*Spoilers for P-Valley S2: Ep. 6 “Savage” throughout* P-Valley fans witnessed the end of an amazing and pivotal story arc during season 2’s 6th episode, with the tragic exit of Big Teak.
Though his death by suicide touched on a sensitive topic and was perhaps triggering for some viewers, his arc opens the doors of discussion on the taboo of mental health and Black men.July is BIPOC Mental Health Month, and the second half of P-Valley’s second season is coincidentally coinciding with back-to-back episodes highlighting various themes dealing with mental health within the Black community.
Starting with episode 5’s focus on the effects of domestic violence and abuse on the character of Keyshawn/Miss Mississippi, the exploration continued in episode 6 with the trauma, grief, and eventual suicide of Big Teak, Lil Murda’s longtime friend and secret former love interest.The character of Big Teak, portrayed by John Clarence Stewart, highlights several taboo topics surrounding Black men’s mental health.
Coming off a ten-year prison bid, he was already having a hard time acclimating both to life on the outside and life in the modern age, before you toss factors like COVID-19 and a racial reckoning – which tested the mental fortitude of just about everyone – into the mix.