Harlem Review
- Mar 19, 2025
- 4 min read
“There is an indescribable feeling of being a black woman today who is in control of her own life. There is so much joy in knowing what you want and unapologetically getting it. There’s also joy in changing what you want and being vulnerable.”
In February, Amazon Prime released the third and final season of "Harlem," a series that earned two nominations at the 2022 NAACP Image Awards for "Outstanding Comedy Series" and "Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series."
"Harlem" is a contemporary comedy centered around four Black women in their 30s navigating friendships, relationships, careers, mental health, and self-growth. The series is helmed by Tracy Oliver, best known for writing the hit film "Girls Trip," which starred Jada Pinkett Smith, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, and Queen Latifah.
I initially decided to watch "Harlem" because I'm a longtime fan of Meagan Good, having followed her career from "Eve’s Bayou” to “Stomp the Yard" and "Waist Deep". In this series, she portrays Camille, an ambitious professor struggling with life choices while caught in a love triangle.
Grace Byers, widely recognized for her role as "Boo Boo Kitty" on "Empire," plays Quinn, a boutique owner and fashion designer striving to make her mark in a highly successful family. She’s a hopeless romantic searching for a partner who will treat her like royalty.
Angie, played by Shoniqua Shandai, is a bold, aspiring singer and actress, living her life unapologetically while trying to break into the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, Tye, portrayed by Jerrie Johnson, is a queer tech entrepreneur and CEO of a dating app called Q. She balances business success with personal struggles, including commitment and health challenges.
Despite initially tuning in for Meagan Good, I kept watching "Harlem" because of its fun yet meaningful storytelling. The series manages to be both entertaining and relatable, drawing viewers into the characters’ journeys of self-discovery and emotional growth. The friendships feel authentic—filled with love, joy, and just the right amount of drama, from hilarious interruptions during juicy gossip sessions to heartfelt moments of support and advice.
One standout feature of the show is its poetic and thought-provoking mini-monologues at the beginning and end of each episode. Additionally, the series shines through its diverse representation, stellar music selection, and distinctive fashion choices (seriously, someone hire the stylist for me—thanks!).
If you're looking for a charming, lighthearted yet deeply relatable series, "Harlem" is a must-watch. Fans of "Girlfriends" and "Insecure" will likely enjoy this show as well.
P.S. The show featured legendary guest stars from iconic African American sitcoms, including Jasmine Guy (A Different World), Rachel True (Half & Half), Robert Ri’chard (One on One), Rick Fox (The Game), and Countess Vaughn (Moesha/The Parkers). The nostalgia was real!
Lastly, can we make the "Girls Trip" and “Get Out” musical a real thing? Because I’d definitely watch it. Keep reading below for final season thoughts if you don't mind spoilers.
In the comments or contact form below, let me know your thoughts on the show or if you have any show recommendations. You can click the link here to sign up for the blog email list and submit suggestions for shows :)
Final Third Season Thoughts
The series was undeniably cut short—six episodes felt insufficient, and a longer finale could have given the storylines the closure they deserved. Here are some key takeaways from the final season:
Camille & Ian: From Ian canceling his wedding to be with Camille to their breakup over differences regarding having kids, to eventually expecting a child and getting back together. Their relationship was a rollercoaster that I deeply enjoyed watching. However, the progression of their relationship in the first half of Season 3 was frustrating. Ian and Camille mutually agreed to an ex-with-benefits situationship, yet Ian ghosted Camille for two months only to return in a "serious" relationship with Portia. That felt unfair since he lacked transparency about his new relationship yet proceeded to be cold towards Camille once she found out. The pregnancy reveal added another layer, but Ian’s initial reaction—accusing Camille of trapping him—was disappointing. While he eventually redeemed himself by stepping up, it would have been more satisfying if he had ended things with Portia sooner, especially since he knew he was still in love with Camille. Ian's indecision mirrored his Season 1 engagement to Mira—back then, he was set to marry Mira despite loving Camille, and now, he was planning to have children with Portia while still being in love with Camille. I'm glad that Ian and Camille finally found their way back to each other, but I wish we had more moments of them as a happy couple and got to see their wedding.
Angie: Her journey in the "Girls Trip" musical was a great career move, and I’m thrilled to see her becoming a successful actress. Unfortunately, her engagement to Michael faced complications as they realized they wanted different things from marriage. Michael envisioned a stay-at-home wife, while Angie aspired to be independent and thrive in her career. Their differing wedding visions—Angie wanting a big celebration while Michael preferred an intimate one—further highlighted their incompatibility. Although their relationship ended, I’m glad Angie is achieving her dreams, and I would have loved to see her on the set of her next project with Idris Elba.
Quinn: As a stylist, her career is flourishing. Initially, her no-strings-attached relationship with Seth seemed fun, but she developed serious feelings, only to learn that he was polyamorous. I was rooting for Quinn and Seth—they were adorable together, and I wanted her to finally have her romantic fairytale ending. However, she reconnects with Isabelle in the finale, leaving her love life unresolved. I’m curious whether she’ll rekindle things with Isabelle or cross paths again with Keith, a great match for her at the wrong time.
Tye: Tye continues to thrive professionally, launching another business venture while navigating a relationship with Eva. Tye and Eva's relationship was a refreshing change, showing her growth and willingness to commit. I wish we had seen her dealing with the fallout from her Season 2 entanglement with Amy and Zoe, reconnecting with her family, and introducing Eva to them.
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