Ted doles out some unconventional advice to Andre. Grayson seeks Jacob's help. Heather makes a bold move. Nicole counsels her daughter. Hayley's brought to tears. Carlton has stunning news for Andre. Izaiah surprises Eva. Leslie gets an intriguing proposition. Smitty's suspicions spiral. Deanna is haunted by grief. Bill has an unwelcome visitor. Joey's pestered by his past decisions. Bill stuns Hayley. Vanessa and Deanna discover something from before Doug's death.
Episode 2.158
The news of Lia's death is more consequential for those previously involved with the red market investigation. Those at Garland who were blindsided by the Chief of Staff's actions have different reactions. They don't suddenly fear for their lives. The narrative finds it necessary to update Nicole and Carlton though. Grayson immediately warns Ashley and rushes to Jacob for answers. The police can't clarify anything. Elon hoped Joey could offer clues. He provided nothing. Instead, Joey's frustrated over covering for Heather. He lashes out at Vanessa whose redesign of the backroom is even more trivial. Joey at least knows the truth about Heather. He isn't trying to expose her as the Impaler. These actions escalate the risk. They should further alarm Andre about what she will do. He tells Ted he fears how Heather and Dani will react. Both are volatile women. Ted tells him to play along with Heather's demands until he can gain power over her. That's daunting because it would risk breaking his vows with Dani. It doesn't even seem like Andre is skilled at deceit when he visits Heather later. He's going through the motions and pretending to be conflicted. He actually is though. And so, it's not a whole lot of dimension to play within.
Heather is the true wildcard. She aspires to shake up various dynamics. She's toying with Andre and Dani. She's getting close with Vanessa. She wants to merge her business with Joey's. She's obtaining information about who worked for Lia. She's getting close with Carlton. She's busy. It's a little overwhelming. The investment is being made. It's difficult for her to hide her intentions. She's managing it all on her own. She's skilled at unnerving people. Carlton and Dani buy into her charms. They aren't concerned. Dani knows Heather is Joey's sister. Carlton is simply surprised his hookup has popped up at the hospital. Now, they have a chance to talk and plan to meet again. Nicole is the one who informs him about her connection to Joey. That could alter things even though Dani offers a different assessment. She doesn't see how Joey and Heather are related. They are completely different people. Joey doesn't hide who he is. Heather does. That's the contrast. That's what is propelling the narrative forward. It's something new. Bill asking Hayley if she is fulfilled in life feels like a conversation that has occurred before even though he's starting to believe the concerns from the rest of his family.
Grade: B-
Episode 2.159
According to Nicole, relationships that work feature the people making time for each other. If the couple is making excuses, then they are clearly ignoring some underlying issue. That's happening across multiple pairings. Some are aware of it and choosing to be oblivious. Some are doing so subconsciously. Nicole thinks Kat and Tomas should get away. That would allow her to grieve the business plans that won't be enacted. She could focus on how she's personally feeling. Instead, the company remains in limbo. Nothing has been proven against their Japanese partners yet. She's devastated. Eva finds that hard to believe. She doesn't think Kat genuinely cares about people. That's so far from true. Kat will fight passionately for the people she cares about. Martin suggests Eva is actually jealous of Kat. The scar serves as a remainder of what her half-sister did. She will forever be marked. She can't escape this bond no matter how much they avoid each other. Martin hates that his sisters don't get along. He wanted things to change. Nicole sees the benefit of avoidance. It's better for now. They don't need to be more than that. And yet, they are inching back into each other's lives in destructive ways. Kat is being vulnerable with Izaiah while Eva is making excuses for why they can't enjoy an afternoon delight at home.
Dani has always been a last-minute packer. Multiple people have to remind her to work on what she's bringing on a trip. She calls everyone for advice. That doesn't speed up the process. In fact, it forces her to think about other things. Nicole sees her sister obviously deflecting from what's actually on her mind. She's going halfway across the world shortly after Bill was hospitalized. He even leaves work to say goodbye. He caught Hayley in a lie. She lays the tears on thick to get him to stop. That doesn't ease his concern. He still carries regrets from his marriage with Dani. Death has forced some things into perspective. Dani and Bill are continually drawn to each other. Andre aims to be secure in his marriage. Yet he refuses to warn others about Heather based on his personal experience. He hopes vague details are enough to convince them. It's not. Carlton uses Andre's past to condemn any relationship advice he has to offer. It's justified given how guarded Andre is. This story remains prominent despite his insistence on leaving for Seoul. Will he and Dani actually leave? Or will they remain tied to Fairmont Crest for now?
Grade: B-
Episode 2.160
The Impaler investigation was initially shrouded in secrecy. Jacob and Smitty couldn't be honest with their loved ones about it. They couldn't lean on them for support. Things have changed now. Despite that, they still feel the urge to protect them from their worst fears. Smitty spirals thinking his visits with Lia in prison got her killed. It would be easy to believe her death was a suicide. He can't stop thinking about the role he played. He exposed the truth. She faced the consequences of her actions. Death wasn't freeing. In fact, it brings this darkness back into the lives of those involved. Jacob and Smitty are still pursuing the Impaler. They want to expose this criminal. Martin believes the best way to support his husband is to embrace the simplest explanation. There was nothing suspicious to Lia's death. That's the most likely answer. It serves no purpose to imagine it was murder. That's not all that comforting. Martin knows it's a mistake to go to the club to play squash with Vernon. He does so anyway. He eventually leaves to be there for Smitty. He still left. Smitty doesn't want to spiral alone. He leans on his husband. He just needs Martin to be there with him. Joey provides that comfort to Vanessa. She appreciates that even though he's scheming behind her back.
It's been nearly a year since Doug's death. Deanna believes she's the only one still mourning. That isn't true. It's how she experiences the world where her mother has moved on. Nothing Vanessa says can convince her daughter otherwise. Vanessa needed to believe Deanna accepted her relationship with Joey. She was moving on too by dating Noah. The grief still hits her hard. It remains alarming that she hallucinates Doug. He's forever at the forefront of her mind. She will do anything to avenge his death. She can't move on. That's where her loyalty lies. Similarly, Eva will drop everything for her mother. Leslie demands a dinner at the club then promptly ignores Eva and Izaiah for other business. It's a meaningful story later on when Eva and Izaiah finally connect. It's empowering to see Eva in control of the pace. It's still underwhelming and highlights how Leslie continues to get everything she wants. The Articulettes don't know how to negotiate a business deal. Yet they are tasked with going to Leslie to get the rights to Barbara's voice. It's ridiculous. Anita knows it's a bad idea. She's forced to accept whatever Leslie offers. Leslie wields all the power without doing anything to deserve it. She won't agree to any kind of silent deal either.
Grade: C+
Episode 2.161
Hayley has never entertained Leslie's offer of friendship. She never expected to remain in Fairmont Crest. She's been poisoning Bill for nearly a year to no avail. That may change given the closing minutes of Bill collapsing again. He's done so multiple times. He hasn't died yet. She can't celebrate too soon. This is the outcome she wants. Leslie's persistence likely indicates that the two will wind up needing each other at some point. They probably would be good friends. They could get into plenty of mischief. That would require a decision to stay. Hayley doesn't tolerate anyone getting up in her business. She doesn't like relying on others. She claims to have succeeded on her own. She also spins a tale of being lonely to Bill. That's how she endears herself to him once more. It's just enough to let his guard down. Everyone has to be cautious in doing so. That only invites more trouble in. It doesn't take much for their lives to be infected by those seeking to manipulate them for their own devious interests. Heather gets all the gossip from June. It doesn't take much prying either. Furthermore, she hears about how Doug died and immediately connects the pieces to her brother. She knows Joey was responsible. That produces leverage that may work out to her benefit now that more red markets have been exposed.
Joey and Bill are compelling antagonists because they have moments of reflection. They are haunted by the decisions they've made. They probably wouldn't change things if they could. They believe they were justified in what they did. It haunts them nevertheless. It also requires more lies to keep the truth hidden. Joey aims to support Vanessa as grief over Doug's death strikes anew. He's also working to keep any trace linking him to the crime from being exposed. He doesn't know what was in the box for Deanna. He only found one note from Doug identifying Joey as his killer. He can't count on Randy to provide reliable information. He does all the worrying himself because it could threaten what he has built. In contrast, Hayley and Leslie are one-dimensional. They haven't shown any growth. They've been stagnant for a long time. That makes their stories less interesting. Heather could quickly join them. Her presence keeps the Impaler story alive. The more intriguing aspect comes from how Jacob and Smitty respond. Heather has plans. She scrambles to put them in motion. Meanwhile, Jacob and Smitty are potentially risking their lives and what they care about in pursuit of justice. That could be far more damaging as they are the ones determining how far to go to get what they want.
Grade: B-
Episode 2.162
How many fake outs can you tolerate? It's frustrating when one occurs in an episode. It's even more ridiculous when two happen. One isn't even original. Bill collapsed and Hayley thought he was dead. She even kicked him. That still wasn't enough. He got right back up and acted as if nothing happened. Randy's paranoia would be fitting if the audience didn't know any better. In fact, it would be outrageous if Bill truly was testing Hayley. That would indicate he's actually smart. He's not falling for her deception. He clearly is. Sure, he's decided to show some agency over his health. He installs the app that monitors his pacemaker. He's no longer letting Hayley be in charge of his numbers. He was fine with that before. Now, he seemingly knows better. That doesn't mean this latest setback is justified. It simply showcases how sloppy both Hayley and Randy are. Meanwhile, the narrative refuses to commit to Doug leaving more than one note behind blaming Joey for his death. Instead, the note reading "cause of my death" is in reference to an exhibit he planned on attending with Deanna. That's what ignites her grief all over again. She still doesn't have any proof about Joey's culpability. She needs that for Vanessa to believe her. Heather is more than willing to call out her brother for what she can obviously deduce.
Furthermore, Heather insinuates that Joey killed their father. That enrages them. He didn't want Heather in his home. That moment prompted him to kick her out. She still wields a ton of power. It's unnerving whenever she interacts with someone new. Ted receives that treatment at the club. The family doesn't think to keep him in the loop. He's surprised to learn ChelseaKat had to pull out of Tokyo. Kat didn't tell him. Chelsea does. He doesn't offer any meaningful support either. Simply listening can be good enough. It's not as Chelsea still reaches out to Bill to further talk things out. She does so on Dani's suggestion. Even in Seoul, Dani and Andre are thinking about what's happening in Fairmont Crest. They can't escape the drama. Dani worries something has happened to Bill. She's right even though he puts on a brave front. Andre is triggered by once again receiving a bottle of champagne from Heather. He knows what it means while Dani downplays it. They can never relax at the same time. This work vacation was meant to be freeing. It's proven to be anything but on their first day.
Grade: B-
