'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Season 5 Finale Recap: "Charmaine Gets Engaged, Ryan Drops Another Bomb"

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The best thing about the finale of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' was Neek proposing to Charmaine. Too bad they couldn't enjoy the moment long before Bella brought the Van and Charmaine rumor back to light. The sad thing is Ryan dropped a bomb that left Charmaine feeling clueless, Bella jobless and Van emotionless.

While enjoying the Safari Neek surprised Charmaine with a proposal with her close family and friends. Although Charmaine already knew what was going to happen she didn't expect to see her parents. On another note Bella just had to ruin the happy moment by bringing up the rumor about Van and Charmaine hooking up in Vegas.

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Charmaine wanted to address the rumor but Van and the others felt she should have just let it go it it wasn't true. Seriously, anyone who is accused of doing something they did not do has a right to defend themselves. However, Van is the undercover man because didn't he also get accused of kissing Lily?

If you can remember during season 4 of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' finale Ryan took over what the crew he left behind named Loyal Ink and renamed it 9Mag with Phor by his side. On mid-season finale which aired in May, Ryan totally blindsided the crew when he opened a new 9Mag and put Van in charge of the old 9Mag. Now here we are again on the finale of season 5 where Ryan has dropped another bomb but this time used Don to do his dirty work.

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Ryan said he felt bad for Bella because she has a child but if that were true he would not have done that without giving her heads up. Charmaine has other income. Don and Phor still have a place at the new 9Mag but Bella is the one who is left out with no other options. Van wasn't at all shocked by Ryan's actions. He took it with a grain of salt and kept it moving.

Was Ryan right for letting the shop go so suddenly without a warning to the crew? True enough it's his shop but it's a way to do things. He could have done that in a better way rather than embarrassing them. It's a shame that noone speaks up for these ladies. Ryan brought Bella in just like he brought Lily in and let Charmaine come back. He needs to be held accountable for his actions. And let's not forget about he did Kat! Not good for a business man because just like he don't forget, the viewers and potential tattoo seekers don't either!

Tamara M. Anderson

@mahoganymagazin

@mstekeyla75

'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Season Episode 1&2: "King Louie Guest Stars, Van Gets Out Of Jail"

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On the premiere of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' secrets were revealed, Ryan was blindsided and Kat and Charmaine got into a physical confrontation. Two well-known Chicago celebrities stopped by 9Mag and a new tattoo artist was introduced. Van was released from jail and the real Chris Gardner  got tatted up.

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Charmaine, Ryan, Kat and Don of
Black Ink Crew Chicago

In the first episode of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' rapper King Louie stopped by to get tatted but not by Ryan or Phor. When King Louie said he was getting tatted by Kat, Ryan was surprised. He had no idea that Kat was tattooing clients upstairs. Ryan approached Phor and Kat in regards to the rent. They both informed him that they wasn't aware they had to pay for Van's half. While Kat was expressing herself to Ryan, Charmaine took it upon her self to remove Kat's things. Kat wasn't having it so she attacked Charmaine. Ryan made it clear to Kat that she didn't have to no longer be in the shop since she was doing shadiness business upstairs.

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Rapper King Louie
Black Ink Crew Chiago

Meanwhile Don and Ashley went shopping to furnish their new home. Although they appeared to be in a good place that will all be shattered real soon. Danielle and Charmaine found out Don was dipping out on Ashley with another woman and there could be another baby. Don shared this information with his brother Phor and decided to take a DNA test. Ashley doesn't know yet but when she finds out Charmaine is going to be the first motherly suspect on her list.

In the second episode of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Ryan hired a new tattoo artist named Junior. It was a shocking to all the employees but Danielle took it personal. As soon as Kat stopped by she ran to Kat and revealed that a new artist had taken her spot and Charmaine threw her drawings in the garbage. Danielle who is suppose to be Charmaine's cousin had Kat's back all the way. Maybe she missed the part where Kat chose to leave the shop and do her own thing. What else is Ryan suppose to do if his artists are not paying their share? Charmaine should have stayed out of it but she didn't so Kat attacked her again. Charmaine may have been wrong for touching Kat's items but where was Danielle, Charmaine's cousin, when Kat was attacking her. How can you defend one wrong act but not the other?

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Van released from jail on
Black Ink Crew Chicago

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Van and friends of
Black Ink Crew Chicago

Before Van who went to jail towards the end of the first season was released, Ryan and Charmaine took his daughter shopping at AKIRA. Charmaine wanted her to be the mini version of her while Ryan was trying to keep her conservative and appropriate for her father. When it was time to go get Van, everyone including Kat was on the Chicago prison bus. As soon as Ryan spotted Van across the street they all ran to greet him with hugs.There were drinks and strippers ready to show him what he's been missing. Despite all the chaos that was going on between Ryan, Kat and Charmaine they were all excited to have Van back. 


Also on the premiere of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Chicago Bears linebacker Lamar Houston and the real Chris Gardner stopped by 9Mag. Just in case people don't know, actor Will Smith played Chris Gardner in the movie 'Pursuit of Happiness' with his son Jalen Smith who played Chris Gardner Jr.

The new season of 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' has just begun. Catch up with the reality series Mondays on Vh1!

Tamara M. Anderson
@mstekeyla
@mahoganymagazin

'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Episode 7: Kat Addresses The Men At The Shop"

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On this week's episode of  'Black Ink Crew Chicago'   Danielle and Charmaine both revealed a secret. Phor finds out bad news about his absent father. Kat gets into a heated argument with Van and Ryan. Don gets Ashley to let him come back home.

In the wake of Kat going to the tattoo convention in New York the fellas were still upset with the fact that she didn't support the shop by using 9Mag instead of Kat the Tat. While they were in their feelings Kat was feeling good about her accomplishments as a tattoo artist.

No matter how many times Don denies having sex with Charmaine she continues to accept his text messages and sexual advances. Charmaine revealed to Danielle that Don was all over her after he disrespected her and treated her like trash in New York. Danielle also revealed a secret when she tole Charmaine that she and Ryan kissed after a drunken night. 

Phor and Don went to Mississippi to see Phor's father who was in a coma. He didn't know his father very well so he told him how he felt about his absence. Without a response from the father explaining why he wasn't there Phor still felt he got the closure he needed.

Meanwhile Don showed Ashley how sorry he was and how much he wanted to come home to his family. There were rose petals on the floor and he gave her roses. Ashley took Don back but how long will it last?

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After being gone for days from the shop Kat returned with an attitude. She didn't like the things she heard from Danielle and she addressed it. First it was Kat and Van in a screaming match and then Ryan had his say. Kat was left defending herself.  She was mad because Phor didn't have her back but where was Danielle and Charmaine?

During the argument Kat called Ryan a b***h several times which only made things worse.  As Ryan was trying to explain that their relationship was more than a business, Kat wasn't trying to hear it. She wanted them to understand that she had her own thing going on and they will either support her or not.

Things ended on a sour note between Ryan and Kat. She threatened to leave the shop since Ryan made it clear that they will only be about business  from now on. Will Kat leave the 9Mag? 

Stay tuned for more 'Black Ink Crew Chicago' Mondays on VH1!

Tamara M. Anderson

@mstekeyla