Felicia Pride has created a sequel to the 1980s series, A Different World, bringing in some of the original cast members, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, and Darryl M. Bell, as parents raising the next generation of students at Hillman College. The series focuses on Deborah Wayne as she and her friends navigate their freshman year.
We are introduced to Deborah, Amir, and Rashida during orientation. While outside, Shaquille, a star football recruit, makes his presence known when he and his dad, Ron Johnson, show up in a flashy car. As the ladies swarm after him, he makes eye contact with Deborah.
Later, Rashida and Deborah find out that they’re roommates, and while unpacking, they have an awkward award battle highlighting their differences. Suddenly, Deborah’s mom, Whitley, comes in. At first impression, Whitley doesn’t like Rashida.
Deborah insists that she, Rashida, and Hazel go to the In the Building party to celebrate their first day of college. Shaquille finds Deborah at the party and tells her that the two of them being at Hillman is a sign. Next thing we know, they share a kiss. But it’s interrupted by Rashida when she realizes the time. The three girls rush back to their dorm to beat curfew, only to be caught by their RA, Candace. Despite Deborah bribing Candace with an internship with her mother’s beauty company, Candace still writes them up. Rashida grows upset learning that their dorm building — Gilbert Hall — is named after Deborah’s mom. She accuses Deborah of getting through life by using her parents’ name to get what she wants.
In the morning, the guys are getting ready for the day. Amir and Kojo, a fashion design student, ask Shaquille about his relationship with Deborah. He tells them that they had a thing in the past and he’s hoping that the timing will be right now that they’re in college together. While they’re talking, Ron comes bursting in, immediately telling Shaquille that they’re going to get him a better room. Shaquille opens up and tells his dad that the reason he chose Hillman is that it’s what he promised his mom before she passed.
Later, everyone attends the convocation. Deborah shows up late, but makes it in time before her father, Provost Dwayne Wayne, makes his speech. During the event, Rashida gets an email saying that she lost one of her grants, and other students stand up, receiving the same information. Deborah begins to chant, “Where is the money?” and everyone follows suit.
Overall, this was a good first episode. We quickly learn about Deborah and her dynamic not only with her parents, but with her situationship, Shaquille. There’s a big difference between this new series and the 1987 one, clearly with new things added between the generations. Maleah Joi Moon does an incredible job this episode as Deborah, as she starts her first day on campus and tries to figure out where she stands between being a student and being her parents’ daughter. It’s exciting to see what’s to come with this new series and see what will happen in the following episode.
Rating: 9/10