She’s Gotta Have It: Season 1/ Episode 1 “#DaJumpoff (DOCTRINE)” [Series Premiere] – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

She’s Gotta Have It proves not all remakes/ modern updates deserve a side eye. For some are eternal and worth updating so each generation can have their unique connection.

The Introduction

Nola Darling, an artist whose charm is sweeter than the most high grade perfume, is a liberated woman. She works from home, is a college graduate, has drinks with friends and sleeps with those who are more than just a dick to her. With Jamie, he takes care of her in ways besides with possessions. He is loving in the kind of ways what woman wouldn’t want. Then there is Greer. Someone who might be a narcissist, perhaps more pretty to look at than enjoyable to talk to, but there is something about his point of view that is different. Stimulating even. Then there is Mars.

Now, while being with Mars breaks the girl code since Nola’s best friend Clorinda used to be with him, the boy is funny. This Puerto Rican and Black guy is the definition of care free and it is hard to not find that refreshing! Even if he doesn’t seem to have too much going on, long term.

But, while Nola has some lovely men in her life, alongside a group of friends, then there is the rest of the world. A world which wants to place her under one word labels. The kind of world where both men and women cat call and demand her time. Even grip her so that she can’t dismiss them.

So, to clear the air and set the record straight, Nola is putting things in her own words.

Other Noteworthy Facts & Moments

• Nola’s artwork is done by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh [Her Website – External]
• The show takes place before the 2016 Academy Awards ceremony – as per Nola mentioning Denzel Washington better not get robbed for Fences.

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. Who the actual artist painting Nola’s stuff?

Collected Quote(s)

[I need to] Stop seeing everyone’s success as my failures.

You know, God is a trickster. In life, God doesn’t give you the people you want. Instead he gives you the people you need.

Highlights

A Homage To The Original, While Modernizing For The Times

There are times where, word for word, shot for shot, you’ll see Spike Lee pay homage to the movie this show is based on. Yet, some things are updated to reflect the times. Nola no longer affords her flat because it is cheap, now there is mention of gentrification and her rent being high. It isn’t explained what she does to afford the price, but the presumption Mars wants to move in remains.

But the main updates that matter is making it so Nola isn’t basically stuck in her apartment with very few occasions of going outside. She goes to Clorinda’s home, has friends who she talks to about her life! Unlike the movie, her interactions aren’t almost solely with the men she sleeps with. Also, it addresses a lot of issues of modern culture. Be it cat calling, #BlackLivesMatter, slut shaming, and more. Thus reaching across generations and showing that the foundation of these issues remain the same but have found themselves with a new set of paint. All the better for when people tear that **** down.

Nola Has Friends Now?!

One of the things I didn’t understand in the movie was why is it Nola had no serious female friends? She had Clo, but they fell out and didn’t talk until damn near the end of the movie. There was also Opal, who strangely is missing from the pilot, but she sort of seemed like how some guys are as friendly as they have to be to cross that line. So, calling her a friend would be a stretch.

But in the modernize show, she has Clo, who is very particular about things, a white friend, and a Brooklynite I think maybe just a little bit ratchet in a very necessary way. So here is to how we see her relationship with them all evolve, as well as getting to know these woman Nola deems worth her time.

Mars

When Spike Lee played Mars, you’d have to hunch and assume Nola liked him because he was funny. However, with the way Anthony Ramos plays him, you get an almost John Leguizamo kind of vibe. One in which, yeah, he may not be Mr. GQ or Mr. Right, but as for a Mr. Right Now? Someone who can laugh you out of your underwear? He fits the bill.

Also, there are layers added to Mars which doesn’t make him so bummy. With it seeming he has mad jobs, might be saving for something, and can actually have a conversation with Nola, his standing is risen. No longer do you question why in the hell she chose him. If anything, you just wonder how did they meet?

The Music

Like with the movie, the show has music curated that makes you crave a soundtrack. But, with that being unlikely, it makes that, after the song is over, we get the album art to look it up for ourselves such a welcomed gift.

Criticism

Greer Got Corny

In the movie, which will likely be compared to for each recap, Greer may have been a narcissist, but you got Nola was into him because, similar to Mars, he was different. His obsession with affluence exposed Nola to new things and challenged her. In the show though, he is just a parody. A walking light skinned and light eyes caricature. To the point, if you didn’t see the movie, it would confuse you why someone like Nola would want Greer? Unless it is just because he is pretty.

On The Fence

Jamie

Assumingly to make Jamie a bit more even with the rest, we don’t get to see him as such a clear pick. We don’t get that birthday gift of the two dancers, we don’t see how they meet and fall for them, and he just seems like the same loving man. He has been stripped down to just being the marrying type to me.

Catch Up or Follow Along: Here [Netflix – External]

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Movie Review

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Season 1 – Recap/ Review

Season/ Episode	Synopsis	Episode Information	Topics & Focused Characters
Season 2, Episode 9 “#IAmYourMirror” [Season Finale]	Nola hosts an art show featuring familiar pieces, but it is one statement of a piece which causes a fuss.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Eisa Davis Air Date 5/24/2019	Hello To Old Friends: Opal, Nola, Greer, Mars, Jamie Art Criticism: Nola, Shemekka, Clo The Black Orchid: Nola, Dr. Jamison
Season 2, Episode 8 “#OnTheComeUpTheComeDown&TheComeRound”	Clo and Nola have a conversation Nola, specifically, has been avoiding as Divine finds himself reconciling with two people he may not have expected to.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Joie Lee Air Date 5/24/2019 Introduced This Episode Nairobi Nyla Nolasco	Getting To Know You: Nairobi, Bianca, Divine The Come Up: Shemekka, Nola, Septima Hard Conversations: Jameelah, Clo, Nola
Season 2, Episode 7 “#OhJudoKnow”	While we learn about Puerto Rican history and life after Maria, we also learn something major about Mars!	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Lemon Anderson Air Date 5/24/2019 Introduced This Episode Lucy (Tina) Rosie Perez	Welcome To Puerto Rico: Winny, Shemekka, Mars, Nola Scared To Love: Mekka, Winny, Nola Dona Lucy FKA Tina: Nola, Mars, Lucy
Season 2, Episode 6 “#WhenYourChickensComsHomeToRoost”	After showing up and out during the Prince celebration, the kids switch things up for a more dramatic performance that puts people on notice.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Antoinette Nwandu Air Date 5/24/2019	Cry Today, Smile Tomorrow: Mars, Clo Things To Celebrate: Greer, Jameelah, Nola Mask Off: Virgil, Skylar, Nola, Jamie, Cheryl
Season 2, Episode 5 “#SuperFunkyCaliFragiSexy”	It’s time for the Purple People Party in celebration of Prince! But, naturally, his discography is the backdrop to more than the party but also Nola’s love life.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Barry Michael Cooper Air Date 5/24/2019 Introduced This Episode Reed Kennedy Yanko Andrew Nolan Gerard Funk	Some Can’t Let Go: Andrew, Winny, Jamie Moving On: Greer, Reed, Nola Short Term Lover: Olu, Nola
Season 2, Episode 4 “#NationTime”	Nola leaves Brooklyn for a spell and reconnects with an old friend from Pratt. Unfortunately, though, she also reconnects with a d—-bag.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Radha Blank Air Date 5/24/2019 Introduced This Episode Ebon Cuddy Brandon Victor Dixon Dutch Olivia Washington Herself Carrie Mae Weems Olu Michael Luwoye Herself Amy Sherald	Here Is To Old & New Friends: Ebon Cuddy, Dutch, Nola, Olu You Are Valid: Nola, Carrie Talking Yourself Out Of A Blessing: Dean, Nola, Olu
Season 2, Episode 3 “#LuvStings”	Nola decides to expand her horizons a bit as Mars tries to handle being homeless. Oh, and Jamie learns who Cheryl is seeing and Shamekka gets revenge.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Jocelyn Bioh Air Date 5/24/2019 Introduced This Episode Jameelah Ciera Payton	Found You: Jamie, Cheryl, Drew, Shameeka, Lady Maye A Different Perspective: Dr. Jamison, Nola By The Grace of God: Nola, Mars, Clo, Jameelah
Season 2, Episode 2 “#ConeyIslandIsTheEndOfTheLine”	It seemed that while Nola had 18 months of bliss, the good times are over and the s*** is inching towards the fan.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Cinqué Lee Air Date 5/24/2019	Things Are Changing: Shemekka, Cheryl, Jamie, Cheryl, Nola, Stokley, Septima You Better Get The Bag: Clo, Nola, Ms. Ella, Lulu, Mars, Miss Moss I Don’t Need Two Kids: Opal, Nola, Cheryl, Skylar
Season 2, Episode 1 "#I'mFeelingMyFeelings" [Season Premiere]	18 months have passed since the first season finale, and while everything may not be stable, things are at least cool.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Spike Lee Air Date 5/24/2019	Money Always A Major Issue: Lulu, Mars To Know Mars Is To Love Him – Spite Of: Nola, Opal, Mars, Clo Adjusting To The Domestic Life: Greer, Nola, Jamie, Cheryl, Opal
Season 1/ Episode 10 “#NolasChoice (3 Da Hard Way)” [Season Finale]	The famous Thanksgiving scene is revamped and it leaves Nola with but one real choice.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Spike Lee	Guess Who’s Coming to Thanksgiving: Nola, Mars, Greer, Jamie, Opal
Season 1/ Episode 9 “#ChangeGonCome (Gentrification)”	Gentrification takes center stage as Bianca just can’t deal with feeling like a trespasser despite the amount of money she is paying.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Radha Blank	Pointing Fingers: Bianca, Papo, Nola Giving My All With Nothing Left For Me: Dr. Jamison, Nola, Clo, Mars Standing For Something Greater: Papo, Bianca, Nola, Opal, Mars
Season 1/ Episode 8 “#LoveDontPayDaRent (If You Don’t Know Me By Now)”	Jamie gets full on exposed and feels not just the wrath of Nola, but Cheryl and… Winny?	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Barry Michael Cooper	Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater: Cheryl, Jamie You Better Have My Money: Jamie, Nola, Mars, Miss Ella, Raqueletta Moss Remember Who You’re Talking To: Clo, Mars, Willy, Jamie
Season 1/ Episode 7 “#HowToMakeLoveToANegroWithoutGettingTired”	We dive deeper into the beginning of Nola’s relationships, particularly Greer and Jamie’s, and see why they’re so in love with her – beyond sex.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Joie Lee	Out of Place and Pedestrian: Nola You Know The Way I Feel About You: Greer, Nola Love vs. Duty: Jamie, Nola, Cheryl, Virgil
Season 1/ Episode 5 “#4MyNegusAndMyBishes (All Words Matter)”	Jamie and, strangely, Ms. Raqueletta Moss take center stage and Ms. Moss becomes another example of a voice seldom heard.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Barry Michael Cooper Virgil Brandon Niederauer	Like Nicki: Shemmeka Virgil: Jamie, Cheryl Once More, In Third Person: Reggie, Raqueletta Moss, Nola
Season 1/ Episode 4 “#LuvIzLuv (Sexuality is Fluid)”	Opal finally appears in She’s Gotta Have It and has certainly the makings of becoming the choice partner for Nola.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Eisa Davis Characters Introduced Opal Ilfenesh Hadera Skylar Indigo Hubbard-Salk Terrell Ato Blankson-Wood Stefano Riccardo Costa Raqueletta Moss De’Adre Aziza	The Beard: Nola, Terrell Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep (Part 1): Nola, Miss Ella, Papo Don’t Make Promises You Can’t Keep (Part 2): Opal, Skyler, Nola, Dr. Jamison
Season 1/ Episode 3 “LBD (Little Black Dress)”	It’s time for a test. A test to see if the men in Nola’s life can handle a little black dress and all the power it gives Nola. The kind men seem to want to take away.	Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Lynn Nottage Characters Introduced Dr. Jamison Heather Headley Miss Ella Pauletta Washington	Seeing the Doctor and Buying The Dress: Clo, Nola Wrong Answer: Nola, Jamie, Mars, Greer Trying To Find The Right Move: Mars, Jamie, Greer
Season 1/ Episode 2 “#BootyFull (SELF ACCEPTANCE)”	We have a proper introduction to Nola’s friend Shemekka and see the trauma left by Nola’s encounter with an overly aggressive guy.	Network Netflix Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Radha Blank Characters Introduced Winny Fat Joe Shemekka Chyna Layne Bianca Kim Director Papo Elvis Nolasco Cheryl Sydney Morton Rachel Elise Hudson Septima Joie Lee Sonny (Stokes) Thomas Jefferson Byrd	I Just Want To Be BootyFull: Shemekka, Clo, Nola Life with Clo: Clo, Nola The Men’s Reaction to the Assault: Mars, Jamie, Greer, Nola
Season 1/ Episode 1 “#DaJumpoff (DOCTRINE)” [Series Premiere]	She’s Gotta Have It proves not all remakes/ modern updates deserve a side eye. For some are eternal and worth updating so each generation can have their unique connection.	Creator Spike Lee Director(s) Spike Lee Writer(s) Spike Lee Noted Cast Nola DeWanda Wise Jamie Lyriq Bent Greer Cleo Anthony Mars Anthony Ramos Clorinda Margot Bingham