These 7 Ronnie Davis moments from The Chi will always remain in the hearts of fans

Deeya
Still from the show (Image via The Chi)
Still from the show (Image via The Chi)

The Chi is a drama series created by Lena Waithe that focuses on a group of people who live in the South Side of Chicago. Starring an ensemble cast of Jason Mitchell, Jacob Latimore, and others, the show has major themes of community, relationships, and redemption. Each and every character on the show goes through a transformative journey, and the character of Ronald “Ronnie” Davis, is also one of them. Played by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, the show has many important moments where Ronnie leaves his alcoholic and sinful life behind to begin a journey of transformation for himself. Here are 7 such moments from The Chi, which highlight Ronnie’s growth on the show, and these moments will always remain in the hearts of fans.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.


Ronny saved Kiesha, he has a baptism, and other moments from The Chi, where he showed growth and became unforgettable in the hearts of the fans

1. Ronnie finds and returns Kiesha

Still from the show (Image via The Chi)
Still from the show (Image via The Chi)

One of the most important moments for Ronnie happened when he was able to find and rescue Kiesha from her abductor in The Chi. The moment is important and redefining for Ronnie because throughout the season, he was dismissed by everyone. Ronnie Davis was seen as a washed-up drunk, who could never be responsible. However, Ronnie was determined to do something right. Despite everyone else thinking Kiesha was gone for good and she would not be back, Ronnie followed the clues, listened to his instincts, and did some research work. He ultimately discovered where she was being held. The image of Ronnie breaking through the window and leading Kiesha to safety is unforgettable. It wasn’t just about saving Kiesha; it was about Ronnie reclaiming his respect. This act earned him back some of the dignity he had lost, and for a moment, the community saw him as a hero. For a character who had spent so much time drowning in guilt and addiction, this moment felt redemptive. Even Kiesha’s mother, who had earlier looked at him with disgust, saw the man Ronnie used to be. Fans of The Chi will always see this moment as Ronnie’s finest and most selfless act.


2. Ronnie walking Kiesha into her mother’s arms

Still from the show (Image via The Chi)
Still from the show (Image via The Chi)

Even the small moments in The Chi hold a lot of value as they give immense insight into a character’s growth. One such moment happens when, after rescuing Kiesha from her kidnapper, Ronnie didn’t celebrate, but he quietly walked Kiesha into her mother’s arms. The emotional gravity of that moment was immense. Kiesha was terrified and broken and clung to Ronnie like a lifeline. Her mother was shocked and overwhelmed and embraced her daughter with fierce relief. On the other hand, Ronnie just stood there, his eyes filled with tears, knowing that he had finally done something good. That moment didn’t need any dialogue as his actions spoke louder than any words. The moment is important as it was a complete contrast to the version of Ronnie that viewers had seen in season one. That time, he was broken, drunk, and aimless. Now, he was strong, present, and finally redemptive. Fans will remember this as a healing scene in The Chi, one that reminds us that people can rise even from their lowest points. Ronnie’s quiet strength in that scene said everything about who he had become. It’s a moment that will forever remain in the hearts of viewers as his truest, most selfless act.


3. Ronnie’s bond with Ms. Ethel

Still from the show (Image via The Chi)
Still from the show (Image via The Chi)

The Chi is a show that relies heavily on the bonds and relationships that the characters create with each other and their loved ones. Therefore, Ronnie’s relationship with his grandmother, Ms. Ethel, was special. It was one of the few constants in his turbulent life. The relationship that Ronnie had with his grandmother showed a softer and more vulnerable side of him. This side was rarely visible to the fans of The Chi elsewhere. Despite being often lost in all the troubles of his life, Ronnie always made time for Ms. Ethel. Whether he was doing this through feeding her, or sitting by her side while she reminisced, Ronnie never let his love for his grandmother fade away. He liked taking care of Ms Ethel as she had raised him and was the only family he cared about. This relationship wasn’t just heartwarming; it added layers to Ronnie’s character and revealed the emotional depth that he hid under addiction and pain. When Ms. Ethel was attacked in her home, Ronnie was devastated and fell into guilt, because he thought he had failed her. His devotion to her recovery was unwavering, and it reinforced the humanity that was always inside him. Through Ms. Ethel, viewers saw Ronnie not as a killer or a drunk, but as a family man and a grandson, who was full of love.


4. Ronnie confesses to Coogie’s murder

Still from the show (Image via The Chi)
Still from the show (Image via The Chi)

One of the most important moments for Ronnie in The Chi happened when he admitted to killing Coogie. Ronnie was not a cold-blooded murderer, and he acted out of grief over the death of his son and mistakenly blamed Coogie for it. However, the moment when he accepts his fault is raw and painful. Ronnie has to confront his past and his deep wounds, which he would rather drown in alcohol. The fact that it took a lot for him to confess and he still did it, proves that he is deeply guilty about his act and wants redemption. His confessions forced the viewers to see Ronnie in a new light. And even though his actions were wrong, viewers had to see him reconcile his guilt with his inner pain, and that was heartbreaking. At least Ronnie shows enough character development to accept his mistake and rather than continuing to deny or justify it, he chose to be honest, no matter the consequences. This moment was pivotal because it allowed Ronnie to begin a path towards redemption. The moment also highlighted the core themes of The Chi, which are grief and the weight of mistakes in a community. Even though many characters continued to judge him harshly, fans could see the heavy toll this act took on Ronnie. That emotional vulnerability made the scene unforgettable. His confession wasn’t about clearing his name; it was about owning up to his deepest failure, and it left a lasting impact.


5. Ronnie’s baptism and spiritual rebirth

Still from the show (Image via The Chi)
Still from the show (Image via The Chi)

The Chi is filled with powerful and transformative moments for each of its characters, and one of the most powerful and visually symbolic moments for Ronnie happens when he decides to get baptized. The act was done to seek forgiveness from others and from himself. It was not just a religious act, but it was a statement that forced others to see how tired he was of being broken on the inside and wanted to start afresh. Ronnie is a complex character in The Chi, and he has done many wrongs, like committing murder, getting addicted to alcohol, and wasting his life on the street. However, his growth happens when he accepts his faults and wants to start anew. The baptism scene was intimate and moving, showing Ronnie shedding not just his sins, but the weight of his past. Most importantly, his desire for peace felt genuine, not performative. The moment was not only important for Ronnie, but also for the viewers, as it reminded everyone that healing is a choice and that even the most damaged among us can choose to set their path right. It didn’t erase what Ronnie had done, but it allowed him to begin facing himself with honesty and humility. The image of Ronnie walking out of the water, eyes closed and face lifted, lingers in the hearts of fans as a testament to second chances.


6. Ronnie’s conversation with Papa about legacy

Still from the show (Image via The Chi)
Still from the show (Image via The Chi)

The beauty of a show like The Chi is that it has many quiet and revealing moments that can often be forgotten about but serve an important purpose in the show. These moments of self-awareness come from the characters on The Chi, who have made many mistakes in the past, and now want to set things right. One such tender and surprising exchange happens when Ronnie opens up to Papa about the concept of legacy and what it means to leave something behind. The moment is important as Ronnie is a character who is often consumed by his past mistakes. However, this conversation revealed a newfound self-awareness in him. Ronnie proves that he wants to give something positive back after living out his life, and that is truly admirable. He admits that he doesn’t want to be remembered for the worst thing he’s done, but he wants to be remembered for who he tried to become. The sincerity in his voice moves Papa and the audience alike. It was a moment of confession. Ronnie wasn’t preaching, but he was sharing a lesson that he learned the hard way. For fans, this moment stands out because it humanized Ronnie in a quiet and emotional way. His words carried a weight that stayed long after the scene ended. It was Ronnie at his most honest and reflective.


7. Ronnie’s tragic death

Still from the show (Image via The Chi)
Still from the show (Image via The Chi)

Finally, after walking on the path of redemption and peace, Ronnie faced a tragic death that was sudden and unjust. His death was one of the most heart-wrenching moments in The Chi. Ronnie had grown so much as a character, and the fact that he was trying to get better and yet was gunned down senselessly, felt abrupt and infuriating. After finally redeeming himself in the eyes of many by saving Kiesha, Ronnie’s death was a hard pill to swallow for many fans. The irony of his death was brutal. Just as he had started living right and was feeling the weight of his mistakes being lifted off his shoulders, he was killed. His death wasn’t heroic or cinematic; it was sudden, painful, and felt unjust. But that’s what made it unforgettable. Finally, after his death, the community that shunned him mourned for him. And even the viewers did it because they appreciated Ronnie’s slow, painful path toward redemption. Ronnie died before he could fully enjoy the peace he had worked so hard to achieve, and that sense of unfinished justice hit hard. His funeral scene is one of the most heartbreaking scenes as it is filled with sorrow and intense emotions. The funeral showed how much he meant to the community despite his past. Fans were left mourning not just the man he was, but the man he was becoming in The Chi.

Edited by Deeya