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| Photo: Jojo Whilden/FX |
After a season of emotional tumult, shade and sequins, Pose closes out its freshman season on a celebratory high note with "Mother of The Year."
Don't mistake celebratory for saccharine. The episode picks up right where "Pink Slip" let off, with Elektra still working at Show World, with its seemingly endless parade of voyeurs becoming even more of a mind-numbing grind. Meanwhile her off hours are spent sleeping in fast food restaurants, or, like when we first met Damon, on a park bench. She's on a dangerous path, and as hard as I've been on Elektra, I was relieved to see Blanca's face on the other side of that mirror at the end of the opening montage. Of course she isn't the one who can save Elektra; she has to do that herself, and takes a step out of the abyss when she finally allows herself to trust someone and accepts Blanca's help.
Elektra moves into Blanca's apartment, where she momentarily relapses into her default mode of bitch goddess. But the side eyes and dead silence she's greeted with let her know bullshit will not be tolerated. But Blanca can see beyond the harsh critiques of her wall color; she knows her former mother is down--mama isn't even in the mood to beat her face before going outside--and pushes her to apply as a hostess at Indochine, an uptown restaurant. She's hesitant, but after more prodding turns on her seductive charm and lands the job. The quick 'yaas bitch' moment she shares with Blanca is beautiful, because it underlines just how much their relationship has evolved. No longer simply mentor/protege, mother/daughter or bitter rivals, they are now equals. Blanca has helped Elektra rediscover herself, and she returns the favor at the Princess Ball when Candy's shade cuts a little too close to the bone. Elektra lifts Blanca up with a touch up of her make up, an offer to walk as an Evangelista and a heart-warming speech about being taught what a mother truly is.
"You have always been my heart," Elektra tells her. But lest you think Elektra's gone soft, her scorched earth read of Candy and Lulu will lay those fears to rest. I mean....my GAWD. That was a read that will live on through annals of time and space. A read that will be talked about in hushed, reverent whispers, passed down from one generation of queens to another, to be quoted and reenacted in all its savage mastery. On top of putting her former daughters back in their place, she reclaims Papi and snatches two House of Ferocity members because she motherfuckin' felt like it. House of Ferocity and House of Evangelista then go head to head in what is hands down the best battle of the season, as everyone proceeds to utterly get their life to "Love Hangover." House of Evangelista gets 10s across the board and proceeds to slay House of Ferocity in every category.
Blanca's good deeds extend beyond Elektra. She fixes Pray tell up with Keenan, a handsome bartender with dreams of becoming a sculptor. Pray is wary at first, quipping he's been "closed for business" since Costas' death, and in no hurry to be rejected because of his HIV status. He eventually agrees to a date, and takes the bold step of disclosing his status. However, Keenan doesn't walk away, but asks how he can help. Blanca also deepens her bond with Angel, pushing her to leave the sex trade behind for night schoool and reveals her status. Despite all of the good things happening for her and her children--Damon has been accepted for a second year at the dance academy, Ricky's landed a spot as a dancer on Al B. Sure's tour, House of Evangelista is now a major player in the ballroom scene--Blanca knows she's racing against the clock, and will need someone to take over her role after she's gone.
Her confession is what likely motivates Angel to cut Stan off for good. "You're not my first Prince Charming,"she explains when he pops up outside the Princess Ball. "You're not real. We were just good ideas in each other's minds." With her priorities shifting to supporting her family, not his (she ain't wild about kids), the idea of being rescued has lost its luster. Stan however, is still caught up in their former fantasy, unwilling to confront how his reality has changed. It's why he's thrown for a loop when Patty says he can move back into their home, but the divorce is still happening. Like Patty, Angel is betting on herself, and has no more time for fairy tales.
Blanca is unsurprisingly crowned Mother of The Year, a crowning achievement for a woman who began the season as the black sheep of her chosen family and, after receiving earth shattering news, decided to live out her days as forcefully and vibrantly as she can. Afterwards, the crew caps the evening with a dinner, toasting not only their stunning victory, but welcoming new members to the family (Keenan, Cubby and Lemar), and restoring bonds that had been broken (Elektra and Papi).
The future is uncertain--Blanca and Pray Tell's health could take a turn for the worse, Damon and Ricky's relationship may not survive a long-distance arrangement, Papi could slip back into the drug game, Elektra may once again become a rival after she gets back on her feet--but for now, this house is one built on love.
See y'all for season two!
Other Thoughts:
- A few season two predictions:
- Bye Bye White People: Stan, Patty and Matt won't come back. I mean, Matt's served his purpose as evil incarnate, Patty was only connected to the plot through Stan's identity crisis, and now that Angel's done with him, he serves no purpose; unless he decides to date someone like Summer, which would distract from the narrative rather than serve it.
- DR Heartbreak: Damon and Ricky will break up. I mean, call me cynical or just grown, but they're both so young, and their worlds are both opening up in ways they couldn't have imagined. It's going to take real commitment for them to stay together, and I'm not sure if our boys are up to it.
- House of Abundance Strikes Back: Elektra will recruit some new children for House of Abudance. While I truly believe she and Blanca have come to an understanding, Elektra loves winning and being the queen bee too much to cede her throne for long. A kinder, gentler diva? Yes, but one who still lives for the limelight.
- Oh Miss Caaaaandy. Girl you got a case of "category dyslexia" and a made a tragic attempt to vogue, (though you could probably get busy in a hip hop class). Then you got all in your feelings and tried to pop off, looking like a straight fool when your children had to restrain you from hitting a judge with a hammer. Please apply for citizenship to the rhythm nation and get your shit together.
- Elektra's a big Al B. Sure fan. A BIG fan. Though I don't know if I agree he was the heir apparent to Marvin Gaye,.
The Shade of It All/Those One Liners Tho'
- "This color looks like a shit-stained diaper left out in the rain."
- "That is 'reformed ho' to you thank you very much."
- "Bitch they ain't asking you to be a mathematician! All you gotta do is look pretty and judge people!"
- "That wig line is a goddamn crime."
- "I see you Prince of Egypt. I also see that rayon you done brought up into my kingdom!"'
- Highlights of Elektra's Epic Read:
- "House of Ferocity? You two are about as fierce as my morning corn flakes."
- "You may left my house but you can't leave me. I'm in your mind. That voice that says 'You're not good enough little girl. You're not smart enough or tough enough or glamorous enough to make it in this world.' And that little voice going to eat at you like termites until your pathetic house comes crashing down!"
- "You're nothing but bags of rancid, rotting meat!"
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