Revolutions is the fourth episode of the the fifth season of Snowfall. It is the forty-fourth episode overall.
Outline
The LAPD's C.R.A.S.H. Unit raids the Projects; Cissy returns from Cuba.
Summary[]
Cissy[]
It is the middle of the night and Cissy has returned from Cuba to her home in Compton. After open the door, she flips on the lights, grabs her luggage, and enters to find one of Wanda's shoes on the floor. She puts her luggage down and asks if anyone is inside, but no answer. She closes the door to find a half empty glass of milk and another shoe, indicating someone has been living in her home. She then has a memory of when she first moved into that home and told a very young Franklin of how she shared a room with 2 brothers at his age. We also see a younger Alton, before he went homeless and on the bottle. She is in the kitchen and reminisces on Alton who wanted a future with her without drugs or violence. She then enters her old bedroom and further reminisces on Alton telling her they could stop everything and how he wanted Franklin to walk away from the game. She further laments on Alton telling her that everything he did was for the entire family.
Jerome[]
At the warehouse, Big Deon and Einstein open up the trunk of a vehicle to find a ton of keys. They both realize they need a bigger car to load and Renny points out to them they'll need more cars. Deon disagrees as it meant getting more people involved. Jerome then tells the guys then need to open up the panels and stuff the keys in there while making an insulting pun to Einstein. When Einstein opened his mouth, Jerome told him to zip it claiming he isn't the only smart one there. They then get some 40's while a forklift operator is loading up pallets of yeyo. The crew then hears some new music playing in Renny's vehicle and the crew is ecstatic as Jerome tells him to crank up the volume. Jerome is feeling the music up to the point where he hears Franklin mentioned in it. He orders everyone to keep it down as he further listened to the lyrics. As he listened further, he hears of Manboy and Khadijah being dead, as well as Tianna having her name dropped. He soon realized everything in that music could expose the Family. Jerome then asked Renny where he got that tape from. They are now in the Projects following Leon to look for the skateboarding rapper, Maurice. Jerome then asks some of the folks living there and they point up the him on the rooftop of an apartment complex dancing with his skateboard to Fishbone's "A Selection". Jerome then shouts at Maurice to get to the ground. Shortly afterwards, Maurice asked the crew what they are looking to buy stating he hasn't set up any prices for his music as of yet. Jerome then claimed he was snitching on them with his music. Maurice claimed he was observing the hood and Deon slammed Maurice onto a sofa with a gun at his torso stating what he's been 'observing' was none of his business. Jerome then tells Maurice to bag up the tapes. Maurice then requests that he keeps the cassette cases so he doesn't have to rewrite his music. Jerome thinks the lyrics might be in Maurice's head and Deon further threatens Maurice with a gun to the head, stating should they need to further destroy any evidence, he just needs to fire one off. Maurice then accuses the crew of purging his album and claimed it to be his lively hood. Jerome then asks Maurice how long he's been rapping and Maurice claimed it was since birth. The LAPD appear in the Projects. During that brief moment Jerome requests some rapping from Maurice, who claims he needs some motivation, causing Big Deon to further threaten him, all the while, the C.R.A.S.H. team and a lookout shouts out One Time on the rooftop. We see people running and someone tossing a lawn chair at a police officer who engages to attacker. We then see Einstein running only to be mauled by a police dog with an onlooker yelling that he's just a kid. People are being tossed to the ground and handcuffed. Apartment doors are being breached by cops. The Family and the Crips are being detained. Einstein is now severely injured after being jumped by a police dog. Detectives Buckley and Eddie Perez appear when Buckley throws over a table. A chopper is flying overhead causing some dust to fly around. Buckley ganders at the guys on their knees in cuffs and winks and Jerome.
Franklin[]
Franklin is back home with Veronique enjoying some Chinese takeout and of course, Franklin fools with her when it came to the eggrolls. Franklin then reminded Veronique of it was before she moved in with him, on how she was cooking food left and right and named various things she whipped up. He then points out how she now lives there and the kitchen is unused. He continues flirting around and claimed the last eggroll for himself. Veronique asked if he really missed her cooking, which Franklin replied with a 'hell yeah'. They kiss and the phone rings. He hops up to answer the phone and informs the caller he'll call back on an outside line. He informs Veronique that the Projects were raided. Veronique stands up and tells Franklin she'll tag along to see if everyone is alright. Franklin agrees.
Peaches[]
Peaches is in the middle of a dominoes game with Black Diamond and Dallas at Louie's and he hears someone barging in. Believing someone was attacking them, he jumps up only to see Franklin and Veronique entering and heading to the back. He cools his head after that abrupt entry. Peaches returns to the game with Black Diamond and Dallas who claimed he was going to lose the game.
Leon[]
Inside the VIP lounge, Leon is going off on the raid to Louie, and how the C.R.A.S.H. team used Birmingham-police style tactics at the Projects. Franklin then asked Leon what exactly happened, and Leon states it was a mess being overseen by Buckley. Franklin is confused as he believed Buckley was on Louie's payroll. Louie then claimed if the cops had the Projects on their radar, it was probably damage control, and Jerome and Leon are unscathed. Leon then snapped about Einstein and some others being in the hospital. Jerome told Louie they were gunning for them and something had to be done about Buckley. Louie claims she'll handle Beau. Franklin asked Leon if there was anything he needed and Leon it'll be the cops that will be in need. Leon is frustrated as he speaks of retaliation. Louie then asks what he is saying, and Leon speaks of William Tecumseh Sherman who led a destructive path in the Civil War. Louise reminds Leon they are in the drug game and cops will just keep gunning for them. Leon loses it when it came to being jumped by attack dogs and that wasn't a game for them. Franklin then asks Leon to calm down and Leon states this is what white folks and police want since emancipation, to wipe out the African race. He then tells Franklin he is arming his people in Projects for a possible war. He then pauses his commotion as he spots Cissy enter the lounge and she rushes over to hug her son. Everyone is now quiet as she holds her son. Cissy then turns to Jerome and hugs her brother. Veronique then introduces herself to Cissy, who claims she came as soon as she heard. Everyone is wondering what she meant and Cissy could tell Franklin hasn't said anything. Veronique then tells everyone she is pregnant. Everyone is excited to hear the news and Jerome suggests named the kid after him.
Louie[]
Louie is awaiting Beau under an overpass when he shows up. She pulls her pistol out of the glove compartment and stashes it in her blouse for precaution. She hops out of her car and approaches Buckley, who could tell she wasn't happy. He claimed the raid at the Projects could have been worse. Louie then asked what could be worse than siccing dogs on his own people. Beau states they are not his people. He then states folks like them have called him 'Redbone' his whole life. Louie then states it is her people since Buckley put it that way. Buckley makes his point known that slipping him cocaine and sending Chelle in his direction is not going to continue to appease him. Louie states she'll find something up to offer and Buckley makes his impatience clear. Louie then clarifies there needs to be some trust between them and refuses to be screwed with. Buckley tells her to get him the red meat and they'll do just fine. Beau then returns to his car.
Franklin[]
Teddy is awaiting Teddy in a back alley next to his car when he sees him pull up. Teddy hops out and blames the traffic for his tardiness. Franklin informs him the Projects was raided the day prior. Franklin informs Teddy that LAPD has become more brutal since his absence. Teddy then points out the massive ton of product he's been moving and asked Franklin what he expected. Franklin stated he was expecting some help since his organization was funding the undisclosed CIA op. Franklin then asked if Teddy still has contact in the LAPD. Teddy states he did until Alton spewed their operations to Irene causing the CIA to look frequently over their shoulders, which was why the CIA contracted Grady for the job. Franklin is beside himself. Teddy notes it's just his people the police are targeting and not Franklin himself, so he urges Franklin not to worry about it, because the C.R.A.S.H. team pose no legitimate threat against him. Teddy points out for all reasons no one truly cares about the fate of South Central Los Angeles, but if it was a white neighborhood, the national guard would be all over it. Teddy then advises Franklin to just deal with his family and the police can never touch him. As Franklin heads to his vehicle, Teddy alerts him to avoid the 110 since it's under construction. Franklin then jumps in his car and starts it up.
Avi[]
Leon makes his appearance at Avi's warehouse in Chinatown while Avi is eating lunch. Avi hops up to greet Leon and asks him if he is a fan of baseball. Leon states America has plenty of past times he isn't fond of and requests an order of some specialty weapons, including rocket launchers and armour-piercing rounds. Avi then requests a reason for the need of such deadly weapons. Leon makes it clear he wants to hit the police, picking up a micro Uzi as he speaks, with one of Avi's guard on obvious standby. Leon clarifies he wants to be free of police brutality. Avi states he's seen many uprisings in the past, some that were very successful compared to others. He then clarifies the conditions in the Projects would implode his fight against C.R.A.S.H. and Leon is not convinced with that answer. Avi tells Leon survival would be the best course of action. Leon makes it clear if he could remove one cop from the equation before they get him, it would be a win. Avi then states the LAPD would hell on his people should he resort to cop killing. Leon then asks Avi what could be worse than what they've been doing in his hood. Avi clarifies Leon hasn't seen nothing yet. Leon refuses to stray from his course as he claims he's willing to pay for some guns and makes it clear to Avi to either sell him guns or he'll find another dealer. Avi tells him he would need a few days since they are specialty items. Leon then tells Avi to contact him once he has the order in and leaves.
Cissy[]
Over at West-Side Development, Wanda lays a wad of rent money on a desk telling Franklin and Veronique that one Mr. Owens refused to pay a dime until his toilet was fixed and informed them one of their tenants is experiencing plumping issues. Wanda then stated she took the liberty of purchasing a plumbing snake from the hardware store and fixed the problem. She then confessed to using some of the rent money she collected to buy the snake and wondered if it was fine with them. Veronique let it slide and Cissy appears in the office. She then hugs both Franklin and Veronique. Cissy then turns her attention to Wanda and Franklin introduces them both. Cissy then realized Wanda was the one crashing in her home. Wanda then apologizes for the mess and claimed she would have cleaned up had she known she would have returned but was never warned. Cissy let's it go and Wanda returns back to her shift. Cissy then shows Franklin that she is impressed with what he built and expresses how proud she is of them both. Veronique states to Cissy they were just laying out the foundation she started. Cissy then shows she left Franklin a heavy burden building WSD and Veronique refers to Franklin as one of the most capable men she has ever met. Cissy then compares Franklin to Alton. Franklin has Cissy take a seat at the table and pulls down a scene while Veronique activates the overhead projector. Franklin then discusses their future project for a building in Downtown LA. They speak to Cissy of the growth and opportunities they are prepping for in this project.
Louie[]
Jerome walks in the office to see Louie watching television and informed her that Franklin called inviting them to a family dinner celebrating Cissy's return. Louie then asks Jerome when he is heading off, not including herself. Jerome think she is kidding and Louie suggests throwing her in on another night. Jerome clarifies he hates being in the middle of the feud between her and Franklin and suggests burying the hatchet. Louie acknowledges the problem and claims it isn't about Franklin, but the fact that she gassed from the series of issues she has faced and would like to continue watching her sitcom. Jerome then approaches Louie and points out the bigger issues from Skully slicing off peoples ears, to the LAPD putting Einstein in the emergency room, and now Franklin is offering them a dinner invitation for his sister who he had not seen in over a year. He lets Louie know Franklin just wants to bring the family together, which baffled him for Louie wanting nothing to do with it. Louie is finally convinced and apologizes, stating she'll come to the dinner.
Franklin[]
Franklin is in the Projects speaking to Leon while accompanied by Black Diamond and Dallas. He explained to Leon if he needed anything, he just has to ask for it. Franklin then offers Leon an invitation to a dinner party celebrating Cissy's return. Leon claims to never forget what Cissy did for him, but declined the invitation, citing he has plenty to deal with in the Projects. Franklin states it's about family and nothing is more important. Leon couldn't decide if that was the truth or the fact that his people need him more. Franklin is confused, but Leon states this isn't a Projects issue but a black folks issue. Leon then states that despite the money he's been carrying, nothing is truly changing for his people but escalating. Franklin couldn't fathom why Leon couldn't do both help his people and show up for dinner at the same time. Leon is steadfast on his decision as he claimed he couldn't eat expensive food at a fancy restaurant while someone in his community is getting hurt in his absence. He then requests that a disappointed Franklin sends Cissy his best as he walks off.
Cissy[]
Franklin, Cissy, and Veronique arrive at a Japanese restaurant and follow a waitress to their outdoor table where Jerome and Louie await them. Jerome then lets his family members know he ordered some mojitos for them. Veronique found it odd to order a Cuban cocktail at a Japanese and asks Jerome if he orders sushi on Pico. Everyone begins making some noise to the pun Veronique threw out.
Cissy then asks about Leon, and Franklin, still disappointed with the decision, states Leon declined the invitation after the raid on the Projects. Franklin then stands up, picks up his glass, dings his glass with his spoon, and makes a speech about family and how the dinner would not be possible had Cissy not been there. He then raises his glass in honor of Cissy as does everyone else.
The party then talks about Franklin and Veronique and speak of bringing in a new generation for the Saint Family. They they asked about a wedding in the future, and Franklin claims it was discussed but the baby must come first so they can take a raincheck on the wedding. Jerome does express his excitement knowing his nephew is soon to be a father. Louie then asks Cissy if she came back for the baby, and Cissy claims it to be the push she needed. Without mentioning Alton's disappearance, Cissy states there wasn't anything back in Cuba for her either way and it was time to return back.
The waitress appears and asks everyone if they are ready to order and Cissy agrees it is time to order. Shortly after they already have their food mostly eaten and Cissy states that Alton would have enjoyed this. Franklin thought she was referring to the dinner as Cissy stated the idea of being a grandfather. Franklin then tells Cissy that Jerome bought a horse and Jerome makes a horse noise.
Louie then asks Cissy if she ever learned anything about what happened to Alton and Franklin states it isn't a good idea to bring that up. Cissy then states she never truly knew what happened. She then threw out her conclusion that Teddy McDonald killed him. Everyone is quiet at the table and Franklin claims there must be proof of that. He reminds Cissy that his father is an ex-Panther who entered Cuba and plenty of folks in that country would have expressed interest in him. Cissy then states there was only one person who wanted him dead. Cissy then noticed the rift between Franklin and Louie and asked what was happening between the 2 of them for there was some friction between them throughout the dinner. Franklin tells her to let it go and suggests finishing dinner. Cissy refuses to let it go and demands an answer. Louie then suggests Franklin answers her and Franklin breaks it to her that Teddy has returned to LA.
After dinner, Franklin, Cissy, and Veronique are riding home in their limousine and Cissy tells her son she'd like to be there for him but cannot do that if she is kept in the dark over the business. Veronique assumed she was referring to the WSD project, but Cissy clarifies she was referring to the other business Franklin has. Franklin then asks his mother if she wants in on the game, and Cissy states she was in it the moment Alton disappeared as well as the return of Teddy. Franklin then asks how her being in the game fixes the issue. Cissy tells Franklin the moment she set foot in the club and saw Veronique standing where she was, she knew Franklin found his woman, knowing she was there for him. She pointed her out as someone Franklin could trust and not lie to. Franklin then points out that she isn't entirely involved as she doesn't go do exchanges. Cissy then asks if she knows about Teddy, and Veronique nods. Franklin then asks Cissy what role she wants in the game. Cissy states she only wants to help and doesn't want to be a burden. She then clarifies she does not want to be kept in the dark any longer.
The next day, Cissy is in the Projects and approaches Leon's apartment where Renny helps open a breached and half-broken door for her. She enters and Leon states the damages are from the raid. She then sees some automatic weapons hidden under a blanket as Leon offers her a drink. Cissy states she was checking in on him and asked if there was anything he needed. Leon tells her there isn't much she could do there. Cissy then speaks of what she learned in Cuba, talking about the literacy rate at 100% and that everyone, regardless of race and class, could read and write. She then goes down the list of how they could get good education and good health care. She then claims the country is good to it's people. She does point out the problems in Cuba, but aren't as bad as South Central. Leon pointed out it took a revolution to stop all that, which is what he was plotting. Cissy then states there are other forms of revolution, citing during the days she and Alton were with the Panthers, changes were made and no shots were fired. She then points out that if shots were fired, violence would make the headlines, not justice, and it could end with Leon either dead or in jail. She then makes it known that is exactly what the LAPD wants, ending with a victory for them. Leon then asked what she would do, and Cissy states there are other ways to fight and make real changes. She lets Leon know there are more people out there in the world than he could imagine that would like to help out.
Jerome[]
Jerome is going over a map and drinking some whiskey as he continues listening to Maurice's tapes. He hears lyrics involving Franklin, Khadijah losing Tianna, and Fatback taking the fall for the shooting Leon was responsible for. Jerome then switches out the tapes and feels the beat from the next tape up to the point where he is mentioned without his name dropped. Jerome then rewinds the tape and listens to it once more, realizing he was being disrespected in the rap. Jerome then shuts it off and drinks his whiskey.
Franklin[]
It is nightfall and Veronique approaches Franklin on the sofa in her nightrobe. She takes a seat and speaks about him downplaying Teddy, asking Franklin how dangerous is the man that may have killed Alton and recently returned. Franklin pointed out that his father went after his with the press and it was his loss. He said seeing his mother gave him the answer he needed. He states that Teddy is much different this time around if not paranoid, but definitely all business. He then makes it clear they will not be touched as long as the money continues to flow. He then asked Veronique how it felt to hear from Cissy, and Veronique states she knew Franklin was the mama's boy she suspected him to be. She expressed some respect for Cissy and urged Franklin never to shut his mother out and listen to her more. Franklin acknowledges her. Veronique then reminded Franklin when he asked her to move in and told her it was safe there. She then told him about her rummaging through her books and notes and informed him that she found a gun hidden in them as she placed it on the sofa. Franklin states he bought the house because of the security and the location, citing the weapon was just extra. Franklin then suggests he could get rid of the weapon if she wants, instead, Veronique reloads the gun and makes it clear the gun is not the problem. She states there was only one thing she asked of him and they will be needing more security, because what they have isn't cutting it. Franklin agrees and then asks Veronique how she learned to remove and reload a pistol clip. Veronique stated it was part of how she grew up, about the stunts her mother pulled and spoke of how she was taught to save her if need be. They then lock their hands together as they lean back on the sofa next to each other. Franklin then asks Veronique if her mother would ever return and want to be back in their lives. Veronique tells him if that happens, they'll move to Africa immediately for she'll be in the moment she is in. Franklin giggles to that.
Cissy[]
Cissy is at the diner she used to work at in Season 2 as she is sitting at the bar. She is sitting there waiting and a mysterious man approaches her and asks if they've met. Cissy states she isn't sure, since she returned from Mexico City, indicating a pass phrase. He tells Cissy he has some friends there as the waitress brings Cissy her coffee. He introduces himself as Rubén and states he knows Ana. They shake hands and Rubén states that what he is doing for his organization is a brave thing she is performing, while offering his condolences for the difficulty she experienced. Cissy then asks how all this works, and Rubén states that now that they've made contact, they can set up meeting and meet points as well, so long as they are under the radar. Cissy tells Rubén that is not what she meant as she informed him that she already made contact with her family. She then warned Rubén that Teddy has returned which is what Ana predicted. Cissy then asks what Rubén will need for him to do his job. Rubén states he knows what she wants and what the CIA put them through with her and her family. Cissy then sets the terms that she wants answers about Alton's disappearance and protection for her family. She then states if Rubén's organization can provide that, then he will be permitted to kill Teddy McDonald.
Cast[]
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Episode Deaths[]
- NA
Music[]
- How Many Ballers (feat. Benjamin Earl Turner) by the Snowfall Cast
- A Selection by Fishbone
- Key to Love (Is Understanding) by The Majestics
- Oh What a Day by Whiz Kid
- The Way To Find Love (Sticky Dojah's Edit) by Family Love Band
- Fly With Me by Aiko
- Destroy the Block! (feat. Benjamin Earl Turner) by the Snowfall Cast
- Head for Heights (7" Mix) by Barry Upton