'Cherish the Day' Episode 3: Evan's mother disapproves of Gently but the couple stands steadfast in their love
The first two episodes of Ava DuVernay's 'Cherish the Day' played out as first dates for Gently James (Xosha Roquemore) and Evan Fisher (Alano Miller). The two met by chance in the first episode but their differences in class and background lead to them going separate ways.
In the second episode, Evan and Gently run into each other after a year and a half. They apologize to one another for their previous encounter and give it a second shot. When it looks like Gently might run out of their date, Evan tells her that he is not letting her go this time.
The third episode of the first season of 'Cherish the Day' on Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) picks up on the couple around three months into their relationship. There is a comfort between them that comes from spending time together and they certainly look happy.
This is when family comes in. Evan's parents are celebrating their wedding anniversary and he invites Gently to go as his date. Meanwhile, Gently's absentee mother is also in town. However, Gently feels conflicted in whether to meet her or not.
Gently is still concerned though, so she stops by at her father's to ask him if he will let her mother crash with him. He refuses, but there's not much Gently can do. Evan, in the meantime, is busy picking out an expensive bracelet while his friend chastises him for taking Gently to meet his parents so early in the relationship.
Gently is nervous about meeting Evan's mother and her anxiety over her own mother is not helping. She eventually decides to go to the party.
At the party, it looks like everything is going well. Gently gels well with Evan's mother's sorority sisters as well as Evan's mother — until the viewers see the look of disapproval on his mother's face once she sees Gently's tattoo.
Later, Evan's mother lets him know that she does not approve of Gently. Upset, Evan gives his toast heavy with sarcasm, pointed at his mother. While the other party-goers applaud, she looks at him in anger.
She then confronts him and tells him he embarrassed her. Their argument heated to the point where Evan's mother calls Gently a "low-class piece of ass", as Evan tears up. He sees Gently behind his mother and the two leave the party.
Evan and Gently spend the rest of the night in a park. There, they talk about their respective families and she tells him about her mother leaving when she was a child, which is why she did not want to meet her that night.
She tells him, "What she gives is not love. I can't look for that in her and expect to find it," to which Evan replies, "You can look for it in me and you will find it." This is followed by both of them professing their love for each other.
Is it too soon? Who are we to judge? Evan and Gently seem to have found their person within each other and seem to be happy. While the show lacks any serious drama, each episode plays like a movie, but it gives you the chance to get to know the characters well.
'Cherish the Day' airs on OWN on Tuesday nights at 10/9c.
