whitneydaniell

This is a review of the made-for-TV series, based on Zakiya Dalila Harris’s book, The Other Black Girl.

Episode 01: They Say I’m Different

The series kicks off, just as the book does. We’re introduced to Nella, an editorial assistant to Vera at Wagner Books, a book publishing house. As the only black employee at Wagner, Nella is happy to see a new face when Maisy introduces her to her new editorial assistant, Hazel-May McCall. Wagner is clearly working on its diversity in the literal sense, but are they ready for diversity of thought? That is tested when Nella has an opposing opinion of a character in a new book. She wants to be honest but also wants to be amenable. While teetering between her feelings, something or someone is leaving her hints about Wagner, and they want her out, now! But Nella has an ally, someone she can look to who will back her up—or does she?

Episode 02: After The Storm

You’re my dog’s godmother for Christ’s sake.

Vera Parini

We pick up right after the fallout between Nella and Colin. At what point in our career do we start to compromise our beliefs and values for a paycheck? This is the question that Nella is battling. After being honest with her take on a character in Colin’s new book, the whole office is looking at Nella sideways, and her boss, Vera, is damn near forcing her to apologize or be fired. In Nella’s newfound “friendship” with Hazel, she realizes that they both have very different definitions of the word. To get back into some good graces with Vera, Nella pitches an idea that falls flat, and she bends to her wishes and apologizes to Colin — UGH. After putting her pride to the side, then here comes Vera who tries to take credit for Nella’s idea in front of the BIG boss, Richard Wagner.

Hazel, cool thanks for the assist but, I don’t know if I can trust you just yet.

Episode 03: I Know a Place

Young Kendra Rae Phillips and Diana Gordon are a blast from the past. What happened there? What happened between them?

But back at Wagner, I’m still side-eyeing Hazel and Nella is being too open with information. Your coworkers are not your friends. This is the beginning of the end of Hazel and Nella.

Episode 04: What About Your Friends

No matter what happens moving forward, I am on Malaika’s side. We meet Malaika in episode 1 as Nella’s best friend. She is commiserating with Nella regarding the diversity at Wagner and is just as excited for the new Black girl as Nella. However, in this episode, we see her be the protective ‘Mama Bear’ of Nella’s naivete. Nella also is introduced to Diana Gordon, the author of her favorite book, by Richard Wagner, which feels off. Like Richard introduced her for his own ulterior motive—I guess we’ll see how that goes. Nella’s admiration for Diana is meant to take our eyes off something, or rather, distract Nella from something because she is still getting notes urging her to leave Wagner.

The dinner party scene between Hazel and Malaika was, a chef’s kiss, perfect. How don’t you know, Baby, Baby, Baby?

— Shout Out to Snob Life Salon in Atlanta, owned by Ming Lee. I’m pretty sure that’s where the salon scene was shot.

Episode 05: Don’t You Want Me

Vera is a typical, crying-after-the-fact white woman. Nella tried to tell her in the beginning, and now Colin’s book and Wagner are getting hashtags, canceled.

Richard Wagner, who is this woman? Hazel is pretending to be sick from work, but she’s actually having lunch with the enemy. Where did this relationship come fromver it came from, Richard is giving Nella the opportunity to re-release her favorite book, Burning Heart, but something seems inauthentic about it. Then, Nella runs off to do exactly what her boyfriend and friends told her not to do: meet the “stalker”. Is she a stalker, or is she trying to protect Nella from herself? Because, at this point, Nella is going along to get along. Who is Eva?

The live with Colin – BRILLIANT!!!

Episode 06: Fake Smiles

Your white boyfriend and I, taught you better than that.

Malaika

Hazel is in the mix and I don’t like it. She’s popping up at Malaika’s job and then at Owen’s job, it’s strange. Hazel doesn’t know Owen like that and she knows him through Nella, it seems inappropriate for her to go there. Nella clocked him on it and then Owen switched up. Malaika is back with the common sense. What did I say before? I’m on her side, always.

You were willing to embarrass yourself for them. Would they do the same for you?How much longer are you willing to compromise yourself for a paycheck?

Jesse Watson

Ooooh, it’s all coming out in this episode. Kendra Rae Phillips, Diana Gordon, and Richard Wager all know each other in some kind of way. A trip to a barber shop sends Owen, Malaika, and Nella into a tailspin. Nella is naive and way too easily impressed by Hazel but something about her is not sitting well in my spirit. She confronts Hazel about the name, Eva and Hazel reacts very oddly and lashes out on Nella, for why? I don’t know. Nella didn’t seek out this woman, this woman found her. Hazel your anger is directed toward the wrong person and, we don’t believe you, you need more people.

Episode 07: Caught in the Rapture

Who is Shani?! Why are they eating pie so sensual-like?

A marketing meeting with only two people of color is very indicative of corporate culture in the real world. But here we have Nella, yet again, pandering to Hazel as if she is her only friend in the whole wide world. I wish Nella would have some self-respect and see this snake for what she is. Nella go to your Bridgerton watch party. Why would you play your interests down just to make Hazel more comfortable — NELLA IRKS ME. The white boyfriend, Owen, is tap dancing on my nerves. He is pacifying this naive spirit that Nella has instead of seeing the forest for the trees.

I want to yell at my TV in hopes that Nella will hear, “LISTEN TO MALAIKA!” This “hair party” is some ‘Get Out’ mess — they’re in the sunken place and Nella is so desperate to have friends that she is going along to get along. THESE WOMEN ARE CRAZY.

— This episode is about the same place in the book where it went off the rails for me.

Capitalism is just a different kinda cult.

Malaika

Nella, you in danger girl.

Episode 08: The End of Love

Let’s put the pieces together…finally. Richard Wagner is at the top of the pyramid right now, but somehow Wagner is connected to Kendra and Diana. Hazel, we’re on to you, girl. Nella, the first rule in conspiracies is that you need to know who to trust. I don’t trust Diana Gordon, and you’re talking too much, telling her too much. See: Jesse Watson, “I’m joining the Wagner family.” Nella, YOU’RE TALKING TOO MUCH TO THE WRONG PEOPLE! Naive.

Since when do we walk out into a street and not look both ways? Why are we not aware of our surroundings? This is suspended reality because in no way, shape, or form would I just run out into a street or run outside without first checking for what and who is around me – especially when there are crazy pod people after me! This is what I hated about Nella in the book. She is willfully ignorant of what is happening around her.

Malaika better be okay.

Episode 09: To Be Young, Gifted, and Broke

We are finally getting the origin story because I knew all the players, just needed to see it play out. We get Hazel’s backstory and the origin of the “sisterhood”.

Come on finale!

Episode 10: Down with Disease

My first take: this starting scene is poorly acted! I hate that for them.

Hazel is really selling this “sisterhood”. Her whole monologue makes sense but the context of trying to get Nella over to the dark side is annoying. Without the grease, Nella was already willing to compromise her integrity for her job, now Hazel wants her to compromise herself, who she is at her core, to assimilate. One of those is not like the other and one is much worse. The bottom is going to fall out of this plan, I just know it.

Oohh should we expect a season 2?!

My Final Thoughts: Create a playlist of all the songs, like they did for Insecure. I want it. I might need to rewatch to give a more in-depth review but, for now, this is what I’ve got.