The Evans' Apartment

[Madame X]

I looked back a couple of pages to see if there was a post about the apartment but I couldn't find one. I apologize if this was discussed before, but I had some questions/observations.

Irene mentioned on another board about the mystery door in the kitchen. I wonder why they put it there and why it had a lock on it? Is it ever opened?

Also, do they ever show Thelma's bedroom? (maybe in later seasons?)

Is that "closet" behind the curtain in the living room where Michael and J.J. keep all their stuff since they don't have a bedroom? It seems pretty small and they also keep their bedding in there. Do the boys use the bathroom to get dressed?

I can't imagine five people living in that small apt. and sharing one bathroom. I notice too that they don't have many chairs and most of the time everyone stands.

What a boring existence! I guess it was meant to be that way to portray their difficult situation in the ghetto.

[Ireneparalegal]

That mystery door in the kitchen is NEVER opened. We never even see anyone come close to opening it, nor is it ever referenced by anyone. It merely is a decoration or as someone pointed out one time, that is where they kept all that oatmeal.

Thelma's bedroom is shown several times. We see it when she and Flo are discussing Thelma's "older" boyfriend. We see it when the kids have a discussion in there on numerous occasions. It also ends up being Thelma and her husband's bedroom. We see it again when Keith has a drinking problem and they have an argument in that room.

That closet in the living room apparently is where some of the boys' clothes are kept. There is also a dresser in the living room against the wall where more of their items are kept.

We see J.J. coming out of the bathroom dressed to impress on many occasions, so it is assumed he and Michael use that bathroom as a place to change and/or get ready.

The apartment is indeed small. I guess it was supposed to give the appearance of ghetto/project living. Thelma was given her privacy, hence, the reason she had her own room since she was the only daughter.

[Madame X]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

That mystery door in the kitchen is NEVER opened. We never even see anyone come close to opening it, nor is it ever referenced by anyone. It merely is a decoration or as someone pointed out one time, that is where they kept all that oatmeal.

Thelma's bedroom is shown several times. We see it when she and Flo are discussing Thelma's "older" boyfriend. We see it when the kids have a discussion in there on numerous occasions. It also ends up being Thelma and her husband's bedroom. We see it again when Keith has a drinking problem and they have an argument in that room.

That closet in the living room apparently is where some of the boys' clothes are kept. There is also a dresser in the living room against the wall where more of their items are kept.

We see J.J. coming out of the bathroom dressed to impress on many occasions, so it is assumed he and Michael use that bathroom as a place to change and/or get ready.

The apartment is indeed small. I guess it was supposed to give the appearance of ghetto/project living. Thelma was given her privacy, hence, the reason she had her own room since she was the only daughter.

Thanks, Irene! That answers my questions. I had a feeling Thelma's room was shown in the later episodes but I am not too familiar with those.

[Ireneparalegal]

Anytime sweetie, anytime.

[catlover79]

Yes, they did show Thelma's bedroom quite a bit during the final season. Like Irene said, it was the scene of Thelma and Keith's confrontation about his drinking. We also got to see Florida's and James' bedroom a couple of times in earlier seasons.

I just wish they'd LOCKED THE DOOR more often!! They were living in THE PROJECTS, for pete's sake!!

[Ireneparalegal]

Yeah, only once did we see many locks on that front door! That was in the gun episode.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Yeah, only once did we see many locks on that front door! That was in the gun episode.

I remember that episode very well! Even after they got rid of the gun, you'd think they'd have kept at least ONE of those locks (and USED it)!!

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by catlover79

I remember that episode very well! Even after they got rid of the gun, you'd think they'd have kept at least ONE of those locks (and USED it)!!

True. It would have helped to keep Willona and Bookman from busting through the door. Hell, even Sweet Daddy Williams came through without knocking.