Disclaimer: This think piece is a SPOILER, so read at your own risk.
While most of America is already calmed down from the shock from the last episode of Snowfall, I utilize my new Hulu profile to get caught up and BABAAAYYYYYY, this captivating six-season series has kept my attention from beginning to end.
Chile’ I was so intrigued by the FX series; I woke up in the mornings with the next episode on the brain. I couldn’t wait to end my long workday, to see what “Franklin and ’em” was up to next!
From a motivated kid in South Central, Los Angeles to the kingpin of the crack cocaine epidemic, the journey of Franklin Saint was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride of ambition, power, and consequences.
Can I just start by saying as a fan of the show, and a writer myself, it was easy for me to look at Franklin and his crew as “the good guys” (protagonists) and the cops and the government as “the bad guys” (antagonists). Franklin and his crew were doing bad things, but they were loveable, and I rooted for them every step of the way. Even when they joined forces with former rivals, namely “Avy”, played by Alon Albutbol and “Scully”, played by the legendary actor, De’andre Bonds.
Why did I find Franklin and his crew “loveable”? you may ask?
Why was I rooting for him and his people?
“Franklin”, who is played by that handsome chocolate British babe, Damson Idris, started out as a young, ambitious entrepreneur with dreams of making it big in the world of drug dealing. He was fueled by the desire to escape poverty and provide for his loved ones and community, with the help of his friends and some family.
As his drug empire grew, Franklin transformed from that wide-eyed kid with big dreams to a high-powered force in the drug game. His intelligence, charisma, strategic thinking. and even his looks and charm, made Franklin Saint a force to be reckoned with, so it was easy to find ourselves rooting for him and his people, despite the actions that has taken place with these characters.
However, not only did his money grow, but so does the darkness that surrounds him. The consequences of his choices become more life threatening, and he’s forced to make decisions that tests his loyalty, integrity, and humanity. Even his friendship with his bestie, “Leon” played by Isaiah John becomes rocky. I must mention, Isaiah played THE HELL out of his role, too!
His off/on/off again relationship with his estranged father played with my emotions, and the relationship with his mother was interesting, considering her involvement. Let me tell ya…a mama will do anything to protect her kids, even if it means playing cat n mouse with the Government to keep them safe. Mama wasn’t with Franklin selling so much as a WEED LEAF. By the end of the season, she got handcuffs slapped on from shooting and killing an agent from the DEA!
Rivalries escalate, alliances crumble, and the violence that once seemed like a means to an end begins to consume him. He’s faced with betrayal from those closest to him, and the very community he sought to uplift begins to suffer under the weight of his empire. My love for particularly Franklin began to change, because he was becoming desperate. He eventually had millions of dollars stolen from him and that’s when his charisma and intelligence turned into greed, control, and abuse of his power. He’d kill anyone in his way of getting his money back, even if it meant killing a child. The more desperate he became, the more heartless he became. Even his baby mama took whatever funds he had left and said DEUCES!
Ultimately, Franklin’s downfall is highlighted by the crumbling of his empire and falling out with those closest to him, including his mother. His enemies close in, and he is forced to face the consequences of his actions and the world he helped create. In the end, Franklin’s story serves as a cautionary tale about seduction and allure of power and money in the fast life; a kind of life that never ends well.
Franklin’s story ends with him broke, alone, and in grief-stricken poverty.
His story reminded us of the pursuit of financial ambition. We can be ambitious, but remember…
What did Diamond say in The Player’s Club?
Make the money…don’t let the money make you.
I think Franklin would agree.
His story in this awesome series also forces viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about power, morality, greed, redemption, loyalty, and the pursuit of “The American Dream”.
The last episode may have ended on Franklin’s downfall, but it does leaves fans to create an imagining of what would happen after he left Leon in the middle of the street, calling to him in tears.
Would Franklin, who didn’t drink alcohol, die from alcohol poisoning? Would he somehow find new connects and rebuild his drug empire? Or would he eventually get clean, live a decent life and help raise his son with Vee?
We can only imagine.
Thank you, John Singleton.
Key Scenes that stuck with me (in no particular order):
- I don’t think nothing on television made me tear up more than watching Franklin’s mama, Cissy, braid Leon’s hair after he accidentally shooting that little girl. The shame and grief he experienced was felt through the screen.
- That brutal rivalry attack to help save Louie, included Franklin and his uncle Jerome after their falling out. Despite their animosity, they still had each other’s back. Franklin shed tears when Jerome died.
- The moment Leon had enough and decided to go to Ghana. He asked Wanda to go with him. I’m so glad they went but they should have stayed. Never go back to what almost destroyed you.
- Sooo, why was that nurse chick masturbating while patching up McDonald’s bullet wound?
- Scully forgiving Leon for shooting his daughter at Jerome and Louie’s wedding.
- Speaking of the wedding everyone high on LSD was HILARIOUS! But Why Franklin’s high took him through dark stuff? Must’ve been his conscious messing with him.
What did you think of Snowfall?
Like Biggie said….Mo Money….Mo problems!
Franklin made the money and the drugs his God! Leon came out to be the wisest and smartest of them all. That last episode had me feeling like Franklin was an actual person and wanting to see him turn his life around legitimately.
It’s crazy how his ambition turned him into the person he didn’t want to become. He initially went into the game to help his people, but when the money grew, so did his greed. That greed pushed those closest to him away!
You nailed it!!! I love how you broke it down!!
I loved the entire series and Franklin has become family now. At least in my head! Lol!!
There were so many scenes that it’s hard for me to choose. What I loved the most is how they paid tribute to John Singleton in the end and showed him directing “Boyz In The Hood” as Franklin and Leon discuss their friendship. THAT WAS BRILLIANT!!
My all time favorite series!!
Yes! Even after his death, the writers did an amazing job keeping the essence of Snowfall!