SPOILER ALERT: The following reveals major plot points from the series finale of CBS‘ Poppa’s House.
Tonight’s episode of CBS’ freshman comedy Poppa’s House “Magic Shine Along”, served as the show’s conclusion following the network’s recent cancellations. And while saying goodbye will prove difficult, at least Poppa’s House cast, creators, and crew put a lot of love into the episode.
In “Magic Shine Along,” Poppa (Damon Wayans, Sr) finally finds the courage to admit his feelings for his colleague and friend Dr. Ivy Reed (Essence Atkins), only to have her ruin his plans. Moments before Poppa presented her with a bouquet, she reveals she has some feelings for her ex-husband, David (Coby Bell). Gutted, Poppa remained upbeat and acted like he was unaffected to support his friend as she explored whether there were any sparks left with her ex.
Not an easy task when David spends more time trying to prove to himself and to Poppa that Ivy belongs with him. Poppa is hurt but certainly not faded. He tells David in so many words that he will drop the ball again, and the latter knows he’s probably right, so he ups his game.
L to R: Damon Wayans as Poppa and Essence Atkins as Ivy
Instead of being a supportive son, Junior (Damon Wayans, Jr) dragged his father before giving him the “there’s plenty of fish in the sea” speech, much to his dad’s chagrin. Junior doesn’t linger because he has his own things going on. He is working on a pitch to sell to get his short film off the ground and spending time with his family, which includes his two children, Trey (Caleb Johnson) and Maya (River Blossom), who are equally smart and adorable.
Shout out to Wayans Sr. for his perfect Fred Sanford heart attack impression that Redd Fox would’ve certainly been proud of.
Ivy and David shared a lovely date, at least that’s what the former tells Poppa after she returned to his place to download him the next day. She told him what a beautiful restaurant David whisked her off to and how she was impressed by the flowers he gave her and the limo she picked her up in. However, she revealed something was missing.
Poppa reiterates what he thinks she wants to hear, encouraging words about her future with David. Only, that’s not what she wants to hear. A note Poppa wrote that David gave to her instead touched Ivy’s heart. She knew those sweet words did not come from her ex, and things started to tense up at Poppa’s House, as a big reveal is teased. Before anyone could say another word, the doorbell rings, and it’s Lola (Adriyan Rae) on the other side, and she asks Poppa for another chance.
Ivy is frozen as she watches Lola shoot her shot and tries to leave without anybody noticing, but she scratches a record. Now, Ivy is pretending she’s on board with Poppa’s reunion with Lola and rushes out the door. Lola wants to carry on as if she never broke his heart, but he’s already moved on. Ivy admits she has something to tell him, but it will have to wait until they are alone. She leaves, and sadly, that’s how the show ends, on a cliffhanger.
If the show had continued to Season 2, all things were pointing at Poppa and Ivy finally revealing their feelings and exploring a relationship, or an entire season of “will they, won’t they?” Unfortunately, we may never know.
