With the new season this year in 2024, its' amazing to see the child actors growing up. This series has been about growth, change, and of course drama.
What I like about this show more than other urban drama series, is its' consistent level of quality writing and acting. Actually the acting comes off natural as if the characters are just living. Of course there are some orchestrated and set up scenes that drive a point. What the creators do well is balance each episode and let it breathe, let the actors act, let them walk from one scene into another without rushing....
The Chi also looks at and explores different types of love and relationships in a brave way. This includes the exploration of LGBTQ relationships. For many non LGBTQ viewers, this can be a turn off and problematic. A mark of any good story teller, TV show or movie, is that the audience can care about the characters and their journey. So if you, the viewer, are honest, you will be able to appreciate and like multiple characters in the Chi!. There several prime characters as well as characters that have left that i invested in and appreciated, how they played a part in the weave of the complex Chicago community of the Chi.
What the creators of the show have done is written the dialogue and characters with integrity, grace, patience, and, again, allowed them to develop. The Chi shows relationships can be complicated and messy too. I am impressed that the characters can be three dimensional and evolve. For so long, TV shows and movies have made stereotypes of characters, especially of Black and Brown people. The Chi defies that and shows the audience more.
What I also like is that its a predominantly all Black / African American cast. The creators particularly pay attention to casting new and ongoing talent that show off the diversity of beauty that is us. The hues or skin tones are beautifully filmed. The stories are written and acted in a honorable celebration of Black life, even if tragedy and or conflict occur.
And if you are like me, and have watched most of the seasons, then you know there's a lot of drama. I have to be honest. Reviewing ongoing seasons is difficult, because as most viewers / critics / reviewers would agree- some seasons are better than others. Season 1-3 gets an 8 rating. Season 4 & 5 are not as good as 1-3- jury still out for me- I am leaning toward giving them both a 6 rating...
I thought I wouldn't be able to continue watching the show after the controversy and death of the character Brandon, who was a favorite amongst viewers. However as much as I liked his character, I liked the show just as much. I was and still am invested in Kevin, Papa, Keisha, Emmett, and Tracy to name a few. Douda is still a villain (why is he still alive?); and now Iman Shupert plays a 'bad guy' too; working for Douda. Interesting. I'm telling the creators now- if Kevin or Emmett somehow disappear from the show, then like Darryl of the Walking Dead, we the viewers will riot!
Looking to see what veteran actress Lyn Whitfield brings to season 6. The new season promises to have new and old drama...the journey through the Chi is worth it.
What I like about this show more than other urban drama series, is its' consistent level of quality writing and acting. Actually the acting comes off natural as if the characters are just living. Of course there are some orchestrated and set up scenes that drive a point. What the creators do well is balance each episode and let it breathe, let the actors act, let them walk from one scene into another without rushing....
The Chi also looks at and explores different types of love and relationships in a brave way. This includes the exploration of LGBTQ relationships. For many non LGBTQ viewers, this can be a turn off and problematic. A mark of any good story teller, TV show or movie, is that the audience can care about the characters and their journey. So if you, the viewer, are honest, you will be able to appreciate and like multiple characters in the Chi!. There several prime characters as well as characters that have left that i invested in and appreciated, how they played a part in the weave of the complex Chicago community of the Chi.
What the creators of the show have done is written the dialogue and characters with integrity, grace, patience, and, again, allowed them to develop. The Chi shows relationships can be complicated and messy too. I am impressed that the characters can be three dimensional and evolve. For so long, TV shows and movies have made stereotypes of characters, especially of Black and Brown people. The Chi defies that and shows the audience more.
What I also like is that its a predominantly all Black / African American cast. The creators particularly pay attention to casting new and ongoing talent that show off the diversity of beauty that is us. The hues or skin tones are beautifully filmed. The stories are written and acted in a honorable celebration of Black life, even if tragedy and or conflict occur.
And if you are like me, and have watched most of the seasons, then you know there's a lot of drama. I have to be honest. Reviewing ongoing seasons is difficult, because as most viewers / critics / reviewers would agree- some seasons are better than others. Season 1-3 gets an 8 rating. Season 4 & 5 are not as good as 1-3- jury still out for me- I am leaning toward giving them both a 6 rating...
I thought I wouldn't be able to continue watching the show after the controversy and death of the character Brandon, who was a favorite amongst viewers. However as much as I liked his character, I liked the show just as much. I was and still am invested in Kevin, Papa, Keisha, Emmett, and Tracy to name a few. Douda is still a villain (why is he still alive?); and now Iman Shupert plays a 'bad guy' too; working for Douda. Interesting. I'm telling the creators now- if Kevin or Emmett somehow disappear from the show, then like Darryl of the Walking Dead, we the viewers will riot!
Looking to see what veteran actress Lyn Whitfield brings to season 6. The new season promises to have new and old drama...the journey through the Chi is worth it.