S03.E01: Your Perception, Your Reality

[AntFTW]

Quote

A new semester at Stansfield means a fresh start for Tariq. Brayden is learning the ropes at Weston Holdings, under his uncle Lucas. Monet grieves the loss of Zeke, while Cane searches for a new connect.

Air date: March 17, 2023

[mxc90]

Good Grief! It's back with some serious B.S.!

Now we have Noma's arrival. She couldn't take the ring at gun point like a normal thief. Just cut off the hand and they shot the two anyway. Her introduction was to show how she is ruthless and violent, yet she is easily talked out of killing Tariq, Cane and Brayden. The 3 had the well-unrehearsed "Please don't kill me" speech ready and executed to perfection. Unreal! They didn't even sweat or soil their pants. 

When did Dante tell Noma he was going to propose to her, and that specific ring was hers? She tracked it down in 3 months.
If she is that good at tracking, Monet should hire her to find Zeke's killer. To hell with Lame Lorenzo and Tariq tasked with this.

Dante had the entire season 2 to propose her and give her the ring yet he was chasing Monet around like a puppy. Noma didn't see his lying/cheating ways??!!! C'mon Writers!!!!!!!!

Of course, Lauren is alive. Never bought in to that car accident story.

Not sure with all this secrecy for Lauren. What exactly does she know about Tariq's business? Absolutely Nothing!

So, I guess, Effie is the CI Jenny was talking about??!!! I don't think she was talking about Saxe. Or maybe Effie didn't stick around to confirm Lauren's death.

Blanca and Jenny are the new "super team" to try and take down Tariq. Good luck! They will fail like Wil E Coyote!

Good Luck trying the change Zeke's perception. Let the Gas lighting begin! BTW Zeke never had an NBA career.

Sneaky Tariq made Zeke's memorial about him during his speech. With all the flashbacks, I thought he was going to confess to all his transgressions. 

See ya Bash. After 3 months, why did he feel the need to act now. He wasn't on the NYPD or Government's radar. But Tariq was his only money source after a breakup with Stern? Bash should have gotten a job at Starbucks to get money before getting involved with Tariq. He knew Tariq was bad news yet felt the dumb need to extort the bastard. And now caught a knife to gut. Stern was right to dump this clown.

Did the Ghost of Ghost possess Bash with those words to Tariq that got Tariq angry to stab?

There has to be cameras seeing Cane pass Brayden a gun right outside the Apartment or hotel. Where did they dump the body?

I guess Stansfield hated Carrie. Jabari and Zeke got memorials. She got nothing.

Why is Tariq still at Stanfield if most of the people want him gone for his association with Brayden and the belief he killed Zeke? Makes no sense. Tariq acted surprised to hear this from Dean Wong. So, he never felt the "side eyes" for 3 months when walking on campus? There were no protests or demands for him to go.

I guess the school was "quietly" telling him the leave by not giving him a room. 

Spineless Dean Wong can't kick him out after Tate pulled the race card on him.

I'm surprised people are still enrolled at Stanfield since Tariq arrived. So far, the deaths since Tariq arrived: Jabri, Carrie, Zeke, "Lauren" and the hitter killed at the pool. St. John's, Rutgers or a Community College should have seen an increase in transfers.

3 months and Diana was still living in the house? I would have thought Monet had kicked her out the night of the confession.

Now Diana is magically enrolled in Stanfield and paired with Brayden's sister. The "female Tariq and Brayden" will run a scam on campus. No doubt.

Another class/topic in the same room (can't afford another set). With almost the same students. Effie, Diana and Tariq just happen to be in the same class! My goodness.

It's hard to hear about "No Freedom" and Tariq gets away with murder every time.

Earlier, Cane try to tell Effie: Tariq is not letting her get involved. Then we see the 3 taking a tour of Dante's drugs. Effie should have turned to Cane and say, "I thought I was out?"

Are all the guns Dante had in the penthouse still there?

I had to laugh when Cane said "Tejadas do their Due Diligence".

I was surprised Tate remembered he had a date with him by the way he was looking so hard at his "old friend".

Good job by Tate "containing" himself sitting behind Lil' Mo. 

So, by the end of the season, I expect Lorenzo, Effie, Noma, maybe Jenny and "Weston Holdings" should meet their demise/destruction. Yes. Weston Holdings! Tariq and Brayden will burn it with help from unsuspecting Keke (who will be revealed to hate her employers and coke using co-workers). 

Edited March 18, 2023 by mxc90

[luckyroll3]

I'm loving Noma! And her right hand guy who's always like, "These fucking Americans!" Noma is the boss bitch that Monet swears she is. I'm here for everything that she's gonna bring. 

Tariq has done some dumb shit, but killing dude in his hotel room, with a knife and no gloves, has got to be the dumbest. 

So Braydon's sister thinks she's a bad bitch? This should be pairing with Diana should be interesting....

[AntFTW]

I know Bill Cosby is not the most popular public figure right now but all I can think about, after watching this season 3 opener, is one episode from The Cosby Show. It's the episode where Vanessa comes home from college with a guy and surprises the Huxtable family, and her parents specifically, with the news that she's engaged to this guy she brought home. The parents don't take the news well and Bill Cosby has this kind-of monologue in the episode, explaining why he doesn't like Vanessa's new fiance. He goes on to explain that the reason they didn't like him is something like "because it's in the presentation"; imagine if you had your favorite food, and it looks and smells good, but I don't go over and get a plate. Instead, I go over to the garbage can, and I take the lid, turn it upside down and I put all your food on there, and I give it you... "not too appetizing, is it? That's the way Vanessa brought you here, on a garbage can lid."

...and that's how I feel about this episode. This episode was delivered on a garbage can lid. I'm sure we've complained about the writing for the show before and this episode didn't ease those concerns at all for me. There just seemed to be a pivot that just doesn't fit well with season 2 IMO.

I loved Noma and the actress playing the character did a really good job, and on top of that, she's stunning. She is playing the alpha boss very well. Unlike Monet, she made me feel like someone would be and should be intimidated by her. I'm sure they will tear at that facade throughout the season because they always do. Someone is always the great and power wizard of Oz until they pull the curtain down. Although I think the actress is great, she can only work with what she's given... and she was dropped into a show with a plot that won't make much sense.

Even I'm complaining, I'm going to keep watching because I'm not a quitter.

On 3/17/2023 at 11:35 AM, mxc90 said:

Now we have Noma arrive. She couldn't take the ring at gun point like a normal thief. Just cut off the hand and they shot the two anyway. Her introduction was to show how she is ruthless and violent, yet she is easily talked out of killing Tariq, Cane and Brayden. The 3 had the well-rehearsed "Please don't kill me" speech ready and executed to presfection. Unreal! They didn't even sweat or soil their pants. 

In the beginning, this guy just bought a ring for $5.5 million and the best he could do is take his girlfriend to a park, alone with no family or friends, and at night to propose?????

Additionally, this guy is surrounded by at least 4 people who are staring him down and wanting this ring, and his response is basically "get lost"????

That whole beginning scene was just ridiculous to me.

On 3/17/2023 at 11:35 AM, mxc90 said:

When did Dante tell Noma he was going to propose to her, and that specific ring was hers?

That doesn't make much sense to me after watching season 2.

On 3/17/2023 at 11:35 AM, mxc90 said:

Of course, Lauren is alive. Never bought in to that car accident story.

I hope Lauren isn't the CI that Jenny was talking about with Blanca because she is supposed to be dead.

On 3/17/2023 at 11:35 AM, mxc90 said:

Dante had the entire season 2 to propose her and give her the ring yet he was chasing Monet around like a puppy. Noma didn't see his lying/cheating ways??!!! C'mon Writers!!!!!!!!

I KNOWWW!!!!!

MAKE THAT MAKE SENSE!!!!

On 3/17/2023 at 11:35 AM, mxc90 said:

So, I guess, Effie is the CI Jenny was talking about??!!! I don't think she was talking about Saxe. Or maybe Effie didn't stick around to confirm Lauren's death.

I can't see Effie being the CI. I don't think she was talking Saxe either... but I can't think of a reason why it would be Effie. My imagination is failing me at the moment.

On 3/17/2023 at 11:35 AM, mxc90 said:

See ya Bash. After 3 months, why did he feel the need to act now. He wasn't on the NYPD or Government's radar. But Tariq was his only money source after a breakup with Stern? Bash should have gotten a job at Starbucks to get money before getting involved with Tariq. He knew Tariq was bad news yet felt the dumb need to extort the bastard. And now caught a knife to gut. Stern was right to dump this clown.

I'm glad they got rid of him early. Bash was a very stupid character. I didn't want to have to deal with him all season.

Also, so people just let him wander around the Weston office?

On 3/17/2023 at 11:35 AM, mxc90 said:

I guess Stansfield hated Carrie. Jabari and Zeke got memorials. She got nothing.

Even Ghost got a little memorial.

On 3/17/2023 at 11:35 AM, mxc90 said:

Blanca and Jenny are the new "super team" to try and take down Tariq. Good luck! They will fail like Wil E Coyote!

Blanca never gets tired of losing. They've presented Jenny as a scrupulous prosecutor so far... mostly. This seems to be the season where they are ready to tear that down completely now.

On 3/17/2023 at 11:35 AM, mxc90 said:

I had to laugh when Cane said "Tejadas do their Due Diligence".

LOL! Me too.

Edited March 19, 2023 by AntFTW

[luckyroll3]

36 minutes ago, AntFTW said:

I hope Lauren isn't the CI that Jenny was talking about with Blanca because she is supposed to be dead.

It's really hard to be a CI when you aren't around to witness the activity you're supposed to be informing on. So I hope that's not where the writers are going with this, cause then that's just dumb. It would make more sense for Effie, because why else would she try to stage a crash crash instead of just putting a bullet in Lauren's big ass head? 

[AntFTW]

36 minutes ago, luckyroll3 said:

It's really hard to be a CI when you aren't around to witness the activity you're supposed to be informing on. So I hope that's not where the writers are going with this, cause then that's just dumb. It would make more sense for Effie, because why else would she try to stage a crash crash instead of just putting a bullet in Lauren's big ass head? 

Okay, now that makes sense as to how it could be Effie as the CI. I didn't think about the possibility that Effie could have staged a car crash.

Now that you said that, it also makes sense that she would inserted herself to be involved in the drug dealing again.

On the other end though, they're really painting Jenny as a sloppy prosecutor to have Brayden admit in court that he dealt drugs, laundered money, but to then have Brayden (and Cane) commit separate crimes of threatening Lauren and obstruction... and do nothing. Those dots aren't connecting for me because if Effie helped staged Lauren's death, at the very least, Jenny should know about that because that's the whole reason why Lauren is being hidden. Jenny's focus would have to so overly singular on Tariq that she's willing to let people be sanctioned for death (as Lauren was) just to wait until she has enough to prosecute Tariq.

36 minutes ago, luckyroll3 said:

Lauren's big ass head

Edited March 17, 2023 by AntFTW

[mxc90]

1 hour ago, AntFTW said:

In the beginning, this guy just bought a ring for $5.5 million and the best he could do is take his girlfriend to a park, alone with no family or friends, and at night to propose?????

Additionally, this guy is surrounded by at least 4 people who are staring him down and wanting this ring, and his response is basically "get lost"????

That whole beginning scene was just ridiculous to me.

That opening scene was eye rolling.

So, Noma followed him from the auction event to the jeweler so he can put the diamond on a ring (must have been days/week for the job to get done), followed him as he went home with the ring but waited until he proposed to put on her finger. They could have robbed him anytime without any bloodshed.

She has serious intel to know he was going to propose that night.

1 hour ago, AntFTW said:

I'm glad they got rid of him early. Bash was a very stupid character. I didn't want to have to deal with him all season.

Also, so people just let him wander around the Weston office?

Until this episode, I never bothered to remember his name.

I was hoping Weston security tossed him out the window. Makes no sense how he got in.

1 hour ago, AntFTW said:

Even Ghost got a little memorial.

Poor Carrie. With the disrespect she is getting, her body may still be in the apartment.

1 hour ago, luckyroll3 said:

It's really hard to be a CI when you aren't around to witness the activity you're supposed to be informing on. So I hope that's not where the writers are going with this, cause then that's just dumb. It would make more sense for Effie, because why else would she try to stage a crash crash instead of just putting a bullet in Lauren's big ass head? 

LOL. Big Ass Head.

If not Effie, the other person that could be a CI is that corny clown sitting next to Diana at the memorial.  

Not sure why Diana let him sit next to her. She could have told him there are other seats available elsewhere. Be gone!

47 minutes ago, AntFTW said:

On the other end though, they're really painting Jenny as a sloppy prosecutor to have Brayden admit in court that he dealt drugs, laundered money, but to then have Brayden (and Cane) commit separate crimes of threatening Lauren and obstruction... and do nothing. Those dots aren't connecting for me because if Effie helped staged Lauren's death, at the very least, Jenny should know about that because that's the whole reason why Lauren is being hidden. Jenny's focus would have to so overly singular on Tariq that she's willing to let people be sanctioned for death (as Lauren was) just to wait until she has enough to prosecute Tariq.

Wouldn't Brayden be in more trouble when Lauren told Jenny he pointed a gun at her? 

Also, why is Jenny hiding Lauren being alive from the other cop and Saxe?

They better have a good explanation for this plot. Not holding my breath though.

1 hour ago, AntFTW said:

Even I'm complaining, I'm going to keep watching because I'm not a quitter.

No Quitting! 

[AntFTW]

11 minutes ago, mxc90 said:

Wouldn't Brayden be in more trouble when Lauren told Jenny he pointed a gun at her? 

Yes... assuming Effie corroborates that if she's the informant.

Edited March 17, 2023 by AntFTW

[Yogisbooboo64]

On 3/17/2023 at 4:34 PM, mxc90 said:

If not Effie, the other person that could be a CI is that corny clown sitting next to Diana at the memorial.  

THIS!  I think it's Effie though.

Yum, but the menses were fine af this eppy, huh?  From Noma's bodyguard to Lorenzo to Kevin and Davis, I was wiggling like Elvis!!

[Scarlett45]

On 3/18/2023 at 5:29 PM, Yogisbooboo64 said:

THIS!  I think it's Effie though.

Yum, but the menses were fine af this eppy, huh?  From Noma's bodyguard to Lorenzo to Kevin and Davis, I was wiggling like Elvis!!

There are always very pretty men in this universe- yes yes!

 

Tariq is an idiot (but not as big an idiot as Bash)- which we knew, and Lauren isn’t dead -which I knew. 
 

I predict season finale Monet kills Lorenzo for murdering Zeke. Mary J Blige isn’t that great of an actress, but I bought her grief over Zeke. 

I know they were going to give Larenz Tate his own book, (he was supposed to be Power Book V), but I prefer him here- he doesnt need his own series, he fits in this one with location, time period etc. I am looking forward to the new character of Professor Harper Bennett, she and Rashad obviously have a history, I think its likely they had the hots for each other but he wanted to politics and "flash", and sex with model type women, she wanted "substance"- now they are middled aged and neither are attached, it should be interesting.

Yeah the guy who sat next to Diana at the memorial, traditionally if he wanted a seat, the roommates wouldve moved over to sit together, not Brayden's sister moving to make room for him! Ummmmhmmm. So what's his deal. 

[Yogisbooboo64]

8 hours ago, Scarlett45 said:

I know they were going to give Larenz Tate his own book, (he was supposed to be Power Book V), but I prefer him here- he doesnt need his own series, he fits in this one with location, time period etc. I am looking forward to the new character of Professor Harper Bennett, she and Rashad obviously have a history, I think its likely they had the hots for each other but he wanted to politics and "flash", and sex with model type women, she wanted "substance"- now they are middled aged and neither are attached, it should be interesting.

I thought I read it was decided that Power Book V was a no-go....it is better that Larenz is in Book II, he'll have more to do and he plays sleazy very well.  I haven't forgotten him ass slappin' that girl in Power, I see him and Harper going the same way, lol.

Not feeling Keesha's braids though, always loved her hair.

Edited March 20, 2023 by Yogisbooboo64

[Scarlett45]

10 minutes ago, Yogisbooboo64 said:

I thought I read it was decided that Power Book V was a no-go....it is better that Larenz is in Book II, he'll have more to do and he plays sleazy very well.  I haven't forgotten him ass slappin' that girl in Power, I see him and Harper going the same way, lol.

Not feeling Keesha's braids though, always loved her hair.

Yeah that’s what I’m saying- it was a good choice to keep him here than give him is own book as originally planned. Cheaper (production wise) and he adds a lot to the story I think. 

[Yogisbooboo64]

And he 'rides' well, heh!!😜

[Scarlett45]

On 3/17/2023 at 1:25 PM, AntFTW said:

I can't see Effie being the CI. I don't think she was talking Saxe either... but I can't think of a reason why it would be Effie. My imagination is failing me at the moment.

I don’t see it being Effie. You think it’s Dru? I don’t think Dru wanted in the life, and now that his Dad’s back he may be looking for a way out? No? I know it’s not Cane, and it’s not Bryden (he actually likes drug dealing for some stupid ass reason!!!)

[Joimiaroxeu]

Monet's hair. I liked the color better than the blonde she usually wears.

Braden falling upward. Wonder how Tariq is going to mess that up.

Diana getting rewarded for bad behavior. Tariq will mess that up too, unless Effie does it for him.

So now we have a new queenpin. Wait until Noma and Monet meet. Catfight!

Looks like Tariq's new professor Harper inherited the old one's odd wardrobe, at least while she's at work.

Cousin brother.

Mary J. looking at Lil Mo like, "Chile please. You're doing my act from 20 years ago."

A whole warehouse of product. Tariq might have to call Tommy in Chicago for help moving all that, ha ha.

Good start to the mid-season. But I'm still having some trouble sorting out who the new people are and how they fit in with the existing characters.

[AntFTW]

10 minutes ago, Joimiaroxeu said:

Mary J. looking at Lil Mo like, "Chile please. You're doing my act from 20 years ago."

LOL... I can't... LOL