‘P-Valley’ Recap: ‘Snow’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 209 of ‘P-Valley’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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For the most part, we just take life as it comes and rightfully so. After all, no one knows the future and worrying about what could be, can be maddening at best. So instead, we do our best to just live in the moment and deal with life’s little and big surprises as they come our way, because that is the only way to properly live and enjoy life to the fullest. But now and again, the gravity of our situation, combined with the potential for change… puts us in a different place mentally. Wherein the moment is forgotten, and we focus on the future, because we can simply feel change coming in the air and we greatly anticipate it. If anything, that particularly strange quirk of fate is top of mind today, because the entire town of Chucalissa experienced it during last night’s episode of P-Valley on STARZ.

For ‘Snow’ is a story that took place on a supremely important day in this town. For starters, Election Day was upon the city at last and with it would come sweeping changes. For it would either mean the reign of a conservative Christian woman was about to take place or a hometown hero was going to step into the light, and either winner could determine the future for so many. Plus, this particular evening featured the Grand Re-Re-Re-Reee-Opening of The Pynk and that too… had an air of change about it hanging in the air. Because this was a make-or-break evening for Uncle Clifford, and she knew this in her soul and treated this day in a vastly different manner. First, by being honest with Lil’ Murda. For she knew that the tour was his priority and that would keep them apart and being honest about that now and how much it would hurt… would allow for Clifford to process the reality that forbidden love would remain just that.

If anything, being proactive in that moment, only emboldened Clifford to be stronger on this evening. To the point where the Covid offender was tossed out, and where Big L saw his exit take place from The Pynk. Since Clifford did indeed discover the drug running that was happening under its roof and well, as this journey played out and the anticipation began to build, it became apparent that this episode was less and less about just waiting for the winds of change to arrive when we feel them kicking up, and more what we can do to feel in control before the universe is going to unleash upon us. Which as it turns out… is to control what we can control. For our circle of influence is really all we have and that’s precisely what Clifford was tapping into, and he wasn’t the only one doing just that, on this strange and unnerving night in Chucalissa. 

For Keyshawn also knew that by the end of this night, change was coming to her life, and that motivated her to put on a performance of a lifetime at The Pynk as she prepared to collect everything, she needed to in order to escape and well, what’s wild… is that the show explored so much more regarding this particular concept. For the arrival of great change in the world… also puts us in a supremely reflective place. One where we are either thankful or thoughtful of the journey we’ve been on, and there was a lot of that present here. Since a return to the Pynk as an observer put Mercedes in a reflective place, one where she really didn’t know what to expect since nothing would be the same after this night. Not to mention, so many others swung by The Pynk for similar musings and well… this really was quite the unique way to set up the season finale when all is said and done.

Simply because, most shows like to ramp up the tension before the finale hits. Because now is a chance to fire up the viewers and keep them starving for the big finish. But this isn’t a traditional show, it’s about life and all of its ups and downs and the real moments we share in, and well… that’s what made this cliffhanger so impactful. The fact that it was so low-key and realistic and familiar. For we really have been in this situation, where we keep ourselves busy as change arrives and well, that made for one magnificent story. One that still managed to draw us in since we are all now curious as to what kind of change is coming to Chucalissa, and how these dynamic characters will respond to it, for better or worse and that is going to make the wait for next week’s story, as difficult as it gets. Until next time.  

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