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Episode 7 “Unfinished Business” Details

• Available On: Showtime
• Public Release Date: June 27, 2025
• Director(s): Boma Iluma
• Writer(s): Mia A. Brumfield

Episode 7 “Unfinished Business” Recap (With Spoilers)

Whose Side Are You On?: Alicia, Tiff, Nuck, Shaad, Reg, Jake, Victor, Dante, Judge Bradley, Detective Toussaint, Jamal, Lynae, Dom

Jamal is ultimately okay, but the damage is still done. Alicia tries to compensate by paying Jamal’s hospital bill, but there is something about her that neither Lynae nor Dom trusts, as they take her money, and they are right to feel that way. Shaad even feels this way, too, considering how reckless Alicia was, but as she says when talking to Tiff, she will not let someone steal her glory. So, it seems that sometimes shooting first and asking questions later will be how she operates.

Now, how long will Shaad stand by this, especially with Reg in her crosshairs? That’s hard to say. Shaad was part of Reg’s upbringing, and Reg claims to see Shaad like a brother, but we see how Reg treats Jake, having him be an errand boy, and stealing his girl, so who knows how much that means? Never mind, even with people like Dante, he crosses the line and seems to be more so, gaining enemies rather than allies with little desire to make peace, even with Nuck for short-term protection.

Though he isn’t alone in rubbing people the wrong way, Tiff and Alicia get into a little spat about her bringing Nuck around, and while Alicia is cool with Victor and Tiff pursuing that, Nuck is persona non grata. It even seems that once she is done focusing on Reg, even working with Judge Bradley and Detective Toussaint to put him in jail, Nuck is likely next.

Living Between A Rock And A Hard Place: Damien, Hannibal, Keith, Emmett, Kiesha, Ezekiel, Papa, Charles, Sarah

With Sarah trying to go Instagram official with Ezekiel, that blows up his spot and leads to a bit of a crisis. Papa is involved, Charles, but ultimately it is Ezekiel’s decision, and he remains a bit wishy washy about it. He wants his church and the money it gives him, but he isn’t trying to lose Sarah. But with Charles noting he has divorced two Black women, so being with a White woman isn’t a good look, paired with how social media is setting Ezekiel ablaze, it’s hard to say what Ezekiel may say or do when he has to address the topic at the pulpit.

Speaking of addressing topics, one that has been on Emmett’s mind for a while is his family. Damien, whose gambling problem has become apparent, steals from Emmett, with Keith advising him to “borrow,” and he gets into trouble for this. Granted, it was either take from Emmett to pay Hannibal, or learn about Hannibal’s less-than-friendly side, but still. Emmett learning he was stolen from by his family leads to him nearly firing Damien, but with Damien using Keith as a scapegoat, Damien ends up on thin ice, and Keith is the one without a job. Leaving you to wonder, with this being the second time Damien screwed him over, will he get his lick back?

But, while Emmett has work drama, he has personal drama too. He hasn’t gotten some from Kiesha in a while and still hasn’t gotten it through his head that she is overwhelmed and overstimulated with all these kids. He can’t expect his sole responsibility to be working at Smokey’s and have her handle everything else. So, as before, he says he’ll do better, but there is a need to question whether he may ever do that consistently, rather than just having one-off good enough moments to get him some.

Hard Times Are Coming: Jada, Darnell

In the episode, it is Darnell’s birthday, and unfortunately, it is also the day Jada learns her cancer has metastasized into her pancreas. She, of course, doesn’t reveal this on his birthday, but the day after, and with her not talking about fighting but enjoying the time she has left, it dampens the high Darnell was living on.

Now, the question becomes: will Jada and Darnell tell Emmett and the others, or keep this to themselves, considering all these people have on their plates?

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Review and Commentary

Highlights

Teasing Hannibal’s Dark Side [81/100]

Hannibal’s presence in Season 7 has far surpassed everything we’ve seen previously, and one could submit that it is building towards something. As of now, Hannibal remains a supplier and a notable investor, but with Damien, there is a push to see another side to him.

Take note, Reg, despite how he likes to play in most people’s faces, hasn’t done so yet with Hannibal. This feels notable. On top of that, he is able to hang, and this pushes the need to ask, beyond his fists, what power Hannibal may have?

I mean, let’s also factor in, despite all the businesses and gangsters operating, no one has touched Hannibal, and I don’t believe mutually assured destruction is the reason why. I feel like there might be more to him than meets the eye.

Alicia Pursuing All Options [83/100]

While Alicia’s shooting of Jamal was reckless and felt out of character, her pursuing the legal route and her network to handle things felt more in line with the character built up thus far, I would even add, it’s a bit surprising, with having a judge within her circle, this wasn’t the first move when it comes to Reg.

But, best of all, this brings the police into it, and as much as Detective Toussaint is incentivized to bring in Reg to free her son, who is to say what she may stumble upon in the process? Be it Alicia having bodies to her name, whatever illegal deals she has, never mind, one of the things we haven’t seen prominently in a while, if ever, is a rat.

Imagine between Reg or Jake, one becoming a rat, a snitch, and that storyline playing out.

Reg Vs. Everyone [80/100]

At this point, I wouldn’t say Reg’s surprise return has really paid off, but at the same time, we know he can be impetuous. So there is a hope, since his allies are few, and he will soon be backed into a corner, he lives up to his reputation and potentially goes scorched Earth. But there is the question of who he would focus on and who he would take out?

Would it be Nuck and the mob? Alicia, Tiff, and anyone in that household? What about the Judge and her family, including Bakari? We hope Reg doesn’t have to live off potential for too much longer, but I think they are still safe for now before he becomes just part of the bloat.

On The Fence

Jamal Lives [73/100]

I will always be pro-cutting the fat, and when it comes to Jamal, Dom, and Lynae, they are fat. They add nothing to the show, and him living, I just don’t see what it could do for anyone. Does it renew Bakari’s involvement in Lynae’s life? Maybe. But I’d submit Bakari is in that sweet spot of rarely garnering praise or criticism, and another round with Lynae isn’t going to help his case because of how stale of a character she is.

Though let’s be real, Dom, Lynae, and Jamal are stale, don’t give anything noteworthy storyline or character-wise, and one can only hope, like so many this season, that experiencing violence leads to their one-way ticket out of Chicago.

Jake [74/100]

Jake’s stock has plummeted since he, Kevin, and Papa stopped hanging out, and then when you add Jemma leaving too, things have really gone downhill for him. Remember that fashion brand he was working on? That’s now dead because of Reg’s intrusion, and now he is a lackey who no one takes seriously. I mean, Bakari, despite the beef that is going on, turned his back on Jake while talking to him, knowing he wouldn’t do a damn thing.

My, how the mighty have fallen.

Tiff’s Romantic Life [75/100]

With Victor a shell of his former self, and it beginning to seem like the show isn’t 100% sure what to do with Nuck, having them converge in a love triangle seems like a disservice to all three. They have all shown themselves capable of more, and while I get that the show seems to be looking for an it couple, none of the combinations seem like they could fit the bill.

Damien’s Storyline [72/100]

Damien’s encounter with Reg, who could always use a money man, was intriguing, but with the gambling storyline that is going on, the best thing for Damien, with this Reg storyline, is ending up a victim of Reg’s temper or rage. For Emmett losing someone close, not a few degrees of separation away, could help do something for his character since he might be one of the longest on the show, but he doesn’t feel like he has anywhere near the most important or notable story. So, this could be the boost he needs.

Ezekiel’s Romantic Storyline [76/100]

I think that with Ezekiel’s storyline, you can see the heart of the issue for most characters: whoever wrote romance in earlier seasons of The Chi no longer has a hand in the depiction of love. I get that interracial relationship is supposed to be controversial, and that’s the hook here. However, what we’ve seen so far has been nothing but lust. It’s been Sarah trying to have sex in the church, and rarely is it Ezekiel and her on a date, having a deep conversation, but generally speaking, when do we get that from anyone on this show?

Everything seems to be about removing obstacles or resistance to sex on here, especially in relationships, when a male character is taking the lead. The only exception might be Tiff’s situation, but at the same time, she is pregnant with a dead man’s baby. I’d even throw in Darnell and Jada, but let’s not discount how Darnell used to operate.

Jada’s Cancer Being Back [77/100]

I’m torn about this. Jada has taken a notable step back since introduced in season 1, and while the mom’s club exists, it isn’t prominent, and Jada, since retiring, is pretty much around Darnell, talking about Darnell and lives within his orbit. Which I get, cause he has stepped up in a way that has made him a notable character, so orbiting around him isn’t the worst thing.

However, I wouldn’t say a cancer is the best way to re-establish her as an individual. Is it the quick and easy way that brings up a familiar storyline for long-time viewers? Yes. Could it potentially be emotional? Maybe. But, if I may be frank, I don’t feel like that has been a strong suit of The Chi for a while now. Be it romantic, mourning, anything beyond something in pursuit of shock.

Overall

Our Overall Rating [76/100]

I’m at the point of believing The Chi needs a real shake-up. I thought Douda’s death would be that, but it so far doesn’t feel like it is panning out to be. It didn’t cause the chaos expected, it just made room for more characters as those orbiting him got sucked into the black hole he left behind.

So I can only hope, with a lead villain dying not helping, nor a time jump, The Chi can find something else to reinvigorate itself for the story, and characters surely can’t go on like this.

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