Goodbye, Banks Family: Reflections on the Bel-Air Finale

Reflections on the Bel-Air Finale

I watched the finale of Bel-Air last week, and I must say, it was a lovely ending to what had been a somewhat chaotic but engaging show. As you may recall, my introduction to Bel-Air was quite special—my lovely friend Stella invited a few of us school mums to attend the London premiere, and I remember sharing my excitement about it here at the time.

Since then, I’ve managed to watch all four seasons, and I’m genuinely sad to say goodbye to this reimagined version of the Banks family. Over time, they grew on me—more than I expected them to. The journey wasn’t always smooth, but it was compelling.

Carlton, in particular, was initially very annoying. I struggled to understand the depth of animosity between him and Will, and at first it felt excessive, misplaced and exhausting. However, as the story unfolded, we were introduced to a surprisingly touching and well-developed bromance. Watching both characters evolve—individually and together—was one of the show’s strongest achievements, and by the end, I couldn’t have been more proud of how far they’d come.

Main Cast Reflections

I definitely had my favourites. Hilary, played by Coco Jones, was one of them. I’ve always liked Coco Jones and think she’s incredibly talented, so that affection naturally carried over to the character she portrayed. That said, I wasn’t particularly fond of how Hilary’s storyline was written. While she remained an okay character overall, I felt she deserved a stronger, more coherent arc.

Aunt Viv was another standout. She was effortlessly cool, strikingly beautiful, and I really appreciated her styling throughout the series—it suited her character so well and added to her presence on screen.

However, my absolute favourite character was Uncle Phil. His storyline was consistently well written, portraying him as a responsible family man who was always willing to stick his neck out for his family and loved ones. His moral compass, emotional depth, and leadership anchored the show for me. I suppose my choice of favourite characters is quite telling of my age group 😁.

As for the teenagers—they were fine. Their stories were relevant and thoughtfully handled, but they just weren’t really my cup of tea. I could appreciate them without being fully invested.

Thoughts on the Finale

Overall, I wasn’t particularly pleased with the direction the show took in its final stretch, although I will admit it did a good job addressing issues that teenagers face today. Those themes were handled with sensitivity and relevance.

My biggest issues with the finale lay in the adult plotlines. The pregnancy plot, in particular, didn’t sit well with me, it felt misplaced—I genuinely felt the wrong woman was pregnant. In my opinion, that storyline would have made far more sense if it had been Hilary 🤷‍♀️.

I also absolutely hated the Jeffrey underground storyline—it never quite landed, and the introduction of his sister only weakened it further. Her styling and delivery felt off, and that entire arc threatened to derail an otherwise enjoyable ending. Thankfully, there was still enough substance elsewhere for me to enjoy the series as a whole.

Honouring the Past, Reimagining the Present

I really appreciated the thoughtful introduction of characters from the original series. It was a joy to see Daphne Maxwell Reid, who played the second Aunt Viv in the original show, appear as Helen in Season 1, Episode 9. In that same episode, Vernee Watson-Johnson—originally Will’s mum, Vy Smith—portrayed Janice. Tatyana Ali, who famously played Ashley Banks, appeared in Season 2 as the middle school teacher, Mrs. Hughes. Joseph Marcell, the original Geoffrey, made a compelling appearance in Season 3 as someone from Geoffrey’s past, while Tyra Banks—who played Will’s Philly ex-girlfriend, Jackie Ames—returned to the Bel-Air universe in Season 4. That season also featured a special appearance by Janet Hubert, the original Aunt Viv, in Episode 7.

In addition to the nostalgic callbacks, the series was peppered with memorable celebrity cameos. Appearances from artists such as Snoop Dogg and SZA added cultural depth and a sense of fun. The finale was further elevated by Will Smith’s appearance—a poignant full-circle moment. As the original star of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, his presence provided a meaningful bridge between the legacy of the original series and its modern reimagining.

Final Thoughts

Despite its flaws, Bel-Air entertained me for two years, and for that, I’m truly grateful. The series explored complexity, ambition, and Black excellence in a bold and meaningful way. It was chaotic, emotional, and often wholesome. Well done to the cast and crew for successfully delivering a show that stood apart from the original while honouring its legacy. I’ll miss the Banks family—their growth, their drama, and their moments of warmth. It wasn’t perfect, but it was memorable, and that’s no small achievement.

Goodbye, Banks family. Thank you for the ride. 💛

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