Black-ish - The Gift of Hunger - Review: "The Best of the Season"

Episode 1.07 - "The Gift of Hunger"

Directed By: Victor Nelli

Written By: Peter Saji

After the kids turn their collective noses up at Dre's favorite cheap restaurant in his old 'hood, he decides it's time to give them a reality check. He insists all of them get jobs. But when Andre Jr. and Zoey start working at his office, he can't help but interfere, and Jack and Diane's efforts to make some spare cash leave the neighbors thinking the family has fallen on hard times, much to Bow's embarrassment.

Season Guide

1.01 - "Pilot"
1.02 - "The Talk"
1.03 - "The Nod"
1.04 - "Crazy Mom"
1.05 - "Crime and Punishment"
1.06 - "Prank King"
1.07 - "The Gift of Hunger" - Review
1.08 - "Oedipal Triangle" - Review

Recap

Dre takes his family to his favorite cheap restaurant from when he was a kid. The kids are unhappy and refuse to eat the food leading Dre to the realization that his kids are spoiled. Dre blames Rainbow for spoiling the kids but she argues there's nothing wrong with giving the kids more than they had.

The twins went to their neighbors asking for food leading them to believe the family is struggling. Rainbow is upset by the "pity casserole" from the neighbors and tells Dre he has to teach the kids a lesson because now she looks bad.

Dre calls a family meeting and informs the kids that they all must get jobs. Dre believes they don't appreciate anything because everything has been handed to them.

Dre brings Junior and Zoey to work with him while Rainbow is in charge of the twins. The twins start a lemonade stand but when they go inside to get more lemonade, the neighbor Jeanine sees Rainbow and insists on giving her money. Rainbow decides the twins have learned their lesson but doesn't want them to be quitters, so they move the stand to another neighborhood.

Zoey starts a blog teaching make up tips. Dre tells her to come up with three pitches and gets her a meeting at the make up company, Hard Candy. Dre makes a video pitch and Zoey is upset that he has done all the work for her and quits.

Dre apologizes to Zoey for taking over and praises her pitches. He tells her Hard Candy sent her free make up and would pay her for sharing with her followers.

Review

I'm really glad I decided to give Black-ish a try, because I really enjoyed this episode like A LOT. I watch 3 out of the 4 ABC comedies on a Wednesday night, and this one really surprised me last week. I find that the cast work so well together, I also like the fact that the whole 'black' theme isn't thrown in our faces, like it was in the pilot.

Another thing I love about the show, is the amount of character development we get in each episode, this week we got to learn a lot about Zoe. Speaking of Zoe, I though it was neat that she was interested in something that Dre actually liked, but then Zoe didn't end up needing Dre's help after all? But I'm interested to see this Dre and Zoey relationship grow.

The opening scene was a great scene for me, it really set the whole episode up, but somehow I don't think Dre's grand plan to teach the family a lesson worked out so well.

My favorite character this episode was Junior, he just tried so hard to get those damn coffees right. I do give him credit for working so hard, but it was so funny when he hit the glass wall with all the coffees!

Now onto the other half of the family, I think Rainbow cares a little too much about what the neighbors think, well I don't think its worth taking a Mercedes out to prove a point!?! But the twins were very cute as always with their lemonade stand.

Now theirs Charlie, he is a unique and funny character, I hope they find a way to weave him into the story more often, because I am really enjoying his character so far. Speaking of characters, where was Pops? I really like his character as well, so I hope we see home some more in the next few episodes.

Quotes

Dre: "I'm giving you the gift of hunger."
Junior: "Does it come with a receipt? Because I'd like to return it."

Rainbow: "Dre I have worked too hard and I went to school for too long and I took way too much Affirmative Action money. I mean, I may have even taken a scholarship from a Pacific Islander. Okay I did, but I can easily pass for a Samoan."

Diane: "Why is there a plastic roof all over the food?"
Dre: "Baby that's a sneeze guard, it's to protect the food."
Jack: "From getting into our mouths?"

Junior: "Oh, I get it. They charge you for all you can eat but put out food no one will eat, maniacal!"

Dre: "Babe I'm just trying to give you a nudge, help you pave the road."
Zoey: "Pave the road? you ran me over."

Wrap Up

This week's Black-ish was the best episode so far, and I'm really enjoying this series so far. I quite enjoy the amount of character development in each episode, and I find the cast quite enjoyable, I am really looking forward to the rest of the season!

Rating: A

What are your thoughts on this week's Black-ish? Who is your favorite character? Leave your comments down below! Catch Blackish on ABC at 9:30/8:30c!

About the Author - Ben Norton

Ben is a 16 year old student living in New Zealand. He enjoys many things including web design as well as mobile technology. He is also a very avid TV show watcher, watching shows such as Chicago Fire/PD, Person of Interest, The Big Bang Theory, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, The 100, Scorpion and much much more! This season he will be reviewing NCIS: New Orleans, Red Band Society, Hawaii Five-0 and ABC Comedies Modern Family, The Middle and Black-ish. Feel free to contact him on the social networks below or email him at ben@spoilertv.com

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