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Five Thoughts on Raising Dion‘s “ISSUE #107: Why So Vomity?”

By | October 20th, 2019
Posted in Television | % Comments

On part 7 of Netflix’s Raising Dion, Dion contracted a fever after using his healing powers to absorb Pat’s migraines, and was rushed to ER by his aunt Kat – creating the perfect opportunity for BIONA to steal him away. Meanwhile, Charlotte used the data Mark had concealed in his watch to track down Walter Mills.

1. Seeing is Believing

Kat is a doctor and a woman of science, but it’s pretty befuddling that she could see her delirious nephew melt an ice pack within seconds, cause the lights to flicker and completely blow-up his x-ray scans, and still not think there’s something to her sister’s claim that he had paranormal abilities (back in part one). It’s not until she sees Dion unconsciously floating on his bed that she realizes her sister wasn’t crazy after all – Nicole is pretty understanding though, as this is probably harder for her rational sister than her: as she says, “A thousand years of medical science, and the boy floats?” (Kat admitting she considered placing Nicole under a 72-hour psychiatric watch was pretty funny too.)

2. She Had to Do It to Him

Nicole tells Pat she doesn’t want him to be her boyfriend – thank god, I was afraid the show had lost it. She explains what she needs is a friend right now, and not any further complications between work (she doesn’t even have time for lunchtime dance lessons for Rashad in this chapter), her superpowered son, and her secretive late husband. I think we have to hand it to Tessa, who earlier in the episode basically uses reverse psychology when she suggests that Nicole may as well lower her standards for Pat. Pat mopes off after this, but I think given he will remain Dion’s godfather and mentor, it sends a good message to not become resentful over rejectment.

3. Homewrecking

After Kat discovers Dion’s powers, she proceeds to delete his medical records so BIONA can’t trace him through them – however, her girlfriend Danielle catches her in the act, and she feels she has no other resort than to report her to the hospital authorities. It’s upsetting, to go from learning Kat is a lesbian in this episode, to seeing her lose her job and her girlfriend – sure, it really demonstrates how heroic she is, sacrificing all that for her nephew’s sake, but it’s still disappointing to see another queer character on TV being rendered miserable like that.

4. Oh Man

What makes that even more bitter is that BIONA are spying on Dion anyway, and then after he’s cleared to leave the hospital, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is dispatched to take him away. I think the show’s producers were trying to evoke E.T. with the anonymous CDC men in masks and overalls coming to take him away, but in 2019 I can’t help but think of real children being separated at the US-Mexico border: whether it’s superpowers or an imaginary line in the ground, authorities will always find a way to justify abduction. It’s interesting how Raising Dion and the current season of Black Lightning are both tackling themes of surveillance and abduction right now, but then, it’s not like African-American history hasn’t been full of families being torn apart (and under the law’s approval no less).

5. Nemesis

Meanwhile in Alabama, Charlotte discovers the Crooked Man took Walter Mills, and meets his son Bryden, who’s now being cared for by his aunt. We learn Bryden has telepathic powers, and he gets pretty angry when he discovers Dion’s existence, and that Charlotte is helping him, but won’t take him away in case the Crooked Man comes again. I don’t blame Bryden: his aunt is a superstitious woman who blames his father’s success as a farmer, and his sudden disappearance, on a deal with the Devil – she’s most likely incredibly abusive. It’s a strong contrast to Kat’s skepticism about her nephew’s powers on this chapter, and reinforces the duality of Dion and Bryden, which will lead to a clash of personalities in season 2 (since it’s not like he’s getting to Atlanta anytime soon).

Bonus thoughts:
– Turns out Dion wasn’t aware he had healed the Arctic fox, another realization I wish I had shared with the title character.
Continued below



– We learn Jonathan’s parents are separated, and that his mom has a boyfriend.
– There’s a Dutch angle when Nicole greets Pat in the hospital, something the show hasn’t done before – perhaps it was meant to underscore how awkward their relationship had become.

OK folks, see you later in the week for our looks at “ISSUE #108” and “#109”: pray for Dion that he’ll be alright. (I’m sure he’ll be alright, who knows what’ll happen to everyone else though.)


//TAGS | Raising Dion

Christopher Chiu-Tabet

Chris is the news manager of Multiversity Comics. A writer from London on the autistic spectrum, he enjoys tweeting and blogging on Medium about his favourite films, TV shows, books, music, and games, plus history and religion. He is Lebanese/Chinese, although he can't speak Cantonese or Arabic.

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