Soul Food Season 2, Episode 9: The Root

1

The Aftermath

Musical guest: Shirley Caesar After a devastating car accident, Kenny and Bird are hospitalized while Maxine is left with a broken arm. Teri decides to take a leave of absence from the law firm to care for her siblings' three children. One of Kenny's friends who has been looking after his towing business suddenly quits and Maxine decides to take over until Kenny recovers. Brian, Teri's colleague, informs her that the partners want to know when she'll be returning to work. So she quickly decides to return to work only to resign after the partners refuse to make her partner. Damon still blames himself for the accident and Lem brings forth his anger towards him for nearly killing the family. Bird has a mild bladder problem. Meanwhile, Ahmad believes that he has a "baptism curse" and will not allow himself to get baptized unless he receives a sign.

60 min

2

Welcome Home

Musical guest: Kina Kenny finally comes home from the hospital, but a little grumpy and frustrated. When Teri pitches in to look after the kids and Kenny, Kenny tells her that he doesn't need a babysitter. Maxine, covering for Kenny, believes that Lila, Kenny's assistant, has everything under control. When Teri offers to hire a nanny to watch the kids, she and Maxine have a falling out. Bird's bladder returns to normal, but she feels rejected by Lem. Ahmad shares his first kiss with his girlfriend Keisha and with his friend Callie. Damon continues to blame himself for the accident which jeopardizes his relationship with Teri.

60 min

3

Who Do You Know?

Bird and Maxine catch Lem and Kenny at a strip club when Lem takes Kenny along with him to relax. Upset, Bird decides to even the score by stripping to make Lem mad. Teri's ex-husband, Russell, pays her a surprise visit which makes Damon uneasy. Ahmad is paired up for a school report with a friend, but his so-called-friend wants him to do all the work while he plays around. Also, Josefina announces to Teri that she's getting married, but Teri's advice for Josefina to get a prenup could jeopardize the nuptials.

60 min

4

God Bless the Child

Lem's mother, Lynette, attempts to re insert herself into her son's life. Teri tries group therapy. Tension begins to rise between Kenny and Maxine causing Ahmad to confront Kenny about his abusive treatment of Maxine. Also, Ahmad tries to apologize to Keisha.

60 min

5

Sex and Money

Damon loses Teri's trust when he tells her that he has slept with Christine and that he has a new job offer. Despite his injured back, Kenny is desperate to resume a normal sex life. Lem blows up when Bird comes home with a new car. Ahmad resorts to selling "bootleg" copies of pornographic videos to raise money for a coveted concert ticket.

60 min

6

Come Back for the Comeback

Cousin Faith returns. Damon courts a college star basketball player as his first potential client. Despite a bitter rift, Teri agrees to represent Faith in a lawsuit. With Kenny back at work, Maxine reluctantly returns to her role as homemaker.

60 min

7

Games People Play

Teri's budding romance with a high profile lawyer is tested when she finds herself opposing him in a heated court case. Kenny's addiction to painkillers sends his life into a tailspin. Lila reveals that she is in love with Kenny.

60 min

8

Life Lessons

Musical guest: Blu Cantrell In her determination to win a case over her former employer, Teri is duped by a devious client, Darrell Hart. Damon resists his father's offer to invest in his sports management company. Ahmad resorts to bad grades in order to spend time with a beautiful young tutor.

60 min

9

The Root

Lem's management style sets off a family inquisition. Teri and Damon come face-to-face at a company function. Ahmad worries about Teri's health. Bird suspects her male hair stylist, William, is sleeping with customers.

60 min

10

Never Can Say Goodbye

Musical guest: Wynton Marsalis Hardy Lester returns and sues the family to get his half of J & H Groceries back, Ahmad's basketball coach is fired when his good intentions are misconstrued. Teri and Damon have a final confrontation.

60 min

11

I'm Afraid of Americans

The Joseph family deals with the impact of a violent race-related riot in their community. Lem tries to help a young drug dealer.

60 min

12

Running As Fast As I Can

Maxine runs for Alderman on a platform of issues relating to children despite family opposition. Meanwhile, Ahmdad tries to avoid a class trip but gets caught in a lie.

60 min

13

Fly Away Home

Musical guest: Deborah Cox Lem's delinquent cousin, Jack, comes to town to make amends. Teri fails in her efforts to keep a distance between herself and Damon. Bird's marriage is threatened when she gets a chance to go on tour with Deborah Cox and her band.

60 min

14

If You Don't Know Me By Now...

Lem becomes the key suspect when J & H Groceries is burned down. Kenny is torn between business and family demands. Meanwhile, Ahmad is roped into a fight to defend Keisha's honor.

60 min

15

From Dreams to Nightmares

Damon's first client is a morally bankrupt young hockey player. Teri nearly throws Lem's arson case after undermining his attorney by going behind his back to seek a favor from an old friend in the DA's office. While Lem sits in jail, Ahmad learns a lesson about making the right choices in life.

60 min

16

A Taste of Justice

Determined to clear his name, Lem hooks up with Philky to find the arsonist that torched his store. Teri wins back a client but undermines her firm's good name. Kenny learns a lesson in sportsmanship. Damon lands an endorsement deal for his client.

60 min

17

Help

A sensual body massage results in an embarrassing rash for Bird and Lem. Kenny pitches for a bank loan in anticipation of a pending City Contract that could put the company on the map. Teri suffers a severe panic attack following a dispute with Ray Moore over the firing of a long time company employee. Damon's efforts to help Teri don't sit well with Christine.

60 min

18

Lovers and Other Strangers

Musical guest: India.Arie Lem uses blackmail to rid his mother of her troublesome boyfriend. Kenny is rattled by his father's relationship with Lila. Bird is troubled by Lem's too-close relationship with his mother.

60 min

19

In Transition

Teri takes control of her personal life, but her professional life is in shambles. Reggie orders up a stripper to help Ahmad get over his break up with Keisha. Kenny's employees demand wage increases. Damon struggles to separate business from his distaste for his new client.

60 min

20

This Must Be Love

Musical guest: Jon B. For their anniversary, Maxine hopes to surprise Kenny with tickets to a concert by Jon B., and a weekend getaway to San Francisco-until she finds a letter from Lila to Kenny that suggests the two had an affair. Bird's female customer makes a pass at her. Damon goes to Teri for help after Christine reveals she's pregnant and later commits suicide when he dumps her.

60 min