Black Cake - General Discussion

[AnimeMania]

Black Cake is an 8 Episode Drama TV Series streaming the first 3 episodes on November 1, 2023 on Hulu. Barnes & Noble Premium members can watch the first two episodes early, on October 22, 2023. Black Cake is based on the 2022 novel Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. The dessert "Black Cake" evolved from the British plum pudding that colonizers brought to the West Indies. Islanders then modified the recipe, incorporating their local ingredients. Black Cake is a dish that is symbolic of the marriage of cultures at the heart of this story.

Black Cake is a family drama wrapped in a murder mystery with a diverse cast of characters and a global setting taking place in Jamaica, Rome, Scotland, England and Southern California, over a large spanse of time. In the late 1960s, a runaway bride named Covey disappears into the surf off the coast of Jamaica and is feared drowned or a fugitive on the run for her husband's murder. In present day California, a widow named Eleanor Bennett, loses her battle with cancer, leaving her two estranged children, Byron and Benny, and a flash drive that holds previously untold stories of her journey from the Caribbean to America. These stories, narrated by Eleanor, shock her children and challenge everything they thought they knew about their family's origin.

Simon Wan as Johnny “Lin” Lyncook

Rachel Lin as Mama Lyncook

Faith Alabi as Pearl Thomas, a stoic and genuine, loveable caretaker for the Lyncook household at a time when things are increasingly dangerous and uncertain. Through it all, she remains unwavering in her devotion to Covey – a gesture that’s rooted in a secret pact she made with the child’s estranged mother, Mathilda, who vanished six years ago.

Mia Isaac as Covey Lyncook, a fierce biracial teenager, growing up in Jamaica in the late 1960’s. As the star swimmer of her community, Covey plans to use her talents to swim around the world–until her dreams are threatened by her overprotective father, who begins to meddle in her personal life. As a result, Covey is put in a position where she must choose between her family and herself, and she spends the rest of her life facing the consequences. The runaway bride suspected of her husband's murder. 

Ahmed Elhaj as as Gibbs Grant. After meeting and falling hard for Covey, Gibbs’ bright future is thrown into disarray. As the two encounter countless obstacles, Gibbs’ love for Covey is put to the ultimate test. 

Lashay Anderson as Bunny Pringle, a fiery teenager and talented swimmer who struggles to fit in with her peers in 1960’s Jamaica. She and her best friend Covey have big plans to become world-famous swimmers, but when Covey disappears under mysterious circumstances, Bunny is forced to reckon with unforeseen consequences in her own life.

Anthony Mark Barrow as Clarence “Little Man” Henry, the head of a powerful family in Jamaica in the 1960s who is feared and respected by the Island community. 

Chipo Chung as Eleanor Bennett, who leaves behind a series of recordings after losing her battle with cancer. Her stories chronicle her journey from the Caribbean to America that shock her surviving children, and challenge everything they thought they knew about the woman who raised them. 

Ashley Thomas as Byron Bennett is a brilliant ocean scientist, whose formidable work ethic has made him a leader in his field and a popular social media influencer. His professional success comes second only to his relationship with his mother. In the wake of her death, Byron is tasked with carrying out her final wish – a task that forces a reunion with his estranged sister, Benny and brings to light harrowing secrets.

Adrienne Warren as Benny Bennett, an artist and empath who loves with her whole heart, but mysterious circumstances have kept her estranged from her entire family for eight years. When Benny is summoned home by her brother to listen to a message left by their late mother, she is forced to face the ghosts from her past that have kept her from her family for all these years.

Glynn Turman as Charles Mitch, a successful lawyer in Newport Beach, Calif. whose top priority is to honor the final wishes of his dear friend and client Eleanor Bennett after she loses her battle to cancer. As Charles works with Eleanor’s family to complete her requests, he is persistent to keep the family together while simultaneously working through his own private grief. 

Sonita Henry as Mabel Martin, a well renowned food expert, who enjoys a successful and quiet life with her son and her beloved parents. When her world is upended by a shattering revelation, she’ll be forced to question everything she has believed about her family, sending her down a path that ultimately cracks open the pandora’s box of her own secrets.

Rupert Evans as James Everett

Edited October 19, 2023 by AnimeMania

[AnimeMania]

Black Cake     November 1, 2023       Hulu  
Episodes 1-3        Titles and Descriptions   

Spoiler

S01.E01: Covey

In the late 1960’s, a runaway bride named Covey disappears into the surf off the coast of Jamaica. In present day, Eleanor Bennett, loses her battle with cancer, leaving her two estranged children a flash-drive that holds untold stories of her past.

S01.E02: Coventina

Byron and Benny struggle to process the revelations learned in Eleanor’s first recording. Will their mother’s confessions help them reconnect or leave them feeling more lost than ever?

S01.E03: Eleanor

Covey finds herself alone in a new city determined to start a new life – with a stolen identity.

[Snazzy Daisy]

A generational drama with intensified emotions. Not much mystery & suspense in the first 3 episodes. A bit draggy at times especially during flashbacks within flashbacks.

The dashing Ashley Thomas brings me to this show. Unfortunately at this point, Byron and Benny are underused and underdeveloped. Will Byron’s arc be all about racism/discrimination and Benny’s about some kind of trauma/abuse?

Most viewers will keep watching for Covey’s journey but am more interested in the other part of the equation - how her journey will affect and shape the modern day story of B&B, their pain and their complicated dynamics with their mom.

 

QUESTIONS:

Why Mathilda didn’t take 11yo Covey with her, away from her gambling addict husband?

How did women straighten their hair back in the 60s & 70s and kept it straight for the next 12 hours?

[AnimeMania]

S01.E04: Mrs. Bennett

Covey gets a chance to start a new life, but only if she makes a huge sacrifice. In present day, Byron is forced to recognize the inequalities he faces at work, and Benny reveals the reason she’s been estranged from her family for eight years.

Premiere Date: November 8, 2023       Hulu  

[Snazzy Daisy]

Wait, another secret??!

Quote

"A secret I couldn't bring myself to even share with your father, I'm now telling you. B and B, you have a sister."

[AnimeMania]

S01.E05: Mother

Byron and Benny must each face demons from their past—and their mother’s.

Premiere Date: November 15, 2023       Hulu 

[Snazzy Daisy]

What a frustrating episode‼️

This show wants us to hate B&B and they make Mabel a do-gooder.

Benny has made Mabel’s existence all about HER. She’s so self-absorbed. Her being estranged with Eleanor/Covey was her undoing but she blames Steve for it. Her father, Gibb was right all along. Benny rarely takes accountability of her own actions. A typical spoiled brat!

It’s so out of character for Byron to be attacking Steve publicly like that. He is a level-headed guy who works hard to get to where he is. Why would he want to risk everything? His character doesn’t deserve to be destroyed this way. 😣 

[AnimeMania]

S01.E06: Ma

Benny and Byron are shocked when a stranger shows up, unannounced, to listen to Eleanor’s final recording.

Premiere Date: November 22, 2023       Hulu 

[Snazzy Daisy]

A much better episode than E05. Mabel somehow makes the Bennett siblings bearable.

Covey was so insensitive towards Bunny by asking her to hide her true self. The way Gibb and her dealt with Benny’s sexuality has made her realized that she’s repeating a mistake she made with Bunny decades earlier.

The story about Byron assaulting Steve and its consequences are glossed over rather quickly. Thanks to one merciful act from a white man, there’s no charges against Byron.

After what happened the night before, Byron finally has the courage to speak  up about workplace discriminations and all the microaggressions he has to endure. He receives standing ovations and goes viral but he puts his career on the line. This arc isn’t that impactful as the show wants it to be.

I don’t really care about Benny and her restraining order against Steve, blocking Steve on her phone etc. She should’ve done that years ago. But seeing her bonding with Mabel over foods is heartwarming. Maybe these two can collaborate on some culinary projects. It’s possible with Benny’s passion for flavors and Mabel’s connections in the culinary world.

And we’re on to another secret. Covey didn’t give baby Mabel Mathilda up. She was taken away from her. I don’t want to believe that Gibb had something to do with this, but we’ll see. Covey gave that baby her mother’s name, that’s something. She loved her, no doubt.

 

Edited November 22, 2023 by Snazzy Daisy

[mrsbagnet]

On 11/22/2023 at 2:51 PM, Snazzy Daisy said:

And we’re on to another secret. Covey didn’t give baby Mabel Mathilda up. She was taken away from her. I don’t want to believe that Gibb had something to do with this, but we’ll see.

Gibbs never knew she had a baby. I think she had the baby before she reconnected with Gibbs.

After the rape, I was worried about her getting pregnant, but then they just showed her on the train back to London and then seeing Gibbs, so I thought, "Oh good, she didn't get pregnant." Then they hit us with a surprise older daughter.

I was so sad when Benny took her boyfriend back after he threw the bowl at her. No, no, no. Domestic violence is a "one strike and you're out" situation. Easier said than done, I know.

[AnimeMania]

S01.E07: Birth Mother

In 1970’s London, Covey is faced with a life-altering decision that will affect her children in present day.

Premiere Date: November 29, 2023       Hulu 

[Snazzy Daisy]

Sister Janette’s reaction and comment when she saw Covey’s biracial baby are truly disgusting. 😣

In her final message, Eleanor/Covey teased that certain things are better left unanswered. She then subtly suggested for her kids to reach out to her ex-bff, Bunny if they would like to know more about her island life. Gosh Eleanor, why would you do that? You had bombarded them with all those confessions and revelations. Just let them take their times to process everything, especially Mabel. It’s traumatizing for them.

Yeah, yeah I know. The series needs to come full circle for the viewers…😬

[AnimeMania]

S01.E08: Nine Night

(Season Finale)
After Eleanor’s funeral, Byron and Benny finally learn the truth about the murder on the night of their mother’s wedding.

Premiere Date: December 6, 2023       Hulu  

[Brn2bwild]

Is this show getting a second season?  I was surprised they left some things unresolved, like the situation with Mabel's late husband (unless I missed it).

[Snazzy Daisy]

The best part of this show is its brilliant casting, except for the actress who plays Benny. The casting of adult Eleanor and young Covey is perfect. Look at them!

The S01 finale is underwhelming despite giving us some closures -Byron is working with Mitch to pursue a legal action against the institute and Benny is embracing her creative sides again. Lynette’s pregnancy has been shoehorned, it brings no weight to the finale.

During the memorial dinner, Benny continues to make everything about her, that she’ll be left alone after everyone return to their lives blah blah blah. This woman is exhausting!

Among all of Eleanor’s kids, Mabel is the compelling one. But we are left with a lot of unanswered questions surrounding her life and her relationship with Paolo. Need to leave some things for season 2 huh. 🙄

It’s nice to see Mathilda and Pearl again. Their heartwarming friendship is a parallel to the bond between Covey and Bunny. The frustrating part is that we never know what happens to Covey’s parents.

Overall, the mystery surrounding the death of Little Man is the LEAST interesting part of this show.

 

Edited December 7, 2023 by Snazzy Daisy

[luckyroll3]

On 12/7/2023 at 2:59 PM, Snazzy Daisy said:

The best part of this show is its brilliant casting, except for the actress who plays Benny. The casting of adult Eleanor and young Covey is perfect. Look at them!

I agree! I honestly questioned whether they were the same person and had to look it up to confirm that it was indeed 2 different actresses.

[chaifan]

I really liked this show.  I loved the story, loved how it covered multiple generations, countries, etc.  I think the twist of Mabel was good, and was well placed in the show.  But, I don't like how it ended without Mabel's story wrapping up.  I would rather have this as a one-and-done "mini-series", and not have the opening for a second season.  I feel Eleanor/Covie's story is done, same with Byron and Benny, and I don't think Mable's is enough to carry a second season.

A few quibbles... I felt the beating Byron gave Steve was over the top, and out of nowhere for Byron.  I could understand a good punch, but the beating was too much for me.  Also, just how did Covie expect Benny & Byron to find Bunny, with only her nickname revealed, not even her real name.  Benny put it together, sure, but was that a given?  I think that would have been more believable if Covie had written Bunny's full name on the back of the photo.

 

[Juneau Gal]

Please everyone, read the book that this was adapted from. It is so much deeper and better and most of your questions will be answered. 

[WildFlower87]

Cancelled

https://deadline.com/2024/09/black-cake-canceled-hulu-no-season-2-1236102172/