The season finale of The Other Black Girl's first season commences with a dramatic scene, where Nella is bound to a chair in a dimly lit warehouse. Hazel approaches stealthily, attempting to loosen her restraints, while whispering seductively in her ear, coaxing her to take the mysterious grease. Suddenly, Diana enters, her gaze piercing as she queries Nella about her desires.
"I want to get out of here," Nella pleads, yet Diana counters with a persuasive argument. She reminds Nella of her dreams of becoming an editor and revolutionizing the world, starting with the imminent release of Jesse Watson's book in the coming week. Nella's curiosity peaks, wondering how Jesse could have written a book in such a short span. Diana reveals that while Jesse's name will adorn the cover, it is a collaborative effort of years of labor from the sisterhood's brightest minds, and Jesse shall be their voice.
Diana persists in urging Nella to utilize the grease, but Nella remains steadfast in her refusal. She commands the girls to restrain her forcibly, but before they can comply, Kendra's figure emerges from the shadows. Her timely intervention startles Diana, and she manages to aid Nella in her escape.
The undercurrents of Diana and Kendra's rift over the release of Burning Hearts are traced back to a revealing interview on Chelsea's show in 1988. Chelsea introduces the daring move of Richard Wagner, who took a leap of faith with two untested Black women. Kendra scoffs, while Diana lauds Richard as a visionary, trying to illustrate the camaraderie of working with a sister. However, their differences surface when Kendra rebukes Diana's alteration of the book's ending to appease ignorant whites. She declares that she would rather forego a career than betray her principles and walks out of the interview in disgust.
Diana, bearing cheap wine, makes a conciliatory visit to Kendra. After a brief reconciliation, Kendra agrees to let Diana style her hair. Little does she know that Diana begins to surreptitiously apply the grease to her hair. The process is agonizing, with Kendra struggling through the pain, her scalp even bleeding. Ultimately, Kendra decides to abandon her apartment and flee. She remains in hiding until the fateful moment when she emerges to rescue Nella from the clutches of the sisterhood.
The previous episode culminated in Shani's reckless collision with Malaika, leaving her sprawled on the streets, yet miraculously, her injuries were minor—merely a scrape on her hand. At the dawn of the new episode, Malaika was discovered at the hospital by Nella, but soon after, she was discharged, poised to play a pivotal role in Nella's future endeavors.
Desperate to ensure Nella's safety, Kendra urged her to flee to Idaho and abandon all ties, arguing that it was the only path to freedom. However, Malaika staunchly disagreed, insisting that running away would never truly liberate her. Instead, she advocated for halting Jesse's book from being published, a goal that Nella, Owen, and Malaika set out to achieve, seemingly reaching a dead end until Vera's unexpected knock on their door.
When Nella inquired about Vera's strategy to stop the book's release, she casually suggested, "Bury the sensitivity read and then leak the book." This casual remark sparked a brilliant idea in Nella's mind. To undermine Jesse's credibility, they needed to know the contents of the book. Nella, armed with Sophie's badge, sneaked into the office after hours, hacked into Richard's computer, and downloaded the manuscript. As she exited, Kendra's framed photograph tumbled to the floor, shattering into pieces. In the process of retrieving it, Nella sliced her hand.
Rushing to the bathroom to rinse the wound, Nella was abruptly confronted by Hazel. Hazel recounted her own story of rags to riches, attributing her success to Diana's second chance. She coaxed Nella to embrace the grease and pursue her desires, but Nella refused, claiming it would compromise her integrity.
Hazel insisted that Nella deserved to be free from self-doubt and focus on her aspirations. She argued that sacrifices were necessary for progress, citing Diana's own sacrifices that led to the creation of "Burning Heart," a pivotal work that propelled Nella to her current position. To make a meaningful impact, Nella had to play the game, and the grease would ease the pain, Hazel said, leaving the ointment on the counter before departing. After a moment of deliberation, Nella took the grease and departed, too.
Later, Richard congratulated Jesse on his book as Nella, transformed, walked in. She revealed that Diana and Richard had requested her return to ensure Jesse's book reached a wide audience. With a proud announcement, Richard revealed that Nella had been appointed the new senior editor at Wagner Books.
Nella eagerly shares with Diana that she has been utilizing the novel haircare product religiously, feeling a sense of empowerment unlike anything she's ever known. Diana, in turn, reveals that she will soon occupy Vera's vacated office and ensure that order will prevail. Nella urgently phones someone, her voice resonating with determination, instructing them to "set this place ablaze."
Diana and Richard confront Hazel with a stark ultimatum, warning her that if Nella is not thoroughly "greased" by day's end, her position in the sisterhood will be terminated. Hazel, with a steely resolve, vows not to disappoint them. She approaches Nella in the sanctuary of Wagner Books' bathroom, her voice filled with false camaraderie, offering the grease but leaving the choice to Nella.
Nella's appearance at the meeting regarding Jesse's book serves as a silent confirmation to Diana that Hazel has succeeded in her task, and Hazel rejoices in the knowledge that Nella has joined their ranks. She strides confidently into Nella's newly adorned office, congratulating her on her advancement and attempting to extend an invitation for drinks. Nella gracefully declines, suggesting another day.
As Jesse steps into his Uber, Malaika, seated inconspicuously in the backseat, unleashes a powerful taser, stunning him into unconsciousness. Kendra, her hands firmly on the wheel, smoothly navigates the vehicle away from the scene. Nella, her voice charged with urgency, calls out once again, her words resonating with a fiery determination: "It's time to burn it all down."
