11/22/2024 Kick Recap - "Brother, No More"

Lang listens to the new Kendrick Lamar album in his car, before returning to the beach to search for his phone. After some frantic searching, he finds his phone and returns to the homeless camp. Saab calls to complain about Frank's being closed, Lang asks him to come meet him. Lang sends some texts from his previous phone and calls Edgar back, Edgar doesn't know why Lang sounds sad. Lang waits for Saab to arrive at the camp.

Saab wakes Lang up from his nap when he arrives and suggests that he sleeps in his car. Lang asks Saab to stick around and help him rebuild, he's interested. Lang drives to a stash spot that Andi texted him about, but there's nothing left. They sit by the fire and Lang shares the recap, and his new goals. Lang dreamt of what Tony Soprano would do, building a plan where he runs an area of Cypress by himself. Saab is excited and motivated by this plan, maybe more motivated by the Thanksgiving turkey. They head back into the city, Saab asks if they're going to shoot the other Dons, Lang only will if things come down to it.

Lang and Saab get changed to meet with the Dons at the Refinery. Clark calls to let them know the feast is over, Lang tells Saab to stay serious for this meeting. Lang and Saab meet the Dons, catching up on what changed for Cypress so far. Harry says they haven't informed anyone of Lang's departure, incase things change. Lang asks why they haven't told anyone, they claim they're protecting people from making stupid choices. Luciano begins to tell Lang about the changes, but Harry stops him. Lang gloats to Luciano about having to steer the ship alone when Harry and Arush leave. Lang recaps the story and his beef with Arush, agreeing that the only way he leaves is with a bullet. Lang reveals his new plan, which is to take on the North of Cypress like they originally wanted for Jack Kettleman. Lang will give them a list of people he hopes to speak to, that might leave with him, Luciano laughs in Lang's face. Arush and Luciano tell Lang that it isn't happening, Harry pulls the Dons to speak in private. The Dons return to the table many times to clarify who Lang wants and what exactly defines the North. Lang tries to explain that he doesn't have a list yet, and that he's willing to work in an alliance with south Cypress. He wants all of Cypress to succeed, but Luciano and Arush think Lang isn't being truthful. After much time, they disagree to the terms (unanimous vote no), and Lang walks out. "I wish you the best of luck Luciano, 'cause you're gonna be the only one around to deal with it.."

Lang races to the Silos and grabs a few glocks, 4 shotguns, and 4 tommy guns. He scoops up Saab at the apartments and nearly runs into Yuno, constantly getting texts from unknown people who he believes are joining his side of the rebellion. Lang transfers the butcoin farm to Saab, they laugh about the taxes not being paid. They look for places to stash the guns, eventually breaking into the Roosters Rest. Lang tells Saab what his goals are, and that he's not in conflict with Cypress as a whole, but he wants Saab around to help him out.

Lang pings one of the mystery texters to meet, Sakura arrives. Sakura tells him that she's frustrated with being under appreciated with current leadership, and notices Saab. Lang tells her about his plan, telling her that she's on the list to help him rebuild. He wants her to return to Cypress and act like they didn't meet, she agrees to wait for further instructions. Sakura tells Lang that she tried to buy a grenade from the Besties, with hopes to blow up Thanksgiving. Lang isn't sure how to feel about things, so he leaves with Saab.

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Yuno calls asking for a check in with Lang, he was late to Thanksgiving and missed it, Lang invites him up to Paleto to chat. Liya calls to ask Lang what's going on, he tells her to find out what the Dons say, and call back from a payphone. Lang calls Clark to stir some more, Clark tries to hear out what Lang's original offer was. Lang gloats to Clark about his plan, and that he will stand victorious in the end. Yuno arrives and Lang tries to explain the plan again, Yuno finds it confusing, but distills it to a "new cypress within cypress". Lang tries to tell him that they(south Cypress) need to succeed as well, Yuno wants to keep a few cool people. Lang asks for him to be there with him, Yuno agrees. Yuno wants to take a photo, Lang agrees to post it on twatter. Yuno keeps getting called by members of Cypress, Lang gets suspicious that Yuno told them where they were, so they split off and leave the beach. Lang tells Yuno he loves him, and they agree to stay in touch.

Lang and Saab laugh about Yuno trying to get the Leanbois back together, finding it cute. Lang calls Martin, but Cypress is in a meeting so he offers to call Lang back. Lang and Saab pull into Cypress and wait for people to notice, but they assume people are busy in a meeting. They wait for a long time until Lang gets a call from someone selling parts. He drives over to the Refinery, twatting about "The Forge" being open for business. Lang and Saab wander the property a bit, before Lang makes a few more calls to stir.

Zeek calls Lang back, and Lang offers the usual poaching technique. Lang calls Martin next, Martin tells him about the meeting and wanted to agree to Lang's terms. Lang tells Martin he was on the list of people he was willing to approach, Martin makes a joke about being non-vital. Martin offers to speak to the Dons about Lang's original terms, and he'll find Lang at the Forge later on.

Lang tells Saab that there is no turning back, Saab understands and agrees. Lang gets CJ's number from Martin, and tries to call her before heading to bed. Liya calls to check in, she tells Lang that Yuno probably blew up their cars so he was removed from the panels and don't trust him. She asks who was on the list, and he tells her she was on the list, too. Lang tells her about plans to have some things changed in the city, and hopes that she's around monday to meet. Lang calls Luciano to gloat about their meeting and what they said about him, hanging up and heading to bed.

Offline Lang Moments (Multiple POVs)

Lang calls Martin to stir some more, explaining who he was going to get on his list, and why. Martin understands Lang's plan, and wants to try and speak to the Dons.

Lang texts Andi to meet, Andi arrives at the Forge to hear him out. Andi and Lang banter about how depressing the inside of the Forge is. Lang explains his perspective, wanting to have 1 leader instead of 4/5 on the average day. Andi asks about how the negotiations went, Lang tells her it wasn't a discussion, they refused to meet his demands. Andi, like Martin, questions if she was integral or not. Lang tries to explain that he's doing his thing, down the street. It's not supposed to be as serious as everyone makes it out to be. Andi asks if he's allergic to being on the same side as her, Lang claims they aren't on different sides. Andi asks if this is one big test, Lang is glad that it's flushing out the rats, but not his intent. He thinks that Sakura should be killed and reveals that she was trying to ruin Thanksgiving. Andi is concerned about losing Cypress to this conflict, Lang replies "Cypress will never end because I'm here. I AM Cypress, that's what you don't understand." Lang jokes about forcefully recruiting her if she leaves Cypress, and claims he was generous by meeting the Dons this morning, when he could have taken everything overnight. Andi understands, and will take time to think about things.

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Lang calls Martin to the Forge, he arrives with Skipper, Larry, and Bubbles. Larry tries to recap what he knows so far, Lang re-explains where his head is at. Lang doesn't think that the multiple Don thing is working, so he would rather have his own thing WITHIN Cypress. Lang hasn't done anything this entire day (really..), and the Dons are freaking out. Lang stands on business for the people he's killed, the only regret being Tommy Devito. Lang wants to take a shot at leading, and this is his time to do so. Larry and Martin ask Lang about structure and what he thinks of the people that join him, he says he's taking things as they come. Lang tells them they'd have a new bond, and that he'll trust them blindly, until proven otherwise. Lang accepts that he's an old man, he's going to need some sort of leadership to handle things when he's not up late. Martin asks if they should hold the butcoin farm as leverage, Lang agrees. They will make decisions Monday, everyone agrees. He tells them to go fill in CJ, Martin and the boys seem resistant. They are concerned with CJ informing the other Dons, Lang argues that he's still a Don and if they have issue with anyone in the crew, that speaks more about them. They leave to go speak with CJ and return shortly.

CJ greets Lang and tells him she's choosing this side. Lang tells them that even if they join him, they aren't against Cypress. CJ asks if they can have Gigi, everyone agrees that Cypress won't survive without her. Lang isn't sure if Ilya will flip, but expresses interest for him. He reminds CJ to hear out the Dons and see how she feels. Lang tells them all if they change their minds, he won't lose sleep over it. He's dead set on his decision and the path in front of him, and they are welcome to come along for the ride.

Lang calls Clark to re-explain his vision and what he plans on doing. Lang tells Clark about the fall of the mob, and that he can't work with the multiple don system anymore. Clark says he understands Lang's perspective, and Lang tries his best to poach him. Lang tells him how much he loves Clark, brags about his potential suffering under the Cypress leadership, pushing Clark to raise his suspicions. Lang claims that he waited all day for a call back from the Dons, and that's a sign that nobody can make the tough decisions. Also, Yuno was trolling and exploded the tank and cars outside the warehouse.

Lang heads to bed (or so I thought), while Larry meets with Teddy to discuss things. Luciano calls Lang to discuss new terms, Lang tells him that he's been waiting all day. Luciano and Harry meet Lang outside the Forge, Lang asks them who told everyone that Lang was to blame for all the previous crew killings. Harry tries to deflect, but Luciano explains that Lang DID want to slim things down. Lang raises issue with Harry being the devil on his shoulder, and Luciano not trying to stop him, Luciano admits to being involved in every killing. Harry thinks Lang calls him soft when he tries to be cautious, Lang reminds him of previous times where Harry tried to spiral him, but Harry doesn't remember. Lang and Harry argue about who threw more shade since their conflict started, and Luciano tries to explain the misunderstanding with their conversation in the Butchery. Luciano asks for clarification on Lang's terms again, but asks for a few guns back. Lang agrees to give back everything but two of each, and half the ammo. Luciano asks if Lang put his names on body bags at the hospital, or left secret notes outside the warehouse. Lang thinks he's crazy, he would never do anything like that. Harry doesn't care about the guns, but he's happy to take back what Lang is willing to give. Luciano agrees to keep the properties, too. They agree to the deal, and Lang will give them his list on monday. They ask him why he's leaving, Lang tells him he's not leaving he'll be down the street. Luciano thinks he can't call Lang in the mornings anymore, Lang says he still can.

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"We were meant to do this together.."
Harry thinks Lang is delusional for thinking that Arush would really try to kill him. Coco walks up to them, gun in hand. Everyone tries to send him away, but Coco says "You don't get to walk away" and shoots Lang, Luciano shoots Coco. Luciano loads Lang up in the car and takes him to the hospital, Harry calls to say he's going to get Coco's body. Lang tells Luciano that if they didn't tell everyone in Cypress that he was a treasonist, then this wouldn't have happened. Luciano tells him that leaving Cypress is treason, and it seemed that way at the start. Lang gets patched up and calls Luciano back, Luciano tells Lang he'll miss him. Lang says he'll have the list on monday, and heads to bed.

(After much discussion between Harry and Luciano, they decided to return Coco to the Cypress waters and blood him out officially for acting against the Don orders…)