‘Central Park’s Rap Battle Between Leslie Odom Jr. and Stanley Tucci Will Make You Ugly Cry [Exclusive]

Put all of that silliness aside because Central Park has a gut-punch in store for its latest episode. Decider has your exclusive look at Central Park‘s Season 2 finale. And if you have “heart-wrenching rap between Leslie Odom Jr. and Stanley Tucci” on your animated bingo card, congratulations on predicting the future.

Ever since Central Park first premiered, it’s toyed with the same central (heh) dynamic. The rich Bitsy Brandenham (Tucci) wants to buy Central Park and turn it into condos and shopping malls so that she can further leave her mark on New York. Meanwhile, park manager Owen (Odom Jr.) will do anything to keep this precious treasure safe. The two have always butted head from afar. But when a surprise snowstorm forces Owen to take Bitsy in, they will finally have to confront each other. What better way to do that than through song?

After giggling to herself a few times, Bitsy reveals the terrible truth to Owen: her park deal is going through. That’s when the beat kicks in.

“You don’t understand how much this piece of land means and that’s because you are mean,” Owen raps. “I mean, this place is an equalizer down to the fertilizer, the heart of the city that beats from the streets from the people’s spirit. Don’t you hear it? This park is a lifeline, a friend of mine. Why would you let it die?”

“One, for the money. Two, for the money. Three, tough luck buddy, it’s time to close,” Bitsy counters. The woman may be vile but at least she knows how petty she is.

“Time to Close” may stand as one of Central Park‘s best songs to date. When you’re talking about a show as consistently funny, smart, and musically innovative as this one, that’s high praise. As a manic Owen begs Bitsy to reconsider, she continues her slower, selfish counterargument. Nothing Owen says can change her mind, not even his revelation that this park is where he raised his kids. That’s when “Time to Close” gives us one of the rarest and most gratifying musical treats possible: a Leslie Odom Jr. mid-song breakdown.

A lot of singers can infuse their songs with emotion. But it takes a very special kind of person to communicate the anger and desperation that accompanies a full emotional collapse through song. Leslie Odom Jr. showed off this jaw-dropping skillset in Hamilton. This week, he’s doing it again for Apple TV+.

As sad as it is to see the end of Central Park Season 2, this is far from the end of this Apple TV+ show. In March of 2021, the series was given a Season 3 renewal. Check out the clip above and just try to not tear up a little. It’s an impossible task.

The Season 2 finale of Central Park premieres on Apple TV+ Friday, April 8. 

Watch Central Park on Apple TV+