This is a story all about how Will's life got flipped-turned upside down, and I'd like to take a minute so just sit right there and let me tell you about some episodes of the third season of a reboot called Bel-Air.
Bel-Air season 3 picks up where last season left off before venturing into new territory. School's out and almost everyone is equally hard at work and pleasure for the summer, especially Will. He is motivated more than ever to forge a path of his own and not be confined to the box society wants to put him in. Meanwhile, Carlton is following a similar path, except he's somewhat less motivated and more desperate to redeem himself and rebuild the relationships he burnt to the ground.
The Ballad of Bel-Air Season 3 Begins
Will and Carlton's converging paths lead them to form an alliance that benefits, themselves, their community, and their family. As for everyone else, there's no shortage of relationship drama. Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil are struggling with a homewrecking force, Hilary is increasingly conflicted over her blooming relationship with LaMarcus and her love for Jazz. Then there's the young Ashley who is still figuring out her feelings while being subjected to witness relationships implode around her.
Considering the aforementioned details, you may expect a round story to immerse you in the lives of the characters, unfortunately, that was not the case. Most of the subplots were less engaging, more distracting, and predictable. I do understand how unorthodox it is to discuss the subplots before the main plot, bear with me, I think it's necessary in this case due to how dominant and distracting they were.
Too Much of The Same Drama
I praise the cast, everyone in this show is an amazing actor, but based on the first three episodes there does not seem to be a coherent focus on the story. Every other character is involved in a love triangle mirroring each other or threading along plot points from the prior season. They do little to nothing to advance the season plotwise.
It's a shame because Bel-Air showed some moments of potential in this season with Will and Carlton's partnership, Aunt Viv's career, and Jazz fighting for his record shop. In those moments there were glimpses of how challenging, yet rewarding perseverance can be in the fight for a better future. More attention to the resilience would significantly pave the way to a fleshed-out story that resonates with audiences.
I would like to believe that the first three episodes were just an appetizer and the main course is yet to come because the potential is still there. The cast protrudes charisma and vulnerability into their characters with fantastic acting and magnetism with each other, however, they could only go as far as they can as the writing lacks focus and balance. I hope to see this rectified as the season progresses. That said, here is my rating for the first 3 episodes of Bel-Air season 3...
Rating: 3/5
About Bel-Air
Release Date: August 15
Network: Peacock
Format: Drama series
Showrunner / Writer / Executive Producer: Carla Banks Waddles
Executive Producer / Director (EP 306): Morgan Cooper
Executive Producers: Will Smith, Terence Carter, James Lassiter, Miguel Melendez, Benny Medina, Quincy Jones, Andy & Susan Borowitz, Janeika James, Jasheika James and Andy Reaser
Executive Producers: Will Smith, Terence Carter, James Lassiter, Miguel Melendez, Malcolm Spellman, Quincy Jones, Benny Medina, and Andy & Susan Borowitz
Directors: Keesha Sharp (EPs 301, 305), John Scott (EP 302), Nick Copus (EPs 303, 304, 310), Mo McRae (EP 307), Rachel Raimist (EP 308), Christine Swanson (EP 309)
Produced By: Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Westbrook Studios, a division of Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith’s media company Westbrook Inc.
Cast: Jabari Banks, Coco Jones, Olly Sholotan, Cassandra Freeman, Akira Akbar, Adrian Holmes, Simone Joy Jones, Jimmy Akingbola, Jordan L. Jones
Synopsis
Set in modern-day Los Angeles, Peacock’s successful one-hour drama series Bel-Air imagines the beloved sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air through a new, dramatic take on Will’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. As these two worlds collide, Will reckons with the power of second chances while navigating the conflicts, emotions, and biases of a world far different from the only one he’s ever known.
Bel Air is now streaming on Peacock.
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