Queen Sugar

Ralph Angel receives word that his parole has finally concluded, and he feels victorious. Meanwhile, Charley and Romero enjoy a vacation together. Everyone ultimately comes together for the grand opening of Vi’s Prized Pies & Diner. During the celebration, Frances Boudreaux reveals something surprising to Charley, and Darla asks a favor from Ralph Angel. Ralph Angel sees his former parole officer with an old friend who has an idea to give back to the community. The following day, Nova delivers her manuscript to her family. Charley finally reads the manuscript, and she frantically calls Ralph Angel to keep him from doing the same. Similarly, Hollywood attempts to keep the manuscript from Violet. Nova searches for peace by visiting her father’s grave.

Ralph Angel is emotionally devastated after reading Nova’s book, and when he goes to her house to voice his outrage, he draws a line in the sand. Meanwhile, Charley meets Micah at the airport and she finds it difficult to process is noticeably different style. Elsewhere, Ralph Angel enjoys a playdate with Deesha, and Darla enjoys a coffee date with Leo St. Clair. Later, while walking with Keke at a tailgate party, Micah’s shoulder is bumped by a white teenager who insults his appearance, and a fight ensues, much to Keke’s dismay. Micah seeks out Nova, who encourages him to disrupt the system without using violence. When he finally arrives home, he says something crushing to Charley. Charley then goes to Nova’s home and pleads for her to stop publication of the book. Finally, a Mystery Man arrives in St. Josephine, and his identity is revealed.

As Violet prepares for the day of the diner, she hears the voice of someone from her past and faints in response. Micah confronts Charley about paying off Davis’s rape accuser, and their conversation escalates. When Micah later receives a threatening letter, his anger issues reach a boiling point with Keke. Charley reveals the truth about why she sent him to Paris. Prosper offers comfort to Ralph Angel. Ralph Angel appeals to Charley for help with Ignacio, and Romero steps in. Romero and Charley then discuss his dream of building a pop-up clinic to treat those in need. Later, Charley notices that Jacob Boudreaux has been attending the Landry Enterprises board meetings, and when she inquires further, Jacob delivers what Charley considers to be a veiled threat. Finally, Violet confesses her secret to Hollywood, and he promptly takes action. When Violet learns that Nova’s actions inadvertently brought her past to her doorstep, she demands that Nova leave her home and not return… for good.

Nova prepares for her book tour, but the effects of its contents are still weighing heavily on the family. Though Hollywood tries to help Violet, he accepts that Violet needs space. Darla also struggles, and after a heated conversation with Nova, she receives comfort from Ralph Angel. Meanwhile, at the Queen Sugar Mill, Romero and Charley set up their walk-in migrant clinic. Elsewhere, Ralph Angel begins the newly formed “Ernest Bordelon Re-entry Program,” and Charley learns more about the Landry’s new agenda. Determined, Charley tries to convince Isabel to continue her run for city council despite Jacob Boudreaux’s desire to take her slot. Charley begrudgingly accepts her decision, but she has other plans brewing. Later, Davis blindsides Micah and Charley when he introduces them to his daughter, Tia. As a result, Charley makes her boundaries clear. Micah attends Nova’s book launch, where Nova tells a disturbing story from her childhood. Finally, Violet releases the pain of her past.

Prosper and Violet reminisce about a deceased friend, just as Remy arrives at the diner. Remy explains that he plans to leave town, as he’d like a fresh start following his wife’s passing and his complicated relationships with both Charley Nova. Meanwhile, Nova’s book affects Davis’s job and he turns to Charley for advice. When Nova arrives at the New York City library for the first stop on her book tour, she encounters a teacher from her past, and it soon becomes clear that their relationship went beyond the classroom. Elsewhere, Charley and Romero’s clinic is raided by ICE agents, and after a conversation with Isabel Barrera about the possible tipster, Charley considers a new plan. Finally, Ralph Angel explains to Blue that he is in fact his real father, because they are connected, not by their blood, but by their souls.

Nova and Octavia enjoy one another’s company as Nova prepares for her press day. Meanwhile, Ralph Angel and Darla grow concerned for Blue, and they agree to bring him to a counselor. Elsewhere, Charley makes her city council candidacy official, and Hollywood’s concern for Violet grows. Later, Charley, Romero, and Micah spend some time with the Latino community at a neighborhood party, but when Charley approaches Pastor Martinez for his support, he makes his viewpoint clear. Nova feels like a fish out of water at a social club in Atlanta, and when Octavia makes a questionable decision, Nova realizes that she has finally outgrown their relationship. Finally, Charley doubts her campaign when a brick is thrown through her office window, endangering others. She pushes forward with a campaign rally and as the crowd applauds, a man it is seen snapping photos from afar.

Nova (Rutina Wesley) arrives to a television show taping to discuss her book, where she is unsettled by new information about her family. As Nova exits the stage door, she sees Calvin, and the two lock eyes as if nothing else exists. Elsewhere, Violet’s diner is vandalized, and Benny is arrested under suspicious circumstances. When Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) discover who’s behind the attack on Violet’s diner, Charley is more determined than ever to get to the bottom of the new plan for St. Josephine. Meanwhile, Darla (Bianca Lawson) continues to struggle, and Ralph Angel grows concerned. Later, Charley and a diverse group of people march on the street with signs that read “Charley Bordelon for city council.” But just as Charley and Micah (Nicholas L. Ashe) celebrate their day, Charley receives devastating news.

Charley and Micah stare at the remains of the Queen Sugar Mill, as the fire captain reveals that all signs point to arson. Violet confronts Sam Landry about the attack and reveals that they share a past. Charley has a heated conversation with Frances Boudreaux and later, Sam Landry insists to Charley that his hands are clean. Meanwhile, Deesha helps Ralph Angel with his upcoming hearing about his reentry program and Violet says a prayer for Nova. The following morning, Nova receives a surprise visit from Calvin, but when Micah unexpectedly arrives, he inspires Nova to ask Calvin some tough questions. Elsewhere, Keke talks to Micah about taking their relationship to the next level on prom night, and Darla calls Ralph Angel during his evening with Deesha. Finally, Romero and Charley’s relationship reaches a breaking point.

Violet confesses that Hollywood’s use of violence to protect her triggered trauma from her past. Meanwhile, Nova learns more about her mother’s past, and Micah turns to Ralph Angel for advice about his relationship with Keke. Charley visits a casino bar, and when her family grows concerned about her whereabouts, Nova arrives to collect her sister. As Nova cares for Charley, she offers a heartfelt apology. The next day, Charley discovers an article written by Nova, entitled “Charley Bordelon Is My Role Model.” Elsewhere, Ralph Angel learns about the future of his reentry program. Finally, in a display of fellowship led by Prosper, the community comes together at the Queen Sugar Mill to offer love and support, and to say enough is enough.

Micah and Blue enjoy the day at New Orleans City Park, but when Micah gets distracted by a text, he loses sight of Blue. He later finds Blue inside a police car, which triggers the trauma of Micah’s past. Meanwhile, Violet once again rejects Nova’s efforts to mend fences, reminding Nova of the book’s detrimental effect on her life. Instead, Charley and Nova hit the road on a girls’ trip where they attempt to mend their relationship. Elsewhere, Darla meets with a friend from her past, who reveals more about the night Blue was conceived. Consumed with self-disgust, Darla seeks comfort in her old vices. Darla runs into Violet in a disoriented state and reveals her newly discovered secret. The two women then share unexpected common ground. Violet calls Ralph Angel for help and stands by Darla’s side as Darla tells Ralph Angel the truth. Ralph Angel apologizes for his previous behavior. Finally, Ralph Angel and Darla look into one another’s eyes as it becomes clear they are still in love.

Charley, Violet, Hollywood, and Nova spend time at Charley’s home as Micah and Keke prepare for prom. Hollywood encourages Micah to be responsible on “prom night.” As Charley continues to practice her speech for the town hall, Jacob Boudreaux unexpectedly arrives, and the two become trapped together by a thunderstorm. During a heated conversation about race and privilege, Charley encourages Jacob to drop out of the running for Councilman, but he offers an alternative plan. Jacob later delivers a speech where he exposes shocking secrets about his family. Meanwhile, Keke and Micah’s plans for prom are derailed by the weather. Elsewhere, Darla pleads for Ralph Angel to fully forgive her and rekindle their romance. Ralph Angel decides to end his relationship with Deesha. Nova and Calvin also discuss their future, and Calvin requests a fearless, fully committed love. Finally, Violet tells Hollywood that there’s something she needs to do to release her past.

Nova tries to mend fences with Ralph Angel, but he’s unyielding. Later, Nova finally discovers some usable information for Charley about the mysterious gas drilling company, Old World Energy. Meanwhile, Violet arrives to ask Nova for Jimmy Dale’s address, and they drive to his house together. Violet delivers items to Jimmy that represent their lost child, but just as she delivers him a verbal punch to the gut, she notices that his much younger girlfriend has also become a victim of his abuse. Elsewhere, Frances Boudreaux gives Charley a veiled threat just before Charley learns that many of the farmers are suspiciously unable to vote. Nova writes a letter to Ralph Angel asking to talk to him about their mother and Micah and Charley discuss his decision not to go to Harvard. Finally, Romero arrives and asks Charley to start over, but before they get very far into their discussion, two sheriff deputies arrive to arrest Charley for allegedly starting the fire at the Queen Sugar Mill.

Charley is released from the St. Jo Sheriff’s station where she is met by reporters. Elsewhere, Sam Landry gives Violet information about Frances, and his shared past with Violet is revealed. Later, Darla and Ralph Angel discuss their future. The Bordelon family prepare Violet’s diner for Charley’s election night, and Nova enters the diner with Calvin for the first time. Charley and Micah also share a touching moment. Just as everyone begins to celebrate Charley’s victory, they are dealt a devastating and unexpected blow. Though Charley feels redeemed during a meeting with Frances, she later realizes that she’s been used by Sam Landry for his personal agenda. Elsewhere, Micah and Keke finally take their relationship to the next level, and Violet and Hollywood visit a storefront space that will be used to launch his support group for men. Finally, the Bordelon family unite in front of Trudy Bordelon’s grave, determined to face an uncertain future, together.