In its mid-season finale, Kevin says his final goodbye, as do a few others, as Alicia and other new characters push the idea they soon will take up the screen time of those dearly departed.


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General Information

This section Includes information about the Director, Writer, and Cast.

Release Date (Showtime) September 22, 2023
Director(s) Rashaad Ernesto Green
Writer(s) Resheida Brady
Previously Noted Characters and Cast
Jake Michael Epps
Jemma Judae’a
Britney Amari Noelle Ferguson
Kevin Alex R. Hibbert
Maisha Genesis Denise Hale
Marcus Joel Steingold
Tierra Nia Jervier
Coogie Jahking Guillory
Bakari Ahmad Nicholas Ferguson
Lynae Zaria Imani Primer
Papa Shamon Brown Jr.
Kenya Kennedy Amaya
Shaad Jason Weaver
Deja Carolyn Michelle Smith
Alicia Lynn Whitfield
Rob Iman Shumpert
Emmett Jacob Latimore
Tiff Hannaha Hall
Victor Luke James
Fatima L’lerrét Jazelle
Douda Curtiss Cook
Nuck Cortez Smith
Zay Aaron Guy
Darnell Rolando Boyce
Kiesha Birgundi Baker

Plot Recap

This content contains pertinent spoilers. Also, images and text in this post may contain affiliate links. If a purchase is made from those sites, we may earn money or products from the company.

New Opportunities – Jake, Jemma, Britney, Kevin, Maisha, Marcus, Tierra

With Kevin moving out to Los Angeles, so comes the question of what should be done with his apartment. There is no talk of breaking his lease, but he does mention his landlord wanted him to find a new tenant or at least help, and with that in mind, Jake is offered the spot, and he takes it. Which, upon hearing he got a place, Jemma thinks what is his is ours, but he pumps the brakes on that immediately.

Why? Well, because he feels it is too soon for them to be living together, especially since her main goal is to escape her daddy. Then, when you add in she allows Britney to move on her while they are in the studio, and it seems Jemma isn’t ready to take their relationship to the next level. She has no income and isn’t mature in the areas required to live with Jake, who had to grow up quickly, but she wants out of Marcus’ house.

Because of that, when Britney loans her an advance of 10,000, Jemma takes that and announces to Marcus that she is leaving. Tierra has to help support her since Marcus isn’t sure about Jemma living independently, but ultimately, he compromises and notes that as long as he can check the place out first, she can move.

You Got To Dream Bigger – Coogie, Bakari, Lynae, Papa, Kenya, Shaad, Deja

Coogie (Jahking Guillory)
“Coogie (Jahking Guillory),” The Chi, ” Who Shot Ya?,” directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green, 2023, (Showtime)

Bakari is rather depressed right now, and it has gotten so bad that Lynae isn’t able to move him much, and the ghost of Coogie has to push him to do something. But, while Bakari is a little aimless and unsure of his next move, Shaad subconsciously forces himself to move on from Deja. How? By revealing to her about him having a special moment with Tierra.

He isn’t the only one that ends his relationship, however. Papa remains firm in following through with his father’s wishes from focusing on going to seminary school and officially ending things with Kenya and offering her friendship. Thus leaving her with a broken heart.

Some Boys Aren’t Men – Alicia, Rob, Emmett, Tiff, Victor, Fatima, Douda, Nuck, Zay, Darnell, Kiesha

Emmett and Rob recognize that Douda is going to be a problem no matter what they do. Emmett goes to his parents to help, and Douda makes it clear he doesn’t want money; he wants favors, and Darnell doesn’t want to owe a man like Douda a favor. As for Rob? Between Tiff wanting to remove Douda from their business and Rob promising his mom, Alicia, to kill the man who murdered his uncle, he finds himself between a rock and a hard place. Add in him revealing the strings attached to the money Alicia gave him to Tiff? Well, she decides to try to get Emmett involved.

This leads to them going to Victor, who isn’t for them making a move, but they have it set on their heart to do so. Thus, Emmett sets up Douda, and Rob is tasked with killing Douda, who has Nuck with him. Mind you, earlier that day, Nuck met with Kiesha about needing a friend outside of all the BS, for he felt that he was surrounded by those who would take the opportunity to kill him. Luckily, Rob can’t shoot worth a damn, so he lives to see his next day while Rob gets shot for his efforts.

Alicia (Lynn Whitfield)
“Alicia (Lynn Whitfield),” The Chi, ” Who Shot Ya?,” directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green, 2023, (Showtime)

Because of this, he ends up in a coma; Alicia is pissed and takes it out on Tiff for getting Rob involved via him even asking her for money to set up this quid pro quo deal. But, while Alicia fears her son’s mortality, two things are in play: The first is Alicia making a move on Zay, who could potentially take out Douda and be placed in his position. There is also Victor, who, out of wanting to be precautious about Douda taking revenge, seems ready to murder him. Fatima predicts what he wants to do and tries to stop him, but Victor knows it is taking out Douda, maybe Nuck and Zay, or a bloodbath.

Review

Highlights

Deja Exiting

With Shaad’s storyline on the back burner and the show having an abundance of characters, there was a need to cull someone. Deja, who hasn’t really had a storyline, being cut was apt. She, similar to the often absent Tracy and Jada, haven’t had anything going on, but, of the three, because Deja was new, it seems last hired, first let go came into play.

Alicia Stepping Up

Thus far, Lynn Whitfield has felt grossly underutilized. She has been Rob’s mother who we know is into some stuff, but what exactly has been a mystery. But with Rob potentially sidelined and Alicia likely to step in since her son couldn’t handle Douda? Oh, I hope so much that the second half of the season has Whitfield used in the kind of way she should have been since her introduction. Especially considering she is recruiting Zay, who is already in Douda’s organization and could take him out. Potentially setting up either Zay or Alicia to take over, if not a gang war.

The Montages For Kevin’s Goodbye

Alex R. Hibbert Says Goodbye
Alex R. Hibbert Says Goodbye on Instagram

While Kevin’s final episodes and peak scenes this season didn’t feel like this was the end, there is no denying that a wonderful emotional ending was crafted as they showed him, Jake, and Papa growing up on the show. Mind you, they mainly focused on them walking, riding, laughing, and the higher moments, but it was a nice reminder of how far he has come.

Oh, and the scenes with him walking his mother down the aisle and sweet moments with Kiesha were sweet as well, including the Maisha scenes when they were saying goodbye.

The Drama Britney Is Going To Bring

Those introduced in the first half could potentially become major players in the latter half of the season. Now, it isn’t clear when part 2 is coming out, but with Bakari in his situation, Jemma being naïve as she is, and Maisha likely leaning on Jemma, and maybe Lynae, even more now? Britney is going to be a serious asset. Whether it is about developing Bakari beyond what we know or causing all sorts of messiness in Jemma and Maisha’s life.

Low Points

Is This Goodbye For Kenya?

Kenya (Kennedy Amaya)
“Kenya (Kennedy Amaya),” The Chi, ” Who Shot Ya?,” directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green, 2023, (Showtime)

Right now, it isn’t clear if Kenya might get written off. But considering Deja’s dismissal, Papa going to seminary, and no clear sign if the show may follow up on what was said about her father? It’s hard to say what her status is, even though she was one of the few new characters who didn’t just have potential but had it realized.

On The Fence

Victor Being Dragged Back Into Some Gangster S***

I don’t know about you, but I was waiting and looking forward to Victor bringing the Trig persona to politics in a more refined form. We haven’t seen the mayor of Chicago and all the other council people, since Douda was in office. Like the police presence in earlier seasons, they were just swept away with no follow-up.

So, with Victor getting back into being Trig to potentially handle Douda? Don’t get me wrong, it makes sense, but it seems like such a waste for, similar to Shaad, it can sometimes feel like Victor was on pause for most of the season. His men’s group had him talking about the pressure, the expectations, yet we never got to see that. All we got was Douda and his associates getting on his nerves or keeping him from moving on.

This is frustrating, but it also helps you understand that, as long as Douda is around, it may very well be that no one can move forward because he is a proverbial glass ceiling.

Episode Directory

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The Chi: Season 6/ Episode 8 “Who Shot Ya?" – Overview

Summary

The mid-season finale is unique in it doesn’t present an OH MY GOD level cliffhanger but rather leaves you, as most of the first half of the season did, waiting, expecting, hoping for something to happen.

Overall
79%
79%
  • Deja Exiting - 81%
    81%
  • Alicia Stepping Up - 84%
    84%
  • The Montages For Kevin's Goodbye - 82%
    82%
  • The Drama Britney Is Going To Bring - 83.5%
    84%
  • Is This Goodbye For Kenya? - 68%
    68%
  • Victor Being Dragged Back Into Some Gangster S*** - 74%
    74%

Highlight(s)

  • The Drama Britney Is Going To Bring
  • The Montages For Kevin’s Goodbye
  • Alicia Stepping Up
  • Deja Exiting

Disputable

  • Victor Being Dragged Back Into Some Gangster S***
  • Is This Goodbye For Kenya?

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