Grown-ish Review: Demons (Season 4 Episode 3)
After a global pandemic ravages the fall semester of their senior year, the gang is back together on campus on Grown-ish Season 4 Episode 3, “Demons,” ready to make the most of their final semester.
The decision to fast forward through lockdown was a bold, but necessary choice made by the writers. Viewers are already well aware of what quarantine looks like, so there was no reason to dedicate an entire episode to online school.
However, it was strange to see everything back to normal when that’s certainly not the current reality. It begs the question, was this season of Grown-ish planned when people were making modest predictions of COVID’s end date?
Anyway, everyone’s ready to confront their inner demons and start fresh. Especially Zoey, whose feelings of guilt for wrecking Aaron and Rochelle’s relationship are surfaced when she’s forced to interact with Rochelle.
In order to graduate, Zoey needs an internship, and of course, Rochelle is the student worker she needs to go through. After their initial exchange goes too well, Zoey learns Aaron failed to mention his new relationship to Rochelle.
Zoey is immediately conflicted about whether or not she should tell Rochelle directly about her relationship with Aaron. As she’s enjoying a midday beer with the ladies, Nomi and Ana have two conflicting opinions.
The scene is very much an angel and devil situation sitting on Zoey’s shoulder, with Nomi wearing a white jacket and Ana wearing red pants. That can’t be a coincidence, right? Sly move, wardrobe team.
While both present convincing arguments, Zoey’s not sold on either option. Instead, she goes ahead with her original decision to tell Rochelle.
In a well-crafted scene, Rochelle puts Zoey in her place and diminishes the “good person” title Zoey was hoping for.
No conversation between an ex and the homewrecker is going to end well. So as expected, Zoey leaves stripped of her dignity, but at least she has Aaron and a partially cleared conscience.
Zoey’s character is accurately flawed with selfishness and a conflated ego. But, when you’re the oldest and favorite child of Dre Johnson, that characterization is expected.
This situation seems to be a tipping point for Zoey, as she’s slowly becoming aware that there are consequences to her actions.
Meanwhile, Vivek’s sentenced to community service to literally wipe his slate clean. Although, his drug-dealing offenses seem to be catching up to him, as he receives a call informing him of his expulsion from Cal U.
And it doesn’t look like money’s going to save him this time. Vivek’s seriously one of the worst characters on this show, and his absence wouldn’t be much of a loss.
At least the group is back together on campus. So let all the parties, shenanigans, and more drama ensue!
What did you think of this episode of Grown-ish? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Stray Musings:
- The beginning minute feels like a moment out of The Walking Dead. It’s the perfect sequence to portray the pandemic.
- Every university needs to learn from Cal U’s internship office. The opportunities they offer are unbelievable!
- “At least she didn’t call me a bitch.” “Uh, bye bitch!”
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Grown-ish airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Freeform.
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Inga Parkel
Inga is an avid TV watcher and critic, some of her favorites include The Bold Type, Sex Education, and How I Met Your Mother. She focuses a majority of her articles on LGBTQ+ representation in the media.