Deep pain is festering for the Bordelons in Season 4, episode 4 of Queen Sugar, "Skin Transparent." Directed by Jezebel director Numa Perrier in her TV debut, "Skin Transparent" shows Nova (Rutina Wesley) about to embark on her book tour for Blessing & Blood--which is already garnering critical acclaim. As she gears up to leave, she enlists Micah (Nicholas L. Ashe) to house sit for her. Having read her book, Micah is proud of his aunt and doesn't seem to understand the hurt and anguish that it's causing the rest of his family. However, Nova is finally getting how badly she's screwed up--though she hasn't yet admitted it. Aunt Violet (Tina Lifford), Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) are freezing her out, and it's killing her. With her upcoming book launch, Nova is desperate to see some familiar faces in the audience, but her siblings and her aunt won't even return her phone calls.
Still shaken by Jimmy Dale (David Alan Grier) crashing through her world, Violet is utterly traumatized. She's barely functioning, and Hollywood (Omar J. Dorsey) can tell that Jimmy Dale's short reemergence into Violet's life has left her off-kilter. Vi can't even bring herself to leave the Vi's Prized Pies & Diner's kitchen. She snaps at her favorite employee and has Hollywood and Rhonda run interference to keep Nova away from her place of business. Despite Hollywood's urging to talk things out, Violet can't bring herself to face her past or her present feelings.
Meanwhile, Charley and Romero's (Walter Perez) clinic for undocumented workers is already up and running in the barracks behind Queen Sugar mill. Romero seems thrilled by the operation, but Charley's still spiraling from Nova's book and from her secret about the men who died on her land. As a result, she isn't able to be authentically joyful. At the clinic, Micah meets Romero by chance, and after so much buildup, it's clear that it's not exactly the encounter Charley had been hoping for.
There is some good news in the midst of this. Charley's investigator has found the man who's been sending death threats to Micah, and he's been arrested. Also, Ralph Angel has started the Ernest Bordelon Re-Entry Program for formerly incarcerated people. It's something his old friends have been urging him to do for some time. However, amid the positive things happening in his life, RA has also begun getting questions about Blue's paternity.
Of course, the Landrys and the Beaudreaux are up to their old bullshit. Charley's investigator has discovered that the prominent families have come together to help fund a federal highway that will cut right through St. Joseph's county and the lands of many of its farmer. The plan is so massive and well thought out that they've already begun infiltrating the city council. There's a lot at stake here, and even Charley with all of her tenacity, brilliance, and risk-taking might not be able to stop it.
Continue reading at Shadow and Act.
Image: Skip Bolen © 2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. / Courtesy of OWN