Ralph Angel still keeps Blue away from Nova.
The episode begins with Ralph Angel cleaning around the farmhouse. While cleaning, he comes across a gift for Blue. It’s from his dad Ernest. He puts it back into the closet. Nova stops by next and he keeps Blue from seeing her. Instead, he walks outside. He blows up on her about how the book affected Blue and Darla.
Meanwhile, Charley’s setting up for Micah’s going away party. She’s excited Micah got accepted to Harvard but Micah’s pretty mum about it. As this goes on, Nova calls the New Orleans Daily News as she’s looking up people behind Old World Energy. Aunt Vi stops by her home, asking for Jimmy Dale’s address.
Nova’s scared that Aunt Vi is going to confront Jimmy Dale at his home. She reluctantly gives her the address but under the condition, she drives her there and she’ll talk to her.
Frances confronts Charley.
At the campaign office, Charley and Prosper watch Jacob’s press conference. Jacob’s losing ground with key voters in Saint Joe’s. However, Prosper got bad news. He received word that he’s not a resident, along with many others. Charley says people are purposely kicking residents off voter rolls. Interestingly enough, Frances comes by looking for answers.
Charley tells her that Jacob doesn’t need his momma cleaning up his mess. Sheriff deputies also stop by to ask about the fire. They are finishing up their investigation. The sheriffs ask questions that make it seem they believe either Charley burned down the mill herself or had someone to do it. This angers Charley who tells them to leave.
On the way to Jimmy Dale’s, Aunt Vi lays her anger into Nova over the book. Meanwhile, Darla’s back at the farmhouse playing with Blue. This is making Darla very happy and she thanks Ralph Angel for standing with her. Inside, Ralph Angel shows Darla the gift to Blue from Ernest. He also tells Darla that Nova came by. This changes Darla’s mood and she asks if he’s going to continue to ignore Nova and Blue doesn’t understand everything yet. Darla also says that Nova loves Blue and wants Blue surrounded by as much love as possible.
However, Ralph Angel still isn’t ready to come around on Nova.
Aunt Vi stands up to Jimmy Dale.
Finally, Aunt Vi and Nova arrive at Jimmy Dale’s home and she gets out with the item she wants to return. Aunt Vi bangs on the door and when he answers, he says, “I knew you’d be back.”
The box is empty except for the hospital band she wore when his violence put her in there. The box represents the pain he inflicted on her. However, Jimmy Dale doesn’t budge from his feelings. When Nova pulls her away, he smashes the box on his dilapidated front porch. This symbolizes Aunt Vi breaking away from her bondage from Jimmy Dale and she tells him he has nothing else.
“You ain’t s***. Never have been.” – Aunt Vi
Just as they’re leaving, Jimmy’s new girlfriend walks up battered and bruised by Jimmy. Jimmy Dale tries to stop Aunt Vi from talking to her but Nova records him, stopping him in his tracks. She convinces the woman to come with her and Nova and head to a shelter.
Jimmy Dale yells out in anger as they drive off.
Kiki and Micah face the reality of their college decision.
Meanwhile, at the museum, Micah explains to Kiki that photography might be more than just a hobby to him. They also face the reality of being far apart from one another when they go off to college. But Micah holds her tight and tells her that he loves her and no matter what, he will always be with her.
Aunt Vi makes it to the women’s shelter and offers Jimmy’s girlfriend a job at the diner when she heals up.
Later, Darla stops by the Diner for a pie and to thank Aunt Vi. She tells Aunt Vi that she helped her when she was at her lowest. Darla also shows Aunt Vi her one-month sobriety chip and calls it her second-most prized possession. In a gesture, Darla offers it to Aunt Vi. However, Aunt Vi lovingly seems to decline the gift.
The election is near and Charley gives her campaign team a pep talk. Polling places have been moved and they need to work on getting people to the polls. Prosper also joins in on the pep talk and tells Charley they will do whatever they have to to win.
Blue gives Ralph Angel advice.
Later on, Aunt Vi recaps what happened when Nova took her to see Jimmy Dale. She tells Nova she’s now moving forward and won’t have any more secrets to hold back. Lastly, she tells Nova she was happy that Nova came along. Next, Nova gives Charley information about Hank and Old World Energy.
Charley tells Nova about the poll changes and blacks in the Parish being purged from the voter rolls. Nova tells her to not let this dampen Micah’s celebration. Ralph Angel shows up with Blue and still doesn’t want him near Nova. Aunt Vi warns him not to have Blue in their business. Meanwhile, Blue asks why Ralph Angel is mad at Nova.
Blue tells him a story of how he was mad at his friend over a game. His friend’s mom told him that it isn’t worth being mad at his friend as they have too much alike. This story touches Ralph Angel and he agrees to let Blue talk to Nova.
Micah tells Charley he’s not going to Harvard.
Next, Charley toasts to Micah going to Harvard. However, Micah’s still lukewarm to it. But he’s happy to have received a Rolex watch. Things take a turn when Micah tells Charley he’s not going to Harvard. Instead, he’s going to go to Xavier to study art and political science. This news shocks and angered Charley. Charley wants him to attend Harvard for the connections, not just the education.
The family is happy for the news but Charley is furious over this, saying Micah’s throwing away a tool that could be used to level the playing field against the Boudreauxs and Landrys. She wanted him to start a business and employ black people with his Harvard education. But Michael has his heart set on his own plans. The episode ends with Charley walking off in anger.
What are your thoughts on the episode?
