GLATWT88

Did they not trust BC to deliver? I mean I know some here feel otherwise, but his acting needed work in the attack scene and when he spilled to Smitty, but nonetheless an odd choice to have Anita tell Nicole first. Did they want to give TT something to do?

Smitty to Samantha: Anyone ever tell you you're like a 30-year-old stuck in a 16-year-old's body? Samantha: I was born 16 so the math is mathing. Definitely.

As if there isn't a lack of connection between Martin and his parents, Nicole is seriously unaware that her son has been acting different these past two years. Would have been better if the dialogue said something to show that Nicole noticed Martin hadn't been acting himself but she didn't realize there was a problem in the marriage. And are they really going to have Anita tell Nicole the secret instead of using this moment to foster and showcase the relationship between Nicole and Martin. Still doesn't make sense to keep this from Nicole when two years ago she was okay.

If my partner kept something that serious from me for two years knowing how worried I have been, I would be angry too. I do think it was too soon to kick Martin out considering he just unloaded all this trauma on Smitty. He could have spent the night and they could have discussed it further. I get why Smitty didn't tell Jacob, but I am also curious how goody two shoes Jacob will react to the events based on the circumstances. Will he empathize being a black man or will he think the law is the law and they should have followed the appropriate channels.

Not the geriatric daughter...

This is the last I will mention this, because what's done is done and I want to be hopeful that there is a greater vision and story in mind, but I think it was a total missed opportunity to make this night a secret to the audience. We missed an opportunity to explore race and the law in America and really go deep into what that means for black men in particular. This fall out that is happening now could have still happened with the audience in on the secret. We could have witnessed the attack and seen Vernon's struggle with doing what's right and what he felt he needed to do. In today's episode Vernon said something to the effect of he should have called on his connections (which I made a point of yesterday), but instead he acted in fear. How much more thrilling would it have been to see Vernon call Bill, Elon, and Malone and concoct this whole plot out of fear of what could happen to Martin and himself. Instead we got repetitive conversations and scenes that appeared to be cut short because we were being held off from knowing too much about the secret. Also, Kenny shouldn't have been killed off. How brilliant would it have been for Martin to actually out himself. He was riddled with guilt, anxiety, and fear but he still decided to do what is right. We should have had a trial (probably wouldn't because there is no set). This trial should have highlighted all the dynamics that come into play with race, racism, and the legal system. It should have shown why Vernon was scared to do the right thing to begin with. It would have been soapy and it would have been timely. We should also be shown how the Duprees having status and wealth are privileged but still vulnerable. Vernon's connections and Bill would ultimately get Martin free, but it would demonstrate how even in their privelege, they are still Black in America. Ultimately, this would give Martin a platform as congressman, even if he would have to start small again and build his way up. I may have mentioned this yesterday, but while being in on the secret we would understand why Martin was keeping the secret from Smitty. We would also still get to see Nicole spiral after learning something else her family kept from her. Nothing that is happening now would have been lost. Perosonally, I think there was such a lack of foresight in telling this story. If the focus was racism and how the law is bias, then this focus on a secret was not the best choice. Unless there was another element of secrecy like Martin having an affair but we don't need another one of those. I also agree with you guys that Smitty shouldn't have thrown Martin out. He clearly just heard the trauma that Martin had endured and everything he was dealing with the past two years and he decided that now is the time to kick him out? Martin messed up and he should have told Smitty sooner, but there should have been more of a discussion as @ranger1rg pointed out.

Marcel: Kenny I'm'a need you to lay there for this photo I got to send Bill. Kenny:

Wait...no...what??? I thought those scenes in the car were horrible. It was like.. Martin: And then he said Mary had a little lamb Martin: Vernon:

A hate crime story and a murder in self-defense definitely doesn't need a twist. However, the way they played it out, there should have been another element of surprise to it. Otherwise, we should have a) seen the crime play out on our screens from the start and riden this story out from the beginning or b) had an early reveal of Martin beating someone to death and later on get a reveal that it was an act of self defense. But to have us watch Martin have his That's So Raven visions but getting to see nothing on our end, made it seem more sinister. It went on for too long with characters repeating conversations as to not spill the secret too soon. Which ultimately led to a letdown, because most of us already assumed this was it. It seems like the writers want to make the Duprees flawed, but not too flawed. I would have been here for Martin being a bit of a hypocrite and forcing Smitty into this heteronormative relationship for his political gain, but ultimately feeling stifled by it and having a little fling on the side. This fling turns ugly when he begins to blackmail Martin for money and things take an ugly turn where maybe Martin would have to defend himself in a similar way. But this just fell flat for me.

I'm having a difficult time understanding why Vernon's first instinct was a cover up. Vernon is a well respected civil rights leader with good standing in his community. Martin is a congressman with a similar reputation as far as we are concerned. They are a wealthy and well connected family as well as being in with the police, they have the "best" lawyer as a family memeber. Of course race plays a role in their apprehension, but they have clout, money, and status on their side. Their story was credible. Why would they pull over the side of a random road to beat some guys, one of which was armed. So why would two reputable men be involved in an intentional murder with two men they have no connection with. Furthermore, Vernon called Marcel and Elon...they could have easily doctored a report that favored the Duprees. That would have been more realistic than two officers just risking their careers and freedom to hide a crime of this magnitude. Bill is the best, but he couldn't argue Vernon and Martin out of this? And what's Joey's role? To intimidate the police and Kenny? To transfer funds for Vernon so it's not tied to the Duprees?

Same here.

Whoops!

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Oh sure, the mighty Dupree are going to rally around Martin and at the end of his press conference they're going to chant Murderers Together. Family Forever. Duprees Strong!

I thought there would be another element that would cause ripples or have other ramifications. I think if they were going the route they did, it would have been better to reveal part of the dream to the audience right away. The part where Martin is beating someone with a lug wrench. It would make us have some sort of doubt about what Martin had done and why, because it comes across as really aggressive. It also would have worked to raise suspicion of Martin, because his behavior has been quite impulsive and abrupt. Finally, we learn that he was just defending himself. I always assumed there was an element of racism since Kenny showed up and would say certain remarks. I will also have to disagree with some of yall and say BC was not that great. He had moments where he was fine and moments where he was not good. Smitty was already in anguish about being lied to and dismissed consistently by Martin. The audience knowing the secret wouldn't change this. The press conference also seems dumb in retrospect, because it led to Martin going home to tell Smitty first like he should. There would have been deeper ramifications had Martin still decided to hold the press conference and reveal everything. He would have to be held accountable in some way, there might even be a trial, Smitty would be further hurt that everyone had to find out before he did. But instead, Martin is now involved in a further murder (although I am still skeptical about Kenny being dead).

That's fair, but then why not play it as the serious story it is instead of making it some big secret to the audience involving most of the men in town including Joey Armstrong. Armstrong's involvement just seems dumb at this point. You have two police officers and Bill why get your hands even dirtier with a mobster? I feel like the reveal was pointless, because to me at least, that is exactly what I was imagining at this point anyway. There was no surprise. As soon as they revealed Martin with a lug wrench I had assumed that he killed the brother and disfigured Kenny. I also knew it would be self defense because Martin is too central of a character. I feel this went on too long for little payoff...but let's see what happens.