Ep 12. Bow Knows

Bow Knows is a thought-provoking episode in the fourth season of Black-ish. The show is about an affluent African-American family living in Los Angeles. Bow, the mother of the family, is a doctor who is passionate about her work and never shies away from a challenge. In this episode, Bow faces an unexpected challenge when she starts experiencing dizziness and blackouts.

The episode starts with Bow working on a medical case with a colleague. She starts feeling disoriented and dizzy, and eventually passes out. At the hospital, she is diagnosed with vertigo, a condition that causes dizziness and nausea. However, things take a more serious turn when Bow starts losing her hearing.

Bow is devastated by this diagnosis, and struggles to come to terms with her new reality. She starts to feel like she is no longer in control of her life, and that her body is betraying her. Her husband, Dre, tries to be supportive, but he struggles to understand what Bow is going through.

The episode touches on themes of disability and ableism. Bow is used to being in control, both in her professional and personal life. When she loses her hearing, she feels like she has lost a fundamental part of herself. She struggles with feeling like she is a burden to her family, and fears that they will not be able to accept her in her new state.

Bow's doctor suggests that she try cochlear implants, which could restore her hearing. Bow is hesitant at first, but eventually decides to go through with the procedure. However, even after the surgery, she still experiences some difficulty adjusting to her new hearing. She has trouble filtering out background noise and struggles to understand speech in noisy environments.

The episode also tackles the issue of intersectionality. Bow is not just a doctor, but also a Black woman. She worries that her hearing loss will make her even more of an outsider in a world that is already hostile to people of color and women. She is frustrated by the lack of understanding from her colleagues and the medical community at large.

The title of the episode, Bow Knows, is a reference to the famous Nike marketing campaign featuring basketball player Bo Jackson. In the ad, Jackson is depicted as a superhero who can do anything. The episode asks whether Bow can still be a superhero even with her disability. It challenges the idea that disability is a weakness, and instead suggests that it can be a source of strength.

The episode also features a subplot involving Dre and his workplace. Dre is a marketing executive at a consumer electronics company. His boss assigns him to work on a project targeting people with disabilities. Dre initially sees this as a chance for him to make a difference and help people. However, he soon realizes that his company is more interested in exploiting people with disabilities for profit.

The episode ends with Bow and Dre having a heart-to-heart conversation about their fears and insecurities. They both admit that they are scared of what the future holds, but they vow to face it together.

Overall, Bow Knows is a moving and insightful episode of Black-ish. It tackles complex issues with sensitivity and nuance, and raises important questions about disability, ableism, and intersectionality. It is a reminder that even superheroes have their weaknesses, and that it is okay to ask for help.