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| Originally Aired | October 28, 2024 |
| Network | CBS |
| Director(s) | Kelly Park |
| Writer(s) | Dean Lorey, Damon Wayans |
| Character | ACTOR’S NAME |
| Poppa | Damon Wayans |
| Damon | Damon Wayans Jr. |
| Nina | Tetona Jackson |
| Ivy Reed | Essence Atkins |
Storyline Recap
Malignant Charm – Poppa, Damon, Nina, Ivy
Ivy believes her way is the best way, so she continues to try to coerce Poppa to become the man she wants and perhaps needs. So, on air, she tries to push him to open up about what he enjoyed about being married, but that crosses a boundary. Not happy with Poppa putting a wall up, Ivy decides to go to Poppa’s house, and because Nina knows her and is a big fan, she invites her for a mini-family dinner.
Now, for some reason, the kids, of which there are at least two, are nowhere to be seen, nor is Nina’s dad, JJ. But, what we do see is Nina over analyzing and painting a pretty negative picture of Damon and Nina’s marriage. She even starts a fight and prolongs it for hours, for reasons hard to fathom beyond to cause trouble.
Luckily, despite Nina’s respect for Ivy and Ivy’s stubbornness, Poppa is able to get through to his son so that he doesn’t repeat his mistakes as a husband, and Damon bypasses Ivy to speak to his wife and reconcile. As that happens, Poppa finally answers Ivy’s question about what he misses about being married, and all he has to do is point to Nina and Damon loving on one another, accepting each other’s flaws, and relishing in all the good things they know the person offers and the efforts they make.
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Will Nina and Damon’s children be spoken of but not seen?
Review
Highlights
How Central Nina and Damon’s Marriage Is
While Damon Wayans Sr. and Jr. are clearly sharing “Poppa’s House” as co-leads, I would say that, thus far, while Wayans Sr. is delivering many funny moments, the hook might more so be Wayans Jr. playing a character with a realistic and healthy relationship—one that isn’t perfect but works. And add in Nina is not only a Black woman but isn’t an ethnically ambiguous one—and this is on network TV?
Many often speak of the Wayans in terms of comedy, but I think the more subtle parts have to be given focus, too. In the first episode, Nina talked about how her husband’s happiness mattered, and in this one, she acknowledges his flaws but also what she loves about him. It changes the narrative.
Now, are there still folks like Dr. Reed who will pick apart minor flaws and make them into matador-sized red flags? Yes. But, as shown, you have to move those people out of the way, not let them infect a good thing, and directly communicate. Take accountability, reassure your loved one, and hopefully, we’ll see progress from Damon in the long run because this is one of the cutest couples on television.
How “Poppa’s House” Does Dramedy
When the term “Dramaedy” is usually used, it refers to a dramatic show, like “Shameless,” with comedic moments or can be considered a dark comedy. With “Poppa’s House” it’s a comedic show that doesn’t go so far that you could say everyone is laughing to keep from crying, but you can tell laughing is a defense mechanism. For every character impression, rap, or awkwardness of Ivy, you get people being real, vulnerable, and wanting connection.
I mean, Ivy’s whole thing in this episode depicts the issues she had with her ex-husband. He didn’t communicate his feelings or show he valued her, and through Nina, she wanted to live out fighting in ways she didn’t. As that happened, you saw Poppa push his son not to shut down, give space, and let others misconstrue a situation because they were hearing the worst.
The combination allows you to see “Poppa’s House” has layers and can be a comedy that makes you laugh, but it can also handle a bit of analysis for when the silliness may not be something you find funny, and you need the show to offer more than that.
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