Grown-ish Review: A Boy Is a Gun (Season 4 Episode 5)

The first episode of a two-week event, Grown-ish Season 4 Episode 5, “A Boy Is a Gun,” steps away from its typical light-hearted tone and instead takes a cold hard look at the current state of affairs regarding racial injustice in our country. 

With a friend group full of diversity, it presents the perfect opportunity for real conversations to be had about what it means to be a good Black person.

Through the experiences of Doug, we’re guided along the tragedies of Marcus, a Black man who is shot and killed by police outside of a convenience store in Virginia, sparking protests around the country. 

The decision to focus on Doug and his ignorance toward the killings of innocent Black men makes the most sense because his character is lesser-known for standing up against the system. However, his full character arc by the end is organic and thoughtful. 

The opening scene of Doug’s morning run, paralleled with Marcus sharing the same routine across the country provides the perfect example of “wrong place, wrong time.” 

When Doug returns from his run and notices his Instagram feed bombarded with posts about the recent killing and “Justice for Marcus,” he turns a blind eye and continues posting about his party.

Kiela confronts Doug about his thoughtless post and he retaliates saying Marcus’s death is nothing new and that it shouldn’t get in the way of his party. 

This raises an important discussion about performative activism and what the role of Black people is in the fight against racism. Doug asks the age-old question, whether posting on social media instantly puts you on the right side of the fight. 

Doug’s argument stands that no matter if he marches, posts, or fights, the system is already pegged against Black people and there’s nothing that can be done. 

Kiela fights back and they garner the attention of the rest of the group. What starts out as a civil conversation about racism turns into a war, ending with Kiela calling Doug a bad Black person.

Aaron argues that if the Black community hadn’t fought against injustices, there wouldn’t have been Black suffrage and desegregation. And while it might seem like a useless battle, the Civil Rights movement lasted over a decade before it brought about change.

This episode keeps Nomi from the forefront of its dialogue. And as she’s really the only white character, that feels like a deliberate choice. It’s finally time for everyone else to be silenced in the backseat and listen to the Black community.

Emily Arlook as Nomi on Grown-ish.(Freeform/Tiffany Roohani)

Grown-ish does an impeccable job of focusing on real conversations and topics that were circulating during the Black Lives Matter movement. Through its own characters sharing important exchanges and arguments, there are important lessons to be learned.

Also, with the characters in college, it’s the perfect time for them to engage in adult conversations and to look at their own belief systems outside of the ones they have been raised in.

What did you think of this episode of Grown-ish? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Stray Musings:

• “Sorry, dumb white person question.” 
• The difference in economic class between Zoey and Aaron would be fascinating to look at. Aaron’s waning success in job prospects and finding what he wants to do really makes Zoey question their future together.
• Isn’t there a rule against an RA hooking up with their resident? Are they going to ever address that? Although, perhaps Doug’s biggest problem isn’t that Kiela’s his resident, rather that she’s his best friend’s younger sister.

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Grown-ish airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Freeform.

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