Anita's in dire straits so Vernon reaches out to an unlikely source for help. Nicole updates Dani on a recent milestone. Kat gets an eyeful. Andre has a romantic surprise for Dani. Leslie sets a trap. Vernon gets kicked out of the house. Jacob and Elon clash. Ashley referees an altercation between Derek and Grayson. Bill's attempt to reminisce with Vernon is met with disdain. Bill gets some strange lab results. Anita is horrified by a loss. Eva's confrontation with Kat leads to trouble with Izaiah.
Episode 2.016
Anita collapsed due to a loss of fluids following chemo. She regained consciousness before Vernon could call an ambulance. He wasn't sure if she was still breathing. She refuses to go to the hospital. She's more concerned about the gossip within the community. She doesn't want news of her cancer to spread to those who wish to harm her family. She doesn't want to provide Leslie with the satisfaction. Her health is all that matters to Vernon. He can't bare losing her. It's a possibility. She needs him to grapple with that. He can't be the only one looking out for her. He thinks Sharon must have missed something. That's the only change from the previous visit. He trusted her with Anita's care. She let him down. This is entirely how Anita's body responded. No one is responsible. Vernon lashes out because all of his fears became real. He experienced the trauma of losing his wife. She returned. He reaches out to Ted to replenish her fluids. Anita tests her limits. She pushed herself before. She remains adamant about letting her loved ones in. She needs to be surrounded by them. They would rally around Vernon if she died. She must lean on them now for that support. She recognizes that. She wants to set the terms for how she battles this disease. That's frustrating for those who love her. She can't be removed from the decision making.
Kat is stunned to discover Ted and Shanice on a date. She didn't know they were seeing each other. He made a point in telling Eva. He promised never to lie to her again. He believes being honest is the only way for that relationship to work. He's full of love. Meanwhile, Eva tells her mother. Shanice is more than capable of handling Leslie. Kat walks away with that reassurance. She was surprised but ultimately happy. She didn't have time to apologize to her father for being upset about her personal life being shared with Eva. She still remains the one putting in the most effort though. She shows up for him while others largely reach out for what he provides. That's a key distinction. Even Nicole misses the connection they once shared. She was satisfied by Carlton. Sex was amazing. It was also different. She's not ready to commit to anything more serious. She may force herself to get out there instead of sitting in the loneliness of her home. Dani is happy for her. Yet she too is playing a dangerous game with Bill. Tomas promises not to share his boss' personal business. However, he wants guarantees that his career trajectory won't implode because he has hitched himself to Bill. That certainty can't be promised. Bill is all too eager to get wrapped up in the past just like Dani.
Grade: B
Episode 2.017
The last year has been more rough on Chelsea than she previously let on. Her wanting to take drugs was more than relief over testing negative for the BRCA gene. She wanted to feel free again. She saw this as the only avenue worth pursuing. She doesn't want to be controlled by anyone. Madison only sees the dangers. She sees the recklessness. This entire story showcases a lot of immaturity from Chelsea. She has endured a lot. That means some of this behavior can be forgiven. She's being honest with her feelings. They aren't coming across how she expected. That surprises her. She believes opposites attract. That's why she and Madison make such a good couple. They've only been clashing recently. They view the world differently. Each perspective is valid. Madison knows the proposal comes from a place of fear. It's not an expression of love. Chelsea doesn't want to lose her. That may be the consequence of wanting more freedom. She needs the time to explore that. Madison doesn't need that. She's frightened by it. A lot of changes have happened. People must adapt. It's scary. That's especially true when they've depended on the other person for some much. Madison has the wisdom to walk away while Kat has the sense to listen to Tomas about not interrupting her mother's date with Kial.
Elsewhere, one manipulation works while another falls flat all over again. Vanessa believes she successfully handled the situation with Lance and Lolly. She warns Lolly about the dip in her social standing if her husband is arrested for assault. She's proud of herself. In reality, Joey threatened Lance. He invited him in and delivered a blow. The message was delivered succinctly. Lance runs when he sees Vanessa at the club. Joey grins knowing what he accomplished. He lets Vanessa believe she's the mastermind. It's a familiar story. It at least invites something new into the narrative. Meanwhile, Hayley once more tries to convince Andre to work with her. They need to team up to preserve both of their marriages. Andre doesn't believe he needs any help. The romance still burns bright between him and Dani. The spark has died between Bill and Hayley. It all stems from Dani and Bill repeatedly reflecting on the past. Bill made Dani smaller and then resented how she would let him get away with anything. He regrets the divorce now. Dani sees that pain. She also wants to remain committed to her marriage because she sees Andre's devotion so clearly too.
Grade: B+
Episode 2.018
This episode offers up a fair bit of misdirection. At first, it seems Shanice will be insecure upon hearing Nicole and Leslie also received roses from Ted after having sex. Instead, she's mature enough to recognize he has a past. It's awkward only because those relationships are still within their orbit. She enjoys spending time with him and wants to continue. Nothing will dissuade her. Of course, Leslie sets a trap that isn't resolved. Shanice may only feel this confident and secure because Nicole and Leslie are in Ted's past. If she became convinced otherwise, she may feel differently. The audience knows Ted is only interested in her. Leslie still schemes. Similarly, it's suggested Anita plans on talking with Nicole about her new wild energy out of the same concerns Kat expresses. That's ultimately silly. Anita wants her daughter to be prepared to step up as the family matriarch. She is making these preparations. She can't do so when Vernon is around. He hovers with concern. Martin calls him out for not being entirely present. His fears became more real when Anita collapsed. That altered his perspective. Martin and Nicole learn about it. They have to be willing to step up because cancer is more serious than anything else. Anita is also justified in wanting time to herself without having to think about the disease.
The narrative keeps being rather heavy-handed about Kat one day needing Eva. She scoffs at the notion. She doesn't want a relationship with her half-sister. Eva can't provide anything for her. So many people insist Kat is being difficult. She has changed. She's reasonable though. June speaks from experience about being estranged from her sister for years. It took sincere action to bring them back together. That's the lesson that should be learned. It shouldn't be on Kat to drop her issues. It requires true accountability based entirely on Kat and Eva's feelings and actions. It can't be forced by other people. The family would like things to be peaceful. That's not where they're at. Also at Orphey Gene's, Elon has valid concerns about Jacob's safety. He doesn't communicate them with his son. Instead, he's trying to issue orders. That leaves Jacob feeling as if he continually has to prove himself. The only person who doesn't appreciate his work is his father. He agrees more with Izaiah every single day. That's difficult for Elon as he loves his children and wants them to remain safe. His actions don't make them feel that way. They only push them into situations without knowing the full story.
Grade: B-
Episode 2.019
Bill had it all and threw it away. That realization ruins all the fun he has had with Hayley. He notices all that he's lost. He appreciated having Vernon as a father. Vernon no longer has the patience to deal with Bill. He has enough on his plate. He will always be there for his family. He would give them the world. Bill was once a part of that. He gave it up. He has nothing worth enjoying any more. His distance from Hayley only makes her want him dead faster. She has nothing to show for her scheme either. Bill was her latest mark. He provided wealth and status. She doesn't care about Fairmont Crest. She's singularly focused on herself. She claims Lynette as a friend only when Dani spots them together. Lynette experiences Dani's viciousness. The claws were out. Dani only sees desperation from Hayley. Meanwhile, she's thriving. She approaches Izaiah about modeling. Her life isn't slipping away because of her diagnosis. It's something she must face. It doesn't derail what matters to her. She appreciates what her father gave her. She wishes she soaked up even more of his wisdom. Vernon is proud of what she has accomplished. She is her own unique person. Her spark was restored by Andre. He's glad. Bill would snuff it out again. That's the only energy Bill brings.
Derek was told if he worked hard at physical therapy he would return to his job. His identity was wrapped up in being a firefighter. He's now forced into retirement. His spine still presents a lingering issue. He can't go out in the field. It's devastating. He only wants to process it with Ashley. She's everything for him. He's lost without her. She insists he's a good guy. He deserves to find purpose in life once more. She offers practical advice. He lingers on his identity being stripped away. He had her love and lost it too. His actions are solely responsible. He was foolish. These are the consequences of his actions. He wasn't being smart. He stirs more drama between Ashley and Grayson as well. She means well. Letting him back in would be a mistake. She must stand firm in her beliefs. Similarly, Chelsea knows she made a mistake with her proposal. She needs to speak honestly with Madison. Her parents and Kat are there for her. They each provide a meaningful perspective on the situation. She listens to all of it. She still has to apply it. Meanwhile, roles are reversed as Kat gets close to the guy Eva is dating. Eva's upset just like Kat was with Eva's closeness with Tomas. That may only reinforce Eva's beliefs in Kat being a brat. The situation doesn't have anything to do with romantic intrigue. Kat is being a friend who encourages Izaiah to accept Dani's offer.
Grade: B
Episode 2.020
Vernon always knows what Anita needs. Sure, she was blunt in kicking him out. He more than delivers with his apology. He took this time to celebrate her. He offered her a night away from cancer. It's a fun and joyous event. It's private while being out in public. He provides everything she needs. And yet, she can never truly take a break from cancer. All it takes is something small for life to come crashing back to reality. She's starting to lose her hair. Upon realizing that, she needs to leave. The dessert hadn't been served yet. Vernon is accommodating. This was still a wonderful gift. One that showcases they both still have such a vibrancy in life. Cancer changes things. They can escape for these beautiful moments. They are special and must be cherished. Vernon is an expert at making them happen. That's his skillset. Meanwhile, Nicole strives to be more spontaneous. Even trying to schedule something for the weekend is too much of a commitment. She wants to live moment to moment. She embraces change. She sees no reason not to. Kat's concerns aren't valid. She won't listen to her daughter. Instead, she wants to enjoy the company of two men who desire her. She's already had sex with Carlton. She welcomes him into her bedroom. She's also imagining more with Kial.
Hayley increased Bill's poison. She noticed changes in his behavior and wanted to speed up his death. His body was changing because of the poison. And now, it's been caught by Madison. She doesn't know exactly what's going on. Moreover, she's handing off her caseload to accept a research position abroad. That's more concerning for its impact on her relationship with Chelsea. She believes they are done. They are no longer compatible. Chelsea realizes how giving Madison has always been. She prioritizes other people. Chelsea didn't know about Madison's career ambitions. Madison didn't share that part of her life. She may be losing it all because of something Madison cares about. They didn't have a rational conversation. It was heightened and emotional. They fear the end. It's drama that comes from a lack of communication and understanding. Meanwhile, Eva explodes simply because Izaiah is friends with Kat. He only sees a casual conversation. He notices how combative the sisters are. He's on the receiving end from both of them. Yet Eva concocts a whole story about Izaiah liking Kat. That's the only reason he would talk to her after Eva shared how much pain she has caused. Eva creates a reason to escape. This relationship was going well. Her expectations became greater than what the reality was. She couldn't handle it. Kat takes her victory lap. That's not nice either. But she also enjoys someone else experiencing the drama Eva creates.
Grade: B
