Prosper learns Charley sold Queen Sugar to the Landry Family.
Violet’s segment on Wake Up Nola opens the episode. Charley’s watching at home when Prosper walks in. He’s feeling better and he’s on the phone. He tells his family that he’s getting his home back soon.
The city council’s vote is in two days and their parish meeting is later that night. Prosper asks Charley to speak on their behalf but, she declines.
She says it’s not the best idea, and Prosper asks why.
“I sold the mill, I sold Queen Sugar to the Landry’s.” – Charley
She explains to Charley that she sold the mill as a way to protect the other farmers, but Prosper doesn’t buy it.
“You’re doing business with the devil, Charley? You thought anyone wouldn’t see it?’ – Prosper
Blue runs out of Aunt Vi’s to his mom. Ralph Angel is there as they use her home as a neutral place for visitation exchanges. Blue hugs Ralph Angel before he runs to Darla’s car.
Darla tells Ralph Angel that her mom Darlene is back in D.C. and she won’t be involved much anymore with their visitation mediation.
Micah’s friends begin to question his privilege.
Micah runs into one of his friends KJ from the plantation fire. Micah learns Ant is on house arrest, but Micah’s still positive everything is okay.
KJ tells Micah that he won’t suffer the same punishment. He also feels like he may have ruined his chances for college.
“This isn’t about fair. It’s about survival.” – KJ
“Really KJ? I am in this with you.” – Micah
Aunt Vi learns Nova and Remy tried to date.
Charley’s on the phone at Aunt Vi’s and Nova is there. Aunt Vi’s handing her seating arrangements for her wedding reception and Charley asks for a plus one. Nova’s asked if she’s bringing a plus one and things turn silent between Charley and Nova.
Aunt Vi notices and asks them what’s going on. Nova tells Aunt Vi that she was seeing Charley’s ex Remy.
“It’s over, it wasn’t right and I ended it.” – Nova
Aunt Vi goes off on both of them for even having this situation. She also calls Nova out for dating Remy and writing what she did about her father.
Nova pleads that she thought her relationship with Remy was real. But Aunt Vi’s still angry and leaves for her kitchen in haste.
Later on, Prosper’s still angry with Charley. He tells her the other farmers are angry with her, and Micah overhears their conversation. However, Prosper still wants to fight.
“This doesn’t mean we stop fighting. I am still here with you.” – Prosper
When Prosper leaves, Micah says he’s leaving to see Ant and Charley objects. Micah tells her that if he was the one hit with the charges, he would be snitching on everyone.
“He shouldn’t be going through this alone.” – Micah
Everyone walks in to the city council meeting and the farmers give Charley the side-eye. Sam and his sister also show up in support of the prison. He stops by to warmly greet Charley, which catches the ire of Nova.
Although Ralph Angel’s by her side, Nova and Charley keep their distance, which Ralph Angel notices.
“Y’all messy.” – Ralph Angel
When the meeting begins, a mill worker stands up and says they have his full support for the prison which would bring in jobs.
A spokesperson for the prison begins to speak about the program but is continually interrupted by the farmers.
“We already got lives, you’re taking them away.” – Farmers
Remy then stands up and says the prison will harm their community.
Charley wins back over the farmers at the Council meeting.
Things don’t get any better for Charley when Cardale Stewart, a farmer and family friend, stands and challenges her. “Oh, big talk now. What’d you think would happen when you sold your mill to the same family that’s tryin’ to kick us off the land?” he asks. “You one of them, Miss Charley.”
As the crowd murmurs angrily, Charley defends her actions.
“I gave up my mill to leverage fair rates for you, to keep you in business! They were gonna keep comin’ at us. I did it so we could all live to fight another day. But this prison. This prison. If they build it, that day will never come. They’ll make sure of it.” – Charley
She then turns her attention to the podium, where Lawrence Callahan, a prison official, is addressing the assembly. She peppers him with questions and facts, pointing out that his other facilities pay just above the minimum wage to employees and, in fact, exploit the free labor of the prisoners. She also points out how the sudden influx of inmates, counted as residents even though they can’t vote, would benefit politicians who gain from the population growth.
As Charley speaks, the once-hostile crowd slowly warms to her and applauds her words.
“Mr. Callahan, the soul of St. Joe isn’t for sale.” – Charley
She gets a standing ovation, which seems to affect the vote.
Aunt Vi reveals to her family her Lupus diagnosis.
Meanwhile, Aunt Vi’s baking her pies with her team. The phones are ringing off the hook and orders are flying in. As Aunt Vi tries to head out, her chest tightens and she falls to the ground. Rhonda heads to her and takes her to the hospital.
Aunt Vi’s family is by her bedside and she tells them she just had an inflammation of her lungs. Hollywood brought everyone to her so she could tell them that she has Lupus.
“It’s not just that. I have Lupus.” – Aunt Vi
Charley asks why she didn’t tell her before.
“Because I didn’t want to worry you.” – Aunt vi
She also understands why they’re worried about her. Her family also says they will help her fulfill her pie orders. When they leave, Hollywood gives Aunt Vi a bath.
Blue gets openly frustrated learning how to ride his bike.
Darla has Blue and she’s teaching him how to ride a bike. She stays by his side as he tries to get the hang of it. He falls off the bike and Darla rushes to him. Blue gets upset, takes his helmet off and walks off.
Darla’s confused as to why he’s walking off.
Romeo meets Charley’s siblings.
Charley thanks Nova for looking after Aunt Vi. Surprisingly, Romero stops by and Charley introduces him to her siblings. She then uses him to help roll pies to the truck.
He jokes with Charley, saying he rushed down to help for a pie. As they count the pies, he asks her to come to his home for dinner.
“You don’t have to worry about anything, you just have to show up.” – Romero
They then get back to joking about the pies.
Micah stops by Ant’s home and knocks on his bedroom door. He slowly walks in and Ant ignores him. Micah asks him when the court date s and Ant’s short with answers.
He does tell Micah that he’s on house arrest for six months and will miss Junior Prom and college prep.
“This whole thing is just stupid.” – Ant
Micah tells Ant it’s not fair he’s taking the fall for all of them. But Ant says he’s looking forward for it being over and Micah tells him, “No matter what, I’ma be there for you.”
The Council votes in favor of the jail.
Charley with a farmer in the bathroom. She tells Charley thank you and smiles at her as she leaves. Then Sam’s sister walks in and asks her how she’s doing.
It’s the night of the council vote and Sam’s sister reminds Charley that he usually has them in their pockets. Except for Councilman Ward.
“Ward usually plays it straight. We can only hope.” – Sam’s sister
Charley tells her she’s no longer believing in the hope Ernest told her to keep.
The vote comes in from the City Council. The parliamentarian reads the votes out loud and they seem to be along racial lines. Even Councilman Ward voted for the prison, which means Sam has clear sailing for the prison to be built.
Charley and Sam’s sister make eye contact and Sam’s sister just looks mum. As Nova hugs Charley, Sam’s sister walks out. Prosper also gives looks of disappointment and sadness to Charley.
When they get home, Prosper sits silently downstairs. Charley walks past and can’t say a word. He then picks up his cell phone to make a call. On the other end is his daughter. Prosper admits to his daughter that it’s time for her to come and get him.
Charley sits on the side of her bed in tears and Micah’s studying his black and white photos. He grabs his phones and begins to research how to hold a rally.
Darla and Ralph Angel reach an understanding, helping Blue ride his bike.
Ralph Angel brings Blue outside to hop on his bike again. He tells Blue not to quit. Blue tells him not to let go of the bike until he gives the okay. Ralph Angel agrees and Blue begins to pedal.
Blue struggles and Ralph Angel tells him to trust him and Darla. The next go around, Blue gets it.
Caught up in the moment, Ralph Angel hugs and holds on to Darla.
Afterwards, Darla suggests to Ralph Angel they split custody equally. He seemingly agrees and tells Darla he’s planning to take Blue to the beach.
He also wants to take Blue to Disneyland and Disney World.
The episode ends with Darla and Ralph Angel sitting on the porch with Blue riding his bike.
What are your thoughts on the episode?
