Black-ish season 4, episode 21 recap: Blue Valentine

Last night Black-ish aired episode two in the four-episode arc dedicated to the Johnson’s marital issues. Beautifully shot and masterfully acted, this was some of the best drama you’ll find on television.

By the time the latest episode of Black-ish reached the first commercial break, it became clear that there were not going to be many laughs. Fans of the show were aware that we are in the midst of a serious arc, but in the last episode there were still some light moments. However for the appropriately titled “Blue Valentine” the writing team dove head first into the drama.

The episode started normal enough. Dre and Bow are preparing the kids to head out with grandma, and everyone is their normal vibrant selves, until the kids close the door. The color in the shot fades to a pale blue, which remained throughout the episode, and the smiles disappear from Dre and Bow’s faces. At that moment we knew the episode would be different, but we could not be prepared for just how different.

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Renovations

Bow and Dre silently make their way to the kitchen and it is clear that they don’t want to be in the same room. Dre says that he’s going to head into work, which surprises Bow since it’s a Saturday. She sheepishly asks if he’d like to go to brunch. The entire scene feels like the two barely know each other.

When the doorbell rings it catches them both by surprise. That is before Bow realizes that they scheduled their kitchen remodel for this day.

Flashback 1: Additions

Immediately after, we get a flashback of the day they decided to renovate. It was the day Bow came home with the first sonograms of Devante. She insisted that the first room they renovate be the kitchen. In the flashbacks the color returns to the show since the family was happy at this time.

Kitchen Sink

As they try to decide on a kitchen sink, another argument bubbles up. This time it’s the dishes. Dre slyly mentions that Bow doesn’t stay on top of them and Bow retorts with a comment about him never doing them. Before this blows up they decide to move to the decor and come back to the sink at another time. They then argue over color with Bow getting his favorite color wrong and him getting hers right and walking off disappointed.

Flashback 2: We know each other

In the second flashback, Bow and Dre are young. It’s likely not long after they moved in and they’re having a game night with Janine and her husband and it’s clear they’re in sync. They’re reminding us of a time when they were young and in love. They knew everything about each other.

Back to reality

Just before the first commercial break Dre decides that he’s going to head to the office after all.

Renovations under way

When the show comes back the renovations are well under way and the house is a mess. Dre comes in yelling about the state of how things are and that he hates living there, Bow starts to respond but does so under her breath so as not to engage.

Flashback 3: Our house

In the third flashback we see the Johnson’s when they first moved into the house as there is nothing inside. Bow is pregnant and they’re happy just being in the same space together.

Back to the sink

They again try to figure out the sink when Bow tells Dre that she already told him what she wanted but he wasn’t listening. She adds that she mentioned wanting flowers too but he doesn’t listen and he decides to tell her why he doesn’t get her flowers.

Flashback 4: Flowers

In this flashback, Dre put together a scavenger hunt, which leads to Bow unveiling a single rose. Dre is clearly proud of this but Bow laughs because she thinks it’s a joke that he’d make her go through all of that for a single rose. This hurt Dre to the point where he never bought flowers again.

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Dre holds things in

Bow apologizes and says that she could have apologized sooner had he said something instead of holding onto it. She points out that he has a pattern of doing this. The argument goes downhill from there as Dre says that she always has to be right and can never admit when she’s wrong.

This is the loudest the two have been as they are outright shouting at each other. That’s when a contractor slams down the cabinets he’s removed. We never engage the contractor but the slam serves to stop the argument. The couple sees Jake’s footprint on the inside of one of the cabinets and seem somewhat emotional for a second.

At that point however, Dre tells Bow that she can pick the sink and to just do what she wants with the kitchen. He doesn’t care anymore.

This, again, was another escalation before commercial break.

Flashback 5: Ruby’s advice on marriage

When the show returns from break we find Ruby passed out on the couch. Young Dre comes out and asks if she and his father are fighting and she gives him some amazing advice on marriage.

She tells him that it’s hard for adults to share a life. She and his father married young and as they grew older they became different people. Ruby tells him that marriage is about choices, and that you have to keep choosing each other even if you aren’t sure it’s the right choice. The last thing she tells him is that the trick is to keep falling in love with each other and to be sure that the person you fall in love with is worth it to you.

History repeats

As we come back to the present day, Dre is waking up on the couch to the sound of his kids entering the home. He quickly scurries to the kitchen to create the illusion that he was already awake and that’s why he’s downstairs. Bow walks in as well and we get our last flashback.

Flashback 5: We were happy once

We get a montage of all of the highlights of Dre and Bow’s relationship. From the day they met, to their wedding, and so on. It’s one last reminder that things were great for a long time before we are thrust back into the current state of affairs.

How did we get here?

Back in the present, the two address each other like strangers as the kids sit down for breakfast.

We then fast-forward a bit as the kitchen has been completed now. Dre comes in and asks Bow if she wants a cup-o-noodles. He seems to be trying to be romantic, perhaps relive some of their earlier days but she shoots it down immediately saying that it’s terrible for you. This completely kills his vibe and he throws the noodles away. As he starts to leave Bow stops him again.

She tells him that she thinks they need space and Dre agrees. Bow points out that it’s the first thing they’ve agreed on in a while. As Coldplay’s “Fix You” begins to play, Dre is standing in front of the door about to exit with a bag in his hand. Before he goes he stops and asks Bow: “How the hell did we get here?” Bow tearfully replies: “I don’t know.” as Dre walks out and she heads upstairs.

Next: Black-ish recap: Fifty-three Percent

Summary

We went in-depth with this Black-ish recap because there was a lot happening. The writers clearly wanted fans of the show to feel the weight of the situation and did not pull any punches. This episode felt like it should have come with a complimentary box of kleenex. This was tough to endure and it’s hard to imagine going through this for two more episodes. Thus far, the couple has kept their issues away from the kids but with Dre leaving the house, the couple will be talking with the kids in the next episode. Here’s to hoping we get to see some light at the end of the tunnel next week.

Black-ish returns next Tuesday at 9/8 Central on ABC.