Anita hits a milestone. Naomi pressures Jacob for intel. Joey confronts Smitty. Naomi's news hits close to home for Ashley. Bill gets an unwelcome blast from the past. Chelsea deals with a crisis head on. Eva and Izaiah say something they can't take back. Vanessa advises a friend about her past. The Belleclaires battle Nicole and bully Samantha. Mona's words affect Randy. Jacob and Smitty realize the plasma ring operation is about to come to an end. Ted enlists Monica's help with Shanice.
Episode 2.084
The cotillion and Eva's birthday land on the same day. This is the first the audience hears of it. However, Samantha has already arranged for Eva to help her, Jessica and June get ready. Meanwhile, Eva and Izaiah have plans for that night. It's not until Leslie brings it up that Ted decides to do something. Of course, their interaction falls into the same pattern. He asserts himself in the name of establishing firm boundaries. She regains control by pivoting the conversation to Eva. He believes they have to get along because they have a daughter together. They have to coordinate. That's not inherently true. Eva's an adult. Leslie projects because she can't imagine being alone. That presents as her greatest fear. Sure, she alienates everyone around her. No one is truly willing to tolerate her crazy antics. Ted and Eva encourage her because they're family. That doesn't change anything. Ted wanted to make a point and failed. Izaiah offers to cook for the family. The evening will be special even though it comes together very quickly.
Everyone needs to be reminded to slow down and celebrate the good things going on. Smitty could continue stressing about the investigation. Instead, he enjoys breakfast with his family. Tyrell will be leaving for college in a few months. Things are about to change with this family. They're adapting. Meanwhile, Jacob knows he and Naomi need to talk. Yet it's more simple and pleasant to hold each other. That's not complicated. Naomi stresses because she doesn't know who Jacob is investigating. It has come back to hurt her best friend. Jacob warns Naomi about Lia in the name of protecting her. Information will keep her and Ashley safe. That's the intention at least. It also comes with the suggestion that Ashley and Derek will get back together. He apologizes only because he's forced into accepting Grayson as a volunteer. He's not happy about it. He still wants to be supportive upon learning about the breakup. And finally, the family celebrates Anita completing chemo. Nicole and Dani don't want to overwhelm her. It's just them greeting her as she walks out of the room ready to ring the bell. She reflects on the resolve her family has shown over the last few months. She survived because of their strength. Now, she plans for the future. She has big aspirations and wishes to achieve them with everyone she cares about as soon as possible.
Grade: B-
Episode 2.085
Over a year ago, Naomi had a strained relationship with her father. She decided to sue his firm for sexual harassment. That case didn't ultimately become very consequential. It resulted in a settlement and Mike being fired. Now, he's back. Plus, Naomi and Bill are working together to defend Madison. The family will do anything to protect one of their own. Madison receives that protection. She's worried about her professional reputation. She fears this personal grudge will prevent her from having solid legal representation. Bill and Naomi are confident in their skills. However, they're facing off against someone who has decided to sink as low as possible. He will do anything to prevail. It's about vengeance. He plans on dragging Madison's name through the mud. He makes his presence known. At the same time, a reporter harasses Chelsea and Madison. He wanted to provoke a reaction. The video will paint them in a bad light. It's not about proving a case in the courtroom. It's all about these unethical actions twisting the narrative and pushing people to their breaking point. The Hamiltons see that clearly now.
Joey sees an opportunity as well. He thought it was wise to surveil Smitty. At first, he believes the reporter is having an affair. He even issues that threat. That informs Smitty that he hasn't been as careful as he thought. That provokes a response from Jacob. He finally tells Elon that he's been working with Smitty. The police chief orders Joey to back off. That only piques Joey's curiosity further. The situation isn't what he thought. He still senses an opportunity that could be exploited. In fact, Elon reveals his cards more openly than Jacob and Smitty do. The young investigators don't want anything to compromise their investigation. Meanwhile, Elon walks into the casino ready to accuse Joey of the worst. Smitty remains cautious even when Ashley desperately pushes for the truth. She needs to know who Grayson really is. She tips Smitty off about the clinic being compromised by the smuggling operation. That's a crucial lead. Smitty reassures her that Grayson is a man in over his head. He helped Max get out alive. He has good intentions. That doesn't mean she can forgive him. Lia is still issuing her threats. She needs to be convinced that this relationship is over. She has her doubts. Sure, the slap presents a solid argument. She also demands Grayson deliver after wasting her time refusing to volunteer at the clinic. She needs that new location to be exploited already.
Grade: B+
Episode 2.086
Dani was perfectly rational when dissecting Nicole's sexual fantasy of Ted. It was their anniversary. They were together for a long time. It's hard to forget. Meanwhile, Vanessa immediately suggests Nicole should have sex with her ex-husband. It doesn't matter that he is in a new relationship. They don't know about Ted's problems with Shanice recently. Vanessa puts the thought in Nicole's head. And then, she imagines it again. This time it occurs when she runs into him. A year ago, it would have been impossible for them to connect like that. Now, the suggestion seem possible. Nicole claims to be satisfied by both Carlton and Kial. She doesn't want a third option. Taking that step with Ted would only ruin the friendship they have formed. The story is moving in that direction though. It's presenting Ted as a well-meaning guy. His presents for Eva's birthday are sweet. They are more sentimental than the other offerings. Sure, that story ultimately pivots to Eva and Izaiah declaring their love for each other. It all details just how wholesome and endearing this corner of the world has been. It's arguably not built to last because Leslie will always meddle. She can't contain herself. So, it remains difficult to see the genuine emotions while she is also around. She spices things up. That detracts from others being allowed to shine.
Meanwhile, Hayley just has to endure Naomi's snarky comments. Neither one immediately runs when Bill suggests having a drink in the office. Naomi wants to get to Ashley. She needs to check in with her best friend. However, it's good that she stayed. Chelsea needed legal advice. She wanted to defend herself on a livestream after the video of her knocking the phone out of the reporter's hand was released. She has to be careful with what she says. She doesn't want anything to harm Madison's case. She checks in. She isn't impulsive. She gathers her loved ones. Bill's annoyed by the amount of people on the call. He didn't know who all was listening in. Chelsea sails through the crisis. Everyone is proud of her. Elsewhere, Tomas drops everything when he hears Smitty wants to talk about Lynette. Once again, it's a scene where people are reluctant to share information. Smitty suggests something bad could have happened to Lynette. He's right even though it wasn't one of her victims taking revenge. It's enough to get Tomas to examine things from a new perspective. He needed that instead of chasing false leads. As this case grows, it sets up higher expectations for what the fallout will be. With so many elements getting caught up, it means more stories will have to explode in order to pay off in the end.
Grade: B-
Episode 2.087
Samantha already embodies everything it means to be a Dupree. Nicole is proud of her no matter what happens during the cotillion. She will fiercely defend her granddaughter too. She will not allow Anastasia to walk over to them and talk about how Samantha doesn't belong. It's a classless move. The cotillion is nothing but a competition to her. She punches down in order to secure her granddaughter's win. Chessy inflicts her own psychological warfare. She apologizes to Samantha for her grandmother's behavior. It's not because she disagrees with it. She just wouldn't have said it so blatantly. Of course, she does precisely that as well. Samantha suffers the most damage. Nicole and Vanessa tell her that success is the best revenge. That doesn't mean she has to win platinum deb either. They are proud of what she has accomplished. Living a successful life proves that the Belleclaires are the ones stuck in the past. Samantha doesn't feel that confidence. She only sees expectations from others. Vanessa has to talk up Donnell just as much as she supports Samantha. Nicole knows that Samantha has demonstrated what cotillion is meant to be. She's been of service to her sisterhood. She's building her community. That's not seen. The attacks from Anastasia and Chessy are.
Mona's interactions with Randy haven't quite been consistent enough to know entirely what the purpose is. It was partly motivated by sexual attraction. She shames and judges him for what he does. But now, it's described as offering grace. He aims to avoid her. However, he's intrigued by someone who sees good in him. She believes he is worthy of redemption. She seeks to show him a better life. That may become relevant at some point in his dealings with Joey and Hayley. It hasn't resulted in much progress so far. Meanwhile, Anita and Vernon have gone on an incredible journey. They are now faced with the next step with Anita's cancer. She must decide which surgery to pursue. She has options. She's given the autonomy to decide. She wants the tumor removed. She opts out of a long recovery. That will still require more treatment after plus careful monitoring. It's her decision. She stands firm. No one tries to talk her into the other option. This is what works for her body. She knows how she will respond. The trust is present to uplift her decision. She's given all the information. She reaches a decision. There isn't any doubt in her mind. She's confidently heading toward the future imagining what it holds for her family. She will finally get to be present for them once more.
Grade: B
Episode 2.088
The warehouse will soon be hosting VIPs in the smuggling operation. Jacob immediately assumes the Impaler will be there. As such, he informs his father that the raid to arrest everyone involved is a go. This undercover operation is coming to an end. He will soon return home to his family. He tells Naomi even though he can't go into the precise timeline. The clinic has quickly become a new piece of the investigation. Lia wanted Grayson to volunteer. She made that happen. He now has access. He's positioned to deliver. He has to make it work. He carries all the risk. At the clinic, he runs into Eva. She's the one person who isn't suspicious of him. She provides precisely what he needs. He will hopefully deliver in time. Lia is startled by what Marcel shows her. He notices a discrepancy in the hospital security footage. The pressure has been applied. Now, the police wait to see how she reacts. She's next seen at the hospital with Ashley. The nurse thanks her for the advice and wishes to be more professional moving forward. And then, Vanessa enters. The clinic becomes the topic of conversation again. It's all Lia thinks about. She must make this deal happen. She's desperate. That's abundantly clear. The walls are closing in. No one will be satisfied until she's arrested though.
Elsewhere, Monica cautions Shanice not to let her fears keep her from embracing something good. Every appearance from Iona Morris just makes me want more. Her performance works in many corners of this world. Her most powerful moment was helping Anita navigate the side effects of chemo. Yet she also works well in the romantic angle of the narrative. Sure, it's sad that Monica has given up on love for herself. She lives vicariously through her niece. She sees something greater between Shanice and Ted. Of course, it's a little troubling that Ted calls Monica to fix things and doesn't stay to be included in the conversation. Instead, the narrative sends him right back to Nicole. It's just an accidental meeting. It results in another sexual fantasy. Ted insists that he will never get back together with Leslie. That's the source of Shanice's insecurities. However, Nicole is the more viable option. That's the direction the show is pursuing. Shanice has reason to be afraid. She's made to feel as if that's not possible. Her fears are more valid than Samantha wanting to quit the cotillion. Samantha's family quickly snaps her out of that. Plus, the earrings from Tyrell are such a sweet gesture. He cares despite their frequent sibling fights.
Grade: B-
