TV characters are sometimes hard characters to judge. In one season, they could easily be a fan favorite, however, by the end of that same season, they could be one of the most hated characters on the show. Fans of Snowfall?
Character' arcs are essential to any show. The dialogue could be great but if the viewers are not feeling the characters, the show will be a bust. Snowfall has a chance to go down as one of the most influential shows ever. While the main focus is on the drug trade, the essence of the show still resides in the development of these strong characters.
Lucia Villanueva
Lucia has the toughness to run a Cartel but does she have the heart? This is what her character's arc is all about. Making moves on her own away from the family, Lucia set out to be the Queen. However, to get to the top, it takes more than brains to make it and stay there. Lucia has the muscle with Gustavo but she was lacking in other areas.
What viewers need to see if Lucia returns in Season 3 is if she has grown. What has she done in her time away? With Franklin and Gustavo both making major moves in the drug game, where does that actually leave Lucia on the food chain?
Jerome Saint
Someone had to teach Franklin the game. Jerome was just the neighborhood weed dealer who wanted nothing to do with the coke business. However, thanks to Louie and the obscene amounts of cash he would touch, Jerome quickly and wisely changed his mind. Jerome was supposed to be the positive male role model for Franklin, but there was no time for that.
Jerome's arc has taken on a few forms over the three seasons. Small-time hustler to sometimes muscle to business owner. Jerome wanted out of the game, but can't abandon the money or his nephew.
Aunt Louie
In the early stages of Snowfall, Aunt Louie was just going through the motions. While her devotion to Jerome was real, the streets were still calling her and too tempting to up. For a moment, she even left Jerome and went back to her old ways but Louie quickly got things together.
Louie is the glue that holds the entire empire together. Even with Franklin running the show, it's Louie who offers the best advice and the one who actually gave Franklin direction and the connections needed to get everything off the ground.
Leon Simmons
Leon is Franklin's best friend but before it's all said and done, he may also be Franklin's downfall. Leon is a hothead and often reacts before he thinks. But he's loyal to his childhood friend, and for that, Franklin keeps him around. While Franklin is the brans of the operation, Leon, at his young age is the muscle. For fans of The Wire, Leon is for Franklin what Chris was for Marlo.
Leon's arc is pretty straightforward. He did some time in prison, got released, and had no direction. The opportunity Franklin bumped into came at the perfect time for Leon. He now has a purpose but must be careful. The streets are watching.
Cissy Saint
The saying is that a mother knows best. Well, when it comes to Cissy, she did her best under the circumstances but Franklin was convinced he was ready to be a man. Cissy was not rich and would often put pressure on Franklin to get his mind back on school. She knew what the streets offered and wanted no parts of that for her son.
When the dominoes fell, Cissy kicked Franklin out of the house. But a mother's love is strong. Cissy is now a vital member of Franklin's organization. The writers have proved that right or wrong, family is everything for Cissy.
Alton Saint
In Season One, viewers could tell there was some friction between Franklin and his father. In the early stages, Alton was homeless and addicted to drugs. His arc has been one of redemption and praise. From war hero to Black Panther to addict, Alton has beaten the odds and even gained the trust of his son and ex-wife back.
Instead of coming down on Franklin, Alton, much like Cissy, has embraced the lifestyle Franklin chose. Alton is militant but he's not dumb. He tries to warn Franklin of the potential dangers of dealing with the Government but will he listen?
Gustavo Zapata
Where will Gustavo land? For all intents and purposes, Gustavo has evaded death more than anyone else on the show. The former underground wrestler is now more hands-on and quite possibly could turn that into the status of a drug kingpin. Gustavo is not all brawn as viewers pegged him to be. With Lucia running the show early, Gustavo was forced into the background as a protector.
His characters' arc will be one to follow closely a he's making the decisions now and appears to have plans of his own. But is his heart still with Lucia? Will Gustavo be able to shake the loneliness and get done what needs to be done?
Melody Wright
What the writers did with Melody's character was nothing short of brilliance. Her downfall showed what the effects that drugs have not only on the older people of the community but what it could do to the younger generation. What makes Mel's arc so strong is the promise she had and how it all vanished due to curiosity.
Mel was headed off to Spellman but chose to dabble in something she should have avoided. But the kicker here is that her story is not finished. Her arc could make a 180 and Mel could very easily get her life back on track after the murder of her father.
Teddy McDonald
Teddy has managed to piss off the Government, his ex-wife, and friends and now has Franklin calling the shots. The truth is out regarding Teddy's true identity and employer and Franklin will use that to his advantage. Teddy has lied his way into and out of tough situations. But how many lives does this cat have?
Teddy is a great manipulator and has a way with people that cannot be ignored. But the main question for his actions is, how long will the Government put up with his risky business and Franklin's operation getting out of control before the shut it down?
Franklin Saint
From one of the smartest kids in the neighborhood to one of the top drug dealers in the city, Franklin Saint's arc has had a rollercoaster of a ride. But where does it all end for him? Will he ride off into the sunset or will he pay the ultimate price for his wrongdoings?
Like Ghost in Power or Avon Barksdale in The Wire, everything must come to an end no matter the humbling beginnings. Franklin went from working in a Convenience Store to running drugs for the Governance in less than a year. The quiet kid in the back of the room has been shot, robbed arrested, beat, and marked for death.