A meeting between Hayley and a new client at the firm hints at a shared past. Vernon seeks out Andre's help. Anita keeps a secret from her family. Kat and Tomas disagree about what's best for his future. Leslie calls on Naomi for help with a new endeavor. Izaiah's decision leaves Elon surprised. Nicole and Carlton's indoor date heats up. Dani and Bill reminisce about their past, while Anita helps Andre open up about his own. Sharon and Tracy arrive to support Anita in her time of need. Leslie and Peaches have a bonding moment.
Episode 1.190
Vernon's political connections assured him Martin would face a primary challenger. However, it appears a spur of the moment decision leads Joey to ask Bill to be that candidate. It's helpful for it to be a familiar face. That would allow Bill and Martin to clash in new ways. Bill isn't looking to shake up his life. He's listening to Hayley's advice about cutting back at work. He doesn't have any reason to be resentful of the Duprees. He laughs at the suggestion. The more immediate concern comes from the arrival of Hayley's former partner Lynette. She arrives at the firm seeking legal counsel. She could expose Hayley as the fraud she is. Hayley must meet with Randy immediately. She hasn't fallen in love with Bill. She's ready for this con to be over. Yet she knows the threat Lynette's presence poses. She must be more careful now. It can't be a coincidence that she suddenly appeared. Every action must be purposeful. That's how the narrative operates. As such, it wouldn't be surprising when Bill decides to run for office with Joey's backing. Otherwise, this particular plot is completely unnecessary.
Nicole warns Martin not to do anything that would purposefully antagonize Joey. It's too late for that. He returned the check. More of his colleagues have done the same. It's not because he convinced them. They would rather work to strengthen anti-money laundering laws instead of looking out for his interests. Martin is fully in campaign mode. He feels invigorated to engage with his community. He wants his family close. They are each living separate lives though. That's why they weren't at WinterFest. They were all busy. That excuse comes after the fact. It arrives at the latest instance of Nicole empathizing with Eva despite knowing how angry it makes Kat. Martin sees the nuance even though he has a relationship with Eva too. He aims to prioritize family. That's so important. Everyone is reflecting on that. Vernon is concerned about Andre still having his own condo. He expects his daughters to have the same love he found with Anita. Their marriage isn't perfect. They are both keeping secrets. Asking Andre for help with the Christmas gift is more transparent than whatever is going on with Sharon. Meanwhile, Anita has a biopsy on her breast and doesn't tell anyone. She faces all of those emotions and uncertainty on her own. That's heartbreaking considering how much everyone loves her. She can't allow herself to be vulnerable.
Grade: B
Episode 1.191
Anita can't keep a secret from her family. Yet that's precisely what she has chosen to do. Vernon and Dani recognize that something's on her mind. She provides excuses. Dani trusts her instincts. The audience is aware of the secret. Anita is living in the unknown. She must wait for days until her test results come back. She asks Dani to look out for Vernon should anything happen to her. Dani would obviously do so. This has been a crazy year. The family always steps up for one another. They don't need to be asked to respond that way. In fact, they expect it from one another no matter what. That's triggered Kat's identity crisis. She doesn't want to lose who she is in order to appease others. She applies that sensibly in her relationship. She refuses to change for a man. Her family has expected her to get in line regarding Eva. She hasn't done so. That risks alienating her. She fears disappointing others. She expects Tomas to want to talk about moving in again. Instead, she voices her concerns over how he idolizes Bill. She tries to protect him. He's invested too much time and effort to change paths now. He's all in with Bill. This conversation probably could have come sooner in their relationship. It's a little random. It showcases how Kat may be destined to follow in Dani's footsteps because she loves a man devoted to embarking on a difficult path.
At Uptown, Hayley is trying to get a read on Lynette's intentions. Their reunion can't be a coincidence. She's likely guilty of the embezzlement charges against her. Lynette declares her innocence. Her past crimes are simply catching up to her. She is being held responsible for something. She's facing real punishment. Meanwhile, her former partner is happily in love. She has the perfect life. Hayley gave up her schemes to embrace something real. She was rewarded for it. Hayley refuses to ever break. Randy is the only person she trusts. She lets her guard down around him. She's disappointed when he causes problems. She faces all of it no matter how exhausting it's gotten over the year. Lynette recognizes the pattern. The two refuse to drop their guards. As such, any scenario is possible. It's something new and exciting. Meanwhile, the tortured conversation between Vanessa and Joey has been played out numerous times already. Vanessa calls out the pattern. Nothing fundamentally changes. She talks about how committed she is. She expects more from Joey. He tempers her expectations. He shifts the focus back to her children. He doesn't really know them. Yet he uses them as a reason for why she shouldn't blow up her life after Doug's death. No real decisions are made. And so, the entire story has stalled out.
Grade: B-
Episode 1.192
Both Jacob and Eva push Izaiah to mend things with Elon. Yet Jacob is adamant that Eva is dangerous. His brother shouldn't get close to her. Izaiah doesn't listen. However, he goes to his father with a promise to show up for Christmas. Elon frames the conversation around Izaiah disappointing his mother. These two are the ones with the true tension. That has to be carefully navigated. Izaiah yearns for a better upbringing without pressure from his father. Elon wants appreciation for all he did to keep Izaiah out of trouble. They are both stubborn. Jacob calls it out. The amount of conversations had suggest the family is capable of healing. It's not delusional like Ted's incessant claims that his daughters can get along. That translates perfectly to his gift for Shanice. He truly believes that people spending time with what annoys them will allow their feelings to change. That's how things have played out with Leslie. Her constant presence wore him down even when everyone else sees her as rude. She's a criminal who belongs behind bars. She doesn't deserve forgiveness. She can't be viewed differently. Ted's mindset has changed. He expects everyone to behave that way too. They aren't built like that. As such, it may doom his relationship with Shanice before it delves into something more.
That's in contrast to the happiness Nicole is exploring with Carlton. They've danced around each other. They've made plans and cancelled. They have too much history to risk things not working out romantically. They needed to throw caution to the wind and explore what they could have together. Removing that tension and fear is freeing. Their date is simple and charming. The drama comes from Nicole being presented with options. She had untapped potential with Carlton. Things could develop with Kial as well. She enjoys the freedom of seeing what will happen. That carefree attitude is appreciated in this particular context. It's not always appropriate. That's not really an issue here. It's noteworthy though. It's important to recognize who champions their community and who is pursuing their own interests. Leslie has taken the free clinic idea. She doesn't care who thought of it. She expects her money to be good enough to make this project a reality. Naomi understands she'll go bankrupt before the doors open. Leslie wants total control. That's how she lives her life. No one should really be surprised. In fact, it's more annoying that people continue to support her. Naomi takes the meeting as if Leslie is any other potential client.
Grade: B-
Episode 1.193
The show has purposefully shown Dani and Bill in the early years of their marriage. Younger actors were cast. It's designed around the two reminiscing over what they once had together. That's nothing particularly new. The added element of flashbacks is meant to intensify the feelings. Their bond becomes more prominent even while they profess to be happy in their current marriages. It all suggests their reunion is inevitable. Their connection is impossible to ignore. Dani is reasonable when she tells Bill not to romanticize the past. They have to move forward. They each made their choices. They can't fix what happened. Instead, they have to commit to the paths they're on. Dani's relationship with Andre isn't inherently bad. In fact, it's genuinely moving as people support him as he misses his parents. He's been accepted into the Dupree family fully. That's displayed by Anita and Vernon offering him their love. They are there for him when he needs it the most. They provided that once to Bill. Everything changed when he left Dani. That trust can't easily be rebuilt. He seeks out that happiness again. He believes having a baby with Hayley will reignite those emotions. That's not what she wants. She's provided him with lies. She expects his imminent death. He imagines a future. He wants to build it. He doesn't care what the other person wants. That's how he always operates. Only learning the truth will truly humble him. That may not happen soon as Hayley is distracted by Lynette.
Leslie and Marcel are trying to play each other. The narrative is upfront about that. She knows he was hired to look after her at WinterFest. She questions his motives. She aims to lure him in to become her source on the force. She needs protection. He offers to walk away if his intentions are deceitful. He's a smooth operator. They pretend to be transparent. Everything culminates in a kiss. They aren't capable of anything real. Progress occurs. That's fascinating. It also plays into the idea that everyone is sentimental around the holidays. Leslie's emotional about only ever loving Ted throughout her entire life. She's scorned because he has never appreciated her. Meanwhile, Vernon and Anita declare their love anew while recalling the first day they met. That enhances the sentimental value of the Christmas gift Vernon has planned. Everything was set in motion during that march. Now, they will be tested once more as Anita's health remains in limbo. She gives herself to others. She can't hide her own pain. She's interrupted before asking for help herself.
Grade: B
Episode 1.194
Tracy and Sharon are the only people Anita confides in about her biopsy. She needed to share the news. She didn't want to worry her family until the diagnosis was confirmed. That occurs at the conclusion of the episode. She has breast cancer. Dr. Ahn wanted to tell her in person. When that's happening, Sharon calls Vernon about another visit. Even during this stressful time, she wants to see him. The payoff to this secret must be immaculate. If not, then it won't justify the amount of time spent on it. That's especially true given this sudden turn in the story. Everyone was hoping for the best. But now, Anita will face the prospect of an uncertain future. She can't bear to think of a life without Vernon. They are constantly together. Vernon can't even fathom having his own space away from her. He understands that it works for Dani and Andre. That's not what would make him happy in his marriage. He also encourages Andre. He lifts up his talents and celebrates them when they make a magical moment occur. Andre having Anita and Vernon as an example of a loving and strong couple makes him even more committed in his own marriage. That's such a meaningful moment. One where he strives to be the best he can be. No one expects perfection. Anita and Vernon don't meet that standard. The family will need to lean on each other unlike ever before.
Life threatens to go into turmoil before Anita shares her news. Leslie tells Ted about Vernon having an affair with Sharon. He's speechless. He can't believe it. Leslie weaponizes the news in the hopes of getting others to accept her place in this community. They don't have to do so. She's rude and demanding. She makes everyone else the problem. She dismisses their concerns. She doesn't want them to express an opinion about her. She's off in her own world where only what she wants matters. She wants Ted to love her. She wants the family to accept her. That's impossible because of the damage she has caused. She takes no responsibility in that. Ted doesn't either. He speaks in a passive voice about his divorce. Nicole doesn't do much better. She recognizes that she must be sensitive around Kat about her dating life. She's also disappointed when Carlton isn't immediately available to attend Dani and Andre's party. He has a life that isn't completely associated with hers. She must make her own way in the world without someone by her side all the time. That's what she had with Ted. It was all an illusion.
Grade: B
