It's finals week at Hillman, and everyone is going through some changes in season 1, episode 5 of Netflix's A Different World.
With finals quickly approaching, Deborah feels the pressure more than ever to maintain good grades. However, her advisor delivers disappointing news: Deborah's still a few tenths shy of a 3.0 GPA.
Recalling what Ellington said about her learning style, Deborah asks her advisor about disability testing. It could be the thing she needs to lock in and end the semester on a high note.
Meanwhile, Shaquille deals with the potential fallout from the video of his fight with Andre being uploaded to social media. He suspects Andre's behind the leak due to some residual anger he may have against the five-star athlete.
Another day, another bomb threat
Finals week gets a little more chaotic when student study time is interrupted by the FBI investigating a bomb threat on campus.
Deborah and Shaquille are sharing a kiss (under Ellington's watchful eyes) when bomb sniffing dogs and dozens of FBI agents swarm the library, telling students to evacuate. Everyone ends up at The Pit, where they will remain on lockdown until the FBI clears the campus.
Soon, anxiety and fear give way to a heated discussion on being Black in America. Students debate whether safe spaces truly exist for Black Americans and the threat that Black liberation poses to systems of white supremacy and nationalism.
"We're not going to debate our own existence."
Relationships are put to the test
As the lockdown weighs on everyone's minds, some relationships are put to the test.
Kojo tries to convince Rashida to stay on campus for spring break, but she's not interested. She feels like Kojo is putting unnecessary pressure on her and wants to see her family over winter break.
At the same time, things get tense between Shaquille and Deborah when Ellington's name is brought up. Shaquille is suspicious of Deborah's involvement with the student assistant, but she reassures him that they are just friends (Are you sure about that, Deborah?).
Meanwhile, Amir tries to talk to Marquise, but the latter isn't interested in pursuing a relationship with a college student. Especially not since he has a teaching contract with Hillman.
Maybe Jalen can help pick up the pieces...
In other news, Shaquille relinquishes the QB1 position to Andre in an effort to put their childish beef to rest.
Can we talk?
As day turns to night, The Pit continues to be a hub for those students who were forced to evacuate the library earlier.
To pass the time, Deborah breaks out into song with a rendition of Tevin Campbell's "Can We Talk?" Slowly, everyone joins in, adding their own vocals until they are all laughing and dancing.
President Wayne walks in the fun and delivers some good news: Hillman has been cleared, and regular activities can resume. But students are still upset, and rightfully so. To give voice to their frustration and show that they won't be intimidated by racists, they stage a live stream in the middle of campus.
Deborah makes it clear, that they are still learning, thriving, and living their best lives.
Back at The Pit, Nellie admonishes Dwayne for all of the cuts he's made to save the school. She knows that her uncle, Mr. Gaines, wouldn't approve of what he's doing. Things are looking pretty bleak for Hillman.
The heart was made to be broken
Love is in the air for Hazel, who tells Rashida and Deborah that she is in love with Jalen.
Meanwhile, Rashida confesses to Kojo that she feels too much pressure in their relationship. She thinks they need a break from each other, much to Kojo's dismay.
But does she really want a break from love, or just Kojo? Things are looking up for Deborah, who has officially achieved a 3.4 GPA.
However, her gratitude for Ellington becomes something else when the two share a kiss. Oh Deborah, what will you tell Shaquille?
A Different World is available to stream on Netflix.
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