Tyler Perry’s Zatima | Why Was Zac ‘Numb’ During His Mother’s Funeral?

Some fans were upset with Zach for being stoic and nearly unresponsive during the funeral, but I have to ask—what show were they watching? Throughout Season 3, my opinions have often differed from the fanbase on various topics, but when it comes to Zach’s demeanor at the funeral, his reaction was completely understandable.

Zach was there physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, he was drained. After the funeral, in one of my favorite scenes of the season, Fatima went upstairs to check on him during the repass. Zach explained that he felt nothing. For so long, he had lived with the constant fear of something happening to his mother because of the life she led. Now that she was gone, that weight had been lifted. He didn’t frame it in a religious sense, saying she was in God’s hands, but rather, he acknowledged that she was no longer suffering. That realization brought him a strange sense of relief.

Then came Jeremiah. Some viewers were surprised that all Zach said was, “Fatima, he’s high.” But can you blame him for wanting nothing to do with his brother? Just a day before the funeral, Zach had gone to see Jeremiah at the hospital. Then, he checked on him when he was leaving the hospital and later drove him to rehab, putting up $5,000 that he didn’t have. Jeremiah himself had asked for help, saying their mother’s death was a wake-up call. But within hours, he left rehab, and Zach couldn’t get his money back. At that point, Zach was done. He had already been through enough—losing his mother, dealing with family drama, and trying to move forward with his life. So, when Jeremiah showed up at the funeral acting as if nothing had happened, Zach wanted nothing to do with him.

If one word could describe Zach during the entire ceremony, it would be: done. The only moment he showed real emotion was when Fatima said she would step outside to talk to Jeremiah. Zach warned her that if Jeremiah put his hands on her, all bets were off. That was a powerful moment because it showed that, despite everything, he still had a line he wouldn’t let Jeremiah cross.

Another telling moment was when Fatima sang at the funeral. Typically, in scenes like this, a grieving character might have an emotional reaction, looking up in admiration or shedding a tear. But Zach felt empty inside. Even when it was his turn to speak, he didn’t protest when Jeremiah demanded to take the podium. Instead, Zach was indifferent—”Let him talk. I want to hear what he has to say.” That level of detachment speaks volumes about his emotional state.

Personally, I had no issue with Zach’s response because it was realistic. His demeanor was relatable—grief doesn’t always look like loud sobbing or dramatic outbursts. Sometimes, it’s silence. Sometimes, it’s exhaustion. And sometimes, it’s just feeling nothing at all.

These two episodes had so many relatable elements—the different kinds of people at a funeral, the mixed emotions one might feel about the deceased, and even Con’s battle with cancer, which struck a chord with many viewers. The comment sections on my reviews were filled with diverse reactions to different scenes, proving just how much the show resonated with people.

As I mentioned on Twitter the night the episode aired, Devale Ellis deserves credit for his performance. How he managed to stay so stoic throughout that entire scene is beyond me—I would have lost it, especially during that little shimmy.

Let’s talk about it in the comments. What did you think about Zach’s demeanor? Was his reaction justified? Let me know your thoughts, and don’t forget to like and subscribe!