Even as the Bordelons came together for Ernest's funeral on Queen Sugar Season 1 Episode 2, their differing points of view were pulling at the seams of their family bonds.

But let’s start from the beginning…

Samuel Landry showed up on Ernest's property with surveyors, trying to assess what the land was worth. I was relieved that Charley wasn’t buying any of his bull. Her father hasn’t even been buried yet and this man was circling like a vulture looking to pick his estate clean.

Needless to say, Samuel Landry will be trouble. The only question is, will he have the Bordelons banding together or tearing one another apart?

Because the claws came out as they made funeral arrangements. Charley more than has the money to pay for the whole thing, but Nova won’t allow that. She also managed to shut Charley out of making almost all of the decisions.

Which is probably why Charley called the catering service for the repast. I didn’t think she’s trying to throw her money around or take over, I simply thought she was looking for any way to help and in her world, that made sense. Unfortunately, that gesture blew up in her face.

Or should I say Nova blew up at her. As much as Nova may hold some resentment towards her rich sister who took off for L.A. with her superstar husband, I think that tirade was equally about letting off steam as the grief over losing their father built up.

Besides, who can you let loose on other than family and get away with it?

Nova, had a lot on her plate. Her editor was pushing for a gossip rag type story on Charley and Davis, but Nova’s got far too much integrity for that, even if it would put her on the front page.

I had to laugh at the hypocrisy of the funeral director. How his eyes lit up when he saw Charley’s credit card and how he immediately chastised Nova for wanting to put that pouch in her father’s casket. Such prejudice between religions never ceases to amaze me. Why is it that so many people feel that the only religious beliefs that need to be respected are their own?

I loved how the Bordelons shut him up with just a look. It’s the look that says, “Don’t mess with me. You’ll regret it,” without ever having to say a word.

Charley: Let's just say, with everything that's happened, you can dig a hole right next to Daddy and leave me there.
Nova: Don't conjure that up!

Permalink: Don't conjure that up!

That one line showed how strong Nova’s beliefs are and just how much she loves her sister, despite their differences.

Davis West showed up in Louisiana, and I suppose that was just a matter of time. I couldn’t believe it when Davis pled his innocence to his son or claimed Micah was too young to understand what was going on. Seriously?!?

I kept trying to come up with a scenario where Davis could actually be innocent, but it alluded me. Was he just carrying the unconscious woman into the hotel room for her own safety? Did he think the group of drunk, horny, young basketball players were going to look out for her?

Did he not mean to grope her ass after tossing her over his shoulder?

Yeah, I think Davis and I, and probably Charley, have very different definitions for the word innocent.

Was Charley accepting that hug from Davis a crack in her armor? Will she give him a second chance? Goodness knows I hope not. The girl deserves better than a man who seems unable to think past himself.

Then there was Blue, who manages to bind Ralph Angel and Vi together and tear them apart all at once.

I agree with Vi that Blue has the right to be at his grandfather’s funeral, but I also believe that that decision should be his father’s.

There's so much history between these two. So much we don’t know, as we heard in this Queen Sugar quote…

Vi: Coddling him ain't doing him no favors. Ernest always regretted all the coddling he did with you. His only son, up on a pedestal. It ain't right. It ain't healthy. You see how it turns out.
Ralph Angel: Yeah, how's that?
Vi: Wrestling with the world, a world that ain't got no pedestal for you.

Permalink: Wrestling with the world, a world that ain't got no pedestal for you.

Ralph Angel was being torn in so many directions. He's trying to get his life back on track after getting out of prison...and we still don't know exactly what did he do to end up in there. He's trying to be a good father to Blue while balancing his own beliefs with Vi’s. And then there’s Darla.

I felt for Darla when her boss told her she’d lose her job if she left. There’s nothing worse than feeling torn in two. She had to be there for Blue, but if she loses that job, it could derail her ability to get her own life back on track. She can’t help take care of her son if she doesn’t have a job.

Hollywood made the right call when he stopped Ralph Angel from storming over and putting a halt to the mother and son reunion. Blue deserved that hug from his mother, and this wasn’t the right time or place for a confrontation.

This was his father’s funeral.

Let light send him back to the light.
Nova

Permalink: Let light send him back to the light.

The service was perfect with the use of the evergreens and alll of the siblings dressed in white, and Nova taking her brother and sister’s hands. I’m sure there will be tough times to come, but today, they came together as family.

Don't forget to check back next week for my review of Queen Sugar season 1 episode 3, and if you need to catch up, you can watch Queen Sugar online here at TV Fanatic.