She’s Gotta Have It: Season 2, Episode 1 “#I’mFeelingMyFeelings” [Season Premiere] – Recap, Review (with Spoilers)

18 months have passed since the first season finale, and while everything may not be stable, things are at least cool.

Images and text in this post may contain affiliate links which, if a purchase is made, we’ll earn money or products from the company. Affiliate links and external links have an upward facing, superscript, arrow.

Money Always A Major Issue: Lulu, Mars

Thanks to gentrification, Mars’ old day job is no more, and with him not much for saving, Lulu has seemingly had enough of his crap. Leading to her kicking him out, likely hoping it would force him to grow up. Something which isn’t likely to happen sooner rather than later, but someone has to be immune to his charms right?

To Know Mars Is To Love Him – Spite Of: Nola, Opal, Mars, Clo

That is, as opposed to Nola and Clo who may recognize the man is childish, yet he makes them laugh and smile so he gets away with much more than he should. Yet, after 18 months of Nola being with Opal, Nola’s ex moving in is a major red flag for her. Leading to some issues that Nola has to quickly squash.

Though, luckily for her, Clo is another option for Mars, and even if they aren’t smashing, she too has a tolerance for his antics.

Adjusting To The Domestic Life: Greer, Nola, Jamie, Cheryl, Opal

However, there are more issues than just that. Nola likes taking ownership of Skylar, using terms like “our,” but is a bit too laissez-faire compared to Opal and that causes issues. Though, on top of that, with Nola being loose with money still, like going with Greer to spend her rent money on a camera, there is that issue too. However, while Nola is dealing with a rocky moment, Jamie is watching the dissolution of his marriage. Which Cheryl claims she wants to be amicable but you know that’s not going to happen. Based off how she likes to argue, and how she makes it seem Jamie used her, something will definitely go down.

Other Noteworthy Facts & Moments

• 18 Months have passed since season 1’s finale.
• Their Eyes Were Watching God is Nola’s favorite book.
• The music artist at the end of the episode was Stew & The Negro Problem, and the songs played are real songs – made before the show.

Highlights

Opal’s New Family and Its Challenges

Co-parenting is tough. Especially since Skylar isn’t a baby and Opal isn’t new to parenting. So to see the struggles they have brings to light what usually exists in sitcoms more than dramedy type shows like this. Particularly in the realm of being raised by two women, Black women at that.

Mars’ Charm

Weirdly, Greer and Jamie are a bit downgraded while Mars still plays a strong role on the show. Which I’m not complaining about for we see why he still remains prominent. Unlike his peers, Mars can be the most annoying person on the entire program, yet his silliness helps him recover in ways you don’t expect. Be it his mispronunciations of words like “debut” which he phonetically says “Day but,” or his pinky swear thing. It’s his manic personality which really makes it so you can’t just take note of Mars but Anthony Ramos as well. Making me wish, if John Leguizamo ever compiles his stage work into a movie, not like Fugly!, Ramos gets that role since they seem like they could be in sync.

Stew and the Negro Problem

In general, the music on She’s Gotta Have It is ace. However, there is something about seeing a live performance, well filmed, assumingly live, performance which is different from deep cuts from artists you know. Plus, with a lot of the music, it is easy for it to fade into the background until you see that album cover pop up. With Stew and the Negro Problem, it was in your face and demanded to be seen. Add in it is a real band and it makes seeing them all the more interesting for you can venture out to see them, can listen to more music, and they don’t strictly live in Nola’s Brooklyn.

On The Fence

This Episode Flew Right By

I don’t know if it is because we’re in new territory, since the movie’s storyline has been exhausted or things just were kept light, but the episode went by in a rush. Which isn’t a bad thing, who wants an episode to drag on, right? Yet, at 9 episodes and DeWanda Wise’s profile benefiting from this show, among other opportunities, who knows if she and Spike Lee may pull a Donald Glover and have this take another year and a half. Making the speed of the show a mixed bag.

Follow Wherever I Look on Twitter, Like us on Facebook and Subscribe to the YouTube Channel.

Movie Review

---

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