P-Valley: Season 1 Episode 4 “The Trap” – Recap/ Review with Spoilers

It’s Mercedes’ Last Dance! But what kind of drama would “P-Valley” be if everything came together for its biggest character?

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Director(s)	Tamra Davis
Writer(s)	Katori Hall
Aired (Starz)	8/2/2020
Introduced This Episode
Gidget	Skyler Joy

This content contains pertinent spoilers.

Recap

The Weight Andre Is Under – Tydell, Andre, Hailey

Andre is being pushed hard to deliver, and while he isn’t breaking under pressure, that doesn’t mean he isn’t getting frustrated. For if it isn’t Tydell trying to solidify his legacy, then it is Hailey playing with his emotions. Pushing the idea that something is bound to give and with Tydell adamant on that casino, it seems Andre’s marriage and morals will be what breaks. Assuming Hailey doesn’t end up in jail for fraud.

Trying To Leave With Your Head Held High – Gidget, Mercedes, Keyshawn, Uncle Clifford

With rumors going about how The Pynk might be gone, and Mercedes co-signing that things ain’t where they need to be, Uncle Clifford tries to do damage control. However, it’s hard to do so when your top girl is going, and the rest know they can’t pull weight like she does.

But, what makes the situation harder to deal with is Mercedes calling out Gidget and Keyshawn for not saving up for times like this. Rather, they have to deal with kids they got or their bad spending habits. And when Gidget bucks up about it, Mercedes reminds Gidget her momma was a stripper, so trying to live off your looks won’t last forever. Which, for Gidget, is a low blow, so Mercedes’ Last Dance becomes less of a celebration than it would have been.

A Dream Deferred – Patrice, Mercedes, Keyshawn, Uncle Clifford, Lil Murda

Actually, when it comes to Mercedes’ Last Dance, it doesn’t even happen. You know why? Well, because Patrice, after being dismissed by her pastor, steals Mercedes’ money and decides to turn that space into a church. So, as you would, Mercedes whoops her ass for that’s more than a few dollars Patrice stole. She stole 7 years, over $20,000 ($20,034.58 to be specific), and a dream.

However, with whooping her mother’s ass comes getting arrested and Uncle Clifford in a tough spot. One that, luckily, Keyshawn steps in for and kills. Thus allowing Uncle Clifford and Lil Murda to have some alone time and Uncle Clifford to get his back blown out.

Review

Highlights

Mercedes’ Next Move

Since the beginning, all eyes have been on Mercedes since she seemed to have had her stuff together. She saved up, was prepping for retirement, and with learning about her monthly fee model, it seemed like she had laid out a plan to bring her dreams into reality. But then Patricia screwed her over. Which has now left her in an odd space. One that includes a record, lost money, and the question of, what’s next?

She didn’t necessarily burn bridges when she left The Pynk but did seem like she was ready to move on, and people would have to deal. And when you consider she, like most of the girls, don’t have the ability or willingness to head into the normal 9-5 market, what can she do? Heck, what will she do?

Tydell v. Uncle Clifford

Tydell and Uncle Clifford have both shown themselves to be people with a moral compass that points to whatever benefits them the most. So, taking that into consideration, who will ultimately win? Will it be the ambitious mayor with something to prove or the king of the strippers who has everything to lose and so much to gain? Tydell has the law on his side, but when it comes to Uncle Clifford, ain’t nothing worse to fight than someone desperate. Never mind, while he may not have the power of the pen, he got the power of many women who too are desperate for the work The Pynk provides.

On The Fence

Hailey

There remains little to nothing to draw you into Hailey’s character and story. Her losing her daughter, relationship with Andre, picking fights with Mercedes, it isn’t benefiting her. She is just some pretty light-skinned girl at this point, and I don’t know if she may ever become more than that.

Uncle Clifford & Lil Murda As A Couple

I’m pretty sure Uncle Clifford just wants some consistent penis, but Lil Murda might be looking for more. Now, whether that’s a boyfriend, some sort of zaddy, or what? It’s hard to say. For one thing which complicates the whole scenario is that Lil Murda isn’t out. He is a masculine thug and doesn’t rap about men. So with him being DL, it makes you wonder, with him caught on Uncle Clifford’s hook, how will Uncle Clifford handle a hothead who wants him more than for some ass?

Summary

Trajectory – Plateau

One can only hope, like “Hightown,” “P-Valley,” recalibrates, and focuses on the character with the star potential and the best storyline in the long run. Because, while Hailey is cute, she doesn’t have much else going for her in comparison to Uncle Clifford and especially Mercedes. So here is hoping they either demote her or up their game when it comes to the character. For, in time, she may come off as a liability.

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