The Chi: Season 6/ Episode 4 “ReUp” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

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General Information

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

Plot Recap

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Young Love and Drama – Jake, Jemma, Papa, Kenya, Kevin, Maisha, Bakari, Lynae, Marcus

Despite Kenya saying that she and Papa going bowling together isn’t a date, it looks like one. None of their friends are invited; it is just the two of them. Pair that with Papa showing her some moves and requesting Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love,” which leads to a kiss? As Kenya makes clear later, they may not be together, but she is definitely feeling him.

However, the friend group isn’t feeling Kenya. Kevin hosts a game night, and a lot of shots are thrown Kenya’s way. Mind you, by the one everyone has some ammo for, Jemma. Who already has beef with Maisha since she thinks Maisha isn’t doing enough to get her career going.

But, while Jemma is struggling to avoid her father’s desire for her to go to college, everyone else is doing good. Granted, Kevin and Maisha are still in an odd place, but Bakari and Lynae are going strong. Also, Jake and Jemma are doing cool, and Jake’s custom clothes make it into a rap video.

This Will Only Be As Awkward As You Want It – Tierra, Marcus, Victor, Jake, Fatima, Isis, Aerin, Bianca, Douda, Darnell, Emmett, Shaad, Jada, Deja, Kiesha

With moving in with Jake and Victor, her former house, with Mother Isis and Aerin are happy for her, but with a level of caution. They both worry about things being too good to be true, but Fatima feels she and Victor are solid.

Which they seemingly are. For Victor finally gets to pursue creating a support meeting amongst the fellas, and Fatima isn’t on his list of worries or fears. His community not supporting him to the level he needs is an issue, but not her.

As for the other men? Emmett continues to struggle with Douda’s influence, combined with Kiesha expecting him to be a provider and put in the work to be a dad. Add in Darnell in his business, trying to be the dad he wasn’t when Emmett was growing up, and while he is doing well from what it looks like, internally, he has a lot going on.

Speaking of Darnell, after hearing about Marcus’ and Shaad’s problems, he offers them a dinner triple date with all their partners. This doesn’t necessarily go well for Shaad harbors feelings for Tierra, and Deja is more than ready to pick a fight on sight.

But, perhaps Shaad’s biggest issue is deciding to do a job for Douda, which he thought could be a one-time thing.

A Thankless Job, Indeed – Cairo, Tiff, Victor, Quincy, Rob, Douda, Pastor Jackson, Emmett, Roselyn

Despite past rejections, the push for Douda to be able to use pastor Jackson’s church again to hold or clean remains, and on top of pushing back hard, he all but names Douda in his Sunday sermon. Thus, Douda wants that man dead.

But whether Pastor Jackson or Douda may die or Douda go to jail first is hard to say. With Roselyn informing Douda and Victor that Q was an informant for the FBI, so comes the problem of whether the FBI may look into losing their asset? From what Roselyn says, they don’t have enough to arrest Douda, but Victor? He, too, has nothing to worry about beyond being an accessory to murder.

That isn’t Victor’s only issue, however. Tiff and Rob come to his office to get a permit for their weed business, and hearing it could take six months is unacceptable to her. Despite the risks, she would rather operate without a permit, which Cairo is willing to help with but doesn’t advise.

Other Noteworthy Information

1. While Douda has no desire to retire, Bianca, one of Douda’s girlfriends, talks to him about succession. Nuck is his favorite, but seen as not ruthless enough. Zay is too wet behind the ears, and Bakari goes unmentioned.
2. We meet Dre’s ex, Monica, who broke off their engagement and dumped them, at Tracy’s community center.

New Character Description(s)

Bianca

The only thing we know about Bianca is that she is one of Douda’s girlfriends and is aware of his criminal life and Roselyn.

Isis

Isis is Fatima’s House Mother

Aerin

Aerin is Fatima’s older House Sister

Monica

Monica is Dre’s ex fiancée.

Review

Notable Performances or Moments

Everyone Having A Sense Of Community

From seeing Fatima’s community via Aerin and Isis to the men and kids gathering, as the moms have done for at least two seasons, it was wonderful to see everyone come together. Now, was it all koombaya? No. The kids bickered, or mainly Jemma with Maisha and Kenya, but to see them have a game night and just hang out was a moment I hope is repeated.

Then, with the men opening up about their insecurities and fears? I don’t think we see this enough, and the fact it was young men like Lynae’s brother to those Marcus’ and Darnell’s age made the moment all the more impactful. Add in Darnell following that up with inviting Shaad and Marcus to his house for a meal, to show this sense of camaraderie isn’t limited to that once a week, month, or whenever meeting, and you get a genuine sense of friendship vs. consolidating characters into a scene due to time restrictions.

Papa and Kenya’s Date

I just want to know what Pastor Jackson, or Mama Jackson, has been teaching Papa because that boy is smooth with it. Because Jake and Kevin definitely haven’t shown him much, and while he does have experience via dating Maisha, the way he is moving with Kenya has to have you saying, “Okay, Papa, I see you.”

Jake Defending Fatima And Her Friends

Something about Jake getting really aggressive over someone disrespecting Fatima and her family warms my heart. Especially on a show that is so Black like this. Which isn’t to say it isn’t lost on me that it is made by Lena Waithe, who is probably one of the most prominent Black LGBTQIA+ creatives today, and probably most prominent without mention of race or sexuality. However, that doesn’t take away from showing the diversity of what it means to be Black and the impact of not just protecting vulnerable Black boys, marching for Black men, and calling out the treatment of women and girls, but also making sure Trans people are included in those who need to be stood up for.

Highlights

Jemma and Marcus’ Issues

A part of us will always love that Marcus exists in that rare depiction of being a single dad and him being a single dad to a girl. Even with Jemma sometimes feeling lost in the mix between Maisha and Jake, seeing her butt heads with her dad, yet there still being a loving relationship just does something for me.

Jackson’s Days Are Numbered

It’s not that I want Pastor Jackson to die and cause quite a quake for not only Papa’s storyline but also Bakari’s. However, Douda has to take out someone who means something, and Pastor Jackson is a perfect target. He isn’t an isolated character, via having children and his place in the community, and he is above someone who gets killed for chewing too loud. Pastor Jackson rejected Douda and then called him out in front of the community, with surely everyone knowing who the Pastor was talking about without mentioning Douda’s name. He has to go since, in this season, Douda has been so disrespected that it seems time for him to reintroduce himself.

On The Fence

Rob’s Investigation Into His Uncle

The issue with Rob’s investigation is you can tell it isn’t something the writers want to strongly focus on. Rob is not a tier 1, above-the-line character. So, as much as his journey should end with someone who can be considered tier 1, since Douda is a prominent character, him talking tough with Nuck, Victor, and who knows who could be next, low-key feels like filler. I’d even say what remains the most interesting thing about Rob’s investigation is that his mother, played by Lynn Whitfield, assigned it to him. Because she remains the biggest draw of this, and I’d rather see her confront and engage people than Rob at this point.

I mean, just seeing her and Tiff share a scene would be wild.

Hoping For More Out Of Bianca

Considering who Jill Marie Jones is, I hope she is more than one of Douda’s girlfriends (no pun intended).

Episode Directory

FAQs

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