Recap: The Time Is Now in Queen Sugar’s “Of Their Sojourn Here”
Season 3, Episode 2 | Grade: 9.0/10
Writer: Anthony Sparks | Director: Patricia Cardoso
In the two-part season premiere, “Of Their Sojourn Here” shows the Bordelons each trying to navigate challenges in their personal and professional lives.
Neo-soul singer Erykah Badu summed it up the best when it comes to cultivating art as a creative, “Keep in mind that I’m an artist, so I’m sensitive about my shit.” Nova (Rutina Wesley) flips through the pages of the newspaper to find her feature on the teen activists she interviewed only to find it misconstrued with the headline, “‘Woke’ Black Teens Cause Trouble at Basketball Classic.’” Knowing enough about her as a character, never tamper with something she values the most: her activism.
As a writer (from personal experience), one of the most offensive thing is to have the voice of your work completely dismantled which ultimately leaves vulnerable for negativity. In this case, Nova’s intention to give voice to four black teenagers who peacefully protesting during the National Anthem on their intentions with the result of better treatment for black people in America has been heavily diluted.
Her editor Steve, who knew she’d be upset for the abrupt changes and sent it to press before she’d talk him out of it, saying she’s been labelled a “Black Identity Extremist.” The newspaper’s advertisement has plummeted since her previous op-ed on Trump’s America went viral (which he once loved and couldn’t wait to publish) leading him to suggest her taking a break from reporting until controversy dies down will be best. Telling Nova Bordelon to be silent is like telling a fish not to swim.
She then contemplates her next move: quitting the newspaper to focus on her book. Sharing this news with her friends she gets a mixed response. Nova’s friend Sierra (Deja Dee) wants her to think things through on potentially giving up her job security because she feels she’s compromising her work and voice to appeal to the newspaper’s tactic to play it safe is no different.
“We support you, whatever you decide. Girl, tread carefully.” — Sierra
Aunt Vi (Tina Lifford) on the other hand is betting on herself by any means necessary to complete a large order of pies to be sold at the grocery store. After Vi’s Pies sold out due to word of mouth alone to the surprise of owner Jarrett Rawlings (Dave Maldonado) who requests a double order, an offers a central display and a 25 percent royalty increase. Even with the obstacles she faces throughout the episode even kissing the behind of Miss Effie by offering to donate 10 percent of her sales to the St. Agnes Society to cook in the church’s kitchen.
“You should just go in on your book,” she tells Nova. “Bet on yourself, baby. That’s what I’m doing, finally, after 59 years.”
Arriving to the arrives to the grocery with her family, she’s disappointed to find that her pies aren’t accurately displayed, she desperately swaps them with a different display. Embarrassed, she runs off as Hollywood (Omar J. Dorsey) and Nova follows and I couldn’t help but feel for her as she shed tears.
“I know it’s a little thing but it’s my little thing. I’m almost 60 years-old and I will not be sidelined, sidetracked or sidestepped or put in a damn corner and told to wait my turn. Not another day. It’s my time. It’s my time!” Listening from a distance, her face glowing as she’s quietly soaking in her aunt’s words that gives her the confirmation she needed: bet on herself.
I couldn’t help but chuckle from the way Nova strutted in Steve’s office for what quickly becomes her final meeting that she reconsidered creating a new story and instead drops “the envelope” on his desk. Neither will she be put in a corner and told to wait her turn. The sly smile on her face and head tilt was so Nova. For the last time, walking down those spiral stairs and looking off into the distance free and ready for what’s next.
“So, this is you now? Tricking your own people into giving you their own business so you can turn around and give it to the Landrys? Your hands are getting dirty.” — Remy
“Well, if they are it’s because that’s what happens to people who are actually trying to change things instead of, I don’t know, living on the sidelines.” — Charley
Charley’s (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) continuous saga in uncovering dirt with Sam Landry (David Jensen) keeps unfolding, leading to her meeting Jacob Boudreaux (Lea Coco) at the docks to with the hopes of taking her out on his father’s boat. It’s so evident that he’s becoming enchanted with her and to toast his new partnership with her that hints at Charley’s hidden secret unbeknownst to him.
“My daddy’s superstitious. He said, ‘Always toast a new partnership as close to the water as possible.’ He believed that people could pretend to be something else on dry ground than they could pretend to be on rough water.” — Jacob Boudreaux
Stroking his infatuation towards her, she asks him why Landry Enterprises is allowing her farmers to keep their discount rates. Boudreaux reveals that Landry wanted to break the deal — which is no shock — but the Boudreauxs stopped him because they stand by their word. By Charley getting the one percent stake in the business, he says that makes her family, the in that she needs. Suddenly that champagne tastes even sweeter .
But like Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) said out of concern for Boudreaux’s growing infatuation, I want her to tread lighting of what lines she crosses.
The video of Officer Orson (Don Yesso) beating a black male goes viral as reported on the news causing a public outcry and demand for his resignation. Charley texts Vicky, “Thank you. See you soon,” who we finally meet and understand what role she plays. Vicky is her insider and manages to gather shocking information on Landry: he’s been drowning in debt for two years. The next obstacle is the team of lawyers he has that are “tighter than Fort Knox” they’d have to get through. I’m curious to see what more these two women have in store for the rest of season three.
Other Notes:
· Charley gets hit on by a guy who fixes her truck outside of the club who couldn’t help but to give her his number. Will she pursue and if she does, how can she juggle him and Boudreaux who’s under the impression that they’re becoming an item?
· Ralph Angel is eligible to get off parole in three months instead of a year and is asked to consider hiring non-violent offenders to work the land as a positive bur he doesn’t look too thrilled.
· The tug-of-war between Micah (Nicholas L. Ashe) and Charley on his interest in attending public school ends with a collage of his photography speaking a thousand words that he couldn’t to persuade her earlier. As I mentioned in the previous review that Micah expressed to her, he desperately wants an identity outside of being a black celebrity kid label.
· With the police video going viral and Micah viewing it online which triggered his memory of the experience, I’m glad that Davis (Timon Kyle Durrett) reminded her to be conscious of Micah’s trauma.
· Blue’s defiance continues as he back talks Ralph Angel during a shopping trip with Hollywood. He later questions if he could go through raising him and the two have a brief reconciliation.
