Pose: 3 Tough Moments in “Pink Slip”

Pose is rushing headlong towards the end of season 1, but fortunately there’s good news: Pose has been renewed for season 2. Each week is a slice of life that lets us see the world through the character’s eyes, but this week was a tough one. After last week’s beauty, this week was bound to suffer in comparison, so showing us a little of the hard edges feels like a smart move. “Love is the Answer” gave us tragedy, but also love and hope. “Pink Slip” reminded us of the fragility of hope and that loving makes us vulnerable.

Papi’s Exit

After finally learning that Papi is selling drugs, Blanca sends him packing. With nowhere to go, Papi turns to his former drug dealer, but a close call with the police keeps Papi off the streets. Blanca is torn about her decision, is happy to learn Papi isn’t dealing anymore. Unfortunately, he declines her offer to move back in as he’s found a new home in Lulu and Candy’s newly created House of Ferocity. Learning from their now-abandoned mother, Candy and Lulu don’t seem like the nurturing mothers that Blanca tries to be. Blanca is determined to get Papi back in House Evangalista, so we’ll see if his anger is enough to keep him happy as Candy and Lulu’s errand boy.

Stan’s Weakness

Stan and Angel are in a little bit of a honeymoon phase, but the reality of Angel’s life proves to be too much for him to handle when Angel takes him to see a ball. Admittedly, it was probably not the best night to take an outsider, but I think it was always clear that there’s no place in the Balls for the Stans of the world. I’ve never been team Stan, so I wasn’t terribly surprised or unhappy to find that he can’t hack it in Angel’s world. Nonetheless, it was heartbreaking to see her returning to the streets after finding that he abandoned her.

Elektra’s Fall From Grace

When Mr. Ford learns of Elektra’s confirmation surgery, he’s furious (because he’s a big baby). Elektra thinks he’ll get over it, but unfortunately quickly learns she’s wrong and that she’s been replaced (ug, seriously that guy is a jerk). She returns to House of Abundance to find that her children are abandoning her due to her inability to support them. Lulu and Candy are off to form their own house, and Elektra’s attempts to find a new man to keep her are disheartening. She’s finally achieved her dream, but the cost was steep. Ultimately, she ends up dancing at the arcade, and though she’s beautiful, it’s grimy and depressing. I know Elektra can be hard to handle, but our girl deserves better than this.

Next week’s “Mother of the Year” will bring season 1 to a close. Let’s hope it’s on a positive note. Do you think Blanca will win Mother of the Year? I’m feeling pretty optimistic about it.

Pose airs Sundays at 9/8c on FX.