Grown-ish Review: Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See (Season 4 Episode 6)

The second episode of the two-week event, Grown-ish Season 4 Episode 6, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” continues the important narrative of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement. 

The first thing that needs to be mentioned is the soundtrack of this episode. It’s so deliberate and goes to show that there is a perfect song for any moment. In the opening scene during the peaceful protest at Cal U, an acapella protester sings “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday.

A quick history lesson. This song is known as the original protest song and was banned in many U.S. cities out of fear it would provoke civil unrest. 

This choice is unbelievably perfect, and as someone who didn’t know this factoid until doing some quick research, I have even greater respect for the thought that went into making this episode. 

It evokes emotional depth and beauty during a scene that is extremely powerful. Even the song that plays during the bigger LA protests, “Little Ghetto Boy,” and “What A Wonderful World” elevates the raw vehemence of the horrible tensions between protestors and police.

The previous episode, Grown-ish Season 4 Episode 5, “A Boy Is a Gun,“ is the perfect build-up to the action. Where the first episode of the two-week event really focuses on the conversations between the friend group, this episode provides the action and fight that they are talking about — the “actions speak louder than words,” if you will. 

While half of the group steps down and decides to comply with the mandated curfew, the other half decides to join the bigger protests in LA. 

Jazz, Zoey, and Nomi return to the house and engage in some very important conversations. Beforehand, Nomi had taken the backseat, but this time they decided to put her at the forefront. 

It has to be done, this is an issue of race, and since Nomi’s the only white friend of the group it only makes sense. 

As Jazz is reading live updates on which locations are getting hit, Nomi opines that “those people” shouldn’t be using the riots as an opportunity to loot and destroy property. 

This jumpstarts the important discussion about the emphasis on the rioter’s actions versus the oppressors. Again, as a show that uses its platform to highlight Black voices, these conversations are especially major. 

Nomi’s defensiveness against Zoey and Jazz calling her out on her racist ideals is a realistic portrayal. It isn’t until Nomi’s conversation with her mother about attacking her character provides her greater insight into how she’s been acting, that she understands white fragility.

Meanwhile, Ana and Javi are engaging in similar arguments, but Javi’s not so forgiving nor understanding. While standing in line at the food truck, Javi thanks the police officers for their service in front of Black protestors. 

Ana confronts him, and instead of listening, he acts defensive and says all the wrong things. Ana really needs to just throw the whole man out, but instead, he’s the one who breaks up with her.

It seems they needed a character with problematic views, and Javi is the most disposable character. If their breakup is official, this may have be his final episode. 

This episode really covers the full spectrum of important conversations, and the two-episode event is, dare I say, two of its best stories so far.

The crux of the show is really to uplift young Black voices. And Instead of putting out an immediate response to the BLM movement, Grown-ish took its time to perfect and make its message clear. What a success!

The biggest question now is, how do they plan on casually transitioning from such a heavy two weeks? 

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

Stray Musings:

• “Just six months ago you confused Clarence Thomas with Danny Glover.”
• The irony of Jazz playing soft jazz from her coffee mug is hysterical!
• It looks like Kiela’s here to stay along with her budding relationship with Doug. Sorry, Luca. It looks like Doug is going to continue “fondling your kin.” Luca really is eclectic!

Critic Rating:

Luca

User Rating:

 

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

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