Bill makes demands that Hayley's happy to meet. Tyrell's soaking up the attention. Martin waits with baited breath on election night. Kat concedes to her brother while Eva has her hopes up. Anita's ready to record. Deanna has harsh words for Randy. Nicole and Ted rally together. Martin and Smitty's plans go left. Bill makes an enormous admission to Naomi. Hayley has delusions of grandeur. Nicole and Kat catch Chelsea off guard. Naomi and Hayley trade barbs. Heather has something major planned for Joey.
Episode 2.202
Hayley's confidence startles Bill. Everyone believes she is lying about being pregnant. This is her latest con to extort more money. That's all she cares about. She hasn't genuinely changed. Becoming a mother hasn't altered her outlook. She's selling that story. Bill looks for any clues. He wants to find holes in her story. He fears the doctor is in on the scam. He doesn't trust anyone other than Shanice to handle the bloodwork. He's extremely cautious. And yet, Hayley's pregnant. He sees the ultrasound and hears the heartbeat. She's already in her second trimester. The timeline links up to when they were still together. This baby could be his. He's forced to reckon with that. The whole family does. Naomi and Chelsea are waiting for their dad to deliver good news. He can't do that. He relies on them for so much emotional support. They lean on Dani. She's upfront with Andre about seeing Bill. She even shares that Bill has no intention of being a part of this child's life. Andre is convinced Bill will change his mind. He and Dani are on the same page. They don't want to focus on this either. They want all of this mess with Hayley to be over. They are done giving any attention to her. She still demands it. She finds her way to worm into their lives over and over again. This time everything looks real. That can't be denied.
It's the eve of the election. As such, the plot is table setting for the main event. Vernon and Anita agree to host a viewing party for the family. They want to be together as the results come in. They are confident Martin will win. Meanwhile, Martin showcases his gratitude. He praises his grandparents for everything they've given him. They are excellent role models. Sure, doubt still plagues Smitty. He fears his arrest will damage Martin's campaign. Not enough voters will come out to support him. Martin is at peace with whatever the outcome is. His grandparents set that example too. No matter what, he believes in his husband's innocence. The truth will come out eventually. Right now, they need to hold strong together as a family. That include Tyrell. He comes home from college unexpectedly. Martin and Smitty are surprised. It's a way to keep him involved while also providing an update on his love life. Both Jessica and Chessy continue to show their interest. He's flattered by how his image has changed as a college man. That desirability is exhilarating. He hasn't made a choice yet. And so, that plot is mostly inaction. He also must comfort Samantha. She doesn't know if she can remain strong if Smitty is sent to prison. She doesn't have to be. Tyrell will be there to protect her no matter what. He makes that pledge.
Grade: B
Episode 2.203
Jacob shared his frustrations with Naomi. He needed to vent to someone. It was about their marriage and how much he's compromised. He doesn't want the Duprees shunning him because he did his job. He arrested Smitty. The evidence pointed to his guilt. It's out of Jacob's hands now. He handed the case off to the prosecutors. It's on Naomi to prove Smitty's innocence. Everyone believes Smitty will be exonerated. It's not happening soon though. June theorizes that the prosecutor is withholding evidence to keep the case in the headlines before the election. Another video of Smitty drops to influence the voters. It doesn't work. Martin is re-elected. He proclaims with glee. Before that, the watch party is tense. Chelsea was ready to explode too. Naomi confided in Chelsea and Kat about what Jacob said. They left with different opinions. Chelsea tells the whole family Jacob isn't trying to prove Smitty's innocence. He believes his friend is guilty. It was the wrong time to do so. She also breaks her sister's confidence. This information was shared with the understanding it would remain private. It doesn't. Now, Smitty is more determined to prove Jacob wrong. He would never bribe a source. It's about convincing Jacob just as much as the public. Both need to be accomplished to fully clear his name and redeem his reputation.
Whenever Kat sees her parents getting along, she wonders why they can't be a family again. She yearns for that outcome. It's painful. She blames Leslie and Eva. She can't move past that betrayal. She never wants to be blindsided by them again. She's generally fine with Eva's presence so long as she gets a heads up. Sure, it's not great that she tests Martin to see if he will listen to what she wants. That means Eva spends the day thinking her brother forgot about her. She understands Kat's feelings. She displays some reflection. She also verbalizes how much she wants a sister. She wants the relationship Nicole and Dani have. She's envious of Chelsea and Kat too. Izaiah sees things thawing. That's only getting people's hopes up. Kat let her guard down around Eva. Even when Eva and Izaiah arrive at the party, Kat has a dismissive attitude. That doesn't have to do with them. A lot is happening with the family. Kat tries to calm Chelsea down. It doesn't help. The celebration eventually occurs. The family huddles around as Martin gets the call from his opponent conceding. It has to be pointed out that everyone would be fine with whatever outcome occurs. A victory is what everyone secretly wanted. That was never in doubt. The anxieties made everyone fear the worst. Martin's trust in his constituents ultimately prevails.
Grade: B
Episode 2.204
The Articulettes are back in the recording studio. As soon as Anita was ready, the session was booked. She trusted Devon Winters to bring Barbara's vocals back to life. It's a moving experience. Everyone fears Leslie will cause drama. She will find some way to stir up trouble. Nothing happens. Those expectations are subverted. Leslie boasted to Eva that she had no qualms about speaking up if any wrong notes were hit. She's upset Eva chose to spend the day with Shanice planning her wedding. Eva isn't responsible for her mother's behavior. She's suddenly not as attached to the recording as Leslie is. That's largely because the story demands her to be at the club with Kat. Everyone insists that if the sisters spend enough time together they will eventually get along. They have so much in common. As soon as they get over their stubbornness, everything will be perfect. Kat doesn't have those aspirations. Again, it's immature to leave Shanice and Eva waiting. She's cavalier about the wedding planning. That could be attached to her mixed feelings about Ted getting remarried. She still advocates for the love her parents had. Meanwhile, Eva is clear where things stand between Ted and Leslie. She has no hope in them getting back together. She doesn't want that. She's not the one causing disruptions. The bickering continues though.
Kat and Eva's dynamic remains virtually the same. The show offers that certainty while striving for something new with Leslie. People can never trust her to be compliant. She always makes demands. She requires everyone to focus on her. Lily Winters is assigned to look after her. She can't get in the way of the magic. That's ultimately unnecessary. When Vernon believes she's holding her tongue, it's because Leslie is overcome with emotion. This is just as meaningful to her as it is for The Articulettes. Vernon beams with pride and joy. He knows how much Anita needed this. She fought cancer in order to get to this moment. She wasn't going to let anything stand in her way. That's a radiant celebration. She does enough to honor Barbara. The narrative does so as well. A voice that's been missing for decades has finally returned. Anita accomplished what she set out to do. That's moving. The narrative tries to subvert expectations with Izaiah as well. He's finally asked if he has feelings for Kat. Joey prompts the introspection even though Izaiah shuts it down immediately. It's more pressing that Randy loses his friendship with Deanna. He will no longer be able to report back to Joey about her antics. Deanna and Vanessa are on the same page. It's simply about Randy and not Joey. That's special even though the spotlight of the recording session makes everything else seem minor in comparison.
Grade: B
Episode 2.205
Hayley is always fantasizing about what her life will be like once her plans succeed. They never come to fruition - outside of avoiding jail. That hasn't stopped her scheming. She's looking for more from Bill. The pregnancy provided opportunity. She preys on his vulnerability. He's not willing to engage. He informs her that parenting will be her sole responsibility. That crushes her dreams immediately. The audience doesn't have to wait for that satisfaction to arrive eventually. It took a year of poison for that plot to go anywhere. And now, her fantasies fade away in the span of an episode. That's a remarkable turnaround even though Bill had expressed his feelings previously. Hayley thought she knew Bill. That made him an easy mark. Everything has changed. He's reckoning with being lonely. The silence is loud. He doesn't know what to do. He's working late and making excuses to see his daughters. Naomi forces this admission out of him. He doesn't like sharing his feelings. This needed to be said. Life has changed. He has the potential to take advantage of that. Life threatens to change suddenly again due to the pregnancy. He doesn't have stability. Naomi and Chelsea are there. Dani vocalizes that she never wants to volunteer to be his emotional support. Both she and Andre are jumping to conclusions though as those patterns are hard to break.
Eva worries over the worst Leslie could do during the recording session. It's not even within the realm of possibility that her mama behaved herself. She wanted to be distracted all day. Leslie hasn't responded to her texts. Leslie takes more time in the studio to connect with her mother. She felt Barbara's presence. She doesn't want to give that up. That's why she was vulnerable. Anita acknowledges that they will never be friends. However, she extends a gift of generosity. That's remarkable too. Anita showed her appreciation for Leslie following the terms of their agreement. The magic happened as a result. They are still running on that high. Martin and Smitty want to relax after the election. They are buzzing with excitement too. Nicole bursts their bubble by sharing the reason Bill dropped the charges against Hayley. She wasn't comfortable keeping that from him any longer. He needed to be alerted. He had to be aware that Hayley could threaten him. Nicole trusts her father. Vernon insisted the threat has been contained. Martin still deserved to hear the truth. Ted provides backup even though he disagreed with the decision. Martin doesn't want to be burdened by his secret. He doesn't want to be looking over his shoulder constantly. He still is unfortunately. Smitty sees that.
Grade: B
Episode 2.206
Joey got what he wanted with Martin's re-election. Heather got what she wanted in ruining Smitty's reputation. The prosecutors know the video was doctored. It's being withheld from Naomi. She still doesn't have the evidence. She's not being as aggressive as she could. She saves that energy for Hayley. Everyone's on edge with her. Meanwhile, Joey and Heather discuss whether things will ever change between them. That seems impossible as Heather orchestrated Vanessa's carjacking. If it was more serious, Joey would have retaliated stronger. Vanessa is the beneficiary of his protection. Heather used to have that role. A lot has changed since then. She forged her own path. She shouldn't be surprised that things don't easily realign to her interests. Joey's on guard. He has to be scheming too. He can't be caught off guard with her antics. He gives her a week to settle her business in the DMV. She isn't welcomed here any longer. It's best for the siblings to address their issues. Vanessa only gets in the way. She doesn't even understand the tension. Joey and Heather can speak openly with one another. When Vanessa enters, they go silent. This isn't her responsibility. Dani shares that insight. She too is trying to maintain distance with Bill. She doesn't need to guide him through his issues. She has to be committed to her own marriage.
Bill isn't going to change his mind either. He already petitions to terminate his parental rights to Hayley's child. The court granted his request. Naomi wanted to deliver the papers. She had a lot she wanted to get off her chest. That only leaves her more frustrated. Hayley boasts about how easy it was to con the Duprees. They were so welcoming and trusting. Naomi knows they won't be blindsided by her again. Hayley can still inflict a ton of damage. She doesn't want to be a mother. She's upset that Randy tells Joey everything. She doesn't see his reasoning. She doesn't accept that he threw her under the bus just like she did to him. She expected better from him. He's certain Bill will accept this child. It's one thing to say he wants no responsibility. It's another to actually do it. That's projection on Randy's part. He doesn't see things clearly. Stuck in the middle of all of this is Chelsea. She wants to advocate for the innocence of the child. It's not destined to turn out horribly because of Hayley's influence. Bill can have a good impact on this child's life. He may regret his choice. He's responding out of anger towards Hayley. Everyone gets that. Chelsea is struggling to cope. It all ties back to walking in on her father cheating on her mother. That's the root of her trauma. Nicole unearths that. Her words calm her while Kat can't help but voicing her opinion whether it's beneficial or not.
Grade: B-
