How does black-ish follow up two epic episodes? By focusing on a scamming grandma and precocious pre-teen. In this hilarious third episode of the season, Dre is faced with the reality of Ruby getting older and Diane develops a crush on one of Zoey’s friends.
The episode opens with Ruby revealing to Bow and Dre that she’s paid off kidnappers who claim to have taken Jr. But it turns out she’s been scammed since Jr. is still at home. Dre worries that Ruby’s age is finally catching up to her because back in the day Ruby was the person who did the cons.
Bow walks into Zoey’s room to find a strange young man sitting on the bed, Zoe says she met him at pre-frosh week and his name is Aaron. When Bow finds out he’s 19, she reacts in typical Bow fashion by becoming flustered and acting completely weird. I laughed because there was no way my Mama would’ve left some dude she never met or spoken to in my bedroom — she would’ve dragged him out with her.
While Dre is at work commiserating with his fellow co-workers over the wonder that is melanin — namely, Angela Bassett and Tina Turner’s (bless them) — Diane meets Aaron and its’ awkward crush at first sight. Poor Jack is bothered when Diane declares that what she and Aaron have is “magnetic,” and Jack can’t recognize that since he has their parents as an example of marriage. Lawd that line took me clean out, Diane throws the darkest of shade, she is too much.
Convinced by the guys at work that Ruby might have early onset Alzheimer’s, Dre tries to stop Ruby from driving her car and says he’s worried for her since she has entered her golden years. Hearing this, Ruby takes offense at being thought of as old. She becomes flustered and drives into the garage door. To appease Ruby, Dre buys her a new car. After being assured its fully paid for, Ruby admits she scammed Dre and drives away. HA! Dre got played by his Mama, serves him right for not listening to Bow.
Eventually Dre confronts Ruby about her actions and confesses that the thought of losing her scares him. Ruby admits she doesn’t like being thought of as old and the way society treats old people like they don’t matter is upsetting. She tells Dre that though she may be getting older, she doesn’t want to be treated like an old lady. Diane goes up to Zoey and Aaron and demands he make a choice between the sisters. Zoe says Diane can have him since she may be able change his unappealing ways. Realizing Aaron might take work, Diane decides she doesn’t have time for a project and dismisses him.
Later, Diane approaches Zoey and Aaron and demands he make a choice between the sisters. Zoey says Diane can have him since she may be able to change his unappealing ways. Realizing Aaron might take work, Diane decides she doesn’t have time for a project and dismisses him. Boy, bye.
It was great to have this honest and heartfelt discussion between Ruby and Dre. It served as a reminder that the elderly want to be treated with respect and have their thoughts and feelings considered. What makes black-ish such a great show is the ability to have serious discussions on various subject matters while maintaining its trademark humor.
My Episode Musings
- Per the discussion about Angela Bassett, Black don’t crack, it bends as I like to say.
- “Two to the back of the head, double tap.”
- Diane is gonna be a trip when she hits puberty, pray for the fam peeps.
black-ish shows every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, follow the show on Twitter @black_ishABCÂ .
