Third Season, Episode Being Mary Jane Review: Holding the Crown
Gabrielle Union is a role model to not only women, and black women, but also to those who work hard, take risks, and are not afraid to play with fire. She upholds a crown in her disturbing, raw, but powerful season premiere of Being Mary Jane, not letting her crown come down.
The unstoppable Gabrielle Union has done it again in the season three premiere of Being Mary Jane, on the BET network Tuesday, October 13th. Opening with a tragic event that has occurred in Mary Jane Paul’s life, the news anchor runs a red light after being mistakenly called by her ex-boyfriend David. In the duration of this phone call Mary Jane over hears David and her best friend, Lisa, discussing their past sexual relations. Taken by surprise, Mary Jane is distracted, causing her to run a red light, in the rain, swerving out of control. Mary Jane then crashes into a tree, while an innocent bystander’s vehicle crashes her car as well. Gabrielle’s perspective of Mary Jane exudes strength, nobility, and vulnerability as she undergoes a time in her life where she practices what she strongly reports.
After, experiencing the car crash, Mary Jane is left with scars on her face which she must undergo surgery for. Meanwhile, David and Lisa rush to the hospital. Mary Jane’s father, questions David, asking why his daughter is in this predicament. On the other hand, Lisa is having a conversation with Mary Jane’s mother. The viewer sees another side of the parents as they defend their daughter in the best way possible, even though it seems impossible.
The scars on Mary Jane look so believable; you would think that Union’s scars are real. The scar on Mary Jane’s face gives the audience a cut throat illustration of how harsh the car accident was, and the effect it has on Mary Jane. Blood tests arrive back positive, that Mary Jane had alcohol in her system. Even though the levels were lower than the illegal rate, SNC, the network Mary Jane works for is not pleased because she is a representation of the network.
The effect on Mary Jane is more than physical. She is emotionally hurt after discovering that her ex-boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend. She no longer knows who to trust. How could Lisa do this to a woman who loves her and would give her the clothes off of her back? This betrayal is almost worse than Brutus and Caesar, and Mary Jane has to face it all when she wakes up from the anesthesia.
The car crash is a perfect platform to expose Mary Jane’s first reaction of looking at herself in the mirror. Her producer places pieces of paper on her bathroom mirror, so Mary Jane is not frightened by the looks of her face. After taking in her face for a few moments to herself, Mary Jane walks toward the mirror without verbally saying anything. She examines her face, slowly tracing the stitching with her fingers, backs away, and turns back around. Mary Jane feels ugly, but knows life happens, and if she gets down on herself she will never fully recover. This moment for Mary Jane is discouraging. She is a middle aged woman who worked her way up to Primetime nightly news, and while on her way up to the top she missed out on dating, and finding someone to share her success with. Some relationships fell to the wayside, including those with David and Lisa. This climax gives the viewer a rush of emotions, because the writer takes the story to a point that is least expected. Usually Mary Jane is presented in a light that is strong and independent; however, her failing relationships leave her in a state of confusion which is not normal for Mary Jane.
Gabrielle brings more of herself to the screen this season, as Mary Jane Paul fights for what she believes is right, even if it does hurt. This season thus far, has been confronted with the idea of the story of the ugly black woman; not only trying to get back on primetime but fighting for the women who people said couldn’t reach a major company such as SNC Network. From this moment forward, Mary Jane is the black woman, who is ugly, but hasn’t lost her crown.
The writing for Being Mary Jane as a whole shines light upon the struggles of an African American woman feeling the pressures of wanting to succeed in an environment that constantly persuades her to seek ways to tell stories that do not revolve around her history and culture. The writing is raw and honest. The viewer will be challenged because there are subjects that usually go unaddressed.
The acting reflects the writing, which is why this series is such a success. The acting from each one of the cast members comes from a place of honesty and vulnerability, making the scenes come alive. Each scene is believable because the actors do not overact, but rather allow their lines to speak for them, leaving your eyes filled with tears throughout the show.
The season premiere of Being Mary Jane receives five out of five stars. It is eye catching, and mind-boggling the entire episode. Each scene keeps you guessing, but leaves you satisfied! This show is for ages sixteen and up, for the images in this first episode are graphic but there are lessons that can be learned at any age.
