Bill and Dani have a heart to heart. Anita's condition worsens. Grayson delivers a dangerous message. Anita makes a decision about her future. Ted gets advice from an unlikely source. Bill tells Hayley he's had a change of heart regarding their future. Izaiah defends Eva to his mother. Leslie confronts Vernon. Kat and Ted come to an understanding. Smitty offers comfort to a family member. Nicole gets a surprising update from Dani. Vernon gives his blessing where Bill is concerned.
Episode 2.053
Bill isn't accustomed to reaching limits on what he can do. He brokers powerful deals. He makes things happen. He's powerless when it comes to Anita's cancer. He was shaken upon seeing her. He finally understands why Dani was afraid of losing her spark. He didn't think it was possible for either Dani or Anita to lose their strength. He has now witnessed it. The situation really isn't about him. He tries to make it. That's fascinating. It almost takes away from the power in Anita and Vernon's conversation. She's reached her breaking point. Cancer is winning. The pain has become too unbearable. She wants to know Vernon will be okay without her. He offers that reassurance. Her spirit will never leave him. He will be guided by many happy memories. He also demands her to keep fighting. He wouldn't forgive himself if she hid away at home when it's possible hope exists elsewhere. He doesn't see the hospital as draining even more of her energy. She wants to keep her dignity. She's agonizing alone. She doesn't deserve that fate. It's such a powerful moment. She's not the only person suffering the consequences. The disease has an impact on the rest of the family. Yet it's the most harrowing journey for Anita. The focus needs to remain on her to maintain that relevance. It can't veer off to Dani and Bill once again reminiscing on their past.
Meanwhile, Jacob and Smitty will have to take even more precautions. Max was stabbed. He's being treated at Garland. His safety can't be guaranteed there either. Smitty's involvement could be exposed based on whomever is monitoring Max. He appears to slip in and out easily. He expresses his fear in the hallway. It's probably good for him to get out now. He has no reason to jeopardize his safety. He doesn't have to risk his life to deliver this story. All of this amplifies the stakes for Jacob's undercover mission. Naomi is right to be afraid. He could die. These criminals could kill him if they think he's a threat. It's even more unnerving when Ren shows up at Orphey Gene's. He's so close to Jacob's family. He doesn't make that connection right away. So much of Jacob's life overlaps with this investigation. He can't escape. His loved ones are potentially in danger too. That's the direction the show pursues. That's scary. It also makes Vanessa's concerns pale in comparison. She suddenly thinks Joey is going to break up with her. That's not going to happen. He depends on her in his criminal enterprise. That's at the root of their relationship even though Vanessa sees it as so much more. She loves him and appreciates the support he continues to shower upon her.
Grade: B
Episode 2.054
Tamara Tunie is a powerhouse. She imbues Anita Williams Dupree with that same energy. It's emotionally devastating and heartbreaking hearing Anita share her pain. Her body has betrayed her. She recognizes all the greatness her body has offered her. Now, it's only pain. She can no longer embrace Vernon's touch. Her attempts to sing feel like shattered glass. She has withdrawn and surrendered. Vernon knows she's giving up. He delivers that warning to Nicole and Dani. Their greatest fears may become reality. Monica wants to tell Anita about her options. None of them come with any guarantees. Monica offers more time. Anita only sees that as a burden on her family. She doesn't want to exist solely as a distraction. She wants to be present for so many family events. And yet, she can only see her lack of power if she's involved. She will need constant care. She will no longer be a formidable presence. Samantha deserves the spotlight to be on her during the cotillion. Anita wants to bask in the glory of Chelsea and Madison's wedding. Those just don't seem possible right now. It's a tour de force performance from Tunie. She's matched with a compelling scene partner in Iona Morris as the cancer expert. Monica knows they haven't found the right treatment that works for Anita. The regimen needs to attack the cancer without making the side effects unbearable. Anita doesn't see how anything can improve. Each day has been worse. She wants to take fate in her own hands. She wants to end treatment.
It's a frightening time for the entire family. Nicole and Dani can only distract themselves from their mother's disease momentarily. That still provides new depth. Their conversation reveals Nicole sees Carlton as comforting through their similarities while Kial is unexpected but an open door to new possibilities. Meanwhile, Kat expresses her gratitude for spending time with her grandparents. It's emotionally grueling. She leans on Tomas. She's not Vernon's first call. Nicole and Dani want to understand the situation better before rallying the family in support of their matriarch. That's coming. It can't be avoided. Anita has made her decision. The hospital becomes the prime location for so much drama. Jacob asks Grayson to intervene when more goons aim to silence Max for good. Grayson delivers the warning. It also forces him to recognize how much this business has changed him. He only wanted extra money to care for his mother. Now, he understands he will never escape. He will always have to do whatever this criminal operation wants. He tells Jacob he doesn't know anything about the leadership structure. Jacob is skeptical. He works Grayson as a source. He protects those entrusted to him. He's shown that with Smitty and Max. Grayson's in turmoil while Ashley needs comfort upon seeing Anita in distress. It all connects in a way that empowers all of the individual storylines.
Grade: A
Episode 2.055
Vernon, Nicole and Dani don't want Anita to give up. She doesn't see her decision like that. She's choosing quality of life even though it will be shorter than she wanted. She needed her family to be prepared for this possibility. They push back hard. They don't understand. She has so many moments to live for. This is depression caused by the pain of cancer treatment. Anita's mind is clear. She knows what she's doing. Looking at the tears running down the faces of her loved ones gets her to change her mind. They have to be willing to let her make this decision even though they don't agree with it. It's an absolutely brutal battle. One where Vernon, Nicole and Dani aren't ready to lose Anita. She will continue with treatment. That reassures everyone. Her fears are still valid. The days ahead may not be any better than what she has endured recently. No one knows what the future holds. Anita wishes to offer wisdom. She tells Ted to be more proactive with his children. He didn't know Kat moved in. He's ignored Martin and Kat in favor of time with Eva. He reaches out to Martin. Then, he's distracted by planning a vacation with Shanice. He's quickly back to ignoring Kat. As such, the lesson doesn't really stick with him despite Anita's best intentions.
Kat is freaking out at Orphey Gene's too. She knows Anita is in the hospital. She wants an update. Nicole doesn't have anything to share when Kat calls. She doesn't immediately call her either upon leaving Anita's room. Instead, she too gets sucked into Ted's dream of camping. Tomas successfully distracts Kat. He informs her of his suspicions about Lynette. He feels compelled to maintain attorney-client privilege. Kat is able to deduce Lynette's identity based on what Tomas describes. She agrees with every piece of evidence he brings up. She sees that clearly. Lynette believes she has gotten everything she wanted. She still lingers and questions what Hayley and Randy are up to. She tries to turn them against each other. That doesn't work. That only confirms she's a threat to their ongoing scheme with Bill. Hayley felt like celebrating. Bill suddenly wants to pump the breaks on trying to get pregnant. He's facing his own mortality in the face of what Anita is going through. Dani leans on him because he understands how she's feeling. It was an unfortunate time for Andre to be away. The interaction doesn't end with a kiss. That's fortunate. The intimacy is still there though.
Grade: B+
Episode 2.056
An infection caused all the pain plaguing Anita. She only needed to spend one night in the hospital. She bounced back to what she has come to expect from chemo. It's still not entirely pleasant. She can manage. She has a request for Bill. She wants to update her living trust without Vernon's knowledge. What she wants to include remains a secret. It's enough to suggest she still suspects cancer will kill her. It's only a matter of time. She has that clarity while her loved ones remain optimistic. She continues with treatment. Death feels inevitable. The only plan she wants to make is recording another album with Tracy and Sharon. That needs to come to fruition. Anita chose to stay home to be close to her family. She relies on them now. She doesn't want to give up her musical dreams either. She thought she lost her voice during this battle. She has so much left to say. She's making all of these preparations now. She does so while others engage in their routines. She wants Vernon to go to his weekly squash game. However, he runs into Leslie there. They mostly restate their disdain for each other. Leslie is annoyed construction has stopped on her home. She actually recognizes that money is being wasted while no progress is occurring. Vernon stands firm in needing to deliver peace to Anita. Leslie wants to remove Anita from the situation entirely. That can't be the reason for why her dreams are crushed.
Ted makes time for Kat. This came to fruition following his chat with Anita. It occurs onscreen unlike his reaching out to Martin or going on vacation with Shanice. Both Ted and Kat acknowledge they haven't been communicating well. Ted disregarded Martin and Kat in order to spend more time with Eva. He felt compelled to make up for all they lost. He did so to the detriment of the kids he raised. Kat also recognizes how she has to put the effort in to keep him updated on her life. It was easier when she worked with him. He was always around. That's no longer the case. She's been blessed to be spending so much time with Vernon and Anita. It's offered her a new perspective on how precious life can be. Ted didn't know any of that was happening. He's in awe of her. He understands her decision completely. The only friction between them remains Eva. That doesn't cause a fight here. Jacob and Izaiah's mother, Darlene, makes her first onscreen appearance. She's concerned about Leslie's wedding planning. The conversation turns more fruitful when it focuses on Jacob's undercover assignment. The show highlights the agony of the loved ones left in limbo while he's risking his life. That's frankly been more important to the narrative. Their concerns create unnecessary risks too if Naomi hands over her burner phone to Darlene.
Grade: B
Episode 2.057
Anita and Bill expected Vernon to put up a fight over naming Bill co-executor of Anita's trust. He actually understands. Every argument Anita makes seems reasonable. It's not a big deal whatsoever. Vernon knows someone level-headed in a crisis will be needed when the rest of the family is too emotional to process what's happened. No one plans to lose Anita anytime soon. Her hospitalization made them face that reality. She was willing to give up. Now, she's back at home with Sharon comforting her. She has her sisterhood again. That's enough to give her strength. She doesn't have to waste her energy defending her decisions any longer either. That's a blessing. It allows for a nice peaceful end to the week. Vernon had his fair share of drama at the club. Leslie confronted him. She pretends to be the victim. She has antagonized the Duprees ever since she arrived in Fairmont Crest. Her attitude hasn't changed. That reputation extends to Eva. Darlene is less than thrilled when Eva interrupts her time with Izaiah. She expressed her concerns. She vented. She wasn't looking for Izaiah to solve her problems. That's how he reacts. He needs to take action. That's not required of him. Similarly, he can't just expect everyone will love Eva once they get to know her. Plenty have offered that same assessment before. It didn't result in too many people changing their minds.
Jacob's absence has hit Naomi really hard. She doesn't want to put his life in jeopardy once Izaiah asks for the burner phone. This isn't an emergency. Darlene understands. She knows her sons have put Naomi in a difficult position. It's not her space to intrude further. That only makes things worse. Smitty offers comfort. He opens his home to Naomi whenever she needs it. His generosity comes from knowing the details of Jacob's undercover work. He's just as involved. Jacob is in the field making progress with Grayson. The lab tech hasn't opened up about Lia being his contact at the hospital. However, she sets her sights on the free clinic. That apparently motivated her decision to form an official partnership with the hospital. It wasn't about serving the community. She wanted to establish a presence in a place with fewer security measures. Grayson looks out for Derek even though he doesn't like Ashley's ex-boyfriend. He doesn't want anyone else to get dragged into this criminal operation. He's in agony over how much has changed in a year. Ashley mentions how Lia's attitude towards the staff has shifted in the time since she started working at Garland. That's important context. She's new to this operation too. She has accumulated power though. Grayson is on the receiving end of those threats. He can't say no either.
Grade: B
