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Episode 3 “Beneath the Icy Veil” Recap and Details
- Director(s): Yolanda Ross
- Writer(s): Mia A. Brumfield
- Public Release Date (Paramount+): June 7, 2026
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- Images © of Paramount+
The Next Generation: Riley, Tiff, Nuck, Shaad, Victor, Devante, Mondo, Rafi, Tevin, Jake
Shaad and Victor get out and find themselves driven by Jake to meet up with Tiff. Being that she has inherited not just Alicia’s money and home, but a good amount of her power, she takes that seriously. Not only that, she recognizes Shaad and Victor for their past work for either Alicia or her, and gives them money and opportunities.
Victor gets his old job back, and Shaad? Well, he could have gotten a job, too, but his need for justice complicates things. Though Nuck questioning Shaad’s need for justice doesn’t make anything better. Especially considering his relationship with Alicia and being known to take out major figures.
But, on a simpler note, Riley has a young men’s group featuring Devante, Emmett’s kid, Mondo, and Rafi’s son, Tevin. As you can imagine, the boys are something else. Even in front of Riley, they curse, get into it, but it is clear, like the Sisters Circle and Men’s Group, this is good for them. Yes, Tevin is sensitive about his mom being considered someone passed around. Mondo’s parents are a touchy subject, as is Devante’s dad, but it seems sharing parental issues might just bond these boys.
Heck, they might be the new Kevin, Jake, and Papa.
We All Struggling: Jake, Desiree, Papa, Emmett, Kenya, Patience, Shaad
When it comes to Desiree, like many of the young ladies on The Chi, her character is about supporting her man, and when it comes to Jake, she wants him to think bigger. Yes, his parties are popping, but his branding sucks. But what can you do with a man trying to get by after seeing all his life what happens to people who get too big for their britches?
However, while he may struggle with the idea of taking initiative, Shaad doesn’t. He ends up on a date with Patience, and both seem to have a good time. Which leaves us with Papa. Kenya doesn’t know what to do with him. He is smoking excessively, drinking, has seemingly lost faith, and fears for his life to a point. She is hoping Emmett can say something to him, as a new paternal figure, but Emmett looks at the issues in his own household and feels ill-equipped. But, with having history with Papa, he tries.
No Loyalty: Nuck, Bakari, Reg, Lynae, Tiff, Victor, Emmett
With everything that’s happened, Victor and Tiff have a heart-to-heart. He feels like he didn’t get a chance, she makes it clear Nuck was there, hence that connection, and Victor ultimately finds himself sucking it up. I mean, what else is he going to do? He needs the job Tiff is offering, and between losing his political office, having to pay off Reg to leave his home, and taking an L nearly every week, he can’t take being unemployed, too.
Speaking of Reg and unemployment, because Lynae decides to open her mouth about Nuck killing Pastor Zeke in the Sister Circle, Tiff confronts him, reveals Lynae is her source, and Nuck kicks Bakari out of the mob. As you can imagine, Bakari is pissed. Working for Nuck was a major source of income, and now he is going to be broke.
Yeah, he talks to Emmett and impresses him, but minimum wage isn’t enough for a car payment or your own spot. So when Reg offers a job that requires Bakari to sell pills, he takes him up on that offer. Especially after negotiating a 60/40 split if he sells all the pills in 48 hours.
New Characters in Episode 3
Mondo (Scott McLeod-Ramey)
- Character Summary: Mondo is a young man, part of Riley’s boys group, who struggles, like Tevin and Devante, with a world that knows too much about his family but doesn’t have a lick of compassion for him.
Tevin (Harper Anthony)
- Character Summary: Tevin is Rafi and Amaya’s son, who deals with everyone knowing his mom goes to the highest bidder.
Desiree (Sophia Echendu)
- Character Summary: Desiree is a social media influencer who takes an interest in Jake.
Review and Commentary
Highlights
The Mondo, Tevin, and Devante Dynamic [81/100]
While the only spin-off worth having would feature Patience, I will admit, having a new trio on the show in Mondo, Tevin, and Devante in need of guidance, and representing the next generation, is intriguing. Devante easily can be the new Kevin, Tevin could easily be the new Jake, and Mondo? He has something potentially unique. Without meeting his parents, he has a certain amount of mystery, but with the push that maybe he’s neglected, or worse, he could bring on a unique story. Where it isn’t about the environment you’re in, but potentially abuse or the type of neglect that goes far beyond what Tiff was complaining about with her mom.
Low Points
Wanting More Fore Desiree and Patience [66/100]
Patience, becoming the latest girlfriend of Shaad, who becomes a shell of herself once involved with him, would be such a misuse of the character. The same goes for Desiree. The Chi has a bad habit of introducing new characters, making them interesting upon arrival, see Kenya, but then chip away at them until the best way to identify them is whichever guy they are attached to.
Here is hoping that the old pattern doesn’t take another set of characters down.
Too Many Characters Without Traction [64/100]
Our forever struggle with this show is that it collects actors with talent and potential, but doesn’t utilize them. Kyle Pratt returns this episode, and you know they aren’t going to do anything of note with her. Keisha has begun homeschooling Devante, but she gets pushed aside for Devante to be part of Riley’s boys group, and the list goes on and on. Ultimately, leaving you with a lot of characters, like Victor, who have long seen better days, but it’s clear they will likely remain aimless, with the only exception possibly being something drastic being done in the series finale.
On The Fence
Tiff Asking Nuck About Pastor Zeke [71/100]
Tiff’s time at the top isn’t going to last long if she isn’t more strategic. You know for a FACT Nuck kills people, and while not Douda, he is capable of Douda tendencies. So why would she confront him, never mind name her source? She generally hasn’t been depicted as dumb. She has been shown to have street smarts. So was this lapse just for the sake of setting up issues for Bakari?
Papa’s Struggles [72/100]
Because Papa was my favorite character in the beginning, it makes it seeming like they don’t know what to do with him immensely frustrating. I get that each paternal figure he has had, biological or otherwise, died due to gun violence. But him smoking and drinking his way through it makes it feel like they are putting him on ice.
Which isn’t to take away what trauma can do or Emmett, regarding life in Chicago and feelings of loss. It just feels like another sad example of the show failing a character because there are too many names to juggle, many of which are with actors who have a higher profile outside the show.
Overall
Our Overall Rating [70/100]
The Chi continues to hoard talent and struggle with what to do with them past short bursts, where they actually have plans for them to be in a focal arc.
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