The Chi Kills Off [Spoiler] On Graduation Day — Read Recap

Kiesha says it best in this week's The Chi: People "around Douda die, Emmett. You know that more than anybody."

Indeed, one of Otis "Douda" Perry's enemies goes to the grave in Sunday's episode: Rest in peace, Pastor Stanley Jackson, Papa's father.

The end-of-episode death doesn't come as a surprise, if you pay attention. After his financial indiscretion in the past, a legal and moral mistake for which he's since atoned, Pastor Jackson has made a point of rebuking Douda and his cash "gifts" this season. The man of faith wants nothing to do with Douda and his ill-gotten money, and as we learn in this week's ep, he's not shy about telling his parishioners to steer clear of the snappily dressed killer. Anti-Douda sentiment is so strong, in fact, that his men are having a hard time finding local businesses that are willing to launder his money. And you know that doesn't sit well with the crooked former mayor...

Beyond that, the show can't seem to stop sending us signals that Pastor Jackson's future in the Windy City (or anywhere) isn't guaranteed. Papa's podcast interview with his dad is full of the kind of lines that hour-long dramas love to throw in when a character is not long for this world. "Everything I do in this life is for you, son," Papa's papa says, adding that his biggest fear is "that I won't be there for you when you need me." Then he gifts the teen with a pocket watch that's been in their family for generations, telling him, "Time is the one thing that we can never get back. Always value it." Come ON! He's a goner!

Later, when Victor stops by the church for a little guidance, the show hints at an eventual showdown between the man of God and his nemesis. "I know we both want what's best for this city," Pastor Jackson says to Victor. "I plan on doing it through prayer, you plan on doing it through politics. But what I do know is that as long as Douda is alive, this city will forever be in the devil's hands."

Then, after graduation, Papa and his dad get into a shouting match over Papa's new girlfriend, Kenya; the fact that she's a mom makes Pastor Jackson very wary. So he forbids Papa from seeing her, Papa refuses to acquiesce, and the elder Jackson makes it clear that Papa can't keep dating Kenya and living at the house. So Papa leaves.

While the teen is at a party, celebrating with his friends, someone sneaks into the Jackson home and strangles the pastor from behind while he's praying for God to protect Papa.

Other stuff we should talk about in this episode:

* Emmett's practicing with the gun in the mirror, voice and hand shaking as he psyches himself up for confronting Douda, stands in stark contrast to his macho goofing around with the weapon after Perry gave it to him at the house party. I was also quite affected by Darnell's quiet "You ain't built that way" when his son asked for the gun near the top of the episode. And of course Emmett can't go through with shooting his benefactor, which just makes me even more afraid for Emmett, Kiesha and the kids. (Gotta give Emmett credit for that line about how people "f–k with me, they just work for you," though. Even after getting pistol-whipped, he landed the last word!)

* Thanks to pressure from law enforcement and an ever-growing guilty conscience, Victor confesses to Rob that he was an inadvertent accomplice to Q's murder. And when Rob brings this news to his mother, Alicia wants instant action and doesn't want to hear about her son's hesitance to exact revenge. "I don't do this s–t every day," he protests. "But I do," she says, instructing him to get help with the job and then calmly going back to her lunch. This woman is a TOUGH COOKIE.

* Kevin is heading to Los Angeles! He's been offered a job as a gamer, and though it takes a bit for Nina to get over the fact that her baby is growing up and making moves on his own, she eventually comes around. He asks Maisha to come with him, but she wants to stay in Chicago, so they agree that she'll visit and they'll take things as they come.

* The arrival of Bakari's sister, who wastes no time showing off her rap skills at the party, should prove interesting for Maisha and/or Jemma, no?

Now it's your turn. What did you think of the episode? Will you miss Pastor Jackson? Hit the comments with your thoughts!