Welcome here, dear reader!
So for this article, what we’re doing is taking a look at the ‘Class of 2020’, referring to all the stories released in that year, with my definitive rank of all the stories.
2020 was one year we’re never forgetting, are we? After Covid-19 struck the globe and forced us all into lockdowns, social distancing, and the like. Chale, it was something else. Man could not even cough anymore without getting super frightened that he’s contracted the disease.
Anyways, having to leave school and come home in time for the lockdown gave me quite a lot of time to get productive on the State. Which was a good thing, because my student brain totally switched off during that time. Even when we returned to some state of normalcy, we were still pretty busy. Eight new stories, plus the eventual completion of the iconic “Meet The Dolphynes”. Wasn’t bad at all.
Here they are below…
Compassion; Superhero Down; A Fitting Solatium; I Am So Fond Of You; Stalling For A Fool; Options N’ Upshots; Emunah; Jay Ayima
So, let’s get into the definitive ranking of the Class of 2020!
NUMBER EIGHT: STALLING FOR A FOOL
The shortest story on the State, this was a pretty interesting tale of Carl having to cover up for his idiot roommate who was busy with one girlfriend while the other ‘waited’ for him with Carl.
Quite fitting that the events of the story happened in Pent. Yeah, we all know the craziest things go on over there, and this story adequately fit the bill. Makafui’s second story is definitely a crazy one. But I guess we can all agree on two things.
One. Winnie definitely deserved better, and it’s such a relief to know she didn’t give Maverick the ‘goodies’. Two: Maverick and Maame stayed together, got married and lived happily ever after!
One of those statements is highly sarcastic. Guess which one?
NUMBER SEVEN: COMPASSION!
This story has always been dear to my heart. You probably know by now how it was inspired by a sermon I heard on Archbishop Duncan-Williams’ birthday. My attachment to Jennifer Gaisie’s tale of rescuing a mother from possible death and seeking to assist her and her two children is one that’s probably never drying up and dying off; it will always be there.
Of course, the main juice is at the end of the story, where that cleaner lambasts the uptight church executives for being more concerned about programs than lives. You just knew their admonition had to come from someone you least expect to hear from.
“All of you, you’re more concerned with having a perfect program than actually showing the love of Christ to those who need it! Agendas and religion is what you people are more interested in…”
Yeah, he did not spare them at all. And at the end, he reminded us of one thing: showing the love of Christ and making a major impact in someone’s life when they really need it will always touch God’s heart. It’s not always about what you’re doing in the church building; it’s what you do outside it that counts.
NUMBER SIX: SUPERHERO DOWN
Makafui’s first entry into the State was a really good one, as we follow the titular ‘superhero’ struggle through some not-so-super addiction.
Funny how deep that ‘superhero’ concept of himself is rooted in his brain, Bailey doesn’t even wanna acknowledge that he’s struggling with addiction.
From the moment it starts with all those thoughts running through Bailey’s head, to the unfortunate end where he’s exposed, you’re just kept wondering what’s gonna happen with him and if he’ll open up, because boy, that porn addiction does a number on him. From acting weird to seeing his academic performance plummet, it’s really bad. As to how Martha didn’t figure it out and drop him like a hot potato, I personally don’t know.
Speaking of which, am I wrong to think Martha is probably one of the primmest characters the State has seen? It’s not my business, but… the girl wants to finish her Ph.D. before considering dating? For real??
And Chris… yeah, he just oozes perversion. Although his last words to Bailey in the penultimate episode really hit home, exposing Bailey as a hypocrite. That was low ley some tough words right there!
And for the ending… you know, after fiercely defending Bailey to those aunties, I wonder what his mum would say to them…
NUMBER FIVE: I AM SO FOND OF YOU
This is a sweet little love story. Inspired by a woman I met just before Covid landed in Ghana and caused all the havoc it did. A woman who now wears a ring on her finger, placed there by me.
Yeah, this story has a lot of personal sentiments attached to it, with it being a reference to me and my wife and all, but you can’t hate it, can you? The sweet bond between Buenortey and Ansomaa, the way they expressed their feelings toward each other… it’s a lovely one. And there’s some innocence attached to it, with Buenortey refusing to let his desires for her body overtake him and do anything untoward. Not something you’ll find in a lot of campus relationships, and that definitely won him points with his sweetheart.
Beautiful love story that maintains its sweetness from start to finish. This is the type of story the hopeless romantic will love to the bone.
NUMBER FOUR: A FITTING SOLATIUM
This story is something else, by my standards! After reading the case of Afrifa v Class-Peter, the idea for an adaptation came to mind, and the tale of Sampson and Adjeley going from lovers to enemies is what transpired. Fun fact: the title of the story and a number of the chapters were obtained from the judgment of the main case (Justice Francois was a man who knew how to use words!).
It’s the characters for me. You have Sampson, a man who clearly doesn’t have a clue what self-control is, jumping from woman to woman and having the weirdest justifications for his actions. Truth is, that man loved nobody; he just loved satisfying his libido. The fact that he got himself another chick after Lydia gave birth tells you all you need to know. That man is all about sex, no matter where it’s coming from!
There’s poor Adjeley, who’s really been taken for a fool by Sampson, but gets her due at the end. She seems pretty quiet and withdrawn, but as those aunties showed, she knows how to get tough.
And her sister… look, Rachelyn is a lioness. If you’re family, she’ll love you and do anything for you, and woe betides the one who steps on your foot. She’s ready to tear you apart. It doesn’t get any better than when she faces off with Sampson after the final judgment; the girl would have done something vicious to him if security hadn’t stepped in. And remember how she was ready to go after Lydia? Yeah, I’m sure Rachelyn would have ripped out that foetus without a second thought.
The pretentious Lydia who acts all innocent and good girly, yet she’s been gleefully taking backshots and giving Sampson her mammary glands to devour, the playful and jovial Kirah (the perfect foil to Rachelyn’s fierceness)… this story is one to remember. The characters really make it a worthwhile read. And it’ll certainly be one to read over and over again.
NUMBER THREE: JAY AYIMA
This was not easy to write. A story entirely in pidgin? That was not as straightforward as you’d think. But boy, did it come out good! And the titular character is unlike any other character on the State.
The way he makes it plain from the offset that he’s gonna be raw and if you don’t like it, go and listen to some hymns. Chale! You realize he’s not someone to be played with.
Now I rate this highly because Jay’s story is a sad one. I dunno about you, but to me, he’s not just some cruel monster; circumstances made him the nasty, unfriendly dude he is. Imagine watching your mother get disrespected by your father, up to the point where you watch him actually kill her. That’s gonna mess with any child. And the fact that his babe cheated on him and talked trash about him didn’t make things any better. Honestly, Semua, letting another dude hit it was bad enough. But trying to emasculate your boyfriend by mocking a vulnerable part of his life in front of the same guy you’re cheating with? That was just pathetic and unacceptable.
All this doesn’t deviate from the reality that he’s pretty scary a person to deal with. I mean, as an SHS student, he’s that junior from hell. That boy you cannot control in any way. The boy you steer clear of, unless you want blood to flow from some part of your body. Outside that, he’s not the type of person you’d want to be having disagreements with. It could get fierce very quickly.
And of course, ‘your mother’ insults are the last thing you wanna rain on him. That will end in tears, and possibly a visit to the hospital.
Truthfully, I don’t think the boy fully recovered from his mother’s death, and his anger toward his father was never really dealt with. I guess it’s a cautionary tale of sorts; help kids who have been traumatized by certain life-changing events to heal. Don’t sit down and assume time heals all wounds, it doesn’t.
Also, does anybody notice the pattern? His father went to jail for murdering his wife in a fit of rage. He did the same. I mean, the motivations were not the same, but still, to an extent, Jay followed in his father’s footsteps, though he never intended to.
All in all, Jay Ayima is one of the most fascinating character studies on the State, and that’s why it ranks so highly.
NUMBER TWO: EMUNAH
This story always takes me on a journey to that fateful day, and boy, does it never, ever get old!
We all know the story of Abraham and how God called him to sacrifice his son Isaac. If you follow the Bible too literally, you’re gonna probably think Abraham just shrugged and said, okay, cool, I’ll do it. But nope! We know in reality, that was a terribly difficult ask, and this version magnifies that to incredible levels.
Reading through the POVs of both Abraham and Isaac, we find out what is going on in the mind of each person, and it’s thrilling from beginning to end. The agony in Abraham’s heart as he goes through it all, the utter confusion Isaac experiences as he sees his father’s unusual reactions. The point where Abraham has to place him on the altar… it’s really, really intense. The fact that you already know the story doesn’t take away the intensity of it all.
And if you’ve ever wondered to yourself why Isaac did not openly rebel or something, he gives us the reason why. And honestly, can you argue with it?
For me, the ending is a tough but realistic one. I remember initially thinking it was egregious to suggest the relationship between Abraham and Sarah may have been affected by this. But let’s be real: the people in the Bible were real people with real feelings. Do you really believe that Sarah would have had no qualms with this command? And especially considering how Abraham most likely said nothing to her? Like Abraham appropriately said: “If you think she will accept it just because God said it, please try telling any 90-year-old woman who just got pregnant after decades of trying that God wants her to abort the baby. See how well that works for you. And that’s in your generation, where guns and knives and hands abound. Even sandals are lethal in your day.”
It’s magnificent! Makafui honestly blew me out of the water with this one. One of the State’s classics, without a doubt.
NUMBER ONE: OPTIONS N’ UPSHOTS
It’s funny, but it took me some time to actually realize what an amazing story this is. I mean, yes, I know. The fling between Thomas and Glori ended in their untimely demise and its subsequent effect on those who remained. I thought it was good. But somehow, I recently realized that this is one of the best the State has hosted.
Season 1 has us focused on Miss Glori Vanderpuye, the housekeeper who gradually gives in to the charms of Thomas Dawson. You wish at the beginning that she holds on, but unfortunately, she doesn’t. She really fights her conscience in the midst of the heated affair, and it’s pretty sad to see.
As for Thomas Dawson… I must be honest, I’d probably place him in my annals of most hated characters in the State. The dude honestly grinds my gears. The way he made his contempt for his wife so plain to those around him. The shameless, relentless pursuit of Glori. The absolute disrespect in having sex with Glori on the matrimonial bed. Having a mansion somewhere without his family knowing, and him wanting to keep it that way. I’m sorry, but Thomas is a terrible man in my books. I just despise him. Like for goodness’ sake, Thomas, denigrating your wife in front of the girl who works for her? Why?
He got what was coming to him. No sympathy for him from me.
Now, Season 1 is great. But it’s Season 2 that really upgraded it from great to State-legend status. That season is an exploration of the effects of that decision of Thomas and Glori to creep around, and it is way more intense than I had anticipated when I first thought about writing it.
Leticia’s meltdown in the first episode is heart-wrenching; the woman really loses it, and if not for her mom, she’d probably burn the house down. That face-off between Rawda and Boahemaa was ugly and unwarranted, and the subsequent fallout is a sad thing to see. It’s clear from the end that things will never be the same between them.
As for the processing of grief, it’s all around. But nobody has it harder than Leticia, and you just feel for her. Not only do you discover your husband is dead, but you also discover that he died with your housekeeper in the car. On top of that, you find out they were having an affair.
And the finishing touch: he actually despised you all along.
It’s a wonder Leticia didn’t go insane. But hey, she ended up doing what was necessary for her. I don’t blame her for not wanting anything to do with the house in Kumasi. And her dropping the Dawson name to return to her maiden name, yeah, another sign of her new chapter.
But yes, this is an awesome story, no two ways about it. And it carries a great reminder: choices have consequences, and your decisions have effects. Not just on you, but on those around you. So you need to be careful what choices you make.
So that’s my definitive ranking of the Class of 2020. Awesome stories all round!!