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Why The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins Works for Today’s Audience: Episode 5 Review
- Damian Ali
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Tracy Morgan as Reggie Dinkins and Craig Robinson as Jerry Basmati in episode 5 ‘You May Hug Your Hero’ of ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’ on NBC. Image courtesy of Scott Gries/NBC.
Episode 5 of The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins finally strikes the right tone, delivering what fans of comeback stories enjoy most: a reason to care about the journey. While the first four episodes offered moments that were both touching and funny, they often felt like an extended pilot. Each laugh revealed the show's potential, but by the end of each episode, it seemed to fall just short.
For the uninitiated, the series stars Tracy Morgan, Daniel Radcliffe, Living Single’s Erika Alexander, Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live), Precious Way (Days of Our Lives), and Jalyn Hall (All American). The story follows Reggie (Morgan), a former football player trying to repair his public image, as a documentary crew led by disgraced director Arthur Tobin (Radcliffe) captures every move and misstep.
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Megan Thee Stallion as Denise in The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins. Craig Robinson as Jerry Basmati and Heidi Gardner as Tisha Basmati in the "You May Hug Your Hero." Image courtesy of Scott Gries/NBC.
Although the episode 'You May Hug Your Hero' is filled with star power and plenty of laughs, it’s not the celebrity appearances that help the show find its footing. This is the episode that makes you care about the characters and root for the underdogs. Reggie and Monica try to restart their youth football camp and face off against their old rivals, Jerry and Tisha Basmati, played by Craig Robinson and Heidi Gardner.
The Basamatis are a reminder of where Reggie and Monica once were, and despite past mistakes, of how difficult it was to reach that level of success. Jerry and Tisha, still in the spotlight, waste no time rubbing it in their faces.
Usually, in a show like this, the comeback story’s message is straightforward yet energizing: “You can do it.” Every good comeback story highlights the challenges that come with second chances. Ted Lasso did a great job encouraging viewers to “Believe.” However, the real success was how the show explored that concept far beyond just winning games.
Believing in second chances is a great start, but as Reggie and Monica highlight in this episode, it also requires a shift in perspective. For Reggie, it meant changing his strategy; for Monica, it meant realizing that being stuck in a rut doesn’t necessarily mean you’re failing.
Tracy Morgan as Reggie Dinkins and Erika Alexander as Monica in the "You May Hug Your Hero" episode of The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins. Image courtesy of Scott Gries/NBC.
The latest episode of Reggie Dinkins helps viewers connect with the characters by showing that second chances often require “taking the high road,” and that change is rarely easy. It highlights the difficulty of making that mental shift and the importance of forgiving your past mistakes.
One of the cleverest moments is the use of Michelle Obama’s well-known quote, “When they go low, we go high,” and the challenge of living up to that standard, especially today.
This article isn’t about originality or comparing The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins to other comeback stories. It’s about how the show finally delivers a message people can truly relate to, especially in a world flooded with negativity.
Mantras like “Yes, I can” or “When they go low, we go high” set challenging yet attainable thresholds. You can’t accidentally cross a threshold; it requires an intentional step. It’s the shift from thinking about change to embodying it.
Towards the end, Reggie and Monica move past trying to live up to those standards and begin to see themselves differently, which is the first real step. The moment also serves as a reminder to pause and reflect, because you may already be meeting some of those expectations without realizing it.
That’s why this story and the show connect today. It's the reality of second chances, not just the idea of them.
If you are looking for more comeback stories, here are a few worth revisiting: Mom (CBS), Cobra Kai, Schitt’s Creek, The Comeback (HBO), BoJack Horseman (Netflix), Kate & Allie, The Nanny, and The Golden Girls.
Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Tobin and Megan Thee Stallion as Denise in The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins. Image courtesy of Scott Gries/NBC.
Shoutout to Daniel Radcliffe, who had limited screen time in this episode but delivered one of the funniest moments alongside guest star Megan Thee Stallion.
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