Ep 20. Fifty-Three Percent

Dre and Bow's marriage is put to the test in Black-ish season 4 episode 20, titled "Fifty-Three Percent." The episode addresses the challenges that can arise when a couple disagrees on political issues.

The episode begins with Dre and Bow celebrating their anniversary. As they toast to their love, they also discuss politics and the upcoming midterm elections. Bow is a passionate Democrat, while Dre is more of a skeptic who thinks politicians are all the same. They both agree to respect each other's beliefs, but tensions soon arise when Bow receives a letter from Congresswoman Barbara Lee thanking her for her contribution to the Democratic Party.

Dre, who is a proud African-American man, becomes upset when he realizes that Bow donated money to the Democratic Party, which he sees as betraying their race. He argues that the Democratic Party does not have the best interests of the African-American community at heart and that they only pander to them during election season. Bow, on the other hand, believes that the Democratic Party is the only party that represents their values and that donating to them is a way to make a difference.

Their disagreement grows as they discuss the different issues that are important to them, including immigration, gun control, and healthcare. They struggle to find common ground, which causes a rift in their marriage. Dre becomes increasingly frustrated with Bow's political views and accuses her of being blind to the flaws of her own party. Bow, in turn, feels unsupported by Dre and thinks that he doesn't understand her perspective.

The episode features several scenes in which Dre and Bow envision how their lives would be different if they were part of the other party. For example, Dre imagines himself as a Republican who values personal responsibility more than government intervention. Bow, on the other hand, imagines herself as a Green Party member who prioritizes the environment above all else. These scenes provide a light-hearted look at how different their lives would be if their political beliefs were different.

Throughout the episode, Dre and Bow also discuss the history of African-American voters and how their votes have been influenced by different political parties. They talk about the importance of voting and encouraging others to vote, regardless of their political beliefs.

As the episode comes to a close, Dre and Bow begin to reconcile. They realize that they don't have to agree on everything and that their differences make them stronger as a couple. They also remember the reasons why they fell in love in the first place and celebrate their anniversary with a renewed sense of commitment to each other.

Overall, Black-ish season 4 episode 20 offers a thoughtful and thought-provoking look at how politics can impact personal relationships. It examines the challenges that can arise when a couple disagrees on political issues and offers a message of hope and reconciliation. The episode is both entertaining and educational, offering a valuable lesson about the importance of respecting others' beliefs and finding common ground.