Charles Flenory

Charles Flenory was born march 18th 1948 on the Starz original crime drama BMF. He is portrayed by Russell Hornsby.

Charles is the principled patriarch of the Flenory family. A struggling musician, Charles uses faith, fortitude and humor to keep his family on the right path as he tries to save Terry from the outsized ambition and influence of his older brother, Demetrius.

Biography[]

Charles joins his family at the dinner table, where he instructs Meech to take off his chains and Terry to say grace. When Meech offers to pay the fees for Nicole's field trip, Charles refuses to accept his drug money and insists that Terry make honor roll again. The following day, Charles and Lucille confront Meech after finding a gun in his room and kick him out the house. Before leaving, Meech reveals that their house is in foreclosure because they're behind on the mortgage, which Meech could help with, but Charles refuses to accept his money, which results in a fight, during which point, he places Meech in a chokehold and warns him to never raise his fist to him again.

That night, Charles confronts Lucille about the mortgage, to which she replies that the money he brings in simply isn't enough. Given their current dilemma, Charles doesn't think they'll be able to send Nicole on her field trip, but Lucille refuses to allow her to suffer because of their mess. So Charles insists that he'll figure it out. All he asks is that she trust him. Charles then kisses Lucille and carries her upstairs in his arms.^[1]

Terry's shooting[]

SE1-E02-Promo-Rumors-20-Terry-Lucille-Charles-LaWanda-Terry-Jr — Charles asks Terry about the shooting

Charles arrives at Downriver Memorial Hospital with Lucille and Nicole after learning that Terry was shot, which they suspect may have something to do with Meech. When Terry awakens from surgery, Charles asks if he knows who shot him. When Meech returns, Charles confronts him over not being around and hiring goons to follow them. Unfortunately, Terry has an infection and may be permanently blind in one eye. Charles suspects that somebody made a mistake and threatens a lawsuit if Terry's loses his vision. He steps away for the moment and wanders into the nursery, looking over the newborns. He doesn't know what they'll do if something happens to Terry's sight. His vision of Terry learning to play the piano and signing with Motown will be over. For a long time now, Charles has been saying that Meech is a bad influence on Terry, and he needed to be out of the house, and now with him lying in a hospital bed due to Meech's affiliations, Charles pleads with Lucille to finally let Meech go, but she refuses, as she won't be able to live with herself should something happen to Meech.^[2]

SE1-E03-Promo-Love-All-Trust-Few-17-Charles-Lucille — Charles confronts Lucille about the mortage

Charles and Lucille host a welcome home party for Terry, for which Pastor Swift is invited, though Charles seems suspicious of the pastor, who clutches Lucille's hand in prayer. After learning from Lucille that they're out of time with the bank, Terry is questioned by Detectives Bryant and Lopez, who note that Terry arrived at the hospital in a Mercedes-Benz, suspecting that his shooting may have been retaliatory. Charles too is inquisitive about the car, which LaWanda claims was a baby shower gift from her Uncle Troy, who Charles expresses he would like to meet.

Charles returns home from the bank, where he learned that their mortgage has been paid in full. He initially suspects that Lucille went to Pastor Swift, but she reveals that Meech paid the mortgage. This results in a fight that leads to Charles leaving the house.^[3]

Suing the hospital[]

Charles, Lucille, and Terry meet with Pastor Swift's niece Karen, who assesses Terry's case to determine if they can file a malpractice lawsuit. However, Charles claims that she can't be trusted, which Lucille believes is due to the fact that she's Pastor Swift's niece. Charles then gets up and leaves. On his way out, Terry reminds Charles that they're a family and that he shouldn't allow his pride to tear them apart. And so, he decides to attend baby Terry's christening as well.^[4]

SE1-E05-Promo-Secret-and-Lies-05-Karen-Terry-Lucille-Charles — The deposition

Charles, Lucille, and Terry join Karen for a deposition with the hospital's lawyer to discuss Terry's eye, but when the lawyer displays photos which indicate that Terry has been dealing with Meech, Karen decides to suspend the deposition. Terry claims that he isn't involved, but Charles isn't convinced. Karen then reveals that the hospital is making an offer for $25,000. While Charles is willing to accept the offer, Lucille wants them to be held accountable. However, if they go to trial and the jury decides against them, they could get nothing. While it would be enough to put Terry through school and get him out from under Meech's thumb, Lucille demands that they pay, regardless of Charles' input since he decided to move out.^[5]

Trying to save Terry[]

SE1-E06-Promo-Strictly-Business-08-Nicole-Charles-Terry-Meech — Charles learns the truth

Charles returns home after getting word that Lucille needed help. From the boys, he learns that Lucille discovered they were selling drugs together. Meech then reveals that something happened and suggests that they leave town for a while, but Charles refuses, asking Terry what he and Meech did that would require them to leave the house. However, he doesn't answer. When Lucille finally comes out of her room, Charles says that Meech is a lost cause, but that they can still save Terry by taking the settlement money from the hospital and sending him down south. The next day, they call Karen and tell her to accept the $25,000 offer. However, the offer has already been rescinded. Charles blames her for not informing them sooner and calls her a conniving rookie lawyer. Karen excuses herself and tells them to expect a termination of representation paperwork. When Terry returns home, they ask how long he's been selling drugs. Terry reveals that he's been doing so ever since Meech started, as he was tired of struggling.^[6]

SE1-E07-Promo-All-in-the-Family-16-Lucille-Charles — Charles packing

Charles and Lucille pick up Nicole at the police station after learning that she and Darius were attacked, the latter killed, and that it somehow involved Meech and Terry's business. Charles tells Nicole to tell the police the truth no matter what, but Lucille worries that people might come after them if Nicole says too much. Upon returning home, Charles begins packing their bags, as they're no longer safe at the house, but Lucille refuses to leave her house, believing that they can at least save Terry, but Charles isn't interested in risking their own lives any further and takes Nicole with him. However, he and Nicole do attend Darius' funeral, where they are accosted by the boy's mother.^[7]

SE1-E08-Promo-The-King-of-Detroit-16-Lucille-Charles — Charles takes Terry and Lucille to see Jay Freedman's car service business

Karen found the nurse who was witness to the malpractice, and she gave her own deposition, revealing to have smelled alcohol on the surgeon's breath during Terry's second surgery. When Karen threatened to go public, they offered a $230,000 settlement, which the Flenorys accept. Charles also apologizes to Karen for what he said to her and thanks her for all the help. With this, Charles begins looking into starting a car service, but Lucille reminds Charles that the settlement money belongs to Terry, not that he can spend it either, Karen reveals. The money will be held in a trust until Terry turns 18, and he can't spend it any sooner unless they get permission from a judge. Thinking ahead, Charles takes Terry and Lucille to see Jay Freedman's car service business, which he is selling. He makes about 125K annually. Charles wants this business to be Terry, which he could eventually pass down to his son. This could be Terry's way out, but Terry isn't sure if this is what he wants just yet and asks for time to think about it.^[8]