While Kat and Eva fight through surgery, the entire family waits in agony. Martin finds out whether he won the primary. Martin and Eva are both feeling guilt-ridden. Kat has a surreal experience. Tomas stuns Chelsea. Hayley walks in on Dani and Bill having a heated exchange. Ashley gives Grayson some hope for the future. Leslie's announcement induces panic. Joey has a proposition for Vanessa. Deanna seeks some much-needed advice from those she trusts.
Episode 2.113
Heading into surgery, Kat told Ted she was doing this for him. It wasn't for Leslie or Eva. Nevertheless, he insists this experience will bring the sisters closer together. It's absolutely insane. During this heightened time, everyone gathers at the hospital to wait for news. Anita invites Leslie to join the family. It's a tremendous amount of grace shown to a woman who has caused so much pain personally to the Duprees. Leslie proclaims this will be a turning point. She will forever be grateful that Kat saved Eva's life. She takes this as a sign that more people are looking out for her. She no longer has to be alone. She doesn't recognize Anita and Shanice's kindness at first. She believes they'll kick her while she's down. She has never expected compassion from others. It's startling when she receives it. Eva survives the surgery. She wakes up completely afterwards. Leslie, Ted and Izaiah are there for her. She too is surprised by this kindness from Kat. Everyone was so worried about Eva. They pressured Kat into donating. Kat was the only one worried about the surgery. It's only once it's happening that others start to regret how they acted. The guilt isn't enough for anyone of them to change their ways. Kat was looking out for herself and was called selfish for doing so. And now, she's the one in the most immediate danger.
Ted cautions Tomas not to read too much into Kat still needing a ventilator after surgery when Eva has already woken up. Every body responds differently to anesthesia. The doctors and nurses rush into action once Kat's heart rate elevates. It's clear all the complications from surgery will be acutely felt by Kat. Dani doesn't know if she would have the strength to make the same choice Kat did. She's not one to consider other people's feelings before her own. She had to prioritize herself after the divorce. That has inflicted its own kind of damage. Dani is often given the support to be independent. Kat never received that grace. Everyone was counting on her to save a life. She wasn't given a choice. Ted and Nicole fear they could now lose their miracle baby. Chelsea wonders how she would survive without her best friend. Everyone knows Kat is tough. They trust that she made this decision because she thought it was what's best. That continues to show how the family struggles to understand Kat's fears. They receive a glimpse of it through this complication. Nevertheless, Martin feels like celebrating because he won his primary. That was never truly in doubt because the narrative never focused on the campaign or gave a face to his challenger. It's a celebration that can only last for a minute. The better drama is happening elsewhere as the attention has to remain on Kat whether the characters want that or not.
Grade: B
Episode 2.114
The drama isn't lacking in characters sympathetic to Eva's plight. In fact, Kat is the only one consistently opposed to Eva. Kat doesn't have to imagine what it would be like if everyone cared more about Eva than her. It literally just happened. It was certainly enhanced by Eva's need for a liver transplant. No one feels guilty about their actions towards Kat until the complications occur. Even then, it's not enough to get anyone to change their ways. The drama outside the hospital room aims to remain positive despite the uncertainty. Kat's the one on the real journey. Yet her subconscious fantasy doesn't make any sense. It's built on the premise that Kat and Eva were destined to be who they were no matter what. If Ted left Nicole for Leslie, then the roles would simply reverse. That's insane given how Nicole reacted last year to Ted's affair as well as how Anita and Vernon lead the family. It never would have been Nicole and Kat against the world together. Even if that were true, everyone is an adult now and must be held accountable for their own actions. Kat knows Eva was complicit in covering up Leslie's crimes. It doesn't matter that she was misled in the beginning. She decided to hide evidence from the police. She pursued Tomas when he was dating Kat. Those actions were entirely on Eva. They weren't informed by the drama that occurred between Leslie and Ted. Yet the show needs Kat to change her ways towards Eva to make everything simpler amongst the family. It's incredibly frustrating.
It's valid for Kat to be afraid of who she would have been had Ted left when he got Leslie pregnant. The circumstances are wildly different from what Leslie and Eva had to endure. So many characters have told Kat she is selfish and spoiled. Those words have sunk in and made her question her behavior. She would have behaved that way whether Ted was involved in her life or not. He was a positive influence by keeping her in check. She should be grateful she grew up with both her parents. Eva wasn't as lucky. As such, she should receive grace now. Kat did an incredibly brave and selfless act. Nicole praises her for that. She wants her miracle girl returned to her. The whole family does. The only accurate portrayal in Kat's fantasy is Ted and Martin's vindictiveness. The constant attacks on Kat are an extension of the resentments other characters have. Kat is an adult as well. She should have confidence in who she is and what she expects from her family. She shouldn't have to accept bad behavior. That's what is constantly reinforced though. Nothing is going to change in that regard either. It's foundational that the family remains strong and together. That's evidence that Kat's fantasy is a lie and also proof that she will never escape this bad behavior from others. She's destined to be stuck. The only way to survive is to submit. That's the lesson. It's a terrible one. It admits that Leslie and Eva should be seen with sympathy whether they change or not.
Grade: D
Episode 2.115
Kat and Eva's relationship will evolve. That was inevitable based on the extensive fantasy. It forced Kat to see things from Eva's perspective. It was done to align her with what Ted hopes for his two daughters. He imagines them being sisters. That's not going to happen. Kat affirms that. However, this experience has made Kat and Eva see things from the other's perspective. That's crucial. It can't just be Kat undergoing this change. The conversation between them is illuminating. Sure, Eva didn't have to agonize over what she would have done if the roles were reversed and Kat needed her liver. It's a nice thing to say that she would have donated. It's even more pivotal when Eva apologizes for the lies she's told. She sought out to make life different for Kat. She was gaslighting her. Kat shares the details of her dream. It alters her actions towards Eva. She needs to see her now while still recovering from surgery. This can't wait. They need the time to show their appreciation and gratitude. It certainly fills Ted with hope. It looks like he's getting what he wants. Eva tells him to prioritize Kat for once. Even then, he fails to commit. He's certain he can be there for both of his daughters as they heal. Meanwhile, Kat remains terrified of Leslie. Their dynamic won't change even though Leslie admits that she's in Kat's debt.
While Leslie and Kat finally show some humanity towards Kat, Chelsea actually knows what her cousin wants. Kat will be blindsided by Tomas' proposal. He's inspired to take action after the tornado. It made him realize how short life actually is. He's come to appreciate Bill's demand for his partners to be in committed relationships. Tomas suggests it allows him to focus on someone else's needs. Chelsea is the only one considering Kat. Her best friend doesn't need to be pressured into doing yet another thing she doesn't want to do. Tomas helped Kat escape that drama but he never actually understood her concerns. Chelsea still holds a grudge for Tomas sleeping with Eva. She's convinced the relationship won't work. Madison raises some valid points. Tomas is acting similarly to how Chelsea behaved when she thought she was losing Madison. She made up for that mistake. Tomas is already far along with the planning. He's convinced this is right no matter how Kat may feel. Meanwhile, Dani can't help but talk about the pain she will cause Andre. It doesn't matter that they reconnect sexually. She knows she was in the wrong for sleeping with Bill. She's not daydreaming about him like he is with her. However, her body is raising alarms that Andre is noticing. Even her parents realize that her fears are likely based on something that's already happened.
Grade: C+
Episode 2.116
From Kat's perspective, nothing has changed in her relationship with Tomas. They aren't ready to move in together. She's excited to visit his family in Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, Tomas is planning a proposal. He's telling everyone. He wants Chelsea's opinion about the ring. He asks for Ted's approval. He accepts Anita's offer to host the homecoming party. Nothing deters him from this plan. At first, Ted pivots to talk about how strong both of his daughters have been during this ordeal. Tomas wants to keep the conversation focused on Kat. Ted provides some probing insight. He too wonders what has suddenly changed. Tomas is convinced this is the right move. Kat doesn't see things differently. This brush with death hasn't made her look at her relationships in a new light. Instead, she's upset she can't join Chelsea on their business meeting in Tokyo. She didn't know that would be lost as a result of the surgery. That also means she can't join Tomas to see his family. She's bummed because this is the second time he has returned home without her. She worries about disappointing him. That's not where his head is at whatsoever. Moreover, the narrative suggests Tomas is present as a loving boyfriend. He hasn't really been seen as such. It's just meant to be good enough that Kat says Tomas has been there for her. The more intriguing drama just so happens to occur with the other characters in her life.
Elsewhere, everyone reflects on the need for second chances. Ashley wants to forgive Grayson. She wants to reignite their relationship. She's afraid because of what happened with Derek. She doesn't want to feel like she is betraying him. Naomi gives her the confidence to make this decision free of any guilt. It's built on the premise that Grayson won't lie to her ever again. It also suggests a huge realization has been made about who Ashley wants to be in a relationship. She doesn't want to lose herself. She also needs to have grace for people who have made mistakes. That doesn't need to define them. This showcases growth. It's all hastily written as some big pronouncement to get Ashley and Grayson back together. It's not an earned development from a lovable character. That drags things down considerably. It's more engaging with Dani. She's desperate to stop Bill from thinking about her. He refuses to do so. She's on his mind constantly. Hayley doesn't like that. Dani doesn't either. She doesn't want to ruin what she has with Andre. That's inevitable based on what happened in the elevator. It's only more dangerous given how frequently she storms into Bill's office to yell at him. That passion is still there. She still gets riled up by him. That sends the signal to Bill that it's worth continuing to aggravate her like this.
Grade: C+
Episode 2.117
Vanessa and Joey plan an impromptu getaway to Napa Valley. The expectation is that Deanna will freak out upon seeing them together at Uptown. Instead, Doug convinces her to approach things differently. Again, it's nice to see Doug interacting with his daughter. However, the entire sequence comes with the sneaking suspicion that he is a hallucination. He's on Deanna's side completely. He just wants her to behave more strategically. She's been too impulsive in her disdain towards Joey. She needs to be a viable alternative for her mother to confide in. Of course, Joey's attempts at isolating Vanessa haven't been entirely successful. She doesn't depend entirely on him. Nicole and Dani don't entirely understand the relationship. They show up for Vanessa whenever she calls. With Deanna, it all aims to be about acceptance. Her mother is moving on. Vanessa needs her daughter to be happy for her. That's all she needs. She receives that satisfaction. That may not result in the outcome Deanna desires. It's enough to create an ongoing storyline. Deanna has an ally in Kat as well. She knows what it's like to be in this situation. She has less hatred in her heart for certain people now. She says that but then becomes playfully competitive with Eva later on. Ted beaming with pride over his daughters acting like sisters communicates everything that the viewer needs to take away from this moment.
Nicole becomes aware of Tomas' plan to propose. She has her reservations. She agrees the timing is suspicious. She also trusts her daughter to make the right decision when the time comes. Kat should be trusted to determine the outcome of her life. Nicole offers that. It's meant to be insightful given how she acted following the tornado. However, no one is particularly happy about this plan. Madison wants to be swept up in the romance. It's painfully obvious this isn't what Kat wants. The longer it gets dragged out the more likely a rejection will come. It also comes across as busy work. A lot of that plays out here. A miscommunication leads Leslie to think Izaiah is proposing to Eva. He was simply seeking Ted's help to handle Leslie. Meanwhile, Martin and Smitty have an evening together with their kids where they shower Samantha and Tyrell with praise. It's an acknowledgement of how busy all of them have been lately. They have the accomplishments to show for it. It also completely undercuts how vicious Martin was with Kat. Now that his sisters are safe, he gets to ignore them. He too is planning a getaway. It's pure happiness in this corner of the world. That aims to be sweet. It's mostly detached from how these characters should be seen based on their recent actions.
Grade: C
