Editor’s be aware: The next article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the writer’s personal. Learn extra opinions on theGrio.
I’ve to confess right here that whereas I’m having fun with the “ghost within the shadows” act that Distinctive is making an attempt to do to break the lives of the individuals he feels betrayed him—mainly his boo Raquel—I’m sort of confused by his scorched earth philosophy. For starters, the one chilly exhausting reality he is aware of is that his huge brother, Ronnie, beat him inside an inch of his life AFTER they obtained into an argument and scuffle at their little headquarters. He additionally is aware of Ronnie thought he killed him and dumped him within the woods. This assumption that someway Raquel and Kanan and whoever else wished him useless to maneuver in on his turf is sort of nuts to me. There’s NOTHING to assist that.
Within the first episode, Distinctive’s boy Early (who saved his life primarily) was informed Distinctive wasn’t going to be proper within the head whereas he healed with out correct well being care so possibly that’s what’s taking place? In any other case, I don’t perceive Distinctive’s strategies in any respect. Within the final episode, he killed Raquel’s lawyer, who was possibly his previous lawyer, too, or who he maybe thinks helped Raquel take him out. I can’t keep in mind that lawyer’s place in Distinctive’s life, however what I do know is that this episode opens up with Distinctive killing two individuals who had been operating a drug entrance for Raquel’s enterprise and so they actually didn’t must die. Distinctive thinks he’s sending a message—which he’s—however that message could be very murky. It’s positively inflicting issues for Raquel, however to what finish?
He additionally runs up on Kanan’s spot and (presumably) robs him, too. Look, drug sellers are going to do drug vendor issues and Distinctive can also be a killer so maybe that is, because the intro music declares, all “part of the sport.” It simply looks as if Distinctive is taking part in a special sport proper now. I do know we’re going to spend many of the season on this plot level, I simply hope all people finds out Distinctive is alive sooner slightly than later so we are able to get to the reckoning that’s coming for any individual in Southside Jamaica, Queens.
Whereas Distinctive is operating all roughshod by the streets, the Thomases (Raquel, Marvin, Lou-Lou, Jukebox, and Kanan) are about to be taught their household matriarch is about to die. We’ve discovered over time that Raquel, Marvin, and Lou-Lou have a really sophisticated relationship with their mom, Joyce. She was clearly there for them, however not in the best way all of them wanted them. Marvin talks typically about having to boost Raquel and Lou-Lou, so maybe Joyce (who has a mushy spot for Kanan) simply couldn’t deal with the lack of their father (he left) and took it out on her youngsters.
She additionally has a problem with Jukebox, who has determined to reside in her fact as an alternative of hiding who she is. Anyway, all of them sit down for a household dinner the place she shares that she has terminal most cancers, and whereas that must be a second for reflection, Raquel turns into enraged, irritated that Joyce would manipulate them with a dinner. It appears as in the event that they by no means gathered as a household ever (one thing that’s implied).
Their household dynamics are so attention-grabbing. “Elevating Kanan” is a household present above all else, so watching Raquel do her greatest to boost Kanan (even within the dope sport) whereas being a involved mom about his education and his relationships, and so forth., makes me marvel about her upbringing. I’m positive we’ll circle again to this as effectively.
We do briefly have to debate the approaching rift between Raquel and Marvin as a result of that stands to change into a big a part of this plot. And I wish to VERY VERY CLEARLY STATE FOR THE RECORD, if one thing occurs to Marvin I’m going to be UPSET. Marvin has been assembly with Stefano to do facet work for him—he’s roughed up a few of us, took out an individual or two, and so forth.
Any individual pulled Raquel’s ear to inform her he’s assembly with him and he flat out denies it. I do know he’s of the thoughts that he can do what he desires, however Stefano being in enterprise with each Raq and Marvin in differing capacities looks as if a catastrophe within the making. Within the final episode, he killed a man that Stefano informed him simply to “discuss to.” Let me say it once more, if one thing occurs to Marvin, I’m unsure I’ll be alright. However then once more, I’m nonetheless ready for the second when Jukebox turns a violent and darkish nook, and possibly we’re headed that approach.
I can’t wait to see what occurs subsequent week as a result of actually, the “huge boss” combat between Distinctive and Raquel has epic written throughout it. They’re former drug rivals turned romantic pursuits. The fireworks are going to must fly and I need to see simply how vivid they shine.
Southside.
Panama Jackson is a columnist at theGrio and host of the award-winning podcast, “Pricey Tradition” on theGrio Black Podcast Community. He writes very Black issues, drinks very brown liquors, and is fairly fly for a lightweight man. His greatest accomplishment up to now coincides together with his Blackest accomplishment up to now in that he acquired a cellphone name from Oprah Winfrey after she learn one in every of his items (greatest) however he didn’t reply the cellphone as a result of the caller ID mentioned “Unknown” (Blackest).
