Wanda spent Episode 1 trying to prove she belonged in the music business.
Well, congratulations girl.
You got the job.
Now here comes the foolishness.
Episode 2, “Street Matrix,” picks up after Lamar’s beat catches Artillery’s attention, and Wanda realizes she might actually have something big on her hands.
The problem is everybody around this music deal comes with baggage, territory and somebody ready to fight.
So basically?
Welcome to the record business.
Wanda Gets a Promotion
Wanda’s hustle finally pays off when she’s offered the Head of A&R position at Black Banner Music.
And Wanda is THRILLED.
She’s gone from struggling to get anybody to take her seriously to walking around with an actual title and contracts for Lamar and Artillery.
I was happy for her.
For about five minutes.
Because Wanda immediately has to convince Lamar’s family that trusting her with his future isn’t a terrible idea.
Gerty is especially not interested.
And honestly, I understand.
She remembers the old Wanda, including some very painful things Wanda did while using drugs.
Lamar insists Wanda isn’t that person anymore.
And that’s really the heart of Wanda’s storyline right now.
She’s changed.
But everybody else doesn’t have to forget who she used to be just because she’s ready to move forward.
Darryl Makes a Mess
Wanda convinces Darryl to personally take Artillery his contract.
That should have been simple.
Sign the papers.
Shake hands.
Go home.
But Darryl walks into Artillery’s neighborhood with enough attitude for three people.
Then Dara, one of the people closest to Artillery, wants to make sure she gets compensated before the music industry comes in and starts making money.
Fair question.
Darryl handles it terribly.
He talks down to everybody, makes it clear he thinks he’s above them, and before long?
Darryl gets robbed and embarrassed.
Sir.
Sometimes being rich and loud is not the winning combination you think it is.
Leon Gets Dragged Back In
Once Darryl comes back furious and ready for revenge, Wanda’s music dream is suddenly sitting in the middle of a street war.
And who does everybody need?
Leon.
Of course.
Leon has worked hard to step away from that life and focus on his legal clinic, but Wanda needs somebody who understands how the streets operate.
He eventually agrees to help settle things.
Leon meets with Dara and her people on neutral ground and does what Darryl should have done from the beginning:
Talk business.
Instead of treating Dara like she’s disposable, Leon explains that there’s more money to be made if she becomes Artillery’s official manager.
Now THAT makes sense.
The deal survives.
Nobody has to start a war.
And Wanda gets to keep moving forward.
But Leon Is Not Happy
Leon helps Wanda because he still cares about her.
That’s obvious.
But he also makes it very clear:
Don’t put me in this position again.
And I don’t blame him.
Wanda sees the music business as her chance at a new life.
But she’s moving so fast that she isn’t always thinking about who she’s pulling into danger with her.
Especially Leon.
That tension between them is getting interesting because these two clearly still love each other even though they are trying to live separate lives.
Girl…
We’ll see how long THAT lasts.
Lamar Gets His Chance
Lamar is also starting to believe this music thing might actually happen.
Even with his family questioning the decision, he’s determined to work with Artillery.
And the biggest difference between Lamar and everybody else?
He still sees the music first.
Everybody else sees gang territory, contracts, money and danger.
Lamar hears a beat.
That innocence is sweet.
It also has me worried.
Because this is still the Snowfall universe.
Nobody gets to be happy for too long around here.
My Take
Episode 2 was really about Wanda learning that finding talent is the easy part.
Now she has to deal with egos, family, street politics and a boss who nearly ruined the whole deal because somebody hurt his feelings.
Wanda definitely has good instincts.
But she’s moving like ambition alone can protect everybody.
It can’t.
And Leon already knows that.
That’s why I think he’s going to keep getting pulled into this music business whether he wants to or not.
Tea Cup Rating: ☕☕☕☕
4 out of 5 Tea Cups.
Wanda got her promotion.
Lamar got his opportunity.
Artillery still has a deal.
And Leon somehow ended up cleaning up everybody’s mess.
Sounds about right.