Martin dodges Smitty's questions about Bill's insinuations. Chelsea's news has Dani doubting reality. Ashley and Derek confront the tension in their relationship. Dani issues a warning to Bill regarding Hayley. Doug takes a risk with Joey. A crucial piece of evidence comes to light in Kat's investigation of Leslie. Ted struggles with how to repair his relationship with Nicole. Anita fears the past will derail her future.
Episode 1.60
Kat refuses to acknowledge Eva as her half-sister. She remains fixated on the nefarious actions she did. No one is asking her to forgive her for what happened. Kat can't live in denial either. She has to reckon with reality. It's good that Ted is stepping up as a father. It has resulted in more interactions with Leslie. She continues to infiltrate all of their lives. She isn't the only one creating drama. Kat's obsession threatens to disrupt everything else that matters to her. It's miraculous that she and Chelsea have a straightforward conversation about their business. Moreover, Kat listens to Chelsea and Tomas talking about their own lives. That shows that Kat isn't a lost cause. She is capable of being curious and empathetic. People shouldn't treat her so harshly for how she feels. Of course, they are in the right for calling out what this need to prove Eva's guilt is costing her. That serves in parallel with Anita facing her own past. She sees a clear divide in her life. Anita Williams is different from Anita Dupree. Vernon has always seen her as the woman he fell in love with all those years ago. But now, Anita is confronted with how selfish and ruthless she was. She needed to escape. She was given an opportunity. She left behind the people who shared her ambition and supported her wholeheartedly. Tracy and Sharon have struggled since then. Anita has faced her own obstacles. She went on to have an illustrious career. Yet it was never as fulfilling as when she was onstage with her friends. That's what she yearns for once more. She makes peace with Tracy. This conversation is good. It will remain ongoing. It can't all be built on the reunion concert. It would be fun. Compassion and friendship are even more necessary. That's possible here. Vernon reassures Anita. She isn't a monster. Meanwhile, Martin and Chelsea are left reeling from the latest meddling from Bill. Smitty is right to question his husband. A secret is being kept from him. Martin offers a plausible explanation for Bill's threat. Bill is overjoyed by the news of Hayley's pregnancy. It's the exact opposite of what Chelsea wants to hear when she finally approaches him. She came out as her true self. Everyone has been accepting. The dynamic with Bill is more complicated. Only more obstacles are being added now.
Grade: B+
Episode 1.61
Bill expected everyone to be welcoming of Hayley as his new wife immediately. He believed he was too important to be pushed away by the Dupree family. He strives to remind them of that fact. It's fascinating how everyone has been telling Kat to accept Eva as her half-sister while so many refuse to be pleasant towards Hayley. It's impossible for Bill and Dani to stay out of each other's lives as well. They both are drawn to the drama. Dani needs to believe that Hayley is a cold and calculating con woman. She infiltrated their lives in order to get money and status from Bill. That's easier to rationalize. Those personality traits apply to Leslie. The audience has the luxury of seeing her concoct schemes. With Bill and Hayley, they've always been presented as a couple that loves each other. Of course, they haven't taken any steps to earn the forgiveness of those they've betrayed. Hayley foolishly believes time will heal those wounds. She doesn't have to actually do anything. She wants Naomi and Jacob to be happy for her. They don't care about her news. The show hasn't done anything to showcase their friendship. Hayley talks about it. The narrative instead focuses on Naomi and Jacob navigating the relationship drama with Ashley and Derek. That's what they care about. Moreover, they are emerging as a stronger couple who can even manage to work together. They are equals who lift each other up. They have no secrets between them. Bill is willing to share everything with Hayley. Meanwhile, Martin tries to create a convincing story to fool his husband. Smitty doesn't believe the distraction. He knows there is something more. Martin won't tell him. He's letting his rage boil up. He doesn't let it out. When he does, it will be explosive. That's a common trait amongst the Dupree family. It can be a rather toxic quality too. Chelsea wants to rely on her mother to process Hayley's pregnancy. However, Dani spins herself up into a frenzy creating various conspiracies about it being a lie. It doesn't connect with reality. Yet her invading Bill and Hayley's home once again does. She crosses that line. She does so boldly because she refuses to acknowledge the truth. It's juicy. It also builds Hayley up as something she hasn't been after 60 episodes yet. So, it's easy to be left wanting more.
Grade: B-
Episode 1.62
Is Dani acting foolishly? She is meant to be starting the next stage of her career with Pamela. She remains obsessed with Bill and Hayley. She confronts them despite having no evidence that Hayley is faking her pregnancy. Even when Hayley admits it, it's nothing more than a ruse to provoke a reaction out of Dani. This is all a consequence of Bill and Hayley choosing to live in Fairmont Crest. They chose to be in this gated community. As such, Dani can never escape the greatest betrayal she ever faced. She cannot allow herself to be deceived again. It's overwhelming. It's tragic as well. She doesn't feel better. She wields a ton of power and influence. It's enough to keep a bar open after last call. It's not enough to break the bond Bill and Hayley share. Dani is meant to be in the wrong in this situation. Yet it remains possible that Hayley is more duplicitous than she has been seen up to this point. That would be a welcome character shift. It's just not confirmed at the moment. Instead, the excitement of full-on villainy comes from Leslie. She always finds a way to lure Ted into a conversation with her. Kat believes her father is noble and naive. She knows what Leslie is capable of. She's still gathering evidence. She wants to care for her father. He makes it more difficult because it doesn't appear as if he is fighting as hard for his family. He accepts the premise that he and Leslie need to co-parent Eva. He believes he's being honorable. He's causing more pain. Kat sees through Leslie's deception. She blatantly sees her father's personal failings. That's even more tragic. There's plenty of despair to go around too. Joey set Doug up to be confronted by Vanessa about his gambling. Doug doesn't fall into the trap. Joey still advances his plan by finally succeeding in seducing Vanessa. She doesn't resist any longer. She gives in to the thrill and excitement. It's all destined to end badly. The audience operates with that clarity. Vanessa has been warned previously. She doesn't pay attention. She gives in to what she wants in this moment. It's passionate. The consequences will probably be as dour as Doug feels when he joins Dani for a drink.
Grade: B
Episode 1.63
Leslie has such a flair for the dramatic. Before her grand reveal at Ted and Nicole's anniversary party, she invaded their lives hoping to leave clues to her true intentions. It was dangerous. Eva knew her mother was risking it all. That's how Leslie operates. She has to keep forcing her way into people's lives. Does that mean she would willingly leave behind a jacket full of incriminating evidence? It's unclear. It seems a little too careless. It's reasonable to assume she would try to cover her tracks. She doesn't believe anything can tie her to the multiple attempts on Laura's life. Yet Kat has already made a ton of progress in her investigation. Even more just falls into her lap here. The jacket holds receipts to Leslie's location at the time of the motorcycle accident. It's not enough to arrest her. It's more confirmation that Kat is right. She should definitely tell Jacob. Mona serves as the reasonable sounding board. The story also points out more evidence Leslie is hiding in her apartment. Because she treats Eva poorly, her daughter comes in to claim it for herself. They definitely have a codependent relationship. Eva wants her mother's love and appreciation. Leslie kicked her out. She believes she didn't have a choice. As such, she doesn't bear any responsibility for what happened. She isn't a passive observer. She continues to inflict pain. That's dangerous when it comes to the person who knows her best. Eva can hurt her deeply as well. She operates with sincerity to Ted. He struggles being on the outside of the Dupree family. He's the latest man to disappoint them. He warns Andre not to repeat the pattern. It's freeing for Andre to tell someone about Dani. She does the same thing. That may advance their relationship. It may grow because they clearly want it to be something more. Andre tries his best to respect her. She remains raw after the divorce. She's volatile because of Hayley's pregnancy. She deserves happiness. Pamela tries to provide that for her. She needs more than obsessing over Bill and Hayley. She also has to accept that. It's difficult to move on from the pain of the past. Sharon expects true regret and humility from Anita when they meet. Tracy convinces her to come to Fairmont Crest. Anita remains terrified. This is the right decision though. She has no doubts about that even while Vernon fears he may have pushed too hard and forced his wife to face secrets that would have been better off buried.
Grade: B
