Dear White People: Season 3 (Volume III) – Recap & Review (with Spoilers)
Volume III, or Season 3, of Dear White People presented a noticeable, but not necessarily drastic, shift from its previous seasons. Here are some of the highs and lows.
[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Volume III, or Season 3, of Dear White People presented a noticeable, but not necessarily drastic, shift from its previous seasons. Here are some of the highs and lows.
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Episode 4 “Volume 3, Chapter 4” Summary
| Director(s) | Justin Tipping | |
| Writer(s) | Chuck Hayward | |
| Air Date | 8/2/2019 | |
| Introduced This Episode | ||
| Sandra | Eva La Dare | |
| Sharon | Cassidi Parker | |
D’unte comes at Dean Fairbanks’ neck, in front of his crush, professor Sandra, due to the low pay TAs receive. Something that, with his family no longer being rich, is also an issue for Gabe, who joins the fight. Problem is, Sam has to learn this through Brooke, who Kelsey is tempted to court, and her learning that Gave lied by omission doesn’t settle right with her.
Also, at this goes on, Lionel learns there is a HIV+ student on campus and Troy is dealing with Kurt treating him as an excuse for more offensive content in Pastiche.
Collected Quote(s) & .Gifs
I f***ing hate being judged on my demographics.
— Sam
Soon, the unyielding manipulations of your best efforts by talentless overlords will form a callus over the joy and passion you once had for writing.
— A Person
Highlights
- Talking about young queer men of color who are POZ (HIV+)
- The complicated matter of sexual tourist, or people wanting to experiment with their sexuality.
- D’Unte calling out Dean Fairbanks over low wages.
- Dean Fairbanks’ relationship with Troy healing, as well as seeing him make a fool out of himself around Sandra.
- Troy seeing the dark side of his friendship with Chad.
On The Fence
- How Sam reacted to Sharon saying “Hi” to Gabe. That felt out of character – even if it was a joke.
- Abigail likely being on the same path as Muffy, in terms of being a visible white girl whose story goes nowhere.
Episode 5 “Volume 3, Chapter 5” Summary
| Director(s) | Cheryl Dunye | |
| Writer(s) | Nastaran Dibai | |
| Air Date | 8/2/2019 | |
| Introduced This Episode | ||
| Evelyn (Coco’s Mom) | Yvette Nicole Brown | |
| Caroline (Muffy’s Mom) | Heather Mazur | |
| Professor Queensfield | Francis X. McCarthy | |
It’s Parents Weekend and while Sam is mourning the loss of her dad, and dealing with indecision, Coco is weathering her mother Evelyn visiting. Also, the anxiety that Professor Queensfield presents that leads to Penelope showing up. Partly as a manifestation of Coco’s conscious but also as a reminder of what Coco sacrificed to get this far.
Oh, and Sam isn’t alone in dealing with an absent parent. Kelsey, who seems rather close to hers, has to deal with them being unable to come. Which gives Brooke an opening and leads to Kelsey maybe catching feelings.
Collected Quote(s) & .Gifs
Realistic is for the ordinary.
— Coco
The only way to win, is to outwork them.
— Penelope
Highlights
- The return of Penelope, Coco’s would-be daughter if she didn’t have an abortion in S2E4.
- Coco experiencing the anxiety which comes with the kind of ambition she has. Especially when she is given a real challenge.
- Kelsey’s fear she is just a stop on Brooke’s sexual journey.
- Evelyn – Periodt.
- Lionel’s Chester saga is getting around and seems to be a hit.
- How Sam is dealing with the loss of her dad and how that is bringing her closer to her mom.
- Troy and his dad’s relationship.
On The Fence
- Missing the opportunity to meet Kelsey’s parents, and not seeing more of the supporting cast’s roots.
Episode 6 “Volume 3, Chapter 6” Summary
| Network | |
| Netflix | |
| Director(s) | Steven Tsuchida |
| Writer(s) | Chuck Haywood, Jack Moore |
| Air Date | 8/2/2019 |
As Brooke lives up to Kelsey’s worst fears, Gabe is struggling with how to finance his thesis film and while he is thinking about getting a grant, the thought is put out there that with him being a straight white male, his chances are slim to none. Yet, he applies either way, maybe Elizabeth Warren’ing it (using a small percentage of Native heritage – proved via DNA). But, as this happens, he continues to try to get the TAs on the same page. Which, with Sharon, is difficult, since she seems consistently ready for a fight.
Heck, even Reggie gets some when Moses takes a liking to his ideas and ability to code. Making him speak in front of his team, which includes Sharon, leading to some friction. Yet, as Professor Moses says, a spark in the right direction will either compel things forward or just make a huge explosion. Well, that was a paraphrase but the point still stands.
Leaving one last thing, Troy tries to cause a coup against Kurt and fails. But, with the support of Abigail, he may start his own magazine. You know, while completely ignoring the one Lionel is letting die.
Collected Quote(s) & .Gifs
I want equality, f*** tolerance.
— A Person
If you disagree […] because he’s wrong, that’s one thing. But if you’re just going to object because he’s right and you resent it, there’s the door.
— Moses
Sometimes advising means intervening, and sometimes it means staying out of the way.
— Moses
Highlights
- While Abigail remains a bit of a mystery, compared to the Sharon and Muffy’s of the show, she is one of the few white women on this show who seem to just be a person. That is compared to Muffy who represents the rich white girl or Sharon who is someone who comes off like she solely seeks out people and opinions which support what little privilege she has. Abigail, on the other hand, is just weird and trying to make it. Perhaps make a friend in the process.
- Reggie finding a mentor who isn’t, so it seems, trying to use him for his creativity and energy but is investing in him.
- Gabe, authentically, seeing how the other side lives.
Episode 7 “Volume 3, Chapter 7” Summary
| Network | ||
| Netflix | ||
| Director(s) | Tiffany Johnson | |
| Writer(s) | Leann Bowen, Steven J. Kung | |
| Air Date | 8/2/2019 | |
| Introduced This Episode | ||
| Michael | Wade F. Wilson | |
| Cynthia | Laverne Cox | |
After D’unte introducing Lionel to the local gay community, he decides he wants all in. Not just for the sake of the literary sensation known as Chester but also himself. He wants a boyfriend and while Sam occupies his time and is nice, knows him well enough to say he is Chester, it isn’t the same. Which makes Michael approaching him welcomed, but complicated. If just because he is POZ and the complication that brings.
Speaking of complications, the newest members of the faculty have seemingly provided just as much confusion as confirmation. Cynthia Fray, who is seemingly very into herself, is anything but what Sam expected. Yet, Jerry Skyler, who she goes to after Cynthia dismisses her, is kind, warm, seems to know his s*** but is less pretentious about it. Leading to Sam apologizing for she didn’t see him as her people just because he wasn’t avant-garde.
And really, what the episode is overall about is finding your community. The problem is for some, like Joelle with Reggie, his community doesn’t seem to often include her. Then, with Muffy mentioning to Coco, who is struggling to pave the way for others, that Moses did something inappropriate, so begins an unexpected wave. One which will include Brooke having something to write about, besides breaking poor Kelsey’s heart.
Collected Quote(s) & .Gifs
I don’t want someone to write for. I want something to write for.
— Brooke
Get community where you can.
— Michael
[…] sometimes the things you resist are just the things you need.
— Reggie
[…] you are surrounded by allies the minute you decide to be.
— Professor Jerry Skylar
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- If Jerry Skyler is based off Tyler Perry, who is Cynthia Froy based on?
Highlights
- Jerry proving himself to be just the mentor Sam needs.
- Kelsey calling Brooke out for using her as an experiment.
- Sam and Gabe’s playfulness in conversation and in sex
- Showing the importance of community. Be it to find love, mentorship, or just a sense of comfort.
- Moses being a creep and what challenges that will lead to for Reggie and the rest.
Episode 8 “Volume 3, Chapter 8” Summary
| Network | |
| Netflix | |
| Director(s) | Sam Bailey |
| Writer(s) | Njeri Brown |
| Air Date | 8/2/2019 |
With Brooke hearing about Moses assaulting Muffy, she pushes Muffy and Coco to collaborate that story. As that happens, she also started spreading the news, verbally, which rocks Reggie who is ready to fall on a sword for Moses – who denies anything beyond Muffy trying to kiss him. Which is all Reggie needs to hear as Joelle jumps in with doubt and Reggie counters with the idea she is just jealous.
And while all that happens, Coco is trying to deal with Professor Queensfield not handing over a recommendation despite Coco being the top of her class. Which, strangely, Kurt helps her feel better about.
Collected Quote(s) & .Gifs
[…] the First Amendment affords the press rights and privileges that don’t disappear because things may become inconvenient.
— Brooke
Highlights
- How Kurt breaks down his white privilege.
- Joelle calling out how far Reggie is willing to defend Moses against the accusations.
- Through Muffy, showing why people who were assaulted, or are in a murky place with the other person, don’t speak up.
On The Fence
- Did Reggie and Joelle really get enough time to be a cute couple before fighting like this?
- Professor Queensfield asserting race and gender isn’t enough to present the idea your opinion is different and matters.
Episode 9 “Volume 3, Chapter 9” Summary
| Network | |
| Netflix | |
| Director(s) | Salli Richardson-Whitfield |
| Writer(s) | Njeri Brown, Nastaran Dibai |
| Air Date | 8/2/2019 |
Troy and Abigail begin recruiting staff for their magazine and one of them is Brooke. Someone who keeps pressing Coco and Muffy for the story of what happened to Muffy isn’t just hers. Brooke was molested at 15 and seemingly nothing happened, so this isn’t just about Muffy or Brooke’s journalism career. This is about making it so Moses, who might have been ran off campus before because of this, not getting the chance to do this again.
Aside from that, and Troy negotiating with James for funding, Gabe is dealing with lying about being a Native American and getting a $20,000 grant because of it. Which, surprisingly, Sam is okay with, jokes about even, for that is how deep her love is for this man. But the guilt gets to him so deeply that he donates it to the strike fund for the TAs.
Leaving one last thing: Muffy, thanking Coco for all her help, writers her a recommendation letter and gets Professor Queensfield to sign it.
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Did professor Queensfield assault Muffy’s mother?
- Did Sharon come out as being positive like Michael?
Collected Quote(s) & .Gifs
I was going to drink away a bad day, but now I’m going to celebrate a good one.
— D’unte
Highlights
- Brooke opening up about her past.
- Sharon opening up to Sam, and Michael opening up to Sam, about life living with HIV.
Low Points
- Gabe’s friend Milo – point-blank.
On The Fence
- Sam’s love for Gabe compromising how she’d usually act if she heard someone gamed the system like he did.
Episode 10 “Volume 3, Chapter 10” Summary
| Network | ||
| Netflix | ||
| Director(s) | Justin Simien | |
| Writer(s) | Justin Simien | |
| Air Date | 8/2/2019 | |
| Introduced This Episode | ||
| Ikumi | Ally Maki | |
As Reggie comes face to face with who Moses really is, he also comes face to face with Joelle about how she feels about their relationship. Facing the truth doesn’t end there though. Sam also does so when it comes to her student project and that, like Brooke, she has been in a funk. One which existed since she lost her passion, in a way, and thus was on auto-pilot. Yet, that has changed now, as has her knowledge of the Order. For with Dr. Ruskin, formerly known as the Narrator, doing away with most of the secrets, minus what is silencing Muffy, Lionel and Sam know all.
Speaking of Lionel, despite some hesitation due to Michael’s status, it seems he is ready to go all-in – no pun intended. Which may have made D’unte feel a certain kind of way. But, it isn’t just Lionel who found someone, Rashid did too. He found Ikumi, a TA, also one of Moses other victims, who is he very happy with. Though not so happy he can’t rub it in Joelle’s face that his girlfriend shows up while Joelle’s boyfriend is ghostly. But, again, Joelle handles that issue with Reggie and also tells Sam that she can’t do Dear White People anymore. The show just doesn’t fit and she finds swapping shows disgusting anyway.
Leaving one last thing, Dean Fairbanks seems to officially invite his son into The Order and no sooner does that happen does Troy decide to speak to Sam and Lionel. Two people, especially Sam, who seem to be on the verge of reforming the Order, or at least eliminating the sect which will protect its members as long as they expand their influence and power.
Collected Quote(s) & .Gifs
How can you miss someone you’ve barely even noticed?
— Rashid
If you ever loved anything, the world will make you angry.
— Sam
Highlights
- The living area conversation about growing up, whether there is an applicable grey area between good and bad, and people just not meeting your expectations.
- Al possibly finding his people after being treated, in a similar vein to Rashid, just because he is different.
- The conflict between protecting those who open doors and recognizing the same people may make you pay a tax for the opportunities they provide. Be it defending and hiding their secrets, or being a subject to their power abuse. Be it once or multiple times.
- Lionel setting aside the prejudice many likely have when it comes to those with HIV and recognizing he loves Michael – without there being a hint of “Despite of.”
- Coco and Joelle stepping away from their own needs to be perfect, either based on other’s expectations, their own, or in pursuit of being respected.
On The Fence
- Rashid utterly disappearing for most of the season then popping up with an Asian girlfriend. There is some exploration needed there.
TV Shows We’re Covering This Season
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