The Chi: Season 6 Episode 9 – Review/ Recap

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Plot Recap

Remember What You’re Here For – Jemma, Maisha, Britney, Tierra, Zay, Douda

Despite initial impressions, Britney didn’t come to Chicago to check on her brother and make moves on her music career. Douda tells us that he instructed Zay to handle her and even float her $30,000 for her time and services – to watch and report on her brother.

$10,000 went to Jemma to support her managerial career, and the other $20,000 has been spent on studio time, to look fly, and seemingly to steal Jemma from Jake. Now, why do we say that? While Maisha benefits from the money Britney is spending, she gets rejected if she tries to spend time with Jemma and even Britney as a trio. The two hang out on their own, and in the episode, Jemma tells Tierra she kissed a girl and liked it.

Tierra, while proud of Jemma for taking the brave step of exploring her sexuality, is also worried about the consequences since Jemma isn’t single and free to do as she pleases. So, with that in mind, Jemma wants Tierra to make the decision, but Tierra is no fool. She makes it very clear that Jemma will have to decide, and it seems she will tell Jake eventually.

Warning Shots and Next Moves – Tiff, Rob, Alicia, Bianca, Emmett, Douda, Zay, Jake, Victor, Fatima, Keisha

Speaking of Jake, with Kevin giving his apartment to him, he has made it into a storefront, and “Chi Seeds” has its first investor: Zay. Yup, Douda’s up-and-coming soldier gives Jake thousands of dollars, and Jake takes the money, much to Victor’s chagrin. But with Victor having to worry about Fatima not approving of his past life and how he almost went after Douda to kill him, only so much time and attention can be dedicated to his little brother.

Speaking of going after Douda, Tiff, Rob, Emmett, Keisha, and Alicia are on edge. Douda sends Zay to fire a warning shot, and that ends with Smokeys getting shot up. Now, Alicia has to move Rob to her home, for it is his only safe space, and as for Emmett and Keisha? All of this drama leads to arguments. But, after having a conversation and trusting Emmett can handle things again, Keisha lets it go.

However, one person who will not let all this go is Alicia. Her son got shot, and now Tiff is up in her house, and now she has to call in favors. Which, when it comes to Bianca, the favor isn’t called in yet, but a notice is given. Add in Bianca has Douda’s trust, and Tiff is making business deals with Bianca to sell her weed, and what we might ultimately see won’t be Douda going down with a bullet but eased into death with a puff of smoke.

A Life For A Life – Emmett, Douda

Emmett knows he is a smooth talker. It has mostly been used on women thus far, but he tests his luck to see if maybe it could work on grown men as well, thugs included. Well, it does. Douda is convinced to let Emmett live, but he has to kill Alicia to have that privilege.

Cast Guide

Character’s Name	Actor’s Name
Jemma	Judae’a
Maisha	Genesis Denise Hale
Britney	Amari Noelle Ferguson
Tierra	Nia Jervier
Zay	Aaron Guy
Douda	Curtiss Cook
Tiff	Hannaha Hall
Rob	Iman Shumpert
Alicia	Lynn Whitfield
Bianca	Jill Marie Jones
Emmett	Jacob Latimore
Jake	Michael Epps
Victor	Luke James
Fatima	L’lerrét Jazelle
Kiesha	Birgundi Baker
Tracy	Tai Davis
Deja	Carolyn Michelle Smith
Nina	Tyla Abercrumbie
Papa	Shamon Brown Jr.

Review

Notable Performances or Moments

Tierra and Jemma’s Conversation

In the majority of media, especially with a budget behind it, the queer experience largely focuses on either the experience of men or trans people who were assigned male at birth. But, for those who were assigned female at birth, while there are movies out there and shows like “The L Word,” I’d submit the experience of queer women or trans men is limited.

This is especially true if we look outside the scope of shows like “9-1-1,” which have a diverse cast, and instead focus on shows that primarily focus on one culture, like “The Chi.” Add in how rare it is to see someone like Jemma get to explore without trauma, rejection, or poverty being involved, and it seems we are in a sacred and rare space.

But then, to see her speak with someone like Tierra, who thinks they are going to have some in-depth and serious conversation, and it is something about kissing, and it is treated as a rite of passage? That is truly a beautiful thing. I’d even say Tierra’s transition from being someone’s girlfriend to her relationship with Jemma is one of the best examples of repurposing a character on this show.

Highlights

Emmett Showing He Is A Smooth Talker Beyond Women

With Kevin gone, the OG characters are dwindling, and of those who have been here since the beginning, Emmett has had the biggest transformation. Now, while he has been a screw-up many times, the quality of his storyline has usually held steady. So, things moving along, and now he is back in bed with Douda and tasked with killing Alicia? Taking on Lynn Whitfield? All I know is, he better not cheat on Kiesha with this woman. It could happen, but I sincerely hope the path forward is one where Emmett has to have the same conversation with himself that Papa had with Miesha regarding what success looks like to you.

For at this point, Emmett has hustled his way into a comfortable life and isn’t happy. So, what would it take for him to have peace?

Kiesha and Nina Having A Honest Conversation About Their Relationships

I know Nina has come a long way with Kiesha since she didn’t get defensive or pushed to re-establish their parent/child relationship when Kiesha was asking questions and seemed firm in her relationship with Emmett. Yes, Nina did play the age card, but she still allowed herself to talk about being insecure, vulnerable, and all the things that may push you to think Nina needs friends better than the ones she has, but also that Kiesha isn’t that young girl anymore.

Across the board, the kids and teenagers we met when this show started have become adults and truly bloomed. They started off as the hook of the show. Six seasons later, they held their ground on why you should watch “The Chi.”

So when it comes to this conversation, you’re reminded how the relationships between parent and child evolve despite all they have gone through and witnessed. And at some point, perhaps the best a parent can hope for is that you can have a real conversation with your kid and find yourself in a safe space with them as they long did with you.

On The Fence

Tracy and Deja

For those over a certain age, “The Chi” generally doesn’t know what to do with you if you aren’t a villain or a parent. The problem with Tracy and Deja is they don’t fit into either, so they are often just there. Tracy’s son died early in the show, and so she bounced from being this person’s girlfriend to that one, and while I won’t discount her work at the community center, it didn’t benefit her character anywhere near what it has done for others.

Which makes Deja joining her in the shallow pond unfortunate, for now she has someone to flail around with. And if their conversations are as bland as what we got in this episode? With them complaining about exes? I could only hope this is the last season for both and Tracy decides Chicago is not the place for her because of bad memories or whatever reason she needs, and Deja leaves for better opportunities.

Background Information

Episode Title	The Aftermath
Release Date	May 10, 2024
Network	Showtime (via Paramount +)
Director(s)	Boma Iluma
Writer(s)	Lena Waithe, Justin Hillian
Previous Episode	Season 6/ Episode 8
Series Page	The Chi
Character Guide	N/A