Queen Sugar - S1E3 - Inherit the Earth

Previously on Queen Sugar, “Evergreen”

Queen Sugar S1E3 - Inherit the Earth | Starring: Rutina Wesley, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Kofi Siriboe, Tina Lifford, Omar J. Dorsey, Dondre Whitfield, Timon Kyle Durrett,Nicholas L. Ashe, Greg Vaughan, Ethan Hutchison, Marycarmen Lopez, Bianca Lawson

Images: OWN

This week, Queen Sugar went about the business of death. The Borderlon siblings barely have time to grieve before they’re forced to process the details of Ernest Borderlon’s will. They’re given his 800-acre sugar cane farm to share and manage equally. Unfortunately, it also comes with a mountain of debt and the lecherous Landry sniffing around.

Each have their own reasons for wanting their father’s affairs sorted quickly, though they’re not all on the same page as to what should be done with the farm. Ralph Angel needs a job and a fresh start, and he sees running the farm as his way to achieve both. His sisters barely consider his wants or his possible contributions, which sends him into the arms of his ex, Darla. Considering his contempt for her, this will most likely be a decision he later regrets.

We see more of Nova’s activist side, but not much else of her in “Inherit the Earth.” She makes time to visit a young black boy in jail for a crime he says he didn’t commit. He’s near his breaking point, but Nova promises to have his back if he wants to fight and take his case to trial. Such a short scene, yet it enhances and reaffirms what we know of this character. She’s deeply committed to her people and her community. Will this case put her at odds with her police detective lover, Calvin?

Charley wants to return to her life in Los Angeles so she can deal with the fallout of Davis’ rape scandal. That is, until he admits that he did have sex with the woman, an escort, but maintains he didn’t rape her. Reluctantly, she allows Micah to accompany his father while she remains in St. Josephine to negotiate the farm deal with Landry.

One thing the siblings can all agree on: The only thing more offensive than Landry’s low offer (nearly half of what the land is worth), is his condescending attitude. We’ve seen that the Borderlons may have their issues with one another, but they will band together quickly and fiercely against an outsider. This is no exception. After some counsel from Remy, Charley seriously considers keeping the farm and eventually she and Nova present Ralph Angel with their plan: They’ll give the farm a year, with Charley handling financials, Nova taking on the administrative duties, and Ralph Angel managing the day-to-day operations while he resides in their father’s house with Blue.

On the surface, this seems like a reasonable and realistic endeavor, but Landry’s not-so-veiled threat to Charley by the episode’s end ensures it won’t be easy.

What did you think of this week’s episode of Queen Sugar? Leave your thoughts below or on our Facebook post for this review and we’ll read them on this weekend’s podcast.