Leslie learns her luck may have just changed. Doug doles out advice for Ted and some critical information to Jacob. Martin and Smitty deal with an intruder. Eva has a stunning revelation to share with Tomas. Anita and Leslie go head to head. Nicole has a major relationship update to tell Kat. Vernon calls Bill for help, but Bill has some demands that need to be met first. Kat and Chelsea have a heart to heart before their big launch party. An assailant comes out of the shadows to attack their target.
Episode 1.114
Vanessa deflects whenever Nicole brings up Joey. They conveniently have to go to Uptown before any deeper conversation can occur. Nicole fears she'll have to throw another divorce party. She sees the tension between Vanessa and Doug. She doesn't know the extent of the trouble they are in. Vanessa wants to pretend her interactions with Joey are a simple business deal. It's nothing to worry about. The audience has plenty of concerns. It would be slightly repetitive if Vanessa and Doug are the latest couple to break up. The narrative needs a new plot point for them. Doug teases Jacob about Joey ordering a murder. He doesn't get further before Vanessa shows up and Jacob has to go to the hospital to check on Derek. Vanessa is worried. She doesn't want Doug to do anything. He got them into this mess. She must manage it now. She wants to believe that's what she is doing. The tragedy is only increasing. She can't escape because she refuses to ask for help. In fact, plenty of characters are stuck in their ways simply because they are stubborn. It takes a lot for any of them to see things from a new perspective.
Leslie is skeptical of being related to Barbara and standing to inherit a lot of money. Peaches has to present her with tons of proof. Ultimately, Leslie forgives Peaches and accepts all this happiness. She wishes to share it with Eva. Leslie and Peaches didn't talk for years. Peaches only tracked her down to get her affairs in order before dying. Leslie is the last remaining member of Barbara's family. All of Anita's good gestures to make up for the past will go to the woman who has caused her family so much pain. That realization doesn't hit. Instead, it's about the joy between Leslie and Eva. Sure, Leslie uses this as the latest reason for why Eva must do right by her no matter what. She can never turn her back on her mother. Leslie is focused on making up for lost time with Peaches. She can't turn her back again. For years, it was Leslie and Eva against the world. Now, their sphere of influence is growing. They have new opportunities now. That's ominous while also exciting. It's unlikely that their behavior will change. They'll simply have the resources to finance everything they hope to achieve in Fairmont Crest no matter how the Dupree family feels.
Grade: B
Episode 1.115
Leslie loves the Articulettes. Yet her first instinct upon learning about her connection to the group is to antagonize Anita. She must confront her with the revelation that she is Barbara's daughter. She's easily able to separate art from the artist. Previously, Leslie thought the tribute to Barbara at the reunion concert was a cynical ploy to ease Anita's guilty conscience. She believes people are always trying to deceive each other. That's armor that has been built up over a lifetime. Eva recognizes that her mother no longer has to carry all that. Her life is about to change. Leslie holds herself differently. She's just as vicious as ever though. Money doesn't change her. In fact, it heightens her quest for vengeance. She believes she now speaks for Barbara. She didn't know who Barbara was. She's now filled with a mission to get what she demands. That means refusing to allow Anita peace. She must be blamed for Barbara's suicide. The audience knows all too well the guilt Anita carried over the years. That's why she set up the trust. It's enraging to know Leslie will be the sole beneficiary now. She contributes to the woman who destroyed her daughter. Leslie isn't done making others pay either. She doesn't operate with all the facts. She's full of self-righteous indignation.
Elsewhere, Samantha and Tyrell believed everything that needed to be said was during their meeting with June. They didn't want to see her again. They weren't looking for another parent. They were satisfied with their family. They received answers to questions that plagued them for years. They appreciate knowing June has gotten better. That's enough. June demands more. Naomi got her hopes up. She wants to be with her children all the time. She demands another meeting. She just shows up. Martin and Smitty protect their kids. Ultimately, Samantha and Tyrell want to hear more. This interaction provides a more peaceful resolution. One where this could be the end of June's story for now. She offers goodbye with the potential for more at some point. Samantha and Tyrell are at peace with that. They have complicated feelings. They change frequently. They could want to see her again. June needed more closure. After that, she was capable of looking inward. Now, she's willing to accept all the help Naomi and Jacob previously offered. She has to get her life right so her kids could be proud of her when they reach out again.
Grade: B+
Episode 1.116
Kat fears Leslie is the luckiest woman alive. She doesn't even know about the inheritance yet. It's been months since she's demanded an arrest from Jacob. She knows the case has stalled. She stops by hoping for an update. Instead, the two get sidetracked with Kat's sex life. It's random. It's not a conversation that flows naturally. For a moment, Kat thinks she has to sleep with someone else to figure out what the problem is with Tomas. Jacob concludes they just need to communicate. That's the only way intimacy blooms. It's sound advice. Kat hates that the conversation happens at the precinct. In this world though, no one in the background ever listens in on these conversations. So much happens out in the open. They try to be covert. It's never that simple. Moreover, Tomas is more focused on Eva. He provides emotional support to her as she grapples with finding out about her lineage. She can't fathom why her mother only cares about the money. Suddenly, a life of possibilities was taken away. She reckons with that. She wants to know more about Barbara. Because Leslie antagonizes Anita, it's unlikely the Dupree matriarch will share any stories.
Leslie is absolutely vicious with Anita. One could argue how counterproductive it is. Leslie didn't have all the facts. Anita was supporting the blind trust. All the money Leslie inherits came from the Dupree family. Anita is furious. She was under no legal obligation to keep making payments. She supported Barbara's sister. Now, Leslie is the only heir left. Anita can't stand Leslie trying to equate herself to the people beyond the gates. That reality is possible for her now. It's all about making a point to someone else. It's never about personal enrichment. This isn't fulfilling. It's pushing others to their breaking points. Leslie provokes until others respond with violence. That's not the mentality Vernon has always professed. Anita is sick over what happened. It's messy all the same. Similarly, Andre demands Ashley talk to him about why she's suddenly pushing him away. He explains himself. It doesn't matter. When she hated him, she came to love Derek once more because he was injured. It's so unserious. Her emotions vary wildly. With Derek, his depression is understandable. Shanice provides the support he needs. Meanwhile, Ashley centers the topic around their relationship.
Grade: B
Episode 1.117
Leslie was dangerous without any money. She ran Laura off the road with the first week of episodes. She's determined to move to Fairmont Crest. She wants to be seen as part of Black royalty. She will settle for nothing less. It's startling that she actually repays the loan Ted gave her. It's mostly a way to flaunt her new wealth. He understands that money won't change who she fundamentally is. She won't be accepted in this tight-knit community. She has the resources to try. It's taken until now for Bill and Hayley to be respected. It's part of an arrangement he strikes with Vernon to protect the family. Vernon was enraged and disappointed the last time he called Bill for help. When the family is in danger, Bill is still the person he calls. Bill has leverage. There isn't anything he can do to reverse the trust. Leslie is entitled to the money Anita gave. Everyone must accept that. Anita's guilt came from Barbara blaming her ambition in the suicide note. It's heartbreaking. Anita has strived to make peace. Now, she fears she is responsible for the pain Nicole suffered because of Leslie. Anita doesn't know the full story of Leslie's upbringing. She knows to be on alert for whatever dangerous move Leslie makes next.
The slap did nothing to ease the situation either. It felt good in the moment. Nothing more came from it. Anita has that clarity. Nicole delights in the news. She's still reeling from Leslie's impact on her life. Kat learns that her parents are getting a divorce. She blames Eva just as much as Leslie. Nicole believes it's possible to forgive Eva. She sees the generational trauma inflicted upon her. She was a victim of being raised by Leslie. Kat needs a source for her vitriol. She should focus on the launch party for ChelseaKat. Instead, she's distracted. Eva knows how to hit back too. She knows about the lack of intimacy and connection between Kat and Tomas. She irritates Kat's insecurities. They will break at some point. That's ominous. Meanwhile, Andre jumps from one situationship to the next. Upon being rejected by Ashley, he quickly wants to pick things up with Dani again. She cherishes their friendship. She doesn't abandon him to listen to Ted's advice. She cares about him. That doesn't mean she is willing to have sex again. He has to earn that right. He must own up to his decisions. He thought he knew what he wanted. Now, he tries to relax into something familiar that doesn't require more effort. Dani doesn't let him get away with that.
Grade: B
Episode 1.118
Chelsea's abduction was spoiled by the previews from last week's episodes. It's easy to assume Allison is responsible. However, the criminal's identity has been purposefully hidden. That's somewhat strange. It's likely because this episode really isn't about that shocking act. It's certainly full of anticipatory dread. That's largely dictated to Leslie. Most of the family comes to learn about her inheritance. They too can't believe it. They have to think something can be done. Leslie is already spending her money. In her first day as a millionaire, she bought a house and a country club membership. Eva sees her mother as petty. She's pointedly doing this to annoy the Dupree family. Everyone hopes money will change Leslie. That isn't going to happen. She can provide for her daughter in ways she never could before. They can celebrate with a fancy dinner at the club. Eva knew to steer clear of Kat. She didn't want to ruin the ChelseaKat launch party. It's happening at the club though. The event is hours after when Leslie and Eva eat. A run-in still occurred. Kat finds out this dreaded news from the villain. The family provides support after the fact. This all threatens to take away from the achievement of the night. That's ruined elsewhere because of Chelsea's tardiness.
Kat, Madison and Bill all take moments to celebrate Chelsea. They are so proud of what she has created. Chelsea is grateful for Kat too. She saw her vision and helped make it a reality. This partnership between the cousins works. The audience hasn't particularly seen any of their struggles onscreen. The story hasn't been driven by any drama launching the company. It's a lot of words instead of actions. This moment should be the culmination of their efforts. Instead, the story pivots to the drama that has defined their personal lives. Kat always fears what Leslie and Eva will do next. Chelsea was caught in a dangerous situation with Allison. All of that is coming to fruition. It offers intrigue for what comes next. It places their stories at the forefront. It's unlikely Chelsea will be able to hide Madison as her girlfriend from Bill now. He demanded respect from the Duprees. He's not invited to the champagne toasts before the party though. Instead, he's at the club with Ted who aims to drag out his divorce for as long as possible.
Grade: B
