“The Upshaws” latest season keeps the laughs coming

Season 6 of Netflix’s “The Upshaws” has arrived, welcoming back the patriarch, Bennie Upshaw (played by Mike Epps), and his family as they navigate life in the Hoosier state. The series continues to follow a Black working-class family living in Indianapolis. Bennie is a charming and well-intentioned mechanic who wants to provide for his family. Still, his tendency to overthink the simplest of situations and chaos often leads to humorous situations.

The Upshaw family includes Bennie’s wife Regina (played by Kim Fields), their two young daughters Aaliyah (portrayed by Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins) and Maya (played by Journey Christine), and their firstborn son Bernard (played by Jermelle Simon). Also living with them is Kelvin (Diamond Lyons), Bennie’s son, fathered by another woman (Gabrielle Dennis).

The newest season picks up with Lucretia (Wanda Sykes) in Atlanta, now married to her old flame Frank (Lamont Thompson). That storyline was one of my favorites of the season as it allowed the family to build a dynamic away from their financially well-off Lucretia and gave her a chance to have some fish-out-of-water moments with Frank.  Credit the writers for humorously handling it, no matter how seasoned you are when you tie the knot, and you’re supposed to become one. Thompson and Sykes have an organic chemistry that works well for this storyline.

Meanwhile, back in Indy, the family has its ups and downs, but it is still finding a way to make things work. Epps has indeed found his footing, just like Bennie. Epps’s timing is sharp, and there are even a few moments when he taps into his dramatic skills.  One of the best moments of the seasons involves Kelvin, and I’m sure every father will be able to relate to it. The remaining youth also get some mini-series with Aaliyah pondering college and Maya dealing with separation from her aunt.

Kim Fields also continues to have some good moments, particularly in one episode where she bonds with Aaliyah’s high school guidance counselor. I was also happy to see Gabrielle Dennis back and welcome her to lead her own show one day.

As with previous seasons, the show can be binged in one day and does end on a cliffhanger. However, I anxiously await the final season to see how everything will ultimately wrap up for this family.

Final Grade: B

“The Upshaws Season 6“ is streaming on Netflix now.