The Other Black Girl – Episode 1 “They Say I’m Different” Recap & Review

They Say I’m Different

Episode 1 of The Other Black Girl begins in 1988 at Wagner Books offices. A panic-stricken Kendra puts a file in her bag and rushes towards the elevators. As she enters, the scene changes to her being in a subway train and experiencing visions of zombie-like white passengers ogling at her.

The footage switches to the present day, and Nella Rogers is riding the subway to work, reading a manuscript. She arrives at the office, looks at pictures on a wall, and adjusts Kendra Rae Phillips’s framed photo before heading into her office. Nella tidies up Vera’s office and is just done when Vera arrives. Nella tells her that the new book has come, and Vera tells her that only the book cover is missing now.

Vera asks about mockups, and Nella says they will be delivered by the end of the day and that she got the calling card out. Vera tells her that Richard wants the new Colin Franklin’s novel in copy editing as soon as possible. Nella goes to her desk, and her colleague, Yang, tells her she would choose law school over book editing any day. Nella begs her not to go since she is the only person she likes in the office. 

Vera tells her to hand out invitations to Colin’s announcement party. Meanwhile, Sophie approaches her, asking if she read the piece she sent via an email about being black in a white workplace. Sophie tells her that it is an important topic and that she is always looking for ways to be an ally. She then gives her a manuscript to review. 

Nella sits back at her desk when the lights flicker and her computer monitor darkens. After managing to turn it back on, the screen shows the CCTV footage of her in the work cubicle and then goes dark again. The screen now displays a blurry image of Kendra. She tries to touch it, but it moves, scaring her. Yang asks if she is okay, and when she turns back to the screen, it is back to her home screen. 

Next, Nella is returning from lunch when a woman watches her secretly and then lifts a keycard from a security terminal to follow. In her cubicle, Maisy introduces Nella to her new assistant, Hazel. Nella is stunned to see another black girl in the office. Maisy asks Nella to show Hazel the ropes. 

Later, Nella brags to Malaika about Hazel, and Nella’s boyfriend, Owen, joins them, but he leaves soon as he learns that the school’s mural has been vandalized. The following day at work, Vera tells Nella she will recommend her for the assistant editor position and asks for her opinion on Colin Franklin’s book. She asks Nella to be honest and says that the only black character in Colin’s novel is problematic.

Even though diversity matters, Colin has written his black character as a harmful stereotype, and many black readers will find the story unsatisfying. Vera understands the concern, but she asks her not to tell Colin her thoughts about the book since he is the most essential author at Wagner. Part of excelling at Wagner is to be diplomatic. 

Nella fills Hazel in on all the office gossip, and she realizes they both love the same author, Diana Gordon, and her novel “Burning Heart.” Back at the office, Richard Wagner welcomes Hazel to Wagner.

The invitations are sent out, and Vera insists Nella should keep her opinions about the black character quiet. Nella sighs heavily, catching Hazel’s attention, and Hazel makes her spill about the book. Everyone in the office is excited about the new book, which gives Nella the dilemma of whether or not to voice her thoughts about the awful black character in the book because she is terrible for the culture. Hazel encourages her to speak her mind, and she will back her up.

Colin arrives at Wagner Books, and the party begins. Richard toasts to Colin’s another number one best seller. Nella approaches the conference room where Hazel, Colin, and Vera discuss. Hazel puts her on the spot when she says Nella has some thoughts about the book. Nella is shocked, but through unspoken encouragement from Hazel, she manages to tell Colin that the character Shartricia is problematic and hits on many harmful stereotypes for black people.

She leans on Hazel to support her by saying many other people feel the same, but she says Shartricia has incredible potential. Colin says that the book is not for everybody and meets with Richard.

Vera asks to meet Nella at her office the next day, and Richard tells Hazel she is in charge of writing the editorial for Colin. Richard asks her to follow him so they can talk. Later, when leaving the office, Nella finds a note in her coat pocket that reads ‘LEAVE WAGNER NOW.”

She then hears a distant loud noise making her jump, and the lights start flickering. She rushes to the elevator. As the episode ends, lights flicker in the elevator, and Kendra’s reflection stares back at her on the elevator walls for a second before it flashes away. 

The Episode Review

The first episode of the series is intriguing and suspenseful. Who is Kendra Ray Phillips, and what happened to her? Is her fate related to Nella? Who is targeting Nella, and what is their goal?

The appearance of Hazel felt like it was going to be a problem from the moment she appeared on the screen. Is she pretending to be Nella’s friend but intends to sabotage her? It is understandable that, as a new employee, she needs not to make trouble, but why did she set up Nella in front of Colin and not support her?

The mysterious incidents in this episode describe a part mystery and part horror plot. The acting is excellent since the cast includes some amazing Hollywood actors. The series has great potential, so what are your thoughts on the first episode? Will it be a watch or a skip?