Ashley and Derek's relationship status changes. Martin's past comes rushing back. Dani and Andre make a stunning confession. Chelsea and Madison take a big step in their relationship. Bill's recovery leaves Hayley with more questions than answers. Kat has high expectations for Tomas. Naomi vows to help June recover her most cherished possession. Smitty's investigation threatens to expose secrets. Vanessa leans into her new partnership with Joey. Nicole has life-changing news for Ted.
Episode 1.74
Naomi helped Derek pick out a ring despite having doubts about Ashley's willingness to get engaged. It's odd that she didn't voice her concerns. Bill's stroke has provided her with new perspective. Yet she allowed her friends to go through this proposal that ends in the two fighting once more. She sees that they are always searching for more depth and meaning. They continue to fail with every attempt. They love each other. That just isn't enough. Instead, Andre is once again called upon to be the shoulder for Ashley to cry on. Naomi provides the necessary perspective to diagnosis what is going on. Ashley and Derek don't have that awareness. They are constantly talking past each other. Derek wanted the ring to symbolize their commitment. They would always turn towards their love even when they fought. Yet it was so easy for him to walk away after Ashley admitted she wasn't ready. He blames her for being unclear despite an overall lack of emotional maturity on both ends. That's a deep conversation that happens after they've been together for awhile.
Meanwhile, things heat up quickly between Chelsea and Madison. They want to know each other better. Madison naturally deflects instead of talking about herself. Chelsea recognizes that and pivots the conversation back to what she asked. They reassure each other. They also feel confident to take things further. That showcases the seriousness of the story right away. Things don't have to be dragged out in order to build up excitement. That's present elsewhere. Vanessa confronts Joey about what he has always wanted from her. She proposes a partnership and then seals the deal by once again having sex on the poker table. Martin eventually forces the busboy into explaining what he said. That promised to elevate this overall mystery. The actions remain very empty for now. Marcel is confident that he can hide his connections to Joey by threatening Smitty with what he knows about Martin. Smitty remains in the dark. Vernon recognizes that Martin needs help. He doesn't have a perfect solution. And so, the anger intensifies once more. That's part of the pattern. It just needs to be more forthcoming with its overall purpose.
Grade: C+
Episode 1.75
Andre and Ashley are in denial about having feelings for one another. It's obvious to everyone though. It would potentially be more meaningful if Andre hadn't already kissed her. They had a talk about being friends after that. Yet the pining has been a fundamental part of their dynamic. They are each given space to confess their feelings to others. They don't take it. Instead, Andre lets Dani believe she is the only one he cares about romantically. She doesn't want to make the same mistakes as the past. All of this is setting her up to be betrayed once more. She's getting comfortable admitting to the relationship. It's still a process. One where everyone has to force it out of her. Meanwhile, a couple of shots isn't enough to convince Ashley to share her secret with Naomi. That's how deep the denial is. It doesn't make for the most exciting story though. In fact, it's better when others confront them about these feelings. That's what Jacob is set up to do with Andre.
Of course, the narrative setting things up to happen doesn't mean the follow through will provide much reassurance. Martin receives no clarity on whether the busboy is the man from the night of his infamous secret. Instead, he continues to diminish the concerns of his loved ones. Smitty has been forced to accept that repeatedly. He's putting his foot down now. Martin is terrified of accepting help. That's how much pressure this secret has on him. It's debilitating. It remains unknown too - even though Marcel is now seen to be involved. Elsewhere, Vanessa appears to have the business acumen to navigate her way through her reluctant partnership with Joey. However, Doug's ego compels him to get involved too. They have no trust with each other despite how long they've been married. They say they are looking out for one another. They are double checking and renegotiating everything. Joey always issues threats detailing how dangerous he is. He never actually follows through on them with the couple. That indicates how much he needs this partnership. Vanessa is aware of that. Doug inserts himself once more because he can't allow his wife to clean up his mess. It's complicated while also feeling pretty isolated from the rest of the narrative too.
Grade: C+
Episode 1.76
Madison is already being introduced to the family as Chelsea's girlfriend. That relationship is progressing quickly. That highlights the intensity of Chelsea's feelings. Vernon is correct to express his concerns. He doesn't have any objections to Madison. He wants to ensure his loved ones are protecting themselves and not lashing out in response to Bill's betrayal. He fears that continues to inform many actions. Dani and Chelsea responded differently. Yet their relationships are both coming out at the same time. Nicole suspected that something was happening between Dani and Andre. She believed her sister when she denied it. When Dani finally shares the truth, it only shows how Nicole can't trust anyone to tell her the truth. Dani kept the secret for her own personal reasons. She had to face them first before letting others in. She's willing to take that step now. It damages her relationship with her sister. That's devastating. The betrayal isn't nearly on the same level as what Bill and Ted did. The pain still produces the same response. Everyone wants to heal. It remains an ongoing struggle.
Elsewhere, Ashley and Derek break up. He used the proposal as a way to fix their issues. Ashley doesn't view marriage like that. She doesn't appreciate the ultimatum. He hates her inability to provide him with a genuine explanation. She's lying to herself about being attracted to Andre. She can't hide from that much longer. She's dreaming about him. She carries those thoughts even though Derek cares for her while she's hungover. She appreciates that. She is willing to work through their problems. That requires communication and honesty. Derek refuses to share what he's truly feeling. He too creates his own narrative about what's going on. They love each other but they also believe they deserve better. It's complicated storytelling. It would be more meaningful if the relationship was worth maintaining interest in. The tension informs Naomi's behavior. She has her own reasons for being cold towards Hayley. Similarly, Hayley is right to have a moment to process all that has occurred lately. She could have lost her husband. That motivates Bill to take out a life insurance policy. Hayley will be supported no matter what. That comes with the possibility that Dani may be right about not trusting Hayley's motives. That isn't confirmed though. Instead, it's a man trying his best to protect his loved ones despite how stubborn he is.
Grade: B-
Episode 1.77
Smitty was intrigued by Marcel's apparent connections to Joey. His investigation appears to point back to the night two years ago that traumatized Martin. Marcel and Elon were there. Marcel was suddenly able to buy a Caribbean home and a boat. Elon calls off the story. Smitty continues to dig deeper. Because he's in the dark, he doesn't know that Martin needs protection. Vernon and Martin chose secrecy. That worked for two years. This secret was going to come out eventually. They face new danger now. They accept that Kenneth was there that night. His face isn't familiar. His demeanor sends a chill down their spines. They need more proof of his malicious intentions. They are on the same page now. Martin's visions paralyze him frequently. Vernon must take action. Martin may be seeing things that aren't there. His keys are missing though. He isn't losing his mind. Someone is deliberately toying with him. That much is clear. It's personal. It impacts the entire family. Martin and Vernon can't carry this by themselves. Smitty must be told the truth. That's potentially dangerous considering this massive secret was kept from him for two years. Many lives were changed because of it. He had no idea. That doesn't make him feel like a part of this family.
Similarly, something big is happening with June. She was originally introduced as Naomi's next client. Jacob presented his wife with the case. Both were willing to help. That required them to listen. They couldn't force June into accepting housing. They realized how important the picture she carried was. It indicates something deeper. She explains that it helps her imagine a happier existence. She reflects on the innocence of the children depicted. That's a sweet thought. It's more likely that they are some of the characters in the narrative. That's just speculation at this point. It makes sense given the intense focus on her. She is about so much more than her criminal case. Meanwhile, Bill and Chelsea finally have a genuine conversation. It's prompted by her company facing its first lawsuit. The power players in the industry are already threatened by what she and Kat are doing. Bill assures her that it's nothing to worry about. He will handle it. He's also grateful to be with his daughter. He wants to be in her life when she doesn't need something from him. He has made mistakes. He acknowledges that. His family needs him. The stroke has made everyone realize they don't want him gone. He still creates tension. That's built out of a genuine place now instead of him and Hayley just expecting things to be okay.
Grade: B-
Episode 1.78
A week without the Leslie drama could have absolutely derailed the show. And yes, the early episodes this week were somewhat of a slog. However, the momentum built around Martin's secret to ensure juicy reveals to come. Kenneth completely drops his facade. He is targeting the family for what happened. It's implied that Martin assaulted a pair of racist brothers on the side of the road. Those details aren't confirmed. Those implicated in the cover-up continue to expand. Elon and Marcel regroup with Joey at the casino. They try to get a handle on Jacob and Smitty. Jacob has idolized his father. He views him as the idea of good police. He's been blinded to the truth. He doesn't want to entertain that he is corrupt. Elon lied to his son. He aims to keep doing that. He hopes to get lucky. Jacob never bought the prior explanation for Joey paying Marcel. Now, he has more reason to doubt. Marcel and Martin are tasked with acting normally. It will be a struggle for them to do so considering the pressure they are under. Smitty knows the only way to get to the truth is to keep investigating. He doesn't know anything about this traumatic event. The Dupree family was targeted for their influence and power.
Parts of the family are still raw as well. Nicole is struggling to fix herself after learning about Ted's lies. He is trying to work on their relationship. That's admirable. He's just not meeting Nicole where she is. Of course, it required a heated conversation between them to know where they stood. He wants to return home. She wants to trust her instincts and loved ones. Ted lied to her about Leslie and Eva. Dani lied to her about Andre. She's also in the dark about Martin. She needs stability. People continue to let her down. She provides comfort to those who need it. That doesn't heal her own wounds. That's especially true given how others continue to dig deeper in their deception. They don't involve her. They believe they can handle things on their own. Doug is right to worry about Vanessa's partnership with Joey. He believes she is blinded by her attraction to the danger. She promises to protect herself. She wants to know everything. Yet that too runs firmly into the secrets everyone is keeping to protect the Dupree family. Doug fears criminal exposure. However, Vanessa walks into the casino to see Elon and Marcel gambling with Joey.
Grade: B
