together earlier, under the impression that they're back together, but Lisa explains that he was comforting her while she was upset about her mom. Will tries to apologize, but Lisa asks for some space.

Vivian greets Joan and her sorority sisters as they arrive at the fundraiser. Joan is eyeing for Geoffrey, but Vivian tells her that he's not around, to which Joan remarks that it's fortunate that she brought Reid with her then. Also arriving are Lisa, Fred, and Angela, who remark that Viv has outdone herself.

Ashley introduces Hilary to her friend Romario and secret crush Lucia. They look over at Will playing the piano before heading out to the pool. Now that she's here, Ashley doesn't know what to do next. Hilary advises her to tell Lucia how she feels.

Angela awkwardly mentions that with all these amazing items in the silent auction, they will shatter last year's fundraising total. Breaking the tension, Joan asks if Lisa and Carlton have chosen a college yet. Carlton narrowed it down to Princeton, with Stanford as his backup. Lisa on the other hand is hoping to swim for Howard, where Vivian and Joan also attended. If she ever needs a recommendation, Joan offers to write one, as she and Viv were both Delta Phi Gamma. Angela suddenly experiences a bit of discomfort when the baby kicks, but she assures everyone that she's fine. Lisa excuses herself, with Carlton following her lead. Angela reveals to Vivian and Joan that she's an interior designer. Fred's been very supportive in that manner, in regards to her career, and her going back to work as soon as the baby is born. It's been a relief for Angela, who doesn't believe women should have to set their passions aside to start a family. Joan agrees, recalling how Viv set her career aside for her family.

Angela asks Vivian about Lisa, who she is struggling to connect with. Even though she keeps asking for more involvement, she hasn't given Angela much input, but Angela wants Lisa to know how much she supports her, so she was thinking that she could say a few words this year, but Viv explains that the program has already been set. Seeing Aunt Viv in need of saving after she reminds Angela that today is about Gayle, Will joins them and asks Angela about the baby, who she and Fred have been discussing having since their first get-away in Palm Springs. She'd never been until Fred took her. He was out there for a big LAPD golf tournament, and when he won, he said that Angela was his good luck charm. However, as Aunt Viv recalls, the golf tournament was 2018, but Gayle didn't die until 2019. Angela fumbles over her words and tries to explain that this is only when she and Fred met and that they didn't start actually dating until after Gayle passed, but Will and Aunt Viv aren't convinced.

Joan and the ladies join Hilary in the kitchen after hearing she moved out and asks what it's like in the influencer house. Hilary claims that it's been amazing, but they're doubtful and tell her that Viv is keeping the pool house open in case Hilary would like to move back. Hilary retorts that she'd rather go homeless than move back home. She then gets a message from Kylo, who warns her that she's only a few hours away from digital disaster.

Vivian enters her art den to find Reid looking at her latest piece. He is amazed and tells Vivian that while she may not be ready, the painting is. And he's prepared to test this theory, suggesting that she enter her work into the silent auction. If it goes for more than $15,000, she has to show her art at his gallery opening. Philip joins them and learns from Reid that Viv has begun painting again. Reid offers to take the painting himself, but Phil insists that he'll have someone bring the painting into the main room.

Will finds Lisa crying. She explains that she hates her stepmother. This day is supposed to be about her mom, but instead, Angela is making it all about herself. Will can relate; he knows what it feels like to be reminded of a missing parent, and sometimes it's easier to be angry than admit that it hurts. Will's dad left when he was four, but he advises Lisa to hang on to the good memories than focus on the bad ones. When Will mentions Carlton, Lisa reveals that she thinks Carlton is using her vulnerability to get closer to her. Tiptoeing around his emotions is exhausting, and she has enough things to work through as it is. Unbeknownst to the two of them, Carlton is eavesdropping from his room above.

Ashley, Romario, and Lucia play in the game room. When Romario exits to get them something to drink, Lucia reveals that she has a crush on Will.

Phillip notices Reid bid $15,000 for Vivian's piece and decides to bid $20,000 himself.

Geoffrey informs Philip of some troubling news, but he plays it off to Viv and Will as campaign updates. Lisa joins them and asks if they've seen Carlton, as she can't find him, and they're supposed to do the reading in a few minutes.

Hilary finds Ashley sitting alone on the steps after Lucia revealed that she likes Will. Ashley came up with an excuse for them to leave, as she couldn't hold it together any longer. Hilary tells Ashley that heart break is a part of life and asks if she's ready to share her secret with anyone else, but Ashley isn't sure. Hilary asks Ashley if she wants her to stay, but Ashley refuses. Their parents are already convinced that Hilary is moving back, but Ashley told them it's not going to happen because Hilary is following her dream and won't give up no matter how difficult it gets.

Will enters Carlton's room to find him snorting Xanax after overhearing his and Lisa's conversation about tiptoeing around his emotions. Carlton accuses Will of going against their agreement that he would stay away from her, but Will explains that he was simply being there for her as a friend. Carlton begins to cry as he slides off the Edge of the bed, onto the floor, apologizing to Will and exclaiming that he can't join Lisa on stage in his current condition. Will comforts Carlton and assures him that he'll handle it.

Vivian thanks everyone for attending tonight's event to support those who are suffering from Lupus and to honor their late friend Gayle Wilkes. Gayle was like a sister to Viv, but her spirit and life lives on in Lisa, who gets on stage to honor her mother with a special reading. Lisa's mom loved poetry, from Maya Angelou, to Langston Hughes, to Tupac. Towards the end of her life, Lisa read her poetry because it eased her pain, and after she passed, Lisa began writing poetry because it eased her own pain. With Will at her side, Lisa reads a poem she wrote in her mother's memory, for which she receives a standing ovation, while Carlton watches from above.

Fred asks about Carlton, who was initially supposed to be doing the reading, but Will claims he got sick and took a nap. So, Aunt Viv tells Ashley to go check on him. Angela embraces Lisa, who's not necessarily receptive to her hug. Feeling moved from her poem, Angela wants to go up and say a few words, but Viv reminds Angela that they've already discussed this. However, Fred said it was fine. Vivian isn't interested in what Fred has to say and informs Angela that today is about Gayle, not her. So, she can either kindly sit down or leave. Fred agrees to leave, but Lisa wants to stay, which Aunt Viv is fine with. Phil approaches Fred, who is now running for DA as well and is the reason for Phil losing his endorsement. Phil accuses Fred of betraying him, but Fred claims that Phil stabbed him in the back first after changing his campaign stance. Phil's money, connection, and muscle won't save him in the race for DA. After he leaves, Phil tells Geoffrey to watch Fred and Reid.

Reid assures Vivian that she was justified in her take down of Angela and that he would love to see her put that fire into her work, especially since her piece in the silent auction sold for $20,000. A woman of her word, Vivian agrees to have her work showcased in Reid's gallery opening.

Phil sits at Carlton's bedside, waiting for him to wake up. He suspects that Carlton is feeling anxiety from the pressure that's been put on him. Carlton admits that it's been difficult. He's just sorry he let Lisa down. Speaking of which, Phil reveals that Lisa's dad is running against him for DA, but that won't deter him in the race.

Will joins Aunt Viv, who is unwinding with a glass of wine. While going after Angela wasn't her proudest moment, she'd do it again for Lisa. Even for Will. When Gayle died, Aunt Viv was angry that she lost her best friend and that Fred moved on with Angela. But sometimes pain gets misdirected, which she relates to Will and Tray. Aunt Viv suspects that he's heartbroken from losing his best friend and tells Will to give him some time and space to come around.

Hilary decides to spice up her cuisine tutorials by doing so in purple lingerie.

Will joins Lisa poolside as she laughs about how Aunt Viv came for Angela. She said everything Lisa's mom would've wanted her to say, and everything that Lisa has been wanting to say. It feels good knowing that people have her back. She also thanks Will for stepping in for Carlton. Lisa misses hanging out with him and asks why he's been so distant lately. Will doesn't want to be another person in her life that she has to navigate around. He thinks she's the most amazing girl he's ever known, but he doesn't want to be more drama in her life and is willing to fall back if necessary. However, neither of them want that, so instead, they share a kiss.

## 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 (credit only)
* Adrian Holmes as Phillip Banks
* Joe Holt as Fred Wilkes
* Scottie Thompson as Angela Wilkes
* Jon Beavers as Kylo

Co-Starring* Wendy Davis as Joan
* Benita Krista Nall as Denise
* Saudia Rashed as Monique
* Christian Germany as Nathan
* Tash Jordan as Jared
* Cristian Soto as Romario
* Rita Angel Taylor as Lucia
* Darnell Phillips as Trumpet Player
* William Roper as Sousaphone Player
* Calvin Winbush as Saxophone Player
* Bill Johnson as Upright Bass Player
* Alexander Hoover as Guitar Player
* Jason Moore as Drums

## Soundtrack

 *Fast (Motion)* | Saweetie
 *Made It On My Own* | Inside Tracks
 *We Had Our Day* | Grand Marquis
 *Honesty* | Pink Sweat$

## Trivia

* Kylo references the 1989 sitcom *Family Matters*.