The Chi EPs Talk Jada And Darnell's New Tragedy ('Bad News Never Had Good Timing') And How It'll Affect Their Loved Ones

As Friday's episode of The Chi opened, Jada and Darnell enthusiastically celebrated his birthday. As the hour closed, they cried in each other's arms over Jada's news: Her cancer had returned, and the prognosis was not good.

Longtime viewers of the Paramount+ With Showtime series will remember that Yolanda Ross' character first was diagnosed with the illness in Season 4, after her then-boyfriend Suede noted a lump in her breast. Her journey through treatment was tough but ultimately successful and, in part, played into her romantic reunion with Darnell.

In week's hour, Jada's doctor told her that chemotherapy — which helped her last time — wasn't really an option. "I would suggest talking to your family," the physician gently advised, "and getting your affairs in order." Jada, understandably, was in shock.

"The last time, everyone was in a different place in their life," says co-showrunner Jewel Coronel. "I've heard it said before: Bad news never had good timing — particularly when you find yourself in a place where you thought you turned a corner, right?"

She continues, "We've had many different people — cast, crew, writers — who've obviously been impacted by things like this, and at highs in their life: what it feels like to birth something and to potentially lose something... We're just trying to capture that sentiment." Jada and Darnell's romantic rennassiance is all the more precious because it's so

In episodes to come, co-showrunner Justin Hillian tells me, "everyone will find out" that Jada's illness has returned in an aggressive manner. "And everyone's going to handle it differently, to see how people manage their emotions."

Were you shocked to hear that Jada's cancer had returned? Hit the comments with your reactions!