Premiered: October 3, 2017

On: ABC

Starring: Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Marsai Martin, Peter Mackenzie, Deon Cole, Jenifer Lewis, Laurence Fishburne, August Gross, Berlin Gross, Jeff Meacham, Nicole Sullivan, Wanda Sykes, Nelson Franklin, Allen Maldonado, Catherine Reitman, Jennie Pierson & Emerson Min

While no one suspects their favorite comedy to portray melancholy moments throughout an entire season, it’s a welcome challenge for the Johnson family is season four of black-ish.

After having Devante (August & Berlin Gross), Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) goes through postpartum depression. The whole family says goodbye to Zoey (Yara Shahidi) as she heads to college. And Dre (Anthony Anderson) and Bow go through a rough patch.

Anderson and Ross expertly portray their characters this season with a wide range of emotions. While they’ve consistently mastered the comedy, they’re now able to shine in a dramatic light.

The tone of the show feels different because of the emotional arcs, but family is still at the heart of it. Some of the best moments are touching ones from the usually-quarreling Bow and Ruby (Jenifer Lewis).

Final say: A brilliant change. ★★★★★