A Refresher on Everything That Went Down in "P-Valley" Season 1

Published on 6/1/2022 at 7:30 PM

"P-Valley" will finally make its grand return on June 3 after a long two-year hiatus, and season two promises to shake things up at the Pynk. The last we heard of Chucalissa's little strip club that could, Hailey, aka Autumn Night (Elarica Johnson), swooped in at the umpteenth hour to save it from getting snatched up at the town's auction. But she won't be seen as a hero in season two when she and Uncle Clifford (Nicco Annan) butt heads over who really runs the Pynk.

". . . this season, not only is there a big bad wolf of the casino, but there's also the big bad wolf of Miss Rona."

The Pynk is on its last leg once again as it struggles to pull through the pandemic and navigate the bloody aftermath of Murda Night. To get ready for its grand "re-re-re-opening," some feisty new recruits — Whisper (Psalms Salazar) and Roulette (Gail Bean) — will enter the fold to restore the club's troubled reputation. But the club has to get past another hurdle in its way this season: the pandemic.

"We decided to really embrace the present moment and to fold the pandemic into the storytelling of our show," creator Katori Hall told Entertainment Weekly. "Last season, there was the big bad Wolf of the casino, and this season, not only is there a big bad wolf of the casino, but there's also the big bad wolf of Miss Rona."

While the newbies and vets all desperately find ways to survive their own chaos, this season of "P-Valley" will determine who's strong enough to weather the storm. In case you need a refresher of where "P-Valley" left off in season one, read ahead for all the need-to-know details before the series returns on Friday.

Mercedes and Uncle Clifford Help Hailey Confront Her Past in "P-Valley" Season 1

Hailey and her tumultuous past remain a mystery throughout season one. But when her abusive ex-boyfriend Montavius (Cranston Johnson) shows up at the Pynk on Murda Night, she's forced to confront him and all her baggage. In the Paradise Room, Montavius holds Hailey hostage before her last dance at the club, accusing her of stealing $250,000 from him. Mercedes (Brandee Evans) comes to her defense, but Montavius threatens to kill her if Hailey doesn't give him his money. Uncle Clifford eventually catches wind of what's going down in the Paradise Room and busts in with a gun to shoot Montavius. Her gun goes off but misses, so she, Mercedes, and Hailey tussle with Montavius until three more shots go off. We don't see what happens afterward, but blood spills from under the door, presumably Montavius's.

Lil Murda and Uncle Clifford Break Up in "P-Valley" Season 1

Lil Murda (J. Alphonse Nicholson) and Uncle Clifford keep their romance under wraps throughout season one, especially since the former isn't comfortable sharing his sexuality on account of his budding rap career. But their relationship gets derailed after Lil Murda disses Uncle Clifford during Murda Night to impress a homophobic music executive. Feeling guilty for how he treated Uncle Clifford, Lil Murda tries to offer her a tearful apology but gets told off for not being ready to embrace who he is. For now, it looks like they won't get their happy ever after together.

Miss Mississippi Chooses Between Diamond and Derek in "P-Valley" Season 1

Miss Mississippi's (Shannon Thornton), aka Keyshawn's, abusive relationship with her boyfriend/children's father, Derek (Jordan Cox), eventually leads her to a budding romance with Diamond (Tyler Lepley). But their will-they-won't-they relationship comes to a halt when Derek and Diamond get into a near-fatal fight during Murda Night. In the heat of the moment, Keyshawn pulls a gun on Diamond to stop him from beating up Derek, leaving him in disbelief. Diamond runs off once he hears a gunshot from the Paradise Room, leaving things up in the air between him and Keyshawn.

Hailey Saves the Pynk in "P-Valley" Season 1

The battle over ownership of the Pynk's land is the biggest plot in season one. Uncle Clifford falls behind on the club's payments and ends up almost losing it to Chucalissa Mayor Tydell Ruffin (Isaiah Washington), who plots on building a new casino in its place. The Pynk goes up for sale at the town's auction, so Uncle Clifford and the ladies from the club go all out to stage a "funeral" for it, wearing all-black outfits to say goodbye. That is until Hailey shows up like an angel in all white, outbids the mayor, and buys back the Pynk for $250,000 — the same amount of money she stole from Montavius. Now, she owns part of the club alongside Uncle Clifford.