Nova cuts her locs.
The season begins with Nova praying at her altar with incense. During her prayer, she cuts her loc’d hair shorter. This is symbolizing a new beginning. Meanwhile, Ralph Angel’s reading. Blue sneaks up on him, acting like a Star Wars character, letting him know breakfast is ready.
They then bring Darla breakfast in bed. Blue burnt Darla’s toast but Darla happily eats it.
Aunt Vi and Hollywood are baking at their restaurant. They’re working overtime for a celebration in the county honoring St. Josephine, their county’s namesake.
At her home, Charley’s watching the news when she calls Micah. Micah’s at school and is extremely busy. He’s so busy, he hasn’t seen Charley in over two months and can’t make it home for the event. To make things worse for Charley, someone rushes Micah off the phone.
Frances is sentenced for Arson against the Queen Sugar Mill.
Charley heads to the courthouse in time to greet her family. They make it to the courtroom to watch Frances Boudreaux be sentenced for Arson. The judge chastises Frances who has not accepted her conviction. She’s been sentenced by the judge to 7 years in prison. As Charley and the family cheer, Sam Landry’s secret daughter Parker watches stoically.
It’s a few hours before the big event, which is a launch party for Nova’s website. Darla and Ralph Angel are home when they get a suspicious letter. Ralph Angel reads it and becomes angry. This may mean he’s even less likely to attend Nova’s event.
The party began in the meantime, and Nova’s hosting. She talks to her friend Red, who’s criticizing her for moving on from her past. But Nova says she’s growing. Meanwhile, Nova overhears a tense conversation involving her friend Carmella and Nova’s boyfriend regarding police brutality.
Later, Charley and Aunt Vi walk in as Nova’s explaining her website Tru Papers. Ralph Angel also makes an appearance just as Nova presents a video about the project. She then pulls Charley and Ralph Angel aside just as Ralph Angel shows them a letter and everyone gets notifications on their phones. Apparently, all the black farmers received imminent domain letters, indicating seizure of their land.
An emergency meeting is called and Charley helps the farmers.
Charley calls an emergency council meeting late into the night and the meeting is tense, specifically Charley and Councilman Jackson. People in the meeting call Jackson a sellout as he spoke out in favor of the highway. Ralph Angel demands the council actually do something to stop the seizure of their farms.
When Ralph Angel gets home, he then burns the letter in the sink. Nova walks in and doesn’t say a word to him for a few moments. Eventually, she asks Ralph Angel if he’s okay, and he says he’s not letting anyone take the land their father gave him. Nova says she’s going to help him in this fight and asks for his forgiveness. Ralph Angel says, “he’ll try,” putting a smile on Nova’s face.
The next day, Charley, Nova, and her attorney are in a judge’s chamber with Parker and their attorney. Nova presents evidence that sways the judge to issue a temporary stop to the seizure of land. Ralph Angel also gets to keep the farm.
Outside the chambers, Parker speaks to Charley and Nova, seeking common ground. Parker’s willing to meet with Charley and Nova about this.
Meanwhile, Hollywood, Prosper, and Ralph Angel are painting in the clubhouse. Ralph Angel has to leave as Darla and Blue are cooking and Blue wants him home. Nova’s at home with her boyfriend Calvin and they’re trying to figure out the home structure. Much to her disappointment, he’s eating on her silk-covered pillow.
Ralph Angel makes it home for dinner and Blue gets Ralph Angel to bless the food, which he happily does.
Charley and Parker meet.
Later on, Charley takes Parker up on her offer and meets her at the Queen Sugar Mill. During their conversation, their philosophical differences are clear. Parker criticizes Charley for keeping the black farmers tied to an old system “that wasn’t made for them.” Charley strongly disagrees here. In fact, Charley met her at the mill to show Parker the damage done by Frances.
Parker then leaves saying, “the fight has just begun.”
Micah joins a fraternity.
Meanwhile, back on campus, Micah’s studying is immediately halted when his friend walks in, telling him he has to go. Micah scoffs at this but when he hears this isn’t an official meeting, he packs up quickly and heads out. Nova’s at home the next day and Calvin’s concerned about what his grandfather would think about Nova. So much so, he’s not willing to go to his 85th birthday party. However, Nova insists on going and promises they’ll get through this together.
Micah makes it to his meeting, which is a ceremony. He’s been at school joining a fraternity and he’s nearing the end of his process. Micah’s big brothers complete their ceremony and congratulate Micah and his fellow line brothers.
Finally, it’s time for the Feast of St. Josephine. The Bordelons are at church dressed in purple celebrating the event with Charley as keynote. It’s the first annual event and it will honor the namesake of their county. Charley honors St. Josephine with a speech and moment of silence. After the speech, everyone parties and eats in her honor.
Parker blindsides Charley.
During the dinner, Aunt Vi congratulates Charley for everything she’s done so far. Interestingly enough, Parker steps up the podium to speak, surprising the Bordelons. She’s on the board for the bank of St. Josephine. Here, Parker announces a new route proposal for the highway; from north Main Street through 21st road. This surprises and angers everyone because it runs straight through the cemetery.
So Charley angrily walks out of the hall to her office. Aunt Vi walks in to check in on her. Charley tells her she’s not alright but she will be. Charley refuses to lose.
At the end of the episode, Darla and Ralph Angel are walking along the river. During their walk, Ralph Angel gets on one knee and proposes to Darla. Darla tearfully says yes. He then carries her off yelling, “This my wife right here!”
What are your thoughts about the season premiere?
