Ep 16. One Angry Man

In season 3 episode 16 of Black-ish titled One Angry Man, Dre is called for jury duty and is excited to fulfill his civic duty. However, when he realizes the defendant is a young black man, he begins to have doubts about the justice system. Meanwhile, Bow tries to teach the kids about the value of money by making them create their own businesses. However, things get out of hand when Junior creates a controversial product.

As Dre sits in the jury room waiting to be called, he expresses his excitement about serving on a jury and upholding justice. But when the defendant is revealed to be a young black man accused of robbery, Dre becomes conflicted. He believes in the justice system, but he's also aware of the racial biases present in the legal system and wonders if the young man will receive a fair trial. The rest of the jury is made up mostly of white men, who seem to be dismissive of the young man's case. Dre tries to make them see the situation from his perspective, but they don't seem to listen to him.

Back at home, Bow is trying to teach the kids about the value of money. Each child is tasked with creating a business to earn their own money. Zoey starts a babysitting service, Jack and Diane start a lemonade stand, and Junior creates a product that causes controversy. He invents a lotion that is marketed as "for black people by black people." Bow is initially impressed that Junior is catering to an underserved market, but things take a turn when the lotion is discovered to have some rather controversial contents. The situation quickly spirals out of control, with Bow struggling to contain the fallout.

As Dre tries to convince the other jurors to look at the case through a different lens, he begins to realize the futility of his efforts. The other jurors are resistant to his arguments and believe in the infallibility of the justice system. Dre becomes convinced that the young man is going to be wrongfully convicted and appalled by the idea of that happening. He seeks guidance from his father, Pops, who reminds him that sometimes the best thing to do when a system is broken is to try to improve it from within.

Meanwhile, Bow is struggling to contain the fallout from Junior's controversial lotion. She tries to get Junior to understand the broader impact his product could have and the harm it could cause. Junior is initially defiant and doesn't understand what the big deal is, but Bow eventually gets through to him. She helps him see that his product, while created with good intentions, has the potential to be hurtful rather than helpful.

In the end, Dre is able to win over his fellow jurors when he presents the case in a different light. He shows them how the same set of facts can be interpreted in different ways based on one's experiences and perspective. He is able to make them see that the young man is not a hardened criminal, but rather a product of his environment. The jury ultimately comes to a verdict that is satisfying to all parties involved.

Meanwhile, Bow helps Junior understand the broader impact of his lotion and helps him develop a new product that is more inclusive and less controversial. By the end of the episode, the kids have all earned some extra money and Dre has a renewed faith in the justice system, albeit one tempered with a greater understanding of its flaws.

Overall, season 3 episode 16 of Black-ish is an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of justice and the value of money. It challenges viewers to think about their own biases and how they may impact their interpretation of the world around them. With its mix of humor, heart, and social commentary, it's a standout episode in an already impressive series.