Episode 4 finds Diarra avoiding her growing turmoil with another mission in her search for Dunket’s treasure. Meanwhile, Danger learns more about his sanctuary’s nefarious motives.
After the attempt on her life, Diarra is buckling under the mounting pressure. Barred from Chris’ legal proceedings, she’s bombarded by texts from Swa, juggles Royce’s maybe baby query and still desperately needs to find Booker. Making matters worse, her cousin Raqueeba (Shoniqua Shandai) arrives unannounced, mainly to gossip back to the family group chat.
Luckily, Booker calls her. She convinces him to testify for Chris in exchange for the treasure they find. After revealing the map’s invisible ink coordinates, the “X” leads them to one of Detroit’s most notorious hoods, Brightmoor.
Meanwhile, Danger keeps to himself after the previous night’s events. His new leader assures him that the commune is every bit as what she described — a place for sustainability and community. But, their revolution has to be funded. Later, Danger sees two strange men arrive with money. Their ATVs are labeled as belonging to a militia group.
Back in civilization, Diarra’s next clue lies inside a fireplace’s mantle at the Vulture’s Biker Bar owned by infamous gangster, Cartier Kelly (Bookem Woodbine). Legend has it Kelly murdered a group of Nazis to covet the bar, and collects thug memorabilia as trophies from his enemies. When they arrive, Diarra, Mac and Tea discover the bar is being used to film a Tubi film directed by Kelly. Posing as extras, they infiltrate the set.
While searching, Diarra stumbles upon a man (Lil Rel Howery) chained to a radiator. She tries making sense of this when a real shootout erupts outside, sending our sleuths and the stranger running for cover. Fortunately, Tea knows a place to hide.
The four lay-low at Tea’s ex Xavier’s (Nicco Annan) house, and learn the captive is missing film director, Omari Jones. Three weeks ago, Kelly recruited Jones to assist with the movie. But the pet project turned torturous when Kelly made Jones a hostage. The trio works to keep their and Jones’ presence a secret. That is until Xavier’s hair-braider Pandora stops by for an appointment. She eventually rats them out as Kelly puts up a $2k cash award for Jones’ location.
As the guys escape, Diarra purposely gets caught by Kelly. Her exchange with him serves as a distraction as Mac and Tea return to his office to solve the clue. They learn Duckett lived two lives — a businessman and a gangster — and had two sons. With this knowledge they find a second key that unlocks a secret compartment leading to a tunnel where Mac finds a painting.
Meanwhile, Diarra stalls Kelly long enough to learn his nephew, Big Surge, was murdered at the Coney, and thinks Booker is the culprit. To stay alive, Diarra volunteers to find the killer. Once that’s settled, the three escape through the tunnel, haul a rental delivered via AutoTrek and return home unscathed.
Episode four is the weakest entry so far, with a middling adventure compared to previous episodes. Partly due to our main cast being held up in one location for the majority of the time. What it may lose in story, it makes up for in laughs, delivering a camp motif on the legacy of Black film with Howery passing off as a Spike Lee amalgamation. Them being placed inside an actual action sequence was also clever. And the comedy is elevated with cameos from Black screen legends Valerie Pettiford and Ernest Thomas.
The introduction of Shandai was a pleasant surprise as many remember her breakout role in Prime Video’s Harlem. And Woodbine always understands the assignment as Tubi’s next Ryan Coogler. While not a major issue, DomiNique Perry’s absence as Aja seemed odd. Hopefully she returns soon.
While weaker narratively, episode 4 standouts for its guest stars and comedic flare.
Rating: 7.5/10
