Spies Like Us!: The Racialicious Roundtable for Undercovers 1.1

Hosted By Arturo R. García

It’s the new show we’ve gotten the most review requests for. But did Undercovers live up to the hype and the hope? So far, yes to one, and maybe to the other.

We’d known going in that Boris Kodjoe and Gugu Mbatha-Raw would be headlining the show as married spies-turned-caterers Steven and Samantha Bloom, and that they’d get called back into action. What I wasn’t prepared for – and this tells you a lot about Hollywood -  was how … well-adjusted these characters would be thus far.

SPOILERS AHEAD

As we meet the Blooms, they’re bowls-deep in their latest event, but there’s no lingering edges to either of them, no attempt at pained-cool stoicism from Steven or anger-as-”intensity” from Samantha. Even as we’re shown and told that their marriage is starting to succumb to suburban complacency, there’s none of the accompanying sniping or side-eyeing usually associated with a Union On The Rocks.

Of course, it’s ridiculous to see the Blooms slip back into the field as easily as Samantha slips into (and out of) an impressive collection of evening wear. But is the refreshing sight of a show that isn’t just anchored by a POC couple, but one that seemingly isn’t weighed down by neuroses or stereotypes worth giving it a pass? And perhaps more importantly, are we about to give this show the kiss of death? Read on as the Table dives in …

Well, if JJ’s gonna give us cheese, at least he put some relish on it, no?

Andrea: LOL See, I don’t think the show is cheesy.  Charmingly silly and sweet, as in “Awww! What a cute cis heterosexual middle-class Black couple who really seem to love and respect each other!”  If you want cheesy, watch Bill and Sookie on True Blood or even Michael and Fiona on Burn Notice. Undercovers almost suffers from Teh Cutes, it’s so charming.  Considering the internecine pit-bull fights between Black women and Black men that pop culture seems to relish in showing and perpetuating, this show is an armistice in the quest showing Black-on-Black love in the media.

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