The show Bel-Air is officially off the air.
The reimagined version of the beloved sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air stole many of our hearts by showcasing the Banks family and Will Smith in a completely new light. When the announcement first dropped, the internet had mixed emotions about turning one of the funniest sitcoms of the 1990s into a drama.
Understandably. But once the first season premiered, those mixed emotions quickly turned into love for a show that told a familiar story in its own way while highlighting Black excellence in a way that remains necessary today. Bel-Air didn’t simply modernize a classic. It reframed it, giving audiences a more complex and honest portrayal of Black wealth, identity, and family.
Over the course of its run, Bel-Air shattered Peacock records for new subscribers, usage, and upgrades. The series became the platform’s most streamed original show, reaching more than eight million accounts in 2022, the year it premiered. By the time season four arrived, Bel-Air had already established its voice and legacy as more than just a reboot.
In its final season, it leaned into the messages that defined the show from the start. Here are the moments from season four that stood out most and reinforced why Bel-Air was the representation we needed to see.
Carlton Choosing an HBCU
From the very beginning of the series, Carlton’s dream was to attend Princeton University. However, after speaking with a Black Princeton alumnus who also graduated from Bel-Air Academy, Carlton came to a realization: just like in high school, he would once again be one of the only Black students in the room—expected to speak for all Black people while navigating microaggressions, racism, and the pressure of being twice as good as his white peers.
That realization weighed heavily on him, especially given his ongoing struggle with anxiety. When Carlton spoke to his father, he expected disappointment for no longer wanting to attend Princeton. Instead, Uncle Phil told him something that truly hit home: the goal was never Princeton. The goal was freedom.
In that moment, it became more than a college decision—it was a cultural shift. Rather than forcing himself into a space where his identity would constantly be challenged, Carlton chose an HBCU, where his culture would be celebrated instead of questioned. His bed party, decked out in Morehouse gear, felt especially meaningful. As an HBCU student, seeing the maroon and white on my screen sparked a level of pride—especially on television. It was also a nice touch to see the clothing brand Legacy History and Pride represented, created by Howard alum Tahir Murray.
For years, television has framed success for wealthy Black characters as proximity to whiteness, Ivy League institutions, and elite predominantly white spaces. Carlton choosing an HBCU—Morehouse College, to be exact—over Princeton challenges that narrative. It reframes what prestige and “winning” look like on screen. His decision wasn’t about running from difficulty. It was about choosing a space where he could thrive without shrinking himself.
Black Women’s Health Issues Being Ignored
Like the original series, the Banks family welcomed a late addition with Baby Nicky. However, Bel-Air added depth by exploring a storyline centered on Black maternal health. Aunt Viv sensed something was wrong with her pregnancy, but when she consulted a white doctor, her concerns were dismissed.
It wasn’t until Hilary went live in front of thousands of followers and shared the symptoms her mother was experiencing that other Black women spoke up, saying they had gone through the same thing. That moment reflected something much bigger than the storyline. It showed how often Black women have to rely on community validation when medical professionals fail to listen.
Aunt Viv was ultimately diagnosed with a high-risk geriatric pregnancy that required medical attention, highlighting a reality many Black women face when their concerns are not taken seriously.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, about one in five Black women say they have been treated unfairly by a healthcare provider because of their race. A similar number who have been pregnant or given birth report being denied pain medication they believed they needed. These experiences contribute to the ongoing disparities in Black maternal health.
This storyline carried emotional and cultural weight because it showed a Black woman being believed, supported, and amplified instead of ignored. In real life, that isn’t always the case. Seeing that validation on screen matters because Black women are too often forced to fight to be heard.
Grief and Loss
This season also explored grief through both Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil. Aunt Viv navigated the loss of her mother while preparing to welcome a child who would never get the chance to meet her grandmother. Uncle Phil reflected on losing his father during his early adult years, showing how grief can resurface long after the initial loss.
It was one of the heaviest storylines of the series, but Bel-Air handled it with care, allowing emotions to unfold naturally. Instead of presenting grief as a single moment, the show portrayed it as something that follows people into new chapters of life. For Aunt Viv, it existed alongside new beginnings. For Uncle Phil, it lingered years later, shaping how he moved as a husband and father.
By including these perspectives, the show highlighted how grief can appear at unexpected moments and function like a roller coaster. More importantly, it reinforced that grief doesn’t follow a timeline or look the same for everyone. It can coexist with joy, resurface in adulthood, and quietly shape the way people love and lead.
Treat Everyone with Respect
One of the simplest yet most powerful messages this season came through Will’s relationship with the school janitor. Will made a point to learn her name, ask about her family, and acknowledge her daily—something many others at the school failed to do.
But this storyline was about more than kindness. It was about dignity and visibility in a space not built for either of them. Will and the janitor were navigating the same predominantly white institution from different positions, yet both understood what it felt like to be overlooked. Their connection showed how community can form even in environments that aren’t designed to affirm you.
In the end, that respect mattered. She became someone willing to speak up for Will to an individual who could impact his future, specifically his college career. The storyline reinforced that everyone deserves respect, not because of what they can offer, but because of who they are. Kindness should never be transactional, but it often finds its way back around.
With Bel-Air’s targeted audience being Gen Z, this message feels especially relevant. In a time when social interactions can feel surface-level and transactional, the show reminded viewers that acknowledgment costs nothing, but it can mean everything.
Final Thoughts
The final season of Bel-Air was filled with meaningful storylines that reflected real-life experiences within the Black community. Even though I focused on four, there were many lessons throughout the series that I learned and appreciated. While it’s hard to say goodbye to the Banks family and the world the show created, it was refreshing to see an all-Black cast tell layered stories with intention and purpose.
Bel-Air didn’t just reimagine a classic sitcom. It created conversations, highlighted overlooked issues, and reminded viewers that Black stories deserve to be told with depth. That level of intentionality is something we don’t always see, which makes the show’s impact even more meaningful.