'Black-ish' episode dealing with police brutality praised by critics

The newest episode of Black-ish  involves "The talk," but it isn't the talk many people would think of.

"Hope," which aired on Feb. 24, centered on parents Andre and Rainbow Johnson, played by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, respectively, having a discussion about police brutality with their two youngest twins, Jack and Diane, ABC reports. The show was praised by critics, balancing humor with serious subject matter.

Entertainment Weekly's Keertana Sastry said, "In one swoop, the series tackled police brutality with an incredible balance of depth and brevity that proves comedies can handle difficult subjects as long as they are done with a steady hand."

The Washington Post also hailed the episode as having given the show "a new and well-earned depth."

The episode also sought to spark conversation away from the television and did so by tweeting clips of key moments in the show.

 

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Kenya Barris reiterated the point that the episode was, at its core, about having a conversation.

"This is not a politicized episode. It’s about police brutality that’s been happening not just now—it’s actually about a conversation with your kids. And the conversations that happen with your kids happen to be around a police brutality case, and they decide how to talk about it. I think it’s an important conversation to have with your kids."

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