The Upshaws Season 1 Episode 3 Joy Ride

The Upshaws is a comedy television series that aired on Netflix on May 12, 2021. The show stars Wanda Sykes, Mike Epps, and Kim Fields. Created by Regina Hicks and Wanda Sykes, it follows the lives of a working-class African-American family living in Indiana.

Season 1 Episode 3 titled "Joy Ride" follows the Upshaws as they take a trip to Chicago to attend the funeral of a family member. The main characters are Bernard Upshaw (Mike Epps), Regina Upshaw (Kim Fields), and their three children, Aaliyah (Khali Spraggins), Bernard Jr. (Jermelle Simon), and Maya (Journey Christine).

The episode starts with Bernard Sr. trying to get his work schedule rearranged so that he can attend his cousin's funeral in Chicago. He is worried because he knows his boss is not fond of him and has denied him time off before. Meanwhile, Regina is stressing out about how they are going to afford the trip since they have to take the car, and the gas money will be expensive.

The family finally embarks on their journey to Chicago, but things get complicated when they take a wrong turn and end up on the infamous Dan Ryan Expressway. They get trapped in a traffic jam and end up playing games and having fun in the car to pass the time.

When they finally make it to Chicago, they attend the funeral and catch up with family members they haven't seen in years. Bernard Sr. also runs into an ex-girlfriend, Sonya (Robin Lee), who he hasn't seen in a while. They catch up and reminisce about old times, and Regina notices that they still have chemistry.

After the funeral, the Upshaws hit up a local restaurant for some Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. While they are waiting for their food, Bernard Jr. suggests they all go on a joy ride and explore the city. At first, Regina is hesitant because of the cost of gas, but she eventually agrees to it.

They pile into the car and start driving around the city, taking in all the sights. They end up at a scenic overlook and have a heart-to-heart conversation about their family's future. Bernard Sr. announces that he is ready to break out of the mold of working at a factory and start his own business. Regina is thrilled and supports him, and they all agree to work together to make it happen.

Overall, "Joy Ride" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the strong bond that the Upshaw family shares. It also sets up some major plotlines for future episodes, such as Bernard's desire to start his own business and his rekindled relationship with Sonya.