Tomas seeks out Vanessa for intel on Lynette. Ashley breaks the rules for the greater good. Jacob worries Grayson won't deliver. Chelsea and Anita confront Leslie. Shanice is hurt to see Ted in a close moment with his ex. Madison gets sidelined at work and then tries something new. Tyrell and Jessica discuss the future of their relationship. Kat and Martin plot to help their parents. Nicole and Ted mark their anniversary with warm memories. Vernon redirects Martin's debt to Joey onto himself.
Episode 2.078
Lynette's timeline was already being questioned by Bill and Tomas. Now, Dani shares that she saw Hayley and Lynette together before the mugging. She was amazed Hayley had a new friend. Tomas' theory of the case was built around Hayley feeling indebted to Lynette after being rescued from her attacker. Now, he learns their connection was deeper than that. They were close before that moment occurred. The plot is potentially being designed around the grand reveal that Hayley has been conning Bill ever since they met. Tomas is primed to expose her. As such, Dani is right to be concerned. She wants to be in the loop for any potential blowback on her family. Meanwhile, Naomi's presence in Bill's office mostly just asserts that she doesn't want him joking about death. His brief choking spell is way more serious than it has any right to be. Plus, Naomi's observation that Bill shifts the conversation onto her marriage whenever she inquires about his is accurate. Naomi and Jacob's love continues to guide them through this time apart. He's certain it will be over soon. She's afraid because he's making all of these big declarations all of a sudden. It's scary. She's aware of that unlike Bill who remains blissfully oblivious about what Hayley has long been up to.
Rachel has only worked as a lab tech for four months. That means she can't be Grayson's handler. He's been caught up in the smuggling ring for a year. Smitty is still convinced Rachel is involved somehow. It's hard not to see this as a big distraction given Rachel has never been seen onscreen. Lia's in charge. She threatens Ashley whether she knows what Grayson has been doing or not. Moreover, Ashley steals from the hospital. She grabs prescription antibiotics to treat Grayson's infection. He doesn't look good but still has to show up for the drop with Jacob. He's punished and still expected to deliver. That's how this enterprise operates. The attacks on Jacob and Grayson have escalated the stakes. Jacob and Smitty feel something big is about to break their way. Their story is clearly building up while others in the narrative are just percolating. Kial shares with Nicole that he has told his sons about her. He wants them to meet her. He's eager to be introduced to Martin as well. Nicole doesn't see this as their relationship deepening. It's not becoming more serious than she wants. It's certainly developing. She's comfortable with it. It doesn't have the same sense of pressure that she feels when Carlton asks for more.
Grade: B-
Episode 2.079
Ted extends grace to Leslie. It remains absolutely baffling. She has shown no remorse for her actions. Moreover, his kindness only encourages her. It suggests they could rekindle their connection at some point. He's foolish. It comes at the expense of his current relationship. Leslie attacked Anita for no reason whatsoever. She's simply antagonistic towards the Duprees no matter what. They aren't responsible for Ted and Barbara abandoning her. She directs her animosity against them nevertheless. It's exhausting. She took away Chelsea and Madison's happiness about being engaged. Leslie doesn't even see that as relevant anymore. Chelsea felt compelled to say something. She needed Leslie to know what she did. She takes from the people around her. She isn't selfless. Any attempts at character rehabilitation have fallen flat. She wants to be seen as an important pillar of the community. Everyone just has to laugh at the suggestion. Ted believes he made Leslie act like this. He's guilty. He can't change someone who doesn't want to. Leslie has proven she delights in this mischief. Nothing Ted does will get her to behave differently. He's received plenty of evidence. He refuses to learn his lesson.
No one even needs to pay attention to Leslie either. Chelsea confronts her. That's not the basis of her story though. Instead, she helps Madison unleash her anger about the lawsuit. Lia tells her to stop seeing patients. The hospital doesn't want to risk its liability. It's frustrating. Chelsea knows exactly what Madison needs. She provides a physical outlet. Learning self-defense is actually empowering. It ensures they will feel confident no matter what the situation unfolds. Moreover, Chelsea handles Willow. Madison doesn't want to talk to her mother. Chelsea doesn't coddle her either. She ensures the message is delivered succinctly and without any hesitation. It's such an uplifting moment. It's frankly the only story of interest in this episode. Tyrell and Jessica are caught at home alone. Smitty's too distracted to punish his son. Samantha calls out the hypocrisy. Martin and Smitty want to handle things differently. A punishment is still warranted. Jessica offers the conflict resolution. It's not particularly handled well. It's the characters talking but without much emotion attached. It's an annoyance instead of offering insight into their hurdles as a family. Shirtless Smitty in the locker room is a welcome distraction at least even though Ted offers no insight into the ongoing investigation.
Grade: C
Episode 2.080
It's officially been a year since Nicole and Ted's disastrous anniversary party. Their lives imploded when Leslie and Eva revealed their true intentions. Leslie is assigned most of the blame. Everyone checks on Nicole as soon as the day begins. Ted doesn't receive any of that. However, Nicole wants to spend time with Ted. She chooses to focus on the positive memories. Ted misses the people they were together during those years. He also confesses that he misled Carlton during the Maui conference when they met. He believes Nicole and Carlton are wondering what their lives would have been like if they connected instead there. That's how long Carlton has been pining after Nicole. She doesn't have any regrets. She's concerned about Martin. Joey would only expose Martin's secret if it benefitted him somehow. He doesn't have a plan yet. He knows Martin is eyeing the Senate. That would make his vote in Congress even more powerful. That's an intoxicating prospect for Joey. He could have higher ambitions for what to ask of him. Vernon seeks to inherit the debt. His connections can be exploited in a meaningful way too. Everyone strives to protect Martin. Meanwhile, he loses his temper over being called a hypocrite. He doesn't like the accusation. It's his ongoing guilt coming out in unexpected ways. He wishes to serve. Yet he's no good to anyone if he continues carrying this weight on his shoulders all the time. Everyone thought he was managing it. That would require spending more time with him and lessening the burden. His loved ones have been too distracted to do that.
Tomas believes Lynette is laying low because a disgruntled former client is targeting her. Bill got the embezzlement charges dropped. The bank hasn't taken any responsibility for losing the life savings of its clients. That offers motive. It's a valid theory even though it's incorrect. The audience knows that. It's better to explore Lynette and Hayley's past relationship. Dani knows how close they were. Bill wants Hayley to be an innocent victim. She isn't. She orchestrated this mess. And now, he's on the outside looking in on his family. He's in a booth at Orphey Gene's all alone. Meanwhile, Naomi and Chelsea are enjoying breakfast with Dani and Andre. His daughters welcome Dani's new spouse. They don't extend that same effort to Hayley. It's awkward whenever they interact with her. Andre recognizes and isn't bothered that Dani needs time alone with her daughters. Naomi even comes up with an excuse for Chelsea and Dani to be together. Naomi shares with her sister the distance Dani has felt. As such, it's an encouraging sign when Chelsea promises to be backstage for their same routine before Dani walks the runway once more. That history hasn't been forgotten even though they've both moved on with their lives since Chelsea was modeling.
Grade: B-
