BLACK INK CREW NY SEASON 10 RECAP: I WILL BE YOUR ROK
By Sidra Lackey
Black Ink Crew NY episode 3, season 10 starts off at Black Ink Brooklyn with Alex getting roses from “a sugar momma” he says. The note is signed, “Your biggest fan” creepily and Puma says he’s worried for Alex because the situation could turn into a “fatal attraction” type one. Krystal and Rok are back at the shop after missing Tatti’s tattoo-a-thon in the last episode. Krystal admits she didn’t want to participate because of the petty award Ceaser gave to her and Rok. Spyder shows off some of his merchandise from his clothing line Branded Content, proudly to the crew, as he preps for his pop up shop.
At Krystal and Rok’s place, the two discuss their relationship. Rok shamelessly admits he likes being around her “24/7” while Krystal says she’s used to getting him in “doses.” She says she didn’t realize how hard it would be to “deal with him” at Black Ink Brooklyn, their own shop Gods Of Ink in New Jersey and also at home. Rok however believes the two are ready to marry and have kids together. He tells Krystal excitedly, it’s time for them to start “a new chapter.” Krystal asks him exasperatedly, “What is that?”
At Spyder and his wife’s home, they are prepping for his pop up clothing shop. He says he is banking on it to be successful because of all the money spent on it. He talks about his late father and gets emotional saying he misses him. He shares that his father inspired his own clothing line, how his father was “the baddest tailor” and how fashion is “in their bloodline.”
Meanwhile Puma and Tatti meet up at a bar to catch up between just the two of them. Tatti has grown closer to Puma and says Puma held her down when she was dealing with legal issues the following year. Puma doesn’t disclose his family issues with Tatti however. He tells her he doesn’t like a pity party and his personal life is his personal life. Tatti tells Puma she is looking forward to studying under all the Black Ink Brooklyn artists. She predicts Young Bae will be the hardest to learn from and Alex will be the easiest.
Finally, the day of Spyder’s pop up clothing shop arises at the high end 375 Showroom. His wife is with him helping set up. Alex volunteers to tattoo.
Back at Black Ink Brooklyn the girls talk about Krystal and Rok’s relationship. Krystal jokingly calls herself and Rok “Krok” because they are morphing into each other. Tatti makes the mistake of showing Young Bae a photo of the small tattoo she did on someone. Young Bae isn’t impressed and tells her deadpan, “Who told you you could do that?” Krystal says Tatti has to be “patient” and work her way up before she can tattoo. Young Bae bluntly says, “It’s a little annoying” and that Tatti should focus more on drawing and making clean lines. She tells Tatti she got good by practicing tattooing on pig skin and how it’s the closest to human skin. Tatti pouts saying that’s not “fun” and Young Bae and Krystal say that it’s not supposed to be, fun is for when she’s good at tattooing.
Spyder’s team is a little late coming to help out with his pop up shop but they finally arrive and he’s relieved.
At Black Ink Brooklyn still, Young Bae points out that “tattooing is an art” and mastering the basics is what Tatti needs to do first. She tells Tatti to practice her lines. Tatti thinks Young Bae is giving her a hard time but she listens to her instructions. Young Bae tells her she may even get to tattoo after her sketching. Tatti is too thrilled.
Back at Spyder’s “baby” — his pop up shop, Puma pops up and says things look good. Puma also gives Alex props for hustling and tattooing on his day off. Spyder makes his first sale with Puma. Alex says he’s been hustling like crazy recently and he’s trying to balance fun and work between OnlyFans and Black Ink. He gives props too to Spyder. He says, “tattoos and fashion go hand in hand” and feels bringing his tattoo clients to Spyder’s shop for the day would help them both. His first client on the day comes and gets a beach scene done, that was in dedication to a loved one. The client is happy with the finished piece and Spyder tries to convince her then to pick up a Branded Content piece of clothing.
Young Bae checks on Tatti’s drawings back at Black Ink Brooklyn. She isn’t as harsh but says Tatti thinks it’s so simple and has work to do because unlike a drawing, a tattoo can’t be erased. She does compliment Tatti saying, “I love your creative mind.”
At Spyder’s pop up store, Bux stops by and Ted too. Bux says he’s proud of Spyder and that Spyder always supports him so he has to do the same. The guys all talk and Rok asks Puma for advice on women because he’s been married for so long. He asks Puma where to take Krystal for a romantic time out. The guys incredulously ask, “You don’t know what she likes?!” Puma admits he’s not good with Quani at the moment and he’s the last person to ask. Rok is vulnerable and shares with the guys he wants marriage and kids with Krystal. Puma thinks he shouldn’t rush things, that their business is their “kid” and that should be taken care of first. Spyder gets the good news that a “fashionably late” crowd is now outside of his pop up shop and he is very happy.
Ceaser, Puma and Ted meet up meanwhile for cigars and expressos to talk. It’s a lighter mood than their last meeting with the three. Puma briefly talks about his son’s well-being and shares that Quani is trying to figure out herself, but he’s not mad about it. Ted tells him to “keep pushing forward” and that they’re just going through a disconnect. Ted tells Ceaser about meeting up with his older brother. Ceaser is surprised and asks how it went. Ted says it was awkward at first but, “it felt good to have an unconditional hug from family.” Ted even says he may reach out to his father in the future and shares he may even do therapy. Ceaser says Ted “definitely needs therapy.” Ted and Puma say Ceaser needs therapy but Ceaser of course disagrees. They all share a much needed laugh. Things turn serious when Ceaser tells them they have to take themselves serious if the franchise is to be taken seriously. He brings up to Puma and Ted that Krystal and Rok removed Black Ink from their bios online. He points out pissed, they came in when, “s**t was popping” and not when Black Ink struggled. Ceaser shrugs things off however and says about the couple, once they leave, let the door go, “where the good Lord split you.” Puma and Ted crack up at that saying and Ceaser says he couldn’t wait to use that line.
The final scene in this episode of Black Ink Crew NY is with Krystal and Rok having a romantic date complete with violinists playing live music, balloons, and petals on the ground. A sign that says “I will be your Rok” is pinned up. Krystal finds the whole thing “beautiful” and Rok tells Krystal smoothly he knew she was the one the first time he saw her. Krystal cutely tells Rok she knew he was the one “everyday.” Someone comes out with a box to give Krystal and when she opens it, there are baby clothes inside. She asks him amused, “You’re trying to baby momma me?” Rok tells her yes. Krystal tells him that unfortunately he seems to be “missing steps” and that their business and living together are priorities now. She mentions they need to talk about Ceaser but Rok doesn’t want to talk business. Krystal gives Rok back the promise ring he gave her last year. She tells him he needs to get back to her when he knows what he wants to do. Rok does the only reasonable thing and gets down on one knee (he didn’t know what knee however) and proposes to Krystal. He asks her, “Krystal Morales, will you be my wife?” Krystal does not reply…
Black Ink Crew NY episode 4 sneak peek shows Tatti and Young Bae at a doctor’s office with a doctor saying, “we pass the needle transvaginally” to their protest, Quani and her mother having a heated discussion, a “Last Supper” meeting with Krystal, Rok and Ceaser with Ceaser calling them his “competition” if they’re not with him, Krystal quitting and Black Ink Brooklyn “upgrading” with a new tattoo artist…