Everyone’s On Their Healing Journey In Bel-Air Episodes 4 To 6

Even when the sun is shining in Bel Air, there’s always something brewing. This week in episodes four through six, we’re focused on discovery, being honest with our trauma, and unpacking our past. It seems like this has been the theme of the summer, from Riley in Inside Out 2 to Lily Bloom in It Ends with Us. Why should it be any different for the Smith and Banks families?

We start off with Hilary (Coco Jones) who’s caught in a love triangle with LeMarcus (Justin Cornwell) and Jazz (Jordan L. Jones). It doesn’t help that Jazz keeps popping up everywhere. Oh, and there was that kiss Ashley (Akira Akbar) saw. Her life is a bit upside down right now and she’s struggling to decide what’s real for her. In the midst of all this, LeMarcus has had a terrible accident. Hilary does what she knows she has to do and stands by her man. But, if we’re being honest, this is more pressure and commitment than she was prepared for. And deep down, Hilary knows that because of her feelings for Jazz, she might not be what’s best for LeMarcus.

But it’s not just Hilary who’s feeling out of control — it’s Carlton (Olly Sholotan) too. He’s finally being honest with himself and his family, but it’s far from easy. He’s still navigating daily life, constantly under pressure to slip back into his old habits of drugs and alcohol. And with his new girlfriend, things are only getting tougher. He and Amira (Alycia Pascual-Peña) met in rehab, which is already a red flag. They’re both in a vulnerable state and a relationship requires energy that they should be putting into themselves. It’s clear Carlton likes her — heck, I like her too. She’s got that ride-or-die energy, she’s sassy, and she challenges Carlton, but, as we have seen, Amira is clearly unstable. She blew up at Carlton’s sponsor for suggesting he shouldn’t be in a relationship during the early stages of recovery, which, again, isn’t bad advice. As much as I want to root for them, I can’t. Seeing Carlton on a successful and truly healing journey is the character development we need, but it seems like Amira might lead him off that path.

And speaking of healing, Will (Jabari Banks) is all about that this week. He has questions and wants answers — not just for himself, but for both of his parents. He gets Lou (Marlon Wayans) and Vy (April Parker Jones) into a room to share their sides of the story because he’s starting to realize there’s no moving forward until they work through their pain. While they both did it for Will’s sake, they left with more open hearts and less resentment. What really stands out here is Will’s growth. He went from a kid who wanted to run away and was so defensive to someone who’s becoming the change he wants to see. His growth as a character is happening gradually, and, can I just say, he keeps getting more likable.

But let’s be clear: when it comes to romantic relationships, Will is still a mess. Jackie and Lisa are both clearly in love with him. He might not realize it, but I’m here to set the record straight. Will has a natural hero complex that makes everyone around him feel special and he definitely catches everyone’s attention. With Jackie, she feels safe; with Lisa, she feels alive. While I was initially rooting for Will and Lisa, Will and Jackie have undeniable chemistry and partnership. But Will is all over the place, sending mixed signals to these girls. No matter how upset or frustrated they get, his natural charm always wins them over.

Aunt Viv (Cassandra Freeman) and Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes) were on the rocks, but spoiler alert — they’re no longer fighting. I honestly expected their argument to drag on a bit longer. Their conversation felt like a game of truth or truth, where they shared their intimate thoughts about others outside their marriage and how that attention made them feel. Although it was an honest conversation, it didn’t seem entirely truthful. While I appreciate the openness, it felt more like they just kissed and made up, which seems like a missed opportunity on the writers' part. This was a chance for a more intense, Beyoncé and Idris Elba-style Obsessed argument, and they dropped the ball. I’m predicting this storyline isn’t finished yet.

Update on Ashley? She’s starting to come into her own. While she’s always played the naive little sister, she’s now becoming her own person and seeing the world more clearly. The show is pushing her storyline a bit, but integrating her narrative was always going to feel a little awkward. I see her emerging as the rebel of the family and I definitely don’t think Viv and Phil are prepared for her to fully bloom.

Now, mysterious Geoffrey (Jimmy Akingbola) — one of my personal favorites — has had his character perfectly elevated. From his storyline to his casting, he effortlessly brings an intensity that I thoroughly enjoy. His underground past in London is catching up with him and his son Frederick, whom he brought to Bel-Air for protection, seems to have secrets of his own. What Geoffrey suspected could be dangerous turns out to be his ex-wife — and Frederick's mother. But that’s not the wildest twist of the week. Geoffrey meets Geoffrey. That’s right, Joseph Marcell, the original Geoffrey from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, appears as family friend Roman. Geoffrey wants to leave his old life behind and calls Roman for help. The storyline concludes with Geoffrey saying his final goodbyes and closing the chapter on his criminal past. This moment stands out as one of the most iconic of the week due to its connection to the original series.

Like I said, it’s never boring in Bel=Air. But truthfully, we’re really getting into a transition period for our characters, allowing us to open up new stories and explore their depths. If I’m being honest, I need to see more of Lou this season because Marlon Wayans is proving that he’s a well-seasoned actor and I want to see Jackie and Will get together. But we’ll see what we get because anything is possible in Bel-Air.

Episodes are releasing Thursdays weekly on Peacock.