Queenie Series 1 Episode 7 Recap
Happy Earthstrong! – Episode 7 begins with Queenie Jenkins (Dionne Brown) in bed dreaming about Frank Ssebendeke II (Samuel Adeewunmi). Grandma Veronica Jenkins’ (Llewella Gideon) ensuing interruption not only reveals that today is Queenie’s birthday but she’s now encouraging her therapy.
Not long after waking, Queenie finds herself back in Janet’s (Melissa Johns) office theorizing that it was her pregnancy that brought up the issues with her mother, Sylvie Jenkins (Ayesha Antoine). Despite Janet admitting that it is a possibility, the discussion doesn’t go any further due to their time running out. Janet wishes Queenie a happy birthday which reveals that she has plans of spending the day at the pool.
While debating whether or not she chose the right birthday activity, Queenie is stunned to receive well wishes from Cassandra Stone (Elisha Applebaum). Rather than responding, Queenie chooses to reflect on what she was doing at this time last year which is revealed to be a trip to Greece with Tom Blake (Jon Pointing). Queenie doesn’t get much time to stew on those ironies thanks to an unpleasant experience with Tabitha (Florence Budibent) and her overbearing mother, Tanya (Charlotte Asprey).
Queenie is besieged by family and a surprise backyard cookout when she returns to Veronica and Grandad Wilfred’s (Joseph Marcell) house. Once Kyazike Mayagenda (Bellah) makes an appearance, the two of them share a quick discussion about Queenie’s therapy before she turns the topic of conversation to Frank. Although Queenie appears to be troubled by learning about Frank’s new woman, she doesn’t get long to ponder it thanks to the arrival of Darcy Pike (Tilly Keeper) and Sylvie. Queenie and Sylvie’s brief greeting is nearly as awkward as it is brief.
Later that day, Queenie apologizes to Darcy for being distant and attributes it to wanting to keep her mind off work. Queenie appears touched when Darcy tells her that she is her friend outside work and their conversations don’t have to be work-related. Darcy encourages Queenie to continue writing and mentions freelancing, but the discussion goes no further thanks to Kyazike and Auntie Maggie Jenkins’ (Michelle Greenidge) interruptions.
Sometime later, the party nearly takes a turn for the worst when Queenie returns from the bathroom to find herself besieged by cake and ‘happy birthday’ caroling. Something about the experience reminds of her an unpleasant childhood experience but she manages to push it down and blow out the candles.
The mood of the party does drastically shift minutes later when Sylvie gives Queenie a birthday card that apparently also contains a sizable check. Darcy only makes matters worse when she interrupts and asks why Sylvie chose the name Queenie. Sylvie says that she always wanted to be a princess because they were so delicate and pretty. When Queenie was born, it was the first thing she thought. That was until she returned home from the hospital to discover that Queenie’s father was married. Queenie becomes irate because she feels that Sylvie has turned her birthday into a day about her. This eventually leads to a huge argument with Queenie accusing Sylvie of trying to buy her off for such a horrible childhood.
Queenie is later moping about the fight outside alone when Diana Jenkins (Cristale De’Abreu) approaches with the prospect of attending the pro-black exhibition. Little does Queenie know that Frank and Chi Da Kidd/Malachi (Demmy Ladipo) are also at the exhibition with the hopes of running into Queenie. Despite this, Frank doesn’t appreciate Malachi pointing this out which leads to them leaving just as Queenie and Diana show up. Queenie also learns that Diana is using the visit to the exhibit as ‘work experience’ for some school project.
When Queenie and Diana finish the exhibit, they are approached by Jasmila Adama David (Thanyia Moore) and Candice Carty Williams (Candice Carty Williams) who asks their opinions. Queenie tells her that it is good to learn about the female’s place in black history but it always seems that it is done so through the male lens or women with notable notoriety. Both Jasmila and Candice are more than impressed by her response and leave her with a card and the offer to talk more.
Queenie finally takes the time to read her mother’s card when she and Diana return home. As it turns out, the check was to help Queenie with a down payment for a new place to live. Queenie then attempts to get upstairs undetected but fails thanks to a visitor who is waiting on her in the garden. Looking outside, she is pleased to see Frank who is currently being besieged by Wilfred. Frank does an excellent job of pretending to be interested in what he has to say and does an even better job pretending his interaction with Queenie is casual.
Once Wilfred is drawn away by Veronica’s pleas, Frank gives Queenie her birthday present which just happens to be a gift from the exhibition. This eventually leads to a discussion about the surprise party and Sylvie’s unexpected visit. Just as their discussion is about to get serious Diana quickly interrupts but is just as quickly drawn away. This is where the conversation turns bad thanks to Frank receiving a call from what Queenie suspects is a girl. Frank does not deny her accusations but says that it is nothing serious. Queenie then further ruins the moment by saying that she has dates as well.
The episode ends with more friendly banter but it’s clear they both want to say much more.
Queenie Review
Not a horrible episode but certainly not one of my favorites. The scene at the pool with Queenie and Tabitha was comedy gold but Queenie in her too revealing bathing suit was a bit much. I understand that it was a one-piece suit but it was riding high up in the crack of her bum. This was a bit of a turn as was the shaved head lady at the exhibition. I don’t claim to be perfect and I am all for people being different but sometimes there is a line. I don’t mean to offend anyone with these comments; this is just my personal opinion and doesn’t mean that I am right.
Other than that, I enjoyed the episode. I’d give it a 5.6 out of 10. Get more Queenie recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest TV shows and movies.
