'P-Valley' Episode 5: Patrice's hypocrisy now finds an echo in the mayor's betrayal of the Black community
Episode 5 shows that both Sister Patrice Woodbine and Chucalissa's mayor, Tydell Ruffin, are both guilty of the same offense -- betraying their family. Patrice's transgressions affect only Mercedes, who finally pulls the plug on their relationship in Episode 5. This time, even though Patrice manages to sway a whole cell block full of criminals, Mercedes is having none of it. She breaks off all ties and strides out of the prison, like the OG she is, finally ready to take her place in the world, unburdened.
Patrice has been leeching off Mercedes' money for a while now as the conversations in jail reveal. She has been a traitor to her daughter throughout her life, hobbling her instead of supporting her. Mayor Tydell has been doing the same thing to his metaphorical 'family' -- the Black community in Chucalissa.
He is all too willing to sell them down the river like a pimp, just like Patrice would sell Mercedes if it served her interests. While Patrice says she is doing it "for God", Mayor Tydell says he is doing it for the town. Both are being hypocritical because Patrice did what she did to further her own ambitions while Mayor Tydell is out to line his own pockets.
In a powerful scene, we see him holding court at the Black barbershop talking up a storm about how he brings prosperity to all. He resembles Patrice giving one of her rousing speeches to shake loose the "offerings" from the congregation. He gets his 'Amens' and adulation from the crowd at the barbershop, a hub for the Black community in town.
But when Uncle Clifford walks into that very heterosexual space in heels, a white babydoll outfit, and a platinum wig, all conversation stops. Mayor Tydell shuts up and sits down with a scowl on his face -- again reacting much like how Patrice behaves when Mercedes shows up in her church. Andre looks nervous, while the other men ignore her.
So she makes it a point to sit right next to the mayor with Andre directly in front of her. And then, she drops the bombshell. Mayor Tydell is not only acquiring the Pynk at a cut-rate price for the White investors of the Promised Land casino, but he is also cheating Black business owners and Black landowners in town.
Uncle Clifford shows the list Autumn got off Andre's computer that shows that all the Black folks are being paid half of what the White folks are getting for their land. It is the same category of betrayal of Patrice stealing Mercedes' money and building her church on the spoils.
The only difference is that Mercedes knows this. But the town's Black community is blissfully unaware that they are being betrayed by one of their own. While they are lauding Mayor Tydell for "saving the town", he is making plans to stab them in the back, willing to squeeze them to make his legacy and money.
Whether Uncle Clifford will make good on her threat to reveal the contents of the list is yet to be seen -- but the mayor believes that no one will believe her over him. It has to be said that Isaiah Washington is tearing into the role of the mayor and all his appearances so far have been très memorable. He portrays the charismatic slimeball perfectly and the barbershop scene cements that characterization.
The next episode of 'P-Valley' airs on August 16 on Starz at 8 PM ET.