‘Queen Sugar’ Recap: Charley Learns of Sam Landry’s Money Problems + Nova Quits

Nova is angered by her newspaper’s story of the protest.

The episode opens at Nova’s house. She looks at her newspaper surprised over an article titled, “Black Teens Caused Trouble at Basketball Classic.”

“What the h***?” – Nova

Next, Aunt Vi meets Mr. Rollins at his grocery store. He want’s Vi’s pies on a central location in his store. She has to double her order size, but she’ll get a bigger royalty as a result.

At the restaurant Vi works for, Remy is talking with farmers about the protest. Remy agreed with the premise of the protest and tells them such. The conversation stops when Charley and Ralph Angel show up, and they celebrate her. The farmers were able to go back to the Queen Sugar mill. They also celebrate their discounted milling rate. Remy side-eyes Charley and leaves.

But before he does, he privately calls out Charley for brokering her back room deal with the Landrys. However, Charley stands behind her decision, saying she’s going to destroy Sam from the inside.

When he leaves, RA tells Charley not to worry about Remy. He also invites her to hang out tomorrow night.

Aunt Vi and Hollywood are at home when Hollywood receives a package. He smiles when he learns it’s his settlement check. Although Aunt Vi wants to work, Hollywood wants to celebrate. She entices him to celebrate later “in private.”

Micah wants Davis’ help to convince Charley about enrolling in public school.

Michael is with his father and Micah tries to convince him to get Charley to let him go to public school. Davis tells Micah to put together a compelling argument to convince Charley to change her mind.

Charley, meanwhile, is at home watching a news segment about the officer who assaulted Micah.

Nova meets her editor in their office and she’s angry. He altered her article and told her that their advertising took a hit after her last major piece went viral. She’s with her friends next talking about her book deal and quitting the newspaper. They debate quitting the job.

They debate compromising in Corporate America for the paycheck. Overall they support her no matter what and want her to tread carefully.

Micah meets with Charley with the public school proposition and Davis supports him.

“You want more of the real world?’ – Charley

“Just think of the college essays I can write” – Micah

Despite his best pleading, Charley says no. She says it’s not an option for him.

Ralph Angel’s Parole Officer approaches him with an idea.

Ralph Angel is at home still struggling with Blue when his Parole Officer stops by. His P.O. wants to set up an application to remove him off of parole soon. He can get off in three months. Ralph Angel also hears of a proposition to hire other nonviolent offenders to work on the farm.

Aunt Vi is with her assistant Rhonda baking the pies when Nova stops by with supplies. She’s having trouble with the oven starting and she’s getting frustrated. Nova grabs her hands and rubs an ointment on them.

“I want to be a warrior, like your mama. Like you.” – Aunt Vi

Nova scoffs at this and tells her about what happened at the newspaper. Aunt Vi tells Nova to go all in on her book.

Charley meets Jacob over on a boat dock. Jacob shows off his boat his father left him in passing. He then pours glasses of wine to toast their new partnership. Charley takes the moment to ask why Landry is allowing the farmers to keep their discounts.

Jacob tells her that his side of the family stopped Sam from breaking their original deal.

“Having that one percent brings you in the family. And we’re all about family.” – Jacob

Struggling to bake her pie order, Aunt Vi heads to the High Yellow.

Aunt Vi got the idea to bake at the High Yellow after her oven gave out. However, Clive doesn’t want her or her assistant cooking during business hours.

Hollywood brought Blue and Ralph Angel out for shopping. Ralph Angel goes off on Blue when he doesn’t put some shoes down. Hollywood says it’s okay but RA disregards this, yelling at Blue.

They all end up leaving the shop without buying anything.

Later on, Aunt Vi and Hollywood are at the senior center to talk to Ms. Effie to use their ovens. She tells Ms. Effie that she’ll donate 10 percent of her profits to the St. Agnes Society if she can use the ovens.

Ms. Effie begrudgingly accepts the offer.

Nova is at home looking over her old news clippings. She reminisces over her old stories and comes across one with a stick note that says, “Amplify your words…”

Nova circles the words amplify and then sighs.

She calls Olivia at the newspaper to tell her she’ll be in the office to talk about her next story.

Micah slams his laptop in shock after seeing the video of the officer beating up another black man.

A frustrated Blue acts out in public.

Ralph Angel and Charley are hanging out at the bar. She tells him about her time out with Jacob and Ralph Angel tells her Blue misses Darla. Ralph Angel isn’t sure if he can raise Blue.

“Am I good for that boy?” – Ralph

“You are the best thing to ever happen to that little boy. – Charley

They then toast and he goes off to dance. Charley leaves a short time later but her car stalls. A man named Ramero walks up and notices her battery may be dead. He helps her start her car. They use this opportunity to introduce themselves to each other. He invites Charley out for a meal.

Charley seems impressed by Ramero as he gives her his number.

Davis gives Charley stern advice about Micah and the leaked police video.

At the center, Hollywood cheers Aunt Vi for finishing the baking the way she wanted to. He picks up the pies and takes them to the grocery.

Davis stops by Charley’s to talk about the video of the officer leaking. He senses Charley is behind the leak.

“Why should we be the first ones to forgive and forget?” – Charley

He asks if Micah saw the video and wonders if it helped him or hurt him.

“Keep him foremost in mind.” – Davis

Charley goes to Micah’s room and sees the photos he’s been taking. They are black and white candids of the people in the parish. She admires the photographs as Micah looks on. He asks if she likes them.

“They’re beautiful.” – Charley

He uses the time to explain how he needs to be around his community and enroll in public school. Charley allows him to enroll in public school.

Blue walks to Ralph Angel in the kitchen and asks if time out is over. RA says it is and Blue apologizes for acting out. He then joins RA to help wash the dishes.

Charley learns of Sam Landry’s debt, and Nova quits the newspaper, inspired by Aunt Vi’s resilience.

Charley meets Vicky with money for leaking the video. She also gives Charley information about Sam Landry. He’s in debt and she wonders why he bought the sugar mill.

Aunt Vi has the whole family in the grocery store to show off the pie displays. But when they show up, the pies aren’t in the place promised.

She calls a stock boy, and asks if Mr. Rollins is in to talk about this. But he’s not there. So they all decide to move the pies to the table she was promised. Aunt Vi walks off in tears with Hollywood not far behind.

“I know it’s a little thing, but It’s my little thing. I am almost 60 years old, and I will not be sidetracked, or  sidestepped, or put in a d*** corner and told to wait my turn. Not another day. It’s my time.” – Aunt Vi

Behind Aunt Vi is Nova who hears her words, and appears inspired to make her decision. Later, Nova meets with her editor Steve. But instead of talking about a new story, she hands him a resignation letter. The episode ends with Nova walking out of the newspaper office with a smile on her face.

 

What are your thoughts on the episode?