"The Game" brings the drama to 7.7 million Households

The Cast of "The Game" from l t r: Tia Mowry-Hardrict (Melanie Barnett-Davis), Coby Bell (Jason Pitts), Brittany Daniel (Kelly Pitts), Pooch Hall (Derwin Davis), LaTasha Tasha Mack (Wendy Raquel Robinson) and Hosea Chanchez (Malik Wright) Photo Courtesy of BET

 

Like most 20-somethings and older, I was looking forward to the season four premiere of "The Game" last night. I was one of many people who petitioned to bring the show back after it was canceled following a one hour series finale on the CW back in 2009. I had my doubts about the story lines moving to BET because of the brash, realistic, no-holds-barred language of the show. It was surprising that the way the show ended on season three, is how it began on season four: little to no laugh tracks, no funny dialogue, drama, and a bunch of loose ends. Season three ended with the cliffhangers of Kelly and Tasha having a fight, Jason leaving the court room with Camille, Rick Fox coming back to San Diego, and Derwin and Melanie finally getting married at the hospital chapel, after their original wedding was interrupted by ex-girlfriend Janay going into labor.

Season four began the same way, there was plenty of drama, actually too much drama to put in the one hour premiere. I understand that two years past, and some changes were made, but there were some aspects that were either confusing, unrealistic, or left me scratching my head. First, the location of the show changed. Most shows are taped in Hollywood, as this show wasn't any different, with the setting in San Diego, CA. For this season the taping takes place in Atlanta, and everyone now lives different homes. Derwin went from having a bum knee that was injured twice, and sitting on the bench all of the third season, in the new season Derwin is now the face of the franchise, with even more endorsements, Melanie as his wife and two-year-old son Derwin Jr. Melanie has settled into the role of a football player's wife, finishing medical school, but not taking up residency. She is still insecure, and making dumb mistakes regarding her relationship with Derwin.

Tasha still represents Derwin as her client, and is now dating a younger man Dantae (played by 106 & park host Terrance J), It isn't clear whether Jason still plays for the Sabers or not, he is seen on a sports channel, similar to ESPN, so one can assume he is retired and is now a sports anchor. Kelly is raising daughter Brittany as a single parent and now has her own reality show. It is also unclear what Malik's role is on the Sabers as well. It appears that he was injured, but now graces the cover of Madden, lives in a mansion, and is having an affair with his boss' wife (played by Megan Goode). Tee Tee is no longer Malik's assistant and now has a lunch truck and is in a relationship with a girl names Allison. Brittany "Brit Brat" Pitts is replaced by another actress who doesn't fit well into the role of their daughter. Brittany is black and is a teenager? How is this possible when she was only 8 or 9 during season three?

What happened to the independence of the women on the show? Melanie wanted nothing more than to be a doctor, but now since Derwin is making more money as a star athlete, she's content on being a housewife? Tasha's personality has changed, she's now a cougar, who smokes Black & Mild's and is scared of Kelly? Kelly who fought for her family to stay together has now become a bitter, gold digging attention seeker? And ex-girlfriend Janay, an entrepreneur, who also has a wealthy father is now what appears to be living off of her child support, and coveting Derwin's marriage by going out and buying the exact same purse as Melanie's? Jason and Derwin's character are the only ones that stayed the same. Malik has become even more arrogant, bold and harsh. Malik was arrogant and had ignorant moments on season past, but we also watched as Malik's character became the voice of reason, funny, supportive, fall in love, and develop a relationship with his father. Tee Tee who once was the funny sidekick, has come into his own, by becoming a business owner, and standing up to Malik. It is uncertain why the two aren't friends anymore.

What happened to Jason and Camille's, and Tasha and Rick's relationships? Why after Melanie swabbed DJ's mouth have Derwin not be the father, then Melanie receives a phone call stating it was a mistake and Derwin is the father? I understand that drama interests America, but why make this a soap opera when it was originally a comedy dealing with football players, and the women who support them? There was drama in previous seasons, but the first episode pulled at every possible emotion. I'll admit that I didn't become a fan until I watched re-runs on BET, and putting the show on BET expanded the show to a wider audience, but the integrity of the show shouldn't be compromised just to draw in high ratings.

On an interview with Mo'Nique, Hosea Chanchez stated that a great majority of their story lines comes from the headlines in the news. This explains why Kelly has a reality show, most of the ex-wives and girlfriends of professional athletes have reality shows and are bitter, vindictive, money hungry attention seeking women, which explains Kelly's dramatic character now in the new season. Brittany's character is a classic example of a child who was in the middle of their parents nasty divorce. She is upset with her father, and doesn't have that close relationship she once had, which may be due to her mother forcing her opinion of her father on her. I understand that the other little girl couldn't act, but couldn't they have at least cast a biracial child like before? Why couldn't the original results of Derwin not being the father stayed just as it was? I think that "Merwin" deserve to be happy and start a family of their own.

It's only the first episode and I won't do any further complaining, I just hope that the story lines get better, and I can laugh, cry, and be angry at the show just liked I did for the past three seasons.

~L.G.~