Previously on the Netflix series A Different World, Deborah begins tutoring with Ellington while Rashida works at The Pit to make extra money for school. Amir admits to Kojo that he was in juvie before coming to Hillman and that he’s on parole, which is why he doesn’t have a dorm on campus.
The episode begins with the students getting their refund checks. Everyone receives a check, but Deborah doesn’t, since she doesn’t have financial aid.
The main headliner for Friday Fest is canceled, so they have to decide how to save the event for homecoming. Deborah says she can get the singer Summer Walker, but she doesn’t let anyone know she has no connection to her. However, her lash tech, Kayla, does, so she contacts her for Summer’s manager’s information. Kayla says she can’t give Deborah that information or help her book the event, leaving Deborah stuck.
After their counseling meeting, Dwayne and Whitley have to decide on what they’re going to do about their separation. No one knows about it, but rumors begin to spread around the alumni. Later, Dwayne has a meeting with the alumni and asks them to do whatever they can to help save Hillman.
Making a plan of her own, Deborah and Rashida show up at Summer’s home, telling her she’s Kayla’s intern. Rashida stops Deborah from lying further, and Deborah asks if she can headline the fest. Summer tells them that it’s too short notice, and security kicks them out. However, Kayla ends up convincing Summer to do the festival.
During the festival, Rashida gets dressed up for Kojo. The two of them share a kiss mid-dance. Meanwhile, Shaquille looks for Deborah and ends up finding her. She tells him that she hasn’t forgotten that today is his mom’s death anniversary, and she tells him that she’s there for him. The two of them dance, being in the moment with each other.
Overall, this was a pretty good episode. It’s interesting to see them add a celebrity, Summer Walker, to this episode. But it gives Deborah a chance to make up for the drama she’s created on campus so early in the year. Alijah Kai is incredible in this episode as Rashida, bringing some balance to the chaos coming from Deborah. Will Deborah and Rashida both have their chances at love, or will something else come up?
Rating: 8/10