Dani and Andre roll the dice and come to an agreement. Kat opens up to Chelsea about her confusing feelings for Tomas. Jacob unearths a secret that Derek wants to remain buried. In helping Samantha, Martin infuriates Smitty. One pair of lovers solidify their relationship while in Puerto Rico. Doug's night goes from bad to worse. Two major revelations rock Fairmont Crest, which causes Jacob to deliver some earth-shattering news. Nicole gets an update and consoles a friend. Leslie shocks Eva with a big gift.
Episode 1.134
Dani and Andre are fun in Las Vegas. They may not remember getting married. It's a blast watching them embark on this experience. It's the most joyous wedding ceremony on the show to date. The two prior moments had their fair share of soap opera theatrics as well. This time the viewer could actually delight in the celebration of the couple. The absurdity of Tamara Tunie playing Anita's Vegas impersonator was the perfect cherry on top. It's easy to imagine the instant regret coming. Right now, it's just great to bask in the hijinks of the moment. Dani and Andre clearly love each other. Even when they were more sober, they thought it would be fun to post pictures posing in front of a chapel. This was on their itinerary. It's unexpected because they follow through on the celebration. The family prepares for how reckless Dani will be. She wanted to let loose. Andre encourages that. They will be faced with their challenges as a couple. The energy they provide is precisely what the narrative needed to enliven the world. Other couples are stuck talking about the same issues. Right now, action is vital for Dani and Andre. As such, that invigorating sensation is infectious.
Back in Fairmont Crest, the family truly is committed to welcoming June amongst them. She is expecting to see Nicole as her therapist. Instead, she gets a loving ambush from Anita. She offers reassurance that her efforts will be rewarded. Everyone is fully supportive of her rehabilitation. Not everyone was kept up to date about her arrival in Samantha and Tyrell's lives. They acknowledge how they must let the children set the pace for healing. The family has experience with that. Chelsea is still skittish around people. She's the most comfortable when Kat arrives to talk about her disastrous date with Tomas. Once again, Kat is told she must communicate how she's feeling. She also must be willing to let go of the pressure she places on herself. Nicole sees her own failings in only viewing the idealistic side of Ted. She's been hit with the harsh reality. That sense of perfection led Kat to set unrealistic expectations for herself. Mother and daughter could have a meaningful conversation about that. The show just has to find the time to let that happen. It requires effort to do so. Time slipped by without Martin and Eva connecting. Only Eva sees how distraught Tomas is when he stops by. Some of these warnings are quite repetitive. However, the show still has a sense of discovery that invites the viewer in to examine closer.
Grade: B+
Episode 1.135
No one needs to know Dani and Andre got married. Ultimately, they accept that this happened. They will face the consequences together. They know the family will have opinions. They can't believe they were that reckless. It's startling when they realize they are in Las Vegas. They feared the worst would be losing a lot of money gambling. It takes a beat for them to get their bearings. It remains playful while never shying away from the truth. This action will dramatically change their lives. Andre worries how Nicole will respond. Dani wants to blame it all on the drink she named after Bill. With these characters though, they have a nice and relaxed dynamic. It's never too torturous. At the moment, no one should doubt how they feel about each other. It's apparent. It doesn't need some dramatic twist to pull them apart. In fact, the big thing pulls them closer together. That's something new. They have options moving forward too. Happiness is possible no matter what they choose. The level of respect makes that so.
The couples elsewhere are living in the drama. Smitty is furious that Martin let Samantha see June alone. He wasn't consulted at all. Martin lied to him again. All of his rage is specifically towards Martin. However, he lets out most of his anger towards June. She is genuinely good with advice for Samantha. Smitty only fears the worst. He's not going anywhere. He will be there to comfort Samantha no matter what. He doesn't trust June to not break her heart again. That has to be earned. Smitty isn't willing to let that happen. He was cut out of the decision-making. Similarly, Doug believes he can give in to his vices because Vanessa indulged in hers with Joey. It's self-destructive. That's when Joey swoops in to collect his prize. Vanessa agonizes over the decision to go to Puerto Rico with Joey. She ultimately agrees. She wants to break free with Joey. That's where her heart is. Meanwhile, Derek expects everyone to lie on his behalf. None of his excuses for deceiving Ashley about his recovery are valid. Jacob sees the miracle. He wants everyone to celebrate. He doesn't understand why not. He doesn't expose his friend's deception either. Jacob and Naomi want to be happy for Derek and Ashley. The red flags are too pronounced to ignore.
Grade: B
Episode 1.136
Even while away, Vanessa and Joey are never removed from the drama happening in Fairmont Crest. In fact, Joey is controlling a lot of it. He puts his plan into motion for dealing with Doug for good. He's frustrated by Vanessa's compassion for him. He doesn't believe Doug deserves it. The retired doctor has messed up constantly. And now, he threatens Joey's business. Doug has been warned for months about what Joey is capable of. Vanessa has as well. Yet she was drawn into the danger. She could handle herself because Joey was aroused by the situation too. Meanwhile, Doug is left behind to wallow in his misery. He's not the only character suffering that fate. Both Doug and Ted talk about the disillusionment that comes from the state of their marriages. It's all brought on by wedding rings. That's forced when it pertains to Naomi losing hers at Orphey Gene's. She's grateful June recognizes them and contacts her immediately. For Doug and Ted, it's a symbol of all they lost. It's too late for them to reclaim it too. Doug has his moments. He reflects on his poor decisions and craves Vanessa's support. Joey purposefully interrupts. He won't let anything derail his plans. He has given orders to Marcel. They must occur.
And so, Doug's fate is up in the air. Marcel got him drunk at the casino. Doug celebrated upon finally winning. Gambling never goes in his favor. He loses so much more than money. It could be his life next. He was never protected. He walked foolishly into this dangerous world. He could never escape. Joey is in Puerto Rico orchestrating all of this. Vanessa could draw the connections. Sometimes they are too obvious to ignore. She can't escape either. She is in too deep. It's still significant when she removes her wedding ring. It's more a reaction to Doug's latest outburst than true affection for Joey. It's complete manipulation. That's a constant theme. So many of these characters desperately grasp on to what they believe is happiness. In reality, they are being misled by those closest to them. Derek can't keep up his deceit forever. Ashley is blissfully unaware. Instead, she's charmed by him presenting her with the engagement ring again. It's awkward because they are still making adjustments. It's also strained because he isn't being honest with her. Meanwhile, Naomi makes a big deal about what her rings mean to her. Jacob doesn't really care. He's not particularly engaged. That's concerning. Similarly, it's a bit random having Ted and June interact when they don't know the other's significance in the family. It's mostly convenient for the episode to get its overall message across.
Grade: B
Episode 1.137
Doug is dead. Marcel staged the scene to look like an accident. He monitors Jacob as he writes up the report. It's nothing more than a tragic and foolish accident. Doug died because he drove drunk. Jacob's gut says it's more than that. Those instincts have usually served him well. He doesn't have much to show for it though. He knows when there is more to the story. Actually proving it has been challenging. This is the second time Marcel has killed for Joey. The investigation into Kenneth's murder has been dropped. It was a mugging gone wrong. The Duprees are protected. They hate to be indebted to Joey. That was the price of making Martin's mess go away. And now, Joey decides to do the same with Doug. He orchestrated it all. He gaslights Vanessa to ensure she continues leaning on him for support. It's perfectly reasonable for her to suggest he was responsible for Doug's murder. He whisked her away to Puerto Rico and was constantly on his phone conducting business. He was pointedly antagonistic towards Doug. He claims he would never do anything to hurt Vanessa. He did precisely that hoping to win in the long run. He eliminated the one thing holding her back from being with him for good. She's emotionally raw. She needs support. Joey provides that. He shouldn't be the only one doing so. The rest of the Fairmont Crest community is simply distracted by Dani and Andre's wedding.
Nicole views the nuptials between her sister and her nephew as reckless. It is the latest outrageous thing Dani has done in response to personal drama. It's exhausting. Nicole is vicious to Andre. Everyone expected better of him. Dani was susceptible to bad ideas. Andre and Dani entered the pact together. Their relationship is strong because they understand one another. It's sensible to pursue an annulment. They aren't ready for marriage. They want to spare the family from the blowback of this news. They can't control the narrative. The Anita impersonator was eager to post evidence of the latest ceremony she conducted. Moreover, Bill flies into a rage of jealousy upon learning the news. He's just as emotionally volatile as Dani is. In fact, Dani remains aroused by that energy. She still gets a rise out of her ex-husband. She belittles his marriage to Hayley. He expects that to be treated as real. He can't accept that Dani has moved on. He believed she would be under his thrall forever. He demands an explanation. He doesn't get one. Seeing that reaction provokes Dani to further play into the marriage. It's not healthy. She's doing it to enrage Bill. She has fun doing that. The harm isn't contained to him though. Nicole feels just as devastated and betrayed. She should direct that to her sister and not her nephew.
Grade: B+
Episode 1.138
Obviously, Doug's death is more devastating to the Fairmont Crest community than Dani and Andre's marriage. However, both stories continue to be placed on equal footing. Ashley and Shanice are reeling from the news about Doug when Andre stops by. He wants to tell Ashley about his marriage before she hears it from someone else. He's too late. It becomes a selfish impulse where both characters are trying to justify their recent actions. They don't belief each other either. They doubt their sincerity. It's easier to accept Andre's position because Derek is lying. He's asking Jacob to go along with the deceit for months. He wants a big spectacle of being able to walk at his wedding. He wants it to be a surprise. That doesn't establish love and trust though. Jacob sees that clearly. He argues with Derek about it. Derek wants others to accept his selfish decision. That may ultimately push all of his friends away. He doesn't thrive when left alone. That may be the position he finds himself in because of his own selfish actions. He doesn't have a good reason for the lie. He's trying to convince himself it's more than just a test of Ashley's loyalty. The show has put in the work to make these dynamics work. They just don't operate on the same wavelength as everyone learning about Doug's death. That deserves the priority at the moment.
Vanessa calls Nicole for support upon returning home. That highlights the strength of their friendship. Nicole doesn't know much about the state of Vanessa and Doug's marriage leading up to the accident or Vanessa's partnership with Joey. She's still willing to drop everything to support her friend in her time of need. She has concerns. That's apparent. She sees how close Vanessa and Joey are. It's more than just sympathy for Doug's death. Nicole has the outside perspective to call it out. That's a conversation for later. Right now, Nicole needs to drive Vanessa to her children to share the bad news. That's all that matters. They can't ponder what could have been if they took different actions. This is their reality. They have to face it head on. Nicole ensures Vanessa doesn't have to do so alone. That's a good friend. But again, that's not the only story of the episode. Elsewhere, Leslie sells her apartment to Eva. She conveniently doesn't share that she's moving Peaches in as well. That will allow the two of them to get to know each other better. Eva has yearned for that connection to her past. It hardly breaks her free of her dependence on other people. Leslie keeps that cycle intact while suggesting she's offering something new and more genuine.
Grade: B
