The Conflict of Interest

**The Conflict of Interest** is the third episode of *The Savages'* second season and the eleventh episode overall. It premiered on June 6, 2016.

Felix's murder becomes breaking news of the school, and Sydney becomes a potential suspect. Alex and Gina revisit their rough pasts. Meanwhile, Iesha gives Sena an ultimatum when her affair with Mr. Baldwin takes a toll on her; Lily discovers collateral that could tarnish Jennifer's career.  Trae and Zachary begin dating, but commitment issues could jeopardize their relationship.

## Plot

Felix's murder spreads to news outlets after Sydney discovers his dead body a few miles away from James A. Masters High School. Members of The Savages, in the beginning of the episode, discuss his murder and how it didn't seem as much of a shock to them. Meanwhile, Zachary reveals that he's in a relationship with Trae to the Savages, but he fears revealing that his father shot him during the riot. After Alex and Gina accept Trae's decision to leave The Savages, the episode foreshadows that they are the new targets for scarlet letters.

Sena is a core character in the episode, as she tackles romantic feelings for history teacher Mr. Baldwin. In a dream sequence, she performs *Age Ain't Nothing But a Number*, with Iesha and the cheerleaders singing along with her. Sena contemplates whether her affair with Mr. Baldwin will turn into something more, as she develops affection for him, despite their abilities to keep things hush.

Sydney, meanwhile, receives another scarlet letter in her locker that threatened her to keep her mouth shut. Suddenly, she becomes distraught by Alex's appearance, and discusses the scarlet letters with him. She continues to assume Trae has involvement in the situation, but Alex defends him, telling her to stop playing the blame game. When Sydney admits her distrust with Trae, Detective Sinclair approaches Sydney, questioning whether she could be a suspect. She invites Sydney to the interrogation room at the police station, prior to discovering Felix's corpse.

In the interrogation room, Detective Sinclair inches her way towards suspecting Sydney for Felix's murder; although Sydney denies it, she knows that she has involvement. She, then, mentions Trae in the interrogation room, which encourages Sinclair to end the questioning abruptly.

Trae and Zachary explore their newfound relationship together, making out in the school library. They begin a conversation about family, where Trae reveals how dysfunctional his mother's side of the family is. Zachary, however, becomes uncomfortable when Trae mentions 'father', feeling guilty. The two agree to go on an actual date together that Wednesday; this would eventually be cancelled as Trae is forced to leave for Christmas Break in Philadelphia. In addition to this, Trae faces complications with commitment. Considering that this is his first relationship, and with a guy, he confides in his mother Stacey for advice.

Later on, Sena discovers that Mr. Baldwin is married with children, after having sex in a hotel suite. Enraged, she discusses this with Iesha, who berates her for not listening to her advice. Instead, Iesha decides to help her get over him and find someone new. However, Sena remains conflicted based on her lingering feelings for Mr. Baldwin.

Meanwhile, Lily discovers an unexpected item inside of her father's closet when searching for a cell phone charger: a pornographic video with Principal Gordon on the front of the cover, as "Roxanne Reynolds". Weak by the thoughts, she takes the video to school to show to The Savages. The clique realize that the video could be easy bait to get Gordon out of the school, but The Savages believe that they need Trae to make it happen, based on his manipulation. However, when tries to convince him to return, he refuses.

Detective Sinclair goes to the school to have a discussion with Felix's closest allies and members of The Moneybags; however, the discussion goes awry when Kyler and Cass debate on Felix's personality and if he deserved condolences. Cass argued that everyone had to suck up to Felix. Meanwhile, Kyler lashes out and leaves the area, while being pulled aside by Sydney who sends condolences.

Alex and Gina, later on, try to be more intimate with each other as their relationship progresses. During an impromptu duet with each other, the two proceed to make out and as soon as things get intense, Gina resists, forcing herself to leave Alex's home without a legitimate reason. This act leads up to Alex receiving his first scarlet letter, which hints that Alex cheated on his ex-girlfriend Marisol with Sena before The Savages. This occurred the same time that Alex was kicked off of the football team and Rufus replaced him as quarterback. It also ties into Gina's dark secret. She received her first scarlet letter, a cryptic mesage that hints that she was sexually assaulted by her then-boyfriend Hunter. When her parents find out, they kill Hunter by throwing him off of a building; this reveals an unusual agenda that her parents have. This knowledge breaks Gina down to tears.

Trae finally comes to terms with being committed to a relationship with Zachary, revealing that he has been tested for STDs, as he is sexually active. He hopes to prove to Zachary that he isn't a heartbreaker or loverboy as others make him out to be. Trae admits that he doesn't know how to love, while Zachary says the same, and they see eye to eye by agreeing to help each other in the relationship.

In the end of the episode, Alex and Gina come together after an awkward departure, and the two realize that they both receive scarlet letters. They immediately assume that whoever sent the letters knows about their involvement in Felix Winchester's murder. In the ending flashback, Gina is the right-hand with Sydney after placing Felix's dead body in the woods, while Alex drives the car to pick them up.

## Trivia

* This is the first episode to feature an official solo from Sena Demir and Jennifer Gordon.
* The Red Hot Cheer Peppers have prominent vocals and scenes in this episode.
* This episode includes the first appearance of Gina's parents.

## Guest Cast

Guest Stars
* Paula Patton as Detective Jacqui Sinclair
* Jeremy Sisto as Samuel "Ace" Woods
* Anika Noni Rose as Loretha "Deuce" Woods
* Chad James Buchanan as Mr. Shane Baldwin
* Francia Raisa as Marisol De La Cruz
* Sasha Pieterse as Sis Davenport
* Dave Franco as Viktor Nichols
* Travis Slotemaker as Brian Gustin
* Ryan Kelley as Kyler Chase
* Cymphonique Miller as Brianna Townsend
* Rita Volk as Cass Everett
* Jacob Latimore as Luke Chambers
* Parker Posey as Kirsten Winchester
* with Patrick Warburton as Coach Jarrett Radnor
* and Michael Michele as Stacey Ventura

Co-Stars
* TBA as Hunter Tidale