Ep 1. Chapter I

Dear White People is an American comedy-drama television series that follows the experiences of Black students at a predominantly white Ivy League university. The show seeks to address issues of race, diversity, and identity through humor and satire.

Season 4 begins with the first episode "Chapter I", where we witness the aftermath of the disruption caused in Winchester's campus radio station in the previous season.

The episode begins with a group of students discussing the controversy over the radio station's ownership after Sam White (played by Logan Browning), the host of the radio show "Dear White People," staged a protest against the alt-right trolls taking over the airwaves. The issue seems to have gained traction as students discuss the merits and demerits of Sam's actions.

Lionel, played by DeRon Horton, is the first character we see in the episode. Lionel is a journalist and writer who writes about the issues that affect the Black students on campus. He has been given the assignment to cover the controversy surrounding the radio station's ownership. Lionel is determined to give an honest and unbiased account of the events that led to the radio station's shutdown.

After the meeting, we see Sam in her dorm room, trying to come up with new content for her show. Her roommate, Joelle (played by Ashley Blaine Featherson), joins her, and they discuss their summer plans. Joelle found an internship that she was eager to take, while Sam is undecided if she wants to stay on campus to fight for her beliefs or take some time off.

We also see Reggie (played by Marque Richardson), who is grappling with the PTSD he developed after being held at gunpoint by the police in the previous season. Reggie's trauma has been a theme in the show since it happened, and it looks like it might impact him throughout the season.

Meanwhile, in his new role as head of Armstrong-Parker House, a traditionally Black Annenberg dorm, Troy (played by Brandon P. Bell) is determined to prove himself as an effective leader. When he learns that the house manager has been skimming funds, Troy must come up with an innovative plan to cover up the embezzlement to protect the residents of his house.

As the episode progresses, we see the characters grappling with their various predicaments. Sam has to decide whether to continue her fight against the alt-right trolls or take a break from campus life. Lionel has to navigate his position as a journalist and a student while carrying out his assignment. Troy has to handle the situation with the missing funds and how it impacts his standing in the school. Reggie, trying to come to terms with his PTSD while still being a presence on campus, shows that the issues that plague college students are universal.

The first episode of Dear White People's fourth season sets the tone for the rest of the season. The themes of racial identity, diversity, and the Black college experience tackled head-on through humor, satire, and heartwarming moments, as seen in "Chapter I." In this episode, like every other episode in the series, the characters' personal struggles are portrayed sensitively, engagingly, and with a sense of balance to preserve the nuanced nature of the various challenges that plague the young adults in their daily lives.

Overall, the episode is well-paced, engaging, and sets the stage for the rest of the season. It is a Must-watch for anyone who has been following the show and is interested in grappling with the idea of race and identity in contemporary America.