Martin blows up at Anastasia. Ted crosses the line with Nicole. Leslie hijacks Eva's interview. Deanna and Noah reconnect. Nicole seeks out Dani for relationship advice. The Duprees hurriedly assemble when Anita calls for an impromptu gathering. Leslie has an urgent matter to discuss with Ted. Bill is stuck in the middle as Hayley clashes with Naomi and Chelsea. Dani confronts Bill. The Dupree cousins compare notes regarding Hayley's inconsistencies. Joey baits Deanna into an outburst.
Episode 2.133
This is mostly a hangout episode. It doesn't significantly advance any plot forward. It delights in multiple characters lashing out at smug Anastasia. That's still satisfying. It also runs the risk of being boring as that's the only thing she offers the narrative. Martin's response is the most impulsive. He obviously has unaddressed resentment towards his family. He's triggered simply by Anastasia mentioning Ted's work left her without any scars after the tornado. That was another example of Ted using his skills as a plastic surgeon following a disaster centered around Martin. The Congressman had no control over the tornado. The Duprees didn't cause it to benefit from the press. He let his rage out on that country road though. Ted got involved. He gave Kenny a new face. Martin didn't know that until much later. His family tried to protect him. He and Smitty will deal with that fallout for the rest of their lives. They lean on each other. Their relationship is stable except for a sudden pickleball injury. It's such a minor plot point. It aims to bring a bunch of characters together at the hospital to laugh at how silly it is. Naomi is particularly extraneous. Meanwhile, it's more evidence that the show is treating Kial with more significance. Even Ted points out that Nicole is favoring him over Carlton.
Ted wants to be friends with Nicole. That more or less already describes their current relationship. She still goes to him. They keep each other updated on their lives. They call each other out when they are being less than forthcoming. They challenge each other. It's hard to see it as anything more than a suggestion they may get back together at some point. That appears to be the goal. The narrative aims to be sly. It all has to start with these small details. Yet it's also obvious that Ted purposefully wants to keep Nicole close. It's the only way he can feel good about his past mistakes. It's not exactly grace that she extends. It's easier to be civil than to truly allow herself to feel any other emotion. And so, that means Ted remains safe to her. That's not what she seeks with Carlton. She favors something exciting and new with Carlton. Yet she can't escape from her old patterns. The past can't be ignored. People may not know the history. It's apparent for those who must deal with the repercussions. That's what Andre fears even while Dani and Pamela are making big plans for the future. It's ominous without being too exciting though. That's the consequence of it being placed alongside stories that don't have much stakes to them.
Grade: C+
Episode 2.134
It's joyous when Ted and Shanice tell Andre about their love. It's a weapon when Nicole tells Leslie. She aims to hurt the woman who keeps invading her life. Dani also gets hit in the crossfire. That would have potentially reshaped the advice she gave earlier. Nicole called her sister in a panic because of what Ted said. She's suddenly questioning her relationships. She fears she's been leading Carlton on as she views him as the safe option. Dani reminds her that she has the strength to determine what she wants. Moreover, Carlton and Kial are grown men who can tell her if they are no longer comfortable with the current dynamic. It's all perfectly reasonable. Yet one can't shake the role Ted's news plays in this. It has to be a factor whether Nicole will admit it or not. Dani thinks her sister is fantasizing about her ex-husband again. It's not that blatant. The emotions remain present. Leslie serves as another reminder. Her actions are always in response to the Duprees. She hires Noah for the clinic because of his connection to Nicole. He barely knows the woman his father is dating. Leslie sees the appeal and refuses to think objectively about anything else this position may require. Eva isn't great in the interview either. Her concerns mostly come from no one measuring up to what Derek brought to the job. Nevertheless, the narrative finds a way to shoehorn Noah into this environment.
Kat and Chelsea's argument ends just as quickly as it began. The show does a better job of articulating the positions both are coming from here. Kat's insecure because Eva was uplifted for her heroism following the tornado. It's not fair to compare who had it worse during that time. Eva was dying. She wasn't conscious though. Kat felt the pressure to donate her liver. She can't escape that scrutiny. However, that trauma has largely concluded for her. She aims to move on with her life. Meanwhile, Eva is still in therapy. Izaiah is cautious about any strenuous activity. That remains a concern. Chelsea's upset that Kat isn't supportive despite her prior approval. Naomi advises her sister to stand firm in her beliefs. Kat does the exact same thing. This family stands tall in letting others know how they feel. They prevents most things from bubbling under the surface. Conflicts remain minor no matter what. All must be forgiven in order for the family to remain tight. That's the underlying thesis of the show. This family is together no matter what. That should be tested. It strangely never is. This situation isn't any different.
Grade: C+
Episode 2.135
Anita is full of energy following her first radiation treatment. She wants to gather the family to celebrate at Uptown. Vernon and Martin are surprised by the energy. She wants to get back to living her life. That means celebrations with the family. She missed too much during her cancer journey. She doesn't want to stymie herself any longer. She's nearing the end. She sees the finish line. This is the life she wants. And so, everyone indulges her. They are prepared for more impromptu requests moving forward. She sets those expectations. The family spends a lot of time worrying about the future. Dani and Naomi agonize over the choices they'll have to make as carriers of the same gene. None of that should divide the family. It can sometimes be annoying how the show reinforces that the family must stick together no matter what. In an episode like this, it just allows everything to be joyous. Nothing is disruptive to the event. Anita doesn't grow tired after awhile. Eva's presence doesn't set Kat off. Noah and Kial are allowed to join in without feeling like outsiders. This is a small world full of unexpected connections. They should be explored and cherished. They will inevitably create drama. This remains a soap opera after all. However, a moment like this also allows things to reset in a way.
That's in contrast to Leslie once again desperately throwing herself at Ted. She storms into his office the moment she learns he's in love with Shanice. Everyone is suddenly privy to the details of this relationship. It's a big deal that they share their status with others. It's much more significant than it has any right to be. It sets Leslie off. She sees Ted as acting foolishly. Shanice can't provide what he actually needs. Leslie proclaims to know Ted better than anyone else. She doesn't actually know what love is. She had to always settle for less just in order to survive. What she found with Ted was the best she ever felt. She has been chasing that for decades. It was only meant to last for a moment. She wouldn't have survived in Ted's world if he left his family to be with her. Vanessa offers that clarity. Leslie doesn't want to hear it. She remains too proud. She won't allow others to dictate how she feels or behaves. She's a part of this community. She found her way in. She demands respect for that stature. She remains isolated. She hasn't won over others. She remains just as vindictive as ever. Ted sees that desperation more clearly. He's more than his social standing. Leslie thinks that's all he has. She has a one-dimensional view of life. That has hindered her development as a character. The show remains committed to that path. It's at least been consistent in that regard.
Grade: B
Episode 2.136
Ted's words sent Nicole spiraling at the start of the week. And now, Martin and Kat admit they both secretly want their parents to get back together. It doesn't matter that Ted is planning a trip to New York with Shanice or that Nicole and Kial missed calls from Dani and a flight to Dallas because they were having sex. The narrative is actively laying the breadcrumbs for a reunion between Nicole and Ted. They keep overhearing how their current relationships are going well. Ted and Dani realize just how serious things have gotten between Nicole and Kial. It doesn't matter that they refuse labels. They prioritize each other. Martin and Kat believe both of their parents could be getting remarried within the year. The focus is on Nicole and Ted even though Martin and Kat should really focus on the tension between them. That goes unaddressed in the name of setting up story elsewhere. They are meant to enjoy each other's company once more. The only tension comes when Martin wants to know what Kat was talking with Smitty about. When he hears it's for a story, he drops his inquiry. That proves that boundaries have been established and respected in his marriage. He's on the road to being a healthier human being. That's only a side story at this point. Nicole and Ted are actively making plans for their currently relationships. However, the story can't help but tease their former lives together.
Naomi and Chelsea don't believe Hayley wants to kill Bill. The audience obviously knows better. At a certain point, the family comparing details of Hayley's deceptions has to actually go somewhere. Kat has the right instincts by opening up her podcast app to take notes. She sees the potential to sensationalize this story. It has all the cornerstones of the podcasts she loves so much. Naomi and Chelsea don't want to believe that's actually happening in their lives. This is their father. It's not some true-crime project. That's precisely what it is though. Hayley has convinced Bill not to reach out to Madison. She details how stress contributes to his failing health. It's not good for him to stay in the hospital until the mystery is solved. The doctors can't be trusted to get it right. Bill sides with his wife over his daughters. They show up ready to force him into action. They know it's only a matter of time before the truth is uncovered. Hayley aims to delay that for as long as possible. Her plans needs to work. She's put too much time into this con. She's committed to this path. Bill remains just as blind as ever. Others know how manipulative Hayley is. They are incapable of pulling Bill out of her grasp. He may die as a result. It's unlikely given the amount of attention paid to this story. This moment feels escalatory. Nothing has really changed though.
Grade: B-
Episode 2.137
The Duprees have an open-door policy when it comes to family. They can show up in each other's lives whenever they want. It's perfectly reasonable for Bill to establish a new boundary. A call or text beforehand will help avoid any unnecessary tension. Chelsea is correct to fear Hayley doesn't want Bill to have a relationship with his daughters at all. Hayley was just complaining to Randy about Naomi and Chelsea. She can't stand them. She wants this con to be as easy as possible. With Bill, it is. He doesn't suspect her at all. He's not even checking his health despite it being readily available to him. Everyone else makes it more difficult for Hayley. They don't take her seriously. Naomi and Chelsea asked her to leave. They don't respect her as a stepmother. Andre has no problem letting Dani have alone time with her daughters. It isn't a vicious or personal attack against him or his relationship. The Duprees see that glaring insecurity written all over Hayley. They delight in it. They aim to make her miserable. None of them can convince Bill to take his health more seriously. That's the more immediate concern. Instead, he's just trying to maintain peace. He's not concerned about what's happening with his body. He doesn't want others to worry either. To him, that's disrespectful of his choices. Everyone has reason to be suspicious of Hayley. It's less personal for Kat. That means she has no qualms about investigating Randy.
Kat had never met Randy before. Now, she sees the connection between him and Deanna. She learns Randy has been a longtime friend of the McBride family. He was close with Doug. He's no longer tasked with keeping Deanna close. He doesn't have to monitor her for any potential threat. Joey realizes he can handle her. He can easily expose her raw emotions whenever he feels like it. Vanessa will still lean on him despite that provocation. Vanessa isn't any wiser to the obvious deception. She's no better than Bill in that regard. Deanna is disgusted by what her mother is doing with Joey. She can't stop her. That frustrates her. She knows she messed up by crashing out on Joey. She still has a job to do. And so, she brings good news to Kat. It's true in more ways than one. Kat only needs the sheer hint of a suggestion to pursue a mystery. She's not the first to question Hayley's motives though. She's even been involved in this case previously when Tomas was investigating. Hayley believes Bill will die during their Caribbean vacation. Yet the show refuses to offer any guarantees of this wrapping up any time soon. It has suggested it a ton. This episode is the latest piece of evidence. It can only sustain so much escalatory momentum before it all feels like empty teases. I've been saying that for awhile. Nothing really changes despite the fights and the hope that things will end soon.
Grade: B-
