At first glance, Nigerian web series often lean into familiar themes, but DECODED brings something refreshingly raw and real to the screen. This gritty, emotional Lagos-based drama doesn’t just serve vibes; it delivers a reality check with every episode. If you’re looking for a show that mirrors the hustle, heartbreak, and hustle-again nature of city life, Decoded should be your next binge.
Meet Ego: Schoolgirl by Day, Hustler by Survival
At the centre of this emotional rollercoaster is Ego; a determined young woman with dreams of finishing school and building a better future. But Lagos isn’t a city that hands out easy wins. Her final exams are around the corner, but she’s broke. Her dad, Bazuaye A.KA Baz, is a street-smart hustler with all the wrong solutions: scams, cons, and anything in between. And soon enough, Ego finds herself drawn into that same murky world.
What Makes Decoded a Must-Watch?
It’s the storytelling. Raw, layered, and heartbreakingly real. Ego’s journey from hopeful student to reluctant scammer isn’t dramatic for drama’s sake; it’s grounded in economic struggle, family pressure, and a survival instinct that’s far too relatable.
Baz, flawed as he is, isn’t your typical villain. He’s a father doing what he knows, even if it’s wrong. His love for Ego is twisted, wrapped in guilt, protection, and regret. And as the series unfolds, their bond is tested in ways that will have you questioning morality, loyalty, and the thin line between right and necessary.
Episode-by-Episode Breakdown
Here’s a quick peek into Decoded’s 10-episode arc of chaos, choices, and consequences:
- Episode 1 – School Runs: Ego just wants to write her final paper, but money’s low and tensions are high. The hustle begins.
- Episode 2 – Addictions: Baz keeps chasing fast money. Ego’s desperation grows. Survival is no longer clean.
- Episode 3 – Hustle: Selling food, cleaning toilets; Ego tries every honest hustle. But reality forces a pivot.
- Episode 4 – Game On: She returns to Baz and starts working his scams. She draws a line… but for how long?
- Episode 5 – If You Can’t Beat Them: Baz is planning “the biggest deal of their lives.” Meanwhile, Ego catches feelings.
- Episode 6 – Like Father, Like Daughter: The student becomes the scammer. Mimi returns, and she’s shocked.
- Episode 7 – Reality Check: Ego wants out. But Baz drags Seun, Ego’s love interest, into the mess.
- Episode 8 – Penance: Betrayals, beatings, and bank transfers. Ego finally explodes and cuts ties.
- Episode 9 – Wanted: She tries to move on, but their past catches up. The police are now involved.
- Episode 10 – Redemption: Baz is arrested. Ego must choose: confession or freedom?
Why You Should Watch Decoded Now
If you’ve ever juggled dreams with daily survival, Decoded will hit close to home. It’s a between-the-devil-and-the-deep-blue-sea kind of situation. It’s about systems that fail people, and the choices they make in return.
So, whether you’re here for the story, the moral dilemmas, or just to see what Baz will do next, Decoded is a slow burn that builds into a powerful explosion. Don’t sleep on it. You can binge-watch all the episodes on REDTV‘s YouTube channel.
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