What About Your Friends – As the fourth episode of The Other Black Girl begins, Malaika (Brittany Adebumola) checks on Nella Rogers (Sinclair Daniel) when she crashes out at her yoga session. Then, Nella speaks to Malaika about how Hazel has convinced her to change her wardrobe. They agree to hang out together. Malaika believes Richard would’ve loved her proposal even if she was wearing a trash bag. As they leave, Shani (Karina Willis) bumps into Nella who finds it odd. Hazel-May McCall (Ashleigh Murray) is excited to see Nella’s new wardrobe at work.
Nella invites her over for dinner with Owen and Malaika. Vera Parini (Bellamy Young) interrupts to ask Nella to print off two copies of a document and come to her office. In Vera’s office, they go over Colin’s sensitivity read. They can’t say crazy anymore because the word is described as ableist. Nella agrees to write a memo summarizing everything so they can see what everyone else thinks. Sophie (Kate Owens) knocks on the door to tell Nella that Richard Wagner (Eric McCormack) wants to see her. He says he has been so inspired by their conversation. Nella has as well so she has been expanding on some of the details. Richard asks how she’d feel about meeting Diana Gordon.
Nella is surprised that Diana Gordon (Garcelle Beauvais) is sitting nearby. Nella is impressed because Diana wrote Burning Heart. Richard says Nella is one of their best assistants although she might not be an assistant for much longer. He reveals Diana is thinking about bringing her next project to Wagner. Richard asks Sophie to gather all the editors in the conference room. Nella rushes over to Hazel so she can tell her what happened. During the meeting, Vera suggests creating a narrative-driven cookbook, but Diana makes it clear she doesn’t cook. Maisy (Alyshia Ochse) says she doesn’t cook either. Leonard (Michael H. Cole) and others throw out ideas too.
Diana admits she isn’t dazzled by their ideas. Nella suggests doing a rerelease of Burning Heart. Diana says that is a smart idea so it looks like someone came to work today, but Burning Heart is a nonstarter. It is too painful for Diana and she doesn’t want to look backwards. Nella follows her into the bathroom to apologize for pitching that idea although Diana thinks she had the best idea in the room. She goes on to tell Nella that she showed guts. She has a lot of potential so she just needs a little polish. Diana invites her to her place on Saturday so they can talk shop. Next, Nella goes to her place. She receives a message from Hazel telling her to have fun.
Diana says Vera took it literally that you should dress for the job you want. She went through a whole phase where she looked like Richard. Nella apologizes again before saying Richard told her about Kendra Rae. Diana thinks her heart was in the right place. Malaika gets a message from Nella about the encounter. Owen (Hunter Parrish) lets Hazel inside. She tells Owen and Malaika that Nella is obsessed with Diana so it is a dream come true for her. Malaika thought she might feel some way about Nella being there without her. Hazel says jealousy isn’t her style and she is happy when good things happen to her friends.
While looking at pictures alone, Nella thinks she hears something nearby. Diana returns before she can look around. Diana has something she thought Nella might like to see. As Nella looks through pictures, she suggests doing a memoir instead of a rerelease. Diana thought about telling her story, but the time never felt right. She says they can discuss it with Richard on Monday. Moments later, Nella finally makes it to Owen, Hazel, and Malaika. Nella takes Owen away so Malaika and Hazel can become best friends. Once they’re alone, Malaika tells Hazel that she isn’t buying the act. Hazel says they’ve moved past all that and she doesn’t know why Malaika is hung up on it.
Hazel is soon caught in a lie about TLC. Malaika asks Nella if they can talk in private. She warns Nella that something is up with Hazel who was coming for her just a few weeks ago. Nella takes up for Hazel. They argue with Nella asking Malaika to give Hazel a chance. Nella reminds her she can be friends with whoever she wants. Then, she suggests Malaika should go so they can enjoy their meal. Malaika takes some of the food and storms out. Later, Nella texts Malaika to see how things are going. She doesn’t get a response. Nella visits her in person to apologize. They agree to go back to their little and how it was before. Malaika tells Nella she’ll be there when her stuff with Hazel falls apart.
At work, Nella tells Diana she appreciates her believing in her like this. She goes on to say she’d like to bring Hazel in on this. Diana thought she’d be thrilled to have more time with her alone. Nella admits Hazel is the one who convinced her to speak to Richard about Burning Heart in the first place. Diana thinks she is giving Hazel a lot of credit for something she did. Nella says maybe although she doesn’t want to succeed if she is the only one. Diana agrees to bring her on. Nella rushes out to tell Hazel the good news. Vera tells Nella not to send out the memo because she is going to handle the sensitivity read herself with Colin.
Hazel visits Malaika at her workplace. Malaika tells Hazel that she doesn’t want to mess with her, but Hazel says the same about herself. Hazel tells her that she isn’t going anywhere. Shani catches up with Nella on the subway to tell her that Hazel is actually Eva. She puts something in Nella’s purse before leaving. Nella checks the paper and finds information about a meeting for tomorrow.
The Other Black Girl Review
This episode of The Other Black Girl was okay although a bit cliché at times. It really felt like an episode of 90 Day Fiancé in which a loved one warns their family not to get involved in the relationship. In this case, Malaika was trying to tell Nella that Hazel may be up to no good. However, the end of the episode got interesting with Shani contacting Nella directly to set up a future meeting.
She also mentioned that Hazel’s real name might be Eva. The Other Black Girl isn’t perfect, but the story is at least intriguing enough to keep viewers around. Whether it’ll be worth it will likely depend on the effectiveness of the finale. If the series manages to end on a high note, it’ll be a few hours well spent.
This episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of The Other Black Girl are available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery here.
