Nicole's date takes her by surprise. Leslie tells Marcel there's a looming scandal that could rock Fairmont Crest. Anita reluctantly shows Bill some grace. Chelsea and Kat discuss their rocky romantic relationships, while Joey and Vanessa clash over theirs. Bill's collapse grips Hayley with fear. Dani serves as a sounding board for her niece. Martin tries to make amends with his sister. Eva gets an earful from Laura. The Hawthornes struggle to repair a broken connection. Shanice offers Ted some food and friendship.
Episode 1.185
WinterFest had weeks of buildup. It takes a lot of work for Anita to make this event happen. Because of that intense focus, the audience had plenty of expectations heading into the event. Everything ultimately goes smoothly. The biggest drama came before the night started. Kat announced she wouldn't attend. She didn't think her absence would be noted. It's not. She and Tomas discuss moving in together. She isn't ready. She insists their relationship remains solid. She's grateful he's there for her. However, he has to attend WinterFest for the networking opportunities. That leaves Kat and Joey on the outside looking in. Nothing dramatic happens there though. Kat expresses her gratitude. Joey doesn't cause any drama. He and Marcel worry about Vanessa. She's getting drunk to cope with rejection. She has friends looking out for her. They make sure she gets home safely. That's all they can do because she refuses to admit she has a problem. He's being smart. She isn't. That's the tension between them. She's stuck in a world that admonishes what he does. She doesn't feel like she fits in anymore. This is the best event Anita has ever put on. Everyone praises her for that. It's a magical evening. One that avoids the pitfalls that could doom all that careful work.
Leslie doesn't cause any problems at WinterFest. She attends. She makes her presence as a sponsor known. She expects Laura to work for her. Anita gave Laura and Mona the night off. They deserve time to bask in the celebration too. People want to protect Laura. It's horrifying that Leslie hasn't been punished. She's more powerful than ever. Marcel is keeping an eye on her. He gets distracted but not enough to disrupt this night. Moreover, Vernon doesn't come clean about his secret with Sharon. Instead, he sings his wife's praises. Everyone champions what Anita has accomplished. She frets about her speech. Nicole did previously. Those moments aren't seen. Bill and Dani handling the auction isn't either. It's all meant to be inferred. Dani is happier than she has ever been. She isn't constantly worrying about Bill. She's secure in a marriage where she doesn't have to fear the worst. Bill has regrets. He doesn't collapse though. He leaves Hayley on her own. She complains about the Duprees once again. It doesn't cause any true dysfunction. Everyone is allowed to have a happy and celebratory evening. Sure, it's strange how Martin and his family's absences aren't mentioned whatsoever. At least Chelsea is given a cold to explain why she is missing. Everything is pleasant if not truly fulfilling all that the drama has teased over the last few weeks.
Grade: B+
Episode 1.186
Bill has a follow-up appointment with Madison. Everything's fine. One cup of tea later, he's passed out at the office. Hayley is the only witness. That makes the situation even more precarious than if his big event happened at WinterFest. There, he would have been surrounded by people capable of rendering first aid. With just Hayley, his death is the outcome she desires. She freaks out over what the tests could reveal. Randy assures her the poison can't be detected. Their scheme may fail because Joey knows Randy is meeting with Hayley. Plus, she opts to increase the dosage in what became the final tea. Chelsea thought her father had another stroke when Madison mentioned seeing him as her patient. She reassured her that everything was fine. It's not. Bill's life isn't the only one in danger. Anita receives a concerning phone call about more tests from her doctor. Something has been caught. It's just a tease. It's the inevitable development given how much attention her appointments have gotten as of late. The results shared with Nicole weren't the extent of her visits. Moreover, the situation provides Anita and Bill with a chance to talk at the hospital. She sees him clearly whether he wants to admit the truth or not.
More misdirection plays out with Vernon as it initially seems like he wants to meet Sharon at his home while Anita is out. That's not true. He plans a surprise for his wife. He wants to celebrate what she pulled off with WinterFest. This is his gesture of appreciation. It's a moment they take to recommit their love. Their relationship started everything. They are proud of what they've built. The bond they have together remains strong. He puts all this effort in. It may be love bombing her to prepare for the pending betrayal. He just doesn't seem like that kind of guy no matter how hard the show tries to suggest otherwise. He wouldn't cheat on Anita. That has always felt true. Leslie is thrilled by the potential scandal. She misreads things too. The love and attention depicted in this moment between Vernon and Anita proves otherwise. It's still disrupted by a phone call. That changes everything. Those big moments are happening as the season builds to a close. Vanessa is a drunken mess once more over Joey not fighting for their relationship. Then, he appears at the country club to make a scene. She thinks their romance will legitimize his image as a businessman. The people at the club will likely know better given she's been trying to seduce them with escorts lately.
Grade: B+
Episode 1.187
Hayley got exactly what she wanted. Bill collapsed. Instead of celebrating, she panicked. She brought him back to life. It only took one slap to the face. As such, it's unlikely this event would have been fatal. This apparently wasn't the plan she wanted. She had to improvise. She needed to offer a valid reason for why this happened. Bill explains that it was because he hadn't eaten. He was fasting for his lab work. At the office, he only drank the tea. That made everything more potent. It was a dramatic situation. Everything quickly bounces back to normal. Bill suggests an even more extensive workup to ease Hayley's fears about life without him. She doesn't want that. She wants Bill to die so she can inherit millions of dollars. That's the end result. This story provides her the opportunity to respond. This is how she would behave should the situation play out how she wanted. This was the narrative fulfilling that plot point. It was unlikely Bill would die given how prominent he is in the story. Hayley's been poisoning him for weeks though. That's very concerning. Her failing right now would suggest a turning point in the story. This exact situation is unlikely to play out again. That still requires more of an explanation for why this moment wasn't good enough for her.
Elsewhere, it's truly liberating to see someone offer compassion to Kat. Everyone expects her to be the good daughter and sister. She has to abide by the family and not create any issues. Martin even recognizes her righteous indignation. He doesn't defend her to her face. He believes he's only playing one side of the argument to help Ted see things differently. He's not on Kat's side. No one seems to be. Dani is. Their conversation starts off talking about Tomas. Kat is hesitant about moving in. She's cautious. She's weary of the world. She wishes to protect herself. It's risky to put herself out there. She sees a future with Tomas. She found a way to forgive him. She doesn't extend that same grace to Eva. She never will. No one expects Dani to be accepting of Hayley. Dani understands the power of holding onto a grudge. She respects it. Kat has a champion in her corner. It's about time. Her parents should be in this position. They aren't. That's unfortunate. It leaves Kat feeling alone while the rest of her family are exploring fun new possibilities. Martin is at least committed to prioritizing his family during the campaign. Smitty and the kids are skeptical. He continues to say the right things at least. Nicole and Ted are still largely dumbfounded as to why Kat simply won't do what they want.
Grade: B-
Episode 1.188
So many people have told Kat she has changed. Her animosity towards Eva isn't healthy or productive. She listens to the people she cares about. She reflects. She wonders if she truly is in the wrong. She isn't. Her family are trying to make her accept Eva even though her half-sister has been complicit in Leslie's schemes. Everyone wants to give Eva the benefit of the doubt. She did whatever her mother wanted. Eva uses growing up with a single mom as an explanation for every attack against her. Laura remains terrified. She fears Leslie constantly. Eva aims to make the situation about herself. Laura accepts that Eva isn't like her mother. She shares that the Duprees hired Marcel to protect her. That information is used to Leslie's benefit immediately. Marcel tries to charm incriminating information out of Leslie. Now, Leslie knows that. She hopes to get her hooks into the detective. She wants someone on the force looking out for her. She wants as much influence in Fairmont Crest as the Duprees. That means controlling the police and using charity work to appear noble. Eva helps her every step of the way. She insists her mother is improving. Leslie hasn't changed. Eva finds reason to coddle her no matter what. Sometimes, she has awareness about Leslie's antics. Other times, she's choosing to be in the dark. She lacks self-awareness and respect. That makes her just as dangerous.
Kat isn't the problem. Martin apologizes. He acknowledges that he was taking his disappointment with Samantha out on his sister. He hasn't prioritized their bond as siblings. Making time for family during the campaign means being there for Kat. He helps her process her feelings about Tomas. She's reluctant to move in. Tomas is receiving all the signs that he should be moving faster. He has to lock down this relationship to make partner. Bill demands stability. His advice is stern but fair. It also reinforces his view of relationships as prizes to be won. They enhance a story that can be sold to clients. He hasn't become a romantic. He's just worried about the image this creates. He's protective of his niece upon seeing Tomas interact with Eva. He doesn't know the full extent of their troubled history. He knows to issue a warning nevertheless. Tomas may take all the wrong lessons. Kat chooses to prioritize herself. That's what she wants with Martin. This advice needed to be heard. Similarly, Derek needed to be told he can't be friends with Ashley if he secretly hopes she'll fall back in love with him. It's manipulative all over again. It dooms any potential with Sheryl that could also damage his family at work. Jacob is suddenly profound after going to therapy.
Grade: B
Episode 1.189
What exactly do these characters want? So many seem indecisive. They are happy one moment. Then, they find reasons to be disappointed. Sometimes, they have meaningful conversations. When the same topics are brought up again with someone else, they falter. It's weird. Kat had clarity when talking with Martin. Their relationship is on the mend. She wants to take things slow with Tomas. She doesn't want to rush into anything. He's ready to move in. She suddenly can't properly express herself without hurting him. She knows she can be a handful. That will inevitably create more problems. That's especially true with her feelings towards Eva. Tomas doesn't like that. They would appear if they were together all the time. Kat hasn't had a change of heart. She doesn't want this to be a fight again. She knows it will be. Tomas only sees perfection. He feels pressured to speed things up. He's not listening to her concerns. Of course, it's all rather boring. As such, no intrigue comes from the situation. The same is true with Naomi and Jacob. They haven't had sex since the pregnancy scare. They are intimidated by homework. They are meant to connect. It feels like too much pressure. Jacob creates a romantic scene. It doesn't suddenly change things. It requires time for the two of them to get back into their groove. That's all understandable. When Naomi expresses it though, it feels like a tortured plot point meant to keep them apart until the final moment of reunion.
Eva and Leslie are committed to the free clinic. They want to hire Vanessa immediately. They haven't thought about any of the logistics. They don't know what this endeavor will entail. Leslie expects to throw money at every situation. That will make everything work out. She's reckless with her fortune. Yet they still pump each other up over how they get what they want. They no longer have any concerns about the threats to their freedom. That's strange. The narrative wants to paint them in a flattering light. Meanwhile, Vanessa is surprised someone wants to hire her as a realtor. She was distracted by her new business. She celebrates her relationship with Joey being public. She still demands more from him. He has boundaries. He doesn't want to get married again. She's still grieving Doug. Everything happens so quickly. She doesn't want someone to protect her. She's also a mess when she doesn't get what she wants. Joey satisfied her at the club with a kiss. That's not enough to keep their spark burning. It's one messy situation. One that was already complicated. He has always been the master manipulator. It's difficult to buy into the genuine affection. It's all headed to disaster. Vanessa has the most to lose largely because her expectations are out of whack. That's been true for awhile. Nothing has really changed.
Grade: C+
