Carlton and Will have been at loggerheads with each other since Episode 1 of Bel-Air. The two just couldn’t connect, and their individual emotional baggage prevented them from being objective about their conflict.
However, after a few episodes, we see them try to be more civil, which is the first step towards their reconciliation. Over a period, Will starts understanding Carlton’s anxiety issues, and Carlton understands Will’s predicament and why he needs another shot at life.
In fact, they’ve gone back and forth with their friendship until Episode 8. When Will’s mother, Vy, comes to Bel-Air for Will’s 17th birthday, she and Aunt Viv have an argument, and the two lash out at each other.
When Carlton sees this, he offers a solution to Viv, and something stirs in him. He perhaps realizes the depth of his conflict with Will and maybe is even ready to put all the bad blood behind him.
So do Will and Carlton become friends in Bel-Air?
This time, Carlton and Will sort out their differences and patch up for good. Carlton tells Will that things changed when Will arrived. Everyone started loving Will, and that made Carlton’s anxiety worse. However, he wants to move past that and be friends with Will.
Carlton’s most significant problem with Will was that he got everything very easily. His parents’ love and attention, his popularity at school, his relationship with Lisa, and more. But, Carlton had to work his way through all of it. Winning the lacrosse championship, wooing Lisa, and gaining his parents’ trust, to name a few.
This is why he hated Will, envied him, and never got along. While Will thought it was because of Lisa, who happens to be Carlton’s ex. Carlton said that Lisa was just the last straw.
Seeing Viv and Vy fight because of the years of baggage the two have been carrying, he saw how things were difficult for Vy. She had to take care of his grandmother on her own, raise Will on her own, and work for everything, while Viv enjoyed the luxuries of life in Bel-Air.
It’s not that Viv had it easy, but perhaps she forgot how difficult it indeed was for Vy. So Carlton advises Viv to talk to Vy because she is family and will always be no matter what.
While giving this advice, he understands how it applies to him and Will as well. So, he decides to talk to Will, open up about everything, and once and for all accept him as his friend and brother.
In Episode 9, we see how Carlton’s anxiety surfaces at the church, and Will checks on him. Will didn’t want him to do drugs but told him that he didn’t judge. He said he wanted to be there for Carlton and would remain by his side through it all.
All these events indicate that Will and Carlton have become great friends and even brothers. There’s a sense of trust between them. In fact, Carlton even defends Will when Lisa asks him about the incident in Philly.
In the season finale, we look forward to seeing this relationship grow stronger and the two standing with each other through thick and thin. After all, they are brothers.
About Bel-Air
Bel-Air is an American drama television series developed by Morgan Cooper, Malcolm Spellman, TJ Brady, and Rasheed Newson. It is a reimagined version of the 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air . In March 2023, it was renewed for a third season.
The series stars Jabari Banks as Will Smith, with Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Coco Jones, Olly Sholotan, Jimmy Akingbola, Akira Akbar, Jordan L Jones, and Simone Joy Jones.
The story follows Will Smith’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. It dives deep into racial tension, culture shock, and black excellence.
No Comments on Carlton and Will Rise above Their Differences in Bel-Air Ep. 8