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Episode 1 “Coldest Winter Ever” Recap and Details
- Director(s): Deondray Gossfield, Quincy LeNear Gossfield
- Writer(s): Resheida Brady-Anderson
- Public Release Date (Paramount+): May 22, 2026
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- Images © of Paramount+
Grief Ain’t Easy: Papa, Kenya, Emmett, Darnell, Devante, Kiesha, Tiff, Nuck
Alongside Jada, Pastor Ezekiel is dead. Jada, we know, was from cancer, but Pastor Ezekiel? Well, rumor has it he knew too much, the police were asking him questions, and Nuck thought it would be best to cut a loose end. As you can imagine, while this hits Kenya and Ezekiel’s family hard, Papa is devastated and feels like this is divine punishment, losing his father and then his father figure, back-to-back.
But, not to compete, but certainly going through his own thing, Emmett is struggling too. One of his sons, Devante, moves in with him and is getting into fights, even bringing a gun to school. Darnell, while he has moved on sexually for the most part, is still tied to Jada emotionally, which is keeping him from living his life. In fact, it seems he doesn’t even want to be in his house, for it reminds him too much of her.
However, Emmett, whose house can’t accommodate all the kids and more adults, isn’t above hinting that Darnell should go home. Especially since, as much as Kiesha may trust Nuck and Tiff, Emmett knows associating with that man is a liability. The kind you don’t want being traced back to where everyone you love is. For it isn’t just rival gang members or insurrections that have to be worried about. Also, there may come a day when people like Papa snap and lose sight of the collateral damage.
Not Sure What’s Next: Victor, Rashaad, Bakari, Lynae, Rafi, Nuck
Bakari still is Nuck’s #2, but it is clear people want his spot. One cat, named Rafi, in particular, is ready to start some mess, and being that Nuck still operates on killing only when necessary, not to make a point, he tries to squash that quickly. Problem is, Bakari is on edge.
His book, “Made In The Chi,” isn’t selling as he would like. Lynae knows too much, isn’t playing nice with Rafi, outright hates Nuck, and isn’t masking it well, and this is causing problems. Add in Bakari is stressed, and she is holding him accountable, expecting more or better for him, and he doesn’t know how to achieve that? It’s a lot.
Granted, Victor and Rashaad aren’t doing that much better. Victor’s alibi of being in the hospital isn’t panning out, regarding Alecia’s murder, and Rashaad? His alibi has gone missing, leaving him to hope his lawyer can track her down. No matter how you slice it though, Victor is in a bad spot because of Rashaad and his fall from grace seems to be without a rock bottom
Same Ole BS: Jake, Reg, Victor
Jake, as always, is caught between his brothers. He’s trying to figure out his life while Victor is locked up, Reg decides he is going to move in, and, being that Jake got punked by Reg once before, he tries to assert himself. Thing is, pulling a gun on Reg, considering how many people work for him, is dumb. Never mind, Reg knows Jake isn’t about that life, so he doesn’t take him seriously. Leading to a standoff where Jake either may have to risk a murder-suicide or solidify being seen as a b****.
New Characters in Episode 1
Devante (Anthony B. Jenkins)
- Character Summary: Devante is one of Emmett’s sons who now lives with him since he is getting into fights, and his mom feels like he would be better with Emmett.
Rafi (Darryl Dunning II)
- Character Summary: Rafi is one of the newest members of Nuck’s crew, who is hungry for a promotion and notoriety. He doesn’t seem ambitious enough to take over the crew, but certainly doesn’t want to be just another soldier.
Review and Commentary
Low Points
Should Do More With Less [64/100]
The Chi is committed to giving everyone and their cousin a job, even if it doesn’t really benefit them in the long run. In its return, it introduces a slew of characters, and none of them really stand out that much. We get Keith’s girlfriend, Rashaad’s lawyer, one of Emmett’s kids, a new person on Nuck’s team, and considering how fractured all the storylines are, these likely are just the people to be introduced in episode 1.
To me, with losing Jada, Alecia, and this being the last season, focusing on core characters, rather than sticking to business as usual, would have been the best thing this show could have done.
On The Fence
Feeling Numb To It All [72/100]
A part of me understands that death, when it comes to the lives of characters on The Chi, is normalized in the worst way. But, what is bugging me a bit is that death feels more for the purpose of storylines than to be something felt.
Now, maybe it was because I liked Pastor Ezekiel that I feel a certain type of way about his death. That, or because I enjoy Kenya, especially her relationship with Papa? It’s hard to give a specific reason but him dying felt unnecessary and strictly for the plot. Especially considering the storyline of his investment in Papa, the blackmail by his junior pastor, and the Nuck storyline, which could have played out vs. us, just hearing Pastor Ezekiel could potentially talk to the police, so he had to be killed.
But, in addition, I think another reason it is so easy to be numb to all of this is that we jump from storyline to storyline so much, and there is an abundance of characters. The majority of which are loosely connected in such a way that, yeah, they live in the same city, but their lives are barely integrated.
For example, to go from Bakari’s worry that he will be stuck under Nuck, to Emmett worrying about his kid getting into fights, Darnell mourning Jada, Papa trying to confront Tiff about Nuck likely killing Ezekiel, is a lot on its own. So throw in all the other storylines in there, and you continue to see the same issue that has plagued The Chi for most of its run. Too many characters, who do have good stories, but who don’t get the time needed to really make them felt. So, you get the drama but not the performances, rarely told storylines in a serial format, but as good as many are, they aren’t seen through.
Ultimately, making the show cancel out all the talent who didn’t have a name before getting cast, for they don’t truly let any of them shine.
Overall
Our Overall Rating [68/100]
I want it to be clear, I don’t hate The Chi. It just, unfortunately, suffers the burden of being one of a few and having no alternatives. While it should be praised for being a Black predominant show that ran for eight seasons, I would submit it didn’t benefit anyone really beyond Showtime, now Paramount+. It didn’t create breakout stars, it didn’t lead to spin-offs, or seem to make way for other shows with this much Black talent. At times, it just existed, was entertaining enough, and was praiseworthy because it was the only one.
However, in its final season, there is no longer room to do better or get it together next year. This is the final statement, and season 8 starts off weak. Which is a shame considering, with this being one of the last surviving programs from the last Black renaissance, started back when OWN had scripted programming and Insecure was releasing new episodes, you’d hope it would remind people that it shouldn’t have just been a wave but real change.
What To Check Out Next
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The Chi: Season 7 – Review and Summary
The Chi continues to struggle in trying to manage a large cast, do each of them justice, and not only live up to its potential but present long-term possibilities.
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The Chi: Season 7 Episode 12 – Recap and Review
The season finale sets up one hell of a season 8 with both expected and unexpected deaths.
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The Chi: Season 7 Episode 11 – Recap and Review
As Reg starts an investigation, Alicia grows impatient for answers, Ezekiel talks a bit too much on Papa’s Pulpit, and Jada has a living funeral.
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