Summary
Money, therapy, and career crisis, Part 4 of The Upshaws continues the trials and tribulations of a loveable, dysfunctional family.
This review of the Netflix series The Upshaws Season 4 does not contain spoilers.
The Upshaws is a comedy series set in Indiana, about a working-class African-American family, and is based around their struggles to make everything work; figuring it out as they go. The program is created by Wanda Sykes and Regina Y. Hicks and stars Mike Epps as Bennie, Wanda Sykes as Aunt Lucretia, and Kim Fields as Regina. There is an array of supporting cast members and special star guests across its four seasons.
Season three was jam-packed, with Regina getting a new job, Lucretia’s relationship with Frank, Bennie running/ruining his business, and in the final two episodes the family’s lives are turned upside down when Regina has a heart attack. The end of season three sees Regina get accepted into an MBA programme, and whilst the family is super excited, Regina is less enthused, leading her family to believe she is suffering from depression.
The Upshaws Season 4 review and plot summary
Similar to its previous seasons, each episode pokes fun at the real world and everyday social struggles, like money worries, tremulous relationships, parenting, teenage rebellion and education.
Season 4 opens with chaos as Regina is not living at the family home. This is forcing Bennie and Lucretia to navigate their flawed relationship, not only for the good of the family but for the good of their co-owned business, the auto-repair shop. The stand-up comedy legends Epps and Sykes know how to keep an audience entertained, and both have great chemistry on screen with endless banter.
Regina finds it difficult to come home and showcases the struggles of a working mother who has finally cracked. In the second episode, Regina has a beautiful monologue, which is emotional and hard-hitting, especially for a comedy series. I was surprised at how much it moved me, and how impacting it was.
The show is quick to get back to the comedy as Lucretia loses all her money, and as she was footing the bill for everyone including the repair shop, Regina’s therapy, and Bernard’s new business, she can’t tell anyone. Her hiding this secret leads to a freakout and many schemes which are pretty damn funny.
As a whole, this season is once again packed with emotion, laughter, and crazy antics, played out by all the likable characters. Each one is so well written with likable characteristics as well as having relatable flaws. Over these last four seasons, it’s hard not to fall in love with this dysfunctional family, so I’m already waiting for Season 5.
Is The Upshaws Season 4 good or bad?
As the family is relatable, fun, and easy to watch, I think this series has longevity for five or six seasons, maybe more. The episodes have a runtime of thirty minutes each, perfect for a binge watch.
Is The Upshaws Season 4 worth watching?
Yes. Especially if you’re a fan of the comedy legends Epps and Sykes. Like all good sitcoms, this series has consistent quirky characters, and quick, witty jokes, blended with ridiculous slapstick comedy.
What did you think of The Upshaws Season 4? Comment below.
You can watch this series with a subscription to Netflix.
