Daniel’s surprised to find Lucy in his suite ~hug~ She and Mom are a bit worried about him. Daniel’s worried about Summer and Heather (stuck between Phyllis and Chris)
At the club, Chance encourages Summer to talk to him. Everything’s changed, she’s agitated.
Despite Heather’s concerns, Phyllis volunteers to plead guilty if Chris puts in writing that her kids won’t face charges. She wants to be in front of a judge, now.
In the jazz lounge, Summer describes how she’s feeling to Chance – scared, nervous, like at the top of a roller coaster. Letting go of her Mom and Kyle is giving her a weird energy; liberation.
Heather at her side, Phyllis asks the Judge to hear her out. Opening a folder to look at the DA’s sentencing recommendation, the Judge agrees to listen.
Chris sits in the corner as Phyllis tells the Judge how horrible Stark was, how he came up with the plan to frame Diane for murder, talked her into marrying him. He attacked me; I killed him before he could kill me. It haunts me, Phyllis begs for mercy. Chris stands to remind that laws were broken; her sentencing recommendation stands. Heather speaks to her client’s character and the DA’s bias (which further agitates Chris)
Running into Mariah in the park, Lucy seems proud when her Dad admits that he’s not fine. He’s trying to be a better person, a better father.
It could be adrenaline, Chance suggests. Summer feels like the old Summer. Maybe she’d like to find an actual roller coaster. Come along, she invites.
Phyllis feels as if she’s already paid a price – she’s lost people’s trust. She can’t make amends to her kids from prison. I’ve learned my lesson, she begs for the chance to change. The Judge cuts Chris off and goes to her chambers to deliberate.
Chance isn’t scared of roller coasters – he has some reports on his desk to finish. Raincheck, he leaves by saying that he’s rootin’ for Summer.
Though admittedly ‘Team Kyle’, Mariah has advice for Daniel – it’s hard for people to change. The people we love, we need to give them the space to make the changes they need to.
At Society, Heather thinks Phyllis did the right thing and that she sincerely wants to change. Summer will come around, she’s sure. My kids are the best part of me, Phyllis vows to earn back their trust.
Heather talks about the dark hole Daniel came out of – he realized what he did, what he lost. It feels good to do the right thing, doesn’t it?
Upstairs, Chance chats with Chris. She’s waiting for the Judge’s sentencing decision. Paul wants her to return to Lisbon to discuss their future. It doesn’t sound positive. She wants Phyllis to pay for once but also wants what’s best for her kids.
The Jude has made her decision, Chris leaves for the courthouse. Also alerted, Heather and Phyllis leave Society.
Needing to get Aria home, Mariah hopes things go well for Daniel, Summer and Phyllis. She’d do anything for her own Mom. Nice to meet you, Lucy (who asks her Dad if she can see Phyllis)
The Judge believes that Phyllis killed Stark in self defense. She rejects Ms William’s recommendation and sentences her to 6 months of community service. Don’t squander this gift, Chris leaves. It’s over, Heather tells a relieved Phyllis. Not yet, she replies.
Summer screams – then laughs as she hurtles around on a roller coaster.