Being Mary Jane’s Season 3 Was the Best Yet
Last night was Being Mary Jane’s season 3 finale (I livetweeted it and got on Periscope afterwards to talk about it), and it felt like it came very quick! 10 episodes swooped by, and I love what they’ve done with the show. Having watched it from the very start, from movie to season 1 to now, I can say that this was the best season they’ve had yet.
It was just well done, from storylines to topics to cameos. And it paid off because #BeingMaryJane has trended for hours on Twitter every week on Tuesday nights since season 3 launched at the end of October. The ratings have also shown that folks are tuning in.
They tackled a lot of social issues that were relevant and timely this season, both directly through Mary Jane’s “Talk Back” segments and through the characters themselves (immigration, inequality in pay for Latinos, affirmative action, forced outing of gay public figures etc). There’s something special about a show that is bold enough to have these tough conversations with us and I am always partial to that.
The finale episode ended with a gut punch too, as we watched MJ watch her niece be the latest viral video of police brutality. It was a Sandra Bland nod, without the tragic ending, and it was hard to watch. But it made us #SayHerName, even if it wasn’t out loud.
BMJ Season 3 Episode 10 (Photo: BET)
I be tryna tell you. When Black women run shows, they give a voice to the often unheard and that always makes my spirit soar.
Being Mary Jane also boldly got rid of one of their characters. Well, 2. One of them committed suicide (Lisa) and the other moved to Lagos, Nigeria (Mark).
That Lisa episode had a G in her feelings, man. I won’t even lie. MJ’s childhood friend killing herself was something I didn’t expect to happen on this show, and they handled it very thoughtfully. I do kinda wish they woulda made it like episode 5 instead of 3. I think Lisa’s descent into despair wasn’t covered like it should so it felt somewhat abrupt.
Mark got a rousing departure, though. I was wondering who would be around to tell MJ she’s tripping now. That was one of his main jobs and now MJ ain’t got NO friends anymore. Well, besides Kara, and she is a mess too. She is no shape to be able to be the Iyanla to MJ’s DMX.
The closest thing MJ had to another friend was her extorter, Cecelia (aka Cece). My FAVORITE part of season 3 was Loretta Devine playing the crooked opportunist who blackmailed Mary Jane out of $25,000 and somehow became a not un-welcome thorn in her side throughout the season. I have never seen high-pitched, sweet voice Loretta play a butch, smooth-talking, slick ass character before, and it was fantastic.
BMJ Season 3 Episode 10 (Photo: BET)
What was interesting about Cece is that even though you know she’s a sheister, you kinda liked her anyway. You knew she was up to no good but you enjoyed seeing her stroll into whatever room she was in, often not welcome and giving no dambs about it. Cece dressed like she was gon hustle you in a game of bidwhist at any moment too. I kinda loved her for it.
Gabrielle Union has really owned this character and it’ll be the one she is called on the streets in 10 years. It’s been fun to see how MJ has changed (or not) since the beginning, with her sharp-mouthed self. Has Mary Jane grown as a person? I cannot say for sure. She is still on shaky ground, she is no closer to finding the love she’s been so obsessed about and she is still the snappy, judgey, asshole she’s always been. But there is some more calm to her. THAT I will give her. She has come a long way from when she was kicking trifling men out her house with a water hose.
We gon send praises up for growth, no matter how small. Last season, she did laugh at a man and call him corny as hell for lighting candles all over his house and making her sit under the stars for a romantic inner. Bless her heart. This is why she can’t have nice things.
So I want to congratulate Mara Brock Akil, Akil Productions and BET for a superb season. I wonder how season 4 will be. Mara will not be as involved because she and her business partner (and husband) Salim Akil signed a deal with Warner Bros. and they will be developing content there. Word on the streets (Vanity Fair) is that Mara will become Executive Producer of Being Mary Jane. I hope whoever they hand the reigns to as showrunner and/or head writer maintains season 3’s level of ABOUT THAT LIFENESS. I truly do.
We shall see, doe. Fall 2016.
Did y’all watch this season? Lemme know your thoughts.
And I wanna give a shoutout to BET for having me be a part of the Being Mary Jane campaign this season. No, this post is not a sponsored one, and as always ALL praises (and shade) here are mine.
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I loved how they handled the Cece situation. I agree that there could have been more drama leading up to Lisa’s death. I was a little angry with her brother going in on Niecy when he just got out of his parent’s home himself. The nerve. It seems as if they will always put her down,no matter how many positive steps she takes. She will have to burst out of that bubble to find her greatness. I also liked the discussion that Kara had with her husband regarding his lack of ambition although she encouraged the dynamic in the beginning. He looked so lost. Now she’s looking at him with disgust when it was for her benefit to start with. We slide into these dysfunctional situations easily.
I started the show from Season 1 about two weeks ago. Watching it from the beginning to this finale in a condensed manner was great. Season 3 was hands down the most well thought out. Also I am in my feels about CeeCee. I loved her character and the dichotomy between who MJ was and who she always wanted to be. CeeCee reminded her of that. Plus she brought some comedic relief at a tragic time in MJ’s life. Oh and where the hell is Patrick?
Yes, this season was really great. I would not be surprised if MJ and CeCe became pen pals; this would be an interesting way to keep their relationship going…plus I love Ms. Devine!
I am not a gabby union fan plus I keep hearing that she is a trashy ho on the show. I don’t plan to watch it.
The season finale was a great build conclusion, and surprising. Loretta Devine show nuff put some sauce on CeCe. The kind that comes to your house for holiday dinner, don’t bring nothing, and leaves with half a car trunk of leftovers and kitchen appliances. She made the season for me.
I think that the absence of drama before Lisa’s death made it more real. You know, suicide doesn’t always have warning signs and in Lisa’s case, Lisa saw death as a passage. She just, went. Calling MJ the day she died (or was it the day before?) may not have been a cry for help. Maybe she did it for closure. To speak to her one last time.
Being Mary Jane has been amazing this season. Gabrielle Union has OWNED this character and I love her for it. MJ is still mad petty lol (I still can’t believe she took her donation to the black coalition back) but she has grown in some ways. Boundaries. See how she defined things with Sheldon in season 2. MJ of season 1 would have strung along, even though they both wanted different things. Being able to grow also, out of her David situation. Small growth for Ms Pauletta but still, we give thanks!
I love the show and season 3 was amazing. I can’t believe we have to wait a whole year to see these characters again.
I’ve never been a big fan of Gabrielle’s acting, but this season, she’s been outstanding.
i just wanted to say, to the season review to some of the comments that say lisa’s suicide came out nowhere, that it did not. you want a build? it’s been building since season one, if i am watching the same show as everyone else.. lisa talked about it, and had so many problems that only got worse when her childhood friend cut her out. she’s even attempted suicide in the past. if I’m correct she went to rehab or some treatment facility for it. so everything with mary jane and losing her and the words mary jane spoke to her the last time they talked, that pushed her over the edge. but do re watch the season. the signs are there.. its just like in real life when someone commits suicide. some people may say it came rather abruptly but the signs were always there if you really think back..
Just binged on the whole third season. I have to say, MJ dumping Eddy seemed to be more about Mary Jane BMJ than a pining for “black love.” In the venacular of Envogue “Might date another race or color don’t mean I don’t love my strong black brothers.” Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water! I cringed a bit during that scene.
if there is a forth season, I hope they bring the character back for an MJ do over simliar to the one following her massive misstep with Sheldon after he went out of his way to impress her.
Seems she was ok with Eddy until he started to show interest in her beyond the physical. Didn’t she do the same with the jock? Even with David. Her interest level is highest when he is unavailable. The min she was certain he was ready to leave his baby mamma, presto changeo — she’s lost interest.
Ì
Lastly, why does she assume GG is the only one with much to learn? Her reasoning sounded a bit pre-judgey imho.
I hope they bring him back with good character and storyline development.
jmo
I missed this last episode and I could just kick myself. Last week I binge watched with the talkback sessions with the sisters. That was how I got caught up. Lorretta Divine is killing it as Cece I have never seen sweet Lorretta in this kind of role. Lisa’s suicide was just so sad and that scene haunted me.
This season had me riveted. I loved all the dynamics played out with each character. Patrick’s struggle with work, Lisa’s depression, Kara’s show-down with Marisol, etc. all spoke to pertinent issues people have irrespective of zip codes and dollars. I am petty and didn’t want to see Loretta Devine outside of her usual characters; however, she played the hell out of the Cece role and I so want her back in season 4. Kudos to Mara Brock Akil and her team. I was on the edge of my seat and tuned in every Tuesday night for S3.
I can’t stand MJ’s character, but this season was well done. Don’t let us down for season 4.
I can’t stand Mary Jane only watched up to episode 3 so far and I hate that they are making David and Lisa out to be such bad people. Mary Janes car accident was not there fault. She happened to over hear a conversation when they were discussing bringing the information to her attention. David was just being made aware of Lisa’s “Love” for him. She is spoiled and bratty she doesn’t deserve David and I think he’s the most capable of dealing with her BS. The truth is she left this man when he was down and he confided in another woman for support and care when Mary Jane left him. The fact that he is still even entertaining this woman utterly baffles me! The the parents interjecting themselves and demanding information, the father punching him, and the brothers statement about David being a bitch when Mary Jane has been sleeping with everyone around the block who is remotely eligible! Only on episode 4 but I am frustrated with her character. She knows Lisa was unstable and still continued to be so mean to her after multiple cries for help. I am so into this show though I must say and Lisa was arguably the most attractive woman on the show. I am just sad to see her go and I had to vent lol! Great show though!
I just want more of GG on the show. He is gorgeous. I hope they develop this interravial love thing between him and MJ, and have him stay on longer!