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Episode 11 “Ready Or Not” Details

• Available On: Showtime
• Public Release Date: July 25, 2025
• Director(s): Justin Hillian
• Writer(s): Kristiana Rae Colon, Michael Blevins

Episode 11 “Ready Or Not” Recap (With Spoilers)

Tell It To God Or Keep It To Yourself: Papa, Charles, Ezekiel, Carolyn, Kenya, Dom, Jamal

While Ezekiel is barely back on his feet, Charles is trying to figure out a way to make moves in the church, specifically becoming co-pastor. Ezekiel isn’t again it, but he also feels the need to address that, for Charles to get to that next level, he can’t be single and laying it low and spreading folks wide. Charles hears this, takes note, but also isn’t ashamed that he is out here dating and trying to find the one.

Speaking of hearing, it seems Jamal finally heard Dom on her not wanting kids. But now he has a new problem in Dom using adult toys. The therapist doesn’t co-sign his insecurities, nor does Ezekiel, who says for him to join in the fun, leaving you to wonder if Jamal is going to find new issues with Dom constantly, and whether they will be able to continue to make it through what are primarily one-sided issues.

Which leaves us with Ezekiel talking about his issues. Note, not at the pulpit, in front of the church, but on Papa’s Pulpit for Papa felt like Ezekiel needed to reintroduce himself. Now, let it be clear, Papa is in his late teens, early 20s at best, asking a grown man, on a recorded podcast, about his marriages, infidelity, and how he was as a father. To Ezekiel’s credit, he is open and honest, but for Kenya and Carolyn, maybe too open and honest in front of strangers, rather than having these types of conversations, if not apologies and proclamations, with them.

A Living Funeral: Damien, Zuri, Jada, Darnell, Emmett, Tiff, Victor, Kiesha

Damien and Zuri may not have titles, but on top of consistent sex, she is now helping with Damien’s nephew, and by the end of the episode, Emmett hires her to help with the kids. Now, will this mean Emmett getting back to work and maybe, after having her child and recovering, Kiesha maybe doing the same? It is hard to say. Kiesha has, off and on, spoken about the curriculum she made, and has gotten people interested, but no major moves have been made.

But, lest we forget, Kiesha has her kid with Nuck, Emmett’s kids, and then there is the weight of Jada dying. Which, after going to his support group, Darnell decides, rather than wait until Jada is no longer conscious, or of this Earth, to have everyone give her, her flowers while she is still alive, and looking rather good, at a living funeral. As you would expect, a lot of people come, Emmett nearly breaks down, but it is a nice affair.

One that is hosted at Tiff/Alicia’s venue, and before the night is over, Tiff’s water is breaking and Victor is rushing her to the hospital, reassuring her in ways that may get back on her good side.

Don’t Make A Street Dude Paranoid: Reg, Candice, Angie, Hannibal, Alicia, Toussaint, Nuck, Bakari, Tiff

Luckily for Hannibal and Angie, Reg isn’t honing in on them regarding who almost got him caught. He focuses on anyone and everyone, sans Candice, who could have tried to betray him. This couldn’t come at a worse time for Candice since now Reg wants to lean on her, including when he decides to rob a house. But what really may mess things up is Toussaint working with Alicia to get to Candice, seeing as she is the weakest link.

Alicia presents herself as Terri, a notably wealthy woman, with an assistant, and Candice is so taken by a brief encounter when Alicia visits her job that she is damn near head over heels in love. Reg takes some note of this, but not as much as he should. You see, beyond visiting, Alicia gives her card, and when Reg is robbing a house, and Candice is expected to be a look out, she is scared, texting Terri, and presents herself as a real liability.

Speaking of liabilities, Bakari finds himself in a difficult spot. Alicia has pulled the purse strings and is now threatening to pull a trigger since she believes Bakari knows who killed her son. As this threat looms, Bakari lets Nuck know of Alicia’s suspicions, and he isn’t too happy, but not to the point of his usual shoot first and ask questions later rule. However, between what Bakari says and wanting to work closer with Tiff, he recognizes that he needs to make amends with Alicia before this all gets out of hand.

Other Noteworthy Information

• Angie’s sister used to date Charles
• Jada asks Emmett to move out of Chicago

Collected Quote(s)

• You looking for perfection on purpose. — Ezekiel

Links

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Review and Commentary

Highlights

Appreciating The Depiction of Therapy And Advice [82/100]

While I may forever struggle with Dom and Jamal as characters, and throw in Lynae too, I do appreciate, when it comes to Jamal and Dom, showing them go to therapy and having Jamal seek counsel from Ezekiel. Something about seeing the process, especially since we don’t really see Kiesha in therapy anymore, reminds you of how integral it can be not just for personal development, but also to strengthen and navigate a relationship.

Papa’s Longing For His Dad [84/100]

Though it was an accident, Papa referring to Ezekiel as his father, in private, was a sweet but heartbreaking moment. Lest we forget, Papa may seem to have it together, but he, too, has experienced trauma and has his struggles. Yes, as Professor Gardner said, he does hide under the cloak of the church a bit to feel safe, but who else is going to put in that work?

From his interactions with his mom, it doesn’t seem like she stepped up in his father’s absence? I mean, look at how much Papa is leading the family. Add in a lack of uncles, cousins, or other family, and it makes you further understand why Papa has moved the way he does. It is through the church that he has not only found purpose but community and family.

However, while I do think he feels part of the community as a whole, it doesn’t fulfill all his needs. He wants a brother, like Bakari, wants a girlfriend, perhaps like Kenya, and he also wants a father figure, and since Ezekiel has been constant in that role, it is allowing Papa to feel comfortable in ways I don’t think he did when Kevin, he, and Jake were a trio.

So here is hoping, as Ezekiel comes into his world, and Kenya returns to it, we continue to have Papa be treated with the respect he deserves.

Zuri Curiosity [83/100]

I’m a Karrueche Tran fan, especially after seeing her work in Claws. So, when it comes to Zuri, I’m learning to appreciate how they unravel the character. For one, I don’t feel like we’ve firmly got what her addiction is. She made it seem that gambling, like random hookups type gambling, was her addiction. However, it seems slowly but surely she is evolving beyond that as she sticks around with Damien.

Now, they add that she has been a nanny and also had issues with the last father she nannied for, and that brings some intrigue regarding what the full story is there and who she nannied for? On top of that, what are the long-term goals for her on The Chi? The show is good for making someone a character’s girlfriend, and when that runs its course, either they become like Tracy, basically around with not much to do, or like many others who get written off abruptly.

Is Emmett Next To Go? [85/100]

Jada asking Emmett to leave Chicago was a notable part of the episode – and I’m here for it. To me, Emmett isn’t, and may have never been the anchor of The Chi. Simply put, he is just the character that has been on the longest, and I think just as easily as The Chi can write off female characters, it should write off the males, with Emmett being a priority.

I would hope, though, unlike most who have been written off, he does visit, for there is the option of having Emmett franchise Smokey’s, as Douda was working on, and him coming to check out Smokey’s Chicago and how Darnell and Damien are doing every once in a while. But, to be frank, I feel like The Chi needs more than killing off characters, villains or otherwise, it needs a shake-up where characters like Papa can rise and those who are just part of the bloat, or have run their course, can gracefully exit – with the door propped open for occasional visits.

Has Alicia Been A Snitch Before? [81/100]

Alicia presenting the idea being undercover, working with the police, maybe being a snitch, isn’t new for her; it makes me wonder about her backstory more than ever. With being Q’s sister, you’d think she wouldn’t know about working with the cops beyond the type of insurance Toussaint was offering her. But, there lies a problem with Alicia’s character – there is still so much unanswered, and it is hard to see that character move forward when her foundation has cracks and holes in it.

However, I am hoping that with an idea of what was done before, we may get a sense of who Alicia is beyond Rob’s vengeful mother. She is way overdue to be shown as a full character rather than demoted to another woman on the show, defined by the man she’s with or the man she tragically lost.

Angie’s Sister On The Horizon? [81.5/100]

Admittedly, my interest in Angie may not extend beyond her being played by Kyla Pratt, but with mention that she knows Charles, through her sister, who is a bit of a mess, it opens the door for killing two birds with one stone. It could boost Angie by seeing scenes with her sister, and, with how The Chi operates, you know her sister is going to be someone famous in the ’90s or ’00s. Monique Coleman, from High School Musical, would be a good option.

Also, considering Charles is sticking around, it would be nice to know his background a bit. Granted, with Ezekiel’s Carolyn storyline, and her being the one who got away, Charles having the same story with a different character could be redundant. But, they could explore a different dynamic since Angie’s sister is pushed to be nothing like Carolyn.

Low Points

Professor Gardner’s Failed Laurence Fisbourne Moment [67/100]

I appreciate Kadeem Hardison as much as the next person who was a fan of A Different World or who had someone in their life watch K.C. Undercover, never mind being part of the short-lived Love Is. However, I feel like they tried to make him something he’s not when he was trying to have a moment with Papa, Jake, and Bakari in front of that military recruitment sign. All those young men gathering around like he was spitting something?

I’m sorry, but between the writing of the scene and Hardison not being the type who could take OK writing and put it over, it just looked bad.

On The Fence

The Living Funeral [72/100]

I struggle with Jada’s death because only Darnell is selling it. Emmett can cry, get choked up, break down on stage, but it feels more like a performance than something genuine you can connect with. But, thankfully, rather than have Tracy and everyone else get to do a speech, that was done in a montage, but it is situations like that which push the idea that The Chi operates on one hell of an outline, but the execution is off.

Take note: A living funeral was a beautiful idea and could have been an excellent send-off, which could have included Kiesha’s mom, members of the women’s group, Emmett, his baby mommas, their kids, and really could have given Jada a grand exit. But, sadly, unless someone is getting murdered, like it teased with Bakari, it doesn’t seem like The Chi knows how to give a character a grand exit.

Overall

Our Overall Rating [79/100]

The Chi is blessed to have the talent it has and is cursed to have such an abundance of it. It is always going to be a problem, but this episode made it seem, with so much focus on those with potential, who can help The Chi go into seasons 8 and beyond, maybe there is a reason for this to deserve hope. Unfortunately, OWN has largely withdrawn from consistently producing notable Black dramas, so now The Chi feels like the only game in town, and I hope so dearly it doesn’t become like WWE and rests on being seen as the big name in town and truly fights to maintain its position, while figuring out way to make opportunities for others.

Not to say The Chi should or is overdue, for a spin-off, but surely between Showtime, Paramount, and all the networks under Paramount, they need more shows and are willing to invest in more that are predominantly Black in front, and seemingly behind the camera as well.

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