Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Bel-Air season 3.
Summary
Bel-Airhas taken important storylines from the show it’s based on,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but one of Will Smith’s most heartbreaking stories got a new twist in season 3. Though their basic premises remain the same,Bel-Airhas made big changes toThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. With over 30 years between their premieres,Bel-Airis a more modern, darker version ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, with the episodes adding more depth to the existing characters and their backgrounds, which is especially evident in this storyline.
TheBel-Aircharactersmay share names with theirFresh Princecounterparts, but much of their similarities could be considered surface-level. Each actor brings their own new energy to their character, adding new layers to them that may have been absent in the original sitcom. Will’s reason for leaving West Philly to live withthe Banks familyin Bel Air is much more serious, setting a different tone for the series, thoughFresh Princeproved in multiple episodes that it could excel at drama as well as comedy.
Lou Only Appeared In One Episode Of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air
Bel-Airrepeated Will Smith’s saddestFresh Prince of Bel-Airstoryline when his dad, Lou, was first introduced in the season 1 finale. Will was raised by a single mother, his father having left when he was a young boy. When he moves to Bel Air and sees Phil’s relationship with Carlton, while developing his own relationship with his uncle, he becomes more curious about his dad. In both versions of the series,Lou shows up for an episode looking to bond with Will after years of absence, though he ends up disappointing his son.
InBel-Air, this was made even sadder by Lou being in prison for years, unable to see Will. On top of this, Vy, Aunt Viv, and Uncle Phil had been lying to Will. Eventually, Will realizes he’s better off without Lou and acceptsUncle Phil as a father figure. Yet,Bel-Airdeparts from the storyline inFresh Princewhen Will runs into Lou again in season 3. InBel-Airseason 3, it’s revealed that Lou never left California and was trying to get his life together to hopefully repair his relationship with Will.
Bel-Air Season 3 Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play
Bel-Air season 3 features an entertaining soundtrack full of music across multiple genres, capturing the highs and lows of the show’s first summer.
Lou’s Return In Bel-Air Season 3 Teases A Big Departure From Fresh Prince
Will’s Poor Relationship With Lou Has A Continued Impact On His Life
After running into Lou inBel-Airseason 3, episode 1, Will sought him out at the barber shop he was working at. It seemed as though things would finally be changing between the father and son inBel-Airuntil Lou once again revealed his true colors. Lou is clearly jealous of Phil and the support Will gets from the Banks family and their fortune, and tries to shame Will for his ambitions outside basketball. Lou wants Will to be like him, a basketball player, but Will doesn’t want to be anything like his dad.
This leads to Will taking the summer off from basketball inBel-Airseason 3. This is a big change in his character that shows how much influence Lou still has on his life. Though Will claims he doesn’t need Lou, there’s a part of him who wishes his dad could be there for him and love him unconditionally. Bringing Lou back inBel-Airseason 3 doesn’t just mark a departure from theFresh Princestoryline, but it adds depth to Will and highlights the impact parental absence can have on a child.
Bel-Air
Cast
A gritty and more grounded reimagining of the ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bel-Air stars Jabari Banks as Will Smith. After falling afoul of a drug lord and his gang in his native West Philadelphia, Will Smith moves to a gated community in Bel-Air with his wealthy Aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes). Not only must Will adjust to his new environment, but he’s also forced to deal with his past in order to embrace his future.
