Blindspotting Review: Beaches Be Trippin’ (Season 1 Episode 5)
Blindspotting Season 1 Episode 5, “Beaches Be Trippin’,” is, undoubtedly, the show’s strongest outing yet. It’s a touching, humorous, and poignant dive into the inner complexities of our main characters. “Beaches Be Trippin'” answers the question of what really drives our core cast.
It should come as no surprise anymore, but Jasmine Cephas Jones steals the show with her portrayal of the nuanced and convoluted Ashley Jones. Notably, her monologue prior to her drug trip regarding the increasingly devastating situation with Miles. That scene alone should be Cephas Jones’ Emmy submission.
Additionally, Blindspotting toys with allowing other characters to break the fourth wall with eloquent prose. From the first scene with Ashley and Miles to Earl delivering a monologue to the camera while running home from his job interview, “Beaches Be Trippin'” takes its unique formatting to a new level.
It’s like watching a Shakespearean play unfold.
Benjamin Earl Turner continues to imbue Earl with a half-glass-full romanticism that’s quite endearing. His fourth wall prose, especially his line about having a body “shaped like a hashtag,” is such a punch to the gut. It speaks to the countless innocent Black people who’ve died at the hands of cops.
One of Earl’s scenes deftly handles the judgment that comes with wearing an ankle monitor. Even though Earl is trying to “better” himself by attending a job interview, he receives a plethora of judgmental glances for donning the said ankle monitor. The stigma that those on parole are “dangerous” or they went to jail for a vile crime is real, and it’s a reminder of just how little people understand the justice system.
While Blindspotting addresses the racial disparities in our justice system and systemic racism as a whole, “Beaches Be Trippin'” takes it a step further with powerful visuals. Namely, when Ashley, Janelle, Trish, and Jacque are tripping on the beach. The scene wherein they battle white male judges sporting powdered wigs is a visceral image.
ASHLEY: Monsters ain’t under the bed, they come cuffing in the night, and I don’t want his first monster to be the one that ate his papa alive.
“Beaches Be Trippin'” catapults the narrative forward in terms of Ashley and Trish’s oftentimes frictional relationship. Trish’s need to be exposed and wear her heart on her sleeve juxtaposed with Ashley’s steel-edged demeanor make for an interesting viewing experience. It also speaks to society’s desire to put Black women in a box.
According to our media, Black women are usually “angry.” But Blindspotting rightfully shuts down that stereotype by asserting the truth — that Black women contain multitudes. They are soft and strong, all at once.
Both Ashley and Trish appear to collapse under the weight of societal expectations. However, Ashley’s declaration of “F*ck it” at the end of the episode is her casting those unnecessary expectations aside. It’s an empowering moment that Blindspotting perfectly showcases.
“Beaches Be Trippin'” is a stark reminder that Blindspotting is one of the best shows on TV right now. It’s thought-provoking, moving, humorous, and theatrical while bolstered by strong performances across the board. William Shakespeare would definitely be a fan.
What did you think of this episode of Blindspotting? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Blindspotting airs Sundays at 9/8c on Starz.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.