Bel-Air Review: Canvass (Season 1 Episode 4)

Bel-Air is strange, because it uses stories from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but puts a darker and modern twist on them. In some ways the show is similar to its source material, and in some ways it’s very different. 

On Bel-Air Season 1 Episode 4, “Canvass,” Phil gets the whole family involved in his run for district attorney. As a result, viewers get to learn a little more about each new version of these beloved characters.

On the original series, Uncle Phil’s run for district attorney comes much later, so to see it so early is a little jarring. But “Canvass” is the best episode of Bel-Air so far because it’s a perfect character showcase. 

For instance, Ashley (who is barely in the first three episodes) sneaks away from her family while her parents are in “Obama mode.” She sneaks off to meet friends that she met playing an online game, including a boy she likes. It takes just a few short scenes to being fleshing out Ashley’s character in an interesting way. 

“Canvass” also reveals a lot about Vivian’s past life as an artist. The fact that Vivian is an artist shows up in the first three episodes, but “Canvass” paints a whole new picture (pun intended) of things she’s done and her identity. 

“Canvass” manages to teach us a lot about each character in a relatively short time, which makes for a compelling episode. This is exactly the kind of character work a new show has to do to retain interest over the long haul. 

But there are also some interesting team-ups!

Will and Carlton doesn’t seem like an interesting pairing, since the two are best friends on the original version of this story. Even though they are at odds so far on Bel-Air, “Canvass” assists them in finding some common ground. This series is much better when Will and Carlton are getting along!

Their relationship is particularly interesting on “Canvass” because they’re both young black men who represent radically different worldviews, and to have that come out in an overtly political story is compelling. Will recognizes that their neighborhood has every reason to be disengaged with the political process, and Carlton’s contradictory view simply fleshes and solidifies Will’s points. 

Though at times it can feel a bit on the nose, “Canvass” truly steps up to navigate life in Bel-Air for someone like Will through a modern day lens, and there are hard truths that can’t be ignored about the broken justice system. Telling stories about Will’s encounters with police and having Phil run for DA has the potential to be a compelling dramatic goldmine.

“Canvass” works because now is the right time to tell these stories, even using an old Fresh Prince story to get there. 

A few stray thoughts:

• Are influencer houses a thing? Never heard of them.
• Jabari Banks is so good on this show, guys. So, so good. 
• Hillary and Jazz have a radically different relationship on Bel-Air, but it works!
• Speaking of Jazz, he’s a distinct change from the DJ Jazzy Jeff version, and has likely changed the most of any character. This is a good thing.
• Tray coming to visit is another story ripped directly from the Fresh Prince. 
• By the way, you all know that Rashad is most certainly not dead, right?

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

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New episodes of Bel-Air stream Thursdays on Peacock.

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