The King

## Episode guide

"**The King**" is the eleventh episode of the first season of *Maddox* and the eleventh episode of the series overall. It premiered in 2022.

## Synopsis

Hakeem feels slighted when he is not invited to Boogie’s birthday party. Kelsey finally clears the air with Mars.

## Plot

On his way to a quick meeting with Mr. Ngo, Ehsan bumps into Dallas, who invites him to Boogie’s birthday party. Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Kelsey asks Jaz and Andrea for advice on how to reconcile with Mars. Jaz invites the girls to Boogie’s party and advises Kelsey to extend her own invite to Mars. Mars receives Kelsey’s invitation via text during lunch. They, Ehsan and Hakeem realize that Hakeem is the sole member of the trio who has not been invited to the party, despite being friends with Boogie, and plan for his attendance.

Mars arrives at Kelsey’s front door on the day of the party. The energy between the two is awkward. Kelsey’s mother asks if Mars is Kelsey’s boyfriend, which Mars denies as Kelsey rushes them away. As the two make their way to Boogie’s, Kelsey apologizes for her earlier behavior, explaining that she panicked about the prospect of publicizing their relationship to her parents. When Mars questions her further, Kelsey reveals she has feelings for them and has since they worked together on her sophomore class representative campaign.

Boogie sets up the party in the backyard with help from Dallas and his mother, grandmother and aunt as he sets up the party in the backyard. Jaz pulls him into the heat of the action with the encouragement of his elders. The two join a dance circle. Hakeem and Ehsan arrive at the party to see Boogie and Jaz dancing in the centre as a pair. After they’re done, Hakeem tries to pull Boogie away for a private moment, but is brushed aside. Ehsan propose they split the couple up.

Boogie catches up with Jet and Rob. Jet uses derogatory language, including the f-slur, to refer to Dallas, Hakeem and Ehsan as he expresses gratitude that Boogie is not spending time with them at the party. Though this shocks Boogie, he brushes it off and laughs alongside Jet. Dallas observes this encounter from a distance.

Kelsey and Mars split up at the party. Kelsey seeks solace from Andrea, who comforts her as she grapples with Mars’s rejection. Meanwhile, Mars admits to Ehsan that they share Kelsey’s feelings but lied to her to look out for their own wellbeing. The two cryptically inform Jaz that Boogie has feelings for someone else who he kissed at the end-of-year party, but refuse to reveal the person’s identity.

Catching Boogie in a moment alone, Hakeem confronts him about the silent treatment. Boogie calls Hakeem a nobody, questions his presence at the party and accuses him of obsessive behavior. Aware that they are being watched, Hakeem quietly reminds Boogie that he kissed him back before walking away. He finds Mars and Ehsan and the three leave together.

## Credits

### Cast

#### Starring

* Wesley Carter as Hakeem Franklin
* Julia Chee as Andrea Salazar
* Samir Devani as Ehsan Patel
* Emily Leung as Kelsey Ma
* Teanna Mathers as Jaz Miller
* Simon Olliges as Jet Webster
* Thomas J. Shapiro as Dallas Cowan
* Brandon Whitehead as Boogie Forman
* Tanner Paige Wise as Mars Maddox

## Trivia

* This episode takes its name from the song "The King" by Conan Gray.