‘P-Valley’ Recap: ‘Pussyland’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season two premiere of ‘P-Valley’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that the STARZ series, P-Valley, was one of the most refreshing and original shows to hit the airwaves in 2020. Because this is a series that took us inside a world that many know little of and consider to be taboo, specifically… the lives of strip club dancers and the ups and downs they face and while that alone could have carried the first season from beginning to end… this series took its incredible storytelling one step further. By basically showcasing a day in the life in the South, courtesy of its dynamic characters, that also reflect our world courtesy of their incredible diversity, and well, the only real downside to this series… is that the world prevented us from enjoying more of it… sooner.

For this is a series that was forced into hiatus because of the Coronavirus pandemic, a move that shockingly… ended up helping this series in an unexpected manner. For yesterday saw season two of this fascinating saga premiere on STARZ at last and well, ‘Pussyland’ is a premiere that actually used our frustrations of the ‘Rona to the show’s advantage. For when we catch up with everyone from The Pynk in this tale… a few months after the harrowing events of ‘Murda Night’, they are dealing with the pandemic as the rest of us did. With frustration and hints of anger and they’re doing their best to survive in the non-existent economy that hung heavy over ’20 and ’21, by doing socially distanced dances via a strip-thru. 

Which was… a genius idea on Uncle Clifford’s part, since it kept everyone afloat during that dark time, that thankfully came to an end in this tale. Since the dancers also came to learn that lockdown was nearing its end and that The Pynk would soon re-open and well, that’s when this story’s truly shined. Because in many ways… this premiere reflects not only our collective frustrations and pain from two years of sheer worry and madness… but our hopes for the future. Because everyone in this story was looking forward to the end of the lockdown and had plans about what tomorrow will bring and well, that’s where we are right now. We’re thinking about life after Covid, and what this nightmare taught us and where we personally go from here, and that’s brilliant.

Since it once again ties this series into everyday life and makes it relatable and engaging and well… the wonder of this story doesn’t end there. Because this is a drama after all, and we need just a little something more to properly lose ourselves within the story and that’s present here as well. Since the pandemic does claim Mayor Ruffin, bringing his nephew Andre back to town. Wherein he was quickly wooed by parties interested in getting their hands on Uncle Clifford’s location for the future of Chucalissa. Since that land would be the perfect place to build the casino that everyone is hoping will revitalize the town and well… that’s fine drama for certain. Since it raises the stakes for The Pynk mere days away from its triumphant, re-re-re-grand opening. 

If anything, this was just… a brilliant season premiere when all is said and done. Since it flawlessly plunged us back into this fascinating world and found new ways to make these characters and their life relatable and engaging. Not to mention, it set the stage for the season’s grand conflict in a smooth and dynamic manner and well… all this premiere does is leave us hungry for more. Because now we have to know if Clifford can hang onto the club and whether or not the fragile eco-system present at The Pynk will survive. Since everyone there is eager to look toward tomorrow and what the second chance the end of the pandemic will bring, and it will be quite interesting to see where year two of this phenomenal series is going to take us in the weeks to come as The Pynk gets back to business. Until next time.  

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