Ep 20. Switch Hitting

In Black-ish season 1 episode 20, titled "Switch Hitting," we see Dre struggling with his pride as an African American father as he tries to teach his son how to play baseball. Though Dre's father was a baseball player himself, Dre never took an interest in sports as a kid. So when he takes his oldest son Andre Jr. to a baseball game, he starts to panic when he realizes how little he knows about the game.

As the episode progresses, we see Dre's anxiety around being seen as a "bad dad" start to consume him. He decides to hire a coach to teach Andre Jr. how to play, but quickly becomes jealous when he sees how much his son is bonding with the coach. Meanwhile, Rainbow tries to teach their youngest son Jack how to ride a bike, but her overprotectiveness keeps getting in the way.

The episode addresses themes of fatherhood, masculinity and the pressure to live up to societal expectations. Dre's struggle to connect with his son through baseball exposes his own insecurities as a father and as a Black man. His need to be the "protector" and provider for his family sometimes causes him to overlook the importance of emotional connection and communication.

Through the humor and fun of watching these relatable family moments, the show also tackles deeper issues of race and gender expectations. We see Dre grappling with his own identity as a Black man in a predominantly white sport, and the pressure he feels to live up to a certain image of masculinity. At the same time, we see Rainbow challenge traditional gender roles and expectations as she tries to teach Jack how to ride a bike, even though it's typically seen as a "dad's" job.

Overall, Black-ish season 1 episode 20 is a heartwarming and thought-provoking episode that explores the complexities of parenting and identity. Through the struggles of its characters, the show offers insight into the challenges that many families face, and highlights the importance of communication and understanding in overcoming them.