Ep 4. When I Grow Up (to Be a Man)

When I Grow Up (to Be a Man) is the fourth episode of the sixth season of Black-ish, which aired on October 15th, 2019. The episode centers around Dre, the father of the Johnson family, and his struggle to accept that his eldest son, Junior, is growing up and becoming a man.

At the beginning of the episode, Dre is dealing with a crisis at work, where he is being passed over for a promotion in favor of a younger, more tech-savvy colleague. This makes him feel old and out of touch, which is exacerbated when he sees Junior driving to school in his own car. Dre is struck by the fact that Junior is becoming independent and doesn't need him as much anymore.

Dre's wife, Bow, tries to reassure him that his role as a father is still important, but Dre is skeptical. He decides to take a day off work and spend some quality time with Junior to try and reconnect with him. They spend the day doing various activities together, including going to a museum, playing basketball, and going to a barbershop. Along the way, Dre tries to impart some wisdom to Junior about what it means to be a man, but is met with resistance.

As the day goes on, Dre becomes increasingly aware of the generation gap between himself and Junior. He is shocked when Junior reveals that he doesn't know who Stevie Wonder is, and is further thrown when Junior invites his girlfriend over to the house. Dre is uncomfortable with the idea of his son having a girlfriend and tries to talk to him about it, but Junior responds by telling Dre that he needs to trust him and let him make his own decisions.

At the end of the day, Dre realizes that he needs to let go of his fears and trust that Junior will make good choices as he becomes an adult. He accepts that Junior is growing up and becoming a man, and recognizes that his role as a father will continue to evolve.

When I Grow Up (to Be a Man) is a heartfelt and relatable episode that tackles the universal experience of parents letting go of their children as they grow up. It is a testament to the strength of the writing and the talent of the cast that the show is able to address such serious topics while still maintaining its trademark humor and charm. Overall, it is a must-watch episode for any fans of Black-ish.