black-ish: Season 4
Season 4 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of black-ish Season 3.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 4 Progress Shield
Juneteenth
Oct 3, 2017
The Johnsons go to Jack and Diane's school play about Columbus Day, and Dre is dismayed by the historically inaccurate way that the holiday is portrayed. He feels like there aren't
Mother Nature
Oct 10, 2017
Bow is feeling overwhelmed after the birth of DeVante and learns she is suffering from postpartem depression. Dre urges her to get help and stands by her side while she works throu
Elder. Scam.
Oct 17, 2017
Ruby gets scammed and Dre begins to suspect that she isn't as sharp as she used to be, particularly because she was the one who used to scam other people. Zoey's friend Aaron visit
Advance to Go (Collect $200)
Oct 24, 2017
Dre brings everyone together for a rowdy family game night and the competition is fierce. The game of choice is Monopoly and as the night progresses, alliances are formed and some
Public Fool
Oct 31, 2017
An incident at school threatens Junior's future at his beloved Valley Glen Prep.
First and Last
Nov 7, 2017
Diane experiences a big life event toward becoming a woman and Bow, Ruby, Zoey and Alicia are there to support her. Meanwhile, afraid that he may never be able to beat Junior at ba
Please Don't Feed the Animals
Nov 14, 2017
Bow keeps in touch with Dre's incarcerated godbrother, Omar, but when they find out he is being released from prison, Omar's future sparks debate. Meanwhile, Ruby lets it slip to t
Charity Case
Dec 5, 2017
Dre is chosen to lead Stevens & Lido's new charity campaign which helps people give back to their community. When Bow advises Dre that there is more to giving back than cutting che
Sugar Daddy
Dec 12, 2017
Dre is diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and after talking to Pops, he's resolved to curing himself. Things come to a head at the Stevens & Lido holiday party. Meanwhile, Jack is conv
Working Girl
Jan 2, 2018
Bow struggles to adjust as she returns to work after maternity leave. Meanwhile, Ruby gives the twins a “workaround” plan to get out of doing homework.
Inheritance
Jan 9, 2018
Dre's sister Rhonda is in town and Ruby has a talk with them about her inheritance. Meanwhile, Bow's sister Santamonica is also in town and she hires Junior to become her assistant
Bow Knows
Jan 16, 2018
Dre is selected to run point on a campaign that focuses on “The Talk,” which refers to the conversations that Black parents have with their children through the decades to prepare
Unkept Woman
Feb 6, 2018
Dre and Bow's morning routine with the kids is changing now that Bow is taking some time off work. Meanwhile, Junior bonds with Diane now that he is in charge of driving his siblin
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Mar 13, 2018
Dre and Bow confront gender biases of their own after finding out that both Junior and Zoey have become sexually active. Meanwhile, Ruby is hurt when she finds out that Jack and Di
White Breakfast
Mar 13, 2018
When Jack and Diane get in trouble at school, Dre and Bow have to figure out the right balance of discipline and support so that their kids aren't too afraid of authority nor entit
Things Were Different Then
Mar 20, 2018
Dre reluctantly helps Junior plan Pops' 65th birthday party and starts to see his dad's past in a new light. Meanwhile, Bow decides to say “yes” to everything for a whole year and
North Star
Mar 27, 2018
When both Dre and Bow's families show up for Easter, they have to learn to love each other's different cuisines. Meanwhile, Junior tries to organize an Easter egg hunt but Jack and
Black Math
Apr 3, 2018
When Junior is accepted to Howard and Stanford, Dre tries to convince him to attend his alma mater. Meanwhile, Jack develops a comedy style and Ruby decides she's going to manage h
Dog Eat Dog World
Apr 10, 2018
The family is divided over the idea of getting a dog after Dre and Bow promise Jack they can get one after he gets Straight A's – and he does! Meanwhile, Bow's brother Johan is in
Fifty-Three Percent
Apr 17, 2018
Dre and Bow have been fighting more than usual, and they decide to go back to their therapist who suggests they make time for a date night. Meanwhile, after Devante's first birthda
Blue Valentime
May 1, 2018
Tensions are high between Dre and Bow as their contractor arrives to remodel the kitchen, realizing they have grown apart. Dre reflects on the good times in his relationship with B
Collateral Damage
May 8, 2018
The Johnson kids attempt to keep their emotions in check after an estranged Dre and Bow try “nesting,” taking turns living in the family house separately to give each other space.
Dream Home
May 15, 2018
Dre and Bow are living separate lives and switching off with the kids. They start to realize how much they relied on each other and how hard it is being on their own. Dre gets his