Ep 4. Just Us

In American Soul season 1, episode 4 titled "Just Us," we see Don Cornelius facing an uphill battle in his quest to make Soul Train a national show. Don is struggling to find sponsors for Soul Train and it is beginning to affect the production's budget. Just as things begin to spiral out of control, Don receives a call from Gladys Knight who wants to be a guest on the show.

Gladys' appearance on the show brings much-needed excitement and attention to Soul Train. We see her rehearsing with her group, The Pips, and meeting with Don to discuss her performance. Meanwhile, Don is also dealing with personal issues as he is approached by his ex-wife who wants child support payments.

The episode also focuses on the lives of the dancers on Soul Train as we see two of them, Clara and Ernest, go on a date. Clara is hesitant to date Ernest as she is afraid of what people will say about a black woman dating a white man. However, Ernest assures her that he is not like other white men and wants to be with her.

As the episode progresses, tensions rise between the dancers as they become aware of a pay discrepancy. The male dancers are being paid more than the female dancers despite doing the same amount of work. This leads to a confrontation between the male and female dancers and Don is forced to step in and resolve the issue.

Overall, "Just Us" is a deep dive into the lives and struggles of the characters on Soul Train. The episode shows the challenges faced by African Americans trying to gain equal pay and opportunities in the entertainment industry. It also explores the personal lives of the characters, showcasing the complexities of their relationships and the prejudices they face. The addition of Gladys Knight brings a much-needed boost to the show and adds an exciting musical element to the episode. Fans of American Soul will appreciate the character development and the exploration of important social issues in this episode.