Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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“Cherish The Day” finally returns, and the love story it seems they’ll be giving us will make you feel like Valentine’s Day is around the corner.
| Aired (OWN) | 10/4/2022 |
| Director(s) | Angel Kristi Williams |
| Writer(s) | Teri Schaffer, Raynelle Swilling |
| Introduced This Episode | |
| Ellis | Henry Simmons |
| Sunday | Joy Bryant |
| MV | Richard Roundtree |
| Lynette | Tinashe Kajese |
| Brother Fingers | Todd Anthony Manaigo |
| Anastasia | Terri J. Vaughn |
| Bree | Samantha Wilson |
| Everly | Josephine Lawrence |
This content contains pertinent spoilers.
Recap
A Chance Meeting – Ellis, Sunday
Previously, Sunday lived in New Orleans, where she was born and raised, but in pursuit of a culinary career, she ended up in Atlanta, where she has her own restaurant and staff. But, due to her father still living in New Orleans, she checks on him and is even trying to convince him to move.
Ellis, Sunday’s ex, never left New Orleans. Well, he did go semi-pro in basketball but didn’t like that it was overseas, and between an injury that left him addicted to painkillers, alcoholism, and being a bit of a whore, things were rough. Luckily, he went to trade school for plumbing and was taught under his grandfather’s tutelage. So, between having a steady job and his family, he cleaned up a bit.
But, it isn’t until Sunday is looking to fix something in her father’s bathroom do the two meet at a local supply store, and once the shock settles, the nostalgia sets in, and there is a desire to catch up after 25 years.
Thank You For Being A Friend – Ellis, Sunday, MV, Lynette, Brother Fingers
So, what happened? Around homecoming, in senior year, Ellis cheated, and with that, she was done. When she went to Clark Atlanta University, she dodged the one time he came by and put in the work to establish herself outside of being Ellis’ girl. Which an old friend of theirs, Brother Fingers, a former drum major, referred to her as despite not seeing her in decades.
But that was then, this is now, and seeing Ellis is nice for Sunday. She tells her cousin Lynette, who usually watches over her father, MV, aka The Judge, and she isn’t sure whether the chemistry would lead to a smack or kiss. Neither happened, but Lynette had to ask since she is nosy, and this is major!
And to add fuel to her fire, Ellis has to come over for Sunday trying to YouTube her way through fixing her dad’s bathroom isn’t working, so Ellis does the work. Mind you, he was willing to do it for free, for old-time sakes, but she instead pays him in a snow cane outing, which evolves into a date.
What’s Your Status? – Ellis, Sunday, Anastasia, Bree, Everly, MV
One that lasts the whole day and causes the need for both sides to ask are they in a relationship? Now, for Sunday, we see her get dropped off at the airport by some guy, but she doesn’t make that sound serious. As for Ellis? He has two daughters, Bree and Everly, by his soon-to-be ex-wife, Anastasia, who cheated on him while she was on tour.
Is the karma noted? ABSOLUTELY. But he also makes it clear that while Ellis isn’t divorced, he will soon be. And when he helps with finding MV that night, who was going to the cemetery to see his wife, Sunday’s mom, Ellis gains more points. Add in him talking to MV, who he calls Judge, and really showing that he loves, understands, and puts MV on a pedestal, and, honestly, all those old feelings come right back for Sunday, and it seems like she is ready to hit play on their relationship.
Things To Note
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- So, about this man back in Atlanta, who is he if he isn’t Sunday’s beau?
- Did Ellis do anything to lead to Anastasia’s affair?
- Does Ev or even Bree know why their parents are divorcing?
- What happened to Sunday’s mom?
- Where are Ellis’ parents? I assume his grandpa isn’t around anymore
What Could Happen Next
- I give Ellis and Sunday 3 episodes before they are having sex again
Collected Quote(s)
“Can’t fix nothing if we don’t talk about it.”
— Ellis
Review
Highlights
A Swoon-Worthy Love Story
The way Joy Bryant and Henry Simmons look at each other is the kind of chemistry that is movie worthy. How she smiles at him and how he plays it cool gives you all the young love vibes, even with them likely in their 40s, maybe late 30s, at this point. And considering how far removed they are from what led to the collapse of their relationship, the reconciliation doesn’t feel forced. Sunday has learned about being an individual, before becoming part of an us, and Ellis understands the importance of a good partner and monogamy. So they seem to be meeting at the right place at the right time.
Both Leads Well Developed
Ellis has a lot going on. He has two kids, a divorce, a drug addiction, and alcohol addiction in his past, womanizing, and is now apparently reformed. That is a lot for one character, but Sunday isn’t a slouch. With her, it seems rather than dumping it all at once, it’ll unravel for her. After all, she had more reasons to leave than stay previously, from her mom dying, what Ellis did, and with her building a life out in Atlanta for 25 years, give or take. But clearly, she brings a lot to the table regarding what led her to be a chef, her relationship with her dad, and her journey from being someone’s girl to simply being Sunday.
Which for someone who may have readily identified with that, we have to learn if that became a thing in her other relationships. Did she allow herself to be heavily absorbed into their life and become the perfect girlfriend, or was Ellis the only one for whom she allowed herself to fall so deeply? Her psychology and her work on herself is definitely something we can’t wait to see develop.
Interesting Supporting Characters
Why does Brother Fingers appear to be homeless? What led Anatasia to cheat? When it comes to MV, what’s going on with him and with Ellis calling him Judge, does that mean he was an actual judge? If so, how far up the chain, and what was his legal career like? All these questions and more bubble up and hopefully will be answered throughout the season.
On The Fence
MV Having Early Onset Memory Loss
Is it wrong to want actors like Richard Roundtree to play people who might be seniors but aren’t going through ailments of a debilitating variety? Don’t get me wrong, I get representation is important, but let the man thrive, be a hoe, maybe still working but to keep himself busy. Why does he need to be bridled by a memory loss condition?
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