Before we can talk about this whimsical season premiere of Black-ish, let's get something out of the way. Black-ish airs on ABC. ABC is owned by Disney. This episode not only took place entirely at Disney World, but even included commercials for Disney World during the show. It's hard not to be cynical about the brand name blitz. We know going in that the Johnson family are not going to find anything wrong with Disney World. There's no seedy underbelly to the park. Every employee, as shown by the delightfully chipper Cody (Jim Rash), is here to help. If you were expecting anything other than hope, optimism, and yes, even magic, you've come to the wrong theme park.
But - just because the Johnsons have a wonderful time doesn't mean that they haven't brought along baggage. In particular, Dre's obsession with the V.I.P. treatment.
The backstory for this obsession is well established when we see a flashback of Dre with Pops and Ruby at Disneyland as a kid, enjoying a homemade tuna sandwich instead of the multitude of Mickey-Mouse-Ear-Shaped delights all the other children seem to have. In order to make up for this perceived childhood slight, Dre goes all out for his family. Not only do they have V.I.P. passes, but they have their very own tour guide to lead them through the park (and he very much does not like them saying that they "bought" him). While Dre does want to show his family a good time, he starts to feel pampered by the V.I.P. treatment himself and doesn't mind leaving the pregnant Bow in the dust because she can't go on rides.
Dre and the kids dominate the A-plot. The kids all get used to the V.I.P. treatment very quickly, but when the tour guide leaves and takes their V.I.P. treatment with them, and they discover that they are in "gen-pop", it triggers a spectacular meltdown that ends with Junior throwing a smoothie at a sign. Dre quickly realizes that the kids have turned into monsters, which I suspect is not an unfamiliar sensation for parents at the Disney parks. Dre practically disowns the kids, although he does admit it was pretty harsh, and storms off. When Bow confronts him, it's clear that he is just now realizing the sacrifices his own parents made to take him to Disneyland, and he has the self-awareness to extend an olive branch to Pops, who wasn't on board with the trip to begin with.
Bow, Ruby, and Pops get a B-plot that seems to be poking fun at the episode's infomercial-esque aspects while still... well... keeping it like an infomercial. For various reasons, the three aren't having much fun at the park and decide to go back to the hotel. They quickly get sidetracked by rides, giftshops, and parades, protesting that they aren't enjoying themselves - not one bit. They are, of course, having a wonderful time. No one can't have a wonderful time at Disney! Even with this breathtaking amount of corporate synergy, it provides the audience a fun chance to watch three curmudgeons by charmed by all Disney has to offer.
The episode ends with a fireworks show, Dre having a new appreciation for his parents, Bow, Ruby, and Pops having a great time at the park, and the kids getting over "gen-pop" and bonding through Junior's horrendously embarrassing attempt to say hi to a girl.
In the end, although the kids were called monsters by Dre, anyone who didn't find the image of Lawrence Fishburne wearing a Goofy Hat and singing "Be Our Guest" adorable is the real monster.
Back at Stevens & Lido: Charlie has been put in charge of the Microsoft account, but no one bothered to explain to him what Microsoft is. He's also using Airbnb to stay at Dre's because his apartment's being tented for ghosts. I would totally watch a full episode in the ghost apartment. They might have to tie it in to Disney's Haunted Mansion rides, but I would be ok with that.
Line of the Episode:"HELLLLLOOOOOOoooooOOOOOOoooo" Please let me know if I have the spelling right.
I'll be reviewing Black-ish for this season, so let me know what you would like me to focus on in future reviews. What was your favorite moment from this episode? Did you have a favorite line? Let me know!
