Lisa Todd Wexley, performed by Nicole Ari Parker, is one among two Black major characters in Max’s ‘And Just Like That.’
The reboot of Sex and the City, And Just Like That, has added more various characters, including two Black leads — Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker) and Nya Wallace (Karen Pittman).
As a Black girl and SATC fan, I appreciate the trouble to address the loss of representation within the unique series. Even with the additional Black characters, alternatively, I admittedly didn’t think the display would dabble a lot into a Black woman’s day-to-day since AJLT facilities basically around the white characters, Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte’s lives.
But one daring scene from this week’s episode proved me flawed.
Lisa Todd Wexley took off her wig on ‘AJLT’ — Why the show's Black target market needed to see it.
Lisa intrigued me from the beginning of AJLT because she, according to society, “has it all” - a supportive and wealthy husband, a career she’s captivated with, and 3 stunning kids with naturally curly hair. In season 2, she inspired me much more.
During S2, Ep. 6, “Bomb Cyclone,” Lisa has a speaking engagement for a documentary she’s been operating on. The match was overshadowed via a snowstorm going down outdoor on the similar day. Lisa’s husband advised she cancel the event after discovering she had no ride to the venue.
But Lisa had a different plan and said she would “do me” and make it to the panel without her husband’s assist. She got rid of her wig and showed her hair peaking out of a wig cap. Fully wearing couture and protecting her wig in a clothier bag, Lisa walked during the snowstorm to make it to the development. When she arrived, she put her bag down, pulled the wig out, and put it on her head.
Given its content, I was shocked to see Lisa take off her wig on AJLT. Sure, many shows have attempted adding Black characters to toughen their recognition, however AJLT’s target market consists of many SATC lovers who've been historically white.
Still, it was the best way the wig scene came about that allowed me to see AJLT’s writers, namely its supervising manufacturer, Samantha Irby, pays consideration to its Black feminine target market.
Black female characters have rarely taken their wigs off on TV.
As Lisa puts her wig on to attend her talking engagement, she’s joined by means of an older Black woman pleasantly shocked to see her adjusting her wig in “blended corporate.” The girls shared a fast banter where Lisa asked, “We’re now not gonna let a little snow prevent us, are we?” to which the lady responded, “No, we are not.” The “you move girl” second between the ladies in the toilet is one thing many Black women can relate to.
Black ladies have come a great distance in being in a position to display "normal" sides in their studies on TV. The word "wig" used to be hardly ever discussed, and when it was, it was continuously used to make amusing of women. However, presentations with Black characters have helped to normalize the fact that Black women have kept the wig and hair industry alive for decades.
I keep in mind precisely where I was when Viola Davis’s How to Get Away With Murder personality, Annalise Keating, regarded into her reflect and did what most women do after a long day’s paintings within the crime drama’s fourth episode. Annaliese stripped off her make-up and then removed her wig as song performed within the background. The subtlety of the nature’s night regimen was ground and has been stamped within the display’s history.
Black women had been inspired to show their unique selves on television after Annalise's HTGAWM scene. Sha'Carri Richardson, Sherri Shepherd, and Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts are amongst those who have proudly removed their wigs prior to the white gaze.
With more Black writers and actors sharing their studies, I'm hoping for more unique illustration on display screen. Especially from most likely Black women informed them being themselves was “too much.”
Stream new episodes of And Just Like That Thursdays on Max.
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