Anita and Vernon struggle to accept their new normal. Leslie courts Joey with a scandalous offer. Kenny Lattimore sings for New Year's Eve. The Dupree sisters receive heart-wrenching news. Ted and Shanice's friendship takes a turn. Nicole delivers devastating info to Kat and Martin. Dani demands Bill's attention. Dani supports Vernon as Bill offers unsolicited advice to Anita. Tomas comforts a secretive Kat while Martin shares all with Smitty. Ted surprises his daughter with his stance on the matter at hand.
Episode 1.198
Vernon recognizes whenever Anita is trying to carry something all by herself. He's there for her to relieve some of that pressure. She can share everything with him. She's absolutely terrified. She fears cancer will kill her. She's suddenly losing control. The disease will dictate her life for the foreseeable future. That will determine when she tells the family. She wanted time to process. She wanted nothing but joy during the holidays. Now, reality is hitting her. Vernon is there for all of it. He needs to keep everything together. He's afraid too. They've overcome the odds many times throughout their lives. They are proud of where they are. This is a new obstacle. One they will have to fight in new ways. They will combat it with the same vigor and stubbornness as they've done with everything in the past. That may not be enough. It's hard to see a port as tool to fight. It makes the process seem mechanical. Anita can't appreciate any part of this journey. She doesn't want to lose herself. Her family will never forget who she is. Cancer can't take that away. The fear of the unknown is prominent right now.
The emotional power that comes from Anita's cancer battle overwhelms the rest of the narrative. In fact, it's quite silly to watch Dani and Vanessa fight for the same man. It's so trivial. It highlights how they promise different things. They remain friends who support one another. Dani refuses to accept Joey. She makes space for Vanessa's relationship with him. Vanessa schemes. Dani is a good friend. She's there for Nicole when she needs support as well. Of course, these characters largely care too much about each other's sex lives. It's at least playful between Dani and Nicole. With Leslie and Eva, it's just weird. It's yet another way for Leslie to take credit for what other people are doing. She aims to bask in that glow no matter what. She needs to insert herself into every situation. She presents Joey with an offer. She knows his influence and connections can make the clinic happen. Vanessa wants to rehabilitate his image too. Joey presents as a passive passenger. He's along for the ride. That's not like him at all. He listens to Vanessa. That's the influence she has. That's significant in the case she ever discovers the deception that resulted in Doug's death.
Grade: B+
Episode 1.199
The narrative has done a solid job in setting expectations with Anita's cancer. It's an aggressive form of the disease. It was caught early enough to treat. It has a high rate of recurrence. Black women are more likely to get it. Anita was the one facing cancer. However, the whole family is in this fight together. They put on brave faces to support their matriarch. Their lives are potentially at risk too. Another part of her medical workup was genetic testing. Anita learns she carries the gene that makes her more susceptible to certain cancers. That means its possible she passed it down to her daughters and grandchildren. The family has tools to be proactive with this news. Right now, it's simply shocking to learn how fast this is all moving. Anita will be starting the new year with surgery. She didn't want to ruin the New Year's Eve celebration for her daughters. There was simply no way to prevent that. She sits down with Nicole and Dani to share the news. Vernon fills Andre in. He expects Andre to be there for Dani when her parents no longer can. He's proud that Dani has a husband who will support her like she deserves. Dani still plans to tell Bill before their daughters so he's available for them. The camera lingers on Andre when she makes that declaration.
It was expected to be devastating when Nicole and Dani learn what their mother has been going through. They hold strong for her. At Dani's home after, the emotions hit them. Nicole completely forgot about her date with Carlton. She was championing being a new woman in the new year. Now, she's left painfully alone. Dani has Andre. Nicole only has a burden. They are tasked with informing their families. The rest of the world is celebrating. They aren't aware of the devastation that lurks within Fairmont Crest's most prominent family. Chelsea makes way for romance. It inspires Jacob and Naomi to take action. It should be fascinating to see which of these New Year's resolutions given to others comes true this year. It sets an agenda for Naomi, Jacob, Ashley and Derek. However, Ashley and Ted are still obviously miserable. Ashley puts on a brave face while Ted wallows in it. They claim to be turning corners. Ted plans to move out of the hotel. It's more intriguing when he kisses Shanice when the clock strikes midnight. The story was moving in that direction. He took action. That's a step up from simply allowing life to happen hoping things will turn his way. That's been his holding pattern ever since his affair was revealed.
Grade: B+
Episode 1.200
Nicole told Martin and Kat about Anita's cancer. Dani didn't tell Naomi and Chelsea. Instead, Anita and Vernon had to break the news all over again. It's exhausting. Cancer has come to define all of their lives. They don't know how to cope. They all have different reactions. They each have the responsibility of sharing the news. Its complexities have an impact on all of them. There is no wrong way to deliver or accept this news. Dani tells Bill first because she wants him to support their daughters. It's annoying how Hayley rolls her eyes at the situation. She's only interested in herself. She's upset that an emotional ploy is taking Bill away from her. She doesn't acknowledge the duties he has to his family elsewhere. They remain important even though his daughters are grown. He knows how to ease the situation when Naomi and Chelsea are upset with Dani. They had to stumble upon the conversation. Vernon tried to protect Anita. The girls are too smart to leave. The intense talk of genetic testing guarantees more members of the family will be diagnosed with the variant. When that occurs, it's necessary to delve into the nuances of that.
Kat doesn't want to get tested. She has unconditional love and support for Anita. She wants Nicole to test negative. She doesn't want her life to have cancer looming over it. She's overwhelmed in this situation. It may be too much information for her to process fully. It may be her pattern of refusing to do what others demand of her. She may change her mind. It's a demand from the rest of the family. Their heartbroken over her refusal. Nicole views Kat as her miracle baby. That hasn't exactly helped her connect with her daughter. She doesn't know how to talk to her. Instead, she always relies on Ted having the stronger connection. Kat was wanted more than anything. Nicole can't lose her. That also requires consideration for her feelings and who she actually is. This is such an emotional episode. One where everyone wants to drop everything to rally around Anita. She appreciates that. She's also at peace with whatever outcome occurs. The family knows the truth. It was complicated and messy delivering the message. She has no regrets. She's proud of the strong family she has built. She knows they will survive and endure even if she doesn't. No one wants to think that. Reflection allows Anita to recognize it though.
Grade: A
Episode 2.001
Vernon knows how to be strong and supportive. He doesn't know how to fight cancer. He's terrified of losing Anita. He must be by her side throughout this entire ordeal. Dani provides him the space to release his emotions. It's such a moving role reversal. Vernon once again felt compelled to question Dani's relationship with Bill. They have more intimacy than an average divorced couple. Dani assures him she is solid in her marriage with Andre. She will lean on him during this crisis. She needed Bill to be there for Naomi and Chelsea. Moreover, she can't leave before having this conversation with her father. Martin saw it too. Vernon has barely keeping it together. He had to put on a brave face. He couldn't lose control while Anita is the one facing cancer. That emotional burnout is risky. Dani recognizes he would continue this behavior. He would remain strong. He doesn't have to be that for her. She can take whatever he must get out. She's not his little girl who needs to be protected. She's a strong, independent woman. He's comfortable with her. It's so emotionally devastating and grueling. This arc runs the risk of overwhelming the entire narrative. It changes everything for the family. Yet it provided this week with such a solid focus that built off a season of developments. That's unlikely to change anytime soon too.
Anita's cancer battle highlights which relationships are reliable. That's especially true with Dani and Vernon. It's surprising when Bill offers Anita advice. He tells her to be as selfish as she wants to be. She shouldn't be afraid of accepting help. She doesn't need to prove she can do it on her own. She isn't helpless. She isn't weak for needing help. So many people are willing to offer it. She should be willing to accept that with grace. It's such a powerful insight from Bill. He's so much more than a domineering lawyer. His intentions are pure. He has great affection for the Duprees despite the pain he caused. They will never forget that. They are quick to remind him. They also listen when he drops this wisdom. Meanwhile, Kat will only allow herself to be so vulnerable with Tomas. It's not because she's ignoring the genetic testing. He finds out from Bill about that aspect. It takes a lot for her to open up. Ted promises to listen when she's willing to share her fears. She doesn't do so now. Pushing for more will only make her more resolute in her refusal. She needs time to process. She doesn't have anyone to share that burden. Her family believes she's acting foolishly. Ted's perspective has more nuance. He's stepping up as a father. All of this doesn't need to happen right now. The implications suggest a make-or-break moment. That creates the tantalizing drama.
Grade: A-
