Comets is the first episode of the the fifth season of Snowfall. It is the forty-first episode overall and season premier.
Outline
It's the summer of 1986 and the Saint crew has leveled up; Franklin's personal and professional relationships are flourishing, but a problem in the valley brings trouble to his door.
Summary[]
Len[]
It is June 19, 1986. Four young men are enjoying themselves at the University of Maryland snorting cocaine and partying. Len Bias, an NBA draft pick for the Boston Celtics, is hitting some lines along with Brian Tribble as well as Larry and Chris. Larry then pulled out Len's Celtics jersey and brings up that aside from the Reebok money, he was missing something called 'Boston Winters'. Len continued snorting up his lines of blow and Chris tells him to take it easy on the ye-yo. Len tells Chris not to worry about him, claiming he is good as he hits another line with the guys watching. He then gets up, puts on his hat, and heads to the front door. As he opens it, he begins to develop symptoms and removes his hat. Instead of leaving like he was planning, he returns back to the couch, experiencing breathing issues. His teammates ask if he is good, and Len states he's good, up to the point where his chest is in pain, indicating a heart attack. Larry runs out the room to get help as Brian and Chris attempt to help their friend as he is experiencing Cardiac Arrhythmia.
Franklin[]
We see a plane traversing the mountainous region near the coast of California and in the pilot seat is Franklin Saint. He returns back to the airport where he lands his plane and returns it to the hangar. He approaches his car with Black Diamond and Dallas awaiting him, informing him that his new girlfriend, Veronique, needed him to return her call. Franklin asked both women when they would like to take a plane flight and Black Diamond made a sarcastic pun. Franklin hops in the backseat, sends Black Diamond and Dallas away, and calls his company office for West-Side Development where Betty answers his call. Franklin tells his secretary that there's a property on PCH he wants checked out and describes it for her. He even asks for Veronique. Betty then alerts Veronique that Franklin is calling for her. Veronique is just finishing up with an unsatisfied customer on the phone and switches over to Franklin, and informs him of a second development opportunity in Downtown LA. She tells Franklin that she will put together a bid and they need to talk about their strategy. Franklin tells Veronique that he needs to see his new CIA connect, Grady Williamson, first. The phone call ends and Franklin tells Black Diamond and Dallas it's time to go. Franklin is now at the home of Grady Williamson where a pool party is being held. There is a female guest who Franklin catches the eyes of. She approached him and asked if he brought some more cocaine. Grady appears and breaks it to her that Franklin is just in real estate. He then asked his guest, Jessie, what it was she does, and she states she is the Vice President of Good Time Society. She walks away and Black Diamond makes an insulting remark on Jessie, with Grady requesting her to cool it! Franklin tells Grady they need to discuss something. Grady looks to Black Diamond and Dallas claiming it is always business with Franklin. Inside the home, Franklin requests to increase the purchase to 300 keys a week. Grady suggests he is making his country and countrymen very proud. Franklin then points out the game is changing, which the border open, and the rapid flow of product, cocaine is losing it's value, while he is facing some pressure to stay competitive. When Grady asked how much Franklin was saying, Franklin suggested dropping the price by a thousand per brick. Grady looked for some some calculation asked what 300,000 times 52 was. Franklin guessed an estimate of 15.5 million just as Gustavo entered the house. Grady then asked El Oso that if Franklin asked him to hand him 15.5, what would he say to that. Franklin informs Grady that he is just telling him what is happening on the streets at this moment. Grady then reminds Franklin that the company is breathing down his neck as it is over the funds and will create some attention should he bring back less, pointing out that he and Franklin could not afford anymore attention. Franklin then notes that should his Family pay less elsewhere, they would, which would make things more difficult. Grady stated he believed his people were family, and Franklin stated that there is nothing that could tear apart family more than money. Grady then turned to Gustavo, asking where Xiamara is at and why she didn't come along. Gustavo points out that if she came with him, he would have to stick around there all night. Grady grills both Franklin and Oso for being the least fun-having drug dealers he has ever met. Grady tells Franklin that he'll see what he can do and asks them to promise to have some fun at that point.
Louie[]
Louie and Jerome are enjoying themselves at the equestrian center as they are riding horses in the corral. Louie, of course, gives Jerome a lecture about how he may be walking about bowlegged after riding on a horse and expresses her appreciation for coming out with her, while complementing him for being able to ride a horse. She then asked his horse's name and he answered correctly, Dusty. Louie then stated to Jerome that anytime they come out to the equestrian center, he should ask for Dusty every time. Jerome stated he wouldn't have to since he bought both his horse and Louie's as well, but will need to file the paperwork first, and told the owners he doesn't want anyone else riding them. Jerome then asked Louise if she is going to show him how to do that reverse cowgirl, and Louie hinted going behind the stables. Jerome is ecstatic to hear that.
Leon[]
Back in the Projects, Big Deon with a steel pipe in hand, Einstein, and another Crip arrive to Leon's place. Leon is writing in his journal when the guys arrive in his home, indicating there are some issues afoot. Outside, the PJ Watts boys bring Leon to a suspected thief named Juan who is accused of stealing sneakers from the crew. Leon asked him why he would risk getting killed over a pair of shoes. Juan claims the dealers are doing all the hard work and make very little, claiming it isn't right. Leon states that anyone working the hardest always makes the least. Leon then demands Juan to remove the shoes, which Juan graciously does as he thanks Leon, claiming he would never hear about this again. After Juan removes the shoes, Leon orders a thug to hold him down with Einstein having a gun pointed at his head. Leon requests the pipe from Deon as Juan begs him not to do him in. Leon then takes the pipe to Juan's left ankle and cracks it till it is bloody and broken. The Crips back off him as Juan is complaining about his broken foot. Deon then asked about the shoes, and Leon states there Juan's since he 'paid for them'. The boys then walk away.
Rob[]
There is a house party in the Valley and Rob Volpe is entertaining some guests who are enjoying the music and the ye-yo. He is with his buddy and fellow dealer, Thad Brenner, snorting coke with 2 ladies, Brittany and Megan. The girls are bringing up Tom Cruise and Thad makes a condescending mark toward them. Brit isn't fond of Thad's attitude as he makes another insult remark. Rob then suggests seeing the new Alien movie. Megan asks what that movie is and Rob basically blows the plot to the original Alien film. A younger guy named Josh approaches the coffee table, snorts a line, and introduces himself to the ladies on the sofa. Rob asks if he had seen Alien and Josh replies with a yes. The girls introduce themselves to Josh and Thad buts in, asking if he thought it was okay to snort their cocaine without asking. Josh brushed him off claiming it was his buddies party and decided to call it cool. Thad refused to accept that answer and continue to jump on top of Josh over the line of coke. Josh brushed Thad off even further and asked the girls a question that further infuriated Thad, who is now on his feet with a gun pointed at him. Brit and Megan are in a panic and Josh freaks out, begging him to chill. Thad loses it with Josh as his gun hand is shaking, and points out they're not to be messed with. Rob jumps up telling Thad to let it go, attempts to soothe him down, saying it isn't worth it. Assuming it worked, Josh giggled, which further set Thad off to the point where he shot Josh twice. The party is now over as everyone is fleeing the house while Thad is insulting his dead victim. Thad soon realized he screwed up big as Rob demanded him to leave his house.
Franklin[]
The next morning, Franklin awaken in his new house and finds the other side of the bed empty. He walks toward the balcony and stretches himself. Later he is reading the newspaper, featuring an article of Len Bias's death. Later he is practicing on a punching bag and overhears the news about Josh Hendricks murder over a cocaine dispute. He then hears that the police are hunting down Thad Brenner and quickly turns his attention to the television. At the office, Veronique is discussing business while Franklin has something else hanging around his head. He then suggests bringing the deal to Jerome and Louie, as well as bringing on Leon. Veronique quotes a proverb to Franklin: If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together. Franklin then asked what if he wanted both, and Veronique suggested going with her. Franklin asked her if she is enjoying everything he promised her and Veronique reminded him it was everything she worked for. Franklin, of course, begs for one 'YES' and Veronique signals him over to her which he complies. Veronique reminds him that he has come through on everything he has said so far and a man word his word is worthy of her. They both kiss right then and there. Franklin does point out that someone will see them and Veronique clarifies that she is the boss as they continue making out. Franklin then gets a page, but Veronique puts it away as they continue the chemistry.
Grady[]
Grady is walking outside his backyard in his underwear getting ready to light up a cigarette and there is still a mess from the recent pool party. As he sits down on one of the pool chairs, Teddy McDonald under the guise of an LADWP Inspector arrives claiming to make sure his power and water is in working order. He then checks the meter and Grady approaches him, asking if they have them working on Sundays. The Inspector claims that the boss state it is only way to keep up with the backlog, and states if he wants to call and complain, he won't stand in the way. He, of course, makes it clear he sees the mess, knowing there was a party. Teddy then sees Black Diamond exiting the house in a robe. When Teddy declares he is finished, Grady then holds him up and reads his tag, saying Justin Caraway, employee number 335685. He then gets sarcastic about calling his bosses to let them know about the fine thorough job he did. Even Teddy knew it was sarcasm and suggested complaining about the Sundays, which Grady hastily agreed.
Franklin[]
Franklin and Peaches arrive at Rob's place and Peaches is feeling the affects of a summer cold. They exit the vehicle and approach the front door. He knocks on the door and Brit answers it, while Rob is watching television with Megan. Franklin enters to see Rob and his friends baked on cocaine and Rob is stressing about the murder that Thad committed in his home. Franklin asked if he has heard from him while checking around the house himself and Rob said that Thad knew a place he could lay low at but would be in touch. Franklin then told him that his friends needed to vacate.
Beau[]
Over in South Central, the LAPD C.R.A.S.H. team, led by Detective Beau Buckley, is conducting a search in the residency. Detective Eddie Perez shows Buckley a rock in a baggie that he claimed to have found in the oldest kids sock drawer but nothing else. Dissatisfied with the raid, Buckley told Perez to find Romeo and see if they were either played or had an idiot of an informant. He sees the injuries on the older guy being handcuffed and requested someone to check on him. His mother returns home with arms full of groceries freaking out. She drops her groceries to check on him and tell him not to say anything. She then flips out at the C.R.A.S.H. team demanding to let him go and berating the police. Buckley walks down to her and kindly tells her to shove it. She then demands Buckley's name and badge number, instead Buckley orders the cops to detain her. He walks to his vehicle hearing the mother talking to her son and hops into the vehicle where there are people showing their dissatisfaction with the police raid.
Franklin[]
Franklin returns to Cissy's old house with Rob and Peaches. Franklin, of course, makes it clear that he could not bring himself to selling the place, seeing how it was the home he was raised in. Rob sees a photo of Cissy and asked if Franklin has ever spoken to her, and Franklin tells him here and there. They then head into Franklin's old room while Peaches is sitting on the couch. Franklin then asked Rob about the first time he came here, reminding him of how he got homesick and called his mother to pick him up. Rob pointed out how his house smelled weird. Franklin told him he was smelling food and stated how Rob's home smelled like ass, possibly because of the porn stars and other things happening there. Franklin then requested Rob to page him should he hear from Thad. Rob nods then Franklin asked Rob the golden question, how much does Thad know about the Family operation. Rob claimed that Thad was in the dark and Franklin reminded Rob with a stern face that there was too much at stake and won't want anyone flipping on them and destroying things for them. Rob tells Franklin that this is his cross to bear and he would not allow this incident to hurt the Family. Franklin tells his to get some sleep and leaves. At Louie's, there is a Family meeting with Leon, as well as Jerome and Louie, despite their intentions to break away, and Leon stresses about how there's hardly any media attention when black folks are killed on a daily basis, yet a white kid in the Valley is killed and an entire city goes off the deep end. Franklin then assures Leon that as soon as Thad reaches out to Rob, they'll take care of the mess. When Leon asked about Rob, Franklin broke it to them that Rob was hard on the pipe. Louie and Jerome are not too thrilled with the idea that one of their own knows too much and is down the crooked path. Franklin then clarifies that as soon as Thad is dealt with, he is getting Rob out of the game and get him clean. Leon then asked if Rob was cool with that and Franklin tells him he has no choice. Louise then clarifies that Rob being out would mean less product being moved, which means that it would be less likely that Grady would cut the price which she could not stress is what she needed. She has even alerted Franklin that their connections in Inglewood is threatening to go straight to the Colombians. Franklin then clarified he will straighten things out with Rob first, then deal with Inglewood, and later talk about the prices. He then sees a busboy staring in the room from outside during the meeting and shoos him off.
Wanda[]
Wanda is now more than a year sober and working at a sex call center. She is in the middle of entertaining a caller but is confused with the idea of pleasuring someone with pain. Her boss, Johnny B, hops out of the office to check on the callers. Her boss could tell that she was thrown off during the exchange. She was then given another bizarre request, but after being further thrown off, the customer hangs up on Wanda. She then through an excuse towards her boss, stating they are already prepared. Johnny B reminds that is why they call and it is her job to tease them out and keep them wanting more. He basically tells her that she has to hold the cream to make the green, which Wanda memorized as she repeated those words. Johnny B tells her he knows she can get it done and wants to be proven right as he returns to his office and she continues her shift. Later that night, she returns back to the Saint residence where she has been staying since she got her life straightened out. Inside, she finds Rob wandering the house and Peaches asleep on the couch. Peaches, however, awakens to the sound of Wanda's entrance. Wanda is then demanding to know why Rob is there and what is up. Peaches tells her that Franklin would call back and requested her to keep an eye on him and keep him inside the house. As he prepares to leave, Peaches points out to Wanda that she was where Rob is once. As he leaves, Wanda checks on Rob, who is breaking a fever. Rob asked her how long she was staying in the house, and Wanda pointed out that there wasn't anyone who was willing to rent out a home to an ex-junkie, so Leon requested a favor from Franklin. Wanda tells Rob she was where he was at and the addiction can be broken.
Louie[]
Louie and Jerome are in the office and they get a knock on the door. Her hostess, Chelle appears to let Louie know that Buckley is in the VIP room to see her. Jerome then asked Louie if he needed to back her up, and Louise chose to go it alone as she kissed Jerome and exited the office. Louie then approaches Buckley and he asked about the new girl, Chelle. Louie points out to him that she asked about his story and that Beau was a cop. Buckley then snorted some coke and asked for Romeo's location which Louie couldn't provide. Beau then mentioned that Rob is now off their radar. Buckley then told Louie about the recent raid he conducted with false intel on a crackdown turning out to be a single with her kids. He then expresses his anxiety about getting the blunt end of the top brass. He then brings up Len Bias's death and how the shit is hitting the fan in LA. Buckley tells Louie that they've gone a long way together, that they got something good going on, which he would like to keep intact. Louie then bluntly asked what it is Beau is wanting. Buckley clarifies that he needs something big to give to the top brass and Louie reminds Beau she is not a snitch. Beau then states that he never said a thing about snitching, but wants self-preservation, claiming he cannot help her unless she helps him. Beau then clarified that she wants to keep his protection, she should find someone that would be worth a damn for the LAPD. Louie then hops away from the bar to return to the office and Beau immediately requests Chelle. Louie then sends Chelle to give company to Beau.
Rob[]
Rob awakens the next morning, drinks his glass of water, hops out of bed, and exits the room with his hoodie on, putting the hood over his head. He then approaches the front door, unaware that Franklin was at the dining room table awaiting him and offering him coffee. Rob, of course, turned down the coffee. Franklin then asked if he was planning to wander the streets to find some random dealer. Rob then informs Franklin that Thad reached out to him and he knows where to find him and just needed a fix to confront him. When asked where Thad was, Rob told Franklin that Thad has family who owns a place in Palm Springs that sits empty during the summer. Rob assured Franklin that he would clean up this mess and just requested a car and a gun. Franklin denies his request to go it alone and says Peaches will accompany him. Rob points out that Thad is paranoid and will suspect something's up should he see Peaches. Franklin then points out that he doesn't want Rob bamboozling the job in the condition he is in. Rob then suggested Franklin going with him believing Franklin's appearance won't terrify Thad and will believe they will help him out. Franklin then enters the living room, sits down, and orders Rob to contact Thad and tell him they will be there to pick him up. He then tells Rob he'll get Peaches to hook him up with some blow to keep him straight. He then clarifies they will take Thad to the desert so nothing will come back to bite in the end. Then he tells Rob that after all that is done, he will be sent to rehab to get clean and wanted him to make a promise to stay sober afterwards. Rob agrees but is still shaky to the side effects. Franklin then slaps him to straighten him out and wants Rob to promise him which Rob makes to him.
Peaches[]
Franklin, Peaches, and Rob are now on their way to Palm Springs and Rob is talking about some cop stop-and-search on the highway toward Vegas but Franklin knew that the stop-and-search was on the on/off ramp, knowing those who had something to hide would have gone straight there. Rob then told them is wasn't cops, but the DEA. Rob then asked how far out they are, and Peaches says they got another hour before they arrive. Rob then asks for a gun, which Franklin states is in the trunk. Rob then asked if he could get it before arriving to Thad's location. Franklin agrees and declares he needs to take a piss. They pull to the side of the road where Franklin heads to the tumbleweeds to relieve himself and Peaches opens the trunk and lifts open a fake spare tire consisting of money and a gun. Peaches then hands Rob the gun and asked if he ever shot a gun before. Rob tells him that his father had a gun which they tested out on cans at the Antelope Valley. Rob then raises the gun toward the field and Peaches points out the safety is on the side. Franklin returns and even Peaches could tell Rob was off as he expressed his grim concern toward his boss. Rob then looks in the sky and asks Franklin and Peaches if it would be possible that they would see Halley's Comet that night, claiming it would circle the earth every 75 years and it would be another lifetime before they ever got the chance to see it again. Peaches closes the trunk and Franklin decides it is time to get going.
Franklin[]
It is nightfall and the guys have arrived at Thad hideaway in Palm Springs. Franklin checks on Rob as Peaches pulls up toward the house. When Peaches hopped out of the car, Rob knocked on the door hastily, and Peaches told him to calm down. Rob then takes a shot of coke and points out to the guys that they parked next to Thad's car. They approach the pool area where Thad is swinging around some fireballs. They spook Thad, who then asks what took so long to get there. Upon seeing the pistol in Peaches hand, Thad freaks out and pulls a sawed-off shotgun on him, demanding to know who that was. Franklin clarifies that Peaches is his bodyguard who is always at his side. Franklin then orders Peaches to holster his weapon. Thad is now tripping as Rob and Franklin implore him to lower the weapon. He then lowers the weapon and everyone heads inside the house. Franklin then asked if anyone knew he was hiding out there, and Thad answered no, only them, as he collects his belongings. During that moment, Peaches takes the shotgun Thad laid down and Rob has his gun on standby. Thad then asked how they plan to relocate him, bringing up Franklin's CIA connect. Franklin then realized the only way Thad would know about that is from Rob, and he soon realize Rob lied to him as he turned his head toward him, indicating Rob royally screwed up. Rob then drew his gun on Thad and fired a shot, only to miss and hit an 8-track display case, shattering some glass. Rob fired a second shot and hit Thad in the left shoulder. Thad is now wounded and freaking out. Peaches then demands Rob to finish him off. Thad then begs Rob for his life as Rob attempts to hand Franklin the pistol, terrified of the idea of offing his buddy. Franklin refuses to take the weapon, staring at Rob motionlessly as Rob walks over to a wounded Thad who is constantly begging for his life. Rob hesitantly raises his weapon and kills Thad. They head into Death Valley later that night with Thad's corpse, removing him, his luggage, and a shovel from the trunk. As Peaches prepares to dig the grave, Rob opens up his bag for one last shot of cocaine, claiming he needs to make it count as he lights the pipe. At that moment, Franklin soon realized there was nothing he could do for Rob. The next morning, Franklin is at home showering, he is later in bed as Veronique enters the room. She then points out that it's almost 11, seeing him in bed. Franklin tells her it was a late night for him and it would be best if she didn't know what he was doing. He gives her a softcore story of a friend of his from High School got into some trouble and he needed to help him out. Veronique sat on the bed and played with her ring. Franklin then asked about the ring and she said it was her first stone, Azurite. She said bought it when she decided she had enough of her mother's energy and didn't know how to express that to her. Franklin soon realized he may be hit with some bad news from her. Veronique states she has news, but nothing bad, and Franklin clarifies how he knows Veronique didn't get her law degree and work hard just to be a housewife and states things will change. Veronique clarifies everything will change once she has the baby, revealing they are expecting. Franklin assures her she can still have that life that she wanted. She expresses gratitude and points out being pregnant was not part of her 5 year plan. Veronique soon expresses her excitement about having this child, believing a higher power placed this child in their lives for a reason. She then makes her decision clear that she will not support a life that does not benefit her future child in any way. When she brough up Franklin's other lines, he guarantees Veronique it is ending real soon. He then points out that 90% of his time is invested in real estate with her and they have Grady backing them in a legit business, let alone nothing bad will happen under his watch. Veronique then points out it is something they cannot control in which she has accepted and made her peace with. She then implores Franklin to swear to her, until the day comes when he can walk away, he needs to do everything in his power to protect their baby and their family. There is a Flashback prior to the earlier night when he, Rob, and Peaches, were burying Thad's corpse. Rob is too busy searching for Halley's Comet while Peaches is busy digging. Franklin then told him to look to the south, claiming it to be in the Southern Sky. Rob looks to the south and spots the comet. He is enjoying the view whereas Franklin, knowing he could no longer trust Rob, pulls out his pistol, walks up behind him, and shot him in the back of the head. Peaches is then surprised that even Franklin would off Rob the way he did. Back to the present time, Franklin makes his promise to Veronique and the 2 kiss. Later they arrive at a hillside near the shores somewhere outside LA. Franklin suggested building a compound for them to start a new legacy in his life. Franklin then asks Veronique if he has her loyalty, in which she guarantees him he does. Franklin makes it clear that he is serious, because he has been betrayed by those who swore such loyalty, and are now gone. Veronique then clarifies that whatever he had back then predates and what she has is his. Franklin thinks on that as they continue standing upon that hill.
Cast[]
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Episode Deaths[]
- Len Bias - Cardiac Arrhythmia Induced by a Cocaine Overdose
- Josh Hendricks - Shot by Thad Brenner
- Thad Brenner - Shot by Rob Volpe
- Rob Volpe - Shot by Franklin Saint
Music[]
- Fresh is the Word by Mantronix
- Notorious by Duran Duran
- I Just Want to Love You by B & The Family
- Victim by The Crew
- Tagging by Decepta Tripps
- I Can't Wait by Nu Shooz
- Shape It Up by Up With People
- d2ML Disco Child by Fred Lederman
- Fired Up by X-MAN
- I Walk On Guilded Splinters by Dr. John