A new season of the highly anticipated Netflix sitcom just dropped, so here is The Upshaws Season 3 review to tell you all about it. Created by Regina Y Hicks and Wanda Sykes, this show stars the latter and actors like Mike Epps, Kim Fields, Diamond Lyons, Khali Spraggins, Page Kennedy, Jermelle Simon, Gabrielle Dennis, Mike Estime and Journey Christine. This season contains 8 episodes, each running for about 25-29 minutes.
Netflix’s description of the show reads:
A working-class Black family in Indiana strives for a better life and a happy home while juggling everyday struggles in this comedy series.
-The Upshaws Season 3 Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-
The stakes were high for the Upshaws this season. Apart from handling an already insane string of events last time, in this season, we see the family go through some more formative experiences that would change their life trajectory. A recurring aspect of this show is to consistently grow the characters and give them new struggles every season. It uses the guise of humour to tell some interesting anecdotes about family dynamics and the responsibilities of being a part of a blended family.
For all the hate sitcoms receive now, The Upshaws is a good example of how the format has been and is still being used to tell the stories of small and working-class families in a way that makes them more relatable. It has impeccable humour, some interesting character dynamics and a well-rounded family structure, each with their own quirks and lives that are valid and important. Even when the show follows Aaliyah’s character, her stories and her problems are given equal weight to that of the rest of their family.
Sitcoms are a great tool for showcasing a model response to real-life problems that happen to people. The Upshaws circles through money problems, the prospect of giving a standardized test for college and dealing with a family while going through difficult family times. Additionally, the show provides many female characters with leadership roles in the family, which starkly contrasts with what is generally expected of them.
There are multiple callbacks to previous episodes, a good grasp of continuity and the ability to use old incidents as inciting events of the new ones. Wanda Sykes has created a relatable family drama that oscillates between comedy and serious drama pretty well, employing both these tools effectively throughout the show. The writers know exactly when to break a moment for a laugh or how to build up tense moments over the small ones that have been brushed off before.
Interestingly, this time the humour does not push the envelope for controversy and instead relies on character quirks and dynamics to make a situation either less or more funny. This also meant that while characters still kept true to their selves most of the time, there were moments where their growth as individuals became exceedingly clea, especially for Bennie Upshaw Sr.
The show also makes it extremely clear that it is deeply ingrained in the culture of Blackness and that it will not compromise on that aspect. It very proudly showcases identity as an accompaniment to their personalities and does not shy away from its presence in people’s lives. There are many kinds of Black people who have their own connection to identity. Some may associate very strongly with it, while others do not. The Upshaws provides characters with the opportunity to own their own Black experience.
Perhaps the favourite aspect of this writer’s experience with watching the show is understanding one’s internalised biases and how that affects our relationship with the people around us. Through Bernard Jr.’s experience with his sexuality and identity, it becomes exceedingly clear that everyone has unlearning to do, even queer people.
The Upshaws Season 3 Review: Final Thoughts
This writer agrees that the show is great for an easy laugh and a good binge. It is fun, short and enjoyable to see casually. However, if someone is looking for something a little more serious, this show is a perfect pick for that. It gives audiences the opportunity to choose what to take away from each episode. It is evident that the writers have written the material with care for each character rooting for their growth as the seasons go on.
In conclusion, if someone is looking for a quiet night in with some mindless TV, then they can go on with this show. If they are looking for something mildly fun with their friends, this is also cool, and if they are looking for something to tickle their brains about humour and family dynamics, then that works, too, for this show.
The Upshaws Season 3 is currently streaming on Netflix. What did you think of this season? Let us know in the comments below.
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