Queenie Episode 1: The Prodigal Daughter Returns
The episode begins with Queenie laying down in an exam room, her legs hoisted in stirrups, as her nurse not so subtly hurls micro-aggression after micro-aggression her way. She dismisses her pain after forcefully inserting the ultrasound wand in her vagina during the exam by saying “I’m sure you’ll be fine, strong girl like you,” then proceeds to assume she’s had more than one sexual partner, and talks about her case with other staff in the room like she isn’t there. The nurse tops it all off at the end of the visit with an “I’m sorry. What did you say your name was?”
One would hope the hospital visit was as bad as it got, until she makes her way to work and has the front door shut in her face. She then must contend with the lobby attendant aggressively gesturing to Queenie to produce her work badge, despite her face being plastered on a DIVERSITY & INCLUSION poster on the wall that she looks at, then looks at the attendant as if to say, you can’t put two and two together? But he clearly doesn’t care. Show your badge or get out.
She tries to keep it together at work, but it all comes to a head while at dinner at her boyfriend’s family’s house, where she says what she was thinking aloud in response to her boyfriend’s grandmother being widely racist with her comments about what Queenie and Tom’s kids could look like:
If you two had children, I have to admit, they would be lovely. The color of milky coffee. And if we’re in luck, they’ll have your eyes Queenie, which are just gorgeous, all those lashes, but they’d get Tom’s lovely, straight nose.
I so wanted Queenie to hear me say to the TV, for him! when he said that she’s just too much. There was nothing wrong with her, but she was wrong for him. They were wrong for each other. But I am a woman and her mid-30s who clearly sees what’s happening, while Queenie still wants to make it work despite the fact that Tom either doesn’t care to, or is emotionally incapable of validating her experiences with the microaggressions and racism she’s dealt with nonstop. Witnessing their interaction suggested to me that even if she tried, he’d likely dismiss or attempt to rationalize what happened, and as a result, make Queenie question herself or think she’s crazy. I couldn’t help but wonder if this had something to do with the bad fight she alluded to earlier on in the episode, but that’s left unconfirmed.
We’re introduced to Queenie’s friend Kyazike who blesses us with the tongue in cheek monikers for Queenie’s boyfriend that had me dying:
Ivory King
Palm Prince
Mayo Master
Snow White
Parchment Paper Puppy (that one killed me)
She, along with Queenie’ grandmother, grandfather (played by Joseph Marcell), niece, and Aunt Maggie, who we met at the beginning of the episode, all congregate at her grandmother’s house. Queenie’s mother is brought up in conversation, and we learn that they’re currently not on good terms. Or at least Queenie is not on good terms with her.
So much is left unsaid and open-ended by the end of the episode. We know Queenie had a miscarriage that she’s yet to confide in anyone about. She’s carrying this massive weight that is only bound to manifest itself for the worst if she doesn’t deal with it in time. The final seconds of the episode end with text bubbles popping on the screen from various numbers, two of which captured my attention the most: one from the NHS confirming a second appointment, and one from her mother saying it would be nice to see you. The screen goes black as Queenie is on the cusp of what I suspect is a panic attack.
Final Thoughts:
Dionne Brown who plays Queenie Jenkins is gorgeous. At times while watching, I found myself staring at her face at different parts of the episode. A rare beauty.
I was surprised at how happy I was to see Joseph Marcell alive and kicking and working. Joseph is most notably known for his iconic role as the Banks’ family butler Geoffrey on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. It really warmed my heart to see him on screen again.
The portrayal of South London reminded me of Issa Rae’s intentionality around showcasing the Blackness of LA on Insecure. It was Black AF with the undercurrent and spirit of community and its importance and I loved it.
I hope the next episode reaction won’t be this long, but if you got to the end, thank you so much for reading. Subscribe to my newsletter to know when my reaction to episode two comes out.
I appreciate you!
