Being MJ; Season 2, Episode 10: Primetime

The show opens with a super hot scene involving Mary Jane and Brandon (aka Cutty Buddy) at her place. He calls Sheldon an "old cat." Later, when MJ goes shopping for clothes, she hears some gossip about Sheldon from the sales girl, Natalie, because they dated in the past. There is a segment with Ron Finley on talkBACK, he is a man who got the law changed in LA so people could grow food on city owned land. Kara criticizes MJ for being more of an advocate rather than asking a few hard hitting questions. Paul Jr. meets with Barbara Ling Cho, and she pitches a real estate bid rigging plan to him. She tells him to decide quickly. Kara has a serious conversation about breaking up with MJ. At a dinner with Sheldon, MJ confronts him about his past dating practices. Val and Lisa have lunch, and Lisa talks about having personal secrets about David. Kara springs the news on MJ that the regular prime time anchor woman, Cynthia, needs someone to fill in for her, and the station executives plan to use Mary Jane. Cut to MJ anchoring the prime time news show doing nicely, until she "goes rogue" during her interview with charter school co author, Elizabeth Foy, who says she feels ambushed. The production room gets frantic and Kara sticks up for Mary Jane. Paul Sr. talks to Paul Jr. about a personal friend's real estate deal called Coral Gables. Paul Sr. encourages his son to follow up, but Paul Jr. doesn't like that it's a base salary. After the show, and once at home, MJ calls Kara in a panic, worried about a potential backlash from the prime time show with Elizabeth Foy. Kara encourages MJ to sleep on it, and tells her they will deal with the repercussions together in the morning. Mary Jane seems relieved. She is quickly distracted by Sheldon, who calls in an attempt to move the relationship forward. Brandon stops by for a booty call, but she turns him away to focus on Sheldon's call continuing with her theme of taking things slowly. 

I loved: How Kara influences MJ to ask harder hitting questions that ultimately lead her to "going rogue." Honorable mention: The gardening in public places story on talkBACK. It reminded me of a book I read titled, Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer, by Novella Carpenter. 

Being MJ; Season 2, Episode 9: Line in the Sand

The show opens with Mary Jane watching a show she did about human trafficking on her television as she bakes what looks like a beautiful cake. Former victim, Leah Albright-Bird of Bridget's Dream is the guest. They discuss California's Prop 35, which brought about harsher sentencing for sex traffickers, among other things. She warns about how social media gets used by sex traffickers for recruitment purposes. This is contrasted with an Emmy nomination celebration for a different show on talkBACK because it becomes the low ratings for the trafficking story becomes a topic for conversation. At a brainstorming meeting MJ suggests bringing back the ugly black woman story. MJ shows up at Val's to celebrate the Emmy nomination, but they just talk in the car. Cut to MJ at home in bed with Cutty Buddy. There is a cute conversation afterward in bed with him. MJ goes to her mom and dad's to share the news. A friend comes over to Tracy's place while Patrick is there taking care of Dazia. She brings food for Dazia, and tells about Tracy being arrested for shoplifting. Patrick gives the friend money that is owed to her by Tracy. Co-workers, Greg and Kara, chat in the company kitchen. Greg is mouthing off about Mary Jane's attitude at work. Kara walks out on him. Patrick walks Dazia to school due to car trouble. He is informed by the principal about a $488 debt for school lunches. MJ gets into a parking lot altercation with a jerk who calls her despicable names before driving off. MJ goes home and cries. Val comes over with wine, cake, and a gift for celebration. Tracy calls Patrick collect from the county jail and tells him bail is set for $3000. MJ gives Patrick the money right away when he asks. On talkBack, there is a black women's beauty show that brings up Psychology Today's briefly published "Ugly Black Woman" article. India Arie, Mark Anthony Neal, and Michaela Angela Davis are guests on her show. Patrick visits Tracy in jail, but he lies to her about obtaining the bail money. Instead, he goes to Dazia's school to pay off the lunch debt. At home, MJ is watching TV, when Sheldon calls to ask her for dinner, and she accepts. The show closes as they enter a small place on the streets of Atlanta. 

I absolutely love how the stories on talkBACK are legitimate stories. It makes for quality television that makes a difference. I recommend checking them out for more information using a search engine. Honorable mention: MJ's monologue to Val about how nobody reaches out to her to say good job despite her best efforts to be a supportive influence to others. 

Being MJ; Season 2, Episode 8: One is the Loneliest Number

The show opens with Sheldon calling Mary Jane. He is making moves to take things to the next level. He tries to ask about children, but too soon. They talk for what seems like hours. Mark and Eric break up, and MJ goes to console Mark. Patrick finds his daughter, Dazia, home alone, so he cares for her. He calls MJ and they speculate about Tracy's whereabouts. They discuss hiring a PI. Kara gets a phone call from her ex, John, for more child support money. A middle school shooting is the breaking news story at the station; MJ goes to work with the story. Patrick gets profiled for being parked outside his daughter's school. MJ interviews a parent from the school, who says her daughter texted that she was ok. MJ reports 7 children have been killed in the shooting. Sheldon calls and invites MJ to a dinner party, and she says she'll get back to him. Kara calls John to touch base after the devastation of the shooting story, then she calls Gael for a dinner/movie date. Mark calls Eric to wish him well. MJ asks Mark to go to Sheldon's party, which turns out to be a classy affair, they are impressed. This is contrasted with Patrick and Dazia's dinner "party" where they sit a a small table and have cake to celebrate Patrick's birthday. The PI sends a text about the cost of finding Tracy. The sum is in the thousands of dollars. Mark hooks up with a guy at the party. Sheldon flirts heavily with MJ, who admits to drinking a bit. A couple of sexy scenes close the show, as MJ and Sheldon embark on another phone conversation once she's at home. 

What I liked the best: Guel's poetry recital to Kara on their date.  Honorable mention: Patrick's storyline.

Being MJ; Season 2, Episode 7: Let's Go Crazy

Opens with MJ vacuuming and telling David about her deal with God. David tries to reach out of her, but fails and they argue. Her pact is this: if she gets pregnant, it means they can stay together, but if not pregnant it means they should break up. After David leaves, MJ dumps all her alcohol, does a thorough cleaning, and then stops in the bathroom to take a pregnancy test. She brings back some tequila, but doesn't drink it. On the show a psychologist discusses breaking up, suggesting that people take a year to recover afterwards. She also discusses interpersonal relationships, and the Johari Window - which is a written, four square about perceptions from yourself and others... Open, Blind, Hidden, and Unknown. David and Val's hubby, Chris, chat. Chris says that just because David never lied to MJ doesn't mean they have good communication. At her mom and dad's house MJ and Niecy argue, but in the end MJ sincerely apologizes to Niecy. At work, MJ tells Kara she wants to do stories about the black community, black women, and new stories that don't get enough attention. Working through some of her past issues by doing a Johari Window, she decides to call an acquaintance, Nichelle to discuss business and her brand. She takes a more pregnancy tests, and also meets with Greg and Kara at work about her new brand. Greg remarks that talkBACK is becoming talkBLACK. MJ agrees that it is what she wants. Paul and David discuss Paul's retirement community, and David pulls out of the partnership. Val stops by MJ's and learns she's not pregnant. During their conversation, MJ texts David the news. Both MJ and Paul express their anger about David. MJ's hair appointment gets cancelled, and she is forced to ask Niecy to come over to help with her weave. Niecy helps her auntie. MJ drinks too much during and afterwards. David leaves a voicemail about the pregnancy hot happening. The show closes as MJ is dancing alone in her home.  

What I liked best: the hair weave storyline and Niecy's forgiveness. Honorable mention: that MJ is holding her own at work with her brand, and how MJ reaches out to her friends trying to mend fences by using the Johari Window. 

Being MJ; Season 2, Episode 6: Pulling the Trigger

Opens with a special report on the news depicting an armed bank lawyer threatening his own life, while MJ gets ready in the a.m. MJ talks to her doctor who confirms her appointment for eight o'clock that night. As she leaves, David is waiting outside her home to talk, but nothing comes of it and she heads off to work. Kara is working on the suicide story when MJ arrives. MJ suggests suicide trends among black men storyline, and Sheldon calls to predict the law firm's statement about the crisis. Later we learn that Sheldon is correct, MJ calls him, impressed, and they plan to meet later at his place to talk. The SNC story ends their live coverage when the man follows through on the suicide. Sheldon and MJ meet as planned. Sheldon and MJ carry on a flirty, but deep, conversation about the suicide story, plus his upcoming interview with Mary Jane. She has a feminine problem, excuses herself to the bathroom, and calls her doctor. Meanwhile, Kara bumps into Gael in the wine dept. at a store. Sheldon gives MJ  a flash drive with notes about the law firm, but he asks her to leave his name out if it. They plan to date when he returns from a trip. Motivated by their conversation, she brings a care package to Patrick. On the air, she presents a live piece that exposes fowl play concerning the law firm, and Kara chews her out afterward. MJ confronts Kara about the focus group. Val and MJ meet at Lisa's home to check on her, and an argument between Lisa and MJ ensues.  Kara and Gael decide to have dinner. It goes well this time. MJ leaves the doctor's office and instead asks David to help her get pregnant. 

What I liked: David and MJ's sexy hook up. 

The fragility of life and death contrast.

Being MJ; Season 2, Episode 5: No Eggspectations

Opens with Mary Jane in her bedroom, where she kneels down and prays. Gale King anchors a segment about MJ in the doctor's office for an egg follicle measurement and count, which doesn't turn out well. While on commercial break, MJ confesses to drinking tequila and wine. The doctor advises against extraction and to try for another cycle of hormones, with additional life coaching.  Lisa and MJ's mom, Helen, argue on the phone about the show.  At home, MJ takes to drinking tequila while she listens to her voicemail messages, then she visits with Lisa. The conversation turns to conflict over their rivalry with David. MJ goes to work, and David brings white tulips to MJ when she gets home. Paul proposes a deal to an investor, CEO, Barbara Ling Cho, about his retirement community development. She tells him he needs to bring in another investor with 3-5 million to proceed. Niecy and Grandma Helen argue and make up. On talkBACK, MJ does an impromptu but heartfelt sign off after the show. She finds solace talking with Mark afterward. Paul asks his dad for business advice, who suggests David as a partner. Lisa comes to Helen to chat, and bumps into David, who is there to talk business with Paul. They put together a deal.  MJ walks out of a meeting about the egg freezing story. In a conversation with her dad, MJ talks about how she may not get to have children. Dad gives her an excellent pep talk. She calls Kara and leaves a message after. On air, she tells viewers she won't continue with her egg extraction, but goes to the doctor after telling him she would like to continue with the process to become pregnant. 

What I liked best: The conversation at the end with MJ and her father, when he says, "Stop chasing goals that you really don't want. Focus on the ones that you do, and move toward them with gusto."  

Honorable mention: How Paul is developing as a businessman. Also, when MJ quotes Jung, "He who looks outside dreams. He who looks inside awakes." 

Being MJ; Season 2, Episode 4: Sleepless in Atlanta

Opens with Niecy and Cameron, baby daddy of Treyvion, at a restaurant. Mary Jane is babysitting and talking on the phone with her mom, Helen, about Niecy. Dante's mom comes over to take Isabelle for a sleepover. At work Kara learns about a focus group about MJ. Gael drops off a bottle of tequila as repayment for the other night. At home, MJ walks in on Niecy and Cameron. She has to give herself the FSH injection. Afterwards MJ and Niecy argue and it escalates in front of Paul Sr., when he is summoned by Niecy to come pick her up. MJ puts the guest room back in order before going to bed. The next day Sheldon comes to work to discuss a potential interview and they share about their mutual insomnia. Paul and Helen argue at home about Niecy. At work Kara sticks MJ before she rushes out for a date with Gael, which doesn't turn out well. Still at work, Mark and MJ chat about Sheldon and living alone. Paul Sr. leaves a message at home to give MJ an update about Niecy. Sheldon calls very late to set up an interview date.

What I liked best: Sheldon calls MJ late at night and how she deals with it. Honorable mention: MJ's text to Mark at the end of the show about Sheldon not being gay.

Being MJ; Season 2, Episode 3: Mary Jane Knows Best

Opens with Mary Jane at home speaking Spanish with her cleaning lady about dealing with Niecy's snacks that were discovered under the bed. MJ lectures Niecy about losing weight for better health by citing the benefits, and she begins a weight loss intervention behaving as mentor/life coach for her. At work, MJ begins shooting the egg freezing story. The doctor goes over the details of cryopreservation. She gets her first follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injection. At home she discovers flowers and a note from David. At her mom's house, MJ discusses Niecy, and then she goes to Paul's room, where she learns that he has invested in a canibis dispensary. She finds an invitation to a millionaire investment meeting where Sheldon is slotted to speak. Lisa comes over to talk about the egg freezing, and help MJ with the FSH injection, but instead they argue. MJ tells Niecy to do it. At work she calls her brother, Paul, to get an into the meeting, and she learns David has an invite. She gets David to bring her as his guest. David tells Kim, who discloses that she will be seeing her ex of 3 years at an upcoming convention in Florence. Paul Sr. and Patrick practice golf and they talk about his living situation. MJ talks personally with Sheldon at the convention.  Niecy makes herself at home in MJ's house, finding a booze cabinet in the bathroom. MJ goes on a booty call with "Cutty Buddy" before going home.

What I liked best: The phone call from Mary Jane to Paul and the investment/marijuana storyline. Honorable mention: MJ speaking Spanish, and Cutty Buddy is H-O-T. 

Being MJ; Season 2, Episode 2: Freedom

Opens with Mary Jane waking up at home and Niecy is making breakfast. They argue. MJ calls her brother, Patrick, to motivate him to get Niecy back on track. Next MJ goes on a stake out doing research for a story about human sex trafficking. When back at the station, she gives a tour to several luckier young women. Kara shows up to arrange an interview with a girl named Polly. MJ pawns off the tour on Kara, so she can go pose as Mark's fiancé instead of his boyfriend, Eric. Mark and Eric argue about it before Mark's parents arrive, and Eric leaves angry and disappointed. Kara has a drink with, Gael, a parent of one of the girls who was on the station tour. MJ and Mark pose as the super happy engaged couple for Mark's parents, who discover the truth about their son. MJ interviews a fifteen year old young woman named Polly at a fast food restaurant, but the interview gets cut short by the pimp. Mark and MJ talk about the repercussions from their meeting with his parents. The show closes with MJ calling Niecy and then going to have a drink with Mark afterwards.  

What I liked best: The contrast between the young women who tour SNC and the young women who are trafficked. This made me pause and think about happened in their lives that lead to such extreme outcomes. Honorable mention: Mark's mother's and father's dialogue with their son at the dinner party. 

Being MJ; Season 2, Episode 1: People in Glass Houses Shouldn't Throw Fish

Opens with a heartbroken Mary Jane entering her home. Fast forward 2 weeks and she is throwing a book discussion party for friends where they also debate about life in America. They are all drinking, MJ heavily. Her brother, Paul, shows up, and proposes a marijauana investing group. A spar about family issues and her financial success ensues. The next day she proposes an interview with Sheldon DeWitt for the show. Niecy and her Grandma, Helen, fight about future plans. MJ goes to Valerie to get info about David. At home in bed MJ goes through her texts with David, when she gets a call from Niecy. MJ allows Niecy and the kids to come and stay in the guest room. MJ's producer, Kara, calls later and suggests a show about MJ freezing her eggs. MJ hangs up and spends some quality time with Niecy's baby daughter. The next day MJ goes on an information gathering visit about her ex, David, by dropping by mutual friends', Val and Chris's home. Chris calls David, and hands the phone to MJ. She goes home to find Niecy and her brother, Patrick, arguing about an apology to Grandma Helen. MJ drives away and gets a hotel room. David comes over and they talk. MJ doesn't get the closure she is looking for.  She wakes up to a note from David. The show closes with MJ doing a report about college football labor unions. 

What I liked best: The scene with Niecy and MJ when they discuss Helen. Honorable mention: When MJ sings a song to Niecy's infant, Belle, while babysitting. 

Being Mary Jane

I have been following Being Mary Jane ever since I caught a Gabrielle Union interview on the Arsenio Hall show last year.  I really enjoyed her spunky personality. She seemed like an intelligent woman, a talented actress, and I enjoyed the interview very much. I decided to tune in to her show, and see if I liked it.  

I loved the show.  So much so, that I watched the movie on Netflix, and then set the DVR to catch up on what I'd missed. BET is not a stingy network, and has excellent scripted shows. I may as well mention that I also was able to follow current and prior episodes of The Game, which is arguably the funniest show on TV, but I digress. Being Mary Jane is sometimes funny, but is truly a dramatic series - a well written, clever, and sexy dramatic series.

What I like about the show is that it tells the story of a black anchor woman who is doing quite well for herself and as a result the script writers can weave in relevant news stories along with drama.  Mary Jane is the central character who works for the fictitious television network SNC in this work, family, social drama series. Her show is called talkBACK, which runs in the daytime. The story is set in Atlanta, Georgia. The acting is spectacular. 

I like this show so much, I've decided to recount the second season here. My plan is to vaguely tell what happens, but not HOW it happens, so as not to completely ruin it for new viewers. I plan to write a little opinion, and I will include a few spoilers, so beware. As of this date, I don't know if BET will air the series for awhile, since they recently wrapped up the season. I may decide to notate Being Mary Jane - The Movie, and the first season too, but both are available on Netflix, which is a great place to fill in the blanks or get hooked from the beginning. I predict great things for this show. I hope you enjoy it too!