The fifth episode finds Diarra in a more precarious position as she goes lengths to protect a new house guest. As she plays warden, Danger attempts to escape his disturbed paradise and Aja suffers a business setback.
After nearly escaping the shootout in Brightmoor, Diarra wants to relax, relate and release with an impromptu house party. But the kickback is paused when Booker arrives needing a place to hide. He remains the prime suspect in Big Surge’s murder and the bargaining chip between Diarra and Cartier Kelly. However, he confesses he wasn’t the shooter.
Booker explains while he shot Big Surge during an argument at the Coney, a masked woman arrived killing Paul and the other buyer. She would have killed Booker, but Surge survived his wound. Ultimately, the woman killed Surge, allowing Booker to escape. Diarra has no other choice but to trust him. After he passes her Oreo test, they deduce their next clue sits at Trinity Rose Baptist Church.
Meanwhile, Danger does his best to avoid Bailey at Homeland Farms. She denounces belonging to the militia group, The Vanguard, saying it’s a temporary arrangement. Despite her words, Danger plans to escape. Puncturing the tires to their truck, he tries hitchhiking that evening only for her and the militia members to pick him up.
Hilarity ensues as Diarra, Tea and Aja regroup at Trinity Rose to undergo its Underground Railroad tour, assuming the next clue awaits in the church’s basement. During the tour, she finds a wall that matches the one in Duckett’s painting. They plan to return for Sunday morning worship service and find out what’s inside.
This plan fails when they arrive to find the service scarcely populated. Hoping joyful noises would distract from their plot, they pivot to Diarra testifying while Tea ventures to the basement. But he’s blocked by the resilient church member and tour guide. Later, Raqueeba relays to Diarra that Cartier knows where she lives.
That evening, Aja connects with Royce’s barber, Priest, who swindles her hair out of customs. During their exchange, he flirts with Aja, who fights heaven and hell to resist. However, this when is short-lived when thieves steal who recently obtained merchandise.
Under pressure, Booker threatens to leave but Diarra persuades him to say, promising that her lawyer ex will help him tell his story to the police. In the meantime, she and Booker bond over a story his grandmother told about Duckett. It’s another moment of Diarra channeling her maternal side. It’s interrupted when Chris calls.
Diarra’s excitement to speak with him soon turns to dread, as he says “we need to talk.” Fearing he’s about to break up with her, she hangs up, only to discover Booker is gone. But the teen doesn’t get far as he’s grabbed by a van of white men.
This episode delivers the funny, introducing colorful supporting characters. The dialogue remains witty and conversational, easily maneuvering from the comedic and dramatic tones. Narratively, the origins of the gang war feels a bit convoluted. And while it builds the mystery, the introduction of another suspect is almost too much. Hopefully, this transition remains tight.
Rating: 7.5/10