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into consideration when it came to "entertaining" other ladies. And while a courtesy "heads up" text appeared sufficient, Daniel has now opted to go ghost, staying at his sorta-girlfriend Vanessa's place, only responding with a "Yeah, I'm straight. Thanks," when asked if he's good.
"Familiar-Like" finds Daniel and Issa still tip toeing around each other. However, their hesitation is not rooted in resentment or suspicion, but in a genuine attempt to respect each others' space and not muddy the emotional waters. The latter's certainly the real reason why Daniel decided to leave his own house and lay up in Vanessa's bed for three days; or why he tells Issa Vanessa doesn't like her being around, when Vanessa has more energy for reveling in Lonzo Ball and Alexandra Schipp's light skinned love. She barely expresses interest in Daniel's music, let alone jealously over Issa. It's obvious Daniel likes having Issa around more than he wants to admit.
The episode offers another window into Daniel's life as a struggling producer. He pushes his friend Seven to connect him with Spyder, a young rapper he wants to collaborate with. If you haven't guessed by his taste in less-than-talented singers--or his affinity for buying them what can only be described as saran wrap pants--Seven's a flake, and unsurprisingly leaves Daniel high and dry when it's time to head to the club and meet Spyder. Issa, who spent much of the afternoon cleaning up the house, offers to join him. Outside the club, they run into Khalil, their former classmate and a one-time producing protege of Daniel. However, it quickly becomes apparent the student has surpassed the teacher; while the bouncer is ready to banish Daniel to the back of the line, Khalil gets them in. Later, when Daniel is about to make his move and talk up his music to Spyder, Khalil unknowingly ruins the moment by bouncing in and striking up a conversation.
"Familiar-Like" reveals a different side of Daniel: nervous, awkward, unsure of himself. In a word, insecure. For two seasons we've seen him almost exclusively through Issa's eyes: a super chill, confident, sex on a stick go getter. But between the club setting, being dissed for no longer being Seven's weedman, and burning under the glare of Khalil's rising star, Daniel's thrown off his game, and when he does finally get a word with Spyder, it's barely memorable. "I'm too old for this shit," he sighs to Issa after they leave the club. "Everytime I feel like I'm about to get out the starting blocks with this shit...just nothin." Issa, going three for three in the good friend department, suggests he work with Khalil instead of competing with him.
All in all, Issa made some pretty good choices this episode. After getting rejected for yet another apartment, she meets with Kelly, who explains the only way to overcome her bad credit and get her own place is to save more money. Staying with her brother is no longer an option--he and bae are growing ganga in what would've been her room--so she applies for a property manager position. And while she rightfully resents the fact she's expected to speak up on black issues because she's the black girl, she must accept that, for the time being, she is the only black girl. So she meets with Joanne and explains the need to hire more people of color. In past seasons, Issa would've likely wallowed in indecision, so it's good to see her take some initiative to try and change her situtation at home and at work.
While Issa supporting Daniel and Daniel admitting he likes having her around is all well and good, they are playing with fire. The second-too-long glances, the up close and personal beatboxing Daniel does in Issa's ear at the club, and her sitting beside him as he works on music are all signs the line between friendship and, as Kelly so delicately put it, "concubinin'" are getting microscopically blurry. Though the real red flag comes when Daniel says she can sleep in his bed if the couch is too hard on her neck. In his bed? It's a slippery slope Issa. A slippery slope.
Other Thoughts:
- Hmm, was Issa's decision to clean up the house a low-key hint she and Daniel will eventually hook up, since in a way, they're already playing house? I see you and your metaphors Amy Aniobi, who wrote this episode.
- Joanne's tone-deaf reaction to We Got Y'all's problematic logo was hilarious and spot on, with her only managing to respond with varying versions of "but it's my hand." "It's not a hand out, it's a hand out" was a highlight.
- No Molly this episode, though surprisingly the episode didn't suffer for it. While she and Issa's friendship is the series' foundation, it was a nice change of pace to see Issa and Daniel paired off for the whole half hour.
- "Don't look a gift horse in the dick." Ah Kelly, you've been missed.
- "Also, there's two boys and only one girl. Hello, times up."
- "If I were a nigga where would I keep my trash can?"
- "Hi I'm Issa and I'm black and angry!" Frieda: "We should all be angry."
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