And so for the second seasons penultimate episode, expecting Dan Fogelman et al.
This is a drama fueled by the element of surprise, after all.
Its remarkable the degree to which such a herculean effort succeeds.
Credit: Ron Batzdorff/NBC
The episode opens, fittingly, on Shauna, at just 16 years old, giving birth to Deja.
Her grandmother Gigi played by the incomparable Pam Grier is by her side in the hospital.
This child is here now, and she deserves a mother who will put her first.
Shaunas a good mother, not a perfect one, and lifes dealt her another blow.
She walks into Dejas room and asks, through tears, What are we going to do now?
Linda doesnt disagree, but has her hands tied.
just as Lindas walking out the door.
Both she and Raven are escorted from the premises, leaving them without a home once again.
Do you know how many beds Ive slept in?
Raven asks Deja, upset that she had to be removed.
I dont, because by the year I turned 9, I lost count.
But we know how that story ends: with her getting pulled over and the cops finding the gun.
The story continues, revealing what happened between Deja and Shauna after Deja returned home.
Initially, things are peaceful.
and even gives her the home bank she made in school to help them start saving.
Its gut wrenching to watch the happy reunion slowly fall apart.
We have bills, Deja, she stresses.
Its so gorgeously sad to watch.
But then theres the performance of Lyric Ross.
That was kind of weird, honestly, because you seemed so weird to me, she says.
It just didnt seem so deja-vu-y to me.
But then I started thinking: Isnt it weird that everyone goes to sleep at night?
I failed Deja, she tells Beth.
I failed her and I cant keep failing her.
He looks at Shauna, almost blankly.
I gotta go and I cant take her with me, she says.
