The Prodigal Granddaughter Returns – The premiere begins with Queenie Jenkins (Dionne Brown) internally debating her current ‘to-do’ list while lying spread full eagle on an examination table. As soon as Doctor Ellison (Laura Whitmore) addresses Queenie, it immediately becomes clear that she’s in the middle of a uterus exam. Queenie’s internal debate continues as Ellison questions her about everything from her sexual partners to her career. When Ellison eventually excuses herself to bring in a colleague, Doctor Smith (Harry Long) for a second opinion, Queenie receives a text from Tom Blake (Jon Pointing) encouraging her to be on her best behavior at his mother’s, Sue Blake (Janet Amsden) birthday party. Although Ellison’s concern with Queenie’s uterus is not revealed at the moment, both she and Smith appear to be troubled by the discovery.
Queenie appears in a slump when she returns to the waiting room to find Aunty Maggie Jenkins (Michelle Greenidge) in a spirited discussion concerning religion and horoscopes. It doesn’t take long before Maggie notices and mentions Queenie’s saddened state. At the moment, Queenie plays it off as if she is worried about getting to work on time. Queenie does later reveal that she learned she has a shallow cervix. It’s also revealed that Queenie has left behind what appears to be a gift in her rush to get out of the doctor’s office. After revealing the discovery of her shallow cervix, Queenie opts to take the bus rather than finish the walk with Maggie.
As Queenie continues to the Daily Reader, she has a brief encounter with a Preacher (Lunga Anele-Skosana), who appears to be all riled up about the recent closing of Patsy’s shop. Not long after this, she runs into Adi Malik (Mim Shaikh) who comments on not seeing her around. Despite Queenie attributing her absence from the neighborhood to moving in with Tom, Adi still hits on her. Queenie appears to be hyping herself up for a speech or pitch as she continues to work.
Although there is a huge poster of her in the lobby, the Security Guard (Aaron Bixley) refuses to let her pass without showing her badge. After a brief ride in the elevator, Queenie arrives at a boardroom full of co-workers. The context of the meeting isn’t shown, but Queenie’s later conversations with Ted Noman (Tom Forbes) and Darcy Pike (Tilly Keeper) reveal that her pitch did not go so well. Things only get worse when she’s later approached by her editor, Gina Haragadon (Sally Phillips), who not only jumps onto her for being late but encourages her to stick with what she’s good at.
When Queenie is greeted by Tom at his parent’s house she attempts to discuss her day with him but they are abruptly interrupted by the announcement of dinner being served. The diner is awkward right from the start and only gets more awkward after Queenie realizes she left the present at the hospital. The evening hits a low point when Tom’s blunt grandmother, Kitty Blake (Hilary Maclean) starts talking about how lovely Tom and Queenie’s milky coffee children would be. During Kitty’s tirade, Doctor Ellison’s earlier concern is revealed as a miscarriage. The memory not only causes Queenie to lash out at Kitty but leads to an award collision with Adam Blake (Tom Ratcliffe), which ruins the birthday cake.
While waiting to catch the bus, Queenie spends several seconds internally debating how she could have responded better. Although Tom shows up, it only makes matters worse when their ensuing argument leads to him admitting that she is too much at times. It appears that he wants to be on her side but he feels that doing so would require him to adopt a ‘pissed off at the word persona.’
The following evening Queenie prepares dinner at the apartment while internally debating to tell Tom about the miscarriage. Her decision is ultimately made for her when he doesn’t return. Sometime later, Queenie seeks comfort by visiting Kyazike Mayagenda (Bellah/Isobel Akpobire) where she shares a brief word with Frank Ssebendeke II (Samuel Adewunmi) before he excuses himself. Queenie spends the afternoon braiding Kyazike’s hair and learning about an encounter she had with a sexy man at work. Queenie appears to envy that Kyazike knows exactly what she wants in a man. Tom and Queenie’s relationship briefly comes up and Queenie internally debates sharing the news of the miscarriage, but that’s as far as it gets.
Queenie visits her grandmother Veronica (Llewella Gideon) later that evening for dinner. Queenie eventually finds herself in what appears to be Grandad Wilfred’s (Joseph Marcell) man cave but is called back inside nearly as soon as she sits down. Returning inside, Queen learns that not only are Maggie and Diana Jenkins (Cristale De’Abreu) joining them for dinner but so is her mother. Although it’s not explained at the moment, it appears she and her mother have had some falling out that inspires her to leave.
Queenie is soaking in the tub thinking that the miscarriage might have been a positive sign from the universe when Tom finally returns. Although it appears he’s in the process of packing a bag, she convinces him to talk. Tom is not only upset that Queenie is mad all the time, but she doesn’t share what it is that she’s mad about. His walking out on her sparks a memory of someone else, presumably her mother, walking out on her when she was younger (Nyah Majaliwa).
Queenie Review
Let me start by saying that I am not familiar with the book, despite its supposedly cult following. That said, I can understand the appeal. I was pleasantly surprised by the show. It’s not that it was acted superbly or that the context was genre-defying. Most of the conflicts and deep character flaws are things we’ve all seen time and time again but there is something about it that works. For me, I think it might be the cultural differences. Not only are we seeing things from the eyes of an educated black woman but they are through the eyes of an educated British black woman. I can’t help but feel that makes it much more intriguing.
Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of butt-puckering, cringe-worthy moments and comments, but I feel this turned out far better than an American adaption would have. I’m guessing the book was also UK-based. Although it felt as if there were too many characters at times, I’d give the episode a 5.6 out of 10.
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