Bel-Air Season Finale Review: Where To? (Season 1 Episode 10)
Bel-Air, for all its faults, certainly ended its first season on a high note.
On Bel-Air Season 1 Episode 10, “Where To?,” the tension bubbling in the Banks family surrounding Will’s father finally boils over — when Lou shows up to see his son.
With all of the attention that gets paid to the one iconic scene about Will’s dad on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Lou showing up on Bel-Air was an inevitability. But the questions like who would play him and in what context would he appear remained to be answered…until now!
Marlon Wayans joins the cast of Bel-Air in the pivotal role of Will’s father, Lou. Though Wayans is known for comedy, he proves he’s more than up to the dramatic task on Bel-Air. And boy is it ever dramatic.
Lou Smith: I ain’t the same man you used to know, Phil. I wouldn’t be here if I was.
Lou’s arrival brings a ton of buried feelings to the surface for all of the characters on Bel-Air – but obviously it affects Will the most. He feels betrayed by Phil and Vivian AND by his father. Jabari Banks navigates those beats deftly from scene to scene, and he and Wayans match each others levels effortlessly.
All of the elements surrounding Lou’s arrival and eventual meeting with Will are perfectly constructed by the Bel-Air team.
Carlton’s genuine concern for Will, Phil and Vivian’s conflict, the heartbreaking disconnect with Lisa and the father-son confrontation all combine perfectly to form some of the best storytelling that Bel-Air has done.
Of all of these stories, Carlton’s is perhaps the best. His character has the most complete, transformational arc over the course of Bel-Air‘s first season, and the suggestion that he and Will stay close beyond this season is encouraging. Olly Sholotan’s performance is incredible.
Aside from the best dramatic work of the year, “Where To?” finally lets the show be funny for a bit. Jazz (isn’t Jordan L. Jones fantastic?) generates some legitimate laughs, but also comes through in an important dramatic spot.
Jazz: “Is that a scallop? I ain’t never had a scallop”
DJ Jazzy Jeff will always be important to Fresh Prince fans, but Jones’ Jazz is a perfect pillar of Bel-Air. He’s a fun scene partner/lover for Hilary, a good friend to Will, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny.
“Where To?” concludes a rollercoaster of a season with a high-quality episode that’s in the running for 2022’s best. Bel-Air seems to have slowly figured out the dramatic angle to this series, and it shows.
A few stray thoughts:
- This is a fantastic episode either way, but Hilary’s Kylo problem didn’t need a resolution in Season 1.
- It’s always been obvious where the Will/Lisa story was going — but Carlton going to Lisa for help finding Will is one of the best scenes Bel-Air has done yet.
- Ashley doesn’t have much to do on this show yet, but she has some banger one liners. “…someone needs to watch their throne a little closer” is a devastating comment.
- Geoffrey is mentioned, but his presence is sorely missed on “Where To?” Please bring him back to me now.
What did you think of this episode of Bel-Air? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The entire first season of Bel-Air is now streaming on Peacock.
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Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.