Ep 22. Collateral Damage

Black-ish season 4 episode 22 is titled Collateral Damage and follows the Johnson family as they navigate some difficult conversations and situations.

At the beginning of the episode, we see Dre and Bow struggling to talk to their kids about the recent police brutality cases that have been all over the news. They are both worried about how to broach the subject with their kids - especially the younger ones - without scaring them or making them feel like they are in danger. They also worry about what the older kids might be thinking or feeling about the issue.

Meanwhile, Junior is having his own issues at school. He finds himself caught in the middle of a racial issue when a classmate accuses him of putting up a racist poster. Even though Junior knows he didn't do it, he struggles with how to handle the situation, especially when the school starts to investigate.

As the episode progresses, the family members each grapple with their own feelings about race and injustice. Dre worries about his safety when he goes for a jog, Bow tries to teach the younger kids about how to behave if they are ever confronted by the police, and Junior faces some difficult choices about how to handle the false accusations against him.

Throughout it all, the show manages to blend humor and heart in its signature style. Some scenes are laugh-out-loud funny, while others are poignant and touching. The writing in this episode is especially strong, with powerful monologues from both Bow and Dre about what it feels like to be black in America today.

The acting is also top-notch. Anthony Anderson shines as Dre, perfectly capturing the character's mix of humor and pathos. Tracee Ellis Ross is equally strong as Bow, managing to convey both her fear for her children's safety and her determination to make things better for them. The child actors are also excellent, with Marsai Martin and Miles Brown in particular delivering standout performances.

Overall, Black-ish season 4 episode 22 is a powerful and important episode that tackles some difficult issues with grace and humor. It's a must-watch for anyone who has ever struggled with how to talk about race and injustice with their loved ones.