Dani finally defines the line between sex and something more. Leslie proves she's not going down without a fight. Anita opens the door to her past. Eva leans into the one person who believes her. Ashley and Derek confront what's left of their love. Chelsea opens up about who she is. Anita and Tracy unpack old wounds. Nicole, Ted and Kat confront a chilling possibility. Doug begins to connect the dots about Joey's "friendship" with his wife. Martin's lack of communication frustrates Smitty.
Episode 1.55
Kat is convinced Eva was responsible for Laura's accident. It's largely a ploy to suggest her instincts aren't always right. Her need to investigate and question the circumstances was valid. However, Jacob and Tomas are right to be incredulous about the evidence she has gathered. It's not a smoking gun. In fact, it's ultimately more compelling to see Jacob question Leslie. Kat is in denial about accepting Eva as her sister. Jacob doesn't face the same issue. As such, he's capable of seeing things more clearly. Leslie is free to go. Jacob will continue to investigate. He has a solid lead for the first time in awhile. Now, he must gather the evidence. All of this distracts from Kat's relationship with Tomas too. They are capable of connecting in a real and passionate way. Kat's obsession frequently hits pause on taking things further. That's who she is. Tomas supports her. He lets her into who he is. Every other concern fades away. That's only momentary. Tomas must return to work. He's a compassionate man. He doesn't have the freedom to tend to Kat whenever she needs it. She must make an effort to be with him as well. That's just one of the relationships focused on. In fact, the episode serves as a check-in on various couples. Things have gone awry for Derek and Ashley ever since they moved in. Ashley can't cope with the loss of control in exchange for the person she loves. It's a complicated situation. One where they don't communicate well. Andre is there to be a shoulder for Ashley to cry on. It's incredibly forced drama that doesn't feel natural. Andre has his own conversation with Dani about their future. He sees their bond as so much more than just sex. It's fun for Dani. She doesn't want to lose herself in a relationship again. History probably won't repeat. She just can't embrace that future with Andre yet. She isn't ready. Andre has matured. He's more than the playboy everyone previously perceived him to be. These conversations are important. It's just not the most exciting. In fact, some feel like they are repeating what has already happened. Vanessa and Doug get close to talking about their issues. But they never fully indulge in what's happening in their lives. It's the tease and nothing more.
Grade: C+
Episode 1.56
Separate interactions with Leslie are enough for both Jacob and Laura to be convinced she was the motorcyclist behind Laura's accident. Leslie goes around saying Eva would never hurt anyone. Yet her actions incriminate her as well because she shares the same motivation. She doesn't try to deny it either. Kat listens to her friends when they share their suspicions. They can't rule Eva out as a suspect. They don't believe it was her. Kat remains absolutely focused. Every other concern in her life is tossed aside. Her relationship with Tomas suffers. No updates have occurred about her business with Chelsea. Instead, she's determined to gather proof. She gets wound up over the idea that Leslie assaulted Laura in the hospital as well. She believes she is making all this progress while Jacob is doing nothing at the precinct. He's working the case. It's not the only matter of importance in his life. He directs Derek back to his relationship. Andre and Jacob care for the struggling halves of this relationship. It's somewhat surprising how the show doesn't go for the expected cliffhanger of Derek returning home only to see Ashley and Andre embracing. Instead, he can't open the door. He and Ashley are each convinced their relationship is done. They messed it up. The blame is intense. Andre doesn't want to see his friend hurting like that. But it's also apparent which dynamics have more depth. Ashley expresses her concerns to Andre. Jacob gives Derek solid advice. Meanwhile, Tomas and Eva connect over the complicated problems of having an abusive parent. They love them. They struggle to betray them. Yet they always feel less than once that switch happens. It showcases more intrigue and purpose than Tomas has had in his many interactions with Kat. Of course, Eva is caught up in that drama too. She has to sort out what she can handle. She has a true friend in Tomas. It could become something more because Kat couldn't get out of her own way. Yet the Dupree women stand strong and determined. They get what they want. For Anita, it's reminiscing over the past with Tracy. She was anxious and scared. Yet this sisterhood prevailed. Reaching out was so rewarding. The pain of the past hasn't been completely healed. Communication has started.
Grade: B
Episode 1.57
The kiss between Dani and Pamela is so completely random. And yet, it inspires such a beautiful moment between Dani and Chelsea. It also highlights how desperately Bill wants to remain part of their lives. He can't have that. He made the choice to leave. He hasn't done anything to deserve their love and attention again. Chelsea needs her mother to understand who she is. Her heart was broken by Alison. Dani provides complete support. She tries her best to listen. She also uplifts her daughter by recognizing the depth of love she has to give. That's so empowering. Many of these characters are left physically alone by the close of the episode. Yet it's the moments of connection that stand out. That's especially true for Dani and Chelsea. It's less effective elsewhere. Andre provides complete support to Ashley. Even then, she still picks up on him yearning for more from Dani. Pamela sees it too. Dani won't allow herself to embrace a future with Andre beyond sex. The final shot of her alone in the bed may signal that this connection has deepened as well. Meanwhile, a lot of talk continues to happen about Derek and Ashley. They seek guidance from others. They have to figure out how to fight with each other without hurting each other. Others can't do the work for them. They have to do it themselves. Of course, that's setting them up for more screentime. That's annoying given how tangential their relationship is. The show is putting in the effort. It just doesn't match the stakes of Eva deciding to lie about Leslie attempting to kill Laura. Eva theorized about it in the past. Leslie confides the truth now. She does so as a way to further control Eva. She can't afford for her daughter to turn against her once more. She believes Eva will be terrified of being arrested as well. She is now an accessory after the fact. Jacob would probably be willing to listen to her explanation for being torn about how to handle Leslie. Her mother lurks around Orphey Gene's while Jacob conducts his interview. Eva literally isn't given the space to decide for herself. Leslie has to make her presence known. Despite that, she still doesn't accept Eva back home. She needs her to feel bad. Yet she doesn't believe she owes her anything for that loyalty either.
Grade: B
Episode 1.58
Leslie expects to appear and be loved. Two weeks have passed since she ruined Ted and Nicole's anniversary party. She believes that should be more than enough time to fix what was broken. She's absolutely delusional. Eva calls her out for it too. It's insane to believe her actions can be forgiven. And yet, Dana continues to pop up. The frequency of her appearances runs the risk of burning too hot too quickly through this story. It's not slowing down either. She breaks into Eva's hotel room waiting for Ted. She expects to be pampered like this. She strives to make it happen for herself. It could become frustrating. It still remains delightful. Kat makes solid progress in her investigation. She can't stop being suspicious of Eva. Leslie is clearly the vindictive criminal. Ted makes that assessment right away. It's also refreshing how all of this drama forces Ted and Nicole into a room together. It's nice to see Nicole back at work. She isn't officially on the job again. However, it's pleasant for her to interact with June. Jacob and Naomi want more answers about her. Nicole is treated to an outrageous story. It's entertaining and referential. It allows the characters to have fun. That's welcome after the dour state of Nicole's life as of late. Meanwhile, plenty of serious conversations happen elsewhere. Anita finally confesses that she reached out to Tracy because of the reunion concert. Tracy doesn't immediately forgive her. Yet she has enjoyed this time reconnecting. She will put some serious thought into what to do next. Anita appreciates that. Moreover, Naomi is excited by meeting this connection to her grandmother's past. She remains a fan and wants to encourage this even further. Meanwhile, Derek and Ashley finally talk. They were so afraid that the other was on the verge of breaking up with them. They tried to outrun it to protect themselves. All they needed was the grace of figuring things out together. They can't catastrophize based on how living together has gone. They need to respect what matters to each other. That's the big step they must face. Again, it's broad without enough personality. But it really couldn't be dragged out any longer.
Grade: B+
Episode 1.59
Something tragic happened to The Articulettes. Instead of leaning on her sisters, Anita abandoned them. She was given a path forward. Tracy and Sharon weren't. Anita worked hard to extend her solo career. She built a successful life for herself. She was desperate and ruthless. She had to pursue her dream no matter the cost. Tracy and Sharon were collateral damage. They shared the same passion. They were successful together. Yet Anita was the only one given a future. That pain of betrayal still stings. The audience doesn't even know the full circumstances of the tragic incident that set it all off. Tracy infers that even more people were hurt. It's important to have this conversation. It's the only way actual forgiveness will be found. Anita was terrified. She had selfish reasons for reaching out. This is what she wants. She sees the grace and dignity of the sisterhood she left behind. She wants it back. It may be too late. It requires true self-reflection. That's moving. It's another story where the characters talk around a significant plot point though. Martin deflects instead of having a genuine conversation with Smitty. Bill shared something ominous. Smitty sees a story worth pursuing. In fact, they are all around him. He remains busy working on his piece about the dark underbelly of social media influencers. Now, he questions his husband as well as the relationship between Vanessa and Joey. The latter is a bit random. Yet he has the right instinct to share what he saw with Nicole. Vanessa is coming dangerous close to criminal activity. She gets a thrill out of the excitement. Doug remains in pain even though his hand has healed. He still doesn't have a way to pay off his debts. Joey showing more interest in Vanessa provides time. It's not exactly time well spent for Doug. Moreover, Ted continues to declare that he recognizes the pain he caused. He forced Nicole to look at him differently. The love and trust in her eyes is gone. He doesn't need more people confronting him. Part of it is projection on Vanessa's part. Ted is also filled with righteous anger for what Leslie has done to Eva. It's even more tantalizing when Leslie assumes Nicole as her new identity. She mocks her more than any of her former personas. Yet she believes this is a way to provide Ted with what he wants while still providing the unpredictable energy she delivers.
Grade: B+
