CHRISTOPHER DE PAOLA
Ep. 10 Break Point
FAULT
FUTURE SEASONS: FAULT would play as an anthology series. Next season would center on Tommy as he coaches Jupiter Stevens, his involvement with her clan, and the negotiation of coaching a black girl aimed at regaining the #1 spot. Turns out being a black girl in a sport dominated by the white patriarchy can be kinda tricky…
TEASER FLASHBACK: Jupiter Stevens interview as a child tennis prodigy and her father/coach defending her.
Jupiter Stevens is interviewed about her first round match. She completely disregards Justine as a formidable opponent.
At the hotel in NYC, Justine apologizes to Ernesto and shows a moment of sincerity. Ernesto is loyal to Tommy. Again, to make herself look better, Justine turns and tells Ernesto about Tommy
takes out the scrap of paper from his wallet and stares at it: BE #1. Roost comes and sits next to Tommy; Tommy talks to him; Roost walks away…
…Jupiter Stevens comes and sits next to Tommy. She asks what his coaching prospects look like… she wants to hire him.
END OF SEASON
Tommy, alone, calls Olivia. She gets a digital file, opens it. It is security cam footage from the US Open final showing Trace going into the locker room. She is devastated at finally seeing what she hoped was not true. She doesn't tell Tommy about the footage. She tells him they can't be speaking to each other, there's too much at stake for her- another punch to the gut for Tommy. Olivia starts to feel a panic attack coming on for the first time in a while; she calms herself by reciting pop lyrics.
being a cheat at the US Open. Ernesto is devastated.
Olivia sneaks onto the Wilderhorne estate and witnesses Real Justine in a wheelchair… But Justine is in NYC for the US Open, so who is this? Olivia snaps photos and wonders, "What the hell is going on…?"
Justine and Jupiter play each other in the 1st round. Justine plays the match of her life and topples Jupiter 6-2 6-4. Joy and celebration! All is well!!
Ernesto tells Tommy he's leaving immediately to go back to his mother. He knows Tommy cheated. Furious, Tommy confronts Justine- a huge blowout! Tommy confronts Trace and Gloria about their mani-pulation, greed, and thirst for power in their pathetic little world that will amount to nothing in the end.
Tommy sits in the empty stands alone, Arthur Ashe Stadium, where he lost the US Open final… it's night, bright lights shining on the empty court- no Ernesto, no Olivia, no Justine, Gloria, Trace- no family left. He