I wasn't sure if I was going to do a review of The Game this season (partly because I'm mad at BET putting Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Pooch Hall down as recurring characters, thus forcing Tia's hand to leave the show). However, it's a tradition that I've done since the show moved to BET, and because I've been watching this show since the very beginning, I feel a sense of loyalty.Picking up from last season, the premiere starts off with footage of all of the characters present day. Jason (Coby Bell) and Chardonnay (Brandy) are still together going strong, Malik (Hosea Chanchez) is being the typical man-ho that he used to be before Jenna, Tasha (Wendy Raquel Robinson) is still her same old crazy self, and Derwin (Pooch) is in training. Of course, we see two new characters Keira Whitaker (played by Lauren London) and Bryce "Blueprint" Westbrook (played by Jay Ellis) as well.
Everyone's in New York. At the 2013 Pro Football Draft, Jason is reporting, while Malik and Derwin discuss their own draft experiences. The guys also discuss new dude Bryce who is said to be the game-changing player this football season. In that moment, Baltimore selects Bryce to join their team as the #1 pick.
Meanwhile, Keira is a seasoned actress who starred in a 90s sitcom and wants new challenges. However, no one really takes her seriously. At a meeting about a new role, the director tells her that he will give her an extra role for no money IF she will get him a date with her agent. She angrily walks away from the table.
Tasha and Chardonnay talk over drinks, with Chardonnay branching out into NY fashion...which isn't always the best look for her ha! Tasha is still getting texts from Rick Fox, even though she's with Pookie! It's clear that she will have to choose between them later on in the season. Right then, Bryce was quickly traded from Baltimore to the San Diego Sabers, and they traded Derwin to do it...on LIVE TV. That, of course, changed the game seriously! Derwin is definitely on the verge of losing it as he walks out of the crowded room, and Jason tries to keep him together. Malik is pissed off as well, and angrily approaches the owner. The owner got rid of Derwin because of Derwin's altercation with quarterback Kwan last season that put Kwan on the injured list.
In his hotel room, Derwin is eerily quiet. Jason plays "Dance With My Father" to lighten the mood, but Derwin is still in shock. Everything for him is in San Diego now, even though Melanie is in Baltimore for her residency. He feels betrayed. He's being traded to "the worst team in the league in the most dangerous city possible." His words, not mine! (Ironically Baltimore won the Super Bowl this year HA!).
We see that Bryce is the cockiest dude on the field. Already girls are coming to him. His dad (played by William Allen Young, Frank Mitchell from Moesha), is very much involved in his career. Keira bumps into him and he asks her if she wanted his autograph. She doesn't even know who she is, nor cares. She kisses him though, and shows him that the blogs will take that kiss and turn it around to be way more than it is. He'll see the real cost of fame soon.
At his party, Malik is still upset about Derwin being traded. He's started drinking again. Jason congratulates Bryce to try to get an interview with him, but GMA already has the exclusive. Jason wants to be taken seriously as a sports journalist, but all he tends to get are fluff pieces. Keira is also at the party. She and Bryce have a brief exchange on Twitter. The chemistry continues.
Derwin comes by the party to let out some steam. He and Malik drink, while he continues to ignore Melanie's calls. Derwin approaches Bryce ready to fight, because he feels Bryce stole his spot. Of course, Bryce gets smart, and Derwin head butts him and they fight. Derwin has officially lost it, and Malik and Jason try to calm him down. The Sabers are his family, and he is upset, but Malik tells him to get it together. Malik realizes in that moment that the owners run the game, and the players are just pawns. Jason tells him that it doesn't matter where any of them play. They play because they love the game.
Later, Keira walks with Bryce to his room and acts to be concerned about his "eye." He was also half naked too, so I'm sure that caught HER eye! Keira tells him that he has to get it together himself, and not fall for everything that will happen in this game. They talk about the pros and cons of fame, and laugh with each other. It's clear that there's chemistry between them, and they kiss. They're interrupted by Tasha who wants to talk to Bryce about being a part of the Sabers. Keira answers the door, as Bryce runs to the bedroom.
Tasha gets into agent mode, and marches in the bedroom to tell Bryce how to handle the fight with Derwin in front of the press. However, he is there laying on the bed, butt naked! He assumed that Keira wanted to have sex with him after that kiss. She gets offended, and leaves.
In the limo, Malik is drunk and messy as hell, as Tee Tee and Malik's bodyguard look on in disgust. Tee Tee wants him to go to AA, while his assistant is just enabling him. Malik feels like he might as well drink because he feels like he's not in charge of his own life. Tee Tee tells him that he used to be the same way under Malik, but he changed his mindset and went after his own dream. He gets through to Malik, who decides to go to AA in that moment.
At the end of the episode, Tasha goes to talk to Derwin about his trade. He's trying to look at the good of the situation (that he and Melanie get to be in the same place). But he wanted to leave on his own terms. He felt invincible, and now he realizes he's not. She encourages him to move forward with his life in spite of this.
Ciara, who appeared as one of Keira's friends in the episode, ends up having sex with Bryce, showing that he'll get it from whoever with this newfound fame. However, as he's leaving, he sees Keira in the room. She tries to shrug it off, but it's clear she's upset.
Back at her room, she and Pookie have a little FaceTime date, which is cute! After the call, Tasha calls Rick to tell him why she hasn't been returning his calls. She tells him in his voicemail that she still cares about him, but she is happy and wants to let the past go. But in the middle of the call, she is interrupted by the doorbell, and it's Rick!
Later, Derwin is leaving and gives a look back at the camera, showing that it's time to move on to his new life phase (for those who don't know Pooch has a new role on a show on Showtime now). It's sad to a loyal viewer like me that Melanie and Derwin are gone. They were such a huge part of the show from beginning to end. But bravo to both Pooch and Tia for moving forward!
The show is no longer a comedic show like it was in the past. There's a few chuckles here and there, but it's pure drama now. Changes have happened. Even the video is different. I've accepted that. However, I actually liked this episode! The storylines are keeping my interest, and I actually do want to know and see more with Lauren and Jay's characters! We'll see how the rest of this season pans out!
What did you think of the season 6 premiere of The Game?
