Monarch

- Previously on Monarch... - The Texas Truth-teller

and his Rose, you are

the king and queen of country music.

The rumor making the rounds is that you've got cancer!

The Roman family legacy will continue

with my children, Nicky, Gigi and Luke.

Nicky, you're very talented, but you're not her.

Geeg, that would mean you singing.

There's a reason I gave up on music all those years ago.

This is what Mama wanted for you, Nicky.

# And tell me now... #

So you stayed out of the spotlight because you thought

you'd outshine me?

Well, there can only be one queen.

What happened between us was a mistake.

I'm married to your sister.

I'm dying Saturday night,

right after the concert, and you're gonna help me do it.

I've done things that can never be forgiven.

What did you do?

A Roman never forgets a friend.

Or an enemy.

Rest in peace.

Yeah, I need you to run some tags for me.

No, Geeg.

Gi?

Wait. Please wait.

Geeg, you don't understand.

She wanted to die.

I think I understand perfectly.

You helped Mama.

She made me do it.

Geeg.

No, Geeg.

Geeg, let me explain.

Geeg...

# The best thing about being a woman #

# Is the prerogative to have a little fun and #

# Oh, oh, oh, go totally crazy #

# Forget I'm a lady #

# Men's shirts, short skirts #

# Oh, oh, oh, I want to be free, yeah #

# To feel the way #

- # I feel # - # The way I feel #

# Man, I feel like a woman #

# Come on, baby #

# Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! #

# I feel like a woman. #

My girls.

- That was so much fun! - Mm. It was.

Mm. They want an encore.

Well, should we?

"We"?

They're calling for the queen.

Yeah, but I flew in for the show...

I mean, honey, what have I always told you?

- That there's only one queen. - That's right.

Your turn'll come. Someday.

I'm Marybeth. I'm available 24/7.

If you have questions.

Thank you.

Hey.

Come on, Dad.

Hey. Geeg.

Thank you for not saying anything.

Nicky.

You killed our mother.

Yes, and that's gonna haunt me for the rest of my life.

You don't think I know that? You know how much I loved her.

- You keep saying that. - Because it's true.

It was her choice, and it's what she wanted.

And now I'm gonna send her off, as she wanted,

and get her buried before anybody else

finds out that it wasn't the cancer that killed her.

Geeg, please, I really need your help.

I hate that you kept this from me.

I could've been there for her.

And you.

I didn't even get to say goodbye.

I c...

I can't lose my sister

and my mother...

at the same time.

So...

I'll help you,

but on one condition:

no more secrets or lies.

And you swear to me.

On my life.

Say that again.

What Mama said.

She said, "I've done things that can never be forgiven."

I loved her. Really. Truly.

But she knew.

She knew what she did to us.

Yeah, but you didn't make it easy on her.

You never met a rule you didn't break.

So I deserved to be treated like a pariah and sent to fat camp

and then a gay camp

and then, one summer... two birds with one stone...

a fat gay camp?

She did what she did because she loved us.

Come on, Luke.

She pushed you and Dad apart

'cause she wanted you to be all hers.

And you...

she built you up and she tore you down at the same time.

You know what I don't get?

Mama had months left to live.

And y'all saw her last night.

That was not a woman who was just about to die.

Mama...

was sick and she passed away.

Was she flawless? No.

But she was our mama.

And now she's gone.

And, um... I'm really sorry for all of us.

But we have to focus on the funeral.

Well, luckily, Mama arranged it all herself.

She picked all the artists.

She even coordinated with Alec Graham

to livestream the whole thing.

I need to go check on the rehearsal for the funeral.

Do me a favor.

Please pace yourselves on the airing of childhood grievances.

Nicky, wait.

I need to show you something in the press.

Well, there's always something in the press.

You just learn to ignore it.

Well, I wanted you to see it from me first.

Like I said, you learn to ignore it.

Ha.

That sounds familiar.

Hi, Aunt Nellie.

My whole life,

I lived in my older sister's shadow.

And let me tell you, it was big as all Texas.

Me and Nicky aren't in some competition or anything.

Well, you keep telling yourself that.

She may be your big sister, but this ain't show family.

It's show business.

I had the talent, Gigi.

But your mama, she was relentless.

I didn't have the confidence to make my own moves.

Don't you make the same mistake.

Because if Nicky becomes your mama...

guess who that makes you.

# Ain't no sunshine when she's gone #

# It's not warm when she's away #

# Ain't no sunshine when she's gone #

# And she's always gone too long #

# Anytime #

# She goes away #

# And I know, I know, I know, I know #

# I know, I know, I know, I know #

# I know, I know #

# Ain't no sunshine when she's gone #

# And this house just ain't no home #

# Anytime #

# She goes away #

# Anytime she goes away. #

Hey.

I'm so sorry.

Your mama was a legend

and about as close to a perfect woman as I can imagine.

Well, she was far from perfect, but no one is, right?

I just can't believe she wanted me to play at her funeral.

Well, Mama always knew which way the wind was blowing.

Hey, I hope you don't mind me asking, but...

I read that...

you used to suffer from...

you suffered from anxiety that was so bad you couldn't perform.

Is that right?

I had a year out of the business when I was about 21.

- Right. - Why?

It's just that my s-son, Ace,

- he's, um... - I saw he didn't perform at the musicale.

Was that why?

- Mm-hmm. - Look, I wish I could help,

but that was just a little story my team made up

to cover a little, uh, rough patch.

Drinking.

I wasn't ready for all this.

Uh, if you don't mind, I'd rather that stay between us.

No, of course.

It's our secret.

# Girl, it's quick in this town #

# There's a couple things you need... #

Oh, Luke.

Oh.

# For a broken heart, a broken nail... #

I am so sorry, Luke.

Earl...

did you notice anyone hanging around Mama last night?

Notice anything strange?

Nobody strange.

But your poor father.

He must feel awful after that fight they had.

What are you talking about? What fight?

Outside the house.