Poppa’s House: Season 1 Episode 6 “Family Photo” – Recap and Review

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Category	Details
Originally Aired	December 2, 2024
Network	CBS
Director(s)	Kelly Park
Writer(s)	Romanski
Character	ACTOR’S NAME
JJ	Geoffrey Owens
Catherine	Wendy Raquel Robinson
Poppa Damon	Damon Wayans
Damon Jr.	Damon Wayans Jr.
Nina	Tetona Jackson
Ivy	Essence Atkins

Storyline Recap

Getting A Family Photo – JJ, Catherine, Poppa Damon, Damon Jr., Nina, Ivy

With paying alimony for years and the failure of their marriage haunting him, while Poppa Damon agrees a new family photo should be taken with the grandkids, he doesn’t want Catherine in the picture. This leaves Damon Jr. distraught, for he wants his entire family, and to Poppa Damon, the divorce led to Catherine no longer being part of his.

Naturally, Nina is dragged into this, but ultimately, she pushes Damon Jr. to stand up to his parents and coerce, even if by guilt, for them to get along. Eventually, this works, and alongside Damon Jr’s parents, JJ joins the picture and Ivy.

Now, why is Ivy in this? Well, Nina offered, and Ivy didn’t grow up getting to take family photos because of her mom’s looks. So, on top of making dirty jokes towards Poppa, she now has found herself holding onto him in the latest family photo.

Other Noteworthy Information

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Review

Trajectory (79/100): Plateau

“Poppa’s House” continues to struggle to tap into Damon Jr.’s struggles, resolve the issue within 30 minutes, and not make the storyline feel rushed.

Highlights

The Push For Jr. To Grow

Considering how old Nina and Damon Jr.’s kids are, it is weird that many of these growth moments are happening just now. It increasingly makes it clear why he and his wife were in therapy. I can imagine many women seeing Damon Jr.’s inability to stand up to his parents, among a litany of reasons to become at least separated. But, setting aside the question of why these growth moments are just happening, I do enjoy us getting to see them.

Mind you, the storylines don’t feel like they have great pacing and are rushed, but to see someone like Damon Jr. stand up to his dad or Poppa Damon admit he is wrong and make an effort? That’s a sight to see, and for some out there, I’m sure amongst the chuckles “Poppa’s House” provides, it also gives them someone to vicariously live through, if not give hope.

On The Fence

Ivy’s Long Game

Ever since Poppa Damon and Ivy left the radio station, it has felt like the character has diminished to a potential love interest playing the long game. To me, it just isn’t working that well. But, as mentioned in previous episodes, while the show appeared to be about Damon Wayans Sr., his son has taken over, and the more that becomes apparent that he is the Urkel who is the draw, the more Wayans Sr. drifts to the back as a supporting character with a lackluster storyline, when it doesn’t revolve around the character who increasingly feels pushed to be seen as the lead.

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