The typically chaotic environment of Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living gets a dose of real-world anxiety in this week’s episode, as concerns over neighborhood crime spill into the residence. In “It Takes a Village,” airing Wednesday on BET, the facility’s residents find themselves rattled by an increase in local armed crime, prompting one of their own to take a stand, with predictably comedic results.
When the community is in an uproar over its safety, Vinny decides he is the man to solve the problem. His decision to take matters into his own hands forms the backbone of the episode, setting up a storyline that uses a serious topic as a launchpad for character-driven humor. The show often operates in this space, using broad comedic strokes to examine situations that affect its working-class characters.
As Vinny attempts to implement his own brand of neighborhood watch, his methods and their effectiveness will surely be the main source of comedy. The episode’s title, “It Takes a Village,” suggests a theme of community action, but in the world of a Tyler Perry sitcom, it also hints that the “village” may be more of a hindrance than a help. The half-hour aims to balance genuine concerns about safety with the reliable antics of its central cast.
Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living airs Wednesday, June 18 at 9:30 PM ET on BET.
