Queen Sugar

Previously on queen sugar...

Didn't tell me your ex-wife was going to be here.

He's always had a thing for the exotic.

Did you think you were the only one?

She is the only one.

I'm almost 20 years old.

I don't need to consult you every time I want to

make a decision like some little boy.

Everyone is worried about harvest.

We get to choose how we deal with things.

They can't steal our joy unless we let them.

I've just been keeping a eye out on that virus.

We're here for you, whatever you need.

So I'm giving you a heads-up.

Vi's pies will have to close for a couple of weeks.

In the state of Louisiana

the great danger farmhands face are outbreaks

from corona virus, especially during crop season,

where labor shortages threaten harvesting

and a farm's viability to survive.

Produce crops such as berries have a short lifespan.

If a farm doesn't have enough workers to harvest

in that small window of time, they're done for the season.

Other crops such as corn and sugarcane,

which rely heavily on machinery,

sadly are having to see their crops go to waste

due to the closing of the local mills,

a direct effect of covid-19,

leaving this Louisiana crop season and the farming community in jeopardy.

Benny ben, what's good with you?

This covid thing got us all, but we gonna make it through.

That's right.

Hey, look, I'll bring you back next season. That's my word.

Chris.

What's up, brother?

No, can't start up again. We got to wait it out.

The cane looks beautiful right now, it's so high,

I ain't really seen it like this.

We're usually done harvesting by now.

What did you say?

For real?

He tested positive?

That's crazy.

Hey, look, I appreciate you. We're going to be back on the land in no time.

That's right.

Be safe. You too, now. All right.

Good morning.

Good morning.

You don't mind me sitting here...

Do you?

You can stay as long as you'd like.

In fact, I insist.

Once I'm done with my meetings

and our community check-in,

I'll make sure the rest of the your day...

Is busy.

- I like busy. - I know you do.

I love being in quarantine with you.

You know I feel bad for saying it...

This time has been pretty terrific.

Just being together.

It's a privilege and I'm thankful.

We are definitely privileged.

People are out there struggling.

But inside here,

with us, it's been...

Beautiful

and intimate.

I'm grateful for you too.

Intimate like three times a day.

You don't mind, do you?

- No. - Didn't think so.

Did you get the honey butter ham and potato salad ready for parthena's delivery?

I got it right here.

You should have heard her talk about how much she missed

being able to host Easter dinner at her house with her grand kids.

She sounded so sad.

I'm sure all this goodness you cooked up

is going to hit the spot and cheer her right up.

You know what?

Put one of these dutch apple cherry pies in her order too.

You know, baby, all this feels like some kind of test.

What you mean?

Maybe this is how we find out what we're made of.

You know, as a people, as a community,

do we or do we not have each other's back?

I believe that. Between this place closing down

and my place never opening up, it's the worst test I ever took.

But we got to just keep doing our part.

Keep doing our best.

Yep, at least we can get all this into the bellies of folks who need it

instead of my trash can which is where it would've had to go,

you know, if it stayed in that freezer much longer.

- Hey there, mama. - - Hey, son.

- Hey, there miss Willa mae. - - Hey, vi.

She said, "hey, vi."

You get that package I sent you?

Mom, what you mean it's still on the porch?

I told you she wasn't going to open it until 14 days pass.

She said you're, right.

Hey, tell Willa mae...

Mama, vi, look, I'm not going to keep

playing phone operator now, all right?

Is it okay if I talk to my mama?

Come on.

He's grumpy.

Mama, you know I got all of your essentials.

I got your vitamin d, I got your Benadryl,

and all that stuff that you asked for.

Better open it up.

And the fact of the matter is, st. Jo is just a blip

on the state's radar right now.

We couldn't get funding to expand our hospital's icu

before the pandemic, can't expect it now.

And now we're at capacity.

We're beyond capacity.

This was just supposed to be two weeks, now we're weeks into this.

We got the er setting up triage tents in the parking lots.

But what happens when they fill up completely?

Where will sick people go then?

And this is why we can't afford people

not adhering to the stay-at-home order.

Lives are in the balance.

Not to mention, we're still waiting

on federal funds for the elderly and unemployed.

But according to our covid-19 task force report,

the majority of st jo's businesses have either shut

or are in the process of doing so.

What do you mean "in the process"?

Non-essentials shouldn't be operating

outside of the mandated guidelines, period.

Yeah, and I should be in the Bahamas working on my tan.

But that ain't happening.

People take issue with what's deemed essential, Charley,

and they aren't going to let go of something

they've spent their entire lives building without a fight.

Is that why your aunt violet's diner's still open for business, Charley?

The diner is not open for business.

I drove by there the other day

and it looked like some activity was going on in there.

"Activity."

Violet bordelon is doing more

for her community than you have or ever will, Jackson.

Calm down and do your job.

I'm done here.

That's what I need.

A nice hot cup of coffee.

Who said this was coffee?

Before we kick off our tru papers good neighbor action,

I'd like to thank you all for showing up,

for putting these care packages together

for the people of st. Jo with such love and respect.

So if anyone asks for more of anything,

hand sanitizer, masks, whatever,

we don't understand the word "no."

Just direct them to the tru papers helpline and we'll accommodate.

We are love in action.

All right, let's hit it!

- You ready? - Always.

We should put it where they can see it.

It's a good day, final stop ahead.

Gotta save the best for last.

How many karens did you have to fight off to get all this?

God, I barely got out of that store alive.

The shelves were totally empty, completely wiped out.

It's like we're living in the apocalypse.

Looking like you made out fine to me.

I mean, I did what I could.

We might have some weird food combinations for meals,

but I think we might be okay for a while.

I sanitize, you put away?

Let's do it.

Where's blue?

In his room, catching up with school.

Internet been acting all wonky all day,

kicking him offline.

It's been happening like that all morning. Our internet is so slow.

Yeah, I think everything's been moving slow in st. Jo right now.

Wi-fi been tripping.

It's not like we have the latest fiber optic cables

out here, though, in the first place.

I mean, if his classes are going to be online,

shouldn't the school district make sure all the students can access the internet?

Theoretically, yes, practically, a whole other story.

Spent most of the day checking in on folks,

trying to explain this covid thing

and how it's messing everything up.

Are you okay?

What am I saying? Of course you're not okay.

Actually, I am.

Weird enough.

I just gotta call them about everything.

Had to let go of some people.

Shit is bad and...

Yeah, I don't know when it's gonna start looking good again,

but did what I had to do

and I feel like I did the right thing.

What about getting a crop loan?

Wouldn't that help?

Banks ain't giving loans to no farms right now.