Summary
“We Were Beggars, Now We Are Choosers” reintroduces a rival for Abishola’s affections, and Bob, torn between work and caring for his mother, might let his love slip away.
This recap of Bob Hearts Abishola Season 1, Episode 9, “We Were Beggars, Now We Are Choosers”, contains spoilers. You can check out our thoughts on the previous episode by clicking these words.
Bob Hearts Abishola Episode 9 doesn’t waste time when it comes to establishing this week’s problem. Chukwuemeka (Tony Tambi), the chauvinist CVS pharmacist we briefly met in a previous episode, wants another chance with Abishola (Folake Olowofoyeku). His mother has convinced Olu (Shola Adewusi) to convince her to give him one. And with Bob’s (Billy Gardell) attention divided between caring for Dottie (Christine Ebersole) and running MaxDot, she has no reason not to.
The lingering question beneath “We Were Beggars, Now We Are Choosers” is whether Chewie is a better match for Abi that Bob. He’s Nigerian. He’s younger and more traditionally handsome. Kemi (Gina Yashere) thinks it’s a no-brainer. Gloria (Vernee Watson) is undecided. Tunde (Barry Shabaka Henley) is still resolutely Team Bob, and that doesn’t change throughout Bob Hearts Abishola Episode 9 — to his detriment, as it turns out.
While Dottie has taken a real shine to Abishola, she also tells her that she can’t wait around for Bob; she has to live her life. Either way, she hopes they’ll remain friends. She even suggests going on one of those mother and daughter cruises: “I could go as Angelina Jolie, and you could be one of my orphans.”
Olu is keen to see Abishola with Chewie, so when she gets home he just so happens to be at the apartment. But he’s undeniably charming. It’s only made worse when Abi tries to call Bob to arrange a physical therapy plan for Dottie, and can’t get a word in thanks to Douglas (Matt Jones) and Christina (Maribeth Monroe). Kemi: “If only you were being pursued by a younger, more suitable man.” Quite.
Taking these words on board, Abishola gets on well with Chewie at church in Bob Hearts Abishola Episode 9. He continues to lay on the charm, and buys Dele (Travis Wolfe Jr.) a gift. But he gives away his true, controlling intentions to Tunde, who takes the information to Bob. In the funniest scene of “We Were Beggars, Now We Are Choosers”, he explains to Bob how Abishola is being courted by a man who is better than him in every way, except for the one that matters most — his heart.
Bob investigates the tip-off, going to see Chewie at the pharmacy, and is charmed by him too. He later confronts Abishola about him, and in typical Bob fashion, gives her his blessing. If that’s what she wants, she should pursue it, and he won’t stand in the way of her happiness. Of course, she takes this as an insult. If you love something, you should fight for it.
Luckily, Tunde is willing to fight for Bob. Bob Hearts Abishola Season 1, Episode 9 ends with him telling Olu that he will continue to stand by Bob no matter the consequences. In the next scene, he’s knocking on Bob’s door with his pillow.
