Episode 6 of Black Cake kicks off with the dramatic arrest of Byron, seamlessly interwoven with flashbacks of Eleanor struggling with her recordings. Frozen in her efforts, Eleanor is unable to move beyond the moment where she apologizes to Benny for having abandoned her. Charles, noticing her distress, offers comfort, yet Eleanor laments her lack of courage to own up to her mistake and embrace Benny's true identity. She draws parallels to her childhood friend, Bunny, recalling that despite her good intentions, she advised Bunny to conceal her authenticity and lead a double life.
Charles and Eleanor revisit their struggles in leaving a mark in this world, their journey fraught with challenges due to their skin color. Regina, Charles's wife, passed away around the same time as Bert, adding another layer of hardship to their path.
In the present, Benny explains to a police officer the context behind Byron's actions, framing them in the light of the abuse she endured under Steve's hand. However, the officer informs her that the statute of limitations for prosecuting Steve has expired, and without evidence, Byron's fate hangs in the balance. He is processed and incarcerated with other Black inmates, a potent metaphor depicting how, despite his noble intentions, Byron's actions have led him back to where he started.
His mind wanders back to his teenage years, when Bert was still alive. Byron had lashed out at a classmate following a heated argument, but Eleanor's approach differed from Bert's sternness. She allowed Byron to process his emotions, encouraging him to be aware of his anger towards the unfair treatment they faced. As he broke down in tears, his parents enveloped him in their arms.
The next morning, Byron emerges from the jail, freed. Benny informs him that Steve has dropped the charges, but he expects Benny to grant him forgiveness.
As Byron confessed his guilt for his outburst towards Steve, Benny intervened, emphasizing the importance of not suppressing emotions. Unlike Eleanor, who sought tranquility through her recordings at the threshold of death, Benny believed the siblings should stay true to their inner selves. She even applied a touch of makeup for Byron as he prepared for the diversity panel. Taking a bold step for herself, Benny severed contact with Steve. Despite the panel proceeding smoothly, Byron finally stood his ground, voicing his indignation against the systemic racism that hinders minorities from attaining influential positions. He drew parallels to his own situation, where Marc had been promoted over him, fulfilling Lynette's wishes. His speech resonated deeply with the predominantly black audience, eliciting thunderous applause.
Outside, Steve screamed furiously, enraged by Benny's restraining order. Benny, however, remained steadfast, focused more on the contents of an envelope she found, filled with receipts from a cafe across the street. Bert, her father, had visited it regularly but lacked the courage to speak to his daughter. Benny's mood shifted from elation to silence as she prepared dinner, only to be interrupted by Mabel's unexpected appearance in the living room with Byron. Despite her initial apprehension, Benny desired a relationship with her sister. They bonded over their love for celebrity chef Habiba Davis and food. However, the conversation took a turn when Byron mentioned Mabel's conception, leaving her distraught and retreating to her hotel.
Determined, Benny followed, her efforts finally winning Mabel's grudging acceptance. Mabel reluctantly shared details about Gio, though Benny sensed her reluctance stemmed more from protecting herself than him. Benny's final words, "It is better to know than die wondering," were the catalyst that drew Mabel back home. Together, they listened to Eleanor's final recording, where she explained that it was not her choice to part with Mabel, having been "taken" against her wishes...
