Welcome to Mojo’s Pose recap series, which will be published every Wednesday after a new Pose episode has aired. Each recap will conclude with “Heyy Friend”: an exclusive quote and behind-the-scenes wardrobe photos from someone on set. Spoilers ahead!

Last night’s episode focused on the careers of Damon (House of Evangalista) and Ricky (House of Wintour) as they competed for a spot on Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour.  We get to see the ex-couple indulge in healthy competition and encourage each other to give it all they got (which lands them on the coveted 90s Solid Gold dance show). It was nice to see more of their characters. 

All the good aside, let’s get to the bad. 

There’s a moment where Elektra plans to sabotage Damon by having one of her kids throw Candy’s infamous hammer at his feet in a sick and twisted homage to a Candy. This would ultimately give an advantage to Ricky. 

Chile, let’s talk. 

I know I’m not the only one still in mourning of Candy’s departure (Spotify shows I’ve played Stephanie Mills’ Love Like This Before over 500 times).

And I think it’s time we acknowledge the colorism the show exhibits. 

While last week’s episode caused a lot of controversy, one thing that stood out amongst the girls is how the dark skin characters have been depicted in the series. Elektra, Candy, and Ricky, the show’s leading characters of darker complexion, have been vilified since season 1 — while Blanca, Angel, and Damon usually exhibit more soft and palatable traits. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the idea of telling a good story and creating a great show, and pose IS a great show, but why must it always be at the expense of dark skin folk?

Candy Ferocity was many things in the series, and could read you your rights, but she was never a hater. Her bad behavior was always a direct result of PreyTell’s internalized homophobia and anti-Blackness. Darkskin folk are and have always been marginalized on and off the screen. From racial profilings all the way to respectability politics, folks who are darkskin constantly get the short end of the stick. For Elektra to further fuel that stigma after Candy’s death with WWCD (What would Candy do) was just cheap to me. She deserves better than that. However we’re only on episode 5 and the show still has time to redeem itself. 

What are your thoughts?

Heyy Friend

I caught up with extra Keli Bundy, who appears in all the ballroom scenes.