Anita's decision to go public with her cancer diagnosis puts her in front of special guest star Gayle King. Vanessa has a favor to ask of Donnell. Kat has a proposition for Tomas. While undercover, Jacob runs into a familiar face. Derek makes a career decision. Leslie decides to do some promotion of her own. Laura's unsolved accident from a year ago sets Kat off. Smitty catches up with an old friend. Chelsea and Kat have a blow-up.
Episode 2.035
Anita sits down for an interview with Gayle King to share her breast cancer diagnosis. It's done in the name of advocating for early detection. The family knows how to put a positive spin on this development. It's ultimately her getting ahead of the story before it leaks. She feared keeping the secret would damage her reputation in Fairmont Crest. The work she does is too important for any questioning of her well-being. The interview isn't live. The family listens from home. They provide moral support. They also look for any detail they too would have to address. This is a media strategy. The family needed to be aware. They can tackle anything so long as they're prepared. Nothing goes wrong during the interview. It serves as an important message for the viewer as well. The show has delved into this storyline to highlight detection and treatment. It's been incredibly informative. It never detracts from how fierce Anita has become as a character either. She remains larger-than-life. Family means everything. Each of the Duprees embody that. After the interview, Chelsea is quick to plug the special event on social media. All of this matters. Anita wanted to share the truth after she was victorious. She wanted to operate from a place of strength. That aspect of her privacy is removed. She still finds a way to be strong. The focus on family has always produced the show's strongest moments. That's clear once again here.
The tension with Lynette continues to build for Hayley and Randy. She doesn't consult them before putting a plan in motion. She frames an unhoused man for mugging Hayley. She holds onto the engagement ring. She will keep that leverage over Hayley. No one cares what happens to Wesley Hammer aka Sledge. He's not the typical mark Hayley would target. She positively identifies him as her attacker at the police station. She's ready to return home. She checks in with Randy first. He knows Lynette is playing them. Hayley still hopes for the best. Her later interaction with Lynette proves she has become suspicious as well. Lynette expects to remain at the hotel. She demands Bill to take over her case. She may one day ask for too much. Right now, she has her targets exactly where she wants them. They go along with her scheme. The only disruption is June. She just happens to overhear a conversation between Joey and Randy. She knows Wesley. Her voice suddenly matters because she is no longer living on the street. She advocates for the humanity behind the man. She knows he wouldn't be violent to anyone. That will provide another opportunity for Joey to investigate further. He hasn't focused much on Hayley and Randy's con. He may have to know the full details now to obtain his own leverage against Bill. The most vulnerable are caught in the crossfire. That was already true with the plasma smuggling ring. Now, it extends to this corner of the universe too.
Grade: A-
Episode 2.036
Joey believes June. She was certain Wesley couldn't have assaulted Hayley. As such, Joey calls in a favor and gets him released. He's not concerned about the court-imposed conditions either. He hears him out. Then, he sends him to a half-sister in Colorado. He doesn't want to see him again. This is a mystery he must crack. He's not the only one suspicious of Hayley's story. Tomas confides in Kat about his concerns of her behavior. He started noticing before the attack. It isn't just stress from the trauma. She's doing special favors for Lynette. Kat wants to hear everything. She would love to speculate about what's going on. She wants Tomas to leave Bill's firm. She doesn't view it as a prosperous workplace that benefits his career. Tomas has to make that decision. He isn't going anywhere. Instead, he's gathering information. He doesn't have anything conclusive about Hayley's actions. That may change if Bill removes him from Lynette's case. That's what Hayley tries to deliver. She must pivot upon learning Wesley was released. She requires Bill to be close to her. That's the only way to ensure her story dominates his opinion. That won't last. It's not enough to keep Kat's interest either. Instead, she proposes moving in with Tomas.
What role does Samantha have exactly with the free clinic? It was her idea. She got it off the ground. Leslie took it away. She's the one managing every detail. Joey and Vanessa turned it into a memorial for Doug. Power has been taken from Samantha. She needed something off her plate. Everyone still notes her volunteer work. That's not really productive. It's a way to keep her included. She's not involved though. It's strange. It forges a connection between her and Donnell. She's thrilled he has agreed to be her date for the cotillon. He's more impressive than Chessy going with Nathan. Samantha's not hurt one bit by that reveal. Nothing Chessy says will get her down. She gets her own revenge. June is confident in who she is. Donnell is more than willing to combat the jealousy too. Of course, he also makes things awkward for Vanessa by telling her Deanna's sorority sisters have set her up on the escort site. Vanessa doesn't want her daughter to make the same mistakes she did. She delays the inevitable. A date won't happen in the coming hours. She can't micromanage from a distance. Donnell and Deanna are close enough to visit whenever Vanessa needs them. Going to college also amplified the issues between Vanessa and Doug. Now, she's moved on. Donnell is happy for her. He doesn't know enough about the drama in Fairmont Crest to be concerned. Instead, he only sees the generosity and wants to repay it as best he can.
Grade: B
Episode 2.037
Elon assigned the undercover case to Jacob even though he doesn't think he's ready. Jacob earned the opportunity by bringing the intel to the precinct. Elon only sees the reckless mistakes. He's genuinely afraid for his son's well-being. Naomi sees that fear written all over his face. She can't talk Jacob out of doing what he believes is right. Jacob can't afford for anyone to doubt him either. He needs to rely on police support to succeed in this mission. Right now, his biggest supporter is Smitty. He's partnered with a reporter instead of his fellow officers. He's desperate to prove himself. Elon freaks Naomi out. She needs to believe Jacob is taking care of himself. He has backup who won't let anything bad happen. She wants to know he's okay. He can't provide that. He stresses when Izaiah suddenly appears at the drop site. He immediately believes Izaiah has taken up his bad behavior once more. It's nothing that suspicious. Izaiah doesn't close himself off from the parts of this neighborhood that are actually good. He doesn't just exist in one part of town. Jacob sees a different side because he's trying to expose a criminal operation. He requires secrecy. He's not particularly smooth. He may come across as too eager. Elon's worries are justified. Nothing is disrupted by anyone's actions yet.
Kat wants to move in with Tomas only because it's convenient. She expects Chelsea will want to live with Madison. They are engaged. It's inevitable. Kat wants to be proactive now. She takes on this burden. Her explanation isn't good enough to Tomas. He wants her to commit to moving in together because their relationship can handle it. It shouldn't occur because she has no other options. It's easy for her to find another place to live. She already calls Vanessa about scheduling a tour. She doesn't have to worry. She fears Tomas no longer loves her. She jumps to that extreme once he doesn't support what she decides. That showcases how they aren't ready for this next step. That's obvious. They find a productive solution. They still take steps towards being closer. It doesn't have to be based around an argument with wild accusations. Elsewhere, Derek accepts Leslie's job offer. He hasn't had any luck elsewhere. He sees the importance of educating her about the various permits and inspections. He also doesn't want to interact with her. Instead, he'll talk with Eva who is only a volunteer with the clinic. It's messy. He tries to make the best out of an awkward situation. That doesn't cover up how tricky all of this will quickly become. Leslie won't be silent. Derek will have to deal with that every day whether he wants to or not.
Grade: C+
Episode 2.038
Leslie believes money will buy her everything. Yet she cannot garner much attention for the free clinic. She wants to announce the project. She wants to steal Anita's publicity. The entire community is glued to the Gayle King interview. In just a few hours, thousands of people have taken action. The episode summarizes the impact of Anita's decision. She should be proud. She's accomplished something special while fighting for her life. Everyone is in awe of her. Leslie is jealous. She wants that same respect. She has done nothing to deserve it. She approaches various Duprees hoping they will help her. No one is interested. She's attacked them on countless occasions. She's benefited from their good intentions. That ended a long time ago. She always wants more. They aren't giving anything. And so, Leslie's plans for a press conference fall apart. She can't book Orphey Gene's for the announcement. She can't get any reporters to attend. She can't get anyone to notice and appreciate her. She's a disruptor. People's moods shift upon interacting with her. They don't want to tolerate her for very long. The family does a better job of pushing her away here than her interaction with Anita and Vernon at the club last week. She wants to make a scene about Anita needing all the glory for herself. She has such a selfish mindset. That's how she views the world. That's not who the Duprees are. They're protective and care about other people. Leslie is completely lacking in that regard.
Kat is more upset with Leslie and Eva than Nicole or Laura are. It's been a year since the car accident that resulted in Eva becoming Nicole's assistant. Kat doesn't want to hear about Eva being a pawn in her mother's crazy game. She's heard all the explanations already. She refuses to give up her anger. She demands accountability for those who harmed the people she cares about. Anita speaks highly of Laura. She praises her for pushing her to schedule her mammogram. Laura has regained some of her power. She chooses to be an optimist. She's no longer afraid of Leslie. She can be in the same room without panicking. Kat struggles with that. When she sees Leslie and Eva putting on their modest show, she needs to interject. She must make her opinion known. She can't allow anything good to come their way. This wasn't a livestream. Kat's actions don't change anything. That's the way this story continually goes. It doesn't have the same satisfaction as Dani throwing Leslie out or Smitty's vitriol over Leslie stealing Samantha's idea. It's a consequence of it being a prolonged character dynamic for Kat. It's been an intense obsession for her with no results to show for it.
Grade: B-
Episode 2.039
A fight between Chelsea and Kat has the potential to be interesting. However, the circumstances here are Kat once again making decisions based on how she thinks others want her to behave. She carries resentment towards Chelsea for choices that obviously impact her as well. Chelsea wasn't being malicious whatsoever. She was driven by love for Madison. That was sweet. It deserved celebrating. Now, Kat feels pressure to move out. Chelsea is literally looking at a potential wedding venue that needs to be booked a year out. No one is expecting changes to happen immediately. Kat assumes Chelsea and Madison will want to live together. She believes it will be awkward with her as a third wheel. She was disappointed by Tomas' response to move in. When she was with him, she accepted his argument. Now, it's obvious she's lashing out in ways she doesn't completely understand. It's messy. This has potential. It's all so random. It's also connected to the same fight brought up over again with Eva and Leslie. Nicole and Ted worry about Kat. They don't see her outrage as a genuine expression of affection for her loved ones. It's her own insecurities leading the way. It's complicated because they have frequently dismissed her. They expected her to move on from wanting consequences for Eva and Leslie. It's obvious that potential still lingers. When Eva tells Izaiah he could leave, she flashes back to Leslie confessing the truth about trying to kill Laura. It's coming to the forefront once more. It's summarizing the story instead of reigniting it with new intrigue.
Similarly, it's random for Ted to reach out to Izaiah. He wants to get to know him better because Leslie makes the suggestion. He doesn't seek to intrude on Eva's personal life. Now, it's suddenly a requirement. Leslie sees wedding bells in the future. She expects Ted to show up. That's not what Eva needs of him. Ted complies. It's largely out of him wanting Leslie to leave. He makes the call after she's gone though. She implants the idea and he follows through. She possesses influence over him. That's in contrast to her behavior earlier in the day struggling with the press conference. She couldn't manage that. She's not an imposing figure. She recites the same taunts frequently. It's boring. That's such a disappointing way to mark the anniversary of the show's launch. Everyone is essentially in a holding pattern. A big moment occurred at the start of the week. That highlighted the power of the ensemble. Everything else has been rather lackluster. Naomi and Smitty receive a friend willing to listen to what's going on in their lives. That doesn't really produce anything fruitful. It's something new. More is possible. The secrets being kept have one-note motivations instead of challenging the dynamics they should be leaning on.
Grade: C
