‘Down in the Valley’ Recap: ‘Out the Mud’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Nicco Annan in Episode 103 of ‘Down in the Valley’ – ‘Out the Mud’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Down in the Valley’. To revisit the Series Premiere, click here.
​
One particular goal that a great majority of people on Planet Earth share in, it is to learn as much as possible about the world we live upon, and the many people we share this world with. Because despite the fact that humans do share in a great deal of similar experiences, there are so many, so many of us will never understand. For only a handful know what it is like to walk through life with cancer in their bodies or what it means to struggle with mental illness. Which is why, we tend to turn to true-life stories and documentaries whenever we get the chance. To learn about such matters and find the understanding we seek.

But even then, that’s not a perfect process. For sometimes true-life tales focus on the reaction versus the realities of the matter and forget to teach us, what we seek knowledge wise, and sometimes documentaries lead us astray. Because they discover there is another story to tell or an angle to bring forth and well, that’s why the STARZ docuseries, Down in the Valley, is so supremely important. Because it is that rare documentary that doesn’t have an angle to send our way. It really is… about life in the delta and the experiences we don’t know about but want to understand better and for proof… then look no further than this week’s shockingly powerful journey.

For ‘Out the Mud’ transported us to Dallas, Texas, with our intrepid and incredible host, Nicco Annan. To examine something that few docuseries have ever explored in great detail. Specifically… what it means to be a member of the LGBTQIA+ in the United States of America at this time of great change regarding perceptions of the LGBTQIA+ community. What life is like when you’re queer, and how hard it is still in 2024 to know that your sexual preference doesn’t align with the toxic homophobic norms that do still exist within the landscape of American life, and it accomplished such a feat by introducing us to a man named Marley Santana.

---

Marley Santana in Episode 103 of ‘Down in the Valley’ – ‘Out the Mud’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Who is a gay black man, and who… for many, many years… denied that was the case. Because the life he led was surrounded by the toxic homophobic agenda, and of course… to protect his very life, he had to pretend to be part of that community. Which meant he had to hate members of the very community he was actually part of and deny himself what his heart truly desired. But a surprise outing allowed for Marley to come to understand what it means to be one’s authentic self and how that heals us, and he embraced his sexual identity and now gives back to the community he ostracized and denied, to heal the damage he did on an internal and external level. Which made for a powerful story… one that really did offer incredible insight for the audience.

Because Marley, bares his soul in this story, and explains the fear that gay men experience in America because of how powerful and prevalent homophobia is in our world, and how it truly does drive men like Marley to do what must be done to feel some sense of acceptance. And we also learned how lonely and painful it is to not be out, to deny ourselves what we really want and really need and that was shocking to learn happens in 2024, but this truly taught us so much and this journey did indeed inspire. Mainly because Marley’s journey into being out and proud and being himself, spoke to who we become when we shake off the bullshit of prejudice and embrace what matters most: what makes us happy and fulfilled. As it turns out, we become a person who is happy, secure and willing to live life to the fullest. All of which made, for a stunning and powerful, and moving episode. One that brought this writer to tears with its raw honesty and its ability to help anyone watching… understand.

Truly understand an aspect of American life that so many of us casually know but should learn more about. Plus, Marley’s story and how he found acceptance on a personal level, reminds us of the need to be kind to one another, and to be accepting of everyone and anyone. For there are only so many of us on planet Earth and we should spend our days embracing the gift of life instead of ostracizing anyone who doesn’t live it by a ‘norm’, and this episode deserves a round of applause for its incredible lessons. Also, we need to take a moment and thank Nicco Annan for the incredible work he’s doing in hosting this show. Because he’s truly a guide here, and a host that is as honest as the stories present here, and that only adds to the wonder of a show that is accomplishing so much and has us eager to see, what incredible lessons await us down the line as we continue our journey through the valley. Until next time.

Watch ‘Down the Valley’ on STARZ.

---